The Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord

On January, eight days after the Holy Nativity of our Lord, we celebrate His Circumcision, one of the Feasts of the Lord, on which—in accordance with Hebrew tradition—He received the name "Jesus": "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His name was called Jesus, which was so named of the Angel before He was conceived in the womb" (St. Luke 2:21).

The true descendants of the Patriarch Abraham were separated from the other nations by the sign of circumcision (a prefigurement of Baptism: "the circumcision made without hands" [Colossians 2:11ff]) and thereby became members of the God-ruled community of the Old Testament; that is, through circumcision, they entered among the chosen People of God.

Christ was now "made under the law," being conformed to the prescriptions of the Mosaic Law (Galatians 4:4) and "fulfilling" the Law (St. Matthew 3:15), in order to elevate the Church of the Law into a Church of Grace, into a new "Israel of God" (cf. Galatians 6:16), into a Theanthropic organism—into His Body.

The Circumcision of our Lord inspired our Holy Church to institute a beautiful and deeply symbolic custom for the newborn children of Christians: at eight days, the Priest reads the "Prayer for the Signing of a Child Who is Receiving a Name on the Eighth Day After His Birth" (see the Small Evchologion); in such a way the first "Seal" of Grace is given to the infant: "Let the light of Thy countenance be signed upon Thy servant (name), and let the Cross of Thine Only-begotten Son be signed in his heart and his thoughts...."

+ + + 1) A worthy thing it would be were parents not to neglect this most blessed tradition of our most Holy Orthodox Church, so that newborn children might immediately be "sealed" in Christ through the blessing of a Priest.

2) And that parents should decide in a timely manner on the name to be given to the infant; our Lord’s name, "Jesus," was "given" by an Angel even before Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the immaculate womb of the Theotokos (Annunciation: St. Luke 1:31).

3) A timely decision on a name means that an infant will have its own Saint to protect it from an early stage, and the parents will immediately call it by its Christian name, thereby avoiding the oddity of calling it "baby" until it is Baptized and illumined.

4) The Orthodox Slavs have the good custom of giving a child the name of the Saint who is celebrated on the day of its birth, in order to avoid unnecessary and senseless friction in the family; moreover, this practice insures that there are no "forgotten" or "displeased" Saints!

5) The name "Jesus," which our Lord received at His Circumcision, means "Savior"; that is, in Greek, the name of our Lord is "Soter" ["Savior"] (St. Matthew 1:21): "For this name (Jesus), when translated into the Greek language, is rendered ‘salvation of God’; ‘Jesus,’ therefore, is translated as ‘Soter’ [‘Savior’]" (St. Theophylact, Patrologia Graeca, Vol. CXXIII, col. 704AB).

Perhaps, therefore, all those who are [among Greeks] named "Soterios" or "Soteria" would do well to celebrate their Name Days on January 1, so that the Feast of the Circumcision might become more familiar.

It is truly a pity that the profound symbolism of this Feast should be "lost" in the "worldly tumult" of the twelve-day period between the Nativity and Theophany, and particularly on New Year’s Day; and that we should lose, as well, an opportunity for us to enter more deeply into the "circumcision made without hands" of our Holy Baptism.

Thanks for the interesting topic. I don't share all your convictions surrounding this event, but I do share your conviction about the circumcision itself and it's significance as it applies to Jesus. IMO it was important that Jesus observe the same holy precepts that other children of his time did. The more 'human' that Jesus was, the more his sinless selfless life and sacrifice would represent.

One thing that I've never guite accepted though, and I say this with all due respect, was the holy status of Mary. Saying that I realize I need to clarify the comment. Mary was a good person. She was chosen of God. I believe she was an excellent mother and parent to Jesus. I still recognize her as a falible human being, and think it very important that she was.

Jesus could not have a single advantage that other humans could not. If He had one single advantage, it could be pointed to as 'the reason' why He was able to live the sinless life, while others could not.

Part of Satan's claims in heaven was the God's law was impossible to follow because of it's strictness. Jesus was to show that to be false. He could have no special preference. His parents must be falible and His life not one of ease or privilege.

Joseph and Mary were good parents. I'm sure of it. That was their role, and IMO the full extent of their special nature.

Thanks again.

One thing that I've never quite accepted though, and I say this with all due respect, was the holy status of Mary.

Hello old FRiend (98'er)

I do understand the misgivings. It was a major hurdle for me on my way to Orthodox Christianity. The Orthodox actually have more of Mary (The Theotokos, bearer of God) than do the Catholics. Our Liturgy is replete with commemorations after prayers. Every Liturgy includes a hymn related to her.

