2014-m a y sacred lessons

3 R D S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – T H E H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S 4 M A Y 2 01 4 1.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SP IR IT , NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. REMEMBER ING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, THEOTOKOS, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SA INTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD.AMEN.

4 May 2014 T o n e 2

3 r d S u n d a y o f H o l y P a s c h a S u n d a y o f t h e H o l y M y r r h b e a r e r s

THE F E A S T O F T HE E I G HT H O LY MY R R H- B E A R I N G W O ME N: OUR E V E R B L E S S E D L A D Y THE OT O KO S , S T MA R Y O F M A G D A L A , S T J O A N N A C H UZA , S T SA L O ME ZE B E D E E , S T M A R Y & ST MA R T HA O F B E T HA N Y , S T SU ZA N N A & ST MA R Y C L E O P A S , T O GE T HE R W I T H S T N ICO D E MO S & ST J O S E P H O F A R IM A T HE A – S T P E LA G IA V IR G IN M A R T Y R OF TA R S O S – S T N IK I T A , S T C Y R I L , S T

N ICE P H O R O S , S T C L E M E N T & ST I S A A C, FO U N D E R S O F SO KO L N I T Z KY M O N A S T E R Y , N O V G O R O D – ST E R A S MO S OF FO R MIA ,C A MP A N IA – S T A L B IA N O F A N A E A , A S I A M IN OR – ST S I L V A N OS O F GA ZA T O G E T HE R W I T H 40 H O LY MA R T Y R S O F GA ZA – S T N ICE P H O R O S OF A L B A N I A & MO U N T A T HO S – S T VA S I L Y MA R T Y S Z , NE W MA R T Y R O F P O LA N D – ST MO N I CA O F T A G A S T E , NO R T H A F R ICA

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

>Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patistas, ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!

> Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the tombs!

R E S U R R E C T I O N A P O L Y T I K I O N – T O N E 2

Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton Adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste, O Theos imon, Doxa Si!

When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal, Thou slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. When also Thou raised up the dead from the subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!

A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T J O S E P H O F A R I M A T H E A & T H E H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S

O evshimon Iosif, apo tou xilou kathelon, to ahranton Sou Soma, sindoni kathara, ilisas ke aromasin, en mnimati keno, kidevsas apetheto; alla trimeros anestis Kyrie, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!

Tes Myroforis Ginexi, para to Mnima epistas, O Angelos evoa: To Myra tis thnitis iparhi armodia, Hristos de diafthoras edihthi allotrios; alla kravgasate: Anesti O Kyrios, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!

The noble Joseph taking down Thy spotless Body from the Tree, wrapped it in a clean shroud with sweet spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb; but on the third day Thou arose, O Lord, granting the world Thy Great Mercy!

The Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the Myrrh-bearing Women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has been shown to be a stranger to corruption. But cry aloud: The Lord has Risen, granting the world His Great Mercy!

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

I ke en Tafo katilthes athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis sis Apostolis Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.

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

R e s u r r e c t i o n G o s p e l 4 - L u k e 2 4 : 1 – 1 2 T H E M Y R R H B E A R E R S F I N D T H E T O M B E M P T Y

P r o k e i m e n o n The Lo rd i s my S t re ng th an d my Glo ry !

The Lo rd has p un i sh ed me sev ere l y , b ut He h a s no t de l i ve r ed me t o Dea th!

T h e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 6 : 1 – 7 D E A C O N S A R E O R D A I N E D

In those days, when the number of Disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve summoned the multitude of Disciples and said: “It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, Brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; for we will give ourselves continually to Prayer and the Ministry of the Word.”

And their words pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of Faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the Apostles; and when they had prayed they laid hands on them.

Then the Word of God spread, and the number of Disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the Priests were Obedient to the Faith.

“The Hebrews” referred to the local Jewish Christians in Jerusalem who spoke Aramaic, while “the Hellenists” were

Greek-speaking Jewish Christians from other parts of the Hellenised world who had settled in Jerusalem.

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St John Chrysostom noted that this particular complaint showed a lack of order among the quickly growing multitude of Faithful Christians, even though the neglect of the Hellenistic widows and orphans was certainly not malicious or intentional.

So it is evident that various problems that faced the early Church arose not only from outsiders, but also due to dissension or misunderstanding from within.

However, these various initial difficulties were quickly resolved due to the mutual respect and Love of one another within the Holy Church of Christ.

] PROBLEMS HAVE ALWAYS ARISEN DUE TO THE “HUMAN FACTOR” – WHEN OUR EGOS AND SELFISHNESS DOMINATE

AND RULE OUR EMOTIONS AND ACTIONS.However, these MUST always be very quickly Repented,

resolved and forgiven, so that we may CONTINUE TO

FOCUS ON OUR FAITHFUL AND TRUE WORSHIP OF ALMIGHTY GOD, WHILE CONSTANTLY CORRECTING AND REPENTING OUR

OWN PERSONAL FLAWS, which is the entire Purpose of this earthly life, before Eternity.

The term “Disciples” generally refers to all Faithful Believers and Followers of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and not only to His Twelve Apostles or those who were close to Him and who accompanied Him during His Public Ministry.

] To be A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST means that we are really trying to LEARN ALL THE SACRED TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS

OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR SO THAT WE CAN APPLY THEM TO

OUR EVERY WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED: THIS IS LIFE IN CHRIST, WHICH TAKES MUCH EFFORT AND A FAITHFUL

WILLINGNESS TO OBEY GOD AT ALL T IMES. While THE MINISTRIES OF THE WORD AND OF SERVING widows

(and orphans) are important Sacred Tasks, they CANNOT BE PERFORMED BY THE SAME PEOPLE AND STILL RECEIVE PROPER

ATTENTION.

Therefore, the Holy Church developed diversified Ministries. In the Orthodox Church to this very day, our Bishops and

Presbyters (Priests) are Called to focus on “Prayer and the Ministry of the Word” of God, while the other essential ministries of Christ’s Holy Church are accomplished by Deacons and the laity (the people or congregation) of each Parish.

DEACONS WHO ARE CALLED TO SERVE ARE REQUIRED TO BE NOT ONLY SPIRITUAL, BUT ALSO “FULL OF WISDOM,” WHICH IS

ESSENTIAL FOR MANAGING THEIR SACRED TASKS. While “the multitude” submitted the names of the first Seven

Deacons, THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST ORDAINED THEM. Thus the synergy between Laity and Clergy was demonstrated

in the selection of these Church Servants and leaders. Whether these first chosen Deacons held the Liturgical Office

of Deacon, or whether their Diaconate was more Service-oriented, THEY RECEIVED THEIR SACRED OFFICE BY MEANS OF

HOLY ORDINATION BY THE DIVINELY AUTHORISED APOSTLES

OF CHRIST . ] THE INCREASE IN NUMBERS OF FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

ONLY OCCURS WHEN THREE GREAT PILLARS OF CHURCH LIFE ARE FULLY IN PLACE:

WORSHIPEVANGELISM

CHARITY/LOVEFurthermore, this wonderful Growth occurs WHEN EXTERNAL AND

INTERNAL STRUGGLES OR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED,RESOLVED AND REPENTED.

] THE FIRST PRESBYTERS (PRIESTS) WERE CHRISTIAN CONVERTS WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN HEBREW PRIESTS but they had not necessarily been Ordained into the Priestly Ministry within the Christian Church after their Conversion to the New Covenant of God.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t M a r k 1 5 : 4 3 – 1 6 : 8 T H E U N N A I L I N G & B U R I A L O F O U R C R U C I F I E D L O R D & S A V I O U R , J E S U S C H R I S T

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council Member, who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, went courageously to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus.

Pilate marvelled that He was already dead; and, summoning the Centurion, he asked him if Jesus had been dead for some time. And when he found out from the Centurion that it was indeed so, he granted the Body to Joseph.

Then Joseph bought fine linen, took Jesus down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the Tomb.

And Mary of Magdala and Mary, the Mother of Joses, observed where He was laid. Now, when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Mother of James and Salome, bought spices so that they might

go and Anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the Tomb when the sun had risen. And they discussed among themselves who would roll away the stone from the door of the Tomb for them. But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away – for it was very large – and entering the Tomb, they saw a young man, clothed in a long white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

And He said to them: “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth Who was crucified. He is Risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. Now go: tell His Disciples – and Peter – that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

So they went out quickly and fled from the Tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

If His Faithful Apostles had buried Christ, doubters and enemies of Divine Truth could claim that His Most Precious Body had simply been hidden away by them and that there was no Resurrection.

] ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, BEING BOTH A COUNCIL MEMBER (OF THE SANHEDRIN) AND AN ACKNOWLEDGED “GOOD AND JUST

MAN” TOGETHER WITH ST NICODEMOS – ALSO OF GOOD REPUTATION AND SOCIAL STATUS - REFUTES ANY POSSIBILITY THAT

OUR LORD’S BODY WAS MERELY REMOVED AND HIDDEN BY HIS FAITHFUL APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES.

As a wealthy and highly prominent, respected member of Hebrew society, St Joseph of Arimathea was able to personally approach the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, to request the Body of Christ, Whom Pontius Pilate had already acknowledged as having been unjustly tried, punished and condemned to death by crucifixion.

] The fact that Pontius Pilate “...marvelled that He was already dead...” confirms the Divine Truth that CHRIST PANTOCRATOR CHOSE THE EXACT HOUR OF HIS DEATH , HAVING SACRIFICED

HIMSELF FREELY AND WILLINGLY FOR THE SAKE OF ALL HUMANITY. Usually crucifixion victims suffered for a very long time, sometimes

for days, before dying but when the Sabbath Day was approaching, Hebrew criminals’ legs were shattered so that they quickly died from the most painful green fracture injuries,YET AS PROPHESIED, NOT A BONE OF OUR LORD WAS BROKEN!

] The Spiritual Significance of a New Tomb that “had been hewn out of rock” and “where no one had ever lain before” is that CHRIST SUFFERED A DEATH UNLIKE ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING

– DEATH WITHOUT SPRITUAL OR PHYSICAL CORRUPTION – A

DEATH LEADING TO ETERNAL VICTORY OVER THE TOMB ITSELF. Furthermore, the description of the New Tomb according to

several sources, clearly shows that I T WAS A VERY SPECIAL TOMB FIT FOR A MOST IMPORTANT PERSON – AND WHO IS MORE

IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL THAN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST –OUR ONE AND ONLY ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST AND KING – OUR

ONLY ETERNAL GOD INCARNATE! ] Another fact to be considered is that NOT ONLY WAS A HUGE,

HEAVY ROCK PLACED - WITH MUCH EFFORT - AT THE ENTRANCE

TO THE TOMB AND THEN SEALED, BUT TWO ROMAN GUARDS STOOD WATCH AS WELL, because the devious Hebrew leaders had alleged that Christ’s Body would be removed by His Disciples so that they could then proclaim His Resurrection from the dead as He had truthfully and precisely foretold.

] AFTER CHRIST HAD RESURRECTED, A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKEannounced the Glorious Event by BREAKING THE SEALS,ROLLING AWAY THE ROCK blocking the entrance and REVEALING TO ALL MANKIND THE EMPTY TOMB, containing only the discarded Shroud (Soudarion) and carefully folded Facecloth (Mandylion).

] THE ROCK DID NOT ROLL AWAY SO THAT CHRIST COULD EXIT THE TOMB BUT ONLY TO REVEAL TO MANKIND THAT HE HAD TRULY

RISEN! The terrified guards – who also witnessed the Empty Tomb - ran

away in fear of the punishment they faced from the Roman authorities, but were later paid by the Hebrew authorities to blatantly lie to everyone that the Disciples had removed the Body of Christ after knocking them unconscious!

3 R D S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – T H E H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S 4 M A Y 2 01 4 3.

Habitual liars, thieves and deceivers always accuse others of their own sins – and they REJECT Divine Truth – the Absolute Truth – because it is something that is totally alien to them.

CHRIST DIED JUST BEFORE THE SABBATH SO THE USUAL BURIAL CUSTOMS OF THE HEBREWS COULD NOT BE COMPLETED by His Mother and Disciples, and they had to return on the first day of the week – Sunday – to do so.

ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND ST NIKODEMOS HAD UNNAILED OUR

LORD FROM HIS CROSS AND WRAPPED HIS NAKED BODY IN A FOURTEEN FOOT LONG “FINE LINEN” CLOTH that became the Burial Shroud, also gathering up any bloody soil that surrounded the Cross, to be buried with Him.

THEY HAD CARRIED HIM TO THE TOMB AND WRAPPED HIM WITH OTHER LINEN STRIPS SOAKED WITH THE 100 POUNDS OFBITTER ALOES THAT ST NIKODEMOS SUPPLIED.

THE MANDYLION OR FACE CLOTH WAS GENTLY AND RESPECTFULLY PLACED OVER HIS FACE AS SOON AS THEY TOOK HIM DOWN

FROM THE CROSS, WHICH REMAINED UNDER THE OUTER BURIAL CLOTHS, which were soaked with bitter aloes and dried as hard as concrete.

Therefore, when St Peter and St John saw the folded Mandylion, they were amazed – (and even more so when they noticed the Image of Christ upon it – which became known as the Holy Icon “Not-Made-By-Hands” – the first Holy Icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was copied many times by others over the years. mp)

St Joseph of Arimathea and St Nikodemos showed their absolute faith, honour and worship of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour by all their actions: going directly to Pontious Pilate for permission to Unnail our Lord from the Cross, purchasing the best quality of fine linen available in which to wrap His Precious Body, donating a newly hewn Tomb carved from solid stone and in a beautiful garden – again nothing but the best resting place for Christ our Saviour – and their own personal attention to all the necessary Burial Rites, including the supply of 100 pounds of Bitter Aloes!

St John the Divine Apostle, our Ever Blessed Lady Theotokos and Her close companion, St Mary Of Magdala watched and witnessed our Lord’s Burial.

ACCORDING TO OLD COVENANT LAW, THE BODIES OF THE

DECEASED WERE NOT WASHED BUT ANOINTED WITH AROMATIC OILS – and in the cases of violent death, all blood and body parts were carefully gathered, wrapped and buried together with the rest of the body.

Although the Apostles and Disciples had gone into hiding for fear of the Roman and Hebrew authorities, the eight devoted Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, led by our Most Blessed Lady Theotokos bravely went to fulfil their Sacred Duty out of their profound Love and Respect for Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Our Lady Theotokos was the legal “Mother” of St Joseph the Betrothed’s seven children - St James, St Joses, St Jude, St Simon, St Salome (mother of St John and St James), St Ester and another daughter, who were actually Her cousins and probably much older than Her.

Since She preferred and insisted on remaining humbly in the background of Her Beloved Son and Lord, the Apostles, Disciples and Evangelists respectfully referred to Her in obscure

ways such as “...the Mother of Joses...” or “...the Mother of James and Salome,..” etc.

The Angel of God – possibly Archangel Gabriel who is the Angelic Messenger and Bearer of Good Tidings from God to us human beings – specifically mentioned St Peter, which revealed our Lord’s special Care and Love even for one of His Apostles who had denied Him at a crucial time.

According to St Theophylact the deeply repentant and sorrowful St Peter would have said of himself: ‘I denied the Lord, and therefore I am no longer His Apostle!’ Yet the Angel’s words showed that our Lord God had already forgiven St Peter and still Loved him as before.

This is another Divine Teaching that clearly shows us that WHENEVER AND WHATEVER WE TRULY REPENT WITH ALL SORROW AND HUMILITY, WE ARE FORGIVEN BY GOD WHO LOVES US -EVEN THE WORST OF SINNERS - FOR HE DOES NOT REQUIRE OR DESIRE ANYONE TO SUFFER ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND

PERPETUAL SPIRITUAL DEATH. For this reason, WE MUST NEVER DARE TO JUDGE ONE ANOTHER AND

NOT EVEN OURSELVES FOR GOD’S DIVINE LOVE AND GRACE IS FAR BEYOND ANYTHING WE CAN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND OR

APPRECIATE.Our Blessed Lady Theotokos and Mary Magdalene “... said

nothing to anyone, for they were afraid...” does not mean that they never told the others what they had experienced so early on that first Resurrection Day.

] OUR LADY THEOTOKOS “...KEPT MANY THINGS TO HERSELF...”THROUGHOUT HER LIFE, ONLY SPEAKING OF THEM WHEN IT BECAME NECESSARY TO DO SO and in order to confirm the Absolute Truth of Christ’s Holy Gospel and His sinless Life on earth as God Incarnate and Perfect Man – AND THEN ONLY TO

THOSE WHO WOULD FULLY APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND THEM. Only after our Risen Lord Jesus Christ had appeared to the other

Holy Apostles and faithful Disciples, did they speak of their experiences of that very early Sunday morning – Holy Pascha.

] THE STATEMENT THAT “...THEY WERE AFRAID...” MIGHT HAVE REFERRED TO THE ENORMOUS SHOCK OF NOT ONLY WITNESSING

THE OPENED TOMB WITH THE ABANDONED BURIAL CLOTHS AND THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGEL OF GOD, BUT ALSO A RELUCTANCE

TO TELL THE OTHERS WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE BELIEVED THEM and – being men – the Apostles would have thought the Myrrh-bearing Women were merely “hysterical” or “delusional” due to their intense grief.

] AS THE ADORING MOTHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, OUR

LADY THEOTOKOS WOULD HAVE BEEN INDESCRIBABLY TRAUMATISED BY HAVING WITNESSED CHRIST’S TERRIBLE

SUFFERING,HOWEVER, SHE WAS ALSO DEEPLY FAITHFUL AND FILLED WITH DIVINE

GRACE THAT ENABLED HER - MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE - TO APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO

ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS DIVINE WILL FOR ALL HUMANITY.IN HER PROFOUND WISDOM AND LOVE FOR GOD AND HER FELLOW

MANKIND, SHE WOULD KEEP MANY THINGS – ESPECIALLY THE DIVINELY MYSTERIOUS THINGS – TO HERSELF, knowing that others would either not understand or would misinterpret or blaspheme them.

T h i r d S u n d a y o f H o l y P a s c h a – S u n d a y o f t h e H o l y M y r r h - B e a r e r s The Event of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Descent from the

Cross and His Burial in the Tomb is both remarkable and praiseworthy, because it was not undertaken by His Faithful Disciples and Apostles, but by two respected Councillors of the Sanhedrin – the High Court of the Hebrew Nation – St Joseph of Arimathea and St Nicodemos.

St Peter was still most sorrowful and grieving for his Denial of Christ, while the other Holy Apostles had scattered far and wide, as predicted by their Divine Teacher when He said: “I will smite the Shepherd, and the Sheep of the Flock shall be scattered abroad.” (Matthew 26 : 31)

According to the Old Covenant Law, “... cursed is every one who is hanged on a tree...” so the fact that our Lord was crucified on “... a tree...” made all the Disciples terrified and anxious for their own personal safety. (Galatians 3 : 13)

They knew they would be accused and condemned by known association with Christ.

Nevertheless, the two Sanhedrin Councillors were profoundly moved by their philanthropic compassion for the unjustly crucified and abandoned Holy

Teacher of Nazareth – and they were compelled by their righteous personal characters, which were ready and courageous enough to fulfil whatever was required of them for the sake of Love of God and for True Justice.

In those days, it certainly took great courage and moral boldness to confront the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, in order to request the removal of the crucified Body of a “condemned criminal.”

The Name “Jesus of Nazareth,” or, more correctly, “Jesus Christ,” the reason for His unjust Condemnation and the unlawful manner in which it was executed, certainly justify the term “courage” that St Mark used in his Holy Gospel, to describe St Joseph of Arimathea, for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ was the Nemesis – the Arch-rival – of the self-righteous, self-serving Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees, who slyly used Roman and Hebrew Laws to achieve their iniquitous goals.

Thus they were able to falsely condemn the Only Sinless One in the High Court of the Temple, as a “Blasphemer” of God and an “Enemy” of Mosaic Law and the Hebrew Nation!

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Furthermore, the Incarnate Son of God was wrongly sentenced to death as a “Traitor” or “Revolutionary” Who had attempted to stir up the people into a great rebellion against the Roman Suzerainty.

Finally, to ensure our Saviour’s unlawful scourging and crucifixion, the enemies of God accused Him of declaring Himself “King of the Jews,” which definitely made Him a “treacherous Enemy” of the Roman Emperor!

