2012 December Sacred Lessons

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glo ry, 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 Glo ri ous Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Vi rgin, to gether with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
26th Sunday After Pentecost Tone 1
2 December 2012
14th Sunday of St Luke The Blind Man of Jericho

Also the Feast of St Havvakoum (Habakkuk) the Holy Prophet of God St Theophilos St Myrope of Ephesos & Chios St Athanasios the Resurrected, Recluse, Kiev Near Caves Monastery St John, St Heraclemon, St Andrew & St Theophilos of Egypt St Jesse of Tsilkan, Georgia St Stephen Urosh, King of Serbia St Joannikios of Devic
Resurrection Apolytikion TONE 1
Tou
lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon ke stratioton filassonton to ahranton Sou Soma, Anestis trimeros, Sotir, Doroumenos to kosmo tin Zoin. Dia touto e Dinamis ton Ouranon evoon si Zoodota. Doxa ti Anastasi Sou, Hriste! Doxa ti Vasilia Sou! Doxa ti Ikonomia Sou, mone Filanthrope!
While
the stone was sealed by the Jews, and soldiers stood on guard over Thy Body undefiled, Thou rose on the Third Day, O Saviour, Who grants Life to the world. For which cause the Heavenly Powers cried aloud to Thee: O Giver of Life: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone Loves mankind!
Festal Kontakion of the Nativity of Christ
Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no to spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give glory, Pimenon Doxologousi, Magi de meta Asteros and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a odiporousi, di imas gar Egenniti, Pedion Neon, young Child: the Pre-Eternal God. O Pro Aionon Theos. Resurrection Gospel 4: Luke 24 : 1 12
The Holy Myrrhbearers Find Our Risen Lords Tomb Empty
Prokeimenon Tone 1
Let Thy Mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye Righteous!
St Pauls Epistle to the Ephesians 5 : 8 - 19
Live in the Divine Light of our Lord Jesus Christ
Brethren: You were once darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord. Walk as Children of Light (for the Fruit of the Spirit is in all Goodness, Righteousness and Truth), finding out what is acceptable to our Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them, for it is shameful even to speak of those things that are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the Light, for whatever reveals 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 the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord... children, and before partaking of Holy Eucharist or WE MUST JUDGE whatever the world considers as being Holy Unction. reasonable, ACCORDING TO DIVINE TRUTH the WE UNLOAD OUR SPIRITUAL BAGGAGE AND LESSEN OUR Perfect and Absolute Truth of our Lord God. FINAL JUDGEMENT WITH REGULAR SELF-EXAMINATION Besides separating ourselves from the darkness of sin and Spiritual Ignorance, WE ARE OBLIGED TO EXPOSE AND - ESPECIALLY - WITH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF ALL DECEPTIONS AND LIES IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST. REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, which permanently removes our repented and confessed sins. However, before we are able to do so, WE MUST FIRST Awake, you who sleep! Arise from the dead, and EXPOSE AND CORRECT OUR OWN SINS AND ERRORS. Christ will give you Light! This is an early We must seek out from the depths of our soul all our Baptismal Hymn. sins which we must then REPENT REJECT AND HOLY BAPTISM IS DIVINE ILLUMINATION ...Christ will RENOUNCE AND CONFESS. give you Light... J o h n 3 : 1 9 2 1 ... THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, A c t s 2 6 : 1 8 Christ told St Paul at his Calling: ... that the Light has come into the world, but rise and stand on your feet; for I have men loved darkness rather than Light, appeared to you for this Purpose: to make because their deeds were evil. For you A MINISTER AND WITNESS BOTH OF THE everyone practising evil hates the Light THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN AND OF THE THINGS and does not come to the Light, lest his THAT I WILL YET REVEAL TO YOU. deeds be exposed. But HE WHO PRACTISES 2 C o r i n t h i a n s 4 : 6 IT IS THE GOD WHO THE TRUTH COMES TO THE LIGHT SO THAT HIS Commanded Light to shine out of DEEDS MAY BE CLEARLY SEEN, THAT THEY HAVE darkness, Who HAS SHONE IN OUR HEARTS TO BEEN DONE IN GOD. GIVE THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF Orthodox Christians do this before Holy Baptism especially as Godparents and parents of small GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.
26TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 14TH SUNDAY
OF
ST LUKE THE BLIND MAN
OF
JERICHO
2 DECEMBER 2012
H e b r e w s 6 : 4 IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, and have tasted the Heavenly Gift, and have become Partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the Good Word of God, and the Powers of the Ages to come, IF THEY FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN TO REPENTANCE, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. This refers to THOSE WHO HAVE APOSTATIZED ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO AFTER BEING BAPTISED, HAVE REJECTED CHRIST AND HIS SAVING POWER. Certain Holy Fathers believed that apostasy was such a grave or grievous sin that Repentance is impossible for such souls. However, CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH MAINTAINS THE BELIEF THAT THOSE WHO HAVE APOSTATIZED BUT, REALISING THEIR SERIOUS ERROR, HAVE SINCERELY REPENTED, MAY RETURN TO FULL ORTHODOX WORSHIP after a period of humble penance. V Nevertheless, SUCH SECOND CONVERSIONS ARE
DIFFICULT AND RARE SO THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN AS A MOST SERIOUS WARNING TO ALL STRUGGLING DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.
H e b r e w s 1 0 : 3 2 - ... recall the former days in which, after you were Illuminated, you endured a great Struggle with sufferings... To walk in the Light means that we LIVE EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIVES IN CHRIST we live as though newly Baptised or Divinely Enlightened ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD ALONE and not according our own limited and flawed understanding or our own selfish, self-indulgent manner. The Sacred Goal or Purpose of Orthodox Christianity is not to abandon Gods beautiful created world but rather TO MAINTAIN OURSELVES IN CHRIST to
salvage as much as possible from this fallen, corrupt world of human ego and greed. FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST RENOUNCE THE WICKEDNESS OF THE FALLEN HUMAN CONDITION THE FALLEN WORLD OF THE FLESH NOT THE BEAUTIFUL CREATION OF GOD. After we have genuinely repented and Confessed we experience a wonderful surge of Spiritual Joy and Life. A distinctive spirit a kind of euphoria or elation energises both the darkness of sin and Spiritual Light. Those who exist in a state of Spiritual Death or darkness experience a type of intoxication that is artificial, deceptive and temporary, while THOSE WHO LIVE IN SPIRITUAL LIGHT THE DIVINE LIGHT OF GOD EXPERIENCE THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE TRUE JOY OF OUR NEW COVENANT WITH ALMIGHTY GOD THE EVERLASTING REALITY of the Glory, Honour and Worship of the Holy Trinity THE TRUE JOY AND REALITY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST THE ETERNAL THANKSGIVING AND UNION WITH GOD: to God the Father, through God the Son Incarnate and in the Holy Spirit. Those who are inebriated by alcohol or drugs totter and sway and keep craving something that never satisfies but only destroys. THOSE WHO ARE INEBRIATED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE ROOTED IN OUR SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, AND ARE GLORIOUSLY SOBER AND REDEEMED ETERNALLY. Being able to quote Holy Scripture chapter and verse or singing Hymns are not at all Spiritual. OUR THOUGHTS, WORDS AND DEEDS MUST CONSTANTLY
SPRING FORTH FROM A HEARTFELT VIRTUOUS STATE OF HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE AND A FEAR OF GOD a
humble state of deepest Love of and respect for Almighty God.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 18 : 35 43

The Healing of the Blind Man of Jericho
At that time, as our Lord Jesus Christ approached Jericho, there was a certain blind man who sat at the roadside begging, and, hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. He was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying: Jesus, Son of David! Have Mercy on me! Those who went ahead of Him warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more: Son of David! Have Mercy on me! And Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he came near, He asked him: What do you want Me to do for you? He replied: Lord, that I may receive my 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 when they saw it gave praise to God. Our Lord Jesus Christ was addressed as Son of David OF GOD but without the benefit of seeing our because it IS A SPECIFIC SACRED TITLE THAT WAS Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in Person. Those who tried to silence the blind man symbolise PROFOUNDLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MESSIAH. THE PERSECUTORS AND WICKED TYRANTS WHO IN Even though OUR LORD JESUS KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT WE EVERY GENERATION TRY TO SILENCE THE DIVINE WANT even before we do, or even before we ask HE TRUTH OF CHRISTS HOLY, ORTHODOX CHURCH. WANTS US TO FREELY TURN TO HIM WHENEVER WE NEED Nevertheless, under persecution, His Holy Church all HIS ASSISTANCE SO THAT WE CAN LEARN HIS GREAT the more Confesses our Lord Jesus Christ and MERCY AND LOVING BENEVOLENCE. clings tightly to the Reality of His Divine Truth. V ONLY WHEN WE LEARN TO DEPEND ON DIVINE MERCY THE HEALED AND EXTREMELY GRATEFUL BLIND MAN OF AND GRACE, DO WE BEGIN OUR SPIRITUAL JERICHO SPREAD THE WORD AND TRUTH OF ALMIGHTY JOURNEY BY LIVING EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY IN GOD to all who have ears to hear and who are CHRIST. willing to Obey the Lord our God. According to our Holy Church Fathers the Spiritual THE CITY OF JERICHO WAS NOTORIOUS AS A WICKED Interpretation is as follows: PLACE OF ALL KINDS OF INIQUITY AND WAS The blind man symbolises FUTURE GENERATIONS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH SINFUL LIVING. WHO COME TO FAITH ONLY BY HEARING THE WORD
14th Sunday of St Luke The Healing of the Blind Man of Jericho

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Todays Sacred Lesson tells us about JERICHOS BLIND MAN AND THE SPIRITUAL RADIANCE THAT WAS HIDDEN under his threadbare sackcloth. That blind man was not only deprived of the Joy of being able to see the wonderful, multicoloured beauty of Gods Creation, but neither could he earn a living and it was evident that he had no compassionate relatives nor benefactors who took care of him. Dressed in rags that barely covered his nakedness, that helpless blind man sat every day at the gates of Jericho and begged for a little food or money from those who hurriedly passed by many of whom did not notice him or who chose to ignore his obvious plight. ALTHOUGH THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO HAD BEEN LIVING IN PITCH DARKNESS FOR SO MANY YEARS, THERE WAS A SPECIAL LIGHT WITHIN HIS SOUL, WHICH FLARED UP WITH CONTINUOUS HOPE AND TRUST IN GODS GREAT MERCY.
OF
OF
JERICHO
2 DECEMBER 2012
THE MISERY AND MISFORTUNE OF HIS CIRCUMSTANCES HAD NOT EMBITTERED HIM. On the contrary, as each day passed by, HIS SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY AND EXPECTATION INTENSIFIED. The beauty of Gods Creation was inaccessible to him, yet HE WAS VERY AWARE OF THE IMAGE OF GOD IN HIMSELF, WHICH GREW MORE AND MORE VIVID. And so it was that OUR LORD ACKNOWLEDGED HIS VIRTUOUS PATIENCE, FAITH AND GENUINE MEEKNESS OF A PURE HEART. At that time everybody was talking about the Miracles of the Master from Nazareth. Idle people who stood at the gates of Jericho often discussed the Marvellous Deeds of the Wonderworker - not paying attention to the blind man who listened attentively to their conversations. The Great Mystery was opened to the blind beggar, http://www.orthodox-canada.com/the-sunday-afterepiphany/while idle story-tellers were racking their brains over the solution of these Great Mysteries. These people saw the blue sky, green grass, the yellow sun, multi-coloured goods on sale at the market places, but the Light of another world was invisible to them. Meanwhile the Blind Man of Jericho who spent long hours in deep contemplation of the Divine Image of God in his soul was Spiritual Sighted and, consequently, having heard about the Miracles of the Nazarene he understood at once that such things could only have been fulfilled by the One for Whom they had all been waiting for so many centuries - the Son of David, the Messiah, the Saviour of the World! Finally the day came when, hearing a crowd going by, the Blind Man was told that our Lord Jesus Christ was passing by. With what immense Joy he had called out: Son of David, have mercy on me! And even when some of the people scolded him and demanded him to keep quiet he called out again, with great expectation. FOR THROUGH THE CLARITY OF THE SPIRITUAL SIGHT OF THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO THE DIVINE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHONE BRIGHTLY! He was scolded and pushed - yet he called out all the more loudly: Son of David, have mercy on me! And our Lord Jesus stopped and turned to the Blind Man at the city gates, for that man was chosen by God to reveal His Works.
Christ had no need to test the Faith of that Blind Man as He had done with various others who besought His Great Mercy. HIS COMPLETE RESTORATION TO FULL SIGHT WAS IN RESPONSE TO HIS EXULTANT, CONFIDENT SUPPLICATION: Son of David, have mercy on me! His immortal soul already possessed a profound Inner Sight and for our Saviour it was nothing simpler than making the blinding scales fall from his eyes: Receive your sight. Your Faith has Saved you. OUR LORDS WORDS INCLUDED NOT ONLY DELIVERANCE FROM EARTHLY GRIEF BUT ALSO THE GREATEST GIFT ETERNAL LIFE. And furthermore, the subsequent deeds of that Blind Man of Jericho proved him to be worthy of such incomparable Grace of God. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HEALED BY THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD, ALL REACT AND CONTINUE TO BEHAVE VERY DIFFERENTLY. Sadly, though, some people forgot to express their gratitude and thanksgiving to God, others who were persecuted and intimidated by the envious Pharisees denied our Saviour, while other people, having become the centre of attention, surrendered to their vanity due to the Great Miracle bestowed on them by Almighty God. However, THE BLIND BEGGAR OF JERICHO WAS TRULY WORTHY OF HIS DIVINE HEALING FOR HE HAD PERCEIVED THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE AND CHOSE TO FOLLOW THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIMSELF. HAVING RECEIVED HIS SIGHT THIS RIGHTEOUS MAN WANTED ONLY ONE THING TO SEE OUR SAVIOUR AND TO BE WITH HIM - so he ...followed Him, Glorifying God, and all the people who saw it gave Praise to God. Only a few lines are devoted to the Blind Man of Jericho in Holy Scripture yet HOW DEEP AND INSTRUCTIVE IS THIS ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN ENLIGHTENED SOUL, WHICH
WAS INITIALLY HIDDEN UNDER THE WRETCHED RAGS OF POVERTY AND DESTITUTION.
Vouchsafe us, O Lord, to be granted the wonderful Spiritual Sight with which this poor but most richest of men possessed - whereby he became a Chosen Disciple of God. Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP:
http://www.orthodox-canada.com/the-sunday-after-epiphany/
May God Give You Wisdom: Letters of Father John Krstiankin On Sorrows and Suffering
Dearly Beloved: You are impatient. Only those who endure to the end will be Saved. Yes, and after all, there is a Reason to endure. Our Holy Fathers say that the living children of mother who killed their own infants rake revenge upon their mothers for the brother and sisters who never saw Gods Light. Yes, there are many other sins known and unknown and sorrows are a Penance from God, but you have to bear them without murmuring. You spouse is sick just as his or her mother was sick, and thus is Patience also needed. Pray for your close family and friends like this: O God! Thou know everything, and Thy Love is Perfect. Take the lives of my suffering family and friends into Thy Hands, and do that which I long to do, but which I cannot. Amen. We have lived to see such times when only sorrows and sickness can still intercede for our Salvation. So learn to love your much-laborious life, and do not look at the gaiety and prosperity of life around you, but rather focus all your attention on the Holy Cross of Christ our Saviour, which guides us forward. ... I cannot say for what or how long these trials are coming down on you. This is not a matter for the Priest. Unlike you, I am inclined to wonder not what for, but rather why you have been stricken with them... Sins that are committed consciously give rise to illnesses that completely bind us. Christianity accepted as a philosophical theory alone has entered into contradiction with True Christian Life (in Christ), and the Enemy has acquired freedom of movement. Many people are not satisfied with the answers they receive from contemporary Priests with regard to astrology, nor do they accept what our Spiritual Fathers of the past have written on the subject, and now, if you do not believe in the practical results of your delusions, you have no one to blame but yourself! Our Lord has given us everything and has done everything possible to make us understand His Divine Truth and Reality and now this is the final one. It remains only for you to re-think to reconsider and contemplate everything in your personal life with respect to Faith, Holy Scripture, the Holy Church of Christ, to life, to personal relationships to reconsider absolutely everything! It is time for you to wake up from your Spiritual Stupor and be horrified at your errors, and to sincerely Repent not theoretically, but from your heart and soul and to see yourself as you really are.
OF
OF
JERICHO
2 DECEMBER 2012
The consequences of mortal sins are even more serious for those who commit them knowingly. Consider honestly and sincerely: could this not be the true cause of what has stricken you and put you on such a bed of pain and suffering, and which will hasten your departure from this temporary life?
You need to Repent, Confess, receive Holy Unction and Holy Eucharist, and to really commit yourself to God without any reservations. I promise only to pray for you, so that our Lord grants you True Repentance and relieves your physical and Spiritual Ailments. http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/7341.htm appeared in our world, and so that, besides the usual gifts and sacrifices, we would bring Him our pure heart and desire to follow His Teaching. THE RULE OF THE HOLY CHURCH INSTRUCTS US with regard to what we must abstain from during the Fasts: All who piously Fast should strictly observe the Canons concerning the quality of food i.e. abstain during the Fast from certain foods, not as from things defiled, but as from things not appropriate to the Fast and forbidden by the Church. Foods from which we should abstain during the Fasts are: meat and poultry, cheese, butter, milk, eggs, and sometimes fish, depending upon which of the Holy Fasts it is. The Rules of Abstinence prescribed by the Church for the Nativity Fast are as strict as for the Apostles Fast. Furthermore, ON MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY OF THE NATIVITY FAST, FISH, WINE AND OIL ARE NOT PERMITTED, AND FOODS WITHOUT OIL CAN BE TAKEN ONLY AFTER VESPERS. On the other days TUESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FOOD MAY BE TAKEN WITH VEGETABLE OIL. FISH IS ALLOWED DURING THE NATIVITY FAST ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS, AND ON MAJOR FEASTS such as the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, on a Parish Churchs Patronal Feast, AND ON COMMEMORATION DAYS OF GREAT SAINTS, IF THEY FALL ON A TUESDAY OR THURSDAY. ONLY IF CERTAIN FEASTS FALL ON WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY, THE FAST MAY BE RELAXED TO INCLUDE WINE AND OIL. FROM 20 (25) DECEMBER THE FAST IS INTENSIFIED, and fish is not permitted, even on Saturday and Sunday. During the season of parties and self-indulgence, Orthodox Christians have to REMAIN FOCUSED AND NOT BREAK THE STRICT FAST. We must also Fast Spiritually: Brethren, in Fasting bodily let us also Fast Spiritually, and break all communion with falsehood... FASTING IS FIRST OF ALL OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE AGAINST OUR PASSIONS as St John Chrysostom warned us: ... those are mistaken who think that the Fast consists only of abstinence from food. True Fasting is departing from evil. [SELFDENIAL OF THE DEMANDS OF OUR FLESH]
Bodily Fasting for the Benefit of our Soul

The Nativity Fast began on 15 (28) November and lasts for forty days but is not as strict as the Great Lent or Dormition Fasts and can be compared to the Apostles Fast. IT WAS INSTITUTED BY THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST SO THAT WE WOULD WORTHILY GREET THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST AFTER HAVING CLEANSED OUR HEARTS BY PRAYER AND REPENTANCE. The establishment of the Nativity Fast, like many other long Fasts, dates back to the early days of Christianity. Already in the fourth century, St Ambrose of Milan, Father Philastrios, and Blessed Augustine recalled the Nativity in their works. St Leo the Great wrote about the antiquity of the Nativity Fast in the fifth century. At first the Nativity Fast lasted seven days for some Christians and a little longer for others. At the Council of 1166 held during the time of Patriarch Luke of Constantinople and the Byzantine Emperor Manuel, ALL CHRISTIANS WERE INSTRUCTED TO KEEP THE FAST FOR FORTY DAYS BEFORE THE GREAT FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST. The Antiochian Patriarch, Balsamon, wrote: ... His Holiness the Patriarch himself said that although these Fasts (the Dormition and Nativity Fasts) are not determined by the Canons, let us nevertheless force ourselves to follow the OBLIGATE unwritten Church Tradition and OURSELVES TO FAST... BEGINNING 15 NOVEMBER. The Nativity Fast is the final long Fast of the year and continues until 25 December (7 JANUARY) forty days in duration. Therefore it is called The Forty Days in the Church Typicon just like the Great Lenten Fast before Holy Pascha. Because THE FAST BEGINS THE DAY AFTER THE FEAST OF ST PHILIP THE APOSTLE 14 (27) November THE NATIVITY FAST IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE ST PHILIP FAST. THE NATIVITY FAST is a winter Fast (I.E. IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE) and it SERVES TO ILLUMINE THE END OF THE YEAR for us WITH A MYSTICAL RENOVATION OF OUR SPIRITUAL ONENESS WITH GOD AND OUR SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT FEAST OF THE NATIVITY of Christ our Lord and Saviour. St Leo the Great wrote: ... the very observation of abstinence is marked by FOUR PERIODS, so that throughout the course of the year we would know that WE CONTINUALLY HAVE NEED OF PURIFICATION, and that with a distracted life, WE ALWAYS NEED TO STRIVE through Fasting and Almsgiving TO ERADICATE SIN, which multiplies through the frailty of the flesh and unclean desires. According to ST LEO THE GREAT, the Nativity Fast is a Holy Sacrifice to God for the Fruits we have gathered: ... as the Lord generously gave us the fruits of the earth, so should we also be generous to the poor during the Fast. ST SYMEON OF THESSALONIKA taught us: The forty days of the Nativity Fast is an image of the Fast of MOSES, who, having Fasted for forty days and forty nights, RECEIVED THE WORDS OF GOD INSCRIBED ON STONE TABLETS. However, having Fasted for forty days, WE GAZE UPON AND RECEIVE THE LIVING WORD FROM THE VIRGIN, inscribed not on stones but INCARNATE AND BORN, AND WE PARTAKE OF HIS DIVINE FLESH. The Nativity Fast was established so that BY THE DAY OF CHRISTS NATIVITY WE WOULD HAVE CLEANSED OURSELVES THROUGH REPENTANCE, PRAYER AND FASTING; so that WITH A PURE HEART, SOUL AND BODY, WE REVERENTLY MEET THE SON OF GOD Who has
BODILY FASTING WITHOUT SPIRITUAL FASTING DOES NOT BRING SALVATION OF OUR IMMORTAL SOUL. On the contrary: IT CAN EVEN BE SPIRITUALLY HARMFUL if in abstaining from food we are filled with an awareness of our superiority, knowing that we Fast. TRUE FASTING IS BOUND UP WITH PRAYER, REPENTANCE, REFRAINING FROM ALL PASSIONS AND VICES, UPROOTING EVIL DEEDS, FORGIVING OFFENCES, ABSTAINING FROM MARITAL RELATIONS [conjugal rights], AVOIDING PARTIES, SELF-INDULGENT ENTERTAINMENT, AMUSEMENTS AND TELEVISION. FASTING IS not a goal but A MEANS OF HUMBLING OUR
FLESH AND CLEANSING IT FROM OUR HABITUAL AND WILFUL SINS. WITHOUT PRAYER AND REPENTANCE, FASTING IS NOTHING MORE THAN A DIET!
The essence of True Fasting is expressed in the following Hymn: My soul, if you fast from food but are not cleansed of the passions, in vain are we content with not eating; for if the Fast does not bring you correction, it will be hateful to God as false, and you will be like the evil demons who eat nothing at all.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: THE JOY OF ALL WHO SORROW ORTHODOX CHURCH, MICHURINSK, TRANSLATION BY ORTHODO.CHRISTIAN.COM
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/50335.htm
OF
OF
JERICHO
2 DECEMBER 2012
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, togethe r with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
4 December 2012 St Barbara, Great Martyr of Heliopolis, Syria

