1 November 2016
Agii
THE
Holy
tas
our
Prostasia
IVINE
OF
ST PAUL
GIFT
OF
The Saints that are in His Land, the Lord has magnified.
I have set the Lord always before me.
TO THE
LOVE
IS
CORINTHIANS 12 : 27 13 : 8
THE
MOST SUPERIOR
OF ALL
GIFTS
Brethren: You are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first
Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healings, Helps, Administrations, varieties
of Tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healings? Do all
speak with Tongues? Do all interpret? Earnestly desire the best Gifts.
And yet I show you a more excellent Way:
Although I speak with the Tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge, and
although I have all Faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing! And although I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt, but have not Love, it profits me
nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
THERE IS A HIERARCHY OF HONOUR IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE
1 JOHN 4:19 We Love Him (God) because HE
NEW COVENANT TO THIS DAY.
FIRST LOVED US.
THE APOSTOLIC WORK THAT OF THE BISHOP SETS THE PACE FOR
Furthermore, WHILE WE MUST AIM TO DO ALL THINGS OUT OF
ALL THE REST. When the oversight of the Bishop is in
LOVE, WE MUST ALSO NOT CEASE FEARING I.E. RESPECTING
order i.e. the supervision of the Bishop the rest
GOD AND (WILLINGLY) OBEYING HIM.
of the Holy Church is free to function at its optimal
To any church that is preoccupied with the speaking
of tongues different languages ST PAUL TAUGHT
level.
However, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and
THE ULTIMATE DIVINE GIFT THAT OF DIVINE LOVE
AGAPE..
operative, there is SOMETHING EVEN MORE EXCELLENT
and that IS THE LOVE OF GOD AGAPE WHICH IS THE
DIVINE OR GODLY LOVE OUTSHINES PROPHECY AND ALL FAITH
TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LIFE-GIVING, ALL
because it is of far greater value and Spiritual
HOLY SPIRIT.
Benefit than the miraculous ability to remove
mountains!
OUR LORD JESUS URGED US TO GIVE TO THE POOR AND TO
LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OTHERS.
HOWEVER: EVEN SUCH A SELFLESS ACT OF HOLY MARTYRDOM
AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE THAT IS DONE WITHOUT LOVE
WILL PROFIT US ABSOLUTELY NOTHING it will be a
wasted effort because IT IS NOT COMPELLED, FULFILLED
OR MOTIVATED BY LOVE FOR OTHERS AND ESPECIALLY FOR
GOD.
This
particular
CHARACTERISTICS OF
AGAPE:
OF
ASIA MINOR
1 NOVEMBER 2016
1.
However,
TO
ST LUKE 11 : 34 41
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: The Lamp of the body is the eye. When your eye is good, your whole body is
also full of Light. When your eye is bad, your body is also full of Darkness. Take care that the Light that is in
you is not Darkness. If your whole body is filled with Light having no part Dark the whole body will be filled
with Light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives us light.
As He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. Entering, He sat down. The Pharisee, beholding,
marvelled, for He had not first washed before dining.
Our Lord said to him: Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is filled
with greed and wickedness! O Unwise ! Did not He Who made the outside make the inside also? With the
things that you have, do Good Deeds, and behold: all things are Clean to you!
THE MIND (NOUS) IS THE SPIRITUAL EYE OF OUR SOUL, WHICH
The Holy Church of Christ has always maintained OUR
ILLUMINATES OUR INNER BEING AND GOVERNS OUR FREE WILL.
SACRED COMMITMENT TO GOOD DEEDS, ALMSGIVING, TITHING
(OF TIME AND WORLDLY GOODS), ORTHODOX WORSHIP AND
FUNDAMENTAL TO LIFE IN CHRIST IS THE SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE TO
DAILY LIFE IN CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE TEACHINGS AND
KEEP OUR MIND WHOLESOME AND PURE WORTHY OF BEING A
DISCIPLE OF CHRIST WHO HOPES TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE TO
COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST OUR LORD THE WRITTEN AND
REGAIN OUR LOST DIVINE LIKENESS.
VERBAL HOLY TRADITION.
Like slaves serving two masters WE TRY TO MAINTAIN AN
OUR SACRED COMMITMENT TO ALL ORTHODOX PRACTISES AND
ATTACHMENT TO BOTH EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY THINGS.
WORSHIP EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND FAITH that leads us to a
However, this is impossible since BOTH DEMAND OUR FULL
deeper Commitment to and Love of God, and
safeguards our ceaseless Life in Christ.
ALLEGIANCE.
IT IS VITALLY ESSENTIAL TO CHOOSE WHICH WE REALLY WANT
Otherwise, IF WE REJECT ANY OR ALL OF THEM, OR PERFORM OUR
SACRED DUTIES WITHOUT TAKING THEM TO HEART OR
TEMPORARY EARTHLY THINGS OR ETERNAL LIFE IN THE
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF GOD.
BOTHERING TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR IMPORTANCE AND
MEANING merely doing so as empty, meaningless
OUR LORD REFERRED TO MAMMON (attachment to material,
temporary and Spiritually Unprofitable things) AS A
gestures WE WILL ULTIMATELY CONDEMN OURSELVES to
MASTER not because wealth and possessions in
Eternal Death and Outer Darkness in permanent
themselves are evil by nature, but BECAUSE OF THE
Spiritual Exile from God and all His Goodness and
CONTROL THEY HAVE OVER UNENLIGHTENED, WEAK SOULS.
Love.
Leaders have a strong influence on those whom they
THE CHOICE IS OURS ALONE!
lead, guide or teach.
The Pharisees were fanatical about every letter of the
LEADERS WHO DO NOT LOVE AND OBEY ALMIGHTY GOD DUE TO
Law - even attaching strainers to decanters in order
THEIR ARROGANT PRIDE AND DISOBEDIENCE WHO IGNORANTLY
to avoid consuming anything that might be ritually
REJECT HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND REALITY - PREVENT OTHER SOULS
unclean or forbidden.
FROM RECEIVING OR FINDING HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
As Orthodox Christians who have put on Christ at our
Such influential, conniving people mislead and
Holy Baptism (and thus we live in Christ) WE MAINTAIN
discourage others from OUR ESSENTIAL AND CEASELESS
AND FULFIL OUR LORD GODS DIVINE TRUTH WITH AGAPE
Divine Love that is unconditional and absolutely Pure
SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT AND HIS DIVINE VIRTUES THAT ENABLE US TO FULFIL OUR
FULFILLING HIS DIVINE WILL ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT OF
SACRED COMMITMENTS TO GOD WITH TRUE HUMILITY,
THE LAW (of Love/Agape).
OBEDIENCE AND LOVE.
Consequently, ALL THOSE WHO ARE LEADERS OR WHO INFLUENCE
AND GUIDE OTHER SOULS, ARE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD BY
GOD WHO WILL ULTIMATELY JUDGE THEM, AND BY MANKIND
2. S T K O S M A S & S T D A M I A N O S H O L Y U N M E R C E N A R Y P H Y S I C I A N S
OF
ASIA MINOR
1 NOVEMBER 2016
1 November 2016
Agii
THE
Holy
tas
our
Prostasia
IVINE
OF
ST PAUL
GIFT
OF
The Saints that are in His Land, the Lord has magnified.
I have set the Lord always before me.
TO THE
LOVE
IS
CORINTHIANS 12 : 27 13 : 8
THE
MOST SUPERIOR
OF ALL
GIFTS
Brethren: You are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first
Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healings, Helps, Administrations, varieties
of Tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healings? Do all
speak with Tongues? Do all interpret? Earnestly desire the best Gifts.
And yet I show you a more excellent Way:
Although I speak with the Tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge, and
although I have all Faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing! And although I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt, but have not Love, it profits me
nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
THERE IS A HIERARCHY OF HONOUR IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE
1 JOHN 4:19 We Love Him (God) because HE
NEW COVENANT TO THIS DAY.
FIRST LOVED US.
THE APOSTOLIC WORK THAT OF THE BISHOP SETS THE PACE FOR
Furthermore, WHILE WE MUST AIM TO DO ALL THINGS OUT OF
ALL THE REST. When the oversight of the Bishop is in
LOVE, WE MUST ALSO NOT CEASE FEARING I.E. RESPECTING
order i.e. the supervision of the Bishop the rest
GOD AND (WILLINGLY) OBEYING HIM.
of the Holy Church is free to function at its optimal
To any church that is preoccupied with the speaking
of tongues different languages ST PAUL TAUGHT
level.
However, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and
THE ULTIMATE DIVINE GIFT THAT OF DIVINE LOVE
AGAPE..
operative, there is SOMETHING EVEN MORE EXCELLENT
and that IS THE LOVE OF GOD AGAPE WHICH IS THE
DIVINE OR GODLY LOVE OUTSHINES PROPHECY AND ALL FAITH
TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LIFE-GIVING, ALL
because it is of far greater value and Spiritual
HOLY SPIRIT.
Benefit than the miraculous ability to remove
mountains!
OUR LORD JESUS URGED US TO GIVE TO THE POOR AND TO
LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OTHERS.
HOWEVER: EVEN SUCH A SELFLESS ACT OF HOLY MARTYRDOM
AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE THAT IS DONE WITHOUT LOVE
WILL PROFIT US ABSOLUTELY NOTHING it will be a
wasted effort because IT IS NOT COMPELLED, FULFILLED
OR MOTIVATED BY LOVE FOR OTHERS AND ESPECIALLY FOR
GOD.
This
particular
CHARACTERISTICS OF
AGAPE:
OF
ASIA MINOR
1 NOVEMBER 2016
3.
HRIST
OUR
SA
VIOUR
CH
OSE
However,
TO
ST MATTHEW 10 : 1, 5 8
& INSTRUC
TED
At that time, when our Lord Jesus had Called His Twelve Disciples to Him, He gave them Power over unclean spirits to
cast them out and to Heal all kinds of disease.
These Jesus sent out, having commanded them: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the
Samaritans. Go to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. Go, preach, saying: The Kingdom of Heaven is at
hand! Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.
Freely you have received freely give.
ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS
OF
ASIA MINOR
4. S T K O S M A S & S T D A M I A N O S H O L Y U N M E R C E N A R Y P H Y S I C I A N S
OF
ASIA MINOR
1 NOVEMBER 2016
Tone 3
6 November 2016
th
Evfrenestho ta Ourania, agaliastho ta epigia, oti epiise Kratos Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth
be glad, for
the Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has
trampled down Death by Death; He has become the
First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He
has delivered us, and to the world He has granted
Great Mercy.
THE
CONFESSOR - TONE 3
Thias pisteos Omologia, allon Pavlon Se ti Eklisia, ilotin en Thy Confession of the True Divine Faith manifested Thee
ierefsin anedixe, Sinevoa Si ke Avel pros Kyrison, ke
Zahariou to ema to Dikeon, Pater Osie, Hriston ton
Theon iketeve, dorisasthe imin to Mega Eleos.
Prostasia
Psalate
Sing
Panta
OF
ST PAUL
OF
voice of Rejoicing!
TO THE
GALATIANS 1 : 11 19
ST PAUL
BY OUR
Brethren: I certify that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not according to mankind. For I neither received it
from man, nor was I taught it, but It came to me through the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
You have heard of my former conduct in Judaism how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure, and tried to
destroy Her. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own Nation, being more
exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my Fathers.
When it pleased God, Who separated me from my mothers womb, and Called me through His Grace, to reveal His Son
in me, so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I
go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
After three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him for fifteen days. The other Apostles I did
not see, except James, the Brother of our Lord.
THE TRUE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS TAUGHT TO US ONLY BY
with personal achievements or social status, for we
HIS TRUE APOSTLES even though many people falsely
are all equal in the Sight of God.
declare themselves to be Apostles.
TRUE APOSTLES LEARNT DIVINE TRUTH EITHER BY DIVINE
TRUE APOSTLES WERE CALLED BY GOD HIMSELF AND WERE
GRACE DIRECTLY FROM GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT - OR FROM
JOYOUSLY COMPELLED TO FOLLOW HIM to accompany
CHRIST HIMSELF, which they
most carefully
Him so that they could LEARN, WITNESS AND
preserved and protected, and which is PASSED
EXPERIENCE FIRST-HAND EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO
DOWN UNCHANGED TO ALL GENERATIONS THROUGHOUT
CONTINUE THE DIVINE MISSION ON EARTH, which our
THE AGES OUR APOSTOLIC TRADITION.
