Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

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

1 November 2010

St Kosmas & St Damianos

the Unmercenary Physicians & Wonderworkers of Asia Minor

Feast of St Theodota, (mother of St Kosmas & St Damianos) – St John

Hieromartyr of Persia – St James the Zealot & Hieromartyr of Persia – St Cyrenia and St Juliana of
Cilicia; St Hermeningilda, Price of Goths in Spain – St Caesarios, St Adrian, St Dacios, St Savas,
St Sabinian, St Agrippa and St Thomas of Damascus – St James of Kastoria & his disciples: St James
the Deacon & St Dionysios of Prodromou Monastery, Mount Athos – Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenaries
Apolytikion Of The Unmercenaries – Tone Plagal 4

Agii Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe tas Sainted Unmercenaries and Wonder Workers, regard
astheneias imon: dorean elavete, dorean dote imin! our infirmities; freely you have received, freely
share with us.
Kontakion Of The Ever Blessed Theotokos

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of Christians unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
imon, ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten
presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Theotoke, ton timonton se. Theotokos who always protects all who honour
Thee!
The First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 12 : 27 – 13 : 8
LOVE, A DIVINE AND EVERLASTING GIFT THAT IS SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHER GIFTS

Brethren: you are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first
Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of healing, helps, administrations,
varieties of tongues (languages).
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healing? Do
all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best Gifts. And yet I show you a more
excellent way.
Although I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge,
and although I have all Faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing!
And although I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt, but have not Love, it
profits me nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.
Love never fails!
But whether there are Prophecies, they will fail. Whether there are tongues, they will cease. Whether there is
Knowledge, it will vanish away.
There was a Hierarchy of Honour in the Holy Church of Furthermore, while we must aim to do all things out of
the New Covenant as there is in the Church today. Love, we must also not cease fearing – i.e.
The Apostolic Work – that of the Bishop – sets the pace respecting – God and (willingly) obeying Him.
for all the rest. To any church that is preoccupied with the speaking of
When the oversight of the Bishop is in order – i.e. the tongues – different languages – St Paul taught the
supervision of the Bishop – the rest of the Holy ultimate Divine Gift – that of Divine Love – Agape..
Church is free to function at its optimal level. Divine or Godly Love outshines prophecy and all faith
However, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and because it is of far greater value and spiritual
operative, there is something even more excellent benefit than the miraculous ability to remove
and that is the Love of God – Agape – which is the mountains!
True Sign of the Presence of the Life-giving, All Holy Our Lord Jesus urged us to give to the poor and to lay
Spirit. down our lives for others but even such a selfless
St Basil the Great taught us that there are three reasons act of Holy Martyrdom and personal sacrifice that is
– all Biblical and all God-given – that we follow the done without Love will profit us absolutely nothing –
Lord: it will be a wasted effort because it is not done
1. Fear (Proverbs 1:7 “The Fear of God is the strictly out of Love for others and especially for God.
beginning of Wisdom.”) This particular passage gives us specific characteristics
2. Obedience – a recognition that because He is God Of True Love – Divine Godly Love - Agape:
we must follow Him. (Acts 5:29 “... Peter and the ✽ Love is patient, kind and gentle, especially with
other Apostles answered: ‘We ought to obey those who are hurt. (1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “We
God rather than men...’) exhort you, Brethren: warn those who are
unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the
3. Love - (1 John 4:19 “We Love Him (God) weak, be patient with all.” ; Ephesians 4:32 “...
because He first Loved us.”) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
forgiving each other, even as God in Christ
forgives you.”)
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✽ Love does not envy and is not jealous of what
others have. (Proverbs 23:17 – “Do not let your
heart envy sinners, but be in Fear of the Lord
the whole day long.”)
✽ Love does not parade itself or put itself on
display. (John 3:30 “He (Christ) must increase,
but I (St John the Baptist) must decrease.”
✽ Love is not puffed up or arrogant or proud.
(Galatians 6:3 “... If anyone thinks himself to be
something, when he is nothing, he deceives
himself.”
✽ Love does not act rudely or brashly, mean-
spiritedly nor does it insult anyone. (Ecclesiastes
5:2 “The voice of a senseless man is with a
multitude of words.”
✽ Love does not seek its own way or act forcefully
(1 Corinthians 10:24: “Let no one seek his own,
but each one the other’s well-being.”)
✽ Love bears all things – it copes with burdensome
things or all difficulties of daily life. (Galatians 6:2
“Bear each other’s burdens, and so fulfil the
law of Christ.”)
✽ Love believes all things and trusts in God no
matter what the circumstances or what happens.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 11: 47 – 12 : 1
AVOID THE FATAL SINS OF PRIDE AND HYPOCRISY
(Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in God with all your
heart.”)
✽ Love hopes all things: it keeps looking upwards,
does not despair and is always optimistic
(Philippians 3:13 “... Forgetting those things
that are behind, and reaching forward to
those things that are ahead.”
✽ Love endures all things: it puts up with
everything and does not wear out. (Galatians 6:9 “...
Grow not weary while doing good, for in due
season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.”
The only thing that Love cannot do is fail! (1
Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done
with Love.”
The Divine Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as wonderful as they
are, are merely temporary and incomplete. They
are for the purpose of this life only, while we are
still Spiritual “Children” – Spiritually Immature.
However, Love is Eternal, complete and fulfilling,
and it continues into the Age to come.

At that time, our Lord Jesus said to a Pharisee: “Woe to you! For you built the tombs of the Prophets, and your
fathers killed them. In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed
killed them, and you built their tombs.
“Therefore the Wisdom of God also said: ‘I will send them Prophets and Apostles, and some of them they will kill
and persecute,’ that the blood of all the Prophets that was shed from the foundation of the world may be
required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the Altar
and the Temple.
“Yes! I say to you: it shall be required of this generation!
“Woe to you Lawyers! For you have taken away the Key of Knowledge. You yourselves did not enter, and those
who were entering you hindered.”
And as Jesus said these things to them, the Scribes and Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross3
examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, so
that they might accuse Him.
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one
another, He began to say to His Disciples first of all: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy! For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known!”
Our Lord Jesus Christ used the term: “Woe!” which Our own self-denial, Repentance-Confession and
indicates COMPLETE, DEVASTATING DESTRUCTION. regular partaking of the Holy Mysteries, which all

Isaiah 5 : 18 – 24: “Woe to those who draw sins to bring us closer to God in humble and eager
themselves as with a long rope and willingness to obey and worship God, conquer and
lawlessness as with the strap of a cow’s destroy any deceptions or enslaving bonds of
yoke, who say: ‘Let God speedily hasten wickedness of the evil one – as well as unselfish,
what He will do so that we may see it, and loving encouragement through the Prayers and
let the counsel (advice) of the Holy One of assistance of our fellow strugglers.
Israel come, so that we may know it!’ The short time of Satan is the period of tribulation just
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, prior to the end of the ages – just before the Eighth
who put darkness for light and light for Day – the General Resurrection and the Final
darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet Judgement of Christ.
for bitter! Because the example of a leader can be so influential,
“Woe to those who are intelligent in their own ANY LEADER WHO DOES NOT LOVE GOD WILL HINDER
eyes and expert in their own sight! OTHERS FROM SEEKING, FINDING AND DEVELOPING
A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP OF HUMBLE OBEDIENCE AND
Woe to your stron ones who drink wind and the WORSHIP WITH GOD.
mighty ones who mix intoxicating drink, who Therefore, DUE TO THE INCALCULABLE RESPONSIBILITY
justify the ungodly for a bribe and take away OF ANY LEADER FOR THE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL
Justice from the Righteous! WELFARE OF OTHERS, THEY ARE HELD TO A HIGHER
“Therefore in the manner that stubble shall be STANDARD THAN THOSE WHO FOLLOW OR OBEY
burnt by coals of fire and consumed by a THEM.
violent flame, their root shall be like chaff and
James 3:1 “My Brethren: let NOT many of you
their flower shall go up like dust, for they did become Teachers, knowing that we shall
not will to do the Law of the Lord of Hosts, receive a stricter Judgement, for we all
but despised the Word of the Holy One of stumble in many things.”
Israel.” ✽ WHAT WE SAY, DO OR TEACH OTHERS REVEALS THE

Amos 5 : 18 : “Woe to you who desire the Day of TRUE STATE OF WHAT WE REALLY ARE.
the Lord! What is the Day of the Lord to If we control our words, we can control what we do,
you? It will be Darkness, not Light!” which is a prime example of the relationship

Revelation: 12:12 “Rejoice, O Heavens! And you between Faith and Works.
who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants This substantiates (proves) the relentless Spiritual
of the earth and the sea! For the devil has Warfare that confronts and threatens us, and
come down to you, having great wrath, against which we must ceaselessly struggle.
because he knows that he has a short We must CONSISTENTLY GUARD AGAINST HYPOCRITICAL
AND CONTRADICTORY THOUGHTS, SPEECH AND
time!”
DEEDS.
Satan and all his evil inventions – the deadly passions
✽ TRUE WISDOM COMES ONLY FROM GOD AND IS
or sins – are overcome – defeated by Christ’s Self- PROVED BY THE FRUIT IT BEARS – the result or
sacrifice and that of the Holy Saints and Martyrs –
consequence of such Wisdom.
those who did not love their lives to death.
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These dire warnings of our Lord Jesus Christ are COMMITMENT TO GOD, and which safeguard our
especially vital to Orthodox Christians. Life IN Christ.
HIS HOLY CHURCH HAS CAREFULLY AND FAITHFULLY However, if we merely pay “lip service” to them, without
MAINTAINED THE HOLY TRADITION OF OUR CHURCH ever really taking them to heart and practising -
FATHERS - the verbal Instructions and Teachings i.e. LIVING - WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY
of Jesus Christ, (God Himself!) to His Holy Apostles, CHRIST, we will face Eternal Condemnation as
which have been PRESERVED UNCHANGED AND hypocrites!
PASSED ON THROUGHOUT THE AGES TO US.
✽ GOD’S TRUTH – ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND PURE –
AND ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE OUR
EXPRESSIONS OF DEEP FAITH, WHICH LEAD US
TO A MORE INTIMATE AND SINCERE

St Kosmas & St Damianos - Holy Wonder-workers & Unmercenary Physicians of Asia Minor
St Kosmas and St Damianos lived in Asia Minor and sincere respect for the Most Sacred Name of
(POSSIBLY MESOPOTAMIA.)
God.
Their pagan father had died while they were still
Consequently, the reassured and relieved Faithful
quite small so their mother, St Theodota, was
laid the venerable Holy Relics of the Unmercenary
able to raise them in Christian piety.
Brothers side by side at Thereman, Mesopotamia.
Through her own example, and by reading Holy
Even after their repose in Christ, the Holy
Writings to them, St Theodota preserved her
Unmercenary Physicians have continued to work
children in purity of life according to the
innumerable Miracles by Divine Grace.
Commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the
At Thereman, near to the church that was erected in
two little boys matured into Righteous and
Commemoration of St Kosmas and St Damianos,
Virtuous adulthood.
a certain faithful man, known as Malchos,
Trained and skilled as Physicians, they received from
resided.
the Holy Spirit the Gift of Healing all illnesses of
One day he set off on a journey, leaving his wife all
body and soul by the Power of Prayer.
alone for what would be a long time, having
The two Saints also treated sick animals, and with
prayerfully entrusted her to the Heavenly
their Fervent Love for both God and neighbour,
Protection of the two Holy Brothers.
they refused any payment for their services,
One of Malchos' acquaintances, an evil man, had
strictly observing the Commandment of our Lord
plotted to kill his devoted wife.
Jesus Christ: "Freely have you received; freely
So, after a certain time had passed without the return
give." (MATTHEW. 10:8).
of the faithful husband, the wicked man went to
The fame of St Kosmas and St Damianos spread
Malchos’ house and falsely informed his wife that
throughout the surrounding regions, and the
her concerned husband had sent him to fetch her
grateful people referred to them as “the
and accompany her to his current location.
Unmercenary Physicians.”
The devious man was so convincing that he managed
One day, the Holy Brothers were summoned to a
to persuade the faithful wife to leave the safety
grievously ill woman named Palladia, whom all
of her home and travel with him.
the doctors had refused to treat because of her
Then he led her to a solitary place with the intention
seemingly hopeless condition.
of killing her and hiding her body.
Nevertheless, through their Faith and Fervent
As soon as the faithful wife realised the impending
Prayers, our Lord healed Palladia, who was able to
mortal danger she faced, she immediately fell
arise from her bed in perfect health and offer her
upon her knees in Prayer and loudly called upon
praises of thanksgiving to God.
God with all her heart and soul.
In her gratitude for being healed and wishing to give
At once the two Holy Unmercenary Physician
them a small gift, Palladia quietly went to St
Brothers appeared and the evil one released
Damianos with three eggs: "Take this small gift in
Malchos’ wife and fled in blind terror, falling off a
the Name of the Holy Life3Creating Trinity, the
high cliff to his death below.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
The two Saints calmed and comforted the
Upon her invocation of the Most Sacred Name of the
traumatised woman and returned her to the
Holy Trinity, the Unmercenary Physician did not
safety of her home, where she then bowed deeply
dare to refuse her humble gift.
to them and enquired: “I shall be most grateful to
However, when St Kosmas heard what had occurred,
you both until the end of my days, but who are
he became extremely saddened, for he thought you?”
that his brother had broken their strict Vow. They replied: “"We are the servants of Christ, Kosmas
This caused a terrible rift in their personal and Damianos," and disappeared.
relationship and finally, on his deathbed St The faithful woman joyously told everyone about
Kosmas issued firm instructions that his brother what had happened to her and glorifying God for
should not be buried beside him. His Great Mercy, she stood before the Holy Icon
St Damianos, who had been broken3hearted by the of the Holy Brothers and tearfully offered
consequences of accepting the three eggs offered Prayers of Thanksgiving for her deliverance from
to him in the Name of the Holy Trinity, died evil.
shortly afterwards, and everyone wondered Ever since then, St Kosmas and St Damianos have
where to locate St Damianos' grave. been venerated as Holy Protectors of the Sanctity
Then, by the Grace and Divine Will of God, a Miracle and Inviolability (Blessedness) of Christian
occurred: Marriage, and as Holy Intercessors for Blessed
An unruly camel that the Saints had managed to Harmony and Unity in Marriage.
tame, suddenly spoke to the people with a human St Kosmas and St Damianos of Asia Minor should not
voice, telling them not to worry about laying St be confused with St Kosmas and St Damianos of
Damianos to rest besides his beloved brother, St Rome (1 July), or St Kosmas and St Damianos of
Kosmas, because he had not accepted the eggs Arabia (17 October): all Unmercenary Physicians.
from Palladia as payment, but due to his deep

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 The Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenary Saints – 1 November
✣ St Kosmas & St Damianos of Asia Minor – 1 ✣ St. Ermolaos – 26 July
November ✣ St. Panteleimon the Great3Martyr 3 27July
✣ St. Kosmas & Damianos of Rome 3 1July ✣ St Anikitos & St Photios – 12 August
✣ St Kosmas, St Damianos, St Leontios, St ✣ St. Diomedis 3 16August
Anthimos, and St Eutropios of Arabia – 17 ✣ St. Luke the Apostle, Evangelist and Physician –
October 18 October
✣ St Cyros & St John – 31 January & 28 June ✣ St. Luke Archbishop & Surgeon of Simferopol – 11
(translation of their relics) June
✣ St. Tryphon 3 1 February ✣ St. Hermione – 4 September
✣ St. Julianos – 6 February ✣ St Zenais & St Philonilla 3 Daughters of St. Philip
✣ St. Mokios – 11 May the Deacon 3 11October
✣ St. Thallaleos – 20 May ✣ St. Agapit the Righteous Unmercenary of the Kiev
✣ St. Sampson the Innkeeper – 27 June Caves – 1 June

The following Saints were mentioned in the Doxastikon of the Sitchera from the Vespers of the Synaxis of the
Unmercenaries from the OCA. .Although not referred to anywhere else as Unmercenaries, however, they are
Wondrous Healers of Afflictions of soul and body, so they deserve Honour and Supplicatory Prayers:

✣ St. Antipas the Hieromartyr (Healer of Teeth) 3
11April
✣ St. Charalambos (Protector and healer of sufferers
of gastric distress, dysentery, infectious
diseases, depressive or destructive thoughts
and contemplations or obsessions,
[διαλογισµών? πανούκλας?], Protector of
flocks and shepherds, Protector of trees,
Protector of marble-workers) 3 10 February
✣ St. Blaise (Vlassios) (Protector and Healer of
sufferers of Throat Ailments) – 11 February
✣ St. Spyridon (Protector of ceramicists, Protector
and Healer of sufferers and threats of
epidemics, smallpox, and diseases of the ears)
– 12 December
✣ St. Modescos (Modestos) (Protector and Healer of
diseases of animals and crops threatened by
locust swarms, Protector of ploughs and
Farmers) – 16 December
✣ St. Artemios (Protector and Healer of psychiatric,
neurotic, intestinal and hernia sufferers) 3 20
October

Hymns to the Holy Unmercenaries

(TRANSLATED BY FR. EPHRAIM LASH )

Stichera Automelon – Tone (6) Plagal 2

Placing all their hope in Heaven,
the Saints treasured up for themselves an Inviolable Treasure;
freely they received,
freely they give remedies to the sick;
in accordance with the Gospel
they possessed neither gold nor silver;
their kind deeds they shared out to humans and beasts alike;
that being in all things Obedient to Christ
they might Intercede with confidence on behalf of our souls.

Apolytikion for the Holy Unmercenaries – Tone (8) Plagal 4

Holy Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers,
visit our weaknesses;
freely you have received, freely grant to us.

Kontakion. Tone 2
You have received the Grace of Remedies,
spread Strength over those in need,
O Glorious, Wonderworking Physicians;
but by Your Visitation,
cast down the insolence of enemies,
healing the world by Wonders.

The Ikos.
The word of the Wise Physicians
surpasses all understanding and wisdom;
for having received Grace from the Most High,
they invisibly bestow Strength on all;
therefore on me too they have bestowed the Grace of Narration,
to sing their praise as God-bearing, Well-pleasing to God and Healers,
who grant multitudes of Cures;
for they rescue all from pains,
healing the world by Wonders.

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

7 November 2010
th
24 Sunday After Pentecost Tone (7) Varys/Grave

THE HEALING OF ST VERONICA –

THE WOMAN WHO BLED FOR 12 7th Sunday of St Luke – Jairus’ Daughter & the THE “JOYFUL” (VZIGRANIE) ICON OF THE
MOST BLESSED & HOLY THEOTOKOS
YEARS
Bleeding Woman (St Veronica)

Feast of St Hieron & the 30 Holy Martyrs of Melitene:

Melitene St Hesychios, St Nicander, St Mamas,
St Barachios, St Callinkos, St Theogenes, St Loginos, St Theodore, St Valerios, St Xanthios,
St Theodoulos, St Callimachos, St Eugene, St Theodochos, St Ostrychios, St Epiphanios, St Maxian,
St Ducitios, St Claudian, St Theophilos, St Gigantios, St Dorotheos, St Theodotos, St Castrychios,
St anikletos, St Theomelios, St Eutichios, St Hilarion, St Diodotos & St Amonitos – St Lazaros the
Wonderworker of Mount Galesios, Ephesos – St Zosimas Abbot of Vorbozomsk Monastery – St Cyril of
Novoezersk, Monastery in Vologda: Finding of Holy Relics – St Theodotos of Ancyra – St Melasippos,
St Karina Y St Antoninos their son & 40 children martyred with them at Ancyra, Phrygia – St Auktos,
St Taurion and St Thessalonika – The Appearance of  – St Theodotos of Ancyra

Resurrection Apolytikion – Tone (7) Varys/Grave

Katelisas to Stavro Sou ton thanaton. Ineoxas to listi By Thy Cross Thou destroyed Death; Thou opened
ton Paradison. Ton Miroforon ton thrinon Paradise to the Thief; Thou changed the funeral
metevales ke tis sis Apostolis kirittin epetaxas, oti wail of the Myrrh-bearing Women, and Commanded
Anestis, Hriste O Theos, parehon to kosmo to Mega them to announce to Thine Apostles that Thou had
Eleos. Risen from the dead, O Christ our God, Who bestows
on the world Great Mercy!

Apolytikion of St Lazaros of Mount Galesios – Tone (8) Plagal 4

Tes epagripnis prosevhes, en ohetis dakrion ton Stylon
katevrehes. Ke tis ek vathon stevagmis, is ekaton
tous ponous ekarpoforisas. Ke gegonas pimin, tis
prosiousi nemon sighorisin. Osie Patir imon Lazare,
presveve Hristo to Theo, sothine tas psihas imon.
Kontakion Of The Ever Blessed Theotokos
In Thy Vigilant Prayers, Thou drenched Thy Pillar with
streams of tears. And by Thy Sightings from the
depths, Thou bore Fruit a hundredfold in Labours;
and Thou became a Shepherd, granting
Forgiveness to those who came to Thee. O our
Righteous Father Lazarus: Intercede with Christ
God that our souls be Saved.

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
imon, ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten
presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Theotoke, ton timonton se. Theotokos who always protects all who honour
Thee!
Resurrection Gospel 2 – Mark 16 : 1 – 8 – THE HOLY MYRRH-BEARERS WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST
P r o k e i m e n o n The Lord will grant Strength to His People. Offer to the Lord, O Sons of God! Offer to the Lord
Sacrifice and Praise!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians 2: 14 - 22
The New Covenant - Our Reconciliation with Almighty God
Brethren: In Christ Jesus you who were once far off (lost) have been brought near by the Blood of Christ. For He
Himself is our Peace, Who has made both one, and Who has broken down the middle wall of separation, having
abolished, in His Flesh, the enmity – that is: the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances, so as to create
in Himself one New Man from the two, thus making Peace, and so that He might reconcile them both to God in
One Body through the Cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
And He came and preached Peace to you who were afar off, and to those who were near. For through Him we both
have access by One Spirit to the Father.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow Citizens with the Saints and the members of
the Household of God, having been built on the Foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets 3 Jesus Christ
Himself being the Chief Cornerstone, in Whom you also are being built together for a Dwelling Place of God in
the Spirit.

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THE BROKENNESS OF MANKIND was twofold: WE WERE alienation from one another but in fact actually
SEPARATED FROM ONE ANOTHER – I.E. GENTILE increased our hostility towards those who were
(PAGANS) FROM HEBREWS – AND WE WERE “different.”
SEPARATED FROM GOD. ✽ THE NEW COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND MANKIND
✽ THUS THE HEALING OF CHRIST WAS TWOFOLD: THE HAS BROKEN DOWN THAT DIVIDING WALL OF
CREATION OF A UNIFIED HUMANITY – THE CHURCH – ALIENATION AND SEPARATION SO THAT BOTH
AND THE RAISING OR ELEVATING OF THIS UNIFIED GENTILES AND HEBREWS ARE RECONCILED AND
HUMANITY TO GOD. UNITED IN CHRIST JESUS.
Our family of mankind is restored and reconciled as
IN OTHER WORDS: THE RESTORATION AND RECONCILIATION OF
MANKIND TO ONE ANOTHER AND OF THE ORIGINAL PERFECT, one race, one nation: THE NEW ISRAEL.
CLOSE AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WHICH ADAM The Holy Church of Christ, which is humanity Unified
AND EVE HAD ENJOYED BEFORE THEIR FALL FROM DIVINE GRACE and Renewed through Union with the Incarnate Son
THROUGH THEIR DISOBEDIENCE.
of God, is built upon a Foundation of our Lord
Jesus Christ (the Cornerstone or Foundation Stone,
✽ THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD
ACCOMPLISHED THE UNIFICATION OF ALL HUMANITY, which is essential to every building) and His Holy
WHILE HIS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE UPON THE CROSS, Apostles and Holy Prophets.
HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, ACCOMPLISHED From this solid and Most Holy Foundation come the
THE RECONCILIATION AND RESTORATION OF OUR Holy Scriptures and all Holy Doctrine (Teaching).
ORIGINAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD – a Renewal of The Divine Gifts of the Holy Spirit are a continuous
our Holy Fellowship with God. reality in the Holy Church of Christ.
The Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God The Spiritual Structure of Christ’s Holy Church is ONE:
the Holy Spirit – perpetually acts together in Perfect HIS HOLY CHURCH – THE HOLY BODY OF CHRIST –
unison and harmonious Love. MUST ALWAYS BE UNITED AND HARMONIOUS –
Faithful Christians who strive to imitate our Lord Jesus THERE CANNOT BE ALIENATION OR DIVISION
Christ in all aspects of His Life on earth, must also WITHIN IT.
CONSTANTLY ACT IN PEACEFUL AND JOYOUS The ONE HOLY CATHOLIC (UNIVERSAL) AND APOSTOLIC
HARMONY, ALWAYS MOTIVATED BY AGAPE – DIVINE CHURCH IS HEADED EXCLUSIVELY BY OUR LORD
LOVE. JESUS CHRIST Whom we humbly and Obediently
“The middle wall of separation” was a reference to the strive to imitate and follow, without any changes or
barrier in the Temple that separated the Courtyard arrogant self-indulgence.
of the Gentiles from the Courtyard of the Hebrews.
This barrier exposed the limitations of the Old
Covenant since it did not heal our human self-
Holy Gospel According to St Luke 8 : 41 – 56
JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER RAISE AND A BLEEDING WOMAN (ST VERONICA) HEALED AFTER 12 YEARS

At that time, when Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him. And behold,
a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the Synagogue, fell down at Jesus’ Feet and begged Him to go to his
house, for his only daughter who was about twelve years of age, was dying.
But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
Then a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians but could not
be healed by any of them, went from behind and touched the edge of His garment, and immediately the flow of
blood ceased.
And Jesus said: “Who touched Me?”
When all denied it, Peter and those with Him said: “Master, the multitudes throng and press Thee, and yet Thou say:
‘Who touched Me?!’” And Jesus said: “Someone touched Me, for I perceived Power going out from Me.”
Then, when the woman realised that she was not hidden, she went trembling and fell down before Jesus, declaring
to him in the presence of all the people the reason for touching Him and how she had been immediately healed.
And He said to her: “Daughter: be of good cheer; your Faith has made you well. Go in Peace.”
While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the Synagogue’s house, and told him: “Your daughter
is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” But when Jesus heard him, He said to Jairus: “Do not be afraid; only
believe, and she will be made well.”
When Jesus went into the house, He permitted no one else to enter, except Peter, James and John, and the father
and mother of the girl. And all wept and mourned for her; but He said: “Do not weep; she is not dead, but
asleep.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. So He put them all outside, took her by the hand
and called out: “Little girl, arise!”
And her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And
her parents were astonished, but He instructed them not to tell anyone about what had occurred.
✽ ALL AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS This verse foreshadows the Resurrection and is likely a
EXCLUSIVELY IN THE CONTROL OF AND description of our Lord’s own (voluntary) descent
ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. into Hades and His glorious Resurrection.

