It is appropriate that this renewed sanctuary be celebrated with the words of the Psalmist: “Now bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God” (Psalm 133:1). Indeed, at all times and in every place, God deserves our praise and honor. If the inanimate heavens proclaim the majesty of God (Psalm 18:2), and if “every breath praises the Lord” (Psalm 150:6), how much more should we, the rational beings created in His image, do so? Is it not a newly bestowed grace from God for the community of this sacred temple that the challenging and meticulous task of constructing this holy place has been successfully completed? This majestic temple has been consecrated and, as a result, it now experiences a fresh outpouring, visitation, and indwelling of divine grace. What God promised to the temple of the Old Covenant, which contained only “the shadow of the good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1), He will certainly fulfill in the temple of the New Covenant, which embodies the very blessings foretold. “My eyes shall be there,” He declared, “and my heart will be there all the days” (1 Samuel 9:3). Therefore, “now” let all servants of the Lord bless Him in His temple.
As the recipients of new blessings often remember the previous kindnesses of their benefactor, so let us also give thanks to the Lord, who has granted us existence, life, His divine image, and the paradise of the Church. Let us praise Him for not allowing His Church to be completely destroyed by the sins of our ancestors but, through the promise of the Savior, restoring it forever and calling back sinful humanity to it through repentance. In times of ignorance, He did not leave Himself without witness but showcased His goodness and power through providential acts and miracles. His judgments restrained the paths of the wicked, while the lives of His saints and the messages of His prophets illuminated the path to salvation. Through the sacrifices and priesthood of the Old Covenant leading to the singular sacrifice of the New Covenant, the priesthood of Christ, and the Church, salvation has been foreshadowed, shining the light of faith upon all times. Let us glorify God the Father for sending His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world for our salvation, establishing Him as the cornerstone of His Church, assuring us that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). “To Him be glory in the Church, in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:21).
Let us exalt Him for pouring out His Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the entire Church, filling the sacraments of the Church with His grace. To ensure that the grace of the sacraments is properly safeguarded as befits the sacred name and purpose of the sacrament, He has provided us with and consecrated His gracious temple—this sanctuary of sacraments, treasury of grace, altar of the body of Christ, house of prayer, school of divine knowledge and devotion, source of sanctification, refuge for the distressed, healer for the sick, comfort for mourners, abode of spiritual joy, and a foretaste of heavenly glory.
As we graciously accept the multitude of blessings presented to us through the consecration of the temple, we must consider earnestly how to truly utilize the grace of this holy temple to ensure that our efforts in its construction bear fruit, and that the divine gift of consecration is not lost to us. How should we engage with the holy temple? To partake in the temple's salvific power, it is essential to visit it properly, especially to participate in its most significant sacramental offering—the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ—and to strive to live in a manner worthy of the temple's sanctity beyond its walls.
Visiting the holy temple of God is necessary. When someone builds a house, it is for the purpose of residing in it; otherwise, what is the point of building it? Likewise, a temple is built for the purpose of coming together and receiving its sanctification; otherwise, what purpose does it serve? We must make it a point to visit the temple diligently. While the temple intercedes for all the faithful, it especially pertains to those who enter it with faith, reverence, and awe. If we neglect to visit the temple, is it not reasonable for it to forget us in turn? Approach the temple of God with utmost reverence. If, when entering the home of an earthly king, one is filled with respect and concern for the dignity of that place, how much more should we enter the house of the King of Heaven with reverence! If you would stand with fear in the presence of an earthly king, how wary should you be in the house of God, where the Omnipresent is always with us, and where the All-Seeing observes us constantly!
Attend to the temple of God attentively. Within its walls, you hear prayers, the Word of God, hymns, and teachings. These are beautifully presented to you through no effort of your own; however, you must be prepared to listen. “Take heed how you hear” (Luke 8:18), warns the Lord Himself. When you hear prayers in the Church, strive to listen not only with your ears but with your heart as well, making the prayers of the Church your own. When hearing the Word of God, bow down before it not only physically but spiritually. The Word is the seed of spiritual fruit—cultivate it deeply within your heart to nurture it and yield fruits for God. The Word of God is the dew from heaven; open your soul to it as the thirsty ground. “The Word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12); do not obstruct its life-giving work in you by allowing disordered thoughts and passions to distract you. When you hear the Church’s hymns, join in singing if you can, but above all, as the Apostle instructs, “sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).
