"THE RIVER OF FIRE" REVISITED

Written by Vladimir Moss

THE RIVER OF FIRE REVISITED
Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not
My ways equal? Are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of
Israel, every one according to his ways.
Ezekiel 18.29-30.
Alexander Kalomiros 1980 arti!le" #$e %i&er o' (ire" $as a!)*ired 'or many
En+lis$-s,eakin+ -rt$odox t$e stat*s o' a !lassi! o' -rt$odox soteriolo+y. .o/e&er"
many also dis,*te t$is stat*s" and re+ard it as a dan+ero*sly 0rotestantizin+ /ork. #$e
,*r,ose o' t$is arti!le is to examine /$et$er #$e %i&er o' (ire tr*ly re'le!ts t$e
,atristi! !onsens*s or not.
Kalomiros main t$esis is t$at o*r sal&ation de,ends ,rimarily on o*rsel&es" on o*r
a!!e,tan!e or re1e!tion o' 2ods lo&e 'or mankind. 2ods +ra!e s$ines on t$e 1*st and
on t$e *n1*st alike" and is ne&er t*rned a/ay 'rom sinners" e&en in t$e de,t$s o' $ell.
3*t /e ex,erien!e t$at +ra!e in di''erent /ays de,endin+ on o*r inner dis,osition4 as
,aradise i' /e ret*rn lo&e /it$ lo&e" and as $ell'ire i' /e ret*rn lo&e /it$ $atred. 2od
does not ,*nis$ ex!e,t ,eda+o+i!ally at any rate" /it$in t$e bo*nds o' o*r eart$ly li'e.
E&en at t$e 5ast 6*d+ement 2od does not ,*nis$ t$e *n1*st to do so /o*ld be
,ointless and !r*el" sin!e it !o*ld $a&e no ,eda+o+i!al ,*r,ose. %at$er" t$e ri&er o'
'ire" 2ods +ra!e" ,ro!eedin+" as /e see on i!ons o' t$e 5ast 7ay" 'rom *nder 2ods
1*d+ement seat" enli+$tens and /arms t$ose /$o lo&e 2od /$ile b*rnin+ and
!ons*min+ t$ose /$o $ate .im. 2od ,lays no a!ti&e ,art in t$is4 it is /e /$o 'reely
!$oose $ea&en or $ell 'or o*rsel&es.819
:n s*,,ort o' $is t$esis" Kalomiros )*otes 'rom t$e .oly (at$ers" in ,arti!*lar ;t. :saa!
t$e ;yrians o!ilies and ;t. 3asil t$e 2reats Against Those "ho #ay that $od is the
Author of %vils.
(rom ;t. :saa! $e deri&es t$e tea!$in+ t$at sin!e 2od is all-mer!i'*l to/ards *s"
'or+i&in+ *s e&en /$en /e sin a+ain and a+ain" /e !annot s,eak o' .is bein+ just
to/ards *s mer!y on t$is s!ale ex!l*des 1*sti!e. (rom ;t. 3asil $e deri&es t$e tea!$in+
t$at sin!e all t$e a,,arent e&ils t$at 2od sends *,on *s illnesses" !alamities"
s*''erin+s o' all kinds are in 'a!t desi+ned to deli&er *s 'rom t$e only real e&il" /$i!$
is sin" .e !annot be said to ,*nis$ *s in any real sense.
:n s*m" t$ere'ore" Kalomiros t$esis amo*nts to t$e assertion t$at 2od is lo&e" b*t not
1*sti!e" and t$at .e !orre!ts" b*t does not ,*nis$.
;o : ,ro,ose to examine $is t$esis *nder t/o $eadin+s4 1. Is God Just? and 2. Does
God Punish?
1. Is God Just? #$e ans/er to t$is )*estion is so ob&io*sly4 yes" t$at readers may be
in!lined to t$ink t$at : am bein+ *n1*st to Kalomiros in assertin+ t$at $e belie&es
ot$er/ise. -' !o*rse $e belie&es t$at 2od is 1*st< .e sim,ly de'ines t$e /ord 1*sti!e
in a di''erent /ay
=es" t$at is ,re!isely /$at $e does. .e rede'ines 1*sti!e in s*!$ a /ay as to abolis$ it
in t$e sense t$at it is *s*ally *nderstood. 5et *s examine $o/ $e a!!om,lis$es t$is
W$at Westerners !all 1*sti!e" /rites Kalomiros" o*+$t rat$er to be !alled resentment
and &en+ean!e o' t$e /orst kind. #$is is es,e!ially e&ident" $e says" in t$e /estern
>?at$oli!@ do+mas o' ori+inal sin and redem,tion. #$*s a!!ordin+ to t$e /estern do+ma
o' ori+inal sin" 1*sti!e is not at all 1*st sin!e it ,*nis$es and demands satis'a!tion 'rom
,ersons /$o /ere not at all res,onsible 'or t$e sin o' t$eir 'ore'at$ers. A+ain" t$e
/estern do+ma o' redem,tion !ontains t$e s!$izoid notion o' a 2od /$o kills 2od in
order to satis'y t$e so-!alled 1*sti!e o' 2od >,. A@. #$e ori+in o' /estern at$eism"
a!!ordin+ to Kalomiros" lies in a >$ealt$y@ rea!tion a+ainst t$is 'alse do+matizin+"
/$ose ori+ins +o ba!k to A*+*stine in t$e 'o*rt$ !ent*ry.
: /ill not $ere attem,t to examine /$et$er ?at$oli! t$eolo+ians !on!e,t o' 1*sti!e is
really resentment and &en+ean!e o' t$e /orst kind" nor /$et$er /estern at$eism
really ori+inates in a rea!tion a+ainst it. : /ill only ,oint o*t $o/ stran+e it is t$at t$e
.oly (at$ers said so little abo*t t$is" and t$at /e $ad to /ait *ntil t$e a,,earan!e o'
Alexander Kalomiros >and $is immediate 'orer*nners" s*!$ as 6o$n %omanides@ be'ore
it /as re&ealed t$at a 'alse !on!e,tion o' 1*sti!e /as t$e !ore $eresy o' t$e West. #$e
.oly (at$ers /$o s,oke most" and most a*t$oritati&ely" abo*t t$e /estern $eresies - ;;.