So it certainly took an enormous act of great courage to go directly to the Roman Governor to request the taking down from the Cross the Body of such a Man!

The fierce crowd, having been instigated - and some even being paid - by the fanatical, wicked enemies of God – and the attitude of Pontius Pilate who had publically washed his hands clean from the Blood of such a clearly Innocent and Sinless Man were the great obstacles and difficulties that St Joseph of Arimathea had to overcome.

St Joseph of Arimathea, “... being a Disciple of (our Lord) Jesus...” but - as with many other Councillors who recognised the injustice of the accusations against Christ - “..for the fear of the Jews...” had remained unidentified and hidden.

Initially, due to the fear of being cast out of the Synagogue, the two Sanhedrin Councillors, St Joseph of Arimathea and St Nicodemos, had kept it secret that they had often spoken with our Lord Jesus Christ concerning Spiritual Renewal and Eternal Salvation through the Holy Mystery of Baptism, which is the beginning of our Eternal Inheritance of God’s Kingdom.

These two courageous Councillors who had opposed the unjust and inhumane decision of the Sanhedrin that had condemned Christ to merciless torture and death, now co-operated at a crucial moment in Christian History.

Having obtained official permission to remove the already Reposed Body of our Saviour from His Cross, the two Councillors assisted in the removal of the cross-bar and the Unnailing of “the Just Teacher of Nazareth,” Whom the Centurion, (St Longinos) had proclaimed as being Truly the Son of God. (MATTHEW 27:54)

Today, in our contemporary era, we – as Orthodox Christians – are Called to Confess our Faith before a society that vehemently denies religion - before the indifferent, ungodly politicians, atheists, idealists and philosophers who – in one way or another – reject our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, His Holy Church and all Divine Truth.

We are – each and every one of us - Called to cover the naked body of our broken society with the Divine Grace of God’s Absolute Truth and Love.

We are Called to Anoint our fellow sinners’ tortured bodies with the Precious Myrrh of Love and Almsgiving.

We are Called to soothe and comfort mankind’s existence with the Blessed Holy Myrrh of Good Works, which are the sweetest fragrance of our Resurrected Lord and Saviour.

Today we are reminded by our Holy Mother Church of not only the brave, loving actions and intentions of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, but also of the heroic deeds of the Faithful Sanhedrin Councillors, St Joseph of Arimathea and St Nicodemos.

From this moment onwards, let us imitate their profound Faith and Life in Christ that gave them so much courage to overcome all possible obstacles that may have blocked their progress and achievements.

From today, we who live in a broken down society with very few Orthodox Christians, ought to Confess and Live our Orthodox Faith with unwavering Spiritual Courage that overcomes all obstacles, hesitation or fear.

Let us always keep in our heart and mind the Divine Promise of our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Whosoever shall Confess Me before men, I will Confess him also before My Father Who is in Heaven. But, whosoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father Who is in Heaven!”(MATTHEW 10: 32 – 33)

E D I T E D & A D A P T E D B Y M P : A SE R M O N F O R T H E T H I R D P A S C H A L SU N D A Y – SU N D A Y O F T H E H O L Y M Y R R H -B E A R E R S B Y H I S E M I N E N C E , P A N T E L E I M O N T H E KA L Y M N I T E ( L A M P A D A R I O S )A R C H B I S H O P O F A N T I N O E S

S t T h e o p h y l a c t o f O c h r i d & B u l g a r i a – S u n d a y o f t h e M y r r h - B e a r e r s While yet a servant of the Law, the Blessed Joseph (of

Arimathea) recognised Christ as God and that was why he dared to do such a praiseworthy deed of courage.

He did not stop to think to himself: “I am a wealthy man, and I will lose my wealth if I ask for the Body of One condemned by the Rulers’ authority, and I will be slandered by the Jews.”

No such thoughts did he harbour, but, placing all other consideration second, he begged (Pontius Pilate) to bury the Body of the One condemned.

“...Pilate wondered if He were already dead...” for Pilate thought that our Lord Jesus would endure on the Cross for a long time, as did the two thieves.

So he asked the Centurion if (our Lord) Jesus had already died some time before, (which was subsequently confirmed.)

St Joseph of Arimathea then took the Body, having brought fine linen, and when he had taken (our Lord) down from the Cross, he wrapped (Him) in the linen, and buried “... that which was worthy of all reverence.”

For St Joseph of Arimathea, too, was a Disciple of Christ, and he knew that it was necessary to honour our Master.

He was noble – that is, he was devout, pious and blameless. And he held the rank of Councillor – a title that conferred duties of public service and responsibility for the Councillors supervised the affairs of the marketplace, and danger often befell those holding such a position due to the evil that is committed in the public marketplace.

Let the wealthy, and those engaged in public business heed that St Joseph of Arimathea’s high rank in no way hindered him from living a virtuous life.

The name “Joseph” means “increase,” while “Arimathea” means “taking hold of that.”

Let us all be like St Joseph of Arimathea – always increasing in Virtue, and taking hold of that which is truly Good.

Let us also take the Body of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, through Holy Communion, and place It in a Tomb hewn out of rock – that is: we must reverently place It within our soul – always remembering God and never forgetting Him – not even for a moment!

And our soul must be hewn from Rock – that is: from Christ our Lord Who is our Rock on which we are securely established.

Let us wrap the Body of our Lord Jesus in the fine linen – that is: let us receive the Body of Christ within our own purified body, for our purified body (through Repentance-Confession) is the “fine linen” and the Sanctified Garment of our soul.

We must receive the Divine Body of our Lord not only with a pure soul, but with a pure body as well!

And we must wrap and enfold the Divine Body of Christ within ourselves, and not leave It exposed, for this Divine Mystery is Something Sacred that is Veiled and Hidden – not something to be left exposed.

H T T P : / /W W W.JO H N S AN I DO P O ULO S.CO M/ 2 0 13 / 05 / S UN D AY -O F -M Y R RH -B E A R ING -WO ME N-G O SP E L .H T M L

S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T H O L Y M A R T Y R O F T H E S S A L O N I K A 5 M A Y 2 0 1 4 5.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SP IR IT , NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. REMEMBER ING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, THEOTOKOS, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SA INTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

5 M a y 2 0 1 4S t I r e n e ,

G r e a t H o l y M a r t y r o f T h e s s a l o n i k a

A L S O T HE F E A S T O F S T E U T HY M I O S OF MA D I T O S – S T E P HR A I M T HE NE W MA R T Y R OF NE A MA KR I ,A T T ICA




F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T M A R T Y R - T O N E 4 :

Irinis ton arhonta, ihnilatousa semni, Irinis Eponimos, di epipnias Theou, edihthis paneffime; si gar tou polemiou, tas enedras figousa, ithlisas iper fisin, os parthenos fronimi; dio Megalomartis Irini, irinin imin etise.

The steps of the Prince of Peace, following O Noble One, the namesake of Peace, by the prompting of God, thou became O Most Blessed One; for having escaped the snares of the devil, supremely thou contended, as a most prudent virgin; wherefore, O Great Martyr Irene, ask for Peace for all of us!

P A S C H A L A P O L Y T I K I O N – H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S

O evshimon Iosif, apo tou xilou kathelon, to ahranton Sou Soma, sindoni kathara, ilisas ke aromasin, en Mnimati keno, kidevsas apetheto; alla trimeros Anestis Kyrie, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!


A P O L Y T I K I O N O F A F E M A L E H O L Y M A R T Y R

I Amnas Sou Iisou, krazi megali ti foni. Se Nimfie mou potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume, ke sinthaptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke Pasho dia Se, os Vasilefso Sin Si, ke thnisko iper Sou, ina ke ziso en Si. All’ os thisian amomon, prosdehou tin meta pothou tithisan Si. Aftis presvies, os eleimon, Soson tas psihas imon.

Thy Lamb, O Jesus, cries to Thee with a loud voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I Love; and seeking Thee I now suffer everything in search of Thee, and am crucified and buried with Thee in Baptism; and suffer for Thy sake, so that I may reign with Thee, and give my life for Thee, that I may Live with Thee; but accept as Pure Sacrifiece, the one who desired to give her life for you. Through her Intercessions, O Most Compassionate, Save our souls.

P A S C H A L E X A P O S T I L A R I O N O F T H E H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S – T O N E 2

Ginekes akoutisthite, Fonin agalliaseos. Tirannon Adin patisas, fthoras exigira pantas. Dramete Filis ipate, tis emis Evangelia. Voulome gar to plasma Mou, haran ekithen avgase, ex is exilthen i lipi.

O Women: hearken to the Voice that echoes with Joy. Trampling on Hades, that tyrant, I raised up all from corruption. Run now with hast and tell My Friends Good Tidings as Evangelists. For I Will that My Creatures see Joy distinctly arising from Women, from whom came sorrow!

K O N T A K I O N O F S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T M A R T Y R – T O N E 3

Parthenias kallesi, pepikilmeni Parthene, ke Martion stemmasi, Stefanothisa Irini, emati tou martiriou errantismeni, thavmasi katastrafthisa ton iamaton, evsevos Martis edexo, vraveion Nikis tis sis athliseos.

Being fair adorned before with pure and virginal beauty, Thou became fairer still in Thy brave Contest, O Virgin; for when Thou, in Thine own spilt blood, was stained and reddened, O Irene, Thou overthrew ungodly error. Hence, Thou hast received the Prizes of Thy Good Vict'ry from Thy Creator's right Hand.

T h e A c t s o f t h e H o l y A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 6 : 8 – 7 : 5 & 4 7 – 6 0 The Evangelism & Defence of St Stephen the Protodeacon & Protomartyr

In those days, Stephen, full of Faith and Power, did great Wonders and Signs among the people. Then here arose some from what is called ‘the Synagogue of the Freedmen’ (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

And they were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. And they secretly induced men to say: “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the Elders, and the Scribes; and they went and seized him and took him to the Council.

They also set up false witnesses who said: “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this Holy Place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

And all who sat in the Council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the Face of an Angel. And the High Priest said: “Are these things so?”

And Stephen said: “Brethren and Fathers: Listen: The God of Glory appeared to our Father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and He said to him: ‘Get out of your country, and from your relatives,

6. S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T H O L Y M A R T Y R O F T H E S S A L O N I K A 5 M A Y 2 0 1 4

and go to a land that I will show you.’ And Abraham went out of the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his Father was dead, God moved Abraham to this land in which you now dwell.

“And God gave him no Inheritance in it – not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, God promised to grant it to him for a possession – and to his descendants after him...”

“... but Solomon built God a House. However, the Most High does not dwell in Temples made with hands, as the Prophet says: “’Heaven is My Throne, and Earth is My Footstool. What House will you build for Me?’ says the Lord, or ‘What is the Place of My Rest? Had My Hand not made all these things?’”

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit! As your Fathers did, so do you. Which of the Prophets did your Fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the Coming of the Just One, of Whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the Law by the Direction of the Angels, and have not kept it.”

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth, but he, being Full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into Heaven and beheld the Glory of God – and Jesus at the right Hand of God, and said: “Behold! I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right Hand of God!”

And they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named ‘Saul.’ And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying: “Lord Jesus: receive my spirit!” And Stephen knelt down and cried with a loud voice: “Lord, do not charge them with this sin!” And having said these words, he fell asleep.

“Freedmen” were Hebrews who had formerly been held captive under the Romans – often due to rebellion against the Roman Empire and the ruling authorities.

These charges were brought against St Stephen because in Christ, the Liturgy and the Law of the Old Covenant are fulfilled.

Consequently the Old Covenant Liturgy and Law have been changed and transformed by the Will of God the Father, through God the Son and by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

HEBR EWS 7 : 12 – “... for the Priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the Law.”

However, to those who do not believe in Christ – who have rejected Him as the Incarnate, Eternal, Only Begotten Son of God – our True Lord and Saviour – these True Teachings of St Stephen the Arch Deacon, were blasphemous.

The charge that our Lord Jesus would destroy the Temple was levelled against Him at His Trial by false witnesses.

MATTHEW 26 : 61 : “... two false witnesses came forward and said: ‘This Man said: ‘I Am able to destroy the Temple of God and to build it in three days.’”

The people had misunderstood our Lord Jesus Christ’s Words as recorded by St John in his Holy Gospel. (Read JO H N 2 : 1 9 – 21 )

Some Hebrews believed that the Temple of Jerusalem would be destroyed and a new Temple would then be built by the Great Messiah.

This was a misinterpretation of two of Christ’s Teachings: 1. When He said: “Destroy this Temple, and in three

days I will raise it up,” which was a reference to His own Precious Body’s Death and Resurrection. ( JO H N 2 :1 9)

2 . When He prophesied the actual destruction of the Temple, which was fulfilled in 70 when the Romans destroyed the Great Temple of Jerusalem as a severe retaliation for the Jewish Rebellion. ( LU K E 21: 6 & 20)

St Stephen’s face reflected his Love of God and the Divine Truth he spoke, which was clearly evident to those who looked at him and saw “...his face as the Face of an Angel.”

Those who become one with Christ – who enjoy a close, personal Relationship with our Lord God – reflect a similar Divine Radiance as that which shone from the face of St Stephen as he pronounced the Divine Truth of Christ’s Teachings.

This Divine Radiance is a preview of the Glory that all Faithful Disciples of Christ – True Believers – will share in the Glorious Eternal Age to come.

2 CORI NTH IA NS 3 : 18 : “... we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror, the Glory of the Lord are being Transformed into the same Image from Glory to Glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

The Work of the Holy Spirit bring True Liberty – freeing and enabling us to behold the Glory of God and to have open access to Him.

Being created in the Image of God, we shall see His Uncreated Image – the Son of God Who is the Glory of the Lord – in two ways:

Through Christ’s Deified Humanity (1 C O R IN TH I A NS

13 : 12 & JAM ES 1 : 2 3 – 25) In the Power of the Holy Spirit. As we behold Him, we will become what we were created

to be! God is Infinite – therefore, growing in His Image and Glory

has no limits at all and we shall forever behold God more clearly – being Transformed into His Perfect Likeness.

(Read also EX O DU S 34 : 29 – 35 ) St Stephen did not answer the Old Covenant High Priest

directly but used the charges against him as the context for his Inspired Preaching.

As with St Peter’s Sermon on the Day of Pentecost St Stephen preached our Lord Jesus Christ based on the Old Testament Scripture, showing how the Hebrews consistently missed the True Purpose of God’s dealing with them due to their stubborn, rebellious heart – attitude.

“The Most High does not dwell in Temples made by hands...” does not mean that God is not present in our Holy Temples – our Holy Church – but instead these words indicate that God is not limited or restricted to a specific Place of Worship for the Holy Trinity dwells in every soul that receives - that welcomes - God through Love, Obedience and proper Worship.

Israel resisted the Holy Spirit by neither accepting God’s Plan for them nor receiving His Correction through His Holy Prophets, and the contemporary Hebrew Leaders continued to resist the Holy Spirit in their opposition to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to His Holy Apostles and Disciples who taught His Divine Truth.

St Stephen’s Vision of the Enthroned Christ is seen by his opponents as the ultimate blasphemy, which carried the penalty of being stoned to death.

Saul who was a zealous participant in St Stephen’s Martyrdom, was initially an obsessive persecutor of the first Christians but later he was directly Called by our Resurrected Christ and, by the Grace of God, became His greatest Holy Apostle and greatest Missionary, converting innumerable Gentiles (non-Jews) to Christ throughout the Roman Empire.

Saul became the famous St Paul of Tarsus. Finally, in imitation of our Saviour, St Stephen offered his

soul to God and prayed for the Divine Forgiveness of his enemies and executioners.

This particular Sacred Lesson is read today, on the Feast of St Irene the Great Holy Martyr, to show us their absolute Love of God and complete commitment to His Divine Truth, even if it meant enduring terrible torture of Holy Martyrdom.

They certainly understood that this earthly life is only temporary, and we should use every opportunity to perfect our Eternal Souls through willing Obedience to and unwavering Faith in Almighty God.

S T I R E N E T H E G R E A T H O L Y M A R T Y R O F T H E S S A L O N I K A 5 M A Y 2 0 1 4 7.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 4 : 4 6 – 5 4 O u r L o r d & S a v i o u r , J e s u s C h r i s t , H e a l s a N o b l e m a n ’ s d y i n g s o n

At that time, our Lord Jesus went again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water into Wine. And there was a certain Nobleman whose son, at Capernaum, was sick. And when he heard that Jesus had gone out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to go down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

And Jesus said to him: “Unless you people see Signs and Wonder, you will by no means believe.” And the Nobleman said to Him: “Lord, come down before my son dies!” And Jesus said to him: “Go your way - your son lives.” And the Nobleman believed the Word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

And as he was going down, his servants met him and told him: “Your son lives!” And he enquired of them the hour when he had become well, and they said to him: “Yesterday, at the Seventh Hour, the fever left him.” And the Father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus had said to him: “Your son lives.”

And he himself believed, and his whole household. This, again, is the Second Sign that Jesus did when He had gone out of Judah into Galilee.

The Healing of the Nobleman’s dying son is “the Second Sign” or Great Miracle of Christ that is recorded by St John the Divine Apostle & Theologian in his Holy Gospel.

The First Sign was when our Lord Jesus Christ changed the water into Wine at the Wedding in Cana. ( JO H N 2 :1 – 11)

Having revealed that He can see into the heart and soul of everyone – even from a distance ( as in the case of St Nathanial) - our Lord Jesus – by Healing the Nobleman’s dying son from a distance, thereby revealed the amazing Truth that there are no earthly limitations or obstacles to His Natural Divine Powers, (which again proves His True Identity as the Eternal Word and Son of God the Father.) ( J O H N 1 :4 5 – 48 )

Although there are certain similarities in this account of the Nobleman’s dying son and the Centurion’s seriously ill servant, (although some say it was his child since the Greek word has both meanings) there are crucial differences between the two cases and these are clearly two different Encounters with Christ. (MAT TH E W 8 :5 -13)

Our Lord admonished the people in general and not merely the Nobleman because Faith based on Miracles alone is insufficient for our Eternal Salvation.

Furthermore, such incomplete, weak, insecure and dependent Faith very quickly turns to scorn and doubt when Miracles cease to occur on demand or for the wrong motivation.

The Nobleman’s concern is clearly for his beloved child, even though initially his Faith in Christ was weak for he did not understand that our Lord Jesus Christ is Lord

(Creator) of all Creation so nothing can prevent or block His Divine Will over life and death.

The Nobleman did not realise initially the Divine Power of Christ Who can Heal all ailments no matter how far or wide, how serious or fatal they may be.

However, he had enough Faith in Christ to accept Him at His Word, whereupon he began his return journey home and when his servants met up with him and gave him the Good News of his child’s full recovery, he felt compelled to enquire exactly when his child had improved.

Then, having established the exact timing of the Divine Miracle the Nobleman surrendered his heart and soul to God with much gratitude to and appreciation of Whom Christ truly way – as did his entire household – family members and faithful servants.

Consequently, by Healing the Nobleman’s child, Christ our Saviour also Healed the Eternal Souls of the Father and their entire household.

Such wonderful Divine Miracles should only CONFIRM our belief and Faith in Almighty God, for, as our Lord has repeatedly cautioned us, we should never depend on or trust only in “Signs and Wonders.”

Our Faith should be a total conviction of heart and soul that draws us ever closer and closer to Almighty God and His Divine Truth, compelling us to constantly Struggle against all temptations and evil, so as to follow precisely in the Divine Footsteps of our Most Compassionate and Loving Lord Jesus Christ.

S t I r e n e t h e G r e a t H o l y V i r g i n M a r t y r o f T h e s s a l o n i k i St Irene was born in the city of Magedon, Persia, during

the 4th century – the daughter of a pagan King, Licinios, who named her ‘Penelope.’ From the age of six, Licinios isolated her in a high tower in order to prevent her from being exposed to Christianity, which he obsessively hated.

13 young maidens kept her company and took care of her welfare and an old Tutor, Apellian, was assigned to provide her with the best possible education.

However, Apellian was a secret Christian and during their lessons, he taught the young girl everything he knew concerning our Saviour and His Divine Teachings and Commandments.

When Penelope reached adolescence, her parents began to seek a suitable husband for her, but one day a dove flew through the opened window, carrying an Olive branch in its beak, which it deposited upon a table. Then an eagle swooped in with a wreath of flowers in its strong beak, and also dropped it on the table.

Finally, a raven flew in carrying a snake, which was also dropped onto the table.

