Apostolic Messages (New)

In eternal memory...

By the Grace of God, we are approaching the completion of one year from the departure of my venerable Teacher (and) Father, George D. Metallinos (+19.12.2019). Our deeply respected Father George possessed the God-given talent of Preacher, which ‒ however ‒ had been discovered and was duly cultivated by his spiritual (and not only) Father, Fr. George Savvanis (+1964). This venerable Levite of Corfu – himself a married but childless cleric – had dedicated himself to all the destitute children of the parish of Saint Eleftherios of the City of Kerkyra (Corfu), among which was Father George, who was essentially growing up without the presence of his father, Demetrios. While gracing the (at left) lectern for cantors, young George had also been initiated from the age of sixteen in the preparation and presentation of sacred sermons. Despite the “exhortation” by experienced theologians to the pastor, that George was too young to preach in the church, the wise response of his Spiritual Father was: “If he does not love preaching from his adolescence, he will never love it”...
By the Grace of God, Father George also progressed in the sciences; however, his worldly wisdom was also utilized (with discretion) in his sermons. He not only preached from the ecclesiastic pulpit, but also from all the available media of his time that invited him (television, radio, press, books, publications, even the internet).

I would like to outline to all of our beloved readers three features of his theological word and in essence, of his godly preaching.
1. He always presented his sermon just before the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy with the words “by the blessings of...”, even though he knew, as a Professor (also) of Orthodox Worship, that the proper place of the sermon is immediately after the recital of the Holy Gospel. He used to explain this choice of his to us, in full awareness of his pastoral responsibility as a preacher: “During the sermon, the faithful will have already participated in the Mystery of the Divine Eucharist, so that – should they happen to be scandalized by a certain mention in the sermon – they can discreetly leave the Church without having been deprived of that which is greater: that is, their partaking of the Mystery of the Divine Eucharist.” It is in this mention of his, that the second, characteristic quality of his sermons is also contained.
2. As a respected historian, and as such, profoundly knowledgeable regarding the social and political situation both in Greece and the world community, Fr. George chose to insert historical extensions during the delivery of his theological discourses, given that he - like his reposed colleague at the Theological School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and respected Professor, Konstantinos Papapetrou (+ 22-9-2007) – always regarded that “Theology resides within everything”. This assertion made his words historically opportune ones, given that his frequent references to contemporary issues ‒ as well as the daily provocations and invitations that he encountered ‒ made his words par excellence Theological words.
3. Given that he was often invited by the Media – especially to television programs with various, not exclusively ecclesiastic (in the narrower sense) content – to submit theological replies to contemporary social issues, he would always ask his students after his televised presentations: “Were my answers theological, or not? Was I the Father George who preaches at Saint Antipas’ church and the University, or someone else, who is trying to satisfy and charm his audience, which may be persisting in whichever delusions? Am I the very same – strictly Patristic – Father George, or am I displaying a secular polity, in order to become likeable and create followers?”
I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed to the publishing of this Tome, and especially to the blessed Hegumen of the Sacred Monastery of Melissohori, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Fr. Kyrillos and the reverent Fathers, for the proven love that they have shown to the texts, but even more so to the person of the now reposed Father George. We also extend our warm thanks to our spiritual sister, Ms. Ekaterini Nikolopoulou, who, having become well acquainted over time and had deeply loved Father George, can more closely convey his words in the “lingua franca” – the English language. May the blessing of our reposed, mutual Father, accompany her also.

On the bended knee of my heart I give thanks, on behalf of his venerable spouse (and our mother), Presbytera Barbara, and my siblings Angeliki and Theodore, to our Triune God, for the Teacher (and Father) that He had blessed us with.

From where he is now resting, within the Sacred Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos Platytera in Corfu, may he pray for all of us, the readers of his books, which we hope and pray, will prove to be spiritual means that can render the Divine Mystery palpable, as well as a foretaste of His Heavenly Realm.
May we have a Bright Resurrection on our spiritual course, and look forward to reuniting at the Celestial Altar of the Divine Logos.

Demetrios G. Metallinos
Corfu, the 20th of October 2020,
Feast of our Father among Saints,
Gerasimos of Cephalonia.

With the blessing of my Spiritual Father (and God having permitted), I had embarked on the ministry of sermons during the last years of my secondary education. This is the reason that, to this day, at the extremity of my life, sermons have been given the topmost priority in my humble offering to the Church and to the community.

Forever resonating in my ears and in my heart – binding and determinant – are the words of the Apostle: “…woe is me, if I do not preach the gospel!...” (1 Cor. 9:16)

Fr. George D. Metallinos

To provide a prologue for a book may seem like an easy matter, but it is not. The one who undertakes such a task has the responsibility of presenting within just a few lines both the worth of the book, but also the author’s intended message. The essay in hand contains his analysis of sermons linked to the Apostolic Readings of the Sunday Liturgies during the year.

It is our belief that every faithful person can see the spiritual necessity of studying such texts; it is of major importance to study in depth the Holy-Spiritual word of the Holy Apostles – the living spiritual nourishment for our souls – in accordance as always with the God-inspired interpretations of the Holy Fathers of the Church. But it is of equal importance and necessity that this age-long word also be rendered contemporary, so that it can provide essential meanings to Christians’ daily lives over time. And when such interpretive texts are composed by a genuine bearer of our Sacred Tradition, they will certainly arouse an even more intense desire to “those who thirst for righteousness”, for a deeper view of the truths therein.

