2014-m A y Sacred Lessons

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Gr e e k Or t h o d o x Pa t r i a r c h a t e o f Al e x a n d r i a & Al l Af r i c a
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P T O T HE FATHER, AND T O T HE SON, AND T O THE
HOLY SPI RI T , NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNT O THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS
LADY, MARI A, THEOT OKOS, YET EVER VI RGI N, TOGETHER WI TH ALL T HE SAI NT S. AND LET
US COMMI T OURSELVES AND ONE ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE LI FE TO CHRI ST OUR GOD.
AMEN.
4 May 2014
To n e 2
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S u n d a y o f Ho l y P a s c h a
S u n d a y o f t h e Ho l y My r r h b e a r e r s
T HE FE AS T OF T HE EI GHT HOL Y MY RR H- B E ARI NG WOME N: OUR
EVE R BL E S S E D L ADY T HE OT OKOS , ST MARY OF MAGDA L A, ST
JOANNA CHUZA , ST SAL OME ZE BE DE E , S T MARY & ST MART HA
OF BE T HANY , ST SU ZANNA & ST MARY CL E OP AS , T OGE T HE R
WI T H ST NI CODE MOS & ST J OS E P H OF AR I MAT HE A ST
PE L AGI A VI R GI N MART Y R OF T ARS OS ST NI K I T A , ST CY RI L , ST
NI CE P HOROS , ST CL E ME NT & ST I S AA C, FOUNDE RS OF SOKOL NI T Z KY MONAS T E RY , NOVGOROD ST ERAS MOS OF FOR MI A ,
CAMP ANI A ST AL BI AN OF ANAE A, AS I A MI NOR ST SI L VANOS OF GA ZA T OGE T HE R WI T H 40 HOL Y MART Y RS OF GA ZA S T
NI CE P HOROS OF AL B ANI A & MOU NT AT HOS ST VAS I L Y MART Y S Z, NE W MA RT Y R
OF POL AND ST MONI CA OF T AGAS T E , NORT H AF R I CA
F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F H O L Y P A S C H A
>Hristos Anesti ek nekron,
Thanato Thanaton patistas, ke
tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin
harisamenos!
> Christ has Risen from the
dead, by Death trampling upon
Death, and has bestowed Life
to those in the tombs!
R E S U R R E C T I O N A P O L Y T I K I O N T O N E 2
Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote
ton Adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke
tous tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas,
pase e Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota
Hriste, O Theos imon, Doxa Si!
When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal,
Thou slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy
Divinity. When also Thou raised up the dead from
the subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven
cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to
Thee!
A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T J O S E P H O F A R I M A T H E A & T H E H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S
O evshimon Iosif, apo tou xilou kathelon, to ahranton
Sou Soma, sindoni kathara, ilisas ke aromasin, en
mnimati keno, kidevsas apetheto; alla trimeros anestis
Kyrie, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!
Tes Myroforis Ginexi, para to Mnima epistas, O Angelos
evoa: To Myra tis thnitis iparhi armodia, Hristos de
diafthoras edihthi allotrios; alla kravgasate: Anesti O
Kyrios, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!
The noble Joseph taking down Thy spotless Body from
the Tree, wrapped it in a clean shroud with sweet
spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb; but on the
third day Thou arose, O Lord, granting the world Thy
Great Mercy!
The Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the Myrrh-
bearing Women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but
Christ has been shown to be a stranger to corruption.
But cry aloud: The Lord has Risen, granting the
world His Great Mercy!
P A S C H A L K O N T A K I O N U N T I L A S C E N S I O N D A Y
I ke en Tafo katilthes athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin
dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis sis Apostolis
Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.
Although Thou descended in the grave, O Immortal
One, yet Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and
Thou arose as Victor, O Christ our God! To the
Myrrh-bearing Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to
Thine Apostles Thou granted Thy Peace: the One
Who grants Resurrection to the fallen ones.
Re s u r r e c t i o n Go s p e l 4 - L u k e 2 4 : 1 1 2
T H E MY R R H B E A R E R S F I N D T H E T O M B E M P T Y
P r o k e i me n o n
The L or d i s my St r engt h and my Gl or y!
The L or d has puni shed me sev er el y, but He has not del i ver ed me t o Deat h!
Th e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 6 : 1 7
DE A C O N S A R E OR D A I N E D
In those days, when the number of Disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the
Hellenists because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve summoned the multitude of
Disciples and said: It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, Brethren, seek
out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business; for we will give ourselves continually to Prayer and the Ministry of the Word.
And their words pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of Faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip
Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the Apostles; and
when they had prayed they laid hands on them.
Then the Word of God spread, and the number of Disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the Priests
were Obedient to the Faith.
The Hebrews referred to the local Jewish Christians in
Jerusalem who spoke Aramaic, while the Hellenists were
Greek-speaking Jewish Christians from other parts of the
Hellenised world who had settled in Jerusalem.
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St John Chrysostom noted that this particular complaint
showed a lack of order among the quickly growing
multitude of Faithful Christians, even though the neglect of
the Hellenistic widows and orphans was certainly not
malicious or intentional.
So it is evident that various problems that faced the early
Church arose not only from outsiders, but also due to
dissension or misunderstanding from within.
However, these various initial difficulties were quickly resolved
due to the mutual respect and Love of one another within
the Holy Church of Christ.
] PROBLEMS HAVE ALWAYS ARI SEN DUE TO THE HUMAN
FACTOR WHEN OUR EGOS AND SELFISHNESS DOMI NATE
AND RULE OUR EMOTI ONS AND ACTIONS.
However, these MUST always be very quickly Repented,
resolved and forgiven, so that we may CONTI NUE TO
FOCUS ON OUR FAI THFUL AND TRUE WORSHIP OF ALMI GHTY
GOD, WHI LE CONSTANTLY CORRECTING AND REPENTING OUR
OWN PERSONAL FLAWS, which is the entire Purpose of this
earthly life, before Eternity.
The term Disciples generally refers to all Faithful Believers and
Followers of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and not
only to His Twelve Apostles or those who were close to Him
and who accompanied Him during His Public Ministry.
] To be A DISCI PLE OF CHRIST means that we are really trying
to LEARN ALL THE SACRED TEACHI NGS AND COMMANDMENTS
OF CHRI ST OUR SAVI OUR SO THAT WE CAN APPLY THEM TO
OUR EVERY WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED: THIS I S LIFE I N
CHRI ST, WHICH TAKES MUCH EFFORT AND A FAITHFUL
WILLINGNESS TO OBEY GOD AT ALL TI MES.
While THE MINI STRI ES OF THE WORD AND OF SERVING widows
(and orphans) are important Sacred Tasks, they CANNOT BE
PERFORMED BY THE SAME PEOPLE AND STI LL RECEI VE PROPER
ATTENTI ON.
Therefore, the Holy Church developed diversified Ministries.
In the Orthodox Church to this very day, our Bishops and
Presbyters (Priests) are Called to focus on Prayer and the
Ministry of the Word of God, while the other essential
ministries of Christs Holy Church are accomplished by
Deacons and the laity (the people or congregation) of
each Parish.
DEACONS WHO ARE CALLED TO SERVE ARE REQUIRED TO BE NOT
ONLY SPI RITUAL, BUT ALSO FULL OF WISDOM, WHI CH IS
ESSENTI AL FOR MANAGI NG THEI R SACRED TASKS.
While the multitude submitted the names of the first Seven
Deacons, THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRI ST ORDAI NED THEM.
Thus the synergy between Laity and Clergy was demonstrated
in the selection of these Church Servants and leaders.
Whether these first chosen Deacons held the Liturgical Office
of Deacon, or whether their Diaconate was more Service-
oriented, THEY RECEIVED THEI R SACRED OFFICE BY MEANS OF
HOLY ORDINATION BY THE DIVI NELY AUTHORISED APOSTLES
OF CHRI ST.
] THE INCREASE I N NUMBERS OF FAI THFUL DISCI PLES OF CHRI ST
ONLY OCCURS WHEN THREE GREAT PILLARS OF CHURCH LIFE
ARE FULLY I N PLACE:
WORSHIP
EVANGELISM
CHARITY/ LOVE
Furthermore, this wonderful Growth occurs WHEN EXTERNAL AND
INTERNAL STRUGGLES OR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED,
RESOLVED AND REPENTED.
] THE FIRST PRESBYTERS (PRI ESTS) WERE CHRI STI AN CONVERTS
WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN HEBREW PRIESTS but they had
not necessarily been Ordained into the Priestly Ministry
within the Christian Church after their Conversion to the
New Covenant of God.
Th e Ho l y Go s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t Ma r k 1 5 : 4 3 1 6 : 8
T H E U N N A I L I N G & B U R I A L O F O U R C R U C I F I E D L O R D & S A V I O U R , J E S U S C H R I S T
At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council Member, who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, went
courageously to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus.
Pilate marvelled that He was already dead; and, summoning the Centurion, he asked him if Jesus had been dead for some
time. And when he found out from the Centurion that it was indeed so, he granted the Body to Joseph.
Then Joseph bought fine linen, took Jesus down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb that had been
hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the Tomb.
And Mary of Magdala and Mary, the Mother of Joses, observed where He was laid.
Now, when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Mother of James and Salome, bought spices so that they might
go and Anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the Tomb when the sun had
risen. And they discussed among themselves who would roll away the stone from the door of the Tomb for them. But
when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away for it was very large and entering the Tomb, they
saw a young man, clothed in a long white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
And He said to them: Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth Who was crucified. He is Risen! He is not here. See
the place where they laid Him. Now go: tell His Disciples and Peter that He is going before you into Galilee; there you
will see Him, as He said to you.
So they went out quickly and fled from the Tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone,
for they were afraid.
If His Faithful Apostles had buried Christ, doubters and enemies of
Divine Truth could claim that His Most Precious Body had
simply been hidden away by them and that there was no
Resurrection.
] ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, BEING BOTH A COUNCI L MEMBER (OF
THE SANHEDRI N) AND AN ACKNOWLEDGED GOOD AND JUST
MAN TOGETHER WITH ST NICODEMOS ALSO OF GOOD
REPUTATI ON AND SOCIAL STATUS - REFUTES ANY POSSIBI LITY THAT
OUR LORDS BODY WAS MERELY REMOVED AND HI DDEN BY HIS
FAITHFUL APOSTLES AND DISCI PLES.
As a wealthy and highly prominent, respected member of
Hebrew society, St Joseph of Arimathea was able to
personally approach the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, to
request the Body of Christ, Whom Pontius Pilate had already
acknowledged as having been unjustly tried, punished and
condemned to death by crucifixion.
] The fact that Pontius Pilate ...marvelled that He was already
dead... confirms the Divine Truth that CHRIST PANTOCRATOR
CHOSE THE EXACT HOUR OF HIS DEATH, HAVING SACRIFI CED
HIMSELF FREELY AND WI LLI NGLY FOR THE SAKE OF ALL HUMANITY.
Usually crucifixion victims suffered for a very long time, sometimes
for days, before dying but when the Sabbath Day was
approaching, Hebrew criminals legs were shattered so that
they quickly died from the most painful green fracture injuries,
YET AS PROPHESI ED, NOT A BONE OF OUR LORD WAS BROKEN!
] The Spiritual Significance of a New Tomb that had been
hewn out of rock and where no one had ever lain before is
that CHRI ST SUFFERED A DEATH UNLIKE ANY OTHER HUMAN BEI NG
DEATH WITHOUT SPRI TUAL OR PHYSICAL CORRUPTION A
DEATH LEADI NG TO ETERNAL VICTORY OVER THE TOMB I TSELF.
Furthermore, the description of the New Tomb according to
several sources, clearly shows that I T WAS A VERY SPECIAL
TOMB FI T FOR A MOST IMPORTANT PERSON AND WHO IS MORE
IMPORTANT AND I NFLUENTIAL THAN OUR LORD JESUS CHRI ST
OUR ONE AND ONLY ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST AND KI NG OUR
ONLY ETERNAL GOD INCARNATE!
] Another fact to be considered is that NOT ONLY WAS A HUGE,
HEAVY ROCK PLACED - WI TH MUCH EFFORT - AT THE ENTRANCE
TO THE TOMB AND THEN SEALED, BUT TWO ROMAN GUARDS
STOOD WATCH AS WELL, because the devious Hebrew leaders
had alleged that Christs Body would be removed by His
Disciples so that they could then proclaim His Resurrection
from the dead as He had truthfully and precisely foretold.
] AFTER CHRI ST HAD RESURRECTED, A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE
announced the Glorious Event by BREAKI NG THE SEALS,
ROLLING AWAY THE ROCK blocking the entrance and
REVEALI NG TO ALL MANKI ND THE EMPTY TOMB, containing only
the discarded Shroud (Soudarion) and carefully folded
Facecloth (Mandylion).
] THE ROCK DI D NOT ROLL AWAY SO THAT CHRI ST COULD EXIT THE
TOMB BUT ONLY TO REVEAL TO MANKIND THAT HE HAD TRULY
RISEN!
The terrified guards who also witnessed the Empty Tomb - ran
away in fear of the punishment they faced from the Roman
authorities, but were later paid by the Hebrew authorities to
blatantly lie to everyone that the Disciples had removed the
Body of Christ after knocking them unconscious!
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Habitual liars, thieves and deceivers always accuse others of their
own sins and they REJECT Divine Truth the Absolute Truth
because it is something that is totally alien to them.
CHRI ST DI ED JUST BEFORE THE SABBATH SO THE USUAL BURIAL
CUSTOMS OF THE HEBREWS COULD NOT BE COMPLETED by His
Mother and Disciples, and they had to return on the first day
of the week Sunday to do so.
ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND ST NIKODEMOS HAD UNNAILED OUR
LORD FROM HIS CROSS AND WRAPPED HIS NAKED BODY I N A
FOURTEEN FOOT LONG FINE LINEN CLOTH that became the
Burial Shroud, also gathering up any bloody soil that
surrounded the Cross, to be buried with Him.
THEY HAD CARRI ED HIM TO THE TOMB AND WRAPPED HIM WITH
OTHER LINEN STRI PS SOAKED WITH THE 100 POUNDS OF
BITTER ALOES THAT ST NIKODEMOS SUPPLIED.
THE MANDYLION OR FACE CLOTH WAS GENTLY AND RESPECTFULLY
PLACED OVER HIS FACE AS SOON AS THEY TOOK HIM DOWN
FROM THE CROSS, WHICH REMAINED UNDER THE OUTER BURIAL
CLOTHS, which were soaked with bitter aloes and dried as
hard as concrete.
Therefore, when St Peter and St John saw the folded Mandylion,
they were amazed (and even more so when they noticed the
Image of Christ upon it which became known as the Holy Icon
Not-Made-By-Hands the first Holy Icon of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which was copied many times by others over the years.
mp)
St Joseph of Arimathea and St Nikodemos showed their absolute
faith, honour and worship of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour
by all their actions: going directly to Pontious Pilate for
permission to Unnail our Lord from the Cross, purchasing the
best quality of fine linen available in which to wrap His Precious
Body, donating a newly hewn Tomb carved from solid stone and
in a beautiful garden again nothing but the best resting place
for Christ our Saviour and their own personal attention to all
the necessary Burial Rites, including the supply of 100 pounds of
Bitter Aloes!
St John the Divine Apostle, our Ever Blessed Lady Theotokos and
Her close companion, St Mary Of Magdala watched and
witnessed our Lords Burial.
ACCORDI NG TO OLD COVENANT LAW, THE BODI ES OF THE
DECEASED WERE NOT WASHED BUT ANOINTED WI TH AROMATI C
OI LS and in the cases of violent death, all blood and body
parts were carefully gathered, wrapped and buried together
with the rest of the body.
Although the Apostles and Disciples had gone into hiding for fear
of the Roman and Hebrew authorities, the eight devoted Holy
Myrrh-bearing Women, led by our Most Blessed Lady
Theotokos bravely went to fulfil their Sacred Duty out of their
profound Love and Respect for Christ our Lord and Saviour.
Our Lady Theotokos was the legal Mother of St Joseph the
Betrotheds seven children - St James, St Joses, St Jude, St
Simon, St Salome (mother of St John and St James), St Ester
and another daughter, who were actually Her cousins and
probably much older than Her.
Since She preferred and insisted on remaining humbly in the
background of Her Beloved Son and Lord, the Apostles,
Disciples and Evangelists respectfully referred to Her in obscure
ways such as ...the Mother of Joses... or ...the Mother of
James and Salome,.. etc.
The Angel of God possibly Archangel Gabriel who is the
Angelic Messenger and Bearer of Good Tidings from God to
us human beings specifically mentioned St Peter, which
revealed our Lords special Care and Love even for one of
His Apostles who had denied Him at a crucial time.
According to St Theophylact the deeply repentant and sorrowful
St Peter would have said of himself: I denied the Lord, and
therefore I am no longer His Apostle! Yet the Angels words
showed that our Lord God had already forgiven St Peter and
still Loved him as before.
This is another Divine Teaching that clearly shows us that
WHENEVER AND WHATEVER WE TRULY REPENT WITH ALL SORROW
AND HUMILITY, WE ARE FORGIVEN BY GOD WHO LOVES US -
EVEN THE WORST OF SI NNERS - FOR HE DOES NOT REQUIRE OR
DESI RE ANYONE TO SUFFER ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND
PERPETUAL SPI RI TUAL DEATH.
For this reason, WE MUST NEVER DARE TO JUDGE ONE ANOTHER AND
NOT EVEN OURSELVES FOR GODS DI VINE LOVE AND GRACE IS
FAR BEYOND ANYTHI NG WE CAN BEGI N TO UNDERSTAND OR
APPRECIATE.
Our Blessed Lady Theotokos and Mary Magdalene ... said
nothing to anyone, for they were afraid... does not mean
that they never told the others what they had experienced so
early on that first Resurrection Day.
] OUR LADY THEOTOKOS ...KEPT MANY THINGS TO HERSELF...
THROUGHOUT HER LI FE, ONLY SPEAKING OF THEM WHEN I T
BECAME NECESSARY TO DO SO and in order to confirm the
Absolute Truth of Christs Holy Gospel and His sinless Life on
earth as God Incarnate and Perfect Man AND THEN ONLY TO
THOSE WHO WOULD FULLY APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND THEM.
Only after our Risen Lord Jesus Christ had appeared to the other
Holy Apostles and faithful Disciples, did they speak of their
experiences of that very early Sunday morning Holy Pascha.
] THE STATEMENT THAT ...THEY WERE AFRAI D... MIGHT HAVE
REFERRED TO THE ENORMOUS SHOCK OF NOT ONLY WI TNESSI NG
THE OPENED TOMB WI TH THE ABANDONED BURI AL CLOTHS AND
THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGEL OF GOD, BUT ALSO A RELUCTANCE
TO TELL THE OTHERS WHO MI GHT NOT HAVE BELI EVED THEM and
being men the Apostles would have thought the Myrrh-
bearing Women were merely hysterical or delusional due
to their intense grief.
] AS THE ADORI NG MOTHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, OUR
LADY THEOTOKOS WOULD HAVE BEEN INDESCRIBABLY
TRAUMATISED BY HAVI NG WI TNESSED CHRI STS TERRIBLE
SUFFERI NG,
HOWEVER, SHE WAS ALSO DEEPLY FAITHFUL AND FILLED WITH DIVI NE
GRACE THAT ENABLED HER - MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE - TO
APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND ALL THI NGS PERTAI NI NG TO
ALMI GHTY GOD AND HIS DIVI NE WILL FOR ALL HUMANI TY.
IN HER PROFOUND WISDOM AND LOVE FOR GOD AND HER FELLOW
MANKI ND, SHE WOULD KEEP MANY THI NGS ESPECIALLY THE
DIVI NELY MYSTERIOUS THI NGS TO HERSELF, knowing that
others would either not understand or would misinterpret or
blaspheme them.
T h i r d S u n d a y o f H o l y P a s c h a S u n d a y o f t h e H o l y My r r h - B e a r e r s
The Event of our Lord Jesus Christs Descent from the
Cross and His Burial in the Tomb is both remarkable
and praiseworthy, because it was not undertaken by
His Faithful Disciples and Apostles, but by two
respected Councillors of the Sanhedrin the High
Court of the Hebrew Nation St Joseph of Arimathea
and St Nicodemos.
St Peter was still most sorrowful and grieving for his
Denial of Christ, while the other Holy Apostles had
scattered far and wide, as predicted by their Divine
Teacher when He said: I will smite the Shepherd,
and the Sheep of the Flock shall be scattered
abroad. (Matthew 26 : 31)
According to the Old Covenant Law, ... cursed is every
one who is hanged on a tree... so the fact that our
Lord was crucified on ... a tree... made all the
Disciples terrified and anxious for their own personal
safety. (Galatians 3 : 13)
They knew they would be accused and condemned by
known association with Christ.
Nevertheless, the two Sanhedrin Councillors were
profoundly moved by their philanthropic compassion
for the unjustly crucified and abandoned Holy
Teacher of Nazareth and they were compelled by
their righteous personal characters, which were ready
and courageous enough to fulfil whatever was
required of them for the sake of Love of God and for
True Justice.
In those days, it certainly took great courage and moral
boldness to confront the Roman Governor, Pontius
Pilate, in order to request the removal of the crucified
Body of a condemned criminal.
The Name Jesus of Nazareth, or, more correctly, Jesus
Christ, the reason for His unjust Condemnation and
the unlawful manner in which it was executed,
certainly justify the term courage that St Mark used
in his Holy Gospel, to describe St Joseph of
Arimathea, for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ was
the Nemesis the Arch-rival of the self-righteous,
self-serving Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees, who
slyly used Roman and Hebrew Laws to achieve their
iniquitous goals.
Thus they were able to falsely condemn the Only Sinless
One in the High Court of the Temple, as a
Blasphemer of God and an Enemy of Mosaic Law
and the Hebrew Nation!
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Furthermore, the Incarnate Son of God was wrongly
sentenced to death as a Traitor or Revolutionary
Who had attempted to stir up the people into a great
rebellion against the Roman Suzerainty.
Finally, to ensure our Saviours unlawful scourging and
crucifixion, the enemies of God accused Him of
declaring Himself King of the Jews, which definitely
made Him a treacherous Enemy of the Roman
Emperor!
So it certainly took an enormous act of great courage to
go directly to the Roman Governor to request the
taking down from the Cross the Body of such a Man!
The fierce crowd, having been instigated - and some even
being paid - by the fanatical, wicked enemies of God
and the attitude of Pontius Pilate who had publically
washed his hands clean from the Blood of such a
clearly Innocent and Sinless Man were the great
obstacles and difficulties that St Joseph of Arimathea
had to overcome.
St Joseph of Arimathea, ... being a Disciple of (our Lord)
Jesus... but - as with many other Councillors who
recognised the injustice of the accusations against
Christ - ..for the fear of the Jews... had remained
unidentified and hidden.
Initially, due to the fear of being cast out of the
Synagogue, the two Sanhedrin Councillors, St Joseph
of Arimathea and St Nicodemos, had kept it secret
that they had often spoken with our Lord Jesus Christ
concerning Spiritual Renewal and Eternal Salvation
through the Holy Mystery of Baptism, which is the
beginning of our Eternal Inheritance of Gods
Kingdom.
