Fr. Alexios blessing the water

Fr. Alexios is first and foremost a priest who oversees a large and active parish, presiding over feasts, baptisms, and weddings, instructing the faithful and overseeing renovation work at his parish and missions at half a dozen other Orthodox churches in the area. However, his labors for the church extend far beyond those of an ordinary parish priest.

Fr. Alexios attending a religious conference.

Nearly ninety percent of the population is Muslim, and because of frequent persecution of religious minorities, the Orthodox Church in Indonesia has allied itself with many other Christian churches. Fr. Alexios serves as the Orthodox representative for several different organizations of minority Christian groups that have banded together in order to reduce the threat of terrorism toward their members.

In September 2011, for instance, he attended a meeting that formed a unified cooperation among Christians in Central Java, the Kerjasama Kristen Aras Nasional (Nationwide Christian Cooperation). Although these kinds of alliances are often required by the Indonesian government, Fr. Alexios has taken them as opportunities to both secure greater safety for his flock and to evangelize other Christians in Indonesia. Often, he is invited to speak at other churches; in September, he preached at a Pentecostal church, where he encountered many believers who wanted to learn more about Orthodoxy.

Teaching catechumens

On September 25, 2011, a suicide bomber attacked a local Pentecostal church in the normally peaceful town of Solo, only a few kilometers from Holy Trinity. Eleven people were badly injured in the blast, and there was a great flurry of activity as local churches tried to reassure their flocks and implement stricter safety measures.

Representatives from the State Department of Religion and the Nationwide Christian Cooperation, including Fr. Alexios, made multiple visits to the damaged church to offer sympathy and help. The State Department also made personal visits to each of the other churches to give them some direction and instructions in the area of religious life under existing law in Indonesia. Representatives from the Solo churches also met together to discuss how to move forward.

Blessing the people

Fr. Alexios’ efforts on behalf of present and future Orthodox Christians are simply tireless. He serves as missionary, counselor, foreman, lobbyist, negotiator and spiritual guide to the Indonesian people, who are hungry as never before for the truths of the ancient Christian faith.

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Performing a wedding	Visiting the Chief of Police	Sunday of Orthodox Procession
Interfaith Meeting	Meeting with the Vice Governor of Central Java	Leading Prayers for orphans in one of Holy Trinity's outreaches
Future library	Speaking at a Pentecostal Church

In the Feast of Sacrifice pilgrimage, Muslims perform rituals at and around their holiest shrine, the Ka’ba, in Mecca. The ritual itself reminds them of what they believe to be the reenactment of Abraham’s near Sacrifice of his son (Ishmael not Isaac according to Muslims) which God replaced with an animal sacrifice. At the conclusion of their rituals, they slaughter animal sacrifices, called “Qurban,” to be distributed to the poor.

This word “Qurban” was also used by the Jews during the time of Christ to signify anything that is sacrificed to God, as it is said:” “But you say, `If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me [is] Corban” (that is, a gift to God) (Mark 7:11).

This word is also used by the Syriac Orthodox Christians for the Divine Liturgy/Holy Communion in the form of “Holy Qurbana,” and is also used by the Coptic Orthodox Christians for the “prosphora” bread, which they simply called it as “Qurban”.

In itself the word “Corban/Qurban” is derived from the word “Qarab/Qarib” which means “to be near/to be close”. Therefore a Qurban is a sacrifice that makes the sacrificer closer to God; it is a way to unite with God.

The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Sin and our trespasses, begun by the Fall of Adam, have caused this spiritual death of ours, which is the loss of the divine life in us. We are “being alienated from the life of God,” (Ephesians 4:18b). By being alienated from the life of God, we have no recourse to that very life, unless the alienation be destroyed and we be reconciled to God: be made near to God through a “Qurban”.

Through His crucifixion on the Cross Christ has become our “Sacrifice” or our “Qurban” (“the One who brings us closer to God”) because “by Him” God “reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20). We are brought near to God, by being “reconciled” and “made peace” through the blood of His Cross. In it “He condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3).

The essential nature of sin is disobedience, and in His Crucifixion, Christ “humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). He used His body to be obedient on the Cross, thus condemning sin. Hence the disobedience of sin in the fleshly human nature is defeated through the obedience of Jesus Christ.

The result of this redemptive act of Christ’s is “by one man’s (i.e. Adam’s) disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s (i.e. Christ’s) obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). By being “made righteous,” we have boldness to enter into the throne grace of God (Hebrews 4:16), where we are united into Christ.

