Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone 1 2 December 2018

th
26 Sunday After Pentecost
th
14 Sunday of St Luke –- The Blind Man of Jericho
FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD
The Feast of St Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia - St Habbakoum, Holy Prophet of God – St
Athanasios the Resurrected, Recluse of Kiev Near Caves – St Myrope of Chios – St John, St
Heraclemon, St Andrew, and St Theophilos of Egypt – St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkani,
Georgia – St Stephen Urosh, King of Serbia – St Joannikios of Devic

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION – TONE 2

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

MENAION – FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST PORPHYRIOS – TONE 1

Tis Evias ton gonon, Panellinon ton Geronta, tis Thelogias That Offspring of Evvia and Elder of all Greece, the Mystic
ton Mystin ke Hrisou Filon gnision, orfirion timisomen, of Theology and True Friend of Christ, Porphyrios, was
Pist, ton pliri harismaton ek pedos. Demonontas gar filled with Gifts of Grace since childhood. So let us
Litroute, ke asthenis Iate Pisti kraxontas. ✞ Doxa to honour him for he Delivers those oppressed by
ddokoti Si Ishin! ✞ Doca to Se Agiasant! ✞ Doxa to demons, Cures the ailing who shout with Faith and
Energounti dia Sou pasin iamata! Gratitude: ✞ Glory to Him Who granted Thee His Might!
✞ Glory to Him Who Sanctified Thee! ✞ Glory to Him
PARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION
Who through Thee works Healings for all!
SEASONAL KONTAKION – FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY
I Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo ethete The Virgin comes today to the Cave to give Birth Ineffably
apotekin aporritos. Horeve, i ikoumeni, akoutisthisa; to the Word Pre-Eternal. Hearing this, be of good
Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voilithenta cheer, O Earth and its people: Glorify Him with the
apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon. Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will it was to be
made manifest as a young Child – the Pre-Eternal God.
PROKEIMENON – PSALM 115/116 – TONE (7) VARYS-GRAVE
Timios enantion Kyriou O Thanatos tou Osiou Aftou. (2) Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Holy
One. (2)
Ti antapodosomen to Kyrio peri panton, on antapedoken What shall we give back to the Lord for all He rendered to
imin? us?
Timios enantion Kyriou O Thanatos tou Osiou Aftou. Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Holy
One.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 13 : 17 – 21
Brethren: obey your Leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your soul, as men who will have to
give account. Let them do so Joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we
are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to
do this in order that I may be restored to you sooner.
Now, may the God of Peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, by the
Blood of the Eternal Covenant, equip you with everything good so that you may do His Will, working in you that
which is pleasing in His Sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be Glory unto the Ages of ages.
Amen.
As Faithful Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must His concluding Blessing noted THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE DIVINE
ALWAYS OBEY AND RESPECT OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS who AND MOST SACRED BLOOD OF CHRIST WHICH IS REALISED IN HIS
are Consecrated and Sanctified Members of His Holy GLORIOUS RESURRECTION AS CHRIST OFFERS HIS MOST
Priesthood. PRECIOUS BLOOD IN THE ETERNAL SANCTUARY and thereby
OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS ARE MEMBERS OF THE ETERNAL inaugurates A NEW, “... Everlasting (Eternal)
SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD OF CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH WHO WILL Covenant,” which MAKES US “...Complete in every Good
BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY AT THE Work to do His Will...” as WE CO-OPERATE WITH GOD IN ALL
GREAT JUDGEMENT OF OUR LORD. THINGS and so are able TO PROGRESS TOWARDS HOLY
ST PAUL, as one of our Holy Church Fathers, ASKED ALL SAINTHOOD – HOLY PERFECTION OR THEOSIS – I.E. THE
CHRISTIANS FOR THEIR PRAYERS SO THAT HE MIGHT LIVE AN REGENERATION OF OUR ORIGINAL CREATED STATE.
EXEMPLARY LIFE ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL and not be The two inseparable Holy Virtues of Humility and
tempted by the evil one into committing any sins or Obedience are essential to our Spiritual Growth and
worse – leading others into wickedness or blasphemy. Progress, for without them, we cannot acquire any of
the other essential Holy Virtues.

27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 14TH OF ST LUKE – THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO – BEFORE THEOPHANY – 2 DECEMBER 2018 1.
 Due to our Spiritual Inexperience and immaturity, it is
imperative to humbly obey our Spiritual Father who
Shepherd us towards Eternity, Salvation and Eternal
Life.
We cannot achieve Theosis by ourselves and must
therefore HUMBLY AND OBEDIENTLY FOLLOW THE PROPER
TEACHINGS AN D COMMANDMENTS – THE DIVINE TRUTH OF OUR
LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST – and ALL ASPECTS OF AN
ACTIVE, FULLY PARTICIPATING LIFE IN CHRIST IN HIS HOLY
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HEALS
At that time, as our Lord Jesus was leaving Jericho, a certain Blind Man sat by the roadside begging. Hearing a
multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried
out: “Jesus, Son of David! Have mercy on me!” And those who went before Jesus warned him to be quiet.
He cried out all the more: “Son of David! Have mercy on me!” Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to
Him. When he approached, He asked him: “What do you want Me to do for you?” He replied: “Lord, grant that I
may receive sight.” And Jesus said to him: “Receive your sight. Your Faith has made you well.” And immediately
he received his sight, and followed Him, Glorifying God.
And all the people, having beheld it, praised God.
St Matthew mentioned “two blind men” in his Holy Gospel
Account of this Miracle of Christ. However, such SMALL
DETAILS ARE UNIMPORTANT COMPARED TO THE MORE
SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was greeted as “Son of David,”
which is A SPECIAL TITLE THAT IS STRICTLY ASSOCIATED WITH
THE LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH OF GOD.
THE TITLE “LORD,” WAS RESERVED FOR GOD ALONE and the Blind
Man of Jericho instinctively knew that CHRIST IS INDEED
OUR LORD FOR WHOM EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE – ESPECIALLY
MIRACULOUS HEALING OF BOTH BODY AND SOUL.
Although our Lord knows the deepest desires and secrets
of every soul – even before we have acknowledged or
expressed them – HE WANTS US TO FREELY AND
CONFIDENTLY REQUEST HIS GREAT MERCY, WHICH IS FULFILLED
ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL AND PURPOSE.
WITHOUT FAIL GOD HEARS EVERY PRAYER AND PETITION – EVEN
THOSE THAT REMAIN UNEXPRESSED - but we do not always
understand or realise when He has answered us and
SOMETIMES OUR PRAYERS TAKE LONGER TO BE FULFILLED
BECAUSE WE LACK SOMETHING NECESSARY FOR OUR SPIRITUAL
GROWTH OR WELFARE.
All too often WHAT WE THINK WE NEED MAY MERELY DISGUISE OR
PREVENT SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS FAR MORE ESSENTIAL FOR
OUR BENEFIT OR THAT OF MANY OTHERS – and until we
grasp the Truth, we may have to endure our current
circumstances with Patience and Contemplation.
ONLY WITH GOD’S WISDOM AND HELP CAN WE REALISE WHAT WE
TRULY NEED FROM HIM – and that is why Christ often
asked what seemed to be an absurd question of those
who were obviously seriously afflicted.
27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 14TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit....
Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ – as our Lord Jesus
Christ was leaving the city of Jericho, He encountered
a certain Blind Man who not only had to bear the
burden of being blind, but also of abject poverty.
BEING BLIND, THE MAN OF JERICHO WAS UNABLE TO ENJOY THE
FIRST AND GREATEST OF OUR LORD GOD’S CREATED BLESSINGS -
THE PERCEPTIBLE LIGHT THAT SHOWS US THE MATERIAL WORLD
SURROUNDING US – BOTH THE GOOD AND BAD ASPECTS.
His destitution, however, enabled him to gain his
Salvation for, as he stood begging for alms from the
passing citizens, being extremely sensitive to all
noises, he sensed the increasing excitement of the
people.
AS SOON AS HE HEARD THAT IT WAS “JESUS OF NAZARETH” OF WHOM
THEY HAD ALL HEARD, HE BEGAN TO CALL OUT TO HIM,
ADDRESSING OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR AS THE LONG-AWAITED
MESSIAH, SAYING: “JESUS, SON OF DAVID! HAVE MERCY ON ME!”
Even when other people tried to silence him, HE CONTINUED
TO CALL OUT TO OUR LORD JESUS, BEGGING FOR HIS GREAT
MERCY AND SALVATION, FOR CHRIST IS INDEED OUR DIVINE
PHYSICIAN Who has borne and Healed all mankind’s
ailments and suffering.
THE HUMBLE FAITH OF THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO DREW OUR
LORD’S ATTENTION, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY HEALED ON
SEVERAL LEVELS.
If we wish to take a longer-term and more profound
approach to this particular Miracle, THE TEACHINGS OF
CHURCH – i.e. correct, ORTHODOX WORSHIP AND REGULAR
PARTICIPATION IN ALL HIS SALVIFIC HOLY MYSTERIES,
beginning with Baptism and Chrismation – including
CONSTANT PRAYERS, SPIRITUAL CONTEMPLATION, FASTING AND
LIVING EVERY MOMENT ACCORDINGLY.
The True Path has been laid out clearly for us to follow. It
is thus neither complicated nor difficult when we do
so with sincere Humility and Obedience.
TO ST LUKE 18 : 35 – 43
A BLIND MAN OF JERICHO
Our Holy Church Fathers made a Spiritual Interpretation
of this Divine Miracle.
THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO SYMBOLISED THOSE FUTURE
GENERATIONS WHO WOULD BECOME CHRISTIANS OR DISCIPLES
OF CHRIST ONLY BY HEARING AND WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF
SEEING CHRIST IN PERSON.
 JOHN 20:29 Our Lord Jesus Christ said to St Thomas
after His Glorious Resurrection: “Thomas, because
you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed
are those who have not seen and yet have
believed!”
THE DOUBT OR INCREDULITY OF ST THOMAS is described in our
hymns as “Blessed” for IT WAS NEITHER DOUBT OF NOR
RESISTANCE TO TRUTH BUT INSTEAD SHOWED ONE WHO
DESPERATELY DESIRED TRUTH.
It was “... a doubt that gave birth to Faith...” once the
Truth was revealed and confirmed.
In our Hymns, we chant the words of Christ to St Thomas:
“... Your doubt will teach My Passion and
Resurrection to all...”
SUCH INCREDULITY OR DOUBT “... brought the hearts of
believers to Knowledge...” BECAUSE ST THOMAS’
CONVERSION INTO FAITH LED HIM TO THE CLEAREST
CONFESSION OF CHRIST’S DIVINITY WHEN HE SO JOYFULLY
ADDRESSED OUR SAVIOUR AS “... my Lord and my God!”
THOSE WHO TRIED TO SILENCE THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO SIGNIFY
THE PERSECUTORS AND TYRANTS WHO – IN EVERY GENERATION –
TRY TO SILENCE THE DIVINE TRUTH AND WORSHIP OF THE HOLY
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
Nevertheless, under persecution, the Holy Church – i.e. All
Faithful Christians – Confess our Lord Jesus Christ all
the more!
OUR HOLY FATHERS GRANTS US THE BEGINNING OF THE THREAD
WE SHOULD FOLLOW.
They transposed the Jericho Man’s blindness FROM THE
PHYSICAL PLANE TO THE SPIRITUAL PLANE - making his
VOLUNTARY SUBJECTION TO THE SINS OF THE PASSIONS OF
DARKNESS THE MAIN CAUSE OF HIS AFFLICTION.
From this point of view, MANY OF US ARE, IN ESSENCE,
SPIRITUALLY BLIND BECAUSE WE HAVE BECOME ENSLAVED TO
OUR PASSIONS AND WEAKNESSES, (which the evil one gleefully
and successfully uses against us!)
What we really need to do, is to go begging ourselves -
as if we, too, were among the impoverished blind
people of Jericho.
WE MUST CONSTANTLY SEEK THE RESTORATION OF OUR SPIRITUAL
SIGHT UNDER THE EPITRACHELION (STOLE) OF OUR SPIRITUAL
PHYSICIAN (OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER) THROUGH THE HOLY
MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.
Yet the Reality of Life - even in this present, modern day
and age - demonstrates that this SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS IS
NEITHER GENERAL NOR ABSOLUTE.
Strange as it may seem, in our own era, THERE ARE STILL
PEOPLE AMONG US WHO HAVE MANAGED TO BECOME TRUE
“OFFSPRING OF THE LIGHT.”
THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF TRUE HOLINESS, WHICH IS AS ACTIVE AND
POWERFUL TODAY AS IT EVER WAS, SHOWS US THE LIFE OF
(DIVINE) LIGHT, NOT OF (EVIL) DARKNESS.
For example, our Holy Church honours many exceptional
figures of Holiness, such as SAINT PORPHYRIOS
KAVSOKALYVITIS, WHO, ALTHOUGH HAVING BECOME

2. 27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 14TH OF ST LUKE – THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO – BEFORE THEOPHANY – 2 DECEMBER 2018
 BIOLOGICALLY BLIND, LIVED IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST - IN THE
GLORY OF THE DIVINE “CLOUD OF UNKNOWING.”
DESPITE BEING PHYSICALLY BLIND THIS GREAT SAINT OF ATHENS
HAD EXCELLENT SPIRITUAL SIGHT, to the extent that, as
another Holy Figure of the last century, Saint Païsios
the Athonite, had explained it, HE WAS ABLE TO SEE WHAT
WAS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE, AND IN THE WORLD GENERALLY, AS
IF HE WERE WATCHING COLOUR TELEVISION.
Another such Holy Father, who has recently been
Canonized, SAINT IAKOVOS TSALIKIS, who was THE ABBOT
OF THE MONASTERY OF SAINT DAVID, ON EVIA.
This Holy Ascetic of Evia HAD EXCELLENT PHYSICAL AND
SPIRITUAL SIGHT, SO MUCH SO THAT, DURING THE DIVINE
LITURGY HE BEHELD NOT ONLY THE VISIBLE ASPECTS, BUT ALSO
THE INVISIBLE ACTIVITY.
These three Sainted Holy Fathers of our own day are
LIVING PROOF OF OUR UNWAVERING HOPE THAT SPIRITUAL
DARKNESS AND BLINDNESS WILL NOT PREVAIL, but that THE
DIVINE LIGHT OF OUR LORD GOD WILL INDEED PREVAIL, AND
LEAD US INTO ETERNAL LIFE.
ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN – ON LOVE
Just as oil maintains the light of a lamp, so Charity (Love)
feeds the soul with True Knowledge of God.
The key for our heart to acquire Divine Gifts is granted to
us through the (unconditional) Love for our
neighbours.
How wonderful and praiseworthy is Love for our
neighbours, provided, of course, such concern does
not distract us from our Love of God.
How sweet is the company of our Spiritual Brothers and
Sisters, as long as we can preserve our Love for God,
as well.
If we are busy making a living, doing manual work, and
we receive help from others, we have an obligation to
give alms.
If we neglect this, our hardness of heart will be contrary
to our Lord’s Commandment!
Suppose a Monk has been given a Rule to stay in his cell
and pray for seven weeks or a week and, when he
has completed the Rule, he meets up with and keeps
company with others and is consoled by their
companionship.
If he then is indifferent to any suffering among his
Brethren, thinking that his weekly Rule is sufficient in
itself, he is being uncharitable and harsh.
Because, if he has no Charity in his heart, if he is
disdainful and contemplates what is false, then he
will not condescend to share the pain of his Brothers.
If we scorn the pain of others, we are not going to see the
Light of God.
And if we turn our face away from anyone who is in
trouble or need, our day will be very Dark.
A famous Saint once said that nothing can help us to
become free of the demon of pride and to overcome
the burning passion of fornication as visiting and
serving the bed-ridden and relieving their bodily
pain.
Our Lord said that we should behave towards others in
exactly the same way we want them to behave
towards us. (Luke 6: 31)
But if we do not have the material goods or the bodily
strength to put our Love for others into practise, it is
acceptable to our Lord God if we Love them by intent.
God’s Love is Inexhaustible!
Love that comes from the things of this world is like the
light of a lamp that has to be kept alight by adding
more oil, or like a torrent that flows only when it rains
and dries out when it stops.
But Love that comes from God is like a spring that wells
up and never stops flowing. Its waters never fail,
because God alone is the Source of Love – and Love
never fails and never ends!
God’s Love brings an uncommon Change and Spiritual
Transformation upon us.
Why do we Worry?
More often than not, we all fall prey to our worries,
anxieties, fears and concerns.
However, as soon as we become humble and Obedient to
the Will of the Lord our God, all this agitation departs
from our heart and soul, and we are able to rest
assured in Christ our Lord and our Faith in the Great
Mercy and Abundant Providence of God.
27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 14TH OF ST LUKE – THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO – BEFORE THEOPHANY – 2 DECEMBER 2018
THESE MODERN-DAY SAINTS ARE INSPIRED SOURCES OF SPIRITUAL
REVELATION, MOTIVATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT – not only
as GOOD EXAMPLES OF THEIR HOLY LIFE IN CHRIST, DUE TO
THEIR UTTER HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, but as MODELS OF
THE CEASELESS SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE AND WARFARE AGAINST
TEMPTATION AND SIN, WHOM WE SHOULD EMULATE TO THE BEST
OF OUR ABILITY.
We must ENDEAVOUR TO FULFIL THEIR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES FOR
THE CLEANSING OF OUR MIND, THE PURITY OF OUR HEART AND
SOUL, AND FOR THE RESTORATION OF OUR SPIRITUAL SIGHT, so
that WE CAN PROPERLY AND EAGERLY FOLLOW THE TRUE PATH
LAID BEFORE US BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
As the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ our Divine
Saviour approaches, . may our Prayers and
Supplications be for the Healing of our Spiritual
Blindness, so that WITH GOOD SPIRITUAL SIGHT WE SHALL
TRULY BEHOLD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Who was Born in
the humble Grotto!
Through the Prayers of all our Holy Fathers.
Amen
HTTP://PEMPTOUSIA.COM/2017/12/14TH-SUNDAY-OF-LUKE
God’s Love is, by nature, Fervent. And when it falls on us
in abundance, it makes our soul ecstatic.
This is why the heart of those who have been Blessed to
Experience God’s Love cannot receive It into
themselves – they cannot bear It, but, depending on
the amount of Love which overshadowed them, an
Uncommon Change or Transformation seems to hover
above them.
The perceptible Signs of their Transformation are as
follows:
Their faces become as red as fire and Joyful, and their
body heats up.
Fear and shyness (‘bashfulness’) depart from them and
they become Ecstatic.
The Power that concentrates the mind is lost and they
pass into a Spiritual State that is beyond thought.
Dreaded death is thought of as Joy and their mind never
ceases to gaze upon and Contemplate Heavenly
Things, and although not physically in Heaven, they
speak as though they were, without anyone else
seeing them there, of course.
Their mind loses its natural knowledge and its natural
sight.
Their mind loses the sense of movement within a
perceptible environment, because whenever it does
something, it does not feel it at all, since they are
suspended in the Contemplation of the Heavens, and
their intellect appears to be conversing with someone
else.
It was this Spiritual Inebriation that affected the Holy
Apostles and Martyrs.
The Apostles travelled all over the world, enduring
Labours, exhaustion and mockery.
The Holy Martyrs suffered unspeakably hideous torture,
and although their blood ran like water during the
most terrible cruelties and brutalities they endured
they never lost their Faith in God.
Rather, they courageously bore everything with
tremendous Courage and Spiritual Strength.
Although the Holy Apostles and Martyrs were wise
beyond understanding, other people considered
them to be foolish, ridiculous and witless.
There were also many Holy Ascetics and Saints who
wandered in deserted places, in the wilderness, who
lived on mountains, in caves and even in holes in the
ground, and although what they did and how they
lived was considered improper and undesirable by
others, to God and His Faithful People it was most
proper and acceptable.
May God grant that we, too, might attain to such Wise
Foolishness!
www.agiazoni.gr
Why do we worry? What causes us such terrifying anxiety
and stress?
Our Holy Fathers tell us that it is caused when our
circumstances have worked out in such a way that we
are exposed – stripped of our futile and deceptive
arrogance, pride and ego.
When we are thus exposed, “the old man” – our old fallen
nature – is not “fed” – is not sustained - and we are
3.
 forced to see ourselves as we actually are -
insignificant, incapable and thus powerless.
Sometimes our Lord God allows us to contend with
various overwhelming difficulties so that we may
realise that we cannot achieve much at all by our
own power and abilities.
Many of us – if not most of us – need to reach a point
when we are forced to fact the Truth of our situation –
a point when we can only turn to God and beseech
His Divine Assistance.
But this requires our sincere Humility and Obedience!
Like the Prodigal Son, we need to hit “rock bottom” in
order to become humble and to reach out to God for
Help, Wisdom and Understanding that is beyond us.
We desperately need to return to the Safe Embrace of our
Loving Heavenly Father Who takes care of all our
needs – Who leads us along His Path of Righteousness
and Who carries us over the worst parts of our
Journey.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BELIEVE IN JESUS?
We might agree that Holy Scripture is a “reliable
document” that guides us in our Faith, and we might
believe that our Lord Jesus Christ really does exist and
we might accept the Truth that He was indeed
Resurrected, but we do not always understand why it
is essential for us to follow Him with Humility and
Obedience.
The reason why we should not try to “do our own thing,”
but rather strive to be Faithful Disciples who - with
much Spiritual Struggle and determination - follow
our Lord Jesus Christ wherever He leads us - is
explained to us by our Divine Saviour Himself, when
He spoke of His Second Coming or Glorious
Reappearance in our physical world – when He
visibly Reappears before the entire world, to judge His
entire Creation.
For those who refuse to Repent their sins and who have
rejected our Lord Jesus Christ and our Triune God, it
will be a most terrifying Event, while for others who
have Struggled to fulfil God’s Commandments and
Teachings, motivated by their Love of God and each
other, it is a longed for Event.
It all depends on the degree of our Faith – for if we know
our Lord God, if we trust in Him, and have a close
Relationship with Him, allowing Him to Guide us
throughout our life, then we know with complete
assurance that we have nothing to fear (except our
own failure to fulfil the Will of God) when He comes in
all His Divine Majesty and Glory to judge all mankind.
But if we do not know Him, if we have ignored His
Teachings, have lived a self-indulgent lifestyle that
alienates us from God, then we certainly should feel
extremely afraid of His Final Judgement.
Our All Merciful and Compassionate Lord God has
created us human beings with intellectual abilities
and free-will to make our own choices.
Therefore, we can voluntarily chose to follow our Lord
Jesus Christ, to obey Him, to fulfill His Divine Truth and
ultimately receive Eternal Life in His Heavenly
Kingdom, or we can chose to disobey Him, to reject
Him or to ignore Him but then must understand that
we will reap the worst consequences of doing so – i.e.
we choose Eternal Death and Exile into Outer
Darkness where there is ceaseless pain, sorrow and
suffering - “...gnashing of teeth” due to irreparable,
evil – a permanent Spiritual State that is utterly void of
all God’s Divine Love and Goodness!
There are always consequences due to the choices we
make, but now we are still able to correct the
resultant circumstances by means of Repentance-
Confession and the forgiveness of our sins.
We can still restore our Relationships with God and each
other! We can still regain our Spiritual Life through
Repentance - Restore ourselves from Spiritual Death
caused by our sins. God never forces us to chose Him,
to Love and obey Him, for He is Love itself and Love is
only possible as a voluntary Holy Gift – a self-willed
action, for Love cannot be forced upon anyone at all!
We must Love God with all our being – body and soul –
just as He Loves us unconditionally and utterly.
God Loves us – even though we are habitual sinners. So
we need to decide if we wish to truly Live in a State of
Unconditional Love or the alternative, of which even
Satan and his demons are terrified!
4. 27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 14TH OF ST LUKE – THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO – BEFORE THEOPHANY – 2 DECEMBER 2018
Our greatest obstacle in this life is our selfish ego, which
prevents us from developing and nurturing our True
Relationship with God and also with each other.
As soon as we Repent our sins and receive God’s Loving,
Merciful Forgiveness, we are no longer upset nor
worried, for God grants us His Peace and Spiritual
Assurance, as St David the Royal Psalmist expressed it
so well: “... I was brought low, and He Delivered me!”
Repentance-Confession means that we confess our guilt
– not merely the incidents.
We must Repent and then Confess our sins because we
are in pain and are being torn apart but we do not
bear any grudge against God or others at all.
Repentance-Confession is done with extreme and
sincere seriousness – without making any excuses
for ourselves!
(ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP FROM A TALK DELIVERED BY ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON
KRAGIOPOULOS)
We cannot deceive our Lord Jesus Christ at all, for He
knows the heart and soul of every creature He has
created! He suffered a voluntary death on the Cross
to show us the Way through His Resurrection to Eternal
Life with Him in His Kingdom of Love.
Our Heavenly Father, His Only Begotten Son and Word,
and His Holy Spirit – i.e. God the Holy Trinity - want us
whom He created in His own Image and Likeness - to
be with Him in Eternity!
Our Lord Jesus Christ knows only too well how we
Struggle against the innumerable temptations and sin
that threatens to overwhelm us every moment of every
day and night! He knows the depth of our sinfulness.
Yet He is infinitely Patient, Longsuffering, Compassionate,
Kind, Loving and Most Merciful. Whenever we fail to
fulfil His Teachings, He asks us to seek forgiveness by
Repenting, and to surrender our will to His Will, which
grants us True Freedom, Peace and Joy.
Our Lord Jesus Christ Guides us, Protects us and watches
over us as we strive to follow Him, so we will not fear
His Reappearance due to our close personal
Relationship with Him - a deep, mutual Love.
St John, His Beloved Apostle and Theologian explained
clearly: “...God so Loved the world that He gave His
Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have Everlasting Life. For God
did not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but that the world - through Him - might be
Saved. He who believes in Him is not Condemned;
but he who does not believe is Condemned already,
because he has not believed in the Name of the
Only Begotten Son of God. And this is the
Condemnation - that the Light has come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than Light,
because their deeds were evil. For everyone
practising evil hates the Light and does not come to
the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he
who does the Truth comes to the Light, that his
deeds may be clearly seen - that they have been
done in God.” (JOHN 3:16-21)
In order to be Judged and accepted by God, we must
know Him, we must believe in Him, and we must
follow His Teachings. Others who do not know Him will
not ‘...pass the Test’ at our Judgement.
Those who do not understand the necessity of our
Saviour, or who prefer the fleeting, unbeneficial
pleasures of this world, cannot enter His Eternal
Kingdom.
Our entire life will be our Judgement for we are held
accountable by our words, thoughts and deeds! We
will not be able to justify nor excuse ourselves at all for
we either know and Love God, or we ignore, reject
and disobey Him and remain unrepentant!
In this present existence, we choose to be United with
God by striving humbly to obey His Will or to be
alienated from Him by our selfishness and sinfulness.
The choice is ours alone but we must then understand the
ultimate Consequences of those choices we make!
God Loves us, providing us with everything we need. We
must merely follow His Path of Righteous that leads to
Eternal Life and Salvation!
What could be easier?! Yet we ourselves make it
complicated and difficult!
www.orthodoxwayoflife
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

4 December 2018
St Barbara of Heliopolis, Syria
FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD

Also the Feast of ST JULIANA OF HELIOPOLIS, SYRIA – ST JOHN OF DAMASCUS – St John of Phrygia – St
Alexander Hotovitsky, New Martyr of Russia – St Gennadios, Archbishop of Novgorod – St
Seraphim, Bishop & Hieromonk of the Phanar

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST BARBARA – TONE 4

Varvaran tin Agian Timisomen. Ehthrou gar ta pagidas Let us honour the All Virtuous Saint Barbara; for she
sinetripse, ke os strouthian erristhi ex afton, Voithia ke broke the snares of the enemy, and she escaped from
Oplo tou Stavrou i Pansemnos. them like a bird, with the Cross as her Help and Shield.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST JOHN DAMASCENE – TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Orthodoxias Odige, evsevias Didaskale ke Semnotitos, tis Guide of Orthodoxy and Sacred Teacher of Piety and
ikoumenis O Fostir, ton mnazonton Theonevston Decorum, Luminary of the world, and God Inspired
egkallopisma, Ioanni Sofe, tes didahes Sou pantas Adornment of Monastics, O Wise John, the Spirit’s
efotisas, lira tou Pnevmatos. Presveve Hristo to Theo Harp: by Thy Teachings Thou Enlightened all.
sothine tas psihas imon. Intercede with Christ our God for the Salvation of our
soul.
PARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION

SEASONAL KONTAKION - EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS – TONE 3
I Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo ethete Today the Virgin comes to the Cave to give Birth Ineffably
apotekin aporritos. Horeve, i ikoumeni, akoutisthisa; to the Word Pre-Eternal. Hearing this, be of good
Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voilithenta cheer, O Earth and its people: Glorify Him with the
apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon. Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will it was to be
made manifest as a young Child – the Pre-Eternal God.
PROKEIMENON – PSALM 67/68 – TONE 4
Thavmastos O Theos en tis Agiis Aftou. God is wonderful in His Saints.
En Ekklisies Evlogite ton Theon! In the Congregations Bless God!
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 3 : 23 – 4 : 5
OUR ADOPTION AS CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST THROUGH OUR FAITH AND HOLY BAPTISM
Brethren: before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law – kept for the Faith that would afterward be
revealed. Therefore, the Law was our Tutor - to bring us to Christ, so that we might be Justified by Faith. After Faith
has come, we are no longer under a Tutor. You are all sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of
you as were Baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free;
there is neither male nor female. You are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed,
and Heirs according to the Promise. I say that the Heir – as long as he is a child – does not differ at all from a slave,
although he is master of all, but is under Guardians and Stewards until the time appointed by the Father.
Even so, we – when we were children – were in bondage under the elements of the world. When the fullness of time
had come, God sent forth His Son – Born of a Woman, Born under the Law - to Redeem those who were under the
Law, that we might receive the Adoption as sons.
Faith IN Christ is also Faith OF Christ because TWO FAITHS LAWS that GUIDE US TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE AND PROTECT US
ARE COOPERATING together: first and foremost, the faith FROM FALLING INTO A STATE OF PERMANENT SPIRITUAL DEATH.
of Christ, and secondarily, the Faith in Christ of those THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OR MOSAIC LAW prepared the
who believe. Hebrew Nation for the Coming of God. They STILL APPLY
Although THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT with God had TO US, THE NEW ISRAEL – THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD.
complete Faith in God, they COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN WITH GOD’S NEW COVENANT, CHRIST REVEALED THE TRUE NATURE
THE FAITH OF CHRIST FOR OUR SAVIOUR HAD NOT YET APPEARED OF OUR MOST MERCIFUL, LOVING AND BENEVOLENT GOD TO
TO THEM. US AND TAUGHT US THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE, which the
THE HOLY TRINITY IS OMNIPRESENT - ever-present – there has ancient people of God only understood instinctively at
never been a time or place when God the Father, the first and then through the Teachings of the Holy
Son and the Holy Spirit was not present! Prophets of God.
The only time WE COULD ACTUALLY SEE GOD WAS WHEN CHRIST – AT THE HARROWING OF HADES AFTER HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS IN
the Word and Son of God – became Man – BECAME HIS HUMAN NATURE, CHRIST - IN HIS DIVINE, ALMIGHTY
INCARNATE – took on physical matter – a human body. NATURE - SMASHED OPEN THE IMPRISONING DOORS OF HADES,
(St Abraham also saw the Holy Trinity as three identical “Men” – AND FREED ALL HUMANITY FROM THE ENSLAVING POWER OF EVIL
Angels, Whom he addressed as “Lord” – as one Being.) – HAVING ALREADY RE-OPENED PARADISE to THE FAITHFUL
THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE ON EARTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VITAL where they could REPOSE IN PEACE UNTIL THE GENERAL
PREPARATORY PERIOD FOR ETERNITY. RESURRECTION AND OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
Because God’s Love of us is infinite and absolute, He (The Repentant Thief, St Demas, was the first to enter Paradise since
provided mankind with a set of TEN COMMANDMENTS OR the banishment of Adam and Eve.)

St Barbara the Great Holy Martyr of Heliopolis, Syria 4 December 2018 5.