Absolute Perfection Divine Truth - cannot be altered except by
Lord began and which will continue until the
God Himself Who is Eternal and Unchangeable!
Eighth Day the Final Day Judgement Day and
TRUE APOSTLES ALWAYS BRING GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP
the beginning of Eternity.
TO GOD ALONE and never seek any earthly rewards
Christ calls every human being to follow Him yet very few joyously
for themselves at all.
receive His Calling, which completely changes us, being
compelled to faithfully serve Him according to His Divine Will by
TRUE APOSTLES FORM ONE CHURCH GOVERNMENT
an overwhelming Love of God and for our fellow mankind.
maintaining exactly the same Holy Doctrine
TRUE APOSTLES ARE CALLED TO DIVINE SERVICE BY DIVINE
without exception and working for the Glory,
GRACE BY THE WILL OF GOD and has nothing to do
20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH OF ST LUKE JAIROS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA-6 NOVEMBER 2016
5.
and thus had received the Gift of the Seal of the Holy
Spirit, which enabled St Paul to become the great
Apostle to the Gentiles.
ONLY THREE YEARS LATER ST PAUL MET WITH ST PETER AND ST
JAMES. the Brother of our Lord, who was in fact our
Lords cousin (and Step-brother according to Judaic
Law.)
St James Love and Devotion to Christ made him worthily entitled
Adelphotheos Brother of God. He was in fact cousin to
Theotokos and, according to Judaic Law, the (step) brother of
our Lord Jesus.
He had accompanied the very young Virgin and Christ Child and his
elderly, widowed father, St Joseph the Betrothed into exile in
Egypt and had immediately agreed to share his earthly
inheritance with Him.
St James was the most Pious, Humble and Obedient first Bishop of
Jerusalem and was eventually Martyred for his absolute Faith in
and Service to Christ our Lord and Saviour.
The point that St Paul made was that he had not received
any Spiritual Instruction or Revelation from anyone
not even the other Holy Apostles of Christ.
ALL ST PAULS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING WAS
BESTOWED UPON HIM BY DIVINE GRACE by the Will of
God the Father, through God the Son and by the
enable Action of God the Holy Spirit.
At that time, there was a man named Jairos, and he was a Ruler of the Synagogue. And he fell down at the Feet of
Jesus and begged Him to go to his house, for he had only one daughter, who was about twelve years of age, and
she was dying.
As He went, the multitudes thronged Him. And a woman, who had a flow of blood for twelve years and who had spent
all she had on Physicians - none of whom could heal her went from behind and touched the border of His
garment. And immediately the flow of her blood ceased. And Jesus said: Who touched Me? When all denied
having done so, Peter and those with him said: Master, the multitudes throng and press against Thee, and Thou
ask: Who touched Me? Jesus said: Someone touched Me. I perceived Power going out from Me.
When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she went trembling and fell down before Him. She explained to Him,
before all the people, and how she had instantly been Healed. He said to her: Be of good cheer, Daughter. Thy
Faith has made thee well. Go in Peace.
While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the Ruler of the Synagogue, saying to him: Your
daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. Jesus heard and answered him, saying: Do not be afraid. Only
believe, and she will be made well.
Entering the house, He permitted no one to enter except Peter, James and John, and the Father and Mother. All wept
and mourned for her. He said: Do not weep. She is not dead, but sleeping. And they ridiculed Him, knowing
that she was dead. He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called: Little girl: arise! And her spirit
returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents
were astonished.
He requested them not to tell anyone what had happened.
This Statement is made in contrast to all the false (man ALL AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS EXCLUSIVELY IN THE
made) gods of the pagans. (ST ATHANASIOS THE GREAT, ST
CONTROL OF AND ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
BASIL THE GREAT & ST HILARY OF POITIERS)
DEUTERONOMY 32:39: Now behold: I even I Am
He, and there is no god besides Me; I take
1 KINGS 2:6: The Lord takes away life and grants
away life and I grant life; I wound and I
life; He takes down to Hades and raises up.
heal; nor is there any who can deliver from
THIS VERSE FORESHADOWS THE RESURRECTION and is likely a
My Hands.
description of our Lords own (voluntary) descent into
This Divine Statement could be expressed not only by
Hades and His glorious Resurrection.
God the Father, but also God the Son and God the
St Aphrahat the Holy Prophet of God used this passage
Holy Spirit because
among many to demonstrate THAT
BEING CO-EQUAL IN ONE GODHEAD - EACH DIVINE
THE BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION EXISTED EVEN IN THE
PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY CAN TRULY SAY: There
OLD COVENANT ERA.
is no god besides Me.
TH
TH
20 SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7 OF ST LUKE BEING RAISED FROM DEATH & BEING HEALED
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the When the servant reported the death of Jairos daughter,
our Lord immediately urged the heart-broken father:
Holy Spirit...
Do not be afraid. Only believe, and she will be
Today we are reminded how our Lord Jesus Christ
made well... and then He assured both parents: Do
granted both Jairos and St Veronica what they had so
not weep. She is not dead, but sleeping.
desperately sought from Him.
Although our Lord knew the little girl would Repose, He
Jairos was the Ruler of the Synagogue and was thus an
took time to speak to St Veronica, knowing that Jairos
influential man, while St Veronica was merely a very
and his wife needed time to absorb what had
poor and insignificant ...woman, who had a flow of
happened and how only God controls all Creation
blood for twelve years (and was thus unclean) and who
with His Loving Compassion and Great Mercy.
had spent all she had on Physicians.
Terrible antinomy (resistance) - we need to overcome what
Our All Merciful and Compassionate Lord granted them
cannot be overcome!
these two Divine Miracles because they both
We need to overcome our own, limited knowledge of
approached Him with utter Faith.
things, our own certainty, our own power of faculty.
However, Faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Only then can our Lord God grant us the Gift of Faith,
should be to such a degree that we should always
which is His Divine Miracle: the Healing of our soul accept whatever He tells us - even if it may be
Sanctification.
against our better judgement!
When we approach our Lord in Faith, a Mystical
We should - and we can - always trust God implicitly
Power comes from God and is granted to us, which
without any doubt or hesitation, for He never fails His
Faithful Disciples.
6. 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH OF ST LUKE JAIROS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA-6 NOVEMBER 2016
Mankind has the absolute need for these two things, if he wants to keep the Right Way to God without error: the
Spiritual Understanding of Scripture and the Spiritual Contemplation of God in nature." S T M A X I M O S T H E
CONFESSOR
Saint Maximos also tells us that for a Spiritual
Understanding of Scripture it is essential to go beyond
the literal understanding: ...He who does not enter
into the Divine Beauty and Glory found in the letter
of the Law falls under the power of the passions and
becomes the slave of the world...
This means we must first be worthy of the Holy Spirit and
able to enter into a Spiritual Relationship with the
words in order to gain a
deeper Spiritual
Understanding of Scripture.
Father Dimitru Staniloae explains:
... Spiritual
Understanding.... requires Preparation as well as
Knowledge of the Logoi or Living Words and present
Workings of God by things.
Those who are full of passions, to the extent that they
are glued to the visible surface of things, are also
glued to the letter of the Scripture and its history...
the wall, which blocks the Road to God, rather than
being Transparent for them or a Guide to Him...
This implies that the most useful study of Scripture comes
after we have conquered our passions.
Before this we are apt to make self-serving and highly
subjective interpretations of Scripture.
This is why it is not advised for Orthodox Christians to
engage in their own study or interpretation of
Scripture, but instead to rely on the interpretations
given to us by the Church Fathers and study in the
context of the Church with the assistance of Her
Clergy.
Holy Scripture is the Divine Word and the proper
Understanding of it involves a limitless Depth and a
Universal Validity for every age and every person.
To gain this Universal Understanding requires the ability
to hear the words as if they are spoken by God, to us
personally and at the present time.
Father Dimitru commented: ...It means that when we
read the letter, we hear God Himself speaking to us,
personally, today, or about all mankind and about
our Sacred Duties...
It means we experience the constant Relationship
between God and ourselves, and therefore we live It
according to how it affects us personally, at the
present moment....
This is not a subjective interpretation but one that is
Universal - and the same applies to all mankind.
The Holy Spirit must penetrate the words of Holy Scripture,
allowing them to be understood by our inner being.
This Inner Understanding is from the Holy Spirit and not
from our intellect that becomes available to us once
we are Purified of the passions that blind us to the
selfless Truth of all things.
20
TH
TH
OF
7.
ELDER EPHRAIM
OF
ARIZONA
ST DOROTHEOS
OF
GAZA
8. 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH OF ST LUKE JAIROS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA-6 NOVEMBER 2016
8 November 2016
Synaxis of the Holy Archangels,
St Michael St Gabriel, & all the Heavenly Hosts
Also the Feast of St Alexander of Guria
FESTAL APOLYTIKION SYNAXIS ARCHANGELS & HEAVENLY HOSTS TONE 4
Ton
OF
THEOTOKOS
INTO
TEMPLE TONE 4
18 : 10 - 20
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones! For I say to you that in
Heaven their Angels always see the Face of My Father Who is in Heaven. For the Son of Man has come to Save
that which was lost.
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine
and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, Truly, I say to you: he rejoices
more over that sheep than the ninety-nine sheep that did not go astray. Even so, it is not the Will of your Father
Who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Furthermore, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault - between you and him alone. If he hears
you, you have gained your brother. However, if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ...by the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the
Church. If he refuses even to hear the Church, let him be to you like a heathen and a Tax Collector!
Truly, I say to you: whatever you bind on Earth, will be bound in Heaven. And whatever you loosen on Earth will be
loosened in Heaven. Again, I say to you: if two of you agree on Earth concerning anything that they ask, it will
be done for them by My Father in Heaven. For when two or three are gathered together in My Name, I Am there
in the midst of them.
Little Ones include all who have childlike innocence,
According to certain Holy Church Fathers, this also
Humility and simplicity all those who are poor in
symbolises the Incarnation, as the ninety-nine
spirit little children and those like them in their
represent the Heavenly Hosts of God, when the Son of
innocence and Spiritual Purity.
God descended from Heaven in order to seek the Lost
Concerning Angels, St John Chrysostom teaches us that
Sheep i.e. mankind who had fallen into corruption
not only the Saints, but all human beings have
and Spiritual Death alienation from God and all His
specially appointed Guardian Angels appointed to
Goodness and Blessings.
each immortal soul by our Loving, Benevolent God
Church Discipline is based on mutual correction in three
from the time of our birth.
expanding stages.
However, the Guardian Angels of those who are innocent
Sin and correction are to remain private unless the
and humble have greater boldness and greater
offender refuses to Repent.
honour in the Sight of God because of the genuine
All correction must be done with great care, Humility and
Humility of those whom they guide and protect.
Love the most important concern being the
It is not due to the Divine Nature of God, but to the
Repentance and Salvation of the offender. (1
CORINTHIANS 5 : 5 & GALATIANS 6 :1)
weakness of mankind that He has appointed
Nevertheless, correction must take place so that the sin
Guardian Angels for each of us.
does not spread to others as well.
At our Holy Baptism and Matrimony, other special
The Divine Authority to bind or loosen sins was granted
Guardian Angels are appointed to watch over us and
by Christ to His Apostles, transmitted to the Bishops,
to guide us along the Path of Righteousness and to
and eventually to the Ordained Presbyters.
protect us against demonic attacks.
This Divine Authority was granted to the Apostles and
When we choose to commit sin, they look away from us
now those of the Apostolic Succession for the sake of
until we Repent and are once again Restored to the
the Eternal Salvation of Repentant sinners.
Sight and Grace of God. (St David the Royal Psalmist often
St John Chrysostom explained: The sinner ... seeing that
besought the Lord our God not to turn His Sight away from him
he is not only cast out of the Church, but that the bond
because he had committed many sins, which he Repented. mp)
of his sin will remain in Heaven, may turn and
Unlike earthly Shepherds, Christ our Saviour values even
become gentle.
one of His Sheep so precious that He will leave the
(The sinner must realise the extent and Eternal Consequence of his
others at risk in order to save that one Lost Sheep.
sins, soften his hardened heart and soul with tears of contrition,
The ninety-nine Sheep represent the Righteous who
remain Faithful to God. (LUKE 15:7)
SYNAXIS
OF THE
OF
ST PAUL
BEWARE
OF
TO THE
HEBREWS 2 : 2 10
WILFUL NEGLIGENCE
Brethren, if the Word spoken through Angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a
Just Reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation, which was first spoken of by the Lord, and was
confirmed to us by those who heard Him.
