Solomon's Porch (41 page)

“Murders, Father? The Carsons always said that no one was sure if my parent’s deaths were accidental or not.”

“Oh, we always sure, Panos. Your parents killed by the evil one. Satan been after you since you born, my boy. Poor idiots that killed my Nicki and Neitha they, what is word, weak in mind, easy to deceive.”

“You know who did it, Father? Were they ever brought to justice?”

“My son, yes, my son. Not in human court. God took His vengeance upon them. Horrible what happened. Burned alive in fire, roasted like pigs. No doubt still burning in hell also.”

“Father, why were my parents killed? How did I end up in America? Why didn’t you raise me, I mean I would … ”

“Panos, son. How you say? Take slow. Give me opportunity to explain, but first we pray.”

Gregory took his nephew’s hands in his. Peter immediately felt the Power, a magnificent gentleness was conveyed to him, a strength through humility that was without limits. Peter could sense his uncle’s incredible spiritual discipline, as if nothing on heaven or earth could possibly disrupt the connection between Father Kallistos and the Lord.

It was the first time Peter had heard the Lord’s Prayer recited in Greek. Father Gregory said the few words of the prayer slowly and with a rhythmic elegance Peter found hypnotic.

“Panos, listen very carefully. My English not so good, but I try. Most important you understand clearly what I say. You cannot make fool mistake. Evil one, he will try and deceive you.”

“Yes, Father, go ahead. If I don’t understand I’ll stop you and ask a question.”

The priest then reached into the open satchel and removed a small wooden box which was covered by a velvet bag. Father Kallistos held it gingerly, treating the object as his most precious possession, which it was.

“Panos, I know that you are expert at Holy Scriptures so we, how you say, skip step or two. You remember where St. Paul founded first European Christian Church?”

“Philippi.”

“Yes, my son. St. Paul wrote many letters to the churches he established in Asia and Greece; Philippi, Colosse, Thessalonica, Corinth, you know. Some of letters are in New Testament.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Some of his other letters mentioned in New Testament but not been, what is word, preserved for study.”

“Yes, uncle.”

“Panos, one of Paul’s lost letters not really lost. Has been kept safe for almost two thousand years, but shown to few people. Not even Holy Synod knows about this letter. Romans don’t know. But Panos I know and your father, he know. We part of, how you say, chain long of priests from church in Philippi given sacred duty to keep letter safe and secret.”

The Spirit confirmed for Peter that his uncle was not only being honest with him about what he knew, but also that the letter in the old Greek’s box was indeed authored by St. Paul.

“Panos, you know what I say is true, do you not?”

“Yes, Father, I know.”

“Good. We must read together then, Panos. Month ago had young priest translate into English. I read from first original in Greek, make sure no mistakes made in English language.”

Carefully, as if he was handling a most delicate and priceless object of art, Father Kallistos removed the letter from the box. It consisted of two pages of yellowish, thick paper, or what Peter guessed was paper. The writing on the sheets was in a foreign language, Greek, Peter assumed.

But something was strange. While he was as far from being an expert in ancient manuscripts as anyone could be, he noticed that the letter had a peculiar quality about it.

“Father, that letter. It looks … ”

“Like written hour ago, I know. For almost two thousand years document does not age. But Panos, how you say, need not worry. Expert in field verify age by science, of this I do not doubt.”

Father Gregory then produced a plain white envelope from his satchel. He handed it to Peter.

“This English translation, son. You read, I follow along.” Peter opened the envelope and removed the letter. The first thing he noticed about it was its odd salutation. He had to read it twice to himself to be sure he wasn’t making a mistake.

“Father, I mean how can this be?” Peter asked.

“My son?”

“The salutation, Father.”

The old priest smiled and let out an odd sounding chuckle.

“Well, my boy, what you, I search for phrase, should expect it say?”

“You mean this salutation was written by St. Paul!” Peter had assumed that Father Gregory or the translator had added it to the English language version.

Then it hit him. Peter’s heart began to race. He sat back in his chair, took a deep breath and tried his best to stay composed. He was beginning to more fully understand and appreciate God’s magnificent plan.

The letter began;

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To my beloved son in our common faith Panos Kallistos, heir by grace to the gifts freely given to the elders, who in the last days shall come forth from a new land, to proclaim to the Jew and the Gentiles the righteous judgment of God, and upon whom rests His glory, His trust and our fervent hope. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Twenty-Three

“Read on, my son. You must learn what Paul, how you say, intention for your life.”

Peter flinched, momentarily overwhelmed by the impact of the letter’s revelations. All that he’d been through should have prepared him to confront anything; but this, this was a radical twist in the midst of the bizarre. The Apostle to the Gentiles, witness to the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, the great Saul of Tarsus had written him a personal message and “mailed it” to him through the hands of generations of priests from the ancient town of Philippi. One of whom happened to be his uncle, a pure and gentle soul in this holy chain of custodians, who was right now staring at him, anxiously waiting for Peter to read the epistle and by doing so bring St. Paul’s vision to life in the twenty-first century.

“Panos, you have problem my boy?”

Peter was doing his best to maintain, to stay on task. He prayed silently for strength.

“Uncle, I guess it’s just too incredible. I’m not worthy of such an honor. God expects much of me, Father, sometimes I feel … ”

“Like you are big sinner and who you are to say things God tells you?”

“Yes, Father. Why didn’t God pick someone like you for this job? I’ll bet you’ve been a pious man all your life, always dutiful in your service to the Lord. Why me? I’m not at all like you. Until last year I couldn’t have cared less about God.”