0$oti*s t$e 2reat" 2re+ory 0alamas and Mark o' E,$es*s s,oke m*!$ abo*t s*!$
$eresies as t$e (ilio)*e" ,a,al absol*tism and !reated +ra!e" b*t not$in+" to my
kno/led+e" abo*t a 'alse !on!e,tion o' 1*sti!e in t$e do+mas o' ori+inal sin and
redem,tion. #$is is not to say t$at t$ere /ere no distortions in /estern t$inkin+ on t$ese
s*b1e!ts $eresy in one area o' t$eolo+y tends to introd*!e s*btly distorted t$inkin+ in
se&eral ot$er areas. 3*t e&idently t$e .oly (at$ers did not !onsider t$ese distortions
serio*s eno*+$ to make t$em ma1or st*mblin+-blo!ks to *nion /it$ t$e West. Bor did
t$ey a+ree /it$ Kalomiros in !onsiderin+ A*+*stine o' .i,,o to be t$e 'o*nt o' t$e
/estern $eresies. -n t$e !ontrary" t$e (i't$ E!*meni!al ?o*n!il ,ro!laimed $im $oly"
and ;t. 0$oti*s t$e 2reat embra!ed $im" /$ile not a!!e,tin+ $is errors on 'ree /ill"
t$e ba,tism o' $ereti!s" et!.
3*t Kalomiros +oes still '*rt$er ba!k t$an ;t. A*+*stine is $is sear!$ 'or t$e ori+ins o'
t$is !on!e,tion. #$e 2reek /ord 'or 1*sti!e" dikaios*n$" is" $e ar+*es" ,a+an in ori+in
and is !$ar+ed /it$ $*man notions /$i!$ !o*ld easily lead to mis*nderstandin+s. (irst
o' all" t$e /ord dikaios*n$ brin+s to mind an e)*al distrib*tion. #$is is /$y it is
re,resented by a balan!e. #$e +ood are re/arded and t$e bad are ,*nis$ed by $*man
so!iety in a 'air /ay. #$is is $*man 1*sti!e" t$e one /$i!$ takes ,la!e in !o*rt. :s t$is
t$e meanin+ o' 2ods 1*sti!e" $o/e&er #$e /ord dikaios*n$" 1*sti!e" is a translation
o' t$e .ebrai! /ord tsedaka. #$is /ord means t$e 7i&ine ener+y t$at a!!om,lis$es
mans sal&ation. :t is ,arallel and almost synonymo*s to t$e ot$er .ebrai! /ord" $esed
/$i!$ means mer!y" !om,assion" lo&e" and to t$e /ord emet$ /$i!$ means
'idelity" tr*t$. #$is" as yo* see" +i&es a !om,letely ot$er dimension to /$at /e
*s*ally !on!ei&e as 1*sti!e. >,. C@.
:t may /ell +i&e an extra dimension to t$e *nderstandin+ o' 1*sti!e" b*t it does not
!$an+e its essential" root meanin+" /$i!$ remains t$at o' e)*ity and balan!e. We see
t$is &ery !learly in t$e Kontakion o' t$e Bint$ .o*r4 :n t$e midst o' t/o t$ie&es" #$y
?ross /as 'o*nd to be a &alance of justice?. 6*sti!e means not$in+ i' it does not mean a
balan!in+ o' +ood a+ainst e&il" so t$at e&il is destroyed t$ro*+$ its bein+ o*t/ei+$ed by
t$e +ood. #$*s t$e s*,remely +ood /ork t$at ?$rist did on t$e ?ross is balan!ed a+ainst
all t$e e&il !ommitted by all men 'rom t$e be+innin+ to t$e end o' time and t$e +ood
o*t/ei+$s t$e e&il. :n t$at !onsists o*r sal&ation and redem,tion" t$e 'ro'itiation 'or
o*r sins" as ;t. 6o$n t$e #$eolo+ian ,*ts it" or o*r justification" as ;t. 0a*l ,*ts it.
:n any !ase" t$ere is s*rely no !ontradi!tion in meanin+ bet/een t$e t/o /ords 'or
1*sti!e - Kalomiros !on1e!t*ral .ebre/ /ord tsedaka and t$e 2reek dikaios*n$.
6*sti!e as t$e 7i&ine ener+y t$at a!!om,lis$es t$e sal&ation o' man is ,er'e!tly
!om,atible /it$ 1*sti!e as t$e restoration o' a state o' balan!e" t$at is" ri+$teo*sness or
blamelessness in manDs relations$i, /it$ $is 'ello/ man and /it$ 2od. ;in *,set t$e
balan!e in t$is relations$i," !reatin+ in1*sti!e. 6*sti!e is restored t$ro*+$ t$e destr*!tion
o' sin4 on t$e ,art o' 2od" by .is ,er'e!t ;a!ri'i!e and ,ro,itiation 'or t$e sins o' all
men" and on t$e ,art o' man by tr*e 'ait$ in t$at ;a!ri'i!e 0aradoxi!ally" t$ere is
somet$in+ /estern and rationalist and Kalomiros attem,t to demote t$e s*,,osedly
,a+an /ord dikaios*n$ in 'a&o*r o' t$e .ebre/ tsedaka. 2od t$e .oly ;,irit de!reed
t$at t$e .oly ;!ri,t*res o' t$e Be/ #estament s$o*ld be /ritten in 2reek" t$e lan+*a+e
$a&in+ t$e +reatest ,$iloso,$i!al ,re!ision and so,$isti!ation in t$e an!ient /orld. #$e
2reek text !annot t$ere'ore be said to be in any /ay a translation o'" or deri&ation 'rom"
a s*,,osedly ,*rer" more +odly .ebre/ ori+inal4 it is t$e ori+inal. .ebre/ is t$e
ori+inal lan+*a+e o' t$e -ld #estament. And yet /e do not $a&e t$e ori+inal .ebre/
text. We $a&e t$e Massoreti! text" /$i!$ dates 'rom many !ent*ries a'ter ?$rist and $as
,robably been !orr*,ted by t$e rabbis. #$e text t$at ,robably !orres,onds most !losely
to t$e ori+inal" b*t no/ lost .ebre/ is t$e early 2reek translation by t$e ;e&enty" /$i!$
remains to t$is day t$e o''i!ial text o' t$e -ld #estament in t$e -rt$odox ?$*r!$.
Western s!$olars sin!e 5*t$er $a&e lo&ed tryin+ to *neart$ t$e real meanin+ o' t$e
2reek ;!ri,t*res by +oin+ to t$e .ebre/. ?om,arisons /it$ t$e .ebre/ are not
ne!essarily ille+itimate" and !an be +en*inely ill*minatin+ in t$e $ands o' tr*ly
-rt$odox s!$olars s*!$ as Metro,olitan 0$ilaret o' Mos!o/ >see $is (o!!entary on
$enesis@. 3*t as o'ten as not s*!$ !om,arisons are ille+itimate attem,ts to ,ro&e a 'alse
t$eolo+i!al t$eory by +ettin+ ro*nd t$e ,lain meanin+ o' t$e 2reek text.