God also bore witness - both with Signs and Wonders, with various Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to
His own Will. He has not put the world to come - of which we speak - in subjection to Angels. One testified in a
certain place, saying: What is man that Thou art mindful of him? Or the Son of Man that Thou Visits Him? Thou hast
made Him a little lower than the Angels. Thou Crowned Him with Glory and Honour. Thou hast put all things in
subjection under His Feet. He put all in subjection under Him, leaving nothing that is not put under Him.
Now we do not yet see ...all things put under Him. Yet we see Jesus Who was ...made a little lower than the Angels, for
the suffering of Death, Crowned with Glory and Honour, that He, by the Grace of God, for everyone, might taste
Death. It was fitting for Him - for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things - in bringing many sons to Glory,
to make the Captain of their Salvation Perfect through sufferings.
St Paul begins this passage with AN ADMONITION AGAINST
confirmed by many Divine Miracles of God the
WILFUL NEGLIGENCE AND CARELESSNESS BY A SLOW PROCESS A
Holy Spirit, which is clear Proof that His Divine,
DRIFT OF ATTRITION OF SLOW SPIRITUAL DESTRUCTION.
Eternal Kingdom has come upon us?
If the Word spoken... and ... how shall we escape...
When we beseech Almighty God in the Divine Liturgy for
suggest a conditional statement or question.
... Pardon and Remission of our sins and
ISRAEL WAS EXPECTED TO OBEY THE WORDS OF CREATED ANGELS
transgressions... and ... a Good Defence before the
the Holy Messengers of God OR SUFFER PUNISHMENT.
Dread Judgement Seat of Christ... WE AFFIRM THAT
THERE IS TRULY A JUST REWARD, OR RETRIBUTION
NOW IT IS MUCH MORE VITAL FOR US TO HEED WHAT GOD
(RECKONING OR JUSTICE) A VERY REAL DIVINE JUDGEMENT
INCARNATE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS SAID TO US
THAT IS IRREVOCABLE AND UTTERLY UNBIASED!!
THROUGH HIS HOLY APOSTLES especially when His
Divine Word His Divine Truth has been
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 10: 16 21
OUR LORDS SENDING FORTH OF HIS 70 APOSTLES AND HIS CAUTIONARY WARNINGS TO THEM
At that time our Lord Jesus said to them: He who hears you, hears Me, he who rejects you, rejects Him Who sent Me.
Then the Seventy returned with Joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name!
So He told them: I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I grant you the Authority to trample upon
serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this - that the spirits are subject to you - but rather rejoice because your names
are written in Heaven!
In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said: I thank Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast
hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed
good in Thy Sight.
THE SYNAXIS
OF THE
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Dear Brethren in Christ: today we celebrate the Synaxis of
the Holy Archangels and the Heavenly Hosts, led by St
Michael, the Holy Archangel of God.
From Gods Word we know that before our Lord created
the visible and material world, with mankind, He
created the Invisible, Spiritual World of the
Bodiless/Incorporeal Ranks of Angels, whose numbers
are several times greater than that of mankind.
St Moses, the Holy Prophet of God has taught us about
Gods Creation of everything visible and invisible from
nothingness, and that in the beginning God created
Heaven and Earth.
Our Holy Church Fathers taught us that Heaven is not
only outer space with all the material, visible planets,
galaxies, stars, etc but also the Invisible, Spiritual and
Incorporeal Angelic World - the invisible, infinite
habitation of all Spiritual, Bodiless Powers.
The Heavenly Hosts were created by God but they are
more powerful, stronger and wiser than mankind,
and they unceasingly Glorify God by Faithfully,
Steadfastly and exclusively serving His Divine Will.
As Pure and Holy Spirits, they are able to be in the Divine
Presence of the Uncreated Light of our Heavenly
Father,
Whose
Unfathomable
Majesty
they
perpetually Glorify without words.
There are Nine Ranks of Angelic Hosts, each Rank serving
a specific Purpose according the Will and Purpose of
Almighty God.
Angels are the Holy Messengers of our Triune God who
are sent from His Throne of Grace to Assist, Guide,
Enlighten, Protect and Comfort suffering, Struggling
mankind, according to the Will and Purpose of God
the Father, through God the Word and Son, by the
10.
SYNAXIS
OF THE
THE
HEAVENLY HOSTS
OF THE
11.
OF THE
(SYNAXARION)
OF THE
12.
THE
HEAVENLY HOSTS
9 November 2016
St Nektarios of Pentapolis & Aegina
Also the Feast of St Onesiphoros and St Porphyrios of Ephesos - , St Matrona, Abbess of
Constantinople - St Theoktiste of Lesbos St Onesiphoros the Confessor of the Kiev Near
Caves Monastery St Alexander of Thessalonika St Anthony of Apamea, Syria St John
the Short, Holy Ascetic of St Pimen the Great Monastery, Egypt St Eustolia & St Sopatra of
Constantinople St Euthymios & St Neophytos, Co-Founders of Dochiariou Monastery,
Mount Athos The Holy Wonderworking Icon of Theotokos Quick to Hear at Dochiariou
Monastery, Mount Athos
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST NEKTARIOS
OF
TONE 1
Silivrias ton Gonon ke Eginis ton eforon, ton eskhatis hronis Silivrias
OF
Orthodoxias
The
SEASONAL FESTAL KONTAKION - ENTRY INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
ST TIMOTHYS VISIT
TO THE
THESSALONIANS 2 : 20 3 : 8
THESSALONIANS
Brethren: You are our Glory and Joy. Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it would be good to be
left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our Brother and Minister of God, and our fellow Labourer in the Gospel of
Christ, to establish you and to encourage you concerning your Faith, that no one should be shaken by these
afflictions.
You, yourselves know that we are appointed for this. And, thus, as we told you before when we were with you, we
would suffer tribulations - just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I
sent to know your Faith, lest by some means the Tempter had tempted you and our Labour might be in vain.
However, Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your Faith and Love, and that you always
have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also desire to see you. Therefore, in all our
affliction and distress, Brethren, we were comforted by your Faith. For now we Live, if you stand fast in our Lord.
All trials, tribulations and disappointments of our Spiritual
of our Saviour exactly as He taught them to us,
Struggle and Warfare while we Live in Christ are truly
without any change or modernisation at all!
worthwhile.
His Divine Truth and Teachings are absolutely Perfect,
As Spiritually Healthy as the Thessalonian Christian
and if one jot or tittle is altered, deleted or added to,
Community was, St Paul took nothing for granted.
It is no longer Divinely Perfect!!
(There were many problems to contend with in the
The expression always and remembrance refer to our
Corinthian Christian Community.)
Life of Prayer.
Even those who are well-grounded, fully Enlightened and
As Faithful Disciples of Christ we constantly pray for each
deeply committed need constant encouragement,
other, including those of us who have already
Sacred Instruction and Prayers.
Reposed in Christ.
The term Minister is from the Greek word Diakonon,
These are unselfish Prayers that have much Spiritual
from which Deacon is derived.
Benefit to both those for whom we pray and for
ourselves. So if we are asked to pray for others, we
Fellow Labourer is Synergon, from which the word
must definitely ensure that we do so!!
Synergy is derived.
As Ministers of God, all Holy Disciples of Christ not only
Being fully committed to the Lord our God, we strive
represent our Lord God, but we also ceaselessly work
ceaselessly to truly Live in Christ always trying to
together with Him and with our fellow Christians.
fulfil His Teachings and Commandments.
Consequently, each one of us must make every effort to
To Live in Christ is to truly, and fully Live!! Alive and
follow precisely the Teachings and Commandments
utterly free!!
ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA
9 NOVEMBER
2016
13.
TO
ST LUKE 12 : 13 15 & 22 31
At that time, as our Lord Jesus was teaching, one of the crowd said to Him: Teacher, tell my Brother to divide the
inheritance with me. He said to him: Man: who made Me a Judge or an Arbitrator over you?
He said to them: Take heed and beware of covetousness. For ones life does not consist of the abundance of the
things he possesses...
...Therefore, I say to you: do not worry about your life what you will eat; nor about your body what you will put
on. No! Life is more than food and the body is more than clothing. Consider the Ravens, for they neither sow nor
reap - neither have they storehouse nor barn and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the
birds? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why
are you anxious for the rest?
Consider how the Lilies grow they neither toil nor spin. I say to you: even Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. If the grass is so clothed, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the
oven, how much more will God clothe you, O you of little Faith?
And do not seek what you should eat, or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. All these things the
Nations of the world seek after. Your Father knows that you need these things.
But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Christ encourages us to focus on His Heavenly Kingdom of
It was customary for respected Rabbis to arbitrate
Love so that we become utterly secure in our Faith
personal disputes.
our confident Trust that our Loving Creator provides
However, a dispute over an inheritance is detrimental to
our Salvation, for such greed is pure idolatry and
us all with every Blessing on Earth everything that
unfitting for anyone who knows God who has a
we could possible need or require for our physical
close, intimate Relationship with God and who strives
and Spiritual Welfare and Progress.
Our Lord draws our contemplation to the fauna and flora
to faithfully fufil all Christs Teachings and
the beautiful Creation of God, for which He provides
Commandments.
everything necessary for it to flourish, blossom and
This account is totally incompatible with our Saviours
produce the next generation of fruit, vegetation or
Teachings and Revelations concerning our Most
Merciful, Benevolent and Providential God.
animal.
Once we realise the magnificence of Gods Divine
Our Lord Jesus always warns us against being anxious
Creation that is absolutely dependent on His Great
and greedy. He does not warn us against careful
Mercy, we must then realise that as the Crown of His
planning though.
Creation i.e. mankind whom God infinitely Loves,
Our physical and Spiritual Welfare is directly dependent
He will take even better care of us as His Beloved
on Almighty God and only indirectly on food, drink
Children.
and clothing, etc.
Our Lord urges us to surrender ourselves to His Great
Anxiety or obsession over earthly matters reveals a lack of
Mercy and inifinite Divine Love because when we
Faith in Divine Providence, Divine Love and Gods
have learnt to do so, we will rest assured, and never
Great Mercy.
be anxious about any earthly matters again.
The Gentiles served their pagan idols so they remained
We can then concentrate all our energy and strength
consumed by their dependence on earthly things,
upon our constant Spiritual Struggles while we ...seek
while those who are Faithful to Almighty God are
the Kingdom of Heaven.
utterly free of such worries and fixations.
The Eternal Kingdom of God is the main focus of our
Lords Divine Teachings and Commandments.
OUR BELOVED SPIRITUAL FATHER, ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA
St Nektarios is one of our most significant and Holy
Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina, where he lived out
Church Fathers of recent times.
the rest of his life as a simple Monk, writing,
Since his early childhood, he was dedicated to God and
publishing, preaching, and hearing Confessions from
throughout his Life in Christ, by the Grace and Great
all who sought his Spiritual Guidance.
Mercy of God and through the Intercessory Prayers
He tended the gardens, carried heavy rocks
and
of our Beloved Lady, Theotokos - he was able to
participated with the construction of the Monastery
overcome so many obstacles caused by misguided,
buildings, most of which he paid for.
Spiritually Blind and jealous men who were instigated
St. Nektarios Reposed in Christ on the evening of 9
by the evil one.
November 1920 (O.S. 8 November) at the age of 74,
With his unwavering Faith, and his natural Humility,
following hospitalization for prostate cancer.
Obedience and total Love (Agape), he always led his
He was buried at the Holy Trinity Monastery and his best
Blessed and Holy Flock towards Eternal Salvation and
friend, St Savvas of Kalymnos, who later wrote the first
the Heavenly Kingdom of Divine Love, and was
Icon of St Nektarios, conducted the Funeral which was
deeply respected and Loved by them all.
attended by the Faithful from all parts of Greece and
Even after St Nektarios Repose in Christ, his Labours of
Egypt.
Love in the Divine Service of Almighty God have
His unjust Anathema was not lifted by the Alexandrian
continued to Inspire, Guide and Teach many more
Patriarchate until 1998.
