5 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 2 J U N E 2 0 1 3 1.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a

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.

HHH rrr iii sss ttt ooo sss AAA nnn eee sss ttt iii !!! AAA lll iii ttt hhh ooo sss AAA nnn eee sss ttt iii !!!

5 t h S u n d a y A f t e r P a s c h a T o n e 4 2 J u n e 2 0 1 3

S u n d a y o f t h e S a m a r i t a n W o m a n

Feast of St Photina (Svetlana) – the Samaritan Woman – her sons, St Photinos & St Joses, her sisters, St Anatola, St Phota, St Photis, St Paraskeva, & St Kyriake – St Domnina, Nero’s daughter & St Sebastian – St Nicephoros the Confessor & Patriarch of Constantinople – St John the New Martyr of Sochi – St Juliana, Princess of Vyazma – St Erasmos of Ochrid Monastery

P A S C H A L A P O L Y T I K I O N

R ESU RR EC T I ON / F ES TA L APO LY T I K I ON – T ON E 4

To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou

Mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon: Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos!

When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from

the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection, and had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather, they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no more: Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great Mercy!

APO LY T I K I ON O F M I D – P ENT ECO ST – T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4 :

Mesousis tis Eortis, disosan mou tin psihin, efsevias

potison namata; oti pasi Sotir evoisas: O dispason erhestho pros me ke pineto. I Pigi tis Zois, Hriste O Theos imon Doxa Si.

Halfway to the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with

flowing Streams of Piety; for Thou, O Saviour, cried to all: Those who thirst, come to Me and drink! O Fountain of Life, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!

F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N - H O L Y P A S C H A U N T I L A S C E N S I O N D A Y

I ke en Tafo katilthes Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin

dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis Sis Apostolis

Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.

Although Thou descended into the Tomb, O Immortal

One, Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou arose as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-bearing Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine Apostles Thou granted Thy Peace: the One Who grants Resurrection to the fallen.

R e s u r r e c t i o n G o s p e l 7 : J o h n 2 0 : 1 - 1 0 ST P ET E R & ST JOHN W I T N ES S TH E EMPTY TOMB O F O UR R ES URREC T ED LORD J ESUS CHR I S T

P r o k e i m e n o n

O Lord , how mani fo ld a r t Thy Works . Thou hast c reated them a l l in Wi sdom!

B l e ss the Lord , O my sou l !

T h e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 1 : 1 9 – 3 0 T H E G E N T I L E C H U R C H O F A N T I O C H

Those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen, travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to no one but the Hebrews only. But some of them were from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, then they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

And the Hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things was heard by the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. And

when he went and saw the Grace of God, he was glad, and he encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy spirit and of Faith.

And a great many people were added to the Lord. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsos to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he took him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the Church and taught a great many people and the Disciples were first

called ‘Christians’ in Antioch. And in those days Prophets went from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabos, stood up and showed by

the Spirit, that there was going to be a great famine throughout the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the Disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the Brethren dwelling in Judea.

This they also did, and sent it to the Elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

The Evangelisation of the Gentiles caused a significant amount of conflict to the early Church.

Even though Christ had Commanded His Holy Apostles to preach His Holy Gospel universally – to all Nations – it took a while for this to be put properly into practice.

Much debate arose over what requirements from the Old Covenant Law – if any – the Gentile Christians would have to follow.

The “Hellenists” referred to actual Greeks, not to Hellenistic Hebrews – (I.E. GREEK SPEAKING HEBREWS)

The Holy Church of Christ in Antioch was instrumental in bringing untold numbers of Gentiles to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Two key Truths are revealed in the fact that St Barnabas was “sent out to Antioch”:

1. HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST were sent forth to preach the

Holy Gospel of Christ but they NEVER WORKED IN

ISOLATION FROM OR INDEPENDENT TO THE REST OF THE

BODY OF THE HOLY CHURCH.

2. THE HOLY CHURCH OF ANTIOCH NEEDED THE SEAL OF HOLY

APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO BECOME INTEGRATED

INTO THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.

ST BARNABAS REVEALED HIS GENUINE HUMILITY BY SEEKING THE

HELP OF ST PAUL (Saul) – a humble recognition of his own

personal limitations, and his true COMMUNION WITH AND

DEPENDENCE ON THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST.

TWO KEY ELEMENTS OF LITURGICAL WORSHIP INCLUDED THE

EUCHARISTIC (THANKSGIVING) ASSEMBLY – COMMUNAL

WORSHIP – AND THE CORRECT TEACHING OF THE HOLY

GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

>Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato

Thanaton patistas, ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!

> Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death

trampling upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the tombs!

2. 5 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 2 J U N E 2 0 1 3

The fact that the Disciples of Christ were first called ‘Christians’ in Antioch is more than just historical Truth. It

demonstrates that CHRIST’S COMMANDMENT TO PREACH HIS

HOLY GOSPEL AMONG THE GENTILES AS WELL, WAS FIRST

FULLY REALISED IN ANTIOCH.

St John Chrysostom commented: “It was (in Antioch) for the first time that people were accounted worthy of that

name.”

The “Prophets” were Christian Believers within the Holy Church who had the Divine Gift of Prophecy.

� 1 COR INTH I ANS 12 :29 “Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of

Miracles?”

There has always been a wonderful Hierarchy of Honour in the Holy Church of the New Covenant which continues to this very day – and will continue unabated, until Eternity.

The Apostolic Work of the Bishops sets the pace for all the rest of Christ’s Holy Flock and WHEN THE OVERSIGHT IS IN

CORRECT WORKING ORDER, THE REST OF CHURCH IS FREE TO

FUNCTION AT OPTIMAL LEVEL FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND

WORSHIP OF GOD.

Yet, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and operative, there is something far more excellent – THE LOVE OF GOD, which

IS THE TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

� 1 CORINTHI ANS 14 :3 “He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to

mankind.”

� 1 CORINTHI ANS 14 : 29 “Let two or three Prophets speak, and let the others judge.”

God is not the Author of confusion - and the Truly Spiritual

can control themselves, since GENUINE SPIRITUALITY IS

MANIFESTED IN PREPAREDNESS, PROPRIETY AND ORDER,

COURTESY AND SELF-CONTROL/DISCIPLINE.

WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT, THERE IS DIVINE

PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING.

� EPHES I ANS 4 : 11 “(Christ) Himself granted some to be

Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and

some Pastors and Teachers, for the equipping of

the Saints for the Work of Ministry, for the

Edifying of the Body of Christ until we all come

to the Unity of the Faith and of the Knowledge of

Christ...” THE HOLY SPIRIT BESTOWS HIS DIVINE GIFTS IN ORDER TO FORM

ONE COHESIVE, HARMONIOUS GROUP WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE

FOR EQUIPPING – TEACHING, GUIDING AND PREPARING OTHERS

- FOR THE SACRED TASK OF CHRIST’S HOLY MINISTRY.

EVERY FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN HAS THE SACRED TASK OF GUIDING,

HELPING AND ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER as we all journey through this preparatory period of earthly life towards

Eternity because - whether we are believers or not – ALL

HUMANITY WILL ENTER ETERNITY.

The great famine that was predicted, did indeed happen throughout the known world in 44 – 51 – having begun in Judea and spreading as far as Greece and Italy.

The principle of giving “each according to his ability” is one that continues to this day in our Holy Church.

The Elders (“the bearded ones”) were the Presbyters (Priests) who were Ordained by the Holy Apostles and put in charge of the local Parish churches, which had initially been founded by the Holy Apostles.

Since those days, the Orders of the Holy Ministry or Holy Priesthood of Christ consist of the Bishops (the Apostles and their direct successors), the presbyters or priests, and the deacons.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 4 : 5 – 4 2 THE SAMAR I T AN WOMAN AT J ACOB ’S W E L L

At that time Jesus arrived at a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son, Joseph. And Jacob’s Well was there. And being wearied from His journey, Jesus sat at the well. It was about the sixth hour.

A woman of Samaria went to draw water. Jesus said to her: “Give Me a drink,” for His Disciples had gone into the city to buy food. And the woman of Samaria said to Him: “How is it that Thou, being a Hebrew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Hebrews had no dealings with Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said to her: “If thou knew the Gift of God, and Who it is Who says to thee: ‘Give Me a drink,’ thou would have asked Him, and He would have given thee Living Water.” The woman said to Him: “Sir, Thou hast nothing with which to draw, and the well is deep. Where then dost Thou get that Living Water? Art Thou greater than our Father, Jacob, who gave us this well, and drank from it himself - as well as his sons and his livestock?”

Jesus answered and said to her: “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the Water that I shall give, will never thirst. And the Water that I shall give will become in him a Fountain of Water springing up into Everlasting Life.” The woman said to Him: “Sir, give me this Water that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

Jesus said to her: “Go. Call thy husband, and come back here.” The woman answered and said: “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her: “Thou hast well said: ‘I have no husband,’ for thou had five husbands, and the one whom thou now have is not thy husband - in that thou spoke truly.”

The woman said to Him: “Sir, I perceive that Thou art a Prophet. Our Fathers worshipped on this mountain, and you Hebrews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her: “Woman, believe Me: the Hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for Salvation is of the Hebrews. But the Hour is coming, and now is, when the True Worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and Truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth.”

The woman said to Him: “I know that Messiah is coming.” (Who is called ‘Christ’). “When He comes, He will tell us all Things.” Jesus said to her: “I, Who speak to thee, Am He.”

And at this point, His Disciples returned and they marvelled that Jesus spoke with a woman; yet no one asked: “What dost Thou seek?” nor “Why art Thou talking to her?”

The woman left her water pot, went into the city and said to the men: “Come. Behold a Man Who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” And they went out of the city to Him.

Meanwhile, His Disciples urged Him, saying: “Rabbi, eat.” And He said to them: “I have Food to eat of which you do not know.” And the Disciples asked one another: “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” And Jesus said to them: “My Food is to do the Will of Him Who sent Me, and to finish His Work. Do you not say: ‘There are still four months before the harvest?’ Behold: I say to you: Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvesting! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers Fruit for Eternal Life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is True: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not Laboured; others have Laboured, and you have entered into their Labours.”

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the Woman who testified: “He told me all that I ever did!” And when the Samaritans had gone to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own Word.

Then they said to the Woman: “Now we believe – not because of what thou said – for we, ourselves, have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ – the Saviour of the world!”

The Old Testament does not mention “Jacob’s Well” although St Jacob did dwell in the area. (GENESIS 33:19)

Wells had great significance because of their rarity ad their value in desert life. Therefore, wells came to symbolise life itself. (PSALM 35:9–10; PSALM 45:4; ISAIAH 55:1)

5 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 2 J U N E 2 0 1 3 3.

Jacob’s Well has been maintained as a Holy Shrine by the Greek Orthodox Christian Church to this very day and pilgrims still drink from it. (ST PHILOMENOS THE NEW MARTYR GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ITS

PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION IN 1979.)

Our Lord Jesus was “wearied from His journey” - meaning that

IN HIS HUMAN NATURE, HE, TOO, SUFFERED hunger, thirst,

tiredness - THE SAME WEAKNESSES OF OUR OWN HUMAN

CONDITION.

The “Sixth Hour” is midday – 12:00 – the hottest part of the day, when most inhabitants of hot areas rest from the heat.

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN WAS THE EARLIEST EVANGELIST (BESIDES

THE APOSTLES) WHO TESTIFIED TO THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.

TOGETHER WITH HER TWO SONS AND FIVE DAUGHTERS (SOME SAY ‘SISTERS,’) SHE BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF SOULS TO CHRIST.

AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST SHE WAS BAPTISED WITH THE NAME OF

“PHOTINI” (“THE ENLIGHTENED ONE,”) AND WENT TO CARTHAGE TO SPREAD THE HOLY GOSPEL.

SHE WAS EVENTUALLY MARTYRED WITH HER ENTIRE FAMILY BY ORDER OF

EMPEROR NERO BY BEING THROWN INTO A VERY DEEP WELL. WE COMMEMORATE HER MEMORY ON 20 MARCH AND ON THE FIFTH SUNDAY

OF HOLY PASCHA.

The Samaritans were a mixed breed and traditional enemies of the Hebrews. Although they worshipped the God of Israel and also awaited the Advent or Coming of the Messiah – the Christ – they accepted only the first five Books of the Old Testament Scriptures – the Pentateuch.

They had built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which the Israelites had destroyed in 128 BC.

In the ordinary sense, living water means, fresh, flowing water from a stream or spring, rather than from a stagnant pond or cistern.

Christ’s use of the term “LIVING WATER” MEANT THE DIVINE

GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT LEADS US TO ETERNAL LIFE,

WHICH NOT ONLY REMAINS IN A FAITHFUL PERSON BUT IS SO

ABUNDANT THAT IT OVERFLOWS AND AFFECTS OTHERS IN THE

BEST POSSIBLE MANNER. However, St Photini misunderstood our Lord Jesus and thus

enquired whether He was greater that St Jacob, the ancient Patriarch who was a type of Christ because he had received the Vision of the Divine Ladder, which our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled. (GENESIS 28:12)

Furthermore, just as St Jacob gave this Well for earthly life,

CHRIST GRANTS US THE WELL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR

ETERNAL LIFE.

Since our Lord Jesus knew that St Photini was living in sin, and as He was aware of her five previous husbands, she assumed Him to be a Holy Prophet but since the Samaritans

did not accept or recognise any Prophets after St Moses, THE

ONLY PROPHET THEY EXPECTED WAS THE MESSIAH Whom St Moses had foretold. (DEUTERONOMY 18: 15-18)

CHRIST’S INSIGHT INTO ALL OUR HEARTS, which is repeatedly

mentioned throughout the Holy Gospels, EMPHASISES HIS

DIVINE NATURE.

Our Lord Jesus was indeed the expected ‘Holy Prophet,’ so He could settle the historical argument about where True Worship was to be offered.

However, OUR LORD JESUS REFUSED TO ANSWER SUCH AN EARTHLY

QUESTION AND ELEVATED THE DISCUSSION TO THE ONE WHOM

WE WORSHIP: ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF.

According to Christ Himself, GOD IS SPIRIT AND CANNOT BE

CONFINED TO ANY PARTICULAR LOCATION: GOD IS

OMNIPRESENT – HE IS EVERYWHERE!

THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BELIEVE IN JESUS

CHRIST – THE SON AND WORD OF GOD THE FATHER – WORSHIP

GOD WITH PURITY OF HEART.

Our Lord Jesus Christ affirmed that TRUE REVELATION COMES

FROM JUDAISM: “Salvation is of the Hebrews.”

St Athanasios the Great taught us: “The commonwealth of

Israel was the School of the Knowledge of God for

all nations.”

More importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ testified that THE

MESSIAH WHO WAS PROPHESIED AMONG THE HEBREWS, HAS

RISEN FROM THE HEBREWS.

WHILE THE GIFT OF THE SALVATION IN CHRIST IS TO ALL

NATIONS, IT HAS COME FROM WITHIN JUDAISM.

“The Hour” refers to THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF

CHRIST AND TO THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT

HOLY PENTECOST, which inaugurated the Worship of our New Covenant with Almighty God.

“I, Who speak to you, Am He,” is literally translated: “I

AM (EGO EIMI) Who speaks to you.” “I Am” is the

Divine Name of God and its use indicates A THEOPHANY

OR DIVINE REVELATION OF GOD HIMSELF.

The use of this Most Holy Name by a mere man would have been considered as the worst blasphemy ever – punishable by stoning to death! (JOHN 8:58; MARK 14:62)

However, as our Lord Jesus Christ is Truly Divine – the Son of God and thus one of the three Persons of the Almighty

Godhead – the Holy Trinity – HIS OWN USE OF THIS DIVINE

NAME REVEALS HIS TRUE UNITY WITH GOD THE FATHER AND

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.

He most certainly reveals that HE IS INDEED GOD

INCARNATE!

His Apostles “marvelled” not only because our Lord Jesus

spoke with a Samaritan, but that HE SPOKE WITH AN

UNACCOMPANIED WOMAN, WHICH WAS POTENTIALLY

SCANDALOUS FOR THEM BOTH!

] CHRIST IS ABOVE ALL SOCIAL NORMS AND CUSTOMS, SO

HE TREATED ALL WOMEN WITH THE HIGHEST OF

RESPECT, THEREBY SHOWING THEIR VALUE AND

IMPORTANCE IN EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY LIFE. (JOHN &;53-8:11; LL:20-30; 20: 11-18 & LUKE 8:1 – 3)

On many occasions CHRIST IS MISUNDERSTOOD BY PEOPLE DUE

TO OUR LIMITED HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE. Nevertheless, THROUGH THESE MISUNDERSTANDINGS, OUR LORD

FULFILS HIS DIVINE ROLE AS MESSIAH BY DOING THE WILL OF

HIS HEAVENLY FATHER – AND THIS IS HIS SPIRITUAL FOOD. Our Lord Jesus, by His own Perfect Example, has taught us

to PERFORM THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD THROUGHOUT OUR

LIFE WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTED BY EARTHLY CARES such as hunger, shelter and comfort. (JOHN 6:27; MATTHEW 4:4; 6:25-33)

According to St John Chrysostom, when Christ commanded His Apostles to “Behold” He wanted them to witness the approaching multitude of white clad Samaritans who were ready and eager to believe in Christ Jesus.

Our Lord compared these Samaritans (RELATIVE TO THE HEBREWS) to fields of crops that were ready to harvest.

In addition, our Lord’s command to “Behold!” is also addressed to all Faithful Christians – to all Faithful Disciples of Christ – to LOOK AT THOSE AROUND US AND TO SHARE HIS HOLY GOSPEL WITH ANYONE WANTING TO RECEIVE

IT – REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY OR SOCIAL STATUS.

St John Chrysostom believed that THOSE WHO SOWED AND

THOSE WHO REAPED WERE THE HOLY PROPHETS OF THE OLD

COVENANT AND THE HOLY APOSTLES OF THE NEW COVENANT

RESPECTIVELY.

The Holy Prophets sowed the Seeds of Faith in preparation for the Advent of the Messiah, yet they did neither witnessed it nor reap the Spiritual Fruit of their Holy Labours.

The Apostles who did witness and experience the Presence of God Incarnate, did not prepare either the Hebrews nor the Gentiles yet, after the Resurrection and especially after Pentecost, they drew millions of souls to Faith in Christ our Lord and Saviour, in their own lifetime.

The fact that these Samaritans were amongst the first to recognise and to acknowledge our Lord Jesus as the Saviour of the world, shows us exactly how HIS HOLY GOSPEL IS FOR ALL PEOPLE OF EVERY NATION THROUGHOUT

THE ENTIRE WORLD.

W h o i s J e s u s C h r i s t R i s e n f r o m t h e D e a d a n d L i v i n g E t e r n a l l y ? The encounter of the Samaritan Woman with our Lord

Jesus Christ is an example of how we get to know our Saviour.

It seems that Knowledge of God goes hand in hand with knowledge of oneself, and vice versa – the knowledge of self is realised in the Light of our Knowledge of God.

The Samaritan Women (later known as St Photini) went to the well to draw water, which was a routine of daily life. There she met our Lord Jesus Who asked her for some water to drink.

In her amazement that He dared to speak to her – a strange unaccompanied woman – she responded:

4. 5 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 2 J U N E 2 0 1 3

“How is it that Thou, being a Hebrew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?”

For the Samaritan Woman He was not only a stranger but also obviously a Hebrew whom the Samaritans regarded as their arrogant enemies who would never deign to associate with them.

THE MOST UNUSUAL AND PROFOUND CONVERSATION THAT FOLLOWED

WAS THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE WORLD-WIDE CONVERSION OF

THE GENTILES ( THE NON-HEBREW OR NON-CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD ) AND THE DIVINE REVELATION OF GOD – THE DIVINE TRUTH OF CHRIST – IT WAS THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE NEW ISRAEL.

THIS DIVINE MEETING AT JACOB’S WELL IS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE ON

MANY LEVELS, WHICH CAN BE ENDLESSLY CONTEMPLATED AND

DISCUSSED. mp

Our Lord Jesus spoke to St Photini about "Living Water," revealing that ALL WHO DRINK FROM THIS DIVINE WATER

WILL NEVER THIRST AGAIN. His words caused her to think about Eternity, which

prompted her to ask: "Art Thou greater than Jacob?" Due to their intense and truthful dialogue, OUR LORD

MADE HER SEE HERSELF AS SHE HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE and instead of going into religious polemics (arguments), He mentioned her five husbands and spoke of her personal life – and His Wise, Discerning Words touched her soul.

INSTANTLY, ST PHOTINI REALISED THAT OUR LORD WAS SOMEONE EXTRAORDINARY so to her He was obviously a Holy Prophet of God.

] THE ESSENCE OF TRUE FAITH IS INDEED PROPHETIC FOR IT DEEPLY AFFECTS OUR LIVES AND GUIDES OUR CONDUCT.

WHEN WE COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH GOD OR ANY OF HIS HOLY

SAINTS, OUR LIVES ARE INSTANTLY AFFECTED FOR THE GOOD AND WE FIND OURSELVES – OFTEN DESPITE OURSELVES – COMPELLED TO

FOLLOW HIS DIVINE PATH AND TO REACH OUT FOR HIM IN EVERY

MANNER POSSIBLE, FOR WITHOUT HIM WE ARE QUITE BEREFT, INEFFECTIVE AND HOPELESS. mp

From this Living Font, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to St Photini – the Samaritan Woman - about A FAITH OF SPIRIT, AND NOT OF EMPTY WORDS, ABOUT A FAITH THAT RELEASES US FROM THE ENSLAVEMENT OF SIN, and about A FAITH THAT IS A PREFERRED AND FREE CHOICE AND AN ASSURANCE OF OUR EXPERIENCE OF TRUTH.

