Metropolitan Meletios of Nikopolis and 666 as the Number of the Antichrist

Until 1981, no matter how much one looked, no matter where one turned to in their research, one would not find a single hint in the Orthodox world, not even a possibility of whether 666 is the mark of the antichrist. Orthodox tradition completely ignores such a theory.

From 1981, however, opinions diametrically opposed to the Orthodox began to circulate. It has been claimed that 666 is the antichrist's mark, that those who accept it, even in the form of a barcode, are transformed into demonic personalities, that 666 as a code on identity cards is a lifelong and indelible seal of the antichrist by the energy of Satan, etc. These views started in the United States of America from Mary Stewart Relfe's writings, which became bestsellers, but they also reached Greece. They were supported, in fact, to such an extent that theologians, monasteries, hieromonks, etc. fought against the barcode, considering it the antichrist's mark, and preached with all their might that anyone who accepts it is transformed into a demonic personality and takes upon himself the seal of Satan.

Fear of the Antichrist

A nun asked Saint Paisios the Athonite:

"Elder, when I hear about the Antichrist, I feel a fear inside me."

He replied:

"What are you afraid of? Will he be more terrible than the devil? He is a man. Why Saint Marina beat up the devil and Saint Justina dispersed so many demons. All in all, we did not come to be comfortable in this world."

Source: Elder Paisios of Mount Athos: Spiritual Counsels II: Spiritual Awakening. 

The Mystery of the Cross in Light of Orthodox Eschatology

 

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

This article was written in January 1992, 32 years ago, and was published in my book "Interventions in Modern Society". It is published here, because it has timeless validity, because we are saved by participating in the mystery of the Cross and Resurrection of Christ. The Cross is not separated from the Resurrection, nor is the Resurrection separated from the Cross, nor is the mystery of the Cross separated from Orthodox eschatology.

Participating in the mystery of the Cross and Resurrection of Christ is the precondition and experience of all the Mysteries of the Church and of spiritual life, it expresses Neptic theology, its hesychastic tradition, as formulated by the Apostle Paul: "Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal. 5:24) - "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal. 6:14) - "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20).

That's why the Apostle Paul writes: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." And because the Jews ask for proof by miracles and the gentiles by human wisdom, "we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness" (1 Cor. 1:18-24).

Being Prepared for the Coming of the Lord (St. Theophan the Recluse)

By St. Theophan the Recluse

"The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night" (II Pet. 3:10). A thief in the night sneaks up when he is not expected. So will the day of the Lord also come when it is not expected. But when He that cometh is not expected, no preparations are made for meeting Him. Lest we allow such negligence, the Lord commanded: "Watch: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matt. 24:42). Meanwhile, what are we doing? Are we watching? Are we waiting? We must confess that we are not. Some at least await death, but scarcely anyone awaits the day of the Lord. And it is as if they are right. Our fathers and forefathers waited, but the day did not come. Since we do not see anything, why should we think that it will come in our days? Thus, we do not think; and do not wait. It will not be a wonder, if with such a disposition as ours, the day of the Lord falls upon us like a thief. We shall be like the inhabitants of a city which the head of the province promised to visit in the near future. They waited for him an hour, waited another, waited a day and then said, “I suppose he’s not coming,” and went home. But as soon as they departed and gave themselves over to sleep — he appeared. It will be the same with us — whether we are waiting or not, the day of the Lord will come, and it will come without warning. For the Lord said: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away" (Mark 13:31). But is it not better to wait, lest we be caught by surprise? For we will not get off without paying.

- Thoughts for Each Day of the Year, February 3/February 16