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
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, 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.

4 March 2017
st
1 Saturday of Great Lent
The Miracle of St Theodore the Tyro (the Recruit) & the Kollyva
Also the Feast of St Gerasimos of the Jordan St Paul & St Juliana of Ptolemais, Phoenicia - St
Daniel & St Basil of Moscow - St Gregory, Bishop of Constantios, Cyprus - St James the Faster of Phoenicia, Syria - St
Wencelaus of Czech Lands, Translation of his Holy Relics St Gerasimos, Wonderworker of Vologda St Joasaph of
Snetogorsk & St Basil of Mirosh, Holy Hieromartyrs of the Pskov Monasteries St Basil of Rostov, Holy Prince St Daniel
of Moscow, Right Believing Prince St Vyacheslav (Leontiev) the Presbyter

HYMNS OF THE SMALL ENTRANCE

TRIODION APOLYTIKION ST THEODORE THE TYRO TONE 2
Megala ta tis Pisteos katorthomata! En ti pigi tis flogos, os Magnificent art Faiths accomplishments! The Holy
epi idatos anapafseos, O Agios Martis Theodoros Martyr Theodore greatly rejoiced as he stood in the
igalleto. Piri gar olokavtothis, os artos idis, ti Triadi fountain of fire as if beside the Still Waters. He was
prosinekte. Tes aftou ikesies Hriste O Theos, Soson tas consumed by fire and offered like sweet bread to the
psihas imon. Trinity. At his Entreaties, O Christ God, Save our souls.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
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
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 63/64 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Eufranthisete Dikeos en Kyrio ke elpii ep afton. The Righteous Man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall
Hope in Him.
Isakouson, O Theos, tis Fonis mou, en to deesthe me pros Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication.
Se.
ST PAULS SECOND EPISTLE TO ST TIMOTHY 2 : 1 10
TRANSMITTING THE FAITH, STRENGTHENING OTHERS, DISCIPLINE & SUFFERING
Timothy, my Son: be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what Thou hast heard from me before many
witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Share in suffering as a Good Soldier of Christ Jesus. No Enlisted Soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim
is to satisfy the One Who Enlisted him. An Athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the Rules. It is the
hardworking Farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
Contemplate what I say, for the Lord will grant Thee Understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ Risen from
the dead, descended from David, as preached in my Gospel the Gospel for which I am suffering and wearing
fetters like a criminal. But the Word of God is not fettered. Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the Elect,
that they also may obtain Salvation in Christ Jesus with Eternal Glory.
THE GIFT OF GOD IS THE DIVINE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, W E DO NOT QUENCH THE S PIRIT BUT ACT WITH P OWER AND
(CHARISMA) granted to St Timothy at his Holy Ordination C OURAGE THAT IS GRANTED TO US BY D IVINE G RACE
by the Laying on of Hands of St Paul. the Grace of God that enables us to achieve amazing
DIVINE GRACE FILLS UP OR COMPLETES WHATEVER IS LACKING Feats.
AND GRANTS AUTHENTICITY to the Holy Priesthood of Christ.
1 T H E S S A L O N I A N S 5 : 1 9 Do not quench the Spirit!
However, DIVINE GRACE IS NOT AUTOMATIC we must
M A T T H E W 1 0 : 3 3 ... whoever denies Me before men,
ceaselessly stir it up and rekindle it. him will I also deny before My Father Who is in
While any Christian may be persecuted, we REJECT FEELINGS Heaven.
OF FEAR OR TIMIDITY.
L U K E 9 : 2 6 ... whoever is ashamed of Me and My

J O H N 1 5 : 2 0 Remember the Word that I said to you: Words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed
A servant is not greater than his Master. If they when He comes in His own Glory, and in His
persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If Fathers, and of the Holy Angels.
they kept My Word, they will keep yours also. O UR S ALVATION AND C ALLING ARE BASED ON D IVINE

M A T T H E W 5 : 1 1 1 2 Blessed are you when they G RACE AND L OVE definitely not on anything we have
revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of done to merit Gods Divine Favour.
evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and
E P H E S I A N S 2 : 8 - 1 0 ... by Grace you have been Saved by
be exceedingly glad, for great is your Reward in Faith and that not of yourselves; it is the Gift of God
Heaven, for so they persecuted the Prophets who not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are
were before you. His Workmanship created in Christ Jesus for Good
Those who suffer persecution for Christ walk the Path of the Works, which God prepared beforehand that we should
Holy Prophets of God, Saints and Holy Martyrs. walk in them.
The Greek expression for be exceedingly glad means to We are not Saved by our Good Works. W E A R E S A V E D
leap exceedingly with Joy! FOR GOOD WORKS.

1ST SATURDAY OF GREAT LENT THE MIRACLE OF ST THEODORE THE T Y R O ( R E C R U I T ) & K O L L Y V A - 4 M A R C H 2 0 1 7 1.

IN OTHER WORDS: THOSE WHO ARE GENUINELY FAITHFUL TO GOD ARE EAGERLY Jesus Christ our Saviour.... [HOLY BAPTISM &
COMPELLED TO FULFIL ALL GOOD DEEDS OFFERED TO US BY GOD HIMSELF. CHRISMATION]
WE CANNOT PROFESS TO HAVE FAITH IF WE DO NOT ALSO FULFIL OUR SPIRITUAL [CHRIST] submitted (to Suffering) so that He might break the
OBLIGATIONS BY DOING WHATEVER GOD REQUIRES OF US WITH REGARD TO
ONE ANOTHER AS WELL AS HIS ENTIRE CREATION.
power of Death and demonstrate the Resurrection from
the dead thus it was necessary for Him to be
manifested [REVEALED] in the Flesh

T I T O S 3 : 5 6 ... not by Works of Righteousness,
Also [CHRIST] (submitted) so that He might fulfil the
which we have done, but according to His Mercy
Promise to the Fathers and while He was
He Saved us, through the Washing of
preparing the New People for Himself and while He
Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Spirit
was
Whom He poured out on us abundantly through
still on earth to prove that after He has brought about the Resurrection He will Judge. [St Barnabas 5: 6-7]

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 2 : 23 3 : 5

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TRANSCENDS THE SABBATH DAY & HEALS A WITHERED ARM
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ went through the grain fields on the Sabbath; and, as they went, His Disciples began
to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him: Look! Why do they - on the Sabbath - do what is
unlawful?
And He said to them: Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry? he and those who
were with him how he went into the House of God in the days of Abiathar the High Priest, and ate the
Showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the Priests and also gave some to those who were with him?
And He said to them: The Sabbath was made for mankind, not mankind for the Sabbath! Therefore, the Lord is the
Son of Man and also of the Sabbath.
And He entered the Synagogue again. And there was a man who had a withered hand. And they watched Him
closely if He would Heal him on the Sabbath - so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man with the
withered hand: Step forward. And He said to them: Is it Lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or evil ? to save
life or to kill?
They were silent. And when He had looked around at them - being grieved by the hardness of their hearts - He said to
the man: Stretch out your hand. And he stretched it out - and his hand was restored - as whole as the other.
According to St Lukes Holy Gospel Account, our Lord and Righteous Anger is a natural human emotion that is
His Faithful Disciples and Apostles had gone through experienced when confronted by sin or by wicked,
the grain fields on the Second Sabbath, which disobedient behaviour or disrespect for Divine Law,
meant that a Jewish Feast had immediately followed Divine Teachings or correct Worship and reverence
the normal Sabbath Day (i.e. Saturday), for such a for everything that is Sanctified, Holy and Divine.
Feast was also referred to as a Sabbath a day of While the passion of anger is certainly sinful and should
rest from manual labours, that would have been be avoided or corrected at all costs, there is also
dedicated to the worship of our Almighty God. Righteous Anger that is God-given and proper to
According to St Ambrose, the term Second Sabbath humanity:
serves as an image of the New Covenant, and our
P S A L M 4 : 5 : ... be angry, and do not sin...
Eternal Resurrection: the first Sabbath indicated the Our Lord Jesus Christs anger in this account was in
Old Covenant Mosaic Law, while the second Sabbath response to those who profess their Love of and Faith
indicates the Holy Gospel that followed It. in God, yet they have no Mercy, Compassion,
Under our New Covenant with Almighty God, that food, Kindness, or Love for others!
which was ... unlawful ... or forbidden for Gods Our Lord God is ...grieved by the hardness of (our)
People to eat except the Priests according to the heart... when we have no Mercy or Love for others
Old Covenant Laws, is now freely granted to all who are suffering.
Faithful Disciples of Christ by our Lord Jesus Christ We cannot expect the wondrous Blessings of God to be
Who is the Lord of the Sabbath. granted to us when we are unkind, merciless and
St David, the Psalmist, King and Holy Prophet of God, inconsiderate to our fellow sinners especially those
prefigured this change of Divine Law when he gave who suffer greatly from the innumerable afflictions of
the Showbread to his companions who needed our human condition physical and spiritual poverty
physical nourishment at that time. and sickness.
According to certain man-made traditions, which the self- Our natural reaction to anything good that happens to
righteous Scribes and Pharisees had built up around others should be rejoicing and giving Glory to God for
the Divine Law, even Merciful or Miraculous Healing His Great Mercy and Love i.e. Thanksgiving for all
was considered as physical labour, and thus His Abundant Blessings and Goodness.
forbidden on the Sabbath. Similarly, we should mourn together with all mankind in
Those sanctimonious people believed that they were their sorrow, loss or suffering as we would for those
serving the Will of God by zealously observing their closest and most beloved to us.
peripheral traditions! However, far too often, we resent His Blessings and Mercy
However, as our Lord Jesus Christ Himself clearly and upon those people whom we - unjustly and selfishly -
continuously pointed out, such rigid legalism made consider to be unworthy while we, ourselves, are far
the self-righteous Scribes and Pharisees insensitive from being worthy or deserving of anything except
and Spiritually Blind to our Compassionate Lord Gods condemnation for our wicked thoughts, words and
Great Mercy! deeds!!
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ASCETICISM
The practise of Self-denial in the Power of the Holy Spirit is Christianity inherited from Judaism a strong affirmation of
in order to bring everything human body and soul or the Goodness of the physical realm, locating evil not
mind and spirit - back into Communion with the Lord in Gods Creation but in the alienation of mankind
our God. from God a primal rebellion that misdirected our
Orthodox Christianity affirms the inherent Goodness of all attention off our Loving Creator, and locking us into
Creation, for God surveyed His Creation and declared it fatal, disordered and corrupting passions.
Good. However, every disordered passion emotional, mental,
Orthodox Christianity has always fought against all forms psychic or physical is a human distortion of
of false spiritualism that seeks to either deny the something that was created Good by God.
Goodness of Gods Creation or to marginalise earthly Evil arises from the heart not from the natural Creation.
realities as mere shadows of a truly real Heavenly Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to examine our inner being,
Realm that is perceptible to Enlightened intellects. seeking the evil that must be uprooted, confronted and
We do not Fast, nor do we practise chastity abstinence eradicated - ...those things that proceed out of the
from food or physical pleasures because they are bad mouth come from the heart, and defile (us). For out of
or sinful.Far from it! For these should always Glorify the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
God according to their proper use and their proper fornications, theft, false witness, blasphemies. These
purpose. defile (us) ... [MATTHEW 15:18-20]
2. 1 S T S A T U R D A Y OF GREAT LENT THE MIRACLE OF ST THEODORE THE TYRO (RECRUIT) & KOLLYVA - 4 MARCH 2017
 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
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, 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.

Tone 4 5 March 2017

th
5 Sunday of Triodion The Triumph of Orthodoxy
Also the Feast of St Conon of Isauria St Theodore, St David & St Constantine of Smolensk &
Yaroslavl (Finding of Holy Relics) St Adrian of Poshekhonye, Yaraslavl St Onesimos of
Isauria St Conon the Gardener of Pamphylia St Irais of Antinoes, Egypt St Evlogios & St
Evlampios of Palestine St Mark the Ascetic of Egypt St Hesychios the Faster, of Bithynia St
John the New Martyr of Bulgaria

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 4 LUKE 24: 1 12

THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 4

To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from
Mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon. had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather,
Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos. more! Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great
Mercy.
TRIODION APOLYTIKION ORTHODOXY SUNDAY TONE 2
Tin ahranton Ikona Sou proskinoumen Agathe, etoumeni We venerate Thy Most Pure Image, O Good One, and ask
sighorisin ton ptesmaton imon, Hriste O Theos. Voulisi Forgiveness of our transgression, O Christ God. Of Thy
gar iidokisas Sarki, anelthin en to Stavro, ina risi ous own Will Thou were pleased to ascend the Cross in the
eplasas ek tis doulias tou ehthrou. Othen efharistos Flesh to Deliver Thy creatures from bondage to the
voomen Si. Haras eplirosas ta panta O Sotir imon, enemy. Therefore, with Thanksgiving, we cry aloud to
paragenomenos is to Sose ton kosmon. Thee: Thou has filled all with Joy, O our Saviour, by
coming to Save the world!
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Ti Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon To Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been
Efharistiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os Delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the Victory
ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me Festival as a Thanksgiving Offering. In Thine
kindinon eleftheroson, ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi Irresistible Might, keep me Free from all Trials, so that I
Animfevte! may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded Bride!
PROKEIMENON THE PRAYER OF AZARIAH TONE 4
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers, for Thou art Praiseworthy and Exalted beyond measure unto the ages.
For Thou art Righteous in all Thou did for us, all Thou brought on us and on Jerusalem, the Holy City of our Fathers.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 11:24-26 & 32 40
FAITH FROM ST MOSES TO ST JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN
Brethren: by Faith Moses when he became of age refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, choosing
rather to suffer affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the Reproach
of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the Reward...
...And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of
David and Samuel and the Prophets who, through Faith subdued Kingdoms, worked Righteousness, obtained
Promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received
their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, so that they might obtain a better
Resurrection. Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, slain with the sword. They wandered about in
sheepskins and goatskins being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy.
They wandered about in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the Earth. And all these people having
obtained a Good Testimony through Faith did not receive the Promise God having provided something better for
us, so that they should not be made Perfect apart from us.
These verses are self-explanatory. NOR DID THEIR OWN THING like all egocentric pagans or
St Paul reminds us how THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS HAD THE non-believers do.
MOST AMAZING, UNSHAKABLE FAITH IN GOD, no matter what All too often, IN THE MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT WE ARE SO CLEVER, WE
they were forced to suffer and endure. NEED PROOF BEFORE WE ACCEPT ANYTHING AS BEING TRUE.
We are so greatly Blessed to live in this day and age However, DIVINE TRUTH THE PERFECT AND ABSOLUTE TRUTH
when so much human history and Divinely Inspired OF GOD CANNOT BE PUT IN A TEST TUBE, DISSECTED NOR
Writings, personal witnessing, etc is available to those EXAMINED UNDER A MICROSCOPE!
who seek Divine Truth. TRUE FAITH comes from deep within our soul for it IS A
Yet OUR FAITH IS POSSIBLY MUCH WEAKER than all those who NATURAL RECOGNITION OF AND RESPONSE TO DIVINE TRUTH
went before us because although they only had their AND LOVE
deep seated Love of God and Steadfast Faith in Him In other words: IT IS NATURAL FOR US TO YEARN FOR GOD
to encourage and to Guide them, THEY NEVER DOUBTED AND HIS GOODNESS.

5TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 1ST OF LENT SUNDAY OF THE TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY 5 MARCH 2017 3
 Despite or perhaps because of the tremendous deep ONLY ONCE DID THE DEPARTED SOULS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
seated and sincere Faith of THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS, TO REPENT THEIR SINS AND FOLLOW CHRIST INTO HIS PARADISE
they DID NOT ...RECEIVE THE PROMISE... OF EITHER RESTING to await the Final Judgement and Eternal Life or
OR REPOSING IN PEACE IN PARADISE UNTIL THE GENERAL Condemnation and Eternal Death in exile from God
RESURRECTION AND OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT UNTIL AFTER and all His Joyful Goodness.
CHRISTS DEATH ON THE CROSS the final and ultimate Since the Glorious Resurrection of Christ, WE NOW ONLY HAVE
Great Blood Sacrifice for our sins and for our Eternal THIS LIFETIME IN WHICH TO DEVELOP A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
Salvation His Harrowing of Hades and His Glorious WITH GOD AND TO IMPROVE OUR SPIRITUAL STATE.
Resurrection. As soon as we begin the Transition from this life through
THE GOOD AND THE BAD WERE IMPRISONED BY DEATH IN HADES death towards Eternity, we no longer have the
UNTIL CHRIST BROKE OPEN THE GATES AND ALLOWED THE opportunity to Repent our sins and to improve
JUSTIFIED IMMORTAL SOULS TO REST IN PEACE IN HIS RE- ourselves and our Relationship with God and with one
OPENED PARADISE, whence He had already sent the soul another.
of the Repentant Thief, St Dismas. WHATEVER SPIRITUAL STATE WE DEPART THIS LIFE WHETHER IN
After the beheading of St John the Baptist the final A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST OR SPIRITUAL DEATH IN
and greatest Holy Prophet of God the DEPARTED SOULS SIN AND ALIENATION FROM GOD, SO TOO WILL OUR IMMORTAL
HEARD THE PREACHING OF THE FORERUNNER, who SOULS EXIST FOR ALL ETERNITY.
announced and prepared them for the Coming of the
One True Messiah.
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 1 : 44 52
THE CALLING OF OUR LORDS TWELVE HOLY APOSTLES
At that time, Jesus went to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him: Follow Me.
Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him: We have found Him
of Whom Moses in the Law, and also the Prophets, wrote Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael
said to him: Can anything Good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him: Come and see!
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him: Behold! An Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!
Nathanael said to Him: How dost Thou know me? And Jesus answered: Before Philip called thee when thou
were under the fig tree I saw thee.
Nathanael said to Him: Rabbi: Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of Israel!Jesus said to him: Because I said
to you I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater Things than these!
And He said to him: Truly, truly, I say to you: hereafter you shall see Heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending
and descending upon the Son of Man.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS FIRST DISCIPLES HAD BEEN FOLLOWERS CHRISTS FOREKNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO SEE INTO HIS HEART
OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST. STIRRED ST NATHANAEL TO THIS SINCERE CONFESSION OF
They were St Andrew, Simon - who is known to us as St FAITH.
Peter (or Cephas) - St Philip and St Nathanael or St THE TITLE SON OF MAN, (God Incarnate) IS THE HIGHLY
Bartholomew and St John (THE DIVINE, THE THEOLOGIAN, HONOURABLE TITLE OF THE LONG- AWAITED MESSIAH that had
THE EVANGELIST AND THE GOD-INSPIRED AUTHOR OF THIS HOLY a level of Mystery in its meaning, INDICATING SOMEONE
GOSPEL.) OF HEAVENLY ORIGIN WHO WOULD USHER IN THE ETERNAL
When Christ referred to St Nathanael/Bartholomew as KINGDOM OF GOD. (REFER DANIEL 7: 13 14)
having no deceit, it revealed that HE COULD SEE DEEP In Old Testament imagery, St Jacob dreamt of A LADDER
WITHIN HIS SOUL TO A PURE HEART I.E. CHRIST KNEW HIM TO CONNECTING EARTH TO HEAVEN, upon which the Angels of
BE A PERSON WHO WAS ALWAYS STRAIGHTFORWARD AND HONEST God were ascending and descending. (GENESIS 28: 12
WITH OTHERS. 15)
Whatever happened under the fig tree, is not stated by OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THAT DIVINE LADDER Who Unites us
St John but St John Chrysostom believed that this was on Earth to Heaven, and thus is really THE SON OF
the meeting place of St Philip and St Nathanael and MANKIND.
that OUR LORD JESUS WAS PRAISING ST NATHANAEL FOR BEING
SO DILIGENT AND CAREFUL IN THEIR SEARCH FOR THE TRUE
MESSIAH.
5TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT THE TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy among you, not sparing the Flock. Also FROM AMONG
YOURSELVES MEN WILL RISE UP, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, TO
Spirit...
DRAW AWAY THE DISCIPLES after themselves. (ACTS 20:29-
On the first Sunday of Lent, our Holy Church celebrates
30).
the Triumph of Orthodoxy THE TRIUMPH OF TRUE FAITH -
Many such false teachers and schismatics existed in the
THAT TRAMPLES DOWN HERESIES AND WHICH IS FIRMLY
first centuries of Christianity.
ESTABLISHED UPON GODS DIVINE TRUTH.
Some heresies troubled the Church for centuries, such as
For this reason today is referred to as SUNDAY OF
the heresies of Arius, Macedonios, Eutyches, Dioscoros,
ORTHODOXY.
Nestorios, as well as the worst heresy of Iconoclasm.
Heresies have arisen since the very beginning of
These heresies caused much disturbance and serious
Christianity.
affliction in the Holy Church of Christ.
Consequently, the Holy Apostles of Christ continuously
Innumerable Holy Confessors and Martyrs shed their
had to warn their contemporaries against falling into
blood and gave their life in defence of our True
the dreadful sin of heresy or blasphemy.
Christian Faith in the terrible battle against false
Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Apostles, and their
teachers, blasphemers and heretics.
Faithful Descendents, have always cautioned us
Many great Prelates suffered extreme persecution, and
against the dangers of false teachings and self-
were often exiled.
proclaimed prophets who lead the innocent and
For example, a Council chaired by the heretical
ignorant astray.
Dioscoros, was justly referred to as the Robber Synod