Our Lord did not talk to her about strict Rules and ‘proper’ religious worship and practice, but about THE FULLNESS OF FAITH WHEREIN WE MAY REST IN HIS COMFORT AND LOVE

His words reminded her of the long-awaited Messiah and to her utter amazement, no doubt, our Lord Jesus told her: “I, Who speak to thee, Am He.”

There at Jacob’s Well we witness our Lord Jesus Christ as THE SAVIOUR OF ALL HUMANITY WHO ARE ENMESHED IN THE NETS OF SIN – just like the Samaritan Woman.

OUR SAVIOUR REVEALS HIS DIVINE TRUTH TO ALL WHO SEEK IT and we in turn can completely trust Him to fulfil all His Promises – but IT DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON OUR OWN PERSONAL CHOICE AND COMMITMENT

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN GOT TO KNOW CHRIST THROUGH KNOWING HERSELF.

Initially St Photini recognised our Lord Jesus as a Hebrew but AS THEIR CONVERSATION PROGRESSED – AS THEIR

SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPED - AND SHE ENTERED A STATE OF TRUE FAITH, SHE REALISED THAT HE WAS CERTAINLY GREATER EVEN THAN THEIR ANCIENT

PATRIARCH, ST JACOB. Finally, with her Spiritual Experience that led her to

seeing herself as she really was and confessing her sins, St Photini regarded Christ first as a Holy Prophet of God and then, AS SHE GAINED FAITH IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH, SHE ACCEPTED HIM AS THE ONLY, TRUE AND GREAT MESSIAH.

At first sight, the Samaritan Woman regarded our Lord Jesus Christ as an arrogant, brazen Stranger and an enemy of her people.

However, as she tried to establish her Samaritan Faith, He became A TEACHER and, when her sinful lifestyle was revealed He was A PROPHET and, at last, when she gained True Faith, she recognised Him as OUR LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH – OUR TRUE, ETERNAL LORD AND SAVIOUR.

Even more significant than this is that - when St Photini realized that our Lord Jesus Christ is certainly the Saviour of the world - SHE BECAME HIS HOLY APOSTLE for she hastened to the city to call her fellow citizens to behold everything that she had experienced.

Thus began one of the greatest conversions to Divine Truth and Love, which would quickly spread like a Bright, Joyful Light throughout the sin-darkened world.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD, AND ETERNAL, IS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL CREATION.

If we meet Him and ask Him to Save us, we will also become His Apostles – for HE IS THE ONE WHO SENDS

THOSE WHO RECOGNIZE HIM AND WHO KNOW HIM WELL. Whoever receives the Knowledge of Christ but does not

share the Joy of His Divine Truth, contradicts the Gospel Commandment: "Freely you receive, freely give."

Our Lord Jesus Christ is not a Lord of ‘religion’, nor is He a Social Worker, or merely a Prophet.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is THE ETERNAL LORD AND SAVIOUR WHO SENDS US FORTH TO SHARE HIS LOVE AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH.

Consequently, THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE CHRIST AND ENJOY A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM WILL BE COMPELLED BY OUR KNOWLEDGE AND OUR LOVE OF GOD TO BECOME HIS FAITHFUL APOSTLES.

OUR LORD JESUS IS not a Matter in life - He is OUR LIFE. He is OUR GOAL, and IN CHRIST WE LIVE, and move, and have OUR FULFILLED EXISTENCE.

Amen.

ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: SERMON BY METROPOLITAN PAUL (YAZIGI) OF ALEPPO, SYRIA. HTTP://ORTHODOXWIKI.ORG/PAUL_%28YAZIGI%29_OF_ALEPPO

OUR HOLY FATHER HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED BY TERRORISTS IN SYRIA AND HIS STATUS IS UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF THIS COMPILATION.

THEREFORE WE BESEECH EVERYONE TO PRAY FOR FATHER PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS. MAY GOD DELIVER THEM SAFELY FROM THE EVIL ONE AND

MAY GOD’S PEACE, LOVE AND MERCY SOON RETURN TO SYRIA AND ALL WAR ZONES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

T h e E t e r n a l , I n s p i r e d W i s d o m o f o u r H o l y C h u r c h F a t h e r s ST GREGORY OF NYSSA :

There is only one Right Path. It is narrow and constricted. It does not have any way to turn on one side or the other. No matter how we step away from it, there is always the danger to straying hopelessly away. As a result, we must correct the habit many people have got into as much as possible. I mean those who fight strenuously against the more wicked pleasures, yet who still hunt for pleasure in worldly honour and positions of power. They are like slaves who longed for freedom, but instead of working to get away, they only change masters.

ELDER EP IPHAN IOS : Do not glue yourself to the television. Do not forget

that the button is not only used to turn it on, but for us to turn it off, too. Guard yourself from this means of mass blinding.

ST JOHN OF SHANGHAI & SAN FRANCIS CO It may be Brethren that soon you will experience a time of

turmoil and some of you will be called to take the path of denying our Sacred Laws and to submit to laws established by mere human authority. Beware of such a path! Beware of the path taken by the thief on the left; for by the weight of blasphemy, be the weight of reviling Christ, he went to his Eternal Perdition.

ST THEOPHAN THE RE CLUSE Those who only hear about Spiritual Meditation and

Prayer, and have no direct experience of it, are like men blind from birth, who hear about sunshine without ever really knowing what it is. Through this ignorance they lose many Spiritual Blessings, and are slow in arriving at the Virtues which make for the fulfilment of God’s Good Pleasure.

6 T H S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E B L I N D M A N – ( ST BARTIMAEUS – BORN WITHOUT EYES) 9 J U N E 2 0 1 3 5.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a

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.

HHH rrr iii sss ttt ooo sss AAA nnn eee sss ttt iii !!! AAA lll iii ttt hhh ooo sss AAA nnn eee sss ttt iii !!!

6 t h Sunday o f Pascha Tone (5 ) Plaga l 1 9 June 2013

S u n d a y o f t h e B l i n d M a n ( B o r n w i t h o u t e y e s )

Feast of St Cyril of Alexandria – St Cyril of White Lake – St Alexander of Kushta, Vologda – St Thekla, St Martha, St Mary, St Mariamne & St Enmatha, Virgin Martyrs of Persia –

St Columba of Ioan, Enlightener of Scotland – St John of Shavtel-Gaenati, Hymnographer, Philosopher & Orator of Georgia – St David Gareji of Syria – St Lucian,

Spiritual Son of St David Gareji of Georgia

P A S C H A L A P O L Y T I K I O N

R ESU RR EC T I ON AP O LY T I K I ON – T O N E (5 ) P L AG A L 1

Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek

Parthenou tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise Sarki anelthin en to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.

The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no

beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a Virgin, let us Faithful Believers hymn and adore. For it was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.

F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N - H O L Y P A S C H A U N T I L A S C E N S I O N D A Y

I ke en Tafo katilthes Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin

dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis Sis Apostolis

Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.

Although Thou descended into the Tomb, O Immortal

One, Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou arose as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-bearing Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine Apostles Thou granted Thy Peace: the One Who grants Resurrection to the fallen.

G o s p e l 8 : J o h n 2 0 : 1 1 - 1 8 O U R R I S E N L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T S P E A K S T O S T M A R Y M A G D A L E N E

P r o k e i m e n o n

OOOO Lord, Protect us and Preserve us both now and forever.

SSSSave us, O Lord, for there is not one Godly man left!

T h e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 6 : 1 6 – 3 4

S T P A U L & S T S I L A S ’ I M P R I S O N M E N T

Now it happened, as we went to Prayer, that a certain slave girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who profited her masters much by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: “These men are the Servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the Way of Salvation!” and this she did for many days. So Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit: “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out of her that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hopes of profit were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

And they brought them to the magistrates, and said: “These men – being Hebrews – exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs that are unlawful for us – being Romans – to receive or observe.” And the multitude rose up together against them; and the Magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the Jailer to keep them securely. And having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

And at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing Hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosened.

And the Keeper of the prison, having awoken from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, and supposing that the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. So Paul called with a loud voice, saying: “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then the Jailer called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he took them out, saying: “Sirs: what must I do to be Saved?” And they said: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be Saved – you and your household.”

Then they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them that same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were Baptised. And when he had taken them into his house, he had set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God, together with all

his household.

FAITH IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST LED IMMEDIATELY TO

HOLY BAPTISM – NOT ONLY OF THE JAILER AND THE

ADULT MEMBERS OF HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY, BUT TO HIS

ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD – men, women and children – the free and the enslaved.

] RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW HOLY

COVENANT WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, HOLY BAPTISM (I.E.

THREE FULL IMMERSIONS) IN WATER AND WITH FAITH IN

CHRIST ARE BOTH ESSENTIAL FOR ENTRANCE INTO

HIS HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH (THE HOLY CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOUR – WITH ITS BLOODLESS SACRIFICES

AND OFFERINGS.)

] THE APOSTOLIC PATTERN OF CONVERSION IS HEARING

BELIEVING AND HOLY BAPTISM- (i.e. LEARNING

CORRECTLY AND THEN APPLYING EVERYTHING TO

>Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato

Thanaton patistas, ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!

> Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death

trampling upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the tombs!

6. 6 T H S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E B L I N D M A N – ( ST BARTIMAEUS – BORN WITHOUT EYES) 9 J U N E 2 0 1 3

DAILY LIFE – LIVING IN CHRIST FAITHFULLY AND

CONSTANTLY – NOT ONLY WHEN WE FEEL LIKE IT OR

HAVE A NEED FOR IT!)

] BEING CHRISTIAN – A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST – IS

A CONTINUOUS LIFE-LONG PROCESS and that is one of the reasons why GOD GRANTS EACH SOUL ITS OWN UNIQUE NUMBER OF DAYS in this material world.

It is LIFE IN CHRIST – meaning that EVERY MOMENT OF THE

DAY WE STRIVE TO IMITATE HIM WITH OUR WORDS,

THOUGHTS AND DEEDS – always remembering our Holy Baptism and our inevitable, unavoidable, death, when we will face our First Judgement, which is the Spiritual Foretaste of the Final Judgement of Christ on the Eighth Day – the beginning of Eternity for us.

LIFE IN CHRIST means a DEDICATION TO EVERY ASPECT OF FAITHFUL WORSHIP, PRAYER AND DAILY LIVING – not merely being a token “member” of the Orthodox Christian Church – as though it was a mere “hobby” that we can pick and choose to do, whenever or however we feel like it.

Sadly far too many “converts” apostatize almost as soon as they have made their Sacred Vows before Holy Baptism!

THIS IS USUALLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT EITHER THEY HAVE

NOT BEEN TAUGHT CORRECTLY AND THOROUGHLY OR

THEY HAD NO REAL INTENTION OF LIVING IN CHRIST

JESUS AT ALL! THEY HAVE BETRAYED GOD!

Many unenlightened, misguided “converts” revert to their former lives either as non-believers altogether or by living as before.

Once we have converted and COMMITTED OURSELVES to Orthodox Christianity – HAVING SWORN OUR

ALLEGIANCE TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST - we cannot continue to “shop around” for a type of religion or sect that “suits us!”

] AS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS WE HAVE A FAR GREATER

RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT TO LIFE IN

CHRIST THAN OTHERS – AND ESPECIALLY THOSE

WHO HAVE FREELY CHOSEN TO BECOME ORTHODOX

CHRISTIANS, for IF WE CHOOSE TO APOSTATIZE BY

REJECTING ANY ASPECT OF THE ORTHODOX FAITH – as taught by Christ and His Holy Apostles - WE

WILL BE SEVERELY JUDGED BY GOD, unless we contritely Repent our rebellion against God and return to His Sacred Fold.

ä THE CHOICE IS OURS AND WE MUST ACCEPT THE

CONSEQUENCES UPON OURSELVES – WE CANNOT

AND MUST NOT BLAME ANYONE ELSE AT ALL – AND

NEITHER SHOULD WE SHRUG IT OFF AS BEING A

“MAN-MADE” IDEA!

ä OUR LORD HIMSELF CAUTIONED US AGAINST BEING

PHARISAIC “HYPOCRITES,” “WOLVES,” “HIRELINGS,”

“GOATS,” “THIEVES AND ROBBERS,” ETC. – meaning

all those who are not of the Sacred Fold of our Good

Shepherd, Christ our Lord – or WHO PRETEND TO BE

COMMITTED TO GOD YET DESERT HIM AND/OR

DESTROY OTHERS THROUGH THEIR OWN MEAN,

SELFISH ACTIONS!

ä WE MUST EXAMINE OUR HEART AND SOUL REGULARLY

AND METICULOUSLY - PLUCKING OUT AND

ERADICATING ANY SIGN OF SPIRITUAL REBELLION

AGAINST THE LORD OUR GOD – THROUGH

REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.

Only through such regular “housekeeping” can we begin to prepare ourselves for our Final Judgement and Eternity.

EXORCISMS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST ARE PART OF

APOSTOLIC MINISTRY.

The Holy Baptism Service begins with three Exorcisms in “The Making of a Catechumen,” which EXPELS SATAN AND HIS DEMONS FROM HAVING ANY FURTHER

INFLUENCE OVER THE NEW BELIEVER – THE NEW

DISCIPLE OF CHRIST - who must from that moment onwards LIVE DAILY BY THE PERFECT EXAMPLE AND

TEACHINGS OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. Although the demon-possessed slave girl declared the

Truth concerning the two Holy Apostles of Christ,

SHE HERSELF NEEDED TO BE SET FREE IN ORDER TO

ACCEPT CHRIST BY MEANS OF HER OWN FREE WILL. Furthermore, St Paul could not endure seeing her being

tormented and possessed by the evil spirit, which misguides and deceives people into believing Satanic inventions rather than Divine Truth, for THE

DEVIL AND HIS SERVANTS ALWAYS BAIT THEIR DEADLY

HOOKS WITH A TINY, TEMPTING MORSEL OF TRUTH,

WHICH AS SOON AS ACCEPTED BY THEIR PREY, PROVES

TO BE FATAL. ] THE IMPURE PRAISE OF HYPOCRITES AND ENEMIES OF

GOD IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD

BE INSTANTLY REJECTED.

� W I SDOM OF S I RACH 15 :9 – “Praise is not proper in the mouth of a sinner, because it

is not sent from the Lord.”

� LUKE 4 :41 ”...And demons also came out of

many, crying out and saying: ‘Thou art the

Christ, the Son of God!’” THE ACCUSERS OF ST PAUL AND ST SILAS – the owners of

the slave girl - CARED LITTLE FOR RELIGION YET THEY

USED RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE AGAINST THE HEBREWS TO

RETALIATE FOR THEIR FINANCIAL LOSS when she could no longer make money for them through her “fortune telling” - by cheating the superstitious people out of their hard-earned wages.

NEVERTHELESS, BEING UNJUSTLY PERSECUTED FOR CHRIST

LED ST PAUL AND ST SILAS TO GREAT SPIRITUAL JOY

RATHER THAN SORROW.

WE SHOULD THANK GOD FOR ALL ADVERSITY, WHICH BRINGS US CLOSER TO HIM

AND STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH AS WE DEPEND ON AND APPRECIATE MORE

AND MORE THE GREAT MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD WHO PROTECTS US AND PROVIDES EVERYTHING WE COULD POSSIBLE NEED FOR THIS EARTHLY AS

WELL AS ETERNAL LIFE.

� LUKE 6: 22-23 Christ warned us: “... Rejoice in that day and leap for Joy! For indeed

your Reward is great in Heaven. For in

like manner their fathers did to the

Prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for

you have received your consolation!” THE “PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS” BY ST PAUL AND ST

SILAS PREPARED THE OTHER PRISONERS FOR

CONVERSION LATER THAT NIGHT.

Any Roman Jailer whose prisoners managed to escape faced extremely cruel torture and even possibly execution, for the Roman oppressors ruled and dominated the people through fear and merciless brutality. So the Jailer thought it would be better and quicker to commit suicide rather than endure the vicious suffering inflicted by the Executioners.

After St Paul had reassured him that he and St Silas were still there, the Jailer asked a double-sided

question: “What must I do to be Saved?”

This might have referred to his impending problem of the Roman authorities’ punishment for escapees, but IT ALSO REFERRED TO ETERNAL SALVATION, WHICH

ST PAUL IMMEDIATELY GRANTED THE JAILER AND HIS

ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM. THE UNNAMED ROMAN JAILER HAD LISTENED CAREFULLY TO

ST PAUL AND ST SILAS PROCLAIMING THE WAY OF

SALVATION, AS WELL AS THEIR DEVOUT, HEARTFELT

PRAYERS AND HYMNS.

The miraculous earthquake and St Paul’s concern for the Jailer’s life – earthly and Eternal – strengthened the man’s Faith and led to his and his entire household’s Conversion to Christ Jesus.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 9 : 1 – 3 8 A MAN BORN W I T HOUT E Y ES I S H E ALE D B Y CHR I S T OU R LORD & SAV I OUR

At that time, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His Disciples asked Him: “Rabbi: who sinned – this man or his parents – that he was born blind?” Jesus answered: “Neither this man nor his parents

sinned, but that the Works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the Works of Him Who sent Me

while it is day; the night is coming when no one can Work. As long as I Am in the world, I Am the Light

of the world.”

When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the Blind Man with the clay. And He said to him: “Go. Wash in the Pool of Siloam,” which translated means ‘Sent.’) And he went and washed, and returned, seeing.

Therefore the neighbours and those who previously had seen that he was blind said: “Is this not he who sat and begged?” Some said: “It is he.” Others said: “He is like him.” He said: “I am he.” And they said to him: “How were your eyes opened?” He answered: “A Man called ‘Jesus’ made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me: “Go to

6 T H S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E B L I N D M A N – ( ST BARTIMAEUS – BORN WITHOUT EYES) 9 J U N E 2 0 1 3 7.

the Pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed. And I received sight.” And they asked him: “Where is He?” He replied: “I do not know.”

They took him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. And it was a Sabbath when Jesus had made the clay and opened his eyes. And the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them: “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Therefore, some of the Pharisees said: “This Man is not from God because He does not keep the Sabbath!” Others said: “How can anyone who is a sinner do such Signs?” And there was a division among them.

They said to the Blind Man again: “What do you say about Him because He opened you eyes?” He said: “He is a Prophet.” But the Hebrews did not believe concerning the Blind Man – that he had been blind and had received his sight – until they called his parents. And they asked them: “Is this your son who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered them, and said: “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what Means he now sees, we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.”

His parents said these things because they feared the Hebrews, for the Hebrews had agreed already that anyone who confessed that He was the Christ, would be put out of the Synagogue. Therefore, his parents said: “He is of age; ask him.”

So they again called the man who was formerly blind, and said to him: “Give God the Glory! We know that this Man is a sinner!” He replied: “Whether He is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I do know is that although I was blind, now I see!” And they questioned him again: “”What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He replied: “I have told you already, yet you do not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His Disciples?” And they reviled him, and said: “You are His Disciple, but we are Moses’ Disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this Fellow – we do not know where He is from.”

The man answered them: “Why, this is a marvellous thing – that you do not know where He is from - yet He has

opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of God and does

His Will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was

born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing!” They answered and said to him: “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?!” And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him: “Do you believe in the Son of

God?” And he answered and said: “Who is He, O Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him: “You

have both seen Him and it is He Who is speaking to you.” And he said: “O Lord: I believe!” And He worshipped Him.

And Jesus said: “For Judgement I have come into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and

those who see may be made blind.”

This Divine Healing is THE SIXTH SIGN OF OUR LORD’S

DIVINE NATURE AND TRUE IDENTITY in St John’s Holy Gospel.

] OF ALL THE MIRACLE ACCOUNTS THROUGHOUT HOLY

SCRIPTURE, THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WHEREBY A

PERSON WAS “BLIND FROM BIRTH” – I.E. BORN

WITHOUT EYES AT ALL!

] THE BLIND MAN SYMBOLISES ALL SPIRITUALLY BLIND

HUMANITY FOR WE ALL NEED SPIRITUAL

ILLUMINATION BY CHRIST OUR LORD WHO IS THE

LIGHT OF THE FALLEN, SPIRITUALLY DARKENED

WORLD.

This Divine Miracle is AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOLY BAPTISM,

which is also referred to as “Holy Illumination.” As Pascha (Easter) was the traditional day on which

Catechumens were received into the Holy Church of Christ, the Sacred Lessons of the Holy Pascha

period – from the Glorious Resurrection of

Christ until Pentecost – all reflect a Baptismal

Theology. Thus, this Sacred Lesson is read on the Sixth Sunday of Holy Pascha.

OUR SAVIOUR REJECTED THE ASSUMPTION - which was common in the ancient world - THAT ALL TROUBLES AND MALADIES WERE NECESSARILY THE CONSEQUENCE

OF PERSONAL SIN OR EVEN THE SINS OF PARENTS. (REFER EXODUS 20:5; DEUTERONOMY 5:9 AND EZEKIEL 18:19-21)

ALTHOUGH SUFFERING CAN BE THE DIRECT RESULT OF

PERSONAL SIN, THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS THE

CASE.

THE MAN WAS BORN WITHOUT EYES, WHICH PROVIDED THE

MOST AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DIVINE WORKS OF

ALMIGHTY GOD TO BE REVEALED TO EVERYONE

CONCERNED – so the man was not blind due to anyone’s personal sin at all.

The “Work” – i.e. the Spiritual Labour - that we are able to fulfil consists of FAITH, GOOD DEEDS AND

REPENTANCE.

