Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF
AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

1 July 2010

Feast of St Kosmas & St Damianos the Unmercenaries of Rome

Also the Feast of St Constantine the New Martyr; St Julius & St Aaron the
Protomartyrs of Wales & St Nikodemos of Mount Athos

A POL YT IKION O F ST KO SM A S & ST D AMI ANO S HOL Y UNMERCEN ARI ES O F ROME – TONE PL AG AL 4

Agii Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe tas Sainted Unmercenaries and Wonder Workers, regard our
astheneias imon: dorean elavete, dorean dote imin! infirmities; freely You have received, freely share with
us.
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine Intercession,
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. and press on Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always
protects all those who honour Thee!
KO NT AKION O F ST KO SM A S & ST DA MI ANO , HOL Y UN MER CEN ARI ES O F ROME - TO NE 2

I tin Harin lavontes ton iamaton, efaploute tin rosin tis en Having obtained the Grace of Healing, You grant health to
anagkes, Iatri Thavmatorgi endoxi. Alla ti imin those in need! O Kosmas and Damianos, Physicians
episkepsi, ke ton polemion ta thrasi katavalete, ton and Most Glorious Wonderworkers, Visit us, putting
kosmon iomeni en tis thavmasi. down the insolence of our enemies, And by
YourMiracles, bring healing to the universe!
The First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 12 : 27 – 13 : 8
THE DIVINE GIFT OF LOVE IS THE MOST SUPERIOR OF ALL THE HOLY GIFTS RECEIVED BY US
Brethren: you are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first,
Apostles; second, Prophets; third, Teachers: after that: Miracles, then Gifts of Healings, Helps, Administrations, varieties
of Tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healings? Do all
speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best Gifts, and yet, I show you a more excellent way.
Although I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging
cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge, and although I have
all Faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing!
And although I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt, but have not Love, it profits
me nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind; Love does not envy; Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. Love does not behave
rudely, nor does it seek its own. It is not provoked and thinks no evil. Love does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in
the Truth. Love bears all things and endures all things.
Love never fails but whether there are Prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there
is Knowledge, it will vanish away...
This Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians, reminds us clearly Although G O D N E V E R F O R C E S U S T O D O H I S W I L L , we
that we should NEVER FEEL SPIRITUALLY INFERIOR TO must CONSTANTLY BE PREPARED to do whatever He
ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE EVERY MEMBER OF CHRIST’S HOLY requires of us - according to our sincere devotion to God
BODY – CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH – IS IMPORTANT AND VITAL or our Faith in and Love of God - WITHOUT ANY DOUBTS
TO THE OVERALL LIFE AND WORK OF HIS HOLY CHURCH. OR TREPIDATION – COMPLETELY CONFIDENT THAT ONLY
❃ G O D H A S C A L L E D E V E R Y O N E TO HIS SACRED GOD CAN DO “THE IMPOSSIBLE!”
SERVICE so no matter how unimportant we may think SINCE THE BEGINNING IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE NEW
we are, in the Sight of God each and EVERY PERSON COVENANT A HIERARCHY OF HONOUR EXISTS whereby THE
HAS A HOLY PURPOSE ACCORDING TO THE ETERNAL APOSTOLIC WORK – THAT OF OUR BISHOPS – SETS THE
PLAN OF OUR LOVING AND BENEVOLENT CREATOR. PACE for all the rest of us Faithful.
NOT ONE PERSON HAS BEEN BORN “BY MISTAKE” OR FOR NO
Therefore, WHEN THE OVERSIGHT OF THE HOLY CHURCH IS IN
PURPOSE AT ALL!!
ORDER, THE WHOLE CHURCH FUNCTIONS AT THE OPTIMAL
EVERY HUMAN BEING IS ESSENTIAL to one another for this LEVEL.
Spiritual Journey that we all experience during this short, ❃ ST PAUL’S MOST MEMORABLE AND SIGNIFICANT SACRED
temporary, preparatory time before Eternity. LESSON OF DIVINE LOVE IS THE MOST INDISPENSABLE,
God knows us so completely (better than we can ever know VITAL LESSON OF ALL!
ourselves!) that HE CALLS EACH OF US ACCORDING TO (His B E I N C E S S A N T L Y A W A R E : EVEN WITH ALL THE DIVINE
Knowledge of ) OUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. GIFTS THAT ARE BESTOWED ON US ACCORDING TO THE
O N L Y G O D I S A L L - K N O W I N G because when we are DIVINE WILL OF GOD AND ACCORDING TO OUR PERSONAL
Called to serve Him in a special manner, it is OFTEN IN CALLING AND SPIRITUAL ABILITIES, THERE IS SOMETHING
SPITE OF OURSELVES AND OUR PERCEPTION OF OUR OWN FAR MORE EXCELLENT THAT THEM ALL:
ABILITIES. ❃ DIVINE LOVE, IS THE TRUE SIGN OF THE
And when He Calls us, WE MUST BE READY AND EAGERLY VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
WILLING TO FULFIL OUR SACRED DUTIES WITH ALL I F W E D O N O T P O S S E S S THE GREATEST DIVINE GIFT OF
HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE – NO MATTER WHAT!! ALL – L O V E – T H E N W E A R E U T T E R L Y B E R E F T O F
❃ THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN “INDIVIDUAL” OR ANYTHING GOOD AT ALL!
“INDEPENDENT” CHRISTIAN BECAUSE WE ARE ALL CONSEQUENTLY: W I T H O U T L O V E O F G O D A N D F O R O U R
INTERWOVEN AND UNITED IN GOD’S DIVINE LOVE and FELLOW HUMAN B E I N G S , which motivates and
WE ARE ALL CALLED IN CHRIST TO SUFFER AND compels us to do Good Deeds in Obedience to God’s
STRUGGLE TOGETHER, BEING HONOURED TOGETHER greatest Commandment, W E C A N N O T E X P E C T T O
AND TO REJOICE TOGETHER. ENJOY ETERNAL LIFE WITH ALL ITS

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS THE HOLY UNMERCENARIES OF ROME 1 JULY 2010
1
 BLESSEDNESS OF LOVE – BEING IN THE VERY ❃ OBVIOUSLY: W E C A N N O T H A V E E T E R N A L L I F E I N
PRESENCE OF GOD WHO IS 100% DIVINE LOVE! GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM, WHICH IS AN
INFINITE STATE OF PURE LOVE!

The Holy Gospel According to Matthew 10 : 1, 5 – 8

OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST’S INSTRUCTION CONCERNING OUR HOLY MISSION IN THIS LIFE AS HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES

At that time, when Jesus had Called His Disciples to Him, He gave them Power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to
heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
These Twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them: “Do not go into the city of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the
Samaritans, but rather go to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. And, as you go, preach by saying; ‘The Kingdom of
Heaven is at hand!’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received; freely
give.”
The terms “Apostles” and “Disciples” are often used
interchangeably for the Twelve Apostles whom our Lord
Jesus Christ chose as His closest, most intimate
companions and Spiritual Students.
“DISCIPLE” is a reference to ONE WHO LEARNS while
“APOSTLE” refers to ONE WHO IS SENT OUT TO TEACH
GOD’S TRUTH TO OTHERS.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD
GRANTED HIS APOSTLES A LITTLE OF HIS DIVINE POWER TO
PERFORM MIRACLES, WHILE HE PERFORMS ALL MIRACLES
BY HIS OWN DIRECT DIVINE POWER – by the Will of the
Father, through Him, with the Energy and Activity of the
Holy Spirit. (The Holy Trinity always works in perfect unity.)
The Mission of Christ’s Apostles was similar to that of our Lord
and Saviour Himself: TO PREACH AND TO TEACH OTHERS
SO THAT THEY WOULD REPENT THEIR SINS – especially
their Spiritual Disobedience to and rebellion against God’s
Divine Commandments – THUS PREPARING THEMSELVES
FOR GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF DIVINE LOVE.
It is of particular note that AT THE BEGINNING OF CHRIST’S
EARTHLY MISSION, HIS PARTICULAR ATTENTION WAS UPON
THE HEBREW NATION – THE CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD –
WHO HAD DRIFTED INTO ALL KINDS OF HERESY AND EVEN
BLASPHEMY AGAINST GOD.
❃ MANY, THROUGH WILFUL APOSTASY OR GENUINE
IGNORANCE HAD SLIPPED INTO A KIND OF PSEUDO-
PAGANISM – A GREAT SPIRITUAL PERIL THAT SO MANY
PEOPLE ARE FALLING PREY TO THESE DAYS!
Since His earthly, public Mission was to be of such a limited
span of time, CHRIST SENT FORTH HIS HOLY APOSTLES TO
SPREAD GOD’S TRUTH THROUGH THEIR PREACHING AND
HEALING, WHICH WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY DIVINE GRACE.
THE HEBREWS WERE THE FIRST TO BE ENLIGHTENED AND
HEALED OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL AILMENTS SO
THAT AFTER THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
WHEN MANY WOULD ACCEPT THE NEW COVENANT WITH
GOD, THEY COULD NOT ACCUSE THE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES
OF FIRST PREACHING TO AND HEALING THE GENTILES
WHO, AT THE TIME, WERE NOT GOD’S PEOPLE.
Our Lord prepared His Disciples to be single-minded or
focused in their Holy Mission of preaching and healing by
emphasizing the fact that BECAUSE T H E I R R E C E I V E D
POWER TO DO WHATEVER WAS REQUIRED WAS A
FREE DIVINE GIFT FROM G O D , THEY WERE
FORBIDDEN TO CARRY ANY MONEY WITH THEM.
T H E Y W E R E T O B E C O M P L E T E L Y U N M E R C E N A R Y BY
NOT ACCEPTING ANY PAYMENT FROM PEOPLE FOR THEIR
SACRED MISSION OF PREACHING AND HEALING.
THUS THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST COULD NEVER BE ACCUSED
OR GUILTY OF GREED AND THEY WOULD LEARN ABSOLUTE
DEPENDENCE UPON THE GRACE OF GOD WHO PROVIDES
ALL OUR NECESSITIES OF LIFE.
❃ JUST AS GOD FREELY GRANTS US EVERYTHING
ESSENTIAL TO LIFE, SO TOO MUST WE
FREELY SHARE OUR BLESSINGS WITH
OTHERS!

St Kosmas & St Damianos of Rome – Holy Unmercenaries

St Kosmas & St Damianos were brothers who were, by
the Grace of God, Unmercenary, Miracle3working
Physicians.
They were born in Rome and had been Baptised in their
childhood and raised in the Christian Faith.
They were granted abundant Divine Grace whereby they
were able to heal not only people but also animals
from every known disease and ailment, usually by
simply laying their hands upon them.
They never accepted any payment for the Divine Miracles
of God and they only requested those whom they
helped to believe in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ through Whom all things are possible.
After their parents had reposed in Christ, the two
brothers inherited a very large estate which they
immediately distributed amongst the destitute and
the needy.
Emperor Galerios reigned in Rome at the time and being
a merciless persecutor of Christians, upon hearing of
the two generous and kind brothers, summoned
them to appear before him.
They were promptly arrested, chained up like common
criminals and presented to the Emperor who, after a
prolonged interrogation, ordered them to renounce
Christ and to honour the pagan idols.
Nevertheless, St Kosmas and St Damianos not only
refused to obey Emperor Galerios but they also
bravely told him to renounce the useless “gods” that
were invented and made by human beings.
They advised him to rather acknowledge and to worship
the One All Powerful and True God Who is not
Furthermore, they pointed out the fact that if there had
not been any artists to design and to produce their
pagan idols from earthly materials, they would have
nothing to worship at all!
Emperor Galerios suffered from a grave infirmity and
when St Kosmas and St Damianos miraculously
relieved his suffering and restored him to good
health, he proclaimed his Faith in Christ and ordered
the two Unmercenary Wonder3Working Saints to be
released and allowed to live in peace.
And so it was that St Kosmas and St Damianos
continued to Glorify our One True God 3 by His
Divine Grace healing the sick, comforting the needy
and teaching God’s Truth to all who were willing to
hear and thereby converting many to Christianity.
Eventually, a certain Roman Physician who had at one
time taught them their medical skills, became
extremely jealous of their popularity amongst all
people regardless of social status or belief and their
healing abilities so one day he invited them to join
him in gathering healing herbs from the surrounding
mountains.
However, once they were isolated from any witnesses,
the wicked man and his friends attacked and stoned
the two Saints to death.
Although they suffered such a cruel death in 284, due to
their most honourable Faith, their memory remains
Eternal in the Holy Church of Christ on earth, while
their souls reside in the Kingdom of our Lord, living
Eternally in Glory and in Joy.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP:
MP: FROM THE PROLOGUE OF OCHRID OF ST NIOLAI AT
AT

created by anyone but Who is the Creator of (http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/prolog.htm)

everything visible and invisible.
Wisdom of our Holy Fathers
Lorenzo Scupoli
...when you see a thing with your eyes, or visualize it in your mind, keep a firm grip on your desires and do not allow yourself at the first glance
either to conceive a liking for the thing or a dislike for it, but examine it in a detached way with the mind alone.
Unobscured by passion, the mind then remains in a state natural to it, which is free and pure, and has the possibility to know the Truth and to
penetrate into the depths of a thing, where evil is often concealed under a deceptively attractive exterior and where good is sometimes hidden
under a bad appearance. (UNSEEN WARFARE - CHAPTER 8)

SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS THE HOLY UNMERCENARIES OF ROME 1 JULY 2010
2
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER , AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND FOREVER, AND TO THE
AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARY, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER
VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR
GOD. AMEN.

6th Sunday After Pentecost Tone (5) Plagal 1 4 July 2010

6th Sunday of St Matthew – Paralytic & Friends: Faith & Forgiveness

Feast of St Andrew of Crete (Composer of the Great Canon); St Michael Choniates of Athens;
St Martha (mother of St Symeon Stylites the Younger); St Asclepsios the Wonderworker; the Holy Imperial Martyrs of Russia: St Nicholas II
Emperor & St Alexandra Empress and their children: St Olga, St Tatiana, St Maria, St Anastasia and St Alexis
RE SURRE CTION A POL YTIK ION – T ONE (5 ) PL AGAL 1

Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no
Parthenou tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Pisti, ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise Sarki anelthin en Virgin, let us Faithful believers hymn and adore. For it
to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the Flesh,
en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou. and to Suffer Death, and through His own Glorious
Resurrection to raise the dead.
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se.
Resurrection Gospel 6: Luke 24:35 – 53 - O U R
O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the
Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine Intercession,
and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always
protects those who honour Thee!
LORD JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES & ASCENDS TO HEAVEN

PROKEIMENON O Lord, protect us and preserve us both now and forever. Save us, O Lord, for there is not one godly man left.
St Paul’s Epistle to the Romans 12 : 6 – 14
A LIFE OF DIVINE MERCY FOR ALL HUMANITY
Brethren: having Gifts that differ according to the Grace that is granted to us, let us use them: if prophecy, then let us
prophesy in proportion to our Faith; or if ministry, let us use it in our ministering; those who teach, in their teaching;
those who exhort, in their exhortation; those who give, give with liberality; those who lead, lead with diligence; those who
show mercy, do so with cheerfulness.
Let Love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with
brotherly Love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
rejoicing in Hope; patient in tribulation; continuing unwaveringly in Prayer; distributing to the needs of the Saints, given to
hospitality...
✽ WE LIVE OUR FAITHFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH ✽ WHATEVER WE ACHIEVE, IS DUE TO THE
G O D I N H I S H O L Y C H U R C H , which is the Body of GREAT MERCY AND INFINITE LOVE OF
Christ, WITH HUMILITY, SINCERITY, AND THE PROPER GOD.
USE OF ALL OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS that have been Consequently, WITHOUT FAIL, WE MUST WITH HUMBLE,
granted to us by God. SINCERE AND DEEPEST GRATITUDE ASCRIBE ALL GLORY,
MINISTRY – OUR HOLY SERVICE TO GOD THROUGH OUR HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO ALMIGHTY GOD.
RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FELLOW SINNERS - REQUIRES US While Faithful Disciples of Christ are Justified by Faith, our
TO FUNCTION TOGETHER IN DIVERSITY. FAITH IS INTIMATELY UNITED TO OUR AUTHENTIC GOOD
In other words: no matter how different and unique each of us WORKS, WHICH EXPOSE AND EXPRESS OUR TRUE STATE
is, WE CAN STILL WORK TOGETHER HARMONIOUSLY FOR AND DEGREE OF FAITH.
THE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL BENEFIT OF ONE ANOTHER. ✽ FAITH AND GOOD WORKS CANNOT BE
✽ EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT IN WAYS KNOWN SEPARATED.
ONLY TO GOD. UNLESS WE LEARN TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
So we should NEVER FEEL INSIGNIFICANT NOR THINK THAT UNCONDITIONALLY AND RENOUNCE OUR
WHAT WE SAY, WHAT WE DO, AND WHAT WE THINK IS OF NO DESTRUCTIVE SINS, WE CANNOT EXPECT TO
IMPORTANCE TO ANYONE ELSE. PARTICIPATE IN THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF
We have an effect on everything else that surrounds us GOD – A STATE OF PERPETUAL LOVE, PEACE
because IT IS NOT MERELY BY CHANCE THAT EACH OF US AND JOY.
EXISTS. We only have our short life-time to prepare and to improve
We are all significant pieces of God’s Divine Plan of Eternal ourselves to become worthy Heavenly Citizens.
Love. This is the entire purpose of earthly life and we should not
Our Spiritual Journey through this life is not a solo endeavour. waste a moment of it on nonsense or worthless matters
WE ALL PROCEED TOWARDS ETERNITY TOGETHER, THROUGH that cause our alienation from God and which stunt our
THIS LIFE OF SPIRITUAL PREPARATION. Spiritual Growth.
Therefore, WE MUST ENCOURAGE, ASSIST AND SUPPORT EACH THE HOLY GOSPEL TEACHINGS OF CHRIST AND THOSE OF ST
OTHER as we slowly progress towards our ultimate PAUL AND THE OTHER APOSTLES ARE OUR “SPIRITUAL
GUIDEBOOKS” OR “MAPS” THAT POINT US IN THE RIGHT
Destination.
DIRECTION TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE.
THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL GIFTS MENTIONED in this passage PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THEIR WISDOM AND TRUTH.
should not be understood as being exhaustive since they
REPRESENT ALL THE INFINITE DIVINE GIFTS THAT GOD HAS All my happiness and unhappiness are in the thoughts and desires of my
GRANTED US.
heart. If the thoughts of my heart are in accord with God's Truth,
✽ EVERY BAPTISED CHRISTIAN IS CALLED TO with the Will of God, then I am at rest, filled with Divine Light, Joy
S E R V E C H R I S T T H R O U G H H I S H O L Y C H U R C H BY and Blessedness; if not, I am uneasy, filled with Spiritual Darkness
MAKING FULL SPIRITUALLY PROFITABLE USE OF ALL THE
that corrupts the soul, with heaviness and despondency. If I replace
GIFTS BESTOWED UPON US BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO
ENABLES US TO DO EVEN THINGS THAT WE WOULD NEVER
the false and ungodly thoughts of my heart by True and Godly
HAVE THOUGHT POSSIBLE! thoughts, then rest, Blessedness and Joy return. ST. JOHN OF KRONSTADT

Before the war begins, seek out your ally; before you fall ill, seek out your physician; and before grievous things come upon you, pray, and in the
time of your tribulations you will find Him, and He will listen to you. ST ISAAC OF SYRIA

6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 6TH OF ST MATTHEW – THE FAITH OF THE PARALYTIC & HIS FRIENDS – 4 JULY 2010
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS)
3
 The Holy Gospel According to Matthew 9 : 1 – 8
THE PARALYTIC & HIS FRIENDS: FORGIVENESS & HEALING
At that time, our Lord Jesus got into a boat, crossed over, and arrived at His own city. Then, behold, they brought to Him a
Paralytic lying on a bed and when Jesus saw their Faith, He said to the Paralytic: “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are
forgiven you.”
And at once the Scribes said within themselves: “This Man blasphemes!” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said: “Why do you
think evil in your heart? For which is easier: to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say: ‘Arise and walk!’ But that
you may know that the Son of Man has Power on earth to forgive sins...” and then He turned to the Paralytic and said:
“Arise, take up your bed, and return to your house.”
And he arose and went to his house.
Now, when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God Who had given such Power to men.
At this stage of His Life, our Lord Jesus Christ lived in the city PERSONALLY, THEREBY FREEING HUMAN BEINGS FROM
of Capernaum from whence He and His Apostles and SPIRITUAL BONDAGE AND SPIRITUAL DEATH CAUSED BY SIN.
Disciples would set out to spread His Divine Teachings and THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS IS A FAR GREATER DIVINE MERCY
THAN THE PHYSICAL HEALING OF OUR BODIES.
heal the afflicted.
As demonstrated by the young Paralytic and his four Without realising it, the hypocritical Scribes spoke the Truth
determined friends who had made a hole in the roof of the when they said that O N L Y G O D C A N F O R G I V E
house so that, with ropes attached to his bed upon which SIN!
he lay, he could be set down right before Christ Whom they Our Lord Jesus Christ would never have blasphemed to such a
knew with certainty could heal him, FAITH IS AN degree by claiming Divine Powers if He was not entitled to
INDISPENSABLE CONDITION FOR OUR SALVATION. (MARK 2:1-12 &
them!!
LUKE 5 : 17 – 26) HIS WORDS OF DIVINE TRUTH EMPHASISE AND CONFIRM HIS
FAITH IS NOT ONLY PERSONAL BUT ALSO COLLECTIVE as was DIVINE NATURE – THE TRUTH THAT O U R L O R D J E S U S
unmistakable from the Faith of the Paralytic and his friends CHRIST IS INDEED THE WORD AND SON OF GOD
THE FATHER – TRULY GOD OF GOD AND GOD
- their absolute determination and confidence of Faith
INCARNATE – GOD-MAN.
contributed towards the Paralytic’s Miraculous Healing. It is far easier to grant the Miracle of physical healing - even
THREE SIGNS OF OUR LORD JESUS’ DIVINITY ARE REVEALED:
through others - but T R U E S P I R I T U A L H E A L I N G
✽ HE K N O W S A L L S E C R E T S OF THE HEART – NOTHING IS COMES ONLY BY THE DIRECT ACTION AND WILL
HIDDEN FROM HIM. OF GOD HIMSELF.
✽ HE T R U L Y F O R G I V E S S I N S – A DIVINE POWER THAT ALTHOUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS FULLY GOD AND
ONLY GOD POSSESSES ACCORDINGLY POSSESSES DIVINE AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE
SINS, HE HEALED THE PARALYTIC IN FRONT OF THE
✽ HE H E A L S B Y T H E P O W E R O F H I S D I V I N E W O R D –
GATHERED MULTITUDE IN ORDER T O DRAW THEM
HIS HEALING IS IMMEDIATE.
CLOSER TO ALMIGHTY GOD WHOM THEY
One of the important Divine Purposes of God Incarnate coming THEN CORRECTLY GLORIFIED AND
into our world was TO FORGIVE SINS DIRECTLY AND WORSHIPPED FOR HIS GREAT MERCY.

“Be of Good Cheer – Your Sins are Forgiven!”

What are OUR SINS THAT NEED TO BE FORGIVEN?
Our sins are OUR IMPERFECTIONS OF CHARACTER.
Our sins are OUR PERSONAL FLAWS THAT HAVE CORRUPTED
THE PERFECTION WITH WHICH GOD CREATED US.
Sin takes many forms but it is all ROOTED IN OUR ABUSE OF
OUR CREATED BEING – THE MISHANDLING OR
EXPLOITATION OF OUR GOD-GIVEN FREE WILL – OUR
PERSONAL FREEDOM AND ABILITY TO CHOOSE.
In particular WE MANIPULATE OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
WITH GOD AND OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS TO SUIT
OURSELVES – TO SUIT OUR OWN SELFISH PURPOSES RATHER
THAN FOR OUR MUTUAL SPIRITUAL BENEFIT AND WELFARE.
WHEN WE SIN WE PLACE OURSELVES ABOVE GOD BY PUTTING
OUR OWN DESIRES BEFORE OUR RIGHTFUL OBEDIENCE TO
GOD.
SIN IS SPIRITUAL REBELLION THAT PUTS US IN CONFLICT WITH
GOD AND OUR FELLOW SINNERS.
ALL HUMAN BEINGS (HOMO SAPIENS) ARE CREATED IN THE LIKENESS
AND IMAGE OF GOD Who said: “Let Us make man in Our
Image, after Our Likeness.” (GENESIS 1:26)
Due to our ability to commit sin, WE HAVE LOST MOST OF
OUR LIKENESS OF GOD ALTHOUGH WE STILL RETAIN OUR
IMAGE OF GOD (AND, AS OUR LORD JESUS TAUGHT US, WE SHOULD SEE THE
IMAGE OF CHRIST IN EVERYONE AND LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS WE PROFESS TO LOVE GOD!)
Consequently, ALL OUR CONFLICTS IN LIFE ARE DUE TO OUR
INCOMPATIBILITY WITH AND OPPOSITION TO THE DIVINE
IMAGE AND LIKENESS THAT EXISTS WITHIN US.
THIS CONFLICT IS NOT ONLY BETWEEN OURSELVES AND ONE
ANOTHER, BUT ALSO WITH GOD WITH WHOM WE WERE
CREATED TO LIVE IN HARMONY.
WE WERE CREATED TO SUBMIT OUR FREE WILL TO HIS DIVINE
WILL IN ORDER TO ENJOY A PEACEFUL HARMONY WITH
GOD.
However, WHILE WE DELIBERATELY CHALLENGE OR REBEL
AGAINST GOD, DISRESPECT OR IGNORE OTHER PEOPLE
AND THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD WITHIN US, OUR
SOUL BECOMES WOUNDED AND ILL.
Our soul becomes injured and darkened because it is CUT
OFF FROM THE DIVINE LIGHT OF OUR CREATOR WHO
NOURISHES US WITH THE FRUIT OF THE TREE OF LIFE.
This LACK OF SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT WEAKENS OUR SOUL.
EVENTUALLY, IN THE WORST UNREPENTED STATE A
SPIRITUALLY DARKENED OR DEAD SOUL CAN NO LONGER
RESPOND TO DIVINE GOODNESS AND IT BECOMES
PARALYZED 3 much like the young man in today’s
Sacred Lesson.
WHEN OUR SOUL BECOMES SPIRITUALLY SICKENED, WE OFTEN
EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL ILLNESS.
This was often apparent according to many of the Holy
Gospel accounts concerning the healings of those who
were blind, epileptic, deaf and dumb and paralysed.
In each of these cases, THE DIVINE FORGIVENESS OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST IS BESTOWED UPON THE REPENTANT
SINNER with the proclamation: “... your sins are
forgiven you.”
Consequently, BEFORE ANY PHYSICAL HEALING MAY OCCUR,
WE NEED TO RECEIVE GOD’S SPIRITUAL HEALING and in
order to do so, WE MUST FIRST TRULY BELIEVE AND TRUST
IN GOD.
This requirement of Faith in God was clearly obvious in
the case of the Epileptic Son whose desperate, loving
father besought our Lord Jesus Christ: “Lord, I believe;
help my unbelief.” (MARK 9:24)
AS SOON AS TRUE BELIEF IS ESTABLISHED, ACTION MUST BE
TAKEN, WHICH IS TRUE FAITH IN GOD – COMPLETE
CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN GOD.
The friends of the Paralytic vividly demonstrated their True
Belief and Faith in God by their DETERMINATION TO
GAIN THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE – IN TOTAL DISREGARD
FOR ANY OBSTACLES THAT STOOD IN THEIR WAY.
The Faith of the Paralytic himself is described by St
Nikolai Velimirovic as follows: “Anyone in his right
mind, were he to have no Faith, would scarcely allow
others to drag him along the streets on his bed and –
even more important - haul him up onto the roof and let
him down into the house.”
WHEN WE ARE SPONTANEOUSLY COMPELLED TO ACT IN FAITH
WE REVEAL OUR GENUINE REPENTANCE, WHICH IS AN
UNCONDITIONAL AND TOTAL CHANGE OF OUR PERSONAL
BEHAVIOUR, THINKING AND ATTITUDE.
THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE SPIRITUAL DEATH (A SERIOUS
ALIENATION AND SELF-EXCOMMUNICATION FROM GOD THROUGH LONG-TERM
WICKEDNESS OR APOSTASY ) ARE ABLE TO REGAIN
THEIR SPIRITUAL
LIFE THE MOMENT THEY RECOGNISE THEIR PROFOUND
LOSS OF EVERYTHING GOOD THAT COMES FROM GOD.
THEY WILL EXPERIENCE AN INTENSE, PAINFUL YEARNING FOR
THEIR RECONCILIATION WITH GOD AND ALL HIS BLESSINGS,
and THEY WILL BE EAGER TO SEEK DIVINE FORGIVENESS
THROUGH REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.
✽ TRUE REPENTANCE IS THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR
REALISATION THAT WE CANNOT LIVE PROPERLY OR TO
THE FULLEST DEGREE WITHOUT GOD.
✽ TRUE REPENTANCE IS THE RECOGNITION,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ADMISSION OF THE
BROKENNESS, THE SICKNESS OR THE DAMAGE AND
SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND IMPERFECTION OF OUR SIN-
SOILED SOUL.
Without our sincere Repentance we cannot expect to be
granted any forgiveness, or healing or restoration of
Divine Grace.

((SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 6TH OF ST MATTHEW – THE FAITH OF THE PARALYTIC & HIS FRIENDS – 4 JULY 2010
4
✽ TRUE REPENTANCE IS A PERSONAL WILLINGNESS OR
EAGERNESS TO SUBMIT OR TO SURRENDER OUR FREE
WILL (WHICH IS IMMATURE AND FLAWED) TO GOD’S PERFECT, ALL
WISE AND LOVING WILL, IN THE ASSURANCE THAT
ONLY HE KNOWS WHAT IS GOOD FOR US AND ONLY HE
CAN PROVIDE US WITH EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR
OUR PHYSICAL WELFARE AND OUR SPIRITUAL
DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS.
✽ TRUE REPENTANCE IS THE LAYING DOWN OF OUR
EGOCENTRIC IMPERFECTIONS BEFORE GOD, BESEECHING
HIS FORGIVENESS, DIVINE HEALING AND RESTORATION
OF HIS DIVINE GRACE, WHEREBY ALL THINGS ARE MADE
POSSIBLE FOR US.
“Sacrifices to God are a contrite spirit; a contrite and
humble heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise...” (PSALM
50(51):17)
Another profound illustration of brokenness and utter
Humility is the Ultimate Sacrifice of our Lord God and
Saviour, Jesus Christ, upon the Cross.
HIS BROKEN, BEATEN, SCOURGED AND BLEEDING BODY WAS
OFFERED ON THE LIFE-GIVING CROSS AS REDEMPTION OR
RANSOM (PAYMENT FOR THE FREEDOM) FOR ALL THE SINS OF THE
ENTIRE FALLEN WORLD!
✽ The Supreme and Most Perfect, Pure Sacrifice of Christ
resulted in THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION THAT RE-
OPENED THE GATES OF PARADISE TO ALL REPENTANT,
FAITHFUL PEOPLE – THROUGHOUT ALL TIME AND FOR
ALL HUMANITY!
St Peter of Damascus – A Treasury of Divine Knowledge (Part 2)
OFTEN PEOPLE WHO, BECAUSE OF PERSONAL TEMPERAMENT
OR OUT OF HABIT, DO IN FACT, CHOOSE WHAT IS GOOD IN
CERTAIN SITUATIONS AND HATE WHAT IS EVIL.
And THERE ARE ALSO GOOD THOUGHTS, as Holy Scripture
confirms, ALTHOUGH THEY REQUIRE THE
DISCRIMINATION OF THOSE WHO POSSESS EXPERIENCE.
✽ WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION, EVEN THOSE THOUGHTS THAT
MAY SEEM TO BE GOOD, MIGHT NOT, IN FACT, BE GOOD,
EITHER BECAUSE THEY COME AT THE WRONG TIME, OR
ARE UNNECESSARY, OR UNWORTHY, OR ARE NOT
PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD.
Unless both the questioner and those who are questioned
are attentive not only to Holy Scripture but also to the
question raised, THEY WILL MISS THE MEANING OF WHAT
HAS BEEN SAID, AND THE RESULTING DAMAGE WILL BE
SERIOUS.
I myself have often found this, both when asking and when
being asked; and when afterwards I have understood
the true sense of the passage under discussion, I have
been amazed to learn how THE WORDS CAN BE THE SAME,
BUT THE MEANING VERY DIFFERENT.
✽ Thus WE NEED DISCRIMINATION IN ALL THINGS IF WE ARE
TO KNOW HOW TO ACT SO AS TO DO THE WILL OF GOD.
GOD, AS THE CREATOR of all things, knows our nature
thoroughly and HAS ORDERED ALL THINGS FOR OUR
BENEFIT.
HE HAS LAID DOWN LAWS THAT ACCORD (AGREE)
(HUMAN) NATURE AND ARE NOT ALIEN TO IT.
Nevertheless, God’s Laws are not capable of leading to
Perfection those who voluntarily aspire to attain Him in
a manner that transcends nature, for that requires the
more than natural qualities of virginity (CELIBACY)
deliberate poverty (ASCETICISM) and Humility – not of
gratitude, for this is natural.
HUMILITY IS MORE THAN NATURAL, SINCE THOSE WHO ARE
TRULY HUMBLE PURSUE EVERY VIRTUE AND, ALTHOUGH
NOT DEBTORS, WILL REGARD THEMSELVES AS THE
GREATEST DEBTORS OF ALL.
Those who are grateful, on the other hand, will simply
acknowledge the debt they owe to God.
Similarly, THOSE WHO ARE MERCIFUL AND WHO PERFORM
THEIR ACTS OF CHARITY BY DRAWING ON THEIR OWN
POSSESSIONS, REMAIN WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF NATURE,
AND DO NOT GO BEYOND THEM LIKE THOSE WHO
DELIBERATELY GIVE AWAY ALL THEY POSSESS.
Again, MARRIAGE IS NATURAL, WHILE VIRGINITY
MORE THAN NATURAL GRACE.
THOSE WHO REMAIN WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF NATURE ARE
SAVED IF THEY ABANDON THEIR OWN WILL AND FULFIL
THE WILL OF GOD; BUT TO THOSE WHO TRANSCEND THESE
BOUNDS, GOD WILL GRANT THE CROWN OF ENDURANCE
AND GLORY, because THEY HAVE RENOUNCED NOT ONLY
WHAT IS FORBIDDEN BY THE LAW, BUT ALSO, WITH GOD’S
HELP, THEIR OWN NATURE.
6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 6TH OF ST MATTHEW – THE FAITH OF THE PARALYTIC & HIS FRIENDS – 4 JULY 2010
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS)
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST ALLOWED OUR CORRUPTED
GOD-LIKE IMAGE TO BE RESTORED TO ITS FORMER PERFECT
STATE OF DIVINE GRACE IN A CLOSE, INTIMATE
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
The threat of permanent, Eternal brokenness or
imperfections of our Divine Likeness and Image caused
by our stubborn rebellion, disobedience and
wickedness was healed – was Redeemed, Saved or paid
for 3 by CHRIST’S SACRIFICE of Himself on the Cross,
which ALLOWED ALL HUMAN BEINGS TO BE FORGIVEN,
HEALED AND RESTORED TO OUR NATURAL CREATED
STATE.
Taking courage and comfort from the words of our Lord in
today’s Sacred Lesson, WE CAN JOYFULLY AND
CONFIDENTLY CONTINUE OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY WITH
RENEWED ENERGY AND DETERMINATION: “Be of good
cheer; your sins are forgiven you!” (MATTHEW 9:2)
In conclusion, my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, be of
Good Cheer as WE ALL CONTINUE IN OUR UNWAVERING,
DEDICATED FAITH IN GOD AND WITH OUR CEASELESS
REPENTANCE SO THAT OUR PERSONAL BROKENNESS OF
SOUL MAY BE FOREVERMORE HEALED BY OUR LORD GOD
AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.
Amen
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: SERMON DELIVERED BY FR. MILAN MEDAKOVIC AT HOLY TRINITY
SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ON THE
THE 6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2009.
http://frmilan.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/sermon-6th-sunday-
after-pentecost/
THEY LOVE THE SUPRANATURAL GOD WITH ALL THEIR SOUL
AND THEY IMITATE HIS DISPASSION WITH ALL THEIR
STRENGTH.
Yet since WE ARE IGNORANT NOT MERELY OF OURSELVES AND
OF WHAT WE DO, BUT ALSO OF THE PURPOSE OF WHAT IS
DONE AND OF THE TRUE GOAL OF EVERYTHING, Holy
Scripture and the words of the Saints, whether Prophets
and Righteous men of old or more recent Holy Fathers,
appear to us to be contradictory and those who wish to
be Saved appear to disagree with one another.
However, in reality, this is not the case.
✽ In the nature of things, IF WE WANT TO BE SAVED, NO
PERSON AND NOT TIME, PLACE OR OCCUPATION CAN
PREVENT US.
We must not, however, act contrary to the Objective that we
have in view, but must – WITH DISCRIMINATION – REFER
EVERY THOUGHT TO THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF GOD.
✽ THINGS DO NOT HAPPEN OUT OF NECESSITY; THEY DEPEND
ON THOSE THROUGH WHOM THEY OCCUR.
WE DO NOT SIN AGAINST OUR WILL, BUT WE FIRST ASSENT TO
AN EVIL THOUGHT AND SO FALL INTO SPIRITUAL
CAPTIVITY.
Then THE THOUGHT ITSELF CARRIES US FORCIBLY AND
AGAINST OUR WISHES INTO SIN.
✽ The same is true of SINS THAT OCCUR THROUGH
IGNORANCE, which ARISE FROM SINS CONSCIOUSLY
WITH OUR COMMITTED.
For, unless we are drunk with either wine or desire, WE ARE
NOT UNAWARE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING.
But such DRUNKENNESS OBSCURES THE INTELLECT AND SO IT
FALLS, AND DIES AS A RESULT. YET THAT (SPIRITUAL) DEATH
HAS NOT COME ABOUT INEXPLICABLY, for it has been
UNWITTINGLY INDUCED BY THE DRUNKENNESS TO WHICH
WE CONSCIOUSLY ASSENTED.
We will find MANY INSTANCES, ESPECIALLY IN OUR
THOUGHTS, WHERE WE FALL FROM WHAT IS WITHIN OUR
CONTROL TO WHAT IS OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL; and FROM
WHAT WE ARE CONSCIOUSLY AWARE OF TO WHAT IS
UNWITTING (UNCONSCIOUS OR UNINTENTIONAL.)
BUT BECAUSE THE FIRST STATE – OF WHICH WE ARE IN
CONTROL AND CONSCIOUSLY AWARE – APPEARS
UNIMPORTANT AND ATTRACTIVE, WE SLIP
UNINTENTIONALLY AND UNAWARES INTO THE SECOND
STATE – THAT WHICH IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL AND OF
WHICH WE ARE IGNORANT.
✽ Yet, IF FROM THE START WE HAD WANTED TO KEEP (OBEY)
(CELIBACY) IS THE COMMANDMENTS AND TO REMAIN AS WE WERE
WHEN WE WERE BAPTISED, WE WOULD NOT HAVE
FALLEN INTO SO MANY SINS OR HAVE NEEDED THE
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF REPENTANCE.
✽ If we so wish, however, GOD’S SECOND GIFT OF GRACE –
REPENTANCE – CAN LEAD US BACK TO OUR FORMER
BEAUTY.
However, IF WE FAIL TO REPENT, INEVITABLY WE WILL DEPART
WITH THE UNREPENTANT DEMONS INTO AGE-LONG
5
 PUNISHMENT, MORE BY OUR OWN FREE CHOICE THAN
AGAINST OUR WILL!
✽ GOD DID NOT CREATE US FOR WRATH BUT FOR
HIS SA LVA TI ON , S O THA T WE MI G HT EN JO Y
H I S D I V I N E B L E S S I N G S ; and we should therefore
be thankful and grateful to our Merciful Benefactor.
Nevertheless, OUR FAILURE TO GET TO KNOW HIS DIVINE
GIFTS HAS MADE US INDOLENT, AND INDOLENCE HAS
MADE US FORGETFUL, WITH THE RESULT THAT IGNORANCE
CONTROLS US.
We have to MAKE STRENUOUS EFFORTS when we first try to
return from whence we fell because WE RESENT
ABANDONING OUR OWN DESIRES, AND WE THINK THAT WE
CAN CARRY OUT BOTH GOD’S WILL AND OUR OWN –
WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE!
Our Lord Himself said: “I have come to do - not My own
Will - but the Will of My Father Who sent Me,” EVEN
THOUGH THE DIVINE WILL OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ONE, since the Holy Trinity
constitutes a single, inseparable Divine Nature. (JOHN 6:38)
OUR LORD JESUS SAID THIS on our account and WITH
RESPECT TO THE WILL OF THE FLESH, for IF THE FLESH IS
NOT CONSUMED (INSPIRED), AND IF WE ARE NOT WHOLLY LED
BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, WE WILL NOT DO THE WILL
OF GOD UNLESS WE ARE FORCED TO DO SO.
✽ Subsequently W H E N T H E D I V I N E G R A C E O F T H E
H O L Y S P I R I T R U L E S W I T H I N U S , WE NO LONGER
HAVE A WILL OF OUR OWN, A N D W H A T E V E R W E
DO IS ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL.
ONLY THEN ARE WE REALLY AT PEACE!
The Wisdom of Elder Paisios of Mount Athos – IfSpiritual
you are conscious
I whole3heartedly wish that in the beautiful Garden of our
Virgin Mary you may BE A LAMB DECORATED WITH
SPIRITUAL VIRTUES.
You must TAKE CARE OF THE PURIFICATION OF YOUR SOUL
ON A DAILY BASIS.
You must ACQUIRE DIVINE JUSTICE AND NOT LOGIC; for only
then the Grace of our Christ will come to you.
BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING, CONSIDER WHETHER OUR LORD
AND SAVIOUR WOULD WANT YOU TO DO SO, and only
THEN ACT ACCORDINGLY.
You must PERFECTLY PRACTISE OBEDIENCE so that you may
later TALK TO OTHERS CONCERNING THE VIRTUE OF
OBEDIENCE.
THE “NO” YOU SAY TO OTHERS MUST BE “NO,” AND THE “YES”
MUST BE “YES.”
DO NOT PRETEND, but SAY WHATEVER YOU THINK, even if it
hurts the other person; say it IN A GOOD MANNER
however, AND ALSO GIVE SOME EXPLANATIONS.
You must have and MAINTAIN THIS SPIRITUAL DIGNITY:
ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION to what pleases your fellow
Disciples of Christ and not to what pleases yourself.
Every day you should READ A SECTION OF THE NEW
TESTAMENT FOR THE PURIFICATION OF YOUR SOUL.
St John Klimakos - The Ladder of Divine Ascent
✣ DISREGARD the feelings of THOSE who speak to you about THEIR
NEIGHBOURS disparagingly, AND SAY TO THEM: `Stop, brother!
I fall into graver sins every day, so how can I
criticize OTHERS?'
In this way you will achieve two things: y o u w i l l h e a l
yourself and your neighbourS with one
plaster.
This is one of the shortest ways to the forgiveness of sins - I
mean, not to judge!
CONSTANTLY KEEP IN MIND THE COMMANDMENT OF OUR LORD AND
SAVIOUR: `D O N O T J U D G E , a n d Y O U s h a l l n o t b e
j u d g e d !'
✣ Fire and water are incompatible; and so is judging others in
those who want to truly repent.
If you see someone falling into sin at the very moment of his
death, even then do not judge him, because the divine
judgement is hidden from human beings.
((SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 6TH OF ST MATTHEW – THE FAITH OF THE PARALYTIC & HIS FRIENDS – 4 JULY 2010
6
GOD NEVER FORCES US TO DO HIS WILL, SO WHAT ST PETER OF DAMASCUS IS TRYING TO MAKE
US UNDERSTAND, IS THAT W H E N W E E A G E R L Y , W I L L I N G L Y A N D L O V I N G L Y
S U R R E N D E R O U R F R E E W I L L T O G O D THROUGH DEVOUT SERVICE TO HIM IN
TRUE HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, W E W I L L B E A B L E T O D O H I S W I L L –
ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL – I.E. WE WILL OBEY GOD THE FATHER’S WILL THROUGH
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO MAKES EVERYTHING
POSSIBLE FOR US TO DO.
THIS IS A DIVINE RESPONSE TO OUR CONSTANT PRAYER OF OBEDIENCE AND LOVE: “O LORD,
LET IT BE A C C O R D I N G T O T H Y W I L L ... AND NOT MY WILL!”
THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY FULFIL GOD’S WILL ARE CALLED
“SONS OF GOD,” BECAUSE THEY WILL (WANT, WISH, DESIRE) THE
WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, JUST LIKE OUR LORD
JESUS, the Son of God, Who is also God.
Yet IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DISCOVER THE WILL OF GOD UNLESS
WE KEEP HIS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS, thereby cutting off
all self3indulgent pleasure or personal will, AND UNLESS
WE ENDURE ALL THE PAIN THAT THIS INVOLVES.
PLEASURE AND PAIN are born of folly, and they GIVE RISE TO
ALL EVIL, for THOSE WHO ARE FOOLISH LOVE THEMSELVES
AND CANNOT LOVE THEIR BRETHREN OR GOD.
THE FOOLISH CANNOT REFRAIN FROM PLEASURE NOR FROM
THEIR DESIRES THAT ENTICE THEM WITH MERE
TEMPORARY GRATIFICATION; NOR CAN THEY ENDURE
ANY PAIN.
Although at times they may get what they want and
experience pleasure and elation, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN
PASSIONATE CRAVINGS OR DESIRES ARE NOT SATISFIED
AND, BEING COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED AND CRUSHED BY
THE PAIN ENGENDERED BY INTENSE FRUSTRATION AND
DESPAIR, THEY ARE CAST DOWN AND DEJECTED,
EXPERIENCING A FORETASTE OF HELL!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “THE PHILOKALIA” Volume 3 – TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK
& EDITED BY GEH PALMER, PHILIP SHERRARD & BISHOP KALLISTOS WARE
Advice toof All
sinful actions inof
Disciples yourself,
Christcut the sinfulness
DO out
NOT of LOOK
your soul
AT by thinking
WHAT of theDO,
OTHERS infinite blessings that
OR EXAMINE HOW youOR
hope
WHYto THEY
receive. DO
For god
IT, isFOR
just and compassionate.
YOUR OWN GOAL ST ANTHONY
IS THE
THE
GREAT
PURIFICATION OF YOUR SOUL AND THE PERFECT
SUBMISSION OF YOUR MIND TO DIVINE GRACE.
Do everything for the sake of your Spiritual Goal: PRAY,
STUDY, AND HUMBLY SAY THE JESUS PRAYER, BEING
AWARE THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED GOD’S MERCY.
In other words: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SPIRITUAL WORK.
If you apply these things, then THE GRACE OF CHRIST WILL
COME AT THE RIGHT TIME – WHEN HE KNOWS THAT IT
MUST BE GRANTED TO YOU.
In order for Divine Grace to come to us, CHRIST MUST IN
SOME WAY BE TOUCHED BY OUR LOVE, OUR KINDNESS AND
OUR HUMILITY. Only then will He grant us His Divine
Grace.
Moreover, THE TRANSMITTER (CHRIST) AND THE RECEIVER
(OUR SOUL) MUST BE TUNED INTO THE SAME FREQUENCY.
OBEDIENT DISCIPLES WILL DO WHATEVER OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST TELLS THEM TO DO, and CHRIST WILL DO
WHATEVER THEY ASK FOR, PROVIDED THEIR ACTS AND
THEIR “FREQUENCY” IS THE SAME.
OTHERWISE, the batteries will be used in vain – meaning
OUR PROSTRATIONS, PRAYERS AND FASTING, ETC WILL BE
USELESS – OF NO SPIRITUAL VALUE.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “ELDER PAISIOS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN” BY PRIEST-MONK
CHRISTODOULOS OF MOUNT ATHOS
Some have fallen openly into great sins, but they have done
greater good deeds in secret; so their critics are tricked
(INTO SIN THEMSELVES) getting smoke instead of the sin.
(DECEPTION INSTEAD OF GOD’S TRUTH)
✣ Listen to me! Listen, all you malicious reckoners of others’’
accounts!
If it is true (as it really is true) that ‘... with what judgement
you judge, you shall be judged,...’ then whatever sins we
accuse others of committing –whether physical or
spiritual – we shall fall into ourselves! That is most
certain!
✣ To judge others is a shameless arrogation of the divine
prerogative; to condemn is the ruin of one’s soul!
✣ Some who have committed the gravest sins in secret and
without exposure often harshly inveighed* in public against
others who had suffered petty falls. (*SPOKEN ANGRILY IN
(
CRITICISM OR PROTEST OF OTHERS)
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH
ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

6 July 2010
The Feast of St Athanasios the Athonite – Founder of the Great Lavra Monastery
Also the Feast of St Lampados the Wonderworker; St Kyprianos the New Martyr of
Koutloumousiou Monastery; St Sergios of Radonezh – the Uncovering of his Incorruptible
Holy Relics in 1422; St Elizabeth the Grand Duchess & St Barbara the Novice, together with
their fellow Martyrs: St Sergios Mikhailovich the Grand Duke, St John, St Constantine &
St Igor Russian Princes, and their Brethren: St Vladimir Paley, Prince & St Theodore Remez
– Holy Martyrs of Russia
A POL YT IKION O F ST ATH AN A SIO S THE A THONI TE – TON E 3

Tin en sarki zoin sou kateplagisan, Angelon tagmata, pos The Order of Angels were astounded at Thy life in the
meta somatos, pros aoratou simplokas, ehorisas aidime, flesh, and how bodily, into Unseen Warfare Thou
ke katetravmatisas, ton demonon tas falangas. Othen ventured, O Ever Blessed, and wounded most severely
Ahtanasie, O Hristos Se imipsato dorees plousies. Dio the hordes of demons. Whence, O Athanasios, Christ
Pater Presveve, sothine tas psihas imon. rewarded Thee with Abundant Blessings. Therefore, O
Father, Intercede so that our souls may be Saved!
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine Intercession,
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always
timonton se. protects those who honour Thee!
PROKEIMENON O Lord, protect us and preserve us both now and forever. Save us, O Lord, for there is not one godly man left.
St Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians 5 : 22 – 6 : 2
ERADICATING THE PASSIONS
PASSIONS AND DOING GOOD TO ALL CREATION – ESPECIALLY OUR FELLOW SINNERS
Brethren: The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and
Self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified their flesh with its passions
and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited – provoking one
another or envying one another.
Brethren: if someone is overtaken in any trespass, you who are Spiritual must restore such a person in a spirit of
Gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Bear each other’s burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is
nothing, he deceives himself!
St Paul listed THE SPIRITUAL FRUITS (SPIRITUAL CONSEQUENCES, GRANTS US FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND
RESULTS, REWARDS OR VIRTUES) THAT ARE GRANTED TO US BY THE ETERNAL LIFE!
HOLY SPIRIT WHO BY THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER AND ➤ A S P I R I T U A L C O V E N A N T – God Incarnate – God
THROUGH OUR SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ENABLES US TO Himself – has revealed and taught us THE TRUE
ATTAIN GREAT THINGS THAT ARE BEYOND OUR OWN PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE.
PUNY HUMAN POWER OR ABILITIES. This earthly existence is A SHORT PREPARATORY PERIOD
✽ The wonderful FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE VIRTUES DURING WHICH WE HAVE TO DEVELOP OUR SPIRITUAL
OR THE INDISPENSABLE QUALITIES ESSENTIAL TO STRENGTHS AND QUALITIES SO THAT WE MAY RETURN TO
OUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE - FOR GOD FROM WHOM WE ORIGINATED.
THE CONTINUATION OF GOOD, HEALTHY OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRUGGLES strengthen our
RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD AND OUR FELLOW souls, which ARE ENABLED, ASSISTED, GUIDED AND
HUMAN BEINGS. INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT – and this is how we
THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS US THESE VIRTUES FOR OUR LIFE “...walk in the Spirit...”
OF SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE while we endure this difficult We must STRENGTHEN AND TRAIN OUR SOUL TO CONTROL
preparatory period before Eternity . THE DESIRES OF OUR FLESH – that is how we must “...
✽ THE ONLY VIRTUE WE NEED DURING AND AFTER THIS live in the (Holy) Spirit...”
LIFE IS THAT OF DIVINE LOVE – AGAPE – WITHOUT In other words, we must DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN OUR
WHICH WE CANNOT EXPECT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPIRITUAL PROFICIENCY THROUGH CONSTANT SPIRITUAL
ETERNAL LIFE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD – A STRUGGLE, WHICH IS GUIDED AND ASSISTED BY GOD, IN
PERPETUAL SPIRITUAL STATE OF PERFECT, DIVINE ORDER TO CONTROL OUR PERSONAL PHYSICAL
LOVE/AGAPE. WEAKNESSES – THE DEMANDS OF THE FLESH - THAT
As Baptised Christians we are the adopted Children of God THREATEN TO DOMINATE AND RULE US.
and rightful Heirs to His Eternal Kingdom. ✽ THIS IS THE ESSENTIAL PROCESS WHEREBY WE STRIVE
Therefore, we “are Christ’s” – HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES TO REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO GOD so that we
WHO CONSTANTLY LEARN FROM HIM AND FOLLOW HIS may return to His Eternal Kingdom of Love from
PERFECT EXAMPLE, having “...crucified (our) flesh whence our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, were
with its passions and desires...” at our Baptism banished due to their Disobedience to God.
when we were Renewed and Regenerated, having Furthermore, AS WE GAIN SPIRITUAL MATURITY, WE MUST –
committed ourselves to the New Covenant with God. WITH DEEP HUMILITY AND LOVE FOR OUR FELLOW
THE NEW COVENANT IS: SINNERS - BESEECH GOD FOR HIS DIVINE GRACE AND
➤ A N E T E R N A L H O L Y C O V E N A N T – it is infinite. WISDOM so that we can properly and successfully
The New Covenant with God is absolutely Perfect advise, encourage, support and assist those who are
and It takes us into Eternity. Spiritually Weak and Lost, as well as those who have
➤ A B L O O D L E S S C O V E N A N T – Christ offered fallen into a dangerous state of Spiritual Death.
Himself as the final, ultimate Blood Sacrifice that ✽ THE CRUCIAL VIRTUES BY DIVINE GRACE OF HUMILITY
fulfilled all requirements and is everlasting. There AND LOVE, PREVENT US FROM BEING JUDGEMENTAL,
is no need to make any further Blood Sacrifices ARROGANT, DISPARAGING OR INSENSITIVE towards
(which were only temporary anyway!) for the our suffering and ailing Brethren.
forgiveness of our sins because now we have Consequently, SUCH TACTLESS AND CONCEITED ATTITUDES
been granted THE HOLY MYSTERY OF EUCHARIST – ARE SPIRITUAL PRIDE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF
THE MYSTICAL SUPPER OF CHRIST – WHICH

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST ATHANASIOS THE ATHONITE 5 JULY 2010 7.
 DIVINE GRACE AND CAUSING OUR OWN SPIRITUAL
DEATH.
WE ARE ALL JOURNEYING THROUGH THIS TEMPORARY,
PREPARATORY LIFE TOGETHER AND WE ARE ALL
SINNERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TOWARDS THE SAME
ULTIMATE DESTINATION – ETERNITY – WHETHER WE ARE
BELIEVERS OR NOT!
Every human being has the same Sacred Task of helping,
encouraging and supporting our fellow travellers.
✽ AS BRETHREN IN CHRIST AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WE
MUST “...bear each other’s burdens...” BECAUSE,
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 12 : 27 – 30
THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “... And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out?
Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the Kingdom of God has
come upon you. Or how can One enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless He first binds the
strong man? And then He will plunder his house.
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad!”
OUR LORD’S REFUSAL TO FULL DISCLOSE HIS IDENTITY AS
THE DIVINE MESSIAH WAS FORESEEN BY ST ISAIAH THE
HOLY PROPHET OF GOD:
ISAIAH 42: 1-4: “Jacob is My Servant; I will help Him.
Israel is My Chosen; My Soul accepts Him. I put My
Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth Judgement
to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His
Voice, nor cause His Voice to be heard outside. A
bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He
will not quench; but He will bring forth Judgement
in Truth. He will shine forth and not be broken
until He establishes Judgement in the earth; and
in His Name the Gentiles will hope.”
✽ The words: “... I put My Spirit upon Him...” is a
reference to ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE HOLY
TRINITY: “I” and “My” is GOD THE FATHER; “Him”
and “He” is GOD THE WORD AND SON; and “Spirit”
is GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE REASONS FOR HIS SECRECY INCLUDED:
➤ THE GROWING HOSTILITY OF THE HEBREW LEADERS;
➤ THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE PEOPLE OF THE
MESSIAH AS AN EARTHLY, POLITICAL LEADER,
INSTEAD OF GOD HIMSELF;
➤ AND OUR LORD’S DESIRE TO EVOKE GENUINE FAITH
IN THE HEBREWS THAT WAS NOT BASED SOLELY
ON MARVELLOUS SIGNS OR MIRACLES.
“Beelzebub” or Baal, was “the prince of the dung-heap” or
“lord of the flies” – a horrible god worshipped by the
Philistines. (4 KINGS 1 : 2 – 16)
St Athanasios the Athonite
St Athanasios the Athonite, also known as “St Athanasios
of Trebizond,” was a Byzantine Monk who founded
the Monastic Community on Mount Athos, which
evolved into the greatest centre of Eastern Orthodox
Monasticism.
St Athanasios, who was Baptised “Abraham,” was born
and grew up in Trebizond, until an prominent man,
named Michael Maleinos, became his Patron by
financing his studies in Constantinople where the
young Monk soon became renowned as a fervent
Preacher.
When Michael Maleinos’ nephew, Nicephoros Phocas,
eventually ascended the Imperial Throne, St
Athanasios, being perturbed by the lax morals of the
Monks of Constantinople, changed his name to
“Athanasios” and joined the Monks at Mount
Kyminas in Bithynia, until 958 when he relocated to
Mount Athos.
St Athanasios helped to defend the Hermits and Sketes
against the attacks of the Saracens and then began to
incorporate the Sketes into what eventually became
known as the Great Lavra, which was built with the
financial assistance of Emperor Nicephoros.
The Great Lavra Monastery was dedicated in 963 and
remains in use to this day, often simply being
referred to as “Lavra” or “The Monastery.”
Three other Monasteries were founded shortly
afterwards, which also continue to function to
this day.
During the construction of the Great Lavra, St
Athanasios had to deal with considerable opposition
from the established Hermits of Mount Athos
8. (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST ATHANASIOS THE ATHONITE
SOONER OR LATER, WE ALL BECOME A LITTLE
FATIGUED OR WEAK OR DISCOURAGED BY THE
OBSTACLES AND PROBLEMS THAT WE MUST ENDURE.
SO THOSE WHO ARE STRONGER MUST NOT HESITATE TO
HELP THE WEAK AND AILING FOR THIS IS “... fulfilling
the Law of Christ ...” WHICH IS THE ONLY SACRED
PATH WHEREBY WE CAN BENEFICIALLY ACCOMPLISH OUR
LIFE’S JOURNEY – AND W H E R E B Y W E W I L L B E
JUDGED!
On this occasion our Lord Jesus Christ referred to him as
the “ruler of the demons,” a direct reference to Satan.
THE IMPOSSIBILITY OR IRRATIONALITY OF DEMONS
FIGHTING AGAINST THEMSELVES ILLUSTRATED THE
ABSURD PRIDE AND ENVY OF THE PHARISEES IN THEIR
OBSESSIVE HOSTILITY TOWARDS OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST.
“The strong man” is an oblique reference to Satan who
holds sway over the fallen human race but CHRIST IS
LORD OF ALL CREATION AND THEREFORE ALMIGHTY -
ALL POWERFUL – AND EVERYTHING IS ACCORDING TO
GOD’S DIVINE WILL – so the fallen, evil ones – the
demons - possess only a limited amount of freedom
and power.
1 JOHN 4:4: “You are of God, little children, and have
overcome them, because He Who is in you is
greater than he who is in the world!”
IT IS THE DIVINE MISSION OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR TO
GATHER THE CHILDREN OF GOD, while THOSE WHO
SCATTER ARE IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH HIM.
Furthermore, they are different to those who work in Good
Faith towards His Divine Purpose but who are not yet
united to His Holy Church.
✽ ONLY GOOD DEEDS THAT ARE MOTIVATED BY THE LOVE
OF CHRIST FOR OUR FELLOW BEINGS, PRODUCE
GOOD AND ABUNDANT SPIRITUAL FRUIT FOR THE
GLORY OF GOD. (READ ACTS 19:13 – 16)
HOWEVER, DEEDS THAT ARE DONE FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE
– “... even if they are good, are deeds that scatter
abroad!” (ST SERAPHIM OF SAROV)
because they resented his intrusion and distrusted
his motives for trying to bring order and discipline to
the Monks of Mount Athos.
When Emperor Nicephoros II died, the enemies of St
Athanasios prevailed and he was forced to leave
Mount Athos. So he went to Cyprus where he
remained until the new Emperor, John Tzimisces,
resumed the Imperial Patronage of the Great Lavra.
St Athanasios, encouraged and motivated by a Divine
Vision, hastily returned to Mount Athos as a
Hegumen (Abbot) and introduced a Typicon for
Cenobites, which was based on those compiled by St
Theodore the Studite and St Basil the Great of
Caesarea.
On 5 July (circa 1000) St Athanasios was killed, together
with several workers, by falling masonry when the
cupola (a small dome3like structure) of his church
collapsed.
May his memory be Eternal!
When we go to bed with a contented mind, we recall the
blessings and generous providence of God. We are filled
with Holy Thoughts and Great Joy.
Then, while our body sleeps, our soul will keep watch.
The closing of our eyes will bring us a True Vision of God.
Our silence will be pregnant with Sanctity, and in sleep we will
continue consciously to glorify the God of all with the full
strength of our soul.
For when evil is absent from us, our thankfulness is by itself
more pleasing to god than lavish sacrifice: To Him be Glory
through all the Ages. Amen (ST ANTHONY – ON THE CHARACTER OF MEN)
5 JULY 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH
ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

7 July 2010

Feast of St Kyriake the Great Martyr of Nicomedia

Also the Feast of St Thomas the Confessor of Malea; St Akakios of Sinai; St Peregrine;
St Evangelos & St Willibald of Eichstadt
A POL YT IKION O F FE MALE M AR T YR S – TONE 4

I amnas Sou Iisou, krazi megali ti foni. Se Nimfie mou
potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume, ke
sinthptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke pasho dia Se, os
Vasilefso sin Si, ke thnisko iper sou, ina ke ziso en Si. All
os thisian amomomn, prosdehou tin meta pothou
tithisan Si. Aftis presvies, os eleimon, Soson tas psihas
imon.
APOLYTIKION OF ST KYRIAKE THE GREAT – TONE 4
O my Lord Jesus, Thine Ewe-Lamb, with a loud voice calls
out: Thou, my Groom, do I long for, and suffer all in
search for Thee, and I am crucified and buried with
Thee in Baptism; and I suffer for Thy Sake, in order to
reign with Thee, and give my life to Thee so that I may
live with Thee; but accept as pure Sacrifice, the one who
desired to give her life for Thee. Through her
Intercessions, O Most Compassionate, Save our souls!