Naturally, Penelope was puzzled by these strange events and asked Apellian to explain them to her.

He told her that the dove signified her education, the olive branch symbolised the Divine Grace of Holy Baptism and the eagle with the floral wreath represented success in her future life, while the black raven and snake foretold her future suffering and sorrow.

Apellianos explained to her that our Lord wished to Betroth her to Himself but that she would have to endure much suffering for the sake of her Heavenly Bridegroom.

Having consistently refused to be betrothed to anyone else, Penelope was secretly Baptised by a Priest, Timothy, who named her “Irene” (Peace).

St Irene destroyed all her Father’s pagan idols and even tried to persuade her parents to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, which sent Licinius into an insane rage and made him determined to force her to renounce her Christian Faith.

St Irene was handed over to the King’s executioners who tied her up and threw her under the hooves of stampeding wild horses so that they might trample her to death, but the horses came to a sudden halt and refused to walk over the young Virgin Martyr – and suddenly one of the wild horses charged towards Licinius, seized his right hand in his strong jaws and tore it from his arm, then knocked the shocked King down and began to trample him almost to death.

The executioners quickly untied St Irene and through her intercessory Prayers, her wicked father was restored to full health – including his severed hand – which was witnessed by the amazed multitudes who had been gathered to see what happened to those who rejected the pagan gods.

However, Licinios, his wife and many of the eyewitnesses (approximately 3000 men) believed in Christ and accepted Holy Baptism.

Licinios devoted the rest of his life to the Holy Service of God, while St Irene lived in the house of her aged tutor, Apellian, and taught the pagans about Christ, converting thousands to Life in Christ.

When Sedecios, the new Governor of the city, heard of this Miracle he immediately summoned Apellian and questioned him about St Irene's manner of Life, whereupon Apellian explained that like other Christians, St Irene lived in strict temperance,

. . S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N , E V A N G E L I S T & B E L O V E D A P O S T L E - 8 M A Y 2 0 1 48

devoting herself to constant Prayer and reading Holy Books.

Sedecios then summoned St Irene to him and did his best to urge her to stop preaching about Christ, to renounce her Faith and to make offerings to the pagan idols.

St Irene resolutely and courageously confessed her Faith before the Governor, without any fear of his wrath, for she was utterly prepared to endure suffering for the sake of Christ.

As expected, by order of Sedecios, St Irene was condemned to being tortured to death.

First she was thrown into a pit filled with poisonous vipers, where she spent ten days yet remained unharmed, for an Angel of our Lord protected her and nourished her.

When Sedecios heard that St Irene had not succumbed to the deadly snakes, he ascribed the Miracle to ‘sorcery’ and ordered the executioners to subject St. Irene to many other hideous tortures, but, by the Grace of God, she remained unharmed.

Her preaching of Divine Truth and her miraculous survival caused many more pagans to renounce their lifeless, man-made idols and turn to the One True, Living, Loving and Almighty God.

Sedecios was eventually deposed by his son, Savoros, who persecuted Christians with an even greater obsession than his Father had done.

St Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Savoros and his army - to beseech him to end the unjustifiable, merciless persecution but when he refused to do so, St Irene prayed to God to Enlighten him and his army.

Suddenly they all became blind, and when St Irene fervently prayed to God to Heal them, their sight was immediately restored.

In spite of this most obvious Revelation of God’s Divine Power and Truth, Savoros stubbornly rejected it and due to his blatant insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning.

Afterwards, St Irene entered the city of her birth where she remained for a while, teaching and preaching by the Grace of God – with many Miracles occurring.

She returned to the tower built by her Father, accompanied by the Priest, Timothy, who had Baptised her.

During her sojourn in Magedon, she converted over 5000 souls to Christ.

Next, St Irene went to the city of Kallinikos (on the Euphrates River in Syria).

The Ruler was King Numerian, the son of Sebastian. After St Irene had began to teach about our Lord and

Saviour, Jesus Christ, she was arrested and subjected to brutal torture on the order of the pagan authorities.

The executioners squeezed her into a torture device – the three bronze oxen – which were heated by fire – each being hotter than the previous one - into which St Irene was forced to go from one to another, but, as before, by the Divine Will and Grace of God, the Holy Virgin Martyr miraculously remained

uninjured, which again caused thousands of eyewitnesses to embrace Christianity.

Sensing the approach of death, Numerian instructed his Eparch, Babdonos, to continue torturing the Saint in order to force her to make offerings to the pagan idols but each time their unspeakably cruel tortures could not force St Irene to surrender to them by renouncing her unshakable Faith in Christ.

Furthermore, the gathered multitudes were so amazed by what they witnessed, thousands of them accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

St Irene finally travelled to the city of Constantina, forty miles northeast of Edessa.

By 330, the Persian King, Sapor II (309-379), had heard of St Irene's Great Miracles – so in order to prevent her from winning more people to Christ, she was soon arrested, beheaded, and then buried.

However, God sent His Holy Angel to raise her up again, and she went into the city of Mesembria.

After seeing St Irene alive and hearing her preach the Divine Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the local King together with many of his subjects accepted Holy Baptism and a Life in Christ.

Wishing to convert even more pagans to Christianity, St. Irene went to Ephesos, where she taught the people and performed many Miracles.

One day our Lord revealed to St Iren that the end of her lifespan was approaching.

So St Irene left the city, accompanied by six people, including her former teacher, Apellian.

On the outskirts of the town, she found a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried, and, after making the Sign of the Cross, she entered the tomb and requested her companions to close the entrance with a large stone.

Four days later, the Faithful Christians returned to the tomb and removed the large rock that had sealed the entrance but they did not find the body of the St Irene there.

Apellian, the aged teacher, had returned to the tomb after only two days, and had found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.

Thus did God Glorify His Faithful Virgin Martyr, St Irene, who Loved Him without reservation and who had devoted her entire life to serving Him faithfully in body and soul.

Although many of these Divine Miracles may seem improbable to those who are skeptical, nothing is impossible with God.

St Irene led thousands of people to Christ through her sincere, Inspired and truthful preaching, and by her good example of her Life in Christ.

The Holy Church continues to honour her memory and to seek her Heavenly Intercession.

The Holy, Glorious and Great Virgin Martyr, St Irene, is invoked by those wishing for a good and happy marriage.

In Greece, St Irene is the Patron Saint of Policemen. By her Holy Prayers, may the Lord our God have mercy

upon us and save us.

http://orthodoxwiki.org/irene_of_thessaloniki

F a t h e r G e o r g e C a l c i u O n H o n o u r i n g t h e H o l y M a r t y r s

In the Orthodox Church, the Saints and Martyrs occupy a remarkable place, being of inestimable help for us in Prayer and in our Supplications to God.

In certain difficult moments all those who pray and ask for the help of the Saints, know that their request will never go unanswered.

There exists the corresponding Tradition whereby the Saint whose name we bear protects us, while the Holy Martyrs who fought for a certain cause help us in our own personal battles - and to defend the Holy Church of Christ and our True Faith.

In these difficult times, when dark forces war against us so as to divide us and lead us astray, it is vital

to rediscover and to beseech all those Saints and Martyrs to Intercede with God on our behalf - those who took up their Cross and stood firm before the enemy, confessing Christ and fighting for our Faith and Liberty.

Just as the early Church transmitted Martyrology from generation to generation and left the ages inscribed with the blood of those who sacrificed themselves for Christ, we, too, have a Sacred Duty to always remember and to honour all those who fought so bravely against heresy and against the evil one who never ceases to tempt or to lead into destruction the bodies and souls of the Faithful Disciples of Christ.

S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N , E V A N G E L I S T & B E L O V E D A P O S T L E - 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 9


8 M a y 2 0 1 4 S t J o h n t h e D i v i n e

T h e o l o g i a n , E v a n g e l i s t

& B e l o v e d A p o s t l e o f C h r i s t

A L S O T HE F E A S T OF S T A R S E N IOS T HE GR E A T OF RO M E – ST A R S E N S IOS T HE L O V E R O F L A B OU R & ST P I ME N T HE A S CE T IC O F K I E V F A R C A V E S MO N A S T E R Y – S T TA M A R A , H O LY QUE E N OF GE OR G IA




A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T J O S E P H O F A R I M A T H E A

O evshimon Iosif, apo tou xilou kathelon, to ahranton Sou Soma, sindoni kathara, ilisas ke aromasin, en mnimati keno, kidevsas apetheto; alla trimeros anestis Kyrie, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!



Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton Adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste, O Theos imon, Doxa Si!

When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal, Thou slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. When also Thou raised up the dead from the subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!

A P O L Y T I K I O N – T H E H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S

Tes Myroforis Ginexi, para to Mnima epistas, O Angelos evoa: To Myra tis thnitis iparhi armodia, Hristos de diafthoras edihthi allotrios; alla kravgasate: Anesti O Kyrios, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!

The Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the Myrrh-bearing Women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has been shown to be a stranger to corruption. But cry aloud: The Lord has Risen, granting the world His Great Mercy!

A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T J O H N T H E D I V I N E T H E O L O G I A N & A P O S T L E O F C H R I S T

Apostole Hristo to Theo igapimene, epitahinon, rise laon anapologiton. Dehete se prospiptonta, O epipesonta to stithi katadexamenos. On iketeve, Theologe, ke epimonon nefos ethnon diaskedase, etoumenos imin irinin, ke to Mega Eleos.

O Apostle, Speaker of Divinity, the Beloved of Christ God, hasten and deliver Thy people powerless in argument; for He on Whose Bosom Thou leant accepts Thee as an Intercessor. Beseech Him, on our behalf for Peace and His Great Mercy.

K O N T A K I O N – H O L Y M Y R R H - B E A R E R S – T O N E 2

To Here tis Myroforis fthengxamenos, ton thrinon tis promitoros Evas katepafsas, ti Anastasi Sou Hriste O theos. Tis Apostolis de tis sis kirittin epetaxas. OSOTIR EXANESTI TOU MNIMATOS!

In saying: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearers, Thou allayed the lament of the First Mother, Eve, at Thy Resurrection, O Christ our God. And Thou ordered Thy Apostles to proclaim: “THE SAVIOUR HAS RISEN

FROM THE TOMB!”

R e s u r r e c t i o i n G o s p e l 1 1 : J o h n 2 1 : 1 4 - 2 5 O U R L O R D J E S U S R E S T O R E S A N D C O M M I S S I O N S S T P E T E R

Touto ide triton efanerothi O Iisous tis Mathites Aftou egerthis ek nekron, ote oun iristisan legi to Simoni Petro O IIisous:”Simon Iona Agapas Me plion touto?”

Legi afto: “Ne Kyrie, Si idas oti filo Se.”

Legi Afto: “Voske ta Arnia Mou.”

Legi Afto palin defteron: “Simon Iona, Agapas Me? “

Legi afto: “Ne Kyrie, Si idas oti filo Se.”

The third time our Lord Jesus revealed Himself to His Disciples after He had Risen from the dead, when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter:“Simon, son of Jonah, do you Love Me more than these?”

He said to Him: “Yes, Lord, Thou know that I loveThee.”

He said to him: “Feed My Lambs.”

He said to him again a second time: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you Love Me?”

He said to Him:, “Yes Lord; Thou know that I loveThee.”

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Legi afto: “Pimene ta Provata Mou.”

Legi afto to triton: “Simon Iona, filis Me?”

Elipithi O Petros oti ipen Afto to triton: “Filis Me?”

Ke ipen Afto: “Kyrie, Si panta idas Si ginoskis oti filo Se.”

Legi afto O Isous: “Voske ta Provata Mou.

“Amin, amin, lego si: ote is neoteros ezonies ke periepatis opou itheles; otan the girasis, ektenis tas hiras sou, ke alos se zosi, ke isi opou ou thelis.”

Touto de ipe simenon pio thanato Doxasi ton Theon.

Ke touto ipon legi Afto: “Akolouthi Mi!”

Epistrafis de O Petros vlepi ton Mathitin on Igapa O IIisous akolouthounta, ( os ke anepesen en to dipno epi to Stithos Aftou ke ipe: “Kyrie, tis estin O paradidous Se?”)

Touton idon O Petros legi to Iisou: “Kyrie, outos de ti?”

Legi afto O IIisous: “Ean afto thelo menin eos erhome, ti pros se? Si akolouthi Mi!”

Exilthen oun O logos outos is tous Adelfous oti O Mathitis ekinos ouk apothniski.

Ke ouk ipen afto O IIisous oti ouk apothniski, al ean afton: Thelo minin eos erhome, ti pros se?

Outos estin O Mathitis O martiron peri touton ke grapsas tafta; ke idamen oti Alithis estin i Martiria aftou.

Esti de ke alla polla osa epiisen O Iisous, atina ean grafite kath’ en, oude afton ime ton kosmon horise ta grafomena vivlia.

Amin

He said to him: “Tend My sheep.”

He said to him the third time: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved because He asked him a third time: “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, Thou know all things; Thou know that I love Thee.”

Jesus said to him:, “Feed My sheep.

“Truly, truly, I say to you: when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.”

This He spoke, signifying by what death he would Glorify God.

And when He had spoken this, He said to him: “Follow Me!”

Then Peter, turning around, saw the Disciple whom Jesus Loved following, (who also had leaned on His Breast at the Supper and asked: “Lord, who is the one who betrays Thee?”)

Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what about this man?”

Jesus said to him: “If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

Then this saying went out among the Brethren that this Disciple would not die.

Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

This is the Disciple who testifies to these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his Testimony is True.

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Amen

P r o k e i m e n o n – P s a l m 1 8 – T o n e 4His Vo i ce i s g one out i n to a l l t he ea r th .

The H eave ns d ec la re t he G lo ry o f God

T h e F i r s t U n i v e r s a l E p i s t l e o f S t J o h n t h e D i v i n e 1 : 1 – 7 T H E I N C A R N A T I O N O F T H E W O R D & S O N O F G O D

Brethren, that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have looked upon, and with our hands have touched, concerning the Word of Life – the Life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that Eternal Life that was with the Father and which was manifested to us – that which we have seen and heard, we declare to you, so that you also may have Fellowship with us; and truly, our Fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

And these things we write to you so that your Joy may be full. This is the Message that we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have Fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practise the Truth. But if we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have Fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Contrary to heretics who claim communion directly with God through “spiritual” (non-material) means, ST JOHN THE DIVINE

THEOLOGIAN AND BELOVED APOSTLE OF CHRIST TAUGHT US

COMMUNION WITH GOD THROUGH HIS INCARNATE SON –ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST – the Body and Blood of Christ – where the physicality of Christ is repulsive to the heretics.

The term “we” is a reference to THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST

WHOSE TESTIMONY IS TRUE – unlike that of the false apostles. WHILE ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN MADE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN

DIVINE REVELATION (“...which was from the beginning... the Word of Life...” AND HUMAN SENSORY PERCEPTION (“... heard... seen... looked upon... touched...”), HE HAD NO PROBLEM

CONNECTING THEM. NOTE ST JOHN’S CLARITY OF TEACHING WITH REGARD TO CHRIST’S TWO

NATURES: DIVINE “... from the beginning... the Word of Life...” AND HUMAN: “... heard... seen... touched.”

When St John mentioned “... which was from the beginning...” he touched upon THE GENERATION WITHOUT

BEGINNING OF GOD THE SON WHO IS CO-EXISTENT WITH GOD THE FATHER.

“Was” therefore, indicates ETERNITY WITHOUT BEGINNING, JUST AS

GOD THE WORD HIMSELF, THE SON OF GOD, BEING ONE WITH GOD THE FATHER IN REGARD TO EQUALITY OF SUBSTANCE, IS ETERNAL

AND UNCREATED. That THE WORD AND SON OF GOD ALWAYS EXISTED is signified by the

words: “In the beginning was the Word...”c THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS REVEALED IN HIS LIFE

ON EARTH – ESPECIALLY THROUGH HIS DIVINE TEACHING AND MIRACLES.

“Koinonia” is FAR MORE THAT SIMPLY FELLOWSHIP. IT IS OUR PERSONAL

PARTICIPATION WITH OTHER BELIEVERS IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST. (WE LIVE IN CHRIST.)

“Fellowship with us,” refers to COMMUNION – ESPECIALLY

EUCHARISTIC COMMUNION – WITHIN THE HOLY, APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF CHRIST.

IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE TO ST JOHN THE DIVINE THAT THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST COULD NOT BE ONE AND UNITED OR THAT FELLOWSHIP

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COULD NOT BE FOUNDED UPON HOLY DOCTRINE – THE

THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATION OF “... WITH THE FATHER AND WITH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST...” AND ON THE HOLY MYSTERIES/SACRAMENTS

– THE LITURGICAL IMPLICATION OF KOINONIA. For St John the Divine Theologian, LIGHT IS DIVINE ENERGY

MANIFESTED OR REVEALED AS TRUTH – GOD’S TRUTH – TRUE DOCTRINE/TEACHING, VIRTUE AND HOLINESS – TRUE BEHAVIOUR –AND COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS HOLY CHURCH – TRUE SPIRITUALITY.

c THE STRONGEST OF ALL WEAPONS AGAINST SPIRITUAL DARKNESS IS

OUR LOVE FOR GOD – A STRONG, VIBRANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

St John addressed three false gnostic teachings on Light. Their intertwined errors are that : 1. Union with God is indifferent to sin!

THE TRUTH IS THAT FAITH MUST BE EVIDENCED BY GOOD WORKS – FAITH MUST PRODUCE PURITY - “PRACTISE THE TRUTH” – WHERE TRUTH IS A

RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD MANIFESTED IN A HOLY AND

RIGHTEOUS LIFE IN CHRIST. AND FAITH MUST SEEK FORGIVENESS AND

CLEANSING OF SIN – “... the Blood of Jesus Christ... Cleanses us from all sin.” 2. Sin does not exist!

THE TRUTH IS THAT SIN DOES MOST CERTAINLY EXIST, AND THE PRACTISE OF

REPENTANCE-CONFESSION IS THE ESTABLISHED BASIS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS

3. One in union with God cannot sin! The Truth is THAT ALTHOUGH WE CONTINUALLY SIN TO A GREATER OR

LESSER DEGREE, WE SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESIST TEMPTATION AND STRIVE CONSTANTLY TO REPENT THE SINS WE

COMMIT.SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS, in part towards

Theosis – i.e REGAINING OUR LIKENESS TO GOD IN WHOSE IMAGE

AND LIKENESS WE WERE CREATED – meaning that we DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH THAT RESISTS TEMPTATIONS.

THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE IS TO REGAIN - TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY - OUR LIKENESS TO GOD SO THAT WE ARE FITTING CITIZENS FOR HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l o f S t J o h n 1 9 : 2 5 - 2 8 & 2 1 : 2 4 - 2 5 T H E C A R E O F T H E E V E R B L E S S E D T H E O T O K O S & C O N F I R M A T I O N O F T H E T R U T H O F S T J O H N ’ S H O L Y

G O S P E L

At that time there stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus therefore saw His Mother, and the Disciple whom He Loved standing by, He said to His Mother: “Woman: behold thy son!” Then He said to the Disciple: “Behold, thy Mother!” And from that hour that Disciple took her to his own home.

After this, Jesus – knowing that all things are now accomplished – that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: “I thirst!”

...This is the Disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is True. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Amen.

In this passage, which is read on the Feast of St John the Divine Theologian and Apostle of Christ, SEVERAL IMPORTANT

TRUTHS CONCERNING THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS – THE EVER VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, MARY – ARE EVIDENT:

c By calling the Ever Blessed Theotokos “Woman,” OUR LORD USED A TERM OF DIGNITY AND AFFECTION. Contrary to certain modern usages, this is a Sacred Title in Holy Scripture. It is an address conveying deep respect and distinction.

c By saying to St John, His Beloved Apostle: “Behold thy Mother!” OUR LORD SYMBOLICALLY ESTABLISHED THE ALL PURE VIRGIN MARY’S ROLE AS MOTHER OF ALL FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF

CHRIST IN EVERY GENERATION. c IF OUR EVER BLESSED LADY HAD HAD OTHER NATURAL CHILDREN,

CHRIST WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PLACE HER IN THE CARE OF ST JOHN AND HIS FAMILY – their close and most trusted relatives.

He would not have insulted other siblings. However, the “sons” and “daughters” who are mentioned in

conjunction with the Blessed Virgin are in fact her cousins – the children of her late aunt Salome (sister of St Anna) and her legal guardian, St Joseph the Betrothed.