The “night” to which our Lord referred meant THE TIME

AFTER OUR DEATH AND THE AGE TO COME – ETERNITY –

WHEN THERE IS NO LONGER ANY OPPORTUNITY TO

EXPRESS OUR FAITH because at our departure from

this world or earthly life, there is no chance of

Repentance or Confession and ALL IMMORTAL,

HUMAN SOULS – WHETHER BELIEVERS OR NOT – WILL

HAVE TO SUBMIT TO DEATH – WHETHER WILLINGLY OR

UNWILLINGLY.

] THE UNPRECEDENTED HEALING OF THE MAN BORN

WITHOUT EYES CONFIRMS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S

TRUTHFUL PROCLAMATION THAT HE IS THE LIGHT OF

THE WORLD. ä St Irenaeus regarded THE MIXTURE OF CLAY FROM THE

EARTH AND THE SALIVA OF CHRIST OUR ALMIGHTY

LORD AND CREATOR LIKE THE ORIGINAL CREATION

OF HUMANITY FROM THE EARTH. (REFER GENESIS 2:7)

ä CHRIST REVEALS HIS DIVINE NATURE BY RESTORING A

TINY PART OF CREATION BY USING THE SAME

MATERIAL WITH WHICH HE HAD CREATED HUMANITY

AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR EXISTENCE.

The Pool of Siloam, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, was a considerable distance from the Temple and provided the water for the Holy Rites connected with the Feast of Tabernacles (WHICH TOGETHER WITH PASCHA AND PENTECOST WAS

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVALS OF THE ANCIENT HEBREWS, WHICH

INCLUDED NUMEROUS SACRIFICES AND CELEBRATIONS. (LEVITICUS 23:33 – 43) ä “Siloam” meaning “Sent” symbolises CHRIST WHO IS

SENT BY GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER and just as the Healing of the Blind Man confirms Christ’s claim as the (Divine) Light of the World, so also HIS USE OF THE POOL OF SILOAM CONFIRMS THAT HE IS THE

TRUE AND DIVINE PURIFICATION OF THE HOLY

TEMPLE AND ALL WHO WORSHIP IN IT WITH TRUE

FAITH IN GOD.

Just as the hypocritical Pharisees had ignored the Healing of the Paralytic and focused only on the perceived violation of the Sabbath, so too on this occasion MANY OF THEM COULD NOT BEHOLD THE GLORY

OF GOD DUE TO THEIR PERSONAL WICKED PREJUDICE.

When Christ was not present, the Pharisees dared to pronounce Him as a “sinner,” yet earlier, WHEN HE

HAD ASKED THEM FACE TO FACE: “WHICH OF YOU

CONVICTS ME OF SIN?” THEY HAD ALL EVADED THE VITAL

QUESTION. “Give God the Glory” was an Oath Formula, which

was always used before giving testimony. ] THE FORMERLY BLIND MAN MOST CERTAINLY GAVE GOD

THE GLORY FOR THE MORE HE WAS QUESTIONED BY

THE HYPOCRITES AND DOUBTERS, THE MORE

FERVENT HIS FAITH BECAME, WHILE THE SELF-

RIGHTEOUS PHARISEES LAPSED DEEPER AND DEEPER

INTO SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND DEATH.

] THE HEALED BLIND MAN IS A MODEL OF CHRISTIAN

WITNESS. ä MOST PEOPLE DO NOT BEAR WITNESS TO CHRIST SINCE

THEY FEAR THEY WILL BE ASKED QUESTIONS THAT

THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER OR EXPLAIN. ä THIS MAN’S HONEST AND SIMPLE ANSWER TO EVERYONE –

EVEN THOSE WHO WERE FAR BETTER EDUCATED

THAN HIM – PROVIDES THE TRUTH ä HE ADMITS SOMETHING THAT HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT

YET FOLLOWS UP WITH WHAT HE MOST CERTAINLY

DOES KNOW AND WHICH HE CAN POSITIVELY

CONFIRM: “... One thing I do know is that although I was blind, now I see!”

BY CONFIRMING WHAT WE DO MOST DEFINITELY KNOW – IN

UTTER TRUTH AND WITHOUT ANY DOUBT – IS

FOUNDATIONAL TO WITNESSING OUR TRUE FAITH TO

OTHERS.

Have created perfectly healthy eyes for the formerly Blind Man – OUR LOVING LORD JESUS OPENED UP BOTH HIS PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL SIGHT – FOR GOD ALONE

8. 6 T H S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E B L I N D M A N – ( ST BARTIMAEUS – BORN WITHOUT EYES) 9 J U N E 2 0 1 3

CAN OPEN OUR HEART AND SOUL BY HIS DIVINE

ILLUMINATION. All healings had to be confirmed by the Priests, followed

by various ritual cleansings, sacrifices, etc. This is the only full account of a healing being examined and questioned by Hebrew authorities.

THE BLIND MAN PROGRESSES RAPIDLY FROM KNOWING

NOTHING ABOUT CHRIST TO HIS REALISATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONFESSION THAT THAT OUR

LORD JESUS IS INDEED THE TRUE MESSIAH: “... you do

not know where He is from - yet He has opened

my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear

sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of God

and does His Will, He hears him. Since the

world began it has been unheard of that

anyone opened the eyes of one who was born

blind. If this Man were not from God, He could

do nothing!”

The self-righteous, hypocritical Pharisees could not refute his Inspired Logic and Truth so they resorted to personal insult.

] THE DIVINE HEALING OF THE BLIND MAN WAS ONE OF THE

GREAT SIGNS OR MIRACLES OF THE MESSIAH AND A

PREROGATIVE (RIGHT) UNIQUELY AND EXCLUSIVELY

OF ALMIGHTY GOD. (ISAIAH 35:5 & 42:7 –PSALM 145:8) The coming of God Incarnate into our world brought

Divine Judgement to us – not because He came to Judge us but because of OUR ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD.

] ALL THOSE WHO SEE HIM AND WHO HEAR HIM BUT WHO

DO NOT BELIEVE OR WHO REJECT HIS DIVINE TRUTH

ARE JUDGED BY THEIR OWN FAITHLESSNESS!

S u n d a y o f t h e B l i n d M a n Let us contemplate the meaning of “Spiritual

Blindness.” We all have seen people who are blind either from

birth or due to accidents or as a result of severe illness.

Whenever we see those who are blind we immediately feel a sense of sympathy for them and sometimes we might even be moved to tears at the thought that they cannot walk unaided and freely, or that they are unable to see any of the beauty of God’s Creation.

However, more worthy of our tears is the Spiritual Blindness of mind and heart - of our will and of our conscience – for our Immortal soul is far more precious than our body.

As our Saviour Jesus Christ commented: “...what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (MARK 8, 36-37).

SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS IS ONE OF THE WEIGHTIEST DISEASES OF THE SOUL THAT IS CREATED BY GOD FOR

IMMORTALITY – CAUSING ITS DEATH AND ETERNAL CONDEMNATION.

And so THE HEALING OF THIS FATAL ILLNESS IS FAR MORE DIFFICULT AND FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN THE

HEALING OF ANY PHYSICAL BLINDNESS. What do we understand by Spiritual Blindness? SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS IS CAUSED BY THE SPIRITUAL

DARKNESS AND ENSLAVEMENT OF OUR IMMORTAL SOUL THROUGH ALL KINDS OF SPIRITUAL AND BODILY SINS.

Spiritual Blindness is due to intellectual pride, stubborn hardness of heart, the weakening of our free will and conscience, our unbelief, our doubt in the True Faith, sectarianism and despair, which lead us to self-indulgence, arrogance and suicide -the killing of body and soul, the killing of the unborn, destructive hatred and anger, divorce, fornication, lies, obsession for wealth, stinginess, greediness, drunkenness, laziness and many other deadly sins.

ALL SINS SICKEN AND DRAG OUR SOUL INTO SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS AND APATHY – AS WELL AS PUTTING OUR BODY AT RISK OF VARIOUS FATAL, INCURABLE DISEASES.

And if we do not ROOT OUT AND RENOUNCE THOSE ENSLAVING SINS THROUGH REPENTANCE, CONFESSION AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, our Spiritual Blindness - like any disease - will lead to Spiritual Death and eventually, to Eternal Condemnation of our soul to the Torments of Hell.

FURTHERMORE, THOSE BAPTISED CHRISTIANS WHO

RENOUNCE THE FAITH AND REJECT THE HOLY CHURCH FOUNDED BY CHRIST AND BY HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND WHO CONSEQUENTLY FALL INTO ALL SORTS OF HERESIES

ARE NONE OTHER THAN SPIRITUALLY BLINDED! Any Christian who does not attend any of the Holy

Services or partake of the necessary Holy Mysteries for years, who does not pray nor read Holy Scripture and who refuses to Repent and Confess – possibly hoping to do so at the Hour of Death - are certainly Spiritually Blind and fatally ill.

Those so-called Christians who spends their time, their wealth and their health on earthly obsessions and deadly, self-indulgent sins and certainly Spiritually Blind – and unless they

sincerely Repent their sinful lifestyle, they will certainly receive Eternal Condemnation and Death.

Dear Faithful, this earthly lifespan is very short, full of suffering and misguidance, while the Heavenly Life, which begins here, is Eternally Blessed and filled with Joyful Bliss.

Let us hasten to renounce the sins that blind and kill our soul and let us return to Christ.

It is not enough to merely make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Lord, Lord!” For WE NEED A SPIRITUAL AND PROFOUND RENEWAL OF LIFE.

We are required by our Holy Commitment to Christ our Lord and Saviour, to CONSTANTLY FREE THE EYES OF OUR SOUL FROM THE BLINDING PASSIONS BY WASHING

THEM CLEAN IN THE BLESSED WATERS OF SILOAM – THROUGH THE BATHING OF HOLY REPENTANCE-CONFESSION - and to MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FAITHFULLY FOLLOW CHRIST AND HIS HOLY CHURCH, WHICH IS ESTABLISHED ON THIS EARTH FOR OUR

ETERNAL BENEFIT ALONE! Let us pray. Let us be humble and reconciled with one

another so by regularly attending the Holy Services, by fulfilling our charitable duties and by raising our children in the True Faith and Love of God, we may become good Christians and True Sons of the Orthodox Church and worthy Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Amen. ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: EXCERPTS FROM ELDER CLEOPA’ SERMONS, TRANSLATED BY

EC -

HTTP://ORTHODOXWORD.WORDPRESS.COM/2010/05/09/SUNDAY-OF-THE-BLINDMAN-

AND-OF-THOSE-WHO-ASSERT-THAT-THEY-CAN-SEE/

To Those Who Think They Have No Sin “If you were blind you would have no sin.” [JOHN 9:41]

These words are True Justice forever for a blind man has no

sin if he tramples someone else’s crop or if he removes

someone else’s garment instead of his own.

If he who has sight commits these same deeds, he

commits a sin and will incur punishment. If he who has

sight but intentionally closes his eyes and commits sins,

he too will incur punishment.

Concerning those who have received Baptism and

Chrismation as our two eyes of our soul yet who sin like

those who are unbaptised, at the Last Judgement they

will not be treated as those who are born blind, rather

they will be treated like transgressors who wilfully

disfigured and blinded themselves.

Those who received the other Mysteries of Grace in the

fullness of Orthodoxy and who have before them the

Examples of the Saints, who constantly listen to the

warnings and admonitions of God but who go astray,

will not be able to justify themselves and will be judged

as transgressors who have disfigured themselves and

others around them with Spiritual Blindness!

ST NIKOLAI VELIMIROVIC - THE PROLOG FROM OHRID

T H E A S C E N S I O N I N T O H E A V E N O F O U R L O R D & S A V I O U R , J E S U S C H R I S T 1 3 J U N E 2 0 1 3 9.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, 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 Li fe to Christ our God. Amen.

1 3 J u n e 2 0 1 3 .

A s c e n s i o n o f o u r L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t

St Aqu i l i na of Byb los , Sy r ia – St Tr i phy l l i os o f Leucos ia , Cyprus – St Andronikos & Sr Sava , Abbots o f Moscow – St Antonina of N icea – St Anna & St John, her son , o f Cons tant inop le – St James the Ascet ic – St An t i pa tros of Bost ra , Arab ia – S t Anth imos o f Georg ia

S E C O N D F E S T A L A N T I P H O N :

Soson imas Iie Theou, O EN DOXI ANALIFTHIS AF’ IMON IS

TOUS OURANOUS, psallontas Si: Allilouia! O Son of God, TAKEN UP FROM US IN GLORY INTO

HEAVEN, Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

E N T R A N C E O F A S C E N S I O N & C O M M U N I O N H Y M N

Anevi O Theos en alalagmo, Kyrios en foni salpingos.

God Ascended with a shout; the Lord with the sound of

the Trumpet F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F T H E A S C E N S I O N

Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, Haropiisas tous

Mathitas, ti epangelia tou Agiou Pnevmatos, vaveothenton afton dia tis Evlogias, oti Si i O Iios tou Theou, O Litrotis tou kosmou.

Thou Ascended in Glory, O Christ our God, after Thou

filled the Disciples with Joy, by promising to send them the Holy Spirit, and Thou Blessed them and established their Faith, that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N O F T H E A S C E N S I O N O F C H R I S T O U R S A V I O U R - T O N E ( 6 ) P L A G A L 2

Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis

Ouraniis, anelifthis en doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, oudamothen horizomenos, alla menon adiastatos, ke voon tis agaposi se. EGO IMI METH IMON, KE OUDIS KATH IMON.

When Thou had fulfilled the Dispensation for our sake,

and united things on earth with the Things in Heaven, Thou were taken up thither in Glory, O Christ our God, going not away from any place, but continuing inseparable, and to those who Love Thee, crying out: I AM WITH YOU AND THERE IS, THEREFORE, NONE AGAINST YOU.

P r o k e i m e n o n o f t h e A s c e n s i o n – T O N E ( 7 ) V A R Y S / G R A V E

Be exalted, O God, above the Heavens...! My heart is ready, O God...

T h e A c t s o f t h e H o l y A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 : 1 – 1 2

T H E F I N A L T E A C H I N G O F C H R I S T & H I S A S C E N S I O N

The former account I made, O Theophilos, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day on which He was taken up, after He, through the Holy Spirit, had given Commandments to the Apostles whom He had chosen – to whom He had also presented Himself alive after His Suffering, by many infallible proofs – being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And, being assembled together with them, He Commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which...” He said: “... You have heard from Me; for John truly Baptised with water, but you shall be Baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him: “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore the Kingdom of Israel?” And He said to them: “It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father has put in His own Authority. But you shall receive Power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be Witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Now, when He had spoken these Things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a Cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly towards Heaven as He went up, behold, two Men stood by them in white apparel, who also said: “O Men of Galilee: why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called ‘Olivet,’ which is near Jerusalem – a Sabbath Day’s journey.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 2 4 : 3 6 – 5 3 THE PASS ION O F O UR LORD J ES US CHR I S T

At that time the soldiers also mocked our Lord Jesus, offering Him sour wine, and saying: “If Thou art the King of the Jews, save Thyself!” And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin and Hebrew: “This is the King of the Jews!” And one of the criminals who were hanging beside Him blasphemed Him, saying: “If Thou art the Christ, save Thyself and us!” But the other one rebuked him, saying: “Do you not even fear God, seeing that you are under the same Condemnation? And we indeed Justly, for we receive the due Reward of our deeds; but this Man has done

nothing wrong.” And he said to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when Thou come into Thy Kingdom.” And Jesus said to

him: “Truly, I say to you: today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Now it was about the Sixth Hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the Ninth Hour. And the sun was darkened,

and the Veil of the Temple was ripped in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud Voice, He said: “Father, into Thy Hands I commit My Spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last. So when the Centurion saw what had happened, he Glorified God, saying: “Certainly this was a Righteous Man!” And the whole crowd who had gathered

10. T H E A S C E N S I O N I N T O H E A V E N O F O U R L O R D & S A V I O U R , J E S U S C H R I S T 1 3 J U N E 2 0 1 3

together for that sight – seeing what had been done – beat their breasts and returned. But all His acquaintances, and the Women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Now behold: there was a man named Joseph – a Council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea – a city of the Hebrews – who himself was also waiting for the Kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. Then he took It down, wrapped It in linen, and laid It in a Tomb that was hewn out of rock, where no one had ever lain before.

T h e A s c e n s i o n o f C h r i s t - D i v i n e G l o r y & H u m a n J o y T H E D I S C I P L E S O F C H R I S T “ . . . R E T U R N E D T O J E R U S A L E M W I T H G R E A T J O Y . ” ( L U K E 2 4 : 5 2 )

Today’s Sacred Lesson tells us of the final Appearance of our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ to His Faithful DisciplesHe led them to the Mount of Olives, overlooking the great city of Jerusalem, and have issued His last Commandments to them, He ascended into Heaven.

This was His last physical Appearance and the last earthly Event for Christ and His Apostles and Disciples.

Although His Ascension suggests a certain sadness because they could no longer be with Him, His Disciples returned to the city with Great Joy in anticipation of the Coming of the Holy Spirit Whom the Only Begotten Son of God had promised to send them from God the Father.

They also understood by Divine Grace that our Lord Jesus Christ is truly the Eternal Son of God and the True Saviour or Messiah of the entire world.

The Divine Promise of the Holy Spirit and Divine Grace filled their hearts and souls with Great Joy, and confirmed their belief in the Divinity of Christ and His Glory.

The Sacred Lesson contains many other reasons that sparked indescribable Joy.

Christ leading them out of Jerusalem to Bethany and the Mount of Olives held many great Blessings.

The Mount of Olives is mentioned many times in the Old Testament and at every Event in which it is mentioned, God granted many new Spiritual Blessings, and Renewed His Relationship with His beloved people in a profound Spiritual Manner.

Consequently, the Mount of Olives implies many Divine Blessings and Reconciliation with God.

When Christ opened His Hands and Blessed His Faithful Companions, He bestowed much Love, Peace and Joy upon them – and His Blessing has in itself numerous new and deep meanings, which, when we understand them, we will understand the cause of their wonderful Joy.

The Ascension of our Lord Jesus in front of His Disciples was similar to the ascension of St Elijah, the ancient Holy Prophet of God, into Heaven.

At that time, St Elijah’s faithful servant, St Elisha, accompanied him and asked him to bestow a double portion of his spirit upon him, which was the portion or inheritance of an elder son.

St Elijah responded by telling St Elisha: “If thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee.” (2 KINGS 2:10)

St Elisha subsequently beheld his beloved Master being taken away so mysteriously and dramatically, and so received his Holy spirit and power, which enabled him to continue his Master’s Holy Mission.

Similar circumstances occurred on the Mount of Olives with Christ and His Holy Faithful Companions.

St Luke’s Book of the Acts of the Apostles clarified this wondrous Event by stating that they saw Christ ascending into Heaven, which means that they would certainly receive God the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, our Lord Jesus Christ Blessed His Disciples, thereby bestowing His Divine Power on them so that they would be able to fulfil His Holy Mission throughout the world.

And what greater Joy is there for anyone than to be a Witness of Jesus Christ – going from Jerusalem to the whole world!

Today is the Great Feast of Christ’s Ascension into Heaven. It is the Great Feast of the last Transfiguration of God’s Glory and Divinity on earth.

It is also the Feast of the Deliverance of the Holy Mission of Christ to all His Disciples throughout the ages, which we do not receive as Spiritual Orphans for we also receive with it, the Divine Promise of God the Holy Spirit.

In the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, St Luke recorded the words of two Holy Angels of God who exhorted the Disciples to begin their Holy Mission: “O Men of Galilee: why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.” Our Lord Jesus Christ will return in all His Glory to judge

His Creation. These Angelic words turned the Disciples from their

Joyful Amazement to the Holy Mission of Christ’s Holy Gospel.

The Ascension of Christ reveals the Truth of the present – that we are in a Most Blessed time to serve the Lord our God in any way we can.

According to the principles of Iconography, the internal composition and characteristics of movements of both the Icon of the Ascension and the Icon of the Second Coming are the same.

The time in between these two Glorious Events – our Lord’s Ascension and His Second Coming – reveals and confirms the Truth, the Value and the Joy of the present life.

The Feast of the Ascension is the Feast of the Great Joy in receiving the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, Who left us in His Body so that He may be with us more powerfully in the Holy Spirit.

Our Lord Jesus had told His Faithful Disciples: “... when the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the Father – even the Spirit of Truth, Who Proceeds from the Father – He shall Testify of Me...” [ JOHN 15 : 26 – 27 ]

The True Joy of the Disciple is the Glory of our Master. Our Great Joy is to become Faithful Disciples and

servants of the Word of God. Our True Joy is due to the fact that the “... lot of

service...” falls on us so that we may become Witnesses – together with His original Apostles and Disciples – to the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and thereby to become counted together with His Twelve Apostles.

In His Glorious Ascension, our Lord departs in Body in order to be with us always in the Holy Spirit.

Our Lord opens to us the entire world so that we may go to it instead of Him and He has ascended into Heaven – not that we may be saddened by a deep sense of bereavement, but rather in order to worship Him – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – with the greatest Joy and Love.

Amen

ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “THURSDAY OF ASCENSION – THE DIVINE GLORY & HUMAN JOY” BY METROPOLITAN PAUL YAZIGI OF ALEPPO.

FATHER PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED BY TERRORISTS IN SYRIA AND AT THE TIME OF THIS COMPILATION, NO NEWS HAS BEEN RECEIVED AS TO

THEIR WELFARE. THEREFORE, PLEASE PRAY FOR THEIR SAFE RETURN AND KEEP THEM IN YOUR

PRAYERS.