The Holy Apostle, St Peter, wrote in his Second
by St Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who was
Universal Epistle: ...there were also FALSE PROPHETS
immediately seized and ...beaten so savagely that
among the people, even as there will be fAlse
he died three days later.
TEACHERS among you, WHO WILL SECRETLY BRING IN
The worst of the destructive heresies, was that of
DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, EVEN DENYING THE LORD Who
Iconoclasm, which began its ever increasing terror
bought them, and bring on themselves swift
and havoc during the reign of Emperor Leo the
destruction. And MANY WILL FOLLOW THEIR
Isaurian, who was enthroned in 717, with the forceful
DESTRUCTIVE WAYS, because of whom THE WAY OF
assistance of the army, which had within its ranks
TRUTH WILL BE BLASPHEMED.(2 PETER 2:1-2)
many opponents of those who venerate Holy Icons
St Paul, returning to Palestine from Greece, stopped at
In order to satisfy those heretics, Emperor Leo the Isaurian
Ephesos in order to caution the Christian Community:
began a harsh persecution against Iconophiles,
... after my departure, savage Wolves will come in

4. 5TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 1ST OF LENT SUNDAY OF THE TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY 5 MARCH 2017
 which his successor, Emperor Constantine
Copronymos, continued to enforce.
(The name Copronymos, which means dung-named is
derived from the word corpos dung or faeces
because he had defecated in his Baptismal Font!)
Unfortunately, these two wicked Emperors were in power
for far too many years, and brought great affliction
and even bloodshed upon the Holy Church of Christ.
Tragically, they were succeeded by other Iconoclast
Emperors, who continued the evil destruction and
catastrophe - thereby tormenting our Church for far
too long!
Indescribable suffering and carnage was endured by the
Faithful Orthodox Christians throughout those very
dark years of Iconoclasm.
Especially targeted were the God-Loving Monastics - and
their Monasteries - who were at the frontline of the
battle against the Iconoclasts, their blasphemies and
their heresies.
The Iconoclast Emperors closed many Monasteries and
destroyed as many Holy Icons as they could, turning
our beautiful churches into empty shells.
Monks, Abbots, Ascetics, Hermits, Holy Fathers, Priests,
Bishops, Patriarchs and many other Faithful Orthodox
Christians were savagely beaten, tortured and
slaughtered.
Their eyes were gouged out, their noses were cut off, they
were beaten bloody - often with the Holy Icons they
fought so hard to defend and to protect. The fingers
and hands of Iconographers Hagiographers were
smashed and burnt!
Other unspeakable tortures were inflicted upon the
Faithful of God by the embittered, merciless and
brutal Iconoclasts all these appalling atrocities
against God and His Faithful were committed without
reason or cause!
The persecution only stopped when Empress Irene
ascended the throne of the Byzantine Empire, but this
was not yet the end, once and for all time, of the
Iconoclastic heresy throughout the world.
In 787, Empress Irene convened the Seventh Ecumenical
Council, which set down Orthodox Teaching
concerning the correct Veneration (not worship!) of
Holy Icons.
Despite the ratification of the Seventh Ecumenical
Council, there still remained certain Iconoclast
Emperors such as Emperor Michael and others.
The Iconoclast heresy was finally declared Anathema
and forbidden by the God-fearing august Empress, St
Theodora, when a local Council was convened in
Constantinople in 842, which upheld the Orthodox
Teaching concerning the rightful Veneration of Holy
Icons.
Furthermore, the Council pronounced an Anathema on
all those who dared to say or teach that the
Veneration of Holy Icons is idolatrous and that faithful
Orthodox Christians who revered them, are idolaters.
To this day, various heretical sects still proclaim and
teach the Iconoclast heresy!
They regard our Inspired Holy Icons as idols, and those
who venerate them, as idolaters.
(Yet without a doubt they have many photographs and portraits of
their loved ones who are alive or who have reposed! Christ left
on His Facecloth the very first Holy Icon the Holy Mandylion
Not Made By Hands - so that we can still behold His Most
Beloved Face, from which our Holy Icons of our Lord and Saviour
are copied to this very day!)
During the Divine Liturgy two self-righteous Protestants
walked into one of our churches, and loudly
declared that we Orthodox Christians are pagan idol-
worshippers for our icons are idols!
What nonsense! How dare they enter the Holy Temple of
God, and disrupt our Divine Liturgy with such
heretical words dripping with venom, calling us
pagans and our Holy Icons idols?
However, this only reveals their ignorance of Christs
Divine Truth and Teachings, and that they
misunderstand or misinterpret the Second
Commandment of Mosaic Law: Thou shalt not make
for thyself an idol or any likeness of anything that is in
Heaven Above, or that which is on Earth, beneath, or
5TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 1ST OF LENT SUNDAY OF THE
that which is in the water under the Earth; (EXODUS
20:4)
The meaning of this Divine Commandment is absolutely
clear and concise, for it prohibits making any type of
idol for us to worship, instead of worshipping only our
One, Living, Eternal, Unique and True God.
Ancient pagan Nations, such as the Assyrians, the
Babylonians, the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans
and many others, who did not know our Eternal,
Almighty Lord God, carved, moulded and sculptured
their own three-dimensional concepts of gods to
worship and offer sacrifices, (encouraged by greedy
self-appointed pagan priests) which is nothing but
Spiritually Unbeneficial idolatry!
However, the Orthodox i.e. true and correct -
veneration of Holy Icons is nothing like idolatry!
Man-made idols represented something that does not
exist in reality merely being the product of the
sculptors imagination, whereas our Holy Icons depict
real people who continue to exist in Eternity who are
able to Intercede with God on our behalf for our
Spiritual Benefit and Eternal Life.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, Whom we Glorify and Whom we
worship as the Incarnate, Eternal Word and Son of
God the Father the Second Person of the Holy Trinity
actually lived in our midst, teaching, guiding and
Enlightening us directly.
We venerate His Holy Icons, but WE WORSHIP THE HOLY
TRINITY GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY
SPIRIT.
His All Pure and Holy Mother, the Ever Blessed, Virgin
Mary, whose was first Holy Icon was written by the
hand of St Luke, the Holy Apostle, Physician and
Evangelist, also lived amongst us.
That first Holy Portrait of our Ever Blessed Lady, was
accepted by the Theotokos herself, who knew more
about God and His Divine Will than anyone else,
saying that Grace would always be that Inspired Icon
and it is beyond comprehension or number how
many Divine Miracles have occurred by means of Her
Holy Icons, throughout time and throughout the world!
All the other Holy Icons depicting the Saints and Holy
Martyrs - ordinary human beings who lived on Earth
with Humility and utter Obedience to the Will of God
the Father, through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ -
by the Power and Energy of the Holy Spirit - are our
worthy Role Models as True and Faithful Disciples of
Christ, who deserve to be commemorated forever with
Love, honour and reverence.
These Holy Icons are their portraits, whereby we
remember them, (just like photographs of those whom
we Love!) and in no way are pagan idols!
Only the impious and unenlightened consider our Holy
Icons to be idol, and us to be idolaters!
The ungodly Iconoclasts should be silent and ashamed,
as the Ecumenical Council has pronounced
Anathema upon them!
We should know this, and remember this always, and not
keep company with heretics and blasphemers!
We must not abandon the Holy Church of Christ, nor
shred the Robe of Christ (the Robe of Regeneration, Renewal
and Rebirth, which we put on at our Baptism, when we put on
Christ!)
We must always remember that our Lord Jesus Christ, in
His heartfelt Prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane -
the Hierarchical Prayer - begged His Heavenly
Father:: ...That they all may be One, as Thou, O
Father, art in Me, and I in Thee; that they also may
be One in Us, that the world may believe that Thou
sent Me... (JOHN 17: 21)
Our Lord God wants Unity of His Holy Church.
The dissenters, the schismatics, who find fault with the
Teaching of His Holy Church, are removed from Her,
for they erroneously believe they will find Salvation in
their heretical organizations.
St Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, believed those who dare
to shred the Salvific Garment of Christ, by
abandoning and rejecting His Holy Church, thereby
excommunicating themselves, will not be Cleansed of
their sins even if they are martyred and shed their
blood, because the most grievous sin of dividing the
Holy Church of Christ the Holy Body of Christ! -
TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY 5 M A R C H 2 0 1 7 5.
 cannot be Cleansed nor Absolved even by the
shedding of their blood!
St Ignatios the great and Holy God-bearer severely
cautioned us that anyone who causes schism in the
Holy Church of Christ will not inherit the Kingdom of
God. (They cannot be Co-Heirs with Christ Whom they have
rejected and abandoned!!)
All heretics are preachers of schism!

Now I urge you, Brethren, to note those who cause
divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine
that you learnt, and avoid them! (ROMANS 16:17)

If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than
what you have received, let him be accursed
(GALATIANS 1:9)
We must be careful to avoid the influence of heretics - all
those who do not preach what our Lord Jesus Christ,
His Holy Apostles and His Holy Orthodox Church has
taught us since the beginning, which has granted us
Spiritual Re-Birth and, thereby, Eternal Salvation as
Co-Heirs with Christ our Lord and Saviour.
We must never forget the exhortation of our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who told His Apostles, who subsequently taught
us:

He who hears you hears Me; he who rejects you
rejects Me;, and he who rejects Me rejects Him
Who sent Me. (LUKE 10:16)
These Divine Words of our Lord Jesus Christ are
awesome indeed!
We must remember them always!
We must also not forget today Sunday of Orthodoxy the
Great and Holy Triumph of our Orthodox Faith!
ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY
Can anything good come out of Nazareth? St
Nathanael had asked St Philip, who replied: Come
and see.
Although Nazareth was a relatively unknown,
insignificant town, it was the childhood home of our
Lord Jesus Christ the long-awaited Messiah!
If we see that same insignificant Nazareth within us
meaning the chaos of spiritual insignificance within
us - we would become extremely discouraged and
despondent, thinking that nothing good can come
from us!
Can anything good... come out of us? Clearly not!
However, as soon as we sense our personal
insignificance, our Lord Jesus Christ enters our heart
and soul, similar to how He had entered and
sojourned for most of His earthly Life in Nazareth.
Orthodoxy is Christ!
Orthodoxy means that God became Man, in order to
make gods of mankind, which can only occur from
within His Holy Church.
We are all urgently invited to Come and see!
Our Lord Jesus Christ welcomes us to His Holy Church, so
that we may learn to Live in Christ just as all His Holy
Saints and Martyrs have done!
Only then will we be able to understand what
Orthodoxy truly is, and what an Orthodox Life in
Christ means to understand exactly Who and what
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS
THE PHILOKALIA FATHER EVAGRIOS
Of the demons opposing us in the practise of the Ascetic
Life, there are three groups who fight against us in the
front line of our Spiritual Warfare those entrusted
with the appetites of Gluttony, those who suggest
avaricious thoughts, and those who incite us to seek
ST ISAAC
We must always think of our soul as knowing nothing at all so that we may be preserved from the reprehensible things
that the supposition that we are capable of directing others stirs within us!
We must always consider ourselves as need instruction so that we may be found to be wise throughout our life.
THE WISDOM OF OUR
One of our Holy Elders was asked to explain the
meaning of Humility, and the Wise Old Man
replied: Humility is doing good to those who do
evil to you.
The Brother said: Supposing we cannot go that far.
What should we do?
And the Holy Elder answered: Stay away from them,
and keep your mouth shut.
When St Anthony the Great thought about the depth of
the Judgements of God, he asked: Lord, how is it
6. 5TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 1ST OF LENT SUNDAY
This is the True Faith that was set down and ratified by
the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which thereby
established Holy Orthodoxy and trampled down all
heresies and schisms.
Over a thousand years have passed since the time of the
Seventh Ecumenical Council and no further
Ecumenical Councils have been convened since then
due to political reasons that make it impossible to
convene another worthy Ecumenical Council.
Nevertheless, those Seven Ecumenical Councils resolved
the problems caused by heresy, and firmly
established our Orthodox Faith.
Although heresies and schisms continue unabated
throughout time especially in these Spiritually Dark
days - they are merely repetitions of the ancient
deceptions, which were anathematized by the
Seventh Ecumenical Council.
Therefore, the decisions of the seven Ecumenical Councils
are enough for us, especially those of the Seventh
Ecumenical Council.
Consequently, the Triumph of Orthodoxy, which was
expressed and fixed by the Seventh Ecumenical
Council is celebrated today the First Sunday of Great
Lent.
A Doxology should be chanted in Thanksgiving to God for
securing our Orthodox faith.
Amen
SERMON OF ST LUKE, ARCHBISHOP OF CRIMEA
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/69039.HTM
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ is - what He
brought and granted to us!
We will understand how and what all who believed in
Christ lived - from His Holy Apostles until today.
The world is heading towards destruction.
But Christ our God became Man, and has revealed
Himself and His Divine Truth through His Holy Church
to us continually, in order to Save all mankind, who
are truly in need of Orthodoxy more than anything
else!
Orthodox Christians innocently, humbly, and sincerely
bow the knee before the Lord our God within His Holy
Church, living according to His Divine Truth and
Teachings.
As Faithful Disciples of Christ, we are able to meet and
communicate with our Lord, Who continues to
Enlighten, to Guide and to Save us.
And when we experience the overwhelming Love of His
Divine Presence, and He speaks to our soul, we will
spontaneously Confess with all our heart and soul:
Thou art my Lord and my God! Thou art everything
to me! Thou art what I have been seeking for my
whole life!
Amen
ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOXPATH.ORG
the esteem of mankind. All the other demons follow
behind, and in their turn, they attack those of us who
are already wounded by the first three groups of
demons.
OF SYRIA
DESERT FATHERS
that some die when they are young, while others
drag on to extreme old age? Why are there those
who are poor, and those who are rich? Why do
wicked men prosper, and why are the Just in
need?
He heard a Voice answer: Anthony, keep your attention
on yourself! These things are according to the
Judgement of God, and it is not to your
advantage to know anything about them!
OF THE TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY 5 MARCH 2017
 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 unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, 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.