These two courageous Councillors who had opposed the
unjust and inhumane decision of the Sanhedrin that
had condemned Christ to merciless torture and death,
now co-operated at a crucial moment in Christian
History.
Having obtained official permission to remove the already
Reposed Body of our Saviour from His Cross, the two
Councillors assisted in the removal of the cross-bar
and the Unnailing of the Just Teacher of Nazareth,
Whom the Centurion, (St Longinos) had proclaimed as
being Truly the Son of God. (MATTHEW 27:54)
Today, in our contemporary era, we as Orthodox
Christians are Called to Confess our Faith before a
society that vehemently denies religion - before the
indifferent, ungodly politicians, atheists, idealists and
philosophers who in one way or another reject our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, His Holy Church and
all Divine Truth.
We are each and every one of us - Called to cover the
naked body of our broken society with the Divine
Grace of Gods Absolute Truth and Love.
We are Called to Anoint our fellow sinners tortured
bodies with the Precious Myrrh of Love and
Almsgiving.
We are Called to soothe and comfort mankinds existence
with the Blessed Holy Myrrh of Good Works, which are
the sweetest fragrance of our Resurrected Lord and
Saviour.
Today we are reminded by our Holy Mother Church of not
only the brave, loving actions and intentions of the
Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, but also of the heroic
deeds of the Faithful Sanhedrin Councillors, St Joseph
of Arimathea and St Nicodemos.
From this moment onwards, let us imitate their profound
Faith and Life in Christ that gave them so much
courage to overcome all possible obstacles that may
have blocked their progress and achievements.
From today, we who live in a broken down society with
very few Orthodox Christians, ought to Confess and
Live our Orthodox Faith with unwavering Spiritual
Courage that overcomes all obstacles, hesitation or
fear.
Let us always keep in our heart and mind the Divine
Promise of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Whosoever shall Confess Me before men, I will Confess
him also before My Father Who is in Heaven. But,
whosoever shall deny Me before men, I will also
deny him before My Father Who is in Heaven!
(MATTHEW 10: 32 33)
E DI T E D & A DA P T E D B Y MP : A SE R MON F OR T HE T HI R D P A S CHA L
SU N DA Y SU N DA Y OF T HE HOL Y MY R R H- BE A R E R S B Y HI S
E MI NE NCE , P A NT E L E I MON T HE KA L Y MNI T E ( L A MP A DA R I OS )
AR CHB I S HOP OF ANT I NOE S
S t Th e o p h y l a c t o f O c h r i d & Bu l g a r i a S u n d a y o f t h e My r r h - Be a r e r s
While yet a servant of the Law, the Blessed Joseph (of
Arimathea) recognised Christ as God and that was
why he dared to do such a praiseworthy deed of
courage.
He did not stop to think to himself: I am a wealthy man,
and I will lose my wealth if I ask for the Body of One
condemned by the Rulers authority, and I will be
slandered by the Jews.
No such thoughts did he harbour, but, placing all other
consideration second, he begged (Pontius Pilate) to
bury the Body of the One condemned.
...Pilate wondered if He were already dead... for Pilate
thought that our Lord Jesus would endure on the
Cross for a long time, as did the two thieves.
So he asked the Centurion if (our Lord) Jesus had already
died some time before, (which was subsequently
confirmed.)
St Joseph of Arimathea then took the Body, having
brought fine linen, and when he had taken (our Lord)
down from the Cross, he wrapped (Him) in the linen,
and buried ... that which was worthy of all reverence.
For St Joseph of Arimathea, too, was a Disciple of Christ,
and he knew that it was necessary to honour our
Master.
He was noble that is, he was devout, pious and
blameless. And he held the rank of Councillor a title
that conferred duties of public service and
responsibility for the Councillors supervised the
affairs of the marketplace, and danger often befell
those holding such a position due to the evil that is
committed in the public marketplace.
Let the wealthy, and those engaged in public business
heed that St Joseph of Arimatheas high rank in no
way hindered him from living a virtuous life.
The name Joseph means increase, while Arimathea
means taking hold of that.
Let us all be like St Joseph of Arimathea always
increasing in Virtue, and taking hold of that which is
truly Good.
Let us also take the Body of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ, through Holy Communion, and place It in a
Tomb hewn out of rock that is: we must reverently
place It within our soul always remembering God
and never forgetting Him not even for a moment!
And our soul must be hewn from Rock that is: from
Christ our Lord Who is our Rock on which we are
securely established.
Let us wrap the Body of our Lord Jesus in the fine linen
that is: let us receive the Body of Christ within our
own purified body, for our purified body (through
Repentance-Confession) is the fine linen and the
Sanctified Garment of our soul.
We must receive the Divine Body of our Lord not only
with a pure soul, but with a pure body as well!
And we must wrap and enfold the Divine Body of Christ
within ourselves, and not leave It exposed, for this
Divine Mystery is Something Sacred that is Veiled and
Hidden not something to be left exposed.
HT T P : / / WWW. J OHNS ANI DOP OUL OS. COM/ 2013/ 05/ S UNDAY -
OF- MY RRH- BE ARI NG- WOME N- GOSP E L . HT ML
S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T H O L Y MA R T Y R O F T H E S S A L O N I K A 5 MA Y 2 0 1 4 5.
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P T O THE FAT HER, AND T O THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPI RI T , NOW AND FOREVER, AND
UNT O T HE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS LADY, MARIA, THEOT OKOS, YET EVER
VI RGI N, TOGETHER WI T H ALL THE SAI NT S. AND LET US COMMI T OURSELVES AND ONE ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE LI FE TO CHRI ST
OUR GOD. AMEN.
5 Ma y 201 4
S t I r e n e ,
Gr e a t Ho l y Ma r t y r o f
Th e s s a l o n i k a
AL S O T HE FE AS T OF ST EUT HY MI OS OF MADI T OS
ST EP HR AI M T HE NE W MART Y R OF NE A MA KR I ,
AT T I CA
>Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton
patistas, ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin
harisamenos!
> Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death
trampling upon Death, and has bestowed Life
F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T M A R T Y R - T O N E 4 :
Irinis ton arhonta, ihnilatousa semni, Irinis Eponimos, di
epipnias Theou, edihthis paneffime; si gar tou
polemiou, tas enedras figousa, ithlisas iper fisin, os
parthenos fronimi; dio Megalomartis Irini, irinin imin
etise.
The steps of the Prince of Peace, following O Noble
One, the namesake of Peace, by the prompting of
God, thou became O Most Blessed One; for having
escaped the snares of the devil, supremely thou
contended, as a most prudent virgin; wherefore, O
Great Martyr Irene, ask for Peace for all of us!
P A S C H A L A P O L Y T I K I O N H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S
Mnimati keno, kidevsas apetheto; alla trimeros Anestis
Great Mercy!
A P O L Y T I K I O N O F A F E M A L E H O L Y M A R T Y R
I Amnas Sou Iisou, krazi megali ti foni. Se Nimfie mou
potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume, ke
sinthaptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke Pasho dia Se, os
Vasilefso Sin Si, ke thnisko iper Sou, ina ke ziso en Si.
All os thisian amomon, prosdehou tin meta pothou
tithisan Si. Aftis presvies, os eleimon, Soson tas psihas
imon.
Thy Lamb, O Jesus, cries to Thee with a loud voice: O
my Bridegroom, Thee I Love; and seeking Thee I now
suffer everything in search of Thee, and am crucified
and buried with Thee in Baptism; and suffer for Thy
sake, so that I may reign with Thee, and give my life
for Thee, that I may Live with Thee; but accept as
Pure Sacrifiece, the one who desired to give her life
for you. Through her Intercessions, O Most
Compassionate, Save our souls.
P A S C H A L E X A P O S T I L A R I O N O F T H E H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S T O N E 2
Ginekes akoutisthite, Fonin agalliaseos. Tirannon Adin
patisas, fthoras exigira pantas. Dramete Filis ipate, tis
emis Evangelia. Voulome gar to plasma Mou, haran
ekithen avgase, ex is exilthen i lipi.
O Women: hearken to the Voice that echoes with Joy.
Trampling on Hades, that tyrant, I raised up all from
corruption. Run now with hast and tell My Friends
Good Tidings as Evangelists. For I Will that My
Creatures see Joy distinctly arising from Women,
from whom came sorrow!
K O N T A K I O N O F S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T M A R T Y R T O N E 3
Parthenias kallesi, pepikilmeni Parthene, ke Martion
stemmasi, Stefanothisa Irini, emati tou martiriou
errantismeni, thavmasi katastrafthisa ton iamaton,
evsevos Martis edexo, vraveion Nikis tis sis athliseos.
Being fair adorned before with pure and virginal beauty,
Thou became fairer still in Thy brave Contest, O
Virgin; for when Thou, in Thine own spilt blood, was
stained and reddened, O Irene, Thou overthrew
ungodly error. Hence, Thou hast received the Prizes
of Thy Good Vict'ry from Thy Creator's right Hand.
Th e A c t s o f t h e Ho l y A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 6 : 8 7 : 5 & 4 7 6 0
The Evangelism & Defence of St Stephen the Protodeacon & Protomartyr
In those days, Stephen, full of Faith and Power, did great Wonders and Signs among the people. Then here arose
some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and
Asia), disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. And they secretly induced men to
say: We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God. And they stirred up the people, the
Elders, and the Scribes; and they went and seized him and took him to the Council.
They also set up false witnesses who said: This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this Holy
Place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the
customs that Moses delivered to us.
And all who sat in the Council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the Face of an Angel. And the High Priest
said: Are these things so?
And Stephen said: Brethren and Fathers: Listen: The God of Glory appeared to our Father Abraham when he was in
Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and He said to him: Get out of your country, and from your relatives,
6. S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T H O L Y M A R T Y R O F T H E S S A L O N I K A 5 M A Y 2 0 1 4
and go to a land that I will show you. And Abraham went out of the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in
Haran. And from there, when his Father was dead, God moved Abraham to this land in which you now dwell.
And God gave him no Inheritance in it not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child,
God promised to grant it to him for a possession and to his descendants after him...
... but Solomon built God a House. However, the Most High does not dwell in Temples made with hands, as the
Prophet says: Heaven is My Throne, and Earth is My Footstool. What House will you build for Me? says the
Lord, or What is the Place of My Rest? Had My Hand not made all these things?
You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit! As your Fathers did, so do
you. Which of the Prophets did your Fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the Coming of the
Just One, of Whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the Law by the
Direction of the Angels, and have not kept it.
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth, but he, being
Full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into Heaven and beheld the Glory of God and Jesus at the right Hand of God, and
said: Behold! I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right Hand of God!
And they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of
the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they
stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying: Lord Jesus: receive my spirit! And Stephen knelt down
and cried with a loud voice: Lord, do not charge them with this sin! And having said these words, he fell
asleep.
Freedmen were Hebrews who had formerly been held
captive under the Romans often due to rebellion
against the Roman Empire and the ruling authorities.
These charges were brought against St Stephen because
in Christ, the Liturgy and the Law of the Old Covenant
are fulfilled.
Consequently the Old Covenant Liturgy and Law have
been changed and transformed by the Will of God
the Father, through God the Son and by the Power of
the Holy Spirit.
HEBREWS 7: 12 ... for the Priesthood being
changed, of necessity there is also a change of the
Law.
However, to those who do not believe in Christ who have
rejected Him as the Incarnate, Eternal, Only Begotten
Son of God our True Lord and Saviour these True
Teachings of St Stephen the Arch Deacon, were
blasphemous.
The charge that our Lord Jesus would destroy the Temple
was levelled against Him at His Trial by false witnesses.
MATT HEW 26 : 61: ... two false witnesses came
forward and said: This Man said: I Am able to destroy
the Temple of God and to build it in three days.
The people had misunderstood our Lord Jesus Christs
Words as recorded by St John in his Holy Gospel.
(Read JOHN 2 : 19 21)
Some Hebrews believed that the Temple of Jerusalem
would be destroyed and a new Temple would then be
built by the Great Messiah.
This was a misinterpretation of two of Christs Teachings:
1. When He said: Destroy this Temple, and in three
days I will raise it up, which was a reference to
His own Precious Bodys Death and Resurrection.
( JOHN 2: 19)
2. When He prophesied the actual destruction of the
Temple, which was fulfilled in 70 when the Romans
destroyed the Great Temple of Jerusalem as a
severe retaliation for the Jewish Rebellion. ( LUK E
21: 6 & 20)
St Stephens face reflected his Love of God and the Divine
Truth he spoke, which was clearly evident to those who
looked at him and saw ...his face as the Face of
an Angel.
Those who become one with Christ who enjoy a close,
personal Relationship with our Lord God reflect a
similar Divine Radiance as that which shone from the
face of St Stephen as he pronounced the Divine Truth
of Christs Teachings.
This Divine Radiance is a preview of the Glory that all
Faithful Disciples of Christ True Believers will share in
the Glorious Eternal Age to come.
2 CORI NTHI ANS 3 : 18 : ... we all, with unveiled
face, beholding as in a mirror, the Glory of the Lord
are being Transformed into the same Image from
Glory to Glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Work of the Holy Spirit bring True Liberty freeing and
enabling us to behold the Glory of God and to have
open access to Him.
Being created in the Image of God, we shall see His
Uncreated Image the Son of God Who is the Glory of
the Lord in two ways:
Through Christs Deified Humanity ( 1 COR I NT HI ANS
13 : 12 & JAMES 1 : 23 25)
In the Power of the Holy Spirit.
As we behold Him, we will become what we were created
to be!
God is Infinite therefore, growing in His Image and Glory
has no limits at all and we shall forever behold God
more clearly being Transformed into His Perfect
Likeness.
(Read also EXODUS 34 : 29 35)
St Stephen did not answer the Old Covenant High Priest
directly but used the charges against him as the
context for his Inspired Preaching.
As with St Peters Sermon on the Day of Pentecost St
Stephen preached our Lord Jesus Christ based on the
Old Testament Scripture, showing how the Hebrews
consistently missed the True Purpose of Gods dealing
with them due to their stubborn, rebellious heart
attitude.
The Most High does not dwell in Temples made by
hands... does not mean that God is not present in
our Holy Temples our Holy Church but instead
these words indicate that God is not limited or
restricted to a specific Place of Worship for the Holy
Trinity dwells in every soul that receives - that
welcomes - God through Love, Obedience and
proper Worship.
Israel resisted the Holy Spirit by neither accepting Gods
Plan for them nor receiving His Correction through His
Holy Prophets, and the contemporary Hebrew Leaders
continued to resist the Holy Spirit in their opposition to
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to His Holy
Apostles and Disciples who taught His Divine Truth.
St Stephens Vision of the Enthroned Christ is seen by his
opponents as the ultimate blasphemy, which carried
the penalty of being stoned to death.
Saul who was a zealous participant in St Stephens
Martyrdom, was initially an obsessive persecutor of the
first Christians but later he was directly Called by our
Resurrected Christ and, by the Grace of God,
became His greatest Holy Apostle and greatest
Missionary, converting innumerable Gentiles (non-
Jews) to Christ throughout the Roman Empire.
Saul became the famous St Paul of Tarsus.
Finally, in imitation of our Saviour, St Stephen offered his
soul to God and prayed for the Divine Forgiveness of
his enemies and executioners.
This particular Sacred Lesson is read today, on the Feast of
St Irene the Great Holy Martyr, to show us their absolute
Love of God and complete commitment to His Divine
Truth, even if it meant enduring terrible torture of Holy
Martyrdom.
They certainly understood that this earthly life is only
temporary, and we should use every opportunity to
perfect our Eternal Souls through willing Obedience to
and unwavering Faith in Almighty God.
S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T H O L Y MA R T Y R O F T H E S S A L O N I K A 5 MA Y 2 0 1 4 7.
Th e Ho l y Go s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 4 : 4 6 5 4
O u r L o r d & S a v i o u r , J e s u s C h r i s t , H e a l s a N o b l e m a n s d y i n g s o n
At that time, our Lord Jesus went again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water into Wine. And there was a
certain Nobleman whose son, at Capernaum, was sick. And when he heard that Jesus had gone out of Judea into
Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to go down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
And Jesus said to him: Unless you people see Signs and Wonder, you will by no means believe. And the
Nobleman said to Him: Lord, come down before my son dies! And Jesus said to him: Go your way - your son
lives. And the Nobleman believed the Word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.
And as he was going down, his servants met him and told him: Your son lives! And he enquired of them the hour
when he had become well, and they said to him: Yesterday, at the Seventh Hour, the fever left him. And the
Father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus had said to him: Your son lives.
And he himself believed, and his whole household.
This, again, is the Second Sign that Jesus did when He had gone out of Judah into Galilee.
The Healing of the Noblemans dying son is the Second
Sign or Great Miracle of Christ that is recorded by St
John the Divine Apostle & Theologian in his Holy Gospel.
The First Sign was when our Lord Jesus Christ changed the
water into Wine at the Wedding in Cana. ( JOH N 2 :
1 11)
Having revealed that He can see into the heart and soul of
everyone even from a distance ( as in the case of St
Nathanial) - our Lord Jesus by Healing the
Noblemans dying son from a distance, thereby
revealed the amazing Truth that there are no earthly
limitations or obstacles to His Natural Divine Powers,
(which again proves His True Identity as the Eternal Word
and Son of God the Father.) ( J OHN 1 : 45 48)
Although there are certain similarities in this account of the
Noblemans dying son and the Centurions seriously ill
servant, (although some say it was his child since the
Greek word has both meanings) there are crucial
differences between the two cases and these are
clearly two different Encounters with Christ. ( MAT T HE W
8: 5- 13)
Our Lord admonished the people in general and not
merely the Nobleman because Faith based on
Miracles alone is insufficient for our Eternal Salvation.
Furthermore, such incomplete, weak, insecure and
dependent Faith very quickly turns to scorn and doubt
when Miracles cease to occur on demand or for the
wrong motivation.
The Noblemans concern is clearly for his beloved child,
even though initially his Faith in Christ was weak for he
did not understand that our Lord Jesus Christ is Lord
(Creator) of all Creation so nothing can prevent or
block His Divine Will over life and death.
The Nobleman did not realise initially the Divine Power of
Christ Who can Heal all ailments no matter how far or
wide, how serious or fatal they may be.
However, he had enough Faith in Christ to accept Him at
His Word, whereupon he began his return journey home
and when his servants met up with him and gave him
the Good News of his childs full recovery, he felt
compelled to enquire exactly when his child had
improved.
Then, having established the exact timing of the Divine
Miracle the Nobleman surrendered his heart and soul
to God with much gratitude to and appreciation of
Whom Christ truly way as did his entire household
family members and faithful servants.
Consequently, by Healing the Noblemans child, Christ our
Saviour also Healed the Eternal Souls of the Father and
their entire household.
Such wonderful Divine Miracles should only CONFIRM our
belief and Faith in Almighty God, for, as our Lord has
repeatedly cautioned us, we should never depend on
or trust only in Signs and Wonders.
Our Faith should be a total conviction of heart and soul
that draws us ever closer and closer to Almighty God
and His Divine Truth, compelling us to constantly
Struggle against all temptations and evil, so as to follow
precisely in the Divine Footsteps of our Most
Compassionate and Loving Lord Jesus Christ.
S t I r e n e t h e Gr e a t Ho l y Vi r g i n Ma r t y r o f T h e s s a l o n i k i
St Irene was born in the city of Magedon, Persia, during
the 4
th
century the daughter of a pagan King,
Licinios, who named her Penelope. From the age of
six, Licinios isolated her in a high tower in order to
prevent her from being exposed to Christianity,
which he obsessively hated.
13 young maidens kept her company and took care of
her welfare and an old Tutor, Apellian, was assigned
to provide her with the best possible education.
However, Apellian was a secret Christian and during
their lessons, he taught the young girl everything he
knew concerning our Saviour and His Divine
Teachings and Commandments.
When Penelope reached adolescence, her parents began
to seek a suitable husband for her, but one day a
dove flew through the opened window, carrying an
Olive branch in its beak, which it deposited upon a
table. Then an eagle swooped in with a wreath of
flowers in its strong beak, and also dropped it on
the table.
Finally, a raven flew in carrying a snake, which was also
dropped onto the table.
Naturally, Penelope was puzzled by these strange
events and asked Apellian to explain them to her.
He told her that the dove signified her education, the
olive branch symbolised the Divine Grace of Holy
Baptism and the eagle with the floral wreath
represented success in her future life, while the
black raven and snake foretold her future suffering
and sorrow.
Apellianos explained to her that our Lord wished to
Betroth her to Himself but that she would have to
endure much suffering for the sake of her Heavenly
Bridegroom.
Having consistently refused to be betrothed to anyone
else, Penelope was secretly Baptised by a Priest,
Timothy, who named her Irene (Peace).
St Irene destroyed all her Fathers pagan idols and even
tried to persuade her parents to accept Christ as
Lord and Saviour, which sent Licinius into an insane
rage and made him determined to force her to
renounce her Christian Faith.
St Irene was handed over to the Kings executioners who
tied her up and threw her under the hooves of
stampeding wild horses so that they might trample
her to death, but the horses came to a sudden halt
and refused to walk over the young Virgin Martyr
and suddenly one of the wild horses charged
towards Licinius, seized his right hand in his strong
jaws and tore it from his arm, then knocked the
shocked King down and began to trample him
almost to death.
The executioners quickly untied St Irene and through
her intercessory Prayers, her wicked father was
restored to full health including his severed hand
which was witnessed by the amazed multitudes
who had been gathered to see what happened to
those who rejected the pagan gods.
However, Licinios, his wife and many of the
eyewitnesses (approximately 3000 men) believed in
Christ and accepted Holy Baptism.
Licinios devoted the rest of his life to the Holy Service
of God, while St Irene lived in the house of her aged
tutor, Apellian, and taught the pagans about Christ,
converting thousands to Life in Christ.
When Sedecios, the new Governor of the city, heard of
this Miracle he immediately summoned Apellian and
questioned him about St Irene's manner of Life,
whereupon Apellian explained that like other
Christians, St Irene lived in strict temperance,
. . S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N , E V A N G E L I S T & B E L O V E D A P O S T L E - 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 8
devoting herself to constant Prayer and reading
Holy Books.
Sedecios then summoned St Irene to him and did his
best to urge her to stop preaching about Christ, to
renounce her Faith and to make offerings to the
pagan idols.
St Irene resolutely and courageously confessed her
Faith before the Governor, without any fear of his
wrath, for she was utterly prepared to endure
suffering for the sake of Christ.
As expected, by order of Sedecios, St Irene was
condemned to being tortured to death.
First she was thrown into a pit filled with poisonous
vipers, where she spent ten days yet remained
unharmed, for an Angel of our Lord protected her
and nourished her.
When Sedecios heard that St Irene had not succumbed
to the deadly snakes, he ascribed the Miracle to
sorcery and ordered the executioners to subject St.
Irene to many other hideous tortures, but, by the
Grace of God, she remained unharmed.
Her preaching of Divine Truth and her miraculous
survival caused many more pagans to renounce
their lifeless, man-made idols and turn to the One
True, Living, Loving and Almighty God.
Sedecios was eventually deposed by his son, Savoros,
who persecuted Christians with an even greater
obsession than his Father had done.
St Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to
meet Savoros and his army - to beseech him to end
the unjustifiable, merciless persecution but when he
refused to do so, St Irene prayed to God to Enlighten
him and his army.
