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Text Box: THE BASILIAN FATHERS (The Society of Clerks Secular of Saint Basil) ARTICLE ON EXORCISM AND PUBLICATION OF RITE In this issue of REUNION we begin publication of several of the Rites of Exorcism. It is very strongly suggested these prayers, and the comments which appear as “sidebars” at the end of the first installment, be reviewed very carefully. The prayers themselves, as well as the preparations and qualifications given at the beginning of the Rites, provide insights to the operations of the devil as well as insights to the invitations we sometimes make to the devil. Use of these insights will assist in overcoming temptations, not just demonic possession but “regular” and “ordinary” temptations from without and from within. Clergy who better understand these matters are better able to assist those who seek their counsel. Those who seek to resist temptation will better resist with this advanced comprehension and understanding (which are different). Also, it is interesting! When we complete this series of articles we will publish a booklet on the Rite of Exorcism, which will contain the various rites published in the articles. This will, of course, be sent to all of our Priests and Bishops, and will be available to be downloaded without charge on our web site. While this will require several months of publication in REUNION the Rites are being presented through our InterNet STUDIES mailing list, Those who desire may subscribe to this mailing list by following the instructions on pages two and three of this issue of REUNION. All of the

Text Box: postings (messages) for the studies entries on exorcism are on our BBS (message center) in Conference 11 (Studies). To access them one must first log on to the system (http://www.reu.org) + AS WE CELEBRATE PASCHA As we celebrate Pascha let us remember how few true followers of Christ there were at the instant of the Resurrection. If the sorrow and encroaching despair which were evident in the meetings and and comments related and made in Acts, then we can be sure of only one who fully believed Christ is God - the Blessed Ever Virgin Mary. She obviously was in the throes of the most severe agony and horror at the passion and death of her Son, but she also knew Him to be God. But Apostles, Disciples, and other followers of Christ experienced the most severe doubts as to His divinity. And all of them, including the Blessed Ever Virgin, wondered what was to happen next. After the Resurrection, and during the next forty days while Our Lord remained on Earth - prior to His ascension - Christ’s followers began to obtain a more clear and firm concept of what Christ had accomplished and what remained to be done. After Pentecost, the Apostles, Disciples, and other followers of Christ received the tools which they required to spread the Gospel. But the followers of Christ were very few in number. Even the greatest of the Evangelists, Saint Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, preached for many years obtaining very few converts. But when the Gospel took hold and people realized the foolishness of worshiping everything from nature to animals, to numerous gods replete with human frailties which made one wonder about the validity of their deity or godly powers and godliness, in comparison with The Gospel and The Way taught by Christ, the truth swept the world.

Text Box: The devil fought back very hard, using every device he could muster. Especially effective were his inducing members of humankind doubt his very existence, while also inducing those same members to perceive themselves as gods and their own desires as being not just permissible but actually divine will - their own divine will. We have not come full circle but we are in times where we can not be sure those who call themselves Christians actually are Christians. Nor can we be sure that those whom we should be able to believe are Priests actually are Priests or that they actually believe in the dogma of the Church. It is therefore most important: that we continue stedfast in Faith, Hope, and Charity; that we exercise and practice our Priesthood without exception of diminution in effort; that we ignore seeking acceptance by or approval of those who do not have or do not follow valid dogma; that we attempt to always be available as Priests and that we always be known as Priests even though we may on occasion desire to simply relax and as it were “go fishing” or to a sports even for relaxation - in peace. We can do these things, but not incognito, since we are always on duty. We made that choice when we accepted ordination. This also is one of the few means we have of always making a comment to society and to the world, which comment can not be ignored for our very presence makes the statement: here is a Priest of the true God who follows and believes the true and actual dogma established by the true God, and anything which is done, practiced, or thought which is contrary to that not only is false but is sin - and if you, the one observing that Priest, are one of those who holds contrary to that for which that Priest stands, then you are wrong and in sin. Did you realize you were of such great importance? Do not become all “puffed up” over it for it is not you yourself which makes

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