Sacred Lessons - May 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.
5th Sunday of Holy Pascha Tone 4 2 May 2010

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Feast of St Athanasios the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria – Translation of
Relics;
St Hesperos & St Zoe the Righteous
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 RESURRECTION – TONE 4
To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from the
Mathouse e tou Kyriou mathitrie ke tin Progonikin Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection, and had
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon: cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather, they
Eskilefte O thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no more:
doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos! Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great Mercy!
APOLYTIKION OF MID – PENTECOST – TONE PLAGAL 4:
Mesousis tis Eortis, disosan mou tin psihin, efsevias Halfway to the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with flowing
potison namata; oti pasi Sotir evoisas: O dispson streams of piety; for Thee, O Saviour did cry to all:
erhestho pros me ke pineto. I Pigi tis Zois, Hriste O Those who thirst, come to Me and drink! O Fountain of
Theos imon doxa Si. Life, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!
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.
Prokeimenon: O Lord, how manifold art Thy Works. Thou hast created them all in Wisdom. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
St Paul’s Epistle to the Romans 13: 7 – 16
WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE WHO RULE OVER US – OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS – THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Brethren: remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the Word of God to you, whose Faith you follow,
considering the outcome of their conduct.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by various and strange doctrines. For it is
good that the heart be established by Grace, not with foods that have not profited those who have been occupied with
them.
We have an Altar from which those who serve the Tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose
blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the High Priest for sin, are burnt outside the camp.
Therefore, Jesus also – so that He might Sanctify the people with His own Blood – suffered outside the gate.
Therefore, let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His Reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we
seek the one to come.
Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God – that is: the Fruit of our lips – giving thanks to His
Name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
“Those who rule” over us is a reference to THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD ❃ GOD’S TRUTH IS ETERNALLY PERFECT AND ABSOLUTELY, PROFOUNDLY
OF GOD AND VARIOUS OTHER HOLY CHURCH FATHERS WHO TEACH WISE – WITHOUT CHANGE OR NEED FOR
FOR CHANGE!!
AND GUIDE US IN OUR LIFE IN CHRIST. Consequently, CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH STRIVES CONSTANTLY TO
OUR HOLY SPIRITUAL LEADERS - THE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS OF CHRIST’S MAINTAIN GOD’S TRUTH BY KEEPING HER DOCTRINE/TEACHING PURE
HOLY
HOLY CHURCH - HAVE RECEIVED THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY, AND WITHOUT HUMAN ERROR OR CHANGE.
ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD TO CONDUCT ALL THE HOLY The Faithful of God who lived in ancient times attained His
MYSTERIES/SACRAMENTS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL BENEFIT AND ETERNAL Eternal Kingdom through their personal Faith. We, who
LIFE.
❃ OUR CHRISTIAN LEADERS ARE NOT ONLY TO BE PRAYED FOR, BUT ALSO have so much more proof of God’s Divine Truth, can and
SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGED WHEREVER
WHEREVER AND HOW EVER should be able to attain Eternal Life as well – and with
NECESSARY - BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR MODELS OF CHRISTIAN even more Knowledge than the ancient Faithful
LIFE.
LIFE possessed.
❃ THE FAITH IN CHRIST OF OUR HOLY SPIRITUAL FATHERS IS THAT SAME “Strange doctrines” are foreign teachings – i.e. ERRONEOUS
FAITH THAT THEY TEACH AND WHEREBY THEY LIVE. TEACHINGS
TEACHINGS THAT DO NOT COME FROM CHRIST OR HIS ONE, HOLY
So, as Christ’s Holy Flock, WE MUST OBEDIENTLY AND JOYFULLY CATHOLIC (UNIVERSAL) AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH.
FOLLOW OUR HOLY SHEPHERDS through their Spiritual ❃ In this day and age, we must BE SPIRITUALLY ALERT AND
Teachings and Guidance towards our ultimate destination WATCHFUL for those who try to deceive us with their
- Eternal Life in God’s Heavenly Kingdom of Love. UNGODLY, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HUMAN IDEAS AND BELIEFS
THAT DRAW US AWAY FROM GOD’S DIVINE AND PERFECT TRUTH.
❃ FAITH – ABSOLUTE TRUST IN CHRIST GOD HIMSELF – NEVER
DISAPPOINTS US OR FAILS US! Their LETHAL TEACHINGS ARE EGOCENTRIC, ERRONEOUS AND INSTIGATE
HERESY, APOSTASY AND BLASPHEMY – CAUSING SPIRITUAL DEATH –
❃ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS GOD HIMSELF AND THEREFORE NEVER
ALIENATION FROM GOD.
CHANGES – HE REMAINS ETERNALLY THE SAME AND
CONSEQUENTLY HIS HOLY GOSPEL – HIS HOLY TEACHINGS AND These heretics are usually Spiritually Ignorant and HAVE NO
COMMANDMENTS NEVER CHANGE EITHER! RELATIONSHIP
RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AT ALL.
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 5TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN – 2 MAY 2010 1
They may appear “knowledgeable” and very clever – but the The bodies of the sacrificed animals were not eaten but burnt
greatest con artist of all time and THE EVIL INVENTOR OF SUCH outside the city gate.
DECEPTIONS AND BLATANT LIES GIVES THEM ALL THE CONVINCING Christ identified with this supreme sacrifice of the Old
ARGUMENTS TO USE SO THAT THE INNOCENT AND IGNORANT WILL BE
Covenant when He was crucified and expired outside the
DRAWN AWAY FROM GOD and - unless corrected quickly - will
city gates on Golgotha.
face ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND SPIRITUAL DEATH! Although Christ’s Most Precious Blood was not carried into the
❃ St Paul’s reference to “strange doctrines” in this passage Temple in Jerusalem by a High Priest of the Temple, He
is a particular reference to the teachings of the carried His own Blood of the Greatest Sacrifice ever into
legalistic Jewish teachings of the time – without the the Heavenly Most Holy Place in the Eternal Today.
Spirit of the Divine Law – as Christ taught us. ❃ This Great Entrance of Christ shows that THE DIVINE LITURGY
Kosher Laws, dealing with food, for example, has ABSOLUTELY IS ETERNAL AND FOR ALL FAITHFUL UNDER THE NEW COVENANT
NO SPIRITUAL BENEFIT AT ALL IF DIVINE GRACE IS NOT AT THE HEART WITH ALMIGHTY GOD.
OF OUR ACTIONS.
Likewise, every Christian must be prepared to bear the scorn
This has always been the Teaching of Christ and His Holy of others and see ourselves as being “in exile” in this
Church with regard to Fasting of any kind. earthly, fallen life.
According to the Old Covenant, the Priests were given some The Eternal Heavenly City of Peace – the Heavenly Jerusalem
of the sacrificial meat with which to feed themselves and – which we seek is the one to which we have already
their families but the laity had no right to partake of it. come.
❃ ACCORDING TO OUR NEW COVENANT
COVENANT WITH GOD, ALL FAITHFUL
❃ “Let us continually offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God...”
CHRISTIANS MAY EAT THE FOOD OF THE HOLY ALTAR – i.e. we
means that WE EXPERIENCE THE HEAVENLY CITY AND THE
partake of the Holy Eucharist as often as possible, HEAVENLY MOST HOLY PLACE WHEN WE SACRIFICE
SACRIFICE OUR WHOLE
having repented our sins, confessing and praying for BEING – BODY AND SOUL – IN THE DIVINE LITURGY – a Mystery
God’s Forgiveness and the forgiveness of our fellow in which our part is that of praise consistent with True
sinners. Teaching.
Antidoron is also distributed to all those who attend the Divine ❃ Furthermore, GOOD WORKS AND LIFE IN COMMUNITY MUST BE
Liturgy – the faithful and all visitors may partake of it. UNITED WITH OUR WORSHIPPING TOGETHER.
On the only day of the year when the Holy of Holies could be
entered – the Day of Atonement – only the High Priest
could go in and then only with the Blood of Sin Offerings.
The Holy Gospel According to St John 4: 5 – 42
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AT JACOB’S WELL
At that time, our Lord Jesus came to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to hi
son, Joseph.
Now Jacob’s Well was there. Jesus, therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well.
It was about the sixth hour.
A woman of Samaria went to draw water. Jesus said to her: “Give Me a drink,” for His Disciples had gone away into the
city to buy food.
Then the woman of Samaria said to Him: “How is it that Thou – being a Hebrew – ask a drink from me, a Samaritan
woman?” for Hebrews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her: “If you knew the Gift of
God, and Who it is Who says to you: ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you
Living Water!”
The Woman said to Him: “Lord, Thou hast nothing with which to draw, and the well is deep. Where, then, dost Thou get
that Living Water? Art Thou greater than our Father, Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as
his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered and said to her: “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the Water that I
shall give him, will never thirst. And the Water that I shall give him will become in him a Fountain of Water
springing up into Everlasting Life.”
The Woman said to Him: “Lord, give me this Water so that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
Jesus said to her: “Go, call your husband and come here.” The Woman answered and said: “I have no husband.” Jesus
said to her: “You have well said: ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now
have is not your husband; in that you spoke truthfully.”
The Woman said to Him: “Lord, I perceive that Thou art a Prophet. Our Fathers worshipped on this mountain, and you
Hebrews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
Jesus replied: “Woman: believe Me: the Hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem,
worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for Salvation is of the
Hebrews. But the Hour is coming , and now is, when the True Worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and
Truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth!”
The Woman said to Him: “I know that Messiah is coming....” (Who is called, ‘Christ’). “When He comes, He will tell us all
Things!”
Jesus said to her: “I Who speak to you Am He.”
And at this point His Disciples returned, and they marvelled that He spoke with a woman; yet no one said: “What dost Thou
seek?” or, “Why art Thou speaking with her?”
The Woman then left her water4pot, went her way into the city and said to the men: “Come! Behold a Man Who told me all
things that I ever did. Could This be the Christ?”
Then they went out of the city and went to Him.
In the meantime His Disciples urged Him, saying: “Rabbi, eat!” But He said to them: “I have Food to eat of which you do
not know!” Therefore the Disciples questioned one another: “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” And Jesus
said: “My Food is to do the Will of Him Who sent Me, and to finish His Work. Do you not say: ‘There are still four
months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold: I say to you: lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are
already white for harvest! And He Who reaps receives wages, and gathers Fruit for Eternal Life, so that both He
Who sows and He Who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is True: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I
sent you to reap that for which you have not laboured; others have laboured, and you have entered into their
labours.”
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the Woman who testified: “He told me all
that I ever did!” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two
days. And many more believed because of His own Word. Then they said to the Woman: “Now we believe – not because
of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him, and we know that This is indeed the Christ – the Saviour of the
world.”
2 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 5TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN – 2 MAY 2010
This passage is read on THE 5TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF To the Hebrews this was A DIRECT, EXPLICIT AND UNMISTAKABLE CLAIM
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN. TO PERFECT EQUALITY WITH GOD (the Father) as evidenced by their
Samaria was the region to the North of Jerusalem, between reaction.
Judea and Galilee. ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN PLACED SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE USE OF
Although the Old Testament does not mention “Jacob’s Well,” St THIS DIVINE NAME TO CLEARLY REVEAL OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD.
Jacob the ancient Patriarch had lived in that area. (GENESIS 33:19) ❃ THIS DIVINE CLAIM ILLUMINATES CHRIST’S AUTHORITY EVEN OVER DEATH –
Wells were significant because of their rarity and their value in A DIVINE POWER BE LONGING ONLY TO GOD THE FATHER.
BELONGING
desert life. Therefore, WELLS CAME TO SYMBOLISE LIFE ITSELF.
ITSELF ❃ Furthermore, BECAUSE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS FULLY GOD, HIS USE
(PSALM 35:9-
35:9-10; 45:4; ISAIAH 55:1) OF THIS DIVINE NAME CANNOT BE BLASPHEMY AT ALL AND IT
This particular well is still maintained and preserved as a Holy REVEALS HIS RIGHTFUL UNITY WITH GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
Shrine and Pilgrims of Jewish, Christian and Moslem Faith In Absolute Truth OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS GOD INCARNATE – i.e. God
drink from it.
has emptied Himself of His Divine Majesty and taken on the
Our Lord Jesus was wearied from His journey, which clearly form and nature of His creature – mankind.
showed His complete human Nature. His Apostles “marvelled” or were amazed that NOT ONLY HAD OUR
The Sixth Hour is noontime. LORD SPOKEN TO A DESPISED SAMARITAN, BUT THAT HE HAD CONVERSED
CONVERSED
This Samaritan Woman became known as ST PHOTINI “EQUAL TO THE WITH AN UNACCOMPANIED WOMAN, which was potentially
APOSTLES.”
THE SAMARITANS WERE A MIXED RACE AND TRADITIONAL ENEMIES OF THE
scandalous and morally dangerous.
(IF A MAN WISHED TO SPEAK TO ANY WOMAN, HE HAD TO DO SO THROUGH A MALE RELATIVE
HEBREWS. Although they worshipped the God of Israel and OR AN ELDERLY, MATURE FEMALE CHAPERONE. ANY WOMAN CAUGHT SPEAKING
DIRECTLY TO A MAN WHEN ALONE WAS ACCUSED OF IMMORALITY AND COULD BE
were also awaiting the Messiah, they accepted only the first PUNISHED BY EITHER PUBLIC BEATINGS OR BY BEING STONED TO DEATH!)
Five Books of the Old Testament – the Pentateuch – as their ❃ OUR LORD ALWAYS TREATED WOMEN WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT–
Scriptures. They had built their own temple on Mount something that was most unusual in those days when
Gerizim, which the Hebrews destroyed in 128 BC. women were considered of slightly more value than mere
❃ “LIVING WATER” in the ordinary sense means fresh, flowing possessions – but who were often of less significance
water, from a stream or spring, rather than from a pond or than a man’s livestock and children.
cistern. Christ uses the term to mean THE DIVINE GRACE OF ❃ CHRIST RE-
RE-INSTITUTED THE EQUALITY AND RESPECT OF FEMALES THAT EVE
THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE. HAD ORIGINALLY ENJOYED IN PARADISE.
❃ THIS DIVINE GIFT not only remains in a person, but IS SO ABUNDANT THE SAMARITAN WOMAN BECAME AN EARLY EVAN GELIST, testifying to the
EVANGELIST
IT OVERFLOWS TO OTHERS.
Advent of Christ (THE COMING OF THE LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH) and
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN MISUNDERSTOOD CHRIST and asked Him: “Art
bringing so many others to Him and His Divine Truth.
Thou greater than our Father Jacob?” According to early Tradition, after the Resurrection she was
In Holy Scripture, ST JACOB WAS A TYPE OF CHRIST, for he received the Baptised with the name “Photini” meaning “The Enlightened
Vision of the Divine Ladder, which Christ fulfils. (GENESIS 28: 12) One.” Along with her two sons and five daughters, St Photini
Furthermore, JUST AS ST JACOB GAVE THIS WELL FOR EARTHLY LIFE, NOW went to Carthage to spread the Holy Gospel of Christ. She
CHRIST GRANTS US THE WELL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR OUR ETERNAL LIFE.
Since our Lord Jesus knew that the Samaritan Woman was living was eventually martyred with her entire family under the
with a man without being married to him, and as He knew of merciless persecution of Emperor Nero by being thrown into
her five husbands, SHE PERCEIVED HIM TO BE A HOLY PROPHET OF a well. She is commemorated on 20 March and on the
GOD. Fourth Sunday of Holy Pascha.
As the Samaritans did not accept any other Prophets after St ❃ CHRIST USED CERTAIN OCCASIONS OF HUMAN MISUNDERSTANDING -
Moses, THE ONLY HOLY PROPHET OF GOD WHOM THEY EXPECTED WAS such as those mentioned by St John in his Holy Gospel -
TO ELEVATE AN IDEA OR CONCEPT FROM A SUPERFICIAL OR EARTHLY
THE LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH whom Moses foretold. (DEUTERONOMY 18:
LONG-AWAITED
15 -18) MEANING TO A HEAVENLY
HEAVENLY OR ETERNAL MEANING.
❃ CHRIST’S INSIGHT INTO OUR HEARTS,which is recorded so many ❃ OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR FULFILLED HIS SACRED ROLE AS MESSIAH BY
DOING THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER SO THE ENLIGHTENING OF THE
times in the Holy Gospels, UNDERSCORES HIS DIVINE NATURE. SAMARITANS WAS HIS “FOOD.”
If our Lord Jesus was indeed the expected Messiah, He could BY IGNORING OR DENYING THE CLAMOURING OF THE DEMANDS OF OUR FLESH
settle the historical argument concerning where worship was OR BODIES, WE ARE
ARE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE FULFILMENT AND
to occur but HE REFUSED TO ANSWER SUCH AN EARTHLY QUESTION ACHIEVEMENT OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S DIVINE WILL, which is far more
AND ELEVATED THE DISCUSSION TO THE MANNER IN WHICH PEOPLE Spiritually Nourishing and satisfying than earthly sustenance.
OUGHT TO WORSHIP. According to St John Chrysostom, when our Lord commanded
Even more importantly, HE TURNED THE ATTENTION TO THE ONE WHOM His Disciples to “Behold!” He focussed their attention on the
WE WORSHIP – TO GOD HIMSELF. multitude of Samaritans who approached them, ready and
❃ GOD THE FATHER IS WORSHIPPED IN SPIRIT – THAT IS – IN THE HOLY SPIRIT eager to believe in Christ.
– AND IN TRUTH – THAT IS, CHRIST HIMSELF – AND ACCORDING TO THE SAMARITANS WORE WHITE OR LIGHT COLOURED GARMENTS and when
CHRIST’S REVELATION.
Christ saw them coming towards Him, HE COMPARED THEM TO
❃ GOD IS SPIRIT: GOD CANNOT BE CONFINED TO A PARTICULAR LOCATION. CROPS THAT WERE READY FOR HARVESTING.
RIPE FIELDS OF CROPS
❃ THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST CAN ❃ OUR LORD ALSO COMMANDS US TO “Behold!” – i.e. to SEE THOSE
WORSHIP GOD THE FATHER WITH PURITY OF HEART.
AROUND US WHO ARE WILLING AND EAGER TO HEAR HIS HOLY
Salvation is of the Jews: The Lord affirms that TRUE REVELATION GOSPEL – REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY OR GENDER.
COMES FROM JUDAISM.
St John Chrysostom taught us that THOSE WHO “SOW” AND THOSE
“The commonwealth of Israel was the School of the WHO “REAP” ARE THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD OF THE OLD
Knowledge of God for all the nations.” (ST ATHANASIOS THE GREAT) COVENANT AND THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST OF THE NEW
❃ More importantly, our Lord Jesus testified that THE MESSIAH COVENANT, RESPECTIVELY.
WHO WAS PROPHESIED AMONG THE HEBREWS, HAS RISEN FROM THE HOLY PROPHETS OF THE OLD COVENANT SOWED THE SEEDS OF DIVINE
AMONG THE HEBREWS.
TRUTH in preparation for the Coming of the Messiah, but never
WHILE THE GIFT OF SALVATION IS TO ALL NATIONS, IT HAS COME FROM WITHIN
JUDAISM.
lived to witness it for themselves – they did not reap the
“THE HOUR” REFERS
REFERS TO THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST AND TO THE
rewards of their Spiritual Labours.
OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST UPON HIS FAITHFUL Subsequently, although THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST – OF THE NEW
DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES, which inaugurated the Worship of our COVENANT WITH GOD – did not prepare the people for the
New Covenant with Almighty God. Coming of Christ, they DREW THOUSANDS OF SOULS TO CHRIST’S
CHRIST’S
“I Who speak to you Am He” is literally translated “I AM... (Ego DIVINE TRUTH in their own lifetime. They “harvested” the souls
Imi)... Who speak to you.” that had been prepared by the Holy Prophets of the Old
“I AM” IS THE DIVINE NAME OF OUR TRIUNE GOD AND ITS USE Covenant – for the earliest Christians were Hebrews.
INDICATES A THEOPHANY, OR REVELATION OF GOD HIMSELF. The fact that the despised and rejected Samaritans were among
The use of this Name by a “mere man” was considered a terrible the first to recognise and accept our Lord Jesus as the long-
blasphemy and punishable by death. awaited Messiah or Saviour of mankind, clearly shows that
“I AM”
AM” IS THE DIVINE NAME OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, WHICH WAS FIRST CHRIST’S HOLY GOSPEL IS FOR ALL PEOPLE OF EVERY NATION
REVEALED TO ST MOSES AT THE SITE OF THE BURNING BUSH ON MOUNT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD – WITHOUT EXCEPTION!
SINAI. (EXODUS 3: 13-
13-15) ❃ THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUTH – GOD’S DIVINE AND ABSOLUTE, P
PERFECT
ERFECT
TRUTH!
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

The Feast of Holy Pascha has already reached Mid4Feast WATERS, TO THE WORD OF GOD, Who alone can
and is now approaching its Apodosis or Leave4taking. quicken our body and soul.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, OUR GUIDE TO SALVATION, We must constantly look into the immeasurable,
condescending to the infirmity of our weakened fathomless depths of this Well of Living Water, so
souls, once again CALLS US TO THE SOURCE OF LIVING that WE CAN ALL DRAW ITS WATER OF LIFE ACCORDING
TO OUR PERSONAL STRENGTH AND ABILITY.
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 5TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN – 2 MAY 2010 3
Today we heard the discussion between Christ our THE SAMARITAN WOMAN BELIEVED, AND IMMEDIATELY
BECAME A SOURCE OF LIVING WATER FOR OTHERS.
Saviour and the Samaritan Woman, St Photini, at the
Abandoning all her worldly cares, her water pot and her
ancient well that had been dug out of the desert at
physical need for ordinary water, SHE BECAME A
the time of our Holy Forefather, St Jacob.
VIBRANT WITNESS TO THE MIRACLE that had been
Contemplating the profundity of what occurred at
revealed to her, CAUSING THE OTHERS TO ALSO SEEK
Jacob’s Well, WE ARE ASTOUNDED THAT THIS SOURCE
OF LIFE CONTINUED TO FUNCTION – EVEN UNTIL THIS THE DIVINE SOURCE OF LIVING WATER and having met
VERY DAY! our Living God, they believed: “...for we have heard
How many travellers passing through the desert Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ,
approached Jacob’s Well with parched lips, seeking the Saviour of the world.” (JOHN 4:42).
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN’S UNFLINCHING FAITH IN GOD
relief from their intense thirst? How often had the
INCREASED AND SANCTIFIED HER, especially when she
Samaritans gone to that well in order to sustain
so bravely accepted Holy Martyrdom for her Love of
themselves?
Christ our Saviour Who remains perpetually and
St Jacob the ancient Patriarch, all his family and their
Eternally unchangeable, truthful and dependable!
numerous livestock over the years had quenched ❃ TRAGICALLY, THIS WONDERFUL ETERNAL SOURCE OF
their thirst from it, as did the descendants of his LIFE IS FORGOTTEN, OR IGNORED OR REJECTED BY
descendants. SO MANY.
However, no one could ever satisfy their constant, daily His Divine Revelation: “I Am the Way, the Truth and the
thirst because, as our Lord said: “Whosoever drinks Life...” is unheard, unappreciated and unaccepted by
of this water shall thirst again...” (JOHN 4:13) the Spiritually Dead. (JOHN 14:6).
That first meeting of Christ and the Samaritan Woman Christ clearly explained the significance of this crucial
turned into a Miraculous Encounter with our Living statement to the Hebrews of His time, and HIS TRUTH
REMAINS OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE TO US FOREVER.
God for the sinful woman and, subsequently, for the
❃ THEY REJECTED HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND THEIR LIES
entire world because AT THAT WELL OF TEMPORAL CONDEMNED THEM AND ALIENATED THEM FROM
(ORDINARY,
EARTHLY) WATER, THE HITHERTO UNKNOWN GOD.
SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE WAS FIRST SECURED!
The same rejection of God’s Truth has brought the world
❃ FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME CHRIST REVEALED HIMSELF
AS THE NEW, INEXHAUSTIBLE WELL OF LIVING to the brink of catastrophe!
WATER, FLOWING INTO LIFE ETERNAL. ❃ DECEPTION AND LIES DESTROY GOD’S TRUTH AND GIVE
RISE TO NUMEROUS DANGEROUS SECTS, HERESIES,
THIS DIVINE SOURCE CAN NEVER BE DEPLETED because it
AND DIVISIONS AROUND THE WELL OF LIFE - THE
was not established through human efforts, and HOLY CHURCH OF GOD.
nothing can cloud its crystal clarity or contaminate ❃ THE INCONSISTENCY OF WORDS AND DEEDS AND THE
its Life4Giving Properties. CONSEQUENCE OF THOSE SAME LIES KILLS THE
SPIRIT OF LIFE IN US.
❃ THIS SOURCE ON EARTH IS GOD’S HOLY CHURCH, AND
ITS LIVING WATER IS THE POWER OF GOD’S GRACE, ❃ It is certainly not inadvertently that
A TERRIBLE
WHICH FORGIVES, ENLIGHTENS, AND SANCTIFIES SPIRITUAL DISEASE THREATENS OUR IMMORTAL
EVERY PERSON WHO JOYFULLY COMES TO IT. SOULS for it is CAUSED BY THE DEADLY SPIRIT OF
It was at this Meeting that for the first time, since the LIES AND DECEPTION THAT WE BLINDLY ACCEPT IN
OUR STUBBORN, ARROGANT IGNORANCE AND
beginning of His public Ministry, CHRIST OPENLY
SPIRITUAL NEGLECT, which has fully taken
CONFESSED HIMSELF TO BE THE MESSIAH, the Saviour of
possession of this fallen world. ITS DEADLY
the world – the “I Am” 4 the Christ.
INVENTOR IS SATAN HIMSELF – THE HATER AND
❃ THE GOD MAN CAME INTO OUR WORLD TO SEEK OUT
DESTROYER OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND BLESSED!
AND SAVE THE PERISHING. He planted the first
❃ TRUE WORSHIPPERS WORSHIP IN TRUTH. We may be
Seed of the Evangelic Word among people who bad and possibly even more wicked than the
belonged in Its Faith 4 not to the Jews – although Samaritan Woman, but WE MUST NOT BE LIARS OR
they also awaited the Coming the Messiah – nor THIEVES!
to the pagans. God Saves everyone, but WHEN WE BECOME ENMESHED IN
He did not reveal His True Identity to the spiteful, OUR LIES, WE NOT ONLY DECEIVE OURSELVES AND
OTHERS BUT WE CONSEQUENTLY REJECT GOD AND EXILE
cynical and suspicious Hebrews, but to a woman OURSELVES FROM HIM THROUGH OUR WORDS,
who, although she did not know the Truth, was THOUGHTS AND DEEDS!
neither malicious nor distrustful. ❃ GOD IN HIS INFINITE LOVE FOR US SAVES ALL
THE SAMARITANS DID NOT KNOW THE TRUE GOD, BUT REPENTANT SINNERS, BUT HE CANNOT SAVE
UNREPENTANT LIARS, DECEIVERS AND HYPOCRITES!
THEIR FAITH WAS VIBRANT, albeit clumsy and
Exhausted by Spiritual Thirst, sickened and poisoned by
unconscious.
THE QUESTION OF WHERE AND HOW TO WORSHIP GOD WAS toxic atheistic teachings, modern Samaritans and
CONTINUOUSLY CONTEMPLATED AND SERIOUSLY pagans desperately need the True Water of Life in
CONSIDERED AND DISCUSSED, EVEN BY THE SIMPLE
order to revive their dying spirits and to strengthen
SAMARITAN WOMAN.
their weakened bodies.
Although the Hebrews and the Samaritans never ❃ WE ALL NEED GOD’S TRUTH AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTH
interacted, OUR SAVIOUR NEVER DISCRIMINATED TO ROOT OUT AND DESTROY ALL OBVIOUS AND
AGAINST ANYONE – for Him “...there is neither HIDDEN LIES AND DECEPTIONS WITHIN OURSELVES,
Hellene nor Jew, neither slave nor free...” FOR ONLY THEN CAN OUR LORD GOD WHO IS
❃ FOR OUR LORD GOD THERE ARE ONLY THOSE TO WHOM TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND LIFE HEAL AND
RELIEVE OUR BITTER PAIN, STRENGTHEN OUR
HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IS ADDRESSED. His RESOLVE TO REPENT AND TEACH US TO WORSHIP
Divine Love is so obvious that age4old tribal HIM IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!
hatred was subjugated to It! (BROUGHT UNDER ITS CONTROL.) THE THIRST FOR TRUTH IS THE FIRST REQUIREMENT, for the
Not in Jerusalem, where the Hebrews worshipped, nor on incomprehensibility of the Holiness of God and His
Mount Gerizim, where the Samaritans gathered to Great Mercy smites us and THE LIGHT OF HIS TRUTH
pray, nor in Athens, where an altar to “the Unknown EXPOSES CLEARLY THE EXACT STATE OF OUR
SINFULNESS, AND OUR INTENSE GRIEF DRAWS US TO
God” stood, but WHEREVER THERE IS A VIBRANT THE SOURCE OF LIVING WATER, AND GOD’S GRACE
HUMAN HEART TORMENTED BY SPIRITUAL THIRST - A RESTORES AND FREES US!
THIRSTING FOR TRUTH, A CEASELESS YEARNING FOR ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN BY REVEREND FATHER
GOD - WILL WE MEET GOD AND WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT JOHN (KRESTIANKIN) – ORA ET LABORA – www.ishmaelite.blogspot.com
AND TRUTH.
No earthly spring can satisfy our parched spirit except
CHRIST’S LIVING WATER – HIS TRUE TEACHING AND OUR
FAITH IN HIM AS THE REDEEMER OF THIS WORLD.
4 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 5TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN – 2 MAY 2010
AGES. AMEN.
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD.
AMEN.
Apodosis of Mid Pentecost 5 May 2010
Feast of St Irene the Great Martyr