Suddenly they all became blind, and when St Irene
fervently prayed to God to Heal them, their sight
was immediately restored.
In spite of this most obvious Revelation of Gods Divine
Power and Truth, Savoros stubbornly rejected it and
due to his blatant insolence, he was struck and
killed by a bolt of lightning.
Afterwards, St Irene entered the city of her birth where
she remained for a while, teaching and preaching by
the Grace of God with many Miracles occurring.
She returned to the tower built by her Father,
accompanied by the Priest, Timothy, who had
Baptised her.
During her sojourn in Magedon, she converted over
5000 souls to Christ.
Next, St Irene went to the city of Kallinikos (on the
Euphrates River in Syria).
The Ruler was King Numerian, the son of Sebastian.
After St Irene had began to teach about our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ, she was arrested and
subjected to brutal torture on the order of the
pagan authorities.
The executioners squeezed her into a torture device
the three bronze oxen which were heated by fire
each being hotter than the previous one - into which
St Irene was forced to go from one to another, but,
as before, by the Divine Will and Grace of God, the
Holy Virgin Martyr miraculously remained
uninjured, which again caused thousands of
eyewitnesses to embrace Christianity.
Sensing the approach of death, Numerian instructed his
Eparch, Babdonos, to continue torturing the Saint in
order to force her to make offerings to the pagan
idols but each time their unspeakably cruel tortures
could not force St Irene to surrender to them by
renouncing her unshakable Faith in Christ.
Furthermore, the gathered multitudes were so amazed
by what they witnessed, thousands of them
accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
St Irene finally travelled to the city of Constantina, forty
miles northeast of Edessa.
By 330, the Persian King, Sapor II (309-379), had heard
of St Irene's Great Miracles so in order to prevent
her from winning more people to Christ, she was
soon arrested, beheaded, and then buried.
However, God sent His Holy Angel to raise her up
again, and she went into the city of Mesembria.
After seeing St Irene alive and hearing her preach the
Divine Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the local King
together with many of his subjects accepted Holy
Baptism and a Life in Christ.
Wishing to convert even more pagans to Christianity, St.
Irene went to Ephesos, where she taught the people
and performed many Miracles.
One day our Lord revealed to St Iren that the end of her
lifespan was approaching.
So St Irene left the city, accompanied by six people,
including her former teacher, Apellian.
On the outskirts of the town, she found a new tomb in
which no one had ever been buried, and, after
making the Sign of the Cross, she entered the tomb
and requested her companions to close the entrance
with a large stone.
Four days later, the Faithful Christians returned to the
tomb and removed the large rock that had sealed
the entrance but they did not find the body of the St
Irene there.
Apellian, the aged teacher, had returned to the tomb
after only two days, and had found the stone rolled
away and the tomb empty.
Thus did God Glorify His Faithful Virgin Martyr, St
Irene, who Loved Him without reservation and who
had devoted her entire life to serving Him faithfully
in body and soul.
Although many of these Divine Miracles may seem
improbable to those who are skeptical, nothing is
impossible with God.
St Irene led thousands of people to Christ through her
sincere, Inspired and truthful preaching, and by her
good example of her Life in Christ.
The Holy Church continues to honour her memory and
to seek her Heavenly Intercession.
The Holy, Glorious and Great Virgin Martyr, St Irene, is
invoked by those wishing for a good and happy
marriage.
In Greece, St Irene is the Patron Saint of Policemen.
By her Holy Prayers, may the Lord our God have mercy
upon us and save us.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/irene_of_thessaloniki
F a t h e r Ge o r g e C a l c i u
On Ho n o u r i n g t h e Ho l y Ma r t y r s
In the Orthodox Church, the Saints and Martyrs
occupy a remarkable place, being of inestimable
help for us in Prayer and in our Supplications to
God.
In certain difficult moments all those who pray and
ask for the help of the Saints, know that their
request will never go unanswered.
There exists the corresponding Tradition whereby
the Saint whose name we bear protects us, while
the Holy Martyrs who fought for a certain cause
help us in our own personal battles - and to
defend the Holy Church of Christ and our True
Faith.
In these difficult times, when dark forces war against
us so as to divide us and lead us astray, it is vital
to rediscover and to beseech all those Saints and
Martyrs to Intercede with God on our behalf -
those who took up their Cross and stood firm
before the enemy, confessing Christ and fighting
for our Faith and Liberty.
Just as the early Church transmitted Martyrology
from generation to generation and left the ages
inscribed with the blood of those who sacrificed
themselves for Christ, we, too, have a Sacred Duty
to always remember and to honour all those who
fought so bravely against heresy and against the
evil one who never ceases to tempt or to lead into
destruction the bodies and souls of the Faithful
Disciples of Christ.
S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N , E V A N G E L I S T & B E L O V E D A P O S T L E - 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 9
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P T O THE FAT HER, AND TO T HE SON, AND TO T HE HOLY SPI RI T , NOW AND
FOREVER, AND UNT O THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS LADY, MARI A, THEOT OKOS, YET
EVER VI RGI N, TOGETHER WI T H ALL THE SAI NT S. AND LET US COMMI T OURSELVES AND ONE ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE
LI FE TO CHRI ST OUR GOD. AMEN.
8 Ma y 2 0 1 4
S t J o h n t h e Di v i n e
Th e o l o g i a n ,
E v a n g e l i s t
& Be l o v e d A p o s t l e o f
C h r i s t
AL S O T HE FE AS T OF ST ARS E NI OS
T HE GRE AT OF ROME ST
ARS E NS I OS T HE L OVE R OF
L AB OUR & ST PI ME N T HE
AS CE T I C OF K I E V F AR CA VE S
MONAS T E RY ST T AMARA, HOL Y
QUE E N OF GE ORGI A
harisamenos!
A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T J O S E P H O F A R I M A T H E A
mnimati keno, kidevsas apetheto; alla trimeros anestis
Great Mercy!
Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote
ton Adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke
tous tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas,
pase e Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota
Hriste, O Theos imon, Doxa Si!
When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal,
Thou slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy
Divinity. When also Thou raised up the dead from
the subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven
cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to
Thee!
A P O L Y T I K I O N T H E H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S
Tes Myroforis Ginexi, para to Mnima epistas, O Angelos
evoa: To Myra tis thnitis iparhi armodia, Hristos de
diafthoras edihthi allotrios; alla kravgasate: Anesti O
Kyrios, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!
The Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the Myrrh-
bearing Women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but
Christ has been shown to be a stranger to corruption.
But cry aloud: The Lord has Risen, granting the
world His Great Mercy!
A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N & A P O S T L E O F C H R I S T
Apostole Hristo to Theo igapimene, epitahinon, rise laon
anapologiton. Dehete se prospiptonta, O epipesonta to
stithi katadexamenos. On iketeve, Theologe, ke
epimonon nefos ethnon diaskedase, etoumenos imin
irinin, ke to Mega Eleos.
O Apostle, Speaker of Divinity, the Beloved of Christ
God, hasten and deliver Thy people powerless in
argument; for He on Whose Bosom Thou leant
accepts Thee as an Intercessor. Beseech Him, on
our behalf for Peace and His Great Mercy.
K O N T A K I O N H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S T O N E 2
To Here tis Myroforis fthengxamenos, ton thrinon tis
promitoros Evas katepafsas, ti Anastasi Sou Hriste O
theos. Tis Apostolis de tis sis kirittin epetaxas. O
SOTIR EXANESTI TOU MNIMATOS!
In saying: Rejoice! to the Myrrhbearers, Thou allayed
the lament of the First Mother, Eve, at Thy
Resurrection, O Christ our God. And Thou ordered
Thy Apostles to proclaim: THE SAVIOUR HAS RISEN
FROM THE TOMB!
Re s u r r e c t i o i n Go s p e l 1 1 : J o h n 2 1 : 1 4 - 2 5
O U R L O R D J E S U S R E S T O R E S A N D C O M M I S S I O N S S T P E T E R
Touto ide triton efanerothi O Iisous tis Mathites Aftou
egerthis ek nekron, ote oun iristisan legi to Simoni
Petro O IIisous:Simon Iona Agapas Me plion touto?
Legi afto: Ne Kyrie, Si idas oti filo Se.
Legi Afto: Voske ta Arnia Mou.
Legi Afto palin defteron: Simon Iona, Agapas Me?
Legi afto: Ne Kyrie, Si idas oti filo Se.
The third time our Lord Jesus revealed Himself to His
Disciples after He had Risen from the dead, when
they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter:
Simon, son of Jonah, do you Love Me more than
these?
He said to Him: Yes, Lord, Thou know that I love
Thee.
He said to him: Feed My Lambs.
He said to him again a second time: Simon, son of
Jonah, do you Love Me?
He said to Him:, Yes Lord; Thou know that I love
Thee.
. . S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N , E V A N G E L I S T & B E L O V E D A P O S T L E - 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 10
Legi afto: Pimene ta Provata Mou.
Legi afto to triton: Simon Iona, filis Me?
Elipithi O Petros oti ipen Afto to triton: Filis Me?
Ke ipen Afto: Kyrie, Si panta idas Si ginoskis oti filo Se.
Legi afto O Isous: Voske ta Provata Mou.
Amin, amin, lego si: ote is neoteros ezonies ke
periepatis opou itheles; otan the girasis, ektenis tas
hiras sou, ke alos se zosi, ke isi opou ou thelis.
Touto de ipe simenon pio thanato Doxasi ton Theon.
Ke touto ipon legi Afto: Akolouthi Mi!
Epistrafis de O Petros vlepi ton Mathitin on Igapa O
IIisous akolouthounta, ( os ke anepesen en to dipno epi
to Stithos Aftou ke ipe: Kyrie, tis estin O
paradidous Se?)
Touton idon O Petros legi to Iisou: Kyrie, outos de ti?
Legi afto O IIisous: Ean afto thelo menin eos erhome, ti
pros se? Si akolouthi Mi!
Exilthen oun O logos outos is tous Adelfous oti O Mathitis
ekinos ouk apothniski.
Ke ouk ipen afto O IIisous oti ouk apothniski, al ean
afton: Thelo minin eos erhome, ti pros se?
Outos estin O Mathitis O martiron peri touton ke grapsas
tafta; ke idamen oti Alithis estin i Martiria aftou.
Esti de ke alla polla osa epiisen O Iisous, atina ean
grafite kath en, oude afton ime ton kosmon horise
ta grafomena vivlia.
Amin
He said to him: Tend My sheep.
He said to him the third time: Simon, son of Jonah, do
you love Me?
Peter was grieved because He asked him a third time:
Do you love Me?
And he said to Him, Lord, Thou know all things; Thou
know that I love Thee.
Jesus said to him:, Feed My sheep.
Truly, truly, I say to you: when you were younger,
you girded yourself and walked where you wished;
but when you are old, you will stretch out your
hands, and another will gird you and carry you
where you do not wish to go.
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would
Glorify God.
And when He had spoken this, He said to him: Follow
Me!
Then Peter, turning around, saw the Disciple whom
Jesus Loved following, (who also had leaned on His
Breast at the Supper and asked: Lord, who is the
one who betrays Thee?)
Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus: Lord, what about this
man?
Jesus said to him: If I Will that he remain until I come,
what is that to you? You follow Me!
Then this saying went out among the Brethren that this
Disciple would not die.
Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but:
If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to
you?
This is the Disciple who testifies to these things, and
wrote these things; and we know that his Testimony
is True.
And there are also many other things that Jesus did,
which if they were written one by one, I suppose
that even the world itself could not contain the
books that would be written.
Amen
P r o k e i me n o n P s a l m 1 8 To n e 4
Hi s Voi ce i s gone out i nt o al l t he ear t h.
The Heavens decl ar e t he Gl or y of God
Th e F i r s t U n i v e r s a l E p i s t l e o f S t J o h n t h e Di v i n e 1 : 1 7
T H E I N C A R N A T I O N O F T H E W O R D & S O N O F G O D
Brethren, that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which
we have looked upon, and with our hands have touched, concerning the Word of Life the Life was manifested,
and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that Eternal Life that was with the Father and which was
manifested to us that which we have seen and heard, we declare to you, so that you also may have Fellowship
with us; and truly, our Fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
And these things we write to you so that your Joy may be full. This is the Message that we have heard from Him
and declare to you, that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have Fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practise the Truth. But if we
walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have Fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanses us from all sin.
Contrary to heretics who claim communion directly with God
through spiritual (non-material) means, ST JOHN THE DIVINE
THEOLOGIAN AND BELOVED APOSTLE OF CHRIST TAUGHT US
COMMUNION WITH GOD THROUGH HIS INCARNATE SON
ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST the Body and
Blood of Christ where the physicality of Christ is repulsive
to the heretics.
The term we is a reference to THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST
WHOSE TESTIMONY IS TRUE unlike that of the false apostles.
WHILE ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN MADE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN
DIVINE REVELATION (...which was from the beginning... the
Word of Life... AND HUMAN SENSORY PERCEPTION (... heard...
seen... looked upon... touched...), HE HAD NO PROBLEM
CONNECTING THEM.
NOTE ST JOHNS CLARITY OF TEACHING WITH REGARD TO CHRISTS TWO
NATURES: DIVINE ... from the beginning... the Word of
Life... AND HUMAN: ... heard... seen... touched.
When St John mentioned ... which was from the
beginning... he touched upon THE GENERATION WITHOUT
BEGINNING OF GOD THE SON WHO IS CO-EXISTENT WITH GOD THE
FATHER.
Was therefore, indicates ETERNITY WITHOUT BEGINNING, JUST AS
GOD THE WORD HIMSELF, THE SON OF GOD, BEING ONE WITH
GOD THE FATHER IN REGARD TO EQUALITY OF SUBSTANCE, IS ETERNAL
AND UNCREATED.
That THE WORD AND SON OF GOD ALWAYS EXISTED is signified by the
words: In the beginning was the Word...
c THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS REVEALED IN HIS LIFE
ON EARTH ESPECIALLY THROUGH HIS DIVINE TEACHING AND
MIRACLES.
Koinonia is FAR MORE THAT SIMPLY FELLOWSHIP. IT IS OUR PERSONAL
PARTICIPATION WITH OTHER BELIEVERS IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST. (WE
LIVE IN CHRIST.)
Fellowship with us, refers to COMMUNION ESPECIALLY
EUCHARISTIC COMMUNION WITHIN THE HOLY, APOSTOLIC
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE TO ST JOHN THE DIVINE THAT THE HOLY CHURCH
OF CHRIST COULD NOT BE ONE AND UNITED OR THAT FELLOWSHIP
S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N , E V A N G E L I S T & B E L O V E D A P O S T L E - 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 11.
COULD NOT BE FOUNDED UPON HOLY DOCTRINE THE
THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATION OF ... WITH THE FATHER AND WITH HIS
SON, JESUS CHRIST... AND ON THE HOLY MYSTERIES/SACRAMENTS
THE LITURGICAL IMPLICATION OF KOINONIA.
For St John the Divine Theologian, LIGHT IS DIVINE ENERGY
MANIFESTED OR REVEALED AS TRUTH GODS TRUTH TRUE
DOCTRINE/TEACHING, VIRTUE AND HOLINESS TRUE BEHAVIOUR
AND COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS HOLY CHURCH TRUE
SPIRITUALITY.
c THE STRONGEST OF ALL WEAPONS AGAINST SPIRITUAL DARKNESS IS
OUR LOVE FOR GOD A STRONG, VIBRANT RELATIONSHIP WITH
GOD.
St John addressed three false gnostic teachings on Light.
Their intertwined errors are that :
1. Union with God is indifferent to sin!
THE TRUTH IS THAT FAITH MUST BE EVIDENCED BY GOOD WORKS FAITH
MUST PRODUCE PURITY - PRACTISE THE TRUTH WHERE TRUTH IS A
RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD MANIFESTED IN A HOLY AND
RIGHTEOUS LIFE IN CHRIST. AND FAITH MUST SEEK FORGIVENESS AND
CLEANSING OF SIN ... the Blood of Jesus Christ...
Cleanses us from all sin.
2. Sin does not exist!
THE TRUTH IS THAT SIN DOES MOST CERTAINLY EXIST, AND THE PRACTISE OF
REPENTANCE-CONFESSION IS THE ESTABLISHED BASIS FOR SPIRITUAL
GROWTH TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS
3. One in union with God cannot sin!
The Truth is THAT ALTHOUGH WE CONTINUALLY SIN TO A GREATER OR
LESSER DEGREE, WE SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESIST
TEMPTATION AND STRIVE CONSTANTLY TO REPENT THE SINS WE
COMMIT.
SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS, in part towards
Theosis i.e REGAINING OUR LIKENESS TO GOD IN WHOSE IMAGE
AND LIKENESS WE WERE CREATED meaning that we DEVELOP
SPIRITUAL STRENGTH THAT RESISTS TEMPTATIONS.
THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE IS TO REGAIN - TO THE BEST OF OUR
ABILITY - OUR LIKENESS TO GOD SO THAT WE ARE FITTING CITIZENS
FOR HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE.
Th e Ho l y Go s p e l o f S t J o h n 1 9 : 2 5 - 2 8 & 2 1 : 2 4 - 2 5
T H E C A R E O F T H E E V E R B L E S S E D T H E O T O K O S & C O N F I R M A T I O N O F T H E T R U T H O F S T J O H N S H O L Y
G O S P E L
At that time there stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mothers sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and
Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw His Mother, and the Disciple whom He Loved standing by, He said to His Mother:
Woman: behold thy son! Then He said to the Disciple: Behold, thy Mother! And from that hour that Disciple
took her to his own home.
After this, Jesus knowing that all things are now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: I
thirst!
...This is the Disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is True.
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose that even
the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Amen.
In this passage, which is read on the Feast of St John the
Divine Theologian and Apostle of Christ, SEVERAL IMPORTANT
TRUTHS CONCERNING THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS THE EVER
VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, MARY ARE EVIDENT:
c By calling the Ever Blessed Theotokos Woman, OUR LORD
USED A TERM OF DIGNITY AND AFFECTION. Contrary to
certain modern usages, this is a Sacred Title in Holy
Scripture. It is an address conveying deep respect
and distinction.
c By saying to St John, His Beloved Apostle: Behold thy
Mother! OUR LORD SYMBOLICALLY ESTABLISHED THE ALL PURE
VIRGIN MARYS ROLE AS MOTHER OF ALL FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF
CHRIST IN EVERY GENERATION.
c IF OUR EVER BLESSED LADY HAD HAD OTHER NATURAL CHILDREN,
CHRIST WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PLACE HER IN THE CARE OF ST
JOHN AND HIS FAMILY their close and most trusted
relatives.
He would not have insulted other siblings.
However, the sons and daughters who are mentioned in
conjunction with the Blessed Virgin are in fact her cousins
the children of her late aunt Salome (sister of St Anna)
and her legal guardian, St Joseph the Betrothed.
WHEN THE TEMPLE PRIESTS PLACED THE YOUNG, PUBESCENT MARY INTO
THE PROTECTIVE GUARDIANSHIP OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED, HE
WAS IN HIS LATE EIGHTIES AND WAS A MOST RIGHTEOUS MAN WHOM
THE PRIESTS KNEW COULD BE TRUSTED TO PROTECT THE CHASTITY OF
THE YOUNG MAIDEN AND HER FELLOW VIRGIN COMPANIONS.
SHE HAD TAKEN A VOW OF CHASTITY FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD and
because VOWS WERE SO SACRED AND COULD NOT BE BROKEN,
God chose her elderly uncle to protect her and take
care of her since her own family had long since passed
away.
SHE IS OBLIQUELY REFERRED TO IN THE HOLY GOSPELS AS BEING THE
MOTHER OF JOSES OR JAMES, OR JUDE, etc.
The children of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife,
Salome, were St James the Just (Adelphotheos), Jude,
Joses, St Salome, (mother of St John the Divine
Theologian and Apostle and St James (the Lesser) and
Holy Myrrh-bearer) and another daughter whose name is
uncertified.
So, until her repose in Peace, several years later, the Ever
Blessed Theotokos lived with her cousin, Salome, and her
family.
THE APOSTOLIC TEACHING THAT THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN THEOTOKOS
MAINTAINED HER VOW OF CELIBACY THROUGHOUT HER LIFE IS
CONFIRMED BY CHRISTS ACTION.
c CHRIST DEMONSTRATED BY HIS OWN EXAMPLE THAT WE MUST
...EVEN TO OUR LAST BREATHE... SHOW EVERY CARE FOR OUR
PARENTS.
In those days, and even in certain cultures to this day, when
a woman was no longer protected by a male relative, all
her possessions were taken from her and she would be
cast out, homeless, destitute and at the mercy of
everyone else.
Christs Compassion for these women was clearly evident
when He resurrected the Widow of Nains son.
ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN AND APOSTLE OF CHRIST HAD ALSO
TAKEN A VOW OF CELIBACY AND REMAINED CELIBATE HIS ENTIRE LIFE,
HAVING DEVOTED HIMSELF ENTIRELY TO THE HOLY SERVICE OF GOD.
He was the only Holy Apostle of Christ to eventually repose
peacefully over 100 years of age, while the others had
all suffered Holy Martyrdom.
S t J o h n t h e T h e o l o g i a n , A p o s t l e & E v a n g e l i s t
St John was the son of St Salome and Zebedee, who was
a Fisherman of Galilee and who employed several
other Fishermen.
Zebedee was a respected member of the Hebrew
Community and was related to the High Priest.
St Salome was one of the daughters of St Joseph the
Betrothed and his late wife, Salome, and therefore the
cousin and step-daughter of the Ever Blessed
Theotokos, according to Hebrew Law.
St John was initially a Disciple of St John the Baptist and he
had listened intently to his witness of Christ as the
Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.
Together with St Andrew the First Called Apostle of Christ, St
John became a steadfast Disciples of our Lord, and
he and St James, his brother, were Called by Christ
Himself, after a successful catch of fish in the Sea of
Galilee.
Together with St Peter and St James, St John had a close
Relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ - being eye-
witnesses to the most important, heart-breaking and
triumphant Events of His earthly Life.
At the Last Supper, St John reclined against the bosom of
our Lord, which clearly demonstrated their close,
comfortable Relationship with each other. (The term
Bosom Friend comes from this demonstration of
Brotherly Love.)
Furthermore, being a close relative of our Lady Theotokos
and our Lord Jesus Christ, St John knew them both
S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N , E V A N G E L I S T & B E L O V E D A P O S T L E - 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 12
since his early childhood, which also explains why
Christ later bestowed the great honour of the
Protection and care of His Beloved, All Pure Mother to
St John.
St John was profoundly devoted to God and possessed
sincere Love, Humility and Obedience, as well as
other significant Virtues.
He Loved our Lord so zealously that he was filled with
indignation at those who were hostile to Him or who
rejected Him and His Divine Truth.
While they travelled through Samaria, St John prohibited
those who did not walk with Christ to cast out demons
in the Divine Name of our Lord, and he even asked
our Saviour to consume with Fire certain residents of a
Samaritan town for rejecting Him. (Mark 9:38 & Luke 9
: 54)
Consequently, St John and St James, his brother, were
nicknamed Sons of Thunder by our Lord.
Being as yet Unenlightened with Divine Grace by the Holy
Spirit, and compelled and encouraged by his Love of
our Lord Jesus, St John dared to request a place
close to our Lord in His Eternal Kingdom, for himself
and his brother, St James.