Feast of St Alexander Hotovitzky, New Martyr of Russia St John of Damascus St John of Polybotum, Phrygia St Juliana of Heliopolis, Syria St Gennadios of Novgorod St Seraphim, Hieromonk of Phanar The Holy Icon of the Ever Blessed Theotokos of St John the Damascene
Apolytikion Of St Barbara TONE 4
Varvaran
tin Agian timisomen; ehthrou gar tas pagidas sinetripse ke os strouthion erristhi ex afton, voithia ke opio tou Stavrou i pansemnos.
Barbara
the Saintly: let us honour now; for she shattered the snares of the enemy, and like a sparrow she freed herself from them, with the Help and Weapon of the Cross all stately.
Kontakion Of The Nativity Of Christ
I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to Today the

spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon doxologousi, Magi de meta asteros odiporousi, di imas gar egenniti, Pedion neon, O Pro Aionon Theos.
Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
Matins Gospel According to St Matthew 25 : 1 -
13
Be Prepared And Ready At All Times For Only God Knows When Christ Will Return For Our Final Judgement & Eternity
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to Ten Virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the Bridegroom. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. And Those who were foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And while the Bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: Behold! The Bridegroom is coming! Go out to meet Him! And all those Virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish Virgins said to the wise: Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise Virgins answered and said: No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell and buy oil for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came, and those who were ready, went in with Him to the Wedding; and the Door was shut. Afterwards the other Virgins came also, saying: Lord! Lord! Open to us! But He answered and said: Truly, I say to you: I do not know you! Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. This Parable of our Lord Jesus Christ illustrates THE THE WISE VIRGINS ARE THOSE WHO PRACTISE CHARITY VITAL NECESSITY OF BEING SPIRITUALLY PREPARED until (UNCONDITIONAL LOVE/AGAPE) AND MERCY IN THIS the Second Coming of Christ - the Divine LIFETIME who are thereby preparing themselves for Bridegroom. Eternal Life, while THE FOOLISH VIRGINS ARE THOSE THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD IS OFTEN PORTRAYED AS WHO SELFISHLY SQUANDER (WASTE) GODS DIVINE HOLY MATRIMONY - similar to the Parable of the Great GIFTS ON THEMSELVES WITHOUT GIVING ANYTHING TO Wedding Banquet, WHICH ALSO PROCLAIMS THE OTHERS thereby condemning themselves to Eternal TRANSFER OF GODS ETERNAL KINGDOM FROM THE Death alienation and exile from God and His FAITHLESS HEBREWS TO THE GENTILES. ( MATTHEW 22 : 1 14) infinite Goodness. THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD IS REFERRED TO AS A OUR PHYSICAL DEATH, WHICH IS UNAVOIDABLE DUE TO OUR JOYFUL WEDDING BANQUET WITH CHRIST AS THE HUMAN CONDITION, IS EXPERIENCED BY BOTH THE AWAITED BRIDEGROOM. VIRTUOUS AND THE SINFUL PEOPLE - ...they all St Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians also used the slumbered and slept. analogy of Holy Matrimony for the Eternal Kingdom ...at midnight a cry was heard... refers to Christs of God. (EPHESIANS 5 : 21 33) Second Coming i.e. HIS PHYSICAL REAPPEARANCE In the Parable of the Great Wedding Feast, THE REPEATED WHEN ALL CREATION EITHER WITH GREAT JOY OF SENDING FORTH OF HIS SERVANTS WITH INVITATIONS TO ANTICIPATION OR TREMBLING IN FEAR - WILL SEE HIM IN THE GREAT WEDDING BANQUET CLEARLY SHOWS OUR ALL HIS DIVINE GLORY. HEAVENLY FATHERS DEEP DESIRE TO HAVE ALL HIS The living and the dead virtuous and wicked people will PEOPLE WITH HIM IN HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM. stand before His Judgement Seat - being SEPARATED THE DIVINE MARRIAGE I.E. THE DIVINE UNION WILL BE ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN PERSONAL CHOICES CONSUMMATED AT THE END OF THE AGE WHEN THE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES. BRIDEGROOM CHRIST RETURNS to escort His Holy The inability of the Wise Virgins the Righteous Ones Bride His Holy Church into the Eternal Wedding to share their oil is an illustration of THE Banquet. IMPOSSIBILITY OF ENTERING ETERNAL LIFE WITHOUT The reference to CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH ENCOMPASSES ONES OWN FAITH AND VIRTUE AND THE IMPOSSIBILITY ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS AND OTHER FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF CHANGING ONES SPIRITUAL STATE WHETHER OF GOD. VIRTUOUS OR WICKED AFTER DEATH. THIS PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS PRIMARILY CONCERNS L U K E 1 6 : 2 6 In the account of the Rich Man and THE VIRTUE OF CHARITY THE VIRTUE OF Poor Lazaros, St Abraham told the condemned Rich UNCONDITIONAL LOVE/AGAPE AND ALMSGIVING since Man : ... between us and you there is a great the words oil and Mercy have the same root in gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from Greek: Eleos.
ST BARBARA
THE
GREAT VIRGIN M
ARTYR OF
HELIOPOLIS, SYRIA
4 DECEMBER 2012
5. .
here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us. THE GREAT GULF THAT SEPARATES THE VIRTUOUS FROM THE
WICKED IS NOT A GEOGRAPHICAL DIVIDE BUT THE COMPLETE SEPARATION BETWEEN VIRTUE AND WICKEDNESS a separation that cannot be overcome after death but which DUE TO THE GREAT MERCY OF GOD CAN BE RECTIFIED THROUGH SINCERE AND HUMBLE REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, WHICH LEADS US TO RECONCILIATION WITH GOD and mankind.
Since we constantly fall from Divine Grace through our conscious or unconscious sins, WE MUST CEASELESSLY
ASSISTANCE WORSHIP. The themes of the Parables of the Great Wedding Banquet (Holy Communion) and the Ten Virgins (Repentance-Confession and Life in Christ preparing ourselves for Eternal Life) are woven together in the Liturgical Hymns of Holy Week, particularly in the Troparion of Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday: Behold! The Bridegroom comes at midnight, and Blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching!
RECTIFY ALL OUR ERRORS WITH DIVINE THROUGH PRAYERS, FASTING AND CORRECT
The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 3 : 23- 4 : 5

Sonship (Our Divine Adoption) Through Faith And Holy Baptism
Brethren: Before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law, kept for the Faith that would afterwards be revealed. Therefore the Law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be Justified by Faith. But after Faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For 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; for you are all One in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christs, then you are Abrahams seed, and Heirs according to the Promise.
The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 5 : 24 34

The Faith of the Woman whom no one could heal
At that time our Lord Jesus went with (Jairus, one of the rulers of the Synagogue,) and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not better, but rather grew worse. And when she heard about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment, for she thought: If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well. Immediately the fountain of her blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately 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, yet Thou ask: Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who had done so, but the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, went and fell down before Him and told Him the whole Truth. And He said to her: Daughter, your Faith has made you well. Go in Peace, and be healed of your affliction.
St Barbara the Great Virgin Martyr of Heliopolis, Syria

Saint Barbara was the only daughter of Dioscoros, a widowed pagan despotic ruler who demanded unquestioning obedience from everyone. He loved his daughter more than anything in the world, but he was obsessive about her meeting people of a lower status, so he built a splendid house with a high tower and shut her up there, surrounding her with all possible comforts, a host of attendants, pagan idols to worship and a bathroom with two windows. Alone in her tower, young Barbara found consolation from the beauty of the earth below and the starry sky above and her innocent soul was filled with a desire to learn about the Creator of such natural beauty, but her pagan tutors failed to satisfy her quest. However, St Barbara was soon Enlightened by the Grace of God and she realised that there is only one True God Who is Creator, Merciful, All Wise, Omnipotent and the Giver of Life. When St Barbara came of age, her father began to seek a suitable bridegroom, but she refused them all. Thinking that it was the long seclusion that made her so unsociable, her father let her out of her tower and allowed her to meet people. By Gods Providence, she met Christians who told her about Christ our Saviour and she knew then that she had found the True Faith. While her father was absent, she had a third window cut in the bath house as a symbol of the Holy Trinity, and traced a Cross with her finger on one wall, which became mysteriously etched deeply in the marble as if cut by a chisel. A spring of water gushed forth from the floor from her footprint, which later gave healing to many. St Barbara secretly accepted Holy Baptism and when Dioscoros returned and noticed all the changes, she explained that the three windows symbolized the Holy Trinity, and that she had drawn the Cross in remembrance of our Saviours crucifixion. Insane with rage he beat her harshly and drove her from the tower, chasing after her with his sword, but a cliff opened up and hid Barbara from her irate father. When she appeared the next day, Dioscoros locked her up for several days with no food, before handing her over to Marcian, the Governor of the city, renouncing her as being Christian and permitting him to do whatever he wished to her. Enchanted by St Barbaras beauty, Marcian tried to persuade her to renounce Christ but she vehemently denounced his proposal and declared her Faith in Christ as Only True and living God and Saviour. The infuriated the Governor handed her to the executioners for torture but no matter how they tried to break her spirit, St Barbara kept praying to God. After many hideous torments St Barbara was thrown into a dungeon where the Lord Himself appeared to her accompanied by many Angels. He healed her wounds and promised her a Great Reward in Heaven. In the morning all witnesses were amazed to see the Virgin Martyr healed and in good health. Yet the hard hearted pagans ascribed the obvious Miracle to their man-made idols that the Governor again tried to make her worship. St Barbara was subjected to more indescribable torture, but she was unwavering in her Spiritual Strength and her Fervent Prayers to God. When it was evident that Christians would not renounce Christ, they were beheaded but to add to her further degradation and humiliation St Barbara was stripped naked before being taken to the public place of execution. However a Heavenly Light enveloped her body hiding her nakedness from the ungodly mob. St Barbara prayed to God that all those who remember her Holy Martyrdom and ask for her help, would be delivered from sudden death. St Juliana, who witnessed St Barbaras Martyrdom and loudly condemned the Rulers for their cruelty, was slain by soldiers while St Barbara was beheaded by sword by her own father, but that same day Divine Retribution caused lightning to strike both Dioscoros and Marcian - their bodies being completely incinerated. St Barbara suffered in 306, and her Wonderworking Relics were reverently preserved by the Greek Church for several centuries. Greatly Glorified in the Kingdom of Christ, she has appeared many times throughout the ages - sometimes alone and sometimes in the company of the Most Holy, Ever Blessed Theotokos.
6.
ST BARB
ARA THE
GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR
OF
HELIOPOLIS, SYRIA
4 DECEMBER 2012
All Glo ry, Honour and Wo rship to th e 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 Glo rious 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 2012 St Savva the Sanctified of Cappadocia

Also the Feast of St Diogenis St Gurios of Kazan St Anastasiof the Fuller of Salona, Dalmatia St Cyrion (Karion) & St Zacharia, his son, of Egypt St Nektarios of Bitolya & Mount Athos St Philotheos of Karyes of Mount Athos The Holy Monastic Martyrs of Karyes St Crispina of Tagora, Africa
Festal Apolytikion St Savva the Sanctified
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Tes
ton dakrion Sou roes, tis erimou to agonon egeorgisas; ke tis ek vathous stenagmis, is ekaton tous ponous ekarpoforisas; ke gagonas fostir, tis ikoumenis, lambon tis thavmasi, Savva Patir imon Osie. Presveve Hristo to Theo, sothine tas psihas imon.
With
the rivers of Thy tears, Thou changed the barren desert into fertile land; and with the sighs from Thy depths, Thou made Thy Labours produce a hundredfold; and Thou became a Bright Star, shining on the earth with Thy Miracles. O Savvas our Father Righteous: Intercede with Christ our God, for our souls to be Saved!
Festal Kontakion - St Savvas the Sanctified
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Os
apo vrefous to Theo thisia amomos, prosevehthis di aretis, Savva Makarie, to Se prin gennithine epistameno, ehrimatisas Osion egkallopisma, polistis te tis erimou exietpenos. Dio krazo Si. Heris Pater aidime.
Blessed Savvas, Thou was offered from Thine infancy through Thy Great Virtue as a Pure and Spotless Sacrifice to God, Who before Thy Birth, verily foreknew 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!
Kontakion of the Nativity Of Christ
Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no to spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give Pimenon doxologousi, Magi de meta asteros glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is odiporousi, di imas gar egenniti, Pedion neon, Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God. O Pro Aionon Theos. Prokeimenon
The Saints shall rejoice in Glory Sing unto the Lord a New Song.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 5 : 22 6 : 2

War Against The Flesh & Do Good To Everyone
Brethren: the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Selfcontrol. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christs 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 anothers burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ. WITHOUT HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TWO INSEPARABLE This Sacred Lesson commemorates all Holy Monks and it VIRTUES WE CANNOT EXPECT TO MAKE EVEN THE reminds us, AS STRUGGLING DISCIPLES OF CHRIST,
WHOM WE STRIVE TO IMITATE AND FAITHFULLY FOLLOW OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST WHO IS THE SON OF GOD BEING GUIDED AND ENABLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR DIVINE COMFORTER, ADVOCATE AND HELPER WHO GRANTS US HIS DIVINE GIFTS OF VIRTUE
such as Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. As developing, maturing and faithful Christians we are reminded that THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM WE HAVE ABANDONED OUR FORMER SELVES THE OLD MAN who were ruled and dominated by our passions or vices and selfish desires but now, HAVING BEEN
REGENERATED IN CHRIST, OUR ONLY DESIRE TO BECOME LIKE HIM THROUGH HUMILITY AND WILLING OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. TO WALK IN THE (HOLY) SPIRIT IS TO LIVE EVERY MOMENT IN THE (HOLY) SPIRIT, BEING CONSTANTLY AWARE OF OUR HOLY MISSION DURING THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD OF LIFE ON EARTH AND MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO FULFIL GODS DIVINE WILL instead of indulging our
SLIGHTEST PROGRESS FOR ONLY BY WORKING IN HARMONY AND UNITY WITH GOD AND WITH ONE ANOTHER, CAN WE ACHIEVE THEOSIS SPIRITUAL PERFECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE. BEING ENLIGHTENED BY CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST ONE ANOTHER,
especially when anyone of us stumbles or falls along the way. However, WHEN CORRECTING OUR FALLEN OR STUMBLING
BRETHREN, WE MUST ALWAYS DO SO WITH HUMBLE AGAPE OR LOVE ... a spirit of Gentleness... and
never with a sense of criticism or condemnation because the next time we ourselves may fall even harder than any of our fellow sinners: Today my brother, tomorrow me! (ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT)
BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER CORRECTION WITH GENTLENESS IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT OF GOD. St Paul admonishes us to BEAR ONE ANOTHERS BURDENS AND TO BEAR OUR OWN BURDENS AS WELL because we TO
own flawed and destructive desires and whims that do not benefit anyone at all.
are Called to initiate True Care-giving in our Holy Church and NEVER TO BE NEEDLESS BURDENS TO
OTHERS!
A V V A S
T H E
A N C T I F I E D
E C E M B E R
2 0 1 2
The Holy Gospel According to St Mathew 11 : 27 30

We Rest Assured & Confident in Christ
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 you 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. THE YOKE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR FREE AND St Theophylact explained to us that GOD HAS HIDDEN HIS
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 Gods 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.
WILLING 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.
St Savvas the Sanctified

St Savvas was born in Montalaski, Cappadocia and lived during the 6th Century. At a very young age he dedicated himself to Monastic Life and in order to achieve the Virtues that defeat Satan, he became a disciple of St Euthymios the Great who was known for his Purity and skilled Spiritual Guidance of the Faithful towards Eternal Salvation. Through Humility and Obedience - and ceaseless Prayer - St Savvas became profoundly Pious and Holy, accepting and applying not only his Spiritual Fathers Guidance but also his criticism. St Euthymios was always very careful with his words and St Savvas willingly followed his good example in all circumstances. After the Repose of St Euthymios, St Savvas was elected Abbot by his fellow Monks and they soon established the famous Monastery of Lavra in Palestine, which became a centre of Orthodox Monasticism, empowered by Love [AGAPE], Peace, Faith and Prayer. Although having renounced all worldly cares, St Savvas was painfully aware of the various problems faced by mankind - and in particular, the social ailments of the time drew his attention. The rebellion of the Samaritans had aroused the wrath of the Byzantine Emperor whose military forces caused untold catastrophe throughout Palestine while famine devastated everyone. St Savvas and his Monks tried to help the starving people who sought relief at the Monastery. At the age of 80, St Savvas travelled to Constantinople to request financial support from the Emperor himself, in order to establish hospitals for the sick, shelters for the destitute and to restore Church buildings that had been destroyed. During this period, the heresy of Monophysitism the belief in one (Divine) Nature of Christ began to circulate but Emperor Anastasios refused to recognise the Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon and he exiled many Orthodox Bishops. For a second time St Savvas travelled to Constantinople and tried to convince the Emperor to stop the unjust tyranny against the Faithful Orthodox Christians both clergy and laity. However, no sooner had St Savvas departed, when they continued the malicious persecutions, including the banishment of the Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, Flavianos, whose successor, Severos, was supported by the military forces and who demanded that he be recognised as Canonical by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Consequently, St Savvas gathered the Clergy of Jerusalem on Golgotha and condemned Severos and his heretical supporters. St John Chrysostom Even if we have thousands of acts of great Virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's Mercy and His Love for mankind. Even if we stand at the very summit of Virtue, it is by Mercy that we shall be Saved. St Isaac The Syrian Those who follow Christ in Solitary Mourning are greater than those who praise Christ amid the congregation of mankind. Finally, the Justification of the True Faith was ratified by Imperial Decree on 6 August 518. Throughout his entire life St Savvas proved to be ... a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ... who constantly endured the Good Struggle of Faith with unceasing Asceticism, Fasting and Prayer. St Savvas the Sanctified was a unique personality and was able to offer practical advice and solutions to all social, moral and Ecclesiastic problems of that era. He never sought any worldly glory nor recognition - he merely desired invisible Asceticism by unwaveringly sacrificing himself on the Alter of Duty and Selfrenouncement. Nevertheless, no matter how they might try to conceal themselves, those who are truly Godly cannot hide the Divine Light that shines from within them and lights up the darkness of the fallen world. [REFER
MATTHEW 5: 14 16]
In such a manner, St Savvas was the Bright, Holy Light of Asceticism, Prayer, Love and every other wonderful Virtue. His Christ-like Life shone brilliantly and is an Eternal Example for all Monks, Nuns and Faithful Christians to strive to imitate and to follow. Today in such selfish and egocentric times, we have alienated ourselves from one another. Yet St Savvas remains a Spiritual Oasis from which those of us who thirst may find Divine Comfort that satisfies and refreshes us forever. Holy Scripture clearly states: ... the Righteous will live forever! And for that reason St Savvas is Glorified by our Lord Jesus Christ within His Holy Orthodox Church and his memory is indeed Eternal. For Orthodox Christians, St Savvas holds a very special place in our heart as our constant Spiritual Guide, Teacher, Holy Father and Intercessor to whom we are able to turn for help and comfort in difficult times. With Faith and Piety, let us call upon St Savvas Grace. With Repentance, let us kneel before his Holy Icon and beseech his Intercessory Prayers so that the Lord our God may forgive our many trespasses. Let us beseech St Savvas as our Holy Mediator to our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Holy Protector of our children, as the Holy Physician of our body and soul, as our Comforter in times of tragedy and difficulties, and as our Holy Helper in all difficult circumstances of daily life. Amen
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: A SERMON ON ST SAVVAS THE SANCTIFIED BY HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN OF ANTINOES OUR BELOVED FATHER PANTELEIMON. HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOX-MITROPOLITAN-OF-ANTINOESPANTELEIMON.COM/BOOKS/EN/SERMONS/ST%20SAVVAS%205-12-2010.PDF
The Eternal, Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers

Abba Tithoes The way of Humility is this: Self-control, Prayer, and regarding yourself as being inferior to all creatures. St. Clement Of Alexandria One must approach the Logos Saviour - not induced by the fear of punishment and not in the expectation of some kind of a Reward - but primarily for the sake of the Good in itself. Such will stand on the right in the Sanctuary.
A V V A S
T H E
A N C T I F I E D
E C E M B E R
2 0 1 2
All Glory, Honour and Wo rship to t he 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 2012
St Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra

Also the Feast of St Maximos of Kiev
Apolytikion Of St Nicholas The Wonderworker Of Myra
TONE 4
Kanona
Pisteos ke Ikona praotitos, engratias didaskalon anedixe Se ti Pimni Sou i ton pragmaton Alithia. Dia touto ekomiso ti tapinosi ta ipsila, ti ptohia ta piousia. Pater Ierarha Nikolae, Presveve Hristo to Theo, Sothine tas psihas imon.
As
Rule of the Faith and picture of Gentleness, and Teacher of Temperance Thou were exhibited to Thy Flock, by the Truth of the Evidence. Thus Thou acquired the Lofty through Humility, the abundant through Poverty. O Father and Hierarch Nicholas: Intercede with Christ our God, so that our souls may be Saved!
Kontakion Of St Nicholas The Wonderworkder Of Myra
En
tis Myris Agie, irourgos anedihthis; tou Hristou gar Osie, to Evangelion plirosas, ethikas tin Psihin Sou iper laou Sou, esosas tous athoous, ek tou Thanatou: dia touto Igiasthis, os Megas Mistis Theou tis Haritos
Saintly One, (St. Nicholas) in Myra Thou proved Thyself

a Priest; for in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, O Venerable One, Thou laid down Thy life for Thy people and Saved the innocent from Death. For this Thou were Sanctified as One learned in Divine Grace.
Kontakion Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon Doxologousi, Magi de meta asteros odiporousi, di imas gar egenniti, Pedion neon, O Pro Aionon Theos.
Today
the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all beings, and the earth offers a Cave to Him Whom no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give Glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 13: 17 21

Holy Life in Christ our Lord
Brethren: Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with Joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honourably. But I especially urge you to do this, so that I may be restored to you sooner. Now may the God of Peace Who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead - that Great Shepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant, make you complete in every Good Work to do His Will, working in you what is well pleasing in His Sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be Glory forever and ever. Amen. We must ALWAYS OBEY AND RESPECT OUR HOLY CHURCH His concluding Blessing noted THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE DIVINE AND MOST SACRED BLOOD OF CHRIST WHICH IS FATHERS who are consecrated and Sanctified members REALISED IN HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION AS CHRIST of the Holy Priesthood of Christ our Lord.
OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS ARE PART OF THE ETERNAL SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD OF CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH WHO WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY AT THE GREAT JUDGEMENT OF OUR LORD. OFFERS HIS MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD IN THE ETERNAL SANCTUARY and thereby inaugurates a New, ...
St Paul, as one of our Holy Church Fathers, asked all Christians for their Prayers so that he might live an exemplary life according to Gods Will and not be tempted by the evil one into committing any sins or worse leading others into wickedness or blasphemy.
Everlasting (Eternal) Covenant, which makes us Complete in every Good Work to do His Will... as WE CO-OPERATE WITH GOD IN ALL THINGS and so are able to progress towards Holy Sainthood Holy Perfection or Theosis i.e. the Regeneration of our original created state.

