The Journals
of Father Alexander Schmemann
by Alexander Schmemann
2000
by Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Press
Goodreads

On Wednesday, I shared quotations from The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann.
pages 32-65.

Here are notes from pages 107 to the end of the book.

In unity,
distinctions do not disappear
but become unity, life, creativity.
Feb 11, 1976 – p.107

I wish I could apply this to unity between Christian Orthodox jurisdictions, but these past few months do not seem to point in that direction, alas – and that would make Schmemann so sick!

What I say does not come from me,
only how I say it.
All creativity is to make sure
that the how corresponds to the what;
that is the cooperation of man with God,
the mystery of human freedom.
Feb 18, 1976 – p.108

Does not what is most important in our life, the divine,
happen to us, so to say, not without our knowledge, no,
but when we completely give ourselves up,
almost die for a while?
It’s strange.
Nov 4, 1976 – p.133

Strange and so true… It won’t happen unless you die to your false self.

The power of sin
is not in being tempted by obvious evil,
but in the imprisonment of the heart
in all sorts of little passions
and in the impossibility
to freely breathe and live.
Dec 26, 1976 – pp.139-140

The uniqueness of Christianity is
the “immanent character of the transcendent,”
and the “transcendent character of the immanent.”
Feb 5, 1979 – p.207

I could use this to prepare for weekly confession:
What attention have I paid to the transcendent manifesting itself in my daily life, encounters, activities?
Have I lived these encounters and activities merely on the immanent level, or have I touched to their transcendent dimension?

This is my last post on this great book.

I have to say it was an eye opener, almost shocking, to hear this great man’s conflicting thoughts. But eye opener on the deep reality of Orthodoxy in the US.  Sounds like not much has changed since his time, unfortunately.

His constant reminder that the deep characteristic of the Church should be JOY, the Joy of the Kingdom, was refreshing, and highlighting what it should be in my life and the life of the Church today.

Fascinating and very familiar to me to see how much he communed with his God more in nature than in some hyper clerical circles.

A great man!

It is sad that people do not see
what is most important,
which is not one’s occupation,
but its transformation,
its crowning in life
and in the fullness of life.
September 20, 1979

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THESE NOTES
Have you read this book?
What’s your favorite book by Schmemann?
Any reflection on these quotes?