When you receive teaching in the Church, endeavor to grasp and preserve it, applying it for your benefit and that of others. Do not indulge the lazy notion that “we are simple folk”; indeed, the Apostle calls those who are simple to remain so in innocence: “Be not children in understanding; however, in malice be infants, but in understanding be mature” (1 Corinthians 14:20). It is vital to visit God’s temple with faith. Only faith is promised the fulfillment of every prayer: “All things whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive” (Matthew 21:22). It is through faith that the living Word of God is actively embraced; it is faith that makes the teachings effective and fruitful. Thus, we read about those who heard the Word of God and the prophet Moses at Sinai: “The word of hearing did not benefit them, because it was not united with faith in those who heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). Only faith can seize the grace embedded in the sacraments, which is why the invitation calls us to approach the great sacrament of faith: “With fear of God and faith, enter in.”
We must visit the Church of God with unwavering faithfulness. Once, the Prophet Elijah asked the Israelites, “How long will you waver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). He rebuked them for offering sacrifices to Baal while not fully abandoning the true God. Among you, New Israel, are there not those who are indecisive? Though they follow the right path the Church offers, they allow misguided influences and selfish desires to sway them away from their commitment, pursuing various teachings that stray from the Gospel (Hebrews 13:9), holding tightly to the consecrated traditions of the Church while also flirting with misguided and profane assemblies, or seeking hidden treasures without understanding what they seek—where, as the Apostle wisely points out, “the mystery of lawlessness is hidden” (2 Thessalonians 2:7)? Are they not subject to the reproach of Eli: “How long will you waver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). A person who is unsteady in their commitments is ineffective in their journey. “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). Righteous footsteps do not lead to God in such vacillation.
If you wish to attain unshakeable sanctification through the holy temple and ascend the glorious Church in Heaven along the ladder of grace found on Earth, then hold fast to the Church with sincerity, consistency, and steadfastness of thought, undistracted by doubts. “Hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23), and do not forsake your assembly, which means the Apostolic Church (Hebrews 10:25). To use the holy temple salvifically, it is especially vital not to deprive ourselves of participating in its most essential treasure—the Eucharist.
Reflect on the purpose of the temple. Is it for prayer? Yes, it is “a house of prayer” (Luke 19:46), as the Lord stated. But prayer can also occur in simple homes and open spaces. Is it for edification in the Word of God? That is true, but this can also happen outside the temple. Is it for administering sacraments? Certainly, but some sacraments can occur outside of the temple. For example, baptism was performed in the river by the holy Apostle Philip, not in the temple. What is the temple truly for? Why is its very design especially suited for specific purposes, such as reading, singing, praying, and the inner sanctuary reserved for the initiated? Why is the center of the sanctuary, to which all sanctifying power is directed, represented by the image of a meal if not for the administration of the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ? It is perplexing—and indeed, distressing—that this essential aspect of the temple remains underutilized by its members. The Lord states, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me, and I in them” (John 6:56). What could be more desirable than to abide in the Lord and to have Him dwell within you? If this is your desire, why do some neglect to partake in the Body and Blood of the Lord for prolonged periods, even hesitating despite invitations to partake? The Lord assures us, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6:54). If you yearn for eternal life, do not forsake the means that the Lord has established for obtaining it; do not neglect, at the appropriate times and with a purified conscience, to receive this holy sacrament.
Disregard those who claim a Christian can thrive without this sacred gift or who propose alternative paths to sanctification. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mark 13:31), declares the Lord. Who dares to change the immutable word of God? Can one replace divine establishment with human reasoning? Some become complacent with infrequent communion with Christ in the sacrament, telling themselves they will fulfill this bond at death when they will unite with Him once for all. Oh Lord! Grant each of us this vital blessing during our lifetime, through this saving instruction that anticipates your imminent death and glorious resurrection. However, how can we be sure, dear brethren, that when our time to die arrives, we will have the opportunity and know how to utilize it, especially if we have squandered the time we have in life? “Death will not wait for you,” warns the Wise One, “nor will the covenant of death be revealed to you” (Ecclesiasticus 14:12). You cannot command death to delay. Hell will not negotiate with you regarding its timing. While you can freely enjoy life, partake of the bread of life, and take care to avoid becoming prey to death and its infernal consequences.
THEOSIS