9 March 2017
The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste:
St Akakios, St Aetios, St Aglaios, St Alexander, St Angos, St Athanasios, St Candidos, St
Chudion, St Claudios, St Cyril, St Kyrion, St Dometian, St Domnos, St Eunokios, St Elias, St
Ekdikios, St Eutyches, St Eutychios, St Flavios, St Gaios, St Gorgonios, St Helianos, St
Herachos, St Hesychios, St John, St Lysimachos, St Meliton, St Nicholas, St Philoctemon, St
Priscos, St Sacerdon, St Severian, St Sisinios, St Smaragdos, St Theodoulos, St Theophilos, St
Valens, St Valerios, St Vivianos, and St Xanthias.
Also the Feast of St Urpasianos of Nicomedia St Caesarios, (brother of St Gregory the
Theologian) St Tarasios of Liconium
FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF THE 40 HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTIA
Tas algidonas ton Agion, as iper Sou epathon, disopithiti Be Entreated, O Lord, by the Sufferings endured for Thee
Kyrie, ke pasas imon tas odinas, iase Filanthrope, by Thy Saints, and we pray Thee: heal all our pain.
deometha.
THEOTOKION
Tou Gavriil fthegxamenou Si Parthene to Here, Sin ti Foni When Gabriel uttered Hail to Thee, O Virgin, then with
esarkouto O ton olon Despotis, en Si ti Agia kivoto, os efi the Voice the Lord of all became Incarnate in Thee
O Dikeos David, edihihis Platitera ton Ouranon, Whom the Holy Ark of old prefigured, as Righteous
vastasasa ton Ktistin Sou. Doxa to enikisanti en Si! David said. Thou carried Thy Creator and proved to be
Doxa to proelthonti ek Sou! Doxa to eleftherosanti more spacious than the Heavens. Glory to Him Who
imas dia tou Tokou Sou! dwelt inside Thee! Glory to Him Who came forth
from Thee! Glory to Him Who through Thy
Childbirth has set us free!
FESTAL KONTAKION THE 40 HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTIA - TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Pasan Stratian tou kosmou katalipontes to en Ouranis O Forty Champions of the Lord: You abandoned the
Despoti prosekollithite, Athloforie Kyriou Tessarakonta; armies of the world and attached yourselves to the
dia piros gar ke idatos, dielthondes makarii, epaxios Master in Heaven. Having gone through fire and
ekomisasthe, Doxan ek ton Ouranon, ke Stefanon plithin,. water, O Blessed Ones, You worthily won Glory from
Heaven and a multitude of Crowns.
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL LUKE 21 : 12 19
DIFFICULTIES CONFRONTED BY FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... before all these things, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you,
Delivering you up to the Synagogues and prisons. You will be taken before Kings and rulers for My Names
sake, but it will turn out for you as an opportunity for Testimony. Therefore, settle it in your heart not to meditate
beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and Wisdom that all your adversaries will not
be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and
they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My Names sake. But not a hair of your head
shall be lost.
By your Patience possess your soul!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 11 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us and preserve us.
Save me, O Lord, for the Godly man ceases.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 12: 1 10
PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO GODS C HASTENING AS WELL ARE HIS DIVINE PROMISES
Brethren: since we are surrounded by so great a Cloud of Witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so
easily ensnares us, and let us run with Endurance the Race that is set before us, looking to Jesus Christ, the Author
and Finisher of our Faith, Who for the Joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right Hand of the Throne of God.
For consider Him Who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in
your soul. You have not yet resisted bloodshed striving against sin. And you have forgotten the Exhortation that
speaks to you as to sons: My son: do not despise the Chastening of the Lord. Do not be discouraged when you are
rebuked by Him; for whomever the Lord Loves, He Chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.
If you endure Chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a Father does not chasten? But
if you are without Chastening, of which al have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we respected them. Shall we not much more readily
be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and Live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to
them, but He Chastens us for our Profit so that we may be Partakers of His Holiness.
The Cloud of Witnesses includes the Old and New We must focus our attention on Christ our Lord by doing
Covenant Saints who are our Role Models whom we everything He has taught and Commanded us to do -
should strive to imitate. so that we eventually reach our ultimate Destination
We persevere by ceaselessly Repenting the sins that His Heavenly Kingdom.
weigh us down and which keep us from hearing and We were created to be worthy Citizens and Co-Heirs of
fulfilling our Lords Divine Truth. the Eternal, Heavenly Kingdom of Love, but we now

THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE 9 MARCH 2017 7.

 have to make the right choices and faithfully follow Therefore, as Faithful Disciples of Christ, we, too, by
the Path of Righteousness, which Christ has revealed imitating our Lord in all things, should also imitate His
to us. determination and steadfast perseverance,
We must ...run with Endurance the Race that is set before according to the Divine Will of our Heavenly Father.
us... which means that this entire, short life-span is to Unpleasant circumstances that tempt us to complain,
prepare ourselves for Eternity. may sometimes be the way our Lord chastises us in
Since the Fall of Adam, we have to struggle and strive to order to correct us or prevent us from straying too far
regain our lost Divine Likeness to become like our off the Path of Righteousness.
Lord Jesus Christ the Eternal, Incarnate Word and Furthermore, if the loving discipline of our biological and
Son of God in Whose Image and Likeness we were Spiritual Fathers teaches us respect for ourselves and
created for only thereby can we become Co-Heirs for others, how much more deserving of respect id the
with Him of our Heavenly Fathers Realm. Holy Discipline of ... the Father of spirits ... our Lord
This Race is not a quick sprint, but a very long God Who created us and Whose Divine Breath grants
marathon of Endurance, which does not end until we us life?
fully enter the Age to come Eternity. Our Loving God wants only what is best and most
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our Spiritually Beneficial for all mankind so He has
Faith, which means that He alone is the Perfecter of provided everything necessary for our correction,
Faith, for His Joy was to obey the Divine Will of God Enlightenment, Guidance and ultimately, our
the Father, in all things. Salvation ...so that we may be Partakers of His
Consequently, He endured His unjust betrayal, Holiness.
persecution and execution on the Cross, voluntarily In other words, so that we may acquire Sanctification,
accepting the humiliation and extreme suffering, as Deification, and, ultimately, Theosis, as we make
well as physical Death that sent Him into Hades. Spiritual Progress.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 20: 1 16
TH E FIRST & THE LAST TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... the Kingdom of Heaven is like a Landowner Who went out early in the
morning to hire Labourers for His Vineyard. And when He had agreed with the Labourers on one denarius a
day, He sent them into His Vineyard. And He went out about the Third Hour, and saw others standing idle in the
marketplace, and He said to them: You also, go into the Vineyard, and whatever is right, I will give you. So they
went.
Again, He went out, about the Sixth and the Ninth Hour, and did likewise. And about the Eleventh Hour He went out
and found others standing idles, and said to them: Why have you been standing here idle all day? They said
to Him: Because no one has hired us. He said to them: You also go into the Vineyard, and whatever is right, you
will receive.
And when evening had come, the Owner of the Vineyard said to His Steward: Call the Labourers and give them
their Wages, beginning with the last to the first. And when those who had been hired about the Eleventh Hour
came, they each received a denarius. And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more;
yet they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the
Landowner, saying: These Labourers have worked only one Hour, and Thou made them equal to us who have
borne the Burden and the heat of the day.
And He answered one of them, saying: Friend, I Am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with Me for a
denarius? Take what is yours and go on your way. I wish to give this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful
for Me to do what I wish with My own Things? Or is your eye evil because I Am Good?
So shall the last be first, and he first last, for many are Called, but few are Chosen.
The Landowner signifies our Triune God, while His It is possible, even in a short time, or at the end of ones
Vineyard signifies this temporary life before Eternity. lifespan to recover to Repent our sins so that we
The Day refers both to our individual lifespan and the are worthy of being Citizens and Heirs to Gods
whole of human history. Heavenly Kingdom of Love.
The Labourers are people of all Nations. In the early Church of Christ, this Divine Message applied
Each Hour can be a reference to various stages of our to the (First Called) Hebrews and later, to the Gentiles.
lifespan, from infancy to old age. In our day, this Divine Message can apply to those who
It also has another meaning in the time-span of our have been raised in His Holy Orthodox Church, and to
history referring to those who were Called during the those who have chosen to convert to Orthodoxy, for
Old and New Covenants from the time of Adam in they all shall receive their Spiritual Reward as Faithful
Paradise until the time of our Lord Jesus Christ. Disciples of Christ.
Gods infinite Generosity and Great Mercy provides equal St John Chrysostoms renowned Paschal Sermon (read at
Reward for early and late Labourers. Divine Liturgy on Pascha Sunday) is based on this
Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that those who what Parable of our Saviour, applying it to the Spiritual
Laboured in Gods earthly Vineyard longer than those Preparations and Struggles of each Faithful Disciple
who have only recently begun to do so, should not be as we approach Great and Holy Pascha the Glorious
proud of their long Service, nor should they resent Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
those who are more recently Called ...at the Eleventh
Hour.
HOLY MARTYRS, VENERABLE ONES, HOLY HIERARCH AND SAINTS

Within the Eastern Orthodox Church certain Saints are
referred to as Holy Martyrs, as Venerable and as
Holy Hierarchs, or simply entitled as Saints.
Saints who suffered persecution, torture and death for
their Love of Christ are usually distinguished as Holy
Martyrs or Passion-bearers.
The original Greek word is Martyr meaning Witness
since those who endured terrible persecution
demonstrated their unwavering Faith and courage,
thereby witnessing first hand to the Divine Truth and
Reality of our Orthodox Confession of Faith and of the
Orthodox Church.
For only by means of our life can we prove our case.
If we were to embark on studies, arguments, and
debates, and come out victorious, surpassing all
others by our intelligence, yet all the while showing
cowardice in our actions, then we would have shown
that we ourselves are not in fact convinced, or that we
hold only common human convictions that, for
reasons of fear or trouble, can be forgone out of a
sense of self-preservation.
It is for this reason that Holy Martyrs are indeed Holy
Witnesses, for by their own lifestyles and Spiritual
Struggles they demonstrated more convincingly than
any apologist or theologian the Absolute, Divine Truth
and Reality of our Lord Jesus Christs Teachings and
Commandments.
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8. THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE 9 MARCH 2017

 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
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, 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.

Tone (5)Plagal 1 12 March 2017

6th Sunday of Triodion 2nd Sunday of Great Lent St Gregory Palamas
Also the Feast of St Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane St Symeon the New Theologian
St Gregory Dialogos of Rome St Phineas, Grandson of St Aaron, the Holy Prophet St Paul
Aurelian of Brittany Synaxis of the Venerable Holy Fathers of Kiev Caves Lavra St Demetrios, King of Georgia St
Kirion II, Patriarch of All Georgia

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 5 - LUKE 24 : 13 - 35

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou The
Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke
Proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en to Stavro
ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti
Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
TRIODION APOLYTIKION ST GREGORY PALAMAS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Orthodoxias O Fostir, Ekklisias to stirigma ke didaskale,
ton monaston i Kalloni, ton Theologon ipermahos
aprosmahitos, Grigorie Thavmatourge, Thessalonikis to
kavhima, kirix tis Haritos, iketeve dia pantos, sothine tas
psihas imon.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE
Ti Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon
Efharistiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os
ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me
kindinon eleftheroson, ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi
Animfevte!
Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no
beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it
was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the
Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own
Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
Beacon of Orthodox Belief, the strong Support of the
Church and Her Teacher Inspired by God, Thou art the
Ornament of Monks, the unassailable Champion of
Theologians, O Gregory the Wonderworker and Boast
of Thessalonika, the Messenger of Grace. Forever
earnestly Entreat for the Salvation of our soul.
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
To Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been
Delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the Victory
Festival as a Thanksgiving Offering. In Thine
Irresistible Might, keep me Free from all Trials, so that I
may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded Bride!

PROKEIMENON PSALM 117/118 TONE 2

The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and became my Salvation.
The Lord Chastened and Corrected me, and did not give me up to Death.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 1 : 10 2 : 3
In the beginning, Thou, O Lord founded the Earth, and the Heavens art the Work of Thy Hands. They will grow old
like a garment, like a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy
years will never end.
To which Angel has He ever said: Sit at My Right Hand, until I make Thine enemies a stool for Thy Feet? Art they
not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who will inherit Salvation?
Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the Message declared
by Angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a Just Retribution, how shall we escape if
we neglect such a Great Salvation?
It was declared at first by the Lord, and was attested to us by those who heard Him.
In this quotation from Psalm 101:26-28 GOD THE FATHER PROTECT US during this short preparatory period before
ADDRESSES ANOTHER PERSON AS LORD, i.e. God - for Eternity.
HE SPEAKS TO THE SECOND PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY, OUR ST PAUL EXHORTS URGES US TO ... give more earnest
LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO IS HIS ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN heed... PAY CLOSEST ATTENTION TO WHAT CHRIST AND HIS
SON AND WORD. HOLY APOSTLES HAVE TAUGHT US.
THE ROLE OF OUR LORD GODS HOLY ANGELS (MESSENGERS) IS TO It is AN ADMONISHMENT AGAINST WILFUL NEGLIGENCE AND
MINISTER TO ... THOSE WHO ARE TO INHERIT SALVATION. CARELESSNESS that CAUSES US TO ...DRIFT AWAY... FROM THE
Many Hebrews believed that the Angels of God mediated PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT IS LAID OUT FOR US TO FOLLOW
the Old Holy Covenant between God and His People. BY GOD HIMSELF!
THE HOLY ANGELS OF GOD CERTAINLY SERVED THE DIVINE ANGEL The words if and how suggest A CONDITIONAL STATEMENT
OF OUR LORD GOD I.E. THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD. OR QUESTION.:
Since the New Covenant between God and His People If Israel was expected to obey the words of created
i.e. the New Israel, the Faithful Disciples of Christ or Angels or suffer self-inflicted punishment as a
the Holy Church of Christ THE HOLY ANGELS OF GOD consequence of our wilful disobedience, how MUCH
FAITHFULLY SERVE THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN HIS HUMAN MORE MUST WE HEED THE DIVINE TRUTH THE TEACHINGS AND
NATURE AS WELL. COMMANDMENTS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS HOLY
Rather than ruling over mankind, THE ANGELS OF GOD ARE APOSTLES especially when the Word has been
OUR HEAVENLY PARTNERS IN SERVICE WITH US, WHO ACT AS OUR confirmed by MANY DIVINE MIRACLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
GOD-APPOINTED GUARDIAN ANGELS AND IN VARIOUS OTHER WHICH PROVES THAT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HAS INDEED
GOD-APPOINTED ROLES THAT ASSIST, ENCOURAGE, GUIDE, AND COME UPON US??!

6TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 2ND OF GREAT LENT ST GREGORY PALAMAS 12 MARCH 2017 9.
Furthermore, when we beseech God during the Divine the Dread Judgement Seat of Christ... we affirm that
Liturgy for ... Pardon and Remission of our sins and there is certainly a Just Reward or Retribution to come
transgressions... as well as ... a Good Defence before a very real Judgement!
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 2 : 1 12
THE FAITHFUL PARALYTIC AND HIS FOUR FRIENDS
At that time, our Lord Jesus entered Capernaum, where His house was. And many had gathered together, so that there
was no longer room for them not even about the door. And He was preaching the Word to them.
And they went, taking to Him a Paralytic, carried by four men. And when they could not get near to Him because of
the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on
which the Paralytic lay. Beholding their Faith, Jesus said to the Paralytic: Son: thy sins art forgiven thee.
Some of the Scribes were sitting there, questioning in their heart: Why does this Man speak thus? It is Blasphemy! Who
can forgive sins but God alone?
And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His Spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them: Why do you
question thus in your heart? Which is easier to say to the Paralytic: Thy sins are forgiven or to say: Rise and
take up thy pallet and walk? So that you may know that the Son of Man had Authority on Earth to forgive sins...
He turned and said to the Paralytic: I say to thee: Rise. Take up thy pallet and go to thy House. And he rose,
and immediately took up his pallet and went out before them all.
They were all amazed, and they Glorified God, saying: We never saw anything like this!
As demonstrated by this Divine Healing of the Paralytic, but will penetrate much deeper into our heart and
Faith is the most indispensable condition for our soul, for our Lord sees our heart, our mind and our
Salvation. soul as we truly are nothing is hidden from our
Faith is collective as well as personal, for the combined Creator! Thus we will be Judged according to our
Faith of the Paralytics four friends certainly helped his (deepest, hidden) thoughts, words and deeds!
Miraculous Healing as well.
2 C H R O N I C L E S 6 : 3 0 ... hear from Heaven, Thy
THREE SIGNS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS DIVINE NATURE are Dwelling Place, and forgive them. And grant to
revealed in this Sacred Lesson: everyone according to their ways, for Thou
1. HE KNOWS THE DEEPEST THOUGHTS AND SECRETS OF OUR HEART knowest their heart, since Thou alone know the