:n Kalomiros !ase" $e is !learly tryin+ to ,ro&e t$at 1*sti!e does not mean /$at it
)*ite ,lainly means in t$e /ritin+s o' t$e a,ostles" b*t rat$er mer!y" lo&e and
tr*t$" on t$e +ro*nds t$at t$e .ebre/ /ord 'or 1*sti!e is etymolo+i!ally related to
t$e /ords 'or mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$. Bo/ nobody do*bts t$at 2ods 1*sti!e is
related in a ,ro'o*nd /ay to .is mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$. :t !o*ld not be ot$er/ise" sin!e
.e is t$e 'o*nt o' all +ood" and o' all tr*e &al*es. Be&ert$eless" it is ob&io*s t$at
1*sti!e is not equivalent to mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$. And it is e)*ally ob&io*s"
!ontrary to Kalomiros" t$at t$e root meanin+ o' 1*sti!e $as to do /it$ e)*ity"
balan!e and !om,ensation. #$e )*estion 'or t$e t$eolo+ian is4 $o/ is 2ods 1*sti!e
to be re!on!iled /it$ .is mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$ 3y sim,ly rede'inin+ 1*sti!e in terms
o' mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$" Kalomiros $as not ans/ered t$is )*estion" merely
&y'assed it t$ro*+$ a &erbal slei+$t o' $and.
At t$is ,oint Kalomiros brin+s in ;t. :saa!4 .o/ !an yo* !all 2od 1*st" /$en yo* read
t$e ,assa+e on t$e /a+e +i&en to t$e /orkers (riends" : do t$ee no /ron+E : /ill +i&e
*nto t$is last e&en as *nto t$ee /$o /orked 'or me 'rom t$e 'irst $o*r. :s t$ine eye e&il"
be!a*se : am +ood .o/ !an a man !all 2od 1*st /$en $e !omes a!ross t$e ,assa+e
on t$e ,rodi+al son" /$o /asted $is /ealt$ in rioto*s li&in+" and yet only 'or t$e
!ontrition /$i!$ $e s$o/ed" t$e 'at$er ran and 'ell *,on $is ne!k" and +a&e $im
a*t$ority o&er all $is /ealt$ Bone ot$er b*t .is &ery ;on said t$ese t$in+s !on!ernin+
.im lest /e do*bt it" and t$*s .e bare /itness !on!ernin+ .im. W$ere" t$en" is 2ods
1*sti!e" 'or /$ilst /e /ere sinners" ?$rist died 'or *s<
Kalomiros !omments on t$is4 ;o /e see t$at 2od is not 1*st" /it$ t$e $*man meanin+
o' t$is /ord" b*t /e see t$at .is 1*sti!e means .is +oodness and lo&e" /$i!$ are +i&en
in an *n1*st manner" t$at is" 2od al/ays +i&es /it$o*t takin+ anyt$in+ in ret*rn" and .e
+i&es to ,ersons like *s /$o are not /ort$y o' re!ei&in+. #$at is /$y ;aint :saa!
tea!$es *s4 7o not !all 2od 1*st" 'or .is 1*sti!e is not mani'est in t$e t$in+s !on!ernin+
yo*. >,. C@
Bo/ i' /e take ;t. :saa!s /ords literally and *nintelli+ently" /e /ill be 'or!ed to say
t$at $e is in !ontradi!tion /it$ a &ast n*mber o' texts 'rom t$e .oly ;!ri,t*res and
(at$ers t$at !learly ,ro!laim t$e 1*sti!e o' 2od" and t$at on t$is ,oint" at any rate" $e is
not in a!!ord /it$ t$e !onsens*s o' t$e (at$ers. #$is is a ,ossible !on!l*sion" sin!e
se&eral o' t$e (at$ers $a&e been at one time or anot$er not in a!!ord /it$ t$e ,atristi!
!onsens*s. .o/e&er" : do not t$ink t$at /e are 'or!ed to dra/ s*!$ a !on!l*sion i' only
/e try and ,*t $is remarks in t$e !ontext o' t$e /$ole o' -rt$odox soteriolo+y.
#$e main ,oint ;t. :saa! is makin+ is t$at 2od +i&es *s ab*ndantly more t$an /e
deser&e i' /e !onsider only our /orks. ;o i' /e !onsider only our /orks" /e m*st
!on!l*de t$at 2od is *n1*st. As t$e saint ,*ts it4 .is 1*sti!e is not mani'est in t$e t$in+s
!on!ernin+ you. Bo amo*nt o' +ood /orks by *s !an merit t$e Kin+dom o' $ea&en.
E&en t$e ri+$teo*sness o' t$e ri+$teo*s is d*st and as$es in 2ods eyes. .o/e&er" i'
/e broaden o*r ,ers,e!ti&e to in!l*de not only o*r /orks" t$e t$in+s !on!ernin+ *s
alone" b*t also the "or) of (hrist, /e m*st !ome to a )*ite di''erent !on!l*sion. (or t$e
Work o' ?$rist" .is ;a!ri'i!e on t$e ?ross" ab*ndantly makes *, 'or t$e inade)*a!y o'
o*r /orks. ;o t$e saints /ords are ,er'e!tly a!!e,table /it$in t$e narro/ !ontext o'
o*r sin'*l /orks. 3*t t$ere is no reason to belie&e t$at $e denied t$at 1*sti!e is
ne&ert$eless done t$ro*+$ t$e Work o' ?$rist on t$e ?ross.
.o/e&er" it is ,re!isely t$is t$at Kalomiros denies. .e re1e!ts t$e idea t$at 1*sti!e is
done by ?$rists ;a!ri'i!e on t$e ?rossE t$at t$e inade)*a!y o' o*r o/n /orks is made
*, 'or by t$e ;*,reme Work o' ?$rist. ;imilarly" $e re1e!ts t$e idea t$at t$e $*man ra!e
/as 1*stly !ondemned to $ell t$ro*+$ t$e ori+inal sin o' Adam and E&e. 3ot$ t$ese
e&ents o''end his sense o' 1*sti!e. 3*t instead o' !on'essin+ t$at $is o/n sense o' 1*sti!e
is ,robably narro/ and limited" $e on t$e one $and *n1*stly !ari!at*res t$e traditional
t$eolo+i!al *nderstandin+ o' 7i&ine 1*sti!e as bloodt$irsty" &en+e'*l" et!." and on
t$e ot$er $and de!ides to abolis$ t$e notion o' 1*sti!e alto+et$er by rede'inin+ it in s*!$
a /ay as to remo&e 'rom it t$e idea o' balan!e and e)*ity.
