Yeshue
FAITH OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ANTIOCH
Chapter 1: Class 9
Written by:
Chev. Dr. K. O. Mathew Konkara(Rtd Supdt of Police)
It's history, faith and liturgy and It's position within the church history
We have seen that the hymn we sing at the beginning of the public liturgy (Holy Qurbana) is a poetic rendition of the words of St. Paul the Apostle in Galatians 1:6. This hymn has been chanted for centuries in our churches across the world at the start of the Qurbana. Who is the "You" referred to in this song?
It is the Galatians, who were being led astray and made fickle-minded, whom he addresses as "You." At the beginning of the first century, the region of Galatia was annexed to the Roman Empire. These people, who previously did not know Christ, were baptized and added to the Church through the missionary work of St. Paul. The seven churches (congregations) in Galatia, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Asia were all part of the one single Church—the Church of Antioch.
The people in all these places received the same baptism, learned the same teachings, and practiced the same faith of the one God, one Christ, and one Church. In the first century, there was no other church or faith. The Church traces its origin to St. Peter the Apostle in 37 AD. The history of the "fiery" Mor Ignatius Noorono, who was ordained by St. Peter as his successor and became the Patriarch of Antioch in 67 AD before being martyred by lions in Rome in 107 AD, serves as evidence of how long the Church of Antioch has existed.
At that time, the Holy Bible as we know it today had not been compiled. There was only the "One Faith" passed down and preserved by the disciples, apostles, and prophets. We see that even after His resurrection, Christ commanded them all to work for the one Church He established. Jesus approached them and said:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. As my Father has sent me, even so, I send you. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18)
The disciples all preached the same faith orally, as taught by Christ, for the sake of the one Church. Wherever the disciples taught according to Christ’s command, the people received the same baptism and followed the same faith of the one God and one Church. There was no other church or faith in the first century. St. Paul was also baptized into this same faith, received the laying on of hands, and became a prophet and teacher of the Church of Antioch (Acts 13:1, 4; 9). We read that he taught this same faith; the disciples did not go to different countries to establish separate thrones, constitutions, or diverse faiths and traditions.
However, St. Paul learned that the Galatians—who had joined the Church through baptism—were becoming unsettled and attracted to Jewish laws and other influences due to Roman pressure. He exhorts and teaches them through his letter:
"How have you become so fickle-minded in your faith? You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" (Galatians 5:8)
"I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." (Galatians 4:11)
What is your status?
(Galatians 3:27-28): "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
You—the children of the Holy Church, sealed with the Holy Myron of the Holy Church of Antioch—were made children of God even before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians
1:4 – "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love."
1:5 – "Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will."
You are Children and Heirs
(Galatians 4:6-7): "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son."
The above verses apply to the Holy Church forever. We are not ordinary people. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. This was received by being baptized into the Church of Christ and being sealed by the blood of Christ (the Holy Myron). In the very first step of the baptismal rite, making three signs of the cross on the infant's forehead without oil signifies that this child is set apart for God. We read that through this anointing, we receive the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27).
In the baptismal prayer, it is said: "this person who has come to receive the seal of life." A seal denotes ownership. It is written in Ephesians 1:14 that we receive a seal to show we belong to God (Revelation 14:1). The seal also represents protection.
Thus, we (you), who have attained this great status and gathered in the temple, are about to behold what the Prophet Isaiah was privileged to see:
"I said, 'My eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!' Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.'"
The Church reminds us through the aforementioned hymn that you are the ones bought with a price to experience that "burning coal" which is His Holy Body. We must not turn away to any other faith like the fickle-minded Galatians. The hymn reminds the members of the Church—who are the true children of God and rightful heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven—at the start of every Qurbana that listening to others and turning toward heresy will result in a curse.