THOSE WHO STUBBORNLY REJECTED HIM, REMAIN IN HADES where “For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have
they suffer the hideous Foretaste of the vileness and put on Christ,” is our ancient Baptism Hymn that is
torment of Eternal Alienation from God, chanted during the Procession of the Newly
❃ OUR FAITH IN CHRIST IS ONE OF PERSONAL COMMITMENT AND Regenerated into the assembly – the Holy Church of
ALLEGIANCE to Him and through our Holy Baptism Christ.
WE HAVE BECOME ADOPTED HEIRS OF GOD – CO-HEIRS WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE IN CHRIST.
WITH CHRIST TO THE ETERNAL HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF Therefore, assessing people according to our own
GOD. opinion, attitude, value, gender or ethnicity is
Not only have WE BEEN BAPTISED into Christianity –into the forbidden in Christ’s Holy Church,
Christian Faith, but WE HAVE VESTED OURSELVES WITH If we are genuinely trying to imitate Christ we must do so
CHRIST – WE HAVE “PUT ON CHRIST” – we have taken on without fail: He never discriminated against anyone
our Sacred Mission TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE – TO IMITATE so how dare we do so!
CHRIST Himself and thereby REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO ANY DISCRIMINATION, BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE OR PREJUDICE WILL
GOD CAUSE US SERIOUS SPIRITUAL CONDEMNATION, which -
According to our New Covenant with Almighty God, THERE unless we quickly correct ourselves with sincere
IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOCIAL STATUS, ETHNICITY OR Repentance - will affect our Eternity!
GENDER because WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD! We are all one in nature and equal in dignity.
❃ SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED ARE INTERWOVEN – we
cannot claim to have one without the other!
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 5 : 24 – 34
HEALING OF ST VERONICA WHO HAD HAEMORRHAGED FOR 12 YEARS
At that time, many people followed our Lord Jesus, and thronged Him. And there was a certain Woman who had had
a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered much from many Physicians. And she had spent all that she had
and was not better, but rather, grew worse. When she heard that about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd
and touched His garments. She had thought: “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” And
immediately the source of her bleeding dried up, and she felt in her body that she was Healed of the affliction.
And Jesus - instantly knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him - turned around in the crowd and asked: “Who
touched My clothes?” And His Disciples said to Him: “Thou see the multitude thronging Thee, and Thou ask: ‘Who
touched Me?’” And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. The Woman – fearing and trembling –
knowing what had happened to her, went and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. He said to her:
“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in Peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
 AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD HIM SO THAT OTHERS WOULD LEARN FROM HER AND GLORIFY
ALONE AND BEING OF THE SAME DIVINE ESSENCE AS GOD GOD.
THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES THAT Therefore He loudly enquired “Who touched My
SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY. garment?” which astonished His Disciples since the
THE HEALING OF THAT WOMAN, ST VERONICA, DEMONSTRATED OUR large crowd shoved and pushed one another to get
LORD JESUS’ POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM OUR SINS AND TO closer to Christ and many would have brushed
HEAL ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS – THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PHYSICAL. against Him or certainly touched His garments.
According to the Old Covenant Laws, any type of Although on His way to save the daughter of Jairus – a
haemorrhaging caused ceremonial defilement, “ruler of the Synagogue” – OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS TIME
which imposed religious and social restrictions upon TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH BOTH
the sufferers for ANY CONTACT WITH BLOOD WAS STRICTLY HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE TRUTH:
PROHIBITED AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. First He granted her “Good cheer” because of THE PROOF
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
being unclean and had followed all the requirements Then He corrected her thinking for SHE COULD NEITHER HIDE
as a social outcast but SHE HAD REACHED SUCH A DEGREE OF HER ACTIONS FROM HIM – FROM GOD – NOR WAS SHE EXCLUDED
MISERY AND DESPERATION THAT SHE RISKED FURTHER SHAME FROM HIM BECAUSE OF HER AFFLICTION.
AND HUMILIATION IN THE CONVICTION THAT ONLY CHRIST And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
COULD HEAL HER. WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
It was a risk that she was willing to take – after all what Our Holy Church Fathers believed that St Veronica
more could she lose? People had already taken symbolises human nature in general because ALL
everything she had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER HUMANITY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH,
WHAT SHE REALLY NEEDED! WHICH WAS SYMBOLISED BY HER HAEMORRHAGING.
 EVERYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY GOD BECOMES SANCTIFIED – The Physicians who could not heal her symbolise the
HOLY – AND WILL PASS THAT SANCTIFICATION ONTO THE various religions of the world, AS WELL AS THE OLD
FAITHFUL. COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
So THE INSTANT ST VERONICA SOFTLY TOUCHED THE ROBES OF HUMANITY – THEY CANNOT SAVE US
CHRIST SHE WAS HEALED AND GOD KNEW HER SINCERE FAITH IN  ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US! ONLY THROUGH OUR
HIM. LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE GENUINELY
DIVINE ENERGY OR POWER WENT FROM CHRIST TO ST VERONICA FREED FROM SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
AND HE WANTED HER TO OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE HER FAITH IN
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS
ST IGNATIOS BRIANCHANINOV branches, bushes, all the impediments, in order to
What can be more wonderful and pleasant than Love for forge a path and make our way forward.
our neighbour? To be able to Love is Bliss - to hate is This is what should happen in our soul, as well, with sinful
torture. thoughts - we should push them aside and move on.
Love for our neighbour is the Path that leads to God, ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT
because our Lord Jesus Christ - our True God - was We must never confuse people, who are images of God,
pleased to be Mystically Embodied in each of our with the wickedness they bear inside therm.
neighbours. This evil is merely incidental, it is their misfortune, their
ELDER JOSEPH OF VATOPEDI MONASTERY sickness, the devil’s deceit.
Slander is the most disgusting form of hatred and Their real being, the Image of God, is always there inside
wickedness and the most painful wound for those who them.
suffer it. ELDER HIERONYMOS SIMONOPETRITIS
Slander’s the defensive weapon of inferiority. Our enemy the devil has been engaged in manslaughter
Because it cannot conceal its nakedness and meanness from the outset and it is his permanent task to hinder
of spirit, it attempts to blacken those who are superior, and harm our Salvation in any way he can. It is not
in order to vindicate itself - or so it thinks. strange that he wars against us, because he had the
Since slander a false and unjust plot, it is the worst wound gall to fight against our Lord Jesus Christ. But by His
for those who suffer it. own Example, our Lord taught us how to fight against
ELDER JOSEPH THE HESYCHAST him who is always bothering us.
If we need to go through a thick forest or a reed-bed, we
have to use our hands to push aside the twigs,
6. St Barbara the Great Holy Martyr of Heliopolis, Syria 4 December 2018
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

5 December 2018
St Savvas the Sanctified
FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD
Also the Feast of St Gurias, Archbishop of Kazan – St Anastasios the Fuller of Salona, Dalmatia – St
Karion/Cyrion & St Zacharia of Sketis, Egypt – St Nektarios of Bitolya & Mount Athos – St Philotheos the
Holy Ascetic of Karyes, Mount Athos – All Martyred Monks of Karyes, Mount Athos – St Crispina of
Tagora, Africa

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

ISODIKON – TONE 2
✞Defte proskinisomen, ke prospesomen Hristo. Soson ✞Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save
imas, Iie Theou, O E N A G I I S T H A V M A S T O S , psallontas us, O Son of God, W H O A R T E X T O L L E D B Y T H E S A I N T S :
Si. Allilouia! as we sing to Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST SAVVA THE SANCTIFIED – TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Tes ton dakrion Sou roes, tis erimou to agonon egeorgisas; With the rivers of Thy tears, Thou changed the barren
ke tis ek vathous stenagmis, is ekaton tous ponous desert into fertile land; and with the sighs from Thy
ekarpoforisas; ke gagonas Fostir, tis ikoumenis, depths, Thou made Thy Labours produce a
lambon tis thavmasi, Savva Patir imon Osie. Presveve hundredfold; and Thou became a Bright Star, shining
Hristo to Theo, Sothine tas psihas imon. on the earth with Thy Miracles. O Savvas our Father
Righteous: Intercede with Christ our God, for our
PARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION
souls to be Saved!
FESTAL KONTAKION - ST SAVVAS THE SANCTIFIED - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Os apo vrefous to Theo thisia amomos, prosevehthis di O Blessed Savvas, Thou was offered from Thine infancy
aretis, Savva Makarie, to Se prin gennithine through Thy Great Virtue as a Pure and Spotless
epistameno, ehrimatisas Osion egkallopisma, polistis te Sacrifice to God, Who before Thy Birth, verily foreknew
tis erimou exietpenos. Dio krazo Si. Heris Pater aidime. Thee; wherefore Thou was an Adornment of the
Righteous Saints, an All-praised Founder of cities in the
wilderness. Hence, I cry to Thee: Rejoice, O Father of
Great Renown!
SEASONAL KONTAKION - NATIVITY OF CHRIST
I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to spyleon Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all
to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon doxologousi, being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no
Magi de meta asteros odiporousi, di’ imas gar egenniti, man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give glory,
Pedion neon, O Pro Aionon Theos. and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a
young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
RETURN TO THE SERVICE BOOK – TRISAGION HYMN

PROKEIMENON – PSALM 149 – TONE (7) VARYS-GRAVE
The Saints shall rejoice in Glory, and they shalt greatly Rejoice on their beds.
Sing unto the Lord a New Song – His Praise in the Assembly of His Holy
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 5 : 22 – 6 : 2
BATTLE AGAINST THE FLESH & DO GOOD TO EVERYONE
Brethren: the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-
control. Against such there is no law. Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If
we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one
another.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are Spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of Gentleness,
considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ.
St Paul reminds us of THE WONDERFUL SPIRITUAL FRUIT THAT IS mankind, for whatever we do for them will be done
GRANTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO STRIVE for us a hundredfold.
CEASELESSLY, all of which HELP US TO DEAL WITH OUR DAILY Thus it benefits us immensely if we do achieve Agape
PROBLEMS AND SPIRITUAL CONTESTS that confront us all. and treat one another with pure, virtuous heart and
EVERY ONE OF THESE DIVINE FRUITS PROMOTES AND NURTURES OUR soul!
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER. ✶✶ THEOSIS, DEIFICATION OR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION MEANS TO HAVE
✶✶ THE ONLY GIFT AND FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WE REQUIRE ACQUIRED THE GREATEST OF ALL HOLY VIRTUES - TRUE LOVE –
FOR OUR ETERNAL LIFE – AS WELL AS A SUCCESSFUL, THAT DIVINE, PERFECT AGAPE.
TEMPORARY, PREPARATORY LIFESPAN IS LOVE, FOR LOVE OR This short lifespan, which prepares us for Eternity, should
AGAPE NEVER FAILS!! be spent STRIVING TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN OUR
Furthermore, UNLESS WE STRIVE WITH ALL OUR MIGHT TO ACHIEVE IMMORTAL SOUL IN ORDER TO CONTROL OUR WILFUL, SELFISH
TRUE AGAPE, WE WILL NOT BE WORTHY CITIZENS OF THE AND ARROGANT FLESH, because we all need TO RETURN TO
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE. GOD WHO CREATED US AS HIS PERFECT CREATURES OF LOVE.
OUR ENTIRE JUDGEMENT IS BASED ON THAT UNCONDITIONAL, HOLY,✶✶ IF WE DO NOT LEARN TO CONTROL THE DEMANDS OF OUR
DIVINE AND ABSOLUTE LOVE of God and our fellow UNDISCIPLINED FLESH, WE WILL DEVELOP A ‘FLESHY’ SOUL

ST SAVVA THE SANCTIFIED 5 DECEMBER 2018 7.

A FLESHY SOUL IS DOMINATED AND CONTROLLED BY OUR PHYSICAL
PASSIONS THAT STIFLE AND DEADEN OUR CONSCIENCE AND,
CONSEQUENTLY, ALIENATE US FROM GOD AND ALL HIS DIVINE
GOODNESS AND LOVE.
A fleshy soul means that we are in a state of SPIRITUAL
DEATH!
Unless we truly acknowledge and expose our sins,
eradicating them through a concerted effort of
REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, we cannot RETURN TO OUR
NATURAL SPIRITUAL STATE - SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST – and
return to our close, intimate Relationship with
Almighty God and all His Goodness.
St Paul reminds us that we are trying to Live in Christ – to
LIVE ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER BY
MEANS OF THE POWER AND ENERGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
THROUGH THE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST.
This is SPIRITUAL LIFE, which we must NURTURE, PROTECT AND
GROW until our last breath, for WHATEVER CONDITION WE
DEPART THIS LIFE, WE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED IN THE NEXT –
i.e. in Eternity.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST REST ASSURED & CONFIDENT
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “... All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son
except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and the one to whom the Son Wills to
reveal Him.
“Come to Me, all who labour and who are heavily laden, and I will grant you rest. Take My Yoke upon you, and
learn from Me, for I Am Gentle and Lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My Yoke is easy and
My Burden is light.”
St Theophylact explained to us that GOD HAS HIDDEN HIS THE YOKE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR FREE AND WILLING
DIVINE MYSTERIES FROM THE WISE AND ERUDITE PEOPLE OF THE
WORLD – not out of any malice towards His creatures
but rather because of their unworthiness, for they
chose to trust their own fallen, warped and limited
wisdom and judgement instead of God’s Perfect and
Absolute Wisdom and Knowledge.
Furthermore, IT IS OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR MANKIND THAT GOD
WITHHOLDS DIVINE REVELATION FROM THOSE WHO WOULD
SCORN IT – IN ORDER THAT THEY DO NOT RECEIVE EVEN WORSE
ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AT THEIR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
ELDER JOSEPH THE HESYCHAST - ON
My Beloved Children, please do not be shaken by the
events that happen around us, which are “Peirasmoi”
(trials, temptations), since there is no practical
Christianity without them.
We must learn that our current life is like a Sphere, which
continuously revolves.
Along our Path we experience all the contradictions, and
we, like pupils during exams, are called to the
Struggle. ( i.e. ceaseless Spiritual Warfare.)
The Sphere always turns around and around, so we can
expect to see what our trials will be, with which we
must contend, knowing that there will always be more
temptations to deal with.
If we are prepared for this Contest, just this Discipline will
open the way for our Triumph or at least it will
minimize the impact of the crash.
Our Holy Fathers said: “Do you want to take your
Brothers’ mistakes upon yourself? Be ready to face
temptation until your last breath!”
Nothing more and nothing less is going to happen except
for that which our Lord Jesus Christ orders for each
one of us for our Discipline and our Benefit.
We increase our burdens when we grumble.
Those who believe in God must continuously Struggle
when various temptations strike, in order to convince
both ‘the right and the left world’ that we “... honestly
Love God and that we rightly detest the devil.”
The only difference is that one day we will finally
succeed. (We will be Spiritually Victorious!)
However, the Struggle (of Spiritual Warfare) will continue for
the rest of our present life.
The fact that the Struggle continues, is not a defeat, my
Beloved, but an indication of our hard work.
God’s Grace does not take away the Struggle or the
Warfare, which continues in order to Glorify God and
to reveal His hard working people to everyone.
We can see how harshly our Holy Fathers have been
tempted - beyond causes and reasons - even though
they had been Most Pure in their intentions and their
minds.
8. ST SAVVAS THE SANCTIFIED
Thus, we must STRIVE TO REMAIN IN SPIRITUAL LIFE and avoid
at all cost falling into a state of Spiritual Death!!
WE MUST IMMEDIATELY CORRECT OURSELVES as soon as we
have fallen into sin - and we must encourage each
other to stay close to the Lord our God by means of
our Spiritual Endeavours.
We must AVOID PROVOKING EACH OTHER, or doing anything
that will endanger our Brethren in Christ who might
be discouraged, disheartened or disturbed by our
careless, inconsiderate words, thoughts and deeds!
We must GENTLY GUIDE AND CORRECT ONE ANOTHER – always
with Love, Kindness and Compassion, thereby
bearing each other’s ‘burdens,’ but never being a
‘burden’ to others by taking advantage of their good
nature or kindness of heart.
We must ensure THAT WHATEVER WE DO, IT IS ACCORDING TO THE
DIVINE TRUTH, TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST.
TO ST MATTHEW 11 : 27 – 30
IN HIM
SUBMISSION TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND EVERYTHING THAT IS
REQUIRED OF US AS WORTHY FUTURE CITIZENS.
A Yoke could be seen as a sign of hardship, burdens, and
responsibilities, but IN CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, HIS YOKE IS
EASY, BECAUSE DIVINE POWER WORKS IN EACH OF US. (2 KINGS 12: 1 –
11; JEREMIAH 34: 1-11; WISDOM OF SIRACH 40:1)
Furthermore, THE ULTIMATE REWARD IS INFINITELY GREATER THAN
ANY EFFORT MANKIND PUTS FORTH.
The term “Gentle” is literally translated “Meek.”
OUR STRUGGLE & SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Every Member of Christ’s Holy Church is obliged to Live
for others - whether they are present or future.
Therefore, our conduct provides a Blessed Motive to
future generations and we may become good
examples for them to imitate concerning our Holy
Faith – thereby showing everyone that it is indeed
possible to practise True Christianity, and that our
Lord Jesus is not Someone Who was only the Truth, the
Way and the Life for those ancient days, but that He
remains the same today, yesterday and forever!
As our Lord Jesus Christ encouraged and exhorted us:
“With Patience, maintain your soul!”
ON FASTING
The issue of our diet is something that preoccupies
everyone, as a most necessary Spiritual Commitment
and significant aspect of our Life.
However, some of you are becoming imprisoned by
Fasting due to the special luxuries that your
generation enjoys, but it is neither Beneficial nor
worthy of praise to stop eating - especially suddenly -
one of the most basic foods, thinking that perhaps, we
may have lost control over it, which even our Holy
Fathers do not approve of nor praise.
The recommended path to take is to restrict the
consumption of certain food, so that our health is not
affected, and to prevent others from noticing or
mentioning that we are Fasting, which will create for
us a useless Struggle to avoid haughtiness and pride.
It is only in this way that Temperance as a Rule of Life
can be acquired, for our psychosomatic state and
healthy condition lies in the balance created by such
temperance of diet, resulting in a healthy balance of
mind and body, whereby sleep is normalized,
harmful thoughts disappear and our eagerness to
Struggle is increased.
Fasting according our personal ability, and a
determination to fulfil our Sacred Tasks by the Grace
of God, is possible for everyone, even in difficult,
unhealthy social circumstances, without trying to
apply Monastic Rules to yourself, which even Monks
often fail to keep!
5 DECEMBER 2018
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

6 December 2018
St Nicholas of Myra, Lycia
FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD
Also the Feast of St Maximos, Metropolitan of Kiev

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

FESTAL SMALL ENTRY HYMNS – FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY – TONE 2

✞Defte proskinisomen, ke prospesomen Hristo. Soson ✞Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. O
imas, Iie Theou, O E N A G I I S T H A V M A S T O S , psallontas Son of God, W H O A R T E X T O L L E D B Y T H E S A I N T S :
Si. Allilouia! Save us who sing unto Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST NICHOLAS OF MYRA – TONE 4
Kanona Pisteos ke Ikona praotitos, egkratias Didaskalon, The actual Facts of Thy Life manifested Thee to Thy Flock
anedixe Se ti Pimni Sou, i ton Pragmaton Alithia. Dia as a Rule of Faith, and an Icon of Gentleness, and a
touto ektiso ti tapinosi ta ipsila, ti ptohia ta plousia, Teacher of Self-control. By Humility, therefore, Thou
Pater Ierarha Nikolae. Presveve Hristo to Theo, Sothine acquired the Things on High, and Riches through
tas psihas imon. poverty. O Father, Holy Hierarch, Nicholas: Intercede
with Christ our God, Entreating Him to Save our soul.
PARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION

SEASONAL KONTAKION – FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY – TONE 3
I Parthenos simeron, ton proeonion Logon, en Spileo erhete, On this day, the Virgin went to the Grotto to give Birth to
apotekin aporritos. Horeve i ikoumeni akoutisthisa, the Pre-Eternal Word in an ineffable manner. Dance for
doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voiithenta Joy, all the inhabited Earth, on hearing. Glorify along
epofthine, Pedion Neon, to Pro Eonon Theon. with Angels and with the Shepherds Him Who Willed
His Appearance as a New Born Child – the Pre-Eternal
God.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON – PSALM 115/116 - TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Holy One.
What shall I give back to the Lord for all He rendered to me?
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 13 : 17 – 21
Brethren: obey your Leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your soul, as men who will have to
give account. Let them do so Joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we
are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to
do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
May the God of Peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, by the Blood
of the Eternal Covenant, equip you with everything Good so that you may do His Will, working in you that which is
pleasing in His Sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be Glory unto the Ages of ages.
Amen.
As Faithful Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must The two inseparable Holy Virtues of Humility and
ALWAYS OBEY AND RESPECT OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS who Obedience are essential to our Spiritual Growth and
are Consecrated and Sanctified Members of His Progress, for without them, we cannot acquire any
Holy Priesthood. of the other essential Holy Virtues.
OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS ARE MEMBERS OF THE ETERNAL Due to our Spiritual Inexperience and immaturity, it is
SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD OF CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH WHO imperative to humbly obey our Spiritual Father who
WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY AT Shepherd us towards Eternity, Salvation and Eternal
THE GREAT JUDGEMENT OF OUR LORD. Life.
ST PAUL, as one of our Holy Church Fathers, ASKED ALL We cannot achieve Theosis by ourselves and must
CHRISTIANS FOR THEIR PRAYERS SO THAT HE MIGHT LIVE AN therefore HUMBLY AND OBEDIENTLY FOLLOW THE PROPER
EXEMPLARY LIFE ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL and not be TEACHINGS AN D COMMANDMENTS – THE DIVINE TRUTH OF
tempted by the evil one into committing any sins or OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST – and ALL ASPECTS
worse – leading others into wickedness or OF AN ACTIVE, FULLY PARTICIPATING LIFE IN CHRIST IN HIS
blasphemy. HOLY CHURCH – i.e. correct, ORTHODOX WORSHIP AND
His concluding Blessing noted THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE REGULAR PARTICIPATION IN ALL HIS SALVIFIC HOLY
DIVINE AND MOST SACRED BLOOD OF CHRIST WHICH IS MYSTERIES, beginning with Baptism and Chrismation
REALISED IN HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION AS CHRIST OFFERS – including CONSTANT PRAYERS, SPIRITUAL
HIS MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD IN THE ETERNAL SANCTUARY CONTEMPLATION, FASTING AND LIVING EVERY MOMENT
and thereby inaugurates A NEW, “... Everlasting ACCORDINGLY.
(Eternal) Covenant,” which MAKES US “...Complete in The True Path has been laid out clearly for us to follow.
every Good Work to do His Will...” as WE CO-OPERATE It is thus neither complicated nor difficult when we
WITH GOD IN ALL THINGS and so are able TO PROGRESS do so with sincere Humility and Obedience.
TOWARDS HOLY SAINTHOOD – HOLY PERFECTION OR THEOSIS
– I.E. THE REGENERATION OF OUR ORIGINAL CREATED STATE.

ST NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER OF MYRA, LYCIA 6 DECEMBER 2018 9

 THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 6 : 17 – 23
At that time our Lord Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of His Disciples and a great multitude of people
from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him, and to be Healed of their
diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were Cured. And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for
Power went forth from Him and Healed them all.
And He lifted up His Eyes to His Disciples, and said: “Blessed art you who are Poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Blessed art you who Hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed art you who weep, for you shall laugh.
Blessed art you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for Joy, for behold, your Reward is Great in
Heaven.”
In the age of the Old Covenant a select few were chosen HOLY SORROW IS PART OF OUR REPENTANCE, CONVERSION AND
to hear God directly. (REFER EXODUS 19: 3 – 13) VIRTUOUS ACTION.
IN THE AGE OF THE NEW COVENANT GOD INCARNATE SPEAKS HOLY SORROW OR JOYFUL MOURNING IS THE FIRST-FRUIT – THE
DIRECTLY TO HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AND ALL THOSE WHO SEEK INITIAL RESULT – OF INFINITE OR ETERNAL BLISS/JOY, which is
DIVINE TRUTH. completely different from ungodly sorrow – an
Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks to us with His own Divine inconsolable sadness that leads to despair – utter
Authority and WE, AS HIS DISCIPLES, DO NOT DISCUSS OR hopelessness. (REFER TO 2 CORINTHIANS 7 : 10 )
DEBATE BUT LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT HE REVEALS AND THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL IS WHEN WE COMMIT OUR LIVES
TEACHES US CONCERNING GOD’S TRUTH – READY AND EAGER TO ENTIRELY TO CHRIST – WHEN WE LIVE IN CHRIST AND NEVER
FULFIL WHATEVER IS REQUIRED FROM US. THIS IS OUR HOLY COMPROMISE OUR FAITH no matter what the
MISSION AND PURPOSE ON EARTH DURING THIS PREPARATORY circumstances or threats against us.
PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY. This “Sermon on the Plain” is similar but not as extensive
The term “Blessed” indicates HEAVENLY, SPIRITUAL as Christ’s profound “Sermon on the Mount.” (MATTHEW 5 – 7)
EXALTATION RATHER THAN EARTHLY HAPPINESS OR PROSPERITY. OUR LORD JESUS REPEATED MANY OF HIS DIVINE TEACHINGS OVER
In Hebrew, “poor” means both THE MATERIALLY POOR AND THE PERIOD OF THREE YEARS – HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY TO THE
GOD’S FAITHFUL PEOPLE. HEBREWS AND GENTILES, WHICH WERE LATER SPREAD
“The poor in spirit,” are THOSE WHO HAVE THE HEART OF THE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BY HIS DIVINELY INSPIRED APOSTLES
POOR, THE SAME ATTITUDE AS THE POOR, AND WHO ARE TOTALLY AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES.
DEPENDENT ON GOD. St John the Divine Apostle, Evangelist and Theologian
“Those who hunger ...” and thirst for Righteousness REGARD wrote of three Passover Feasts that occurred between
THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM AS THE Theophany – the Revelation of the Holy Trinity at the
MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES OF LIFE. THEY HAVE A Baptism of our Lord in the River Jordan by St John the
TREMENDOUS CRAVING AND YEARNING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND Baptist – and His Passion – the New Covenant Pascha –
GOOD – A SPIRITUAL HUNGER THAT IS FAR MORE COMPELLING which shows us that our Lord’s earthly Divine Mission –
THAN A DESIRE FOR FOOD. the direct Teaching by God Incarnate Himself – lasted
“Those who weep...” refers to THOSE WHO ARE DISTRESSED BY only three short years!
THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS LIFE, ESPECIALLY BY THE MISERY OF SO This short section of the Holy Gospel according to St Luke
MANY OTHERS, THE STATE OF THE FALLEN WORLD, AND THEIR is read on Feast Days commemorating our Holy
OWN PERSONAL SINS. (REFER JOHN 11:35... LUKE 19:41 & LUKE 7 : 36 – 38) Hierarchs, Hieromartyrs and Monks.
ALL THESE ARE COMFORTED BY THE POWER OF GOD BOTH IN THIS
WORLD AND IN THE AGE TO COME.
ST SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN – ON SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
Spiritual Knowledge and the fact that the Treasures of the unopened and of no benefit to anyone at all we could
Holy Spirit are concealed within the letter of Holy die of hunger, thirst and deprivation!
Scripture is not apparent to all, except to those who The same circumstances apply to Spiritual Matters, for
have acquired within their soul the Grace of the Holy our Treasure Chest is the Holy Gospel of Christ and all
Spirit. the Books of Holy Scripture, which have Eternal Life
Spiritual Knowledge is like a House built between Greek locked inside them, as well as all the other
and secular knowledge, in which there is a locked inexpressible, Everlasting Divine Truth.
Treasure Chest - Knowledge of the Divine Scriptures - Our Lord Jesus Christ instructed us to “...Search the
and the indescribable Riches that are stored within Scriptures, for in them is Eternal Life...” and He told
these Holy Scriptures - Divine Grace. us that “... those who Love Me will keep My
Those who enter the House are unable to see this Wealth Commandments, and the Father will Love them, and
unless they can open the Treasure Chest. I will manifest Myself to them.”
However it can never be opened with human wisdom, so Consequently, when God dwells in us and manifests
all those people who think in a secular manner, do Himself to us, we consciously see - we recognize in
not and cannot know the Spiritual Treasure that is practise - the Divine Mysteries that are concealed
contained inside the Treasure Chest of Spiritual within Holy Scripture.
Knowledge. We must never be deceived by thinking that there is any
Just as they will still not be able to see the Treasure within other way for Spiritual Knowledge to be opened to us
even if they carry it with them, so too, even if they or that its Good Things (Divine Truth) can be
read and memorize the entire Divine Scriptures as otherwise enjoyed -neither could we gaze upon them
though they were a single Psalm, they would not be nor participate in them.
able to recognize the Divine Grace of the Holy Spirit These Good Things (Spiritual Treasure) consist of Perfect
concealed in them for the Spiritual Treasure cannot Love of God and for other people, disdain for all
be revealed by merely looking at the (closed) things visible, mortification of the flesh and the
container! By the same token, what is in Holy members of the flesh on this Earth, and the rejection
Scripture cannot be revealed by the writing thereof. of every wicked and shameful desire.
How is this so? Imagine that we see a little chest, securely As the dead neither think nor feel at all, so let us also not
locked on all sides and that, from its weight and conceive any wicked desire at all, nor allow ourselves
external beauty we either think, or learn from others, to feel the power of any evil desire over us. Instead, let
that it contains Marvellous Treasure. Imagine also, us always remember the Commandments of our
that by carrying it upon our shoulder, we walk away Saviour Jesus Christ, as well as Immortality,
with it. Incorruption, Everlasting Glory, the Kingdom of
Of what benefit would it be if the Treasure within Heaven and our Adoption and Renewal in God the
remained hidden and locked inside its container - if Holy Spirit, having become Children of God, gods by
we could never behold the lustrous beauty of the Grace, Heirs of God, and thus Co-heirs with Christ.
precious contents; if we never used any of it to sustain We have acquired the Mind of Christ - the Holy Spirit -
ourselves and others, but kept it locked and sealed and through Him, we behold our Triune Lord God
forever? Although it could save lives, if it remained and Christ Himself Who dwells in the Godhead, yet
walks among us in a way we can perceive.

10. ST NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER OF MYRA, LYCIA 6 DECEMBER 2018

 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone 3 9 December 2018

th
28 Sunday After Pentecost
th
10 Sunday of St Luke – The Bowed Woman
Conception of St Anna & St Joachim
FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD
Also the Feast of St Hannah, Righteous Mother of St Samuel the Holy Prophet of God – St
Sophronios, Archbishop & Wonderworker of Cyprus - St Stephen the New Light of
Constantinople – St Anthimos, Hieromonk & Fool for Christ of Mount Athos – The Consecration
of the Holy Church of St John Chrysostom in Cyprus in 1091

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 6: LUKE 24:35 - 53

OUR LORD JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES & ASCENDS TO HEAVEN

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

ISODIKON – TONE 3
✞ Defte proskinisomen ke prospesomen Hristo. Soson ✞ Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save
imas Ie Theou O A N A S T A S E K N E K R O N , psallontas Si: us, O Son of God, W H O R O S E F R O M T H E D E A D , as we
Allilouia! sing to Thee: Alleluia!
OCTOEHOS – RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION – TONE 3
Evfrenestho ta Ourania, Agaliastho ta Epigia, oti epiise Let the Heavens Rejoice and let the Earth be glad, for the
Kratos en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanato Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has
ton Thanaton.Prototokos ton nekron egeneto. Ek kilias trampled down Death by Death; He has become the
Adou errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to Mega Eleos. First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He
has Rescued us, and to the world He has granted Great
Mercy.
MENAION - FESTAL APOLYTIKION – THE CONCEPTION - TONE 4
Simeron tis ateknias desma dialionte. Tou Ioakim gar ke Today the bonds of Childlessness are broken. For hearing
tis Annis isakouon Theos, par’ elpida tekin aftous safos, the Prayers of Joachim and Anna, God promised that
ipishnite Theopeda, ex is aftos etehthi O aperigraptos, against all Hope they would give Birth to the Maiden of
vrotos gegonos, di’ Angelou kelefsas voise afti. Here, God. He, the Uncircumscribed, would be Born of Her,
Heharitomeni, O Kyrios meta Sou. and when He had become Man, and by the Angel’s
Example, He commands us to call to Her: “Rejoice, O
PARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION ➜. Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee!”
SEASONAL KONTAKION – THE CONCEPTION – TONE 3
Eortazi simeron, i ikoumeni, tin tis Annis sillipsin, Celebrating today is the entire world for Anna conceived a
gegenimenin en Theo, ke gar afti apekiise, tin iper Child, which is a Miracle of God, and thus she gave
Logon, ton Logon kiisasan. birth to Her who bore the Divine Logos - beyond all
speech or thought.
PROKEIMENON – PSALM 63/64 – TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
The Righteous Man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 4 : 22 - 27
C ONCERNING SLAVERY & SONSHIP
Brethren: Abraham had two sons - one by a bondservant, one by a free woman. But he who was of the bondwoman
was born according to the flesh, while he who was born of the free woman was born through a Promise.
These things are symbolic. These are the two Covenants – one from Mount Sinai, which gives birth to bondage, being
Hagar. For Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which is now - in bondage with her
children. The Jerusalem Above is Free – being the Mother of us all. It is written: ‘Rejoice, you barren who do not
bear! Break forth and cry you who do not travail! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a
husband!’
By stating that Abraham’s two sons and related events  THE ‘DESOLATE’ are those in Church, especially the
are symbolic (allegoreo), St Paul did not imply that Gentiles.
they were not historical.  “SHE WHO HAS A HUSBAND,’ is Israel.
Rather, St Paul asserts that OLD COVENANT HISTORY  Furthermore, SARAH IS A TYPE OF MARY – our Lady
ANNOUNCED SOMETHING FAR GREATER THAN ITSELF. Theotokos (Mother of God) – for Sarah’s son was
 HAGAR the Bondwoman and Mount Sinai symbolise born through Divine Promise.
earthly Jerusalem, and the Judeans under the According to St John Chrysostom, Isaac “... was the issue
Law. of bodies that were dead, and of a womb that was
 SARAH, the Freewoman, symbolises the Heavenly dead. His conception was not by the flesh, nor his
Jerusalem – i.e. the Church. birth by the seed, for the womb was dead both
through age and barrenness (infertility).