#$e do!trines o' ori+inal sin and redem,tion m*st be seen together" t$e latter bein+ t$e
reversal o' t$e 'ormer" /it$ t$e a,,arent in1*sti!e o' t$e one !an!ellin+ o*t t$e
a,,arent in1*sti!e o' t$e ot$er. ;o /e may +o alon+ /it$ Kalomiros to t$is extentE /e
may !on!ede t$at t$e do!trine o' ori+inal sin" /$ereby t$e sin o' Adam and E&e is
,assed on to t$eir des!endants" is *n1*st 'rom a narro/ly $*man ,oint o' &ie/. And let
*s '*rt$er !on!ede t$at ?$rists sal&ation o' mankind on t$e ?ross /$en mankind took
no ,art in .is ;a!ri'i!e is similarly *n1*st. We neit$er deser&e t$e ,*nis$ment o' t$e
ori+inal !*rse" nor t$e sal&ation o' t$e s*bse)*ent redem,tion. .o/e&er" t$e in1*sti!e
o' o*r sal&ation ,er'e!tly balan!es" mat!$es" and blots o*t t$e in1*sti!e o' o*r ori+inal
!ondemnation. And t$ereby 1*sti!e is a!$ie&ed in t$e most ,er'e!t /ay. #$is balan!e" or
,arallelism" bet/een o*r 'all in t$e 'irst Adam and o*r res*rre!tion in t$e se!ond" is t$e
!entral t$eme o' ;t. 0a*ls E,istle to t$e %omans. And !o+nates o' t$e 2reek
a!!ordin+ to Kalomiros" 'agan 2reek /ord 'or 1*sti!e" dikaios*n$" o!!*r
t$ro*+$o*t. #$*s4 as t$ro*+$ one o''en!e !ondemnation !ame *,on all men" so
t$ro*+$ one ri+$teo*s a!t 8dikai/matoV9 8t$e 'ree +i't9 !ame *,on all men *nto
1*sti'i!ation 8dikai/sin9 o' li'e. (or as by one mans disobedien!e many /ere made
sinners" so by t$e obedien!e o' -ne s$all many be made ri+$teo*s 8dikaioi9 >%omans
A.18-19@.
#$ere are '*rt$er ,aradoxes $ere. ;in" t$at is" in1*sti!e" is !om,letely blotted o*t - b*t
by t$e *n1*st deat$ and ;a!ri'i!e o' t$e -nly ;inless and 6*st -ne. ?$rist !ame Fin t$e
likeness o' sin'*l 'les$F >%omans 8.3@ and died t$e deat$ o' a sinner" t$o*+$ .e /as
sinless. #$e inno!ent .ead died t$at t$e +*ilty 3ody s$o*ld li&e. .e" t$e 6*st -ne" W$o
!ommitted no sin" took *,on .imsel' t$e sins o' t$e /$ole /orld. W$en /e !o*ld not
,ay t$e ,ri!e" .e ,aid it 'or *sE /$en /e /ere dead in sin" .e died to +i&e *s li'e. F(or
?$rist $at$ on!e s*''ered 'or sins" t$e 6*st 'or t$e *n1*stF >: 0eter 3.18@. And t$e
+reatness o' t$is ;a!ri'i!e /as so +reat in t$e eyes o' 7i&ine 1*sti!e t$at it blotted o*t
t$e sins o' t$e /$ole /orld - o' all men" t$at is" /$o res,ond to t$is 'ree +i't /it$
+ratit*de and re,entan!e.
(or only one /ork is re)*ired on o*r side t$e /ork o' 'ait$" o' ri+$tly belie&in+ in
t$e ;a!ri'i!e o' ?$rist ,re!isely t$e /ork t$at Kalomiros /o*ld $a&e *s deny" or at
any rate reinter,ret in s*!$ a /ay as to deny its tr*e nat*re. (or as t$e 5ord .imsel'
says4 #$is is t$e /ork o' 2od t$at ye belie&e on .im W$om .e $at$ sent >6o$n
C.29@" t$at is" on .im W$om 2od $at$ set 'ort$ to be a ,ro,itiation t$ro*+$ 'ait$ in .is
blood t$at .e mi+$t be 1*st and t$e 1*sti'ier o' $im /$o belie&et$ in 6es*s >%omans
3.2A" 2C@. :' /e a!!e,t 2ods Work o' 1*sti!e /it$ tr*e 'ait$ and +ratit*de" t$en t$is
'ait$ o' o*rs" like t$at o' Abra$am" is a!!o*nted to *s 'or ri+$teo*sness >%omans G.3@
- t$at is" 'or o*r 1*sti'i!ation" o*r loosin+ 'rom all in1*sti!e" or sin.
#$e ?$*r!$ $as ex,ressed t$is ,aradox o' 7i&ine 6*sti!e /it$ +reat elo)*en!e4 F?ome"
all ye ,eo,les" and let *s &enerate t$e blessed Wood" t$ro*+$ /$i!$ the eternal justice
$as been bro*+$t to ,ass. (or $e /$o by a tree de!ei&ed o*r 'ore'at$er Adam" is by t$e
?ross $imsel' de!ei&edE and $e /$o by tyranny +ained ,ossession o' t$e !reat*re
endo/ed by 2od /it$ royal di+nity" is o&ert$ro/n in $eadlon+ 'all. 3y t$e 3lood o'
2od t$e ,oison o' t$e ser,ent is /as$ed a/ayE and t$e !*rse o' a just !ondemnation is
loosed by t$e unjust ,*nis$ment in'li!ted on t$e *ust. (or it /as 'ittin+ t$at /ood
s$o*ld be $ealed by /ood" and t$at t$ro*+$ t$e 0assion o' -ne W$o kne/ not ,assion
s$o*ld be remitted all t$e s*''erin+s o' $im /$o /as !ondemned be!a*se o' /ood. 3*t
+lory to #$ee" - ?$rist o*r Kin+" 'or #$y dread dis,ensation to/ards *s" /$ereby #$o*
$ast sa&ed *s all" 'or #$o* art +ood and lo&est mankind.F829
2. Does God Punish? Kalomiros /rites4 2od ne&er takes &en+ean!e. .is ,*nis$ments
are lo&in+ means o' !orre!tion" as lon+ as anyt$in+ !an be !orre!ted and $ealed in t$is
li'e. #$ey ne&er extend to eternity >,. C@
3*t $o/ !an t$is be tr*e< W$at abo*t t$e senten!e o' deat$ ,assed on all mankind"
/$i!$ is !alled a !*rse in so many !$*r!$ texts :s t$at not a ,*nis$ment
W$at abo*t t$e terrible deat$s o' &ario*s sinners" s*!$ as A$ab and 6ezabel" Ananias
and ;a,,$ira" .eliodor*s and .erod and ;imon Ma+*s .o/ !an t$ey be said to $a&e
been lo&in+ means o' !orre!tion" sin!e t$ey mani'estly did not !orre!t t$e sinners
in&ol&ed" /$o /ere in!orri+ible And /$at abo*t t$e torments o' +e$enna 7o t$ey not
extend to eternity Will not t$e 5ord .imsel' say to t$e !ondemned at t$e 5ast
6*d+ement4 7e,art 'rom Me" ye !*rsed" into everlasting 'ire" ,re,ared 'or t$e de&il and
$is an+els >Matt$e/ 2A.G1@
Kalomiros /rites4 7eat$ /as not in'li!ted *,on *s by 2od. We 'ell into it by o*r
re&olt. >,. C@. And $e )*otes ;t. 3asil4 2od did not !reate deat$" b*t /e bro*+$t it
*,on o*rsel&es.