S t J u s t i n P o p o v i c h Our Communion with the Saviour establishes the Salvation;

Communion with Him, as Sanctifier, is the Sanctification; Communion with Him, as God, is the Divination; Communion with Him, as Immortal, is the Immortality; Communion with Him, as Risen, is the Resurrection;

Communion with Him, as Ascended, is the Ascension and in the right place of God the Father.

7 T H P A S C H A L S U N D A Y - 3 1 8 H O L Y F A T H E R S O F T H E 1 S T E C U M E N I C A L C O U N C I L – 1 6 J U N E 2 0 1 3 11.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a

& A l l A f r i c a

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, 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.

7 t h Sunday Af ter Pascha Tone (6 ) Plaga l 2 16 June 2 0 1 3

S u n d a y o f t h e H o l y F a t h e r s o f t h e F i r s t E c u m e n i c a l

C o u n c i l

Feast St Tikhn of Amathos, Cyprus – St Tikhon of Kaluga – St Tikhon of Luchov, Kostroma – St Tigrios the Presbyter of Constantinople – St Evtropios the Reader of Constantinople – St Kaikhosro the Georgian – St Moses of Optina

R E S U R R E C T I O N / F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N – T O N E ( 6 ) P L A G A L 2

Angelike Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes

apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to Tafo, zitousa to ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilefsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis ip aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos tin Zoin. O Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie, Doxa Si.

The Angelic Powers were in Thy Sepulchre, and the

guards became as dead men, and Mary stood by the Tomb seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led Hades captive, yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art the Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Glory to Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the dead!

F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N – H O L Y C H U R C H F A T H E R S

Iperdedoxasmenos i Hriste O Theos imon, O Fostiras epi

gis, tous Pateras imon themeliosas, ke di afton, pros tin Alithinin Pistin pantas imas odigisas, Poliefsplahne > Doxa Si!

Supremely praised art Thou, O Christ our God, Who

established on earth, our Fathers as Luminaries; and through them, to the True Faith all of us Thou has Guided, O Most Compassionate One: > Glory to Thee!

F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N - A S C E N S I O N O F C H R I S T O U R G O D ---- T O N E ( 6 ) P L A G A L 2 :

Tin iper imon plirosas Ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas

tis Ouraniis, Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon; oudamothen horizomenos alla menon adiastatos, ke voon tis agaposi se: Ego Imi meth imon, ke oudis kath imon.

Having fulfilled the Dispensation for us, and uniting

the earthly with the Heavenly, Thou Ascended in Glory, O Christ our God; being in no way separated, but remaining inseparable, and calling out to those who Love Thee: I Am with you and no one can be against you!

M a t i n s R e s u r r e c t i o n G o s p e l 1 0 : J o h n 2 1 : 1 – 1 4 O U R R E S U R R E C T E D L O R D J E S U S S E R V E S B R E A K F A S T T O H I S E L E V E N A P O S T L E S

P r o k e i m e n o n

TTTThou ar t B l essed , O Lord , God of our Forefa thers .

FFFFor Thou hast a lways dea l t R igh teous ly w i th us

T h e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 2 0 : 1 6 – 1 8 & 2 8 – 3 6

ST PAUL ’S FAREWE LL A DDRESS

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. From Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called for the Elders of the Church. And when they had gone to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived amongst you, serving the Lord with all Humility, with many tears and trials...

“... Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the Flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you Overseers, to shepherd the Church of God, which He purchases with His own Blood.

“For I know this: that after my departure savage Wolves will come in you, not sparing the Flock. Also from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the Disciples after themselves.

“Therefore, watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone – night and day – with tears. So now, Brethren, I commend you to God and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up and give you an

Inheritance among all those who are Sanctified. “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold, or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my

necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way – by labouring like this – that you must support the weak.

“And remember the Words of our Lord Jesus – that He said: ‘It is more Blessed to give than to receive.’” And when Paul had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

St Paul wanted to be together with the other Holy Apostles of Christ in Jerusalem for the Feast of Holy Pentecost, since A LITURGICAL CALENDAR BASED ON SACRED FEAST

DAYS HAS ALWAYS BEEN OBSERVED BY THE HOLY CHURCH

OF CHRIST. Consequently, ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS – TRUE DISCIPLES

OF CHRIST – LIVE ACCORDING TO THE FESTAL CALENDAR OF

MAJOR FEASTS, FASTS AND CELEBRATIONS.

Ac t s 1 8 : 2 1 : St Paul told his Holy Flock: “I must by all

means keep this coming Feast in Jerusalem; but I

will return again to you – God Willing.”

THE SINCERE WORDS “GOD WILLING,” UNDERSCORED ST

PAUL’S CONSTANT RELIANCE ON GOD AND HIS CONTINUAL

DEVOUT SUBMISSION OF HIS OWN PLANS AND FREE WILL TO

THE WILL OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

James 4 : 1 3 - 1 7 “... you who say: ‘Today or tomorrow we

will go to such and such a city, spend a year there,

buy and sell, and make a profit; whereas you do not

know what will happen tomorrow. For what is

your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little

time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to

say: ‘ If the Lord Wills, we shall live and do this and

12. 7 T H P A S C H A L S U N D A Y - 3 1 8 H O L Y F A T H E R S O F T H E 1 S T E C U M E N I C A L C O U N C I L – 1 6 J U N E 2 0 1 3

that...’ But now you boast in your own arrogance.

All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to those who

know to do good and who do not do so, to them

it is sin!” The budding Christian Liturgical Calendar revealed THE

DEEP DESIRE OF THE HOLY APOSTLES AND FAITHFUL

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST TO GATHER TOGETHER IN

REMEMBRANCE OF THE GREAT CHRISTIAN FEASTS FOR THE

PURPOSE OF WORSHIPPING GOD AND THE COMMEMORATION

OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN A COMMUNAL MANNER.

At that time, the Holy Church of Christ was alive and developing in Ephesos and had already established a permanent pattern of Sacramental Leadership with Elders (Presbyters) and Overseers (Bishops).

However, the threat of false teachers and various heresies arose from both within and without the Holy Church.

Furthermore, THE FATAL THREAT OF SUCH FALSE TEACHERS AND HERESIES CONTINUES TO THIS DAY, CAUSING SO MANY

SOULS TO BECOME PLUNGED IN DEEP, DARK SPIRITUAL

DEATH CAUSED BY ALIENATION FROM GOD AND

UNREPENTED SINS.

] Therefore, we must LEARN TRUE HUMILITY AND

OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD AND FOLLOW

ONLY WHAT HE HAS TAUGHT US – not the lies, deceptions and heresies that other less intelligent beings try to convince us of, which misguide and condemn us.

There is so much Divine Truth available to us these

days that we have absolutely no excuse for “doing our own thing.”

] WITHOUT THE INSEPARABLE VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND

OBEDIENCE, WE CANNOT MAKE ANY SPIRITUAL

PROGRESS AND WILL REMAIN IGNORANT, SELFISH AND

IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH DUE TO OUR

ALIENATION FROM ALMIGHTY GOD WHO MAKES

EVERYTHING THAT IS TRULY GOOD POSSIBLE FOR US.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 1 7 : 1 – 1 3 OUR LORD J ESUS CH R I S T ’S PRAY E R FOR H I MS E LF & F OR H I S HO LY A POST LES

At that time, Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His Eyes to Heaven, and said: “O Father, the Hour has come. Glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may Glorify Thee, as Thou hast given Him Authority over all flesh, that He should give Eternal Life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is Eternal Life: that they may know Thee, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent.

“I have Glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the Work, which Thou hast given Me to do. And now, O Father, Glorify Me together with Thyself, with the Glory that I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou hast given Me out of the world. They were Thine. Thou gave them to Me, and they have kept Thy Word. Now they have known that all things, which Thou hast given Me, are from Thee. For I have given to them the Words that Thou hast given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from Thee; and they have believed that Thou sent Me.

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine. And all Mine art Thine, and Thine art Mine, and I Am Glorified in them.

“Now I Am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. O Holy Father, keep through Thy Name, those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be One as we are One.

“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name. Those whom Thou gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to Thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My Joy fulfilled in themselves...”

THE PRAYER OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, is often referred to as “the High Priestly Prayer” because it CONTAINS THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A

PRAYER THAT ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PRIESTS OFFER TO

THE LORD OUR GOD BEFORE A (BLOODLESS) SACRIFICE

OR OFFERING IS OFFERED TO HIM:

ä GLORIFICATION of Almighty God ä REMEMBRANCE of God’s Divine Works ä INTERCESSION on behalf of others ä A DECLARATION of the Holy Offering Itself

This particular passage of New Covenant Holy Scripture is read on the Seventh Sunday After Holy Pascha in remembrance of the 318 Holy Church Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, which had been convened in Nicaea in 325 in order to condemn and correct the heresy of Arianism (WHICH TAUGHT THAT THE SON OF GOD WAS

CREATED BY GOD THE FATHER AND THUS THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE SON AND

WORD OF GOD DID NOT EXIST!)

ä OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S ACTUAL WORDS BEAR

WITNESS TO HIS TRUE, ABSOLUTE AND ETERNAL

DIVINITY, AS WELL AS HIS ETERNAL FILIAL

RELATIONSHIP TO GOD THE FATHER.

This Divine Testimony alone is more than sufficient to dismiss any form of heretical Arianism.

“The Hour has come,” signifies that CHRIST IS LORD

OVER TIME: “He voluntarily Willed to ascend the

Cross in the Flesh...” (HYMN OF SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY) ä The expression “Glorify” refers to THE REDEMPTION

OF ALL CREATION THAT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED

THROUGH OUR LORD’S CRUCIFIXION (THE FINAL, ULTIMATE AND MOST PURE BLOOD SACRIFICE FOR SINS AND ETERNAL LIFE) AND GLORIOUS RESURRECTION (THE HARROWING OF HADES), which was THE DIVINE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE

DIVINE WORD AND SON OF GOD WAS SENT BY GOD

THE FATHER INTO THE SIN ENSLAVED AND

DARKENED WORLD.

ä IN HIS DIVINE REDEMPTION, GOD THE FATHER AND GOD

THE SON ARE GLORIFIED.

ä FOR THAT REASON THE CROSS OF CHRIST - which was a hideous form of execution with its excruciating suffering and death - IS NOW GLORIFIED IN HIS

HOLY CHURCH AS “LIFE-GIVING” AND A “WEAPON OF

PEACE.” ä THE (EMPTY) HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST HAS BECOME A

VICTORIOUS EMBLEM OF DIVINE GOODNESS:

RESURRECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE:

ä The Holy Cross of Christ CONQUERS ALL SINFUL

ENSLAVEMENT, ALIENATION FROM GOD. ä The Holy Cross of Christ is OUR SANCTIFIED BADGE

OR EMBLEM OF HONOUR whereby we strive to live each moment of the day, for it REMINDS US OF

THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR

IN WHOM WE LIVE and it INFORMS OTHERS OF OUR

SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE. ä The Holy Cross of Christ is THE MOST POWERFUL

FORM OF DIVINE PROTECTION, which repels and rejects Satan and his evil schemes.

ä The Holy Cross of Christ is ALL WE NEED.

TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST DO NOT WEAR “EVIL EYES” OR ANY OTHER SO-CALLED “GOOD LUCK CHARMS!”

SUCH PAGAN TALISMANS, AMULETS OR TRINKETS EXPOSE DEEP-SEATED SUPERSTITIONS, WHICH REVEAL A LACK OF FAITH IN GOD - THE DENIAL OF GOD’S INFINITE POWER AND LOVE THAT CONQUERS ALL THREATS AND WICKEDNESS AGAINST US.

TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WEAR THE (EMPTY) CROSS ONLY AGAINST THEIR HEARTS (NOT AS MERE ORNAMENTATION SUCH AS EAR-RINGS, ETC) AND N EV ER TO GETHERN EV ER TO GETHERN EV ER TO GETHERN EV ER TO GETHER W I TH AN Y SU PER ST IT IOU S W I TH AN Y SU PER ST IT IOU S W I TH AN Y SU PER ST IT IOU S W I TH AN Y SU PER ST IT IOU S “ LUC KY CHARMS ! ” “ L UC KY CHARMS ! ” “ L UC KY CHARMS ! ” “ L UC KY CHARMS ! ”

BELIEF IN ANYTHING ELSE IS A REVERSION TO PAGANISM – THE REJECTION OF OUR ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD!

T HE SOTHE SOTHE SOTHE SO ---- CA L L ED “ P EAC E S I GNCA L L ED “ P EAC E S I GNCA L L ED “ P EAC E S I GNCA L L ED “ P EAC E S I GN ” I S I N F ACT THE CUR SE O F ” I S I N F ACT THE CUR SE O F ” I S I N F ACT THE CUR SE O F ” I S I N F ACT THE CUR SE O F S ATAN : A C LOV EN HOOF AND A BRO KEN , U PS ID E S ATAN : A C LOV EN HOOF AND A BRO KEN , U PS ID E S ATAN : A C LOV EN HOOF AND A BRO KEN , U PS ID E S ATAN : A C LOV EN HOOF AND A BRO KEN , U PS ID E DOWN CRO SS DOWN CRO SS DOWN CRO SS DOWN CRO SS –––– D EC LAR IN GD EC LAR IN GD EC LAR IN GD EC LAR IN G T H E W EAR ER A S A S LAV E THE W EAR ER A S A S LAV E THE W EAR ER A S A S LAV E THE W EAR ER A S A S LAV E O F SATAN T HA T O F SATAN T HA T O F SATAN T HA T O F SATAN T HA T MUST B E AVO IDED AT A L L COSTS B Y MUST B E AVO IDED AT A L L COSTS B Y MUST B E AVO IDED AT A L L COSTS B Y MUST B E AVO IDED AT A L L COSTS B Y T RU E D I SC I PL E S O F CHR I STTRU E D I SC I PL E S O F CHR I STTRU E D I SC I PL E S O F CHR I STTRU E D I SC I PL E S O F CHR I ST ....

ä KNOWLEDGE OF THE ONLY TRUE GOD IS FAR MORE THAN

INTELLECTUAL UNDERSTANDING. IT IS

PARTICIPATION OF CHRIST’S DIVINE LIFE AND BEING

IN COMMUNION WITH HIM.

Consequently, ETERNAL LIFE IS AN ONGOING, LOVING

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Divine Work can never be

separated from Who He is. ä “I have Glorified Thee on the earth. I have

finished the Work, which Thou hast given

Me to do...” is a statement that every Faithful Disciple of Christ should be able to make at the end of life – no matter how long or short our Life in Christ has been!

ä “...the men whom Thou hast given Me...” are THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST THROUGH WHOM

THE WORD OF GOD COMES DOWN THROUGH THE

7 T H P A S C H A L S U N D A Y - 3 1 8 H O L Y F A T H E R S O F T H E 1 S T E C U M E N I C A L C O U N C I L – 1 6 J U N E 2 0 1 3 13.

AGES – CAREFULLY PRESERVED – TO US, WHICH IS

KNOWN AS OUR “APOSTOLIC TRADITION” – THE TRUE

TEACHINGS OF THE SON OF GOD, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.

ä St Isaiah prophesied that IN THE DAYS OF THE

MESSIAH, THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NAME OF GOD

WOULD BE REVEALED. (ISAIAH 52:6)

According to the Old Covenant, THE EXPRESSION “the

Name” WAS MOST REVERENTLY USED instead of God’s

actual Name, “Yahweh,” which was considered as being FAR TOO SACRED TO PRONOUNCE.

ä THE FULLER REVELATION OF THE DIVINE NAME WAS

GRANTED TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST

OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, FOR HE MANIFESTED THE

DIVINE NAME NOT ONLY BY DECLARING GOD THE

FATHER, BUT BY BEING THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD

ON EARTH AND BY SHARING THE DIVINE NAME WITH

HIM!

ä OUR LORD JESUS FIRST PRAYED FOR HIMSELF AND THEN

FOR HIS HOLY APOSTLES WHO WERE GRANTED TO

HIM BY GOD THE FATHER – AS WELL AS ALL THE

SOULS WHO BELIEVE IN HIM THROUGHOUT THE

AGES.

ä The reference to “the world” means the fallen world consisting of ALL THOSE WHO LIVE

ACCORDING TO THE DESIRES OF THEIR BODY –

THE FLESH – which is used against us through the temptation – the wiles and deceptions - of Satan.

T H E P H Y S I CA L WOR L D AND A L L T H A T I S I N I T T H E P H Y S I CA L WOR L D AND A L L T H A T I S I N I T T H E P H Y S I CA L WOR L D AND A L L T H A T I S I N I T T H E P H Y S I CA L WOR L D AND A L L T H A T I S I N I T ---- WH I CH G O D WH I CH G O D WH I CH G O D WH I CH G O D

CR E A T E D CR E A T E D CR E A T E D CR E A T E D ---- I S A L L G O OD AND B E AU T I F U L I S A L L G O OD AND B E AU T I F U L I S A L L G O OD AND B E AU T I F U L I S A L L G O OD AND B E AU T I F U L ---- A NDANDANDAND WE WE WE WE –––– A S A S A S A S E AR TH L Y IE A R TH L Y IE A R TH L Y IE A R TH L Y I N T E L L E C TUA L B E I N G S N T E L L E C TUA L B E I N G S N T E L L E C TUA L B E I N G S N T E L L E C TUA L B E I N G S ---- H A VE B E EN O RD A I N E D H AVE B E EN O RD A I N E D H AVE B E EN O RD A I N E D H AVE B E EN O RD A I N E D B Y G O D T O P R E S E R VE AND N UR TUR E I TB Y G O D T O P R E S E R VE AND N UR TUR E I TB Y G O D T O P R E S E R VE AND N UR TUR E I TB Y G O D T O P R E S E R VE AND N UR TUR E I T , YET THROUGH OUR SINFUL DESIRES OF GREED AND SELFISH INDULGENCE, WE HAVE ALMOST

DESTROYED IT BEYOND RECOVERY!

ä The fallen world consists of ALL WHO ARE IN

REBELLION AGAINST THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD

AND WHO PREFER SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND

BLINDNESS TO HIS DIVINE, LIFE-GIVING LIGHT

AND SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT.

] The term “Holy Father” is echoed in THE EUCHARIST

PRAYER OF DIDACHE: “We give Thee Thanks, O

Holy Father, for Thy Holy Name, which

Thou has made to dwell in our hearts...” (DIDACHE 10:2)

] The lost “son of Perdition” (Destruction) is Judas Iscariot to whom Old Testament Prophesy alluded. (PSALM 40:10; PSALM 108:2 – 13; ZECHARIAH 11: 12-13)

ä JUDAS ISCARIOT, THE SON OF PERDITION WHO

BETRAYED CHRIST, EPITIMISES ALL WHO FALL

AWAY, RENOUNCE REBEL AGAINST OR BETRAY GOD -

ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST DAYS, WHICH IS NOW!

According to St Paul in his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, THE SON OF PERDITION IS “THE

ANTICHRIST” who is the manifestation of everything that is ungodly, evil and destructive but WHO WILL BE

COMPLETELY DEFEATED AND BANISHED TO HELL –

TOGETHER WITH ALL WHO ARE WILLINGLY ENSLAVED BY

HIM - BY CHRIST ALMIGHTY AT THE FINAL JUDGEMENT

OF ALL CREATION. (2 THESSALONIANS 2:3)

Sunday o f the Holy Fa the rs f rom the 4th Ecumenica l Counc i l - The Righ t Worsh ip “And this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.”

(JOHN 17:3) Beloved Brothers, It is written in the Paterikon – an inspiring book that

records the words and stories of Spiritual Wisdom of our Holy Ascetic Fathers of the Egyptian Desert and other Holy Places - that one of our wise Holy Fathers - named Abba Agathon - was famous for his peaceful and moderate way of living.

One day some people tried to provoke him into anger by asking him : "Are you Father Agathon? We heard you are full of lust and pride."

"It is true," said Abba Agathon. "Are you the Father Agathon who speaks badly about

other people?" they enquired. " I am," he replied again.

"Are you Agathon the Heretic?" they asked. The Holy Elder jumped to his feet and declared: "I

am no heretic!" And they asked him: "Why - having heard so many

incriminations – did you accept them all yet you could not bear the accusation of heresy?"

And he said to them: "The first accusations are useful for my soul to recognize them, because in one way or another I am doing all that, but heresy means separation from God and I do not want that!"

And astounded at the Righteousness of his mind they departed with a most significant Lesson learnt.

We live today in what the Philosophers call a

‘postmodern world.’ IT IS A WORLD THAT NO LONGER SPEAKS ABOUT ABSOLUTE

TRUTH, but about ‘relative truth’ – a type of truth that is perhaps true for one person and maybe for similar minded people, but it may not be true for others.

In this way EVERYONE IS RIGHT AND WRONG IN THE SAME TIME.

Working during the week in a corporate environment I see this happening every day.

Most times it does not matter much what we do and what we say, but rather how we do and how we say.

Our arguments are dependent many times not on content, but on presentation skills. And this cannot be right.

THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF NICEA IN 318, CONSISTED OF THE KEEPERS AND PROTECTORS OF THE

TRUE FAITH, THE FAITH OF THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST, which began to be known as “THE ORTHODOX FAITH.”

The word Orthodox comes from the Greek words “ortho” meaning “straight, true, right” or “correct” and “doxa” meaning “Glory” “Worship” or “Teaching.” [ORTHODOX = TRUE TEACHING]

Orthodox Christianity is very practical, logical and most important of all – TRUTHFUL.