28 T H S U NDAY A FTER P ENTECOST - 10 T H OF S T L U KE - T HE B OWED W OMAN - C ONCEPTI ON OF S T A N NA & S T J OACHIM – 9 D ECEMBER 201 8 11.
 “But the Word of God fashioned him... He who was not “Therefore, let it not disturb you that you were not born
according to the flesh was more honourable than he after the flesh. For from the very reason that you are
who was born after the flesh not so born, are you most of all Abraham’s kindred.”
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 13 : 10 - 17
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HEALS THE BOWED WOMAN ON THE SABBATH
At that time, our Lord was teaching in one of the Synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold: there was a woman who
had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself. Seeing her, Jesus
called her to Him, and said to Her: “Woman: you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His Hands on her.
And immediately she was made straight, and she Glorified God.
Indignantly, the Ruler of the Synagogue responded, for Jesus had Healed on the Sabbath. He said to the crowd: “There
are six days on which to work. On them come and be Healed, and not on the Sabbath Day!” Answering him, the
Lord said: “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it
away to water it? So ought not this woman – being a daughter of Abraham - whom Satan has bound – think of
it: for eighteen years – be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the Glorious
Things that were done by Him.
According to certain traditions that the Pharisees and the that position in order to UNDERSTAND THE SUFFERING that
Scribes had built up around the Mosaic Law, Healing she had so patiently endured.
was considered to be “work.” Therefore, even Healing  Furthermore, our Holy Church Fathers regard this
was not permissible on the Sabbath Day. Divine Commandment – “... think of it!...” as
These self-righteous Pharisees and Scribes believed that DIRECTING OUR ATTENTION TO A PROFOUND SPIRITUAL
they served God by zealously keeping and enforcing MEANING of the “... eighteen years.”
these peripheral traditions. The Greek expression is literally “ten and eight years.”
However, SUCH LEGALISM ACTUALLY MADE THEM INSENSITIVE TO St Ambrose and St Theophylact understood this as
GOD’S GREAT MERCY. representing THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND THE EIGHTH
When our Compassionate Lord Jesus Christ told the DAY, which is the beginning of Eternity and the
people – especially those who criticised Him for General Resurrection of all mankind by Divine Grace.
Healing the Bowed Woman on the Sabbath – to “... Consequently, ALL MANKIND IS UPLIFTED BY FAITH IN CHRIST
think of it!” He was commanding them to CONSIDER WHO FULFILS BOTH THE ENTIRE MOSAIC LAW AND DIVINE
HOW IT FELT TO SUFFER FOR SO LONG – to put themselves in GRACE.
28TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 10TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE BOWED WOMAN
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the also because we are not as humble, obedient, sincere
Holy Spirit... and honest as we should be to God and to ourselves!
Dearly Beloved, if the Bowed Woman had not been going Unless we learn to examine ourselves properly, in order to
to the Synagogue every Sabbath Day, she might not pluck out our deep-rooted sins, and to prevent
have met our Lord Jesus Christ. ourselves from submitting to all the temptations that
But she had the courage and the Spiritual Strength to ceaselessly assault us, we cannot co-operate with our
follow Christ’s Good Example, for she was a devout, Lord God Who can do everything that is impossible for
and regular worshipper at the Synagogue and was us to do.
never absent from any of the devotional gatherings. We, alone, must seek out and correct our errors by means
Neither was she embarrassed nor ashamed of her of Repentance-Confession, thereby taking full
disability, which must have been very difficult for her responsibility for our words, thoughts and deeds that
due to extreme discomfort and intense pain. are unworthy of a Faithful Disciple of Christ.
Nothing could prevent her from attending the Holy We must learn to be ever Watchful so that we do not fall
Services. into the many traps of the evil one – so that we may
Some of us might believe that we are only able to become adept at avoiding those wicked temptations
Encounter or Experience the Presence of our Lord that cause us Spiritual Death and alienation from our
Jesus Christ at very special moments – or at certain Benevolent, Loving God.
Sacred Sites – as though our Lord God is restricted to Our Lord Jesus Christ knows precisely to what degree
time or place! each of us seeks Deliverance from evil and Eternal
Yet, wherever we are, and whatever we are doing, we Salvation.
might suddenly Encounter our Lord, for at the most He grants us Spiritual Awareness whereby we are able to
unexpected times and conditions, according to His Experience Salvation.
Divine Will, He might suddenly set us free of our And when we at last realise and acknowledge the depth
Spiritual Afflictions or He might Call us to follow Him – of our Spiritual Fruitlessness, we will reach out for our
or to serve Him in a most specific manner! Divine Saviour, Who may grant us His Divine Grace so
Most of us would be utterly astonished and we would that we may encounter that marvellous Supernatural
wonder: “Was it so simple - so easy - to be released Spiritual Reality within us.
from the debilitating shackles of sin - from the evil When we simply, humbly and truly believe this way, then
one’s influence on me?” we will make an even more determined effort to stop
And indeed, it does seem to be more complicated and doing things that are contrary to our Lord Jesus
even impossible for us to be Healed and freed from Christ’s Teachings and Commandments, and our only
the imprisoning chains of our sins! desire will be to strive more and to please our Lord
But that is only due to our erroneous, egocentric stance – God in every manner possible.
our lack of Faith in the Almighty Power of God and
ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOXPATH.ORG
THE CONCEPTION OF ST ANNA & ST JOACHIM OF THE EVER BLESSED ALL HOLY VIRGIN MARY
St Joachim and St Anna had lived in Nazareth, Galilee Struck by the harsh words of the High Priest, as though it
“...in the whole piety of the Mosaic Law...” until their was the Awesome Judgment of God Himself, St
very old age, but were childless. Joachim had no time to withdraw before another
On the occasion of one of the Great Feasts, the Righteous heavier insult struck his heart.
St Joachim, according to the custom of the Mosaic Another Israelite who had come to make his offering to
Law, presented gifts and offerings to God at the God, pushed St Joachim away, saying: “Depart from
Temple in Jerusalem. here! Did you not hear? You are unworthy to bring
The High Priest, Issachar, who accepted the offerings gifts to God together with us, because you have not
from the multitude of Faithful worshippers, refused to produced any offspring for Israel!”
accept St Joachim’s offerings, saying: “... it is not right With deep Humility and heartfelt sorrow, St Joachim
to accept offerings from you as from a true Israelite! accepted this accusation as if it were from the very
For you are childless due to some kind of heavy sin! Mouth of our Lord God, and together with St Anna,
Therefore, you have not received the Blessing of God!” they departed from the Temple.

12. 28 T H S U NDAY A FTER P ENTECOST -10 T H OF S T L U KE - T HE B OWE D W OMAN - C ONCEPTI ON OF S T A NNA & S T J OACHIM – 9 D ECEMBER 2018
 With a contrite heart St Joachim saw himself as being
unworthy not only of being in the vicinity of the Holy
Temple of God in Jerusalem, but also of returning to
his home with his Righteous and Beloved wife, St
Anna.
So he took his flocks and withdrew into the wilderness
where he spent the next 40 days, Fasting and
Repenting his sins with ceaseless tears and Prayers for
Mercy and Forgiveness from God.
He besought the Lord our God to forgive him all his sins –
especially those of which he was unaware - and to
remove his dishonour in Israel, by Blessing him and St
Anna – even though they were of an advanced age
and barren - with the birth of a healthy infant.
The inexpressible sorrow of St Anna overwhelmed her,
when she heard about the accusations of their
unworthiness due to their childlessness, which had
been expressed in the Presence of God and the other
sons of Israel on that Great Feast Day of the Lord.
She was judged and condemned by others for her
infertility, which was regarded as a sin of all Israelite
wives who failed to produce healthy offspring –
regarding them as being unworthy to see the Light of
God since they were deprived of God’s greatest
Blessing.
Having confined herself to her house, St Anna Fasted and
Repented with tears and Prayers, crying out and
beseeching our Lord, day and night, imploring Him -
not for her sake, but for the sake of the Piety of her
Righteous Spouse, to relieve them from the curse of
childlessness, and to Bless the Fruit of her womb.
Alone in the garden, in the shade of a laurel tree, St Anna
saw a bird’s nest, and the parent birds feeding their
nestlings, and as she watched, she contemplated how
everything in Creation gives birth to their offspring;
how everything lives by the Grace of God - the birds of
the sky, the animals of the forest and all the
vegetation upon the Earth that grows and increases,
yet she was deprived of the joy of motherhood - the
Most Special Blessing of God.
St Anna prayed even more fervently to the Lord our God,
until He heard her, and sent His Archangel, Gabriel,
the Bearer of Good Tidings to her, telling her: “... the
THE ADVENT FAST – SELF-EXAMINATION, REPENTANCE
Truth comes from knowing the Truth about ourselves.
Each time we prepare ourselves for the Holy Mystery of
Repentance-Confession we should become painfully
aware of how little we really know ourselves and the
actual Spiritual Condition of our soul, for when we
examine ourselves either by means of the Ten
Commandments, St John of Kronstadt’s Preparatory
Self-Examination, or by any other guidelines, there
should be something about ourselves that we never
realised before.
It is this continual self-discovery that is indeed vital to our
Spiritual Growth and Welfare.
Usually, the Truth we discover concerns aspects of our
character or habitual behaviour or attitude that we
do not particularly like, which we might try to ignore
or worse, try to justify, instead of taking the
opportunity to correct our faults.
This is often very difficult due to the extent of our egoism,
which prevents us from seeking forgiveness and
correcting ourselves.
Our flaws are variable and not always easy to identify
which is why it is advisable to have a specific Holy
Confessor to guide us and to encourage us to probe
deeper in order to root out our iniquities that cause us
so much pain and conflict.
Any new self-discovery leads us to a healthier, more
peaceful lifestyle whereby we are able to fulfil the Will
of our Heavenly Father that grants us wonderful
Spiritual Freedom, which in turn, improves our
Relationships with our Lord God and with each other.
By Living in Christ through an Orthodox Way of Life, we
continually examine ourselves in order to Repent our
sins and enhance our Relationships.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, His Apostles and, subsequently, all
our Holy Fathers have taught us to look within
ourselves in order for us to live each day to the best of
our ability as worthy Disciples of Christ - and not
28 T H S U NDAY A FTER P ENTECOST - 10 T H OF S T L U KE - T HE B OWED W OMAN - C ONCEPTI ON OF S T A N NA & S T J OACHIM – 9 D ECEMBER 201 8
Lord our God has granted you the desire of your
Prayer... for you will conceive and give birth to a
Most Blessed Daughter, to whom all will bend their
knees and Bless, and who will bear the Salvation of
the world. Her name will be Mary.”
Overjoyed by the Heavenly Annunciation, St Anna quickly
hastened to Jerusalem to pour out before the Lord in
His Sacred Temple her profoundest Thanksgiving and
Joy that overflowed her heart.
Archangel Gabriel had also announced the joyful
Proclamation to St Joachim, who was weeping and
praying in the wilderness.
St Gabriel commanded St Joachim to immediately go to
Jerusalem, and there, before the doors of the Temple
of God the rejoicing spouses met, with one voice
Glorified and Thanked our Lord God again and
again, for He had seen their Humility and their Purity
of heart.
They vowed to dedicate their promised Child to God –
whether male or female.
Shortly after having returned to their home, St Anna and
St Joachim conceived in her womb “...the Divine Rod,
which will sprout the Mysterious Flower of Christ, the
Creator of all.”
And every year, on this Great Feast Day, we gladly chant:
“Come, this Joyful Day, all the Heavenly Hosts and all
the ages of mankind! With the Angelic Choirs let us
celebrate the Glorious Conception of the Theotokos! O
Patriarchs, celebrate the Mother of all Kings! O
Prophets, celebrate the One Whom You Prophesied! O
Forefathers, celebrate the One who from You is the
Mother of God! O Elders, celebrate the Ancestors of
God! O Ancestors of God, celebrate the Maiden of
God! O Virgins, celebrate the Ever Virgin! O Faithful,
celebrate the Roots of Faith! O Priests, celebrate the
All-Dedicated Temple of God! O Saints of all Nations,
celebrate the Wine of Your Assemblies! O Angelic
Hosts, celebrate the One who gave Birth to the Master
of all Creation and the Saviour of our soul!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP
SERGEI BULGAKOV
HTTP://ORTHOCHRISTIAN.COM/43675.HTML
AND CONFESSION
merely to satisfy an intellectual curiosity or to seek
restitution in some legalistic way.
It is perfectly natural for mankind to want to live
according to God's Will because we were created in
His Divine Likeness!
When we acquire the ability to constantly look inwards at
ourselves, we will uncover many false assumptions
and thought processes that bind us to predictable
ways of thinking and behaving.
Our inward searching and examination is like
undertaking an archaeological excavation that
continuously exposes many layers with various
artefacts that have been hidden deep down within us
for a very long time.
These discoveries can be closely examined to see what
kind of word, thought or deed it is - . often being
something that we never realised had such a
negative impact upon us or on others!
Such important aspects of our own psyche should be
examined objectively so that we can fully understand
the problems caused thereby and hopefully,
eradicate the sin forever or be cured of its toxic effect
upon us.
Self-examination is like observing ourselves from an
elevated position.
As our mind becomes quieter though our practise of
Spiritual Disciplines and the Work and Grace of the
Holy Spirit within us, we will become more aware of
our sins and corruption, and become most eager and
motivated to Repent.
Such profound Spiritual Awareness is indeed very painful
and sorrowful, but eventually we will become
extremely Joyful and Thankful to God for His Great
Mercy.
It is the most essential aspect of our Spiritual Struggle to
know ourselves thoroughly, and to see our sinfulness
clearly so that we can immediately Repent our sins,
avoid the temptations that perpetually assault us,
13.
 and live in Perfect Union according to the Lord our
God’s Will.
St Nicetas Stitatos explained that “... to know yourself
means that you must guard yourself diligently from
everything external to you.
It means respite from worldly concerns and cross-
examination of the conscience
This is True Humility that teaches us to be inwardly
humble and makes our heart contrite.
If you do not know yourself, you cannot know what
Humility is.
To know ourselves is the Goal of the practise of Holy
Virtue." (PHILOKALIA, VOLUME 4, PP 116-117)
The key is to have a sincere desire to change – to
transform ourselves – in order to become more like
God Himself.
First, we have to believe that we have the potential to
Live a more Virtuous Life than we do at present.
Next, we must be willing to carefully and objectively
observe and correct our deplorable Spiritual
Condition.
WE MUST HAVE THE STRONGEST DESIRE TO CHANGE OURSELVES
COMPLETELY – HOWEVER NECESSARY – WHICH IS THE MEANING
OF REPENTANCE (METANOIA).
CHARACTERISTIC ATTRIBUTES & POWER OF THE
According to Holy Scripture, the most significant trait of
our human soul is its Likeness to the Divine Being – our
Lord God.
This concept that human nature was created “...in the
Image and Likeness..” of God indicates the highest
value given to any being whom God has created.
At no stage of the Creation did our Lord God the Creator,
express His satisfaction, except during the creation of
man, which strangely enough, did not happen by
Command like the other beings for which “... He
spoke, and they came to be.” (PSALM.33:9).
Neither did man’s abode come into being by Divine
Command since “...the Lord God planted a Garden
in Eden, in the East.” (GENESIS 2: 8)
Therefore, the most crucial Trait of our human soul is
God’s Breath - that is, its Likeness to our Creator.
This means that our immortal soul is able to assimilate
the Divine Attributes.
The Eternal Word and Only Begotten Son of God has said
so after His Incarnation by calling us “... Friends and
Brothers and Heirs of His Father and Co-Heirs with
Him.”
What else is mightier or far more valuable than to
become existentially Kin with God?
ST JOHN KLIMAKOS & THE SIX STAGES
How does a passion become “second nature” for us? In
his “Word on Chastity,” St John Klimakos enumerated
the “classic” steps of an impure thought taking root in
our soul:
1. the assault of a sinful thought (the thought appears in
our field of vision as a tempting word or visual
image);
2. interaction (we focus our attention on the thought);
3. consent (we agree with the thought and receive
enjoyment from it);
4. struggle (we fight against the sinful thought “on equal
footing”);
5. captivity (the thought wins, we have no strength to
resist the sin);
6. passion (the thought takes root in our soul and
becomes our “second nature.”
To these famous stages of an impure thought taking root,
St John added an example from the Life of “...the
more precise and discerning Fathers.”
Where the Gift of Spiritual Discernment appears, the Holy
Fathers perceived another method whereby an
impure passion attacks experienced Ascetics.
This type of attack they called “the assault of a thought.”
that occurs “...without passage of time, without word
or image. It, instantaneously introduces the passion
to the victim… It manifests itself in the soul by a
simple remembrance with which the soul has no
time to dally, since it is independent of time,
unconnected with any image.”
Enumerating the stages of a sinful thought’s taking root, St
John noted that the stage of Struggle may be absent.
14. 28 T H S U NDAY A FTER P ENTECOST -10 T H OF S T L U KE - T HE B OWE D W OMAN - C ONCEPTI ON OF S T A NNA & S T J OACHIM – 9 D ECEMBER 2018
True Repentance means our genuine and sincere
willingness to COMPLETELY TRANSFORM OUR ENTIRE BEING –
BODY AND SOUL - so we can become more like God.
When we constantly practise the Jesus Prayer and other
Spiritual Disciplines, and as we STRIVE FAITHFULLY FOR
SPIRITUAL PERFECTION BY LIVING EACH AND EVERY MOMENT IN
CHRIST OUR LORD, we will soon experience the Divine
Grace of the Holy Spirit Who enables us and helps us
to fulfil our Sacred Tasks and Labours.
Furthermore, our mind will become much quieter and
serene, and in this Holy Quietness we will acquire the
ability to clearly observe and examine our most inner
being in order to instantly Repent our sins and correct
our errors.
Knowing the infinite Love of God, we will no longer fear
our hidden sins but rather seek them out, expose them
to the Light of Divine Truth and thereby eradicate
them by beseeching God's help to Transform us
completely.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP
FATHER DEACON CHARLES JOINER
GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF ST GEORGE
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA
SOUL - ELDER JOSEPH OF VATOPEDI, MOUNT ATHOS
Our Lord God has granted us Wondrous Gifts which,
according to St Peter, “...the Angels long to look into.”
(1 PETER 1:12).
According to the Teachings of our Godly-minded Holy
Fathers, there are four forces of our soul - Prudence,
Wisdom, Valour and Justice.
These forces act through the so called “...tripartite part of
the soul...” – that is the rational, the emotional and the
part that concerns desires (Επιθυμητικό).
The task of Prudence is to incite the emotional part; the
task of Self Discipline or Wisdom is to incite the
rational part towards Watchfulness and sound
judgment, and the task of Justice is to rouse the
‘desire’-part towards Virtue, while the task of valour is
to regulate the five senses to perform rationally.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK: Γέροντος Ιωσήφ Βατοπαιδινού, Συζητήσεις
στον Άθωνα, Ψυχοφελή Βατοπαιδινά 13, Ιερά Μεγίστη Μονή
Βατοπαιδίου, Έκδοσις Α’, Άγιον Όρος 2003, by Olga Konari
Kokkinou
HTTP://PEMPTOUSIA.COM
OF TEMPTATION AND SIN
With the attack of a thought, it turns out, there is no stage
of interaction!
Indeed, there is no consent nor Struggle.
The attack of a thought immediately reaches the stage of
captivity and passion “...without word or image...” that
is, without the “...classic” assault of the thought.
Through Repentance the Discerning Fathers were able to
expose the insidious incursion of the thought, “...to
perceive such subtlety of thought...” and overcome
its harmful effects by the Grace of God.
Thus, St John Klimakos examined the stages of the
enrooting of an impure thought in the soul and told of
a more subtle Unseen Warfare that an attacking
thought wages against experienced Hesychasts,
presenting itself also as an impure thought, only
exceedingly subtle and swift.
http://orthochristian.com/100934.html
WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS OF MOUNT ATHOS
We must CONSTANTLY RENEW OUR DETERMINATION TO LIVE BY
CHRIST’S COMMANDMENTS, we must PRAY FOR HIS HELP, we
must HUMBLE OURSELVES when we stray, we must ACCEPT
THE FACT THAT WE ARE WEAK AND NOT BECOME EXASPERATED
WITH OURSELVES.
We are incapable of conquering, so why demand of
ourselves that which OUR LORD ALONE CAN GRANT? Why
bemoan the fact that we are unable to rise above
ourselves? SUCH DEMANDS FOR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION
REVEAL OUR PRIDE.
Let us WAIT FOR ALL THINGS FROM OUR ONE LORD GOD, and USE
OUR FAILURES AND SINFULNESS TO FERVENTLY HUMBLE
OURSELVES.
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

12 December 2018
St Spyridon of Trimythous
FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD
Also the Feast of St John of Zichnon - St Therapon the Abbot of Monza Monastery – St Alexander the
Hieromartyr of Jerusalem – St Synetos of Rome – St John the Abbot of Zedazeni Monastery, Georgia

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

FESTAL SMALL ENTRY HYMNS – FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY – TONE 2

✞Defte proskinisomen, ke prospesomen Hristo. Soson ✞Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. O
imas, Iie Theou, O E N A G I I S T H A V M A S T O S , psallontas Si. Son of God, W H O A R T E X T O L L E D B Y T H Y S A I N T S : Save us
Allilouia! who sing unto Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST SPYRIDON – TONE 1
Tis Synodou tis protis anedihthis Ipermahos, ke At the first of the Synods, Thou emerged as the
Thavmatourgos Theofore, Spyridon Patir imon; dio Champion, and Wonder-worker, our God-bearing
nekra Si en tafo prosfonis, ke ofin is hrisoun metevales; Father Spyridon. Wherefore, Thou addressed Thy dead
ke en to melpin tas Agias Sou ehas, Angelous eskhes daughter in the grave, and a serpent Thou changed
sillitougountas Si Ierotate. Doxa to Se Doxasanti Hristo! into gold. And while chanting in Service Thy Sacred
Doxa to Se Stefanosanti! Doxa to Energounti dia Sou, Prayers, Thou had Angels celebrating, O Most Holy
pasin Iamata! One. Glory to Christ Who Glorified Thee! Glory to Him
Who Crowned Thee! Glory to the One Who works
through Thee, Healings for everyone!
FESTAL KONTAKION – ST SPYRIDON – TONE 2
To potho Hristou, trothis Ierotate, ton noun Pterothis, ti egli Wounded by Thy Love for Christ, O Holy One, Thy mind
tou Pnevmatos, Praktiki Theoria, tin Praxin efres is granted Wings by the Radiance of the Spirit, Thou
Theolipte, Thisiastirion Thion Genomenos, etoumenos put the practice of Theory into Deeds, becoming a
pasi Thian Ellampsin. Sacred Altar, O Chosen by God, and praying for the
Divine Illumination of all.
SEASONAL KONTAKION – FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY – TONE 3
I Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo ethete Today the Virgin comes to the Cave to give Birth Ineffably
apotekin aporritos. Horeve, i ikoumeni, akoutisthisa; to the Word Pre-Eternal. Hearing this, be of good
Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voilithenta cheer, O Earth and its people: glorify Him with the
apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon. Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will was to be made
manifest as a young Child – the Pre-Eternal God.
PROKEIMENON – PSALM 149/150 – TONE (7) VARYS-GRAVE
The Saints shalt Boast in Glory, and shalt greatly Rejoice on their beds.
Sing unto the Lord a New Song! His Praise in the Assembly of His Holy.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS 5 : 8 – 19
Brethren: ...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. Those things that are done by them in secret are shameful even to speak.
All things that are exposed are made manifest by the Light. Whatever makes manifest is Light. Therefore He says:
“Awake, you who sleep! Arise from the Dead and Christ Will give you Light!”
See then that you walk circumspectly - not as fools but as Wise - Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the Will of our 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 Odes, sing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
St Paul reminded the Ephesians – especially those who THE SEAL OF THE GIFT OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO ENABLES
had converted from paganism – that THEY HAD EXISTED US TO FULFIL EVERYTHING THAT IS TRULY WORTHY –
IN SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND HAD BEEN SPIRITUALLY DEAD.. everything that is “...Goodness, Righteous and
This means that before knowing anything concerning our Truth...” befitting a Faithful Disciple of Christ our God.
True and Living Lord God and His Divine Truth, the Furthermore, THROUGH THE DIVINE GRACE OF GOD THE HOLY
Ephesian converts had been IGNORANT OF THE MOST SPIRIT, WE ARE ABLE TO KNOW, AND TO UNDERSTAND, AND TO
SIGNIFICANT MEANING AND PURPOSE OF THIS TEMPORARY DO, EVERYTHING that is “...acceptable to our Lord.”
EXISTENCE – “...you were once Darkness...” St Paul severely cautions us to AVOID ANYTHING THAT IS
THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM, WE BECOME THE ABOMINABLE TO GOD, SINFUL AND SPIRITUALLY CONDEMNING
ADOPTED CHILDREN AND HEIRS OF ALMIGHTY GOD Who is TO US – anything that is wicked, evil and harmful - i.e.
Himself the Uncreated Divine Light. the “... unfruitful works of Darkness...”
Thus we become “...Children of Light...” who must be WE MUST JUDGE, MEASURE OR WEIGH EVERYTHING CAREFULLY that
COMMITTED TO LIVING EVERY MOMENT IN CHRISt – i.e. WE is regarded as being acceptable by this Spiritually
MUST LIVE ACCORDING TO EVERYTHING THAT OUR LORD JESUS Blind, Darkened, wicked and debauched world.
CHRIST HAS TAUGHT US AND REVEALED TO US, which affects We must ALWAYS SEE EVERYTHING IN THE DIVINE LIGHT OF GOD’S
our ultimate Salvation and Eternal Life. TRUTH, which is unwavering, inflexible and
THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF CHRISMATION, which follows unchangeable.
immediately after our Holy Baptism, WE ARE GRANTED

ST SPYRIDON THE WONDERWORKER OF TRIMYTHOUS 12 DECEMBER 2018 15

ANYTHING “SECRET” OR “HIDDEN” THAT CANNOT BEAR TO BE ✶✶✶ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS GRANTED US EVERY MEANS
EXPOSED TO GOD’S DIVINE LIGHT AND TRUTH, IT IS TO BE POSSIBLE WHEREBY WE MAY CONTROL THE WEAKNESS AND
REJECTED AND AVOIDED as being shameful, sinful or evil! SELFISH DEMANDS OF OUR FLESH.
✶✶ TRUTH AND GOODNESS IS REVEALED BY THE DIVINE LIGHT AND WE MUST USE HIS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS TO
TRUTH OF OUR LORD GOD ALONE. STRENGTHEN, TO REGENERATE AND TO PERFECT OUR IMMORTAL
We must always LIVE EVERY MOMENT IN THE DIVINE LIGHT AND SOUL SO THAT WE MAY REGAIN OUR TRUE LIKENESS AND IMAGE
TRUTH OF GOD, which means that EVERYTHING WE THINK, OF GOD, as He created us!
WE SPEAK AND WE DO MUST BE ACCORDING TO OUR BELOVED ✶✶ OUR SOUL MUST BE TRAINED TO DOMINATE AND CONTROL OUR
SAVIOUR’S DIVINE COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS. FLESH, for in Truth WE ARE SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL BEINGS
“Redeeming the time...” means that WE MUST NOT WASTE A who are CREATED TO BE WORTHY CITIZENS OF GOD’S
MOMENT OF THIS VERY SHORT LIFESPAN, which is granted to ETERNAL, HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE.
each of us according to the Will and Knowledge of Being “...filled with the (Holy) Spirit, speaking to one
our Divine Creator in order TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Odes,
ETERNITY. singing and making melody in your heart to the
ONLY GOD KNOW HOW MANY YEARS, MONTHS, WEEKS, DAYS OR Lord..” is what makes us TRUE AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF
HOURS EACH OF US HAS in which to Perfect our immortal OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
soul for Eternal Life in His Heavenly Kingdom of Love.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 10: 9 – 16
CHRIST IS THE DOOR & THE GOOD SHEPHERD
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “...I Am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved, and will go in and will
go out, and will find Pasture. The Thief does not come, except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come
that they may have Life -and more abundantly. I Am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His Life for
the Sheep. The Hireling - who is not the Shepherd, who does not own the Sheep - sees the Wolf coming, and
leaves the Sheep, and flees. And the Wolf catches, and scatters the Sheep. The Hireling flees, for he is a
hireling, and does not care about the Sheep.
“I Am the Good Shepherd, and I know Mine, and Am known by Mine. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the
Father. And My Life I lay down for the Sheep. And other Sheep I have, which are not of this Fold - them also I
must bring. And they will hear My Voice. And there will be one Flock - one Shepherd...”
 “...I Am the Door...” – Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us why OUR SALVATION IS A CONTINUOUS SPIRITUAL PROCESS
clearly that ONLY THROUGH HIM, THROUGH THE DIVINE until we draw our final breath.
TRUTH OF HIS COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS, CAN WE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF HIS
RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE WITH ALL HIS ABUNDANT BELOVED FLOCK, WHICH FULFILLED THE PROPHECY OF HIS
BLESSINGS, JOY AND LOVE. PASSION – and FULFILLED ALL THAT WAS REQUIRED BY GOD
ONLY BY FULFILLING WITH HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE THE WILL OF FOR THE REDEMPTION AND RECONCILIATION OF ALL HUMANITY.
GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH THE TEACHINGS AND  The “...Other Sheep...” of our Lord WERE THE GENTILES –
COMMANDMENTS OF GOD THE SON, BY THE POWER AND THE PAGANS AND NON JUDAIC TRIBES WHO WOULD BE
ENERGY OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS IT AT ALL POSSIBLE FOR US BROUGHT TOGETHER INTO ONE HOLY FLOCK WITH THE
TO HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE OF DIVINE BLISS, for which JUDEANS, UNDER ONE HOLY SHEPHERD.
Purpose we were created by our Triune God of Love – ✶ Consequently, THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST TRANSCENDS ALL
Who is Love Itself!! ETHNIC OR RACIAL LINES.
WHEN WE ARE FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT TO ALMIGHTY GOD, WE It has been the Orthodox Christian Teaching since the
ENJOY ALL HIS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS – in this temporary, beginning that there be ONE BISHOP SERVING A CITY, a
preparatory lifespan and in Eternity. principle that was affirmed in every generation.
 THE DEVIOUS, MOST EVIL ‘THIEF’ IS SATAN, who always (CANON 8 OF 1 NICEA)
spreads lies and encourages heresies and St Ignatios wrote a cautionary Epistle to a second century
blasphemy among the People of God – both the Church that held separate Divine Liturgies for the
Old Israel and the New Israel - luring away the Hebrew and the Gentile Christians, saying: “Be careful
deceived, ignorant leaders and people. to observe a single Eucharist, for there is ONE Flesh
 “Life” means that WE LIVE BY DIVINE GRACE on Earth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and ONE Cup of His Blood
during this short, preparatory period before we that makes us one, and ONE Altar, just as there is
enter Eternity. ONE Bishop... this is in line with God’s Will!”
 The “more abundant” Life refers to ETERNAL LIFE IN ✶ Our Lord Jesus stated clearly: “I lay down My Life...”
GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE – AGAPE. which obviously meant that HE VOLUNTARILY LAID
✶ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD, FOR WE ARE DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US – i.e. HE OFFERED HIMSELF AS THE
HIS ‘REASON-ENDOWED SHEEP” – HIS HOLY FLOCK. ULTIMATE, MOST PERFECT AND FULFILLING SACRIFICE FOR
✶ HE IS THE DIVINE DOOR – THE DIVINE ENTRANCE - INTO HIS ALL SINS OF ALL HUMANITY FOR ALL TIME!
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF ETERNAL LOVE. ✶ OUR LORD NEVER SETS ANYTHING APART FROM THE DIVINE WILL
✶ Christ is THE FULFILMENT OF ALL HOLY SCRIPTURE – all OF GOD THE FATHER.
Divinely Inspired Holy Prophecy – concerning our ✶ EVERYTHING IS AND MUST BE DONE ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF
Divine Saviour. GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH GOD THE SON, BY THE POWER
✶ OUR LORD IS THE ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON OF AND ENERGY OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
GOD, WHO OBVIOUSLY KNOWS GOD THE FATHER AND HIS Just as our Lord Jesus Christ laid down His Life for us, SO,
HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS HIS ETERNAL SON Who TOO, MUST WE LAY OUR LIVES DOWN FOR HIM AND FOR OUR
became Incarnate for the sake of our Salvation. FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS.
AS OUR CREATOR, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST KNOWS EVERY HUMAN BY THE END OF THE AGES, THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE SHEPHERD –
BEING, and THOSE OF US WHO HAVE “PUT ON CHRIST” ALSO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – AND ONE HOLY FLOCK – HIS HOLY
KNOW AND RECOGNISE HIM AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. CHURCH.
Furthermore, WE KNOW HIS BEAUTIFUL VOICE BECAUSE WE KNOW He pointed out that HE HAS OTHER HOLY FLOCKS AS WELL,
HIS WORD – HIS DIVINE TRUTH – HIS TEACHINGS AND which are THOSE WHO WOULD EVENTUALLY ACCEPT HIS
COMMANDMENTS. Thus we should not be misguided nor DIVINE TRUTH – His True Teachings and
deceived by the evil one’s lies and deceptions. Commandments – AND STRIVE TO FULFIL THEM TO THE BEST
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST OFFERED HIS LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR OF THEIR ABILITY.
ETERNAL SALVATION.  “...The Wolves...” are those who try to divide and
HE WAS THE OFFERER AND THE OFFERING OF THE ULTIMATE, MOST conquer the Holy Church with their evil, arrogant
PERFECT AND FULFILLING BLOOD SACRIFICE OF ALL TIME, lies and egocentric schemes.
which makes it no longer necessary for blood  “...The Hirelings...” are those who are not committed
sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. nor dedicated to their Holy Mission and to their
However, WE STILL NEED TO CONSTANTLY PLUCK OUT AND REPENT Sacred Duties to God
OUR SINS, WHICH ARE CONTINUOUS AND HABITUAL, which is

ELDER THADDEOS VITOVNICA

OUr thoughts are bad and this is why we do not bring in a Good Harvest.
We have to change! Each one of us needs to change!
It is a great pity that we do not have good examples to Guide us –
neither in our families nor in society at large.

