18/11/2015

Experiences and thoughts from the visit to Mount Athos in Greece, the Fijians priest Fr. George Pillay

"Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit"
My greetings and much thanks goes to His Eminence our Archbishop Amfilochios for his blessing me to come on this holy pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain in Greece.
Bitter truth I was a protestant church pastor and for 26 years searching for healing of soul and body until I met this man of God, the Archbishop of the Christian Greek Orthodox Church, who explained to me in the light of the Orthodox Faith which is the main stream line of the Christian Church.
As I searched digging dipper for a meaningful relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ one Orthodox Priest from New Zealand told me they were the Ancient Church and followed the Original Bible. I was more the convinced as he encouraged of the church of Christ that was started by the Apostles and the Holy Church Fathers.
He told me and shared of their CREED which is the ultimate symbol of Faith of this Ancient church.
THE CREED
I believe in one God, Father All Governing Creator of Heaven and earth, of All things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before All ages. Light of Light, True God from True God, begotten not created of one essence with the Father through whom All things were made.
Who for us and for our Salvation came down from Heaven and was incarnated by the Holy Spirit and Maria the Virgin and became man.
Who was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried and rose on the third day according to the Scriptures.
And He ascended into the Heavens and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life who proceeds from the Father together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the Prophets.
I believe in one Holy, Catholic and Holy Church, I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins and i await the resurrection of the dead and I await the resurrection of the dead and the Life of the age to come, Amen.
By the grace of God I joined the church in 2011 and was ordained as priest in Greece and am counting my blessings day by day preparing a people for the coming of the Lord.
 

Holy Mount Athos, Greece - 2015

This is a special place called the Garden of the most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ splendid with Byzantine culture.
Holy Mount Athos is Orthodoxy’s most precious treasure, her strength, praise and pride.
It is history being the first Priest from Fiji for this Spiritual visit.
Mount Athos has 20 great monasteries with many sketes and Kellies.
Mount Athos goes deep into the sea like someone offering his hand for a handshake to one approaching.
In addition a wealth of articles of ecclestical worship, priceless examples of Athonite art, celebrated miraculous Icons of the Theotokos/Panagai and of the holy Saints, miraculous water springs, precious relics of John the Baptist, of the holy church fathers and 1000s of manuscripts in their libraries, the holy Sash/Belt/Zoni of the Mother of God.
The much longed for me to venerate was the largest fragment of the Holy Cross on which the Lord Jesus died and as I fell on my knee’s to worship my beginning words were " Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner".
Upon completion of this short visit I was much favored to visit historical sites and Bible land marks during the days of Saint Paul in Athens, Corinthians and Thessalonica.
In short in my conclusion with the help of God and the Holy Theotokos [the Mother of God], I give all the due glory for what He made me to accomplish today and together as one family, with one voice and one heart we thank of the consecration of the holy Orthodox Church by our Archbishop Metropolitan Amfilochious for establishing churches in N.Z/Fiji/Tonga and Samoa.
On this historical event by the grace of God, may the prayers of the Mother of God always protect you and save you.
Father George Pillay
Lautoka City

Fiji.