?ertainly 2od did not !reate deat$. And !ertainly /e bro*+$t it *,on o*rsel&es by o*r
/il'*l trans+ression o' .is !ommandment. 3*t does t$is mean t$at 2od /as !om,letely
ina!ti&e in .is ,rono*n!ement o' t$e senten!e on Adam and E&e" in t$eir ex,*lsion
'rom Eden" in .is ,la!in+ t$e !$er*bim /it$ t$e s/ord o' 'ire to ,re&ent t$eir ret*rn
-' !o*rse not< 2od did not /ill o*r 'irst ,arents to 'all. Bor did .e" bein+ 5i'e :tsel'"
!reate deat$. .o/e&er" .e allowed o*r 'irst ,arents to 'all" and .e ,ermitted deat$ to
enter into t$eir li'e. W$y 0artly in order to !orre!t t$em" to $*mble t$em and lead t$em
to re,entan!e. 0artly in order to !*t o'' sin and allo/ t$e dissol*tion o' t$e body 'or t$e
sake o' its '*t*re res*rre!tion. And ,artly be!a*se cri!e requires 'unish!ent" be!a*se
2od is t$e 1*st 6*d+e W$o !annot allo/ sin to +o *n,*nis$ed.
#$is is !on'irmed by ;t. 6o$n o' 7amas!*s" /$o /rites4 FA 1*d+e 1*stly ,*nis$es one
/$o is +*ilty o' /ron+doin+E and i' $e does not ,*nis$ $im $e is $imsel' a /ron+doer.
:n ,*nis$in+ $im t$e 1*d+e is not t$e !a*se eit$er o' t$e /ron+doin+ or o' t$e
&en+ean!e taken a+ainst t$e /ron+doer" t$e !a*se bein+ t$e /ron+doerDs 'reely !$osen
a!tions. #$*s too 2od" W$o sa/ /$at /as +oin+ to $a,,en as i' it $ad already
$a,,ened" 1*d+ed it as i' it $ad taken ,la!eE and i' it /as e&il" t$at /as t$e !a*se o' its
bein+ ,*nis$ed. :t /as 2od W$o !reated man" so o' !o*rse $e !reated $im in +oodnessE
b*t man did e&il o' $is o/n 'ree !$oi!e" and is $imsel' t$e !a*se o' t$e &en+ean!e t$at
o&ertakes $im.F839
;o man is t$e *ltimate !a*se o' $is o/n misery4 b*t t$at by no means im,lies t$at 2od
does not ,*nis$ $im.
A+ain" ;t. 0$oti*s t$e 2reat /rites4 5et *s !om,re$end t$e de,t$s o' t$e Masters
!lemen!y. .e +a&e deat$ as a ,*nis$ment" b*t t$ro*+$ .is o/n deat$ .e trans'ormed it
as a +ate to immortality. :t /as a resol*tion o' an+er and dis,leas*re" b*t it anno*n!es
t$e !ons*mmate +oodness o' t$e 6*d+e8G9
#$*s t$e tr*t$ is more !om,lex t$an Kalomiros /o*ld $a&e it. 7eat$ is &oth a
,*nis$ment and " t$ro*+$ ?$rists o/n 7eat$" a deli&eran!e 'rom deat$. :t is &oth
1*d+ement and mer!y. Bor !o*ld it be ot$er/iseE 'or 2od is &oth lo&e and 1*sti!e. As ;t.
6o$n o' t$e 5adder says" .e is !alled justice as /ell as lo&e. 8A9
#*rnin+ no/ to t$e )*estion o' eternal torments" /e note t$at Kalomiros does not deny
t$eir existen!e" b*t denies t$at t$ey are in'li!ted by 2od be!a*se 2od ne&er ,*nis$es
>,. 19@. %at$er" t$ey are sel'-in'li!ted. A'ter t$e ?ommon %es*rre!tion t$ere is no
)*estion o' any ,*nis$ment 'rom 2od. .ell is not a ,*nis$ment 'rom 2od b*t a sel'-
!ondemnation. As ;aint 3asil t$e 2reat says" #$e e&ils in $ell do not $a&e 2od as t$eir
!a*se" b*t o*rsel&es. >,. 1C@.
Kalomiros $ere deliberately !on'*ses t/o &ery di''erent t$in+s4 t$e !rime o' t$e
!riminal" and t$e senten!e o' t$e 1*d+e. :' t$e 1*d+e senten!es t$e !riminal to ,rison 'or
$is !rime" it is ob&io*s t$at t$e ,rimary !a*se o' t$e !riminals bein+ in ,rison is $is
o/n !riminal a!tions4 it is t$e !riminal $imsel' /$o is *ltimately res,onsible 'or $is
miserable !ondition t$is is !learly t$e ,oint t$at ;t. 3asil is makin+. Be&ert$eless" it is
e)*ally ob&io*s t$at t$e 1*d+e" too" $as a $and in t$e matter. :t is $e /$o de!ides bot$
/$et$er t$e !riminal is +*ilty or inno!ent" and t$e +entleness or se&erity o' t$e senten!e.
:n ot$er /ords" t$ere are t/o a!tors and t/o a!tions in&ol&ed $ere" not one.
Kalomiros also deliberately !on'*ses t$e 'ree a!ts o' t$e !riminal and $is !oer!ed"
*n'ree s*bmission to $is senten!e. #$*s" !orr*,tin+ t$e /ords o' ?$rist in Matt$e/
2A.G1" $e /rites4 7e,art 'reely 'rom lo&e to t$e e&erlastin+ tort*re o' $ate >,. 20@. 3*t
t$e sinners do not freely de,art into t$e e&erlastin+ 'ire< -n t$e !ontrary" t$ey +nas$
t$eir teet$ in t$e 'ire" /itnessin+" as t$e (at$ers ex,lain" to t$eir 'ier!e an+er and
rejection o' t$e 1*sti!e o' t$eir ,*nis$ment. We may a+ree t$at t$ey $a&e been bro*+$t
to t$is ,li+$t by t$eir o/n sin'*l a!ts" 'reely !ommitted. 3*t t$ey do not 'reely a!!e,t
t$eir ,*nis$ment 'or t$ose a!ts< #$e 2od-seer Moses and t$e A,ostle 0a*l /ere /illin+
to be !ast a/ay 'rom 2od 'or t$e sake o' t$e sal&ation o' t$eir bret$ren" t$e 6e/s $ere
/e see t$e 'ree a!!e,tan!e o' tort*re and ,*nis$ment" b*t o*t o' lo&e. #$e !ondemned
at t$e 6*d+ement" $o/e&er" /ill not be like t$ese saints" b*t /ill be !ast against t$eir
/ill into t$e eternal 'ire.
