Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit Orthodox Church
Archpriest Steven C. Kostoff
4285 Ashland Ave, Cincinnati OH 45212 - (513) 351-0907
Summer Bible Study - Wednesday evenings beginning June 1

May 27, 2016

 

Dear Parish Faithful & Friends in Christ,

 

CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!

 

Our Spring/Summer Bible Study will begin next Wednesday, June 1, at 7:45 p.m.  (Vespers first at 7:00 p.m.). 

 

We will be reading, studying and discussing the opening chapters of the Gospel According to St. John, concentrating on the "signs" found there. Next Wednesday, however, we will begin with a detailed look at the Prologue of the Gospel - JN.1:1-18.  This is the prescribed reading every year at the midnight Paschal Liturgy. We hear of the "Word" who "was with God" and who "was God." 

 

What does all of this mean?  If this passage remains somewhat mysterious or difficult to penetrate for you, our discussion will hopefully prove to be illuminating.  "Lay aside all earthly care" and join us as we take a prayerful and close look at the Gospel!  Please join us!

 

-- Fr. Steven

 

Watch for more notes and updates as we launch into our annual exploration of the Scriptures!

 

The Bible Study and Christian Martyria

May 31, 2016

 

Dear Parish Faithful,


CHRIST IS RISEN!

 

The Bible Study and Christian Martyria

On Saturday evening, His Grace, Bishop Paul, spoke to us about Christian "martyria" as an essential response to the secularism of our contemporary world.  Martyria or martyrdom means, of course, witness.  The ultimate witness is to die for one's faith, and those are the martyrs that we so venerate to this day.  However, as Bp. Paul pointed out, we are not persecuted in that manner in North America.
 
We may be ridiculed as Christians; and we have to accept laws that we do not find morally acceptable; but we are not persecuted as Christians of the Middle East are.  Our witness is made with the "little crosses" that we are willing to take up to reveal Christ as the ultimate Source, Value and Goal of our lives. We witness by placing our life in the Church above other concerns - secular events, from sports to social gatherings, to entertainment, etc.  - in our daily lives, even if that may not be so convenient.
 
Those were Bp. Paul's words of wisdom and it is difficult to disagree with him - especially for committed Orthodox Christians.
 
To apply his teaching to a concrete example, I would like to make the link between this type of more modest martyria and the upcoming parish Spring/Summer Bible Study that will begin this Wednesday evening...
 
Continue reading on Fr. Steven's Orthodox Christian Meditations blog...
 

 * Our Spring/Summer Bible Study begins this Wednesday, June 1, with Vespers at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Bible Study at 7:45 p.m.

 Scroll down for more info...

 

Summer Bible Study to Resume Wednesday, June 29

Jesus heals the man born blind, one of the
Jesus heals the man born blind, one of the "Signs" in John's Gospel.
Jesus heals the man born blind, one of the "Signs" in John's Gospel.
June 3, 2016

 

Dear Parish Faithful,

 

CHRIST IS RISEN!    INDEED HE IS RISEN!

 

We had one of our larger Bible Study groups this last Wednesday evening (June 1).  As we study the "signs" in the Gospel, our large group was a clear "sign" of a thirst to hear, study and discuss the living Word of God.  How very encouraging! 

 

More importantly, that allowed for a very lively discussion of the Prologue of St. John's Gospel.  However, the study of the Prologue was a "prologue" to the main body of the Bible Study that will not meet again until Wednesday, June 29.

 

Next week is the Vesperal Liturgy for Ascension, followed by the two weeks of our Parish Workshops.  This will allow all interested parishioners to carefully read through the opening chapters of the Gospel According to St. John. 

 

More details to follow...

~ Fr. Steven

 

The Book of Signs - Summer Bible Study returns June 29

 

Dear Parish Faithful,

 

Attached is a flier announcing the resumption of our Spring/Summer Bible Study this coming Wednesday, June 29.

 

Please pass it on to anyone else that you think would be interested.  The Bible Study could be a good way to introduce someone - a neighbor, a friend, a relative - to the Orthodox Faith.

 

We will resume our study of the Gospel According to St. John  — 'The Book of Signs' —on Wednesday evening at 7:45 p.m., following the service of Vespers at 7:00 p.m. 

 

We will concentrate on JN. 2:1-12 and Sign of the Miracle at Cana of Galilee - water transformed into wine by Christ - the first of His great "signs."

