Metropolitan Paulos Mar Gregorios says:
Matter and nature participate in the redemption, as St.
Paul clearly tells us in Romans 8, no matter how hard
modern exegetical gymnastics may try to prove that by
the expression "all creation" he means only the whole
of humankind.
The exclusive-inclusive debate is a false problem. God
includes the whole universe in his creation as well as
in redemption in Christ. This does not remove all
distinction between humanity and the rest of creation.
Humanity has a special vocation as the priest of
creation, as the mediator through whom God manifests
himself to creation and redeems it. But this does not
make humanity totally discontinuous with creation,
since a priest has to be an integral part of the people
he represents. Christ has become a part of creation,
and in his created body he lifted up the creation to
God, and humankind must participate in this eternal
priesthood of Christ. (12)
Bishop Kallistos Ware says:
"A new heaven and a new earth': man is not saved
from his body but in it; not saved
from the material world but with it.
Because man is microcosm and mediator of the creation,
his own salvation involves also the reconciliation and
transfiguration of the whole animate and inanimate
creation around him - its deliverance from 'the bondage
of corruption' and entry 'into the glorious liberty of
the children of God' (Romans 8:21). In the 'new earth'
of the Age to come there is surely a place not only for
man, but for the animals: in and through man, they too
will share in immortality, and so will rocks, trees and
plants, fire and water. (14)
St. Symeon the New Theologian says:
It is not fitting for the bodies of men to be clothed
in the glory of the resurrection and to become
incorrupt before the renewal of all creatures. But
just as in the beginning, first the whole creation was
made incorrupt, and then from it man was taken and
made, so also it is fitting that again first all the
creation should become incorrupt, and then the
corruptible bodies of men also should be renewed and
become incorruptible, so that once more the whole man
might be incorrupt and spiritual and might dwell in an
incorruptible, eternal, and spiritual dwelling.
But let us see how the creation is to be renewed and
come again into the condition of its original beauty.
I suppose there is not a single Christian who will
think to disbelieve the words of the Lord Who gave the
promise to make the heaven new and the earth new, that
is, that just as our own bodies, which are now
dissolved into the elements but still are not turned
into nothingness, again are to be renewed through the
resurrection - so also the heaven and the earth with
all that is in them, that is, the whole creation, is to
be renewed and to be delivered from the bondage of
corruption, and these elements together with us will
become partakers of the brightness proceeding from the
divine fire. Just as a bronze vessel that has become
old and useless, becomes new again when a metalworker
melts it in the fire and recasts it, in the same way
also the creation, having become old and useless
because of our sins, will be as it were melted in the
fire by God the Creator and recast, and will appear
incomparably brighter than it is now. Do you see how
all creatures will be renewed by fire?
But let us see what the divine Paul says about the
creation and it's renewal.
Having said that "I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed to us," right after this
he says: "For the earnest expectation of the creation
waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God" (Romans
8:18-19). He calls "expectation" the mighty desire of
the creation that there might be fulfilled more quickly
the revelation or the manifestation in glory of the
sons of God which is to occur in the general
resurrection. For then, in the general resurrection,
with the coming of the Son of God, the sons of God are
to be revealed, their beauty and glory are to be
manifest, and they will become entirely, that is, in
soul and body, light-bearing and most glorious, as has
been written. Then the righteous, that is, the sons of
the righteous God, will shine forth like the sun
(Matthew 13:43).
But lest someone should think that what has been said
by the Apostle refers to some other kind of creation,
he adds: "For the creation was subjected to vanity, not
of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it
in hope (Romans 8:20)"... That is: the creation was
subjected to men not by itself, and not by its own will
did it become corruptible, give corruptible fruits, and
produce thorns and thistles, rather, it submitted to
the commandment of God Who ordained this for it in the
hope that He would again renew it. So as the more
fully to confirm this the Apostle says finally: "That
the creation itself also shall be delived from the
bondage of corruption into the freedom of the glory of
the children of God (Romans 3:21)."
Matins Service for December 25
by John of Damascus
...Let all creation, therefore, exchange glad tidings
and rejoice, for Christ hath come to recall it and to
save our souls. (Glory in the fourth tone)
Today all creatures shall be filled with joy, for
Christ hath been born of the Virgin. (Glory in the
second tone) (17)
Book of Eight Tones - Third Tone Saturday
Vespers
The whole creation, O Lord God, hath been lighted by
thy glorified Resurrection; and paradise hath been
opened withal. Wherefore, all creatures laud thee, and
offer thee praise perpetually.
Verily, Christ did descend to hades to bring good
tidings to those therein, saying, Have faith now; for I
have conquered; for I am the Resurrection, who,
unlocking the gates of death, shall set you free.
Aposticha - O Christ, who didst darken the sun with thy
Passion, and didst light all created things with the
light of thy Resurrection, and didst make them to
rejoice, accept our evening praise, O Lover of
mankind.
Verily, thy life-giving Resurrection hath lighted the
whole universe, renewing thy corrupt creation.
Wherefore, in that thou hast delivered us from the
curse of Adam, we shout to thee, O Lord Almighty, glory
to thee. (17)
Zechariah 14:20
On that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of
the horses, "Holy to the Lord." And the cooking pots
in the house of the Lord shall be as holy as the bowls
in front of the altar;...
pg. 2 - Holy Scripture (including Romans 8)
Orthodox Prayer for & with our Fellow Creatures
Speak a word to me, Father.