2015 May Sacred Lessons - Amended

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the
Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole
Life to Christ our God. Amen.
2 M a y 2015
St Athanasios of Alexandria
Also the Feast of St Jeremiah, Holy Prophet of God St
Paphnutios the Abbot of Borov Monastery St Euthymios, St Ignatios & St Akakios of Mount
Athos of Mount St Makarios the Metropolitan & Hieromartyr of Kiev St Bata the Persian
St Tamara, Queen of Georgia St Nicephoros of Chios St Panaretos of Cyprus St
Gerasimos of Boldino St Isidora, Holy Martyr St Zosimas II of Kumurdo, Georgia
PASCHAL HYMN TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Hristos Anesti, ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patisas, Christ
is Risen from the dead; By Death trampling

upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the
Tombs.(3)
Ke tis en tis mnimasin, Zoin harisamenos (3)
FIRST PASCHAL ANTIPHON PSALM 65/66 - TONE 2

STIHOS 1:
Alalazate to Kyrio pasa i Gi.
en
enesi Aftou.
S T I H O S 3 : Ipate to Theo, Os fovera ta Erga Sou. En to plithi
tis Dinameos Sou psefsonte Se i ehthri Sou.
Pasa i Gi proskinisa tosan Si ke psalatosan Si,

psalatosan di to Onomati Sou.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is
tous Eonas ton eonon.
STIHOS 3:
Shout to God, all the Earth!

Through the Intercessions of
VERSE 1:
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.

S T I H O S 2 : Psalate di to Onomati Aftou - dote Doxan
Amin
the Theotokos, O
Saviour, Save us.
V E R S E 2 : Sing now to His Name give Glory to His Praise!
Say to God: How fearful at Thy Works; in the

magnitude of Thy Power, Thine enemies will lie to
Thee.
VERSE 3:
Let all the Earth worship Thee, and sing to Thee;

let them sing to Thy Name.
VERSE 4:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy

Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amen
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
of
the
Theotokos,
SECOND PASCHAL ANTIPHON PSALM 66/67 TONE 2

STIHOS 1:
O Theos ikterise imas ke Evlogise imas.
Epifane
May God be Gracious to us, and Bless us; may

He cause His Face to shine upon us.
VERSE 1:
to prosopon Aftou ef imas, ke eleise imas.
Soson
imas Iie Theou, O A N A S T A S E K N E K R O N

psallontas Si: Allilouia!
S T I H O S 2 : Tou gnosne en ti Gi tin Odon Sou - en pasin
Ethnesi to Sotirion Sou.
STIHOS 3:
Exomologisasthosan Si Lai, O Theos exomologisasthosan Si Lai pantes.
STIHOS 4:
Evlogise imas O Theos - ke fovithitosan Afton
panta ta perata tis Gis.
Soson imas Iie Theou, O A N A S T A S E K N E K R O N
psallontas Si: Allilouia!
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Son of God, W H O A R O S E F R O M T H E D E A D , Save us

who sing to Thee: Alleluia
V E R S E 2 : That we may know Thy Way on the Earth - Your
Salvation among the Gentiles.
Let the Peoples give Thanks to Thee, O God let

all the Peoples praise Thee.
VERSE 3:
May God Bless us and let all the ends of the

Earth fear Him.
O Son of God, W H O A R O S E F R O M T H E D E A D , Save us
who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
VERSE 4:
Amin
Amen
THIRD PASCHAL ANTIPHON PSALM 67/88 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Anastito O Theos, ke diaskorpisthitoan i ehthri

aftou, ke figetosan apo prosopou aftou i misountes
Afton.
STIHOS
Let God Arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and

let those who hate Him flee from before His Face.
VERSE
Hristos Anesti, ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patisas, Christ

Ke tis en tis mnimasin, Zoin harisamenos
Os eklipi kapnos eklipetosan, os tikete kiros apo

prosopou piros.
STIHOS
is Risen from the dead; By Death trampling

upon Death, And has bestowed Life to those in the
tombs
VERSE As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts
before the fire.
Outos apolounte i amartoli apo prosopou tou Theou.

Kei Dikei evfranthitosan.
VERSE
Afti i imera, in epiisen O Kyrios. Agalliasometha ke

evfranthomen en afti.
VERSE
STIHOS
STIHOS
So shall the sinners perish from the Sight of God.

And let the Righteous be glad.
This is the day the Lord made let us greatly rejoice
and be glad therein.
ISODIKON SMALL ENTRANCE HYMN TONE 2
En
Ekklisies evlogite ton Theon, Kyrion ek Pigon Israil.

Soson imas, Iie Theou, O Anastas ek nekron.
ST ATHANASIOS
OF
ALEXANDRIA APODOSIS
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
dead.
OF THE
HOLY MYRRHBEARERS
2 MAY 2015
AFTER THE SMALL ENTRANCE

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 2
Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton
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!
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!
PASCHAL APOLYTIKION - TONE 2
Esfragismenou
tou Mnimiatos, i Zoi ek Tafou anetilas

Hriste O Theos, ke ton thiron keklismenon, tis Mathites
epestis, i panton Anastasis. Pnevm evthes di afton
egkenizon imin, kata to Mega Sou Eleos.
Life, Thou rose from the Sepulchre, even though the

Tomb was secured with a seal, O Christ God. And
although the doors had been bolted, Thou went to Thy
Disciples, O Resurrection of all. Through them Thou
Renew a Right Spirit in us, according
FESTAL APOLYTIKION HOLY MYRRHBEARERS TONE 2
Tes
The
Myroforis Ginexi, Para To Mnima Epistas, O Angelos

Evoa: To Myra Tis Thanitis Iparhi Armodia, Hristos De
Diafthoras Edihthi Allotrios; Alla Kravgasate: Anesti O
Kyrios, Parehon To Kosmo To Mega Eleos!
Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the

Myrrhbearing 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!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST ATHANASIOS TONE 3
Stylos gegonas Orthodoxias, thiis dogmasin ipostirizon, tin Thou
became a Pillar of Orthodoxy, strengthening the

Church with Divine Dogmas, O Hierarch Athanasios.
For by preaching that the Son is One in Essence with
the Father thou put Arius to shame. O Venerable
Father, to Christ our God pray earnestly, entreating
that Great Mercy be on us bestowed.
ekklisian Irarha Athanasie: to gar Patri ton Ion

Omoousion, anakirixas katishinas Arion. Pater Osie,
Hriston ton Theon iketeve, dorisasthe imin to Mega
Eleos.
PASCHAL KONTAKION HOLY MYRRHBEARERS TONE 2
To
In saying: Rejoice! to the Myrrhbearers, Thou allayed the
Here tis Myroforis fthengxamenos, ton thrinon tis

promitoros Evas katepafsas, ti Anastasi Sou Hriste O
Theos. Tis Apostolis de tis Sis kirittin epetaxas. O Sotir
Exanesti tou Mnimatos!
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!
PROKEIMENON PRAYER
OF
AZARIAH TONE 4
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers, for Thou art Praiseworthy and Exalted beyond measure unto the Ages.
For Thou art Righteous in all Thou did for us, all Thou brought upon us and on Jerusalem, the Holy City of our Fathers...
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 13 : 7 - 16
Brethren: remember those who rule over you - those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their
Lives, and imitate their Faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings. It is
Good that the heart be Strengthened by Grace not by foods, which have not benefitted their adherents.
We have an Altar - from which those who serve the Tabernacle have no right to eat. The bodies of those animals, whose
blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the High Priest as a Sacrifice for sin are burnt outside the Camp. Jesus also
suffered in order to Sanctify the People through His own Blood, outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to Him
outside the Camp, to bear the abuse He endured. Here we have no Lasting City, but we seek that which is to come.
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a Sacrifice of Praise to God that is: the Fruit of lips that Confessed His
Name.
Share what you have - do not neglect to do Good. Such Sacrifices are pleasing to God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST MATTHEW 5 : 14 19
At that time, our Lord said to His Disciples: You are the Light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do
men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let you Light so
shine before mankind, that they may see your Good Works and Glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.
Truly, I say to you: until Heaven and Earth pass away, not an iota, nor a jot, will pass from the Law until all is
accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these Commandments and teaches mankind likewise, shall
be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who do them and teach them shall be called great in the
Kingdom of Heaven.
THE
INSPIRED WISDOM & TEACHINGS
He, the Life of all, our Lord and Saviour, did not
arrange the manner of His own Death lest He should
seem to be afraid of some other kind. No.
He accepted and bore upon the Cross a death inflicted by
others, and those other His special enemies, a death,
which to them was supremely terrible and by no means
to be faced; and He did this in order that, by destroying
even this Death, He might Himself be believed to be the
Life, and the power of death be recognised as finally
annulled.
A marvellous and mighty paradox has thus occurred, for
the Death, which they thought to inflict on Him as
dishonour and disgrace has become the Glorious
Monument to Death's defeat.
Even on the Cross He did not hide Himself from sight;
rather, He made all Creation witness to the Presence of
its Maker.
He became what we are so that He might make us

what He is.
Dead men cannot take effective action; their power of

influence on others lasts only until the grave.
Deeds and actions that energise others belong only to
the living.
2.
ST ATHANASIOS
OF
OF
ST ATHANASIOS
OF
ALEXANDRIA
Well, then, look at the facts in this case.

The Saviour is working mightily among men - every day
He is invisibly persuading numbers of people all over
the world, both within and beyond the Greek-speaking
world, to accept His Faith and be Obedient to His
Teaching.
Can anyone, in face of this, still doubt that He has Risen
and Lives - or rather that He is Himself the Life?
Does a dead man prick the consciences of men...?
The Body of the Word, then, being a real human Body,

in spite of its having been uniquely formed from a
Virgin, was of itself mortal and, like other bodies,
liable to Death.
But the Indwelling of the Word loosed it from this natural
liability, so that corruption could not touch It.
Thus is happened that two opposite Marvels took place at
once:
the death of all was Consummated in the Lord's
Body;
yet, because the Word was in It, Death and
Corruption were in the same Act utterly
abolished.
ALEXANDRIA APODOSIS
OF THE
HOLY MYRRHBEARERS
2 MAY 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and
to the Holy Spirit, now and Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages.
Amen
Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints.
And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ
our God. Amen.
3 May 2015
Tone 3
4 t h Sunday After Holy Pascha
Sunday of the Paralytic of Sheeps Pool
Also the Feast of St Timothy the Reader & St Maura, his wife, Antinoes, Egypt - St
Theodosios the Abbot of Kiev Far Caves Monastery, Founder of Coenobitic Monasticism
in Russia St Peter the Wonderworker & Bishop of Argos, Peloponnesos Translation of
the Dormition Icon of our All Holy Lady Theotokos from Constantinople to Kiev Caves
Monastery St Mamai of Georgia St Michael & St Arsenios of Ulompo, Georgia - St
Ecumenios the Wonderworker of Trikala.
PASCHAL APOLYTIKION - HOLY PASCHA
Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patistas, Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!

tombs!
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.
PASCHAL KONTAKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
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.
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 5 ; LUKE 24 : 12 35

OUR RESURRECTED LORD ACCOMPANIED AND ENLIGHTENED ST CLEOPHAS & ST LUKE ALONG THE
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM46/47 TONE 3
Psalate to Theo imon! Psalate!

Panta Ethni krotisate hiras!
THE ACTS
ROAD TO
EMMAUS
Sing praises to our God! Sing Praises!

O all you Nations, clap your hands!
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
ST TABITHA/DORCAS
IS
TO
BROUGHT BACK
ST LUKE 9 : 32 42
FROM
DEATH
In those days, it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout the quarters, he went down also to the Saints who dwelt at
Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bed-ridden for eight years, suffering from palsy.
And Peter said to him: Aeneas: Jesus Christ makes Thee whole! Arise, and make Thy bed. And he immediately arose.
And behold! all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord.
And at Joppa there was a certain Disciple named Tabitha, which is translated as Dorcas. She was full of Good Works and
Almsgiving, which she had done. And it came to pass in those days that she became ill and died. When they had
washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
And due to the fact that Lydda was close to Joppa, and the Disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to
him, requesting him to hasten to them. Peter arose and went with them.
When he arrived, they took him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood around him, weeping, and showing him
the cloaks and garments that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
After putting them all outside, Peter knelt down, and prayed. And turning to the body, he said: Tabitha! Arise!She
opened her eyes, and when she beheld Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand, and helped her up, and when he had
called the Saints and widows, he presented her to them, alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many
believed in our Lord.
OF OUR LORD THROUGH HIS HOLY NAME, WHICH CONTINUES IN
Lydda is approximately 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem
and Sharon was a region north of Lydda along the
CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH TO THIS VERY DAY.
Mediterranean coastline.
The Divine Signs or Miracles of the Holy Apostles of Christ
THE TERM SAINTS REFERRED TO ALL CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS, for all
convinced many witnesses and others who then
who believe in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ with
turned to the Lord.
their whole heart AND WHO ARE SANCTIFIED BY THE HOLY
THESE DIVINE SIGNS OR MIRACLES PROVE THE GREAT MERCY AND
SPIRIT ARE BY DEFINITION SAINTS.
POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD THUS CONFIRMING CHRISTS HOLY
The later use of the term, referring to Holy People who
GOSPEL AND LEADING MANY SOULS TO SINCERE REPENTANCE
lived particularly exemplary lives and who have been
AND ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST.
Canonised (Glorified) by the Holy Church of Christ
St Peters raising St Tabitha from the dead parallels
does not negate this primary meaning.
Christs raising the daughter of the Synagogue Ruler,
St Peter was able to completely heal the paralysed
Jairus, from death.
Aeneas BY INVOKING THE AMAZING DIVINE HEALING POWER
4TH SUNDAY AFTER PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
PARALYTIC
OF
BETHESDA 3 MAY 2015

THE PARALYTIC
AT THE
SHEEPS POOL
IS
HEALED
TO
AFTER
ST JOHN 5 : 1 15
38
YEARS BY OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time our Lord Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

There is in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, a pool, which is called in Hebrew: Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a
great multitude of sick people: blind, lame and paralysed waiting for the moving of the water. An Angel went down at
a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made
well of whatever disease he had.
A certain man was there who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he
already had been in that condition for a long time, He said to him: Do you want to be made well? The sick man
answered Him: Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am going, another
steps down before me. Jesus said to him: Rise. Take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made
well, took up his bed and walked.
That day was the Sabbath. The Hebrews, therefore, said to him who was cured: It is the Sabbath! It is not lawful for you to
carry your bed! He answered them: He Who made me well said to me: Take up your bed and walk. They asked
him: Who is the Man Who said to you: Take up your bed and walk? But the one who was healed did not know Who it
was, 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 Judeans that it was Jesus Who had made him well.
This Divine Healing was the Third Sign or Miracle that St
WE NEED TO REPENT OUR SINS, TO HUMBLE OURSELVES, TO
LEARN OBEDIENCE TO GOD, TO FORGIVE OTHERS, TO DO
John the Divine Apostle recorded in his Holy Gospel.
UNSELFISH AND LOVING (CHARITABLE) ACTS OF MERCY
IT EXEMPLIFIES THE DIVINE POWER OF CHRIST OUR LORD TO
WITHOUT EXCEPTION, LEARN TO BE PATIENT, KIND, GENTLE,
RESTORE A PERSON TO WHOLENESS TO FULL HEALTH,
GENEROUS, DEVELOP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND TO FULFIL
DESPITE THE DEGREE OF AFFLICTION.
ALL OUR SACRED DUTIES AND COMMITMENTS WITH WILLING
The Feast, which is referred to, was the Old Covenant
AND EAGER HEARTS.
Pentecost also known as the Feast of Weeks, which
ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM STRANGE THAT OUR LORD ASKED THE
celebrates the granting of the Divine Law the Ten
PARALYSED MAN IF HE WANTED TO BE HEALED, IT WAS A
Commandments of God to St Moses on Mount Sinai.
MOST RELEVANT QUESTION FOR SEVERAL REASONS:
(THE REFERENCES TO THE LAW OF MOSES LATER IN THIS CHAPTER
It made public the fact that THE SICK MAN KEPT HIS
CONFIRM THIS INTERPRETATION OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS..)
FAITH EVEN IN A SITUATION THAT WAS SEEMINGLY
The double-basin Pool of Bethesda, which was believed
HOPELESS, for how could a paralytic ever be the
to have had miraculous curative powers, has been refirst into the water?
discovered about 100 yards North of the Temple area,
Our Lord drew attention away from the water and
near to the Sheep Gate.
towards THE NEED WE ALL HAVE FOR THE HELP AND
The water for this high-ground pool came from
ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHERS, WHICH IS FULFILLED IN
underground springs and was used to wash the
CHRIST HIMSELF, Who became Man in order to
SACRIFICIAL LAMBS before they WERE SLAUGHTERED AS
heal all ailing and fallen mankind.
BLOOD OFFERINGS FOR THE ATONEMENT AND FORGIVENESS OF
NOT EVERYONE WHO IS ILL ACTUALLY DESIRES HEALING, for
SINS ACCORDING TO THE OLD COVENANT LAW.
sadly, some prefer to remain infirm in order to
THE POOL OF BETHESDA FUNCTIONED AS A TYPE OF HOLY
have an excuse or licence to complain, to
BAPTISM:
avoid any responsibility for their lives, or to
UNDER THE OLD COVENANT, ALTHOUGH A GREAT
continue drawing the pity of others!
MULTITUDE WAITED to enter the water for physical
Although Mosaic Law did not specifically forbid the
healing after an Angel of God had touched it
carrying of burdens on the Sabbath, it was prohibited
and stirred it up, ONLY ONE PERSON WAS HEALED AT
and explicitly forbidden in Rabbinical Teachings.
A TIME.
JEREMIAH 17 : 23 The Lord said: ... if you will not hear
The water was special because IN AN INDIRECT MANNER IT
Me so as to Sanctify the Sabbath Days, and bear no
WAS PART OF THE BLOOD SACRIFICES of the Holy Temple of
burdens, nor enter the gates of Jerusalem on the
Jerusalem, since the sacrificial animals were
Sabbath Days, then I will kindle a fire in her gates. It
cleansed in the water.
will consume the streets of Jerusalem and will not
However, DIVINE GRACE WAS LIMITED TO THE FIRST
be quenched.
PERSON WHO ENTERED THE WATER BUT NOT TO THE
St Jeremiah the Holy Prophet of God delivered the Word
REST.
of the Lord which commanded that Israel stop
GODS NEW COVENANT BAPTISM IS GRANTED TO ALL NATIONS
violating the Sabbath Day.
The Reward for
AS A DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN CHRISTS OWN SACRIFICIAL
Obedience to God is a gathering of the nations into
DEATH WITHOUT THE MEDIATION OF HIS ANGELS.
Jerusalem to offer sacrifice and although this was
Holy Baptism of the New (Bloodless) Covenant
done after the Exile, it was not completely fulfilled
GRANTS US ALL HEALING OF THE BODY AND OF THE
until the Gentiles joined the procession on the Day of
IMMORTAL SOUL,
Pentecost.
AS WELL AS THE DIVINE PROMISE OF ETERNAL
The Truth that Christ is Lord over the Sabbath is made
RESURRECTION OF THE BODY.
clear by His Command to the Paralytic and by the
Furthermore, DIVINE GRACE OF THE NEW COVENANT IS
mans unhesitating Obedience to Him.
INEXHAUSTIBLE AND IS OFFERED TO ALL WHO SEEK IT.
As is often the case in the Holy Gospel according to St
According to St John Chrysostom, OUR LORD JESUS
John, HEBREWS REFERS TO THE LEADERS - and not to the
CHRIST SINGLED OUT THE MAN WHO HAD SUFFERED FOR
people in general WHOSE MALICE IS QUITE EVIDENT
THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS PATIENTLY WAITING TO BE HEALED
BECAUSE THEY FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE VIOLATION OF THE
IN ORDER TO TEACH US TO PERSEVERE AND TO HAVE
SABBATH RATHER THAN ON THE GREAT MIRACLE OF THE LONGPATIENCE, WHILE BEING A JUDGEMENT OR CONDEMNATION
SUFFERING PARALYTIC.
AGAINST THOSE WHO LOSE HOPE OR PATIENCE ALTOGETHER
THE GENUINE AND PROFOUND FAITH OF THE MAN IS
THOSE WHO DESPAIR WHO LOSE ALL HOPE AND FAITH IN
DEMONSTRATED BY HIS IMMEDIATELY GOING TO THE
GODS
DIVINE
PROVIDENCE
because
their
TEMPLE TO OFFER HIS HEARTFELT THANKSGIVING AND
circumstances are not according to their own will
WORSHIP, instead of going home, or anywhere else
and desires and especially when we have only
to show off his healed body.
minor problems that can be easily resolved if we
Furthermore, ALL MIRACULOUS HEALINGS HAD TO BE CONFIRMED
make an effort to do so.
BY THE TEMPLE PRIESTS, FOLLOWED BY VARIOUS CLEANSING
GOD DOES EVERYTHING IN HIS OWN TIME AND ACCORDING TO
AND SACRIFICIAL RITES ACCORDING TO MOSAIC LAW.
HIS OWN DIVINE WILL BECAUSE ONLY HE KNOWS WHAT IS
While there is a general connection between sin and
BEST FOR US AND HOW TO HELP US.
suffering, this connection is not always one to one, for
WE USUALLY HAVE TO CORRECT SOMETHING TO DO WITH OUR
OWN PERSONAL SPIRITUAL CONDITION BEFORE WE ARE ABLE
TO RECEIVE OR EXPERIENCE GODS DIVINE GRACE AND
MERCY:
4.
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
OF THE
PARALYTIC
OF
BETHESDA 3 MAY 2015
WORSE - THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS DUE TO OUR SELFISH OR

THOUGHTLESS ACTIONS.
Christs 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.
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
CHRISTS 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.
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE PARALYTIC

Our Faith teaches us that Healing is Miraculous by whatever
means it occurs and by whatever means God brings it.
Healing is, in a very great sense, a Sign, a Manifestation, of
the Kingdom of God, toward us.
Sickness and death are the norm: tragic results of our
willing disobedience of God and our participation in the
environment of sin we see and experience all around us.
But sickness and, ultimately, Death are the enemies Christ
God became Incarnate to destroy.
Christ rescues us from an otherwise eternal pattern of
senseless sickness and death.
Instead, were invited to receive New Birth by Water and
the Spirit, to receive the Adoption of Sonship, New Life
in Christ.
We live toward dying, but Dying in Christ brings us to
Eternal Living because with Christ, those who have put
on Christ, likewise become fellow Victors over sin and
Death.
So in this Light - in this Truth - we can see the two
examples of Healing in todays Scripture Readings as
interjections of the Kingdom of God in our sad,
mundane, otherwise sin-sick and dying humanity.
Here, the Gospel loudly proclaims: True Healing comes
from Christ, from the Creator of all life; and shouts
out to us: Call on Christ who alone brings True
Healing!
Its St Peters Communion (Koinonia) with Christ God that
enables him to be the means by which God Heals the
Paralytic and then raises the Woman of God - St Tabitha.
He tells the Paralytic: Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you.
Theres no doubt from whom the Healing comes, but the
great thing is that the God of the Universe chooses a
mere manand one who had just recovered from
denying Him thriceto communicate His Life - His
Healing to others.
In the Holy Gospel, it is, of course, Christ Himself in Person
Who Heals and in the second case, it is Christ Who
Heals through St Peter.
Either way, it is God Who is Glorified, but in the Epistle
Reading, we should be stopped in our tracks.
Wed expect God to Heal, but now His Healing was done
through His Apostle - through His Church - that is:
through His abiding Presence with us.
This is in fulfilment of what Christ said would happen after
the Descent of the Holy Spirit: Most assuredly, I say to
you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will
do also; and greater works than these he will do,
because I go to My Father (JOHN 14:12).
In many of the Healings recorded in the Holy Gospels, they
are preceded by our Lord Jesus Christ Forgiving sins, by
a step of Faith and Repentance.
This is so natural, so fitting: Only God can Forgive sins,
only God can give and restore Life.
Our ultimate problem is not the weakness and infirmities
of our physical bodies, as distressing, saddening, and
limiting as they may be.
Rather, it is our sin-sickness - our wilful removal of
ourselves, our eternal souls - from True Life Communion with God - that is most to be lamented.
After Healing the Paralytic of Bethesda, our Lord severely
cautioned him: Go and sin no more!
Sin itself is understood in our Orthodox Faith as a sickness,
for it is self-willed removal from the Light of Life.
Sin is our voluntarily or involuntarily missing the Mark
[going off the Path] to Glory to which we have been Called.
Our sin and disobedience - our rejection of Gods
Communion and Living in Christ - as individuals and as
human beings, means we turn away from that Holy Life,
OF
BETHESDA
that Glory, and, in this sense, embrace Death. [the

absence of God and all His Divine Goodness]
The Paralytic of Bethesda lamented: Lord, I have no man
to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up
He had struggled with his infirmity and the
disappointment of not being Healed for 38 years!
Imagine!
Yet, finally, his Faith in God drew our Lord and Saviour to
him and he was Healed - not only in body, but in soul as
well, for he was Divine Blessed with a personal
Encounter with our Living God!
Our All Merciful and Loving God never leaves us alone to
fend for ourselves.
He offers Himself to us He offers us His Life - a New Life
through our sincere Repentance, which is the Cure for
all ailments caused by sin.
Our Most Compassionate God pours out His Divine Grace
and Love upon us through His Holy Church, for He has
granted us all the essential Spiritual Tools or Medicine
that Comforts our sufferings, Strengthens our
weaknesses and Cures our illnesses.
It is entirely up to us if we wish to take full advantage of
the Spiritual Benefits of the Divine Services, Prayers and
Holy Mysteries and every other Beneficial Aspect of
His Holy Church.
Our Lord receives our Repentance through the Holy
Mystery of Repentance-Confession.
Furthermore, He Nourishes, Heals, Cleanses and Renews us
with the Medicine of Immortality of the Holy Mystery of
Eucharist.
Consequently, we must honestly question ourselves: How
do I prioritise my personal Holy Communion with my
Lord God?
Do I strive to Live in Christ in all facets of my daily life
so that I ceaselessly Struggle against temptation and
sin, and every time I Fall, do I turn to God for Healing,
Cleansing and Renewal in Christ, so that I may be
Sanctified and eventually Deified?
If we want that wonderful Fullness in Christ and
continuous Spiritual Healing, we need Spiritual Growth
and Strength.
We need to develop and maintain our personal Relationship
and Communion with the Lord our God.
Bearing that in mind, we must understand that Love
[Agape Divine, Unconditional Love] cannot be forced on
anyone but must be a personal desire a totally free
choice of Divine Goodness that has infinite Blessings
and Joy.
The same principles apply to our Healing and in fact, to
all the Divine Blessings that God bestows so freely and
abundantly on us.
For this reason, our Lord Jesus Christs question to the
Paralytic was indeed relevant even after 38 long,
painful and frustrating years: Do you want to be made
well?
We must ask ourselves the same vital question, and if we
do want that marvellous Spiritual or physical Healing,
we are Blessed indeed for we can avail ourselves of
everything that Christs Holy Church so freely and
generously offers us.
If we refuse such Wondrous Divine Gifts then we surely
need to Repent and change our stubborn attitude,
seeking Spiritual Guidance and Help, for every human
being needs these in order to enjoy a fulfilled Life.
We all need to turn to our Lord Jesus Christ Who alone is
able to Save us from Spiritual Death.
We certainly have more than enough excuses to keep us
from that essential Spiritual Growth and Healing, which
prevents our participation in all the Wonders and
OF THE
PARALYTIC
OF
BETHESDA 3 MAY 2015
Blessings and Joy of the Kingdom of God that we are

already so mercifully granted here and now.
Our stubborn excuses of: I am too busy... Ive got too many
other responsibilities... Im afraid... Im too proud... God
can help others, but He cant help me... are just ways of
avoiding what we know we really do need, yet we are
not prepared to commit ourselves and prefer to
continue doing our own thing.
The Truth - the Reality - is that we do not have to remain
trapped in the same dead-end habits.
Significantly, when Christ asked Paralytic of Bethesda if he
wanted ...to be made well... he responded by saying:
Lord, I have no man to put me into the pool...
Our Lord then takes his attention away from the pool and
reveals that Christ Himself is the Man the God-Man Who alone, and directly, Heals and Saves.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, physical sickness, disease
and death can be Transfigured: O Death, where is thy
sting? O Hades, where is thy victory? (1 CORINTHIANS
15:55)
In the same way, all our Spiritual Sickness can be

permanently Healed IN CHRIST - step by step.
Through the Sanctified Tools and Holy Mysteries of His
Holy Church, we have the means to conquer sin - to
bear the Cross of our personal Struggles and self-denial,
which become the means of Deification through our
constant Repentance and Prayers.
Church is meant to be more than just a once-a-week
experience for us.
As Orthodox Christians Disciples of Christ we are
meant to incorporate the Church our Life in Christ into all aspects of daily living.
For the Faithful Orthodox Christian, there is no distinction
or
separation
between
our
Relationship
and
Communion with God and our participation in the
Church - in all Her Holy Services and Mysteries.
It is impossible to have our Lord Jesus Christ without our
regular participation in all aspects of His Holy Church,
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
ON
Edited & adapted by mp