There are various reasons why someone cannot attend, of course, but "lack of interest" is an unacceptable response from an Orthodox Christian.

Fr. Steven

 

Download and print the flier in PDF format. (Copies also available in church...)

Read Fr. Steven's meditation, The Bible Study and Christian Martyria

 

Notes from June 29 Class, Looking ahead to July 6......

Visit of Nicodemus to Christ; John La Farge (1880)
Visit of Nicodemus to Christ; John La Farge (1880)
Visit of Nicodemus to Christ; John La Farge (1880)
June 30, 2016

 

Dear Bible Study Participants,


I believe that we set a Bible Study "attendance record" yesterday evening with all of you there and participating! 

Of course, the success of a meaningful Bible Study is not so much "quantitative" as it is "qualitative."  Hopefully, our group discussion of those incredibly rich texts from St. John's Gospel was the qualitative complement to our quantitative explosion. Nevertheless, seeing so many of you there and eager to "search the Scriptures" was very encouraging.

By gathering together to read the Scriptures together, we are connecting the Sundays and connecting with each other. If you were a new "face" at the Bible Study I can assure you that it was great to have you join us,  and I further hope that you will be encouraged to return.  


For next Wednesday (July 6), we will complete JN. 2, and the Evangelist's presentation of the cleansing of the Temple.  We will then spend some time in Ch. 3, especially with v. 1-21 and Christ's extraordinary dialogue with Nicodemus. We will then move on to Ch. 4 - if there is time!

Once again, I believe we had a great beginning and I hope we can continue in that spirit.  If you have any comments, questions or suggestions for the future, please send them along to me.

In Christ,

Fr. Steven

 

Study Questions for our July 6 Session...

Jesus meets the Samaritan Woman at Jacob's Well (JN 4:1-42)
Jesus meets the Samaritan Woman at Jacob's Well (JN 4:1-42)
Jesus meets the Samaritan Woman at Jacob's Well (JN 4:1-42)
July 6, 2016

Dear Parish Faithful,

This evening, we will serve Vespers at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Bible Study at 7:45 p.m.  Here are a few general questions that could lead to fuller discussions this evening:



Ch. 3:1-21

1.  Who is Nicodemus and what does he represent in this dialogue?

2.  What does Jesus mean by rebirth/birth from above "of Water and Spirit?"

3.  What is the allusion to the "serpent lifted up in the wilderness" and what does it mean?

4.  On what level is Nicodemus not understanding what Jesus is alluding to?

5.  What does St. John mean by the "world" that God so loves according to 3:16?

6.  How are we judged according to 3:19-21?




Ch. 4:1-42

1.  What does it mean that the woman at the well is a Samaritan?

2.  What is the "living water" that Jesus offers to the woman at the well?

3.  How do we worship God "in spirit and in truth?"

4.  How does the woman witness to her fellow-villagers?

5.  What does it mean to call Jesus the "Savior of the world?"




Ch. 4: 43-54

1.  How is this healing a "sign?"  A  sign of what?

2.  Who does this official represent?

3.  How does this account of the healing compare to MATT. 8:5-13 & LK. 7:2-10?

 

Study Questions for July 13 Session...

July 7, 2016

 

Dear Parish Faithful,


"He must increase, but I must decrease."  (JN. 3:30)


I found yesterday evening's Bible Study to once again be most enjoyable and hopefully enlightening.  Realizing the infinite depths of this Gospel, we can only claim to be "scratching the surface," but even that should prove to be highly rewarding! The overflowing group that is appearing so far is most encouraging.  We didn't cover all the chapters that I hoped we would yesterday, so I believe that I need to "pick up the pace" a bit, so that we cover the first half of the Gospel According to St. John within the time frame of our Summer Bible Study.  

Therefore, for next Wednesday, we will cover Ch. 4 dealing with the Samaritan Woman at the well and the "sign" of the healing of the official's son back in Cana of Galilee.  Please read ahead into Ch. 5 and the next sign of the healing of the paralytic by the pool of Bethesda. I sent out questions for Ch. 4 yesterday. [See below...] 

I am also attaching an outline of the dialogue with the Samaritan Woman in case you no longer have it.

I will not be in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 20, so we will miss that session.