16. ST SPYRIDON THE WONDERWORKER OF TRIMYTHOUS 12 DECEMBER 2018

 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

15 December 2018
St Eleutherios of Illyria, Bishop & Hieromartyr
FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD
Also the Feast of St Anthea, mother of St Eleftherios & St Caribos the Eparch of Illyria – St Paul of
Latros – St Stephen the Confessor & Archbishop of Surrentium (Sourozh) – St Tryphon the Abbot &
St Jonah, his Disciple, of Pechenga (Kolsk) – St Pardos the Hermit of Palestine – St Hilarion,
Archbishop of Vereiya – St Nektarios of Bitel

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST ELEFTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA – TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Ieron podiri katakosmoumenos, ke ematon tis rithris Being adorned with a Priest’s gown that reached the
epistazomenos, to Despoti Sou Hristo Makar anedrames, ground, and immersed in the streams of Martyr’s
Eleftherie Sofe, kathereta tou Satan. Dio mi pafsi Blood, Thou hastened to Christ Thy Lord, O Eleftherios,
Presvevon iper ton Pisti Timonton, tin Makarian Sou the Blessed and Wise One, Destroyer of Satan. Hence,
Athisin. do not cease Interceding for those who honour in Faith
Thy Blessed Martyrdom.
PAARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION

SEASONAL KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
I Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo ethete Today the Virgin comes to the Cave to give Birth Ineffably
apotekin aporritos. Horeve, i ikoumeni, akoutisthisa; to the Word Pre-Eternal. Hearing this, be of good
Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voilithenta cheer, O Earth and its people: Glorify Him with the
apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon. Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will it was to be
made manifest as a young Child – the Pre-Eternal God.
PROKEIMENON – PSALM 115/116
Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Holy One.
What shall we give back to the Lord for all He rendered to us?
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO ST TIMOTHY 1 : 8 – 18
ST TIMOTHY’S GIFT IS THE POWER OF GOD
Timothy, my Son: ... do not be ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. But share in the sufferings
for the Gospel according to the Power of God, Who has Saved us and Called us with a Holy Calling – not according
to our works, but according to His own Purpose and Grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began
and now been revealed by the Appearing of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who has abolished Death, and brought Life
and Immortality to Light through the Gospel to which I was appointed as a Preacher, and Apostle and a Teacher of
the Gentiles.
For this reason, I also suffer these things. Nevertheless, I am not ashamed. I know Whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words you have heard from me in Faith and Love, which are in Christ Jesus. That Good
Thing that was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit Who dwells in us.
This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellos and Hermogenes.
The Lord grant Mercy to the household of Onesiphoros, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains.
But when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may
find Mercy from the Lord in that Day. And how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesos, you know very well.
 Our Salvation and Calling are based on the Grace WE ARE NOT SAVED BY GOOD WORKS BUT FOR GOOD WORKS,
and Love of God – not for anything that we have which God offers us every day. It is up to us whether
done to merit God’s Favour. we choose to accept these and to fulfil them to the
 E P H E S I A N S 2 : 8 - 1 0 : “... by Grace (we) have been best of our ability, or reject or ignore them.
Saved through Faith, and that not of (ourselves) –  T I T O S 3 : 5 - 6 “...not by Works of Righteousness, which
it is the Gift of God, not of works... for we are His we have done, but according to His Mercy He
Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for Good Saved us, through the Washing of Regeneration
Works, which God prepared beforehand so that and Renewing of the Holy Spirit Whom He poured
we should walk in them...” out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our
WE CAN ONLY GET FROM ONE KINGDOM TO THE NEXT BY THE UNITY Saviour, that having been Justified by His Grace,
OF DIVINE GRACE, TRUE FAITH AND GOOD “WORKS” (Labours we should become Heir according to the Hope of
of Love, especially concerning each other.) Eternal Life...”
Not that these are equal, for DIVINE GRACE IS UNCREATED AND  THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION FORM A
INFINITE, WHEREAS OUR PERSONAL FAITH IN GOD IS LIMITED, UNITY IN OUR SALVATION, throughout the New
but can certainly grow and increase, while GOOD Covenant.
WORKS FLOW FORTH FROM AUTHENTIC FAITH IN GOD.  JOHN 3:5 - Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that WE
GOOD WORKS CANNOT BY ANY MEANS “EARN” US THIS PRICELESS ARE BORN FROM ABOVE THROUGH “...(Baptism) Water
TREASURE, for IT IS A PURE, DIVINE GIFT OF GOD. However, and the (Holy) Spirit...”
THOSE WHO RECEIVE HIS DIVINE GRACE DO GOOD WORKS –  ACTS 2:38 - St Peter preached OUR SALVATION IN
LABOURS OF LOVE FOR GOD AND FOR OTHERS. CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR THROUGH BEING

ST ELEFTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA, BISHOP & HIEROMARTYR - 15 DECEMBER 2018 17

 BAPTISED AND BY RECEIVING “... the Gift of the Holy  ORAL APOSTOLIC TRADITION IS AS ESSENTIAL AS OUR WRITTEN
Spirit...” – CHRISMATION. APOSTOLIC TRADITION, for BOTH ARE ROOTED FIRMLY IN
St Paul called mankind to the “...Washing of the Water...” OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND PRESERVED IN TRUTH BY GOD
(Holy Baptism) and to our “... Renewing of the Holy THE HOLY SPIRIT “... Who dwells in us.”
Spirit.” (Chrismation).  In order for a Faithful Disciple of Christ TO FULLY
✶ WITHOUT RECEIVING HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION, WE UNDERSTAND HOLY SCRIPTURE AND FO PROPERLY AND
CANNOT PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST AND HIS FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THE HOLY SERVICES, AND TO
HOLY CHURCH, being unable to partake of the essential, PARTAKE OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES, IT IS VITAL for them TO
Life-giving Holy Mysteries including regular BE PROPERLY INSTRUCTED IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR LIFE IN
REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, HOLY EUCHARIST AND HOLY CHRIST SO THAT THERE IS NO MISUNDERSTANDING NOR
UNCTION, which ARE ALL NECESSARY FOR US TO BECOME HERETICAL INTERPRETATION OF ALL THINGS HOLY.
WORTHY CITIZENS OF GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE, TO  The reference to “... the household of Onesiphoros...”
BE GRANTED ETERNAL LIFE AND TO STRIVE PROPERLY TO REGAIN might have meant that the Faithful Disciple of
OUR LIKENESS TO GOD AS HE CREATED US. Christ, St Onesiphoros was dead and thus IT WAS
 St Barnabas pointed out that our Lord Jesus Christ THE SACRED TASK OF ST TITOS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE
“...submitted (to Suffering and Death) so that He CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TO TAKE CARE OF HIS BEREAVED
might break the power of Death and FAMILY.
demonstrate the Resurrection from the dead  ST ONESIPHOROS HAD GONE TO ROME AND HAD TAKEN CARE OF
(which we, too, will experience). Thus it was THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF ST PAUL WHO WAS IMPRISONED
necessary for Him to be manifested (revealed to AND FACING EXECUTION. Visitors were allowed access
us) in the Flesh. Also, (our Lord Jesus submitted) to prisoners in those days, and if not, the guards
so that He might fulfil the Promise to the Fathers were easily bribed or might have been secret
and, while He was preparing the New People for Christians or even sympathetic towards obviously
Himself, and while He was still on Earth, to prove good people who were victimised by the pagans
that after He has brought about the Resurrection and corrupt authorities.
(of all mankind), He will Judge...”  THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST HAS ALWAYS PRAYED FOR THE
 “The pattern of sound words...” is THE ORAL APOSTOLIC SOULS OF THE REPOSED, beseeching God to grant
TRADITION – the verbal Teachings of our Lord Jesus them His Great Mercy, especially at our Final
Christ and His Holy Apostles, which are NOT Judgement.
RECORDED IN HOLY SCRIPTURE, BUT CAREFULLY AND  “The Lord grant to him that he may find Mercy from
CORRECTLY PRESERVED AND PASSED DOWN BY VERBAL the Lord...” THE FIRST “LORD” MEANS OUR LORD JESUS
TEACHING TO THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WHO IS
THE SECOND “LORD” THAT ST PAUL MENTIONED.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 2 : 23 – 3 : 5
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TRANSCENDS THE SABBATH DAY & HEALS A WITHERED ARM
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ went through the grain fields on the Sabbath; and, as they went, His Disciples began
to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him: “Behold! Why do they - on the Sabbath - do what is
unlawful?” And He said to them: “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry? – he
and those who were with him – how he went into the House of God in the days of Abiathar the High Priest, and
ate the Showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the Priests – and also gave some to those who were with
him?”
And He said to them: “The Sabbath was made for mankind, not mankind for the Sabbath! Therefore, the Lord is the
Son of Man and also of the Sabbath.”
And He entered the Synagogue again. And there was a man who had a withered hand. And they watched Him
closely – if He would Heal him on the Sabbath - so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man with the
withered hand: “Step forward.” And He said to them: “Is it Lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or evil ? – to save
life or to kill?” They were silent. And when He had looked around at them - being grieved by the hardness of their
hearts - He said to the man: “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out - and his hand was restored - as
whole as the other.
 A SABBATH DAY ALSO REFERRED TO FEAST DAYS THAT  M A T T H E W 5 : 2 2 : “...But I say to you - whosoever is
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED THE USUAL SABBATH DAY OF REST angry with his Brother without a cause, shalt be
– SATURDAY. in danger of the Judgement.”
St Ambrose explained that “the Second Sabbath” served ✶ “... but I say to you...” is A STATEMENT OF TOTAL, DIVINE
as AN IMAGE OF THE NEW COVENANT AND THE ETERNAL AUTHORITY, for being the Creator of mankind, and the
RESURRECTION. Author of the Divine Law (or Mosaic Law) OUR LORD
THE FIRST SABBATH INDICATED THE OLD COVENANT UNDER THE JESUS CHRIST SPEAKS WITH THIS ALMIGHTY AUTHORITY.
MOSAIC LAW, WHILE THE SECOND SABBATH INDICATED THE While there is justifiable anger that is not sinful, OUR LORD
HOLY GOSPEL OF THE NEW COVENANT that follows it – that JESUS STRICTLY FORBIDS SINFUL ANGER, IDENTIFYING IT WITH
continues after it. MURDER!
 ACCORDING TO THE NEW COVENANT, THE FOOD THAT WAS NOT  PSALM 4:5: “...be angry and do not sin... have
LAWFUL FOR ANYONE EXCEPT THE PRIESTS TO EAT IS NOW remorse... for what you say in your heart!”
FREELY GRANTED TO ALL THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF GOD BY ✶ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUS ANGER WAS IN RESPONSE
THE LORD OF THE SABBATH – OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. TO THOSE WHO PROFESS THEIR FAITH IN GOD AND WHO CLAIM
ST DAVID the Holy Prophet of God, King and Psalmist TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR LORD
PREFIGURED THIS WHEN HE “...gave the Showbread... to GOD’S DIVINE WILL, YET THEIR TRUE SPIRITUAL CONDITION –
those who were with him...” BECAUSE THEY WERE HUNGRY. THEIR SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS AND UNMERCIFUL ATTITUDE
 ACCORDING TO CERTAIN JUDAIC TRADITIONS that the self- TOWARDS OTHERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN NEED, REVEAL THEIR
HARDNESS OF HEART, which is to such a degree that
righteous Scribes/Lawyers and Pharisees had BUILT
THEY ARE UNABLE TO REJOICE, PRAISE AND OFFER
UP AROUND THE ORIGINAL MOSAIC LAW, ANY TYPE OF
THANKSGIVING TO GOD WHEN ONE OF THEIR BRETHREN IS
HEALING WAS CONSIDERED TO BE WORK OR LABOUR, AND
MIRACULOUSLY HEALED OF A PAINFUL, DISFIGURING
THUS WAS NOT PERMISSIBLE ON A SABBATH DAY.
AILMENT.
THEY ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED THAT THEY SERVED THE LORD OUR ✶ WHENEVER OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PUT A STRAIGHT FORWARD
GOD by zealously maintaining these peripheral, man- QUESTION TO HIS ADVERSARIES, WHICH THEY COULD NEITHER
made traditions, BUT SUCH LEGALISM MADE THEM DODGE NOR MISINTERPRET, THEY REMAINED SILENT!
SPIRITUALLY BLIND AND COMPLETELY INSENSITIVE TO GOD’S
ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT
GREAT MERCY.
When we pray for ourselves or for others, for Spiritual
 Righteous anger is a natural human emotion
Benefits, such as, for example, to be freed from
experienced when confronted by sin.
some form of torment or from our sins or bad
 While there is anger that is certainly sinful, there is
habits, we must do so with our whole heart. And
also anger that is “God-given” and proper to
our Lord will grant us what we need.
mankind.

18. ST ELEFTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA, BISHOP & HIEROMARTYR - 15 DECEMBER 2018

 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also
our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos,
yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and
one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone 4 16 December 2018

th
28 Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday of the Holy Forefathers
11 TH S U ND AY OF S T LU KE – T HE G RE AT B ANQUE T

The Feast of the Holy Forefathers of Christ According to the Flesh: St Aaron the Priest, St Benjamin the Righteous, St Deborah
the Righteous, St Ezra the Righteous, St Isaac the Righteous, St Jacob the Righteous, St Judith, St Miriam, St Nathan the
Holy Prophet of God, St Nehemiah the Holy Prophet of God, St Noah the Righteous, St Rebecca the Righteous, St Sarah, St
Solomon the Righteous, & St Susanna – St Daniel the Holy Prophet of God & the Three Holy Youths: St Ananias/Shadrach,
St Azarias/Abednego & St Mishael/Meshach – St Daniel the Confessor of Spain & Egypt – St Dionysios of Aegina – St
Avvakoum the Deacon, of Serbia – St Paisios the Abbot & New Holy Monk-Martyr of the Annunciation Monastery,
Trnava, Serbia

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 7: JOHN 20:1 - 10

ST PETER & ST JOHN WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION – TONE 4

To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from
Mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon. had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather,
Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos. more! Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great
Mercy.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – HOLY FOREFATHERS – TONE 2
En Pisti tous Propatoras edikeosas, tin ex Ethnon di’ afton By Faith Thou Justified the Forefathers, having through
promnistefsamenos Ekklisian. Kavhonte en Doxi i Agii, them Betrothed to Thyself the Church that came out of
oti ek spermatos afton, iparhi Karpos evkleis, i asporos the Nations. The Saints are boasting in Glory, for the
tekousa Se. Tes afton ikesies, Hriste O Theos, Soson tas Glorious Fruit – the Virgin – who without Seed gave
psihas imon. Birth to Thee, is from their progeny. At their
Entreaties, O Christ our God, Save our soul.
PARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION

SEASONAL KONTAKION – FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY
I Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo ethete The Virgin comes today to the Cave to give Birth Ineffably
apotekin aporritos. Horeve, i ikoumeni, akoutisthisa; to the Word Pre-Eternal. Hearing this, be of good
Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voilithenta cheer, O Earth and its people: Glorify Him with the
Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will it was to be
apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon.
made manifest as a young Child – the Pre-Eternal God.
PROKEIMENON – THE PRAYER OF AZARIAH – TONE 4
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers, for Thou art Praiseworthy and Exalted beyond Measure unto the Ages.
For Thou art Righteous in all Thou did for us, all Thou brought on us, and on Jerusalem, the Holy City of our Fathers.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS 3 : 4 – 11
SPIRITUALITY IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST
Brethren: when Christ, Who is our Life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in Glory.
Put to death your members that are on Earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry. Because of these sins, the Wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves
once walked when you lived in them!
Now you are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one
another, since you have put off the Old Man with his deeds, and have put on the New Man who is Renewed in
Knowledge according to the Image of Him Who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Judean, circumcised
nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythians, slave nor free, but all and in all is Christ.
1. TRUE MYSTICISM IN CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH:  We must NEVER FORGET ALL THE EFFORT WE MADE while
As Christians – Struggling Disciples of Christ – WE HAVE preparing ourselves for Holy Baptism (i.e. those
RECEIVED OUR LORD JESUS’ EXALTED RESURRECTION LIFE who have converted from Protestantism)
through Holy Baptism.  ALWAYS BE AWARE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT
 Consequently, we need to SEEK THE ULTIMATE AND by our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Church
SPIRITUAL GLORIES OF THE AGE TO COME – i.e. Eternity Fathers and our Spiritual Teachers CONCERNING
or - our ultimate Goal - ETERNAL LIFE IN GOD’S OUR DAILY LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS.
HEAVENLY KINGDOM, for which WE NEED TO PREPARE The ‘easy part’ of Orthodox (True Teaching) Christianity is
ourselves during this short lifespan on Earth! our Preparation for Holy Baptism.
 We must forever REMEMBER OUR HOLY BAPTISM AND  However, THE DEGREE AND SERIOUSNESS OF OUR PERSONAL
EVERYTHING THAT IT ACTUALLY MEANS!! COMMITMENT and Sacred (unbreakable)
Allegiance to Christ IS CLEARLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY
29TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 1TH ST LUKE – GREAT BANQUET – HOLY FOREFATHERS - 16 DECEMBER 19
 REVEALED BY HOW MUCH EFFORT WE MAKE to attend Holy TO ROOT OUT AND DESTROY ALL OUR OLD SINFUL AND
Services, regularly partake of the essential Holy DISINTEGRATING PASSIONS that cause us to fall into
Mysteries and to what degree –if at all - we apply temporary SPIRITUAL DEATH.
the Teachings and Divine Commandments of Our subsequent determined efforts of Repentance Save
Almighty God, which is Life in Christ, TO ALL ASPECTS us and return us to SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST.
OF OUR PERSONAL LIFE. Due to our weak human nature and self-indulgent habits,
As genuine Orthodox Christians, EVERY FACET OF OUR BEING – WE REGULARLY FALL INTO A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH.
WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED – IS FREELY AND EAGERLY DONE Each time we surrender ourselves to the enemies’
WITH SINCERE HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD! temptations and distractions we turn away from God.
Our willingness to follow Christ should ALWAYS BE However, our Ever Loving and Gracious Lord has
COMPELLED BY A PROFOUND LOVE OF GOD AND OUR FELLOW granted us the means to RETURN AGAIN AND AGAIN TO
PILGRIMS with whom we Struggle side by side as we all SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST THROUGH IMMEDIATE AND CEASELESS
proceed towards Eternity. REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.
As Faithful Disciples of Christ, we CEASELESSLY AND Furthermore, the closer our Relationship to God
CONSCIOUSLY STRIVE TO IMITATE OUR LORD BY APPLYING HIS becomes through our Spiritual Struggles, the more
DIVINE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS TO EVERY WORD, ferociously the enemy will attack us.
THOUGHT AND DEED, so that we may slowly and surely Nevertheless, we need NEVER DESPAIR, for THROUGH HUMILITY
regain our lost Likeness to God and BECOME WORTHY AND OBEDIENCE, WE GROW EVER STRONGER due to the Great
CITIZENS OF HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM. Mercy of God Who enables us to achieve even the
 We must LIVE ACCORDING TO CHRIST’S GLORIOUS most impossible things!
RESURRECTION – for we shall all be likewise Thus, we should UNFAILINGLY GLORIFY GOD and OFFER OUR
Resurrected on the Eighth Day - His Great, PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING FOR ALL OUR EXPERIENCES – good
Impartial and Final Judgement Day and the or bad – because EVERY LITTLE OBSTACLE MAKES US
beginning of Eternity - and have to give an SPIRITUALLY STRONGER AND DRAWS US CLOSER TO GOD.
account for every word, thought and deed from  As WE WERE RAISED WITH CHRIST, so we must CHOOSE THE
our first breath of life to our last! VIRTUOUS, UNIFYING DESIRES OF THE ‘NEW MAN’ – the
EVERYTHING WE ACCOMPLISH DURING THIS SHORT PREPARATORY New Redeemed human being that we are
PERIOD OF EARTHLY LIFE, SHOULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH TRUE becoming in the Holy Body of Christ – THROUGH OUR
LIFE IN CHRIST so that we are able TO FACE OUR FINAL VOLUNTARY OBEDIENCE TO HIS HOLY CHURCH and
JUDGEMENT IN PEACE AND WITH CONFIDENCE - and WITHOUT everything She requires of us!
FEAR OF ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND SPIRITUAL EXILE from To try to do anything else according to our own flawed
God through unrepented sins and a tragic lack of concepts will most certainly not have the same final
Agape – True, Unconditional and Divine Love! Spiritual Results and Eternal Achievements.
 THE ‘NEW MAN’ - our Renewed Being - STEADILY GROWS
2. TRUE ASCETICISM IN CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH:
FROM ONE STAGE OF PERFECTION TO ANOTHER, as we
 As Baptised Christians, WE ARE BECOMING IN PRACTICE slowly but surely regain our lost Divine Likeness -
WHAT WE ARE ALREADY IN SPIRIT. truly BECOMING THE IMAGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST –
 OUR SALVATION BEGINS WITH HOLY BAPTISM and is until, HAVING ACHIEVED THEOSIS, WE WILL REMAIN
CONTINUED THROUGHOUT OUR LIFESPAN by means of a ETERNALLY AS THE HOLY IMAGE OF GOD Who created
Faithful and proper Life in Christ. us as HIS OWN PERFECT IMAGE AND LIKENESS.
 As WE DIED WITH CHRIST THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM, so
now too, WE MUST STRUGGLE EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 14 : 16 – 24 & ST MATTHEW 22: 14
GOD’S GREAT, MYSTICAL BANQUET & THE EXCUSES THAT EXILE & ALIENATE US
At that time, our Lord Jesus spoke this Parable: “...A certain Man gave a Great Supper and invited many, and sent His
Servant at the Hour of the Supper to say to those who had been invited: ‘Come, for now all things are ready.’ And
with one accord, they all made excuses!
“The first said to Him: ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go to inspect it. I ask Thee to have me excused.’
And another said: ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask Thee to have me
excused.’ And another said: ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot attend.’
“And that Servant returned and reported these things to His Master. Being angered, the Master of the House, said to
His Servant: ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring the poor and the maimed and the
lame and the blind.’ And the Servant said: ‘Lord, it is done as Thou commanded, and still there is place.’ And
the Master said to His Servant: ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, so that My
House may be filled. For I say to Thee - none of those who were invited shall taste My Dinner’...”
“...many are Called - few are Chosen!”
This Parable of our Lord Jesus Christ consists of TWO AFTERWARDS, DUE TO THE REJECTION OF HIS FIRST INVITEES – HIS
ASPECTS, ILLUSTRATING BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND COMING CHOSEN PEOPLE OF ISRAEL ACCORDING TO HIS SECOND OR
OF CHRIST. NEW COVENANT, HIS DIVINE INVITATION WAS OFFERED TO ALL
 “A certain Man” Who is “The Master of the House” IS MANKIND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AND THROUGHOUT THE
GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. AGES.
 “His Servant” IS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Who was sent by ✶✶ ALL FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST OR ‘CHRISTIANS’ MUST
God our Heavenly Father EAGERLY PARTAKE OF HOLY COMMUNION EVERY TIME WE
 TO INVITE HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE TO PARTAKE OF HIS GREAT ATTEND THE DIVINE LITURGY – WITHOUT MAKING EXCUSES to
BANQUET – HIS HOLY EUCHARIST – THAT GRANTS US reject God’s Divine Banquet of Thanksgiving,
SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE IN HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM Salvation and Eternal Life.
THROUGH OUR REPENTANCE AND THE FORGIVENESS OR  Our Holy Church Fathers regard THE THREE EXCUSES that
REMISSION OF OUR SINS. Christ mentioned as NOT ONLY HAVING A LITERAL
 The term ‘Supper’ INDICATES AN EVENING MEAL – OUR MEANING BUT ALSO A PROFOUND SPIRITUAL MEANING!
ESSENTIAL NOURISHMENT BEFORE RESTING OR SLEEPING. Far too many of us are SO ATTACHED TO AND OBSESSED WITH
In other words: WE ALL NEED TO PARTAKE OF HOLY OUR WORLDLY CARES AND FAVOURITE PAST TIMES that WE HAVE
COMMUNION/EUCHARIST AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE NO TIME NOR INCLINATION TO ACCEPT GOD’S DIVINE
ARE PROPERLY SPIRITUALLY NOURISHED AND PREPARED FOR INVITATION for our Salvation and Eternal Life in His
ETERNAL LIFE IN GOD’S DIVINE KINGDOM – before we Heavenly Kingdom.
repose in Peace in Christ and while we await His Final FAR TOO MANY OF US USE EVERY SELF-JUSTIFYING EXCUSE TO
Judgement. REJECT HIS GREAT AND WONDERFUL INVITATION TO HIS
 “The many” – THE FIRST PEOPLE - WHO WERE INVITED BY HEAVENLY BANQUET AT EACH DIVINE LITURGY!
ALMIGHTY GOD to partake of the Great Mercy of His WE THINK THAT WE CAN IGNORE GOD AND ALL OUR SACRED
Divine Eucharist WERE THE HEBREWS – HIS CHOSEN COMMITMENTS TO HIM UNTIL ‘A LATER STAGE OF LIFE’ – ‘WHEN
PEOPLE OF THE FIRST OR OLD COVENANT. IT MIGHT SUIT US BETTER!’