Our Lord Jesus Christ Delivers His Sermon On The Plain Concerning The Beatitudes
At that time, our Lord Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His Disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who went to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented by unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for Power went out from Him and healed them all. Then He lifted up His Eyes towards His Disciples and said: Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall be comforted. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Mans sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for Joy! For indeed your Reward is great in Heaven... DISCUSS OR DEBATE BUT LISTEN CAREFULLY TO In the age of the Old Covenant a select few were WHAT HE REVEALS AND TEACHES US CONCERNING chosen to hear God directly. (REFER EXODUS 19: 3 13)
IN THE AGE OF THE NEW COVENANT GOD INCARNATE SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AND ALL THOSE WHO SEEK DIVINE TRUTH. GODS TRUTH READY AND EAGER TO FULFIL WHATEVER IS REQUIRED FROM US. THIS IS OUR HOLY MISSION AND PURPOSE ON EARTH DURING THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY.
Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks to us with His own Divine Authority and WE, AS HIS DISCIPLES, DO NOT
ST NICHOLAS
THE
WONDERWORKER
OF
MYRA
6 DECEMBER 2012
The term Blessed indicates HEAVENLY, SPIRITUAL

EXALTATION RATHER THAN EARTHLY HAPPINESS OR PROSPERITY. In Hebrew, poor means both THE MATERIALLY POOR AND GODS FAITHFUL PEOPLE. The poor in spirit, are THOSE WHO HAVE THE HEART OF THE POOR, THE SAME ATTITUDE AS THE POOR, AND WHO ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GOD.
CORINTHIANS 7 : 10
leads to despair utter hopelessness. )
(REFER TO
THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL IS WHEN WE COMMIT OUR LIVES ENTIRELY TO CHRIST when we LIVE IN CHRIST and NEVER COMPROMISE OUR FAITH
Those who hunger ... and thirst for Righteousness

REGARD THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM AS THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES OF LIFE. They have a TREMENDOUS CRAVING AND YEARNING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOOD A SPIRITUAL HUNGER THAT IS FAR MORE COMPELLING THAN A DESIRE FOR FOOD. Those who weep... refers to THOSE WHO ARE DISTRESSED BY THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS LIFE, ESPECIALLY BY THE MISERY OF SO MANY OTHERS, THE STATE OF THE FALLEN WORLD, AND THEIR OWN PERSONAL SINS. (REFER JOHN 11:35... LUKE 19:41 & LUKE 7 : 36 38) ALL THESE ARE COMFORTED BY THE POWER OF GOD BOTH IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE AGE TO COME. HOLY SORROW IS PART OF OUR REPENTANCE, CONVERSION AND VIRTUOUS ACTION. HOLY SORROW OR JOYFUL MOURNING IS THE FIRSTFRUIT THE INITIAL RESULT OF INFINITE OR ETERNAL BLISS/JOY, which is completely different from
no matter what the circumstances or threats against us. This Sermon on the Plain is similar but not as extensive as Christs profound Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5 7)
OUR LORD JESUS REPEATED MANY OF HIS DIVINE TEACHINGS OVER THE PERIOD OF THREE YEARS HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY TO THE HEBREWS AND GENTILES, WHICH WERE LATER SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BY HIS DIVINELY INSPIRED APOSTLES AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES.
ungodly sorrow an inconsolable sadness that
St John the Divine Apostle, Evangelist and Theologian wrote of three Passover Feasts that occurred between Theophany the Revelation of the Holy Trinity at the Baptism of our Lord in the River Jordan by St John the Baptist and His Passion the New Covenant Pascha which shows us that our Lords earthly Divine Mission the direct Teaching by God Incarnate Himself lasted only three short years! This short section of the Holy Gospel according to St Luke is read on Feast Days commemorating our Holy Hierarchs, Hieromartyrs and Monks. Episcopacy, deeming himself utterly unworthy of such a dignified position. Innumerable accounts of his life demonstrate his simple honesty, Love, Humility and Devotion to God and mankind of worthy Shepherd. He saved sailors at sea and children at death, and we all know how he saved the morality and purity of three young women from a life of sin and depravity by secretly putting three bags of gold coins into their home at night, as suitable dowries for each of them. As ... Teacher of Abstinence... St Nicholas always denied himself in a variety of ways and especially so that he might give to others. Even as a baby he refused to eat meat on Fast Days, which at first confused his mother who thought her child was ill until she realised that he was adhering to the Holy Rules of Abstinence. After the repose of his parents, St Nicholas took his inheritance and distributed everything amongst the sick, the needy and the destitute. Consequently, through St Nicholas devout Service to both God and mankind, and his constant selfsacrifice, he has truly attained Eternal Memory not only in the timeless eons of Eternity, but throughout the passing ages of this life as well. Such are the Holy Ingredients of a full Christian Life i.e. True Life in Christ a fulfilled life that is always happy and profitable to all concerned. True Service and Sacrifice are only found where there is a real and abiding Love for God and our fellow mankind and the profound Faith of St Nicholas, the Wonderworker of Myra, was expressed by his unconditional concern for the Welfare of the Holy Church of Christ and the daily welfare of struggling human beings. Do you remember a particularly good story? Do you recall a moving play on stage or screen? Has anything on television or in a cinema ever shaken your emotions to the core? Only genuine unselfish Service and Sacrifice form the basis of life-changing, soul-arousing responses, which is what vital Christian Living is all about and which is precisely what made the Life of St Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra so worthy of our Commemoration and Veneration throughout all these centuries! May his memory be Eternal!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: HOMILY ON ST NICHOLAS BY THE GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF THE PACIFIC, HONOLULU, HAWAII.
St Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra

Although the world in general, quickly forgets people, the Holy Church of Christ and her Faithful members never forget those who have passed through the Royal Doors of Eternity and entered the Holy of Holies. Today we remember St Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra who lived in the fourth century in Asia Minor [Turkey]. At the time of his burial, approximately 1600 years ago, many might have thought that his memory like most other mortals would fade from the pages of history. However, just the opposite has happened and his fame has spread from nation to nation; from land to land, throughout the entire world, where not only have most people heard of him, but also remembered him with Love. Children might know St Nicholas as Santa Claus while others venerate him as the Holy Patron of Sailors and we Commemorate him as our Pious, Loving Bishop and a True Disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. St Nicholas never sought fame or fortune and all he wanted was to fulfil the Divine Commandment to Love God with all his heart and his neighbour as himself. His steadfast Service to both Almighty God and mankind gained him such universal esteem and in our Festal Apolytikion (Dismissal Hymn) his characteristics are described: His Rule of Faith refers to his deep, abiding Faith in Christ which was evident from his earliest childhood. When the See of Myra, Lycia, became vacant, the Council had been uncertain whom to elect so one of the Elders was instructed to go to Church very early the next morning and see who would go there to pray at that hour. He found St Nicholas praying in the Holy Sanctuary which he did every day and as a result, the Council elected St Nicholas as Archbishop of Myra. At the first Ecumenical Council in Nicea in 325, St Nicholas fought for the belief in Christs Eternal Divinity and is said to have struck the heretical Arios when he blasphemed the Person of Christ. Thus many Holy Icons of St Nicholas depict our Lord and the Ever Blessed Theotokos presenting him with the Holy Gospel and a Bishops Stole. ... the Example of Meekness... refers to the genuine Humility of St Nicholas, which compelled him to initially refuse the Office of the
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All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Gloriou s 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.
2 7 t h S u n d a y Af t e r P e n t e c o s t
Tone 2
9 December 2012
10th Sunday of St Luke The Bowed Woman The Conception of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary by St Anna & St Joachim
Also the Feast of St Hannah, Righteous Mother of St Samuel the Holy Prophet of God St Sophronios of Cyprus St Stephen the New Light of Constantinople St Anthimos the Fool for Christ of Mount Athos
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!
Festal Kontakion - Forefeast of the Nativity TONE 3
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!
Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo ethete apotekin aporritos. Horeve, i ikoumeni, akoutisthisa; Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voilithenta apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon.
Today
the Virgin comes to the Cave to give Birth Ineffably to the Word Pre-eternal. Hearing this, be of good cheer, O Earth and its people: Glorify Him with the Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will was to be made manifest as a young Child the PreEternal God.
Resurrection Gospel 5 -
Luke 24:12 35
Our Risen Lord Jesus Appears Along The Road To Emmaus
The Lord is my Strength and my Song The Lord has chastened me severely.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 4 : 22 27
SPIRITUAL SLAV
ERY AND
Prokeimenon Tone 2
SONSHIP
Brethren: it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwomen was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman, through Promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two Covenants: the one from Mount Sinai, which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children but the Jerusalem Above is free, which is the Mother of us all. For it is written: Rejoice, O Barren! You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labour! For the desolate have many more children than she who has a husband. By stating that St Abraham, OUR ANCIENT PATRIARCH, SARAH WAS A TYPE OF THEOTOKOS, FOR HER SON, HAD TWO SONS, AND that THE RELATED EVENTS WERE ISAAC, WAS BORN THROUGH A DIVINE PROMISE AND SYMBOLIC St Paul did not imply that they were not BY THE WILL OF GOD. HISTORICAL EVENTS. ISAAC ... was the issue of bodies that were dead, Rather St Paul asserted that OLD COVENANT HISTORY and of a womb that was dead. His conception was not by the flesh, nor his birth by the ANNOUNCED SOMETHING FAR GREATER THAN seed, for the womb was dead both through ITSELF. age and barrenness. But the Word of God HAGAR THE BONDWOMAN (SLAVE) AND MOUNT SINAI [CHRIST OUR CREATOR] fashioned him... He who was SYMBOLISED EARTHLY JERUSALEM AND THE not according to the flesh [ISAAC] was more HEBREWS WHO WERE UNDER THE IMPERFECT honourable than he who was born after the MOSAIC LAW OF GOD THE OLD COVENANT. flesh [ISHMAEL]. Therefore let it not disturb you SARAH THE FREEWOMAN SYMBOLISED HEAVENLY, that you were not born after the flesh. For ETERNAL JERUSALEM, WHICH IS THE ETERNAL from the very reason that you are not so CHURCH OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. born, are you most of all Abrahams ...THE DESOLATE... ARE THOSE IN THE HOLY CHURCH kindred. [ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM] OF CHRIST, especially the Gentiles the nonST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM REMINDS US THAT THROUGH OUR HOLY ADOPTION AS CO-HEIRS Hebrews. WITH CHRIST OF GODS ETERNAL KINGDOM THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF ... SHE WHO HAS A HUSBAND... THE LEGALLY WED BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION, WE HAVE BECOME SANCTIFIED AND HONOURABLE CHILDREN OF THE LORD OUR GOD I.E. WE ARE ADOPTED SPIRITUAL OR UNITED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS ISRAEL THE CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH HIS DIVINE PROMISE AND NOT ACCORDING TO OUR HUMAN NATURE OR ACCORDING TO THE FLESH. mp NEW ISRAEL BEING FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS WHO ADHERE TO THE NEW COVENANT WITH ALMIGHTY GOD.

Christ our Lord Heals Bowed Woman on the Sabbath Day
At that time, our Lord Jesus 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. And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said: Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity! And He laid His Hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and Glorified God.
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But the Ruler of the Synagogue responded with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd: There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath Day! Our Lord answered him: Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loosen his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water? So ought not this woman being a Daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound think of it: for eighteen years! be loosened 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 SCRIBES AND and the Holy Scriptures more than others REVEALED PHARISEES HAD BUILT UP AROUND THE OLD COVENANT THE DEPTH OF THEIR HYPOCRISY AND ACTUAL IGNORANCE LAW, healing was considered to be work or labour, OF THE TRUE SPIRIT OF DIVINE LAW. which was not permitted on Sabbath Days, which OUR LORD EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING AND included major Feast Days other than Saturday the COMPASSION - particularly for the wretched hunchDay of Rest. backed woman who had suffered debilitating, THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS, ARROGANT SCRIBES AND PHARISEES ceaseless, gnawing and exhausting back pain for BELIEVED THAT THEY SERVED GOD by zealously keeping eighteen years, yet never lost her Faith in God: ... such peripheral traditions. think of it...!! HOWEVER, SUCH LEGALISM MADE THEM INSENSITIVE TO GODS Our Holy Fathers believed that THIS HOLY COMMANDMENT GREAT MERCY AND TO HIS DIVINE WILL. OF OUR LORD TO THINK OF IT! DIRECTS US TO A THE ADMONITION of the sanctimonious Ruler of the SPIRITUAL MEANING OF EIGHTEEN YEARS. Synagogue WAS SO OUTRAGEOUSLY RIDICULOUS THAT IT As the Greek expression is literally translated: ten and COMPELLED OUR LORD JESUS TO EXPRESS HIS eight years both ST AMBROSE AND ST THEOPHYLACT STRONGEST IRRITATION AND ACCUSATION: Hypocrite! TAUGHT US THAT TEN REFERS TO THE TEN God has granted us THE SABBATH for the sake of our COMMANDMENTS, WHILE EIGHT REFERS TO DIVINE physical rest, but it DOES NOT EXCUSE US FROM GRACE, FOR THE DAY OF THE GENERAL RESURRECTION, FULFILLING ALL OUR SACRED DUTIES TO BOTH GOD AND THE DAY OF FINAL JUDGEMENT AND THE BEGINNING OF OUR FELLOW MANKIND as well as the rest of Creation! ETERNITY IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE EIGHTH DAY. Christ has taught us that The Sabbath was made for Consequently, HUMANITY IS UPLIFTED BY FAITH IN OUR LORD mankind not mankind for the Sabbath! JESUS CHRIST WHO FULFILS BOTH DIVINE LAW AND Therefore, THE ARROGANT, SELF-RIGHTEOUS SCRIBES AND DIVINE GRACE. PHARISEES - who should have understood Gods Law
Healing on the Sabbath the Bowed Woman

Dear Brethren, GOD LOVES NOTHING MORE THAN MANKIND AND HE DESPISES NOTHING MORE THAN HYPOCRISY. When OUR BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, was here on earth, He WAS FULL OF LOVE AND MERCY TOWARD ALL HUMANITY BUT WAS UNAPOLOGETICALLY HARSH AND DEMANDING OF HYPOCRITES. ALL SINNERS WHO BESOUGHT HIS FORGIVENESS HE FREELY FORGAVE. He always accepted them with unconditional Compassion, Love and Kindness except for THE ARROGANT, SELFRIGHTEOUS HYPOCRITES, WHO APPEARED TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND VIRTUOUS, YET WERE IN TRUTH LYING, DECEPTIVE HYPOCRITES whom our Lord Jesus severely admonished and chastened - and even once threatened to strike them with whips! In todays Sacred Lesson, we hear of A MUCH SUFFERING,
WOMAN WHO WAS BENT OVER AND CRIPPLED BY EIGHTEEN YEARS OF BACK PAIN BUT WHO - DESPITE SUCH AN EXCRUCIATING DISABILITY - HAD MADE HER WAY TO THE SYNAGOGUE THAT SABBATH AND POSSIBLY EVERY SABBATH DAY. AND BECAUSE THE WORDS OF GOD ARE IN THEMSELVES DIVINE ACTS, SHE WAS INSTANTLY HEALED. Behold, dear Christians, HOW THE LOVE OF GOD IS MANIFESTED AND POURED OUT UPON US! NO OBSTACLE CAN COME BETWEEN GOD AND THOSE WHO BESEECH HIS DIVINE HELP - not even the Sabbath because Gods Law, His Commandments, and even the Sabbath Day, were created for mankind, and not mankind for them! Truly, GOD'S LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS ARE EMBODIMENTS OF HIS DIVINE LOVE FOR US and the same should be true for our human laws, which must be for our own good, not for our enslavement otherwise such laws become unrighteous and inhumane. LAWS ARE MADE TO PREVENT EVIL PEOPLE FROM FREELY PERFORMING THEIR WICKED DEEDS OF DARKNESS: "It must be remembered, of course, that laws are made - not for good people - but for lawbreakers and criminals, for the godless and sinful, for those who are not religious or spiritual, for men who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the immoral, for sexual perverts for those who do anything else contrary to the True Teaching." (I TIMOTHY 1:9-10). FOR THOSE WHO STRIVE TO DO GOOD AND ESPECIALLY FOR CHRISTIANS - THERE EXISTS ONLY ONE LAW - THE LAW OF LOVE, which is positive in nature and not only forbids anything wicked, but also ENCOURAGES POSITIVE ACTS OF GOODNESS. Nothing can resist this Law. YET THERE IS MUCH THAT WOULD KEEP US FROM THE GOOD. First and foremost is HYPOCRISY. HYPOCRISY IS THE SIN OF PRETENDING TO BE UPRIGHT AND GOOD, WHILE INSIDE WE ARE ROTTEN AND SINFUL. In other words, HYPOCRISY IS GIVING OTHERS THE IMPRESSION THAT WE ARE SOMETHING WHICH, IN REALITY, WE ARE NOT. HYPOCRITES PRETEND TO BE CONCERNED about the Law and the Commandments, but only so that they might frustrate the good. They appear to be guardians of Divine Law, and those who fight for the preservation of human law, while IN REALITY THEY WISH ONLY TO UPROOT, BURN, AND DESTROY THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY. HYPOCRITES DO NOT CARE if others lose their lives, if injustice appears as truth, if innocent people are
What an amazing and good example for each of us to imitate! So, too, should we make every effort to attend Holy Services every Sunday for our Communal Prayers and Worship, and to RECEIVE THE DIVINE WORD OF GOD THROUGH THE SACRED READINGS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE, THE HYMNS AND THE PREACHING OF THE SERMON. For those same reasons this pain-wracked woman was compelled to go the Synagogue where SHE SOUGHT DIVINE CONSOLATION AND STRENGTH TO BEAR HER AFFLICTIONS and on that wonderful Sabbath Day she received much more than she ever expected: complete recovery of good health! SHE HAD STOOD QUIETLY AND OBSCURELY IN THE SYNAGOGUE, PRAYING AND LISTENING ATTENTIVELY to all that our Lord Jesus Christ preached, while GOD PREPARED HER THROUGH HER HUMBLE REPENTANCE TO RECEIVE HIS DIVINE GRACE. When He ended His Sermon OUR MOST LOVING LORD CALLED HER TO HIM - SEEING NOT ONLY HER BOWED BODY,
BUT HER SOUL THAT WAS ALSO BOWED IN DEEP
REPENTANCE. He said to her: Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity! Then, HIS DIVINE, LIFE-GIVING POWER WAS TRANSFERRED TO HER AS HE LAID HIS HANDS UPON HER -
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crucified, if venerable institutions are demolished and the fact that the Devil is dancing as he beholds all this, only delights these dangerous charlatans. THE RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE - HAD HE BEEN ABLE TO WOULD HAVE HAD BOTH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE SUFFERING WOMAN STONED TO DEATH - and all for the sake of the Sabbath! THAT MERCILESS, ARROGANT AND IGNORANT HYPOCRITE WAS
NOT AFFECTED SPIRITUALLY OR EMOTIONALLY AT ALL BY THE OBVIOUSLY MIRACULOUS HEALING THAT OCCURRED SO DRAMATICALLY - RIGHT BEFORE HIS EYES - of the woman
For example, what good does it do to preach the Commandment "Thou shall not kill", when WE CONTINUOUSLY KILL EACH OTHER WITH INSENSITIVE, CRUEL, SPITEFUL AND MALICIOUS WORDS AND DEEDS? What good is it to scream about the Canons, when WE DESTROY THE UNITY, HARMONY AND LOVE OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST DUE TO SELF-SERVING, ARROGANT MOTIVES? With regard to Divine Law, Orders, and Truth, it is generally accepted that THOSE WHO SHOUT THE LOUDEST
CONCERNING THESE THINGS NEITHER KNOW NOR RESPECT THEM THEMSELVES. THEY PONTIFICATE AND POINT THEIR ACCUSATORY FINGERS, BUT NEITHER PRACTISE NOR APPLY ANY OF THE PRINCIPLES TO THEMSELVES. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS LOVED - AND STILL LOVES - ALL SINNERS and especially the tired, the sick and the
whom he surely knew to have been ill for so many years. HE WAS CONSUMED BY HIS HATRED AND ENVY OF CHRIST although he knew very well how to hide his deadly passions, and to appear before others as being merely concerned with the preservation of God's Holy Sabbath day - even while rejecting God's Christ! THOSE WHO KNEW THE RULER EITHER FELL FOR HIS ACT COMPLETELY OR CHOSE TO IGNORE IT, not wanting any confrontation - BUT NOT OUR LORD JESUS WHO OPENLY IDENTIFIED HIM AS A HYPOCRITE AND IMPOSTOR a blatant liar and deceiver WHOSE EVERY WORD AND ACTION WAS DISHONEST AND SELF-SERVING!! Unfortunately, we surrounded by many such hypocrites so
WE MUST LEARN TO DETECT THEM AND BE EVER WATCHFUL AND ALERT TO THEIR LIES AND DECEPTIONS THAT LEAD US ASTRAY that lead us away from God and His Divine
Love and Great Mercy. Externally, they may seem to act like Saints, while internally they are full of vice - very skilfully MASKING THEIR REAL WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS in front of others - covering themselves with a cloak of Piety yet READY TO ATTACK their victims at the first opportunity that arises. THEY REJECT ANY WORDS OF ADVICE AND NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE ANY ACTS OF KINDNESS they receive from others. HYPOCRITES HAVE NO SENSE OF OBLIGATION TO DO GOOD
DEEDS FOR ANYONE ELSE AND THEY ARE VERY QUICK TO LOUDLY ACCUSE OTHERS gleefully pointing out their
perceived sins and errors, especially concerning Gods Laws, Commandments, Holy Canons, Orders or Divine Truth MOST OF WHICH THEY THEMSELVES ARE USUALLY GUILTY!! Few people would deny the profound value of these DIVINE GIFTS, which all EXIST FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANKIND ALONE. The first five chapters of the Protoevangelium of St James contains information about the Conception of Ever Blessed Virgin Mary by Her Righteous parents, St Anna and St Joachim, the validity of which is accepted by the Church. St Anna was descended from the family of King David, a daughter of a Priest of Bethlehem and of the Tribe of Levi while St Joachim was of the Tribe of Judah, who lived in Nazareth of Galilee. St Joachim was a very wealthy Shepherd who owned large flocks of sheep but who was also most generous. He divided his earthly possession and wealth into three portions: one portion he gave to orphans, widows, strangers and the poor, the second portion he gave to the Temple and the last portion he kept for the needs of his family. St Joachim and St Anna had married at the age of twenty and had lived for approximately fifty years without children. They had vowed to the Lord that if He would grant them a child, they would dedicate him or her to the Holy Service of God. Being childless caused great social humiliation because infertility was regarded as a Curse from God! They believed that a part of them lived on in their children so to be without offspring was to exist in name only. During Hanukkah (Feast of the Dedication) and the Feast of the Lights, which was celebrated for eight days St Joachims sacrificial offerings were rejected and he left the Temple distraught and in deep sorrow.
humble. As our All Loving God He even Loves the hypocrites, but HE ABHORS THEIR HYPOCRISY - AND ALL OUR SINS! However, hypocrites hate Christ, for UNCONDITIONAL DIVINE LOVE AND HYPOCRISY CANNOT CO-EXIST! They are mutually exclusive. Let us BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THROUGH GREAT SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE LEARN TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION OR RESTRICTIONS for by gaining this greatest of all Virtues, we prove our True Love of God and our fellow mankind and we will THEREBY HONOUR ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS, TEACHINGS AND TRUTH. On the contrary, IF WE ONLY APPEAR TO SEEK GOD, WHILE IN FACT WE HATE EITHER HIM AND/OR OUR FELLOW SINNERS, WE EXPOSE OUR DEEP-SEATED HYPOCRISY! IF WE DISREGARD OR IGNORE GODS DIVINE LOVE, COMMANDMENTS, TEACHINGS AND TRUTH, despite our lofty words to the contrary, WE ARE DECEPTIVE LIARS! THE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS, TEACHINGS AND TRUTH, AS WELL AS THE CANONS OF HIS HOLY CHURCH HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO US IN ORDER TO TEACH US HOW TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY AND PROPERLY so that we may become worthy citizens and co-Heirs of His Divine Eternal Kingdom of Love. Therefore, Dear Brethren, let us embrace all aspects of that Divine Love of God and strive to attain all the necessary Virtues that grant us Eternal Salvation and Life.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: HTTP://WWW.HOLYTRINITYMISSION.ORG/BOOKS/ENGLISH/SERMONS_G_DIMOP OULOS.HTM#_TOC44633673
The Conception of the Ever Blessed Theotokos, Ever Virgin Mary
Instead of returning home, St Joachim took his flocks far up on the mountain where he pitched his tent and vowed: I will not go down either for food or drink until the Lord my God shall look upon me. Prayer shall be my food and drink. Meanwhile, when St Anna saw how St Joachim was publically disgraced for their presumed secret sins that must have caused them to remain childless, she returned home in tears of extreme regret over her childlessness for which she felt entirely responsible. St Anna went into her garden about noon, sat under a laurel tree and - filled with abject sorrow and distress at the cruel accusations of the Priest - she prayed to the Lord: O God of our Fathers, Bless me and hear my Prayer: as Thou opened the womb of Sarah and gave her a son, Isaac... Suddenly in the mountains Archangel Gabriel appeared before St Joachim and announced that St Anna would bring forth a daughter whom they should name Mary. According to their Sacred Vow to God, from her infancy She would be dedicated and devoted to the Lord our God. St Joachim was then instructed to go immediately to the Golden Gate of Jerusalem where his beloved wife would be anxiously awaiting his return. Similarly, St Gabriel the Archangel of God and Bearer of Good Tidings, had appeared before St Anna and told her that God had indeed heard their Prayers and that she would soon conceive and bring forth a child,
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whereupon St Anna repeated her Sacred Vow to offer their son or daughter to the life-long Service to the Lord. As before, St Gabriel instructed St Anna to hasten to the Golden Gate of Jerusalem where they reunited with Great Joy and the following day St Joachims sacrificial offerings were accepted at the Temple.
Soon after their return to their home St Anna conceived by means of St Joachims seed and the very first step of mankinds Eternal Salvation was taken.*
* The Orthodox Church teaches that the Holy and Ever Virgin Mary was conceived by the seed of St Joachim and that she had a normal gestation period of nine months. Hers was not an Immaculate Conception as taught by the Roman Church.
Adapted & Edited by mp HTTP://WWW.STGEORGEGREENVILLE.ORG/OURFAITH/FEASTS
The Feast of the Nativity of Christ our Lord & Saviour

