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In the book of the Prophet Isaiah we read about a most
astonishing event. The servant of God Isaiah was in the
temple in Jerusalem when he suddenly,
"saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and
the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the
seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face,
and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And
one called to another and said:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Sabaoth; the whole
earth is full of his glory!" And the foundations of the
thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and
the house was filled with smoke.
And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean
lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my
eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!"
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a
burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched
your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."
Isaiah 6:1-7 NASB
I love the stories from the Old Testament. I remember that as a
child, every week, I looked forward to Sunday Bible school, so
I could listen to our teacher narrate these stories again and
child, every week, I looked forward to Sunday Bible school, so
I could listen to our teacher narrate these stories again and
again even though quite often I already knew them by heart. It
was wonderful! The teacher had printed drawings of the
characters in the stories and we would compete for them by
answering the questions at the end of each lesson. It was very
hard to choose which Bible character was more interesting. But
even then, I was especially captivated by the lives of the prophets,
in particular the Prophet Isaiah. I used to think that, if I could travel
back in time and be allowed to witness any particular event of my
choosing, I would like to stand side by side with Prophet Isaiah at
the moment of his calling to service.
The story of the Prophet has never ceased to move me. Even now
I read, in awe, the account of his prophetic calling but it is no longer
the magnificent creatures called Seraphim what captures my
attention. It is remarkable that at the moment of the vision, Isaiah
was stricken first and foremost by the awareness of his impurity
of heart. He cried out in terror, "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am
a man of unclean lips,.."
Do you realize that something just as awesome happens at every
Do you realize that something just as awesome happens at every
Divine Liturgy celebrated in every Orthodox Christian temple?
Yesterday, Saturday December 3rd, the temple of St Andrew's
Yesterday, Saturday December 3rd, the temple of St Andrew's
Orthodox Church in Riverside, CA was consecrated to the Lord
followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. It was magnificent.
I could not see the Seraphim but I knew they were there! I could not
see my Lord but I knew He was walking among the lamp-stands on
the altar (Rev.1:12). I could not hear the cries of heavenly beings
followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. It was magnificent.
I could not see the Seraphim but I knew they were there! I could not
see my Lord but I knew He was walking among the lamp-stands on
the altar (Rev.1:12). I could not hear the cries of heavenly beings
glorifying God but my soul joined the choirs of the Faithful and the
seraphim saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the
whole earth is full of his glory!" From the Divine Liturgy of St John
Chrysostom
The consecration of the high altar of St Andrew's was very much
like my own baptism. The Bishop entered the sanctuary with the
relics of the Great Martyr St Eugene and Patriarch Athanasios
of Alexandria and placed them inside the altar.
It was then
washed with rose water, anointed with holy chrism and dressed
in white linen. Then the altar was vested with precious materials
and all the liturgical vessels, the antimension and the book of the
Gospels were placed upon it. Then an unseen but very significant
wonder took place; a holy angel sent from God was commanded
to guard this holy altar. And he will stand watch until the second
coming of Christ.
Fr Josiah Trenham, with a thunderous voice read from the Gospel seraphim saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the
whole earth is full of his glory!" From the Divine Liturgy of St John
Chrysostom
The consecration of the high altar of St Andrew's was very much
like my own baptism. The Bishop entered the sanctuary with the
relics of the Great Martyr St Eugene and Patriarch Athanasios
of Alexandria and placed them inside the altar.
It was then
washed with rose water, anointed with holy chrism and dressed
in white linen. Then the altar was vested with precious materials
and all the liturgical vessels, the antimension and the book of the
Gospels were placed upon it. Then an unseen but very significant
wonder took place; a holy angel sent from God was commanded
to guard this holy altar. And he will stand watch until the second
coming of Christ.
of Matthew and confessed, "You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God.” Matthew 16:16. Unlike Isaiah and the Apostle Peter, I
could not see my Lord but the Bishops and all the priests, dressed
in royal vestments did not allow me to forget that He who is "clothed
in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a
golden sash" ( Rev.1:13), was closer to me at that moment than my
own heart.Isaiah's realization of his uncleanness was devastating.