Kyrion ton Kyrion, ke Vasilea Hriston, ex olis igapisas, The Lord of all Lords, and Christ the King Thou loved, O
Kyriaki tis psihis, ke herousa ithlisas. Othen Kyriake, with all Thy soul, and cheerfully contended
Parthenomartis, par’ aftou doxasthisa, vriis tis se for; thus as a Virgin Martyr, by Him Thou were
timosin, iamaton tin Harin, tis pasin etoumeni, Glorified and Thou flow to all who honour Thee, the
ptesmaton sighorisin. Grace of Healing, by beseeching for all, the Forgiveness
of their faults.
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine Intercession,
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always
timonton se. protects all those who honour Thee!
St Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians 7 : 12 – 24
OU R LI FE I N CHRI ST – CO N CER NING M ARRI AGE & PER SO NAL FAI TH
Brethren: If any Brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a
woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the
unbelieving husband is Sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your
children would be unclean, but now they are Holy.
However, if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a Brother or a Sister is not under bondage in such cases, for God has
Called us to Peace, since how would you know, O wife, whether you will Save your husband? Or how do you know, O
husband, whether you will Save your wife?
So as God has distributed to each one 3 as our Lord has Called each one – so let us walk. And so I ordain (COMMAND) in all the
churches.
Was anyone Called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone Called while uncircumcised? Let
him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, whereas the keeping of the
Commandments of God is what matters!
Let each one remain in the same Calling in which he was Called: were you Called while a slave? Do not be concerned about
it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is Called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s Freedman;
likewise he who is Called while free is Christ’s Slave.
ST PAUL INSTRUCTED THE CHURCH OF CORINTH THAT IF and the couple was forcibly separated, divorce was
MARRIED COUPLES COULD NOT STAY TOGETHER, THE possible.
ALTERNATIVE WAS TO REMAIN UNMARRIED – MEANING: Unless a marriage was unconsumated, the divorced couple
BE SEPARATED BUT BE CELIBATE.
were not encouraged to remarry until the spouse had
Otherwise, IF THAT DID NOT WORK for them, they were to died and obviously there was no further chance of a
BE RECONCILED IN HOLY MATRIMONY – HAVING KEPT
THE SACRED MARRIAGE UNION UNBROKEN OR
reconciliation.
DIVORCED PEOPLE WERE EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN A STATE
CORRUPTED BY THE SIN OF ADULTERY.
OF CELIBACY AND MANY ENTERED MONASTERIES AND
✽ DIVORCE IS DISCOURAGED BY GOD BECAUSE HE KNOWS DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO A LIFE OF SERVICE TO
THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES THAT THOSE WHO GOD.
CANNOT REMAIN CELIBATE WILL SUFFER.
MALACHI 2 :16: “... if you hate her and send her
✽ THESE DAYS, IF ONE IS DIVORCED, ONE SHOULD
CERTAINLY MAINTAIN A LIFE OF CELIBACY.
away, ungodliness will obscure your thinking, so If it is too difficult due to one’s uncontrollable libido, one
take heed to your spirit so that you do not must then choose a suitable partner and remarry with
forsake her!” says the Lord Almighty. the intention of remaining faithful until death.
✽ DIVORCE SHOULD BE THE VERY LAST MEASURE AFTER ADULTERY AND FORNICATION ARE DEADLY SINS that affect
EVERY OTHER MEANS OF RECONCILIATION AND far more people than we can ever realise – entire
FORGIVENESS HAS FAILED. families, friendships and social status can be ruined but
Divorce has always been regarded as a tragic calamity and the greatest effect will be the ETERNAL CONDEMNATION
St Paul certainly forbade remarriage while the divorced OF OUR UNREPENTED SINS!
spouse still lived. Our bodies are Sanctified Temples of God - “rented space”
Today, the Holy Church has a slightly more compassionate that belongs to God and which we occupy during our
stance towards divorce but IT WILL ONLY PERMIT temporary life on earth.
DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE IF THE MARRIAGE WAS ONLY GOD CAN UNITE US IN HOLY MATRIMONY FOR THE
CORRUPTED BY ADULTERY, NEVER CONSUMMATED OR PURPOSE OF PROCREATION AND PLEASURE WITHIN THE
THERE WAS IRREVOCABLE INSANITY IN A SPOUSE, AS SACRED UNION OF MARRIAGE.
WELL AS It is Divine Mystery that we cannot fully understand but THE
Furthermore, in ancient times when defeated countries PAIN OF SEPARATION PROVES THIS DIVINELY
were enslaved or if a spouse was imprisoned for life MYSTERIOUS UNION when we divorce or separate from

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS)) THE FEAST OF ST KYRIAKE THE GREAT MARTYR OF NICOMEDIA 7 JULY 2010
9
 long-term affairs. The emotional and spiritual pain is WHETHER ONE OR BOTH SPOUSES ARE FAITHFUL
clearly evident, even if we part amicably! CHRISTIANS.
This is why WE SHOULD NOT FORNICATE AND PROSTITUTE According to the New Covenant with God THE CHRISTIAN
OUR SACRED TEMPLES – OUR BODIES – OUTSIDE THE FAMILY IS A SPIRITUAL UNIT AND EVEN IF ONLY ONE
SANCTITY OF HOLY MATRIMONY. MEMBER IS A FAITHFUL, PRACTISING CHRISTINA, THE
Unfortunately, so few people realise THE IMPORTANCE OF WHOLE FAMILY IS SET PART BY DIVINE GRACE – BY THE
CELIBACY BEFORE MARRIAGE. DIVINE LOVE AND BLESSINGS OF ALMIGHTY GOD!
THE IMMORALITY AND DISREGARD OF UNCONTROLLED When our Lord Jesus Christ Calls us to His Divine Salvation,
SEXUALITY HAS POLLUTED AND CONTORTED THE we do not change our ethnic identity, our occupations
BEAUTIFUL IMAGE OF GOD AND PUSHES US EVER or our social status.
FURTHER AWAY FROM THE RESTORATION OF OUR Neither do we rush into Holy Matrimony or get divorced –
LIKENESS TO GOD! although St Paul’s advice is a preferred option, and not
According to the Old Covenant with God, a family was a commandment.
joined to that Holy Covenant through the father but ✽ THE ESSENTIAL CONDITION FOR ETERNAL LIFE IS TO
now, ACCORDING TO THE NEW COVENANT – THE HOLY KEEP – MAINTAIN AND OBEY – THE DIVINE
CHURCH OF CHRIST – THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS SANCTIFIED COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AT ALL TIMES!!

The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 14 : 35 – 15 : 11

CHRI ST O UR SA VIOUR T EA CHES U S A BOU T SP IRIT UA L CLE ANL INE SS & WEL FARE
At that time, when the men of Gennesaret recognised Jesus, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him
all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were
made perfectly well.
Then the Scribes and Pharisee who were from Jerusalem went to Jesus, saying: “Why do Thy Disciples transgress the
Tradition of the Elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
He answered and said to them: “Who do you also transgress the Commandment of God because of your Tradition? For
God commanded, saying: ‘Honour your father and your mother,’ and: ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be
put to death.’ But you say: ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever profit you might have received from
me is a gift to God” – then he need not honour his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the Commandment of
God of no effect by your Tradition.
“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honour
Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the
Commandments of men.’”
When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them: “Hear and understand: not what goes into the mouth
defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth defiles a man!”
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PERMITTED DIVINE MIRACLES TO
OCCUR MERELY BY THE AFFLICTED TOUCHING HIS
✽ DEVOTION TO GOD INCLUDES BOTH OBEDIENCE TO ALL
HIS COMMANDMENTS AND SERVICE TO OTHERS FOR
GARMENTS, THEREBY DEMONSTRATING THAT HIS VERY THESE TWO VIRTUES CANNOT BE SEPARATED!
BODY IS LIFE AND THAT ANY CONTACT WITH THE
PERFECT FLESH OF THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD IS ✽ THE FAITH THAT SAVES US IS A COMPLETE FAITH – not
LIFE-CREATING, for Divine Authority over Life and Death just of the mind and of the tongue, but the whole of
is in the Hand of God alone and being of the exact our being – TRUSTING IN THE LIVING GOD.
same Divine Essence with God the Father, our Lord This means that OUR FAITH AND OUR PERSONAL
Jesus has the same Divine Authority and Power. RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD – OUR JUSTIFICATION – IS
The reference to the Tradition of the Hebrew Elders pointed DYNAMIC AND ALIVE.
to the different interpretations of the Hebrew Teachers. Our Faith grows and affects our actions, or it dies.
Our Lord Jesus refuted their belief that ritual purity “FAITH ALONE,” OR STATIC FAITH, DOES NOT SAVE US.
WE MUST NURTURE OUR FAITH IN GOD AND OUR LOVE FOR
depended on outward actions.
HIM THROUGH OUR WORKS – our Good Deeds and
Christ pointed out and emphasised that TRUE PURITY OF
BODY AND SOUL IS DEPENDENT ON THE STATE OF OUR actions.
HEART – OUR INNER BEING. “ ‘Do not say you are the Temple of the Lord,’ wrote
St Jeremiah; nor should you say that Faith alone
✽ OUR WORDS AND DEEDS ARE A DIRECT RESULT
in our Lord Jesus Christ can Save us, for this is
OF OUR INNER STATE and although we may
impossible unless we acquire Love for Him
appear to do everything correctly – according to
through our works.
“the letter of the Law” - we will not act
“As for Faith itself: ‘the devils also believe and
ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE SPIRIT OF GOD’S
tremble!’” [ST MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR]
LAW OF COMMANDMENT OF LOVE.
Christ explicitly taught us that the Commandment of God
cannot be superseded (REPLACED) by human religious
traditions.
Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers
St Ignatios of Antioch
Be eager to stand squarely on the Decrees (COMMANDMENTS) of fittingly woven Spiritual Crown! - and with your
our Lord and the Holy Apostles, `...that in all things Deacons, O men of God.
whatsoever you may prosper...' in body and in soul, in Submit to the Bishop and to each other's rights, just as Jesus
Faith and in Love, in the Son and the Father and the Holy Christ did in the Flesh to God the Father, and as the Holy
Spirit, in the beginning and the end, together with your Apostles did to Christ our Saviour, and to the Father and
Most Reverend Bishop and with your Presbytery - that the Holy Spirit, so that there may be oneness, both of flesh
and of spirit. LETTER TO THE MAGNESIANS
St Isaac the Syrian
Beware of despair! O the immeasurable Grace!
You do not serve a tyrant, but your service is to a kind Lord, Who can sufficiently honour Him with hymns? For He has
Who, taking nothing from you, he has given you all. And given us knowledge of all things. And not only of those
when you did not exist at all, He fashioned you so that which are manifest, but also of hidden things. For we
you would be in that [state] in which you now are. know that if there is anything we do not know, it is
Who is sufficient to render Him thanks for the fact that He necessary for us only to ask this [knowledge] from Him.
has brought us into existence? THE ASCETICAL HOMILIES

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS)) THE FEAST OF ST KYRIAKE THE GREAT MARTYR OF NICOMEDIA 7 JULY 2010
10
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH
ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

8 July 2010
Feast of St Procopios the Great Martyr of Caesarea
& his mother, St Theodosia, Holy Martyr
Also the Feast of St Theophilos, Holy Myrrhbearer of Pantokrator Monastery;
The Appearance of the Holy Icon of the Ever Blessed Virgin Theotokos of Kazan
A POL YT IKION O F MALE M AR TYR S – TONE 4

I Martires Sou, Kyrie, en ti athlisi afton, to stefos Thy loyal Martyrs, O Lord, while contending for Thee, the
ekomisanto tis aftharsias, ek sou tou Theou imon. Crown of Incorruption they earned for themselves from
Ehontes tin ishin Sou, tous tirannous kathilon. Thee, the God of all; for armed with Thy Might, they
Ethravsan ke demonon ta anishira thrasi. Afton tes defeated the tyrants, and crushed all the demons and
ikesies Hriste, O Theos, soson tas psihas imon. their powerless presumption. Through their
intercessions, O Christ our God, we pray to Thee to Save
our souls!
KO NT AKION O F ST P ROKOPIOS – TONE 2

To zilo Hristou, to thio pirpoloumenos, ke en Stavro, to Devoutly aflame with godly zeal for Christ Thy Lord, and
timio frouroumenos, ton ehthron to friagma, ke ta armed with the Strength and Power of the Precious
thrasi kathiles Prokopie, ke tin Septin Ekklisian ipsosas, Cross, Thou cast down headlong Thy foes' exalted
ti Pisti prokopokopton, ke Fotizon imas.
pride, O Procopios, exalting Christ's Holy Church,
advancing in Faith and shedding Light on us.
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos
timonton se. who always protects all those who honour Thee!
The First Epistle of St Paul to St Timothy 4 : 9 – 15
LI VI NG O UR FAITH
To Timothy: a True Son in the Faith: (...Godliness is profitable in all things, having Promise of the Life that now is and of
that which is to come.) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, for to this end we both labour and suffer
reproach, because we trust in the Living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of those who believe.
These things command and teach.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the Believers in word, in conduct, in Love, in spirit, in Faith, in Purity.
Until I come to you, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to Doctrine. Do not neglect the Gift that is in you, which was
granted to you by Prophecy with the Laying One of the Hands of the Eldership.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.
Although St Paul was no stranger to physical exercise and GOOD EXAMPLE TO OTHERS AND LIVING-PROOF OF THE
labour that had its own benefits, he preferred GOODNESS AND TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE AND STRUGGLE because it LEADS There is a profound connection between personal reading
DIRECTLY TO ETERNAL LIFE. or public reading of Holy Scripture during worship,
St Paul instructed and encouraged St Timothy to teach and which is linked to “exhortation” – preaching – and
to live everything he had been taught even though “Doctrine” – teaching.
some people often despise or ignore those who are The early Christians had a Liturgical worship structure –
younger in age than them, in the mistaken belief that including the reading of Holy Scripture and the Homily
there is nothing of value to be learnt from them. (Sermon) – the roots of which were in the Hebrew
However, as in the case of St Timothy, THERE IS MUCH Synagogue.
SPIRITUAL TREASURE TO BE GAINED FROM LISTENING “Do not neglect the Gift that is in you...” referred to St
TO, OBEYING AND PRACTISING THE WISDOM OF CHRIST Timothy’s Ordination into the Holy Priesthood, which
OUR SAVIOUR that St Timothy had been Called to teach was conferred upon him by the Holy Apostles of Christ
in Ephesos. and which is these days conferred by the laying on of
St Timothy soon learnt to ignore their scepticism and HE the hands of the Bishop.
LIVED HIS FAITH COMPLETELY SO THAT HE BECAME A
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 6: 17 – 1 9; 9 :1 – 2; 1 0 :1 6 – 21
TH E M ULT ITUD ES SOUGH T HEA LING A ND D IVINE TR UTH FROM CHRI ST OU R LO RD
At that time our Lord Jesus went down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His Disciples and a great
multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be
healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole
multitude sought to touch Him, for Power went out from Him and healed them all.
CHRI ST EMPOWERED HIS T WELVE APOSTLES AND SENT THEM OUT TO HEAL AND TEACH PEOPLE
Then Jesus called His Twelve Disciples together and granted them Power and Authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
CHRIST’S INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS 70 HOLY APOSTLES
Our Lord Jesus said: “He who hears you, hears Me; he who rejects you rejects Him Who sent Me.”
Then the Seventy returned with Joy, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name!” But He said to them: “I
saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I grant you the Authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this,
that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven!”
As word spread concerning “Jesus of Nazareth,” the multitudes flocked NEVER TO BOAST ABOUT THEIR GOD-GIVEN POWER over evil
to hear what He had to teach them and most – if not EVERY ONE by mentioning how He had witnessed the expulsion from Heaven
OF THEM NEEDED DIVINE HEALING – PHYSICAL AND of Satan and his wicked cohorts due to their misled pride that had
SPIRITUAL – THAT ONLY GOD CAN GRANT US. led to their dreadful rebellion against God and their Eternal
When Christ had prepared His Apostles sufficiently, HE ENDOWED Condemnation.
THEM WITH HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY TO HEAL PEOPLE OF RATHER BE PERPETUALLY GRATEFUL FOR GOD’S GREAT MERCY!
ALL THEIR AFFLICTIONS, but HE ALSO WARNED THEM

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST PROCOPIOS THE GREAT MARTY OF CAECAREA & ST THEODOSIOS, HIS MOTHER 8 JULY 2010
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 St Prokopios the Great Martyr of Caesarea (303)
St Prokopios was born in Jerusalem of a Christian father,
Christopher, and a pagan mother who named him
“Neanias.”
After his father's death, his mother brought him up
entirely in the spirit of Roman pagan idolatry.
When he reached adulthood, Emperor Diocletian noticed
him one day and was so impressed by him that he
ordered Neanias to serve in the Imperial Army.
When the wicked Emperor launched a persecution of
Christians, he made Neanias “Duke of Alexandria”
and ordered him to go with a detachment of soldiers
to Alexandria to exterminate the Christians who
resided in that great city.
However, along the way to Alexandria, a miraculous
Event, similar to that which had happened to St Paul
on the road to Damascus, took place with Neanias.
At three o'clock in the morning a violent earthquake
shook everyone awake and our Lord Jesus Christ
appeared before Neanias, saying loudly: 'Neanias,
where are you going? And against Whom are you
rebelling?'
In great fear, Neanias replied: 'Who art Thou, Lord? I do
not recognise Thee!'
Then a brilliant Cross, as though made of the purest
crystal, appeared in the sky and a Voice came from
the Cross, proclaiming: 'I Am Jesus, the crucified
Son of God!' By this Sign that you have seen,
overcome your enemies, and My Peace will be with
you.'
This event utterly changed Neanias's life.
He had a cross made just like the one he had seen and,
instead of persecuting the Christians in Alexandria,
he set off with his soldiers against the Agarians, who
were attacking Jerusalem.
After victoriously entering Jerusalem St Prokopios
informed his mother that he was a Christian and she
immediately betrayed him to the Roman authorities.
When he was arrested for treason and taken to Caesarea,
Palestine, for trial, he removed his army belt and
sword and cast them before the judge, thereby
demonstrating that he was exclusively a committed
Soldier of Christ the King.
Wisdom from Mount Athos - On Prayer – Staretz Silouan
We eat and drink every day, yet the following day our
bodies need food and drink again.
In similar manner, THE RECOLLECTION OF GOD’S BOUNTIES
NEVER WEARY THE SOUL BUT DISPOSES HER STILL
MORE TO THINK ABOUT GOD.
Or again: the more wood we pile onto a fire, the more heat
we get, and thus it is with God for THE MORE WE THINK
ABOUT HIM, THE MORE WE ARE FIRED WITH LOVE AND
FERVOUR TOWARDS HIM.
THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD ARE ALWAYS MINDFUL OF HIM,
AND REMEMBRANCE OF GOD BEGETS PRAYER.
If we are forgetful of God we will not pray, and without
Prayer our soul will not dwell in the Love of God, for
THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES TO US THROUGH
PRAYER.
PRAYER PRESERVES US FROM SIN, for THE PRAYERFUL MIND
IS INTENT ON GOD AND IN HUMILITY OF SPIRIT STANDS
BEFORE OUR LORD WHO KNOWS THE SOUL OF
EVERYONE WHO PRAYS.
However, the novice naturally needs guidance, for UNTIL
THE ADVENT OF THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE
SOUL IS INVOLVED IN FIERCE STRUGGLES with her foes
and is UNABLE TO DISENTANGLE HERSELF if the enemy
offers her his “delights.”
ONLY THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE OF THE GRACE OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT CAN UNDERSTAND THIS. THOSE WHO HAVE
TRULY TASTED THE HOLY SPIRIT RECOGNISE THE TASTE
DIVINE GRACE.
Those who set out without Spiritual Guidance to engage in
Prayer (imagining in their arrogance that they can learn
to pray from books!), and who will not go to a Spiritual
Director (FATHER) are already half beguiled (ENTICED OR
CAPTIVATED).
However, OUR LORD SUCCOURS (ASSISTS) THOSE WHO ARE
HUMBLE, and if there is no experienced Spiritual Guide,
and they turn to the Confessor whom they find, OUR
GRACIOUS LORD WILL WATCH OVER THEM DUE TO THEIR
TRUE HUMILITY.
12 SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST PROCOPIOS THE GREAT MARTYR OF CAECAREA & ST THEODOSIOS, HIS MOTHER
He was dragged away and subjected to hideous torture
before being thrown into a dark, dank prison cell.
There, in that place of great degradation and intense
suffering, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Neanias
and Baptised him with the name “Prokopios,” (which
means “progress” or “advancement” in Hellenist
Greek.)
One day twelve women managed to peer into the tiny,
dirty window of his cell and told him: 'We also are
Servants of Christ!'
As soon as the Roman soldiers saw them, they were
arrested and thrown into the same prison, where St
Prokopios instructed them in the Christian Faith,
which he had received directly from Christ – just like
St Paul 3 and carefully prepared them to receive
their Crowns of Holy Martyrdom.
Those twelve women were also tortured mercilessly but
they refused to renounce our Lord Jesus Christ and
having witnessed their indescribable suffering and
their unfailing courage, St Prokopios's mother also
accepted Christ as her Lord and Saviour, taking the
name “Theodosia.”
Eventually, after more terrible cruelty, all thirteen
women were executed.
When St Prokopios was led to the executioner, he raised
his hands towards the East and prayed to God for all
the poor and needy, the destitute and the widowed,
and especially for our Holy Church, that it might
grow and spread and that Orthodoxy might shine
until the end of time.
Having received Heavenly Assurance that his Prayer was
clearly heard, he joyfully bent his neck for his
beheading by sword, departing this life and being
with our Lord in His Eternal Joy.
St Procopius suffered Holy Martyrdom with honour in
Palestinian Caesarea, and was Crowned with an
Eternal Wreath of Glory, on 8 July, 303.
May his memory and that of his mother, St Theodosia,
be Eternal!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: ST PROKOPIOS – THE PROLOGUE OF
OCHRID
THOSE WHO WANT TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING MUST HAVE
FORTITUDE (STAMINA OR ENDURANCE) AND BE WISE,
CONSULTING THEIR CONFESSOR (SPIRITUAL FATHER) IN ALL
MATTERS.
And if our Father Confessor has not himself trodden the
Path of Prayer, we must nevertheless seek advice from
him, and BECAUSE OF OUR HUMILITY OUR LORD WILL
HAVE MERCY ON US AND KEEP US FROM ALL UNTRUTH.
But if we think to ourselves: “My Confessor lacks
experience and is occupied with vain things: I will be
my own Guide with the help of books...!” then our feet
are already set upon a perilous path and we are not far
from being lured and going astray!
Many who have reasoned like this have significantly
deceived themselves and THEY DID NOT THRIVE
BECAUSE THEY DESPISED THEIR FATHER CONFESSORS,
FORGETTING THAT THE SAVING GRACE OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT GRANTS GOOD COUNSEL (ADVICE) TO OUR SOUL
WHEN WE PAY ATTENTION TO THE ADVICE OF OUR
PRIESTS AND SPIRITUAL FATHERS.
THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN OUR CONFESSOR SO HE WILL
ALWAYS TELL US WHAT IS RIGHT. But if we do not
respect or doubt the ability of our Confessor, we will
suffer mightily from such thoughts and will be humbled
by God and are sure to fall into temptations.
PRAYER COMES WITH PRAYING.
NEVERTHELESS: PRAYER THAT IS ONLY A HABIT – PRAYER
WITHOUT CONTRITION FOR OUR SINS – IS NOT PLEASING
TO GOD!
When you stand before our Lord in Prayer, do not start off in a
languid fashion, otherwise you will perform your entire Prayer
in a lax and lazy way. Rather, when you stand in Prayer sign
yourself with the cross, collect your thoughts together and
prepare yourself properly; concentrate on god to Whom you
are praying, and take care that your thought does not depart
from Him until your Prayer has reached its conclusion. THE SYRIAC
FATHERS - PRAYER & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE.
8 JULY 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL
THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

7th Sunday After Pentecost Tone (6) Plagal 2 11 July 2010

7th Sunday of St Matthew – 2 Blind Men & a Demoniac

Feast of the Miracle of St Euphemia the Great Martyr at Chalcedon; St Olga (Helen) of Kiev,
Equal-to-the-Apostles; St Nektarios the New Martyr
St. Nicodemos the New Martyr of Mt. Athos
RE SURRE CTION A POL YTIK ION - TO NE (6 ) PLAG AL 2

Angelike Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes The Angelic Powers were in Thy Sepulchre, and the guards
apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitousa to became as dead men, and Mary stood by the Tomb
ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilevsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led Hades captive,
ip aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos tin Zoin. O yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art the
Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie, Doxa Si. Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Glory to
Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the dead!
A POL YT IKION O F ST E UPHEM IA THE GR EA T MAR T YR – TONE 3

Lian efranas, tous Orthodoxous, ke katiskhinas, tous All the Orthodox, Thou greatly cheered, and Thou put to
kakodoxous, Effimia Hristou kalliparthene. This gar shame the false believers, O fair Virgin of Christ,
Tetartis Sinodou ekirosas, a I Pateres kalos Euphemia. For Thou confirmed what the Fathers well
edogmatisan. Martis endoxe, Hriston ton Theon Dogmatise, at the 4th Ecumenical Council. O Martyr
iketeve, dorisasthe imin to mega eleos. Glorious, entreat Christ our God to grant to us His
Great Mercy!
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton
timonton se.
Resurrection Gospel 7: John 20:1 – 10 - S T
O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to
the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos
who always protects all who honour Thee!
PETER & ST JOHN WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST

PROKEIMENON Save Thy people, O Lord, and Bless Thine Inheritance! I will appeal to Thee, O Lord our God.
The 2nd Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 6 : 1 - 10
THE MARKS OF TRUE APOSTLESHIP
Brethren: as Workers together with our Lord Jesus, we also plead with you not to receive the Grace of God in vain. For He
says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the Day of Salvation, I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time! Behold, now is the Day of Salvation!
We give no offence in anything so that our Ministry may not be blamed, but in all things we commend ourselves as Ministers
of God: in much Patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in
sleeplessness, in Fastings; by Purity, by Knowledge, by Longsuffering, by Kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere Love, by
the Word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left hand, by
honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown and yet well known; as
dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many
rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
St Paul was a True and authentic Apostle of Christ. WE HAVE SO MANY SINS TO REPENT THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE
His entire Life in Christ demonstrated the paradox of GOD’S ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT THE
DIVINE STRENGTH WORKING IN HUMAN WEAKNESS, OF SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF OUR INNER BEING – getting to
RENOUNCING THE WORLD IN ORDER TO MASTER IT. know our deepest, hidden flaws that others may see but
“The Day of Salvation is now!” means exactly that: THE which we refuse to admit and eradicate THROUGH
TIME OF OUR SALVATION IS NOW – EVER PRESENT – CONSTANT PRAYERS AND SELF-EXAMINATION, FOLLOWED
IMMEDIATELY – IN THIS VERY INSTANT AND AT THIS BY REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.
PRECISE MOMENT IN TIME BEFORE THE REAPPEARANCE OF THE MORE PERSONAL SIN WE CAN EXPOSE AND ELIMINATE,
CHRIST ON JUDGEMENT DAY! THE LESS STRESSFUL OUR FINAL TRIALS THROUGH THE
What St Paul was trying to make vividly clear to us is that WE AERIAL COUNTING HOUSES OF THE SOUL we shall have to
DO NOT HAVE A MOMENT TO WASTE. endure and THE MORE ASSURED WE CAN BE OF ENJOYING
OUR ETERNAL SALVATION BEGINS RIGHT NOW AND WE CANNOT A GOOD REPOSE IN CHRIST AFTER OUR PHYSICAL DEATH.
AFFORD TO DELAY OUR REPENTANCE AND OUR SPIRITUAL The passions we refuse to acknowledge and destroy within
STRUGGLE AS WE LIVE IN CHRIST. ourselves will haunt us for all Eternity and will the cause
With every obstacle that we face and then, by Divine Grace, our Eternal Condemnation and Hell, so, obviously, the
overcome, we take another little step closer to God and sooner we get rid of them, the better for our immortal
His Eternal Kingdom of Love. souls!