1 K I N G 1 6 : 7 ...mankind does not see as God hearts of all the sons of mankind...
sees; for mankind looks at the outward 2. HE FORGIVES SINS BY HIS OWN DIVINE POWER, WHICH BELONGS
appearance, but our Lord sees into the heart! TO GOD ALONE.
According to St Cyprianos, Gods Judgement will not 3. HE HEALS DIRECTLY BY THE DIVINE POWER OF HIS WORDS,
be merely according to our outward appearance, WHICH ONLY ALMIGHTY GOD CAN DO!
6TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 2ND OF GREAT LENT ST GREGORY PALAMAS
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Our Lord Jesus Christ promised us that He would make
Holy Spirit... His Holy Abode in the heart of those who Love Him
Brethren in Christ, today is the Second Sunday of Great and keep (fulfil and obey) all His Divine
Lent upon which our Holy Church Commemorates St Commandments and Teachings.
Gregory Palamas who played a leading role in the Orthodox Monks are ideally the manifestation of
Triumph of Orthodoxy against the heretic Christian Love (Agape), because they embody the
Iconoclasts, a most difficult time in Her history. Holy Gospel Teachings in a practical manner.
St Gregory was born at the Emperors palace in Outside the Life of the Holy Fathers, there is no Orthodox
Constantinople, where he was educated as a Life and Faith no Life in Christ.
nobleman upon whom the Emperor showered many Today we remember our Holy Father, St Gregory
favours, and later established him in a high social Palamas who offers us an excellent Example of True
position. Orthodox Life and Faith.
However, St Gregorys heart yearned for our Lord Jesus St Gregory is chiefly remembered for his defence of Holy
Christ, so he departed from the Imperial Court at an Hesychism against the attacks of the materialistic
early age and went to Mount Athos to become a Monk, Barlaam.
Monk. Hesychism, or the quest for Divine Quietness is a
He intensely studied the Inspired Writings of our Holy concept that was first offered by St John Klimakos,
Fathers and eventually he experienced the and later refined by St Nicephoros the Hesychast.
indescribably Blessed Fruits of the Prayer of the According to St Gregory and the Hesychasts, the human
Heart. body is Sanctified by the Holy Mysteries, and
The Prayer of the Heart is similar to the Prayer of the participates through our senses in the Prayer
Repentant, humble Publican, which is repeated Offerings.
continuously, over and over again: O Lord Jesus These views were challenged by Barlaam and his
Christ, Son of God, have Mercy on me, a sinner! followers.
The aim of repeatedly reciting this marvellous Prayer is A great controversy ensued. Eventually councils were
to cleanse our heart and soul of all unworthy convened and the Teachings of St Gregory Palamas
thoughts or desires so that those who are able to were affirmed by the Holy Church of Christ, and
pray without ceasing may, by the Grace and Great were thus officially recognised as a Reality and
Mercy of God, experience the Uncreated Divine Truth
Light of God. St Gregory found the True Meaning of Christian Life (i.e.
The Divine Light is Uncreated and is revealed to the Life in Christ.)
profoundly Faithful only after great and intense He was acknowledged as one of our Holy Churchs
Spiritual Struggles, which Monks undertake under greatest scholars and was appointed Archbishop of
their Obedience to their Abbot or Spiritual Father. Thessalonica in 1349.
The Uncreated Light is that same blinding Diving Light St Gregory Palamas Reposed in Christ at the age of 63,
that the three Holy Apostles of Christ St Peter, St and his Holy Relics are preserved in Thessalonika.
James and St John behold on Mount Tabor at the In 1368 was Canonised as a Saint.
Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is very important for us to have good examples to
What they were able to witness and experience was our strive to imitate, and we are Blessed to have so
Lords Face becoming as blindingly radiant as the many thousands of Saints as our Role Models, whom
sun, while even His garments became whiter than we Commemorate throughout the year.
the purest snow! Saints are those worthy Christians who imitated our
The Holy Vision of Divine Light may be vouchsafed to Lord Jesus Christ with their words, their thoughts
any Faithful Orthodox Christian who sincerely strives and their deeds, being thus Sanctified by the Grace
to Cleanse his heart, body and soul, of all unclean, of God as True Children of God and worthy Co-Heirs
unworthy thoughts or desires, thus becoming a True with Christ to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Holy Temple of the Holy Trinity. Churches that do not produce any Saints, do not have
the Power to bestow Eternal Salvation on their
members.
10. 6 T H S U N D A Y O F T R I O D I O N 2 N D O F G R E A T L E N T S T G R E G O R Y P A L A M A S 12 MARCH 2017
The Holy Orthodox Church has always borne witness to Through the Holy Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love, and
the True Teachings concerning Faith in Christ, the amazing Power of Unceasing Prayer, we may
which is proved by the great multitude of Saints who also become worthy Co-Heirs of the Heavenly
have arisen within the Body of Christ His Holy Kingdom and Sanctified Participants in the Glory of
Church to this very day. the Holy Trinity.
Dearly Beloved, let us set a High Goal for ourselves. Amen
Let us strive with all our determination while we still HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON (LAMPADARIOS)
have time, to make our body and soul a worthy OF ANTINOES
Dwelling for Divine Light.
THE PRAYER OF THE HEART THE JESUS PRAYER
The whole teaching about Prayer and the entire Nevertheless, while THIS PRAYER HAS BEEN NURTURED AND
Discipline of Prayer may be condensed into a short CRADLED IN MONASTIC CIRCLES THROUGH THE CENTURIES, it
formula, commonly known as the Prayer of the has always been regarded - not as a privilege of the
Heart or the Jesus Prayer. Monks but rather - as THE TREASURE OF ALL THOSE WHO
It is a Prayer that was solemnized in the classic writings WISH TO EXPERIENCE THE FRUIT OF PRAYER.
of The Philokalia and popularized through more The Prayer of the Heart is A POWERFUL AND TESTED WAY OF
contemporary works, such as The Way of the PRESERVING THE POWER OF SILENCE IN PRAYER.
Pilgrim, an anonymous nineteenth-century story of LEARNING TO BE SILENT IS FAR MORE DIFFICULT AND FAR MORE
a Russian wanderer in search of Unceasing Prayer. IMPORTANT THAN LEARNING TO RECITE PRAYERS.
The words of this brief Prayer"O Lord Jesus Christ, Son SILENCE IS not the absence of noise but THE GIFT OR SPECIAL
of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"are sometimes SKILL OF DISCERNING BETWEEN QUIET AND STILLNESS.
simply reduced to "Lord, have mercy" or Kyrie, SILENCE IS THE POWER OF LEARNING TO LISTEN, and THE WISDOM
eleison. OF LEARNING TO KNOW.
IT IS A PERFECTLY SIMPLE PRAYER AND SHOULD NOT BE TURNED SILENCE IS a way of BEING FULLY INVOLVED AND ACTIVE - of
INTO AN UNDULY COMPLICATED EXERCISE. being FULLY ALIVE AND COMPASSIONATE.
In this respect, the Jesus Prayer can be used by anyone In Prayer, WHEN WORDS END IN SILENCE, WE AWAKEN TO A NEW
inasmuch as IT IS A CONCISE ARROW-PRAYER THAT LEADS AWARENESS AND WATCHFULNESS.
DIRECTLY FROM OUR HEART TO THE HEART OF GOD via the SILENCE SHOCKS US OUT OF NUMBNESS TO THE WORLD AND ITS
heart of the world. NEEDS.
Due to its brevity, the Prayer of the Heart provides A SILENCE SHARPENS OUR VISION from the dullness of
PRACTICAL MEANS OF CONCENTRATION AND FREEDOM FROM complacency and selfishness BY FOCUSING ON THE HEART
DISTRACTION. EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS.
Consequently, IT ENABLES ONE TO REPEAT THE NAME OF GOD SILENCE IS A WAY OF NOTICING MORE CLEARLY, OF PAYING
SPONTANEOUSLY AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL PLACES, THEREBY ATTENTION, AND OF RESPONDING MORE EFFECTIVELY.
ACTUALIZING THE LIVING PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE PERSON, Consequently, THROUGH SILENCE AND PRAYER, WE NO LONGER
WHO IS NAMED AND THEREBY INVOKED. IGNORE WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND US; and WE ARE NO
It is a way of fulfilling St Paul's admonition to "...pray LONGER STUCK IN WHAT MERELY CONCERNS US.
without ceasing." (1 THESSALONIANS 5:17) Then WE CAN COMMIT TO A COUNTER-CULTURAL WAY, whereby
While the roots of this wonderful Prayer may be traced we are NO LONGER VICTIMS OF OUR SOCIETY'S WAYS AND
back to Holy Scripture, its sources are already NORMS, passively accepting or obsessively pursuing
adumbrated (suggested) in the fourth-century Desert what is either fashionable or acceptable.
Tradition. (EXODUS 3:14 & PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11) This is because we recognize that WE ARE ALL INTIMATELY
However, the Prayer of the Heart assumed particular INTERCONNECTED AND MUTUALLY INTERDEPENDENT.
importance in the sixth and seventh centuries with the We come to know that NOTHING IS SELF-CONTAINED, that
Palestinian and Sinaite Schools of Spirituality. there is no autonomy in our world.
THE FORMULA itself is first found in the tenth century but IS We appreciate that there can only be a distinction
ESTABLISHED in the fourteenth century WITH THE between A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND A LACK THEREOF.
TRADITION OF HESYCHASM, when, at that time, it was Through the Jesus Prayer, WE DEVELOP A GREATER SENSE OF
CONVEYED FROM MOUNT SINAI BY ST GREGORY OF SINAI, (ca. AWARENESS AND ATTENTIVENESS TO THE WORLD WITHIN AND
1255-ca. 1337) TO MOUNT ATHOS, where it is symbolically AROUND US.
preserved to this day for the whole world.
HIS ALL HOLINESS, ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW
ENCOUNTERING MYSTERY (PUBLISHED BY DOUBLEDAY 2008)
THE LENTEN FAST & OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD OUR GOD
There are many compositions concerning rainbows that the Baptism, but they cannot see the Holy Mystery of
are merely lovely illusions of light refracted into its Baptism everything that occurs and everything that
constituent parts by water droplets. is bestowed upon those being Baptised into Christ!
However, songs, myths and poems are not written about They cannot see the Regeneration, the Renewal, the
light refracted by water droplets, but about the Sanctification and Salvation of Holy Baptism!
wonder and beauty of rainbows. They cannot see us being Spiritually Cleansed and Saved
This attempt to deconstruct the rainbow, to explain it and Sealed by the Sanctified Baptismal Water and
away is a danger of our modern scientific world. God the Holy Spirit Who bestows all the necessary
The danger is that everything must have a practical, Divine Gifts upon us, which enable us to grow and
scientific explanation - and soon there is nothing to advance in Christ Jesus!
look at with simple wonder and amazement with Is Love merely a chemical reaction in the brain? No.
simply joy, thanksgiving and appreciation! There may be such a reaction, but it is not the essence of
The rainbow is only refracted light. The rainbow is Love.
merely an optical illusion. No. It is not only or merely If we want to know about love, we must ask those who
anything. have loved - not a neuroscientist.
It is a gigantic stripe of every colour that goes from one The Divine Liturgy does not consist of any unnecessary
side of the sky to the other! If we explain the scientific words and rituals. The Holy Mystery of Eucharist dies
cause of a rainbow, then we no longer see the not merely concern bread and wine!
rainbow in all its glorious beauty! And those who If we want to learn Divine Truth, we cannot ask those who
cannot look at a rainbow without its beauty, are know nothing about It! We need to learn from those
blind. who have beheld and Lived the Reality of Divine
This problem of explaining everything scientifically is Truth - the ineffable, wonderful, amazing Truth of
particularly a modern problem, yet mankind has God!
always suffered from this type of blindness. Our Lord Jesus Christ went alone into the wilderness to
St Peter explained that Holy Baptism is not merely the Fast and Pray for 40 days, which was the First Great
removal of dirt from our body! Lent, and when He returned, He began His public
Seeing a Baptism, some may think: Is that all it is - just a Ministry to His People, beginning with the Divine
little water, a quick bath? They have seen through Exhortation: Repent!

6TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 2ND OF GREAT LENT ST GREGORY PALAMAS 12 MARCH 2017 11.
He taught us to believe in His Holy Gospel, for our Lord
Jesus could see what we who are Spiritually Blind
cannot see nor understand.
He has taught us by His own Perfect Example to pray and
to Fast.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Eternal Son and Word of God,
and He has always known God the Father and God
the Holy Spirit perfectly.
He also made certain that His human Nature was able to
see what we look right through.
By Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving, our Lord Jesus
brought His human Nature into the right Relationship
with God.
Perhaps it is clearer how the practices of Lent relate to
our Relationship with God.
If we want to be close to God, obviously we should pray,
talking to Him and listening to Him. And Almsgiving
means serving the people whom He created.
If we Love God, we will pray and help others, which is
clearly important, yet perhaps it is less obvious that if
we Love God we will not eat flesh foods, and resist the
self indulgent pleasures that our physical senses
desire.
Fasting is the tool that enables us to see the reality of the
symbols.
When we look at a drop of water through a microscope,
we can see all sorts of living creatures swimming
around that were invisible before, or when we look at
the sky through a telescope, we can see planets and
stars and galaxies which had seemed to be nothing
but sparkling little lights.
Similarly, if we are to see the reality of things, we need a
specific tool - not a telescope or microscope but
something else such as Fasting, which is essential to
our Christian Life.
Fasting allows us to start seeing and understanding
essential aspects of Spiritual Life.
It is not that if we Fast long enough we will eventually
start hallucinating, for that is neither the purpose nor
the Goal of Christian Fasting - the good, beneficial
effects of which last even after we break our Fast.
For us, Fasting is based on a Spiritual Hunger and Thirst
that is present in every human soul.
Within every human being there is a Spiritual Hunger
and Thirst that is God-granted since our creation.
We all experience a gnawing Spiritual Hunger and Thirst,
which has a need for fulfilment.
As a result, we try to satisfy that Spiritual Hunger and
Thirst, which we do not fully understand, with so
many unfulfilling things and means food,
entertainment, dangerous and destructive addictions
and behaviour...
That Spiritual Craving is above all boredom and
dissatisfaction - the realization that we are never
satisfied with anything that this world has to offer!
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR
ST MARK THE EGYPTIAN
When you are in charge, concerning those who do not
listen to you and do not obey you with your first word,
do not pressure nor quarrel with them, for you will
gain the Profit of Obedience that they have lost. Your
Forbearance will grant you much more than to
correct them.
ST MAKARIOS THE GREAT
If we feel anger, when we lecture or try to guide others,
we are satisfying our own passions! It is not good to
try to Save others and to lose ourselves!
ABBA IPEREHIOS
Truly wise is not those who teach with words, but those
who teach by their example.
AMMA THEODORA
The True Teacher is one who does not desire high
positions and is clear of vanity and pride.
Furthermore, he cannot be tricked by flattery and is
not blinded by presents or bribes. Neither is he ruled
by anger, but on the contrary is forbearing, lenient,
more humble than everyone, accepted by everyone,
patient, farsighted and philanthropic.
12. 6 T H S U N D A Y O F T R I O D I O N 2 N D O F G R E A T L E N T S T G R E G O R Y P A L A M A S
People who are starving will eat or drink anything to dull
their pangs of hunger, but only proper, wholesome
food will satisfy and nourish them!
We too, who are starved of Spiritual Nourishment - when
we reach out to God and strive for a better
Relationship with Him, we will immediately discard
the lifestyle and habits that alienated us from Him,
and our yearning heart and soul will at last be
fulfilled and contented.
We must force ourselves to Fast and Pray so that being
Spiritually Nourished, we can truly Live with Joy and
Peace in Christ, as He created us to do.
As we Fast this Lent, and as we rediscover our longing for
God, we must be careful not substitute anything we
have given up.
If we resist watching television or the internet, or being
entertained by other technological means, we will
have time each day to study Orthodoxy, to pray
longer, to discuss with each other what we have
learnt or read concerning our Orthodox Faith, sharing
our experiences and knowledge.
We should make every effort possible to attend Holy
Services during the week especially on Wednesdays
and Fridays, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays.
We must use this time for the various Lenten practices,
such as Prayer and Almsgiving acts of Charity/Love
by helping the needy however possible, reading and
contemplating Holy Scripture and the Inspired
Writings of our Holy Fathers and Mothers.
We must spend time to venerate the Saints and to worship
our Lord God in private and in community.
If our Fast is God-pleasing and worthy, it will keep us
close to God and to our neighbours.
Only then will we be able to see everything clearly!
Those who Fast properly are able to behold the Love of
God in all Creation.
We will look at rainbows and behold a Divine Promise
given to mankind thousands of years ago.
We will look at the Holy Eucharist and behold the Most
Precious, Life-giving Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
If we imitate our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, this
Great Lent, and Fast correctly for 40 days, we will
definitely experience something intangible but utterly
real!
When our heart burns with Love because we refuse to
settle for anything less than God, when our whole
body becomes aflame with that Holy Desire of Divine
Love, our eyes will be wide open, and we will be able
to clearly behold Divine Truth and Love!
(AUTHOR UNKNOWN)
WWW.THEINNERKINGDOM.WORDPRESS.COM
HOLY CHURCH FATHERS AND MOTHERS
ST EPHRAIM
Brethren: if they put you in charge, do not be prideful, but
be among your subordinates as though you are still
one of them. Always think of your previous hard work
when you were under the Obedience of someone
else. Care about your subordinates and never forget
them, for those who care about their subordinates
and teaches and helps them with proper advice, will
be Rewarded by God.
ST IGNATIOS OF ANTIOCH
We must follow without hypocrisy. If we deceive our
Bishop whom we can see, we would also disrespect
our Lord Who is invisible!
I pray that you will fulfil everything in Godly unanimity,
under the supervision of Bishops who occupy the
place of Christ, and of the Presbyters who constitute
the Assembly of the Apostles, so that whatever you do
alone and apart would be correct.
ST NIKOLAI VELIMIROVIC
To escape from a foreign land and find our True Home
where we can connect directly with God, we need to
enter our heart, for this is where the King and His
Kingdom is located.
12 MARCH 2017
 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 unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, 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.

Tone (6) Plagal 2 19 March 2017

7th Sunday of Triodion 3rd of Great Lent
Veneration of the Life-giving Holy Cross
Also the Feast of St Chrysanthos & St Daria, St Claudios the Tribune & his wife, St
Hilaria, their sons, St Jason & St Mavros, St Diodoros the Presbyter & St Marianos, the
Deacon of Rome St Innocent of Komel, Disciple of St Nilos of Sora, Vologda St
Pancharios of Nicomedia

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 6 -LUKE 24 : 36 53

OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST APPEARS TO ALL HIS APOSTLES BEFORE ASCENDING INTO HEAVEN

FIRST FESTAL ANTIPHON VENERATION - HOLY CROSS - TONE 2

1.Esimiothi ef imas to Fos tou Prosopou Sou, Kyrie. 1.O Lord, the Light of Thy Face was stamped on us
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas. Through the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O
Saviour, Save us.
2. Edokas tis fovoumenis Se simiosin tou figin apo 2. Thou gave a Sign to those who fear Thee so they may
prosopou toxou. flee from the face of the bow.
3. Anevis is ipsos, ihmalotefsas ehmalosian, elaves domata 3. Thou Ascended on High; Thou led captivity captive;
en anthropis. Thou received Gifts for mankind.
4. Edokas klironomian tis fovoumenis to Onoma Sou, 4. Thou grant an Inheritance to those who fear Thy
Kyrie. Name, O Lord.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
tous Eonas ton eonon. Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amin Amen
SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON VENERATION HOLY CROSS - TONE 2
1. Idosan panta ta perata tis Gis to Sotirion tou Theou 1. All the ends of the Earth saw the Salvation of our God.
imon.
Soson imas Iie Theou, O A N A S T A S E K N E K R O N , O Son of God, W H O A R O S E F R O M T H E D E A D ,
psallontas Si: Allilouia! Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia
2. Iselefsometha is ta Skinomata Aftou, Proskinisomen is 2. Let us enter into His Tabernacle; let us worship at the
ton topon, ou estisan i Podes Aftou place where His Feet stood.
3. O de Theos Vasilefs imon pro Eonon, irgasato Sotirian 3. God is our King before the Ages; He worked Salvation
en meso tis Gis. in the midst of the Earth.
4. Sholasate ke gnote oti Ego Imi O Theos, ipsothisome en 4. Be still and know that I Am God; I will be Exalted
tis Ethnesin, ipsothisome en ti Gi. among the Nations; I will be Exalted in the Earth.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
tous Eonas ton eonon. Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amin Amen
THIRD FESTAL ANTIPHON HOLY CROSS
1. Ipsoute Kyrion ton Theon imon ke proskinite to 1. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at the Footstool of
ipopodio ton Podon Aftou. His Feet.
2. Soson Kyrie ton laon Sou, ke Evlogison tin Save, O Lord, Thy People, and Bless Thine
Klironomian Sou, Nikas tis evsevesi kata Inheritance, granting Victory over enemies unto our
varvaron doroumenos, ke to son Filatton, dia tou Rulers and through Thy Cross preserving Thine
Stavrou Sou Politefma. Estate
3. Soson, Kyrie, ton laon Sou ke Evlogison tin Klironomian 2. Save, O Lord, Thy People and Bless Thine Inheritance.
Sou.
4. 3. Ke pimanon aftous ke eparon aftou eos tou eonos. 3. And shepherd them, and raise them up forever.
HYMNS AFTER THE SMALL ENTRANCE
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Angelike Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes The Angelic Powers were in Thy Tomb, 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 ip seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led captive Hades,
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. O Lord,
Who Rose again from the dead, Glory to Thee!

7TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS 19 MARCH 2017 13
 TRIODION APOLYTIKION VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS - TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Soson Kyrie ton Laon Sou, ke Evlogison tin Klironomian O Lord, Save Thy people and Bless Thine Inheritance,
Sou, Nikas tis efsevesi kata varvaron doroumenos, ke to granting Orthodox Christians victory over their
Son filatton, dia tou Stavrou Sou politevma enemies, and guarding Thy commonwealth with Thy
Cross
SEASONAL KONTAKION EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Ti Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria Os Litrothisa ton dinon Unto Thee, O Theotokos Invincible Champion, Thy City in
Efharistiria Anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke All os Thanksgiving ascribes the Victory for the Deliverance
ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton ek pantion me kindinon from sufferings. But having Thy Might unassailable,
eleftheroson ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi Animfevte! free me from all dangers so that I may cry out to Thee:
Hail! O Bride Ever Virgin!
INSTEAD OF THE TRISAGION HYMN
Ton Stavron Sou Proskinoumen, Despota, ke tin Agian Sou Thy Cross, O Master, we Reverence, and we Glorify Thy
Anastasin Doxazomen [3] Holy Resurrection [3]
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati ke nin ke Ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
tous eonas ton eonon. Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amin Amen
Ke tin Agian Sou Anastasin Doxazomen And Thy Holy Resurrection we Glorify
Dynamis! Power/Strength
Ton Stavron Sou Proskinoumen, Despota, ke tin Agian Sou Thy Cross, O Master, we Reverence, and we Glorify Thy
Anastasin Doxazomen Holy Resurrection

TRIODION PROKEIMENON PSALM 27/28 TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

Save, O Lord, Thy People, and Bless Thine Inheritance,
and shepherd them, and raise them up forever!
To Thee, O Lord, I cry: O my God, do not pass over me in silence!
May Thou never be silent, lest I become like those who go down into the Pit!
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 4 : 14 5 : 6
OUR MERCIFUL HIGH PRIEST & QUALIFICATION FOR THE ETERNAL, HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Brethren: ... seeing then that we have a Great High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens Jesus, the Son of God
let us hold fast our Confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but
Who was - in all points - tempted as we are yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, so that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in the time of
need. For every High Priest taken from among men is appointed for mankind in things pertaining to God, that he
may offer both Gifts and Sacrifices for sins. He can have Compassion for those who are ignorant and going astray
since he himself is also subject to weakness, and because of this, he is required as for the people, so also for
himself to offer Sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honour to himself, but he who is Called by God just as
Aaron was - so also Christ did not Glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He Who said to Him: Thou art My
Son: today I have Begotten Thee. As He also said in another place: Thou art a Priest forever according to the
Order of Melchizedek.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST TRUE, DIVINE A PRIEST USUALLY STANDS WHILE SERVING OUR LORD GOD. He
HEAD OF HIS ETERNAL, HOLY CHURCH. can never be seated while doing so, for that would be
The expression ... passed through the Heavens... refers utterly disrespectful.
to the Ascension into Heaven by our Resurrected Lord (That is also why we should be standing at all times throughout the
Jesus Christ when He returned to His rightful Divine Holy Services. Now that we have pews or chairs in our churches,
Position in Eternity at the right hand of God the we should only rest on the edge of the seat if need be, ready to
Father. stand and worship with our entire bodies.)
However, it is important to keep in mind that GOD, BEING THERE IS SIGNIFICANT POWER IN OUR ENTHRONED HIGH PRIEST,
OMNIPRESENT, NEVER LEAVES EITHER HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM FOR HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED AND FULFILLED ALL THE NECESSARY
NOR US ON EARTH. HE IS EVER PRESENT BUT INVISIBLE TO US SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS FOR ALL TIME!
WATCHING OVER Us unless we enter a state of Spiritual (The Holy Icon of 0ur Lord Jesus Christ, depicted as a High Priest, is
Death (sin) then HE TURNS HIS SIGHT AWAY FROM US UNTIL usually situated on the Bishops Throne in every Orthodox
WE REPENT AND RETURN TO A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE. Church reminding us that there is only one Divine Head and
Our Lords Ascension into Heaven means that HE HAS that the Bishop acts on His Behalf. Thus we should obey the will
ACCOMPLISHED HIS DIVINE MISSION ON EARTH AND HAS
of the Bishop as though it was the Divine Will of Christ.)
ENTERED INTO HIS SABBATH REST.
In order to qualify as an Old Covenant Priest, a man was
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS GREAT EMPATHY WITH HIS CREATURES chosen from among men i.e. another male human
and especially with us sinners, since HE EXPERIENCED being who was appointed for men specifically for
THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE IN HIS HUMAN NATURE,
Liturgical Service. He had to offer the blood Sacrifices
EVEN THOUGH HE REMAINED SINLESS.
to God for his and the peoples sins. He had to be
AS GOD-MAN, OUR LORD JESUS WAS INCAPABLE OF COMMITTING compassionate towards others and he had to be
ANY SIN WHATSOEVER BECAUSE IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AGAINST HIS
Called by God to serve Him.
PERFECT NATURE. In the Aaronic Priesthood A PRIEST IDENTIFIED HIMSELF WITH
HUMANITY AND HAD GREAT SYMPATHY FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE
Christ showed us by His own Example that IT IS INDEED
HE SINNED AS MUCH AS OTHERS SINNED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
POSSIBLE TO RESIST TEMPTATION although for us it is an
even greater Spiritual Struggle that lasts until we have The Blood Sacrifices were vicarious offerings of various
drawn our last breath. animals, according to the sins that had been
The Ever Blessed Theotokos and St John the Baptist were committed.
so devoted to the Will of God that THEIR LOVE FOR HIM OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ASSUMED AND FULFILLED THE OLD
COMPELLED THEM TO BE HUMBLY OBEDIENT, WHICH IS WHAT WE
COVENANT PRIESTHOOD FOR JUST LIKE MELCHIZEDEK, HE IS
BOTH PRIEST AND KING.
TOO MUST ALWAYS STRIVE TO ACHIEVE.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is Enthroned at the right hand side HOWEVER, HE HAS NEVER SINNED I.E. HE CANNOT SIN AND HIS
of God the Father the position of honour and HE IS GREAT SACRIFICE WAS THE BLOOD SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF,
WHILE HIS PERFECT, ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD CONTINUES IN HIS
SEATED ON A THRONE OF GRACE RATHER THAN A THRONE OF
JUDGEMENT, GRANTING HIS GREAT MERCY AND DIVINE GRACE HOLY CHURCH FOR EVERMORE.
TO HELP US IN TIMES OF NEED.

14. 7TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS 19 MARCH 2017
 THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
OUR LORDS DIVINE TEACHING OF
At that time, when our Lord Jesus had called the people to Himself, with His Disciples also, He said to them: Whoever
desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospels will Save it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in
exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of
him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the Glory of His Father with the Holy Angels.
And He said to them: Truly, I say to you: there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the
Kingdom of God present with Power.
 THE CROSS, which was the most dreaded and
inhumane instrument of Roman torture and
execution, HAS BECOME FOR ALL STRUGGLING DISCIPLES
OF CHRIST A HOLY SYMBOL OF OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE
AND SUFFERING, IN IMITATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR,
JESUS CHRIST.
 THE HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST IS OUR MOST VENERATED BADGE
OF HONOUR WHEREBY WE LIVE AND DIE IN CHRIST.
WE PRACTICE SELF-DENIAL FOR THE SAKE OF OUR LOVE OF GOD AND
HIS HOLY GOSPEL and our acceptance of this part of our
Sacred Mission is certainly not a form of punishment,
nor is it an end in itself, but rather, IT IS A MEANS OF
OVERCOMING AND DEFEATING THE FALLEN WORLD FOR THE
SAKE OF GODS HEAVENLY, ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE, JOY
AND PEACE.
Therefore we take up our personal Crosses and Follow
Christ by CRUCIFYING THE DEMANDS AND DESTRUCTIVE
PASSIONS OF OUR WEAK FLESH AND BY SO DOING, WE
STRENGTHEN OUR IMMORTAL SOULS AND GRADUALLY BECOME
WORTHY, SANCTIFIED CITIZENS OF ETERNAL LIFE.

G A L A T I A N S 5 : 2 4 : ... those who are Christs have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The central paradox of our Life in Christ is that whenever
we try to grasp temporal (earthly) things, we lose the
Eternal, Priceless Treasures of Heaven.
However, WHEN WE LEARN SELF-DENIAL AND REPENTANCE, AND
WE SACRIFICE OR RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF ALL WORLDLY
THINGS, WE GAIN UNTOLD AND UNIMAGINABLE ETERNAL
RICHES!
What will a man give in exchange for his soul? is a
most profound question because it emphasises the
utter foolishness of trying to accumulate WORLDLY
POSSESSIONS AND TEMPORARY SOCIAL STATUS OR POWER for
7TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit,
My dear Brethren in Christ, today brings us to the Third
Sunday of the Great and Holy Fast, or, as the Church
refers to this Sunday, Sunday of the Veneration of
the Precious and Life-Giving Cross.
The Holy Church of Christ sets before us the Holy Cross
of our Divine Saviour at this halfway point of the Fast
to inspire us and to show us the direction in which
we are headed i.e. towards our Lords Crucifixion
and His Glorious Resurrection.
Our entire Life should be focused upon the crucifixion of
our self-indulgent free will so that we may
obediently, humbly and eagerly strive to fulfil Gods
Will, which enables us to be resurrected into the
Sacred Life that our Creator intended for us.
His Life-giving Holy Cross sweetens the Lenten Fast
because by this time we begin to feel the bitterness
and difficulties of maintaining our Fast.
This bitterness is experienced through our struggles of
self-denial of the demands of our flesh body and
mind - for food and Spiritually Unbeneficial
pleasures and wicked temptations.
The Holy Cross is like the branch of a certain tree that,
according to our Lords Instruction, St Moses
plunged into the bitter water of Marah to sweeten it
and make it drinkable. (EXODUS 15:23-25)
Beholding the Holy Cross, we are reminded and
comforted by the Joy of Holy Pascha that is ahead
of us, and our Fasting becomes a little easier.
Today we again hear the encouraging Words of our
Lord Jesus Christ: ...Whosoever will come after Me,
let him DENY himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS, and
FOLLOW ME.
As Faithful Disciples of Christ, each of us must make a
personal decision according to His Words
TO ST MARK 8 : 34 9 : 1
ETERNAL LIFE & BEING GOOD, FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
NONE OF THESE CAN REDEEM OUR FALLEN, UNREPENTANT
IMMORTAL SOUL.
 NOTHING OF THIS TEMPORARY, MATERIAL WORLD BENEFITS US
IN ETERNITY. THEREFORE, WE MUST RESIST THE
TEMPTATIONS THAT DISTRACT US AND LEAD US ASTRAY AND
CAUSE US TO FALL INTO SPIRITUAL DEATH.
Let us rather take up our heavy Crosses of earthly
life AND FOLLOW CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, WHO LEADS US
SAFELY TO OUR HEAVENLY DESTINATION.
Let us use every minute of our lifespan LIVING IN
CHRIST AND SEEKING ONLY THE SPIRITUAL QUALITIES
AND NECESSITIES TO ADVANCE US AND TO BENEFIT US
ETERNALLY.
Let us CONSTANTLY OFFER THANKSGIVING TO OUR LIVING
GOD WHO IS INFINITELY MERCIFUL, GRACIOUS AND
BENEVOLENT.
BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS WHICH FAR
OUTWEIGH ALL THE THINGS YOU MAY THINK YOU WANT
OR NEED!
Let us MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO IMITATE CHRIST our Lord
Who clearly and concisely shows us that
EVERYTHING GOOD IS INDEED POSSIBLE in this poor,
tragic and darkened fallen world.
 Finally, those who would ... see the Kingdom of God
present with Power... was a reference to OUR LORD
JESUS CHRISTS TRANSFIGURATION ON MOUNT TABOR,
which three of His closest Apostles witnessed
shortly before His Great Passion and Resurrection.
It is also a reference to THOSE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
IN EVERY GENERATION WHO WILL EXPERIENCE THE TRUE
PRESENCE OF GODS KINGDOM
invitation and encouragement: Whosoever will
come after Me...
This is the greatest decision we ever make to choose
whether or not to Follow our Lord and Saviour!
It is decisive and life-changing choice of action of our
free will.
St John Chrysostom illustrates and explains these Words
of our Lord Who tells us: I do not force, I do not
compel, but each one I make lord of his own
choice.
[Our Lord God NEVER forces us to follow Him. However, EVERY
CHOICE WE MAKE CONCERNING SPIRITUALLY BENEFICIAL
DECISIONS DOES HAVE AN ETERNAL CONSEQUENCE FOR US!]
We must contemplate what type of choice our Lord asks
us to make for, as St John Chrysostom said, this must
be our free choice of Good Things, otherwise our
Lord would compel us to make such a decision.
However, as St John Chrysostom explained, such
choices do not eliminate the difficulties and
suffering of daily life, which God often permits for
our sake in order to strengthen our Faith in God
and to draw us ever closer to Him.
Through our trials and tribulations, we learn to trust in
God and thereby become humble and Obedient.
Consequently, we are granted Divine Grace and
Blessings to endure, which in the case of Holy
Martyrs has earned Eternal Crowns of Salvation.
In other words, the hardships that we endure in this life
as Faithful Followers of Christ are the work that we
must perform of our own free will for the building up
of the His Holy Gospel and His Church, in order to
receive the Blessings of God.
The next phrase of this significant verse is: ...let him
deny himself...
There are two types of self-denial.
of

7TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS 19 MARCH 2017 15
 The first was the self-denial that Adam experienced in
Paradise when he denied that God had created him
to live in harmony with our Triune Lord God.
Not only did Adam use his free will against the Divine
Will of God, but he clung to the lie that he was not
responsible for his own actions.
He laid the blame on Eve instead of confessing his own
sin. And she, in turn, blamed the wicked Serpent
(Satan) who had tempted her. (GENESIS 3:12)
When we examine ourselves before the Holy Mystery of
Repentance-Confession, we must seek out the same
self-denial of what God created us to be.
We must seek out how we have exerted our will against
Gods Will, as well as all the lies we have told
ourselves in order to justify our sins.
Some examples of such lies are when we justify our self-
indulgences that put us in debt spending more
than we earn, or convincing ourselves that any
unworthy or wicked thoughts, words or deeds were
justified or we blame others for them...
All the excuses we make to ourselves in order to justify
our sinful words, thoughts or deeds are illusions of
our true lifestyle.
The denial of these self-serving illusions is the second
type of self-denial that Christ referred to in this
portion of the verse.
By Repenting and Confessing our numerous self-
illusions we are able to restore and renew the
Blessed Harmony between Gods Will and our own.
By denying and rejecting the lies about ourselves, we
will deny and reject those things that bind us to the
Earth and replace them with Blessed Spirituality so
that our wicked passions may be replaced by
Virtues.
Most of all, the Fear we have of God especially the
erroneous idea that He is punishing us in this life,
and our grumbling against Him, will be replaced
with an eager Obedience to Him and overwhelming
Love for Him.
We will realize that most of the difficulties we
experience are self-inflicted as the result of our
misuse of our free will.
The next phrase of this verse is: ...take up his Cross.
St Nikolai Velimirovic explained: It means the willing
acceptance, at the Hand of Providence, of every
means of Healing, bitter though it may be, that is
offered to us.
Do great catastrophes fall on you? Be Humble and
Obedient to Gods Will, as Noah was.
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR
ST PORPHYRIOS THE KAPSOKALYVITE
When we pray for others, a Good Power comes out of us
and goes to our Brethren, and Heals, Strengthens and
Rejuvenates them.
ELDER CHRISTODOULOS KATOUNAKIOTIS
We must not be unhappy if sometimes we lose our
concentration while praying, and our mind begins to
wander. We must keep on repeating the Prayer, until
we can refocus ourselves, for our Lord God is listening
to us, and the enemy runs away.
ST PAISIOS THE HAGIORITE
We must not limit or confine our Prayers to just words, but
we must make our entire lifestyle a Prayer to the Lord
our God.
ELDER JOSEPH OF VATOPAIDI MONASTERY,
MOUNT ATHOS
When I asked Elder Isidoros (the Blind of Philotheou
Monastery, Mount Athos), if he knew the words to the
Akathist Hymn to our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, since
it is common in Greece for many Faithful and
Monastics to have memorised this Hymn, he replied:
No. I know Kyrie Iisou Hriste, eleison me. (O Lord ...in the chaos of such turmoil, denial and unbelief, there
Jesus Christ, have Mercy on me.)
I bowed my head and felt a little ashamed by my
question. I was impressed by his simplicity and
natural Humility, and I marvelled at his childlikeness,
for he knew the most important Prayer Supplication
for Gods Mercy, while proclaiming the Divine
16. 7TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT VENERATION
Is sacrifice demanded of you? Surrender yourself into
Gods Hands with the same Faith as St Abraham had
when he was prepared to sacrifice his son.
Is your property ruined? Do your children die
suddenly?
Suffer everything with Patience, cleaving to God in
your heart, as St Job did.
Do your friends forsake you, and you are surrounded
by enemies?
Bear it all without grumbling and with absolute Faith
exactly like the Holy Apostles.
Are you condemned to death for Love of Christ? Be
thankful to God for such a great honour, like
millions of Christian Martyrs before us.
This verse concludes with the Divine Commandment:
...Follow Me.
These words are probably the most difficult for us to
completely understand.
What does it mean for us to follow or accompany Christ
to the Cross?
It means going against all that this world regards as
being important.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-27: St Paul reminds us in his Epistle
to the Corinthians: ... the Jews require a Sign,
and the Greeks seek after Wisdom: but we
preach Christ crucified - unto the Jews a
stumbling block, and unto the Greeks
foolishness!
Yet, unto those who are Called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ is the Power of God, and the Wisdom
of God! For the Foolishness of God is wiser than
men; and the Weakness of God is stronger than
men.
For you see your Calling, Brethren, how that not many
wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not
many noble, are Called, yet God has chosen the
foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things that are mighty.
So, my Prayer for you, my dear Brothers and Sisters in
Christ, is that you will be willing to pick up and
embrace the Way of the Cross, that you may follow
the Ways of Christ, which are foolishness to this
world, but which will sweeten your Life in
immeasurable ways.
Amen.
FATHER MILAN MEDAKOVIC
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/69343.htm
HOLY CHURCH FATHERS AND MOTHERS
Incarnation of the Word of God in the Person of Jesus
Christ.
Learning that wonderful Prayer of the Heart would be
sufficient...
...the Goal of this All Virtuous Prayer is to turn and keep
our mind on God.
For this Purpose our Holy Fathers devised easier methods
and simplified the Prayer so that our mind might
more easily and more firmly turn to and remain in
God.
... primarily for this reason they selected just a few words
in a single, simple Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of
God, have Mercy on me, so that our mind would not
require a great effort in order to hold onto a long,
protracted Prayer.
...to all who Love God and their Salvation: do not put off
trying this Good labour and Practice for the sake of
Divine Grace and Mercy that it holds out to as many
as will strive with this Prayer...
For courage, we must not hesitate nor become
fainthearted due to resistance or weariness...
...many Faithful Disciples living in the world have not
only arrived at the beginning state, but rose to higher
levels through the Grace and Compassion of our
Lord Jesus Christ...
exists no simpler, easier Spiritual Practice that is
feasible for almost everyone with such a multitude
of Benefit and opportunity for success than this small
Prayer of the Heart.
OF THE HOLY CROSS 19 MARCH 2017
 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 unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, 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.