Fr. Steven

 

Ch. 4:1-42

1.  What does it mean that the woman at the well is a Samaritan?

2.  What is the "living water" that Jesus offers to the woman at the well?

3.  How do we worship God "in spirit and in truth?"

4.  How does the woman witness to her fellow-villagers?

5.  What does it mean to call Jesus the "Savior of the world?"




Ch. 4: 43-54

1.  How is this healing a "sign?"  A  sign of what?

2.  Who does this official represent?

3.  How does this account of the healing compare to MATT. 8:5-13 & LK. 7:2-10?

 

Reflection for our July 27 Class

July 27, 2016

 

“Do you want to be healed?”

 
Dear Bible Study Participants,
 
Perhaps in preparation for this evening's session which will concentrate on JN. 5 and the healing of the paralytic, you may want to revisit - or read for the first time - a recent meditation on that passage.
 
Also, ask yourselves: How is this healing a "sign" within the series of signs in the first half of the Gospel of John?  Why do the religious authorities - "the Jews" - so resist what Jesus has done?  What does Christ's response say about His relationship with God?
 

* * *
 
In the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Saint John we find the account of the healing of the paralytic by the Pool of Bethesda near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem and the profound discourse that follows. Archeologists have fairly recently discovered this pool, demonstrating the accuracy of Saint John’s description. 

 

The paralytic had taken his place among a human throng of chronic misery, described by the evangelist as “a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed” [verse 3].  Being there for 38 years and not being able to experience what were believed to be the healing capacities of the waters of the pool, the paralytic seemed resigned to his destiny.  Then Jesus appeared.  He saw the paralytic and He knew of his plight.  And then Jesus asked the paralytic a very pointed and even poignant question: “Do you want to be healed?” [verse 6].
 
Surprisingly, considering what must have been his own misery, the paralytic’s answer was less than direct and not exactly enthusiastic: “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me” [verse 7]. 

 

Nevertheless, and even though the paralytic does not commit himself to an act of faith in the healing power of Jesus, he receives the following directive from Jesus: “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.”  And then, in that somewhat laconic style of describing the healing power of Christ that characterizes the Gospel accounts, we read simply, “And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked” [verse 9].  The “sign” is that Christ can restore wholeness to those in need.

I believe that we need to concentrate on the question Jesus posed to the paralytic, “Do you want to be healed?”  (The King James version of the question is:  “Wilt thou be made whole?”)  For, if the various characters that Jesus encountered in the Gospels are also representatives or “types” of a particular human condition, dilemma, or state of being; then the question of Jesus remains alive in each generation and is thus posed to each of us today. 

 

If sin is a sickness, then we are “paralyzed” by that sin to one degree or another of intensity.  But do we really want to be healed of the paralyzing effect of sin in our lives? 

 

The answer seems obvious, even a “no-brainer,” but is that truly the case?  Or, are we more-or-less content with continuing as we are, satisfied that perhaps this is “as good as it gets” in terms of our relationship with God and our neighbors?  Do we manage to politely deflect the probing question of Christ elsewhere, counter-posing a reasonable excuse as to what prevents us from exerting the necessary energy from our side? 

 

Our teaching claims that we must also contribute to the synergistic process of divine grace and human freedom that works together harmoniously for our healing.  Perhaps it is easier and more comfortable to stay as we are – after all, it’s really not that bad - a position reflected in the non-commital response of the paralytic.  For to be further healed of sin will mean that we will have to make some changes in our life, in our interior attitudes and in our relationships.  It certainly means that we will have to confess our faith in Christ with a greater intensity, urgency and commitment.  Are we up to that challenge?

Actually, we could more accurately say that we have already been healed.  That happened when we were baptized into Christ.  (There are baptismal allusions in the healing of the paralytic by the pool of water). 

 

Every human person is paralyzed by the consequences of sin, distorting the image of God in which we were initially created.  Baptism was meant to put to death the sin that is within us.  We were healed, in that baptism is the pledge to life everlasting, where death itself is swallowed up in the victory of Christ over death.  For we are baptized into the Death and Resurrection of Christ.

 

So, with a slight variation, the question of Christ could also imply: Do you rejoice in the fact that you have been healed, and does your way of life reflect the faith and joy that that great healing from sin and death has imparted to you?  Are you willing to continue in the struggle that is necessary to keep that healing “alive” within you? 

 

Direct and simple questions can get complicated, often by the paralyzing effect of sin in our lives.  We can then get confused as to how to respond to such essential questions. 

 

Every time we walk into the church we are being asked by Christ, “Do you want to be healed?”  Responding with a resounding “yes!” would be a “sign” of the faith, hope and love that are within us by the grace of God.

