Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

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

1st Sunday of Holy Pascha 4 April 2010

Holy Pascha/Easter – The Glorious Resurrection of our Lord & Saviour
APOLYTIKION OF HOLY PASCHA

Hristos Anesti ek nekron, thanato thanton patistas, ke tis Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling upon
en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos! Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the tombs!
IPERKOI OF HOLY PASCHA

Prolavouse ton orthron e peri Mariam, ke evrouse ton
lithon apokilisthenta tou mnimatos, ikouon ek tou
Angelou. Ton en foti edio iparhonta, meta neron ti
zitite os anthropon: Vlepete ta entafia spargana.
Dramete ke to kosmo kirixate, os igerthi O Kyrios,
thanatosas ton thanaton. Oti iperhi Theou Iios, tou
sozontos to genos ton anthropon.
KONTAKION OF HOLY PASCHA
They who were with Mary came before the dawn, and
finding the stone rolled away from the Sepulchre,
heard the Angel say to them: Why are you seeking as
Man amongst amongst the dead, Him Who dwells in
Light Eternal? Behold, the grave wrappings! Make
haste and declare to the world that the Lord is Risen,
and has caused Death to die, for He is the Son of God,
the Saviour of mankind!

I ke en tafo katilthes, athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou, O Deathless One, descended into the
dinamin. Ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, ginexi grave, Thou destroyed the power of Hades and as
Miroforis fthegxamenos, Herete, ke tis Zois Apostolis Victor, Thou Rose again, O Christ our God! Thou
Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.
greeted the Myrrh,bearers, saying: Rejoice! Thou
bestowed Peace upon Thy Disciples, and Resurrection
upon those who are fallen.
PROKEIMENON: This day was made by the Lord. Let us rejoice and let us be glad in it. O give thanks unto the Lord. For He is
Good and His Mercy endures forever.
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 1 – 1 - 9
CHRIST PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HIS DISCIPLES AND COMMANDS THEM TO BE HIS WITNESSES

In the first Book, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up,
after He had given Commandment through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom He had chosen. To them He presented
Himself alive after His Passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the Kingdom of
God. And while staying with them He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the
Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly Baptised with water, but you shall be Baptised
with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, will Thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?” And He said
to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own Authority. But you shall
receive Power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My Witnesses in Jerusalem and in all
Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”
“The first Book” is the Holy Gospel of St Luke that covers over This is powerful Evidence of the Truth of the Resurrection of
30 years of our Lord’s earthly Life, whereas the Book of the Christ.
Acts of the Apostles covers over 30 years of early Church “The promise of the Father” is the Gift of the Holy Spirit to be
Life. poured out on Almighty God’s Faithful, according to Jewish
St Luke addresses “Theophilos” in both Books. Ancient expectations.
writers sometimes dedicated a work to one particular The concern of the Disciples was still fixed on the idea of an
person although intending it to be read by many others. earthly Kingdom that would liberate the Jews from the
✽ Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Perfect Model for all things humiliation of their subjection to Rome.
done in the Church. Only after Pentecost did the Disciples have a clear
Even as He in His earthly Life worked “through the Holy Spirit,” understanding of our Lord’s Messianic Mission and the
so would His Apostles. establishment of the Kingdom of God.
During the Last Supper, Lord Jesus promised to teach His Our Lord’s concern is with another Kingdom that is ruled in the
Disciples by the Holy Spirit and after His Resurrection, His Power of the Holy Spirit.
Promise would be fulfilled. [Refer John 16:13] “…ye shall receive Power ….” Note how all three Persons of
In these “forty days” His Apostles were forever changed by the the Holy Trinity are clearly related in the Work of
Reality of Christ’s Resurrection. Salvation.
The same men who denied Him and fled at His arrest were The Power of the Holy Spirit would energise the Disciples to
transformed. go out into the entire world with the Holy Gospel.
The Holy Gospel According to St John 1: 1 – 17
THE WORD IS GOD WHO BECAME FLESH TO REVEAL OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All
things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was Life and the Life was
the Light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, so that
all, through him, might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the True Light, which gives Light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was
made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as
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 many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become Children of God, to those who believe in His Name: who
were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became 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 bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This is He of Whom I said, ‘He Who comes after me is preferred before me,
for He was before me.’”
And of His fullness we have all received, and Grace for Grace. For the Law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth
came through Jesus Christ.
St John’s well-known “Prologue” proclaims Christ is God and it
is always read during the Easter or Pascha Divine Liturgy.
“In the beginning” recalls the Creation but speaks of the
Creator Himself.
As Genesis 1:1 introduces the original Creation, by itself an
incomplete existence, this verse reveals the New Creation
that is a fulfilled and complete existence. [THE NEW TESTAMENT OR
COVENANT]
“Was the Word” [Logos]: indicates existence without
preference to a starting point or beginning.
Therefore, “In the beginning was the Word” emphasises the
Word’s Eternal Existence in the Father, without beginning
and Christ’s Oneness with the Father in Essence.
“Logos” or “Word” signifies Wisdom and Reason as well as
Word. In other words this means the Creator. [I.E. “LOGIKOS”
OR “CREATION”, PARTICIPATING IN THE DIVINE WORD.]
With the Divine Incarnation, the Logos fully participates in
human nature.
“The Word was with God”: “with” in the original Greek shows
that the Word, the Son, is a distinct Person from the Father
in Communion with the Father
“The Word was God”: the Old Testament Prophets saw the
Word of God as the Presence of the Lord and this phrase
reveals that He is not only from the Father, He is Coequal
and Coeternal with the Father.
Christ is one in Divinity with the Father: “I and My Father are
One.” [JOHN 10:30] Some people mistranslate this phrase as
“the Word was a God” in order to propagate their heresy
that the Son is a created being who is not fully Divine.
Such a translation is unwarranted and false!
The Word is Co-Creator of all things with the Father. He is not
merely an instrument or a servant of creation.
Will, Operation and Power are seen to be one in the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. [GENESIS 1 & PSALM 33 : 6 – 9]
“Through Him” shows that the Word is not included in “all
things” created by the Father. [I.E. CHRIST IS NOT CREATED LIKE THE
MATERIAL THINGS OF THIS UNIVERSE.] His Eternal Birth is by
generation from the Father, whereas the Works of Creation
are made. Thus, the Heavens and the earth are Works of
the One Who made them – Almighty God – while the Son
alone is Born [BEGOTTEN] from the Father.
Even when Christ comes in human Flesh and Form – [HIS
INCARNATION] – the Word remains God forever and God is the
Creator.
As the Divine Word Incarnate, our Lord Jesus Christ is also the
Source of Life and Enlightenment.
Because the Word is God, He is Life: only God has Life in
Himself.
“And the Life was the Light”: by seeing and participating in
Christ’s Life Believers become Light and Children of Light.
St Moses saw this Light in the Burning Bush, St Isaiah saw It
in his Heavenly Vision, and St Peter, St James and St John
saw it on the Mount of Transfiguration.
In the Divine Liturgy at Easter [today] Light breaks forth from
the night at the Proclamation of the Resurrection: “Come,
take Light from the Light that is never overtaken by night.
Come, Glorify Christ, Risen from the dead!” [EXODUS 3:2; ISAIAH
6:1-5; MATTHEW 17:2]
“Darkness” is the satanic wickedness that actively opposes the
Light of God. Although the world has embraced darkness,
the Word freely offers Light to every human being on earth.
Darkness will oppose the Light, yet it can never defeat the
Light!
“The True Light” which is Jesus Christ, Enlightens every
person, but the world refuses to receive and live in this
Divine Light, and does not “know Him.” [I.E. THE WORLD DOES NOT
ACKNOWLEDGE CHRIST AS TRUE GOD]
The Orthodox Church sings in the Hymn following Holy
Communion: “We have seen the True Light …..
Worshipping the Undivided [HOLY] Trinity.
Most of “His own” People – the Hebrews – failed to “receive
Him.”
“He gave the right [OR AUTHORITY] to become Children of God".
This right is a Gift not an inalienable right.
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Those who receive Christ are given His Power, His Grace, to
“become Children of God” – no longer servants but Friends
of Christ.
The Jews were Children of God by descent from Abraham, the
Father of the people of God. But now Divine Sonship is a
Gift of Grace through Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Whether we are of a privileged race or not, we are born into
the Family of God and we are Saved not by “the Faith of
our Fathers” but by our own Faith in Christ - our continuous
striving to be Obedient to His Will and Teachings.
“His Name” is His Identity: the Word, the Son of God, the
Messiah and Saviour, Who in His Humanity is called
“Jesus.” [“JOSHUA”]
To “believe” means to trust oneself completely to God.
We completely trust Who He is, what He does and what He
teaches us - without doubt, without question or argument
“Who were born” is a reference to the Spiritual Birth from
Almighty God that is a Mystery of the Holy Spirit and that is
closely integrated with the Sacrament/Mystery of Holy
Baptism. [JOHN 3:5; TITUS 3:5]
“The Word became Flesh” refers to the Humanity of Jesus
Christ. The Word became Man without ceasing to be fully
God. This is the Divine Mystery of God Incarnate!
He assumed [TOOK ON] complete human nature, a physical Body
and a rational Soul – everything we are – WITHOUT ANY
SIN.
As God and Man in one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ
accomplishes a Redemption that fully Heals and Saves
fallen humanity.
He “dwelt among us” refers to His Disciples who are people of
God and Pilgrims in this transient world.
In the Old Testament, God’s Glory, His Radiant Power, dwelt
[“TABERNACLED”] in the Temple.
But according to the New Covenant or Testament, God the
Eternal Word in His Divine Glory comes to dwell in the
midst of sinful humanity through His Incarnation.
“We beheld His Glory” refers to the Glory of the Word that the
Apostles beheld, which was the Manifestation of the very
Presence of God, shown in His Words and Deeds, and
more fully, they “beheld” His Glory at His Transfiguration
and after His Resurrection.
“Only Begotten of the Father” means that the Son was
Eternally Born from the Father. The Son has no beginning
but He has His Source in the Father. He is called “Only
Begotten” because there is no other born from the Father.
Thus, the Son Himself is God.
The Holy Spirit exists Eternally from the Father through
another Divine Mystery called Procession: the Holy Spirit
Proceeds from the Father and is Worshipped and Glorified
together with the Father and the Son. [REF JOHN 15:26]
“Full of Grace and Truth” qualifies not only “the Word” but also
“the Glory.”
Grace is our Lord’s Uncreated Energy manifested to us
through His Loving Kindness and Redeeming Love.
“Truth” includes His Faithfulness to His Promises and
Covenants, and the abiding Reality of His Gifts.
By His Grace and Truth we enjoy a Life in Union and
Communion with Almighty God through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
“And of His Fullness we have all received”: because Christ is
God by Nature, God’s Uncreated Grace filled His human
Nature, thus Deifying it.
In Union with Christ’s Deified Humanity, we participate in the
Fullness of Grace.
Through Christ, God’s [ADOPTED] Children become gods by
Grace, without ceasing to be human by nature.
As metal thrust into fire takes on the heat of the fire without
ceasing to be itself, so human nature immersed in Almighty
God’s Uncreated Grace and Truth becomes godlike
without ceasing to be human.
“Grace for Grace” is a Semitic expression signifying an
Abundance of Grace.
4 APRIL 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE
AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER
VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST
OUR GOD. AMEN.

First Friday of Holy Pascha Tone (6) Plagal 2 9 April 2010

The Source of Life
Also the Feast of St Eupsihios Holy Martyr; St Badimos Hieromartyr
APOLYTIKION OF HOLY PASCHA

Hristos Anesti ek nekron, thanato thanton patistas, ke tis Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling upon
en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos! Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the tombs!
APOLYTIKION OF THE SOURCE OF LIFE

O Naos Sou, Theotoke, anedihthi paradises, os patamous
aizoous anavlizon iamata; O proserhomeni Pistos, os
Zoodohou ek Pigis, rosin antloumen, ke Zoin tin Eonion;
Presvevis gar Si to ek Sou tehtehnti Sotiri Hristo, sothine
pas psihas imon.
IPAKOI – TONE 4
Thy Temple, O Theotokos, has become a Paradise, pouring
forth Healings, like Ever-living Rivers; to which when
we come in Faith, we draw Life-giving Strength, as
from a Life-giving Fountain; because Thou Intercede
with the One Born from Thee: Christ the Saviour, for
our souls to Saved.

Prolavouse ton orthron e peri Mariam, ke evrouse ton Arriving before dawn, Mary’s companions found the stone
lithon apokilisthenta tou mnimatos, ikouon ek tou rolled away from the Tomb and heard these words from
Angelou: ton en foti aidio iparhonta, meta nekron ti the Angel: Who do you seek as Man among the dead, the
zitite os anthropon? Vlepete ta entafia spargana; One Who exists in Eternal Light? Behold, the burial
damete ke to kosmo kirixate, os igerthi O Kyrios, shrouds; go in haste and preach to the world that the
thanatosas ton thanaton; oti iparhi Theou Ios tou Lord has Risen, having put Death to death; and that He
sozontos to genos ton anthropon. is the Son of God Who Saves the human race.
KONTAKION OF THE SOURCE OF LIFE

Ex akenotou Sou...
KONTAKION – FOR HOLY PASCHA – UNTIL ASCENSION DAY

I ke en tafo katilthes athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou descended in the grave, O Immortal One,
dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi yet Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis sis Apostolis arose as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-
irinin doroumenos, o tis pesousi parehon Anastasin. bearing Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine
Apostles Thou granted Thy Peace: the One Who grants
Resurrection to the fallen ones.
INSTEAD OF THE AGIOS O THEOS

Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe. Allilouia! As many of you as have been Baptised into Christ, have
[3] put on Christ: Alleluia! [3]
✞ 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. Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amin Amen
Hriston enedisasthe. Allilouia! You have put on Christ: Alleluia!
Dynamis! Power/Strength
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe. Allilouia! As many of you as have been Baptised into Christ, have
put on Christ: Alleluia
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 3 : 1 – 8
ST PETER & ST JOHN HEAL A LAME MAN IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time, Peter and John went up together to the Temple at the hour of Prayer, the Ninth Hour.
And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple, which is
called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the Temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the
Temple, asked for alms.
And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said: “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive
something from them. Then Peter said: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the Name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So
he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered the Temple with them – walking, leaping and praising God.
The Holy Apostles of Christ faithfully and obediently observed The Holy Apostles of Christ participated not only in Preaching
regular Jewish Hours of Prayer just as all True Believers and Teaching but also in Healing as well.
had done for centuries. (PSALM 54:18; DANIEL 6:11) THE HOLY MYSTERY/SACRAMENT OF HEALING REVEALS
The practice of praying at the First Hour – 06:00 , the Third GOD’S DIVINE PRESENCE IN HIS CHURCH AND CONFIRMS
Hour – 09:00, the Sixth Hour – 12:00, and at the Ninth THE MESSAGE OF THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
Hour – 15:00 carried over into the Christian Church since To pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ does not simply
its beginning. mean to attach the phrase: “...in Jesus’ Name. we pray...”
This practice continues to this day in the Orthodox Church in to the end of Prayers. Rather, to pray in His Divine Name
private Prayers, in Holy Monasteries, and in certain means to PRAY ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL.
Parishes. Just as an Emissary of a King can only be said to be speaking
in the King’s name if he says what the King would want

RENEWAL FRIDAY & THE FEAST OF THE LIFEGIVINE SPRING 9 APRIL 2010
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 him to say, so also WE CAN ONLY BE SAID TO BE The purpose here is not to get God to do our will, but for us to
PRAYING IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST learn to PRAY PROPERLY ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL
WHEN WE PRAY ACCORDING TO WHAT HE WANTS – ONLY. (MATTHEW 6:10)
ACCORDING TO HIS WILL ALONE.