25 March 2017
The Annunciation
THE BEGINNING OF OUR ETERNAL SALVATION

Also the Feast of the Independence of Greece St Senuphrios the Confessor

FESTAL HYMNS OF THE DIVINE LITURGY:

FIRST FESTAL ANTIPHON - ANNUNCIATION TONE 2

1. O
Theos, to Krima Sou to Vasili dos ke tin Dikeosinin 1. O
God, give Thy Judgements to the King. And Thy
Sou to vio tou Vasileos. Righteousness to the Kings Son.
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas. Through the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O
Saviour, Save us.
2. Analaveto ta ori Irinin to lao ke i vouni Dikeosinin. 2. Let the mountains raise up Peace for Thy People and
the hills in Righteousness.
3. Evangelizesthe imeran ex imeras to Sotirion tou Theou 3. Proclaim day to day the Salvation of our God
imon.
4. Omose Kyrios to David Alithian ke ou mi athetisi 4. The Lord swore to David this Truth and He shall not
Aftin. reject it.
SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON - ANNUNCIATION TONE 2
1. Katavisete os vetos epi pokon ke osi stagon i stazousa 1. He shall come down like rain on the fleece and like
epi tin gin. raindrops falling on Earth.
Soson imas, Iie Theou, O D I IMAS SARKOTHIS Save, O Son of God, W H O W A S I N C A R N A T E F O R
psallontas Si: Allilouia! O U R S A K E , us who sing to Thee: Alleluia !
2. Igase to Skinoma Aftou O Ipsotos 2. The Most High Sanctified His Tabernacle
3. O Theos emfanos ixi, O Theos imon ke ou 3. Our Lord shall plainly come, and shall not keep silent.
parasiotisete.
4. Anateli en tes imeres aftou Dikeiosini ke plithos Irinis. 4. In His Days, Righteousness and abundance of Peace
shall flourish...
THIRD FESTAL ANTIPHON PSALM 71 TONE 4
1. Este to Onoma Aftou Evlogimenon is tous eonos. 1. His Name shall be Blessed forever
Simeron tis Sotirias imon to Kefaleon, ke tou ap Eonos Today is the Crown of our Salvation, and the Revelation
Mystiriou i fanerosis; O Ios tou Theou, Ios tis of the Mystery planned from Eternity: the Son of God
Parthenou ginete, ke Gavriil tin Harin evangelizete. becomes the Virgins Son, and Gabriel announces the
Dio ke imis sin afto, ti Theotoko voisomen: Here Grace. Wherefore, let us along with him cry out, to
Keharitomeni! O Kyrios meta Sou! the Theotokos: Hail! O Full of Grace! The Lord is with
2. Evlogitos Kyrios O Theos tou Israil, O pion Thavmasia Thee!
Monos 2. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel Who only
3. Evlogimenon to Onoma Aftou is ton Eona ke is ton does Wondrous Things
eona tou eonas. 3. And Blessed be His Glorious Name unto the Ages and
unto the Ages of ages.
ISODIKON SMALL ENTRANCE

Evangelizesthe imeran ex imeras to Sotirion tou Theou
imon.
Soson imas, Iie Theou, O di imas Sarkothis, psallontas Si:
Allilouia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION THE ANNUNCIATION
Simeron tis Sotirias imon to kefaleon, ke tou ap eonos
Mistiriou i fanerosis; O Ios tou Theou, Ios tis Parthenou
ginete, ke Gavriil tin Harin evangelizete. Dio ke imis sin
afto, ti Theotoko voisomen: Here Keharitomeni! O Kyrios
meta Sou!
FESTAL KONTAKION ANNUNCIATION -
Ti Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon
Efharisiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os ehousa
to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me kindinon
eleftheroson, ina krazo Si. Here Nimfi Animfevte!
Tell forth from day to day the Glad Tidings of the
Salvation of our God.
Save us, O Son of God, Incarnate of the Virgin, who sing to
Thee: Alleluia!
TONE 4
Today is the Crown of our Salvation, and the Revelation
of the Mystery planned from Eternity: the Son of God
becomes the Virgins Son, and Gabriel announces the
Grace. Wherefore, let us along with him cry out, to the
Theotokos: Hail! O Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
To Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having
been delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the
Victory Festival as a Thanks Offering. In Thine
Irresistible Might, keep me safe from all trials, so
that I may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded
Bride!

THE ANNUNCIATION 25 MARCH 2017 17.

 MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 1: 39 49 & 56
ST ELIZABETH PRAISES THE EVER BLESSED, THEOTOKOS (MOTHER OF GOD) WHO EXALTS GOD: THE MAGNIFICAT
At that time, Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of
Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe
leapt in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said,
Blessed art Thou among women, and Blessed in the Fruit of Thy Womb! But why is this granted to me, that the
Mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of Thy greeting sounded in my ears, the
babe leaped in my womb for Joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of those things which
were told her from the Lord.
And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He has regarded the
lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me Blessed. For He Who is
mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name!
THE EVER-BLESSED VIRGIN MARYS FAITHFUL RESPONSE TO THE TITLE THEOTOKOS [THE MOTHER OF GOD (INCARNATE)],
ARCHANGEL GABRIELS ANNOUNCEMENT MAKES HER THE GIVEN TO THE VIRGIN MARY BY THE CHURCH, WAS DERIVED
HIGHEST MODEL OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD. FROM THE TRUTH OF THIS CONFESSION.
 THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD IS NOT ONLY THE WORK Because the One Who was in Her Blessed, Pure Womb is
OF THE HOLY TRINITY, BUT ALSO THE WORK OF THE WILL God, the world is freed from enslavement to sin.
AND THE ABSOLUTE FAITH OF THE HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT The passage from verses 46 - 56 is called the Magnificat,
VIRGIN MARY. which is the first word of this hymn in Latin.
Therefore, the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary is honoured not THE MAGNIFICAT IS A REMARKABLE HYMN OF PRAISE TO GOD
only because God chose her, or because she bore the which comes from the heart of the Ever Blessed Virgin
Son of God in the Flesh, but also BECAUSE SHE FREELY Mary, who was probably only 14 - 16 years old at the
CHOSE TO BELIEVE AND TO OBEY GOD COMPLETELY AND time.
WITHOUT ANY HESITATION OR QUESTION. It also comes from the heart of ST HANNAH, WHO WAS OF A
The babe who would become known as ST JOHN THE MORE MATURE AGE AT THE TIME, AND WHO FIRST UTTERED THIS
BAPTIST, FORERUNNER TO CHRIST, WAS IN HIS SIXTH MONTH OF INSPIRED PRAYER AND WHICH HAD BEEN PRAYED BY EXPECTANT
GESTATION. JEWISH MOTHERS FOR CENTURIES. [1 SAMUEL 2:1-10]
HE LEAPT IN HER WOMB AS A JOYOUS RESPONSE TO THE PRESENCE From this New Testament passage we learn:
OF GOD, the Lord Jesus Christ, in St Marys Womb. CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS FOR ALL TIME WILL HONOUR OR VENERATE
 THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS RECEIVES VENERATION FROM THE VIRGIN MARY, for all generations will call me
BOTH ANGELS AND MANKIND: Archangel Gabriel and Blessed.
St Elizabeth both called Her Blessed IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO BELIEVE AND OBEY
 OUR LADY THEOTOKOS IS THE MOST PERFECT MODEL OF HOLY SCRIPTURE AND NOT BLESS THE MOTHER OF
GOD.
WOMANHOOD.
Identity between the Theotokos and Israel is implicit here
No other woman has ever received the Glory given to Her
as THE ISRAEL OF GOD, THE CHURCH, RECEIVES HIS MERCY.
- either in Holy Scripture or throughout Church History.
THE REIGN OF GOD IS over our hearts, Kings and Rulers, the
SHE IS CONFESSED AS THE MOTHER OF MY LORD by St Elizabeth
poor and the rich, and the Faithful of God i.e. OVER
because THIS WAS NO MERE MAN THAT THE THEOTOKOS
ALL CREATION!
CARRIED IN HER BLESSED WOMB.

FESTAL PROKEIMENON THE MAGNIFICAT SONG OF PRAISE TONE 3

My soul magnifies the Lord.
For He has regarded the Humility of His Handmaiden.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 2: 11- 18
CHRIST BECAME HUMAN SO THAT HE COULD BE OUR HIGH PRIEST
Brethren: both He Who Sanctifies, and they who are being Sanctified, are all of one, for which reason He is not
ashamed to call them Brethren, saying: I will declare Thy Name to My Brethren; in the midst of the Church will I
praise Thee. And again: I will put my trust in Him. And again: Behold I and My children, whom God has
given Me.
Therefore because the children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, so that
through Death, He might destroy him who had the power of death - that is to say, the devil - and release those who,
through the fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to the Angels:
but H does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His Brethren, so that He might become a Merciful and Faithful High
Priest in Things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has
suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
CHRIST WAS PERFECT EVEN BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION YET HE There is A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIN AND DEATH: EACH ONE
VOLUNTARILY TOOK ON HUMAN NATURE THAT COULD BE SAVED LEADS TO THE OTHER.
AND PERFECTED ONLY BY HIS OWN SUFFERING AND DEATH. SIN CAUSES DEATH ESPECIALLY SPIRITUAL DEATH AND THE FEAR
OF DEATH LEADS PEOPLE TO SIN and thereby into bondage
CHRIST COULD ONLY DIE AND ENTER HADES IN HIS HUMAN NATURE. THEN IN HIS DIVINE
NATURE, HE WAS ABLE TO SMASH OPEN THE IMPRISONING GATES OF HADES AND RELEASE or slavery to Satan who certainly does not want any
THE RIGHTEOUS AND REPENTANT SOULS TO REST IN PEACE IN HIS RE-OPENED PARADISE, souls returning to our Almighty Creator to Whom they
WHERE THE REPENTANT THIEF HAD ALREADY BEEN ADMITTED. belong.
CHRIST IS THE PIONEERING CAPTAIN OF THE NARROW PATH TO GOD ONLY OUR BELOVED LORD JESUS CHRIST IS ABLE TO FREE US FROM
THIS BONDAGE OR SLAVERY OF SIN AND DEATH.
in His Suffering for our sins, Death, and Descent into
Hades, His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven It behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His
where HE HAS REGAINED HIS RIGHTFUL POSITION AT THE Brethren means that EVEN CHRIST WAS TEMPTED
PLACE OF HONOUR - ENTHRONED NEXT TO OUR HEAVENLY
because WHATEVER IS NOT ASSUMED [TAKEN ON] IS NOT
FATHER. HEALED, AND WHAT IS UNITED TO ALMIGHTY GOD IS SAVED.
In Salvation we take on Christs Way of Suffering. The Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is like us in His human
OUR PERFECTION THEOSIS - REQUIRES SPIRITUAL GROWTH THAT IS
Nature but WE DO NOT BECOME LIKE HIM IN HIS
MANIFESTED IN SUFFERING.
DIVINE NATURE. This is impossible because WE
CANNOT BECOME A PART OF THE GODHEAD. However, WE CAN
In the Incarnation of Christ, GOD DID NOT COME IN
BECOME GOD-LIKE IN OUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION
APPEARANCE ONLY. HE TRULY ASSUMED [TOOK ON] HUMAN
FLESH AND BLOOD from the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary,
OUR PERSONAL GOAL IN LIFE IS TO REACH THEOSIS SPIRITUAL
Theotokos, AND BECAME THE SAME AS WE ARE - EXCEPT FOR PERFECTION!
THE ABILITY TO SIN SO THAT HE COULD REALLY ENTER THE St Paul wrote about CHRIST AS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE to CHRIST
AS OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST without transition because HE IS
STATE OF DEATH AND THEREBY BRING US ALL HUMANITY
BOTH THE DIVINE SACRIFICIAL OFFERING AND THE DIVINE
SALVATION.
CHRIST DESTROYED THE DEVILS POWER BY USING SATANS OFFERER, THE HIGH PRIEST.
STRONGEST WEAPON DEATH AGAINST HIM.
C HRIST IS MERCIFUL ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHOM HE SERVES AND
FAITHFUL IN HIS SACRED MINISTRY TO ALMIGHTY GOD.

