1 April 2018
Holy Week Books are essential for this week
13 April 2018
Bright Friday
10. 2ND SUNDAY OF PASCHA – ANTIPASCHA – BELIEF OF ST THOMAS –15 APRIL 2018
✶✶ It is significant that our Lord “...breathed upon INTO THE MOUND OF EARTH WITH WHICH HE FORMED
them...” in order to bestow the Divine Authority, ADAM, OUR ORIGINAL FOREFATHER.
Power and Energy of the Holy Trinity for OUR ✶✶ THROUGH THIS DIRECT DIVINE CONSECRATION AND THROUGH
CREATOR BREATHES LIFE INTO EACH CONCEPTION OF THE CONTINUITY OF THE UNBROKEN APOSTOLIC
MANKIND just as HE HAD ORIGINALLY BREATHED LIFE SUCCESSION, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S OWN ETERNAL
PRIESTHOOD IS COMMUNICATED TO THE ORDAINED
BISHOPS AND PRESBYTERS OF HIS HOLY CHURCH.
SECOND SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – ANTIPASCHA – THE BELIEF OF ST THOMAS
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Having heard that Christ had Resurrected a four-day-old
Holy Spirit... already decomposing corpse and, indisputably
Dearly Beloved, THROUGHOUT BRIGHT WEEK WE LIVED IN THE having no more acceptable nor reasonable doubts
PASCHAL JOY OF OUR RISEN SAVIOUR - and our Joy, just like about our Merciful Saviour’s True Divinity, the Elders of
that of His Holy Apostles, was mixed with confusion, for the Hebrew Nation decided “…to kill Lazaros as well.”
not long ago, we remembered the Death of Him Who (JOHN 12:10)
is the Source of Life, yet now we Rejoice, having been Finally, AFTER BEING FACED WITH THE INDISPUTABLE TRUTH OF
raised to Life by Him Who had been laid in His Tomb. CHRIST’S MIRACULOUS RESURRECTION WHEN THEY HEARD THE
Just like His Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples during EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS of the terrified guards who had
those first days after our Lord’s Resurrection, WE VIVIDLY fallen on the ground trembling when the huge rock
REMEMBERED THE PASSION OF CHRIST ACCORDING TO THE 12 had suddenly rolled aside and they found themselves
GOSPEL READINGS - our Lord’s terrible scourging, in the presence of a shining Angel of God who
crucifixion and Death, the taking down of His revealed the Empty Tomb, THE JEWISH ELDERS HAD
Precious Body from the Cross, our Lamentation BRIBED THE SOLDIERS TO REMAIN SILENT.
Hymns at His Funeral Procession and Burial, followed THEY THEN LIED OUTRIGHT TO THE PEOPLE BY CLAIMING THAT THE
by the anticipation of the Glorious Miracle of DISCIPLES HAD REMOVED OUR LORD’S BODY FROM THE TOMB
Resurrection. AND HIDDEN IT SOMEWHERE, WHICH DEEPENED THEIR
From the very early hours of the morning on the day of BLASPHEMY AND ENSURED THEIR ETERNAL
our Lord’s Resurrection, THE GOOD TIDINGS WERE CARRIED CONDEMNATION! ( M A T T H E W 2 8 : 4 & 1 1 - 1 4 ) ,
THROUGHOUT CREATION. CONTEMPORARY SCRIBES AND PHARISEES ALSO WORSEN THEIR
DESPITE THE HEAVENLY ANGELS, THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS AND BLASPHEMIES AND HERESIES even when having
THE PAID GUARDS OF THE SANHEDRIN ALREADY KNOWING THAT Encountered our Living Lord Jesus Christ yet
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAD TRULY BEEN RESURRECTED, REMAINING UNCONVINCED EVEN BY THE MOST OBVIOUS OF
which was proved when the heavy stone sealing the DIVINE MIRACLES AND TRUTH.
entrance had rolled aside to reveal the Empty Tomb St Thomas was, therefore, definitely not like them at all,
with only the abandoned burial clothes, and the for he proved it by his SINCERE FAITHFULNESS AND
neatly folded Facecloth, THE HOLY APOSTLES REMAINED SACRIFICIAL LOVE FOR OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
GATHERED TOGETHER BEHIND LOCKED DOORS IN FEAR OF THE After accompanying our Divine Redeemer for three years,
JEWISH AND ROMAN AUTHORITIES. ST THOMAS AND ALL THE OTHER DISCIPLES UNDERSTOOD VERY
THEIR UNCERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WERE NOT AT ALL SURPRISING WELL THE DANGERS THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FACED from
NOR UNEXPECTED, FOR THEY WERE WITNESS TO THE GREATEST the Spiritually Blind, self-righteous Scribes and
MIRACLE IN THE HISTORY OF CREATION – mankind had Pharisees, SO WHEN OUR LORD ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS
killed God, and then He had Resurrected from the GOING TO JERUSALEM, HIS APOSTLES TRIED TO DISSUADE HIM
dead and Saved our perishing human race from the from doing so by reminding Him of the threats against
Claws of Hell! Him. ( J O H N 1 1 : 8 )
AFTER OUR LORD’S ARREST, HIS DISCIPLES HAD FORGOTTEN ALL OF HOWEVER, IT WAS ST THOMAS WHO DECLARED: “Let us also go,
HIS PROPHESIES AND REVELATIONS concerning the things that we may die with Him” ( J O H N 1 1 : 1 6 )
that had occurred and which were about to take We would never have heard such courageous words
place. from a ‘doubter’!
Although the Holy Myrrhbearers had told them what had AFTER THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, ST THOMAS WENT TO PREACH
occurred at the Tomb, and what the Angel of the Lord THE GOSPEL IN ONE OF THE FURTHEST AND MOST DIFFICULT TO
had said, THEY STILL COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT CHRIST IS REACH PLACES OF THE ANCIENT WORLD—INDIA, WHERE HE WAS
RISEN! EVENTUALLY MARTYRED.
EVEN WHEN CHRIST HIMSELF APPEARED IN THEIR MIDST, despite On that day, a week after the Resurrection, when our
the locked doors, THEY HESITATED to trust their own Lord Jesus Christ Appeared once again in the midst of
heart, which burnt and trembled with utter Joy in the His Disciples, St Thomas was present.
Presence of God. But WHEN OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR INVITED HIM TO TOUCH HIS
THIS INCREDULITY - OUR HUMAN WEAKNESS, WHICH IS INCAPABLE OF WOUNDS as St Thomas had said he would need to do to
ENCOMPASSING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE MIRACLE that had prove He was indeed our Risen Lord, ST THOMAS WHO SO
happened - was expressed by St Thomas who has SELFLESSLY LOVED HIS TEACHER, IMPULSIVELY CONFESSED HIS
stated: “Unless I see the nail marks in His Hands and FAITH IN HIM BY JOYFULLY EXCLAIMING: “My Lord and my
put my finger where the nails were, and put my God!”
hand into His Side, I will not believe!” ( J O H N 2 0 : 2 5 ) Our Lord had nicknamed St Thomas “the Twin” “Didymos”
We should not refer to St Thomas as being “doubting,” for because, being “double-minded,” HE ALWAYS LIKED TO
we must CONSIDER THE DEPTH HIS FAITH. CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK FACTS BEFORE ACCEPTING THEM
St Thomas was certainly not like the mocking Judeans AND CONFIRMING THEM AS TRUTH.
and others who had yelled at our Crucified Saviour: Consequently, to such a person as St Thomas, God
“Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will comes! THIS IS THE KIND OF PERSON WHO FULLY UNDERSTANDS
believe in Him!.” ( M A T T H E W 2 7 : 4 2 ) DIVINE TRUTH!
Nor is St Thomas in any manner similar to those scoffers IN HIS DESIRE TO SAVE MANKIND, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
who dared to say: “If there is God, let Him show SUFFERED EVERY DEGREE OF TEMPTATION, HUMILIATION,
Himself to us, and we will believe in Him and live DEGRADATION AND TORTURE – being slapped and beaten,
happily ever after!” being mocked and brutally scourged, being stripped
THE ANCIENT SCRIBES AND PHARISEES KNEW ABOUT OUR LORD naked in public, tortured and slowly suffocated to
JESUS CHRIST’S MIRACLES AND AT LEAST SOME OF THEM MUST death by crucifixion!
HAVE REALIZED EXACTLY WHO “JESUS OF GALILEE” TRULY IS! HE WAS ALSO PREPARED TO ENDURE ST THOMAS POKING AT HIS
YET EVERY TIME THEY WERE CONFRONTED BY THE DIVINE, THEY WOUNDS WITH HIS FINGERS, IF NECESSARY, after His Glorious
BECAME EVEN MORE ROOTED IN THEIR BLASPHEMY! Resurrection, BUT INSTEAD ST THOMAS HAD SO JOYFULLY
Having heard that our Lord Jesus had Healed a man CONFESSED HIS UNWAVERING FAITH!
who had been born blind – born without eyes! - IF OUR GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL LORD IS AWAITED, HE WILL
instead of Praising and Glorifying the Great Mercy of APPEAR IN OUR MIDST as He did with the hidden,
God, they spewed curses, blasphemy and false frightened Disciples so long ago, BUT WHAT WILL HE HEAR
accusations against the Son of God: “This Man is a WHEN WE ENCOUNTER HIS DIVINE PRESENCE?
sinner! … steeped in sin at birth!” ( J O H N 9 : 2 4 & 3 4 )
2ND SUNDAY OF PASCHA – ANTIPASCHA – BELIEF OF ST THOMAS –15 APRIL 2018 11.
WILL HE HEAR OUR MOST JOYFUL CONFESSION OF FAITH - “O my O Lord, through the Intercessory Prayers of St Thomas,
Lord and my God!” or will we mock and dishonor Him Thy Faithful Apostle, grant us Faith, and help our
like His enemies? unbelief!.
WILL WE WORSHIP HIM WITH ALL OUR BEING, as did St. Thomas, Amen.
or will we crucify Him with our arrogant lack of
Repentance, and stone Him with the sharp, jagged REVEREND FATHER SERGEI SVESHNIKOV
rocks of our sins? RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM/ARTICLE_593.HTML
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRING WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
IS BAPTISM SUFFICIENT ?
ST GREGORY PALAMAS REMINDED US THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.”
DIED AND WAS RESURRECTED, THEREBY SHOWING US THAT (MATTHEW 28:20)
DEATH IS NO LONGER THE END OF OUR EXISTENCE. St James taught us that “... whosoever shall keep the
Christ told His Disciples that HE WOULD COME AGAIN TO JUDGE whole Law, and offend in one point, is guilty of all.”
THE WHOLE WORLD, and that He would take up to (JAMES 2:10)
Heaven AND BESTOW HIS KINGDOM ON THOSE WHO ARE Consequently, WE ARE NOT AT LIBERTY TO PICK AND CHOOSE
JUSTIFIED. WHAT WE THINK IS VIRTUOUS! WE MUST FULFIL
OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR THEN INSTRUCTED HIS DISCIPLES TO BAPTISE EVERYTHING CHRIST COMMANDED AND TAUGHT. A
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE TAUGHT US IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY
HAVING MADE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS. US!
YET THERE IS FAR MORE TO BAPTISM FOR OUR LORD EXPECTED
THOSE WHO WERE BAPTISED TO TEACH OTHERS HIS DIVINE http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za
TRUTH AND TO FULFILL EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD
COMMANDED: “... TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL
12. 2ND SUNDAY OF PASCHA – ANTIPASCHA – BELIEF OF ST THOMAS –15 APRIL 2018
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And
let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
2ND SUNDAY OF PASCHA – ANTIPASCHA – BELIEF OF ST THOMAS –15 APRIL 2018 13.
However, ALL PROBLEMS MUST ALWAYS BE VERY QUICKLY While “THE MULTITUDE” SUBMITTED THE NAMES OF THE FIRST
REPENTED, RESOLVED AND FORGIVEN, so that we may SEVEN DEACONS, THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST ORDAINED
CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON OUR FAITHFUL AND TRUE WORSHIP OF THEM.
ALMIGHTY GOD, WHILE CONSTANTLY CORRECTING AND Thus THE SYNERGY BETWEEN LAITY AND CLERGY WAS
REPENTING OUR OWN PERSONAL FLAWS, which is the entire DEMONSTRATED in the selection of these Church
Purpose of this earthly life, before Eternity. Servants and leaders.
The term “Disciples” generally refers to ALL FAITHFUL Whether these first chosen Deacons held the Liturgical
BELIEVERS AND FOLLOWERS of our Lord and Saviour, Office of Deacon, or whether their Diaconate was
Jesus Christ, and NOT ONLY TO HIS TWELVE APOSTLES OR more Service-oriented, THEY RECEIVED THEIR SACRED
THOSE WHO WERE CLOSE TO HIM and who accompanied OFFICE BY MEANS OF HOLY ORDINATION BY THE DIVINELY
Him during His Public Ministry. AUTHORISED APOSTLES OF CHRIST.