Deuteronomy 32:39: “Now behold: I – even I – Am St Aphrahat the Holy Prophet of God used this passage
He, and there is no god besides Me; I take among many to demonstrate that THE BELIEF IN
away life and I grant life; I wound and I THE RESURRECTION EXISTED EVEN IN THE OLD
heal; nor is there any who can deliver from TESTAMENT ERA.
My Hands.” IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THAT GOD IS NEITHER DESTRUCTIVE NOR
This Divine Statement could be expressed not only by HARMFUL EVEN THOUGH HE PERMITS US TO EXPERIENCE
PHYSICAL DEATH – THE CONSEQUENCE OF OUR HUMAN CONDITION
God the Father, but also God the Son and God the - BEFORE HE RETURNS US TO FULL PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL
Holy Spirit because - BEING CO-EQUAL IN ONE LIFE AT THE RESURRECTION AND FINAL JUDGEMENT.
GODHEAD - EACH DIVINE PERSON OF THE HOLY IN OTHER WORDS, GOD PERMITS US TO DEPART FROM THIS LIFE AND
ENTER A STATE OF DEATH – I.E. PHYSICAL R E P O S E I N C H R I S T
TRINITY CAN TRULY SAY: “There is no god besides F O R H I S F A I T H F U L BUT FOR THE UNREPENTANT AND UNGODLY
Me.” SOULS A RESTLESS FORETASTE OF SPIRITUAL EXILE FROM GOD.
This Statement is made in contrast to all the false mp
(man-made) gods of the pagans. (ST ATHANASIOS THE ✽ BEING OF ONE ESSENCE WITH GOD THE FATHER,
GREAT, ST BASIL THE GREAT & ST HILARY OF POITIERS)
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS THIS EXACT SAME
1 Kings 2:6: “The Lord takes away life and grants life; DIVINE AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH.
He takes down to Hades and raises up.”

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John 5:21: “...as (God) the Father raises the dead courage to seek His – i.e. God’s - Blessings
and grants Life to them, even so (God) the due to her long illness.
Son grants Life to those whom He Will.” ✽ HE PURPOSELY REVEALED HER DEVOTION TO GOD
The instantaneous healing of the bleeding woman (ST for all to witness so that they might IMITATE
VERONICA) revealed and demonstrated Christ’s Divine HER rather than to condemn and ostracise her
Powers of Healing and Cleansing. for breaking one of the Mosaic Laws in order TO
ANYTHING THAT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE DIVINE – WITH GOD - SEEK A CURE FOR SOMETHING THAT ONLY GOD
IS SANCTIFIED AND DIVINE POWER IS TRANSFERRED VIA THE COULD GRANT.
MEDIUM SUCH AS WATER, OIL OR EVEN GARMENTS TO THE The healing of St Veronica also shows us that GOD
FAITHFUL FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL BENEFIT – ALWAYS HAS TIME FOR EVERYONE WHO REACHES
ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF OUR LOVING AND PROVIDENT GOD.
THUS THE MUNDANE BECOMES EXTRAORDINARY OR SANCTIFIED BY
OUT TO HIM.
GOD – ALWAYS AN INEXPLICABLE AND GREAT MYSTERY TO OUR Furthermore, this Miraculous Healing of a twelve year
LIMITED UNDERSTANDING. mp long ailment before the resurrection of a little
According to the Old Covenant, haemorrhaging (BLEEDING) twelve year old girl, SERVED A TWO-FOLD PURPOSE
was regarded as ceremonial and social defilement, WITH REGARD TO JAIRUS AND HIS WIFE:
➤ IT WAS A REMINDER OF THE GREAT MERCY
which imposed upon the sufferer stringent religious
AND POWER OF DIVINE HEALING, WHICH
and social restrictions since any contact with blood CHRIST COULD DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY
was severely prohibited. GRANT.

Leviticus 15:25 “If a woman has a discharge of blood ➤ IT STRENGTHENED THEIR WAVERING FAITH
for many days, other than at the time of her WHEN CONFRONTED BY THE DEATH OF THEIR
menstruation, or if it occurs beyond this time, BELOVED CHILD.
all the days of her (haemorrhaging) shall be as PEOPLE ARE VERY QUICK TO BLAME GOD FOR ALL MISFORTUNES –
MOST OF WHICH ARE CAUSED BY EITHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT
the days of her menstruation: she shall be
HUMAN ACTIONS. mp
unclean.”
Nevertheless the wretched suffering woman who was When Jairus received the news of his daughter’s death
regarded as “unclean,” daringly but secretly and was told not to bother our Lord any further –
approached our Lord Jesus WITH COMPLETE FAITH the inevitable belief that nothing could be done
IN HIS HEALING POWERS – even though He was about it – our compassionate Saviour immediately
accompanied by Jairus, a ruler of the Synagogue, comforted the grief-struck father: “Do not be
and a huge crowd who would be “defiled” by her afraid; only believe, and she will be made
and who would, without a doubt, ridicule and well.”
embarrass her beyond measure if her Only God can reassure us like this!
circumstances became known! Then at the house, Christ was again confronted by
Yet her belief in Christ was so firm and unshakable that despondent mourners who mocked His words of
SHE KNEW THAT BY MERELY TOUCHING THE EDGE OF consolation: “Do not weep; she is not dead, but
HIS GARMENT, SHE WOULD BE HEALED, since sleeping,” because they knew for sure that she had
ANYTHING THAT GOD TOUCHES OR BLESSES IS died.
SANCTIFIED BY GOD AND THROUGH ONE’S FAITH IN So it was that Christ made everyone else leave the
GOD, IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE MIRACULOUS RESULTS. room while He and His Apostles: St Peter, St James
(REFER NOTE ABOVE )
✽ HER FAITH AND DESIRE FOR GOD’S HEALING and St John, (who also would witness His
SUPPLANTED ALL OTHER RESERVATIONS. Transfiguration on Mount Tabor) together with the
✽ Consequently, CHRIST REVEALED HER UTTER FAITH parents, remained inside.
IN GOD AS A SHINING EXAMPLE TO OTHERS – the Quietly Christ called the little girl’s spirit to return to her
majority of whom – like us - merely paid lip body and she promptly awoke. Then He instructed
service to God while their hearts were empty of her overjoyed parents to feed her (for He knew she
Love for God or Faith in God. would be hungry and thirsty).
HE EXPOSED HER IDENTITY NOT TO SHAME OR At this point of His Divine Ministry, our Lord did not
EMBARRASS HER, BUT TO BLESS HER AND want everyone to know how great His Divine Powers
ENCOURAGE HER FOR HER GREAT FAITH AND TO were for HE WANTED TO TEACH THE PEOPLE TO
SHOW OTHERS THE POWER OF SUCH FAITH IN GOD. WORSHIP AND GLORIFY ALMIGHTY GOD AND NOT A
When our Lord asked His Apostles: “Who touched PERCEIVED “PROPHET.”
Me?” it revealed HIS CONSTANT AWARENESS OF THE And so He instructed them not to let others know what
PAIN AND SUFFERING OF ALL HUMANITY and that HIS had occurred with their resuscitated daughter.
DIVINE POWER IS IMPARTED DIRECTLY FROM THE RESUSCITATION OF JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER FROM DEATH WAS ONE OF
HIMSELF TO THOSE WHO APPROACH HIM WITH THREE THAT WE KNOW OF, WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT FOR THEIR
ABSOLUTE FAITH AND LOVE. THREE DIFFERENT DEGREES OF DEATH:
JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER HAD JUST DIED, THE WIDOW OF NAIN’S SON HAD
The Benevolence and Love of our Lord Jesus Christ is BEEN DEAD FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND ST LAZAROS OF BETHANY
clearly evident in the manner whereby He HAD BEEN BURIED FOR FOUR DAYS AND ALREADY BEGUN TO
addressed the faithful woman: DECOMPOSE WHEN CHRIST CALLED HIM BACK TO LIFE.
ALL THESE CLEARLY PROVE THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS NO ORDINARY
➤ HE BLESSED HER for her courage and deep “HOLY PROPHET OF GOD” BUT GOD HIMSELF WHO HAS DOMINION
Faith,
OVER ALL LIFE AND DEATH! mp
➤ HE CORRECTED HER THINKING that He would
not be aware of her and
➤ HE DID NOT EXCLUDE HER FROM HIS
PRESENCE NOR CONDEMN HER for having the

The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter

TODAY'S SACRED LESSON IS NOT ONLY ABOUT Naturally, the mourners were surprised at His
MIRACLES AND THE MERCY OF GOD; IT IS ABOUT
HOPE BEYOND HOPE. apparent ignorance of death so they all loudly
In the account of the daughter of Jairus, a ruler of contradicted Him, causing Him to “...put them all
the Synagogue, we hear of a beloved child who outside...” before turning His attention to the little
was already dead by the time our Lord and her child.
father arrived at the house. And then CHRIST, WITH A WORD OF POWER AND AN
ACT OF LOVE CALLED OUT TO HER DEPARTED SPIRIT
Everyone present had witnessed her dying and had AND RETURNED HER TO EARTHLY LIFE AGAIN.
enough experience of death to recognise it. Apart from being a True Event of our human history,
So there was absolute certainty of it even when the is this not also a Parable 3 AN ANALOGY OF SO
Son of God tried to comfort and reassure them by MANY HUMAN SITUATIONS?
telling them: “Do not weep; she is not dead, but
asleep.”

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How often do we suppose that there is no point in DIVINE POWER TO FORGIVE THEIR TORMENTORS,
AND BY FORGIVENESS THEY UNDO THE EVIL, AND
trying to do anything about certain REDEEM OR RESTORE THOSE WHO HAVE
circumstances? COMMITTED SUCH VILE WICKEDNESS!
Or in our limited opinion, we consider the sinful, the Let us reflect on this:
sick, the derelict, or whatever state of some At the end of the Second World War, when their
people as being utterly hopeless 3 beyond any horrific German concentration camps were being
form of redemption or restoration?! liberated and exposed to an intensely shocked
✽ Yet we must NEVER FORGET WHAT CHRIST OUR world, a certain document was discovered in one
SAVIOUR SAID TO ST PETER when he asked the of the filthy structures where so much
vital question: “Who, then, can be Saved?” indescribable horror had been suffered by
Our Lord’s words were : “Whatever is impossible for innumerable millions of souls over such a long
mankind, is possible for God!” period.
✽ NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD! It was written on a small, torn scrap of wrapping
✽ This is Hope beyond hope!
paper by someone who had suffered beyond
THIS IS DIVINE HOPE - INFINITELY GREATER THAN HUMAN HOPE –
WHICH IS GRANTED TO US BY OUR LIFE IN CHRIST! measure and who eventually perished in the
As faithful Christians, we have Hope beyond hope! concentration camp at the hands of the
And it is not because we have good reason to hope, merciless, cold3blooded torturers and murders.
but because we possess A PASSIONATE CERTAINTY The substance of the message was AN AMAZING
AND TRUST THAT NOT ONLY DIVINE LOVE – AGAPE - PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS whereby he or she
BUT HUMAN LOVE CAN RESTORE WHAT HAS BEEN
beseeched God:
LOST.
“... O Lord, when Thou come as a Judge of the
People who have fallen into the deepest dereliction 3
earth, do not condemn the people who have
those who seem to be utterly wicked and done such atrocious things to us; do not hold
destructive 3 if they are confronted by and against them their cruelty and our suffering,
treated with Sacrificial Love 3 and the word their violence and our despair, but look at the
“sacrificial” is essential 3 THE SACRIFICIAL LOVE Fruit, which we have borne in Patience, in
OF GOD AND THE SAME SACRIFICIAL LOVE IN US, Humility, in Fortitude, in Forgiveness, in
CAN BE REDEEMED. Loyalty, in Solidarity; and may these Fruits be
In the case of this young child it happened accounted unto their Salvation.
immediately and directly with Christ our Lord. “Do not allow the memory of us to be in Eternity
horror to them; may it be their Salvation.”
In our relationship to one another IT MAY TAKE
YEARS OF PATIENT LOVE, YEARS DURING WHICH WE This is truly A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF HOPE BEYOND
WILL GIVE OURSELVES UNSELFISHLY, BUT ALSO HOPE!
ENDURE ENDLESSLY THE MOST AGONIZING THINGS THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SINFUL, FALSE
UNTIL, FINALLY, THERE IS REDEMPTION. AND BLIND KNOWLEDGE as expressed by the
✽ REDEMPTION IS POSSIBLE IN THIS LIFE – BY THE
mourners in the house of Jairus when they
GRACE OF GOD!
ridiculed Christ for His Words of Eternal Hope
Redemption and restoration is possible in those
and Comfort WHEN THEY THOUGHT THEY KNEW
whom we consider as being “hopeless cases” 3
MORE THAN GOD!
beyond anyone’s help 3 YET, THROUGH CEASELESS In their limited, human opinion, they knew that the
PRAYERS AND DESPITE ALL THE ODDS STACKED
AGAINST THEM, THEY MIGHT BEGIN TO CHANGE FOR child had died and that ANY HOPE WAS DROWNED
IN THEIR TEARS OF DESPAIR AND SORROW!
THE BETTER – and then we witness a Miracle, and
we are elated, and HOPE IS JOYOUSLY FULFILLED!
✽ On the contrary: THE VICTORY OF DIVINE LOVE,
COMPASSION AND MERCY WAS CLEARLY
There is also another astonishing manner in which
EVIDENT during this particular historical
this Sacrificial Love can become Redemption. Event 3 WHICH CAN BE APPLIED IN SO MANY
During the terrible Second World War, when WAYS TO OUR PERSONAL LIVES - ON EITHER THE
emotions and senses were deeply and painfully SIMPLEST OR MOST HEROIC LEVELS.
acute, suffering humanity was confronted by Therefore, let us contemplate today’s Sacred Lesson:
uncontrolled evil in all its horrific aspects. ✽ CLING TIGHTLY TO THAT DIVINE HOPE, which is
➤ SUFFERING, MISERY OR TORMENT IS ALWAYS beyond our limited and weak human hope,
CAUSED BY THE ACTIONS OF HUMAN BEINGS 3 ✽ for DIVINE LOVE AND OUR TRUE FAITH IN GOD CAN
WHEN WE CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT, PREVENT IT, OVERCOME EVEN THE MOST UNIMAGINABLE EVIL
ENCOURAGE IT, PARTICIPATE IN IT - OR SIMPLY IN THIS EARTHLY LIFE.
DO NOT ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “THE RAISING OF JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER” BY
SUCH WICKEDNESS AND CRUELTY. METROPOLITAN ANTHONY OF SOUROZH
Human misery and affliction always cuts deeply into http://www.metropolit-anthony.orc.ru/eng/eng_143.htm

the body and soul. However, on rare occasions,

THROUGH MUCH PRAYER AND DIVINE
INTERVENTION, VICTIMS ARE ABLE TO ACQUIRE
St Diadochos of Photiki – On Spiritual Knowledge
Eve was the first to learn that sight, taste and the other All her desire was focussed on enjoying what was
senses, when used without moderation, distract our immediately present to her senses, and through the
heart from Remembrance of God. pleasant appearance of the Fruit, she involved
As long as she did not look with longing at the Adam in her Fall.
Forbidden Tree, she was able to keep God’s (One!) Thereafter it became difficult for man’s intellect to
Commandment carefully in mind; she was still remember God or His Commandments.
covered by the Wings of Divine Love and thus was ✽ CONSEQUENTLY, WE SHOULD ALWAYS LOOK INTO
ignorant of her own nakedness. THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEART WITH CONTINUED
But once she looked at the Tree with longing, touched REMEMBRANCE OF GOD AND PASS THROUGH
it with ardent desire and then tasted its forbidden THIS DECEITFUL LIFE AS THOUGH BLIND.
fruit with active sensuality, she at once felt drawn to ✽ TRUE SPIRITUAL WISDOM CLIPS THE WINGS OF OUR
LOVE FOR VISIBLE APPEARANCES....
physical intercourse and, being naked, she
✽ TO MASTER OURSELVES IN SUCH A MANNER IS
surrendered to her passion! EVIDENCE OF GREAT SELF-CONTROL.

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

8 November 2010
Synaxis of the Holy Archangels & the Heavenly Hosts

Feast of St Michael, St Gabriel, St Raphael, St Uriel, St salaphiel, St Jegudiel, & St Barachiel the
Holy Archangels of God and all the Heavenly, Bodiless Hosts; St Alexander of Guria

Apolytikion Of The Synaxis Of The Archangels & Heavenly Hosts

Ton Ouranion Stration Arhistratigi, disopoumen imas
imis i anaxii, ina tes imon deisesi, tehisite imas,
skepi ton pterigon, tis aflou imon doxis, frourountes
imas prospiptontas, ektenos ke Voontas. Ek ton
kindinon litrosasthe imas, os Taxiarhe ton ano
Dinamenon.
Kontakion Of The Entry Into The Temple Of The Ever Blessed Theotokos
O ye Foremost of the Heavenly Hosts, we who are
unworthy, beseech you that by your Petitions you
encompass us with the shadow of your immaterial
glory, preserving us who kneel and cry ceaselessly:
deliver us from oppressions, since you are the
Princes of the Ranks of Dominions on High

O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke The Most Pure Temple of the Saviour, the Precious
Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou, Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of
simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing
sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God
Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios. praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
The Holy Gospel according to St Matthew 18 : 10 – 20
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that
in Heaven their Angels always see the Face of My Father Who is in Heaven. For the Son of Man has come to
Save that which was lost.
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-
nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to
you, he rejoices more over that sheep than the ninety-nine sheep, what did not go astray.
Even so, it is not the Will of your Father Who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Furthermore, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault - between you and him alone. If he hears
you, you have gained your brother. However, if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the
Church. But if he refuses even to hear the Church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
Assuredly, I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in Heaven.
Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them
by My Father in Heaven. For when two or three are gathered together in My Name, I Am there in the midst
of them.
Prokeimenon Who makes spirits His Angels and a Flame of Fire His Ministers. Bless the Lord, O my soul; O
Lord, my God, You have been greatly Magnified!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 2 : 2 – 10
BEWARE OF WILFUL NEGLIGENCE

Brethren, if the word spoken through Angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a
Just Reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation? Which, at the first, began to be spoken by
the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness, both with Signs and
Wonders, with various Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own Will.
For He has not put the world to come of which we speak, in subjection to Angels. But one testified in a certain
place, saying: ‘What is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the Son of Man that Thou takest care of Him? Thou
hast made Him with Glory and Honour, and set Him over the works of Thy Hands. Thou hast put all things in
subjection under His Feet.’ For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under
Him.
But now we do not yet see all things put under Him. Yet we see Jesus Who was made a little lower than the Angels,
for the suffering of death, Crowned with Glory and Honour, that He, by the Grace of God, might taste Death for
everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons
to Glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation Perfect through sufferings.
St Paul cautions Faithful Christians against WILFUL MUST WE HEED (PAY ATTENTION TO AND OBEY) THE
NEGLIGENCE AND CARELESSNESS CAUSED BY A SLOW TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF OUR LORD
PROCESSION OF ATTRITION OR SPIRITUAL DRIFTING JESUS CHRIST WHO IS GOD INCARNATE, which are
AWAY FROM OUR LIFE IN CHRIST. meticulously preserved and passed on throughout
The terms “if” and “how” suggest a conditional the ages to us as our most priceless Divine
statement or question: “if” Israel was expected to Inheritance!
obey the words of created Angels (WHO ARE SENT TO US And especially as THE WORD OF GOD HAS BEEN
BY GOD HIMSELF IN ORDER TO CONVEY HIS DIVINE WILL) or suffer CONFIRMED BY SO MANY MIRACLES OF THE HOLY
the consequential punishment, HOW MUCH MORE

SYNAXIS OF THE HOLY ARCHANGELS & ALL THE HEAVENLY HOSTS – 8 NOVEMBER 2010
9
 SPIRIT – clear proof that THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS
COME UPON US!
During the Divine Liturgy, when we beseech God for “...
pardon and the remission of sins and
transgressions...” as well as “... a good Defence
before the Dread Judgement Set of Christ...” we
affirm that there is truly a JUST REWARD or
RETRIBUTION – A VERY REAL JUDGEMENT FOR EVERY
WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED SINCE OUR FIRST
MOMENT OF EXISTENCE!
EVERY ACTION HAS A CONSEQUENCE!
The Hebrews expected the Messiah to be an earthly,
conquering King – a “political success story” – not a
“failure!” (ACCORDING TO HUMAN EXPECTATIONS AND
MISCONCEPTIONS.)
IT WAS NATURAL FOR PEOPLE TO WONDER WHY OR HOW
CHRIST COULD BE EXECUTED, ESPECIALLY IN SUCH A
DEGRADING AND TERRIBLE MANNER as He is superior
to the Holy Angels of God, BEING A DIVINE PERSON
HIMSELF – THE ETERNAL AND IMMORTAL INCARNATE
SON OF GOD.
However, ST PAUL, WHO HAD ATTAINED HIS KNOWLEDGE
AND UNDERSTANDING DIRECTLY FROM CHRIST
HIMSELF AT HIS CONVERSION, IS ABLE TO EXPLAIN it
to us as follows:
✽ THE HUMILIATION, SUFFERING AND DEATH OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS ONLY TEMPORARY BUT
IT WAS THE ONLY MEANS OF REDEEMING MORTAL,
FALLEN MANKIND AND RE-ESTABLISHING OUR
GOD-INTENDED DOMINION OVER ALL CREATION,
INCLUDING HIS HOLY ANGELS.
IT WAS THE ONLY WAY WE COULD BE SET FREE FROM THE
ENSLAVEMENT OF SIN AND DEATH, AND RESTORED TO
OUR FORMER STATE OF GRACE ACCORDING TO DIVINE
WILL.
✽ Psalm 8 refers to THE INCARNATE LORD WHOSE
NAME”... IS WONDROUS... in all the earth, and
Who is “... EXALTED far beyond the
heavens...” Who brings forth praises from His
humble people, who are likened to little children
who implicitly trust in God.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 10: 16 – 21
OUR LORD’S SENDING FORTH OF HIS 70 APOSTLES AND HIS CAUTIONARY WARNINGS TO THEM
He is THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE WHO LOVES
MANKIND to such an extent that after our fall into sin,
which resulted in death and decay, HE BECAME
INCARNATE SO AS TO SAVE AND REDEEM – RENEW –
US BY RESTORING US TO OUR FORMER GLORIOUS
STATE AND CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.
The Incarnation of the Son of God made Him “... a little
lower than the Angels...” whereas HIS EVENTUAL
SUFFERING AND DEATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM.
THE HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST, which should have brought
shame and dishonour, has BROUGHT CHRIST AND
HIS FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS EVERLASTING GLORY AND
HONOUR.
ALL THE WONDERFUL GOODNESS WITH WHICH GOD HAS
BLESSED AND REDEEMED US WAS DUE ONLY TO HIS
GREAT MERCY AND INFINITE LOVE FOR US.
HIS GOODNESS AND BLESSINGS ARE GRANTED FREELY TO
US BY HIS DIVINE GRACE – THEY ARE HIS DIVINE
GIFTS, WHICH HE FREELY BESTOWS UPON US AS
UNWORTHY AS WE ARE – and He has always done so,
even when we are in a state of Spiritual Death –
before seeking Repentance-Confession and Divine
Forgiveness.
When Christ “tasted Death,” HE FULLY EXPERIENCED THE
STATE OF LIFELESSNESS – DEATH – WHICH HE
VOLUNTARILY ACCEPTED on behalf of every human
being who ever has or will exist – and not only for
those who are His Faithful people – FOR ALL
HUMANITY THROUGHOUT THE AGES.
CHRIST IS THE PIONEERING CAPTAIN OF THE NARROW
PATH TO GOD’S ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE in His
Suffering, Death, Descent into Hades, Resurrection
and Ascension.
✽ IN SALVATION WE TOO TAKE ON CHRIST’S MANNER OF
SUFFERINGS: OUR PERFECTION – THEOSIS –
REQUIRES A SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND PROGRESS
THAT IS REVEALED BY PATIENT, ENDURED
SUFFERING.

At that time our Lord Jesus said to them: “He who hears you, hears Me, he who rejects you, rejects Him Who sent
Me.”
Then the Seventy returned with Joy, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name!”
So He told them: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I grant you the Authority to trample upon
serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this - that the spirits are subject to you - but rather rejoice because your
names are written in Heaven!”
In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said: “I thank Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou
hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it
seemed good in Thy Sight.”
✽ WE HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY WARNED BY OUR LORD Law to themselves, who show the Work of the
AND SAVIOUR, THAT OUR JUDGEMENT WILL BE Law written in their hearts, their conscience also
SEVERE IF WE REJECT HIM AFTER EXPERIENCING bearing witness... God will Judge the secrets of
HIS DIVINE GRACE. men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.”
In contrast, THOSE WHO TRULY HAVE NEVER KNOWN CHRIST GENTILES WERE COUNTED AS HEBREWS – GOD’S PEOPLE –
due to their genuine ignorance are without sin in that WHEN THEIR CONSCIENCE LED THEM TO
regard and instead WILL BE JUDGED BY THEIR GOD- RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE MANNER THAT THE MOSAIC
GIVEN CONSCIENCE. LAW LED A VIRTUOUS HEBREW.

