2015 August Sacred Lessons

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

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and Forever, and
unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever
Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to
Christ our God. Amen.
Tone (8) Plagal 4
2 August 2015
9th Sunday After Pentecost - 9th Sunday of St Matthew

Walking on Water
Also the Feast of St Stephen, Archdeacon & Protomartyr, Translation of Holy Relics from
Jerusalem to Constantinople St Nikodemos the Righteous St Gamaliel & St Abibas, his son
St Basil the Fool for Christ & Wonderworker of Moscow St Basil of the Saviour-Kamen
Monastery St Stephen, Archbishop & Pope & the Holy Martyrs of Rome St Theodoros the
New Martyr of Dardanelles
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Ex
ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo

triimeron, ina imas elevtherosis ton Pathon. I Zoi ke i
Anastasis imon, Kyrie, Doxa Si!
Thou
descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;

Thou endured the three-days burial, so that Thou
might free us from our passions, O our Life and
Resurrection: Glory to Thee!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST STEPHEN TONE 4
Vasilion Diadima, estefthi Si korifi, ex athion on ipeminas
With a Royal Diadem, Thy sacred head was Crowned, for
iper Hristou tou Theou, Martyron Protoathi Stefane;

Si gar tin loudeon, apelengsas manian, ides Sou ton
Sotira, tou Patros Dexiothen. Afton oun ekdisopi ai,
iper ton psihon imon.
the Struggles Thou endured because of Christ our God,

O Stephen, among Martyrs the First Champion; for
refuting the madness of the angry Judeans, Thou
beheld Thy Saviour, at the right hand of the Father.
Beseech Him constantly for the souls of us all.
SEASONAL KONTAKION
- TRANSFIGURATION -
27 JULY UNTIL 13 AUGUST
Epi tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou, Upon

tin Doxan Sou Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina otan Se
idosi Stavoumenon, to me Pathos noisosin ekousion to
de kosmo kirixosin oti Si iparhis Alithos, tou Patros to
Apavgasma!
the Mount Thou were Transfigured, and Thy

Disciples beheld Thy Glory, as far as they were able to
do, O Christ our God; so that when they would see
Thee Crucified, they would know that Thou Suffered
willingly; and thus proclaim to all the world: Thou art
truly the One Who is the Fathers Radiance!
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 9 : JOHN 20 : 19 31

OUR RESURRECTED SAVIOUR BESTOWS HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE ON HIS APOSTLES
PROKEIMENON PSALM 75 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Vow, and Pray to the Lord your God!

In Judah is God known: His Name is Great in Israel!
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 3 : 9 17
WISDOM OF THE APOSTOLIC MINISTRY
Brethren: we are Gods fellow workers. You are Gods Field - Gods Building. According to the Grace of God, which was
granted to me, as a Wise Master Builder, I have laid the Foundation, and another builds on it. Let each one take heed
how he builds on it. No other Foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds
on this Foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each ones work will become clear. The Day
will declare it, for it will be revealed by Fire. And what sort each ones work is, the Fire will test. If anyones work that
he has built on endures, he will receive a Reward. If anyones work is burnt, he will suffer loss, although he himself
will be Saved - yet so as through Fire.
Do you not know that you are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of dwells in you? If anyone defiles the Temple of God,
God will destroy him. The Temple of God is Holy, which Temple you are.
AS LIVING HOLY TEMPLES OF GOD, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO TREAT OUR
Fellow workers (synergoi) refers to the Biblical concept
of synergism, shown here by the way THE HOLY
BODY AND THE BODY OF OTHERS WITH ABSOLUTE RESPECT AS
APOSTLES OF CHRIST WORKED TOGETHER WITH GOD BY
A SACRED SANCTIFIED - VESSEL OF GOD.
CARRYING OUT AND FULFILLING HIS DIVINE MINISTRY ON
THE HUMAN BODY is to be honoured and nurtured carefully
EARTH.
FOR IT ACTUALLY BELONGS TO GOD Who has lent it to us in
So, too, as Gods fellow workers do WE CO-OPERATE WITH
order TO ACCOMMODATE OUR IMMORTAL SOUL.
HIM TO FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR
We are created with BODY AND SOUL and since the body is
ETERNAL SALVATION.
complicated while the soul is very simple the two
THIS HOLY SYNERGY OR CO-OPERATION WITH GOD DOES NOT MEAN
WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE GOOD PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL
THAT WE ARE CO-EQUALS WITH ALMIGHTY GOD. Neither is it
PROGRESS in this lifespan - and especially for later - for
a 50-50 arrangement.
Eternity.
Holy Synergy means that GOD IS OUR LORD AND WE ARE HIS
OUR IMMORTAL SOUL IS BREATHED INTO EACH OF US BY GOD THE
FAITHFUL SERVANTS who are CALLED BY HIM TO PARTICIPATE
LIFE-GIVING HOLY SPIRIT SO IT IS NATURAL TO YEARN FOR GOD
WITH HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE IN HIS HOLY WORK.
AND ALL HIS GOODNESS AND TO KNOW GOOD FROM EVIL.
St Paul reminds us that OUR PHYSICAL BODY IS A HOLY TEMPLE
AT THE SEPARATION OF BODY AND SOUL, THE TWO ELEMENTS ARE
OF GOD and when we are IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE,
RETURNED TO THEIR ORIGINAL PLACES the body to the
THE HOLY SPIRIT INDEED, THE HOLY TRINITY DWELLS WITHIN
earth and the soul to Eternity resting until the
US AND ACTS FROM WITHIN US.
General Resurrection and our Final Judgement when
OUR ENTIRE LIFE IS SPENT SANCTIFYING OUR BODY AND SOUL
we will receive either Eternal Life or Eternal Death
through the partaking of the Holy Mysteries of God.
(Eternal Exile and Alienation from God and all His
Therefore, OUR BODY IS AS HOLY AND SACRED AS OUR IMMORTAL
Goodness.)
SOUL.
9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9TH
OF
ST MATTHEW WALKING
ON
WATER
2 AUGUST 2015
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 14 : 22 - 34

WALKING ON WATER
At that time, our Lord Jesus made His Disciples get into the boat, and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the
multitudes away. And when He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came,
He was alone there.
The boat was then in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves. The wind was contrary. In the Fourth Watch of the night
Jesus went to them walking on the sea. And when His Disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were troubled,
and said: It is a phantom! And they cried out in fear. Immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good cheer! It
is I do not fear! Peter answered Him, saying: Lord, if it is Thee, command me to come to Thee on the water. He
said: Come! And when Peter got down out of the boat, he walked upon the water and went towards Jesus.
Seeing the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out: Lord! Save me! Immediately Jesus
stretched out His Hand and caught him, and He said to him: O thee of little Faith! Why did thou doubt?
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased
Those who were in the boat went and worshipped Him, saying: Truly! Thou art the Son of God!
And when they had crossed over, they arrived at the land of Gennesaret.
Having fed and Healed the bodies and souls of the 5000
FAMILIES who had followed our Lord Jesus Christ and
His Disciples into the wilderness, Christ first dismissed
His Disciples and then the great multitude before
going up the mountain in total isolation to
communicate through Prayer with God His Father.
Several hours later, when the Disciples were in the
middle of the Lake ... In the Fourth Watch of the
night... - OUR LORD WENT TO THEM BY WALKING ON THE
WATER something that was quite natural for Him but
terrifying to behold for His Disciples who immediately
perceived Him to be a ghost or phantom.
WITH HIS WORDS OF COMFORT, HE CALMED THEM down but ST
PETER, as impulsive as usual, ASKED OUR LORD JESUS TO
PROVE IT IS INDEED HIM BY MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO
ALSO WALK UPON THE WATER.
WITH ONE DIVINE WORD: COME! CHRIST ALLOWS ST PETER TO DO
THE NORMALLY IMPOSSIBLE to walk on water and AS
LONG AS ST PETER IS FOCUSSED ON OUR LORD, HE WAS INDEED
ABLE TO DO SO!
Our Holy Church Fathers believe that ST PETERS INITIAL
STRENGTH OF FAITH ALLOWED HIM TO WALK ON THE WATER.
Furthermore, ST PETER DID NOT ASK CHRIST TO MAKE HIM WALK
ON WATER, BUT RATHER TO BE WITH HIM FOR HIS YEARNING WAS
not to perform any Miracle but rather TO BE JOYFULLY
REUNITED WITH CHRIST.
Thus ST PETER WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVINE MIRACLE
OF CHRIST AS LONG AS HE FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON HIM.
However, THE INSTANT ST PETER TOOK HIS ATTENTION OFF
CHRIST AND FOCUSED ON THE SURROUNDING CONDITIONS, HE
LOST FAITH AND BEGAN TO SINK.
Lord! Save me! IS THE MOST POWERFUL PRAYER that has
been repeated countless times throughout the
centuries.
The Greek term for doubt in this context means to
waver or to hesitate.
Thus, THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF ST PETERS SINKING WAS not due to
the stormy conditions, but rather DUE TO HIS SUDDEN
DOUBT, WAVERING OR HESITATION, which then caused
Christ to rebuke St Peter rather than the wind and
waves.
And immediately Jesus stretched out His Hand and
caught him... Whenever WE BESEECH GOD TO SAVE US OR
OF
TO HAVE MERCY ON US OR OUR WEAK HUMAN CONDITION, HE

IMMEDIATELY RESPONDS.
NOT ONE WORD OF OUR PRAYERS GO UNHEARD BY GOD but WE
MUST ACCEPT WITH ALL DUE HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE THAT
EVERYTHING IS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD AND
ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE, UNIQUE PLAN OR PURPOSE FOR
EACH US!
ONLY GOD HAS DOMINION OVER ALL CREATION.
Consequently THESE DIVINE MIRACLES CERTAINLY CONFIRM THE
DIVINITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
The imagery of CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES IN A BOAT ON THE
STORM-TOSSED WAVES DEPICTS HIS HOLY CHURCH, WHICH IS
STEERED BY GOD AND FILLED WITH HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES,
AND CARRIED SAFELY OVER THE TURMOIL AND TROUBLES OF
EARTHLY LIFE, TOWARDS THE SAFETY OF HIS ETERNAL HARBOUR
HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
GOD PERMITS US TO EXPERIENCE THE STORMY, LIFE-THREATENING
CONDITION OF EARTHLY LIFE SO THAT WE MAY ALSO
UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND
PROTECTION, WITHOUT WHICH WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO
SURVIVE OR PROGRESS.
When Christ rebukes the stormy conditions that threaten

life and limb, it also illustrate His Compassion for His
most beloved creatures mankind for HE ALONE CAN
ALSO CALM THE STORMY, THREATENING TEMPESTS OF OUR
IMMORTAL SOUL.
This is the second time that our Lord permitted His
Disciples to be caught in a storm at sea.
During the first terrifying storm at sea, He was with them
but in this instance, they were on their own.
In this manner, CHRIST STRENGTHENED THEIR FAITH IN HIS
ETERNAL PRESENCE HE IS ALWAYS WITH US even in the
midst of the worst conditions and circumstances of our
earthly life.
It is I (Am) I Am IS THE DIVINE NAME OF GOD. Thereby
our Lord Jesus Christ reassured His Disciples of His
Absolute and Divine Authority over life especially
their lives, as His Faithful Disciples.
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HIS DISCIPLES CONFESS OUR LORD
AS SON OF GOD and knowing that ONLY GOD CAN BE
WORSHIPPED, they confess His Divinity by Worshipping
and Glorifying Him.
ST MATTHEW WALKING
WE ARE OFTEN EASILY DISTRACTED FROM WHAT IS REALLY MOST