Sermon by FATHER ROBERT MICLEAN
ARCHANGELS ORTHODOX CHURCH
http://www.orthodoxannapolis.org/
CHRISTS COMMANDMENT: SIN
A fearful thing is sin - fearful, and the ruin of the soul,

for the mischief often - through its excess - has
overflowed and attacked our body also.
For the most part - when our soul is diseased - we feel
no pain.
However, if our body receives even a little hurt, we use
every exertion to free it from its infirmity, because
we are sensible (aware) of the infirmity.
Therefore, God often permits punishment of our body
for the transgressions of our soul, so that by means
of the scourging of the inferior part, the better part
also may receive some Healing.
Thus, too, among the Corinthians St Paul restored the
adulterer - checking the disease of the soul by the
destruction of the flesh, and having applied the knife
to the body, so repressed the evil like some excellent
Physician employing external cautery for dropsy or
spleen, when they refuse to yield to internal
remedies. ( 1 CORINTHIANS VERSE 5 )
This also Christ did in the case of the Paralytic of
Bethesda - as He showed when He said: "Behold, thou
art made whole. Sin no more, lest a worse thing
come unto thee!"
First, we learn from this that his paralysis had been
caused by his sins.
Secondly, we learn that the accounts of Hell Fire are to
be believed.
And, thirdly, we learn that the Punishment is long nay,
endless Eternal!
Where are those who dare to say: "I murdered in an
hour... I committed adultery in a little moment of
time... and am I Eternally Punished?"
For behold that Paralytic had not sinned for as many
years as he suffered, for he had spent a whole
lifetime in the length of his Punishment - and O U R
SINS ARE NOT JUDGED BY TIME, BUT BY THE
NATURE OF OUR TRANSGRESSIONS.
Besides this, we may learn another thing:
Although we have suffered severely for our former sins,
IF WE AFTERWARDS FALL INTO THE SAM E SINS,
WE SHALL SUFFER M UCH MORE SEVERELY!
And with good reason because those who are not made
better - even by punishment - are afterwards led as
6.
for our Lord Jesus is manifested to us through His Holy

Church - through the Tools of Salvation that He has
imparted to us through His Holy Body (His Church) in
His Great Love for us.
Our True Life in Christ brings us ever closer to our Triune
God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and
interjects the Life, Joy and Hope of the Eternal Heavenly
Kingdom into our midst.
We must guide and encourage each other to maintain our
Relationship with our Lord God, for that is the only way
to wage a Victorious Battle against the Evil One and all
his schemes for our destruction.
We must avail ourselves of everything that Christ imparts
to us through His Holy Church: the Deifying Worship,
Fellowship, Service, the Holy Mysteries, as well as all His
Divine Commandments and Teachings.
In this way only, our soul - like the suffering body of the
Paralytic - will be fully restored so that, like him, we will
have the Strength to take up our Cross, and follow
Christ all the way to the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven.
And as we regain our Likeness to Christ and are Glorified
with Him, our Love for God and our fellow mankind will
continually increase.
We will find new ways to Love and Serve, thereby
manifesting the Kingdom of God to the world around us
so that God may be Glorified in us and through us:
Greater Works than these he will do in My Name
As Thou raised up the Paralytic of old, so raise up my soul,
paralyzed by sins and thoughtless acts; so that being
Saved I may sing to Thee: Glory to Thy Power, O
Compassionate Christ! K O N T A K I O N F O R T H E F E A S T
NO MORE...!
(PART 1)
to still heavier (more severe) Chastisement for being

insensible and despising (contemptuous).
The fault should of itself be sufficient to check and to
render more sober those who once have slipped.
But when not even the addition of Punishment effects us,
we naturally require more bitter Torments. (which
should make us aware of and acknowledge our Spiritual

Condition so that we sincerely Repent and return to Gods
Divine Grace and Love as He desires us to do. mp)
Even in this temporary world, when - after Punishment we fall into the same sins, we are Chastised yet more
severely than before.
Therefore, ought we not to be exceedingly afraid and
atremble when - having sinned - we have not been
punished at all, but knowing that we will have to
endure something irreparable (and beyond our ability to
Repent and receive Forgiveness i.e. after our Repose)?
"And wherefore art not all thus Punished? For we see
many bad people (who seem to be) well in body,
vigorous, and enjoying great prosperity, some may
well enquire.
Nevertheless, let us not be confident.
Let us mourn for those in this case most of all, since
those who suffered nothing in this life, will receive
Eternal Condemnation hereafter.
(We are all going to be held accountable for our words, thoughts
and deeds because we will not fully comprehend until too late,
the consequences - especially those that affected others
negatively. mp)
As St Paul declared: "...now that we are Judged, we are
Chastened of the Lord, that we should not be
Condemned with the world... for the punishments
here are for warning - there for vengeance." (i.e.
Retribution) ( 1 CORINTHIANS 11: 32 )
Not all diseases and ailments proceed from sin, but
many of them are caused by sinful acts. (the
consequences of which can indeed be vast, affecting great

multitudes, as we witness these days! mp)
Some diseases are caused by various kinds of loose
living, since gluttony, intemperance, and sloth, can
cause much suffering, and even death. (...to be
continued...)
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com/search/label/Paralytic
OF THE
PARALYTIC
OF
BETHESDA 3 MAY 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God.
Amen.
5 May 2015
St Irene the Great Holy Martyr
of Thessalonika
Apodosis of the Paralytic
Also the Feast of St Euthymios of Maditou St Euphraim the New Holy Martyr of Nea Makri, Attika
St James the Abbot & Wonderworker of Zhelezny Bor, Kostoma (Uncovering of Holy Relics)
FESTAL APOLYTIKION

tombs!
- ST IRENE THE GREAT MARTYR - TONE 4:
Irinis
The steps of the Prince of Peace, following O Noble One,
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.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
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!
OF A
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.
FEMALE HOLY MARTYR
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
Sacrifice, the one who desired to give her life for you.
Through her Intercessions, O Most Compassionate,
Save our souls.

Although

FESTAL KONTAKION - ST IRENE THE GREAT MARTYR TONE 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.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM46/47 TONE 3
Sing praises to our God! Sing Praises!

O all you Nations, clap your hands!
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 10:21- 23
In those days, Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said: Behold! I am he whom you
seek. For what reason have you come? They said: Cornelius the Centurion - a Just man who Fears God and who has a
good reputation among all the Nation of the Judeans - was Divinely Instructed by a Holy Angel to summon Thee to his
house, and to hear words from Thee. And he invited them in and lodged them.
The next day Peter went away with them, and some Brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the following day they
entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying:
Stand up. I myself am also a man. And as he spoke with him, he went in and found many who had come together.
He said to them: You know how unlawful it is for a Judean man to keep company with or to go to one of another Nation.
But God has shown me that I should not call any man common, or unclean. Therefore, I came without objection as soon as
I was sent for. So I ask: for what reason have you sent for me?
And Cornelius said: Four days ago I was Fasting until this hour; and at the Ninth Hour I prayed in my house, and behold! A
Man stood before me in bright clothing, and said: Cornelius, Thy Prayers have been heard, and Thine Alms are
remembered in the Sight of God. Send, therefore, to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging
in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to Thee. So I sent to Thee immediately, and
Thou hast done well to come. Now, therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all things that were Commanded to
Thee by God.
ST IRENE
THE
GREAT HOLY MARTYR
OF
THESSALONIKA
5 MAY 2015
7.
BY MEANS OF A DIVINE VISION, God had revealed to St

Peter all the creatures, which the Israelites had been
forbidden to eat according to the Old Covenant
Dietary Laws, but which now, according to the New
Covenant, are permissible for our consumption, for
ALL THINGS CREATED BY GOD ARE GOOD! (ACTS 10: 11 13)
St Peters initial resistance to specific New Covenant
Laws shows how difficult it was for the first (Hebrew)
Christians to accept and to put into practice, the
Divine Teachings that CERTAIN OLD COVENANT LAWS
WERE NO LONGER ESSENTIAL TO OUR SPIRITUAL WELFARE AND
ETERNAL LIFE.
The Divine Vision of formerly common or unclean
creatures is A DIVINE DECLARATION THAT THE OLD
COVENANT DIETARY LAWS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED and thus
are no longer necessary. (MARK 7:19)
More importantly, this Divine Vision also revealed that
GENTILES, WHO WERE FORMERLY CONSIDERED TO BE
UNCLEAN AND THUS TO BE AVOIDED, by the Judeans, ARE
NOW CLEANSED BY THE MOST PRECIOUS, LIFE-GIVING BLOOD
OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, MAKING THEM EQUAL
PARTAKERS OF THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF HEAVEN THE
ETERNAL KINGDOM OF AGAPE (LOVE).
THIS DIVINE VISION, FURTHERMORE, PREPARED ST PETER TO
RECEIVE CORNELIUS AND HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS and to
teach them all the Divine Truth of Almighty God as
he had been taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Eternal, Only Begotten Son and Word of God the
Father.
And the most important Sacred Lesson of this Reading
today, is to teach us to remind us that OUR LOVING
LORD GOD DESIRES ALL HUMANITY TO BE WELCOMED AND
JOYFULLY RECEIVED INTO HIS HOLY CHURCH regardless
of heritage, social class, past sins or anything else

FOR WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS WE ARE ALL
ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS!
THE NINTH HOUR IS 15:00 (3PM), which is one of the

Traditional Hours for Liturgical Prayer for both the
Judeans and the early Christians (which the
Orthodox Christians still follow to this day.)
These Hours of Liturgical Prayer were observed by both
Hebrew and Gentile Christians St Peter and St
Cornelius the Centurion.
...A Man stood before me in bright clothing..
signifies A HOLY VISITATION OF AN ANGEL OF GOD i.e. a
Holy Messenger of God.
St Cornelius and his family and friends were eager
to hear the Teachings of Christ from His Holy Apostle,
St Peter, for ... Faith comes by hearing...
All Faithful and devoted Disciples of Christ need to
continuously hear and read the Holy Gospel, the
Holy Scriptures and the Inspired Writings of our Holy
Church Fathers.
Let us always keep in mind what our Lord said with
regard to His All Pure and Ever Blessed Mother: ...
Blessed are those who hear and obey the Word of
God!
It takes the inseparable Holy Virtues of HUMILITY AND
OBEDIENCE to follow Her good example: TO HEAR AND
TO OBEY ALL OUR LORDS TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS.
By doing so to the best of our ability, we will enjoy and
be abundantly Blessed with LIFE IN CHRIST.
TO
ST JOHN 7 : 1 - 13
At that time, after these things, Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Judeans sought
to kill Him. The Judeans Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His Brothers, therefore, said to Him: Depart from here
and go into Judea, that Thy Disciples also may see the Works that Thou art doing, for no one does anything in secret
while he himself seeks to be known openly. If Thou do these things, show Thyself to the world. For even His Brothers
did not believe in Him.
Jesus said to them: My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates
Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this Feast. I Am no yet going up to the Feast, for My
time has not yet fully come.
When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. When His Brothers had gone up, then He also went up to
the Feast not openly, but as it were, in secret. The Judeans sought Him at the Feast, and said: Where is He? And
there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said: He is Good! Others said: No! On the
contrary, He deceives the people! However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Judeans.
St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife, Salome, who
This is an account of our Lord Jesus Christs visit to
had been the sister of St Anna (mother of our Lady
Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles, which
Theotokos.)
covered eight days.
According to Old Covenant Law, these sons and
At this Festival, during the last year of His earthly Life, our
daughters of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife,
Lord Jesus taught in the Temple and attracted a great
Salome, were regarded as the legal children of the
deal of public attention.
Ever Blessed Virgin Mary as well.
Some of the Judeans considered Him to be insane or
The Temple Priests Betrothed Her to Her aged Uncle, who
mentally disturbed, while others believed Him to be
was in Truth Her Guardian and Protector of Her
the long-awaited Messiah.
Sacred Vow of Chastity, which could never be broken.
However, the Sadducees and Pharisees regarded our
A Betrothal was legal and binding, and no one
Lord Jesus Christ to be a major threat.
questioned the parentage of Christ, for God Himself
Thus, those who sought to kill Christ were the religious
had chosen St Joseph as a Most Righteous and Devout
leaders who were afraid of Him but not the people
Servant, who would fulfil his Sacred Duty as Guardian
in general who usually flocked to hear His Divine
and Protector of our Lady and Her Divine Son, our
Truth and to witness His Divine Miracles.
Lord Jesus Christ.
The Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth) is an 8 day autumn
His home was a safe haven for the other young Virgins
harvest Festival, commemorating the time when the
who accompanied our Lady Theotokos, who had
Nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness of Sinai
followed Her example and also taken Vows of Chastity
and lived in tents, or tabernacles.
and Obedience to God.
Along with the great Feasts of Passover and Pentecost, the
It was customary to refer to close family members as
Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three most
brothers or sisters, even though they were cousins or
important Festivals of Israel.
related through Marriage.
It included numerous blood sacrifices and celebrations,
The Betrothal of St Joseph and our Lady was never
and later, the final day of this Feast also included
consummated and She never bore another child.
drawing water from the Pool of Siloam, which was
Later, our Lord Jesus entrusted Her care to His
mixed with wine and poured at the base of the Altar
beloved cousin, St John the Theologian and his
both as Purification and in Remembrance of the Lifefamily, who protected Her and took care of Her until
saving Water that flowed from the Rock, which St
She Reposed.
Moses had struck with his rod. (EXODUS 17 : 1 7)
Our Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem very quietly and
It also included the lighting of huge lamps in the Outer
unobtrusively not like He would soon do on Palm
Courtyard of the Temple in Jerusalem.
The reference to our Lords Brothers, meant, in fact,
Sunday before His Great Passion.
his older cousins, who were the offspring of the elderly
ST IRENE
THE
GREAT HOLY MARTYR
OF
THESSALONIKA
5 MAY 2015
8.

Amen
Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the
Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to
Christ our God. Amen.
6 May 2015
Mid Pentecost
Also the Feast of St Job the Much Afflicted and Long-Suffering - St Seraphim of
Lebadeia St Michah, Disciple of St Seraphim of Radonezh - St Barbaros the Soldier, St
Bacchos, St Callimachos & St Dionysios of Morea - St Savvas. First Archbishop of
Serbia St Barbaros the Repentant Thief of Thessaly
FESTAL APOLYTIKION

tombs!
OF MID PENTECOST TONE (8) PLAGAL 4:
Mesousis tis Eortis, disosan mou tin psihin, efsevias potison Halfway to the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with flowing
namata; oti pasi Sotir evoisas: O dispason erhestho
pros me ke pineto. I Pigi tis Zois, Hriste O Theos imon
Doxa Si.
KONTA
Tis
KION
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!
OF MID-PENTECOST
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.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 52:32 TONE 1

Sing Praises to our God! Sing Praises to our King!
Clap your hands, all your Nations!
THE ACTS
OF THE APOSTLES ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 14

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN ICONIUM, GALATIA
: 6 18
In those days, the Apostles fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region, where they
preached the Gospel. And in Lystra a certain man was sitting, who had no strength in his feet a cripple from his
mothers womb who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking.
Observing him intently, Paul saw that he had Faith to be Saved.With a loud voice he said: Stand up straight on your feet!
And he leapt and walked around.
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! They called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. 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.
Hearing this, the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, 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.
And He did not leave Himself without Witness, in that He did Good. From Heaven He granted us rain and fruitful seasons,
filling our heart with food and gladness!
And with these sayings, they could scarcely retain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
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 PEOPLES 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.
MID PENTECOST WEDNESDAY
6 MAY 2015
9.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 7 : 14 30

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TEACHES IN THE TEMPLE AT MID-PENTECOST
At that time, about the middle of the Feast, Jesus went up into the Temple and taught. And the Judeans marvelled, saying:
How does this Man know letters, having never studied? 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 Moses not give you the Law? And 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 gave you Circumcision (not that it is from Moses,
but from the Fathers), and on the Sabbath you Circumcise a man. If a man receives Circumcision on the Sabbath
so that the Law of Moses should not be broken, why 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!
Some of them who were from Jerusalem said: Is this not He Whom they seek to kill? And behold! He speaks boldly, and
they say nothing to Him! Do the Rulers know indeed that this is Truly the Christ? Yet we know where this Man is from.
When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.
Jesus cried out, as He taught in the Temple, and said: 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! I know Him, for I Am from Him, and He
sent Me.
They sought to take Him; and no one laid a hand on Him, for His Hour had not yet come.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
THE SIMPLE DESIRE TO KNOW AND TO FOLLOW GODS 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 Saviours
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.
MID-PENTECOST LIVING
IN THE
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 FAMILYS 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.
CHRISTS 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.
LIGHT
METROPOLITAN IGNATIOS
Christ is Risen! Indeed He has Risen!

Dearly Beloved: Risen mankind those who believe in the
Glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ live with the unwavering Hope of our own
Resurrection and are not afraid of Death, do not give
way to the power of evil and sin, are not frustrated by
the many hurdles, failures and challenges of this
temporary life and do not consider the many, devious
methods of the evil one.
We Believe, Hope and Struggle.
We are guided by the Divine Truth of the Resurrected One
and we are Illuminated by the Light of His Glorious
Resurrection.
We are Sanctified, Redeemed and Deified by the Sanctifying
Grace of the Holy Mysteries of the Church of Christ.
We become filled by Divine Grace when we have a vibrant
and Living Presence of Christ in our soul.
This is why as Faithful Disciples of Christ we are Joyful,
Peaceful and Serene.
However, we are also capable of being Defenders of our
Faith Soldiers of Christ with much respect,
Sacrificial Love and Offerings for others.
As True and Faithful Christians, our Life in Christ should
reveal to others and testify to the Unique Splendour of
the Resurrection.
My Beloved: unfortunately, however, we do not all believe
in our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.
We do not all walk in the Glorious, Divine Light of His
Resurrection and that is why so many of us suffer.
Families are dissolving; corruption dominates our world;
materialism and atheism are overwhelming.
Our younger generations are increasingly being led
towards the destructive consequences of violence,
drugs, frustration, hopelessness, abject despair
and, finally suicide!
10.
OF THE
OF
RESURRECTION
ARTA
We are surrounded by countless other threats that will

inevitably result in tragic conclusions both now and in
Eternity.
Let us therefore, allow our Resurrected Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ - the Eternal, Only Begotten Son and Word
of God the Father - be our Loving Shepherd Who will
Protect us, Lead us, Nurture and Strengthen us so that
we may live confidently in the Divine Light of His
Glorious Resurrection and even now, be able to enjoy a
Peaceful and Creative Resurrected Life in Christ.
Adapted by MP: Translated by John Sanidopoulos, Mystagogy
from His Eminences 2014 Paschal Encyclical.
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2014/04/living-in-light-ofresurrection-of.html
ST EVAGRIOS THE SOLITARY
The Holy Spirit, out of Compassion for our weakness, comes

to us even when we are impure. And if He finds our
intellect truly praying to Him, He enters it and puts to
flight the whole array of thoughts and ideas circling
within it, and He arouses it to a longing for Spiritual
Prayer.
ST BASIL
THE
GREAT
Prayer is a request for what is Good, offered by the devout

of God. But we do not restrict this request simply to
what is stated in words We should not express our
Prayer merely in syllables, but the Power of Prayer
should be expressed in the moral attitude of our soul and
in the Virtuous Actions that extend throughout our life
This is how you pray continually not by offering
Prayer in words, but by joining yourself to God through
your whole way of Life, so that your Life becomes one
continuous and uninterrupted Prayer.
MID PENTECOST WEDNESDAY
6 MAY 2015

Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God.
Amen.
8 May 2015
St John the Divine Theologian, Evangelist
& Beloved Apostle of Christ
Also the Feast of St Arsenios the Great of Rome St Arsenios the Lover of Labour of Kiev Far Caves
Monastery of the Dormition St Pimen the Faster, Great Ascetic of Kiev Far Caves Monastery St
Tamara, Holy Queen of Georgia
FESTAL APOLYTIKION

tombs!
Doxa Si.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION-

ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN & APOSTLE OF CHRIST
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.
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.
FESTAL KONTAKION OF MID-PENTECOST
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.
THE FIRST UNIVERSAL EPISTLE OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE 1:1 7
THE INCARNATION
OF THE
WORD & SON
OF
GOD
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.
And 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.
And this is the Message that we have heard from Him and declare to you, for 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.
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.
Was therefore, indicates ETERNITY WITHOUT BEGINNING,
Contrary to heretics who claim communion directly with
God through spiritual (non-material) means, ST JOHN
JUST AS GOD THE WORD HIMSELF, THE SON OF GOD, BEING
THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN AND BELOVED APOSTLE OF CHRIST
ONE WITH GOD THE FATHER IN REGARD TO EQUALITY OF
TAUGHT US COMMUNION WITH GOD THROUGH HIS INCARNATE
SUBSTANCE, IS ETERNAL AND UNCREATED.
SON ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST
That THE WORD AND SON OF GOD ALWAYS EXISTED is signified
the Body and Blood of Christ where the physicality of
by the words: In the beginning was the Word...
Christ is repulsive to the heretics.
THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS REVEALED IN HIS
The term we is a reference to THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST
LIFE ON EARTH ESPECIALLY THROUGH HIS DIVINE
WHOSE TESTIMONY IS TRUE unlike that of the false
TEACHING AND MIRACLES.
apostles.
Koinonia is FAR MORE THAT SIMPLY FELLOWSHIP. IT IS OUR
WHILE ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN MADE A DISTINCTION
PERSONAL PARTICIPATION WITH OTHER BELIEVERS IN THE LIFE
OF CHRIST. (WE LIVE IN CHRIST.)
BETWEEN DIVINE REVELATION (...which was from the
beginning... the Word of Life... AND HUMAN SENSORY
Fellowship with us, refers to COMMUNION ESPECIALLY
PERCEPTION
(... heard... seen... looked upon...
EUCHARISTIC COMMUNION WITHIN THE HOLY, APOSTOLIC
touched...), HE HAD NO PROBLEM CONNECTING THEM.
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
NOTE ST JOHNS CLARITY OF TEACHING WITH REGARD TO CHRISTS
IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE TO ST JOHN THE DIVINE THAT THE HOLY
TWO NATURES: DIVINE ... from the beginning... the Word
CHURCH OF CHRIST COULD NOT BE ONE AND UNITED OR THAT
of Life... AND HUMAN: ... heard... seen... touched.
FELLOWSHIP COULD NOT BE FOUNDED UPON HOLY DOCTRINE
When St John mentioned ... which was from the
THE THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATION OF ... WITH THE FATHER AND
beginning... he touched upon THE GENERATION
WITH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST... AND ON THE HOLY
WITHOUT BEGINNING OF GOD THE SON WHO IS CO-EXISTENT
MYSTERIES/SACRAMENTS THE LITURGICAL IMPLICATION OF
WITH GOD THE FATHER.
KOINONIA.
1ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 1ST OF ST M
ATTHEW
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
30 JUNE 2013
11
For St John the Divine Theologian, LIGHT IS DIVINE ENERGY