John 15:22 – 24: Christ said: “If I had not come and The Law “... written in their hearts...” refers to OUR
spoken to them, they would have no sin, but CONSCIENCE WHICH IS GOD-GIVEN AND HAS THE SAME
now they have no excuse for their sin. POWER AS THE LAW TO LEAD US TO GOD.
“He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not ✽ THOSE WHO FOLLOW THEIR CONSCIENCE TO GOD ARE
done among them the Works that no one else MORE VIRTUOUS THAN THOSE WHO HAVE THE LAW
TO GUIDE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT HAVE THE
did, they would have no sin; but now they have ADVANTAGE OF CONCRETE INSTRUCTIONS AND
seen and also hated both Me and My Father.” GUIDELINES, YET STILL DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD. (ST
REBELLION AGAINST GOD REVEALS THAT WHILE UNION JOHN CHRYSOSTOM)
WITH CHRIST BRINGS LOVE, TRUTH AND PEACE, IT ALSO However, such Gentiles were no better off than the
BRINGS PERSECUTION, BECAUSE THE FALLEN WORLD Hebrews who, despite having the advantage of the
HATES LOVE AND TRUTH. The fallen world hates Christ “Oracles of God” – Mosaic Law and the Holy Prophets –
and also hates all who strive to become Christ-like. to lead and guide them towards God did not become
Furthermore: THE FALLEN WORLD HATES CHRIST BECAUSE more Righteous for everyone is sinful.
IT NEITHER KNOWS NOR DESIRES TO KNOW GOD THE THE FALL OF SATAN TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE CREATION
FATHER. OF THE WORLD. FIVE TIMES SATAN SET HIS WILL
HATRED OF CHRIST IS IRRATIONAL AND UNREASONABLE – AGAINST GOD.
AS IS ALL FORMS OF HATRED, BECAUSE CHRIST BRINGS THE TERM “BABES” IS A REFERENCE TO THOSE WHO HAVE
LOVE AND MERCY TO EVERYONE UNCONDITIONALLY. SIMPLE, OPEN HEARTS AND FAITH IN GOD.

Romans 2: 12 – 16: St Paul explained “... as many as have
sinned without Law will also perish without
Law... these, although not having the Law, are a

SYNAXIS OF THE HOLY ARCHANGELS & ALL THE HEAVENLY HOSTS – 8 NOVEMBER 2010
10
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF
AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

9 November 2010
St Nektarios Kephalas of Pentapolis & Aegina
Beloved Holy Wonderworker

Feast of St Onesiphoros & St Porphyrios of Ephesos – St Matrona, Abbess of

Constantinople – St Onesiphoros the Confessor of the Kiev Near Caves – St Alexander
of Thessalonika – St Anthony of Apamea – St John the Dwarf of Egypt – St Eustolia of Constantinople
– St Sopatra of Constantinople – St Theoktiste of Lesbos – St Euthymios & St Neophytos, Co-Founders of
Dochiariou Monastery, Mount Athos – The Wonder-working “Quick to Hear” Holy Icon of the Ever
Blessed Theotokos, Docheiariou Monastery, Mount Athos

Apolytikion Of St Nektarios – Tone 1

Silivrias ton gonon ke Eginis ton eforon, ton eskhatis
hronis fanenta, aretis filon gnision, Nektarion
timisomen pisti, os entheon theraponta Hristou;
anavlizi gar iasis pantodapas, tis evlavos
kravgazousi: Doxa to Se, doxanti Hristo, Doxa to Se
thavmastosanti! Doxa to energounti dia Sou, pasin
iamata!
Kontakion Of St Nektarios – Tone Plagal 4
Silivria’s the offspring and Protector of Aegina, the
True Friend of all Virtue, who appeared to us
lately, Nektarios the godly servant of Christ, let us
honour, we the Faithful; for he pours forth
healings of every kind, on those who piously cry
out: Glory to Christ Who Glorified thee! Glory to
Him Who magnified Thee! Glory to the One Who
works through Thee, Healings for everyone!

Orthodoxias ton astera ton neofoton, ke Ekklisias to
Neodmiton protihisma, animnisomen kardias en
evfrosini. Doxasthis gar energia ti tou Pnevmatos,
iamaton anavlizi Harin afthonon, tis kravgazousi.
Heris Pater Nektarie!
Kontakion Of The Entry Into The Temple Of The Ever Blessed Theotokos
In joy, let our hearts praise the latest shining Star of
the Orthodox, the newly erected Rampart of the
Church. For, Glorified by the Work of the Spirit, he
abundantly pours forth the Grace of Healing to
those who cry out, "Hail, Father Nektarios!"

O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke The Most Pure Temple of the Saviour, the Precious
Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou, Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of
simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing
sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God
Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios. praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
The Matins Gospel According to St Matthew 24 : 42 - 47
At that time, our Lord said: “Watch, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know
this: that if the Master of the house had known what hour the thief should come, he would have watched and
not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an
hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Master made ruler over His
Household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Master, when He comes, will
find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that He will make him Ruler over all His Goods..”
Prokeimenon My mouth shall speak Wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, understanding. Thy Priests shall clothe
themselves in Righteousness; Thy Saints shall greatly rejoice!
Second Thessalonians 1 : 10 – 2 : 2
THE PRESENT PERSECUTION

Brethren: When the Lord comes, in that Day, to be Glorified in His Saints and to be admired among all those who
believe, because our Testimony among you was believed.
Therefore, we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this Calling, and fulfil all the good
pleasure of His Goodness and the Work of Faith with Power, that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
Glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, Brethren, concerning the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you not
to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the Day
of Christ had come.
God’s Calling and the Work of Faith are unified through “If the fear of an earthly King withdraws us from so
our co-operation with God’s Divine Power. many evils, how much more the Fear of the King
God reveals His Dread Judgement and His Glory to us Eternal!” (St John Chrysostom)
to help us towards Righteousness. How we bear up under unjust persecution now is
evidence of how we will stand before God at the
Final Judgement.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 12 : 42 - 48
CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR WARNS US AGAINST LAZINESS AND FORGETFULNESS

At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Who then is the faithful and wise Steward, whom his Master will make
ruler over His Household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his
Master will find so doing when He comes.

ST NEKTARIOS KEPHALAS OF PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA – BELOVED WONDERWORKER & TEACHER- 9 NOVEMBER 2010
11
“Truly, I say to you that He will make him ruler over all that He has.
“But if that servant says in his heart: ‘My Master is delaying His Return...’ and begins to beat the male and
female servants, and to eat and drink, and be drunk, the Master of that servant will come on a day when he
is not looking for Him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his
portion with the unbelievers.
“And that servant who knew his Master’s Will, and did not prepare himself or do according to His Will, shall be
beaten with many stripes.”
OUR LORD’S EXHORTATIONS TO THE PRINCIPLES OF
VIRTUE AND HIS DIRE WARNINGS AGAINST
CORRUPTION APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO THOSE WHO
ARE ENTRUSTED WITH SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP.
The “many stripes” - the severe punishment - given to
The Judgement of the Holy Teachers of the Church will
be very strict.

J a m e s 3 : 1 : “Brethren: let not many of you
become Teachers, knowing that we shall
receive a stricter Judgement.”
St James warned against becoming a Christian Teacher
due to the tremendous weight of Spiritual
A Miracle in Romania
As there were no Priests in a small, remote village of
Romania and despite innumerable requests for a
Parish Priest – even a visiting Priest - the Patriarch
was unable to satisfy the needs of his Flock due to
the general insufficient number of Holy Fathers
under his jurisdiction.
Consequently, the faithful reposed without any Funeral
Service, relationships were unsanctified by
Betrothal and Marriage Blessings, and everyone
from children to adults remained unbaptised.
One day a car stopped outside the village church and a
Priest stepped out, shouting loudly for all the
people to gather.
The villagers were astonished and immediately entered
the church to welcome him and to ask him: “Holy
Father, how did You manage to come to our
village when our Patriarch has told us on so many
occasions that he does not have anyone to send to
us?”
And the Priest answered: “Is is not what you have
prayed for? You asked for a Priest, now one has
come!”
The villagers were overjoyed by the presence of this
new Priest who immediately set to work.
He went to all the graves and read the Trisagion Prayers
at each one; he Baptised everyone and united in
Holy Matrimony those who had formerly lived in a
state of sin; he heard the repentant sinners Confess
and he served Holy Communion to the eager and
thankful congregation.
Finally, the day came when he gathered everyone into
the church to inform them that he had to leave
since his Holy Mission had been accomplished.
The Romanian villagers were deeply saddened and
confused by his announced and asked him: “Holy
Father, now that you have come to us, how can
you leave us again?”
But the Holy Priest explained that as much as he would
have liked to, he could not remain with them any
longer, so the deeply saddened parishioners,
accepting the fact that he had to leave, thanked him
profusely for everything he had done for them in
such a short time.
A few days after his departure, the villagers went to
thank their Patriarch for having sent such a
wonderful Priest to their poor little village, and to let
him know that they would greatly appreciate it if he
could send them another Priest as soon as possible.
However, the Patriarch was amazed and most mystified
by their words and he told them that he had most
certainly not sent them a Priest since he did not
have one to spare.
Nevertheless he decided to check with the Chancellor to
see if somehow he had managed to get a Priest to
fulfil their needs.
He immediately phoned the Chancellor but he too had
not sent anyone to the village.
Then the Patriarch inquired, "What did this Priest do for
you?" And the villagers happily answered: “He
married us; he Baptised us; he performed Funerals
ST NEKTARIOS KEPHALAS OF PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA – BELOVED WONDERWORKER & TEACHER- 9 NO VEMBER 2010
12
Responsibility that is carried upon their shoulders
and for which they shall be judged even more
strictly than those whom they teach and guide.
those who are wilfully and knowingly disobedient to
God symbolise the Eternal Condemnation they will
suffer, while those who are disobedient due to their
genuine ignorance will suffer only a “few stripes,”
indicating Divine Chastisement or correction.
and read Trisagion Prayers for our parents and
families – he did everything that any other Holy
Priest would have done for us!”
The Patriarch asked if the Holy Visitor had given them
any official papers or recorded the Holy Mysteries
he had performed for all the villagers.
"Of course," responded the people, "he gave us papers
and he wrote in the Church's books."
And the Patriarch continued: “Then did anyone see
what he wrote? And with what name he signed?"
And their spokesman said: "All the documents were
written in Romanian and we are not well educated
but the signature he signed in a language we have
not seen before."
The Patriarch requested them to fetch the Parish books
so that he could see who the mysterious Priest was
and when they returned with the specific book of
Parish Records, the Patriarch was speechless!
He could not believe his eyes!
Indeed all the documents were correctly written in
Romanian while the Holy Priest’s name was written
and signed in Greek: “Nektarios, Bishop of
Pentapolis."
This was the biggest Miracle of the Century in Romania!
May St Nektarios’ memory be Eternal!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE – THE BIGGEST MIRACLE OF
THE CENTURY IN ROMANIA”
http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/11/great-miracle-
of-st-nektarios-in.html
My Beloved Spiritual Father
SHORTLY BEFORE MY HOLY CALLING IN JERUSALEM IN SEPTEMBER 1980, IN
SPIRITUAL IGNORANCE, MY HUSBAND, HIS MOTHER AND I HAD VISITED ST
NEKTARIOS’ MONASTERY ON THE ISLAND OF AEGINA.
AFTER MANY YEARS OF TEACHING ORTHODOXY AND SERVING OUR LORD IN VARIOUS
OTHER WAYS, I WAS IN 2001 DIAGNOSED AS BEING IN A VERY ADVANCED STAGE
OF CANCER. THERE WAS LITTLE HOPE OF RECOVERY BUT I NEVER WORRIED
ABOUT IT AT ALL SINCE I TRULY BELIEVE GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING SO
WE CAN REST IN HIM AND LET HIM LEAD THE WAY...
I HAD AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN TRIALS FOR A NEW FORM OF CHEMO-THERAPY
SINCE I COULD NO LONGER DONATE ANY PARTS OF MY BODY TO HELP OTHERS,
AND I FELT AT LEAST SOMETHING WORTHWHILE COULD BE ACHIEVED.
EVERY SUNDAY EVENING BEFORE HAVING TO TAKE VAST DOSES OF LARGE PILLS
THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CHEMO THE NEXT DAY, I WOULD LOOK AT
THE PHOTOGRAPH OF ST NEKTARIOS  AND ASK HIM TO HELP ME SWALLOW
THE ESSENTIAL MEDICATION (I HAVE DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING) AND WHEN
THINGS GOT A BIT TOUGH, I WOULD SEE HIS LOVELY FACE BEFORE ME AND FALL
INTO A DEEP SLEEP WHILE MY BODY DEALT WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.
CONSEQUENTLY, BY DIVINE GRACE AND THE INTERCESSION OF ST NEKTARIOS,
ALTHOUGH MY BODY SUFFERED TREMENDOUS TRAUMA, MYSTERIOUSLY, I DID
NOT! (PROVED BY THE JOURNALS MY DEAREST HUSBAND KEPT FOR THE
DOCTORS’ RECORDS.)
SEVERAL YEARS LATER, WHILE PREPARING THE SACRED LESSON PAGES FOR THE
FEAST OF ST NEKTARIOS, I SUDDENLY REALISED THAT HE HAS ALWAYS
ACCOMPANIED AND GUIDED ME WITH MY ORTHODOX TEACHING AND GUIDANCE
OF OTHERS, AND, UNKNOWINGLY, IT WAS HIS WORDS THAT I USED TO TEACH
AND GUIDE BY THE GRACE OF GOD!
SINCE MY CONVERSION TO OTHODOXY IN 1979 I HAVE SAT BELOW HIS HOLY ICON IN
OUR PARISH CHURCH AND ONLY WHEN I
CAME ACROSS TRANSLATIONS OF HIS WORKS,
DID I REALISE THE FULL SIGNIFICANCE OF ST
NEKTARIOS IN MY OWN LIFE!
FURTHERMORE, I LEARNT THAT HE HAS BECOME
THE PATRON SAINT OF CANCER SUFFERERS –
A FACT UNKNOWN WHILE TRAVELLING
ALONG THAT ROCKY ROAD!
I HAVE SET AS MY FINAL TASK THE COMPILATION
OF ALL HOLY SERVICES IN HONOUR OF ST
NEKTARIOS IN ENGLISH (WITH GREEK
TRANSLITERATION) BEFORE MY FINAL
REPOSE... I AM SLOWLY GETTING THERE!
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO GOD FOR
HIS INFINITE GREAT MERCY AND LOVE FOR
ALL WRETCHED AND UNWORTHY SINNERS
SUCH AS ME!
MP
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

11 November 2010
St Menas the Great Martyr of Egypt
Also the Feast of St Victor of Damascus – St Vincent of Spain – St Stephanida of
Spain – St Theodore the Confessor & Abbot of Studion – St Maximos the Fool for
Christ of Moscow – St Martyrios of Veliki Luki (Great Meadows) Monastery – St
Stephen of Dechani, Serbia – St Martin the Merciful of Tours
Apolytikion Of St Menas – Tone (6) Plagal 1

Tous megistous agonas tou Martiriou Sou, kateropsihos
anisas Megalomartis Mina, Ouranion doreon lampros
ixiose, ke thavmaton aftourgos, ek Theou anadihthis,
prostatis imin edothis, ke voithos en anages, ke
antiliptor enargestatos.
Kontakion Of Holy Male Martyrs – Tone (8) Plagal 4
The most fearful contests of thy Martyrdom, stout-
heartedly enduring, O Great Martyr Menas, the
Divine Gifts thou brilliantly merited; and being shown
by God, as Worker of Miracles, thou were sent to us as
Protector, and aid in our needs of life, and a Helper
most responsive to us.

I Martires Sou, Kyrie, en ti athlisis afton, to stefos Thy loyal Martyrs, O Lord, while contending for Thee,
ekomisanto tis aftharsias, ek Sou tou Theou imon; the Crown of Incorruption they earned for
ehontes tin iskhin Sou, tous tirannous kathilon. themselves, from Thee the God of all of us; for armed
Ethrafsan ke demonon ta aniskhira thrasi; afton tes with Thy Might, they defeated the tyrants, and
ikesies Hriste, O Theos, soson tas psihas imon. crushed all the demons and their powerless
presumption. Through their Intercessions, O Christ
our God, we pray to Thee to Save our souls!
The Second Epistle of St Paul to the Thessalonians 2 : 13 – 3 : 5
WE MUST STAND FAST IN OUR ORTHODOX FAITH
Brethren: We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, beloved of the Lord, because God, from the
beginning, chose you for Salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the Truth, to which He
Called you by our Gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, Brethren, stand fast and hold the Traditions, which you were taught, whether by word or our Epistle.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, Who has Loved us and given us everlasting
Consolation and Good Hope by Grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every Good Word and Work.
Finally, Brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and
that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have Faith.
But the Lord is Faithful, Who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
St Paul instructed the early Christians – and this most ✽ DEVOTION TO GOD INCLUDES BOTH OBEDIENCE TO
definitely still applies to us today – that when the HIS COMMANDMENTS AND SERVICE TO OTHERS –
world falls even deeper into a dark and sinful state, these two cannot be separated.
Faithful Christians must not become distressed or
James 2: 14 – 18 “What does it profit, my Brethren,
deceived by the wicked people but rather persevere if someone says he has Faith but does not
as Good Stewards of Divine Truth and Life in Christ. have Works? Can Faith Save him? If a
According to the New Covenant with God there are two brother or sister is naked and destitute of
types of “tradition”: daily food, and one of you says to them:
➤ THE TRADITION OF MAN is soundly condemned by ‘Depart in Peace, be warmed and filled...’
our Lord Jesus Who described it as “teaching as but you do not give them the thing that
doctrines the commandments of men!” are needed for the body, what does it

Matthew 15: 1 – 9 “... the Scribes and Pharisees who profit?”
were from Jerusalem went to Jesus, saying: ➤ FAITH THAT SAVES IS A COMPLETE FAITH, not just
‘Why dost Thy Disciples transgress the tradition the mind and tongue but the whole person
of the Elders? For they do not wash their trusting in the Living God, for OUR FAITH AND
hands when they eat bread.’ RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD – OUR JUSTIFICATION –
“He answered and said: ‘Why do you also IS DYNAMIC AND ALIVE!
transgress the Commandment of God because
1 John 4: 7 – 21 “Beloved, let us Love one another,
of your tradition? for Love is of God...”
“For God commanded: “Honour thy father and ➤ GOD IS LOVE! And this is not a definition of Who
thy mother,” and “he who curses father or God is but rather DESCRIBES HIS RELATIONSHIP
mother, let him be put to death.” But you TO US AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. AS HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON SACRIFICIALLY GAVE HIMSELF
say: “”Whoever says to his father or mother, SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM, SO ARE
“Whatever profit you might have received WE TO GIVE OURSELVES TO HIM AND TO ONE
from me is a Gift to God” – then he need not ANOTHER.
honour his father or mother.’ Thus you have ➤ WE KNOW THAT GOD TRULY LIVES IN US WHEN WE
made the Commandment of God of no effect LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS MUCH AS GOD LOVES US;
by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did IF WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED THE HOLY SPIRIT; IF
Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘THESE WE CONFESS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS THE
PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND SON OF GOD AND IF WE ABIDE IN THE DIVINE
HONOUR ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS LOVE OF GOD.
FAR FROM ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE
Colossians 2: 8 “AS YOU HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS
COMMANDMENTS OF MEN!’ THE LORD, SO WALK IN HIM!
“When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said
Isaiah 29:13 “The Lord said: ‘THESE PEOPLE DRAW
to them: ‘HEAR AND UNDERSTAND: NOT WHAT NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONOUR
GOES INTO THE MOUTH DEFILES A MAN, BUT WHAT ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR
COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH; THIS DEFILES A MAN!” FROM ME, AND THEY WORSHIP ME IN VAIN,
✽ Christ shows that THE DIVINE COMMANDMENT OF TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS
GOD CANNOT BE SUPERSEDED BY MAN’S OF MEN!’
RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS.

(ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) ST MENAS THE GREAT MARTYR OF EGYPT – 11 NOVEMBER 2010
13
 The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 13 : 1 – 9
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALS WHAT HAPPENS TO THE UNREPENTANT
At that time, there were present at that season, some who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had
mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered and said to them: “Do you suppose that these Galileans were
worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you: No! For unless you repent
you will all likewise perish!
“And those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed, do you think that they were worse sinners than all
other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you: no! For unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Jesus also narrated a Parable: “A certain Man had planted a Fig Tree in His Vineyard, and He went seeking Fruit on it
but found none. So He said to the Keeper of His Vineyard, ‘Behold, for three years I have come seeking Fruit
on this fig tree but find none. Cut it down! Why does it use up the ground?’ But the Keeper answered and
said to Him: ‘Master, let it alone this year also, until I have dug around it and fertilised it. And if it bears Fruit, all
is well, but if not, after that, Thou can cut it down.’”
These two historical incidents are only recorded by St The three years represent God’s Holy Covenant with His
Luke in his Holy Gospel. People through St Abraham, St Moses and His Only
The slain Galileans were probably Zealots, Jewish Begotten Son, God Incarnate - our Lord Jesus
Nationalists, who triggered some disturbance Christ - including His three year public Ministry - all
against the Romans. of which are rejected by the ungodly, fallen world.
The collapse of the tower in Siloam, whether by The Keeper of the Vineyard is our Most Compassionate
accident or sabotage, was believed to be Divine Lord Jesus Christ Who intercedes on our behalf so
Justice on sinners. that He should suffer His Passion, Death and
Yet our Lord Jesus Christ denied that such devastation Resurrection before sending us our Great
and suffering was caused by God or due to His Comforter, Advocate and Divine Guide and Teacher,
Divine Judgement on sinners. God the Holy Spirit Who enables us to achieve
Instead our Lord used these particular events as Spiritual Heights that without God would be
illustrations for those who perish Eternally because impossible to do, before we are confronted by the
they refuse to repent their sins. General Resurrection and the Final Judgement of
Our Lord’s Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree is Christ.
universally interpreted in the Holy Church as
referring to the fallen state of all humanity.
St Menas – the Great Holy Martyr of Egypt
St Menas was an Egyptian by birth and served as a their false beliefs that always proved to be
Roman Military Officer in the Kotvaeion region of useless and ineffectual compared to the infinite
Phrygia under the command of Firmilian during Blessings, Divine Miracles and Providence of our
the reign of Emperors Diocletian (284 3305) and One Almighty and Living God and His Son, our
Maximian (305 – 311). Lord Jesus Christ.
When the Roman Emperors began the most relentless Consequently, on 11 November 304, St Menas was
and cruellest persecution of Christians in history, finally beheaded by sword, having endured the
St Menas refused to obey their malicious orders. most hideous and inhumane torture but also
He removed his belt of authority that reflected his being Perfected in Holy Martyrdom.
Military Rank, and withdrew into the Faithful Christians gathered up St Menas’ Holy Relics
mountainous region, where he kept an Ascetic during the night and kept them hidden until after
Life of Fasting and Prayer. many painful and terrible years, the persecution
During a pagan festival, St Menas happened to visit of Christians ceased.
the city and at the climax of the games, his Eventually the Holy Relics of St Menas were returned
accusing voice rang out aloud, preaching Faith in to Egypt where they were laid to rest in a church
Christ our Saviour of the fallen world to the that had been built in honour of him, which was
gathered multitude. situated in an area south3west of Alexandria.
As expected, he was promptly arrested and By Divine Grace, St Menas continued to work many
imprisoned and when brought before Prefect Miracles and helping those who sought his
Pyrrhus for his sentencing, St Menas boldly intercessory Prayers.
confessed his unwavering Faith in Christ, St Menas is the Patron Saint of healing various
proclaiming to all within hearing distance that he ailments, delivering the possessed from demons,
had come to denounce the impious, which and as a Holy Protector, especially during the
further enraged the Roman lackeys. horrors of warfare.
However, as soon as the Prefect learnt of St Menas’ St Menas also assists those who seek his guidance in
former life in the Roman Legion, he offered to finding lost objects and possessions.
restore him to his former rank once St Menas May his memory be Eternal!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: THE LIVES OF SAINTS – FEASTS & SAINTS OF THE
made a reconciliatory offering to the pagan gods. ORTHODOX CHURCH - http://www.oca.org/FSlives.asp
Nevertheless, St Menas vehemently refused to co3
operate and continued to castigate the pagans for
The Wisdom of St John of Kronstadt
✽ “WHEN SOME INWARD DISTURBANCE OR WEAKNESS OF OR WHEN THOUGHTS OF MALICE, ENVY, AVARICE,
THE HEART PREVENTS YOU FROM PRONOUNCING COVETOUSNESS, GLUTTONY, DARKEN, WOUND, AND
THE WORDS OF THE PRAYERS DURING DIVINE OPPRESS YOU, then say to yourself, with firm,
SERVICE, then consider such disturbance and heartfelt conviction, that ALL THIS IS THE
weakness as an illusion of the enemy, of the IMAGINATION OF THE DEVIL, and all such ideas and
demon. thoughts shall immediately vanish.
REJECT THE DESPONDENCY, THE FAINT-HEARTEDNESS, BLESSED IS HE WHO ‘SPEAKS THE TRUTH FROM HIS
AND TIMIDITY, AND SPEAK CONCERNING THE NAME HEART’. [PSALM XV. 2,3.]
OF THE LORD WITHOUT HURRYING, CALMLY AND TORTURED WILL BE HE WHO IMAGINES OR THINKS OF
INTENTIONALLY LOUDER. EVIL AND SIN IN HIS HEART! ‘TRIBULATION AND
You will thus overcome your disturbance and ANGUISH UPON EVERY SOUL OF MAN WHO COMMITS
weakness, and will obtain courage and strength. EVIL.’ [ROMANS 2.9.]
EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE DESPISE THE CARNAL DELIGHT OF SIN, FOR IT IS A
AND TRUST. PROVOCATION OF THE PERISHABLE FLESH.
WE MUST STRUGGLE AND CONQUER.” WHEN A THOUGHT OF DOUBT IN THE TRUTH COMES TO
✽ “WHEN YOUR HEART IS TOUCHED BY THOUGHTS OF YOU, SAY ALOUD: THIS THOUGHT IS AN ILLUSION,
FORNICATION, OR IMPURITY, EVIL, OR BLASPHEMY, WHILST THE TRUTH REMAINS-ETERNAL TRUTH.”

(ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) ST MENAS THE GREAT MARTYR OF EGYPT – 11 NOVEMBER 2010
14
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

13 November 2010
St John Chrysostom of Constantine

Feast of St Antoninos, St Nicephoros, St Germanos, and St Manetha of Caesarea –

St Damascene Monk-Martyr of Lavra Monastery, Mount Athos

Apolytikion Of St John Chrysostom – Tone Plagal 4

I tou stomatos Sou, kathaper pirsos eklampsasa haris The Grace of thy mouth which has shone like a
tin ikoumenin efotisen; afilargirias to kosmo beacon, has illumined the Universe; it stored up in
thisavrous enapetheto; to ipsos imin, tis the world treasures of the absence of avarice; it
tapinofrosinis ipedixen. Alla sis logis pedevon, Pater showed to us the height of humility. Therefore,
Ioanni Hrisostome, presveve to Logo Hristo to Theo, instructing by thy words, O Father John
sothine tas psihas imon. Chrysostom, intercede with the Word, Christ our
God, that our souls may be Saved.
Kontakion Of St John Chrysostom – Tone Plagal 2
Ek ton Ouranon edexo tin thian harin, ke dia ton son Thou received Divine Grace from Heaven, and by thy
hileon, pantasdidaskis, proskinin en Triadi ton ena own lips taught all to worship the One God in
Theon, Ioanni Hrisostome, pammakariste osie, Trinity. All-Blessed, Venerable John Chrysostom,
epazios evfimoumen se. Iperhis gar kathigitis, os ta deservedly, we praise thee for thou art a Teacher
thia safon. clearly revealing things Divine
November Until 25 November] – Entry Of Ever Blessed Theotokos
O katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros, i politimitos pastas ke The very purest Abode of the Saviour, and the Most
Parthenos, to Iron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou, Priceless Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Most
simeron isagete, en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin Sacred Treasure of the Glory of God, today is led
sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati dio: In animnousin inside the House of the Lord, bringing in the Grace
Angeli Theou. Afti iparhi, skini epouranios with her, of the Holy Spirit. It is for her God’s
Angels sing in praise: She is truly a Heavenly
Tabernacle!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 7 : 26 – 8 : 2
Jesus Christ is our one and only eternal high priest
Brethren: a High Priest was fitting for us, Who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become
higher than the Heavens, who does not need daily, as those High Priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own
sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
For the Law appoints as High Priests men who have weakness, but the word of the Oath, which came after the Law
appoints the Son Who has been perfected forever.
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: we have such a High Priest Who is seated at the right hand of
the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Ministry of the Sanctuary and of the True Tabernacle, which the
Lord erected, and not man.
✽ Not only is the Founder of the New Covenant ✽ However, the Covenant of Moses is external to
Priesthood superior to that of the Old man and cannot solve the root of
Covenant, the Rules of the New Covenant’s humanity’s problem – sin and death.
Priestly Order are also superior. ➤ It cannot reunite and reintegrate the souls of
Priesthood is so intertwined with a Covenant that if the human beings
Priesthood is changed, so is the Covenant. ➤ It is learnt by being taught.
"Majesty" is a biblical name for God the Father. ➤ It is heeded with fearful compliance,
✽ A High Priest sitting on the right hand of ➤ It gives imperfect forgiveness – (only temporary)
Majesty would have to be both human and ✽ The Covenant of Jesus Christ, on the contrary,
Divine as is our Lord Jesus Christ. is internal
"Seated” means that no one but an equal sits in the ➤ it heals our nature,
presence of a King – much less in the Presence of ➤ It unifies the Inner Being – mind and soul
Almighty God. are joined in Union with God.
✽ The Covenant of Jesus Christ solves the ➤ It therefore is intuitively understood,
problems that the Mosaic Covenant could ➤ It is heeded with willing co-operation or
not. synergy and
Both Holy Covenants come from God’s Grace and ➤ It gives perfect forgiveness, even those sins
require man’s willed response. that the Old Covenant was powerless to
deal with.
The Holy Gospel According to St John 10 : 9 – 16
OUR LORD GIVES HIS LIFE FOR HIS SHEEP

At that time our Lord said: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come so
that they may have Life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
“I Am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His Life for the sheep. But a hireling - he who is not the
Shepherd, one who does not own the sheep - sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the
wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.

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“I Am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I
know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold;
them also I must bring, and they will hear My Voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.”
The “thief” – the devil – steals, kills and destroys
the Virtues of Christian Life and lays waste
those who follow his heresies.
✽ Life “more abundantly” is the Life of God’s
Kingdom, offered us by Christ Himself.
(Psalm 23:5 “Thou prepares a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies; Thou anoints my
head with oil; my cup overflows.”)
Verse 11 “I Am the Good Shepherd…” is a prophecy of
our Lord’s impending Death, through which his
people are to be reconciled to God the Father.
✽ The “Good Shepherd,” Christ, and His under-
Shepherds [His Bishops and Priests] look
after the Sheep [the Faithful Christians]
St John Chrysostom – On Fasting
Fasting is the change of every part of our life, because
THE SACRIFICE OF THE FAST IS NOT
ABSTINENCE BUT THE DISTANCING FROM SINS.
Therefore, whoever limits the Fast to the deprivation of
food, he is the one who, in reality, abhors and
ridicules the Fast.
Are you Fasting? SHOW ME YOUR FAST WITH YOUR
WORKS.
Which works? If you see someone who is poor, show
him mercy. If you see an enemy, reconcile with him.
If you see a friend who is becoming successful, do
not be jealous of him! If you see a beautiful woman
on the street, pass her by.
In other words, NOT ONLY SHOULD THE MOUTH FAST,
BUT THE EYES AND THE LEGS AND THE ARMS AND
ALL THE OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY SHOULD FAST
AS WELL.
Let the hands Fast, remaining clean from stealing and
greediness.
Let the legs Fast, avoiding roads which lead to sinful
sights.
Let the eyes Fast by not fixing themselves on beautiful
faces and by not observing the beauty of others.
You are not eating meat, are you? YOU SHOULD NOT EAT
DEBAUCHERY WITH YOUR EYES EITHER.
Let your hearing also Fast. THE FAST OF HEARING IS
NOT TO ACCEPT BAD TALK AGAINST OTHERS AND SLY
DEFAMATIONS.
Let the mouth Fast from disgraceful and abusive words,
because, what gain is there when, on the one hand
we avoid eating chicken and fish and, on the other,
WE CHEW-UP AND CONSUME OUR BROTHERS?
HE WHO CONDEMNS AND BLASPHEMES IS AS IF HE HAS
EATEN BROTHERLY MEAT, AS IF HE HAS BITTEN INTO
THE FLESH OF HIS FELLOW MAN.
It is because of this that St Paul frightened us, saying:
"If you chew up and consume one another be
careful that you do not annihilate yourselves."
You did not thrust your teeth into the flesh (of your
neighbour) but you thrusted bad talk in his soul;
YOU WOUNDED IT BY SPREADING DISFAME, CAUSING
UNESTIMATABLE DAMAGE BOTH TO YOURSELF, TO
HIM, AND TO MANY OTHERS.
If you cannot go without eating all day because of an
ailment of the body, no logical person will be able
to criticize you for that. Besides, WE HAVE A LORD
WHO IS MEEK AND LOVING (PHILANTHROPIC) AND
WHO DOES NOT ASK FOR ANYTHING BEYOND OUR
POWER.
Because he neither requires the abstinence from foods,
neither that the Fast take place for the simple sake
of Fasting, neither is its aim that we remain with
empty stomachs, but that WE FAST TO OFFER OUR
ENTIRE SELVES TO THE DEDICATION OF SPIRITUAL
THINGS, HAVING DISTANCED OURSELVES FROM
SECULAR THINGS.
If we regulated our life with a sober mind and directed
all of our interest toward Spiritual Things, and if we
ate as much as we needed to satisfy our necessary
needs and offered our entire lives to Good Works,
we would not have any need of the help rendered
by the Fast.
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even to the point of giving their lives for
them.
The “hireling” – the uncommitted religious leader - is
contrasted with the “Shepherd” – the one who
considers the “Sheep” his own.
The hired hand looks primarily after himself.
✽ “Other Sheep” are the Gentiles who will be
brought into the “one Flock” under the
“one Shepherd.”
Therefore the Church cannot be divided along
denominational, ethnic, cultural or family
lines.
This is also a reference to all those who have had
diverse, heretical beliefs but who finally find God’s
Truth with Christ our Lord, Saviour and God.
But because human nature is indifferent and gives itself
THE over mostly to comfort and gratification, OUR
PHILANTHROPIC LORD, LIKE A LOVING AND CARING
FATHER, DEVISED THE THERAPY OF THE FAST FOR
US, SO THAT OUR GRATIFICATIONS WOULD BE
COMPLETELY STOPPED AND THAT OUR WORLDLY
CARES BE TRANSFERRED TO SPIRITUAL WORKS.
There really are WAYS THAT ARE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT
THAN ABSTINENCE FROM FOOD, WHICH BOLDLY
OPEN THE GATES LEADING TO GOD.
Therefore, THOSE WHO EAT AND CANNOT FAST, MUST
PERFORM RICHER ALMSGIVING, PRAY MORE, HAVE A
MORE INTENSE DESIRE TO HEAR DIVINE WORDS.
In this, our somatic illness is not a hindrance.
WE MUST BECOME RECONCILED WITH ENEMIES AND
DISTANCE FROM OUR SOUL EVERY RESENTMENT.
IF WE ACCOMPLISH THESE THINGS, THEN WE HAVE DONE
THE TRUE FAST, which is what our Lord asks of us
more than anything else.
It is for this reason that He asks us to abstain from
food, in order TO PLACE THE FLESH IN SUBJECTION
TO THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS COMMANDMENTS,
THEREBY CURBING ITS IMPETUOUSNESS.
But if we are not about to offer to ourselves the help
rendered by the Fast because of bodily illness and
at the same time display greater indifference, we
will see ourselves in an unusual exaggerated way.
For if the Fast does not help us when all the
aforementioned accomplishments are missing so
much is the case when we display greater
indifference because we cannot even use the
medicine of Fasting.
Since you have Learnt these things from us, I pardon
you - those who can, FAST AND YOU YOURSELVES
INCREASE YOUR ACUTENESS AND PRAISEWORTHY
DESIRE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
To our Brethren who cannot Fast because of bodily
illness, encourage them not to abandon this
Spiritual Word, teaching them and passing on to
them all the things we teach, showing them that HE
WHO EATS AND DRINKS WITH MODERATION IS NOT
UNWORTHY TO HEAR THESE THINGS BUT HE WHO IS
INDIFFERENT AND SLACK.
"He who eats for the Glory of the Lord eats and
he who does not eat for the Glory of the Lord
does not eat and pleases God," for HE WHO
FASTS PLEASES GOD BECAUSE HE HAS THE
STRENGTH TO ENDURE THE FATIGUE OF THE FAST
AND HE THAT EATS ALSO PLEASES GOD BECAUSE
NOTHING OF THIS SORT CAN HARM THE SALVATION
OF HIS SOUL, AS LONG AS HE DOES NOT WANT IT TO.
Because OUR PHILANTHROPIC GOD SHOWED US SO
MANY WAYS BY WHICH WE CAN, IF WE DESIRE, TAKE
PART IN GOD'S POWER it is impossible to mention
them all.
Food does not bring us shame like acts of wrongdoing.
SIN IS A GREAT SHAME AND SO, NOT ONLY SHOULD WE
FEEL GUILTY BUT WE SHOULD COVER OURSELVES AS
THOSE WHO ARE WOUNDED DO.
EVEN THEN WE SHOULD NOT FORSAKE OURSELVES BUT
RUSH TO CONFESSION AND THANKSGIVING.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM HOMILIES "ON FASTING"
13 NOVEMBER 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO
THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET
EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE
TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

25th Sunday After Pentecost Tone (8) Tone Plagal 4 14 November 2010
8th Sunday of St Luke – The Good Samaritan

Feast of St Philip of Bethesda, Holy Apostle of Christ – St Philip Abbot of Irap, Nogorod – St
Justinian the Emperor – St Theodora the Empress – St Gregory Palamas of Thessalonika – St Demetrops
Benevolenski of Tver

Resurrection Apolytikion – Tone (8) Plagal 4

Ex ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo
triimeron, ina imas elevtherosis ton pathon. I Zoi ke
i Anastasis imon, Kyrie, ✞ Doxa Si!
Apolytikion of St Philip the Apostle of Christ – Tone 3
Apostole Agie Filippe, Presveve to Eleimoni Theo, ina
ptesmaton afesin, parashi tes psihes imon
Kontakion of St Philip the Apostle of Christ - Tone (8) Plagal 4
O Mathitis ke Filos Sou, ke mimitis tou pathous Sou, ti Thy Disciple and Friend, emulator of Thy Passion, the
ikoumeni Theon Se ekirixen, O Theigoros Filippos.
Tes aftou ikesies, ex ehthron paranomon, tin
Ekklisian Sou, dia tis Theotokou sintirison Polielee.
8 November Until 25 November] – Entry Of Ever Blessed Theotokos
O katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros, i politimitos pastas ke
Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou,
simeron isagete, en to Iko Kyriou, tin Harin
sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati dio: In animnousin
Angeli Theou. Afti iparhi, Skini Epouranios!
Resurrection Gospel 3: Mark 16:9 – 20 - T H E
Thou descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;
Thou endured the three-days’ burial, so that Thou
might free us from our passions, O our Life and
Resurrection: ✞ Glory to Thee!
O Holy Apostle Philip, Intercede with the Merciful God
that He grant to our souls forgiveness of offences.
Divinely Eloquent Philip, proclaimed Thee to the
world as God. By his Entreaties, and through the
Theotokos, preserve Thy Church from lawless
enemies, O Most Merciful.
The very purest Abode of the Saviour, and the Most
Priceless Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Most
Sacred Treasure of the Glory of God, today is led
inside the House of the Lord, bringing in the Grace
with her, of the Holy Spirit. It is for her God’s
Angels sing in praise: She is truly a Heavenly
Tabernacle!
RISEN CHRIST APPEARS TO HIS APOSTLES & DISCIPLES BEFORE HIS
ASCENSION

Prokeimenon: Pray to the Lord our God, and give thanks to Him! God is known in Judea; His Name is great in
Israel!
The First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 4 : 9 - 16
The Power of an Apostle of Christ
Brethren: we are persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body
the Dying of our Lord Jesus, so that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then Death
is working in us, but Life in you.
And since we have the same spirit of Faith, according to what is written: “I believe and therefore I spoke,” knowing
that He Who raised up our Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
For all Things are for your sakes, so that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause Thanksgiving to
abound to the Glory of God.
TRUE CHRISTIANITY, BEING LIVED IN CHRIST WITH ALL St Paul reminds us that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD, IS VICTORIOUS TAUGHT US AND REVEALED DIVINE MYSTERIES TO US
BUT NOT TROUBLE-FREE. BY HIS OWN PERFECT EXAMPLE.
EVERY OBSTACLE ALONG THE PATH OF LIFE IN CHRIST Consequently, ALWAYS KEEPING OUR LORD JESUS AS
BECOMES A HIDDEN BLESSING, and, by the Grace OUR SHINING BEACON OF LIGHT TO GUIDE US
of God we are always able to endure and overcome. ALONG THE ROCKY PATHS OF LIFE, we may rest
Therefore, we have been taught by our Holy Church assured that we, too, will be Resurrected and
Fathers to THANK GOD EVEN FOR SUCH become worthy Citizens of God’s Eternal Kingdom
DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE, WHICH BRING US CLOSER TO of Love.
HIM. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GOD’S GREAT MERCY AND LOVE
GOD ALLOWS US TO STRUGGLE through this earthly life COMPELS US ALL TO RESPOND TO HIM WITH
because BY DOING SO, WE EXPERIENCE THE CONSTANT THANKSGIVING AND PRAISES,
INFINITE LOVE OF GOD AND HIS GREAT MERCY, encouraged always with our Hope of Eternal Life –
WHICH ENABLES US TO ACHIEVE WHAT FOR US and to assist, encourage and guide one another
ALONE WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. along the way.
WITH GOD EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE THROUGH HIS
DIVINE LOVE, WISDOM AND STRENGTH.
As the Creator of everything visible and invisible, GOD
IS IN CONTROL AND THUS, WE MUST LEARN TO
TRUST AND TO DEPEND ON HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE.
However, that does not mean that we are able to sit
back and wait for His Divine Providence; WE MUST
MAKE EVERY EFFORT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ASSIST
OURSELVES AND OTHERS – THEN GOD’S BLESSINGS
ARE RETURNED TO US A HUNDRED TIMES MORE!!

(ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) 25TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST LUKE – THE GOOD SAMARITAN 14 NOVEMBER 2010
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 The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 10 : 25 – 37
The Good Samaritan & Eternal Life
At that time, behold, a certain Lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Eternal
Life?” And He said to him: “What is written in the Law? What is your reading of it?” And he answered: “’You
shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all
your mind,’ and: ‘... your neighbour as yourself.’”
And Jesus said to him: “You have answered rightly; do this and you will Live.” But he, wanting to justify himself,
asked Jesus: “And who is my neighbour?”
So Jesus said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves who stripped him of
his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him for dead. Then, by chance, a certain Priest went down
that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
“Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at that place, went and looked, and passed by on the other side.
“However, a certain Samaritan, as He journeyed, came to where the man lay, and when He saw him He had
Compassion. And He went to him and Bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and He set him on His
own animal, and took him to an Inn, and took care of him.
“The next day, when He departed, He took out two denarii, gave them to the Innkeeper, and said to Him: ‘Take
care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
“So which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?”
And he replied: “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him: “Go and do likewise.”
The term “Lawyer,” applied to those who studied All titles and social status is meaningless in God’s Sight
Mosaic Law and Holy Scripture – especially the self- when they have nothing to do with Good Deeds.
righteous Scribes and Pharisees, who regarded “The dignity of the Priesthood means nothing unless
themselves as being superior to the average the Priest also excels in (Good) Deeds.” (St Cyril of
person. Alexandria)
These sanctimonious men looked down on everyone The fact that neither the Priest nor the Levite helped
else, priding themselves on what they thought they the dying man is another indication of the failure of
knew. the Old Covenant to heal the consequences of sin.
As a result, they regarded our Lord Jesus Christ as a The Good Samaritan is an Image of Christ our Saviour.
mere “nobody” Whom they saw only as “the Son of Samaritans were despised by the Hebrews and were
St Joseph the Carpenter” or as “Jesus of Nazareth,” avoided at all costs.
(i.e. from a small insignificant town). Christ our Lord was also despised by His enemies even
However, with Christ’s profound Divine Knowledge and though He came down from Heaven to save all
Wisdom, combined with all His wonderful, humanity – including those who rebel against God
compelling qualities and abilities, they had also and those who reject Him.
begun to perceive Him as being a threat to their The bandages, oil and wine that were applied to the
social status – with the possibility of being exposed dying man’s wounds are Sacramental (Mysterious)
for their true lack of knowledge concerning Divine Images for our Garment of Holy Baptism, which
Matters. delivers us from the fatal wounds of sin; the Oil of
Knowing the hearts and souls of all people, our Lord Chrismation, which grants us New Life in the Holy
Jesus humbly used the Lawyer’s own perception Spirit; and the Communion of Christ’s Divine Blood,
and understanding to answer his question which leads us to Eternal Life through the
concerning the inheritance of Eternal Life: “What is Forgiveness of sin.
written in the Law? What is your reading of it?” The Good Samaritan gently placed the wounded man
Nevertheless, after his reply was confirmed to be upon “His own animal,” indicating how Christ our
correct, the Lawyer further felt the need to “justify Most Compassionate and Merciful Lord bears our
himself” by enquiring: “Who is my neighbour?” sins upon His own Body.
And, very ingeniously, instead of answering him The Inn and the Innkeeper refer to the Holy Church of
directly, our Lord Jesus used the Parable of the Christ and His Holy Priesthood whereby we receive
Good Samaritan as a means of - once again - Spiritual Healing and Divine Care for all our wounds
testing the knowledge and understanding of the suffered throughout life on earth – especially those
arrogant man and those who listened to His Words. sustained during the ceaseless Spiritual Warfare
Jerusalem was known as the “city of Peace,” a place of that is waged against us by the evil ones and their
worship, while Jericho was notorious as a city of willing slaves.
iniquity and was commonly identified with all kinds Our Spiritual Care is paid for in full by our Lord Jesus
of sinful, debauched lifestyles. Christ and everyone will be properly repaid for all
So the man in the Parable was walking away from their deeds – both good and bad – when He returns
Peace and worship towards temptation and on the Eighth Day – the dread Judgement Day –the
wickedness when he “... fell among thieves...” who, beginning of Eternity.
after robbing him of all his possessions, left him for 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 6 : 2 0 – “... you were bought for a
dead. Price; therefore Glorify God in your body and
This was a reference to the natural consequences with in your spirit, which are God’s”
which we are all confronted when we turn away 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 7 : 2 3 - “You were bought at a Price;
from God after being lured by the temptations of do not become slaves of men.”
the evil one and wilfully enter a life of sin – we lose Finally: TOGETHER WITH THE ARROGANT HEBREW
all the good things granted to us by God and LAWYER, WE ARE EACH COMMANDED BY CHRIST TO
voluntarily enter a state of Spiritual Death. TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER AND TO HAVE AS MUCH
The ultimate thief is Satan who spreads his lies, LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR EACH OTHER AS GOD
deceptions and heresies among the people of God, HAS FOR US WRETCHED SINNERS!
thereby enticing both leaders and people.
The Good Samaritan & Neighbours
IT IS COMPLETELY NATURAL FOR US TO HELP ONE group who is the butt or victim of their jokes, scare-
ANOTHER. stories or reason to hate and destroy.
IT IS NATURAL BECAUSE WE ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF For example: the Irish have the English; the English
THE ALL-COMPASSIONATE GOD, WHICH DEFINES US
have the Irish; the Russians have the Chechnyans;
AS HUMAN BEINGS.
the French have the Belgians, the whole of Europe
The evil one increases our anxieties and fears, using
and the United Kingdom have the Gypsies and
them against us so that we make every effort to
many other migrant nationalities, and religious
subvert or resist our natural inclination to help one
fundamentalists or fanatics (no matter what sect)
another and one of the many ways we do that is by
have everybody else.
making up convenient excuses, jokes and scary
It makes their world a nice, neat, controllable and
stories.
compartmentalised place.
Most ethnic groups or nationalities have a target for
There are people to love and people to hate, things to
such myths – each has a “bogeyman” or some
accept and things not to accept, places to go and

((ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) 25TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST LUKE – THE GOOD SAMARITAN 14 NOVEMBER 2010
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 places to avoid - clear delineations at all times to
keep things straight and easy.
In the Old Covenant times, the Hebrews told stories
about the Samaritans whom they despised and no
doubt, feared.
The Samaritans were viewed as a motley group who
were born of intermarriages during the time of the
Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom by
Sargon II after which many were exiled and their
lands resettled by Assyrians and other subjects of
the conquering king.
There are various stories of course, but at some time
there was a schism between the Northern and
Southern Kingdoms of Israel, before the exile, and
as a result, a Temple was built on Mount Gerizim in
the North for Hebrew worship.
Intermarriage with Gentiles “spiced the soup” quite a
bit and so the Hebrews of the South began to
despise those whom they regarded as being traitors
and syncretists (HAVING COMBINED DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHICAL OR
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICE) in the North, calling them
“Samaritans.”
Such wild and imaginative stories had been invented
about them that most Hebrews would have nothing
to do with them, and they would avoid any contact
with them however possible.
It is extremely significant that our Lord Jesus chose His
Parable about a “Good Samaritan,” which, no
doubt, riled the bigots in the crowd, but our Lord
did so with regularity.
He used every opportunity to smash honoured religious
and cultural icons (I.E. THEIR INVENTED, ASSUMED AND FALSE
PERCEPTIONS OF VARIOUS OTHER TYPES OF PEOPLE).
Christ purposely messed up their "nice, neat" little
world which had been fabricated by those who were
regarded as being so "respectable and pious".
And our Saviour is still doing so with His Divine Truth -
certainly in the personal lives of those who have
ears to hear and eyes to see!!
There was no way the Good Samaritan would have
been ignorant of the animosity between his people
and the Hebrews of the South.
He – like everyone else - had grown up knowing the
rules that governed life.
However, as usual, our Lord turned everything upside
down, and He – as a devout and faithful Hebrew –
narrated a Parable that portrayed a despised
Samaritan as its hero!
What is more, the Hebrews who were considered to be
the most powerful and respectable – a Priest and a
Levite - were shown as examples of hypocrisy and
unrighteousness!
The Samaritan proved to be more Righteous,
Compassionate and Spiritually Pure compared to
the Hebrew Priest and Levite who were exposed as
being wicked, unmerciful and Spiritually Foul!
It was extraordinary and astonishing how our Lord
Jesus dared to reveal that which was honoured and
respected as being Righteous and Spiritually Good
by society as actually being sinful, uncaring and
ugly.
Clearly, our Saviour is never concerned about offending
people – He simply states the absolute and perfect
Truth!
GOD IS PURE GOODNESS AND COMPLETELY SINLESS, SO HE CANNOT LIE OR AVOID
SPEAKING HIS DIVINE TRUTH! GOD CANNOT DO ANYTHING WICKED OR
DESTRUCTIVE BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETELY AGAINST HIS DIVINE AND LOVING
NATURE!
This is a Perfect Pattern or Example for us to imitate
and follow – it teaches us how to examine,
investigate and understand the stories we are told
by others.
For example: when we see the homeless people or
beggars on the street, several emotions such as
fear, doubt, suspicion, anger or revulsion might
arise which are merely due to what we have
accepted as “truth” concerning them.
We have been conditioned to react in that manner, but
these are merely due to assumed beliefs, which can
be just as easily dismissed as the myriad thoughts
that invade our consciousness moment by moment!
(ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) 25TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST LUKE – THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Nevertheless, what happens subsequently cements
those emotions and solidifies them into habitual
behaviour – and we continue to relate stories that
arise from our false assumptions and imagination!
So all we see are people who are ( IN OUR OPINION!) “dirty...
diseased... lazy... shiftless... thieving...
degenerate... perverted... worthless...” - deserving
of their circumstances and who are to be avoided
and ignored.
We invent combined excuses and judgements for not
doing what we know God Wills us to do for our
fellow sinners who are less Blessed than us.
We create them in our minds and we do it all the time
to justify our selfish motives.
The Truth is that we cannot possibly know anything
about the real circumstances of others unless we
get to know them – and then we only know as much
as we can learn from them but still would not have
the entire Truth!
We don’t want to break the “rules of common sense" or
"decency" and choose to avoid the apparent risk to
our life or reputation. And besides that, “who has
the time?”
Yet our Lord Jesus always manages to find the time for
us and our needs!
In our relationships with some people from time to
time we choose to avoid them because whenever
we see them we have an immediate negative
reaction due to our ingrained false perceptions,
assumptions and intolerance.
This clearly shows that we have become conditioned by
our unjust and unforgiving opinions.
If everyone in actual fact knew the Truth about
everything in life, we would be less judgemental
and more forgiving – especially if we could see
ourselves as others do!
Our Lord Jesus saw clearly what was before Him, and
as His Faithful Disciples, we are Called to do the
same.
He narrated Parables and true accounts to illustrate His
Divine Truth, but we tell stories to ourselves and
one another which are inevitably distorted and even
outright lie!
We need love God’s Truth and stop telling negative
stories, which distract everyone from reality and
Divine Truth.
Our Lord always spoke to the sick, the poor and the
despised - even at great risk to His own Life and
reputation.
In fact, He was constantly hounded and eventually
crucified for it, but certainly, He knew the
consequences of such compassionate behaviour.
He did everything willingly and knowingly for the benefit
of all mankind whom He Loves unconditionally and
infinitely!
All too often Parish churches are wrongly regarded as
being only for those who are "respectable” “pious”
“religious” or “worthy," while those who see
themselves as being “unworthy sinners” - not
fitting any of the supposed characteristics - are
discouraged from attending Holy Services due to
their own personal conditioning of excuses and
erroneous judgements.
That is the absolute opposite of what our Lord Jesus
Christ wants from us.
Christ’s Holy Church rejects our flawed, human
perception of "respectability" or “worthiness.”
As His Faithful Followers or Disciples, we must also
reject such presumptions and we must encourage
and welcome everyone to gather in communal
worship of God with us, for we are all suffering,
wretched sinners who need the Divine Healing,
Guidance and Teaching of God and His Holy
Priesthood.
We must be willing to not only Love the despised and
the rejected, but also be willing and eager to admit
the Truth – the real, absolute and perfect Truth of
God.
14 NOVEMBER 2010
19
And the Truth is that we are all united together as
sinners seeking Salvation and Eternal Life in God’s
Heavenly Kingdom of Love.
A Rabbi explained our Lord Jesus' words to a clueless
Preacher regarding the Divine Commandment:
"Love your neighbour as yourself:"
Watch Your Tongue!
TO JUDGE AND TO TALK IDLY ARE NOT AKIN TO THOSE WHO ARE
REPENTING, dear Brethren, for THEY OUGHT TO BE SILENT
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR
SALVATION IN REPENTANCE.
Yet we constantly talk idly, constantly judge and criticize
others, constantly do evil with our tongue, thereby
bringing evil upon both us ourselves, who are
speaking, and upon those who are listening.
Our Holy Fathers point out that OUR TONGUE IS A LITTLE
MEMBER, BUT DOES GREAT EVIL, INFLAMING OUR LIFE'S
CIRCLE.
How conveniently it arms one against another. And THE
NEGLIGENCE OF OUR SPEECH IS AN INSTRUMENT OF MURDER!
"Whoever receives a man speaking evil or a
calumniator (A FALSE ACCUSER OR SLANDERER) communes
with a murderer." (ST ANTHONY THE GREAT)
✽ CALUMNIATORS AND MURDERERS ARE ONE AND THE SAME!
"Withdraw from the calumniator, whoever he
might be, and do not be ashamed to withdraw
from him."
"It is safer to live with a serpent than with a
calumniator," say our Holy Fathers.
"Never render esteem to one who speaks to you
evilly about a neighbour. Thereby you shall
heal both yourself and your neighbour." (ST JOHN
KLIMAKOS)
Here the matter concerns calumny, but what if you
hear others speaking badly about someone and
what they are saying may be true - what is to be
done then?
✽ SINCE WE ARE PRONE TO SPEAKING EVIL, IT IS BETTER FOR
US NOT TO LISTEN TO SUCH CONVERSATIONS.
After all, we might tell the person of whom they spoke:
"They are saying this and that about you," or we
shall discuss it with others.
Whenever you try to stop those who are speaking
negatively, they usually justify themselves by the
fact that, after all, they heard it “with my own ears.”
Consequently, THOSE WHO SPEAK EVIL FALL INTO PRIDE.
A Christian ought never to act like that - even if we
witness some vile act or another.
✽ WE OUGHT NOT SPREAD ANOTHER'S SIN, BUT COVER IT WITH
OUR LOVE.
Let us LEARN FROM THE SAINTS HOW THEY ACTED IN SUCH
CIRCUMSTANCES.
 A Hermit went to live with the Ascetics at a Skete,
where a cell was allocated to him by an Elder. He
began to live in harmony with the Abbot and the
Brethren of the Monastery, but soon this Peace was
disrupted when the Elder who had initially
welcomed him began to resent him as many people
sought his counsel and Spiritual Guidance.
Goaded by envy, the Elder sent his young Novice to the
newly arrived Hermit with an order to leave the
Monastery, which was to be conveyed by the exact
words: "Get thee thence from whence thou came!"
On the way to fulfil his duty of Obedience to his Elder,
the Novice began to think: "If I convey the words to
the newcomer just as my Elder said, I might
arouse malice in him, and enmity between the
Elders will begin. It is surely better, in the Name of
the Lord and general peace, that I hide these evil
words and take everything upon myself." (ABBA
DOROTHEOS, IN HIS INSTRUCTIONS, PERMITS ONE TO DO THIS IN PRAYER AND
STRUGGLE.)
So, when standing before the new Elder, instead of
saying "get thee thence", as he was ordered, the
Novice bowed down and said: "My Father has asked
me to inquire of thee, 'Art thou well?'" to which, he
replied: "Tell thy Father that I ask for his Prayers,
for I am a little ill."
On returning, the Novice said to his Elder: "That Elder
has found himself another cell and will soon
leave."
((ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) 25TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST LUKE – THE GOOD SAMARITAN
20
He said: "It doesn't mean you can't love your
neighbour unless you first love yourself. IT MEANS
YOUR NEIGHBOUR IS YOURSELF."
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: A SERMON BY FATHER ANTHONY HUGHES OF THE ST
MARY ORTHODOX CHURCH
http://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/orthodoxy/sermons/2007-11-11-
hughes.php
Give heed, dear Brethren to such Love! For after some
time, the Elder again sent the Novice to drive out
the Hermit, but instead he said: "My Father, having
learnt that thou art ill, has sent me to visit thee." –
to which the ailing Hermit responded: "Tell the
Father, that by his Prayers I am now completely
well."
The Novice conveyed to his Elder something completely
different – he told him that the guest requested
permission to live in the Monastery only a week
more and then would move to another cell.
The following week, the enraged Elder went himself to
evict the Hermit from the cell, but the Novice,
having learnt of this, out of love for Peace and his
Elder, ran ahead and informed the Hermit that his
Father himself was coming to call him to join him at
the trapeze (IE AT TABLE – IN THE REFECTORY FOR A MEAL),
whereupon the Hermit at once went out to meet the
angry Elder with an expression of Love and said:
"Trouble not thyself to come unto me; I myself am
coming to thee."
Struck by the newcomer's complete lack of malice, the
jealous Elder was touched in his soul, his envy
disappeared, and he actually conducted the visitor
to the trapeza.
When the envious Elder learnt how his Novice had
acted, he fell down at his feet and said: "Henceforth
thou art my preceptor, for by thy words our
souls have been saved."
This is how the Saints acted. EVEN WHEN THEY WERE SENT
TO SAY OR DO SOMETHING EVIL, THEY DID NOT DO SO,
ALTHOUGH THEY OUGHT TO HAVE DONE EXACTLY AS THEIR
ELDERS HAD ORDERED THEM TO DO.
However, with the greatest readiness and glee, we
would rather recount everything evil, everything bad
about others, and if it is something we ourselves
have heard, we object and protest when we are
stopped.
We fatally wound one another, and we do “the work of
scorpions and serpents with our tongue” as our
Holy Fathers say.
✽ DURING THE DAYS OF FASTING AND REPENTANCE, WE OUGHT
TO WATCH OUR TONGUE MORE THAN EVER.
✽ ASCETICS ARE TRULY SICK AT HEART OVER ANYONE WHO
SPEAKS EVIL OF A NEIGHBOUR, WHILE WE, IN THE NAME
OF WHAT SEEMS TO US “THE TRUTH,” CONSTANTLY
COMMIT EVIL.
Every society suffers more than anything else from evil
speech and condemnation, which is communicated
in every possible manner.
✽ So WHILE WE ARE REPENTING, LET US ATTEND TO OUR
TONGUE! Let us join real battle with it, and this
will benefit us all very much.
If we REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF OTHERS, BUT INSTEAD PRAY FOR
THEM; if we NEVER FORGET THAT ONE EVIL WORD CAN
UNDERMINE A WHOLE EDIFICE OF RELATIONSHIPS, then we
shall understand why St Ephraim the Syrian asks in
his Prayer that the Lord not permit him idle speech.
✽ BEWARE! FOR EVEN IN CHURCH WE COMMIT THE WORST EVIL,
whereby we become Her destroyers as well as
the DESTROYERS OF OUR OWN AND OTHER’S SPIRITUAL
WELFARE!
✽ Let this wise young Novice serve as our example
and let us IN EVERY WAY STRIVE TO REJECT AND AVOID
EVIL SPEECH, CALUMNY AND CONDEMNATION, MAKING
LIFE EASIER AND ACQUIRING WORTHY FRIENDS IN
CHRIST WHO JOIN US IN A UNITED STRUGGLE AGAINST
SIN AS ONE FLOCK OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP:
http://www.stjohndc.org/Russian/homilies/e_9802g.htm)
The Nativity Fast Begins
Tomorrow!
(Fish is permissible except on the usual fasting days)
14 NOVEMBER 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF
AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

16 N o ve m be r 2 0 10
St Matthew the Holy Apostle & Evangelist of Christ our Lord

Feast of St Matthew (Prince Fulvianos) of Ethiopia – St Sergios of Malopinega

– St Hypatios Hieromartyr of Gangra

Apolytikion Of St Matthew The Apostle Of Christ & Evangelist – Tone 3

Thias ikousas, fonis tou Logou, ke tis pisteos, to fos Thou heard the Word’s Divine Voice, and accepted the
edexo, katalipsas teloniou ton sindesmon; othen Light of Faith, and abandoned the bond with the
Hristou tin aporriton kenosin, evingeliso Matthee customs-house; whence, O Matthew Apostle, thou
Apostole. Ke nin presveve, dothine tis se gererousi, brought all the Good News of Christ’s ineffable
ptesmaton ilasmon ke Mega Eleos. Kenosis. And now, intercede, to be granted to those
who honour thee, Atonement for their faults and
Great Mercy
Kontakion Of The Entry Into The Temple Of The Ever Blessed Theotokos
O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke The Most Pure Temple of the Saviour, the Precious
Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou, Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of
simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing
sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God
Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios. praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans 10 : 11 – 11 : 2
God’s Righteousness Is By Faith - Israel Rejects But Gentiles Receive The Holy Gospel Of Christ
Brethren: The Scripture says: “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame,” for there is no distinction
between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him, for “... whoever calls on the
Name of the Lord shall be Saved.”
How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they
have not heard? And how shall they hear without a Preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of Peace, who bring Glad Tidings of
Good Things!”
But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah said: “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then Faith comes
by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has
gone out to all the earth, and their works to the ends of the world.”
But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses said: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will
move you to anger by a foolish nation.” But Isaiah was very bold and said: “I was found by those who did not
seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” But to Israel He said: “All day long I have
stretched out My Hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the
tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what Scripture
says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel...
BELIEF AND CONFESSION WERE BOTH OLD COVENANT THE HEBREW PEOPLE DEMANDED SIGNS FROM GOD, YET HE
THEMES WITH ST ISAIAH EMPHASISING THE FAITH OF HAD GIVEN THEM THE CONTINUAL SIGN OF FULFILLED
THE HEART AND ST JOEL EMPHASISING THE PROPHECY.
CONFESSION OF THE MOUTH. Jewish unbelief in Christ raises the question of whether or
Both Holy Prophets of God taught that DIVINE GRACE not God cast away His Chosen People – the Old
AND FAITH ARE UNIVERSALLY OFFERED TO ALL Covenant Israel. The answer is most certainly not!
PEOPLE. IF GOD HAD CAST AWAY HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE, NOT ONE
St Paul left the Hebrews with NO EXCUSE FOR WOULD HAVE BEEN SAVED. However, St Paul himself
REJECTING THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST OUR GOD. was being Saved and there was a Remnant of Hebrews
(ROMANS 9:1 – 10:13)
who did believe.
St Paul insisted that GOD FULFILLED HIS PART OF THE
HOLY COVENANT COMPLETELY, GIVING THE HEBREW St Elijah the Holy Prophet of God prefigured this Remnant
NATION EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES TO COME when he thought he alone followed God.
TO FAITH IN HIM. BECAUSE ONLY A FEW HEEDED ST ELIJAH IN HIS DAY, SO
GOD SENT HIS DIVINE MESSAGE THROUGHOUT ALL ONLY A FEW HEEDED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS
FAITHFUL APOSTLES.
CREATION and ALTHOUGH ISRAEL HEARD IT, THE
GOD’S GRACE SAVES THE WILLING.
PEOPLE DID NOT BELIEVE IT.
Israel was not willing for she sought Righteousness on her
Therefore God turned to the Gentiles – the non-Jewish
own terms through works of the ancient Mosaic Law
Nations – who heard the Holy Gospel of Christ and
and not through Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the
believed it.
Incarnate Son of God.
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 9 : 9 – 13
Sinners Are Welcomed By Christ Our Saviour
At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to
him: “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat
down with Him and His Disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His Disciples, “Why does your
Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

The Christmas Fast Has Begun - ST MATTHEW THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST & EVANGELIST - 16 NOVEMBER 2010
21
 When Jesus heard that, He said to them: “Those who are well have no need of a Physician, but those who are sick
do. So go and lean what ‘I desire Mercy and not sacrifice’ means. For I did not come to call the Righteous
but sinners to Repentance.”
St Matthew was also named “Levi.” This deeply offended the self-righteous Scribes and
Roman overlords assigned specific areas to Jewish Tax
Collectors who were free to collect extra revenues
for their own profit.
Their collaboration with the occupying Romans, their
fraudulent practises, and their corruption caused
other Hebrews to hate them intensely and to
consider them as being socially and spiritually
unclean.
To the astonishment of many, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST H o s e a 6 : 6 – “... I desire Mercy and not sacrifice, and
FREELY ASSOCIATED WITH THEM by dining with
them and by calling a Tax Collector (or Publican) to
follow Him as His Faithful Disciple..
That Our Hearts May Be Healed

The heart itself is but a small vessel, yet dragons are
there, and there are also lions; there are poisonous
beasts and all the treasures of evil. But there too is
God, the Angels, the Life and the Kingdom, the Light
and the Apostles, the Heavenly Cities and the
Treasuries of Grace—all things are there. (ST. MACARIOS)

If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously
committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to
separate them from the rest of us and destroy them.
But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the
heart of every human being.( A.I. SOLZHENITSYN)
These quotes are among the best known (ancient and
modern) Orthodox statements on the heart of man
and reveal the fundamental character of our Spiritual
Struggle. There is not even a hint in these statements
of human beings having a “legal” standing before God
or that the Church should have any concern with such
notions.
Man, as a fallen creature, is better described
as diseased or broken (ST. PAUL USES THE TERM “CORRUPT” ).
The corruption that St Paul describes is again not a legal
term (AS “CORRUPT” OFTEN MEANS IN MODERN ENGLISH USAGE) but refers
instead to A CORRUPTION THAT IS SIMILAR TO
THE ROTTING OF A DEAD BODY.
Indeed it is death that is at work in us that manifests itself
as sin in our lives. The death that is at work in us
is our falling back towards non-existence, or
nothingness, whence all of Creation came.
God alone is the Lord and Giver of Life and true existence
is only found in Communion with Him. That
Communion is made possible through Christ Who
became what we are, that we might become like Him.
It is the heart, the very core of our existence, that the
Fathers dwell on when they look at the work of sin and
redemption in our lives. Thus Orthodoxy is extremely
“realist” in its understanding of the Spiritual Life rather
than being concerned with legal standing or “debts
owed,” etc.
It is possible to use such relational language in
a metaphorical manner, but the Truth of our problem
is to be found in THE VERY CHARACTER OF OUR
EXISTENCE: Is it BEING TRANSFORMED INTO THE IMAGE
OF CHRIST OR is it FALLING DEEPER INTO CORRUPTION
AND DEATH?
This concern for the reality of our existence changes the
focus and understanding of every action of the Church.
Thus IN BAPTISM, THE FOCUS IS OUR UNION WITH THE
DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST AND THE GIFT
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVEN US IN HOLY CHRISMATION.
St. Ignatios of Antioch referred to HOLY COMMUNION AS
THE “MEDICINE OF IMMORTALITY.”
PENANCE (CONFESSION) IS OCCASIONALLY DESCRIBED by
the Fathers AS A “SECOND BAPTISM,” meaning that IT
RESTORES THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR
LIVES.
A PRIEST HEARING CONFESSION LISTENS INTENTLY FOR
THE STATE OF THE HEART rather than simply
categorizing and subjecting to legal analysis what he
hears. Indeed, IT IS CONSIDERED A SIN TO JUDGE
SOMEONE WHOSE CONFESSION YOU ARE HEARING. As a
good Pastor, however, A PRIEST MUST ALWAYS BE
CONCERNED WITH THE STATE OF THE HEART OF THOSE
FOR WHOM HE IS RESPONSIBLE BEFORE GOD. He
cannot change anyone’s heart, but with whatever skill
God may have given him, HE CAN COUNSEL AND
NURTURE EACH SOUL TOWARDS THE PATH OF HEALING
22 The Christmas Fast Has Begun - ST MATTHEW THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST & EVANGELIST
Pharisees, yet Christ’s defence was simple: OUR
SAVIOUR GOES WHEREVER A PHYSICIAN IS NEEDED THE
MOST and His reference to the quotation “I desire
Mercy and not Sacrifice” is not a rejection of
sacrifice per se but shows that according to God’s
Divine Love, MERCY IS A MUCH HIGHER PRIORITY – and
it will be a most significant factor in our Final
Judgement!
the Knowledge of God more than Whole Burnt
Offerings.” (REFER TO PSALM 50/51 – THE PSALM OF REPENTANCE)
in the heart and, most importantly, HE CAN PRAY
CONSTANTLY FOR HIS FLOCK AND FOR THE HEART OF
EACH OF ITS MEMBERS.
By the same token, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN
TO PAY ATTENTION TO HIS OWN HEART.
Christ makes this abundantly clear when he interiorizes
the Commandments on murder and adultery, warning:
“You have heard that it was said to the men of
old, `You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall
be liable to Judgment.’ But I say to you that
everyone who is angry with his brother shall be
liable to judgment… (MATTHEW 5:21-22)
And “You have heard that it was said, `You shall not
commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone
who looks at a woman lustfully has already
committed adultery with her in his heart.” (MATTHEW
5:27-28).
It is not that OUR OUTWARD ACTIONS do not matter, but
that they ARE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE STATE OF THE
HEART: “The good man out of the good treasure
of his heart produces good, and the evil man out
of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (LUKE
6:45).
THIS INNER LIFE TEACHES US TO OPEN OUR EYES TO THE
SOURCE OF OUR ACTIONS AND THE ABSOLUTE NEED
FOR THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ORDER TO
CHANGE OUR HEARTS – and IT IS THE MOST
FUNDAMENTAL UNDERSTANDING IN OUR DAILY LIFE
BEFORE GOD.
There are innumerable other things which distract us from
the essential work of Repentance and IT IS EASIER TO
ARGUE POINTS OF DOCTRINE THAN TO STAND
HONESTLY BEFORE GOD IN PRAYER OR CONFESSION.
Doctrine is important as it makes Christ known to us. But
THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST THAT SAVES is not the
knowledge one gains as mere information – but rather
the Knowledge ONE GAINS INWARDLY AS WE REPENT,
PRAY, FORGIVE, AND HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE GOD.
The Promise to us is that the “pure in heart shall
see God.”
DOCTRINE IS NOT KNOWN UNTIL IT BECOMES UNITED TO
THE HEART IN A CONTINUAL ACT OF COMMUNION WITH
GOD. Thus, IF WE ARE HONEST, WE WILL PROFESS
IGNORANCE AND PRAY FOR TRUE KNOWLEDGE: “Create
in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit
within me....”
“The heart-stirrings of a good man are good; those
of a wicked person are wicked; but everyone
must learn how to combat intrusive thoughts,
and turn the bad into good. This is the mark of
the soul that is well versed.“ ST SILOUAN
Those who experience the Holy Spirit know when Divine
Grace is within them or when they are threatened by
evil for God grants our soul the recognition of His
Divine Presence, when we are filled with Love and
eager to do His Will. We can then identify thoughts
from the enemy, not by their outward form but by their
effect on our soul, which is Divine Knowledge that is
born of Spiritual Experience; but those with no
Spiritual Experience are easily duped by our enemy.
May God grant us all such True Knowledge and the
Healing of our hearts.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP -
http://fatherstephen.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/that-our-
hearts-may-be-healed/
- 16 NOVEMBER 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF
AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

26th Sunday After Pentecost Tone 1 21 November 2010

Entry into the Holy Temple in Jerusalem of the Ever Blessed Theotokos

Feast of St Hilarion the Great – St Hilarion of Meglin, transfer of Relics –

St Hilarion Schemamonk of Kiev Caves – St Hilarion of Gdov & Pskov Lake –
St Theophilos & St James, Abbots of Omucha ,Monastery, Pskov – St Dasios,
St Gaios & St Zotikos, Holy Martyrs of Nicomedia – St Philothos of
Dionysiou Monastery, Mount Athos – St Bessarion Sarai, Confessor of
Romania – St Sophronios Confessor of Ciorara, Romania – St Oprea of Salistie,
Romania – St Hilarion of Kiev – St Moses (Macinic) Hieromartyr & Confessor
– St John of Galesh
RE SURRE CTION A POL YTIK ION - TO NE 1

Tou lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon ke stratioton While
filassonton to ahranton Sou Soma, Anestis trimeros,
Sotir, Doroumenos to kosmo tin Zoin. Dia touto e
Dinamis ton Ouranon evoon si Zoodota. Doxa ti
Anastasi Sou, Hriste! Doxa ti Vasilia Sou! Doxa ti
Ikonomia Sou, mone Filanthrope!
APOLYTIKION OF THE ENTRY OF THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY -
the stone was sealed by the Jews, and soldiers
stood on guard over Thy Body undefiled, Thou rose
on the Third Day, O Saviour, Who grants Life to the
world. For which cause the Heavenly Powers cried
aloud to Thee: O Giver of Life: Glory to Thy
Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom!
Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone Loves
mankind!
TONE 4

Simeron tis evdokias Theou to proimion, ke tis ton Today is the prelude of the Good Pleasure of God for
antrhropon sotirias i prokirixis; en Nao tou Theou, mankind, and the Proclamation of our Salvation; in
tranos i Parthenos diknite, ke ton Hriston tis pasi the Temple of God, the Virgin is clearly revealed, to
prokatangellete. Afti ke imism, megalofonos all foretelling the Coming of Christ. Wherefore, let
voisomen: Here tis ikonomias, tou Ktistou i us cry to her with a mighty voice: Rejoice O
ekplirosis. Fulfilment of the Creator’s Dispensation.
KONTAKION OF THE ENTRY INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke The
Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou,
simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin
sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin
Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
Resurrection Gospel 4 : Luke 24:1 – 12 - T H E
Most Pure Temple of our Saviour, the Precious
Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of
God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing
the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God
praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
HOLY MYRRHBEARERS FIND THE TOMB EMPTY FOR CHRIST IS RISEN

Prokeimenon: My soul magnifies the Lord, for He has regarded the Humility of His handmaid.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 9:1 – 7
THE EARTHLY SANCTUARY AND THE DIVINE LITURGY

Brethren, indeed, even the first Covenant had Ordinances of Divine Service and the earthly Sanctuary. For a
Tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the Lamp Stand, the Table, and the Showbread, which is
called the Sanctuary; and behind the Second Veil, the part of the Tabernacle, which is called the Holiest of All,
which had the Golden Censer and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the
Golden Pot that had the Manna, Aaron’s Rod that budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant; and above it were
the Cherubim of Glory overshadowing the Mercy Seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Now when these things had been thus prepared, the Priests always went into the first part of the Tabernacle,
performing the Services. But into the second part the High Priest went alone once a year, not without blood,
which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance….
These verses describe THE MOSAIC TABERNACLE, which only the High Priest could enter, and then
WHICH IS A COPY OF THE HEAVENLY ALTAR, and only once a year.
they are read during Feasts of the All Holy Virgin The Inner Veil forms the locus of the Liturgical practice
Mary and Advent (before Christmas) to describe the of THE OLD COVENANT and reveals its
Divine Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son and IMPERFECTION since THE PEOPLE COULD NOT DRAW
Word of God. NEAR TO GOD
THE VIRGIN MARY’S WOMB was prepared as CHRIST’S AT HIS DEATH, CHRIST RESOLVED THIS ALIENATION.
[THROUGH HIS INCARNATION, SACRIFICE AND RESURRECTION CHRIST HAS MADE
TABERNACLE, THE ACTUAL DWELLING PLACE OF IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO APPROACH ALMIGHTY GOD AT ANY TIME – THROUGH
GOD! LITURGICAL PRACTICES AND THROUGH OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH
HIM.]
A most important detail is THE INNER VEIL, “THE
THE “ARK OF THE COVENANT” CONTAINED THE MOST
SECOND VEIL, ”which SEPARATES THE HOLY PLACE HOLY RELICS OF ISRAEL CONCERNING THE OLD
– THE HOLY SANCTUARY – FROM THE MOST HOLY COVENANT BETWEEN MANKIND AND GOD:
PLACE – the Most Sanctified of all places on earth,
✽ The pot of MANNA,
which contained the Ark of the Covenant and into
✽ AARON’S ROD and