IMPORTANT IN LIFE. It is so easy to worry obsessively
about matters beyond our control and to waste our
attention on fantasies of what the future may hold.
With all the bad news in the world today and our own
personal Struggles, WE ARE STRONGLY TEMPTED TO BECOME
OVERWHELMED BY FEAR - and begin to sink into a deep,
dark abyss - just like St Peter when he began to sink
beneath the storm-tossed waves.
St Peter had been able to miraculously walk upon the waves
towards our Lord Jesus Christ until he was distracted
by the stormy conditions that surrounded them.
INSTEAD OF FOCUSING HIS ATTENTION ON AND TRUST IN OUR
SAVIOUR, WHICH MAKES ALL THINGS POSSIBLE, ST PETER LET
HIS DOUBTS AND FEARS DOMINATE HIS MIND, WHICH CAUSED
HIM TO SINK, AND SCARED HIM EVEN MORE!
He called out in abject terror and immediately our Lord
Jesus reached out and prevented him from drowning.
Even more profound, is the fact that ST PETER HAD ASKED
CHRIST: Lord, if it is Thee, command me to come to
Thee on the water.
2. 9 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 9 T H
OF
ON
WATER FATHER PHILIP LEMASTERS
As was often the case, ST PETER SPOKE BEFORE HE THOUGHT and HIS FAITH WOULD ACTUALLY BE PUT TO THE TEST AND
FAIL.
We can all relate to St Peters situation, for WE HAVE ALL
BEEN LIKE HIM AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER - indeed, we may
be like him this very minute.
We like to think that we have a lot of Faith.
However, WHEN CONFRONTED BY DIRE SITUATIONS WHICH WILL
TEST OUR FAITH, WE CANNOT KNOW UNTIL THEN WHETHER
OUR FEARS, PASSIONS, AND WEAKNESSES WILL OVERWHELM
US, causing us to become distracted by the dangers or
difficulties that threaten us.
IF ONLY WE COULD REMAIN FOCUSSED ON AND ASSURED BY OUR
LORD AT ALL TIMES concentrated and confident in our
Faith in Christ Jesus Who grants us Life and Who
enables us to endure even the most difficult challenges.
WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES DISTRACT AND EVEN DEFEAT US causing us to lose our focus and Faith - WE IMMEDIATELY
BEGIN TO SINK LIKE A HEAVY STONE thrown into the depths
of the sea!
St Paul reminded the Corinthian Christian Community that
OUR ONE TRUE FOUNDATION IS THE ETERNAL, ONLY
ST MATTHEW WALKING
ON
WATER
2 AUGUST 2015
BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON OF GOD our Lord and

Saviour, Jesus Christ.
OUR ENTIRE LIFE IS BUILT ON HIM, by Whom all things were
created He Who became the Second Adam Who
Heals and Regenerates our corrupt humanity.
Our Lord Jesus Christ conquered Death in His Third-Day
Resurrection and has brought us into the Eternal Life of
the Holy Trinity.
WHEN WE TURN AWAY FROM HIM, WE TURN AWAY FROM BEING
TRULY HUMAN - H IS IMAGE AND LIKENESS.
That is why St Peter began to sink into the depths of the
sea from the moment that he was distracted by his
fears rather than being focussed and confident in his
Trust in our Lord.
That is also why WE SINK BENEATH THE STORMY WAVES OF OUR
HABITUAL SINS by SURRENDERING TO OUR PASSIONS THAT
DISTRACT US FROM GOD.
We may profess with our lips that Jesus Christ is our Lord
and Saviour, but OUR WEAK FAITH IS EXPOSED WHEN WE ARE
INTIMIDATED BY DIFFICULT CHALLENGES OR FRIGHTENING
CIRCUMSTANCEs - when the breaking waves seem so huge
and the wind so strong.

There are many times in life when we really do feel as
though we are trying to walk on tossing waves in the
midst of a terrifying storm!!
FEAR, PANIC, AND ANXIETY WILL DESTROY AND OBLITERATE ANY
THOUGHTS OF FAITH, H OPE, AND LOVE FROM MOST PEOPLE.
The key question, however, is what do we do then?
WE HAVE TRUE FREEDOM TO MAKE CHOICES.
We are Gods Fellow Workers and He never forces us to
Love or to serve Him.
WE YIELD TO TEMPTATIONS AND ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE
CONTROLLED BY SELF-CENTRED DESIRES AND FEARS.
DUE TO OUR INHERENT ARROGANCE AND EGOTISM, WE MAY
THINK IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO US TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO COPE
AS BEST AS WE CAN UNDER ALL CIRCUMstances, which may
seem noble.
However, THAT IS A VERY DANGEROUS DECEPTION THAT LEADS
TO OUR ENSLAVEMENT TO SIN, as surely as trying to walk
on water by our own power would lead only to our
drowning!
Despite all our most concerted efforts, WE CANNOT CONQUER
SIN AND DEATH BY OURSELVES!
As soon as St Peter realised he was in danger of drowning,
he was terrified and cried out loudly: Lord! Save me!
By crying out for Christs Help, ST PETER SHOWED THAT HE
DID HAVE A CERTAIN DEGREE OF FAITH, ALTHOUGH IT WAS
NOT THAT WHICH SAVED HIM, BUT RATHER THE GREAT
MERCY OF OUR LORD.
Exactly like St Peter, we all are in constant need of the Great
Mercy and Compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we constantly respond to all Petitions,
Supplications, Prayers and Hymns with: Lord, have
mercy! Kyrie, eleison!
It is also why the Jesus Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son
of God, have Mercy on me, a sinner, is at the heart of
Spiritual Vision.
WE INCESSANTLY FOCUS ON OUR LORDS GREAT MERCY because,
like St Peter, we acknowledge that we are sick and weak
and that WE ARE PERPETUALLY BEING TEMPTED TO TURN
OUR ATTENTION AND FOCUS ELSEWHERE - ESPECIALLY ON
OURSELVES AND OUR OWN FAULTY DESIRES.
No matter what our personal challenges are and no matter
with what problems we are forced to contend, we must
strive to NEVER BE DISTRACTED FROM OUR CONFIDENCE AND
TRUST IN GODS INFINITE MERCY.
We must never forget that HE ENDURED AND CONQUERED
DEATH AND HADES FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION.
OUR LOVING SAVIOUR VOLUNTARILY ENTERED OUR CORRUPT
AND SCARY WORLD with many wicked, misguided and
merciless people who plotted against Him and wanted
to kill Him since His Infancy.
CONSEQUENTLY, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS FAMILIAR WITH
AND HAS HAD TO CONTEND WITH - EVEN THE WORST OF OUR
PROBLEMS.
INSTEAD OF ALLOWING FEAR, WORRY AND ANXIETY TO PARALYSE
AND DISTRACT US, WE MUST CALL OUT TO CHRIST FOR H IS
DIVINE ASSISTANCE - WITH CONFIDENCE AND HOPE, no
matter what the circumstances might be steadfastly
and unwaveringly focussing our full attention on Him

alone!
We must STRIVE DAILY TO NOURISH AND INCREASE IN HUMBLE
FAITH.
As we stand before our Holy Icons at home in Daily Prayer,
we should beseech God for His Great Mercy for our
loved ones, for all those who suffer persecution and
martyrdom throughout this tragic world, and finally, for
ourselves as we face innumerable challenges
throughout the hours, days and weeks.
WHENEVER WE ARE TEMPTED by sinful words, deeds, or
thoughts, WE MUST BESEECH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO
STRENGTHEN, ENCOURAGE AND PROTECT US so that we are
able to resist the enemy and achieve Spiritual Victory
according to His Divine Commandments and Teachings.
WHILE FULFILLING OUR DAILY DUTIES AND ROUTINES, we are
able to SIMULTANEOUSLY OFFER MANY SHORT PRAYERS SUCH
AS THE JESUS PRAYER OR THE PRAYER OF THE H EART.
Of course, it takes much strenuous effort to GUARD OUR
THOUGHTS and to PRAY WITH H UMILITY when we are being
tempted and also distracted.
It is so much easier simply to surrender to anger, pride,
lust, fear, despair, and hatred than to reject or resist
them.
As ...fellow workers with God... WE HAVE TO EXERT OURSELVES
TO A GREAT DEGREE IN ORDER TO FULFIL GODS WILL, which
we can never achieve perfectly.
Nevertheless, the more we Struggle and the more we
might fail the more aware we will become that we are
no different to St Peter.
WITHOUT DIVINE ASSISTANCE, DIVINE GRACE AND DIVINE
MERCY, WE CANNOT EVEN HOPE TO WALK ON WATER.
Even the mundane activities of daily living will distract us
and engulf us - until we feel as though we are going to
sink and drown.
WITHOUT OUR PROVIDENTIAL, B ENEVOLENT LORD AND SAVIOUR,
WE ARE LIKE A BUILDING WITHOUT A FOUNDATION, which
will collapse under its own weight.
St Paul asks each of us a significant question: Do you not
know that you are the Temple of God and that the
Spirit of God dwells in you?
A TEMPLE MUST BE HOLY SANCTIFIED - AND DEDICATED CONSECRATED TO GOD.
For us to be a Temple REQUIRES CONSTANT SPIRITUAL
VIGILANCE AND PERSEVERANCE in order to ground (or
anchor) our Life in the Mercy of Christ, for we are so
often tempted to worship false gods of our own
devising.
IT IS THUS CRUCIAL TO MAINTAIN A DAILY RULE OF PRAYER AND
TO PRAY THE JESUS PRAYER AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. For if
we are not INTENTIONALLY WELCOMING, INVITING, AND
COOPERATING WITH THE H OLY SPIRIT EVERY MOMENT of
our life, how on Earth do we expect to be able to worthy
Holy Temples in the midst of such a corrupt and
Spiritually Dark world?
The basic point is very simple: THE MORE WE TURN OUR
ATTENTION TO CHRIST AND HIS SALVATION, THE MORE
LIKELY WE WILL BE ABLE TO WALK ON WATER WITH H IM
during the tempestuous storms of this fallen world.
THE MORE SPIRITUALLY WATCHFUL WE BECOME, THE MORE
ALERT WE WILL BE TO OUR OWN THOUGHTS, WORDS AND
DEEDS and the greater Strength we will have to reject
the lies that we so often tell ourselves, as well as others
and the excuses we all too often use to justify our
selfish and deceptive words and deeds.
BY ATTENTIVELY FOCUSSING ON CHRIST, HIS COMMANDMENTS
AND TEACHINGS WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE H IS GREAT MERCY
for He is our firm Foundation, our Eternal Saviour, and
Glorious Victor over sin and death.
Without our Lord Jesus, we will certainly sink like heavy
stones, but IN HIM, WE BECOME FELLOW WORKERS WITH GOD
FOR OUR SALVATION.
We cannot prevent threatening, devastating tempests from
raging nor can we calm the wild storm-tossed seas yet
we can be centred firmly in Christ, and call out to Him
with absolute confidence: Lord! save me!
May we never be distracted and drowned by any
temptation.
HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM
S T . M A R K T H E A S C E T I C - ON THE SPIRITUAL LAW : TWO HUNDRED TEXTS

Forgetfulness as such has no power, but acquires it in proportion to our negligence.
OF
ST MATTHEW WALKING
ON
WATER
2 AUGUST 2015
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME...