A+ain" Kalomiros distorts t$e nat*re o' $ea&en and $ell. :n a t$oro*+$ly modernist"
rationalist manner $e red*!es t$em to 'sychological states 4 a state o' s*,reme 1oy and
lo&e enli+$tened by t$e 'ire o' 2ods +ra!e" on t$e one $and" and a state o' t$e most
ab1e!t misery and $atred" b*rned b*t not enli+$tened by t$e 'ire o' 2ods +ra!e" on t$e
ot$er. #$is is $ell4 t$e ne+ation o' lo&eE t$e ret*rn o' $ate 'or lo&eE bitterness at seein+
inno!ent 1oyE to be s*rro*nded by lo&e and to $a&e $ate in ones $eart. #$is is t$e
eternal !ondition o' all t$e damned. #$ey are all dearly lo&ed. #$ey are all in&ited to t$e
1oyo*s ban)*et. #$ey are all li&in+ in 2ods Kin+dom" in t$e Be/ Eart$ and t$e Be/
.ea&ens. Bo one ex,els t$em. E&en i' t$ey /anted to +o a/ay t$ey !o*ld not 'lee 'rom
2ods Be/ ?reation" nor $ide 'rom 2ods tenderly lo&in+ omni,resen!e >,. 20@.
5ike all $ereti!s" Kalomiros mixes tr*t$ /it$ 'alse$ood. ;o let *s 'irst 'reely admit /$at
is tr*e in $is a!!o*nt. :t is tr*e t$at a lar+e ,art o' t$e torment o' $ell /ill be t$e $atred
and bitterness t$at !ontin*es to seet$e in t$e sinners $eart to+et$er /it$ remorse"
s$ame and t$e most so*l-destroyin+ des,air. :t is also tr*e t$at t$at bitterness /ill be
exar!ebated by t$e t$o*+$t o' t$e inno!ent 1oy o' t$e blessed in 0aradise. >#$is /as
an insi+$t +ranted also to t$e at$eist 6ean-0a*l ;artre4 .ell is ot$er ,eo,le" $e said.@ :t
is tr*e" '*rt$ermore" t$at in a !ertain sense it is ,re!isely 2ods lo&e t$at torments t$e
sinners in $ell. (or" as Ar!$bis$o, #$eo,$an o' 0olta&a /rites4 :n essen!e t$e /rat$ o'
2od is one o' t$e mani'estations o' t$e lo&e o' 2od" b*t o' t$e lo&e o' 2od in its
relation to t$e moral e&il in t$e $eart o' rational !reat*res in +eneral" and in t$e $eart o'
man in ,arti!*lar > On +ede!'tion @.
.o/e&er" it is stret!$in+ traditional t$eolo+i!al *nderstandin+ 'ar too 'ar to say t$at
t$ose !ondemned in t$e eternal 'ire o' +e$enna are at t$e same time all li&in+ in 2ods
Kin+dom" in t$e Be/ Eart$ and t$e Be/ .ea&ens< #$ere is no ,la!e 'or t$e damned in
2ods Kin+dom< As /as re&ealed to ;t. 6o$n in t$e last !$a,ter o' %e&elation4 3lessed
are t$ey t$at do .is !ommandments" t$at t$ey may $a&e ri+$t to t$e tree o' li'e" and
may enter in t$ro*+$ t$e +ates into t$e !ity. (or outside are do+s" and sor!erers" and
/$oremon+ers" and m*rderers" and idolaters" and /$osoe&er lo&et$ and maket$ a lie
>22.1G-1A@. :n ot$er /ords" t$e Be/ Eart$ and t$e Be/ .ea&ens" 0aradise and t$e ?ity
o' 2od" /ill not be a!!essible to t$e !ondemned sinnersE t$ey /ill not be li&in+ t$ere<
Bor is it tr*e t$at e&en t$e damned /ill be in&ited to t$e 1oy'*l ban)*et and t$at no-
one /ill ex,el t$em. :n this li'e" yes" e&en sinners are in&ited to t$e 1oy'*l ban)*et o'
!omm*nion /it$ 2od in .is .oly ?$*r!$. 3*t on t$e last 7ay" /$en t$e sinner is 'o*nd
to $a&e no /eddin+ +arment" t$e Kin+ /ill say to .is ser&ants4 3ind $im $and and
'oot" and take $im a/ay" and !ast $im into o*ter darkness4 t$ere /ill be /ee,in+ and
+nas$in+ o' teet$ >Matt$e/ 22.13@.
2od is not as ,assi&e as Kalomiros makes o*t. .e acts and a!ts to ex,el t$e
*nre,entant sinner 'rom .is ,resen!e. #$*s to t$e inner darkness o' t$e sinners $ate-
'illed" +ra!eless so*l /ill be added t$e o*ter darkness o' t$e 'lace t$at is +e$enna"
/$ere t$e ri&er o' 'ire /ill !ons*me $is &ody as /ell as $is so*l. #$is outer as,e!t o' t$e
eternal torments a,,ears to $a&e been i+nored by Kalomiros in $is o&er-,sy!$olo+i!al"
o&er-abstra!t and o&er-so,$isti!ated *nderstandin+ o' t$e torments o' $ell.
And i' $e /ere to ob1e!t4 #$ere is no s,a!e or time as /e *nderstand it in t$e li'e o' t$e
a+e to !ome" : /o*ld re,ly4 As we understand it " in o*r ,resent 'allen and limited state
- yes. And yet /e !annot +et rid o' t$e !ate+ories o' s,a!e and time alto+et$er. -nly
2od is !om,letely beyond s,a!e and time. #$e idea o' a &ody b*rnin+ in $ell is
in!om,re$ensible i' it is not b*rnin+ so!ewhere. Bor is t$e idea o' o*r eart$ bein+
trans'i+*red into 0aradise !om,re$ensible i' it not lo!ated in any kind o' s,a!e
Kalomiros makes all t$ese errors and distortions o' .oly ;!ri,t*re be!a*se $e re'*ses to
admit t$at 2od ,*nis$es" not only ,eda+o+i!ally" to !orre!t and re$abilitate t$e sinner"
b*t also retri&utively " as a ,*re ex,ression o' .is 1*sti!e. ;in!e retrib*ti&e ,*nis$ment
does not lead to t$e re$abilitation o' t$e sinner" $e !onsiders it ,ointless and !r*el" and
t$ere'ore *n/ort$y o' 2od. :n ot$er /ords" $e sees no &al*e in 1*sti!e in itself "
inde,endently o' its ,ossible ,eda+o+i!al e''e!t.