The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, draws near and the anxiety of the world increases. There are those who worry that this Great Feast is surrounded by too much commercialism. Others fear that religion will once again invade their safely guarded secular spaces. These are only the most vocalized anxieties. BUSYNESS AND SELF-INDULGENT GREED CONSUMES OUR LIVES and the words from the Dr Seuss character, the Grinch come to mind: I must stop Christmas from coming! Many Christians regard Christmas as something bound in history it is the Birth of Christ into this world and is marked like any other historical event. Some care is given to the exact year (some say 4 BC, some other dates). Others concern themselves with debating what it was that the Magi saw (star, comet, etc). All in all, modern Christians, bound by the historical model, find themselves on the defensive because they are celebrating an historical Event which is assaulted by all the weapons wielded by those who wage war on Christian history. They must stop Christmas from coming! IN FACT, THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST BELONGS TO A UNIQUE CATEGORY OF EVENT. It is certainly historical: Christ was born into this world. However, THE FACT OF HIS BIRTH INTO THE WORLD DOES NOT PROPERLY OR COMPLETELY DESCRIBE HIS BIRTH INTO THIS WORLD, FOR THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST CANNOT BE PLACED INTO THE GENERAL CATEGORY OF BIRTHS. We were all born into this world on unremarkable days of the year, and, no doubt, our death will also occur on an unremarkable day. THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST INTO OUR WORLD WAS THE GREAT ENTRANCE OF THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA - THE GREAT ENTRANCE OF GOD INTO THE MIDST OF THE HUMAN RACE and although He came to us by means of HIS BIRTH, it WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENT, FOR IT CHANGED THE ENTIRE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY. We can describe Christs Nativity in BIOLOGICAL TERMS: He was BORN OF A VIRGIN and in His Birth NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO HER. His Birth did not cause any hurt or harm to the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary. He was Born and SHE REMAINED EVER VIRGIN. [HAVING TAKEN SUCH A SOLEMN AND UNBREAKABLE
VOW OF CHASTITY, OUR MOST PURE AND BLESSED LADY, REMAINED VIRGIN UNTIL HER DORMITION, NEVER BEARING ANY MORE CHILDREN AS SOME HAVE ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED.]
gather together in One all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him. (EPHESIANS 1:9-10). What occurred at the Nativity of Christ, was far more than merely an historical Event. IT WAS THE ENTRANCE OF THE VERY END (AND BEGINNING)
OF ALL THINGS INTO THAT WHICH WE KNOW AS SPACE AND TIME.
We can also describe His Birth in terms of TIME. What does it mean that the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, were born in time? Just as the Virgin endured no damage from the Birth of Christ, so TIME AND SPACE ENDURED NO DAMAGE FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE TIMELESS ONE AND YET THE ETERNAL ONE HAS ENTERED INTO OUR HUMAN HISTORY, WHICH THEREFORE, COULD NOT REMAIN THE SAME AS BEFORE. The Consequence of Christs Entrance into history is described by St. Paul: ...Having made known unto us the Mystery of His Will, according to His Good Pleasure which He has purposed in Himself: that in the Dispensation of the Fullness of times He might
As such, SPACE AND TIME HAVE BEEN ALTERED. The Nativity of Christ was a most unique Event into which ...all things are being gathered together in one in Christ. There is an inexorable character to this Entrance of Christ into history. History, having admitted the Entrance of One Who transcends both space and time, is no longer defined by space and time. HISTORY IS DEFINED BY THE TIMELESS ONE WHO HAS ENTERED. Consequently - despite all the work of Grinches, CHRISTMAS CANNOT BE STOPPED. No matter how the world may improperly commercialize the Event or whether certain churches fail to properly acknowledge it, CHRISTMAS IS A TIMELESS EVENT, AN ENTRANCE INTO OUR WORLD OF THE ALPHA AND OMEGA. As such, it is inexorable. There is nothing we can do to prevent His Entrance and nothing we can do to change HIS REALITY. Christ has entered into our world, with the Purpose of GATHERING ALL THINGS INTO HIMSELF. That Purpose CANNOT BE CHANGED OR ALTERED. A Timeless or Eternal Event cannot be celebrated in the same fashion as a merely historical event. Being timeless, the Nativity of Christ cannot be confined to history, even though it has an historical aspect. Thus the Feast of the Nativity of Christ is as present now as it was over 2,000 years ago when the wicked King Herod perceived the Birth of the Christ-Child as a threat to his corrupt kingdom - and that same Most Holy Son of God Incarnate remains a threat to every wicked kingdom for ...the kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. Peace on earth, Good Will towards men, is not a slogan nor a measure of the success of the Festive Season. It is A DESCRIPTION OF THE REALITY THAT ENTERED THE WORLD IN THE PERSON OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS Peace on earth... BECAUSE HIS VERY PRESENCE IS GODS ...Good Will towards men. THE WORLD IS BEING GATHERED TOGETHER IN ONE INTO GODS PEACE AND GOOD WILL. Sadly, IT IS NOT ALWAYS A GATHERING THAT IS GREETED WITH JOY and thus, those who reject it will receive Eternal Condemnation due to the fact that ... Light has come into the world and men preferred darkness to the Light. CHRISTMAS TIME IS MORE THAN A SEASON OF THE YEAR IT IS GODS WORK OF REDEEMING ALL TIME OF MAKING
THE TIME OF THIS WORLD INTO THE TIMELESSNESS OF THE AGE TO COME. Christmas time - GOD IS WITH US.
HTTP://GLORY2GODFORALLTHINGS.COM
Its
14.
OF
ST LUKE CONCEPTION
OF
EVER VIRGIN MARY
9 DECEMBER 2012
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pu re, 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 2012 St Spyridon, Wonderworker of Trymithous

Also the Feast of St John of Zichnon - St Therapon of Monza St Alexander, Hieromartyr of Jerusalem St Synetos of Rome St John of Zedazeni Monastery
Festal Apolytikion of St Spyridon Of Trymithous
TONE 1
Tis
Synodou tis protis anedihthis Ipermahos, ke Thavmatourgos Theofore, Spyridon Patir imon; dio nekra Si en tafo prosfonis, ke ofin is hrisoun metevales; ke en to melpin tas Agias Sou ehas, Angelous eskhes sillitougountas Si Ierotate. Doxa to Se Doxasanti Hristo! Doxa to Se Stefanosanti! Doxa to Energounti dia Sou, pasin Iamata!
At
the first of the Synods, Thou emerged as the Champion, and Wonder-worker, our God-bearing Father Spyridon. Wherefore, Thou addressed Thy dead daughter in the grave, and a serpent Thou changed into gold. And while chanting in Service Thy Sacred Prayers, Thou had Angels celebrating, O Most Holy One. Glory to Christ Who Glorified Thee! Glory to Him Who Crowned Thee! Glory to the One Who works through Thee, Healings for everyone!
F e s t a l K o n t a k i o n o f S t S p y r i d o n TONE 2
To potho Hristou, trothis Ierotate, ton noun Pterothis, ti

egli tou Pnevmatos, Praktiki Theoria, tin Praxin efres Theolipte, Thisiastirion Thion Genomenos, etoumenos pasi Thian Ellampsin.
Wounded by Thy Love for Christ, O Holy One, Thy mind

is granted Wings by the Radiance of the Spirit, Thou put the practice of Theory into Deeds, becoming a Sacred Altar, O Chosen by God, and praying for the Divine Illumination of all.
Today
the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
Matins Gospel: John 10 : 1 9

Christ Is Our Only Lord And Saviour Through Whom We Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: Most assuredly, I say to you: he who does not enter the Sheepfold by the Door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the Door is the Shepherd of the Sheep. To him the Doorkeeper opens, and the Sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own Sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own Sheep, he goes before them; and the Sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again: Most assuredly, I say to you: I Am the Door of the Sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the Sheep did not hear them. I Am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
Festal Prokeimenon :
The Saints shall rejoice in Glory. Sing to the Lord a New Song!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians 5 : 8 19
We must live in the Divine Light of our Lord Jesus Christ
Brethren: You were once darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord. Walk as Children of Light (for the Fruit of the Spirit is in all Goodness, Righteousness and Truth), finding out what is acceptable to our Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them, for it is shameful even to speak of those things that are done by them in secrete. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the Light, for whatever reveals 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 the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord...
The Holy Gospel According to St John 10 : 9 16

Our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ, Is The Good Shepherd
Our Lord Jesus said: I Am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come so that they may have Life and that they may have it more abundantly. I Am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His Life for the Sheep. But a hireling he who is not the Shepherd, one who does not own the sheep sees the wolf coming and leaves the Sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the Sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the Sheep. I Am the Good Shepherd; and I know My Sheep, and Am known by My Sheep. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My Life 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 and One Shepherd.
ST SPYRIDON, WONDERWORKER OF TRYMITHOUS
12 DECEMBER 2012
15.
St Spyridon of Trimythous
St Spyridon lived during the time of Emperor Constantine the Great and his son, Constantios. This God-bearing Father of the Holy Church - the great Defender of Corfu and the Boast of all the Orthodox had Cyprus as his homeland. He was simple in manner and humble of heart, and was a Shepherd of sheep. When he was joined to a wife, he begat of her a daughter whom they named Irene. After his wifes departure from this life, he was appointed Bishop of Trimythous, and thus he became also a Shepherd of Rational Sheep. When the First Ecumenical Council was assembled in Nicaea, St Spyridon also was present, and by means of his most simple words stopped the mouths of the Arians who were wise in their own conceit. By the Divine Grace, which dwelt in him, he wrought such Great Wonders that he received the surname Wonderworker. So it is that - having tended his Flock piously and in a manner pleasing to God St Spyridon Reposed peacefully in the Lord about the year 350, leaving to his country his Sacred Relics as a Consolation and Source of Healing for the Faithful. About the middle of the seventh century, because of the incursions made by the barbarians at that time, his Sacred Relics were taken to Constantinople, where For more than 100 years after St Spyridons Repose sweet-scented aromas wafted from his tomb in Cyprus, until the local clergy had the casket exhumed and found his body uncorrupted and intact. they remained, being honoured by the Emperors themselves. However, just before the fall of Constantinople, which took place on 29 May 1453, a certain Priest - named George Kalokhairetes who was the Parish Priest of the church where the Saints Sacred Relics, as well as those of St Theodora the Empress, were laid to rest took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Serbia, Father George went as far as Arta in Epiros, a region in Western Greece that was opposite the isle of Corfu. From there, in 1456, while the devastating misfortunes and persecution of Christians were increasing each day, he sailed to Corfu. The Holy Relics of St Theodora the Empress were presented to the people of Corfu while those of St Spyridon remain to this day - according to the rights of inheritance - the Most Precious Treasure of the Priests own descendants - and they continue to be a Staff for all faithful Orthodox Christians, and a Supernatural Wonder for those who venerate him, for even after the passage of [more than] 1,500 years, his Holy Relics have remained incorrupt and the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved by the Mystery and Wonder of Divine Grace. Truly wondrous is God in His Saints! (PSALM 67:3 5)
Miracles Concerning St Spyridon

The Holy Relics were kept in Cyprus for over 300 years until shortly after the Turkish conquest when Father George Kalochairete took them to Corfu where, ever since then, St. Spyridon has never ceased to venerated. So the Orthodox Community turned to St Spyridon and besought him to end this abomination. That same night, St Spyridon appeared to Pizani as a Monk and said: I told you not to bother me. If you dare to go through with your decision, you will surely regret it, but by then it will be too late. The next morning, Pizani reported to the Papist Cardinal who now accused him of being not only faithless but also of being a coward, after which Pizani issued the order to construct the Papist Altar inside the Orthodox Church of St Spyridon. While the Papists celebrated their triumph, the Orthodox were deeply saddened and with tears they continued to beseech St Spyridons Intercessory Prayers to Deliver them from the Papist abomination. That evening, a terrible storm broke out, unleashing a barrage of thunderbolts on Fort Castelli, which housed Pizanis headquarters, barracks and ammunition stores. 900 Roman soldiers and civilians were instantly killed from the enormous explosion that occurred, yet not a single Orthodox Christian was harmed. Pizani was found dead with his neck wedged between two wooden beams and body of the Papist Cardinal was found a great distance from the fort having been thrown there by the powerful blast. However, the most amazing occurrance was that on the same night and at the very same hour, another powerful thunderbolt struck in Venice, striking the compound of Pizani and incinerating his portrait that hung on the wall. Strangely enough, nothing else was damaged. Meanwhile at the fort on Corfu, the guard of the ammunition barracks had watched as St Spyridon approached him with a lit torch and then picked him up and carried him to the Church of the Crucified, thus saving him from the devastation without a single scratch. Many are the Miracles of St Spyridon but he does not protect Ecumenist Clerics for when an important Orthodox Hierarch met with Latin Papists, he never made it back to Corfu as he suddenly, inexplicably, dropped dead.
http://orthodoxword.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/saint-spyridonthe-wonderworker/
In 1716 the Turks held the island of Corfu under a tight siege. They had 50,000 troops and a good number of ships surrounding the island, cutting its lifeline from land and sea. The barbarian armies had been concentrated at the far walls of the city. Pizani, a General of the Venetian Republic, was anxiously anticipating the oncoming enemy attack (since Corfu and the nearby islands were occupied by Italy at the time). At daybreak on 11 August 1716, St. Spyridon, the Patron Saint of Corfu, appeared in front of the enemy lines holding a glistening sword in his right hand. His austere and grandiose Appearance horrified the aggressors who began to retreat and the Agarenes, panic-stricken by the most awesome Mystical Presence of the Saint, abandoned weapons, machinery and animals, and ran for their lives. This Great Miracle became known throughout the islands for the Turks had left behind 120 cannons, a large number of weapons, ammunition, animals and food. After this powerful, surprising and most obvious Miracle, the Venetian Ruler, Andrew Pizani, who was a Papist, wanted to erect an Altar inside the Orthodox Church of St Spyridon (for the Roman Church was always trying to take over the Orthodox Church.) However, St Spyridon appeared to Pizani in a dream saying: Why are you bothering me? The altar of your faith is unacceptable in my Temple! Of course, Pizani reported this to the Papist Cardinal who declared that the Vision was merely an evil fantasy of the devil who wanted to nullify their noble deed. Having been encouraged, Pizani ordered the commencement of the construction of the Altar and all the building materials were piled up outside the Holy Church of St Spyridon. When the Orthodox Priests and the Greek leaders of Corfu realised what was going on, they were greatly grieved and requested a meeting with Pizani to ask him to desist with his offensive intention. However, Pizanis response was disheartening for he told bluntly and arrogantly told them: As your Ruler, I will do whatever I please!
16.
ST SPYRIDON, WONDERWORKER OF TRYMITHOUS
12 DECEMBER 2012
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and Remembering also our Most Holy , Most Pu re, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Vi rgin, together with all the Saints. And let us co mmit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 3
16 December 2012
Sunday of the Holy Forefathers 11th Sunday of St Luke The Great Banquet of God
Also the Feast of St Haggai the Holy Prophet of God St Marinos of Rome St Theophano, Blessed Empress, wife of Emperor Leo the Wise St Sophia, the Princess St Modestos St Jerusalem
Resurrection Apolytikion
- TONE 3
Evfrenestho
ta Ourania, agaliastho ta epigia, oti epiise Kratos en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanato ton Thanaton.Prototokos ton nekron egeneto. Ek kilias Adou errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the
Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has trampled down Death by Death; He has become the First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He has delivered us, and to the world He has granted Great Mercy.
TONE 2
Festal Kontakion Holy Forefathers of Christ
En
Pisti tous Propatoras edikeosas, tin ex ethnon diafton Promnistefsamenos Ekklisian. Kafhonte en doxi i Agii, oti ek spermatos afton, iparhi karpos efkeleis, i asporos tekousa se. Tes afton ikesies Hriste O Theos, soson ta psihas imon.
In Faith the Forefathers Thou has justified by producing

through them, the Church from the Nations. The Saints boast in glory that from their seed came forth Noble Fruit - the One Who gave Thee Birth without seed. Through their intercessions, O Christ our God, Save our souls!
Today
Resurrection Matins Gospel 6 : Luke 24 : 36 53

Our Risen Lord ate breakfast with His Apostles & Disciples, proving He was truly Resurrected
Resurrection Prokeimenon
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers! For Thou art Righteous in all the things that Thou hast done for us!
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. Therefore, put to death your members that are of the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passions, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things, the Wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But 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 Hebrew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. St Paul described T R U E M Y S T I C I S M : St Paul also described T R U E A S C E T I C I S M : As Faithful Christians or Disciples of Christ, WE HAVE As Baptised and Chrismated Christians Sanctified RECEIVED CHRISTS EXALTED RESURRECTION LIFE IN Disciples of Christ WE SLOWLY BECOME IN PRACTICE HOLY BAPTISM, AND CONSEQUENTLY, WE NEED TO WHAT WE ARE ALREADY IN SPIRIT I.E. AS GOD CREATED CONTINUOUSLY SEEK THE ULTIMATE SPIRITUAL GLORIES US TO BE. OF THE AGE TO COME I.E. OF ETERNAL LIFE. As we ... died with Christ... so WE MUST ALSO DESIRE OR WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR HOLY BAPTISM AND STRIVE WILLINGLY EXPERIENCE DEATH DAILY BY KILLING OFF OR ERADICATING THROUGH REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, TO LIVE IN CHRIST to LIVE EVERY MOMENT FOCUSSED ON ALL OUR HABITUAL SINFUL AND DISINTEGRATING AND GUIDED BY HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION AND THE PASSIONS. GENERAL RESURRECTION OF ALL MANKIND ON THE EIGHTH As we have been Resurrected with Christ, we too must we DAY the beginning of Eternity. BE WILLING TO EXPERIENCE OUR DAILY LIFE BY MEANS OF We must constantly SEEK OUR TRUE LIFE IN CHRIST SO THAT THE VIRTUOUS AND VIVIFYING (ENLIVENING, ACTIVATING) - while awaiting the Heavenly, Glorious and Final HOLY AND PURE DESIRES OF THE NEW MAN the Divine Revelation - WE MAKE GOOD, PROPER AND TRUE Renewed Person whom we become THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRITUAL PROGRESS. MYSTERIES OF CHRIST because we are all unified In other words: unless we CEASELESSLY STRIVE TO APPLY Members of the Divine Body of Christ His Eternal and ALL CHRISTS COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS TO OUR Holy Church. PERSONAL LIFE TO OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS Being a New Man, WE SPIRITUALLY GROW AND SLOWLY we cannot make any Spiritual Progress, which is utterly PROGRESS THROUGH EACH STAGE OF SPIRITUAL essential for Eternal Life in Gods Heavenly Kingdom.
28TH SUNDAY AP 11TH OF ST LUKE SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FOREFATHERS -
16 DECEMBER 2012
17.
PERFECTION until we regain our lost Divine Likeness to our Lord Jesus Christ. FINALLY, HAVING HOPEFULLY REGAINED THE SPIRITUAL STATE IN WHICH HE CREATED US WE WILL BE ETERNALLY BLESSED WITH ALL GODS LOVE AND GOODNESS I.E. ETERNAL BLISSFUL AND JOYFUL LIFE. St Paul has specified clearly ALL THE VICES that WE MUST
ENDEAVOUR TO ERADICATE FROM WITHIN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS. HOWEVER, THIS IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN WE TRULY LIVE IN CHRIST WHEN OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS ARE ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR Who has given us all the Spiritual
Tools and will grant us all the Spiritual Strength we
need in order to make good Spiritual Progress towards that wonderful Eternal Life. TRUE LITURGICAL EXPERIENCE IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH THE HOLY UNITY AND MYSTERIES OF CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH. WITHOUT PARTICIPATING FULLY AND In other words: CORRECTLY IN LITURGICAL AND OTHER HOLY MYSTERIES AND SERVICES OF HIS CHURCH, WE CANNOT EXPECT TO MAKE MUCH SPIRITUAL PROGRESS. We all need the Spiritual Guidance of the Ordained Clergy and the constant Intercessory Prayers of our Ever Blessed Lady Theotokos and all the Saints. NO ONE CAN MAKE THIS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY ON HIS OR HER OWN, for we are always under attack by the evil ones who persist in their Spiritual Warfare, using our own weaknesses against us and each other.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 14 : 16 24 & St Matthew 22 : 14

Gods Great Banquet & our Excuses That Exile & Alienate Ourselves!
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to a Ruler of the Pharisees: A certain Man gave a Great Supper, and invited many, and sent His Servant at supper time to say to those who had been invited: Come, for all things are now ready. And they all with one accord began to make excuses! The first said to Him: I have bought a piece of ground, 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. Still another said: I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot attend. So that Servant returned and reported these things to His Master. Then the Master of the House, being angry, 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: Master, it is done as Thou commanded, and still there is room. 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 Supper!... ... for many are Called but few are Chosen! V IF WE DO NOT BECOME WORTHY CITIZENS FOR HIS This Parable of our Lord Jesus Christ consists of TWO ASPECTS, ILLUSTRATING BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE, PEACE AND JOY N COMING OF CHRIST, Who is the Servant sent by God O W - WE CANNOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE HIS GREAT MERCY AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS FOREVER! the Father TO GATHER MANY TO PARTAKE OF HIS HOLY EUCHARIST, WHICH GRANTS US SALVATION THROUGH THE ST AMROSE SAW THE THREE EXCUSES THAT REJECTED REPENTANCE AND THE FORGIVENESS OR REMISSION OF GODS DIVINE INVITATION AS REPRESENTING THE SIN AND THUS ETERNAL LIFE. GENTILE, THE PAGAN, THE OLD COVENANT HEBREW AND The term Supper indicates an evening meal OUR THE HERETIC. ESSENTIAL NOURISHMENT BEFORE RESTING OR These are all DEVOTED TO THEIR EARTHLY WEALTH SLEEPING. the ...piece of ground... In other words: WE ALL NEED TO PARTAKE OF HOLY COMMUNION/EUCHARIST AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE SO THAT The five yoke of oxen represent A PREFERENCE AND WE ARE PROPERLY SPIRITUALLY NOURISHED AND ENSLAVEMENT TO MANS INTERPRETATION OF THE PREPARED FOR ETERNAL LIFE IN GODS DIVINE KINGDOM FIVE OLD COVENANT BOOKS OF LAW IN ORDER TO before we repose in Peace in Christ and while we REJECT GODS NEW COVENANT OF SALVATION. await His Final Judgement. The excuse of having married a wife, is the THE FIRST PEOPLE WHO WERE INVITED by Almighty God to HERETICAL ESPOUSAL OF ERROR BY THOSE WHO partake of the Great Mercy of His Divine Eucharist REJECT THE WILL AND LOVE OF GOD IN FAVOUR OF WERE THE HEBREWS. THEIR OWN EARTHLY, SELFISH DESIRES. AFTERWARDS HIS DIVINE INVITATION WAS OFFERED TO EVERYONE ELSE TO ALL HUMAN BEINGS THROUGHOUT ST THEOPHYLACT MORE GENERALLY ASSOCIATED THE
THE WORLD AND THROUGHOUT THE AGES.
Now AS CHRISTIANS WE MUST EAGERLY PARTAKE OF

HOLY COMMUNION EVERY TIME WE ATTEND THE DIVINE LITURGY WITHOUT MAKING EXCUSES to reject Gods
Divine Banquet of Thanksgiving, Salvation and Eternal Life. Our Holy Church Fathers regard THE THREE EXCUSES that Christ mentioned as NOT ONLY HAVING A LITERAL
MEANING BUT ALSO A PROFOUND SPIRITUAL MEANING!
EXCUSES WITH THOSE WHO ARE DEVOTED TO ALL EARTHLY MATTERS ESPECIALLY PERTAINING TO OUR FIVE SENSES TO ALL FLESHLY PLEASURES I.E PHYSICAL INDULGENCE.
Far too many of us are so attached to and obsessed with our worldly cares and favourite past times that WE
HAVE NO TIME NOR INCLINATION TO ACCEPT GODS DIVINE INVITATION for our Salvation and Eternal Life
The reference to 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. V GOD HAS CALLED ALL MANKIND TO HIS HOLY SERVICE BUT VERY FEW RESPOND SINCERELY AND FAITHFULLY,
BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE USE ALL THE EXCUSES THAT SATAN CAN INVENT, TO AVOID AND ALIENATE THEMSELVES FROM GOD.
in His Heavenly Kingdom.