Most Christians recite our Lord's Prayer every day: Our
In the language of the Fathers of the Church, this is called
Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name...
Deification and those who are made Holy by their
God is All Holy so what are we praying and why did our
participation in the Grace of God are called Deified.
Lord Jesus Christ teach us to pray in this manner?
For one to become Holy - to be Deified - means that all
ST GREGORY OF NYSSA, in his Commentary on our Lords
ones spiritual and bodily faculties are Transfigured Prayer explained: ...If I did not utter these words at all,
that God is the centre of ones Life.
let us say, would it be possible that God's Name be not
He further explained that OUR INABILITY TO LIVE SUCH A LIFE
Holy? ...God's Name is forever Holy and nothing
(IN CHRIST) LEADS OTHERS TO HAVE NO FAITH OR VERY WEAK
escapes the Power of God's Rule.
FAITH.
Rather, He has dominion over all and admits no addition
If we want to spread His Word to others, then we must
to His Holiness. God absolutely lacks nothing and is
Hallow His Name.
Perfect.
IT IS NOT WHAT WE SAY, BUT HOW WE LIVE THAT WILL BRING US
What then does this Prayer intend with the words:
SALVATION BUT ALSO INVITES AND ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO
...Hallowed be Thy Name...?
BE UNITED WITH H IM.
It must be clear that it is not to proclaim that God is Holy,
Because our lives are not consistent with this Petition [in
but to ask for something for our own Salvation.
the Lords Prayer] and we do not strive to live according
How do we make His name Hallowed? It can only be by
to the Will of God, our conduct is anti-Christian.
how we live our lives.
We are full of vices and passions, hatreds and animosities,
If we proclaim to be Christian and are dedicated to serving
and we commit injustices and slanders. And that is how
our Lord God, then we must demonstrate what this
other people see us and do not believe in God.
means through the way we live our daily Life.
Hence we cause the Name of God to be blasphemed not
Otherwise, those who see us will not think very highly
Hallowed! - among the Nations.
of our God!
EVERY TIME WE RECITE THIS PROFOUND PRAYER that our Lord
...those who bear the Name of the Faith, but their way of
Jesus Christ instructed all His Faithful Disciples to pray,
life contradicts the Name - whether by lapsing into
LET US THINK ABOUT HOW WE HALLOW H IS ALMIGHTY AND
idolatry by way of greed, or by behaving unseemly
DIVINE NAME.
through drunkenness and revelry, or by wallowing like
We must not take the easy path and only think that it
swine in the mire of profligacy - then those who are
means that God is Holy, but rather, WE MUST CONSIDER
unbelievers resort to a handy accusation.
EXACTLY WHAT H ALLOWED REQUIRES OF US in our daily
They do not direct their accusation against the free
Life in Christ.
choice of those who abuse Christian Life by doing evil,
We must CONSISTENTLY EXAMINE HOW CLOSELY WE FULFIL OUR
but against the Mystery of the Faith itself, as if the
LOVE OF GOD AND OF OTHERS so that by Hallowing His
Faith positively teaches to do those kinds of things.
Divine Name, WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO AS WELL.
If we want God's Name to be Hallowed Holy or Sanctified St Gregory of Nyssa concluded his comments: ...When I
WE MUST BECOME TRUE DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE TRUTH
pray: ...Hallowed be Thy Name... the meaning of these
THAT H E TAUGHT AND LIVED. OTHERWISE WE BLASPHEME
words apply to me, actualizing God's Blessings:
HIM.
Lord, through the cooperation of Thy Help, may I
THIS PHRASE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS PRAYER STATES THE
become blameless, just and pious. Abstaining from
ENTIRE PURPOSE OF OUR SHORT PREPARATORY LIFE BEFORE
every evil, may I speak the Truth, practising
ETERNITY.
Righteousness and walking on the Straight Path.
WE ARE TO LIVE IN A SUCH A SPECIFIC MANNER THAT MAKES
May I shine with Prudence, be Adorned with
GOD'S NAME HALLOWED.
Incorruption, and be Beautified with Wisdom and
This is our Purpose - to BECOME UNITED WITH HIM IS SUCH A
Discernment.
WAY THAT H IS HOLINESS SHINES THROUGH US.
Overlooking earthly things, may I set my mind on the
METROPOLITAN HIEROTHEOS (Vlachos) stated:
...This
Things Above and be Radiant with the Angelic
Petition shows what the Purpose of mankind is and
Manner of Life... (COLOSSIANS 3:2)
for what reason we live.
May we all be granted the Strength and Divine Grace to LIVE
Our Purpose is to be United with God and to become
A LIFE THAT MAKES H IS N AME H ALLOWED.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/2014_08_01
Holy (Sanctified) according to the Grace and Energy of
God.
God is Holy by Nature and people are [Called] to become
Holy by Grace.
S T T H E O G N O S T O S - ON
THE
PRACTICE
OF THE
VIRTUES, CONTEMPLATION &
THE
PRIESTHOOD
Do not try to embark on the higher forms of Contemplation

flounder like fledglings, however great the longing
before you have achieved complete Dispassion, and do
roused within us by the Honey of Spiritual Knowledge.
not pursue what lies as yet beyond your reach.
But, once Purified by Self-restraint and Tears, we will be
If your wish is to become a Theologian and a
lifted up from the Earth like Elijah or Habakkuk Contemplative, Ascend by the Path of Ascetic Practice
anticipating the moment when we will be caught up into
and, through Self-Purification acquire what is Pure.
the Clouds and Transported beyond the world of the
Do not pursue Theology beyond the limits of your present
senses by Undistracted Prayer, Pure and Contemplative,
state of development: it is wrong for us who are still
we may then in our search for God touch the fringe of
drinking the milk of the Virtues to attempt to soar to
Theology. (CF. 2 KINGS 2:11 & 1 THESSALONIANS 4:17)
the Heights of Theology, and if we do so, we will
S T G R E G O R Y O F S I N A I - ON PRAYER: SEVEN TEXTS - ON DELUSION AND OTHER SUBJECTS
If we are striving in Stillness to attain a state of Pure Prayer,
Authentic Prayer - the warmth that accompanies the Jesus
we must Journey with great trepidation and Inward
Prayer - for it is our Lord Jesus Who enkindles Fire on
Grief, questioning those with Spiritual Experience,
the Earth of our heart and consumes the passions like
accepting their Guidance, always lamenting our sins,
thorns and fills the soul with Delight and Joyfulness.
(CF. LUKE 12:49)
and full of distress and fear lest we should be Chastised
Such Prayer comes neither from right or left, nor from
or should fall away from God and be divorced from Him
Above, but wells up in the heart like a Spring of Water
in this life or the next.
from the life-quickening Spirit.
For when the devil sees someone leading a Penitent Life, he
It is this Prayer alone that we should aspire to realize and
retreats, frightened of the Humility that such Inward
possess in our heart, always keeping our intellect free
Grief engenders. But if, with a longing that is satanic
from images, concepts and thoughts.
rather than authentic, we are presumptuous enough to
And we must not be afraid, for He Who says, "Take heart;
imagine that we have attained a lofty state, the devil will
it is I; be not afraid' is with us - He Whom we seek and
easily trap us in his nets and make us his slaves.
Who Protects us always.
Thus the surest Guard against falling from the Joy of Prayer
When we invoke God we must be neither timid nor
into a state of conceit is to persevere in Prayer and
hesitant. (MATTHEW 14:27)
Inward Grief, for by embracing a Solace-Filled Grief
we keep ourselves safe from harm.
4. 9 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 9 T H
OF
ST MATTHEW WALKING
ON
WATER
2 AUGUST 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the
Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
6 August 2015
The Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor
ISODIKON : TRANSFIGURATION
Oti
para Si Pigi Zoix, Kyrie, en to

Foti Sou opsometha Fos. Soson
imas, Ie Theou, O en to Orei to
Thavor
Metamorfothis,
psalontas Si: Allilouia!
For
with Thee is the Fountain of

Life; in Thy Light we shall see
Light! Save us, O Son of God
Who was Transfigured on
Mount Tabor, as we sing to
Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION TRANSFIGURATION TONE 4
Metemorfothis
en to Ori, Hriste O
Theos, dixas tis Mathites Sou tin
Doxan Sou, kathos idinanto.
Lampson ke imin tis amartolis, to
Fos Sou to aidion, Presvies tis
Theotokou, Fotodota, Doxa Si.
Thou
were Transfigured upon the

Mountain, O Christ our God,
showing to Thine Disciples Thy
Glory as much as they could bear.
In us sinners though we be
shine Thine Everlasting Light, at
the
Intercession
of
the
Theotokos; O Giver of Light:
Glory to Thee!
FESTAL KONTAKION TRANSFIGURATION - TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Epi
tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite

Sou tin Doxan Sou, Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina
otan Se idosi Stavroumenon, to men pathos noisosin
ekousion, to de kosmo kirixosin, oti Si iparhis Alithos,
TOU PATROS TO APAVGASMA.
Upon
the Mountain Thou were Transfigured, and Thy

Disciples beheld Thy Glory as far as they were able, O
Christ our God; so that when they would see Thee
Crucified they might understand that Thy Passion
was deliberate, and declare to the world that in Truth
THOU ART THE FATHERS RADIANCE.
SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON TRANSFIGURATION TONE 2
Soson
imas Iie Theou, O EN TO O RI TO T HAVOR