20. 29TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-11TH ST LUKE – GREAT BANQUET – HOLY FOREFATHERS -- 16 DECEMBER 2018
Alas! EACH OF US HAS ONLY A SPECIFIC MEASURE OF LIFESPAN IN
WHICH TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR ETERNITY .
IF WE DO NOT BECOME WORTHY CITIZENS FOR HIS ETERNAL
KINGDOM OF LOVE, PEACE AND JOY N O W - WE CANNOT
EXPECT TO RECEIVE HIS GREAT MERCY AND ABUNDANT
BLESSINGS FOREVER!
 ST AMBROSE SAW THE THREE EXCUSES THAT REJECTED GOD’S
DIVINE INVITATION AS REPRESENTING
 THE GENTILE,
 THE PAGAN,
 THE OLD COVENANT HEBREW AND THE
HERETIC.
➤ The “...piece of ground...” – refers to ALL WHO ARE
DEVOTED TO THEIR EARTHLY WEALTH –
➤ The “five yoke of oxen” represent A PREFERENCE AND
ENSLAVEMENT TO MAN’S INTERPRETATION OF THE FIVE OLD
COVENANT BOOKS OF LAW IN ORDER TO REJECT GOD’S NEW
COVENANT OF SALVATION.
➤ The excuse of having “ married a wife,” is the
HERETICAL ESPOUSAL OF ERROR BY THOSE WHO REJECT THE
29TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST – 11TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE GREAT DIVINE BANQUET
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.
Dearly Beloved, how many of us would not accept an
Invitation to partake of Something EXTREMELY UNIQUE
AND EVER LASTING, WHICH GRANTS US EVERYTHING WE COULD
POSSIBLY NEED AND EVEN MORE THAN WE COULD DREAM OF?
How many of us would make every excuse imaginable so
as to reject such a much desired Invitation?
Certainly, if we fully understand the Eternal Implications
of that Divine Invitation, most of us would immediately
accept it, with much Joy and Thanksgiving!
We would make every effort to ensure that we ARRIVE IN
GOOD TIME, BEING PROPERLY PREPARED AND ENTER THE
BANQUETING HALL WITH MUCH RESPECTFUL EAGERNESS AND
HOPEFUL ANTICIPATION FOR WHAT WAS TO FOLLOW!
We would most certainly accept the Divine Invitation -
NOT ONLY IN THE ANTICIPATION OF THE GREAT BANQUET AND
ALL IT HAD TO OFFER US - BUT ALSO IN THE JOYFUL
ANTICIPATION OF MEETING OUR DIVINE HOST WHOM WE HAVE
YEARNED FOR AND LOVED, since our early childhood or
since we have become Faithful Disciples of Christ.
Today’s Sacred Lesson concerns a Parable of our Lord
Jesus Christ Who Calls – or Invites – all mankind to
enter His Divine Kingdom of Love.
HE OFFERS EVERY ONE OF US THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY WE WILL
EVER RECEIVE, for He Invites us to the Great Banquet of Our Lord Jesus Christ is Himself “...the Servant...” for by
Almighty God – TO REJOICE TOGETHER WITH OUR TRIUNE
LORD GOD IN HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM FOREVER!
YET SO MANY OF US DARE TO MAKE ANY EXCUSE NOT TO ACCEPT
THAT MOST DESIRABLE INVITATION – TO AVOID ATTENDING THE
DIVINE LITURGY AND PARTAKING OF THAT GREAT BANQUET OF
THE HOLY EUCHARIST, WHICH GRANTS US SO MUCH MORE THAN
WE CAN EVER IMAGINE!
The first Divine Invitations were presented to our Lord’s
Chosen People of Israel, but THEY ALL REJECTED IT BY
MAKING VARIOUS EXCUSES, WHICH HAD DEEPER CONNOTATIONS.
Our Lord knows us all far better than we know ourselves,
so HE DENOUNCED THE INSENSITIVITY AND SPIRITUAL
BLINDNESS OF HIS PRIVILEGED GUESTS – HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE –
who were had rejected His Divine Invitation.
HIS INVITED GUESTS NOW INCLUDE THOSE OF US WHO WERE
BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED AS HIS NEW ISRAEL – His Chosen
People who have thus became THE ADOPTED CHILDREN
OF GOD, ACCORDING TO THE NEW COVENANT.
When we reject His Divine Invitation to His Great Banquet,
WE SHOW OURSELVES TO BE UNWORTHY AND UNGRATEFUL, AND
BECAUSE OF OUR OWN SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS WE CONDEMN AND
DENY OURSELVES TRUE LIFE in the Heavenly Kingdom of
Love.
However, AS SOON AS WE REALISE OUR FAILURE TO FULFIL THE
WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE CAN - AND MUST - REPENT OUR LOVING, COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING LORD WANTS TO
AND CONFESS OUR SINS, SO THAT WE ARE QUICKLY RESTORED TO
SPIRITUAL LIFE AND UNITY WITH THE LORD OUR GOD AND EACH
OTHER.
The “...certain Man...” is an oblique reference to GOD OUR
HEAVENLY FATHER, for whenever He wishes to express
His Great Mercy in Holy Scripture, He is cited as “Man.”
According to our Divine Saviour’s Parable, THE CREATOR OF
THE UNIVERSE AND THE FATHER OF GLORY PREPARED “... a
Great Supper...” or A GREAT FESTAL BANQUET FOR THE
29TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 1TH ST LUKE – GREAT BANQUET – HOLY FOREFATHERS - 16 DECEMBER
WILL AND LOVE OF GOD IN FAVOUR OF THEIR OWN
EARTHLY, SELFISH DESIRES.
 ST THEOPHYLACT more generally associated the excuses
with THOSE WHO ARE DEVOTED TO ALL EARTHLY MATTERS –
ESPECIALLY PERTAINING TO OUR FIVE SENSES –to all
fleshly pleasures – i.e physical indulgence.
 Those in the “streets and lanes” indicate the GENTILES
AND PAGANS WHO ACCEPTED CHRIST after the faithless
Hebrews rejected Him, AND THOSE WHO ARE PRESENTLY
OUTSIDE THE CHURCH who often replace those from
within His Holy Church who have rejected their
Holy Baptism and Vows of Allegiance to Christ.
 “...many are Called...” - GOD HAS CALLED ALL MANKIND TO
HIS HOLY SERVICE YET VERY FEW RESPOND SINCERELY AND
FAITHFULLY, because most people use all the
excuses that Satan can invent, to avoid and
alienate themselves from God.
ENTIRE WORLD, IN HONOUR OF HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST, for IN THESE LAST TIMES TOWARDS THE
END OF THIS WORLD, HE WAS RESURRECTED FOR OUR SAKE,
after having fulfilled His Divine Mission, and having
suffered beatings and scourgings, before His
execution by crucifixion.
NOW HE OFFERS US HIS ETERNAL NOURISHMENT OF THE HOLY
EUCHARIST – His Most Precious Body and Blood, as “...
the Bread of Heaven...” THAT GRANTS US EVERLASTING
LIFE.
THE BELOVED WORD AND SON OF GOD, IN HIS TRANSFIGURATION,
SHONE UPON US AND ENDURED DEATH FOR OUR SAKE, now HE
OFFERS US HIMSELF AS OUR SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT, having
instituted the Holy Eucharist at His Last Supper.
Thus it is not only the physical Elements of the Holy
Eucharist that we partake of, but WE ARE ALSO CALLED TO
FEAST UPON HIS DIVINE WORD THROUGH HIS DIVINE TRUTH –
HIS TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS.
The Great Banquet that was prepared in honour of Christ
our Lord was CORRECTLY REFERRED TO AS “...A GREAT
SUPPER...” FOR AT EVERY DIVINE LITURGY THIS IS WHAT WE
CELEBRATE AND PARTAKE OF.
The Lord our God has truly prepared for us the full
enjoyment of Eternal Spiritual Sweetness with Him in
His Divine Kingdom of Love.
Nature He is both Eternal God the Only Begotten Son
of God as well as being “Man” by His Incarnation,
whereby He voluntarily took on the form of “...a
Servant...” WHO IS SENT TO FULFIL A SACRED MISSION BY GOD
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
Our Lord Jesus was sent by our Heavenly Father to serve
us at “Supper time” - AT THE END TIME, WHEN EVERYTHING
HAD BEEN PREPARED BY GOD, “...for now all things are
ready!”
Our Lord Jesus Christ has been sacrificed for mankind’s
Eternal Salvation, and HE HAS RESURRECTED OUR HUMAN
NATURE FROM THE BONDS OF DEATH TO AN ETERNAL LIFE OF
TRANSFORMATION.
HE IS OUR PASCHAL LAMB AND THE CAUSE FOR OUR CELEBRATION
OF THE DIVINE LITURGY.
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS PREPARED ONCE AND FOR ALL, THE
GOOD THINGS BESTOWED UPON US THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST – the Forgiveness of our sins, the Power and
Energy of the Holy Spirit, and the Glory of being
adopted as Children/Heirs of God.
To all these Marvellous and Eternal Blessings, OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST HAS CALLED US THROUGH HIS DIVINE TRUTH –
His Teachings and Commandments – our Holy
Tradition of His Written and Verbal Teachings.
GRANT US EVERYTHING WE COULD POSSIBLY NEED OR HOPE FOR
yet we make every excuse possible to reject them.
THE THREE EXCUSES THAT HE MENTIONED ARE IMMENSELY
SIGNIFICANT.
1. ‘I have bought a piece of land...’ denotes OUR
OBSESSION WITH WORLDLY POSSESSIONS, PRIDE AND
COMPETITIVE JEALOUSLY THAT COMES FROM THESE
MATERIAL ASSETS, which are A HINDRANCE TO OUR
21
 HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE that is essential to
accepting the magnitude of the Divine Invitation.
2. “...I have bought five yoke of oxen...” signify OUR FIVE
SENSES – SIGHT, HEARING, TASTE, SMELL AND TOUCH –
whereby WE ARE STIMULATED AND TEMPTED WITH
EXTERNAL ASPECTS THAT HAVE NO SPIRITUAL BENEFIT.
They tempt us with the DESIRES AND DEMANDS OF THE
FLESH THAT OVERWHELM OUR SOUL and which LURE US
AWAY FROM GOD AND HIS GOOD THINGS. EVERYTHING
THAT IS SENSUAL AND MATERIAL CAN CAUSE US TO NEGLECT
OR IGNORE THE MOST IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL SENSES THAT
MAINTAIN AND NURTURE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
3. “...I have married a wife ...” represents those who take
GREAT PLEASURE IN ALL THE SENSUOUS DELIGHTS OF THE
FLESH – ESPECIALLY THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH THAT ENTICE
AND SEDUCE US into committing fornication (if
unmarried in the Sight of God) or adultery (if
lawfully married), which HINDERS MANY FROM OUR
HEALTHY SPIRITUAL LIFE AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH
GOD AND ONE ANOTHER.
WE MUST ALL BE VERY CAREFUL TO AVOID FALLING INTO THE SIN OF
SELF-JUSTIFICATION AND EXCUSES that keep us from
fulfilling our Sacred Commitments that are vital to our
Salvation and Eternal Life.
According to St Isaac the Syrian, UNLESS WE UNDERSTAND THE
MEANING OF “...the world...” WE WILL NEVER KNOW HOW
MUCH OF OUR BODY AND SOUL IS DISTANCED FROM THE LORD
OUR GOD AND HOW MUCH WE ARE SHACKLED BY THE DEMANDS
OF THIS FALLEN WORLD!
THE TERM “WORLD” OR “WORLDLY” is used by our Holy Fathers
to DESCRIBE THE PASSIONS THAT LEAD US AWAY FROM GOD AND
SPIRITUAL LIFE.
These passions consist of AN OBSESSION WITH WEALTH AND
MATERIAL PASSIONS, PHYSICAL PLEASURES including
fornication, adultery and promiscuity; THE DESIRE FOR
PRAISES, GLORY AND CREDIT, from which springs envy and
jealousy, hatred, maliciousness and revenge; THE
WIELDING OF POWER; PRIDE in the trappings of AUTHORITY;
GRANDEUR and OSTENTATION; ANY OBSESSION WITH OUR BODY
such as AN OBSESSION WITH APPEARANCE, WEIGHT, AGING OR
DISFIGUREMENT...
THE DIVINE LITURGY IS A GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE DIVINE LITURGY IS TRULY A GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT to
humanity. It is AN INITIATION INTO THE DIVINE MYSTERIES
OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, A MODE OF THE REVELATION OF GOD
AND OF ALL THINGS HEAVENLY. There is nothing in the
Divine Liturgy that is not REVELATORY OF THE ONE
GODHEAD AND OF THE ENERGIES OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
BECAUSE WE KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT GOD IS OUR HEAVENLY
FATHER, WE VIEW HIS HOLY CHURCH - especially when we
celebrate the Divine Liturgy - AS OUR TRUE HOME.
We come in and go out freely, WE ARE HAPPY TO BE THERE, WE
MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS, WE LIGHT OUR CANDLES, WE
PRAY TOGETHER, WE COMMUNICATE WITH GOD AND WITH EACH
OTHER WITH LOVE, and it is obvious that as Orthodox
Christians, WE REGARD THE CHURCH AS OUR HOME…
WE PRAY CONSTANTLY FOR EACH OTHER, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE
REPOSED, FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNREPENTANT SINNERS - for the
wicked and the Spiritually Dead - indeed, EVEN FOR
THOSE WHO MIGHT BE IN HADES, BUT WHO MAY YET REMEMBER
SOMETHING ABOUT THE LORD OUR GOD….
In the Holy Temple of God WE EXPERIENCE THE GRACE OF GOD.
WE EXPERIENCE OUR SALVATION, the results of the
Redemptive Work of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Great
“High Priest.”…
CHRIST LIVES FOR US AND INTERCEDES ON OUR BEHALF WITH OUR
HEAVENLY FATHER… HIS SAINTS, PARTICULARLY HIS ALL PURE
AND HOLY MOTHER, THEOTOKOS, ALSO CONTINUALLY
INTERCEDE ON OUR BEHALF…. So when we attend Church,
we are not simply entering and exiting an ordinary
material structure, but instead, WE ENTER THE HOLY OF
HOLIES – WE STEP INTO ETERNITY!
AS WE ENTER THE CHURCH, WE CROSS OVER FROM EARTH TO
HEAVEN… We behold the Chalice with the Life-giving
Body and Blood of Christ, we inhale the fragrance of
incense and see the brightness of lit candles, the
beauty of the Icons and Vestments – and EVERYTHING
HAS A SPECIFIC MEANING AND PURPOSE! The entire Divine
Liturgy – particularly THE DIVINE EUCHARIST - IS A DIVINE
MYSTERY, FOR IT IS BEYOND OUR HUMAN UNDERSTANDING!
22. 29TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-11TH ST LUKE – GREAT BANQUET – HOLY FOREFATHERS -- 16 DECEMBER 2018
St Isaac the Syrian believe that WHENEVER SUCH PASSIONS
HAVE BEEN HALTED AND CORRECTED, THE TEMPTATION OF “THE
WORLD” FAILS TO DECEIVE US.
The Saints became “... dead to the world...” when they
lived according to the “... mind of the heart...” rather
than according to the “... mind of the flesh.”
TO LIVE IN CHRIST, WE MUST REGULARLY EXAMINE OURSELVES TO
SEEK OUT DEEP-SEATED PASSIONS that hold us back so that
we may be Cured of their effects, WHICH PREVENT OUR
GOOD SPIRITUAL HEALTH AND PROGRESS.
THEREBY WE COME TO KNOW OUR PERSONAL WEAKNESSES OVER
WHICH WE WILL SUBSEQUENTLY BE MORE WATCHFUL, and able
to quickly correct.
Our Lord God also invited “...the poor and the maimed
and the lame and the blind...” to teach us that any
degree of poverty, destitution, physical disfigurement,
blemish or weakness does not exclude anyone from
His Kingdom of Heaven.
Our Divine Saviour also teaches us about THE PARADOXICAL
EFFECT OF BEING HUMBLED BY ANY TYPE OF MISFORTUNE,
PERSECUTION, AILMENT OR DEBILITATING SICKNESS, OR BY
VOLUNTARILY HUMBLING OURSELVES DUE TO OUR LOVE FOR GOD
AND OUR FELLOW SINNERS, since “...in weakness we are
strong...” as WE LACK THE INCENTIVE TO SIN OR REBEL
AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD.
Consequently, we become Spiritually “...poor and
dead...” to the “world.”
A LACK OF ATTACHMENT TO MATERIAL POSSESSIONS - being
‘poor’ - FACILITATES A WHOLEHEARTED RESPONSE TO GOD’S
GIFT OF MERCY AND LOVE.
THE VERY LACK OF THE NEED OF RESOURCES becomes a Blessing,
since it FREES US TO FOCUS ON AND TO ACCEPT THE ENRICHING
GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION, as well as being A SPIRITUAL
EXERCISE OF OUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD’S GREAT MERCY AND
ABUNDANT PROVIDENCE - a good test of our Faith.
May we all BECOME FAR MORE RECEPTIVE AND QUICKER TO HEAR
AND TO RESPOND TO THE VOICE OF GOD CALLING US as THERE
IS NOTHING OF TRUE VALUE NOR BENEFIT OF THIS FALLEN
WORLD TO DISTRACT US FROM THE WILL OF GOD AND THE TRUE
WAY OF LIFE.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP
HTTP://MODEOFLIFE.ORG
THE DIVINE LITURGY IS AN EXCEEDINGLY GREAT GIFT OF GOD. No
one is worthy of such Magnitude. NO ONE CAN DO
ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD, FOR HE ALONE MAKES THESE
INFINITE BLESSINGS REAL, AND PLACES THEM IN OUR HANDS
AND HEART.
And for this WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL TO OUR LORD GOD, for
He has sent down His Heavenly Ranks of Angels and
has raised us up to Heaven. HE ALONE MAKES US WORTHY
TO STAND BEFORE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. O, What
Blessedness! What Happiness!
But let us contemplate how OUR LORD GOD HAS ENRICHED US
AND ELEVATED US, how highly HE HAS EXALTED US, DESPITE
THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL WRETCHED SINNERS!
“Woe is me!” exclaimed St Isaiah, His Holy Prophet, “...for
God Himself has descended upon me, and I am
afraid I will perish!” And this is what we should also
pray as we enter His Holy Church.
We should BE AFRAID, BUT we should also REJOICE. We
should TREMBLE, but our hearts should ALSO LEAP FOR
JOY, because we dare to EMBRACE GOD, AS HE EMBRACES
US!
LET NOTHING DISTURB THE TRANQUILLITY OF OUR SOUL, FOR GOD IS
WITH US! Wherever we look, God is before us! If we
cannot behold Him, it does not mean that He is
absent, but merely that OUR PHYSICAL SIGHT CANNOT GAZE
UPON HIM! With our mind’s eyes, let us behold our King
and let us proclaim: “Come, let us worship and fall
down before Him and cry to the Lord… for He is our
God.” (Psalm 94:6-7)
LET US OPEN THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEART TO OUR LORD, WHO IS EVER
PRESENT, AND LET US DRAW CLOSER EACH DAY, so that we will
know everything that our Divine Redeemer has done
for us.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP
ARCHIMANDRITE EMILIANOS OF SIMONOPETRA
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com/2018
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone (5) Plagal 1 23 December 2018

30th Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday Before the Nativity – Holy Ancestors
Also the Feast of the 10 Holy Martyrs of Crete : St Theodoulos, St Saturninos, St Euporos, St
Gelasios, St Eunician, St Zotikos, St Pompios, St Agathopos, St Vasilides and St Evarestos – St
Theoktistos, Archbishop of Novgorod – St Niphon, Bishop of Cyprus – St Paul, Bishop of
Neocaesarea – St Nathum of Ochrid (Disciple of St Cyril & St Methodios)

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 8: JOHN 20:11-18

OUR RISEN LORD JESUS SPEAKS TO ST MARY MAGDALENE

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no
Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en to Stavro Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it
ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the
Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou. Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own
Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY - TONE 4
Etimazou Vithleem, inikte pasin i Edem. Evtrepizou Prepare, O Bethlehem, Eden is opened to all! Be ready, O
Efratha, oti to Zilon tis Zois, en to Spyleo exinthisen ek Ephrata, for the Tree of Life in the Grotto has
tis Parthenou. Paradisos ke gar, i ekinis gastir, edixthi Blossomed from the Virgin! As Paradise Her Womb is
noitos, en O to Thion Fiton, ex ou fagontes zisomen, Spiritually Revealed in which is found the God-planted
ouhi de os O Adadm tethnixometha, Hristos Gennate, Tree, from which if we eat, we shall Live and shall not
tin prin pesousan, anastison ikona. die, as did Adam of old. Christ is Born, so that He
might Raise up the formerly fallen Image.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – HOLY ANCESTORS – TONE 2
Megala ta tis Pisteos katorthomata! En ti Pigi tis flogos, os Magnificent are the Accomplishments of Faith! The Three
epi idatos anapafseos, i Agii tris Pedes igallonto. Ke O Holy Youths exultingly stood in the fountain of fire as
Profitis Daniil, leonton Pimin, os Provaton ediknito. Tes if beside Still Waters! And the Prophet, Daniel, was
afton ikesies Hriste O Theos, Soson tas psihas imon. shown Shepherding the lions! At their Entreaties, O
Christ our God, Save our soul!
PARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION

SEASONAL KONTAKION – FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY
I Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo ethete The Virgin comes today to the Grotto to give Birth
apotekin aporritos. Horeve, i ikoumeni, akoutisthisa; Ineffably to the Word Pre-Eternal. Hearing this, be of
Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voilithenta good cheer, O Earth and its people: Glorify Him with
apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon. the Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will it was to be
made manifest as a young Child – the Pre-Eternal God.
RETURN TO THE SERVICE BOOK

PROKEIMENON – HYMN OF THE 3 HOLY YOUTHS – TONE 4
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our Fathers!
For Thou hast always dealt Righteously with us.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 11 : 9 – 10 & 32 – 40
THE FAITH OF THE OLD COVENANT JUDEANS FROM ST ABRAHAM TO ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED
Brethren: Through Faith Abraham dwelt in the Land of Promise, as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac
and Jacob, the Heirs with him of the same Promise. He waited for the City that has Foundations, whose Builder and
Maker is God. And what more shall I say? For the 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. Others had trials mockings and scourgings - yes, of chains and imprisonments.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted and they were slain with the sword. They wandered
about in sheepskins and in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. In
deserts They wandered - and mountains, dens and caves of Earth.
And all 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.
THE FAITH OF THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHS, ST ABRAHAM, ST ISAAC foreign country, dwelling in tents...” UNTIL THEY WERE
AND ST JACOB WAS SO FIRMLY ESTABLISHED THAT THEY WAITED ABLE TO SETTLE DOWN PERMANENTLY, AND THE GREAT CITY OF
PATIENTLY “...in the Land of Promise, as (though) in a JERUSALEM (THE CITY OF HOLY PEACE) AND THE TEMPLE OF

30TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY– HOLY ANCESTORS- 23 DECEMBER 2018 23
 GOD COULD BE ESTABLISHED ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR’S ONE ULTIMATE, PERFECT BLOOD
OF ALMIGHTY GOD. SACRIFICIAL OFFERING FULFILS WHAT ALL THE OLD COVENANT
THE FAITH OF THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS WAS TRULY AMAZING, for SACRIFICES WERE UNABLE TO DO,
THEY DID NOT HAVE ALL THE SPIRITUAL BENEFITS AND THE SINS OF THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS WERE ALSO FORGIVEN BY
KNOWLEDGE THAT WE ENJOY TODAY, which confirms and GOD and thus THEY WERE ABLE TO ENTER OUR LORD GOD’S
even proves Divine Truth. DIVINE PRESENCE AS THEY HAD BEEN PROMISED BY HIM –
THEIR FAITH WAS STEADFAST AND UNWAVERING, DESPITE THEIR “...that apart from us, they should not be made
DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES AND TERRIBLE PERSECUTION THEY Perfect.”
WERE FORCED TO ENDURE. BECAUSE THE LOCUS OF LIFE IS OUR BLOOD – OUR MORTAL LIFE – WE
THEIR FAITH WAS FIRMLY SEATED DEEP WITHIN THEIR SOUL – THAT OFFER IT TO GOD WHO IS LIFE, and thereby WE ESTABLISH A
MARVELLOUS, NATURAL FAITH IN GOD WITH WHICH WE WERE NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM BY LIVING IN CHRIST JESUS
CREATED. Whom we have “put on” during our Holy Baptism.
THEIR ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD OUR GOD ENABLED Consequently, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S INCARNATION AND
THEM TO ACHIEVE INCREDIBLE VICTORIES over those who EVERYTHING THAT HE ACCOMPLISHED FOR US IN HIS FLESH
sought to destroy them, which clearly proves that GOD REDEEMED THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS OF THE OLD ISRAEL AS
LOVES US AND IS ALWAYS WITH US – DELIVERING US from the WELL AS US WHO ARE THE NEW COVENANT ISRAEL – i.e. ALL
evil one, granting us everything we need in good THOSE WHO BY THEIR FAITHFUL STRUGGLES AND LABOURS
times and in times of adversity. PARTICIPATE IN HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION AND HIS
THIS TESTIFIES TO THE GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE OLD ETERNAL, HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF AGAPE.
COVENANT SAINTS AND OUR ALMIGHTY LORD GOD, WHO St Paul reminds us that THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT – those who
MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE FOR US – even restoring life to have gone before us – IS THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES,
those who had been killed. who continue to pray for us, who guide us and watch
HOWEVER, THESE ANCIENT SAINTS COULD NOT ENTER PARADISE over us, encouraging and supporting us every step of
UNTIL OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAD ACCOMPLISHED HIS the Way along the Narrow Path of Righteousness that
EARTHLY MISSION AND HAD HARROWED HADES after His leads us to Eternal Life.
Crucifixion and Death on the Cross. THIS SHORT PREPARATORY LIFESPAN IS not a fast sprint but A
THEY RESTED IN A SECTION OF HADES to which our Lord Jesus MARATHON that takes all our concerted effort to
Christ referred as being “in the Bosom of Abraham.” complete successfully and victoriously.
AFTER DEATH, ALL THE SOULS WENT TO HADES, but THE RIGHTEOUS AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WE MUST
WERE SEPARATED FROM THE WICKED, and were AWARE OF FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON HIM - striving to fulfil His Divine
EACH OTHERS’ STATE as revealed by Christ when He Truth in all aspects of our daily life, to the best of our
spoke of the Rich Man and Poor Lazaros. ability.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 1 : 1 - 25
THE GENEALOGY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE FLESH
The Book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
Abraham begot Isaac; Isaac begot Jacob and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.
Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar; Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab;
Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon.
Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab; Boaz begot Obed by Ruth; Obed begot Jesse and Jesse begot David the King.
David the King begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah; Solomon begot Rehoboam; Rehoboam begot
Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa.
Asa begot Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat begot Joran, and Joran begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz,
and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh; Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah.
Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. After they were taken to
Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud; Abiud begot Eliakim,
and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok; Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar;
Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob.
Jacob begot Joseph the (Betrothed) Husband of Mary (Miriam) of Whom was born Jesus Who is called Christ.
All the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; from David until the captivity in Babylon were
fourteen generations. And from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
The Birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His Mother, Mary, was Betrothed to Joseph, before they came together,
she was found with Child of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, being a Just man, and not wanting to make her a
public example, was minded to put her away secretly. While he considered these things, behold! an Angel of the
Lord appeared to him, saying: “Joseph, son of David: do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. That which is
Conceived in Her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bring forth a Son, and Thou shalt name Him ‘ Jesus.’ He will Save
His People from their sins.”
All this was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the Prophet, saying: “Behold, the
Virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name ,Immanuel,’” which is translated: “God
with us.”
Having been woken from sleep Joseph did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his Wife, and did
not know Her until She had brought forth Her Firstborn Son. And he called His Name ‘Jesus.’
The name “Jesus” or “Joshua” means “O Lord Save us,” ✶✶ Instead, the Vision that St John the Baptist experienced
which REFERS TO OUR LORD’S DIVINE ROLE AS THE SAVIOUR OF revealed the Absolute Truth that THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS
ALL MANKIND. ALWAYS BEEN WITH CHRIST.
The title “Christ” means “Anointed One,” or “Messiah,” ✶✶✶ ALTHOUGH ONLY GOD THE SON (the Second Divine Person of
which means THE ONE WHO IS FILLED WITH THE HOLY the Holy Trinity – the Godhead) WAS INCARNATED (became
SPIRIT. Man and thus physical and visible to us) GOD THE FATHER AND
 J O H N 1 : 3 3 : St John the Baptist and Forerunner to GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK IN PERFECT HARMONY IN OUR
Christ said: “I did not know Him, but He Who sent LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION.
me to Baptise with water said to me: ‘Upon Whom THE HOLY TRINITY ALWAYS WORKS IN PERFECT UNISON AS ONE
you see the (Holy) Spirit descending, and GOD.
remaining on Him, is He Who Baptises with the OUR LORD WAS INCARNATE AS A HEBREW, FROM THE LINEAGE OF ST
Holy Spirit.’” ABRAHAM, the Father or Patriarch of all Hebrews, and
✶✶The fact that the Holy Spirit remained upon Christ our of St David, Israel’s greatest King and Prototype of our
Saviour was a Divine Sign that HE POSSESSES THE HOLY Royal Messiah.
SPIRIT IN HIS FULLNESS FROM ALL ETERNITY – i.e. THERE HAS The Genealogy of Christ according to the Holy Gospel of
NEVER BEEN A MOMENT WHEN THE SON OF GOD WAS NOT St Matthew reveals that THE SON OF GOD IDENTIFIES SO
UNITED WITH GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR TOGETHER WITH GOD DEEPLY WITH OUR HUMAN NATURE that He took it upon
THE FATHER THEY ARE CO-ETERNAL. Himself and has become part of it FOR THE SAKE OF OUR
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DID NOT RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AT HIS SALVATION.
BAPTISM by St John the Baptist. The Ancestry (according to His Incarnation) of our Lord Jesus
Christ includes Righteous and wicked people, faithful