Mrs. D and I have discussed this for years, and she will chime in, I reckon. There is a lot of "over the top" popular piety, for lack of a better word concerning the BVM. The actual teaching of both the Catholic and Orthodox Church are pretty much in agreement.

In my studies, I learned that the veneration (not worship) of Mary was a natural and vital part of early Christian service. Of course, there is not much Bible for that; but I was finished with competing interpretations of Scripture, resulting in multiple and confusiong results.

So, I had to give weight to the history. Still, I had nagging doubts about the relability of the history. It took a lot more reading and thinking. Two things nailed it for me.

St Paul calls the Church, the "pillar and foundation of the truth." What church could that possibly be? Baptist? Methodist? Pentecostal? etc. Nope. Too much confusion. Christ himself promised that the gate of hell would not prevail against His Church (His Body.) If I were to stay a Christian, I had to find that.

The light came on when I read Father Peter Gillquist's book, "Becoming Orthodox." He was a leader in Campus Crusade for Christ in the 70's and the book chronicles several pastors' journey to Orthodoxy. He had exactly the same issues as I did. He presents well, in understandable language the real teaching.

Mary was the first person to ever accept Jesus as her personal Savior. Mary is also the "Second Eve." By Eve's disobedience came death. By Mary's obedience can life eternal. I chose the Orthodox for other reasons, and I do not wish my post to lead the thread into the RC / Orthodox divide.

Thanks for the response Don-O. I don't wish to turn this into a negative either, so I'll keep my comments short and to the point.

I believe that your first sentence implies that Mary accepted Jesus as her personal Savior first, due to her integral participation in His entrance into this world, and of course her faith in God. You observe this as the first acceptance of Jesus as a personal Savior. I believe there is an alternate theory that may be more accurate. IMO Adam and Eve were the first to accept Jesus as their salvation. When God laid out His plan to them, they expected their first born to redeem man to God, and they were thankful that they could obtain restoration.

Once again I don't seek to demean Mary, but I do not see her as the second Eve. Instead I believe she more closely symbolizes the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. She brough forth the fruit of God. You and I more closely symbolize Eve, in that you and I must make the same choice she did. Will we symbolically partake of Jesus sacrifice? That is our choice.

It has been my perspective that when Eve partook of the apple, Satan became the master of this planet. Man, exercising his free will chose Satan as that master. Jesus, by acting as the perfect umblemished sacrificial lamb, purchased our souls back from Satan. At least that's how many percieve it. And in some ways, it is true. I would like to expand on that.

At the cross, Jesus opened the opportunity for man to make the ultimate decison, who he would choose as his master. Once again, it's Eve's choice and we are the ones making that choice in our daily lives.

If there is one thing that has remained constant about the Holy Trinity, it is that they have made choice to be man's most important trump card.

It was that way in Heaven. Lucifer made his choice, becoming Satan and promising to raise his thrown above God's. Poor choice. Let's pray we make a better one.

Don-O, we are witnessing our culture crumble in on itself. I have been a pretty worldly fellow, but I think the time is fast approaching when people need to think of disconnecting from this world, and focusing more on the next.

I don't mean moving off into some commune or ostracizing ourselves from family and friends. I do think it's probably time to quit focusing in on the entertainment media. I do think it's time to fill ourselves with more wholesome thoughts. There are decisions to be made.

So much for short. Hope the points were worthwhile.

Circumcision of the Lord

The Maronite Liturgical Calendar places this feast day on January 2 (8 days following the Birth of Christ). Of all the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Maronite Church retains the Jewish heritage of our faith more than the others.

The Maronite Church keeps the ancient semetic tradition of beginning the liturgical day at sunset. Ramsho or evening prayer is celebrated at the end of the working day, with the setting sun, and is the first hour of the Church's cycle of daily prayer. It is directed to Christ, the Light of the world, who conquers the darkness of sin. As the sun rises and a new day begins, the Church sings praise, in the office of Safro or morning prayer, to the Father, glorifies Christ, the True Light, and gives thanks to the Holy Spirit. Ramsho and safro are thus the two hinges of the Church's daily prayer which bathe us in an atmosphere of praise and thanksgiving.

Some extracts from this evening's Ramsho prayers.

SEDRO - (petition celebrating the theme of the feast or day.)

Glory to you, only Word of God,
born of the Father from eternity
and dwelling in his eternal glory.
You willed to be born of Mary that
we might be spiritually reborn;
you submitted yourself to the law of circumcision
eight days after your birth,
so that we could submit outselves to the law of baptism
which you instituted for our sanctification and rebirth.
You were clothed with our humanity,
and assumed our way of life
so that we could cast off our old self,
become like you, and take on your way of life.