Also the Feast of St Euthymios the Wonderworker of Maditos;
St Neophytos, St Gaius & St Caianos Holy Monk Martyrs
A POL YT IKION O F HOL Y P A SCHA
A POL YT IKION O F THE RE SURRE CTION – TO NE 4
A POL YT IKION O F MID – PE NT E COST – TONE PL AG AL 4:
Mesousis tis Eortis, disosan mou tin psihin, efsevias Halfway to the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with flowing
potison namata; oti pasi Sotir evoisas: O dispson streams of piety; for Thee, O Saviour did cry to all:
erhestho pros me ke pineto. I Pigi tis Zois, Hriste O Those who thirst, come to Me and drink! O Fountain of
Theos imon doxa Si. Life, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!
A POL YT IKION O F ST IRE NE THE GRE AT M ART YR - TONE 4 :
Irinis ton arhonta, ihnilatousa semni, Irinis Eponimos, di The steps of the Prince of Peace, following O Noble One,
epipnias Theou, edihthis paneffime; si gar tou the namesake of Peace, by the prompting of God, thou
polemiou, tas enedras figousa, ithlisas iper fisin, os became O Most Blessed One; for having escaped the
parthenos fronimi; dio Megalomartis Irini, irinin imin snares of the devil, supremely thou contended, as a
etise. most prudent virgin; wherefore, O Great Martyr Irene,
ask for Peace for all of us!
KO NT AKION – FOR HOL Y P A SCH A – UNT IL A SCE N SION DA Y
Prokeimenon: O Lord, how manifold art Thy Works. Thou hast created them all in Wisdom. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 13 : 13 – 24
THE CHURCH IN PISIDIA
When Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they arrived at Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned
to Jerusalem. But when they left Perga, they went to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath
Day and sat down.
And after the Reading of the Law and the Prophets, the Rulers of the Synagogue sent to them, saying: “Men and Brethren,
if you have any words of exhortation for the people, speak.”
Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel, and you who Fear God, listen: The God of Israel
chose our Fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted Arm,
He took them out of it.
“Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. And when He had destroyed seven nations
in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
“After that God gave them Judges for about four hundred years, until Samuel the Prophet. And afterwards they asked for a
King; so God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the Tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when He had
removed him, God raised up for them David as King, to whom also He gave Testimony and said: “I have found David,
the son of Jesse, a man after My own Heart, who will do all My Will.”
“From this man’s seed, according to the Promise, God raised up for Israel a Saviour – Jesus – after John had first preached,
before His Coming, the Baptism and Repentance to all the people of Israel...”
“John” (whose surname was “Mark”) was St Mark the “Antioch in Pisidia” was in Galatia, and should not be confused
Evangelist, who later composed the Holy Gospel of St with Antioch of Syria, from which St Paul and St Barnabas
Mark. He became a co-worker with St Paul and St had just been sent.
Barnabas and later, with St Peter. He parted company Those who “Fear God” referred to Gentiles who followed
from St Paul and St Barnabas due to various precepts (Teachings) of the Hebrew or Old Covenant
disagreements at the time. However, St Mark eventually Faith but who had not yet become full converts.
reconciled with St Paul and continued his Missionary Work St Paul preached Christ based on His Fulfilment of Old
for Christ. Testament Events and Prophecies because the Old
Testament was the foundation for proclaiming the Gospel
of Jesus Christ.
SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) APODOSIS OF MID PENTECOST THE FEAST OF ST IRENE THE GREAT & HOLY MARTYR 5 MAY 2010 5.
Such is the Power of the Old Covenant that if anyone 1. CHRIST IS THE PROMISE AND THEREFORE THE FULFILMENT OF THE
HEBREW FAITH
“... would apply himself to the study of the Prophets, he 2. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE SEED OF KING DAVID AND THUS
would need no Miracles!” (ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM) FULFILLED HIS OFFICE AS THE TRUE KING OF ISRAEL
The core of St Paul’s message was: 3. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE WHOM ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
PREACHED
The Holy Gospel According to St John 6 : 5 – 14

THE FEEDING OF THE 5000 FAMILIES
At that time, our Lord Jesus lifted up His Eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming towards Him, He said to Philip: “Where
shall we buy bread, so that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
Philip answered Him: “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them so that every one of them may have a
little.” One of His Disciples, Andrew – Simon Peter’s brother – said to Him: “There is a boy here who has five barley
loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” So Jesus said: “Make the people sit down.”
Now there was much grass in the place, so the men sat down 4 in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves
and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to the Disciples, and the Disciples to those sitting down; and
likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.
So when they were filled, Jesus said to His Disciples: “Gather up the fragments that remain so that nothing is lost.”
Therefore, they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which were left
over by those who had eaten.
Then those men, when they had seen the Sign that Jesus did, said: “This is truly the Prophet Who has come into the world!”
❃ Few people realise THE ENORMITY OF THIS GREAT MIRACLE of said nothing at that time about the coming of a Prophet like
our Lord and Saviour: ONLY THE MEN WHO WERE PRESENT himself. Rather, his immediate response to the people
WERE COUNTED - NOT ALL THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN who was: “Be of good courage, for God has come to test you
had accompanied them as well! So THE TOTAL NUMBER so that His Fear may be among you, so that you may
OF PEOPLE WAS TRULY VAST to say the least!! not sin.” (EXODUS 20:20)
❃ Furthermore, THE LITTLE BOY’S FOOD PARCEL that had been Thus it was first necessary for the Hebrews to be tested so as
provided for him by a loving mother, no doubt, to learn to Fear the Lord and not to commit sins ( I.E. TO LEARN
CONSISTED OF FIVE SMALL BREAD ROLLS AND TWO LITTLE TO RESPECT AND TO LOVE GOD SO THAT THEY WILLINGLY OBEYED HIS
SARDINES!! COMMANDMENTS AND RESISTED COMMITTING SINS) - because they were
OUR LORD JESUS TESTED ST PHILIP IN ORDER TO INCREASE HIS FAITH
too dull of hearing (I.E. TOO STUBBORN, ARROGANT, WILFUL AND SPIRITUALLY
because He knew that St Philip – and probably the other DEAD TO HEAR ABOUT AND ACCEPT THE TRUTH) of another Prophet to
Apostles - needed assistance in understanding Christ and come.
His Teachings properly. However, they failed the Test and perished in the desert
❃ Christ tried to teach His Disciples to DEPEND ON GOD’S because they would not obey the Holy Prophet of God, St
PROVIDENCE; to TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING NECESSARY IN
Moses.
THIS LIFE.
HE ALWAYS INSTRUCTED HIS DISCIPLES TO TAKE NOTHING EXTRA WITH
Forty years later, when the new generation was ready to hear
THEM WHENEVER THEY SET OFF ON THEIR MISSIONARY JOURNEYS it, St Moses told them of the Great Prophet Who was to
but inevitably they doubted or feared being deprived of come, which God had revealed to him on Mount Sinai.
something essential to their well-being so they would The Great Prophet to come (I.E. OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST)
disobey Him and hide certain items they thought were would be like St Moses and, JUST AS ALL ST MOSES’ SHORT-
necessary. TERM PROPHECIES HAD ACTUALLY OCCURRED, HIS LONG-TERM
PROPHECIES WERE TO BE BELIEVED AS WELL.
“Two hundred denarii” was equivalent to six months’ wages for ❃ THIS WAS THE MARK OF A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD and the same
a labourer in those days. would be true of the Great Prophet Who would tell us
ST ANDREW, THE FIRST CALLED APOSTLE OF CHRIST, HAD FAR GREATER
FAITH IN GOD THAN ST PHILIP and remembering that the Holy
all that God the Father Commanded Him, which
Prophet of God, St Elisha, had multiplied bread for 100 indicated that He really is the Word of God made
men, he offered the small food parcel of a certain young Flesh, for NO OTHER PROPHET, INCLUDING ST MOSES, WOULD
EVER SPEAK IN SUCH A MANNER.
boy to our Lord Jesus.
2 KINGS 4: 42 – 44: “Then a man came from Baal-Shalisha and brought
❃ All previous Holy Prophets of God were mere human
to the Man of God the first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley bread and beings, whereas THE GREAT PROPHET TO COME WOULD BE
GOD INCARNATE (IN THE FLESH).
fruit cake. And he said: “Give it to the people and let them eat.”
But his servant said: “Why shall I set this before one hundred Thus, St Isaiah prophesied that the people would be “... taught
men?” Elisha said: “Give it to the people and let them eat, for: by God...” (I.E. THEY WOULD BE TAUGHT DIRECTLY BY GOD INCARNATE.) (ISAIAH
‘Thus says the Lord: “They shall eat and will leave some 54:13; JOHN 6:45)
❃ THE PROPHET TO COME WOULD SPEAK IN GOD THE FATHER’S NAME,
behind.”’ So they ate and had some left over, according to the FOR NO OTHER HOLY PROPHET OF GOD COULD EVER SPEAK IN
Word of the Lord.” SUCH A MANNER BECAUSE NO OTHER PROPHET COULD REFER
THAT LITTLE BOY IS KNOWN TO US AS ST IGNATIOS OF ANTIOCH, WHO, FROM EARLY TO GOD THE FATHER AS “MY FATHER.”
CHILDHOOD, WAS A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES.
ACCORDING TO HOLY TRADITION HE IS THE SMALL CHILD WHOM CHRIST HELD IN HIS ARMS
Everyone else must address God the Father as “Our Father...”
WHEN HE SAID: “LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME!” – such as in our Lord’s Prayer that He taught us – for THE
HE OFTEN ACCOMPANIED OUR LORD AND HIS DISCIPLES, LEARNING FROM ALL OF THEM, WORD AND SON OF GOD IS GOD THE FATHER’S ONLY BEGOTTEN
UNTIL HE WAS MATURE ENOUGH TO BE ORDAINED A BISHOP BY ST PETER. YEARS SON. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS GOD OF GOD AND ONE IN
LATER HE SUFFERED MARTYRDOM.
ESSENCE WITH GOD THE FATHER.
HIS NAME IS MENTIONED IN EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE ROMANS. MP
❃ Therefore THE FATHER SAYS HE WOULD JUDGE ANYONE WHO
Nevertheless, even St Andrew wondered if a mere five little REFUSED TO LISTEN TO HIS GREAT PROPHET: “I will require
bread rolls could indeed feed such a vast number of it...”
hungry people. St Peter interpreted the words “will require” as meaning
Although our Lord Jesus had performed greater Miracles than “utterly destroy.”
this, all these people who so intensely yearned for an St John Chrysostom also interpreted ‘utterly destroy’ as
earthly Messiah or Deliverer, declared Christ to be the long meaning THE PUTTING AWAY OF THE LAW OF MOSES: “Do you
expected Prophet – but only when they were filled with see how the Law itself showed how it is done away in
earthly things! Christ? For this Prophet – i.e. Christ according to the
DEUTERONOMY 15-19: “The Lord your God will raise up for you
DEUTERONOMY 18: 15-
Flesh – Whom Moses commanded them to hear, made
a Prophet like me from your Brethren. Him you shall hear, to cease both Sabbath and Circumcision and all other
according to all you asked from the Lord your God in things.”
Horeb in the Day of the Assembly, saying: ‘Let us not hear When our Lord Jesus Christ multiplied the five little loaves/rolls
again the Voice of the Lord our God, nor let us see this and the two little fish to feed the 5000 families, the people
Great Fire any more, lest we die.’ declared afterwards: “This is truly the Prophet Who is to
“Then the Lord said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good. come into the world.” Yet a few minutes LATER THE SAME
I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among PEOPLE “... COMPLAINED ABOUT HIM...” BECAUSE OF WHAT HE
their Brethren, and I will put My Word in His Mouth, TAUGHT, AND EVENTUALLY THEY ALSO REJECTED AND DESERTED
and He shall speak to them all I Command Him. HIM. (JOHN 6:41; 6:66)
Therefore, whatever man will not listen to whatever the Because of such misunderstanding by the multitude, our Lord
Prophet speaks in My Name, I will require it of him...’” Jesus departed from them before they could forcibly make
At the Giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai the Him their (earthly) King.
people said to St Moses: “Let us not hear...” but St Moses
6 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) APODOSIS OF MID PENTECOST THE FEAST OF ST IRENE THE GREAT & HOLY MARTYR 5 MAY 2010
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.
Apodosis of the Samaritan Woman 8 May 2010
Feast of St John the Divine Theologian & Apostle of Christ our Saviour
Also the Feast of St Arsenios the Great; St Theodora; St Emelia – Mother of St Basil the Great;
A POL YT IKI A O F ST JOHN THE DI VI NE THEOLOGII AN & APO ST LE O F CHRI ST
Apostole Hristo to Theo igapimene, epitahinon, rise laon O Apostle, speaker of Divinity, the Beloved of Christ God,
anapologiton. Dehete se prospiptonta, O epipesonta to hasten and deliver thy people powerless in argument;
stithi katadexamenos. On iketeve, Theologe, ke for He on Whose Bosom thou leant accepts thee as an
epimonon nefos ethnon diaskedase, etoumenos imin Intercessor. Beseech Him, asking for our Safety and
irinin, ke to Mega Eleos. His Great Mercy.
St John the Divine Theologian & Apostle of Christ’s First Universal Epistle 1 : 1 – 7
THE INCARNATION
INCARNATION OF THE WORD & SON OF GOD
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have looked
upon, and with our hands have touched, concerning the Word of Life – the Life was manifested, and we have seen, and
bear witness, and declare to you that Eternal Life that was with the Father and which was manifested to us – that which
we have seen and heard, we declare to you, so that you also may have Fellowship with us; and truly, our Fellowship is
with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
And these things we write to you so that your Joy may be full.
This is the Message that we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have Fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practise the Truth.
But if we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have Fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanses us from all sin.
Contrary to heretics who claim communion directly with God IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE to St John the Divine THAT THE HOLY
through “spiritual” (non-material) means, ST JOHN THE DIVINE CHURCH OF CHRIST COULD NOT BE ONE AND UNITED OR THAT
THEOLOGIAN AND BELOVED APOSTLE OF CHRIST TAUGHT US FELLOWSHIP COULD NOT BE FOUNDED UPON HOLY DOCTRINE – THE
COMMUNION WITH GOD THROUGH HIS INCARNATE SON – THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATION OF “... WITH THE FATHER AND WITH HIS
SON, JESUS CHRIST...” AND ON THE HOLY MYSTERIES/SACRAMENTS
ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST – the Body – THE LITURGICAL IMPLICATION OF KOINONIA.
and Blood of Christ – where the physicality of Christ is For St John the Divine Theologian, LIGHT IS DIVINE ENERGY
repulsive to the heretics. MANIFESTED OR REVEALED AS TRUTH – GOD’S TRUTH – TRUE
The term “we” is a reference to THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST DOCTRINE/TEACHING, VIRTUE AND HOLINESS – TRUE BEHAVIOUR –
AND COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS HOLY CHURCH – TRUE
WHOSE TESTIMONY IS TRUE – unlike that of the false apostles. SPIRITUALITY.
WHILE ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN MADE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN ❃ THE STRONGEST OF ALL WEAPONS AGAINST SPIRITUAL DARKNESS
DIVINE REVELATION (“...which was from the beginning... the IS OUR LOVE FOR GOD – A STRONG, VIBRANT RELATIONSHIP
Word of Life...” and human sensory perception (“... WITH GOD.
heard... seen... looked upon... touched...”), HE HAD NO St John addressed three false gnostic teachings on Light.
PROBLEM CONNECTING THEM. Their intertwined errors are that :
NOTE ST JOHN’S CLARITY OF TEACHING WITH REGARD TO CHRIST’S TWO 1. Union with God is indifferent to sin!
NATURES: Divine “... from the beginning... the Word of The Truth is that FAITH MUST BE EVIDENCED BY GOOD WORKS –
Life...” and human: “... heard... seen... touched.” FAITH MUST PRODUCE PURITY - “practise the Truth” – where
When St John mentioned “... which was from the beginning...” TRUTH IS A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD MANIFESTED IN A HOLY
he touched upon THE GENERATION WITHOUT BEGINNING OF GOD AND RIGHTEOUS LIFE IN CHRIST. AND FAITH MUST SEEK
THE SON WHO IS CO-EXISTENT WITH GOD THE FATHER. FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING OF SIN – “... the Blood of Jesus
“Was” therefore, indicates ETERNITY WITHOUT BEGINNING, JUST AS Christ... cleanses us from all sin.”
GOD THE WORD HIMSELF, THE SON OF GOD, BEING ONE WITH GOD 2. Sin does not exist!
THE FATHER IN REGARD TO EQUALITY OF SUBSTANCE, IS ETERNAL The Truth is that SIN DOES MOST CERTAINLY EXIST, AND THE
AND UNCREATED. PRACTISE OF REPENTANCE-CONFESSION IS THE ESTABLISHED
That THE WORD AND SON OF GOD ALWAYS EXISTED is signified by BASIS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS
the words: “In the beginning was the Word...” 3. One in union with God cannot sin!
❃ THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS REVEALED IN HIS The Truth is that ALTHOUGH WE CONTINUALLY SIN TO A GREATER OR
LIFE ON EARTH – ESPECIALLY THROUGH HIS DIVINE TEACHING LESSER DEGREE, WE SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESIST
AND MIRACLES. TEMPTATION AND STRIVE CONSTANTLY TO REPENT THE SINS WE
“Koinonia” is FAR MORE THAT SIMPLY FELLOWSHIP. It is our COMMIT. SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS, in
PERSONAL PARTICIPATION WITH OTHER BELIEVERS IN THE LIFE OF part towards Theosis – i.e REGAINING OUR LIKENESS TO GOD IN
CHRIST. (WE
WE LIVE IN CHRIST.)
CHRIST WHOSE IMAGE AND LIKENESS WE WERE CREATED – meaning that
“Fellowship with us,” refers to COMMUNION – ESPECIALLY we DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH THAT RESISTS TEMPTATIONS.
EUCHARISTIC COMMUNION – WITHIN THE HOLY, APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE IS TO REGAIN - TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY - OUR
OF CHRIST. LIKENESS TO GOD SO THAT WE ARE FITTING CITIZENS FOR HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM OF
LOVE.
(SP ONSOR ED BY DIMITRI P AIZI S) APODOSIS - THE SAMARITAN WOMAN –ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN & APOSTLE OF CHRIST - 8 MAY 2010 7.
The Holy Gospel of St John 19: 25-28; 21: 24-25
THE CARE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS & CONFIRMATION OF THE TRUTH OF ST JOHN’S HOLY GOSPEL
At that time there stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary
Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw His Mother, and the Disciple whom He Loved standing by, He said to His Mother: “Woman:
behold thy son!” Then He said to the Disciple: “Behold, thy Mother!” And from that hour that Disciple took her to his
own home...
This is the Disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is True.
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world
itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Amen.
In this passage, which is read on the Feast of St John the She is obliquely referred to in the Holy Gospels as being the
Divine Theologian and Apostle of Christ, several important mother of Joses, or James, or Jude, etc.
Truths concerning the Ever Blessed Theotokos – the Ever The children of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife,
Virgin Mother of God, Mary – are evident: Salome, were St James the Just (Adelphotheos), Jude,
❃ By calling the Ever Blessed Theotokos “Woman,” our Lord Joses, St Salome, (mother of St John the Divine
used a term of dignity and affection. Contrary to Theologian and Apostle and St James (the Lesser) and
certain modern usages, this is a Sacred Title in Holy Holy Myrrh-bearer) and another daughter whose name is
Scripture. It is an address conveying deep respect unknown.
and distinction. So, until her repose in peace, several years later, the Ever
❃ By saying to St John, His Beloved Apostle: “Behold thy Blessed Theotokos lived with her cousin, Salome, and her
Mother!” our Lord symbolically established the All Pure family.
Virgin Mary’s Role as MOTHER OF ALL FAITHFUL DISCIPLES The Apostolic Teaching that the Ever Blessed Virgin
OF CHRIST IN EVERY GENERATION. Theotokos maintained her Vow of Celibacy throughout her
❃ IF OUR EVER BLESSED LADY HAD HAD OTHER NATURAL CHILDREN, life is confirmed by Christ’s action.
CHRIST WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PLACE HER IN THE CARE OF
❃ CHRIST DEMONSTRATED BY HIS OWN EXAMPLE THAT WE MUST
ST JOHN AND HIS FAMILY.
“...EVEN TO OUR LAST BREATHE...” SHOW EVERY CARE FOR
He would not have insulted other siblings. OUR PARENTS.
However, the children who are mentioned in conjunction with In those days, and even in certain cultures to this day, when a
the Blessed Virgin are in fact her cousins – the children of woman was no longer protected by a male relative, all her
her late aunt Salome (sister of St Anna) and her legal possessions were taken from her and she would be cast
guardian, St Joseph the Betrothed. out, homeless, destitute and at the mercy of everyone
When the Temple Priests placed the young, pubescent Mary else.
into the guardianship of St Joseph the Betrothed, he was Christ’s Compassion for these women was clearly evident
in his late eighties and was a most Righteous man whom when He resurrected the Widow of Nain’s son.
the Priests knew could be trusted to protect the chastity of St John the Divine Theologian and Apostle of Christ had also
the young maiden and her fellow virgin companions. taken a Vow of Celibacy and remained celibate his entire
She had taken a Vow of Chastity from early childhood and life, having devoted himself entirely to the Holy Service of
because Vows were so Sacred and could not be broken, God.
God chose her elderly uncle to protect her and take care of He was the only Holy Apostle of Christ to eventually repose
her since her own family had long since passed away. peacefully – over 100 years of age, while the others had all
suffered Holy Martyrdom.
The Feast of St John the Divine Theologian & Apostle of Christ our Saviour
TODAY’S FEAST OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN AND ARREST OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR and, together
APOSTLE COMMEMORATES THE MIRACLE THAT
OCCURRED EACH YEAR IN EPHESOS WHEN A CERTAIN with the Blessed Virgin Theotokos and a few of the
DUST OR POWDER, CALLED “MANNA” (MEANING IN HEBREW: most pious women Disciples of Christ, KEPT VIGIL AT
“WHAT IS IT?”) SUDDENLY POURED FORTH FROM HIS TOMB FOOT OF HIS CROSS AT GOLGOTHA.
AND WAS USED BY THE FAITHFUL FOR PHYSICAL AND Then, accepting the last Commandment of our Lord
SPIRITUAL HEALING.
Jesus, HE ENSURED THAT THE ALL PURE AND HOLY
St John was a Disciple of St John the Baptist and later THEOTOKOS WAS ALWAYS PROTECTED AND TENDERLY
became ONE OF THE CHOSEN TWELVE APOSTLES OF CARED FOR BY HIS LOVING FAMILY.
CHRIST. AFTER THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS,
ST JOHN AND ST PETER RAN TO THE TOMB TO WITNESS
Together with St Peter and St James, his brother, HE THE ABANDONED GRAVE CLOTHES WITH THE INNER
WITNESSED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST RAISING FROM THE FACE CLOTH NEATLY FOLDED TO ONE SIDE.
DEAD THE BELOVED YOUNG DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS, THE
SYNAGOGUE LEADER, THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE NEATLY FOLDED FACE CLOTH SIGNIFIED THAT OUR LORD WOULD NEVER AGAIN NEED
THEM, AND LEAVING BEHIND A MYSTERIOUS IMAGE IN THE NEGATIVE OF CHRIST’S
CHRIST ON MOUNT TABOR AND THE AGONY OF OUR BEAUTIFUL, PRECIOUS FACE, WHICH HAS BEEN COPIED INNUMERABLE TIMES
LORD JESUS AT GETHSEMANE. THROUGHOUT THE AGES.
THAT SPECIFIC HOLY ICON – THE FIRST EVER – IS KNOWN AS “NOT MADE BY HANDS.” IT IS
Together with St Peter, ST JOHN WAS SENT TO JERUSALEM ALSO KNOWN AS THE HOLY NAPKIN, SOUDARION OR MANDYLION.
TO PREPARE FOR THE FINAL PASCHAL MEAL – THE LAST
SUPPER IN THE UPPER ROOM. St John the Divine Theologian and Apostle of Christ was
St John the Divine often referred to himself in his Holy THE FIRST OF THE APOSTLES TO BELIEVE THAT OUR
Gospel as “THE OTHER DISCIPLE,” and was often LORD HAD TRULY RISEN FROM THE DEAD.
known as “THE DISCIPLE WHOM CHRIST LOVED,” or After the Ascension of Christ and the Descent of the
“THE BELOVED APOSTLE.” Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, ST JOHN AND ST
HE WAS A COUSIN OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS PETER, FOUNDED AND GUIDED THE EARLY CHURCH OF
THROUGH THEIR MOTHERS. CHRIST IN JERUSALEM.
HE WAS WITH ST PETER AT THE HEALING OF THE LAME MAN
HIS MOTHER WAS ST SALOME (ONE OF THE HOLY MYRRH-BEARERS), THE DAUGHTER OF AT THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM AND TOGETHER THEY
SALOME (SISTER OF ST ANNA, THE MOTHER OF OUR LADY THEOTOKOS) AND ST
JOSEPH THE BETROTHED, WHO BECAME THE LEGAL GUARDIAN AND PROTECTOR OF WERE ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED. (ACTS 3:1; 4:3)
THE BLESSED VIRGIN AND CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR. LATER, THEY VISITED THE NEWLY CONVERTED
CHRISTIANS IN SAMARIA (ACTS 8:14)
As the most devoted Apostle of Christ, ST JOHN WENT
WITH ST PETER TO THE PRAETORIUM AFTER THE
The Commandment of Love

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him, for all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but those who do the will of god abide forever! ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN & APOSTLE OF CHRIST:
1 JOHN 15
8 ( SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAI ZIS) APODOSIS - THE SAMARITAN WOMAN –ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN & APOSTLE OF CHRIST - 8 MAY 2010
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.
6th Sunday of Holy Pascha Tone (5) Plagal 1 9 May 2010