WHEN THE TEMPLE PRIESTS PLACED THE YOUNG, PUBESCENT MARY INTO

THE PROTECTIVE GUARDIANSHIP OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED, HE WAS IN HIS LATE EIGHTIES AND WAS A MOST RIGHTEOUS MAN WHOM

THE PRIESTS KNEW COULD BE TRUSTED TO PROTECT THE CHASTITY OF THE YOUNG MAIDEN AND HER FELLOW VIRGIN COMPANIONS.

SHE HAD TAKEN A VOW OF CHASTITY FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD and because VOWS WERE SO SACRED AND COULD NOT BE BROKEN, God chose her elderly uncle to protect her and take care of her since her own family had long since passed away.

SHE IS OBLIQUELY REFERRED TO IN THE HOLY GOSPELS AS BEING “THE

MOTHER OF JOSES” OR JAMES, OR JUDE, etc. The children of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife,

Salome, were St James the Just (Adelphotheos), Jude, Joses, St Salome, (mother of St John the Divine Theologian and Apostle and St James (the Lesser) and Holy Myrrh-bearer) and another daughter whose name is uncertified.

So, until her repose in Peace, several years later, the Ever Blessed Theotokos lived with her cousin, Salome, and her family.

THE APOSTOLIC TEACHING THAT THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN THEOTOKOS MAINTAINED HER VOW OF CELIBACY THROUGHOUT HER LIFE IS

CONFIRMED BY CHRIST’S ACTION. c CHRIST DEMONSTRATED BY HIS OWN EXAMPLE THAT WE MUST

“...EVEN TO OUR LAST BREATHE...” SHOW EVERY CARE FOR OUR PARENTS.

In those days, and even in certain cultures to this day, when a woman was no longer protected by a male relative, all her possessions were taken from her and she would be cast out, homeless, destitute and at the mercy of everyone else.

Christ’s Compassion for these women was clearly evident when He resurrected the Widow of Nain’s son.

ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN AND APOSTLE OF CHRIST HAD ALSO TAKEN A VOW OF CELIBACY AND REMAINED CELIBATE HIS ENTIRE LIFE,HAVING DEVOTED HIMSELF ENTIRELY TO THE HOLY SERVICE OF GOD.

He was the only Holy Apostle of Christ to eventually repose peacefully – over 100 years of age, while the others had all suffered Holy Martyrdom.

S t J o h n t h e T h e o l o g i a n , A p o s t l e & E v a n g e l i s t St John was the son of St Salome and Zebedee, who was

a Fisherman of Galilee and who employed several other Fishermen.

Zebedee was a respected member of the Hebrew Community and was related to the High Priest.

St Salome was one of the daughters of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife, Salome, and therefore the cousin and step-daughter of the Ever Blessed Theotokos, according to Hebrew Law.

St John was initially a Disciple of St John the Baptist and he had listened intently to his witness of Christ as the “Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.”

Together with St Andrew the First Called Apostle of Christ, St John became a steadfast Disciples of our Lord, and

he and St James, his brother, were Called by Christ Himself, after a successful catch of fish in the Sea of Galilee.

Together with St Peter and St James, St John had a close Relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ - being eye-witnesses to the most important, heart-breaking and triumphant Events of His earthly Life.

At the Last Supper, St John reclined against the bosom of our Lord, which clearly demonstrated their close, comfortable Relationship with each other. (The term “Bosom Friend” comes from this demonstration of Brotherly Love.)

Furthermore, being a close relative of our Lady Theotokos and our Lord Jesus Christ, St John knew them both

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since his early childhood, which also explains why Christ later bestowed the great honour of the Protection and care of His Beloved, All Pure Mother to St John.

St John was profoundly devoted to God and possessed sincere Love, Humility and Obedience, as well as other significant Virtues.

He Loved our Lord so zealously that he was filled with indignation at those who were hostile to Him or who rejected Him and His Divine Truth.

While they travelled through Samaria, St John prohibited those who did not walk with Christ to cast out demons in the Divine Name of our Lord, and he even asked our Saviour to consume with Fire certain residents of a Samaritan town for rejecting Him. (Mark 9:38 & Luke 9 : 54)

Consequently, St John and St James, his brother, were nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” by our Lord.

Being as yet Unenlightened with Divine Grace by the Holy Spirit, and compelled and encouraged by his Love of our Lord Jesus, St John dared to request a place close to our Lord in His Eternal Kingdom, for himself and his brother, St James.

After explaining to them that it was not up to Him to decide who received positions of honour in the Heavenly Kingdom, our Lord then told His Apostles of their impending persecution and Martyrdom, which they would all have to endure for being His Faithful Disciples.

After our Lord’s Resurrection, St John often accompanied St Peter, together with whom he is considered a Pillar of the Holy Church of Christ, and with whom he often travelled to Jerusalem.

St John continued to take great care of the Holy Virgin Theotokos, as Her most devoted son, and only after Her Dormition did he begin to preach in other lands.

During St John’s Holy Ministry, he uniquely chose for himself a specific Province and directed all his energy towards the eradication of paganism by means of teaching and preaching Christ’s Divine Truth to all who were willing to hear.

As a result of his concerted efforts, St John founded seven Church in Asia Minor – in Ephesos, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Loadicia.

St John - the Beloved Apostle of Christ – served as the leading Christian authority in Ephesos for most of his public Ministry – and there, assisted by his faithful Disciple, St Prochoros, he wrote his Holy Gospel.

During the reign of Emperor Domitian (81-96), St John – as the sole surviving Holy Apostle of Christ - was summoned to Rome and by the Decree of this obsessive persecutor of the Holy Church he was thrown into boiling oil, but the Divine Power of God Saved him unscathed – just as He had Saved the Three Holy Youths from their fiery furnace so many centuries before.

When the Emperor realised that St John had Divine Protection (which he certainly did not want to accept or understand) and in order to prevent the masses from converting wholesale to Christianity when they realised the Almighty Power of the One True God, St John was exiled to the desert island of Patmos where he wrote the Apocalypse or the Book of the Revelation (of Christ).

After the death of Emperor Domitian, St John returned to Ephesos, and the Bishops and Priests of the Ephesian Church showed him three Holy Gospels that had been written by St Matthew, St Mark and St Luke.

Having approved these Holy Gospels, St John deemed it necessary to supplement that which was lacking and which he knew well, being the last of the first hand eye witnesses to the Life of Christ on earth.

This was of extreme importance since towards the end of the first century several active Gnostic sects had developed, which abased and even denied the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is truly the Incarnate, Eternal, Only Begotten Word and Son of God the Father.

Thus it was imperative to protect the Faithful Disciples of Christ from those false, heretical and blasphemous teachings and ideas.

In his Holy Gospel, St John explains our Saviour’s Sermons that He delivered while in Judea, many of which were directed at the learned Scribes - and because they were more difficult to understand, they had been excluded from the first three Holy Gospels of the Apostles, which were designated for the newly converted Gentiles or pagans.

Before beginning to write His Holy Gospel, St John designated a Fasting Period in the Church of Ephesos and withdrew with his Disciple, St Prochoros to the mountain cave where he then wrote his Holy Gospel.

From ancient times the Holy Gospel according to St John were Divinely Inspired, Guided and “Spirit Filled.”

In comparison with the other three Holy Gospels, St John’s Gospel contains more of the Sermons of our Lord concerning the deepest Truths of Faith – the Holy Trinity, the Glory of God – Christ’s Incarnation, Life and Works – the Spiritual, Theological Dimension, the Sacramental Dimension, the Church, the Paschal Theme and the Redemption of the world.

From the first words, St John elevates our thoughts to the heights of the Divine Emanation of the Son of God the Father: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...” (JOHN 1:1)

St John explained the aim of his Holy Gospel: “... these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, you might have Life through His Name.” (JOHN 20:31)

Besides the Holy Gospel and the Apocalypse, St John also wrote three Epistles, which were incorporated into the Books of the New Testament as “Ecumenical (Universal) Epistles,” the main concern being that as Christians – as Faithful Disciples of Christ – we must learn to Love (unconditionally) “Beloved: let us Love one another, for Love is of God; and everyone who Loves is Born of God, and knows God. He who does not Love does not know God; for God is Love.” (1 JOHN 4 : 7 – 8)

During the last years of his life St John preached only one precept: “Children, Love one another!” And when his Disciples asked: "Why do you repeat yourself?" St John replied: "This is the most important Commandment. If you will fulfil it, then you will fulfil all of Christ's Commandments."

This Love would turn into a fiery fervour when St John met false-prophets who corrupted the Faithful and deprived them of Eternal Salvation.

In a public building he saw the false prophet, Cerinthos, who denied the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and he said to his Disciple: "Let us depart quickly - I fear this building might collapse around us!"

St John finally Reposed naturally – circa 105 years of age – being the only Apostle to do so (during the reign of Emperor Trajan.)

The circumstances of St John’s Repose were unusual and even puzzling, for at his own insistence, he was buried alive!

The following day, when his undisturbed grave was reopened, the body of St John was no longer there.

This Event affirmed the belief of some Christians that St John would not die but would live until the Second Coming/Reappearance of Christ - and that he will unmask the Antichrist.

The words of our Saviour just before his Ascension caused some people to erroneously surmise this, for when St Peter asked Christ about St John: “..., And what about this man? “ our Lord replied: “If I will that he remain until I come (the second time), what is that to you? You, follow Me!”

St John mentioned this in his Gospel, concluding: “...Then went this saying out among the brethren, that this Disciple should not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “...if I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (JOHN 21:22-23).

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G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SP IR IT , NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. REMEMBER ING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY,MARIA, THEOTOKOS, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SA INTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

11 May 2014 Tone 3

4 t h S u n d a y o f H o l y P a s c h a S u n d a y o f t h e P a r a l y t i c o f B e t h e s d a

A L S O T HE F E A S T O F T HE C O M ME MO R A T I ON O F T HE FO U N D IN G O F C O N S T A N T IN O P L E I N 402 – ST MO K I O S T HE P R E S B Y T E R O F A MP H IP OL I S , MA CE D ON IA – S T C Y R I L

& ST ME T H O D I O S OF T HE S S A LO N I KA , E Q U A LS T O T HE A P OS T L E S & E N L IG HT E N E R S O F T HE S L A V S – S T S O P HR O N I OS T HE RE CL US E O F K I E V FA R C A V E S MO N A S T E R Y – S T J O S E P H T HE ME T R O P O L I T A N & H IE R O M A R T Y R O F A S T R A K HA N – ST N I K O D E M OS O F SE R B I A &I G UME N O F H I L A N D A R M O N A S T E R Y , MO U N T A T H OS – S T R O S T I S L A V , P R IN CE O F GR E A T MO R A V I A – S T D I O S KO R O S T HE NE W HO LY MA R T Y R – S T A R G Y R O S T HE NE W HO L Y MA R T Y R – S T C HR I S T O P HE R O F GE OR G IA





Evfrenestho ta Ourania, agaliastho ta epigia, oti epiise Kratos en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanato ton Thanaton.Prototokos ton nekron egeneto. Ek kilias Adou errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to Mega Eleos.

Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has trampled down Death by Death; He has become the First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He has delivered us, and to the world He has granted Great Mercy.

P A S C H A L K O N T A K I O N – T O N E ( 8 ) P L A G A L 4

I ke en Tafo katilthes, Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Dinamin. Ke anestis os Nikitis, Hriste O Theos, ginexi Myroforis fthegxamenos Herete, ke tis Sis Aposlis irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.

Although Thou went down into the Tomb, O Immortal One, Thou brought down the dominion of Hades; and Thou rose as Victor, O Christ our God; and Thou called out: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrh-Bearing Women, and granted Peace to Thine Apostle, O Lord, Who to the Fallen grant Resurrection.

F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N O F S U N D A Y O F T H E P A R A L Y T I C – T O N E 3

Tin psihin mou Kyrie, en amarties panties, ke atomis praxesi, dinos paralelimenin, egiron ti theiki sou epistasia, osper ke ton Paraliton igiras pale, ina krazo

sesosmenos: > Iktirmon Doxa, Hriste, to krati Sou.

I have sinned in every way, I have improperly acted; therefore with paralysis my soul is woefully stricken. Raise it up, O Lord, through Tine own Divine Attention, even as of old Thou raised up the Paralytic, so that Save, I may cry: > Glory to Thy Dominion, O my Compassionate Christ!

R e s u r r e c t i o n G o s p e l 5 : L u k e 2 4 : 1 2 – 3 5 O U R R I S E N L O R D J E S U S A P P E A R S A L O N G T H E R O A D T O E M M A U S

P r o k e i m e n o n Sing P ra i s es to ou r God ! S ing P ra i ses to o ur K ing !

Clap yo ur hands , a l l y ou r Na t io ns !

T h e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 9 : 3 2 – 4 2 S T P E T E R I N G E N T I L E J U D E A

Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also went down to the Saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man names Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralysed. And Peter said to him: “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ Heals you. Arise, and make you bed.” And he arose immediately.

And all who dwelt in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. At Joppa there was a certain Disciple, named Tabitha, which is translated “Dorcas.” This woman was full of Good

Works and Charitable Deeds, which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the Disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them.

When he arrived, they took him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him, weeping, showing the tunics and garments that Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down, and prayed. And turning to the body, he said: “Tabitha, arise!” and she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the Saints and widows, he presented her alive.

And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

14 . 4 T H S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – T H E P A R A L Y T I C O F B E T H E S D A 1 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4

Lydda is approximately 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem and Sharon was a region north of Lydda along the Mediterranean coastline.

THE TERM “SAINTS” REFERRED TO ALL CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS, for all who believe in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ with their whole heart AND WHO ARE SANCTIFIED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE BY DEFINITION “SAINTS.”

The later use of the term, referring to Holy People who lived particularly exemplary lives and who have been Canonised (Glorified) by the Holy Church of Christ does not negate this primary meaning.

St Peter was able to completely heal the paralysed Aeneas BY INVOKING THE AMAZING DIVINE HEALING POWER OF OUR LORD

THROUGH HIS HOLY NAME, WHICH CONTINUES IN CHRIST’S HOLY

CHURCH TO THIS VERY DAY.The Divine Signs or Miracles of the Holy Apostles of Christ

convinced many witnesses and others who then turned to the Lord.

THESE DIVINE SIGNS OR MIRACLES PROVE THE GREAT MERCY AND POWER

OF ALMIGHTY GOD – THUS CONFIRMING CHRIST’S HOLY GOSPEL AND LEADING MANY SOULS TO SINCERE REPENTANCE AND ETERNAL

LIFE IN CHRIST. St Peter’s raising St Tabitha from the dead parallels Christ’s

raising the daughter of the Synagogue Ruler, Jairus, from death.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 5 : 1 – 1 5 C H R I S T O U R L O R D & SA V I O U R H E A L S T H E P A R A L Y S E D M A N A T B E T H E S D A , T H E SH E E P G A T E P O O L

At that time there was a Feast of the Hebrews, and our Lord Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, a pool, which is called in Hebrew: ‘Bethesda,’ having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people: blind, lame and paralysed – waiting for the moving of the water. For an Angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then, whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition for a long time, He said to him: “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him: “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am going, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him: “Rise. Take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

The Hebrews, therefore, said to him who was cured: “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them: “He Who made me well said to me: ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they asked him: “Who is the Man Who said to you: ‘Take up your bed and walk?’” But the one who was healed did not know Who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn – a multitude being in that place.

Afterwards Jesus found him in the Temple and said to him: “Behold: you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”

The man departed and told the Hebrews that it was Jesus Who had made him well.

This Divine Healing was the Third Sign or Miracle that St John the Divine Apostle recorded in his Holy Gospel.

] IT EXEMPLIFIES THE DIVINE POWER OF CHRIST OUR LORD TO

RESTORE A PERSON TO WHOLENESS – TO FULL HEALTH,DESPI TE THE DEGREE OF AFFLICTION.

The Feast, which is referred to, was the Old Covenant Pentecost – also known as “the Feast of Weeks,” which celebrates the granting of the Divine Law – the Ten Commandments of God – to St Moses on Mount Sinai. (THE REFERENCES TO THE LAW OF MOSES LATER IN THIS CHAPTER CONFIRM THIS INTERPRETATION OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS..)

The double-basin Pool of Bethesda, which was believed to have had miraculous curative powers, has been re-discovered about 100 yards North of the Temple area, near to the Sheep Gate.

The water for this high-ground pool came from underground springs and was used to wash the SACRIFICIAL LAMBS before they WERE SLAUGHTERED AS BLOOD OFFERINGS FOR THE

ATONEMENT AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS ACCORDING TO THE OLD COVENANT LAW.

] THE POOL OF BETHESDA FUNCTIONED AS A TYPE OF HOLY BAPTISM: ä UNDER THE OLD COVENANT, ALTHOUGH A GREAT MULTITUDE

WAITED to enter the water for physical healing after an Angel of God had touched it and stirred it up, ONLY ONE PERSON WAS HEALED AT A TIME.

The water was special because IN AN INDIRECT MANNER IT

WAS PART OF THE BLOOD SACRIFICES of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, since the sacrificial animals were cleansed in the water. ä However, DIVINE GRACE WAS LIMITED TO THE FIRST PERSON

WHO ENTERED THE WATER – BUT NOT TO THE REST.] GOD’S NEW COVENANT BAPTISM IS GRANTED TO ALL NATIONS AS A

DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN CHRIST’S OWN SACRIFICIAL DEATH –WITHOUT THE MEDIATION OF HIS ANGELS.

ä Holy Baptism of the New (Bloodless) Covenant GRANTS

US ALL HEALING OF THE BODY AND OF THE

IMMORTAL SOUL,ä AS WELL AS THE DIVINE PROMISE OF ETERNAL

RESURRECTION OF THE BODY. Furthermore, DIVINE GRACE OF THE NEW COVENANT IS

INEXHAUSTIBLE AND IS OFFERED TO ALL WHO SEEK IT.] According to St John Chrysostom, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

SINGLED OUT THE MAN WHO HAD SUFFERED FOR THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS – PATIENTLY WAITING TO BE HEALED – IN ORDER TO TEACH US TO PERSEVERE AND TO HAVE

PATIENCE, WHILE BEING A JUDGEMENT OR CONDEMNATION AGAINST THOSE WHO LOSE HOPE OR

PATIENCE ALTOGETHER – THOSE WHO DESPAIR – WHO

LOSE ALL HOPE AND FAITH IN GOD’S DIVINE PROVIDENCE because their circumstances are not according to their own will and desires – and especially when we have only minor problems that can be easily resolved if we make an effort to do so.

] GOD DOES EVERYTHING IN HIS OWN TIME AND ACCORDING TO HIS OWN DIVINE WILL BECAUSE ONLY HE KNOWS

WHAT IS BEST FOR US AND HOW TO HELP US. WE USUALLY HAVE TO CORRECT SOMETHING TO DO WITH OUR OWN

PERSONAL SPIRITUAL CONDITION BEFORE WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE OR EXPERIENCE GOD’S DIVINE GRACE AND MERCY:

WE NEED TO REPENT OUR SINS, TO HUMBLE OURSELVES, TO LEARN OBEDIENCE TO GOD, TO FORGIVE OTHERS, TO DO UNSELFISH AND LOVING (CHARITABLE) ACTS OF MERCY WITHOUT EXCEPTION, LEARN TO BE PATIENT, KIND, GENTLE, GENEROUS, DEVELOP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND TO FULFIL ALL OUR SACRED DUTIES AND COMMITMENTS WITH WILLING AND EAGER HEARTS.

] ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM STRANGE THAT OUR LORD ASKED THE PARALYSED MAN IF HE WANTED TO BE HEALED, IT WAS A

MOST RELEVANT QUESTION FOR SEVERAL REASONS: ä It made public the fact that THE SICK MAN KEPT HIS

FAITH EVEN IN A SITUATION THAT WAS SEEMINGLY

HOPELESS, for how could a paralytic ever be the first into the water?

ä Our Lord drew attention away from the water and towards THE NEED WE ALL HAVE FOR THE HELP AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHERS, WHICH IS FULFILLED

IN CHRIST HIMSELF, Who became Man in order to heal all ailing and fallen mankind.

ä NOT EVERYONE WHO IS ILL ACTUALLY DESIRES HEALING , for sadly, some prefer to remain infirm in order to have an excuse or licence to complain, to avoid any responsibility for their lives, or to continue drawing the pity of others!