After explaining to them that it was not up to Him to
decide who received positions of honour in the
Heavenly Kingdom, our Lord then told His Apostles of
their impending persecution and Martyrdom, which
they would all have to endure for being His Faithful
Disciples.
After our Lords Resurrection, St John often accompanied
St Peter, together with whom he is considered a Pillar
of the Holy Church of Christ, and with whom he often
travelled to Jerusalem.
St John continued to take great care of the Holy Virgin
Theotokos, as Her most devoted son, and only after
Her Dormition did he begin to preach in other lands.
During St Johns Holy Ministry, he uniquely chose for himself
a specific Province and directed all his energy
towards the eradication of paganism by means of
teaching and preaching Christs Divine Truth to all who
were willing to hear.
As a result of his concerted efforts, St John founded seven
Church in Asia Minor in Ephesos, Smyrna, Pergamos,
Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Loadicia.
St John - the Beloved Apostle of Christ served as the
leading Christian authority in Ephesos for most of his
public Ministry and there, assisted by his faithful
Disciple, St Prochoros, he wrote his Holy Gospel.
During the reign of Emperor Domitian (81-96), St John as
the sole surviving Holy Apostle of Christ - was
summoned to Rome and by the Decree of this
obsessive persecutor of the Holy Church he was
thrown into boiling oil, but the Divine Power of God
Saved him unscathed just as He had Saved the
Three Holy Youths from their fiery furnace so many
centuries before.
When the Emperor realised that St John had Divine
Protection (which he certainly did not want to accept
or understand) and in order to prevent the masses
from converting wholesale to Christianity when they
realised the Almighty Power of the One True God, St
John was exiled to the desert island of Patmos where
he wrote the Apocalypse or the Book of the
Revelation (of Christ).
After the death of Emperor Domitian, St John returned to
Ephesos, and the Bishops and Priests of the Ephesian
Church showed him three Holy Gospels that had
been written by St Matthew, St Mark and St Luke.
Having approved these Holy Gospels, St John deemed it
necessary to supplement that which was lacking and
which he knew well, being the last of the first hand
eye witnesses to the Life of Christ on earth.
This was of extreme importance since towards the end of
the first century several active Gnostic sects had
developed, which abased and even denied the
Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is truly the
Incarnate, Eternal, Only Begotten Word and Son of
God the Father.
Thus it was imperative to protect the Faithful Disciples of
Christ from those false, heretical and blasphemous
teachings and ideas.
In his Holy Gospel, St John explains our Saviours Sermons
that He delivered while in Judea, many of which were
directed at the learned Scribes - and because they
were more difficult to understand, they had been
excluded from the first three Holy Gospels of the
Apostles, which were designated for the newly
converted Gentiles or pagans.
Before beginning to write His Holy Gospel, St John
designated a Fasting Period in the Church of Ephesos
and withdrew with his Disciple, St Prochoros to the
mountain cave where he then wrote his Holy Gospel.
From ancient times the Holy Gospel according to St John
were Divinely Inspired, Guided and Spirit Filled.
In comparison with the other three Holy Gospels, St Johns
Gospel contains more of the Sermons of our Lord
concerning the deepest Truths of Faith the Holy
Trinity, the Glory of God Christs Incarnation, Life and
Works the Spiritual, Theological Dimension, the
Sacramental Dimension, the Church, the Paschal
Theme and the Redemption of the world.
From the first words, St John elevates our thoughts to the
heights of the Divine Emanation of the Son of God the
Father: In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God... (JOHN
1:1)
St John explained the aim of his Holy Gospel: ... these
are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, you
might have Life through His Name. (JOHN 20:31)
Besides the Holy Gospel and the Apocalypse, St John also
wrote three Epistles, which were incorporated into the
Books of the New Testament as Ecumenical
(Universal) Epistles, the main concern being that as
Christians as Faithful Disciples of Christ we must
learn to Love (unconditionally) Beloved: let us Love
one another, for Love is of God; and everyone who
Loves is Born of God, and knows God. He who does
not Love does not know God; for God is Love. (1
JOHN 4 : 7 8)
During the last years of his life St John preached only one
precept: Children, Love one another! And when his
Disciples asked: "Why do you repeat yourself?" St John
replied: "This is the most important Commandment.
If you will fulfil it, then you will fulfil all of Christ's
Commandments."
This Love would turn into a fiery fervour when St John met
false-prophets who corrupted the Faithful and
deprived them of Eternal Salvation.
In a public building he saw the false prophet, Cerinthos,
who denied the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
he said to his Disciple: "Let us depart quickly - I fear
this building might collapse around us!"
St John finally Reposed naturally circa 105 years of age
being the only Apostle to do so (during the reign of
Emperor Trajan.)
The circumstances of St Johns Repose were unusual and
even puzzling, for at his own insistence, he was buried
alive!
The following day, when his undisturbed grave was
reopened, the body of St John was no longer there.
This Event affirmed the belief of some Christians that St
John would not die but would live until the Second
Coming/Reappearance of Christ - and that he will
unmask the Antichrist.
The words of our Saviour just before his Ascension caused
some people to erroneously surmise this, for when St
Peter asked Christ about St John: ..., And what about
this man? our Lord replied: If I will that he remain
until I come (the second time), what is that to you?
You, follow Me!
St John mentioned this in his Gospel, concluding: ...Then
went this saying out among the brethren, that this
Disciple should not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him
that he would not die, but: ...if I Will that he remain
until I come, what is that to you? (JOHN 21:22-23).
4
T H
S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A T H E P A R A L Y T I C O F B E T H E S D A 1 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4
13
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P TO THE FATHER, AND T O T HE SON, AND T O T HE HOLY
SPI RI T , NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNT O THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS LADY,
MARI A, THEOT OKOS, YET EVER VI RGI N, T OGET HER WI TH ALL T HE SAI NTS. AND LET US COMMI T
OURSELVES AND ONE ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE LI FE TO CHRI ST OUR GOD. AMEN.
11 May 2014
Tone 3
4
t h
S u n d a y o f Ho l y P a s c h a
S u n d a y o f t h e P a r a l y t i c o f Be t h e s d a
AL S O T HE FE AS T OF T HE
COMME MOR AT I ON OF T HE FOU NDI NG
OF CONS T ANT I NOP L E I N 402 ST
MOKI OS T HE PRE S B Y T E R OF
AMP HI P OL I S , MA CE DONI A ST CY R I L
& ST ME T HODI OS OF T HE S S AL ONI KA , EQUAL S T O T HE AP OS T L E S & ENL I GHT E NE RS OF T HE
SL AVS ST S OP HR ONI OS T HE RE CL US E OF KI E V FAR CA VE S MONAS T E RY ST JOS E P H
T HE ME T ROP OL I T AN & HI E ROMART Y R OF AS T RAK HAN ST NI K ODE MOS OF SE RB I A &
I GUME N OF HI L ANDAR MONAS T E RY , MOUNT AT HOS ST ROS T I S L AV, PR I NCE OF GRE AT
MOR AVI A ST DI OS KOROS T HE NE W HOL Y MART Y R S T AR GY ROS T HE NE W HOL Y
MART Y R ST CHR I S T OP HE R OF GE ORGI A
harisamenos!
Evfrenestho ta Ourania, agaliastho ta epigia, oti epiise
Kratos en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to
Thanato ton Thanaton.Prototokos ton nekron egeneto.
Ek kilias Adou errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to
Mega Eleos.
Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the
Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has
trampled down Death by Death; He has become the
First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He
has delivered us, and to the world He has granted
Great Mercy.
P A S C H A L K O N T A K I O N T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4
I ke en Tafo katilthes, Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles
tin Dinamin. Ke anestis os Nikitis, Hriste O Theos,
ginexi Myroforis fthegxamenos Herete, ke tis Sis
Aposlis irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon
Anastasin.
Although Thou went down into the Tomb, O Immortal
One, Thou brought down the dominion of Hades; and
Thou rose as Victor, O Christ our God; and Thou
called out: Rejoice! to the Myrrh-Bearing Women,
and granted Peace to Thine Apostle, O Lord, Who to
the Fallen grant Resurrection.
F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N O F S U N D A Y O F T H E P A R A L Y T I C T O N E 3
Tin psihin mou Kyrie, en amarties panties, ke atomis
praxesi, dinos paralelimenin, egiron ti theiki sou
epistasia, osper ke ton Paraliton igiras pale, ina krazo
sesosmenos: > Iktirmon Doxa, Hriste, to krati Sou.
I have sinned in every way, I have improperly acted;
therefore with paralysis my soul is woefully stricken.
Raise it up, O Lord, through Tine own Divine
Attention, even as of old Thou raised up the
Paralytic, so that Save, I may cry: > Glory to Thy
Dominion, O my Compassionate Christ!
Re s u r r e c t i o n Go s p e l 5 : L u k e 2 4 : 1 2 3 5
O U R R I S E N L O R D J E S U S A P P E A R S A L O N G T H E R O A D T O E M M A U S
Si ng Pr ai s es t o our God! Si ng Pr ai s es t o our Ki ng!
Cl ap your hands , al l y our Nat i ons !
Th e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 9 : 3 2 4 2
S T P E T E R I N G E N T I L E J U D E A
Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also went down to the Saints who dwelt
in Lydda. There he found a certain man names Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralysed.
And Peter said to him: Aeneas, Jesus the Christ Heals you. Arise, and make you bed. And he arose
immediately.
And all who dwelt in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
At Joppa there was a certain Disciple, named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of Good
Works and Charitable Deeds, which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died.
When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the Disciples
had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then
Peter arose and went with them.
When he arrived, they took him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him, weeping, showing the tunics
and garments that Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down, and
prayed. And turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise! and she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter,
she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the Saints and widows, he
presented her alive.
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
14 . 4
T H
Lydda is approximately 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem and
Sharon was a region north of Lydda along the
Mediterranean coastline.
THE TERM SAINTS REFERRED TO ALL CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS, for all who
believe in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ with their
whole heart AND WHO ARE SANCTIFIED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE BY
DEFINITION SAINTS.
The later use of the term, referring to Holy People who lived
particularly exemplary lives and who have been
Canonised (Glorified) by the Holy Church of Christ does
not negate this primary meaning.
St Peter was able to completely heal the paralysed Aeneas
BY INVOKING THE AMAZING DIVINE HEALING POWER OF OUR LORD
THROUGH HIS HOLY NAME, WHICH CONTINUES IN CHRISTS HOLY
CHURCH TO THIS VERY DAY.
The Divine Signs or Miracles of the Holy Apostles of Christ
convinced many witnesses and others who then turned
to the Lord.
THESE DIVINE SIGNS OR MIRACLES PROVE THE GREAT MERCY AND POWER
OF ALMIGHTY GOD THUS CONFIRMING CHRISTS HOLY GOSPEL
AND LEADING MANY SOULS TO SINCERE REPENTANCE AND ETERNAL
LIFE IN CHRIST.
St Peters raising St Tabitha from the dead parallels Christs
raising the daughter of the Synagogue Ruler, Jairus, from
death.
Th e Ho l y Go s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 5 : 1 1 5
CHR I S T OU R L OR D & SA V I OU R HE A L S T HE P A R A L Y S E D MA N A T BE T HE S DA , T HE SHE E P GA T E P OOL
At that time there was a Feast of the Hebrews, and our Lord Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem,
by the Sheep Gate, a pool, which is called in Hebrew: Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great
multitude of sick people: blind, lame and paralysed waiting for the moving of the water. For an Angel went
down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then, whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of
the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew
that he already had been in that condition for a long time, He said to him: Do you want to be made well? The
sick man answered Him: Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am
going, another steps down before me. Jesus said to him: Rise. Take up your bed and walk. And
immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
The Hebrews, therefore, said to him who was cured: It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed. He
answered them: He Who made me well said to me: Take up your bed and walk. Then they asked him: Who is
the Man Who said to you: Take up your bed and walk? But the one who was healed did not know Who it was,
for Jesus had withdrawn a multitude being in that place.
Afterwards Jesus found him in the Temple and said to him: Behold: you have been made well. Sin no more, lest
a worse thing come upon you.
The man departed and told the Hebrews that it was Jesus Who had made him well.
This Divine Healing was the Third Sign or Miracle that St John
the Divine Apostle recorded in his Holy Gospel.
] IT EXEMPLIFI ES THE DI VINE POWER OF CHRI ST OUR LORD TO
RESTORE A PERSON TO WHOLENESS TO FULL HEALTH,
DESPI TE THE DEGREE OF AFFLI CTION.
The Feast, which is referred to, was the Old Covenant
Pentecost also known as the Feast of Weeks, which
celebrates the granting of the Divine Law the Ten
Commandments of God to St Moses on Mount Sinai.
(THE REFERENCES TO THE LAW OF MOSES LATER IN THIS CHAPTER
CONFIRM THIS INTERPRETATION OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS..)
The double-basin Pool of Bethesda, which was believed to
have had miraculous curative powers, has been re-
discovered about 100 yards North of the Temple area,
near to the Sheep Gate.
The water for this high-ground pool came from underground
springs and was used to wash the SACRIFICIAL LAMBS before
they WERE SLAUGHTERED AS BLOOD OFFERINGS FOR THE
ATONEMENT AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS ACCORDING TO THE OLD
COVENANT LAW.
] THE POOL OF BETHESDA FUNCTIONED AS A TYPE OF HOLY BAPTISM:
UNDER THE OLD COVENANT, ALTHOUGH A GREAT MULTITUDE
WAITED to enter the water for physical healing after
an Angel of God had touched it and stirred it up,
ONLY ONE PERSON WAS HEALED AT A TI ME.
The water was special because I N AN INDIRECT MANNER IT
WAS PART OF THE BLOOD SACRI FICES of the Holy Temple of
Jerusalem, since the sacrificial animals were cleansed in
the water.
However, DIVINE GRACE WAS LIMITED TO THE FIRST PERSON
WHO ENTERED THE WATER BUT NOT TO THE REST.
] GODS NEW COVENANT BAPTISM IS GRANTED TO ALL NATIONS AS A
DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN CHRISTS OWN SACRIFICIAL DEATH
WITHOUT THE MEDIATION OF HIS ANGELS.
Holy Baptism of the New (Bloodless) Covenant GRANTS
US ALL HEALING OF THE BODY AND OF THE
IMMORTAL SOUL,
AS WELL AS THE DIVI NE PROMI SE OF ETERNAL
RESURRECTI ON OF THE BODY.
Furthermore, DIVINE GRACE OF THE NEW COVENANT IS
INEXHAUSTIBLE AND IS OFFERED TO ALL WHO SEEK I T.
] According to St John Chrysostom, OUR LORD JESUS CHRI ST
SINGLED OUT THE MAN WHO HAD SUFFERED FOR THI RTY-
EIGHT YEARS PATI ENTLY WAI TI NG TO BE HEALED I N
ORDER TO TEACH US TO PERSEVERE AND TO HAVE
PATI ENCE, WHILE BEI NG A JUDGEMENT OR
CONDEMNATION AGAINST THOSE WHO LOSE HOPE OR
PATI ENCE ALTOGETHER THOSE WHO DESPAI R WHO
LOSE ALL HOPE AND FAI TH IN GODS DI VINE
PROVI DENCE because their circumstances are not
according to their own will and desires and
especially when we have only minor problems that
can be easily resolved if we make an effort to do so.
] GOD DOES EVERYTHI NG IN HIS OWN TIME AND ACCORDI NG
TO HIS OWN DIVI NE WILL BECAUSE ONLY HE KNOWS
WHAT IS BEST FOR US AND HOW TO HELP US.
WE USUALLY HAVE TO CORRECT SOMETHING TO DO WITH OUR OWN
PERSONAL SPIRITUAL CONDITION BEFORE WE ARE ABLE TO
RECEIVE OR EXPERIENCE GODS DIVINE GRACE AND MERCY:
WE NEED TO REPENT OUR SINS, TO HUMBLE OURSELVES, TO LEARN
OBEDIENCE TO GOD, TO FORGIVE OTHERS, TO DO UNSELFISH
AND LOVING (CHARITABLE) ACTS OF MERCY WITHOUT
EXCEPTION, LEARN TO BE PATIENT, KIND, GENTLE, GENEROUS,
DEVELOP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND TO FULFIL ALL OUR SACRED
DUTIES AND COMMITMENTS WITH WILLING AND EAGER HEARTS.
] ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM STRANGE THAT OUR LORD ASKED THE
PARALYSED MAN I F HE WANTED TO BE HEALED, I T WAS A
MOST RELEVANT QUESTI ON FOR SEVERAL REASONS:
It made public the fact that THE SI CK MAN KEPT HIS
FAITH EVEN I N A SITUATION THAT WAS SEEMINGLY
HOPELESS, for how could a paralytic ever be the
first into the water?
Our Lord drew attention away from the water and
towards THE NEED WE ALL HAVE FOR THE HELP AND
ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHERS, WHI CH IS FULFI LLED
IN CHRI ST HIMSELF, Who became Man in order to
heal all ailing and fallen mankind.
NOT EVERYONE WHO I S I LL ACTUALLY DESIRES HEALING,
for sadly, some prefer to remain infirm in order to
have an excuse or licence to complain, to avoid
any responsibility for their lives, or to continue
drawing the pity of others!
Although Mosaic Law did not specifically forbid the carrying
of burdens on the Sabbath, it was prohibited and
explicitly forbidden in Rabbinical Teachings.
JEREMI AH 17 : 23 The Lord said: ... if you will not hear
Me so as to Sanctify the Sabbath Days, and bear no
burdens, nor enter the gates of Jerusalem on the
Sabbath Days, then I will kindle a fire in her gates. It will
consume the streets of Jerusalem and will not be
quenched.
St Jeremiah the Holy Prophet of God delivered the Word of
the Lord which commanded that Israel stop violating the
Sabbath Day. The Reward for Obedience to God is a
4
T H
S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A T H E P A R A L Y T I C O F B E T H E S D A 1 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4 15.
gathering of the nations into Jerusalem to offer sacrifice
and although this was done after the Exile, it was not
completely fulfilled until the Gentiles joined the
procession on the Day of Pentecost.
The Truth that Christ is Lord over the Sabbath is made clear by
His Command to the Paralytic and by the mans
unhesitating Obedience to Him.
As is often the case in the Holy Gospel according to St John,
HEBREWS REFERS TO THE LEADERS - and not to the people
in general WHOSE MALICE IS QUITE EVIDENT BECAUSE THEY
FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH
RATHER THAN ON THE GREAT MIRACLE OF THE LONG-
SUFFERING PARALYTI C.
] THE GENUI NE AND PROFOUND FAI TH OF THE MAN IS
DEMONSTRATED BY HIS I MMEDIATELY GOING TO THE
TEMPLE TO OFFER HIS HEARTFELT THANKSGI VING AND
WORSHIP, instead of going home, or anywhere else
to show off his healed body.
Furthermore, ALL MIRACULOUS HEALINGS HAD TO BE
CONFI RMED BY THE TEMPLE PRIESTS, FOLLOWED BY VARI OUS
CLEANSI NG AND SACRIFICI AL RITES ACCORDI NG TO
MOSAI C LAW.
While there is a general connection between sin and
suffering, this connection is not always one to one, for the
innocent often suffer while the guilty seem to be spared
earthly consequences.
Nevertheless, OUR SI NS USUALLY LEAD DI RECTLY TO MOST OF THE
SUFFERING OF THIS WORLD OUR OWN SUFFERI NG AND
EVEN WORSE - THE SUFFERI NG OF OTHERS DUE TO OUR
SELFISH OR THOUGHTLESS ACTI ONS.
Christs dire warning: Sin no more... was NOT ONLY
ADDRESSED TO THE HEALED MAN, BUT TO EACH AND EVERY
ONE OF US!
] SIN CAUSES SPI RI TUAL DEATH, WHICH ONLY REPENTANCE
CAN RESOLVE BY RETURNI NG US TO SPI RI TUAL LIFE I N
CHRI ST.
However, IF WE STUBBORNLY REFUSE TO
ACKNOWLEDGE, CONFESS AND REPENT OUR SI NS THEY
WILL DESTROY OUR SOUL leading to a far worse
consequence than any terrible, painful or disabling
affliction of the body!
Our only hope is to RESIST ALL TEMPTATI ON AND SIN BY
BESEECHI NG THE LORD OUR GOD FOR HIS DIVI NE STRENGTH
AND ASSISTANCE.
THE HEALED PARALYTI C DI D NOT REPORT OUR LORD JESUS TO
THE HEBREW LEADERS IN A MALICI OUS MANNER BUT AS A
WITNESS OF CHRI STS ABSOLUTE GOODNESS, for even
though those misguided leaders were only interested in
the violation of the Sabbath, the restored man
emphasised that it was our Lord Jesus Who had healed
him, without saying anything about carrying his bed i.e.
WITHOUT BLAMING CHRI ST FOR CAUSI NG HIM TO BREAK THE
SABBATH.
F o u r t h S u n d a y o f Ho l y P a s c h a - S u n d a y o f t h e P a r a l y t i c a t Be t h e s d a
Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a
worse thing come unto Thee! (JOHN 5:14)
This is the Commandment that our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ gave to the Paralytic of Bethesda whom
He had Healed.
Beloved Brethren: this Commandment of our Lord has
enormous importance for us.
It teaches us that we are subjected to sickness and
other catastrophes of this earthly life due to our
sins.
Although God constantly Delivers us from ailments and
calamities, we repeatedly return to our sinful
lifestyles, which in turn causes us to frequently
suffer the consequences that become far more
onerous than those with which we were first
punished - in order to bring us to our senses.
Sin is the cause of all mankinds sorrows both in time
and in Eternity.
Sorrow and suffering are the natural consequences the
natural results of sin just as pain produced by
physical illness is the unavoidable characteristic and
consequence of certain diseases.
Sin in the broad sense applies to the Fall (from Divine
Grace) of mankind, or Spiritual Death, which affects
every human being without exception.
Some sins are the sad inheritance of whole societies.
Finally, each of us has our own personal, specific sins
that we have committed and which apply to us alone
- for which we personally are to be held accountable.
Sin in all these various forms is the beginning of all
sorrows and catastrophes to which all humanity is
subjected to which all human societies are
subjected and to which each of us in particular is
subjected.
The state of Fallenness - Spiritual Death - by which all
mankind is infected and stricken, is the source of all
other human sins both societal and personal.
Our widespread, sin-poisoned nature has acquired the
ability and inclination to sin for we have subjected
ourselves to sin, and we can neither remove sin
from ourselves, nor do we avoid it in many of our
activities.
Those who have not been Renewed (through
Repentance-Confession) cannot help but sin, even
though they may not want to sin. (ROMANS 7:1423).
There are three Punishments (or rather Consequences
of sin) determined by Gods Righteous Judgement
upon all mankind for the sins we have committed.
Two of them have already happened, and one is yet to
happen.
The first was Eternal Death, to which all mankind was
subjected at its root our Forefathers (Adam and
Eve) for Disobedience to God in Paradise.
The second was the Great Flood, which occurred
because mankind allowed the flesh to overcome the
spirit, and lowered themselves to the degradation of
irrational beings.
The Final Punishment/Consequence will be the
destruction and end of this visible world for our
apostasy (rejection of Divine Truth) from our
Creator and Redeemer - for mankinds ultimate
deviation into communion with fallen angels!