Sunday of the Blindman (born without eyes)
Feast of St Isaiah, Holy Prophet of God; St Christopher of Lycea, Holy Martyr; St Nicholas, Monk Martyr of
Vuneni, Larissa, Thessaly; St Epimachos, New Martyr of Alexandria
A POL YT IKION O F THE RE SURRE CTION – TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no
Parthenou tehthenta is sotirian imon, animnisomen, beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
pisti, ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en Virgin, let us Faithful believers hymn and adore. For it
to Stavro ke thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the Flesh,
en ti evdoxo Anastasi Aftou. and to Suffer death, and through His own Glorious
Resurrection to raise the dead.
KO NT AKION – FOR HOL Y P A SCH A – UNT IL A SCE N SION DA Y
Prokeimenon: O Lord, protect us and preserve us both now and forever. Save us, O Lord, for there is not one Godly man left!
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 16: 16 – 34
EXORCISM OF A SPIRIT, ST PAUL & ST SILAS IMPRISONED & THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER
As we went to Prayer, a certain slave girl, possessed with a spirit of divination, met us, who brought her masters much
profit by fortune4telling. She followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: “These men are the servants of the Most High
God, who proclaim to us the Way of Salvation!” And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit: “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!”
And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and
Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
And they presented them to the Magistrates and said: “These men, being Hebrews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they
teach customs that are unlawful for us, being Romans, to receive or to observe.”
Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be
beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer
to keep them securely.
Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight
Paul and Silas were praying and singing Hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors
were opened and everyone’s chains were loosened. And the keeper of the prison, waking from sleep and seeing the
prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had escaped, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called
out with a loud voice, saying: “Do not harm yourself for we are all here!”
Then the jailer called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he took them out and said:
“Sirs, what must I do to be Saved?” So they said: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be Saved, you and your
household.”
Then they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the
night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were Baptised.
Now when he had taken them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his
household.
Exorcisms in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ are part of our TORMENTED AND USED TO DRAW OTHERS AWAY FROM
Apostolic Ministry. GOD THROUGH THE DECEPTION OF “FORTUNE-TELLING.”
Notably, EVERY BAPTISM SERVICE IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH Furthermore, IMPURE PRAISE FROM GOD’S ENEMIES IS
BEGINS WITH THREE EXORCISMS THAT EXPEL SATAN AND UNACCEPTABLE.
PREVENT HIM AND HIS DEMONS FROM HAVING ANY WISDOM OF SIRACH 15:9 LXX: “PRAISE IS NOT PROPER IN THE
FURTHER INFLUENCE OVER THE NEW CHRISTIAN who is an MOUTH OF A SINNER, BECAUSE IT IS NOT SENT FROM THE
adopted Heir to the Eternal Kingdom of God and who, LORD, for PRAISE SHOULD BE SPOKEN IN WISDOM; then
while on earth, is a Spiritual Soldier ceaselessly fighting the Lord will prosper it.”
against the evil one in order to progress towards our ❃ St Paul’s accusers cared little for religion – especially the
Ultimate Destination: Eternal Life in the Age to come – Hebrew or Christian Faith – but THEY USED RELIGIOUS
PREJUDICE AGAINST THE HEBREWS TO RETALIATE
Eternity. FOR THEIR FINANCIAL LOSS AND VARIOUS OTHER
Although the demon declared the Truth through this slave girl, GRIEVANCES THEY HELD AGAINST THEM.
SHE NEEDED TO BE FREE TO ACCEPT CHRIST ON HER
OWN, and ST PAUL COULD NOT BEAR SEEING HER BEING
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 6TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN (BORN WITHOUT EYES) 9 MAY 2010 9.
❃ Nevertheless, BEING PERSECUTED UNJUSTLY FOR CHRIST Such amazing behaviour convinced the jailer that
LED ST PAUL AND ST SILAS TO SPIRITUAL JOY RATHER CHRISTIANITY WAS INDEED A VERY SPECIAL AND UNIQUE
THAN TO SORROW. (Luke 6:22-
6:22-23) FAITH so he wanted to know “What must I do to be
❃ THEY USED EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SPREAD BY EXAMPLE Saved?” which also implied that HE HAD BEEN LISTENING
AND TEACHING TO ALL WITH WHOM THEY CAME INTO INTENTLY TO EVERYTHING HIS PRISONERS HAD SPOKEN
CONTACT, THE WONDERFUL HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST OF REGARDING THE WAY OF SALVATION, as well as to the
AND GOD’S TRUTH.
words of their Prayers and Hymns.
Consequently, THROUGH HEARING THEIR PRAYERS AND ❃ THE MIRACULOUS EARTHQUAKE AND ST PAUL’S CONCERN
HYMNS THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER AND OTHER PRISONERS
FOR THE JAILER’S LIFE AND FAMILY STRENGTHENED
WERE PREPARED FOR CONVERSION.
HIS FAITH AND LED TO HIS AND HIS FAMILY’S
ANY JAILER WHO HAD THE HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY OF CONVERSION, INCLUDING EVERYONE ELSE OF HIS
GUARDING THOSE IMPRISONED BY THE ROMAN RULERS, HOUSEHOLD.
WOULD BE SUBJECTED TO CRUEL TORTURE AND THE CHANGE IN THE HARDENED JAILER WAS MOST EVIDENT
EXECUTION IF THEY SHOWED ANY MERCY TOWARDS THE
PRISONERS - AND ESPECIALLY IF THE PRISONERS
when he not only cleaned their wounds, but also took
MANAGED TO ESCAPE. them into his home and fed them.
When the jailer realised that the earthquake had loosened the ❃ WHEN WE TRULY OPEN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS TO GOD,
HE FILLS THEM WITH OVERWHELMING, LIFE-GIVING
shackles and opened the gates of the jail, HE NATURALLY
AND LIFE-CHANGING LOVE THAT COMPELS US TO DO
EXPECTED HIS PRISONERS TO HAVE ESCAPED, SO,
ACTS OF COMPASSION, MERCY AND LOVE.
RATHER THAN FACE THE DIRE CONSEQUENCES, HE
PREFERRED TO COMMIT SUICIDE. ❃ WHEN GOD DWELLS WITHIN US – BEING FITTING TEMPLES
FOR GOD – WE REGAIN A LITTLE MORE OF OUR
St Paul knew what he intended to do and IN ORDER TO LIKENESS TO GOD, WHICH WE HAVE LOST.
PREVENT THE JAILER FACING AN EVEN WORSE
JUDGEMENT LATER FOR HAVING TAKEN HIS OWN LIFE
In order to maintain and to nurture our Likeness to God, WE
(WHICH BELONGS TO GOD ALONE!) HE CALLED OUT TO MUST CONTINUOUSLY BATTLE AGAINST OUR PERSONAL
HIM AND STOPPED HIM FROM DOING SO. WEAKNESSES AND THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE
THAT CLOSE OUR HEARTS TO GOD AND CAUSE US
The fact that ALL THE CHRISTIAN PRISONERS HAD REMAINED SPIRITUAL DEATH – A STATE OF ESTRANGEMENT FROM
IN THE JAIL AND NOT ESCAPED, ESPECIALLY ST PAUL AND
THE PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
ST SILAS, SHOWED THEIR HONESTY AND CONCERN FOR
THE JAILER’S WELFARE AS WELL AS THAT OF HIS FAMILY
❃ ONCE WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE GREAT JOY OF BEING
IN THE DIVINE PRESENCE THROUGH OUR LOVE FOR
WHO WOULD HAVE ALSO SUFFERED CRUELLY AT THE
GOD AND OTHERS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK THAT
HANDS OF THE ROMANS.
WONDERFUL DIVINE GIFT FOR THE REST OF OUR
LIVES! THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT AT ALL!!

A MAN BORN WITHOUT EYES IS GRANTED SIGHT BY OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
At that time, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. So His Disciples asked Him: “Rabi, who sinned,
this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the Works of God should be revealed in him. I must work
the Works of Him Who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I Am in the world, I
Am the Light of the world.”
When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the
blind man with the clay. Then He said to him: “Go; wash in the Pool of Siloam,” (which is translated “Sent.”)
So the Blind Man went and washed and returned, seeing!
Therefore, the neighbours and those who previously had seen that he was blind said: “Is not this he who sat and begged?”
Some said: “This is he.” Others said: “He is like him.” He said: “I am he!”
Then they said to him: “How were your eyes opened?” He answered: “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and said to me: ‘Go to the Pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” Then they asked him:
“Where is He?” And he replied: “I do not know.”
They took him who was formerly blind to the Pharisees.
Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had
received his sight and he said to them: “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”
Therefore some of the Pharisees said: “This Man is not from God because He does not keep the Sabbath!” Others said: “How
can a man who is a sinner do such Signs?” and there was a division among them.
Again, they said to the Blind Man: “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He answered: “He is a
Prophet.” But the Hebrews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they
called the parents of him who had received his sight, and they asked them: “Is this your son who you say was born
blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered them: “We know that this is our son and that he was born
blind; but by what means he now sees, we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.”
His parents said these things for they feared the Hebrews, for the Hebrews had agreed already that is anyone confessed
that He was Christ, he would be put out of the Synagogue.
Therefore, his parents said: “He is of age; ask him.”
So they again called the man who was formerly blind, and they said to him: “Give God the Glory! We know that this Man is a
sinner!” He replied: “Whether He is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind, and now I
see!” Then they said again to him: “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered: “I have told
you already but you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His Disciples?”
Then they reviled him and said: “You are His Disciple, but we are Moses’ Disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; but as
for that Man, we do not know where He is from.”
The man answered and said to them: “Why, this is a marvellous thing: that you do not know where He is from; yet He has
opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does His Will,
He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If
this Man were not from God, He could do nothing”
They answered and said to him: “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him: “Do you believe in the Son of God?”
He answered and said: “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him: “You have both seen Him
and it is He Who is talking with you.” Then he said: “Lord, I believe!” And he worshipped Him.
And Jesus said: “For Judgement I have come into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who
see may be made blind.”
This Divine Miracle of the creation of eyes for the man who Miracle recorded in the Holy Gospel according to St John
had been born without eyes is the sixth Sign or Divine the Divine Theologian, Evangelist and Apostle of Christ.
10 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 6TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN (BORN WITHOUT EYES) 9 MAY 2010
Of all the Miraculous accounts in Holy Scripture, this is the only Just as the healing of the sightless man confirmed Christ’s
one in which the person was blind from birth – in fact, born claim to be the Light of the world, so also, His making use
without eyes! of the Pool of Siloam confirms that He is indeed the True
This Blind Man symbolises all humanity for WE ALL NEED Purification of the Temple and those who worship in it.
DIVINE ILLUMINATION BY CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR WHO, Just as the Pharisees had ignored the healing of the Paralytic
HIMSELF, IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. and focussed only on the perceived violation of the
❃ THIS SIGN OR MIRACLE IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOLY Sabbath, here many of them could not see the Glory of
BAPTISM, WHICH IS ALSO CALLED “HOLY
God through their own blind prejudices.
ILLUMINATION.”
When our Lord Jesus was not present, the Pharisees dared to
As Holy Pascha was the Traditional Day to receive
accuse Him of being ”a sinner” but earlier, when He had
Catechumens into the Church, the Lessons following
asked them face to face: “Which of you convicts me of
Pascha reflect a Baptismal Theology. Thus, this Sacred
sin?” they had evaded the question.
Lesson is read on the 6th Sunday of Holy Pascha.
The expression: “Give God the Glory!” was an Oath formula
Our Saviour rejected the assumption (common in the ancient
used before giving testimony.
world) that all trouble s and maladies were consequences
Nevertheless, the healed man would indeed give Glory to God
of personal sin or even the sins of parents. (EXODUS 20:5;
DEUTERONOMY 5:9; EZEKIEL 18: 19-21) because the more he was interrogated and pressed for
ALTHOUGH SUFFERING CAN BE THE DIRECT RESULT OF information, the more fervent his Faith became, while the
PERSONAL SINS, THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS THE Pharisees lapsed further and further into Spiritual
CASE and in this instance, THE MAN’S BLINDNESS Blindness and Darkness!
PROVIDED THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY AND OCCASION The healed man became a model of Christian witness.
FOR THE DIVINE WORKS OF ALMIGHTY GOD TO BE MANY PEOPLE DO NOT BEAR WITNESS TO CHRIST SIMPLY
REVEALED – so his lack of eyes were certainly not related BECAUSE THEY FEAR BEING ASKED QUESTIONS THEY
to any personal sin. CANNOT ANSWER.
“The work that people” DO CONSISTS OF FAITH, GOOD DEEDS This man’s answer to those who were better educated than he,
AND REPENTANCE. provides the solution: HE ADMITTED THAT HE DID NOT
❃ “The night that comes” refers both to THE TIME AFTER KNOW HOW HE HAD BEEN HEALED BUT WAS ADAMANT
DEATH AND TO THE AGE TO COME, WHEN THERE IS NO ABOUT WHAT HE DID KNOW – he could see – and perfectly
LONGER AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS FAITH.
well - for the first time in his entire life!
On that most significant day THERE WILL NOT BE FAITH BUT ❃ Thus the formula “THAT I DO NOT KNOW, BUT WHAT I DO
ALL SOULS WILL SUBMIT, WHETHER WILLINGLY OR
KNOW IS THIS!” IS FOUNDATIONAL TO WITNESSING
UNWILLINGLY. (ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM) ONE’S FAITH TO OTHERS.
❃ THE UNPRECEDENTED HEALING OF THE MAN BORN ❃ HAVING BESTOWED SIGHT UPON THE BLIND MAN, OUR
WITHOUT EYES CONFIRMS CHRIST’S CLAIM THAT HE IS LORD ALSO OPENED HIS HEART AND ILLUMINATED HIS
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. SPIRIT: THE MAN PROGRESSED FROM KNOWING
❃ St Irenaeus saw in the MIXTURE OF CHRIST’S SALIVA AND ALMOST NOTHING ABOUT CHRIST, through the
CLAY as A TYPE OF CREATION OF HUMANITY FROM conclusion that He could not possibly be a sinner,
THE EARTH. (GENESIS 2:7)
through confessing that our Lord must be from God,
Furthermore, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALED HIS TO FINALLY SEEING HIM AS THE DIVINE SON OF GOD
DIVINITY BY RESTORING A PART OF CREATION BY USING AND WORSHIPPING HIM.
THE SAME MATERIAL WITH WHICH HE HAD CREATED MAN THE PHARISEES AGAIN, COULD NOT REFUTE THE MAN’S LOGIC
IN THE BEGINNING. OR THE TRUTH OF WHAT HE REVEALED TO THEM, AND SO
The Pool of Siloam was on the outskirts of Jerusalem, a THEY RESORTED TO PERSONAL INSULT.
considerable distance from the Temple. Water was used ❃ THE UNPRECEDENTED NATURE OF GRANTING SIGHT ONE
from that pool for the Sacred Rites connected with the WHO WAS BORN WITHOUT EYES IS A CONFIRMATION
Feast of Tabernacles. OF CHRIST’S DIVINITY.
“Siloam,,” which means “sent,” symbolises our Lord Jesus ❃ THIS WAS ONE OF THE SIGNS OF THE COMING OF THE
MESSIAH AND A PEROGATIVE BELONGING SOLELY TO
Christ Who was sent to us by our Heavenly Father. GOD. (ISAIAH 35:5: 42:7; PSALM 145:8)
Sunday of the Blind Man

My dear Brethren in Christ, in today’s Holy Gospel of the Then God spoke the Word and said: “Let there be light.”
Blind Man, we heard our Lord say: “As long as I am God not only spoke the Word and there was light, but
in the world, I Am the Light of the world.” (JOHN 9:5) GOD SPOKE THE WORD AND THERE WAS ALL OF
What does it mean to have Christ as the Light of the CREATION.
world or, on a more personal level, to have Christ as What or 4 more properly 4 Who is The Word?
THE WORD IS OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.
the Light of our lives?
❃ IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE We are reminded of this in the Hymn of the Second
CHRIST AS OUR LIGHT, WE MUST FIRST Antiphon: “Only begotten Son and immortal Word of
ACKNOWLEDGE OUR OWN (SPIRITUAL) BLINDNESS. God…”
Like the man in today’s Sacred Lesson, most of us have ❃ Thus, EVERYTHING THAT IS CREATED IS OF CHRIST AND
been born blind when it comes to God and His Christ ONE WITH HIM IN ITS NATURALLY CREATED STATE.
because WE ARE UNABLE TO SEE THAT WHICH IS WHEN ADAM AND EVE EXERTED THEIR OWN WILL OVER THE
DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US. WILL OF THEIR CREATOR, THEY CHANGED THIS
Our Lord describes this type of Blindness in the Gospel NATURAL RELATIONSHIP. The result was A WORLD IN
WHICH DEATH AND SICKNESS RULED.
of St Mark: “… seeing they may see, and not THE SON OF GOD, THE INCARNATE WORD OF GOD, ENTERED
perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not
INTO THIS CORRUPTED WORLD caused through the
understand; lest at any time they should be
converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” imposition of man’s will over God’s Will, TO RESTORE
(MARK 4:12) IT TO ITS NATURAL CREATED STATE.
This truly describes our state of Spiritual Blindness. In today’s Holy Gospel, we see the action of the Word of
Did mankind always have this Spiritual Blindness, or God.
WHAT CAUSED THIS BLINDNESS? ❃ WE SEE THE WORD AS CREATOR WHEN OUR LORD JESUS
TOOK CLAY AND ANOINTED THE MAN’S EMPTY EYE
This question is similar to the Disciples question in the
SOCKETS WITH IT.
Gospel: “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he
The Holy Fathers point out the fact that CHRIST CREATED
was born blind?” (JOHN 9:2) EYES FOR THIS MAN BY DOING EXACTLY WHAT HE DID
Our Lord’s answer to this question is: “Neither this man WHEN MAN WAS FIRST CREATED.
nor his parents sinned, BUT THAT THE WORKS OF Through the clay that was formed from the spittle from
GOD SHOULD BE REVEALED in him.” (JOHN 9:3) our Lord’s Mouth, WE WITNESS THE CREATIVE ACTION
In the beginning, God created the world. THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD THROUGH
The world came forth from God and was created from HIS WORD.
God. After anointing the man’s eye sockets, our Lord Jesus
The Gospel of St John reminds that before Creation, sent him to the Pool of Siloam to wash off the clay.
“…In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God.” (JOHN 1:1)
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 6TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN (BORN WITHOUT EYES) 9 MAY 2010 11.
This clearly demonstrates how WE MUST COOPERATE “The human soul without Him becomes hell; people
WITH GOD IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE DIVINE GIFTS OF without Him become like a pack of famished and
GOD. ravening wolves; a school without Him becomes a
❃ GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO RECEIVE SALVATION poison-factory of folly; a workshop without Him
THROUGH HIM, BUT IF WE FAIL TO ACT ACCORDING
TO HIS WILL, WE WILL NEVER OBTAIN SALVATION.
becomes a place of grumbling and hatred….hospitals
and prisons without Him become dark caverns of
Furthermore, by going all the way to the Pool of Siloam
despair!”
and washing off the clay the healed man shows us
If we look at the world around us, we can see the truth
that ALL HEALING COMES FROM OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST. of the words of St Nikolai and THE WORDS OF OUR
This is evident through the interpretation of the name LORD: “… without Me you can do nothing…” are
“Siloam,” which means "sent." confirmed by all these difficulties that we see around
The Blessed St Theophylact described the Pool of Siloam us, as the world around us struggles to live without
as a figure of Christ in the following manner: “Just as Christ. (JOHN 15:5)
Christ is the Spiritual Rock, He is also the Spiritual It is only through our actions as followers of Christ that
Siloam.” we make the Presence and Truth of Christ evident in
OUR LORD CONTINUALLY DECLARED HIMSELF TO BE THIS
this world.
SPIRITUAL SILOAM IN THE GOSPELS by saying: “The ❃ WHEN WE BEAR WITNESS TO HIM, WE BRING THE
Father has sent Me.” (MATTHEW 10:40, MARK 9:37, LUKE 10:16, JOHN RESTORATIVE ACTION OF THE WORD INTO OUR
5:36-37, ETC.) WORLD.
While light was being given to this man by the Light of So, my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, my Prayer for
the world, our Lord Jesus Christ, THE PHARISEES you is that you may bear witness to our Lord and
EXHIBITED THEIR OWN SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS AND THE Saviour, Jesus Christ, bringing His Light into the
DARKNESS OF SIN IN WHICH THEY LIVED BY ATTACKING
THIS DIVINE MIRACLE OF CHRIST. world so that He, as the Incarnate Word of God, may
They accused our Lord Jesus of being a great sinner for restore the world to its created nature through the
healing this man on the Sabbath and they accused Creative Action of the Word.
the formerly blind man of lying about his lifelong Amen
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: SUNDAY OF THE BLINDMAN BY REVEREND FATHER MILAN
blindness! MEDAKOVIC: ST GREGORY PALAMAS LIBRARY – WWWSAINTGREGORYPALAMAS.CO
St Nikolai Velimirovic described Spiritual Darkness

caused by the lack of Christ in the following manner:
Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers
True Penitence Brings the Gift of Forgiveness – St John Cassian: “Institutes”
If we remember the Wise Thief who, due to a single Paul reminds us, is not of ourselves or of our words,
Confession, was taken into Paradise, we shall realize since we are Saved by the Gift and Grace of God, WE
that IT WAS NOT FOR THE MERIT OF THE LIFE HE HAD CAN CLEARLY PERCEIVE HOW THE END OF PERFECTION
LIVED THAT HE OBTAINED SUCH GREAT BLESSEDNESS, IS NOT "…OF HIM WHO WILLS, NOR OF HIM WHO RUNS,
BUT THAT IT WAS GRANTED TO HIM BY THE GIFT OF BUT OF GOD WHO SHOWS MERCY..." AND WHO MAKES
GOD, WHO HAD MERCY ON HIM. US VICTORS OVER OUR VICES, although we have no
Or let us think of David, the King, who’s TWO SUCH merit at all of life or labours to weigh against them.
GRIEVOUS AND AWFUL CRIMES WERE WIPED AWAY BY ❃ NEITHER DO OUR EFFORTS ENABLE US TO REACH THE
ONE WORD OF PENITENCE. STEEP SUMMIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, NOR SUBDUE
Obviously THE MAGNITUDE OF KING DAVID’S OFFENCE WAS THE FLESH that we are bound to use... for THE
UNEQUAL TO THE DIVINE PARDON HE RECEIVED OUTCOME OF ALL GOOD FLOWS FROM HIS DIVINE
BECAUSE THE GRACE OF GOD INCREASED DUE TO HIS GRACE for GOD HAS BESTOWED AN ETERNITY OF
TRUE PENITENCE. BLISS AND IMMEASURABLE GLORY WITH MANIFOLD
❃ DUE TO ONE SINGLE WORD OF GENUINE CONFESSION GENEROSITY UPON THE WEAK WILL AND THE SHORT
GOD REMOVED THE WEIGHT OF SIN. LIFE-WORK OF MANKIND!
Futhermore, WHEN WE CONSIDER THE BEGINNINGS OF
MANKIND'S CALLING AND SALVATION, which, as St
Our Holy Fathers of the Optina Hermitage
Elder Ambrose of Optina Then you shall be “...like a vessel so full that it
Why do men sin? Either because THEY DO NOT KNOW overflows upon the way.”
WHAT THEY SHOULD DO, OR, IF THEY DO KNOW, THEY Elder Anatoly the Younger of Optina
FORGET; AND IF THEY FORGET, THEY ARE SLOTHFUL
IF YOU SAY IN YOUR HEART: "Even though I am only a
AND DESPONDENT . . . piece of dirt, still the Lord cares for me. Let the Will
This is why we pray to the Queen of Heaven: O All-Holy of God be accomplished in me," YOU RELY UPON THE
Theotokos, my Mistress . . . drive from me, Thy LORD WITH THE FIRM INTENTION TO SUBMIT WITHOUT
servant despondency, forgetfulness, negligence, COMPLAINT 4 TO SUBMIT TO THE WILL OF GOD,
and all vile and wicked and evil thoughts. . . WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.
Why is man bad? Because HE FORGETS THAT GOD IS The clouds will part before you, the sun will emerge and
ABOVE HIM. shine upon you and warm you and YOU WILL KNOW
Elder Anatoly the Older of Optina THE TRUE JOY OF THE LORD.
RECITE THE JESUS PRAYER UNCEASINGLY, AND NO ONE WILL Elder Anthony of Optina
INTERFERE WITH YOU. Of course, it would be easier to get to Paradise with a full
Even when there are many people around you, you will stomach, all snuggled up in a soft feather4bed, but
not notice them. WHAT IS REQUIRED IS TO CARRY ONE'S CROSS ALONG
WE SHOULD PRAY TO GOD SO THAT BETWEEN GOD AND THE WAY, FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT ATTAINED
OUR SOUL THERE IS NOTHING AND NOBODY - ONLY GOD BY ENDURING ONE OR TWO TROUBLES, BUT MANY!
AND OUR SOUL 4 and so that WHEN WE PRAY WE SENSE Elder Barsanuphios of Optina
NEITHER HEAVEN NOR EARTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE SOMETIMES WHEN YOU INTEND TO RECEIVE COMMUNION,
BESIDE GOD. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE A FEELING OF HEAVINESS, BUT
STAND IN CHURCH LIKE AN ANGEL: DO NOT INDULGE IN YOU SHOULD NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THIS, NOR
TALKING; DO NOT LOOK AROUND YOU FOR CHURCH IS SHOULD YOU BECOME DESPONDENT, SINCE ON SUCH A
AN EARTHLY HEAVEN. DAY THE DEVIL WILL PARTICULARLY ATTACK US.
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE CHURCH, RECITE, “VIRGIN THE SIX PSALMS (MATINS) ARE A SPIRITUAL SYMPHONY,
THEOTOKOS REJOICE . . .” AND SPEAK TO NO ONE. LIFE FOR THE WORLD, WHICH EMBRACES THE WHOLE
SOUL AND IMPARTS TO IT THE MOST SUBLIME LIGHT.
12 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 6TH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA – SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN (BORN WITHOUT EYES) 9 MAY 2010
AGES. AMEN.
13 May 2010
Ascension of our Lord & Saviour
The Feast of St Glykeria Virgin Martyr of Heraklia; St Sergios the
Confessor; St Alexandros Holy Martyr; 13 Holy Confessors of Cantara
A POL YT IKION O F THE A SCEN SIO N O F CH RI ST – TO NE 4
Anelifthis en Doxi Hriste O Theos imon, haropiisas tous Thou Ascended in Glory: O Christ Jesus, our God: cheering
Mathitas, ti epangelia tou Agiou Pnevmatos, up the Disciples by the Promise of the Holy Spirit; by
veveothenton afton dia tis Evlogias, oti Si i O Ios tou assuring them through Thy Divine Blessings that Thou
Theou, O Litrotis tou kosmou. art indeed the Son of God, and the world’s Redeemer.
KO NT AKION O F THE A SCEN SION O F CHR IST O UR GOD - TONE PL AGAL 2 :
Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis Having fulfilled the Dispensation for us, and uniting the
Ouraniis, anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon; earthly with the Heavenly, Thou Ascended in Glory, O
oudamothen horizomenos alla menon adiastatos, ke Christ our God; being in no way separated, but
voon tis Agaposi Se: Ego Imi meth imon, ke oudis kath remaining inseparable, and calling out to those who
imon. Love Thee: I Am with you and no one can be against
you!
Matins Gospel According to St Mark 16 : 9 – 20