The Holy Gospel According to St John 2: 12 – 22

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CLEANSES THE HOLY TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM
At that time, our Lord Jesus went down to Capernaum: He, His Mother, His brothers and His Disciples; and they did not
stay there many days. Now the Passover of the Hebrews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found
in the Temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the Temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out
the money changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves: “Take these things
away! Do not make My Father’s House a house of merchandise!”
Then His Disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for Thy House has eaten Me up.”
So the Jews answered and said to Him: “What Sign dost Thou show us, since Thou doest these things?” Jesus answered
and said to them: “Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Hebrews said: “It has taken
forty-six years to build this Temple, and will Thou raise it up in three days?!”
But He was speaking of the Temple of His Body. Therefore, when He had Risen from the dead, His Disciples
remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the Word that Jesus had spoken.
Those people who bought and sold traded with live animals earthly Ministry, although St John recorded it at the
that were to be offered as various types of sacrifices. beginning of our Lord’s Ministry.
The Money Changers traded Roman coins for Hebrew coins Certain of our Holy Church Fathers believed that our Lord
since the Roman currency, which bore the image of performed this Act of the Cleansing of the Temple twice
Caesar upon it, was considered defiling in the Holy during His public Ministry.
Temple. Since our Lord Jesus was not a Levitical Priest, His Authority
The cleansing of the Temple of Jerusalem also points to THE to cleanse the Temple was challenged.
NECESSITY THAT THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST BE KEPT The term “Jews” in St John’s Gospel often referred specifically
FREE FROM ALL EARTHLY PURSUITS. to the Hebrew leaders and in this case, it referred to the
As each person is also considered as a Holy Temple of God, Chief Priests and Elders. (MATTHEW 21:23)
the cleansing of the Temple also signifies that OUR OWN AS CHRIST WAS CAREFUL NOT TO REVEAL HIS TRUE IDENTITY
HEARTS AND MINDS MUST CONSTANTLY BE CLEANSED OF TO SCOFFERS, HE ANSWERED IN A HIDDEN MANNER: the
ALL EARTHLY MATTERS. Ultimate Sign or Miracle would be His forthcoming Death
In the Synoptic Gospels ( I.E. OF ST MATTHEW, ST MARK AND ST LUKE), this and Resurrection.
Event occurred at the end of our Lord Jesus Christ’s
Renewal Friday: Theotokos of the Life-giving Spring
In ancient times, outside Constantinople, towards the Nothing remained of that church's ancient beauty,
district of the Seven Towers, there was a very except for a small underground chapel, which
large and most beautiful church named in honour was almost completely buried in the ruins.
of the Ever Blessed Virgin Theotokos, which had There were twenty,five steps going down into the
been built circa the middle of the 5th century by chapel, and there was one transom window in the
the Emperor Leo the Great (ALSO KNOWN AS "LEO OF THRACE"). ceiling through which a little light entered.
Before he became Emperor, he had encountered a The Miracle,working Holy Spring was located
blind man who begged him for a little water. towards the western side of the chapel, fenced
Filled with compassion, Leo immediately went in off by a railing, and fish swimming in it.
search of water but found none. As he sadly In 1821the small chapel was destroyed due to the
wondered how he was to convey this uprising of the Greek Nation against the Ottoman
disappointment to the desperately thirsty blind Empire and the Sacred Spring was buried beneath
man, he heard the sweet voice of the Ever Blessed the rubble, seeming to have disappeared
Virgin Mary informing him of a source of water altogether.
nearby. However, in the days of Sultan Mahmud, when he
He searched again yet he still could not locate it. permitted freedom of religion, permission was
Then he heard Her , addressing him as "Emperor" granted to the Orthodox Christian Community to
, directing him to the exact spot where he would rebuild at least part of the chapel.
find a pool of muddy water in the densely Subsequently, the reconstruction began on 26 July
wooded area nearby. 1833 and when the excavations revealed the
She told him to take some of the muddy water and to foundations of the ancient church, permission
anoint the blind man's eyes with it. was obtained from the Sultan to construct a
As soon as he had obediently done so, the blind man completely new church upon them and not
received his sight. merely a small chapel of the Holy Life,giving
After Leo became Emperor, as the Most Holy Spring.
Theotokos had prophesied, he had a church The building of a beautiful, new, spacious and
constructed over the Miracle,working Spring, majestic Temple began on 14 September 1833,
whose waters cured many physical and Spiritual and was completed on 30 December 1834.
ailments by the Grace of the Intercessory Prayers On 2 February 1835, the Ecumenical Patriarch,
of the Ever Blessed, All Pure Theotokos. Constantine II, joyously served the Divine Liturgy
Consequently, it became known as the "Life-giving together with twelve other Hierarchs before a
Spring." great multitude of Clergy and Faithful.
The Holy Church of Christ celebrates the He consecrated and dedicated the church in honour
Consecration of this particular church today. of the All Holy Theotokos but tragically, on 6
After the fall of the Imperial City, Constantinople, September 1955, it was once again desecrated
the church was razed to the ground and its and destroyed by Moslem Turks.
beautiful remnants were used for the erection of Although it was eventually restored once again, it
the mosque of Sultan Bayezid. never regained its former magnificence.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: RENEWAL FRIDAY: THEOTOKOS OF THE
LIFE-GIVING FOUNTAIN: GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF
AMERICA: www.goarch.org

RENEWAL FRIDAY & THE FEAST OF THE LIFEGIVINE SPRING 9 APRIL 2010
4
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND
UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD,
YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR
WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

2nd Sunday After Pascha Tone 1 11 April 2010

The Incredulity of St Thomas
Feast of St Antipas of Pergamon, St Tryphanos; St Parthimios the Anchorite; St Guthlac of Crowland;
St Kallinkos of Cernika
APOLYTIKION OF HOLY PASCHA

Hristos Anesti ek nekron, thanato thanton patistas, ke tis Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos! upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the
tombs!
TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE

Esfragismenou tou mnimatos, i Zoi ek tafou anetilas
Hriste O Theos: ke ton thiron keklismenon, tis
Mathites epestis, i pantaon anastasis: Pnevma evthes
di afton egkenizon imin, kata to Mega Sou Eleos.
While the Tomb was sealed, Christ God, Thou Dawned, O
Life, from the grave; and while the doors were shut,
Thou, the Resurrection of all, came to Thy Disciples,
through them renewing a right Spirit in us, according
to Thy Great Mercy!

KONTAKION – FOR HOLY PASCHA – UNTIL ASCENSION DAY

I ke en tafo katilthes athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou descended in the grave, O Immortal One,
dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi yet Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis sis Apostolis arose as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-
irinin doroumenos, o tis pesousi parehon Anastasin. bearing Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine
Apostles Thou granted Thy Peace: the One Who grants
Resurrection to the fallen ones.
Resurrection Gospel 1 : Matthew 28 : 16 – 20 - The Great Commission of Christ our Lord
Great and Mighty is the Lord; His Wisdom is Infinite.
Praise the Lord! For He is Good, and His Mercy endures forever!
The Book of the Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 5 : 12 – 20
MIRACULOUS SIGNS ACCOMPANY THE EARLY WORK OF THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST

Brethren: Through the hands of the Apostles many Signs and Wonders were done among the people. And they were all
with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick
out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on
some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those
who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Then the High Priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled
with indignation, and laid their hands upon the Apostles and put them in the common prison.
But at night an Angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said: “Go, stand in the Temple and
speak unto the people all the words of this Life.”
This particular passage of Holy Scripture reminds us that Life open those deaf ears either during the Lifetime of Christ or
in the infant Christian Church was characterised by during the Ministry of His Holy Apostles.
❃ UNITY ❃ ONLY THROUGH THE DIVINE ASSISTANCE OF ALMIGHTY
❃ DIVINE POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD GOD CAN ANYONE ACHIEVE ANYTHING GOOD OR
❃ PERSECUTION OF CHRIST’S DISCIPLES POSITIVE IN THIS LIFETIME.
In the early days of the Church, as in the Ministry of our Lord THE ANGELS OF GOD ARE HIS HOLY MESSENGERS WHO ARE
SENT TO ASSIST THOSE HUMAN BEINGS WHO STRIVE TO
Jesus Christ, the primary [MAIN] opponents of the Christians
FULFIL GOD’S COMMANDMENTS and THEY ARE STILL VERY
were the Jewish leaders. Not even the evidence of
ACTIVE TO THIS DAY, ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT RECOGNISE
obvious Miracles could soften those hardened hearts or THEM.

The Holy Gospel According to St John 20: 19 – 31

OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST APPEARS BEFORE HIS DISCIPLES & GIVES THEM THEIR GREATEST COMMISSION

On the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the Disciples were
assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said unto them: “Peace be with you!” When
He had said this, He showed them His Hands and His Side. Then the Disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again: “Peace unto you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said
this, He breathed on them, and said unto 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.”
Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other Disciples therefore
said to him: “We have seen the Lord.” So he said unto them: “Unless I see in His Hands the print of the nails and put
my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His Side, I will not believe!”
And after eight days His Disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and
stood in the midst, and said: “Peace unto you!” Then He said unto Thomas: “Reach thy finger here, and look at My
Hands; and reach thy hand here, and put it into My Side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

