Genesis I

Hexapsalms · Post by **Hexapsalms** » Mon 18 October 2004 11:53 am

Is there an Orthodox homily, sermon, or writing that explores the themes in Genesis I?

I'm on an art forum that has a thread about Arts Ministeries, and we got into the sacramental and how it uses elements of common nature, such as bread and wine.

When I look at the first chapter of Genesis, I notice that God creates first ex nihilo and then He creates division between elements, causing a progressive differentiation in creation (such as dark from light, land from sea) that eventually culminates in the creation of man who can commune with God. It seems to me that Genesis I is the first practice of the sacramental, whereby the concept of separations to certain purposes.

Anybody have any thoughts about this?

Hexapsalms · Post by **Hexapsalms** » Tue 19 October 2004 9:16 am

OK...Genesis is not going anywhere.

So I have another question that I've often puzzled over (maybe this sounds dumb, but I'm curious). Regarding the elements of the bread and wine---Why do you suppose Christ chose the bread and the wine to represent His body and blood? Why not something else? Why not a cooked lamb rather than bread for instance, which would seem to more immediately indicative of Christ's sacrifice?

Are the bread and wine also indicative of his dual nature? If so, what elements means which nature and why? Can someone answer?

尼古拉前执事 · Tue 19 October 2004 9:18 am

I am running out the door right now Hexapsalms, but I will try to post a response to both of these later tonight.

尼古拉前执事 · Tue 19 October 2004 8:31 pm

As for Genesis, I would reccomend these writings:

Orthodox Theological Texts Volume 2: The First-Created Man (The Sin of Adam) – Seven Homilies by Saint Symeon the New Theologian

Genesis, Creation and Early Man by Father Seraphim Rose and Father Damascene Christensen

尼古拉前执事 · Tue 19 October 2004 8:33 pm

As for the elements of the Eucharist, remember the story of Melchezidek, and what his sacrifice was. Christ was foretold to be a priest of the order of Melchezidek forever.

Hexapsalms · Post by **Hexapsalms** » Wed 20 October 2004 2:28 pm

Melchizidek used bread and wine to greet Abraham after the battle, and I understand about Melchizidek being a "type" for Christ, but my question about why was bread and wine used (in either case) remains.
Since Melchizidek used them (being a priest), why did he chose bread and wine and not something else, like a sacrificed lamb or calf? After all, when the 3 angels visited Abraham, he cooked them a calf. When the prodigal son returned home, his father cooked a calf in his honor. The temple sacrifices were of various things, but serious sacrifices used lambs, doves, etc.

Anyone know the significance of the bread and wine as priestly elements?

Esther · Post by **Esther** » Fri 10 December 2004 8:03 pm

One idea I've heard that's interesting and somewhat convincing is that it's because bread and wine are processed things rather than natural, so it represents humanity tending the world and offering it back to God.