2.
Sin does not exist!
MANIFESTED OR REVEALED AS TRUTH GODS TRUTH TRUE
THE TRUTH IS THAT SIN DOES MOST CERTAINLY EXIST, AND THE
DOCTRINE/TEACHING, VIRTUE AND HOLINESS TRUE
PRACTISE OF REPENTANCE-CONFESSION IS THE ESTABLISHED
BEHAVIOUR AND COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS HOLY
BASIS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS
CHURCH TRUE SPIRITUALITY.
3.
One in union with God cannot sin!
The Truth is THAT ALTHOUGH WE CONTINUALLY SIN TO A GREATER
THE STRONGEST OF ALL WEAPONS AGAINST SPIRITUAL
DARKNESS IS OUR LOVE FOR GOD A STRONG, VIBRANT
OR LESSER DEGREE, WE SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESIST
TEMPTATION AND STRIVE CONSTANTLY TO REPENT THE SINS WE
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
St John addressed three false gnostic teachings on Light.
COMMIT.
SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS, in part towards
Their intertwined errors are that :
1.
Union with God is indifferent to sin!
Theosis i.e REGAINING OUR LIKENESS TO GOD IN WHOSE
THE TRUTH IS THAT FAITH MUST BE EVIDENCED BY GOOD WORKS
IMAGE AND LIKENESS WE WERE CREATED meaning that we
FAITH MUST PRODUCE PURITY - PRACTISE THE TRUTH WHERE
DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH THAT RESISTS TEMPTATIONS.
TRUTH IS A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD MANIFESTED IN A
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
HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS LIFE IN CHRIST. AND FAITH MUST SEEK
FOR HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE.
FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING OF SIN ... the Blood of
Jesus Christ... Cleanses us from all sin.
THE HOLY GOSPEL OF ST JOHN 19: 25-28 & 21: 24-25
THE CARE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS & CONFIRMATION OF THE TRUTH OF ST JOHNS HOLY GOSPEL
At that time there stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mothers sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary of
Magdala.
When Jesus therefore saw His Mother, and the Disciple whom He Loved standing by, He said to His Mother: Woman:
behold Thy Son! He said to the Disciple: Behold, thy Mother! And from that hour that Disciple took her into 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
care of her since her own family had long since
Divine Theologian and Apostle of Christ, SEVERAL
passed away.
IMPORTANT TRUTHS CONCERNING THE EVER BLESSED
SHE IS OBLIQUELY REFERRED TO IN THE HOLY GOSPELS AS BEING
THE MOTHER OF JOSES OR JAMES, OR JUDE, etc.
THEOTOKOS THE EVER VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, MARY ARE
EVIDENT:
The children of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife,
Salome, were St James the Just (Adelphotheos), Jude,
By calling the Ever Blessed Theotokos Woman, OUR
LORD USED A TERM OF DIGNITY AND AFFECTION. Contrary
Joses, St Salome, (mother of St John the Divine
to certain modern usages, this is a Sacred Title in
Theologian and Apostle and St James (the Lesser)
and Holy Myrrh-bearer) and another daughter whose
Holy Scripture. It is an address conveying deep
respect and distinction.
name is uncertified.
So, until her repose in Peace, several years later, the Ever
By saying to St John, His Beloved Apostle: Behold thy
Blessed Theotokos lived with her cousin, Salome, and
Mother! OUR LORD SYMBOLICALLY ESTABLISHED THE ALL
PURE VIRGIN MARYS ROLE AS MOTHER OF ALL FAITHFUL
her family.
THE APOSTOLIC TEACHING THAT THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN EVERY GENERATION.
THEOTOKOS MAINTAINED HER VOW OF CELIBACY THROUGHOUT
IF OUR EVER BLESSED LADY HAD HAD OTHER NATURAL
HER LIFE IS CONFIRMED BY CHRISTS ACTION.
CHILDREN, CHRIST WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PLACE HER IN
THE CARE OF ST JOHN AND HIS FAMILY their close and
CHRIST DEMONSTRATED BY HIS OWN EXAMPLE THAT WE MUST
...EVEN TO OUR LAST BREATHE... SHOW EVERY CARE FOR
most trusted relatives.
He would not have insulted other siblings.
OUR PARENTS.
In those days, and even in certain cultures to this day,
However, the sons and daughters who are mentioned
when a woman was no longer protected by a male
in conjunction with the Blessed Virgin are in fact her
cousins the children of her late aunt Salome (sister of
relative, all her possessions were taken from her and
she would be cast out, homeless, destitute and at the
St Anna) and her legal guardian, St Joseph the
Betrothed.
mercy of everyone else.
WHEN THE TEMPLE PRIESTS PLACED THE YOUNG, PUBESCENT MARY
Christs Compassion for these women was clearly evident
when He resurrected the Widow of Nains son.
INTO THE PROTECTIVE GUARDIANSHIP OF ST JOSEPH THE
BETROTHED, HE WAS IN HIS LATE EIGHTIES AND WAS A MOST
ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN AND APOSTLE OF CHRIST HAD
ALSO TAKEN A VOW OF CELIBACY AND REMAINED CELIBATE HIS
RIGHTEOUS MAN WHOM THE PRIESTS KNEW COULD BE TRUSTED
TO PROTECT THE CHASTITY OF THE YOUNG MAIDEN AND HER
ENTIRE LIFE, HAVING DEVOTED HIMSELF ENTIRELY TO THE HOLY
SERVICE OF GOD.
FELLOW VIRGIN COMPANIONS.
SHE HAD TAKEN A VOW OF CHASTITY FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD and
He was the only Holy Apostle of Christ to eventually
repose peacefully over 100 years of age, while the
because VOWS WERE SO SACRED AND COULD NOT BE BROKEN,
others had all suffered Holy Martyrdom.
God chose her elderly uncle to protect her and take
ST JOHN
THE
BELOVED APOSTLE
St John was called "the Theologian" because of his lofty

Teaching concerning the Eternal, Only Begotten Son and
Word of God.
His father was a Galilean fisherman Zebedee and his
mother was Salome a daughter of St Joseph the
Betrothed and his late wife, Salome, a sister of St Anna
and thus the cousin of our Lady Theotokos.
His brother was St James (the Younger.)
Our Lord Jesus Christ Loved all His Disciples, but He had a
particular Love for St John, who was the youngest of the
Apostles, and who was a devout, pious, innocent, pure
and chaste young man, aflame with boundless Love and
deepest respect for his Divine Teacher, which is why he
is referred to as "...the Disciple whom Jesus Loved."
By Divine Grace, St John shone longer than all the other
Apostles on the horizon of the Apostolic Age, finally
Reposing in Peace at the beginning of the second
century.
12.
ST JOHN
THE
OF
CHRIST
Our Lord powerfully and clearly expressed His particular

Love of and trust in St John during the final moments
of His Earthly Life, when, from the Cross, He honoured
him with the protection and care of His Most Pure and
Holy Mother, and then He presented St John to Her as a
trustworthy and respectful son, thereby confirming His
great respect for St John, as though saying: "Only to thy
Love, My Beloved Disciple, do I entrust My Most Precious
Treasure. Care for Her as a son, for Thou art worthy of
that Kinship."
By taking upon himself that great and Holy Task of a son's
care for the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, St John wholly
devoted himself to the fulfilment of that lofty
responsibility.
St John left Palestine only after the Dormition of our
Lady, Theotokos (circa 47).
Edited & adapted by mp:
BELOVED APOSTLE, THEOLOGIAN
http://www.roca.org/OA/154/154d.htm
AND
EVANGELIST
8 MAY 2015

Amen
Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all
the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole
10 May 2015
Tone 4
5 t h Sunday After Holy Pascha
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
(St Photini/Svetlana)
Also the Feast of St Simon Zealotes the Apostle of Cana, Galilee St Symeon, Bishop of
Vladimir & Suzdal, author of Kiev Caves Paterikon, Abbot of Kiev Caves Monastery St
Philadephos, St Alphaeus, St Cyprianos, St Onesimos, St Erasmos & 14 other Holy Martyrs
of Sicily St Hesychios of Antioch St Isidora, Blessed Fool for Christ of Tabenna, Egypt St Thais of Egypt St
Comgall Father of Monks of Bangor, Ireland St Laurence of Megareos St Nicholas of Myra (Translation of Holy
Relics)

tombs!
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.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
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.
Doxa Si.


ST PETER & ST JOHN
Although

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 7 - JOHN 20 : 1 10

FIND THE FOLDED MANDYLION (FACE-CLOTH) & THE ABANDONED, EMPTY
AT THE DESERTED TOMB OF OUR RESURRECTED LORD
SHROUD
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 103/104 - TONE 4
O Lord, how manifold art Thy Works. Thou hast created them all in Wisdom!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 11: 19 30
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 Judeans. Some of them were from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they went 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.
News of these things was heard by the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
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 Faith. And a great many people were added
to the Lord.
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.
The Disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
In those days Prophets went from Jerusalem to Antioch. 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 had happened in the days of Claudius
Caesar. The Disciples - each according to his ability - determined to send relief to the Brethren dwelling in Judea. This
they did, and sent it to the Elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
The Evangelisation of the Gentiles caused a significant
Much debate arose over what requirements from the
amount of conflict in the early Church.
Old Covenant Law if any the Gentile Christians
Even though Christ had Commanded His Holy Apostles to
would have to follow.
preach His Holy Gospel universally to all Nations it
The Hellenists referred to actual Greeks, not to
took a while for this to be put properly into practice.
Hellenistic Hebrews (I.E. GREEK SPEAKING HEBREWS)
5TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
SAMARITAN WOMAN
10 MAY 2015
13
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 CHRISTS 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 Corinthians 12:29 ARE ALL APOSTLES? ARE ALL PROPHETS?
ARE ALL TEACHERS? ARE ALL WORKERS OF MIRACLES?
There has always been a wonderful Hierarchy of Honour
in the Holy Church of the New Covenant which
continues to this very day and will continue
unabated, until Eternity.
The Apostolic Work of the Bishops sets the pace for all the
rest of Christs Holy Flock and WHEN THE OVERSIGHT IS IN
CORRECT WORKING ORDER, THE REST OF CHURCH IS FREE TO
FUNCTION AT OPTIMAL LEVEL FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND
WORSHIP OF GOD.
Yet, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and operative,
there is something far more excellent THE LOVE OF
GOD, which IS THE TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE

HOLY SPIRIT.
1 Corinthians 14:3 HE WHO PROPHESIES SPEAKS EDIFICATION
AND EXHORTATION AND COMFORT TO MANKIND.
1 Corinthians 14: 29 LET TWO OR THREE PROPHETS SPEAK, AND
LET THE OTHERS JUDGE.
God is not the Author of confusion - and the Truly
Spiritual can control themselves, since GENUINE
SPIRITUALITY IS MANIFESTED IN PREPAREDNESS, PROPRIETY AND
ORDER, COURTESY AND SELF-CONTROL/DISCIPLINE.
WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT, THERE IS DIVINE PEACE
AND UNDERSTANDING.
Ephesians 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 CHRISTS 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.
5TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE SAMARITAN WOMAN

W O R S H I P P I N G I N S P I R I T A N D I N T R U T H - ST. IGNATIUS (BRIANCHANINOV)
True Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.
[JOHN 4:23]
No man has seen God at any time, but the Word of God
Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

Beloved Brethren: Today we hear that the TRUE SERVANTS
OF THE TRUE GOD WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH,
and that GOD SEEKS i.e. God desires to have SUCH
FAITHFUL WORSHIPPERS.
If God desires to have such worshippers, then it is obvious
that HE WILL RECEIVE ONLY SUCH WORSHIPPERS AND
SERVANTS, FOR THEY ARE PLEASING TO HIM.
This Divine Truth was taught to us by the Eternal Son of
God Himself! And as Orthodox Christians i.e. as His
Faithful Disciples we believe in the Teachings and
Commandments of Christ our Lord!
We wholeheartedly accept the All Holy Teachings of Christ with
all our Love and devotion!
In order to follow our Saviour carefully and correctly, let us
look at what it means to worship God the Father in
Spirit and in Truth:
TRUTH IS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, as He testifies of
Himself: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

[JOHN 4:16]
DIVINE TRUTH ABSOLUTE, PERFECT TRUTH IS THE WORD
OF GOD: ...Thy Word is Truth... [JOHN 17:17]
This Word of DIVINE TRUTH IS PRE-ETERNALLY IN GOD, it
was PRONOUNCED BY GOD AND TO GOD, for this Word

IS GOD and this Word is THE CREATOR of everything
that exists both visible and invisible. [CF: JOHN 1:15
& COLOSSIANS 1: 16]
This Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us, and
we beheld His Glory the Glory as of the Only

Begotten of the Father, Full of Grace and Truth.
[JOHN 1:14]
14. 5 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A
SUNDAY
OF THE
the Only Begotten Son Who is in the Bosom of

the Father has declared Him. [JOHN 1 :18]
THE SON OF GOD THE WORD OF GOD CONFESSED GOD BEFORE
MANKIND, AND FULLY MANIFESTED (REVEALED) GOD TO US.
The Eternal, Only Begotten Son of God OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST SHOWED US THE TRUTH THAT WAS
INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO US having irrefutably witnessed
to It and impressed It upon us BY ABUNDANTLY
BESTOWING HIS DIVINE GRACE.
And of His Fullness have all we received, and Grace
for Grace. For the Law was given by Moses, but
Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. [JOHN 1:1617]
This means that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BROUGHT not merely
some more or less detailed and clear Understanding of
Divine Grace and Truth, but DIVINE GRACE ITSELF the
Divine Truth Itself essentially bestowed upon us and
instilled in us.
Thus we have been made ... Partakers of the Divine
Nature... [2 PETER 1 : 4]
Divine Truth has a characteristic Spirit.
This Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth. [JOHN 15:26 &
16:13]
THE DIVINE SPIRIT OF TRUTH PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE
FATHER. [JOHN 15:26]
THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH IS GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE
HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD [JOHN 14:6]
The Spirit of Truth is of God the Son, being inseparably

close to Him, and COMPRISING TOGETHER WITH GOD THE
FATHER AND GOD THE SON, ONE UNDIVIDED AND
UNMINGLED DIVINE ESSENCE THE HOLY TRINITY.
By accepting the Divine Truth, we also accept the Holy
Spirit which is why THE ALL HOLY TRUTH HIMSELF SAID
SAMARITAN WOMAN (ST PHOTINI/SVETLANA)
10 MAY 2015
OF HIMSELF THAT HE WOULD SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM

THE FATHER TO HIS DISCIPLES.
Naturally, THE HOLY SPIRIT OF TRUTH IS PRESENT WHEREVER
HOLY TRUTH ACTS, and leaves A VERY OBVIOUS EFFECT OF
HIS ACTION.
In like manner, WHERE THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS, THERE WILL
BE AN ABUNDANT MANIFESTATION OF TRUTH, as our
Lord also said to His Disciples: Howbeit when He,

the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will Guide you into
All Truth. [JOHN 16:13]
Describing the wondrous Relationship of the Divine Word
to the Divine Spirit, our Lord Jesus Christ said of the
Holy Spirit:
...He shall Glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine,
and shall show it to you. All Things that the
Father has are Mine... [JOHN 16:14-15]
The Holy Spirit shows and manifests (reveals) to us the Son
Who is Co-Natural to Him.
THE HOLY SPIRIT SPIRITUALLY FORMS AND DEVELOPS THE
TRUE CHRISTIAN, AND TRANSFORMS US INTO A WORTHY
DWELLING PLACE OF GOD. [EPHESIANS 2 : 22]
THE HOLY SPIRIT REPRESENTS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND
INSTILS HIM IN OUR INNER BEING. [EPHESIANS 3:16-17]
THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES US THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD
CHILDREN OF DIVINE LIGHT making us like unto
Christ and establishing Christ-like qualities in us.
[JOHN 14:6]
Those who have become the adopted Children of God,

turn to Him in Prayer as to our Heavenly Father,
because THE HOLY SPIRIT VERY CLEARLY AND TANGIBLY
WITNESSES TO OUR OWN SPIRIT, WHICH IS RENEWED BY
HIM DURING THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM AND
CHRISMATION (when we receive the Seal of the Gift of
the Holy Spirit) [ROMANS 8:16]
THE HOLY SPIRIT WITNESSES TO OUR HOLY UNION WITH GOD
AND OUR HOLY ADOPTION BY GOD.
... And because you are sons, God has sent forth the
Spirit of His Son into your heart, crying: Abba!
Father! [GALATIANS 4:6]
Such worshippers are recognised as True Worshippers of
God!
SUCH WORSHIPPERS, WHO WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH,
SEEK AND RECEIVE ALMIGHTY GOD!
THERE IS NO KNOWLEDGE OF GOD OUTSIDE TRUE CHRISTIANITY
AND NO SERVICE OF GOD.
Our Lord Jesus Christ clearly stated: No man comes to
the Father, but by Me.. [JOHN 14:6]
THERE IS NO GOD FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST: ... whosoever denies the Son,
the same has not the Father... and he who believes
not the Son, shall not see Life; but the Wrath of
God abides in Him. [1 JOHN 2 :23 & JOHN 3 : 36]
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO APPROACH GOD, OR TO ENTER INTO ANY
KIND OF COMMUNION WITH HIM IN ANY OTHER WAY THAN
THROUGH
OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST, the only
Intermediary,
Intercessors,
and
means
of
Communion between God and mankind!
THERE IS NO TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
WITHOUT THE MEDIATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the
Holy Spirit. [1 CORINTHIANS 12:3]
Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he
is none of His. [ROMAN 8:9]
There is no Virtue outside Christianity that is worthy of
Heaven!
ST MARK THE ASCETIC said: Nothing Good can be
believed in, or acted upon unless it be of Jesus Christ
and the Holy Spirit.
Unworthy of God are natural human good works, which
proceed from our fallen nature, in which goodness is
mixed with evil, and in which Goodness is for the most
part barely noticeable amidst the preponderance of evil.
Fallen nature is capable exclusively of wickedness, as
God Himself testified: The imagination of man is
intently bent upon evil things from his youth... If you,
then, being evil, know how to give Good Gifts to your
children... [GENESIS 8:21 & MATTHEW 7:11 & LUKE 11:13]
Such is the worth before the Gospels and God, of natural
human goodness and the activity proceeding from it.
In vain does fallen nature glorify its great and famous
good works!
Such self-praise shows a terrible blindness, for it is an

involuntary reproach against the famous works of men
- inspired and nourished by vainglory.
The stench of pride coming from these whitened
sepulchres is an abomination to God, whereas pleasing
to Him is the Incense of Humility.
That is why the Lord commanded fallen and blinded
mankind to deny its nature, for we are unconscious of
our woeful fallenness. On the contrary, we see it as a
magnificent triumph, and seek to escalate this
triumph.
For the sake of Salvation, we must renounce sin! But sin has
become so much a part of us that it has become our
nature - our very soul. IN ORDER TO RENOUNCE SIN, IT HAS
BECOME ESSENTIALLY NECESSARY TO RENOUNCE OUR FALLEN
NATURE - to renounce our soul. [CF. MATTHEW 10:39]
WE MUST RENOUNCE NOT ONLY THE OBVIOUSLY EVIL DEEDS, BUT
ALSO THE GOOD DEEDS OF OUR OLD MAN [old fallen nature]
THAT THE WORLD HONOURS AND GLORIFIES.
It is essentially necessary to REPLACE OUR MANNER OF
THINKING WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST, and REPLACE OUR
ACTIVITY motivated by the senses and the dictates of
carnal mindedness WITH THE SCRUPULOUS FULFILMENT OF
CHRIST'S COMMANDMENTS.
If you continue in My Word, then you are My
Disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth,
and the Truth shall set you free. [JOHN. 8:31-32]
What remarkable and deep words! Their direct impact
consists of the Truth that SIN ENSLAVES US THROUGH
INCORRECT AND FALSE UNDERSTANDING.
He who is from God, hears the Words of God, said
our Lord Jesus. [CF. JOHN 8:43]
Brethren! Let us humble ourselves before our Lord God!
Unlike the hardened Judeans, who rejected both our Lord
and His Teachings, let us SHOW SUBMISSION TO HIM and
let us BE OBEDIENT TO HIS ALL-HOLY SALVIFIC TEACHINGS!
Let us set aside the manner of thinking that comes from
our fallen nature and the world, which is at enmity with
God!
Let us ASSIMILATE THE MANNER OF THINKING THAT OUR LORD
OFFERS US THROUGH HIS HOLY GOSPELS!
Let us FOLLOW DIVINE TRUTH, and we shall inherit the Truth,
which frees our human mind from the invisible bonds
of error whereby sin has shackled us.
Moreover, THE OMNIPOTENT TRUTH - HAVING GRANTED
SPIRITUAL FREEDOM TO OUR MIND, RENEWED AND ENLIVENED
US BY LIFE FROM ABOVE - BY THE WORD OF GOD, BRINGS IT
OUT ONTO THE PATH OF CHRIST'S COMMANDMENTS, and
removes it from ...the way of unrighteousness. [PSALM
118:29]
Our soul, Enlivened by Divine Truth, hymns together
with the Inspired Prophet: The Way of Thy

Commandments have I run, when Thou enlarged my
heart. Set before me for a Law, O Lord, the Way of
Thy Statutes, and I will seek after it continually.
Grant me Understanding, and I will search out Thy
Law, and I will keep it whole heartedly. [PSALM 118:32
34]
Such a soul will unfailingly BECOME A PARTAKER OF THE HOLY

SPIRIT, WHO CANNOT BUT BE PRESENT WHERE DIVINE TRUTH
IS PRESENT AND REIGNS.
The Divine Truth, Who in His Mysterious Counsel with
the All-Holy Truth, speaks of Himself thus:...I Am a
Partaker with all those who Fear Thee, and with
those who keep Thy Commandments. [PSALM
118:63]
As long as we abide in our fallen nature, as long as we are

immersed in the darkness of our exceedingly deep
ignorance, we do not know how we should pray, we do
not know what we should pray for and we are incapable
of serving God. (CF. ROMANS 8:26),
ONLY FAITH IN CHRIST GRANTS KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH; FAITH,
EXPRESSED BY THE FULFILMENT OF CHRIST'S COMMANDMENTS,
DRAWS THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THE HEART OF
THE FAITHFUL:
I opened my mouth and drew in my breath, for I longed
for Thy Commandments.[PSALM 118:131]
Only a true Christian, a Christian in Faith and Deed, can be
a True Worshipper of God, worshipping and serving
God as the Father - in Spirit and in Truth. Amen.
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP: TRANSLATED BY NUN CORNELIA (REES)
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/46643.HTM
OF THE
SAMARITAN WOMAN
10 MAY 2015
15
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP CONCERNING TITHING

Where your treasure is there will
These words of our Lord Jesus Christ have resonated
within the hearts of people for two thousand years.
What was our Saviour talking about?
What does Christ, Holy Scripture, and our Holy Church
Fathers have to say about Tithing and giving to God?
Holy Scripture has no less than 2,350 verses concerning
money and money management.
Our Lord Jesus refers to money and money management
more than any other topic including Heaven, Hell,
Salvation, etc, for that particular topic is very important
to our Christian Life.
In an often misquoted verse, S. Paul the Apostle declared:
...the love of money is the root of all evil! [1 TIMOTHY
6:10]
St Paul taught us that although our Lord acknowledged

that our daily needs - and in order to fulfil His Holy
Miss ion - we require finances, God is a jealous God
Who requires our full Commitment to Him, with
nothing else taking precedence in our Life.
Thus it was that St Paul warned his first century Greek
congregation about the evils caused by their love of
money. (i.e. the obsession of obtaining as much wealth
and worldly goods in any way possible.)
We must never forget even for a moment that
everything we have is loaned to us by Almighty God!
Whatever we do with our time, our talent, and our earthly,
temporary treasures will have to be given an account
of on the Last Day at our Final Judgement.
The great sin of disobedience by Adam in Paradise was the
fact that he had abused his Gift of Stewardship.
King Solomon who was the richest and wisest man of all
time, expressed that profound feeling of emptiness of
materialism, which is apart from God: ...vanity of
vanities! It is all a bubble that bursts!
In the Book of Genesis, the mysterious paradigmatic Priest
of Priests, Melchizedek, appears to perform one task
alone: to collect the Tithe from Abraham, and to thus
confer a Blessing upon him on behalf of the Lord.
[GENESIS 14:18-20]
This clearly shows that Abraham, in his Righteousness
before God, gave of his first fruits (the best of his first
harvest) to the Lord and in turn was Blessed.
This is precisely what God is Calling us to do.
We as Believers are each Called upon to give sacrificially of
our best resources first and God will take care of the
rest as He did with Father Abraham.
As individuals, when we become burdened with a mindset
of materialism (i.e. non-stewardship focused giving) we
become slaves to our wealth instead of our wealth
becoming our servants for the promotion of Gods
Kingdom.
This clearly is not the way that God intended it to be.
Inevitably, we squanderer the Gifts of our resources.
Then a multitude of other problems emerge - namely, the
bondage of debt.
For truly, as the Preacher teaches in Ecclesiastes and
Proverbs, ...the borrower is a slave to the lender.
[PROVERBS 22:7]
All of these principles not only apply to the individual

