LENT 2018 AD
Dear brothers in Christ Emmanuel,
It is to be known that the diaconate of the exarchate under the administration of Rev. Archdeacon Fr. Matthew Gabriel Pulvirenti, (after the completion of first year): HAVE the grace to administer Holy Communion at grand liturgies, also to the sick, and further commune themselves if the need arises in the absence of liturgy in extraordinary circumstances, bless homes with pre-sanctified water (holy water), anoint with pre-sanctified oil (oil of gladness) only on the forehead as a means of invoking the Lord’s Mercy, and in their third year of the diaconate; commence to prepare/serve the prosthesis (preparation liturgy) as was in formative times and now will be the norm of the Exarchate!
The Holy Diaconate in Christ IS the foundation stone of priesthood: Christ the servant of all! Unfortunately, this honourable and vital ministry has been sadly handicapped due to prestige and other such stupidities which higher ranks in the ordained ministry have hijacked! The Exarchate which must be true to her protectors “the Holy Apostles of Christ our Bishop” is to never separate herself from Apostolic times and practices therein!
The Apostles themselves were practical in all affairs! Unfortunately, certain canons do not mirror Apostolic practicality due to mentalities that prevailed within the ever-present Levitical Law! Thus, it must be stated that these (canons) however venerable and perhaps necessary in the past; are no longer applicable to today’s world – such would be unwise to place in practice with the present world and society therein; undoubtedly derailing any form of evangelisation (the Apostolic Church is confronted with numerous fundamentalists within – unfortunately many within high ranking positions; resembling the Church as religious concentration camps)!
If at any time that which is classified as CHURCH becomes: oppressive, conditional, overwhelmingly harmful “soul destroying” to one’s health and growth - ‘‘no healing” or even the means of suffering turmoil due to indifference; especiallywhere lay control hijacks its growth - This is not the Church but a diabolical agencythat threatens salvation! Therefore, such is to be immediately closed down via ecclesiastical law and with collaboration - investigated by civil means for we must not allow the Ark of Salvation to become the titanic and house of horrors where wolves devour the flock in which Christ our Bishop warns we must safeguard!
Hence, the Exarchate exists to be the hospital and refuge in the world as exhorted by our Father amongst the saints John Chrysostom in his Epistles upon the Priesthood. Therefore, we must be in conscience a Missionary Church as our Lordand Saviour ordained; a light to the nations, salt of the earth, and a refuge for those who have been deluded, and brushed aside by the institution – binding their wounds and invoking the Lord’s healing upon them in helping them walk in His Righteousness!
This is what makes us Communion of Saints – if we are the Mystical Body of Jesusour tender-hearted God, we are called by, with, and in HIS grace; to be the immune system that fights off the infection of oppression – severing that which is cancerous “conditioning God’s Love” and tending to the wounds of our brothers and sisters in order to bring about immediate healing and bodily health within this wondrous and intimate grace-filled Communion!
Thus, those in Holy Diaconate must evangelise accordingly and begin in the workplace-sowing the good word by example (how one lives and conducts affairs) as a means of outreach….it is through our deacons that others may come and be born again in the life giving waters; thus spiritual direction is acquired in this foundational ministry which is grace-filled by the Holy Spirit!
In addition, I commend our Deacons to the spiritual care and discernment for their growth and evangelisation to their Presbyteral Fathers who are to anticipate their needs and vouchsafe their journey towards their ministry at the Altar in which the Lord will make clear HIS will for them! Furthermore; overseeing formation in the capacity of: prayer, liturgy, scripture, holy tradition, patristics, homiletics and canon law.
Hence, as ARCHBISHOP and EXARCH of the Australian Orthodox Church (the Church in Australia) in the Elder Tradition under the protection of the Holy Apostlesof Christ our Bishop, I reiterate my pleasure, support and approval “Effective Immediately” for all Deacons - monastic and exarchial to serve and observe as indicated above these Divine Mysteries and Norms as needful!
With sincere thanks and deepest appreciation in IESUS KRISTOS our Bishop,
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