In the famous Confessions of St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo recounts a story about a prominent philosopher, Victorinus, who had encountered the Christian faith and desired to become a Christian.

The philosopher sought out Simplicianus, the spiritual father of the great Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and in private he would tell him, “I want you to know that I am now a Christian.” Simplicianus, the humble teacher, would tell Victorinus, “I shall not believe it or count you as a Christian until I see you in the Church of Christ.”

The philosopher laughed at this, saying, “Is it then the walls of the Church that make the Christian?” In no uncertain terms the spiritual father would answer, “Yes.”

The attitude of Victorinus is alive and well to this day. During this Christmas season once again, many of us will be moved to return to Church—at least for this great feast—only to retreat into the shadows until, perhaps, Pascha. We tell ourselves that we are all good people, that we bear ill will to no one, and that deep down inside we believe in Christ; and that’s what matters most. Indeed, in our collective absence from the pews of our Church we ask ourselves the same rhetorical question Victorinus asked, “Is it then the walls of the Church that make the Christian?” The answer of Simplicianus, however, is as true today as it was in the fourth century, “Yes—most certainly the walls of the Church do indeed make the Christian.”

Our presence in Church beyond the self-imposed minimum requirements of Christmas and Pascha is an indication of our commitment to Christ. If we are unable or unwilling to acknowledge Christ before men, then how can we possibly expect Christ to acknowledge us before the holy angels? If we do not seek the company of our brethren before Christ in this world, how do we expect to keep company with the saints in the next?

To come to such a realization is indeed a difficult task if, for no other reason, because the world treats such commitment to Christ’s Church with contempt and as something foolish. To attend Church on Christmas is an act which is tolerated and grudgingly excused by the modern world. The world seeks to deceive us saying, “Go to Church on Christmas and Pascha if you must, but the rest of the year belongs to us. You don’t need the walls of the Church to make you a Christian.”

We need to have, however, the courage of a Victorinus—that philosopher of old—who could look within himself and see that the admonishment of the humble Simplicianus was indeed correct. The walls of the Church do indeed make the Christian. When Victorinus entered the Church through baptism, Augustine tells us that the words of the prophet and psalmist David were proven true, “Ungodly men were ill content to see it. Vainly they gnashed their teeth in envy (Psalm 111:10). But happy was the man whose trust was there bestowed, who shunned the rites of strange gods, the lure of lilies” (Psalm 39:5).

We are told that Victorinus was permitted to make his confession of faith in private so that his commitment would not bring scandal to him. Victorinus, however, refused this allowance and stood before the congregation to profess his faith in Christ. Augustine tells us that the whole congregation began to murmur, “Victorinus, Victorinus.” Though he became an object of scorn to lesser men, he became an example of courage to his fellow Christians and an object of joy to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Christ child comes to the manger in the cave this Christmas season once again. The Word became incarnate so that we may all worship and praise him together, as did angels and shepherds. This is why we come to Church—to praise Him together! Christ gave us the walls of the Church so that we may have this opportunity. Let this be the Christmas when we decide to come and to stay within those walls so that we may all rightly call ourselves Christians!

Rev. Fr. Demetrios Tonias is the pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Concord, NH, one of many "Share the Light Parishes" around the country that partner with the Orthodox Christian Network in a cooperative effort to build an effective media outreach for Orthodoxy. Fr. Demetrios, whose articles will regularly appear on MyOCN.net, holds an M.Div. and Th.M. from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program in historical theology at Boston College. You can read more articles written by Fr. Demetrios and listen to his parish's OCN-produced Internet radio station, by visiting Holy Trinity's Web site.