THE RISEN CHRIST APPEARS TO HIS APOSTLES & DISCIPLES BEFORE HIS ASCENSION
At that time, Jesus Arose early on the first day of the week and appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast
seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that
He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told
it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
Later He appeared to the Eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they
did not believe those who had seen Him after He had Risen. And He said to them: “Go into all the world and preach the
Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is Baptised will be Saved; but he who does not believe will be Condemned.
And these Signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
they will take up serpents and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the
sick, and they will recover.”
So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into Heaven, and sat down at the right Hand of God.
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through the
accompanying Signs.
Amen.
Some manuscripts do not include this longer ending [VERSES 9-20]. CHRIST’S RESURRECTION AFFECTS EVERY CREATURE - THE
Later traditions testify to several endings. ENTIRE UNIVERSE.
The Church, however, has always regarded this ending as Christ commended the Sacred Mission of Baptism not to the
Canonical and Divinely Inspired. public but to His Apostles.
ST MARY MAGDALENE WAS THE FIRST TO BREAK THE ❃ SALVATION INCLUDES FAITH AND BAPTISM.
WONDERFUL NEWS OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST TO ❃ TO INVOKE THE NAME OF THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD IS
THE OTHER FAITHFUL DISCIPLES – the woman out of ALSO TO CALL UPON GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE
whom seven demons had been exorcised by our Lord HOLY SPIRIT: THREE PERSONS, ONE IN DIVINE NATURE
AND DIVINE POWER.
Jesus was the first to see the Resurrected Christ!
BECAUSE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS’ DEEP HUMILITY AND HER WISH TO BE KEPT IN
The Power to cast out demons had already been bestowed by
THE BACKGROUND SO THAT ALL FOCUS WOULD BE ON OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST RATHER Him to His Disciples. Now future Believers are also
THAN HER, ST GREGORY PALAMAS TAUGHT US THAT SHE WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST
PERSON TO HEAR OF AND TO WITNESS CHRIST’S RESURRECTION.
promised the Gift of Exorcism.
ST MARY MAGDALENE WAS ONE OF HER CLOSEST FRIENDS AND COMPANIONS AND THEY WERE SPEAKING WITH “ NEW TONGUES” WAS A DIVINE GIFT highly
ALWAYS TOGETHER.
MOST TIMES IN THE HOLY GOSPELS, THE PRESENCE OF THE BLESSED, ALL PURE VIRGIN MARY IS valued by the Christians of Corinth.
REFERRED TO IN OBSCURE WAYS SUCH AS “THE MOTHER OF...” OR “THE OTHER MARY.” THIS WAS THE MIRACULOUS ABILITY TO SPEAK FOREIGN
THE RESURRECTED BODY OF CHRIST TRANSCENDS NOT ONLY LANGUAGES IN ORDER TO SPREAD THE HOLY GOSPEL
TIME AND SPACE, BUT PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AS WELL. PROPERLY AND CLEARLY SO THAT EVERYONE COULD
Our Risen Lord was sometimes recognised by His Disciples UNDERSTAND.
but most times not, until He identified Himself to them. On that great day of Holy Pentecost THE HOLY SPIRIT
FAILURE TO BELIEVE THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST (AND DESCENDED UPON CHRIST’S DISCIPLES AND GRANTED
OUR OWN FUTURE RESURRECTION) IS WORTHY OF BLAME. THEM ALL THE ABILITIES NECESSARY FOR THE SPREADING
CONSEQUENTLY, CHRIST “REBUKED” HIS DISCIPLES FOR OF GOD’S TRUTH THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
THEIR “UNBELIEF” AND HARDNESS OF HEART St Paul had picked up a snake and was not harmed by its bite.
(STUBBORNNESS) even while they experienced the Great The Church Historian Eusebius related an account of
Joy of intimacy with our Risen Lord in meals that allude to Barsabas Justus, a Disciple, drinking poison given to him
the Holy Eucharist. by non-believers who were testing him and surviving.
THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME TO LEAD THEM – AND ALL HIS Nevertheless, THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST STRICTLY
FAITHFUL - TO A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE MYSTERY PROHIBITS DELIBERATE, HARMFUL ACTS AGAINST
OF CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE MISSION. ONESELF AS DEMONSTRATIONS OF ONE’S CHRISTIAN
THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR SAVIOUR LAUNCHED FAITH.
HIS HOLY CHURCH TOWARDS HER WORLD MISSION. THIS IS PUTTING GOD TO THE TEST WHICH IS STRICTLY
This passage is read at Orthodox Baptisms, which is the FORBIDDEN!
Sacramental Institution of a Christian’s Discipleship. Note the sequence of Events:
All nations are to be His Disciples and to bear witness to His 1. ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST INTO HEAVEN - sitting down
Resurrection. “at the right Hand of God” refers to Christ’s
Enthronement in Glory
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2. THE IMMOVABLE STABILITY OF CHRIST’S ROYAL STATE - 3. THE MISSION OF CHRIST - He cooperates with the Apostles,
His Eternal sharing in the Divine Power and Lordship of working with them and confirming the Gospel they would
the Father. preach, partly through accompanying Signs.
The Book of the Acts of the Apostles provides ample evidence
of this ongoing Synergy between mankind and God.
PROKEIMENON: Be Thou exalted, O God, above the Heavens. My heart is ready, O God.
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 1 : 1 - 12
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST APPEARS ONE LAST TIME BEFORE HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN
The former account I made, O Theophilos, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He
was taken up, after He, through the Holy Spirit, had given Commandments to the Apostles whom He had
chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by
them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
And being assembled together with them, He Commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the
Promise of the Father: “...which...” He said: “...thou has heard from Me, for John truly Baptised with water, but
you shall be Baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him: “Lord, 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 which the Father has put in His own
Authority. But you shall receive Power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be Witnesses
to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a Cloud received Him out of their
sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white
apparel, who also said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who was
taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.”
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath Day’s journey.
“The former account” is THE HOLY GOSPEL OF ST LUKE ✽ OUR LORD JESUS’ CONCERN IS WITH ANOTHER
that COVERS OVER 30 YEARS OF OUR LORD JESUS KINGDOM – ONE RULED IN THE POWER OF THE
CHRIST’S EARTHLY LIFE. HOLY SPIRIT.
THE BOOK OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES COVERS OVER ✽ Note how ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY
30 YEARS OF EARLY CHURCH LIFE. ARE CLEARLY RELATED IN THE WORK OF
St Luke addressed “Theophilos” in both Books. SALVATION.
Ancient writers would sometimes dedicate a work to one ✽ THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD ENERGISE
THE DISCIPLES to go out into the world to spread
particular person, intending it to be read by many
others. This too, may be the case regarding these the Holy Gospel to all humanity.
ST PETER AND THE OTHERS WERE WITNESSES TO THE
Writings of St Luke. ASCENSION.
✽ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE MODEL FOR ALL ✽ CHRIST’S ASCENSION IS HIS ENTHRONEMENT IN THE
THINGS DONE IN HIS CHURCH. Even AS HE IN HIS FULLNESS OF DIVINE AUTHORITY AND GLORY.
EARTHLY LIFE WORKED “THROUGH THE HOLY In the Orthodox Church during the Vespers Service for the
SPIRIT” SO WOULD HIS APOSTLES.
Ascension we sing: When the Disciples beheld Thee,
During the Last Supper, OUR LORD PROMISED TO TEACH
O Christ, Ascending to the Father and sitting down
HIS DISCIPLES BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. Now, AFTER HIS
RESURRECTION, HIS PROMISE WOULD BE FULFILLED.
beside Him, the Angels rejoiced, shouting, ‘Lift up thy
[JOHN 16:13] gates! Lift up! For the King has Ascended to the Glory
✽ IN THESE 40 DAYS, HIS APOSTLES WERE FOREVER of His Nature’s Light.’
CHANGED BY THE REALITY OF OUR LORD’S Certain Orthodox Icons of the Ascension represent Christ
RESURRECTION. The same men who denied him in such a way that one cannot tell whether He is going
and fled at his arrest were being transformed – into Heaven or Reappearing. This captures the
POWERFUL EVIDENCE OF THE TRUTH OF THE profound Truth that WE ARE ALREADY LIVING UNDER
RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. HIS REIGN WHILE WE ARE AWAITING HIS GLORIOUS
✽ “THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER” IS THE GIFT OF THE REAPPEARANCE TO ESTABLISH THE KINGDOM OF GOD
HOLY SPIRIT THAT WAS TO BE POURED OUT ON IN ITS FULLNESS.
GOD’S FAITHFUL, ACCORDING TO JEWISH ✽ WE ARE NOT TO STAND IDLY “GAZING UP INTO
EXPECTATION. HEAVEN” WASTING PRECIOUS TIME ANTICIPATING
The concern of the Disciples was still fixed on the idea of HIS REAPPEARANCE. WE ARE TO PREPARE
an earthly Kingdom that would liberate the Jews from OURSELVES SOBERLY AS HIS SERVANTS, FILLED
the humiliation of subjection to Rome. WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, EXPECTING HIS IMMINENT
✽ ONLY AFTER PENTECOST, WITH GIFTS OF DIVINE REAPPEARANCE AND WE MUST LIVE THE LIFE OF
INSPIRATION AND UNDERSTANDING FROM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHILE WE AWAIT HIS SECOND
HOLY SPIRIT, DID THE DISCIPLES HAVE A CLEAR GLORIOUS REAPPEARANCE.
PERCEPTION OF OUR LORD’S MESSIANIC MISSION “A Sabbath Day’s journey” is the distance that Hebrews
AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF could travel without breaking the requirements of the
GOD. Sabbath. It was probably less than one and a half
kilometres.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 24 : 36 – 56
OUR RISEN LORD’S FINAL APPEARANCE & INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS FAITHFUL APOSTLES & DISCIPLES
At that time, as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them: “Peace unto you.” But
they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. So He said to them: “Why are you troubled?
And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My Hands and My Feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for
a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
When He had said this, He showed them His Hands and His Feet. But while they still did not believe for Joy, and marvelled,
He said to them: “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He
took it and ate in their presence. Then He said to them: “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still
with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
concerning Me.”
Then He opened their understanding so that they might comprehend the Scriptures. And He said to them: “Thus it is
written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to Suffer and to Rise from the dead the third day. And that
Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. And you
are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem
until you are endued with Power from on High.”
And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His Hands and Blessed them.
14 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE A SCE N SION O F O UR LORD & SA VIO UR, JE SU S CHRI ST 13 M A Y 2 01 0
Now it came to pass, while He Blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into Heaven. And they
worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great Joy, and were continually in the Temple praising and Blessing
God. Amen.
THE RESURRECTIONAL GREETING OF “IRINI PASI!” “PEACE ST LUKE CONCLUDED HIS HOLY GOSPEL WITH this reference
UNTO YOU” FREQUENTLY RESOUNDS IN ORTHODOX to “THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER” AND BEGAN THE BOOK
WORSHIP. OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES WITH THE FULFILMENT OF
To counter the fears and doubts of the disciples, OUR LORD IT.
DEMONSTRATED THE REALITY OF HIS RESURRECTION BY ST LUKE ALONE RECORDED THE EVENT OF OUR LORD’S
INVITING THEM TO TOUCH HIM AND BY EATING with them. ASCENSION that signifies Christ’s full Glorification and
❃ This was a special instance, since THE GLORIFIED BODY Lordship over all.
OF CHRIST NEEDS NO FOOD FOR SUSTENANCE. ✽ JESUS CHRIST IS PANTOKRATOR (ALMIGHTY) – THE ALL-
“THE LAW, THE PROPHETS, AND THE PSALMS” were the three RULING CREATOR CHRIST – WHO SHARES EQUALLY
sections of THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES – also called THE DIVINE GLORY, AUTHORITY AND HONOUR WITH
➤ THE PENTATEUCH, THE FATHER.
➤ THE PROPHETS AND THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST IS AS GREAT A MYSTERY AS WAS
➤ THE WRITINGS. HIS RESURRECTION AND SHOULD NOT BE UNDERSTOOD
SIMPLY IN TERMS OF TIME AND SPACE.
✽ “UNDERSTANDING” IS NOT MERELY INTELLECTUAL, BUT A
FULL EXPERIENTIAL, SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING. ✽ OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST IS NOW ENTHRONED,
SHARING FULLY THE RULING POWER OF THE FATHER,
✽ TO COMPREHEND AND RECEIVE THE SPIRITUAL VALUE OF
TOGETHER WITH THE ALL HOLY SPIRIT.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES IS A GIFT OF THE RISEN LORD
THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
✽ THE DISCIPLES “WORSHIPPED HIM” BECAUSE HIS
RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION FULLY REVEAL AND
✽ “REPENTANCE AND THE REMISSION OF SINS” are part of CONFIRM HIS DIVINE NATURE.
the Holy Gospel, which was to be PROCLAIMED “IN THEY ALSO CONTINUED TO MEET TOGETHER, “PRAISING AND
HIS NAME TO ALL NATIONS.” BLESSING GOD” FOR ALL THE GIFTS OF SALVATION IN THE
✽ “ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH” MEANS BEING SON.
FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, which occurred on the ✽ “JOY” DOMINATED THEIR LIVES THROUGH THE RENEWING
Day of Pentecost. [ACTS 1:8; 2:2-4] EXPERIENCE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S
The Apostles were instructed to wait in Jerusalem because RESURRECTION.
THEIR DIVINE MISSION COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED ONLY
WITH THE ENABLING OF DIVINE POWER.
The Chapel of the Ascension of our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ
The actual location of the Ascension Pilgrims were permitted to take
of our Lord Jesus Christ into some of the dust home with them!
Heaven is not recorded in the 9th Century records state that the
Gospel of St Mark, while St Luke in church was served by three Clergy
his Book of the Acts of the and Presbyters.
Apostles stated that it took place When the Crusaders arrived, they
on Mount Olivet 4 the "Mount of rebuilt the Church of the Ascension
Olives"). (LUKE 24:50) as a roofed octagon (circa 1150) and
After the Ascension, the Apostles and fortified the exterior.
Disciples of Christ returned to This final Christian church was then
Jerusalem, which is opposite destroyed by Muslims, leaving only
Mount Olivet 4 referred to by the octagonal structure, a Martyrium
Christians as “the Mount of –a "Memorial" or an "Edicule," which
Ascension.” remains to this day, overlooking
The History of the Chapel of the Ascension Jerusalem across a valley below.
The Chapel of the Ascension in In 1198, after the fall of the
Jerusalem is a Holy Site believed to Crusader Kingdom, Salah al4Din
mark the exact spot of our Lord gave the church to two of his
and Saviour, Jesus Christ’s followers, who added a stone dome
Ascension into Heaven. and mihrab.
In the small round church/mosque is The Ascension of our Lord Jesus
the rock floor indented with a footprint, which many Christ is acknowledged by Islam, although it is not
believe to be the actual last Footprint of Christ before mentioned in the Qur'an.
He Ascended to Heaven. The structure remained in use as a Mosque for over 300
Before the conversion of Emperor Constantine the Great years until it fell into ruin by the end of the 15th
in 312, Christians honoured the Ascension of Christ century.
in a cave on Mount Olivet and by 384, the place of The East section of the octagonal surrounding wall was
the Ascension was venerated at the present open closed off to form the asymmetrical Shrine that
site, which was uphill from the cave. stands today.
The first Christian Chapel was constructed there circa A mosque and minaret were added next to the Chapel in
390 by Poimenia, a pious Roman lady and in 392 St 1620 and the entire site was ultimately acquired by
Helena erected a basilica called "Eleona Basilica" over two Emissaries of Saladin in 1198 and has remained
the site. (“ELAION” IN GREEK MEANS "OLIVE GARDEN", “ELAIA” MEANS "OLIVE TREE" in the possession of the Islamic Waqf of Jerusalem
AND IS SIMILAR TO “ELEOS” MEANING "MERCY")
ever since.
It was destroyed by the Sassanid) Persians in 614 and
The Martyrium, although now only bare stone, enshrines
later restored by St Modestos, Patriarch of Jerusalem
the rock said to bear the imprint of the right Foot of
(6324634).
Christ as He Ascended, and is venerated by
In 680, a Pilgrim named Arculf described the church as a
Christians as the last point on earth touched by the
round building open to the sky, with three porticoes
Incarnate Son and Word of God.
entered from the South.
Although the Crusader church was converted to a
Eight lamps shone brightly at night through windows
mosque it was never used by Muslims due to the
facing Jerusalem.
continuous overwhelming multitude of Christian
Inside was a central Edicule containing the Footprints of
Pilgrims.
Christ "plainly and clearly impressed in the dust"
As a gesture of compromise and goodwill, Salah al4Din
surrounded by a railing.
ordered the construction of a second mosque and
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Mihrab two years later next door to the Chapel of the featuring entwined foliage, two with animal motifs with
Ascension for Muslim worship while Christians winged quadrapeds with the heads of birds.
continued to visit the main Chapel. Entered from the West, the Chapel has a Mihrab
Although still under the control of the Muslims, this indicating the direction of Mecca in the South wall.
Chapel of the Ascension is currently opened to On the floor, inside an asymmetrically placed frame, is
visitors for a nominal fee. a slab of stone imprinted with the right Footprint of
The Russian Orthodox Church also maintains a Convent Christ.
of the Ascension at the top of the Mount of Olives. (THE SECTION BEARING THE LEFT FOOTPRINT WAS TAKEN TO THE AL-AQSA MOSQUE IN THE
MIDDLE AGES.)
IN 1980, SHORTLY AFTER MY CALLING TO THE DIVINE SERVICE OF GOD AT THE HOLY CHURCH Hooks in the wall around the courtyard are used to stretch tents
OF THE RESURRECTION, WE WENT TO MOUNT OLIVET, ACROSS THE VALLEY FROM
JERUSALEM AND ARRIVED AT A CLOSED DOOR, WHICH WAS SUDDENLY OPENED BY A
for the celebration of the Feast of the Ascension, which
VERY WELCOMING AND FRIENDLY MUSLIM WHO INVITED US IN TO VISIT THIS HOLY SITE.
HE REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY REMUNERATION FROM US AND KEPT STARING AT ME WITH
draws many Christian Pilgrims.
FASCINATION, AS THOUGH HE COULD SEE MY MIRACULOUS CALLING IMPRINTED UPON A small Burial Crypt next to the Chapel is revered by all three
ME! HE WAS MOST INFORMATIVE AND HELPFUL AND MADE OUR SHORT VISIT QUITE
MEMORABLE. monotheistic religions, Jewish, Christian and Islam
THE FOOTPRINT WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE TO US, AND I WAS INSTRUCTED TO PUT
MY BARE FOOT INTO THE IMPRINT, AND ALTHOUGH I WAS RELUCTANT, I although based on different beliefs about its
WAS PERSUADED TO DO SO. I IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED AN
OVERWHELMING SENSE OF INTERMINGLED GREAT JOY AND SADNESS – occupant.
AND A TREMENDOUS SENSE OF PEACE!
ALTHOUGH IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE THESE MARVELLOUS HOLY SITES AND FEEL Jews believe it contains the 7th century BC
A SENSE OF “HOME-COMING,” SANCTITY, REALITY AND A CONFIRMATION
OF OUR FAITH, WE SHOULD NEVER BE DEPENDENT ON SUCH
Prophetess Huldah, one of seven female Prophets of
MATERIAL, EARTHLY THINGS FOR OUR BELIEF OR FAITH - FOR GOD IS God who are mentioned in Holy Scripture. (2 KINGS 22 :
INFINITELY GREATER THAN ANYTHING HE HAS CREATED! 14 - 20)
I HOPE THAT EVERYONE IS BLESSED TO EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD
WHEREVER THEY ARE AND THAT WE CAN ALL MAKE MORE PILGRIMAGES Christians believe it to be the tomb of the 5th
TO THE HOLY SITES THROUGHOUT THE ANCIENT WORLD – TO WORSHIP AND
TO MARVEL AT OUR BENEVOLENT LORD AT SUCH HISTORICAL PLACES, Century St Pelagia.
WHICH BRINGS OUR AMAZING CHRISTIAN HISTORY INTO A MORE ST PELAGIA WAS ALSO KNOWN AS ST MARGARITA, HAD BEEN A
ACCURATE AND REALISTIC PERSPECTIVE. MP CELEBRATED DANCER AND COURTESAN, WHO, IN THE FULL FLOWER OF HER
BEAUTY AND GUILTY SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE YOUTH OF ANTIOCH, WAS
What can be seen SUDDENLY CONVERTED BY THE PREACHING OF ST NONNOS, A MOST PIOUS
BISHOP, WHOM SHE HAD HEARD WHILE PASSING BY A CHURCH WITH HER
To the right of the entrance is the small 1620 Mosque, ATTENDANTS AND ADMIRERS.
IMMEDIATELY, ABANDONING HER FORMER LIFE, SHE WENT TO ST NONNOS
Zawiyat al-Adawiyya, from which is a good view of AND OVERCAME HIS CANONICAL SCRUPLES BY HER TEARS OF GENUINE PENITENCE.
SHE WAS SOON BAPTISED, AND, DISGUISING HERSELF IN THE GARB OF A MALE PENITENT,
the Chapel of the Ascension and the surrounding WENT ON A PILGRIMAGE TO JERUSALEM WHERE SHE RETIRED TO A GROTTO ON MOUNT
OLIVET. AFTER THREE YEARS OF LIVING IN THE STRICTEST OF PENANCE, SHE REPOSED IN
countryside, including a fantastic panoramic view of the old CHRIST.
city of Jerusalem.
Muslims believe that their 8th Century Holy Woman, Rabi’a al4
The entrance leads into a courtyard with a paved path leading to
adawiya – for whom the mosque was named, was buried
the small Chapel of the Ascension.
there.
The exterior octagonal walls are decorated with arches and slim
marble columns, which support 12th century capitals,
St Justin Martyr:
The Prophetical Gifts remain with us, even to the present time. us, of whom our Lord Jesus Christ forewarned us to beware;
And hence you ought to understand that the Gifts formerly so that in no respect are we deficient, since we know that He
among your nation [THE HEBREW NATION] have been foreknew all that would happen to us after His Resurrection
transferred to us. from the dead and His Ascension to Heaven. “DIALOGUE WITH
TRYPHO”
And just as there were false Prophets at the same time as the
Holy Prophets, so there are now many false teachers among
St John of Kronstadt
God's Saints value more than any of us the great act of the For the sake of their own and others' Salvation, they renounced
Redemption of mankind by God, the Descent of the Son of themselves, fasted, prayed, watched, wrestled, laboured in
God from Heaven, His Teaching, and likewise, His Sufferings, deed and word with their intellect and pen.
Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension into Heaven. But we do not understand how to value such great acts.
For they spent all their lives in working out their own and others' We are cold, distracted, heedless, and are more occupied with the
Salvation, sincerely, firmly, infallibly, with their whole hearts. visible world and of its good, which are but smoke! (MY LIFE IN
CHRIST)
St Gregory Palamas
The Son of God, Who in His Compassion became Man, died so us and in their bodies they will enjoy the Glory that will be
far as His Body was concerned when His Soul was separated revealed in Christ.
from His Body, but this Body was not separated from His Indeed, they will share not only in Resurrection, but also in the
Divinity, and so He raised up His Body once more and took It Lord's Ascension and in all Divine Life.
with Him to Heaven in Glory. But this does not apply to those who live this present life in an
Similarly, when those who have lived here in a Godly manner are unregenerate manner and who at death have no
separated from their bodies, they are not separated from Communion with God.
God, and in the Resurrection they will take their bodies with For although all will be Resurrected, yet the Resurrection of each
them to God, and in their bodies they will enter with individual will be in accordance with his own inner state! (THE
PHILOKALIA, VOL. IV)
inexpressible Joy there where our Lord Jesus has preceded
St Romanos the Melodist
When the Saviour heard the Apostles, and saw the grief of those As Isaiah puts it: `God established Heaven as a vaulted arch and
who Loved Him, then, like a Father, He came to their aid, and dwells in it as a tent.'
pitied them, and said: `Do not mourn, My friends, it is not He says to those who are His: Ì am not separated from you; I
time for tears. ‘Nor is this a day of lamentation, for it is a Am with you, and no one is against you.' (KONTAKION OF THE
time of Grace, as I ascend to My Father. ASCENSION OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR)
‘ I lift up My wings, and I come to rest in My Tent; for I created

the firmament of Heaven as a tent 4 a tent not to
circumscribe but to encircle Me.
16 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE A SCE N SION O F O UR LORD & SA VIO UR, JE SU S CHRI ST 13 M A Y 2 01 0
AMEN.
7th Sunday of Pascha Tone (6) Plagal 2 16 May 2010