24. 30TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY– HOLY ANCESTORS- 23 DECEMBER 2018
 Kings and murderers, Jews and Gentiles, royalty and
peasants – A COMPLETE CROSS-SECTION OF HUMANITY.
ST MATTHEW’S GENEALOGY OF CHRIST DESCENDS FROM ST
ABRAHAM in whom God Promised to Bless all Tribes of
the Earth, which was fulfilled in his greatest
Descendent, Jesus Christ.
ST LUKE, on the contrary, LISTED HIS GENEALOGY IN ASCENDING
ORDER – FROM CHRIST ALL THE WAY BACK TO ADAM. (LUKE 3 : 23
– 38)
 G E N E S I S 1 2 : 3 – God said to Abram: “... I will Bless
those who Bless Thee and curse those who curse
Thee; and in Thee all the Tribes of the earth shall
be Blessed.”
✶✶THE HOLY SPIRIT SPOKE THROUGH HIS HOLY PROPHETS and He
spoke through St Moses the Holy Prophet of God who
wrote this Holy Book of Genesis.
 G A L A T I A N S 3 : 8 - St Paul explained to the Galatians: “...
the Scripture, foreseeing that God would Justify
the Gentiles by Faith, preached the Gospel to
Abraham beforehand, saying: ‘In Thee all the
Nations shall be Blessed.’
So it was that THE HOLY SPIRIT PREACHED THE HOLY GOSPEL OF
CHRIST CENTURIES BEFORE TO ST ABRAHAM, the ancient
Patriarch of the Old Covenant Israel.
Furthermore, THE “ANGEL OF THE LORD” Whom St Abraham
beheld in a Vision was no created being – He WAS
TRULY THE SON AND WORD OF GOD.
St Athanasios the Great taught that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
THE SON AND WORD OF GOD, WAS REFERRED TO AS “AN ANGEL
(MESSENGER OF GOD) BECAUSE HE ALONE REVEALS THE FATHER.”
In other words, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALS GOD THE
FATHER TO US AS A GOD OF INFINITE LOVE AND MERCY WHO,
BEING ABSOLUTE GOODNESS, TRUTH AND LOVE, IS INCAPABLE
OF ANYTHING EVIL, CRUEL OR DESTRUCTIVE (which are the
inventions of the evil one who typifies hatred, everything wicked,
deceitful and destructive.)
 G E N E S I S 2 8 : 1 4 - The Lord God told St Jacob: “... your
seed shall be like the dust of the Earth; you shall
spread abroad to the West and to the East, to the
North and to the South; and in you and in your
seed all the Tribes of the earth shall be Blessed.”
Jewish genealogy normally included only male relatives
so THE MENTION OF FEMALE RELATIVES such as Tamar,
Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba WAS MOST UNUSUAL,
especially since each of them was either a gentile or
a sinful Hebrew.
✶✶ Hence, THE INCLUSION OF THESE WOMEN CONFIRMED THE
GRACIOUS MERCY OF GOD AND PREFIGURED THE CALLING OF
GENTILES into the Church of Christ.
IT ALSO EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF WOMEN IN GOD’S
ETERNAL PLAN OF SALVATION AND ANTICIPATED THE VERY
SPECIAL PLACE OF THE EVER BLESSED AND ALL HOLY VIRGIN
THEOTOKOS IN HIS DIVINE PLAN.
By means of Anointing by St Samuel the Holy Prophet of
God, St David the Psalmist was consecrated King of
Israel and through his Psalms, St David was revealed
as a great and Holy Prophet of God.
Consequently, ST DAVID THE PSALMIST, KING AND HOLY
PROPHET FORESHADOWED THE ROYAL AND PROPHETIC NATURE
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. (PSALM 109)
In addition, as a wicked adulterer and murderer, ST
DAVID IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SINCERE CONTRITION,
REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS, which encourages
us - for EVEN THE WORST OF SINNERS IS GRANTED THE
POSSIBILITY OF REGENERATION OR RESTORATION BY THE DIVINE
GRACE OF OUR MOST LOVING AND MERCIFUL GOD THROUGH
OUR WILLING AND HEARTFELT REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.
✶ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED IS NAMED AS OUR LORD JESUS’
IMMEDIATE PREDECESSOR since according to the Old
Covenant, Marriage Laws confer Hereditary Rights on
adopted as well as biological children.
(St Joseph was in fact the elderly uncle and Divinely Chosen Protector
and Guardian of Theotokos and Christ.)
THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WAS ALSO DESCENDED FROM KING
DAVID, as was her aunt Salome, (the sister of St Anna and
the late wife of St Joseph the Betrothed, mother of St James, St
Joses, St Jude, St Salome, and St Mary who are mentioned in the
Holy Gospels as Apostles and Myrrhbearers) since, according
to Hebrew Laws of the time, BETROTHALS WERE ARRANGED
FROM WITHIN THE SAME TRIBE.
✶✶✶For the same reason, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD,
THE TEMPLE PRIESTS HAD CONSENTED TO HER BETROTHAL TO
30TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY– HOLY ANCESTORS- 23 DECEMBER 2018
HER AGED UNCLE WHO WAS ACTUALLY HER LEGAL GUARDIAN
AND PROTECTOR OF HER VOW OF CHASTITY.
✶✶✶The term “of whom” is feminine in Greek, REFERRING
ONLY TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. SO OUR LORD IS SHOWN
TO HAVE BEEN BORN ONLY OF HER AND NOT BEGOTTEN OF ST
JOSEPH THE BETROTHED.
THE ANCESTORS WERE ARRANGED IN THREE GROUPS OF FOURTEEN
GENERATIONS since fourteen is the numerical
equivalent of the consonants in the name “David,”
underlining Christ’s descent from St David.
IT ALSO SHOWS THE DIVISION OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HEBREWS,
being under Judges until St David, under Kings until
Babylon and under Priests until Christ.
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED CONSISTED OF
A MERCIFUL NATURE THAT TRANSCENDED THE DEMANDS OF THE
LAW.
 H O S E A 6 : 6 “... I desire Mercy not sacrifice, and the
Knowledge of God more than Whole Burnt
Offerings...”
St Joseph’s natural Compassion and Mercy was evident
from his unwillingness to expose the young Virgin’s
assumed sin, even though he was obliged by Mosaic
Law to do so.
THE TERM “HUSBAND” AND “WIFE” APPLIED TO ALL BETROTHED
COUPLES EVEN BEFORE THE MARRIAGE HAD BEEN SANCTIFIED BY
GOD AND CONSUMMATED.
THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH REFERS TO ST JOSEPH AS “THE
BETROTHED,” EMPHASISING THE TRUTH OF THE ALL HOLY AND
ALL PURE, EVER VIRGINITY OF THE BLESSED THEOTOKOS (which
would have been marvelled at and definitely confirmed by the
astounded Midwives who attended to the young Virgin before,
during and after the Nativity of Christ.)
 E S T H E R 2 : 7 Mordecai of the Tribe of Benjamin “ ...
had raised the daughter of Abigail, his father’s
brother, and her name was Esther; and when her
parents died, he brought her up to be his wife,
and she was beautiful.”
Mordecai’s relation to Esther was that of both Guardian
and Betrothed ‘husband’ - A NECESSARY SOCIAL AND
LEGAL ARRANGEMENT, WHICH WAS NOT UNUSUAL AT THE TIME.
This was similar to the special Relationship between St
Joseph the Betrothed and his very young niece, the
Ever Virgin Mary, in which THERE WAS NO SEXUAL
RELATIONSHIP, as demonstrated as well by Esther’s
Virginity and Chastity.
AN ANGEL OR MESSENGER OF GOD DISPELLED ST JOSEPH’S FALSE
ASSUMPTIONS by announcing THE UTTERLY UNREASONABLE
AND ILLOGICAL BUT DIVINE AND ABSOLUTE TRUTH: THE
VIRGIN’S CONCEPTION WAS BY THE WILL OF GOD – BY THE
POWER AND ENERGY OF THE LIFE-GIVING HOLY SPIRIT.
BEING BORN OF THE VIRGIN PROVED CHRIST’S DIVINITY and ONLY A
DIVINE REVELATION BY GOD COULD SERVE AS ADEQUATE
EVIDENCE OF SUCH A UNIQUE MIRACLE.
St Matthew repeatedly used the expression: “...that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken...” which
underscores THE DIVINE INTERVENTION OF GOD
THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY and which demonstrates
THE CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS
WITH GOD, INDICATING THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW
CREATION.
THE DIVINE CONCEPTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED
THE PROPHECY OF ST ISAIAH THAT SPECIFICALLY A VIRGIN –
not a “young woman!” – WOULD CONCEIVE AND BEAR A
SON WHO WAS NOT A NEW PERSON COMING INTO EXISTENCE
BUT WHO IS THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD WHO USED HER WOMB
AS HIS THRONE!
BOTH THE MYSTERIOUS VIRGINAL CONCEPTION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
AND THE NAME “IMMANUEL” – MEANING “GOD WITH US” –
DECLARES AND CONFIRMS THE DIVINITY – THE DIVINE NATURE –
OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
Finally: when ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD
“... took to him his wife, and did not know Her until
She had brought forth Her Firstborn Son...” IT DID NOT
MEAN THAT THE BETROTHAL OR MARRIAGE WAS EVER
CONSUMMATED.
NOR DOES THE EXPRESSION “FIRSTBORN SON” MEAN THAT OUR ALL
HOLY LADY EVER BORE ANY OTHER CHILDREN for She kept
her Most Sacred Vow of Chastity until She reposed in
Peace many years later.
In Holy Scripture the word “until” which is sometimes
translated as “to,” is often used to express a situation
that actually continues after the event:
25
 M A T T H E W 2 8 : 2 0 – Christ instructed His Apostles to go
forth into the world:
1. to make the people His Faithful Disciples,
2. to Teach the everything He has taught and revealed
to us
3. to Baptise all Nations in the Name of our Triune God
4. and “... to observe all Things that I have
commanded you;
He ends by telling us : “... I Am with you always, even TO
the end of the Age.”
This does not mean that we are separated from Christ at
the end of the world for HE IS ALWAYS – ETERNALLY -
PRESENT - GOD IS NEVER ABSENT, no matter where or
how we are!
 G E N E S I S 8 : 7 - Noah “... sent out a Raven, which kept
going to and fro, UNTIL the waters dried up from
the Earth.”
 D E U T E R O N O M Y 3 4 : 6 – When Moses has died God “...
buried him in a valley in the Land of Moab,
opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave TO
this day.”
THE TERM “FIRSTBORN SON,” DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE BLESSED
VIRGIN HAD OTHER CHILDREN, but only that no child was
born to Her before our Lord Jesus Christ.
Traditionally, THE FIRSTBORN SON WAS THE PRIMARY HEIR AND
RECIPIENT OF BLESSINGS.
30TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – SUNDAY BEFORE
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.
Dearly Beloved, on this Sunday before the Nativity of our
Divine Saviour, Jesus Christ, we hear again that first
chapter of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew.
The second half of today’s Sacred Gospel Lesson
concerns THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE NATIVITY
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
As familiar as it is, we seem to skip over the first half of the
prescribed Reading, which concerns THE GENEALOGY
OF OUR LORD ACCORDING TO HIS INCARNATION.
ST MATTHEW’S ACCOUNT OF HIS GENEALOGY DIFFERS FROM THAT
OF ST LUKE, for IT BEGINS WITH ST ABRAHAM, THE ANCIENT
PATRIARCH OF THE HEBREW NATION OF ISRAEL, and moves
through the various generations, emphasizing St
David, the Psalmist, King and Prophet of God, who
ruled over the Golden Age of the Israelites.
ST MATTHEW WROTE HIS GOSPEL WITH THE JEWISH PEOPLE AS HIS
PRIMARY AUDIENCE, thus he highlighted the important
figures in their historical narrative, beginning with ST
ABRAHAM, THE FIRST BLESSED MAN OF GOD, WHO WAS CHOSEN
TO FATHER THE NATION FROM WHICH THE GREAT MESSIAH
WOULD BE BORN, and St David, the greatest King of
Israel, whose Inspired Psalms are read and
contemplated every day throughout all ages.
It would be proper and expected that the Messiah would
have such a Lineage.
On the contrary, ST LUKE, STARTED HIS GENEALOGY WITH ADAM,
so by CONNECTING THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST TO THE
HUMANITY OF ADAM AND ALL PEOPLE, he wrote for a much
wider audience, which included the Gentiles – the
non-Judaic pagans and all Nations of the world.
It is noteworthy that ST MATTHEW INCLUDED THREE WOMEN IN
HIS GENEALOGY OF CHRIST. Normally, JEWISH LINEAGES
WERE STRICTLY PATRIARCHAL - only male relatives were
listed. Even more interesting is the fact that NONE OF
THESE THREE WOMEN WERE ASSOCIATED WITH IDEAL
SITUATIONS.
Boaz was the son of Salmon and RAHAB, who WAS A
CANAANITE GENTILE PROSTITUTE OF JERICHO. She had
helped two Israelite spies to escape so that they could
report details of Jericho’s military capabilities. SHE
RECOGNIZED AND REVERED THE TRUE, LIVING GOD OF THE
ISRAELITES, AND HAD HELPED THEM AS AN ACT OF FAITH AND
PENITENCE.
Obed was the son of Boaz and RUTH, who WAS A MOABITE
WOMAN, WHOSE PEOPLE WERE SHUNNED BY THE ISRAELITES
BECAUSE THEY REGARDED THEM AS BEING “UNCLEAN” due to
the “incestuous” relationship of their Forefather, Lot,
Abraham’s nephew.
Whether this sordid story recorded in Genesis is fact or
legend, the Israelites had a very low view of the
Moabites.
Nevertheless, RUTH HAD CONVERTED TO JUDAISM, AND WAS ONE
OF THE MOST CARING, DEDICATED AND LOVING WOMEN
26. 30TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY– HOLY ANCESTORS- 23 DECEMBER 2018
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE FIRSTBORN OVER ALL CREATION,
AND THEREFORE THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD.
Christ was the first to be physically Resurrected - so He returned to
show – to confirm, to ratify - that Divine Truth to His Faithful
Apostles and Disciples for 40 days before His Glorious Ascension
– returning to His former invisible State and Majestic Position,
seated at the Right Hand Side of God the Father – the Most
Honourable position as Co-Equal, Co-Eternal and Co-Essential.
mp
In the Orthodox Holy Icons of the Nativity of Christ, His
swaddling clothes are depicted as burial wrappings,
affirming THAT ONE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING WAS TO ENDURE
AND CONQUER DEATH.
 ISAIAH 1:3 OUR INFANT LORD JESUS CHRIST’S MANGER WAS IN
A CAVE WHERE DOMESTIC ANIMALS WERE STABLED AT NIGHT
THUS FULFILLING THE PROPHECY OF ST ISAIAH: “The ox
knows its Owner and the donkey its Master’s
crib.” ()
ACCORDING TO OLD COVENANT LAW, THE FATHER NAMES HIS
CHILD.
Thus, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER, HIS
ARCHANGEL, ST GABRIEL, TOLD ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED
WHAT TO NAME HIS ALL PURE WARD’S CHILD.
LIKEWISE, WAS ST ZACHARIAH THE HIGH PRIEST INFORMED OF THE
NAME OF HIS SON, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND FORERUNNER TO
CHRIST.
THE NATIVITY – THE HOLY ANCESTORS
MENTIONED IN HOLY SCRIPTURE, WHO WAS HIGHLY REGARDED
BY THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT.
Solomon was the son of DAVID AND BATHSHEBA, WHOSE
RELATIONSHIP AND CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THE MOST WELL-
KNOWN of the three families mentioned in the
Genealogy of our Divine Saviour’s Ever Blessed
Mother.
ALTHOUGH KING DAVID HAD MANY WIVES, (which was
customary in ancient times) WHEN HE SAW BATHSHEBA,
bathing on a rooftop, HE BECAME SO OBSESSED WITH HER, HE
SENT HER HUSBAND INTO BATTLE TO ENSURE THAT HE WAS
KILLED, AFTER WHICH HE FATHERED AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD.
The events and relationships that are recorded in Holy
Scripture are not all as respectful and honourable as
one might imagine.
KING SOLOMON THE WISE, THE BUILDER OF THE GREAT TEMPLE IN
JERUSALEM, CAME FROM THE UNLAWFUL MARRIAGE OF KING
DAVID AND BATHSHEBA.
We might wonder why would these sordid stories were
included in the Genealogy of the Messiah - why not
just record the fact that “...Salmon begat Boaz; Boaz
begat Obed...”? Why not hide “the imperfections in the
tapestry”?
We know that THE ELDERLY ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED IS NOT
THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BUT HE
AND THE ALL PURE, HOLY THEOTOKOS SHARED THIS LINEAGE,
(having been of the same Tribe, according to Mosaic
Law.)
The Nativity of our Lord - the Union of God and mankind -
draws near.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY GOD, THE SECOND PERSON OF
THE HOLY TRINITY, ETERNALLY EXISTING BEFORE ALL AGES, CO-
ESSENTIAL WITH GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR IS TRULY MAN – He is truly Born from the
ashes and clay with which He Himself created
mankind!
THERE IS NOTHING OF CREATED MATTER THAT GOD CANNOT
SANCTIFY BY HIS ALL-POWERFUL TOUCH.
Consequently, THERE IS NOTHING SO SORDID NOR AWFUL THAT
CANNOT BE MADE TO FULFILL HIS GOOD WILL.
HUMAN NATURE WAS ASSUMED INTO THE PERSON OF OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST, WHICH HE THUS SANCTIFIED.
It does not matter what sin we have fallen into - RAHAB
SHOWS US FAITHFULNESS AND REPENTANCE. It does not
matter who we are - RUTH BECAME A PARAGON OF VIRTUE
FROM A DESPISED NATION. It does not matter what is done
to us - BATHSHEBA’S SON, SOLOMON, HAS BECOME
SYNONYMOUS WITH WISDOM.
EVERYTHING INEFFABLY ACCOMPLISHES THE WILL OF GOD, for “...
every Saint has a past; every sinner has a future.”
THROUGH CHRIST WHO SANCTIFIES ALL OF US, WE HAVE THE
POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING SAINTS!
Amen.
FATHER THEOPHAN MACKEY
HTTPS://WWW.UOCOFUSA.ORG/NEWS_141223_1.HTML
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

25 December 2018

Nativity of our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ

FESTAL ISODIKON OF THE NATIVITY
Ek gastros pro eosforou egennisa Se. Omose Kyrios ke ou Out of the womb, before the Morning Star have I
metamelithisete. Si ierefs is ton eona, kata tin taxin Begotten Thee: the Lord has sworn and will not
Melihisedek. repent: Thou art a Priest forever, after the Order of
Melchezedek.
✞Soson imas, Ie Theou, O EK PARTHENOU TEHTHIS, psallontas ✞ Save us, O Son of God, BORN OF THE VIRGIN, who sing
Si allilouia! to Thee: Alleluia!
MENAION - FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST – TONE 4
I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, anetile to kosmo to Fos Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the Light of
to tis gnoseos. En afti gar it is astris latrevontes, ipo Knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the
asters edidaskonto, Se prokinin, ton Ilion tis Dikeosinis, worshippers of the stars were by a Star instructed to
ke Se ginoskin ex ipsous anatolin. ✞Kyrie, Doxa Si. worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know
Thee as Orient from on High. ✞O Lord, Glory to Thee!
FESTAL KONTAKION - NATIVITY OF CHRIST - TONE 3
I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion Tikti, ke i gi to Spyleon, Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all
to aprosito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon Doxologousi. being, and the Earth offers a Grotto to Him Who is
Magi de meta Asteros odiporousi. Di imas gar Unapproachable. Angels with Shepherds give Glory,
Egennithi, Pedion Neon, O Pro Eonon Theos. and Magi journey by a Star. For unto us is Born a
Young Infant, the Pre-Eternal God.
INSTEAD OF THE TRISAGION HYMN – THE BAPTISMAL HYMN
✞ Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe: ✞ As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put
Allelouia! [3] on Christ: Alleluia! [3]
MATINS - HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 1 : 18 - 25
The Birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His Mother, Mary, was Betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, She
was found with Child of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, Her Husband, being a Righteous Man, and not wanting to make
Her a public example, was minded to put Her away secretly. While he thought about these things, behold, an
Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying: “Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take to Thee
Mary as Thy Wife, for that which is Born of Her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bring forth a Son, and You shall call
His Name ‘Jesus,’ for He will Save His people from their sins.”
All this was done so that it might be Fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord through the Prophet, saying: Behold, the
Virgin shall be with Child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call Him Emmanuel, which is translated as ‘God
with us.’ Having been aroused from sleep, Joseph did as the Angel of the Lord Commanded him and took to him
his Wife, and did not know Her before She had brought forth Her Firstborn Son. And he called His Name ‘Jesus.’
The name “Jesus” or “Joshua” means “O Lord Save us,” ALTHOUGH ONLY GOD THE SON (the Second Divine Person of the
which REFERS TO OUR LORD’S DIVINE ROLE AS THE SAVIOUR OF Holy Trinity – the Godhead) WAS INCARNATED (became Man
ALL MANKIND. and thus physical and visible to us) GOD THE FATHER AND
The title “Christ” means “Anointed One,” or “Messiah,” GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK IN PERFECT HARMONY IN OUR
which means THE ONE WHO IS FILLED WITH THE HOLY LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION.
SPIRIT. THE HOLY TRINITY ALWAYS WORKS IN PERFECT UNISON AS ONE
 J O H N 1 : 3 3 : St John the Baptist and Forerunner to GOD.
Christ said: “I did not know Him, but He Who sent me OUR LORD WAS INCARNATE AS A HEBREW, FROM THE LINEAGE OF ST
to Baptise with water said to me: ‘Upon Whom you ABRAHAM, the Father or Patriarch of all Hebrews, and
see the (Holy) Spirit descending, and remaining on of St David, Israel’s greatest King and Prototype of our
Him, is He Who Baptises with the Holy Spirit.’” Royal Messiah.
The fact that the Holy Spirit remained upon Christ our The Genealogy of Christ according to the Holy Gospel of
Saviour was a Divine Sign that HE POSSESSES THE HOLY St Matthew reveals that THE SON OF GOD IDENTIFIES SO
SPIRIT IN HIS FULLNESS FROM ALL ETERNITY – i.e. THERE HAS DEEPLY WITH OUR HUMAN NATURE that He took it upon
NEVER BEEN A MOMENT WHEN THE SON OF GOD WAS NOT Himself and has become part of it FOR THE SAKE OF OUR
UNITED WITH GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR TOGETHER WITH GOD SALVATION.
THE FATHER THEY ARE CO-ETERNAL. The Ancestry (according to His Incarnation) of our Lord Jesus
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DID NOT RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AT HIS Christ includes Righteous and wicked people, faithful
BAPTISM by St John the Baptist. Kings and murderers, Jews and Gentiles, royalty and
Instead, the Vision that St John the Baptist experienced peasants – A COMPLETE CROSS-SECTION OF HUMANITY.
revealed the Absolute Truth that THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS ST MATTHEW’S GENEALOGY OF CHRIST DESCENDS FROM ST
ALWAYS BEEN WITH CHRIST. ABRAHAM in whom God Promised to Bless all Tribes of

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST 25 DECEMBER 2018 27
 the Earth, which was fulfilled in his greatest
Descendent, Jesus Christ.
ST LUKE, on the contrary, LISTED HIS GENEALOGY IN ASCENDING
ORDER – FROM CHRIST ALL THE WAY BACK TO ADAM. (LUKE 3 : 23
– 38)
 G E N E S I S 1 2 : 3 – God said to Abram: “... I will Bless
those who Bless Thee and curse those who curse
Thee; and in Thee all the Tribes of the earth shall be
Blessed.”
THE HOLY SPIRIT SPOKE THROUGH HIS HOLY PROPHETS and He
spoke through St Moses the Holy Prophet of God who
wrote this Holy Book of Genesis.
 G A L A T I A N S 3 : 8 - St Paul explained to the Galatians: “...
the Scripture, foreseeing that God would Justify the
Gentiles by Faith, preached the Gospel to Abraham
beforehand, saying: ‘In Thee all the Nations shall be
Blessed.’
So it was that THE HOLY SPIRIT PREACHED THE HOLY GOSPEL OF
CHRIST CENTURIES BEFORE TO ST ABRAHAM, the ancient
Patriarch of the Old Covenant Israel.
Furthermore, THE “ANGEL OF THE LORD” Whom St Abraham
beheld in a Vision was no created being – He WAS
TRULY THE SON AND WORD OF GOD.
St Athanasios the Great taught that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
THE SON AND WORD OF GOD, WAS REFERRED TO AS “AN ANGEL
(MESSENGER OF GOD) BECAUSE HE ALONE REVEALS THE FATHER.”
In other words, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALS GOD THE
FATHER TO US AS A GOD OF INFINITE LOVE AND MERCY WHO,
BEING ABSOLUTE GOODNESS, TRUTH AND LOVE, IS INCAPABLE
OF ANYTHING EVIL, CRUEL OR DESTRUCTIVE (which are the
inventions of the evil one who typifies hatred, everything wicked,
deceitful and destructive.)
 G E N E S I S 2 8 : 1 4 - The Lord God told St Jacob: “... your
seed shall be like the dust of the Earth; you shall
spread abroad to the West and to the East, to the
North and to the South; and in Thee and in Thy seed
all the Tribes of the earth shall be Blessed.”
Jewish genealogy normally included only male relatives
so THE MENTION OF FEMALE RELATIVES such as Tamar,
Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba WAS MOST UNUSUAL,
especially since each of them was either a gentile or
a sinful Hebrew.
Hence, THE INCLUSION OF THESE WOMEN CONFIRMED THE
GRACIOUS MERCY OF GOD AND PREFIGURED THE CALLING OF
GENTILES into the Church of Christ.
IT ALSO EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF WOMEN IN GOD’S
ETERNAL PLAN OF SALVATION AND ANTICIPATED THE VERY
SPECIAL PLACE OF THE EVER BLESSED AND ALL HOLY VIRGIN
THEOTOKOS IN HIS DIVINE PLAN.
By means of Anointing by St Samuel the Holy Prophet of
God, St David the Psalmist was consecrated King of
Israel and through his Psalms, St David was revealed
as a great and Holy Prophet of God.
Consequently, ST DAVID THE PSALMIST, KING AND HOLY
PROPHET FORESHADOWED THE ROYAL AND PROPHETIC NATURE
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. (PSALM 109)
In addition, as a wicked adulterer and murderer, ST
DAVID IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SINCERE CONTRITION,
REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS, which encourages
us - for EVEN THE WORST OF SINNERS IS GRANTED THE
POSSIBILITY OF REGENERATION OR RESTORATION BY THE DIVINE
GRACE OF OUR MOST LOVING AND MERCIFUL GOD THROUGH
OUR WILLING AND HEARTFELT REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.
ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED IS NAMED AS OUR LORD JESUS’
IMMEDIATE PREDECESSOR since according to the Old
Covenant, Marriage Laws confer Hereditary Rights on
adopted as well as biological children.
(St Joseph was in fact the elderly uncle and Divinely Chosen
Protector and Guardian of Theotokos and Christ.)
THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WAS ALSO DESCENDED FROM KING
DAVID, as was her aunt Salome, (the sister of St Anna and
the late wife of St Joseph the Betrothed, mother of St James,
St Joses, St Jude, St Salome, and St Mary who are mentioned
in the Holy Gospels as Apostles and Myrrhbearers) since,
according to Hebrew Laws of the time, BETROTHALS
WERE ARRANGED FROM WITHIN THE SAME TRIBE.
For the same reason, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD, THE
TEMPLE PRIESTS HAD CONSENTED TO HER BETROTHAL TO HER
AGED UNCLE WHO WAS ACTUALLY HER LEGAL GUARDIAN AND
PROTECTOR OF HER VOW OF CHASTITY.
The term “of whom” is feminine in Greek, REFERRING ONLY
TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. SO OUR LORD IS SHOWN TO
28. THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
HAVE BEEN BORN ONLY OF HER AND NOT BEGOTTEN OF ST
JOSEPH THE BETROTHED.
THE ANCESTORS WERE ARRANGED IN THREE GROUPS OF FOURTEEN
GENERATIONS since fourteen is the numerical
equivalent of the consonants in the name “David,”
underlining Christ’s descent from St David.
IT ALSO SHOWS THE DIVISION OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HEBREWS,
being under Judges until St David, under Kings until
Babylon and under Priests until Christ.
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED CONSISTED OF
A MERCIFUL NATURE THAT TRANSCENDED THE DEMANDS OF THE
LAW.
 H O S E A 6 : 6 “... I desire Mercy not sacrifice, and the
Knowledge of God more than Whole Burnt
Offerings...”
St Joseph’s natural Compassion and Mercy was evident
from his unwillingness to expose the young Virgin’s
assumed sin, even though he was obliged by Mosaic
Law to do so.
THE TERM “HUSBAND” AND “WIFE” APPLIED TO ALL BETROTHED
COUPLES EVEN BEFORE THE MARRIAGE HAD BEEN SANCTIFIED BY
GOD AND CONSUMMATED.
THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH REFERS TO ST JOSEPH AS “THE
BETROTHED,” EMPHASISING THE TRUTH OF THE ALL HOLY AND
ALL PURE, EVER VIRGINITY OF THE BLESSED THEOTOKOS (which
would have been marvelled at and definitely confirmed by
the astounded Midwives who attended to the young Virgin
before, during and after the Nativity of Christ.)
 E S T H E R 2 : 7 Mordecai of the Tribe of Benjamin “ ...
had raised the daughter of Abigail, his father’s
brother, and her name was Esther; and when her
parents died, he brought her up to be his wife, and
she was beautiful.”
MORDECAI’S RELATION TO ESTHER WAS THAT OF BOTH GUARDIAN
AND BETROTHED ‘HUSBAND’ - A NECESSARY SOCIAL AND LEGAL
ARRANGEMENT, WHICH WAS NOT UNUSUAL AT THE TIME.
This was similar to the special Relationship between St
Joseph the Betrothed and his very young niece, the
Ever Virgin Mary, in which THERE WAS NO SEXUAL
RELATIONSHIP, as demonstrated as well by Esther’s
Virginity and Chastity.
AN ANGEL OR MESSENGER OF GOD DISPELLED ST JOSEPH’S FALSE
ASSUMPTIONS by announcing THE UTTERLY UNREASONABLE
AND ILLOGICAL BUT DIVINE AND ABSOLUTE TRUTH: THE
VIRGIN’S CONCEPTION WAS BY THE WILL OF GOD – BY THE
POWER AND ENERGY OF THE LIFE-GIVING HOLY SPIRIT.
BEING BORN OF THE VIRGIN PROVED CHRIST’S DIVINITY and ONLY A
DIVINE REVELATION BY GOD COULD SERVE AS ADEQUATE
EVIDENCE OF SUCH A UNIQUE MIRACLE.
St Matthew repeatedly used the expression: “...that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken...” which
underscores THE DIVINE INTERVENTION OF GOD
THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY and which demonstrates
THE CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS
WITH GOD, INDICATING THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW
CREATION.
THE DIVINE CONCEPTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED
THE PROPHECY OF ST ISAIAH THAT SPECIFICALLY A VIRGIN –
not a “young woman!” – WOULD CONCEIVE AND BEAR A
SON WHO WAS NOT A NEW PERSON COMING INTO EXISTENCE
BUT WHO IS THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD WHO USED HER WOMB
AS HIS THRONE!
BOTH THE MYSTERIOUS VIRGINAL CONCEPTION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
AND THE NAME “IMMANUEL” – MEANING “GOD WITH US” –
DECLARES AND CONFIRMS THE DIVINITY – THE DIVINE NATURE –
OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
Finally: when ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD
“... took to him his wife, and did not know Her until
She had brought forth Her Firstborn Son...” IT DID NOT
MEAN THAT THE BETROTHAL OR MARRIAGE WAS EVER
CONSUMMATED.
NOR DOES THE EXPRESSION “FIRSTBORN SON” MEAN THAT OUR ALL
HOLY LADY EVER BORE ANY OTHER CHILDREN for She kept
her Most Sacred Vow of Chastity until She reposed in
Peace many years later.
In Holy Scripture the word “until” which is sometimes
translated as “to,” is often used to express a situation
that actually continues after the event:
 M A T T H E W 2 8 : 2 0 – Christ instructed His Apostles to go
forth into the world:
5. to make the people His Faithful Disciples,
25 DECEMBER 2018
6. to Teach the everything He has taught and revealed Christ was the first to be physically Resurrected - so He returned to
to us show – to confirm, to ratify - that Divine Truth to His Faithful
7. to Baptise all Nations in the Name of our Triune God Apostles and Disciples for 40 days before His Glorious
8. and “... to observe all Things that I have Ascension – returning to His former invisible State and Majestic
commanded you; Position, seated at the Right Hand Side of God the Father –
He ends by telling us : “... I Am with you always, even TO the Most Honourable position as Co-Equal, Co-Eternal and
the end of the Age.” Co-Essential. mp
This does not mean that we are separated from Christ at
In the Orthodox Holy Icons of the Nativity of Christ, His
the end of the world for HE IS ALWAYS – ETERNALLY -
swaddling clothes are depicted as burial wrappings,
PRESENT - GOD IS NEVER ABSENT, no matter where or
affirming THAT ONE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING WAS TO ENDURE
how we are!
AND CONQUER DEATH.
 G E N E S I S 8 : 7 - Noah “... sent out a Raven, which kept
 ISAIAH 1:3 OUR INFANT LORD JESUS CHRIST’S MANGER WAS IN
going to and fro, UNTIL the waters dried up from the
A CAVE WHERE DOMESTIC ANIMALS WERE STABLED AT NIGHT
Earth.”
THUS FULFILLING THE PROPHECY OF ST ISAIAH: “The ox
 D E U T E R O N O M Y 3 4 : 6 – When Moses has died God “...
knows its Owner and the donkey its Master’s crib.” ()
buried him in a valley in the Land of Moab, opposite
ACCORDING TO OLD COVENANT LAW, THE FATHER NAMES HIS
Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave TO this day.”
CHILD.
THE TERM “FIRSTBORN SON,” DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE BLESSED
THUS, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER, HIS
VIRGIN HAD OTHER CHILDREN, but only that no child was
ARCHANGEL, ST GABRIEL, TOLD ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED
born to Her before our Lord Jesus Christ.
WHAT TO NAME HIS ALL PURE WARD’S CHILD.
Traditionally, THE FIRSTBORN SON WAS THE PRIMARY HEIR AND
Likewise, was St Zachariah the High Priest informed of the
RECIPIENT OF BLESSINGS.
name of his son, St John the Baptist and Forerunner to
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE FIRSTBORN OVER ALL CREATION,
Christ.
AND THEREFORE THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD.
PROKEIMENON- PSALM 65 – TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
All the world will worship Thee and Glorify Thee. Let them sing to Thy Name.
Glorify the Lord with Triumphal Hymns, all you lands
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 4 : 4 – 7
OUR ADOPTION THROUGH BAPTISM AS CHILDREN & HEIRS OF GOD
Brethren, when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, Born of a Woman, Born under the Law, to Redeem those
who were under the Law, so that we might receive Adoption as Sons. For, as we are Sons, God has sent the Spirit of
His Son into our heart, crying: “Abba! Father!” Therefore we are no longer slaves but Sons. If Sons, also Heirs of God
through Christ.
✶ “His Son" refers to CHRIST AS GOD BY NATURE – THE SON OF WE CANNOT BECOME MEMBERS OF THE GODHEAD BY NATURE
GOD. because WE ARE HUMAN BY NATURE. BUT WE DO BECOME
THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD, IS "...Born of a woman...," AND SO MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY BY HIS GRACE.
THE MOST BLESSED MARY IS RIGHTLY CALLED “THEOTOKOS” - Through our Divine Adoption (Holy Baptism and
MOTHER OF GOD OR BEARER OF GOD. Chrismation) WE BECOME EVERYTHING GOD IS, EXCEPT IN
✶ SINCE JESUS CHRIST WAS "BORN UNDER THE LAW" HE COULD NATURE – WE REMAIN HUMAN BEINGS.
REDEEM THOSE WHO WERE ALSO UNDER THE LAW – HIS FELLOW However, THIS IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY OUR PERMANENT STATE
HEBREWS, ACCORDING TO THE FLESH. DUE TO OF OUR DESIRE FOR WORLDLY THINGS [ I.E. THINGS OF THE
God "...Redeems those who were under the Law..." IN FLESH, THE PASSIONS] – and that CONCUPISCENCE PREVENTS US
ORDER TO FULFIL HIS PROMISE TO ABRAHAM. FROM ATTAINING THEOSIS – SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.
GOD PAID THE RANSOM, AS IT WERE, TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO IT TAKES DEDICATION AND EFFORT ON OUR PART TO ATTAIN
HIS OWN VOW. SPIRITUAL PERFECTION, DEIFICATION OR THEOSIS – LIKENESS
ALMIGHTY GOD DOES NOT OWE ANYTHING AND HE CERTAINLY DOES TO GOD!
NOT OWE US SALVATION ! WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, but IT
JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED THE LAW AS AN INFANT BY BEING DEPENDS ON OUR LOVE AND OBEDIENCE TO ALMIGHTY GOD
CIRCUMCISED on the eighth day and HE WAS PRESENTED IN AND HIS COMMANDMENTS.
THE TEMPLE 40 DAYS AFTER HIS BIRTH. Because WE ARE GIVEN "NEW LIFE" our Adoption by God is
Both of these Events are remembered in the Liturgical also referred to as "New Birth" – WE ARE SPIRITUALLY
Cycle of the Orthodox Church. REBORN – RENEWED IN CHRIST!
THE HOLY CEREMONIES OF “THE EIGHT DAY BLESSING” OF THE EVERY TIME WE PARTAKE OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF REPENTANCE
NEWBORN AND THE “40 DAY CHURCHING OF THE MOTHER” ARE CONFESSION AND EUCHARIST, WE ENJOY A REAFFIRMATION OF
PERFORMED TO THIS DAY IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH. OUR ADOPTION AND THEREFORE OUR NEW LIFE IN OUR LORD
After these special Services, THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
AND CHRISMATION IS CELEBRATED A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE ONGOING GROWTH INTO ADOPTION, BEING "AN HEIR OF GOD,"
✶ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - THE SON OF GOD IS GOD – DIVINE - IS CALLED DEIFICATION. this means that WE ARE BECOMING
BY NATURE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD WHAT HE IS BY NATURE.
WE BECOME SONS (OR DAUGHTERS) OF GOD BY ADOPTION WHEN WE ✶ EACH DIVINE PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY: "SPIRIT, SON AND
ARE BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF THE TRIUNE GOD – THE HOLY FATHER" IS INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION.
TRINITY. therefore TO BECOME SONS OF GOD BY GRACE, ONE MUST
BELIEVE IN AND KNOW THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY
SPIRIT.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 2 : 1 – 12
After our Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold! Magi from the East went to
Jerusalem, saying: "Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? We have seen His Star in the East and have
come to worship Him." Having heard, Herod the King was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And he gathered
all the Chief Priests and Scribes of the people together to question them as to where the Christ was to be born. They
told him: "In Bethlehem of Judea.” For thus it is written by the Prophet: “...And you, O Bethlehem, in the Land of
Judah, are not the least among the Rulers of Judah. Out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people
Israel.” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the Magi, determined from them what time the Star had
appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem saying: "Go, search carefully for the Child. When you have found Him,
bring back word to me, so that I may go and worship Him also." When they had heard the King, they departed.
And behold! The Star that they had seen in the East went before them, until it stood over where the Child was.
Beholding the Star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great Joy. And when they had entered the house, they saw the
young Child with Mary His Mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to Him - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being Divinely warned in a dream that they
should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST 25 DECEMBER 2018 29
✶ ST MATTHEW AND ST LUKE PLACED THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN
THE REIGN OF KING HEROD THE GREAT WHO WAS THE KING OF
JUDEA 37 – 4 BC
Herod was under Roman rule and although he was a
great builder, he was a dreadfully cruel ruler.
DUE TO HIS IGNORANCE OF THE MESSIAH - AND INDEED OF
ANYTHING CONCERNING GOD - as well as his obsessive
fear of being deposed, HEROD SUMMONED THE HEBREW
LEADERS TO ENLIGHTEN HIM, and instructed the Magi to
report back to him.
An ancient Prophecy of St Jacob indicated that THE
MESSIAH WOULD APPEAR WHEN A GENTILE KING RULED – i.e.
not of the Hebrew Tribe of Judah.
 G E N E S I S 4 9 : 1 0 – “The Sceptre shall not depart from
Judah, nor a Lawgiver from his loins, until Shiloh
comes; and to Him shall be the Expectation of the
Nations...”
This Prophecy relates to Christ in numerous ways since
HE WOULD RISE FROM THE DEAD AND HE IS THE DIVINE
LAWGIVER BECAUSE EVERY LAW OR COMMANDMENT OF GOD
THE FATHER WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US, INCLUDING THE
MOSAIC LAW, IS GIVEN IN AND THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST.
As HEROD WAS A GENTILE WHO NAMED HIMSELF “KING OF JUDEA,”
the Coming of the Messiah – God’s Christ – was
certainly at hand.
 L U K E 1 : 2 0 - The Angel of God told St Zacharias:
“Behold! You will be mute and unable to speak until
the day these Things take place, because you did
not believe my words which shall be fulfilled in their
own time.”
ST ZACHARIAS WAS DISCIPLINED FOR HIS LACK OF FAITH, yet this
also served as proof that ARCHANGEL GABRIEL’S
ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE ALWAYS GOD’S TRUTH.
Furthermore THE SILENCING OF THE HIGH PRIEST REVEALED A
DEEPER MYSTERY.
✶ THE MESSIAH WAS expected to fulfil three crucial roles
held by various people of the Old Covenant: PROPHET,
PRIEST AND KING. ONLY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED
ALL THREE HOLY OFFICES PERFECTLY:
✞ CHRIST JESUS IS THE TRUE PROPHET
 D E U T E R O N O M Y 1 8 : 1 5 – 1 8 – “The Lord your God
will raise up for you a Prophet like Me from your
Brethren. Him you shall hear, according to all you
asked from the Lord your God .... I will raise up for
them a Prophet like you from among their Brethren,
and I will put My Word in His Mouth, and He shall
speak to them all I command Him...’”
IT WAS FIRST NECESSARY FOR THE HEBREWS TO BE TESTED SO AS TO
FEAR THE LORD AND NOT TO SIN, for they WERE TOO
SPIRITUALLY IMPERCEPTIVE TO HEAR ABOUT ANOTHER PROPHET.
Consequently, THEY FAILED THE TEST AND DIED IN THE DESERT
BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO OBEY MOSES.
FORTY YEARS LATER HE SPOKE TO THEM CONCERNING THE GREAT
PROPHET TO COME, USING THE WORDS OF GOD FROM THEIR
MEETING ON MOUNT SINAI.
THE NEW GENERATION WAS READY TO HEAR THE PROPHECY and
learnt that He would be similar to St Moses, BECAUSE
THE SHORT-TERM PROPHECIES OF MOSES HAD ALL OCCURRED,
HIS LONG-TERM PROPHECIES THEREFORE WERE TO BE BELIEVED.
THIS WAS THE MARK OF A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD and the same
would apply to THE GREAT PROPHET WHO WOULD TELL THEM
ALL THAT GOD THE FATHER COMMANDED HIM. (By the Will of
God the Father, through God the Son...)
That indicated that HE IS THE WORD OF GOD MADE FLESH –
INCARNATE - FOR NO OTHER PROPHET, INCLUDING MOSES,
WOULD EVER SPEAK IN SUCH A MANNER.
While all previous Prophets were ordinary human beings,
THE GREAT PROPHET WOULD BE GOD INCARNATE.
So it was that St Isaiah foretold how THE PEOPLE WOULD BE
TAUGHT DIRECTLY BY GOD HIMSELF.
✞ JESUS CHRIST IS OUR TRUE KING
 I S A I A H 9 : 6 – “Great shall be His Government, and
of His Peace there shall be no end. His Peace shall
be upon the Throne of David and over His Kingdom,
to order and establish It with Righteousness and
Judgement, from that time forward, and unto Ages
of Ages. The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall perform
this.”
 M I C A H 5 : 1 “ . . . O Bethlehem, House of Ephrathah,
although you are fewest in number among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth
30. THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
to Me the One to be Ruler of Israel, Whose goings
forth were from the beginning, even from Eternity.”
✞JESUS CHRIST IS OUR TRUE HIGH PRIEST
 P S A L M 1 0 9 : 4 - “The Lord swore, and will not repent:
Thou art a Priest forever according to the Order of
Melchezedek.”
Seated at the Right Hand of God the Father, OUR DIVINE
AND ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST RULES AND REIGNS OVER ALL
THINGS, INCLUDING HIS ENEMIES, AND LEADS HIS HOLY
CHURCH IN HEAVENLY WORSHIP OF THE ALMIGHTY HOLY
TRINITY.
 H E B R E W S 4 : 1 4 “Seeing then that we have a Great
High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens –
Jesus the Son of God – let us hold fast our
Confession.”
The expression “passed through the Heavens” refers to
THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHICH IS SEEN IN
THE CONTEXT OF THE SON OF GOD IS SEATED AT THE HIGHEST
PLACE OF HONOUR – EQUALLY DIVINE - AT THE RIGHT HAND OF
GOD THE FATHER.
OUR ALMIGHTY LORD AND CREATOR HAS ACCOMPLISHED HIS
DIVINE WORK ON EARTH AND HAS ENTERED INTO HIS SABBATH
REST.
 L U K E 8 : 1 5 - God reveals His Truth to those “... who,
having heard the Word with a noble and good
heart, keep it and bear Fruit with Patience.”
Christ warned us against believing for a short while and
then returning to our sinful, ungodly ways.
HAVING BEEN TAUGHT GOD’S TRUTH, WHICH WE THEN REJECT, WE
CONDEMN OURSELVES for we cannot plead “ignorance!”
THE CHIEF PRIESTS OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM WERE THE
POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THE HEBREWS,
including the High Priest, who alone could enter the
Holiest Place of all YET THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT THE
MESSIAH HAD ALREADY BEEN BORN. (HEBREWS 9:7)
THE SCRIBES - important officials - KNEW THAT THE MESSIAH
WAS TO BE BORN AND WHERE HE WOULD BE BORN, HOWEVER,
THEY HAD NO DIVINE REVELATION THAT HE HAD ALREADY
ARRIVED.
St Matthew, who wrote for Jewish Christians, cited the
Gentile Magi as the first worshippers of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
St Luke, who wrote for Gentile Christians, cited the Jewish
poor – the Righteous Shepherds from surrounding
fields - as the first worshippers. (LUKE 2:8-17)
✶ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S DIVINE MISSION TO THE GENTILES WAS
ANTICIPATED BY THE "WISE MEN" OR MAGI, who journeyed
all the way "from the East" – outside Israel, from Persia
and elsewhere.
THEY WERE ERUDITE SCHOLARS of the time and in the Old
Testament, BALAAM WAS ONE OF THEIR GENTILE
PREDECESSORS WHO ALSO ANTICIPATED THE MESSIAH. ( READ
NUMBERS 23; 24]
THE WORSHIP OF OUR LORD BY THE MAGI IS SYMBOLIC OF THE
CHURCH, THE TRUE ISRAEL, WHEREBY MEMBERSHIP IS
DETERMINED BY FAITH AND NOT BY ETHNIC LINEAGE.
 N U M B E R S 2 4 : 1 7 Barlaam prophesied: “I will show Him,
but not now; I Bless Him, but He is not near. A Star
shall rise out of Jacob; And a Man shall rise out of
Israel. He shall break in pieces the rulers of Moab
and plunder all the sons of Seth.”
THE "STAR" SIGNIFIED THE EXTRAORDINARY IMPORTANCE OF THE
NATIVITY OF THE CHRIST CHILD. In ancient times an
unusually bright star signified a God or a Deified
King.
CHRIST IS THE STAR AND THE MAN WHO ROSE FROM THE DEAD –
“...out of Jacob...” and “... out of Israel.”
THE MAGI KNEW THIS PROPHESY, and when they saw His Star,
they faithfully followed it all the way to Him.
BEING BORN UNDER THIS WONDROUS STAR fulfilled the
prophecy of the Psalms and SHOWS ALL CREATION
PARTICIPATING IN THE INCARNATION of the Son of God.
 P S A L M 1 0 9 : 3 – “... with Thee is the beginning in the
Day of Thy Power, in the brightness of Thy Saints; I
have Begotten Thee from the Womb before the
morning star...”
Psalm 109 is a Prophecy concerning THE MELCHIZEDEK
PRIESTHOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, which explains
the True Meaning of the Nativity.
CHRIST IS THE “SON OF DAVID” ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, AND
ALSO THE LORD OF KING DAVID ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINITY.
25 DECEMBER 2018
 P S A L M 1 8 : 2 – “The Heavens declare the Glory of
God; the firmament shows the Creation of His
Hands...”
Psalm 18 reveals God the Word – “the End” – becoming
Man in the Womb of the Most Holy Mother of God. For
on His Nativity, ALL CREATION BORE WITNESS TO THE GLORY
OF GOD REVEALED IN HIS INCARNATION.
In His Birth from the Womb of the Blessed Virgin, CHRIST
WAS LIKENED TO THE SUN RISING FROM THE EAST, TO A
BRIDEGROOM COMING FROM HIS CHAMBER, AND TO A STRONG
ATHLETE READY TO RUN A GREAT RACE, BRINGING SALVATION
OF THE WORLD.
 P S A L M 1 4 8 : 3 “Praise the Lord from the Heavens;
praise Him in the Highest; praise Him, all you His
Angels; praise Him, all your His Hosts; Praise Him,
sun and moon; Praise Him all you stars and Light...”
Psalms 148 – 150 are THE PRAISES – LAUDS – which form the
conclusion to the Psalter, and which EXHORT ALL
CREATION TO PRAISE THE MOST BLESSED HOLY TRINITY.
The climax of the Psalter is when ALL HUMANITY AND
CREATION – EVERYWHERE AND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES – ARE
CALLED UPON TO MAKE THIS DOXOLOGY TO GOD THE FATHER,
AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT – OUR ONE, TRUE AND
LIVING GOD ALMIGHTY.
THE NATIVITY STAR WAS A SIGN OF THE MESSIAH HIMSELF,
SIGNIFYING THE LIGHT HE WAS TO SHED UPON THE WHOLE
WORLD, THROUGHOUT TIME.
 2 K I N G S 2 2 – The water of Jericho was unusable until
Elisha quoted God Who said: "’... I have healed these
waters; from them there shall no longer be death or
barrenness...’ So the water was healed by the word
Elisha spoke, and so it remains to this day.”
Just as our Lord God healed the waters of Jericho, so THE
INCARNATE SON OF GOD BRINGS RENEWAL OR REGENERATION
TO ALL DAMAGED CREATION.
 J E R E M I A H 3 6 : 1 0 “... thus said the Lord: “When 70
years are about to be fulfilled in Babylon, I will visit
you and confirm My Words to you, to return your
people to this place.”
St Jeremiah spoke historically for THERE WAS A RETURN OF
EXILES UNDER CYRUS AFTER 70 YEARS, and
Mystically for CHRIST CHOSE 70 MEN AS HERALDS OF HIS HOLY
GOSPEL. THEY LIVED A GODLY LIFE OF OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST,
SUFFERED MARTYRDOM AND SPREAD THE KINGDOM OF GOD,
WHICH IS OUR TRUE RETURN FROM SPIRITUAL EXILE IN THE
FALLEN WORLD.
 J E R E M I A H 3 6 : 1 4 : “I will appear to you...” is a
Prophecy of the Incarnation of God the Son when GOD
APPEARED TO US FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS FLESH – IN HIS
HUMAN, VISIBLE NATURE.
The Hebrew Shepherds were the first to worship and
adore Christ, having done so shortly after His Birth, at
the dark cave as OUR SAVIOUR WAS SENT INITIALLY FOR
“OLD COVENANT ISRAEL.”
THE MAGI - THE “FIRST FRUITS OF THE GENTILES” - arrived in
Bethlehem much later, after the Holy Family had
moved into a house, WORSHIPPED GOD AS “THE NEW
COVENANT ISRAEL.”
THE MAGI HONOURED CHRIST AS OUR GREATEST AND ONLY KING
WITH SIGNIFICANT AND COSTLY GIFTS:
“Gold is for the King of Ages. Frankincense is for the
God of All. Myrrh is offered to the Immortal One Who
shall be three days dead.” (COMPLINE HYMN OF THE NATIVITY OF
CHRIST)

