New York City Cathedral
Lenten Retreat

On March 6th, Archpriest John Behr (Dean of Saint Vladimir's Seminary) led the members of the “Second Street Cathedral” of the Holy Virgin Protection in a mini-retreat called: The Lenten Journey to the Cross. Father John concelebrated the Holy Liturgy with the Cathedral Dean, Igumen Christopher (Calin) and cathedral clergy. After coffee hour, a full house gathered in the newly renovated Metropolitan Theophilus Auditorium.  As preparation for our entry into Great Lent, Father John gave a discourse on the meaning of Pascha and its central significance for our faith.

Father John’s discussion focused on Saint Melito of Sardis' “On Pascha,” an ancient sermon (and oldest extant haggadah) dating from 170 AD, before the New Testament was complied.  Saint Melito focused on the Old Testament types of Christ, and how He fulfills them in the completeness of reality.  In particular, the Passover, when the Israelites were spared by the Angel of Death through the blood of a lamb, is presented as a type of Christ who was yet to come.  Normally, the type must come after the reality, but since Christ is always and forever, the Angel of Death was able to recognize the shadow of what was to come. The Old Testament was a type, but we must understand that Christ Himself is its very seal.

In addition, the Cross shows that Christ came for all people, not just for any special subset of humanity.  Because death is the one thing that all people have in common, He gives each and every person the opportunity to transcend death and embrace eternal life.  Humans are no longer subject to death, because it has been conquered once and for all by the voluntary death of the One who was not subject to death. 

Father Christopher, the Cathedral Dean, remarked: “It is not often that the Cathedral has the honor to host an esteemed professor of theology and to delve deeply into the finer points of Orthodox theology.  This retreat was an opportunity to ponder the miracle of Pascha and to understand its pivotal role in the church year and our personal lives.  Father John’s edifying discussion inspired us to embrace Lent as an opportunity to prepare ourselves to celebrate this awesome mystery, and to re-read the Old Testament in a new and exciting way.”

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UPCOMING EVENTS ON THE DIOCESAN CALENDAR

March 28
Diocesan Council meeting
11:00 a.m. - Diocesan Chancery, Bronxville, NY

Meeting of Chancellors and Deans
2:30 p.m. - Diocesan Chancery, Bronxville, NY

April 25
Presbyters Council Meeting
11:00 a.m.
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