✶✶ To be A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST means that we are really ✶✶ THE INCREASE IN NUMBERS OF FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF
trying to LEARN ALL THE SACRED TEACHINGS AND CHRIST ONLY OCCURS WHEN THREE GREAT PILLARS OF
COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR SO THAT WE CHURCH LIFE ARE FULLY IN PLACE:
CAN APPLY THEM TO OUR EVERY WORD, THOUGHT AND WORSHIP
DEED: THIS IS LIFE IN CHRIST, WHICH TAKES MUCH EVANGELISM
EFFORT AND A FAITHFUL WILLINGNESS TO OBEY GOD AT CHARITY/LOVE
ALL TIMES. Furthermore, this wonderful Growth occurs WHEN
While THE MINISTRIES OF THE WORD AND OF SERVING widows EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL STRUGGLES OR PROBLEMS HAVE
(and orphans) are important Sacred Tasks, they BEEN ADDRESSED, RESOLVED AND REPENTED.
CANNOT BE PERFORMED BY THE SAME PEOPLE AND STILL THE FIRST PRESBYTERS (PRIESTS) WERE CHRISTIAN CONVERTS WHO
RECEIVE PROPER ATTENTION. HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN HEBREW PRIESTS but they had not
Therefore, THE HOLY CHURCH DEVELOPED DIVERSIFIED, necessarily been Ordained into the Priestly Ministry
NECESSARY MINISTRIES. within the Christian Church after their Conversion to
In the Orthodox Church to this very day, OUR BISHOPS AND the New Covenant of God.
PRESBYTERS (PRIESTS) ARE CALLED TO FOCUS ON “...PRAYER According to the Canons of the Orthodox Church, recent
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD...” OF GOD, WHILE THE converts to Orthodoxy cannot be Ordained into the
OTHER ESSENTIAL MINISTRIES OF CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH ARE Holy Priesthood of Christ until they have at least a
ACCOMPLISHED BY DEACONS AND THE LAITY (the people or few years’ Spiritual Experience in the Holy Church.
congregation) of each Parish. This is IN ORDER TO PREVENT PREVIOUS OR OTHER BELIEFS AND
✶✶ DEACONS WHO ARE CALLED TO SERVE ARE REQUIRED TO BE PRACTISES FROM INFILTRATING AND DISTORTING ORTHODOX
NOT ONLY SPIRITUAL, BUT ALSO “FULL OF WISDOM,” TEACHINGS AND WORSHIP, WHICH MUST BE CAREFULLY AND
WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR MANAGING THEIR SACRED CORRECTLY PRESERVED FOR ALL GENERATIONS.
TASKS.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 15 : 43 – 16 : 8
At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of
God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the Body of Jesus. Pilate wondered if He were already dead –
and, summoning the Centurion, he asked him whether He was already dead. And when he learnt from the
Centurion that He was dead, he granted the Body to Joseph.
And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a Tomb
that had been hewn out of rock. And he rolled a stone against the door of the Tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of Joses saw where He was laid. And when the Sabbath had past, Mary
Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go to Anoint Him.
And very early on the first day of the week they went to the Tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying one
to another: “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the Tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone
had rolled back – for it was very large. And entering the Tomb, they saw a young Man sitting on the right side –
dressed in a white robe. And they were amazed.
He said to them: “Do not be amazed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth Who was crucified. He has Risen – He is not here.
Behold the place where they laid Him. But go – tell His Disciples, and Peter, that He is going before you to Galilee.
There you will see Him, as He told you.”
And they went out and fled from the Tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them. And they said
nothing to anyone - for they were afraid...
If it had been His Faithful Apostles who had buried our UNLIKE ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING – DEATH WITHOUT SPIRITUAL
Lord Jesus Christ, the sceptics and enemies of Divine OR PHYSICAL CORRUPTION – A DEATH LEADING TO ETERNAL
Truth could claim that His Most Precious Body had VICTORY OVER THE TOMB ITSELF.
simply been hidden away by them and that there was Furthermore, the description of the New Tomb according
no Resurrection. to several sources, clearly shows that IT WAS A VERY
✶✶ However, ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, BEING BOTH A COUNCIL SPECIAL TOMB FIT FOR A MOST IMPORTANT PERSON – AND WHO
MEMBER (OF THE SANHEDRIN) AND AN ACKNOWLEDGED “GOOD IS MORE IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL THAN OUR LORD JESUS
AND JUST MAN” TOGETHER WITH ST NIKODEMOS – ALSO OF CHRIST – OUR ONE AND ONLY ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST AND KING
GOOD REPUTATION AND SOCIAL STATUS - REFUTED ANY – OUR ONLY ETERNAL GOD INCARNATE!
POSSIBILITY THAT OUR LORD’S BODY WAS MERELY REMOVED AND Other facts to be considered is that :
HIDDEN BY HIS FAITHFUL APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES. 1. NOT ONLY WAS A HUGE, HEAVY ROCK PLACED - WITH MUCH
AS A WEALTHY AND HIGHLY PROMINENT, RESPECTED MEMBER OF EFFORT - AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE TOMB AND THEN
HEBREW SOCIETY, ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA WAS ABLE TO SEALED,
PERSONALLY APPROACH THE ROMAN GOVERNOR, PONTIUS
2. TWO ROMAN SOLDIERS STOOD ON GUARD AS WELL, because
PILATE, TO REQUEST THE BODY OF CHRIST, Whom Pontius
the devious Hebrew leaders had alleged that Christ’s
Pilate, the Roman Governor, had already
Body would be removed by His Disciples so that they
acknowledged as having been unjustly tried,
could then proclaim His Resurrection from the dead
punished and condemned to death by crucifixion.
as He had truthfully and precisely foretold.
✶✶ THE FACT THAT PONTIUS PILATE “...MARVELLED THAT HE WAS
✶✶ AFTER CHRIST HAD RESURRECTED AND DEPARTED, A POWERFUL
ALREADY DEAD...” CONFIRMS THE DIVINE TRUTH THAT EARTHQUAKE announced the Glorious Event by BREAKING
CHRIST PANTOKRATOR CHOSE THE EXACT HOUR OF THE SEALS, ROLLING AWAY THE ROCK blocking the entrance
HIS DEATH, HAVING SACRIFICED HIMSELF FREELY AND and REVEALING TO ALL MANKIND THE EMPTY TOMB,
WILLINGLY FOR THE SAKE OF ALL HUMANITY. containing only the discarded Shroud (Soudarion)
Usually crucifixion victims suffered for a very long time, and carefully folded Facecloth (Mandylion).
sometimes for days, before dying but WHEN THE SABBATH ✶✶✶ THE ROCK ROLLED AWAY - NOT SO THAT CHRIST COULD EXIT
DAY WAS APPROACHING, HEBREW CRIMINALS’ LEGS WERE THE TOMB BUT TO REVEAL TO MANKIND THAT HE HAD TRULY
SHATTERED SO THAT THEY QUICKLY DIED from the most RISEN!
painful green fracture injuries. THE TERRIFIED SOLDIERS – WHO ALSO WITNESSED THE EMPTY TOMB -
✶✶ YET AS PROPHESIED, NOT A BONE OF OUR LORD WAS BROKEN! RAN AWAY IN FEAR OF THE PUNISHMENT THEY FACED FROM THE
✶✶THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF A NEW TOMB THAT “...had ROMAN AUTHORITIES.
been hewn out of rock...” AND “...where no one had THEY WERE EVENTUALLY INTERROGATED AND THEN PAID BY THE
ever lain before...” is that CHRIST SUFFERED A DEATH HEBREW AUTHORITIES TO BLATANTLY LIE to everyone that
14. 3RD SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS – 22 APRIL 2018
the Disciples had removed the Body of Christ after as “...the Mother of Joses...” or “...the Mother of James and
knocking them unconscious! Salome,..” etc.
Habitual liars, thieves and deceivers always accuse others of their THE ANGEL OF GOD – POSSIBLY ARCHANGEL GABRIEL WHO IS THE
own sins – and they REJECT Divine Truth – the Absolute Truth – ANGELIC MESSENGER AND BEARER OF GOOD TIDINGS FROM
because it is something that is totally alien to them. GOD TO US HUMAN BEINGS – SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED ST
CHRIST DIED JUST BEFORE THE SABBATH SO THE USUAL BURIAL PETER, WHICH REVEALED OUR LORD’S SPECIAL CARE AND LOVE
CUSTOMS OF THE HEBREWS COULD NOT BE COMPLETED by His EVEN FOR ONE OF HIS APOSTLES WHO HAD DENIED HIM AT A
Mother and Disciples, and they had to return on the CRUCIAL TIME.
first day of the week – Sunday – to do so. According to St Theophylact the deeply repentant and
ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND ST NIKODEMOS HAD UNNAILED OUR sorrowful St Peter would have said of himself: ‘I denied
LORD FROM HIS CROSS AND WRAPPED HIS NAKED BODY IN A the Lord, and therefore I am no longer His Apostle!’ Yet
FOURTEEN FOOT LONG “FINE LINEN” CLOTH that became the THE ANGEL’S WORDS SHOWED THAT OUR LORD GOD HAD
Burial Shroud, also gathering up any bloody soil that ALREADY FORGIVEN ST PETER AND STILL LOVED HIM AS BEFORE.
surrounded the Cross, to be buried with Him. ✶✶ This is another Divine Teaching that clearly shows us
THEY HAD CARRIED HIM TO THE TOMB AND WRAPPED HIM WITH that WHENEVER AND WHATEVER WE TRULY REPENT WITH ALL
OTHER LINEN STRIPS SOAKED WITH THE 100 POUNDS OF SORROW AND HUMILITY, WE ARE FORGIVEN BY GOD WHO LOVES
BITTER ALOES THAT ST NIKODEMOS SUPPLIED. US - EVEN THE WORST OF SINNERS - FOR HE DOES NOT REQUIRE
THE MANDYLION OR FACE CLOTH WAS GENTLY AND RESPECTFULLY OR DESIRE ANYONE TO SUFFER ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND
PLACED OVER HIS FACE AS SOON AS THEY TOOK HIM DOWN PERPETUAL SPIRITUAL DEATH.
FROM THE CROSS, WHICH REMAINED UNDER THE OUTER BURIAL For this reason, WE MUST NEVER DARE TO JUDGE ONE ANOTHER
CLOTHS, which were SOAKED WITH BITTER ALOES AND DRIED AND NOT EVEN OURSELVES FOR GOD’S DIVINE LOVE AND GRACE
AS HARD AS CONCRETE. IS FAR BEYOND ANYTHING WE CAN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND OR
✶✶✶ THEREFORE, WHEN ST PETER AND ST JOHN SAW THE FOLDED APPRECIATE.
MANDYLION, THEY WERE AMAZED – Our Blessed Lady Theotokos and Mary Magdalene “...
No doubt, they were even more shocked when they noticed the said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid...” does
Image of Christ upon it – which became known as the Holy Icon not mean that they never told the others what they
“Not-Made-By-Hands” – the first Holy Icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, had experienced so early on that first Resurrection
which was copied by others over the centuries. Day.
St Joseph of Arimathea and St Nikodemos showed their absolute ✶✶ OUR LADY THEOTOKOS “...KEPT MANY THINGS TO HERSELF...”
faith, honour and worship of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour by THROUGHOUT HER LIFE, ONLY SPEAKING OF THEM WHEN IT
all their actions: going directly to Pontius Pilate for permission to BECAME NECESSARY TO DO SO and in order to confirm the
Unnail our Lord from the Cross, purchasing the best quality of fine Absolute Truth of Christ’s Holy Gospel and Hissinless
linen available in which to wrap His Precious Body, donating a Life on earth as God Incarnate and Perfect Man – AND
newly hewn Tomb carved from solid stone and in a beautiful THEN ONLY TO THOSE WHO WOULD FULLY APPRECIATE AND
garden –nothing but the best resting place for Christ our Saviour – UNDERSTAND THEM.
and their own personal attention to all the necessary Burial Rites, Only after our Risen Lord Jesus Christ had appeared to
including the supply of 100 pounds of Bitter Aloes!
St John the Divine Apostle, our Ever Blessed Lady Theotokos and Her
the other Holy Apostles and faithful Disciples, did they
close companion, St Mary Of Magdala watched and witnessed speak of their experiences of that very early Sunday
our Lord’s Burial. morning – Holy Pascha.