Sunday Before Pentecost & of the 318 Holy Church Fathers of the First
Ecumenical Council
Feast of St Theodoros the Sanctified; St Peter Holy Martyr of Blachernae;
St Nicholas the New Martyr of Metsovos; St Nicholas the Mystic & Patriarch
of Constantinople; St Alexandros of Jerusalem
Angelike Dinamis epi to mnima sou ke i filassontes The Angelic Powers were in Thy Sepulchre, and the guards
apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitousa to became as dead men, and Mary stood by the Tomb
ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilevsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led Hades captive,
ip aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos tin Zoin. O yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art the
Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie, Doxa Si. Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Glory to
Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the dead!
Anelifthis en doxi Hriste O Theos imon, haropiisas tous Thou Ascended in Glory: O Christ Jesus, our God:
Mathitas, ti epangelia tou Agiou Pnevmatos, cheering up the Disciples by the Promise of the Holy
veveothenton afton dia tis evlogias, oti si i O Ios tou Spirit; by assuring them through Thy Divine Blessings
Theou, O Litrotis tou kosmou. that Thou art indeed the Son of God, and the world’s
Redeemer.
A POL YT IKION O F SUND AY O F TH E HOL Y FA THER S O F THE FIR ST E CUMEN I CAL COU N CIL
Iperdedoxasmenos i Hriste O Theos imon, O fostiras epi Supremely praised art Thou, O Christ our God, Who
gis, tous Pateras imon themeliosas, ke di afton, pros established on earth, our Fathers as Luminaries; and
tin alithinin pistin pantas imas odigisas, through them, to the True Faith all of us Thou has
✞Polievsplaghne doxa Si! guided: ✞O Most Compassionate: Glory to Thee!
Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis Having fulfilled the dispensation for us, and uniting the
Ouraniis, anelifthis en doxi, Hriste O Theos imon; earthly with the Heavenly, Thou Ascended in Glory, O
oudamothen horizomenos alla menon adiastatos, ke voon Christ our God; being in no way separated, but remaining
tis agaposi se: Ego imi meth imon, ke oudis kath imon. inseparable, and calling out to those who love Thee: I Am
with you and no one can be against you!
Matins Gospel 9 - John 20 : 19 – 31 : OUR RISEN LORD BESTOWS HIS AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS UPON HIS APOSTLES
Prokeimenon: Thou art Blessed, O Lord, God of our Forefathers. For Thou has always dealt Righteously with us.
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 20: 16 – 18; 28 – 36
ST PAUL’S FAREWELL ADDRESS
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at
Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
From Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called for the Elders of the Church. And when they had come to him, he said to them:
“You know, that from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you...
“Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the Flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you Overseers, to Shepherd
the Church of God, which He purchased with His own Blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will
come in among you, not sparing the Flock.
Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the Disciples after themselves.
Therefore, watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
So now, Brethren, I commend you to God and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up and give you an
Inheritance among all those who are Sanctified.
I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the Words of our
Lord Jesus, that He said: ‘It is more Blessed to give than to receive.’”
And when Paul had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
St Paul wanted to be with the other Apostles in Jerusalem for Because all trials arise from within and outside the Church,
Pentecost, which shows that A LITURGICAL CALENDAR OUR ONLY PROTECTION IS WITH GOD HIMSELF.
BASED ON SACRED DAYS WAS ALREADY BEING ❃ IT IS IN GOD AND NOT IN MANKIND THAT THE HOLY
OBSERVED IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH. CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SUSTAINED AND THRIVES.
In that Tradition, THE ORTHODOX CHURCH TO THIS DAY While St Paul instructed that THE CLERGY SHOULD BE
MAINTAINS A CALENDAR OF SPECIAL FEASTS, FASTS AND SUPPORTED MATERIALLY BY THE FAITHFUL, he did not
CELEBRATIONS. require this for himself from the Christian Communities
The Church in Ephesos was alive and flourishing and had that he had established.
already developed a permanent pattern of Sacramental This freedom from obligation allowed St Paul to preach all the
Leadership in the Elders or Presbyters (Priests) and the more freely and prevented anyone from questioning his
Overseers or Bishops. motives.
THE THREAT OF FALSE TEACHERS AND DANGEROUS ALTHOUGH THE QUOTATION OF CHRIST “IT IS MORE BLESSED
HERESIES THAT AROSE BOTH FROM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE,” HAS NOT BEEN RECORDED IN
THE HOLY CHURCH WAS ALREADY PRESENT BY THIS TIME. ANY OF THE HOLY GOSPELS, IT WAS A FAMILIAR
In Biblical terms “blood” signified “life.” TEACHING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND CERTAINLY
Christ shed His own Blood on the Cross in order to Redeem WELL KNOWN TO HIS APOSTLES.
His people and to establish His Eternal Church.
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 7 T H SUND AY O F HOL Y PASCH A – BE FO R E PE NTE CO ST – THE 318 H OL Y FATH E R S O F THE 1 S T E CUME NI CAL CO UNCI L – 16 MAY 2010 17
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S PRAYER FOR HIMSELF AND HIS APOSTLES
At that time, Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His Eyes to Heaven, and said: “Father, the Hour has come. Glorify
Thy Son so that Thy Son also may Glorify Thee, as Thou has given Him Authority over all flesh, so that He
should grant Eternal Life to as many as Thou has given Him.
“And this is Eternal Life, that they may know Thee, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou have sent.
“I have Glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the Work that Thou hast given Me to do. And now, O
Father, Glorify Me together with Thyself, with the Glory that I had with Thee before the world was.
“I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou has given Me out of the world. They were Thine; Thou
gave them to Me, and they have kept Thy Word.
“Now they have known that all things that Thou hast given to Me are from Thee. For I have given to them the
Words that Thou hast given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from
Thee; and they have believed that Thou sent Me.
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine. And
all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, and I Am Glorified in them.
“Now I Am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee.
“Holy Father, keep through Thy Name those whom Thou hast given Me, so that they may be One as we are One.
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name. Those whom Thou gave Me I have kept; and
none of them is lost except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
“But now I come to Thee, and these things I speak in the world, so that they may have My Joy fulfilled in
themselves.”
❃ Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Prayer is often called “the is a Statement that each believer can make at the
High Priestly Prayer,” as it contains THE BASIC end of life, no matter how long or short that life
ELEMENTS OF PRAYER THAT A PRIEST OFFERS TO may be!
GOD WHEN A SACRIFICE IS ABOUT TO BE MADE: “The men whom Thou hast given Me” are THE HOLY
GLORIFICATION, REMEMBRANCE OF GOD’S DIVINE APOSTLES OF CHRIST WHO ARE THE ONES THROUGH
WORKS, INTERCESSION ON BEHALF OF OTHERS WHOM GOD’S DIVINE WORD COMES TO US AND THIS
AND A DECLARATION OF THE OFFERING ITSELF. CAREFUL HANDING DOWN OF GOD’S PERFECT AND
This particular passage of Holy Scripture is read on the 7th PURE TRUTH TO SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS IS
Sunday of Holy Pascha, which commemorates the 318 CALLED “THE APOSTOLIC TRADITION.”
Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council with was St Isaiah the Holy Prophet of God prophesied that IN THE
held in Nicea in 325. DAYS OF THE MESSIAH, THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
At that First Council the heresy of Arianism was NAME OF GOD WOULD BE REVEALED. (ISAIAH 52:6)
condemned. (IT TAUGHT THAT THE SON OF GOD WAS CREATED BY THE In the Old Testament times, the phrase “THE NAME,” WAS
FATHER AND THAT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE (CO-ETERNAL) ONLY MOST REVERENTLY USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR
BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON OF GOD DID NOT EXIST!!!) ALMIGHTY GOD’S ACTUAL NAME “YAHWEH,” WHICH
❃ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S WORDS BEAR WITNESS TO WAS FAR TOO SACRED TO PRONOUNCE.
HIS TRUE DIVINITY AND FILIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH The fuller Revelation of the Divine Name was given to
GOD THE FATHER and this Testimony is sufficient those who believe in Christ, for CHRIST MANIFESTED
in itself to dismiss the ridiculous Arianism. OR REVEALED THE NAME – NOT ONLY BY DECLARING
“The Hour has come...” signifies that CHRIST IS INDEED THE FATHER, BUT BY BEING THE VERY PRESENCE OF
LORD OVER ALL TIME: “He voluntarily Willed to ascend GOD AND SHARING THE DIVINE NAME WITH HIM.
the Cross in the Flesh...” (HYMN OF ORTHODOXY SUNDAY) OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FIRST PRAYED FOR HIMSELF
“Glorify” refers to THE REDEMPTION OF ALL CREATION AND THEN FOR HIS APOSTLES.
THAT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH CHRIST’S Only then did He pray for “... those whom Thou hast given
CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION – THE DIVINE Me,” who were all those who would believe in Him –
PURPOSE FOR WHICH CHRIST WAS SENT INTO OUR throughout all ages.
WORLD. “I do not pray for the world...” is a reference to THE
❃ In this Divine Redemption, GOD THE FATHER AND GOD SECTION OF HUMANITY WHO ARE IN REBELLION
THE SON ARE BOTH GLORIFIED and that is why AGAINST AND IN DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD – THOSE WHO
THE HOLY CROSS, which was a symbol of death PREFER THE DARKNESS OF SIN - I.E. THE
and destruction IS NOW GLORIFIED IN THE HOLY UNREPENTANT SINNERS – to His Divine Light. (THE
FAITHFUL WHO STRUGGLE IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST, FLOURISH IN HIS DIVINE
CHURCH AS BEING “LIFE-GIVING” AND A VERY LIGHT BY BEING CONSTANTLY REPENTANT..)
POWERFUL “WEAPON OF PEACE.” The term “Holy Father” is echoed in the Eucharistic Prayer
❃ THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ONLY TRUE GOD IS FAR of the Didache 10:2: “We give Thee thanks, O Holy
MORE THAN INTELLECTUAL UNDERSTANDING. Father, for Thy Holy Name which Thou hast made to
❃ It is PARTICIPATION IN HIS DIVINE LIFE AND IN dwell in our hearts.”
COMMUNION WITH HIM.
“The son of perdition,” or “the son of destruction,” is a
❃ Thus: ETERNAL LIFE IS AN ONGOING, LOVING
reference to Judas Iscariot.
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN CHRIST AND THE HOLY
SPIRIT. Old Testament Prophecy alludes to JUDAS ISCARIOT WHO
❃ CHRIST’S WORK CAN NEVER BE SEPARATED FROM BECAME A TYPE OF ALL WHO FALL AWAY IN THE LAST
WHO HE IS. The statement: “I have Glorified DAYS. (REFER TO PSALM 40:10; 108:2-13; ZECHARIAH 11:12 – 13; 2
THESSALONIANS 2:3 WHERE “SON OF PERDITION” REFERS TO THE ANTICHRIST.)
Thee on the earth. I have finished the Work...”
7th Sunday of Holy Pascha
In this Feast of the Ascension of our Lord, the Especially in our modern society with its values of
Church offers us as Gospel reading THE PRAYER permissivity and relativism, this saying of Christ
OF CHRIST AS PRIEST, as our Holy Fathers referred causes scandal, and some even say that it is not
to it. Christian, after all should we not pray for the
CHRIST STANDS BEFORE THE THRONE OF THE FATHER; world?
HIS PRAYER IS NOT STRICTLY SPEAKING A PRAYER
OF INTERCESSION; IT IS RATHER A PRAYER OF Let us clarify several points.
COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS GLORY. 1. THE PRAYER OF CHRIST IS A PRAYER OF
COMMUNION WITH GOD, AND THERE IS NO WAY
Not only does Christ pray that Communion with God THAT A PRAYER OF COMMUNION CAN BE
be granted to His Disciples and Apostles, but to INTENDED FOR THOSE WHO REFUSE
all generations of His Disciples and Apostles. COMMUNION, WHO ARE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH.
CHRIST ASCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS NOT AS A SPIRIT, When the Priest prepares the Proskomidi, he places
BUT WITH HIS BODY OF FLESH AND THUS, THROUGH particles of Holy Bread on the Paten 4 one
HIM ALL MANKIND ASCENDS WITH HIM AND STANDS
IN GLORY BEFORE GOD THE FATHER. particle for each name: with the Lamb, the
THE CURSE OF ADAM AND EVE IS ANNULLED AND WE particles for the Theotokos and the Saints, which
ARE RESTORED INTO PARADISE. represent the Church. ONLY PARTICLES FOR
However, there is in this Prayer a verse that has ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS CAN BE PLACED ON THE
caused and still causes much scandal: “I do not DISCOS/PATEN BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS NO
pray for the world.” COMMUNION OUTSIDE THE HOLY CHURCH.
18 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 7 T H SUND AY OF H O L Y PASCH A – BE FO R E PE NTE CO ST – THE 318 HO L Y FATH ER S O F THE 1 S T E CUMENICAL CO UNCI L – 16 MAY 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE CANNOT PRAY FOR force their heresies and blasphemies on the
NON-ORTHODOX; ON THE CONTRARY, WE ARE
ASKED TO PRAY, TO INTERCEDE FOR ALL; AND WE Faithful.
DO SO AT ALL TIMES. WE MAY JUDGE AND CONDEMN THEIR ACTIONS, BUT WE
MUST NEVER JUDGE NOR CONDEMN THE PEOPLE
This is THE PRAYER OF INTERCESSION: THE CHURCH THEMSELVES: ON THE CONTRARY WE MUST PRAY
INTERCEDES FOR ALL, EVEN HER ENEMIES. But THE THAT THEY RETURN TO GOD AND ACCEPT HIS
PROSKOMIDI, THE COMMUNION WITH THE BODY TRUTH.
AND THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, AS WITH ALL THE HOLY According to our Holy Fathers, THE PRAYER OF
MYSTERIES, ARE PRAYERS OF COMMUNION. INTERCESSION FOR OUR ENEMIES IS ONLY FOR
THOSE WHO PERSECUTE CHRIST CANNOT BE INCLUDED THOSE WHO ARE MORE ADVANCED IN PRAYER
IN THE PRAYER OF COMMUNION BECAUSE CLEARLY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN
THEY ARE NOT IN COMMUNION. RISKS INVOLVED.
It would be a lie. But we can pray for them and LOVING OUR ENEMIES WITHOUT DISCERNMENT MAY
beseech Christ to change their hearts and bring LEAD TO A FORM OF SOLIDARITY WITH THEM, WITH
SIN AND WITH EVIL. OR IT CAN LEAD TO A FORM OF
them to the Faith. PRIDE: “PITY” INSTEAD OF COMPASSION.
2. By “WORLD,” Christ MEANT THOSE WHO HAVE LOVE OF THE ENEMY HAS SEVERAL DEGREES; the first
TURNED AWAY FROM GOD AND THE CHURCH,
AND THEREFORE HAVE PLACED THEMSELVES are accessible to all of us:
UNDER THE POWER OF SATAN. DO NOT BE THE ONE TO ATTACK, AND DO NOT TRY TO
TAKE REVENGE. LEAVE JUSTICE IN THE HANDS OF
You are either for God or against Him; if you are GOD.
against God, you are on the side of the evil one. These are the first two basic levels of the Love of the
We are asked to FIGHT THIS WORLD OF EVIL, to enemy as underlined by St John Chrysostom.
CHALLENGE IT ACCORDING TO OUR CALLING and THE MORE ADVANCED LEVELS OF LOVE ARE:
for most of us this is done THROUGH A LIFE OF DO NOT RESIST, AS DID THE MARTYRS; HAVE PATIENCE,
REPENTANCE. ENDURE, AND SUFFER; DO NOT BE AFFLICTED;
FIGHTING EVIL IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT. IT SHOULD NOT REMAIN IMPASSIBLE, INDIFFERENT.
THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF LOVE, WHICH IS THE BEST WAY
FOSTER HATRED. However, TO LOVE DOES NOT TO PROGRESS IN HUMILITY, IS CONSIDERING THE
MEAN TO ACCEPT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING
THAT IS NOT GOOD! OFFENCES AS BLESSINGS! Therefore, rejoice if you
3. This world of evil is also inside all of us. WITHIN are persecuted, or offended, if people spit on you
EACH OF US THERE IS GOOD AND EVIL, LIGHT AND and despise you. And GIVE THANKS TO GOD.
DARKNESS. Chastisement is education; it is a medicine.
WE FIGHT; WE STRUGGLE AGAINST THAT WHICH IS
Another degree of Love is to HAVE NO HATRED FOR
UNNATURAL TO GOD IN US. We sin. WE ARE THOSE WHO CAUSE US HARM, NO ANGER, NO
SINNERS, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN GOD DOES RESENTMENT. DO NOT ACCUSE YOUR ENEMIES, DO
NOT LOVE US. NOT SAY BAD THINGS ABOUT THEM, BUT FORGIVE
God Loves sinners so much HE HAS APPOINTED IN TRUTH. THEN GOD WILL PARDON YOUR OWN
REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION SO THAT WE MAY SINS.
RETURN TO HIS GRACE THROUGH THE HOLY St Symeon the New Theologian believed that LOVING
MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, AND AGAIN ENEMIES IS FORGETTING THE SUFFERINGS,
BE IN COMMUNION WITH HIM. FORGETTING WHAT HAPPENED.
AS LONG AS WE WILFULLY REMAIN DISOBEDIENT AND
ALIENATED FROM GOD, WE ARE DE FACTO Without these first six steps, our heart cannot be
EXCOMMUNICATED; we can cheat, be Spiritually sincere in praying for them.
ONLY THEN, TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES BECOMES SEEKING
Blind and have no Fear of God, but God knows,
RECONCILIATION WITH THEM. We can HAVE
and CHRIST CANNOT PRAY THE PRAYER OF
COMMUNION FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SINNED COMPASSION FOR THEM AND PRAY FOR THEM. We
AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT. can ASK GOD WITH A TRUE HEART THAT THEY NOT
THE WORLD OF SIN 4 of Spiritual Darkness or Death PUNISHED. We can ASK THAT THEY BE
BE
inside us, of those who reject or ignore God and FORGIVEN.
who excommunicate themselves 4 is the enemy St Maximos the Confessor maintained that IF YOUR
of God and, by its very definition, it HAS NO HEART CAN SUFFER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE
ACCESS TO THE PRAYER OF COMMUNION. PERSECUTED YOU, THEN TRUE LOVE OF ENEMIES HAS
BEEN GRANTED TO YOU, AND YOU MAY EVEN FEEL
Unrepentant sinners cannot share in the Glory of AFFECTION FOR THEM AND WANT TO DO THEM
God, nor can they stand before the Throne of God GOOD.
the Father. Love of the enemies, which is a form of Prayer of
WE MUST INTERCEDE FOR SINNERS, EVER HOPEFUL THAT Intercession, is ACQUIRED ONLY AFTER MANY
THEY RETURN TO GOD. WE MUST INTERCEDE FOR STEPS OF AN INCESSANT SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE.
THE FALLEN WORLD, AND PRAY FOR OUR ENEMIES.
Nevertheless: WITHOUT THE GRACE OF GOD WE
Our “enemies” are those who offend us, who cause CANNOT ACHIEVE ANYTHING GOOD!
us to suffer, who persecute us, who curse us and PRAY THAT THIS DIVINE GRACE, WHICH IS THE RESULT
who try to destroy our Faith in God. OF THE PRAYER OF COMMUNION OF CHRIST, BE
GRANTED TO YOU SO THAT YOU MAY PRAY AND
Enemies of God are the apostates: those who refuse INTERCEDE FOR OTHERS.
or deny God, who persecute His Holy Church and
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP – “7TH SUNDAY OF PASCHA” BY FATHER ROMAN – ST
who reject or deny God’s Truth and who try to VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH – HALIFAX – NOVA SCOTIA -
WWW.HALIFAXORTHODOX.ORG
The 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council

The First Ecumenical Council was summoned in 325 The First Council of Nicea assembled 20 May 325.
by Emperor Constantine the Great, who desired Earlier in the year, there had been a Council at
unity in the Roman Empire and thus called the Antioch, presided over by St Hosios of Cordoba,
Church's Bishops together to settle the raging of which condemned Arianism and its followers,
the heresy of Arianism – the erroneous belief that even explicitly naming Eusebius of Caesarea.
Jesus Christ was “a created being” and therefore When Emperor Constantine convened the Council at
not truly God. Nicea, he did so primarily out of a desire to have
The Synod had originally been intended to be held at a unified Empire rather than in an attempt to
Ancyra, but its location was moved by Emperor affect Church Doctrine.
Constantine to Nicea, which was much closer to After the initial speeches by the Emperor, St Hosios
imperial headquarters in Nicomedia and of Cordoba presided at the Council, having been
therefore making it easier for him to participate.
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summoned by the Emperor himself, who had Schmemann remarked, regarding the exiles, that St
retained him as Theological Advisor. Constantine was "...thus again confusing the
Father Alexander Schmemann wrote in his “Historical judgment of the Church with that of Caesar..."
Road of Eastern Orthodoxy” that Emperor recalling perhaps the previous unfortunate use of
Constantine intended the Synod to be "the symbol his civil power that St Constantine had exercised
and crown" of his victory over Licinios and the when he persecuted the Donatists.
reunification of the Empire. Besides the question of Arianism, the First
In his opening address, Emperor Constantine Ecumenical Council also addressed a number of
described disputes within the Church as being other concerns.
"...more dangerous than war and other conflicts; Of particular note is the matter of the Paschalion, the
they bring me more grief than anything else." method for the calculation of the celebration of
Eusebios of Nicomedia first submitted an Arian Pascha.
Creed for the delegates to consider, which was Up to this point there had been a number of different
rejected immediately. methods for determining the date of Holy Pascha,
Eusebios of Caesarea then submitted a Baptismal but at Nicea the assembled Bishops chose to
Creed native to Palestine for consideration. accept the Alexandrian practice of making a
It was this latter Creed that many historians regard calculation independent of the Jewish Passover,
as being the essential framework for the Nicene stipulating that the Paschal celebration had to
Creed, although many also regarded the Creed follow the Vernal Equinox.
issued at the earlier Antiochian Council to be the They thus rejected the Antiochian practice of making
basis for Nicea's Creed. reference to Jewish reckoning when choosing the
The Palestinian Creed had included the Biblical date of Holy Pascha.
phrase "Firstborn of all Creation" in its Alexandria was the obvious choice for deference in
description of Christ, but that phrase does not this matter, as the city had long been renowned
appear in the Nicene Creed, probably because, for the accuracy of its astronomers.
taken out of its context in St Paul's Epistle to the To this day, the Pope (& Patriarch) of Alexandria (&
Colossians, it could be interpreted in an Arian All Africa) retains a title that reflects this choice
manner. at Alexandria, sometimes translated as "Master of
The phrase was subsequently replaced with the the Universe," but essentially referring to the
famous Homoousios, a philosophical term ability to judge the astronomical state of the
meaning that the Son of God is “...of one cosmos. (THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA WAS THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE
TITLE “POPE” - BEFORE THE BISHOP OF ROME)
Essence...” with the Father.
It is particularly interesting that this term was used, A list of Bishops at the First Ecumenical Council
despite it previously having been employed by exists, including about 230 names, although there
the heretical Sabellians (notably Paul of are indications that the signature lists are
Samosata) in the 3rd century during their conflict defective.
with St Dionysios the Great. St Athanasios of Alexandria recorded the number of
As with much terminology from philosophy, Holy Fathers in attendance at 318, which is
however, the Church Fathers co4opted regarded as a mystically significant number, as in
Homoousios and gave it a new, Orthodox Genesis 14:14, the number of servants whom
meaning. Abraham (then still named "Abram") took with
It was originally introduced at Nicea by St Hosios (or him to rescue his nephew, Lot.
possibly even St Constantine), then supported by Only a few Bishops from the West were present (a
"...a small group of bold and far-sighted pattern common to all the other Ecumenical
Theologians who understood the inadequacy of Councils): Marcus of Calabria, Nicasios of Dijon,
merely condemning Arius and the need to Domnos of Stridon, Hosios of Cordoba, and
crystallize Church Tradition in a clear concept." Caecilian of Carthage.
(SCHMEMANN).
St Sylvester I, Pope of Rome, was represented by two
Besides the basic format of the Creed, four explicitly
of his Priests.
anti4Arian Anathemas were attached, as well.
A number of renowned Eastern Saints were also
All the Bishops at the Council signed the Creed
present: besides St Athanasios the Great were St
except for two: Theonas of Marmarica and
Nicholas of Myra, St Spyridon of Trimythous, St
Secundos of Ptolemais, who were subsequently
Alexander of Alexandria, and St Paphnutios of
deposed by the Church and then exiled by the
Egypt.
Emperor, along with Arius, who also refused to ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: ORTHODOXWIKI – THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE FIRST
ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
accept the Decrees of the Council.
St Nektarios of Pentapolis: By invoking the Intercession of the Saints, the Church believes that the Saints, who
Interceded with our Lord Jesus Christ for the Peace of the world and for the stability of the Holy churches of
Christ while living, do not cease doing so in Christ's Heavenly, Triumphant Church, and they continue to heed
our entreaties whereby we invoke them, and they pray to God, and become Bearers of the Grace and Mercy of
our Lord. (“MODERN ORTHODOX SAINTS” - VOLUME 7 - CONSTANTINE CAVARNOS)
St. Maximos the Confessor: In its natural state, the human intelligence is subject to Divine Intelligence and itself
rules over the non4intelligent element in us. Let this order be maintained in all things, and there will be no evil
among creatures nor anything that draws us towards evil. (“SECOND CENTURY ON LOVE” NO. 83 – “THE PHILOKALIA”)
20 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 7 T H SUND AY OF H O L Y PASCH A – BE FO R E PE NTE CO ST – THE 318 HO L Y FATH ER S O F THE 1 S T E CUMENICAL CO UNCI L – 16 MAY 2010
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.
21 May 2010
The Feast of St Constantine & St Helen - Equals-to-the-Apostles
Also of St Pachomios the New Martyr
Anelifthis en doxi Hriste O Theos imon, Thou Ascended in Glory: O Christ Jesus,
haropiisas tous Mathitas, ti our God: cheering up the Disciples by
epangelia tou Agiou Pnevmatos, the Promise of the Holy Spirit; by
veveothenton afton dia tis evlogias, assuring them through Thy Divine
oti si i O Ios tou Theou, O Litrotis tou Blessings that Thou art indeed the Son
kosmou. of God, and the world’s Redeemer.
A POL YT IKION O F THE HO L Y CRO SS – TONE 4
Tou Stavrou Sou ton tipon en Ourano theasamenos, ke os The Sign of the Cross in the sky having beheld, and like
O Pavlos tin klisin ouk ek anthropon dexamenos, O en Paul having received the Call that did not come from
Vasilefsin Apostolos Sou Kyrie, Vasilevousan polin ti Hiri men, Thine Apostle among all the Kings, O Lord, built
Sou paretheto; in perisoze dia pantos en Irini, Presvies his capital city and placed its care in Thy Hands; which,
tis Theotokou, Mone Filanthrope! we ask Thee to guard in Peace, forever, by the
Intercessions of the Theotokos, O Only Lover of
mankind!
Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis Having fulfilled the dispensation for us, and uniting the
Ouraniis, anelifthis en doxi, Hriste O Theos imon; earthly with the Heavenly, Thou Ascended in Glory, O
oudamothen horizomenos alla menon adiastatos, ke Christ our God; being in no way separated, but
voon tis agaposi se: Ego imi meth imon, ke oudis kath remaining inseparable, and calling out to those who
imon. love Thee: I Am with you and no one can be against
you!
The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke: 26: 1, 12 - 20
ST PAUL’S DEFENCE
At that time Agrippa said to Paul: “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and
answered for himself...
“... While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the Chief Priests, at midday, O
King, along the road I saw a Light from Heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed
with me.
“And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a Voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul,
Saul, why art thou persecuting Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.’
“So I said: ‘Who art Thou, Lord?’ And He said: ‘I Am Jesus Whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your
feet; for I have appeared to you for this Purpose, to make you a Minister and a Witness both of the things which
you have seen and of the Things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver to you from the Hebrew people, as
well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to
Light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive Forgiveness of sins and an Inheritance
among those who are Sanctified by Faith in Me.’
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the Heavenly Vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in
Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, so that they should repent, turn to God,
and do works befitting Repentance.”
A report of the charges against a prisoner was required by As part of St Paul’s earlier persecution against Hebrew
Roman Law. A new Governor, after all, would not want to Christians, he forced them to blaspheme or curse the
look bad before the Roman Emperor. Name of our Lord Jesus. [1 CORINTHIANS 12:3]
There was a slight twist of absurdity here since the charges This is third account of St Paul’s Damascus Road Conversion.
against St Paul were groundless and he was about to be St Paul described the Uncreated Light of God that he
taken to Rome to be sentenced by Caesar but there was experienced on the road to Damascus as being “brighter
nothing with which to accuse him! than the sun.”
Being of higher Rank than St Paul, Agrippa – King and The context suggests it was the Glorified Christ Himself who
Governor of the region – opened the proceedings. confronted St Paul [whose Hebrew name was Saul]. [1
CORINTHIANS 9:1; 15:8]
Agrippa was knowledgeable in Hebrew customs.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT HEROD THE GREAT AND HEROD AGRIPPA WERE APOSTASISED HEBREWS The Risen Christ Commissioned St Paul as His Witness just
WHO WERE SYCOPHANTS AND LACKEYS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND THEREFORE like He Commissioned His Holy Apostles.
WERE FEARED AND DESPISED BY THE HEBREWS.
A direct Call from God constitutes the highest Authority and St
St Paul stretched out his hand in a common gesture for public Paul obeyed the Heavenly Vision by declaring to both
speakers of that era. Hebrews and Gentiles that they should “Repent, turn to
No accusers were present and St Paul was free to proceed as God and do Good Works...” that prove their genuine
he pleased, although he used the Hebrew’s false charges Repentance and Commitment to Almighty God.
against him as his point of reference.
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD & SAVIOUR IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Most assuredly, I say to you: he who does not enter the Sheepfold by the
Door, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber. But He Who enters by the Door is the Shepherd of
the Sheep. To Him the Doorkeeper opens, and the Sheep hear His Voice; and He calls His own Sheep by name
and leads them out.
“And when He brings out His own Sheep, He goes before them; and the Sheep follow Him, for they know His Voice.
Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST CONSTANTINE & ST HELEN – EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES 21 MAY 2010
21
Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things that He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them
again: “Most assuredly, I say to you: I Am the Door of the Sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and
robbers, but the Sheep did not hear them. I Am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved, and will go
in and out and find Pasture.”
Our Lord’s conversation with THE PHARISEES continued after ➤HIS TERRIBLE SUFFERING upon the Cross – the ultimate
He told them that they WERE ALIENATED FROM GOD, not Blood Sacrifice for the sake of all humanity throughout
the Blind Man whom they had so self-righteously cast out all the ages.
of the Temple. ➤HIS ENTRY INTO HADES whereby His Death conquered
THEY WERE SPIRITUALLY BLIND AND THEY WERE FALSE Death thereby releasing those who had awaited His
SHEPHERDS OF GOD’S PEOPLE Coming in Faith, Hope and Trust.
“ ... HE WHO DOES NOT ENTER ... BY THE DOOR IS A THIEF AND ➤HIS DEATH AND THE SUBSEQUENT “HARROWING OF
A ROBBER” is a reference to THOSE WHO DO NOT FOLLOW HELL” makes it possible for Repentant sinners to
GOD’S LAW ACCORDING TO ITS SPIRIT AND MEANING. “repose in Christ” – rest in the comfort of Christ’s Love
✽ It is a reference to THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD’S - while awaiting His Second Glorious Coming to Judge
DIVINE PERFECT TRUTH AND MANKIND’S FLAWED,
OPINIONATED CONCEPTS. the living and the dead.
✽ BY FOLLOWING OUR OWN IDEAS RATHER THAN GOD’S ➤HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION showed us what all
TRUTH, WE become “thieves and robbers” who humanity can expect on the Final Day.
DECEIVE OURSELVES AND OTHERS, thus stealing ➤HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN, witnessed by so many
souls from God. reliable people, is also a Divine Promise of future
“...HE WHO ENTERS BY THE DOOR IS THE SHEPHERD...” means Events.
that THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF All these Wondrous Events were strictly FOR THE SAKE OF
CHRIST OUR TRUE SHEPHERD WITH HUMILITY AND OUR IMMORTAL SOULS, GIVING US HOPE, JOY AND PEACE
OBEDIENCE ARE WORTHY LEADERS AND SPIRITUAL and showing us that IT IS ALL INDEED TRUE AND
GUIDES – True Shepherds of His Faithful Disciples. DEFINITELY POSSIBLE FOR ALL REPENTANT SINNERS such
They are THE RIGHTFUL SHEPHERDS OF GOD’S FLOCKS as ourselves.
because they OPERATE LEGALLY ACCORDING TO GOD’S “...I AM THE DOOR...” Means that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
DIVINE LAWS AND TEACHINGS. THE ONLY MEANS BY WHICH WE CAN BE ASSURED OF
“... THE SHEEP HEAR HIS VOICE...” SUGGESTS A CLOSE ETERNAL LIFE.
RELATIONSHIP between our Lord the Good Shepherd and ✽ IT IS HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO GAIN ENTRY
INTO GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM EXCEPT THROUGH
us, His loyal Sheep. CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
✽ AS WE GROW SPIRITUALLY STRONGER AND CLOSER TO
GOD, WE DO INDEED RECOGNISE THE VOICE OF HIS ➤we need to know His Teachings so that we are able to
TRUTH AND WISDOM. live in Eternity – be worthy citizens in His Eternal
“... HE CALLS HIS OWN SHEEP BY NAME ...” Because GOD Kingdom of Love/Agape.
KNOWS EACH SOUL better than anyone else. ➤everything to do with His Holy Church has a Purpose –
THE NAMES GIVEN TO US AND MENTIONED DURING THE 8TH DAY NAMING AND AT OUR Prayers, Hymns, Liturgical Practises, etc. prepare us
HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION, ARE THOSE BY WHICH GOD CALLS US. for that very special existence that will never end.
WHENEVER WE RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION OUR PRIESTS ANNOUNCE OUR CHRISTIAN
NAMES ALOUD TO THE HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY WITNESSES SO IF A PRIEST DOES ➤without any Divine Knowledge at all, we shall be like
NOT KNOW US, WE MUST ANNOUNCE OUR BAPTISMAL NAME ALOUD BEFORE aliens in a foreign country and unable to exist there.
PARTAKING.
✽ “...IF ANYONE ENTERS BY ME, HE WILL BE SAVED...” IS A
“... HE GOES BEFORE THEM...” is a reference to THE HUMAN SACRED PROMISE OF GOD.
EXPERIENCES THAT CHRIST OUR INCARNATE GOD GOD’S SACRED AND DIVINE PROMISES ARE 100%
ENDURED FOR OUR SAKES: GUARANTEED
St Constantine & St Helen – Equals to the Apostles
This great and renowned sovereign of the Christians was the foundations of the new capital of his realm, inaugurating
son of Constantios Chloros (the Ruler of the western it on 11 May, 330.
areas of the Roman Empire), and of St Helen. Since the Imperial Throne of the Roman Empire was
He was born in 272, in Naissos of Dardania, a city on the transferred from Rome, it was initially named “New
Hellespont. In 306, when his father died, he was Rome,” and the inhabitants were called “Romans.” It was
proclaimed successor to his throne. eventually renamed in honour of him: “Constantinople.”
In 312, when his co4rulers of the Roman Empire, Maxentios Near Nicomedia, St Constantine fell grave ill so he requested
and Maximinos, joined forces against him, he marched Holy Baptism, and having been deemed worthy of the
into Italy, and, after midday, while leading his troops, he Holy Mysteries, he reposed in 337, on 21 May, the Day of
saw in the sky, beneath the sun, a radiant pillar in the Pentecost, at the age of 65, having ruled for 31 years.
form of a cross with the words: "By this shalt thou His mortal remains were transferred to Constantinople and
conquer." laid to rest in the Church of the Holy Apostles, which
The following night, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him had been built by him.
in a Vision and revealed the Power of the Holy Cross and After her son had made the Faith of Christ triumphant
Its significance to him. throughout the Roman Empire , St Helen undertook a
When he arose in the morning, he immediately ordered a Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem to find the Holy Cross of
labarum (A BANNER OR STANDARD OF VICTORY) in the form of a cross to our Lord and in her zeal to Glorify Christ, she ordered
be made, upon which was inscribed the Name of Jesus many churches and chapel to be erected at the sites of
Christ. the Crucifixion and Resurrection in Jerusalem, at the
On 28 October he conquered Maxentios, who drowned in the cave where our Saviour was born in Bethlehem and at
Tiber River while fleeing, and the following day, St the exact spot from when our Lord Ascending into
Constantine entered Rome in great triumph to be Heaven. Numerous other churches and chapels were
proclaimed Emperor of the West by the Senate, while built at Holy Sites throughout the Holy Land – Palestine –
Licinios, his brother4in4law, ruled in the East. on the island of Cyprus, and elsewhere throughout Asia
Licinios then maliciously persecuted the Christians so St Minor.
Constantine wages war against him and utterly St Helen was proclaimed “Augusta,” her image was stamped
destroyed him in 324, becoming Emperor of the entire upon golden coins, and two cities were named
Roman Empire. “Helenopolis” in her honour in Bithynia and Palestine.
By his Decree all persecutions against Christians ceased, and Having been thus glorified for her Piety, St Helen reposed in
idolatry was overthrown. the Lord being at the age of 80, circa 330 or 336.
In 325 St Constantine convened the First Ecumenical Council ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: ONLINE CHAPEL OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE
OF AMERICA – www.goarch.org
in Nicaea, which he himself personally addressed and in
324, in the ancient city of Byzantium, he laid the
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE FEAST OF ST CONSTANTINE & ST HELEN – EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES 21 MAY 2010
22
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.
TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD.
AMEN.
22 May 2010
Saturday of the Souls
The Feast of St Basiliskos Hieromartyr of Comana; St Markellos & St Cordos; St
Dimitrios & St Pavlos New Martyrs of Tripoli; St John-Vladimir Ruler of Serbia
A POL YT IKION O F THE SO UL S
O vathi sofias filanthropos panta ikonomon, ke to O Thou Who with profound Wisdom and Love for
simferon pasin aponemon, mone Dimiourge, mankind, order all things, and grant to all what is to
anapafson Kyrie, tas psihas ton doulon Sou; en si gar their profit, Only Creator: grant rest, O Lord, to the
tin elpida anethento, to Piiti ke Plasti ke Theo imon. souls of Thy servants; for they set their every hope in
Thee, the Maker and Creator and God of us all.
KONT AKI ON O F THE SO UL S
Meta ton Agion anapafson, Hriste, tin psihin tou doulou With all the Saints give rest, O Christ, to Thy departed
Sou, entha ouk esti ponos, ou lipi, ou stenagmos, alla servant’s soul, where there is no pain, no sorrow and
Zoi Ateleftitos. no lament, but only Life Eternally
The First Epistle of St Paul to the Thessalonians 4 : 13 - 17
ST PAUL OFFERS ASSURANCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR BODIES
Brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no
hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord: that we who are alive and remain until the Coming of the Lord, will by no
means precede those who are asleep because the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of
an Archangel, and with the Trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And
thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore, comfort one another.
✽ THIS IS ONE OF THE CLEAREST NEW TESTAMENT 3. “THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD” – ALL THOSE WHO
PASSAGES CONCERNING THE SECOND APPEARANCE HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN CHRIST WILL ARISE, COMPLETE
OR COMING OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS IN BODY AND SOUL, just as our Lord showed us by
CHRIST. means of His own physical and Spiritual Resurrection.
✽ THE DIDACHE – THE WRITINGS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES OF (His Resurrection was the first, revealed to us so that we
CHRIST – LISTS THREE SIGNS THAT WILL MARK THE
VISIBLE REAPPEARANCE OF OUR LORD JESUS TO US:
can know His Divine Truth)
1. “THE SIGN SPREAD OUT IN THE HEAVENS” – CHRIST AND ✽ FOR THE RIGHTEOUS, THE RETURN OF OUR LORD JESUS
HIS HEAVENLY HOSTS WILL BE UNMISTAKABLY SEEN BY CHRIST IS THE GREATEST COMFORT AND JOY, BUT TO
ALL HUMANITY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THE WICKED, IT IS TERRIFYING BECAUSE THE TIME
HAS COME FOR THEM TO BEAR THE ETERNAL
2. “THE SIGN OF THE TRUMPET” – A SOUND LOUDER THAN
CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR WICKED DISOBEDIENCE
ANY EVER HEARD ON EARTH that will awaken those who AND STATE OF UNREPENTANCE AND LACK OF
have fallen asleep in Christ. REMORSE!!