Although Mosaic Law did not specifically forbid the carrying of burdens on the Sabbath, it was prohibited and explicitly forbidden in Rabbinical Teachings.

JER EMIAH 17 : 2 3 The Lord said: “... if you will not hear Me so as to Sanctify the Sabbath Days, and bear no burdens, nor enter the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath Days, then I will kindle a fire in her gates. It will consume the streets of Jerusalem and will not be quenched.”

St Jeremiah the Holy Prophet of God delivered the Word of the Lord which commanded that Israel stop violating the Sabbath Day. The Reward for Obedience to God is a

4 T H S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – T H E P A R A L Y T I C O F B E T H E S D A 1 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4 15.

gathering of the nations into Jerusalem to offer sacrifice and although this was done after the Exile, it was not completely fulfilled until the Gentiles joined the procession on the Day of Pentecost.

The Truth that Christ is Lord over the Sabbath is made clear by His Command to the Paralytic and by the man’s unhesitating Obedience to Him.

As is often the case in the Holy Gospel according to St John,“HEBREWS” REFERS TO THE LEADERS - and not to the people in general – WHOSE MALICE IS QUITE EVIDENT BECAUSE THEY

FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE “VIOLATION” OF THE SABBATH RATHER THAN ON THE GREAT MIRACLE OF THE LONG-SUFFERING PARALYTIC.

] THE GENUINE AND PROFOUND FAITH OF THE MAN IS DEMONSTRATED BY HIS IMMEDIATELY GOING TO THE

TEMPLE TO OFFER HIS HEARTFELT THANKSGIVING AND WORSHIP, instead of going home, or anywhere else to show off his healed body.

Furthermore, ALL MIRACULOUS HEALINGS HAD TO BE

CONFIRMED BY THE TEMPLE PRIESTS, FOLLOWED BY VARIOUS

CLEANSING AND SACRIFICIAL RITES ACCORDING TO MOSAIC LAW.

While there is a general connection between sin and suffering, this connection is not always one to one, for the innocent often suffer while the guilty seem to be spared earthly consequences.

Nevertheless, OUR SINS USUALLY LEAD DIRECTLY TO MOST OF THE

SUFFERING OF THIS WORLD – OUR OWN SUFFERING AND –

EVEN WORSE - THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS DUE TO OUR

SELFISH OR THOUGHTLESS ACTIONS.Christ’s dire warning: “Sin no more...” was NOT ONLY

ADDRESSED TO THE HEALED MAN, BUT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US!

] SIN CAUSES SPIRITUAL DEATH, WHICH ONLY REPENTANCE CAN RESOLVE BY RETURNING US TO SPIRITUAL LIFE IN

CHRIST.ä However, IF WE STUBBORNLY REFUSE TO

ACKNOWLEDGE, CONFESS AND REPENT OUR SINS THEY WILL DESTROY OUR SOUL – leading to a far worse consequence than any terrible, painful or disabling affliction of the body!

Our only hope is to RESIST ALL TEMPTATION AND SIN BY

BESEECHING THE LORD OUR GOD FOR HIS DIVINE STRENGTH

AND ASSISTANCE. THE HEALED PARALYTIC DID NOT REPORT OUR LORD JESUS TO

THE HEBREW LEADERS IN A MALICIOUS MANNER BUT AS A WITNESS OF CHRIST’S ABSOLUTE GOODNESS , for even though those misguided leaders were only interested in the violation of the Sabbath, the restored man emphasised that it was our Lord Jesus Who had healed him, without saying anything about carrying his bed – i.e. WITHOUT BLAMING CHRIST FOR CAUSING HIM TO BREAK THE SABBATH.

F o u r t h S u n d a y o f H o l y P a s c h a - S u n d a y o f t h e P a r a l y t i c a t B e t h e s d a “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a

worse thing come unto Thee!” (JOHN 5:14) This is the Commandment that our Lord and Saviour,

Jesus Christ gave to the Paralytic of Bethesda whom He had Healed.

Beloved Brethren: this Commandment of our Lord has enormous importance for us.

It teaches us that we are subjected to sickness and other catastrophes of this earthly life due to our sins.

Although God constantly Delivers us from ailments and calamities, we repeatedly return to our sinful lifestyles, which in turn causes us to frequently suffer the consequences that become far more onerous than those with which we were first punished - in order to bring us to our senses.

Sin is the cause of all mankind’s sorrows – both in time and in Eternity.

Sorrow and suffering are the natural consequences – the natural results of sin – just as pain produced by physical illness is the unavoidable characteristic and consequence of certain diseases.

Sin in the broad sense applies to the Fall (from Divine Grace) of mankind, or Spiritual Death, which affects every human being without exception.

Some sins are the sad inheritance of whole societies. Finally, each of us has our own personal, specific sins

that we have committed and which apply to us alone - for which we personally are to be held accountable.

Sin in all these various forms is the beginning of all sorrows and catastrophes to which all humanity is subjected – to which all human societies are subjected – and to which each of us in particular is subjected.

The state of Fallenness - Spiritual Death - by which all mankind is infected and stricken, is the source of all other human sins – both societal and personal.

Our widespread, sin-poisoned nature has acquired the ability and inclination to sin for we have subjected ourselves to sin, and we can neither remove sin from ourselves, nor do we avoid it in many of our activities.

Those who have not been Renewed (through Repentance-Confession) cannot help but sin, even though they may not want to sin. (ROMANS 7:14–23).

There are three Punishments (or rather Consequences of sin) determined by God’s Righteous Judgement upon all mankind for the sins we have committed.

Two of them have already happened, and one is yet to happen.

The first was Eternal Death, to which all mankind was subjected at its root — our Forefathers (Adam and Eve) — for Disobedience to God in Paradise.

The second was the Great Flood, which occurred because mankind allowed the flesh to overcome the spirit, and lowered themselves to the degradation of irrational beings.

The Final Punishment/Consequence will be the destruction and end of this visible world for our apostasy (rejection of Divine Truth) from our Creator and Redeemer - for mankind’s ultimate deviation into communion with fallen angels!

Quite often, a particular kind of sin engulfs whole societies, which brings ‘Divine Punishment’ down upon them. Thus the entire cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by Fire that fell from the sky due to their unlawful, debauched, immoral, fleshly pleasures.

Thus, too, the Israelites were subjected - more than once - to alien nations for worshiping pagan idols - and not one stone was left upon the other in magnificent Jerusalem, and so many of its inhabitants perished by Roman sword after having rejected and killed our True Saviour.

Sin is infectious; it is hard for individuals to resist the evil that ensnares entire societies.

In the long 38 years of suffering by the Paralytic of Bethesda who was finally Healed by our Lord Jesus Christ, we see an example of the consequences caused by the sins of one individual, whose Repentance, Faith, Hope and Patience was rewarded by God.

Let us, now, direct particular attention to our own personal sinfulness with which we are all afflicted - for this can have a saving influence upon what we do - by diverting us from the path of lawlessness, and directing us according to God’s Will.

Enlightened by Divine Law, we learn that God in His Infinite Mercy, being Perfect in the Righteousness of His Judgement, will unfailingly render due Eternal Condemnation for our sinful life.

On the other hand He will reward us with Blissful Eternal Life in His Kingdom if we have ceaselessly Struggled and Repented.

This conviction incites us to apply all our strength and determination towards freeing ourselves from the bondage of our own passions and the corruption of immoral society, in order to deliver ourselves from temporary and Eternal Spiritual Death, which exiles us from God and all His Goodness.

Before the time of our Redemption, all people were possessed by sin and were enslaved to the demands of evil – acting even against their own will. (ABBA

DOROTHEOS, HOMILY 1) After the Redemption of mankind by the God-Man,

Jesus Christ, those who believe in Him and who are

16. 4 T H S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – T H E P A R A L Y T I C O F B E T H E S D A 1 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4

Renewed by Holy Baptism are no longer shackled or enslaved by sin.

Instead we have our natural freedom – free will - to CHOOSE either to resist or surrender to sin.

However, those who willingly choose wickedness instead of Righteousness, again lose their freedom, and are forcibly overcome by sin, (until they Repent.) (MATTHEW 12:44–45)

Those who are Guided by the Word of God, conduct unabated Warfare against sin and are able to resist temptations – and will eventually conquer sinfulness completely.

Victory over our own sinfulness is at the same time Victory over Eternal Death.

Those who achieve Spiritual Victory over temptation and sin, it will easily resist the wicked attractions of society.

This is evident from the Lives of the Holy Martyrs, who - having conquered sin in themselves - withstood and rebuked physical and spiritual error and did not hesitate to seal their Sacred Testimony with their blood.

Those who are fascinated and blinded by their own sin cannot resist the attraction of society’s corruption and temptations for they cannot see it clearly and do not perceive its fatal deceptions.

As a result they neither renounce nor resist the immorality and depravity that surrounds us (which alienates us from God and everything that is good, pure and worthy) and they voluntarily choose to accept and participate in it themselves.

The essence of Ascetical Striving against sin - the Spiritual Struggle that every Christian is obliged to fulfil - consists of ceaseless Spiritual Warfare against temptation and sin by breaking all ties to it - by gaining control of our body and soul – mind and heart.

“Eternal Death is hidden in the heart; a person is dead through it, although he outwardly lives. He who has gone from Death to Life in the secret recesses of his heart will live for ages, and will never die. Although the bodies of such people may depart for a time from their souls, they are Sanctified, and will Arise with Glory. For this reason, we call the death of the Saints ‘Sleep.’” (or “Repose”) (ST. MACARIOS THE GREAT - HOMILY 1, CHAPTER 2)

All the Saints - without exception and regardless of their Victory over Eternal Death and Revelation of Eternal Life within themselves, even during this temporal life - were subjected to many difficult sorrows and temptations. (HEBREWS 12:8),

This is due to the nature of all sinners to suffer ‘Divine Punishment.’ (i.e. to suffer the consequences of sinful deeds – those of others as well as our own sins, rather than being God’s Punishment or Revenge!! mp)

Why then do God’s Elect not escape the Divine Rod, which strikes them as well?

Although sinfulness has been conquered in Righteous people - although Eternal Death is destroyed by the Presence of the Holy Spirit in them - they have not been given Immutable Goodness that would remain throughout the course of their earthly sojourn - the freedom to choose good or evil has not been taken away from them. (ST MACARIOS THE GREAT, HOMILY 7, CHAPTER 4 & ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN, HOMILY 1)

Immutable Goodness belongs to the future Age. Earthly life - up until its Final Hour - is a field of voluntary and involuntary Ascetical Labours.

“... I [mortify] my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 CORINTHIANS 9:27)

St Paul was referring to a body ‘Salted’ and Sanctified by Divine Grace, a body uninjured by cruel venom, whose ‘garments’ produced Healings.

Even such a body required enslavement and mortification, so that its mortified passions might not be revived and Eternal Death not be resurrected!

Although being a Sanctified Vessel of the Holy Spirit, Eternal Death can be Resurrected in any Christian for as long as we live, and sinfulness can again encompass our soul and body.

But the Podvig alone of the servants of God is not enough to mortify the fallenness/wickedness that

nests in our human nature, which continually strives to regain its dominion over us so we always need Help and Strength from God.

[‘Podvig’ is the untranslatable Russian word denoting especial Ascetical Labour, Spiritual Effort or Struggle.]

God helps us with His Grace and ‘Fatherly Punishing Rod’ according to each one’s Grace.

[Rather than punishing us Himself, God permits us to suffer the consequences of sin and temptation especially when we reject or drift away from Divine Grace, in order to compel us to return to His Loving Embrace. mp]

“... lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the Revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

(2 CORINTHIANS 12:7)

St Paul believed that God allowed him to suffer whatever his “thorn in the flesh” was because of his exalted Spiritual Progress, because of the many Divine Revelations granted to him, because of the many Spiritual Gifts he had received, and because of the many Miracles that he performed – in order to keep him Humble, Obedient, and reliant on Divine Providence and Mercy – a worthy servant of God.

Our nature is so injured by sinful poison that the abundance of God’s Grace can serve as the cause of pride and destruction.

St Paul met neither honour, nor glory, nor unquestioning Obedience when he preached Christ to the Universe, even proving the Truth of his Preaching through Signs - for an angel/demon of Satan set his traps everywhere — resistance, humiliation, persecution, attacks, and death.

Knowing that this all happens as God permits it, St Paul exclaimed: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake.” (2 CORINTHIANS 12:10)

St Paul found it necessary to mortify (CONTROL OR SUPPRESS

THE DEMANDS OF ) his body, so that from a relaxed body fleshly passions would not arise; while God’s Providence saw to the need to guard his soul from pride through sorrows, for even the purest human nature has pride hidden in it. (ST MACARIOS THE GREAT - HOMILY 7, CHAPTER 4)

For this reason, faithful servants of God subject themselves to voluntary deprivations and sorrows while God’s Providence allows them to suffer various temptations in order to supplement their Podvigs and to preserve them from the corruption of sin through sorrows.

The path of earthly life has always been laborious, thorny, full of deprivations, and laden with countless misfortunes: “Some were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better Resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth...” (HEBREWS 11:35–38).

“It is not pleasing to God that His servants, for whom He has prepared Eternal, Permanent Glory and Honour in Heaven, should abide as Honoured and Glorified with vain and temporary honour in this transitory and unstable world.” ”(ST SYMEON METAPHRASTES –“THE LIFE OF GREAT MARTYR EUSTATHIOS” - MENAION, 20 SEPTEMBER)

This is because we are unable to abide at the heights of earthly magnificence and well-being without harm to our soul.

Even those who are equal to the Angels in morality would be shaken, because the potential to revert is implanted in our soul through our Ancestral Fall and we cannot resist conforming to the inclinations to our outward, material circumstances. (ST. ISAAC THE

SYRIAN, HOMILY 1) ... (continued)...

F O R T H E C O M P L E T E S E R M O N O F S T . I G N A T I U S ( B R I A N C H A N I N O V )

P L E A S E G O T O H T T P : / / W W W . P R A V O S L A V I E . R U / E N G L I S H / 3

5 0 1 9 . H T M

4 T H S U N D A Y O F H O L Y P A S C H A – T H E P A R A L Y T I C O F B E T H E S D A 1 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4 17.

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SP IR IT ,NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. REMEMBER ING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA,THEOTOKOS, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SA INTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

14 May 2014 M i d P e n t e c o s t

A L S O T HE F E A S T OF S T I S ID OR E OF C H I O S – S T T HE R A P O N T OS O F C Y P R US - S T L E ON T IO S , P A T R IA R CH OF J E R US A LE M – ST I S I D OR E , F O OL F O R C HR I S T & W O N D E R W OR KE R O F RO S T O V – S T N I K I T A , B I S HO P OF RO S T O V & RE CL US E OF K I E V FA R C A V E S MO N A S T E R Y – S T MA X I M OS ,

HO LY M A R T Y R – S T SE R A P I ON T HE S IN D O N I T E O F E G Y P T –ST T I K HON O F Z A D ON S K ,F IR S T O P E N IN G O F H O LY RE L ICS – S T J O HN (R A I KO) O F B UL GA R I A –

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

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

Mesousis tis Eortis, disosan mou tin psihin, efsevias potison namata; oti pasi Sotir evoisas: O dispason erhestho pros me ke pineto. I Pigi tis Zois, Hriste O Theos imon Doxa Si.

Halfway to the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with flowing Streams of Piety; for Thou, O Saviour, cried to all: Those who thirst, come to Me and drink! O Fountain of Life, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!

K O N T A K I O N O F M I D - P E N T E C O S T

Tis Eortis tis nomikis mesazousis, O Ton apanton Piitis ke Despotis, pros tous parontas eleges Hriste O Theos. Defte ke arisasthe, idor athanasias. Othen Si prospiptomen, ke Pistos ekvoomen. Tous iktirmous Sou dorise imin. Si gar iparhis Pigi tis zois imon.

When the Paschal Feast was half-completed, O the Creator of all and their Master, Thou said to those present, O Christ our God: Come to Me and draw now, the Water that is Immortal. Wherefore, we fall down before Thee and cry out in Faith: Thy Great Mercies grant to us; for Thou art indeed, the Fount of our lives.

P r o k e i m e n o n Sing P ra i s es to ou r God ! S ing P ra i ses to o ur K ing !

Clap yo ur hands , a l l y ou r Na t io ns !

T h e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 4 : 6 – 1 8 T H E C H U R C H O F C H R I S T I N I C O N I U M , G A L A T I A

Brethren: When a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Hebrews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone the Apostles, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they preached the Gospel there.

And in Lystra a certain man was sitting, who had no strength in his feet– a cripple from his mother’s womb – who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently, and seeing that he had Faith to be Healed, said with a loud voice: “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leapt and walked.

Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language: “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” And Barnabas they called ‘Zeus,’ and Paul, ‘Hermes,’ since he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, took oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

But when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard this, they tore their clothing and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying: “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you so that you should turn from these useless things to the Living God, Who made the Heavens, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them; Who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.

“Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without Witness, in that He did Good: He gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

And with these sayings, they could scarcely retain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

According to St John Chrysostom, THE UNFITTING PRAISE OF THE

LYCAONIANS WAS “... A CONTRIVANCE OF THE DEVIL...” WHO TRIED TO LEAD THE PEOPLE TO A NEW FORM OF IDOLATRY AS WELL AS TRYING

TO TEMPT ST PAUL AND ST BARNABAS INTO THE FATAL SIN OF PRIDE AND ARROGANCE.

While St Paul preached Christ to the Hebrews by using the Old Testament, in Lycaonia he used a starting point that was most accessible and understandable to his audience.

THE PEOPLE’S IMMEDIATE CHANGE FROM WORSHIPPING THE HOLY

APOSTLES OF CHRIST TO PERSECUTING THEM SHOWS THEIR MOB MENTALITY, AND TEACHES US THAT A FAITH THAT IS BASED SOLELY ON

OBVIOUS MIRACLES IS FICKLE, WEAK AND UNSTABLE BECAUSE IT IS SO

EASILY SHATTERED AND LOST. We must have FAITH IN GOD DUE TO A DEEP, PERSONAL CONVICTION

AND LOVE OF GOD – SOMETHING THAT COMES NATURALLY ONLY FROM WITHIN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS BUT WHICH CANNOT BE

FORCED NOR TAUGHT. It is A NATURAL RESPONSE OF OUR SOUL, WHICH HAS COME FROM GOD

AND WHICH NEEDS TO RETURN TO HIM. TRUE FAITH IN GOD IS A DEEP-SEATED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND

RECOGNITION OF HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND A PERSONAL COMPULSION

OR YEARNING TO LIVE EVERY MOMENT IN CHRIST.



18. M I D - P E N T E C O S T W E D N E S D A Y 1 4 M A Y 2 0 1 4

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 7 : 1 4 – 3 0 O U R L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T T E A C H E S I N T H E T E M P L E A T M I D - P E N T E C O S T

At that time, about the middle of the Feast Jesus went up into the Temple and taught. And the Hebrews marvelled, saying: “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” And Jesus answered them and said: “My Doctrine is not Mine, but His Who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His Will, he shall know concerning the Doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own Authority. He who speaks from himself, seeks his own glory; but He Who seeks the Glory of the One Who sent Him, is True, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the Law? Yet none of you keeps the Law. Why do you seek to kill Me?”

The people answered and said: “Thou hast a demon! Who is seeking to kill Thee?” Jesus answered and said: “I did one Work, and you all marvel. Moses, therefore, gave you Circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the Fathers), and you Circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives Circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the Law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with Righteous Judgement!”

Now some of them from Jerusalem said: “Is this not He Whom they seek to kill? But behold! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the Rulers know indeed that this is Truly the Christ? However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.”

Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the Temple, saying: “You both know Me, and you know where I Am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He Who sent Me is True, Whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I Am from Him, and He sent Me.”

Therefore, they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His Hour had not yet come.

THE SIMPLE DESIRE TO KNOW AND TO FOLLOW GOD’S WILL IS THE KEY TO

UNDERSTANDING IT. SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS COMES FROM UNWILLINGNESS TO KNOW GOD OR

TO RECOGNISE HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY.St John Chrysostom paraphrases Christ our Saviour’s Words as

follows: “RID YOURSELF OF WICKEDNESS: the anger, the envy, and the

hatred that have arisen in your hearts, without provocation, against Me. THEN YOU WILL HAVE NO DIFFICULTY

IN REALISING THAT MY WORDS ARE ACTUALLY THOSE OF GOD. As it is, these passions darken your understanding and distort sound judgement. IF YOU REMOVE THESE PASSIONS, YOU WILL

NO LONGER BE AFFLICTED in this manner.” By providing Old Testament examples of blameless violation

of the Sabbath, our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated to the Hebrews that THE LAW IS NOT ABSOLUTE OVER OUR HUMAN NEED OR SERVICE TO GOD.

