CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD ORTHODOX CHURCH
"For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." (1 John 4:20)
" We should look upon all the faithful as one person and consider that Christ is in each one of them. We should have such love for them that we are ready to sacrifice our very lives for them. For it is incumbent upon us neither to say, nor think of any person as evil, but we must look upon everyone as good. If you see a brother afflicted with a passion (sin), do not hate him. Hate the passion that makes war upon him. And if you see him being terrorized by the habits and desires of previous sins, have compassion on him. Maybe you too will be afflicted by temptation, since you also are made from matter that easily turns from good to evil. Love towards your brother prepares you to love God even more. The secret, therefore, of love towards God is love towards your brother. For if you don't love your brother who you see, how is it possible to love God who you do not see?"
- St. Symeon the New Theologian
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Christ the Good Shepherd Orthodox Church is committed to building a community of repentant lovers of God, on the path to the healing of their souls by God's grace. We believe that all people are made in God's image and thus worthy of love, without exception. This love is extended, according to Jesus, to our enemies, and even to those who persecute us. As St. John of Gaza said, "Everyone is called our neighbor". This radical love defines the true Christian Spirit within the ancient Orthodox Church. The church that Jesus started is not a religion but an organic, living revolution of the heart. When the Spirit of Jesus possesses one's heart completely with His love, nothing remains the same. Please come visit us as we seek to cultivate this revolutionary love of Jesus in our hearts and our city.