THE RE-INSTATEMENT OF ST PETER BY OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST
It was the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His Disciples after He was raised from the dead. So when they had
eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of Jonah: do you Love Me more than these?” He said to Him:
“Yes, Lord; Thou know that I Love Thee.” He said to him: “Feed My Lambs!”
Jesus said to him again a second time: “Simon, son of Jonah: do you Love Me?” He said to Him: “Yes, Lord; Thou know
that I Love Thee.” He said to him: “Tend My Sheep!”
He said to him a third time: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you Love Me?” Peter was grieved because He asked him the third
time: “Do you Love Me?” So he said to Him: “Lord, Thou know all things; Thou know that I Love Thee!” Jesus said to
him: “Feed My Sheep! Most assuredly, I say to you: when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where
you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where
you do not wish.”
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him: “Follow Me!”
Then Peter, turning around, saw the Disciple whom Jesus Loved following, who also had leaned on His Breast at the Supper,
and said: “Lord, who is the one who betrays Thee?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus: “But Lord, what about this man?”
Jesus said to him: “If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You: follow Me!”
Then this saying went out among the Brethren that this Disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would
not die, but, “If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
This is the Disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his Testimony is True. And
there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world
itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Amen.
The words “... more than these...” refers to the other Disciples. PRECIOUS FLOCK OF CHRIST – THE GROWING CHRISTIAN
BEFORE THE PASSION OF CHRIST, ST PETER HAD EXPRESSED CHURCH – THE VERY BODY OF CHRIST HIMSELF!
HIS ABSOLUTE LOYALTY TO HIM, EVEN IF THE OTHERS Since St Peter had denied our Lord Jesus thrice before the
WERE TO BE SCATTERED IN FEAR OF PERSECUTION. cock crowed after the arrest and before the Passion, so
[MATTHEW 26:33] our Risen Lord made St Peter confess his Love for Him
Now our Risen Lord Jesus Christ asked St Peter whether he three times. In this manner, ST PETER WAS REINSTATED
really meant what he said and if so, HE WAS TO INTO THE GRACE OF GOD AND WAS RESTORED TO THE
CONCENTRATE ALL HIS EFFORTS OF SERVING THE
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS)) SAT URD A Y BE FORE PE NTE CO ST - SAT URD A Y O F THE SOUL S 22 M A Y 201 0 23.
LEADERSHIP OF THE EARLY CHURCH SO THAT HE COULD MAIN CONCERN IS TO FOLLOW CHRIST FAITHFULLY AND
CONTINUE HIS SACRED MINISTRY OF SHEPHERDING TO PURSUE THE PERSONAL MISSIONS THAT HE HAS
CHRIST’S FLOCK, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER HOLY ENTRUSTED TO US.
APOSTLES OF CHRIST. St John the Divine Apostle and Theologian lived a long life,
Verses 18-19 “... Another will gird you and carry you where dying at the age of 100 (circa 95 – 100). Early Christians
you do not wish...” is A VEILED PROPHECY OF THE marvelled at his longevity and remembered the Words of
MARTYRDOM OF ST PETER. Christ that are recorded here. It is also quite possible that
These words imply that ST PETER WOULD HENCEFORTH BE A MANY CHRISTIANS BELIEVED THAT ST JOHN WOULD NOT
FAITHFUL, TRUE AND STEADFAST DISCIPLE OF CHRIST, DIE BEFORE THE PHYSICAL RETURN OF CHRIST ALTHOUGH
even though Faithful Discipleship would bring about his THIS IDEA IS CORRECTED by his own words: “YET JESUS
painful death, when circa 64 – 68, under the orders of DID NOT SAY TO HIM THAT HE WOULD NOT DIE”
Nero Caesar, he would be crucified upside down. The final two verses consist of the testimony of St John’s
“The Disciple whom Jesus Loved” is a reference to our Lord’s assistants, as the plural “we know” indicates. Holy
cousin, ST JOHN THE DIVINE APOSTLE AND THEOLOGIAN Tradition records that A CERTAIN SCRIBE NAMED
WHO UNSELFISHLY DEDICATED HIS ENTIRE LIFE TO THE PROCHOROS ACTUALLY COMMITTED ST JOHN’S WORDS
SERVICE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR AND THE AND TEACHINGS TO WRITING.
PROTECTION AND CARE OF THE EVER BLESSED “There are also many other things... the world itself could not
THEOTOKOS. [HIS MOTHER WAS SALOME, A FIRST COUSIN OF THE EVER contain the books that would be written...” is a conscious
BLESSED VIRGIN AND THE DAUGHTER OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED AND SALOME,
THE SISTER OF ST ANNA]
exaggeration to make a point: THE HOLY GOSPEL OF ST
JOHN CONTAINS ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE WORKS OF
“What is that to thee? Thou: follow me!” This is an
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. MANY MORE ARE REPORTED IN
admonition not only to St Peter but to each and every one THE HOLY GOSPELS OF ST MATTHEW, ST MARK AND ST
of us: WE ARE NOT TO CONCERN OURSELVES WITH LUKE, BUT EVEN THESE RECORDS ARE NOT EXHAUSTIVE.
WHATEVER OUR LORD HAS IN STORE FOR OTHERS. OUR
Saturday Before Pentecost - Saturday of the Souls

Since the earliest days, our Holy Church has dedicated ❃ Saturday before Pentecost.
Saturday to the Commemoration of souls. We must always keep in mind the basic and saving
It is primarily the Remembrance Day of those who have Truths of this preparatory life on earth:
fallen asleep in Christ and Christians offer Memorial 1. our world does not only consist of what we can
Services and perform charitable acts in honour of the experience through our physical senses but also
departed souls on Saturdays, thereby maintaining a of a spiritual, invisible aspect as well in which the
close relationship to them and regularly beseeching souls of our departed await the General
God’s Mercy for their rest and Eternal Salvation. Resurrection and Final Judgement of Christ.
It is customary for Orthodox Christians to visit 2. the Holy Church of Christ maintains a continuous
cemeteries (“places of rest”) on Saturdays rather than communication between those who are still
on any other day of the week. struggling through this life and those who have
There are many reasons why Saturday is the designated completed their course and now repose in the
day of souls and the most likely explanation seems Lord.
to be that the word "Savaton" — coming from the 3. amidst our daily activity and Spiritual Strivings we
Hebrew word “Sabbath” — means “Day of Rest.” must always remember death since there is
Taking time off from our usual labours we nothing more certain than our own impending
Commemorate and pray for the peaceful repose of death and nothing more uncertain than the hour
the souls of our beloved ones who are no longer of our death!
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP: “THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER - JAN/FEB 1992” - SA CENTRAL
physically with us. YOUTH, PO BOX 269, GLENELG SA 5045 AUSTRALIA
There are two important “Saturday of the Souls:”
❃ Saturday before Meatfare Sunday
Wisdom of our Holy Fathers
St Ephrem the Syrian: We would say: Ìf Adam died Life in Christ: we have eaten His Body in place of the
because of sin, He Who removed sin had to take away Forbidden Fruit of the Tree, and His Holy Altar has
death too.' replaced the Garden of Eden for us; the Curse has
However, just as Adam was told: `The day you eat of been washed away by His innocent Blood, and in the
the Forbidden Tree, you shall die,' when in fact he Hope of Resurrection we await the Life that is to
did not die, but instead received a Pledge of his death come.
in the form of being stripped naked of the Glory and Indeed, we already walk in the New Life, in that we
expelled from Paradise, after which he daily already have a Pledge of It! (THE LUMINOUS EYE BY SEBASTIAN
BROCK)
pondered on Death, it is exactly the same with our
St. Ambrose of Milan: If one considers accurately, it is They first, but those who are alive second; they with our
not the death of our being, but of evil, for being Lord Jesus; those who are alive through our Lord
continues; it is evil that perishes. Jesus.
That which has been rises again; would that as it is now To them Life will be sweeter after rest, and although the
free from sinning, so it were without former guilt! living will have a delightful gain, yet they will be
But this very thing is a proof that it is not the death of without experience of the Remedy. (ON BELIEF IN THE
RESURRECTION)
being; that we shall be the same persons as we were.
And so we shall either pay the penalty of our sins, or
attain the Reward of our good deeds.
For the same being will rise again, now more honourable
for having paid the Tax of Death.
And then '...the dead who are in Christ shall rise first;
then, too, we who are alive...' it is said, '...shall
together with them be caught upon the clouds into
the air to meet the Lord, and so we shall always be
with the Lord.'
24 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS)) SA TU RDA Y BE FORE PEN TE CO ST - SA TUR DA Y OF TH E SOUL S 2 2 M A Y 20 10

AGES. AMEN.
Trinity Sunday – The Birth of the Holy Church of Christ 23 May 2010
Pentecost Sunday – The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Feast of St Michael the Confessor of Synadon; St Mary, wife of St Cleophas & Holy
Myrrhbearer; St Synesios of Karpasios, Cyprus; St Euphrosynia of Polosk
N D
2 AN TIPHO N O F PEN TE CO ST – P SA LM 19 - TONE 2
Ekouse Sou Kyrios en imera thlipseos, uiperaspise Sou to The Lord hear you in the day of trouble: the Name of the
Onoma tou Theou Iakov. God of Jacob shield you.
✞Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, psalontas Si: Allilouia! ✞Good Paraclete, Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Exapostile Si voithian ex Agiou, ke ek Sion antilavito Sou. May He send you Help from the sanctuary: and support
you out of Zion.
Mnisthii pasis thisias Sou, ke to olokavtoma Sou pianato May He remember your every sacrifice: and accept your
Burnt Offering.
I SODI KON O F PE NTE CO ST
✞Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou.

Asomen ke psaloumen ✞Be exalted, O Lord, in Thy Power: we shall sing and
tas Dinastias Sou. Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, chant Thy Mighty Deeds. Good Paraclete, Save us who
psallontas Si Allilouia! sing to Thee: Alleluia!
A POL YT IKION O F PEN TE CO ST
✞Evlogitos i Hriste O Theos imon, O Pansofous tous aliis ✞Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who has filled the
anadixas, katapempsas aftis to Pnevma to Agion, ke di Fishermen with Wisdom by sending down the Holy Spirit
Afton tin ikoumenin saginefsas, Filanthrope: Doxa Si! upon them, and Who, through them, has united the
world: Glory to Thee, O Lover of Mankind!
KO NT AKION – TO NE (8 ) PLAGA L 4
FROM PE NTE CO ST U NTI L T HE A PODO SI S BEFO RE ALL SAI NTS SUND A Y
Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O When the Most High came down and confused the
Ipsisto. Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita tongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided out the
panta ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with one voice
Pnevma! we Glorify the All-holy Spirit!
BA PT ISM H YM N – IN STE AD OF THE “AGI OS O THEOS...”
✞Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe. Allelouia ✞As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put
on Christ: Alleluia!
H YM N TO THEOTOKO S – TONE VA R YS/G RA VE - IN ST EAD O F “ AXION E STI N”
Mi tis fthoras diapira kioforisasa ke pantehnimoni Logo Conceiving without knowing corruption, lending Thy flesh
sarka danisasa, Miter Apirandre, Parthene Theotoke, to the Word, the Deviser of all, O Mother knowing no man;
dohion tou astektou, horion tou apirou plastourgou Sou, Virgin Theotokos, Vessel of the Uncontainable, Space for
Se Megalinomen!
Thine Infinite Creator, we magnify Thee!
Matins Gospel - John 20: 19 – 23
JESUS CHRIST, OUR RISEN LORD, APPEARS TO TEN OF HIS DISCIPLES AND BESTOWS HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY ON THEM
At that time, 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 Hebrews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to 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 to you! As the Father has Sent Me, I also Send you.” And when He had said this, He
breathed upon them, and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven
them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ showed His Apostles and ENABLES US TO DEVELOP HOLY VIRTUES AND TO
Disciples His Wrists where He had been nailed to the FULFIL AMAZING SPIRITUAL FEATS AND GOOD DEEDS.
cross. ✽ THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES US TO DO THINGS THAT
WOULD NORMALLY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH.
The Greek word means both “hands” and “wrists,” so it has
Therefore, WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES
been incorrectly translated over the years. WONDROUSLY POSSIBLE!!
The Roman torturers nailed crucifixion victims through the All the good things in this life - including our Understanding
small gap between the wrist bones to the cross-bar so that and Knowledge of Divine Matters - are DUE ONLY TO THE
the entire weight of the body could be supported for as HOLY SPIRIT WHO ENABLES AND ACTIVATES US WHEN WE
long as it took to die of suffocation and drowning in the ARE CLOSE TO GOD AND IN A REPENTANT STATE.
accumulated fluids that built up in the strained lungs. (SPIRITUAL LIFE)
Crucifixion victims could hang for days before dying so in order However, AS SOON AS WE FALL INTO SIN – SPIRITUAL DEATH
to speed up the process the soldiers would smash the legs – WE ALIENATE OURSELVES FROM GOD AND ARE LEFT
causing terrible green stick fractures which leaked the FEELING UNHAPPY AND UNFULFILLED.
bone marrow into the blood stream – an excruciatingly GOD AND ALL HIS HEAVENLY HOSTS AND SAINTS WHO
NORMALLY WATCH CAREFULLY OVER THE FAITHFUL,
painful and slow death! No one survived crucifixion! TURN THEIR FACES OR SIGHT AWAY FROM THOSE WHO
✽ OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST COMMISSIONED HIS ARE UNREPENTANT SINNERS.
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES TO CONTINUE HIS DIVINE MISSION ✽ THUS, AS SOON AS WE REALISE WE HAVE COMMITTED A
ON EARTH BY GRANTING THEM HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY SIN, WE MUST IMMEDIATELY REPENT, BEG
TO FORGIVE THE SINS OF OTHERS AND BY GRANTING FORGIVENESS FROM GOD AND THOSE WHOM WE HAVE
THEM THE RECEPTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO WRONGED AND RETURN TO THE JOYOUS SIGHT AND
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) PENTECOST SUNDAY – THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THE BIRTH OF OUR CHURCH 23 MAY 2010
25
PROTECTION OF GOD AND EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD APOSTOLIC CONTINUITY, CHRIST’S OWN HOLY
AND HOLY. PRIESTHOOD IS COMMUNICATED TO ALL FAITHFUL AND
✽ THROUGH THIS DIRECT CONSECRATION BY CHRIST OF HIS TRUE BISHOPS AND PRESBYTERS (PRIESTS) OF HIS ONE,
HOLY APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES AND THROUGH HOLY, UNIVERSAL AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH.
PROKEIMENONTheir sound has gone out into all the earth: and their words to the ends of the world. The Heavens declare
the Glory of God!
The Acts of the Apostles 2 : 1 - 11
THE DISCIPLES RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM THE RISEN CHRIST
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a Sound
from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Then there appeared before them divided Tongues, as of Fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were filled with
the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Hebrews, devout men, from every nation under Heaven. And when this Sound
occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
Then they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another: "Look! Are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is
it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining
Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Hebrews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – we hear them speaking in our own
tongues the Wonderful Works of God!"
"THE DAY OF PENTECOST" (also called the Festival of ✽ PENTECOST TRANSCENDS HUMANITY’S
Weeks) in the Old Testament WAS 50 DAYS AFTER UNDERSTANDING to such an extent that
PASSOVER and WAS A CELEBRATION OF THE LANGUAGE CANNOT DESCRIBE THIS SACRED
FIRSTFRUITS OF HARVEST. [LEVITICUS 23:16] EXPERIENCE. It can only point to it.
Since our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified at Passover, THE The ability of SPEAKING IN ALL THE LANGUAGES of
PENTECOST EVENTS – THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY the people WAS A FULFILMENT OF THE PROPHECY OF
SPIRIT - recorded in Chapter 2 of the Acts of the JOEL CONCERNING THE HOLY SPIRIT: "… I WILL POUR
Apostles, OCCURRED 50 DAYS AFTER HIS DEATH. OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH; … even on the male
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS THE OFFERER AND THE and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out My
OFFERING of the Divine Sacrifice IS THE PASCHAL Spirit."
LAMB AND HIS CRUCIFIXION DEATH IS THE NEW ✽ THE WORDS SPOKEN BY THE APOSTLES WERE IN THE
PASSOVER. ACTUAL LANGUAGES OF ALL THE PEOPLE from all
Since then PASCHA/EASTER CAN ONLY BE CELEBRATED over the Empire who had come to Jerusalem for
AFTER THE JEWISH PASSOVER. the Feast.
✽ CHRIST’S DISCIPLES WERE THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE ALL THESE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE
DIVINE HARVEST.
ROMAN EMPIRE HEARD THE GOOD NEWS – THE HOLY
On the first Christian Pentecost the Believers were GOSPEL – AND PRAISES OF ALMIGHTY GOD IN THEIR
gathered together "with one accord in one place." RESPECTIVE LANGUAGES FROM OTHERS WHO DID NOT
They were united in an Assembly and THEIR UNITY KNOW THOSE LANGUAGES.
CREATED AN SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT INTO WHICH ✽ IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ALL GOD’S REVELATIONS AND
THE HOLY SPIRIT COULD ENTER. TEACHINGS BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD, according
This Divine Phenomenon of "Tongues, as of Fire" fulfils the to each one’s abilities.
Prophecy of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST who KNEW THAT ✽ AS WE GROW CLOSER TO GOD, HE OPENS UP OUR
CHRIST WOULD "BAPTISE ... WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT MINDS so that we are able to understand Divine
AND FIRE." [LUKE 3:16 MATT 3:11] Knowledge.
✽ THIS "FIRE" IS A MANIFESTATION OF THE UNCREATED THE PEOPLE AND PLACES MENTIONED are important
ENERGY OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
because many of these locations WOULD SOON
Because GOD IS OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS OF ALL CREATION,
BECOME THE SITES OF NEW CHURCHES as recorded in
HE AND ALL THAT COMES FROM HIS UNCREATED
NATURE, INCLUDING HIS POWER OR ENERGY, ARE the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, according to St
CALLED "UNCREATED." [SOMETHING NOT OF THIS WORLD OR Luke.
UNIVERSE OF MATERIAL, MATTER OR SUBSTANCE.]
The Holy Gospel According to St John 7: 37 – 52; 8:12

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HIS DISCIPLES
On the last day, that great day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me
and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of Living Water."
But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, Whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet
given, because Jesus was not yet Glorified. Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said:
“Truly this is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has
not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David
was?"
Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands upon Him. Then the officers came to the Chief Priests
and Pharisees, who said to them: "Why have you not brought Him?" The officers answered: "No man ever spoke like
this Man!" Then the Pharisees answered them: "Are you also deceived? Have any of the Rulers of the Pharisees
believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed." Nikodemos (he who came to Jesus by
night, being one of them), said to them: "Does our Law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is
doing?" They answered and said to him: "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no Prophet has arisen out
of Galilee."
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I Am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,
but have the Light of Life."
THE "LAST DAY, that great day of the Feast" was probably ✽ “EIGHTH DAY” IS A REFERENCE TO ETERNITY –
THE SEVENTH OR EIGHTH DAY OF THE FEAST OF ETERNAL LIFE OR ETERNAL DEATH
TABERNACLES. ✽ "LIVING WATER" IS THE GIFT OF THE HOLY "SPIRIT"
Ceremonies included A PROCESSION FROM THE POOL OF AND THE NEW LIFE THAT SPRINGS FORTH BY THE
SILOAM, CARRYING WATER AND POURING IT AS A POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
LIBATION [OFFERING] AT THE TEMPLE. CHRIST GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THE BELIEVER’S
This commemorated THE WATER FLOWING FROM THE HEART CONSEQUENTLY FLOWS WITH NEW LIFE.
ROCKS THAT MOSES STRUCK IN THE WILDERNESS ✽ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST NEVER FORCE US, AND HE
IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO US IF AND WHEN WE
and provides the context for the Lord’s Words: "If NEED HIM.
anyone thirsts…" [EXODUS 17: 1 – 7] "The Prophet" means that MANY HEBREWS of those days
✽ THE “LAST DAY” in Christian terms IS A REFERENCE
WERE LOOKING not only for the Messiah – Christ –
TO JUDGEMENT DAY WHEN GOD DECIDES THE
FATE OF HUMANITY.
but also FOR A PROPHET WHO WOULD BE A NEW
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MOSES: one who would lead Israel out of the LORD .. For WHEN THE MIND IS OPEN TO CONVICTION
bondage and suppression of the Roman Rulers. THERE IS NO NEED OF LONG SPEECHES. TRUTH IS
Reference is often made during the Holy Week Services to LIKE THAT." [HOMILY 52]
THE "GREAT MOSES" – especially on Holy Saturday. "NICODEMOS" had spoken with our Lord Jesus and may
[DEUTERONOMY 18:15 – 19] well have been on his way to BECOMING A DISCIPLE.
JESUS CHRIST DID COME FROM THE LINE OF KING "DAVID" OTHERS ALSO BELIEVED IN CHRIST, BUT WERE TOO
AND WAS BORN IN "BETHLEHEM" as had been AFRAID OF REPERCUSSIONS TO ADMIT IT.
prophesied, but THE PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WAS FROM ✽ ST NICODEMOS’ DEFENCE OF JESUS CHRIST WAS
NAZARETH IN GALILEE. BASED UPON LEGAL GROUNDS: THEY SHOULD
Far more significantly, throughout His Holy Gospel, ST FIRST LISTEN TO HIS WORDS BEFORE HE WAS
JOHN USED OCCASIONS LIKE THIS TO BRING OUT THE ARRESTED. [REFER EXODUS 23:1 WHICH FORBIDS FALSE
REPORTING; DEUTERONOMY 1:16 REQUIRES THAT BOTH SIDES OF A CASE
TRUTH CONCERNING OUR LORD’S ETERNAL ORIGIN MUST BE HEARD.]
FROM THE FATHER. ✽ THE PHARISEES FAILED TO UPHOLD THE LAW and
No arrest could be made before our Lord’s "Hour" had made a sarcastic response to St Nikodemos, but
come. THEIR STATEMENT CONDEMNED THEM and
✽ THE LORD HIMSELF DECIDED "THE HOUR," not anyone CLEARLY REVEALED THEIR BLINDNESS TO THE
else. HOLY SCRIPTURES BECAUSE THE "PROPHET"
THE ENEMIES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INCREASINGLY JONAH CAME FROM GATH HEPHER, A TOWN IN
SCHEMED TO DESTROY HIM. GALILEE THAT WAS ONLY THREE MILES FROM
✽ The Officers of the Temple were sent out to Him in the NAZARETH. [2 KINGS 14:25]
middle of the Feast and it was now the last day "I Am the Light of the world" - during the Feast of
when they returned declaring: "no man ever spoke Tabernacles, torches were lit in the Temple Court,
like this Man!" meaning THEY HAD NEVER HEARD and singing and dancing continued each night.
GOD’S TRUTH SO DIRECTLY AND HONESTLY ✽ In this context, OUR LORD IS THE ONE WHO GIVES
EXPLAINED IN A WAY THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO "THE LIGHT OF LIFE."
UNDERSTAND. In the New Testament, GOD IS LIGHT; THE FOLLOWERS
St John Chrysostom wrote: "THE PHARISEES AND THE OF CHRIST ARE THE LIGHT; AND BELIEVERS SHINE AS
SCRIBES … WHO EVEN WITNESSED MIRACLES AND LIGHTS in the world. [1 JOHN 1:5; MATTHEW 5:14; PHILIPPIANS
READ HOLY SCRIPTURES, DERIVED NO BENEFIT from 2:15]
all this … THE ATTENDANTS [THE OFFICERS], on the other ✽ In these and other references in the Holy Gospel of St
hand, although they could lay claim to none of this, John, GOD IS THE SOURCE OF THIS UNCREATED,
WERE CAPTIVATED BY A SINGLE SERMON OF OUR LIFE-GIVING LIGHT.
Holy Pentecost Sunday – The Descent of the Holy Spirit & the Birth of our Holy Church
Our Blessed Holy Father, St Nikolai Velimirovic made the “In the same manner the Holy Spirit, Whose Nature is always
following commentary on today’s Sacred Lessons: the same, simple and indivisible, apportions Grace to each
person as He Wills.”
“When a seed is sown, the power of warmth and light must come ✽ EACH OF US HAS BEEN GRANTED DIFFERENT GIFTS BUT THEY
on it to make it grow. When a tree is planted, the power of the ARE ALL THE SAME BECAUSE THEY ORIGINATE FROM THE
wind must come on it, to make it strong and establish it. SAME DIVINE SOURCE – THE HOLY SPIRIT.
When a householder builds a house, he seeks the Power of St Paul referred to this fact when he wrote to the Christians of
Prayer, to Consecrate his home.
Corinth: “Now there are diversities of Gifts, but the same
“God the Son sowed the Tree of Life in the wild, uncultivated
Spirit.” (1 CORINTHIANS 12:4)
fields of Death. The powerful Whirlwind of the Holy Spirit ✽ THE PURPOSE OF THESE DIVINE GIFTS IS TO MAKE GOD KNOWN
was needed to breathe on it, to establish the Tree of Life.
IN THIS WORLD. This is clearly illustrated when Christ
“The Pre-Eternal Wisdom of God has made Itself Dwelling-
places from the chosen souls of human beings, and the said: “I Am the Light of world. He who follows Me shall
Spirit of God’s Power and Wisdom was needed to descend not walk in darkness.”
upon this Holy Dwelling-place and Consecrate it. St Symeon the New Theologian considered how those words
“The Divine Bridegroom had chosen His Bride, the Holy related to the Holy Spirit in his “Mystic Treatises” 59:
Church of pure souls, and the Spirit of Eternal Joy was “As a lamp, although it is full of oil and has a wick, remains dark
needed to come down to join Heaven and earth with a unless it is lit with fire, so the soul is quenched and dark until
Ring, and clothe the Bride with beautiful Wedding Garments.” it is touched by the Light and Grace of the Holy Spirit.”
In today’s Holy Gospel Reading, we hear THREE OF OUR LORD ✽ In the Holy Gospel according to St John, our Lord Jesus
JESUS CHRIST’S MOST PROFOUND TRUTHS: assured us: “... when the Comforter has come, Whom I
✽ “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” will send to you FROM THE FATHER, even the Spirit of
✽ “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his Truth, WHO PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER, He shall
heart will flow rivers of Living Water.” testify of Me.” (JOHN 15:26)
✽ “I Am the Light of world. He who follows Me shall not walk ✽ Thus, OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR ENLIGHTENS THE WORLD BY
in darkness." SENDING THE DIVINE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO THE
THESE THREE PROCLAMATIONS OF OUR LORD REVEAL HIS INFINITE WORLD – FROM GOD THE FATHER.
LOVE, COMPASSION AND GENEROSITY. THEY ALSO REFERRED ✽ WE MUST USE THE DIVINE GIFTS THAT ARE GRANTED TO US BY
TO HIS SENDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (WHO MAKES OUR SPIRITUAL THE HOLY SPIRIT (AT HOLY BAPTISM) TO ENLIGHTEN THE
PROGRESS TOWARDS THEOSIS – THE REGAINING OF OUR LIKENESS TO GOD –
POSSIBLE.) WORLD AROUND US.
In the first two statements our Lord Jesus refers to the Holy This is the meaning of our Lord’s words recorded in the Holy
Spirit as “Living Water” (WHO QUENCHES AND SATISFIES OUR SPIRITUAL Gospel according to St Matthew: “Neither do men light a
THIRST.) candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;
St Cyril of Jerusalem believed that Christ referred to the Holy and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (MATTHEW 5:15)
Spirit as “Living Water,” “...because all things are dependent So, my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, my Prayer for you is
on water; plants and animals have their origin in water. that you may TAKE THE GIFTS THAT WERE GRANTED TO YOU
“Water comes down from Heaven as rain, and although it is BY THE LIVING WATER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND USE THEM TO
always the same in itself, it produces many different effects. . . ENLIGHTEN THE WORLD WITH THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
“It does not come down, now as one thing, now as another, but Amen.
while remaining essentially the same, it adapts itself to the ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “PENTECOST” 2009 BY FATHER MILAN MEDAKOVIC – ST
needs of every creature that receives it. GREGORY PALAMAS LIBRARY - www.saintgregorypalamas.com
The Importance of God's Grace