Christian, but to the Life of a congregation as well.
Our Lord Jesus clearly stated that He would build and grow
His Holy Church and that OUR SACRED TASK is to
...make Disciples of all the Nations, Baptising them in
the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I
have commanded you! [ MATTHEW 28 : 16 20]
This is exactly what the core culture of an Orthodox
Christian Parish and Diocese should be all about. This
is exactly what the ultimate focus of any and all
monetary collections should be about.
As the late great Russian Theologian, Georges Florovsky,
wrote: ...The Primary Task of the historical Church is
the Proclamation of another world to come.
The Church bears witness to the New Life - disclosed and
revealed in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
This it does both by word and deed.
The True Proclamation of the Gospel would be precisely the
practice of this New Life: to show Faith by deeds. (CF.
MATTHEW 5:16)
The Church is more than a company of Preachers, or a

teaching society, or a missionary board.
16. 5 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A
SUNDAY
OF THE
AND
GIVING
TO
GOD
your heart be also. [MATTHEW 6:21]

The Church has not only to invite people, but also to
introduce them into this New Life, to which it bears
witness.
The Church is a Missionary Body indeed, and its Mission
field is the whole world. But the Aim of its Missionary
Activity is not merely to convey to people certain
convictions or ideas, not even to impose on them a
definite Discipline or a Rule of Life, but first of all to
introduce them into the New Reality, to convert them,
to bring them through their Faith and Repentance to
Christ Himself, that they should be Born Anew in Him
and into Him by Water and the Spirit.
Thus the Ministry of the Word is completed in the Ministry
of the Holy Mysteries. [FLOROVSKY, GEORGES, THE CHURCH: HER
NATURE AND TASK APPEARED IN VOLUME 1 OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
IN GODS DESIGN (S.C.M. PRESS, 1948)].
IF WE WANT TO KNOW THE SPIRITUAL STATE AND STRENGTH OF A

CHURCH, JUST LOOK AT ITS STEWARDSHIP REPORT.
Invariably, it tells it all because WHAT PEOPLE DO WITH
THEIR MONEY SPEAKS VOLUMES.
We make Disciples by giving people our Lord Jesus through
Preaching, Teaching, The Sacramental Life, The
Liturgical Life and Outreach Ministries.
It is to this end that our giving should be focused.
If every Parish church -the Ekklesia- ( i.e. the people who
are the Holy Flock of Christ) would fulfil Her Sacred
Mission, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has
promised to be Faithful to us, helping us to fulfil His
Sacred Commission.
Sacrificial giving for the Faithful Disciple of Christ is not
an option, but a joyful obligation.
St John Chrysostom in the 4th century spoke of this joyful
obligation in his book On Wealth and Poverty when he
stated that the Christian owns nothing because God
owns everything. [ CHRYSOSTOM, SAINT JOHN, ON WEALTH AND
POVERTY [TRANS.] (CRESTWOOD, NY: ST. VLADIMIRS SEMINARY PRESS,
1984).
The Ecclesial Ministry in its essence is not about buildings,

budgets, and bodies.
The model that we ought to follow is that the Church
should be viewed first and foremost as the Family of
God, not just as another corporation or business.
When that happens, Holy Scripture tells us that inevitably
Gods Presence and Blessing can be seen manifest in the
local Eucharistic Community because its focus is on our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who is the Author of
our Salvation.
It is then - when we see the Fullness of the Faith express
itself - not only in the Transformation of the Elements
into the Body and Blood of Christ, but when the
Celebrant Priest and those worshippers who are
present, are Transfigured into the Body of Christ as
well.
With these things in mind, proper Christian Stewardship for
individuals and congregations should include the
following four principles:
1) the Glorification of God should be the focus;
2) giving should be sacrificial;
3) giving should be of the best of the First Fruits of ones
resources; and
4) debt has no place in this paradigm.
If we incorporate these four principles of economics into
our Life and the Life of our Congregation, the Lord has
promised to do Mighty, Mighty Works in our Life and in
the Lives of all those around us.
A proper understanding of Stewardship is not a luxury in
our private life as a Christian and in our collective Life
as the Ekklesia. For us to be be truly ...Called out
from the world... as the word Ekklesia connotes, is to
take up the mantle and responsibility of Stewardship
and all that it entails.
ORTHODOXY NEVER DEMANDS FINANCIAL TITHING FROM ITS FAITHFUL.
INSTEAD WE JOYFULLY OFFER WHATEVER WE CAN TO FULLY SERVE GOD
AND FULFIL HIS HOLY COMMANDMENTS & TEACHINGS.
THIS MEANS THAT WHATEVER IS NEEDED FOR THE PRIEST AND THE PARISH TO
FULFIL THESE SACRED TASKS, WE MUST WILLINGLY SUPPORT
FINANCIALLY AND IN WHATEVER MANNER IS REQUIRED. MP
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP:
WRITTEN BY JOHN G. PANAGIOTOU MARCH 2015
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/
SAMARITAN WOMAN (ST PHOTINI/SVETLANA)
10 MAY 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and Forever, and unto the
Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most
Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary,
Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the
Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our
God. Amen.
17 May 2015
Tone (5) Plagal 1
Sunday of the Blind Man
(Born without eyes)
Also the Feast of St Junia & St Andronikos of the 70 Apostles - St Euphrosyne, Princess of Suzdal St Solochon, St
Pamphamiros, & St Pamphalon of Chalcedon St Stephen of Constantinople St Dodo of St David Gareji Monastery,
Georgia St Nicholas the Great Holy Martyr of Sofia, Bulgaria St Athanasios the New, Wonderworker of
Christianopolis

tombs!
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou 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.
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.
PASCHAL APOLYTIKION TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Esfragismenou tou Mnimatos, i Zoi ek Tafou anetilas Hriste O

O Theos, ke ton thiron keklismenon, tis Mathites epestis,
i panton Anastasis. Pnevma evthes di afton egkenizon
imin, kata to Mega Sou Eleos.
Life, Thou rose from the Sepulchre, even though the

Tomb was secured with a seal, O Christ God, And
although the doors had been bolted, Thou went to Thy
Disciples, O Resurrection of all. Through them Thou
Renew a Right Spirit in us, according to Thy Great
Mercy.

Although

RESURRECTION GOSPEL8 JOHN 20:11-18

OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRISTS SPEAKS TO ST MARY MAGDALENE
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 11 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Thou, O Lord, Protect us and Preserve us

Save us, O Lord, for there is not one Godly man left!
THE ACTS
OF THE APOSTLES ACCORDING TO

THE IMPRISONMENT OF ST PAUL
ST LUKE 16
& ST SILAS
: 16-34
In those days, as the Apostles went to Prayer, a certain slave girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination met them,
who profited her masters much by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and Silas, and cried out, saying: These men
are the Servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the Way of Salvation! This she did for many days. So Paul,
greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit: I command you, in the Name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her! And it
came out of her that very hour.
When her masters saw that their hopes of profit were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the
marketplace to the authorities. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said: These men exceedingly trouble
our city being Judeans, they teach customs that are unlawful for us to receive or observe being Romans! And the
multitude rose up together against them. And the Magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten
with rods. When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the Jailer to keep them
securely.
And having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. At midnight
Paul and Silas were praying and singing Hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were
opened and everyones chains were loosened.
The Keeper of the prison, having awoken from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, and supposing that the prisoners
had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. With a loud voice Paul called, saying: Do not harm yourself, for
we are all here! The Jailer called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he took them
out, saying: Sirs: what must I do to be Saved? They said: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be Saved and
your household.
OF THE
BLIND MAN (BORN
WITHOUT EYES
)-
17 MAY 2015
17
And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them that same hour of the
night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were Baptised. When he had taken them into his
house, he had set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God, together with all his household.
FAITH IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST LED IMMEDIATELY TO HOLY
The Holy Baptism Service begins with three Exorcisms in
BAPTISM NOT ONLY OF THE JAILER AND THE ADULT MEMBERS
The Making of a Catechumen, which EXPELS SATAN
OF HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY, BUT TO HIS ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD
AND HIS DEMONS FROM HAVING ANY FURTHER INFLUENCE OVER
men, women and children the free and the
THE NEW BELIEVER THE NEW DISCIPLE OF CHRIST - who must
enslaved.
from that moment onwards LIVE DAILY BY THE PERFECT
RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW HOLY COVENANT WITH
EXAMPLE AND TEACHINGS OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
ALMIGHTY GOD, HOLY BAPTISM (I.E. THREE FULL IMMERSIONS) IN
Although the demon-possessed slave girl declared the
WATER AND WITH FAITH IN CHRIST ARE BOTH ESSENTIAL FOR
Truth concerning the two Holy Apostles of Christ, SHE
ENTRANCE INTO HIS HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH (THE HOLY
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOUR WITH ITS BLOODLESS
HERSELF NEEDED TO BE SET FREE IN ORDER TO ACCEPT CHRIST
SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS.)
BY MEANS OF HER OWN FREE WILL.
THE APOSTOLIC PATTERN OF CONVERSION IS HEARING BELIEVING
Furthermore, St Paul could not endure seeing her being
AND HOLY BAPTISM- (i.e. LEARNING CORRECTLY AND THEN
tormented and possessed by the evil spirit, which
APPLYING EVERYTHING TO DAILY LIFE LIVING IN CHRIST
FAITHFULLY AND CONSTANTLY NOT ONLY WHEN WE FEEL
misguides and deceives people into believing Satanic
LIKE IT OR HAVE A NEED FOR IT!)
inventions rather than Divine Truth, for THE DEVIL AND
BEING CHRISTIAN A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST IS A
HIS SERVANTS ALWAYS BAIT THEIR DEADLY HOOKS WITH A TINY,
CONTINUOUS LIFE-LONG PROCESS and that is one of the
TEMPTING MORSEL OF TRUTH, WHICH AS SOON AS ACCEPTED BY
reasons why GOD GRANTS EACH SOUL ITS OWN UNIQUE
THEIR PREY, PROVES TO BE FATAL.
NUMBER OF DAYS in this material world.
THE IMPURE PRAISE OF HYPOCRITES AND ENEMIES OF GOD IS
It is LIFE IN CHRIST meaning that EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY
COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE INSTANTLY
WE STRIVE TO IMITATE HIM WITH OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND
REJECTED.
DEEDS always remembering our Holy Baptism and
W I S D O M O F S I R A C H 1 5 : 9 Praise is not proper in
our inevitable, unavoidable, death, when we will face
the mouth of a sinner, because it is not sent from
our First Judgement, which is the Spiritual Foretaste of
the Lord.
the Final Judgement of Christ on the Eighth Day the
L U K E 4 : 4 1 ...And demons also came out of many,
beginning of Eternity for us.
crying out and saying: Thou art the Christ, the
LIFE IN CHRIST means a DEDICATION TO EVERY ASPECT OF
Son of God!
FAITHFUL WORSHIP, PRAYER AND DAILY LIVING not merely
THE ACCUSERS OF ST PAUL AND ST SILAS the owners of the
being a token member of the Orthodox Christian
slave girl - CARED LITTLE FOR RELIGION YET THEY USED
Church as though it was a mere hobby that we can
RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE AGAINST THE HEBREWS TO RETALIATE FOR
pick and choose to do, whenever or however we feel
THEIR FINANCIAL LOSS when she could no longer make
like it.
money for them through her fortune telling - by
Sadly far too many converts apostatize almost as soon
cheating the superstitious people out of their hardas they have made their Sacred Vows before Holy
earned wages.
NEVERTHELESS, BEING UNJUSTLY PERSECUTED FOR CHRIST LED ST
Baptism!
PAUL AND ST SILAS TO GREAT SPIRITUAL JOY RATHER THAN
THIS IS USUALLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT EITHER THEY HAVE NOT
BEEN TAUGHT CORRECTLY AND THOROUGHLY OR THEY HAD NO
REAL INTENTION OF LIVING IN CHRIST JESUS AT ALL! THEY HAVE
BETRAYED GOD!
Many unenlightened, misguided converts revert to their

former lives either as non-believers altogether or by
living as before.
Once we have converted and COMMITTED OURSELVES to
Orthodox Christianity HAVING SWORN OUR ALLEGIANCE TO
OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST we cannot
continue to shop around for a type of religion or sect
that suits us!
AS
ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS WE HAVE A FAR GREATER

RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT TO LIFE IN CHRIST THAN
OTHERS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE FREELY CHOSEN
TO BECOME ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS, for IF WE CHOOSE TO
APOSTATIZE BY REJECTING ANY ASPECT OF THE ORTHODOX
FAITH as taught by Christ and His Holy Apostles WE WILL BE SEVERELY JUDGED BY GOD, unless we
contritely Repent our rebellion against God and

return to His Sacred Fold.
THE CHOICE IS OURS AND WE MUST ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES
UPON OURSELVES WE CANNOT AND MUST NOT BLAME

ANYONE ELSE AT ALL AND NEITHER SHOULD WE SHRUG IT
OFF AS BEING A MAN-MADE IDEA!
OUR LORD HIMSELF CAUTIONED US AGAINST BEING PHARISAIC
HYPOCRITES, WOLVES, HIRELINGS, GOATS, THIEVES
AND ROBBERS, ETC. meaning all those who are not of the
Sacred Fold of our Good Shepherd, Christ our Lord or WHO
PRETEND TO BE COMMITTED TO GOD YET DESERT HIM
AND/OR DESTROY OTHERS THROUGH THEIR OWN MEAN,
SELFISH ACTIONS!
WE MUST EXAMINE OUR HEART AND SOUL REGULARLY AND
METICULOUSLY - PLUCKING OUT AND ERADICATING ANY
SIGN OF SPIRITUAL REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD OUR GOD
THROUGH REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.
Only through such regular housekeeping can we begin

to prepare ourselves for our Final Judgement and
Eternity.
SORROW.
WE
SHOULD THANK GOD FOR ALL ADVERSITY, WHICH BRINGS US CLOSER TO HIM AND
STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH AS WE DEPEND ON AND APPRECIATE MORE AND MORE THE
GREAT MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD WHO PROTECTS US AND PROVIDES EVERYTHING
WE COULD POSSIBLE NEED FOR THIS EARTHLY AS WELL AS ETERNAL LIFE.
LUKE 6: 22-23 Christ warned us: ... Rejoice in that day

and leap for Joy! For indeed your Reward is
great in Heaven. For in like manner their fathers
did to the Prophets. But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation!
THE PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS BY ST PAUL AND ST SILAS
PREPARED THE OTHER PRISONERS FOR CONVERSION LATER THAT
NIGHT.
Any Roman Jailer whose prisoners managed to escape

faced extremely cruel torture and even possibly
execution, for the Roman oppressors ruled and
dominated the people through fear and merciless
brutality. So the Jailer thought it would be better and
quicker to commit suicide rather than endure the
vicious suffering inflicted by the Executioners.
After St Paul had reassured him that he and St Silas were
still there, the Jailer asked a double-sided question:
What must I do to be Saved?
This might have referred to his impending problem of the
Roman authorities punishment for escapees, but IT
ALSO REFERRED TO ETERNAL SALVATION, WHICH ST PAUL
IMMEDIATELY GRANTED THE JAILER AND HIS ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD
THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM.
THE UNNAMED ROMAN JAILER HAD LISTENED CAREFULLY TO ST PAUL
AND ST SILAS PROCLAIMING THE WAY OF SALVATION, AS WELL AS
THEIR DEVOUT, HEARTFELT PRAYERS AND HYMNS.
The miraculous earthquake and St Pauls concern for the

Jailers life earthly and Eternal strengthened the
mans Faith and led to his and his entire households
Conversion to Christ Jesus.
EXORCISMS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST ARE PART OF APOSTOLIC

MINISTRY.
T HE H OLY G OSPEL A CCORDING TO S T J OHN 9 : 1 38

T HE M AN B ORN W ITHOUT E YES , R ECEIVES S IGHT FROM O UR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST
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.
18. 6 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A S U N D A Y
OF THE
BLIND MAN (BORN
WITHOUT EYES
)-
17 MAY 2015
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.) He
went, and washed, and returned, seeing.
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, and said: A Man called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me: Go to the Pool of Siloam
and wash. I went and washed - I received sight. They asked him: Where is He? He replied: I do not know.
They took him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees.
It was a Sabbath when Jesus had made the clay and opened his eyes.
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. 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.
The Judeans did not believe him - that he had been blind and now could see until they called the parents of him who
had received his sight. 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. By what Means he now
sees, we do not know. Who has opened his eyes, we do not know. He is of age - ask him. He will speak for himself.
His parents said these things because they feared the Judeans. For the Judeans had agreed already that anyone who
Confessed that He is the Christ, would be put out of the Synagogue. Therefore, his parents said: He is of age; ask him.
They called again 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?
They reviled him, and said: You are His Disciple! 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! for you do not
know where He is from and He has opened my eyes! 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 He were not from God, He could do nothing!
They answered and said to him: You were completely born in sins, and you are 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?
He answered and said: Who is He, O Lord, that I may believe in Him? Jesus said to him: You have both seen Him and
He Who is speaking to you it is He. And he said: O Lord: I believe! And He worshipped Him.
Siloam meaning Sent symbolises CHRIST WHO IS SENT
This Divine Healing is THE SIXTH SIGN OF OUR LORDS DIVINE
NATURE AND TRUE IDENTITY in St Johns Holy Gospel.
BY GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER and just as the Healing
OF ALL THE MIRACLE ACCOUNTS THROUGHOUT HOLY
of the Blind Man confirms Christs claim as the
(Divine) Light of the World, so also HIS USE OF THE
SCRIPTURE, THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WHEREBY A PERSON WAS
BLIND FROM BIRTH I.E. BORN WITHOUT EYES AT ALL!
POOL OF SILOAM CONFIRMS THAT HE IS THE TRUE AND
THE BLIND MAN SYMBOLISES ALL SPIRITUALLY BLIND HUMANITY
DIVINE PURIFICATION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE AND ALL WHO
FOR WE ALL NEED SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION BY CHRIST OUR
WORSHIP IN IT WITH TRUE FAITH IN GOD.
Just as the hypocritical Pharisees had ignored the
LORD WHO IS THE LIGHT OF THE FALLEN, SPIRITUALLY
DARKENED WORLD.
Healing of the Paralytic and focused only on the
perceived violation of the Sabbath, so too on this
This Divine Miracle is AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOLY BAPTISM,
which is also referred to as Holy Illumination.
occasion MANY OF THEM COULD NOT BEHOLD THE GLORY OF
GOD DUE TO THEIR PERSONAL WICKED PREJUDICE.
As Pascha (Easter) was the traditional day on which
Catechumens were received into the Holy Church of
When Christ was not present, the Pharisees dared to
pronounce Him as a sinner, yet earlier, WHEN HE HAD
Christ, THE SACRED LESSONS OF THE HOLY PASCHA PERIOD
ASKED THEM FACE TO FACE: ...WHICH OF YOU CONVICTS ME OF
FROM THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF CHRIST UNTIL
SIN? THEY HAD ALL EVADED THE VITAL QUESTION.
PENTECOST ALL REFLECT A BAPTISMAL THEOLOGY. Thus,
this Sacred Lesson is read on the Sixth Sunday of Holy
Give God the Glory was an Oath Formula, which was
Pascha.
always used before giving testimony.
OUR SAVIOUR REJECTED THE ASSUMPTION - which was common
THE FORMERLY BLIND MAN MOST CERTAINLY GAVE GOD THE
in the ancient world - THAT ALL TROUBLES AND MALADIES
GLORY FOR THE MORE HE WAS QUESTIONED BY THE
WERE NECESSARILY THE CONSEQUENCE OF PERSONAL SIN OR
HYPOCRITES AND DOUBTERS, THE MORE FERVENT HIS FAITH
EVEN THE SINS OF PARENTS. (REFER EXODUS 20:5;
BECAME, WHILE THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS PHARISEES LAPSED
DEUTERONOMY 5:9 & EZEKIEL 18:19-21)
DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND DEATH.
ALTHOUGH SUFFERING CAN BE THE DIRECT RESULT OF PERSONAL SIN,
THE HEALED BLIND MAN IS A MODEL OF CHRISTIAN WITNESS.
THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.
MOST PEOPLE DO NOT BEAR WITNESS TO CHRIST SINCE THEY
FEAR THEY WILL BE ASKED QUESTIONS THAT THEY WILL NOT
THE MAN WAS BORN WITHOUT EYES, WHICH PROVIDED THE MOST
AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DIVINE WORKS OF ALMIGHTY
BE ABLE TO ANSWER OR EXPLAIN.
GOD TO BE REVEALED TO EVERYONE CONCERNED so the man
THIS MANS HONEST AND SIMPLE ANSWER TO EVERYONE EVEN
was not blind due to anyones personal sin at all.
THOSE WHO WERE FAR BETTER EDUCATED THAN HIM
The Work i.e. the Spiritual Labour - that we are able to
PROVIDES THE TRUTH
fulfil consists of FAITH, GOOD DEEDS AND REPENTANCE.
HE ADMITS SOMETHING THAT HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT YET
The night to which our Lord referred meant THE TIME
FOLLOWS UP WITH WHAT HE MOST CERTAINLY DOES KNOW
AFTER OUR DEATH AND THE AGE TO COME ETERNITY WHEN
AND WHICH HE CAN POSITIVELY CONFIRM: ... One thing I
THERE IS NO LONGER ANY OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR FAITH
do know is that although I was blind, now I see!
because AT OUR DEPARTURE FROM THIS WORLD OR EARTHLY
BY CONFIRMING WHAT WE DO MOST DEFINITELY KNOW IN UTTER
LIFE, THERE IS NO CHANCE OF REPENTANCE OR CONFESSION
TRUTH AND WITHOUT ANY DOUBT IS FOUNDATIONAL TO
AND ALL IMMORTAL, HUMAN SOULS WHETHER BELIEVERS OR
WITNESSING OUR TRUE FAITH TO OTHERS.
NOT WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT TO DEATH.
Have created perfectly healthy eyes for the formerly Blind
THE UNPRECEDENTED HEALING OF THE MAN BORN WITHOUT
Man OUR LOVING LORD JESUS OPENED UP BOTH HIS PHYSICAL
EYES CONFIRMS OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS TRUTHFUL
AND SPIRITUAL SIGHT FOR GOD ALONE CAN OPEN OUR HEART
PROCLAMATION THAT HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
AND SOUL BY HIS DIVINE ILLUMINATION.
St Irenaeus regarded THE MIXTURE OF CLAY FROM THE
All healings had to be confirmed by the Priests, followed
EARTH AND THE SALIVA OF CHRIST OUR ALMIGHTY LORD
by various ritual cleansings, sacrifices, etc. This is the
AND CREATOR LIKE THE ORIGINAL CREATION OF HUMANITY
only full account of a healing being examined and
FROM THE EARTH. (REFER GENESIS 2:7)
questioned by Hebrew authorities.
CHRIST REVEALS HIS DIVINE NATURE BY RESTORING A TINY PART
THE BLIND MAN PROGRESSES RAPIDLY FROM KNOWING NOTHING
OF CREATION BY USING THE SAME MATERIAL WITH WHICH
ABOUT CHRIST TO HIS REALISATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND
CONFESSION THAT THAT OUR LORD JESUS IS INDEED THE TRUE
HE HAD CREATED HUMANITY AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR
EXISTENCE.
MESSIAH: ... you do not know where He is from - yet He
has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does
The Pool of Siloam, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, was a
considerable distance from the Temple and provided
not hear sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of
the water for the Holy Rites connected with the Feast
God and does His Will, He hears him. Since the
of Tabernacles (WHICH TOGETHER WITH PASCHA AND
world began it has been unheard of that anyone
PENTECOST WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVALS OF THE
opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this
Man were not from God, He could do nothing!
ANCIENT HEBREWS, WHICH INCLUDED NUMEROUS SACRIFICES AND
CELEBRATIONS. (LEVITICUS 23:33 43)
OF THE
BLIND MAN (BORN
WITHOUT EYES
)-
17 MAY 2015
19
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)
CHRIST
IS
RISEN! TRULY
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!
6TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA - SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN

Benevolent God, our Lord then spat onto some clay,
HE IS RISEN!
mixed the two elements together, and created new eyes
for him similar to his creation of Adam!
Only God our Creator can do such a marvellous Miracle
such as this, so it was no wonder that those who knew
the formerly Blind Man debated his identity, for they
remembered someone who had had no eyes at all!!
Nothing is impossible with God!
If He can make a man see who had no eyes at all, we know
that He can help us with all those things that seem
impossible for us!
This Divine Miracle of our Lord should assure and comfort
us greatly for there are many difficult circumstances in
this life for which we cannot see (human) solutions.
God knows.
Our Lord does not even need a set of eyes to heal this Blind
Man, for there is nothing that He lacks, and there is
nothing that He cannot grant us, for He is our Creator
and our Provider, upon Whom we can always depend
and Whom we can always trust to know what is best for
us.
Faith is rarely instantly achieved. Faith is grown, nurtured
and developed according to each souls ability.
Our Lord created eyes for the Blind Man, and instructed
him go (quite a distance) to the Pool Siloam, which
plainly, prefigures his Holy Baptism, for with Baptism
comes Healing and he was not Healed until after he
had washed himself in Obedience to Christ.
If he had not done so, he would not have been Healed.
The Blind Man stumbled all the way, over to the Pool of
Siloam, washed and returned, seeing, because the
Waters of Baptism Cleanse and Heal, but they would not
have Cleansed and Healed if he had not Obeyed Christ.
His honest character - his guilelessness and obedience
never failed him, especially when intensely questioned
by the arrogant Pharisees who refused to see Divine
Truth even when it was right before them.
[This account gives us an idea of what happened whenever there was
Brethren, during this Paschal Season the Gospels have

taught about Enlightenment and the process of
Salvation.
Todays Gospel is another example, concerning something
indispensible that was present in St Thomas and the
Holy Myrrhbearing women: CHARACTER.
We cannot be Saved without good character, which is
necessary for us to follow the Divine Commandments
and Teachings which has to be in our heart and soul.
This particular blind man was a good man, for his strong
character is vividly obvious when the Pharisees
questioned him about his Healing.
He was a man who really knew nothing about Christ except
His Name, and who - on the greatest day of his life was accosted, questioned and attacked with hostility even by his own parents.
He showed great Purity and Honesty and Courage - and
even a little humour as well.
We need to have a good, strong character if were going to
be Saved, and this man showed the kind of character
that is necessary.
He overcame the obstacles that were newly presented in his
life, because of the disingenuous and aggressive
questioning of the Pharisees and Sadducees after his
Healing.
The usual mob who had surrounded the house and made
access to Christ difficult for the Paralytic and his four
friends, were much like modern day Media Reporters,
who gather together to find Truth or something
amazing to report - pushing and shoving each other.
However, the determination of his friends overcame such
problems and finally the Paralytic was lowered through
a roof and presented before Christ.
This fallen world often makes it difficult for True Believers,
by hindering or interfering, slowing us down or even
preventing our Spiritual Progress, unless we are strong
and determined enough to find a way to continue our
Journey.
Driven by their jealousy, Spiritual Blindness, anger and
enmity the self-righteous Pharisees were desperately
seeking something with which to condemn Christ and
to justify their irrational desire to get rid of Him.
They controlled many aspects of Judean life so if anyone
was banished from their Synagogues, they were
altogether shunned, reviled and shamed.
The Pharisees had forbidden anyone from Confessing or
merely mentioning that our Lord Jesus is truly the
Christ of God, (the Messiah), threatening them with
banishment from their Synagogues.
Our Lord Jesus never just happens to be passing by, for
his very Presence is His Incarnation His living as Son
of Mankind among us, Teaching, Healing, Guiding, and
granting us His Divine Truth, directly and personally.
We can relate ourselves to every person that we learn of
through His Divine Teachings and all the Holy
Scriptures for these refer to every aspect of our
human condition.
And it was certainly not by accident that our Lord Jesus
and His Holy Apostles came into contact this particular
Blind Man who had been born without eyes.
Having informed His Apostles that this Blind Man did not
suffer the consequences of his sins, but was born in
order to bring Glory to our Almighty, Loving and
T HE E TERNAL , I NSPIRED W ISDOM
FATHER ALEXANDER ELCHANINOV

Blindness toward our own sins in due to partiality. We
probably see many things, but we estimate them
wrongly, we make excuses for them and relate them
incorrectly to each other - this is an almost instinctive
reaction. It is most important for our Salvation to see our
own sins.
To Love the Truth more than ourselves, to reject self - this is
the beginning of Salvation." -, DIARY OF A RUSSIAN PRIEST.
20. 6 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A S U N D A Y
a Miraculous Healing. Those who were Healed had to be

examined by the Priests and leaders of the Synagogues, followed
by ritual cleansing rites, etc, before they could continue as full,
healthy members of the community. However, this account
particularly reveals the Spiritual Blindness and stubbornness of
the Pharisees, as well as their determination to justify their lethal
schemes against our Lord Jesus Christ. mp ]
It takes great courage and personal conviction to be a

Christian a Faithful Disciple of Christ for we
cannot be Saved unless we have True Courage and
Absolute Faith, Trust, Belief in the Lord our God.
It takes courage to confront and root out our sins. It
takes courage to Live in Christ, while others try to
misguide, confuse and lead us astray.
As Christians, we absolutely, unequivocally know and
proclaim that there is right and there is wrong. There is
a Way of Life and there is a Way of Death. There is
Almighty God, All Goodness, Divine Light, and Eternal
Life - and there is the devil, sin and Eternal Death. And
none of this ever changes.
Our inner disposition is shown by the way we live, think,
and speak, as well as our priorities, which God
enables us to fulfil.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP:
For the complete Sermon by Father Seraphim Holland, St Nicholas
Russian Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOX.NET/SERMONS/PASCHA-SUNDAY06_2008-06-01+THE-BLIND-MAN.HTML
OF OUR
OF THE
H OLY C HURCH F ATHERS
ST MARK THE ASCETIC

He who does good and seeks a reward works not for God
but for his own desire.
Some say that we can do nothing Good until we actively
receive the Grace of the Holy Spirit. This is not true. To
those who have been Baptized into Christ, Grace has
been Mysteriously given already. But it acts in
proportion to our fulfilment of Commandments.
Although this Grace never ceases to help us in secret,
it lies in our power to do or not to do good according
to our own will.
BLIND MAN (BORN
WITHOUT EYES
)-
17 MAY 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and

to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet
Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us
commit ourselves and one another and our
whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
21 May 2015
Ascension of Christ
Also the Feast of St Constantine the Emperor & St Helena, his Righteous
Mother, of Constantinople, Equals to the Apostles St Yaroslav & his sons,
St Michael & St Theodore, Wonderworkers of Murom St Cassian the Greek
of Uglich
ISODON/ENTRANCE & COMMUNION HYMN - & SECOND ANTIPHON*- ASCENSION
Anevi O Theos en alalagmo, Kyrios en foni salpingos.
God Ascended
with a shout; the Lord with the sound of
the trumpet
*Soson
imas Iie Theou, O E N D O X I A N A L I F T H I S A F

O U R A N O U S , psallontas Si: Allilouia!
IMON IS TOUS
*Save
us, O Son of God, T A K E N U P F R O M U S I N G L O R Y

H E A V E N , who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
INTO
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ASCENSION THURSDAY
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.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION- ST CONSTANTINE
Tou Stavrou Sou ton tipon en Ourano theasamenos, ke os Thine

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!
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, Only Lover of mankind!
FESTAL KONTAKION ASCENSION -
TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis When
Ouraniis, anelifthis en doxi, Hriste O Theos imon,
oudamothen horizomenos, alla menon adiastatos, ke
voon tis agaposi se. E G O I M I M E T H I M O N , K E O U D I S
KATH IMON.
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.
DIVINE LITURGY SECOND ANTIPHON - ASCENSION THURSDAY TONE 2

STIHOS 1
Megas Kyrios, ke enetos sfodra.
*Soson imas Iie Theou, O

IS TOUS
STIHOS 2
Great
VERSE 1
EN DOXI ANALIFTHIS
O U R A N O U S , psallontas Si: Allilouia!
AF IMON
*Save
is our God and greatly to be praised
us, O Son of God, T A K E N U P F R O M U S I N G L O R Y

INTO
Theos en tes Varesin aftis ginoskete
VERSE 2
God is known
in Her Palaces; whenever He helps
Her.
STIHOS 3
Oti idou i Vasilis tis Gis sinihthisan
VERSE 3
For behold: the Kings of the Earth were assembled.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM18 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Their voice has gone out into all the Earth.

The Heavens declare the Glory of God.
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST PAUL REVEALS HIS DIVINE CALLING ALONG
ST LUKE 26: 1 & 12 20

THE
ROAD
TO
DAMASCUS
In those days, Agrippa the King 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 along the road, I beheld, O King, a Light from Heaven that
was brighter than the sun shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
We had all fallen to the ground, when I heard a Voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language: Saul! Saul! Why
are you persecuting Me? I said: Who art Thou, Lord?
He said: I Am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. But Rise and stand on your feet. I have Appeared to you for this Purpose
to make you a Minister and a Witness both of the Things that you have seen and of the Things that I will yet reveal to
you. I will Deliver you from the people 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, and turn to God,
doing Work befitting Repentance.
ASCENSION THURSDAY
(&
THE
FEAST
OF
ST CONSTANTINE & ST HELENA)
21 MAY 2015
21.
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
Judeans. mp
As part of St Pauls former persecution against Hebrew

Christians, he had forced them to blaspheme or curse
the Name of our Lord Jesus. [1 CORINTHIANS 12:3]
This is third account of St Pauls 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]. [1
CORINTHIANS 9:1; 15:8]
OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST COMMISSIONED ST

PAUL AS HIS WITNESS JUST LIKE HE COMMISSIONED HIS
OTHER HOLY APOSTLES.
St Paul stretched out his hand in a common gesture for
A DIRECT CALL FROM GOD CONSTITUTES THE HIGHEST
public speakers of that era.
AUTHORITY AND ST PAUL OBEYED the Heavenly Vision
No accusers were present and St Paul was free to
by declaring to BOTH HEBREWS AND GENTILES that
proceed as he pleased, although he used the
they SHOULD REPENT, TURN TO GOD AND DO GOOD
Judeans false charges against him as his point of
WORKS... that prove their genuine Repentance and
reference.
Commitment to Almighty God.
T HE H OLY G OSPEL A CCORDING TO S T L UKE 24 : 36 53
TH
ASCENSION
OF OUR
LORD JESUS CH
RIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them: Peace to you!
They were terrified and frightened, and thought they had seen a spirit. And He said to them: Why are you troubled? And
why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My Hands and My Feet, for it is I, Myself. Handle Me and see, for a
spirit does not have Flesh and Bones as you can see I have! And when He had said this, He showed them His Hands
and His Feet.
Again, since they still did not believe for Joy, and Marvelling, He said to them:Have you any food here? They gave Him a
piece of broiled fish, and some honeycomb. And He ate in their presence.
He said to them: These are the Words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, for all Things must be fulfilled,
which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.
He opened their
Understanding, so that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
And He said to them: For it is written, and it was necessary for the Suffering of Christ, and to Rise from the dead the
Third Day, and that Repentance and Remission of sins should be preached in His Name to all Nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. You are Witnesses of these Things. And behold! I Send the Promise of My Father upon you. Remain
in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with Power from on High.
He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His Hands, Blessed them.
And it came to pass, while He Blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into Heaven. And they worshipped
Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great Joy. And they were continually in the Temple, Praising and Blessing God.
Amen
The Resurrectional Greeting of Peace unto you Irini
Christ instructed His Disciples to wait in Jerusalem
Pasi! frequently resounds in Orthodox Christian
because THEIR DIVINE MISSION COULD ONLY BE
Worship.
ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE ENABLING DIVINE POWER OF GOD
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
To counter the fears and doubts of His Disciples, our Lord
St Luke ends his Holy Gospel with the reference to the
Jesus Christ demonstrated the Reality of His
Promise of My Father and begins his Book of the Acts
Resurrection by inviting them to touch Him and by
of Apostles with the fulfilment of the Promise of My
eating with them.
Father.
This is a very special Instance because THE GLORIFIED
BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS NO FOOD FOR SUSTENANCE.
ONLY ST LUKE RECORDED THE EVENTS OF THE ASCENSION OF
The Law, the Prophets and the Psalms were the three
OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, INTO HEAVEN.
sections of the Hebrew Scriptures - also called
The Ascension signifies THE FULL GLORIFICATION AND
THE PENTATEUCH,
LORDSHIP OVER ALL OF JESUS CHRIST:
HE IS
PANTOKRATOR, THE ALL-RULING CHRIST, SHARING EQUAL
THE PROPHETS and
GLORY, AUTHORITY, AND HONOUR WITH THE FATHER AND
THE WRITINGS.
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
UNDERSTANDING IS NOT MERELY INTELLECTUAL, BUT A FULL
THE ASCENSION IS AS GREAT A MYSTERY AS THE RESURRECTION,
EXPERIENTIAL, SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.
AND SHOULD NOT BE UNDERSTOOD SIMPLY IN TERMS OF
TO COMPREHEND AND RECEIVE THE SPIRITUAL VALUE OF THE
TIME AND SPACE.
SCRIPTURES IS A GIFT OF OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS
OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST IS ENTHRONED,
CHRIST, BY THE POWER AND ENERGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
SHARING COMPLETELY THE RULING POWER OF THE FATHER
Repentance and remission of sins are part of the
TOGETHER WITH THE ALL-HOLY SPIRIT ETERNALLY.
Holy Gospel - the Good News that was to be
The Disciples worshipped Him because HIS RESURRECTION
proclaimed in His Name to all Nations throughout
AND ASCENSION ENTIRELY EXPOSE HIS TRUE DIVINE NATURE.
the world.
DISCIPLES CONTINUED TO MEET TOGETHER, Praising and
Endued with Power from on High means to be FILLED THEBlessing
God for the Gifts of Salvation in the Son.
WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, which occurred at Pentecost
JOY DOMINATES LIVES THROUGH THE RENEWING EXPERIENCE OF HIS
and which continues to this day enabling BY
RESURRECTION.
THE WILL AND GRACE OF GOD ordinary,
sometimes uneducated and even illiterate people to Teach and Guide others in Gods Perfect
Truth. [ACTS 1:8,2:2-4]
THE GLORIOUS ASCENSION
INTO
HEAVEN
Today is the Feast of the Ascension, and we Commemorate

an entirely Unique Event that completed the Earthly
Sojourn of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ the
Incarnate, Eternal, Only Begotten Son and Word of God
the Father.
After His Resurrection, having appeared many times before
His Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples, and having
shown them the Wounds on His Wrists, Feet, and Side,
having eaten with them and finally, teaching them the
ASCENSION THURSDAY
(&
THE
FEAST
OF
OF OUR
LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
Divine Mysteries of the Heavenly Kingdom of God, our

Lord Jesus departed from them in a unique way when,
on the Mount of Olives, not far from Bethany, He
ascended into Heaven by means of a Mysterious Cloud.
Why did our Lord need to be taken up? For, being God,
He is unrestricted by time and space. If He had wished
to withdraw from the history of mankind as Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, He could just have become
invisible. Of course, this was possible for God.
21 MAY 2015
22.
However, there is a profound meaning in the very Act of

His Ascension.
Firstly, this was the end of our Lords Sojourn on Earth, and
if He had simply become invisible, this might have
caused dangerous consequences for that first Christian
Community.
Even before His Death, our Lord Jesus Christ had said: ...
the time would come when many would say: Lo! Here
is Christ...or ...there is Christ... and that He is in the
Secret Chambers... and the Lord added: ...believe it
not - it will not be so! (MATTHEW 24:23-26).
Therefore, to ensure that no one would ever be able to say:
Here is Christ! or There is Christ! our Lord Jesus
departed from His Faithful Disciples and this material
world in a visible manner (with plenty of eye-witnesses to
the Truth.)
There was also something extremely significant in that
moment of His Ascension - there was no human glory
in the Life of our Lord.
Only once, when He was going to His Passion in Jerusalem,
did the people meet Him as a Great Victor.
Having been astounded and deeply impressed by the fact
that He had raised St Lazaros from the dead four days
after burial they spontaneously welcomed Him, led by
the example of the small children, who laid their
garments down before Him like a conquering Hero, and
cried out aloud: Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in
the Name of the Lord! - cheering Him on as the Son of
David. (MATTHEW 21:8-9).
Nevertheless, that was short-lived, insincere, vain, human
honour and glory, which our Saviour ignored, knowing
exactly what would follow a few days thereafter.
Those loud voices of glorification and praise that were
heard on that Sunday, changed within days, through the
bribery and corruption of His enemies. And instead of
the joyous welcoming of our True, Eternal King, they
chose a brutal criminal over Him and demanded His
unjust Crucifixion.
The completion of the Events of His Holy Gospel is a visible
Triumph! It is a visible Victory of our Saviour!
At the moment of His Mysterious Resurrection, there were
no witnesses inside the sealed, pitch-dark Sepulchre.
His Apostles only saw the signs of His Resurrection, but no
one actually witnessed the very Resurrection of our
Saviour from the dead, for that was truly Gods Divine
Mystery.
Of course, all Divine Power and Glory of the Saviour rising
from the Tomb was manifest, (revealed), but mankind
was not allowed to see that Great Divine Glory!
Yet, the Holy Gospel was completed fulfilled - with a
Triumph - a Victory. All Goals and Divine Purposes
were fulfilled and humanity was Redeemed. The evil
one was conquered, and his wickedness was trampled
upon!
Almighty God is Victor together with mankind in our Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The visible expression of this Great Glory of our Saviour, of
this Victory of the God-Man is His bodily physical and
visible - Ascension into Heaven where He is seated Side
by Side with the Divine Majesty at His right Hand, the
position of Honour.
God and mankind in the one Person of the God-Man, our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has completed our
Salvation.
The Apostles and Faithful Disciples stood looking upwards
in utter amazement, as Christ Ascended into Heaven
and was Enthroned.
Two men, who were dressed in white robes, and who were
in Reality, two Angels of God, called their attention back
to Earth by saying to them: You men of Galilee, why
are you standing, gazing up into Heaven? This same
Jesus, Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so
Reappear in like manner . (ACTS 1:10-11).
One can imagine what those words meant to the Apostles
and the Faithful Disciples, who then went to Jerusalem,
rejoicing in their expectation. It seemed to them that a
day, or two, or three, or maybe a week or a month
would pass and our Saviour would be seen again by
them.
In such intense waiting for our Lord to Reappear, the first
years of the Christian Community would also pass
However, one day to our Lord is like a thousand years to
us, and a thousand years is like one day, for there is
ASCENSION THURSDAY
(&
THE
FEAST
OF
immense meaning to this Expectation of the

Reappearance of our Saviour. (CF. 2 PETER 3:8),
We do not know how much time will pass, before our Lord
will fulfill His Promise, but this is not that important
because there is no time with God.
What is very important for us, is to understand that we live
on the threshold of the Divine Kingdom and, therefore,
we should constantly prepare ourselves for our
personal Encounter with our Beloved Lord and Master,
for no one knows when this will happen.
Every one of us, having crossed the border of life and
death, will stand before God - face to Face! That will be
His Second Appearance for us on the Eighth Day.
If we have maintained a Good Relationship with God, the Final Day the Beginning of Eternity and Judgement Day - is something we
look forward to with Great Joy, intense Anticipation and with
yearning Love for God.
However, if we have refused to Repent our sins and have not made
the slightest effort to correct our faults and improve our
Relationship with God and others, we will be filled with abject
Fear for the inevitable Eternal Consequences we shall endure. Mp
The hope of the Holy Apostles and their Joy at the prospect
of being Reunited with our Lord, was not left unfulfilled
for long, for they soon beheld our Saviour, and rejoiced
in the assurance that everything He told them would
indeed come to pass, which compelled them to dedicate
the rest of their Life in His Holy Service, preaching,
teaching, Healing, Baptising etc, in His Divine, Lifegiving Name - no matter what circumstances confronted
them.
If we keep this in mind and live accordingly if we learn to
look at history and not just see the fleeting moments of
human history - if we cultivate a Spiritual Outlook that
pierces through the centuries, into Eternity, then we will
realize that these Holy Times are coming for each of us
when we will stand before God on the Eighth Day.
Some people - even though they admit that God exists - do
not hasten to Church, do not hasten to Repent their
sins, and do not hasten to rethink their life, because
they excuse themselves, thinking that there is still
time. They say: I will have time. Of course, I need to
Repent, and of course, I need to change my life ... but
there is still time and I have much to do, such as this and
that and that
No one knows at what moment they will stand before our
Lord. Therefore, we must live in such a way that, at any
moment, we would be glad to meet our Saviour and not
be terrified when we realize that our life is over and the
Battle is lost!
Too many of us will realise - when it is far too late to
change anything - that our precious preparatory time
has been vainly wasted and the most important things
have not been done!!
We must live every day in Christ, so that when our time
comes, our personal Encounter with our Lord will be as
joyful as it was for His Holy Apostles who always kept
in mind the Angels Words on the Mount of Olives.
Ascension Day is an Eschatological Feast, which reminds us
of our Eternity, and concerns human civilization, the
whole world and every one of us.
Today - more than any other day - we must think about our
life, death and Judgement before Christ, which will
affect our attitude and lifestyle so that we will be able
to imitate the Holy Apostles and await our Lord and
Saviour with great joy.
Amen.
PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW & ALL RUSSIA
DELIVERED MAY 13, 2010, IN THE GREAT CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
AT THE NIKITSKIYE GATES IN MOSCOW.
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP: TRANSLATED FROM RUSSIAN BY SVETLANA BROOKS
http://www.pravmir.com/we-live-on-the-threshold-of-the-divinekingdom
ST. MARK THE ASCETIC

We who have received Baptism offer Good Works, not
by way of repayment, but to preserve the Purity
given to us.
Every good work which we perform through our own
natural powers causes us to refrain from the
corresponding sin; but without grace it cannot
contribute to our sanctification.
21 MAY 2015
23
ST CONSTANTINE & ST HELENA

The Church called St Constantine (306-337) Equal to the
Apostles, and historians called him the Great.
His father was Caesar Constantios Chloros (305-306), who
governed the lands of Gaul and Britain. His mother was
St Helena, a Christian of humble birth.
The immense Roman Empire was divided into West and
East, which were governed by two independent
Emperors and their co-rulers called Caesars.
Constantios Chloros ruled the Western Roman Empire.
St Constantine was born in 274, at Nish, in Serbia. In 294,
Constantios divorced St Helena in order to further his
political ambition by marrying a woman of noble rank.
When St Constantine eventually became Emperor, he
bestowed the Imperial title of Augusta on his mother
thereby declaring great honour and respect for her.
St Helena had raised her son to respect Christianity and
even his father refused to persecute Christians in the
lands he governed, despite the merciless slaughter of
millions by Emperor Diocletian (284-305) and his corulers Maximian Galerios (305-311) in the East, and the
Emperor Maximian Hercules (284-305) in the West.
After the death of Constantios Chloros in 306, St
Constantine was acclaimed by the army at York as
Emperor of Gaul and Britain. His first act was to
acknowledge and free Christianity from any form of
persecution throughout all regions under him.
The fierce pagan tyrants - Maximian Galerios in the East
and Maxentios in the West - hated St Constantine and
plotted his destruction, but in a series of battles, he
defeated them by Divine Grace.
St Constantine had besought God to grant him a Sign,
which would Inspire his army to fight valiantly, and a
radiant, Heavenly Cross inscribed with the words: By
this Sign, conquer appeared for all to see.
[The following night, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him
in a Vision and declared to him the Power of the Holy
Cross and Its significance. When he arose in the
morning, he immediately ordered that a labarum be
made (which is a banner or Standard of Victory over the
enemy) in the form of a Cross, upon which was
inscribed the Name of Jesus Christ.
On 28 October, he went into battle and defeated Maxentios,
who drowned in the Tiber River while fleeing.
The following day, St Constantine entered Rome in triumph
and was proclaimed Emperor of the West by the Senate,
while Licinios, his brother-in-law, ruled in the East.
Licinios had once again begun to maliciously persecute the
Christians, which compelled St Constantine to go into
battle against him. Having utterly destroyed Licinios in
324, St Constantine then ruled over the entire Roman
Empire, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313 which
guaranteed religious freedom for Christians, and other
beliefs. (St Helenas profound Christian Faith must have
influenced him in this decision.)
In 323, St Constantine extended and enforced the the Edict
of Milan to the Eastern half of the Empire, and finally,
after three hundred years of brutal persecution,
Christians could worship and Live in Christ without
fear.
Having officially renounced paganism, St Constantine
decided to change the Roman Capital from being in the
city of Rome, which had always been the centre of the
pagan realm - to the ancient city of Byzantium, which
was later renamed Constantinople.
St Constantine was deeply convinced that only Christianity
could unify the immense Roman Empire with its diverse
population and both he and his pious mother, St
Helena, supported and encouraged the flourishing Holy
Church of Christ in every possible manner
Christian Confessors were recalled from banishment and
reinstated, innumerable churches, chapels, cathedrals
and Monasteries were built and established.
St Constantine and St Helena deeply revered the Victorybearing Sign of the Cross of our Lord, and they yearned
to locate the True, Life-giving Cross of our Saviour,
which had been preserved and hidden for so many
centuries.
Mainly for that reason Empress Helena although
becoming frail with age by this time set off with her
entourage to the Holy Land, granting her both
Imperial Authority and generous finances.
Patriarch Macarios of Jerusalem and St Helena began the

search, and by the Divine Will and Grace of Almighty
God, our Saviours Life-giving Holy Cross was recovered
in 326.
The Great Event of the Finding of the Holy Cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ is commemorated on 14 September the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, while on 6
March, we commemorate the Uncovering of the Precious
Cross and the Precious Nails by the Holy Empress
Helena.
While in Palestine, St Helena did much of benefit for the
Holy Church of Christ.
She ordered that all Holy Sites connected with the Earthly
Life of our Lord Jesus Christ and His All-Pure Mother,
our Ever Blessed Lady, Theotokos, should be cleared of
any traces of paganism, and that churches, chapels and
cathedrals should be built there.
Throughout the Holy Land in Jerusalem and Bethlehem,
and at many other significant Holy Sites along the route
of her Pilgrimage, places of worship and Monasteries
were erected both great and small.
In Jerusalem a magnificent church was erected over the
Holy Sites of Christs Crucifixion (Golgotha), His Tomb
and Glorious Resurrection, and even the cave that had
hidden the True Cross for centuries. The various
Chapels within that great Holy Church bear Testimony
to the Divine Truth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ.
St Helena presented most of the Holy Cross to the Patriarch
of Jerusalem for safe-keeping, while taking part of It
with her for St Constantine.
After distributing generous alms in Jerusalem and feeding
the destitute having personally served them herself St Helena the Empress of the Byzantine Empire returned
to Constantinople.
St Helena Reposed peacefully in Christ in 327, having
served Him Faithfully throughout her life.
Because of her great services to the Church and her tireless
efforts in finding the True Cross, St Helena the
Righteous and August Empress is called the Equal of
the Apostles.
The peaceful Unity of the Holy Church was, however,
disturbed by quarrels, dissensions and heresies, about
which our Lord Jesus Christ had cautioned us.
Already at the beginning of St Constantines reign the
heresies of the Donatists and the Novatians had arisen
in the West, demanding a second baptism for those
who lapsed during the persecutions against Christians.
These heresies, repudiated by two local Church Councils,
were finally condemned at the Council of Milan in 316.
Particularly ruinous for the Church was the rise of the
Arian heresy in the East, which denied the Divine Nature
of the Son of God, and taught that Jesus Christ was a
mere creature of God!
By order of Emperor Constantine, the First Ecumenical
Council was convened in the city of Nicea in 325.
318 Bishops attended this First Ecumenical Council, among
whom were Confessor-Bishops from the period of the
persecutions and many other Luminaries of the Holy
Church, such as St Nicholas of Myra in Lycia.
Emperor Constantine attended the sessions of the Council,
during which the heresy of Arius was condemned and a
Symbol of Faith (Creed) composed, which included the
Divine Attribute of Christ Who is ...Consubstantial
with the Father... thereby confirming the Divine Truth
of the Eternal, Divine Nature of our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ, Who assumed our human nature for the
Eternal Redemption of the entire human race.
St Constantines grasp of Theological Issues during the
discussions at the Council was remarkable and the term
Consubstantial was included in the Symbol of Faith at
his insistence.
St Constantine fell severely ill near Nicomedia, and on
request, he received Holy Baptism, and, subsequently,
being deemed worthy of the Holy Mysteries, he partook
of Holy Eucharist before Reposing in Peace in Christ on
21 May 337, Pentecost Sunday, having lived sixty-five
years, of which he ruled for thirty-one years.
His Relics were transferred to Constantinople and laid
to rest in the Church of the Holy Apostles, which had
been
built
by
him
in
their
honour.
http://stconstantinecathedral.org/
ASCENSION THURSDAY
(&
THE
FEAST
OF
21 MAY 2015
24.

Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us
commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God.
Amen.
24 May 2015
Tone (6) Plagal 2
Afterfeast of Ascension
7 t h Sunday After Pascha The 318 Holy
Church Fathers of the First Ecumenical
Council in 325
Also the Feast of St Symeon Stylites the Younger of Wonderous
Mountain & of Antioch, Syria St Nikita the Stylite & Wonderworker
of Pereyaslavl, Zalesski St Metetios Stratelates (the General), St
Stephen, St John, St Serapion the Egyptian, St Callinikos the
Sorcerer, St Theodore, St Faustos, St Marciana, St Susanna & St
Palladia, Women Martyrs, St Kyriakos & St Christian Child Martyrs,
St Faustos, St Festos, St Marcellos, St Theodore, St Meletios, St Sergios, St Marcellinos, St Felix, St Photinos, St
Theodoriskos, St Mercurios & St Didymos, the 12 Tribunes, as well as 1218 Soldiers, and other Women & Children
Martyrs of Galatia St Vincent of Lerins
ISODON/SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

SECOND ANTIPHON TONE 2
Soson
imas Iie Theou, O E N D O X I A N A L I F T H I S A F I M O N I S

T O U S O U R A N O U S , psallontas Si: Allilouia!
Son of God, T A K E N U P F R O M U S I N G L O R Y I N T O
H E A V E N , Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (6) PLAGAL
Angelike
Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes

apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitousa to
ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilevsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis ip
aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos tin Zoin. O
Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie, Doxa Si.
The
Angelic Powers were in Thy Tomb, and the guards

became as dead men, and Mary stood by the Tomb
seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led captive Hades,
yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art the
Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Glory to
Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the dead!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ASCENSION
Anelifthis
Thou
en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, haropiisas tous

veveothenton afton dia tis Evlogias, oti Si i O Iios tou
Theou, O litrotistou Kosmou. (3)

filled the Disciples with Joy, by Promising to send the
Holy Spirit, and Thou Blessed them and established
their Faith, that Thou art the Son of God Redeemer of
the world. (3)
FESTAL APOLYTIKION 4TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Iperdedoxasmenos i Hriste O Theos imon, O fostiras epi gis, Supremely
praised art Thou, O Christ our God, Who

established on earth, our Fathers as Luminaries; and
through them, to the True Faith all of us Thou has
Guided, O Most Compassionate One: Glory to Thee!
tous Pateras imon themeliosas, ke di afton, pros tin

alithinin pistin pantas imas odigisas, Poliefsplahne Doxa
Si!
FESTAL KONTAKION
4TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis When

and united things on earth with the Things in Heaven,
Thou were taken up thither in Glory, O Christ our God,
inseparable, and to them who Love Thee, crying out: I
Ouraniis, Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon,

voon tis agaposi Se. EGO IMI METH IMON, KE OUDIS
KATH IMON.

YOU.
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 10 JOHN 21 : 1 14

OUR
RESURRECTED
LORD JESUS SERVES BREAKFAST
TO
HIS ELEVEN FAITHFUL APOSTLES
PROKEIMENON
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our Fathers.

For Thou hast always dealt Righteously with us
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE
20 : 16-18 & 28 36
ST PAULS FAREWELL ADDRESS
In those days, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia. He was hurrying to
be, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost at Jerusalem. From Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called for the Elders of the
Church. They went to him. He said to them: You know well, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I
always lived amongst you...
... Take heed yourselves - and all the Flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you Overseers - to shepherd the Church
of God, which He purchased with His own Blood.
I know this: that after my departure savage Wolves will come in amongst you - not sparing the Flock. And from among
yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the Disciples after themselves. Therefore, watch remember that for three years night and day I did not cease to warn everyone with tears.
7TH AFTER PASCHA AFTERFEAST
OF
ASCENSION - SUNDAY
OF THE
318 HOLY CHURCH FATHERS - 24 MAY 2015
25.
And now I commend you, Brethren, to God and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to Empower you and give you an
Inheritance among all those who are Sanctified.
I have coveted no ones silver or gold, or apparel. You yourselves know that my hands have provided for my necessities,
and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way by labouring like this that you must support the
weak.
Remember the Words of our Lord Jesus for He said: It is more Blessed to give than to receive.
And when Paul had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
St Paul wanted to be together with the other Holy
PURPOSE OF WORSHIPPING GOD AND THE COMMEMORATION
Apostles of Christ in Jerusalem for the Feast of Holy
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN A COMMUNAL MANNER.
Pentecost, since A LITURGICAL CALENDAR BASED ON
At that time, the Holy Church of Christ was alive and
SACRED FEAST DAYS HAS ALWAYS BEEN OBSERVED BY THE
developing in Ephesos and had already established
a permanent pattern of Sacramental Leadership
HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST.
with Elders (Presbyters) and Overseers (Bishops).
Consequently, ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS TRUE DISCIPLES OF
However, the threat of false teachers and various
CHRIST LIVE ACCORDING TO THE FESTAL CALENDAR OF
MAJOR FEASTS, FASTS AND CELEBRATIONS.
heresies arose from both within and without the Holy
Church.
ACTS 18:21: St Paul told his Holy Flock: I must by all
means keep this coming Feast in Jerusalem; but
Furthermore, THE FATAL THREAT OF SUCH FALSE TEACHERS AND
HERESIES CONTINUES TO THIS DAY, CAUSING SO MANY SOULS
I will return again to you God Willing.
THE SINCERE WORDS GOD WILLING, UNDERSCORED ST PAULS
TO BECOME PLUNGED IN DEEP, DARK SPIRITUAL DEATH
CONSTANT RELIANCE ON GOD AND HIS CONTINUAL DEVOUT
CAUSED BY ALIENATION FROM GOD AND UNREPENTED SINS.
SUBMISSION OF HIS OWN PLANS AND FREE WILL TO THE WILL
Therefore, we must LEARN TRUE HUMILITY AND
OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD AND FOLLOW
JAMES 4: 13-17 ... you who say: Today or tomorrow
ONLY WHAT HE HAS TAUGHT US not the lies,
we will go to such and such a city, spend a year
deceptions and heresies that other less
intelligent beings try to convince us of, which
there, buy and sell, and make a profit; whereas
you do not know what will happen tomorrow.
misguide and condemn us.
THERE IS SO MUCH DIVINE TRUTH AVAILABLE TO US THESE DAYS
For what is your life? It is even a vapour that
appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
that we have absolutely no excuse for doing our
Instead you ought to say: If the Lord Wills, we
own thing.
WITHOUT THE INSEPARABLE VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND
shall live and do this and that... But now you
boast in your own arrogance.
All such
OBEDIENCE, WE CANNOT MAKE ANY SPIRITUAL PROGRESS
boasting is evil. Therefore, to those who know
AND WILL REMAIN IGNORANT, SELFISH AND IN A STATE OF
to do good and who do not do so, to them it is
SPIRITUAL DEATH DUE TO OUR ALIENATION FROM
sin!
ALMIGHTY GOD WHO MAKES EVERYTHING THAT IS TRULY
The budding Christian Liturgical Calendar revealed
GOOD POSSIBLE FOR US.
THE DEEP DESIRE OF THE HOLY APOSTLES AND FAITHFUL
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST TO GATHER TOGETHER IN
REMEMBRANCE OF THE GREAT CHRISTIAN FEASTS FOR THE
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 17 : 1 13

OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS PRAYER FOR HIMSELF & FOR HIS HOLY APOSTLES
At that time, Jesus spoke these Words, lifted up His Eyes to Heaven, and said: O Father, the Hour has come. Glorify Thy
Son, that Thy Son also may Glorify Thee, as Thou hast given Him Authority over all flesh, that to as many as Thou
hast given Him, He should grant Eternal Life.
This is Eternal Life: that they may know Thee, the Only True God, and Him Whom Thou hast sent - Jesus Christ.
I have Glorified Thee on Earth. I have finished the Work, which Thou hast given Me to do. And now Glorify Me, O
Father, together with Thyself, with the Glory that I had with Thee before the world was.
I have Manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou hast given Me out of the world. They were Thine, and Thou gave
them to Me, and they have kept Thy Word. Now they know that all Things, which Thou hast given Me, are from
Thee. For I have given to them the Words that Thou hast given Me; and they have received them, and have known
Truly that I came forth from Thee; and they have believed that Thou sent Me.
I pray for them. I do not pray for the world, but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine. And all Mine
art Thine, and Thine art Mine, and I Am Glorified in them. And I Am no longer in the world, but these are in the
world, and I come to Thee.
O Holy Father, keep in Thy Name, those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be One as we are One. While I was
with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name. Those whom Thou gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost
except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Now I come to Thee, and these Things I speak in the world, that they may have My Joy fulfilled in themselves...
The Hour has come, signifies THAT CHRIST IS LORD OVER
THE PRAYER OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, is often
referred to as the High Priestly Prayer because it
TIME: He voluntarily Willed to ascend the Cross in
CONTAINS THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A PRAYER THAT
the Flesh... (HYMN OF SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY)
The expression Glorify refers to THE REDEMPTION OF
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PRIESTS OFFER TO THE LORD OUR GOD
BEFORE A (BLOODLESS) SACRIFICE OR OFFERING IS OFFERED
ALL CREATION THAT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH
TO HIM:
OUR LORDS CRUCIFIXION (the Final, Ultimate and Most
GLORIFICATION of Almighty God
Pure Blood Sacrifice for sins and Eternal Life) AND
REMEMBRANCE of Gods Divine Works
GLORIOUS RESURRECTION (THE HARROWING OF HADES),
INTERCESSION on behalf of others
which was THE DIVINE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE DIVINE
A DECLARATION of the Holy Offering Itself
WORD AND SON OF GOD WAS SENT BY GOD THE FATHER
This particular passage of New Covenant Holy Scripture
INTO THE SIN ENSLAVED AND DARKENED WORLD.
is read on the Seventh Sunday After Holy Pascha in
IN HIS DIVINE REDEMPTION, GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE
remembrance of the 318 Holy Church Fathers of the
SON ARE GLORIFIED.
First Ecumenical Council, which had been
FOR THAT REASON THE CROSS OF CHRIST - which was a
convened in Nicaea in 325 in order to condemn and
hideous form of execution with its excruciating
correct the heresy of Arianism (WHICH TAUGHT THAT THE
suffering and death - IS NOW GLORIFIED IN HIS HOLY
SON OF GOD WAS CREATED BY GOD THE FATHER AND THUS
CHURCH AS LIFE-GIVING AND A WEAPON OF PEACE.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE SON AND WORD OF GOD DID NOT
THE (EMPTY) HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST HAS BECOME A
EXIST!)
VICTORIOUS
EMBLEM
OF
DIVINE
GOODNESS:
OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS ACTUAL WORDS BEAR WITNESS TO
RESURRECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE:
HIS TRUE, ABSOLUTE AND ETERNAL DIVINITY, AS WELL AS
The Holy Cross of Christ CONQUERS ALL SINFUL
HIS ETERNAL FILIAL RELATIONSHIP TO GOD THE FATHER.
ENSLAVEMENT, ALIENATION FROM GOD.
This Divine Testimony alone is more than sufficient to
The Holy Cross of Christ is OUR SANCTIFIED BADGE OR
dismiss any form of heretical Arianism.
EMBLEM OF HONOUR whereby we strive to live each
26.
7TH AFTER PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
318 HOLY CHURCH FATHERS -
24 MAY 2015
moment of the day, for it REMINDS US OF THE

PERFECT EXAMPLE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR IN WHOM
WE LIVE AND IT INFORMS OTHERS OF OUR SPIRITUAL
STRUGGLE.
The Holy Cross of Christ is THE MOST POWERFUL FORM OF
DIVINE PROTECTION, which repels and rejects
Satan and his evil schemes.
The Holy Cross of Christ is ALL WE NEED.
True Disciples of Christ do not wear evil eyes or any other socalled good luck charms!
Such pagan talismans, amulets or trinkets expose deep-seated
superstitions, which reveal a lack of Faith in God - the denial of
Gods Infinite Power and Love that conquers all threats and
wickedness against us.
True Disciples of Christ wear the (empty) Cross only against their
hearts (not as mere ornamentation such as ear-rings, etc) and
never together with any superstitious lucky charms!
Belief in anything else is a reversion to paganism the rejection of
our One True and Living God!
The so-called peace sign is in fact the curse of Satan: a cloven
hoof and a broken, upside down cross declaring the wearer
as a slave of Satan that must be avoided at all costs by True
Disciples of Christ.
KNOWLEDGE OF THE ONLY TRUE GOD IS FAR MORE THAN
INTELLECTUAL UNDERSTANDING. IT IS PARTICIPATION OF
CHRISTS DIVINE LIFE AND BEING IN COMMUNION WITH
HIM.
CONSEQUENTLY, ETERNAL LIFE IS AN ONGOING, LOVING
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Our Lord Jesus Christs Divine Work can never be
separated from Who He is.
I have Glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished
the Work, which Thou hast given Me to do... is
a statement that every Faithful Disciple of Christ
should be able to make at the end of life no
matter how long or short our Life in Christ has
been!
...the men whom Thou hast given Me... are THE
HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST THROUGH WHOM THE WORD
OF GOD COMES DOWN THROUGH THE AGES CAREFULLY
PRESERVED TO US, WHICH IS KNOWN AS OUR APOSTOLIC
TRADITION THE TRUE TEACHINGS OF THE SON OF GOD,
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.
St Isaiah prophesied that IN THE DAYS OF THE MESSIAH,
THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NAME OF GOD WOULD BE
REVEALED. (ISAIAH 52:6)
According to the Old Covenant, THE EXPRESSION THE
NAME WAS MOST REVERENTLY USED instead of Gods
SUNDAY
actual Name, Yahweh, which was considered as

being FAR TOO SACRED TO PRONOUNCE.
THE FULLER REVELATION OF THE DIVINE NAME WAS GRANTED
TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND
SAVIOUR, FOR HE MANIFESTED THE DIVINE NAME NOT
ONLY BY DECLARING GOD THE FATHER, BUT BY BEING THE
VERY PRESENCE OF GOD ON EARTH AND BY SHARING THE
DIVINE NAME WITH HIM!
OUR LORD JESUS FIRST PRAYED FOR HIMSELF AND THEN FOR
HIS HOLY APOSTLES WHO WERE GRANTED TO HIM BY GOD
THE FATHER AS WELL AS ALL THE SOULS WHO BELIEVE IN
HIM THROUGHOUT THE AGES.
The reference to the world means the fallen
world consisting of ALL THOSE WHO LIVE
ACCORDING TO THE DESIRES OF THEIR BODY THE
FLESH which is used against us through the
temptation the wiles and deceptions - of
Satan.
The physical world and all that is in it - which God created - is

all Good and Beautiful - and we as Earthly intellectual
beings - have been Ordained by God to preserve and nurture
it, yet through our sinful desires of greed and selfish
indulgence, we have almost destroyed it beyond recovery!
The fallen world consists of ALL WHO ARE IN
REBELLION AGAINST THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD AND
WHO PREFER SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND BLINDNESS TO
HIS DIVINE, LIFE-GIVING LIGHT AND SPIRITUAL
ENLIGHTENMENT.
The term Holy Father is echoed in THE EUCHARIST
PRAYER OF DIDACHE: We give Thee Thanks, O Holy
Father, for Thy Holy Name, which Thou has
made to dwell in our hearts... (DIDACHE 10:2)
The lost son of Perdition (Destruction) is Judas
Iscariot to whom Old Testament Prophesy
alluded. (PSALM 40:10; PSALM 108:2 13; ZECHARIAH 11: 1213)
JUDAS ISCARIOT, THE SON OF PERDITION WHO BETRAYED

CHRIST, EPITOMISES ALL WHO FALL AWAY, RENOUNCE,
REBEL AGAINST OR BETRAY GOD - ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST
DAYS, WHICH IS NOW!
According to St Paul in his Second Epistle to the
Thessalonians, THE SON OF PERDITION IS THE
ANTICHRIST who is the manifestation of everything
that is ungodly, evil and destructive but WHO WILL BE
COMPLETELY DEFEATED AND BANISHED TO HELL TOGETHER
WITH ALL WHO ARE WILLINGLY ENSLAVED BY HIM - BY CHRIST
ALMIGHTY AT THE FINAL JUDGEMENT OF ALL CREATION. (2
THESSALONIANS 2:3)
7TH SUNDAY AFTER PASCHA AFTERFEAST OF THE ASCENSION

ST
OF THE 318 HOLY CHURCH FATHERS OF THE 1
ECUMENICAL COUNCIL.
FATHER MILAN MEDAKOVIC
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit...
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we hear how our
Lord prayed for His Heavenly Father to ...keep in Thine
own Name those whom Thou hast given me, that they
may be One, as we are One. (JOHN 17:11).
Our Lord prayed these words because He knew the attacks
that His Holy Church would suffer after His Death,
Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven.
He further confirmed these Struggles when He cautioned
His Apostles: Beware of false prophets, who come to
you in Sheeps clothing, while inwardly they are
ravenous Wolves! (MATTHEW 7:15).
Today our Holy Church commemorates the 318 Holy
Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council who were
Victorious over one of these ravenous Wolves a
heretical Priest of Alexandria, named Arius, who
attacked the Unity of the Churc, by falsely teaching that
our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, was a creature
Who had been created by God from nonexistence, when
He created all of Creation.
In other words, Arius denied that the Eternal Divinity of
Christ was the same as that of His Heavenly Father.
Sadly, there are many who still believe this as well as many
other false teachings concerning our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ and our Lord God the Father.
These false teachings are clearly exposed in the decisions
of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, which affirmed the
True Teachings of Christ and His Holy Church regarding
our Lord Jesus the Incarnate, Eternal, Only Begotten
Son and Word of God the Father, and the All-Holy
7TH AFTER PASCHA AFTERFEAST
OF
ASCENSION - SUNDAY
Trinity God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy
Spirit One Divine Godhead in three Persons.
In order to ratify or confirm the True Teachings concerning
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Divinely Inspired 318 Holy
Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council formulated the
first part of our Creed of Faith, which begins by
confirming the Person of God the Father.
Our Lord Jesus Who is the Eternal Son and Word of God the
Father, taught us how to pray to Almighty God: Our
Father, Who art in Heaven (MATTHEW 6:9).
This Name and Character of God (Whom we are now able to
address as our Loving Heavenly Father) was previously
unknown to those of the Old Covenant, for our Lord
God was only known as being an Awesome God,
Creator, Lord, King and Judge.
Only through His Eternal, Divine Son are we taught that He
is an infinitely Loving, Compassionate and Most
Merciful God Whom we may directly address and with
Whom we are encouraged to develop an intimate,
personal Relationship, having been adopted by God
during our Holy Baptism, as His Children and thus
becoming Co-heirs with Christ of His Heavenly
Kingdom.
This intimate Relationship with Almighty God is confirmed
by the Words of our Lord Jesus Who said: ...They were
Thine, and Thou gave them to Me, and they have kept
Thy Word. (JOHN 17:6).
This also confirms that our Saviour took human beings
who were creatures and servants of God who knew God
only as their Creator and Judge, and made them His
own.
OF THE
318 HOLY CHURCH FATHERS - 24 MAY 2015
27.
Through His making mankind His own, our Lord Jesus

Christ makes all humanity every one of us - sons
i.e. Children of God by adoption (as mentioned above.)
As St Paul stated in his Epistle to the Galatians, our Lord
made us His in order ... to Redeem those who were
under the Law, that we might receive the Adoption of
sons. (GALATIANS 4:5).
The second section of the Creed that was developed by the
Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council confirmed
the Person of the Son of God.
In this portion of the Creed, we state our True Belief that
the Son of God has two Natures - Divine and human
(which are separate and unmingled.)
We also confirm that the Eternal, Divine Nature of our Lord
Jesus Christ is exactly the same as the Divine Nature of
God the Father.
Furthermore, our Lord Jesus clearly and precisely referred
to His Divine Nature in His Prayer to His Heavenly
Father when He said: ...And now Glorify Me, O Father,
together with Thyself, with the Glory that I had with
Thee before the world was... (JOHN 17:5)
We can see - without any doubt - that our Saviour is no
ordinary man or creature of God.
Our Lord Truthfully states that He was with God the Father
even before the Creation of the invisible and visible
Universe, which is also stated by St John the Beloved
Apostle and Divine Theologian: In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. (JOHN 1:1)
And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us (and
we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of the Only Begotten
of the Father), Full of Grace and Truth." (JOHN 1:14).
Through these Words of Divine Truth, we are be able to
obviously see the errors of Arius heretical teachings
that are still erroneously proclaimed by some to this
day.
St Nikolaj Velimirovic reminded us that this Prayer of our
Lord Jesus Christ that beseeches our Heavenly Father to
... KEEP THEM... was ...not only for the Apostles
This Prayer was also for the Fathers of the First
Ecumenical Council And the Fathers kept them from
the errors of Arius, and Inspired, Illumined and
Strengthened them to defend and confirm the
Orthodox Faith.
This Prayer is for all of us who are Baptized in the Apostolic
Church, who have come to know the Saving Name of
Christ our Saviour.
So, my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, my Prayer for
you is the same as our Lords - that you may be kept in
the Orthodox Catholic (Universal) Faith so that you may
be Illumined and Strengthened - like our Holy Church
Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council - against all
errors that surround you, and that you may worship the
One True God: Father, Son and Holy Spiritthe Holy
Trinity Consubstantial and Undivided.
Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: A SERMON FOR SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF
THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL BY FATHER MILAN MEDAKOVIC OF THE
ST GREGORY PALAMAS OUTREACH
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/62148.htm
THE INSPIRED, ETERNAL

SEEKING SECURITY BY PRAYER
WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS

HOW
Many ask why is the Jesus Prayer (also known as the

Prayer of the Heart) so important.
It is not as many Eastern meditation practices teach to gain
a state of bliss or some psychic experience.
The Purpose of this wonderful, simple but profound Prayer
is TO KEEP OUR SOUL CONNECTED WITH GOD SO WE CAN LIVE
ACCORDING TO HIS WILL.
St Paisios the Elder of Mount Athos said: The soul must be
constantly ready and alert and always in contact with
the Spiritual Headquarters - that is: with God. Only
then, it will feel secure, full of Hope and Joy.
When we learn to pray continually, we gain a sense of
security because God is always with us to Guide and
Help us no matter what situation we encounter.
We are never left to rely solely our own thoughts and
reason, for we always have God at our side. The Holy
Elder said: The more we pray, the more secure we
feel - on a Spiritual Basis, of course.
WHEN
TO
PRAY
THE
JESUS PRAYER
As St Paul instructs us the Aim of Prayer is to: ... pray

unceasingly! (1 THESSALONIANS 5:17).
This simple Prayer can easily be said anywhere. Often we
think of Prayer as something we do in the morning and
then in the evening or in Church. But this is not right.
WE MUST THINK OF PRAYER AS SOMETHING THAT WE DO
CONTINUOUSLY.
Elder Paisios said: We should always say the Jesus Prayer
wherever we are - not just in the morning or at night.
When we walk, we should not waste our free time, but
instead take advantage of it and repeat the Prayer.
When we are working in a busy place and it is difficult for
us to concentrate on praying, we can quietly chant it
without disturbing others.
There are many moments throughout the day when we are
idle. How often do you find yourself waiting in line for
something. This is the ideal time to pray: O Lord Jesus
Christ, have Mercy on me, a sinner!
Then as you begin to do this during these idle times you
will gradually find yourself repeating the Prayer at other
times during the day (and night.)
To help etch the Prayer in our mind, it is also helpful to
repeat it numerous times as part of our Morning and
Evening Rule of Prayer as well. With Gods Help,
eventually it will become continuous without any effort.
What you need to begin is THE INTENTION TO PRAY
UNCEASINGLY.
TO
PRAY
THE
JESUS PRAYER
Elder Porphyrios gives us some instruction on Prayer, using

the Jesus Prayer: Prayer should be interior - prayed
with the mind and not with the lips, so as not to cause
distraction with the mind wandering here and there.
Let us bring Christ into our mind in an unforced manner
by repeating very gently, 'O Lord Jesus Christ, have
mercy on me.'
Don't think anything else except the words: 'O Lord Jesus
Christ, have Mercy on me.'
Nothing else. Nothing at all. Calmly, with open eyes, so
that you are not in danger of succumbing to fantasies
and delusions, and with care and devotion, turn towards
Christ.
Repeat the Prayer in an unforced manner and not
continually, but when there is the disposition and an
atmosphere of Compunction, which is a Gift of Divine
Grace.
Without Grace you fall into a state of self-hypnotism and
you can end up seeing lights and delusions and become
mentally deranged.
Prayer should not be seen as a chore or an obligation but
rather AN ACT OF LOVE.
There is no need for techniques such as a stool, bowing the
head or closing the eyes.
TRUE PRAYER IS NOT DEPENDENT ON ANYTHING EXTERNAL.
PRAY WITH LOVE AND YEARNING
When we pray WE MUST PRAY WITH LOVE AND YEARNING.
THROUGH PRAYER OUR SOUL IS FILLED WITH DIVINE LOVE.
(Agape)
Elder Porphyrios said: Pray to God with Love and Yearning.
And when you repeat the Prayer, "O Lord Jesus Christ,
have Mercy on me..." say it slowly, humbly, gently and
with Divine Love. Pronounce the Name of our Lord
Jesus Christ with sweetness.
Say the words one at a time: O Lord...Jesus...Christ...have
Mercy on me... smoothly, tenderly, affectionately,
silently, secretly, Mystically, but with Exaltation, with
Longing, with Passion, without tension, force of
unbecoming emphasis, without compulsion and pressure
- the way a mother speaks to her beloved child: My little
boy...my darling girl...
THIS PRAYER WILL LEAD YOU TO SILENCE. Gradually the words
are lost. THE SOUL PREFERS SILENCE.
There comes a time of TRUE PRAYER where there IS
NOTHING BUT SILENCE: "The flood of Divine Love fills
the soul with Joy and Exultation."
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP: ORTHODOX WAY OF LIFE
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM
28.
7TH AFTER PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
318 HOLY CHURCH FATHERS -
24 MAY 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and Forever,
and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet
Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole
25 May 2015
Afterfeast of Ascension
Third Finding of the Venerable Head
of St John the Baptist & forerunner of Christ
Also the Feast of St Therapon, Hieromartyr of Cyprus St Urbanos of Rome St Olbianos
the Confessor St Celestine St Aldhelm of Sherborne
SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON:
Soson imas Iie Theou, O
Save us, O Son of God, T A K E N
DOXI ANALIFTHIS AF IMON IS

T O U S O U R A N O U S , psallontas Si: Allilouia!
EN
UP FROM US IN
GLORY INTO
ISODOS/ SMALL ENTRANCE -& COMMUNION HYMN-
Anevi O Theos en alalagmo, Kyrios en foni salpingos.
God Ascended with
ASCENSION
a shout; the Lord with the sound of
the Trumpet
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, Haropiisas tous

vaveothenton afton dia tis Evlogias, oti Si i O Iios tou
Theou, O Litrotis tou kosmou.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
Os
OF THE
THIRD FINDING
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.
OF THE
ASCENSION
OF
CHRIST
OUR
ST JOHN THE BAPTISTS HEAD
OF
TONE 4
Christ God has revealed to us Thy Truly Ven'rable Head
Thion Thisavrisma, egkekrimmenon ti gi, Hristos

apekalipse, tin Kefalin sou imin Profita ke Prodrome.
Pantes oun sinelthontes, en ti taftis evresi, asmasi
theigoris, ton Sotira imnoumen, ton Sozonta imas ek
fthoras, tes Ikesies Sou.
KONTAKION
ASCENSION
OF THE
Anelifthis
as a Divine Treasure that had been concealed in the

earth, O Prophet and Forerunner. Wherefore, as we
gather on the Feast of its Finding, with our Hymns
Inspired of God, we praise Christ the Saviour, Who by
Thy Mighty Prayers Saves us from every kind of harm.
SAVIOUR
TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Tin iper imon plirosas Ikonomian, ke ta epi Gis enosas tis When

and united things on Earth with the Things in Heaven,
Thou were taken up thither in Glory, O Christ our god,
inseparable, and to the m who Love Thee, crying out: I
Ouraniis, Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon,

voon tis Agaposi Se. EGO IMI METH IMON, KE OUDIS
KATH IMON.