M ETAMORTOTHIS , psallontas Si: Allilouia!
STIHOS
STIHOS
I themelii Aftou en ti Oresi tis Agiis

Agapa Kyrios tas Pilas Sion. Iper
VERSE
panta ta
VERSE
skinomata Iakov
STIHOS
Son of God, T RANSFIGURED UPON M OUNT T ABOR

Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia
His Foundations are in the Holy Mountains

The Lord Loves the Gates of Zion more than all
the dwellings of Jacob.
Dedoxamena elalithi peri Sou, i Polis tou Theou.
VERSE
Glorious
Things are spoken of Thee, O City of
God.
Mitir Sion eri anthropos, ke anthropos egennithi

en afti.
STIHOS
Zion is our Mother, a man shall say, and such a

man was born in her
VERSE
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING

TH
GLORIOUS TRANSFIGURATION
OF
TO
CH
ST LUKE 9 : 28 - 36
RIST
ON
MOUNT TAB
OR
At that time, after saying these words, about eight days later, our Lord Jesus took Peter, John and James and went up on
the Mountain to pray. And as He prayed, the Appearance of His Face was altered, and His robe became white and
glistening. And behold! Two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in Glory and spoke of His
Departure, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep. When they were fully awake, they saw His Glory and the two men who
stood with Him. And it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus: Master, it is good for us to
be here! And let us make three tabernacles - one for Thee, one for Moses, and one for Elijah not knowing what he said.
While he was saying this, a Cloud came and overshadowed them. They were fearful as they entered the Cloud. And a Voice
came out of the Cloud, saying: This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! And when the Voice had ceased, Jesus was alone.
And they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the Things they had seen.
2. GOD THE FATHER BEARS WITNESS FROM HEAVEN
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS A
THEOPHANY A MANIFESTATION OR REVELATION OF GOD
CONCERNING HIS BELOVED ETERNAL SON.
especially of the Divinity of Christ THROUGH A DISPLAY
He does not say: This has become My Son, but
OF HIS UNCREATED DIVINE ENERGY.
This IS My Son... indicating that THIS DIVINE
Therefore the Orthodox Church celebrates the
GLORY BELONGS TO CHRIST DUE TO HIS DIVINE, ETERNAL
Transfiguration of Christ as a major Feast Day.
NATURE.
SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF THE TRANSFIGURATION SHOW THAT OUR
From Eternity infinitely before His Baptism and
LORD JESUS CHRIST IS INDEED BOTH MESSIAH (ANOINTED
Transfiguration HE IS GOD THE SON OF GOD THE
SAVIOUR) AND GOD:
FATHER FULLY SHARING IN THE DIVINE ESSENCE AND
ATTRIBUTES OF THE ETERNAL FATHER.
1. Because GOD IS UNCREATED LIGHT, THE BRIGHT CLOUD,
THE SHINING OF OUR LORDS FACE as bright as the
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD
sun AND THE GLISTENING WHITENESS OF HIS
THE FATHER HE IS CERTAINLY GOD OF GOD.
GARMENT, all demonstrate that He is God.
3. THE TRANSFIGURATION NOT ONLY PROCLAIMS CHRISTS
(In some Holy Icons this Uncreated Light is shown as
DIVINE SONSHIP, BUT ALSO FORESHADOWS HIS FUTURE
beyond white a blue-white, an ineffable
GLORY when He as the long awaited Messiah
colour indicating its Spiritual Origin.)
ushers in the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom of Love,
THE TRANSFIGURATION
OF
CHRIST
OUR
SAVIOUR
6 AUGUST 2015
5.
Peace and Joy the Kingdom of Eternal Life in

Christ.
THE BRIGHT CLOUD RECALLS TEMPLE WORSHIP AND THE
MYSTERIOUS CLOUD THAT WENT BEFORE THE ISRAELITES
DURING THEIR TRAVELS IN THE WILDERNESS BEFORE THEY
ARRIVED AT THE PROMISED LAND the visible Sign of
the Extraordinary Divine Presence.
ST PETER SAW THIS AS A SIGN THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD
HAD COME and knowing that the Feast of
Tabernacles is the Feast of the awaited
Kingdom, HE ASKED PERMISSION FROM CHRIST TO
ERECT THE FESTAL BOOTHS TABERNACLES FOR EACH
OF THEM, which was the usual practise
SYMBOLISING THE DWELLING OF GOD amongst His Just
and Faithful souls in that Eternal Kingdom.
4. ST MOSES REPRESENTS THE LAW OF GOD AND ALL WHO HAD
ALREADY DIED, while ST ELIJAH REPRESENTS THE HOLY
PROPHETS OF GOD AND since he himself did not
experience death ALL THOSE WHO ARE ALIVE IN
CHRIST.
Their presence shows that THE HOLY LAW AND THE
PROPHETS THE LIVING AND THE DEAD ALL BEAR
WITNESS TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS THE ONE AND
ONLY TRUE MESSIAH WHO IS THE FULFILMENT OF THE
ENTIRE OLD COVENANT WITH GOD.
The presence of St Moses and St Elijah also
manifested the Communion of Saints. (HEBREWS
12:1)
Both Holy Men were immediately recognisable and
they conversed with our Lord Jesus.
THE HOLY APOSTLES WERE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND OUR LORDS
WORDS when He said Elijah has come already
REFERRING TO ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND FORERUNNER to
Christ. (MATTHEW 17:12)
THEIR EYES HAD BEEN OPENED to the fact that Malachis
Prophesy referred to one who would come ...in
the spirit and power of Elijah.... rather than to
St Elijah himself. (LUKE 1:17)
5. Finally, THE HOLY TRINITY IS REVEALED HERE, for CHRIST IS

TRANSFIGURED, GOD THE FATHER SPEAKS FROM HEAVEN
testifying to the Authenticity of our Lord Jesus
Divine Sonship AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT IN THE
FORM OF A DAZZLING UNCREATED LIGHT SURROUNDING
OUR LORD AND OVERSHADOWING THE HOLY APOSTLES AS
WELL AS THE ENTIRE MOUNT TABOR.
CHRISTS DEPARTURE (Greek: Exodus) is a reference to

HIS FORTHCOMING DEATH, which WAS INTIMATELY
CONNECTED TO THE GLORY OF HIS TRANSFIGURATION for
our Lord is GLORIFIED THROUGH HIS CRUCIFIXION DEATH.
(JOHN 12:23)
IN THE LITURGICAL CYCLE, THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
IS FORTY DAYS BEFORE THE FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS ON 14
SEPTEMBER, SHOWING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CHRISTS
GLORY AND HIS CROSS.
THE TERM EXODUS REVEALS THAT CHRISTS PASSION IS A
FULFILMENT OF THE OLD COVENANT PASSOVER and is THE
TRUE EXODUS FROM THE SPIRITUAL ENSLAVEMENT of sin
INTO THE FREEDOM OF OUR ETERNAL SALVATION IN CHRIST
JESUS.
This Revelation of Divine Power also confirms that OUR
LORDS DEATH ON THE CROSS WAS NOT IMPOSED ON HIM BY
OUTSIDE FORCES, BUT WAS A VOLUNTARY OFFERING OF HIS
DIVINE LOVE for the sake of the Salvation of all
mankind.
Furthermore, NO ARRESTING SOLDIER COULD HAVE WITHSTOOD
SUCH GLORY IF GOD HAD NOT CONSENTED and allowed it
to happen in order TO FULFIL ALL THAT WAS NECESSARY
FOR OUR SALVATION AND SPIRITUAL RESTORATION to the
Divine Grace of Almighty God. (MATTHEW 26:53)
EVERYTHING GOD PERMITS IS FOR OUR IMMORTAL BENEFIT due
to His Infinite Love for us.
In the Festal Kontakion of Transfiguration, we sing: Thy
Disciples beheld Thy Glory as far as they could
bear it, so that when they saw Thee Crucified, they
would understand that Thy Suffering was
voluntary.
PROKEIMENON PSALM 103 TONE 4
Thy Works shall be greatly magnified, O Lord. Thou hast made all things in Wisdom.
Bless, O my Soul, the Lord!
THE SECOND EPISTLE

PARTA
KERS
OF ST PETER 1
DIVINE NATURE
: 10 19
OF
Brethren: be even more diligent to make your Call and Election sure. If you do these things you will never stumble. An
Entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For
this reason I will not neglect reminding you always of these things, although you know and are established in the
present Truth. I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you knowing that shortly I
must put off my tent - just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. I will be careful to ensure that you always have a
reminder of these things after my decease.
We did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the Power and Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but were eyewitnesses of His Majesty. He received from God the Father Honour and Glory when such a Voice came to
Him from the Excellent Glory: This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased. And we heard this Voice, which
came from Heaven, when we were with Him on the Holy Mountain.
And so we have the Prophetic Word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a Light that shines in a dark place, until the
Day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts...
THE PRIMARY TRUTH WITH WHICH ST PETER DEALT and which he
ST PETER WAS AN EYEWITNESS TO THE MAJESTY OF CHRIST IN MANY
only indirectly touched upon at this point - IS THE
WAYS and he reminds us especially that he was
SECOND COMING OR REAPPEARANCE OF CHRIST AND HIS
present at our Lords Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.
EVERLASTING KINGDOM.
What ST PETER REPEATED concerning the Reappearance of
PEOPLE LIVED IN TENTS WHILE JOURNEYING, constantly moving,
Christ is THE COMMON APOSTOLIC TRADITION, which is
or at war.
SUPPORTED BY THE EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY of the Holy
So as long AS WE ARE IN THIS PHYSICAL BODY DURING THIS
Apostles and ESPECIALLY THE THREE WHO WITNESSED THE
SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TOWARDS ETERNITY, WE LIVE IN TENTS TRANSFIGURATION.
TEMPORARY, TRANSPORTABLE STRUCTURES - which bear
THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH concerning everything to do with Christ
witness to OUR LONG JOURNEY OF LIFE AND THE ONGOING
IS DEFINITELY NOT AN ELABORATE SCHEME of fables such as
BATTLE AGAINST ENEMY FORCES of Darkness that constantly
the Gnostics invented and propounded.
threaten us.
In all the Holy Gospel accounts, THE TRANSFIGURATION IS
OUR TEMPORARY PHYSICAL BODIES BELONG TO GOD, HAVING BEEN
DIVINE AND TRUE PROOF AS WELL AS A FORETASTE OF THE
SANCTIFIED THROUGHOUT OUR LIFETIME WITH THE HOLY
GLORIOUS RETURN (in his physical form) of Christ in all His
MYSTERIES.
Divine Glory.
THE TRUTHFUL TESTIMONY OF THE HOLY APOSTLES BOTH
Thus THEY ARE TO BE RETURNED TO THE EARTH from whence they
came always being TREATED WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT.
CONFIRMS THE PROPHETIC WORD THE HOLY PROPHECIES
AND THE SECOND COMING, AND SHOWS US HOW TO
INTERPRET HOLY PROPHECY CORRECTLY AND TRUTHFULLY.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST MATTHEW 17 : 1 9
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ON MOUNT TABOR