He thought, "I am a dead man". But the mercy of the Lord endures
forever and God made provision for the prophet's needs, "Then
one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning
coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he
touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips;
your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." Isaiah 6:1-7 NASB
St Gregory Palamas explains,
"For Isaiah gave clear proof that they, like us, only commune
"For Isaiah gave clear proof that they, like us, only commune
with, and touch, the intangible divine nature through her. He
did not see the seraph taking the burning coal (the burning
coal is a figure or type of the divine Eucharist) directly from
the altar, but taking it by means of tongs, with which he also
touched the prophet’s lips and bestowed cleansing (Isa. 6:6-7).
The vision of the tongs is equivalent to the great vision seen
by Moses of the burning bush which was not consumed
(Exodus 3:2). Surely, everyone is aware that the Virgin Mother
is both that burning bush and those tongs, as she conceived
the divine fire without being consumed by fire. An archangel
also ministered at that conception, and through her he united
Him who takes away the sins of the world with the human
race, thoroughly cleansing us by this union.”
From St. Gregory Palamas, The Homilies p.430-431, Edited and
Translated by Dr. Christopher Veniamin, Mount Thabor Publishing 2009.
Like Isaiah, we are also aware of our spiritual need. We hear
a most solemn warning during the prayers of preparation for
Holy Communion, "Tremble, O man, as thou beholdest the
deifying blood, For it is a burning coal consuming the unworthy."
Yes indeed, we tremble with dread. We dare approach Him only
because he has first invited us. "His voice is like the sound of
many waters" Rev.1:15, "Take eat, this is My Body which is
broken for you for the forgiveness of sins. Drink of it all of you ,
this is my Blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and
for many for the forgiveness of sins" From the Liturgy of St John
Chrysostom.
It is indescribable. When I partake of the Holy Mysteries, Life
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.
Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;
Bless the Lord, O my soul." Psalm 103:20-21
Note:
The Prophet Isaiah is commemorated by the Orthodox Church
on May 9th.
The Holy Prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Christ, and was of royal lineage. Isaiah's father Amos raised his son in the fear of God and in the law of the Lord. Having attained the age of maturity, the Prophet Isaiah entered into marriage with a pious prophetess (Is 8:3) and had a son Jashub (Is 8:18).
St Isaiah was called to prophetic service during the reign of Oziah [Uzziah], king of Judea, and he prophesied for 60 years during the reign of kings Joatham, Achaz [Ahaz], Hezekiah and Manasseh. The start of his service was marked by the following vision: he beheld the Lord God, sitting in a majestic heavenly temple upon a high throne. Six-winged Seraphim encircled Him. With two wings they covered their faces, and with two wings they covered their feet, and with two wings they flew about crying out one to another, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with His glory!" The pillars of the heavenly temple shook from their shouts, and in the temple arose the smoke of incense.
The prophet cried out in terror, "Oh, an accursed man am I, granted to behold the Lord Sabaoth, and having impure lips and living amidst an impure people!" Then was sent him one of the Seraphim, having in hand a red-hot coal, which he took with tongs from the altar of the Lord. He touched it to the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah and said, "Lo, this has touched thy lips, and will take away with thine iniquities, and will cleanse thy sins." After this Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, directed towards him, "Whom shall I send, and who will go to this people?" Isaiah answered, "Here am I, send me" (Is 6:1 ff). And the Lord sent him to the Jews to exhort them to turn from the ways of impiety and idol worship, and to offer repentance.
To those that repent and turn to the true God, the Lord promised mercy and forgiveness, but punishment and the judgment of God are appointed for the unrepentant. Then Isaiah asked the Lord, how long would the falling away of the Jewish nation from God continue. The Lord answered, "Until the cities be deserted, by reason of there being no people, and the land shall be made desolate. Just as when a tree be felled and from the stump come forth new shoots, so also from the destruction of the nation a holy remnant will remain, from which will emerge a new tribe."
