Between Heaven and Earth

I've been suspended between heaven and earth for the last few days. Our sister church, The Church of the Annunciation, held a Nativity Retreat last weekend which featured a man by the name of Constantine Zalalas. Constantine doesn't talk much about himself, but he came to America from Greece as a fourteen year-old with his family in the early 70s (I think). He didn't speak a word of English, and became familiar with being a "stranger in a strange land." It seems that experience instilled some compassion in him for those of us who have converted to Orthodoxy, but who can't access any Orthodox material in it's native tongue (Greek and Russian) because we only know English. Constantine has mastered the English language, but still speaks with a pronounced accent, and he spends much of his time translating spiritual books, pamphlets, taped interviews, radio shows, etc. from Greek to English. I've been listening all week to his translation of a Greek radio program in which Neophytos, Metropolitan (Bishop) of Morphos was interviewed about his relationship with his Geronda (spiritual father), Elder Iakovos Tsalikis, as well as other recently reposed Greek elders. This Bishop's recounting of his encounters with these recent holy men has been remarkable to me. I've been listening to them over and over, overcome with the sweetness and the gifts of grace that God has given His Church through holy elders such as these. I'm very grateful for Mr. Zalalas' tireless work.

Holiness, when viewed up close like this - through the eyes of a disciple of a holy elder - is nothing like I used to imagine. It has nothing to do with just being "ethical". It is so much more. . .there is such a realness or perhaps true humanity to these men as Bishop Neophytos recounts his various experiences with them. One gets the idea that this is what living is really all about - selfless devotion to God and to one's neighbor. They are spiritual doctors, who through their ascetic struggles have become pure vessels of the Holy Spirit. Truly, God is glorified in His saints. But I can't even begin to explain the contents of these tapes. . .it's like trying to describe a fragrance. So. . .since, none of these recordings are copyrighted. . .Constantine Zalalas simply wants to get this stuff out. . .I've provided a link on the right-hand-side of my blog (dark green background) under "free downloads". The first two are mainly about Bishop Neophytos' spiritual father, Elder Iakovos. These are big files (~30MB) so I can only provide a couple at time. I'll be updating this as time goes on, so if you're interested check back on about a weekly basis for the next installment. Be forewarned. . .not only are these big files, but the material itself may be a big stretch for some of us. (Note: For those of you who are not Orthodox, don't be surprised by the "Middle-Eastern" sounding music at the beginning of this mp3. . .it's Greek chant - Church music. Mr. Zalalas always begins his tapes with selections of various Greek chant. . .I only wish I knew what it meant - it's the one thing he doesn't translate.)

Also, I believe these and more are available for purchase (every cheap) at St. Nikodemos Publicatiions. It appears their order form is out of date. . .i.e. I believe there is much more available than is offered on the website. . .so you may have to call them to get the latest listing.