When the Homily is about Immunology

Atlantis

I happened to watch the Disney film Atlantis last night. Now, I’d seen it before and had been mildly entertained, indeed there are certainly some well-done comedic parts from the strange collection of characters. But something a bit more profound stood out to me last night. Something that I had initially discounted as silly “new-agey” nonsense, but now see in a different light.

The people and culture of Atlantis survive over the centuries (even far beneath the surface of the Ocean) by the mystical power of what is known as the “Heart of Atlantis” – a sort of magical crystal. At one point, the King of Atlantis (the easily recognizable voice of Leonard Nimoy), lays out the whole story of the crystal and how it is “alive” and that the true source of its “life” is in the “collective emotions” of their ancestors. This was very interesting to me because I think it parallels the Orthodox understanding of Holy Tradition, which we often refer to as the Life of the Holy Spirit in the Church. It survives and is passed on to us through the collective “experience” (as opposed to emotions I would say) of the Church. It becomes to us more than just a “way” or a means to an end…it becomes alive and living through the power of the Holy Spirit. Interesting…

Furthermore, the King relates to us that when the crystal is threatened, it will choose a host to reside in for its protection. Can you see where I am going with this?

St. Athanasios, St. Maximos the Confessor, St. Gregory Palamas, St. Mark of Ephesus, etc.

Holy Saints of God, Defenders of Holy Tradition, Pray for us!