When the Hebrews professed to know where Christ was from, they were mistaken, both in the earthly sense and in a Divine sense.

Humanly speaking, they thought of our Lord as being from Nazareth, Galilee for they were unaware that HE WAS

ACTUALLY BORN AND SPENT HIS VERY EARLY YEARS IN BETHLEHEM,BEFORE THE HOLY FAMILY’S FLIGHT TO EGYPT.

Beyond that, they could not comprehend that CHRIST HAS TRULY COME FROM OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, that He is ETERNALLY

BEGOTTEN OF GOD THE FATHER, BEFORE ALL AGES, and thus His Divine Origin remained unknown to them as well.

CHRIST’S “HOUR” IS A REFERENCE TO THE EXACT MOMENT OF HIS

SUFFERING AND DEATH, FOR HE IS LORD OVER ALL TIME, WHICH IS A DIVINE AUTHORITY POSSESSED BY ALMIGHTY GOD ALONE.

OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR VOLUNTARILY – ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL– WENT TO HIS PASSION AND DEATH – and exclusively according to His own timing – certainly not according to the plots and schemes of wicked men.

T h e F e a s t o f M i d - P e n t e c o s t & t h e P e n t e c o s t a r i o n The 50 days following Pascha until the Feast of Pentecost are known as the period of “the Pentecostarion” in the

Orthodox Church. At the mid-point between these Great Feasts of Pascha and Pentecost, on the 25th day - always a Wednesday - is one

of the most Beloved Feasts, because Mid-Pentecost is as relevant to the Pentecostarion as the Third Sunday of Great Lent – Veneration of the Holy Cross - is to Great Lent.

This Feast helps us to focus on the central theme of the entire period. Just as the mid-point of Great Lent reminds us to bear the Cross of Christ bravely so that we may daily die with

Christ in order to experience His Glorious Resurrection, so also the mid-point of the Pentecostarion Enlightens us regarding the theme of the 50 days of Holy Pascha, which is the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit poured out as a Divine Gift upon all Faithful Disciples who partake of the Living Water, which is Christ Himself.

The central theme woven throughout the period of the Pentecostarion therefore concerns Living Water, which is the central theme of the Holy Gospel according to St John that is read in its entirety and which naturally flows into St Luke’s Book of the Acts of the Apostles that is also read in its entirety.

This theme appears initially on Holy Pascha itself in the Joyous Canon of the Feast of Feasts written by St. John the Damascene when we are invited to “...drink a New Drink...” not “...brought forth from a barren rock...” as in the Old Covenant under Moses, but which rather “...springs forth from the Tomb of Christ.” Then during the Paschal Divine Liturgy the Priest processes with the Gospel and chants loudly: “In the Congregations Bless ye God, the Lord from the well-springs of Israel...” (PSALM 67:27)

After Renewal or Bright Week the Church wisely sets up two Sundays that abolish any doubt concerning the Resurrection of Christ - Sunday of St Thomas and Sunday of the Holy Myrrh Bearers – which ensures that we all partake of the Living Water that only our Resurrected Lord can grant.

On the following 3 Sundays, water becomes more central: the Sheep’s Pool with the Paralytic of Bethesda, Jacob’s Well with the Samaritan Woman, and the Pool of Siloam with the Blind Man (born without eyes.)

During this Festive Period we hear how - by partaking of Christ’s “Living Water”- we will never again thirst. We are taught that it is our Saviour Himself Who is this Living Water, of Whom we partake through the Baptismal

Waters and the Cup of Life, which issued forth from His Side for the Remission of sins and Eternal Life. On Pentecost Sunday Divine Grace quenches our parched body and soul so that we may be fruitful and produce a

Great Holy Harvest: “If any man thirsts, let him come unto Me and drink.”The Pentecostarion concludes with the Feast of All Saints – all those who partook of the “Waters of Piety,” which is

the Harvest of the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Mid-Pentecost stands in the middle of the 50-day period from Pascha to Pentecost like a mighty flowing River of

Divine Grace with the two Great Feasts of Pascha and Pentecost as its Source, which are united at Mid-Pentecost. Without Pascha there is no Pentecost and without Pentecost there is no purpose to Pascha.

After our Saviour had Healed the Paralytic, the Jews, especially the Pharisees and Scribes, were envious so they sought excuses to have Him executed, accusing Him of not keeping the Sabbath, since He worked Miracles on that day...

Therefore, since the things spoken of by Christ in the middle of the Feast of the Tabernacles are related to the Sunday of the Paralytic and since we have already reached the midpoint between Pascha and Pentecost, this Feast is a bond between the 2 great Feasts, thereby uniting, as it were, the two into one, partaking of the Grace of them both... http://orthodoxkansas.org/blog/2011/05/17/the-feast-of-mid-pentecost-the-pentecostarion/

5 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 1 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 19


5 t h S u n d a y o f P a s c h a 1 8 M a y 2 0 1 4 T o n e 4

S u n d a y o f t h e S a m a r i t a n W o m a n ( S t P h o t i n i / S v e t l a n a )

A L S O T HE F E A S T O F S T T HE OD OT O S , S T T E CUS A , S T P H A IN E , S T C L A U D IA , S T MA T R O N A , S T J U L IA , S T A L E X A N D R A & ST E UP HR A S IA & ST C HR I S T IN A , V IR G IN MA R T Y R S , S T P E T E R , S T D IO N Y S IO S , S T A N D R E W , & ST P A U L O F A N CY R A ,GA L A T I A - S T SY ME O N , S T I S A A C &ST B A C HT I S IO S OF P E R S IA –S T HE R A CL IO S , S T P A V L IN O S &ST B E N E D I M OS OF A T HE N S – S T DA V ID & ST TA R IC HA N O F GE OR G IA

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


To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou mathouse e tou Kyriou mathitrie ke tin progonikin apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon. Eskilefte O thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos.

When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that had cast away the condemnation of their Forefather, they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no more: Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great Mercy.




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

I ke en Tafo katilthes Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis Sis Apostolis Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.

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

R e s u r r e c t i o n G o s p e l 7 : J o h n 2 0 : 1 - 1 0 S T P E T E R & S T J O H N W I T N E S S T H E E M P T Y T O M B O F O U R R E S U R R E C T E D L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T

P r o k e i m e n o n O Lo r d , how mani fo ld a r t T h y W ork s . T ho u has t c rea t ed t hem a l l i n W i sdom !

Bles s t he Lo rd , O m y s oul !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



20. 5 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 1 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST were sent forth to preach the Holy Gospel of Christ but they NEVER WORKED INDEPENDENTLY OR IN ISOLATION FROM THE BODY OF THE HOLY CHURCH.

2. THE HOLY CHURCH OF ANTIOCH NEEDED THE SEAL OF HOLY APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO BECOME INTEGRATED

INTO THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH OF CHRIST. ST BARNABAS REVEALED HIS GENUINE HUMILITY BY SEEKING THE HELP

OF ST PAUL (Saul) – a humble recognition of his own personal limitations, and his TRUE COMMUNION WITH AND DEPENDENCE

ON THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST.TWO KEY ELEMENTS OF LITURGICAL WORSHIP INCLUDED THE

EUCHARISTIC (THANKSGIVING) ASSEMBLY – COMMUNAL WORSHIP – AND THE CORRECT TEACHING OF THE HOLY GOSPEL

OF CHRIST . The fact that the Disciples of Christ were first called ‘Christians’ in

Antioch is more than just historical Truth. It demonstrates that CHRIST’S COMMANDMENT TO PREACH HIS HOLY GOSPEL AMONG THE GENTILES AS WELL, WAS FIRST FULLY REALISED IN

ANTIOCH. St John Chrysostom commented: “It was (in Antioch) for the first

time that people were accounted worthy of that Name.” The “Prophets” were Christian Believers within the Holy Church who

had the Divine Gift of Prophecy. 1 CO R I NTH I A NS 1 2:2 9 “Are all Apostles? Are all

Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles?”

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

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

WORKING ORDER, THE REST OF CHURCH IS FREE TO FUNCTION AT

OPTIMAL LEVEL FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD.

Yet, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and operative, there is something far more excellent – THE LOVE OF GOD, which IS THE TRUE S IGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

1 CO R IN TH I A NS 14: 3 “He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to mankind.”

1 CO R IN TH I A NS 1 4: 2 9 “Let two or three Prophets speak, and let the others judge.”

God is not the Author of confusion - and the Truly Spiritual can control themselves, since GENUINE SPIRITUALITY IS MANIFESTED

IN PREPAREDNESS, PROPRIETY AND ORDER, COURTESY AND SELF-CONTROL/DISCIPLINE.

WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT, THERE IS DIVINE PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING.

EP H E S I A NS 4 : 11 “(Christ) Himself granted some to be Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the equipping of the Saints for the Work of Ministry, for the Edifying of the Body of Christ until we all come to the Unity of the Faith and of the Knowledge of Christ...”

THE HOLY SPIRIT BESTOWS HIS DIVINE GIFTS IN ORDER TO FORM ONE COHESIVE, HARMONIOUS GROUP WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR

EQUIPPING – TEACHING, GUIDING AND PREPARING OTHERS -FOR THE SACRED TASK OF CHRIST’S HOLY MINISTRY.

EVERY FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN HAS THE SACRED TASK OF GUIDING,HELPING AND ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER as we all journey through this preparatory period of earthly life towards Eternity because - whether we are believers or not – ALL HUMANITY

WILL ENTER ETERNITY. The great famine that was predicted, did indeed happen

throughout the known world in 44 – 51 – having begun in Judea and spreading as far as Greece and Italy.

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

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

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

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 4 : 5 – 4 2 T H E S A M A R I T A N WO M A N A T J A C O B ’ S W E L L

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meanwhile, His Disciples urged Him, saying: “Rabbi, eat.” And He said to them: “I have Food to eat of which you do not know.” And the Disciples asked one another: “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” And Jesus said to them: “My Food is to do the Will of Him Who sent Me, and to finish His Work. Do you not say: ‘There are still four months before the harvest?’ Behold: I say to you: Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for

5 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 1 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4 21.

harvesting! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers Fruit for Eternal Life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is True: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not Laboured; others have Laboured, and you have entered into their Labours.”

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

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

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

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

Jacob’s Well has been maintained as a Holy Shrine by the Greek Orthodox Christian Church to this very day and pilgrims still drink from it. (ST PHILOMENOS THE NEW MARTYR GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ITS PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION IN 1979.)

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

HUMAN NATURE, HE, TOO, SUFFERED hunger, thirst, tiredness - THE SAME WEAKNESSES OF OUR OWN HUMAN CONDITION.

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

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN WAS THE EARLIEST EVANGELIST (BESIDES THE

APOSTLES) WHO TESTIFIED TO THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.

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

AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST SHE WAS BAPTISED WITH THE NAME OF “PHOTINI” (“THE ENLIGHTENED ONE,”) AND WENT TO CARTHAGE TO SPREAD THE HOLY GOSPEL.

SHE WAS EVENTUALLY MARTYRED WITH HER ENTIRE FAMILY BY ORDER OF EMPEROR NERO BY BEING THROWN INTO A VERY DEEP WELL.

WE COMMEMORATE HER MEMORY ON 20 MARCH AND ON THE FIFTH

SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA. The Samaritans were a mixed breed and traditional enemies of the

Hebrews. Although they worshipped the God of Israel and also awaited the Advent or Coming of the Messiah – the Christ – they accepted only the first five Books of the Old Testament Scriptures – the Pentateuch.

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

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

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

THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT LEADS US TO ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH NOT ONLY REMAINS IN A FAITHFUL PERSON BUT IS SO ABUNDANT THAT IT

OVERFLOWS AND AFFECTS OTHERS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE MANNER. However, St Photini misunderstood our Lord Jesus and thus enquired

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

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

GRANTS US THE WELL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR ETERNAL LIFE. Since our Lord Jesus knew that St Photini was living in sin, and as He

was aware of her five previous husbands, she assumed Him to be a Holy Prophet but since the Samaritans did not accept or recognise any Prophets after St Moses, THE ONLY PROPHET THEY

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

CHRIST’S INSIGHT INTO EVERY HUMAN BEING’S HEART, which is repeatedly mentioned throughout the Holy Gospels, EMPHASISES

HIS DIVINE NATURE. Our Lord Jesus was indeed the expected ‘Holy Prophet,’ so He

could settle the historical argument about where True Worship was to be offered.

However, OUR LORD JESUS REFUSED TO ANSWER SUCH AN EARTHLY

QUESTION AND ELEVATED THE DISCUSSION TO THE ONE WHOM WE WORSHIP: ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF.

According to Christ Himself, GOD IS SPIRIT AND CANNOT BE CONFINED TO ANY PARTICULAR LOCATION: GOD IS OMNIPRESENT

– HE IS EVERYWHERE!THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST –

THE SON AND WORD OF GOD THE FATHER – WORSHIP GOD WITH PURITY OF HEART. Our Lord Jesus Christ affirmed that TRUE REVELATION COMES

FROM JUDAISM: “Salvation is of the Hebrews.” St Athanasios the Great taught us: “The commonwealth of

Israel was the School of the Knowledge of God for all nations.”

More importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ testified that THE MESSIAH WHO WAS PROPHESIED AMONG THE HEBREWS, HAS RISEN FROM

THE HEBREWS. WHILE THE GIFT OF THE SALVATION IN CHRIST IS TO ALL NATIONS,

IT HAS COME FROM WITHIN JUDAISM. “The Hour” refers to THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

AND TO THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT HOLY

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

“I, Who speak to you, Am He,” is literally translated: “I AM (EGO EIMI) Who speaks to you.” “I Am” is the Divine Name of God and its use indicates A THEOPHANY OR DIVINE

REVELATION OF GOD HIMSELF.The use of this Most Holy Name by a mere man would have

been considered as the worst blasphemy ever – punishable by stoning to death! (JOHN 8:58; MARK 14:62)

However, as our Lord Jesus Christ is Truly Divine – the Son of God and thus one of the three Persons of the Almighty Godhead – the Holy Trinity – HIS OWN USE OF THIS DIVINE NAME REVEALS

HIS TRUE UNITY WITH GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.

He most certainly reveals that HE IS INDEED GODINCARNATE!

His Apostles “marvelled” not only because our Lord Jesus spoke with a Samaritan, but that HE SPOKE WITH AN

UNACCOMPANIED WOMAN, WHICH WAS POTENTIALLY

SCANDALOUS FOR THEM BOTH! ] CHRIST IS ABOVE ALL SOCIAL NORMS AND CUSTOMS, SO

HE TREATED ALL WOMEN WITH THE HIGHEST OF RESPECT,THEREBY SHOWING THEIR VALUE AND IMPORTANCE IN EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY LIFE. (JOHN &;53-8:11; LL:20-30; 20: 11-18 & LUKE 8:1 – 3)

On many occasions CHRIST IS MISUNDERSTOOD BY PEOPLE DUE TO OUR LIMITED HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE.

Nevertheless, THROUGH THESE MISUNDERSTANDINGS, OUR LORD

FULFILS HIS DIVINE ROLE AS MESSIAH BY DOING THE WILL OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER – AND THIS IS HIS SPIRITUAL FOOD.

Our Lord Jesus, by His own Perfect Example, has taught us to PERFORM/OBEY THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD THROUGHOUT OUR

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

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

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

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

St John Chrysostom believed that THOSE WHO SOWED AND THOSE

WHO REAPED WERE THE HOLY PROPHETS OF THE OLD COVENANT AND THE HOLY APOSTLES OF THE NEW COVENANT

RESPECTIVELY. The Holy Prophets sowed the Seeds of Faith in preparation for

the Advent of the Messiah, yet they did neither witnessed it nor reap the Spiritual Fruit of their Holy Labours.

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

The fact that these Samaritans were amongst the first to recognise and to acknowledge our Lord Jesus as the Saviour of the world, shows us exactly how HIS HOLY GOSPEL

IS FOR ALL PEOPLE OF EVERY NATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WORLD.

22. 5 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E S A M A R I T A N W O M A N 1 8 M A Y 2 0 1 4

5 t h S u n d a y o f P a s c h a – T h e S a m a r i t a n W o m a n In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Spirit... Although St John did not mention the name of the

Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s Well, we know her as St Photini in Greek, or St Svetlana in Russian, or St Fiona in Celtic, or St Claire in the West.

All these names speak of “Light.” Having met our Lord Jesus Christ, St Photini became

a Light shining in the sin-darkened, gloomy world – a Great Spiritual Light that Enlightens those who met her.

Every Saint is offered to us as a good example of Spiritual Strength and Virtue so that we may imitate their Holy Lifestyle and devotion to God.

However, we cannot always emulate the concrete ways in which the Saints lived and we cannot always repeat exactly their Spiritual Progress from earth to Heaven.

But we can learn from each Saint and Holy Martyr two significant Truths:

1. By the Grace of God we can all achieve what may seem humanly impossible – i.e. to become the Perfect Image and Likeness of God and to be – in this world of sinful darkness and tragedy that is enslaved by the power of lies and deception – a Word of Truth, a Sign of Hope, filled with the certainty that God can conquer Death and wickedness if we only allow Him access to our soul.

If the Kingdom of God is not established within us – if God is not Enthroned in our mind, heart and soul as a Divine Fire that eradicates everything unworthy of ourselves and of Him – we cannot expect to spread God’s Light around us.

2. The Saints also teach us to understand the Message that they names convey to us – like the Samaritan Woman who discussed “Light” with our Saviour Who revealed His Divine Identity as “the Light of the world” – the Divine Light that Enlightens all humanity, which we are Called to shelter and nurture within our soul, mind and heart.

Only then are the Words of Christ fulfilled and accomplished in and through us: “Let your Light so shine before all men, that seeing your good deeds they may give Glory to your Father Who is Heaven...”

It is only through seeing our good deeds – seeing how we fulfil the Will of God every day – that others will believe that the Light is Divine Light – the Light of God, for it is not in our own words and deeds, unless they are the Inspired Words of Divine Truth and of Power like those of the Holy Apostles and of Christ Himself.

And let us all reflect on the meaning of our Baptismal Name and the manner whereby we can become what we are Called by God to be.

The Samaritan Woman went to Jacob’s Well without any Spiritual Purpose in mind. She went as usual every day to draw water – and there she came face to Face with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Each of us may meet our Lord God at any turn in our life – when we are going about our mundane daily tasks – and if our heart is turned in the right direction and if we are prepared to receive a Divine Message – if we are prepared to listen and to enquire, thereby gaining further Knowledge and Enlightenment, which we must then apply to our daily life.

The Samaritan Woman asked a question of Christ, and what she then heard transcended her question in such a manner that she recognised our Lord as a Great Holy Prophet of God – and shortly thereafter, as indeed the Christ of God and the Saviour of the world.

However, our Light must not be hidden under a bushel, for having discovered that the Light has come into our world – that the Word of Divine Truth now resounds amidst humanity, and that God is among us, St Photini abandoned all her worldly concerns and ran to share her overwhelming Joy – the amazing Wonders that she had received – with everyone else, and then leading her fellow citizens to Christ, to witness His Divine Truth for themselves.

She had first told them the reason for her belief and when either curiosity or the powerful conviction of her words and the change that had been wrought in her, brought them all to Christ.

And when they indeed had experienced the Divine Presence of Christ Himself, they told her: “Now we believe – not because of what thou said – for we, ourselves, have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ – the Saviour of the world!”

The significant Holy Lesson that St Photini – the Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s Well – teach us is to be open to God at every moment – even while busy with the simplest tasks – be open and ready to receive the Divine Word of God, to be Illumined by His Divine Light, to be Cleansed by His Divine Purity, to receive His Divine Truth and Love in the very depths of our soul – and to receive It with our entire being and life so that when others see us – what we have become by Divine Grace – they, too, may believe that God’s Divine Light has certainly come into our world.

Let us pray to St Photini, the Samaritan Woman, to teach us, to guide us, to bring us to Christ in the same way that she lead thousands of others to Christ.