Every week we enter into this communion offered to us through the partaking of the blood and body of Christ. Hence we are made near to God through the Sacrifice of Christ; Christ is our true Qurban.

Holy Week and Pascha are when the mystery of the healing and restoration of our nature is manifested. The time of the actual sacrifice, but His Qurban started long before when he humbled Himself and was born on earth. As the Advent Kontakion says, “He appeared by His own Will as a young child.” He embraced our nature through His Incarnation, squeezed out sin from this nature through His Crucifixion, and destroyed completely the death that holds sway over this nature through His Resurrection.

As Christ has become our Qurban, may in turn we make our life as Qurban in the service of God and humanity.

Amen.

During the massive eruption of Mount Merapi in the fall of 2010, Fr. Marcus and Fr. Alexios started to reach out to the people of that area, first in their physical relief efforts, later in their spiritual. While they were delivering relief supplies and housing refugees, they were also spreading the gospel.

A small seed that has since flowered. Fr. Markus had been talking to a shaman of the area whose wife, Kartini, was very sick and had been paralyzed for many years. The shaman, Pak Mulyoto, wanted to know if Jesus Christ could heal people; he had tried every other type of healing powers. Shamans in Indonesia, and this one in particular, believe that they have a great power for healing, but he could not heal his own wife.

Fr. Markus assured him that indeed Jesus could heal, but it was faith in Jesus Christ that brought the healing power. The shaman said that he believed. Fr. Markus said that Jesus wouldn’t heal his wife while he was worshiping his own power and magic. He couldn’t worship two gods, which is a very common thing in Indonesia where people often practice many religions at once. Pak Mulyoto gave Fr. Markus all of his magical implements, not keeping even one back.

Fr. Markus went and burned them all and then he prayed for Kertini’s healing. Suddenly, the woman could move her head and talk. She asked for a spoon so she could eat. She was healed and was hungry. The former shaman and all of his family were then catechized and baptized, along with many other people of their area who had witnessed the miracle.

A mission then started in earnest on the slopes of Mount Merapi. There are now about 40 people in the mission, and they meet in the house of one of the elders of the village who also converted. The church is composed mostly of flower farmers, the main industry of the region.

Fr. Markus goes to visit this new community almost every Sunday after services are over in Solo. Fr. Alexios often lends a hand, especially in teaching all the new converts. Mount Merapi is not far from Solo where both Fr. Alexios and Fr. Markus are stationed. The community is growing fast. Praise God!

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Baptisms at Mt. Merapi

Mt. Merapi converts

Sunday, January 23, 2011 Fr Alexios led the Divine Liturgy and blessing of the water in his visit to the Community of St. Mary of Egypt in Jakarta.

Click pictures to enlarge.

January 24, 2011, Fr Alexios attended a world Christians prayer week along with the Catholic and Protestant Spiritual Leaders in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia.

January 25, 2011 Fr Alexios blessed Diakonisa’s Monica home and the family home of Mr Chrysostomos Tukiman.

Renovation of the Holy Trinity Church Building fence at the back and side of, in Solo.

Pray for and support the development of rear and side fence building Holy Trinity Church Solo.

Read a news report on Yahoo News.

Dear friends,

Please kindly read the sad news at the bottom of my following report.

On Sunday, February 6th a radical mob of Muslim fanatics had attacked an Ahmadiyah congregation in Cikeusik, Pandeglang, Banten province (West Java). Three people were killed and some members of Ahmadiyah group were severely wounded.

On Tuesday, February 8th three Christian churches were attacked by radical mobs in Temanggung, Middle Java. The three churches are the Catholic parish church Saint Peter and Paul, the Bethel Church of Indonesia or the Church of God and the Pentecostal church.

On Wednesday, February 9th a Christian church “Protestant Church of West Indonesia Galilea” (GPIB Galilea) in Taman Galaxi, Bekasi, West Java Province was sealed by a radical mob . The police had successfully managed to avoid a riot like those in Pandeglang or Temanggung days before to happen yesterday in Bekasi, a suburb of the capital city of Jakarta known in the last months because of religious tensions. Last year the same Protestant church was also attacked by radical mobs . In the neighborhood of the church you could find another 5 churches and a hospital and a Christian school.

