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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
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.
STIHOS 3:
Amin
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.
the Theotokos, O
Saviour, Save us.
V E R S E 2 : Sing now to His Name give Glory to His Praise!
VERSE 3:
VERSE 4:
Amen
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
of
the
Theotokos,
Epifane
VERSE 1:
Soson
VERSE 3:
VERSE 4:
Amin
Amen
THIRD PASCHAL ANTIPHON PSALM 67/88 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
STIHOS
VERSE
STIHOS
VERSE
VERSE
STIHOS
STIHOS
En
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
When
Esfragismenou
Tes
The
To
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
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.
2.
ST ATHANASIOS
OF
OF
ST ATHANASIOS
OF
ALEXANDRIA
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
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.
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.
Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patistas, Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!
Evfrenestho
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.
Although
ROAD TO
EMMAUS
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
AT THE
SHEEPS POOL
IS
HEALED
TO
AFTER
ST JOHN 5 : 1 15
38
YEARS BY OUR
4.
PARALYTIC
OF
OF
BETHESDA
OF THE
PARALYTIC
OF
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
ON
http://www.orthodoxannapolis.org/
6.
NO MORE...!
(PART 1)
(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
PARALYTIC
OF
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)
Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patistas, Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
Irinis
OF A
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
Parthenias
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
OF
THESSALONIKA
5 MAY 2015
7.
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
OF
THESSALONIKA
5 MAY 2015
8.
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.
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
Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patistas, Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
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
OF MID-PENTECOST
When
THE ACTS
: 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.
6 MAY 2015
9.
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
LIGHT
METROPOLITAN IGNATIOS
10.
OF THE
OF
RESURRECTION
ARTA
THE
GREAT
6 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.
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
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!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
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.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION-
Apostole
Tis
When
OF THE
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
30 JUNE 2013
11
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
12.
ST JOHN
THE
OF
CHRIST
http://www.roca.org/OA/154/154d.htm
AND
EVANGELIST
8 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.
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)
Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patistas, Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!
To
When
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.
Although
SHROUD
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)
OF THE
SAMARITAN WOMAN
10 MAY 2015
13
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
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
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]
10 MAY 2015
118:29]
Our soul, Enlivened by Divine Truth, hymns together
OF THE
SAMARITAN WOMAN
10 MAY 2015
15
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
10 MAY 2015
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
Hristos Anesti ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patistas, Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
ke tis en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos!
Although
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.
6TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
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!
AS
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.
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
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)
6TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
WITHOUT EYES
)-
17 MAY 2015
19
CHRIST
IS
RISEN! TRULY
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
OF THE
WITHOUT EYES
)-
17 MAY 2015
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
God Ascended
the trumpet
*Soson
IMON IS TOUS
*Save
INTO
Anelifthis
Thou
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.
Great
VERSE 1
EN DOXI ANALIFTHIS
O U R A N O U S , psallontas Si: Allilouia!
AF IMON
*Save
INTO
VERSE 2
God is known
Her.
STIHOS 3
VERSE 3
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
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
21 MAY 2015
21.
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]
INTO
HEAVEN
(&
THE
FEAST
OF
OF OUR
21 MAY 2015
22.
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
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
21 MAY 2015
23
ASCENSION THURSDAY
(&
THE
FEAST
OF
21 MAY 2015
24.
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.
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
Soson
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
Angelike
The
Anelifthis
Thou
Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis When
RESURRECTED
TO
PROKEIMENON
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE
20 : 16-18 & 28 36
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.
OF
ASCENSION - SUNDAY
OF THE
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
26.
OF THE
24 MAY 2015
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
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
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
27.
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
TO
PRAY
THE
JESUS PRAYER
TO
PRAY
THE
JESUS PRAYER
28.
OF THE
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
Life to Christ our God. Amen.
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
UP FROM US IN
GLORY INTO
ASCENSION
the Trumpet
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
Os
OF THE
THIRD FINDING
Thou
OF THE
ASCENSION
OF
CHRIST
OUR
OF
TONE 4
KONTAKION
ASCENSION
OF THE
Anelifthis
SAVIOUR
Tin iper imon plirosas Ikonomian, ke ta epi Gis enosas tis When
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
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.
ST
JOHN
CHRYSOSTOM
ON
CHRISTS
COMMANDMENT:
SIN
NO
MORE...!!
(PART
2)
30. T H I R D F I N D I N G
OF THE
VENERABLE HEAD
OF
ST JOHN
THE
OF
CHRIST
25 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.
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
SATURDAY
KONTAKION
Meta
OF
OF
SOULS
OF THE
SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS
Grant
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
OF THE
SOULS FOREFEAST
OF
PENTECOST
30 MAY 2015
31
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
ISHOP
STYLIA
NOS
OF
AUSTRA
LIA
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
1.
1.
anangelli to stereoma.
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
of
the
Theotokos,
2.
Imera
2.
Day
3.
3.
4.
Is
4.
Their sound has gone out into all the earth: and their
not heard.
pasan tin gin exilthen O fthongos afton, ke is ta
perata tis ikoumenis ta rimata afton.
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.
Amin
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas
Amen
Through
TONE 2
Ekouse
The Lord hear you in the day of trouble: the Name of the
May
ISODIKON OF PENTECOST
Asomen ke psaloumen
tas Dinastias Sou. Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe,
psallontas Si Allilouia!
Be
Ote
When
Allelouia!
AGIOS O THEOS...
TO
ST JOHN 20 : 19 23
ON
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
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
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."
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
OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
31 MAY 2015
OF THE
OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
31 MAY 2015
35
IS
THE
KINGDOM
PLEASE NOTE:
SEPARATE SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE WITH THE VESPERS
KNEELING SERVICE OF PENTECOST SUNDAY
OF
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.
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
OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
31 MAY 2015