Everyone carries Seeds of Goodness. But no seed can germinate LOVE, ELEVATES OUR THOUGHTS, AND REVIVES OUR WHOLE
NATURE.
and ripen without moisture and light. For this reason
EVERYONE WHO TRULY CRAVES RIGHTEOUSNESS HAS TO As witnessed by many Holy men and women, GOD'S GRACE
RECOGNIZE THAT WITHOUT GOD'S HELP, WITHOUT HIS BRINGS SO MUCH PEACE AND JOY INTO THE HUMAN SOUL
SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE, ANY PROGRESS IN SPIRITUAL LIFE IS THAT ALL EARTHLY ADVANTAGES AND PLEASURES SEEM TO BE
NEGLIGIBLE BY COMPARISON.
IMPOSSIBLE.
GOD'S GRACE RENEWS OUR SOUL, PURIFIES OUR CONSCIENCE, Since the Day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the
ENLIGHTENS OUR MIND, STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH, DIRECTS Apostles, ALL NEWLY BAPTISED ARE LINKED TO THE MIRACLE
OUR WILL TO GOODNESS, WARMS OUR HEART WITH GENUINE OF PENTECOST THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF
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CHRISMATION, PERFORMED IMMEDIATELY AFTER BAPTISM, given through the Spirit the utterance of Wisdom, and to
WHEN GRANTED THE SAME DIVINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT another the utterance of Knowledge according to the same
THAT THE APOSTLES RECEIVED CENTURIES AGO. Spirit, to another Faith by the same Spirit, to another Gifts of
THE POWER OF HOLY CHRISMATION IS SO GREAT AND ETERNAL
Healing by the same Spirit, to another the Working of
THAT IT, LIKE HOLY BAPTISM, IS NEVER REPEATED.
Miracles, to another Prophesy, to another the Ability to
Subsequent Holy Mysteries such as Confession and Eucharist, Distinguish between spirits, to another Various kinds of
Church Services, private Prayers, Fasting, Acts of Mercy and a Tongues, to another the Interpretation of Tongues. All these
Virtuous Life are aimed at strengthening the Divine Gifts we are Inspired by one and the same Spirit, Who apportions to
received at our Chrismation. each individually as He Wills." (1 CORINTHIANS 12: 7-11)
GOD'S GRACE POSSESSES THE EXTRAORDINARY POWER OF ALL CHRISTIANS, BEING LIVE TEMPLES OF THE GRACE OF THE HOLY
RENEWAL, WHICH BECOMES APPARENT IN THE PROFOUND SPIRIT, MUST PRESERVE THEMSELVES FROM ANY PROFANITY
INNER AND OUTWARD CHANGES THAT OCCUR IN THOSE WHO AND SIN: "Do you know that you are God's temple and that
HAVE OPENED THEIR HEART TO GOD. God's Spirit dwells in you? ... If anyone destroys God's
Most vivid examples were the Apostles who were simple, Temple then God shall destroy him. For God's Temple is
uneducated fishermen possessing no obvious talents. But Holy, and that Temple is you" (1 CORINTHIANS 3: 16-17)
ONCE THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED UPON THEM, THEY BECAME In His Parable of the Ten Virgins our Lord spoke of THE
SO SPIRITUALLY ENRICHED AND GAINED SUCH WISDOM AND NECESSITY OF PRESERVING AND INCREASING SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
STRENGTH THAT THEY BROUGHT TO FAITH NOT ONLY THOSE WITHOUT THEM A CHRISTIAN BECOMES LIKE A LAMP WITHOUT
WHO WERE SIMPLE, ILLITERATE PEOPLE BUT THE EDUCATED OIL (MATTHEW 25: 1-13).
AND THE SOCIALLY INFLUENTIAL AS WELL.
St Seraphim Sarovski taught us that THE MAIN PURPOSE OF OUR
Their words, inspired by Divine Grace, penetrated hardened LIFE IS THE ACQUISITION OF THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
hearts. They changed sinners to Saints, the selfish to ALTHOUGH THE BENEFICIAL POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS
GRANTED BY GOD'S MERCY NOT ACCORDING TO MERITS, IT
generous, the wicked to Righteous and the self4indulgent to
INCREASES IN PROPORTION TO OUR DILIGENCE IN CHRISTIAN
self4controlled. LIFE.
Doubtful and timid as they were during our Savior's Life, the St Isaac the Syrian believed: "To the same degree that we
Apostles after the Descent of the Holy Spirit were intentionally grow closer to God, Divine Grace is bestowed
transformed into bold Preachers of the Kingdom of Heaven. on us."
As a result of the Divine Gifts they were granted, innumerable "His Divine Power has granted us all things that pertain to Life
and Godliness, through the Knowledge of Him Who Called us
Christian Communities were established during the 1st
by Glory and Virtue, by which have been given to us
century throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. exceedingly great and precious Promises, that through these
Due to the Grace of God, Christianity rapidly spread throughout you may be Partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped
the known world, bestowing upon all the Renewal of Life. the corruption that is in the world through lust.
THE HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES OF HELPING THE POOR AND “For this very reason make every effort to add to your Faith with
PROTECTING THE WEAK, THE EQUALITY OF ALL BEFORE GOD, Virtue, and Virtue with Knowledge, and Knowledge with Self-
AND THE RECOGNITION OF HUMAN DIGNITY WERE FIRST control, and Self-control with Perseverance, and Perseverance
PROCLAIMED BY THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST - PRINCIPLES
with Godliness, and Godliness with Brotherly Kindness, and
THAT WERE TOTALLY UNKNOWN TO PRE-CHRISTIAN PAGAN
SOCIETY. Brotherly Kindness with Love" (2 PETER 1: 3-7).
St Luke’s "Acts of the Apostles" illustrates the profound changes We must invite God's Grace by Righteous Living and Prayers:
"Walk as Children of Light, for the Fruit of Light is found in all
that transpired throughout all sections of society as people
that is Good and Right and True ... be filled with the Spirit,
became Renewed by Divine Grace. addressing yourselves with Psalms and words of Glory,
Former unbelievers driven by selfish desires with no higher singing Praises to the Lord with all your hearts" (EPHESIANS 5: 8-19).
aspirations, became committed, pious Disciples filled with We begin all private Prayers and Church Services with a special
diligence and ardent Love for God and one another after Prayer to the Holy Spirit beseeching Him to Renew His Grace
turning to Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit. in us:
The newly Baptised Christians "...devoted themselves to the "O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art in
Apostles' Teachings and Fellowship, to the Breaking of Bread all places and Who fillest all things; Treasury of Good
(Communion) and Prayers ... And the Lord added to their Things and Giver of Life: come and dwell in us, and
number day by day those who were of one heart and soul, cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O
and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was Gracious One.”
his own, but they had everything in common ... There was not The Holy Spirit is "Heavenly King" because HE IS THE THIRD
a needy person among them" (ACTS 2: 42-47; 4: 32-35). PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY, EQUAL TO GOD THE FATHER
AND GOD THE SON.
In short, all sinfulness and brutality had been replaced by
The Holy Spirit is our “Comforter” because HE CONSOLES US AND
Meekness, Love and aspiration for the Divine.
GRANTS US JOY IN TIMES OF GRIEF.
As our Saviour taught us, THE DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE COMES The Holy Spirit is the “spirit of truth” as HE REVEALS THE REALITIES
ONLY FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. It is not a naturally occurring OF SPIRITUAL LIFE AND HELPS US TO LOVE TRUTH.
disposition: "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent because DIVINE NATURE HAS NO
cannot enter the Kingdom of God ... That which is born of LIMITATION OR IMPEDIMENTS.
flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" The Holy Spirit is “the Treasury of all Good Things and the Giver
(JOHN 3: 5-6).
THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES US IN TRUTH, COMFORTS US IN SORROW of Life” being THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF EVERYTHING GOOD
AND SATISFIES OUR SPIRITUAL THIRST. AND HE GRANTS LIFE TO ALL CREATION AND SPIRITUAL LIFE TO
INTELLECTUAL BEINGS - MANKIND AND ANGELS.
All Christian Virtues are Gifts of the Holy Spirit: "The Fruit of the
Holy Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, We beseech the Holy Spirit to cleanse us from every passion that
Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control" (GALATIANS 5: 22-23). originates from within us or which attaches to us when we
INNER SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND ACTIVITY IS OFTEN DEVELOPED come into contact with other sinners who may influence us
WITHOUT US BEING AWARE OF IT, as our Lord explained in the and tempt us into disobedience to God and cause us to fall
Parable of the Scattered Seed regarding THE MIRACULOUS into Spiritual Death.
EFFECT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE HUMAN SOUL: "The wind We constantly beseech God to make us worthy Temples for His
blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but Indwelling so that He may protect us and guide us to Eternal
cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is
Salvation.
everyone who is born of the Spirit." (JOHN 3: 8).
WHEN PRAYING WE MUST ALWAYS BE HUMBLE AND AWARE OF
Besides general Spiritual Gifts necessary for the Inner Growth of OUR UNWORTHINESS BECAUSE "GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD
every Christian, THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS TO CERTAIN PEOPLE BUT GRANTS GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
SPECIAL GIFTS NEEDED AS MINISTERS OF THE HOLY CHURCH
AND CHRISTIAN SOCIETY: "To each is given the ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “PENTECOST: THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD’S GRACE” BY
BISHOP ALEXANDER MILEANT - www.fatheralexander.org/books
manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) MONDAY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 24 MAY 2010

28
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.
24 May 2010
Monday of the Holy Spirit
Feast of St Symeon the New Stylite; St Vincent of Lerins; St Meletios the

Commander & his Fellow Martyrs; St Gregory of Novgorod
N D
Ekouse Sou Kyrios en imera thlipseos, uiperaspise Sou to The Lord hear you in the day of trouble: the Name of the
Onoma tou Theou Iakov. God of Jacob shield you.
Exapostile Si voithian ex Agiou, ke ek Sion antilavito Sou. May He send you Help from the sanctuary: and support
you out of Zion.
Mnisthii pasis thisias Sou, ke to olokavtoma Sou pianato May He remember your every sacrifice: and accept your
Burnt Offering.
✞Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou.

Asomen ke psaloumen ✞Be exalted, O Lord, in Thy Power: we shall sing and
tas Dinastias Sou. Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, chant Thy Mighty Deeds. Good Paraclete, Save us
psallontas Si Allilouia! who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
anadixas, katapempsas aftis to Pnevma to Agion, ke di Fishermen with Wisdom by sending down the Holy Spirit
Afton tin ikoumenin saginefsas, Filanthrope: Doxa Si! upon them, and Who, through them, has united the
world: Glory to Thee, O Lover of Mankind!
Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O When the Most High came down and confused the
Ipsisto. Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita tongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided out the
panta ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with one voice
Pnevma! we Glorify the All-holy Spirit!
✞Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe. Allelouia ✞As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put
on Christ: Alleluia!
Mi tis fthoras diapira kioforisasa ke pantehnimoni Logo Conceiving without knowing corruption, lending Thy flesh
sarka danisasa, Miter Apirandre, Parthene Theotoke, to the Word, the Deviser of all, O Mother knowing no man;
dohion tou astektou, horion tou apirou plastourgou Sou, Virgin Theotokos, Vessel of the Uncontainable, Space for
Se Megalinomen!
Thine Infinite Creator, we magnify Thee!
Matins Gospel - John 20: 19 – 23
JESUS CHRIST, OUR RISEN LORD, APPEARS TO TEN OF HIS DISCIPLES AND BESTOWS HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY ON THEM
At that time, 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 Hebrews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to 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 to you! As the Father has Sent Me, I also Send you.” And when He had said this, He
breathed upon them, and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven
them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
PROKEIMENON Their sound has gone out into all the earth: and their words to the ends of the world. The Heavens declare
the Glory of God!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians 5 : 8 - 19
LIVE IN CHRIST THE LIGHT, EXPOSE DARKNESS, OBEY GOD’S DIVINE WILL AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Brethren: you were once darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord. Walk as Children of Light (for the Fruit of the
Spirit is in all Goodness, Righteousness, and Truth) finding out what is acceptable to our Lord. And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them, for it is shameful even to speak of those
things that are done by them in secret.
But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the Light, for whatever makes manifest is Light.
Therefore, He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will grant you Light.”
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. So do not
be unwise, but understand what the Will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but
be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord...

29
✽ WE MUST JUDGE WHAT THE FALLEN WORLD regards as MUCH AS POSSIBLE FROM THIS TRAGIC, FALLEN
“reasonable” ON THE BASIS OF GOD’S DIVINE AND WORLD.
PERFECT TRUTH. As Faithful Disciples of Christ we renounce the fallen world –
BESIDES SEPARATING OURSELVES FROM SPIRITUAL WE REJECT THE WICKEDNESS THAT SURROUNDS US –
DARKNESS, WE MUST ALSO EXPOSE IT TO THE LIGHT OF NOT GOD’S BEAUTIFUL CREATION.
GOD’S TRUTH. ✽ FOLLOWING REPENTANCE a surge of Joy wells up in our
✽ However, IN ORDER TO BE EXPOSED TO DIVINE TRUTH soul - A DISTINCTIVE SPIRIT, A KIND OF SPIRITUAL
OURSELVES, WE HAVE TO COME OUT OF HIDING AS ELATION ENERGISES US. (SPIRITUAL LIFE)
WELL. In other words: WE MUST REPENT AND For THOSE WHO LIVE IN SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND
CONFESS OUR SINS. IGNORANCE, (SPIRITUAL DEATH) THIS SPIRITUAL
The Holy Mystery of Repentance-Confession should be ELATION IS MOCKED as drunkenness, artificial and
done by Orthodox Christians before participating in any temporary.
of the Holy Mysteries such as Holy Unction, Holy However, FOR TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, SPIRITUAL
Ordination, Holy Baptism (as parents or God-parents of ELATION COMES FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO GRANTS
the Catechumen), Holy Matrimony and Holy Eucharist US THE JOY OF THE NEW COVENANT WORSHIP OF THE
throughout the year, (IF NOT EVERY WEEK BEFORE PARTAKING OF HOLY HOLY TRINITY – THE HOLY EUCHARIST – EXPRESSING
COMMUNION, WHICH IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BECAUSE WE CONVENIENTLY OUR GRATITUDE TO GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH GOD
“FORGET” OUR SINS DURING THE LONG PERIODS BETWEEN REPENTANCE- THE SON INCARNATE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
CONFESSION.)
The Hymn in Verse 14 : “Awake you who sleep...” is an early Those who are inebriated through drinking too much wine or
Baptismal Hymn. alcohol totter and sway, being unstable on their feet, but
THOSE WHO ARE INEBRIATED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
✽ HOLY BAPTISM IS OUR SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION and to ARE FIRMLY ROOTED IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND
“walk in the Light” is to walk in our Baptism or to GLORIOUSLY SOBER!
ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR ✽ QUOTING HOLY SCRIPTURE AND SINGING HYMNS
HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION AND LIVE EACH CANNOT BE SPIRITUAL UNLESS IT IS DONE WITH
DAY ACCORDINGLY. TRUE HUMILITY, SUBMISSION TO AND FEAR OF GOD.
The purpose of this life is not to abandon life but to MAINTAIN
OURSELVES AND OUR LIFE IN CHRIST AND SALVAGE AS
Pentecost – The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The real beginning of the history of our Holy Church, is because it was not possible that He should be held
the great Feast of Pentecost in 30 AD. (THE CALENDAR USED by it...” (ACTS 2 : 22 - 24)
BY THE MODERN WORLD IS OUT BY THREE YEARS!) These words of St Peter, Inspired by the Holy Spirit,
On the tenth day after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus deeply moved the people, and ON THAT DAY
Christ, His Disciples, His Ever Blessed Mother, some APPROXIMATELY THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE
BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
other Holy Women and some of those Hebrews who
THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE SPREADING OF THE
believed in Him 4 ABOUT 120 RELIABLE WITNESSES 4 HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST THROUGHOUT JUDEA AND THE
were gathered in a home on Mount Zion. WORLD – THE FIRST DAY OF THE ETERNAL HOLY
CHURCH OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR.
As was usual, THEY SPENT THEIR TIME IN PRAYER WHILE
FROM THE MOMENT THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT PASSED OVER
AWAITING THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT, when all of a
THE APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST like "a
sudden there was a Noise from Heaven as of rushing rushing mighty wind.." and when "... divided Tongues
wind that filled the whole house where they were. as of Fire ... sat upon each of them" THEY BECAME
And there appeared TONGUES OF (UNCREATED) FIRE that VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE. (ACTS 2:2-3)
spread out and RESTED ON EACH PERSON WHO WERE Those, who had so recently run away from the Garden
INSTANTLY FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN of Gethsemane and hidden themselves in fear of
TO CONVERSE IN OTHER LANGUAGES.
persecution, now courageously began A WORLD-WIDE
This was the day of the Hebrew Feast of Pentecost, which SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT THROUGH THE SHARING OF
commemorated the receiving of the Divine Law on THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST – GOD’S PERFECT TRUTH!
Mount Sinai. NEITHER THREATS TO THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY AND
GREAT MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WELFARE, NOR TERRIBLE TORTURE, NOR DEATH
DISCOURAGED THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
KNOWN WORLD HAD GATHERED IN JERUSALEM for this FROM TEACHING AND SHARING GOD’S DIVINE TRUTH
significant
Feast and WHEN THEY HEARD THIS AND LOVE WITH UNTOLD NUMBERS OF SPIRITUALLY
UNUSUAL NOISE THEY RUSHED TO GATHER OUTSIDE THIRSTY SOULS.
THE HOUSE WHERE THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WERE. They were increasingly followed by new generations of
❃ THEY WERE ASTOUNDED TO CLEARLY HEAR OF THE Faithful Witnesses and Holy Martyrs.
WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD IN EACH OF THEIR OWN
Mighty Rulers fought against them, Philosophers vainly
HOME LANGUAGE, “...saying one to another,
tried to confuse them and dissuade them, great
'What does this mean??'
temptations were rejected by them and regardless of
❃ Others mocked and said: 'These men are full of new
wine.” whether they were crucified, burnt, mercilessly and
Then ST PETER STOOD ON THE BALCONY OF THE HOUSE unspeakably tortured or perished in arenas at the
WITH THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES OF hands of gladiators or torn to pieces by wild beasts,
CHRIST AND LOUDLY ANNOUNCED TO THE GATHERED THEY RESOLUTELY STOOD FIRM IN THE DIVINE
THRONG: “You men of Judea and all you who dwell in STRENGTH AND TRUTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO
MAKES THE HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE, DIVINELY POSSIBLE!
Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my
words, for these are not drunk as you suppose, since it Despite misleading and deceptive heretics and
is only the Third Hour of the day...” [ 09 : 00 - ACTS 2 : 12 – 16 ) blasphemers who did terrible things “in God’s
He went on quoting Holy Scripture to convince them of Name!”... unworthy and false preachers, teachers and
the Truth that THE HOLY PROPHECIES HAD BEEN dissenters – “the wolves in sheeps’ clothing” 4 from
FULFILLED BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD DESCENDED the earliest of days until now 4 NOTHING CAN
UPON THOSE WHO WERE FAITHFUL TO GOD. DESTROY THE ETERNAL AND ABSOLUTE TRUTH OF THE
He continued: "You men of Israel, hear these words: HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST.
Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by In the words of our Divine Teacher: "I will build My
Miracles, Wonders and Signs that God did through Church and the Gates of Hell will not prevail
Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know – against It!" (MATTHEW16:18).
Him, being delivered by the determined Purpose and
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “PENTECOST – THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” BY
Foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless BISHOP ALEXANDER MILEANT – HOLY PROTECTION RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH -
hands, have crucified, and put to death; Whom God www.fatheralexander.org/booklets
raised up, having loosened the pains of Death,

30
AMEN.
25 May 2010
The Third Finding of the Venerable Head of St John the Baptist
in Comana, Cappadoccia
Feast of St Therapon Hieromartyr of Cyprus; St Olbianos the Confessor;
St Celestine
N D
Ekouse Sou Kyrios en imera thlipseos, uiperaspise Sou to The Lord hear you in the day of trouble: the Name of the God
Onoma tou Theou Iakov. of Jacob shield you.
Exapostile Si voithian ex Agiou, ke ek Sion antilavito Sou. May He send you Help from the sanctuary: and support you
out of Zion.
Mnisthii pasis thisias Sou, ke to olokavtoma Sou pianato May He remember your every sacrifice: and accept your Burnt
Offering.
✞Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou. Asomen ke psaloumen tas ✞Be exalted, O Lord, in Thy Power: we shall sing and chant
Dinastias Sou. Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, psallontas Si Thy Mighty Deeds. Good Paraclete, Save us who sing to
Allilouia! Thee: Alleluia!
anadixas, katapempsas aftis to Pnevma to Agion, ke di Afton Fishermen with Wisdom by sending down the Holy Spirit
tin ikoumenin saginefsas, Filanthrope: Doxa Si! upon them, and Who, through them, has united the world:
Glory to Thee, O Lover of Mankind!
A POL YT KION O F THE THIRD FI NDING O F ST JOH N THE BAPT I ST’ S HE AD – TO NE 4
Os thion thisavrisma, egkekrimmenon ti gi, Hristos apekalipse, Christ God has revealed to us Thy truly ven'rable Head as a
tin Kefalin sou imin Profita ke Prdodrome. Pantes oun Divine Treasure that had been concealed in the earth, O
sinelthontes, en ti taftis evresi, asmasi theigoris, ton Sotira Prophet and Forerunner. Wherefore, as we gather on the
imnoumen, ton sozonta imas ek fthoras, tes ikesies sou. Feast of its finding, with our Hymns Inspired of God, we
praise Christ our Saviour, Who by Thy mighty Prayers Saves
us from every kind of harm.
Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O Ipsisto. Ote When the Most High came down and confused the tongues,
tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita panta ekalese. Ke He parted the Nations; when He divided out the Tongues of
simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion Pnevma! Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with one voice we Glorify
the All-holy Spirit!
✞Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe. Allelouia ✞As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put on
Christ: Alleluia!
Mi tis fthoras diapira kioforisasa ke pantehnimoni Logo sarka Conceiving without knowing corruption, lending Thy flesh to
danisasa, Miter Apirandre, Parthene Theotoke, dohion tou the Word, the Deviser of all, O Mother knowing no man;
astektou, horion tou apirou plastourgou Sou, Se Virgin Theotokos, Vessel of the Uncontainable, Space for
Megalinomen! Thine Infinite Creator, we magnify Thee!
Matins Gospel According to St Luke 7 : 17 – 30
THE DISCIPLES OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
At that time, this report about Jesus went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. Then the Disciples of John reported
to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his Disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying: “Art Thou the
Coming One, or do we look for Another?”
When the men went to Him, they said: “John the Baptist has sent us to Thee, saying: ‘Art Thou the Coming One, or do we look for
Another?’” And that very hour He cured many of their infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many who were blind, He
granted sight.
Jesus answered them: “Go and tell John the Things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And Blessed is he who is not
offended because of Me.”
When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the
wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? So what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed,
those who are gorgeously apparelled and who live in luxury are in Kings’ courts; but what did you go out to see? A Prophet?
Yes! I say to you: and more than a Prophet! This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My Messenger before Thy Face,
who will prepare Thy Way before Thee.’ For I say to you: among those born of women there is not a greater Prophet than
John the Baptist; but he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he!”
And when all the people heard Jesus, even the Tax Collectors justified God, having been Baptised with the Baptism of John. But the
Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Will of God for themselves, not having been Baptised by him.
St John the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ was imprisoned St Mark, in his Holy Gospel, emphasised the fact that ST JOHN
by Herod soon after our Saviour was Baptised in the THE BAPTIST WAS IMPRISONED BEFORE OUR LORD JESUS
Jordan River by him. BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY, THEREBY FULFILLING THE
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) T HE THIRD FINDI NG O F THE VENER A BLE HE AD O F ST JOHN THE BAP TI ST 25 M AY 2 010
31
ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF THE OLD COVENANT, WHICH WAS OF THE NEW COVENANT WOULD SURPASS THOSE OF THE
TO PREPARE THE PEOPLE FOR CHRIST. OLD COVENANT – EVEN THOSE SUCH AS THE GREATEST
❃ As soon as our Saviour began His Divine Mission, THE PROPHET OF ALL, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.
TIME OF PREPARATION WAS ACCOMPLISHED AND Nevertheless, THAT DID NOT IMPLY THAT ST JOHN THE
THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY NEED FOR ANOTHER BAPTIST – AND ALL THE RIGHTEOUS AND SAINTLY OF THE
HOLY PROPHET OF GOD. OLD COVENANT - WOULD NOT BE RESURRECTED INTO THE
ST JOHN THE BAPTISED HAD TAUGHT PEOPLE TO REPENT, ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD, but merely that his life on
which meant a radical change of mind, behaviour and earth was in the era before the superior Events and
attitude. Miracles of the New Covenant.
❃ REPENTANCE IS A COMPLETE REORIENTATION TO LIFE IN Because OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS CAREFUL NOT TO
CHRIST. REVEAL HIS TRUE DIVINE IDENTITY TO SCOFFERS AND
Although St John the Baptist directed his faithful Disciples to MOCKERS, He confounded them with different questions
follow our Lord Jesus, some remained with him. concerning St John the Baptist whom they all
While St John the Baptist’s own Faith was undoubtedly acknowledged as a great and True Prophet of God.
confirmed and strengthened by the Miracles of Christ, our ❃ BOTH THE ELDERS’ QUESTIONS AND CHRIST’S QUESTIONS
Holy Church Fathers generally regard this particular REQUIRED THE SAME ANSWERS – DIVINE TRUTH -
encounter as a way of convincing his remaining Disciples WHICH LED PEOPLE TO CONFESS THAT OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST HAD CERTAINLY COME FROM GOD –
that our Lord Jesus was definitely the “Coming One.” FROM HEAVEN.
❃ ST JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS THE LAST AND THE GREATEST
❃ Consequently, by not answering those who questioned His
OF ALL THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD OF THE OLD
COVENANT. Divine Authority, CHRIST TAUGHT US NOT TO ANSWER
THOSE WHO QUESTION HOLY THINGS WITH MALICIOUS
THE NEW COVENANT SURPASSES THE OLD COVENANT to such
AND DECEPTIVE INTENTIONS.
a degree that, as Christ pointed out, those who were “...
the least in the Kingdom of God..” would be even
greater than those who remained outside It – i.e. THOSE
PROKEIMENONTheir sound has gone out into all the earth: and their words to the ends of the world. The Heavens declare
the Glory of God!
The Second Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 4: 6 – 15
THE POWER OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
Brethren: It is the God Who Commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has shone in our hearts to grant the Light of the
Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Sight of Jesus Christ.
But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels so that the excellence of the Power may be of God and not of us.
We are hard4pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down,
but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of our Lord Jesus so that the Life of Jesus also may be
manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the Life of Jesus also may be
manifested in our mortal flesh. So then Death is working in us, but Life in you.
And since we have the same Spirit of Faith, according to what is written: “I believed and therefore I spoke...” we also believe and
therefore speak, knowing that He Who raised up our Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
For all things are for your sakes, that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the Glory of God.
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 11 : 2 – 15
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST’S QUESTION TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
At that time, when John had heard in prison about the Works of Christ, he sent two of his Disciples and said to Him: “Art Thou the
Coming One, or do we look for Another?”
Jesus answered and said to them: “Go and tell John the Things that you hear and see: the blind see and the lame walk; the lepers
are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And Blessed is he
who is not offended because of Me.”
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed
shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing
are in Kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a Prophet, for this is he of
whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My Messenger before Thy Face, who will prepare Thy Way before Thee.’
“Assuredly, I say to you: among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least
in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven
suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are
willing to receive it, he is Elijah who has come.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
According to our Holy Church Fathers, St John the Baptist mother’s womb – WHO WOULD SUFFER THE VIOLENCE OF
asked this question of Christ in order to guide his own HIS PASSION AND CRUCIFIXION.
Disciple to our Lord Jesus. According to St John Chrysostom, the “violent” who take the
ST ISAIAH, THE HOLY PROPHET OF GOD, PREDICTED THAT Kingdom of Heaven “by force,” are THOSE WHO HAVE
THESE MIRACLES AND SIGNS WOULD ACCOMPANY THE SUCH AN EARNEST DESIRE FOR CHRIST THAT THEY DO
COMING OF THE LONG AWAITED MESSIAH. NOT LET ANYTHING STAND BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR
Our Lord Jesus performed these Divine Miracles in the FAITH IN CHRIST.
presence of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST’S DISCIPLES so that OUR LORD JESUS ASCRIBED THE ROLE OF THE HOLY
they PERSONALLY WITNESSED MIRACLES THAT ONLY THE PROPHET, ST ELIJAH, TO ST JOHN THE BAPTIST – not St
MESSIAH COULD PERFORM. John himself who was utterly humble and obedient to God.
In terms of the Old Covenant Laws, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST ST JOHN THE BAPTIST FULFILLED THE SACRED MISSION OF ST
WAS INDEED THE GREATEST OF ALL THE HOLY PROPHETS ELIJAH AND HIS DESTINY WAS SIMILAR AS WELL.
OF GOD. YET ST JOHN THE BAPTIST IS HONOURED ABOVE ST ELIJAH BY
However, THE NEW COVENANT IS OF SUCH INCOMPARABLE OUR LORD SINCE ST JOHN ACTUALLY PREPARED THE WAY
VALUE THAT THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE AND SHARE IN THE – PREPARED THE PEOPLE – FOR THE ADVENT OF CHRIST -
NEW COVENANT ARE FAR GREATER than St John the the long-awaited Messiah – the Saviour of the world.
Baptist who was of the Old Covenant. Wisdom of St John the Baptist
Several interpretations have been offered to explain our Lord’s HE WHO HAS TWO TUNICS, LET HIM GIVE TO HIM WHO HAS NONE; AND
statement: “... the Kingdom of Heaven suffers HE WHO HAS FOOD, LET HIM DO LIKEWISE... COLLECT NO MORE
violence...” Some believe that it refers to THE HEBREW THAN WHAT IS APPOINTED FOR YOU... DO NOT INTIMIDATE ANYONE
OPPOSITION TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, while others felt OR ACCUSE FALSELY, AND BE CONTENT WITH YOUR WAGES... DO
VIOLENCE TO NO ONE.
that it was a reference to THE KINGDOM BREAKING INTO REPENT! FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!
THE WORLD “VIOLENTLY” – MEANING WITH GREAT POWER ... HE WHO IS COMING IS MIGHTIER THAN ME, WHOSE SANDALS I AM
AND FORCE. NOT WORTHY TO UNFASTEN. HE WILL BAPTISE YOU WITH THE HOLY
Still others maintain that THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN REFERS TO SPIRIT AND FIRE.... HE WILL THOROUGHLY CLEAN OUT HIS
CHRIST HIMSELF – the Son of God Who has been THRESHING FLOOR AND GATHER HIS WHEAT INTO THE BARN BUT HE
Incarnate since St John the Baptist was six months in his WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF WITH UNQUENCHABLE FIRE.
((SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) THE THIRD FINDING OF THE VENERABLE HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 25 MAY 2010
32
AGES. AMEN.
1st Sunday After Pentecost Tone (8) Plagal 4 30May 2010
1st Sunday of St Matthew – All Saints Sunday - Our Commitment to Christ
Feast of St Isaakios the Abbot, Founder of the Monastery of Dalmatos: St Macrina,