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✽ THE TABLETS OF THE LAW. [GIVEN TO ST MOSES OUR ANCIENT OUR TRIUNE GOD – ESPECIALLY GOD THE FATHER AND
PATRIARCH BY ALMIGHTY GOD.] GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT - CANNOT BE REPRESENTED
GOD IS ENTHRONED UPON THE CHERUBIM and therefore BECAUSE DIVINE NATURE IS UNKNOWABLE AND
God’s Throne in Israel’s midst according to the Old THEREFORE CANNOT BE DEPICTED.
Covenant, was THE MERCY SEAT, WHICH HAD AN HOWEVER, SINCE GOD THE SON BECAME MAN, THE
IMAGE OF A CHERUB DEPICTED ON EACH SIDE. HUMAN NATURE OF GOD THE SON CAN BE AND IS
CHERUBIM ALSO FLANK THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN IMAGED.
HOLY ALTAR. While Priests entered the Holy Place daily, ONLY THE
These representations, along with the depictions of HIGH PRIEST COULD ENTER THE MOST HOLY PLACE
Holy Cherubim on the Inner Veil and the beauty and AND ONLY ONCE A YEAR, on the Day of Atonement
detailed workmanship of everything made for the (Yom Kippur).
Holy Tabernacle, served as THE HOLY ICONS OF THE He entered carrying THE ANIMAL BLOOD OF THE
OLD COVENANT. ATONEMENT SACRIFICE that was FOR HIS OWN SINS

E x o d u s 2 6 : 3 1 “Thou shalt make a curtain of blue, AND FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE.
THIS ANNUAL BLOOD SACRIFICE REVEALED THE
purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted IMPERFECT, TEMPORARY STATUS OF THE OLD
linen; it shalt be made with Cherubim skilfully COVENANT, BECAUSE:
worked into it.” ➤ ONLY ONE MAN CAN ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE
THIS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER PASSAGES, REASSURES ➤ THAT MAN CANNOT ENTER CONTINUALLY
THOSE WHO FEAR THAT THE SECOND ➤ HE MUST ENTER OCCASIONALLY TO REPEAT THE
COMMANDMENT PROHIBITS ALL IMAGERY. SACRIFICE FOR SINS, which was EFFECTIVE

E x o d u s 2 0 : 4 - 6 “Thou shalt not make for thyself an ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME
idol, whether in the form of anything that is in ➤ This sacrifice deals entirely WITH MATERIALS
Heaven Above, or that is on the earth beneath, FROM THIS AGE THAT ARE IMPERFECT AND
or that is in the water under the earth. Thou IMPERMANENT
shalt not bow down to them or worship them; ➤ It COULD NOT BEGIN A PARTICIPATION IN THE
for I the Lord thy God Am a jealous God, AGE TO COME – “the time of reformation”
punishing children for the iniquity of ➤ IT DEALS MAINLY WITH THE OUTER MAN – IT IS
SUPERFICIAL AND CANNOT PURIFY MAN’S
parents, to the third and the fourth generation
HEART AND MIND, NOR RESTORE FALLEN
of those who reject Me, but showing HUMAN NATURE.
Steadfast Love to the thousandth generation
of those who love Me and keep My
Commandments”
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 10 : 38 – 42 & 11 : 27-28
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TELLS US THERE IS ONLY ONE THING NEED: HEAR AND KEEP THE WORD AND COMMANDMENTS OF GOD

At that time, it happened as they went that Jesus entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha
welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ Feet and heard His Word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, dost Thou not care that my
sister hath left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
And Jesus answered her: “Martha, Martha, thou art worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is
needed, and Mary hath chosen that good part which will not be taken away from her.”
…And it happened, as he spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to
Him: “Blessed is the Womb that bore Thee, and the Breasts which nursed Thee!” But He said, “More than that,
Blessed art those who hear the Word of God and keep it!”
“Martha” and “Mary” are the sisters of St Lazaros whom OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST STATED A PRINCIPLE and did
our Lord Jesus Christ raised after four days of not denigrate His All Holy Mother because SHE
death. [REFER JOHN 11:1] NOT ONLY PAID ATTENTION TO EVERY WORD
MARTHA WAS DISTRACTED AND “...TROUBLED ABOUT OF GOD BUT ALSO OBEYED EVERY
MANY THINGS...” - PROVIDING HOSPITALITY FOR OUR COMMANDMENT AND TEACHING!
LORD and His Disciples.
✽ ONLY “ONE THING” IS ESSENTIAL IN THIS LIFE - TO CONSEQUENTLY, THE ALL PURE THEOTOKOS BECAME THE MOST BLESSED OF ALL
HUMAN BEINGS – ATTAINING SPIRITUAL PERFECTION – THEOSIS - BEING DEIFIED
LISTEN TO GOD – REALLY HEAR HIS WORDS OF AND ELEVATED ABOVE THE HIGHEST ORDERS OF HEAVENLY HOSTS!
DIVINE TRUTH AND WISDOM – AND FULFIL THEM AS OUR MOST PERFECT HUMAN EXAMPLE OF VIRTUE, SHE IS OUR SPIRITUAL MOTHER
TO WHOM WE TURN FOR INTERCESSORY PRAYERS, SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE,
TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY – a vital priority PROTECTION AND BLESSINGS.
that certainly DOES NOT EXCLUDE SERVING HIM. HER WONDERFUL, UNIQUE PERSONAL QUALITIES CONFIRM AND MANIFEST HER
WORTHINESS AS TRUE MOTHER OF GOD INCARNATE!
✽ GOD’S BLESSINGS FALL UPON THOSE “WHO HEAR ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS REGARD OUR LADY THEOTOKOS WITH THE HIGHEST
RESPECT AND LOVE AS THE SAINT OF SAINTS WHO IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT
THE WORD OF GOD AND KEEP IT.” not those HAND OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR – HER MOST BELOVED SON AND GOD.
who have prominent family connections or high ANY IRREVERENCE AGAINST HER IS INDIRECTLY A BLASPHEMY AGAINST GOD!

social status.
Birth & Early Life of the Ever Blessed, All Pure Theotokos
The birth of the All3Holy Virgin Mary was the
beginning of the Sacred History of the New
Covenant 3 our Salvation.
It was the preparation for the Incarnation of the Son
of God, the Advent (Coming) of God in the Flesh –
in physical, visible form.
Thereby that human nature, which was to receive
God Himself, was made ready so that the human
race might be Saved.
Our human nature had to be made worthy of God 3
had to be Holy and Immaculate; it needed a Holy
Origin, upbringing and development.
Her being Chosen of God rests in the fact that she of
all mankind needed to give to God reciprocally
the common nature of mankind.
The Feast of the Virgin's birth is the Feast of Advent
3 awaiting of our Messiah – our Saviour, Jesus
Christ.
Her parents were St Joachim and St Anna 3 of royal
and High Priestly lineage – who were well
advanced in age and barren, which the Hebrews
considered a disgraceful state, being deprived of
God's Blessing.
With deep and sincere Humility they besought God in
His Great Mercy for a child who would release
them from their disgrace and the reproach of the
Hebrews.
Their constant Humility, Prayers and a Sacred Vow to
dedicate their child to God for service in the
Temple were the Spiritual Prerequisites of her
birth.

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Finally, God responded according to His own Will
granted them a daughter, whom they called
Miriam 3 Mary or Maria in English or Greek –
meaning “One who is higher or exalted over all
others.”
Born of such pious parents, our Lady was the fruition
of their Spiritual Endeavours 3 , their heartfelt
striving and their tearful Prayers to God.
A Spiritual Existence could only be the Fruit of the
Spirit, initiated not only according to the natural,
blind inclinations of the flesh and the natural
laws of the requirements of the nature of the
flesh, but according to the Aspirations of the
Spirit and through the Action of the special Mercy
and Grace of God for such people as St Joachim
and St Anna, who were elderly, barren and whose
flesh was withering, but who always lived
according to the Holy Spirit.
If the Origin is Holy, so is the whole, and if the Root
is Holy, so are the Branches. (ROMANS 11:16).
From a Holy Root there came forth Holy Fruit.
An example of a Promise with reference to a future
child was that of the barren St Hannah [Anna],
the mother of the Holy Prophet Samuel: “And she
was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord
and sorely wept. And she vowed a Vow, and said:
‘O Lord of Sabbaoth! If Thou wilt indeed look upon
the affliction of Thy handmaid, and remember
me, and not forget Thine handmaid, but wilt grant
to Thine handmaid a man child, then I will give
him to the Lord all the days of his life... (1 KINGS
/SAMUEL 1:10-11).
St Joachim and St Anna also followed the example of
the parents of the Righteous St Samuel.
The Ever Blessed Theotokos – the All Pure Mother of
our Saviour Who was a King according to His
earthly descent and according to His Eternal
Ministry, and Who is our only High Priest of the
future Good Things 3 naturally, had to compass
the two lines of descent in herself, the Royal and
High Priestly, in her people.
By her father she was of the Tribe of Judah and the
House of David, and through her mother she was
of the Tribe of Levi and the House of Aaron.
Although Christ came forth from a (BIOLOGICAL) mother
alone without a father, and since St Joseph was
only the Betrothed husband and thus the legal
guardian and protector of her and her Sacred
Vow of Chastity, he was only the nominal father
(ALSO LEGAL “FATHER” ACCORDING TO HEBREW TRADITION AND LAW) of
our Saviour and yet our Lord Jesus was not
simply nominally but in reality of the Royal
House of King David, through His All Pure Mother
according to His Flesh – as proclaimed so many
centuries before concerning the Lord God: “...
Thy Throne shall be established unto the ages...”
(2 KINGS /SAMUEL 7:16).
Such a Royal lineage could not be denied because
our Lady Theotokos was also a direct descendant
of King David.
When the Blessed Child was fully three years old, St
Joachim and St Anna fulfilled their Sacred Vow to
God and took her to the Temple in Jerusalem,
where she remained throughout her childhood in
service to God.
Having been dedicated to God by her faithful
parents, she grew up at the Temple, living in the
special apartments assigned to all dedicated
Virgins.
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According to Hebrew custom, the High Priest
received and Blessed all children who were
consecrated to God at the gates of the Temple,
but when they brought in the infant Mary, he, by
Divine Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, led her into
the Holy of Holies, where he himself was
permitted to enter only once a year.
The All3Holy Virgin Mary lived at the Temple until –
like all the other little girls 3 she reached puberty
and thus was of marriageable age.
She was constantly occupied with various designated
labours such as weaving, embroidery, spinning,
sewing, etc – making new adornments for the
Temple, which was being renovated at the time.
Besides continuing in her labours, she prayed, she
studied of the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures
and she fulfilled every Virtue, leading others who
followed her good example.
At puberty, all young women had to return to their
parents for Betrothal and Marriage but since her
parents had reposed some years before, and
having been under the guardianship and care of
the Temple Priesthood, the All Holy One
confessed her Sacred Vow of Chastity, which
could not be broken.
The perplexed Priest asked God for His Divine
Guidance, after which they requested all the
oldest men of the area to hand over their staffs,
which were then placed in the Holy of Holies,
awaiting a Sign to indicate who would have the
responsibility of ensuring the protection and
maintenance of the young Virgin and her Sacred
Vow.
When nothing seemed to be happening, the staffs
were handed back except for one, which turned
out to be that of her 80 year old uncle Joseph –
the widower of Salome, sister of St Anna.
As St Joseph the Betrothed took hold of the staff, it
blossomed with pure white flowers, and thus all
accepted him as the entrusted Holy Guardian and
Protector of the All3Holy Virgin.
Thus it was that our young Lady, together with her
companion Virgins, went to live in the house of St
Joseph the Betrothed, being cared for and
watched over by his family.
The Blessed Virgin had been Consecrated to the Lord
at the age of three years, according to the Law of
the Old Covenant regarding the fruits of trees:
"Three years shall it be uncircumcised unto you,
it shall not be eaten of. But in the fourth year
all the fruit thereof shall be Consecrated for the
Festivals of the Lord" (LEVITICUS 19:23-4).
Thus St Hannah had said regarding her own son, St
Samuel, who became a Holy Prophet of God:
"When the child shall be taken from the breast and
weaned, then Will I bring him, that he may
appear before the Lord and there abide for
ever."
"And she brought him to the House of the Lord in
Siloam, and the child was still an infant ... and
she said: ‘For this child I prayed, and the Lord
has fulfilled my Petition, which I asked of Him;
therefore also have I given him over to the Lord
all the days of his life, that he may serve the
Lord." (1 KINGS /SAMUEL 1:21-28).
In a like spirit, the Righteous and Pious St Joachim
and St Anna took and handed over their little
most beloved Child at the Temple for life3long
service to Almighty God.
25
The Truth of and degree to which this comparison
between the devout mother of St Samuel the Holy
Prophet of God, and the Righteous parents of the
Ever Blessed Theotokos which represents the
actual Entry of the All3Holy Virgin Mary into the
Temple, is evident from the fact that that the
All3Holy Virgin herself sang her Festive Hymn:
"My soul doth magnify the Lord" as well as her
heartfelt gratitude to God for her election as His
Mother according to the flesh 3 just as St
Hannah had done so many centuries before:

1 K i n g s 2 : 1 - 1 0 3 "My heart rejoices in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord...."
Certain of the most important verses in the
composition of these wondrous Festive Hymns
parallel each other.
Furthermore, there are other parallels between the
birth and Entry into the Temple of the All3Holy
Virgin and the Holy Prophet St Samuel, including
the fact that St Samuel sought out and Anointed
King David who was the Founder of the Royal
House, according to the Grace and Will of God,
and that our Blessed Theotokos gave birth to
King David’s last Descendent 3 the long awaited
Messiah Who is the King of the Eternal Kingdom
of God: i.e. the two Ministers of the same Sacred
Tasks according to Divine Will (I.E. THOSE WHO FULFIL THE
SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF OTHERS ) had the same king of rearing
– their most important formative years were
spent serving God and being educated in the Will
and Love of God for the sake of so many others.
✽ EVERYONE WHO HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A TEMPLE
OF GOD (1 CORINTHIANS 3:16; 6:19).
➤ In such a person, God abides by Grace.
On Watchfulness & Holiness – St Hesychios the Priest
Through His Incarnation God granted us the ideal
Model for a Holy Life and recalled us from our
ancient Fall.
In addition to many other things, He taught us –
feeble as we are – that we should fight against the
demons with Humility, Fasting, Prayer and
Watchfulness.
For when, after His Baptism, Christ went into the
desert and the devil came up to Him as though
He were merely a man, He began His Spiritual
Warfare by Fasting and won the battle by this
means – although, being God , and God of gods,
He had no need of any such means at all.
In these times of Spiritual Warfare, we need to arm
ourselves with various effective types of Spiritual
Watchfulness that gradually cleanse our intellect
from impassioned thoughts.
As St Paul taught St Timothy: “Pay attention, my
child, to what you read. (1 Timothy 4:13)
1. Closely scrutinise every mental image or
provocation; for only by means of a mental
image can Satan fabricate an evil thought and
insinuate this into our intellect in order to
lead us astray.
2. Free the heart from all thoughts, keeping it
profoundly silent and still, and in Prayer.
3. Continually and humbly call upon our Lord Jesus
Christ for His Divine Guidance, Strength and
Help.
4. Always remember Death.
THE REMEMBRANCE OF DEATH MAKES US REALISE THAT WE MAY DIE WITHOUT
WARNING BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW THE HOUR NOR THE DATE OF OUR DEATH.
WE DO KNOW THAT IT IS UNAVOIDABLE AND INEVITABLE! THUS WE SHOULD NEVER
WASTE A SECOND OF SUCH PRECIOUS PREPARATORY TIME ON NONSENSE AND
USELESS MATTERS.
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✽ But ONLY IN ONE PERSON IN THE WORLD DID
GOD HIMSELF ABIDE, IN HIS VERY BEING, IN
HIS NATURE, TAKING HUMAN NATURE AND
ABIDING IN THE ALL-HOLY VIRGIN MARY.
➤ She is truly THE TEMPLE OF GOD AND THE
PLACE OF HIS PRESENCE AND OF HIS GLORY.
➤ AS SHE IS THE "HOLY OF HOLIES"— "THE ARK
OF THE COVENANT" — AGAIN THE LORD
SHALL BE REVEALED TO MANKIND

E x o d u s 2 : 2 5 “God looked down on the children of
Israel and was known to them.”
The All3Holy Virgin did not simply enter the Temple
but was carried by the High Priest, St Zachariah,
into the Holy of Holies 3 behind the Inner Veil
with its depictions of Cherubim.
Just as St Simeon the God3receiver entered by Divine
Inspiration into the Temple to meet the Infant
Lord Jesus , so also by the Divine Inspiration of
the Holy Spirit, St Zachariah, the High Priest, met
the All Holy Virgin in such an extraordinary
manner, and was compelled to carry her into the
Holy of Holies, which corresponded to her.

L u k e 2 : 2 7 – “(ST SYMEON) ... went by the Spirit into the
Temple, and when the parents brought the
Child Jesus , to do for Him according to the
Custom of the Law, he took Him up in his
arms, and Blessed God ...”

3 K i n g s 6 : 5 In "...the chambers built round the
walls of the Temple, round the Temple and the
Oracle (THE HOLY OF HOLIES), there in the chambers
built around at the sides...” 3 which were at
the second Temple 3 the All3Holy Virgin
spent her youth.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP:
PROTOPRESBYTER MICHAEL POLSKY
“VENERATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY” BY
- http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/veneration_mary.aspx
EACH LIFESPAN HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY ALLOCATED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL SOUL FOR
OUR SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY ACCORDING TO DIVINE WISDOM
AND LOVE.
These types of Watchfulness act like Doorkeepers,
blocking and expelling evil thoughts.
Another form of Spiritual Protection against evil
thoughts and the lure of temptations, is to fix our
gaze upon Heaven and to pay no attention to
anything material [OF THIS FALLEN WORLD].
When we have to some extent cut off the causes of
the passions, we should devote our time to
Spiritual Contemplation; for if we fail to do this
we shall easily revert to the fleshly passions, and
so achieve nothing but the complete darkening of
our intellect and its reversion to material things.
Being constantly engaged in Spiritual Warfare, we
should simultaneously possess Humility, perfect
Attentiveness, the power of rebuttal, and Prayer.
➤ Humility defends us against arrogant demons for
we have the Divine Help of Christ in our
heart: “... the Lord despises the arrogant...”
(PROVERBS 3 :34)
➤ ATTENTIVENESS KEEPS OUR HEART CLEAR of all
thoughts, even those that appear to be good.
➤ REBUTTAL ENABLES US TO IMMEDIATELY REPULSE
the evil one when we recognise him or his
demons: “... I shall reply to those who vilify
me; will not my soul be subject to God?”
(PSALMS 119:42 & 62:1- LXX)
➤ PRAYER ENABLES US TO TURN TO AND MERGE WITH
CHRIST following the rebuttal of the evil one
with “... cries that cannot be uttered.” (ROMANS
8:26)
By the Most Holy Name of Christ the evil one is
broken and routed and his dissimulation (DECEPTION)
is scattered like dust or smoke before the wind!
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE
AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER
VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR
GOD. AMEN.

A p od osi s o f th e E nt ry 25 November 2010

St Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria
Feast of St Augusta the Empress, St Mercurios & 200 Companion Holy
Martyrs of Alexandria – St Clement Hieromartyr of Rome – St Peter,
Hieromarty of Alexandria – St Peter of Galatia – St Clement of Ochrid &
Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Equal of the Apostles, together with St Naum, St
Sava, St Gorazd and St Angelar, Disciples of St Cyril and St Methodios

APOLYTIKION OF THE ENTRY OF THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - TONE 4

Simeron tis evdokias Theou to proimion, ke tis ton Today is the prelude of the Good Pleasure of God for
antrhropon sotirias i prokirixis; en Nao tou Theou, mankind, and the Proclamation of our Salvation; in
tranos i Parthenos diknite, ke ton Hriston tis pasi the Temple of God, the Virgin is clearly revealed, to
prokatangellete. Afti ke imism, megalofonos all foretelling the Coming of Christ. Wherefore, let
voisomen: Here tis ikonomias, tou Ktistou i us cry to her with a mighty voice: Rejoice O
ekplirosis. Fulfilment of the Creator’s Dispensation.
A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T C A T H E R I N E T H E G R E A T OF ALEXANDRIA

Tin Panevfimon Nimfin Hristou imnisomen,
Aikaterinan tin thian ke poliouhon Sina, tin
voithian imon ke antilipsin; oti efimose lambros, tous
kompsous ton asevon, tou Pnevmatos ti dinami; ke
nin os Martis stefthisa, etite pasi to Mega Eleos.
KONTAKION OF THE ENTRY INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
The All Blessed Bride of Christ, let us extol in song:
Catherine the Holy and Protector of Sinai, our
assistance and unfailing firm support; for she
brilliantly muzzled the ungodly, clever men, by the
Power of the Spirit, and now, as a Crowned Martyr,
she pleads for the Great Mercy for us all.

O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke The
Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou,
simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin
sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin
Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
Most Pure Temple of our Saviour, the Precious
Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of
God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing
the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God
praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.

The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 3 : 23 – 4 : 5

Divine Adoption Through Our Holy Baptism
Brethren: Before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law – kept for the Faith that would afterwards be
revealed. Therefore the Law was our Tutor, bringing us to Christ so that we might be Justified by Faith. But
after Faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus,
for as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female; for you are all One
in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed, and Heirs according to the Promise.
TWO FAITHS ARE CO-OPERATING: first and foremost WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE WITH CHRIST OUR
CHRIST’S FAITH, AND then, secondly, THE FAITH OF SAVIOUR SO THE ERROR OF VALUING PEOPLE BASED
THOSE WHO BELIEVE. ON PERSONAL OPINIONS AND ETHNICITY – “neither
WHILE THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT WITH GOD Jew nor Greek” – or on pride and social status –
CERTAINLY HAD FAITH, THEY COULD NOT “neither slave nor free” – or gender – “neither
PARTICIPATE IN CHRIST’S FAITH BECAUSE HE HAD male nor female” – has no place in Christ’s Holy
NOT YET COME while they were still alive on earth. Church.
St Paul directly related our SAVING FAITH AND BEING WE CAN NEVER CATEGORIZE OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST
BAPTISED – connecting them as the most intimate OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS BECAUSE WE ALL
of friends. SHARE ONE AND THE SAME HUMAN NATURE AND SO
“For as many of you as were Baptised in Christ WE ARE ALL EQUAL BEFORE GOD AND ONE
have put on Christ!” is THE ANCIENT HYMN WE ANOTHER!
STILL CHANT DURING THE PROCESSION OF THE
NEWLY REGENERATED SOUL INTO THE ASSEMBLY OF
THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.

The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 5 : 24 - 34

The Faith Of The Woman Whom No One Could Heal
At that time our Lord Jesus went with (Jairus, one of the rulers of the Synagogue,) and a great multitude followed
Him and thronged Him.
Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.
She had spent all that she had and was not better, but rather grew worse. And when she heard about Jesus, she
went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment, for she thought: “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall
be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of
the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him, turned around in
the crowd and asked: “Who touched My clothes?” And His Disciples said to Him: “Thou see the multitude
thronging Thee, yet Thou ask: “Who touched Me?’”

