Christ is Risen!
Dear Michael et al,
Writing this from work, I do Not have a Calendar to look at but during the Lent I do recall a Feast day pertaining to the Martyrdom of some Byzantine General Officers. The story was so powerful I would like to share it with you.
These Byzantine Christian Soldiers had been captured by Moslem Military forces in one of the many battles against Islam's several century encroachment on Byzantium. The Moslem officers offered these Byzantine Orthodox Soldiers their lives and liberty if they would renounce Christ and become Moslem.
They refused, instead they presented the case for the Crucifixion of Christ and testified to his glorious resurrection. So compelling were they that the Moslem officers were silenced by their arguements and faith.
The Moslem Commander broke the silence by asking how they could believe in Christianity when it was so apparrent that Islam had to be true because they were conquering Christian strongholds and winning battle after battle. To this the soldiers answered, "Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! His victory over death does not guarantee that we will be victorious in War--only that we will be victorious over death and enter into His eternal kingdom"
As the hours stretched into days, they spoke of Job and the Martyrs of the Church. In summation they stated that in the wisdom of God, suffering does happen to good people---to bring them to testimony---to convert others --- to nourish the faith--- they concluded with the Words "Christos Anesti!" This continued until all the soldiers were slaughtered for their witness ---it had so shaken the Moslems.
For one to conclude that Eastern Orthodox Christianity is somehow defective because of its constant suppression and presecution seems to miss the history of the Christian Church with its centuries of Martyrdoms and persecutions. Let us not forget that even in our Generation and Century the Church , be it Roman Catholic (Poland, Hungary, Lithuana, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba), Eastern Catholic or Eastern Orthodox (Ukraine, Russia, Bellorussia, Serbia, China, Croatia, Albania)who were persecuted by the Godless Ones or in Turkey, Africa, Middle east, Crete by the Moslem peoples----have faced persecutions. What is the reason?
As the Church Fathers have said "by the blood of the holy martyrs does the church grow".
I often wonder for myself, is my faith strong enough to be a witness of Christ to the point of the Eastern Martyrs? We who live in the United States have not been faced with that great challenge. I pray that God will be with me when I have to make that witness!
Your brother in Christ,
Thomas