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And Thomas answered and said unto Him: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said unto him: “Thomas, because thou hast
seen Me, thou hast believed. Blessed art those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
And truly Jesus did many other Signs in the presence of His Disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are
written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have Life in His
Name.
Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ greeted His Disciples with the
Blessing “Peace be to you!” This Blessing is frequently
repeated in Orthodox Services and Worship.
In order to calm the fears and doubts of His Disciples, OUR
LORD EMPHASISED THE REALITY OF HIS RESURRECTION
by inviting them to touch Him and also by eating with them,
although these were special circumstances, because the
Glorified Body of Christ needs no food for nourishment or
sustenance.
❃ CHRIST’S RESURRECTED BODY TRANSCENDS NOT ONLY
TIME AND SPACE, BUT ALSO PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.
He was sometimes recognisable to His Disciples and
sometimes not.
❃ FAILURE TO BELIEVE THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IS
WORTHY OF BLAME and our Lord rebuked His
Disciples for their unbelief and their stubborn refusal to
fully accept the Reality of His Resurrection even while
they experienced the Joy of intimacy with Him while
partaking of meals that allude to the Holy Eucharist.
❃ THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES TO LEAD THEM [AND US] TO A
FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST
AND HIS DIVINE MISSION.
❃ The Resurrection of Christ launched His Church towards
her worldwide Mission: ALL NATIONS ARE TO BECOME
HIS DISCIPLES AND TO BEAR WITNESS TO HIS
RESURRECTION. EVERY CREATURE AND THE ENTIRE
COSMOS OR UNIVERSE IS AFFECTED BY THE
RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS
CHRIST!
❃ CHRIST COMMISSIONED HIS DISCIPLES TO CONTINUE HIS
MISSION ON EARTH, GRANTING THEM THE HOLY SPIRIT
AND THE POWER TO FORGIVE SINS. These words of
our Lord Jesus Christ are among the scriptural
foundations of the Holy Sacraments of Ordination or
Holy Orders and Repentance-Confession.
The Faith of St Thomas
The context of St Thomas’ recognition of the Risen Christ
was THE WEEK FOLLOWING HIS RESURRECTION.
ST THOMAS HAD NOT BEEN PRESENT WHEN OUR LORD JESUS
APPEARED BEFORE HIS ASTONISHED DISCIPLES who had
gathered together in a locked room, in fear of the
persecution of the Hebrews and enemies of Christ.
THEREFORE, WHEN HE HEARD THEIR ACCOUNT OF THAT
DIVINE APPEARANCE, ST THOMAS REFUSED TO BELIEVE
THEM and declared: “Unless I see in His Hands the
print of the nails and put my finger into the print of
the nails, and put my hand into His Side, I will not
believe!”
One of the Vespers Hymns considers St Thomas’ unbelief
and irreverence: “What Miraculous Wonder, that
lack of Faith became conviction of Faith! What
Miraculous Wonder, that grass should touch fire
and be safe!” which demonstrates OUR LORD’S
INFINITE PATIENCE WITH EACH OF US AND OUR
PERSONAL WEAKNESSES.
ST THOMAS’ JOYOUS EXCLAMATION OF RECOGNITION HAS
BEEN USED MANY TIMES BY OUR CHURCH FATHER TO
DEFEND THE TRUE FAITH against various heresies that
deny the True Deity of Christ our Saviour and this
was especially true during the Christology
controversies of the 4th Century.
ST HILARY OF POITIER addressed the heresies of Sabellius,
Arius and Photinus by pointing out that THE SON IS
GOD, FROM HIS ETERNAL GENERATION, and not merely
a property or a title of God.
At St Thomas’ Confession, it dawned on him what Christ
had been teaching them concerning the Oneness of
the Father and the Son, for Christ accepted as His
own, the Divine Name that belongs to the Divine
Nature of God the Father.
“THE WORD IS GOD THE ONLY BEGOTTEN, AND YET THE
UNBEGOTTEN FATHER IS NEVER WITH HIS WORD.
“The Nature of the Son is not that of a sound, which is
uttered. HE IS GOD OF GOD, SUBSISTING THROUGH
TRUE BIRTH; GOD THE FATHER’S OWN SON, BEGOTTEN
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❃ THROUGH THE CONSECRATION AND EMPOWERMENT OF
HIS APOSTLES BY OUR LORD, AND THROUGH THEIR
ORDINATION OF OTHERS TO CONTINUE THEIR
APOSTLIC MISSION, CHRIST’S OWN HOLY PRIESTHOOD
IS COMMUNICATED TO THE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS OF
HIS CHURCH.
THE INCREDULITY OR DISBELIEF OF ST THOMAS, in view of the
evidence and the disciples’ testimony, is difficult to explain.
It SHOWS EITHER PERPLEXITY ABOUT THE MIRACLE OR A
CERTAIN STUBBORNNESS OF CHARACTER.
❃ ST THOMAS, upon our Lord Jesus’ invitation, DID NOT
ACTUALLY TOUCH HIM for proof and
❃ HIS SINCERE CONFESSION: “MY LORD AND MY GOD!”
TESTIFIES TO THE LORDSHIP AS WELL AS THE DEITY
OF CHRIST.
“Doubting Thomas” required direct proof of Christ’s
Resurrection whereas A “BLESSED FAITH” IS ONE THAT
TRUSTS IN THE RISEN CHRIST WITHOUT PROOF.
“Signs” are THE SELECTED MIRACLES OR WORKS OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST that are recorded in this Holy Gospel.
Other signs were
➤ Changing the water into wine at the Wedding at Cana
➤ Curing the nobleman’s son at Capernaum
➤ Healing the Paralytic at the Sheep Gate Pool
➤ Feeding the 5000 men – not counting the women and
children who were there
➤ Walking upon the waters of the sea several miles from
shore
➤ Giving sight to the man who was born without eyes.
➤ Raising His Beloved Friend, St Lazarus from the dead,
after 4 days in the tomb
The main purpose of St John for writing his Holy Gospel was
TO LEAD PEOPLE TO FAITH IN OUR LORD JESUS AS THE
CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD SO THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE
ETERNAL LIFE IN HIS NAME.
OF THE FATHER, INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM HIM IN
(DIVINE, ETERNAL) NATURE, AND THEREFORE INSEPARABLE.
“This is the Lesson that His title ‘the Word’ is meant to
teach us.
“In the same manner CHRIST IS THE WISDOM AND THE
POWER OF GOD; not that He is inward activity of the
Father’s Might or Thought, but that HIS TRUE DIVINE
NATURE IS INDICATED BY THESE NAMES...”
“It was in order to save us from the heresy of concluding
that the Son of God is alien to the Divine Nature of
God His Father that Christ revealed Himself to us with
these Divine Names.
Thus, OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, IS NOTHING
ELSE BUT GOD!
Consequently, THE WORDS OF THE HOLY GOSPEL
ACCORDING TO ST JOHN: “... THE WORD WAS GOD...” DO
NOT MERELY INFORM US THAT THE SON WAS CALLED
‘GOD’ BUT RATHER THEY REVEAL THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH
THAT THE SON IS GOD.
It is “... no accidental title, but AN ETERNAL REALITY – A
PERMANENT ELEMENT OF HIS EXISTENCE AND AN
INHERENT CHARACTER OF HIS DIVINE NATURE – THE
WORD AND SON IS GOD!
St Thomas was undoubtedly familiar with the words of
our Lord: ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL, THE LORD YOUR GOD IS
ONE.’ (DEUTERONOMY 6:4 LXX)
“How then could the faith of an Apostle become so
oblivious of that primary Command as to confess
Christ as God, distinct from the Father, when (ETERNAL)
LIFE IS CONDITIONAL UPON THE CONFESSION OF THE
DIVINE UNITY?
“It was because, IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESURRECTION, THE
WHOLE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH HAD BECOME VISIBLE
TO ST THOMAS.”
St Thomas had often heard Christ making such clear
statements such as : “I and the Father are One... All
things that the Father has are Mine... I Am in the
Father, and the Father is in Me...” ( JOHN 10:30; 16:15; 14:1)
Then, joyously, on that special day, ST THOMAS
SINCERELY AND SPONTANEOUSLY CONFESSED THE NAME
OF GOD THAT EXPRESSES THE TRUE DIVINE NATURE OF
CHRIST, WITHOUT ANY PERIL TO THE FAITH.
11 APRIL 2010
“Without breach of loyalty to the One God, the Father, HIS
DEVOTION COULD NOW REGARD THE SON OF GOD AS
GOD, SINCE HE BELIEVED THAT EVERYTHING
CONTAINED IN THE NATURE OF THE SON OF GOD WAS
TRULY THE SAME NATURE AS THAT OF GOD THE
FATHER.
“No longer need St Thomas fear that such a Confession as
his was the proclamation of ‘a second God,’ which
would have been treason against the Unity of the
Divine Nature; for it was not a ‘second God,’ Whom
that Perfect Birth of the Godhead had brought into
being.
“Thus IT WAS WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF
THE HOLY GOSPEL THAT ST THOMAS CONFESSED HIS
LORD AND HIS GOD.
“IT WAS NOT A TITLE OF HONOUR; IT WAS A CONFESSION
OF (DIVINE) NATURE.
The True Worth of Mankind
For centuries WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE OUR GOD AS
GREAT AS WE COULD BY MAKING MANKIND APPEAR
SMALL AND INSIGNIFICANT.
This can be seen in works of art in which our Lord Jesus
Christ is represented with His tiny creatures at His
Feet with the intention of showing how great God is
by comparison.
SUCH HARMFUL CONCEPTS HAVE RESULTED IN THE FALSE,
ERRONEOUS AND BLASPHEMOUS OPINION THAT
MANKIND IS INCONSEQUENTIAL.
In addition these heretical ideas present spiritually
weak people with an excuse to deny or reject such a
God Who “treats humanity as though they were of
no value!”
However, THESE DECEPTIVE NOTIONS AND RESULTANT
REACTIONS ARE EXCEEDINGLY WRONG.
Certain people who claim to be Children of God, God's
own chosen people and even Christians ,believe
themselves to be as small and insignificant as the
image they have of others and they consider their
communities to be as small and lacking in scope and
prominence as their constitutive parts.
The agnostics, the rationalists and the atheists deny or
reject a God Whom they believe either does not exist
at all, or Who treats humanity as worthless
creatures, being indifferent to our pain and
suffering!
HUMAN BEINGS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE TWO
EXTREME AND COMPLETELY ERRONEOUS VIEWPOINTS
FOR WHICH THEY SHALL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE ,
both in history and at the Day of Judgement.
Nevertheless: THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT THE DIVINE
VISION OR ATTITUDE TOWARDS HUMANITY AT ALL!
❃ THE HIGHEST VALUE THAT GOD HIMSELF ATTACHES TO
ALL HUMAN BEINGS IS EVIDENT WHEN WE REALISE
AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE INCALCULABLY HIGH
PRICE THAT GOD PAID FOR OUR SPIRITUAL
RANSOM AND OUR ETERNAL SALVATION!
❃ THE TREMENDOUS VALUE OF MANKIND TO GOD IS
EVIDENT FROM THE INCARNATION, THE LIFE ON
EARTH AND THE MOST TRAGIC AND UNJUSTLY
CRUEL DEATH OF HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON UPON
THE CROSS.
THIS IS HOW HIGHLY GOD VALUES AND LOVES ALL
MANKIND WHOM HE HAS CREATED TO SHARE HIS
INFINITE AND COMPASSIONATE LOVE AND IN ORDER
TO BE HIS COMPANIONS IN ETERNITY – FOREVER!
With the Parable of the Prodigal Son Christ taught us
how ANYONE WHO HAS FALLEN AWAY FROM THE
MAGNITUDE OF OUR DIVINE ADOPTION IS ABLE TO
RETURN TO OUR ETERNALLY LOVING HEAVENLY
FATHER THROUGH OUR SINCERE REPENTANCE AND
CONFESSION.
When we readily acknowledge our sins against Heaven
and our Divine Father, WE ARE MOST JOYFULLY
WELCOMED BY GOD – WHEN WE RETURN TO SPIRITUAL
LIFE ONCE AGAIN.
THE PRODIGAL SON – HAVING RETURNED TO HIS SENSES –
HAVING REGAINED HIS SPIRITUAL FREEDOM FROM THE
ENSLAVEMENT OF SIN – REALISED THAT HE WAS NO
LONGER WORTHY OF HIS BLESSED RELATIONSHIP TO
THE FATHER, AND YET, WHEN THEY RE-UNITED, HIS
LOVING FATHER ONLY ALLOWED HIM TO MAKE HALF
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“HE BELIEVED THAT CHRIST IS GOD IN SUBSTANCE AND IN
POWER.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ, in turn, showed that THIS SINCERE
ACT OF WORSHIP BY ST THOMAS WAS THE EXPRESSION
of not mere reverence, but OF GENUINE FAITH,
when He said: ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen Me,
thou hast believed. Blessed art those who have not
seen and yet have believed.’”
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCEPTS AS HIS OWN THE DIVINE
NAME THAT BELONGS TO THE DIVINE NATURE OF GOD
THE FATHER.
Furthermore, He taught us that THOSE WHO HAD NOT
SEEN HIM RISEN FROM THE DEAD FOR THEMSELVES YET
BELIEVED HIS ASSURANCE OF OUR OWN RESURRECTION
INTO ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT HE IS TRULY GOD, ARE
EVEN MORE BLESSED THAN THOSE WHO HAD
PERSONALLY WITNESSED AND EXPERIENCED IT.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “THOMAS SUNDAY” BY MARK KERN, ST ATHANASIOS PRESSS
OF HIS CONFESSION, to confess that he had sinned
against Heaven and against God , but HE DID NOT
ACCEPT THE RETURN OF HIS BELOVED SON ON TERMS
THAT WERE INFERIOR TO THAT OF HIS BLESSED
SONSHIP!
❃ THE FATHER STOPPED THE PRODIGAL SON’S
CONFESSION AS SOON AS HE HAD ACKNOWLEDGED
HIS UNWORTHINESS, BUT THE FATHER DID NOT
ALLOW HIS REPENTANT SON TO INSTITUTE NEW
TERMS OF HIS STATUS, WHICH WERE UNWORTHY OF
THE PRIMEVAL, ORIGINAL AND ETERNAL
RELATIONSHIP TO WHICH MANKIND IS CALLED.
WE CAN BE UNWORTHY even though we are adopted
Children of God through our Holy Baptism.
However, WE CAN BE REPENTANT AND WE CAN RETURN TO
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S HOUSE AS HIS BELOVED
CHILDREN.
So, no matter how unworthy we might be, WE ARE NEVER
REGARDED BY GOD AS MERE “HIRELINGS” – WE ARE
NEVER IRRELEVANT OR INSIGNIFICANT IN THE SIGHT
OF OUR MOST LOVING GOD.
❃ GOD OFFERS ALL HUMANITY - AND HAS GRANTED US
AS BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED CHRISTIANS - A
UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AT THE
INCARNATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
❃ OUR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WAS IMPLIED
IN THE ACT OF CREATION AND IN OUR CALLING TO
BECOME PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, TO
BECOME SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD BY
ADOPTION IN THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.
❃ THIS IS OUR SACRED VOCATION. THIS IS WHAT WE ARE
CALLED TO - AND NOTHING LESS THAN THIS IS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD!
This great and unique Vision of mankind is
incompatible with the small vision we so often
acquire from false teaching and from a slavish
approach to our Lord.
THE FALLEN WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE GOD’S DIVINE
MESSAGE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN DISTORTED AND
CORRUPTED THROUGH FALSE TEACHINGS.
Consequently, the message they believe in and which
they try to pass on to others has become false and
deceptive.
THOSE WHO HAVE REPUDIATED GOD AND REJECTED
CHRIST HAVE MADE MAN THEIR GOD - THE MEASURE
OF ALL THINGS.
They have made man their god but this is MERELY A
TWO-DIMENSIONAL IDOL OF TIME AND SPACE AND
APPEARS ONLY AS AN OUTER SHELL.
St Maximos the Confessor believed that in the very
moment of the Conception of Christ, even in His
Humanity Christ was Immortal, because one cannot
conceive of a human flesh united to the Godhead
and capable of death.
Furthermore, when we speak of the Crucifixion we are
aware of the fact that THE DEATH OF CHRIST UPON
THE CROSS WAS AN IMPOSSIBLE TEARING APART OF AN
IMMORTAL SOUL AND AN IMMORTAL BODY; IT WAS
NOT THE FADING AWAY OF LIFE - IT WAS A DRAMATIC,
AN IMPOSSIBLE EVENT INFLICTED BY THE WILL OF GOD
ON THE ONE WHO WAS BOTH EQUALLY AND PERFECTLY
GOD AND MAN.
Consequently, THE WORDS OF CHRIST UPON THE CROSS
ACQUIRE A SIGNIFICANCE THAT IS DEEPER AND MORE
11 APRIL 2010
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 TERRIFYING THAN ANYTHING WHICH WE HAVE MADE
OF THEM.
❃ When our Lord says: “My God, my God, why hast
Thou forsaken Me?” IT IS A MOMENT IN WHICH,
METAPHYSICALLY, IN AN UNSPEAKABLE WAY - IN A
WAY FOR WHICH WE CANNOT ACCOUNT BECAUSE
WE CAN ACCOUNT FOR NOTHING IN THE MYSTERY
OF CHRIST – OUR LORD JESUS, NAILED TO THE
CROSS, LOSES THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS UNION
WITH GOD.
He can die because, FREE OF SIN, HE BECOMES AT THAT
MOMENT FULLY PARTAKER OF THE DESTINY OF
MANKIND, AND HE ALSO IS LEFT WITHOUT GOD, AND
HAVING NO GOD, HE DIES!
This is also what is signified in the Apostles' Creed
when it says “He descended into Hell.”
“HELL” or “SHEOUL” IN THE HEBREW TRADITION IS WHERE
GOD IS ABSENT.
So CHRIST WENT INTO THE DEPTH OF THIS ABSENCE OF
GOD AND DIED.
Here is the measure of A DIVINE SOLIDARITY WITH US ,
not only the shedding of blood, not only the death
on the Cross, but the very condition of this death
upon the Cross, of this death altogether , THE LOSS
OF GOD.
And here we see that THERE IS NOT ONE ATHEIST IN THE
WORLD - WHETHER IDEOLOGICAL OR, if I may put it
this way, GASTRIC (if you take St Paul's word that
some have made their belly into their gods) , WHO
HAS EVER GONE INTO THE LOSS OF GOD , INTO
ATHEISM - IN THE WAY IN WHICH CHRIST HAS GONE
INTO IT - HAS EXPERIENCED IT AND HAS DIED OF IT ,
He, Immortal in His Humanity as in His Divinity.
THIS IS FAR BEYOND ANY OTHER FORM OF SOLIDARITY.
❃ THIS IS THE FULL MEASURE OF GOD'S LOVE FOR ALL
HUMAN BEINGS IN WHAT GOD IS PREPARED TO DO,
AND THE MEASURE OF HOW FAR HE IS PREPARED
TO GO IN HIS ONENESS WITH US.
Nevertheless, when we think of people , of those who
are not participating members of the Church/Body
of Christ , those who are outside the Holy Church
of Christ and who have turned against it because of
human concepts and their false teachings, and
because the Name of God is blasphemed among the
St Peter of Damascus – On Divine Blessings
WE DO NOT ALL RECEIVE BLESSINGS IN THE SAME WAY.
SOME, ON RECEIVING THE FIRE OF THE LORD – I.E. HIS
WORD – HIS DIVINE TRUTH – PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
AND SO BECOME SOFTER OF HEART, LIKE WAX, WHILE
OTHERS THROUGH LAZINESS BECOME HARDER THAN
CLAY AND ALTOGETHER STONE-LIKE.
And NO ONE COMPELS US TO RECEIVE THESE BLESSINGS IN
DIFFERENT WAYS.
It is similar to the sun whose rays illumine all the world:
those who want its light can receive it, while OTHERS
WHO DO NOT WANT IT ARE NOT FORCED TO DO SO
BUT THEN THEY ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEING IN
THEIR DARKENED CONDITION.
God made both the sun and our eyes, but HOW WE
CHOOSE TO USE THEM DEPENDS ON OURSELVES.
Similarly, then, GOD IRRADIATES HIS DIVINE KNOWLEDGE
TO ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND AT THE SAME TIME HE
GRANTS US FAITH LIKE A SPIRITUAL EYE THROUGH
WHICH WE CAN PERCEIVE IT.
IF WE CHOOSE TO ACCEPT THIS KNOWLEDGE FIRMLY BY
MEANS OF FAITH, WE CAN KEEP OURSELVES MINDFUL
OF IT BY PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE; AND GOD THEN
GRANTS US GREATER ARDOUR, KNOWLEDGE AND
POWER.
Our pursuit of natural knowledge kindles our ardour,
and this ardour increases our capacity to put the
knowledge into practice.
By putting knowledge into practice, we keep ourselves
mindful of it, and this in its turn induces us to
practise it to an even greater extent.
GREATER PRACTICE IS REWARDED BY GREATER
KNOWLEDGE; AND FROM THE UNDERSTANDING THUS
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nations by so many of us , then IT IS OBVIOUS HOW
FAR WE HUMAN BEINGS DARE TO GO, AND WE SHOULD
REALISE HOW COLOSSAL AND TRAGIC OUR AUDACITY
IS!
OUR SOLIDARITY MUST BE WITH CHRIST FIRST, AND IN
CHRIST WITH ALL MANKIND TO THE LAST POINT, TO
THE FULL MEASURE OF LIFE AND DEATH.
ONLY THEN, IF WE ACCEPT THIS, CAN WE , each of us and
the Congregation of all Faithful people, the people
of God , GROW INTO WHAT IT WAS IN CHRIST AND
INTO WHAT IT WAS IN THE APOSTLES.
ONLY THEN CAN WE BECOME HUMAN BEINGS WHOSE
VISION IS GREATER THAN THE VISION OF THE WORLD,
whose scope is greater than the scope of the world.
❃ THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE BEGINNING
CONTAINED ALL THESE WONDERFUL ATTRIBUTES –
STRIVING DAILY TO FOLLOW THE PERFECT
EXAMPLE AND TEACHINGS OF CHRIST OUR
SAVIOUR AND AS A RESULT WERE TRULY
PARTAKERS OF ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WERE
ESSENTIALLY THE CONDITION OF MANKIND, AND
THEREBY LED MANKIND INTO ETERNAL
SALVATION.
Sadly, this is not the state in which we find ourselves
today because we have made ourselves insignificant
and we have also, as a consequence, made ourselves
a god who is a false idol to whom we have enslaved
ourselves.
We must never be deceived by the evil one’s lies and
false teachings that misdirect us from God’s Perfect
Truth and Teachings: we are created in God’s
Perfect Image and Likeness and therefore we must
acknowledge our True Worth in His Sight!
❃ WE MUST RECLAIM OUR AUTHENTIC KNOWLEDGE OF
THE GLORIOUS MAGNITUDE OF GOD REVEALED IN
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, AND
THEREBY WE WILL REPOSSESS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
MANKIND REVEALED BY HIM.
ONLY THEN OUR WRETCHED, FALLEN WORLD MAY BEGIN
TO REGAIN ITS BELIEF IN ALMIGHTY GOD!
Consequently, we will become faithful co,workers of
God for the Salvation of all Creation.
Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: UNIVERSITY SERMON PREACHED IN THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH
OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, OXFORD, 22 OCTOBER 1967, BY THE MOST REVEREND
ANTHONY BLOOM, METROPOLITAN OF SOUROZH
ACQUIRED, WE GAIN CONTROL OF THE PASSIONS AND
LEARN HOW TO ENDURE OUR SUFFERINGS PATIENTLY.
SUFFERINGS PRODUCE DEVOTION TO GOD AND A
RECOGNITION OF HIS DIVINE GIFTS AND OUR FAULTS.
These give birth to gratitude, and GRATITUDE
INCULCATES (URGES OR IMPRESSES UPON US) FEAR OF
GOD, WHICH LEADS US TO THE KEEPING OF HIS
COMMANDMENTS, TO INWARD GRIEF, GENTLENESS AND
HUMILITY.
These three Virtues produce Discrimination, which
gives us SPIRITUAL INSIGHT and MAKES IT POSSIBLE
FOR OUR INTELLECT IN ITS PURITY TO FORESEE
IMPENDING FAULTS AND TO FORESTALL THEM through
experience and recollection of what has happened in
the past and IN THIS WAY WE PROTECT OURSELVES
FROM STEALTHY ATTACKS.
ALL THIS GENERATES HOPE, AND FROM HOPE COMES
DETACHMENT AND PERFECT LOVE.
Once we have advanced thus far we shall not wish for
anything except the Will of God: WE WILL JOYFULLY
ABANDON THIS TRANSITORY LIFE OUT OF OUR LOVE
OF GOD AND FOR OUR FELLOW-MAN.
THROUGH THE WISDOM AND INDWELLING OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT AND THROUGH OUR ADOPTION INTO SONSHIP,
WE ARE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND BURIED WITH
HIM, AND WE RISE WITH HIM AND ASCEND WITH HIM
SPIRITUALLY BY IMITATING HIS WAY OF LIFE IN THIS
WORLD.
We become gods by adoption through Divine Grace,
RECEIVING THE PLEDGE OF ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS.
11 APRIL 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES.
AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER
WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

Third Sunday of Pascha Tone 2 18 April 2010

Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers, St Joseph of Arimathea & St Nikodemos
The Feast of St John; St Savva the Soldier; St Athansios of Aegina; St Kosmas &
St Auxentios: Holy Ascetics
APOLYTIKION OF THE RESURRECTION – TONE 2

Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal, Thou
adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy Divinity.
tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e When also Thou raised up the dead from the
Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste, subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven cried
O Theos imon, Doxa Si! aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!
APOLYTIKION OF ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA & THE HOLY MYRRH-BEARERS

O evshimon Iosif, apo tou xilou kathelon, to ahranton Sou The noble Joseph taking down Thy spotless Body from the
Soma, sindoni kathara, ilisas ke aromasin, en mnimati
keno, kidevsas apetheto; alla trimeros anestis Kyrie,
parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!
Tes Myroforis Ginexi, para to mnima epistas, O Angelos
evoa: To Myra tis thnitis iparhi armodia, Hristos de
diafthoras edihthi allotrios; alla kravgasate: Anesti O
Kyrios, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!
KONTAKION – FOR HOLY PASCHA – UNTIL ASCENSION DAY
Tree, wrapped it in a clean shroud with sweet spices
and laid it for burial in a new grave; but on the third
day Thou arose, O Lord, granting the world Thy Great
Mercy!
The Angel standing by the Grave 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!

I ke en tafo katilthes athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou descended in the grave, O Immortal One,
dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi yet Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou arose
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis sis Apostolis as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-bearing
irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin. Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine Apostles Thou
granted Thy Peace: the One Who grants Resurrection to
the fallen ones.
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 6: 1 – 7
THE FIRST
FIRST DEACONS ARE ORDAINED

Now in those days, when the number of the Disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the
Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Then the Twelve summoned the multitude of the Disciples and said: “It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of
God and serve tables. Therefore, Brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy
Spirit and Wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to Prayer and to
the Ministry of the Word.”
And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of Faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip,
Prochosos, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the Apostles; and
when they had prayed, they laid hand on them.
Then the Word of God spread, and the number of the Disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the
Priests were obedient to the Faith.
The Hebrews were the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem who WERE CHOSEN NOT ONLY FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL
spoke Aramaic, while the Hellenists were Jewish QUALITIES BUT ALSO FOR THEIR WISDOM THAT IS
Christians who spoke Greek and who returned from other ESSENTIAL FOR THE CORRECT AND JUST MANAGEMENT
OF THEIR SERVING MINISTRY TO THE PEOPLE.
parts of the Hellenised world to settle in Jerusalem. WHILE THE MULTITUDE OF DISCIPLES OF CHRIST SUBMITTED
St John Chrysostom noted that this particular complaint THE NAMES OF THE SEVEN DEACONS, THE HOLY
showed a lack of order among the multitude of believers, APOSTLES OF CHRIST ORDAINED THEM BY THEIR LAYING
even though the neglect was not malicious. ON OF HANDS.
Thus the difficulties that faced the early Church arose, not Thus, the Synergy between laity and clergy is demonstrated in
only from outside, but also from within due to dissension. the selection of Church Leaders.
The term “Disciples” generally refers to all believers or Whether these men held the Liturgical Office of Deacon or
followers of our Lord Jesus Christ and not only to His whether that Diaconate was more Service-oriented, is a
Twelve Apostles. matter of debate. Nevertheless, in either understanding,
While the Ministries of the Word of God and of serving widows THEY RECEIVED THE OFFICE OF DEACON BY MEANS OF
(and orphans) were both important issues, they could not HOLY ORDINATION FROM THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST.
be performed by the same people and to this day this type The fact that the NUMBER OF DISCIPLES MULTIPLIED GREATLY
of Ministry still receives the proper attention necessary. ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE THREE GREAT PILLARS OF
CHURCH LIFE WERE FULLY ESTABLISHED: THESE PILLARS
Thus, the Holy Church of Christ developed, since the early ARE WORSHIP, EVANGELISM AND CHARITY.
days, diversified Ministries. Furthermore, this growth happened after the external and
BISHOPS AND PRIESTS (PRESBYTERS) ARE CALLED, TO THIS
DAY, TO FOCUS ON PRAYER AND THE MINISTRY OF THE
internal struggles had been addressed.
WORD OF GOD, WHILE THE OTHER MINISTRIES ARE The Priests were Christian converts who had been Hebrew
ACCOMPLISHED BY DEACONS AND THE LAITY OF THE Priests but they had not necessarily been Ordained to the
HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST. Priestly Ministry within the Christian Church after their
Of particular note is the fact that THE DEACONS WHO WERE conversion.
CHOSEN TO SERVE THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE

3RD SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY MYRRH BEARERS & ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA & ST NIKODEMOS - 18 APRIL 2010 9
To this day, NEW CONVERTS MUST BE CORRECTLY TAUGHT
SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERIENCE IN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LIFE.
However, it is entirely dependent on the Wisdom and Authority
of the Archbishop whether they may be Ordained or not
and then ALL FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST MUST PRAY
FOR THEM AND GIVE THEM ALL THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT
SO THAT THEY MAY PROSPER SPIRITUALLY AS OUR
ORDAINED, HOLY SHEPHERDS IN THE SERVICE OF
ALMIGHTY GOD.
TO DO OTHERWISE IS AN INSULT TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
WHO HAS BESTOWED HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY ON HIS HOLY
BISHOPS AND PRIESTS.