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And He looked around to see her who had done so, but the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had
happened to her, went and fell down before Him and told Him the whole Truth. And He said to her: “Daughter,
your Faith has made you well. Go in Peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
ALL AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS ACCORDING
TO THE WILL OF GOD ALONE and being of one and
the same Divine Essence as God the Father, our
Lord Jesus Christ has this same Divine Authority
and control over all Creation.
The healing of this faithful woman – who later was
known as St Veronica – demonstrated CHRIST’S
DIVINE POWERS OF CLEANSING AND HEALING,
WORKING TOGETHER WITH PERSONAL FAITH.
According to the Old Covenant, any type of
haemorrhage caused ceremonial and social
defilement, which imposed severe religious and
social restrictions upon such sufferers since contact
with blood was strictly prohibited and to be avoided
at all costs.
This wretched woman who had suffered not only her
painful and debilitating ailment but also social exile
for twelve very long years, and having been
subjected to all kinds of humiliating medicinal
practises at the hands of numerous physicians who
had accepted everything she possessed in payment
despite their failure, had FOCUSED HER ENTIRE
FAITH ON CHRIST WHO SHE KNEW WOULD BE THE
ONLY ONE TO CURE HER.
Having heard all about the wonderful Teachings and
Miracles of Christ, SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN
THAT BY MERELY TOUCHING THE VERY EDGE OF HIS
SANCTIFIED GARMENTS, SHE WOULD BE HEALED
St Catherine the Great & Holy Martyr of Alexandria
St Catherine was the daughter of Constos, the Governor
of Egypt during the reign of Emperor Maximian
(305-313). Living in Alexandria, the centre of
Hellenistic knowledge, and being of a rare beauty
and intellect, St Catherine received an excellent
education, studying the works of the greatest
philosophers and teachers of antiquity.
Young men from the most worthy families of the
empire sought the hand of the beautiful Saint, but
she was not interested in any of them, having
informed her parents that she would enter into
Marriage only with someone who surpassed her in
nobility, wealth, comeliness and wisdom.
Catherine's mother, a secret Christian, sent her to her
own Spiritual Father, a Saintly Elder who lived in a
cave outside the city, for advice. After listening to
Catherine, the Elder said that he knew of a Youth
Who surpassed her in everything. "His Countenance
is more radiant than the shining of the sun, and all
of Creation is governed by His Wisdom. His Riches
are given to all the Nations of the world, yet they
never diminish. His Compassion is unequalled."
This description of the Heavenly Bridegroom produced
in the soul of the Holy Maiden an ardent desire to
see Him. "If you do as I tell you," said the Monk,
"you will gaze upon the Countenance of this
Illustrious Man."
The Elder gave St Catherine an Icon of the Blessed
Theotokos with the Christ Child in Her arms and he
told her to pray with Faith to the Queen of Heaven -
the Mother of the Heavenly Bridegroom - who
would hear Catherine and grant her heart's desire.
Catherine prayed all night and was permitted to see the
Most Holy Virgin, Who said Her Divine Son, "Behold
Thy handmaiden Catherine, how fair and virtuous
she is." But the Child turned His Face away from her
saying, "No, she is ugly and unbelieving. She is a
foolish pauper, and I cannot bear to look at her
until she forsakes her impiety."
Deeply saddened, Catherine returned to the Elder and
told him what she had seen in the dream. He
lovingly received her, instructed her in the Faith of
Christ, admonished her to preserve her Purity and
integrity and to pray unceasingly.
She then received the Mystery of holy Baptism from
him, after which St Catherine had a Vision of the
Most Holy Theotokos with Her Child but now our
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SINCE ANYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY THE DIVINE
AND THE HOLY IS SANCTIFIED BY ASSOCIATION.
The Healing Power of Christ was immediately felt by
Him and HE WANTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FAITH AS A
GOOD EXAMPLE TO ALL WHO DOUBTED THE WILL
AND POWER OF GOD TO DO EVEN THE MOST
IMPOSSIBLE THINGS.
BY SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO HER AND EXPOSING HER TO
THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS AMONGST THE CROWD,
CHRIST INCLUDED AND WELCOMED HER INTO HIS
COMPANY AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT GOD IS ALWAYS
AWARE OF EVERYONE’S NEEDS.
His final words to her “Daughter, your Faith has
made you well. Go in Peace, and be healed of
your affliction,” EMPHASISED GOD’S LOVE FOR
ALL HIS PEOPLE – HIS ADOPTED HUMAN FAMILY –
AND SHOWED THAT FAITH IN GOD BRINGS US HIS
DIVINE PEACE AND HEALING OF ALL OUR
AFFLICTIONS.
✽ NO HUMAN CONDITION EXCLUDES US FROM THE
PRESENCE OF GOD AND WE SHOULD IMITATE
THE GREAT FAITH OF ST VERONICA, ALWAYS
CONFIDENT IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT GOD IS IN
CONTROL OF LIFE AND DEATH AND EVERYTHING
IS POSSIBLE ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL.
Lord looked tenderly at her and gave her a beautiful
ring, a wondrous token of her Betrothal to the
Heavenly Bridegroom. (THIS RING REMAINS ON HER HAND).
Emperor Maximian went to Alexandria for a pagan
festival but the cries of the sacrificial animals, the
smoke and the smell of the sacrifices, the endless
blazing fires, and the bustling crowds at the arenas
defiled Alexandria.
Christians were being burnt to death which compelled
St Catherine to appeal for mercy to the pagan
priests and Emperor Maximian himself.
Introducing herself, she confessed her Faith in the One
True God and with Wisdom exposed the errors of
paganism but her beauty captivated the Emperor
who tried to convince her of the superiority of
pagan wisdom, by summoning fifty of the most
learned philosophers and rhetoricians to argue
against her.
However, St Catherine’s Inspired words caused the wise
men to believe in Christ themselves, and after she
had made the Sign of the Cross over them, they
bravely accepted Holy Martyrdom by being burnt
alive by order of the frustrated and infuriated
Emperor who had failed every attempt to get
Catherine to renounce Christ and had thus
subjected her to the most unspeakable tortures.
Empress Augusta, who had heard much about the
Saint, went to see her, having prevailed upon the
Military Commander, Porphyrios, to accompany her
to the prison with a detachment of 200 soldiers.
The Empress was impressed by the strong spirit of St
Catherine, whose face was radiant with Divine Grace
while she explained the Christian Teachings to
them all, which they unanimously and whole-
heartedly accepted as Divine and Perfect Truth.
The following day as St Catherine approached the
wheels of torture, an Angel of God shattered it into
pieces before the shocked pagan witnesses and
having beheld this Miracle, Empress Augusta, the
Imperial Courtier, Porphyrios and the 200 soldiers
openly confessed their faith in Christ for which they
were subsequently beheaded.
St Catherine firmly and adamantly confessed her fidelity
to the Heavenly Bridegroom Christ, and with a
Prayer to Him and the Sign of the Cross, she placed
her head on the block beneath the executioner's
sword.
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF
AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

27th Sunday After Pentecost Tone 2 28 November 2010

13th Sunday of St Luke – Wealth & Eternal Life

Feast of St Stephen the New, St Basil, St Gregory, another St Gregory, St

John, St Andrew, St Peter, and many other Monk-Martyrs & Confessors of Mount St Auxentios – St
Anna of Trichinarion Monastery - St Irenarchos & 7 Martyred Women Companions of Sebaste, Armenia
- – St Theodore of Rostov – St Auxantios & 16 Martyred Companions of Tiberiopolis: St Timothy & St
Theodore the Bishops of Tiberiopolis; St Timothy, St Peter, St John, St Sergios, St Nicephoros, the
Presbyters of Tiberiopolis; St Basil, St Thomas the Deacons of Tiberiopolis; St Hierotheos, St Daniel,
St Chariton, St Socrates, St Comasios; and St Etymasios the Monk Martyrs of Tiberiopolis & St
Etymasios of Tiberiopolis
Resurrection Apolytikion – Tone 2
Ote katilthes pros ton thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal,
ton adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke Thou slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy
tous tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas, Divinity. When also Thou raised up the dead from
pase e Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. the subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven
Zoodota Hriste, O Theos imon, Doxa Si! cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to
Thee!
Apolytikion Of St Stephen The New Of Mount St Auxentios – Tone 4
Askitikos Progmnasthis en to Ori, tas noitas ton Trained on the mountain in Ascetical Labours, with the
dismenon parataxis, ti panoplia olesas pammakar whole Armour of the Cross Thou vanquished the
tou Stavrou. Aithis de pros Athlisin, andrikos spiritual arrays of unseen enemies; and when Thou
apediso, ktinas ton Kopronimon, to tis Pisteos xifi, ke had stripped Thyself with great courage for contest,
di amfin estafthis ek Theou, Osiomartis aidime Thou slayed Copronymos with the Sword of the
Stefane. True Faith. For both these things hast Thou been
Crowned by God, O Righteous Martyr, Blessed
Stephen of great renown.

Kontakion Of Advent & The Nativity Of Christ

I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to
spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon
doxologousi, Magi de meta asteros odiporousi, di’
imas gar egenniti, Pedion neon, o pro aionon Theos.
R e s ur re ctio n G o s pe l 5 : Lu ke 2 4: 1 2 – 3 5 -
Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all
beings, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom
no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds
give glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For
unto us is Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal
God.
OUR RISEN LORD JESUS APPEARS ALONG THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

Prokeimenon : The Lord is my Strength and my Glory! The Lord has punished me severely, but He has not
delivered me to Death.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians 6 : 10 - 17
We Are Protected Against Spiritual Warfare By Divine Armour And Faith In God
Brethren: be strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might. Put on the Whole Armour of God, so that you may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the Heavenly Places.
Therefore, take up the Whole Armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done
all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with Truth, having put on the Breastplate of Righteous, and having shod
your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; above all, taking the Shield of Faith with which you will be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all
Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit....
St Paul warned us that all who stand for Good – who invented by the evil one and his demonic servants
strive for Godliness by living IN Christ our Saviour – for their rebellion against God and all His Divine
must wage a constant battle against the forces of Goodness both in Heaven and on earth.
evil that ceaselessly assault and threaten us, Now, belonging neither to Heaven nor earth, these
seeking our destruction and Spiritual Death. wicked beings use our weaknesses against us in
The fallen angels – the demons – who were expelled the Spiritual Warfare that continues ceaselessly and
and banished from “the Heavenly Places,” still fight which will be waged against us until Christ
against anything that is Godly or Good on earth, reappears in all His Glory amongst us to Judge His
especially us human beings who are made in the entire Creation.
Image and Likeness of God Who Loves us more This is clearly acknowledged in the Prayers at the
than all His other creatures. conclusion of the Holy Mystery of Baptism .
The demonic hatred, jealously and vengeance, as well ✽ AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST AND SPIRITUAL
as all the other ungodly vices or passions were SOLDIERS IN GOD’S CHURCH MILITANT ON

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 EARTH, WE ARE PUT ON THE SPIRITUAL ARMOUR
PROVIDED BY GOD FOR OUR PROTECTION AND
VICTORY:
➤ BY HIS BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.OUR
HEARTS ARE PROTECTED
➤ BY HIS GOSPEL OF PEACE – THE DIVINE AND
ABSOLUTE TRUTH OF CHRIST’S REVELATIONS
AND TEACHINGS - OUR FEET AND OUR SPIRITUAL
PROGRESS ARE PROTECTED.
➤ BY HIS SHIELD OF FAITH, WHICH MAKES “... ALL THE
FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE” UNABLE TO
AFFECT, DECEIVE OR HARM US OUR ENTIRE
BEING IS PROTECTED.
➤ BY HIS HELMET OF SALVATION OUR IMMORTAL SOUL
IS PROTECTED AND SAFELY GUIDED TO ETERNAL
LIFE.
➤ BY THE MOST POWERFUL, ENDURING AND
INDESTRUCTIBLE SWORD OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
WHO MAKES POSSIBLE EVERYTHING THAT FOR
US HUMAN BEINGS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE -
OUR SPIRITUAL VICTORY IS ASSURED.
This Divine Spiritual Armour of God that He grants to us
as His Faithful Soldiers against such Spiritual
Warfare is His Uncreated Divine Energy and Wisdom
that we actively use throughout our preparatory
Journey towards Eternity and His Everlasting
Kingdom.

E p h e s i a n s 1 : 1 9 – 2 3 - God the Holy Spirit grants
us the Wisdom and Understanding so that we
know “... what is the exceeding Greatness of
His Power towards us who believe,
according to the working of His Mighty
Power, which He worked in Christ when He
raised Him from the dead and seated Him
at His right hand in the Heavenly Places,
far above all Principality and Power and
Might and Dominion, and every name that
is named, not only in this age but also in
the which is to come. And He shall put all
things under His Feet, and gave Him as
Head over all things to the Church, which
is His Body – the Fullness of Him Who fills
all in all.”
Before reading Christ’s Holy Gospel we always pray:
“Illumine our hearts (understanding), O
Master Who Loves mankind, with the Pure
Light of Thy Divine Knowledge...”
“...Principality and Power and Might and
Dominion...” refer to four of the NINE ORDERS OF
HEAVENLY HOSTS – the invisible, bodiless or
incorporeal beings who were created before
mankind and the material world of God’s beautiful
Creation and whose sole purpose is to praise,
honour and worship God and to fulfil His Will in
every aspect, acting whenever required, as Holy
Messengers, Guides and Protectors of us human
beings.
St Paul reminds us that Christ, as the Incarnate Word
and Only Begotten Son of God the Father, being of
the same Divine Essence, is greater than anything
He has created; Christ is the exclusive Head of His
Holy Church, which is His Holy Body.
HIS HOLY CHURCH HAS THE GREATEST GLORY OF ALL
CREATION AS GOD’S MASTERPIECE AND SINCE
CHRIST IS INFINITE, HIS HOLY CHURCH NEVER
CEASES BEING FILLED.
CHRIST ALMIGHTY CONTROLS ALL CREATION AND HAS
DOMINION OVER LIFE AND DEATH – NOTHING CAN
DESTROY GOD NOR HIS BELOVED PEOPLE –
ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY FOLLOW AND
OBEY HIS DIVINE WILL.
AS FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS, WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR
FROM ANYTHING CREATED!

E p h e s i a n s 3 : 1 6 – 2 1 ”... He would grant you,
according to the riches of His Glory, to be
Strengthened with Might through His Spirit
in the Inner Man, so that Christ may dwell
in your heart through Faith; that you,
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 18 : 18 – 27
The Rich Young Man & Eternal Life
At that time, a certain ruler asked Jesus, saying: “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life?” And Jesus
said to him: “Why do you call Me ‘Good’? No one is Good but One – that is, God. You know the
Commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery.’ ‘Do not murder.’ ‘Do not steal.’ ‘Do not bear false witness.’
‘Honour your father and your mother.’” And he said: “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
And when Jesus heard these things, He said to him: “You still lack one thing: sell all that you have and distribute
them amongst the poor, and you will have Treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.”
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being rooted and grounded in Love, may
be able to comprehend with all the Saints
what is the width and length and depth
and height – to know the Love of Christ,
which passes knowledge; that you may be
filled with all the Fullness of God. Now to
Him Who is able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the Power that works in us,
to Him be Glory in the Church by Christ
Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.”
WE “COMPREHEND” AND “KNOW” BY MEANS OF
something other than a scientific fact or intellectual
awareness. It is a by means of A DIVINE
REVELATION OR GIFT THAT ILLUMINES AND
TRANSFORMS OUR LIMITED HUMAN INTELLECT;
It is by means of A RECIPROCAL ENCOUNTER OR A
PERSONAL BOND WITH OUR LOVING AND PERSONAL
GOD WHO REVEALS HIMSELF IN US THROUGH OUR
HOLY COMMUNION WITH HIM – our sincere and
intimate Prayers and constant participation in Holy
Worship as well as the partaking of Holy Mysteries
of Repentance-Confession and Eucharist, which
bring us ever closer to God.
Such Divine Revelation and personal Communion and
Faith is BEST KNOWN “... WITH ALL THE SAINTS...” BY
PERSONAL COMMUNION WITH THE CORPORATE
CHURCH OF CHRIST – I.E. CONSTANT WORSHIPPING
WITH PRAISES AND THANKSGIVING AS A CHRISTIAN
COMMUNITY.
It is also experienced BY THE GREAT GIFT OF HIS DIVINE
GRACE, WHICH IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHICH
COMPELS US TO EAGERLY FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL
HOWEVER NECESSARY AND WITH ALL HUMILITY AND
OBEDIENCE TO GOD – a completely life changing
Experience that benefits many - not only one soul –
so that WE ARE ENABLED TO PROCEED FURTHER
TOWARDS GOD’S KINGDOM OF ETERNAL LIFE.
Theological Knowledge is initially personal and
experiential before being thought out and
verbalised.
A THEOLOGIAN BY DIVINE GRACE WITNESSES TO WHAT
HE KNOWS THROUGH SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
THOSE WHO ARE SO GREATLY BLESSED WITH DIVINE
KNOWLEDGE AND SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH
THE GRACE OF GOD, ARE CALLED TO SHARE
EVERYTHING WITH OTHERS BY TEACHING, GUIDING,
COUNSELLING AND ASSISTING.
This passage ends with a Blessing that acknowledges
the Truth that God’s Work sp reads further than we
could ever envision – “ ... able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think...”
The ultimate Goal of Deification (Theosis or Perfection)
“...that you may be filled with all the Fullness
of God...” is accomplished by working together –
the synergism of our Faith and Love with God’s
Power and Holy Spirit in us.
AS FAITHFUL BUT STRUGGLING CHRISTIANS, WE HAVE
PUT ON AT OUR HOLY BAPTISM ALL THE UNIQUE
QUALITIES that are listed by St Paul as our Spiritual
Armour granted to us by Almighty God TO ENSURE
THE FULFILMENT AND VICTORY OF ARRIVING SAFELY
BEFORE HIS FEARFUL JUDGEMENT SEAT.
✽ SPIRITUAL ARMOUR AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS THAT GOD
HAS SO GENEROUSLY AND LOVINGLY BESTOWED
UPON US MUST BE PUT TO GOOD US
THROUGHOUT LIFE – THROUGHOUT THE
CEASELESS CONFLICT AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE
OF OUR PERSONAL GROWTH AND PROGRESS.
✽ WITHOUT OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES THERE WILL
BE NO DEIFICATION – PERFECTION OR THEOSIS.
In other words: UNLESS WE ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE
OF CEASELESS AND CONCERTED SPIRITUAL
STRUGGLE, WE CANNOT EXPECT TO REGAIN
EVERYTHING WE HAVE LOST – INCLUDING ETERNAL
LIFE WITH GOD.
But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became
sorrowful, He said: “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God! For it is easier
for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
And those who heard it said: “Who then can be Saved?” And Jesus said: “The things that are impossible with
mankind are possible with God!”
THE RICH YOUNG RULER HAD NOT GONE TO CHRIST IN
ORDER TO TEST HIM BUT TO SINCERELY SEEK THE
WISE ADVICE OF SOMEONE WHOM HE CONSIDERED
AS BEING MERELY A GOOD TEACHER OF MOSAIC LAW
– NOT AS THE MESSIAH OR THE SON OF THE MOST
HIGH GOD.
Consequently, our Lord’s response to him did not deny
that HE IS GOD but was designed to lead the man to
the Truth that HE IS INDEED GOD AND TO CONFIRM
GOD’S WISDOM AND TRUTH, WHICH NEVER
CHANGES.
FORMAL OBSERVANCE OF GOD’S DIVINE
COMMANDMENTS DOES NOT MAKE ANYONE
RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD and this young man had
an earnest desire for Eternal Life.
HE REALISED THAT HE STILL LACKED SOMETHING VERY
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL TO THAT ETERNAL LIFE
IN GOD’S KINGDOM SO HE PERSISTED and, knowing
the depths of that man’s heart, OUR LORD THEN
GAVE HIM AN EVEN MORE DIFFICULT SACRED TASK
TO FULFIL – ONE THAT CHRIST DOES NOT ASK OF
EVERYONE.
✽ In order for us to become Perfect or achieve
Theosis – a Godlike Purity – WE MUST WILLINGLY
SACRIFICE EVERYTHING – family, friends,
occupations and possessions ( that are to be
distributed amongst the poor and destitute) –
SO THAT WE CAN FREELY FOLLOW CHRIST TO
THE FULLEST DEGREE.
The specifics of how we follow Christ is different for
every eager and devoted Disciple.
However, due to his extreme wealth and despite all his
efforts to fulfil God’s Commandments throughout
his short life, THE YOUNG MAN UNDERSTOOD AND
ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEPTH OF HIS AVERSION AND
UNWILLINGNESS TO SURRENDER HIS COMFORTABLE
LIFE AND FOLLOW CHRIST.
He became deeply sorrowful when faced with his own
ability to give up his comfortable but impermanent
circumstances in exchange for Eternal Life!
HIS SADNESS WAS CAUSED BY THE REALITY OF HIS
SPIRITUAL CONDITION, WHICH CHOSE INSTANT
GRATIFICATION OVER AN EVERLASTING EXISTENCE
OF LOVE, PEACE AND ALL DIVINE GOODNESS!
Such is our own deep Spiritual Mourning – the
realisation of how much we prefer self-indulgence
and temporary satisfaction (that never gratifies our
desires) to SELF-DENIAL AND SACRIFICE THAT DOES
TRULY GRATIFY AND WHICH SETS US FREE AND ABLE
TO FOLLOW CHRIST ALL THE WAY TO HIS DIVINE
KINGDOM.
Various interpretations have been suggested for the
utterly impossible image of a camel going through
the eye of a needle.
Some have suggested that the word “camel” can be
replaced by “rope.”
Otherwise, the “eye of the needle” referred to the small
gate of the large city gates of ancient times,
through which neither a fully laden person nor
beast could pass through, without first being
unloaded of all baggage – and even then it would
have been a tight squeeze and taken some effort to
get a camel or any other animal through the gap.
“...What Shall I Do To Inherit Eternal Life?”
This is really the fundamental question of all of
humanity, both personally and collectively.
How can we live in true happiness, total
contentment, and forever and ever?
How can we live in the best possible and most
fulfilling way? And how can we live this way
eternally?
To this question there are many answers, as man has
struggled with this thought from the very
beginning. Every religion and philosophy, , has
sought to answer this question in their own way.
(ALL DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) 27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 13TH OF ST LUKE – THE RICH YOUNG MAN & ETERNAL LIFE - 28 NOVEMBER 2010
The symbolism was that NO ONE COULD ENTER THE
CITY THROUGH THE SMALL GATE WITHOUT EFFORT –
BY BOWING DOWN AND BEING UNBURDENED BY
POSSESSIONS.
✽ Thus, WHEN ENTERING THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF
GOD – WHETHER IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE OR HIS
ETERNAL KINGDOM, WE MUST FIRST UNBURDEN
OURSELVES OF ALL BAGGAGE – BOTH PHYSICAL
AND SPIRITUAL – AND BOW DOWN IN ALL
HUMILITY AND WORSHIP BEFORE HIS DIVINE
MAJESTY.
No matter how it is interpreted, CHRIST USED THE
EXPRESSION TO DESCRIBE HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO
ACHIEVE SALVATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE SO
BURDENED BY THEIR EARTHLY POSSESSIONS AND
EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO IT!
And in answer to the vital question: “Who then can be
Saved?” our Lord Jesus said: “THE THINGS THAT
ARE IMPOSSIBLE WITH MANKIND ARE POSSIBLE
WITH GOD!”
✽ WITHOUT GOD WE ACHIEVE NOTHING WORTHWHILE
AND PERMANENT.
✽ BY THE GRACE OF GOD TRUE AND IMPOSSIBLE
MIRACLES OCCUR - AND EVEN REPENTANT
SINNERS ARE SANCTIFIED!
Our entire lifespan is allocated to each of us by God
Who knows exactly how much time we need to grow
to our fullest potential.
We can no longer claim to be ignorant of our Sacred
Mission on this earth which is TO REGAIN OUR LOST
LIKENESS TO GOD AND FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM,
WHICH MAKES US FITTING CITIZENS OF HIS
HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
GOD DESIRES ETERNAL LIFE FOR EVERY SINGLE SOUL
HE HAS EVER CREATED, BUT HAVING GRANTED US
FREE WILL TO CHOOSE WHICH PATH WE WISH TO
TAKE TOWARDS ETERNITY, WE ARE ALL TOO OFTEN
DISTRACTED AND LED ASTRAY BY THE EVIL ONE
WHO SEEKS OUR SPIRITUAL DEATH AND ETERNAL
ALIENATION FROM GOD.
Nevertheless, EVEN BEFORE HE CREATED US, GOD HAD
MADE PROVISION FOR OUR SALVATION AND THEOSIS
– SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.
When mankind continued to misinterpret and
misunderstand His Divine Commandments and His
infinite Love for us, God the Father sent His Only
Begotten Son to live amongst us and to teach us
directly so that we can now choose wisely and
properly either to follow Him or reject Him.
WHATEVER CHOICES WE MAKE, WE WILL FACE THE
CONSEQUENCES either in this life so that by Divine
Mercy we are able to correct our errors and seek
forgiveness and Spiritual Renewal – being able to
continue our Spiritual Journey – or by remaining
unrepentant even when confronted by the results of
our sins, being Eternally Condemned and Alienated
from everything that is good.
So WE CONSTANTLY PRAY FOR OUR SALVATION, ASKING
THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT TO INTERCEDE WITH GOD
FOR HIS GREAT MERCY – AND CEASELESSLY
CORRECTING OURSELVES AND WITH LOVE, GUIDING
AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS WHO ACCOMPANY US
THROUGH THIS PREPARATORY LIFE.
And because their answers arose from the minds and
hearts of men, according to their own limited
knowledge and moral imperfections, their
answers proved faulty and insufficient. Faulty
because they could not make man truly happy
and insufficient because they could not overcome
death and grant Eternal Life.
Yet, the answer from God Himself is neither faulty
nor insufficient, as it arises from His Perfect
Knowledge, boundless Love, and Divine Power –
even over death itself.
31
The same dialogue as that between our Lord Jesus
and the rich young man is repeated countless
times in the heart of man.
Having been created in the Image and Likeness of
God, it is natural to seek Eternal Life: to seek that
which is not only good, but the very best, to seek
Life with God, and to seek it Eternally.
And whether we realize it consciously or not, with
every moment of our life, we are asking thinking:
“How can I make my life better, how can I live in
the best possible way?”
Some seek riches like the Foolish Rich Man who
planned to build bigger barns. Others seek
pleasures: to experience all the “good things” of
this world, all the things money can buy, like the
Prodigal Son.
Others seek glory and praise, to be highly esteemed,
either through their worldly successes or even
through their self3righteousness like the
Pharisees.
But the Lord’s Teaching 3 the only true answer to
this question 3 is to DENY ONESELF, TAKE UP
ONE’S CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM.
How sharply God’s answer conflicts with the varied
answers of the world! It’s like night and day.
The world says true life is found in riches, pleasures,
and glory.
Our Lord teaches us not to seek riches but to rather
distribute or at least share all we have amongst
the poor and not to seek worldly pleasures but
rather to learn self3denial, and to flee from the
praises and glory of people 3 seek Humility and
Obedience for “Blessed are the poor in spirit for
theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
With every passing moment we are confronted by
two opposing answers 3 one from the world and
the other from God.
We know to Whom we should listen, but at the same
time, we often find ourselves being tempted by
the ways of the world, according to the limited
knowledge and moral imperfections of our
ancestors, rather than carefully following the
Unerring Path of Christ, Who is the Way, the
Truth, and the Life.
Let us investigate why we sometimes make wrong
decisions, so that we can correct our ways.
Our Holy Church Fathers teach us that the primary
reason for following the ways of the world rather
than the Ways of God, is not because we don’t
desire what is better or best, over what is just
good, but because we usually only see what is
best later in life, near the end of our days 3
having become not only accustomed to the
tempting things of the world but even sometimes
enslaved by them through years of habitual
seeking, working for, and loving wealth, pleasure,
and praise.
Then when we hear that Jesus Christ has come to
give us not only Life, but Life more abundantly,
when we hear that the Kingdom of God has been
opened once again, when we hear that we are
Called to become joint Heirs with Christ of His
Heavenly Kingdom, we are sometimes slow to
respond 3 not only due to being accustomed to
worldly things, or perhaps even enslaved by
them, but due to being entangled in worldly
living.
(ALL DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) 27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 13TH OF ST LUKE – THE RICH YOUNG MAN & ETERNAL LIFE - 28 NOVEMBER 2010
32
Having laboured relentlessly for so many years to
develop our business and to save our “nest3egg,”
– to provide for our “future” (which only God
knows!) it is difficult and frightening to
relinquish everything so that we can freely and
more fully follow Christ.
Or perhaps we are so completely enslaved or
addicted to the pleasures and vices of the flesh 3
tasty, abundant meals, drinking wine and alcohol
excessively, smoking, drugs, or all kinds of other
physical and spiritual addictions, that the simple
thought of denying ourselves of these vices
creates frantic agitation and anxiety at our very
deepest level!
Or perhaps having put so much effort into creating
our social status with our puffed up ego craving
the satisfaction of being acknowledged and
flattered by our contemporaries, that the Path of
Humility and Obedience to God is just too
difficult or devastating for us to even consider!
Nevertheless: this is exactly why our Lord pointed
out to us: “How hard is it for a rich man to
enter the Kingdom of Heaven! For it is easier
for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of
God!”
Naturally, those who heard Christ’s words so many
years ago, and those who hear them today,
immediately think: “Who then can be saved?”
Yet, let us not despair for our Lord Jesus Christ
reassured us of His infinite Divine Love and Great
Mercy by reminding us that: “The things which
are impossible with men are possible with God!”
✽ EVERYTHING THAT IS TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR
ANY HUMAN BEING TO ACCOMPLISH IS POSSIBLE
BY DIVINE GRACE – BY THE WILL AND POWER OF
ALMIGHTY GOD!
For that very reason the Hebrews anticipated the
Coming of the Messiah 3 the One Who would Save
them from their fallen state 3 the One Who would
release them from the slavery of sins – of the
fallen world.
The long3awaited Messiah would overcome Satan
and all his inventions of sin and death 3 and He
would grant Life 3 Eternal Life 3 to all those held
captive by Death – the consequence of sin.
The Messiah – our Lord and Saviour 3 is Jesus Christ
Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and He
has come so that He might grant within us,
everything that we cannot achieve by ourselves.
Our Lord came not simply to teach us about Eternal
Life but to grant us everything necessary for
Eternal Life by being within us!
He came to help us be in the world but not of the
world, to set us free from the bonds of riches,
pleasures, and pride and to help us die to
corruptible life and live to Incorruption.
He came to help each of us work out our own
Salvation, not as a remote, impersonal God but as
an intimate Companion walking each step of our
life with us.
Let us continue our Repentance so that we can more
fully celebrate His Entrance into our heart,
accomplishing all things necessary for our
Salvation, together with His Eternal Father, and
His All Holy Good and Life3giving Spirit.
Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP:
http://orthodoxdelmarva.org/files/sermons/2006/Sermon_12_0
3_06.pdf
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES
OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD.
AMEN.