Quite often, a particular kind of sin engulfs whole
societies, which brings Divine Punishment down
upon them. Thus the entire cities of Sodom and
Gomorrah were consumed by Fire that fell from the
sky due to their unlawful, debauched, immoral,
fleshly pleasures.
Thus, too, the Israelites were subjected - more than
once - to alien nations for worshiping pagan idols -
and not one stone was left upon the other in
magnificent Jerusalem, and so many of its
inhabitants perished by Roman sword after having
rejected and killed our True Saviour.
Sin is infectious; it is hard for individuals to resist the
evil that ensnares entire societies.
In the long 38 years of suffering by the Paralytic of
Bethesda who was finally Healed by our Lord Jesus
Christ, we see an example of the consequences
caused by the sins of one individual, whose
Repentance, Faith, Hope and Patience was rewarded
by God.
Let us, now, direct particular attention to our own
personal sinfulness with which we are all afflicted -
for this can have a saving influence upon what we
do - by diverting us from the path of lawlessness,
and directing us according to Gods Will.
Enlightened by Divine Law, we learn that God in His
Infinite Mercy, being Perfect in the Righteousness of
His Judgement, will unfailingly render due Eternal
Condemnation for our sinful life.
On the other hand He will reward us with Blissful
Eternal Life in His Kingdom if we have ceaselessly
Struggled and Repented.
This conviction incites us to apply all our strength and
determination towards freeing ourselves from the
bondage of our own passions and the corruption of
immoral society, in order to deliver ourselves from
temporary and Eternal Spiritual Death, which exiles
us from God and all His Goodness.
Before the time of our Redemption, all people were
possessed by sin and were enslaved to the demands
of evil acting even against their own will. (ABBA
DOROTHEOS, HOMILY 1)
After the Redemption of mankind by the God-Man,
Jesus Christ, those who believe in Him and who are
16. 4
T H
Renewed by Holy Baptism are no longer shackled or
enslaved by sin.
Instead we have our natural freedom free will - to
CHOOSE either to resist or surrender to sin.
However, those who willingly choose wickedness instead
of Righteousness, again lose their freedom, and are
forcibly overcome by sin, (until they Repent.)
(MATTHEW 12:4445)
Those who are Guided by the Word of God, conduct
unabated Warfare against sin and are able to resist
temptations and will eventually conquer
sinfulness completely.
Victory over our own sinfulness is at the same time
Victory over Eternal Death.
Those who achieve Spiritual Victory over temptation
and sin, it will easily resist the wicked attractions of
society.
This is evident from the Lives of the Holy Martyrs, who -
having conquered sin in themselves - withstood and
rebuked physical and spiritual error and did not
hesitate to seal their Sacred Testimony with their
blood.
Those who are fascinated and blinded by their own sin
cannot resist the attraction of societys corruption
and temptations for they cannot see it clearly and
do not perceive its fatal deceptions.
As a result they neither renounce nor resist the
immorality and depravity that surrounds us (which
alienates us from God and everything that is good,
pure and worthy) and they voluntarily choose to
accept and participate in it themselves.
The essence of Ascetical Striving against sin - the
Spiritual Struggle that every Christian is obliged to
fulfil - consists of ceaseless Spiritual Warfare
against temptation and sin by breaking all ties to it -
by gaining control of our body and soul mind and
heart.
Eternal Death is hidden in the heart; a person is dead
through it, although he outwardly lives. He who has
gone from Death to Life in the secret recesses of his
heart will live for ages, and will never die. Although
the bodies of such people may depart for a time from
their souls, they are Sanctified, and will Arise with
Glory. For this reason, we call the death of the Saints
Sleep. (or Repose) (ST. MACARIOS THE GREAT - HOMILY 1,
CHAPTER 2)
All the Saints - without exception and regardless of
their Victory over Eternal Death and Revelation of
Eternal Life within themselves, even during this
temporal life - were subjected to many difficult
sorrows and temptations. (HEBREWS 12:8),
This is due to the nature of all sinners to suffer Divine
Punishment. (i.e. to suffer the consequences of sinful
deeds those of others as well as our own sins, rather
than being Gods Punishment or Revenge!! mp)
Why then do Gods Elect not escape the Divine Rod,
which strikes them as well?
Although sinfulness has been conquered in Righteous
people - although Eternal Death is destroyed by the
Presence of the Holy Spirit in them - they have not
been given Immutable Goodness that would remain
throughout the course of their earthly sojourn - the
freedom to choose good or evil has not been taken
away from them. (ST MACARIOS THE GREAT, HOMILY 7, CHAPTER 4 &
ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN, HOMILY 1)
Immutable Goodness belongs to the future Age. Earthly
life - up until its Final Hour - is a field of voluntary
and involuntary Ascetical Labours.
... I [mortify] my body, and bring it into subjection: lest
that by any means, when I have preached to others, I
myself should be a castaway. (1 CORINTHIANS 9:27)
St Paul was referring to a body Salted and Sanctified by
Divine Grace, a body uninjured by cruel venom,
whose garments produced Healings.
Even such a body required enslavement and
mortification, so that its mortified passions might
not be revived and Eternal Death not be resurrected!
Although being a Sanctified Vessel of the Holy Spirit,
Eternal Death can be Resurrected in any Christian
for as long as we live, and sinfulness can again
encompass our soul and body.
But the Podvig alone of the servants of God is not
enough to mortify the fallenness/wickedness that
nests in our human nature, which continually strives
to regain its dominion over us so we always need
Help and Strength from God.
[Podvig is the untranslatable Russian word denoting especial
Ascetical Labour, Spiritual Effort or Struggle.]
God helps us with His Grace and Fatherly Punishing
Rod according to each ones Grace.
[Rather than punishing us Himself, God permits us to suffer the
consequences of sin and temptation especially when we
reject or drift away from Divine Grace, in order to compel
us to return to His Loving Embrace. mp]
... lest I should be exalted above measure through the
abundance of the Revelations, there was given to me
a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet
me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
(2 CORINTHIANS 12:7)
St Paul believed that God allowed him to suffer
whatever his thorn in the flesh was because of his
exalted Spiritual Progress, because of the many
Divine Revelations granted to him, because of the
many Spiritual Gifts he had received, and because of
the many Miracles that he performed in order to
keep him Humble, Obedient, and reliant on Divine
Providence and Mercy a worthy servant of God.
Our nature is so injured by sinful poison that the
abundance of Gods Grace can serve as the cause of
pride and destruction.
St Paul met neither honour, nor glory, nor
unquestioning Obedience when he preached Christ
to the Universe, even proving the Truth of his
Preaching through Signs - for an angel/demon of
Satan set his traps everywhere resistance,
humiliation, persecution, attacks, and death.
Knowing that this all happens as God permits it, St Paul
exclaimed: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses for Christ's sake. (2 CORINTHIANS 12:10)
St Paul found it necessary to mortify (CONTROL OR SUPPRESS
THE DEMANDS OF ) his body, so that from a relaxed body
fleshly passions would not arise; while Gods
Providence saw to the need to guard his soul from
pride through sorrows, for even the purest human
nature has pride hidden in it. (ST MACARIOS THE GREAT -
HOMILY 7, CHAPTER 4)
For this reason, faithful servants of God subject
themselves to voluntary deprivations and sorrows
while Gods Providence allows them to suffer
various temptations in order to supplement their
Podvigs and to preserve them from the corruption
of sin through sorrows.
The path of earthly life has always been laborious,
thorny, full of deprivations, and laden with
countless misfortunes: Some were tortured, not
accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a
better Resurrection: And others had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds
and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were
sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the
sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of
whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in
deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of
the earth... (HEBREWS 11:3538).
It is not pleasing to God that His servants, for whom
He has prepared Eternal, Permanent Glory and
Honour in Heaven, should abide as Honoured and
Glorified with vain and temporary honour in this
transitory and unstable world. (ST SYMEON METAPHRASTES
THE LIFE OF GREAT MARTYR EUSTATHIOS - MENAION, 20 SEPTEMBER)
This is because we are unable to abide at the heights of
earthly magnificence and well-being without harm
to our soul.
Even those who are equal to the Angels in morality
would be shaken, because the potential to revert is
implanted in our soul through our Ancestral Fall
and we cannot resist conforming to the inclinations
to our outward, material circumstances. (ST. ISAAC THE
SYRIAN, HOMILY 1)
... (continued)...
F OR T HE COMP L E T E S E RMON OF
S T . I GNAT I US ( B RI ANCHANI NOV)
P L E AS E GO T O
HT T P : / / WWW. P RAVOS L AV I E . RU/ E NGL I S H/ 3
5019. H T M
4
T H
S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A T H E P A R A L Y T I C O F B E T H E S D A 1 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4 17.
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P T O THE FATHER, AND TO T HE SON, AND TO T HE HOLY SPI RI T ,
NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNT O THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS LADY, MARI A,
THEOT OKOS, YET EVER VI RGI N, TOGETHER WI TH ALL THE SAI NT S. AND LET US COMMI T OURSELVES AND
ONE ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE LI FE TO CHRI ST OUR GOD. AMEN.
14 May 2014
Mi d P e n t e c o s t
AL S O T HE FE AS T OF ST I S I DORE OF
CHI OS ST T HE RAP ONT OS OF CY P RUS
- ST L E ONT I OS , PAT R I AR CH OF
JE RUS AL E M ST I S I DORE , F OOL F OR
CHR I S T & WONDE RWOR KE R OF
ROS T OV ST NI K I T A, B I S HOP OF
ROS T OV & RE CL US E OF K I E V FAR
CAVE S MONAS T E RY ST MA XI MOS ,
HOL Y MART Y R ST SE RAP I ON T HE SI NDONI T E OF EGY P T ST T I K HON OF Z ADONS K ,
FI RS T OP E NI NG OF HOL Y RE L I CS ST JOHN ( RAI KO) OF BUL GAR I A
P A S C H A L A P O L Y T I K I O N
F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F M I D P E N T E C O S T T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4 :
Mesousis tis Eortis, disosan mou tin psihin, efsevias
potison namata; oti pasi Sotir evoisas: O dispason
erhestho pros me ke pineto. I Pigi tis Zois, Hriste O
Theos imon Doxa Si.
Halfway to the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with
flowing Streams of Piety; for Thou, O Saviour, cried
to all: Those who thirst, come to Me and drink! O
Fountain of Life, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!
K O N T A K I O N O F M I D - P E N T E C O S T
Tis Eortis tis nomikis mesazousis, O Ton apanton Piitis ke
Despotis, pros tous parontas eleges Hriste O Theos.
Defte ke arisasthe, idor athanasias. Othen Si
prospiptomen, ke Pistos ekvoomen. Tous iktirmous
Sou dorise imin. Si gar iparhis Pigi tis zois imon.
When the Paschal Feast was half-completed, O the
Creator of all and their Master, Thou said to those
present, O Christ our God: Come to Me and draw
now, the Water that is Immortal. Wherefore, we
fall down before Thee and cry out in Faith: Thy
Great Mercies grant to us; for Thou art indeed, the
Fount of our lives.
Si ng Pr ai s es t o our God! Si ng Pr ai s es t o our Ki ng!
Cl ap your hands , al l y our Nat i ons !
Th e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 4 : 6 1 8
T H E C H U R C H O F C H R I S T I N I C O N I U M , G A L A T I A
Brethren: When a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Hebrews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone
the Apostles, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding
region. And they preached the Gospel there.
And in Lystra a certain man was sitting, who had no strength in his feet a cripple from his mothers womb who
had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently, and seeing that he had Faith to
be Healed, said with a loud voice: Stand up straight on your feet! And he leapt and walked.
Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language: The gods
have come down to us in the likeness of men! And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, since he was
the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, took oxen and garlands to
the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
But when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard this, they tore their clothing and ran in among the multitude,
crying out and saying: Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and
preach to you so that you should turn from these useless things to the Living God, Who made the Heavens, the
earth, the sea, and all things that are in them; Who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own
ways.
Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without Witness, in that He did Good: He gave us rain from heaven and
fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
And with these sayings, they could scarcely retain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
According to St John Chrysostom, THE UNFITTING PRAISE OF THE
LYCAONIANS WAS ... A CONTRIVANCE OF THE DEVIL... WHO TRIED
TO LEAD THE PEOPLE TO A NEW FORM OF IDOLATRY AS WELL AS TRYING
TO TEMPT ST PAUL AND ST BARNABAS INTO THE FATAL SIN OF PRIDE
AND ARROGANCE.
While St Paul preached Christ to the Hebrews by using the Old
Testament, in Lycaonia he used a starting point that was
most accessible and understandable to his audience.
THE PEOPLES IMMEDIATE CHANGE FROM WORSHIPPING THE HOLY
APOSTLES OF CHRIST TO PERSECUTING THEM SHOWS THEIR MOB
MENTALITY, AND TEACHES US THAT A FAITH THAT IS BASED SOLELY ON
OBVIOUS MIRACLES IS FICKLE, WEAK AND UNSTABLE BECAUSE IT IS SO
EASILY SHATTERED AND LOST.
We must have FAITH IN GOD DUE TO A DEEP, PERSONAL CONVICTION
AND LOVE OF GOD SOMETHING THAT COMES NATURALLY ONLY
FROM WITHIN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS BUT WHICH CANNOT BE
FORCED NOR TAUGHT.
It is A NATURAL RESPONSE OF OUR SOUL, WHICH HAS COME FROM GOD
AND WHICH NEEDS TO RETURN TO HIM.
TRUE FAITH IN GOD IS A DEEP-SEATED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND
RECOGNITION OF HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND A PERSONAL COMPULSION
OR YEARNING TO LIVE EVERY MOMENT IN CHRIST.
>Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato
Thanaton patistas, ke tis en tis mnimasi,
Zoin harisamenos!
18. MI D - P E N T E C O S T WE D N E S D A Y 1 4 M A Y 2 0 1 4
Th e Ho l y Go s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 7 : 1 4 3 0
O U R L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T T E A C H E S I N T H E T E M P L E A T M I D - P E N T E C O S T
At that time, about the middle of the Feast Jesus went up into the Temple and taught. And the Hebrews marvelled,
saying: How does this Man know letters, having never studied? And Jesus answered them and said: My
Doctrine is not Mine, but His Who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His Will, he shall know concerning the
Doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own Authority. He who speaks from himself,
seeks his own glory; but He Who seeks the Glory of the One Who sent Him, is True, and no unrighteousness is
in Him. Did not Moses give you the Law? Yet none of you keeps the Law. Why do you seek to kill Me?
The people answered and said: Thou hast a demon! Who is seeking to kill Thee? Jesus answered and said: I did
one Work, and you all marvel. Moses, therefore, gave you Circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from
the Fathers), and you Circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives Circumcision on the Sabbath, so
that the Law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well
on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with Righteous Judgement!
Now some of them from Jerusalem said: Is this not He Whom they seek to kill? But behold! He speaks boldly, and
they say nothing to Him. Do the Rulers know indeed that this is Truly the Christ? However, we know where this
Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.
Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the Temple, saying: You both know Me, and you know where I Am from;
and I have not come of Myself, but He Who sent Me is True, Whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I
Am from Him, and He sent Me.
Therefore, they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His Hour had not yet come.
THE SIMPLE DESIRE TO KNOW AND TO FOLLOW GODS WILL IS THE KEY TO
UNDERSTANDING IT.
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS COMES FROM UNWILLINGNESS TO KNOW GOD OR
TO RECOGNISE HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY.
St John Chrysostom paraphrases Christ our Saviours Words as
follows:
RID YOURSELF OF WICKEDNESS: the anger, the envy, and the
hatred that have arisen in your hearts, without
provocation, against Me. THEN YOU WILL HAVE NO DIFFICULTY
IN REALISING THAT MY WORDS ARE ACTUALLY THOSE OF GOD. As it
is, these passions darken your understanding and distort
sound judgement. IF YOU REMOVE THESE PASSIONS, YOU WILL
NO LONGER BE AFFLICTED in this manner.
By providing Old Testament examples of blameless violation
of the Sabbath, our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated to the
Hebrews that THE LAW IS NOT ABSOLUTE OVER OUR HUMAN NEED
OR SERVICE TO GOD.
When the Hebrews professed to know where Christ was from,
they were mistaken, both in the earthly sense and in a
Divine sense.
Humanly speaking, they thought of our Lord as being from
Nazareth, Galilee for they were unaware that HE WAS
ACTUALLY BORN AND SPENT HIS VERY EARLY YEARS IN BETHLEHEM,
BEFORE THE HOLY FAMILYS FLIGHT TO EGYPT.
Beyond that, they could not comprehend that CHRIST HAS TRULY
COME FROM OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, that He is ETERNALLY
BEGOTTEN OF GOD THE FATHER, BEFORE ALL AGES, and thus His
Divine Origin remained unknown to them as well.
CHRISTS HOUR IS A REFERENCE TO THE EXACT MOMENT OF HIS
SUFFERING AND DEATH, FOR HE IS LORD OVER ALL TIME, WHICH IS A
DIVINE AUTHORITY POSSESSED BY ALMIGHTY GOD ALONE.
OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR VOLUNTARILY ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL
WENT TO HIS PASSION AND DEATH and exclusively
according to His own timing certainly not according to
the plots and schemes of wicked men.
Th e F e a s t o f Mi d - P e n t e c o s t & t h e P e n t e c o s t a r i o n
The 50 days following Pascha until the Feast of Pentecost are known as the period of the Pentecostarion in the
Orthodox Church.
At the mid-point between these Great Feasts of Pascha and Pentecost, on the 25
th
day - always a Wednesday - is one
of the most Beloved Feasts, because Mid-Pentecost is as relevant to the Pentecostarion as the Third Sunday of
Great Lent Veneration of the Holy Cross - is to Great Lent.
This Feast helps us to focus on the central theme of the entire period.
Just as the mid-point of Great Lent reminds us to bear the Cross of Christ bravely so that we may daily die with
Christ in order to experience His Glorious Resurrection, so also the mid-point of the Pentecostarion Enlightens
us regarding the theme of the 50 days of Holy Pascha, which is the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit poured out as a
Divine Gift upon all Faithful Disciples who partake of the Living Water, which is Christ Himself.
The central theme woven throughout the period of the Pentecostarion therefore concerns Living Water, which is the
central theme of the Holy Gospel according to St John that is read in its entirety and which naturally flows into
St Lukes Book of the Acts of the Apostles that is also read in its entirety.
This theme appears initially on Holy Pascha itself in the Joyous Canon of the Feast of Feasts written by St. John the
Damascene when we are invited to ...drink a New Drink... not ...brought forth from a barren rock... as in
the Old Covenant under Moses, but which rather ...springs forth from the Tomb of Christ. Then during the
Paschal Divine Liturgy the Priest processes with the Gospel and chants loudly: In the Congregations Bless ye
God, the Lord from the well-springs of Israel... (PSALM 67:27)
After Renewal or Bright Week the Church wisely sets up two Sundays that abolish any doubt concerning the
Resurrection of Christ - Sunday of St Thomas and Sunday of the Holy Myrrh Bearers which ensures that we all
partake of the Living Water that only our Resurrected Lord can grant.
On the following 3 Sundays, water becomes more central: the Sheeps Pool with the Paralytic of Bethesda, Jacobs
Well with the Samaritan Woman, and the Pool of Siloam with the Blind Man (born without eyes.)
During this Festive Period we hear how - by partaking of Christs Living Water- we will never again thirst.
We are taught that it is our Saviour Himself Who is this Living Water, of Whom we partake through the Baptismal
Waters and the Cup of Life, which issued forth from His Side for the Remission of sins and Eternal Life.
On Pentecost Sunday Divine Grace quenches our parched body and soul so that we may be fruitful and produce a
Great Holy Harvest: If any man thirsts, let him come unto Me and drink.
The Pentecostarion concludes with the Feast of All Saints all those who partook of the Waters of Piety, which is
the Harvest of the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Mid-Pentecost stands in the middle of the 50-day period from Pascha to Pentecost like a mighty flowing River of
Divine Grace with the two Great Feasts of Pascha and Pentecost as its Source, which are united at Mid-Pentecost.
Without Pascha there is no Pentecost and without Pentecost there is no purpose to Pascha.
After our Saviour had Healed the Paralytic, the Jews, especially the Pharisees and Scribes, were envious so they
sought excuses to have Him executed, accusing Him of not keeping the Sabbath, since He worked Miracles on
that day...
Therefore, since the things spoken of by Christ in the middle of the Feast of the Tabernacles are related to the
Sunday of the Paralytic and since we have already reached the midpoint between Pascha and Pentecost, this
Feast is a bond between the 2 great Feasts, thereby uniting, as it were, the two into one, partaking of the Grace
of them both...
http://orthodoxkansas.org/blog/2011/05/17/the-feast-of-mid-pentecost-the-pentecostarion/
5
T H
S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A S U N D A Y O F T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 1 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4
19
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P TO T HE FAT HER, AND T O T HE SON, AND T O T HE HOLY SPI RI T , NOW AND
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS LADY, MARI A, THEOT OKOS, YET
EVER VI RGI N, T OGET HER WI TH ALL T HE SAI NT S. AND LET US COMMI T OURSELVES AND ONE ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE
5
t h
S u n d a y o f P a s c h a 1 8 Ma y 2 0 1 4
To n e 4
S u n d a y o f t h e S a ma r i t a n Wo ma n
( S t P h o t i n i / S v e t l a n a )
AL S O T HE FE AS T OF ST T HE ODOT OS , ST T E CUS A , ST PHAI NE , ST CL AUDI A , ST
MAT R ONA , ST JUL I A , ST AL E X ANDRA & ST EUP HRAS I A & ST CHRI S T I NA , VI RGI N
MART Y RS , ST PE T E R, ST DI ONY S I OS , ST ANDRE W, & ST PAU L OF ANCY RA ,
GAL AT I A - ST SY ME ON, ST I S AA C &
ST BACHT I S I OS OF PE RS I A
ST HE RA CL I OS , ST PAV L I NOS &
ST BE NE DI MOS OF AT HE NS ST DAV I D
& ST T AR I CHAN OF GE OR GI A
P A S C H A L A P O L Y T I K I O N
To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou
mathouse e tou Kyriou mathitrie ke tin progonikin
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon.
Eskilefte O thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos,
doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from
the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
had cast away the condemnation of their Forefather,
they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
more: Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world
Great Mercy.
Theos imon Doxa Si.
F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N - P A S C H A U N T I L A S C E N S I O N D A Y
I ke en Tafo katilthes Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis Sis Apostolis
Although Thou descended into the Tomb, O Immortal
One, Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou
arose as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-
bearing Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine
Apostles Thou granted Thy Peace: the One Who
grants Resurrection to the fallen.
Re s u r r e c t i o n Go s p e l 7 : J o h n 2 0 : 1 - 1 0
S T P E T E R & S T J O H N W I T N E S S T H E E M P T Y T O M B O F O U R R E S U R R E C T E D L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T
O L or d, how mani f ol d ar t T hy Wor k s . T hou has t cr eat ed t hem al l i n Wi s dom!
Bl es s t he L or d, O my s oul !
Th e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 1 : 1 9 3 0
T H E G E N T I L E C H U R C H O F A N T I O C H
Those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen, travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the Word to no one but the Hebrews only. But some of them were from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, then they
had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
And the Hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
Then news of these things was heard by the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. And
when he went and saw the Grace of God, he was glad, and he encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they
should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy spirit and of Faith.