At that time, after six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John, his brother, led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And He was Transfigured before them. And His Face shone like the sun - His clothes became as white as the Light.
And behold! Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be
here! If Thou wish, let us make here three tabernacles - one for Thee, one of Moses and one for Elijah.
6.
THE TRANSFIGURATION
OF
CHRIST
OUR
SAVIOUR
6 AUGUST 2015
While he was still speaking, behold! A Bright Cloud overshadowed them! And behold! a Voice from the Cloud said: This is
My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased! Hear Him! And when the Disciples heard It, they fell on their faces and
were greatly afraid. And Jesus went and touched them and said: Arise, and do not be afraid! When they lifted up
their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
And, as they went down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying: Tell the Vision to no one until the Son of
Man is Risen from the dead.
THE TRANSFIGURATION
OF
CHRIST
ON
MOUNT TABOR ST GREGORY PALAMAS
Everywhere and in every way the King will be present, and

everywhere will be His Kingdom, since the Advent of
His Kingdom does not signify the passing over from
one place to another, but rather the Revelation of its
Power of the Holy Spirit.
That is why it is said: ...come in Power.
And this Power is not manifest to simply ordinary people,
but to those standing with our Lord Jesus Christ those who have affirmed their Faith in Him like St
Peter, St James and St John - and especially those who
are free of our natural abasement.
Therefore - and precisely because of this - God
manifested Himself upon Mount Tabor - on the one
hand, coming down from His (Heavenly) Heights, and
on the other, raising us up from the depths of
abasement - since the Transcendent One took on our
mortal nature.
Certainly, such a manifest Appearance (His Transfiguration)
by far transcends the utmost limits of the minds
grasp, as effectualized by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Thus, the Light of the Transfiguration of the Lord is not
something that comes to be and then vanishes, nor is
it subject to the sensory faculties, although it was
contemplated by corporeal eyes for a short while
upon an inconsequential mountaintop.
But the initiates of the Mystery - the Disciples of our Lord
- at that time passed beyond mere flesh into spirit
through
a
Transformation
of
their
senses,
effectualized within them by the Holy Spirit, and in
such a way that they beheld what, and to what extent,
the Divine Spirit had wrought Blessedness in them to
behold the Ineffable Light.
Those not grasping this point have conjectured that the
Chosen from among the Apostles beheld the Light of
the Transfiguration of the Lord by a sensual and
creaturely faculty, and thereby they attempt to reduce
to a creaturely level - as something created - not
only this Light, the Kingdom and the Glory of God, but
also the Power of the Holy Spirit, through Whom it is
meet for Divine Mysteries to be revealed.
In all likelihood, such persons have not heeded the words
of St Paul: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has
it entered into the heart of man, what Things God
has prepared for those who Love Him. But to us God
has revealed them through His Spirit. For the Spirit
searches all things, even the Deep Things of God. (1
For
an explanation of the present Feast and

understanding of its Truth, it is necessary for us to
turn to the very start of todays reading from the Holy
Gospel: ... after six days Jesus took Peter, James and
John his brother, and led them up onto a high
mountain by themselves (MATTHEW 17:1).
First of all we must ask, from whence did the Evangelist,
St Matthew begin to reckon the six days?
From what sort of day was it?
What did the preceding turn of speech indicate, where
our Saviour, in teaching His Disciples, said to them:
...for the Son of Man shall come with His Angels in
the Glory of His Father... and further: ...Truly, I say
to you, there are some standing here who shall not
taste Death, until they have seen the Son of Man
coming in His Kingdom... ? (MATTHEW 16:27-28)
That is to say, it is the Light of His own forthcoming
Transfiguration, which He termed ... the Glory of His
Father... and of ...His Kingdom.
St Luke pointed this out and revealed this more clearly:
... about eight days after these words, that He took
Peter and John and James, and went up the
Mountain to pray. And as He prayed, His
Countenance was altered, and His raiment became a
radiant white (LUKE 9:28-29)
But how can the two be reconciled, when one of them
speaks definitively about the interval of time as being
eight days between the sayings and the manifestation,
whereas the other (says): ...after six days?
There were eight on the mountain, but only six were
visible.
Three men - St Peter, St James and St John - had gone up
the mountain with our Lord Jesus, and they saw St
Moses and St Elias standing there and conversing with
Him, so altogether there were six of them.
However, God the Father and the Holy Spirit were
invisibly also with our Lord Jesus - God the Father,
with His Voice testifying that He was His Beloved Son,
and the Holy Spirit shining forth with Him in the
Radiant Cloud.
Thus, the six were actually eight Persons, and there was
no contradiction regarding the eight.
Similarly, there was no contradiction with the Evangelists
when one said ...after six days... and the other said
...eight days...
But these twofold sayings, as it were, present us a certain
format set in Mystery, and together with it, that of
those who had actually been present upon the Mount.
It stands to reason - and everyone rationally studying in
accordance with Scripture, knows that the Evangelists
are in agreement one with another.
St Luke spoke of ...eight days... without contradicting St
Matthew, who declared ...after six days...
There is not another day added on to represent the day
on which these sayings were uttered, nor is the day on
which the Lord was Transfigured added on (which a
rational person might reasonably imagine to be added
to the days of St Matthew).
St Luke did not say ...after eight days... similar to St
Matthews statement but rather ... eight days after
these words...
But where the Evangelists seemed to contradict one
another, they actually pointed out to us something
great and mysterious.
In actual fact, why did the one say ...after six days... but
the other, ignoring the seventh day, have in mind the
eighth day?
It was because the great Vision of the Light of the
Transfiguration of the Lord is the Mystery of the
Eighth Day - of the Future Age - to be revealed after
the passing away of the world created in six days.
Concerning the Power of the Divine Spirit, through Whom
the Kingdom of God is to be revealed, our Lord Jesus
Christ predicted: There are some standing here who
shall not taste Death, until they have seen the Son of
Man coming in His Kingdom. (MATTHEW 16:28)
THE TRANSFIGURATION
OF
CHRIST
CORINTHIANS 2:9-10).
So, with the onset of the Eighth Day, our Lord Jesus
Christ, taking St Peter, St James and St John, went up
on the Mount to pray.
He always prayed alone, withdrawing from everyone, even
from the Apostles themselves, such as after He had
fed the five thousand families with five small loaves
and two fish. (MATTHEW 14:19-23).
Or as before His Saving Passion when - taking with Him
St Peter, St James and St John - He had said to the
other Disciples: Sit here while I go over there and
pray. (MATTHEW 26:36).
However, in this instance having taken only these same
three Apostles with Him, our Lord led them up a high
mountain by themselves and was Transfigured before
their very eyes.
What does it mean to say: He was Transfigured? asked
the
Golden-Mouthed
Theologian,
St
John
Chrysostomos.
It revealed something of His Divinity to them - as much
and insofar as they were able to apprehend it - and
it showed the Indwelling of God within Him.
St Luke noted: ...And as He prayed, His Countenance
was altered. (LUKE 9:29) while St Matthew stated:
...And His Face shone like the sun (MATTHEW 17:2).
However, St Matthew expressed His Transfiguration in
this manner - not in the context that this Light be
thought of as subsistent for the senses (let us put
aside the blindness of mind of those who can
OUR
SAVIOUR
6 AUGUST 2015
7.
conceive of nothing higher than what is known

through the senses).
Rather, it was to show that Christ our God, for those
living and contemplating by (means of) the Holy Spirit,
is the same as (the blinding brightness of) the sun is for
those living in the flesh and contemplating by the
senses.
Therefore, some other Light for the knowing (or
understanding) the Divinity is not necessary for those
who are Enriched by Divine Gifts.
That same Inscrutable Light shone and was Mysteriously
Manifested to the Holy Apostles and the Foremost of
the Prophets at that moment, when (our Lord) was
praying.
This shows that what brought forth this Blessed Sight was
Prayer, and that the Radiance occurred and was
manifested by Uniting the mind with God, and that it
is granted to all who, with constant exercise in efforts
of Virtue and Prayer, strive with their mind towards
God.
True Beauty, essentially, can be contemplated only with a
Purified mind. To gaze upon its Luminance assumes a
sort of participation in it, as though some bright Ray
etches itself upon the face.
Even the face of Moses was Illumined by his association
with God.
Do you not know that St Moses was also Transfigured
when he went up the mountain, and there beheld the
Glory of God?
But he (St Moses) did not effect this, but rather he
underwent a Transfiguration.
However, our Lord Jesus Christ possessed that Uncreated,
Divine Light Himself.
In this regard, actually, He did not need Prayer for His
Flesh to Radiate with the Divine Light - it was but to
show from whence that Divine Light descended upon
the Saints of God, and how to contemplate it.
For it is written that even the Saints ...will shine forth
like the sun... which is to say, entirely permeated by
Divine Light as they gaze upon Christ, Divinely and
inexpressibly shining forth His Radiance, issuing from
His Divine Nature. (MATTHEW 13:43)
On Mount Tabor it was manifested also in His Flesh, by
reason of the Hypostatic Union (i.e., the Union of the
two Perfect Natures, Divine and human, within the
Divine Person [Hypostasis] of Christ, the Second
Person of the Most Holy Trinity).
The Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon defined this
Hypostatic Union of Christs two Natures - Divine and
human - as ...without mingling, without change,
without division, without separation.
We believe that at the Transfiguration He manifested not
some other sort of light, but only that which was
concealed beneath His fleshly exterior.
This Light was the Light of His Divine Nature, and as
such, it was Uncreated and Divine.
So also, in the Teachings of the Fathers, Jesus Christ was
Transfigured on Mount Tabor, not taking upon
Himself something new nor being changed into
something new, nor something which formerly He did
not possess.
Rather, it was to show His Disciples that which He already
was - opening their eyes and bringing them from
Blindness to Sight. For do you not see that eyes that
can perceive natural things would be blind to this
Light?
Thus, this Light is not a light of the senses, and those
contemplating it do not simply see with sensual eyes,
but rather they are changed by the Power of the Holy
Spirit.
They were Transformed, and only in this way did they see
the Transformation taking place amidst the very
assumption of our perishability, (mortality), with the
Deification through Union with the Word of God in
place of this.
So also She (our Lady Theotokos) who Miraculously
Conceived and gave Birth recognized that the One
born of Her is God Incarnate.
So it was also for St Symeon, who received this Infant into
his arms, and the aged Prophetess, St Anna, at the
Jerusalem Temple for the Meeting (or Presentation) of
our Saviour, since the Divine Power Illumined, as
8.
THE TRANSFIGURATION
OF
through a glass windowpane, granting Light to those

having Pure Eyes of heart.
And why did our Lord Jesus - before His Transfiguration choose the Foremost of His Apostles and lead them
up Mount Tabor with Him?
Certainly, it was to show them something Great and
Mysterious.
What is particularly Great or Mysterious in showing a
sensory light, which not only the Foremost, but all the
other Apostles already abundantly possessed?
Why would they have needed a Transformation of their
sight by the Power of the Holy Spirit for the
contemplation of that Light, if it were merely sensory
and created?
How could the Glory and the Kingdom of the Father and
the Holy Spirit project forth in some sort of sensory
light?
Indeed, in what sort of Glory and Kingdom would Christ
our Lord come at the end of the ages, when there
would not be necessary anything in the air, nor in
expanse, nor anything similar, but when: God will be
all in all? That is to say: will He alter everything for
all? If so, then it follows that Light is included. (1
CORINTHIANS 15: 28)
Hence it is clear that the Light of Tabor was a Divine