The recently reposed Fr. George Metallinos was generally acclaimed as an erudite Professor of History and Theology. With his wealth of knowledge, he always gave witness of the Faith with a confessional and pacifist mien. His presence inspired every person’s respect, regardless of what they may profess.

Father George did have another “side” to him, which was probably unknown to most people. Papa-George – as he frequently used to refer to himself out of humility – was first and foremost a priest in the service of God; an officiator and a preacher of our Lord’s Gospel. Universities, documented recognitions, homilies and conferences came second in importance to him. With his unparalleled simplicity, he would confess his absolute need for the Grace of God above all else; after all, his guiding motto has always been the Apostolic exhortation of: “Woe is me, if I do not evangelize!” We believe that the present work is likewise representative of our Church’s virtuous and sincerely loved Levite’s expressive style…

Special thanks and sincere wishes are duly owed to Father George’s worthy descendant, his son Demetrios G. Metallinos and his family, who have so graciously given permission to publish this book; and last but not least, our heartfelt thanks and our prayers for the volunteers of the Philanthropic and Missionary Association “Saint Gregory Palamas” are the least we could offer them – in recognition of their immense, sacrificial love towards our Monastery and the humble opus that we aspire to.

We pray that our Almighty Lord Jesus Christ, with the mediations of our Most Holy Mother and the Holy Apostles, will illuminate the hearts of our English-speaking brethren around the world, when engrossed in this last offering by Father George.

The Abbott of the Sacred Monastery
of the Pantokrator at Melissochori
† Archimandrite Kyrillos

SPECIAL DEDICATION ......................................... .............9
PROLOGUE ........................................................................15
FOREWORD .......................................................................19
INTRODUCTORY NOTES ..................................................21
11. THE COURSE TOWARDS THE “COMING” LORD .....29
12. THE TRUE UNITY ....................................................... 35
13. NEW MAN, NEW COMMUNITY .................................. 41
14. CHRISTIAN SELF-AWARENESS ............................... 47
15. ALL THINGS COMMUNAL .......................................... 53
16. WHEN IS PROPER WITNESS POSSIBLE? ............... 61
17. ”LEST OUR MINISTRY BE MARRED” ........................ 67
18. TEMPLES OF GOD ..................................................... 73
19. FOUNDATIONS ARE NEEDED! ................................. 79
10. ORTHODOX “SEX EDUCATION” ............................... 85
11. THE “OTHER”: HELL OR SALVATION? ..................... 91
12. CHRIST: THE DETERMINANT DIFFERENCE ............97
13. ORTHODOXY, WITNESS AND SACRIFICE ...............103
14. ANGELIC MINISTRY .................................................. 107
15. THE ONLY HIERARCH AND SHEPHERD .................113
16. “THE BLOOD OF CHRIST” ............................. ...........119
17. TRADITION: THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH ................125
18. FROM THE “FIRST LOGOS” TO THE SECOND .......131
19. THE PREREQUISITES FOR SUCCESS ................... 137
20. THE MINISTRY OF THE “SEVEN” ................ ............143
21. ΤHE EVENT IN SUPPORT OF THE WORD ............. 149
22. UNIVERSAL COMMUNITY OF FAITH AND LOVE ... 155
23. NO TRUSTING THE DEVIL! .......................................161
24. SHEPHERDS AND WOLVES .................................... 167
25. THE ADVENT OF THE PARACLETE ........... .............173
26. THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ........................ 179
27. CHRIST-SALVATION ONLY ..................................... 185
28. THE TRAGIC STATE OF HERETICS ....................... 191
29. FREEDOM................................................................. 197
30. THE TWO JUSTICES ............................................... 203
31. FROM MORALITY TO SPIRITUALITY .................... 209
32. “IN-CHRIST” COMMUNING ....................................  215
33. THE GOSPEL AND WORLDLY WISDOM ... .......... .221
34. “SUPERSTRUCTURE” ON THE IMMOVABLE FOUNDATION ........................ 227
35. FATHERS .................................................................233
36. THE DUAL MORTIFICATION THAT LEADS TO LIFE ..................................... 239
37. OUR LIFE: CHRIST! .......................................... 245
38. THE CADRE OF CHRISTIAN
BEHAVIOUR ...................................................... 251
39. NOT MASTERS, MINISTERS .......................... 257
40. OUR TREASURE ............................................... 263
41. OUR WORKS: THE CRITERION
OF OUR SPIRITUALITY ................................... 269
42. GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ............................. 275
43. THE THEOLOGY OF LOVE ............................ 281
44. THE ANTIDOTE TO SELF-IMPORTANCE .. 287
45. THE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIABILITY ...... 293
46. FAITH AND WORKS ........................................ 299
47. THOSE WHO ARE “COMPROMISED”
SET TRAPS .......................................................... 305
48. EQUALITY AS IN-CHRIST UNITY ................ 311
49. CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD ....................... 317
50. THE PROMISE THAT UNITES ....................... 323
51. NATIVITY ........................................................... 329