And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Then Barnabas departed for Tarsos to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he took him to Antioch.
So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the Church and taught a great many people and the Disciples were first
called Christians in Antioch.
And in those days Prophets went from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabos, stood up and showed by
the Spirit, that there was going to be a great famine throughout the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius
Caesar. Then the Disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the Brethren dwelling in Judea.
This they also did, and sent it to the Elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
>Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato
Thanaton patistas, ke tis en tis mnimasi,
Zoin harisamenos!
20. 5
T H
The Evangelisation of the Gentiles caused a significant amount
of conflict in the early Church.
Even though Christ had Commanded His Holy Apostles to preach
His Holy Gospel universally to all Nations it took a while for
this to be put properly into practice.
Much debate arose over what requirements from the Old
Covenant Law if any the Gentile Christians would have to
follow.
The Hellenists referred to actual Greeks, not to Hellenistic
Hebrews (I.E. GREEK SPEAKING HEBREWS)
The Holy Church of Christ in Antioch was instrumental in bringing
untold numbers of Gentiles to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Two key Truths are revealed in the fact that St Barnabas was
...sent out to Antioch:
1. HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRI ST were sent forth to preach the Holy
Gospel of Christ but they NEVER WORKED INDEPENDENTLY
OR I N ISOLATI ON FROM THE BODY OF THE HOLY CHURCH.
2. THE HOLY CHURCH OF ANTI OCH NEEDED THE SEAL OF HOLY
APOSTOLI C AUTHORI TY I N ORDER TO BECOME I NTEGRATED
INTO THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.
ST BARNABAS REVEALED HIS GENUINE HUMI LI TY BY SEEKI NG THE HELP
OF ST PAUL (Saul) a humble recognition of his own personal
limitations, and his TRUE COMMUNI ON WITH AND DEPENDENCE
ON THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST.
TWO KEY ELEMENTS OF LITURGICAL WORSHIP INCLUDED THE
EUCHARI STIC (THANKSGIVI NG) ASSEMBLY COMMUNAL
WORSHIP AND THE CORRECT TEACHI NG OF THE HOLY GOSPEL
OF CHRI ST.
The fact that the Disciples of Christ were first called Christians in
Antioch is more than just historical Truth. It demonstrates that
CHRI STS COMMANDMENT TO PREACH HIS HOLY GOSPEL
AMONG THE GENTILES AS WELL, WAS FI RST FULLY REALISED I N
ANTI OCH.
St John Chrysostom commented: It was (in Antioch) for the first
time that people were accounted worthy of that Name.
The Prophets were Christian Believers within the Holy Church who
had the Divine Gift of Prophecy.
1 CORI NT HI ANS 12: 29 Are all Apostles? Are all
Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of
Miracles?
There has always been a wonderful Hierarchy of Honour in the
Holy Church of the New Covenant which continues to this
very day and will continue unabated, until Eternity.
The Apostolic Work of the Bishops sets the pace for all the rest of
Christs Holy Flock and WHEN THE OVERSI GHT IS I N CORRECT
WORKING ORDER, THE REST OF CHURCH IS FREE TO FUNCTI ON AT
OPTIMAL LEVEL FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF
GOD.
Yet, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and operative, there is
something far more excellent THE LOVE OF GOD, which IS
THE TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPI RI T.
1 CORI NT HI ANS 14: 3 He who prophesies speaks
edification and exhortation and comfort to mankind.
1 COR I NT HI ANS 14: 29 Let two or three Prophets speak,
and let the others judge.
God is not the Author of confusion - and the Truly Spiritual can
control themselves, since GENUI NE SPI RI TUALITY IS MANI FESTED
IN PREPAREDNESS, PROPRI ETY AND ORDER, COURTESY AND SELF-
CONTROL/DISCI PLINE.
WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT, THERE IS DIVINE PEACE
AND UNDERSTANDI NG.
EP HE S I ANS 4: 11 (Christ) Himself granted some to be
Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and some
Pastors and Teachers, for the equipping of the Saints for
the Work of Ministry, for the Edifying of the Body of
Christ until we all come to the Unity of the Faith and of
the Knowledge of Christ...
THE HOLY SPI RIT BESTOWS HIS DIVI NE GIFTS IN ORDER TO FORM ONE
COHESI VE, HARMONIOUS GROUP WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
EQUI PPI NG TEACHING, GUIDI NG AND PREPARI NG OTHERS -
FOR THE SACRED TASK OF CHRI STS HOLY MI NISTRY.
EVERY FAI THFUL CHRI STI AN HAS THE SACRED TASK OF GUI DI NG,
HELPING AND ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER as we all journey
through this preparatory period of earthly life towards Eternity
because - whether we are believers or not ALL HUMANITY
WILL ENTER ETERNI TY.
The great famine that was predicted, did indeed happen
throughout the known world in 44 51 having begun in
Judea and spreading as far as Greece and Italy.
The principle of giving each according to his ability is one that
continues to this day in our Holy Church.
The Elders (the bearded ones) were the Presbyters (Priests) who
were Ordained by the Holy Apostles and put in charge of the
local Parish churches, which had initially been founded by
the Holy Apostles.
Since those days, the Orders of the Holy Ministry or Holy Priesthood
of Christ consist of the Bishops (the Apostles and their direct
successors), the presbyters or priests, and the deacons.
T HE SA MAR I T AN WOMAN AT J ACOB S WE L L
At that time Jesus arrived at a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his
son, Joseph. And Jacobs Well was there. And being wearied from His journey, Jesus sat at the well. It was about the
sixth hour.
A woman of Samaria went to draw water. Jesus said to her: Give Me a drink, for His Disciples had gone into the city to
buy food. And the woman of Samaria said to Him: How is it that Thou, being a Hebrew, ask for a drink from me, a
Samaritan woman? For Hebrews had no dealings with Samaritans.
Jesus answered and said to her: If thou knew the Gift of God, and Who it is Who says to thee: Give Me a drink, thou
would have asked Him, and He would have given thee Living Water. The woman said to Him: Sir, Thou hast
nothing with which to draw, and the well is deep. Where then dost Thou get that Living Water? Art Thou greater than
our Father, Jacob, who gave us this well, and drank from it himself - as well as his sons and his livestock?
Jesus answered and said to her: Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the Water that I
shall give, will never thirst. And the Water that I shall give will become in him a Fountain of Water springing up
into Everlasting Life. The woman said to Him: Sir, give me this Water that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.
Jesus said to her: Go. Call thy husband, and come back here. The woman answered and said: I have no husband.
Jesus said to her: Thou hast well said: I have no husband, for thou had five husbands, and the one whom thou now
have is not thy husband - in that thou spoke truly.
The woman said to Him: Sir, I perceive that Thou art a Prophet. Our Fathers worshipped on this mountain, and you
Hebrews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship. Jesus said to her: Woman, believe Me: the
Hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you
do not know; we know what we worship, for Salvation is of the Hebrews. But the Hour is coming, and now is, when
the True Worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and Truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth.
The woman said to Him: I know that Messiah is coming. (Who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all Things.
Jesus said to her: I, Who speak to thee, Am He.
And at this point, His Disciples returned and they marvelled that Jesus spoke with a woman; yet no one asked: What dost
Thou seek? nor Why art Thou talking to her?
The woman left her water pot, went into the city and said to the men: Come. Behold a Man Who told me all things that I
ever did. Could this be the Christ? And they went out of the city to Him.
Meanwhile, His Disciples urged Him, saying: Rabbi, eat. And He said to them: I have Food to eat of which you do not
know. And the Disciples asked one another: Has anyone brought Him anything to eat? And Jesus said to them: My
Food is to do the Will of Him Who sent Me, and to finish His Work. Do you not say: There are still four months
before the harvest? Behold: I say to you: Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for
5
T H
S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A S U N D A Y O F T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 1 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 21.
harvesting! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers Fruit for Eternal Life, that both he who sows and he who
reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is True: One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that
for which you have not Laboured; others have Laboured, and you have entered into their Labours.
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the Woman who testified: He told me all
that I ever did! And when the Samaritans had gone to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two
days. And many more believed because of His own Word.
Then they said to the Woman: Now we believe not because of what thou said for we, ourselves, have heard Him and we
know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world!
The Old Testament does not mention Jacobs Well although St
Jacob did dwell in the area. (GENESIS 33:19)
Wells had great significance because of their rarity ad their value in
desert life. Therefore, wells came to symbolise life itself. (PSALM
35:910; PSALM 45:4; ISAIAH 55:1)
Jacobs Well has been maintained as a Holy Shrine by the Greek
Orthodox Christian Church to this very day and pilgrims still drink
from it. (ST PHILOMENOS THE NEW MARTYR GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ITS
PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION IN 1979.)
Our Lord Jesus was wearied from His journey - meaning that IN HIS
HUMAN NATURE, HE, TOO, SUFFERED hunger, thirst, tiredness - THE
SAME WEAKNESSES OF OUR OWN HUMAN CONDI TION.
The Sixth Hour is midday 12:00 the hottest part of the day,
when most inhabitants of hot areas rest from the heat.
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN WAS THE EARLIEST EVANGELIST (BESIDES THE
APOSTLES) WHO TESTI FI ED TO THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.
TOGETHER WITH HER TWO SONS AND FIVE DAUGHTERS (SOME SAY
SISTERS,) SHE BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF SOULS TO CHRIST.
AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST SHE WAS BAPTISED WITH THE NAME
OF PHOTINI (THE ENLIGHTENED ONE,) AND WENT TO
CARTHAGE TO SPREAD THE HOLY GOSPEL.
SHE WAS EVENTUALLY MARTYRED WITH HER ENTIRE FAMILY BY ORDER OF
EMPEROR NERO BY BEING THROWN INTO A VERY DEEP WELL.
WE COMMEMORATE HER MEMORY ON 20 MARCH AND ON THE FIFTH
SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA.
The Samaritans were a mixed breed and traditional enemies of the
Hebrews. Although they worshipped the God of Israel and also
awaited the Advent or Coming of the Messiah the Christ
they accepted only the first five Books of the Old Testament
Scriptures the Pentateuch.
They had built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which the
Israelites had destroyed in 128 BC.
In the ordinary sense, living water means, fresh, flowing water from
a stream or spring, rather than from a stagnant pond or cistern.
Christs use of the term LI VING WATER MEANT THE DIVINE GRACE OF
THE HOLY SPI RI T THAT LEADS US TO ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH NOT ONLY
REMAI NS I N A FAI THFUL PERSON BUT IS SO ABUNDANT THAT I T
OVERFLOWS AND AFFECTS OTHERS IN THE BEST POSSI BLE MANNER.
However, St Photini misunderstood our Lord Jesus and thus enquired
whether He was greater that St Jacob, the ancient Patriarch
who was a type of Christ because he had received the Vision
of the Divine Ladder, which our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled. (GENESIS
28:12)
Furthermore, just as St Jacob gave this Well for earthly life, CHRIST
GRANTS US THE WELL OF THE HOLY SPI RI T FOR ETERNAL LI FE.
Since our Lord Jesus knew that St Photini was living in sin, and as He
was aware of her five previous husbands, she assumed Him to
be a Holy Prophet but since the Samaritans did not accept or
recognise any Prophets after St Moses, THE ONLY PROPHET THEY
EXPECTED WAS THE MESSI AH Whom St Moses had foretold.
(DEUTERONOMY 18: 15-18)
CHRI STS INSI GHT I NTO EVERY HUMAN BEINGS HEART, which is
repeatedly mentioned throughout the Holy Gospels, EMPHASISES
HIS DIVI NE NATURE.
Our Lord Jesus was indeed the expected Holy Prophet, so He
could settle the historical argument about where True Worship
was to be offered.
However, OUR LORD JESUS REFUSED TO ANSWER SUCH AN EARTHLY
QUESTI ON AND ELEVATED THE DISCUSSION TO THE ONE WHOM WE
WORSHIP: ALMI GHTY GOD HIMSELF.
According to Christ Himself, GOD I S SPI RI T AND CANNOT BE
CONFI NED TO ANY PARTI CULAR LOCATION: GOD IS OMNIPRESENT
HE IS EVERYWHERE!
THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPI RIT AND BELI EVE I N JESUS CHRI ST
THE SON AND WORD OF GOD THE FATHER WORSHIP GOD WITH
PURITY OF HEART.
Our Lord Jesus Christ affirmed that TRUE REVELATI ON COMES
FROM JUDAI SM: Salvation is of the Hebrews.
St Athanasios the Great taught us: The commonwealth of
Israel was the School of the Knowledge of God for all
nations.
More importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ testified that THE MESSI AH
WHO WAS PROPHESI ED AMONG THE HEBREWS, HAS RISEN FROM
THE HEBREWS.
WHI LE THE GIFT OF THE SALVATION IN CHRIST IS TO ALL NATI ONS,
IT HAS COME FROM WITHI N JUDAISM.
The Hour refers to THE DEATH AND RESURRECTI ON OF CHRI ST
AND TO THE OUTPOURI NG OF THE HOLY SPI RIT AT HOLY
PENTECOST, which inaugurated the Worship of our New
Covenant with Almighty God.
I, Who speak to you, Am He, is literally translated: I AM (EGO
EIMI) Who speaks to you. I Am is the Divine Name of
God and its use indicates A THEOPHANY OR DIVI NE
REVELATI ON OF GOD HIMSELF.
The use of this Most Holy Name by a mere man would have
been considered as the worst blasphemy ever
punishable by stoning to death! (JOHN 8:58; MARK 14:62)
However, as our Lord Jesus Christ is Truly Divine the Son of God
and thus one of the three Persons of the Almighty Godhead
the Holy Trinity HIS OWN USE OF THI S DIVI NE NAME REVEALS
HIS TRUE UNI TY WITH GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE HOLY
SPI RIT.
He most certainly reveals that HE IS INDEED GOD
INCARNATE!
His Apostles marvelled not only because our Lord Jesus spoke
with a Samaritan, but that HE SPOKE WI TH AN
UNACCOMPANI ED WOMAN, WHICH WAS POTENTI ALLY
SCANDALOUS FOR THEM BOTH!
] CHRI ST IS ABOVE ALL SOCIAL NORMS AND CUSTOMS, SO
HE TREATED ALL WOMEN WITH THE HIGHEST OF RESPECT,
THEREBY SHOWI NG THEIR VALUE AND IMPORTANCE I N
EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY LIFE. (JOHN &;53-8:11; LL:20-30; 20: 11-
18 & LUKE 8:1 3)
On many occasions CHRIST IS MISUNDERSTOOD BY PEOPLE DUE
TO OUR LIMITED HUMAN EXPERI ENCE AND KNOWLEDGE.
Nevertheless, THROUGH THESE MISUNDERSTANDI NGS, OUR LORD
FULFILS HIS DIVI NE ROLE AS MESSIAH BY DOING THE WILL OF
HIS HEAVENLY FATHER AND THI S IS HIS SPI RI TUAL FOOD.
Our Lord Jesus, by His own Perfect Example, has taught us to
PERFORM/OBEY THE DIVI NE WILL OF GOD THROUGHOUT OUR
LIFE WI THOUT BEI NG DISTRACTED BY EARTHLY CARES such as
hunger, shelter and comfort. (JOHN 6:27; MATTHEW 4:4; 6:25-33)
According to St John Chrysostom, when Christ commanded His
Apostles to Behold He wanted them to witness the
approaching multitude of white clad Samaritans who were
ready and eager to believe in Christ Jesus.
Our Lord compared these Samaritans (RELATIVE TO THE HEBREWS) to
fields of crops that were ready to harvest.
In addition, our Lords command to Behold! is also addressed
to all Faithful Christians to all Faithful Disciples of Christ to
LOOK AT THOSE AROUND US AND TO SHARE HIS HOLY GOSPEL
WITH ANYONE WANTI NG TO RECEIVE IT REGARDLESS OF
ETHNI CITY OR SOCIAL STATUS.
St John Chrysostom believed that THOSE WHO SOWED AND THOSE
WHO REAPED WERE THE HOLY PROPHETS OF THE OLD
COVENANT AND THE HOLY APOSTLES OF THE NEW COVENANT
RESPECTI VELY.
The Holy Prophets sowed the Seeds of Faith in preparation for
the Advent of the Messiah, yet they did neither witnessed it
nor reap the Spiritual Fruit of their Holy Labours.
The Apostles who did witness and experience the Presence of
God Incarnate, did not prepare either the Hebrews nor the
Gentiles yet, after the Resurrection and especially after
Pentecost, they drew millions of souls to Faith in Christ our
Lord and Saviour, in their own lifetime.
The fact that these Samaritans were amongst the first to
recognise and to acknowledge our Lord Jesus as the
Saviour of the world, shows us exactly how HIS HOLY GOSPEL
IS FOR ALL PEOPLE OF EVERY NATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE
WORLD.
22. 5
T H
5
t h
S u n d a y o f P a s c h a Th e S a ma r i t a n Wo ma n
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit...
Although St John did not mention the name of the
Samaritan Woman at Jacobs Well, we know her as
St Photini in Greek, or St Svetlana in Russian, or
St Fiona in Celtic, or St Claire in the West.
All these names speak of Light.
Having met our Lord Jesus Christ, St Photini became
a Light shining in the sin-darkened, gloomy world
a Great Spiritual Light that Enlightens those
who met her.
Every Saint is offered to us as a good example of
Spiritual Strength and Virtue so that we may
imitate their Holy Lifestyle and devotion to God.
However, we cannot always emulate the concrete
ways in which the Saints lived and we cannot
always repeat exactly their Spiritual Progress
from earth to Heaven.
But we can learn from each Saint and Holy Martyr
two significant Truths:
1. By the Grace of God we can all achieve what may
seem humanly impossible i.e. to become the
Perfect Image and Likeness of God and to be
in this world of sinful darkness and tragedy
that is enslaved by the power of lies and
deception a Word of Truth, a Sign of Hope,
filled with the certainty that God can conquer
Death and wickedness if we only allow Him
access to our soul.
If the Kingdom of God is not established within us
if God is not Enthroned in our mind, heart and
soul as a Divine Fire that eradicates everything
unworthy of ourselves and of Him we cannot
expect to spread Gods Light around us.
2. The Saints also teach us to understand the
Message that they names convey to us like
the Samaritan Woman who discussed Light
with our Saviour Who revealed His Divine
Identity as the Light of the world the
Divine Light that Enlightens all humanity,
which we are Called to shelter and nurture
within our soul, mind and heart.
Only then are the Words of Christ fulfilled and
accomplished in and through us: Let your Light
so shine before all men, that seeing your good
deeds they may give Glory to your Father Who
is Heaven...
It is only through seeing our good deeds seeing
how we fulfil the Will of God every day that
others will believe that the Light is Divine Light
the Light of God, for it is not in our own words
and deeds, unless they are the Inspired Words of
Divine Truth and of Power like those of the Holy
Apostles and of Christ Himself.
And let us all reflect on the meaning of our
Baptismal Name and the manner whereby we can
become what we are Called by God to be.
The Samaritan Woman went to Jacobs Well without
any Spiritual Purpose in mind. She went as usual
every day to draw water and there she came
face to Face with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ.
Each of us may meet our Lord God at any turn in our
life when we are going about our mundane daily
tasks and if our heart is turned in the right
direction and if we are prepared to receive a
Divine Message if we are prepared to listen and
to enquire, thereby gaining further Knowledge
and Enlightenment, which we must then apply to
our daily life.
The Samaritan Woman asked a question of Christ,
and what she then heard transcended her
question in such a manner that she recognised
our Lord as a Great Holy Prophet of God and
shortly thereafter, as indeed the Christ of God
and the Saviour of the world.
However, our Light must not be hidden under a
bushel, for having discovered that the Light has
come into our world that the Word of Divine
Truth now resounds amidst humanity, and that
God is among us, St Photini abandoned all her
worldly concerns and ran to share her
overwhelming Joy the amazing Wonders that
she had received with everyone else, and then
leading her fellow citizens to Christ, to witness
His Divine Truth for themselves.
She had first told them the reason for her belief and
when either curiosity or the powerful conviction
of her words and the change that had been
wrought in her, brought them all to Christ.
And when they indeed had experienced the Divine
Presence of Christ Himself, they told her: Now
we believe not because of what thou said for
we, ourselves, have heard Him and we know that
this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the
world!
The significant Holy Lesson that St Photini the
Samaritan Woman at Jacobs Well teach us is to
be open to God at every moment even while
busy with the simplest tasks be open and
ready to receive the Divine Word of God, to be
Illumined by His Divine Light, to be Cleansed by
His Divine Purity, to receive His Divine Truth and
Love in the very depths of our soul and to
receive It with our entire being and life so that
when others see us what we have become by
Divine Grace they, too, may believe that Gods
Divine Light has certainly come into our world.
Let us pray to St Photini, the Samaritan Woman, to
teach us, to guide us, to bring us to Christ in the
same way that she lead thousands of others to
Christ.
Let us pray that we are willing and able to serve God
with the same unconditional devotion and
obedience with which she served Him.
And may we worthily lead others to our Lords
Eternal Salvation just as St Photini has lead so
many other souls.
May the Blessing of God be upon you: of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of Ages.
Amen
(Sermon by Metropolitan Anthony Sourozh,
delivered on 8 May 1988)
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/05/
sermon-for-sunday-of-samaritan-woman.html
S t S y me o n t h e N e w T h e o l o g i a n
A person full of anxiety about worldly things is not free: he
is dominated and enslaved by this anxiety, whether it
is about himself or about others.
But he who is free from such things is untroubled by worldly
concerns, whether they relate to himself or to others;
and this is so, even if he is a Bishop, Abbot or Priest.
However, he will not be idle, or neglect even the most
insignificant and trivial details; but all he does he will
do for the Glory of God, accomplishing everything
in his life without anxiety. [ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE
PRACTICAL AND THEOLOGICAL TEXTS]
E l d e r Th a d d e u s o f Vi t o v n i c a
Here on earth there is nothing that can give us Inner
Peace. For neither riches, nor glory, nor honour, nor
position, nor family, nor neighbours can give us
unshakable Inner Peace.
There is only One Giver of Life, Peace and Joy and
that is God!
S t J o h n Kl i ma k o s
A little fire softens a large piece of wax. So, too, a
small in dignity often softens, sweetens and wipes
away suddenly all the fierceness, uncouthness,
insensibility and hardness of our heart.
S T C O N S T A N T I N E & S T H E L E N A O F C O N S T A N T I N O P L E 2 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4
23
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P TO THE FAT HER, AND T O T HE SON, AND T O T HE HOLY SPI RI T , NOW AND
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS LADY, MARI A,
THEOT OKOS, YET EVER VI RGI N, TOGETHER WI T H ALL T HE SAI NTS. AND LET US COMMI T OURSELVES AND ONE
ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE LI FE T O CHRI ST OUR GOD. AMEN.
2 1 Ma y 2 0 1 4
St C o n s t a n t i n e & St He l e n a
o f C o n s t a n t i n o p l e - E q u a l s t o t h e Ap o s t l e s
AL S O T HE FE AS T OF ST CONS T A NT I NE , ST MI CHAE L & ST T HE ODORE , HI S
S ONS , WONDE RWOR KE RS OF MUR OM ST CAS S I ANOS T HE GRE E K OF
UGL I CH
Theos imon Doxa Si.