And yet .oly ;!ri,t*re is '*ll o' t$e idea o' retrib*ti&e 1*sti!e as bein+ t$e norm o'
existen!e" ,ro!eedin+ 'rom t$e &ery nat*re o' 2od. #$*s4 #$e 5ord is t$e 2od o'
&en+ean!esE t$e 2od o' &en+ean!es $at$ s,oken o,enly. 3e #$o* exalted" - #$o* t$at
1*d+est t$e eart$E render t$e ,ro*d t$eir d*e >0salm 93.1-2@. And a+ain4 #$ey 8t$e
martyrs9 !ried /it$ a lo*d &oi!e" sayin+4 .o/ lon+" - 5ord" $oly and tr*e" doest #$o*
not 1*d+e and a&en+e o*r blood on t$em t$at d/ell on t$e eart$ >%e&elation C.10@. :t
+oes /it$o*t sayin+ t$at in neit$er o' t$ese )*otations are 2od or t$e saints *nderstood
as bein+ &en+e'*l in a !r*dely $*man and sin'*l manner" as i' t$ey /ere ,ossessed by a
'allen ,assion o' an+er. As t$e Venerable 3ede /rites4 F#$e so*ls o' t$e ri+$teo*s !ry
t$ese t$in+s" not 'rom $atred o' enemies" b*t fro! love of justice .F 8C9 ;o t$e desire t$at
1*sti!e s$o*ld be done is not ne!essarily sin'*lE it may be ,*re" ,ro!eedin+ not 'rom t$e
'allen ,assion o' an+er" b*t 'rom t$e ,*re lo&e o' 1*sti!e. :ndeed" /$en t$e 5ord says4
Ven+ean!e is Mine" : /ill re,ay" .e is not sayin+ t$at 1*sti!e and !learly it is
retrib*ti&e 1*sti!e t$at is meant $ere - s$o*ld not be desired" b*t rat$er t$at it s$o*ld be
so*+$t" not t$ro*+$ t$e exer!ise o' t$e 'allen $*man ,assions" b*t t$ro*+$ 2od" W$o
al/ays a!ts /it$ t$e most ,er'e!t and ,assionless im,artiality.
E&en ;t. 3asil t$e 2reat" *,on /$om Kalomiros relies so $ea&ily" does not deny t$e
idea o' retrib*ti&e 1*sti!e in 2od and ,re!isely in t$e !ontext o' t$e ri&er o' 'ire. As $e
/rites" !ommentin+ on t$e &erse4 #$e &oi!e o' t$e 5ord di&idet$ t$e 'lame o' 'ire
>0salm 28.C@4 #$e 'ire ,re,ared in ,*nis$ment 'or t$e de&il and $is an+els is di&ided
by t$e &oi!e o' t$e 5ord. #$*s" sin!e t$ere are t/o !a,a!ities in 'ire" one o' b*rnin+ and
t$e ot$er o' ill*minatin+" t$e 'ier!e and ,*niti&e ,ro,erty o' t$e 'ire may a/ait t$ose
/$o deser&e to b*rn" /$ile its ill*minatin+ and radiant ,art may be reser&ed 'or t$e
en1oyment o' t$ose /$o are re1oi!in+.8H9
;o t$e ri&er o' 'ire is ,*niti&e 'or t$ose /$o deser&e to b*rn. And it is ,*niti&e in a
retrib*ti&e sense" as ex,ressin+ t$e ,*re lo&e o' 1*sti!e t$at is ,art o' t$e nat*re o' 2od.
-' !o*rse" 2od lon+s to $a&e mer!y e&en on t$e most in&eterate sinner. 3*t i' t$at
sinner does not /is$ to belie&e and re,ent" .e /ills t$at t$e sinner s$o*ld be ,*nis$ed -
e&en t$o*+$ t$e ,*nis$ment !an $a&e no re$abilitati&e e''e!t
3. Love nd Justi!e. :' /e seek 'or a dee,er !a*se o' Kalomiros $eresy" /e may 'ind it
in t$e &ery modernist error o' dis!onne!tin+" as it /ere" t$e &al*es o' lo&e" tr*t$ and
1*sti!e. Modern man belie&es in lo&e" b*t it is a 'alse" sentimental kind o' lo&e be!a*se
it is not linked to tr*t$ and 1*sti!e. More ,re!isely" modern man t$inks t$at it is ,ossible
to sa!ri'i!e tr*t$ and 1*sti!e 'or t$e sake o' lo&e. We are 'amiliar /it$ t$e sa!ri'i!e o'
tr*t$ 'or t$e sake o' lo&e in t$e modern ,an-$eresy o' e!*menism. Kalomiros $eresy
may be des!ribed as an analo+*e to e!*menismE only t$e &al*e t$at $e /is$es to
sa!ri'i!e is justice.
.o/e&er" lo&e and 1*sti!e" mer!y and 1*d+ement" are inse,arably related in 2ods
e!onomy. As /e $a&e seen" 2od !ondemned man to deat$ in Eden &oth be!a*se t$at
/as t$e 1*st ,*nis$ment o' $is sin and be!a*se t$ro*+$ deat$" ,aradoxi!ally" t$e s,read
o' sin /o*ld be !*t s$ort" man /o*ld be led to re,entan!e and ?$rist /o*ld des!end
into $ades to sa&e mankind. A+ain" ?$rists ;a!ri'i!e on t$e ?ross /as &oth a s*,reme
a!t o' lo&e 'or 'allen mankind and t$e restoration o' 1*sti!e in 2ods relations$i, /it$
man.
#$e ob&erse o' 2ods lo&e 'or mankind is .is /rat$ and $atred o' t$e sin t$at tears
mankind a/ay 'rom eternal li'e in .im. ;t. 6o$n o' 7amas!*s /rites4 3y /rat$ and
an+er are *nderstood 82ods9 $atred and dis+*st in relation to sin" sin!e /e also $ate
t$at /$i!$ does not a!!ord /it$ o*r t$o*+$t and are an+ry /it$ it.889 Bo/ $atred o'
sin is t$e same as t$e lo&e o' 1*sti!e" sin!e 1*sti!e is t$e destr*!tion o' sin and t$e
restoration o' t$e state o' sinlessness. :t 'ollo/s t$at $e /$o does not lo&e 1*sti!e 'or its
o/n sake does not $ate sin. And $e /$o does not $ate sin does not lo&e 2od" W$o $ates
sin so m*!$ t$at .e +a&e .is -nly-3e+otten ;on to die in order t$at sin s$o*ld be
destroyed and man restored to $is ori+inal !ondition o' sinlessness.
