Remembering his first Divine Liturgy, Dcn Seraphim describes his realization that an Orthodox church is already full before the visible congregation arrives: Christ and His Mother, the angels, apostles, prophets, martyrs, and saints surround the earthly Church in worship. Beginning with the image and likeness of God and the Orthodox teaching of theosis, he explains who the saints are, why death does not remove them from the body of Christ, and why asking their prayers neither replaces direct prayer to Jesus nor diminishes His unique mediation. He then distinguishes veneration from the worship owed to God alone, grounds the honor given to icons and relics in the Incarnation and resurrection of the body, and considers the special place of the Theotokos, the recognition of saints by the Church, and the relationship between Christians and their patrons. The saints are not a decorative addition to Christianity, but human lives in which the grace of Christ has become visible.

Handouts and resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wc1D4LJgS2EO-cL2pc4fakIXOQxCDUAP?usp=sharing

Music Used: Cherubic Hymn, Romanian Chant, Tone 8 Choir of St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral, Santa Rosa, CA

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