“Beauty is not defined by the borrowed flesh we receive, but the abundance of knowledge, faith and grace on our spiritual journey.”

This quote was written by my then semi-sheltered self in 2013. It was a part of a speech for the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. I had recently quit the sport I loved, basketball, and was discovering myself through words written on a blank page out of sheer boredom. From fearing book reports in elementary school to a five-minute potential career presentation in ninth grade, public speaking was a weakness of mine. Notes about when to look up and make eye contact were penciled in on the page as the memorization became easier once I found the key words to fluctuate tone of voice. Winning wasn’t the goal, appearing poised and intelligent was. After all, society has taught us that speaking, dressing and playing the part will land us the role…yet at what cost? Our souls?

Since then, my life has consisted of trials and errors: straying away from the faith, then leading back to it being the most valuable of them all. While most tests have left me questioning the intentions of others, the love I have within me is nearly limitless. Through it all, it has been made clear God called me to serve those within the Church: by strength in faith, but also seeing the beauty in others. As I reflect on the events that made me who I am today -foolish choices and all- my journey began fearing man and needing to look “beautiful”, rather than focusing on inner beauty. It wasn’t until I sat with coworkers, strangers, family and friends at various events that had me humbled again and again, when the message became clear: simplicity and silence are where you’ll find everything.

 Fyodor Dostoevsky’s quote, “Beauty will save the world,” is used by various people in our world, primarily Christians. Stop and reflect on what this means to you. How five words assembled in a minimal form can have such a profound impact on others. Yet, our minds are so used to focusing on complex matters, we often overlook its true meaning: finding the beauty within. Within ourselves and each other, through the grace and mercy of God.

In the fall, I had a conversation with a friend about this saying. It began with a presentation a priest gave about icons and their liturgical role…how they beautify, teach, help us serve, pray and intercede for us through God’s grace. Immediately, I thought of Dostoevsky’s quote, but more importantly, the words “let the little children come to me” replayed in my head. Puzzled, I went home to research this; sure enough, in Luke 18:15-17, the answer will be found. I encourage all readers to open their own Bible to read and comprehend. In addition, Matthew 18 shows further explanation: beauty is tied to the essence of a child. Our minds were blown. In the friend’s words, “Inward beauty is what brings a person to know and see God.”

Sixteen-year-old me was a child writing my own quote about beauty, barely knowing anything about the Bible, and still battling the fear of public speaking within my church. Since then, I have found that my fears were also those of my peers. Regardless of age or background, we agree on one concept: to be seen, heard, valued and understood. We seek guidance from those who can take the time to demonstrate compassion, patience and strength in faith over all else.  We see simplicity creates healthier relationships within resilient communities and wish our God-given gifts could be taken more seriously. Over eleven years later, I have revisited my speech, edited my quote. Today, it humbly stands as the beacon of hope, representational quote of OCCA: “Beauty is not defined by the aesthetically pleasing flesh we receive, but the abundance of wisdom, faith and grace on our spiritual journey.”

Orthodox Christian Creative Alliance was formed to properly represent and preserve the beauty within the cultures, generations, social classes, etc. of all Orthodox Christians. It will be a network that directly impacts our present and future by appreciating the beauty given to us only through God’s grace. My goal is to unite teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs and tradesmen/tradeswomen alike. What will be shown is rich representation of cultural traditions, demonstrations of loving our neighbors and the gifts He has blessed us with. No longer would I like to enter a room full of Orthodox Christians, fearing those within or attempting to impress with such an assembled presence. Gone are the days I anxiously await the answers to prayers while striving to people-please before obeying the Lord. My brothers and sisters in Christ deserve a safe space to display their uniqueness, rather than be led astray by worldly temptations and angst. As children of God, we are to remember that this life is temporary; seeking salvation is the main destination on this journey. Until we are called home to Him, we can do our best to save the world through beauty, through the eyes of a child.

-With Love in Christ,

KDS