YOU.
PROKEIMENON PSALM 65 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Rejoice, O Righteous, in the Lord!

Hear, O God, my voice.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 4: 6 15
THE POWER OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
Brethren: It is the God Who Commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has shone in our hearts to grant the Light of
the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Sight of Jesus Christ.
We have this Treasure in earthen vessels so 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 our Lord Jesus so that the Life of Jesus
also may be manifested in our body.
For we who Live are always Delivered to Death for Jesus sake, so that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our
mortal flesh.
So then Death is working in us, but Life in you.
We have the same Spirit of Faith, according to what is written: I believed and therefore I spoke... and we also believe.
Therefore speak - knowing that He Who raised up our Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with
you.
All things are for your sakes, that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause Thanksgiving to abound to the Glory
of God.
TO
ST MATTHEW 11 : 2 15
ST JOHN THE BAPTISTS QUESTION TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
At that time, when John had heard in prison about the Works of Christ, he sent two of his Disciples and said to Him: Art
Thou the One Coming, or do we look for Another?
And Jesus answered and said to them: Go and tell John the Things that you hear and see: the blind see and the lame
walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to
them.
And Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see?
A reed shaken by the wind?
THIRD FINDING
OF THE
VENERABLE HEAD
OF
ST JOHN
THE
BAPTIST & FORERUNNER
OF
CHRIST
25 MAY 2015
29.
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in Kings
houses.
But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Yes, I say to you: and more than a Prophet! For this is he of whom it is
written: Behold! I send My Messenger before Thy Face, who will prepare Thy Way before Thee.
Assuredly, I say to you: among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist! He who is
least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than him. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of
Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And
if you are willing to receive it - he is Elijah who has come.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
According to our Holy Church Fathers, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
his mothers womb WHO WOULD SUFFER THE VIOLENCE
OF HIS PASSION AND CRUCIFIXION.
ASKED THIS QUESTION OF CHRIST IN ORDER TO GUIDE HIS OWN
According to St John Chrysostom, the violent who take
DISCIPLES TO OUR LORD JESUS.
the Kingdom of Heaven by force, are THOSE WHO
ST ISAIAH, THE HOLY PROPHET OF GOD, PREDICTED THAT THESE
MIRACLES AND SIGNS WOULD ACCOMPANY THE COMING OF
THE LONG AWAITED MESSIAH.
Our Lord Jesus performed these Divine Miracles in the

presence of ST JOHN THE BAPTISTS DISCIPLES so that they
PERSONALLY WITNESSED MIRACLES THAT ONLY THE MESSIAH
COULD PERFORM.
In terms of the Old Covenant Laws, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
WAS INDEED THE GREATEST OF ALL THE HOLY PROPHETS OF
GOD.
However, THE NEW COVENANT IS OF SUCH INCOMPARABLE
VALUE THAT THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE AND SHARE IN THE
NEW COVENANT ARE FAR GREATER than St John the
Baptist who was of the Old Covenant.

Several interpretations have been offered to explain our
Lords statement: ... the Kingdom of Heaven suffers
violence... Some believe that it refers to THE HEBREW
OPPOSITION TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, while others felt
that it was a reference to THE ETERNAL HEAVENLY
KINGDOM BREAKING INTO THE WORLD VIOLENTLY
MEANING WITH GREAT POWER AND FORCE.
Still others maintain that THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN REFERS
TO CHRIST HIMSELF the Son of God Who has been
HAVE SUCH AN EARNEST DESIRE FOR CHRIST THAT THEY DO

NOT LET ANYTHING STAND BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR FAITH
IN CHRIST.
OUR LORD JESUS ASCRIBED THE ROLE OF THE HOLY PROPHET, ST
ELIJAH, TO ST JOHN THE BAPTIST not St John himself
who was utterly humble and obedient to God.

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST FULFILLED THE SACRED MISSION OF ST
ELIJAH AND HIS DESTINY WAS SIMILAR AS WELL.
YET ST JOHN THE BAPTIST IS HONOURED ABOVE ST ELIJAH BY
OUR LORD SINCE ST JOHN ACTUALLY PREPARED THE WAY
PREPARED THE PEOPLE FOR THE ADVENT OF CHRIST - the
long-awaited Messiah the Saviour of the world

BOTH IN LIFE AND AFTER DEATH IN HADES.
HAVING HEARD THE WONDERFUL ANNOUNCEMENT OF ST JOHN THE
BAPTIST IN HADES, THOSE WHO HAD REPOSED BEFORE, WERE
READY FOR CHRIST WHEN HE ENTERED HADES IN HIS HUMAN
NATURE AND, IN HIS DIVINE NATURE, SMASHED OPEN THE
IMPRISONING GATES TO SET THE RIGHTEOUS FREE TO REPOSE IN
PEACE IN THE NEWLY OPENED PARADISE UNTIL THE FINAL DAY.
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST IS THE LAST GREAT HOLY PROPHET OF GOD
WHO FULFILLED THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF GOD TO A FAR
GREATER DEGREE THAN ANY OTHER.
Incarnate since St John the Baptist was six months in
ST
JOHN
CHRYSOSTOM
ON
CHRISTS
COMMANDMENT:
One Rule we have to observe, is to bear every stroke

thankfully; for our problems are sent (allowed by God)
because of our sins and to make us accepted, as the
Lord said to Job: "Think thou that I have spoken to
thee, save that thou might appear Righteous?" ( JOB LX.
8 , LXX.)
In the cases of various Paralytics Christ mentioned their

sins, for as He told one Paralytic who lay on a bed:
"Son, be of good cheer - thy sins are forgiven thee."
(MATTHEW 9:2)
Our Lord also said: "Behold! Thou art made whole - sin
no more!"
Some people have slandered that particular Paralytic,
asserting that he was an accuser of Christ, and that
therefore this speech was addressed to him.
What then shall we say of the other Paralytic mentioned
in the Gospel according to St Matthew, who heard
nearly the same words when our Lord said to him
also: "Thy sins be forgiven thee."
Therefore it is evident that neither was this man thus
addressed on account of their allegations.
And this we may see more clearly from what follows for
it is stated:
"Afterward Jesus found him in the
Temple," which is an indication of the former
Paralytics great Piety; for he departed - not into the
market places and walks, nor gave himself up to
luxury and ease, but remained in the Temple,
although about to sustain so violent an attack and to
be harassed by all there.
Yet none of these things persuaded him to depart from
the Temple.
Moreover Christ, having found him, even after he had
conversed with the Judeans, implied nothing of the
kind. For had He desired to charge him with this, He
would have said to him: Art thou again attempting
the same sins as before? Art thou not made better by
thy Cure?
Yet He said nothing of the kind, but merely secured him
for the future.
Why then, when He had cured the halt and maimed, did
He not in any instance make mention of the like?
SIN
NO
MORE...!!
(PART
2)
I believe that the diseases of these (the Paralytic) arose

from acts of sin, while those of the others were from
natural infirmities.
Or if this was not so, then by means of these men, and by
the words spoken to them, He had spoken to the rest
also.
For since this disease is more grievous than any other, by
the greater He corrected also the less.
And when our Saviour had Healed another man, He
charged him to give Glory to God, addressing this
exhortation not to him only but through him to all the
other.
Similarly He addressed to these, and by these to all the
rest of mankind, that Divine exhortation and advice,
which was given to them by word of mouth.
Besides this, we may also say, that our Lord Jesus
perceived great endurance in his soul, and addressed
the exhortation to him as to one who was able to
receive His Command, keeping him healthy both by
the Benefit, and by the fear of future ills.
And observe the absence of boasting.
Our Lord Jesus Christ never said: Behold!, I have made
thee whole! but: "Thou art made whole - sin no
more."
And again, He did not say: ...lest I punish thee... but,
"...lest a worse thing come unto thee" - putting both
expressions impersonally, and showing that the Cure
was rather of Divine Grace than of merit.
For He did not declare that he was Delivered after
suffering the deserved amount of punishment, but
that through Divine Loving-kindness he was made
whole.
Had this not been the case, our Lord would have said:
Behold, thou hast suffered a sufficient punishment for
thy sins - be thou steadfast for the future.
However, He simply stated: "Behold, thou art made
whole - sin no more."
Let us continually repeat these words to ourselves, and if
after having been Chastised we have been Delivered,
let us remind ourselves: "Behold! Thou art made
whole - sin no more!."
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com/search/label/Paralytic
30. T H I R D F I N D I N G
OF THE
VENERABLE HEAD
OF
ST JOHN
THE
BAPTIST & FORERUNNER
OF
CHRIST
25 MAY 2015

Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
30 May 2015
Saturday of the Souls
(Forefeast of Pentecost)
Also the Feast of the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council St Isaac the Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery in Constantinople
St Macrina, Grandmother of St Basil the Great St Barlaam the Monk
of Caesarea St Natalios the Holy Martyr
APOLYTIKION
ton Agion anapafson, Hriste, tas psihas ton doulon

Sou, entha ouk esti ponos, ou lipi, ou stenagmos, alla zoi
atelevtitos
THE FIRST EPISTLE
SATURDAY
Vathi Sofias Filanthropos

panta Ikonomon, ke to
simferon pasin aponemon,
mone
Dimiourge,
anapafson Kyrie, tas psihas
ton doulon Sou; en Si gar tin
Elpida anethento, to Piiti ke
Plasti ke Theo imon.
KONTAKION
Meta
OF
OF
SOULS
OF THE
Thou Who with profound

Wisdom
and
Love
for
mankind, order all things,
and grant to all what is to
their profit, Only Creator:
grant rest, O Lord, to the
souls of Thy servants; for
they set their every hope in
Thee, the Maker and Creator
and God of us all.
SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS
Grant
rest, O Christ, among the Saints to the souls of

Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no
grieving, but Life Everlasting.
OF ST PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS

PARTICIPATION IN CHRISTS RETURN
4 : 13 17
Brethren: I do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no
Hope. If we Believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who Sleep in Jesus. For this
we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the Reappearance of the Lord will by no
means precede those who are Asleep. For the Lord Himself with a shout - with the Voice of an Archangel and with the
Trumpet of God - will descend from Heaven. And the dead in Christ will Rise first. Then we who are Alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with our Lord.
THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE CLEAREST NEW TESTAMENT
2. ... THE SIGN OF THE TRUMPET...
PASSAGES
ON
THE
3. ... THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD...
SECOND COMING OR PHYSICAL
THE REAPPEARANCE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR GREATEST
REAPPEARANCE OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR OUR FINAL
JOY AND DIVINE COMFORT I.E. THE JOYOUS HOPE AND
AND ONLY DIVINE JUDGE!
EXPECTATION OF ALL THE RIGHTEOUS AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
THE DIDACHE the writings of the Holy Apostles lists THREE
SIGNS THAT WILL HERALD THE RETURN OF OUR LORD JESUS
OF CHRIST while it is regarded as a dreadful and
much feared threat to the ungodly and unrepentant
CHRIST:
1. ...THE SIGN SPREAD OUT IN THE HEAVENS... Christ
sinners, including Satan and his demons.
and all His Heavenly Hosts
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 21 : 14 - 25

THE THIRD APPEARANCE OF OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST - HIS DIVINE COMMISSION
At that time, our Lord Jesus showed Himself to His Disciples after He was Raised from the dead.
And Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon Jonah: do you Love Me more than these? He said to Him: Yes, Lord. Thou know
that I love Thee. He said to him: Feed My Lambs. Jesus said to him a second time: Simon Jonah: do you Love Me?
He said to Him: Yes, Lord. Thou know that I love Thee. He said to him: Tend My Sheep.
He said to him the third time: Simon Jonah: do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He asked him for the 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. 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 said this, He said to him: Follow Me.
Turning around, Peter saw the Disciple whom Jesus Loved following, who also had leant upon His Breast at the Supper, and
had asked: Lord, who is the one who betrays Thee? Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus: Lord, what about him? 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 them. And we know that his Testimony is True.
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.
never betray or deny him. KNOWING THE HEARTS AND
The fact that our Lord Jesus Christ singled out St Peter has
a twofold significance:
SOULS OF EVERYONE HE CREATES, CHRIST KNEW WHAT
Consequently, DUE TO HIS
1. ST PETER WAS THE LEADER OR SPOKESMAN AMONG THE
MOTIVATED ST PETER.
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST and being such a passionate
INFINITE DIVINE LOVE AND GREAT MERCY, OUR LORD
and impulsive character HAD TO BE THE FIRST TO
RESTORED HIS DIVINE GRACE UPON ST PETER WITH HIS
CONFESS HIS LOVE FOR OUR RESURRECTED LORD AND
THREEFOLD CONFESSION OF LOVE.
SAVIOUR.
It is important to note that the first two times our Lord
2. ST PETER HAD DENIED CHRIST THREE TIMES after His arrest
Jesus inquired of St Peter: Do you Love Me? HE
despite having been adamant that he would
USED A FORM OF THE WORD AGAPE, WHICH DENOTES THE
SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS FOREFEAST
OF
PENTECOST
30 MAY 2015
31
HIGHEST FORM OF SACRIFICIAL AND SELF-EMPTYING LOVE

THE KIND OF LOVE THAT ALMIGHTY GOD HAS FOR ALL
HUMAN BEINGS AND WHICH WE CAN DEVELOP ONLY
THROUGH MATURING IN GODS DIVINE GRACE.
However, each TIME ST PETER WAS UNABLE TO CLAIM SUCH A
LOFTY LOVE and when he answered: Lord, Thou know
that I love Thee, he used the term FILO, which IS A
LESSER FORM OF LOVE MERELY AKIN TO BROTHERLY
AFFECTION.
Then, WHEN OUR LORD ASKED ST PETER FOR THE THIRD TIME
WHETHER HE LOVED HIM, HE USED THE TERM FILO THEREBY
CONDESCENDING TO ST PETERS HUMAN WEAKNESS AND
ACCEPTING WHATEVER LOVE ST PETER WAS ABLE TO OFFER HIM
AT THAT STAGE OF HIS LIFE.
Nevertheless, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CERTAINLY KNEW THAT ST
PETER AND ALL THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES
WOULD DEVELOP A DIVINELY GRACIOUS AGAPE FOR HIM
INDEED FOR GOD BECAUSE ST PETER AND MOST OF THEM
ACCEPTED HOLY MARTYRDOM FOR HIS SAKE for the sake of
their absolute Faith and Trust in Gods Divine Truth

and Eternal Life.
Of course ST PETER in his lack of profound
Understanding at that time WAS GRIEVED both by
the fact that our Lord Jesus had to condescend to his
basic level of love and that this was a clear
although gentle reference to his previous three
denials of Christ.
When our Lord said: ... 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, He
prophesied for the second time St Peters eventual
martyrdom under Emperor Nero, circa 67, in Rome
when St Peter would be crucified upside down.
The ...Disciple whom Jesus Loved... is AN OBLIQUE
REFERENCE TO ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN,
EVANGELIST AND APOSTLE OF CHRIST WHO RECORDED THIS
PARTICULAR EVENT and who was the only Holy Apostle to
survive the cruel persecutions against all Christians
until his Repose in Christ at the age of approximately
101 circa 98 108 AD.
His longevity was marvelled at by THE EARLY CHRISTIANS
who THOUGHT HE WOULD LIVE UNTIL THE SECOND COMING
the Reappearance of our Lord.
However, ST JOHN THE DIVINE HIMSELF CORRECTED THIS
FALSE ASSUMPTION BY CLARIFYING THE TRUTH THAT OUR
SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS -
LORD JESUS ... DID NOT SAY TO HIM THAT HE WOULD NOT
DIE...
THE USE OF THE WORD WE INDICATED THAT ST JOHN THE
EVANGELIST, HAD AN ASSISTANT and according to Holy
Tradition, that faithful Scribe was named Prochoros,
who is often depicted in many of the Icons of St John
writing down his words and Teachings.
ALTHOUGH ACKNOWLEDGING AND CONFIRMING THAT HIS HOLY
GOSPEL CONTAINS ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF OUR LORD
JESUS CHRISTS EARTHLY LIFE, ST JOHN THE DIVINE
THEOLOGIAN AND EVANGELIST WROTE HIS HOLY GOSPEL TO
BRING ALL WHO READ IT CAREFULLY TO TRUE FAITH IN GOD.
WHILE THE HOLY GOSPELS OF ST MATTHEW, ST MARK AND ST
LUKE CONTAIN MANY MORE DIVINE MIRACLES AND
PARABLES, THOSE, TOO, ARE FAR FROM EXHAUSTIVE i.e.
they are only a few of the rich Spiritual and Divine
Treasure that Christ bestowed upon all His Faithful
Disciples throughout all ages.
Therefore, TO RESTRICT ONESELF MERELY TO THE WRITTEN WORDS
AND TEACHINGS OF CHRIST, RESTRICTS ONESELF TO A VERY
SMALL PORTION OF THE WHOLE DIVINE TRUTH OF ALMIGHTY
GOD, which consists of so much more: the VERBAL
TEACHINGS OF CHRIST OUR GOD HOLY TRADITION - THAT
WAS GRANTED BY GOD TO CHRISTS APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES
and which have been CAREFULLY PRESERVED AND PASSED
ON TO US THROUGH THE GOD-INSPIRED WRITINGS, HYMNS AND
TEACHINGS OF ALL OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS AND MOTHERS
throughout the ages.
Consequently, by reminding us ...there are also
many other Things that Jesus did... ST JOHN NOT
ONLY EMPHASISES THE DIVINE HOLINESS OF WHAT WAS
WRITTEN, BUT ALSO POINTS TO THE ONGOING GODINSPIRED HOLY TRADITION WITHIN CHRISTS VERY MUCH
ALIVE NURTURING AND GROWING - BODY HIS HOLY
CHURCH.
ARCHB
THAT IS THE GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS ABSOLUTE,

PERFECT AND DIVINE TRUTH THAT UNITES US WITH GOD
AND ONE ANOTHER IN TRUE AGAPE, WHICH RESULTS IN
JOYOUS ETERNAL LIFE - AND THE WEAK, FLAWED AND
MISGUIDED IDEAS OR INTERPRETATIONS OF HUMAN EGO
AND ARROGANCE THAT CAUSE SO MUCH CONFUSION,
CONFLICT, DISUNITY AND ALIENATION FROM GOD AND
ONE ANOTHER SPIRITUAL DEATH! mp
ISHOP
STYLIA
NOS
OF
AUSTRA
LIA
From the early times, our Church dedicated Saturday to

Correctly speaking, there are only two Saturdays of the
the souls. It is primarily the day of those who have
Souls - Saturday before Meat-fare Sunday and Saturday
fallen asleep in Christ. Christians always took care, with
before Pentecost Sunday. Nevertheless, all Saturdays in
Memorial Services and Charitable Acts done especially
general are set aside for specific basic and Salvific
on Saturdays, to stay close to their Reposed and in
Truths:
order to beseech God for their Repose in Holy Peace and
the world is not limited to whatever we can see and
for their Eternal Salvation.
count, but also extends into the Spiritual Realm that
Even today one will see more people at cemeteries on
coexists together with us - where the immortal souls
Saturdays than on any other day.
of our departed beloved are encamped.
But why is Saturday the Day of the souls? There are many
the Church is a continuous intercommunion between
explanations. The most likely explanation concerns the
those of who are still Struggling on Earth and those
word Saturday which is derived from the Hebrew word
that have already Reposed in our Lord.
Sabbath meaning a day of rest.

amidst the fever of action and the Struggles of daily
Consequently, on these days of rest we dedicate our
life we must remember that the natural terminus of
Prayers to God for the Peaceful Repose, Blessed
every effort rests in the Lord, since there is nothing
Salvation and Eternal Life of our departed Beloved
more certain than death and nothing more uncertain
family and friends.
than the Hour of death.
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOXRESEARCHINSTITUTE.ORG
We should thus always keep in mind the Great Truths
concerning Saturdays of the Souls.
ST PAISIOS THE ELDER OF MOUNT ATHOS
When Christ lives inside us, then death is a Joy. But we
been Spiritually Resurrected, there is never any agony,
must not rejoice in dying just because we have become
fear or anxiety, for they await death with Joy for they
tired of this life. When we Rejoice in death, in the
will be with Christ and Delight in His Presence. They
proper sense, Death goes away to find someone who's
also rejoice in being alive for they are United with
scared!
Christ even now and experience a portion of the Joy of
When we want to die, we don't. Whoever lives the easy life
Paradise here on Earth, and wonder whether there is a
is afraid of Death because he is pleased with worldly
Higher Joy in Paradise than here.
life and doesn't want to die. If people talk to him about
Such people Struggle with Philotimo* and Self-denial; and
death, he reacts with denial.
because they place death before themselves and
However, whoever is suffering, whoever is in pain, sees
remember it every single day, they prepare more
death as a release. Few are the people who welcome
Spiritually, Struggling daringly, and defeating vanity.
death. Most people have unfinished business and don't
* A WAY OF LIFE EXPRESSED THROUGH ACTS OF GENEROSITY AND
want to die. But the Good God provides for each
SACRIFICE WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN.
person to die when we are fully matured.
ELDER PAISIOS OF MOUNT ATHOS SPIRITUAL COUNCILS IV: FAMILY LIFE
In any case, a spiritual person, whether young or old,
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: FROM THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER
should be happy to live and be happy to die, but
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM
should never pursue death, for this is suicide!
Those who are dead to worldly matters and who have
32.
SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS FOREFEAST
OF
PENTECOST
30 MAY 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
31 May 2015
Tone (7) Varys/Grave
8th Sunday of Pascha Last & Greatest of Pascha
Holy Pentecost
Sunday of the Holy Trinity

THE DESCENT OF THE LIFE-GIVING HOLY SPIRIT & THE BEGINNING OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST
Also the Feast of St Hermas of the 70 Apostles, Bishop of Philippopolis, Thrace St Hermas of Comana St Phiosophos of
Alexandria St Philosophos of St Petersburg.
1ST ANTIPHON OF PENTECOST PSALM 18 TONE 2
1.
I Ourani diigounte Doxan Theou, piisin de Hiron Aftou
1.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God: the firmament
anangelli to stereoma.
proclaims the Work of His Hands.
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
of
the
Theotokos,
2.
Imera
2.
Day
3.
Ouk isi lalie, oude logi, on ouhi akouonte e fone afton.
3.
There is no speech or language: where their voices are
4.
Is
4.
Their sound has gone out into all the earth: and their
ti imera erevgete rima, ke nix nikti anangelli

gnosin.
to day utters the word: and night to night

proclaims Knowledge.
not heard.
pasan tin gin exilthen O fthongos afton, ke is ta
perata tis ikoumenis ta rimata afton.
words to the ends of the world.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Amin
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas
Amen
Through
the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O

Saviour, Save us
2ND ANTIPHON OF PENTECOST PSALM 19 -
TONE 2
Ekouse
The Lord hear you in the day of trouble: the Name of the
Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, psalontas Si: Allilouia!