“You want answer to question?”

“Lord forgive me, I do, Father. I need some answers.”

“Then, my son,” Father Kallistos said, as he reached over and gently touched Peter’s hand, “you must read. Paul address all concerns for you.”

Calling on help from Above, Peter was able to steady himself. He picked up the English translation and began to read it aloud.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To my beloved son in our common faith Panos Kallistos heir by grace to the gifts freely given to the elders, who in the last days shall come forth from a new land, to proclaim to the Jew and the Gentiles the righteous judgment of God, and upon whom rests His glory, His trust and our fervent hope, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Wow,” Peter gasped. “Reading that salutation again stirs me up, Father, like someone’s lighting a fire in my belly.”

“Angels want your attention, that’s all,” the old priest told his nephew. “Go on Panos, do not stop.”

My son, I commit this charge to you under the authority given me by Christ Jesus, who through His mercy has enabled me to prophecy concerning you and your brothers. The Spirit says that in your days men will become exceedingly violent and unfaithful, speaking lies in hypocrisy, openly mocking God without shame. They will be proud in their own opinions, revilers of all things holy, seeking false righteousness through vanity and covetousness. God’s own will be scattered, pulled away from each other by foolish and ignorant disputes. Men will consider the Lord a nuisance to be ignored, such will be the depth of their evil. But you, my son, are empowered and entrusted by Christ Jesus and God the Father to show men in this dark age the magnificence of His being, the power and majesty of the Father of Lights, the glory of His Kingdom, the mercy of His love. To this holy mission commit your life, Panos, never doubting that the Lord your God is with you, as am I, giving you strength and courage to endure to the end. Value highly the Ethiopian and the Jew, the officer and the soldier, the master of tongues and the humble. The Lord has given them each a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. They are your willing bondservants in Christ, treasures who for love’s sake will be bold in proclaiming the Gospel of our Lord.

“Uncle!” Peter shouted, amazed. “Paul knew my men! Glory to God, it’s beyond belief, Father.”

“Not too much to believe, Panos,” Gregory Kallistos reasoned. “Look at what has happened and what must still happen. Paul receive, what is word, his map of road from same God as you. Keep on reading, my boy.”

Panos, you were once profane, a worshipper of idols, unholy, proud, unloving, and deceitful. Let not your heart be troubled by what is past, my son, for as you once were so also were many others before the Spirit touched them. But you have since become rich in the fruits of the Spirit, filled with love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, gentleness, and self control.

God saved you for a purpose, Panos, that you may be an example to the world, to both the Jew and the Gentile, a living testimony to the power of God. You shall give hope to all who are dying in sin that they also may be lifted up by Him to glory.

“You see, Panos,” Father Gregory said, interrupting Peter’s recital of the letter. “God did not call priest, bishop, or Pope, he call sinners. No surprise. First twelve Apostles were, how you say, no bargains, Panos. They were worldly men, like you and brothers. That is why people come to believe them, Panos. Apostles not special, God is special.”

“So why then do we have a Holy Synod or a Pope or Patriarchs, Father? Does God not honor His church?”

“Of course, my son. He honors church but church not, I search for phrase, honor always Him.”

“I’m lost again.”

“No lost, just not finished. Read rest of letter.”

In your days, Panos, the simplicity of the Gospel shall be violated, the agreement of the Bishops held in contempt, the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus distorted and defiled by schism, greed, and all manner of self-seeking. Turn away from the proud who are obsessed with disputes and arguments over words from which come envy, strife, suspicions, and all manners of evil. Embrace the power of the Living God and lead others to the Light. Reject the church of Satan and all its wickedness, bring forth Christ’s true church into the Light, take it away from the profane and the ungodly.

“Father, help me to understand what St. Paul is saying here,” Peter asked.

“You not see? Not so hard to understand, my boy. The Bishop’s agreement I sure is Nicea Creed, simple statement of faith. Schism, greed, all that easy too, Panos. How many Christian sects we have today? Thousands, yes?”

“For sure, Father.”

“Creates big problems, no?”

“Yes. I do not understand quite how or why the church became so divided.”

“Easy question also, Panos. Evil one, he do it. Divide and, how you say, conquer easier.”

“So what does St. Paul want me to do about it? Unite the churches?”

“Yes, my son, and more still. You must take away power from profane and ungodly. Set things right. Prepare world for Christ’s return.”

“How am I supposed to do that, Father? Is your church, I guess I should say our church, the right one?”

“Not exactly, Panos. Read rest of letter, not much left.”

My beloved Panos, to you our Lord commits His church. You must exhort the faithful to become likeminded, to be of one accord, of one mind. The House of God must no longer be divided. Vindicate the Apostles, press forward to the goal of victory through gentleness, conquer with the love of Christ and by faith.

Your blood shall pour out as a sacrifice for all to witness, your obedience shall terrify and defeat your adversaries. These things I commit to you, son Panos, according to the prophecy given me concerning you.

Do all things through love. Be not afraid. Listen to the Bishop. Follow Holy tradition. In all things seek His guidance and believe in Him who grants everlasting life. Grace be with you. Amen.

“I very sorry about sacrifice part, Panos,” Father Gregory said. “If I had power to step in your shoes I would, son, what is word, in beat of heart.”

Peter took a deep breath and put his copy of the letter down on the small coffee table in front of him and looked over at his uncle. He loved the old man’s genuineness. Father Gregory’s unfiltered honesty and open heart were beacons drawing Peter deeper into an understanding of God’s will.