There was another attack on Ahmadiyah congregation in Bogor , West Java on Wednesday, February 9th .This was reported by the news media. It seems to me that religious tensions are getting high again in the country. Please pray for us in Indonesia

Now I want to tell you about a good story of our country as the following:

Please kindly read my following report about the great celebration on World Interfaith Harmony Week on Sunday, February 6th, 2011 at Jakarta Sport Palace .
About 6,000 people came on Sunday morning to the stadium although Jakarta was hit by heavy tropical rain.

Some personalities were present at the event and I want to mention only a few names of them:

• Dr. William F. Vendley, the Secretary General of Religions for Peace International
• Mr. Taufik Kiemas, President of Indonesian People’s Congress
• Mr. Marzukie Alie, President of Indonesian Parliament
• Mr. Irman Gusman, President of Indonesian Regional Representatives
• Mr. Hajriyanto Thohari, Vice Presidnet of People’s Congress

The religious communities of Indonesia were represented by the following leaders:

• Prof. Din Syamsuddin, President of Muhammadiyah and President of Inter Religious Council , Indonesia
• Mr. Slamet Effendy Yusuf, Chairman of Indonesian Ulama Council and Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama
• Mr. Wawan Wiratma, President of Supreme Council of Confucianism in Indonesia
• Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi, MSC,Chairman of Interfaith Commission of Indonesian Bishops’ Conference
• Bishop of Amboina Rev. Pastor Surpiatno, President of Communion of Christian Churches in Jakarta Province
• Mr. I Dewa Putu Sukardi, Chairman of Religious Affairs, Parishada Hindu Council of Indonesia
• Prof. Philip Wijaya, Secretary General of Buddhist Association of Indonesia Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Assistant to Secretary General of Religions for Peace

All political and religious leaders delivered eloquent speeches to strengthen religious harmony among all faith traditions in Indonesia and all over the world.

“The commitment for interfaith harmony must be maintained by religious communities and also by the government.

Religious tensions are results of poor maintenance of religious harmony”, Dr. William F. Vendley said in his opening remarks. Dr. Vendley also said that tensions also happen because religious values are not yet fully applied by the followers in their daily life.

Religious values must be applied for peace, justice and prosperity of the people. As a first step religious tolerance must be maintained between the majority religious group and the minorities in a society.

Religious communities can cooperate in all fields of life and this is not only for Indonesia but for all over the world, Dr. Vendley said in his message.

The government has a very important role in promoting religious harmony among faith communities.

In this case the role of the government is to serve and to play the role of a facilitator to give the opportunity to religious communities to understand and to respect each other, Dr. Vendley said.

The president of Inter Religious Council of Indonesia Din Syamsuddin said that in general the religious harmony is good in the country. But sometime there are tensions which must be addressed. That is why religious tolerance and mutual respect must be enhanced among religious communities. Pluralism must be strengthened and tolerance and peaceful coexistence must be maintained. Pluralism may not be diminished but it must be maintained as a precious heritage of Indonesian people. “As a pluralistic society with various religions, ethnics and culture let us respect each other to maintain our national unity”, Din Syamsuddin stressed in his speech.

The role of Inter Religious Council (IRC) is to enhance religious harmony by working together constructively in solving the social problems. “Our goal is to achieve a modern, dignified and independent society through the application of religious values”, Din Syamsuddin said in his speech.

IRC will also take quick and appropriate steps to solve religious conflicts through education, advocacy and mediation.

Slamet Effendi Yusuf, Chairman of Ulama Council said that efforts to achieve peace through religious harmony must be done by all faith traditions to avoid tension. “We must avoid the situation that all faith groups work eagerly for peace but on the other hand the UN allows some countries to produce armaments,” Slamet Effendi Yusuf said. He said further that religious harmony can only be maintained if justice, economic welfare and political stability are also achieved. It is also important that religious communities respect the pluralism, he said.

Wawan Wiratma, the new president of Confucianism in Indonesia said that the role of religion is to bring peace. He said that the pluralistic society must maintain the unity of Indonesian nation. Religious diversity may not bring friction or conflict which only brings more sufferings for the people, he said.

Philip Wijaya from Buddhist Community said all religious communities must work for the peace in the country.

Fr. Seraphim Scheidler, a great friend of the Orthodox Church in Indonesia, passed away January 17, 2011. He had struggled with a weak heart condition for many years.