30 November 2010
St Andrew the First-Called Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ of Bethsaida
(Brother to St Simon Peter and son of Jonas)

Feast of St Frumentios of Inda (Abyssinia, Ethiopia) – the Entrance of St

Andrew the First Called Apostle of Christ into Georgia – St Vakhtan Gorgasali, King of Georgia – St
Peter, First Patriarch (Catholicos) of Georgia – St Samuel, Second Patriarch (Catholicos) of Georgia
APOLYTIKION OF ST ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED APOSTLE – TONE 4

Os ton Apostolon Protoklitos, ke tou korifeou
aftadelphos, ton Despotin ton olon Andrea iketeve,
irinin ti ikoumeni dorisasthe, ke tes psihes imon
Mega Eleos.
KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST
As first of the Apostles to receive the Call, and very
brother of the Prince of them, intercede O Andrew,
with the Master of us all: Peace to all the world to
grant, and to our souls His Great Mercy.

I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all
Spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon being, and the earth offers a Cave to Him Whom
Doxologousi, Magi de meta Asteros odiporousi, di’ no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds
imas gar egenniti, Pedion neon, O Pro Aionon Theos. give Glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For
unto us is Born a Young Child: the Pre-Eternal
God.
The First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 4 : 9 - 16
Wisdom in the Apostolic Ministry
Brethren: We are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s Field; you are God’s Building. According to the Grace of God
which was given to me, as a Wise Master Builder, I have laid the Foundation, and another builds on it.
But let each one take heed how he builds on it, for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which
is Jesus Christ.
Now if anyone builds on this Foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, each one’s Work will
become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by Fire; and the Fire will test each one’s
Work, of what sort it is 3 if anyone’s Work is burnt, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be Saved, yet so as
through fire.
Do you not know that you are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the
Temple of God, God will destroy him, for the Temple of God is Holy, which Temple you are.
By using the term “fellow workers,” (synergoi), St Paul ENABLES AND URGES US TO FULFIL OUR CHRISTIAN
referred to the Biblical concept of Synergism, which CALLING AND HOLY MISSION BY STRIVING TO KEEP
EXPLAINS THE MANNER WHEREBY THE HOLY ALL GOD’S DIVINE COMMANDMENTS AND TO LIVE IN
APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST ALL WORKED CHRIST EVERY MOMENT OF OUR DAY.
TOGETHER WITH GOD IN FULFILLING THE HOLY As Holy Temples of God, WE MUST TREAT OURSELVES
MINISTRY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. AND ONE ANOTHER WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT
✽ AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, WE TOO ARE AND CONSTANTLY CLEANSE OUR SELVES OF THE
GOD’S “FELLOW WORKERS” WHO ARE OBLIGED – CONTAMINATION OF SINS.
AND THROUGH OUR DEVOTION AND LOVE OF GOD, THE MANNER WHEREBY WE RESPECT THE HOLY THINGS
ARE COMPELLED – TO OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS OF GOD EXPOSES OUR INNER STATE – OUR TRUE
AND TEACHINGS AND THEREBY TO FULFIL HIS DIVINE SPIRITUAL CONDITION.
WILL ALONE. We should make every effort at all times to BE
So we need to CULTIVATE THE INSEPARABLE VIRTUES SPIRITUALLY WATCHFUL SO THAT WE MAY
OF HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS US TO RECOGNISE AND THUS AVOID ALL TEMPTATIONS,
ALL THE OTHER ESSENTIAL VIRTUES THAT EXPRESS WHICH LEAD TO WICKEDNESS.
THE DEPTH OF OUR LOVE OF GOD AND ONE Because we commit sins consciously or unconsciously
ANOTHER. all day long, WE NEED TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT,
Such enthusiastic co-operation or Synergy with God RENEW AND SANCTIFY OURSELVES WITH PRAYERS,
does not mean a working relationship with equals FASTING, THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF REPENTANCE-
or a so-called 50-50 arrangement! For GOD IS OUR CONFESSION AND EUCHARIST, WHILE ATTENDING
LORD AND MASTER AND WE ARE MERELY HIS ALL HOLY SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
DEVOTED AND EAGER SERVANTS WHO ARE CALLED Finally - HAVING BEEN SANCTIFIED THROUGHOUT LIFE
BY CHRIST TO PARTICIPATE WITH ALL HUMILITY AND BY THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF BAPTISM, CHRISMATION,
OBEDIENCE IN HIS DIVINE WORK AMONGST OUR CONFESSION, EUCHARIST AND UNCTION - AND EVEN
FELLOW SINNERS IN THIS FALLEN WORLD. HOLY MATRIMONY OR ORDINATION – OUR
✽ THIS HOLY SYNERGY IS THE EXPRESSION OF GOD’S CONSECRATED TEMPLES ARE LAID TO REST IN THE
INFINITE AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ALL HIS EARTH FROM WHENCE THEY CAME, TO AWAIT THE
CREATURES, ESPECIALLY ALL MANKIND WHO IS GENERAL RESURRECTION AND FINAL JUDGEMENT,
CREATED IN HIS OWN IMAGE AND LIKENESS. WHEN THEY SHALL BE RAISED AGAIN.
And OUR WILLING CO-OPERATION CLEARLY INDICATES THE VIOLENT DESTRUCTION OF ANY HOLY TEMPLE OF
THE EXTENT OF OUR PERSONAL LOVE FOR GOD AND GOD – WHETHER HUMAN OR STONE AND MORTAR – IS
EACH OTHER ACCORDING TO WHICH WE WILL BE A DEADLY SIN THAT BRINGS ETERNAL
JUDGED. CONDEMNATION ON THOSE WHO DEFIANTLY AND
THE FACT THAT WE ARE CONSECRATED TEMPLES OF REBELLIOUSLY DO SO AND ESPECIALLY ON THOSE
GOD AND THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT – INDEED THE HOLY WHO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO.
TRINITY – LIVES WITHIN US, PERMITS, ENCOURAGES,

ST ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED APOSTLE OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST - 30 NOVEMBER 2010 33
Our Consecrated bodies have been made Holy - Things. SUCH DELIBERATE BRUTALITY MUST BE
SANCTIFIED - BY DIRECT CONTACT WITH ALMIGHTY AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS FOR THERE ARE NO EXCUSES
GOD THROUGH HIS HOLY MYSTERIES, which we so THAT WILL JUSTIFY SUCH WICKEDNESS!
eagerly partake of throughout life .
Yet some choose to ignore and insult God in the worst
way possible by the violent destruction of His Divine
The Holy Gospel According to St John 1 : 35 – 52
The Disciples of St John the Baptist & Forerunner Become the Holy Apostles of Christ
At that time, John stood with two of his Disciples, and looking at Jesus as He walked, he said: “Behold, the Lamb of
God!”
The two Disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned, and, seeing them following Him,
said to them: “What do you seek?” And they said to Him: “Rabbi,“ (which is translated, ‘Teacher’), “... where art
Thou staying?” And He said to them: “Come and see.” So they went and saw where He was staying, and
remained with Him that day (for it was about the tenth hour.)
One of the two Disciples who had heard John speak, and who had followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s
brother. He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him: “We have found the Messiah!” (which is
translated: “the Christ.”) And he took him to Jesus. And when Jesus looked at him, He said: “You are Simon, the
son of Jonah. You shall be called Çephas!” (which is translated: “A Stone.”)
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him: “Follow Me.”
Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. And Philip found Nathanael and said to him: “We
have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law, and also the Prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph.”
And Nathanael said to him: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” And Philip said to him: “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards Him, and said of him: “Behold! An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no
deceit!” And Nathanael said to Him: “How dost Thou know me?” Jesus answered and said to him: “Before Philip
called you – when you were under the fig tree – I saw you.” And Nathanael answered and said to Jesus:
“Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of Israel!”
Jesus answered and said to him: “Because I said to you: Í saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see
greater things than these!” And He said to him: “Most assuredly, I say to you: hereafter you shall see
Heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Our Lord’s first Disciples had been followers of St John Our Lord Jesus’ Foreknowledge and ability to see so
the Baptist. deeply into his soul motivated St Nathanael’s
They were St Andrew (the First-Called Apostle), St (Simon) Confession of Faith: “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God!
Peter, whom our Lord nicknamed “Cephas,“ St Philip Thou art the King of Israel!”
and St Nathanael who became known as St Being even more honest and straightforward than St
Bartholomew, and another unidentified Apostle who Nathanael, our Lord – probably amused by the
was actually his beloved cousin, St John – the author amazement expressed to His Foreknowledge and
of this Holy Gospel. depth of insight – prepares them for “...greater things
It was a common literary device for a writer not to mention than these.”
his own name. Christ often referred to Himself in the third Person such as

L u k e 2 4 : 1 3 : “Now behold: two of them were “the Son of Man,“ which is a title of the Messiah that
travelling that same day to a village called had a level of mystery in its meaning – indicating that
Emmaus...” Someone of Heavenly Origin would usher in the
The “two of them“ were St Cleopas and St Luke. Kingdom of God.

J o h n 2 1 : 2 4 : “This is the Disciple who testifies of these
D a n i e l 7 : 1 3 - 1 4 - “... and behold: One like the Son
Things, and who wrote these Things; and we of Man was coming with the Clouds of
know that his Testimony is True...” Heaven, until He came to the Ancient of Days
St John used the term “we,” which signified that he had an and approached Him. Then Dominion,
assistant – a faithful Scribe named Prochoros who Honour, and the Kingdom were given to Him,
wrote down his words and teachings and who is often and all peoples, tribes and languages served
depicted in many Holy Icons of St John the Divine Him. His Authority is an Everlasting
Apostles, Theologian and Evangelist. Authority which shall not pass away, and His
The depth of St Nathanael or St Bartholomew’s honesty Kingdom shall not be destroyed.”
was revealed by Christ when He remarked: “Behold! St Daniel’s Vision of the Ancient Days is that of the Second
An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ – the
The ability of seeing so clearly within our hearts and Son of Man – in all His Glory.
knowing everything about us – even those who have In an Old Testament Prophecy, St Jacob had dreamt of a
never met Him - proves that our Lord Jesus Christ is Ladder that connected earth to Heaven, upon which he
no ordinary human being and is - without a doubt - saw “...the Angels of God ascending and
the True Messiah – our True, Divine Saviour and descending...””
Incarnate Son of God. Genesis 28: 12 – 15: “... a Ladder was set up on the
Thus we immediately learn that St Bartholomew had a earth, and its top reached Heaven; and there the
genuinely pure heart and soul and was always Angels of God were ascending and descending
straightforward and honest with others. on it... the Lord stood above it and said: Í Am
St John did not mention what exactly occurred “under the the Lord God of Abraham your Father, and the
fig tree“ but St John Chrysostom believed that our God of Isaac. Do not fear; the land on which
Lord’s words referred to the meeting place of St Philip you lie I will give to you and your seed.... I Am
and St Nathanael, when St Philip had gone to tell him with you and will keep you wherever you go,
the wonderful news and the response of St Nathanael: and will bring you back to this land; for I will
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (WHICH WAS not leave you until I have done what I have
A HUMBLE VILLAGE – A SEEMINGLY UNLIKELY PLACE FROM WHENCE THE GREAT
MESSIAH WOULD COME.) spoken to you.”
However, Christ praised St Nathanael for being so diligent This Ladder signifies our Lady the Ever Blessed Theotokos
and careful in their search for the True Messiah and Her Divine Son and God Incarnate, FOR SHE
(because there have always been false prophets, false CONNECTS HEAVEN AND EARTH THROUGH HIM FOR OUR
messiahs and false christs.) SALVATION WHILE OUR LORD UNITES HEAVEN AND
EARTH AS THE SON OF MAN.
.

34 ST ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED APOSTLE OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST - 30 NOVEMBER 2010
 St Andrew of Bethsaida – First Called Holy Apostle of our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ
St Andrew was the first of the Holy Apostles to
follow our Lord Jesus Christ, and he introduced
his brother, Simon ( St Peter) to Christ. (JOHN 1:35-42)
They lived in Bethsaida, and from his early youth St
Andrew had committed his soul to God, and
having chosen a celibate life, he never married.
The two brothers were humble fishermen but when
the last Holy Prophet of God, St John the
Forerunner and Baptist of Christ began to preach
Repentance in preparation for the Coming of the
long3awaited Messiah, St Andrew became his
closest Disciple.
Having declared our Lord Jesus to be “the Lamb of
God” – the anticipated Messiah – St John the
Baptist, after his imprisonment and before his
unjust execution, sent two of his closest Disciples
to Christ, who then became Holy Apostles of
Christ 3 St Andrew the First Called Apostle and
St John the Divine Theologian, Evangelist and
Beloved Disciple of Christ.
After the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the
Apostles and Disciples of Christ on that glorious
Day of Pentecost, ten days after the Ascension of
Christ, St Andrew set off on his Missionary
Journey to the eastern lands.
Constantly preaching and teaching the Word of God
and healing the sick, St Andrew made his way
through Asia Minor, Thrace and Macedonia until
he reached the River Danube.
Then he went along the coast of the Black Sea,
throughout Crimea and the Black Sea region and
along the River Dnieper where he climbed to the
place where the city of Kiev is presently
established.
He rested overnight on the hills of Kiev and in the
morning, he said to his Disciples who
accompanied him: "See these hills? Upon them the
Beneficence of God shall shine forth, and there will
be a great city here, and God shall raise up many
churches."
Then St Andrews went up around the hills, Blessed
them and set up a Cross.
After praying and chanting Psalms of Praise and
Thanksgiving to God, St Andrew and his
Disciples went up even further along the Dnieper
River until they reached a settlement of Slavs 3
where Novgorod was eventually established.
From there St Andrew and his Disciples travelled
towards Rome through the land of the
Varangians.
They later returned to Thrace and in the small village
of Byzantium, which centuries later became the
great city of Constantinople 3 the “New Rome” 3
St Andrew founded the Church of Christ.
During the long Missionary Journeys throughout the
eastern lands, St Andrew the First Called Apostle
of Christ and his fellow Christians endured much
affliction, misery and torment 3 particularly
from the cruel pagans who insulted, beat, mocked
and humiliated them before casting them out of
their villages, towns and cities.
In Sinope the ungodly people threw rocks and stones
at them, but, by the Grace of God the faithful
Apostle and Disciples of Christ remained
unharmed.
Despite the adversity, anger and suspicion that
confronted them everywhere they went, St
ST ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED APOSTLE OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST - 30 NOVEMBER 2010
Andrew and his Fellow Workers persisted in their
Holy Mission, spreading God’s Truth and Good
News of Salvation – proving by their tender care
and healing of all who suffered, the unconditional
Divine Love and Mercy of Christ our Saviour and
the One True, Living and Most Powerful God of all
Creation.
Through the Intercessory Prayers of St Andrew, our
Lord worked countless Miracles and the Holy
Labours of St Andrew bore abundant Fruit as
many Christian Churches were established, with
Bishops and Clergy Ordained by him.
Finally, St Andrew arrived at the city of Patras, where
he was destined to suffer Holy Martyrdom for his
Love and devotion to Christ our God and Saviour.
Our Lord continuously worked many Miracles in
Patras through His faithful Apostle: the frail were
strengthened, the ailing were healed, the
physically and mentally disabled were renewed
and the blind received sight.
Through the Prayers of St Andrew, an illustrious
citizen, Sosios, Maximilla, the wife of the
Governor of Patras, and his brother, Stratokles,
all recovered from serious illnesses and regained
their health.
All the Divine Miracles, combined with his preaching
and teaching of God’s True Faith and the Holy
Gospel of Christ Enlightened the hearts and souls
of almost all the citizens of Patras who eagerly
committed their lives to Christ.
However, a few influential pagans tenaciously
rejected the obviously Perfect Truth of God,
among whom was, the Prefect of Patras,
Aegeatos.
Nothing would convince Aegeatos of the One True
and Living God, despite every effort of St Andrew
who, with Love and Humility, appealed to his
immortal soul, determined to reveal to him the
Divine Mystery of Life Eternal, through the
Wonderworking and Life3giving Power of the
Holy Cross of Christ.
Erroneously believing that he could dishonour and
destroy Christianity by crucifying the Apostle of
Christ, the frustrated and enraged Prefect
ordered the execution of St Andrew.
To the utter shock of the pagans, St Andrew
accepted his Martyrdom with Joy and Prayers of
Thanksgiving to the Lord as he went to the place
of execution, where he requested upside down
crucifixion.
To prolong the agony of St Andrew, Aegeatos
ordered his hands and feet to be tied to the cross.
For two days St Andrew continued teaching those
who gathered to witness his Martyrdom.
Filled with remorse and pity, they tried to remove St
Andrew from the cross and fearing a riot
Aegeatos ordered his release.
However, St Andrew besought God to grant him
death on the cross so those who tried to unfasten
the ropes, lost control of their hands and, having
glorified God, St Andrew declared: "Lord Jesus
Christ, receive my spirit."
A blazing ray of Divine Light illumined St Andrew
and as the Light faded, his Sanctified Soul was
received by our Lord.
35
 The Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers
Father Alexander Schmemann
When mankind stands before the Throne of God, when
we have fulfilled all that God has given us to fulfil,
when all sins are forgiven, all Joy restored, then
there is nothing else for us to do but to GIVE
THANKS.
Eucharist (Thanksgiving) is the state of Perfect Man.
Eucharist is the Life of Paradise.
Eucharist is the only full and real response to God’s
Creation, Redemption and Gift of Heaven.
But this Perfect Man Who stands BEFORE GOD IS
CHRIST. IN HIM ALONE ALL THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US
WAS FULFILLED AND RETURNED TO HEAVEN.
He alone is the Perfect Eucharistic Being - He is the
Eucharist of the world.
IN AND THROUGH THIS HOLY EUCHARIST THE WHOLE
CREATION BECOMES WHAT IT ALWAYS WAS TO BE -
AND YET FAILED TO BE.
“For the Life of the World”
Father Stephen - “Glory to God for All Things!”
On “Whom God would have us be“
Perhaps THE GREATEST SINGLE FAILURE IN THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE IS THE REFUSAL TO GIVE THANKS.
Gratitude that is dependent upon success or the
fulfilment and pleasure of our own will is indeed
thanksgiving – but it is weak indeed.
It is easy to give thanks for our pleasures and self-
satisfactions (although even then we often forget to
give thanks to God).
All too often in our Relationship with God and others,
Thanksgiving is purely reciprocal: we offer thanks
as though it were a token payment for that which
we have received. As such, it may represent little
more than a happy, greedy heart.
It falls far short of the Heart of Thanksgiving - Holy
Eucharist - itself.
THE HEART OF TRUE THANKSGIVING IS not a payment
for services rendered, but AN EXISTENTIAL
EXPRESSION OF OUR LOVE FOR GOD AS THE LORD
AND GIVER OF LIFE.
THIS FUNDAMENTAL ATTITUDE MARKS THE
RELATIONSHIP OF CHRIST AND THE FATHER. HE IS
ALWAYS AND ETERNALLY GIVING THANKS TO THE
FATHER.
It is also THE RIGHT AND TRULY “WHOLE” EXPRESSION
OF WHAT IT IS TO BE HUMAN IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
We find ourselves beset with temptation, sickness and
oppression of every sort – including the burden of
our own failure and sinfulness. But TRUE
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD YIELDS THANKS DESPITE ALL
OTHER TEMPTATIONS AND TRIALS.
EUCHARIST IS THE VOICE OF CREATION GIVING PRAISE
AND THANKSGIVING TO OUR CREATOR. Nothing is
more fundamental nor more ESSENTIAL TO THE
RIGHT-LIVING OF THE HUMAN HEART.
In the face of many circumstances that surround and
crush us – THANKSGIVING TO GOD CAN SEEM
ABSURD. HOWEVER, SUCH ABSURDITY IS THE VOICE
OF LOVE THAT REFUSES TO GRANT FAILURE AND
OPPRESSION A GREATER PLACE IN OUR LIFE THAN
GOD HIMSELF.
He is our God – and we praise Him!
Let His enemies be scattered!
THANKSGIVING, ALMOST ABOVE ALL ELSE, TRANSFORMS
US INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST – Who Himself is the
True Eucharist of all Creation.
TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD IS INHERENTLY TO UNITE
OURSELVES WITH CHRIST AND THE TRUE VOICE OF
CREATION.
“It is truly meet and right…“
Father Stephen - On “Falling Short“
I fail. We fail. It’s just how things are.
It is not a Conspiracy or the Judgment of God or a
Universe arrayed against us – we simply fall short.
At times falling short is nothing less than embarrassing.
This is especially so if we have raised our own
expectations as well as the expectations of others.
36 ST ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED APOSTLE OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST - 30 NOVEMBER 2010
I DO NOT MEASURE UP TO MY OWN EXPECTATIONS MUCH
LESS TO THOSE OF OTHERS.
FALLING SHORT, HOWEVER, IS NOT THE DEFINITION OF
MY LIFE OR THE MEANING OF MY EXISTENCE – at
least I have not so learnt it in Christ.
My failure is not the bottom line of the Universe –
surprisingly the Universe does not turn on the
success of my personal Journey.
I AM IMPORTANT TO GOD – BUT THAT IS SHEER GRACE
AND AN UNDESERVED GIFT.
St. Paul said that he would “boast in his weakness”
because IN HIS WEAKNESS THE STRENGTH OF
CHRIST WAS MADE COMPLETE.
In our culture, we glory in our strengths and say of our
nation that “it is the best” or the “greatest” or other
various superlatives. Of course, it’s not really true.
We can be grateful for what we have without insisting
on superlatives.
WE CAN LOVE WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US WITHOUT
DESPISING WHAT SOMEONE ELSE LOVES.
I cannot begin to share the depths of my own failure,
nor would this venue be a proper place for such
sharing.
Thank God, there is Confession in the Church. But IT IS
IMPORTANT FOR ME, AND FOR ANY OF US, TO
REMEMBER WHAT WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE NOT.
It is important to REMEMBER THE GIFT OF CHRIST, AS
WELL AS WHY THE GIFT IS NECESSARY IN THE FIRST
PLACE.
✽ WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, CHRIST NEVER FAILS. HE IS
OUR SUFFICIENCY.
St Jacob Of Serugh - On Prayer
Prayer reveals the deep things of the Divine. By it we
enter to behold the Mystery of Hidden Things.
It is the Key able to open all doors. From it one can
clearly espy what is hidden; by it the soul can
approach to speak with God; it raises up the mind
so that it reaches the Majesty.
It is easy for Prayer to learn the Mysteries of the Divinity,
for it can go in and out unhindered by the Angelic
Powers: no Angel is as swift-winged as Prayer,
nor do the Seraphim fly up with it as it ascends;
it whispers its words in the Ears of the Lord, without
any intermediary; it murmurs in the heart, and God
hears it in His Exalted Place.
Where it ascends not even the Watchers have ever
reached, for it is capable of approaching the very
Divinity.
The Seraph hides its face from the Divine Being with its
wings, but Prayer stands there unveiled before the
Majesty: nothing at all stands in the way between it
and the Lord, for it converses with Him and He
hears it gladly.
The Watchers tremble and the Heavenly Hosts in their
modesty are held back, whereas Prayer goes in and
relates its affairs before God.
The Cherubim are harnessed and cannot see Him
Whom they bear, but Prayer goes up and speaks
with Him lovingly.
In its Love Prayer speedily attains the Exalted Place; in
its Love Prayer advances to be raised up above the
Heavenly Orders.
The Cherub is afraid to raise its eyes to the Majesty,
being harnessed in its modesty with the Pure Yoke
of Flame; the Ranks of Fire do not approach the
Hidden One, whereas Prayer has authority to speak
with Him.
Prayer enters closer in than they and speaks
unashamed; above the myriads of Heavenly Hosts
does it pass in flight, unhindered by their Ranks.
As though to a close relation Prayer reveals its secret to
the Lord of the Watchers, asking of Him what is
appropriate in all sorts of activities.
Prayer does not bend down to the Angels to speak with
them, for it asks God Himself, and He bids the
Angels attend to its Affairs.