THE STATEMENT THAT “...THEY WERE AFRAID...” MIGHT HAVE
ACCORDING TO OLD COVENANT LAW, THE BODIES OF THE DECEASED REFERRED TO THE ENORMOUS SHOCK OF NOT ONLY WITNESSING
WERE NOT WASHED BUT ANOINTED WITH AROMATIC OILS – and THE OPENED TOMB WITH THE ABANDONED BURIAL CLOTHS AND
in the cases of violent death, all blood and body parts THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGEL OF GOD, BUT ALSO A RELUCTANCE
were carefully gathered, wrapped and buried TO TELL THE OTHERS WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE BELIEVED THEM
together with the rest of the body. and – being men – the Apostles would have thought
Although the Apostles and Disciples had gone into hiding the Myrrh-bearing Women were merely “hysterical” or
for fear of the Roman and Hebrew authorities, the “delusional” due to their intense grief
eight devoted Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, led by our AS THE ADORING MOTHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, OUR LADY
Most Blessed Lady Theotokos bravely went to fulfil THEOTOKOS WOULD HAVE BEEN INDESCRIBABLY TRAUMATISED BY
their Sacred Duty out of their profound Love and HAVING WITNESSED CHRIST’S TERRIBLE SUFFERING,
Respect for Christ our Lord and Saviour. ✶✶ HOWEVER, SHE WAS ALSO DEEPLY FAITHFUL AND FILLED WITH
The first day of the week is Sunday.Our Lady Theotokos was the legal DIVINE GRACE THAT ENABLED HER - MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE -
“Mother” of St Joseph the Betrothed’s seven children - St James, St TO APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO
Joses, St Jude, St Simon, St Salome (mother of St John and St ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS DIVINE WILL FOR ALL HUMANITY.
James), St Ester and another daughter, who were actually Her IN HER PROFOUND WISDOM AND LOVE FOR GOD AND HER FELLOW
cousins and probably much older than Her. MANKIND, SHE WOULD KEEP MANY THINGS – ESPECIALLY THE
Since She preferred and insisted on remaining humbly in the
background of Her Beloved Son and Lord, the Apostles, Disciples
DIVINELY MYSTERIOUS THINGS – TO HERSELF, knowing that
and Evangelists respectfully referred to Her in obscure ways such others would either not understand or would
misinterpret or blaspheme them.
3RD SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY MYRRHBEARING WOMEN
Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen!
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the THESE EIGHT HOLY MYRRHBEARERS WERE FAR MORE COURAGEOUS
Holy Spirit... THAN ANY OF THE MEN, for the Apostles and the male
Dearly Beloved - AMONG THE GREAT HOLY VIRTUES ADORNING Disciples had feared the Judean and Roman
THE LIFE OF THE HOLY MYRRHBEARING WOMEN, THEIR HOLY authorities, so they had hidden themselves behind
ZEAL FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS THE MOST STRIKING AS locked doors.
WELL AS THEIR ABSOLUTE REVERENCE AND COURAGE of soul. St Peter was the most impulsive Apostle - fervent and
The Judean and Roman authorities had placed two firm in Faith - yet fearing arrest and torture, he thrice
guards at the Tomb of Christ our Saviour, to prevent denied knowing or associating with our Lord Jesus
any of His Faithful Disciples from going there at night Christ (which our Saviour had foreseen, and which St
“...to steal and hide...” His Most Precious Body. Peter immediately bitterly and most sorrowfully
A huge, very heavy stone had been rolled up to seal the regretted and Repented.)
entrance of our Lord’s Tomb so that NO ONE COULD WOMEN WERE BY NATURE TIMID AND ANXIOUS DUE TO THEIR SOCIAL
POSSIBLY ENTER OR EXIT IT IN SECRET, and, in addition, they POSITION AND CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WERE REGARDED BY MEN
had placed two strong, armed soldiers on guard so AS BEING ‘WEAK AND HELPLESS’ ALTHOUGH THEIR CAPABILITIES
that NO ONE COULD APPROACH THE TOMB WITHOUT BEING OFTEN OUTWEIGHED THOSE OF MEN.
CHALLENGED OR ARRESTED. AS WIVES AND MOTHERS, WOMEN WERE ALWAYS WORRIED AND
However, NONE OF THESE OBSTACLES FRIGHTENED NOR CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THEIR FAMILY AND THOSE
DISCOURAGED THE EIGHT HOLY MYRRHBEARERS, LED BY OUR WHOM THEY LOVED.
EVER BLESSED LADY, THEOTOKOS. THESE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES WERE INTENSELY FOCUSED AND
THEIR UNWAVERING LOVE, SACRED REVERENCE, AND COURAGE DETERMINED TO FULFIL THEIR SACRED DUTIES CONCERNING THE
SURMOUNTED ALL POSSIBLE OBSTACLES OR DANGER, and not INTERMENT OF OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR’S CRUCIFIED BODY, which
even an entire legion of soldiers would have shaken proved how much stronger and braver they were
their resolve to anoint our Divine Saviour’s Precious than men!
Body with the fragrant Myrrh that they had purchased THEY DISREGARDED THE WRATH AND VENGEANCE OF THE
and prepared for that purpose. MISGUIDED, SPIRITUALLY BLIND JEWISH LEADERS AND THE WELL
KNOWN BRUTALITY OF THE ROMAN SOLDIERS.
3RD SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS – 22 APRIL 2018 15.
WHILE THE MALE APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES HAD HIDDEN who became a close companion of Theotokos and the
THEMSELVES, THESE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS HAD SET OFF FOR THE other female Disciples, using her own resources to
TOMB EVEN BEFORE THE DAY HAD DAWNED, having gone first provide for our Lord and all His Disciples as they went
to the marketplace to purchase the necessary about during those first three years of Christ’s public
ingredients for the fragrant Myrrh with which to Ministry, as well as afterwards.
Anoint the crucified, scourged and brutalised Body of She is wrongly identified as one of the fallen women who
our Compassionate, Gentle, Loving and Merciful Lord were forgiven by Christ.
and Saviour. Because St Mary Magdalene was a very devout and
O Blessed Women! HOW WERE THEY SO UNAFRAID to go out into pious woman who humbly and obediently Loved and
the darkness of night? And HOW HAD THEY DARED TO served God, Satan thought she would be the bearer of
APPROACH THE TOMB that was guarded by hostile, the Messiah so he had possessed her with “...seven
armed soldiers? And HOW COULD THEY BELIEVE THAT demons...” that our Lord Jesus Christ cast out.
SOMEHOW THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE THAT HUGE, HEAVY After our Divine Saviour’s Ascent into Heaven, she
STONE THAT SEALED THE ENTRANCE? travelled to Rome where she reported the injustice of
SUCH ASCETIC FEATS SPRANG FROM THEIR UTTER DEVOTION, our Lord’s Passion to the Emperor. As a result, Pontius
REVERENCE, AND EXTREME COURAGE, COMPELLED BY THEIR Pilate was banished to Spain where he suffered a
STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD WHO MAKES ALL THINGS POSSIBLE! cruel demise.
Perhaps regarded as “feeble” or “weak” due to their M A R K 1 6 : 1 – ST MARY THE WIFE OF CLEOPAS, was another
feminine nature, yet THESE EIGHT HOLY MYRRHBEARERS daughter of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife –
PROVED TO BE STRONGER, BRAVER AND MORE FAITHFUL THAN a cousin of our Lady Theotokos as well as Her
ALL THE OTHERS! “Daughter” according to Her Betrothal to Her aged
These Holy Myrrhbearers truly fulfilled the Words of our uncle.
Lord Jesus Christ, Who said: M A T T H E W 2 7 : 5 6 ; 2 8 : 1 ; M A R K 1 6 : 1 ; L U K E 2 4 : 1 0 – ST
2 C O R I N T H I A N S 1 2 : 9 - “....My Strength is made SALOME – another daughter of St Joseph the Betrothed
Perfect in weakness ...” . and and his late wife, a cousin and “daughter” of our
1 C O R I N T H I A N S 1 : 2 7 – “... God hath chosen the weak Lady Theotokos, who was married to ZEBEDEE and the
things of the world to confound the things that are mother of St James and St John, whom Christ had
mighty...” nick-named “the Sons of Thunder.”
(Our Lord was referring to a quotation of the Old L U K E 8 : 3 - ST JOANNA, the wife of Chuza, King Herod’s
Testament ) Steward, who recovered the venerable head of St
cf. P S A L M 8 : 2 & M A T T H E W 2 1 : 1 6 – “...From the mouths John the Baptist and Forerunner from the cesspool
of infants and nurslings Thou prepared Praise...” into which it had been thrown by order of the wicked
Furthermore, THE DIVINE TRUTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS adulteress, Herodias.
ENGRAVED UPON THEIR HEART AND TESTIFIED TO BY THEIR Having reverently cleaned and wrapped it, St Joanna
ACTIONS: placed it in a container, which she then carried to the
M A T T H E W 1 0 : 2 8 - “...fear not those who kill the body, Mount of Olives where she buried it on land
but are not able to kill the soul.” belonging to Herod, where it remained for many
P S A L M 3 0 : 2 – “...Be of good Courage, and He shall years until by means of a Vision it was recovered.
Strengthen your heart, all you who Hope in the Lord.” L U K E 8 : 3 - ST SUSANNA, was another daughter of St
THESE EIGHT HOLY MYRRHBEARERS COMPLETED THE APOSTOLIC Joseph the Betrothed and thus a “daughter” to her
WORK EVEN BEFORE OUR LORD’S APOSTLES HAD BEGUN THEIR cousin, the Ever Blessed Theotokos.
SACRED MISSION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD! L U K E 1 0 : 3 8 – 4 2 - ST MARTHA AND ST MARY were the two
THEY DISPLAYED THE ABSOLUTE FAITH AND COURAGE OF THE HOLY sisters of St Lazaros of Bethany, who often hosted our
MARTYRS BEFORE ANY OF THEM HAD DONE SO!. Divine Saviour and His Disciples on the way to
St Elias/Elijah the great Holy Prophet of God, who had Jerusalem or Galilee. Before His Passion, our Lord
been ablaze with Holy Zeal, had rebuked the King, Jesus Christ had raised St Lazaros from the dead, four
Ahab, and THESE HUMBLE, FAITHFUL WOMEN HAD days after he had died.
CONFOUNDED THE JEWISH AND ROMAN AUTHORITIES! THESE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES WHO WERE OUR LORD’S PIOUS AND
St Gideon had once crushed a multitude of Midianites RIGHTEOUS FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ALL FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT
with three hundred soldiers (cf. Judges 7:25). JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY THE ETERNAL, INCARNATE SON OF GOD
THESE HOLY MYRRHBEARING WOMEN, TOGETHER WITH THE – the long awaited Divine Messiah Who had been
RIGHTEOUS AND EQUALLY COURAGEOUS, ST JOSEPH OF proclaimed by the ancient Holy Prophets of God -
ARIMATHEA AND ST NIKODEMOS, PROVED TO BE STRONGER Who came to Earth to Save mankind.
THAN ALL THE JEWISH AND ROMAN SECURITY MEASURES, for EACH OF THESE HOLY WOMEN LED A PURE AND HOLY LIFE OF
THEY BECAME FEARLESS MINISTERS WHO WERE READY EVEN PRAYER AND FASTING, ABSTINENCE, AND ALMSGIVING, ABIDING
UNTO DEATH TO SERVE HIM WHO CAME TO SERVE MANKIND IN SACRED LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, and, as much as they
and to lay down His Life for the Redemption of all were able, lovingly offered hospitality to our Lord
mankind for all time! Jesus Christ as well as all His Faithful Apostles and
THESE MOST HOLY WOMEN, TOGETHER WITH THE MOST PURE AND Disciples who accompanied Him.
EVER VIRGIN MARY – the Ever Blessed All Holy Mother of Nevertheless, THE FAITH AND PIOUS DEVOTION OF THESE HOLY
God - with the greatest Faith, Devotion and Courage MYRRHBEARERS WAS NOT LIMITED TO THEIR OWN SPIRITUAL
HAD GATHERED TOGETHER TO FULFIL AND TO COMMEMORATE LIFE, FOR THEY NOT ONLY WELCOMED OUR LORD - and all His
THE VERY FIRST SACRED SERVICE TO OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR. Apostles and Disciples into their homes - washed their
CONSEQUENTLY, THEY WERE BLESSED AND SANCTIFIED EVEN BEFORE feet, served them at the table, and provided them
THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES, TO PREACH THE with shelter and accommodation, and the
GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOUR, opportunity to rest, but THEY ALSO ACCOMPANIED OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST!. JESUS CHRIST WHENEVER THEY COULD, AND THUS WITNESSED
Beloved Faithful! These eight remarkable Holy HIS INNUMERABLE DIVINE MIRACLES, AND LISTENED CAREFULLY
Myrrhbearing Disciples of Christ are mentioned in all TO HIS TEACHINGS so that they, too, were COMPELLED BY
the Holy Gospels. THEIR PROFOUND LOVE OF GOD TO BOLDLY CONFESS THEIR
M A R K 1 6 : 1 & M A R K 1 5 : 4 7 – OUR EVER BLESSED ALL HOLY FAITH TO OTHERS AND HELPED TO SPREAD THE TRUTH that He
LADY, THEOTOKOS, who is obliquely referred to as being is indeed the Eternal, Divine Son of God, and the
“...the Mother...” (according to Mosaic Law) of St James Saviour of the world.
and St Joses, (sons of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife, Amen
St Salome, sister to St Anna and thus an aunt of Panagia.)