The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 15: 43 – 16 : 8

THE UNNAILING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS & HIS BURIAL IN THE TOMB

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council Member, who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, courageously went to
Pilate to ask for the Body of Jesus.
Pilate marvelled that He was already dead, so he summoned the Centurion and asked him if He had been dead for some
time and when he found confirmed it, Pilate granted the Body to Joseph.
Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb that had been hewn
out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the opening of the Tomb.
And Mary Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of Joses, observed where He was laid.
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might
go to anoint Him.
Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the Tomb when the sun had risen. And they asked one
another: “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the Tomb for us?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away – for it was very large. And entering the Tomb,
they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
But he said to them: “Do not be afraid. You see Jesus of Nazareth Who was crucified. He is Risen! He is not here. Behold
the place where they laid Him! But go and tell His Disciples – and Peter – that He is going before you to Galilee. There
you will see Him, as He said to you.”
So they went out quickly and fled from the Tomb, for they trembled and were amazed, but they said nothing to anyone, for
they were afraid.
If the Holy Apostles of Christ had buried our Lord Jesus, St Salome, the daughter of St Joseph the Betrothed, was
doubters could claim that His Body had simply been married to Zebedee and was the mother of St James (the
hidden away. Lesser) and St John the Divine Theologian – two of the
ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA WAS WELL KNOWN AS BOTH A Apostles of Christ.
COUNCIL MEMBER AND A “GOOD AND JUST MAN,” WHICH THE GREAT STONE THAT HAD COVERED THE ENTRANCE OF
REFUTED ANY POSSIBILITY THAT OUR LORD’S PRECIOUS THE TOMB HAD BEEN SEALED BY THE ROMANS AND
BODY HAD BEEN DECEPTIVELY HIDDEN BY HIS HOLY JEWISH AUTHORITIES AND TWO SOLDIERS HAD STOOD
APOSTLES OR ANYONE ELSE. GUARD IN ORDER TO PREVENT ANYONE FROM REMOVING
The Spiritual Significance of a New Tomb where no one else THE BODY OF OUR LORD.
had ever been laid before is that CHRIST DIED A DEATH WHEN A GREAT EARTHQUAKE SHOOK THE STONE LOOSE AND
UNLIKE ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING HAD EVER DIED IT ROLLED ASIDE AND REVEALED THE EMPTY TOMB, IT
BEFORE BECAUSE HIS DEATH WAS A DEATH WITHOUT WAS NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELEASING OUR LORD
CORRUPTION AND IT WAS A DEATH THAT LED TO DIVINE BUT TO CLEARLY SHOW THAT HE HAD ALREADY LEFT THE
VICTORY OVER DEATH ITSELF – THE ULTIMATE DIVINE SEALED TOMB, ABANDONING HIS GRAVE CLOTHES, WHICH
VICTORY OF ALMIGHTY GOD AND THE DEFEAT OF THE HE WOULD NEVER NEED AGAIN.
DESTRUCTIVE INVENTION OF THE EVIL ONE!! THE SPECIFIC MENTION OF ST PETER BY THE HOLY ANGEL OF
Because our Lord Jesus Christ died so close to the Holy GOD REVEALED A SPECIAL CARE FOR THE ONE APOSTLE
Sabbath, the normal Burial Customs of the Hebrews could WHO HAD DENIED CHRIST THREE TIMES . His intense
not be completed. Therefore, THE HOLY MYRRH BEARERS shame at having done so is borne out by the words of St
WENT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO COMPLETE THE Theophylact who wrote that St Peter would typically have
NECESSARY RITES OF BURIAL. said of himself: “I denied the Lord, and therefore am no
THE REFERENCE TO “MARY, THE MOTHER OF JOSES...” OR longer His Disciple!”
“MARY, THE MOTHER OF JAMES...” IS A VEILED Therefore, THE HOLY ANGEL’S WORDS CLEARLY CONVEYED
REFERENCE TO THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS who was THE DIVINE PROMISE AND ASSURANCE OF OUR LORD
related to St James, St Joses, St Salome not only through JESUS CHRIST THAT ST PETER HAD BEEN FORGIVEN.
her late mother, St Anna, but also according to Law as the The words: “They said nothing to anyone...” Does not mean
“Betrothed” of St Joseph the Righteous Elder - her Holy that the Holy Myrrh bearers never told the Holy Apostles
Guardian and Protector - who was the widowed husband and the Faithful Disciples that our Lord had Risen from the
of her aunt Salome (sister of St Anna) and their father. dead. It means that at the time, UNTIL OUR LORD
Thus, HER COUSINS BECAME HER “STEP CHILDREN” THROUGH APPEARED TO ALL OF THEM, THEY REMAINED SILENT –
HER BETROTHAL. PROBABLY WONDERING HOW TO BREAK THE NEWS TO
THE OTHERS SO THAT THEY WOULD BELIEVE THEM.

Sunday of the Holy Myrrh Bearers

In today’s Sacred Lesson, we hear how THE HOLY ANGEL
OF GOD INSTRUCTED THE HOLY MYRRH BEARERS TO GO
AND TELL THE OTHER DISCIPLES OF CHRIST – AND ST
PETER AS WELL – THE WONDERFUL NEWS THAT THE
TOMB WAS NOT ONLY EMPTY BUT THAT THEY WOULD
MEET OUR RISEN LORD IN GALILEE, JUST AS HE HAD
TOLD THEM HE WOULD.
However, the frightened and astonished Myrrh Bearing
Women did not immediately carry out the Angel’s
directive.
Nevertheless, we should not judge them too harshly but
instead we should IMAGINE HOW WE WOULD HAVE
REACTED UNDER THOSE EXACT SAME CIRCUMSTANCES.
OTHER FAITHFUL DISCIPLES YET THEY KEPT IT TO
THEMSELVES UNTIL LATER.
THEY WERE CERTAINLY OVERWHELMED BY THE WHOLE
EXPERIENCE – THE INTENSE AND DREADFUL TRAUMA OF
WITNESSING THE CRUEL CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD
JESUS, THE FEAR OF RETALIATION AGAINST HIS
DISCIPLES BY THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST, THE
INDESCRIBABLE SHOCK OF FINDING NOT ONLY THE
TOMB OPENED AND EMPTY, BUT BEING ADDRESSED BY
AN ANGEL OF GOD – all in the space of some 36 hours!
It was all more than enough to motivate them to having
a little quiet time behind the safety of locked doors!
WHAT THOSE DEVOTED AND FAITHFUL HOLY WOMEN HAD
WITNESSED WAS A THEOPHANY – A DIVINE REVELATION

St Mark recorded in His Holy Gospel that ALTHOUGH OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST OFTEN ASKED THOSE WHOM HE
HAD HEALED OR THOSE WHO HAD WITNESSED A DIVINE
MIRACLE NOT TO TELL ANYONE ELSE, USUALLY, THEY
DISOBEYED HIM and informed everyone of their
amazing experiences.
Now we hear how the ANGEL OF OUR LORD TOLD THE
HOLY MYRRH BEARERS TO SHARE THE GREAT JOY OF
THE VICTORIOUS RESURRECTION OF CHRIST WITH THE
OF GOD, just like St Moses had experienced on Mount
Sinai when he saw the Miraculous Burning Bush and
heard the Voice of God speaking to him.
It was similar, too, to St Peter, St James and St John
witnessing our Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount
Tabor when Christ revealed Himself to them in all
His Divine Glory!
EVERY THEOPHANY COMES WITH A DIVINE COMMANDMENT:

10 3RD SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY MYRRH BEARERS & ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA & ST NIKODEMOS - 18 APRIL 2010

For St Moses it was to “...set My People free!”
For the Holy Apostles of Christ it was: “Do not tell
anyone what you have seen!”
For the Myrrh Bearing Women, it was: “Go and tell...!”
The difference in the case of the Holy Women was that
the Theophany was presented to them in the form of
a Prophecy from an Angel or God: “ ...He is going
before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, as
He said to you.”
The recipients of these three Theophanies responded
differently:
ON MOUNT SINAI, ST MOSES HESITATED AND MADE EXCUSES
that he was a poor communicator and could not
handle the immense responsibility of the Sacred
Task.
AT THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST, not knowing what
to say under such unique and extraordinary
circumstances, ST PETER FOOLISHLY OFFERED TO
ERECT PROTECTIVE BOOTHs for our Lord Jesus, St
Moses and St Elijah.
AT THE EMPTY TOMB OF CHRIST, THE OVERWHELMED HOLY
MYRRH BEARERS FLED IN CONFUSION but later, once
they had recovered from their astonishment, they
obediently did what they had been told to do.
All of us are exactly the same!
WHEN WE EXPERIENCE THE UTTER POWER AND THE GLORY
OF GOD, WE ARE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT
OVERWHELMED BY THE OCCURRENCE AND SELDOM
REACT IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.
We are totally thrown off balance and it may take a while
for the Message or Calling to sink in and for the
Image of God within us to awaken to His Divine
Presence.
We are so used to ignoring God’s little Voice within our
conscience that WHEN OUR LORD DOES ACTUALLY
SPEAK TO US DIRECTLY, WE RUN AWAY OUT OF FEAR
AND CONFUSION like Adam and Eve did after their
Fall from Divine Grace – or FILLED WITH DOUBT IN THE
REALITY OF THE MOMENT WE REJECT IT AS BEING
SOMETHING LESS IMPORTANT RATHER THAN LIFE-
CHANGING – not only for ourselves but for all who
will benefit from God’s Instructions as well!
St John the Divine Apostle, Evangelist and Theologian
told us that WE NEED NOT BE AFRAID FOR CHRIST OUR
LORD AND SAVIOUR CAME TO SAVE HIS CREATION, NOT
TO CONDEMN IT!
Holy Scripture often relates how PEOPLE FELL UPON THEIR
FACES IN TERROR WHENEVER A HOLY MESSENGER – AN
ANGEL OF GOD – APPEARED BEFORE THEM.
Nevertheless, OUR MOST LOVING LORD HIMSELF ALWAYS
CLEARLY TELLS US: “DO NOT FEAR! DO NOT BE
AFRAID!”
When St Peter begged our Risen Lord Jesus to depart
from him because he was a sinful man, our
Compassionate Saviour simply reached out His Hand
to His Apostle and comforted the shaken Fisherman.
CLEARLY OUR LORD DOES NOT WANT US TO LIVE IN DREAD
OF HIM. WE MUST NOT BE FRIGHTENED OR TERRIFIED
OF GOD FOR AS CHRIST REVEALED THE DIVINE TRUTH
TO US, HE IS TRULY A GOD OF LOVE AND OF GREAT
MERCY! (GOD IS GOODNESS PERSONIFIED AND CANNOT DO ANYTHING
St Peter of Damascus – On Divine Knowledge (Part 2)
To speak simply, we become gods by Divine Adoption by
the Grace of God (THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM).
WE RECEIVE THE DIVINE PLEDGE OF ETERNAL BLESSINGS. (ST
GREGORY OF NAZIANZOS: ORATIONS)
In this manner, with regard to the eight evil thoughts, WE
BECOME DISPASSIONATE, JUST, GOOD AND WISE,
HAVING GOD WITHIN US – as our Lord Jesus Christ
told us, THROUGH THE KEEPING OF THE DIVINE
COMMANDMENTS in order, from the first to the last.
(JOHN 14: 21 -23)
Knowledge comes to us like light from the sun.
FOOLISH PEOPLE, through lack of faith or laziness
deliberately close their eyes – their faculty of choice –
and at once CONSIGN THE KNOWLEDGE TO OBLIVION
3 RD
SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY MYRRH BEARERS &
DESTRUCTIVE, CRUEL OR HOMICIDAL – THESE ARE ALL THE INVENTIONS OF THE EVIL
ONE!)
GOD IS CERTAINLY NOT TERRIFYING, VENGEFUL OR
MALICIOUS AS SATAN WOULD HAVE US BELIEVE!
The cold,blooded vindictive perception of Almighty God
was a man,made idea for how else were the Prophets
to get the wicked people to obey His Commandments
unless they used frightening threats of destruction
and retribution?
In ancient times, a powerful king always annihilated his
enemies and executed or imprisoned disobedient
servants so the people understood that such an All
Mighty, All Powerful God had to be extremely scary
to say the least!
WHEN GOD BECAME MAN AND DWELT AMONGST US HE
REVEALED HIS ABSOLUTE TRUTH: GOD IS THE MOST
BENEVOLENT, KIND AND LOVING GOD WHO CAN DO NO
HARM OR WICKEDNESS FOR THAT IS CONTRARY TO HIS
DIVINE NATURE!
St Dionysios the Areopagite shed light on just how really
powerful God’s Divine Mercy is: “Is it not true that
Christ draws near with Love to those who turn
away from Him? That He struggles with them,
begs them not to scorn His Love, and if they show
only aversion and remain deaf to His Appeals, He
becomes Himself their Advocate!”
Even sinners need not be afraid of our Loving God!
The True Message of the Holy Gospel of Christ – of the
Life, Death and Resurrection of our Saviour, is that
GOD IS LOVE!
God is THE DIVINE HEALER OF ALL WOUNDS.
God is THE COMPASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR ALL SINNERS.
God is THE CORRECTOR OF THE UNJUST.
God is THE TRUE LOVER OF ALL MANKIND, the One Who
stands at the door of our heart and knocks, and
knocks, and knocks...
If we turn away from Him, HE DRAWS EVEN CLOSER TO US.
If we reject Him, HE WARMLY EMBRACES US.
If our hearts become hardened, HE SEARCHES
CONSTANTLY for the inevitable crack through which
to enter.
HE COURTS US LIKE A LOVER.
HE CARES FOR US LIKE A MOTHER.
HE CALLS TO US LIKE A FATHER AND HE ACCOMPANIES US
LIKE A BROTHER!
The unyielding Love of honourable parents and faithful
spouses is nothing in comparison to the Love of God!
Our Lord God Who asks us to be Patient, is Himself THE
FOUNTAIN OF PATIENCE.
Although we are for now trapped in time, OUR LORD’S
CALL ECHOES THROUGHOUT ALL ETERNITY.
We do not yet UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT OF THE DIVINE
VICTORY THAT HAS BEEN WON BY OUR LORD AND
SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS AND IN THE
EMPTY TOMB.
OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE IS A GRADUAL JOURNEY into this
greatest of all Divine Mysteries and the True Message
of His Holy Gospel is : DO NOT BE AFRAID!
Go forth and proclaim to all the world: CHRIST IS
RISEN! HE IS TRULY RISEN!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “ON THE SUNDAY OF THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS” BY FATHER
ANTONY HUGHES: ST MARY ORTHODOX CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org
BECAUSE IN THEIR INDOLENCE THEY FAIL TO PUT IT
INTO PRACTICE.
1. FOLLY leads to
(FOOLISHNESS OR WILFUL STUPIDITY)
2. INDOLENCE and this in turn begets
(LAZINESS)
3. INERTIA (DISINTEREST AND APATHY) and hence,
4. FORGETFULNESS, which breeds
5. SELF-LOVE – the love of our own will and
thoughts – which is equivalent to the love of
pleasure and praise. From self,love comes
6. AVARICE (GREED) – the root of all evils! (1 TIMOTHY 6:10)
❃ SELF-LOVE ENTANGLES US IN WORLDLY CONCERNS AND
IN THIS WAY LEADS US TO COMPLETE UNAWARENESS
OF GOD’S GIFTS AND OF OUR OWN FAULTS.
Consequently, THE EIGHT RULING PASSIONS TAKE UP
RESIDENCE IN OUR SOUL:
ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA & ST NIKODEMOS - 18 APRIL 2010 11
 1. GLUTTONY, which leads to
2. UNCHASTITY, which breeds
3. AVARICE, which gives rise to
4. ANGER when we fail to attain what we want
– that is, when we fail to have our own way.
This produces
5. DEJECTION, and dejection engenders first
6. LISTLESSNESS and then
7. SELF-ESTEEM, which leads to
8. PRIDE.
❃ FROM THESE EIGHT PASSIONS ARISE EVERY EVIL,
PASSION AND SIN!
Those who are consumed by them are led to despair and
utter destruction!
THEY FALL AWAY FROM GOD AND BECOME LIKE THE
DEMONS! (THEY ARE IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH – ALIENATION AND EXILE
FROM GOD.)
Human beings stand at the crossroads between
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SIN.
We have been granted the Divine Gift of Free Will to
choose which path we wish to take, but after that,
THE PATH THAT WE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW, AND THE
GUIDES WHO ARE ASSIGNED TO EACH – WHETHER GOD’S
HOLY ANGELS AND SAINTS, OR DEMONS AND
UNREPENTANT SINNERS – WILL LEAD US TO THE END OF
IT – EVEN IF WE HAVE NO WISH TO GO THERE!
❃ THE GOOD GUIDES – OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS LEAD US
TOWARDS GOD AND HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM,
WHILE THE EVIL GUIDES LEAD US TOWARDS THE
EVIL ONE AND ETERNAL CONDEMNATION.
However, NOTHING AND NO ONE ELSE IS TO BLAME FOR
OUR DESTRUCTION EXCEPT OUR OWN FREE WILL.
❃ GOD IS THE GOD OF SALVATION AND HE HAS BESTOWED
ON US, ALONG WITH BEING AND WELL-BEING, THE
KNOWLEDGE AND STRENGTH THAT WE CANNOT
GAIN WITHOUT THE GRACE OF GOD.
THE EVIL ONE AND HIS DEMONS CANNOT DESTROY US BY
CONVINCING US TO CHOOSE WRONGLY, OR BY
REDUCING US TO IMPOTENCE OR ENFORCED
IGNORANCE, or anything else , THEY CAN ONLY
SUGGEST EVIL TO US! (THEY CAN ONLY TEMPT US INTO WICKEDNESS – WE
MAKE THE CHOICE TO DO SO OR NOT!)
❃ Therefore THOSE WHO ACT RIGHTLY SHOULD ALWAYS
ASCRIBE IT TO THE GRACE OF GOD BECAUSE ALONG
WITH OUR BEING, HE HAS GRANTED US
EVERYTHING!
However, THOSE WHO OPT FOR THE PATH OF EVIL, AND
WHO ACTUALLY COMMIT EVIL DEEDS, HAVE ONLY
THEMSELVES TO BLAME for no one else can force them
to commit sin, since GOD HAS CREATED ALL HUMAN
BEINGS WITH FREE WILL – THE TOTAL FREEDOM TO
MAKE CHOICES FOR OURSELVES.
❃ Hence THE RIGHTEOUS MERIT GOD’S DIVINE PRAISE
WHEN THEY CHOOSE THE PATH OF GOODNESS FOR
THEY HAVE DONE SO, not from any necessity of
human nature, as in the case with animals and
inanimate things that participate passively in
goodness, but AS BEFITS BEINGS WHOM GOD HAS
HONOURED WITH THE GIFT OF INTELLIGENCE.
We ourselves deliberately and wilfully choose to do evil,
being coached and persuaded by its malevolent
inventor!
❃ GOD, WHO IS GOOD BEYOND GOODNESS, NEVER FORCES
US, LEST, BEING FORCED AND STILL DISOBEYING
GOD, WE SHOULD BE EVEN MORE CULPABLE (GUILTY).
❃ NOR DOES GOD TAKE FROM US THE FREEDOM THAT, IN
HIS INFINITE GOODNESS, HE HAS BESTOWED UPON
US.
Let those who want to act rightly ENTREAT GOD IN
PRAYER, AND AT ONCE KNOWLEDGE AND POWER WILL
BE GRANTED to them.
In this way it is evident that THE GRACE BESTOWED BY
GOD IS JUSTLY GRANTED; for it is granted AFTER
PRAYER, although it could have been granted without
Prayer – if God so Wills.
No praise, however, is due to those who accept the air by
means of which we live, knowing that without it life
is impossible; rather they themselves owe much
gratitude to our Creator Who has given us a nose and
the health to breathe and live.
12 3RD SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY MYRRH BEARERS &
❃ Similarly, we also should CONSTANTLY THANK GOD
BECAUSE IN HIS DIVINE GRACE HE HAS CREATED
OUR PRAYER, OUR KNOWLEDGE, OUR STRENGTH,
OUR VIRTUE, ALL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, AND OUR
VERY SELVES.
And not only has He done all this, but HE CEASELESSLY
DOES WHATEVER HE CAN TO OVERCOME OUR
WICKEDNESS AND THAT OF OUR ENEMIES, THE DEMONS.
Satan by himself certainly DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO,
HAVING LOST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND
INEVITABLY HAVING BECOME IGNORANT IN HIS
INGRATITUDE AND PRIDE!
On the contrary, HE SEES WHAT GOD DOES TO SAVE US
AND MALICIOUSLY LEARNS FROM THIS AND CONTRIVES
CEASELESSLY SIMILAR THINGS FOR OUR DESTRUCTION,
BECAUSE HE HATES GOD AND, BEING UNABLE TO FIGHT
HIM DIRECTLY, HE FIGHTS AGAINST US WHO ARE
CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE, THINKING TO AVENGE
HIMSELF ON GOD IN THIS MANNER.
As St John Chrysostom believed, the evil one finds so
many of us obedient to his wicked will.
For instance, he saw how God created Eve as a helpmate
for Adam, and so HE ENLISTED HER (INNOCENT) CO-
OPERATION TO BRING ABOUT DISOBEDIENCE AND
TRANSGRESSION.
Or, again, GOD GAVE ONE COMMANDMENT SO THAT BY
KEEPING IT ADAM MIGHT BE MINDFUL OF THE GREAT
GIFTS HE HAD RECEIVED AND THANK HIS DIVINE
BENEFACTOR FOR THEM; BUT THE DEVIL MADE OF THIS
COMMANDMENT THE STARTING-POINT FOR
DISOBEDIENCE AND DEATH.
Instead of HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD, the evil one promotes
false prophets; instead of TRUE APOSTLES OF CHRIST,
he has false apostles; instead of GOD’S DIVINE LAW, he
encourages lawlessness; instead of VIRTUES, he
offers vice; instead of DIVINE COMMANDMENTS, he
causes transgressions and instead of RIGHTEOUSNESS,
he poisons souls with foul heresies.
When the fetid enemy of God saw Christ descending in
His extreme Goodness to the Holy Martyrs and
revered Fathers, appearing either in Himself or
through His Holy Angels, or in some other ineffable
Form, SATAN BEGAN TO FABRICATE NUMEROUS
DELUSIONS IN ORDER TO DESTROY PEOPLE.
It is on account of this that our Holy Fathers, in their
Discrimination, severely warned us that WE SHOULD
NEVER PAY ANY ATTENTION TO SUCH DIABOLIC
MANIFESTATIONS, WHETHER THEY COME THROUGH
IMAGES, OR LIGHT, OR FIRE, OR SOME OTHER DECEPTIVE
FORM, BECAUSE THE DEVIL CAN DECEIVE US EVEN IN
SLEEP OR THROUGH OUR SENSES.
IF WE ACCEPT SUCH PERILOUS DELUSIONS, HE MAKES OUR
INTELLECT, IN ITS UTTER IGNORANCE AND SELF-
CONCEIT, DEPICT VARIOUS SHAPES OR COLOURS SO
THAT WE THINK THAT IT IS A MANIFESTATION OF GOD
OR HIS HOLY ANGEL. (THE EVIL ONE ALWAYS BAITS HIS DEADLY HOOKS
WITH A MINISCULE DROP OF TRUTH – JUST ENOUGH TO CATCH US – BUT ONCE WE
ARE HOOKED, WE WILL BE ENSLAVED!)
Often in our sleep, or to our senses when we are awake,
HE SHOWS US DEMONS THAT ARE APPARENTLY
DEFEATED. (THEY TRY TO LULL US INTO A FALSE SENSE OF PEACE, AND HAVING
DROPPED OUR SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS, THEY WILL THEN ATTACK US EVEN MORE
VICIOUSLY THAN EVER BEFORE!)
THE DEMONS DO ALL THEY CAN TO DESTROY US BY MAKING
US SUCCUMB TO THESE TREACHEROUS DELUSIONS.
❃ In spite of all this THEY FAIL WHEN WE APPLY THE
ADVICE OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS who
taught us that DURING PRAYER WE MUST KEEP OUR
INTELLECT FREE FROM FORM, SHAPE AND COLOUR –
DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CONCENTRATE ON
THE WORDS AND MEANING OF OUR PRAYERS, since
“he who prays only with his mouth, prays to the
wind and not to God!”
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: PHILOKALIA VOLUME 3: ST PETER OF DAMASKOS: “A TREASURY
OF DIVINE KNOWLEDGE”
ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA & ST NIKODEMOS - 18 APRIL 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE
AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER
VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST
OUR GOD. AMEN.