Isaiah left behind him a book of prophecy in which he denounces the Jews for their unfaithfulness to the God of their Fathers. He predicted the captivity of the Jews and their return from captivity during the time of the emperor Cyrus, the destruction and renewal of Jerusalem and of the Temple. Together with this he predicts the historical fate also of the other nations bordering the Jews. But what is most important of all for us, the Prophet Isaiah with particular clarity and detail prophesies about the coming of the Messiah, Christ the Savior. The prophet names the Messiah as God and Man, teacher of all the nations, founder of the Kingdom of peace and love.
The prophet foretells the birth of the Messiah from a Virgin, and with particular clarity he describes the Suffering of the Messiah for the sins of the world. He foresees His Resurrection and the universal spreading of His Church. By his clear foretelling of Christ the Savior, the Prophet Isaiah deserves to be called an Old Testament Evangelist. To him belong the words, "He beareth our sins and is smitten for us.... He was wounded for our sins and tortured for our transgressions. The chastisement of our world was upon Him, and by His wounds we were healed...." (Is 53:4-5. Vide Isaiah: 7:14, 11:1, 9:6, 53:4, 60:13, etc.).
The holy Prophet Isaiah had also a gift of wonderworking. And so, when during the time of a siege of Jerusalem by enemies the besieged had become exhausted with thirst, he by his prayer drew out from beneath Mount Sion a spring of water, which was called Siloam, i.e. "sent from God." It was to this spring afterwards that the Savior sent the man blind from birth to wash, and He restored his sight. By the prayer of the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord prolonged the life of Hezekiah for 15 years.
The Prophet Isaiah died a martyr's death. By order of the Jewish king Manasseh he was sawn through by a wood-saw. The prophet was buried not far from the Pool of Siloam. The relics of the holy Prophet Isaiah were afterwards transferred by the emperor Theodosius the Younger to Constantinople and installed in the church of St Laurence at Blachernae. At the present time part of the head of the Prophet Isaiah is preserved at Athos in the Hilandar monastery.
For the times and the events which occurred during the life of the Prophet Isaiah, see the 4th Book of Kings [alt. 2 Kings] (Ch 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, etc.), and likewise 2 Chr:26-32).
Source
From St. Gregory Palamas, The Homilies p.430-431, Edited and
Translated by Dr. Christopher Veniamin, Mount Thabor Publishing 2009.
It was the pre-incarnate Person of the Word of God Whom Isaiah
saw. This very Word of God is our Lord Jesus Christ who for our
sake and for our salvation became incarnate.The Apostle John
writes that, " the Word became flesh, and dwelt (lit. tabernacled)
among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten
from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
saw. This very Word of God is our Lord Jesus Christ who for our
sake and for our salvation became incarnate.The Apostle John
writes that, " the Word became flesh, and dwelt (lit. tabernacled)
among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten
from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
Like Isaiah, we are also aware of our spiritual need. We hear
a most solemn warning during the prayers of preparation for
Holy Communion, "Tremble, O man, as thou beholdest the
deifying blood, For it is a burning coal consuming the unworthy."
Yes indeed, we tremble with dread. We dare approach Him only
because he has first invited us. "His voice is like the sound of
many waters" Rev.1:15, "Take eat, this is My Body which is
broken for you for the forgiveness of sins. Drink of it all of you ,
this is my Blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and
for many for the forgiveness of sins" From the Liturgy of St John
Chrysostom.
It is indescribable. When I partake of the Holy Mysteries, Life
enters into my very being, body and spirit. I am united with our
Lord Jesus Christ in His Humanity. My Lord dwells within the
manger of my soul. Alleluia!
Then, a song of praise arises in my heart,
manger of my soul. Alleluia!
I am also comforted by the words uttered by the Seraph,
"Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away,
and your sin atoned for." Isaiah 6:1-7 NASB
and your sin atoned for." Isaiah 6:1-7 NASB
Then, a song of praise arises in my heart,
"Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform
His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.
Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;
Bless the Lord, O my soul." Psalm 103:20-21
Note:
The Prophet Isaiah is commemorated by the Orthodox Church
on May 9th.