And now we ask you Lord:
protect your Church from scandals and conflict,
cleanse us from all our faults;
renew our thoughts by your teaching, our souls
by your baptism and our life by your grace.
Grant us a year of holiness
in which we grow closer to you,
confess your name and honor your saints,
and with them glorify and praise you,
now and forever.
Amen

ETRO - petition to God to accept the incense offered and answer the prayer of the faithful, in the spirit of the theme of the day.

Lord,
receive our incense and our prayers on this feast of your circumcision
and on the memorial of Basil and Gregory, teachers of the true faith.
By their prayers, grant us good weather,
fruitful seasons and a blessed year.
Pour out on your Church the light of their teachings
and the fragrance of their sanctity.
With them we will praise you,
now and forever.
Amen.

MAZMOORO - psalm of praise.

Moses instituted the law of circumcision and our Savior himself submitted to it.

Praise the Lord, all you peoples, because the Lord carried out the law; glorify him, all nations, because he fulfilled the prophecies.

Blessed by Christ who gave baptism to the Church, life and salvation instead of the ancient law.

SUPPLICATION

O Lord of night and Master of all time, hear our supplications and have mercy on us.

You reconciled heaven and earth, grant peace to your Church, and keep her children in the light of the cross.

Basil and Gregory were like two stars in the Church and the light of their faith shone in the world like the day; they led the flock of the Son to fountains of living water.

Like John, they proclaimed the faith; like Peter they taught the doctrine of truth. They were lights enlightening all around them.

They were living members in the body of the Church whose head is Christ; they protected it from sin and nourished it with the doctrine of truth.

Glory to the Father, who sanctified and exalted the saints; adoration to the Son, who makes them living members in his mystical body; thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit, who alone, by his grace, gives perfection to the body. Glory to you, O blessed Trinity.

The Virgin Mary, your Mother, and the apostles, prophets and martyrs intercede for us; O God, through their prayers strengthen the weak, comfort the sick, grant pardon to the deceased, and forgive the faults of us poor sinners.

Exalt, O Lord, the memory of your Mother and your saints: through their prayers grant pardon to us and our deceased. Through the prayers of your Mother, the prophets, apostles and martyrs, watch over the living, and in your mercy, forgive those who have died.

Let us thank, adore, and praise the holy and glorious Trinity: Father, Son + Holy Spirit. Amen.

DoughtyOne, you have a very gracious and engaging way of expressing yourself, even when there is disagreement. I appreciate that!

I have never actually understood thje concept of the "soul." And threrefore how a person could have the "stain" or "mark" or "wound" of sin on their soul, especially since (as I understand it) the soul is a spiritual entity and is not inherited from one's parents: it is created individually by God.

And yet the idea of the effects of Original Sin afflicting every human being, so that we're somewhat screwed-up from the git-go just by being human, seems self-evidently true to me. There is clearly something twisted about the human race per se. Look at history. Look at the newspapers. Look at yourself. (I'm speaking of myself here!)

On the other hand, our human nature is literally transmitted to us via our parents' DNA, which makes me think of DNA as being the soul somehow, and the effects of Original Sin being genetic defects. Kind of.

The two oldest roots-and-branches of the Christian family tree, Catholicism and Orthodoxy, both teach in their own way that Mary was some kind of providential exception. In light of the fact that God would not choose somebody to pass on a defective human nature to Jesus.

Of course that doesn't make Mary a goddess. It just puts her on the same level as Eve, neither more nor less ---- but before sin.

As the (Protestant) poet Wordsworth wrote of her: "Our tainted nature's solitary boast."

http://biblescripture.net/Wordsworth.html

Jesus could not have a single advantage that other humans could not. If He had one single advantage, it could be pointed to as 'the reason' why He was able to live the sinless life, while others could not.This is a premise that I think you should ponder and question. Jesus is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. He was/is incapable of willing anything that is not willed by the Father. If that's not an "advantage" I don't know what is. Jesus is sinless because he was conceived with Original Sin, and because he was/is God. The value of what Jesus did does not lie in its DIFFICULTY. That is a Kantian prejudice that I do not think has any foundation in the gospel.

There are some very solid theological arguments in favor of Mary's sinlessness. Here's one: If Mary had been a sinner, then the need for Jesus to wreak vengeance on her, in order to correct her sins, would have been disruptive of the mother/son relationship that he, as a human, needed for his healthy human development. Here's another: Mary's sinlessness (i.e., freedom from the corruption normally caused by Original Sin) is indicated by the fact that she enjoyed the radical freedom to conceive a child BY WILLING IT in response to the request from God.

The Feast of the Circumcision was kept at an early date in the Gallican Rite, as is clearly indicated in a Council of Tours (567), in which the Mass of the Circumcision is prescribed (Con. Tur., II., can. xvii in Labbe, V, 857).