Orthodox Christianity is neither the ‘right Theology’, nor the ‘right Knowledge of God.’

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY IS also not the ‘right Philosophy about life,’ but rather THE CORRECT, FITTING AND TRUE WORSHIP OF GOD ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE REVELATION AND TRUTH OF CHRIST’S TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS.

Why is Orthodoxy so important that we fought so many Theological battles against heretics and why were so many Defenders of Christ’s True Teaching persecuted and martyred?

TRAGICALLY, THIS TERRIBLE, UNJUST PERSECUTION OF DIVINE TRUTH AND THOSE WHO DEFEND IT WITH THEIR LIVES IS EVEN WORSE IN THIS DAY AND AGE – THE FINAL DAYS BEFORE THE REAPPEARANCE OF CHRIST IN ALL HIS GLORY!

Our Holy Church Fathers had a very practical approach to the True Faith.

OUR HOLY FATHERS had not studied, contemplated and discussed anything merely for the sake of debate, but rather to CONFIRM THE DIVINE TRUTH THAT HAS A DEEP IMPACT ON OUR LIFE IN GOD.

THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE IS TO GIVE BACK TO GOD IN WORSHIP, HOLY SERVICE AND CEASELESS

THANKSGIVING FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE, WHICH HE HAS BESTOWED UPON US.

Yet, what can we offer Him that is not already His? As we say in the Liturgy "We offer to Thee these gifts from Thine own Gifts in all and for all.".

WE CAN ONLY GIVE GOD OUR LIFE - and this is possible only through A LIFE WHEREBY WE PUT HIM FIRST AND TRY TO GIVE HIM ALL DUE WORSHIP - THE RIGHT WORSHIP ACCORDING TO THE TEACHING OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR.

Right Worship is important because as our Lord Jesus Christ clearly warned us: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, except those who do the Will of My Father in Heaven." (MATTHEW 7:21)

At Theophany we are told about THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER: “...And there was a Cloud that overshadowed them. And a Voice came out of the

14. 7 T H P A S C H A L S U N D A Y - 3 1 8 H O L Y F A T H E R S O F T H E 1 S T E C U M E N I C A L C O U N C I L – 1 6 J U N E 2 0 1 3

Cloud, saying: ‘This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him.’” (MARK 9:7)

“... Hear Him!” This is what we are supposed to do. We must PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO OUR LORD JESUS

CHRIST WHO EXPLICITLY TELLS US: "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me." (JOHN 14:6).

Our Lord did not tell us that there are many different ‘truths’ and we can choose whichever ‘truth’ suits us.

The Eternal, Only Begotten Son and Word of God the Father clearly tells us: “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life...”

HIS WAY IS THE WAY OF THE CROSS. HIS TRUTH IS THE DIVINE TRUTH OF HIS HOLY GOSPEL. HIS LIFE IS OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW WE, TOO,

SHOULD LIVE EACH AND EVERY MOMENT OF OUR

LIFESPAN – especially in self-sacrifice, self-denial and self-discipline - joyfully and eagerly serving God and our fellow sinners.

There cannot be any other “truth” except THE DIVINE TRUTH OF GOD, WHICH NEVER CHANGES BUT REMAINS THE SAME FOR ALL ETERNITY BEING THE ABSOLUTE AND PERFECT TRUTH OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

There are always those who think they are able to follow Christ in their own way.

They profess to read and understand Holy Scripture according to their own ideas - but that is not how to LIVE IN CHRIST.

The trouble with doing things our own way reveals A DEEP SPIRITUAL STATE OF VAINGLORIOUS THOUGHTS, OF PRIDE AND A MISGUIDED SENSE OF SELF SUFFICIENCY, WHICH ACTUALLY ALIENATES US FROM GOD.

Such concepts of independent thought and practice have spawned huge numbers of egocentric religious groups, some of which dare to regard themselves as ‘Christians.’

However, their HERETICAL IDEAS AND TEACHINGS OFTEN CONTRADICT AND CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER – AND HAVE VERY LITTLE OR NOTHING TO DO WITH HUMBLE

OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD. So who is actually right? How can we tell the

difference? Who is right and who is wrong? Going back to the time of the Ecumenical Councils:

the Greek word “Oicoumenos” means “the inhabited world.”

The whole point of these Ecumenical Councils – the gathering together of our Holy Church Fathers - was TO CONFIRM THE DIVINE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST that were accepted by everyone - accepted by the “One, Holy, Catholic (Universal) and Apostolic Church” of Christ our Lord and Saviour.

One person can be wrong for we are all merely human beings with limited intelligence and understanding.

On the contrary, AS THE WHOLE BODY OF CHRIST – HIS HOLY CHURCH - WHICH IS GUIDED AND ENLIGHTENED BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS OUR ONLY, DIVINE, ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST AND TEACHER, WE CANNOT GO WRONG.

As individuals we can jump to the wrong conclusions, but AS A GROUP WHO IS GUIDED, INSPIRED AND ENLIGHTENED BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO MAKES ALL THINGS POSSIBLE, WE ALWAYS RECEIVE THE DIVINE TRUTH.

THE HOLY TRINITY IS PRESENT AT THESE HOLY CHURCH COUNCILS, WHICH FAST AND PRAY TOGETHER.

Thus BY THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH GOD THE SON AND BY MEANS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THEY RECEIVE ONE DIVINE TRUTH, FOR GOD ALONE IS INFALLIBLE.

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH HAS ALWAYS ACTED

ACCORDINGLY and EVERY HOLY CHURCH FATHER – OR ANY OTHER ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN - BEFORE

PUBLISHING OR PRONOUNCING SOMETHING

SIGNIFICANT, IS CHECKED BY OTHERS UNDER THE DIVINE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF TRUTH TO ENSURE THAT IT IS INDEED ACCORDING TO DIVINE

TRUTH AND THAT THERE IS NO CONFLICT OR

CONFUSION. ORTHODOXY IS A MATTER OF TRUTH, OBEDIENCE TO GOD

AND HUMILITY – compelling us to act as a group who always serves God and our fellow mankind, and whose EVERY ACTION IS FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD, rather than acting as egotistical individuals.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ASSURED US THAT that wherever two or three were gathered in His Divine Name, HE HIMSELF WOULD BE PRESENT AS WELL.

So any new, ‘modern,’ heretical concepts or teachings, that are contrary to THE TRUE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST, WHICH ARE RATIFIED BY THE ECUMENICAL COUNCILS cannot be accepted because they have not been VERIFIED BY THE WHOLE GOD-INSPIRED BODY OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

WE – AS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS OR FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST - ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CORRECT WORSHIP AND DIVINE TRUTH THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM THE TRUE FAITH.

We have fought against the West over the “Filioque” heresy for more than a thousand years and Arius was anathemized for an iota - a simple letter “i" which altered Divine Truth and thereby caused a great controversy for many years.

This is how important the True Faith is. Nevertheless we should take great care not to allow

pride to conquer us by thanking God - like the Pharisee - that we are Orthodox Christians “...and not like others..."

Instead WE SHOULD HUMBLY EXAMINE OURSELVES, PLUCK OUT OUR DEEPLY EMBEDDED SINS AND CONSTANTLY

THANK GOD FOR HIS ABUNDANT GIFTS that He bestowed on us even though we are such unworthy, wretched sinners.

We must realise that HAVING BEEN SO ABUNDANTLY BLESSED BY GOD, WE HAVE A SACRED MISSION TO FULFIL: we must MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE IN CHRIST BY FAITHFULLY SERVING GOD AND OUR FELLOW MANKIND AS CHRIST INSTRUCTED US TO DO.

It is never enough to merely claim to be Orthodox Christians – WE MUST FULFIL ALL OUR SACRED COMMITMENTS TO GOD EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIFE AND BECOME SPIRITUAL VIGIL LAMPS THAT

ENLIGHTEN AND GUIDE OTHERS towards the Magnificent Life in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen!

HTTP://STJOHNDFW.INFO/SUNDAY-OF-THE-HOLY-FATHERS-FROM-THE-4TH-

ECUMENICAL-COUNCIL-THE-RIGHT-WORSHIP.HTML

S t J o h n o f D a m a s c u s

We do not change the boundaries marked out by our Fathers: we keep the Tradition we have

received.

If we begin to lay down the law to the Church, even in the smallest thing, the whole edifice will fall to

the ground in no short time.

H O L Y P E N T E C O S T - T H E D E S C E N T O F T H E H O L Y S P I R I T – 2 3 J U N E 2 0 1 3 15.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, 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.

8 t h Sunday Af ter Pascha Tone (5 ) Plaga l 1 23 June 2013

P e n t e c o s t S u n d a y

The Descent of the Holy Spirit The Beginning of Christ’s Holy Church

and our Life in Christ of Grace, Knowledge, Holiness & Divine Adoption

Also the Feast Day of St Agrippina of Rome – St Artemios of Verkola – St Herman of Kazan, 2nd Translation of Holy Relics – St Eustochios, St Gaiius, St Probios, St Lollia & St Urbanos of Ancyra – Synaxis of Vladimir Saints – St Aristokleos the Presbyter, St Demetrian the Deacon & St Athanasios the Reader of Cyprus

2 N D A N T I P H O N O F P E N T E C O S T – P S A L M 1 9 - T O N E 2

Ekouse Sou Kyrios en imera thlipseos, iperaspise Sou

to Onoma tou Theou Iakov.

>Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, psalontas Si:

Allilouia!

Exapostile Si voithian ex Agiou, ke ek Sion antilavito Sou.

>Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, psalontas Si:

Allilouia! Mnisthii pasis thisias Sou, ke to olokavtoma Sou

pianato

>Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, psalontas Si:

Allilouia!

The Lord hear you in the day of trouble: the Name of the God of Jacob shield you.

>Good Paraclete, Save us who sing to Thee:

Alleluia!

May He send you Help from the Sanctuary: and support

you out of Zion.

>Good Paraclete, Save us who sing to Thee:

Alleluia! May He remember your every sacrifice: and accept your

Burnt Offering.

>Good Paraclete, Save us who sing to Thee:

Alleluia!

I S O D I K O N O F P E N T E C O S T

>Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou. Asomen ke

psaloumen tas Dinastias Sou. Soson imas,

Paraklite Agathe, psallontas Si Allilouia!

>Be exalted, O Lord, in Thy Power: we shall sing and

chant Thy Mighty Deeds. Good Paraclete, Save

us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

A P O L Y T I K I O N O F P E N T E C O S T

>Evlogitos i Hriste O Theos imon, O Pansofous tous

aliis anadixas, katapempsas aftis to Pnevma to

Agion, ke di Afton tin ikoumenin saginefsas,

Filanthrope: Doxa Si!

>Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who has filled the Fishermen with Wisdom by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them, and Who, through them, has united the world: Glory to Thee, O Lover of Mankind!

K O N T A K I O N – T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4 F R O M P E N T E C O S T U N T I L T H E A P O D O S I S B E F O R E A L L S A I N T S S U N D A Y

Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O

Ipsisto. Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita

panta ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion

Pnevma!

When the Most High came down and confused the

tongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided out the Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with one voice we Glorify the All-Holy Spirit!

B A P T I S M H Y M N – I N S T E A D O F T H E “ A G I O S O T H E O S . . . ”

>Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.

Allelouia!

>As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have

put on Christ: Alleluia!

M a t i n s G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 2 0 : 1 9 – 2 3 J E S U S C H R I S T , O U R R I S E N L O R D , A P P E A R S T O T E N O F H I S D I S C I P L E S A N D B E S T O W S H I S D I V I N E A U T H O R I T Y

O N T H E M

At that time, the same day, at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the Disciples were assembled, for fear of the Hebrews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them: “Peace be with

you!” When He had said this, He showed them His Hands and His Side. Then the Disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

So Jesus said to them again: “Peace to you! As the Father has Sent Me, I also Send you.” And when He had said

this, He breathed upon them, and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they

are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

P r o k e i m e n o n :

Their sound has gone out into all the earth: and their words to the ends of the world.

The Heavens declare the Glory of God!

T h e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 2 : 1 - 1 1 T H E D I S C I P L E S R E C E I V E T H E H O L Y S P I R I T F R O M T H E R I S E N C H R I S T

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a Sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and It filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Then there appeared before them divided Tongues, as of Fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were

filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

16. H O L Y P E N T E C O S T - T H E D E S C E N T O F T H E H O L Y S P I R I T – 2 3 J U N E 2 0 1 3

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Hebrews, devout men, from every nation under Heaven. And when this Sound

occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own

language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another: "Look! Are not all these who speak

Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,

Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Hebrews and proselytes, Cretans and

Arabs – we hear them speaking in our own tongues the Wonderful Works of God!"

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 7 : 3 7 – 5 2 ; 8 : 1 2 O U R L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T P R O M I S E S T H E H O L Y S P I R I T T O H I S D I S C I P L E S

On the last day, that Great Day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to

Me and drink. He who believes in Me - as the Scripture has said - out of his heart will flow rivers of

Living Water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, Whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet Glorified.

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said: “Truly this is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ

comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"

Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands upon Him. Then the officers came to the Chief

Priests and Pharisees, who said to them: "Why have you not brought Him?" The officers answered: "No man

ever spoke like this Man!" Then the Pharisees answered them: "Are you also deceived? Have any of the Rulers of the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed." Nikodemos

(he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them), said to them: "Does our Law judge a man before it

hears him and knows what he is doing?" They answered and said to him: "Are you also from Galilee?

Search and look, for no Prophet has arisen out of Galilee."

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I Am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in

Darkness, but have the Light of Life."

S u n d a y o f P e n t e c o s t - T h e V e s p e r s P r a y e r s A FT E R TH E PROEM I A L PSA LM , T H E GREAT L I T ANY AND TH E S I NG IN G O F " LORD , I H AV E C R I E D " T H E FO L LOW ING P RAY ERS A RE

R EA D . THE PRIEST AND THE WHOLE CONGREGAT ION KNEEL .

P r a y e r 1 O Pure and Blameless Lord, Who is without beginning,

invisible and incomprehensible, unchangeable, immeasurable, and unbounded, Who is without evil and Who alone is Immortal; Who dwells in the Unapproachable Light; Maker of Heaven and earth and the seas and all that was created therein; Who grants to all their Petitions even before asking: to Thee we pray and of Thee we ask, O Philanthropic Master, the Father of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who for us men and for our Salvation came down from Heaven and was Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Noble Theotokos; Who first taught by Word, and then testified by Deed while bearing the Saving Passion, teaching us - Thine unworthy, sinful, and miserable servants - to offer Thee our Supplications with bent head and knee, for our sins and human ignorance.

Wherefore, O Most Merciful and Philanthropic Lord, hear us on whatever day we call upon Thee - and especially on this Day of Pentecost, whereon - after our Lord Jesus Christ had Ascended into Heaven and sat at Thy right Hand, O God and Father - He sent down the Holy Spirit to His Disciples, the Holy Apostles, Who alighted on each of them and filled them all with His Inexhaustible and Divine Grace; and they spoke in strange tongues - prophesying Thy Great Deeds.

Hear us who beseech Thee, and remember us -wretched and condemned.

Deliver us from the (sinful) captivity of our souls by Thy Loving Intercession.

Accept us, who kneel down before Thee and cry out: we have sinned.

From birth - from the womb of our mother - we are Thine, O Lord - Thou art our God.

But as our life passes in vanity, we have therefore been stripped of Thine Aid, and have become silent.

Yet do we trust in Thy Compassion and cry unto Thee: Remember not the sins of our youth and ignorance;

cleanse us of our secret sins. Reject us not in our old age, nor forsake us when our

strength fails. Before we return to the earth, prepare us to return to

Thee. Measure our lawlessness with a Measure of Thy

Generosity, and erect against our many transgressions a bottomless Abyss of these Generosities.

Look down from the height of Thy Holiness upon Thy people who stand and await Abundant Mercy from Thee.

Visit us with Thy Goodness and Deliver us from the force of Satan and preserve our Life with Thy Holy and Solemn Laws.

Commit Thy People unto a Faithful Guardian Angel. Gather us all unto Thy Kingdom. Forgive those who put their trust in Thee, relinquish us

and them from sin. Purify us by the Operation of Thy Holy Spirit and

remove from us the wiles of the adversary.

A d d i t i o n a l P r a y e r : Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Almighty Master, Who

Illumines the day with the light of the sun and the night with the glow of the moon; Who has made us worthy to pass the course of the day and draw near to the onset of the night; hear our Petitions and those of all Thy people.

Forgive us all our sins - both voluntary and involuntary - and accept our Evening Supplications and send down the multitude of Thy Mercies and Compassions upon Thy People.

Protect us with Thy Holy Angels. Arm us with the Weapons of Thy Truth.

Envelop us with Thy Righteousness. Preserve us by Thy Power, and Deliver us from every

oppression and from every conspiracy of the cunning one.

Grant us that this evening and the approaching night and all the days of our life may be Perfect, Holy, Peaceful, Sinless, without doubt and vain imaginings, by the Intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and all the Saints who have done Thy Will from the beginning of time.

P r a y e r 2 O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who resides with us in

this life, and Who grants mankind the world, and in Thine inalienable Rule bestows the True Gift of the

Holy Spirit - this Blessing Thou hast sent down more fully to Thy Disciples and Apostles and hast dispensed into their mouths the Fire of Tongues, so

H O L Y P E N T E C O S T - T H E D E S C E N T O F T H E H O L Y S P I R I T – 2 3 J U N E 2 0 1 3 17.

that through them all mankind may receive Knowledge of God and be Enlightened by the Light of the Spirit - being emancipated from seduction as from darkness - and by their Supernatural Action, learning to believe in the Son of God and to > Praise Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit as one Godhead, Power and Authority.

Wherefore, O Splendour of the Father, the Likeness of his Essence, His immutable and unchangeable Nature: Thou art the Fountain of Salvation and Grace.

Open my lips - sinner that I am - and teach me how and for what I should pray; for Thou knows the multitude of my sins - yet the enormity thereof is overcome by Thine unbounded Compassion.

Behold, I come and stand before Thee in fear and dismay, casting my soul's despair into the depth of Thy Mercy.

Ordain my life, O Thou Who rules the whole Creation with ineffable Wisdom.

O Tranquil Haven to those who are caught in the rages of winter, make known to me the Way in which I should walk.

Grant to my thoughts the Spirit of Thy Wisdom, and bestow upon my ignorance the Spirit of Thy Understanding.

Overshadow my acts with the Spirit of Thy Fear; a Just Spirit Renew Thou within me, and by Thy Sovereign Spirit Strengthen my unstable mind, that I may be worthy each day to do Thy Commandments - being Guided by Thy Righteous Spirit into that which is

Profitable - ever mindful of Thy Glorified (Second) Coming, when we shall all be obliged to give an account for our deeds.

Let me not be led astray by the corrupting pleasures of this world, but Strengthen me to delight in the Treasures to come. For Thou, O Master, said: "Whatever you ask in My Name you shall receive..." from God the Father Co-Eternal with Thee.

Therefore, I a sinner, implore Thy Goodness on the Day of the Descent of Thy Holy Spirit.

Grant my Request for Salvation: yea, O Good Lord, Who grants all riches and Benevolence; for Thou art He - the Merciful and Pitying One Who grants us more than we ask - Who has become a Partaker with us in the Flesh, yet Without Sin.

Thou art He Who, for His Love for mankind, has Compassion for those who bend their knee before Thee, having become an Offering for our sins.

Grant, O Lord, Thy Compassion to Thy people, and incline Thine Ear to us from Thy Holy Heaven.

Sanctify us by the Saving Might of Thy right Hand. Cover us with the Shelter of Thy Wings and turn not

away from the Work of Thy Hands. Against Thee only do we sin, yet Thee only do we serve. We know not how to bow to a strange god, nor how to

reach out to a different god. Pardon our iniquities, O Master, and - accepting our

requests on bended knee - extend to us all a helping Hand, and accept the Prayers of all as fragrant Incense acceptable to Thy Most Righteous Kingdom.

A d d i t i o n a l P r a y e r : O Lord, Lord, Thou Who hast delivered us from every

arrow (obstacle) that comes by day: Save us from everything that walks in darkness, and accept the lifting up of our hands as an Evening Offering.

Consider us worthy to pass the night blamelessly and to experience no evil.

Deliver us from Satan. Free us from all confusion and fear.

Grant our souls Great Joy, and our thoughts concern for our accountability at Thy Just and Terrible Judgment.

Transfix our flesh with Thy Fear, and mitigate our members while on earth, that in the tranquillity of sleep we may be Enlightened by the Meditation of Thy Precepts. (Teachings)

Drive from us every evil fancy and lasciviousness. Elevate us during our Prayers, strengthened in Faith and

enriched by Thy Commandments.

P r a y e r 3 O Christ our God, the Ever-flowing Spring, Life-Giving,

Illuminating, Creative Power, Co-Eternal with the Father, Who Divinely Achieved the Deed of Saving mankind, and Who tore apart the indestructible bonds of Death, Who broke asunder the bolts of Hades, and trod down the multitude of evil spirits, offering Thyself as a Blameless Sacrifice and offering us Thy Pure, Spotless and Sinless Body: Who, by this Fearsome, Inscrutable Divine Service grants us Life Everlasting.

O Thou Who descended into Hades, and demolished the Eternal Bars, revealing an Ascent to those who were in the Lower Abode; Who with the Lure of Divine Wisdom enticed the dragon - the head of subtle evil - and with Thy boundless Power bound him in Abysmal Hell, in Inextinguishable Fire, and Extreme Darkness.