FAR TOO MANY OF US USE EVERY SELF-JUSTIFYING EXCUSE TO REJECT HIS GREAT AND WONDERFUL INVITATION TO HIS HEAVENLY BANQUET AT EACH DIVINE LITURGY!
Too many of us think that we can ignore God and all our Sacred Commitments to Him until a later stage of life when it might suit us better! V Alas! EACH OF US HAS ONLY A SPECIFIC MEASURE OF
LIFESPAN IN WHICH TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR ETERNITY .
Sunday of the Holy Forefathers

Today is SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FOREFATHERS, which is always celebrated on the SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY, which follows shortly hereafter. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR SPIRITUAL PREPARATION and although we have been preparing ourselves since 15 November through Fasting, Contemplation and Prayer, the pace is quickening now and WE SHOULD BE MORE SPIRITUALLY AWARE. We may wonder why it is that we have this particular Sacred Lesson concerning the Great Banquet on the
18.
16 DECEMBER 2012
second Sunday before the Nativity? What is it that our Holy Church is trying to teach us, and why are Christs Holy Forefathers Commemorated today? It may be difficult to explore all the aspects of todays Sacred Lesson for we can only scratch the surface of its relevance to our Life in Christ. Nevertheless, our Lord Jesus Christs Parable of the Great Banquet is called to our attention because NONE OF US CAN PROPERLY CELEBRATE HIS GREAT FEAST WITHOUT BEING PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY PREPARED. Todays Sacred Lesson reminds us about ALL THE SINS WE MUST STRIVE TO AVOID WHAT WICKED ATTITUDES TOWARDS GOD AND OUR FELLOW SINNERS WE MUST AVOID OR DESIST. It is time for us to wake up from our Spiritual Slumber and BE READY TO RECEIVE AND GLORIFY OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR! BE READY TO FOLLOW HIM! In addition, we Commemorate HIS HOLY FOREFATHERS today, because they WERE INDEED IMPORTANT TO HUMANITYS SPIRITUAL PREPARATION BEFORE THE COMING OF THE LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH Gods Christ. WITHOUT THEM, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO GOD-MAN no Lord Jesus Christ the Incarnate, Eternal Son of God because HE WAS BORN OF A MOST SPECIFIC VIRGIN WHO WAS OF THEIR ROYAL AND PIOUS LINEAGE - AND THEIR PROPHESIES AND GOOD EXAMPLES PREPARED THE PEOPLE - AND US - FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST, which was all according to Gods Magnificent Plan for our Eternal Salvation. As Orthodox Christians we never forget how we were created - and WE NOT ONLY REMEMBER THAT WE ARE CREATED FROM THE CLAY OF THE EARTH, BUT WE ALSO REMEMBER ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PRECEDED US, and indeed, are JOINED TO US, IN PIETY, AND IN FAITH, AND IN SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE. So we should never feel disassociated from our history. Consequently: IF WE DO NOT TAKE THIS TIME TODAY, AND IN
THE REMAINING DAYS TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THE
He
ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM, BUT RATHER ALL THOSE WHO CORRECTLY WORSHIP CHRIST AS THE ETERNAL WORD AND SON OF GOD AND ALL WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO CHRISTS EXAMPLE OF HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN ALL THINGS SUCH AS HIS TEACHINGS, HIS COMMANDMENTS AND HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. tried to make them realise that OUR ETERNAL INHERITANCE IS NOT ACCORDING TO OUR BIOLOGICAL LINEAGE, BUT HOW WE LIVE EACH DAY WITH REGARD TO GOD AND OUR FELLOW MANKIND - the quality and consequences of OUR EVERY WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED!
Just before they crucified Him, our Lord Jesus Christ admonished them: ... do not think to yourselves: We have Abraham as our Father, for I say to you: God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! [MATTHEW 3 : 9] And truly, HAVING BEEN CREATED FROM THE EARTH, WE ARE THE SAME SUBSTANCE AS STONES!! Furthermore, THE GENTILES THE NON-HEBREWS - WERE THE STONES THAT OUR LORD RAISED UP AS SPIRITUAL CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION and IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST ALL THOSE WHO HAVE NO ABRAHAMIC LINEAGE CERTAINLY OUTNUMBER THOSE WHO WERE HEBREW WE ARE GODS NEW CHOSEN PEOPLE THE NEW ISRAEL OF GOD. The Parable of the Great Banquet is much more than an indictment of the misunderstanding of the Pharisee and it is very important to understand this. However, EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, IS THE REVELATION OF GODS GREAT DISPENSATION HIS GREAT MERCY OR ECONOMY WHICH IS DUE TO HIS INFINITE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND.
Economy is a complex term that indicates Gods Action in the world, and His Revelation of Himself to mankind. It is also used (and many times misused) to indicate the specific action of the Bishops and Priests of the Church when applying the Canons and all of Christian Law to an individual due to unusual or necessary circumstances. For example, by Economy a Bishop may allow a Divorce, or Second Marriage, or lessen the usual Epitemia (a period of time, during which a Christian is required to abstain from Holy Communion, and/or possibly do other things, as part of their Therapeutic Treatment (Penance) advised by their Father Confessor) for a certain sin, such as adultery or theft. Dispensation is also used, and grossly misunderstood by far too many Priests to allow certain people to enter the Church by means of Chrismation alone, rather than the proper and necessary Holy Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation, because of certain very specialized circumstances that are described in the Holy Canons. [ORTHODOX.NET]
NATIVITY, WE WILL MISS IT ENTIRELY! Even if we attend Church, WE WILL MISS THE DIVINE INCARNATION OF OUR SAVIOUR FOR IT WILL NOT TOUCH US AS PROFOUNDLY AS IT SHOULD. We always need to be prepared for anything that is of True Value especially to our Immortal Souls. WE MUST PREPARE OURSELVES PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY SO THAT WE CAN INCULCATE VIRTUE INTO OUR HEART, AND
THEREBY UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT THE LORD OUR GOD WANTS US TO KNOW.
However we do not prepare ourselves like the fallen, selfserving and indulgent world does - with frivolity, and partying for they have forgotten the Truth and Reality of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Whose Name is barely mentioned or replaced by an X! The back-story preceding the Parable of the Great Banquet is important for us to understand. OUR LORD WAS AT A GATHERING, DISCUSSING THEOLOGY WITH A GROUP OF PHARISEES and this Parable a response to what a certain Pharisee has commented: ... [Our Lord Jesus Christ] said to him who had invited Him: When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbours, lest they also invite you back, and you will be repaid. When you hold a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be Blessed because they cannot repay you; and you will be repaid at the Resurrection of the Just. Now when one of those who sat at table with Him heard these things, he said to Him: Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God! [LUKE 14 : 12 15] ALTHOUGH THAT PHARISEE HAD MADE A CORRECT STATEMENT, IT WAS WITH INCORRECT UNDERSTANDING, for he was thinking: Blessed is the Pharisee who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God. And KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS THINKING, OUR LORD THEN NARRATED THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET partially to teach him and all those who discriminate that IT IS NOT ONLY A SELECT FEW WHO WILL ENJOY
It is truly awesome and difficult to correctly describe exactly HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US AND HOW HE IS SO ATTENTIVE IN HIS CARE OR PROVIDENCE FOR US. We must CAREFULLY CONSIDER AND CONTEMPLATE THE WORDS OUR LORD USED WHEN DELIVERING THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET AND REALISE THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, WHICH PREPARES US FOR THE REVELATION OF CHRIST IN US. Then, CONTRAST THAT WITH THE HEEDLESSNESS OF THE SELFRIGHTEOUS PEOPLE WITH WHOM HE SPOKE and, in fear of being a similar type, we must TREMBLE, REPENT AND LEARN! We do not have much time left for our lifespan is but a vapour being as temporary as smoke in the wind! WE HAVE SO LITTLE TIME TO REPENT AND ACHIEVE THE LIFEGIVING VIRTUES THAT GAIN US ENTRY INTO THE HEAVENLY REALM. Whether we live a hundred more years, or whether we die today, we still only have very little time, and THIS IS THE PERIOD, RIGHT NOW, TO ESPECIALLY THINK ON THESE THINGS, AND PREPARE OURSELVES PROPERLY, SO THAT WHEN GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO EACH OF US - AS HE SURELY WILL WE WILL KNOW, RECOGNISE AND FOLLOW HIM! BY THE GRACE OF GOD, MAY NONE OF US MISS THE TRUTH AND REALITY OF THE SALVIFIC AND JOYOUS NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST!!
FATHER SERAPHIM HOLLAND, ST NICHOLAS RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH HTTP://ORTHODOX.NET/REDEEMINGTHETIME/2009/12/25/THE-SUNDAY-OF-THE-HOLYFOREFATHERS-PARABLE-OF-THE-GREAT-SUPPER/#_EDN2 (1996)
16 DECEMBER 2012
19.
The Kingdom of Heaven

It is important to REMEMBER THE WORDS OF OUR SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, when He began to preach: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! People did not understand the significance of His Divine Commandment in those days, nor do most people fully understand it now - even more than 2,000 years later. When Christ first announced the need for our Repentance because His Eternal Kingdom was at hand, PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROMISED KINGDOM, AND THE RIGHTING OF ALL PREVAILING INJUSTICES. They anticipated a Messiah Who would be a Great and Powerful King, so they thought that was what our Saviour was referring to that A JUST AND POWERFUL EARTHLY KINGDOM WAS ABOUT TO BE ESTABLISHED ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY THOUGHT THE PROPHECIES MEANT. They thought that very soon the Great Messiah would deliver them from their Roman oppressors and that not only the Romans but also all the Greek-speaking Hellenists would be banished, leaving the Hebrew Nation with a Theocratic Kingdom, which they believed they had been Promised by God. What they did not understand and what most people still do not realise, is that WHEN OUR SAVIOUR SPOKE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BEING AT HAND, HE WAS REFERRING TO HIMSELF, BUT NOT MERELY AS SOME SORT OF WORLDLY CONQUERING KING. Our Lord Jesus Christ was trying to tell us that THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS IN HIM - BECAUSE IN ALL REALITY AND TRUTH, HE IS THE WAY! HE IS THE TRUTH! HE IS THE LIFE! (CF. JOHN 14:6). OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS, HIMSELF, THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF HEAVEN! We understand THIS KINGDOM IN WHICH WE ARE ALREADY PARTICIPATING (even though we do not necessarily behave like it) to be THE BODY OF CHRIST, OF WHICH WE ARE ALL PARTS OR MEMBERS and OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD AND OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST. All this came to be out of His Perfect Obedience to the Will of God the Father, which was not accomplished because God the Father forced His Son to do so, but because God the Son lovingly, and voluntarily offered His Obedience to the Will of His Father, and always did, always does, and always will due to the Divine Nature of His Love. Very few of us have learnt the proper meaning of Obedience so we continue behaving as though we are forced to do something because it is an obligation or because it is the Law - like a stop sign or a speed limit sign (which we often ignore) or something else. We are forced or unwillingly compelled to follow the rules of whatever Law applies to our situation - and we only do so because we fear the consequences of breaking such rules. NEVERTHELESS, SUCH WORLDLY THINGS HAVE NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH THE GREAT, INSEPARABLE VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE OF OUR LIFE IN CHRIST! The real Virtue of Obedience in Christian Life, as well as in everyday life is VOLUNTARILY BEING OBEDIENT DUE TO OUR LOVE OF GOD AND FOR EACH OTHER. When we Love God and each other we will do our very best to obey their wishes. However, TRUE OBEDIENCE, WHICH IS COMPELLED BY LOVE [AGAPE UNCONDITIONAL, DIVINE LOVE], is not just doing something that someone else forces us to do. It IS EMULATION WILLINGLY IMITATING OR SURPASSING THOSE WHOM WE LOVE. AN OBEDIENCE in a Monastery or in Parish Life IS OFFERED BY THOSE WHO OBVIOUSLY HAVE TRUE LIFE IN CHRIST OR A LIFE OF LOVE IN CHRIST. When our Lord said: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! HE WAS COMMANDING US TO TURN OURSELVES AROUND TO CHANGE OUR WICKED HABITS AND DEEDS INTO VIRTUE THROUGH CONSTANT, CEASELESS PRAYER, CONFESSION AND TRUE REPENTANCE. Few people actually understand the meaning of Repentance. Some think Repentance means that we are supposed to have some sort of an emotional reaction, with tears of sorrow and a deep sense of Contrition. Yet Repentance is not necessarily all about weeping sorrowfully for our sins even though that should be a part of our genuine Repentance. WHEN WE SINCERELY REPENT, WE ACTUALLY TURN
OURSELVES AWAY FROM THE DARKNESS OF SIN TOWARDS THE LIFE-GIVING LIGHT OF GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS WE TURN AWAY FROM SELF-INDULGENCE AND TURN TOWARDS SELFLESSNESS AND SELF-DENIAL AWAY FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH TO SPIRITUAL LIFE! REPENTANCE FILLS US WITH GREAT JOY FOR WE HAVE LEFT BEHIND THE GNAWING SADNESS AND REGRET OF OUR SINS, MISTAKES AND SO FORTH THAT THREATENED TO OVERWHELM US before our Confession and our
Spiritual Return to Divine Grace. True Repentance grants us A RENEWED CONSCIOUSNESS AND SPIRITUAL AWARENESS SO THAT WE MIGHT BE EVER WATCHFUL FOR THE SNARES AND TEMPTATIONS of the evil ones and quickly avoid them through Prayer. RETURNING TO THE GRACE AND LOVE OF OUR LORD GOD BRING US wonderful Life, Light, Joy and Peace THE GLORIOUS FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and our life is completely different for it is filled with Holy Goodness and Peace. We must understand that in all Divine Truth LIFE IN CHRIST IS THE ONLY LIFE WORTH STRUGGLING FOR: Indeed, He is the Only Way, the Only Truth, the Only Life! He is the Only Living Kingdom. IT IS AT HIS GREAT BANQUET THE HOLY EUCHARIST THAT ALL US WRETCHED AND STRUGGLING SINNERS ARE GATHERED TOGETHER and standing together here today in His Holy Temple WE WAIT EXPECTANTLY FOR HIM TO NOURISH US WITH HIS MOST PRECIOUS, LIFEGIVING BODY AND BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT WAITING TO RECEIVE HIS SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE.
And while His Ordained Bishops or Priests serve us His Great Banquet the Holy Eucharist - in Reality, IT IS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF WHO TRULY FEEDS US ALL. Let us humbly Beseech Him, as we receive Holy Communion ... for the Purification of the soul, for
the Remission of sins, for the Fellowship of Thy Holy Spirit, for the Fulfilment of the Kingdom of Heaven and for the Boldness to approach Thee, neither unto Judgement nor unto Condemnation... - that He Renews
and Strengthens our Love of Him and the belief that He is truly the Only Way, SO THAT WE MAY BE READY FOR THE COMING OF HIM WHOM WE LOVE AND WHO IS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF OUR BEING. LET US BESEECH HIM TO RENEW AND STRENGTHEN HIS SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD LOVE AND JOY WITHIN OUR HEART AND SOUL, SO THAT WE MAY CEASELESSLY GLORIFY HIM IN EVERY FACET OF OUR LIFE UNITED
TOGETHER AND SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING EACH OTHER IN HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM STANDING TOGETHER IN COMMUNAL WORSHIP, GLORIFYING THE ALL HOLY TRINITY: God the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen.
ADAPTED AND EDITED BY MP: SERMON BY HIS EMINENCE, ARCHBISHOP OF OTTAWA & CANADA, SERAPHIM Archdiocese of Canada, OCA.
http://www.pravmir.com/sunday-after-theophany/
20.
16 DECEMBER 2012
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 Glo rio us Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, togethe r with all the Saints. And let us co mmit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
F o r e f e a s t o f t h e Na t i v i t y o f Ch r i s t
20 December 2012
St Ignatios the God-Bearing Wonderworker of Antioch

Also the Feast of St Ignatios the Archimandrite of Kiev Caves St Philogonios of Antioch St Daniel II of Serbia St John of Kronstadt St John the New Martyr of Thasos
Apolytikion of the Forefeast of the Nativity
Etimazou
Vithleem, inikte pasin i Edem; eftrepizou Efratha, oti to xilon tis zois, en to spileo exinthisen ek dis Parthenou; Paradisos ke gar, i ekinis gastir, edihthi noitos, en o to thion fiton; ex ou faontes zisomen, ouhi de os o Adam tethnixometha. Hristos gennate, tin prin pesousan, anastison ikona.
Make ready, O Bethlehem, for Eden opened up to all;
and prepare, O Ephratha, because the very Tree of Life, has blossomed forth in the cave from the Virgin; for it has come about, that her Womb has become a Spiritual Paradise, where grew the Divine Plant; from which, if we eat, we shall Live and not die as Adam did. Christ is Born to Resurrect the Image that had fallen!
Apolytikion of St Ignatios of Antioch TONE 4
Ke Tropon metohos, ke Thronon diadohos, ton Apostolon As a Sharer of the Ways and a Successor to the Throne of
genomenos, tin praxin efres Theopnevste, is theorias epivasin. Dia touto ton logon tis Alithias orthotomon, ke ti Pisti enithlisas mehris ematos; Ieromartis Ignatie: Presveve Hristo to Theo, sothine tas psihas imon.
Kontakion of St Ignatios of Antioch T O N E 3
the Apostles, O Inspired of God, Thou found Discipline to be a means of Ascent to Divine Vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the Word of Truth, Thou also contested for the Faith even by blood; O Hieromartyr Ignatios: Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be Saved!
Ton
lampron agonon Sou, i fotoforos imera, prokiritti apasi, ton ek Parthenou tehthenta. Toutou gar dipson ek pothou katarifise, espefsas ipo thirion analothine: dia touto Theoforos, prosigorefthis, Ignatie Endoxe!
The Divine and Brilliant
Day of Thine illustrious Contests proclaims to all mankind Him Who was born of a Virgin; for it was for Him that Thou thirsted to delight in, and hastened to be devoured by beasts in Thy longing. Hence, O Glorious Ignatios, the Name Godbearer was rightly given to Thee!
Kontakion of the Forefeast of the Nativity TONE 3
Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo ethete apotekin aporritos. Horeve, i ikoumeni, akoutisthisa; Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voilithenta apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon.
Today the Virgin comes to the Cave to give Birth Ineffably

to the Word Pre-eternal. Hearing this, be of good cheer, O Earth and its people: Glorify Him with the Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will was to be made manifest as a young Child the Pre-Eternal God.
Festal Prokeimenon
Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Saints. What shall we render unto the Lord for all His Benefits towards us?
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 7 : 1-6

The Priestly Orders of Levi & Melchizedek
Brethren: Melchizedek, King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings and Blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave tenth of all first being translated as King of Righteousness and then also King of Peace, without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a Priest continually. Now, consider how great this Man was, to whom even the Patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed, those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the Priesthood, have a Commandment to receive Tithes from the people according to the Law that is: from their Brethren, although they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them, received Tithes from Abraham, and Blessed him who had the Promises. Throughout the Old Covenant Scriptures, it was noted Persecuted Christians were encouraged NOT to how ISRAELITES SHOWED THEIR CONTINUING DESIRE apostatise to Judaism because THE FOUNDING FOR GODS HOLY PRIESTHOOD BY CONTINUING TO GIVE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS ETERNAL A TENTH OF EVERYTHING THEY RECEIVED. PRIESTHOOD, MELCHIZEDEK, WAS SUPERIOR TO THE Furthermore, not only is the Founder of the New OLD COVENANT PRIESTHOOD OF LEVI. Covenant Holy Priesthood superior to that of the Concerning the matter of Tithes: THE DESIRE TO ENTER Old Covenant, THE RULES OF THE NEW COVENANTS INTO THE MINISTRATIONS OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD IS PRIESTLY ORDER ARE ALSO ETERNAL AND SUPERIOR. FULFILLED WHEN SUCH LITURGICAL OFFERINGS ARE Priesthood is so intertwined with the Covenant that IF MADE. THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD IS CHANGED, THEN SO TOO IS THE HOLY COVENANT.
ST IGNATIOS
THE
GREAT GOD-B
EARING
HIEROMARTYR
OF
ANTIOCH
20 DECEMB
ER
2012
21.
The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 10 : 24 32

The Danger of Earthly Riches
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: Children, how difficult it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. And His Disciples were greatly astonished by His Words, saying among themselves: Who then can be Saved? And Jesus looked at them and said: With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible. And Peter began to say to Him: See, we have left everything to Follow Thee. And Jesus answered: Truly, I say to you: there is no one who has left house, or brothers or sisters, or fathers or mothers, or wife or children, or lands, for My sake and the Gospels who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions and in the Age to come, Eternal Life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. At that time, they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the Twelve Apostles aside again, and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him...
Selected Quotations from St Ignatios letters