Light.
And St John, inspired by Divine Revelation, clearly stated
that the future Eternal, enduring City ...has no need
of the sun or moon to shine upon it. For the Glory of
God lights it up, and the Lamb will be its Lamp.
(REVELATION 21:23)
Clearly he points out that this [Lamb] is our Lord Jesus,

Who was Divinely Transfigured upon Mount Tabor,
and Whose Flesh shone and thus was the Lamp that
manifested the Glory of Divinity for those who
ascended Mount Tabor with Him.
St John the Theologian also referred to the inhabitants of
that Eternal City: ...they will not need light from
lamps, nor the light of the sun, for the Lord God will
shed Light upon them, and night shall be no more.
(REVELATION 22:5).
But how, we might ask, is there this other Light, whereby
...there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.?
(JAMES 1:17)
What Light is there that is constant and unsetting, unless

it be the Light of God?
Moreover, could St Moses and St Elias - particularly the
former, who clearly was present only in spirit, and not
in flesh - [St Elias having ascended bodily to Heaven
on the Fiery Chariot] - be shining with any sort of
sensory light, and be seen and known?
Especially since it was written of them: ...they appeared
in Glory, and spoke of His Death, which He was about
to fulfill at Jerusalem (LUKE 9:30-31).
And how otherwise could the Apostles recognize those
whom they had never seen before, unless through the
Mysterious Power of the Divine Light, opening their
mental eyes?!
Let us not tire our attention with the furthermost
interpretations of the Words of the Gospel. We shall
believe thus, as those same ones have taught us, who
themselves were Enlightened by the Lord Himself,
insofar as they alone know this well: the Mysteries of
God, in the words of a Prophet, are known to God
alone and His perpetual proximity.
Let us, considering the Mystery of the Transfiguration of
the Lord in accord with their Teaching, strive to be
Illumined by this Light ourselves and encourage in
ourselves Love and Striving towards the Unfading
Glory and Beauty, Purifying our Spiritual Eyes of
worldly thoughts and refraining from perishable and
quickly passing delights and beauty, which darken the
garb of the soul and lead to the Fire of Gehenna and
Everlasting Darkness.
Let us be freed from these by the Illumination and
Knowledge of the Incorporeal and Ever-existing Light
of our Saviour Transfigured on Mount Tabor, in His
Glory, and of His Father from all Eternity, and His
Life-Creating Spirit, Whom are One Radiance, One
Godhead, and Glory, and Kingdom, and Power - now
and ever and unto Ages of ages. Amen.
18 / 08 / 2011
CHRIST
OUR
SAVIOUR
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU
6 AUGUST 2015

Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos
yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and
our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 1
9 August 2015

The Epileptic Son & Lack of Faith
Also the Feast of S T M A T T H I A S O F T H E S E V E N T Y H O L Y A P O S T L E S O F C H R I S T - St
Herman, the Wonderworker & Enlightener of Alaska & All America St Anthony of
Alexandria St Psoi, Disciple of St Pachomios the Great, of Egypt St Julian, St
Marcian, St John, St James, St Alexios, St Demetrios, St Photios, St Peter, St Leontios, St
Maria the Patrician, St Gregory Protospatharios Sword-Captain and other Holy
Martyrs of Constantinople Synaxis of Solovki Monastery Saints St Makarios of
Oredezhsk The Restoration of the Temple of the 40 Holy Martyrs St Ignatios
Bazyluk, New Holy Martyr of Poland
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 Judeans, and soldiers

stood on guard over Thine Undefiled Body, Thou rose
on the Third Day, O Saviour Who gives 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 APOLYTIKION TRANSFIGURATION TONE 4
Metemorfothis en to Ori, Hriste O Theos, dixas tis Mathites Thou were Transfigured upon the Mountain, O Christ our
Sou tin Doxan Sou, kathos idinanto. Lampson ke imin
tis amartolis, to Fos Sou to aidion, Presvies tis
Theotokou, Fotodota, Doxa Si.
FESTAL KONTAKION
God, showing to Thine Disciples Thy Glory as much as

they could bear. In us sinners though we be shine
Thine Everlasting Light, at the Intercession of the
Theotokos; O Giver of Light: Glory to Thee!
TRANSFIGURATION - TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Epi tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou Upon

tin Doxan Sou, Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina otan Se
idosi Stavroumenon, to men pathos noisosin ekousion,
to de kosmo kirixosin, oti Si iparhis Alithos, TOU
PATROS TO APAVGASMA.
the Mountain Thou were Transfigured, and Thy

Disciples beheld Thy Glory as far as they were able, O
Christ our God; so that when they would see Thee
Crucified they might understand that Thy Passion was
deliberate, and declare to the world that in Truth
THOU ART THE FATHERS RADIANCE.
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 10 JOHN 21 : 1 14

Let Thy Mercy be upon us, O Lord, as we have set our Hope in Thee,
Rejoice in the Lord, O All Righteous men!
THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
WISDOM
OF OUR
TO THE
CORINTHIANS 4 : 9 16
SPIRITUA
FA
THERS
Brethren: I think that God has displayed us, the Apostles, last - as men condemned to death - for we have been made a
spectacle to the world, both to Angels and to mankind. We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ! We
are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonoured! To the present hour we both hunger and
thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labour working with our own hands. Being
reviled, we Bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made like the filth of the
world the off scouring of all things until now.
I do not write these things to shame you, but as my Beloved Children, I warn you. For although you might have ten
thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have Begotten you through the
Gospel. Therefore I urge you: imitate me.
Divine Truth and Light of the Holy Gospel to the
We all need to deflate our false sense of pride because
Spiritually Blind and Ignorant.
nothing justifies thinking that we are better than or
THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST ENDURED ALL KINDS OF
above anyone else in this tragic, fallen world.
USUALLY WHAT WE ARE SO QUICK TO SEE IN OTHERS AND TO
HUMILIATION AND PERSECUTION. They were insulted and
CRITICISE OR MOCK, IS A REFLECTION OF OUR OWN CONDITION!
despised, mocked and beaten, deprived of any
St Paul used irony and sarcasm as bitter medicine to
comfort or kindness by those who hated them.
emphasise his warning against such self-satisfaction
Despite all that, THEY NEVER FOUGHT BACK OR RETALIATED IN A
and self-righteousness.
SIMILAR MANNER -instead THEY RESPONDED WITH AGAPE
The three parallel statements he used: ... We are fools...
Divine Love and Compassion towards their
We are weak... We are dishonoured... are heaped
persecutors and those who mocked them.
And this they did all FOR THE TRUE JOY OF SERVING OUR LORD
upon each other in a stinging series so that THE
RELATIVE COMFORT OF THE CORINTHIAN CHRISTIANS WAS
JESUS CHRIST AND FULFILLING THEIR SACRED MISSION of
CONTRASTED WITH THE PERSECUTED, AND SOMETIMES
reconciling the sin-darkened world with God.
St Paul soothed the pain of his rebuke by reminding the
EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, POVERTY STRICKEN LIVES OF THE HOLY
APOSTLES AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WHO GAVE
Corinthians of his Spiritual Fatherhood to them.
THEMSELVES ENTIRELY IN THE HOLY SERVICE OF GOD AND HIS
JUST LIKE IN ANY ORDINARY FAMILY LIFE, THE HOLY CHURCH OF
CHRIST HAS MATURING SPIRITUAL CHILDREN WHO NEED TO BE
PEOPLE in their ceaseless devotion to spreading the
OF
ST MATTHEW AFTER TRANSFIGURATION 9 AUGUST 2015
by their loving and concerned

Spiritual Fathers and Mothers.
ST PAUL, WHO IS THE APOSTLE OF ALL GENTILES INCLUDING US
ADVISES US ALL TO IMITATE HIM JUST AS HE STRUGGLED TO
IMITATE OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
We should rather BE MOTIVATED TO FULFIL ALL THE TEACHINGS
AND COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, which promotes our
Spiritual Welfare and ensures our Eternal Life in Christ

Everlasting, Priceless Treasure indeed instead of
choosing TEMPORARY, UNFULFILLING, UNSATISFACTORY AND
SPIRITUALLY UNPROFITABLE WORLDLY THINGS that DISTRACT US
AND WHICH DRAW US FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM DIVINE
GRACE ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN ETERNAL CONDEMNATION
AND EXILE FROM ALL GOODNESS, MERCY AND LOVE.
TAUGHT AND GUIDED
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 17 : 14 23