Faithful Disciples, who are Eternally grateful for such
Many people regarded St. Nektarios as a Saint during his
a most worthy and loving Spiritual Father.
lifetime because of his Prayerful Life, his Humility, his
St Nektarios had eventually been appointed Director of
Purity and other Virtues, including the Divine Gift of
the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School for the education of
Prescience (Foreknowledge), as well as his Inspired
Priests in Athens, where his fifteen years of service was
writings and various Miracles that occurred.
exemplary, having developed many courses of study,
When his incorrupt Holy Relics were removed from the
and written numerous books, all while preaching
grave on 2 September 1953 as when he had
widely throughout Athens.
Reposed the sweet fragrance of Holy Sanctity
In 1904 at the request of several Nuns, he established the
pervaded the whole area.
Holy Trinity Monastery for them on Aegina.
Official recognition of our Beloved Father Nektarios as a
St Nektarios ordained two women as Deaconesses in
Saint
by
the
Ecumenical
Patriarchate
of
1911, and up to the 1950s, a few Greek Orthodox Nuns
Constantinople took place on 20 April 1961.
also became Monastic Deaconesses. In 1986,
The Feast Day of St. Nektarios is celebrated every year on
Christodoulos, then the Metropolitan of Demetrias,
9 November, and thousands of Miracles have been
later to become Archbishop of Athens and All Greece,
attributed to his Intercessory Prayers.
ordained a woman Deacon in accordance with the
Finally, on 15 September 1998, the Greek Orthodox
"Ritual of St. Nektarios" ( i.e. the ancient Byzantine text
Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa, led by
that St Nektarios had used.)
Petros VII, Pope & Patriarch, restored the worthy
In December 1908, at the age of 62, St Nektarios resigned
Ecclesiastical Order of St Nektarios.
from his post as School Director and withdrew to the
May St Nektarios memory be Eternal!
14.
9 NOVEMBER
2016
Tone 4
13 November 2016
1st
21 Sunday After Pentecost
th
8 Sunday of St Luke The Good Samaritan
Feast of St John Chrysostom of Constantinople St Antoninos, St Nicephoros, St
Germanos, & St Manetha of Caesarea, Palestine St Damascene & St Damianos
of Lavra on Mount Athos
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 4
The
INTO THE
TEMPLE TONE 4
To
Akousate
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
of the world.
HEBREWS 7 : 26 8 : 2
Brethren: ... such a High Priest was fitting for us, Who is Holy, Harmless, Undefiled, separate from sinners, and has
become Higher than the Heavens Who does not need daily as those High Priests to offer up sacrifices, first for
His own sins and then for those of the people. This He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
The Law appoints as High Priests men who have weaknesses, but the Word of the Oath, which came after the Law,
appoints the Son Who has been Perfected forever. This is the main point of the things we are saying:
We have such a High Priest, Who is seated at the right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens a Minister of
the Sanctuary and of the True Tabernacle, which the Lord erected, and not mankind.
Not only is the Divine Founder of the New Covenant
The Power that is bestowed upon candidates at their
Ordination is immensely Strong and Effective.
Priesthood superior to that of the Old Covenant, the
The Power of Christs Holy Priesthood is Perfect because it
Rules of the New Covenants Priestly Order are also
superior.
draws us closer to Almighty God and guides us
towards our Spiritual Perfection regaining our lost
The Holy Priesthood is so intertwined with a Covenant that
is the Priesthood is changed in any way at all, so is the
Likeness to Christ.
Holy Covenant.
Our Lord Jesus Ultimate Blood Sacrifice was offered once
only but is effective forever - for all humanity
Furthermore, Absolute Perfection cannot be altered by
any means for then it would no longer be Perfect!!
throughout the ages.
Thus it is utterly significant that not one iota or tittle of
God the Father Himself Ordains God the Son as our only
Divine Truth can be altered or misinterpreted for then
True High Priest.
it is no longer the Perfect, Absolute Divine Truth of
Since Christ is Immortal, the Holy Priesthood of
Almighty God but a mere shadow or poor imitation
Melchizedek requires only one, Eternal High Priest.
that is misguiding and Spiritually Dangerous.
The requirement of Perfect Holiness is met in our Lord
Jesus Christ for His is truly the Only Sinless One.
The Mysterious Holy Priesthood of Melchizedek is fulfilled
Furthermore, our Lord Jesus Christ is so much more than
in Christ Jesus.
a mere human being He is God-Man The Eternal,
As Melchizedek was without earthly genealogy, so is
Christ by virtue of His Virgin Conception and Birth.
Only Begotten Son of God the Father Who became
He is God Incarnate, Immortal and sinless. Therefore His
Man by assuming our human Nature
Holy Priesthood is able to Transform humanity.
OF
15.
TO
ST LUKE 10 : 25 37
At that time, a Lawyer stood up to test our Lord Jesus and said: Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life?He
said to him: What is written in the Law? What is Thy reading of it? Answering he said: Thou shalt Love the Lord
Thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind... and ... thy neighbour as
thyself.He said to him: You have answered correctly. Do this and you will Live.
Wanting to Justify himself, he said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour?
Replying, Jesus said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped
him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
By chance, a certain Priest went down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise,
a Levite when he arrived at the place, went and looked, and passed by on the other side.
A Samaritan, as He journeyed, got to where he was, and when He saw him, He had Compassion. And He went to
him, and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. And He set him on His own animal, took him to an
Inn, and took care of him.
The next day, before He departed, He took out two denarii, gave them to the Innkeeper, and said to him: Take
care of him. And when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which of these three dost thou think was neighbour to him who fell among the Thieves? He said: He Who had
Mercy on him.
Jesus said to him: Go and do likewise!
The Pharisees, Lawyers and Scribes were egotistic and
If we continuously behave in such a mean, selfish
self-righteous, believing themselves to be superior to
manner, we will face bitter, irrefutable and
others who were either illiterate or less well educated
irreversible Eternal Condemnation after our Final
than them.
Judgement!
The Lawyer was probably one of those who had heard
Although the Samaritan was a despised foreigner or
all about our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the
stranger, being harshly judged by the Judeans as
humble Carpenter, Joseph of Nazareth - and had
one of the wicked apostatisers and heretics who were
gone to hear what He was preaching about - no
to be avoided at all costs, he symbolised our Lord
doubt expecting to trip Him up or to prove Him wrong
Jesus Christ Himself, for He ...came down from
or ignorant, or perhaps even blasphemous.
Heaven... to Save even those who rebelled and
In response to the Lawyers enquiry concerning Eternal
rejected Him.
Life, our Lord knowing what was lurking deep within
The bandages, oil and wine, symbolise the Holy Mystery
his heart and what his intentions were - turned the
of Baptism and Chrismation:
tables on him, so to speak, by asking him to explain
1. The Garment of Holy Baptism we put on Christ
what the Mosaic Law stated and how the Lawyer
Who Delivers us from the wounds of sin
himself interpreted the meaning thereof.
2. The Oil of Holy Chrismation, which grants us
And when Christ confirmed that he had given the correct
New Life in the Holy Spirit, Who enables us to
answer and that if he fulfilled these Divine
achieve everything that is impossible for us
Commandment he would Live he would attain
alone.
Eternal Life.
3. The Holy Mystery of Eucharist/Communion,
The arrogance of the Lawyer is exposed when he asked
which grants us Forgiveness of sins and leads us
Christ who was his neighbour, and our Lord
towards Eternal Life.
responded with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
The Good Samaritan put the wounded man on His own
Jerusalem, being the city of Peace, symbolised our Holy
animal meaning that our Lord and Saviour bears
Communion with God, while the city of Jericho was
our sins in His own Body.
infamous for being a city filled with all kinds of sinful
The Inn that sheltered the Good Samaritan and the
behaviour and lifestyles.
recuperating man symbolises the Holy Church of
So the man a reference to each of us - was going from
Christ wherein we receive Spiritual Healing and Care,
good and Blessed circumstances towards wickedness
as well as all the Divine Blessings and Providence that
and Spiritual Death.
our Loving Triune God grants us so freely and
He ...fell among Thieves... is a reference to the natural
Lovingly.
consequences of moving away from God and all His
The Good Samaritan paid for the Care and Protection of
Goodness, and wilfully choosing
a sinful, selfthe recovering man, and promised to settle His
indulgent existence, that leaves us naked, exposed to
Account when He came again.
all the temptations, unprotected against our enemies,
Our Lord Jesus paid the priceless Ransom for the freedom
having been stripped of our self-respect and dignity.
of mankind by means of His ultimate Blood Sacrifice
Having been robbed of anything of value, the wretched
His Passion - and in addition, He will settle His
man is abandoned, beaten, hurt, tormented and half
Account when He Reappears again on the Eighth Day
dead in a terrible state of Spiritual Death due to the
the Final Day of this Age when the General
enslaving, demoralizing sins that have overwhelmed
Resurrection and Judgement will occur.
and even defeated him.
Christs eleven Appearances in His Resurrected state
Titles and social status is meaningless in the Sight of God
before His Ascension - proved that everything He has
especially when good deeds are rejected, ignored
told us is indeed, without a doubt and most definitely
or refused.
TRUE!!
St Cyril of Alexandria said: The Dignity of the Holy
As Christ is Resurrected in His Body, so, too, shall we be
Priesthood means nothing at all unless (a Bishop or
Resurrected physically and spiritually.
Priest) also excels in Deeds.
Once again, our Lord commands us to be Merciful to
Both the Judaic Priest and Levite did not bother to help
each other in every way possible, for this will certainly
the distressed, dying man, which clearly indicates the
affect our Final Judgement before His Awesome
failure of the Old Covenant Law to Heal the
Throne!
consequences of sin.
Divine Truth cannot be compromised!!
Whenever we reject, ignore or refuse to fulfil an Act
If we hope to receive Divine Mercy, we, too, must be
Mercy, Love or Compassion, which God might have
Merciful, for it is the significant Act of Love/Agape,
which grants us Eternal Life in Gods Heavenly
put before us to test us and to reveal our Inner State to
ourselves (He already knows everything!) we must
Kingdom
immediately Repent and ensure that we fulfil our
Sacred Duties next time.
21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 8TH
OF
OF
ST LUKE
THE
GOOD SAMARITAN
IMPORTANT NOTE:
On Tuesday, 15 November,
November 2016, the Forty Day Fast of the Nativity of Christ begins, during which meat
is prohibited, while Fish is permitted until 17 December, when the Strict Fast begins until 24 December.
Let us sacrifice something for God; let us deprive ourselves from all worldly pleasures, for Christ sacrificed His
Life for us. Let us, through True Repentance and Confession, receive the New Born Infant Christ within our
heart with Joy, Love and Thanksgiving. With Love in Christ,
HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON
21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 8TH
OF
OF
ANTINOES
17.
OF OUR
THE
HAGIORITE
THE
GREAT
THE
SYRIAN
OF
MOUNT ATHOS
OF
AND
MOTHERS
THE
CONFESSOR
Do not accept any evil words, but keep your soul clean
and uncorrupted, for if you accept the dirty words of
others who speak against their neighbours, your
Prayer will be affected by thought, and will
unjustifiably hate or despise those with whom you
socialise.
Therefore, we need to be very careful about what we say,
and what we allow others to say to us.
Not only must we avoid saying anything bad against
others, but neither must we tolerate hearing anything
negative or destructive.
ST ISAAC
THE
SYRIAN
16 November 2016
St Matthew Levi of the 12 Holy Apostles of Christ our Lord
Also the Feast of St Matthew Fulvian, Hieromartyr of Ethiopia St Sergios of Malopinega,
Novgorod St Hypatios, Bishop & Hieromartyr of Gangra
TONE 3
SEASONAL FESTAL KONTAKION - ENTRY INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Megalini
Idou gar,
God my Saviour.
OF
THEOTOKOS TONE 3
ST PAUL
TO THE
CORINTHIANS 4 : 9 16
Brethren, God has set forth us, the Apostles, last, as it were appointed to Death, for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to Angels, and to men. We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you
are strong; you are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and
are naked, and are buffeted, and have no dwelling-place. And we labour, working with our own hands.
Being reviled, we Bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we Entreat. We are made as the filth of the
world - the offscourings of all things unto this day.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my Beloved Children, I warn you. Although you have ten thousand
instructors in Christ, yet have you not many Fathers. In Christ Jesus through the Gospel I have begotten you.