May the Blessings and Joy

of the Nativity of our Divine Saviour,
Jesus Christ our Lord
be nurtured throughout the year and always
in all hearts and souls
so that His Divine Love
may spread throughout the Universe.
And let us remember all the Holy Innocents
who continuously suffer the devastating cruelties and brutalities
of hatred, victimisation and warfare.
Let us keep them in our Prayers,
beseeching our Lord God
to keep them in His Sight forever.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST 25 DECEMBER 2018 31
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

26 December 2018
Synaxis of our Ever Blessed, All Pure Lady, Theotokos
2ND DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
Also the Feast of St Euthymios, Bishop of Hieromartyr of Sardis – St Constantine of Synnada – St
Evarestos of Studion Monastery – St Nikodemos of Tishmana, Macedonia – St Constantine the
Russian Hieromartyr of Lavra, Mount Athos - St Isaac II of Optina Monastery

SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

FESTAL ISODIKON HYMN - THE NATIVITY – TONE 2

Ek gastros pro eosforou egennisa Se. Omose Kyrios ke ou Out of the womb, before the Morning Star have I
metamelithisete. Si ierefs is ton eona, kata tin taxin Begotten Thee: the Lord has sworn and will not
Melihisedek. repent: Thou art a Priest forever, after the Order of
Melchezedek.
Soson imas, Ie Theou, O EK PARTHENOU TEHTHIS, psallontas Save us, O Son of God, BORN OF THE VIRGIN, who sing to
Si allilouia! Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST – TONE 4
I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, anetile to kosmo to Fos Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the Light of
to tis gnoseos. En afti gar it is astris latrevontes, ipo Knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the
asters edidaskonto, Se prokinin, ton Ilion tis Dikeosinis, worshippers of the stars were by a Star instructed to
ke Se ginoskin ex ipsous anatolin. ✞Kyrie, Doxa Si. (3) worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know
Thee as Orient from on High. ✞O Lord, Glory to Thee!
(3)
FESTAL KONTAKION - NATIVITY OF CHRIST - TONE 3
I Parthenos simeron, ton iperousion tikti, ke i gi to Spileon, Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all
to aprosito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon Doxologousi. being, and the earth offers a Cave to Him Whom no
Magi de meta Asteros odiporousi. Di imas gar man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give Glory,
egennithi, Pedion Neon, O Pro Eonon Theos. and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a
Young Child, the Pre-Eternal God.
INSTEAD OF THE TRISAGION HYMN – THE BAPTISMAL HYMN
✞ Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe: ✞ As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put
Allelouia! [3] on Christ: Alleluia! [3]
FESTAL PROKEIMENON – THEOTOKOS’ MAGNIFICAT – TONE 3
Megalini i psihi mou ton Kyrion, ke Igalliase to pnevma Magnify, O my soul, the Lord, and Rejoice, O my spirit, in
mou epi to Theo to Sotiri mou. God my Saviour.
Oti evlepsen epi tin tapinosin tis doulis Aftou. Idou gar, For He has regarded the low estate of His Handmaiden.
apo tou nin Makariousi me pase e genee. Behold: henceforth all generations will call me
‘Blessed.’
FESTAL PROKEIMENON – THEOTOKOS’ MAGNIFICAT – TONE 3
Magnify, O my soul, the Lord, and Rejoice, O my spirit, in God my Saviour.
For He has regarded the low estate of His Handmaiden. Behold: henceforth all generations will call me ‘Blessed.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 2 : 11 – 18
Brethren, He Who Sanctifies and those who are Sanctified have all one origin. That is why He is not ashamed to call
them ‘Brethren,’ saying: “I will proclaim Thy Name to My Brethren; in the midst of the Congregation I will Praise
Thee!” And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Behold! Me, and the Children whom God has given
Me.” Since, therefore, ‘the Children’ share in flesh and blood, and He Himself likewise partook of the same nature
as them, that through Death He might Destroy him who has the power of Death – that is, the devil – and Deliver all
those who through fear of Death were subject to lifelong Bondage. For surely, it is not with Angels that He is
concerned, but with the ‘Seed of Abraham.’ Therefore, in all things, He had to be made like His Brethren so that He
might be a Merciful and Faithful High Priest in the Service of God, to make Expiation for the sins of the people. For –
because He Himself has been tempted – He is able to help those who are tempted.
✶✶ As God Incarnate – “Son of Man” – having taken on When we have committed ourselves to LIVE IN CHRIST AS HIS
our human form and nature - OUR LORD JESUS FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT DISCIPLES, our Divine Saviour “...is
CHRIST REGARDS MANKIND AS HIS ‘Brethren’ – His not ashamed to call (us) ‘Brethren...’” for THROUGH OUR
Brothers and Sisters - ACCORDING TO OUR MUTUAL DAILY SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES, WE ARE INDEED BRETHREN IN
HUMAN NATURE AND CONDITION, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CHRIST.
THE ABILITY TO COMMIT SIN, which Christ does not ✶✶ THE HEBREWS EXPECTED THE GREAT MESSIAH/SAVIOUR TO BE
have! AN EARTHLY, CONQUERING KING – A POWERFUL POLITICAL
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Eternal, Only Begotten Word LEADER who would liberate them from their
and Son of God the Father and the Creator of oppressors and establish a great Kingdom on
everything that is visible and invisible. ONLY THROUGH Earth.
HIM, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER, AND BY It was understandable that they questioned the fact that
THE POWER AND ENERGY OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, ARE WE if our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed Superior to all the
SANCTIFIED – made Holy - so that we become WORTHY Angelic Hosts – a Divine Being Who is the Eternal Son
CITIZENS OF AND CO-HEIRS TO HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM. of God – how could He die in such a humiliating,
32. SYNAXIS OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS – 2 N D
DAY OF THE NATIVITY-26 DECEMBER 2018
 degrading manner – by crucifixion, which was OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DESTROYED THE EVIL ONE’S POWER by
usually for criminals and traitors. using his strongest, wicked weapon – Death – against
St Paul explained to the Hebrews that OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR’S him!
PUBLIC HUMILIATION AND DISHONOURABLE DEATH WAS MERELY THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIN AND DEATH for each
TEMPORARY and was THE ONLY MEANS OF REDEEMING US leads to the other – sin causes Death and the fear of
MORTAL MANKIND. Death leads to sin and consequently to Spiritual
Furtermore, St Paul explained, THE HUMAN NATURE OF OUR Bondage/Enslavement/Imprisonment.
LORD JESUS CHRIST, WITH ALL HIS SUFFERING AND DEATH RE- OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR SETS US FREE FROM THAT BONDAGE OF SIN AND
ESTABLISHED MANKIND’S DOMINION OVER ALL CREATION – DEATH.
INCLUDING THE HEAVENLY HOSTS - ACCORDING TO GOD’S ✶✶ “...in all things, He had to be made like His
DIVINE PLAN FOR US. Brethren...” – Our Lord suffered ceaseless temptations
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST VOLUNTARILY TOOK ON OUR WEAK HUMAN – just like us – for whatever is not assumed or
NATURE, WHICH COULD BE SAVED AND PERFECTED ONLY BY THE experienced by Him could not be Healed by Him.
SUFFERING OF DEATH. Furthermore, WHATEVER IS UNITED WITH GOD IS SAVED BY GOD.
Our Divine Saviour is THE PIONEERING CAPTAIN OF THE NARROW THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD IS LIKE US IN HIS HUMAN NATURE, BUT
PATH TO GOD IN HIS SUFFERING FOR OUR SINS, DEATH, WE DO NOT BECOME LIKE HIM IN HIS DIVINE NATURE.
DESCENT INTO HADES, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION. St Paul moved without transition, to explain to the
IN SALVATION WE TAKE ON CHRIST’S WAY OF SUFFERINGS FOR OUR Hebrews that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS NOT ONLY THE
OWN PERFECTION REQUIRES A GROWTH THAT IS MANIFESTED IN SACRIFICIAL LAMB FOR OUR SINS, BUT HE IS ALSO OUR DIVINE
SUFFERING. HIGH PRIEST – HE IS THE SACRIFICIAL OFFERING AS WELL AS
IN HIS INCARNATION, our Lord God did not come in THE OFFERER OF THE SACRIFICE.
Appearance only, HE TRULY ASSUMED FLESH AND BLOOD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS MERCIFUL ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHOM
FROM HIS ALL PURE VIRGIN MOTHER AND BECAME THE SAME AS HE SERVES AND FAITHFUL IN HIS DIVINE MINISTRY TO GOD.
US SO THAT HE COULD TRULY ENTER DEATH AND THEREBY GRANT
US ETERNAL SALVATION – LIFE EVERLASTING.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 2 : 13 – 23
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT – SLAUGHTER OF THE 14,000 INNOCENTS
When the Magi had departed, behold! an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: “Arise, take the
Child and His Mother, and flee to Egypt. And stay there until I bring Thee word. Herod will seek the Child – to
destroy Him.” Arising, he took the Child and His Mother by night, and departed for Egypt, and remained there until
the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the Prophet, saying: “Out of
Egypt I Called My Son.”
Then Herod - when he saw that he was deceived by the Magi - was exceedingly angry. And he sent forth and put to
death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all its districts - from two years old and under, according to the
time that he had determined from the Magi.
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet, saying: “... A voice was heard in Ramah, of lamentation,
weeping and much mourning - Rachel weeping for her Children, and refusing to be comforted, for they are no
more.”
After Herod had died, behold! an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying: “Arise! Take the
Child, and His Mother, and go to the Land of Israel. Those are dead who sought the Child’s Life.”
He arose, took the Child and His Mother, and entered the Land of Israel. Hearing that Archelaus was reigning over
Judea, instead of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he turned aside into the
region of Galilee, and they went to dwell in a city called ‘Nazareth,’ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
the Prophets: “...He shall be called a ‘Nazarene.’”
WHILE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS PRESENT IN HIS INCARNATION On their way into captivity, they passed Ramah, which
ON EARTH, HE WAS WATCHED OVER BY THE ANGELIC HOSTS OF was nearby Bethlehem, where Rachel, the wife of St
ALMIGHTY GOD (until He entered Hades.) Jacob, the ancient Patriarch, had been buried.
So, obviously, when they heard the secret plotting of IN HIS PROPHECY, ST JEREMIAH BEHELD RACHEL WEEPING BITTERLY
Herod for the murder of all male infants of Bethlehem IN HER GRAVE - OVERWHELMED BY HER COMPASSION AND
and the surrounding region, who were two years of SORROW FOR HER DESCENDENTS WHO WERE BEING EXILED.
age or younger, ONE OF THE HOLY ANGELS OF GOD WHO ONCE AGAIN, DURING THE BRUTAL EXECUTION OF THE 14,000 HOLY
KEPT WATCH OVER THE HOLY FAMILY, WARNED ST JOSEPH THE INNOCENTS OF BETHLEHEM, ST RACHEL WEPT WITH INTENSE
BETROTHED – THE LEGAL GUARDIAN, PROTECTOR AND SORROW FOR ALL HER BELOVED CHILDREN thereby showing
STEPFATHER OF OUR LADY THEOTOKOS AND CHRIST - OF THE that ALL THE RIGHTEOUS SOULS, SAINTS AND HOLY MARTYRS
IMPENDING DISASTER. REPOSING IN PARADISE ARE CLEARLY AWARE AND HAVE
Being Wise, Righteous, Humble and Obedient to God, ST COMPASSION FOR THOSE STILL STRUGGLING IN THIS EXISTENCE.
JOSEPH THE BETROTHED IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED TO THE ✶ THE 14,000 HOLY INNOCENTS OF BETHLEHEM ARE CERTAINLY
ANGELIC INSTRUCTIONS. SANCTIFIED, BLESSED MEMBERS OF OUR VENERATED HOLY
EGYPT IS WHERE THE NATION OF ISRAEL ONCE TOOK REFUGE, AND MARTYRS, FOR THEY, TOO, PERISHED FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST
AS ST JOSEPH THE ANCIENT PATRIARCH of the Old Covenant OUR SAVIOUR.
HAD ONCE SAVED GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE by leading them  Just as St Rachel was told that her children would
to Egypt in difficult times, SO NOW, TOO, ST JOSEPH THE return from exile in Babylon, SO TOO, WOULD OUR
BETROTHED SOUGHT REFUGE IN EGYPT during the LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS HOLY FAMILY RETURN FROM
persecution of Herod and the terrible slaughter of the EXILE IN EGYPT. (JEREMIAH 38:16-17)
14,000 Holy Innocents, THEREBY SAVING OUR SAVIOUR AND ✶✶ According to historical records, Herod the Great died
FOUNDER OF THE NEW COVENANT ISRAEL. in 4 BC.
THE GIFT OF GOLD THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE NEW BORN “KING ✶✶THE DATE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S BIRTH ON WHICH OUR
OF THE AGES” BY THE THREE MAGI who had travelled from CURRENT “YEAR OF THE LORD” OR “ANNO DOMINI”(AD)
afar, following the unique Bright Star that had CALENDAR IS BASED, IS THUS OFF BY 4 OR 5 YEARS. (We should
suddenly appeared from nowhere in the Heavens, thus add 4 or 5 years to the current year – i.e. instead
PAID FOR THE HOLY FAMILY’S JOURNEY AND EXPENSES UNTIL of 2016 – 2020/2021.)
THEIR SAFE RETURN. Augustus Caesar had banished Archelaus due to his
 “Out of Israel I Called My Son...” refers initially to the unbridled cruelty in 6 AD.
Old Covenant Nation of Israel being led out of THAT CRUELTY WAS DIVINELY REVEALED TO ST JOSEPH THE
captivity in Egypt. (HOSEA 11:1) BETROTHED, SO THAT HE THEN DETOURED TO NAZARETH,
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE TERM “SON,” REFERRED TO THE WHOLE INSTEAD OF RETURNING TO BETHLEHEM.
NATION OF ISRAEL, whereas ACCORDING TO OUR NEW Nazareth fell under the rule of another more lenient son
COVENANT, OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST FULFILS of Herod the Great, named “Herod Antipas.”
THAT “CALLING” AS THE TRUE, ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON  The source of the Prophecy concerning our Lord Jesus
OF GOD THE FATHER COMING OUT OF EGYPT. Christ being “... called a ‘Nazarene,’” is unknown
 THE HORRIFIC CRUELTY OF HEROD WAS PREFIGURED BY but has been taken as a reference to the Rod
PHARAOH, who – in an attempt to destroy the power (Neser) that is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah,
of Israel – ordered all their new born sons to be and to the Nazirite (Nazir) mentioned in the Book
murdered. (EXODUS 1: 16 – 22) of Judges (ISAIAH 11:1 & JUDGES 13:5)
 The Old Testament Book of Jeremiah recorded how  St Matthew might also have been referring to various
THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM WERE LED AWAY INTO EXILE. passages in which THE MESSIAH WAS DESPISED, SINCE
(JEREMIAH 38:15) NAZARETH DID NOT HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION, according
to the words of St Bartholomew/Nathaniel. (JOHN 1 :
46)

SYNAXIS OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS – 2 N D

DAY OF THE NATIVITY-26 DECEMBER 2018 33
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

27 December 2018
St Stephen, Archdeacon & Protomartyr
THIRD DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD

Also the Feast of St Theodore Graptos (the Scribe) (& “the Branded) Confessor – St Theodore of
Constantinople - The Wonder-working, All Merciful Kykko Icon of the Ever Blessed Virgin
Theotokos

FESTAL ISODIKON –PSALM 109/110 - NATIVITY - TONE 2

Ek Gastros pro eosforou Egennisa Se. Omose Kyrios ke ou Out of the Womb, before the Morning Star have I
metamelithisete. Si Ierefs is ton eona, kata tin taxin Begotten Thee: the Lord has sworn and will not
Melihisedek. repent: Thou art a Priest forever, after the Order of
Melchezedek.
Soson imas, Ie Theou, O EK PARTHENOU TEHTHIS, Save us, O Son of God, B O R N O F T H E V I R G I N , who
psallontas Si Allilouia! sing to Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD – TONE 4
I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, anetile to kosmo to Fos to Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the Light of
tis Gnoseos. En afti gar it is Astris latrevontes, ipo Asteres Knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the
edidaskonto, Se Proskinin, ton Ilion tis Dikeosinis, ke Se worshippers of the stars were by a Star instructed to
ginoskin ex Ipsous anatolin. ✞Kyrie, Doxa Si. worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to
know Thee as Orient from on High. ✞O Lord, Glory
to Thee!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST STEPHEN PROTOMARTYR – TONE 4
Vasilion Diadima, estefthi Si korifi, ex athlon on iperminas, O Stephen, a Crown of Royalty was laid upon Thy head
iper Hristou tou Theou, Martyron protoathle. Si gar tin for contests Thou courageously endured for Christ our
Ioudeon, apelegxas manian, ides Sou ton Sotira, tou God, as First among Martyred Saints. Thou stood in
Patros dexiothen. Afton oun ekdisopi ai, iper ton psihon accusation of the raging Judeans; and Thou beheld our
imon. Saviour at the Right Hand of the Father. We pray that
Thou will ever Entreat Him to Save our soul.
PATRONAL FESTAL HYMN

SEASONAL KONTAKION - NATIVITY OF CHRIST – TONE 3
I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i Gi to Spyleon to Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all
aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon Doxologousi, Magi being, and the Earth offers a Cave to Him Whom no
de meta Asteros odiporousi, di’ imas gar Egenniti, Pedion man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give
Neon, O Pro Eonon Theos. Glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is
Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
TRISAGION HYMN➜
FESTAL PROKEIMENON –NATIVITY – PSALM 18/19 – TONE 4
Into all the Earth His Proclamation went forth and His Words to the ends of the world.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God! The Firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 6 : 8 – 7 : 5 & 47 – 60
In those days, Stephen, full of Faith and Power, did great Wonders and Signs among the people. Then there arose
some from what is called “the Synagogue of the Freedmen” (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and
Asia), disputing with Stephen. But they were not able to resist the Wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke. So they
secretly induced men to say: “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they
stirred up the people, the Elders, and the Scribes; and they went to him, seized him and took him to the Council.
They also set up false witnesses who said: “This man does not cease speaking blasphemous words against this Holy
Place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the
customs, which Moses delivered to us.” And all who sat in the Council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the
face of an Angel. Then the High Priest said: “Are these things so?”
And Stephen said: “Brethren and Fathers, listen: the God of Glory appeared to our Father Abraham when he was in
Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him: ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and go to
a land that I will show you.’ Then he went out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. From there, when
his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. And God gave him no Inheritance in it, not
even enough to set his foot on...
“...Solomon built God a House. However, the Most High does not dwell in Temples made by hands, as the Prophet says:
‘Heaven is My Throne and earth is My Footstool. What House will you build for Me? says the Lord, Or what is the
Place of My Rest? Has My Hand not made all these things?’
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so do you.
Which of the Prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the Coming of the Just
One, of Whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the Law by the Direction of
Angels, and have not kept it.”