THE EPILEPTIC SON &
THE
STRENGTH
OF
FAITH - EVEN AS SMALL AS MUSTARD SEED
At that time, a man went to Jesus, knelt down before Him and said: Lord, have Mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and
suffers severely. He often falls into fire and water. So I brought him to Thy Disciples, but they could not cure him.
Jesus answered and said: O faithless and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear
with you? Bring him here to me. And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him. And the child was Cured at
that very hour.
When the Disciples went to Jesus privately and asked Him: Why could we not cast it out? Jesus said to them: Because of
your unbelief. Truly, I say to you: if you have Faith as (small as) a mustard seed, you will say to that mountain:
Move from here to there, and it will move. And nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind (of demon)
does not go out except by Prayer and Fasting.
And while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of
men. And they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.
Sickness and disease is sometimes associated with
Him
to
Mount
Tabor
and
witnessed
His
demonic activity especially in Old Covenant times.
Transfiguration.
By kneeling before our Lord Jesus, the Father displayed
THIS KIND OF DEMON POSSESSION WAS A REFERENCE TO ALL EVIL
his sincere Humility and desperation, but he also
POWERS OF SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND DEATH and not
lacked faith.
simply those types of demons that caused certain
Although the Disciples of Christ also suffered from a lack
illnesses.
of faith, our Lord rebuked the Father of the epileptic
THE EXORCISM AND BANISHMENT OF SUCH FEARSOME DEMONS
REQUIRED STRONG, UNWAVERING FAITH, FERVENT PRAYERS AND
boy for trying to blame the Disciples when it was his
even greater lack of Faith that prevented his son from
STRICT FASTING, for THERE IS NO HEALING AND NO VICTORY IN
being Healed.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE WITHOUT ALL THREE SPIRITUAL WEAPONS.
In effect, our Lord Jesus Christ defended His Disciples and
Beginning with the Didache, our Holy Church Fathers
Apostles in front of the multitudes but later, in private,
have taught us that BOTH THE PERSON IN NEED OF HEALING
He reprimanded them for their personal doubts and
AND THE PERSON PERFORMING THE HEALING MUST FIRMLY
lack of trust in God through Whom all things are
BELIEVE, FERVENTLY PRAY AND STRICTLY FAST.
possible after they sought the reason for their failure
While it is not recorded that an Apostle literally moved a
to Exorcise the demon and Heal the boy.
mountain, our Holy Church Fathers are clear that THEY
This is a good Lesson of how to correct the errors of others
HAD SUCH DIVINE AUTHORITY IF THE NEED EVER AROSE and
without humiliating or embarrassing them in front of
certain Saints have been able to cause crevasses to
witnesses.
appear in mountains.
ERRORS ARE TO BE GENTLY BUT FIRMLY CORRECTED and THOSE
Furthermore, NOT EVERYTHING THAT THE HOLY APOSTLES OF
WHO ARE BEING CORRECTED SHOULD ACCEPT IT WITH HUMBLE
CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED WAS WRITTEN DOWN FOR POSTERITY.
GRATITUDE AND OBEDIENCE INSTEAD OF RESENTMENT,
Beyond the literal meaning this Divine Promise is also an
REBELLION OR ANGER.
illustration of the Great Power of True Faith and
The Discipline of our Holy Church is based on mutual
Fervent Prayer in all areas of Earthly life.
correction in three expanding stages. (MATTHEW 18: 15 St Theophylact believed: Whatever we ask, without
20)
hesitation and by believing in Gods Power, we shall
Sin and correction are to remain private unless the
receive... WHEN WE ASK FOR SPIRITUALLY PROFITABLE
offender stubbornly and wilfully refuses to Repent or
THINGS.
correct their errors.
For the second time, our Lord Jesus Christ predicted and
spoke of His forthcoming Death and Resurrection,
ALL CORRECTION MUST BE DONE WITH GREAT CARE AND HUMILITY,
WITH THE HIGHEST CONCERN BEING THE SALVATION OF THE
which showed that He went to his passion freely and
OFFENDER. (1 CORINTHIANS 5:5 & GALATIANS 6:1)
was not taken against His Will.
Nevertheless, CORRECTION IS NECESSARY AND ESSENTIAL SO THAT
God Himself chose the day, the year and the hour of His
THE SIN DOES NOT SPREAD TO OTHERS AS WELL.
Passion so it was not due to anyone elses schemes or
St John Chrysostom pointed out that Christ reprimanded
plots.
nine of His Apostles none of whom had been able to
EVERYTHING IS CONTROLLED AND PERMITTED BY GOD FOR OUR
Exorcise the demon that caused the young boys
SALVATION - or Condemnation depending on what
epilepsy.
course we freely and wilfully choose to take!
The other three Apostles were the Pillars of Faith St
Peter, St James and St John who had accompanied
Todays Sacred Lesson teaches us that our Lord God

designates the Strength of our Faith as the main
Weapon that is able to bring us Victory over evil.
Our Faith is not like a lifeless stone, nor a precious
diamond, which, although very beautiful and valuable,
is still dead and insensible
Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that even if our Faith is as
small as a tiny grain of mustard seed, it is alive and able
to grow into something enormous achieving wonders
far beyond the limits of our expectations!
Just as a miniscule mustard seed grows into a very large
tree, so, too does our Faith when it is nurtured and
encouraged to grow and increase in Strength.
Christ assured us that if even we did have Faith that was
the tiny size of one, single mustard seed, even
mountains could be moved!
In other words: with unwavering, strongly grounded and
well nurtured Faith, nothing is impossible for us to
accomplish!
Our Lord told His Apostles and Faithful Disciples that only
Prayer and Fasting are the most powerful means of
10. 1 0 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 1 0 T H
OF
OF
ST MATTHEW LACK
OF
FAITH
rejecting and expelling evil, and reinforcing our Faith

thereby enabling us to fulfil not only our Sacred Duties,
but many other wonderful and Miraculous Deeds.
What hidden meaning is there in the Words of God that by
our Faith we would be able to move mountains?
Why would we need to do that? Would it help to Save our
soul?
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, was not referring to geographical
mountains of soil and stones, but instead to those
unsurpassable mountains that arise in our heart - those
huge mountains of sins that have accumulated during
the years of our life the weight of which threaten to
crush us and which prevent us from making good,
healthy Spiritual Progress.
These are the very high mountains of sin that separate us
from God and all His Goodness, Joy and Peace.
These are the mountain that we need to move, to destroy or
to topple them into the deepest sea.
However, only with the Divine Assistance, Mercy and Grace
of Almighty God, through the Teachings and Holy
Mysteries of His Holy Church, are we able to break
down, stone by stone, these great structures of

enslaving, alienating sin.
The Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples of Christ proved
to be able to remove those mountains of personal sins,
and to turn the whole world upside down!
By means of their own good and Righteous Examples, and
the influence of their preaching about Jesus Christ and
His Divine Truth, they led innumerable souls to our
Living and True God.
Furthermore, despite dire threats and even worse
unspeakable tortures, the Faithful Apostles and
Disciples of Christ clearly demonstrated the immense
Truth, Strength and Power of our Christian Faith, which
they readily and courageously confessed until they
drew their last breath.
Thousands upon thousands of pagans who had themselves
witnessed the Divine Truth and Miracles of Christ
through the Martyrdom of His Faithful Disciples,
rejected their false, man-made idols and joyfully
accepted the Living Almighty Triune God of the
Christians, which profoundly changed the entire world!
Not for a moment must we forget that the Evil One
obsessively tries to destroy the New Israel the new
Christian Nation that God our Heavenly Father created
by His Divine Will, through the Enlightenment and
Teachings of His Eternal Word and Son, and by the
FEAR
OF
1 SEPTEMBER 2013 EASTERN ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF CANADA

HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOX-CANADA.COM
GOD DEACON CHARLES JOINER
For many years I was troubled by the pronouncement when

the Chalice is brought out to offer Holy Eucharist:
"With the Fear of God draw near."
Why should we Fear God? Should we Fear Him because He
will punish us for our mistakes? But we know He is a
Loving and Forgiving God. How could He punish us
whom He created?
Maybe we should Fear Him because we are not willing to
give up our way of life to become congruent with the
Life of His Kingdom.
Maybe we should Fear Him when we learn that we are
seeking to make His Kingdom like we wish it to be and
know deep down that this is not the Reality we face?
I recently saw a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin
says: "If Heaven is Good and if I like to be bad, how am I
supposed to be happy there?"
Calvin like many of us prefers to be bad. If that is the
case then our choice will be Hell.
For Calvin, Heaven only has meaning if it can be like he
wishes it to be bad.
But this is not the way it is. This is not the Reality of our
existence.
Heaven is God's Kingdom.
He Calls us to Perfection to be joined with Him in His
Kingdom forever.
The fulfilment of and obedience to His Commandments
and Teachings are the only way we are able to enter His
Heavenly Kingdom the only way to become worthy
Heavenly Citizens.
C.S. Lewis also addressed this issue in his book: The Great
Divorce.
In this book residents of Hell are given the opportunity to
visit Heaven.
When they arrive, they are met by Heaven's Spirit Residents
who tell each of them in an individual encounter that
they are welcome to stay.
All they need to do is to give up their sins - whether that
be a lack of forgiveness, a lust for recognition, or some
other self-centred activity.
However, none are willing to give up the causes of their
living in Hell where the worst tendencies are
accentuated. Unwilling to change they choose to remain
in Hell, and, one by one, they get on the bus and
willingly to return to Hell.
All of us have bad habits that we know are unacceptable to
God.
We need to ask ourselves if we are willing to change to
Repent - because of our Love for God.
Are we willing to give up those self-indulgent, fleeting
pleasures and instead seek what God offers us for our
Eternal Benefit - or do we expect God to adapt to our
way of thinking?
Do we really believe that in the end everything will be OK
just because we believe in Christ?
My problem was that I did not really believe in any
absolutes.
Power and Energy of the Holy Spirit, Who makes all

Things possible for us to accomplish, so that we may be
Saved and receive Eternal Life.
Our True Faith is preserved, nurtured, strengthened and
increased only by our Prayers and Fasting (self-denial,
self-control & self-discipline).
Our Faith must constantly be nurtured and increased, for if
we make no effort it will weaken and eventually die.
The True Fast is not merely denying ourselves the
consumption of meat and other flesh foods and their
derivatives, but rather our determined resistance to all
temptations and the self-denial of our habitual sins and
weaknesses.
True Prayer is when our heart and soul is perpetually
turned to God in a continuous state of
Communication with the Lord our God or in a
permanent Contemplative state occupied with
thoughts of our Beloved Lord God and Saviour, and all
His Goodness.
Only in this manner staying close to God are we able to
resist temptation and repel the evil ones who seek our
destruction through their wicked machinations and
deadly deceptions.
Amen
OF
I believed that surely God would adapt to my view of what