LUKE 8: 1 – 3; MATTHEW 27: 55-56; MARK 15:40; ARCHIMANDRITE CLEOPAS (ILIE)
L U K E 2 3 : 4 9 J O H N 1 9 : 2 5 – ST MARY OF MAGDALA - a ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY
HTTP://ORTHOCHRISTIAN.COM/103154.HTML
mature, financially secure and independent woman
16. 3RD SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS – 22 APRIL 2018
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And
let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
23 April 2018
✞Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patistas, ke ✞ Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos! upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the
tombs!
ISODIKON – TONE 2
En Ekklisias Evlogite ton Theon, Kyrion ek pigon Israil. Bless God in the churches, the Lord from the Fountains of
Soson imas, Iie Theou, O Anastas ek nekron, psallontas Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
Si, Allelouia! dead, who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
PASCHAL APOLYTIKION – TONE 2
Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton When Thou descended into Death, O Lord Who Thyself
Edin enekrosas ti astrafpi tis Theotitos, ote de ke tous art Immortal Life, Thou mortified Hades by the
tethneots ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e Dinamis Lightning Flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou
ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste O Theos Raised the dead from the underworld, all the Heavenly
imon, ✞ Doxa Si! Powers cried out: O Giver of Life! Christ our God! ✞
Glory to Thee!
PASCHAL APOLYTIKION - THE HOLY MYRRH-BEARERS – TONE 2
Tes Myroforis Ginexi, para to Mnima epistas, O Angelos The Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the Myrrh-
evoa: To Myra tis thnitis iparhi armodia, Hristos de bearing Women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but
diafthoras edihthi allotrios; alla kravgasate: Anesti O Christ has been shown to be a stranger to corruption.
Kyrios, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos! But cry aloud: The Lord has Risen, granting the world
His Great Mercy!
MENAION - FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST GEORGE THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR – TONE 4
Os ton ehmaloton eleftherotis, ke ton ptohon iperaspistis, Being renowned for setting captives free and for
asthenounton iatroa, Vasileon Ipermahos, Tropeofore defending those in poverty, the Physician of the sick
Megalomartys Georgie, resveve Hristo to Theo, sothine and the Champion of Emperors, Great and Victorious
tas psihas imon. Martyr George: Intercede with Christ our God,
beseeching Him to Save our soul.
PATRONAL APOLYTIKION OF THE PARISH CHURCH
SEASONAL KONTAKION – PASCHA – TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
I ke en Tafo katilthes Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou entered the Tomb, O Immortal One, Thou
dinamin; ke Anestis os Nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Gynexi destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou arose as
Myroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis Sis Apostolis Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-bearing Women
Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin. Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine Apostles Thou
granted Thy Peace: O Thou Who grants Resurrection to
the fallen.
MATINS GOSPEL LUKE 21 : 12 – 19
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: “...Beware of men, for they will lay their hands on you and persecute you,
delivering you up to the Synagogues and prisons; you will be brought before Kings and Rules for My Name’s
Sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for Testimony. Therefore, settle it in your hearts not to meditate
beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and Wisdom, that all your adversaries will not
be able to contradict or resist.
“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
And you will be hated by all for My Name Sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
”By your Patience possess your soul.”
Our Lord Jesus Christ emphasised THE NECESSITY OF BEING about the past or the future, over which we have no
WATCHFUL AND VIRTUOUS RATHER THAN FOCUSSING ON control.
CONSTRUCTING ‘TIMETABLES’ OR WORRYING ABOUT THINGS He cautioned them about THE INITIAL SORROWS AND THE
THAT HAVE NOT YET HAPPENED. GREAT TRIBULATION THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO SUFFER BEFORE
WE MUST LIVE IN THE PRESENT, FULFILLING OUR SACRED DUTIES OUR LORD’S REAPPEARANCE AT THE END OF THE AGES.
ACCODING TO THE WILL OF GOD, EACH AND EVERY DAY, The period of the “Great Tribulation” includes THE ENTIRE
instead of wasting our time and energy worrying CHRISTIAN ERA and is not merely limited to the final
ST GEORGE THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR & TROPHY-BEARER 23 APRIL 2018 17.
years before our Lord Jesus Christ’s Glorious Furthermore, GOD, BY HIS DIVINE GRACE, ENABLES US TO
Appearance on the Eighth Day. PROPERLY EXPRESS OURSELVES SO THAT OTHERS WILL BE ABLE TO
Our Lord’s warnings against THE DECEPTIONS OF MEN HAVE COMPREHEND AND BE ENLIGHTENED – ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE
PROVED TO BE AS EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE AND DANGEROUS as WILLING TO RECEIVE DIVINE TRUTH and not reject it before
He had said – ESPECIALLY THE BLASPHEMOUS AND HERETICAL they heard it.
TEACHINGS of the false “christs” and ‘prophets’ who Throughout the centuries, as our Lord had warned us, HIS
have caused more harm to mankind and corrupted FAITHFUL DISCIPLES HAVE BEEN BETRAYED EVEN BY THOSE
our Lord’s Divine Truth than Satan could have hoped CLOSELY RELATED TO THEM.
for!! HE ASSURED US THAT DESPITE ALL THE HORRORS AND CRUELTY OF
PEOPLE HUNGER AND THIRST FOR DIVINE TRUTH but all they get MANKIND THAT MAY BE BROUGHT TO BEAR UPON HIS FAITHFUL
is the distorted heresy of the Spiritually Blind and DISCIPLES, THEY WOULD BE PRESERVED INTACT BY DIVINE
ignorant who are self-serving and ungodly. GRACE.
These self-appointed ‘religious leaders’ prove time and In many cases, after enduring long and brutally hideous
again to be egocentric charlatans who rob people of tortures, CERTAIN HOLY MARTYRS WERE RESTORED TO FULL
their material possessions, and – even worse – their HEALTH, much to the alarm of the ungodly enemies of
faith in God! Christ.
Our Lord encouraged His Apostles not to despair when Our Divine Saviour urges us to BE PATIENT IN ALL
brought before the authorities but rather to MAKE USE CIRCUMSTANCES for PATIENCE IS A GREAT AND HOLY VIRTUE
OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY TO THE DIVINE TRUTH OF OUR that acquires for us many of the other Holy Virtues -
TRIUNE, ALMIGHTY LORD GOD. and especially BESTOWS UPON US HIS DIVINE GRACE THAT
ENABLES US TO ACCOMPLISH THE IMPOSSIBLE!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON – PSALM 63/64 – TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
The Righteous Man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 12: 1 – 11
About that time, Herod the King laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the Church. He killed James, the
brother of John, with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Judeans, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
This was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. When he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to
four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending, after Passover, to take him out to the people.
Peter was kept imprisoned. Earnest Prayers for him were made to God by the Church.
The very night that Herod was about to take him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains,
and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold! An Angel of the Lord appeared, and a Light
shone in the cell. He struck Peter on his side to wake him, saying to him: “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off his
hands. The Angel said to him: “Put your sandals on your feet!” And he did so. And he said to him: “Wrap your
cloak around you and follow me!” And he went out and followed him.
He did not know that what was done by the Angel was real, but thought that he was seeing a Vision.
When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to
them of its own accord. And they went out, and passed on through one street. And immediately the Angel left him.
And Peter came to himself, and said: “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent His Angel to rescue me from the hand of
Herod and from all that the Judeans were expecting!”
HEROD AGRIPPA WHO REIGNED BETWEEN 41 – 44, WAS THE THE REALITY AND POWER OF GOD AND HIS HEAVENLY HOSTS WHO
GRANDSON OF KING HEROD THE GREAT, the paranoid and ACT ON HIS BEHALF, IS CLEARLY EVIDENT FROM THIS EVENT.
wicked Tetrarch Ruler of Judea under the authority of St Peter had been chained between two guards, and
the Roman Empire, who was responsible for the imprisoned in a highly secured structure, yet the
terrible Slaughter of the Holy Innocents. Angel was able to release him and lead him to
After hearing about St John the Baptist’s remarkable birth to his freedom without raising any alarms or reactions from
barren, elderly mother and later, hearing from the three Magi the soldiers or anyone else who all seemed oblivious
about a Great King Who had been born, Herod put the two to them.
facts together and ordered the wholesale murder of all EVERYTHING BECOMES POSSIBLE BY THE GRACE AND WILL OF GOD,
young boys who were two years of age and younger. WHICH IS CLEARLY EVIDENT FROM THE SHACKLES DROPPING
By Divine Will, St John the Forerunner and Christ our Divine Saviour FROM ST PETER’S WRISTS AND ANKLES, AND THE GATES OPENING
escaped the brutal, merciless slaughter, and fulfilled their AUTOMATICALLY.
Sacred Mission. ✶✶ Only when St Peter stood alone in the street, away
THE PERIOD OF HEROD AGRIPPA’S REIGN DETERMINE WHEN ST from the prison, did he understand that “...the Lord
JAMES WAS EXECUTED AND WHEN ST PETER WAS IMPRISONED. has sent His Angel to rescue...” him.
ST JAMES WAS THE FIRST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S TWELVE ST PETER’S INITIAL CONFUSION AND SUBSEQUENT UNDERSTANDING
APOSTLES TO BE MARTYRED, thereby revealing that BY 44 SHOW US THAT GOD’S HOLY WORKS ARE NOT ALWAYS CLEAR TO
THERE WAS ALREADY AN EVER INCREASING POPULAR US WHILE THEY ARE UNFOLDING.
PERSECUTION OF THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. However, ONLY IN HINDSIGHT DOES HIS DIVINE PURPOSE USUALLY
✶✶The “...Days of Unleavened Bread...” marked THE BECOME CLEAR.
FASTING PERIOD OF PASCHA and thus THE COMMEMORATION The Angel had woken St Peter from his sleep, and as he
OF OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR’S PASSION AND GLORIOUS was not yet fully awake, the Angel had to instruct St
RESURRECTION. Peter to put on his sandals and his cloak, and then to
✶✶ THE POWER OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF follow him.
CHRIST on behalf of Her Leaders IS PROVED BY THE ALL THIS WAS DONE WITHOUT THE GUARDS BEING AT ALL AWARE –
MIRACULOUS ANGELIC DELIVERANCE OF ST PETER. EITHER THEY WERE ALL FAST ASLEEP, OR UNDER A TYPE OF
✶✶ THE ANGELS ARE FAITHFUL HEAVENLY SERVANTS AND HYPNOTIC STATE.
MESSENGERS OF THE LORD OUR GOD, Who sends them to We can only imagine the confusion, the frustration and
HELP MANKIND ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL, COMPASSION the fear of the soldiers when they discovered that their
AND LOVE. important prisoner had disappeared so mysteriously!
They act as OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS, SPIRITUAL GUIDES, Furthermore, St Peter’s escape must have caused quite a
TEACHERS AND PROTECTORS WHO INTERCEDE ON OUR BEHALF lot of fury, accusations and uproar between Herod
WITH GOD, and when we learn to OBEY THEIR WISE ADVICE Agrippa, the self-righteous Jewish Leaders and the
AND CAUTIONARY WARNINGS against evil and harm, we Roman authorities responsible for his imprisonment.
make good Spiritual Progress. CONSEQUENTLY, ST PETER, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE OTHER HOLY
Thus we ACKNOWLEDGE THEM IN OUR RULE OF PRAYER EVERY DAY, APOSTLES AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WERE ABLE TO
APOLOGISING for stressing them by our careless actions, CONTINUE THEIR SACRED MISSION AND FULFIL THE WILL OF
AND THANKING THEM for their constant assistance. GOD, AS THE NEW COVENANT, CHRISTIAN CHURCH CONTINUED
TO GROW THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
18. ST GEORGE THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR & TROPHY-BEARER 23 APRIL 2018
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 15 17 – 16 : 2
At that time our Lord Jesus Christ said to His Disciples: “...This I Command you: Love one another!
“If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its
own; but because you are not of this world, for I Chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
“Remember the Word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his Master!’ If they persecuted Me, they will
persecute you; if they kept My Word, they will keep yours also.
“But all this they will do to you for My Name sake, because they do not know Him Who sent Me. If I had not come
and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin.
“He who hates Me, hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the Works that no one else did, they would
not have sin. Now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. But it is to fulfil the Word that is written in
their Law: ‘... for they hated Me without a cause.’
“When the Counsellor comes, Whom I shall send to you from the Father – even the Spirit of Truth, Who Proceeds from
the Father – He will bear Witness to Me.
“And you also are Witnesses, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
“I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the Synagogues – indeed, the
Hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering Service to God!”
✶✶ This passage of the Gospel according to St John is COMFORTED AND ENCOURAGED BY THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF
read on FEAST DAYS COMMEMORATING A HOLY MARTYR. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
✶✶ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CONTINUALLY COMMANDED US TO ✶✶ GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR DIVINE AND LIFE-GIVING
LOVE ONE ANOTHER – unconditionally – JUST AS GOD LOVES “COUNSELLOR,” “COMFORTER,” “PARAKLETE” – OUR DIVINE
US, even though we are habitual sinners. “ADVOCATE,” OR “HELPER” AS WELL AS “THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.”