Let us pray that we are willing and able to serve God with the same unconditional devotion and obedience with which she served Him.

And may we worthily lead others to our Lord’s Eternal Salvation just as St Photini has lead so many other souls.

May the Blessing of God be upon you: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of Ages.

Amen (Sermon by Metropolitan Anthony Sourozh,

delivered on 8 May 1988) http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/05/

sermon-for-sunday-of-samaritan-woman.html

S t S y m e o n t h e N e w T h e o l o g i a n A person full of anxiety about worldly things is not free: he

is dominated and enslaved by this anxiety, whether it is about himself or about others.

But he who is free from such things is untroubled by worldly concerns, whether they relate to himself or to others; and this is so, even if he is a Bishop, Abbot or Priest.

However, he will not be idle, or neglect even the most insignificant and trivial details; but all he does he will do for the Glory of God, accomplishing everything in his life without anxiety. [ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE PRACTICAL AND THEOLOGICAL TEXTS]

E l d e r T h a d d e u s o f V i t o v n i c a Here on earth there is nothing that can give us Inner

Peace. For neither riches, nor glory, nor honour, nor position, nor family, nor neighbours can give us unshakable Inner Peace.

There is only One Giver of Life, Peace and Joy – and that is God!

S t J o h n K l i m a k o s A little fire softens a large piece of wax. So, too, a

small in dignity often softens, sweetens and wipes away suddenly all the fierceness, uncouthness, insensibility and hardness of our heart.

S T C O N S T A N T I N E & S T H E L E N A O F C O N S T A N T I N O P L E 2 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4 23

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SP IR IT , NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. REMEMBER ING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA,THEOTOKOS, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SA INTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

2 1 M a y 2 0 1 4 S t C o n s t a n t i n e & S t H e l e n a

o f C o n s t a n t i n o p l e - E q u a l s t o t h e A p o s t l e s A L S O T HE F E A S T OF S T C O N S T A N T IN E , S T M IC HA E L & ST THE O D OR E , H I S S O N S , W O N D E R W OR KE R S OF MUR O M – ST C A S S I A N OS T HE GR E E K O F U G L I CH





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

Tou Stavrou Sou ton tipon en Ourano theasamenos, ke os O Pavlos tin klisin ouk ek anthropon dexamenos, O en Vasilefsin Apostolos Sou Kyrie, Vasilevousan polin ti Hiri Sou paretheto; in perisoze dia pantos en Irini, Presvies tis Theotokou, Mone Filanthrope!

Thine Apostle among the Rulers, St Constantine, who once behld in the sky the Vision of Thy Cross, and who, like Paul, received his Calling not from man, once entrusted the Ruling City into Thy Hand. We entreat Thee to restore it in Peace forever, at the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O Lord Who Loves mankind.

F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N – M I D P E N T E C O S T - T O N E 4

Tis eortis tis Nomikis mesazousis, O ton apanton Piitis ke Despotis, pros tous parontas eleges, Hriste O Theos. Defte ke arisasthe, idor athanasias. Othen Si prospiptomen, ke Pistos ekvoomen. Tous iktirmous Sou Dorise imin. Si gar iparhis Pigi tis Zois imon.

The Feast according to the Law at its mid-point, O Christ our God, as the Creator and Master of everything, Thou said to all those who were present: Come, so that you might draw from Me the Water of Immortality. Hence, with Faith, we cry to Thee as we prostrate ourselves before Thee. Thy tender Mercies grant to us, we pray. Thou art the Fountain and Source of our Life, O Lord!

P r o k e i m e n o n : Thou art Blessed, O Lord, God of our Forefathers. For Thou has always dealt Righteously with us.

A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 2 6 : 1 & 1 2 – 2 0 S T P A U L D E F E N D S H I M S E L F

Agrippa said to Paul: “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: “... while thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the Chief Priests, at midday, O King, along the road I saw a Light from Heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.

“And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a Voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me? It is difficult for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said: ‘Who art Thou, Lord?’ And He said: ‘I AM JESUS, Whom you are persecuting. Rise and stand on your feet, for I HAVE APPEARED to you for this Purpose – TO MAKE YOU A MINISTER AND A WITNESS BOTH OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN AN OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL

YET REVEAL TO YOU. I WILL DELIVER YOU from the Hebrews and from the Gentiles, to whom I NOW SEND YOU, TO OPEN

THEIR EYES, IN ORDER TO TURN THEM FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT, AND FROM THE POWER OF SATAN TO GOD, THAT THEY MAY

RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND AN INHERITANCE AMONG THOSE WHO ARE SANCTIFIED BY FAITH IN ME.’ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I WAS NOT DISOBEDIENT TO THE HEAVENLY VISION, but declared first to those in Damascus and in

Jerusalem, and throughout all the region in Judea, and then to the Gentiles, THAT THEY SHOULD REPENT, TURN TO GOD,AND DO WORK BEFITTING REPENTANCE.”

A REPORT OF THE CHARGES AGAINST A PRISONER WAS REQUIRED BY ROMAN LAW. A new Governor, after all, would not want to look bad before the Roman Emperor.

There was a slight twist of absurdity here SINCE THE CHARGES AGAINST ST PAUL WERE GROUNDLESS AND HE WAS ABOUT TO BE TAKEN TO ROME TO BE SENTENCED BY CAESAR BUT THERE WAS NOTHING WITH WHICH TO ACCUSE HIM!

BEING OF HIGHER RANK THAN ST PAUL, AGRIPPA – King and Governor of the region – OPENED THE PROCEEDINGS.

Agrippa was knowledgeable in Hebrew customs.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT HEROD THE GREAT AND HEROD AGRIPPA WERE APOSTASISED HEBREWS WHO WERE SYCOPHANTS AND LACKEYS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND THEREFORE WERE FEARED AND DESPISED BY THE HEBREWS.

ST PAUL STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND IN A COMMON GESTURE FOR PUBLIC SPEAKERS OF THAT ERA.

NO ACCUSERS WERE PRESENT AND ST PAUL WAS FREE TO PROCEED as he pleased, although he used the Hebrew’s false charges against him as his point of reference.



24. S T C O N S T A N T I N E & S T H E L E N A – E Q U A L S T O T H E A P O S T L E S – 2 1 M A Y 2 0 1 4

AS PART OF ST PAUL’S EARLIER PERSECUTION AGAINST HEBREW CHRISTIANS, HE FORCED THEM TO BLASPHEME OR CURSE THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS. [1 CORINTHIANS 12:3]

THIS IS THIRD ACCOUNT OF ST PAUL’S DAMASCUS ROAD CONVERSION.

ST PAUL DESCRIBED THE UNCREATED LIGHT OF GOD that he experienced on the road to Damascus as being “brighter than the sun.”

The context suggests IT WAS THE GLORIFIED CHRIST HIMSELF WHO CONFRONTED ST PAUL [whose Hebrew name was Saul]. [1CORINTHIANS 9:1; 15:8]

OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST COMMISSIONED ST PAUL AS HIS WITNESS JUST LIKE HE COMMISSIONED HIS HOLY APOSTLES .

A DIRECT CALL FROM GOD CONSTITUTES THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY AND ST PAUL OBEYED the Heavenly Vision by declaring to BOTH HEBREWS AND GENTILES that they SHOULD “REPENT, TURN TO GOD AND DO GOOD WORKS...” THAT PROVE THEIR GENUINE REPENTANCE AND COMMITMENT TO ALMIGHTY GOD.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 1 0 : 1 – 9 J E S U S C H R I S T O U R L O R D & S A V I O U R I S O U R G O O D S H E P H E R D

At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Most assuredly, I say to you: he who does not enter the Sheepfold by the Door, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber. But He Who enters by the Door is the Shepherd of the Sheep. To Him the Doorkeeper opens, and the Sheep hear His Voice; and He calls His own Sheep by name and leads them out.

“And when He brings out His own Sheep, He goes before them; and the Sheep follow Him, for they know His Voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things that He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again: “Most assuredly, I say to you: I AM THE DOOR of the Sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the Sheep did not hear them. I Am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved, and will go in and out and find Pasture.”

Our Lord’s conversation with THE PHARISEES continued after He told them that they WERE ALIENATED FROM GOD, not the Blind Man whom they had so self-righteously cast out of the Temple.

THEY WERE SPIRITUALLY BLIND AND THEY WERE FALSE SHEPHERDS OF GOD’S

PEOPLE“ ... he who does not enter ... by the door is A THIEF AND A

ROBBEr” IS A REFERENCE TO THOSE WHO DO NOT FOLLOW GOD’S LAW ACCORDING TO ITS SPIRIT AND MEANING.

] It is a reference to THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD’S DIVINE

PERFECT TRUTH AND MANKIND’S FLAWED, OPINIONATED CONCEPTS.

] BY FOLLOWING OUR OWN IDEAS RATHER THAN GOD’S TRUTH, WE

Become “Thieves And Robbers” Who DECEIVE OURSELVES AND OTHERS, thus Stealing Souls From God.

“...he who enters by the Door is the Shepherd...” means that THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST OUR TRUE SHEPHERD WITH HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE ARE WORTHY

LEADERS AND SPIRITUAL GUIDES – True Shepherds of His Faithful Disciples.

They are the RIGHTFUL SHEPHERDS OF GOD’S FLOCKs because they OPERATE LEGALLY ACCORDING TO GOD’S DIVINE LAWS AND TEACHINGS.

“... The Sheep HEAR HIS VOICE...” suggests A CLOSE RELATIONSHIPbetween our lord the good shepherd and us, his loyal sheep.

] AS WE GROW SPIRITUALLY STRONGER AND CLOSER TO GOD, WE DO INDEED RECOGNISE THE VOICE OF HIS TRUTH AND WISDOM.

“... He Calls His own Sheep by name ...” because GOD

KNOWS EACH SOUL better than anyone else. THE NAMES GIVEN TO US AND MENTIONED DURING THE 8TH DAY NAMING

AND AT OUR HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION, ARE THOSE BY WHICH GOD CALLS US.

WHENEVER WE RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION OUR PRIESTS ANNOUNCE OUR CHRISTIAN NAMES ALOUD TO THE HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY WITNESSES SO IF A PRIEST DOES NOT KNOW US, WE MUST ANNOUNCE OUR BAPTISMAL NAME ALOUD BEFORE PARTAKING.

“... He goes before them...” is a reference to THE HUMAN EXPERIENCES THAT CHRIST OUR INCARNATE GOD ENDURED FOR OUR

SAKES: äHIS TERRIBLE SUFFERING upon the Cross – the ultimate

Blood Sacrifice for the sake of all humanity throughout all the ages.

äHIS ENTRY INTO HADES whereby His Death conquered Death thereby releasing those who had awaited His Coming in Faith, Hope and Trust.

äHIS DEATH AND THE SUBSEQUENT “HARROWING OF HELL” makes it possible for Repentant sinners to “repose in Christ” – to rest in the comfort of Christ’s Love - while awaiting His Second Glorious Coming to Judge the living and the dead.

äHIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION showed us what all humanity can expect on the Final Day.

äHIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN, witnessed by so many reliable people, is also a Divine Promise of future Events.

All these Wondrous Events were strictly FOR THE SAKE OF OUR IMMORTAL SOULS, GIVING US HOPE, JOY AND PEACE and showing us that IT IS ALL INDEED TRUE AND DEFINITELY POSSIBLE FOR ALL

REPENTANT SINNERS such as ourselves. “...I Am the Door...” means THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE

ONLY MEANS BY WHICH WE CAN BE ASSURED OF ETERNAL LIFE. ] IT IS HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO GAIN ENTRY INTO GOD’S

HEAVENLY KINGDOM EXCEPT THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD AND

SAVIOUR. äWE NEED TO KNOW HIS TEACHINGS so that we are able to live

in Eternity – to be worthy citizens in His Eternal Kingdom of Love/Agape.

äEVERYTHING TO DO WITH HIS HOLY CHURCH HAS A PURPOSE – Prayers, Hymns, Liturgical Practises, etc. Prepare us for that very special existence that will never end.

äWITHOUT ANY DIVINE KNOWLEDGE AT ALL, WE SHALL BE LIKE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND UNABLE TO EXIST THERE.

] “...if anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved...” is A SACRED PROMISE OF GOD.

G O D ’ S S AC R ED AN D D IV IN E P RO MIS ES A R E 1 00 % G U AR AN T E ED .

S t C o n s t a n t i n e & S t H e l e n a o f C o n s t a n t i n o p l e St Constantine the Great was born in Naissos (Nis,

Serbia) around the year 274. After his defeat against Emperors Maxentios and

Licinius, Emperor Constantine became the sovereign of the whole Roman Empire. According to the testimonies of historians, Eusebius and Lactantius, on the eve of the battle with Maxentios, Emperor Constantine saw in the sky – at daylight – a bright Cross above the sun with the inscription: “By this Sign you will conquer.”

The following night, during his sleep, St Constantine had a Vision of Christ, asking him to put this Sign of the “Holy Cross” on all the flags his soldiers would carry into battle.

Being obedient to what it was revealed to him in the Vision, Emperor Constantine followed the Commandment given to him by Christ and was victorious in the battle with Maxentios.

The Triumphal Arch of Constantine, now preserved in Rome, carries the inscription: “By Divine

Inspiration,” revealing how this Victory over Maxentios was won.

The most important achievement of Emperor Constantine was the Edict of Milan (313) by which Christianity was recognized as one of the religions of the Roman Empire (prior to this year, many Christians were persecuted and died as Martyrs for their Faith).

Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire during the reign of Theodosios the Great (379-395).

After the Edict of 313, the Emperor exempted the Christian churches from taxes, granting them the right to receive donations, and gave Bishops the right to judge those who did not want to be judged by the State Law. He also removed the criminal penalties laws that were contrary to the spirit of Christianity.

HTTP://ORTHODOXWORD.WORDPRESS.COM/2010/05/21/SAINTS-CONSTANTINE-AND-HIS-MOTHER-HELEN-EQUALS-TO-THE-APOSTLES/

6 T H S U N D A Y O F P A S C H A – S U N D A Y O F T H E B L I N D M A N ( W I T H O U T E Y E S ) - 2 5 M A Y 2 0 1 4 25

G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SP IR IT , NOW AND FOREVER,AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. REMEMBER ING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, THEOTOKOS, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SA INTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

6 t h S u n d a y o f P a s c h a 2 5 M a y 2 0 1 4 T o n e 5 ( P l a g a l 1 )

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

A L S O T HE F E A S T OF THE TH IR D F IN D IN G O F T HE HE A D OF S T J O H N T HE B A P T I S T &FO R E R UN N E R T O C HR I S T – S T THE R A P ON ,H IE R O MA R T Y R OF C Y P R US – S T U B A N O S O F RO M E




R E S U R R E C T I O N A P O L Y T I K I O N – T O N E 5 ( P L A G A L 1 )

Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke Proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.

The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.

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

I ke en Tafo katilthes Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis Sis Apostolis Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.

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

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

P r o k e i m e n o n – P s a l m 6 3 - T o n e ( 7 ) V a r y s / G r a v e T h e R i g h t e o u s s h a l l b e g l a d i n t h e L o r d .

H e a r m y v o i c e , O G o d

T h e S e c o n d E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e C o r i n t h i a n s 4 : 6 – 1 5 S T P A U L ’ S R E L A T I O N S H I P W I T H G O D

It is God Who Commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has Shone in our heart to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not

forsaken; struck down , but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

For we who live are always delivered to Death for Jesus’ sake, 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 believed, and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

For all things are for your sake, that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause Thanksgiving to abound to the Glory of God.

St Paul emphasises the fact that the goal of Preaching the Divine Truth of God is certainly not to glorify ourselves but only Christ our Lord and Saviour – and Almighty God.

The “Treasure” is the Divine Light of God’s Glory in Christ Jesus, while the “earthen vessels” refers to our humanity – our weak and flawed human nature with its ancestral ability to sin.

As God’s Divine Light shines in and through us, others will witness it and realise that the Power is of Almighty God and not at all of mankind.

Christianity is Victorious but it is never trouble-free or easy to fulfil.

Such trials throughout our lifespan “... show both the Power of God and more, disclose His Grace,” as St John Chrysostom explained it to us.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 9 : 1 – 3 8 A M A N B O R N W I T H O U T E Y E S I S H E A L E D B Y C H R I S T O U R L O R D & S A V I O U R

At that time, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His Disciples asked Him: “Rabbi: who sinned – this man or his parents – that he was born blind?” Jesus answered: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the Works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the Works of Him Who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can Work. As long as I Am in the world, I Am the Light of the world.”

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

Therefore the neighbours and those who previously had seen that he was blind said: “Is this not he who sat and begged?” Some said: “It is he.” Others said: “He is like him.” He said: “I am he.” And they said to him: “How were your eyes opened?” He answered: “A Man called ‘Jesus’ made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me: “Go to the Pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed. And I received sight.” And they asked him: “Where is He?” He replied: “I do not know.”

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

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

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

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

The man answered them: “Why, this is a marvellous thing – that you do not know where He is from - yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of God and does His Will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing!” They answered and said to him: “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?!” And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him: “Do you believe in the Son of God?” And he answered and said: “Who is He, O Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him: “You have both seen Him and it is He Who is speaking to you.” And he said: “O Lord: I believe!” And He worshipped Him.

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

This Divine Healing is THE SIXTH SIGN OF OUR LORD’S DIVINE NATURE AND TRUE IDENTITY in St John’s Holy Gospel.

] OF ALL THE MIRACLE ACCOUNTS THROUGHOUT HOLY SCRIPTURE, THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WHEREBY A PERSON

WAS “BLIND FROM BIRTH” – I.E. BORN WITHOUT EYES AT ALL!

] THE BLIND MAN SYMBOLISES ALL SPIRITUALLY BLIND HUMANITY FOR WE ALL NEED SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION BY

CHRIST OUR LORD WHO IS THE LIGHT OF THE FALLEN,SPIRITUALLY DARKENED WORLD.

This Divine Miracle is AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOLY BAPTISM , which is also referred to as “Holy Illumination.”

As Pascha (Easter) was the traditional day on which Catechumens were received into the Holy Church of Christ, THE SACRED LESSONS OF THE HOLY PASCHA PERIOD –FROM THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF CHRIST UNTIL

PENTECOST – ALL REFLECT A BAPTISMAL THEOLOGY. Thus, this Sacred Lesson is read on the Sixth Sunday of Holy Pascha.

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

MALADIES WERE NECESSARILY THE CONSEQUENCE OF

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

ALTHOUGH SUFFERING CAN BE THE DIRECT RESULT OF PERSONAL SIN, THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

THE MAN WAS BORN WITHOUT EYES, WHICH PROVIDED THE MOST AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DIVINE WORKS OF

ALMIGHTY GOD TO BE REVEALED TO EVERYONE CONCERNED– so the man was not blind due to anyone’s personal sin at all.

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

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

OUR DEATH AND THE AGE TO COME – ETERNITY – WHEN THERE IS NO LONGER ANY OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR

FAITH because AT OUR DEPARTURE FROM THIS WORLD OR EARTHLY LIFE, THERE IS NO CHANCE OF REPENTANCE OR

CONFESSION AND ALL IMMORTAL, HUMAN SOULS – WHETHER BELIEVERS OR NOT – WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT TO DEATH.

] THE UNPRECEDENTED HEALING OF THE MAN BORN WITHOUT EYES CONFIRMS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S TRUTHFUL

PROCLAMATION THAT HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

ä St Irenaeus regarded THE MIXTURE OF CLAY FROM THE EARTH AND THE SALIVA OF CHRIST OUR ALMIGHTY LORD

AND CREATOR LIKE THE ORIGINAL CREATION OF HUMANITY FROM THE EARTH. (REFER GENESIS 2:7)

ä CHRIST REVEALS HIS DIVINE NATURE BY RESTORING A TINY PART OF CREATION BY USING THE SAME MATERIAL WITH

WHICH HE HAD CREATED HUMANITY AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR EXISTENCE.