The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 9 : 27 – 35

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HEALS TWO BLIND MEN AND A DEMONIAC
At that time, when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying: “Son of David, have mercy
on us!” And when He had entered the house, the blind men went to Him and Jesus said to them: “Do you believe that I
Am able to do that?” And they said to Him: “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying: “According to your faith, let it
be to you.” And their eyes were opened, but Jesus sternly warned them, saying: “See that no one knows!” But when they
had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.
As they went out, behold, a man who was mute and demon3possessed was taken to Jesus and when the demon had been cast
out, the man spoke and the multitude marvelled, saying: “It was never seen like this in Israel!”
But the Pharisees said: “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons!”
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their Synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and
healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
According to the ancient prophesies of St Isaiah the Holy shall be opened, and the ear of the deaf shall hear...”
Prophet of God, THE MESSIANIC AGE IS SIGNIFIED BY THE (ISAIAH 35:5)

DIVINE MIRACLES OF HEALING: “... the eyes of the blind

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH OF ST MATTHEW – TWO BLIND MEN & A DEMONIAC 11 JULY 2010
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These Miraculous Healings were Divine Signs that confirmed
our Lord Jesus is truly the long-awaited Messiah, as was
the manner whereby the blind men addressed Christ –
“Son of David” – which expressed their faith in that Truth.
The Pharisees belief that Christ cast out demons by the power
of the ruler of demons – Satan – is ridiculous and entirely
The Miraculous Healings of Christ our Lord & Saviour
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, today’s Holy
Gospel Lessons concludes with the words: "And
Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the
gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness
and every disease among the people” (MATTHEW 9:35).
St Matthew made it clear that CHRIST’S WORK HAS THREE
LIFE-SAVING PURPOSES FOR OUR SALVATION:
➤ TO TEACH,
➤ TO PREACH AND
➤ TO HEAL
ST NikolaI Velimirovic believed the following concerning
Christ’s Work:
➤ CHRIST TAUGHT US - HE INTERPRETED THE SPIRIT
OF THE OLD CREATION AND THE OLD LAW.
➤ CHRIST PREACHED TO US - HE LAID THE
FOUNDATIONS OF THE NEW CREATION, THE
KINGDOM OF GOD, THE CHURCH OF THE
SAINTS.
➤ CHRIST HEALED US - HE TESTIFIED TO HIS
TEACHING AND PREACHING BY HIS ACTS.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DID ALL OF THIS OUT OF HIS LOVE
FOR MANKIND AND HIS DIVINE LOVE MEETS WITH OUR
FAITH SO THAT THERE MAY BE THE MIRACLE OF
SALVATION.
Each time our Lord Jesus Christ performs His Miracles of
Healing, He asks us the most essential question of
all: “Do you believe? Do you believe that I Am able
to do this?”
WHEN OUR LORD QUESTIONS THE STRENGTH OF OUR FAITH
IN HIM, HE IS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR OF OUR HEARTS.
He is seeking our welcoming invitation to enter our
hearts so that not only can He Heal us but so that He
can also Save us.
This is analogy is recorded by St John the Divine
Apostle, Evangelist and Theologian in Book of the
Revelation of Christ: “Behold, I stand at the door,
and knock: if any man hear My Voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him” (REVELATION 3:20).
While our Lord knocks at the door of our heart, IT IS UP
TO US WHETHER WE CHOOSE TO INVITE HIM IN OR
IGNORE OR EVEN REJECT HIM, for GOD NEVER FORCES
ANYTHING ON US BUT CONSISTENTLY OFFERS HIS
GOODNESS AND BLESSINGS, AND UNTOLD
OPPORTUNITIES TO DO GOOD DEEDS WHICH WE ARE
FREE TO ACCEPT OR REJECT.
We are also invited without any restrictions to knock at
His Door to ask for His Salvation, which is confirmed
by the words of our Lord:, “... And I say to you: ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened to you” (LUKE 11:9)
Both of these aspects of knocking at the door are
evident in today’s Sacred Lesson.
The first knock is when the two blind men called out to
our Lord Jesus: “Son of David, have mercy on us!”
(MATTHEW 9:27)
St Simeon the New Theologian commented on that
knock at the Door of Christ by the two blind men:
“He who prays according to the flesh, and does not
also have Spiritual Understanding is like the blind
men who cried out: ‘Son of David, have mercy on us!’
But another blind man, when he received his sight and
saw the Lord, no longer saw Him as the Son of David,
but as the Son of God.” (JOHN 9:35-38).
Thus, ANY KNOCK AT THE DOOR MUST BRING US TO GOD.
St John Klimakos – On Remembrance of Death
✣ If we wish to continually retain within ourself the remembrance of death and God’s Judgement, but at the same time we yield to material cares
and distractions, we become like a swimmer who wants to clap his hands. (JUST AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLAP HANDS UNDER WATER - WE CANNOT CONSCIOUSLY
CONTEMPLATE OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT CONTINUOUSLY AND STILL CARRY ON LIVING RECKLESSLY – REGARDLESS OF AND DESPITE THE CONSEQUENCES!)
✣ A vivid remembrance of Death cuts down food; and when in humility food is cut, the passions are cut too.
✣ Those who have died to all things remember death, but those who are still tied to the world do not cease plotting against themselves!
✣ The friend of silence draws near to god, and, by secretly conversing with him, is enlightened by god.
That was why CHRIST DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND to
the two blind men, BECAUSE HE WANTED THEIR THIRST
FOR GOD TO INCREASE.
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH OF ST MATTHEW – TWO BLIND MEN & A DEMONIAC
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impossible since the aim of the evil one is to consolidate
his limited power – and definitely not to destroy it.
Furthermore, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CLEANSED LEPERS,
RAISED THE DEAD TO LIFE AND REMITTED SINS – SACRED
WORKS – WORKS OF LOVE, KINDNESS AND SINCERE
COMPASSION that demons could never perform because
they totally lacked any goodness or mercy!
THE TWO BLIND MEN HAD TO STRUGGLE ALONG, TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH OUR LORD -
AND NO DOUBT, THEY HAD TO CONTEND WITH THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF THE
USUAL JOSTLING CROWD WHO FOLLOWED CHRIST FOR VARIOUS REASONS - AS HE
MADE HIS WAY TO THE HOUSE WHERE HE WAS STAYING.
THIS MUST HAVE TAKEN A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT, BUT THE TWO
BLIND MEN DID NOT GIVE UP – THEY PERSISTED IN THEIR PERSONAL MISSION.
THEN, ONLY WHEN THEY WERE IN THE PRIVACY OF THE HOUSE, DID CHRIST ACTUALLY
RESPOND TO THEIR REQUEST FOR HIS DIVINE MERCY.
The second knock was when Jesus asked them: “Do you
believe that I Am able to do this?” (MATTHEW 9:28).
Our Lord tested their Faith so that they would openly
proclaim their confidence and trust in Him when
they said: “Yes Lord!”
SOMETIMES GOD ASKS US TO OPENLY DECLARE OUR FAITH SO THAT WE CAN VERIFY IT TO
OURSELVES AS WELL AS BEFORE OTHERS. AND IN DOING SO WE ESTABLISH THE
DEPTH OF OUR FAITH.
SIMILARLY, IN THE CASE OF THE MAN BORN WITHOUT EYES. WHO WAS VIGOROUSLY AND
SEVERELY QUESTIONED BY THE PHARISEES, AFTER HAVING RECDEIVED HIS SIGHT
FROM CHRIST: THE MORE OFTEN HE EXPLAINED THE DIVINE MIRACLE TO THE
DOUBTERS, THE DEEPER AND MORE COMMITED HIS FAITH IN CHRIST BECAME, UNTIL
NOTHING COULD PREVENT HIM FROM DECLARING THE TRUTH CONCERNING OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST.
This should remind us that OUR FAITH IS NOT JUST A
PERSONAL COMMITMENT THAT WE KEEP TO OURSELVES.
✽ FAITH IS SOMETHING THAT MUST BE PROCLAIMED IN
ORDER TO BRING OTHERS TO GOD’S TRUTH.
When the men responded to Christ’s question with the
words: “Yes Lord!” THEY ABANDONED THEIR FLESHLY
OR EARTHLY UNDERSTANDING AND EMBRACED THEIR
SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING, WHICH WAS
ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THEIR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF JESUS CHRIST AS OUR “LORD.”
THEY NO LONGER ACKNOWLEDGED CHRIST AS THE “SON OF
DAVID,” BUT AS THE “LORD,” THE SON OF GOD, THE
GOD-MAN, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD!
Thus, THEY WERE NOT ONLY HEALED OF THEIR INFIRMITY,
BUT THEY WERE BROUGHT TO SALVATION, which is
confirmed by St Paul in his Epistle to the Roman
Christians: “...Whosoever shall call upon the Name of
the Lord shall be Saved.” (ROMANS 10:13)
NOT ONLY WERE THE TWO BLIND MEN HEALED FROM THEIR PHYSICAL BLINDNESS, BUT
THEY WERE ALSO HEALED FROM THEIR SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS AND WERE ABLE TO SEE
CHRIST IN HIS DIVINE NATURE, AND WERE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND HIS DIVINE TRUTH,
UNFORTUNATELY, IN THEIR PERSONAL SATISFACTION AND JOY – AND WITH A CLEAR
INDICATION OF THEIR INGRATITUDE AND UNAPPRECIATION OF GOD’S GREAT GLORY
AND MERCY - THEY IMMEDIATELY DISOBEYED HIS INSTRUCTION (NOT TO LET ANYONE
KNOW WHAT HE HAD DONE FOR THEM) BY TELLING EVERYONE OF THEIR MIRACULOUS
HEALING.
NEVERTHELESS, THE RESTORATION OF THEIR SIGHT MUST HAVE HAD A GOOD EFFECT ON
OTHERS WHO, WHEN SEEING AND HEARING THE TWO FORMER BLIND MEN, GAINED
FAITH IN CHRIST THEMSELVES.
All too often we seek after God through Miraculous Signs
of His Action in Creation and fail to see the Spiritual
Miracles that occur around us.
St John Chrysostom warned us: “Do not, therefore, seek
Signs, but your soul's health. Seek not to see one
dead man raised; nay, for you have learnt that the
whole world is arising. Seek not to see a blind man
healed, but behold all now restored unto that better
and more profitable sight; and do also learn to look
chastely, and amend your eye!”
So, my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, SEEK NOT
AFTER MIRACLES.
✽ SEEK RATHER AFTER SALVATION, for Christ is
knocking at the door of your heart.
Open the door of your heart to Him, that you may ENTER
INTO THE NEW CREATION AND RECEIVE THE SPIRITUAL
MIRACLES THAT WILL CHANGE YOU AND THE WORLD
AROUND YOU.
THROUGH THIS CHANGE, YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH CHRIST’S
WORK TO TEACH, PREACH AND TO HEAL.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “SERMON: SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST” BY FATHER MILAN
MEDAKOVIC - 2009
http://www.saintgregorypalamas.com/2010/02/seventh-
sunday-after-pentecost.html
11 JULY 2010
 The Wisdom of Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
“... p e r v e r s e t h o u g h t s s e p a r a t e m e n f r o m G o d .” (WISDOM 1:3)
Elder Paisios always urged us to THINK POSITIVELY.
OUR POSITIVE THINKING, HOWEVER, SHOULD NOT BE OUR
ULTIMATE AIM; EVENTUALLY OUR SOUL MUST BE
CLEANSED FROM OUR POSITIVE THOUGHTS AS WELL, AND
BE LEFT BARE, HAVING AS ITS SOLE VESTMENT, DIVINE
GRACE GRANTED TO US THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM.
✽ This is OUR ULTIMATE AIM: TO TOTALLY SUBMIT OUR MIND
TO THE GRACE OF GOD.
THE ONLY THING CHRIST ASKS FROM US IS OUR HUMILITY. THE
REST IS TAKEN CARE OF BY HIS GRACE.
In the beginning, we should WILLINGLY TRY TO DEVELOP
POSITIVE THOUGHTS, WHICH WILL GRADUALLY LEAD US TO
THE PERFECT GOOD: GOD, to Whom belongs every Glory,
Honour and Worship; on the contrary, TO US BELONGS
ONLY THE HUMILITY OF OUR CONCEITED ATTITUDE.
We must ALWAYS BE CAREFUL AND CONSTANTLY QUESTION
THE NATURE OF OUR THOUGHTS.
When someone is preoccupied and trusts his own way of
thinking, he becomes vulnerable to the devil who is
capable of transforming us into sly people, even when
we are honest by nature.
OUR ANCIENT HOLY FATHERS NEVER TRUSTED THEIR OWN
THOUGHTS.
Even for minor problems to which they had to give answers,
THEY PRAYED TO GOD, OR FASTED, as a way of “forcing”
Divine Grace to reveal the answer according to God’s
Will; and after they received the information, they
would answer.
In our day, when we have a serious problem and we ask
someone for advice, that person will tend to interrupt us
and provide an answer without letting us complete our
question first.
✽ In such circumstances, NOT ONLY DO WE NOT SEEK THE
ASSISTANCE OF DIVINE GRACE, BUT WE ALSO MISUSE
OUR LOGIC, WHICH IS GRANTED TO US BY GOD.
WE ARE RULED BY OUR OWN THOUGHTS AND UNHESITATINGLY
RELY ON THEM, VERY OFTEN HAVING TO FACE THE
DISASTROUS RESULTS OF OUR ACTS.
Almost all of us consider our thoughts to be simple and
natural, therefore, we spontaneously rely on them.
On the contrary: WE SHOULD NEITHER TRUST NOR ACCEPT
OUR OWN THOUGHTS.
We must not have any thoughts in our mind or heart –
neither positive nor negative thoughts – for THAT SPACE
WITHIN US BELONGS TO THE GRACE OF GOD.
✽ WE ARE OBLIGED TO KEEP OUR MIND AND OUR HEART
CLEAN, NOT ONLY OF OUR VARIOUS THOUGHTS, BUT
ALSO THE SLIGHTEST AND MOST ELUSIVE SLIP OF THE
MIND.
✽ WE CAN ONLY ACHIEVE THIS IF WE FERVENTLY LOVE CHRIST
AND UNHESITATINGLY TRUST HIM.
As a result, WE HUMBLE OURSELVES, AND DIVINE GRACE,
NATURALLY, WILL BE REVIVED WITHIN US, for It is only
granted to those who are truly humble for “God opposes
the proud, but grants Grace to the humble.” (1 PETER 5 :5)
WE NEED TO HAVE POSITIVE THOUGHTS, otherwise none of
our Spiritual Fathers – not even the Holy Saints – can
help us.
St Peter of Damascus – On Divine Knowledge: Our Gratitude to God(Continued)
✽ FROM KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING IS BORN SELF-
CONTROL AND PATIENT ENDURANCE.
➤ IF WE UNDERSTAND, WE CAN RESTRAIN OUR OWN WILL
AND ENDURE THE RESULTING PAIN.
➤ By REGARDING OURSELVES AS UNWORTHY of such
Blessings, WE ARE ALWAYS GRATEFUL AND
THANKFUL TO OUR BENEFACTOR for His many
Blessings that God grants us in this world, LIVING
IN THE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT IN THE WORLD TO
COME.
➤ Thus THROUGH SELF-CONTROL WE WILL
PRACTISE THE OTHER VIRTUES AS WELL.
We will look upon ourselves as BEING IN GOD’S DEBT FOR
EVERYTHING, FINDING NOTHING WHATSOEVER WITH WHICH
TO REPAY OUR BENEFACTOR, and we will even believe that
ANY VIRTUE WE MAY POSSESS SIMPLY INCREASES OUR
GREAT DEBT TO GOD, for we receive but we have nothing
to give Him in return!
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH OF ST MATTHEW – TWO BLIND MEN & A DEMONIAC
When our Lord Jesus was crucified and all the terrible
events were taking place, two thieves were also crucified
with Him.
EACH THIEF HAD A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS CHRIST,
even though they were both placed next to the same
God 3 A GOD WHO HAD NEVER BEEN BLAMED – OR
ACCUSED BY ANYONE – FOR HAVING COMMITTED THE
SLIGHTEST SIN.
In fact, MANY PEOPLE HAD BEEN BLESSED BY HIM: some had
been cured of specific diseases, others had been
resurrected from the dead, and ALL THESE WONDERFUL
MIRACLES HAD OCCURRED IN PUBLIC.
Then, while being crucified, EVEN NATURE REACTED AGAINST
THE INDESCRIBABLE INJUSTICE DONE TO CHRIST OUR
SAVIOUR!
“... and behold, the curtain of the Temple was torn in two,
from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and rocks were
split; the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the
Saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out
of the tombs, after His Resurrection, they went into the
Holy City and appeared to many.” (MATTHEW 27 : 51 – 53)
THE THIEF WHO WAS CRUCIFIED AT THE LEFT SIDE OF CHRIST
HAD created inside his mind a “factory,” which produced
ONLY NEGATIVE THOUGHTS: “... one of the criminals who
was hanged railed at Him, saying: ‘Art Thou not the
Christ? Save Thyself and us!’” (LUKE 23:39)
ALTHOUGH HE COULD SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AROUND HIM,
HE NEVER QUESTIONED HIMSELF ABOUT IT.
THE THIEF WHO WAS AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF CHRIST HAD A
POSITIVE WAY OF THINKING AND HE REACTED
DIFFERENTLY: “... but the other rebuked him, saying: ‘ Do
you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence
of condemnation? And we, indeed, justly; for we are
receiving the due reward of our deeds, but this Man has
done nothing wrong!’ And he said: “Lord, remember me
when Thou comes into Thy Kingdom.’” (LUKE 23: 40 – 42)
Both thieves had the same Almighty God placed between
them Who could really help them, yet THE NEGATIVE
THINKING THIEF PREVENTED GOD FROM HELPING HIM,
WHEREAS THE ONE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF CHRIST –
WHO HAD COMMITTED TERRIBLE CRIMES AND WAS
LEGITIMATELY BEING PUNISHED – WAS ABLE TO “MOVE”
OUR LORD JESUS WITH HIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
Consequently, Christ told the Penitent Thief: “Truly, I say to
you: today you will be with Me in Paradise!” (Luke 23:43)
THE PENITENT THIEF WAS THE FIRST HUMAN BEING TO REGAIN GOD’S FULL DIVINE GRACE
THROUGH HIS UTTER REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AND TO ENTER PARADISE TO REPOSE IN
PEACE UNTIL THE GENERAL RESURRECTION AND JUDGEMENT DAY.
HIS WORDS TO CHRIST ARE RECALLED AND REPEATED AT EVERY DIVINE LITURGY DURING THE
GREAT ENTRANCE WHEN THE PRIEST LOUDLY AND SLOWLY SAYS: “LORD, REMEMBER ME
WHEN THY COMEST INTO THY KINGDOM!” AND WE BESEECH GOD’S DIVINE MERCY WITH
THE SAME PRAYER.
THE PENITENT THIEF IS COMMEMORATED IN OUR HOLY CHURCH AS “ST DEMAS THE PENITENT”
We must never forget that GOD IS UNABLE TO HELP US – EVEN
IF HE SO WILLS – UNLESS WE HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
✽ With regard to the Spiritual Progress of a Disciple of
Christ or a Disciple Monk, IT IS EVEN MORE
IMPORTANT FOR US TO DEVELOP GOOD THOUGHTS
THAN TO BE GUIDED BY A SPIRITUAL FATHER WHO IS
CONSIDERED A LIVING SAINT.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “ELDER PAISIOS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN” BY PRIEST MONK
CHRISTODOULOS, OF MOUNT ATHOS
We only ask that we may be allowed to offer our thanks to
God and yet, EVEN THE FACT THAT GOD ACCEPTS OUR
GRATITUDE PUTS US INTO STILL GREATER DEBT!
➤ Nevertheless WE MUST CONTINUOUS GIVE THANKS TO
GOD BY ALWAYS DOING WHAT IS GOOD AND
REMEMBERING THAT WE ARE THE GREATEST
DEBTORS OF ALL.
In all Humility WE MUST CONSIDER OURSELVES LOWER THAN
ALL OTHERS, DELIGHTING IN GOD OUR BENEFACTOR AND
TREMBLING EVEN WHILE WE REJOICE. (PSALM 2:11)
As we advance through such Humility towards Divine and
THEN
unfailing Love, WE MUST ACCEPT OUR SUFFERING AS
THOUGH WE DESERVE IT.
Indeed, those WHO ARE TRULY HUMBLE BELIEVE THEY DESERVE
EVEN MORE SUFFERING THAN THEY ENCOUNTER; and THEY
ARE GLAD THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GRANTED SOME
AFFLICTION IN THIS WORLD, SINCE THROUGH IT THEY MAY
BE SPARED A PORTION OF THE PUNISHMENTS THAT THEY
11 JULY 2010
15
 HAVE PREPARED FOR THEMSELVES IN THE WORLD TO BE.
(ETERNITY)
And because IN ALL THIS THEY KNOW THEIR
WEAKNESSES, AND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT EXULT
and BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND WORTHY OF
KNOWING AND ENDURING THESE THINGS, BY THE GRACE OF
GOD, THEY ARE FILLED WITH A STRONG LONGING FOR GOD.
✽ HUMILITY IS BORN OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE, AND SUCH
KNOWLEDGE IS BORN OF TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS.
TO THOSE WHO KNOW THEMSELVES IS GRANTED KNOWLEDGE
OF ALL THINGS, and THOSE WHO SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO
GOD BRING EVERY MATERIAL THOUGHT UNDER CONTROL;
and then all things are subject to them, for THEY ARE
COMPLETELY HUMBLE.
According to St Basil and St Gregory, THOSE WHO KNOW
THEMSELVES – WHO KNOW THAT THEY STAND MIDWAY
BETWEEN NOBILITY AND BASENESS, in that they have a
soul that is capable of Spiritual Knowledge and a mortal,
earthly body – NEVER EXULT OR DESPAIR.
Rather, with a feeling of shame before their noetic soul
(UNDERSTOOD BY THE HUMAN MIND; THROUGH INTELLECTUAL UNDERSTANDING),
REJECT EVERYTHING SHAMEFUL and, knowing their own
personal weakness, they SHRINK FROM ALL SENSE OF
ELATION.
Thus those who know their own weakness as a result of the
many temptations and trials they undergo through the
passions of soul and body, UNDERSTAND THE
MEASURELESS POWER OF GOD AND HOW HE REDEEMS THE
HUMBLE SOULS WHO CRY OUT TO HIM THROUGH
PERSISTENT PRAYER FROM THE DEPTHS OF THEIR HEART.
For such humble people PRAYER BECOMES A DELIGHT.
We know that WITHOUT GOD WE CAN DO NOTHING, and
in our fear of falling, we must STRIVE TO CLEAVE TO GOD
for when we CONSIDER HOW GOD HAS RESCUED US from
so many temptations and passions, we are amazed!
➤ WE MUST OFFER OUR CONSTANT THANKS TO OUR SAVIOUR,
AND WE MUST ADD TO OUR GRATITUDE HUMILITY AND
LOVE.
Furthermore, we must NEVER DARE TO JUDGE OTHERS,
knowing that as GOD HAS HELPED US, so HE HELPS
EVERYONE ELSE ACCORDING TO HIS OWN DIVINE WILL, as St
Maximos the Confessor has taught us.
➤ We also know that AS SOON AS WE IDENTIFY AND
ACKNOWLEDGED OUR OWN WEAKNESSES, WE ARE BE
The Dark Night of the Soul – Father Anthony M Coniaris
Do not think for a moment that this world is ruled by
chance. When the dark night of the soul settles upon
you, remember that GOD IS THE ONLY, SUPREME RULER OF
HEAVEN AND EARTH.
CHRIST IS THE PANTOCRATOR – THE ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL
GOD WHO IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING IN EXISTENCE!
“Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try
you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” (1
PETER 4:12)
GOD IS AT WORK in the midnight experiences of your entire
life.
GOD HAS TAKEN A PIECE OF CLAY AND FASHIONED IT INTO THE
IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF HIMSELF.
IT IS NOT EASY TO SING WHEN WE ARE FACING SOME CRISIS
AND OUR HEART IS HEAVY, BUT GOD GRANTS US A SONG,
EVEN IN THE MIDST OF OUR TROUBLES 3 as our Lord Jesus
and His Disciples sang on their way to Golgotha, as St
Paul and St Silas sang in the prison at midnight!
We thank Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast put a song in our hearts –
The Song of Thy Love, the Song of Thy Resurrection, the Song of Thy Presence
And the Song of Forgiveness and Eternal Life.
Grant that in the dark moments of life
we may sing these songs as did St Paul and St Silas in prison at midnight.
For we know, O Lord, that through Thy Resurrection, we too, have overcome the world.
Thou hast turned our midnight into dawn,
dawn
Our defeat into Victory.
Victory
Amen
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH OF ST MATTHEW – TWO BLIND MEN & A DEMONIAC
16
ABLE TO FIGHT AND CONQUER MANY PASSIONS; FOR
THEN GOD SWIFTLY COMES TO OUR ASSISTANCE, IN
OWN CASE OUR SOUL IS UTTERLY DESTROYED.
(GLOAT), And FOR MANY OTHER REASONS AS WELL, THOSE WHO
RECOGNISE THEIR OWN WEAKNESS WILL NOT FALL.
➤ However, NO ONE CAN ATTAIN THAT DEGREE OF
RECOGNITION (OF SPIRITUAL DEATH OR SIN) UNLESS WE FIRST
SUFFER MANY TEMPTATIONS OF SOUL AND BODY, AND
GAIN EXPERIENCE BY ENDURING THEM PATIENTLY AND
THEREBY OVERCOMING THEM WITH GOD’S STRENGTH.
✽ THOSE WHO POSSESS HUMILITY DO NOT DARE TO ACT
ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN VOLITION OR TO DEPEND
ON THEIR OWN IDEAS WITHOUT FIRST QUESTIONING
THOSE WITH (SPIRITUAL) EXPERIENCE.
For what would we gain by choosing to do or to think
something that does not contribute to our bodily life or
to the Salvation of our soul?
And if we do not know what wish we should abandon, and
what thought we should put aside, WE MUST TEST EVERY
ACTION AND EVERY THOUGHT BY RESISTING IT WITH SELF-
CONTROL AND BY OBSERVING THE EFFECT of doing so
THEY
upon ourselves.
➤ IF BY ACTING UPON IT GIVES US PLEASURE BUT
RESISTING IT BRINGS US PAIN, THEN IT IS
SOMETHING BAD AND WE SHOULD REJECT IT BEFORE
IT TAKES ROOT.
Otherwise we will find it difficult to overcome later when we
are able to see what damage our wilful action has
caused.
THIS APPLIES TO EVERY ACTION OR THOUGHT THAT DOES NOT
HELP US TO KEEP OURSELVES ALIVE AND TO CONFORM TO
GOD’S WILL.
For A LONG-STANDING HABIT ASSUMES THE STRENGTH OF
NATURE; but IF WE DO NOT SURRENDER TO IT, IT LOSES
STRENGTH AND IS GRADUALLY DESTROYED.
WHETHER A HABIT IS GOOD OR BAD, TIME NOURISHES IT, just
as wood feeds a fire.
Thus, so far as we can, we should CULTIVATE AND PRACTISE
WHATEVER IS GOOD, SO THAT IT BECOMES AN ESTABLISHED
HABIT OPERATING AUTOMATICALLY AND EFFORTLESSLY
WHEN REQUIRED.
It was through victories in small things that our Holy
Fathers won their greatest battles!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “THE PHILOKALIA” VOLUME 3.
Life is not like the big sunflower that has to grow in full
sunshine.
LIFE IS LIKE THE LITTLE VIOLET THAT GROWS PARTLY IN THE
SHADE AND PARTLY IN THE SUNSHINE.
There are Spiritual Midnights just as there are Spiritual
Noons, but EVERY SPIRITUAL MIDNIGHT IS PROGRESSING
TOWARDS SPIRITUAL NOON BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST OUR
LORD AND SAVIOUR HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD! HE IS
TRULY RISEN!
Our Lord Jesus told us: “In the world you will have
tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome
the world!”
SO WE SING OUR WAY THROUGH LIFE – WITH SONGS OF
SALVATION, WITH SONGS OF HOPE, WITH SONGS OF LOVE,
JOY, PEACE AND ETERNAL LIFE.
OUR SONGS CONTINUE... they will never stop and the time will
come when WE WILL JOIN OUR VOICES TO THAT OF GOD’S
GREAT CHOIR IN HEAVEN, TO SING ETERNAL PRAISES TO
GOD FOREVER AND EVER.
11 JULY 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

17 July 2010

Feast of St Marina (Margarita) the Great Martyr of Antioch

Also the Feast of St Andrei Rublev, Iconographer; St Veronika & St Speratos,
Holy Martyrs; St Irenarchos, Abbot of Solovki Monastery; St Lazaros the
Venerable of Mount Galerios, Ephesos; St Leonis of Ustnedumsk;
The Appearance of the Holy Icon of the Ever Blessed Theotokos of Sviatogorsk;
St Kenelm, Prince of Mercia
A POL YT IKION O F FE MALE M AR T YR S – TONE 4

I amnas Sou Iisou, krazi megali ti foni. Se Nimfie mou O my Lord Jesus, Thine Ewe-Lamb, with a loud voice calls
potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume, ke out: Thou, my Groom, do I long for, and suffer all in
sinthptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke pasho dia Se, os search for Thee, and I am crucified and buried with
Vasilefso sin Si, ke thnisko iper sou, ina ke ziso en Si. All Thee in Baptism; and I suffer for Thy Sake, inorder to
os thisian amomomn, prosdehou tin meta pothou reign with Thee, and give my life to Thee so that I may
tithisan Si. Aftis presvies, os eleimon, Soson tas psihas live with Thee; but accept as pure Sacrifice, the one who
imon. desired to give her life for Thee. Through her
Intercessions, O Most Compassionate, Save our souls!
A POL YT IKION O F ST M ARI NA /M ARG ARI TA – TO NE 1

Tou Patros Sou ek vrefous apestrafis ta idola, ke tou While still an infant thou rejected Thy father’s idols, and
Olivriou tirannou tin oftin katepatisas, othen efhes sou trampled down the pride of the cruel tyrant Olyvrios;
ton ofin edesmefsas, ke tin kefalin tou drakontos thus through thy Prayers thou put the serpent in
epirmenin katethlasas, Megalomartis Marina; presveve bondage, and the dragon’s proud head thou completely
Hristo to Theo sothine tas psihas imon. crushed, O Great Martyr Marina; intercede with Christ
our God, that our souls may be saved.
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of
all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke
Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton who always protects all who honour Thee!
timonton se.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 3 : 23 – 4 : 5
OUR ADOPTION AS CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST THROUGH OUR FAITH AND HOLY BAPTISM
Brethren: before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law – kept for the Faith that would afterward be revealed.
Therefore, the Law as our Tutor to bring us to Christ so that we might be Justified by Faith. But after Faith has come,
we are no longer under a tutor, for you are sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were
Baptised into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus, and if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed, and Heirs according to the Promise.
✽ FAITH IN CHRIST IS ALSO FAITH OF CHRIST because wicked and the Righteous Ones – He freed all humanity
TWO FAITHS ARE COOPERATING TOGETHER: first from the enslaving power of evil – AND RE-OPENED
and foremost, THE FAITH OF CHRIST, and PARADISE TO THE FAITHFUL WHERE THEY COULD
REPOSE IN PEACE UNTIL THE GENERAL RESURRECTION
secondarily, THE FAITH IN CHRIST OF THOSE WHO AND OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
BELIEVE.
THOSE WHO STUBBORNLY REJECTED HIM, REMAIN IN HADES
Although THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT WITH GOD WHERE THEY SUFFER THE HIDEOUS FORETASTE OF THE
HAD COMPLETE FAITH IN GOD, THEY COULD NOT VILENESS AND TORMENT OF ETERNAL ALIENATION FROM
PARTICIPATE IN THE FAITH OF CHRIST FOR OUR SAVIOUR GOD,
HAD NOT YET APPEARED TO THEM.
✽ THE HOLY TRINITY IS OMNIPRESENT - ever-present –
✽ OUR FAITH IN CHRIST IS ONE OF PERSONAL
COMMITMENT AND ALLEGIANCE TO HIM and through
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TIME OR PLACE WHEN
GOD THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
our Holy Baptism WE HAVE BECOME ADOPTED HEIRS
WAS NOT PRESENT! OF GOD – Co-heirs with Christ to the Eternal
The only time we could actually SEE GOD was WHEN CHRIST Heavenly Kingdom of God.
– THE WORD AND SON OF GOD – BECAME MAN – BECAME ➤ Not only have we been Baptised into Christianity –
INCARNATE – TOOK ON PHYSICAL MATTER – A HUMAN into the Christian Faith, but WE HAVE VESTED
BODY. OURSELVES WITH CHRIST – we have “put on
✽ THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE ON EARTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN Christ” – WE HAVE TAKEN ON OUR SACRED
A VITAL PREPARATORY PERIOD FOR ETERNITY. MISSION TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE – TO IMITATE
CHRIST HIMSELF AND THEREBY REGAIN OUR
Because God’s Love of us is infinite and absolute, He LOST LIKENESS TO GOD.
provided mankind with a set of TEN COMMANDMENTS ➤ ACCORDING TO OUR NEW COVENANT WITH ALMIGHTY
OR LAWS THAT GUIDE US TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE AND GOD, there is no distinction between social
PROTECT US FROM FALLING INTO A STATE OF
PERMANENT SPIRITUAL DEATH. status, ethnicity or gender because WE ARE ALL
➤ THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OR MOSAIC LAW EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD!
PREPARED THE HEBREW NATION FOR THE ✽ SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED ARE INTERWOVEN –
COMING OF GOD. we cannot claim to have one without the other!
➤ WITH GOD’S NEW COVENANT, CHRIST REVEALED THE “For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ
TRUE NATURE OF OUR MOST MERCIFUL, LOVING have put on Christ,” is OUR ANCIENT BAPTISM HYMN
AND BENEVOLENT GOD TO US AND TAUGHT US
that is chanted during the procession of the Newly
THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE, which the ancient
Regenerated into the Assembly – the Holy Church of
people of God only understood instinctively at Christ.
first and then through the teachings of the Holy
Prophets of God. ✽ WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE IN CHRIST.
AT THE HARROWING OF HADES AFTER HIS DEATH ON THE Therefore, ASSESSING PEOPLE according to our own
CROSS IN HIS HUMAN NATURE, CHRIST IN HIS DIVINE opinion, attitude, value, gender or ethnicity IS
NATURE, SMASHED OPEN THE IMPRISONING DOORS OF FORBIDDEN IN CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH,
HADES, and, having preached to the dead – both the