I beseech you, therefore - be imitators of me.
They endured all their humiliation and suffering for the
Irony and sarcasm are bitter medicine, which St Paul
Pure Joy of serving our Lord and Saviour thereby
used on this occasion with full force.
The three parallel statements: ... we are fools... weak...
reconciling the fallen world to God.
dishonoured... were heaped upon each other in a
St Paul soothed the pain of his rebuke by reminding the
Faithful of his Spiritual Fatherhood to them.
stinging series.
The relative comfort of the Corinthians Christian
The Holy Church of Christ is similar to any other family
with maturing children who need parental guidance.
Community was contrasted with the persecuted,
poverty-stricken and uncertain lifestyle of the Holy
As Struggling Disciples of Christ, we who are the maturing
Apostles of Christ.
children, need our Spiritual Fathers to teach and
They endured all kinds and degrees of humiliation
guide us.
being treated as filth and even like the off-scourings
St Paul urged us as Faithful Disciples of Christ to imitate
yet, instead of retaliating in a similar fashion
him just as he ceaselessly strove to imitate our Lord
striking back in a similar manner at their persecutors
Jesus Christ.
the Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples of Christ
responded with unconditional, Divine Love Agape!
OF
TO
ST MATTHEW 9 : 9 13
At that time, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs house, and he sait to him:
Follow me.
And he arose, and followed Him.
And it came to pass, Jesus sat eating in the house, and behold: many Publicans and sinners went and sat down with
Him and His Disciples.
And when the Pharisees beheld them, they said to His Disciples: Why does your Master eat with Publicans and sinners?
When Jesus heard, He said to them: Those who are whole do not need a Physician, but those who are sick do.
Go, learn what it means: ...I desire Mercy, and not Sacrifice... I have not come to Call the Righteous, but sinners to
Repentance!
Many people even to this day have more than one
which most of them did to the detriment of the
name and St Matthew was also named Levi.
impoverished citizens.
The Roman Empire authorities who dominated the Holy
The Tax Collectors collaboration with the occupying
Land and most of the known world at that time,
Roman forces, their fraudulent schemes and their
assigned specific areas to Judean Tax Collectors who
utter corruption caused their fellow countrymen to
were free to collect extra revenues for their own profit,
really hate and despise them, considering them as
being unclean and thus to be avoided at all costs.
ST MATTHEW LEVI
OF THE
12 APOSTLES
OF
CHRIST
OUR
LORD
16 NOVEMBER 2016
19.
OF THE
12 APOSTLES
ST MATTHEW LEVI
OF THE
12 APOSTLES
OF
CHRIST
OUR
LORD
AND
SAVIOUR
CHRIST
OUR
LORD
16 NOVEMBER 2016
Haran
INTO
TEMPLE - TONE 4
INTO
TEMPLE TONE 4
Si,
Thou
Soson me, Kyrie, oti eklelipen Osios, oti oligothisan e Alithie Save
OF
ST PAUL
BOAST
TO THE
ONLY IN THE
GALATIANS 6: 11-18
CROSS
Brethren: see with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not
suffer persecution for the Cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the Law, but they desire to have
you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything but a New Creation. And as many as walk
according to this Rule, Peace and Mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one trouble me. I bear the Marks of the Lord Jesus in my body.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Brethren.
Amen
The Hebrew legalizers chose to offend God so that they could please human beings.
Unfortunately, this is the way of the world to this very day for few will stand firmly in Divine Truth.
The majority of people are influenced and led into Spiritual Disobedience and Rebellion because they are more afraid
of displeasing their fellow sinners than because they Love and Respect Almighty God and would do everything
possible not to fail Him or disappoint Him.
Consequently, by choosing to follow the fallen world and being enslaved by the demands of the flesh and duped by
the machinations of the evil one, they also voluntarily choose Eternal Spiritual Death over Eternal Spiritual Life.
By slavishly being persuaded and convinced to follow the godless, ignorant popular concepts of modern day fashions
and fads, we are drifting further and further away from our Lord Jesus Christ and His Divine Truth His Divine
Teachings and Commandments, which are the only means that make it possible for us to achieve our Ultimate
Spiritual Goal Theosis.
Throughout the history of the Holy Church of Christ, we have preached the Holy Cross of Christ concerning everything
that it symbolises.
We have always displayed the empty Cross symbolising Eternal Resurrection and Life Everlasting in our homes,
chapels, churches, schools, etc. to remind us to pray and to fulfill all Gods Divine Commandments and Teachings.
We venerate our Lords Life-giving Holy Cross in the Divine Liturgy and in all our Holy Services and Holy Mysteries.
We also Bless and Protect ourselves by making the Sign of the Cross, which is a Declaration of Faith: I worship Thee, O
God, with all my mind, with all my heart, with all my strength and with all my soul!
We always wear a Cross (not the Crucifix) to remind us of our eventual Resurrection and Final Judgement before the
Heavenly Throne of God.
22ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9TH
OF
21.
The Cross is a constant reminder of Whose Disciple we are and Whom we are trying to Follow and Imitate and others
look at us, expecting us to behave at all times in a Christian manner.
The Holy Cross is all we need to protect us against the evil one and his demons spirit and human.
The New Creation is our Life in Christ for we have put on Christ when we were Baptised and we are Sealed with the
Gift of the Holy Spirit Who empowers and enables us to fulfil our Sacred Tasks and Mission.
St Paul referred to the Church of Christ the Church of the New Covenant the New Israel
During the time of St Paul and the other Apostles, the Hebrews tried to force the converts to be circumcised according to
the Old Covenant.
St Paul realised that they were unconcerned with the Eternal Life of the newly Baptised Christians, only wanting to brag
about how many had been circumcised.
These days it has become popular to encourage conversion to Orthodox Christianity sadly, also for bragging
purposes of Priests and others and mostly for all the wrong, ill-informed reasons!
People must only convert to Orthodoxy if they are totally committed to Christ and are determined to follow His
Teachings and Commandments and be totally committed to God by living their Life in Christ Orthodox
Christianity until they draw their last breath.
In order for Converts to avoid apostasysing due to unhappy personal relationships and problems, it is imperative that
they are taught thoroughly and well before they are Baptised and Chrismated so that they have a complete, well
informed foundation to begin with.
Furthermore, all Orthodox Christians should continue to learn the many, varied facets of this marvellous Faith, so that
we continue to worship God and partake correctly in all the required Holy Mysteries and live a good, fulfilled Life in
Christ as He wishes us to do.
St Paul was neither a hypocrite nor a coward. He persevered through much of what he taught and he bore the marks
and scars
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 12 : 16 21
At that time, our Lord Jesus narrated this Parable: The ground of a certain Rich Man yielded plentifully. And he
thought to himself: What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops? He said: I will do this: I will pull
down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul:
Soul: you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease. Eat, drink and be merry.
God said to him: Fool! This night your soul will be required of you. Whose then will those things be, which you
have provided?
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God!
And He exclaimed: Those who have ears to hear, let them hear!
ST AMBROSE cautioned us: ... the things that we cannot
This Parable of our Lord Jesus Christ is a most serious
take with us are not ours. Only Virtue will be our
Lesson to every one of us especially in these days
Companion when we Repose...
of selfish, egocentric materialism.
When in ancient times, JOSEPH STORED UP GRAIN IN EGYPT, it
1. First of all THE LORD ADDRESSES THE RICH MAN AS FOOL!
a derogatory term that is discouraged, if not
was strictly FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE NATION
forbidden, in Christs Holy Church of Agape.
DURING LEAN TIMES OR FAMINE.
We cannot refer to any of our fellow sinners as fool,
WHATEVER WE THINK WE POSSESS, IN TRUTH, IS LENT TO US BY
which is a form of our unworthy criticism and unjust
ALMIGHTY GOD WHO PROVIDES US WITH EVERYTHING WE
judgement that we are urged and cautioned
REALLY NEED AND OFTEN, ALSO GRANTS US AN ABUNDANCE,
against.
WHICH IS A DIVINE TEST TO SEE WHAT WE DO WITH IT!
2. Secondly the big question of all ...whose will those
In the Holy Mystery of Matrimony, ONE OF THE PRAYERS FOR
thing be which you have provided? is THE KEY
THE NEWLY BETROTHED COUPLE BESEECHES GOD TO GRANT
TO UNDERSTANDING THE SAVING UP OR HOARDING OF
MATERIAL GOODS.
OUR
Consequently,
22ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9TH OF ST LUKE RICH FOOL & HIS BARNS FOREFEAST OF ENTRY INTO TEMPLE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
hungrier than him - THE FOOLISH MAN WAS TOTALLY SELFSpirit...
OBSESSED with resolving the problem of having so
OF
beings.
BUT WHATEVER WE DO OR WHATEVER WE GIVE TO OTHERS, MUST BE
WITH A CHEERFUL HEART - WITH GENEROSITY AND LOVE,
NEVER ALLOWING WICKED OR UNWORTHY THOUGHTS TO RULE
OUR CHARITABLE ACTS and NEVER for the meaningless
OF
23.
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY ILLUMINATION BEYOND KNOWLEDGE APOPHATIC KNOWLEDGE - FATHER DIMITRU STANILOAE
BECOMING ILLUMINED
BEFORE
24.
22
N D
T H
OF
21 November 2016
Entrance into the Temple of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ENTRANCE
Simeron
INTO
TEMPLE
OF
TONE 4
Today
OF THE
VIRGIN MARY
TO
VISITATION
At that time, Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias
and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leapt in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she spoke out with a loud voice, saying: Blessed art Thou among
women, and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb! And why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should
come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of Thy Greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leapt with Joy in my
womb. And Blessed is She Who believed, for there will be a Fulfilment of those Things that were told Her from the
Lord!
And Mary said: My soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour! For He has regarded the
lowly state of His Maidservant. For behold! Henceforth all generations will call me Blessed. For He Who is Mighty
has done great things form me, and Holy is His Name...
... And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
The Ever Blessed Virgin Marys faithful response to the
WITH THESE THREE SIGNIFICANT ROLES BEING VACANT,
Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel was that of the
ILLEGITIMATE AND SILENT, ALL WAS READY FOR THE SON OF
highest degree of Humility and Obedience to God.
GOD TO BE REVEALED AS OUR DIVINE AND ETERNAL
AS
INTO THE
TEMPLE
OF THE
25
IN THIS DAY AND AGE, INFERTILE COUPLES REGARD THE DIVIDING CELLS - FROM
THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION OR FERTILISATION - AS A VIABLE, LIVING
BABY WHO IS JOYFULLY AWAITED AND ALREADY NAMED!
EVERY CHILD WHO IS CONCEIVED BUT LOST IS MOURNED AND REMEMBERED BY
THE LOVING PARENTS.
FURTHERMORE, THE TINY HEART BEGINS TO BEAT VERY SOON AFTER
CONCEPTION AND BABIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE DELIVERED AND KEPT
ALIVE FROM VERY EARLY IN THE GESTATION PERIOD, MANY OF WHOM
SURVIVE AND GROW INTO ADULTHOOD.
THEREFORE, ABORTION IS THE VIOLENT AND MOST BRUTAL MURDER OF A TINY
CHILD WHO IS MORE SENSITIVE TO AND AWARE OF EVERYTHING THAN A
FULLY DEVELOPED AND BORN BABY!
NOT ONE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONCEIVED OR BORN IS A MISTAKE
BECAUSE EVERY MIRACLE OF CONCEPTION AND BIRTH IS BY THE DIVINE
WILL OF ALMIGHTY GOD WHO HAS A PLAN AND SACRED PURPOSE FOR
EACH, UNIQUE SOUL INTO WHOM HE BREATHES LIFE! (MP)
IT
OF
FAITHFUL
HOLY
THROUGH
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 9: 1 - 7
Brethren: the First Covenant had Ordinances of Divine Service, and a worldly Sanctuary. A Tabernacle was prepared: the
first part, in which was the Lampstand, the Table, and the Showbread, which is called the Sanctuary. Behind the
Second Veil, was the part of the Tabernacle, which is called Holy of Holie, which had the Golden Censer and the Ark of
the Covenant, overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was the Golden Pot that had the Manna, Aarons Rod that
budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant. Above it were the Cherubim of Glory overshadowing the Mercy Seat. Of
these we can no longer speak these days. When these Things had been thus prepared, the Priests always went into the
first part of the Tabernacle, performing the Services. Into the second part only the High Priest went - once a year, not
without blood, which he offered for himself and for the peoples sins.
THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOSAIC TABERNACLE, WHICH
Their Eternal Unity and Presence with Christ is usually depicted
PREFIGURED THE HEAVENLY ALTAR.
as two differently coloured shapes behind the Figure of our
This passage is read during the Great Feasts of our
Lord such as in the Holy Icon of the Transfiguration.
Lady Theotokos and Advent (before the Feast of the
The depiction of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit as an
Nativity of Christ) in order to describe the Great Holy
Old Man and a White Dove is a modern, western
Mystery of the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God.
influenced heresy, because the Persons of the Holy Trinity
may only be depicted as three identical Angels such as at
THE EVER BLESSED, EVER VIRGIN MARYS WOMB WAS
the Oaks of Mamre the Hospitality of Abraham.
PREPARED AS THE HOLY TABERNACLE OF CHRIST THE
They NEVER manifested visibly at any other time and our Lord
VERY DWELLING PLACE OF THE LORD OUR GOD - THE
Jesus Christ clearly told His Disciples that whoever has
HOLY OF HOLIES.
seen Him, has also seen His Co-Eternal, Co-Essential
A most important detail in St Pauls Epistle to the
Hebrews concerns THE INNER VEIL THE SECOND VEIL
Father (and thus also the Holy Spirit!) mp
WHICH SEPARATES THE HOLY PLACE THE HOLY SANCTUARY
However, GOD THE SON OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
FROM THE MOST HOLY PLACE THE HOLY OF HOLIES OR THE
- CAN BE DEPICTED ACCORDING TO HIS INCARNATION, FOR HE
HOLIEST OF ALL, WHICH CONTAINED THE MYSTERIOUS ARK OF
IS GOD-MAN AND THUS HIS HUMAN NATURE CAN AND IS
THE COVENANT AND INTO WHICH ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST
IMAGED.
COULD ENTER ON ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR.
Furthermore, CHRIST LEFT A PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE UPON HIS
The Inner Veil forms THE LOCUS OF THE LITURGICAL PRACTICE
DISCARDED BURIAL CLOTHES ON THE INNER FACE CLOTH,
OF THE OLD COVENANT and reveals its imperfection
WHICH HE LEFT NEATLY FOLDED - and on the long Shroud,
for the people could not draw close to God and the
which were both left in His Empty Tomb after His
High Priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a
Glorious Resurrection.
year for his own sins as well as those of the people.
When St Peter and St John entered the Empty Tomb, they
At His Death on the Cross, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST RESOLVED
were immediately amazed by the Precious Holy Relics
OUR ALIENATION AND ESTRANGEMENT FROM GOD. (MATTHEW
that had been left behind.
27:51)
In many churches, THE HOLY ICON OF CHRIST NOT MADE BY
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT CONTAINED ALL THE PRECIOUS
HANDS IS DEPICTED BEING HELD ALOFT BY TWO CHERUBIM,
HOLY RELICS OF THE OLD COVENANT OF ISRAEL THE
USUALLY SITUATED OVER THE ROYAL GATES OF THE
GOLDEN POT OF MANNA, AARONS ROD, AND THE STONE
ICONOSTASION LEADING INTO THE HOLY SANCTUARY.
TABLETS OF THE MOSAIC LAW, given to the ancient
While Priests were allowed to enter the Holy Place daily,
Patriarch by God Himself.
only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies on
the one Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur.)
OUR LADY THEOTOKOS IS THE ARK OF THE NEW COVENANT,
The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies carrying the
BEING THE MOTHER OR BEARER OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR.
blood of sacrificed animals for the atonement of his
GOD IS ENTHRONED UPON THE CHERUBIM, hence, Gods
own sins as well as those of the people.
Throne in the midst of Israel the Mercy Seat had
THIS ANNUAL BLOOD SACRIFICE REVEALS THE IMPERFECTION AND
a Cherub depicted on each side.
TEMPORARY STATUS OF THE OLD COVENANT, FOR ONLY ONE
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HOLY ALTAR IS ALSO FLANKED BY
MAN COULD ENTER INTO GODS DIVINE PRESENCE BUT NOT
DEPICTION OF THE CHERUBIM.
CONTINUALLY AND ONLY TO REPEAT THE ANNUAL SACRIFICIAL
THESE REPRESENTATIONS, along with the images of the Holy
OFFERING FOR HIS AND THE PEOPLES SINS.
Cherubim on the Inner Veil and the beauty and
Furthermore, THAT BLOOD SACRIFICE DEALT ENTIRELY WITH
detailed workmanship of everything that was made
MATERIALS FROM THIS AGE, WHICH ARE IMPERFECT AND
for the Holy Tabernacle, SERVED AS THE FIRST HOLY
IMPERMANENT WHICH CANNOT BEGIN A PARTICIPATION IN THE
ICONS OF THE OLD COVENANT. (Exodus 26:31)
AGE TO COME.
This and various other passages PUT TO REST THE FEAR THAT
In addition, THAT IMPERFECT ATONEMENT OFFERING DEALT
THE SECOND DIVINE COMMANDMENT OF GOD PROHIBITS ALL
MAINLY WITH THE OUTER BEING FOR IT WAS SUPERFICIAL AND
IMAGERY. (Exodus 20: 4 6)
COULD NOT PURIFY MANKINDS HEART, MIND OR SOUL LET
God the Father and God the Holy Spirit cannot be
ALONE RESTORE OUR FALLEN HUMAN NATURE.
represented or depicted because their Divine
Nature is unknowable and hence cannot be
depicted.
26.
ENTRANCE
INTO THE
TEMPLE
OF THE
TO
E
ST LUKE 10 : 38
THIN
G IS
EEDED
- 42
&
11 : 27 28
At that time, He entered a certain village. A woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister
called Mary, who sat at Jesus Feet, listening to His Word. Martha was distracted with much serving. She approached
and said: Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me!
Jesus answered and said to her: Martha! Martha! You are worried and troubled about many things. One thing is
needed. Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.
... As He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him: Blessed is the Womb that
bore Thee, and the Breasts that nursed Thee!
He replied: More than that: Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep It!
St Martha and St Mary of Bethany were the sisters of St Lazaros whom our Lord Jesus Christ had raised from the dead.
St Martha was preoccupied and worried about all her household duties while providing hospitality to our Lord Jesus
and his entourage of Disciples and Apostles.
HER TEMPORARY, WORLDLY CARES CONCERNED HER MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE at the time so, resenting HER SISTER who SAT AT THE
FEET OF OUR LORD TO HEAR HIS TEACHINGS, she appealed to Him to make her get up and help her.
However - instead of supporting her immediate needs - our Lord Jesus pointed out that while she was so concerned
about all her current duties, HER SISTER HAD PREFERRED TO SPEND THE PRECIOUS TIME LISTENING TO CHRISTS TEACHINGS.
THE ONE THING ... NEEDED WAS FOR HER TO PAY ATTENTION TO HIS DIVINE TEACHING to really
was a serious priority that certainly did not exclude serving Him.
Later, when a woman called out to our Lord Jesus from the crowd, OUR LORD POINTED OUT TO HER THAT GODS BLESSINGS
FALL UPON ALL THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND OBEY HIM.
Family or social connections have nothing to do with our Obedience to God and the Ever Blessed Theotokos was
especially complimented by Her Son because SHE NOT ONLY PAID CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD BUT SHE
ALSO FAITHFULLY OBEYED ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS AND LIVED HER ENTIRE LIFE ACCORDINGLY.
IT IS THAT PROFOUND VIRTUE OF HUMBLE AND ATTENTIVE OBEDIENCE TO GOD OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS ALONE EVEN MORE
THAN HAVING BORNE THE INCARNATE GOD THAT MAKES HER OUR MOST SHINING EXAMPLE OF TRUE SAINTHOOD AND THEOSIS
SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.
ENTRANCE INTO THE TEMPLE BY THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THEOTOKOS
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
She blissfully entered the Holy of Holies, where She
Holy Spirit...
surpassed in Holiness the Holiness of all the Angelic
Beloved Brethren: The Entrance into the Temple of the
Hosts.
Blessed Ever Virgin Mary and Theotokos is one of the
She elatedly entered the Holy of Holies, like a golden
most important Events in the History of Salvation,
Censer, for She would Conceive within Her Holy Womb
which our world-wide Eastern Orthodox Church
the Fire of Deity.
celebrates today, together with all the Heavenly Hosts.
She entered the Holy of Holies, like the golden Jar that
All Creation rejoices while the Faithful Orthodox
contained the Heavenly Manna, the Heavenly Bread,
Christians gather together to honour with heartfelt
the God-Man, Jesus Christ.
piety, respect and Love the All Praised, Holy, Ever
She entered the Holy of Holies and She nurtured the
Virgin Mother of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Creator and Provider of all Creation, visible and
the Eternal Word and Son of God.
invisible.
We venerate the Holy Icon of the Ever Blessed Theotokos,
The Ever Virgin Mary became the All Pure and Holy
and with humble, broken heart, all who suffer,
Mother of the Incarnate, Eternal Son and Word of God.
address their Prayers to Her, expressing their needs
Since centuries before, the Holy Prophets of God had
and beseeching Her Holy Protection and Intercessory
spoken of Her Sacred Personality and most worthy
Prayers for our Deliverance and Salvation.
Attributes:
All True Faithful Disciples of Christ honour, respect and
St Moses, the ancient Patriarch, foresaw Her on
Bless Her as the All Pure Mother of Christ, our Lord and
Mount Sinai as the Burning Bush that remained
Saviour, and as our Most Perfect Example of absolute
Unconsumed.
Love, Humility and Obedience to God, whom we
St Jacob, another ancient Patriarch, foresaw Her
should all strive to imitate.
as the Ladder that connected Heaven and
We sing Hymns that Honour and Praise Her Holy Virtues,
Earth.
and all generations Glorify Her throughout the ages
St Daniel, a Holy Prophet of God, foresaw Her as a
in Heaven and on Earth.
Holy Mountain.
Our Beloved Lady, Theotokos, is the Source of our
Today we celebrate our Lady, Theotokos Entrance into
Sanctification and Salvation, for She willingly, humbly
the most Holy Places of the Temple of God in
and obediently gave Birth to the Incarnate, Eternal
Jerusalem.
Son and Word of God.
Today we celebrate and honour Her as the Most Splendid
Her Entrance into the Holy Temple of Jerusalem was the
Living Temple and Holy of Holies of our Lord and
initial Preparation of our Eternal Salvation.
Saviour, Jesus Christ, Son of God.
The sweet three year old Child of St Joachim and St Anna
Today we celebrate how She departed from the fallen
joyfully entered the Great Holy Temple of God, and,
world and entered into the Heavenly Kingdom of God
leaving Her devoted parents, she ran delightedly up
as a three year old infant whose heart and soul was
the steps, into the Holy of Holies where only the High
filled with utter Love and Devotion for Almighty God.
Priest was allowed to enter, and then, only once a
Today we celebrate together as Angelic Hosts and
year.
mankind accompany Her to the Holy Temple of God
St Zacharias, the Holy Prophet and High Priest of God,
where She is presented as our Heavenly Queen,
who would become the father of St John the
adorned and vested with the Priceless Treasures of all
Forerunner and Baptist, welcomed Her and many
the Holy Virtues.
other young Virgins who had been dedicated to God
Throughout our human history, many important women
by their pious parents.
have passed into the abyss of forgetfulness. Many
The infant, Holy Virgin Mary, who was the future Mother
great and powerful Queens have vanished from the
of God, entered the Holy of Holies, for She herself was memory of mankind.
by the Will and Grace of Almighty God - the Living Ark
However, the All Blessed, Holy and Ever Virgin Mary - our
and Temple of God the Living Holy of Holies!
Most Beloved, All Pure, Honourable and Glorious
At that time the Temple was being refurbished and
Lady, Theotokos will remain Ever Present to all
restored, and She spent many hours in the Sacred
Faithful Disciples of Christ until and beyond the Ages
Place embroidering, weaving and stitching beautiful
of ages.