V I do not issue orders to you, as if I were some great person. For although I am bound by the Name [of Christ], I am not yet Perfect in Jesus Christ. For now I begin to be a Disciple, and I speak to you as Fellow-Disciples with me. For it was needful for me to have been stirred up by you in Faith, Exhortation, Patience, and Longsuffering. But inasmuch as Love suffers me not to be silent in regard to you, I have therefore taken upon me first to exhort you that you would all run together in accordance with the Will of God. [ E PIST LE T O TH E E PH E SIAN S: E X HO RT AT ION S TO
U N IT Y]
...some are in the habit of carrying about the Name [of Jesus Christ] in wicked guile, while yet they practise things unworthy of God, whom you must flee as you would wild beasts. For they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom you must be on your guard, inasmuch as they are men who can scarcely be Cured... There is one Physician Who is possessed both of Flesh and Spirit; both made and not made; God existing in Flesh; True Life in death; both of Ever Blessed Mary and of God; first passible
[EMOTIONALLY SENSITVE, ESPECIALLY TO THE POINT OF FEELING PAIN]
and then impassible, even Jesus Christ our Lord. [EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS] V Our Physician is the Only True God, the Unbegotten and Unapproachable, the Lord of all, the Father and Begetter of the Only-Begotten Son. We have also as a Physician the Lord our God, Jesus the Christ, the Only-Begotten Son and Word, before time began, or, before the ages, but who afterwards became also Man, of Mary the Ever Virgin. For the Word became Flesh. Being Incorporeal, He was in the Body; being Impassible, He was in a passible Body; being Immortal, He was in a mortal Body; being Life, He became subject to corruption, that He might free our souls from Death and corruption, and Heal them, and might Restore them to Health, when they were diseased with ungodliness and wicked lusts. Take heed, then, to come together often to give Thanks to God, and show forth His Praise. For when you frequently come together in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and his fiery darts urging you to sin fall back ineffectually. [EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS EXHORTATION TO MEET
TOGETHER FREQUENTLY FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD.]
I write to all the churches, to impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless you hinder me. I beseech you not to show an unseasonable goodwill towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the Pure Bread of God. Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body so that when I have fallen asleep [IN DEATH], I may not be found troublesome to anyone. Then shall I be a True Disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat the Lord for me, that by these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God. I do not - as Peter and Paul - issue Commandments unto you. They were Apostles of Jesus Christ, but I am the very least [OF BELIEVERS]: they were free, as the Servants of God, while I am - even until now - a servant. But when I suffer, I shall be the freed-man of Jesus Christ, and shall rise again emancipated in Him. And now, being in bonds for Him, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain. [EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS:
ALLOW ME TO FALL PREY TO THE WILD BEASTS]
All the ends of the world and all the Kingdoms of this earth shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die for the sake of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth. For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? I yearn for our Lord, the Son of the True God and Father, even Jesus Christ. Him I seek He Who died for us and rose again. Pardon me, Brethren: do not hinder me in attaining to Life; for our Lord Jesus is the Life of Believers. Do not wish to keep me in a state of Death, for life without Christ is Death. While I desire to belong to God, do not give me over to the world. Suffer me to obtain Pure Light: when I have gone thither, I shall indeed be a Man of God. Permit me to be an Imitator of the Passion of Christ, my God. If anyone has Him within himself, let him consider what I desire, and let him have sympathy with me, as knowing how I am straitened [IMPOVERISHED].
[EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS - BY DEATH I SHALL ATTAIN TRUE LIFE]
22.
ST IGNATIOS
THE
GREAT GOD-B
EARING
HIEROMARTYR
OF
ANTIOCH
20 DECEMB
ER
2012
All Glory, Honou r 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 - togethe r with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
S u n d a y B e f o r e Na t i v i t y Tone 4 23 December 2012 Sunday of the Holy Ancestors

Also the Feast of the Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete: St Theodoulos, St Saturninos, St Evporos, St Galasios, St Eunician, St Zotikos, St Pompios, St Agathopos, St Basilides & St Evaristos St Theoktistos of Novgorod St Niphon of Cyprus St Paul of Neocaesarea St Nahum of Ochrid, Disciple of St Methodios & St Cyril the Equals of the Apostles
Resurrection Apolytikion TONE 2
To
fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou Mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon: Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos!
When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from

the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection, and had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather, they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no more: Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great Mercy!
Apolytikion of The Holy Righteous Ones Tone 2
Megala
ta tis Pisteos katorthomata! En ti pigis tis flogos, os epi idatos anapafseos, I Agii Tris Pedes igallonto; ke O Profitis Daniil, Leonton Pimin, os provaton ediknito. Tes afton ikesies Hriste O Theos, Soson tas psihas imon.
Magnificent
are Faiths accomplishments! The Three Holy Youths exultingly stood in the fountain of fire as if beside the still waters of rest. And Daniel the Prophet was shown to be a Shepherd of Lions. At their Entreaty, O Christ God: save our souls! the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon doxologousi, Magi de meta asteros odiporousi, di imas gar egenniti, Pedion neon, O Pro Aionon Theos.
Today
Gospel John 20:1 - 10

St Peter & St John Witness The Empty Tomb Of Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ
Prokeimenon :
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our Fathers. For Thou has always dealt Righteously with us.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 11 : 9 10 & 32 - 40
The Faith of the Old Covenant Hebrews from St Abraham the Patriarch 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; for 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; and women received their dead raised to Life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, so that they might obtain a better Resurrection. Still others had trials 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 or whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the 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 Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 1 : 1 25

The Genealogy Of Our Lord And 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.
29TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY THE RIGHTEOUS ONES 23 DECEMBER 2012
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Eliud begot Eleazar; Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the (Betrothed) Husband of Mary (Miriam) of Whom was born Jesus Who is called Christ. So 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. Now 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. Then Joseph, her husband, being a Just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly, but 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 you Mary your wife, for that which is Conceived in Her is of the Holy Spirit. And She will bring forth a Son, and Thou shalt call His Name Jesus, for He will Save His People from their sins. So 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. Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know until she had brought forth her Firstborn Son. And he called His Name Jesus. THE NAME JESUS OR JOSHUA MEANS O LORD SAVE Furthermore, the Angel of the Lord Whom St Abraham US, WHICH REFERS TO OUR LORDS DIVINE ROLE AS beheld in a Vision was no created being He was truly THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MANKIND. the Son and Word of God. THE TITLE CHRIST MEANS ANOINTED ONE, OR St Athanasios the Great taught that our Lord Jesus Christ, MESSIAH, WHICH MEANS THE ONE WHO IS FILLED the Son and Word of God, was referred to as an Angel WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Messenger of God) because He alone reveals the J o h n 1 : 3 3 : St John the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ Father. said: I did not know Him, but He Who sent In other words, our Lord Jesus Christ reveals God the me to Baptise with water said to me: Upon Father to us as A GOD OF INFINITE LOVE AND MERCY Whom you see the (HOLY) Spirit descending, WHO, BEING ABSOLUTE GOODNESS, TRUTH AND LOVE, and remaining on Him, is He Who Baptises with the Holy Spirit.
THE FACT THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT REMAINED UPON CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR WAS A DIVINE SIGN THAT HE POSSESSES THE HOLY SPIRIT IN HIS FULLNESS FROM ALL ETERNITY IS INCAPABLE OF ANYTHING EVIL, CRUEL OR DESTRUCTIVE (which are the inventions of the evil one
i.e. there has never been a moment when the Son of God was not united with God the Holy Spirit for together with God the Father they are co-Eternal. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not receive the Holy Spirit at His Baptism by St John the Baptist. Instead, the Vision that St John the Baptist experienced revealed the Absolute Truth that THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS ALWAYS
BEEN WITH CHRIST. Although ONLY GOD THE SON (THE SECOND DIVINE PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY THE GODHEAD) WAS INCARNATED (BECAME MAN AND THUS PHYSICAL AND VISIBLE TO US) GOD THE FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK IN PERFECT HARMONY IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION. V THE HOLY TRINITY ALWAYS WORKS IN PERFECT UNISON AS ONE GOD.
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 SINNER. HENCE, THE INCLUSION OF THESE WOMEN CONFIRMED THE GRACIOUS MERCY OF GOD AND PREFIGURED THE CALLING OF GENTILES INTO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. V IT ALSO EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF WOMEN IN GODS ETERNAL PLAN OF SALVATION AND ANTICIPATED THE VERY SPECIAL PLACE OF THE EVER BLESSED AND ALL HOLY VIRGIN THEOTOKOS IN HIS DIVINE PLAN.
Our Lord was Incarnate as a Hebrew, from the lineage of St Abraham, the Father or Patriarch of all Hebrews, and of St David, Israels greatest King and Prototype of our Royal Messiah. The Genealogy of Christ according to the Holy Gospel of St Matthew reveals that THE SON OF GOD IDENTIFIES SO
DEEPLY WITH OUR HUMAN NATURE THAT HE TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF AND HAS BECOME PART OF IT FOR THE SAKE OF OUR SALVATION. THE ANCESTRY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INCLUDES
Righteous and wicked people, faithful Kings and murderers, Jews and Gentiles, royalty and peasants
A COMPLETE CROSS-SECTION OF HUMANITY.
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 MATTHEWS GENEALOGY OF CHRIST DESCENDS FROM ST ABRAHAM to whom God Promised to Bless all tribes of the earth in Abraham, 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 the Prophets and He spoke through St Moses the Holy Prophet of God who wrote this Holy Book of Genesis. 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. (Galatians 3:8) 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.
St Joseph the Betrothed is named as our Lord Jesus immediate predecessor since according to the Old Covenant, MARRIAGE LAWS CONFER HEREDITARY
RIGHTS ON CHILDREN. ADOPTED AS WELL AS BIOLOGICAL
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) since, according to Hebrew Laws of the time, BETROTHALS WERE
ARRANGED FROM WITHIN THE SAME TRIBE.
For the same reason, 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 HAVE BEEN BORN ONLY OF HER AND NOT BEGOTTEN OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED.
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The Ancestors were arranged in three groups of fourteen generations since fourteen is the numerical equivalent of the consonants in the name David, underlining Christs 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 Josephs natural compassion and mercy was evident from his unwillingness to expose the young Virgins 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 CONFIRMED BY THE
ASTOUNDED MIDWIVES WHO ATTENDED TO THE YOUNG VIRGIN BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST.)
Mordecai of the Tribe of Benjamin ... had raised the daughter of Abihail, his fathers brother, and her name was Esther; and when her parents died, he brought her up to be his wife, and she was beautiful. Mordecais relation to Esther was that of both guardian and husband, a necessary social and legal arrangement, which was not unusual at the time. This was similar to THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
Esther 2 : 7 ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED AND THE EVER VIRGIN MARY, IN WHICH THERE WAS NO SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP,
as demonstrated as well by Esthers virginity and chastity.
AN ANGEL OR MESSENGER OF GOD DISPELLED ST JOSEPHS FALSE ASSUMPTIONS BY ANNOUNCING THE UTTERLY UNREASONABLE AND ILLOGICAL BUT DIVINE AND ABSOLUTE TRUTH: THE VIRGINS CONCEPTION WAS BY THE WILL OF GOD BY THE LIFE-GIVING HOLY SPIRIT. BEING BORN OF THE VIRGIN PROVED CHRISTS DIVINITY AND ONLY A DIVINE REVELATION BY GOD COULD SERVE AS ADEQUATE EVIDENCE OF SUCH A UNIQUE MIRACLE.
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 and Baptise and Teach all nations ... to observe all Things that I have commanded you; and lo, 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 AND 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. V 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 and our Lord Jesus Christ is the Firstborn over all Creation, and therefore the Firstborn from the dead.
HE WAS THE FIRST TO BE PHYSICALLY RESURRECTED AND RETURNED TO SHOW 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 COEQUAL, CO-ETERNAL AND CO-ESSENTIAL.
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
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 Death. The Manger would have been in a cave where domestic animals were kept at night thus fulfilling the Prophecy of St Isaiah: The ox knows its Owner and the donkey its Masters crib. (ISAIAH 1:3)
S u n d a y B e f o r e t h e N a t i v i t y o f C h r i s t o u r S a v i o u r A Sermon from the Axion Estin Monastery of Mount Athos Brothers and Sisters in Christ, However, what do we find in His Family Tree? We find Todays Gospel Lesson is taken from the beginning of the sinners like ourselves! We find people who - even New Testament, from the first chapter of the Gospel when Blessed by God fell from Grace in times of according to St Matthew. weakness, like King David. This Reading begins with a long list of Hebrew names that We find all kinds of sinners! give the Family Tree of our Lord Jesus according to An invented Family Tree would have been different. His human Nature. Yet, again, we see the Truthfulness of the Inspired Gospel All in all, some 47 names are mentioned the great, the writers who did not lie about our Lord Jesus Ancestry, near great, and the not so great. And it is this long list but recorded it exactly as it truly was and it was from of names which are almost impossible for us to this Family Tree that the Holiest Person to ever walk pronounce and seem to be rather dull reading. the earth came - a Most Holy Descendent of sinful Yet the first chapter of St Matthews Gospel is very humanity! important so important that it is read in every What this means for us is that IF OUR LORD JESUS IS TO BE Orthodox Church, every year on the Sunday before the BORN IN OUR SOUL - IF HE IS TO BECOME A VITAL PART OF Nativity of our Lord and Saviour - because it gives us OUR DAILY LIVES - and not just Someone with Whom we the history - the human account - out of which are vaguely acquainted and then only briefly on Christmas came to us. Sunday mornings - HE IS TO BE BORN WITHIN US IN SPITE All of those names are actually vivid images of living souls OF THE ACCUMULATION OF OUR SINS. who prepared the way for the Nativity of Christ. Because He came from this Family Tree of sinners as Looking closer at that Genealogy, one would think that our well as profoundly Righteous people - we all have Lord Jesus would have come from ancestors who something in common with Christ with God consisted - if not of royalty - then at least of Saintly Incarnate! and Holy people.
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Our Lord Jesus Christ is not our unknown Creator Who separates Himself from us, His Beloved Creatures because His Family Tree is also our Family Tree. Having become Incarnate having voluntarily accepted human form and nature, our Lord is one of us and consequently He has the most sincere Compassion for all sinners who are part of His own human family. Nevertheless, our Lord Jesus Christ rises above His human Ancestry. ST MATTHEW [A HEBREW] DELIBERATELY SHATTERED THE CUSTOM OF HIS DAY BY INTRODUCING into the long series of male ancestors, the names of FIVE FEMALE ANCESTORS at a time when WOMEN WERE NEVER INCLUDED IN GENEALOGIES. By doing this he indicated that ...in Christ there is neither male nor female... because all human beings are equal in the Sight of God and ALL ARE ONE IN CHRIST. The five female ancestors were Tamar and Rahab, Ruth, (a Gentile or non-Hebrew), Bathsheba, and finally Mary, the Panagia Ever Virgin and Theotokos. In the Genealogy of our Saviour, there were many who had committed serious sins. YET OUT OF THESE AROSE A DAZZLING FLOWER OF PURITY, THE THEOTOKOS, OF WHOM OUR SAVIOUR BECAME INCARNATE AND BORN. So our Lord Jesus had a lot of dark spots in His Ancestral History but who on earth does not? We like to think of our ancestors as being good, noble people - even heroes of their time - whomever they might have been. We would like our Forefathers to be heroes of the epanastasis or even Saints. And yet EVERYONE HAS A DARK PAST somewhere in his or her ancestry [FOR WE ARE
ALL SINNERS AND MOST OF US TRY TO IMPROVE OURSELVES - ESPECIALLY THROUGH CONSTANT REPENTANCE.]
In pointing out the sinners that comprised our Lords human Ancestry, it just clarifies exactly how much alike our Lord Jesus - in His human Nature - was to us except for our inclination to commit wickedness. Our Holy Church Father whom we may also regard as our Spiritual Ancestors - always emphasised the perfect balance between the humanity and Divinity of our Lord Jesus. Sometimes it is us who steal Christs humanity from Him making Him distant from us - more God than human. But more often it is the faithless society around us who robs Christ of His Divinity - making Him a mere Man.
Our Lord Jesus Christ as the God-Man [I.E. OF TWO SEPARATE, UNCONFUSED NATURES - DIVINE AND HUMAN] is He with Whom we Orthodox Christians need to acquaint ourselves. And what better time to do so than now - just before the Great Feast of His Nativity. Let us become closer to Him through the Glorious, Ever Encouraging Message of the Holy Gospel. Let us grow closer to Him personally through regular Holy Communion because He knows us better than we know ourselves! And, as our Loving God, He certainly wants us to get to know Him better and to develop a close, intimate and Eternal Relationship with Him and thus with the Holy Trinity. As Christians [THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION, AND THUS AS COHEIRS WITH CHRIST] we can now claim a New Ancestry! Our Lord Jesus Christ is the beginning of a New Bloodline, a New Inheritance, a Higher Race! Through our Holy Baptism we can claim the Source of our New Bloodline - not the tainted past history of our Inherited Ancestry - but a New, Pure Source of Inherited Life Eternal Life. Brothers and Sisters: our ancestry may have its dark spots, because our lives certainly do. Yet by turning back to God and receiving His Forgiveness through our sincere Repentance, we can step into a New Genealogy from a New Ancestor. Christ tells us: Drink of It all of you; This is My Blood! His Most Precious Blood flowing in our veins Graciously grants us a New Ancestry, a New Heritage, a New Sense of Belonging, a New Life. God knows that we come from different physical parents different families - and that we all have our own biological brothers and sisters. But most essentially, God knows us as one huge, united Spiritual Family because we are all Brothers and Sisters in His Sight for we are all related to each other with a common Divine Father Who Loves and Cares and Nurtures His Children who know and joyfully obey the Divine Will of their Heavenly Father. Consequently, our own Family is infinitely larger than we ever thought! May God Bless you all and Keep you this coming Feast of His Nativity. Amen.
Adapted & edited by mp: Sermon from the Axion Estin Monastery of Mount Athos http://saintsilouan.org/2011/01/the-sunday-before-nativity/
F a t h e r S t e p h e n F r e e m a n O n t h e An c e s t o r s o f Ch r i s t
The two Sundays prior to the Feast of the Nativity are dedicated to the Ancestors and the Forefathers of Christ. One Feast honours those who have been ancestors to Christ (according to the flesh) - the other Feast remembers those who were the Righteous Ones of those generations before Christ, although not necessarily ancestors according to the flesh. Such Feasts are usually absent in Protestant Christianity as though Christ had come at a point in time without preparation without ancestors. Just as many Christians refuse to recognize the Blessedness of our Lady Theotokos from whom Christ took flesh, so do they also refuse to recognize that flesh involves Ancestry. It is a bothersome aspect of the Incarnation of Christ. It would be so much easier to speak of Christs Humanity if It did not involve any other human beings. Consequently, many worship a God Who became Man but Who is no Man at all! The Traditional Title for the Grandparents of Christ (the parents of Theotokos) is the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, who are honoured at every Liturgy, being invoked as part of the Dismissal Prayers. Although the title Mother of God, is accepted by some, the title Holy, Righteous Ancestors of God, is more problematic for them, which is not surprising for the modern world usually ignores genealogy. Ancestors are an inherent part of Tradition, which modernity despises and against which it rebels. Many people cannot cite their ancestors beyond their grandparents and thus it is as though we were a culture that came from nowhere for coming from somewhere, restricts our freedom due to a history of friends and enemies, which can, indeed, be destructive and counter-productive. But it also means that we have no identity, and thus have a need to invent ourselves. And so it is that modern Christians think nothing of inventing their own version of Christianity for they themselves have no inheritance no received Tradition. At the Baptism of our children - as a Community of Faith we Immerse them into the Sanctified Waters of Christs Death and Resurrection and they are received into the Household of Faith - into the generations of Faithful Orthodox Christians who have offered innumerable Martyrs and a Faithfulness to God that now becomes our childrens Eternal Inheritance. They will know their names, and learn about the courage of their Patron Saints. They will know their parents, siblings, and grandparents as well as the Household of Faith that extends far beyond immediate family, extending through all generation of Faithful Christians. It is no good for mankind to invent himself for it is not the nature of our Creation. All our ancestors made mistakes, which we should acknowledge and embrace the Humility that it brings us. Life in Christ is a Gift, received and passed along, the test of which is to faithfully live what has been granted to us, and to pass it on to others - faithfully and without change! Glory to God for all things!
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP: http://glory2godforallthings.com/2011/12/12/the-ancestors-of-god-2/
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All Glory, Honour and Wo rship to t he 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 Gloriou s 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 2012
The Nativity of Christ our Saviour
Festal Isodikon of the Nativity
Ek gastros pro eosforou egennisa Se.
Omose Kyrios ke ou metamelithisete. Si ierefs is ton eona, kata tin taxin Melihisedek. Soson imas, Ie Theou, O EK PARTHENOU TEHTHIS, psallontas Si allilouia!
Out
of the womb, before the Morning Star have I Begotten Thee: the Lord has sworn and will not repent: Thou art a Priest forever, after the Order of Melchezedek. Save us, O Son of God, BORN OF THE VIRGIN, who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Festal Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ our Saviour
TONE 4
I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, anetile to kosmo to Thy

Fos to tis gnoseos. En afti gar it is astris latrevontes, ipo Asters edidaskonto, Se prokinin, ton Ilion tis Dikeosinis, ke Se ginoskin ex Ipsous anatolin. Kyrie, Doxa Si. (3)
Festal Kontakion of the Nativity of Christ
Nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the Light of Knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a Star instructed to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee as Orient from on High. O Lord, Glory to Thee! (3)
I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to spyleon

to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon doxologousi, Magi de meta asteros odiporousi, di imas gar egenniti, Pedion neon, o pro aionon Theos.
Instead of the
Today the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all

being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
Agios O Theos... we sing the Baptism Hymn:
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.
Allelouia
As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put on

Christ: Alleluia!
Our Lord And Saviour, Jesus Christ
Festal Matins Gospel Matthew 1: 18 - 25

The Revelation Of The Incarnated Son of God -
At that time, 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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But 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 unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is Conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name Jesus, for He will Save His people from their sins." So all this was done 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." Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him and took unto him his wife, and did not know her until she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His Name Jesus UNREASONABLE: THE CONCEPTION OF THE ALL PURE AND V ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHEDS RIGHTEOUSNESS the MOST BLESSED VIRGIN WAS BY THE LIFE-GIVING HOLY SPIRIT Righteousness of Mercy, which TRANSCENDED THE (ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER.) LAW is evident from his unwillingness to expose V SINCE BEING BORN OF A VIRGIN PROVES OUR LORD JESUS the young Virgin Marys presumed sin. DIVINITY, ONLY THE REVELATION OF ALMIGHTY GOD, in this UNDER MOSAIC LAW, BETROTHAL INVOLVED ALMOST THE case "a dream" IS ADEQUATE EVIDENCE OF THIS SAME COMMITMENT AS MARRIAGE and the elderly St Joseph the Betrothed could not help but suspect a violation of Divine Law when he realised his Betrothed niece had Conceived - despite her Sacred Vow of Chastity.
ALTHOUGH HE WAS OBLIGED BY LAW TO REPORT HER "MISCONDUCT" ST JOSEPH DECIDED "TO PUT HER AWAY SECRETLY" WHICH WOULD PREVENT HER FROM BEING EXPOSED TO PUBLIC SCANDAL AND SPECULATION. Furthermore, THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS PHARISEES WOULD HAVE STONED HER TO DEATH for having broken a MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION.
Holy Scripture refers to Betrothed couples as "husband" and "wife" before the actual marriage. Just as Rachel was called the "wife of Jacob" before Marriage, because of her Betrothal, so St Joseph the Betrothed was referred to as the "husband" of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and she was known as the "wife" of Joseph the Carpenter.
Sacred Vow and Mosaic Law concerning immorality.
THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS - HAVING GROWN UP IN THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM HAD TAKEN A MOST SACRED VOW OF CHASTITY and had refused to be married to any man
A HOLY MESSENGER OR "ANGEL OF THE LORD" DISPELLED THE FALSE REASONING OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED BY ANNOUNCING THE UTTERLY
since her only desire was to serve the Lord Her God. Therefore THE TEMPLES PRIESTS who had watched over this extraordinarily devout little girl RESPECTED BOTH HER
NATIVITY
OF
OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST ADORATION - HOLY SHEPHERDS &
THE
MAGI - 25 DECEMBER 2012
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DEDICATION TO GOD AND THE SANCTITY OF HER VOW OF CHASTITY. AS AN ORPHAN, SHE HAD NO IMMEDIATE FAMILY TO TAKE CARE OF HER AND TO PROTECT HER, which left the
are told that A "VIRGIN" (PARTHENOS) WOULD CONCEIVE AND