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) T HE FEA ST O F ST M ARIN A ( ST M ARGA RIT A ) THE G REA T MAR T YR – 17 J UL Y 2 01 0
17
✽ IF WE ARE GENUINELY TRYING TO IMITATE CHRIST WE CONDEMNATION, WHICH - UNLESS WE QUICKLY
CORRECT OURSELVES WITH SINCERE REPENTANCE -
MUST DO SO WITHOUT FAIL: He never discriminated
WILL AFFECT OUR ETERNITY!
against anyone so how dare we do so! We are all one in nature and equal in dignity.
✽ ANY DISCRIMINATION, BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE OR
PREJUDICE WILL CAUSE US SERIOUS SPIRITUAL
The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 5: 24 – 34
THE HEALING OF THE BLEEDING WOMAN ON THE WAY TO JAIRUS’ DYING DAUGHTER
At that time our Lord Jesus went with Jairus, a ruler of the Synagogue, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had
spent all that she had and was no better but rather grew worse.
When she heard about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment, for she thought: “If only I may
touch His garment, I shall be made well.”
Immediately the source of her bleeding dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and asked: “Who
touched My garment?” So His Disciples said to Him: “Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee and Thou ask ‘Who
touched Me?’”
And He looked around to see her who had done so, but the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to
her, went and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. So He said to her: “Daughter, your Faith has made
you well. Go in Peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
✽ AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD HER FAITH IN HIM SO THAT OTHERS WOULD LEARN FROM
HER AND GLORIFY GOD.
ALONE and BEING OF THE SAME DIVINE ESSENCE AS
GOD THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES Therefore He loudly enquired “Who touched My garment?”
THAT SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY. which astonished His Disciples since the large crowd
THE HEALING OF THAT WOMAN, ST VERONICA, DEMONSTRATED shoved and pushed one another to get closer to Christ
OUR LORD JESUS’ POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM OUR SINS and many would have brushed against Him or certainly
AND TO HEAL ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS – THE SPIRITUAL AND touched His garments.
THE PHYSICAL. Although on His way to save the daughter of Jairus – a “ruler
According to the Old Covenant Laws, any type of of the Synagogue” – OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS TIME TO
haemorrhaging caused ceremonial defilement, which ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH BOTH
imposed religious and social restrictions upon the HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE
sufferers for ANY CONTACT WITH BLOOD WAS STRICTLY TRUTH:
PROHIBITED AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. First He granted her “Good cheer” because of THE PROOF
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as being AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
unclean and had followed all the requirements as a social Then He corrected her thinking for SHE COULD NEITHER HIDE
outcast but SHE HAD REACHED SUCH A DEGREE OF MISERY HER ACTIONS FROM HIM – FROM GOD – NOR WAS SHE
AND DESPERATION THAT SHE RISKED FURTHER SHAME AND EXCLUDED FROM HIM BECAUSE OF HER AFFLICTION.
HUMILIATION IN THE CONVICTION THAT ONLY CHRIST And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
COULD HEAL HER. WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
It was a risk that she was willing to take – after all what more Our Holy Church Fathers believed that St Veronica symbolises
could she lose? People had already taken everything she human nature in general because ALL HUMANITY
had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER WHAT SHE REALLY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH, WHICH
NEEDED! WAS SYMBOLISED BY HER HAEMORRHAGING.
✽ EVERYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY GOD BECOMES The Physicians who could not heal her symbolise THE VARIOUS
SANCTIFIED – HOLY – AND WILL PASS THAT RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD, AS WELL AS THE OLD
SANCTIFICATION ONTO THE FAITHFUL. COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
HUMANITY – THEY CANNOT SAVE US
So THE INSTANT ST VERONICA SOFTLY TOUCHED THE ROBES OF ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US! ONLY THROUGH OUR
CHRIST SHE WAS HEALED AND GOD KNEW HER SINCERE
LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE GENUINELY
FAITH IN HIM.
FREED FROM SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
DIVINE ENERGY OR POWER WENT FROM CHRIST TO ST
VERONICA AND HE WANTED HER TO OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE
St Marina the Great Martyr
During the time of the persecution against Christians As they plunged her into the water, a bright Light shone
under Emperor Diocletian (2843305), St Marina was upon her and a white dove flew down from Heaven,
born in Asia Minor, in the city of Antioch of Pisidia bearing in its beak a Golden Crown. Her chains fell
(southern Asia Minor), into the family of a pagan apart and St Marina stood up and glorified the Holy
priest. After her mother died, her father placed her Trinity, emerging from her Baptism completely
into the care of a nursemaid, who raised St Marina in healed!
the Christian Faith but when he heard about it, he Amazed by such a Miracle, the people glorified the True
furiously disowned her. God, and many became Christian, which enraged the
The fifteen year old St Marina was arrested and Governor who ordered the instant execution of
imprisoned but with an unshakable Faith in the Will anyone who confessed the Name of Christ.
of God and His Divine Grace, the young prisoner Consequently 15,000 Christians were martyred, together
prepared for her impending fate. with St Marina who was beheaded.
Governor Olymbrios, enchanted by her fresh beauty, The sufferings of St Marina were described by an
tried to persuade her to renounce the Christian Faith eyewitness of the event, named Theotimos.
and become his wife. Until the sacking of Constantinople by Western
But when St Marina adamantly rejected all his offers, the crusaders in 1204, the Holy Relics of St Marina were
frustrated Governor handed her over to the torturers preserved in the Panteponteia Monastery, and then in
who beat her savagely before nailing to a board and Antioch until 908, after which they there transferred
ripping her tender body with sharp tridents. to Italy. Now they rest in Athens, in a church
The Governor who had to witness her punishment was dedicated to the Holy Virgin Martyr.
unable to bear the horror of these tortures so he Her venerable hand was transferred to Mount Athos, to
covered his face with his hands, while St Marina the Vatopedi Monastery.
bravely remained unyielding. ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “LIVES & FEASTS OF SAINTS” ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA

During the night she was granted Heavenly Aid that

healed of her wounds.
The following morning she was stripped naked and tied
Where Divine Love has touched the heart, there the fear of harsh
to a tree that was set alight. Barely alive, St Marina
words has no power.
prayed aloud: "Lord, Thou hast granted me to go
through fire for Thy Name; grant me also to go And where the fear of Gehenna has appeared, there is patient
through the Water of Holy Baptism." endurance of every toil; but where the hope of the Kingdom is
Hearing the word "water," the Governor ordered St known, there is disdain for all earthly things. (TO THE SHEPHERD:
THE PHILOKALIA – VOLUME 1)
Marina to be drowned in a large cauldron so she
besought the Lord that this manner of execution
should become for her Holy Baptism.
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) T HE FEA ST O F ST M ARIN A ( ST M ARGA RIT A ) THE G REA T MAR T YR – 17 J UL Y 2 01 0
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 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

8th Sunday After Pentecost Tone (7) Varys/Grave 18 July 2010

8th Sunday of St Matthew – The Light of the World

Feast of the 630 Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council at
Chalcedon

Also the Feast of St Emilianos of Bulgaria (from Dolostorum,

Thrace); St Paul, St Thea & St Oulalentine, Holy Martyrs; St
John. Archbishop of Constantine; St John the Longsuffering of Kiev Near Caves; St Hycinthos
of Amastris, Anatolia; St Pambo the Recluse of Kiev Far Caves; St Pambo the Ascetic Hermit
of Egypt; St Kozman, Hieromartyr of Georgia; the Appearance of the Holy Icon of the Ever
Blessed Theotokos of Tolga 
RE SURRE CTION A POL YTIK ION TO NE (7 ) VAR YS/GR AVE

Katelisas to Stavro Sou ton thanaton. Ineoxas to listi ton By Thy Cross Thou destroyed Death; Thou opened
Paradison. Ton Miroforon ton thrinon metevales ke tis Paradise to the Thief; Thou changed the funeral wail of
sis Apostolis kirittin epetaxas, oti Anestis, Hriste O the Myrrh-bearing Women, and Commanded them to
Theos, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos. announce to Thine Apostles that Thou had Risen from
the dead, O Christ our God, Who bestows on the world
Great Mercy!
A POL YT IKION O F THE HO L Y CHU R CH FATHER S – TO NE (8 ) PL AG AL 4

Iperdedoxasmenos i Hriste O Theos imon, O fostiras epi Supremely praised art Thou, O Christ our God, Who
gis, tous Pateras imon themeliosas, ke di afton, pros tin established on earth, our Fathers as Luminaries; and
alithinin pistin pantas imas odigisas, Poliefsplahne doxa through them, to the True Faith all of us Thou has
Si! Guided, O Most Compassionate One: Glory to Thee!
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton
timonton se.
Resurrection Gospel 8 - John 20 : 11 - 18
O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to
the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of
all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos
who always protects all who honour Thee!
- OUR RISEN LORD JESUS SPEAKS TO ST MARY MAGDALENE

PROKEIMENON The Lord will grant Strength to His people. Offer to the Lord, O Sons of God, offer to the Lord Sacrifice and
Praise!
The Epistle of St Paul to St Titos 3 : 8 - 15
CONCERNING HERETICAL & SCHISMATIC MEMBERS
Titos, a True Son in our common Faith: This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, so that
those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain Good Works.
These things are good and profitable to men.
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the Law, for they are unprofitable and useless.
Reject a divisive person after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being
self3condemned.
When I send Artemas to you, or Tychikos, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter
there. Send Zenas the Lawyer and Apollos on their Journey with haste, so that they may lack nothing.
And let our people also learn to maintain Good Works, to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unfruitful.
All who are with me greet you. Greet those who Love us in the Faith.
Grace be with you all.
Amen.
While St Paul was painfully aware that we are all awaiting AND HER DIVINELY TAUGHT AND INSPIRED
the consummation of the Age to come – Eternity – he TEACHINGS OF GOD.
knew that WE ALREADY PARTICIPATE IN THE > ANY REJECTION OF GOD’S TRUTH TO ANY DEGREE IS
ESCHATOLOGICAL COMMUNITY APOSTASY – A SERIOUS AND DEADLY SIN THAT CAN
WHATEVER WE DO, THINK OR SAY NOW ALREADY HAS AN EFFECT ON OUR ETERNITY – OUR HAVE FAR REACHING CONSEQUENCES AND WHICH
EVER LASTING EXISTENCE AFTER THIS TEMPORARY, PREPARATORY LIFE ON EARTH – BUT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AND RESOLVED AS SOON AS
GOD IN HIS GREAT LOVE AND MERCY HAS GRANTED US THIS TIME TO CORRECT AND TO
IMPROVE OURSELVES BY REPENTANCE-CONFESSION SO THAT WE CAN GROW CLOSER TO POSSIBLE.
GOD AND GET RID OF OUR PASSIONS AND SINS THAT ALIENATE US FROM HIM AND ONE
ANOTHER. > INCOMPLETE AND ERRONEOUS BELIEFS RESULT IN
IMMORAL BEHAVIOUR.
❃ HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION IS THE BEGINNING –
THE RITE OF PASSAGE TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE ❃ ONLY GOD’S TRUTH GUIDES US CORRECTLY TOWARDS
LIFE OF RENEWAL IN CHRIST JESUS. OUR ULTIMATE DESTINATION – ETERNAL LIFE – BY
THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH CHRIST
> DIVISIVE PEOPLE are those who PICK OR CHOOSE FROM OUR LORD, SAVIOUR AND TEACHER, WHICH IS
THE WHOLE TRUTH – GOD’S PERFECT AND ABSOLUTE ACTIVATED AND MADE POSSIBLE FOR US BY THE
TRUTH. HOLY SPIRIT.
> JUST LIKE THE INVENTOR OF LIES – SATAN – THEY BAIT > ONLY THROUGH FULFILLING OUR SACRED COMMITMENTS
THEIR POISONOUS HOOKS WITH A TINY MORSEL OF OF HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S COMMANDMENTS
TRUTH BUT ONCE WE HAVE BEEN HOOKED, WE can we expect to become worthy Citizens of His
DISCOVER THE DEPTH OF THEIR DECEPTIONS AND
Eternal Kingdom of Love.
LIES.
> FAITH IN GOD AND GOOD WORKS ARE THE ONLY MEANS
> A SECT IS a group of people who follow their own
WHEREBY WE WILL ENJOY ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE IT
choices – COMPLETELY APART AND INDEPENDENT OF ALL BEGINS HERE, ON EARTH, WITH OUR PHYSICAL
HOLY TRADITION AND THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST MATTHEW – LIGHT OF THE WORLD – 18 JULY 2010
19
 AND SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH
ONE ANOTHER.
> EVERYONE – NO MATTER WHETHER THEY BELIEVE OR
NOT – WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO DIVINE
MERCY AND JUSTICE.
So if we KEEP THIS IN MIND, AND STRIVE DAILY TO IMPROVE
OURSELVES FROM WITHIN AND THEREBY OUR
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 5 : 14 – 19
WE ARE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WHO LIVE AND SHINE LIKE BRIGHT GUIDING LIGHTS IN THE WORLD
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “You are the Light of the world. A city that is set upon a hill cannot be hidden. Nor
do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, so that they may see your Good Works and glorify your Father in Heaven.
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil, for assuredly, UI
say to you: until Heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law until all is
fulfilled.
Whoever, therefore breaks one of the least of these Commandments, and teaches others so, shall be called least in the
Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
❃ EVERYONE WHO IS B A P T I S E D I N C H R I S T AND WHO
THEREFORE HAS P U T ON C H R I S T , IS A
D I S C I P L E O F C H R I S T AND MUST L I V E I N
C H R I S T – FAITHFULLY FOLLOWING STEP BY STEP
AS HE LEADS US THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT
PREPARATORY PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY.
❃ Our Lord Jesus Christ used the terms “salt” and “light”
to illustrate THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF HIS FAITHFUL
DISCIPLES IN HUMAN SOCIETY AND TO REMIND THE
HEBREWS OF THEIR ETERNAL COVENANT WITH GOD.
> SALT WAS A SYMBOL OF AN INDISSOLUBLE
COVENANT WITH GOD, so it was added to the
Grain Offering.
> OIL SYMBOLISED THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND INCENSE
WAS A SYMBOL OF PRAYER.
❃ GOD IS THE TRUE AND UNCREATED LIGHT.
In the Old Testament “Light” symbolises
> GOD: ISAIAH 60 : 1 – 3 – “Shine, shine, O
Jerusalem! For your Light is come, and
the Glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Behold! Darkness and gloom shall cover
the earth upon the nations, but the Lord
will shine on you; and His Glory shall be
seen upon you. Kings shall come to your
Light, and the Gentiles to your
Brightness.”
> THE DIVINE LAW OF GOD: PSALM 118:105 – “Thy
Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light to
my Paths.”
> and ISRAEL in contrast to all other nations.
In the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ Who is the
SON OF GOD is called “Light.”
 JOHN 1: 4 – 9 “In (THE WORD WHO IS GOD) was Life and the
Life was the Light of mankind. And the Light
shines in the (SPIRITUAL) Darkness, and the
Darkness did not comprehend It. There was a
man sent from God whose name was John.
This man came as a Witness, to bear witness
of the Light, so that all through him might
believe. He was not that Light, but was sent
to bear witness of that Light. That was the
True Light Who grants Light to every one
coming into the world.”
 JOHN 8: 12 – “... Jesus spoke to them again,
saying: ‘I Am the Light of the world. He who
follows me shall not walk in (SPIRITUAL) Darkness,
but have the Light of Life.’”
 1 JOHN 1:5 – “This is the Message that we have
heard from Christ and declare to you: God is
Light and in Him is no darkness at all!”
Light is necessary both for clear vision and for the existence
of life itself.
Faith relies on this Divine Light of God and faithful Christian
Believers become “sons of Light” at our Holy Baptism
and Chrismation, when we are adopted as Sanctified
Heirs to the Eternal Kingdom of God.
 JOHN 12:36 – “While you have the Light, believe in
the Light, so that you may become sons of
Light.” These Things Jesus spoke, and
departed, and was hidden from them.”
> “The Light” referred to Christ Himself.
> These words of Christ meant that HE WOULD ALL
TOO SOON COMPLETE HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY
BEFORE REVERTING TO HIS DIVINE STATE AS
THE SON OF GOD – i.e. RETURN TO HIS
SPIRITUAL AND THEREFORE INVISIBLE DIVINE
NATURE – after His Ascension into Heaven in His
human, glorified and Resurrected Nature.
> He also clearly told us that OUR EARTHLY LIVES ARE
VERY LIMITED AND WE HAVE ONLY A VERY SHORT
TIME TO REPENT AND TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST
BEFORE WE EXPERIENCE OUR PHYSICAL DEATH,
when our mortal, physical body is separated
RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD AND OUR FELLOW SINNERS, WE
WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE GOOD PROGRESS.
> EVERY WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED HAS A PROFOUND
EFFECT ON EVERYONE WHO COMES INTO CONTACT
WITH US – directly or indirectly -and thus we will be
held responsible – and judged accordingly.
from our immortal, invisible soul and returned
to the earth from whence it came, to be
resurrected later together with our immortal
souls that, hopefully, will have reposed in the
Peace of Paradise until the Second Coming of
our Incarnate God – our Lord Jesus Christ – for
His Final Judgement.
> Finally, CHRIST ENCOURAGES US with the Knowledge
that HIS SECOND COMING (OR REAPPEARANCE IN HIS
GLORIFIED, PHYSICAL FORM OR HUMAN, VISIBLE, NATURE) IS
MERELY A SHORT WHILE OR TIME-SPAN
COMPARED TO ETERNITY ( WHICH HAS NO BEGINNING AND
NO END AT ALL! ETERNITY IS ALSO AN UNCHANGABLE STATE OF
EXISTENCE SO WHATEVER STATE WE ENTER ETERNITY, THAT IS HOW WE
WILL REMAIN FOREVER AND EVER!!
 1 THESSALONIANS 5:5 “You are all sons of Light and
sons of the Day. We are not of the night, nor
of darkness.”
> AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WE MUST BE
CEASELESSLY AWARE OF THE PRIMACY OF GOD’S
KINGDOM AND MAINTAIN FULL CONTROL OVER ALL
OUR SPIRITUAL FACULTIES.
Therefore BEING SANCTIFIED, ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD,
WE MUST SHINE in the perverse, fallen world that
surrounds us.
 PHILIPPIANS 2:15 – “... become blameless and
harmless Children of God, without fault in the
midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine as Lights in the
(SPIRITUALLY DARKENED) world.
> Because of Christ’s Supreme Sacrifice, we must
EAGERLY TAKE HOLD OF, MAINTAIN AND
PRESERVE EVERYTHING THAT GOD OFFERS US,
BY ACCEPTING HIS DIVINE GRACE AND WORKING
CEASELESSLY TOWARDS OUR PERSONAL
MATURITY IN CHRIST.
❃ WE WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION.
❃ GOD NEVER FORCES ANYONE to accept His Divine
Will and His free offer of Salvation and Eternal
Life in His Kingdom of Heaven.
❃ HE CREATED US WITH HIS DIVINE GIFT OF FREE WILL
SO THAT WE COULD CHOOSE what type of
Eternity we wanted for ourselves.
❃ BECAUSE OF GOD’S INFINITE LOVE FOR US and
knowing how the evil ones perpetually seek our
Spiritual Death - our alienation from God – OUR
LORD HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO
MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE: His Commandments,
His Teachings, His Holy Church that guides,
guards and encourages us without fail.
❃ IT IS COMPLETELY UP TO US WHETHER WE USE THESE
DIVINE TOOLS OF HIS TRUTH AND LIFE OR NOT.
> GOD’S HOLY ANGELS AND SAINTS are also assigned
to us to HELP US, GUIDE US, PROTECT US AND
LEAD US TOWARDS OUR ULTIMATE DESTINATION.
> And then, for our immediate help GOD GRANTS US
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES who are
our contemporary fellow travellers.
These special people – OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS (our
Spiritual Fathers who may be our Father Confessors,
Parish Priests, Bishops, Monks or Hermits) AND OTHER
FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS WHO ARE MORE SPIRITUALLY
EXPERIENCED than us - DO NOT COME INTO OUR LIVES
BY MERE CHANCE OR BY SO-CALLED “COINCIDENCE,”
BUT BECAUSE GOD KNOWS THAT THEY WILL BE OF
GREAT SPIRITUAL ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE TO US.
Subsequently, WE MUST BE HUMBLE ENOUGH TO PAY
ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY TELL US AND TO APPLY SUCH
SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT, WISDOM AND ADVICE TO
OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS!
❃ WHEN WE ACCEPT GOD’S DIVINE TRUTH AND COMMIT TO
LIFE IN CHRIST, GOD WILL UNFAILINGLY MAKE EVEN
THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE HAPPEN!
> GOD WORKS WITHIN US – ENABLING US TO FREELY
AND JOYFULLY FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL.

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST MATTHEW – LIGHT OF THE WORLD – 18 JULY 2010
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At midnight, on Holy Pascha (Easter) Sunday morning, the
Paschal Divine Services (i.e. Paschal Matins, followed by
the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom) begins when
the Priest (or Bishop, if it is a Hierarchal Service) will
emerge from the Holy Sanctuary into the darkened
Nave of the church with a simple, lit candle, loudly and
joyfully pronouncing the glorious words of the
Resurrection of Christ: “Come! Receive the Light
that is never overtaken by night!”
❃ ALL CHRISTIAN VIRTUES HAVE BOTH A PERSONAL AND A
PUBLIC FUNCTION, for OUR VIRTUE AS DISCIPLES OF
CHRIST CAN BRING OTHERS who hunger and thirst
for Divine Truth TO GLORIFY GOD THE FATHER.
❃ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED THE LAW of the Old
Covenant between God and the Hebrew Nation IN
HIMSELF, IN HIS WORDS AND IN HIS ACTIONS
> by PERFORMING GOD’S WILL IN ALL ITS FULLNESS
> by NEVER TRANSGRESSING ANY OF THE PRECEPTS
(TEACHINGS AND RULES) OF THE LAW
> by DECLARING THE PERFECT FULFILMENT OF THE
LAW, which He was about to deliver to them
> by GRANTING RIGHTEOUSNESS – the ultimate Goal
of the Divine Law – to us
 ROMANS 3:31 – “Do we then make void the Law
through Faith? Certainly not! On the
contrary: we establish the Law.”
The Law of God teaches us that:
> ATTAINING RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH GOOD WORKS
ALONE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE.
> RIGHTEOUSNESS IS ATTAINED ONLY BY FAITH AND
GOOD WORKS, WHICH ARE BOTH FREE DIVINE
GIFTS FROM GOD
> GOD IS IMPARTIAL FOR BOTH HEBREWS AND
GENTILES ARE JUSTIFIED ON THE SAME BASIS
OF ONGOING FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD
AND SAVIOUR.
There is no difference between the terms “by Faith” and
“through Faith.”
BY TEACHING JUSTIFICATION BY OUR FAITH IN CHRIST, WE
ESTABLISH OR UPHOLD THE DIVINE LAW OF GOD
BECAUSE CHRIST HIMSELF FULFILS THE LAW OF GOD.
ROMANS 8:3-4 “... what the Law could not do in
because it was weak through the flesh, God did
by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in
the flesh, so that the Righteous requirement of
the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk
according to the flesh but according to the (Holy)
Spirit.”
> THE LAW OF MOSES FAILED DUE TO THE WEAKNESS
OF HUMAN NATURE.
The term “sinful flesh” does not imply that our human
nature is inherently sinful, but that OUR FLESH HAS
BECOME CORRUPTED AND GIVEN OVER TO ALL MANNER
OF SIN.
> CHRIST FULFILLED BOTH THE LAW OF MOSES AND
THE LAW OF OUR HUMAN NATURE BY BECOMING
FLESH (I.E. BY BECOMING A HUMAN BEING – TAKING ON OUR HUMAN
PHYSICAL BODY WITH ALL ITS WEAKNESSES BUT WITHOUT OUR
INCLINATION TO COMMIT SIN.)
> CHRIST NEVER COMMITTED ANY SIN AT ALL because
although He came in the likeness of our human
sinfulness HE NEVER SUCCUMBED TO IT. (GOD CAN
DO NO EVIL, HARM OR ANYTHING WICKED OR DESTRUCTIVE OR NEGATIVE
FOR HE IS 100% GOODNESS AND LOVE!
LOVE IT IS HIS DIVINE NATURE TO DO
ONLY GOOD THINGS.)
Because the Son of God became Man, HE CONDEMNED SIN
ITSELF AND DESTROYED ITS ENSLAVING POWER OVER
ALL MANKIND.
❃ In our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, OUR HUMAN
NATURE HAS FINAL VICTORY OVER ALL SIN – ALL
The 4th Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon
The Fourth Ecumenical Council took place in Chalcedon in 451, and is also known as the Council of Chalcedon.
It ruled that Jesus Christ is "in two Natures" (FULLY DIVINE AND FULLY HUMAN) in opposition to the doctrine of Monophysitism
THAT CHRIST WAS ONLY DIVINE AND NOT HUMAN AT ALL).
The Council also issued Canons dealing mainly with the organisation of the Church.
The respective acceptance and rejection of this Ecumenical Council led to the break between the Chalcedonian Orthodox
(the "Eastern Orthodox Church") and the Non3Chalcedonians (the "Oriental Orthodox Church").
The Historical Background of the 4th Ecumenical Council
From the purely historical point of view the Council of
Chalcedon was the beginning of a crisis in the Life of
the Holy Church of Christ.
The first great schism, which still divides Eastern
Christendom, is rooted in Chalcedon. And if we want
the Truth and the dogmatic achievement of the
Fourth Ecumenical Council to be the foundation of
Church Unity, should we not try to understand why
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST MATTHEW – LIGHT OF THE WORLD – 18 JULY 2010
WICKEDNESS, DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IS
CONQUERED AND DEFEATED BY GOD!
GOD HAS NOT ONLY ELEVATED OUR HUMAN NATURE by
uniting it with His Divine Nature, BUT HAS ENABLED US
TO REALLY MAKE SPIRITUAL PROGRESS as long as we
wish to do so. It is now entirely up to us to decide which
path to follow.
 ROMANS 10:3-4“...they, being ignorant of God’s
Righteousness, have not submitted themselves
to the Righteousness of God, for Christ is the
end of the Law for Righteousness to everyone
who believes.”
> THE ZEAL OF THE HEBREWS WAS NOT BASED IN
DIVINE TRUTH
> IF THEY HAD MERELY BEEN IGNORANT IN THEIR
REJECTION OF CHRIST, THEIR OFFENCE WOULD
CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN PARDONABLE.
However, THEIR REJECTION OF CHRIST WAS DUE TO MORE
THAN IGNORANCE, for it was not because they simply
did not know Christ, but THEY WERE DETERMINED TO
ESTABLISH THEIR OWN CONCEPT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
INSTEAD OF SUBMITTING TO THE TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS
OF GOD.
In other words, just like so many of us today, THEY
TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN EFFORTS AND
REJECTED THE TRUE WAY OF FAITH IN CHRIST – EVEN
WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED TO THEM BY GOD INCARNATE
HIMSELF!
❃ CHRIST HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE WAY OF SALVATION –
ACCORDING TO BOTH THE OLD AND THE NEW
COVENANTS WITH GOD.
THE LAW OF GOD – MOSAIC LAW OF THE TEN
COMMANDMENTS OF GOD – WAS GRANTED TO THE
HEBREW NATION IN ORDER TO PREPARE THEM FOR
CHRIST, while HIS COMING INTO THE WORLD – God
Himself entering our world to teach us directly and to
offer Himself as the Ultimate Most Unique and fulfilling
for all time Sacrifice - WAS THE END OF THE LAW AND
THE FULFILMENT OF GOD’S DIVINE RIGHTEOUSNESS.
❃ CHRIST ALSO FULFILLED ALL THE PROPHECIES OF THE
HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD
> by BEING EVERYTHING THEY HAD FORETOLD
CONCERNING HIM
> by FULFILLING EVERYTHING THEY HAD PROPHESIED
CONCERNING HIM.
❃ THE WHOLE LAW OF GOD IS AFFIRMED BY CHRIST AS
THE FOUNDATION OF HIS NEW TEACHING.
His statement “... all is fulfilled...” was a reference to His
approaching Passion and Resurrection.
> CHRIST STERNLY WARNED US THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS
ACCORDING TO THE LAW IS A UNIFIED WHOLE so
the observance of all the seemingly least
important Commandments of God is in keeping
with THE OBSERVANCE OF THE WHOLE LAW,
while THE VIOLATION OF THE SEEMINGLY LEAST
IMPORTANT COMMANDMENTS OF GOD IS A
SERIOUS VIOLATION OF THE ENTIRE LAW OF
GOD.
> In other words, THERE IS NO CHANGE AT ALL TO THE
DIVINE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, which compel,
guide and encourage us towards His Eternal
Kingdom.
> THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD GIVEN TO MOSES AND
TO HIS HOLY PROPHETS STILL APPLY TO US
UNTIL THE FINAL JUDGEMENT DAY.
WHEN CHRIST TOLD US IN ONE SENTENCE: “LOVE THE LORD
YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR MIND, WITH ALL YOUR
HEART, WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR
SOUL – AND (LOVE) YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS (MUCH AS YOU LOVE)
YOURSELF!” IT ENCAPSULATED ALL THE DIVINE
COMMANDMENTS OF GOD – IT DID NOT NULLIFY OR
REJECT ANY OF THEM!!
(THE BELIEF
that Truth for so many Christians became a scandal
and a stumbling block?
The reason for both its success as well as of its historical
failure, is to be found in that central event of the
whole history of the Church, and especially the
history of the Eastern Church 3— its alliance with the
Roman Empire, the true kernel and root of
"Byzantinism."
21
The conversion of Emperor Constantine was the first
step in the growth of the Christian Empire, although
it has often been accused of having merely been a
nominal Christian state that retained its pagan
nature and all its political and social deficiencies,
instead of transforming them according to Christian
principles.
Still more frequently, the Byzantine Church has been
accused of not reacting against these deficiencies, of
not actively furthering the building of a temporal
(WORLDLY, EARTHLY) Order, of making compromises with
regard to slavery, social injustice and so on.
These accusations are typical of our modern conceptions
of the Sacred Task of the Church in human society.
However, it is fair to judge Byzantium according to
criteria (STANDARDS AND CONDITIONS) with which it was quite
unacquainted?
For the Byzantine Church still kept as the core of its
being the ontological (PHILOSOPHICAL STUDY OF EXISTENCE)
difference between the Church and the world, which
doubtless was the essential element in early
Christianity.
❃ THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT OF THIS WORLD,
and ENTERING THE CHURCH HAS ALWAYS MEANT
DYING IN ORDER TO BE REBORN INTO A NEW LIFE.
In this sense CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A DOCTRINE
"APPLICABLE" TO THE WORLD. It is, in particular, a
"NEW PEOPLE."
And YET, BEING NOT OF THIS WORLD, THE CHURCH
LIVES IN THE WORLD AND FOR THE WORLD AND THE
SALVATION OF THE WORLD IS ITS ONLY TASK.
This explains why at that time the Church could only
regard the "conversion" of the State as being
"nominal" in a sense.
❃ Nevertheless, THAT “CONVERSION” TO CHRISTIANITY
OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE REPRESENTED AN
ENORMOUS VICTORY.
It implied 3— and here we touch the very heart of
"Byzantinism" 3 THE SUBMISSION OF THE STATE
TO THE ULTIMATE VALUES OF THE TRUE FAITH,
AND THE POSSIBILITY, FOR EVERY ONE IN THE
STATE TO LIVE A FULL CHRISTIAN LIFE GRANTED
BY THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST.
Of course, THE VERY MAXIMALISM OF THAT VISION (for it
is much more a vision and an aspiration than a
practical programme) MADE ITS APPLICATION TO LIFE
TOO DIFFICULT AND EXPLAINS THE ALMOST
PERMANENT CRISIS IN WHICH THE CHRISTIAN EMPIRE
LIVED.
The Wisdom of St Silouan of Mount Athos - The Soul’s Natural Yearning for God
IT IS GRANTED TO OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH
THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT TO UNDERSTAND THE
DIVINE MYSTERIES OF GOD, AND SHE IS STRONG IN THE
HOLINESS OF HER THOUGHT AND IN HER PATIENCE.
The Orthodox soul is TAUGHT BY DIVINE GRACE TO HOLD
FAST TO THE LORD AND HIS MOST HOLY MOTHER, and
our spirit rejoices in the Contemplation of God
Whom we know.
But WE CAN ONLY KNOW GOD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, and
those who proudly aspire to knowing our Creator
with their own intelligence alone, are very blind and
stupid!
With our minds (OUR INTELLECT OR NOUS) we cannot come to
know even how the sun was created; and if we beg
God to tell us how He made the sun, the answer rings
clear in our soul: “Humble yourself and you shall
know not only the sun but the Creator of the sun!”
However, WHEN THE HUMBLE SOUL COMES TO KNOW OUR
LORD, OUR JOY CAUSES US TO FORGET about the sun
and every created things, AND WE ABANDON ALL OUR
ANXIETY FOR EARTHLY KNOWLEDGE.
OUR LORD GRANTED US THE HOLY SPIRIT and we learnt
the Song of the Lord, and SO WE FORGET THE EARTH
FOR THE SWEETNESS OF THE LOVE OF GOD.
OUR LORD’S LOVE IS AN ARDENT LOVE AND ALLOWS NO
THOUGHT OF EARTHLY MATTERS.
THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE THIS DIVINE LOVE SEEK IT
TIRELESSLY DAY AND NIGHT, AND ARE DRAWN
TOWARDS IT.
However, THIS LOVE IS LOST TO US WHEN WE FALL INTO
PRIDE AND CONCEIT, ENMITY, FAULT-FINDING AND
ENVY.
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST MATTHEW – LIGHT OF THE WORLD – 18 JULY 2010
22
In these Christological struggles the State had to take a
definite position 3 to make a choice 3 too often,
being requested to do so by the Church herself.
Unfortunately, the Roman Empire often chose political
pragmatism rather than Divine Truth.
The Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon was the
critical point 3 the climax of that long and tragic
process.
❃ ALL THE POLITICAL AND THE NATIONAL PROBLEMS OF
THE ROMAN EMPIRE WERE IMPLIED IN THE
DOGMATIC QUESTION CONCERNING THE TWO
NATURES OF CHRIST.
> IT TOOK CENTURIES TO REALISE THE TRUE VALUE
AND TRUE MEANING OF THE DOGMA
FORMULATED THERE.
Contemporaries realised above all that the 4th Ecumenical
Council meant
 THE DEFEAT OF THE OLD ECCLESIASTICAL CENTRES
OF ALEXANDRIA, ANTIOCH, EPHESUS BY
CONSTANTINOPLE,
 THE VICTORY OF THE IMPERIAL CHURCH OVER THE
COPTS AND THE SYRIANS,
 THE CONFRONTATION OF THE “NEW ROME” AND
THE ANCIENT ROME.
PARADOXICALLY, THE FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL of
Chalcedon, which proclaimed the most universal of
all Dogmas, at the same time ENDED ROMAN
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM.
> SYRIA, EGYPT, ARMENIA AND PERSIA DID NOT
ACCEPT IT BECAUSE THE DOGMA OF
CHALCEDON CARRIED WITH IT AN IMPERIAL
SEAL, and all the efforts of the Roman Empire
to balance it by all kinds of compromises did
not reconcile these Christian bodies to the
Orthodox Byzantium.
❃ Despite the historical failure due to the human
weakness in Church history, THE GREATEST
VICTORY OF PERFECT, DIVINE TRUTH WAS WON,
AND THE FOURTH ECUMENCIAL COUNCIL OF
CHALCEDON BECAME AN Ever3living Symbol and
Foundation of Living Theology for subsequent
generations of Christians.
> AS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TAUGHT US “...
STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS."
THEREFORE WE MUST ALWAYS REMAIN LOYAL TO THE
STRENGTH OF GOD AS REVEALED AT CHALCEDON, AND
IT IS THIS SAME LOYALTY THAT COMPELS US TO AN
EVER-RENEWED REPENTANCE FOR OUR HISTORICAL
WEAKNESSES AND SHORTCOMINGS.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP – “THE HISTORICAL BACKROUND OF THE COUNCIL OF
CHALDEDON” BY ALEXANDER SCHMEMANN, B.D. - THE ECUMENICAL REVIEW , VOL. 4,
NO. 4, JULY 1952
This Love forsakes us DUE TO INCONTINENT (UNRESTRAINED)
THOUGHT OR ATTACHMENT TO EARTHLY THINGS.
WHEN CONFRONTED BY SUCH VICES, INSTANTLY DIVINE
GRACE DEPARTS AND OUR SOUL IS LEFT DESOLATE AND
DESPONDENT, YEARNING FOR GOD just like our ancient
ancestor, Adam, yearned after his exile from
Paradise.
IF WE UNDERSTOOD THE FULL FORCE OF CHRIST’S WORDS:
“Learn Humility and Meekness from Me,” THE
WHOLE WORLD, THE WHOLE UNIVERSE, WOULD
ABANDON ALL OTHER KNOWLEDGE TO STUDY THIS
MOST HEAVENLY SCIENCE.
WE ARE IGNORANT OF THE POWER OF CHRIST’S HUMILITY,
and that is why we aspire to worldly things.
WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT WE CANNOT KNOW THE FORCE
OF THESE DIVINE WORDS OF CHRIST, but those who
have learnt to know will never forsake their
Knowledge, even if offered all the wealth of the
world!
LIFE IS BURDENSOME WITHOUT LOVE OF GOD for our soul
feels sombre and stale, BUT WITH THE ACQUIREMENT
OF DIVINE LOVE, OUR JOY IS BEYOND DESCRIPTION!
WHEN WE COME TO KNOW OUR LORD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT,
WE STAND IN ETERNAL WONDER BEFORE GOD’S GREAT
COMPASSION, MAJESTY AND MIGHT.
If we have not yet learnt but are only BEGINNING TO
LEARN HUMILITY, WE WILL BE SUBJECTED TO ALTERING
STATES: sometimes contending with INTRUSIVE
THOUGHTS THAT GIVE US NO REST, and at other times,
freed from such thoughts, we are ABLE TO
CONTEMPLATE AND PERCEIVE THE LOVE OF GOD.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “WISDOM FROM MOUNT ATHOS” – STARETZ (ELDER) SILOUAN
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER
WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