Liturgical
Vestments
and
adornments,
while
Forever will our Ever Blessed Holy Mother of God guide,
contemplating the Lord our God and being nourished
comfort and Save through Her Love and Intercessory
by Archangel Gabriel with Heavenly Food.
Prayers all those who turn to Her with Faith and
Devotion.
THE ENTRY
INTO THE
TEMPLE
OF THE
27
ALL OUR
STRENGTH,
WE SERVE OUR
SELFISHNESS!
http://www.orthodoxpath.org/
- ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS
We have many powers within ourselves, yet with them we serve our selfishness.
When we indulge our selfishness, it arouses and affects our soul, which weakens and loses its control over our flesh, but
when we ignore, reject or avoid our selfish desires and demands of the flesh, we strengthen our soul and become
able to keep Vigils, pray, do our Prostrations and fulfil Fasts, Repent, Confess, etc.
Selfishness causes us to become weak and Spiritually Empty and undisciplined.
This is clearly evident with those who are sick or suffer from psychological ailments, while those who are active - in
their community, in their lifestyle, at home or at work, with family and friends, fulfilling all their Sacred
Commitments to God and others - enjoy a healthy Spiritual State.
However, when we are self-indulgent we soon neglect our Life in Christ, and are seized by a variety of symptoms of
spiritual or even physical sickness, and will lack Spiritual Strength and Commitment.
We will think that we have suffered a contagious infection or disease, but in Truth we are sapped both physically and
spiritually by self-indulgent passions that draw us away from God, into a state of Spiritual Death.
We lose all our desire to serve God, and become overwhelmed by an increasing sense of hopelessness and laziness.
We need to gather ourselves for a great Spiritual Battle in order to humble ourselves and acknowledge our Spiritual
Ailments, which is only possible with a Spiritual Father or Teacher to guide us, for we cannot accomplish any
Spiritual Warfare on our own!
If we are under the Obedience of our Spiritual Father or Teacher, we will be able to be delivered from our pride and
self indulgence that causes us great harm and Spiritual Infirmity, and Live in Christ as we should.
28.
ENTRANCE
INTO THE
TEMPLE
OF THE
25 November 2016
Apodosis of the Entry into the Temple
St Catherine , Great Holy Virgin Martyr of Alexandria
Also the Feast of St Mercury the Great Holy Martyr - St Clement of Rome St Peter of Alexandria
St Peter of Galatia St Clement of Ochrid & Enlightener of the Bulgarians
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ENTRANCE
Simeron
THE
ALEXANDRIA
OF THE
OF
The
TONE 4
Tin
SEASONAL KONTAKION
VIRGIN MARY
Today
OF
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
OF THE
GALATIANS 3 : 23 4 : 5
Brethren: before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law kept for the Faith, which would afterward be
revealed.
Therefore, the Law was our Tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be Justified by Faith. After Faith has come, we are
no longer under a Tutor. You are all Sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were Baptised
into Christ, have put on Christ.
There is neither Judean nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female. You are all one in
Christ Jesus. If you are Christs then you are Abrahams Seed, and Heirs according to the Promise. I say that the Heir
as long as he is a child does not differ at all from a slave, although he is Master of all, but is under Guardians
and Stewards until the appointed time appointed by the Father.
Even so, we when we were children were in bondage under the elements of the world. When the fullness of time
had come, God sent forth His Son - Born of a Woman, Born under the Law to Redeem those who were under the
Law, that we might receive Adoption as Sons.
The term Faith IN should be translated as Faith OF.
Therefore, VALUING, RATING OR JUDGING OTHERS based on
Two Faith are co-operating:
Ethnicity or personal opinion (neither Judean nor
1. Christs Faith
Greek), pride and social status (neither slave nor free)
2. The Faith of those who believe
or gender (neither male nor female) HAS EMPHATICALLY
Although THE BELIEVERS OF THE OLD COVENANT certainly had
NO PLACE IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST!
Faith, they COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN CHRISTS FAITH the
WE ARE ALL ONE IN OUR HUMAN NATURE AND WE ARE ALL EQUAL
New Covenant for He had not Appeared in their
IN DIGNITY.
midst as He did much later.
The term child does not refer to biological age but to
St Paul directly related SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED by
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AND HIS HOLY THINGS.
connecting them as THE MOST INTIMATE, INTER-TWINED
Guardians and Stewards i.e. OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS
SACRED ASPECTS.
BISHOPS, PRIESTS, CONFESSORS AND TEACHERS provide us
Verse 27: For as many of you as were Baptised, have
with the special Discipline, Guidance and Protection
put on Christ, is THE ANCIENT HYMN that has always
that is necessary for our Spiritual Growth and Welfare.
been CHANTED DURING THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM at
The Elements of the world refer to THE PHILOSOPHIES,
the Procession of the Newly Regenerated/Illumined
CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS DEVELOPED BY MANKIND WITHOUT
into the Assembly i.e. the one who is Newly Baptised,
REGARD TO ALMIGHTY GOD. (COLOSSIANS2:8)
Chrismated, Illuminated and Regenerated enters the
Son is a reference to OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD WHO IS
Congregation of the Holy Church in a joyful
DIVINE BY NATURE, BEING THE ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
Procession, with the Priest leading the Way.
OF GOD THE FATHER.
THE APODOSIS
OF THE
ENTRY - ST CATHERINE
THE
However, NOT ONLY IS OUR LORD THE SON OF GOD, (HIS DIVINE
NATURE) BUT HE IS ALSO THE SON OF MAN, FOR HE BECAME
INCARNATE (HIS HUMAN NATURE) through the flesh, bone
GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR
OF
29
(Many parents must have prayed for a very long time, promising the
dedication of their longed-for children to Almighty God in
Thanksgiving, because infertility was seen as a silent
condemnation or punishment for secret sins and the unhappy
couples were often ostracised by society and even the Priests!)
God Redeemed ... those who were under the Law... to
fulfil HIS DIVINE PROMISE TO THE ANCIENT PATRIARCH,
ABRAHAM.
Nevertheless, GOD OWES MANKIND NOTHING AT ALL and He
certainly does not owe us Eternal Salvation!
Everything that our Benevolent, Providential and Merciful
Lord God grants us is due to His infinite Love for us.
Although our Lord is the Son of God by His Divine Nature,
we human beings become Sons of God by Adoption
which occurs DURING THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM.
TO
ST MARK 5 : 24 34
WITH
CHRIST
At that time, many people followed our Lord Jesus, and thronged Him. And a certain Woman had a flow of blood for
twelve years, and had suffered many things from many Physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no
better, but rather grew worse.
Hearing about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. She said: If only I may touch His
clothes, I shall be made well. And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt it in her body,
for she was Healed of the affliction.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said:
Who touched My clothes? And His Disciples said to Him: Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and Thou say:
Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
The Woman, fearing and trembling -knowing what had happened to her - went and fell down before Him and told
Him the whole Truth. And He said to her: Daughter, Thy Faith has made Thee well. Go in Peace, and be Healed
of Thine affliction.
AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD Although on His way to save the daughter of Jairus a
ruler of the Synagogue OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS
ALONE AND BEING OF THE SAME DIVINE ESSENCE AS GOD
TIME
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH
THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES THAT
BOTH HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE
SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY.
TRUTH:
THE HEALING OF THAT WOMAN, ST VERONICA, DEMONSTRATED First He granted her Good cheer because of THE PROOF
OUR LORD JESUS POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM OUR SINS
AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
AND TO HEAL ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS THE SPIRITUAL AND
Then He corrected her thinking for SHE COULD NEITHER HIDE
THE PHYSICAL.
HER ACTIONS FROM HIM FROM GOD NOR WAS SHE
According to the Old Covenant Laws, any type of
EXCLUDED FROM HIM BECAUSE OF HER AFFLICTION.
haemorrhaging caused ceremonial defilement,
And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
which imposed religious and social restrictions upon
WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
the sufferers for ANY CONTACT WITH BLOOD WAS STRICTLY
Our Holy Church Fathers believed that St Veronica
PROHIBITED AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.
symbolises human nature in general because ALL
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as
HUMANITY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH,
being unclean and had followed all the
WHICH WAS SYMBOLISED BY HER HAEMORRHAGING.
requirements as a social outcast but SHE HAD REACHED
The Physicians who could not heal her symbolise the
SUCH A DEGREE OF MISERY AND DESPERATION THAT SHE RISKED
various religions of the world, AS WELL AS THE OLD
FURTHER SHAME AND HUMILIATION IN THE CONVICTION THAT
COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
ONLY CHRIST COULD HEAL HER.
HUMANITY THEY CANNOT SAVE US
It was a risk that she was willing to take after all what
ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US! ONLY THROUGH OUR
more could she lose? People had already taken
LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE GENUINELY
everything she had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER
FREED FROM SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
WHAT SHE REALLY NEEDED!
DIVINE
30.
THE APODOSIS
OF THE
ENTRY - ST CATHERINE
THE
ST SERAPHIM
OF
SAROV:
OF
VITOVNICA:
OF
Angelike
OF
PERSIA - TONE 4
THE
NATIVITY
OF
CHRIST
TONE
I Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo erhete, On this day the Virgin goes to the Grotto to give Birth to
apotekin aporritos. Horeve i ikoumeni akoutisthisa,
Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voulithenta
epofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon.
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
EPHESIANS 2 : 4 - 10
Brethren: God, Who is rich in Mercy, out of the Great Love with which He Loves us, even when we were dead through
our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by Grace Thou hast been Saved - and Raised us up with Him,
and made us sit with Him in the Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, that in the Coming Ages He might show the
Immeasurable Riches of His Grace in Kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by Grace Thou hast been Saved through Faith; and this is not Thine own doing - the Gift of God - not because of
Works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for Good Works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
TWO UNEQUAL KINGDOMS ARE AT WAR.
He is GOD THE FATHER WHOSE HOLY REALM IS THE HEAVENLY
Each is spiritual in nature and each stamps its image on
PLACES, WHICH HE RULES BY HIS GREAT MERCY AND INFINITE
LOVE.
its subjects and requires strict obedience.
Yet THEY ARE COMPLETE OPPOSITES.
The beginning of Gods Holy Rule is our Redemption to
The ruler of the lesser kingdom is a CREATED being
Eternal Life and the desires of HIS FAITHFUL, PIOUS AND
Satan, whose domain is of the air for he belongs
DEVOUT
PEOPLE
ARE
FREELY,
JOYOUSLY
OFFERING
neither to Heaven not to Earth (having been expelled
THANKSGIVING AND GLORY TO GOD.
and banished from the Heavenly Kingdom of Love,
Their deeds are Righteous, which is proper to those who
Peace and Joy in God).
will reign with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He is the inventor of disobedience and Spiritual Rebellion
The result of His Divine, Loving and Blessed Rule is
against God i.e. sin, which leads to suffering,
Exceeding Riches and Kindness, which grants us
torment and Death.
the PEACE, JOY AND BLISS OF ETERNAL LIFE IN HIS HEAVENLY
The beginning of his domination is Spiritual Death - each
KINGDOM OF LOVE AND ALL GOOD THINGS.
The only manner whereby we can escape from our fallen
sin we commit causes us to fall into a state of Spiritual
Death. The desires of his enslaved subjects are lustful
state and the enslaving imprisonment of the evil one
of the weakness of the flesh and of the mind, which
is by our sincere Repentance and an eagerness to be
are wicked trespasses against God and our
with God Who has given us everything essential to our
neighbours.
Spiritual Redemption: the Unity of Divine Grace, Faith
The ultimate result of the evil ones domination and
and Good Works compelled by Love i.e.
enslavement is Wrath and Eternal Condemnation that
unconditional, Holy Love (Agape).
causes our Eternal Alienation from God and all His
These conditions of our Redemption are not equal, for
Blessed Goodness.
DIVINE GRACE IS UNCREATED AND INFINITE, while OUR FAITH
THE GLORIOUS, LOVING AND BENEVOLENT KING OF THE OTHER,
IS LIMITED BUT WHICH CAN GROW EVER STRONGER THROUGH
ETERNAL, HEAVENLY KINGDOM IS UNCREATED.
THE CORRECT SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE AND NURTURING.
OF
ST LUKE GAINING
OF
2016
31.
At that time, a certain man asked our Lord Jesus, saying: Good Teacher: what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life?
Jesus said to him: Why dost thou call Me Good? No one is Good except God. Thou knowest the Commandments:
Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; Honour thy Father and thy
Mother... He said: All these I have kept from my youth.