HIS ETERNAL, HEAVENLY KINGDOM IS A KINGDOM OF AGAPE – GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT OF TRUTH IS IN EACH TRUE BELIEVER. WE
DIVINE LOVE. Unless we strive to acquire that ARE CALLED BY GOD TO KNOW HIM – TO NURTURE A CLOSE
Marvellous, most vital Holy Virtue of Love, we cannot SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
expect to become worthy Heavenly Citizens! God the Holy Spirit PRAYS IN US AND FOR US, especially when
✶✶ The term “world” is used in several distinct ways in we do not know how to pray – ENABLING US TO PRAY in
Holy Scipture. the Name of the our Lord Jesus Christ and in the
In some cases, it refers to all that is Glorious, Beautiful and Name of the Holy Trinity.
Redeemable in God’s Magnificent, Perfect Creation. Furthermore God the Holy Spirit GRANTS US WORDS OF
In others, it refers to that which is finite (limited) in WITNESS OR TESTIMONY WHEN WE SPEAK OF OR TEACH THE
contrast to that which is Eternal. HOLY GOSPEL TO OTHERS.
In other instances, however, “world” refers to EVERYTHING DURING THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM AND CHRISTMATION, WE
THAT IS IN REBELLION AGAINST GOD, as mentioned in this ARE GRANTED THE DIVINE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH
particular passage. ENABLES US TO FULFIL ALL OUR SACRED TASKS AND DUTIES
REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD OUR GOD REVEALS SEVERAL THINGS: ACCORDING TO THE LOVE AND WILL OF GOD.
1. WHILE UNION WITH CHRIST BRINGS US LOVE, TRUTH, AND We have confidence in THE DOCTRINE (TEACHINGS) OF OUR
PEACE, IT ALSO BRINGS US PERSECUTION, BECAUSE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST’S HOLY APOSTLES, for GOD THE HOLY
FALLEN WORLD HATES DIVINE LOVE AND TRUTH SPIRIT IS THE DIVINE TEACHER WHO BROUGHT TO
2. THE FALLEN WORLD hates our Lord Jesus Christ, so it also REMEMBRANCE NOT ONLY ALL THE WORDS. TEACHINGS AND
HATES ALL THOSE OF US WHO STRIVE TO BECOME LIKE HIM - REVELATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BUT ALSO THE FULL
by Living in Him – by fulfilling all His Divine UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR MEANING AND PURPOSE
Commandments and Teachings in our daily WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST for GOD
existence. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR DIVINE INSTRUCTOR SINCE THE DAY OF
3. THE FALLEN WORLD HATES OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BECAUSE IT PENTECOST when He descended upon His Holy Apostles
NEITHER KNOWS NOR DESIRES TO KNOW GOD, OUR – for HE GUIDES US, TEACHES US AND LEADS US INTO DIVINE
HEAVENLY FATHER, TRUTH.
4. HATRED FOR OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, IS St Ireneaus explained: “... where the Church is, there is
UTTERLY UNREASONABLE AND IRRATIONAL, for He brings the Holy Spirit and the Fullness of Divine Grace.”
us – all mankind – Love and Great Mercy, so He is THROUGH THE DIVINE ILLUMINATION OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE
hated WITHOUT CAUSE OR REASON! WORLD WILL BE CONVICTED – proven how wrong it is!
✶✶ WITH RESPECT TO GOD’S WORKING SALVATION IN THE WORLD, THE WORLD WILL BE CONVICTED AND CONDEMNED CONCERNING:
the Eternal Son of God, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HAS SENT 1. Its SIN - the ultimate of which is THE DENIAL OF OUR
US GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE LIFE-GIVING “PARAKLETE,” LORD JESUS CHRIST
“COUNSELLOR” AND “COMFORTER” – FROM GOD THE FATHER. 2. RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH IT FAILED TO ACCEPT FROM OUR
Our Lord Jesus Christ very clearly and concisely tells us LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH FAITH AND THANKSGIVING
that GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE 3. JUDGEMENT, FOR ALL WHO REJECTED OUR LORD JESUS
FATHER ALONE! CHRIST WILL RECEIVE THE SAME ETERNAL
In other words, GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT RECEIVES HIS ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AS SATAN has already received
EXISTENCE ONLY FROM GOD THE FATHER. being the inventor of all sin and the cause of
In conformity with our Lord Jesus Christ’s Divine Death, as ruler of this fallen world.
Revelation, the Nicene Creed – our Creed of Faith – ✶✶ OUR LORD JESUS IS KIND, COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING, SO HE
confesses our True Belief “...in the Holy Spirit, the DOES NOT WANT ANY OF HIS BELOVED DISCIPLES TO BE
Lord, the Giver of Life, Who PROCEEDS FROM THE DECEIVED, MISGUIDED AND DESTROYED by the evil one and
FATHER, Who, together with the Father and the Son, his wicked machinations, that cause the weak and
is Worshipped and Glorified...” ignorant people to carry out his fatal desires.
WHILE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ETERNAL WORD AND SON OF THEREFORE, OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR HAS NOT ONLY CAUTIONED US
GOD IS BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER ALONE, GOD THE HOLY AGAINST ALL TEMPTATIONS AND WICKEDNESS, BUT ALSO
SPIRIT PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE FATHER ALONE. ENCOURAGED US BY REMINDING US THAT WE ARE NEVER ALONE
Thus, THE SOURCE – THE FOUNTAINHEAD – OF BOTH PERSONS OF FOR WE HAVE FAR MORE LOVE, POWER AND PROTECTION THAN
THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS GOD THE FATHER. WE REALISE.
✶✶ “Sorrow” refers to “... extreme grief leading to Not only do we have an Almighty Triune God Who Love
despondency or despair...” (total hopelessness) us and Who enables us to achieve great things, but
which is a sinful passion for Faithful Disciples of we also have all His Heavenly Hosts and Holy Saints
Christ, for great is the tyranny of despondency...” as who constantly intercede on our behalf and who
St John Chrysostom commented. watch over, comfort and guide us.
This sin is constantly referred to in the writings of our Holy Consequently, AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF OUR LORD JESUS
Desert Fathers. CHRIST, WE MUST NEVER BECOME OVERWHELMED NOR DEFEATED
When the world persecutes the Faithful, or when God BY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT REST ASSURED IN THE LOVE
seems to be absent the FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST OF GOD.
FIGHT AGAINST DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIR, and are
ST GEORGE THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR & TROPHY BEARER
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Eternal Glory and the Unfading Crown of Martyrdom
Dearly Beloved: The Holy Church venerates as Saints a to worldly glory, publicly Confessing their Faith in
number of warriors who served in the Roman army. Christ and not denying it although it cost them their
Christianity was then very widespread, and when life.
Christians suffered persecutions, they preferred
ST GEORGE THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR & TROPHY-BEARER 23 APRIL 2018 19.
St George the Great Holy Martyr had lived during the time around his neck - but as it says in his Akathist, he
of Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from 248-305 – a stood on the waves of the sea as on dry land - he was
pagan worshipping Emperor who was extremely thrown into quicklime, but remained unharmed.
antagonist towards Christians - his persecutions God grants His Holy Martyrs special Spiritual Strength,
against Christians continuing until 305, being which I have witnessed in prison, when completely
possibly the cruellest and longest. weak and very sick people who are barely breathing
Eventually Diocletian became mentally ill, and his victims experienced no suffering at all, and continued to
began to “persecute and chase” him. He was Confess God, even blessing their tormentors.
continually threatened with murder. So he left his So it was with all the Holy Martyrs, whom God grants Holy
palace on the Dalmatian coast and lived in isolation, Strength, and sometimes they experience none of
never receiving anyone except his guards, whom he their obvious physical suffering- even thought their
feared as well. His life became quite torturous until his flesh was torn with iron claws, nails were pounded
death in 313, which ended the persecutions against into their hands and feet, they were burnt with fire,
Christians. with red-hot metal instruments, yet they felt no pain,
He had died all alone, in abject terror of everyone - for God granted them this amazing Holy Strength to
having been haunted to death in the horror of all his endure - pass through their sufferings without
fears, which gave him no peace at all but caused him trauma!
a foretaste of Hell. And the fact that they never denied God, and that after
According to a tutor of the palace, Lactantios, (who had they were tortured, they remained unharmed, led
lost his employment when he converted to many witnesses to Repentance, and join the Sacred
Christianity, and then wrote a book about Emperor Ranks of Faithful Christians, which is why our Holy
Diocletian,) initially, Emperor Diocletian did not Fathers say that “....the Blood of the Martyrs is the
repress Christians so fiercely—that is, not to death. seed of Christianity...” or “..the Blood of Martyrs water
However, all those who persecuted the Church of Christ the Roots of the Holy Church of Christ.”
ended badly - the clearest example being Diocletian, The more Christians were tortured and killed, the more
whom Lactantios had known during the Emperor’s Christians came out of their blood. Converts had
best years as well as during his period of insanity. witnessed their Steadfastness, the Power of God and
Diocletian’s insanity was due to being terrorized by inner His Divine Miracles, and they Repented - right then
fears that the Christians and our Lord Jesus Christ and there, during the tortures, they Confessed their
would punish him for all the murders he committed, Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
so he persecuted them even more obsessively. Scores of Christians and Converts were thrown into the
The first form of persecution was the decree forcing all arena, where the hungry, brutalised beasts ripped
who served in the army to make offerings to the ‘gods’ them to shreds or the executioner tortured them until
but if they refused to do so they were dismissed. they perished.
Emperor Diocletian visited the oracles, who always gave There was a close connection between St. George and
confusing answers to questions that were put to them me. When I was in prison I always called upon him,
but these pagan oracles feared the Christians so they and he helped me in many circumstances. From that
encouraged him to persecute them. time on and to this day I never cease to pray to him
In 303, Diocletian issued a very harsh decree ordering all every day. I am convinced that between a Saint and
Holy Scripture in the Christians’ possession to be those who pray to him a close Relationship is formed,
handed over to the authorities and burnt in the town and often many of the Saints’ qualities, if we have a
squares. close Spiritual Connection with them, appear in us
His father-in-law, Galerius, set two fires in the palace in also.
Nicomedia where Diocletian resided, and accused In my case, for example, just as St. George went through
the Christians of the arson. Diocletian immediately prison, so did I; as St. George was Strengthened by
ordered all Christian Priests and Deacons to be God in difficult circumstances, so was I Strengthened
arrested, and forced to sacrifice to the gods. in the most difficult moments, when I might have
Having refused to do so they were tortured and thrown to perished not only physically but also spiritually.
ravenous wild beasts, adding extraordinarily large The presence of St George Strengthened me, because we
numbers of Holy Martyrs to our Victorious Sainthood. who bear his name receive firmness in Faith and
Persecution of all Christians became even more rampant Spiritual Protection, which God grants us through him.
throughout the entire Roman Empire when Diocletian Pray to the Saint whose name you bear, and he [or she]
ordered the arrest and torture of all soldiers, not only will help you. Turn to your Patron Saint in times of
officers, who believed in Christ and confessed their sorrow and sickness; in difficult circumstances and in
Faith in Christ. moments of joy: “St. John (or, St. George), my
St. George came from a noble Christian family, and was protector, pray to God for me, a sinner!”
therefore well educated. He was handsome and one Pray to the Saints who will hear your Prayer! They are our
of the bravest soldiers, and because he was so gifted ‘Advocates’ before God - of all those who bear their
and distinguished in battle, Diocletian had very names, bringing our Prayers before God and
quickly promoted him and made him Commander of interceding on our behalf.
the Imperial Guard. At the end of life, when we depart for the other world, our
When all Roman citizens were compelled to sacrifice to Patron Saint will be standing next to us. If we
the pagan idols on the public squares once a month, venerated him and prayed to him, he will stand next
it was discovered that there were many thousands of to our Guardian Angel to protect us from Satan’s
Christians, who were all be tortured and murdered – accusations.
from infants to the elderly – for refusing to do so. This is because at our personal judgment the devil pulls
St. George resolved to confess his Faith in God and Christ out all our sins, even those we don’t remember,
before the Emperor and the Senate. exhibits them for everyone to see, and throws them on
St. George boldly stood before them all and loudly the scales. So we need an Advocate to defend us,
confessed his Faith in Christ as our King and declared with all our good deeds, for we will be so humiliated
his preference to serve Christ rather than the Emperor that we may not remember any of our good deeds,
of a pagan empire, neither by wielding the sword just as we forget our sins.
nor by military conquest, but by offering himself as a However, our Guardian Angel and Patron Saint will place
sacrifice for the Love of Christ our Divine Saviour and all our good deeds on the scales. And often one tear
Lord God. He was prepared to be martyred!. surpasses all the evil deeds we did throughout our
The Confession of St George, whom the Emperor had entire life.
admired and loved, and the Senate had praised and Therefore, we must always remember our Patron Saints
honoured, provoked much confusion and regret—but whose names we bear, and pray that they will Protect
also enraged displeasure. and Guide us, our relatives and friends, our Nation
St. George was instantly arrested and imprisoned, and and all mankind.