Grandmother of St Basil the Great; St Barlaam the Righteous Monk of Caesaria;
St Natalios, Holy Martyr; St Romanos, Holy Martyr; St Christina, Holy Martyr
A POL YT IKION O F THE RE SURRE CTION – TO NE (8 ) P LAG AL 4
Ex ipsous katilthes O evsplaghnos, tafin katedexo Thou descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;
triimeron, ina imas elevtherosis ton pathon. I Zoi ke i Thou endured the three-days’ burial, so that Thou
Anastasis imon, Kyrie, ✞ Doxa Si! might free us from our passions, O our Life and
Resurrection: ✞ Glory to Thee!
A POL YT IKION O F A LL SAIN T S - TONE ( 8) PL AG AL 4
Ton en olon to kosmo Martiron Sou, os porfiran ke visson Thy Church having bedecked Herself with the blood of all
ta emata, i Ekklisia Sou stolisameni, di afton voa Si, Thy Martyrs in the world, as with the finest linen and
Hriste O Theos: To lao Sou tous iktirmous purple robe, through them cries out to Thee, O Christ
katapempson, irinin ti politia Sou Dorise, ke tes psihes our God: Send down Thy Compassion upon Thy people,
imon to Mega Eleos. grant Peace to Thy Commonwealth, and to our souls
Thy Great Mercy.
A LL SAIN T S SUND AY U NTI L 27 J UL Y
Os aparhas tis fiseos, to fitourgo tis ktiseos, i ikoumeni Like the First Fruits of Nature, to the Author of all
proferi si Kyrie, tous Theoforou Martirs. Tes afton Creation, the earth’s people offer Thee, O Lord, the
ikesies, en irini vathia tin Ekklisian Sou, dia tis God-bearing Martyrs. Through their Intercessions,
Theotokou, Sintirison Polielee! maintain Thy Church in True and Perfect Peace, and
through the Theotokos, preserve Her, O Most Merciful!
Resurrection Gospel 1 - Matthew 28 : 16 – 20 – THE GREAT COMMISSION OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST’S HOLY APOSTLES
PROKEIMENON God is Marvellous in His Saints! Bless the Lord in the Congregations!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 11 : 33 – 12 : 2
THE FAITH OF CERTAIN ISRAELITES & THE PERFECTION OF FAITH
Brethren: time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the
Prophets, who, through Faith subdued Kingdoms, worked Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of
lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword; out of weakness were made strong, became valiant
in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, so that they might obtain
a better Resurrection. Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They
were stoned, they were sawn in two, tempted, slain with the world. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins,
being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountain, in
dens and caves of the earth.
And all of these – having obtained a Good Testimony through Faith – did not receive the Promise, God having provided
something better for us so that they should not be made Perfect apart from us.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a Cloud of Witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that
so easily ensnares us, and let us run with Endurance the Race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and
Finisher of our Faith, Who, for the Joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat
down at the right Hand of the Throne of God.
Living with Almighty God, obeying all His Commandments and Christ’s Incarnation and all that He accomplished for us in the
Loving Him with all one’s being, anything and everything is Flesh Redeemed [SAVED] the Old Covenant Saints who, by
possible in this world because He grants us the Strength to Faith, participate in His Resurrection and His Eternal
endure all life’s difficulties, even the inhumane torture Kingdom.
inflicted by others as experienced by the Martyrdom of so This entire passage [BEGINNING WITH 10:9] is a progressive
many of the Saints throughout the ages. discourse imploring us to seek God’s Kingdom first.
The absolute Spiritual Strength and depth of the Faith of the Under the New Covenant, we can ascend to this Heavenly
Saints is to be marvelled at and imitated by us. Place in Worship and Prayer.
Nothing could shake them loose from Almighty God; not even Christians experience this Heavenly Dimension fundamentally
promises of leniency in the midst of horrific tortures could in the Divine Liturgy.
make them denounce their Faith. We ascend to that Heavenly Place where we are surrounded
Strength to endure the cruelties of mankind and of this world, by a “Great Cloud of Witnesses.” [THE HEAVENLY HOSTS AND THE
is due to God’s Grace only - based upon complete trust in SAINTS]
Him, Who provides us with all necessary abilities to It is not a physical place but a Spiritual Condition that is
achieve whatever is required. inhabited by Almighty God, the Angels and “the spirits of
That is why God is Glorified through the sufferings of His Just Men made Perfect.” [THE SAINTS]
Beloved Faithful who depend entirely upon Him to deliver It is in this Spiritual Mystery that the Communion of the Saints
them from all evil. is established in the New Covenant [NEW AGREEMENT/PROMISE OF
AND WITH GOD]
Only through the Power and Grace of Almighty God is The “Cloud of Witnesses” includes not only the Old Covenant
anything and everything possible! Saints mentioned previously, but also the Saints and
Martyrs of the Lord throughout all the ages.
(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 1ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 1ST OF ST MATTHEW – ALL SAINTS SUNDAY 30 MAY 2010
33
If they succeeded, so can we. This Race is not a sprint but a Marathon of Endurance. It does
We persevere by: not end until we fully enter the Age to come. [1 CORINTHIANS
❃ Getting rid of sin – the “weight” of which keeps us from 9:24 – 27]
heeding the Truth Our Lord Jesus Christ is both the Author – the Initiator - and
❃ Setting the Heavenly City as our Destination – running the Finisher – Perfecter – of Faith. His Joy was to do God the
“Race” of Faith Father’s Will.
❃ Keeping our attention focused upon Jesus Christ our Lord He “endured the Cross” meaning that He voluntarily accepted
and King. Humiliation and Death and therefore we are to follow His
determination and perseverance.
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 10: 32-33; 37-38; 19: 27-30
BEING FEARLESS WITNESSES TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S PERFECT DIVINE TRUTH
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “... whoever confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father Who art
in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who art in Heaven...”
“...He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me
is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his Cross and follow after Me, is not worthy of Me...”
Then Peter said to Him: “See, we have left all and followed Thee. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them:
“Assuredly, I say to you, that in the Regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the Throne of His Glory, you who
have followed Me will also sit on Twelve Thrones, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left
houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a
hundredfold, and inherit Eternal Life.
“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
The reference to taking up our Crosses in order to follow Christ were shaped to exercise Spiritual Judgement
our Lord and Saviour, means that NOTHING MUST concerning Faith, and in rebuking error with Virtue.”
PREVENT US FROM BEING ABSOLUTELY FAITHFUL TO OUR ✽ In other words, GOOD DEEDS ALONE, CANNOT GAIN DIVINE
LORD GOD. BLESSINGS FOR US UNLESS OUR HEARTS AND SOULS
✽ A TRUE AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST MUST ALWAYS ARE AS PURE, AS GOOD AND AS FAITHFUL AS OUR
BE READY TO OBEY GOD AND EVEN, IF NECESSARY, DEEDS - AND VICE VERSA.
TO SACRIFICE FAMILY OR FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIPS ✽ THE APOSTLES WILL NOT JUDGE WITH EARTHLY
THAT ARE SPIRITUALLY DESTRUCTIVE. JUDGEMENT BUT BY THE WITNESS OF THEIR OWN
Holy Martyrdom for the sake of our Faith in Jesus Christ and LIVES.
Almighty God, is a fulfilment of the Prophecy of Michah 7: ✽ SINCE GOD’S DVINE AND HOLY KINGDOM BEGINS WITH THE
5 - 7: “’...do not trust in friends, nor put your hope in those RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, THE AUTHORITY OF
JUDGEMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO THE HOLY
who govern. Beware of your wife and do not tell her APOSTLES AND THEIR SUCCESSORS IN THE JOURNEY
anything. For a son dishonours his father, a daughter will OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH. (MATTHEW 16:19 JOHN 20:23)
rise up against her mother, a daughter-in-lay against her This brings us back to the Holy Mystery or Sacrament of
mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are all the people of his Confession whereby REPENTANT SINNERS, HAVING
own house’ but I will look to the Lord...” REPENTED AND CONFESSED THEIR SINS BEFORE GOD AND
Our Lord Jesus – as the All Divine and All Knowing Son of HIS HOLY PRIESTS (OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS) ARE
God – knew everything that His Faithful Disciples and FORGIVEN THEIR SINS BY MEANS OF DIVINE AUTHORITY
Apostles would have to endure in the time to come and BESTOWED UPON THEM BY GOD.
throughout all the ages. Through the Holy Mystery of Confession all our repented and
These words of our Lord encourage us through all our confessed sins are completely removed from the pages of
difficulties in life – even when we are not confronted by our “Books of Life” wherein every word, thought and deed
terrible Martyrdom but constantly have to deal with equally is recorded by our Holy Guardian Angels who defend us
threatening ungodliness and Spiritual Adversity. after death and who help us to gain Eternal Life with God.
✽ WE MUST DO EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO OUR LOVE OF However, all our unrepented sins are also recorded as by the
GOD AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM. demons who will loudly accuse us of them and try to claim
We must not follow the destructive norms of social life but our souls for Eternal Condemnation and Ever Lasting
instead TAKE UP OUR CROSSES AND FOLLOW FAITHFULLY Spiritual Death in Outer Darkness – EXTREME AND
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST WHO IS OUR ONLY JUDGE PERMANENT – ETERNAL EXILE FROM GOD AND
AND MASTER. EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD, PEACEFUL AND LOVING!
We must not worry about what our fellow sinners may think or ✽ WHATEVER WE DO IN THIS LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR
do. And, in fact, we will show them the Way by our own LOVE OF GOD AND HIS CREATURES, BRINGS US
healthy Life in Christ. ABUNDANT BLESSINGS AND “SCORES US MANY
POINTS” THAT HELP US TO PROCEED SUCCESSFULLY
The dull and stubbornly ignorant will remain in Spiritual TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE.
Darkness by their own choice, but there are some who will ✽ GOD, BEING NOT ONLY JUST BUT ALSO MERCIFUL AND
follow us into the Divine Light and Life in Christ. LOVING, GRANTS TO EVEN THE VERY LAST
✽ SPIRITUALLY STUBBORN SINNERS WILL ALWAYS FIND REPENTANT SINNER HIS GREAT BLESSINGS – THE
EXCUSES AND TRY TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM VERY LAST REPENTANT SINNER RECEIVES AS MANY
OBEYING GOD’S DIVINE WILL EITHER BY THEIR WORDS, BLESSINGS AND LOVE AS THE FIRST TO ENTER
THEIR DEEDS OR THEIR ATTITUDES. ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD.
These are the people whom our Lord tells us to ignore ✽ WE ARE ALL EQUAL BEFORE THE LORD OUR GOD BUT IT IS
although WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL ENTIRELY UP TO OUR OWN EFFORTS AND DECISIONS –
ENLIGHTENMENT AND DELIVERANCE, FOR, IF WE LOVE OUR OWN FREE WILL - WHETHER WE WISH TO LIVE
GOD AND HIS CREATURES, WE DO NOT WISH ANYONE TO ETERNALLY IN THE SIGHT AND LOVE OF GOD OR
BE LEFT OUT OF HIS DIVINE AND EVERLASTING KINGDOM. WHETHER WE REJECT HIM AND ALL HIS ABUNDANT,
“Christ Judges by discerning our hearts and souls and INFINITE LOVE AND BLESSINGS.
not by examining our deeds. So also the Apostles
Two Kinds of Life
Holy Scripture reveals two kinds of life: the life of our life, which is that life by which we now live and
soul and the Life of the Holy Spirit. breathe.
Sometimes the Life of the Holy Spirit is contrasted with Today’s Sacred Lesson may be confusing because it
life of the soul by using the term “Life” for the Life of seems to contradict the Divine Commandment of
the Holy Spirit and “death” for the life of the soul. honouring our father and mother. However, our
In addition, Life of the Holy Spirit is called “Eternal Life” Saviour challenged us to a deeper understanding of
or “Life Abundant” and “Light” in contrast to life of His Commandment to honour our parents.
the soul, which is referred as “darkness” or “bitter Is not the life of our soul, whether within family or
sorrow.” society, discernible by selfishness, greed, lust and
Furthermore, such as today’s Sacred Lesson, the Life of pride, hatred and enmity, hopelessness and despair,
the Holy Spirit is set apart from our family or society corruption and disintegration?
– for it is from our parents that we receive our soul4 On the contrary, the Life of the Holy Spirit is discernible
by Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.
34
Society, which is rooted in the life of the soul, functions Compassion, Humility and Goodness, which every
according to the wisdom of human opinion and human being knows intuitively and immediately.
attributes, because, even if God is acknowledged as Nevertheless, the Law of God that is written in nature
existing, He is marginalised as being “irrelevant” and and in our hearts is not itself the goal of nature, for
is either ignored altogether or replaced by some or it directs us beyond nature to a Life that is higher
other form of idolatry – not idols of wood and stone, than the life of our soul or our mind. It directs us to
of course, but intellective idols whereby human the Life of the Holy Spirit.
“wisdom” is projected onto the screen of Divinity In other words, although we are alive in the soul, we are
and admired, greatly valued and desired. not yet alive in God.
In our modern society human beings and their over4 When we follow the Law of God, we are not yet living IN
rated, hyped4up values and opinions have become GOD; we are preparing ourselves to receive God and
the measure of all things! to be made alive in His Holy Spirit.
However, society that is rooted in the Holy Spirit To live in God is natural to our soul, considering that
functions according to the infinite, infallible Wisdom what we all desire most deeply and intuitively is to
of Almighty God and the Incarnate Son and Word of Live in Love, in Mercy, in Compassion, in Joy and in
God, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is the Peace – the wonderful attributes of Divine Life –
measure of all things!! Spiritual Life!
Society rooted in the Holy Spirit is the Holy Church – the When we are not living in these Divine Attributes, we
Holy Body of Christ – that reveals through Her True become darkened, heavy, cynical, bitter and
Teaching and Preaching and in Her Liturgical despairing – the attributes of Spiritual Death.
Worship, Life in the Holy Spirit that has been poured In the Love of God, Christ, the Son and Word of God
out on all those who believe in Christ – on all those Who is Himself the Love and the Wisdom of God the
who turn away from the fallen, polluted and Father, the Way, the Truth, the Life and the
destructive life of the world and turn to our Lord Resurrection, has descended and ascended, and
Jesus – to follow His Way, to learn and to obey His united earth to Heaven so that the Gates of Heaven
Commandments, to trust only in God and to obey that were previously shut tightly, are now wide open
the Laws of God in the Commandments of Christ our so that all who wish to may Ascend with Christ to
Saviour. God the Father and realise our deepest desires and
The Divine Law that governs the Holy Church is the Law longings, which is to live Eternally in the Immortal
of God that centres on Love of God and Love of one Love of God, healed in body and soul.
another. Our human nature 4 body and soul – becomes the Living
The Communion of the Holy Church, therefore, is Temple of God; our heart, our personal centre,
naturally humble and meek because in the Church, becomes the Bridal Chamber, the Sacred Place where
we submit the wisdom of our own mind to the we are Eternally United with God and are born again
infinite Wisdom of God; and in the Love of God, we from Above as Children of God, Communicants of
live not for ourselves but for the good of one Life Eternal and Partakers of the Divine Nature.
another. It is important for everyone to hear this Proclamation of
What gives Life to the Church is not the human soul but the Holy Church of Christ – that their intuitive sense
God the Holy Spirit. of Love and Goodness is the NATURAL Revelation of
In the Holy Church of Christ we live according to the the Eternally Existing God to them, so that they learn
Holy Spirit and we become Spiritual Beings in our not to believe the lies of the serpent who tries to
Crucified and Risen Body of Christ; our souls become convince us that we are merely “cosmic accidents”
Love, Joy and Peace in the Soul of Christ; our minds who exist purely by chance!
become Light and Wisdom in the Mind of Christ. We all need to know that this life that we received from
In the Life of the Holy Church, our whole being is taken our parents is more than simply eating and drinking
into the Divine Spirit of God and we are raised up and “making merry” – that we were not born, only to
from Spiritual Darkness to Divine Light, from despair die. We were born to seek God and to ascend
to Eternal Hope, from enmity and separation to Love beyond our human nature and into the Realm of the
and Communion with God, from death to Life in the Holy Spirit.
Love, Joy and Peace of God, partaking in Eucharistic We need to know all this and we need to take it to heart
Gratitude of the Divine Nature, beholding the True so that we will live this earthly life as it should be
Light and receiving the Heavenly Spirit Who gives lived: “... to be patient in well-doing; for this is how we
Himself to us in the Love and Mercy of God by which seek after the Glory and the Honour and the
all Creation was raised up from non4existence into Immortality that are in the Life of the Holy Spirit.”
(ROMANS 2:7)
being and established so that it shall never be moved The Life of the Holy Spirit is higher than the life of the
in the principle of Divine Love and Mercy. soul, higher than the family or society, and in which
The Law of God that governs our Holy Church can be alone the life of the soul truly lives in the Love, Joy
discerned in nature itself and in our human and Peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
conscience: We have received this Life of God the Holy Spirit, not
“Ever since the Creation of the world, God’s invisible from our parents but in the Holy Mysteries of the
Nature, namely, His Eternal Power and Deity, has
Church.
been clearly perceived in the things that have been
The Spiritual Depths of our heart has been opened and
created.” (ROMANS 1:20)
the Way to Heaven, which is Christ for Whom our
“When Gentiles who have not the Law do by nature what
the Law require, they show that what the Law soul hungers and thirsts, has been revealed.
requires is written on their hearts, while their For our own sake, and for the sake of those around us,
conscience also bears witness and their conflicting we must obey the Call of God that has come to us in
thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them.” (ROMANS 2: 14- the Church in the Crucified and Risen Body of Christ.
15)
We must obey that Divine Call not only to Save our own
The Law of God that is written in nature and on our
souls, but so that the Light of the Fire of the Holy
conscience is the Law of Love and Mercy and
Spirit that now shines in the dark depths of our
35
heart might radiate outwards and soak our body, our of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, and be
mind and our soul with the Living Water of Christ’s subject to one another out of Reverence for Christ.”
(EPHESIANS 5: 6 – 21)
Holy Spirit, so that we can become Lights in Christ This is a prescription for living the Life of the Holy
that shine for all to see with the Love of God for Spirit, which you have received in the Church.
which the world hungers and thirsts. Living in the world, we live in darkness and in death.
We are Called to become Saints: Holy Martyrs and True Living according to the Way of the Church, we live in the
Witnesses to the Eternal Life of God that is in Christ world as Lights shining in the Light of Christ Who
Jesus Who is Himself the very Love and Wisdom of shines in the darkness to reveal the Way to Heaven
God. and to the Love, Joy and Peace of God’s Holy Spirit,
We activate the Seeds of the Holy Spirit that have been for which every human soul hungers and thirsts.
sown in our soul through the Divine Mysteries of the Let us not waste our time here on earth by surrendering
Holy Church: ourselves to empty words and frivolous pursuits.
“Let no one deceive you with empty words. It is because We need to make the most of the time, by taking up the
of filthiness, silly talk, fornication and impurity, and
Disciplines of the Church in order to train our heart
covetousness that the Wrath of God comes upon the
sons of disobedience. and our mind on the Spiritual Task of nurturing the
“Do not associate with them. For once you were Seed of the Holy Spirit Who has been sown in the
darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord. ground of our soul in our Holy Baptism and Whom
“Walk as Children of the Light. we receive in Holy Eucharist, and of growing in the
“The Fruit of the Light is found in all that is Good and Love, the Joy, the Peace and the Goodness of the
Right and True.
Holy Spirit, that we may realise our Destiny and our
“Strive to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
“Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise men but as Call as Christians, to be Martyrs and Witnesses in
wise, making the most of the time because the days Samaria, Judea, and all the ends of the earth through
are evil. our words and our deeds to the Love, the Joy and the
“Do not be foolish, but understand what the Will of the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding in the
Lord is. Light and Life of the Holy Spirit.
“Do not get drunk with wine for that is debauchery, but
be filled with the Holy Spirit, addressing one another Amen
in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “ALL SAINTS” BY FATHER PAUL WESCHE – ST HERMANS
and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, ORTHODOX CHURCH – SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS – www.sthermanmpls.org
always and for everything giving thanks in the Name
Wisdom of our Holy Fathers
St Diadochos of Photiki – On Spiritual Knowledge
Our Likeness to God requires our cooperation. If the intellect does not receive the Perfection of the
When the intellect begins to perceive the Holy Spirit with Divine Likeness through such Illumination, although
full consciousness, we should realize that Grace is it may have almost every other Virtue, it will still
beginning to paint the Divine Likeness over the have no share in the Perfect Love. (THE PHILOKALIA. VOL 1 )
Divine Image in us.
St Photios the Great - On the Mystagogy of the Holy Spirit

After our Saviour introduced the lofty Doctrines How grim it is when the soul is consumed with grief and
concerning the Holy Spirit to His Disciples, at one when Judgement is muddled by the murk of this
and the same time, both doing away with their faint4 state; then that which is for our Salvation is distorted
heartedness and theologizing truly concerning the and becomes destructive.
Holy Spirit, it was only human if their minds were in Therefore, as best Physician of both body and soul, He
a turmoil of unlawful thoughts. prescribes the Saving Medicine beforehand...
St Gregory Nazianzen - Fourth Theological Oration

Our Lord Jesus Christ is called “Life” because He is Light, former should rule, and the latter obey, and the
and is the constituting and creating Power of every higher have supremacy over the lower; that the
reasonable soul. worse may not rise in rebellion against the better.
For in Him we live and move and have our being, He is Sanctification, as being Purity, that the Pure may be
according to the double Power of that Breathing into contained by Purity.
us; for we were all Inspired by Him with breath, and And He is Redemption, because He sets us free, who
as many of us as were capable of it, and in so far as were held captive under sin, giving Himself as a
we open the mouth of our mind, with God the Holy Ransom for us, the Sacrifice to make Expiation for
Spirit. the world.
He is Righteousness, because He distributes according to And He is Resurrection, because He raises up from
that which we deserve, and is a Righteous Arbiter hence, and brings to life again us, who were slain by
both for those who are under the Law and for those sin.
who are under Grace, for soul and body, so that the
St Ambrose of Milan - On the Holy Spirit

Not only is the Operation of the Father, Son, and Holy Prayer for all nations...' so, too, the Lord Jesus said
Spirit everywhere One but also there is One and the that St Paul was chosen by Him to call forth and
same Will, Calling, and giving of Commands, which gather together the Church, as you find it said by the
one may see in the Great and Saving Mystery of the Lord Jesus to Ananias: `Go, for he is a chosen vessel
Church. unto Me to bear My Name before all nations.'
For as the Father called the Gentiles to the Church,
saying: Ì will call her My people which was not My
people, and her beloved who was not beloved...' and
elsewhere: `My House shall be called a house of
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Sacred Lessons - May 2010

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Sacred Lessons - May 2010

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

5th Sunday of Holy Pascha Tone 4 2 May 2010

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Apodosis of Mid Pentecost 5 May 2010

Feast of St Irene the Great Martyr

The Holy Gospel According to St John 6 : 5 – 14

Apodosis of the Samaritan Woman 8 May 2010

The Commandment of Love

6th Sunday of Holy Pascha Tone (5) Plagal 1 9 May 2010

The Holy Gospel According to St John 9: 1 – 38

Sunday of the Blind Man

St Nikolai Velimirovic described Spiritual Darkness

A POL YT IKION O F THE A SCEN SIO N O F CH RI ST – TO NE 4

Matins Gospel According to St Mark 16 : 9 – 20

‘ I lift up My wings, and I come to rest in My Tent; for I created

7th Sunday of Pascha Tone (6) Plagal 2 16 May 2010

A POL YT IKION O F THE RE SURRE CTION – TO NE 3

The 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council

The Holy Gospel According to St John 21: 14 – 25

Saturday Before Pentecost - Saturday of the Souls

24 (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS)) SA TU RDA Y BE FORE PEN TE CO ST - SA TUR DA Y OF TH E SOUL S 2 2 M A Y 20 10

Pentecost Sunday – The Descent of the Holy Spirit

✞Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou.

The Holy Gospel According to St John 7: 37 – 52; 8:12

The Importance of God's Grace

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) MONDAY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 24 MAY 2010

Monday of the Holy Spirit

Feast of St Symeon the New Stylite; St Vincent of Lerins; St Meletios the

✞Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou.

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) MONDAY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 24 MAY 2010

Pentecost – The Descent of the Holy Spirit

(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) MONDAY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 24 MAY 2010

1st Sunday After Pentecost Tone (8) Plagal 4 30May 2010

1st Sunday of St Matthew – All Saints Sunday - Our Commitment to Christ

Feast of St Isaakios the Abbot, Founder of the Monastery of Dalmatos: St Macrina,

St Photios the Great - On the Mystagogy of the Holy Spirit

St Gregory Nazianzen - Fourth Theological Oration

St Ambrose of Milan - On the Holy Spirit

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