O Great Wisdom of the despairing! Overcomer of misfortunes - eminent Helper, Who came and lit the Way for those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of Death; Thou art the Lord of Everlasting Glory, the Beloved Son of the Most High Father, Eternal Light of Eternal Light, Thou Sun of Truth!

Hear us who beseech Thee, and lay to rest the souls of Thy Servants - of those who have died heretofore, and those of our Fathers and Brothers and other kinsmen in flesh and all others through Faith - for whom we now celebrate this Memorial; for Thou hast Power over all, and in Thy Hands all the boundaries of the earth are held.

O Almighty Master, God of our Fathers, Lord of Mercy and Creator of all the nations of mankind - the living and the dead - and of all nature - animate and inanimate - Who appeared and resided here on earth and again departed into the other world - Who sets the years for the living and appoints the time for the

dead, Who brings down to Hades and raises to Bliss; Who binds with weakness and looses with Power; Who arranges the present as is meet and Who directs the future towards usefulness, Who consoles with the Hope of Resurrection those who feel the sting of Death - for Thou art the Master of all - our God and our Saviour - O Hope of all the boundaries of the earth and of those who are away on the seas; O Thou Who on this Last and Great Day of Salvation - the Day of the Feast of Pentecost - hast revealed to us the Mystery of the Holy Trinity, Consubstantial and Co-Eternal, Indivisible and Immiscible, Who sent down the Holy and Life-Giving Spirit in the form of Tongues of Fire on His Holy Apostles, revealing them as Proclaimers of our God-fearing Faith, making of them True Confessors and Preachers of the Word of God, Who makes us worthy, so that our propitiatory Prayers of this All-Perfect Day of Salvation be acceptable for those who are imprisoned in Hades, and Who grants those imprisoned therein a Great Hope in receiving from Thee Consolation and Relief of their confining grief.

Hear us - disconsolate and wretched - who beseech Thee, and grant Rest to the souls who have formerly departed, and let them repose in a Resplendent Place - a Place of Verdure and Coolness - where there are no ills nor sorrow nor sighs.

And array their souls in the Tabernacles of the Righteous, and make them worthy of Peace and Repose; for it is not the dead who praise Thee, O Lord, nor do those who are in Hades venture to offer Thee Confession, but we - the living - Bless Thee and Supplicate Thee, O Lord, and offer unto Thee Prayers of Purification and Sacrifices for their souls' sake.

18. H O L Y P E N T E C O S T - T H E D E S C E N T O F T H E H O L Y S P I R I T – 2 3 J U N E 2 0 1 3

A d d i t i o n a l P r a y e r : O Great Eternal God, Holy and Loving toward mankind,

Who makes us worthy to stand at this Hour before Thine Unapproachable Glory, praising and Glorifying Thy Wonders: forgive us, unworthy sinners, and grant us Grace that from a humble and contrite heart we may offer Thee the Thrice-Holy Glorification and Gratitude for Thy Great Gifts which Thou granted - and still steadfastly grants to us.

Remember, O Lord, our weakness and destroy us not in our iniquities; but in accordance with our Humility show us Thy Great Mercy, that being delivered from the darkness of sin, we may walk in the Day of Truth, equipped with the Armour of Light, and freed from all the evil attacks of the wicked one -Glorifying Thee in all things, O Only True God and Lover of mankind.

For in Truth, O Master and Creator of all, Thine is the Great and Original Mystery - the temporary death of Thy Creatures, and their Restoration thereafter unto Eternal Repose.

In all things we acknowledge Thy Favour, at our Entrance into this world and at our departure, O Thou Who by Thy unfailing Promises offers us the Hope of Everlasting Life, Resurrection, and Incorruptible Life, which shall be ours to enjoy at Thy Second Coming; for Thou, O Lord Christ, art the Fountain of our Resurrection, the Mankind-Loving and Incorruptible Judge of the deceased and those worthy of Reward.

Thou hast assumed, with Utmost Condescension, our flesh and blood, and through Thine undying Love for us, did not dismiss Thy Suffering - willingly submitting to torture - so that, having been tempted, Thou, as Promised, became the Helper to those who are tempted, Elevating us to Thy Dispassion.

Wherefore, O Master, accept our Prayers and Supplications, and grant Repose to our Fathers,

Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Children, Blood Relatives, and Kinsfolk, and all those who have gone to their final rest with the Hope of Resurrection and Life Everlasting.

Inscribe their names in the Book of Life; in the Bosoms of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; in the Land of the Living, the Kingdom of Heaven, in the Paradise of Delight - leading all into Thy Holy Dwelling Places by Thy Radiant Angels - and raise their bodies on the Day that Thou hast Appointed - according to Thine unfailing Holy Promises; for there is no death, O Lord, to Thy departing servants who cast off their bodies and come to Thee, O God, but a transition from sorrowful things to pleasant and benign, to Repose and Joy.

And if they have sinned (in any respect) against Thee, forgive them, and be Thou Compassionate to them and us; for there is none without stain before Thee, even though our life be but a day - save Thou alone, Jesus Christ our God, Who appeared on earth without sin, and because of Thee we all trust in attaining Thy Mercy and the Remission of sins.

Therefore, O God, through Thy Grace and Love of mankind, weaken, remit and forgive our sins and theirs; overlook both our voluntary and involuntary offences, which we have committed either wilfully or through ignorance, openly or in secret whether by word, deed, or thought and all our wrathful dealings which we have committed during our lifetime.

As for those who have preceded us, grant them Emancipation and Repose.

To those of us who are here, Bless us, and grant us and all Thy People a Blessed and Peaceful End to this life.

At Thy Fearsome and Dreadful Coming open to us Thy fathomless Love of mankind, making us worthy of Thy Kingdom.

A d d i t i o n a l P r a y e r : O Thou Most Exalted God, Who alone possesses

Immortality, Who dwells in the Unapproachable Light, Who in Wisdom brings into being all Creation, who separated the light and the darkness, setting the sun to rule the day, and the moon and stars to

rule the night, Who on this Day vouchsafed us sinners as worthy through Confession to present ourselves before Thy Sight and to offer to Thee our Evening Prayers.

A d d i t i o n a l P r a y e r : O Philanthropic God, set our Prayers like Incense

before Thee, and receive them as a sweet Fragrance.

Grant that this evening and the approaching night may be Peaceful and Serene for us.

Clothe us with the Armour of Light, and deliver us from nightly fears and from everything that walks in darkness.

Vouchsafe that the slumber, which Thou grants us for rest from our weakness, be also free from every satanic vision.

Yea, O Master, Who provides Good Things for all, grant that in our lodgings, amid the night, we may with fervour recall Thy Most Holy Name.

Grant that being Enlightened by the Teachings of Thy Commandments, we will rise up in Spiritual Joy to Glorify Thy Goodness - offering for Thy Compassion Petitions and Supplications for our sins and those of all people, for which Thou, through the Intercessions of the Holy Theotokos, visits upon us with Mercy!

Amen

ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP : FROM MISSIONARY LEAFLET # E5 - 2001 HOLY

TRINITY ORTHODOX MISSION - 466 FOOTHILL BLVD, BOX 397, LA

CANADA, CA 91011 - EDITOR: BISHOP ALEXANDER (MILEANT)

T h e E t e r n a l , D i v i n e l y I n s p i r e d W i s d o m o f o u r H o l y C h u r c h F a t h e r s

S t J u s t i n P o p o v i c h The Holy Mystery of the Day of the Holy Spirit –

Pentecost – is to be understood in the following manner:

The spirit of mankind must be completed and Perfected by the Holy Spirit.

That is our Immortal soul must be Sanctified, Illuminated and Divinised (returned to our created Divine Likeness) by God the Holy Spirit.

This great Holy Mystery is realised continually in the Holy Church of Christ and because of this the Church is really a continuous Holy Pentecost...

From Holy Pentecost – the Day of the Holy Spirit – every Godlike soul in the Eternal Church of Christ is an Incombustible Bush, which continuously burns and is inflamed with God and has a fiery tongue within it.

B l e s s e d S e r a p h i m o f P l a t i n a : Everything in this life passes away – only God

remains. Only He is worth struggling towards. We have a choice: to follow the way of this world

- of the society that surrounds us, and thereby find ourselves outside of God - or to choose the Way of Life - to choose God Who

Calls us and for Whom our heart and soul is searching.

N A T I V I T Y O F S T J O H N T H E B A P T I S T & F O R E R U N N E R 24 JUNE 2013 . 19

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a

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.

H o l y T r i n i t y W e e k 2 4 J u n e 2 0 1 3

H o l y T r i n i t y D a y

&

N a t i v i t y o f S t J o h n t h e B a p t i s t & F o r e r u n n e r

t o t h e C o m i n g o f C h r i s t

Feast of St Anthony of Dymsk, Novgorod – St John & St James, the Righteous Youth of Meniugi, Novgorod – St Orentios, St Pharnakios, St Eros, St Firmos, St Firminos, St Cyriakos & St Longinos, brothers & Roman Soldiers of Georgia – St Athanasios of Parios – St Barlaam of Khutin F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F P E N T E C O S T

>Evlogitos i Hriste O Theos imon, O Pansofous tous aliis

anadixas, katapempsas aftis to Pnevma to Agion, ke di Afton tin ikoumenin saginefsas, Filanthrope: Doxa Si!

>Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who has filled the

Fishermen with Wisdom by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them, and Who, through them, has united the world: Glory to Thee, O Lover of Mankind!

F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F T H E N A T I V I T Y O F S T J O H N T H E B A P T I S T –––– T O N E 4

Profiton ke Prodrome tis Parousias Hristou, axios

effimise Se ouk efporoument imis, i potho timontes Se; stirosis gar tekousis, ke patros afonia, lelinte ti endoxo ke septi Sou gennisi, ke Sarkosis Iou tou Theou, Kosmo kirittete.

O Prophet & Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, to

praise Thee worthily we find no proper means, we who cherish Thy memory. For the barrenness of the bearer, and lack of speech of the father, were both loosened; in Thy birth the Sacred and Glorified, and the Incarnation of the Son of God was proclaimed to the world.

K O N T A K I O N – T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4 - F R O M P E N T E C O S T U N T I L T H E A P O D O S I S B E F O R E A L L S A I N T S S U N D A Y

Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O Ipsisto.

Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita panta ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion Pnevma!

When the Most High came down and confused the

tongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided out the Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with one voice we Glorify the All-holy Spirit!

] B A P T I S M H Y M N – I N S T E A D O F T H E “ A G I O S O T H E O S . . . ”

>Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe. Allelouia >As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put

on Christ: Alleluia!

M a t i n s G o s p e l : L u k e 1 : 2 4 – 2 5 ; 5 7 – 6 8 ; 7 6 , 8 0 THE M I R ACU LOUS CONCEPT I ON & B I R TH O F ST JOHN THE B APT I S T

At that time, after those days, Zachariah’s wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying: “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great Mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

So it was, on the eighth day, that they went to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias but his mother said: “No! He shall be called John.” So they said to her: “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” Then they made signs to his father – what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote: “His name is John.” So they all marvelled.

Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying: “What kind of child will this be?” And the Hand of the Lord was with him.

Now his father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has Visited and Redeemed His People... And you, child, will be called ‘The Prophet of the Highest;’ for you will go before the Face of the Lord to prepare His Ways...”

...So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

“Elizabeth Conceived:” THE MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION

OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND FORERUNNER TO CHRIST

OUR SAVIOUR is Liturgically celebrated on 24 September, CONFIRMING THE SANCTITY OF MARITAL

RELATIONS FOR THOSE PAST THEIR CHILDBEARING

YEARS.

“Hid herself:” SINCE THE TIME OF MALACHI, GOD HAD

NOT SENT A GREAT PROPHET TO ISRAEL.

1 Mac c abee s 9 : 2 7 : “There was great perplexity in

Israel, such as had not been seen since the days

when the Prophets ceased to be seen in their

midst.” THIS SILENCING OF THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD SERVED

TO HEIGHTEN THE ANTICIPATION OF THE MESSIAH AND

TO MAKE IT ALL THE MORE EVIDENT WHEN HE CAME.

c AS ST JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS THE LAST AND GREATEST

HOLY PROPHET OF GOD WHO PREPARED THE WAY

FOR CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, HE WAS KEPT HIDDEN

UNTIL CHRIST – THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD – WAS

CONCEIVED.

Only then ST JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS REVEALED THROUGH

HIS FIRST PROPHETIC ACT OF LEAPING WITH JOY INSIDE

ST ELIZABETH’S WOMB.

When ST ZACHARIAS WAS STRUCK DUMB DUE TO HIS LACK

OF FAITH, it also served as PROOF THAT ST GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL’S ANNOUNCEMENT WAS TRUE.

c THE SILENCING OF THE HIGH PRIEST ALSO REVEALED A

DEEPER MYSTERY: THE MESSIAH WAS EXPECTED TO

FULFIL THREE CRUCIAL ROLES HELD BY VARIOUS

PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT: THE HOLY OFFICES

OF PROPHET, PRIEST AND KING

c ONLY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED ALL THREE

HOLY OFFICES PERFECTLY.

N A T I V I T Y O F S T J O H N T H E B A P T I S T & F O R E R U N N E R 2 4 J U N E 2 0 1 3 20

CIRCUMCISION WAS A SIGN OF ISRAEL’S (BLOOD) COVENANT

WITH GOD and the means whereby a male became a member of God’s Community.

Gene s i s 1 7 : 1 0 - 1 4 ( & L e v i t i c u s 1 2 : 3 ) : “This is the

Covenant you shall keep; between Me and you

and your seed after you throughout their

generations: every male child among you shall

be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in

the flesh of your foreskin. It shall be a Sign of

the Covenant between Me and you. A child of

eight days old shall be circumcised by you – every male child throughout your genealogy; he

who is born in your house, and he who is bought

with your money must be circumcised; and My

Covenant shall be in your flesh for an

Everlasting Covenant. And the uncircumcised

male child(‘s) ...soul shall be cut off from his

people for he has broken My Covenant.” c THE NEW COVENANT WITH GOD IS A BLOODLESS

COVENANT AND HOLY BAPTISM OF BOTH MALE AND

FEMALE IS OUR “NEW CIRCUMCISION.”

The name “John” means “Grace of God,” and by insisting on the name God had chosen for her son, St Elizabeth affirmed the Truth of St John’s Divine Calling and Mission. (REFER GENESIS 17:5; 15; 32:28)

When St Zacharias assented to God’s Will, his speech was restored and just as the prophecy was restored at the Incarnation of Christ, so St Zacharias, as High Priest, could speak again now that our Saviour Jesus Christ and His Forerunner, St John the Baptist, had come into the world.

c It is of particular significance that ST ZACHARIAS IMMEDIATELY DECLARED CHRIST – “THE LORD GOD

OF ISRAEL” – AND THEN REVEALED THE ESSENTIAL

ROLE OF HIS OWN SON AS “PROPHET OF THE

HIGHEST.”

Since the age of approximately two years, as a consequence of the terrible “Slaughter of the Innocents,” St John the Baptist lived in the desert on his own.

His mother had died soon after their escape and his father had been murdered in the Temple of Jerusalem by the soldiers of King Herod.

Due to the Will of God and by His Divine Providence and Grace, St John reached adulthood safely and without the influence or contamination of human wickedness, which made him Spiritually Pure – able to resist temptation by having grown so “strong in spirit.”

T h e E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e E p h e s i a n s 5 8 - 1 9 W A L K I N T H E L I G H T O F C H R I S T

Brethren: you were once Darkness but now you are Light in the Lord. Walk as Children of Light, (for the Fruit of the Spirit is in all Goodness, Righteousness and Truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things, which are done by them in secret.

But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the Light, for whatever makes manifest is Light. Therefore, He says: “Awake, you who sleep. Arise from the dead, and Christ will grant you Light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the Will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with

Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving Thanks always for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the Fear of God.

St Paul’s sharp contrast between the two ways – THE WAY OF DARKNESS AND THE WAY OF LIGHT – begins here.

THE ANIMOSITY BETWEEN THE TWO WAYS IS IN THOUGHTS, WORDS AND ACTIONS.

] We must ALWAYS JUDGE WHAT THE WORLD

CONSIDERS TO BE REASONABLE ON THE BASIS OF

WHAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US AS HIS ABSOLUTE AND DIVINE TRUTH.

Besides separating from Spiritual Darkness, Christians – i.e. Faithful Disciples of Christ – must also EXPOSE IT TO THE TRUTHFUL LIGHT OF CHRIST.

However, WE OURSELVES MUST FIRST COME OUT OF HIDING IN ORDER TO BE EXPOSED.

In other words: WE MUST EXAMINE OUR INNER STATE, ROOT OUT AND CONFESS OUR SINS AND REPENT.

Orthodox Christians do this BEFORE HOLY BAPTISM, BEFORE PARTAKING OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST AND ALSO IN a separate Holy Mystery of REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.

“Awake you who sleep...” is an early Baptism Hymn. THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM IS OUR SPIRITUAL

ILLUMINATION and to walk in the Light is to walk in our Holy Baptism.

HAVING BEEN BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED, WE ARE COMMITTED AS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS TO FULFILLING EVERY DIVINE COMMANDMENT OF GOD.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO LIFE IN CHRIST. Our Goal is not to abandon the world, but to KEEP

OURSELVES IN CHRIST AND TO SALVAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE from the evil, fallen world.

As Faithful Disciples of Christ WE RENOUNCE THE FALLENNESS OR WICKEDNESS OF THE WORLD – NOT THE BEAUTIFUL CREATION OF GOD.

Following True Repentance, a surge of Life and Joy well forth from within us.

A distinctive spirit – A KIND OF SPIRITUAL ELATION – ENERGISES BOTH DARKNESS AND LIGHT.

For those in Spiritual Darkness, this spirit is like drunkenness - unsatisfactory, artificial and temporary.

FOR CHRISTIANS IT IS GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE JOY IS THE NEW COVENANT WORSHIP OF THE HOLY TRINITY, THE HOLY EUCHARIST (GIVING THANKS): TO GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH GOD THE INCARNATE SON, IN GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Those who become drunk with alcohol totter and sway, while THOSE WHO ARE INEBRIATED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE FIRMLY ROOTED IN CHRIST AND MOST GLORIOUSLY SOBER.

THE QUOTATION OF HOLY SCRIPTURE AND THE SINGING OF HYMNS IS NOT SPIRITUAL UNLESS THERE IS SINCERE HUMILITY, SUBMISSION, AND THE FEAR OF GOD.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 : 1 – 2 5 ; 5 7 – 6 8 ; 7 6 ; 8 0 THE P ROPHEC Y , CONCEPT I ON & NAT I V I T Y O F ST JOHN TH E BAPT I S T , FORE RUNN ER & LAST GR EAT PRO PHET O F GOD

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who, from the beginning, were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilos, so that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

There was in the days of Herod, the King of Judea, a certain Priest named Zacharias, of the Division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both Righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

N A T I V I T Y O F S T J O H N T H E B A P T I S T & F O R E R U N N E R 24 JUNE 2013 . 21

So it was, that while he was serving as Priest before God in the Order of his Division, according to the custom of the Priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the Hour of Incense.

Then an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the Altar of Incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the Angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your Prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have Joy an Gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the Sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘...to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children...’ and the disobedient to the Wisdom of the Just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

And Zacharias said to the Angel: “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” And the Angel answered and said to him: “I am Gabriel who stands in the Presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these Glad Tidings. But, behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words that will be fulfilled in their own time.”

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he lingered so long in the Temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a Vision in the Temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.

Now, after those days, his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying: “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

...Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

So it was, on the eighth day, that they went to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered: “No! He shall be called John.” But they said to her: “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father – what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying: “His name is John.” So they all marvelled.

Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying: “What kind of child will this be?”

And the Hand of the Lord was with him. Now his father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has Visited and Redeemed His People... ...And you, child, will be called the Prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the Face of the Lord to prepare His ways...”

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

AS EYEWITNESSES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HIS

DISCIPLES LISTENED TO HIS HOLY GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS)

AND SAW HIS DIVINE MIRACLES FIRSTHAND.

As St Luke himself was not one of the original Disciples of our Lord Jesus, HIS HOLY GOSPEL IS ANCHORED ON

THE TRUE TESTIMONY OF THESE ORIGINAL WITNESSES.

ST LUKE ADDRESSED HIMSELF TO THEOPHILOS, A

PROMINENT GENTILE, WHO HAD RECEIVED CHRISTIAN

INSTRUCTION. However, nothing else is known of him.

St Luke’s Holy Gospel is written as AN ORDERLY ACCOUNT so as to provide greater certainty CONCERNING THE DETAILS OF OUR LORD’S HOLY MINISTRY.

ST LUKE WAS ON THE ONLY EVANGELIST WHO PROVIDED

INFORMATION ABOUT THE BIRTH AND INFANCY OF ST

JOHN THE BAPTIST. ] ST ZACHARIAS AND ST ELIZABETH WERE

ACKNOWLEDGED AS BEING A RIGHTEOUS COUPLE OF

PRIESTLY LINEAGE, WHO LIVED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES

IN THE FULFILMENT OF GOD’S WILL.

Nevertheless, ST ELIZABETH WAS BARREN, like so many other significant women mentioned in Holy Scripture. (SUCH AS SARAH - GENESIS 16:1; REBECCA – GENESIS 25:21; HANNAH 1 SAMUEL 1:2).

INFERTILITY WAS REGARDED AS A “PUBLIC REPROACH” and it was viewed very negatively because a woman’s most important role in family life was to produce as many living children as possible to continue the family name and to contribute to the welfare of the family.

BARREN WOMEN WERE USUALLY DENIGRATED AND

INSULTED, being regarded as parasites rather than valuable contributors to society.