Exapostile Si voithian ex Agiou, ke ek Sion antilavito Sou.
Good Paraclete, Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

May He send you Help from the sanctuary: and support
Mnisthii pasis thisias Sou, ke to olokavtoma Sou pianato
May
Sou Kyrios en imera thlipseos, uiperaspise Sou to

Onoma tou Theou Iakov.
God of Jacob shield you.
you out of Zion.

He remember your every sacrifice: and accept your
Burnt Offering.
ISODIKON OF PENTECOST
Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou.
Asomen ke psaloumen
tas Dinastias Sou. Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe,
psallontas Si Allilouia!
Be
exalted, O Lord, in Thy Power: we shall sing and

chant Thy Mighty Deeds. Good Paraclete, Save us
who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL KONTAKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

( PENTECOST UNTIL THE APODOSIS BEFORE ALL SAINTS SUNDAY)
Ote
katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O

Ipsisto. Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita
panta ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion
Pnevma!
When
the Most High came down and confused the

tongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided out
the Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with
one voice we Glorify the All-Holy Spirit!
BAPTISM HYMN INSTEAD OF THE
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.
Allelouia!
AGIOS O THEOS...
As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put

on Christ: Alleluia!
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST JOHN 20 : 19 23
OUR RESURRECTED SAVIOUR BESTOWS HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY
ON
HIS HOLY APOSTLES
The same day in the evening, being the first day after the Sabbath, and when the doors were shut where the Disciples were
assembled - for fear of the Judeans - Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them: Peace be with you!
And having said this, He showed them His Wrists and His Side. The Disciples were glad to see the Lord.
Jesus said to them again: Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. And He breathed upon them,
and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the
sins of any, they are retained.
P E N T E C O S T S U N D A Y DESCENT
OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT & BEGINNING
OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
31 MAY 2015
33
PROKEIMENON
Their sound has gone out into all the Earth: ...
The Heavens declare the Glory of God!
THE ACTS
TH
OF THE APOSTLES ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 2 : 1

RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM THE RISEN CHRIST
11
ISCIPLES
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a Sound
from Heaven, as of a Rushing Mighty Wind, and It filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared before them divided Tongues, as of Fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were filled with
the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
There were dwelling in Jerusalem Judeans - devout men, from every Nation under Heaven. When this Sound occurred, the
multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. They were all
amazed and marvelled, saying to one another: "Behold! Are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we
hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining
Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Hebrews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs we hear them speaking in our own
tongues the Greatness of God!"
TO
ST JOHN 7 : 37 8 : 12
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HIS DISCIPLES
On the last day, that Great Day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and
drink. He who believes in Me - as the Scripture has said - out of his heart will flow rivers of Living Water." This He
spoke concerning the Spirit, Whom those Believing in Him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, for
Jesus was not yet Glorified.
Many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said: Truly this is the Prophet." Others said: "This is the Christ." But
some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David
and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"
There was division amongst them because of Him. Some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands upon Him.
Then the Officers went to the Chief Priests and Pharisees, who said to them: "Why have you not brought Him?" The
officers answered: "No man ever spoke like this Man!" The Pharisees answered them: "Are you also deceived? Have
any believed in Him of the Rulers of the Pharisees? But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed."
Nikodemos said to them (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of His): "Does our Law judge a man before it hears
him and knows what he is doing?" They answered and said to him: "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no
Prophet has arisen out of Galilee."
Jesus spoke to them again, saying: I Am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in Darkness, but
have the Light of Life."
HOLY PENTECOST SUNDAY

PENTECOST SUNDAY IS AN ENORMOUS TRIUMPH. It is the
Birthday of the Holy Church of Christ our Lord and
Saviour.
Today our churches are decorated, all are joyful, for it is a
most significant celebration - the Ark of our Eternal
Salvationand the Day of our Spiritual Birth!
So, why do the austere, wise, peaceful, and logical
Church Rubricswhich, as centuries have proved, do
not advise anything superfluous or unreasonableso
insistently prescribe the Kneeling Prayers for
Christians?
A host would hardly require his birthday party guests to
kneel. Why then do the Church Rubrics insist upon
the Kneeling Prayers?
COMPARING THE CHURCHS BIRTHDAY WITH OUR BIRTHDAY
IS THE MAIN DECEPTION OF THIS COMPARISON ITSELF.
We customarily think of a Birthday or some other holiday
as an Event that is supposed to make us happy.
In the Church, THE MEANING OF FEAST HAS, FIRST OF ALL, AN
INSTRUCTIVE, EDIFYING ASPECT, which is supposed to
provide food for thought - FOOD AND LABOUR FOR OUR
SOUL as we turn away from the vanity of everyday
affairs.
Yes, it is true that in our Tradition the Feast of Holy
Pascha is associated with festive activities, and the
Nativity of Christ brings gift-giving to mind. This is all
understandable.
However, WE NEED TO STRIVE NOT TO MISS THE INNER
CONTENT OF THE FEAST ITSELF AMIDST THE EXTERNAL
ASPECTS, WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT.
THE GREAT FEAST OF PENTECOST IS not simply a
remembrance of the beginning of our Holy Church,
but primarily, it is THE RECOGNITION OF OUR OWN PLACE
IN THE CHURCH, AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN ORDER TO
WALK THE PATH OF SALVATION.
What seems at first glance to be a complex Mystery of
the Church Rubrics austerity is hidden in this:
SEEING OURSELVES ON THE PATH OF SALVATION AS INFIRM,
WEAK, AND SINFUL, WE BESEECH OUR TRIUNE GOD NOT TO
TAKE AWAY FROM US GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT Who is
granted to His Holy Church to Strengthen us and to
Heal us of our physical and Spiritual Infirmities and
Passions. This is clearly stated in the Kneeling Prayers
of Holy Pentecost Sunday.
34. P E N T E C O S T S U N D A Y D E S C E N T
OF THE
Any contradiction would fall away if all of us understood

the text of the Prayers read during the Vespers Service
on the Day of Holy Pentecost.
IF WE ATTENTIVELY READ THE WORDS OF THE KNEELING
PRAYERS, WE CAN SOLVE MANY PERPLEXITIES.
O Pure and Blameless Lord, Who art without beginning,
invisible
and
incomprehensible,
unsearchable,
unchangeable, immeasurable, and unbounded
Accept us, who kneel down before Thee and cry out: we
have sinned, and we have cleaved unto Thee from
our birth, even from our mothers womb.
Thou art our God, but as our life passes in vanity, we
have therefore been stripped of Thine Aid, and have
been deprived of every defence.
Yet do we trust in Thy Compassion and cry unto Thee:
Remember not the sins of our youth and ignorance;
Cleanse us of our secret sins. Reject us not in our old
age, and Forsake us not when our Strength fails.
Before we return to the earth, prepare us to return to
Thee, and attend to us in Favour and Grace.
Measure
our
transgressions
according
to
Thy
Compassion, and set the Depth of Thy Compassions
against the multitude of our offences.
Look down from the Height of Thy Holiness upon Thy
people who stand and await Abundant Mercy from
Thee.
Visit us with Thy Goodness and Deliver us from the
possession of Satan and Preserve our Life with Thy
Holy and Solemn Laws.
Commit Thy People unto a Faithful Guardian Angel.
Gather us all unto Thy Kingdom.
Grant Forgiveness to those who put their trust in Thee,
Relinquish us and them from sin.
Purify us by the operation of Thy Holy Spirit and
remove from us the wiles of the adversary.
Oh, if only we were more attentive during the Holy
Services! What a Priceless Treasure of Orthodoxy we
would possess!
THE MAIN MEANING OF THE PRAYERS OF THE VESPERS SERVICE
OF HOLY PENTECOST IS THE RECOGNITION OF OUR OWN
UNENVIABLE SPIRITUAL STATE, while still on Earth.
These Holy Prayers consist of THE AWARENESS OF OURSELVES
AS HAVING THE POSSIBILITY OF ETERNAL SALVATION, for
we have been granted such a possibility, and we have
all the means necessary for our Salvation.
OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
31 MAY 2015
Nevertheless, due to our habitual laziness, Spiritual

Infirmity, and arrogant vanity WE DISDAIN THIS GREAT
BLESSING AND FALL INTO SUCH TERRIBLE SNARES THAT
DISTANCE US FROM GOD.
And so, when we realise and acknowledge this and we
honestly admit it to ourselves, WE BESEECH THE LORD
OUR GOD TO GRANT US SPIRITUAL STRENGTH TO REPENT
AND TO CONSTANTLY STRUGGLE AGAINST OUR WEAKNESSES
AND ALL TEMPTATIONS.
That Spiritual Strength and Ability to Struggle against sin
is granted to us BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH THE
HOLY MYSTERIES OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH.
We beseech God to grant us the Spiritual Strength to walk
the Path of Salvation - to Fortify our weak, injured,
sinful rhythm of life in order to remain a Faithful
Disciple of Christ always and everywhere, at all times
of the day and night.
There is an aspect that may trouble many Parishioners
and also Clergy.
The words of these Prayers, like other Prayers, do not
reach many of those who are praying or trying to
pray.
The words of the Prayers may be too difficult for some to
understand, or are read too quietly and often there
is too much fuss with the branches1 that everyone
wants to have Blessedeven though to some, that
may be the main purpose of this Feast the ritual of
which, to some extent, may eclipse the content - more
attention being given to the external rather than to
the internal.
The branches are also needed so that people can see
before their very eyes the Life-Creating Action of the
Holy Spirit.
A seemingly dead branch that appears absolutely lifeless
in Autumn and Winter, begins to sprout and blossom
in Spring. Leaves sprout, blossoms open and later,
fruit or seeds may form.
This new greenery of trees reminds us of the LifeCreating Action of the Holy Spirit on our own
withered soul.
However, THIS IS ONLY AN OUTWARD REMINDER OF INNER
ACTIVITY. And it can of course be very upsetting when
the rustling of the branches distracts some from
Prayer.
It is hard to imagine in some large cathedral or church especially with no amplifier system - that those at
the very back of the church would perfectly hear the
Priest or Bishop reading the Prayers on his knees in
the Royal Doors.
Therefore, it is essential to print and distribute the
Kneeling Prayers so that everyone can know, follow
and appreciate the text of these indispensable Holy
Prayers - especially the regular Faithful who
understand something of Spiritual Life, who sincerely
strive to fulfil It, who are troubled and who constantly
Repent their sins, and who Rejoice in the Holy Church
of Christ.
Many will kneel or stand, following attentively what the
Priest is praying - thereby compensating for our
human weaknesses: voice, diction, inattentiveness, or
something else.
In these publications there should also be some
explanation of the text. So, it is GOOD TO PREPARE AND
DISTRIBUTE THESE IN ADVANCE IN ORDER TO MORE DEEPLY
UNDERSTAND THE PRAYERS FOR HOLY PENTECOST, which
are read aloud, facing the congregation, and praying

together.
There is yet ANOTHER FEATURE to the content of the
Prayers for Holy Pentecost, which CONCERNS THE
PRAYERS FOR THE REPOSED THAT EXPRESSES OUR LOVE
AND APPREHENSION FOR THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER
WITH US, AND WHO CAN NO LONGER DO ANYTHING FOR
THEIR OWN SALVATION.
Only we who are still Spiritually Struggling, can help them

after they have Reposed.
Those particular Prayers of Holy Pentecost are Spiritually
Profound. We praise Gods Great Mercy, His Loving
In the Russian and other Slavic Orthodox Churches branches of

budding Pussy-Willow are brought to be Blessed and carried home
again. These symbolise Spring (Northern Hemispheres) and new
beginnings...
P E N T E C O S T S U N D A Y DESCENT
OF THE
and Divine Providence, and the Path of Salvation that

He has granted us:
...Thou art the Lord of Everlasting Glory, the Beloved Son
of the Most High Father, Eternal Light from Eternal
Light, Thou Sun of Righteousness!
Hear us who beseech Thee, and grant Rest to the souls of
our parents, our Brethren, and all our kinsmen in the
flesh, and those who are of the Fold of Faith, who have
Fallen Asleep, and whom we commemorate.
For Thou hast Power over all, and Thou holds all the
boundaries of the Earth in Thy Hands.
O Almighty Master, God of our Fathers, Lord of Mercy
and Creator of all the races of mankind - the mortals
and the immortals - and of all nature - animate and
inanimate - of life and of the end of life, of sojourning
here and translation there, Who measures the years of
life and sets the times of death, Who brings down to
Hades and raises up, binding in infirmity and
releasing unto Power, dispensing present things
according to need and ordering those to come as is
expedient, quickening with the Hope of Resurrection
those that are smitten with the sting of Death
Who also, on this All-Perfect and Saving Feast, deigns to
receive Oblations and Supplications for those who
are bound in Hades, and grants unto us the Great
Hope that Rest and Comfort will be sent down from
Thee to the Departed from the Grief that binds them.
Hear us, Thy humble and piteous ones who pray, and
grant Rest to the souls of Thy servants who have
Fallen Asleep before us, in a Place of Brightness, a
Place of Verdure, a Place of Repose, whence all
sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away.
And do Thou place their souls in the Tabernacles of the
Righteous; and make them worthy of Peace and
Repose.
For the dead praise Thee not, O Lord, neither do those
in Hades dare to offer Thee Confession, but we, the
living, Bless Thee and Supplicate Thee and offer
favourable Prayers and Sacrifices for their
souls...
It is obvious that these words are Intercessory Prayers for
souls who are in bound by their unrepented sins in
Hades.
These PRAYERS ARE TRULY MEANINGFUL WHEN THEY ARE
KNOWN AND UNDERSTOOD like all the other Prayers
that are read in Church and our Rule of Daily Prayer.
There is ample available corresponding explanatory
literature for those who want to learn and fully
understand the Rich Treasures of Orthodox
Christianity and our Holy Services. (IT IS MERELY
DEPENDENT ON YOUR OWN DESIRE FOR DIVINE TRUTH! MP)
It is makes absolutely no sense to stand next to a

Sumptuous Table that belongs to you by right - a
Great Banquet Table that was set for you and to which
you are invited every day, yet stubbornly choose to
eat only stale, mouldy crusts - trying to justify
yourself by saying that you are too busy, dont
understand the texts, or any other false and lame
excuse!
It is obvious that many Faithful Disciples of Christ
those who are zealous, conscious, and constantgreet
with Great Joy the return of the Kneeling Prayers to
Liturgical Life.
KNEELING RETURNS US TO OUR CUSTOMARY RHYTHM OF
PROSTRATIONS, which are acceptable in Church Life
(and our Life in Christ. mp)

Nevertheless, we must remember that WE DO NOT ALWAYS
KNEEL DURING HOLY SERVICES, even after Pentecost
Sunday.
The symbolic meaning of A PROSTRATION IS THE
REMEMBRANCE OF OUR RENEWAL IN CHRIST OUR LORD.
We fall to our knees, showing our fallenness - our moral
fall. YET WE RISE from our knees because our Lord
Jesus Christ Called us to rise from them.
And THIS IS THE SALVIFIC PATH OF OUR WHOLE LIFE IN
CHRIST: WE F ALL AND GET UP , WE FAL L A GAIN AN D
GET UP AGAIN ... (perpetually!)
Therefore, PROSTRATIONS ARE PART OF OUR RULE OF PRAYER
our everyday Prayers - as Orthodox Christians.
Moreover the Rule of Morning and Evening Prayers, the
Prayers of Preparation for Holy Communion, has the
instruction: ...and Prostrations as desired.
OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
31 MAY 2015
35
This means that AS MUCH AS WE FEEL THE DEPTH OF OUR

UNWORTHINESS, THAT IS HOW MANY PROSTRATIONS WE
MAKEand as many times also Hope in Gods Great
Mercy.
A Prostration is not just slavish bowing - THERE IS ALSO A
MOMENT OF RISING.
Incidentally, recall that Rising in Greek is Anastasis that is, Resurrection. EVERY PROSTRATION TO THE
GROUND IS A REMINDER OF BOTH THE FALL INTO SIN, AND OF
OUR REBIRTH THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.
IS
THE
KINGDOM
Kneeling on Pentecost Sunday is simply a reminder that

WITHOUT GOD, THIS IS WHAT WE ARE. THE HOLY SPIRIT,
WHO DESCENDS DURING PENTECOST, ELEVATES US up to
the Path of Salvationif only we would not hinder
Him by our sins!
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/71379.HTM
PLEASE NOTE:
SEPARATE SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE WITH THE VESPERS
KNEELING SERVICE OF PENTECOST SUNDAY
OF
Our Lord Jesus Christ told us: "The Kingdom of God is

within you." (LUKE 17:21)
We know this when we experience Holy Joy - not just
happiness, but a feeling that transcends happiness.
True Joy is a feeling that comes from our heart and soul
when we feel the Very Presence of God with us.
However, the opposite of this Elder Paisios explained
is "...when we have anxiety, feelings of guilt, then there is
a portion of Hell within us."
When we are weighed down with anxiety or apprehension,
we have left Paradise and find ourselves mired in Hell.
This is common condition for many people in these
Spiritually Dark days.
Many drugs that are regularly taken are for the temporary
relief from this anxieties experienced in daily life.
Nevertheless, we are capable - without any pharmaceutical
medications - to experience Joy from all our activities in
this short life.
As Elder Paisios commented: It is not difficult to achieve
this Spiritual Joy; but unfortunately, egoism prevents us
from this Spiritual Magnificence."
The Key to changing anxiety into Joy, our Holy Father
assures us, it to allow God to govern our Life!
This means we must surrender our ego to the Holy Church
and to Christ whose Church is His Body.
Only through His Holy Church are we are guided by the
Holy Services, the Holy Mysteries, the True Teachings
concerning all aspects of life, as well as Prayer and
Ascetic Practices like Fasting all of which help us to
overcome our ego-centeredness and become Christcentred (We learn to Live in Christ).
First and foremost - we have to CHOOSE TO SURRENDER TO
THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH.
We must PRAY OFTEN and for sure EVERY MORNING AND
EVENING.
We need to FOLLOW THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR,
and PARTICIPATE REGULARLY IN THE HOLY MYSTERIES,
especially Holy Communion and Confession.
We must FOLLOW THE FASTING GUIDELINES fasting on
WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS as well as during THE
FASTING PERIODS like Great Lent.
We must READ SCRIPTURE AND THE WRITINGS OF THE HOLY
FATHERS.
We must MAKE CHRIST AND PARTICIPATION IN HIS CHURCH
A TOP PRIORITY in our lives as well as the life of our
entire family.
Our Lord Jesus Christ exhorted us to: "Seek first the
Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these
things will be added to you. (MATTHEW 6:33)
GOD WITHIN YOU?
Elder Paisios told us: People today have made their lives
difficult, because they are not satisfied with a few things,
but are constantly chasing after more and more
material goods.
But those who would like to live a genuine Spiritual Life
must first of all be satisfied with a few things.
When our life is simplified, without too many concerns
and nuisances, not only will we be liberated from the
worldly spirit, we will also have plenty of time
available for Spiritual Things.
Otherwise we will tire ourselves out by trying to follow the
fashion of the times and we lose our serenity and gain
only great anxiety."
Examine your life and search for all those things that are
not necessary and that only complicate what otherwise
could be quite simple.
Elder Paisios mentioned a very simple example of a man
who asked him to go to his home. When he arrived he
noticed that the man took off his shoes and walked
carefully on his toes.
Elder Paisios asked him:, "Why are you walking like that?"
and the man replied: "It is nothing, Geronda. I am
walking carefully so that I don't ruin the parquet
flooring."
Our Holy Father continued: See how easy it is to
complicate our lives? We decorate, we clean, we strive to
make money so we can redecorate only to worry about
maintaining an appearance.
The same applies to our clothing, as well as our hobbies,
our vacations and so forth.
How about all the activities we have our children enrolled
in. They keep us busy as well as themselves.
Where is time for the creative time at home doing art
things with Mom or Dad as I remember from my youth for apple picking, for building a model railroad, for
reading, for climbing trees and lying on top of the vines
that had grown over them, gazing into the
heavens wondering how far the sky goes?
We organize everything these days and it only complicates
our lives - shuts us off from Joy - making it more
burdensome financially and more stressful to keep up
with it all.
True Joy is replaced with achievement, which is always
only temporary happiness.
Seek simplicity in your life and you can discover the
Kingdom of God within.
ABBOT TRYPHON - THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH

There is a certain emptiness in trying to live the Christian
Life outside the Life of the Church. This is because IT
IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TRULY LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN WITHOUT
CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH.
The reading of Holy Scripture, and our commitment to
Prayer, are important Foundations in our Life in
Christ, but THEY ARE INCOMPLETE WITHOUT THE MYSTICAL
AND SACRAMENTAL LIFE THAT IS FOUND ONLY WITHIN THE
HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST.
If we hope to grow spiritually, we will take advantage of
the Holy Mysteries that are found only within the
Church, for WITHOUT THE MYSTERY OF PENANCE, AND THE
ABSOLUTION OF THE CHURCH, WE HAVE NO HOPE OF
TRANSFORMATION AND HOLINESS.
WITHOUT THE CORPORATE LIFE OF THE CHURCH, OUR SINS KEEP
US CAPTIVE.
WITHOUT THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST'S BODY AND BLOOD,
RECEIVED DURING THE CELEBRATION OF THE DIVINE
36. P E N T E C O S T S U N D A Y D E S C E N T
OF THE
Elder Paisios of Mount Athos Spiritual Counsels IV: Family

Life, p160
& THE CORPORATE NATURE OF SALVATION
LITURGY, THE HEALING OF THE SOUL REMAINS UNDONE, AND
SALVATION IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.
The Centre of the Eucharistic Liturgy is to be found in the
Descent, the Appearance, THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF THE
RESURRECTED CHRIST, which IS CENTRAL TO EVERY
MOMENT OF THE DIVINE LITURGY.
As Believers, THE PARTAKING OF HOLY COMMUNION IS
ACTUALLY THAT MOMENT WHEN WE ENCOUNTER THE
LIVING PERSON OF OUR LORD Who enters the
Congregation as "King of the Universe borne
invisibly over their spears by the Angelic Hosts."
This Act is so central to the Life of a Christian, as to make
it the necessary Component to being a Christian.
A MORNING OFFERING BY ABBOT TRYPHON
OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
31 MAY 2015

2015 May Sacred Lessons - Amended

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

PASCHAL HYMN TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Hristos Anesti, ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patisas, Christ

is Risen from the dead; By Death trampling

Ke tis en tis mnimasin, Zoin harisamenos (3)

FIRST PASCHAL ANTIPHON PSALM 65/66 - TONE 2

Alalazate to Kyrio pasa i Gi.

Pasa i Gi proskinisa tosan Si ke psalatosan Si,

Shout to God, all the Earth!

Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.

Say to God: How fearful at Thy Works; in the

Let all the Earth worship Thee, and sing to Thee;

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy

SECOND PASCHAL ANTIPHON PSALM 66/67 TONE 2

O Theos ikterise imas ke Evlogise imas.

May God be Gracious to us, and Bless us; may

to prosopon Aftou ef imas, ke eleise imas.

imas Iie Theou, O A N A S T A S E K N E K R O N

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy

tous Eonas ton eonon.

Son of God, W H O A R O S E F R O M T H E D E A D , Save us

Let the Peoples give Thanks to Thee, O God let

May God Bless us and let all the ends of the

Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.

Anastito O Theos, ke diaskorpisthitoan i ehthri

Let God Arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and

Hristos Anesti, ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patisas, Christ

Os eklipi kapnos eklipetosan, os tikete kiros apo

is Risen from the dead; By Death trampling

Outos apolounte i amartoli apo prosopou tou Theou.

Afti i imera, in epiisen O Kyrios. Agalliasometha ke

So shall the sinners perish from the Sight of God.

ISODIKON SMALL ENTRANCE HYMN TONE 2

Ekklisies evlogite ton Theon, Kyrion ek Pigon Israil.

AFTER THE SMALL ENTRANCE

Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton

Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal,

Adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous

PASCHAL APOLYTIKION - TONE 2

tou Mnimiatos, i Zoi ek Tafou anetilas

Life, Thou rose from the Sepulchre, even though the

FESTAL APOLYTIKION HOLY MYRRHBEARERS TONE 2

Myroforis Ginexi, Para To Mnima Epistas, O Angelos

Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST ATHANASIOS TONE 3

Stylos gegonas Orthodoxias, thiis dogmasin ipostirizon, tin Thou

became a Pillar of Orthodoxy, strengthening the

ekklisian Irarha Athanasie: to gar Patri ton Ion

PASCHAL KONTAKION HOLY MYRRHBEARERS TONE 2

In saying: Rejoice! to the Myrrhbearers, Thou allayed the

Here tis Myroforis fthengxamenos, ton thrinon tis

lament of the First Mother, Eve, at Thy Resurrection, O

INSPIRED WISDOM & TEACHINGS

He became what we are so that He might make us

Dead men cannot take effective action; their power of

Well, then, look at the facts in this case.

The Body of the Word, then, being a real human Body,

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

PASCHAL APOLYTIKION - HOLY PASCHA

upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 3