"BEAR A SON."
WHY DO WE QUESTION OR PONDER THIS AMAZING AND ACCEPTABLE DIVINE TRUTH? OUR CREATOR CAN DO THINGS FAR BEYOND ANY HUMAN IMAGINATION OR UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE HE IS ALMIGHTY GOD AND CREATOR OF ALL THINGS VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE - YET SO MANY PEOPLE TRY TO DISPROVE OR REJECT THIS DIVINE TRUTH. THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH, AS WELL AS HER CONTINUED VIRGINITY IS A DIVINE MYSTERY AS ARE ALL GODS INFINITE WONDERS - AND ONLY GOD KNOWS!! HER CONTINUED VIRGINITY WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTED AND CONFIRMED BY THE MIDWIVES WHOM ST JOSEPH HAD REQUESTED TO ASSIST THE YOUNG THEOTOKOS SOMETHING SO UNIQUE WAS NOTED AND REMEMBERED.. TO DOUBT OR TO REJECT THE MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION AND BIRTH OF CHRIST WHO IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD THE FATHER, IS TO DOUBT OR REJECT THE UNKNOWN AND INDESCRIBABLE MAJESTY AND MIGHT OF OUR LIVING AND GLORIOUS CREATOR GOD. TO RELEGATE CHRIST AS MERE HUMAN BEING IS BLASPHEMY AGAINST GOD AND REFUTES HIS TWO NATURES HUMAN AND DIVINE WHICH WERE NECESSARY FOR HIS DIVINE MISSION AMONGST HIS CREATURES THE SALVATION OF FALLEN MANKIND AND THE CONQUERING OF SIN AND DEATH.
Priests in a difficult predicament, for when girls reached puberty, they had to leave the Temple precincts and enter marriage so as to produce as many children as possible.
THE PRIESTS BESOUGHT GOD FOR A SOLUTION AND EVENTUALLY BY A DIVINE MIRACLE HER AGED UNCLE who had been married to her aunt Salome, WAS CHOSEN AS HER LEGAL GUARDIAN AND RIGHTEOUS PROTECTOR. required by Mosaic Law, ALL SPOUSES HAD TO BE OF THE SAME TRIBE AND THE FACT THAT HE WAS AN ELDERLY RELATIVE WAS BOTH LEGALLY AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE.
GENESIS 29:21
As
V V
Then Jacob said to Laban: Give me my wife that i may go in to her, for my time is completed. DEUTERONOMY 20:7 "Has anyone become Betrothed to a woman but not yet married her? He should go back to his house, or he might die in the battle and another will marry her. DEUTERONOMY 2 2 : 2 3 - 2 4 If there is a young woman, a virgin already Betrothed, and a man meets her in the town and lies with her, you shall bring both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death - the young woman because she did not cry for help in the town and the man because he violated his neighbours wife. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. In the Orthodox Church, ST JOSEPH IS REMEMBERED AS
"THE BETROTHED" - HIGHLIGHTING THE ALL PURE, MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS EVER-VIRGINITY. ("THE UNWED BRIDE")
HE WHO IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS NOT A NEW PERSON COMING INTO EXISTENCE, BUT THE ETERNAL SON OF ALMIGHTY GOD, USING HER WOMB AS HIS THRONE. THE VIRGINAL CONCEPTION THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE NAME OF THE INCARNATE SON, "IMMANUEL I.E: GOD WITH US," - ARE CLEAR INDICATIONS OF OUR LORD JESUS DIVINITY.
I S A I A H 7 : 1 4 Therefore the Lord Himself wilt give Thee a Sign. Look, the Virgin is with Child and shall bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel God with us. The words: ... Joseph took unto him his wife, and did not know her until she had brought forth her Firstborn Son does not imply that St Joseph the Betrothed consummated the Betrothal after the Birth of Jesus Christ.
THEIR BETROTHAL WAS NEVER CONSUMMATED BECAUSE NOT ONLY WAS ST JOSEPH HER LEGAL GUARDIAN AND PROTECTOR BUT HE RESPECTED AND HONOURED HER SACRED VOW OF CHASTITY, HER PURE NATURE AND PIOUS CHARACTER. THE TERM "FIRSTBORN" NOT ONLY MEANS HAVING BEEN BORN FIRST BUT ALSO APPLIED TO THE FIRST BORN SON no
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled is the first of St Matthews repeated use of the expression: "...that it might be fulfilled which was spoken."
matter how many other female children born before or after the heir. Furthermore, according to the Old Covenant Tradition, IT DID
NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THERE WERE OTHER SIBLINGS.
THE FULFILMENT OF THESE PROPHECIES NOT ONLY UNDERSCORES THE INTERVENTION OF ALMIGHTY GOD IN OUR HISTORY BUT ALSO INDICATES HIS BEGINNING OF THE NEW CREATION THE NEW ISRAEL. THE CONCEPTION OF JESUS CHRIST FULFILS THE PROPHECY as recorded in the Septuagint where we
In the case of our Lord Jesus and the Ever Blessed Theotokos, THOSE WHO WERE REFERRED TO AS BEING
EITHER BROTHERS OR SISTERS USUALLY MEANT COUSINS, AUNTS OR UNCLES CLOSE RELATIVES BUT NOT NECESSARILY BIOLOGICAL SIBLINGS.
Prokeimenon
All the world will worship Thee and glorify Thee. Glorify the Lord with triumphal hymns, all you lands.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 4:4-7
We become Sons Of God Through Christ And The Holy Spirit
Brethren, when the fullness of the time had 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 the Adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out: "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an Heir of God through Christ. His Son" refers to CHRIST AS GOD BY NATURE the Son After these special Services, THE HOLY SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION IS CELEBRATED A FEW of God.
THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD, IS "BORN OF A WOMAN," AND SO THE MOST BLESSED MARY IS RIGHTLY CALLED THEOTOKOS - MOTHER OF GOD OR BEARER OF GOD. SINCE JESUS CHRIST WAS "BORN UNDER THE LAW" HE COULD REDEEM THOSE WHO WERE ALSO UNDER THE LAW HIS FELLOW HEBREWS, according to the
MONTHS LATER.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - THE SON OF GOD IS GOD DIVINE BY NATURE.
WE BECOME SONS (OR DAUGHTERS) OF GOD BY ADOPTION

WHEN WE ARE BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF THE TRIUNE GOD THE HOLY TRINITY. WE CANNOT BECOME MEMBERS OF THE GODHEAD BY NATURE because WE ARE HUMAN BY NATURE. But we do BECOME MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY BY HIS GRACE.
flesh. GOD "REDEEMS THOSE WHO WERE UNDER THE LAW" IN ORDER TO FULFIL HIS PROMISE TO ABRAHAM and consequently, GOD PAID THE RANSOM, AS IT WERE,
TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO HIS OWN VOW. ALMIGHTY GOD DOES NOT OWE ANYONE ANYTHING AND HE CERTAINLY DOES NOT OWE US SALVATION ! JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED THE LAW AS AN INFANT BY BEING CIRCUMCISED on the eighth day and He was PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE 40 DAYS AFTER HIS BIRTH.
Through our Divine Adoption (Holy Baptism and Chrismation) WE BECOME EVERYTHING GOD IS, EXCEPT
IN NATURE WE REMAIN HUMAN BEINGS.
However, THIS IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY OUR PERMANENT STATE

DUE TO OF OUR DESIRE FOR WORLDLY THINGS [ I.E. THINGS OF THE FLESH, THE PASSIONS] and that CONCUPISCENCE PREVENTS US FROM ATTAINING THEOSIS. IT TAKES DEDICATION AND EFFORT ON OUR PART TO ATTAIN SPIRITUAL PERFECTION THEOSIS! We have the possibility through the Grace of God, but IT DEPENDS ON OUR LOVE AND OBEDIENCE TO ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS COMMANDMENTS. Because WE ARE GIVEN "NEW LIFE" our Adoption by God is also referred to as "New Birth" WE ARE SPIRITUALLY BORN AGAIN RENEWED IN CHRIST! EVERY TIME WE PARTAKE OF THE HOLY SACRAMENTS OF REPENTANCE CONFESSION AND EUCHARIST, WE ENJOY A
Both of these Events are remembered in the Liturgical Cycle of the Orthodox Church. THE HOLY CEREMONIES OF THE EIGHT DAY BLESSING
OF THE NEWBORN AND THE 40 DAY CHURCHING OF THE MOTHER ARE PERFORMED TO THIS DAY IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH.
28
NATIVITY
OF
THE
REAFFIRMATION OF OUR ADOPTION AND THEREFORE OUR NEW LIFE IN OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST. THE ONGOING GROWTH INTO ADOPTION, BEING "AN HEIR OF GOD," IS CALLED DEIFICATION. This means that WE ARE BECOMING BY THE GRACE OF GOD WHAT HE IS BY NATURE.
EACH DIVINE PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY: "SPIRIT, SON AND FATHER" IS INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION. 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

(St Caspar, St Melchior, and St Balthazar) the Gentile Magi Journeyed From Afar To Worship The Christ Child
At that time, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, Wise Men from the East came to Jerusalem, enquiring: "Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him." When Herod the King heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the Chief Priests and Scribes of the people together, he questioned them as to where the Christ was to be born. So they told him: "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the Prophet: But you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel." Then Herod, when he had secretly called the Wise Men, determined from them what time the Star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem saying: "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and 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 young Child was. And when they saw 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. Then, being Divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. ST MATTHEW AND ST LUKE PLACED THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST Mouth, and He shall speak to them all I IN THE REIGN OF KING HEROD THE GREAT WHO WAS THE command Him... KING OF JUDEA 37 4 BC. It was first necessary for THE HEBREWS to be tested so Herod was under Roman rule and although he was a as to fear the Lord and not to sin, for they WERE TOO great builder, he was a dreadfully cruel ruler. SPIRITUALLY IMPERCEPTIVE TO HEAR ABOUT ANOTHER Due to his ignorance of the Messiah - and indeed of PROPHET. anything concerning God - as well as his obsessive Consequently, THEY FAILED THE TEST AND DIED IN THE fear of being deposed, Herod summoned the DESERT BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO OBEY MOSES. FORTY YEARS LATER HE SPOKE TO THEM CONCERNING THE Hebrew leaders to enlighten him, and later GREAT PROPHET TO COME, USING THE WORDS OF GOD instructed the Magi to report back to him. FROM THEIR MEETING ON MOUNT SINAI. V An ancient Prophecy of St Jacob indicated that THE THE NEW GENERATION WAS READY TO HEAR THE PROPHECY
MESSIAH WOULD APPEAR WHEN A GENTILE KING RULED i.e. not of the Hebrew Tribe of Judah.
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 THE FATHER, THROUGH THE
SON...)
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 is 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. HEROD WAS A GENTILE who called himself King of
GENESIS 49: 10
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.
As
Judea, the Coming of the Messiah Gods 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 GABRIELS ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE ALWAYS TRUE GODS TRUTH. Furthermore THE SILENCING OF THE HIGH PRIEST REVEALED A DEEPER MYSTERY. THE MESSIAH WAS expected to fulfil three crucial
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,
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

DEUTERONOMY 18 : 15 18
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 in Horeb in the day of the Assembly, saying: Let us not hear again the Voice of the Lord our God, nor let us see this Great Fire any more, lest we die. Then the Lord said to me: What they have spoken is good. I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their Brethren, and I will put My Word in His
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. MICAH 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 to Me the One to be Ruler of Israel, Whose goings forth were from the beginning, even from Eternity.
JESUS CHRIST
PSALM
IS OUR TRUE HIGH PRIEST
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
1 0 9 : 4 - The
Great High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our Confession.
NATIVITY
OF
THE
29.
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.
LUKE
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.
PSALM 18 : 2
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 GODS TRUTH, WHICH WE THEN REJECT, WE CONDEMN OURSELVES for we cannot plead ignorance!
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.
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 PSALM
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)
EXHORT ALL CREATION BLESSED HOLY TRINITY.
TO
PRAISE
THE
MOST
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.
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 KINGS 22
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 2:817)
OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS 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 THE LORD BY THE MAGI IS SYMBOLIC OF THE CHURCH, THE TRUE ISRAEL, whereby MEMBERSHIP IS DETERMINED BY FAITH AND NOT BY ETHNIC LINEAGE.
NUMBERS 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 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.
... 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.
JEREMIAH 36 : 14 :
JEREMIAH 36:10
THE
"STAR" SIGNIFIED THE EXTRAORDINARY IMPORTANCE OF THE BIRTH 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 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.
CREATION PARTICIPATING INCARNATION of the Son of IN THE
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, as
GENTILES WORSHIPPED GOD AS THE NEW COVENANT ISRAEL. THE MAGI HONOURED CHRIST 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)
30
NATIVITY
OF
THE
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.
Third Day of the Nativity
27 December 2012
St Stephen, the Archdeacon & Protomartyr

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 of the Nativity
Soson
imas, Ie Theou, O ek Parthenou tehthis, psallontas Si Allilouia!
Save us, O Son of God, Born of the Virgin, who sing

to Thee: Alleluia!
Festal Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ our Saviour
I gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, anetele to kosmo,

to Fos to tis gnoseos. En afti gar i tis astris latrevontes, ipo asteros edi daskonto, se proskinin, ton Ilion tis dikeosinis, ke se ginoskin ex ipsous anatolin. Kyrie Doxa Si!
Thy
Nativity, O Christ our God, has given rise to the Light of Knowledge in the world; for they who worshipped the Star learnt therefrom to worship Thee, O Sun of Justice, and to know that from the East of the Highest Thou came. O Lord: Glory to Thee!
Festal Apolytikion of St Stephen the Protomartyr TONE 4
Vasilion
diadima, estefthi si korifi, ex athlon on ipeminas, iper Hristou tou Theou, martiron Protoathle Stefane. Si gar tin Ioudeon, apelegxas manian, ides Sou ton Sotira, tou Patros dexiothen. Afton oun ekdisopi ai, iper ton psihon imon.
With a Royal Diadem, thy sacred head was crowned, for

the struggles thou endured because of Christ our God, O Stephen, among Martyrs the First Champion; for refuting the madness of the angry Judean, thou saw thy Saviour at the right of the Father. Him thou constantly beseech for the souls of all of us.
Kontakion of the Nativity of Christ
Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon doxologousi, Magi de meta asteros odiporousi, di imas gar egenniti, Pedion neon, o pro aionon Theos.
Today
Trisagion Hymn Instead Of The
Agios O Theos...
Osi is Hriston evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.
Allelouia
As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put

on Christ: Alleluia!
Festal Prokeimenon: His Voice has gone out into all the earth! The Heavens declare the Glory of God! The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke
EVANGELISM
AND
6 : 8 7 : 5 & 47 60
MARTYRDOM OF ST STEPHEN
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. And 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. But even when Abraham had no child, God promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him... ... but 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.
3RD DAY OF THE NATIVITY -
S T S T E P H E N , A R C H D E A C O N , H O L Y A P O S T L E & P R O T O M A R T Y R - 27 DECEMBER 2012
31.
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. THOSE WHO BECOME ONE WITH CHRIST RECEIVE DIVINE After the Glorious Day of PENTECOST WHEN THE HOLY RADIANCE, which is a preview of the Glory all Faithful SPIRIT HAD DESCENDED UPON AND GRANTED THE FAITHFUL APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST HIS will share in the Age to come: Eternal Life in Gods DIVINE GIFTS, THEY WERE EMPOWERED TO DO Kingdom. AMAZING AND MIRACULOUS DEEDS ACCORDING TO That is why the Councillors ...saw his face as the face of DIVINE WILL FOR THE RAPID SPREAD OF HIS HOLY an Angel.
GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
They were ...
full of Faith and Power which CHANGES LIVES RADICALLY and which COMPELS
THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO HOLY SERVICE TO FULFIL THEIR SACRED TASKS WITHOUT QUESTION OR HESITATION, WITH COMPLETE CONFIDENCE THAT WHATEVER GOD WILLS IS ACHIEVED BY HIS DIVINE GRACE AND POWER.
ST STEPHEN WAS ILLUMINATED AND GLORIFIED BY HIS DEEP FAITH AND SPIRITUAL POWER. 2 C o r i n t h i a n s 3 : 1 8 ... we all, with unveiled face,
beholding as in a mirror the Glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same Image from glory to Glory, just as by the (Holy) Spirit of the Lord.
THE WORD OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS TRUE LIBERTY OR FREEDOM, ENABLING US TO BEHOLD GOD - TO EXPERIENCE HIS INDESCRIBABLE DIVINE PRESENCE, JOY, PEACE AND LOVE. Created as the Image of God, WE THEN SEE HIS UNCREATED IMAGE, THE SON OF GOD, THE GLORY OF THE LORD THROUGH CHRISTS DEIFIED HUMANITY AND IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. As we behold Him, WE BECOME WHAT WE WERE CREATED BY GOD TO BE. God is infinite so GROWING IN HIS IMAGE AND GLORY HAS NO LIMITS. WE SHALL FOREVER SEE GOD MORE CLEARLY AND BE TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS (which we are
Freedmen were Hebrews who had formerly been held captive under the Roman conquerors, and often due to rebellion against Roman authority. The charges of blasphemy were brought against St Stephen because, ACCORDING TO DIVINE WILL, THE
LITURGY AND LAW OF THE OLD COVENANT WERE FULFILLED BY CHRIST AND WERE THEREFORE OBVIOUSLY CHANGED AND TRANSFORMED.
Hebrews 7:12 ... the Priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the Law.
NOT ONLY IS JESUS CHRIST, THE FOUNDER OF THE NEW COVENANT PRIESTHOOD, SUPERIOR TO THAT OF THE OLD COVENANT, THE RULES OF THE NEW COVENANTS PRIESTLY ORDER ARE ALSO SUPERIOR and SINCE THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD IS SO INTERTWINED WITH THE COVENANT, IF THE PRIESTHOOD IS CHANGED, SO IS THE COVENANT.
trying to regain since our Fall from Divine Grace in Paradise.)

E x o d u s 3 4 : 2 9 3 5 AFTER COMMUNICATING WITH GOD ON MOUNT SINAI, ST MOSES FACE SHONE WITH A DIVINE LIGHT to such an overwhelming extent that
To those who refused to accept Christ as the True Messiah, such changes were regarded as sacrilegious or profane. At His unjust and illegal Trial the charge or accusation of false witnesses that our Lord Jesus Christ had threatened to destroy the Temple of Jerusalem were misinterpretations of His words: Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up
REFERRING TO HIS OWN BODY AND HIS PROPHECY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE, WHICH WAS FULFILLED IN 70 WHEN THE ROMANS DESTROYED IT AS RETRIBUTION AGAINST A HEBREW REBELLION.
(MATTHEW 26:61; JOHN 2:19; LUKE 21: 6 & 20)
he had to cover his face with a veil since the amazing Light frightened the Israelites.
ST STEPHEN DID NOT ANSWER THE HIGH PRIEST DIRECTLY but used the charges as the context for his
Preaching, whereby, similar to St Peters Sermon on Pentecost, ST STEPHEN DELIVERED CHRISTS HOLY
GOSPEL BASED ON THE OLD TESTAMENT, SHOWING HOW THE HEBREWS CONSISTENTLY MISSED THE PURPOSE OF GODS HOLY COVENANT WITH THEM DUE TO THEIR HARDNESS AND STUBBORNNESS OF HEART.
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew

THE MISTREATMENT OF GODS HOLY MESSENGERS
21 : 33 42
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: Hear another Parable: There was a certain Landowner 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. Now when vintage time drew near, He sent His Servants to the Vinedressers, so that they might receive its Fruit. But 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. But when the Vinedressers saw the Son, they said amongst themselves: This is the Heir. Come, let us kill Him and seize His Inheritance. So 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? They said to Him: He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease His Vineyard to other Vinedressers who will render to Him the Fruits in their seasons. And 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 Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you: the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a Nation bearing the Fruits of it. The Landowner is God the Father. The New Covenant Servants are all our Holy Church The Vineyard is His Holy Church i.e. all the Faithful Fathers and Mothers, Spiritual Fathers and Teachers Christians who are struggling Disciples of Christ. who labour ceaselessly to preserve Gods Truth by The Vinedressers were initially the Old Covenant enlightening, guiding and teaching us. Hebrew Leaders who had been entrusted with the The Son and Heir, is, of course, our Lord and Saviour, care of Gods Chosen Nation. Jesus Christ. Later, these were the New Covenant Apostles and The casting out and killing of the Son is understood on Disciples of Christ who fulfilled their Sacred Mission two levels: our Lord Jesus was crucified outside the of spreading the Holy Gospel throughout the world, city gates of Jerusalem and He was tortured and and their descendents, all our Bishops and Priests executed by foreigners Roman soldiers. throughout the centuries. The other Vinedressers are the Gentiles who joyfully The Old Covenant Servants were the Holy Prophets who accept Christianity and who strive to fulfil all their guided, exhorted and returned the commitments and Sacred Duties to God and Hebrew Nation to God. their fellow mankind.
32.
3RD DAY OF THE NATIVITY -
S T S T E P H E N , A R C H D E A C O N , H O L Y A P O S T L E & P R O T O M A R T Y R - 27 DECEMBER 2012
All Glo ry, Honour and Worship to th e 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, togethe r with all the Saints. And let us co mmit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
S un d ay Af t er Fe a s t o f t he N a ti v it y
30 D e c e m ber 2 0 12
Tone (5) Plagal 1
Sunday After the Nativity of our Saviour - The Holy Familys Flight into Egypt
Also the Feast of St Anysia, Virgin Martyr of Thessalonika St Zotikos, Protector of Orphans & Hieromartyr of Constantinople St Timon, Deacon & Apostle, of the 70 Apostles of Christ & Carer of destitute widows St Philetairos of Nicomedia St Theodora of Caesarea, Cappadocia St Theodora of Constantinople St Gideon of Karakalou, Mount Athos St Makarios of Moscow & All Russia St Daniel of Pereyaslavl
R e s u r r e c t i o n A p o l y t i k i o n - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton
sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise Sarki anelthin en to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
The
Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a Virgin, let us Faithful Believers hymn and adore. For it was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
Festal Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ TONE 4
I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, anetile to kosmo to Thy

Fos to tis gnoseos. En afti gar it is astris latrevontes, ipo asters edidaskonto, Se prokinin, ton Ilion tis dikeosinis, ke Se ginoskin ex ipsous anatolin. Kyrie, Doxa Si.
Festal Apolytikion - Sunday After The Nativity
Nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the Light of Knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a Star instructed to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee as Orient from on High. O Lord, Glory to Thee!
Evangelizou
Iosif, to David ta Thavmata to Theopatori, Parthenon ides Kioforisasan; meta Pimenon edoxologisas, meta ton Magon prosekinisas, di Angelou Hrimatisthis. Iketeve Hriston ton Theon, sothine tas psihas imon!
Pronounce, O Joseph, the Good News of the Miracles to

David the Divine Ancestor. Thou saw a Virgin giving Birth to a Child; with the Shepherds thou offered Glory, with the Wise Men thou worshipped, having received from an Angel a Message. Entreat Christ our God, for the Salvation of our souls!
Festal Kontakion - The Nativity Of Christ
Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to Spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon Doxologousi, Magi de meta Asteros odiporousi, di imas gar egenniti, Pedion Neon, O pro aionon Theos.
Today
the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all being, and the earth offers a Cave to Him Whom no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give Glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a New Child - the Pre-Eternal God.
Resurrection Gospel 8 - John 20:11-18

Our Risen Lord Jesus Speaks To St Mary Magdalene
Prokeimenon
God is Wonderful in His Saints! Bless God in the Congregations!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 1 : 11 19