20 July 2010

Feast of St Elias/Elijah the Thesbite – Holy Prophet of God

Also the Feast of St Abramios of Galich, Disciple of St Sergios of

Radonezh; St Athanasios Abbot of Brest-Litovsk – Uncovering of Holy
Relics; St Ilia Chavchavadze of Georgia; St Maria Skobtsova, Holy
Martyr; St Salome the Georgian Martyr; St Demetrios Klepinine, Hieromartyr; St Alexei
Medvedkov, Hieromartyr; The appearance of the Holy Icon of the Ever Blessed Theotokos – the
“Chukhloma” of Galich 
APOLYTIKION OF ST ELIAS THE TISHBITE & HOLY PROPHET OF GOD – TONE 4

O efsarkos Angelos, ton Profiton I Kripis, O defteros O Angelic of body, Pillar of the Prophets and their Corner
Prodromos tis Parousias Hristou, Ilias O Endoxos, Stone, the Forerunner of the Second Coming of Christ,
anothen katapempsas, Elisseo tin Harin, nosous the Venerable and Glorious Elijah Thou sent Grace
apodioki, ke leprous katharizi; dio ke tis timosin afton from on High to Elisha to dispel sicknesses and to purify
vrii iamata. lepers. Wherefore, he ever overflows with healing to
those who honour him.
KO NT AKION O F ST EL IA S THE T I SHBITE & HOL Y PROPH ET OF GOD – TO NE 2

Profita ke Proopta ton Megalourgion tou Theou, Ilia O Prophet and Foreseer of the Great Works of God, O
Megalinime, O to fthegmati sou stisas ta idatorrita nefi, Greatly Renowned Elias (Elijah), who by your word held
presveve iper imon, pros ton Monon Filanthropon back the clouds of rain, Intercede for us to the Only
Loving One.
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos
timonton se. who always protects all who honour Thee!
The Epistle of St James 5: 10 - 20
ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE OPPRESSED & HEALING – THE WORK OF FAITH
My Brethren, take, as an example of suffering and patience the Prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord.
Indeed, we count them Blessed who endure. You have heard of the Endurance of Job and seen the end intended by the
Lord – that the Lord is very Compassionate and Merciful.
However, above all, my Brethren, do not swear – either by Heaven or by earth, or with any other oath 3 and let your “yes” be
“yes,” and your “no” be “no,” in case you fall into Judgement.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sin Psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him
call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with Oil in the Name of our Lord.
And the Prayer of Faith will Save the sick, and our Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The effective, Fervent Prayer of a Righteous person avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed
earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rail on the land for three years and six month. And he prayed again, and
the Heave gave forth rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the Truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a
sinner from the error of his way will Save a soul from Death and cover a multitude of sins.
THE FAITHFUL HOLY PROPHETS WHO ARE CERTAINLY TRUE “But let your “yes” be yes, and your ‘No’ be no,
SAINTS OF GOD ARE OUR BEST MODELS OR EXAMPLES for whatever is more than these is from the
OF SUFFERING AND PATIENCE WHOM WE SHOULD evil one.”
STRIVE TO IMITATE.
With these words, Christ our Saviour taught us how to
Consequently, ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS OF THE NEW HONOUR OUR DIVINE ADOPTION AS HEIRS TO GOD’S
COVENANT HONOUR OR VENERATE THESE HOLY ETERNAL KINGDOM AND AS HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES.
PROPHETS AS WELL AS ALL THE HOLY SAINTS AND TRUTH CANNOT BE SECURED BY SWEARING AN OATH BY
MARTYRS, THEREBY ACKNOWLEDGING THEM AS BEING
THINGS THAT ARE NOT IN OUR POSSESSION anyway, but
MOST BLESSED WITH THE DIVINE GRACE OF GOD.
only by simple integrity!
A polemic (A STRONG ARGUMENT) against A BAD CUSTOM OR HABIT
➤ Furthermore, in this Spiritually Dark and fallen world of
STEMMING FROM BAD FAITH IS the common practice of
SWEARING BY GOD OR SOMETHING THAT SIGNIFIES GOD the last days, PEOPLE SWEAR WITHOUT ANY
– AS THOUGH SWEARING PROVED TRUTHFULNESS! THOUGHT OR REGARD FOR THE TRUTH.
We may swear an oath when absolutely necessary but THE All too often, THEY COMMIT TWO SERIOUS SINS BY
SOLUTION TO THE LACK OF TRUST IS GENUINE GOOD BLASPHEMING THE LORD OUR GOD’S HOLY NAME
FAITH – PROOF OF OUR PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND ATTACHED TO A BLATANT LIE!
TRUTHFULNESS BETWEEN US AND GOD. ➤ KNOWN HABITUAL LIARS’ OATHS ARE USELESS AND
FUTILE AND EACH TIME THEY SWEAR AN OATH, THEY
 MATTHEW 5: 33 – 37:”... you have heard that it was
CONDEMN THEMSELVES MORE AND MORE.
said to those of old: ‘You shall not swear
❃ TRUST AND TRUTH ARE INSEPARABLE VIRTUES.
falsely, but shall perform your Oaths to the
Only through our constant preservation and practice of
Lord.’
Trust and Truth will others be able to take us at our
“But I say to you: do not swear at all: neither by
word.
Heaven , for it is God’s Throne; nor by the ➤ THE INSTANT THAT SACRED TRUST IS BROKEN, WE
earth, for it is His Footstool; nor by LOOSE OUR INTEGRITY, OUR AUTHENTICITY AND OUR
Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King. LEGITIMACY.
“Nor shall you swear by your head, because you ➤ THOSE WHO HABITUALLY LIE ARE MORE OFTEN THAN
cannot make one hair white or black. NOT ALSO HABITUAL THIEVES due to the fact that

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAS T OF ST ELIAS /ST ELIJAH THE THESHBITE & HOLY PROPHET OF GOD – 20 JUL Y 2010
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 THEY LACK HONESTY AND ETHICS, AND THEY ALWAYS THEMSELVES CORRECTLY WITH PRAYERS, SPIRITUAL
HAVE A READY EXCUSE TO JUSTIFY THEMSELVES! SELF-EXAMINATION AND REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AS
➤ LYING AND THIEVING ARE THE NOXIOUS VICES OF SATAN WELL AS (OF COURSE) HAVING KEPT THE GREAT LENTEN
AND MUST BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY AND MOST FAST.
DETERMINEDLY – through personal discipline and Although some people allege that confessing our sins to
True Repentance and Confession. God before a Priest is not Biblical, THE ANCIENT
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR LYING OR STEALING, WHICH CHRISTIAN CUSTOM WAS TO CONFESS THEIR SINS –
REVEALS A SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND DEATH FROM “TRESPASSES” - TO ONE ANOTHER.
WITHIN AND MAKE US MURDERERS OF GOD’S DIVINE The sins of the early Christians were confessed before the
TRUTH AND SLAVES OF THE EVIL ONE. entire Congregation as an act of humble Repentance.
Thus we must BE EVER WATCHFUL OVER THE STATE OF OUR But as the Holy Church grew, non-Christian – i.e. the
WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS, ENSURING THAT WE uninitiated or untaught - visitors who were unfamiliar
QUICKLY CORRECT OUR ERRORS AND EMERGENT with the Sanctity and Trust of public Confession often
HABITS.
attended the Holy Services.
St James instructed us to SEEK THE FERVENT PRAYERS OF Consequently, IT BECAME MORE PRACTICAL AND EFFICIENT
THE CHURCH ELDERS (OR PRIESTS) FOR OUR SPIRITUAL
FOR REPENTANT SINNERS TO CONFESS THEIR SINS IN
AND PHYSICAL HEALING.
PRIVATE BEFORE A PRIEST - WHO REPRESENTS OUR
❃ SALVATION DEALS WITH BOTH BODY AND SOUL – our FELLOW HUMANITY AGAINST WHOM WE CONSTANTLY
visible and invisible being. Thus HOLY UNCTION serves TRESPASS - AND GOD.
a double purpose – HEALING AND THE FORGIVENESS OF ❃ WHAT IS CERTAINLY NOT TAUGHT IN HOLY SCRIPTURE IS
SINS. A PRIVATE CONFESSION ONLY TO GOD, WHICH
Priests are granted certain Divine Gifts for the Holy Ministry REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE SIN TO THE CHRISTIAN
at their Ordination – at the Laying On Of Hands. COMMUNITY – our fellow sinners.
 1 TIMOTHY 4:14 “...Do not neglect the Gift that is in  1 JOHN 1: 8 – 10: “If we say we have no sin, we
you, which was given to you by Prophecy deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us.
with the Laying On of the Hands of the If we Confess our sins, He is faithful and Just
Eldership.” to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
This referred to St Timothy’s ORDINATION INTO THE HOLY all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST, which was conferred upon not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word
him by the Holy Apostles of Christ, exactly as it is still is not in us!
done today by the Bishops. ❃ OUR FAITH IS REVEALED AND PROVED BY OUR ACTIONS –
❃ PRAYERS ARE COMBINED WITH OLIVE OIL, WHICH WAS our words, our thoughts and our deeds – which
NOT ONLY THE PRIMARY MEDICINE OF ANCIENT must produce Purity – i.e. we must practise and live
TIMES, BUT ALSO SYMBOLISED THE PRESENCE AND Truth, which validates our Relationship with God –
ACTIVITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH OF living every moment in Holiness and Righteousness.
CHRIST. ❃ OUR FAITH COMPELS US TO SEEK FORGIVENESS AND
So it is that THE SINGLE HOLY MYSTERY OF UNCTION SPIRITUAL CLEANSING FOR ALL OUR SINS – great
EFFECTS A HEALING FOR OUR COMPLETE BEING –
and small.
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE AND HEALING
THROUGH THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS THAT
Sin is our fallen, human condition but GOD HAS PROVIDED
ENSLAVE AND SICKEN US. US WITH A MEANS TO IMPROVE AND CORRECT
OURSELVES THROUGH CONSTANT WATCHFULNESS AND
The essential Elements of Holy Unction include a Priest, the
REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, WHICH IS THE ESTABLISHED
Prayers of the Faith that Saves us, connected to the BASIS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH TOWARDS
Work of Christ Himself, for our Lord will raise us all up, RIGHTEOUSNESS.
and the Holy Spirit manifested in the Blessed, So, THROUGH OUR LIFE IN CHRIST WE STRUGGLE DAILY TO
Sanctified Olive Oil, as well as the Repentance- FOLLOW HIM FAITHFULLY - LEARNING TO RECOGNISE
Confession of personal sins prior to the Anointing with AND RESIST THE ONSLAUGHT OF TEMPTATIONS - even
Oil – the Mystery of Holy Unction – which explains why though we will continue to sin in varying degrees until
St James wrote: “... if he has committed sins, he we draw our last breath.
will be forgiven.” ❃ SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS and
In the Orthodox Church HOLY UNCTION IS GRANTED TO AS LONG AS WE DO THE BEST WE CAN TO FULFIL THE
ANYONE WHO IS SICK, WHETHER IN DANGER OF DYING WILL OF GOD, WE NEED NOT FEAR OUR FINAL
OR NOT. JUDGEMENT as much as those who rebel and
And EVERY YEAR ON HOLY WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK disobey God at every opportunity.
(BEFORE HOLY PASCHA), ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS
RECEIVE HOLY UNCTION - HAVING PREPARED
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 4 : 22 - 30
TH E UN BELIE F O F N A ZARETH
At that time, all bore witness to our Lord Jesus Christ, and marvelled at the Gracious Words that proceeded out of His
Mouth. And they said: “Is this not Joseph’s Son?”
He said to them: “You will surely say this Proverb to Me: ‘Physician, heal Thyself! Whatever we have heard done in
Capernaum, do also here in Thy country.’”
Then He said: “Assuredly, I say to you: no Prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows
were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the Heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a
great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of
Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the Prophet, and none of
them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
So all those in the Synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath and rose up and thrust Him out of the
city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, so that they might throw Him down over the
cliff. Then, passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
THIS SAME DUAL RESPONSE OF MARVELLING AND REJECTION THE REJECTION OF CHRIST BY HIS OWN FELLOW CITIZENS
OCCURRED FREQUENTLY IN THOSE WHO ENCOUNTERED FULFILLED THE REJECTION OF THE OLD COVENANT
OUR LORD JESUS. PROPHETS SUCH AS ST ELIAS/ELIJAH AND ST ELISHA, and
 JOHN 9 : 16 “... some of the Pharisees said: ‘This Man FORESHADOWED HIS FINAL REJECTION BY THE WHOLE
is not from God since He does not keep the HEBREW NATION AT HIS TRIAL BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE.
Sabbath!’ Others said: ‘How can a man who is a ❃ CHRIST ACCEPTED DEATH ACCORDING TO HIS FATHER’S
sinner do such Signs?’ And there was a division DIVINE WILL, not according to the will of the Hebrews,
among them.” since the Hour of His Great Passion has not yet come.
Just as the Pharisees had ignored the Healing of the Paralytic  JOHN 8:20 “These words Jesus spoke in the Treasury,
and had focussed only on the perceived violation of the as He taught in the Temple; and no one laid
Sabbath Day, MANY OF THEM COULD NOT SEE THE GLORY hands on Him, for His Hour had not yet come.”
OF GOD DUE TO THEIR BLINDING, CRIPPLING PREJUDICES.

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAS T OF ST ELIAS /ST ELIJAH THE THESHBITE & HOLY PROPHET OF GOD – 20 JUL Y 2010
24
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER
WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

22 July 2010
Feast of St Mary of Magdala – Equal to the Apostles

Also the Feast of St Phocas, Hieromartyr of Sinope – Translation of Holy Relics;

St Cornelios of Perevaslavl; St Markella, Virgin-Martyr of Chios.
A POL YT IKION O F ST M AR Y O F MAGD AL A – TONE 1

Hristo to di’ imas, ek Parthenou tehthenti, semni The Christ Who for us was born of a Virgin, Noble Mary
Magdalini, ikolouthis Maria, aftou ta dikeomata, ke tou Magdalene Thou so faithfully followed, by keeping His
nomou filattousa. Othen simeron, tin Panagian Sou Rules of Life, and the Laws that He set for all; thus we
mnimin, eortazontes, anevfimoumen Se Pisti ke potho today, who Thy Sacred Remembrance duly celebrate,
gereromen. do receive the Remission of our sins through Thy
Prayers.
KO NT AKION O F ST M AR Y O F M AGD ALA – TO NE 4

Iperousios Theos en to kosmo, meta sarkos epifiton When God, the Mighty, the Transcendent in Essence, came
Mirofore, Se Alithi Mathitrian prosikato, olin Sou tin in the flesh into the world, He received Thee, O Mary, as
efesin, pros afton kektimenin. Othen ke iamata, His True Disciple as was meet. For Thou had set Thy
apetelesas plista. Ke metastasa nin en Ouranis, iper tou whole desire and Thy Love upon Him; wherefore, Thou
kosmou Presvevis ekastote. brought to pass many cures for the ailing; and now
translated to the Heavens' Heights, Thou ever fervently
prays for all the world.
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos
timonton se. who always protects all who honour Thee!
The First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 14 : 6 - 19
THE SIGNIFI CANCE AND USE O F THE DIVINE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES
Brethren, If I come to you speaking in tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by Revelation, by
Knowledge, by Prophesying, or by Teaching?
Even things without life – whether flute or harp – when they make a sound – unless they make a distinction in the sounds 3
how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for
battle?
So, likewise you – unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For
you will be speaking into the air!
There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I
do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to those who speak, and they who speak will be
foreigners to me.
Even so you – since you are zealous for Spiritual Gifts – let it be for the edification of the Church that you seek to excel.
Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my
understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the
Understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the Understanding. Otherwise, if you Bless with
the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does
not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other person is not edified.
I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the Church I would rather speak five words with my
Understanding, so that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue!
THE CHURCH OF CORINTH HAD BEEN BLESSED WITH MANY ACCOMPLISH EVERYTHING THAT WOULD NORMALLY
DIVINE GIFTS BUT the previously hedonistic, pagan BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO.
people were still self-centred and arrogant so THEY EACH OF THE DIVINE GIFTS that were bestowed upon
USED THESE WONDERFUL GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN Christ’s Disciples on the Day of Pentecost, WERE
SUCH A MANNER THAT INSTEAD OF BRINGING GLORY, SUBSEQUENTLY BESTOWED ON OTHERS LATER – AND
HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO GOD ALMIGHTY, THEY WITH THE EXACT SAME DIVINE PURPOSE – the spread of
DISHONOURED GOD. Christianity throughout the world, to all people.
Even now, WE DO NOT FULLY REALISE THE SIGNIFICANCE Nevertheless, AS MORE PEOPLE WERE ENLIGHTENED WITH
AND DIVINE PURPOSE OF THESE HOLY GIFTS THAT GOD DIVINE TRUTH, THE GIFT OF TONGUES WAS NO LONGER
BESTOWS UPON US, WHICH ARE ONLY TO BE USED TO CRUCIAL since CHRISTIANS OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGE
SPREAD HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND TEACHINGS OF THE NEW GROUPS WERE ABLE TO CONVEY THE HOLY GOSPEL IN
COVENANT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THEIR OWN LANGUAGE to one another.
St Paul tried to clarify THE SIGNIFICANCE AND PROPER USE
OF THE GIFT OF TONGUES – the Gift of being able to
❃ CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO HAD RECEIVED THE GIFT OF
TONGUES (OR WHO THOUGHT THEY HAD!) NEITHER
fluently speak or interpret different languages, which TAUGHT NOR GUIDED OTHERS but DUE TO THEIR
we previously did not know at all. ARROGANCE, THEY SPOKE “IN TONGUES” DURING
On the glorious Day of Pentecost when THE HOLY SPIRIT THE HOLY SERVICES (WHERE THERE WAS NO
descended upon the 120 faithful Disciples of Christ in COMMUNICATION PROBLEM AT ALL), CAUSING THE
the Upper Room in Jerusalem, He BESTOWED ALL THE DISRUPTION OF WORSHIP AND PRAYERS AS WELL AS
NECESSARY DIVINE GIFTS UPON THEM SO THAT THEY DISUNITY amongst Brethren.
WOULD BE ABLE TO PROPERLY, CONFIDENTLY AND Not only is the Gift of Tongues pointless when everyone
CLEARLY CONVEY CHRIST’S TEACHINGS TO EVERY speaks the same language and there is no
HUMAN BEING OF THE KNOWN WORLD.
communication problem so translation is unnecessary,
❃ THE GRACE OF GOD GRANTED TO US BY THE HOLY but THE FACT THAT PEOPLE’S PRIDE AND ARROGANCE
SPIRIT, THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND CAUSED DISRUPTION OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER AS WELL
ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY AS DISUNITY IN THE CHURCH, WHICH DISHONOURED
FATHER, ENABLES AND EMPOWERS US TO GOD AND HIS LOVE FOR US, EXPOSED THE INFLUENCE
OF THE EVIL ONE UPON SUCH DELUDED PEOPLE!

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❃ Furthermore, as St Paul tried to point out, THE GIFT OF
TONGUES, WHICH IS FOR THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF
SPREADING AND SHARING GOD’S TRUTH, IS FUTILE
UNLESS OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS CONVEY DIVINE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, which is
GRANTED BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THROUGH THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
The Gift of Tongues – just as all the other Divine Gifts – is
granted to us FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS AND FOR
THE HEALTHY GROWTH AND NOURISHMENT OF THE
CHURCH – for our mutual Spiritual Nourishment and
Growth.
❃ What is the use of speaking a foreign language to those
who do not understand and IF YOUR “SPEAKING IN
TONGUES” IS NOTHING MORE THAN A MINDLESS
BABBLE, IT IS THE MOST SERIOUS AND
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 8 : 1 – 3
THE FAITHFUL WOMEN WHO SERVED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time, it came to pass that Jesus went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the Glad Tidings of
the Kingdom of God.
And the Twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities – Mary called
“Magdalene,” out of whom had gone seven demons, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s Steward, and Susanna,
and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
SINCE THE START OF CHRIST’S PUBLIC MINISTRY, MANY Commission, ST MARY MAGDALENE WENT TO ROME TO
OTHERS ACCOMPANIED HIM AND HIS APOSTLES, ENLIGHTEN THE PAGANS and whenever anyone voiced
INCLUDING WOMEN WHO TOOK CARE OF THEIR their unbelief, SHE REPEATED THE WORDS WITH WHICH
CLOTHING AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS.
These women were often independent, wealthy and held in
high social regard, so THEY COULD GENEROUSLY USE
THEIR FINANCES AND PROPERTY TO SERVE CHRIST’S
GROWING CHURCH.
St Mary of Magdala became a Saint of great Theological
significance even though she is not well documented in
history.
She was a citizen of Magdala, the location of which would
presently be north-west of Haifa, Israel, near the Golan
Heights, north of Nazareth.
ST MARY MAGDALENE IS WORTHY OF HER SPECIAL TITLES
“HOLY MYRRHBEARER” AND “EQUAL TO THE APOSTLES”
DUE TO HER PIOUS DEVOTION AND UNFAILING SERVICE
TO GOD.
The unfounded notion that St Mary Magdalene was a
prostitute before being healed by Christ is untrue and
due to the confusion with the anonymous “sinful
woman” whose healing was mentioned just before St
Luke referred to St Mary Magdalene, St Joanna and St
Susanna.
St Mary of Magdala had in fact always been A DEVOUT
HEBREW SERVANT OF GOD and, although her city had a
reputation for immorality and debauchery, SHE HAD
LED A MOST CHASTE LIFE.
THE EVIL ONE, WHO HATES ANY GOODNESS AND PURITY, HAD
ASSUMED THAT SHE MIGHT BE “THE VIRGIN” WHO WAS
TO GIVE BIRTH TO THE MESSIAH SO HE HAD SEVEN OF
HIS DEMONS TORMENT HER IN THEIR EFFORTS TO
CORRUPT AND TO DESTROY HER.
We do not know what form the demonic possession took
but that is completely irrelevant anyway.
ONLY DIVINE TRUTH IS IMPORTANT : CHRIST CLEANSED HER
AND SHE CONTINUED TO FAITHFULLY SERVE GOD until
she finally reposed in peace at Ephesos.
Satan continues his deadly slander against God and His
Holy Saints, which is obvious from all his blasphemous
lies regarding St Mary Magdalene and her unwavering
devotion to God.
BEING OLDER MUCH OLDER THAN THE EVER BLESSED
THEOTOKOS, ST MARY MAGDALENE WAS A CLOSE,
BELOVED FRIEND OF THE ALL HOLY VIRGIN MARY AND
HER FAMILY.
SHE MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE A SURROGATE MOTHER OR GRAND-MOTHER TO THE BLESSED
VIRGIN AND HER IMMEDIATE FAMILY - AND HER MATURE WISDOM, SOCIAL
INFLUENCE AND FINANCIAL SITUATION MUST HAVE BEEN OF GREAT BENEFIT TO THE
APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES WHO COULD CONCENTRATE ON OTHER MORE IMPORTANT
SPIRITUAL MATTERS RATHER THAN MERE PHYSICAL WELFARE.
SHE CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT JOY AND COMFORT TO THOSE WHO KNEW
HER.
SHE DEDICATED HER ENTIRE LIFE TO DIVINE SERVICE AND
USED HER CONSIDERABLE WEALTH, POSSESSIONS AND
SOCIAL STATUS TO SPREAD THE HOLY GOSPEL
THROUGHOUT THE KNOWN WORLD.
Although Holy Scripture does not mention St Mary
Magdalene (or many of the other Disciples) after the
Day of Resurrection and the Ascension of Christ, it is
quite rational that SHE CONTINUED A CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM ALL.
TOGETHER WITH OTHER DISCIPLES, SHE HAD ACCOMPANIED
OUR LORD AND HIS APOSTLES DURING THE THREE
YEARS OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY.
Throughout the Passion of Christ, WHEN OTHERS HAD FLED
IN TERROR OF PERSECUTION, SHE, TOGETHER WITH ST
JOHN THE DIVINE APOSTLE, HAD STEADFASTLY
REMAINED WITH AND COMFORTED HIS BELOVED
MOTHER while witnessing and deeply, sorrowfully
mourning the Suffering, the Humiliation and, finally, the
Death of our Lord.
After our Risen Lord’s Ascension into Heaven, when all
the Apostles dispersed to fulfil their Sacred
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UNFORGIVABLE SIN OF ALL - BLASPHEMY AGAINST
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Unless we USE THE DIVINE GIFTS THAT HAVE BEEN
IMPARTED TO US BY GOD FOR THE SPIRITUAL BENEFIT
OF MANY - not just ourselves – we bear no SPIRITUAL
FRUIT FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD,
nor do we ENCOURAGE, ASSIST, GUIDE OR TEACH our
fellow travellers to PROGRESS towards Salvation and
Eternal Life in Christ.
❃ IF WE HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE
OURSELVES, HOW CAN WE HELP ANYONE ELSE?
❃ So it is far better to BESEECH GOD FOR HIS GIFTS OF
KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSION,
HUMILITY, ETC RATHER THAN BEING ABLE TO SPEAK
A FOREIGN LANGUAGE THAT SERVES NO GOOD
PURPOSE.
SHE HAD ANNOUNCED THE MOST WONDERFUL NEWS OF
ALL TIME: “I HAVE SEEN THE (RISEN) LORD!”
ST MARY MAGDALENE WAS HELD IN HIGH REGARD BY ROMAN
SOCIETY due to her earthly wealth and social status, so
when she received an invitation to a grand banquet,
SHE SPOKE WITH EMPEROR TIBERIAS AND DARED TO
PROCLAIM: “CHRIST IS RISEN!”
However, Tiberias laughed at her and said that “rising from
the dead” was as likely to happen as the egg, which she
held in her hand, turning red! Instantly, as they both
looked at the hard-boiled egg, it turned bright red!
Since then during Pascha we exchange red-dyed hard
boiled eggs with each other, exclaiming: “Christ is
Risen!” “Indeed, He is Risen!”
St Mary of Magdalene informed Emperor Tiberias that in his
Province of Judea, a most Holy Man and Miracle Worker
named “Jesus the Galilean,” or “Jesus of Nazareth,”
had been UNJUSTLY AND UNLAWFULLY CONDEMNED AND
EXECUTED AT THE INSTIGATION OF THE HEBREW HIGH
PRIESTS, AND THE SENTENCE OF CRUCIFIXION HAD
BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE PROCURATOR, PONTIUS
PILATE.
IN FACT, EVERY KNOWN LAW AT THE TIME WAS BROKEN BY THE PASSION OF CHRIST AND
PONTIUS PILATE WAS EVENTUALLY SENT INTO EXILE IN SPAIN WHERE HE SUFFERED A
CRUEL DEATH AT THE HANDS OF THE BARBARIANS.
St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, together with other
Ascetics of Evangelic Preaching, mentioned “Mary” or
“Miriam” who “... bestowed much labour on us...”
which meant that SHE CONVERTED MANY SOULS TO
CHRIST WHO WERE BAPTISED BY THE APOSTLES.
SHE EXTENSIVELY SERVED THE HOLY CHURCH, OFTEN
EXPOSING HERSELF TO ALL KINDS OF THREATS AND
DANGERS, SHARING WITH THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES
AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST THE SPIRITUAL LABOURS OF
PREACHING, TEACHING, GUIDING AND HEALING.
She remained in Rome and welcomed St Paul with whom
she continued to work until he was set free from his
first imprisonment.
Two years after St Paul left Rome, St Mary Magdalene, bent
and worn by age, moved to Ephesos to work with St
John the Divine Evangelist, Apostle and Theologian.
She reposed in peace in Ephesos until the 9th century when
her Holy Relics were transferred to the Monastery
Church of St Lazaros in Constantinople.
During the sacking of Constantinople in the 12th Century, St
Mary Magdalene’s Holy Relics were removed to Rome
and placed under the Altar of the Lateran Cathedral.
ST MARY MAGDALENE IS HONOURED AS THE WOMAN WHO
WAS CALLED BY CHRIST FROM SPIRITUAL DARKNESS TO
HIS DIVINE LIGHT; from the noxious power of Satan to
New Life in Christ.
HAVING EXPERIENCED INTENSE SPIRITUAL DEATH BUT
HAVING REGAINED SPIRITUAL LIFE, SHE NEVER
WAVERED FROM HER DEDICATION AND UTTER
COMMITMENT TO GOD, UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING GOD
ALMIGHTY AND OUR LADY THEOTOKOS, OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST, HIS APOSTLES AND ALL THOSE WHO SOUGHT
ETERNAL LIFE IN HIM.
HER PURITY OF SOUL AND SINCERE FAITHFULNESS WAS
REWARDED BY CHRIST when He first appeared to her
after His Resurrection, and THE EXTENT OF HIS RESPECT
FOR HER WAS UNMISTAKABLE WHEN HE CHOSE HER AS
BEING THE MOST WORTHY OF HIS APOSTLES TO
PROCLAIM HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION TO THE OTHER
APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES.
22 JULY 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW
AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH
GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES
AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

9th Sunday After Pentecost Tone (8) Plagal 4

25 July 2010
9th Sunday of St Matthew – Walking on Water
The Dormition of St Anna,
Righteous Mother of our Lady Theotokos
Also the Feast of St Olympias the Deaconess; St Eupraxia, Virgin Martyr & St Julia the Righteous of Tabenna;
St Makarios the Venerable Abbot of Zheltovod & Unzha; the 165 Holy Fathers of the 5th Ecumenical Council
RE SURRE CTION A POL YTIK ION − TONE ( 8) PL AGA L 4

Ex ipsous katilthes O Evsplaghnos, tafin katedexo
triimeron, ina imas elevtherosis ton pathon. I Zoi ke i
Anastasis imon, Kyrie, ✞ Doxa Si!
APOLYTIKION OF THE DORMITION OF ST ANNA THE RIGHTEOUS – TONE 4
Thou descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;
Thou endured the three-days’ burial, so that Thou
might free us from our passions, O our Life and
Resurrection: ✞ Glory to Thee!