Fr. Seraphim loved the Orthodox mission in Indonesia, which he visited twice in an official capacity. In fact, he was ordained to the sub-diaconate at Holy Apostle Thomas Orthodox Church in Jakarta, February 23, 2006, and was initially assigned to work with Fr. Daniel Byantoro, founder of the Indonesian Orthodox Church. Fr. Seraphim’s poor heart-health held him back from realizing his desire to serve in Indonesia along side Fr. Daniel.

You can read more of Fr. Seraphim’s journey on the Journey to Orthodoxy website.

Below are pictures of his funeral.

Sunday, January 23, 2011 Fr Alexios led the Divine Liturgy and blessing of the water in his visit to the Community of St. Mary of Egypt in Jakarta.

Fr. Alexios serving the Divine Liturgy

Fr. Alexios blessing the water

Monday, January 24, 2011 Fr Alexios attended a world Christians prayer week along with the Catholic and Protestant spiritual leaders in Solo, Central Java Indonesia.

Fr. Alexios attending a religious conference

Fr. Alexios attending a religious conference

January 25, 2011 Fr Alexios blessed Diakonisa’s Monica home and the family home of Mr Chrysostomos Tukiman

Renovation of the Holy Trinity Church in Solo.

The amount needed to finish the Church is Rp 15 million = US $1,700.
Funds available from Holy Trinity Parish are Rp 8,000,000 = US $888.

We are short IDR 7 million = US $778.

Fr. Alexios needs $778 to cover the difference and complete the Church. Can you help?

On behalf of Fr. Daniel Byantoro, overseer of the Orthodox Church in Indonesa, Fr. Alexios Setir Cahyadi visited several parishes and offered this report.

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Fr. Markus Wiyono who serves as the priest of St. Matthew Orthodox Church in Pasekan Village, Tlatar, Boyolali, along with Mr. Michael Raka and his wife Elizabeth led the congregation in collecting a monetary donation for the victims of the Merapi Mountain volcanic explosions. Mr. Raka and his wife are members of the Friends of Indonesia Australia (a sister organization to the Friends of Indonesia USA) that is run under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) in Australia.

Friends of Indonesia USA offered help to the victims previously. Fr. Alexios accepted the donation who passed it on to Fr. Markus. Fr. Markus lives in the area and knows the immediate needs. The funds were used to provide clean drinking water for the people displaced by the volcano.

Present at the meeting were: Fr Alexios , Fr Antonius, Fr Markus, Fr Barnabas, Subdeacon Yakobus, Presbytera Heleny, Presbytera Klaudia, Mr Michael Raka, Mrs Elisabeth Koesoemo-Raka and Dan Johanes.

Orthodox Community of St Matthew in Pasekan Village, Boyolali

Fr. Alexios continued with a visit to the St. Mark Community in Simo Village, Boyolali served by Fr. Barnabas Gregorius Elu van Basten. The appointments are modest but the Spirit of God is present in abundant supply! They use a small room that belongs to Mr. Anatolios to hold their worship.

Orthodox Community of St Mark in Pasekan Village, Boyolali.

The final stop was the Ngemplak Mission in Ngemplak Village, Kaliwungu, Semarang, served by Fr. Antonius Bambang Setiatmodjo. Fortunately, the mission has a separate building for worship. Fr. Daniel was able to purchase the building for half the listed price but they are still carrying a debt for half of the payment.

Orthodox Community in Ngemplak Village, Kaliwungu Semarang, served by Fr Antonius.

As you can see, despite some obstacles the Orthodox Church continues to grow and prosper, drawing people who seek a deeper communion with Christ into it. In many ways the Indonesian experience replicates the Early Christian Church that, despite hardships, persevered through the prayers and faithfulness of those people God called into it.

Fr. Seraphim Scheidler, a great friend of the Orthodox Church in Indonesia, passed away January 17, 2011. He had struggled with a weak heart condition for many years.

Fr. Seraphim loved the Orthodox mission in Indonesia, which he visited twice in an official capacity. In fact, he was ordained to the sub-diaconate at Holy Apostle Thomas Orthodox Church in Jakarta, February 23, 2006, and was initially assigned to work with Fr. Daniel Byantoro, founder of the Indonesian Orthodox Church. Fr. Seraphim’s poor heart-health held him back from realizing his desire to serve in Indonesia along side Fr. Daniel.

You can read more of Fr. Seraphim’s journey on the Journey to Orthodoxy website.

May his memory be eternal!

Below are pictures of Fr. Seraphim’s ordination. We will miss him.