The feast celebrated at Rome in the seventh century was not the Circumcision as such, but the octave of Christmas. The Gelasian Sacramentary gives the title "In Octabas Domini", and prohibits the faithful from idolatry and the profanities of the season (P. L., LXXIV, 1061).

The earliest Byzantine calendars (eighth and ninth centuries) give for the first of January both the Circumcision and the anniversary of St. Basil.

The Feast of the Circumcision was observed in Spain before the death of St. Isidore (636), for the "Regula Monachorum", X, reads: "For it hath pleased the Fathers to appoint a holy season from the day of the Lord's birth to the day of His Circumcision" (P.L., LXXXIII, 880). It seems, therefore, that the octave was more prominent in the early centuries, and the Circumcision later.

Taken from Catholic Encyclopedia http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03779a.htm

The two oldest roots-and-branches of the Christian family tree, Catholicism and Orthodoxy, both teach in their own way that Mary was some kind of providential exception

Oh no! Roman Catholicism does, but Orthodoxy definitely does not. In the former case, Blessed Mary is made immaculate by God's direct intervention at the moment she was conceived. Orthodoxy does not teach that, but we do teach that she was/is Immaculate (i.e. "spotless") in every way, for she chose not to sin on her own, without divine intervention -- a Saint among Saints, indeed.

Orthodoxy does not subscribe to the Augustinian concept of the Orignal Sin as something we inherit. Our mortality is what we inherit as a consequence of the ancestaral sin of Adam and Eve who rejected God and became mortal. So, there is no stain on our soul, and as such Immaculate Conception is theologically a non-starter.

Theotokos was chosen based on her life, which was spotless by her own choice. As such she serves as a role-model for all of us, as an example of a mortal human being capable of full thosis. In our daily life we are constantly making choices between good and evil. BVM chose good. She is therefore higher than any one of us, but the important thing to remember is that it was by her choice and not providential intervention.

This is interesting, and something I have never quite understood. I get different responses from different Orthodox (including my very-beloved Orthodox husband!) so let me just ask a few clarifying questions--- which I'll ponder carefully:

1. Does the Orthodox Church teach that human nature such as we know it now is just as perfect as the human nature that Adam and Eve possessed before the Fall?

2. Is our human nature inclined toward selfishness, sloth, cowardice and other evils?

3. Do our intellects and wills tend to get overpowered by our emotions, drives, and passions?

4. Do our thought processes tend to get distorted by rationalization, self-delusion, cloudy and faulty thinking? Were we (the human race) created that way from the beginning?

5. Are human beings born good, or do we have to be trained to acquire virtues?

6. Do we need to be born again?

These are not "AHA, GOTCHA" trick questions. I'm just looking to understand the Orthodox perspective.

I get different responses from different Orthodox (including my very-beloved Orthodox husband!)

First, we are only human and imperfect, and second, not all Orthodox study their faith to the same depth, so be not surprised that you get many different answers.

I am pinging some of my Orthodox brothers and sisters in hope that they may give you a more accurate and complete synapsis of what Orthodoxy teaches.

Also, any Orthodox web site should answer your questions. Try this one for starters, but I will answer your questions as best as I can and if you find that I am in error, please correct me.

1. Does the Orthodox Church teach that human nature such as we know it now is just as perfect as the human nature that Adam and Eve possessed before the Fall?

Our nature is a fallen one. We fell away from God with the ancestral sin. God certainly did not create corrupt human nature.

2. Is our human nature inclined toward selfishness, sloth, cowardice and other evils?

Human nature is subject to passions, but human nature is also free to choose. We are slaves to sin only because we choose to be. Our inclinations change as we become more Christ-like.

3. Do our intellects and wills tend to get overpowered by our emotions, drives, and passions?

Our intellects and will can resist temptations by fervant prayer. We are constantly tempted by demons.

4. Do our thought processes tend to get distorted by rationalization, self-delusion, cloudy and faulty thinking?

Most definitely! Most of us have an image of ourselves that is an illusion.

...Were we (the human race) created that way from the beginning?

What God made was not corrupt. The one thing we have as we did before the Fall is the free will. Exercising our freedom to reject or accept God, Whose love He offers to all, is at the core of our fall or salvation.

5. Are human beings born good, or do we have to be trained to acquire virtues?

Our fallen nature is not good, because it is proud and arrogant and selfish and cruel. But, God inscribed the knowlege of Him in each and every one of us, so each and every one of us may know God. That's why we pray even for the worst of the worst, for they too can be saved.

6. Do we need to be born again?

When we turn to Christ, we shall see the way, the truth and the light that will lead us unto the Father. By nature, we are born in darkness with no bearings. Those who discover God are born, but not again -- for they were spiritually unborn until then.

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