:n !on!l*sion" let *s listen to t$e /ords o' ;t. 2re+ory 0alamas" /$o !an in no /ay be
a!!*sed o' s!$olasti!ism" b*t /$o em,$asizes" as i' anti!i,atin+ t$e debates o' o*r
time" t$e !riti!al im,ortan!e o' justice 4 #$e ,re-eternal" *n!ir!*ms!ribed and almi+$ty
Word and omni,otent ;on o' 2od !o*ld !learly $a&e sa&ed man 'rom mortality and
ser&it*de to t$e de&il /it$o*t .imsel' be!omin+ man. .e *,$olds all t$in+s by t$e /ord
o' .is ,o/er and e&eryt$in+ is s*b1e!t to .is di&ine a*t$ority. A!!ordin+ to 6ob" .e !an
do e&eryt$in+ and not$in+ is im,ossible 'or .im. #$e stren+t$ o' a !reated bein+ !annot
/it$stand t$e ,o/er o' t$e ?reator" and not$in+ is more ,o/er'*l t$an t$e Almi+$ty.
3*t t$e in!arnation o' t$e Word o' 2od /as t$e met$od o' deli&eran!e most in kee,in+
/it$ o*r nat*re and /eakness" and most a,,ro,riate 'or .im W$o !arried it o*t" for this
!ethod had justice on its side, and $od does not act without justice. As t$e 0salmist
and 0ro,$et says" 2od is ri+$teo*s and lo&et$ ri+$teo*sness >0salm 11.H@" and t$ere
is no *nri+$teo*sness in .im >0salm 92.1A@. Man /as 1*stly abandoned by 2od in t$e
be+innin+ as $e $ad 'irst abandoned 2od. .e $ad &ol*ntarily a,,roa!$ed t$e ori+inator
o' e&il" obeyed $im /$en $e trea!$ero*sly ad&ised t$e o,,osite o' /$at 2od $ad
!ommanded" and /as justly +i&en o&er to $im. :n t$is /ay" t$ro*+$ t$e e&il ones en&y
and t$e +ood 5ords just !onsent" deat$ !ame into t$e /orld. 3e!a*se o' t$e de&ils
o&er/$elmin+ e&il" deat$ be!ame t/o'old" 'or $e bro*+$t abo*t not 1*st ,$ysi!al b*t
also eternal deat$.
As /e $ad been justly $anded o&er to t$e de&ils ser&i!e and s*b1e!tion to deat$" it /as
!learly ne!essary t$at t$e $*man ra!es ret*rn to 'reedom and li'e s$o*ld be
a!!om,lis$ed by 2od in a just way . Bot only $ad man been s*rrendered to t$e en&io*s
de&il by di&ine ri+$teo*sness" b*t t$e de&il $ad re1e!ted ri+$teo*sness and be!ome
/ron+ly enamo*red o' a*t$ority" arbitrary ,o/er and" abo&e all" tyranny. .e took *,
arms a+ainst justice and *sed $is mi+$t a+ainst mankind. :t ,leased 2od t$at t$e de&il
be o&er!ome 'irst by t$e justice a+ainst /$i!$ $e !ontin*o*sly 'o*+$t" t$en a'ter/ards
by ,o/er" t$ro*+$ t$e %es*rre!tion and t$e '*t*re 6*d+ement. *ustice &efore 'ower is
the &est order of events " and t$at 'or!e s$o*ld !ome a'ter justice is t$e /ork o' a tr*ly
di&ine and +ood 5ord" not o' a tyrant.
A sa!ri'i!e /as needed to re!on!ile t$e (at$er on .i+$ /it$ *s and to san!ti'y *s" sin!e
/e $ad been soiled by 'ello/s$i, /it$ t$e e&il one. #$ere $ad to be a sa!ri'i!e /$i!$
bot$ !leansed and /as !lean" and a ,*ri'ied" sinless ,riest :t /as !learly ne!essary 'or
?$rist to des!end to .ades" b*t all these things were done with justice, without which
$od does not act . 899
6*sti!e be'ore ,o/er" t$e ?ross be'ore t$e %es*rre!tion. And all t$in+s done /it$
1*sti!e" /it$o*t /$i!$ 2od does not a!t. ?learly" 1*sti!e is no se!ondary as,e!t o' t$e
7i&ine e!onomy" b*t its &ery $eart and essen!e
W$en #$o* !omest" - 2od" *,on t$e eart$ /it$ +lory" t$e /$ole /orld /ill tremble.
#$e ri&er o' 'ire /ill brin+ men be'ore #$y 1*d+ement-seat" t$e books /ill be o,ened
and t$e se!rets dis!losed. #$en deli&er me 'rom t$e *n)*en!$able 'ire" and !o*nt me
/ort$y to stand on #$y ri+$t $and" 6*d+e most ri+$teo*sF >Kontakion o' Meat'are
;*nday@
#e'te!&er ,- . Octo&er /, ,0012 revised *anuary ,3 . 4e&ruary -0, ,0-/.
819 : s$all be )*otin+ 'rom t$e text to be 'o*nd at $tt,4II///.st1amest$e1*st.!omI'eat*resI
>0A0@J20Kalomiros"J20#.EJ%:VE%J2...
829 Menaion, ;e,tember 1G" 2reat Ves,ers o' t$e Exaltation o' t$e ?ross" 5ord" : $a&e !ried" 2lory
3ot$ no/
839 ;t. 6o$n o' 7amas!*s" 5ialogue against the Manichaeans" 3H.
8G9 ;t. 0$oti*s" 5etter 3" to E*sebia" n*n and monasti! s*,erior" on t$e deat$ o' $er sisterE translated by
7es,ina ;trato*daki W$ite.
8A9 ;t. 6o$n o' t$e 5adder" The Ladder of 5ivine Ascent" 2G.23.
8C9 ;t. 3ede" On $enesis G.10.
8H9 ;t. 3asil" On 6sal! ,3.7.
889 ;t. 6o$n o' 7amas!*s" %8act %8'osition of the Orthodo8 4aith, book :" !$. 11.
899 ;t. 2re+ory 0alamas" o!ily -7" 1"2"21E in ?$risto,$er" The o!ilies of #aint $regory 6ala!as"
;o*t$ ?anaan" 0A4 ;aint #ik$ons ;eminary 0ress" 2002" ,,. 1H9-180" 19G.