23 April 2010
The Feast of St George the Great Martyr
Also the Feast of St Glycerios the Holy Martyr
APOLYTIKION OF ST JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA

O evshimon Iosif, apo tou xilou kathelon, to ahranton Sou The noble Joseph taking down Thy spotless Body from the
Soma, sindoni kathara, ilisas ke aromasin, en mnimati Tree, wrapped it in a clean shroud with sweet spices
keno, kidevsas apetheto; alla trimeros anestis Kyrie, and laid it for burial in a new grave; but on the third
parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos! day Thou arose, O Lord, granting the world Thy Great
Mercy!
APOLYTIKION OF THE RESURRECTION – TONE 2

Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal, Thou
adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy Divinity.
tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e When also Thou raised up the dead from the
Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste, subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven cried
O Theos imon, Doxa Si! aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!
APOLYTIKION OF THE HOLY MYRRH BEARERS

Tes Myroforis Ginexi, para to mnima epistas, O Angelos
evoa: To Myra tis thnitis iparhi armodia, Hristos de
diafthoras edihthi allotrios; alla kravgasate: Anesti O
Kyrios, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos!
APOLYTIKION OF ST GEORGE THE GREAT & VICTORIOUS MARTYR
The Angel standing by the Grave 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!

Os ton ehmaloton Eleftherotis, ke ton ptohon Iperaspistis, As the Liberator of prisoners, and the Protector of those in
asthenounton Iatros, vaileon Ipermahos, Tropeofore poverty, Physician of the sick, and Defender of ruling
Megalomartis Georgie, Presveve Hristo to Theo, Sothine Kings, O George Triumphant Great Martyr, intercede
tas psihas imon. with Christ our God, so that our souls may be Saved.
KONTAKION – FOR HOLY PASCHA – UNTIL ASCENSION DAY

I ke en tafo katilthes athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou descended in the grave, O Immortal One,
dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi yet Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou arose
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis sis Apostolis as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-bearing
irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin. Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine Apostles Thou
granted Thy Peace: the One Who grants Resurrection to
the fallen ones.
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 12 : 1 – 11
THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS GROWS IN JERUSALEM & THE MIRACULOUS LIBERATION OF ST PETER BY AN ANGEL OF GOD

At that time, Herod the King stretched out his hand to harass some from the Church. Then he killed James, the
brother of John, with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Hebrews, he proceeded further to seize
Peter also.
Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered
him to four squads of soldier to guard him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant Prayer was offered to God for him by the Church. And when Herod
was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the
guards before the door were keeping the prison.
Now behold! And Angel of the Lord stood by him, and a Light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side
and raised him up, saying: “Arise quickly!”
And his chains fell off his hands.
Then the Angel said to him: “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals.” And so he did.
And he said to him: “Put on you garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that
what was done by the Angel was real, but thought he was seeing a Vision.
When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that led to the city, which
opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the Angel
departed from him.
And when Peter had come to himself, he said: “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His Angel, and had
delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the Hebrews.”
Herod Agrippa was the grandson of Herod the Great, who St James was the first of the Twelve Apostles to be
had tried to kill our Lord Jesus when He was a small Martyred and that event revealed that by the year 44,
Child. (MATTHEW 2:16) there was a growing popular displeasure and
Herod Agrippa ruled as King of Palestine under Roman persecution against Christians.
domination in 41 – 44. The dates of his reign The days of Unleavened Bread mark the Passover period,
determine the period in which St James was killed and and thus the Commemoration of the Great Passion
St Peter was imprisoned. and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) THE FEAST OF ST GEORGE THE GREAT MARTYR 23 APRIL 2010
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The power of Intercessory Prayer by the Church on behalf Divine Works are not always clear to us while they are
of its Leaders is evidenced by St Peter’s Miraculous unfolding.
release from such a secure prison. However, in hindsight, His Divine Purpose often becomes
St Peter’s initial confusion and subsequent understanding much clearer to us.
concerning his release from prison show us that God’s
The Holy Gospel According to St John 15 : 17 – 16 : 2
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PREPARES HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES TO FACE THE FALLEN WORLD’S HATRED

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “These things I command you: that you Love one another.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet, because you are not of the world, for I chose you
out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his Master.’ If they persecuted Me, they
will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also.
“But all these things they will do to you for My Name’s sake, because they do not know Him Who sent Me.
“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
“He who hates Me, hates My Father also.
“If I had not done among them the Works that no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen
and also hated both Me and My Father.
“And this happened so that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without a
cause.’
“And when the Helper comes, Whom I shall send to you FROM THE FATHER, the Spirit of Truth Who Proceeds
from the Father, He will testify of Me.
“And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
“These things I have spoken to you so that you should not be made to stumble.
“They will put you out of the Synagogues; yes! The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers
God Service...”
The term “world” is used in several distinct ways in Holy Christ our God told us to LOVE OUR ENEMIES! He has never
Scripture. sanctioned hatred, killing or anything destructive – which
❃ In some cases, it refers to ALL THAT IS GLORIOUS, proves that ALMIGHTY GOD IS A GOD OF LOVE!!
BEAUTIFUL AND REDEEMABLE IN GOD’S ❃ OUR SAVIOUR ALWAYS REVEALS AND TEACHES HIS
WONDERFUL, PERFECT CREATION. (John 3:16) ABSOLUTE TRUTH TO US and in this instance, HE
❃ At other times, it refers THAT WHICH IS FINITE – THIS TRIES TO PREPARE HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES FOR
EARTHLY EXISTENCE – in contrast to that which is THE PHYSICAL PERSECUTION AND SPIRITUAL
WARFARE WE WILL FACE UNTIL THE END OF TIME.
Eternal – Eternity. (John 11:9; 18:36)
❃ In still other instances, as above, it indicates ALL THAT If the world can persecute and execute the most innocent
IS IN REBELLION AGAINST GOD. (REFER ALSO JOHN 8:23) of all, it will certainly do so to others who try to live a
THE REBELLION OF THE WORLD AGAINST GOD REVEALS Righteous and Godly Life.
SEVERAL THINGS: OUR LORD NEVER PROMISED US AN EASY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE
1. WHILE UNION WITH CHRIST BRINGS LOVE, TRUTH AND BECAUSE HE KNOWS HOW DIFFICULT – TO A GREATER OR LESSER
PEACE, IT ALSO BRINGS PERSECUTION, BECAUSE DEGREE - IT WILL BE FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS, THROUGHOUT THE
AGES.
THE FALLEN WORLD HATES LOVE AND TRUTH.
GOD’S INFINITE LOVE FOR MANKIND IS EVIDENT IN THE FACT THAT WE
2. THE WORLD HATED CHRIST SO THEREFORE IT HATES NOW HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BOOST US, TO ENCOURAGE US
ALL WHO TRY TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE. AND TO STRENGTHEN US WITH THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS NEEDED TO
3. THE WORLD HATES CHRIST BECAUSE IT NEITHER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE OUR EARTHLY JOURNEY TOWARDS
KNOWS NOR DESIRES TO KNOW GOD THE FATHER. ETERNITY.
4. HATRED FOR JESUS CHRIST IS IRRATIONAL AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BEING THE TRUE SON OF GOD, KNEW THAT
UNREASONABLE FOR CHRIST BRINGS US LOVE MANY WELL-
WELL-INTENTIONED AND FAITHFUL HEBREWS WOULD
PERSECUTE THE CHRISTIANS IN THE BELIEF THAT THEY WERE
AND DIVINE MERCY – SO CHRIST AND HIS
ELIMINATING THOSE WHO BLASPHEMED AGAINST GOD.
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES ARE HATED WITHOUT A ST PAUL WAS THE GREATEST AND MOST ZEALOUS OF THESE
CAUSE OR REASON. PERSECUTORS OF THE EARLY CHURCH OF CHRIST UNTIL HIS
HATRED IS THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE VICE INVENTED BY SATAN BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS MIRACULOUS CONVERSION BY CHRIST ALONG THE ROAD TO
COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE AND UNJUSTIFIED.
DAMASCUS.
With respect to GOD’S WORKING SALVATION in the world: ST PAUL, THE MOST SPECTACULAR CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY, BECAME
❃ THE SON OF GOD SENDS US THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES, CONVERTING UNTOLD NUMBERS
THE FATHER. OF PAGANS AND HEBREWS TO CHRIST BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
TO THIS DAY, WE LEARN THE WISE SACRED LESSONS OF LIFE IN CHRIST
With respect to THE DIVINE NATURE: THROUGH HIS MANY DIVINELY INSPIRED EPISTLES OR LETTERS TO
❃ THE HOLY SPIRIT ETERNALLY PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE VARIOUS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE KNOWN
THE FATHER ALONE! I WORLD OF HIS TIME.
❃ n other words: THE HOLY SPIRIT RECEIVES HIS ❃ THE HOLY SPIRIT
SPIRIT GRANTS US WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE IN
ETERNAL EXISTENCE ONLY FROM THE FATHER. ADDITION TO THE DIVINE GIFTS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR
OUR PERSONAL STRUGGLE WHILE PREPARING OURSELVES
In conformity with our Lord Jesus’ words, the Nicene- FOR ETERNITY.
Constantinopolitan Creed confesses belief in “...the THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVATES OUR UNKNOWN, UNRECOGNISED ABILITIES
Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, WHO - CAUSING OUR WEAK HUMAN EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THE
PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER.” MOST AMAZING THINGS, FOR WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO,
IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE WITH GOD!
While THE SON OF GOD IS BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER
ALONE, THE HOLY SPIRIT PROCEEDS FROM THE
FATHER ALONE. St Justin – On Being Christian
❃ THE SOURCE – THE FOUNTAINHEAD – OF BOTH We must offer no resistance.
PERSONS IS GOD THE FATHER. Christ never wanted us to imitate the wicked.
The greatest Commandment we have been given by God Rather, He challenged us to lead everyone away from
is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER – UNCONDITIONALLY! shamefulness and pleasure in evil by Patience and
Only through a concerted effort and constant Prayers for Kindness.
God’s Divine Assistance can we learn to truly Love Many have been transformed in this way. They gave up
others. their violent and domineering ways. Either they were
Hatred is the direct opposite to Love. conquered by the sight of their neighbours’ patient
❃ LOVE CAN ACCOMPLISH SO MANY GOOD THINGS life or they were convinced by noticing the
WHILE HATRED SENSELESSLY DESTROYS AND extraordinary kindness and patience of some
MERCILESSLY DEVASTATES!
defrauded travelling companion, or they were
For all these reasons, AS FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS, WE ARE
overcome by encountering and testing this attitude in
FORBIDDEN TO HATE ANYONE.
We may hate what the words, deeds and attitudes of people in whom they had business dealings.
ANYONE WHO IS NOT LIVING IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHRIST’S
wicked people, but WE CANNOT HATE PEOPLE (WHO ARE
IMAGES OF GOD, LIKE US) WHO NEED OUR DEVOUT PRAYERS TEACHINGS SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS A CHRISTIAN EVEN
to save their immortal souls from Eternal IF HE CONFESSES TO CHRIST’S TEACHING WITH HIS LIPS, FOR
Condemnation. OUR LORD SAID THAT ONLY THOSE SHALL BE SAVED WO DO NOT
JUST TALK BUT WHO ALSO DO THE CORRESPONDING WORKS.

(PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) THE FEAST OF ST GEORGE THE GREAT MARTYR 23 APRIL 2010
14
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO
THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET
EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE
TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

4th Sunday of Holy Pascha Tone 3 25 April 2010

Sunday of the Healing of the Paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda
Feast of St Mark the Apostle of Christ & Evangelist
APOLYTIKION OF THE RESURRECTION – TONE 3

Evfrenestho ta Ourania, agaliastho ta epigia, oti epiise
Kratos en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanto
ton thanaton. Prototokos ton nekron egeneto. Ek kilias
Adou errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
APOLYTIKION OF ST MARK THE APOSTLE & EVANGELIST – TONE 3
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 is become the First-
born of the dead; He delivered us from the womb of
Hades and to the world He vouchsafed Great Mercy.

Apostole Agie, ke evangelista Marke, presveve to eleimoni O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Intercede with our
Theo, ina ptesmaton afesin, parashi tes psihes imon. Merciful God to grant remission of sins to our souls.
KONTAKION – FOR HOLY PASCHA – UNTIL ASCENSION DAY

I ke en tafo katilthes athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou descended in the grave, O Immortal One,
dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi yet Thou destroyed the power of Hades; and Thou
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis sis Apostolis arose as Victor, O Christ our God! To the Myrrh-
Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin. bearing Women Thou said: Rejoice! And to Thine
Apostles Thou granted Thy Peace: the One Who grants
Resurrection to the fallen ones.
Resurrection Gospel 5: Luke 24 : 12 – 35 Our Risen Lord On the Road to Emmaus
Sing praises to our God, sing praises to our King! Clap your hands, all ye nations!
The First Epistle of St Peter 5:6 – 14
ST PETER’S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EARLY CHURCH OF CHRIST

St Peter wrote: “... humble yourselves under the Mighty Hand of God so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all
your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
“Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the Faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your Brotherhood in the
world.
But may the God of All Grace Who Called us to His Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect,
establish, strengthen and settle you. To Him be the Glory and the Dominion forever and ever. Amen.
By Silvanos, our faithful Brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the
True Grace of God in which you stand.
She who is in Babylon, elected together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.
Greet one another with a kiss of Love.
Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
Humility is the foundation of Virtue; it is learned through submission As soon as we are tempted into wickedness, we accept the evil ones’
and Obedience to Godly Elders. poisoned bait and reject our Heavenly Heritage, much to their
In submitting to one another, we humble ourselves under the Mighty satanic glee!
Hand of God. The devil threatens us with persecution and social rejection in the
The requirements of harmonious Life in Community include the attempt to cause us to betray our True Faith in God.
honouring of Sacramental Leadership, the pursuit of Good Therefore, it is of vital importance to constantly be alert to their many-
Works, continual Prayer and Thanksgiving in worship and the faceted attacks and be ready to resist temptation at every
proper regard for the Prophetic Gift and Spiritual Discernment. opportunity.
The Greek tern for “over you” has a Liturgical connotation that refers The reference to “Babylon,” concerns ancient Rome, which, like the
to the Leader of the Congregation in the Eucharistic Assembly. more ancient Babylon (of no significance in the days of the early
In a healthy Parish church, the people recognise their Priest as their Church), was a source of confusion and tribulation for the people
Spiritual Father and Leader in Christ and willingly and obediently of God.
follow his admonitions and Spiritual Guidance. St Peter himself was martyred in Rome.
Furthermore, it is our Christian duty to encourage and support our “The Kiss of Love/Peace” was a Liturgical practice in the early
Holy Fathers in their Sacred Duties and Spiritual Endeavours. Church.
Our Bishops and Priest are not only to be prayed for but also to be In St John Chrysostom’s Divine Liturgy, the Kiss of Peace occurred
followed as models of Christian Life. between the Great Entrance and the recitation of the Creed.
The faith of our Christian Leaders is that Faith which they both teach Historically, the entire Church took part in an embrace that signified
and live by. forgiveness, reconciliation and banishment of every
Satan and his demons (the fallen angels) explore each of us remembrance of injury. It recalled the Commandment of Christ
individually, always seeking out our personal weaknesses and Who taught us: “If you bring your gift to the Altar, and there
flaws, so that they can offer the exact temptation to us – to each remember that your Brother has something against you,
of our senses – so that we commit sin and fall into a state of leave your gift there before the Altar, and go your way. First
Spiritual Death. be reconciled to your Brother, and then come and offer your
They arouse us to speak evil words and to commit evil deeds and gift.” (MATTHEW 5:23-24)
they tempt us with devious profits to be earned by such immoral This passage is always read on the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist
means, offering us earthly honours and false values. and Apostle of Christ – 25 April.
St John of Kronstadt – On Mercy and Love/Agape
Love for God begins to manifest itself and to act in us when we begin to Love our neighbours as
ourselves and not to spare ourselves or anything belonging to us for them because they are the
Images of god: “For he who does not Love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot Love God Whom
he has NOT seen!”

(PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) 4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA - SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA 25 APRIL 2010
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 The Holy Gospel According to St John 5: 1 – 15
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HEALS A MAN PARALYSED FOR 38 YEARS

At that time there was a Feast of the Jews, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, a
pool that is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda,” having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame,
paralysed, who waited for the moving of the water. For an Angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred
up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already
had been in that condition a long time, He said to him: “Do you wish 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; but while I am coming, another steps down
before me.”
Jesus said to him: “Rise, take up your bed and walk!” and immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and
walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
The Jews 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 told me: ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they said to him: “Who is the Man Who said
to thee: ‘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.
Afterward Jesus found him in the Temple, and said to him: “Behold: you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worst
thing come upon you!”
The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had made him well.
✽ This Healing exemplifies OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S springs, which WAS UNDERSTOOD BY EVERYONE TO BE AN
DIVINE POWER TO GIVE LIFE ACCORDING TO HIS WILL. ANGELIC ACTION.
✽ THIS HEALING WAS THE THIRD SIGN ACCORDING TO THE ✽ On the other hand, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ANGELIC ACTIVITY
HOLY GOSPEL OF ST JOHN. WAS INDEED THE CAUSE of the stirring of the water
THE 7 SIGNS OF THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN BECAUSE THE ROLE OF SPIRITUAL POWERS IN THE
point to something beyond themselves: WORLD MUST NEVER BE DISCOUNTED.

CHANGING THE WATER INTO WINE ✽ THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS IN LIFE THAT WILL ALWAYS

CURING THE NOBLEMAN’S SON FROM A DISTANCE BE DIVINE MYSTERIES – not understood or explained by

HEALING THE PARALYTIC MAN AT THE POOL OF science.
BETHESDA WHEN OUR LORD ASKED THE PARALYSED MAN A RATHER

FEEDING THE MORE THAN 5000 OBVIOUS QUESTION IT WAS TO STIMULATE THE MAN’S

WALKING ON WATER FAITH IN GOD.

GRANTING SIGHT TO THE MAN BORN BLIND THE MAN EXPLAINED HIS PROBLEM with getting into the water

