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St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology

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December 2017 Newsletter

Dear friend of St. Athanasius Academy:

The Presence of Mary - The New Eve

While yet in Eden – the Garden of Paradise – our first Eve, in the innocent curiosity of a child, turned away from the wisdom and warning of the Word. This brought clarity to Moses as to the absolute need of our being clothed, by our Father, in the mortality of His flesh. And this clothing was a blessing unto salvation – a chastisement of His love for us.

Yet in His time, our Lord and Father, became Incarnate to fulfill His prophecies – of His coming to His children with a face and a voice. Yet in this, he asked the help of a young virgin, a handmaiden of the House of David, and a child of promise to Joachim and Anna – as was Isaac the son of Abraham. In gratitude and rejoicing, they gifted Mary to the Temple.

See the attached PDF files for this month's full teaching and to order the study booklets.

November 2017 Newsletter

Dear friend of St. Athanasius Academy:

The Ever-Virgin Mary and Our Relational Renewal

With the Nativity Fast approaching, we offer our latest booklet: The Ever-Virgin Mary and Our Relational Renewal. It is our meager attempt to bring high honor to Mary – the Mother of Jesus – who chose to participate in His glory and profound love for His children.

With Julianna Schmemann's blessing, this booklet is modeled on articles written by Fr. Alexander Schmemann, with special attention on Mary, the Birth-giver of her Son. We have added insight from our work on the Old Testament translation of the Septuagint.

See the attached PDF files for this month's full teaching and to order the study booklets.

October 2017 Newsletter

Dear friend of St. Athanasius Academy:

St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint Old Testament: Why It Is Highly Recommended for All Orthodox Christians

In these troubling times of violence, division, and threatening weather, it is reassuring to have the SAAOT-OSB in hand. It speaks to the hope, encouragement, and comfort of Jesus Christ. It is here, our faith in our Father and maturing trust in His love, is reinvigorated. For only through His Grace, Truth, and Voice of Wisdom, can His Light shine on the darkness of our ignorance, thereby washing away our fears, angers, and doubts. It is why the SAAOT–OSB, blessed by Metropolitan PHILIP, remains key to evangelism. It is why we need to grasp the differences between the Old Testaments of the Orthodox Church, and the Bibles of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches.

See the attached PDF files for this month's full teaching and to order the study booklets.

September 2017 Newsletter

Dear friend of St. Athanasius Academy:

Washed — Cleansed — Healed, by His Grace: In Remembrance of His Waters of the Jordan River

Our last letters focused on the story of Lazarus bringing special attention to Jesus, the I AM, being: 1) Resurrection and Life - His own words, 2) the Anointed Son of His eternal Father, confirmed by Martha, 3) our One hope over the fear of death and empty powers of Satan, confirmed by Lazarus, while 4) recognizing Jesus to be the Son of Man, confirmed when Mary – sister to Lazarus and Martha – anointed Him. In Him, we are liberated from bondage, to freely choose Him as our Father.

See the attached PDF files for this month's full teaching and to order the study booklets.

August 2017 Newsletter

Dear friend of St. Athanasius Academy:

Jesus at the East Side of the River Jordan

Our Summer letters have concerned Lazarus – his being called from his tomb by Jesus and how this benefits our relationship with Him. For Jesus is the Christ and Author of Resurrection and Life. Our last letter wondered about the importance of His return to the Jordan, before Lazarus became sick, not unto death but for the glory of the divine Son of His Father. We also wondered about the timing of events – before calling Lazarus from his tomb and His entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday – as well as the geographical location. Within this and with joyful thankfulness, it is good to remember how He allows us to learn, experience, and participate in the Wisdom and special goodness of His physical creation. Such is the parental privilege of a Father to His children maturing in their faith in Him and His love for us.

See the attached PDF files for this month's full teaching and to order the study booklets.