EACH PRIEST WHO SERVED GOD AT THE TEMPLE OF

JERUSALEM WAS ASSIGNED TO A DIVISION. [1 CHRONICLES 23:3-6; 28:13]

There were 24 Divisions in all, each serving a week at a time by rotation. The responsibilities of the Priests in each Division were decided by drawing lots.

ST ZACHARIAS AND ST ELIZABETH HAD CONTINUOUSLY

PRAYED FOR A SON and at last their Prayers were answered when St Gabriel, the Archangel of God, was sent to announce the coming of their son who would always be remembered as St John the Baptist & Forerunner to Christ our Lord. (THE NAME “JOHN” MEANS “THE GRACE OF GOD.”)

] THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL’S DESCRIPTION OF THE

CHARACTER AND ROLE OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST IS

AS AN ASCETIC PROPHET OF GOD who was to prepare the Hebrew Nation for the long-awaited Coming of the Messiah.

The Hebrews expected St Elijah, one of the greatest Prophets of Israel, to reappear from Heaven in order to anoint the Messiah.

ST ZACHARIA’S QUESTION: “How shall I know this?” INDICATED A SLIGHT LACK OF FAITH IN GOD’S PROMISE

AND HIS SUBSEQUENT MUTENESS SERVED BOTH AS A

DISCIPLINE FOR HIS UNBELIEF AND AS A SIGN OF THE

DIVINE TRUTH OF ST GABRIEL’S ANNOUNCEMENT.

CIRCUMCISION WAS A MOST IMPORTANT RITUAL whereby a male child was initiated into the Covenant Nation of God.

AFTER CHRIST - ACCORDING TO THE NEW BLOODLESS

COVENANT - CIRCUMCISION WAS REPLACED BY THE

TONSURING IN THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM. ACCORDING TO OUR NEW, BLOODLESS COVENANT WITH GOD, TONSURING IS THE

BLOODLESS “NEW CIRCUMCISION ” WHEREBY WE OFFER A TINY PORTION OF

OURSELVES – HAIR – TO GOD AS OUR AFFIRMATION OF ABSOLUTE FAITH IN OUR

TRIUNE, ALMIGHTY GOD.

] THE SONG OF ST ZACHARIAS (“THE BENEDICTOS”,) WAS A

PROPHETIC HYMN OF PRAISE TO GOD WHO IS

BLESSED FOR HIS GRACIOUS AND REDEEMING ACTS

AMONG HIS PEOPLE IN FULFILMENT OF THE

MESSIANIC PROMISES.

T h e N a t i v i t y o f S t J o h n t h e B a p t i s t & F o r e r u n n e r Among the Church’s Feasts, there are three in honour

of God’s Saint, which in their significance stand out from the others devoted to the Saints and are numbered among the Great Feasts of the Church of Christ.

These Feasts Glorify the Economy (Dispensation) of God for our Salvation.

These three Great Feasts are the Nativity of St. John the Forerunner, his Beheading, and the Feast of the Holy Apostles St Peter and St Paul.

The Holy Apparition of the Archangel, St Gabriel, to the Priest, St Zacharias in the Temple, with the announcement of the birth to him and the Righteous St Elizabeth, of a son who would prepare the Way for our Lord – the long anticipated Messiah or Saviour of the world - and

N A T I V I T Y O F S T J O H N T H E B A P T I S T & F O R E R U N N E R 2 4 J U N E 2 0 1 3 22

the subsequent fulfilment of this Divine Promise, are the first of the Great Events related by the Holy Evangelists.

The Announcement of the Holy Archangel, St Gabriel, to St Zacharias in the Temple begins the New Covenant Gospel.

The Announcement of the same Archangel St Gabriel six months later in Nazareth to the All Pure and Holy Virgin Mary concerning the Birth from Her of the Incarnate and Eternal Son of God, is a continuation of the Divine Revelation of the Pre-Eternal Counsel concerning the Salvation of the human race.

Three months after the Annunciation of Christ, St John the Forerunner was born “...in a city of Judah,” and six months after his birth, our Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem.

These two Great Events are closely bound together. “The Glorious Conception of the Forerunner proclaimed beforehand the King Who was to be born of a Virgin...” (EXAPOSTILARION, 23 SEPTEMBER - FEAST OF THE CONCEPTION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST).

The Announcement of Archangel Gabriel in the Temple, was later announced to all those who lived nearby by the overjoyed St Zacharias, in the magnificent Hymn, which he sang after the birth of his son, St John – following the restoration to him of the gift of speech. (LUKE 1:67-79)

That joyful Hymn is the forerunner of the Angelic Hymn, which was sung by the Heavenly Hosts in Jerusalem when they announced the Nativity of Christ to the Holy Shepherds, who were the first to worship and Glorify our Lord and Saviour: “Glory to God in the highest!”

The Nativity of St John the Baptist is the first Great Joy sent down by Almighty God to the human race for it was the beginning of mankind’s Deliverance from the destructive power of the evil one who invented sin and death.

It is true that even before the Forerunner was born, the Most Holy Virgin Mary had been born, and Angels also announced Her joyful birth to Her Righteous parents, St Joachim and St Anna.

However, at that time, only Her parents knew of the Exalted Lot that was prepared for the Ever Blessed Virgin.

Yet they themselves were not fully aware of the enormous impact and significance to human history of what had been announced to them beforehand.

Therefore, only they – and their closest relatives - celebrated the miraculous birth of their beloved Daughter, while the rest of the world - only much later – began to understand the full Joy and magnitude of Her Birth.

For this reason, the Great Feasts of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and Her Entrance into the Temple were established in the Church and began to be solemnly celebrated significantly later than the other Great Feasts, whereas the Nativity of St John the Forerunner is one of the most ancient and most venerated of Christian Feasts.

Sermons concerning the Great Feast of the Nativity of St John have been preserved from the first centuries.

From the day of the Nativity of St John the Forerunner, the Preparation of all mankind begins for our Meeting of the Son of God on earth.

“’Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He has Visited and Redeemed His People . . . And Thou, Child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Most High: for Thou shalt go before the Face of the Lord to prepare His Ways...’” (LUKE 1:68 & 76).

These God-Inspired words of the Priest, St Zacharias, after he had regained the gift of speech, were made known in all the land of Judea, causing everyone who heard about it to ask each other in astonishment: “What manner of child shall this be?” (LUKE 1:66).

Involuntarily the thought arose amongst them: could this not be the Messiah Himself?

Judea was in an especially tense state of Expectation of our Saviour.

Thus, St John, while still an infant, began to prepare the Way for our Lord by his very birth.

And even while he was still in the womb of his Righteous Mother, St Elizabeth, he leapt with Joy at the Virgin Mary’s greeting and announcement of the approaching Birth of the Infant Jesus Christ - as if crying out: “Christ is born! Glorify Him! Christ comes from Heaven - meet Him!” (LUKE 1:41 & IRMOS, CANTICLE ONE OF THE CANON, FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF

CHRIST).

Being born exactly six months before Christ, St John the Forerunner - by the exact time of his birth - depicted his Mission of preparing the Way for the Lord.

He was born at the time of the year (24 June) when the day begins to grow shorter after the Summer Solstice, whereas the Nativity of Christ(25 December) occurred when the day begins to grow longer after the Winter Solstice.

These facts are an embodiment of the words spoken later, by the Forerunner, after the beginning of Christ’s Preaching: “He must increase, but I must decrease...” (JOHN 3:30).

“The Herald of the Sun - the Forerunner” was St John the Baptist, who was like the Morning Star that announces the rising of the Sun of Righteousness in the East.

Just as the very Event of the Nativity of St John the Baptist was the Antechamber of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so also the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Forerunner is also the Antechamber of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ.

“The Star of stars, the Forerunner, is born on earth today, from a barren womb, John the Beloved of God, and manifests the Dawning of Christ, the Orient from on High...” (MATINS – LAUDS – FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST & FORERUNNER – 24 JUNE)

“The whole Creation rejoices at Thy Divine Nativity: for Thou wast shown forth as an earthly Angel, O Forerunner and a Heavenly Man, proclaiming to us, the God of Heaven Incarnate.” (CANTICLE 5 – MATINS - THE CANON).

“O Prophet and Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, we who venerate Thee with Love, are in perplexity how worthily to praise Thee; for the barrenness of her who bore Thee and the dumbness of Thy father are loosed by Thy Glorious and Precious Nativity, and the Incarnation of the Son of God is preached to the world” (TROPARION OF THE FEAST).

A SERMON BY SAINT JOHN MAXIMOVICH, BISHOP OF SHANGHAI & SAN FRANCISCO

HTTP://ORTHODOXWORD.WORDPRESS.COM/2009/06/23/NATIVITY-OF-THE-HOLY-

GLORIOUS-PROPHET-FORERUNNER-AND-BAPTIST/

E t e r n a l , I n s p i r e d W i s d o m o f o u r H o l y C h u r c h F a t h e r s St John o f Shangha i and San Franc isco

The Last Judgment knows of no witnesses or written protocols!

EVERYTHING IS INSCRIBED IN THE SOULS OF MEN and these records, these "Books," are opened at the Judgment.

EVERYTHING BECOMES CLEAR to all and to oneself. Moreover, some will go to Joy, while others — to

Horror. When "the Books are opened," it will become clear that

THE ROOTS OF ALL VICES LIE IN THE HUMAN SOUL.

S t B a r s a n u p h i o s t h e G r e a t If you become proud when you receive what you ask

in Prayer, then it is obvious that your Prayer was not to God, and you did not receive help from

Him, but the demons were working with you in order to exalt your heart! For WHEN HELP IS GRANTED FROM GOD, THE SOUL IS NOT EXALTED, BUT IS ALL THE MORE HUMBLED, AND SHE IS AMAZED AT THE GREAT MERCY OF GOD, HOW MERCIFUL HE IS TO SINNERS.

S T P E T E R & S T P A U L H O L Y A P O S T L E S O F C H R I S T 2 9 J U N E 2 0 1 3

23.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a

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.

2 9 J u n e 2 0 1 3

F e a s t o f t h e H o l y A p o s t l e s o f C h r i s t :

S t P e t e r & S t P a u l

A P O D O S I S ( L E A V E T A K I N G ) O F H O L Y P E N T E C O S T

F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T P E T E R & S T P A U l – T O N E 3 :

I ton Apostolon Protothroni, ke

tis Ikoumenis Didaskali, to Despoti ton olon Presvefsate, Irinin ti ikoumeni dorisasthe, ke tes psihes imon to Mega Eleos..

Among the Apostles the loftiest, and

Teachers of the Universe, intercede, O Peter and Paul, with the Master of us all, Peace to all the world to grant, and to our souls, the Great Mercy

F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N – P e n t e c o s t - T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4

Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O

Ipsisto. Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita panta ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion Pnevma!

When the Most High came down and confused the

tongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided out the Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with one voice we Glorify the All-Holy Spirit!

M a t i n s G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 2 1 : 1 4 - 2 5 O U R L O R D J E S U S R E S T O R E S A N D C O M M I S S I O N S S T P E T E R

The third time Jesus showed Himself to His Disciples after He was raised from the dead, when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you Love Me more than these?” He said to Him: “Yes, Lord, Thou know that I love Thee.” He said to him, “Feed My Lambs.”

He said to him again a second time: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you Love Me?” He said to Him:, “Yes Lord; Thou know that I love Thee.” He said to him: “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved because He asked him a third time: “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, Thou know all things; Thou know that I Love Thee.” Jesus said to him:, “Feed My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you: when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.”

This He spoke, signifying by what death he would Glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him: “Follow Me.”

Then Peter, turning around, saw the Disciple whom Jesus Loved following, (who had also leaned on His Breast at the Supper and asked: “Lord, who is the one who betrays Thee?” ) Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him: “If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

Then this saying went out among the Brethren that this Disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

This is the Disciple who testifies to these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his Testimony is True. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen

P r o k e i m e n o n :

TTTTheir Proclamation went forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world!

TTTThe Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands!

T h e S e c o n d E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e C o r i n t h i a n s 1 1 : 2 1 – 1 2 : 9 ST PAUL D E F ENDS H I S APOST L ESH I P , R ECO UNT ING H I S SUF F ER INGS , V I S I ONS AND W EAKNESS ES

Brethren, to our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold – I speak foolishly – I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? – I speak as a fool – I am more: in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.

From the Hebrews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in Fastings often, in cold and nakedness – besides the other things that come upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things that concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is Blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

In Damascus the Governor, under Aretas the King, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to Visions and Revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago – whether in the

body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows – such a one was caught up to the Third Heaven. And I know such a man – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows – how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

S T P E T E R & S T P A U L H O L Y A P O S T L E S O F C H R I S T 2 9 J U N E 2 0 1 3 24

Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For although I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the Truth.

But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the Revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me: "My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Strength is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.

St Paul listed his Hebrew and Christian credentials according to his opponents’ level of argument.

Genealogy was important to the Hebrews and ST PAUL HAD HIS OWN IMPRESSIVE GENEALOGY AND HIS CHRISTIAN

EXPERIENCE WAS INCOMPARABLE WITH ANYONE ELSE – his suffering, his compassionate, involved concern for others and even his rather extraordinary Missionary Journeys throughout the known world of the time and everything he endured since his Miraculous Conversion.

St Paul’s opponents had probably boasted of their Visions and Revelations so ST PAUL MENTIONED ONE OF HIS OWN,

FOURTEEN YEARS PREVIOUSLY, WHICH DATED THE EVENT

BEFORE HE BEGAN HIS MISSIONARY JOURNEYS – HIS DIVINE

CALLING BY CHRIST ALONG THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.

St Paul used two Hebrew terms to describe the Heavenly Realms: “the Third Heaven,” which is the highest Heaven and “Paradise,” which is where God is

surrounded by the Assembly of the Just in the City of God.

Unlike his opponents who publicly boasted of their own greatness in their Mystical Experiences, ST PAUL

REGARDED HIS OWN “THORN IN THE FLESH” AS HAVING

BEEN BESTOWED UPON HIM IN ORDER TO KEEP HIM

HUMBLE.

His “thorn” was a chronic physical problem (some have suggested stomach or gastric ulcers or even cancer, which caused intense discomfort and constant pain) as well as the deluded Christians or stubborn Israelites with whom he had to daily contend.

Nevertheless, FOR ST PAUL, HIS HUMBLING PHYSICAL

WEAKNESSES - NOT HIS MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES -

WERE THE MEANS WHEREBY THE POWER OF CHRIST

REMAINED WITH HIM.

c DIVINE GRACE ACCOMPANIES TRUE VIRTUE –

ESPECIALLY THAT OF OBEDIENCE AND HUMILITY.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t M a t t h e w 1 6 : 1 3 – 1 9 S T P E T E R C O N F E S S E S O U R L O R D J E S U S A S T H E C H R I S T A N D I S P R O M I S E D T H E K E Y S O F T H E K I N G D O M

At that time, when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His Disciples: "Whom do men say that the Son of Man is?" So they said: "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the Prophets."

Jesus asked them: "And Whom do you say that I Am?" Simon Peter answered and said: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus said to him: "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but My Father Who is in Heaven. And I say you that you are Peter; and upon this Rock I shall build My Church, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against It. And I will give you the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven, and whatsoever you shall loosen on earth, it shall be loosened also in Heaven.”

“WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” is the greatest question we can ever answer!!

St Peter’s ringing Confession: “THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!” IS A DIVINELY INSPIRED INSIGHT GIVEN TO HIM BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

Our Lord Jesus’ Messianic Identity and Divinity, the Mystery hidden from Eternity, cannot be truly known through human intelligence or reasoning, but only by God’s Revelation. [1 CORINTHIANS 12:3]

The title “Christ” means “the Anointed One” and AS CHRIST IS TRULY THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, THE FATHER HAS ANOINTED HIM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. [ACTS 10:38]

King David wrote: “THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD, HATH ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS MORE THAN THY COMPANIONS.” [PSALM 45:7]

St Isaiah, speaking in the Name of the Lord, said: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE THE LORD HATH ANOINTED ME.” [ISAIAH 61:1]

The name “Peter” is a play on the word for “rock” or “stone” in Aramaic and Greek. (PETROS/PETRA). THE TERM “ROCK” DID NOT REFER TO ST PETER HIMSELF BUT TO HIS SINCERE CONFESSION OF FAITH.

] THE TRUE ROCK AND FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH IS, OF COURSE, CHRIST HIMSELF.

] THE CHURCH RESTS UPON THIS ROCK BY HER UNCHANGING FAITH AND HER CONFESSION. WITH THIS FAITH AS THE FOUNDATION, THE GATES OF HADES, THE POWER OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, ARE POWERLESS AGAINST HER.

In the Old Testament, the term “gates” suggested a fortified city. [GENESIS 22:17; 24:60; ISAIAH 14:31]

] Hence, BY SHATTERING THE GATES, CHRIST OPENED THE STRONGHOLD OF DEATH AND SET THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ONES FREE.

In all the Holy Gospels, the word “church” [EKKLESSIA = GATHERING] is mentioned twice by our Lord (here and in Matthew 18:17) describing THE TRUE ISRAEL WHOSE CITIZENSHIP IS HEAVENLY.

She is THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE DIVINE-HUMAN ORGANISM, and to Her comes the Call of our Lord Jesus for the whole of mankind TO ABIDE WITH HIM AND IN HIM. [EPHESIANS 1:23]

The expression “Keys of the Kingdom,” clearly implies A SPECIAL AUTHORITY THAT CHRIST GAVE TO ST PETER HIMSELF, BUT WHICH WAS NEVER SEPARATED FROM HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH.

c Furthermore, while St Peter was a leader of the Disciples and of the early Church, ALL THE HOLY APOSTLES WERE EMPOWERED EQUALLY WITH CHRIST’S DIVINE AUTHORITY.

Therefore, ST PETER WAS NOT A LEADER OVER THE OTHERS

BUT A LEADER AMONGST THEM, as seen at the Council of Jerusalem, where Elders or Presbyters [PRIESTS] met with the Apostles – altogether as equals.

Roman Papal claims in later centuries must not be confused with the New Testament witness regarding St Peter, nor should the role of St Peter in the New Testament be minimised in opposition to those claims!

] “BINDING” AND “LOOSENING” IS A REFERENCE TO THE TEACHING, SACRAMENTAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES THAT WERE SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSMITTED TO THE BISHOPS OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST.

T h e E t e r n a l , D i v i n e l y I n s p i r e d W i s d o m o f o u r H o l y C h u r c h F a t h e r s

S t . S e r a p h i m o f S a r o v Prayer, Fasting, Vigils and all other Christian

Practices - however good they may be in and of themselves - do not constitute the True Goal of our Christian Way of Life.

They only serve as the indispensable means of attaining it.

The True Goal of our Christian Life consists of the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.

Fasting, keeping Vigil, Prayers, and Charity, as well as every other good deed done for the sake of Christ, are but the means through which we may acquire the Holy Spirit of God.

E l d e r E p h r a i m o f P h i l o t h e o u M o n a s t e r y , M o u n t A t h o s

The Mercy of God supports all of us, but if we are proud, God will remove His Grace and we will become worse than the others.

1 S T S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T – 1 S T

O F S T M A T T H E W – A L L S A I N T S S U N D A Y - 3 0 J U N E 2 0 1 3 25

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, 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.

3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 3

1 s t S u n d a y A f t e r P e n t e c o s t T o n e ( 8 ) P l a g a l 4

F i r s t S u n d a y o f S t M a t t h e w – A l l S a i n t s

Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles of Christ: St Andrew, St Simon Peter, St James, St John, St Philip, St Bartholomew, St Matthew, St Thomas, St James Alphaeus, St Simon Zealotes, St Judas, son of St James & St Matthias. Also the Feast of St Peter the Prince of Rostov – St Sophronios of Irkutsk, Translation of Holy Relics – St Gelasios of Rimet – St Dinar, Queen of Georgia

H y m n s o f t h e D a y

R E S U R R E C T I O N A P O L Y T I K I O N − − − − T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4

Ex Ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo

triimeron, ina imas eleftherosis ton pathon. I

Zoi ke i Anastasis imon, Kyrie, > Doxa Si!

Thou descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One; Thou

endured the three-days’ burial, so that Thou might free us

from our passions, O our Life and Resurrection: > Glory to Thee!

A P O L Y T I K I O N O F T H E H O L Y A P O S T L E S O F C H R I S T ---- T O N E 3

Apostoli Agii, presvefsate to eleimoni Theo, ina

ptesmaton afesin, paraskhi tes psihes imon.

Tin Dodekahordon tou Pnevmatos Liran, tous tou Sotiros

Apostolous ke Mistas, hreostikos imnisomen Pisti. Pasi gar evingelisanto tis Alithias ton Logon, ethni depanigagon pros ton monon Pimena, ton arhigon tis Pisteos Hriston, on disopousi Sothine pantas imas.

O Holy Apostles, intercede with out Merciful God to

grant our souls forgiveness of sins!

The Twelve-string Lyre of the Spirit, the Apostles and

Initiates of the Saviour, let us the Faithful dutifully praise. For they preached to everyone the Word of the Truth, and they returned the Nations to the one and only Shepherd, the Leader of our Faith Who is Christ, Whom they beseech that all of us be saved.

A P O L Y T I K I O N O F A L L S A I N T S - T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4

Ton en olon to kosmo Martiron Sou, os porfiran ke visson

ta emata, i Ekklisia Sou stolisameni, di afton voa Si, Hriste O Theos: To lao Sou tous iktirmous katapempson, irinin ti politia Sou Dorise, ke tes psihes imon to Mega Eleos.