The Pool of Siloam, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, was a considerable distance from the Temple and provided the water for the Holy Rites connected with the Feast of Tabernacles (WHICH TOGETHER WITH PASCHA AND PENTECOST WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVALS OF THE ANCIENT HEBREWS, WHICH INCLUDED NUMEROUS SACRIFICES AND CELEBRATIONS. (LEVIT ICUS 23:33 – 43)

ä “Siloam” meaning “Sent” symbolises CHRIST WHO IS SENT BY GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER and just as the Healing of the Blind Man confirms Christ’s claim as the (Divine) Light of the World, so also HIS USE OF THE POOL OF SILOAM CONFIRMS THAT HE IS THE TRUE AND DIVINE

PURIFICATION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE AND ALL WHO WORSHIP IN IT WITH TRUE FAITH IN GOD.

Just as the hypocritical Pharisees had ignored the Healing of the Paralytic and focused only on the perceived violation of the Sabbath, so too on this occasion MANY OF THEM

COULD NOT BEHOLD THE GLORY OF GOD DUE TO THEIR PERSONAL WICKED PREJUDICE.

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

ASKED THEM FACE TO FACE: “...WHICH OF YOU CONVICTS

ME OF SIN?” THEY HAD ALL EVADED THE VITAL QUESTION.“Give God the Glory” was an Oath Formula, which was

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

GLORY FOR THE MORE HE WAS QUESTIONED BY THE HYPOCRITES AND DOUBTERS, THE MORE FERVENT HIS

FAITH BECAME, WHILE THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS PHARISEES LAPSED DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO SPIRITUAL DARKNESS

AND DEATH. ] THE HEALED BLIND MAN IS A MODEL OF CHRISTIAN

WITNESS.

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ä MOST PEOPLE DO NOT BEAR WITNESS TO CHRIST SINCE THEY

FEAR THEY WILL BE ASKED QUESTIONS THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER OR EXPLAIN.

ä THIS MAN’S HONEST AND SIMPLE ANSWER TO EVERYONE –EVEN THOSE WHO WERE FAR BETTER EDUCATED THAN HIM

– PROVIDES THE TRUTHä HE ADMITS SOMETHING THAT HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT YET

FOLLOWS UP WITH WHAT HE MOST CERTAINLY DOES KNOW AND WHICH HE CAN POSIT IVELY CONFIRM: “... One thing I do know is that although I was blind, now I see!”

BY CONFIRMING WHAT WE DO MOST DEFINITELY KNOW – IN

UTTER TRUTH AND WITHOUT ANY DOUBT – IS FOUNDATIONAL TO WITNESSING OUR TRUE FAITH TO OTHERS.

Have created perfectly healthy eyes for the formerly Blind Man – OUR LOVING LORD JESUS OPENED UP BOTH HIS

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL SIGHT – FOR GOD ALONE CAN OPEN OUR HEART AND SOUL BY HIS DIVINE ILLUMINATION.

All healings had to be confirmed by the Priests, followed by various ritual cleansings, sacrifices, etc. This is the only full account of a healing being examined and questioned by Hebrew authorities.

THE BLIND MAN PROGRESSES RAPIDLY FROM KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT CHRIST TO HIS REALISATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND

CONFESSION THAT THAT OUR LORD JESUS IS INDEED THE

TRUE MESSIAH: “... you do not know where He is from - yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of God and does His Will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing!”

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

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

GREAT SIGNS OR MIRACLES OF THE MESSIAH AND A PREROGATIVE (RIGHT) UNIQUELY AND EXCLUSIVELY OF

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

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

] ALL THOSE WHO SEE HIM AND WHO HEAR HIM BUT WHO DO NOT BELIEVE OR WHO REJECT HIS DIVINE TRUTH ARE

JUDGED BY THEIR OWN FAITHLESSNESS!

6 t h S u n d a y o f H o l y P a s c h a – T h e M a n B o r n W i t h o u t E y e s Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Today’s Sacred Lesson concerning the Healing of the Blind Man, who in fact was born without any eyes at all – is extremely significant for our contemporary generation.

Without questioning the Blind Man about his Faith or anything else about his life or circumstances, our Lord Jesus Christ “...spat on the ground and made clay with His Saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the Blind Man with the clay...” after which the Blind Man had to make his way across the Holy City to the Pool of Siloam, where he washed his face as instructed. And immediately he was able to see perfectly for the very first time!

However, the self-righteous Pharisees began interrogating him about this most amazing Miracle – something they would never have been able to do – and of which had never been seen or heard of before!

So they took the man to task, accusing our Saviour of doing this Great Deed on the Sabbath.

Unable to find a single word to refute the Truth that shone brilliantly before them in this unprecedented Miracle, the Pharisees were nevertheless unable to restrain themselves, and in their envy and wrath they blasphemed God and the Holy Spirit.

Some people ask: “What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?”

This terrible sin is described in today’s Gospel Lesson and clearly demonstrates the one unforgivable sin against God:

The Pharisees saw the Power of God, which was manifested in the Miraculous Healing of the man born without eyes, whom many of them knew — yet they stubbornly denied that Divine Power, saying mockingly: “Give God the praise! We know that this Man (Christ) is a sinner!”

However, after listening to all their arguments whereby they tried to justify themselves and condemn our Lord Jesus Christ, the healed man responded: “Why, this is a marvellous thing – that you do not know where He is from - yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of God and does His Will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing!”

Consequently, the Pharisees cast him out of the Synagogue, and severed him from the society of the Israelites.

He was deprived of all rights. From that time on, according to Hebrew Law, no one could associate with him, help him, or live with him.

Even his mother and father disowned him.

“... my father and mother have forsaken me, but the Lord has taken me to Himself.” (PSALM 26:12)

At that very moment our Saviour Himself finds him and says to him: “’Do you believe in the Son of God?’ And he answered and said: ‘Who is He, O Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ And Jesus said to him: ‘You have both seen Him and it is He Who is speaking to you.’ And he said: “O Lord: I believe!” And He worshipped Him.”

Our Lord’s words were very similar to those He said to the Samaritan Woman.

And the man who had been born without eyes needed no other proof – for he worshipped Him as God and Confessed: “Lord, I believe!”

It is no coincidence that a week ago the Holy Church emphasized our Lord’s same Revelation to a sinful but pure-hearted Samaritan Woman.

Both of these people beheld God face to Face. We are a generation who are born Spiritually Blind,

because we were all born outside of Faith in the Lord.

According to an ancient plan, our Spiritual Eyes should have remained closed until our very death. And millions upon millions of people would have gone to Eternity without knowing God, without knowing their own immortal soul, or even without knowing the Spiritual World itself.

Everything was done to ensure that we, born Spiritually Blind from parents who were to one or another extent also Spiritually Blind, would remain that way forever.

But God worked a Great Miracle on us. Without asking us whether we believe or not, but, on

the contrary, knowing that this Faith was not in us, our Lord Anointed us with clay and sorrows as with Holy Myrrh, and millions upon millions of souls were Healed - our Spiritual Eyes were opened and we began to see clearly for the very first time!

Our contemporaries, like us, were Spiritually Blind but having been Healed by our Creator - just like the man who had been blind from birth we are then subjected to difficult trials, interrogations, and mockery by the Pharisees of this age, and many of us were cut off from the society of our friends and relatives.

What happened to the man born without eyes and who was Healed by God, happened also to so many of us.

But why did our Saviour heal that Blind Man in particular? Why was this Divine Miracle manifested in that particular person, and not in the whole crowd of people who were around him - who were just as misfortunate, injured, or sick?

Two weeks ago we heard from the Gospel how our Saviour Healed the Paralytic who had thirsted

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and hoped for Healing over the course of thirty-eight years, but the man blind from birth did not seem to have any Faith, for he did not know who to believe in.

He simply could not see our Lord Jesus Christ - he did not see the One Who said to him: “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam.”

Only later did our Saviour reveal His Divinity to precisely this man, because He saw his courageous Confession before the enemies of the Truth - the enemies of God.

Even so - why was one man Healed, and no one else? Why did our Saviour pass by the crowd of wretched,

poor, crippled, and paralyzed people, and take only one of them, and Heal him?

Why, out of the millions and billions of those born blind does only a little Flock gain their Spiritual Sight?

Why, out of hundreds of different Nations living in the world, do only a few of them Confess the Saving Orthodox Faith?

Humanly speaking, it is ‘not fair!’ Humanly speaking: What made the other blind people any worse than this one?

And all the other Paralytics who lay by the Pool of Bethesda—what made them any worse than that Paralytic who was Healed?

Why are you and me (and each of us knows our own worth, which is not very high) any better than the millions of our Brethren in this world, who were not Enlightened by the Light of Faith?

Even during our Saviour’s earthly Life, when He walked the Earth, He chose - out of so many - only a few, by comparison.

The same circumstances are happening even now. Even out of all Nations, our Lord chooses only some

people – not everyone. So who, after all, are those whom our Lord chooses

to Heal? Before His Sufferings, at the Last Supper, He said to

His Disciples: “I have chosen you out of the world...” (JOHN 15:19)

Later, in his High-Priestly Prayer, our Lord Jesus Christ said to His Heavenly Father: “Holy Father, keep through Thine own Name those whom Thou hast given Me.” (JOHN 17:11)

Who are they? Wealthy and great people? Of course not. Only the poor? Again, wrong.

Amongst God’s Chosen are people of every economic or social status. Or perhaps they were people who were rich in something else, such as reason and wisdom? Nothing of the sort.

There were wise people who recognized the feebleness of their minds, and there were people entirely illiterate - even Holy Fools - to whom extraordinary Revelations were suddenly sent.

Perhaps these were people rich in sins, because the Lord was sent to Save sinners? But we know that we are all sinful in the Sight of God.

Or maybe these were people rich in Faith? Yes, the Lord requires our Faith in Him. Yet He Healed the man blind from birth without his Faith being an significant factor.

Our Lord Jesus Healed the man sick of the palsy, for whom the roof of the house was broken up and opened, and who was lowered down before

Christ by his friends - only because of their Faith in our Saviour. (CF. MARK 2:4),

Furthermore, we also know that the demons believe, and tremble… So who does our Lord choose for His Inheritance?

St Paul expressed it very clearly: “...nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” (GALATIANS 2:20)

These are the souls whom our Compassionate, Loving Saviour chooses: those who can deny themselves and become God’s Dwelling-place.

By God’s unsearchable, inexplicable Care for all mankind, only such people are chosen, even though they may be faint-hearted like the Paralytic, who betrayed Christ two weeks later.

Even he could say, if only once in his life: “See—Christ Lives in me!”

He could have become God’s Temple. Judas Iscariot was also God’s Temple at one time! However, God will give over to corruption those who

corrupt His Holy Temple… “I live; yet not I, but Christ Lives in me.” Anyone who has been Chosen by God can say the

same, because our “old man” (our old wickedness) is done away with, and Christ is Born and Dwells in us.

However, Christ lives in us in a way that is not at all mere speculation—not only in our minds.

There are many believing Christians with Christ in their minds: those who simply say, “Yes, I believe in Christ, but I do not belong to His Church.”

There are people who philosophize about Christ, who make dreamy assumptions about Him, and want to hear about Him; but the Life of Christ is not in them.

They are outside the All Holy, Life-giving Body of Christ, outside the Holy Church of Christ.

Therefore, many people who have heard about Christ, nevertheless live outside His Body and outside His Divinity.

Of course, we speak of this not in order to feel proud.

The Holy Church speaks of the Chosen Ones as God’s Great Mercy towards sinful people, but also as a great Responsibility. Because the Chosen, unfortunately, can also be like Judas Iscariot; they can become apostates, in whom Christ once Lived, but who later betray and crucify their Saviour.

Our gaining of Spiritual Sight consists of our beginning to see ourselves as full of sins and capable of every evil and betrayal.

Our gaining of Spiritual Sight consists of seeing the world as it really is: lying in evil.

Our gaining of Spiritual Sight consists of our beginning to see and appreciate in this world only God’s Great Mercy toward us and all of Spiritually Blind humankind.

But if we fail to see all of this, it means that we only think that we see, while, in fact, we remain Spiritually Blind from which only our Lord Jesus Christ may Heal and Deliver us!

Christ is Risen! АРХИМАНДРИТ ТИХОН (ШЕВКУНОВ), МОНАХИНЯ КОРНИЛИЯ (РИС),

ARCHIMANDRITE TIKHON (SHEVKUNOV)08 / 06 / 2013

HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/35149.HTM

S t S y m e o n t h e N e w T h e o l o g i a nThe person who sees with physical eyes knows when

it is night and when it is day - the blind man is unaware of both.

The person who has come to see with the eyes of the spirit, and who has beheld the True and Quenchless Light, is consciously aware that when he is deprived of it, should he return, out of laziness, to his former blindness; and he will not be ignorant of why this has happened.

But the person blind from birth, and remaining so, knows nothing of these things from personal experience of their operation.

He knows about them only from hearsay, but has never actually seen them; and if he tells others what he has heard, neither he nor his audience will know what he is talking about. (ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE PRACTICAL AND THEOLOGICAL TEXTS)

A S C E N S I O N T H U R S D A Y 2 9 M A Y 2 0 1 4 29

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

ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIR IT , NOW AND FOREVER,AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. REMEMBER ING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, THEOTOKOS, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SA INTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

2 9 M a y 2 0 1 4 A s c e n s i o n T h u r s d a y

A L S O T HE F E A S T OF S T THE O D OS I A O F T Y R E – S T A L E X A N D R OS OF A L E X A N D R I A - S T J O HN , FO O L F OR C H R I S T , O F U S T IU G – ST THE O D OS I A T HE V I R G IN MA R T Y R O F C O N S T A N T IN O P L E – T HE HO L Y FA T HE R S & HO LY MO T HE R S OF A T CH A R A , GE OR G IA

E N T R A N C E O F A S C E N S I O N & C O M M U N I O N H Y M N ( & S E C O N D A N T I P H O N * )

Anevi O Theos en alalagmo, Kyrios en foni salpingos.

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

IS TOUS OURANOUS, psallontas Si: Allilouia!

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

*O Son of God, TAKEN UP FROM US IN GLORY INTO HEAVEN, Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

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

Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, Haropiisas tous Mathitas, ti epangelia tou Agiou Pnevmatos, vaveothenton afton dia tis Evlogias, oti Si i O Iios tou Theou, O Litrotis tou kosmou.

Thou Ascended in Glory, O Christ our God, after Thou filled the Disciples with Joy, by promising to send them the Holy Spirit, and Thou Blessed them and established their Faith, that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N – A S C E N S I O N - T O N E ( 6 ) P L A G A L 2

Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis Ouraniis, anelifthis en doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, oudamothen horizomenos, alla menon adiastatos, ke voon tis agaposi se. EGO IMI METH IMON, KE OUDIS KATH IMON.

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

D I V I N E L I T U R G Y - F E S T A L S E C O N D A N T I P H O N – A S C E N S I O N T H U R S D A Y – T O N E 2

STIHOS Megas Kyrios, ke enetos sfodra.

Soson imas Iie Theou, O EN DOXI ANALIFTHIS AF’ IMON IS TOUS OURANOUS, psallontas Si: Allilouia!

STIHOS O Theos en tes Varesin aftis ginoskete


STIHOS Oti idou i Vasilis tis gis sinihthisan


VERSE Great is our God and greatly to be praised

O Son of God, TAKEN UP FROM US IN GLORY INTO HEAVEN, Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia

VERSE God is known in Her Palaces; whenever He helps Her.


VERSE For behold: the Kings of the earth were assembled


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

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

T h e A c t s o f t h e H o l y A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 : 1 – 1 2 T H E F I N A L T E A C H I N G O F C H R I S T & H I S A S C E N S I O N

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

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

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

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

30. A S C E N S I O N T H U R S D A Y 2 9 M A Y 2 0 1 4

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 2 4 : 3 6 – 5 3 T H E P A S S I O N O F O U R L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T

At that time the soldiers also mocked our Lord Jesus, offering Him sour wine, and saying: “If Thou art the King of the Jews, save Thyself!” And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin and Hebrew: “This is the King of the Jews!” And one of the criminals who were hanging beside Him blasphemed Him, saying: “If Thou art the Christ, save Thyself and us!” But the other one rebuked him, saying: “Do you not even fear God, seeing that you are under the same Condemnation? And we indeed Justly, for we receive the due Reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” And he said to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when Thou come into Thy Kingdom.” And Jesus said to him: “Truly, I say to you: today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Now it was about the Sixth Hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the Ninth Hour. And the sun was darkened, and the Veil of the Temple was ripped in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud Voice, He said: “Father, into Thy Hands I commit My Spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last. So when the Centurion saw what had happened, he Glorified God, saying: “Certainly this was a Righteous Man!” And the whole crowd who had gathered together for that sight – seeing what had been done – beat their breasts and returned. But all His acquaintances, and the Women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

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

A s c e n s i o n T h u r s d a y The "...two men in white apparel..." who immediately

after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the Apostles and asked them why they stood gazing up into Heaven, were without doubt themselves inhabitants of Heaven.

Therefore it is not to be supposed that this was displeasing to them, or that they desired to direct the gaze of those men of Galilee elsewhere. No.

They desired only to put an end to the inert amazement of the Apostles by saying:: “O Men of Galilee: why do you stand gazing up into Heaven?”

And, having aroused them from their amazement, they draw them into Meditation, and teach them and us with what thoughts we should gaze into Heaven, following our Lord Jesus Who has Ascended “...This same Jesus, Who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.”

The Disciples of our Saviour then beheld the exact Fulfilment of His Words, which St Mary Magdalene had recounted to them: “...I Am Ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”

They could not but conclude that those Joyful Visitations, which He had bestowed upon them during the forty days after His Resurrection from the dead - those instructive conversations with Him, that palpable Communion between them and His Divine Humanity - were at that moment ended.

When neither hand nor voice could any longer reach Him, they followed Him with their eyes, eager to detain Him.

They looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up.

We can conceive what an immeasurable bereavement the Apostles must have felt after the Ascension into Heaven of our Lord Jesus, Who was all and everything in the world to them; and it is this very bereavement for which the Heavenly Powers hastened to console them...

In considering the circumstances of the Ascension of Christ into Heaven, we may first note the Blessing that He finally gave to His Apostles and Disciples: “...while He Blessed them, ... He was parted from them and carried up into Heaven.”

What an endless current of the Divine Grace of Christ is thus revealed to us, Christians!

Our Lord began a Blessing, and before its completion He ascended into Heaven; for while He Blessed them He was carried up into Heaven.

Thus even after His Ascension into Heaven, our Lord continues invisibly to impart His Blessing, which flows and descends continuously upon His Holy Apostles - and through them It is diffused upon those whom they Bless in the Name of Jesus Christ.

And those who have received the Blessing of Christ through His Holy Apostles have spread it among

others – throughout the ages - and thus do all who belong to the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church become Partakers of the One Blessing of Christ.

As the Dew of Hermon that descended upon Mount Zion, so does this Blessing of Peace descend upon every soul who rises above passions and lusts, above vanity and the cares of the world.

As an Indelible Seal it stamps those who are of Christ in such a manner that at the end of the world He will by this very Sign Call them forth from the midst of all mankind, saying: “Come, you who are Blessed!”

And now, my Brethren, let us consider how needful it is for us to endeavour to gain now - and to preserve this Blessing - of our Ascended Lord, which descends upon us also through His Apostolic Church.

If we have received and preserved It, we shall, at the future Advent of Jesus Christ, be Called together with the Apostles and the Saints to participate in His Kingdom: “Come, all you who are Blessed!”

But if - when He shall Call the Blessed of His Father -this Blessing either be not found in us, or we be found in possession only of the false blessing of men who themselves have not inherited the Blessing of God our Heavenly Father by Grace and in the Holy Mysteries, then what will become of us?

Yea, I say, let us consider this vital point before the opportunity be taken away.

The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. From this same unexpectedness of His Second Coming, our Lord Himself draws for us Christians a Saving Warning: “Watch, therefore, for you know not what Hour your Lord willcome!”

Do not be led away by curiosity or credulity, and beware of those who pretend to know more than Christ has granted them to know.

Let us endeavour rather to know what failings we have, to number our transgressions, and to seek a limit to them in Repentance.

Let us take heed lest the children of this world and our own passions lull our spirits into sleep, until the approach of that longed for, yet Dreadful Hour: when our Lord comes!

The Blessing of the Lord be upon you by His Grace and Love for all mankind, always, now, and ever and unto the Ages of the ages.

Amen ARCHIMANDRITE SEBASTIAN DABOVICH - "LECTURES AND SERMONS

BY A PRIEST OF THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH" CUBERY AND COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, SAN FRANCISCO

CA, 1899, PAGES: 148-152.ORTHODOX CANADA, (PENTECOST, 2008)

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