The Holy Prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Christ, and was of royal lineage. Isaiah's father Amos raised his son in the fear of God and in the law of the Lord. Having attained the age of maturity, the Prophet Isaiah entered into marriage with a pious prophetess (Is 8:3) and had a son Jashub (Is 8:18).
St Isaiah was called to prophetic service during the reign of Oziah [Uzziah], king of Judea, and he prophesied for 60 years during the reign of kings Joatham, Achaz [Ahaz], Hezekiah and Manasseh. The start of his service was marked by the following vision: he beheld the Lord God, sitting in a majestic heavenly temple upon a high throne. Six-winged Seraphim encircled Him. With two wings they covered their faces, and with two wings they covered their feet, and with two wings they flew about crying out one to another, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with His glory!" The pillars of the heavenly temple shook from their shouts, and in the temple arose the smoke of incense.
The prophet cried out in terror, "Oh, an accursed man am I, granted to behold the Lord Sabaoth, and having impure lips and living amidst an impure people!" Then was sent him one of the Seraphim, having in hand a red-hot coal, which he took with tongs from the altar of the Lord. He touched it to the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah and said, "Lo, this has touched thy lips, and will take away with thine iniquities, and will cleanse thy sins." After this Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, directed towards him, "Whom shall I send, and who will go to this people?" Isaiah answered, "Here am I, send me" (Is 6:1 ff). And the Lord sent him to the Jews to exhort them to turn from the ways of impiety and idol worship, and to offer repentance.
To those that repent and turn to the true God, the Lord promised mercy and forgiveness, but punishment and the judgment of God are appointed for the unrepentant. Then Isaiah asked the Lord, how long would the falling away of the Jewish nation from God continue. The Lord answered, "Until the cities be deserted, by reason of there being no people, and the land shall be made desolate. Just as when a tree be felled and from the stump come forth new shoots, so also from the destruction of the nation a holy remnant will remain, from which will emerge a new tribe."
Isaiah left behind him a book of prophecy in which he denounces the Jews for their unfaithfulness to the God of their Fathers. He predicted the captivity of the Jews and their return from captivity during the time of the emperor Cyrus, the destruction and renewal of Jerusalem and of the Temple. Together with this he predicts the historical fate also of the other nations bordering the Jews. But what is most important of all for us, the Prophet Isaiah with particular clarity and detail prophesies about the coming of the Messiah, Christ the Savior. The prophet names the Messiah as God and Man, teacher of all the nations, founder of the Kingdom of peace and love.
The prophet foretells the birth of the Messiah from a Virgin, and with particular clarity he describes the Suffering of the Messiah for the sins of the world. He foresees His Resurrection and the universal spreading of His Church. By his clear foretelling of Christ the Savior, the Prophet Isaiah deserves to be called an Old Testament Evangelist. To him belong the words, "He beareth our sins and is smitten for us.... He was wounded for our sins and tortured for our transgressions. The chastisement of our world was upon Him, and by His wounds we were healed...." (Is 53:4-5. Vide Isaiah: 7:14, 11:1, 9:6, 53:4, 60:13, etc.).
The holy Prophet Isaiah had also a gift of wonderworking. And so, when during the time of a siege of Jerusalem by enemies the besieged had become exhausted with thirst, he by his prayer drew out from beneath Mount Sion a spring of water, which was called Siloam, i.e. "sent from God." It was to this spring afterwards that the Savior sent the man blind from birth to wash, and He restored his sight. By the prayer of the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord prolonged the life of Hezekiah for 15 years.
The Prophet Isaiah died a martyr's death. By order of the Jewish king Manasseh he was sawn through by a wood-saw. The prophet was buried not far from the Pool of Siloam. The relics of the holy Prophet Isaiah were afterwards transferred by the emperor Theodosius the Younger to Constantinople and installed in the church of St Laurence at Blachernae. At the present time part of the head of the Prophet Isaiah is preserved at Athos in the Hilandar monastery.
For the times and the events which occurred during the life of the Prophet Isaiah, see the 4th Book of Kings [alt. 2 Kings] (Ch 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, etc.), and likewise 2 Chr:26-32).
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