18 THE ANNUNCIATION 25 MARCH 2017

Christians are Holy Brethren As Apostle and High Priest, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS BOTH
TO BE IN CHRIST IS A HEAVENLY CALLING THAT SEPARATES THOSE GODS DIVINE REPRESENTATIVE TO MANKIND AND ALSO
IN CHRIST FROM THOSE WHO HAVE IGNORED OR REFUSED HIS MANKINDS MEDIATOR BEFORE ALMIGHTY GOD. In Him, the
CALL. Offices of PROPHET AND PRIEST are combined.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 1 : 24 38
THE COMING BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS ANNOUNCED TO HIS MOTHER, THE EVER VIRGIN MARY
At that time, Zachariahs wife, Elizabeth, conceived, and hid herself five months, saying: Thus has the Lord dealt with
me in the days wherein He looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.
And in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a Virgin espoused
to a man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David; and the Virgins Name was Mary. And the Angel came in
with Her, and said: Hail, Thou who art Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee! Blessed art Thou among women!
And when She saw him, She was troubled at his saying, and cast in Her mind what manner of Salutation this should
be.
And the Angel said to Her: Fear not, Mary, for Thou has found Favour with God. And behold, Thou shalt Conceive in
Thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call His Name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son
of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give to Him the Throne of His Father, David. And He shall reign over the
House of Jacob forever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary to the Angel: How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said to Her:
The Holy Spirit shall come upon Thee, and the Power of the Highest shall Overshadow Thee. Therefore also that
Holy One Who shall be Born of Thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, Thy cousin, Elizabeth, has
also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God
nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the Handmaiden of the Lord! Be it unto me according to Thy Word. And the Angel departed
from her.
The name Mary, Maria, or Miriam literally means CHRIST THE ETERNAL ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD THE
THE EXALTED ONE. FATHER - SHE IS THE MOST BLESSED WOMAN OF ALL TIME.
THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WAS BETROTHED, BY THE WILL OF EVEN MORE RELEVANT IS HER ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO GOD, as
GOD, TO HER AGED UNCLE, ST JOSEPH, WHO WAS OF ROYAL pointed out by Christ Himself.
LINEAGE. He was of the House or family of David the According to St Lukes description of her, SHE IS PRAISED IN
ancient King who had been Anointed by Almighty THE ORTHODOX CHURCH AS BEING SURROUNDED WITH DIVINE
God. GRACE AND SHINING WITH NATURAL HOLINESS.
He was the elderly widowed husband of Salome, sister of Verses 31 33 and behold, Thou shalt Conceive in Thy
St Anna, whom the Priests at the Temple had CHOSEN BY Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name
DIVINE INSPIRATION AND THROUGH A MIRACULOUS SIGN - TO Jesus is an amazingly accurate description of the
PROTECT HER BECAUSE SHE HAD TAKEN A SACRED VOW OF long-awaited Messiah!
CHASTITY THAT COULD NEVER BE BROKEN. HOLY SPIRIT AND POWER OF THE HIGHEST ARE SYNONYMOUS.
THERE WAS NO INTENTION OF ACTUAL MARRIAGE AND IT WAS NEVER This is a case of repetition for emphasis.
CONSUMMATED. HOLY ONE IS A MESSIANIC TITLE and the fact that Christ was
ST JOSEPH IS ENTITLED THE BETROTHED BECAUSE IT WAS A WELL to be BORN (without Seed,) OF THE EVER VIRGIN MARY
KNOWN FACT THAT HE WAS INDEED THE RIGHTEOUS GUARDIAN DEMONSTRATES HIS TRULY DIVINE NATURE
OF BOTH THEOTOKOS AND CHRIST, AS WELL AS THE OTHER Note in particular the reference to THE HOLY TRINITY: GOD
VIRGINS WHO KEPT HER COMPANY. THE FATHER (THE HIGHEST), THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Women had to be married as soon as they reached THE BLESSED THEOTOKOS FAITHFUL RESPONSE MAKES HER THE
puberty, especially if they had no immediate family to HIGHEST AND MOST PERFECT MODEL OF HUMAN OBEDIENCE TO
protect and care for them. ALMIGHTY GOD.
St Luke twice mentions the fact that the Ever Blessed THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD WAS NOT ONLY THE DIVINE
Theotokos was a Virgin. WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY, BUT ALSO THE WORK OF THE WILL
SHE WAS PURE AND VIRGINAL BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE AND FAITH OF THE EVER VIRGIN MARY.
INCARNATION OF CHRIST. AND SHE MAINTAINED HER VIRGINITY THEREFORE SHE IS HONOURED NOT ONLY BECAUSE GOD CHOSE HER,
AND CHASTITY THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. OR BECAUSE SHE BORE THE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH, BUT
Highly favoured [Charitou] can also be translated as BECAUSE SHE FREELY AND WILLINGLY CHOSE TO BELIEVE AND
FULL OF GRACE. OBEY GOD WITHOUT QUESTION OR HESITATION!
THE YOUNG THEOTOKOS WAS GREETED WITH AN EXALTED
SALUTATION BECAUSE AS THE MOTHER OF THE INCARNATED
THE ANNUNCIATION
When King Solomon received from God the Light of Name JESUS. He shall be Great, and shall be called
Wisdom to study the mysteries of nature, after he had the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give
looked over all that is on the Earth and in the unto Him the Throne of His Father, David. (LUKE 1:31
heavensthe past, present, and futurehe finally 32).
decided ... there is no new thing under the sun. We shall contemplate how these two New Divine Miracles
(ECCLESIASTES 1:10). - of the Virgin and Mother, the other, of the Virgin
However, God has wrought a Work that is completely and Mother of God - occurred in the Gospel history.
new, which never was in past ages, and never will be When the fullness of time had come, when God the
in the future. Father deigned to send His Only-Begotten Son and
It is the Work wrought in the Annunciation of the Ever Word that He might be Incarnate and become Man, St
Blessed Mary Full of Grace, the All Holy, Ever Virgin Gabriel the Archangel and Champion of Gods Holy
and Mother of God (Incarnate). Angels, was sent to the Galilean city of Nazareth to the
The manifold Divine Miracle - the exceedingly great young Virgin Mary who was Betrothed to St Joseph,
Action of God's Omnipotence, a Most Exalted Mystery (her elderly uncle and Divinely Chosen Guardian and
of our Orthodox Faith - a Virgin Mother! Protector.)
What more unlikely nature could be seen in Creation? He greeted Her with the salutation: Rejoice! O Thou who
The All Pure Virgin - the Mother of God! art full of Grace! (LUKE 1:28)
What more Wondrous Miracle could Divine Grace bring Then he told Her how God the Father had chosen Her to
to pass? be the Mother of His Son - to give Birth to the
One Divine Miracle surpasses the bounds of nature, and Redeemer of the world.
there has been nothing else like it, while another The Holy Archangel of God made the Great
ascends to the Heights of Divine Grace, and nothing Annunciation: ... Thou shalt Conceive in Thy Womb,
else can be compared to it! and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name
One is a Great Miracle, which is far superior to any other JESUS.... (LUKE 1:31)
Divine Miracle, and both are Unfathomable, and At first, the young Virgin was troubled and wondered
fully Divine: ...And, behold, Thou shalt conceive in what manner of Miraculous Occurrence this was.
Thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His
THE ANNUNCIATION 25 MARCH 2017 19.
But as soon as Archangel Gabriel had explained to Her
that this would happen in a completely Supernatural
Way i.e. through the Power and Energy of the
Omnipotent Grace of the Holy Spirit, She bowed Her
head in Humility and Obedience, and accepted the
Will of God the Father: ...be it unto me according to
Thy Word. (LUKE 1:38)
At that very moment, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Her,
and Divinely prepared the Habitation that would
contain God the Son.
In that instant, the Eternal Divine Word and Son, became
Flesh in Her Pure Womb, and signed Her with the
Power of the Most High, thereby "...strengthening
Her..." as St Athanasius the Great taught us in his
Homily on the Annunciation.
"..So that being Marked from that time, She could
contemplate, as much as that is possible, the
Unseen God Whom She bore in Her Womb, and
nurture the Infant Conceived there."
This is that New Miracle and a Divine Mystery that was
made manifest ...under the sun... not only a Virgin
and Mother, but the Mother of God!
All circumstances completely corresponded to this Divine
Annunciation.
Firstly, the Herald of the Annunciation - the Archangel, St
Gabriel, (whose name means Power of God)
corresponded to it, inasmuch as this Mystery was THE
SUPERNATURAL UNION OF TWO DIFFERENT NATURES - DIVINE
NATURE, AND HUMAN NATURE, IN ONE HYPOSTASIS OF THE
DIVINE WORD - OF PERFECT GOD AND PERFECT MAN.
The location also corresponded to the Eventthe city of
Nazareth (which means Consecration) - for the
Consequence of this Divine Mystery was
the CONSECRATION OF THE HUMAN RACE through the
participation of Divine Nature.
The date of the Annunciation 25 March - also
corresponded, for the world was created at that same
time of the year, and by this Great Divine Event the
Creation of the Universe was Perfected.
At Creation, the unsown soil first brought forth blossom
and fruit, and now the Unwed Virgin had Conceived.
All the Events of the present Divine Mystery are
Miraculous, but the Most Exalted of all that is
Miraculous was the Virgin Mary Herself who received
the Good News of the Annunciation the Virgin and
Mother.
This especially corresponds to the Divine Mystery, for
such should be the Mother of such a Son.
The Divine Word became what it never was before, and
remained what it was, becoming Man and remaining
God.
The Ever Blessed Virgin Mary became what She had not
been a Mother - and yet She remained what She
was a Virgin.
The Divine Word became a Son born without a
(biological) Father, and the Blessed Virgin Mary
became a Mother without a husband, later giving
Birth without the seed of mankind.
How different is God from mankind!
But God, despite becoming Man by assuming our human
flesh and blood, did not abandon His Divine Nature.
And how different a Virgin is from a Mother!
Although the Virgin became a Mother, in her maternal
childbearing She did not lose the Glory and Purity of
Her Virginity.
What a strange Communion of two naturesthe Godly
and the human - United unmingled in one
Hypostasis!
Divine Nature assumed human traits, and God became
Perfect Man, while His human Nature became a
participant in His Divine Qualities, and the same
Person became Perfect God.
In the same way, what Extraordinary Union of Virginal
Purity and Maternal Childbearing, which in a strange
manner were contained in one Woman!
Virginity gave the Mother the Purity that the Mother of
God should have, Who is All-Pure All-Undefiled,... fair
as the moon, choice as the sun... as the Holy Spirit
spoke of Her. (see SONGS 6:9)
Childbearing gave Virginity the Blessing, which a Virgin
should have had according to the Archangel's
20 THE ANNUNCIATION
greeting: ... Blessed art Thou among women... (LUKE
1:28)
Born there was the Miraculous Unionthe God-Man.
A different Union occurred, which was just as
Miraculousthe Virgin Mother.
Strange and Marvellous, and removed in many ways
from ordinary nature: one and the same Virgin and
Mother, remaining in the Sanctity of Virginity and
inheriting the Blessing of Childbirth," proclaimed St
Basil the Great.
Such a Son should have such a Mother. The Son Who
was born a Man and Who did not cease to be God, to
the Mother Who gave Birth to a Son and who did not
cease to be a Virgin.
This Mystery could not have occurred in any other way -
the very God-Man, the very Son, Who is Eternally
Begotten of the Everlasting Father, and Who is born in
time from a mortal Woman.
One Son, Who knows both a Father in Heaven and a
Mother on Earth, but in Heaven, where He has His
Father, there is no place for a Mother; while on Earth,
where He has His Mother, there is no place for a
Father.
There is no place for a Mother in Heavenand the Son is
born without passion.
There is no place for a Father on Earthand the Son is
born without seed.
Thus, the Perfect Relationship of Persons is maintained.
He is the Only Son, and the Only Son has One Father, one
Mother, who is by nature an Unwed Virgin.
Now, O Christian, I say to you what the Lord said to King
Achaz: Ask for thyself a sign in the depth or in the
height ... (ISAIAH 7:11)
Look down upon the Earth, gaze upwards to Heaven, and
search the present and past ages.
You will not find another Sign like unto this one, which
God revealed many centuries before through the lips
of the Prophet Isaiah: Behold, a Virgin shall
Conceive in the Womb, and shall bring forth a Son...
(ISAIAH 7:14)
It was prophesied in the Burning Bush, in the
Sprouting/Blossoming Rod of Aaron, in the Uncut
Mountain, and in the Closed Gates that faced the
East, through which the Lord alone entered and left.
Although King Solomon believed ... there is nothing new
under the sun... these were unique New Wonders that
will never be matched.
O Mother of God! We Confess a Truth that we cannot
comprehend, nor can we explain the Heights of such
Honour and Dignity.
Even our Most Wise Holy Fathers are perplexed by such a
profound Mystery, which is beyond human
understanding or explanation, and the Heavenly
Angels remain speechless, even if they could have
Enlightened us.
Our Ever Blessed Lady, the Theotokos, whose mind was
Illumined for incomparable Contemplation, having
been filled with Divine Grace and Inspired by the
Holy Spirit, and bearing the Divine Word, simply
stated: ... He Who is Almighty hath done to me Great
Things... and says nothing more. (LUKE 1:49)
If She were only the Mother of the Messiah, as the
Hebrews believed Him to be i.e. merely a human
being - and not God, and even if She had given
birth to someone who was ..the yearning of ages,
the Son of Blessing, the Redeemer of Israel... then as
the Mother of such a powerful Ruler/King (or
political/military leader) and as a result of this great
honour and social status, She would have surpassed
all other Hebrew Mothers and would have been
respected as being ... Blessed among women.
Being Theotokos the Mother of God who gave Birth in
time to the Saviour of the entire Creation - to the
Only-Begotten Son of God Whom the Father begat
outside of time- i.e. even before Eternity - is an
extraordinary and Most Marvellous Honour that
makes Deifies Her Perfects and Exalts Her above all
other Saints, and even the Heavenly Angels!
HOLY HIERARCH ILYA (MINYATI)
TRANSLATION FROM RUSSIAN BY NUN CORNELIA (REES)
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/45796.HTM
25 MARCH 2017
 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 unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, 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.

Tone (7) Varys/Grave 26 March 2017

th th
8 Sunday of Triodion 4 of Great Lent St John Klimakos
Apodosis of the Annunciation Synaxis of St Gabriel, Holy Archangel
Also the Feast of St Irenaeos, Bishop of Sirmium, Hungary St Bathusios & St Berkos the
Presbyters, with their two sons and two daughters, St Arpilos the Monk, St Abibos, St
Agnos, St Reasos, St Igathrax, St Iskous, St Silas, St Signikos, St Sonerilos, St Suimvalos, St
Thermos, St Phyllos, St Anna, St Alla, St Larissa, St Manca, St Mamika, St Virko, St Animais,
St Gaatha the Queen & St Duclida the Princess of Crimea St Malchos of Chalcis, Syria St Basil the New, Anchorite
(Holy Recluse), of Constantinople St Montanos the Presbyter & St Maxima, his wife, of Singidunum St George of
Sofia, Bulgaria

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 7: JOHN 20:1 - 10

ST PETER & ST JOHN WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE

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
sis Apostolis kirittin epetaxas, oti Anestis, Hriste O of the Myrrh-bearing Women, and Commanded them
Theos, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos. to announce to Thine Apostles that Thou had Risen
from the dead, O Christ our God, Who bestows upon
the world Great Mercy.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST JOHN KLIMAKOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Tes ton dakrion Sou roes, tis erimou to Agonon Egeorgisas, With rivers of Thy tears Thou made the desert bloom; and
ke tis ek vathou stenagmis, is ekaton tous ponous with Thy sighs from deep within; Thou made Thy
ekarpoforisas. Ke gegonas Fostir, ti Ikoumeni Lampon Labours bear Fruits a hundredfold; and Thou became a
tis Thavmasin, Ioanni Patir imon Osie. Presveve Hristo Star, illuminating the world by Thy Miracles, O John,
to Theo, Sothine tas psihas imon. our devout Father: Intercede with Christ our God for
the Salvation of our souls.
SEASONAL KONTAKION EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ti Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon To Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been
Efharistiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os Delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the Victory
ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me kindinon Festival as a Thanksgiving Offering. In Thine
eleftheroson, ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi Animfevte! Irresistible Might, keep me Free from all Trials, so that
I may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded Bride!
TRIODION MEGALYNARION INSTEAD OF AXION ESTIN
Epi Si Heri, Keharitomeni, pasa i Ktisis, Angelon to sistima, Because of Thee, O Full of Grace, all Creation rejoices: the
ke anthropon to genos, Igiasmene Nae, ke Paradise Ranks of Angels and the human race; Hallowed
Logike, Parthenikon Kavhima: ex is Theos Esarkothi, ke Temple and Spiritual Paradise, Pride of Virgins: from
Pedion gegonen, O Pro Eonon Iparhon Theos imon. Tin Thee God was Incarnate and He Who is our God
gar sin Mitran, Thronon epiise, ke tin sin gastera, before the Ages became a little Child. For He made
Platiteran Ouranon Apirgasato. Epi Si Heri, Thy Womb a Throne and caused it to become broader
Keharitomeni, pasa i Ktisis: Doxa Si! than the Heavens. Because of Thee, O Full of Grace,
all Creation Rejoices: Glory to Thee!
TRIODION PROKEIMENON PSALM 28/29 - TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Kyrios Ishin to Lao Aftou dosi, Kyrios Evlogisi ton Laon The Lord grants Strength to His People; the Lord Blesses
Aftou en Irini. His People with Peace.
Enegkate to Kyrio, Ii Theou, enegkate to Kyrio iious krino, Bring unto the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord sons
enegkate to Kyrio Doxan ke Timin. of rams; bring to the Lord Glory and Honour!
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 6 : 13 20
THE LORD OUR GOD CONFIRMS HIS DIVINE PROMISE BY A SACRED OATH
Brethren: when God made a Promise to Abraham, because He could Swear by no one greater, He Swore by Himself,
saying: Surely Blessing I will Bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
And so after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the Promise, for mankind indeed swears by the greater,
and an Oath for Confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.
Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the Heir of Promise the immutability of His Counsel, Confirmed It by
an Oath, so that by two Immutable Things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong
Consolation, who have fled for Refuge to lay hold of the Hope set before us.
This Hope we have as an Anchor of the soul both sure and Steadfast and which enter the Presence behind the Veil,
where the Forerunner has entered for us - even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the Order of
Melchizedek.
T HE PROMISE THAT GOD MADE TO ST ABRAHAM CONCERNED a son The two immutable Things refer to GODS DIVINE PROMISE
who would be born to him and his equally elderly AND GODS DIVINE OATH.
and barren wife, St Sarah AN HEIR THROUGH WHOM GOD Behind the Veil is a reference to THE HEAVENLY ALTAR,
WOULD GREATLY MULTIPLY HIS FAMILY. WHICH IS SERVED BY OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
WHO IS OUR ONE AND ONLY MOST HIGH PRIEST OF THE
8TH TRIODION SUNDAY 4TH LENT ST JOHN KLIMAKOS SYNAXIS & APODOSIS OF ANNUNCIATION 26 MARCH 2017 21.
 ETERNAL HOLY PRIESTHOOD ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF Covenant whose Holy Priesthood was equally Eternal.
MELCHIZEDEK an ancient King and Priest of the Old
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 9 : 17 - 31
O FAITHLESS GENERATION!
At that time, one of the crowd said to our Lord Jesus Christ: Teacher, I brought Thee my son who has a mute spirit. And
wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke
to Thy Disciples, that they could cast it out, but they could not.
He answered him and said: O faithless generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?
Bring him to Me. And they brought him to Him. And when he saw Jesus, immediately the spirit convulsed him,
and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father: How long has this been
happening to him? And he said: From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the
water to destroy him. But if Thou can do anything, have Compassion on us and help us. Jesus said to him: If you
can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. And immediately the father of the child cried out with
tears: Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirits, saying to it: Deaf and dumb
spirit: I command you, come out of him, and enter him no more! And the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly,
and went out of him. And he became as though dead, so that many said: he is dead! And Jesus took him by the
hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
And when He had gone into the house, His Disciples asked Him privately: Why could we not cast it out? And He said to
them: This kind can come out by nothing but Prayer and Fasting.
And they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. For He taught His
Disciples: The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men who will kill Him. And after He is dead, He
will rise the Third Day.
According to St Matthews account of this incident, THE The flesh (sarx) is not synonymous with our body
DESPERATE FATHER OF THE EPILEPTIC BOY HAD KNELT DOWN (soma) ST PAUL WAS CALLING FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
BEFORE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHICH REVEALED HIS LUSTS OF THE FLESH rather than the destruction of our
HUMILITY BEFORE SUCH A POWERFUL TEACHER AND HOLY body.
PERSON, EVEN THOUGH HE LACKED PERSONAL FAITH IN GOD.
GALATIANS 6 : 1 Brethren: if (anyone) is overtaken in
Although His Disciples also were lacking in their absolute any trespass, you who are Spiritual restore such
Faith in God, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REBUKED NOT ONLY a (person) in a spirit of Gentleness, considering
THEM AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED THE INCIDENT, BUT ALSO yourself lest you also be tempted.
THE FATHER OF THE YOUNG BOY, WHICH PREVENTED THE TO BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER CORRECTION WITH THE BLESSED VIRTUE
HEALING OF HIS BELOVED SON. OF GENTLENESS IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT FROM GOD.
Although OUR LORD JESUS defended the abilities of His St John Chrysostom taught us that THIS REBUKE OF CHRIST
Disciples and Apostles before the gathered multitude, WAS ACTUALLY DIRECTED AT THE NINE DISCIPLES WHO COULD
He later REBUKED THEM IN PRIVATE for their weak Faith NOT CAST OUT THE DEMON that caused the young boys
and trust in the Divine Mercy and Power of Almighty epileptic fits, WHEREAS THE PILLARS OF FAITH, ST PETER, ST
God. JAMES AND ST JOHN, WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE REBUKE,
Christ thereby teaches us that WHEN WE CORRECT OTHERS, WE since they had been on Mount Tabor with our Lord
MUST NOT HUMILIATE OR EMBARRASS THEM, ESPECIALLY BEFORE Jesus Christ, where they had witnessed His Glorious
WITNESSES WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND ONES CONCERN OR Transfiguration.
LOVING MOTIVATION FOR CORRECTING THOSE WHO ARE THIS KIND... of evil spirit DEMONIC POSSESSION THAT CAUSES
STUMBLING OR WHO HAVE ALREADY FALLEN. NOT ONLY SPIRITUAL ILLNESS BUT ALSO PHYSICAL
 EVERYTHING WE DO TO ENCOURAGE, ASSIST, GUIDE OR TEACH MANIFESTATIONS OF THE GREAT SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE that
OTHERS MUST ALWAYS WITHOUT FAIL BE DONE WITH occurs during demonic attacks IS A REFERENCE TO ALL
AGAPE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. (LIMITED) POWERS OF DARKNESS OF EVIL - and not simply
 FURTHERMORE, THOSE WHO ARE BEING CORRECTED MUST to those that can cause a particular type of physical
ACCEPT CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OR SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE illness.
WITH UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE WELL THE BANISHMENT OF DEMONS REQUIRES STRONG, UNSHAKABLE
INTENTIONED ACT OF LOVE. FAITH, SINCERE AND HUMBLE PRAYER AND BOTH SPIRITUAL AND
PHYSICAL FASTING, FOR THERE IS NO HEALING AND NO VICTORY
 Besides that, whenever we are corrected by our fellow IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE WITHOUT ALL THREE!
Disciples of Christ, WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE APPLY
Beginning with the Didache the earliest writings of the
SUCH CORRECTIONS TO OUR BEHAVIOUR OR PRACTISES.
Holy Apostles our Holy Church Fathers have taught
OTHERWISE NONE OF US WOULD MAKE ANY SPIRITUAL
us that BOTH THE PERSON WHO IS IN NEED OF HEALING AND THE
PROGRESS AT ALL!
PERSON WHO PERFORMS THE HEALING, MUST HAVE UNWAVERING
This is all part of our Spiritual Journey learning to
FAITH IN ALMIGHTY GOD, must constantly Pray for Divine
ACCEPT GOOD ADVICE FROM OTHERS WITH ALL DUE HUMILITY
Assistance and Grace and Fast properly.
AND OBEDIENCE. TO DO OTHERWISE IS TO SHOW A LACK OF
Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed His approaching Death
THESE TWO IMPORTANT VIRTUES AND CAN MEAN THAT WE HAVE
and Resurrection for a second time to show that HE
FALLEN INTO THE VICES OF PRIDE, ARROGANCE AND
FULFILLED HIS PASSION FREELY AND NOT ACCORDING TO THE
DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD.
DICTATES OF THOSE SEEKING HIS DESTRUCTION.
THE DISCIPLINE OF OUR HOLY CHURCH IS BASED ON OUR MUTUAL
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE
CORRECTION IN THREE EXPANDING STAGES.
WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, ACCEPTED HIS ULTIMATE
Sin and correction are to remain private unless the
BLOOD SACRIFICE WILLINGLY AND FREELY OUT OF GODS
offender stubbornly refuses to Repent and rejects
INFINITE LOVE OF MANKIND for it was the final and
correction.
greatest of all Blood Sacrifices for mankinds Salvation
ALL CORRECTION OF OUR ERRORS IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN DONE
the greatest Blood Sacrifice that Redeemed all
WITH GREAT CARE AND HUMILITY, WITH THE PRIMARY CONCERN
mankind so that NEVER AGAIN WOULD WE HAVE TO OFFER
BEING THE SALVATION OF THE OFFENDER.
TEMPORARY BLOOD SACRIFICES FOR THE ATONEMENT OF OUR
CORRECTION OF OUR ERRORS IS ESSENTIAL SO THAT WE DO NOT
CONTINUOUS SINS.
DRAW OTHERS INTO SIN AS WELL:
NOW ACCORDING TO OUR NEW COVENANT WITH GOD A