Zoin tin kiisasan, ekioforisas, Aganin theomitora,
theofron Anna; dio pros lixin Ouranion, entha
efrenomenon, katikia en doxi, herousa nin metestis, tis
timosi se patho, ptesmaton etoumeni ilasmon,
aimakariste.
KONTAKION OF THE RIGHTEOUS FOREFATHERS OF CHRIST -
Thou carried the very one who carried Life in her womb:
the Pure Mother of God, O God-minded Anna; thus to a
Heavenly Finish, where those who rejoice have their
dwelling in Glory, with Joy thou has been translated,
seeking forgiveness of errors, for those who eagerly
honour thee, O Ever Blessed One.

Progonon Hristou, tin mnimin eortasomen, tin touton The memory of Christ’s Forefathers let us celebrate, by
pistos, etoumeni voithian, tou risthine apantas, apo psis asking in Faith, for their assistance and their help, to
thlipseos tous krazontas: O Theos genou meth’ imon, O deliver from every distress, all those who cry out: O
toutous doxasas os indokisas. God be with us Who Glorified them as it pleased Thee.
Resurrection Gospel 9 : John 20 : 19 – 31 O U R R ISEN LORD BE STO W S H IS AUTHO RIT Y TO FORGI VE SIN S UPO N HI S
A PO STL ES

PROKEIMENON Pray to the Lord our God, and render thanks to him! God is known in Judea, His Name is great in Israel!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 4 : 22 - 27
SLAVERY OF SIN VS SONSHIP OF GOD
Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of
the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through Promise, which things are symbolic.
For these are the two Covenant: the one from Mount Sinai, which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar – for Hagar is
Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem, which now is, and is in bondage with her children – but the
Jerusalem Above is free, which is the Mother of us all.
For it is written: “Rejoice, O Barren! You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labour! For the desolate
has many more children that she who has a husband!”
By saying that Abraham’s two sons and related events are Isaac “... was the issue of bodies that were dead, and of a
symbolic, St Paul did not imply that they were not womb that was dead. His conception was not by the
historical. Instead, he asserted that OLD TESTAMENT flesh, nor his birth by the seed, for the womb was
HISTORY ANNOUNCED SOMETHING FAR GREATER THAN death both through age and barrenness. But the Word
ITSELF. of God fashioned him... He who was not according to
Hagar and Mount Sinai symbolised the earthly Jerusalem the flesh was more honourable than he who was born
and the Hebrews who were under the Law. after the flesh.
Sarah, the freewoman symbolised the Heavenly Jerusalem Therefore let it not disturb you that you were not born
– i.e. the Holy Church of Christ. She was also a type of after the flesh. For, from the very reason that you are
Theotokos for HER SON WAS BORN THROUGH A DIVINE not so born, are you most of all, Abraham’s kindred.”
PROMISE – THE PROMISE OF GOD HIMSELF. (ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM)

The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 14 : 22 – 34

W ALK ING ON W ATER
At that time, Jesus made His Disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitude
away. And when He had sent the multitude away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
Now when evening came, He was alone there, but the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the
wind was contrary.
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking upon the sea, and when the Disciples saw Him walking on the
sea, they were troubled, saying: “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying:
“Be of good cheer! It is I! Do not be afraid.”
Peter answered Him and said: “Lord, if it is Thee, command me to come to Thee on the water.” So He said: “Come.” And
when Peter got out of the boat, he walked on the water towards Jesus, but when he saw that the wind was boisterous,
he became afraid, and, beginning to sin, he cried out: “Lord, Save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His Hand
and caught him, and said to him: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat went and worshipped Him, saying:
“Truly, Thou art the Son of God!”
When they had crossed over, they went to the land of Gennesaret.
First our Lord Jesus Christ sent off His Disciples ahead of thousands who had followed them to a deserted spot
Him before He dismissed the gathered multitude of outside the towns and cities.

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Then, HAVING FULFILLED HIS PUBLIC DUTIES TO MANKIND
FOR THAT DAY, OUR SAVIOUR WENT UP A MOUNTAIN – TO
A HIGHER PLACE – TO PRAY QUIETLY AND FERVENTLY BY
HIMSELF.
He went TO COMMUNICATE WITH GOD HIS FATHER NOT ONLY
IN HIS HUMAN NATURE – AS MAN – BUT ESPECIALLY, AS
GOD INCARNATE – IN HIS DIVINE NATURE.
❃ AT THE END OF EVERY DAY – WHETHER GOOD OR BAD –
WE, TOO, MUST QUIETLY THANK AND PRAISE GOD
FOR HIS INFINITE GOODNESS.
Then WE MUST DO A “SPIRITUAL ACCOUNTING” BY
RECALLING AND EXAMINING OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS
AND DEEDS OF THE DAY.
And as we recall our errors, WE MUST BESEECH GOD’S
FORGIVENESS AND MERCY, ASKING FOR HIS DIVINE
GUIDANCE TO IMPROVE OURSELVES AND TO CORRECT
OUR BAD HABITS AND HONESTLY REPENT OUR SINS.
ONLY GOD HAS COMPLETE DOMINION OVER ALL CREATION
and this was CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED BY CHRIST
WALKING UPON THE WIND-BLOWN WAVES that tossed
the little boat about, preventing it from proceeding
further.
This was the second time that Christ permitted His
Disciples to be caught in a storm upon the lake - the
Sea of Galilee.
The first time it happened, He was with them, but in this
case, He had sent them ahead of Him and on their
own.
In this manner, OUR LORD STRENGTHENED THEIR FAITH IN
GOD AND GAVE THEM THE ASSURANCE OF
PRESENCE AT ALL TIMES, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF
STORMS OF LIFE.
“The fourth watch of the night” would have been IN
MIDDLE OF THE DARK HOURS of nighttime and they
must have been very tired and anxious so when
suddenly from out of the squalling winds and tossing
waves Christ appeared, walking on the water, THEIR
SHOCK AND CONFUSION WAS QUITE NATURAL – to be
expected.
We do not know if it was our Lord’s intention to quietly
board while His Disciples dozed, or whether He had
intended meeting them on the other side of the lake.
There is another possibility - He knew the wind would grow
to gale-force and toss the small boat vigorously upon
the tempestuous waves and UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS
HE WANTED THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEPTH OF
THEIR FAITH IN GOD – to see HOW THEY WOULD REACT
WHEN FACED BY IMMINENT DANGER WITHOUT HAVING
HIM AT THEIR SIDE TO COMFORT AND GUIDE THEM.
❃ EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS A “LEARNING CURVE” and that is
why WE MUST EXPERIENCE THE GOOD AND THE BAD,
BEING GRATEFUL TO GOD WHO WATCHES OVER US
AND KEEPS US FROM HARM.
ONLY THROUGH EXPERIENCING GREAT DIFFICULTIES CAN
WE MEASURE THE DEPTH OF OUR PERSONAL FAITH AND
STRENGTH – OUR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL CAPACITY.
❃ OUR LORD ALWAYS COMFORTS US – ESPECIALLY IN THE
DARKEST MOMENTS WHEN WE ARE FRIGHTENED OR
DISTRESSED. HE TOUCHES US WITH HIS LOVE
AND CALMS US BY BESTOWING HIS PEACE
UPON OUR TROUBLED SOULS.
His words of reassurance: “It is I...” means HE IS GOD
Whom they saw for “I Am” is THE NAME OR DIVINE
IDENTITY OF GOD.
JOHN 8:58 – “Jesus said to them: ‘Most assuredly, I
say to you: before Abraham was, I AM.”
“I AM” or “EGO EIMI” is THE DIVINE NAME OF GOD as
recorded in the Old Covenant Scripture, which was
Walking on Water – the Astounding Power of Faith in God
The Holy Gospel reading of today narrated how OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST WENT DIRECTLY TO HIS DISCIPLES
WHOM HE HAD SENT AHEAD OF HIM, BY WALKING ON
THE WATER IN THE MIDST OF A STORM.
We are told how ST PETER, THROUGH FAITH, ALSO BEGAN
TO WALK ON THE WATER TOWARDS OUR LORD JESUS
UNTIL HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY THE SURROUNDING
CIRCUMSTANCES AND BEGAN TO SINK BENEATH THE
TEMPESTUOUS WAVES.
However as he cried out in great fear of drowning: “Lord,
save me!” our Divine Saviour reached out His Hand
and caught St Peter, pulling him to safety, but CHRIST
ADMONISHED HIM rather than the stormy weather,
with words that echo down the ages to our very own
souls: “O you of little Faith, why did you doubt?”
(MATTHEW 14:30-31)
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FIRST REVEALED TO ST MOSES AT THE SITE OF THE
BURNING BUSH ON MOUNT SINAI.
EXODUS 3: 13 – 15: “... God said to Moses: ‘I AM the
Existing One... you shall say ... ‘The Existing One
sent me to you... this is My Name forever, and
My Memorial to all generations.’”
The Name “I AM the Existing One” is THE NAME OF THE
ESSENCE OF GOD, WHICH IS ONE AND UNDIVIDED. (ST
ATHANSIOS THE GREAT & ST JOHN DAMASCENE)
This Divine Essence is like a limitless sea, CONTAINING ALL
THINGS YET NOT CONTAINED BY ANYTHING.
THE SON IS ETERNALLY BEGOTTEN OF THE ESSENCE OF GOD
THE FATHER and as such our Lord Jesus Christ is
acknowledged during every Vespers Service of the
Orthodox Christian Church.
❃ To the Hebrews this was A DIRECT, EXPLICIT AND
UNMISTAKABLE CLAIM TO PERFECT EQUALITY WITH
ALMIGHTY GOD.
St John the Divine Apostle and Theologian placed great
emphasis on the use of this Divine Name TO CLEARLY
IDENTIFY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS DIVINE – TRULY
THE INCARNATE WORD AND SON OF GOD THE FATHER!
Such an extraordinary, unique Divine claim illuminates our
Lord Jesus Christ’s AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH –
OVER THE ENTIRE CREATION – A DIVINE POWER
BELONGING ONLY TO ALMIGHTY GOD!
ST PETER’S FAITH MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO WALK ON
THE WATER.
IT IS RATHER SIGNIFICANT THAT ST PETER, who was always
HIS very impulsive, did not try to climb over onto the water,
THE nor did he ask Christ to help him to do so, but instead
HE ASKED OUR LORD TO COMMAND HIM TO GO TO HIM.
THE WITH ONE WORD FROM LORD JESUS : “COME,” ST PETER
jumped from the boat onto the tossing waves and
WALKED A FEW STEPS TOWARDS HIM.
ST PETER WAS NOT MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE TO PERFORM
A MIRACLE BUT RATHER, MORE COMPELLINGLY, TO BE
REUNITED WITH OUR LORD IMMEDIATELY!
BY COMPLETELY FOCUSSING ON CHRIST AND NOTHING ELSE,
St Peter was able to walk on water!
❃ Likewise with us: IF WE ARE FOCUSED ON GOD ALONE,
WE WILL ALSO DO THINGS THAT NORMALLY WOULD
BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO.
This is yet another proof of how WITH GOD EVERYTHING
BECOMES POSSIBLE!
The Greek term for “doubt” means “wavering” or
“hesitation.”
THE VERY INSTANT THAT ST PETER BECAME AWARE OF HIS
MIRACULOUS CIRCUMSTANCES AND HAD BROKEN HIS
CONCENTRATION ON CHRIST DUE TO DOUBT OR
QUESTIONING THE REALITY OF THE EXPERIENCE, HE
BEGAN TO SINK BENEATH THE WAVES.
❃ Consequently, CHRIST DID NOT REBUKE THE ADVERSE
WEATHER CONDITIONS BUT ST PETER FOR HIS LACK
OF FAITH – HIS DOUBT IN SOMETHING PHENOMENAL.
❃ CHRIST WOULD NEVER HAVE ENCOURAGED ST PETER –
NOR DOES HE ENCOURAGE US – IF HE KNEW HIS (OR
OUR) ACTIONS WOULD CAUSE US HARM.
When they were both safely aboard the boat, THE
DISCIPLES, INCLUDING ST PETER, WORSHIPPED CHRIST
FOR THE FIRST TIME AS THE SON OF GOD.
These faithful and devout Hebrews were only too conscious
of the Truth that ONLY GOD CAN BE WORSHIPPED!
Symbolically, Christ is the “Captain” of “the Boat” – His Holy
Church – which He safely steers towards “the Safe
Harbour” of our ultimate Destination – His Heavenly
Eternal Kingdom of Love.
In this Holy Gospel Lesson we witness THE ASTOUNDING
POWER OF FAITH.
We are taught how WE CAN DO ANYTHING – THE MOST
EXTRAORDINARY THINGS THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE
IMPOSSIBLE - IF WE HAVE FAITH IN GOD – IF WE
UNRESERVEDLY, COMPLETELY, TRUST GOD.
Our Lord explained the staggering Power of Faith when
He said:
 “If you have Faith (EVEN AS SMALL) as a grain of mustard
seed, you shall say to this mountain, remove
hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and
nothing shall be impossible for you.” (MATTHEW 17:20)
 “Truly I say to you: if you have Faith, and do not
doubt, you shall not only do what was done to
the fig tree*, but also if you shall say to that
25 JULY 2010
 mountain, be removed, and be cast into the sea;
it shall be done!” (MATTHEW 21:21)
*THE FIG TREE WAS SYMBOLIC OF PROSPERITY AND PEACE, BUT THE FRUITLESS FIG TREE
WITHERED AND DIED BECAUSE IT WAS BARREN – IT PRODUCED NO USEFUL HARVEST.
IT WAS A PROPHETIC ACT OF CHRIST AS A WARNING TO THE HEBREWS (WHEN HE FORBADE
THE FIG TREE FROM CONTINUING SUCH A USELESS EXISTENCE) BECAUSE, EVEN AFTER
THREE INTENSIVE YEARS OF CHRIST’S PREACHING, TEACHING AND HEALING, THE
LEADERS AND THE PEOPLE WERE STILL DESTITUTE OF SPIRITUAL FRUIT.
IT WAS ALSO A POWERFUL LESSON TO US ALL OF WHAT WILL BEFALL US IF WE CHOOSE TO
REJECT OR IGNORE OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST WHO HAS SHOWN US THE
WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
THE GREAT DIVINE POWER OF FAITH IN GOD TO GRANT OR TO DENY SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
UPON ALL CREATION WAS THE POINT THAT OUR LORD TRIED TO IMPRESS UPON HIS
DISCIPLES.
❃ WHEN WE HAVE FAITH WE EMBARK ON A SPIRITUAL
PATH THAT LEADS US TO GOD.
That Spiritual Path often appears dangerous or
frightening to us but WHEN OUR FULL ATTENTION IS
FOCUSED ON CHRIST, WE WILL HAVE THE COURAGE AND
THE ABILITY TO DO THINGS FAR BEYOND OUR NORMAL
CAPACITY, as experienced by St Peter who actually
climbed out of the pitching, tossing boat and walking
on the water in the midst of a terrifying gale3force
wind.
IF WE HAVE ANY DOUBT while we travel along our
Spiritual Path, then THE PREDICAMENTS AND
PROBLEMS OF THIS WORLD THREATEN TO OVERWHELM
US.
WE BECOME PREOCCUPIED with the storms that surround
us BECAUSE WE LOSE OUR FOCUS ON GOD.
This is what happened to St Peter when he began to sink.
He had lost his concentration on THE REALITY AND
RELIABILITY OF OUR SAVIOUR and instead, HE
RESPONDED TO THE ADVERSE CONDITIONS that
threatened him.
❃ HE INSTANT HE BECAME MOTIVATED BY WORLDLY
CONCERNS, RATHER THAT THE WILL OF CHRIST, HE
LOST THE DIVINE GRACE, which had been granted
to him as he stepped out of the boat with
confidence and True Faith in God.
❃ This clearly reminds us that – as Christ taught us in
so many ways 3 WITHOUT GOD WE CAN DO
NOTHING WHATSOEVER AND WE WOULD BE
NOTHING – WE WOULD NOT EXIST AT ALL. (WITHOUT GOD
WE WOULD BE BLOBS OF LIFELESS, USELESS MATTER OR NOTHING VISIBLE OR
INVISIBLE WOULD EXIST AT ALL!) (JOHN 15:5)
When we lose our focus on the Lord by being
preoccupied and distracted with THE STORMS OF LIFE
AND TEMPTATIONS THAT BESIEGE AND INTIMIDATE US,
we have a choice to make:
1. We can PLACE OUR COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD OUR
SAVIOUR WHO IS ALWAYS READY AND ABLE TO
HELP US or
2. We can surrender to the enticements of wickedness –
yield or submit to sin 3 that ceaselessly try to
lure us into SPIRITUAL DEATH AND DESTRUCTION
(SELF-INFLICTED EXCOMMUNICATION OR ALIENATION FROM GOD AND ALL HIS
GOODNESS, WHICH CAN BE CORRECTED THROUGH REPENTANCE-CONFESSION
WHILE WE LIVE NOW BUT IF IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH WHEN WE DEPART
THIS LIFE, THAT IS THE STATE IN WHICH WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY!!)
These were the exact same choices that confronted St
Peter as he began to sink beneath the stormy waves.
When we begin to sink beneath the waves of anxiety and
stress, WE ALWAYS CAN RELY ON GOD, CALLING OUT
TO HIM, just as St Peter did: “Kyrie, eleison me!”
“Lord, save me!” or we can (HEAVEN FORBID!!) “...curse God,
and die,” as St Job’s wife tried to persuade him to do
in the midst of his terrible trials and afflictions.
(MATTHEW 14:30; JOB 2:9)
WE MUST NEVER BLAME GOD FOR ANY OF OUR MISFORTUNES BECAUSE HE CANNOT DO
ANYTHING EVIL, WICKED OR HARMFUL (I.E. THE INVENTIONS OF THE EVIL ONE).
GOD IS 100% PURE GOODNESS AND INFINITE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
ALL OUR EARTHLY SUFFERINGS ARE CAUSED BY HUMAN WICKEDNESS – OUR WILLING
SURRENDER TO THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE.
OUR WILFUL, SELFISH ACTIONS – WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS - CAUSE HARM AND
SUFFERING TO OURSELVES AS WELL AS TO SO MANY OTHERS AND FOR THAT REASON
WE WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDINGLY.
WE NEVER KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS AFFECT SUCH
A VAST VARIETY OF PEOPLE UNTIL THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT, WHEN IT WILL BE TOO
LATE TO RECTIFY! (JUST LIKE THE PROVERBIAL STONE THROWN INTO A POND – THE
RIPPLES SPREAD OUT AND AFFECT ALL SORTS OF THINGS UNKNOWN OR UNRELATED
TO THE STONE!! )
Perverse Thoughts that Separate Us from God – The Wisdom of Elder Paisios of Holy Mountain
 THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTIC OF LOVE IS “... not
irritable or resentful.” (1 CORINTHIANS 13:4)
> WE SHOULD NEVER, EVEN UNDER THE WORST
CIRCUMSTANCES, ALLOW A NEGATIVE THOUGHT TO
PENETRATE OUR SOUL.
> THOSE WHO, UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, ARE
INCLINED TO HAVE POSITIVE THOUGHTS, WILL
ALWAYS BE WINNERS – THEIR LIFE WILL BE A
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 9TH OF ST MATTHEW – WALKING ON WATER -
Whenever we follow St Peter’s example and cry out:
“Kyrie eleison!” or “Lord, save me!” OUR LORD AND
SAVIOUR IMMEDIATELY PULLS US INTO THE WARM
COMFORT AND SAFETY OF HIS LOVING MERCY exactly
as He did with St Peter.
Today’s Sacred Lesson teaches us and reminds us that
OUR EVER-LOVING SAVIOUR IS ALWAYS WITH US,
WATCHING OVER US AND SHELTERING US UNDER HIS
DIVINE PROVIDENCE.
❃ TRUE FAITH IN GOD BESTOWS CONFIDENCE AND PEACE
IN OUR SOULS DUE TO AN AWARENESS OF THE
CONSTANT PRESENCE OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
Whenever our doubts cause us to worry, to become
discouraged and disappointed, it is due to A LOSS OF
FAITH IN GOD, which we must VERY QUICKLY AMEND
AND STRENGTHEN.
❃ Holy Scripture shows us time and again how much
we should REJOICE AND TRUST IN GOD, ESPECIALLY
WHEN WE ARE TROUBLED AND AFFLICTED.
> The beautiful, enduring Psalms of ST DAVID THE
KING, express THE REALITY OF GOD’S
OMNIPRESENCE for DESPITE OUR HUMAN FAILURES,
GOD IS EVER PRESENT! HE IS ALWAYS WITH US, NO
MATTER WHAT EXPERIENCES OR CIRCUMSTANCES
WE ENDURE.
> ST ABRAHAM, the ancient Patriarch, WAS FREE OF ANY
DOUBT AND COMPLETELY OBEDIENT TO GOD, which
he proved by being ready to offer his only, most
beloved son, St Isaac, as a blood sacrifice – to
God. However, GOD SAVED THEM BOTH FROM
HARM, AND STRENGTHENED THEIR FAITH EVEN
MORE. (GENESIS 22:1-18)
> ST JONAH CEASELESSLY GLORIFIED GOD – even while in
the belly of a whale. He, too, was Saved and
further Spiritually Strengthened and Blessed,
NEVER WEAKENING OR BEING DEFEATED BY HIS
HUMAN TRIALS AND AFFLICTIONS. (JONAH 2:7)
> The Three Holy Youths of ancient times, ST
SHADRACH, ST MESACH, AND ST ABEDNEGO (HANANIAH,
AZARIAH & MISCHAEL IN HEBREW), CONTINUED TO SING AND
PRAISE THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FIERY FURNACE
and they were delivered from harm by God. (DANIEL
3:19-26)
> ST DANIEL ENJOYED A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
AND WAS DIVINELY PROTECTED against harm,
especially while imprisoned in the lion’s den.
(DANIEL 6:16-23)
> ST JOB PRAISED GOD WITHOUT PAUSE, THROUGHOUT
ALL HIS MANY AFFLICTIONS AND TRAGIC
CIRCUMSTANCES, and God strengthened,
encouraged and Saved him. (JOB 2:7-10)
The Sacred Lessons of THESE WONDERFUL,
EXTRAORDINARY AND UNIQUE EXAMPLES OF TRUE
FAITH IN GOD SHOULD DISPEL ANY DOUBTS OR FEARS
we may have because throughout Holy Scripture we
can learn exactly HOW MUCH AND HOW CONSISTENTLY
GOD SAVES US, NO MATTER WHAT OUR
CIRCUMSTANCES.
OUR PERSONAL FAITH IN GOD COMPELS US TO DECLARE TO
OTHERS, just as St David the King and Psalmist
expressed it:
“In God I trust: I will not fear! What can mankind do to
me? In me art Vows, O God; I will render praises to
Thee, for Thou delivered my soul from Death and
my feet from slipping.” (PSALM 55/56:11-13)
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: THE SERMON THAT WAS DELIVERED BY FR. MILAN MEDAKOVIC
AT HOLY TRINITY SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ON THE 9TH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST 2009.
http://frmilan.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/sermon-9th-sunday-after-
pentecost/
St Justin Popovich
By faith the intellect is confirmed in pondering God.
The way of Salvation is that of the constant remembrance of God.
The intellect separated from remembrance of God is like a fish out
of water.
The freedom of a true man consists in his freedom from the
passions, in his Resurrection with Christ, and in a joyous soul.
CONSTANT FESTIVITY, since it is based on their
positive thinking.
> OUR ACTIONS DEPEND ON AND ARE DETERMINED BY
OUR “MACHINERY” WITHIN US and not by the
outside material we digest, nor by the
environment in which we live.
For example, if we have a machine that produces bullets
and we feed it with gold, the machine will still
25 JULY 2010
29
 produce destructive bullets. With whatever kind of
metal we feed the machine, it will continue to
produce deadly bullets.
However, if we convert the machinery to produce Holy
Chalices instead of bullets, then, no matter what
material we feed the machine, it will always produce
beautiful Holy Chalices.
A very old Holy Father from Kapsala possessed an inner
“machine” that only produced positive thoughts.
HE ONLY SAW THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE AND HE WAS BLIND
TO EVERY WICKEDNESS.
A group of people went to visit him and presented him
with a small radio, which he took in his hands and
closely examined.
Then he enquired from his visitors where the radio had
been manufactured, and they told him “... in Japan.”
Suddenly he was filled with Joy and kissed the little
radio, exclaiming: “Glory to God!”
The astonished visitors asked him why he seemed so
happy, and he explained: “I am very pleased that
the Japanese Christians put the Sign of the Holy
Cross on the products they manufactured!”
As an Ascetic of many years, the old Holy Father could
have developed negative thoughts and become angry
at them for bringing him such an unsuitable present.
However, THE WISE HOLY FATHER HAD QUICKLY NOTICED
THE POSITIVE (and the negative) MARKINGS FOR THE
CORRECT INSERTION OF BATTERIES for the portable
radio AND HE SAW IT AS THE HOLY SIGN OF THE CROSS.
HIS MIND INSTANTLY PRODUCED SUCH A SIMPLISTIC AND
POSITIVE THOUGHT for that small, plastic radio,
which his visitors had brought him – even in such
small markings that MOST OF US WOULD NOT HAVE
NOTICED!
Whenever he saw an aeroplane in the sky the Holy Father
would make the Sign of the Cross and when asked
why he did so, he said: “My Child, don’t you see that
its shape looks like the Sign of the Holy Cross!”
HE IGNORED THE (UNDERSTANDABLE) NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
SUCH AS WAR AND BOMBING, WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED
AT THAT TIME WITH THE SIGHT OF AEROPLANES
FLYING OVERHEAD.
HIS PURE MIND WAS INSTANTLY ATTRACTED BY THE
SIMILARITY OF ITS SHAPE TO THE SIGN OF THE HOLY
CROSS; the sight and noise of the ‘plane made him
think of the Crucifixion of our Lord and Saviour.
A few years ago, I (ELDER PAISIOS) went to Athens for business
and I stayed at the house of a fellow Christian.
The area was very noisy as the house was located near a
central road and my friend told me that he had
trouble sleeping at night so he had to take sleeping
pills in order to get a few hours’ rest.
After dinner, I was taken to my room and wished a good
night’s rest despite the noise of the traffic.
The next morning, my friend complained that he had
once again not been able to sleep properly and he
asked how I had coped with the noise.
St Paisios Velichkovsky
Before any fall into sin the demons bring upon us the following
passions: dark forgetfulness; fierce anger, that is, inhuman and
beastlike malice; and ignorance, like darkness which has no
trace of Light.
These three passions precede every sin. For we do not commit a
single sin before we have become disposed towards every sin,
towards every evil, either by forgetfulness or by anger or by
ignorance.
St Ephrem the Syrian
Blessed are those who have consented to become close friends of
faith and of Prayer: they live in single-mindedness and make
Prayer and faith stop by with them.
Prayer that rises up in our heart serves to open up for us the door
of Heaven: we stand and converse with the Divinity and give
pleasure to the Son of God.
St Gregory the Great
Christ's words, opposed to every kind of evil, instruct us
unceasingly on every page of Scripture.
Thus even now Christ is doing what the gospel says, `And He was
teaching daily in the temple.'
Truth is teaching daily in the temple when He subtly instructs us, His
faithful people, to avoid evil.
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 9TH OF ST MATTHEW – WALKING ON WATER -
30
I told him: “I have never slept so well – not even on
Mount Athos,” and he was so astonished that I
related what had occurred after I had gone to my
room.
It was during the time of the Vietnam War and every day
we heard terribly sad stories in the news so I
CONSTANTLY PRAYED TO GOD TO HELP ALL THOSE IN
VIETNAM.
As usual, I knelt down next to my bed, putting my head
and my hands on the bed, praying for all the soldiers
who were fighting and being killed in Vietnam.
I could hear the noise of the traffic, but as my mind was
concentrated on the Vietnam War, I converted the
traffic noise to the noise of tanks that were
destroying buildings and killing people and the loud,
noisy motorcycles that passed by became the
aeroplanes that bombed the country.
I saw helpless children and old people being killed.
I FELT A SWEET GRIEF INSIDE ME AND I WEPT FOR VIETNAM,
DESPISING MYSELF FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE
LUXURY OF A NICE MEAL AND CLEAN ROOM, AND FOR
NOT HAVING ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO CONTEND
WITH.
AS I WEPT, I WAS FILLED WITH A PEACEFUL SPIRITUAL
CALMNESS, AND FINALLY I FELL INTO A DEEP SLEEP
while still kneeling next to my bed.
The traffic noise did not disrupt my sleep at all for ALL
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WERE DIRECTED TO
THOSE WHO SUFFERED SO FAR AWAY.
You can do the same thing:
> THINK OF AND PRAY FOR ALL THE TERRIBLE WARS
THAT ARE RAGING EVERYWHERE;
> THINK OF AND PRAY FOR ALL THE THOSE WHO ARE
SUFFERING INDESCRIBABLE TERROR AND
DEGRADATION,
> THINK OF AND PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE BEING
KILLED, WHOSE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS ARE
DESTROYED, LOST AND DESCIMATED;
> THINK OF AND PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE DYING
OF HUNGER AND THIRST, AND ABJECT
DEPRIVATION;
> THINK OF AND PRAY FOR ALL THE HOMES THAT ARE
BOMBED, BURNT AND DESTROYED;
> AND THINK OF AND BE INTENSELY GRATEFUL AND
APPRECIATION OF ALL YOUR ABUNDANT BLESSING -
HOW WELL YOU LIVE IN SUCH LUXURIOUS, PEACEFUL
HOMES, WITH PLENTY OF FOOD AND DRINK, BEING
EMPLOYED, BEING SAFE AND BEING HEALTHY.
The association of the hustle and bustle and noises that
permeate our busy lives with the terrifying sounds of
war will become A VERY GOOD REASON FOR YOU TO
GLORIFY GOD AND PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING TO
TAKE ANY DRUGS TO MAKE YOU SLEEP OR TO RELAX
YOU.
❃ There is only one solution to the stress of earthly
life: ALWAYS HAVE POSITIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT
EVERYTHING AND IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND
SITUATION – AND CONSTANTLY GLORIFY, PRAISE
AND THANK GOD FOR HIS GREAT MERCY!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “ELDER PAISIOS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN” BY PRIESTMONK
CHRISTODOULOS – HOLY MOUNTAIN’S MONK.
From these proceed insensitivity of soul, that is, the mind, which is
the eye of the soul, remains dark and is then captivated by all
the passions.
The first to be born is a weakness of faith; weakness of faith gives
birth to self-love, the beginning and end, the root and origin
of every evil..
Prayer makes peace with the Lord's anger and with the vehemence
of His wrath.
In this way too, tears that well up in the eyes can open the door of
compassion.
We are truly being instructed by His words when we fearfully and
ceaselessly keep before our eyes our last end, in accord with
what a certain wise man said: `In all that you do remember
your end, and you will never sin.'
25 JULY 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER
WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