when he steadfastly refused to renounce his Christian
Faith, he was subjected to the most brutal tortures the FATHER GEORGE CALCIU
executioners could invent! TRANSLATION BY ORTHOCHRISTIAN.COM
His feet were locked in red-hot iron sandals with nails, he HTTP://ORTHOCHRISTIAN.COM/79345.HTML
was put on the wheel, thrown into the sea with a stone
20. ST GEORGE THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR & TROPHY-BEARER 23 APRIL 2018
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And
let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
25 April 2018
St Mark the Holy Apostle & Evangelist
Founder & First Patriarch of Alexandria & All Africa
Also the Feast of St Sylvester, Abbot of Obnora, Disciple of St Sergios of Radonezh -
PASCHAL APOLYTIKION – TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
✶ ✞ Hristos Anesti, ek nekron, Thanato thanaton ✶ ✞ Christ is Risen from the dead; By Death trampling
patisas, Ke tis en tis mnimasin, Zoin harisamenos [3] upon death, And has bestowed Life to those in the
tombs. [3]
SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS
ISODIKON – TONE 2
En Ekklisias Evlogite ton Theon, Kyrion ek pigon Israil. Bless God in the churches, the Lord from the Fountains of
Soson imas, Iie Theou, O Anastas ek nekron, psallontas Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
Si, Allelouia! dead, who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
PASCHAL APOLYTIKION –HOLY MYRRHBEARERS - TONE 2
Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton When Thou descended into Death, O Lord Who Thyself
Edin enekrosas ti astrafpi tis Theotitos, ote de ke tous art Immortal Life, Thou mortified Hades by the
tethneots ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e Dinamis Lightning Flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou
ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste O Theos Raised the dead from the underworld, all the Heavenly
imon, ✞ Doxa Si! Powers cried out: O Giver of Life! Christ our God! ✞
Glory to Thee!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ST MARK, APOSTLE & EVANGELIST – TONE 3
Apostole Agie, ke Evangelista Marke, Presveve to Eleimoni O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Intercede with our
Theo, ina ptesmaton afesin, parashi tes psihes imon. Merciful God to grant remission of sins to our souls.
PATRONAL HYMN OF THE PARISH
PASCHAL KONTAKION – HOLY MYRRH-BEARERS – TONE 2
To Here tes Myroforis fthengxamenos, ton thrinon tis In saying: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearers, Thou allayed the
Promitoros Evas katepafsas, ti Anastasi Sou Hriste O lament of the First Mother, Eve, at Thy Resurrection, O
Theos. Tis Apostolis de tis sis kirittin epetaxas. O SOTIR Christ our God. And Thou ordered Thy Apostles to
EXANESTI TOU MNIMATOS! proclaim: “THE SAVIOUR HAS RISEN FROM THE TOMB!”
FESTAL PROKEIMENON - PSALM 18/19 – TONE 4
Their proclamation went forth into all the Earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
THE FIRST UNIVERSAL EPISTLE OF ST PETER 5 : 6 – 14
Brethren, humble yourselves therefore under the Mighty Hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your
anxieties on Him, for He cares for you. Be sober. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring
lion, seeking someone to devour! Resist him, first in your Faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is
required of your Brotherhood throughout the world.
The God of All Grace, Who has Called you to His Eternal Glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish and Strengthen
you after you have suffered a little while. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
By Silvanos, a Faithful Brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring this is the True
Grace of God. Stand fast in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise Chosen, sends you greetings, and so does
Mark, my Son. Greet each other with the kiss of Love. Peace to all who are in Christ. Amen.
✶✶ HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE ARE TWO UTTERLY ESSENTIAL HOLY UNDERSTAND HOLY SCRIPTURE NOR CAN WE KNOW HOW TO LIVE
VIRTUES. IN CHRIST THROUGH CORRECT RULES OF PRAYER AND WORSHIP,
✶✶ HUMILITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL HOLY VIRTUES THAT CAN and practise them properly by UNDERSTANDING ALL
ONLY BE ACQUIRED AND LEARNT THROUGH SINCERE, WILLING ASPECTS OF ORTHODOX LIFE IN CHRIST.
SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND TO HIS ORDAINED By submitting ourselves in Humility and Obedience to
BISHOPS AND PRESBYTERS, WHO ARE OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS. God and to others who teach and guide us, WE HUMBLE
WE MUST BE HUMBLE IN ORDER TO OBEY AND FULFIL THE DIVINE OURSELVES “... under the Mighty Hand of God...”
TRUTH – THE DIVINE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF OUR THE DEEPER OUR FAITH, THE MORE WE REST ASSURED IN THE LOVE
LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST. AND CARE OF OUR LORD GOD, having “...cast all our
THESE ARE VERBALLY TAUGHT TO US by His Chosen Apostles anxieties on Him.”
and those whom He has Called to Teach and Guide WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE, WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE OUR
others ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE TRUTH. GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS GREAT MERCY, for there are
In the Orthodox Church of Christ, VERBAL TRADITION IS always far worse things being experienced by others.
ESSENTIAL TO WRITTEN TRADITION, because UNLESS WE ARE Our Lord Jesus and our Spiritual Fathers repeatedly urge
VERBALLY INSTRUCTED IN THE TRUE TEACHINGS AND us to ALWAYS “... be sober...” and “... be watchful..” so
COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST OUR LORD, WE CANNOT BEGIN TO that we DO NOT FALL INTO SATAN’S SNARES!
ST MARK, THE HOLY APOSTLE & EVANGELIST OF CHRIST OUR LORD & SAVIOUR 25 APRIL 2018 21.
WE MUST HOLD ON TIGHTLY TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Who SO THE ONLY THING WE MUST FEAR, IS BEING DECEIVED BY THE EVIL
leads us safely along His Path of Righteousness. ONE AND THUS BEING ALIENATED FROM OUR MOST BELOVED
THE EVIL ONE EXAMINES US INDIVIDUALLY IN ORDER TO FIND OUR LORD GOD.
WEAKNESSES, WHICH HE THEN USES AGAINST US. “Babylon” is a reference to ROME, which, like ancient
WE ARE TEMPTED BY MEANS OF OUR SENSES – being lured into Babylon to which the Faithful People of God had been
sin through the weakness and desire of our taste, exiled, was a place of MUCH CONFUSION AND TRIBULATION.
smell, sight, touch, thoughts, and speech, which Furthermore, ST PETER, ST PAUL AND INNUMERABLE OTHER
become words and deeds THAT REVEAL OUR SPIRITUAL CHRISTIANS SOONER OR LATER, SUFFERED TERRIBLE
STATE. PERSECUTION, TORTURE AND EXECUTION IN ROME.
WE ARE ALSO TEMPTED INTO SIN BY OUTSIDE INFLUENCES SUCH AS “The kiss or Love or Peace” was A PART OF OUR LITURGICAL
THE FLATTERY AND PRAISES OF OTHERS THAT LEAD US INTO PRACTISE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW COVENANT
SPIRITUALLY FATAL VAINGLORY, PRIDE AND EGOTISM – ALL OF CHURCH OF CHRIST.
WHICH ENTICE US AWAY FROM GOD AND HIS SACRED VIRTUES To this day, we greet each other with “the Kiss of Peace,”
THAT ARE SO VITAL TO OUR ETERNAL SALVATION. which is A CHEEK TO CHEEK GREETING OF MUTUAL LOVE IN
Consequently, INSTEAD OF STRIVING TO ACQUIRE HEAVENLY CHRIST.
TREASURES, we stupidly and stubbornly chase after THE IN THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, THE KISS OF
FLEETING PLEASURES OF TEMPORARY, CORRUPTIBLE WORLDLY PEACE OCCURS BETWEEN THE GREAT ENTRANCE WITH THE HOLY
THINGS THAT ALIENATE US FROM GOD, FROM OTHERS AND EVEN GIFTS AND THE RECITATION OF THE NICENE CREED OF FAITH.
FROM OURSELVES! Historically, the entire Congregation greeted each other
WHEN OUR DEADLY ADVERSARY CANNOT TEMPT US, HE TRIES TO with the Kiss of Peace, which SIGNIFIES FORGIVENESS,
FRIGHTEN US WITH THREATS OF PAIN, SUFFERING AND RECONCILIATION AND BANISHMENT OF EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF
PERSECUTION SO THAT WE WILL BETRAY OUR FAITH AND EVEN INJURY, RECALLING THE DIVINE COMMANDMENT OF OUR LORD:
RENOUNCE THE LORD OUR GOD!! “If you bring your gift to the Altar, and there
If we STEADFASTLY FOCUS ON OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND remember that your Brother has something against
EVERYTHING HE HAS TAUGHT US FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION, you, leave your gift there before the Altar, and go
we will not be distracted nor enticed by Satan’s your way. First be reconciled with your Brother, and
deceptions. then come and offer your gift.” (MATTHEW 5: 23-24)
Therefore, WE MUST LEARN EVERYTHING WE CAN FROM OUR LORD However, since this often caused a raucous disruption of
AND HIS APOSTLES CONCERNING HIS DIVINE TRUTH SO THAT WE the Divine Liturgy, THE KISS OF PEACE IS PERFORMED ONLY
ARE SPIRITUALLY ARMOURED AND PROTECTED AGAINST THE LIES BY THE CLERGY IN THE HOLY SANCTUARY.
AND DECEPTIONS OF THE EVIL ONE AND HIS DEMONS (who are ONCE A YEAR, AT VESPERS OF CHEESEFARE SUNDAY, THE HOLY
spirits as well as wicked, debauched and depraved SERVICE OF FORGIVENESS, THE CONGREGATION WILL GIVE THE
people!) KISS OF PEACE TO ONE ANOTHER.
AT EVERY MOMENT OF THIS SHORT LIFE, WE MUST BE SPIRITUALLY This is just before the beginning of Great Lent, which is a
ALERT AND WATCHFUL in order to faithfully follow our period of intense Spiritual Contemplation, Fasting
Lord Jesus Christ and not drift away from His Divine (self-denial and discipline), Prayers and Repentance-
Presence and Love. Confession, as we proceed towards Holy Week and
EVEN WHEN WE ARE SUFFERING, WE DRAW EVER CLOSER TO GOD Pascha.
Who Perfects, Establishes, Strengthens and Settles us in
His Heavenly Kingdom of Eternal Love, Peace and Joy.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 6 : 7 – 13
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ called the Twelve to Himself, and began to send them out, two by two. And He
granted them Power over unclean spirits. He Commanded them to take nothing for the Journey except a staff – no
bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts – to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. And He said to them:
“In whatsoever place you enter a house, stay there until you depart that place. And whomever will not receive
you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust from under your feet as a testimony against
them. Truly, I say unto you: it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgement than for
their city!”
They went out and preached that people should Repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many
who were sick, and Healed them.
✶✶ THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ARE OFTEN ✶✶ Our Lord Jesus Commanded His Apostles to “...take
REFERRED TO AS EITHER “APOSTLES” OR “DISCIPLES.” nothing for the Journey except a staff...” so that they
A DISCIPLE IS A STUDENT WHO IS UNDER THE DISCIPLINE OF A would LEARN TO TRUST GOD’S PROVIDENCE – i.e. not to
TEACHER OR SPIRITUAL FATHER, especially while being worry about food nor shelter, for THEY WOULD RECEIVE
taught and Spiritual Enlightened by a Holy Father. WHATEVER THEY NEEDED through their Faith.
WE ARE ALL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, as we are under the ✶✶ “A staff” is THE WALKING STICK THAT ALL MEN TOOK WITH
Discipline of our Lord Jesus Christ WHOM WE STRIVE THEM TO PROTECT THEM AND TO AID THEM AS THEY WALKED FOR
TO OBEY IN ALL THINGS. GREAT DISTANCES.
AN “APOSTLE” IS ONE WHO HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY SENT OUT to ✶✶ The Apostles were instructed to wear “...sandals and
prepare the people or to Enlighten them not to put on two tunics...” because THEY WOULD HAVE
concerning the Lord our God. FAR TO WALK AND THUS COULD NOT WALK BAREFOOT, which
THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST – THE TWELVE AND THE SEVENTY – they were used to as Fishermen, and an extra tunic
HAD BEEN CHOSEN BY OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR TO PREPARE THE was also unnecessary for THE WEATHER WOULD BE GOOD
PEOPLE FOR HIS HOLY GOSPEL, AND LATER, TO SPREAD THE AND THEY WOULD BE ACCOMMODATED AT NIGHT WHEN IT WAS
HOLY GOSPEL AND ALL DIVINE TRUTH THROUGHOUT THE COLD.