1 CORINTHIANS 5 : 5 ... deliver such a one to Satan for
BLOODLESS COVENANT WE CONSTANTLY MAKE OUR
the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may
OFFERINGS OF THANKSGIVING, PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN THE
be Saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus.
DIVINE LITURGY SERVICE OF HOLY EUCHARIST continuously
This means that IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST WE ARE
Repenting our sins and joyfully accepting the
PROTECTED FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF SATAN.
ongoing Forgiveness of Christ our Saviour, which
HOWEVER, THIS HOLY PROTECTION WILL BE REMOVED FROM US
grants us Eternal Life in His Divine Kingdom of Love,
THROUGH EXCOMMUNICATION IN THE HOPE THAT AS SOON AS WE
Peace and Joy.
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS DIVINE AND
BECAUSE WE CONTINUE TO COMMIT SIN, WE MUST CONTINUE TO
MERCIFUL RULE OVER US AND THE DESTRUCTIVE, WICKED AND
REPENT AND BESEECH GODS DIVINE FORGIVENESS SO THAT
DEVASTATING ENSLAVEMENT OF SATAN WE WILL QUICKLY
WHEN OUR TIME COMES TO LEAVE THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD OF
REPENT our sins of Spiritual Disobedience and
TEMPORARY LIFE, WE SHALL BE IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE
Rebellion against God and return to the Sacred Fold
a state of True Repentance rather than in a state of
of Christ our Saviour.

22. 8 T H T R I O D I O N S U N D A Y 4 T H L E N T S T J O H N K L I M A K O S S Y N A X I S & A P O D O S I S OF ANNUNCIATION 26 MARCH 2017

 Spiritual Death and Alienation from God a state of
unrepentance, disobedience and sin!
Just like so many of us today, THE DISCIPLES DID NOT FULLY
UNDERSTAND THE FULL TRUTH AND SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTS
CLEAR WORDS YET THEY DID NOT USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND
OUT WHAT EVERYTHING WOULD MEAN TO THEM.
Similarly, many of us today, could not bother to SEEK
DIVINE TRUTH AND UNDERSTANDING, which is granted to us
once we honestly begin our Spiritual Journey.
8TH SUNDAY OF TRIODION 4TH OF
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Brethren: Our Holy Father among the Saints, St John
Klimakos, is the author of a powerful Spiritual Work
that is divided into thirty chapters, called Steps, as
part of the overall book entitled: The Ladder of
Divine Ascent.
As the Great Lenten Fast is about our Ascending to the
Holy Things of Heaven, it is entirely appropriate that
our Holy Church focuses on the Ascetical Enterprise as
presented by this Inspired Book and on the person of
its author, who is celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of
the Great Lenten Fast.
Just as St Andrew of Crete is memorialized through his
great Penitential Canon, which is sung twice during
the Lenten Fast with prostrations, so is the Ladder of
Divine Ascent a constant companion for those striving
to ascend the Ladder of Virtues towards God.
In the West, the book Imitation of Christ by Thomas A.
Kempis is a well-read text among both Monastics and
laity.
However, the Ladder of Divine Ascent reflects the ancient
Orthodox perspective on Spirituality as being our
personal Transformation in Christ our God.
We do not imitate Christ as if He were little different from
ourselves.
As God Incarnate, we seek to have Communion with Him,
to participate in His Life in Adoration and Worship.
We seek to become Temples of the Holy Spirit through His
Grace.
In fact, that is the Holy Purpose of the Great Lenten Fast in
the first instance.
The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit is a life-long Struggle
and it is now that we look at our True Purpose for
being here, and our responsibilities as Christians, with
absolute, sincere Faith and Trust in God.
St Johns Ladder of Divine Ascent is so valued that it is
usually read during mealtimes in Monasteries.
During the Great Lenten Fast, the Rubrics prescribe its
public reading in Church during the Hours!
The premise of the work is the same as that of the
Liturgical celebration of St John of the Ladder on the
Fourth Sunday of Great Lent.
The Readings are rooted in the Parable of the Good
Samaritan where we are likened to the man who was
attacked along the road by robbers, who was beaten
and stripped naked to be left for dead in utter
hopelessness.
St John describes our soul as being in that state as a
result of sin and our sinful inclinations.
There is no question of asking ourselves whether we
have sinned.
Perhaps we cannot remember the last time we broke one
of the Ten Commandments or the Nine Beatitudes but
that is no matter.
We know from Scripture and our Holy Church Fathers that
our soul is beaten and stripped naked through
Ancestral Sin.
Furthermore, we tend towards that which is sinful
because of our darkened mind and corrupted will.
We are in radical need of the Divine Grace of the Holy
Spirit through Christ in order to become One with God
the Father.
That is the Holy Oil that Christ, our Good Samaritan, pours
over us to grant us Healing.
St Johns Ladder of Divine Ascent, therefore, begins by
teaching us not to rely on our own strength and will,
for that is asking for trouble!
8TH TRIODION SUNDAY 4TH LENT ST JOHN KLIMAKOS SYNAXIS & APODOSIS
THE MORE WE SEEK DIVINE TRUTH WITH A SPIRITUAL YEARNING FOR
A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, THE MORE HE
GRANTS US HIS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING!
However, because GOD NEVER FORCES ANYTHING ON US
having granted us free will to choose for ourselves
which Spiritual Path we take towards Eternity IT IS UP
TO US TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LEARN HIS DIVINE AND
ABSOLUTE TRUTH concerning everything to do with the
Purpose of this temporary life and Eternity the Age to
come which is never ending and a very conscious
state more consciously aware than at present!!
GREAT LENT ST JOHN KLIMAKOS
We must become like shining Lamps in Humility and a
sense of our sinfulness so as to have Christ pour His
unfailing Love - His Divine Energies - into our being.
We advance slowly in Spiritual Life, taking it one Step at
a time.
Constant Prayer - especially the Jesus Prayer and the
Invocation of the Name of our Saviour - keeps us
ascending.
Reliance on self and pride are at the source of our
sinfulness, and the fact that we sin shows how we lose
our focus on and drift away from our Lord Jesus
Christ.
There is a beautiful Icon printed by Holy Transfiguration
Monastery in Brookline, Massachusetts, that depicts St
Peter sinking into the waters just when Christ grabs
hold of him.
The Icon is entitled, Kyrie, eleison! - Lord, save me!
It quite poignantly captures that moment of helplessness
that St Peter felt when he looked down to see his feet
walking upon the waves, while the wind buffeted him,
and, suddenly, the reality of the situation hit him,
causing him to sink!
His focus was diverted from Christ and in that moment, he
began to submerge under the stormy sea!
And so it is with us!
As we climb the Ladder of Virtues while making our way
towards our Saviour, we must strive to keep our focus
on the Person and Power of our Lord God, and not be
distracted by our personal circumstances or doubts.
It is very easy to become sidetracked and misguided
along this Spiritual Path of Inner Struggle.
We could also fall prey to that peculiar form of Spiritual
Pride, Prelest, which is a type of self-delusion when we
are convinced that what we are doing is Gods Will,
yet, at the same time, we refuse to submit to the
Spiritual Guidance of our Spiritual Fathers and the
Teachings of Christ and His Holy Church!
It is easy to think of ourselves as being good in a
religious sense.
We attend Church on Sunday, we do not do bad things to
others and we pray once in a while, so, we convince
ourselves, obviously we are on our way to Heaven!!
St Basil the Great knew about the Spiritual Delusion of
Prelest, which was the reason that he was against
solitary Monastic Life and encouraged Monks and
Nuns to live in Community, whereby each person is
able to benefit from objective criticism of his or her
Spiritual Attitudes and Labours.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written by St John to
help us to examine ourselves closely and to discover
our Spiritual Weaknesses, in order to be Healed and
Strengthened.
The premise is not to see how many unacknowledged
sins we have committed, but to understand our True
Spiritual State before God so as to beseech His Great
Mercy and Healing.
This is why it is always necessary to have our own
Spiritual Father, who can discern not only the nature
of the sins we commit, but also our character.
As our Spiritual Father, he is able to guide and advise us
by pointing out what tempts us into habitual
sinfulness and how to avoid specific circumstances
and temptations.
We cannot do that by ourselves, for the long Experience
of Great Ascetics has proven that once and for all!
What we can do is increase our Spiritual Reading and
contemplation of Holy Scripture and Orthodox
Writings of our Holy Church Fathers, such as The
Ladder of Divine Ascent, in order to acquire a better
sense of our inner state of heart and soul.
OF ANNUNCIATION 26 MARCH 2017 23.
 Understanding ourselves is what used to be the entire
goal of ancient Philosophy.
The great thinkers knew that one of the most difficult
enterprises we may be engaged in, is knowing
ourselves.
We do not like doing that these days. Perhaps we are
afraid of what we may find out. Or maybe we have
lulled ourselves into a state of Spiritual Slumber and
Blindness, whereby we persuade ourselves that our
sins are insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
After all, we do not murder, rob or commit the other great
sins. We are not as bad as others, we think.
And what is a sin anyway? Is not feeling guilty bad for
us? We reject guilt for ourselves but not for others - The Divine Liturgy causes time to stop and places us at
and always have a ready excuse to justify our selfish
and wilful errors and wickedness!
Yet, our Lord Jesus Christ constantly calls us to Self-
renewal, to Spiritual Transformation.
His Divine Grace - His Divine Energies - Empower us to
experience a New Life in Him.
Our Spiritual Life is much like an onion. We need to peel
off the layers of sin.
St John assured us that due to having accepted certain
iniquities as merely being ...part of nature... against
which we refuse to do Spiritual Battle, we need to peel
off each layer of sin, as we make Spiritual Progress.
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS & MOTHERS
A HOLY FATHER OF MOUNT ATHOS:
My Child, to change our life means that we change the
focus of our nous (mind), which is the strongest
power of our soul, towards God.
This is exactly what our Lord meant when He
commanded us to ...Love God with all your power
and all your strength...
This is Metanoia. (Repentance)
Living in Metanoia is really how we change our life.
Changing our life does not mean that we merely shed a
few tears, make a few apologies, and partake of the
Holy Mystery of Repentance-Confession.
We must change all aspects of how we live each day!
We must change the focus of our nous entirely upon the
Lord our God, and away from earthly materialistic
things, which are of no Spiritual Benefit at all.
All our being is turned towards Him while we
continuously pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have Mercy on me, the sinner!
THE CONTINUOUS REPETITION OF THIS MOST POWERFUL PRAYER
HELPS US TO KEEP OUR FOCUS AND ATTENTION ON OUR SAVIOUR
AND ON OUR TRIUNE, ALMIGHTY GOD.
ST PETER OF DAMASCUS:
We must always to give thanks to God for both the
Universal and the particular Gifts of soul and body
that He bestows on us.
The Universal Gifts consist of the four elements, and all
that comes into being through them, as well as all the
Marvellous Works of God mentioned in Holy Scripture.
The particular Divine Gifts consist of all that God grants to
each of us, individually, such as:
 wealth enables us to PERFORM ACTS OF CHARITY;
 poverty enables us to ENDURE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH
PATIENCE AND GRATITUDE to God for His Great Mercy
 authority enables us to EXERCISE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
AND ACQUIRE VIRTUE;
 obedience & service enables us to more readily
ATTAIN SALVATION OF SOUL;
 health enables us to ASSIST THOSE IN NEED and
UNDERTAKE LABOURS WORTHY OF GOD,
 sickness enables us to EARN THE CROWN OF PATIENCE;
 Spiritual Knowledge & Strength enables us to ACQUIRE
VIRTUE;
 weakness & ignorance enables us to REJECT OR AVOID
WORLDLY THINGS, and to be under an OBEDIENCE IN
STILLNESS AND HUMILITY;
 unsought loss of goods and possessions enables us
to DELIBERATELY SEEK SALVATION and may help us to
understand the significance of being able to SHARE
OUR WORLDLY POSSESSIONS WITH OTHERS.
 ease and prosperity enables us to VOLUNTARILY
STRUGGLE AND SUFFER in order to acquire Holy
24. 8 T H T R I O D I O N S U N D A Y 4 T H L E N T S T J O H N K L I M A K O S S Y N A X I S & A P O D O S I S
We should not allow grief to overwhelm us during this
perpetual process, for as we entrust our Life to God in
Christ and invoke His unfailing Love and Mercy, we
will experience the Transforming Oil of His Spirit upon
our ailing soul.
Our commitment to this process is Strengthened and
made firm during the Great Lenten Fast.
Nothing good or worthy is accomplished without hard
Labour.
Nevertheless, it is Gods Healing Grace that in all reality
establishes within us the Power of the Resurrection of
the Crucified Christ, which we Liturgically celebrate in
the forthcoming weeks.
the Entrance to our Resurrected Lords Empty Tomb
filled with the overwhelming Brightness and Warmth
of the Divine Light.
This is the final Step of the Ladder of Divine Ascent,
towards which we must all strive without ceasing.
Amen.
http://www.glasgoworthodox.org
Virtues, to BECOME DISPASSIONATE and thus worthy of
Saving other souls,
 trials and hardship enables us to ERADICATE OUR OWN
WILL, so that we may be Saved in spite of ourselves,
while those who are capable of Joyful Endurance
may attain Perfection, Deification or Theosis.
ALL THESE THINGS, even if they are opposed to each other,
ARE nevertheless GOOD WHEN USED CORRECTLY; but when
misused, they are not good, but are harmful for both
soul and body.
ELDER EPHRAIM OF MOUNT ATHOS & ARIZONA
Along our difficult Path, we are often confronted by trials
of sickness and suffering, by thorns of doubt,
impatience and cowardice, which may rend the
garment of our soul.
Therefore, we need to pluck out those thorns with Faith,
Hope, and Patience, having our Lord Jesus Christ as
our Perfect Example to follow.
He had to contend with many, extremely difficult
circumstances and His All-Holy Soul was also tempted
by many thorns. Thus He urged us: With Patience
possess your soul! (L U K E 2 1 : 1 9 )
During illnesses and innumerable grievous tribulations,
God bestows His Divine Gifts of Blessing and Love
upon us:

H E B R E W S 1 2 : 7 - 8 If you endure Chastening, God
deals with you as with sons; for what son is there
whom a Father does not chasten? If you are
without chastening, of which all have become
partakers, then you are illegitimate and not
sons!
Suffering tests us and reveals who we are, so if we want to
be Children of God, we must endure the afflictions
and trials permitted by God with Thanksgiving, Faith,
and Hope, for thereby we acquire the Holy Virtues of
Tolerance, Forbearance, Compassion, and Patience,
as our Lord reminded us: ... (God) makes His sun rise
on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the Just
and the unjust . (M A T T H E W 5 : 4 5 )
Consequently, we are obliged to Love all people. There
must be neither hatred nor evil in our heart and soul,
as befitting Children of God.
Our sufferings are incomparable with all the Goodness
and Blessings that God has prepared for those who
carry their Cross, for we must fight against whatever
passion or weakness that may confront us in order to
be worthy: Blessed is he who endures trial, for when
he has stood the test, he will receive the Crown of
Life. (J A M E S 1 : 1 2 )
For this reason, we must endure everything, for although
Winter is bitter, Paradise is far more sweeter!
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OF ANNUNCIATION 26 MARCH 2017