RAISING ST LAZAROS FROM THE DEAD AFTER 4 DAYS
in time,
Those 7 Divine Miracles of Christ point to THE MYSTERY OF
THE INCARNATE GOD AT WORK IN HIS MIGHTY AND SAVING
✽ AS SOON AS CHRIST COMMANDED HIM TO STAND UP AND
ACTS AND TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD BEING INAUGURATED WALK, HE WAS IMMEDIATELY HEALED – perhaps in
BY CHRIST OUR LORD spite of himself.
St John Chrysostom and other Church Fathers stated that THE ✽ HIS FAITH GREW AS A RESULT OF THE MIRACULOUS
FEAST REFERRED TO IS THE JEWISH FEAST OF PENTECOST HEALING, as soon as he was RELEASED FROM 38
KNOWN ALSO AS THE FEAST OF WEEKS, due to the YEARS OF PARALYSIS.
references to the Law of Moses later in the chapter. ✽ WHEN GOD IS PRESENT, WE DO NOT NEED ANY OTHER
THE FEAST OF PENTECOST CENTRES AROUND THE THEME OF MEANS OF HEALING, BECAUSE OUR CREATOR HEALS
THE GIVING OF THE LAW TO MOSES ON MOUNT SINAI. US PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY FOREVER.
The Bethesda Pool was a double-basined pool that was Although THE LAW OF THE SABBATH as written in Exodus
believed to have had curative powers. It has been 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12 – 15, DOES NOT
excavated by Archaeologists at APPROXIMATELY 100 SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT THE CARRYING OF BURDENS, this
YARDS NORTH OF THE TEMPLE AREA, near “the Sheep activity is mentioned.
Gate.” The water for this high-ground pool came from Jeremiah 17:21: “Thus saith the Lord: For the sake of thy
underground springs. It was USED TO WASH THE lives, TAKE CARE THAT YOU DO NOT BEAR A BURDEN ON
SACRIFICIAL LAMBS before they were slaughtered. THE SABBATH DAY NOR BRING IT IN BY THE GATES OF
The Pool has led some Christians to see in the imagery JERUSALEM.”
Nehemiah 13:19: When it began to be dark at the gates of
A PREFIGURATION OF HOLY BAPTISM: Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the door
should be shut and gave orders that they should not be
THE TYPE: THE FULFILMENT:
opened until after the Sabbath. And I set some of My
THE POOL OF BETHESDA OUR LORD JESUS
servants over the gates, to prevent any burden from
1. A PLACE OF MIRACLES 1. A PERSON OF MIRACLES being brought in on the Sabbath Day.”
2. FOR ONE PERSON AT ONE TIME 2. FOR EVERYONE AT ANY TIME Carrying of burdens was explicitly forbidden by Rabbinical
3. THROUGH ANGELIC MEDIATION 3. WITHOUT ANGELIC MEDIATION Regulation.
4. FOR PHYSICAL & TEMPORAL 4. FOR SPIRITUAL & ETERNAL
ETERNAL “THE JEWS” REFERS not to the Jewish people – the paralysed
WELL-
WELL-BEING WELL-
WELL-BEING THAT BEGINS AT
HOLY BAPTISM
man was Jewish – but TO THE AUTHORITIES WHO
THOUGHT OF THEMSELVES AS GUARDIANS OF THE LAW.
✽ IT WAS COMMON BELIEF THAT ILLNESS AND MISFORTUNE
WERE DIVINE RETRIBUTION FOR SIN.
“In these lay a great multitude of sick people… whoever ✽ OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, HOWEVER, DOES NOT RATIFY
stepped in first ... was made well of whatever disease he [CONFIRM] THIS AS AN ABSOLUTE PRINCIPLE.
had” explains THE PRESENCE OF THE SICK AND THE PARALYTIC’S CURE LED TO CONVERSION AND A
SUFFERING WHO PATIENTLY WAITED around the pool. RIGHTEOUS LIFE AS AN ADOPTED CHILD OF LIGHT – AN
HEIR OF GOD.
This passage is often omitted from modern English translations
because it appears in none of the oldest extant Greek
✽ GRATITUDE TO GOD MUST BE CONSTANTLY EXPRESSED
through faithful worship and general daily living.
manuscripts. Tertullian [circa 200] is the first Latin writer,
✽ WE EXPRESS OUR LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO GOD BY
and St John Chrysostom [circa 400] the first Greek writer, BEING OBEDIENT TO HIM AND BY UNCONDITIONAL
to refer to it. CARING, LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR OUR FELLOW
THE DISTURBANCE OF THE WATER may actually have been SINNERS.
caused by the bubbling up of the intermittent underground
4th Sunday of Pascha - The Sunday of the Paralytic.
Today is the Sunday of the Paralytic, in which we hear Feast," that our Lord Jesus healed this particular
the story of a man who had suffered for thirty,eight Paralytic and it is almost mid,Pentecost now.
years and was finally healed by Christ. The Old Covenant Pentecost was a Feast of 50 days, and
WE HAVE MUCH TO LEARN FROM THIS ACCOUNT. WE ARE IN THAT SAME PERIOD OF TIME, AWAITING OUR
NEW COVENANT PENTECOST.
The reason for this specific Sacred Lesson – or rather,
part of the reason , is because it was at "mid,
16 (PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) 4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA - SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA 25 APRIL 2010
Although the Hebrews celebrated the Feast of Pentecost
they did not celebrate it for the same reason as we
do.
The Old Covenant Feast of Pentecost was drastically
changed into THE NEW COVENANT PENTECOST by THE
DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – OUR DIVINE SPIRITUAL
COMFORTER AND ADVOCATE – WHO ACTIVATES,
CHANGES AND ENABLES ALL THE WONDERFUL
NECESSITIES OF LIFE IN CHRIST SO THAT WE MAY
ACHIEVE THEOSIS – THE REGAINING OF OUR LIKENESS
TO GOD – AND THEREBY OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE IN GOD’S
HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
So it was towards mid,Pentecost that our Lord Jesus
went to the Paralytic who so patiently lay waiting for
a Miracle at the side of the Pool of Bethesda with its
five porches.
From today’s Sacred Lesson we can learn: PATIENCE,
ENDURANCE, LONG-SUFFERING, TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
IN GOD - HOW NOT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR
PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND HOW NOT TO BROOD
OVER THE THINGS THAT ARE LACKING IN OUR LIVES OR
THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS THAT CAUSE US UNHAPPINESS.
We complain constantly and incessantly, and OUR
SELFISH OR EGOCENTRIC GRUMBLES RISE UP LIKE
OBNOXIOUS STENCHES TO GOD ESPECIALLY, AND TO
OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS.
OUR COMPLAINTS REVEAL OUR LACK OF FAITH, OUR LACK
OF OBEDIENCE, OUR LACK OF LOVE — INDEED, OUR
LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF WHO EXACTLY THE GOD-
MAN JESUS CHRIST IS.
Who , of all among us , if anyone , could justifiably
complain?
There has only been One Who could have rightly
complained about anything at all in this life on earth
– and that is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ – the
Son of God Who became Incarnate and Who lived
amongst us for the sake of our Eternal Salvation!
Nevertheless, CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR NEVER COMPLAINED
because of the purity of His Nature – both as Man
and God – and HE UNDERSTOOD EXACTLY WHAT HIS
SACRED TASK AND PURPOSE WAS while on this earth
amongst us sinful human beings.
THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD ACCEPTED HIS HUMAN
CONDITION AND PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES JOYFULLY -
AND IN ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND TO HIS
HUMAN FAMILY , in order to Save us from Eternal
Death – Eternal Alienation or Exile from our most
Loving and Benevolent God.
THROUGH HIS PERFECT VIRTUES, HE SHOWED US THE HOW
TO LIVE EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES – NO MATTER WHAT
OCCURRED.
HE TAUGHT US DIVINE TRUTH THAT RE-ESTABLISHES OUR
RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD, WITH OUR FELLOW
MANKIND AND WITH OURSELVES - AS GOD INTENDED –
and which makes everything possible in life , and
then HE PROVED THE REALITY AND TRUTH OF ALL HIS
TEACHINGS BY BEING OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE THROUGH
ALL HIS ACTIONS AND, FINALLY, MOST GLORIOUSLY, BY
HIS RESURRECTION.
Indeed, we can learn a lot about the Virtues of Patience,
Faith and Tolerance by observing the Paralytic at the
Pool of Bethesda who did not complain about his lot
in life and who patiently waited for a Divine Miracle
for 38 very long, painful and lonely years!
WE CAN ALSO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT WHO CAN CURE
ANY HUMAN AILMENT - AND WHAT IT IS THAT HE
REALLY HEALS!
Whatever terrible physical disability or illness any
human being may suffer, it is almost insignificant
when compared to the infirmity of our soul!
OUR LORD JESUS HEALED THIS PARTICULAR PARALYTIC
NOT ONLY OF HIS PHYSICAL INFIRMITY BUT ESPECIALLY
OF THE INFIRMITY OF HIS SOUL.
This is evident from the serious warning issued to him
by Christ when He sought out the healed man in the
Temple.
The former Paralytic had gone to offer his Thanksgiving
and Glory to God for his restoration to good health,
which was a good sign of his sincerity, gratitude and
Faith.
[PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) 4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
❃ However, OUR LORD JESUS EMPHASISED THE
SERIOUSNESS OF HIS PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
when He reminded him: “Behold: you have been
made well. Sin no more, lest a worst thing come
upon you!”
Now pay careful attention!
In our society we do not like to hear such dire warnings!
For whatever reason, WE ARE USUALLY OFFENDED WHEN
OTHERS WARN US OF OUR PERSONAL WEAKNESSES,
HABITS OR INCLINATIONS.
❃ WE DO NOT LIKE TO ADMIT OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE
CONNECTION BETWEEN SIN AND OUR PARTICULAR
STATE OF AFFAIRS.
In other words, OUR DISTRESSING CIRCUMSTANCES ARE -
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT - THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR
OWN ACTIONS OR THE INCONSIDERATE ACTIONS OF
OTHERS.
❃ WE REFUSE TO ADMIT OR TO RECOGNISE THE REAL
SOURCE OF OUR MISERY IN LIFE SO WE ACCUSE GOD
– our most Benevolent and Loving God – of
causing such anguish and devastation!
(THIS IS A GOOD REASON FOR INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF OUR HEARTS AND
SOULS! WE MUST RECOGNISE AND IMMEDIATELY ERADICATE OUR
HARMFUL HABITS AND DEEDS – AND CONSTANTLY BESEECH GOD’S
DIVINE GUIDANCE AND STRENGTH SO THAT WE MAY RESOLVE AND
CORRECT THE HARM WE CAUSE OTHERS - AND OURSELVES!)
Our All Knowing Lord – and our Holy Church Fathers –
UNDERSTAND THE ROOT CAUSE OF OUR PAINFUL
HUMAN CONDITION – PERSONAL SIN , which in fact,
INSTITUTES SPIRITUAL PARALYSIS IN US OR IN OTHERS.
❃ HUMAN AFFLICTION IS SOMETIMES PERMITTED BY GOD
FOR A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL PURPOSE – resulting in
THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH
GOD AND OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS OR TO
REVEAL THE GREAT MERCY AND GLORY OF OUR
DIVINE CREATOR.
When Christ was asked if a certain man was born
without eyes due to the sins of himself or his
parents, our Lord explained that it was neither.
The man born without eyes and HIS MIRACULOUS
HEALING REVEALED THE LOVE OF GOD FOR ALL HIS
CREATURES. It clearly demonstrated God’s Glorious
Mercy for all mankind!
❃ HUMAN AFFLICTIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS THE RESULT OF
PERSONAL SIN.
❃ Nevertheless, THE WILFUL DISREGARD FOR ONE’S OWN
WELFARE OR THAT OF OTHERS DOES BRING ABOUT
TERRIBLE SUFFERING AND CONSEQUENTLY
UNKNOWN LONG-TERM DEVASTATION AS WELL!
The addiction to tobacco, alcohol, drugs, promiscuity,
recklessness, etc , through OUR OWN STUPIDITY AND
SELF-INDULGENT, WANTON ABUSE - CAUSES NOT ONLY
PERSONAL HARM BUT ALSO FRACTURED RELATIONSHIPS
THAT IN VARIOUS WAYS IMPACTS UPON UNTOLD
NUMBERS OF PEOPLE who are not even part of our
circle of family, friends or acquaintances.
❃ THE RIPPLE-EFFECT OF EACH PERSON’S SINS SPREADS
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD LIKE A DEADLY VIRUS
because people do not know how to deal with
their anger, lust, frustration, selfishness,
impatience and various other immoral conduct.
SIN CAUSES INNUMERABLE PROBLEMS BOTH DIRECTLY AND
INDIRECTLY and because we are so stubborn, WE
REMAIN SPIRITUALLY IGNORANT AND UNABLE TO SEE
GOD IN THE GOOD THINGS, WHICH ARE GRANTED TO US
BY HIM.
And being blind to and ignorant of God’s Blessings, we
cannot benefit from them and EVENTUALLY WE FALL
INTO A STATE OF HOPELESSNESS AND SPIRITUAL
CORRUPTION!
For that reason, GOD, IN HIS DIVINE WISDOM, IN HIS LOVE
AND IN HIS MERCY FOR US, CHASTISES US BY ALLOWING
US TO BE SUBJECTED TO MISERY AND UNHAPPINESS
UNTIL WE REALISE THAT WITHOUT HIS BLESSINGS, LIFE
IS IMPOSSIBLE AND WE ARE SPIRITUALLY BEREFT!
Wise parents use the same principle with their children:
sometimes they deprive a disobedient child of
something good or enjoyable to make him realise the
consequences of his error and to make him want to
return to the correct way of life and its good things.
GOD ALLOWS US TO SUFFER THE RESULTS OF OUR WILFUL
SINS UNTIL WE WAKE UP to the fact that UNLESS WE
25 APRIL 2010 17.
 CORRECT OUR MISTAKES AND MAKE AMENDMENTS FOR
THEM, WE CANNOT WE TRULY ENJOY LIFE.
We must realise and accept the Truth that OUR SINS
CAUSE SUFFERING AND DEPRIVATION!
When we find ourselves in any situation that makes us
or others unhappy — whether it is a physical ailment
or weakness, whether it is a relationship of any kind,
whether it is at home or within the family, or at our
workplace or in our neighbourhood , whatever it is ,
WE MUST LOOK INWARDS AND EXAMINE OUR HEARTS
AND SOULS, AND SEARCH FOR THE CAUSE WITHIN
OURSELVES: "Physician, heal thyself! "
It is also quite possible that CERTAIN DISTRESSFUL
CIRCUMSTANCES COULD BE DUE TO SOMETHING
TOTALLY UNRELATED TO US.
❃ However, we must ALWAYS BEGIN BY SEEKING OUT
AND DESTROYING OUR OWN SINFUL WORDS,
THOUGHTS AND DEEDS that cause harm and
unhappiness.
ONLY THEN CAN WE BEGIN THE HEALING PROCESS , only
then is it possible , WITH CONSTANT PRAYERS OF
SUPPLICATION to Almighty God Who makes even the
impossible possible for us!
We complain incessantly, yet we always complain about
others – WE NEVER, OR VERY SELDOM, ACCEPT ANY
BLAME FOR OURSELVES!
Instead of pointing accusing fingers at everyone and
everything else, WE SHOULD TURN OUR ATTENTION
INWARDS AND CONSTANTLY BESEECH GOD TO HELP US
RESIST ALL TEMPTATION AND TO GRANT US
FORGIVENESS for all the sins that fill us with
wickedness and cause Spiritual Paralysis.
Bishop Nicholaj Velimirovich taught us that "A Christian
should expect to suffer." He expected to suffer, and
he was always pleasantly surprised and rejoiced
when he did not suffer. He expected to suffer
because of his sins, just as ALL OF US WHO ARE
SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF OUR COUNTRY EXPECT TO BE
PUNISHED - TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES - WHEN WE
BREAK THAT LAW.
We cannot complain about having broken the law and,
having been caught doing so, WE SEEK FORGIVENESS
OR A LIGHT SENTENCE from the prosecutors.
If we acknowledge our error and are given a warning and
released, we are so happy and relieved.
❃ YET WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WHO IS ALWAYS SO
MERCIFUL AND COMPASSIONATE, WE TAKE IT ALL
FOR GRANTED AND MOST TIMES WE DO NOT EVEN
ACKNOWLEDGE HIS BENEVOLENT LOVE.
WE SEEM TO THINK WE ARE OWED SO MUCH BY GOD AND BY
OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS! We are enveloped in
ingratitude , the very air is so polluted with the
ingratitude and error of Western ideas that pollute
and poison our souls.
❃ WE HAVE DEVELOPED AN ARROGANT ATTITUDE AND
BELIEF OF BEING OWED EVERYTHING BY EVERYONE
ELSE.
The Truth is: WE ARE NOT OWED ANYTHING AT ALL
AND EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS DUE TO DIVINE
PROVIDENCE!
Only certain, limited inventions of our human ingenuity
and ability that will benefit us in the long run are
allowed by God.
ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT, ONLY THE STATE AND
DEVELOPMENT OF OUR IMMORTAL, INDIVIDUAL
AND UNIQUE SOUL IS RELEVANT – EVERYTHING
ELSE FALLS AWAY.
❃ DURING OUR HOLY BAPTISM, when we are immersed
three times in the Names of the three Persons of
the Holy Trinity, WE ARE MADE WHOLE , we are
Renewed both physically and spiritually – WE ARE
RESTORED TO THE STATE GOD ORIGINALLY
CREATED US!
❃ CHRISTIANITY – LIFE IN CHRIST - MAKES US WHOLE AND
HOLY BAPTISM IS FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS , not just
for one person.
When our Lord asked the Paralytic if he wished to be
made well again, the man simply explained that he
18 (PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) 4TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA -
had no one to help him. HE LOOKED AT CHRIST FOR
HELP EVEN THOUGH HE DID NOT KNOW WHOM HE
REALLY WAS!
❃ WHEN GOD ASKS US IF WE WISH TO BE RESTORED TO
OUR FORMER, WHOLE HUMAN STATE, WE REFUSE,
PREFERRING TO REMAIN WARPED AND SOILED BY
WILFUL, DESTRUCTIVE SIN.
Yet, to some extent WE HAVE ACCEPTED GOD’S OFFER
WHEN WE ACCEPTED HOLY BAPTISM, AND WE CONTINUE
TO BE MADE WHOLE AGAIN THROUGH FASTING,
PRAYERS AND ATTENDING THE HOLY SERVICES OF THE
CHURCH.
❃ WE MUST NEVER LOSE OUR ZEAL FOR SALVATION AND
THE YEARNING FOR THE RESTORATION OF OUR
LIKENESS TO GOD.
So we must respond to God’s question completely and
totally: "Yes, I want to be made whole! I want to be
cleansed of all my sins, and I don't blame Thee, O
Lord, nor do I blame my friends, nor my family, nor
anyone else for my sins and afflictions. They are my
fault alone, and only Thou can heal me. Only Thou
can refresh, renew and restore me."
❃ IF WE REALLY BELIEVED THAT GOD ALONE CAN RENEW
AND RESTORE US, WE WOULD MAKE MUCH GREATER
EFFORT IN A LIFE IN CHRIST.
❃ CHRISTIANITY IS A CONSTANT PROCESS OF BECOMING
WHOLE, BUT IT INVOLVES TWO FREE WILLS — THE
WILL OF GOD WHO IS PERFECTLY FREE, AND OUR
OWN FREE WILL.
We should be free but we have enslaved ourselves to the
passions, lusts and corruptible vices.
GOD CREATED US TO BE FREE – TO ENJOY PERFECT
FREEDOM IN GODLINESS, IN PURITY, IN SPIRITUAL
PERFECTION. THIS IS THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF HUMAN
LIFE.
Stop making excuses for not being able to pray, for not
being able to attend Holy Services, for not
Confessing, for not doing this or that, for this or for
that reason!
We all know THESE POOR EXCUSES ARE INVALID AND
OUTRIGHT LIES!
❃ STRIVE TO BE HONEST and when tempted to make
excuses, fight against it and live in Truth every
day!
GOD HAS GRANTED US HIS DIVINE GRACE AT HOLY PASCHA
– HIS GLOR IOUS RESURRECTION, WHICH IS A DIVINE
PROMISE OF OUR OWN FORTHCOMING RESURRECTION
INTO ETERNITY.
Tragically, we barely accept this Glorious and Wonderful
Promise with overwhelming Joy!
Instead we only accept what suits our selfish egos and
what pleases our physical being.
❃ WE REJECT OR IGNORE THE GREAT MERCY AND JOY OF
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION AND DUE TO OUR
TREMENDOUS INGRATITUDE AND SPIRITUAL
NEGLECT, WE BEGIN OUR FALL FROM DIVINE GRACE!
So I beseech you, my Beloved Brethren: STRUGGLE
AGAINST TEMPTATIONS, AVOID AND REJECT ALL
EXCUSES – ACCEPT THE LIFE IN CHRIST WHICH LEADS TO
ETERNAL LIFE AND DO NOT LET THIS TEMPORAL LIFE
IMPAIR YOU WITH EXCUSES AND CONSEQUENT
SPIRITUAL DEATH!
❃ WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN SALVATION
AND FOR LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IN
COMMUNITY AND IN OBEDIENCE.
THROUGH OUR CONCERTED ACTIONS, EFFORTS AND LOVE
OF GOD, WE WILL BE MADE WHOLE AGAIN.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA: SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC “ BY
REVEREND
REVEREND SERAPHIM HOLLAND – ST NICHOLAS RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF DALLAS,
TEXAS, USA http://www.orthodox.net/
St. John Chrysostom
OUR LORD JESUS DID NOT REQUIRE FAITH OF THIS MAN, AS HE DID IN THE CASE
OF OTHERS BECAUSE THE PARALYTIC DID NOT YET KNOW WHO OUR LORD
WAS; AND IT WAS NOT BEFORE, BUT AFTER THE MIRACLE THAT HE WAS SEEN
TO HAVE FAITH.
THOSE WHO HAD WITNESSED CHRIST’S POWER WOULD REASONABLY HAVE BEEN
ASKED IF THEY HAD FAITH, WHILE THOSE WHO HAD NOT YET LEARNT WHO
CHRIST WAS, BUT WHO REALISED HIS IDENTITY AFTER EXPERIENCING HIS
MIRACLES PROVED THEIR FAITH THROUGH THEIR GLORIFICATION AND
WORSHIP OF GOD.
OBSERVE HOWEVER IN THIS WAY THE FAITH OF THE PARALYTIC: WHEN HE HEARD
OUR LORD SAY: `TAKE UP THY BED AND WALK,' HE DID NOT MOCK, NOR
QUESTION: 'WHAT CAN THIS MEAN? AN ANGEL COMES DOWN AND TROUBLES
THE WATER, AND HEALS ONLY ONE, AND DOES THOU, A MAN, BY A BARE
COMMAND AND WORD HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DO GREATER THINGS THAN
ANGELS?”... BUT HE NEITHER SAID NOR IMAGINED ANYTHING LIKE THAT FOR,
AS SOON AS HE HEARD, HE AROSE, AND BECOMING WHOLE, WAS NOT
DISOBEDIENT TO HIM WHO GAVE THE COMMAND. HOMILY 37 ON THE GOSPEL
OF ST JOHN.
SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA 25 APRIL 2010
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO
THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET
EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO
CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

28 April 2010
Mid Pentecost
(FISH IS PERMISSABLE TODAY)

Feast of the 9 Holy Martyrs of Kyzikos; St Memnon; St Theognis &

his Fellow Holy Martyrs; St Auxibios
APOLYTIKION OF HOLY PASCHA

Hristos Anesti ek nekron, thanato thanton patistas, ke tis Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling
en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos! upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the
tombs!
APOLYTIKION OF MID – PENTECOST – TONE PLAGAL 4:

Mesousis tis Eortis, disosan mou tin psihin, efsevias
potison namata; oti pasi Sotir evoisas: O dispson
erhestho pros me ke pineto. I Pigi tis Zois, Hriste O
Theos imon doxa Si.
KONTAKION OF MID-PENTECOST
Halfway to the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with
flowing streams of piety; for Thee, O Saviour did
cry to all: Those who thirst, come to Me and drink!
O Fountain of Life, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!

Tis Eortis tis nomikis mesazousis, O Ton apanton Piitis ke When
Despotis, pros tous parontas eleges Hriste O Theos.
Defte ke arisasthe, idor athanasias. Othen si
prospiptomen, ke pistos ekvoomen. Tous iktirmous
sou dorise imin. Si gar iparhis pigi tis zois imon.
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 14: 6 - 18
THE CHURCH IN GALATIA
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 to Thee and cry out in Faith: Thy Great
Mercies grant to us; for Thou art indeed, the Fount of
our lives.