WORLD. Our Lord knew that THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE DEVOUT PEOPLE
OUR LORD BESTOWED HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY AND POWER UPON HIS WHO WOULD OFFER HIM AND HIS APOSTLES FOOD AND SHELTER,
TWELVE APOSTLES TO ENABLE THEM TO PERFORM DIVINE AND OFTEN, OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS, as they travelled far
MIRACLES – i.e. the MIRACLES THAT GOD ALONE CAN DO – from their homes.
while He performed His Miracles directly as our ST PAUL AND HIS DISCIPLES UNDERTOOK ALL THEIR MISSIONARY
Creator and Lord God. JOURNEYS IN THE SAME MANNER, working for wages if
According to St Matthew’s account, THEY WERE LISTED “TWO necessary, so that they never became a burden to
BY TWO” AS OUR LORD HAD SENT THEM OUT ON THEIR FIRST others but always “paid their way” voluntarily.
MISSIONARY JOURNEY to prepare the way for Him and to If we share each other’s ‘burdens’ we lighten ‘the weight’ -
Heal the ailing and cast out demons from those who by DOING WHATEVER WE CAN TO ASSIST EACH OTHER, WITHOUT
were possessed, thereby increasing the Judean’s TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY OF
acceptance of and belief in our Divine Saviour. (CF. OTHERS.
MATTHEW 10:1-15) GOD GRANTS US ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS, and
THE LISTS OF THE NAMES OF THE TWELVE HOLY APOSTLES OF THE MORE WE DO SO, THE MORE WE RECEIVE – not always in
CHRIST MAY VARY DUE TO SOME OF THEM HAVING TWO NAMES the same way, but in a variety of other ways!
WHEREBY THEY WERE KNOWN: ✶✶ THOSE WHO REJECTED CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES WOULD BE
ST SIMON PETER AND ST ANDREW, HIS BROTHER; REJECTED BY GOD AT THEIR FINAL JUDGEMENT, for WHATEVER
ST JAMES AND ST JOHN, THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE; WE THINK, SPEAK OR DO NOW HAS A CONSEQUENCE, BOTH NOW
ST PHILIP AND ST BARTHOLOMEW NATHANIEL; AND LATER, which is the reason for our Lord’s severe
ST THOMAS AND ST MATTHEW LEVI; warning.
ST JAMES, SON OF ALPHAEUS AND ST LEBBAEUS THADDEUS; Initially, His Mission was to Redeem His Chosen People of
ST SIMON THE CANAANITE AND ST JUDAS ISCARIOT, WHO Israel, so their rejection had dire consequences for
WOULD BETRAY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. them, unless they eventually accepted Him as Lord.
4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – THE PARALYTIC OF THE SHEEP POOL AT BETHESDA – 29 APRIL 2018 23
POWER OF OUR LORD THROUGH HIS HOLY NAME, WHICH CHRIST’S HOLY GOSPEL AND LEADING MANY SOULS TO
CONTINUES IN CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH TO THIS VERY DAY. SINCERE REPENTANCE AND ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST.
The Divine Signs or Miracles of the Holy Apostles of Christ St Peter’s raising St Tabitha from the dead parallels
convinced many witnesses and others who then Christ’s raising the daughter of the Synagogue Ruler,
turned to the Lord. Jairus, from death.
✶✶ THESE DIVINE SIGNS OR MIRACLES PROVE THE GREAT MERCY
AND POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD – THUS CONFIRMING
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 5 : 1 – 15
THE PARALYTIC AT THE SHEEP’S POOL IS HEALED AFTER 38 YEARS BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time our Lord Jesus went up to Jerusalem. There is in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, a pool, which is called in
Hebrew: ‘Bethesda,’ having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people: blind, lame and paralysed –
waiting for the moving of the water. An Angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water.
Whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
A certain man was there who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he
already had been in that condition for a long time, He said to him: “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man
answered Him: “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am going,
another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him: “Rise. Take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man
was made well, took up his bed and walked.
That day was the Sabbath. The Hebrews, therefore, said to him who was cured: “It is the Sabbath! It is not lawful for
you to carry your bed!” He answered them: “He Who made me well said to me: ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” They
asked him: “Who is the Man Who said to you: ‘Take up your bed and walk?’” But the one who was healed did not
know Who it was. Jesus had withdrawn – a multitude being in that place.
Afterwards Jesus found him in the Temple and said to him: “Behold! You have been made well. Sin no more, lest a
worse thing come upon you.”The man departed and told the Judeans that it was Jesus Who had made him well.
✶✶THIS DIVINE HEALING WAS THE THIRD SIGN OR MIRACLE THAT ST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO DO SO, BUT CHOOSE TO DO
JOHN THE DIVINE APOSTLE RECORDED IN HIS HOLY GOSPEL, NOTHING EXCEPT TO BLAME GOD AND UNJUSTLY
which EXEMPLIFIES THE DIVINE POWER OF CHRIST OUR LORD COMPLAIN!!
TO RESTORE A PERSON TO WHOLENESS – TO FULL HEALTH, ✶ ✶✶ GOD DOES EVERYTHING IN HIS OWN TIME AND ACCORDING TO
DESPITE THE DEGREE OF AFFLICTION. HIS OWN DIVINE WILL
The Feast, which is referred to, was THE OLD COVENANT ✶✶✶ ONLY HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR US AND HOW TO HELP US.
PENTECOST – ALSO KNOWN AS “THE FEAST OF WEEKS,” WHICH We usually have to correct OUR OWN PERSONAL SPIRITUAL
CELEBRATES THE GRANTING OF THE DIVINE LAW – THE TEN CONDITION before we are able to receive or experience
COMMANDMENTS OF GOD – TO ST MOSES ON MOUNT SINAI. God’s Divine Grace and Mercy:
(the references to the Law of Moses later in this chapter We need to Repent our sins, to humble ourselves, to learn
confirm this interpretation of our Holy Church Fathers..) Obedience to God, to Forgive others, to do unselfish and
✶ The double-basin Pool of Bethesda, which was believed Loving (Charitable) Acts of Mercy without exception, learn
to have had miraculous curative powers, has been re- to be Patient, Kind, Gentle, Generous, develop a positive
discovered about 100 yards North of the Temple area, attitude and to fulfil all our Sacred Duties and
near to the Sheep Gate. Commitments with willing and eager heart and soul! mp
THE WATER FOR THIS HIGH-GROUND POOL CAME FROM
✶✶ ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM STRANGE THAT OUR LORD ASKED THE
UNDERGROUND SPRINGS and was used TO WASH THE
SACRIFICIAL LAMBS BEFORE THEY WERE SLAUGHTERED AS BLOOD PARALYSED MAN IF HE WANTED TO BE HEALED, IT WAS A
MOST RELEVANT QUESTION FOR SEVERAL REASONS:
OFFERINGS FOR THE ATONEMENT AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS
ACCORDING TO THE OLD COVENANT LAW.
➤ It made public the fact that THE SICK MAN KEPT HIS
FAITH EVEN IN A SITUATION THAT WAS SEEMINGLY
✶✶ THE POOL OF BETHESDA FUNCTIONED AS A TYPE OF HOLY
HOPELESS, for how could a paralytic ever be the
BAPTISM:
first into the water?
➤ UNDER THE OLD COVENANT, ALTHOUGH A GREAT
MULTITUDE WAITED to enter the water for physical
➤ O UR LORD DREW ATTENTION away from the water and
towards THE NEED WE ALL HAVE FOR THE HELP AND
healing after an Angel of God had touched it
ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHERS, WHICH IS FULFILLED IN
and stirred it up, ONLY ONE PERSON WAS HEALED AT
CHRIST HIMSELF, Who became Man in order to
A TIME.
heal all ailing and fallen mankind.
The water was special because IN AN INDIRECT MANNER IT
➤ NOT EVERYONE WHO IS ILL ACTUALLY DESIRES HEALING, for
WAS PART OF THE BLOOD SACRIFICES of the Holy Temple of
sadly, some prefer to remain infirm in order to
Jerusalem, since the sacrificial animals were
have an excuse or licence to complain, to
cleansed in the water.
avoid any responsibility for their lives, or to
➤ However, DIVINE GRACE WAS LIMITED TO THE FIRST
continue drawing the pity of others!
PERSON WHO ENTERED THE WATER – BUT NOT TO THE
Although MOSAIC LAW DID NOT SPECIFICALLY FORBID THE
REST.
CARRYING OF BURDENS ON THE SABBATH, it was prohibited
✶✶ GOD’S NEW COVENANT BAPTISM IS GRANTED TO ALL NATIONS
and explicitly forbidden in Rabbinical Teachings.
AS A DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN CHRIST’S OWN SACRIFICIAL
JEREMIAH 17 : 23 The Lord said: “... if you will not hear
DEATH – WITHOUT THE MEDIATION OF HIS ANGELS.
Me so as to Sanctify the Sabbath Days, and bear
➤ Holy Baptism of the New (Bloodless) Covenant
no burdens, nor enter the gates of Jerusalem on
GRANTS US ALL HEALING OF THE BODY AND OF THE
the Sabbath Days, then I will kindle a fire in her
IMMORTAL SOUL,
gates. It will consume the streets of Jerusalem
➤ AS WELL AS THE DIVINE PROMISE OF ETERNAL
and will not be quenched.”
RESURRECTION OF THE BODY.
ST JEREMIAH THE HOLY PROPHET OF GOD DELIVERED THE WORD OF
Furthermore, DIVINE GRACE OF THE NEW COVENANT IS
THE LORD WHICH COMMANDED THAT ISRAEL STOP VIOLATING
INEXHAUSTIBLE AND IS OFFERED TO ALL WHO SEEK IT.
THE SABBATH DAY. The Reward for Obedience to God is
✶✶ According to St John Chrysostom, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
a gathering of the Nations into Jerusalem to offer
SINGLED OUT THE MAN WHO HAD SUFFERED FOR THIRTY-
sacrifices, and although this was done after the Exile,
EIGHT YEARS – PATIENTLY WAITING TO BE HEALED.
IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FULFILLED UNTIL THE GENTILES
THEREBY CHRIST TEACHES US TO PERSEVERE AND TO HAVE
JOINED THE PROCESSION ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST.
PATIENCE.
✶✶ The Truth that CHRIST IS LORD OVER THE SABBATH is made
IT IS ALSO A JUDGEMENT OR CONDEMNATION AGAINST
clear by His Command to the Paralytic and by the
THOSE WHO LOSE HOPE OR PATIENCE ALTOGETHER –
man’s unhesitating Obedience to Him.
AND THOSE WHO DESPAIR – WHO LOSE ALL HOPE AND FAITH
As is often the case in the Holy Gospel according to St
IN GOD’S DIVINE PROVIDENCE BECAUSE THEIR
John, “HEBREWS” REFERS TO THE LEADERS - and not to the
CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN
people in general – WHOSE MALICE IS QUITE EVIDENT
WILL AND DESIRES,
BECAUSE THEY FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE “VIOLATION” OF THE
We are especially Judged WHEN WE HAVE ONLY MINOR
SABBATH RATHER THAN ON THE GREAT MIRACLE OF THE LONG-
PROBLEMS THAT CAN BE EASILY RESOLVED IF ONLY WE
SUFFERING PARALYTIC.
24. 4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – THE PARALYTIC OF THE SHEEP POOL AT BETHESDA – 29 APRIL 2018
✶✶ THE GENUINE AND PROFOUND FAITH OF THE MAN IS SIN CAUSES SPIRITUAL DEATH, WHICH ONLY REPENTANCE CAN
DEMONSTRATED BY HIS IMMEDIATELY GOING TO THE TEMPLE RESOLVE BY RETURNING US TO SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST.
TO OFFER HIS HEARTFELT THANKSGIVING AND WORSHIP, ✶✶ IF WE STUBBORNLY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, CONFESS AND
instead of going home, or anywhere else to show REPENT OUR SINS THEY WILL DESTROY OUR SOUL – leading
off his healed body. to a far worse consequence than any terrible,
ALL MIRACULOUS HEALINGS HAD TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TEMPLE painful or disabling affliction of the body!
PRIESTS, FOLLOWED BY VARIOUS CLEANSING AND SACRIFICIAL ✶✶ Our only hope is to RESIST ALL TEMPTATION AND SIN BY
RITES ACCORDING TO MOSAIC LAW. BESEECHING THE LORD OUR GOD FOR HIS DIVINE STRENGTH
✶ WHILE THERE IS A GENERAL CONNECTION BETWEEN SIN AND AND ASSISTANCE.
SUFFERING, this connection is not always one to one, THE HEALED PARALYTIC DID NOT REPORT OUR LORD JESUS TO
for THE INNOCENT OFTEN SUFFER WHILE THE GUILTY SEEM THE HEBREW LEADERS IN A MALICIOUS MANNER BUT AS A
TO BE SPARED EARTHLY CONSEQUENCES. WITNESS OF CHRIST’S ABSOLUTE GOODNESS.
