Spiritual Study

I will focus on those books given you by the Church.  You open them up, and right away you realize that God is talking to you.  You feel at once the beating of the Spirit's wings.  You feel God answering your questions.  You see Him dispersing your darkness, clearing away old obstacles, opening up new pathways.  Then filled with joy you cry out: "Behold, I have begun to speak with the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes" (Gen. 18:27).

If you don't have these books with you on your journey, you'll never reach your goal.  It is through these books that God calls you.
-Archimandrite Aimilianos
(THE CHURCH AT PRAYER: THE MYSTICAL LITURGY OF THE HEART. Holy Convent of the Annunciation, Ormylia.  Indiktos Publishing Company S.A. 2005, pgs. 128&129)

SYNAXIS Manifesto

4 Pillars of Synaxis

1)    We gather because the Spirit of God brings the Word of God to us.

2)    We gather because we are authentically human when in relationship with each other.

3)    We gather to discuss the words of the Holy Fathers and Mothers because our relationship with them transcends time, space, and death itself.

4)    We gather to celebrate the greatest gift that God has given us- the Other: God, neighbor, and our ancestors.

4 Canons of Synaxis

1)    Synaxis is for everyone.

2)    Synaxis has the text as teacher and the group as moderator.

3)    Synaxis reads texts that are Orthodox Christian Classics which are any text that is written by an Orthodox Christian and is both loved by the Church and doctrinally formative.

4)    Synaxis is organized by its elder members whose sole responsibility is to arrange a convenient time and place and to select and distribute the readings.

4 Foundations of Synaxis

1)    Works of the Apostolic Fathers and Apologists (Particularly St. Iraneaos’ Against Heresies for its dogmatic, anthropological, and soterlogical significance).

2)    The Works of St. Athanasios (Particularly On the Incarnation and the Life of St. Antony).

3)    The Works of the Cappadocians (Particularly the Orations of the Theologian which were considered by the Church as Second Scriptures, the Letters of St. Basil together with his defense of the Holy Spirit, and St. Gregory Nyssa’s Catechism).

4)    St. Maximos the Confessor.

WELCOME TO SYNAXIS!

Synaxis is a unique Study group that began at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.  Inspired by our spiritual fathers, hierarchs, and professors with a love for our Holy Church's wisdom we desired to become more intimately acquainted with the sacred texts of Christianity.  We chose texts that have had a deep and timeless impact on the faith of our Church.  As we read, met regularly, and discussed the wisdom of our Fathers and Mothers our small group grew and became a highlight of the week for many of us.  Inspired by a professor who joined our group I spent a great deal of time contemplating what was it that made Synaxis unique?  How was it different from a regular Bible Study or book club?  After several weeks I put together a working manifesto and shared it with the group who responded positively.

I have decided to make Synaxis public with the hope that others will join us as we gather together and I pray that, “As this broken bread was once scattered on the mountains, and after it had been brought together became one, so may thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth unto thy kingdom; for thine is the glory, and the power, through Jesus Christ, for ever.”(Didache of the Twelve Apostles 1^st/2^nd c.)