Note The latter part of this reflection represents my own research and opinions on the spiritual crisis happening today in Ukraine. The Orthodox Church in America has recognized His Beatitude Metropolitan Onphriy, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as the only true canonical Church in Ukraine. Like a vast majority of the Local Orthodox Churches throughout the world, I encourage everyone to speak out to those in authority about the injustices that are being done to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine!
On August 29th in the Orthodox Church, we “celebrate” a feast, in which we remember the horrific death of St. John the Baptist at the hands of King Herod and his mistress Herodias. I put quotations around “celebrate”, because from the surface this seems like an odd occasion to celebrate!
For those who are not familiar with the story, we hear in the Gospel of Mark how St. John, like St. Elijah before him, spoke openly to Herod about the dangers of living a sinful life. Herod, like all of those who lead, are supposed to be held to a high standard…to be a good example to others whom they rule. Yet out of lust, Herod took advantage of his power by marrying his brother Phillip’s wife Herodias.
St. John, much to the dismay of Herod and Herodias, spoke publicly of how wrong their relationship was. This angered Herodias especially, who convinced the King to put St. John in chains and throw him into prison.
On the occasion of Herod’s birthday, Herodias’s daughter Salome came in the midst of the king and his court, and began to seductively dance for the entertainment of those present. At the end of the dance, Herod promised Salome anything she wanted up to half of his own kingdom. Salome asked her mother what she should ask for, and Herodias’s response was “the head of John the Baptist”.
The hate and unrest was so great in Herodias’s soul, that it is said in Holy Tradition that when she saw the head of the prophet, she pulled the tongue out and stabbed with a needle the tongue that once preached so boldly before her. Anger, darkness, and hate…these were the things that afflicted the soul of Herodias.
I ask again, why do we celebrate this feast? What positive benefit does meditating on these events offer us?
For many in the protestant west, this horrific story of what happened to St. John is the end. For those living in the Ancient Orthodox Church, who have the benefit of Holy Tradition, Hymnography, Iconography, and Liturgical Theology, we know that this was not the end of St. John’s ministry, but rather just the middle of it!
After leaving this earthly life, we read in early Christian writings how St. John went down to the righteous ones of the old testament who were still in anguish, being gripped by the power of death in Hades. He preached to them, and like he did on earth, announced to the saints the coming of Christ…Who was going to destroy death itself.
St. John the Baptist is often called the “morning star” to those in Hades…the one that comes out just before the “Sun” of righteousness…the destroyer of death…the light that illumines all those who sit in darkness!
What can we take away from this feast day, especially when we look at this entire episode in the history of our Salvation? I offer this observation that was made by my good friend, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki recently.
It’s fascinating to see the reactions of the two major characters in the story of St. John’s Beheading. First, we have Herod, who from time to time, listened and enjoyed St. John’s preaching! Yet Herod lived his life in a way that was wrong. He lived a life driven by power, lust, and desires. Rather than doing the right thing and denying Herodias her prize of St. John’s head, the gospel of Mark says how he didn’t want to look the fool in front of his guests. What did this ultimately get him?
“Again, Herodias raves with raging lust. Oh, dance of deceit and feast of murder! The Baptist is beheaded, and Herod has lost his peace. Through the prayers of Thy Forerunner, O Lord, Grant peace to our souls!”
We hear in the Great Vespers of the feast, exactly what Herod lost in that moment. Despite the world telling him he was powerful…Despite the riches of the palace, the big parties, the glamorous lifestyle…Herod forfeited the most precious treasure that we all seek in this life: Peace.
Now look at the example of St. John the Baptist. Here was a man who preached truth without any fear of reprisal. It didn’t matter how powerful King Herod and Herodias were. He saw something unlawful and wrong, and he called them out on it. St. John lived a holy life near to God. His conscious was clean. St. John lived not for himself, not for worldly power or recognition, but for God alone.
Being thrown into prison in chains, St. John sat in silence as he heard a party taking place in the palace above. He heard the footsteps of Salome, seductively dancing for the King…each footstep like a proverbial nail in the coffin for St. John.
Despite all of these difficult moments, when we look at the face of St. John in the iconography of the Church, we don’t see a face that is angry at his situation, or a face of fear for the loss of his life. We see in St. John’s eyes the very thing that Herod lost when he began to lead a sinful life…we see Peace!
Remember this disposition of St. John when you hear of the story playing out in the war-torn Ukrainian Nation today. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church that has been around since 988 AD (despite being independent or Russia and fully Ukrainian) has been persecuted by the political elite for the past several years. Churches have been raided. Priests have been thrown into prison. Faithful parishioners have had to go from beautiful churches to worshiping out of garages…knowing that they are being watched like hawks for anything that they might say that is “anti-Ukrainian”.
The ultimate goal for the Ukrainian government, besides trying to justify these persecutions, is to legally find a way to wipe out the true Church, and transfer all of the properties and faithful of the Orthodox Church to the state created Church, made up of un-ordained priests and bishops who bow to the state, and many of whom (hopefully not all) put Ukrainian Nationalism above the Orthodox faith.
There are many who will say that this persecution of the Church isn’t really happening, and that it is just Russian Propaganda. Regardless of what we are told, just take a moment to look at the St. John like example of the leader of the true Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphriy. He never publicly says anything derogatory against the government or those who are persecuting his flock. This shepherd of Christ does one thing in the midst of this darkness…He simply preaches the Gospel. His Beatitude maintains his peace in the midst of persecution.
On the day that a new Ukrainian Law was passed which banned the Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onuphriy didn’t hold a press conference bashing the demonic influences that were persecuting the Church. He instead went to the Church to pray a Molebin Service, asking God for strength in the midst of the trials that lay ahead for his people.
This is Christian Living dear ones! With this kind of peace in our hearts, what in the world can cause us harm?
Herodias’s anger…her persuasion over Herod…her lust for power to destroy…all of these things became useless when it faced off against the peaceful face of St. John.
The Ukrainian Governments attempts to wipe out the True Orthodox Faith from its country will ultimately fail because of people who live a Holy Life of Peace like His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphriy. We know this not only because of our faith that God will protect His church, but also just simply by looking at history…and how many man made governments and persecutions ever actually succeeded in blowing out the flame of Holy Orthodoxy..
On this Feast of St. John, let us pray for that peace that surpasses all human understanding…the one that strengthens us in the midsts of trials and tribulations…and the one that will no doubt be needed in the lives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Christians who are in the midst of their own difficult trials.