✶✶ Nevertheless, OUR SINS USUALLY LEAD DIRECTLY TO MOST OF Although THOSE MISGUIDED LEADERS WERE ONLY INTERESTED
THE SUFFERING OF THIS WORLD – OUR OWN SUFFERING AND IN THE VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH, THE RESTORED MAN
– EVEN WORSE - THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS DUE TO OUR EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS OUR LORD JESUS WHO HAD HEALED
SELFISH OR THOUGHTLESS ACTIONS. HIM, WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT CARRYING HIS BED –
Christ’s dire warning: “Sin no more...” was NOT ONLY i.e. WITHOUT BLAMING CHRIST FOR CAUSING HIM TO BREAK
ADDRESSED TO THE HEALED MAN, BUT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE THE SABBATH.
OF US!
4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – THE PARALYTIC OF BETHESDA POOL
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Nevertheless, he continued to wait patiently, hoping to
Dearly Beloved, we may wonder why the Gospel account find Salvation one day.
of the Healing of the Paralytic of Bethesda was chosen When our Lord asked him, “Do you want to be healed?”
for the 4th Sunday of the Paschal Season, although he did not reply: “Yes Lord, please heal me!”
those concerning St Thomas and the Holy Myrrh- He was still hoping that someone would be kind enough
bearers are understandable. carry him into the pool, so he answered, “Sir, I have
Perhaps our incomprehension is rooted in our modern no man to put me into the pool ...”
separation of Holy Pascha from the Holy Mystery of But his Salvation was not in the pool - It was in our Lord
Baptism. Jesus Who simply said: “Rise! Take your pallet, and
In the early Church from at least the time of Tertullian walk!” And the Paralytic immediately obeyed Him.
Holy Pascha was considered as the time for Baptism, The Paralytic had no need of the Pool of Bethesda after
and the spectacle of many Catechumens lining up to all! ALL HE NEEDED WAS THE LOVE AND COMPASSION OF OUR
be Baptised in the Baptistery (a separate building in GRACIOUS DIVINE SAVIOUR!
those days) and then processing with solemn Joy into In the subtext of St John’s Holy Gospel, THE POOL OF
the church to be Anointed with the laying on of hands BETHESDA FUNCTIONED AS AN IMAGE OF THE LAW AND THE
by the Bishop forged an indelible link in people’s PARALYTIC AS AN IMAGE OF ISRAEL HOPING TO FIND SALVATION
minds between Pascha and Baptism. IN THE LAW.
Even now in our Pascha-night Liturgy, in place of the THE PARALYTIC HAD WAITED FOR SALVATION FOR MANY LONG
Trisagion Hymn we sing the ancient Baptism Hymn: YEARS IN HIS WRETCHED CONDITION, EVEN AS ISRAEL HAD
“As many as have been Baptised into Christ...” WAITED AND SUFFERED FOR MANY LONG YEARS FOR DIVINE
In early Sacred Tradition, Pascha meant Baptism and SALVATION.
Baptism always had a Paschal feel to it as they were The Bethesda Pool was thought to have been STIRRED BY A
inextricably linked. HOLY ANGEL, even as THE LAW HAD BEEN GIVEN “...by the
That might explain why all the Sunday Gospels in the Direction of Angels.” (ACTS 7:53)
Paschal Season after Sunday of the Holy Myrrh- THE POOL OF BETHESDA HAD FIVE PORTICOES even as THE MOSAIC
bearers focus upon water – LAW HAD FIVE BOOKS—a detail noticed by Saint
The helpless Paralytic is Healed at the Pool of Augustine. (JOHN 5:4),
Bethesda Like the Paralytic who had to stop relying on the Pool for
the Samaritan woman Encounters our Lord Jesus Salvation and turn instead to Christ, so ISRAEL HAD TO
Christ at Jacob’s Well STOP RELYING UPON THE LAW TO SAVE THEM, AND ALSO TURN
the man born without eyes, is granted physical and TO CHRIST.
Spiritual Sight as he washes in the Pool of Siloam. THE OLD COVENANT WAS REPLACED BY THE NEW COVENANT.
In all these Gospels accounts, water is significant - a The contrast between the Old and the New Covenant is
clear echo of Holy Baptism for those to whom Baptism clearly evident throughout St John’s Gospel - not
was linked with Pascha. Jewish water, but Christ’s Wine, not the old Temple,
As early as Tertullian (in his book ‘On Baptism’, chapter 5), but Christ’s Body, not the Manna in the Wilderness, but
THE DESCENT OF THE ANGEL OF GOD INTO THE BETHESDA POOL Christ’s Flesh.
FORESHADOWED THE SPIRITUAL AND TRANSFORMATIVE POWER Christian Faith involved turning from the Old Covenant
OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. and Teachings to the New Covenant and Teachings,
As we examine the story of the Paralytic of Bethesda in as Sacred Jewish history veered upward into the
greater depth, it is important to see that in its original Eternal, Heavenly Kingdom and the Eschaton. (“the
context the Bethesda Pool was not a Source of Last Days”)
Salvation for the Paralytic, but a rival alternative to it - It was as St Isaiah had foretold long ago: “Remember
if not its positive impediment. not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
The Paralytic lay near to the pool, having suffered for Behold, I am doing a New Thing; now it springs
thirty-eight years in his wretched condition, yet forth, do you now perceive it?” (ISAIAH 43:18-19)
always hoping to be Healed. This is the Newness of Holy Pascha, and the New Life
When the waters were stirred (by an Angel, as everyone granted to us in our Holy Baptism.
thought), he hoped that one day he would be the first The Paralytic found New Life in Christ - not in the ancient
one into the pool to soak up the Divine Power and be Pool of Bethesda, but in the Living Christ.
restored to full health. Our Paschal Season reminds us that this Holy Church of
However, having been paralysed for so long, he no Christ our Divine Saviour is where we find New Life
longer had any friends or relatives who could help and constant Renewal as well.
him get to the water so others always reached the
waters first. ARCHPRIEST LAWRENCE FARLEY | 12 MAY 2014
HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM/PARALYTIC-POOL/
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Those who exercise Restraint spend their Life at ease and in great Spiritual Freedom, for Frugality feeds the body, since
the organism is able to absorb only a little at a time. More than that not only does not nourish the body, but
actually destroys it.
4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – THE PARALYTIC OF THE SHEEP POOL AT BETHESDA – 29 APRIL 2018 25
EVERY MAN IS AN IMAGE OF GOD,
We must always remember that EVERY HUMAN BEING IS AN As Christian we ought to PRAY FOR ALL CHRISTIANS, AS FOR
IMAGE OF GOD, AND THAT ALL HIS GLORY IS WITHIN US, in our OURSELVES, that God may prosper us all in Life, in Faith,
heart. and in Spiritual Wisdom, and may free us from our
Mankind looks upon the face of others, whilst GOD LOOKS sins and passions.
UPON OUR HEART. In accordance with Christian Love, which sees in all other
CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, THE MOST HOLY GOD, “...is not Christians - its own members and members of Christ
ashamed to call us sinners ‘Brethren’...” our God - our common Saviour, DESIRING FOR THEM THE
Therefore WE MUST NOT BE ASHAMED OF OUR BROTHERS AND SAME AS FOR OURSELVES, AND STRIVING BY EVERY MEANS
SISTERS WHO ARE POOR, OBSCURE, SIMPLE PEOPLE -whether POSSIBLE TO DO UNTO THEM AS WE WOULD LIKE DONE UNTO US.
they are our relatives according to the flesh or not. Our God of Love is Unchangeable, and WE, TOO, OUGHT TO
WE MUST NOT BE PROUD IN OUR DEALINGS WITH THEM – we must BE UNCHANGEABLE AND CONSTANT IN OUR LOVE FOR GOD AND
not despise them - for we are all Brethren in Christ — FOR EACH OTHER.
we were all Born of Water and the Spirit in the “Love never fails...” whilst dislike, hatred, or indifference
Baptismal Font and have become Children of God. and neglect are inventions of the evil one.
As Christians, WE ARE ALL BEING NOURISHED WITH THE BODY AND LOVE FOR GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOUR, IN OUR PRESENT CORRUPT
BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD - THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD – STATE IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT SELF-SACRIFIce.
PARTICIPATING IN ALL THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF THE CHURCH We who wish to fulfil the Divine Commandment
AND PRAYING OUR LORD’S PRAYER, ADDRESSING GOD AS OUR concerning Love for God and our neighbour, ought to
HEAVENLY FATHER. DEVOTE OURSELVES IN GOOD TIME TO GREAT DEEDS AND
To Love God with all our heart means to LOVE WITH ALL OUR PRIVATIONS FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE WHOM WE LOVE.
SOUL MEEKNESS, HUMILITY, PURITY AND CHASTITY, WISDOM, “Hereby we perceive the Love of God, because He
TRUTH, MERCY, OBEDIENCE, FOR THE SAKE OF GOD, and (Christ) laid down His Life for us.”
NEVER TO ACT CONTRARY TO THESE VIRTUES - that is, we “Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay
must not become proud, irritated, or angry; nor down his life for his friends.”
commit adultery even in the heart; nor violate
Chastity, neither by look, thought, nor gesture.
EXCERPTS FROM THE DIARY OF ST. JOHN OF KRONSTADT “ON LOVE” & “ MY
WE MUST AVOID EVERY INCONSIDERATE, NEEDLESS WORD AND DEED,
SHUN EVERY INIQUITY; hate avarice and covetousness;
LIFE IN CHRIST” – “ MOMENTS OF SPIRITUAL SERENITY AND
flee from self-will and disobedience. CONTEMPLATION, OF REVERENT FEELING, OF EARNEST SELF-AMENDMENT,
AND OF PEACE IN GOD” BY ST. JOHN OF KRONSTADT.
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS & HOLY MOTHERS
ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT: Prayer, for it is dragged here and there by is
We must strive for our Salvation all together, not each, impassioned thoughts, and cannot be still. We will
separately. We must Struggle and Triumph, but we never manage to pray purely if we re involved with
must not ever think that we are worthy or wise, for if material things and are upset over continuous
we do, we accuse God of being unkind and unwise! commitments, for Prayer means freedom from all
concern.
ST PAISIOS OF MOUNT ATHOS
The Joy felt by those who are truly Spiritual, is not the ST LUKE THE DOCTOR
same as the worldly joy that is sought by so many We must not be sad, nor grieve more that necessary, for
people these days. then we are giving an opportunity to the evil one to
Let us not confuse things. strike us with great force...!
Did the Saints have the kind of Joy that we are seeking?
Did our Lady, Theotokos? Did our Lord Jesus Christ ELDER CLEOPA ILIE
laugh? What Saint went through this life without The evil one has neither the power nor permission to lord
pain? What Saint had the kind of joy so many it over us, to deceive us nor to bend our will towards
Christians in our day and age are seeking? sin. He merely brings us into temptation through a
For most of us do not want to hear anything that is variety of sly ploys, fantasies and recollections, with
‘unpleasant,’ so that we do not become ‘upset’ and our feelings, the weaknesses of our nature and with
lose our calm composure! pleasure and thoughts.
If, in order to be ‘happy,’ we do not want to be worried,
and if, in order to be Meek, we do not want to lose our ST THEOPHAN THE RECLUSE
‘peace of mind,’ then we are indifferent! The Holy Fear of God is the Root of every Good Work. We
Spiritual Forbearance is one thing, but forbearance born must never let it out of our heart – not even for a
of indifference is quite another! second! Like a candle, the Holy Fear of God lights up
and Illumines all our thoughts, all the inner
ST DIMITRI OF ROSTOV movements of our heart. It teaches us to make Good
Love, Love, Love our Lord! And never forget – the proof of Spiritual Progress, and to do everything as the Work of
our Love for Him is the faithful observance of His God [not our own!]. The Fear of God teaches us to
Commandments. The beginning of our Love for Him stand like those who are in the Very Presence of our
is the Humility of the Publican. The Fulfilment of our King, and teaches us to go forward carefully – as
Love is Victory over the demonic passions and the though holding a full glass of water and trying not to
Purification of our heart. The result of our Love is the spill a drop!
Residing in our heart of Him Who said: “Blessed are
the Pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew A RCHIMANDRITE G EORGI OS K APSANI S OF G REGORI OU M ONASTE RY
5:8) There is no such thing as a Christian without a Cross and
Spiritual Struggle! There is no such thing as a
ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN Christian who can follow an ‘easy’ Path! Some people
Fasting is a Commandment that was given for human erroneously thing that being a Christian means to
nature to observe from the beginning, and the First- observe certain Commandments, and having an easy
Created fell from there. life, with comforts, with worldly prosperity and security
in worldly terms. But that is not at all what a Life in
ST SERAPHIM OF SAROV Christ means! For Faithful Disciples of Christ are those
If, out of Love for God and a Life of Virtue, we are not who Struggle every day, in order to Love God and to
overly concerned about ourselves and believe that Love their Brethren in Christ.
God will look after us, this Trust in God’s Providence is
both real and sensible. ABBESS MAKRINA OF OUR LADY THE GUIDE MONASTERY
If we do not have Prayer, we have nothing – only disorder
ST NILOS THE ASCETIC and negligence!
If we are bound, we cannot run. Nor is a mind that works
like a slave for some passion or other capable of real
26. 4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – THE PARALYTIC OF THE SHEEP POOL AT BETHESDA – 29 APRIL 2018