Thy Church having bedecked herself with the blood of

all Thy Martyrs in the world, as with the finest linen and purple robe, through them cries out to Thee, O Christ our God: Send down Thy Compassion upon Thy people, grant peace to Thy Commonwealth, and to our souls Thy Great Mercy.

K O N T A K I O N O F A L L S A I N T S S U N D A Y

Os aparhas tis fiseos, to fitourgo tis ktiseos, i ikoumeni

proferi Si Kyrie, tous Theoforou Martiras. Tes afton ikesies, en Irini vathia tin Ekklisian Sou, dia tis Theotokou, Sintirison Polielee!

Like the First Fruits of Nature, to the Author of all Creation, the earth’s people offer Thee, O Lord, the God-bearing Martyrs. Through their Intercessions, maintain Thy Church in True and Perfect Peace, and through the Theotokos, preserve Her, O Most Merciful!

R e s u r r e c t i o n G o s p e l 1 ---- M a t t h e w 2 8 : 1 6 – 2 0 T H E G R E A T C O M M I S S I O N O F O U R L O R D & S A V I O U R , J E S U S C H R I S T

P r o k e i m e n o n

God is Marvellous in His Saints! Bless the Lord in the Congregation!

T h e E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e H e b r e w s 1 1 : 3 3 – 1 2 : 2 T H E F A I T H O F C E R T A I N I S R A E L I T E S & T H E P E R F E C T I O N O F F A I T H

Brethren: 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, tempted, slain with the world. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountain, in dens and caves of the earth.

And all of these – 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.

Therefore we also, 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 unto Jesus, 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.

] BY LIVING WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, OBEYING ALL HIS

COMMANDMENTS AND LOVING HIM WITH ALL ONE’S

BEING, ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE in this

world because HE GRANTS US THE STRENGTH TO

ENDURE ALL LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES, even the inhumane torture inflicted by others as

1 S T S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T – 1 S T

O F S T M A T T H E W – A L L S A I N T S S U N D A Y - 3 0 J U N E 2 0 1 3 26

experienced by the Martyrdom of so many of the Saints throughout the ages.

] THE UNSURPASSED SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND DEPTH OF

THE FAITH OF THE SAINTS IS TO BE MARVELLED AT AND

IMITATED BY US.

ä NOTHING COULD SHAKE THEM LOOSE FROM THEIR

UTTER FAITH IN AND LOVE OF ALMIGHTY GOD; not even promises of leniency in the midst of horrific tortures could make them denounce their Faith.

] STRENGTH TO ENDURE THE CRUELTIES OF MANKIND AND

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FALLEN – SPIRITUALLY

DARKENED - WORLD, IS DUE TO GOD’S GRACE ONLY - based upon COMPLETE TRUST IN HIM, Who provides us with all necessary abilities to achieve whatever is required.

That is why GOD IS GLORIFIED THROUGH THE SUFFERINGS OF HIS BELOVED FAITHFUL who depend entirely upon Him to deliver them from all evil.

] ONLY THROUGH THE POWER AND GRACE OF

ALMIGHTY GOD IS ANYTHING AND

EVERYTHING POSSIBLE! ä CHRIST’S INCARNATION AND ALL THAT HE

ACCOMPLISHED FOR US IN THE FLESH REDEEMED

[SAVED] THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS WHO, BY FAITH,

PARTICIPATE IN HIS RESURRECTION AND HIS

ETERNAL KINGDOM.

ä This entire passage [BEGINNING WITH 10:9] is a progressive discourse imploring us to SEEK

GOD’S KINGDOM FIRST – BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE! ä Under the New Covenant, we CAN ASCEND TO THIS

HEAVENLY PLACE IN WORSHIP AND PRAYER.

ä WE EXPERIENCE THIS HEAVENLY DIMENSION

FUNDAMENTALLY IN THE DIVINE LITURGY.

ä We ascend to that Heavenly Place where WE ARE

SURROUNDED BY A “GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES.” [THE HEAVENLY HOSTS AND THE SAINTS]

It is not a physical place but A SPIRITUAL CONDITION THAT IS INHABITED BY ALMIGHTY GOD, THE ANGELS AND “THE

SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.” [THE SAINTS] IT IS IN THIS SPIRITUAL MYSTERY THAT THE COMMUNION OF THE

SAINTS IS ESTABLISHED IN THE NEW COVENANT [NEW

AGREEMENT/PROMISE OF AND WITH GOD]

The “Cloud of Witnesses” includes not only the Old Covenant Saints mentioned previously, but also the Saints and Martyrs of the Lord throughout all the ages.

] ALL THE HOLY SAINTS AND MARTYRS SUCCEEDED –

REACHED SPIRITUAL PERFECTION OR THEOSIS - AND SO

CAN WE!

We persevere by:

c Getting rid of sin – the “weight” of which keeps us from heeding the Truth

c Setting the Heavenly City as our Destination – running the “Race” of Faith

c Keeping our attention focused upon Jesus Christ

our Lord and King. This Race is not a sprint but A MARATHON OF ENDURANCE -

WHICH DOES NOT END UNTIL WE FULLY ENTER ETERNITY –

“THE AGE TO COME.” [1 CORINTHIANS 9:24 – 27] ] OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS BOTH THE AUTHOR – THE

INITIATOR - AND FINISHER – PERFECTER – OF FAITH.

ä HIS JOY WAS TO DO GOD THE FATHER’S WILL.

ä He “endured the Cross” meaning that HE

VOLUNTARILY ACCEPTED HUMILIATION AND DEATH and THEREFORE WE ARE TO FOLLOW HIS

DETERMINATION AND PERSEVERANCE.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t M a t t h e w 1 0 : 3 2 - 3 3 ; 3 7 - 3 8 ; 1 9 : 2 7 - 3 0 B E I N G F E A R L E S S W I T N E S S E S T O O U R L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T ’ S P E R F E C T D I V I N E T R U T H

At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “... whoever confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father Who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in Heaven...”

“...He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his Cross and follow after Me, is not worthy of Me...”

Then Peter said to Him: “See, we have left all and followed Thee. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them: “Truly, I say to you, that in the Regeneration - when the Son of Man sits on the Throne of His Glory - you who have followed Me will also sit on Twelve Thrones, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit Eternal Life.

“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

] The reference to taking up our Crosses in order to follow Christ our Lord and Saviour, means that NOTHING MUST PREVENT US FROM BEING

ABSOLUTELY FA ITHFUL TO OUR LORD GOD . ä A TRUE AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST MUST

ALWAYS BE READY TO OBEY GOD AND EVEN, IF

NECESSARY, TO SACRIFICE FAMILY OR

FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE

SPIRITUALLY DESTRUCTIVE. ä HOLY MARTYRDOM FOR THE SAKE OF OUR FAITH IN

JESUS CHRIST AND ALMIGHTY GOD, IS A

FULFILMENT OF THE PROPHECY of

Michah 7 : 5 - 7 : “’...do not trust in friends, nor put

your hope in those who govern. Beware of your

wife and do not tell her anything. For a son

dishonours his father, a daughter will rise up

against her mother, a daughter-in-lay against her

mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are all the people

of his own house’ but I will look to the Lord...” OUR LORD JESUS – AS THE ALL DIVINE AND ALL KNOWING SON

OF GOD – KNEW EVERYTHING THAT HIS FAITHFUL

DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES WOULD HAVE TO ENDURE IN

THE TIME TO COME AND THROUGHOUT ALL THE AGES.

] OUR LORD ENCOURAGES US THROUGH ALL OUR

DIFF ICULTIES IN L IFE ä even if we are not confronted by terrible

Martyrdom WE ARE CONSTANTLY THREATENED

BY DESTRUCTIVE, FATAL UNGODLINESS AND

SPIRITUAL ADVERSITY.

ä WE MUST DO EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO OUR

LOVE OF GOD AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM.

ä We must not follow the destructive norms of social life but instead TAKE UP OUR CROSSES AND FOLLOW FAITHFULLY IN THE FOOTSTEPS

OF CHRIST WHO IS OUR ONLY JUDGE AND

MASTER. ä We must not worry about what our fellow sinners

may think or do. And, in fact, we will SHOW

THEM THE WAY BY OUR OWN HEALTHY, HAPPY

AND PEACEFUL LIFE IN CHRIST. ] THE DULL AND STUBBORNLY IGNORANT WILL

REMAIN IN SP IR ITUAL DARKNESS BY THEIR

OWN CHOICE , but there are SOME WHO WILL

FOLLOW US INTO THE DIVINE LIGHT AND LIFE IN

CHRIST.

ä SPIRITUALLY STUBBORN AND DEAD SINNERS WILL

ALWAYS FIND EXCUSES AND TRY TO PREVENT

OTHERS FROM OBEYING GOD’S DIVINE WILL

EITHER BY THEIR WORDS, THEIR DEEDS OR

THEIR ATTITUDES.

These are the people whom our Lord tells us to ignore although WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEIR

SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT AND DELIVERANCE, FOR,

IF WE LOVE GOD AND HIS CREATURES, WE DO NOT

WISH ANYONE TO BE LEFT OUT OF HIS DIVINE AND

EVERLASTING KINGDOM. ] “Christ Judges by discerning our hearts and

souls and not by examining our deeds. So

also the Apostles were shaped to exercise

Spiritual Judgement concerning Faith, and

in rebuking error with Virtue.” In other words, GOOD DEEDS ALONE, CANNOT GAIN

DIVINE BLESSINGS FOR US UNLESS OUR HEARTS AND

SOULS ARE AS PURE, AS GOOD AND AS FAITHFUL AS

OUR DEEDS - AND VICE VERSA.

THE APOSTLES WILL NOT JUDGE WITH EARTHLY

JUDGEMENT BUT BY THE WITNESS OF THEIR OWN

LIVES.

] SINCE GOD’S DVINE AND HOLY K INGDOM

BEGINS WITH THE RESURRECTION OF

CHRIST, THE AUTHORITY OF JUDGEMENT HAS

ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO THE HOLY APOSTLES

AND THEIR SUCCESSORS IN THE JOURNEY OF THE

CHURCH ON EARTH. (MATTHEW 16:19 JOHN 20:23)

] This brings us back to THE HOLY MYSTERY OR

SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION whereby

1 S T S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T – 1 S T

O F S T M A T T H E W – A L L S A I N T S S U N D A Y - 3 0 J U N E 2 0 1 3 27

REPENTANT SINNERS, HAVING REPENTED AND

CONFESSED THEIR SINS BEFORE GOD AND HIS

HOLY PRIESTS (OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS) ARE FORGIVEN

THEIR SINS BY MEANS OF DIVINE AUTHORITY

BESTOWED UPON THEM BY GOD. ä THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF CONFESSION ALL

OUR REPENTED AND CONFESSED SINS

ARE COMPLETELY REMOVED from the pages of our “Books of Life” wherein every word, thought and deed is recorded by our Holy Guardian Angels who defend us after death and who help us TO ENTER ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD.

] On the contrary: ALL OUR UNREPENTED SINS

ARE ALSO RECORDED BY THE DEMONS WHO

WILL LOUDLY ACCUSE US OF THEM AND TRY TO CLAIM

OUR SOULS FOR ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND EVER

LASTING SPIRITUAL DEATH IN OUTER DARKNESS – EXTREME AND PERMANENT – ETERNAL EXILE

FROM GOD AND EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD,

PEACEFUL AND LOVING!

] WHATEVER GOOD WE DO IN THIS LIFE FOR

THE SAKE OF OUR LOVE OF GOD AND

HIS CREATURES, BRINGS US ABUNDANT

BLESSINGS AND HELPS US TO PROGRESS

TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE.

] God, being not only Just but also Merciful and Loving, grants to even the very last repentant sinner His Great Blessings – THE VERY LAST

REPENTANT SINNER RECE IVES AS MANY

BLESSINGS AND LOVE AS THE FIRST TO ENTER

ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD.

ä WE ARE ALL EQUAL BEFORE THE LORD OUR

GOD BUT I T IS ENT IRELY UP TO OUR

OWN EFFORTS AND DECISIONS – OUR

OWN FREE WILL - WHETHER WE WISH TO

LIVE ETERNALLY IN THE SIGHT AND LOVE OF

GOD OR WHETHER WE REJECT HIM AND ALL

HIS ABUNDANT, INFINITE LOVE AND

BLESSINGS.

F i r s t S u n d a y A f t e r P e n t e c o s t - A l l S a i n t s S u n d a y Brothers and sisters! Last week the Holy Church

placed flowers in our hands, as if saying to us: See how soulless nature is obedient to its Creator.

Starting with the days of Christmas, the earth has been turning toward the sun, which began to bestow upon the earth its life-giving warmth.1

And nature does not prove itself ungrateful toward its Creator.

In answer to His caress, she has produced this glorious beauty - these flowers - and further on, will produce a variety of fruits.

And what about us? In response to the Spiritual Warmth of God’s Grace,

so abundantly poured out on us, do we bring to our Creator Spiritual Beauty - Spiritual Blossoms and the Fruit of Virtues?

After all, He became Man for our sake. He died for us. He rose for us and He ascended into Heaven in order to send down to us His Holy Spirit.

And what about us? Is not this abundant beauty of nature surrounding us

a reproach to our conscience? Let us answer honestly: Yes, it is! Yet more than this, we want to justify our negligence

and our ingratitude. The Commandments of Christ are wonderful, we say;

and if people would begin to fulfil them, then the whole earth would be transformed into a wonderful Divine Garden.

But is this possible for our weak human capability? And here this Sunday - the Sunday of All the Saints -

answers this question loudly and clearly - so that the entire world hears: “Yes, it is possible!”

ALL THE SAINTS WHO ARE BEING COMMEMORATED TODAY FOLLOWED THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.

And ALL OF THEM in their time - REGARDLESS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES - FULFILLED GOD’S COMMANDMENT OF LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOUR.

More often than not, their circumstances were difficult – even more difficult than ours - and were far more dangerous in spiritual and in worldly aspects.

Nevertheless, all these Holy Saints ceaselessly Struggled and progressed until they reached amazing Spiritual Heights and the Heavenly Abode where they now gloriously triumph.

We only have to look at all the beautiful Icons of our Holy Church to see them: innumerable Holy Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, Fools for Christ, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Monastics – who consisted of a vast variety of educated people, simple people, rich or poor...

All these Holy Saints are our Heavenly Church – the Church Triumphant, which is all-embracing and which is filled with those triumphant souls – the

1 THIS REFERS TO THE SEASONS OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE.

Holy Cloud of Witnesses - from our earthly Militant Church.

There is always a place in the Church Triumphant for each and every one of us – just as St Paul reminds us: “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a Cloud of Witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith.” (HEBREWS 12:1-2).

Just think: all of these Saints were once people who were exactly like us. And like us, all of them were different - and their paths were diverse.

Yet all the Saints throughout the ages had three identical, unique qualities, which are pointed out to us in today’s Sacred Lesson and which are applicable to every human being:

] “Whosoever therefore shall Confess Me before men, him will I Confess also before My Father, Who art in Heaven.” (MATTHEW 10:32).

This is the first most significant Divine Commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Don’t we realise, dear Brethren, how important this is for all mankind – especially in these turbulent and Spiritually Dark times?

The fallen world surreptitiously demands to know from us: “Are you Christian or one of ours?”

This question cannot be ignored or left unanswered and THE TRUTH OF WHO WE ARE IS CLEARLY EVIDENT IN OUR SPEECH, OUR ACTIONS, OUR THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS OR ATTITUDES.

When we are asked outright whether we are Disciples of Christ or not - we must answer loudly and firmly: “Yes, I am a Christian!”

] “He who Loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he who Loves son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me” (MATTHEW 10:37).

Our Lord demands from you and me this all-consuming Love here and now.

We must sincerely Love God more than everyone else or everything else for only through our Love of God are we able to truly Love our relatives, our friends and all others - even our enemies.

] “And he who does not take up his cross, and follow Me, is not worthy of Me.” (MATTHEW 10:38).

This Divine Commandment is self explanatory. Each of us has to endure our own personal sorrows

and problems, which - although sometimes are extremely difficult – should never deter or prevent us from following Christ Who makes everything easier to bear and Who enables us to get through the worst of circumstances.

All difficulties in this life should bring us closer to God and closer to each other.

God allows us to go through times of travail so that we can eventually comprehend how Great His Divine Mercy and Love for us really is – and appreciate each other as well.

1 S T S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T – 1 S T

O F S T M A T T H E W – A L L S A I N T S S U N D A Y - 3 0 J U N E 2 0 1 3 28

No matter how difficult our circumstances may be, the more we depend on God for His Divine Providence, the greater His Divine Grace is upon us.

In fact, only after going through tremendous personal pain and suffering, do we understand begin to understand the depth of His Divine Love.

Let us thank the Lord even for this cross! Without it we cannot be Saved. And our Lord wants all of us to be Saved, and to be United into one Triumph with all the Saints, whom we are glorifying today.

HOMILY FROM “THE ONE THING NEEDFUL,” SERMONS OF ARCHBISHOP ANDREI (RYMARENKO)

HTTP://ORTHODOXWORD.WORDPRESS.COM/2009/06/14/HOMILY-ON-THE-1ST-SUNDAY-

AFTER-PENTECOST-SUNDAY-OF-ALL-SAINTS/

T h e E t e r n a l , I n s p i r e d W i s d o m o f o u r H o l y C h u r c h F a t h e r s

S t B a s i l t h e G r e a t The scarcity of Love for God in our souls is the most

intolerable of all sins.

S t N i k o l a i V e l i m i r o v i c h For those who live in the world the passion of lust is

inflamed principally by seeing and for those who live a life of Asceticism in the wilderness that passion is inflamed by thoughts and by imagination.

Saint Sarah, that Great Ascetic, was tormented by the passion of lust for thirty years. She always defeated it by Prayer and drove it away from her.

At one time, this foul passion came to her in bodily form and said to her: "Sarah, you have defeated me!"

St Sarah humbly answered: "I have not defeated you but the Lord Christ has defeated you."

From that time on, lustful thoughts left her forever." THE PROLOGUE FROM OCHRID

S t J o h n C h r y s o s t o m :

We have a Shepherd Who Loves us so much that He gave even His Life for us.

When, therefore, He is both Powerful and Loves us, what is there to hinder us from being Saved?

Nothing, unless we ourselves revolt from Him. And how can we revolt? Hear Him saying: “You cannot serve two masters – God and Mammon.” (MATTHEW 6:24)

If then we serve God, we shall not submit to the tyranny of Mammon.

And truly a bitterer thing than any tyranny is the desire of riches; for it brings no pleasure, but cares, and envyings, and plottings, and hatred, and false accusations, and ten thousand impediments to Virtue, indolence, wantonness, greediness, drunkenness, which make even freemen slaves – nay, worse than slaves bought with money, slaves not to men, but even to the most grievous of the passions, and maladies of the soul.

E l d e r P h i l o t h e o s o f P a r o s Parents must teach their children from their earliest

days. They must teach them the Fear of God, must cut

their bad impulses and faults, and they must not fawn upon them or satisfy their bad desires and appetites.

The small child is like the soft candle that you shape as you like, and which accepts whatever seal you put on it.

Whatever letters you write on the clean sheet of paper will remain imprinted.

In the same way, whatever the small child learned when he is small, will remain imprinted until old age.

S t M a k a r i o s o f O p t i n a : Have great care for your children. We live at a time when much freedom is given to the

expression of thought, but little care is taken that thoughts should be founded on Truth.

Teach them to Love Truth!

S t J o h n o f K r o n s t a d t : The Christian, even here on earth, must accustom

himself to living the Heavenly Life, in Faithfulness to Christ and His Commandments; in Fasting, in Renunciation, in Prayer, Love, Meekness, Gentleness, Patience, Courage, and Mercy.

How will the Hour of Death be to those who in their lifetime made idols out of money or food or drink, or earthly honours!

In that Hour none of these things shall serve us, while our heart - because it is strongly attached to them - does not possess the True Treasure, which would grant us Eternal Life.

Let us then be Faithful Servants of Christ, caring principally for our soul, that we may be Saved.

S t M o s e s o f O p t i n a : If you show Mercy in some way to someone, for this

you will obtain Mercy. If you suffer along with those who suffer, which does

not seem to be a great thing, you will be numbered with the Martyrs.

If you forgive someone who offends you, for this not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you will be a Child of the Heavenly Father.

If you pray from your heart, even a little bit, for your Salvation, you will be Saved.

If you do not condemn a sinner, for this you will receive Salvation.

If you reproach yourself before God for the sins felt by your conscience, for this you will be Justified.

If you Confess your sins before God, for this there is Forgiveness and a Reward.

If you sorrow for your sins, or feel compunction, or weep, or sigh, then your sighs are not hidden from Him, for St Symeon says that not a tear drop nor part of a drop is hidden from Him.

S t B a r s a n u p h i o s o f O p t i n a : Strive to be always prepared for Death, for Death is

near to both the elderly and the young, to Monks and Laymen equally; and often it comes suddenly and unexpectedly.

Let everyone consider what will happen with his soul.

Pray to the Mother of God. She will Intercede for you in this life, and after Death,

She will help you pass through the Toll-houses and reach the Heavenly Kingdom.

S t J o h n O f K r o n s t a d t Your words are unequal: some vivify, and others slay

your soul, or, perhaps, that of your neighbour. Therefore, it is said: "Let your speech be always with Grace, seasoned with salt."

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister Grace unto the hearers."

S t M a r k t h e A s c e t i c

Do not seek the Perfection of the Law in human Virtues, for it is not found Perfect in them. Its Perfection is hidden in the Cross of Christ.