Hearing these things, Jesus said to him: Thou still lack one thing: sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor,
and thou will have Treasure in Heaven, and come, follow Me. When he heard that, he became very sorrowful being very rich.
Seeing how sorrowful he was, Jesus said: How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!
For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.
Those who heard, said: So who can be Saved? He said: Things that are impossible for mankind are possible for
God.
THE UNIDENTIFIED RICH YOUNG RULER DID NOT APPROACH OUR
prevented him from fulfilling his essential Spiritual
LORD JESUS IN ORDER TO TEST HIM as so many other
Potential and might even have caused him to neglect
educated men tried to do in order to show how clever
his Sacred Duties to God and his fellow mankind.
they thought they were or to lure Him into committing
BY RIDDING HIMSELF OF HIS WORLDLY POSSESSIONS HE WOULD HAVE
BEEN SET FREE FROM THEIR ENSLAVING BURDEN AND
something blasphemous with which they could
justifiably accuse Him and thus destroy Him.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND HE WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED THE
HE SINCERELY SOUGHT OUR LORDS ENLIGHTENMENT CONCERNING
TRUE JOY OF GIVING GENEROUSLY AND FREELY TO OTHERS LESS
ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE HE REGARDED HIM AS BEING A VERY
BLESSED.
GOOD TEACHER, WHO POSSESSED PROFOUND WISDOM AND
St John Chrysostom believed that the giving away of the
SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE not because he acknowledged
Young Rulers vast earthly possessions was the least of
our Lords Instructions because THE ABILITY AND THE
Him as the long-awaited Messiah.
OUR LORD JESUS IS OUR MOST SUPREME TEACHER WHO
WILLINGNESS TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN ALL THINGS IS A FAR
GREATER AND MORE DIFFICULT CALLING.
IMMEDIATELY CORRECTS OUR ERRORS AND SETS US ON THE
RIGHT PATH TO SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE.
OUR LORD OFTEN USED EXTREME EXAMPLES IN ORDER TO EMPHASISE
So, knowing how the young man perceived Him as
A SPECIFIC POINT OF HIS SACRED LESSONS.
merely another ordinary human being who was a
Various interpretations have been suggested for THE
wise and erudite Teacher of Divine Things and
IMPOSSIBILITY OF A CAMEL PASSING THROUGH THE EYE OF A
before answering the Young Rulers question, our Lord
NEEDLE.
Jesus pointed out the Truth that NO HUMAN BEING IS
Some believe that instead of a camel passing
through the eye of a fine sewing needle, it was the
PERFECT AND ABSOLUTELY GOOD - ONLY GOD IS.
impossibility of a thick rope being threaded
This initial response to the Young Rulers question did not
deny the fact that Christ is indeed God Himself and
through the eye of a needle.
therefore certainly Good, but was specifically to lead
The Talmud used the word elephant instead of
him to this Knowledge and Truth.
camel. another gross exaggeration to
emphasise a significant point.
FORMAL OBSERVANCE OF THE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS OR
Others regarded it as reference to heavily laden
OTHER SPIRITUALLY EMPTY GESTURES DO NOT MAKE ANY OF
camels or beasts of burden that had to be
US RIGHTEOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
unloaded and then squeezed through the small
Although the Young Man had an earnest and sincere
pedestrian gate that was usually set into the great,
desire for Eternal Life, HE REALISED THAT HE LACKED
protective doors of the ancient cities.
SOMETHING ESSENTIAL BESIDES HAVING FAITHFULLY KEPT ALL
This
explanation
reminds us that UNLESS WE UNBURDEN
THE HOLY COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, so he persisted in his
OURSELVES OF OUR EARTHLY GOODS AND CHATTELS, WE CANNOT
search for Spiritual Enlightenment.
ENTER THE NARROW GATE OF GODS ETERNAL KINGDOM!
In order for anyone TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY PERFECT to
Whatever the case might have been simple or more
achieve Theosis or to regain our lost Divine
obscure IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE WHO IS MORE
Likeness - WE MUST BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE ANYTHING
AND EVERYTHING IN ORDER TO FAITHFULLY AND CORRECTLY
FOLLOW CHRIST TO GO WHEREVER HE LEADS US.
NOTHING TRULY WORTHY IS GAINED UNLESS WE OFFER OUR
SACRIFICES FREELY AND EAGERLY.
ONCE WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUE PURPOSE OF THIS
SHORT LIFESPAN - the preparatory period before
Eternity - and the significance of Eternity, WE WILL
CERTAINLY BE MOTIVATED TO FULFIL EVERYTHING THAT IS
REQUIRED OF US WITHOUT COMPLAINT AND WITH
CONFIDENT COMMITMENT.
OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TOWARDS ETERNITY IS NOT A SOLO TRIP,
HIM.
HE KNOWS OUR HEARTS AND MINDS FAR BETTER THAN US and He
knew that THE YOUNG RULER WAS FAR TOO ATTACHED TO AND
CONCERNED WITH HIS MATERIAL POSSESSIONS, which
32.
OF
ST LUKE GAINING
OF
2016
OF
OF
ST LUKE GAINING
OF
2016
33.
THE
34.
OF
AND
MOTHERS
ST LUKE GAINING
OF
2016
30 November 2016
St Andrew First Called Apostle of Christ
Also the Feast of St Frumentios, Archbishop of Abyssinia, Ethiopia St Vakhtang Gorgasali,
King of Georgia St Samuel of Georgia St Peter of Georgia
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ST ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED APOSTLE TONE
Today
TO
HOLY SERVICE
OF THE
TO
ST MATTHEW 4 : 18 23
TWELVE APOSTLES
OF
CHRIST
OUR
GOD
At that time, our Lord Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when He saw two brothers Simon, called Peter, and
Andrew, his brother casting a net into the sea - they were Fishermen. And He said to them: Follow Me, and I
shall make you Fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
And going on from there, He saw two other brothers James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother in the boat
with Zebedee, their father, mending their nets. And He Called them. Immediately they left the boat and their
Father, and followed Him.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, Teaching in their Synagogues, Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and Healing all
kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
PROKEIMENON PSALM 18 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
His Proclamation went forth into all the earth, and His Words to the ends of the world.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
FIRST EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
CORINTHIANS 4 : 9 16
Brethren, God has set forth us, the Apostles, last, as it were appointed to Death, for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to Angels, and to men. We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you
are strong; you are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and
are naked, and are buffeted, and have no dwelling-place. And we labour, working with our own hands. Being
reviled, we Bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we Entreat. We are made as the filth of the world the offscourings of all things unto this day.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my Beloved Children, I warn you. Although you have ten thousand
instructors in Christ, yet have you not many Fathers. In Christ Jesus through the Gospel I have begotten you. I
beseech you, therefore - be imitators of me.
Irony and sarcasm are bitter medicine, which St Paul
They endured all their humiliation and suffering for the
used on this occasion with full force.
Pure Joy of serving our Lord and Saviour thereby
The three parallel statements: ... we are fools... weak...
reconciling the fallen world to God.
dishonoured... were heaped upon each other in a
St Paul soothed the pain of his rebuke by reminding the
stinging series.
Faithful of his Spiritual Fatherhood to them.
The relative comfort of the Corinthians Christian
The Holy Church of Christ is similar to any other family
Community was contrasted with the persecuted,
with maturing children who need parental guidance.
poverty-stricken and uncertain lifestyle of the Holy
As Struggling Disciples of Christ, we who are the maturing
Apostles of Christ.
children, need our Spiritual Fathers to teach and
They endured all kinds and degrees of humiliation
guide us.
being treated as filth and even like the off-scourings
St Paul urged us as Faithful Disciples of Christ to imitate
yet, instead of retaliating in a similar fashion
him just as he ceaselessly strove to imitate our Lord
striking back in a similar manner at their persecutors
Jesus Christ.
the Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples of Christ
responded with unconditional, Divine Love Agape!
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
THE
FORMER
DISCIPLES
OF
ST JOHN
THE
TO
ST JOHN 1 : 35 - 52
BAPTIST FOLLOWED
OUR
At that time, John stood with two of his Disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said: Behold! The Lamb of
God! And having heard him speak, the two Disciples followed Jesus.
Jesus turned, and seeing them following Him, said to them: What do you seek? They said to Him: Rabbi: (which is to
say, when translated: Teacher,) ... where art Thou staying? He said to them: Come and see.
They went and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day. (It was about the tenth hour.) Andrew, the
brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard John speak, and had followed Him.
ST ANDREW
THE
OF
JESUS CHRIST
OUR
LORD
30 NOVEMBER 2016
35
Finding first his own brother, Simon, he said to him: We have found the Messiah! (which is translated: the Christ.) And
he took him to Jesus. Looking at him, Jesus said: Thou art Simon the son of Jonah. Thou shalt be called
Cephas, (which is translated: Rock.)
The following day, Jesus wanted to go to Galilee. And He found Philip, and said to him: Follow Me.
Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him: We have found Him
of Whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote: Jesus, the son of Joseph of Nazareth! And Nathanael
said to him: Can anything Good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him: Come and see!
Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards Him, and said of him: Behold! Truly an Israelite - in whom there is no deceit!
Nathanael said to Him: How dost Thou know me? Answering Jesus said to him: Before you were called by Philip while under the fig tree, I beheld thee. Nathanael answered, and said to Him: Rabbi! Thou art the Son of God!
Thou art the King of Israel! Jesus replied, and said to him: Because I said to thee; I beheld thee under the fig
tree, dost thou believe? Thou shalt see greater Things than these!
And He said to him: Truly, truly, I say to thee: hereafter thou shalt see Heaven open, and the Angels of God
ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
OUR LORDS FIRST DISCIPLES HAD BEEN FOLLOWERS OR DISCIPLES
The awesome title Son of Man is that of THE LONGOF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.
AWAITED MESSIAH, WHICH HAD A LEVEL OF MYSTERY in its
They were ST ANDREW, ST (SIMON) PETER who was also
meaning, INDICATING SOMEONE OF HEAVENLY ORIGIN
known as Cephas, (Petros or Rock), ST PHILIP AND ST
WHO WOULD USHER IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD:
NATHANAEL, who was also known as ST
DANIEL 7 : 24 25: ... One like the Son of Man was
BARTHOLOMEW and an unnamed Disciple whom our
coming with the Clouds of Heaven, until He
Holy Fathers believe was ST JOHN, the author of this
came to the Ancient of Days and approached
Him.
Then Dominion, Honour, and the
Holy Gospel who always referred obliquely to
Kingdom were given to Him, and all peoples,
himself, such as The Disciple whom Jesus Loved.
It was a common literary device for writers not to use
Tribes, and languages served Him.
His
their own names.
Authority is an Everlasting Authority, which
When our Lord referred to ST NATHANAEL as having no
shall not pass away, and His Kingdom shall not
deceit He meant that his HEART AND SOUL WERE PURE
be destroyed.
In an Old Testament Prophecy, Jacob, the ancient
and that HE WAS ALWAYS STRAIGHTFORWARD, TRUTHFUL
Patriarch, dreamt of A LADDER CONNECTING HEAVEN AND
AND HONEST - HAVING NO NEED OR DESIRE TO DECEIVE
OTHERS.
EARTH, UPON WHICH THE ANGELS OF GOD WERE ASCENDING
Whatever occurred while St Nathanael was UNDER THE
AND DESCENDING. (GENESIS 28: 12 15)
FIG TREE is not stated.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THIS DIVINE LADDER WHO UNITES
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM BELIEVED that it WAS THE USUAL MEETING
AND CONNECTS US TO HEAVEN WHO MAKES OUR
PLACE OF ST PHILIP AND ST NATHANAEL, and that OUR
ASCENSION TO HEAVEN POSSIBLE AND WHO IS THEREFORE,
LORD WAS PRAISING ST NATHANAEL FOR BEING DILIGENT AND
THE SON OF MAN, AS WELL AS THE INCARNATE ETERNAL,
ONLY BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON OF GOD.
CAREFUL IN THEIR SEARCH FOR THE DIVINE MESSIAH.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS FOREKNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO SEE
INTO EVERYONES HEART AND SOUL OBVIOUSLY STIRRED ST
NATHANAELS SPONTANEOUS CONFESSION OF FAITH.
WHY
36.
ST ANDREW
THE
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OF