F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N - S T C O N S T A N T I N E
Tou Stavrou Sou ton tipon en Ourano theasamenos, ke
os O Pavlos tin klisin ouk ek anthropon dexamenos, O
en Vasilefsin Apostolos Sou Kyrie, Vasilevousan polin
ti Hiri Sou paretheto; in perisoze dia pantos en Irini,
Presvies tis Theotokou, Mone Filanthrope!
Thine Apostle among the Rulers, St Constantine, who
once behld in the sky the Vision of Thy Cross, and
who, like Paul, received his Calling not from man,
once entrusted the Ruling City into Thy Hand. We
entreat Thee to restore it in Peace forever, at the
Intercessions of the Theotokos, O Lord Who Loves
mankind.
F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N M I D P E N T E C O S T - T O N E 4
Tis eortis tis Nomikis mesazousis, O ton apanton Piitis ke
Despotis, pros tous parontas eleges, Hriste O Theos.
Defte ke arisasthe, idor athanasias. Othen Si
prospiptomen, ke Pistos ekvoomen. Tous iktirmous
Sou Dorise imin. Si gar iparhis Pigi tis Zois imon.
The Feast according to the Law at its mid-point, O
Christ our God, as the Creator and Master of
everything, Thou said to all those who were present:
Come, so that you might draw from Me the Water of
Immortality. Hence, with Faith, we cry to Thee as we
prostrate ourselves before Thee. Thy tender Mercies
grant to us, we pray. Thou art the Fountain and
Source of our Life, O Lord!
P r o k e i me n o n :
Thou art Blessed, O Lord, God of our Forefathers.
For Thou has always dealt Righteously with us.
A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 2 6 : 1 & 1 2 2 0
S T P A U L D E F E N D S H I M S E L F
Agrippa said to Paul: You are permitted to speak for yourself. So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
... while thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the Chief Priests, at midday, O
King, along the road I saw a Light from Heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed
with me.
And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a Voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language: Saul! Saul!
Why are you persecuting Me? It is difficult for you to kick against the goads. So I said: Who art Thou, Lord? And
He said: I AM JESUS, Whom you are persecuting. Rise and stand on your feet, for I HAVE APPEARED to you for this
Purpose TO MAKE YOU A MINISTER AND A WITNESS BOTH OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN AN OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL
YET REVEAL TO YOU. I WILL DELIVER YOU from the Hebrews and from the Gentiles, to whom I NOW SEND YOU, TO OPEN
THEIR EYES, IN ORDER TO TURN THEM FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT, AND FROM THE POWER OF SATAN TO GOD, THAT THEY MAY
RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND AN INHERITANCE AMONG THOSE WHO ARE SANCTIFIED BY FAITH IN ME.
Therefore, King Agrippa, I WAS NOT DISOBEDIENT TO THE HEAVENLY VISION, but declared first to those in Damascus and in
Jerusalem, and throughout all the region in Judea, and then to the Gentiles, THAT THEY SHOULD REPENT, TURN TO GOD,
AND DO WORK BEFITTING REPENTANCE.
A REPORT OF THE CHARGES AGAI NST A PRISONER WAS REQUIRED BY
ROMAN LAW. A new Governor, after all, would not want to
look bad before the Roman Emperor.
There was a slight twist of absurdity here SI NCE THE CHARGES
AGAINST ST PAUL WERE GROUNDLESS AND HE WAS ABOUT TO BE
TAKEN TO ROME TO BE SENTENCED BY CAESAR BUT THERE WAS
NOTHI NG WITH WHICH TO ACCUSE HIM!
BEING OF HIGHER RANK THAN ST PAUL, AGRI PPA King and
Governor of the region OPENED THE PROCEEDI NGS.
Agrippa was knowledgeable in Hebrew customs.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT HEROD THE GREAT AND HEROD AGRIPPA WERE
APOSTASISED HEBREWS WHO WERE SYCOPHANTS AND LACKEYS OF THE
ROMAN EMPIRE AND THEREFORE WERE FEARED AND DESPISED BY THE
HEBREWS.
ST PAUL STRETCHED OUT HI S HAND I N A COMMON GESTURE FOR
PUBLIC SPEAKERS OF THAT ERA.
NO ACCUSERS WERE PRESENT AND ST PAUL WAS FREE TO PROCEED as
he pleased, although he used the Hebrews false charges
against him as his point of reference.
>Hristos Anesti ek nekron,
Thanato Thanaton patistas, ke
tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin
harisamenos!
> Christ has Risen from the
dead, by Death trampling
upon Death, and has
bestowed Life to those in the
tombs!
24. S T C O N S T A N T I N E & S T H E L E N A E Q U A L S T O T H E A P O S T L E S 2 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4
AS PART OF ST PAULS EARLI ER PERSECUTION AGAINST HEBREW
CHRI STI ANS, HE FORCED THEM TO BLASPHEME OR CURSE THE
NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS. [1 CORINTHIANS 12:3]
THI S I S THIRD ACCOUNT OF ST PAULS DAMASCUS ROAD
CONVERSI ON.
ST PAUL DESCRIBED THE UNCREATED LIGHT OF GOD that he experienced
on the road to Damascus as being brighter than the sun.
The context suggests IT WAS THE GLORIFI ED CHRI ST HIMSELF WHO
CONFRONTED ST PAUL [whose Hebrew name was Saul]. [1
CORINTHIANS 9:1; 15:8]
OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRI ST COMMI SSIONED ST PAUL AS
HIS WITNESS JUST LI KE HE COMMI SSIONED HIS HOLY APOSTLES.
A DIRECT CALL FROM GOD CONSTI TUTES THE HI GHEST AUTHORITY
AND ST PAUL OBEYED the Heavenly Vision by declaring to BOTH
HEBREWS AND GENTILES t hat they SHOULD REPENT, TURN TO
GOD AND DO GOOD WORKS... THAT PROVE THEI R GENUI NE
REPENTANCE AND COMMI TMENT TO ALMI GHTY GOD.
Th e Ho l y Go s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 1 0 : 1 9
J E S U S C H R I S T O U R L O R D & S A V I O U R I S O U R G O O D S H E P H E R D
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: Most assuredly, I say to you: he who does not enter the Sheepfold by the Door,
but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber. But He Who enters by the Door is the Shepherd of the Sheep.
To Him the Doorkeeper opens, and the Sheep hear His Voice; and He calls His own Sheep by name and leads them
out.
And when He brings out His own Sheep, He goes before them; and the Sheep follow Him, for they know His Voice. Yet
they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things that He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again:
Most assuredly, I say to you: I AM THE DOOR of the Sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers,
but the Sheep did not hear them. I Am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved, and will go in and out
and find Pasture.
Our Lords conversation with THE PHARISEES continued after He
told them that they WERE ALIENATED FROM GOD, not the Blind
Man whom they had so self-righteously cast out of the
Temple.
THEY WERE SPIRITUALLY BLIND AND THEY WERE FALSE SHEPHERDS OF GODS
PEOPLE
... he who does not enter ... by the door is A THIEF AND A
ROBBEr IS A REFERENCE TO THOSE WHO DO NOT FOLLOW GODS
LAW ACCORDING TO ITS SPIRIT AND MEANING.
] It is a reference to THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS DIVINE
PERFECT TRUTH AND MANKINDS FLAWED, OPINIONATED
CONCEPTS.
] BY FOLLOWING OUR OWN IDEAS RATHER THAN GODS TRUTH, WE
Become Thieves And Robbers Who DECEIVE OURSELVES
AND OTHERS, thus Stealing Souls From God.
...he who enters by the Door is the Shepherd... means
that THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST OUR
TRUE SHEPHERD WITH HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE ARE WORTHY
LEADERS AND SPIRITUAL GUIDES True Shepherds of His Faithful
Disciples.
They are the RIGHTFUL SHEPHERDS OF GODS FLOCKs because they
OPERATE LEGALLY ACCORDING TO GODS DIVINE LAWS AND
TEACHINGS.
... The Sheep HEAR HIS VOICE... suggests A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
between our lord the good shepherd and us, his loyal
sheep.
] AS WE GROW SPIRITUALLY STRONGER AND CLOSER TO GOD, WE DO
INDEED RECOGNISE THE VOICE OF HIS TRUTH AND WISDOM.
... He Calls His own Sheep by name ... because GOD
KNOWS EACH SOUL better than anyone else.
THE NAMES GIVEN TO US AND MENTIONED DURING THE 8
TH
DAY NAMING
AND AT OUR HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION, ARE THOSE BY
WHICH GOD CALLS US.
WHENEVER WE RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION OUR PRIESTS ANNOUNCE
OUR CHRISTIAN NAMES ALOUD TO THE HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY
WITNESSES SO IF A PRIEST DOES NOT KNOW US, WE MUST
ANNOUNCE OUR BAPTISMAL NAME ALOUD BEFORE PARTAKING.
... He goes before them... is a reference to THE HUMAN
EXPERIENCES THAT CHRIST OUR INCARNATE GOD ENDURED FOR OUR
SAKES:
HIS TERRIBLE SUFFERING upon the Cross the ultimate
Blood Sacrifice for the sake of all humanity
throughout all the ages.
HIS ENTRY INTO HADES whereby His Death conquered
Death thereby releasing those who had awaited His
Coming in Faith, Hope and Trust.
HIS DEATH AND THE SUBSEQUENT HARROWING OF HELL makes
it possible for Repentant sinners to repose in Christ
to rest in the comfort of Christs Love - while awaiting
His Second Glorious Coming to Judge the living and
the dead.
HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION showed us what all humanity
can expect on the Final Day.
HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN, witnessed by so many reliable
people, is also a Divine Promise of future Events.
All these Wondrous Events were strictly FOR THE SAKE OF OUR
IMMORTAL SOULS, GIVING US HOPE, JOY AND PEACE and showing
us that IT IS ALL INDEED TRUE AND DEFINITELY POSSIBLE FOR ALL
REPENTANT SINNERS such as ourselves.
...I Am the Door... means THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE
ONLY MEANS BY WHICH WE CAN BE ASSURED OF ETERNAL LIFE.
] IT IS HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO GAIN ENTRY INTO GODS
HEAVENLY KINGDOM EXCEPT THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD AND
SAVIOUR.
WE NEED TO KNOW HIS TEACHINGS so that we are able to live
in Eternity to be worthy citizens in His Eternal
Kingdom of Love/Agape.
EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HIS HOLY CHURCH HAS A PURPOSE
Prayers, Hymns, Liturgical Practises, etc. Prepare us for
that very special existence that will never end.
WITHOUT ANY DIVINE KNOWLEDGE AT ALL, WE SHALL BE LIKE ALIENS
IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND UNABLE TO EXIST THERE.
] ...if anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved... is A
SACRED PROMISE OF GOD.
GOD S S ACRED AND DI VI NE P ROMI S ES ARE 100 %
GUARANT E ED.
S t C o n s t a n t i n e & S t H e l e n a o f C o n s t a n t i n o p l e
St Constantine the Great was born in Naissos (Nis,
Serbia) around the year 274.
After his defeat against Emperors Maxentios and
Licinius, Emperor Constantine became the
sovereign of the whole Roman Empire. According to
the testimonies of historians, Eusebius and
Lactantius, on the eve of the battle with Maxentios,
Emperor Constantine saw in the sky at daylight
a bright Cross above the sun with the inscription:
By this Sign you will conquer.
The following night, during his sleep, St Constantine
had a Vision of Christ, asking him to put this Sign of
the Holy Cross on all the flags his soldiers would
carry into battle.
Being obedient to what it was revealed to him in the
Vision, Emperor Constantine followed the
Commandment given to him by Christ and was
victorious in the battle with Maxentios.
The Triumphal Arch of Constantine, now preserved in
Rome, carries the inscription: By Divine
Inspiration, revealing how this Victory over
Maxentios was won.
The most important achievement of Emperor
Constantine was the Edict of Milan (313) by which
Christianity was recognized as one of the religions
of the Roman Empire (prior to this year, many
Christians were persecuted and died as Martyrs for
their Faith).
Christianity became the state religion of the Roman
Empire during the reign of Theodosios the Great
(379-395).
After the Edict of 313, the Emperor exempted the
Christian churches from taxes, granting them the
right to receive donations, and gave Bishops the
right to judge those who did not want to be judged
by the State Law. He also removed the criminal
penalties laws that were contrary to the spirit of
Christianity.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWORD.WORDPRESS.COM/2010/05/21/SAINTS-CONSTANTINE-AND-
HIS-MOTHER-HELEN-EQUALS-TO-THE-APOSTLES/
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25
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P T O T HE FAT HER, AND T O THE SON, AND T O T HE HOLY SPI RI T , NOW AND FOREVER,
AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS LADY, MARI A, THEOT OKOS, YET EVER
VI RGI N, TOGETHER WI TH ALL THE SAI NTS. AND LET US COMMI T OURSELVES AND ONE ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE LI FE T O
CHRI ST OUR GOD. AMEN.
6
t h
S u n d a y o f P a s c h a 2 5 Ma y 2 0 1 4
To n e 5 ( P l a g a l 1 )
S u n d a y o f t h e Bl i n d Ma n ( Bo r n wi t h o u t e y e s )
AL S O T HE FE AS T OF T HE T HI RD F I NDI NG OF
T HE HE AD OF ST J OHN T HE BAP T I S T &
FORE RUNNE R T O CHRI S T ST T HE R AP ON,
HI E ROMART Y R OF CY P RUS ST UB ANOS OF
ROME
harisamenos!
R E S U R R E C T I O N A P O L Y T I K I O N T O N E 5 ( P L A G A L 1 )
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek
Parthenou Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen,
Pisti, ke Proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en
to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous
tethneotas en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no
beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For
it was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the
Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own
Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
K O N T A K I O N F O R H O L Y P A S C H A U N T I L A S C E N S I O N D A Y
I ke en Tafo katilthes Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis Sis Apostolis
Although Thou descended into the Tomb, O Immortal
One, Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou
arose as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-
bearing Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine
Apostles Thou granted Thy Peace: the One Who
grants Resurrection to the fallen.
Re s u r r r e c t i o n Go s p e l 8 : J o h n 2 0 : 1 1 - 1 8
O U R R I S E N L O R D J E S U S S P E A K S T O S T M A R Y M A G D A L E N E
P r o k e i me n o n P s a l m 6 3 - To n e ( 7 ) Va r y s / Gr a v e
T h e R i g h t e o u s s h a l l b e g l a d i n t h e L o r d .
He a r my v o i c e , O G o d
T h e S e c o n d E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e C o r i n t h i a n s 4 : 6 1 5
S T P A U L S R E L A T I O N S H I P W I T H G O D
It is God Who Commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has Shone in our heart to give the Light of the
Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not
forsaken; struck down , but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that
the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
For we who live are always delivered to Death for Jesus sake, that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our
mortal flesh. So then Death is working in us, but Life in you.
And since we have the same spirit of Faith, according to what is written, I believed, and therefore I spoke, we also
believe and therefore speak, knowing that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and
will present us with you.
For all things are for your sake, that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause Thanksgiving to abound to
the Glory of God.
St Paul emphasises the fact that the goal of Preaching the
Divine Truth of God is certainly not to glorify ourselves but
only Christ our Lord and Saviour and Almighty God.
The Treasure is the Divine Light of Gods Glory in Christ Jesus,
while the earthen vessels refers to our humanity our
weak and flawed human nature with its ancestral ability
to sin.
As Gods Divine Light shines in and through us, others will
witness it and realise that the Power is of Almighty God
and not at all of mankind.
Christianity is Victorious but it is never trouble-free or easy to
fulfil.
Such trials throughout our lifespan ... show both the Power of
God and more, disclose His Grace, as St John
Chrysostom explained it to us.
A M A N B O R N W I T H O U T E Y E S I S H E A L E D B Y C H R I S T O U R L O R D & S A V I O U R
At that time, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His Disciples asked Him: Rabbi:
who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind? Jesus answered: Neither this man nor his
parents sinned, but that the Works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the Works of Him Who
sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can Work. As long as I Am in the world, I Am the
Light of the world.
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When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of
the Blind Man with the clay. And He said to him: Go. Wash in the Pool of Siloam, which translated means
Sent.) And he went and washed, and returned, seeing.
Therefore the neighbours and those who previously had seen that he was blind said: Is this not he who sat and
begged? Some said: It is he. Others said: He is like him. He said: I am he. And they said to him: How
were your eyes opened? He answered: A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me:
Go to the Pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed. And I received sight. And they asked him: Where is
He? He replied: I do not know.
They took him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. And it was a Sabbath when Jesus had made the clay and
opened his eyes. And the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them: He
put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see. Therefore, some of the Pharisees said: This Man is not from God
because He does not keep the Sabbath! Others said: How can anyone who is a sinner do such Signs? And there
was a division among them.
They said to the Blind Man again: What do you say about Him because He opened you eyes? He said: He is a
Prophet. But the Hebrews did not believe concerning the Blind Man that he had been blind and had received
his sight until they called his parents. And they asked them: Is this your son who you say was born blind?
How then does he now see? His parents answered them, and said: We know that this is our son, and that he
was born blind; but by what Means he now sees, we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for
himself.
His parents said these things because they feared the Hebrews, for the Hebrews had agreed already that anyone
who confessed that He was the Christ, would be put out of the Synagogue. Therefore, his parents said: He is of
age; ask him.
So they again called the man who was formerly blind, and said to him: Give God the Glory! We know that this Man
is a sinner! He replied: Whether He is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I do know is that although I was
blind, now I see! And they questioned him again: What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes? He
replied: I have told you already, yet you do not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to
become His Disciples? And they reviled him, and said: You are His Disciple, but we are Moses Disciples. We
know that God spoke to Moses; as for this Fellow we do not know where He is from.
The man answered them: Why, this is a marvellous thing that you do not know where He is from - yet He has
opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of God and does His
Will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was
born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing! They answered and said to him: You were
completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?! And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him: Do you believe in the Son of
God? And he answered and said: Who is He, O Lord, that I may believe in Him? And Jesus said to him: You
have both seen Him and it is He Who is speaking to you. And he said: O Lord: I believe! And He worshipped
Him.
And Jesus said: For Judgement I have come into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and those who
see may be made blind.
This Divine Healing is THE SIXTH SIGN OF OUR LORDS DIVINE NATURE
AND TRUE IDENTITY in St Johns Holy Gospel.
] OF ALL THE MIRACLE ACCOUNTS THROUGHOUT HOLY
SCRI PTURE, THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WHEREBY A PERSON
WAS BLIND FROM BIRTH I.E. BORN WI THOUT EYES AT
ALL!
] THE BLIND MAN SYMBOLISES ALL SPI RI TUALLY BLIND
HUMANI TY FOR WE ALL NEED SPI RI TUAL ILLUMINATION BY
CHRI ST OUR LORD WHO IS THE LIGHT OF THE FALLEN,
SPI RITUALLY DARKENED WORLD.
This Divine Miracle is AN I LLUSTRATI ON OF HOLY BAPTISM, which
is also referred to as Holy Illumination.
As Pascha (Easter) was the traditional day on which
Catechumens were received into the Holy Church of
Christ, THE SACRED LESSONS OF THE HOLY PASCHA PERIOD
FROM THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTI ON OF CHRIST UNTIL
PENTECOST ALL REFLECT A BAPTISMAL THEOLOGY. Thus,
this Sacred Lesson is read on the Sixth Sunday of Holy
Pascha.
OUR SAVI OUR REJECTED THE ASSUMPTI ON - which was
common in the ancient world - THAT ALL TROUBLES AND
MALADI ES WERE NECESSARILY THE CONSEQUENCE OF
PERSONAL SI N OR EVEN THE SI NS OF PARENTS. (REFER
EXODUS 20:5; DEUTERONOMY 5:9 & EZEKIEL 18:19-21)
ALTHOUGH SUFFERI NG CAN BE THE DIRECT RESULT OF PERSONAL
SIN, THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.
THE MAN WAS BORN WI THOUT EYES, WHICH PROVIDED THE MOST
AMAZING OPPORTUNI TY FOR THE DI VINE WORKS OF
ALMI GHTY GOD TO BE REVEALED TO EVERYONE CONCERNED
so the man was not blind due to anyones personal sin
at all.
The Work i.e. the Spiritual Labour - that we are able to fulfil
consists of FAITH, GOOD DEEDS AND REPENTANCE.
The night to which our Lord referred meant THE TIME AFTER
OUR DEATH AND THE AGE TO COME ETERNI TY WHEN
THERE IS NO LONGER ANY OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR
FAITH because AT OUR DEPARTURE FROM THI S WORLD OR
EARTHLY LIFE, THERE IS NO CHANCE OF REPENTANCE OR
CONFESSI ON AND ALL I MMORTAL, HUMAN SOULS WHETHER
BELI EVERS OR NOT WILL HAVE TO SUBMI T TO DEATH.
] THE UNPRECEDENTED HEALING OF THE MAN BORN WITHOUT
EYES CONFI RMS OUR LORD JESUS CHRI STS TRUTHFUL
PROCLAMATI ON THAT HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
St Irenaeus regarded THE MIXTURE OF CLAY FROM THE
EARTH AND THE SALI VA OF CHRIST OUR ALMI GHTY LORD
AND CREATOR LIKE THE ORIGI NAL CREATION OF
HUMANI TY FROM THE EARTH. (REFER GENESIS 2:7)
CHRI ST REVEALS HIS DIVINE NATURE BY RESTORI NG A TINY
PART OF CREATION BY USING THE SAME MATERI AL WI TH
WHICH HE HAD CREATED HUMANITY AT THE BEGINNI NG
OF OUR EXISTENCE.
The Pool of Siloam, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, was a
considerable distance from the Temple and provided the
water for the Holy Rites connected with the Feast of
Tabernacles (WHI CH T OGETHER WIT H PASCHA AND
PENTECOST WAS ONE OF T HE MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVALS OF
THE ANCIENT HEBREWS, WHICH INCLUDED NUMEROUS
SACRIFI CES AND CELEBRATIONS. (LEVITICUS 23:33 43)
Siloam meaning Sent symbolises CHRI ST WHO IS SENT
BY GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER and just as the Healing
of the Blind Man confirms Christs claim as the (Divine)
Light of the World, so also HIS USE OF THE POOL OF
SILOAM CONFI RMS THAT HE I S THE TRUE AND DI VINE
PURIFICATION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE AND ALL WHO
WORSHIP I N IT WI TH TRUE FAI TH I N GOD.
Just as the hypocritical Pharisees had ignored the Healing of
the Paralytic and focused only on the perceived violation
of the Sabbath, so too on this occasion MANY OF THEM
COULD NOT BEHOLD THE GLORY OF GOD DUE TO THEI R
PERSONAL WICKED PREJUDICE.
When Christ was not present, the Pharisees dared to
pronounce Him as a sinner, yet earlier, WHEN HE HAD
ASKED THEM FACE TO FACE: ...WHICH OF YOU CONVICTS
ME OF SIN? THEY HAD ALL EVADED THE VI TAL QUESTI ON.
Give God the Glory was an Oath Formula, which was
always used before giving testimony.