26 July 2010
Feast of St Paraskevi, Virgin Martyr of Rome
Also the Feast of St Jacob Netsvetov, Enlightener of Alaska; St Hermolaus, St Hermippos
& St Hermocrates, Holy Martyrs of Nicomedia; St Moses, the Venerable Hungarian of the
Kiev Near Caves; St Gerontios, Founder of St Anna Skete, Mount Athos; St Savva ΙΙΙ of
Serbia; St Priska the Righteous Martyr; the Holy Icon of the Ever Blessed Theotokos of
Emvolon in Constantinople
A POL YT IKION O F ST P AR A SKEVE THE VIRGIN M ART YR - TONE 1

Tin spoudin sou ti klisi katallilon, ergasameni feronime, tin Having worked with readiness befitting the Call, O One
omonimon sou pistin, is katikian keklirose, Paraskevi Named After Readiness, Thou inherited as dwelling, the
Athlifore; othen proheis iamata, ke presvevis iper ton Faith which is Thy namesake, Paraskeve the Great
psihon imon. Victor; Wherefore Thou flows forth healings and
intercedes for the souls of us all.
KO NT AKION O F THE EVE R BLESSED THEOT OKO S

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton se. Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos
who always protects all who honour Thee!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 3:23 - 4:5
WE BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH OUR FAITH AND BAPTISM
Brethren, before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law, kept for the Faith which would afterward be revealed.
Therefore, the Law was our Tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be Justified by Faith. But after Faith has come, we
are no longer under a Tutor. For you are all sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you were
Baptised in Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. And if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the Promise. Now I say that the
heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and
stewards until the time appointed by the Father. Even so, we, when we were children, were in bondage under the
elements of the world. But when the fullness of time has come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under
the Law, to Redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the Adoption as sons.
The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 5: 24-34
ON THE WAY TO REVIVE JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER, OUR LORD HEALED A WOMAN WHO HAD BLED FOR 12 YEARS
At that time, Jesus went with [Jairus] and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. Now a certain woman had a
flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had
and was no better, but grew rather worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched
His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood
was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said: “Who
touched My clothes?” But His Disciples said to Him: “Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and Thou ask: ‘Who
touched Me?’” And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him
the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, thy faith has made thee well. Go in peace, and be healed of thine
affliction.”
St Paisios Velichkovsky – On Heedfulness – Sobriety of Mind
SOBRIETY OF MIND AND BRIGHTNESS OF THOUGHT COME from disturbance, gather it away from dispersion,
FROM DISPASSION – i.e. from PURITY, FASTING,
CONTINENCE (SELF-DISCIPLINE), UNDISTRACTED SILENCE, and ENLIGHTENS us.
REMAINING WITHOUT DEPARTING FROM ONE’S CELL (I.E.  Prayer and Fasting BANISHES UNCLEAN SPIRITS AND
ISOLATION FROM WORLDLY DISTRACTIONS), THE PRAYER OF JESUS, HEALS THOSE WHO ARE TORMENTED BY DEMONS, as
WANT OF CARES, AND FROM THE ACTIVITY OF THE
our Lord said: “This kind (OF DEMON) does not go
HOLY SPIRIT when Divine Grace is granted to us by
out except by Prayer and Fasting.” (MATTHEW 17:21)
our Benefactor.
 Prayer and Fasting also CLEANSES OUR MIND, in which
By these Virtues, OUR MIND IS CLEANSED FROM DARKNESS,
CRUDENESS AND FANTASIES, AND WE ARE the demons often cause us Spiritual Darkness.
ENLIGHTENED. And then we become CAPABLE OF  Prayer and Fasting are POWERFUL WEAPONS THAT
UNDERSTANDING, OF JUDGEMENT, AND WE ARE JOYFUL. PROTECT US AND PREVENT ANY ACCESS OF
DEMONS.
No one can stop swirling thoughts by anything except
the constant Prayer of Jesus, by the Memory of Death  Prayer, like a Grace3given spirit, ENLIGHTENS OUR
MIND, AND GRANTS US SPIRITUAL FERVOUR.
and future Torment; by the memory and desire for
future Good Things and by heedful singing or  Prayer, with sobriety of heart, is THE GUARDIAN OF
OUR MIND, FOR IT EXTINGUISHES OUR
reading in solitude.
FORGETFULNESS just as water extinguishes fire.
But more than anything else, OUR MIND IS CLEANSED
FROM SPIRITUAL DARKNESS, CRUDENESS AND Therefore we should greatly honour and practise this
FANTASIES BY PRAYER, FASTING AND REMAINING Virtue that gives birth to Bright Visions.
SILENT WHILE ISOLATED FROM THE WORLD. Having come to LOVE THE VIRTUE OF PRAYER, we who are
 Prayer and Fasting BANISH ALL SINFUL THOUGHTS, useless and vile sinners, will BECOME HOLY AND
stop the fever of our brain, preserve our mind WORTHY, AND WE WILL BE GRANTED UNDERSTANDING
AND JUDGEMENT, which we have lacked.

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST PARASKEVE THE VIRGIN MARTYR OF ROME – 26 JULY 2010
31
Through Prayer, the unrighteous will BECOME RIGHTEOUS,
BEHOLDERS, THEOLOGIANS AND WITNESSES OF THE
DIVINE MYSTERIES THROUGH THE INVOCATION OF THE
NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD!
Many Holy Fathers have said that THE PRAYER OF JESUS IS
THE SOURCE OF EVERY GOOD THING
TREASURY OF VIRTUES.
 The Prayer of Jesus SPEEDILY GRANTS US THE GRACE
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
 The Prayer of Jesus SAVES US, EXPLAINS TO US AND
INSTRUCTS US IN WHAT IS UNKNOWN TO US.
Just as we see our own face in a mirror, so also IN SOBER
AND GOOD PRAYER WE SEE WITH OUR MIND OUR WHOLE
LIFE – WE SEE WHETHER WE ARE LIVING WELL OR
WICKEDLY.
 This Prayer of Sobriety BANISHES FROM
MULTITUDE OF PASSIONS.
 The Prayer of Jesus DELIVERS US FROM ALL THE NETS
OF THE DEMONS IN THOUGHTS, WORDS AND DEEDS.
 The Prayer of Jesus CONQUERS EVERY NATURAL
DESIRE, FEELING AND SORROW,
 The Prayer of Jesus HELPS US EVERY TIME WE ARE
TEMPTED.
 The Prayer of Jesus GRANTS US PURIFICATION and,
like a fiery sword, CUTS OFF THE ENTICEMENTS OF
EVIL, FOR GOD IS INVOKED BY THE HOLY NAME OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BEFORE WHOM
EVERYTHING IN CREATION SUBMITS.
 Nothing can so CONQUER THE MALICIOUS, CUNNING
TRICKS OF THE DEMONS like the sober Prayer of
Jesus – pure and attentive, which is performed
WITH A PURE MIND AND IN THE HUMILITY OF TRUE
WISDOM.
It is impossible for those who are moved by Spiritual
Endeavour to rise up against the evil ones and to
oppose them, apart from this wonderful Prayer of
Jesus.
❃ However, WITHOUT A GOOD SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTOR OF
THE PRAYER OF JESUS, WE WILL PERISH AFTER
HAVING SUFFERED.
Hearing and having learnt from the words of our Holy
Fathers that the Prayer of Jesus is great, but NOT
UNDERSTANDING ITS ESSENCE, WE PERFORM IT AND
THINK SENSELESSLY ABOUT IT, IMAGINING THAT WE
HAVE ATTAINED PERFECTION, and WE BEGIN TO HAVE
FANTASIES IN OUR MIND, having enemies without
ourselves, WITHOUT HAVING FIRST CLEANSED
(OUTSIDE)
OURSELVES BEFOREHAND BY MEANS OF SPIRITUAL
SOBRIETY (ABSTINENCE OR SELF-DISCIPLINE), ATTENTIVENESS AND
VIGIL.
Therefore in such a manner WE ARE OVERTHROWN AND
CONQUERED BY THE DEMONS!
❃ THE BEGINNING OF THIS GOOD AND SPLENDID ACTIVITY
(OF THE JESUS PRAYER) consists of the following:
 First WE MUST WEAKEN OUR PASSIONS.
 WE MUST NOT DO WHAT IS DISPLEASING TO GOD.
The Hand of Christ Reaches Out to Us
The Resurrection Icon of our Lord Jesus Christ depicts our
Risen Lord – not standing alone – but raising, pulling and
lifting up Adam and Eve from the depths of Hades through
the smashed doors of the Spiritual Prison.
Our Lord Jesus Christ frees Patriarch, Prophet and King, but at
the same time, He frees us as well.
Christ liberates our life – He liberates every human being.
His Divine Hand that reached out and tightly grasped the hand
of Adam and Eve, reaches out to pull us who are Adam’s
descendents, into His Divine Embrace as well. For we are
bound and imprisoned by Spiritual Death caused by our
wilful sins.
We are held captive by the power and weight of all our sins.
We suffer Spiritual Death and are cast into the deepest depths
of the Abyss of sin due to our self-inflicted alienation from
God.
Yet our Ever Loving, Risen Lord Jesus Christ comes to find us,
to rescue us from impending, permanent danger, just like
the Good Shepherd ceaselessly seeking His lost Sheep and,
finding them, He carries them back to the safety of the
Sheepfold – His Holy Church.
God’s limitless Love for us compels Him to seek us out of the
Spiritual Darkness and to raise us up with Him, and, no
matter how much we may drift away from Him - no matter
how much we wander off into Spiritual Darkness - He will
seek us out, waiting for us to turn to Him for help, and
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) T HE FEA ST O F ST
32
 WE MUST NOT DO TO OTHERS WHAT WE OURSELVES
HATE.
 Then we should KEEP OUR HEART FROM LUSTFUL
SWEETNESS AND FOUL HEATING OF THE FLESH.
 We should FIRMLY PRESERVE OUR MIND FROM
– A REAL THOUGHTS SO THAT OUR HEART MIGHT ALWAYS BE
KEPT IN HUMILITY OF WISDOM.
FROM THIS ALREADY IS BORN PRAYER, which CONQUERS
AND ANNIHILATES A MULTITUDE OF PASSIONS AND EVIL
SPIRITS, and DIVINE GRACE IS THUS INCREASED.
As FASTING AND THE PRAYER OF JESUS serves our
SPIRITUAL CLEANSING AND THE STRENGTHENING OF
SOBRIETY AND ATTENTIVENESS, so also Sobriety
comprises a WORTHINESS, a HOLINESS, and SUPPORT
OF PRAYER.
US A
In other words, SOBRIETY IS PURITY OF MIND, while
impurity of mind is dirty, wicked thoughts, and
impurity of heart is the fever and lustful sweetness.
❃ Our heart cannot REMAIN FIRMLY IN PURITY so as not
to be defiled, unless it is crushed BY FASTING.
 IT IS IMPOSSIBLE ALSO FOR US TO PRESERVE A STATE OF
HOLINESS WITHOUT FASTING, and
 OUR FLESH WILL NOT SUBMIT TO OUR SPIRIT FOR
SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY, and
 PRAYER ITSELF WILL NOT RISE UP AND ACT BECAUSE
OUR NATURAL NEEDS WILL PREDOMINATE US.
 And OUR FLESH WILL be compelled to BECOME
FEVERISH.
 From the fever of the flesh CORRUPTED THOUGHTS
ARISE AND OUR MIND IS DEFILED.
 From our corrupted thoughts OUR HEART IS AROUSED
AND DEFILED as well,
And through all this, DIVINE GRACE DEPARTS FROM US
and UNCLEAN SPIRITS DARE TO RULE OVER US as much
as they desire!
They force our flesh into passion, and they direct our
mind wherever they wish, or, having shackled it, they
hold it captive, MAKING US INCAPABLE OF SPIRITUAL
DESIRE OR ACTIVITY.
❃ THROUGH PRAYER AND FASTING, OUR ENEMIES
CANNOT CONQUER US, for they first of all make every
attempt to bring our mind into Spiritual Darkness
and Forgetfulness and then to throw us into the
sinful abyss.
But we shall ALWAYS KEEP TO FASTING AS TO A QUIET,
SAFE HARBOUR, sheltering from the mental nets of
the enemy, for FASTING PURIFIES OUR BODY AND
NOURISHES AND STRENGTHENS OUR PRAYER, making it
ascend like a flame of fire from our lips.
BEING JOINED TO FASTING, SOBER PRAYER SCORCHES OUR
ENEMIES since they cannot come near to our chaste
soul, which is like a hot furnace to them, and they
can do us no harm.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA” VOLUME 4: ST PAISIUS
VELICHKOVSKY
instantly, He will grasp our reaching hands and pull us into
the warm safety of His Loving Embrace.
From our deepest anxiety when confronted by Death, Christ
raises us up into His Glorious Light – into an unshakable
Hope in the Resurrection Life!
From our fear of the future or even our fears of the present, our
Gracious Lord raises us up to His undiminished Joy and
Peace!
From loneliness and separation, our Merciful Saviour raises us
up to Friendship with God – even more – to become
Partakers of His Divine Glory!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “DAILY VITAMINS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH” BY REVEREND
ANTHONY M CONIARIS
St Gregory Nazianzen
let us recognize that as in dress and diet and laughter and demeanour
there is a certain decorum, so there is also in speech and silence;
since among so many titles and Powers of God, we pay the highest
honour to The Word.
Let even our disputes then be kept within bounds. (FIRST THEOLOGICAL ORATION
NO. 5
P ARA SK EVE T HE VIRG IN MA RT YR O F RO ME – 26 JUL Y 2 010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER
WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

27 July 2010
Feast of St Panteleimon the Unmercenary Wonder-worker & Great Martyr
Also the Feast of St Nicholas Kochanove, Fool-for-Christ of Novgorod; St Anthoussa the
Righteous Confessor & Abbess, Founder of St Anna Monastery, Mantinea, Asia Minor &
her 90 Venerable Sisters of St Anna Monastery; the 853 Holy Martyrs of Thrace; St
Manuel the Righteous; St Clement of Ochrid, Bishop of Greater Macedonia & Equal to the
Apostles; St Angelar, St Gorazd, St Nahum and St Sava of Ochrid, faithful Disciples of
St Cyril & St Methodios
A POL YT IKION O F ST P AN TELEIM ON - TONE 4

Atholofore Agie ke iamatike Panteleimon, presveve to O Holy Champion and Healer, Panteleimon, intercede
eleimoni Theo, ina ptesmaton afesin, paraskhi tes psihes with our Merciful God, that He may grant to our souls,
imon. remission of our faults.
KO NT AKION O F THE T RA NSFIGU RA TION – 27 JUL Y U NTIL 13 AUGU ST

Epi tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou, Upon the Mount Thou were Transfigured, and Thy
tin Doxan Sou Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina otan se Disciples beheld Thy Glory, as far as they were able to
idosi Stavoumenon, to me Pathos noisosin ekousion to do, O Christ our God; so that when they would see Thee
de kosmo kirixosin oti Si Iparhis Alithos, tou Patros to Crucified, they would know that Thou Suffered
Apavgasma! willingly; and thus proclaim to all the world: Thou art
truly the One Who is the Father’s Radiance!
The 2nd Epistle of St Paul to St Timothy 2: 1- 10
THE FORGIVENESS & RESTORATION OF THE PENITENT SINNER

Timothy my son: be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among
many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
You, therefore, must endure hardship as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in Warfare entangles himself
with the affairs of this life, so that he may please Him Who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in
athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the Rules.
The hardworking farmer must be the first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the Seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, for which I suffer
trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained.
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the Elect, so that they also may obtain the Salvation that is in Christ Jesus
with Eternal Glory.
St Paul established A CLEAR CHAIN OF WITNESSES TO ORAL  NEVER BE OFFENDED WHEN ANYONE CORRECTS
TRADITION. OR CRITICISES YOU!
 Christian Tradition is FOR ALL BELIEVERS.  IMMEDIATELY ACCEPT IT WITH GRATITUDE AND
TURN YOUR ATTENTION INWARDS, SEEKING OUT
 Christian Tradition is Catholic – i.e. it is UNIVERSAL. AND ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR SINS AND ERRORS,
 Christian Tradition BELONGS TO THE ENTIRE CHRISTIAN HEALING AND CORRECTING THEM THROUGH
CHURCH PRAYERS OF MERCY AND FORGIVENESS.
 Christian Tradition MUST BE METICULOUSLY
❃ NOTHING MUST PREVENT US from making Spiritual
PRESERVED
Progress, WHILE INSPIRING, ASSISTING AND
 Christian TraditionMUST BE PASSED ON TO OTHERS
GUIDING OTHERS ALONG THE WAY.
UNHINDERED AND UNCHANGED IN ANY WAY AT ALL!
❃ GOD’S TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION.
❃ ONLY THROUGH OUR CONSTANT AND RELIABLE EFFORTS
THAT ARE ACHIEVED WITH UNFAILING HUMILITY AND
 IF ANYTHING IS CHANGED AT ALL, IT IS NO LONGER OBEDIENCE, WILL WE OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES
PERFECT!
AND SLY SCHEMES OF OUR ENEMIES who never rest
 Therefore, WE CANNOT CHANGE ANYTHING THAT GOD from their evil intentions.
HAS GIVEN US TO SUIT OURSELVES.
 TO DO SO REVEALS SPIRITUAL ARROGANCE AND A LACK ❃ PRAYERS, FASTING, COMMUNAL WORSHIP, REGULAR
OF TRUE FAITH. HOLY COMMUNION, REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, ETC
ARE THE ONLY MEANS WHEREBY WE WILL SUCCEED
❃ THROUGH OUR HUMBLE OBEDIENCE, COMPLETE FAITH
in this preparatory period of life on earth.
AND DEVOTION TO SERVING GOD, WE ARE GRANTED
DIVINE GRACE, WHICH ENABLES US TO DO
With these powerful Spiritual Weapons we will certainly
ACHIEVE “ALL THINGS.”
EXTRAORDINARY THINGS FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS.
St Paul encouraged St Timothy and us to MAINTAIN DIVINE We will receive TRUE ETERNAL TREASURE, WHICH IS OUR
SALVATION IN CHRIST JESUS.
GRACE THROUGH OUR CONTINUOUS CONCENTRATION
AND DEDICATION TO OUR SACRED DUTIES AND TO
NEVER WEAKEN OR WAVER FROM GOD’S TRUE PATH OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The Wisdom of St Anthony the Great
T h e t r u l y i n t e l l i g e n t so u l i s n o t d i st u r b e d w h e n sh e
❃ GOD’S TRUTH, which we have learnt either directly from s e e s t h e s u c c e s s o f t h e w i c k e d a n d t h e p r o sp e r i t y
God and/or through our Holy Fathers of the Church o f t h e w or t h l e s s .
– our Spiritual Fathers and Teachers – IN U n l i k e t h e st u p i d , sh e i s n ot d e l u d e d b y t h e
CONJUNCTION WITH our own efforts, MUST BE g r a t i f i c a t i on e n j oy e d b y s u c h p e op l e i n t h i s l i f e ,
SHARED AND PASSED ON CAREFULLY TO OTHERS so f or sh e u n d e r st a n d s c l e a r l y t h e i n c on st a n c y of
that we PRESERVE IT SPOTLESSLY, WITHOUT ANY f or t u n e , t h e u n c e r t a i n t y a n d b r e v i t y of l i f e , a n d
PERSONAL, ERRONEOUS INTERPRETATIONS OF OUR
t h e u n b r i b a b i l i t y of t h e j u d g e ; a n d sh e i s
OWN!
c o n f i d e n t t h a t G od w i l l n ot f a i l t o p r ov i d e h e r
❃ THE CONTINUOUS SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE OF OUR HOLY w i t h t h e N o u r i sh m e n t sh e n e e d s .
FATHERS KEEPS US GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
AND ENCOURAGES US TO REMAIN HUMBLE AND
OBEDIENT TO GOD ALONE!

(PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) THE FEAST OF ST PANTELEIMON THE UNMERCENARY WONDERWORKER – 27 JULY 2010
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 The Holy Gospel According to St John 15 : 17 – 16 : 2
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PREPARES HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES TO FACE THE FALLEN WORLD’S HATRED

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “These things I command you: that you Love one another.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet, because you are not of the world, for I chose you out of the
world, therefore the world hates you.
“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his Master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also
persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My
Name’s sake, because they do not know Him Who sent Me.
“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
“He who hates Me, hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the Works that no one else did, they would
have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. And this happened so that the word
might be fulfilled which is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
“And when the Helper comes, Whom I shall send to you FROM THE FATHER, the Spirit of Truth Who Proceeds from the
Father, He will testify of Me.
“And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
“These things I have spoken to you so that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the
Synagogues; yes! The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God Service...”
The term “world” is used in several distinct ways in Holy Hatred is the direct opposite to Love.
Scripture.  LOVE CAN ACCOMPLISH SO MANY GOOD THINGS WHILE
 In some cases, it refers to ALL THAT IS GLORIOUS, HATRED SENSELESSLY DESTROYS AND MERCILESSLY
BEAUTIFUL AND REDEEMABLE IN GOD’S DEVASTATES!
WONDERFUL, PERFECT CREATION. (John 3:16) For all these reasons, AS FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS, WE ARE
 At other times, it refers THAT WHICH IS FINITE – THIS FORBIDDEN TO HATE ANYONE.
EARTHLY EXISTENCE – in contrast to that which is We may hate what the words, deeds and attitudes of wicked
Eternal – Eternity. (John 11:9; 18:36) people, but WE CANNOT HATE PEOPLE (WHO ARE IMAGES OF GOD,
 In still other instances, as above, it indicates ALL THAT LIKE US) WHO NEED OUR DEVOUT PRAYERS to save their
IS IN REBELLION AGAINST GOD. (REFER ALSO JOHN 8:23) immortal souls from Eternal Condemnation.
THE REBELLION OF THE WORLD AGAINST GOD REVEALS
SEVERAL THINGS:
❃ Christ our God told us to LOVE OUR ENEMIES!
 WHILE UNION WITH CHRIST BRINGS LOVE, TRUTH AND ❃ God has never sanctioned hatred, killing or anything
PEACE, IT ALSO BRINGS PERSECUTION, BECAUSE destructive – which proves that ALMIGHTY GOD IS A
THE FALLEN WORLD HATES LOVE AND TRUTH. GOD OF LOVE!!
 THE WORLD HATED CHRIST SO THEREFORE IT HATES  OUR SAVIOUR ALWAYS REVEALS AND TEACHES HIS
ALL WHO TRY TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE. ABSOLUTE TRUTH TO US,
 THE WORLD HATES CHRIST BECAUSE IT NEITHER KNOWS  and in this instance, CHRIST TRIES TO PREPARE HIS
NOR DESIRES TO KNOW GOD THE FATHER. FAITHFUL DISCIPLES FOR THE PHYSICAL
 HATRED FOR JESUS CHRIST IS IRRATIONAL AND PERSECUTION AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE WE WILL
UNREASONABLE FOR CHRIST BRINGS US LOVE AND FACE UNTIL THE END OF TIME.
DIVINE MERCY – SO CHRIST AND HIS FAITHFUL
DISCIPLES ARE HATED WITHOUT A CAUSE OR
❃ IF THE WORLD CAN PERSECUTE AND EXECUTE THE MOST
INNOCENT OF ALL, IT WILL CERTAINLY DO SO TO
REASON
OTHERS WHO TRY TO LIVE A RIGHTEOUS AND GODLY
HATRED IS THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE VICE INVENTED BY SATAN BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS
COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE AND UNJUSTIFIED. LIFE.
OUR LORD NEVER PROMISED US AN EASY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE BECAUSE
With respect to GOD’S WORKING SALVATION in the world: HE KNOWS HOW DIFFICULT – TO A GREATER OR LESSER DEGREE - IT
❃ THE SON OF GOD SENDS US THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM THE WILL BE FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS, THROUGHOUT THE AGES.
FATHER. GOD’S INFINITE LOVE FOR MANKIND IS EVIDENT IN THE FACT THAT WE NOW
With respect to THE DIVINE NATURE: HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BOOST US, TO ENCOURAGE US AND TO
STRENGTHEN US WITH THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY
SUCCESSFULLY
❃ THE HOLY SPIRIT ETERNALLY PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE COMPLETE OUR EARTHLY JOURNEY TOWARDS ETERNITY.
FATHER ALONE! I OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BEING THE TRUE SON OF GOD, KNEW THAT MANY
❃ In other words: THE HOLY SPIRIT RECEIVES HIS WELL-
WELL-INTENTIONED AND FAITHFUL HEBREWS WOULD PERSECUTE THE
ETERNAL EXISTENCE ONLY FROM THE FATHER. CHRISTIANS IN THE BELIEF THAT THEY WERE ELIMINATING THOSE WHO
BLASPHEMED AGAINST GOD.
GOD.
In conformity with our Lord Jesus’ words, the Nicene- ST PAUL WAS THE GREATEST AND MOST ZEALOUS OF THESE PERSECUTORS
Constantinopolitan Creed confesses belief in “...the OF THE EARLY CHURCH OF CHRIST UNTIL HIS MIRACULOUS CONVERSION
Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, WHO BY CHRIST ALONG THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.
PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER.” ST PAUL, THE MOST SPECTACULAR CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY, BECAME THE
APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES, CONVERTING UNTOLD NUMBERS OF
❃ While THE SON OF GOD IS BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER PAGANS AND HEBREWS TO CHRIST BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
ALONE, THE HOLY SPIRIT PROCEEDS FROM THE TO THIS DAY, WE LEARN THE WISE SACRED LESSONS OF LIFE IN CHRIST
FATHER ALONE. THROUGH HIS MANY DIVINELY INSPIRED EPISTLES OR LETTERS TO THE
VARIOUS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE KNOWN WORLD
 THE SOURCE – THE FOUNTAINHEAD – OF BOTH PERSONS OF HIS TIME.
IS GOD THE FATHER.  THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS US WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE IN ADDITION
❃ THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT we have been given by TO THE DIVINE GIFTS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR OUR PERSONAL
STRUGGLE WHILE PREPARING OURSELVES FOR ETERNITY.
God is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER – UNCONDITIONALLY!
THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVATES OUR UNKNOWN, UNRECOGNISED ABILITIES -
 ONLY THROUGH A CONCERTED EFFORT AND CONSTANT CAUSING OUR WEAK HUMAN EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THE MOST
PRAYERS FOR GOD’S DIVINE ASSISTANCE CAN WE AMAZING THINGS, FOR WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO, IS ALWAYS
LEARN TO TRULY LOVE OTHERS. POSSIBLE WITH GOD!

The Wisdom of St Anthony the Great

✥ ANY CIRCUMSTANCE IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES
UNWILLINGLY IS A PRISON AND PUNISHMENT FOR
US.
So we must BE CONTENT with whatever circumstances we may
now be in, in case, being ungrateful, we punish ourselves
unwittingly.
This contentment can be achieved in only one way: THROUGH
OUR DETACHMENT FROM WORLDLY THINGS.
✥ Just as God has given us sight in order that we may recognise
visible things – what is white, and what is black – so,
too, HE HAS GRANTED US INTELLIGENCE IN ORDER
TO DISCERN WHAT BENEFITS OUR SOUL.
DESIRE, DETACHED FROM INTELLIGENCE, begets sensual
pleasure, and DOES NOT ALLOW OUR SOUL TO BE SAVED
OR TO ATTAIN UNION WITH GOD.
✥ WHAT TAKES PLACE ACCORDING TO NATURE IS NOT
SINFUL FOR SIN INVOLVES OUR DELIBERATE CHOICE.
 It is not a sin to eat, enabling our body to be kept alive, but
IT IS A SIN TO EAT WITHOUT GRATITUDE, AND IN A
DISORDERLY AND UNRESTRAINED MANNER, which
INDUCES EVIL THOUGHTS.
 It is not a sin to use our eyes with Purity, but IT IS A SIN TO
LOOK WITH ENVY, ARROGANCE AND INSATIABLE
DESIRE.
 IT IS A SIN TO LISTEN ANGRILY, but not to listen peacefully.
 IT IS A SIN TO USE OUR SPEECH FOR SPITEFULNESS, but it
is not a sin to express Thanksgiving and Prayer..
 IT IS A SIN TO USE OUR HANDS FOR MURDER AND
ROBBERY, instead of using them for acts of compassion,
nurturing and generosity.
Thus, EVERY PART OF OUR BODY SINS WHEN BY OUR OWN
FREE CHOICE, WE PERFORM EVIL ACTS CONTRARY TO
GOD’S WILL.

34 (PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) THE FEA ST O F ST PA NTELE IMON THE U NMER CE NA R Y WONDER WORKER – 2 7 JUL Y 20 10