 

Discussion Questions for August 3 Class

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven." (JN. 6:51)
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven." (JN. 6:51)
August 1, 2016

 

Dear Parish Faithful,



If your non-Orthodox friend/neighbor/co-worker/relative were to ask you: "How do you Orthodox Christians understand the words of Christ, 'I am the living bread which came down from heaven' (JN. 6:51)?", what would you answer?  Do these powerful and mysterious words of Christ point toward a metaphorical or literal understanding?  What do they allude to from the Bible?  Do these words apply to the Orthodox understanding of the Eucharist? 

If you are uncertain as to how well you would respond to your interlocutor; if you are afraid that you may offer an inadequate answer; if you think you would shake your head in a kind of "I don't really know" response; then you need to come to Wednesday evening's Bible Study! 

We will work on uncovering the profound meaning of these words of Christ to the best of our ability.  You will learn a great deal being among fellow parishioners as we share our communal knowledge with each other. You just may come away with an "Aha - so that's what those words mean!" experience. 

Enriching one's knowledge of Christ can be a very exciting experience.  And we have the opportunity to do just that at our parish Bible Study!

 

Wednesday - Vespers at 7:00 p.m.
                       Bible Study at 7:45 p.m.

 

- Fr. Steven

 

Our Penultimate Bible Study Session

August 10, 2016

 

To Everyone Who Has Appeared At Least Once At This Summer's Bible Study,


I hope we can complete the final two sessions of this year's Bible Study with a "bang" and not with a "whimper!"  In other words, since we started strong, I hope that we can finish strong. For me, at least, it has been a highly enjoyable experience to date. So, a short word of encouragement as we are about to embark on our study of the two great signs of the healing of the blind man and the raising of Lazarus.

This evening, we will therefore study JN. 9 and get into JN. 10 and the Good Shepherd in  time permits.  

We will first serve Daily Vespers at 7:00 p.m.  The Bible Study will follow at 7:45 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Fr. Steven

 

Concluding our Summer Bible Study

August 15, 2016

 

Dear Parish Faithful,

 

Our Summer Bible Study will end on Wednesday evening as we read and discuss JN. 11. 

 

But what an ending!  For in JN. 11:1-45 we encounter the final and greatest of the "signs" recorded in St. John's Gospel: the Raising of the Lazarus from the dead.  This magnificent passage is the "confirmation" of Christ's resurrection and the resurrection at the end of time. 

 

You don't want to miss what could be a very lively and dynamic discussion.  You will get home in plenty of time to see the evening's main Olympic Games attractions.  If only we had the energy and devotion toward our "spiritual lives" what the Olympic athletes display in their quest for gold!

 

Fr. Steven

 

 

Final Thoughts on our Summer Bible Study

August 19, 2016

 

Dear Bible Study Participants,


Once again, just a brief word as to how thoroughly I enjoyed this summer's now-completed study of the Gospel According to St. John.  Perhaps my "favorite" Bible Study to date! However, IMHO this may have had more to do with the Gospel than with us(!), but we always understand everything in the Church as a synergistic process - divine grace working with human freedom/self-detemination.  Everyone had to make the commitment to "get there" so as to be further astounded by the glory revealed in this Gospel.  It seems apparent that all were more than glad for having made that commitment.  And our lively discussions clearly enriched each person's understanding of the various passages that we studied.

I thought to include a brief comment from Archbishop Dmitri's Commentary on the Gospel of St. John, concerning the powerful verse:  "Jesus wept."  After a technical discussion of the particular Gk. word that St. John used to describe the weeping of Christ, he writes: 

"Mary's and the Jews' weeping was that of a people who had lost a  loved one; the Lord's was that of the Creator, who had created man for life, in face of the mortality that man brought upon himself.  It was the Incarnate Word, the God-Man who wept."

Archbishop Dmitri then quotes St. Athanasius the Great (+378) to this effect. who said the following:

"Wherefore neither was there one Son of God before Abraham, another after Abraham (cf. 8:58); nor was there one that raised up Lazarus, another that asked concerning him; but the same it was that said as man, 'Where does Lazarus lie?' and as God raised him up the same that as man and in the body spat, but divinely as Son of God opened, the eyes of man blind from his birth ... "  

Perhaps we will read the "Book of Glory" - the second half of the Gospel - in the future.

Fr. Steven