34. 3RD DAY OF THE NATIVITY– ST STEPHEN, ARCHDEACON & PROTOMARTYR- 27 DECEMBER 2018
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of
the Holy Spirit, gazed into Heaven and saw the Glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right Hand of God, and said:
“Behold! I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right Hand of God!”
Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran to him with one accord; and they cast him out of the
city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
And they stoned Stephen as he called on God, saying: “O Lord Jesus: receive my soul!” Then he knelt down and cried
out with a loud voice: “O Lord, do not charge them with this sin!” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
 “Freedmen” were HEBREWS WHO HAD BEEN FORMERLY HELD  J O H N 2 : 1 9 - “Destroy this Temple, and in Three
CAPTIVE UNDER THE ROMAN AUTHORITIES, often due to Days I will Raise It up!” thereby referring to His
their rebellion against their oppressors. own Incarnate Body.
Although they could not argue against the Divinely  L U K E 2 1 : 6 & 2 0 - “These things that you see – the
Inspired Wisdom and Knowledge of St Stephen, THEY days will come in which not one stone shall be
PLOTTED AGAINST HIM FOR BEING A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF JESUS left upon another, that shall not be thrown down!
CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. ... when you see Jerusalem surrounded by
 In order to hide from the Light of Truth, whereby they armies, then know that its desolation is near!” -
would have no justifiable cause, THEY USED OTHERS which was OUR LORD’S DIVINE PROPHECY OF THE TOTAL
TO ACCUSE ST STEPHEN OF “BLASPHEMY” against Moses – DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AND THE CITY OF JERUSALEM,
the Old Covenant Laws – and God. WHICH WAS FULFILLED IN THE YEAR 70 when the Romans
These charges were brought against St Stephen because, acted against the rebellion of the Hebrews.
IN CHRIST, THE OLD COVENANT LITURGY AND LAW WERE  THOSE WHO BECAME ONE WITH CHRIST SHINE WITH A DIVINE
FULFILLED, AND, ACCORDING TO GOD’S NEW COVENANT, THEY RADIANCE that was clearly evident to those who
WERE CHANGED AND TRANSFORMED. (HEBREWS 7:12) saw that St Stephen’s face, which looked like “...the
To those who did not believe in Christ nor accept the New face of an Angel!”
Covenant of God, those changes and Transformation This is A PREVIEW OF THE BLISSFUL GLORY that all Faithful
were regarded as being blasphemous. Disciples of Christ will share in the Age to come.
THE CHARGE THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WOULD DESTROY THE (2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 & EXODUS 34:29-35)
TEMPLE HAD BEEN LEVELLED AGAINST HIM AT HIS UNJUST,  ST STEPHEN did not answer the High Priest directly, but
UNLAWFUL TRIAL BY FALSE WITNESSES who had been USED THE CHARGES AS THE CONTEXT FOR HIS PREACHING OF
instigated and paid by the Spiritually Blind leaders of THE DIVINE TRUTH OF CHRIST
the Judeans. (MATTHEW 26 :61) As with St Peter’s Sermon on the Day of Pentecost, ST
 THEY USED THE MISINTERPRETATIONS OF TWO QUOTATIONS OF STEPHEN PREACHED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BASED ON THE
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST in order to falsely accuse OLD COVENANT SCRIPTURE, showing how THE JUDEANS
Him: CONSISTENTLY MISSED THE DIVINE PURPOSE of God’s
dealings with them, DUE TO THEIR HARD HEARTEDNESS AND
SPIRITUAL STUBBORNNESS AND BLINDNESS.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 21: 33 – 42
DISRESPECT & MISTREATMENT OF GOD’S MESSENGERS
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke this Parable: “There was a certain Man Who planted a Vineyard and set a
Hedge around it, dug a Winepress in it, and built a Tower. And He leased it to Vinedressers, and went into a far
country. When harvest time drew near, He sent His servants to the Vinedressers, that they might receive the Fruit.
And the Vinedressers took His Servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.
“Again He sent other Servants - more than the first - and they did likewise to them. Then, last of all, He sent His Son
to them, saying: ‘They will respect My Son.”
“When the Vinedressers beheld the Son, they said among themselves: ‘This is the Heir. Come, let us kill Him, and
seize His Inheritance!’ “And they took Him, and cast Him out of the Vineyard, and killed Him.
“Therefore, when the Owner of the Vineyard comes, what will He do to those Vinedressers?”
(The Priests and the Elders) said to Him: “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease His Vineyard to other
Vinedressers who will render unto Him the Fruits in their seasons.”
Jesus said to them: “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “...the Stone that the Builders rejected has become the
Chief Cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is Marvellous in our eyes!’”
 The “Man” signifies OUR LORD GOD THE FATHER. WITH GOD, WHO ACCEPTED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS
 The “Vineyard” signifies THE PEOPLE OF GOD. OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR, AND HIS TEACHINGS AND
 The “Vinedressers” signify THE LEADERS OF ISRAEL (the COMMANDMENTS AS DIVINE TRUTH, which they would
Chosen People of God of the Old Covenant) who Labour and Struggle to fulfil and obey.
were ENTRUSTED TO GUIDE, TO CARE AND TO PREPARE  “The Stone” that was rejected is s the essential
GOD’S PEOPLE FOR THE COMING OF OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR. “Cornerstone”, Who is OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO
 The “Servants” signify THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD who FOUNDED AND ESTABLISHED HIS HOLY CHURCH OF THE NEW
were SENT TO CORRECT THE ERRORS OF THE PEOPLE AND COVENANT ON EARTH.
TO GUIDE THEM BACK TO THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ✶ Our Lord added the following warning to the self-
ACCORDING TO DIVINE WILL. Most of them were killed righteous Priests, Elders and Scribes who were
by those who refused to Obey the Will of God and plotting and scheming against Him: “... Whoever
those who rejected Him. falls on that Stone will be broken; but on
 “The Son” is, of course, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Who is the whomever It falls, it will grind him to powder!”
Eternal Only Begotten Son of God the Father, and According to St John Chrysostom, this quotation
the Second Person of the Holy Trinity – of the One illustrated the TWO WAYS OF DESTRUCTION:
Godhead. a. Those who stumble and fall on the Stone, are
When the Wicked Vinedressers cast the Son out of His those who SUFFER THE EFFECTS OF THEIR SINS WHILE
Vineyard and killed Him, this is understood on two STILL LIVING this short preparatory life (but who,
levels: through Repentance-Confession, can still be
a. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS TO BE EXECUTED BY Saved.)
CRUCIFIXION OUTSIDE THE CITY GATES OF JERUSALEM. b. Those on whom the Stone falls are THOSE WHO
b. THE EXECUTORS OF CHRIST WERE FOREIGN SOLDIERS OF THE REMAIN UNREPENTANT and who will become
OPPRESSIVE, OCCUPYING ROMAN EMPIRE who were ‘powder’ in the Final Judgement – i.e. THEY WILL
not members of His own Vineyard – not of His SUFFER THE MOST DIRE OF CONSEQUENCES – ETERNAL
Chosen People. DEATH AND EXILE INTO OUTER DARKNESS!
 The Son’s “Inheritance” signifies ALL HIS FAITHFUL ✶ THE HEBREW PRIESTS AND ELDERS WHO CHALLENGED THE DIVINE
DISCIPLES THROUGHOUT TIME, AND HIS HEAVENLY AUTHORITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, CONVICTED
KINGDOM, of which we will be Co-Heirs as God’s THEMSELVES BY USING THEIR OWN PRINCIPLES WHEN THEY
Adopted Children. ANSWERED HIS QUESTION AT THE END OF HIS PARABLE OF
 “Other Vinedressers” signify those GENTILES OR NON- THE WICKED VINEDRESSERS
HEBREWS – THE “NEW ISRAEL” OF THE NEW COVENANT

3RD DAY OF THE NATIVITY– ST STEPHEN, ARCHDEACON & PROTOMARTYR- 27 DECEMBER 2018 35.
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone (5 ) Plagal 1 31 December 2018

30th Sunday After Pentecost – Sunday After the Nativity
THE APODOSIS OF THE NATIVITY – SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY
The Feast of THE HOLY RIGHTEOUS ST DAVID THE KING & PSALMIST, ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED & ST
JAMES THE JUST, First Bishop of Jerusalem, eldest son of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late
wife Salome, Brother of our Lord – St Melanie the Younger of Rome – St Kyriakos the Great
Ascetic of Bisericani, Romania – St Kyriakos of Tazlau, Romania – St Theophylaktos of
Ochrid – St Sabiana, Abbess of Samtskhe Monastery – St Dositheos, Bishop & Confessor of
Serbia

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 9 - JOHN 20 : 19 – 31

OUR RISEN LORD BESTOWS HIS AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS UPON HIS APOSTLES

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION – TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

Angelike Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes The Angelic Powers were in Thy Tomb, 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 ip seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led captive Hades,
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. O Lord,
Who Rose again from the dead, Glory to Thee!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD – TONE 4
I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, anetile to kosmo to Fos to Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the Light of
tis gnoseos. En afti gar it is astris latrevontes, ipo asters Knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the
edidaskonto, Se prokinin, ton Ilion tis dikeosinis, ke Se worshippers of the stars were by a Star instructed to
ginoskin ex ipsous anatolin. ✞Kyrie, Doxa Si. worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to
know Thee as Orient from on High. ✞O Lord, Glory
to Thee!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – THE HOLY ANCESTORS - TONE 2
Evangelizou Iosif, to David ta Thavmata to Theopatori. Annunciate, O Joseph, to David the Ancestors, the
Parthenon ides kioforisasan, meta Magon prosekinisas, Miracles - Thou beheld the Virgin pregnant, Thou
meta Pimenon edoxologisas, di’ Angelou hrimatisthis. Glorified with the Shepherds, Thou worshipped with
Iketeve Hriston ton Theon, Sothine tas psihas imon. the Magi, and Thou were warned by an Angel! Entreat
Christ our God to Save our soul.
PARISH PATRONAL HYMN

SEASONAL KONTAKION - NATIVITY OF CHRIST – TONE 3
I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i Gi to Spyleon to Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all
aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon Doxologousi, Magi being, and the Earth offers a Cave to Him Whom no
de meta Asteros odiporousi, di’ imas gar Egenniti, Pedion man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give
Neon, O Pro Eonon Theos. Glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is
Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
RETURN TO THE SERVICE BOOK

FESTAL PROKEIMENON –PSALM 67/68 – TONE 4
Wondrous is God in His Saints.
In the Congregation Bless God, the Lord of the Fountains of Israel
EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 1 : 11 – 19
THE CALLING & CONVERSION OF ST PAUL BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Brethren: I certify that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not according to mankind. For I neither received it
from man, nor was I taught it, but It came to me through the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
You have heard of my former conduct in Judaism – how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure, and tried to
destroy Her. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own Nation, being more
exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my Fathers.
When it pleased God, Who separated me from my mother’s womb, and Called me through His Grace, to reveal His Son
in me, so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I
go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
After three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him for fifteen days. The other Apostles I did
not see, except James, the Brother of our Lord.
APOSTOLIC TRADITION IS GROUNDED IN DIVINE REVELATION FROM  Just as the Twelve STOOD TOGETHER AS ONE, so St Paul
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. entered their UNITY IN CONSENSUS AND MUTUAL
 Just as the Twelve Apostles were CALLED BY CHRIST, SUBMISSION.
so was St Paul. PEOPLE ARE CALLED BY GOD not according to their former
 Just as the Twelve RECEIVED THE HOLY GOSPEL conduct – whether good or bad - but BY DIVINE GRACE.
DIRECTLY FROM CHRIST, so did St Paul.

36. 31AP – SUNDAY AFTER NATIVITY OF CHRIST – BEFORE THEOPHANY –30 DECEMBER 2018
ST PAUL, WHOM GOD CALLED IN MERCY, RECEIVED DIVINE GRACE “James” refers to ST JAMES THE JUST, THE FIRST BISHOP OF
FROM ST ANANIAS’ HANDS AND THE BLESSED WATERS OF HOLY JERUSALEM AND AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE OF ST JAMES.
BAPTISM. THE TERM “BROTHER” IS ALSO A REFERENCE TO A COUSIN OR CLOSE
The words “... separated me from my mother’s womb...” MALE RELATIVE.
refer not to St Paul’s physical birth but to GOD’S DIVINE ST JAMES WAS THE ELDEST SON OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED AND
CALL TO APOSTOLIC MINISTRY BEFORE HE WAS BORN. HIS LATE WIFE, SALOME (a sister of St Anna, the mother of
As with St Paul, GOD’S INTENTIONS FOR PEOPLE MAY LIE HIDDEN the Blessed Virgin) and therefore a COUSIN TO
FOR MANY YEARS. THEOTOKOS AND OUR LORD.
As a True Apostle of Christ, ST PAUL SUBMITTED HIMSELF TO THE ST JAMES’ DEEP LOVE FOR AND DEVOTION TO OUR LORD JESUS
CHURCH AND HER HOLY APOSTLES RATHER THAN ELEVATING SINCE HIS BIRTH, ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE REASON FOR HIS
HIMSELF. HONOURABLE TITLE OF BEING OUR LORD’S BROTHER.
St Paul knew that his ENCOUNTER WITH OUR LORD JESUS According to some, he was the only one of St Joseph’s
CHRIST, HIS INSTRUCTION IN THE HOLY GOSPEL AND HIS CALL sons who was quite willing to share his inheritance
TO APOSTLESHIP WERE HIGHLY UNUSUAL. with Christ.
IN ALL PRIVATE REVELATIONS, THE ONLY OTHER WITNESS IS In accordance with Mosaic Law, adopted children were
ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF. supposed to have equal rights to inheritance, but
However, ST PAUL KNEW THAT HE HAD TO TEACH THE SAME HOLY often this proved problematic due to human greed or
GOSPEL AS THE OTHER APOSTLES OF CHRIST. other motivations
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 2 : 13 – 23
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT – SLAUGHTER OF THE 14,000 INNOCENTS
When the Magi had departed, behold! an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: “Arise, take the
Child and His Mother, and flee to Egypt. And stay there until I bring Thee word. Herod will seek the Child – to
destroy Him.”
Arising, he took the Child and His Mother by night, and departed for Egypt, and remained there until the death of
Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the Prophet, saying: “Out of Egypt I Called
My Son.”
Then Herod - when he saw that he was deceived by the Magi - was exceedingly angry. And he sent forth and put to
death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all its districts - from two years old and under, according to the
time that he had determined from the Magi. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet, saying:
“... A voice was heard in Ramah, of lamentation, weeping and much mourning - Rachel weeping for her
Children, and refusing to be comforted, for they are no more.”
After Herod had died, behold! an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying: “Arise! Take the
Child, and His Mother, and go to the Land of Israel. Those are dead who sought the Child’s Life.”
He arose, took the Child and His Mother, and entered the Land of Israel. Hearing that Archelaus was reigning over
Judea, instead of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he turned aside into the
region of Galilee, and they went to dwell in a city called ‘Nazareth,’ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
the Prophets: “...He shall be called a ‘Nazarene.’”
ALL THE TIME THAT OUR LORD WAS PRESENT IN HIS INCARNATION In his Prophecy, St Jeremiah beheld RACHEL WEEPING
ON EARTH, HE WAS WATCHED OVER BY THE ANGELIC HOSTS OF BITTERLY IN HER GRAVE - OVERWHELMED BY HER COMPASSION
ALMIGHTY GOD. AND SORROW FOR HER DESCENDENTS who were being
So, obviously, when they heard the secret plotting of exiled.
Herod for the murder of all male infants of Bethlehem Once again, DURING THE BRUTAL EXECUTION OF THE 14,000
and the surrounding region, who were two years of HOLY INNOCENTS OF BETHLEHEM, ST RACHEL WEPT WITH
age or younger, ONE OF THE HOLY ANGELS OF GOD WHO INTENSE SORROW FOR ALL HER BELOVED CHILDREN thereby
KEPT WATCH OVER THE HOLY FAMILY, WARNED ST JOSEPH THE showing that all the RIGHTEOUS SOULS, SAINTS AND HOLY
BETROTHED – the legal Guardian, Protector and MARTYRS REPOSING IN PARADISE ARE CLEARLY AWARE AND
Stepfather of our Lady Theotokos and Christ - of the HAVE COMPASSION FOR THOSE STILL STRUGGLING IN THIS
impending disaster, and HE, BEING WISE AND RIGHTEOUS, EXISTENCE.
IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED AND OBEYED. THE 14,000 HOLY INNOCENTS OF BETHLEHEM ARE CERTAINLY
 Egypt is where the Nation of Israel once took refuge, SANCTIFIED, BLESSED MEMBERS OF OUR VENERATED HOLY
and as St Joseph the ancient Patriarch of the Old MARTYRS, for they, too, perished for the sake of Christ
Covenant had once saved God’s Chosen People our Saviour.
by leading them to Egypt in difficult times, so now,  JEREMIAH 38:16-17 Just as St Rachel was told that
too, St Joseph the Betrothed sought refuge in Egypt HER CHILDREN WOULD RETURN FROM EXILE in Babylon, so
during the persecution of Herod and the terrible TOO, WOULD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS HOLY
slaughter of the 14,000 Holy Innocents, thereby FAMILY return from exile in Egypt.
saving our Saviour and Founder of the New According to historical records, HEROD THE GREAT DIED IN 4
Covenant Israel. BC.
 THE GIFT OF GOLD THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE NEW BORN THE DATE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S BIRTH on which our
“KING OF THE AGES” BY THE THREE MAGI who had current “Year of the Lord” or “Anno Domini”(AD)
travelled from afar, following the unique Bright calendar is based, IS THUS OFF BY 4 OR 5 YEARS. (We
Star that had suddenly appeared from nowhere in should thus add 4 or 5 years to the current year – i.e. instead
the Heavens, PAID FOR THE HOLY FAMILY’S JOURNEY AND of 2015 – 2019/2020.)
ACCOMMODATION UNTIL THEIR SAFE RETURN. AUGUSTUS CEASAR BANISHED ARCHELAUS due to his unbridled
 H O S E A 1 1 : 1 - “Out of Israel I Called My Son...” refers cruelty IN 6 AD.
initially to the Old Covenant Nation of Israel being THAT CRUELTY WAS DIVINELY REVEALED TO ST JOSEPH THE
led out of captivity in Egypt. BETROTHED, SO THAT HE THEN DETOURED TO NAZARETH,
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE TERM “SON,” REFERRED TO THE WHOLE instead of returning to Bethlehem.
NATION OF ISRAEL, WHEREAS ACCORDING TO OUR NEW NAZARETH FELL UNDER THE RULE OF ANOTHER MORE LENIENT SON
COVENANT, OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST FULFILLS OF HEROD THE GREAT, NAMED “HEROD ANTIPAS.”
THAT “CALLING” AS THE TRUE, ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON  I S A I A H 1 1 : 1 & J U D G E S 1 3 : 5 - The source of the
OF GOD THE FATHER COMING OUT OF EGYPT. Prophecy concerning our Lord Jesus Christ being
 E X O D U S 1 : 1 6 – 2 2 - THE HORRIFIC CRUELTY OF HEROD WAS “... called a ‘Nazarene,’” is unknown but has been
PREFIGURED BY PHARAOh, who – in an attempt to taken as a reference to the Rod (Neser) that is
destroy the power of Israel – ordered all their new mentioned in the Book of Isaiah, and to the
born sons to be murdered. Nazirite (Nazir) mentioned in the Book of Judges. (
 J E R E M I A H 3 8 : 1 5 - The Old Testament Book of  JOHN 1 : 46 St Matthew might also have been
Jeremiah recorded how the people of Jerusalem referring to various passages in which THE MESSIAH
were led away into exile. WAS DESPISED, SINCE NAZARETH DID NOT HAVE A GOOD
ON THEIR WAY INTO CAPTIVITY, THEY PASSED RAMAH, WHICH WAS REPUTATION, according to the words of St
NEARBY BETHLEHEM, WHERE RACHEL, THE WIFE OF ST JACOB, Bartholomew Nathaniel.
THE ANCIENT PATRIARCH, HAD BEEN BURIED.

. 31AP – SUNDAY AFTER NATIVITY OF CHRIST – BEFORE THEOPHANY –30 DECEMBER 2018 37.
 31ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – AFTER THE
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved, today is the Sunday After the Nativity of
our Lord God and Divine Saviour, Jesus Christ, so we
Commemorate His Holy Righteous Relatives – St David
the King, Psalmist and Holy Prophet of God, St James
‘the Brother of our Lord,’ and his Venerable Father, St
Joseph the Betrothed who was the Divine Chosen
Guardian of our Lady Theotokos and Her Divine Son.
This is the only Commemoration of St Joseph the
Betrothed for although he played a most significant
and Sacred Role in our Lord God’s earthly Mission,
much of his Life is shrouded by silence.
However, there are many things that our Holy Tradition
reveals concerning this Most Honourable Holy
Guardian, Protector and Nurturer of our Lord Jesus
Christ and His Ever Blessed, All Pure and Ever Virgin
Mother, St Mary the Theotokos.
One of our Nativity Hymns exclaims: “O Joseph, tell Thou
the Glad Tidings to David, the Ancestor of God! For
having beheld a Virgin giving Birth, with the
Shepherds Thou didst Glorify! with the Magi Thou
didst Worship! and by an Angel Thou wast
Instructed! Wherefore Entreat Christ our God to Save
our soul!”
At the time of his Betrothal to his young niece, the All Pure
and Ever Virgin Mary, St Joseph the Betrothed was at
least 80 years of age.
According to St Epiphanios, out of all the men of their
Royal Tribe of Judah, God chose St Joseph to be the
Holy Virgin’s Guardian and Protector of Her Vow of
Chastity, due to his Righteous Honesty, Humility,
Obedience and Faithfulness.
Their Betrothal, according to Mosaic Law, was arranged
by the Priests and Elders of the Temple who were all
very much aware of the Holy Virgin’s Sacred Vow of
Chastity.
The Israelites had a strictly Patriarchal way of life and
all households were ruled by the Father of the family.
Consequently, small children and females who were
fatherless or widowed - who had no male relative to
protect them - were treated abominably and usually
cast out into the street to fend for themselves, being
victimised by the unmerciful, cruel and unscrupulous.
Furthermore, an unmarried mother could be stoned to
death for being “immoral,” no matter what the
circumstances!
St Jerome (4th Century) explained the three-fold Purpose
of St Joseph’s Betrothal to the Ever Virgin Mary:
 Quiet obscurity was assured for our Lord Jesus Christ
until the appointed time of His Public Ministry
 It prevented any slander or accusations against the
All Holy Theotokos.
 It provided a highly respected, trustworthy male
relative as Guardian who would definitely protect
Her Sacred Vow of Chastity and provide a safe-
haven for Mother and Child.
St Joseph was the aged widowed uncle of our Lady. He
had been married to Salome, a sister of St Anna, and
they had had seven children – St James, St Jude, St
Simon, St Joses, St Salome, St Esther and St Lydia.
The eldest son was St James “Adelphotheos,” who is also
Commemorated today.
According to “The Life of the Virgin Mary.” “... God
Ordained the family (like that of St Joseph and
Salome) as a vital aspect of mankind’s society.”
And what a Great Reward and Highest Honour for St
Joseph the Betrothed and all his children!
 His son, Jude, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Christ.
 St James Adelphotheos, also know as “St James the
Just” became the First Bishop of Jerusalem.,
 His daughter, Salome, was the mother of two Holy
Apostles, nick-named ‘sons of thunder,’ St James
and St John the Beloved, Theologian and
Evangelist – and was one of the eight Holy Myrrh-
bearers and witnesses to Christ’s Resurrection and
Ascension,
Furthermore, St Cleopas was a brother of St Joseph the
Betrothed, and was one of our Lord’s Seventy Holy
Apostles.
38. 31AP – SUNDAY AFTER NATIVITY OF CHRIST – BEFORE THEOPHANY –30 DECEMBER 2018
NATIVITY OF CHRIST – BEFORE THEOPHANY
In all things, St Joseph the Betrothed provides us with an
exemplary image of Humility, Obedience,
Righteousness, Faithfulness, Goodness, Kindness,
generosity, Compassion and Love.
He undertook his Sacred Duties wholeheartedly, for he
unfailingly nurtured, protected, guided, taught and
assisted our Lord Jesus Christ and His All Pure Mother
in a manner that was so unique and loving that it
behoves us to honour him with never silent Hymns
and to call upon him with fervent heart, to Intercede
on our behalf with our Lord God Who no doubt
honours him who cared for and Loved Him so much
and without any hesitation nor doubt at all!
The elderly St Joseph the Betrothed, with hands callused
by his lifelong labours as a respected carpenter,
possessed a most refined and tender spirit, elevated
by his erudite knowledge of Holy Scripture, and
although he had nothing to do with the Divine
Conception and Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
he was worthily regarded by the Judeans as the
adoring Father of our Lord.
He humbly, obediently and joyfully fulfilled all the duties
required of him as a Protector and Guardian of the All
Pure, Ever Virgin Mary and Her Virgin Companions,
.and, later, as an adoring father to Her Divine Child
 He named the Infant Christ “Jesus,” as he had been
instructed.
 On the 8th Day After His Nativity, St Joseph took our
Lord Jesus and His Mother to the Priests to be
circumcised according to the requirements of
Mosaic Law.
 Again, after 40 days, he took the Young Ever Virgin
and Her Divine Infant to the Temple in Jerusalem,
to Dedicate Him to Divine Serve and to make their
humble offerings.
 Having been warned by the Angel of God of the
impending Slaughter of the Holy Innocents St
Joseph immediately left everything and fled to the
safety of Egypt with the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary
and her very young Son, accompanied by his
eldest son, St James.
 When an Angel of God appeared to St Joseph telling
him that Herod had died, the Holy Family returned
to Israel but settled in Nazareth according to
Angelic advice.
 Continuing to labour as a carpenter, St Joseph taught
our Lord Jesus everything he knew about their
work.
According to several sources, St Joseph the Betrothed
lived for many years, all the while continuing his
labours until his Repose at the age of 110, shortly
before our Lord Jesus Christ began His Public Minstry.
Before St Joseph took his final breath, he said to our Lord:
“Hail, my Well-Beloved Son! Indeed, the agony and
fear of Death has encompassed me, but as soon as I
heard Thy Voice, my soul is at rest. O Jesus of
Nazareth! O Jesus, my Saviour! O Jesus, the Deliverer
of my soul! O Jesus, my Protector! O Jesus! O Sweetest
Name in my mouth, ad in the mouths of all who Love
Thee!”
As we celebrate the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ, let us reflect on how, due to His
Love of mankind, our Lord descended from Heaven,
become impoverished so that we might become
Enriched!
He Emptied Himself, in order to take on the form of a
Servant.
Because He Loves us – all mankind – so much, He
Reconciled and Healed our human nature so that we
might Partake of those Things of which “... eye hath
never seen, nor hath ever entered into the heart of
mankind!”
The Nativity of Christ is a Great Feast of the Love of God,
for God so Loved the world, that He gave – as the
Greatest Divine Gift of all! – His Only Begotten Son...
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the True Answer to all our needs!
He is the Solution to all our problems! He is the Life in
our death! He is the Joy in our times of sorrow! He is
the Strength in our weakness!
Due to His infinite Love for us, He vested Himself with our
human flesh to see that which was lost.
Without our Lord Jesus Christ, we are lost! Our life is
death! And our love remains enclosed within our own
small, insignificant world!
What is it that we are doing or can possibly do to repay
that infinite Debt of Love?
Love can only be repaid by Love. So let us Love – not in
word but in deed – by Enthroning our Lord Jesus
Christ on our heart and soul.
Let us Love one another – not in word but in deed –
through a Spirit of Kindness and Gentleness, setting
aside the Darkness of hatred, bitterness and sin, and
rather choosing to follow the Path of Christ our Lord.
DO WE HAVE TO GET ALONG WITH EVERYONE?
Some people say, and believe that it is right for us all to
“...get along with everyone...” - meaning that our
behaviour should not cause other people to dislike us
and that we should be ‘friends’ with everybody.
But do Christians who wish to have Christ in their life
really have this as their Aim?
Saint Paul advises us: “...If it is possible, so far as it
depends on you, live peaceably with all...” hinting
that it is not actually possible to have peaceful
relations with everyone, even though that is what we
would prefer. (ROMANS 12:18)
Saint Paul also urged us to “...agree with one another,
live in Peace, and the God of Love and Peace will be
with you.” (2 CORINTHIANS 13:11)
Furthermore he encouraged us “... to have Peace among
themselves...” (1 THESSALONIANS 5:13)
Peace is certainly an important element that should exist
among people who have ‘...the same spirit...’, the
same outlook, the same Faith, the same view of life.
But it is not the case with all those who live in close
contact with others. There will inevitably be
disagreements, different points of view, which, in the
end, cause us not to be “...of the same spirit.”
The effort of trying to agree with everyone, so that we ‘get
along with them’, demonstrates a hypocritical
disposition, which is not according to the Sacred Spirit
our Lord Jesus Christ’s Teachings and Holy Gospel.
This is due to the fact that it is one thing to be peaceful
and another to simply agree with everybody in order
to please them or for some type of personal desire.
Our Lord Jesus Christ made it quite clear that He had not
come to bring ‘enforced peace’ to the Earth, but
discord, meaning the divisions that His Teaching
would bring, since not everyone would accept them!
(MATTHEW 10:34)
It is obvious that society is neither based on the Holy
Gospels nor Life in Christ - nor is it true that all those
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS
ELDER GAVRIIL TSAFOS
“In the first years of being a Spiritual Guide, I used to tell
people: ‘Lean on Christ!’ Now I tell them: ‘Cleave to
Him!’”
ST DIADOCHOS OF PHOTICE
When our soul is churned up by anger, befuddled by
drink or bothered by terrible sorrow, our intellect
cannot retain the Remembrance of Christ, even if we
try to force it to do so. Because, darkened by the
cruelty of the passions, we lose our Spiritual Sensitivity.
But if our soul is free of these passions, even if we
forget the Name we desire for a short time, our
intellect immediately recovers its vigour and takes a
strong hold on our much-desired and Redemptive
Prey.
ELDER LEON
Temptations are not stronger than God’s Gifts! With the
Power of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Divine
Saviour Who grants us Strength, we can do anything!
But if our Faith is weak or lacking, a speck of dust will
seem like a mountain to us!
ELDER EPHRAIM OF KATOUNAKIA
How very, very Sweet is our Lord Jesus Christ! He is full of
Love, full of Peace, full of Serenity, full of Rejoicing, full
of Elation1 How very, very sweet is our Lord Jesus
Christ!
31AP – SUNDAY AFTER NATIVITY OF CHRIST – BEFORE THEOPHANY –30 DECEMBER 2018
Let us Love one another by having sincere Mercy and
Compassion for each other so that our Lord God might
find us worthy of His Divine Love.
Let us Love one another so that with one hear and one
mouth we may Confess our Lord God – the Father,
and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, both now and unto
the Ages of Ages.
Amen.
https://sttikhonsmonastery.org/files/Homily-on-Joseph-
Sunday-After-Nativity.pdf
who were Baptised as infants are raised in the Spirit of
the Teachings of Christ and His Holy Church.
This is due to our free will whereby each of us has the
freedom to choose our own course.
Consequently, there are people with whom we are “...at
Peace...” - being of the same mind and the same
Faith - and others with whom we disagree - without
being unfaithful to our Christian Faith and Spirit - by
disliking or disapproving of them.
It is one thing to try to keep the Peace, even if we
disagree, and another to want to get along with
everybody so that they have a good opinion of us or
to satisfy or please them no matter what the
circumstances!
Certainly, such a self-serving attitude is an expression of
vanity, which, according to our Holy Fathers, is a
Spiritual Sickness that usually results in upsets and
tensions instead of Peace.
There is an extrovert attitude and sociability involved that
does not have a Spiritual Base because it is
hypocritical flattery that gratifies egos.
We must realise that if we want to indulge everyone else
in order to gain something in return, we will not
benefit anyone concerned!
Most of us are fairly perceptive so we realise how shallow
and selfish attempts are when trying to please others.
Therefore, as soon as we recognize this temptation as
merely due to our own conceit or self-serving desires -
painful as it may be – we must immediately Repent,
and subsequently avoid falling into that dangerous
trap again, for sincerity, truthfulness and honesty
calms and gladdens us – giving us confidence in
each other - for we become trustworthy people who
are unafraid to Live in Christ no matter what the
circumstances.
FATHER ANDREAS AGATHOKLEOUS
HTTP://PEMPTOUSIA.COM/2018
ST THEOPHAN THE RECLUSE
When we pray in the morning as we should, our whole
day is Blessed. We must never be downcast over
efforts that seem fruitless. We must remember how we
learnt to read and write – and all the other skills we
acquired. The same is true of our Spiritual
Development. For the moment, it seems to be difficult
to defeat our bad thoughts but it does become easier
over time and with Spiritual Experience.
ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS
We have weaknesses, passions and faults deeply rooted
within us, many of which are also inherited. These
cannot be cut off by any spasmodic effort, nor by
worrying or stressing about them, but only by
Patience and Persistence, by Endurance, by
Watchfulness and Care. Excessive sorrow conceals
pride. That is why it is harmful and dangerous. It is
often exacerbated by the devil to throw us off course.
ELDER SOPHRONY OF ESSEX
Many people speak about “Glorification” in the abstract.
What is important is that we should keep our Lord
Jesus Christ’s Commandments and Teachings, and in
this Way we will arrive at Deification and the Light.
We are no longer susceptible to the passions after we
acquire Theosis of our soul and body!
39