] THE FORMERLY BLIND MAN MOST CERTAI NLY GAVE GOD THE
GLORY FOR THE MORE HE WAS QUESTI ONED BY THE
HYPOCRI TES AND DOUBTERS, THE MORE FERVENT HIS
FAITH BECAME, WHI LE THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS PHARISEES
LAPSED DEEPER AND DEEPER I NTO SPI RITUAL DARKNESS
AND DEATH.
] THE HEALED BLIND MAN I S A MODEL OF CHRI STIAN
WITNESS.
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MOST PEOPLE DO NOT BEAR WITNESS TO CHRIST SI NCE THEY
FEAR THEY WILL BE ASKED QUESTI ONS THAT THEY WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER OR EXPLAI N.
THI S MANS HONEST AND SI MPLE ANSWER TO EVERYONE
EVEN THOSE WHO WERE FAR BETTER EDUCATED THAN HIM
PROVI DES THE TRUTH
HE ADMI TS SOMETHING THAT HE KNOWS NOTHI NG ABOUT YET
FOLLOWS UP WITH WHAT HE MOST CERTAINLY DOES
KNOW AND WHICH HE CAN POSITI VELY CONFI RM: ...
One thing I do know is that although I was blind, now I
see!
BY CONFI RMING WHAT WE DO MOST DEFI NI TELY KNOW IN
UTTER TRUTH AND WITHOUT ANY DOUBT IS FOUNDATI ONAL
TO WITNESSI NG OUR TRUE FAI TH TO OTHERS.
Have created perfectly healthy eyes for the formerly Blind
Man OUR LOVING LORD JESUS OPENED UP BOTH HIS
PHYSICAL AND SPI RI TUAL SI GHT FOR GOD ALONE CAN
OPEN OUR HEART AND SOUL BY HIS DIVI NE ILLUMINATI ON.
All healings had to be confirmed by the Priests, followed by
various ritual cleansings, sacrifices, etc. This is the only full
account of a healing being examined and questioned
by Hebrew authorities.
THE BLIND MAN PROGRESSES RAPIDLY FROM KNOWING NOTHI NG
ABOUT CHRI ST TO HIS REALISATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND
CONFESSI ON THAT THAT OUR LORD JESUS IS INDEED THE
TRUE MESSIAH: ... you do not know where He is from - yet
He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does
not hear sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of God
and does His Will, He hears him. Since the world
began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the
eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not
from God, He could do nothing!
The self-righteous, hypocritical Pharisees could not refute his
Inspired Logic and Truth so they resorted to personal
insult.
] THE DIVI NE HEALI NG OF THE BLI ND MAN WAS ONE OF THE
GREAT SIGNS OR MIRACLES OF THE MESSI AH AND A
PREROGATI VE (RIGHT) UNIQUELY AND EXCLUSI VELY OF
ALMI GHTY GOD. (I SAIAH 35:5 & 42:7 PSALM 145:8)
The coming of God Incarnate into our world brought Divine
Judgement to us not because He came to Judge us
but because of OUR ACCOUNTABILI TY TO GOD.
] ALL THOSE WHO SEE HIM AND WHO HEAR HIM BUT WHO DO
NOT BELI EVE OR WHO REJECT HIS DIVI NE TRUTH ARE
JUDGED BY THEIR OWN FAI THLESSNESS!
6
t h
S u n d a y o f Ho l y P a s c h a T h e Ma n Bo r n Wi t h o u t E y e s
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Todays Sacred Lesson concerning the Healing of the
Blind Man, who in fact was born without any
eyes at all is extremely significant for our
contemporary generation.
Without questioning the Blind Man about his Faith
or anything else about his life or circumstances,
our Lord Jesus Christ ...spat on the ground and
made clay with His Saliva; and He anointed the
eyes of the Blind Man with the clay... after which
the Blind Man had to make his way across the
Holy City to the Pool of Siloam, where he washed
his face as instructed. And immediately he was
able to see perfectly for the very first time!
However, the self-righteous Pharisees began
interrogating him about this most amazing
Miracle something they would never have been
able to do and of which had never been seen or
heard of before!
So they took the man to task, accusing our Saviour
of doing this Great Deed on the Sabbath.
Unable to find a single word to refute the Truth that
shone brilliantly before them in this
unprecedented Miracle, the Pharisees were
nevertheless unable to restrain themselves, and
in their envy and wrath they blasphemed God
and the Holy Spirit.
Some people ask: What is blasphemy against the
Holy Spirit?
This terrible sin is described in todays Gospel
Lesson and clearly demonstrates the one
unforgivable sin against God:
The Pharisees saw the Power of God, which was
manifested in the Miraculous Healing of the man
born without eyes, whom many of them knew
yet they stubbornly denied that Divine Power,
saying mockingly: Give God the praise! We
know that this Man (Christ) is a sinner!
However, after listening to all their arguments
whereby they tried to justify themselves and
condemn our Lord Jesus Christ, the healed man
responded: Why, this is a marvellous thing
that you do not know where He is from - yet He
has opened my eyes! Now we know that God
does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a
Worshipper of God and does His Will, He hears
him. Since the world began it has been unheard
of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was
born blind. If this Man were not from God, He
could do nothing!
Consequently, the Pharisees cast him out of the
Synagogue, and severed him from the society of
the Israelites.
He was deprived of all rights. From that time on,
according to Hebrew Law, no one could associate
with him, help him, or live with him.
Even his mother and father disowned him.
... my father and mother have forsaken me, but
the Lord has taken me to Himself. (PSALM 26:12)
At that very moment our Saviour Himself finds him
and says to him: Do you believe in the Son of
God? And he answered and said: Who is He, O
Lord, that I may believe in Him? And Jesus said to
him: You have both seen Him and it is He Who
is speaking to you. And he said: O Lord: I
believe! And He worshipped Him.
Our Lords words were very similar to those He said
to the Samaritan Woman.
And the man who had been born without eyes
needed no other proof for he worshipped Him
as God and Confessed: Lord, I believe!
It is no coincidence that a week ago the Holy Church
emphasized our Lords same Revelation to a
sinful but pure-hearted Samaritan Woman.
Both of these people beheld God face to Face.
We are a generation who are born Spiritually Blind,
because we were all born outside of Faith in the
Lord.
According to an ancient plan, our Spiritual Eyes
should have remained closed until our very
death. And millions upon millions of people
would have gone to Eternity without knowing
God, without knowing their own immortal soul,
or even without knowing the Spiritual World
itself.
Everything was done to ensure that we, born
Spiritually Blind from parents who were to one
or another extent also Spiritually Blind, would
remain that way forever.
But God worked a Great Miracle on us.
Without asking us whether we believe or not, but, on
the contrary, knowing that this Faith was not in
us, our Lord Anointed us with clay and sorrows
as with Holy Myrrh, and millions upon millions
of souls were Healed - our Spiritual Eyes were
opened and we began to see clearly for the very
first time!
Our contemporaries, like us, were Spiritually Blind
but having been Healed by our Creator - just like
the man who had been blind from birth we are
then subjected to difficult trials, interrogations,
and mockery by the Pharisees of this age, and
many of us were cut off from the society of our
friends and relatives.
What happened to the man born without eyes and
who was Healed by God, happened also to so
many of us.
But why did our Saviour heal that Blind Man in
particular? Why was this Divine Miracle
manifested in that particular person, and not in
the whole crowd of people who were around him
- who were just as misfortunate, injured, or sick?
Two weeks ago we heard from the Gospel how our
Saviour Healed the Paralytic who had thirsted
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and hoped for Healing over the course of thirty-
eight years, but the man blind from birth did not
seem to have any Faith, for he did not know who
to believe in.
He simply could not see our Lord Jesus Christ - he
did not see the One Who said to him: Go, wash
in the Pool of Siloam.
Only later did our Saviour reveal His Divinity to
precisely this man, because He saw his
courageous Confession before the enemies of
the Truth - the enemies of God.
Even so - why was one man Healed, and no one else?
Why did our Saviour pass by the crowd of wretched,
poor, crippled, and paralyzed people, and take
only one of them, and Heal him?
Why, out of the millions and billions of those born
blind does only a little Flock gain their Spiritual
Sight?
Why, out of hundreds of different Nations living in
the world, do only a few of them Confess the
Saving Orthodox Faith?
Humanly speaking, it is not fair! Humanly
speaking: What made the other blind people any
worse than this one?
And all the other Paralytics who lay by the Pool of
Bethesdawhat made them any worse than that
Paralytic who was Healed?
Why are you and me (and each of us knows our own
worth, which is not very high) any better than
the millions of our Brethren in this world, who
were not Enlightened by the Light of Faith?
Even during our Saviours earthly Life, when He
walked the Earth, He chose - out of so many -
only a few, by comparison.
The same circumstances are happening even now.
Even out of all Nations, our Lord chooses only some
people not everyone.
So who, after all, are those whom our Lord chooses
to Heal?
Before His Sufferings, at the Last Supper, He said to
His Disciples: I have chosen you out of the
world... (JOHN 15:19)
Later, in his High-Priestly Prayer, our Lord Jesus
Christ said to His Heavenly Father: Holy Father,
keep through Thine own Name those whom
Thou hast given Me. (JOHN 17:11)
Who are they? Wealthy and great people? Of course
not. Only the poor? Again, wrong.
Amongst Gods Chosen are people of every
economic or social status. Or perhaps they were
people who were rich in something else, such as
reason and wisdom? Nothing of the sort.
There were wise people who recognized the
feebleness of their minds, and there were people
entirely illiterate - even Holy Fools - to whom
extraordinary Revelations were suddenly sent.
Perhaps these were people rich in sins, because the
Lord was sent to Save sinners? But we know that
we are all sinful in the Sight of God.
Or maybe these were people rich in Faith? Yes, the
Lord requires our Faith in Him. Yet He Healed
the man blind from birth without his Faith being
an significant factor.
Our Lord Jesus Healed the man sick of the palsy, for
whom the roof of the house was broken up and
opened, and who was lowered down before
Christ by his friends - only because of their Faith
in our Saviour. (CF. MARK 2:4),
Furthermore, we also know that the demons
believe, and tremble So who does our Lord
choose for His Inheritance?
St Paul expressed it very clearly: ...nevertheless I
live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me. (GALATIANS 2:20)
These are the souls whom our Compassionate,
Loving Saviour chooses: those who can deny
themselves and become Gods Dwelling-place.
By Gods unsearchable, inexplicable Care for all
mankind, only such people are chosen, even
though they may be faint-hearted like the
Paralytic, who betrayed Christ two weeks later.
Even he could say, if only once in his life: See
Christ Lives in me!
He could have become Gods Temple.
Judas Iscariot was also Gods Temple at one time!
However, God will give over to corruption those who
corrupt His Holy Temple
I live; yet not I, but Christ Lives in me.
Anyone who has been Chosen by God can say the
same, because our old man (our old
wickedness) is done away with, and Christ is
Born and Dwells in us.
However, Christ lives in us in a way that is not at all
mere speculationnot only in our minds.
There are many believing Christians with Christ in
their minds: those who simply say, Yes, I believe
in Christ, but I do not belong to His Church.
There are people who philosophize about Christ,
who make dreamy assumptions about Him, and
want to hear about Him; but the Life of Christ is
not in them.
They are outside the All Holy, Life-giving Body of
Christ, outside the Holy Church of Christ.
Therefore, many people who have heard about
Christ, nevertheless live outside His Body and
outside His Divinity.
Of course, we speak of this not in order to feel
proud.
The Holy Church speaks of the Chosen Ones as
Gods Great Mercy towards sinful people, but
also as a great Responsibility. Because the
Chosen, unfortunately, can also be like Judas
Iscariot; they can become apostates, in whom
Christ once Lived, but who later betray and
crucify their Saviour.
Our gaining of Spiritual Sight consists of our
beginning to see ourselves as full of sins and
capable of every evil and betrayal.
Our gaining of Spiritual Sight consists of seeing the
world as it really is: lying in evil.
Our gaining of Spiritual Sight consists of our
beginning to see and appreciate in this world
only Gods Great Mercy toward us and all of
Spiritually Blind humankind.
But if we fail to see all of this, it means that we only
think that we see, while, in fact, we remain
Spiritually Blind from which only our Lord Jesus
Christ may Heal and Deliver us!
Christ is Risen!
APXHMAHPHT THXOH (BEBKVHOB), MOHAXHH KOPHHHH (PHC),
ARCHIMANDRITE TIKHON (SHEVKUNOV)
08 / 06 / 2013
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/35149.HTM
S t S y me o n t h e N e w T h e o l o g i a n
The person who sees with physical eyes knows when
it is night and when it is day - the blind man is
unaware of both.
The person who has come to see with the eyes of the
spirit, and who has beheld the True and
Quenchless Light, is consciously aware that when
he is deprived of it, should he return, out of
laziness, to his former blindness; and he will not
be ignorant of why this has happened.
But the person blind from birth, and remaining so,
knows nothing of these things from personal
experience of their operation.
He knows about them only from hearsay, but has
never actually seen them; and if he tells others
what he has heard, neither he nor his audience
will know what he is talking about. (ONE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY-THREE PRACTICAL AND THEOLOGICAL TEXTS)
A S C E N S I O N T H U R S D A Y 2 9 M A Y 2 0 1 4
29
Gr e e k Or t h o d o x Pa t r i a r c h a t e o f Al e x a n d r i a
& Al l Af r i c a
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHI P TO T HE FATHER, AND T O THE SON, AND T O THE HOLY SPI RI T , NOW AND FOREVER,
AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERI NG ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORI OUS LADY, MARIA, THEOT OKOS, YET
EVER VI RGI N, TOGETHER WI T H ALL THE SAI NT S. AND LET US COMMI T OURSELVES AND ONE ANOT HER AND OUR WHOLE
2 9 Ma y 2 0 1 4
A s c e n s i o n Th u r s d a y
AL S O T HE FE AS T OF ST T HE ODOS I A OF T Y RE ST AL E XANDROS OF AL E XANDRI A - ST
JOHN, FOOL F OR CHRI S T , OF US T I UG ST T HE ODOS I A T HE VI RGI N MART Y R OF
CONS T ANT I NOP L E T HE HOL Y FAT HE RS & HOL Y MOT HE RS OF AT CHARA, GE ORGI A
E N T R A N C E O F A S C E N S I O N & C O M M U N I O N H Y M N ( & S E C O N D A N T I P H O N * )
Anevi O Theos en alalagmo, Kyrios en foni salpingos.
*Soson imas Iie Theou, O EN DOXI ANALIFTHIS AF IMON
IS TOUS OURANOUS, psallontas Si: Allilouia!
God Ascended with a shout; the Lord with the sound of
the Trumpet
*O Son of God, TAKEN UP FROM US IN GLORY INTO
HEAVEN, Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N A S C E N S I O N T H U R S D A Y
Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, Haropiisas tous
Mathitas, ti epangelia tou Agiou Pnevmatos,
vaveothenton afton dia tis Evlogias, oti Si i O Iios tou
Theou, O Litrotis tou kosmou.
Thou Ascended in Glory, O Christ our God, after Thou
filled the Disciples with Joy, by promising to send
them the Holy Spirit, and Thou Blessed them and
established their Faith, that Thou art the Son of God,
the Redeemer of the world.
F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N A S C E N S I O N - T O N E ( 6 ) P L A G A L 2
Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis
Ouraniis, anelifthis en doxi, Hriste O Theos imon,
oudamothen horizomenos, alla menon adiastatos, ke
voon tis agaposi se. EGO IMI METH IMON, KE OUDIS
KATH IMON.
When Thou had fulfilled the Dispensation for our sake,
and united things on earth with the Things in
Heaven, Thou were taken up thither in Glory, O
Christ our god, going not away from any place, but
continuing inseparable, and to the m who Love Thee,
crying out: I AM WITH YOU AND THERE IS, THEREFORE,
NONE AGAINST YOU.
D I V I N E L I T U R G Y - F E S T A L S E C O N D A N T I P H O N A S C E N S I O N T H U R S D A Y T O N E 2
STIHOS Megas Kyrios, ke enetos sfodra.
Soson imas Iie Theou, O EN DOXI ANALIFTHIS AF
IMON IS TOUS OURANOUS, psallontas Si: Allilouia!
STIHOS O Theos en tes Varesin aftis ginoskete
STIHOS Oti idou i Vasilis tis gis sinihthisan
VERSE Great is our God and greatly to be praised
O Son of God, TAKEN UP FROM US IN GLORY INTO
HEAVEN, Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia
VERSE God is known in Her Palaces; whenever He helps
Her.
VERSE For behold: the Kings of the earth were assembled
P r o k e i me n o n o f t h e A s c e n s i o n T O N E ( 7 ) V A R Y S / G R A V E
Be exalted, O God, above the Heavens...!
My heart is ready, O God...
Th e A c t s o f t h e Ho l y A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 : 1 1 2
T H E F I N A L T E A C H I N G O F C H R I S T & H I S A S C E N S I O N
The former account I made, O Theophilos, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day on which He
was taken up, after He, through the Holy Spirit, had given Commandments to the Apostles whom He had chosen
to whom He had also presented Himself alive after His Suffering, by many infallible proofs being seen by them
during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And, being assembled together
with them, He Commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which...
He said: ... You have heard from Me; for John truly Baptised with water, but you shall be Baptised with the Holy
Spirit not many days from now.
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him: Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore the Kingdom of Israel?
And He said to them: It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father has put in His own Authority.
But you shall receive Power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be Witnesses to Me in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Now, when He had spoken these Things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a Cloud received Him out of
their sight. And while they looked steadfastly towards Heaven as He went up, behold, two Men stood by them in
white apparel, who also said: O Men of Galilee: why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who was
taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem a Sabbath Days journey.
30. A S C E N S I O N T H U R S D A Y 2 9 M A Y 2 0 1 4
Th e Ho l y Go s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 2 4 : 3 6 5 3
T H E P A S S I O N O F O U R L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T
At that time the soldiers also mocked our Lord Jesus, offering Him sour wine, and saying: If Thou art the King of the
Jews, save Thyself! And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin and Hebrew: This is the
King of the Jews! And one of the criminals who were hanging beside Him blasphemed Him, saying: If Thou art the
Christ, save Thyself and us! But the other one rebuked him, saying: Do you not even fear God, seeing that you are
under the same Condemnation? And we indeed Justly, for we receive the due Reward of our deeds; but this Man has
done nothing wrong. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when Thou come into Thy Kingdom. And Jesus
said to him: Truly, I say to you: today you will be with Me in Paradise.
Now it was about the Sixth Hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the Ninth Hour. And the sun was
darkened, and the Veil of the Temple was ripped in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud Voice, He said:
Father, into Thy Hands I commit My Spirit! Having said this, He breathed His last. So when the Centurion saw
what had happened, he Glorified God, saying: Certainly this was a Righteous Man! And the whole crowd who had
gathered together for that sight seeing what had been done beat their breasts and returned. But all His
acquaintances, and the Women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Now behold: there was a man named Joseph a Council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their
decision and deed. He was from Arimathea a city of the Hebrews who himself was also waiting for the Kingdom
of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. Then he took It down, wrapped It in linen, and
laid It in a Tomb that was hewn out of rock, where no one had ever lain before.
A s c e n s i o n Th u r s d a y
The "...two men in white apparel..." who immediately
after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ
appeared to the Apostles and asked them why
they stood gazing up into Heaven, were without
doubt themselves inhabitants of Heaven.
Therefore it is not to be supposed that this was
displeasing to them, or that they desired to direct
the gaze of those men of Galilee elsewhere. No.
They desired only to put an end to the inert
amazement of the Apostles by saying:: O Men of
Galilee: why do you stand gazing up into
Heaven?
And, having aroused them from their amazement,
they draw them into Meditation, and teach them
and us with what thoughts we should gaze into
Heaven, following our Lord Jesus Who has
Ascended ...This same Jesus, Who was taken up
from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner
as you saw Him go into Heaven.
The Disciples of our Saviour then beheld the exact
Fulfilment of His Words, which St Mary
Magdalene had recounted to them: ...I Am
Ascending to My Father and your Father, and
to My God and your God.
They could not but conclude that those Joyful
Visitations, which He had bestowed upon them
during the forty days after His Resurrection from
the dead - those instructive conversations with
Him, that palpable Communion between them
and His Divine Humanity - were at that moment
ended.
When neither hand nor voice could any longer reach
Him, they followed Him with their eyes, eager to
detain Him.
They looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went
up.
We can conceive what an immeasurable bereavement
the Apostles must have felt after the Ascension
into Heaven of our Lord Jesus, Who was all and
everything in the world to them; and it is this
very bereavement for which the Heavenly Powers
hastened to console them...
In considering the circumstances of the Ascension of
Christ into Heaven, we may first note the Blessing
that He finally gave to His Apostles and Disciples:
...while He Blessed them, ... He was parted from
them and carried up into Heaven.
What an endless current of the Divine Grace of
Christ is thus revealed to us, Christians!
Our Lord began a Blessing, and before its completion
He ascended into Heaven; for while He Blessed
them He was carried up into Heaven.
Thus even after His Ascension into Heaven, our Lord
continues invisibly to impart His Blessing, which
flows and descends continuously upon His Holy
Apostles - and through them It is diffused upon
those whom they Bless in the Name of Jesus
Christ.
And those who have received the Blessing of Christ
through His Holy Apostles have spread it among
others throughout the ages - and thus do all
who belong to the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
Church become Partakers of the One Blessing of
Christ.
As the Dew of Hermon that descended upon Mount
Zion, so does this Blessing of Peace descend upon
every soul who rises above passions and lusts,
above vanity and the cares of the world.
As an Indelible Seal it stamps those who are of Christ
in such a manner that at the end of the world He
will by this very Sign Call them forth from the
midst of all mankind, saying: Come, you who
are Blessed!
And now, my Brethren, let us consider how needful it
is for us to endeavour to gain now - and to
preserve this Blessing - of our Ascended Lord,
which descends upon us also through His
Apostolic Church.
If we have received and preserved It, we shall, at the
future Advent of Jesus Christ, be Called together
with the Apostles and the Saints to participate in
His Kingdom: Come, all you who are Blessed!
But if - when He shall Call the Blessed of His Father -
this Blessing either be not found in us, or we be
found in possession only of the false blessing of
men who themselves have not inherited the
Blessing of God our Heavenly Father by Grace and
in the Holy Mysteries, then what will become of
us?
Yea, I say, let us consider this vital point before the
opportunity be taken away.
The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the
night. From this same unexpectedness of His
Second Coming, our Lord Himself draws for us
Christians a Saving Warning: Watch, therefore,
for you know not what Hour your Lord will
come!
Do not be led away by curiosity or credulity, and
beware of those who pretend to know more than
Christ has granted them to know.
Let us endeavour rather to know what failings we
have, to number our transgressions, and to seek a
limit to them in Repentance.
Let us take heed lest the children of this world and
our own passions lull our spirits into sleep, until
the approach of that longed for, yet Dreadful
Hour: when our Lord comes!
The Blessing of the Lord be upon you by His Grace
and Love for all mankind, always, now, and ever
and unto the Ages of the ages.
Amen
ARCHIMANDRITE SEBASTIAN DABOVICH - "LECTURES AND SERMONS
BY A PRIEST OF THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH"
CUBERY AND COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, SAN FRANCISCO
CA, 1899, PAGES: 148-152.
ORTHODOX CANADA, (PENTECOST, 2008)
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOXCANADA.COM/JOURNAL/2008-02-
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