The Divine Calling of St Paul
Brethren: ... I make known to you that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not according to man, nor was I taught It, but It came through the Revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy It. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own Nation being more exceedingly zealous for the Traditions of my Fathers. But when it pleased God - Who separated me from my Mothers 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. Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him for fifteen days. But I saw none of the other Apostles except James, the Brother of our Lord... V THE TRUE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS TAUGHT TO US TRUE APOSTLES WERE CALLED BY GOD HIMSELF AND ONLY BY HIS TRUE APOSTLES even though many WERE JOYOUSLY COMPELLED TO FOLLOW HIM to people falsely declare themselves to be accompany Him so that they could LEARN, Apostles. WITNESS AND EXPERIENCE FIRST-HAND EVERYTHING
30TH SUNDAY AP AFTER
THE
NATIV
ITY
HOLY FAMILYS FLIGHT
TO
EGYPT 30 DECEMBER 2012
33.
NECESSARY TO CONTINUE THE DIVINE MISSION ON EARTH, which our Lord began and which will
continue until the Eighth Day the Final Day Judgement Day and the beginning of Eternity.
CHRIST CALLS EVERY HUMAN BEING TO FOLLOW HIM YET VERY FEW JOYOUSLY RECEIVE HIS CALLING, WHICH COMPLETELY CHANGES US, BEING COMPELLED TO FAITHFULLY SERVE HIM ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL BY AN OVERWHELMING LOVE OF GOD AND FOR OUR FELLOW MANKIND.
APOSTLES ARE CALLED TO DIVINE SERVICE BY DIVINE GRACE BY THE WILL OF GOD and has nothing to do with personal achievements or social status, for we are all equal in the Sight of God. TRUE APOSTLES LEARNT DIVINE TRUTH EITHER BY DIVINE GRACE DIRECTLY FROM GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT - OR FROM CHRIST HIMSELF, which they most carefully preserved and protected, and which is PASSED DOWN UNCHANGED TO ALL GENERATIONS THROUGHOUT THE AGES OUR APOSTOLIC TRADITION.
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION DIVINE TRUTH - CANNOT BE ALTERED EXCEPT BY GOD HIMSELF WHO IS ETERNAL AND UNCHANGEABLE!]
TRUE APOSTOLIC TRADITION IS FIRMLY GROUNDED IN DIVINE REVELATION AND TRUTH, WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST. Just as the Twelve Apostles of Christ were CALLED BY OUR LORD HIMSELF, so was St Paul. Just as the Twelve Apostles RECEIVED THE HOLY GOSPEL DIRECTLY FROM CHRIST, so did St Paul. Just as the Twelve Apostles of Christ stood as one FIRMLY AND SOLIDLY UNITED so, too, did St Paul enter their Unity in consensus and mutual submission. Having received His Holy Gospel from Christ Himself and in total Obedience to His Divine Will, St Paul had been Baptised and Chrismated by St Ananias in Damascus and thus had received the Gift of the Seal of the Holy Spirit, which enabled St Paul to become the great Apostle to the Gentiles. Only three years later St Paul up with St Peter and St James. the Brother of our Lord, who was in fact our Lords cousin (and Step-brother according to Judaic Law.)
ST JAMES LOVE AND DEVOTION TO CHRIST MADE HIM WORTHILY ENTITLED ADELPHOTHEOS BROTHER OF GOD. HE WAS IN FACT COUSIN TO THEOTOKOS AND, ACCORDING TO JUDAIC LAW, THE (STEP) BROTHER OF OUR LORD JESUS. HE HAD ACCOMPANIED THE VERY YOUNG VIRGIN AND CHRIST CHILD AND HIS ELDERLY, WIDOWED FATHER, ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED INTO EXILE IN EGYPT AND HAD IMMEDIATELY AGREED TO SHARE HIS EARTHLY INHERITANCE WITH HIM. ST JAMES WAS THE MOST PIOUS, HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT FIRST BISHOP OF JERUSALEM AND WAS EVENTUALLY MARTYRED FOR HIS ABSOLUTE FAITH IN AND SERVICE TO CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
TRUE APOSTLES ALWAYS BRING GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO GOD ALONE and never seek any earthly rewards for themselves at all. True Apostles form ONE CHURCH GOVERNMENT maintaining exactly the same Holy Doctrine without exception and working for the Glory, Honour and Worship of Almighty God by Divinely Inspired Agreement reached in Council. True Apostles stand firm and united in matters of conscience and are correctable when mistaken just as St Paul rebuked St Peter for his hypocritical ethnic elitism.
AS FAITHFUL, STRUGGLING DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, WE MUST ALWAYS ACCEPT CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, WHICH IS OFFERED IN A SPIRIT OF AGAPE, BEING GRATEFUL FOR CORRECTION WHEN IN DANGER OF BEING MISLED OR DECEIVED BY THE EVIL ONE WHO USES ALL OUR WEAKNESSES AGAINST US. IF WE ARE ANGERED BY SPIRITUAL CORRECTION, WE MUST QUESTION OUR PERSONAL MOTIVES, WHICH ARE USUALLY DRIVEN BY THE VICE OF PRIDE AND ARROGANCE.
The point that St Paul made was that he had not received any Spiritual Instruction or Revelation from anyone not even the other Holy Apostles of Christ. V ALL ST PAULS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING WAS BESTOWED UPON HIM BY DIVINE GRACE by the Will of God the Father, through God the Son and by the enable Action of God the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 2 : 13 - 23

THE FLIGHT
OF THE
HOLY FAMILY
INTO
EGYPT
At that time, when the Magi had departed, behold! An Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: Arise! Take the Young Child and His Mother, flee to Egypt and stay there until I bring you word. For Herod will seek the Young Child to destroy Him. When he arose, Joseph took the Young 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: Out of Egypt I called My Son... Then, when Herod saw that he had been deceived by the Magi, he was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and younger, according to the time that he had determined from the Magi. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah lamentation, weeping and great mourning Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more. Now, when Herod had died, behold! An Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise, take the Young Child and His Mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Young Childs life are dead. And Joseph arose, took the Young Child and His Mother, and went into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, so that it was fulfilled, which had been spoken by the Prophets: He shall be called a Nazarene. The Nation of Israel had once before sought refuge in WE ARE THE NEW COVENANT ISRAEL THE NEWLY Egypt - and just as Joseph of the Old Covenant had CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD WHO HAVE BEEN DELIVERED saved Gods People by inviting them to Egypt, so OUT OF SPIRITUAL CAPTIVITY AND WHO STRIVE DAILY TO too did St Joseph the Betrothed of the New FULFIL GODS WILL. Covenant with God seek refuge and safety for our THE UTTER MERCILESS CRUELTY OF KING HEROD OF JUDEA Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. [GENESIS 39 47] WAS PREFIGURED BY THE STUBBORN PHARAOH OF No doubt the generous Gifts of the Magi had partly paid EGYPT who had commanded the terrible slaughter for the Holy Familys Journey into and sojourn in of all newborn male children of the Hebrew nation Egypt. IN AN ATTEMPT TO DESTROY GODS CHOSEN PEOPLE Out of Egypt I called My Son refers initially to THE POWER OF ISRAEL. [EXODUS 1: 16 22] Israel being taken out of captivity as the expression The Holy Prophet of God, St Jeremiah, had recorded My Son referred to THE WHOLE NATION OF ISRAEL the people of Jerusalem being led away into exile. GODS CHOSEN PEOPLE. On the way to their captivity, they passed the tomb of NOW, ACCORDING TO THE NEW COVENANT, OUR LORD Rachel at Ramah, near Bethlehem, where he heard JESUS CHRIST IS INDEED GODS ONLY ETERNAL AND THE LAMENTING OF RACHEL FOR ALL THE HOLY UNBEGOTTEN TRUE SON, Who was called forth from INNOCENTS THE MARTYRED CHILDREN OF ISRAEL (BOTH His temporary exile in Egypt and, BEING ADOPTED THOSE OF THE OLD COVENANT, AND THOSE OF THE NEW COVENANT.) WHICH CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM, SHOWS US THAT THE SAINTS ARE VERY AWARE OF AND
34. 3 0 T H S U N D A Y A P A F T E R
THE
NATIV
ITY
HOLY FAMILYS FLIGHT
TO
HAVE GREAT COMPASSION AND SYMPATHY FOR THOSE WHO STILL STRUGGLE IN THIS EARTHLY LIFE.
CALENDAR YEARS.
(ANNO DOMINI OR AD)
IS INCORRECT BY FOUR
According to historical records, Herod the Great died in 4 BC, thereby confirming that THE CURRENT
Augustus Ceasar eventually banished Archelaus due to his innumerable cruelty and atrocities (6 AD). GALILEE WAS RULED BY ANOTHER SON OF HEROD HEROD ANTIPAS. making them also Citizens of the Kingdom on High where they do censure his mindless folly forevermore. Herod is called "Herod the Great" by scholars because of his political achievements and his many accomplishments in Architecture. Outward accomplishments can be quite impressive, but in the face of Eternity, THERE IS ONLY ONE MEASURE THAT IS OF ULTIMATE IMPORTANCE: TO REMAIN FAITHFUL AND TRUE TO GOD. As our Saviour said, "You are those who justify yourselves before men; but God knows your heart: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the Sight of God" (LUKE 16: 15) In that day of the Second Coming, when 'the Books of our hearts' shall be OPENED ALL THOSE WHO WARRED AGAINST THE ORDER AND RULE OF GOD'S KINGDOM WILL BE FOUND DESTITUTE AND ESTRANGED FROM THE SOURCE OF LIFE. One only needs to look around at what is happening in so-called world orthodoxy to see that MANY OF THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE HIERARCHS OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST AND SUCCESSORS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES, HAVE OVERTURNED WHAT THOSE SAME APOSTLES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE SUCCESSORS HAVE HANDED DOWN TO US. THE PAN-HERESY OF ECUMENISM OVERTURNS THE BASIC TEACHINGS OF THE CREED THAT PROCLAIMS THAT THERE IS "One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church." MODERNIST HIERARCHS THINK LIGHTLY OF REMOVING THE BOUNDARIES THAT THE HOLY FATHERS HAVE SET, that is, THEY OVERTURN THE CANONS OF THE HOLY FATHERS AND THEY LEAD ASTRAY some of the Faithful through MAKING A PRETENCE OF PIETY IN ORDER TO MORE EFFECTIVELY DECEIVE WITH THEIR SUBTLE FALSEHOODS. THESE FALSE BISHOPS DEMAND OBEDIENCE TO THEMSELVES, ALL WHILE THEY IGNORE AND ARE DISOBEDIENT TO THE CANONS. These are difficult times and we must BE WISE. As Saint Ignatios once wrote, "Weigh carefully the times. Look for Him Who is above all time, Eternal and Invisible, yet Who became Visible for our sakes." (THE EPISTLE OF SAINT IGNATIOS TO
SAINT POLYCARP)
A Sermon of His Eminence Metropolitan Moses
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen. Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! Great and marvellous deeds are come to pass. THE WORD HAS BECOME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US GOD HAS BECOME MAN IN ORDER TO RENEW OUR NATURE. A Great Sign shone forth in the heavens - a Star, unique in its glory, led the Magi from Persia to the Divine Infant, just as the Pillar of Fire led the Israelites of old through the desert. THE MAGI WERE GUIDED FIRST TO JERUSALEM SO THAT, BY GOD'S DISPENSATION, KNOWLEDGE OF THE SIGN IN THE HEAVENS WAS BROUGHT TO THE RULERS OF ISRAEL AND THE MAGI, IN TURN, WOULD LEARN OF THE ANCIENT PROPHESIES CONCERNING THE LONG- AWAITED MESSIAH. THE WISE MAGI FOLLOWED THE STAR and travelled a great distance for many weeks TO ENCOUNTER CHRIST our Saviour as a small Infant - and then they were instructed in a dream to DEPART BY ANOTHER WAY. For all of us who have converted to Orthodoxy as adults, was it not the same? We encountered our Christ, we were Baptized and THE ONLY WAY TO REMAIN FAITHFUL AND TRUE TO HIM IS TO DEPART 'ANOTHER WAY" - that is, to take up a Way of Life that is not dedicated to maintaining a personal "status quo." In order to be True to our Saviour, each one of us - no matter what rank we hold or how long we have been in the Church - must ask ourselves: ARE WE DOING THINGS ACCORDING TO GODS WILL OR DO WE ONLY APPEAR OUTWARDLY TO BE BELIEVERS AND FOLLOWERS OF GOD? DO WE STRIVE TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD, or do we expect God to be obedient to us? DO WE SEEK GOD'S ORDER IN OUR LIFE, or do we seek to establish our own order? King Herod had the appearance of being a Believer and Ruler of that great Nation that was set apart from the other Nations in its Knowledge of God and correct Worship. He took forty-six years to re-build a magnificent new Temple in Jerusalem. Yet, "When Herod the King had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." (MATTHEW 2:3). For the sake of maintaining his own status quo, HEROD CAST ASIDE ALL PRETENCE OF PIETY AND REBELLED AGAINST GOD'S PLAN FOR THE SALVATION OF MANKIND and sent forth his troops to kill all male infants from three years old and younger in the region of Bethlehem SPECIFICALLY IN ORDER TO KILL THE GREAT MESSIAH! There is a beautiful summary of these most terrible events from the Hymn "Lord I Have Cried" from the Vespers Service for the Feast of the 14,000 Holy Infants who were slain: The most lawless and wicked King sought to find out the Timeless King, Who Himself had now become subject to time, and since he then did not find Him to destroy Him, he harvested a great host of guileless babes, whom he made to be Martyrs, which he had purposed not,
Today the status quo of the Kingdom of this [FALLEN] world is in opposition to the Kingdom of God and OUR MODERN
CULTURE OF DEATH ALLOWS THE SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENT BABES IN THE WOMB THROUGH THE MANY ABORTIONS OF CONVENIENCE THAT ARE PERPETRATED EVERY YEAR. In addition, THERE ARE OTHER ATROCITIES MORE GRIEVOUS THAN HEROD'S ACT OF 14,000 HOLY INNOCENTS, who were
KILLING
physically slain and then United with God. THE CULTURE OF IMMORAL DISSIPATION CAUSES SPIRITUAL DEATH AND ESTRANGEMENT FROM GOD. THE MEDIA - and at times even our government schools INCULCATES THE YOUNG IN WAYS OF LIFE THAT ARE COMPLETELY CONTRARY TO CHRISTIAN VALUES. must guard our heart - and WE MUST NOT ONLY PROTECT OUR YOUTH BUT ALSO EQUIP THEM TO FIGHT
We
THE GOOD FIGHT THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION. TO BE A CHRISTIAN IS A CONSTANT SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE. Our Saviour was born and 14,000 Holy Innocent Infants were slain and the God-Man became a Refugee in
30TH SUNDAY AP AFTER
THE
NATIV
ITY
HOLY FAMILYS FLIGHT
TO
35.
Egypt temporarily exiled from Palestine the Promised Land. YET, THROUGH ALL OF THESE TEMPTATIONS AND MORE, OUR SAVIOUR ATTAINED THE ULTIMATE VICTORY THROUGH HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION. WE PARTICIPATE IN THAT VICTORY OF THE RESURRECTION THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF THE CHURCH, but we still need to work out many practical details in our day-to-day life. THE CHURCH IS THE REPOSITORY OF THE GOOD, THE TRUE, AND THE BEAUTIFUL. WE CANNOT ASSUME THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF THE THINGS OF GOD BY OSMOSIS!! The default culture that knows not the God of Israel seeks to convert our young. In this pluralistic culture where ideas compete, WE NEED TO SPEAK TO ENLIGHTEN AND TEACH OUR YOUTH in season and out of season CONCERNING THE CHURCH, GOD'S REVELATION, AND THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS OF WHY WE WERE CREATED AND WHAT THIS LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. Education and career are important, but IT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO MAINTAIN A SPIRITUALLY BALANCED LIFE. The decisions we make in life must be made with the intention of participating in a Eucharistic Community wherein one can grow. IF ONE IS FAR FROM AN ORTHODOX PARISH, THEN DAILY RULE OF PRAYER AND SPIRITUAL RITUAL TAKES ON AN EVEN MORE VITAL ROLE. When the Holy Family fled before Herod's sword to Egypt, malicious thieves had leapt out onto the road with the intention of robbing them. The elderly St Joseph the Righteous Betrothed had been leading a donkey, on which a few meagre possessions had been loaded and upon which the Most Holy Theotokos was seated, holding her small Son to her breast. The brutal robbers had seized the donkey to lead it away with all their belongings, when one of the thieves noticed that the young Ever Blessed Theotokos held something very closely to her. Believing that She had tried to hide a Great Treasure from them, he approached Her - and when he beheld the little Christ-Child, he was so astonished at such extraordinary Beauty he exclaimed aloud: If God were to take upon Himself the flesh of mankind, He would not be more beautiful than this Child!'' Suddenly overwhelmed with unusual Compassion, the thief turned towards his companions and severely admonished them not to take nothing from them. Her heart was filled with extreme gratitude and relief at such unexpected generosity and the Most-Holy Virgin said to him: Know that this Child will repay you with a Good Reward because you protected Him today.'' EVEN IF WE ARE NOT WHAT WE SHOULD BE, WE SHOULD NOT DESPAIR, for it is bad enough that we have sinned, so why , in addition, do we wrong God by regarding Him in our ignorance, as being powerless?! IS HE, Who for our sake created the great Universe that we behold, INCAPABLE OF SAVING OUR SOUL? And if we say that this fact, as well as His Incarnation, only makes our Condemnation worse then REPENT! HE WILL RECEIVE OUR REPENTANCE as He accepted that of the Prodigal Son and the Prostitute. But if Repentance is too much for us, and we sin out of habit even when we do not want to do so, we must SHOW HUMILITY LIKE THE PUBLICAN FOR THAT IS ENOUGH TO ENSURE OUR SALVATION, for those who sin without Repenting, yet who do not despair, must of necessity regard themselves as THE LOWEST OF CREATURES, and
WILL NOT DARE TO JUDGE OR CENSURE OTHERS.
AS FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS OF THE LAST TIMES - WE NEED TO

IDENTIFY OUR REAL LETHAL ENEMIES AND BE SPIRITUALLY EVER WATCHFUL AND ALERT. need to SPIRITUALLY ARM AND PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES AGAINST ALL PRESENT DAY THREATS SPIRITUAL WELFARE, which requires TO OUR
We
everything that our Holy Church grants to us. Parents would never allow utter strangers into their homes who say and do inappropriate things in front of their children - yet the great variety of media that is freely available to our children do exactly all that and more. Consequently, we need to BE AWARE AND EVER WATCHFUL
OF ALL TYPES OF MEDIA THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO OUR CHILDREN AND ELSEWHERE. OURSELVES IN OUR HOMES AND
As struggling Disciples of Christ, let us SEEK TRUE SPIRITUAL RENEWAL. Let us RETURN EAGERLY AND JOYFULLY TO GOD by clearly hearing and obeying the Angelic exhortations to return by another way by rejecting the fatal attractions and deceptions of this modern, fallen age and FULLY EMBRACING HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO THE TIMELESS ONE WHO HAS ENTERED TIME FOR THE SAKE OF OUR IMMORTAL SOULS. Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: A SERMON ON SUNDAY AFTER NATIVITY BY HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN MOSES WWW.ORTHODOXMETROPOLISPORTLAND.ORG
An Incident that Occurred during the Holy Familys Flight to Egypt

Thirty-three years later, that same thief hung on the Cross - condemned for his life-long crimes - crucified at the right hand side of Christ's Cross. His name was Dismas, and the name of the thief on the left side was his vicious companion, Gestas. Beholding Christ our Lord being so unjustly crucified, Dismas repented for all the evil committed in his life, but Gestas remained stubbornly unrepentant and even dared to revile our Lord. The Repentant Thief, Dismas, vehemently defended Christ and pointed out that He was not a common criminal like them who deserved such public humiliation and death, saying: This Man has done nothing wrong!
(LUKE 23:41).
Consequently, the Wise and Repentant Thief - to whom our Lord declared: Truly, I say to you: Today you shall be with Me in Paradise! - became the first Repentant sinner the first Saint to enter Paradise, which has Christ reopened to all sincerely Repentant sinners. (LUKE 23:43). Furthermore, at every Divine Liturgy, we recall and repeat the words of the Repentant Thief: O Lord, remember me in Thy Kingdom! because WE ALL HOPE TO BE IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE I.E. REPENTANT SINNERS AT THE MOMENT OF OUR REPOSE.
St Peter of Damascus Never
Despair
Rather they MARVEL AT GODS COMPASSION, and are full of GRATITUDE TOWARDS OUR BENEFACTOR, and so RECEIVE MANY OTHER BLESSINGS AS WELL. Even if we are subject to the devil in that we sin, yet FROM FEAR OF GOD WE DISOBEY THE ENEMY WHEN HE TRIES TO MAKE US DESPAIR AND BECAUSE OF THAT, we have our portion with God; for WE ARE GRATEFUL, GIVE THANKS, ARE PATIENT, FEAR GOD AND DO NOT JUDGE SO THAT WE MAY NOT BE JUDGED. ALL THESE ARE CRUCIAL QUALITIES, which, as St John Chrysostom says concerning Gehenna: it is almost of greater benefit to us than the Kingdom of Heaven, while few enter for the sake of the Kingdom itself; and if they do enter, it is by Virtue of Gods Compassion for GEHENNA PURSUES US WITH FEAR, WHILE THE KINGDOM EMBRACES US WITH LOVE, AND THROUGH THEM BOTH, WE ARE SAVED BY GODS GRACE.
36. 3 0 T H S U N D A Y A P A F T E R
THE
NATIV
ITY
HOLY FAMILYS FLIGHT
TO

2012 December Sacred Lessons

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2012 December Sacred Lessons

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa Archdiocese of Good Hope

26th Sunday After Pentecost Tone 1

14th Sunday of St Luke The Blind Man of Jericho

Festal Kontakion of the Nativity of Christ

26TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 14TH SUNDAY

ST LUKE THE BLIND MAN

humble state of deepest Love of and respect for Almighty God.

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 18 : 35 43

14th Sunday of St Luke The Healing of the Blind Man of Jericho

26TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 14TH SUNDAY

ST LUKE THE BLIND MAN

26TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 14TH SUNDAY

ST LUKE THE BLIND MAN

Bodily Fasting for the Benefit of our Soul

26TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 14TH SUNDAY

ST LUKE THE BLIND MAN

4 December 2012 St Barbara, Great Martyr of Heliopolis, Syria

Kontakion Of The Nativity Of Christ

I Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to Today the

Matins Gospel According to St Matthew 25 : 1 -

The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 3 : 23- 4 : 5

The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 5 : 24 34

St Barbara the Great Virgin Martyr of Heliopolis, Syria

GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR

5 December 2012 St Savva the Sanctified of Cappadocia

Festal Apolytikion St Savva the Sanctified

TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Festal Kontakion - St Savvas the Sanctified

TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Kontakion of the Nativity Of Christ

The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 5 : 22 6 : 2

The Holy Gospel According to St Mathew 11 : 27 30

The term Gentle is literally translated Meek.

St Savvas the Sanctified

The Eternal, Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers

St Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra

Apolytikion Of St Nicholas The Wonderworker Of Myra

Kontakion Of St Nicholas The Wonderworkder Of Myra

Saintly One, (St. Nicholas) in Myra Thou proved Thyself

Kontakion Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 13: 17 21

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 6 : 17 23

The term Blessed indicates HEAVENLY, SPIRITUAL

leads to despair utter hopelessness. )

Those who hunger ... and thirst for Righteousness

ungodly sorrow an inconsolable sadness that

St Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra

Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos,

Our Risen Lord Jesus Appears Along The Road To Emmaus

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 13 : 10 17

27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 10TH SUNDAY

EVER VIRGIN MARY

Healing on the Sabbath the Bowed Woman

27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 10TH SUNDAY

EVER VIRGIN MARY

The Conception of the Ever Blessed Theotokos, Ever Virgin Mary

27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 10TH SUNDAY

EVER VIRGIN MARY

The Feast of the Nativity of Christ our Lord & Saviour

27TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 10TH SUNDAY

EVER VIRGIN MARY

12 December 2012 St Spyridon, Wonderworker of Trymithous

Festal Apolytikion of St Spyridon Of Trymithous