At that time, Paul and Barnabas ... fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. An
they were preaching the Gospel there.
And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had
never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had Faith to be
healed, said with a loud voice: “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leapt up and walked.
Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lacaonian language: “The gods
have come down to us in the likeness of men!” And Barnabas they called “Zeus,” and Paul, “Hermes,” because he
was the chief speaker.
Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending
to sacrifice with the multitudes.
But when the Apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes 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 Heaven, the
earth, the sea and all things that are in them, Who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own
ways.
“Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful
seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
And with these sayings, they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
Iconium was the capital city of Lycaonia in Asia Minor, attempt to lead the people to a new idolatry and to
between Antioch and Lystra. tempt St Paul and St Barnabas to pride.
An interesting second century account tells of a man from While St Paul preached Christ to the Jews by using the
Iconium who went to meet St Paul who was described Old Testament, in this instance, he presented the Lord
as being “... A small man in size with meeting to these Gentiles or pagans from the perspective of
eyebrows, a rather large nose, bald head, bow-legged the Creation. In this manner, he used a starting point
but strongly built, full of Grace, who at times seemed most accessible to his audience.
to have the face of an Angel...” (from “The Acts of The people’s immediate change from worshipping these
Thekla”) Holy Apostles of Christ to persecuting them,
The unfitting praise of the people was “a contrivance of the demonstrated a mob mentality and that Faith based
devil” (according to St John Chrysostom). It was an solely on the Miraculous is fickle, weak and easily
shattered!
The Holy Gospel According to St John 7: 14 – 30
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TEACHES AT THE FEAST

At that time, about the middle of the Feast, Jesus went up into the Temple and taught. And the Jews 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 will 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,

(PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) FEAST OF MID-PENTECOST 28 APRIL 2010

19
 and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the Law, yet none of you keeps the Law? Why do
you seek to kill Me?”
The people answered and said: “Thou hast a demon! Who is seeking to kill Thee?”
Jesus answered and said to them: “I did one Work and you all marvel. Moses therefore gave you circumcision
(not that it is from Moses, but from the Fathers,) and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man
receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the Law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me
because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge
with Righteous Judgement.”
Now some of them from Jerusalem said: “Is this not He Whom they seek to kill? But behold! He speaks boldly, and
they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is Truly the Christ? However, we know where this
Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”
Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the Temple, saying: “You both know Me, and you know where I Am from;
and I have not come of Myself, but He Who sent Me is True, Whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I
Am from Him, and He sent Me.”
Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His Hour had not yet come.
This section relates one of our Lord’s visits to Jerusalem St John Chrysostom paraphrased Christ’s Teaching in this
for the Feast of Tabernacles and the entire narration way: “Rid yourselves of wickedness: the anger, the
covers eight days. envy, and the hatred that have arisen in your
At this Festival during the last year of His earthly Life, our hearts, without provocation, against Me. Then you
Lord Jesus taught in the Temple and attracted a great will have no difficulty in realising that My Words
deal of public attention. are actually those of God. As it is, these passions
Some people thought He was insane while other believed darken your understanding and distort sound
Him to be the long awaited Messiah. Still others (such judgement. If you remove these passions, you will
as the Sadducees and the Pharisees) considered Him no longer be afflicted in this manner.”
to be a threat to them. By saying to one another: “We know where this Man is
The Jews who sought to kill Him were the religious leaders from...” the people were mistaken both in an earthly
and not the Hebrew people in general. sense and in a Divine sense.
The Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth) is an eight day Humanly speaking, they thought of our Lord Jesus as
autumn harvest Festival that commemorated the time merely being from Nazareth of Galilee. They were not
when the Nation of Israel wanderd in the wilderness of aware that He had actually been born in Bethlehem,
Sinai, living in tents or tabernacles. the city of King David.
Along with Passover – Pascha – and Pentecost, this was Beyond that, they could not comprehend that Christ our
one of the three most important Festivals of the Saviour had truly come from our Heavenly Father and
ancient Hebrews. that He had been Eternally Begotten before all ages
It included drawing water from the Pool of Siloam to be and consequently His Divine Origin remained unknown
mixed with wine and poured at the foot of the Altar, to them as well!
both as a Purification and in Remembrance of the The reference to “His Hour” means the specific time of His
Water that flowed Mysteriously from the Rock that Passion – His indescribable Suffering, Humiliation and
Moses had struck with his staff. Death: our Lord Jesus Christ – as Almighty Creator
It further included the Lighting of the Great Lamps in the and Son of God – One of the Holy Trinity – is Lord of
outer Court of the great Temple in Jerusalem. time – a Divine Authority possessed by God alone. He
The simple desire to know and follow God’s Divine Will is went to His Passion of His own free Will and according
the Key to understanding it. to His own set time – certainly not according to the
Spiritual Blindness comes from unwillingness to know God plots and schemes of ordinary men! (REFER JOHN 8:20; 10:39)
or to recognise His Divine Authority.
Mid- Pentecost
“At Mid-feast grant my thirsty soul to drink of the Waters of Piety.”
This appeal of the struggling Christian soul is If we understand our Lord’s Promise of rest and
understandable when we experience, not the relief for our soul, WE WILL REALISE HOW OUR
“Waters of Piety,” but rather the waves of impiety CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD QUITE DRASTICALLY
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
that threaten to drown the entire human race! SADLY, THE SPIRITUAL DARKNESS OF SIN AND
The Spiritually Thirsty Christian soul, under the IGNORANCE WILL CONTINUE TO WORSEN AND
pressure of such wickedness, prays for the Lord EVERYONE WILL SUFFER.

to quench our thirst with His Divine Waters of
Piety.
OUR LORD RESPONDS TO ALL BATTLE-WEARY SOULS:
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.” [MATTHEW 11:28].
OUR LORD ALSO COMFORTS US AND ENCOURAGES US AS
WE STRUGGLE ALONG THE DIFFICULT PATHS OF LIFE:
“Take My Yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I
Am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find
rest for your soul. For My Yoke is easy, and My
Burden is light.”. [MATTHEW 11:29]
St John the Divine Apostle and Evangelist taught us
that OUR LORD’S COMMANDMENTS ARE CERTAINLY
“...not grievous.” [1 JOHN 5:3]
OUR SAVIOUR ENCOURAGED US TO IMITATE HIM, for
He is “meek and lowly of heart,” and once we
have gained such Virtues, WE WILL IMMEDIATELY
BENEFIT FROM THE WELL-EARNED REST FOR OUR
TIRED SOULS.
Our present life, with its vanity and defilement, with
all its hardships and complications causes us to
weaken and to suffocate, but our Lord Jesus
assures us that His Yoke and Burden is not at all
like the terrible oppression of the insane world!
Finally, THOSE WHO ARE TRULY FAITHFUL TO GOD AND
HIS HOLY CHURCH WILL BE SUBJECTED TO THE
WORST TRIBULATIONS THAN EVER BEFORE, YET
THEY WILL ALSO ENCOUNTER THE EASE OF GOD’S
YOKE AND THE AMAZING LIGHTNESS OF THEIR
EARTHLY BURDENS!
THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCE A WONDERFUL
FREEDOM FROM EARTHLY CARES FOR THE DIVINE
YOKE OF CHRIST EASES ALL SUFFERING.
We must BE AWARE OF THIS EVANGELIC APPEAL and
TURN TO OUR SAVIOUR WHO CALLS US so that we
may LEARN MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY FROM HIM
FOR ONLY THEN WILL WE DISCERN DIVINE TRUTH
AND LIGHT and be able to avoid lies and
deception of the evil one.
❃ IN TIMES OF PERSECUTION AND SORROW
CHRISTIANS SHOULD REMAIN CALM AND
OPTIMISTIC FOR OUR LORD GOD KNOWS EVERY
ONE OF HIS FAITHFUL FLOCK AND HE PROTECTS
THEM AS HIS BELOVED ADOPTED CHILDREN AND
HEIRS.
OUR SACRED TASK IS TO CONSTANTLY MAINTAIN OUR
DEVOTION TO GOD for if we KEEP HIS DIVINE WORD,
AND FULFIL IT, then HE WILL INDEED AND IN TRUTH
SAVE US FROM ALL AFFLICTION AND TEMPTATION –
AND HE WILL PROTECT US FROM THE SPIRITUAL
WARFARE THAT IS ALREADY BEING MERCILESSLY
WAGED AGAINST US.
Amen.

PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) FEAST OF MID-PENTECOST 28 APRIL 2010

20
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF
AGES. AMEN.
REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN,
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

30 April 2010
The Feast of St James, Holy Apostle of Christ our Lord & Saviour
(Son of Zebedee & Brother of St John the Divine Apostle & Evangelist)
Also the Feast of St Clementine; St Donatos of Euroea;
St Argyre the New Martyr
APOLYTIKION OF HOLY PASCHA

Hristos Anesti ek nekron, thanato thanton patistas, ke tis Christ has Risen from the dead, by Death trampling upon
en tis mnimasi, Zoin harisamenos! Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the tombs!
APOLYTIKION OF ST JAMES – HOLY APOSTLE OF CHRIST OUR LORD – BROTHER OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE APOSTLE

Apostole Agie, Iakove, presveve to eleimoni Theo, ina O Holy Apostle James, intercede with our merciful God
ptesmaton afesin parashi tes psihes imon. that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offences.
APOLYTIKION OF MID – PENTECOST – TONE PLAGAL 4:

Mesousis tis Eortis, disosan mou tin psihin, efsevias Halfway to the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with
potison namata; oti pasi Sotir evoisas: O dispson flowing streams of piety; for Thee, O Saviour did cry
erhestho pros me ke pineto. I Pigi tis Zois, Hriste O to all: Those who thirst, come to Me and drink! O
Theos imon doxa Si.
Fountain of Life, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!
KONTAKION OF MID-PENTECOST

Tis Eortis tis nomikis mesazousis, O Ton apanton Piitis ke When the Paschal Feast was half,completed, O the
Despotis, pros tous parontas eleges Hriste O Theos. Creator of all and their Master, Thou said to those
Defte ke arisasthe, idor athanasias. Othen si present, O Christ our God: Come to Me and draw now,
prospiptomen, ke pistos ekvoomen. Tous iktirmous sou
the water that is immortal. Wherefore, we fall down to
dorise imin. Si gar iparhis pigi tis zois imon.
Thee and cry out in Faith: Thy Great Mercies grant to
us; for Thou art indeed, the Fount of our lives.
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 12 : 1 – 11
THE MARTYRDOM OF ST JAMES AND THE IMPRISONMENT AND ANGELIC RESCUE OF ST PETER

Now, about that time, Herod the King stretched out his hand to harass some from the Church. Then he killed James, the
brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Hebrews, he proceeded further to seize Peter
also.
Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread, so when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to
four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to present him before the people after Passover.
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant Prayer was offered to God for him by the Church, and when Herod was
about to take him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards
before the door were guarding the prison.
Now behold: and Angel of the Lord stood by him, and a Light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and
raised him up, saying: “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
The Angel said to him: “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals,” and so he did. And he said to Peter: “Put on your garment
and follow me.” Then the Angel went out and Peter followed him and did not know that what was done by the Angel
was real, for he thought he was seeing a Vision.
When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened
to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the Angel departed from
Peter.
When Peter had come to himself, he said: “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His Angel, and has delivered me
from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the Hebrew people.”
This passage is read on Feasts commemorating Holy Martyrs. a growing popular displeasure and persecution of the early
Herod Agrippa was the grandson of Herod the Great, who had Christians had begun.
tried to kill our Lord Jesus when He was still an Infant The Days of Unleavened Bread mark the Hebrew Passover
(MATTHEW 2:16) period and thus the commemoration of the Passion and
Herod Agrippa ruled as King in Palestine under Roman Resurrection of Christ our Lord and Saviour.
domination in 41 – 44 and the dates of his reign determine The Power of Intercessory Prayer by the Holy Church of Christ
the period in which St James - the son of Zebedee and on behalf of its Leaders is evidenced by St Peter’s Angelic
Salome (daughter of St Joseph the Betrothed) and the rescue and release from prison.
brother of St John the Divine Apostle and Theologian – St Peter’s initial confusion and subsequent understanding of
was martyred and St Peter was imprisoned. his Miraculous Release from prison clearly demonstrates
St James was the first of the Twelve Apostles of Christ to be that God’s Divine Works are not always clear to us while
martyred and this reveals that by the year of our Lord, 44, they are unfolding, but in hindsight – later – His Divine
Purpose often becomes much more evident to us.
The Wisdom of St Theophan the Recluse – On Prayer
ZEALOUS CHRISTIANS HAVE A CERTAIN TECHNIQUE THAT THEY APPLY TO SECURE THE CONTINUAL REMEMBRANCE OF GOD MORE FIRMLY.
IT IS THE CONSTANT REPETITION OF A SHORT PRAYER, ORDINARILY EITHER, "LORD, HAVE MERCY," OR "LORD JESUS CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON
ME, A SINNER."
IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THIS, THEN LISTEN NOW.
IF YOU HAVE NEVER DONE THIS, BEGIN NOW.

[PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) THE FEAST OF ST JAMES, HOLY APOSTLE (SON OF ZEBEDEE) 30 APRIL 2010 21.
 The Holy Gospel of St Luke 9 : 1 – 6
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SENDS OUT HIS TWELVE APOSTLES

At that time Jesus called His Twelve Disciples together and gave then Power and Authority over all demons, and to cure
diseases. He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them: “Take nothing for
the journey, neither staff nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you
enter, stay there and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off
the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.
The terms “Disciples” and “Apostles” are often used
interchangeably for the Twelve Apostles of Christ.
“Disciple” is a reference to one who learns, while an
Apostle is one who is sent out.
Our Lord Jesus granted His Apostles Power to perform
Miracles in His Holy Name, while Christ performed all His
Miracles through His own direct and Divine Power.
Although the names of the Twelve Apostles are not the same
in all lists because many of them had more than one name
as was the custom in those days. People were often
referred to by their Hebrew, Roman or Pagan names and
sometimes even with the name of their fathers attached as
well.
According to the Gospel of St Matthew the Apostles are
named in pairs, while according to the Gospel of St Mark,
they set off on their First Missionary Journey in pairs.
Only God has Power over Lucifer and his demons and only He
can correct the damage and the harm they cause to
people.
St James the Holy Apostle of Christ
St James was one of the Twelve Apostles of Christ.
He was the son of Zebedee and St Salome (one of the
daughters of St Joseph the Betrothed and his wife,
Salome, sister of St Anna, and therefore a cousin of
the Ever Blessed Theotokos.
His brother was St John the Divine Theologian and
Beloved Apostle of Christ.
Our Lord Jesus called them "Sons of Thunder" because
they became great Preachers of God’s Truth and
because of their profound knowledge of Theology.
Due to the insightful preaching of the Gospel of Christ
by St James to the Hebrews, which Herod Agrippa,
the Tetrarch Ruler and grandson of Herod the Great,
could not endure, the faithful Apostle was arrested
during the days of the Passover and beheaded with
the sword (ACTS 12: 1-2).
The Wisdom of St Peter of Damaskos
Unlike men, GOD IS ATTENTIVE TO THE INTELLECT AND
NOT TO THE WORDS SPOKEN BY US.
We must worship, it is said: “... in spirit and in Truth...”
for “... I had rather speak five words whose
meaning I understand than ten thousand words in
a strange tongue.” (JOHN 4: 24; 1 CORINTHIANS 14 :19)
It is now that THE DEVIL, having failed in all his other
wicked schemes, TEMPTS US WITH THOUGHTS OF
DESPAIR; HE TRIES TO PERSUADE US THAT IN THE PAST
THINGS WERE DIFFERENT and that the men through
whom God performed Miracles for the Strengthening
of Faith, were not like us.
❃ HE ALSO TRIES TO CONVINCE US THAT THERE IS NO
NEED FOR SUCH FAITHFUL EXERTIONS, FOR ARE WE
NOT NOW, ALL OF US, CHRISTIANS, AND ALL
BAPTISED?
“He who believes and is Baptised will be Saved.” (MARK
16;16)
So what more do we need?
❃ However, IF WE SUCCUMB TO THIS DEVIOUS AND
DANGEROUS TEMPTATION, AND REMAIN AS WE ARE,
WE WILL BE COMPLETELY BARREN!
❃ WE WILL BE CHRISTIANS ONLY IN NAME, NOT REALISING
THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BELIEVED AND WHO HAVE
BEEN BAPTISED MUST KEEP ALL CHRIST’S
COMMANDMENTS; and even when we have
succeeded in doing so, we should say: “I am a
useless servant!” just like our Lord Jesus told His
Apostles when HE INSTRUCTED THEM TO CARRY
OUT ALL HE HAS LAID DOWN FOR THEM. (LUKE 17:10)
Christ granted His Divine Authority to His Holy Apostles so that
they could continue His Salvific Work for our Redemption
and Eternal Life – i.e. they had to spread God’s Truth to all
people and to cure the physical and spiritual illnesses
brought about by the evil one and his destructive
influences.
Furthermore, our Lord Jesus instructed His Disciples not to
take anything extra with them on their Missionary Journeys
so that they would learn by personal experience the
Benevolent Providence of God Who often acts through
people with whom we come into contact.
The Disciples were to stay with those who were faithful to God
but to avoid at all costs those who stubbornly remained in
the Spiritual Darkness of sin.
In similar fashion, God remains with His Faithful People but
leaves those who continuously reject His Divine Love,
Mercy and Goodness.
This is an ominous warning to people who refuse to accept or
obey God’s Teachings and Commandments and persist in
their own obstinate self-indulgent behaviour and attitude.
And, just as the other Apostles would also suffer
martyrdom for Christ – with the exception of his
brother, St John – St James “drank the Cup” of which
our Saviour had foretold. (Matthew 20:23).
The following year King Herod Agrippa went down to
Caesarea as recorded by St Luke in the Book of the
Acts of the Apostles:
"Upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat
upon his throne, and made an oration" to the Elders
of Tyre and Sidon, and the flatterers who
surrounded him "...gave a shout, saying, 'It is the
voice of a god, and not of a man!'”
Immediately an Angel of God smote him, because he did
not give the Glory to God and, just like his
grandfather "...he was eaten by worms and gave up
the spirit" (ACTS 12:21-23)
EVERYONE WHO IS BAPTISED RENOUNCES THE EVIL ONE,
saying: “ I renounce Satan and all his works... and I
join myself to Christ and all His Works.”
❃ BUT WHERE IS OUR RENUNCIATION IF WE DO NOT
ABANDON EVERY PASSION AND DESIST FROM EVERY
SINFUL ACT THAT THE DEVIL PROMOTES?
Rather, let us hate such things with all our soul and
SHOW OUR LOVE FOR GOD THROUGH THE KEEPING OF
HIS COMMANDMENTS.
❃ And HOW SHALL WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS UNLESS
WE RELINQUISH OUR OWN WILL AND THOUGHTS –
THE WILL AND THOUGHTS, THAT IS TO SAY, THAT
ARE OPPOSED TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD?
The Wisdom of St Gregory of Nyssa
WHENEVER THE PROPHET LOOKS TO THE TABERNACLE ABOVE, HE
SEES THE HEAVENLY REALITIES THROUGH THESE SYMBOLS.
BUT IF ONE SHOULD LOOK AT THE TABERNACLE BELOW (SINCE IN
MANY PLACES THE CHURCH ALSO IS CALLED CHRIST BY ST
PAUL), IT WOULD BE WELL TO REGARD THE NAMES
"APOSTLES, TEACHERS, AND PROPHETS" AS REFERRING TO
THOSE SERVANTS OF THE DIVINE MYSTERY WHOM SCRIPTURE
ALSO CALLS PILLARS OF THE CHURCH.
FOR IT IS NOT ONLY ST PETER AND ST JOHN AND ST JAMES WHO
ARE PILLARS OF THE CHURCH, NOR WAS ONLY ST JOHN THE
BAPTIST A `BURNING LIGHT,' BUT ALL THOSE WHO
THEMSELVES SUPPORT THE CHURCH AND BECOME LIGHTS
THROUGH THEIR OWN WORKS ARE CALLED `PILLARS' AND
`LIGHTS.'
`YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD' OUR LORD TOLD HIS
APOSTLES. AND ST JOHN THE DIVINE APOSTLE ENCOURAGED
OTHERS TO BE PILLARS, SAYING `BE STEADFAST AND
UNMOVABLE.' AND HE MADE ST TIMOTHY AN EXCELLENT
PILLAR, WHEN HE MADE HIM (AS HE SAYS IN HIS OWN
WORDS) `A PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH.'

22 [PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) THE FEAST OF ST JAMES, HOLY APOSTLE (SON OF ZEBEDEE) 30 APRIL 2010