is a good life and way of living, after all I was a
respected member of our society.
I wanted to change the wording in the Proclamation before
communion to "Awe" instead of "Fear" - but that totally
missed a most important Truth that I was to learn later.
The Day of Reckoning will eventually come for all of us.
We will either have been trained through a Life of
Repentance to have demonstrated our Love for God and
our willingness to work toward giving up Repenting our ego-directed actions in order to follow Christ, or,
remain stuck in our own personal version of what God
will accept.
In the end we will be the one who chooses either Heaven or
Hell!
Will we be like those unrepentant visitors to Heaven in
Lewis' story, where - even when confronted with the Joy,
Peace and Love of Heaven compared to the abject
horrors of Hell - were unwilling to give up what they
believed gave them pleasure!?
They preferred Hell where their badness their selfindulgent wickedness - was acceptable!
They refused to give up anything because they were so
blinded and enslaved by their self-centredness and
egoism.
Our Lord Jesus Christ Calls His Disciples by inviting them:
"Follow Me."
And without any hesitation or doubt, they immediately
gave up the comfort and security of their homes, their
occupations and their families, and simply followed
Him.
Not all Disciples of Christ are expected nor asked to give up
everything as some of His Apostles had done, yet, if we
surrender to Him and Cleanse ourselves of the
passions, we are Blessed with Divine Grace and we
eagerly choose to Follow Him whatever it requires of
us!
This is the Path to Heaven. There is no other Way!
There comes a time when our appropriate Fear of God is
Transformed into an intense Love of God and into
Loving Obedience of God in all things.
We will no longer fear Divine Punishment, nor will we fear
giving up whatever gives us pleasure, because we have
found True Pleasure, total Fulfilment and Joy in our
Holy Union with Him.
We will be fearful, however of losing that wonderful Love,
Joy, Peace and Comfort that we are granted when we
eagerly and willingly choose to Live in Christ and in His
Divine Grace.
And therefore, having prepared ourselves correctly and
obediently, according to our Lords Divine Teachings
and Commandments, we wait to be invited to His Great,
Life-giving Banquet: "With the fear of God, with Faith
and with Love, draw near!"
11
HOW
DO WE KNOW THAT OUR
How do we know our Lord Jesus was really God and not
just some Super Human Being Who was Enlightened?
In the Holy Gospel of St John, our Saviour, Jesus Christ
clearly stated: "I and My Father are One."
He told the Judean leaders: "Most assuredly, I say to you
before Abraham was, I AM."
This was the Hebrew Name for God and the Name God used
when St Moses asked Him how to address Him at site of
the miraculous Burning Bush on Mount Sinai.
Our Lord Jesus also was able to forgive sins - something
according to Judaic Tradition and Law, only God was
able to do.
On Mount Tabor our Saviour revealed the Glory of His
Divinity to three of His Holy Apostles, St John, St Peter
and St James, whom He had led up to the top of Mount
Tabor, and there He was ...Transfigured before them.
His Face shone like the sun, and His garments became as
white as the Light."
The Apostles were only able to behold Christ in His
Glorified Transfiguration by the Power and Energy of
the Holy Spirit, and even then they could not look upon
Him for long the Light was more than they could bear.
St Moses, representing the Old Covenant Law, and St Elijah,
representing the Holy Prophets of God, also appeared
before them and for a few moments they were able to
see our Lord Jesus Christ in His Eternal Heavenly State
rather than His Earthly, human State.
The Transfiguration was a Theophany a Revelation of the
Holy Trinity for the Bright Cloud was the Holy Spirit
that engulfed them while they heard the Voice of God
the Heavenly Father declare: This is My Beloved Son in
Whom I Am well pleased! Hear Him!
For the second time, the Voice of God the Father confirms
the Identity of His Only Begotten, Eternal Word and Son.
Furthermore, He simply but utterly clearly without any
room for doubt or misrepresentation our Heavenly
Father instructs us to Hear Him!
We MUST listen and obey every Word that our Lord Jesus
Christ speaks to us!
This Divine Revelation terrified the Holy Apostles, who fell
down and covered their faces until our Lord, resuming
His Earthly human State touched them and comforted
them with His Words and Tender-loving Voice, telling
them not to be afraid.
Although some non-believers say that our Lord Jesus was a
good, moral Teacher, but not God, CS Lewis responded:
"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things
that our Lord Jesus said, would not be a great moral
Teacher.
He would either be a lunaticon the level with the man
who says he is a poached eggor else he would be the
Devil of Hell.
You must make your choice. Either this Man was, and is,
the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse."
Cambridge University Professor F.J.A. Hoyt, who spent
twenty-eight years in a critical study of the New
Testament text writes:
"[Christ's] Words were so completely parts and utterances
of Himself, that they had no meaning as abstract
Truth uttered by Him as a Divine Oracle or Prophet.
Take away Himself as the primary (though not the
ultimate) subject of every statement and they all fall
to pieces."
We have to choose.
Our Lord Jesus Christ claimed to be God and His Claim is
either true or false.
If it were false, either He knew it was false or He didn't.
Was He a liar? If He was lying then He was a hypocrite
because He taught commanded - others to tell the
Truth.
He would also have to be a demon because He told people
to trust Him for their Eternal Destiny.
Maybe He was a Fool. His claims to be God led Him to His
Crucifixion.
He had the opportunity to back away from His Claims as
God at the last minute but He only reaffirmed that He
was "I Am."
It is illogical and ridiculous to consider our Saviour to be a
fool.
How could He be a great moral Teacher yet be such a
deceiver, a liar, a hypocrite?
OF
LORD JESUS
WAS
GOD?
Neither does this make any kind of sense based on what we

know about His Life and everything that He taught and
commanded us to do.
Historian Philip Schaff writes:
How in the name of logic, common sense, and experience,
could an imposterthat is, a deceitful, selfish, depraved
manhave invented and consistently maintained from
the beginning to end, the Purest and Noblest Character
known in history with the Most Perfect air of Truth and
Reality?
How could He have conceived and carried out a Plan of
unparalleled Beneficence, Moral Magnitude, and
Sublimity, and sacrificed His own Life for it, in the face
of the strongest prejudices of His people and age.
If our Lord Jesus wanted power based on having followers,
why would He have chosen the Jewish Nation who were
so thoroughly established in the notion of one God.
Why would He have not gone to pagan Egypt, Greece or
Rome where they all believed in many gods, and He
might have been better able to convince people that He
was another one of their gods.
However, our Saviour chose the very centre of the
Judaic Faith -the most difficult of circumstances to lead
people away from their ancient Belief in One, Almighty
God in order to develop a mass of Disciples.
He certainly could not have been a crazy lunatic because He
showed none of the abnormalities that are commonly
obvious with certain deranged people.
If He was crazy, it is truly amazing how He could have
hidden it for so long in his daily behaviour, when He
was continually accompanied and closely watched by so
many others.
Our Lord Jesus was naturally humble and utterly unselfish
in all His words, thoughts and deeds, and even when
He was adored by so many He maintained His Humility
and remained focussed on His Public Ministry and His
approaching Passion.
It is utterly illogical to even consider Him being either a
liar or lunatic.
The New Testament clearly shows that our Lord Jesus is
Truly God Truly Divine. These documents were
written within fifty years of His Crucifixion, and the
writings of the early Church Fathers such as Justin
Martyr, Ignatios, and Irenaeos all believed Him to be the
Incarnated, Eternal, Only Begotten Word and Son of
God:
St Ignatios of Antioch (110): "God Incarnate...God
Himself appearing in the form of man."
St Justin Martyr (100-165): "...being the First Begotten
Word of God, is even God.
Irenaeos (177): "...the Father is God and the Son is God;
for He Who is born of God is God."
There are some who erroneously think that it was Emperor
Constantine the Great who declared Christ to be God
and called the First Ecumenical Council to Nicaea to
make this Declaration official.
However, there is no historical basis for such a false claim
as our Lord Jesus was known to be God from the time
of His Incarnation.
The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea only affirmed what
was taught since the time of the Apostles, in order to
refute a claim by an errant, heretical Presbyter from
Egypt, Arius, who regarded our Saviour as no more than
a super human Being not having a fully Divine Nature
as well as a fully human Nature.
The whole idea of the Incarnation of the Son and Word of
God, Who is both fully Human and Divine, defies all
human logic, but whatever was recorded by
eyewitnesses clearly shows the Reality and absolute
Truth of these Facts.
The Holy Evangelists have granted us an amazing and
Truthful Record of exactly Who our Lord Jesus Christ
was one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity, Creator of
the visible and invisible world, Who fulfilled the Divine
Will of God the Father, by the Power and Energy of the
Holy Spirit - Who voluntarily became Man Incarnate
in order to live amongst us so as to Teach us directly
His Divine Truth and show us by His Example how to
regain our lost Divine Likeness and gain entry into His
Eternal Kingdom of Heaven.
MORE THAN A CARPENTER BY JOSH AND SEAN MCDOWELL

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now
and Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary,
Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and
one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
The Dormition of our Lady Theotokos
15August 2015
ISODIKON /SMALL ENTRANCE HYMNS

FESTAL APOLYTIKION DORMITION
En
In
ti Gennisi tin Parthenian efilaxas. En ti Kimisi ton

kosmon ou katelipes Theotoke. Metestis pros tin Zoin,
Mirtir iparhousa tis Zois.
Ke tes Presvies tes ses
litromeni, ek Thanatou tas psihas imon
giving Birth, O Theotokos, Thou has retained Thy

Virginity, and in Falling Asleep, Thou has not forsaken
the world. Thou who art the Mother of Life has passed
over into Life, and by Thy Prayers Thou delivers our
souls from Death. Wherefore, by Thine Intercessions,
deliver our souls from Death
FESTAL KONTAKION DORMITION
Tin
en Presvies akimiton Theotikon, ke prostasies

ametatheton Elpida, ta Fos ke nekrosis ouk ekratisen.
Os gar Zois Mitera, pros tin Zoin metestisen, O M ITRA N
IKISAS
Neither
the Tomb nor Death had power over the

Theotokos, who is Ever Watchful in Her Prayers and in
whose Intercession lies Unfailing Hope. For as the
Mother of Life She has been Transported into Life by
Him W H O DWELT W ITHI N HER E VE R V IRGIN W O MB .
A IPARTHENON .
MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING

TH
TO
VISITA
ST LUKE 1 : 38 49 & 56
TION
At that time, Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias
and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leapt in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she spoke out with a loud voice, saying: Blessed art Thou among
women, and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb! And why is this grant to me, that the Mother of my Lord should
come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of Thy Greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leapt with Joy in my
womb. And Blessed is She Who believed, for there will be a Fulfilment of those Things that were told Her from the
Lord!
And Mary said: My soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour! For He has regarded the
lowly state of His Maidservant. For behold! Henceforth all generations will call me Blessed. For He Who is Mighty
has done great things form me, and Holy is His Name...
... And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
WITH THESE THREE SIGNIFICANT ROLES BEING VACANT,
The Ever Blessed Virgin Marys faithful response to the
Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel was that of the
ILLEGITIMATE AND SILENT, ALL WAS READY FOR THE SON OF
highest degree of Humility and Obedience to God.
GOD TO BE REVEALED AS OUR DIVINE AND ETERNAL PROPHET,
THE INCARNATION OF GOD THE SON IS NOT ONLY THE DIVINE WORK
KING AND HIGH PRIEST.
OF ALMIGHTY GOD, BUT IT ALSO INVOLVED THE FREE AND
COMPELLED BY HER WONDER AND GREAT JOY AT HER DIVINE
WILLING RESPONSE OF MANKIND IN THE HOLY AND DEVOUT
CONCEPTION, OUR LADY THEOTOKOS WENT TO HER BELOVED
PERSON OF ST MARY THE EVER BLESSED, ALL HOLY
AUNT, ST ELIZABETH, the sister of her late mother, St
THEOTOKOS.
Anna.
Although Eve had once disobeyed the Lord our God, THE
AT THE SOUND OF HER GREETING, THE BLESSED ST JOHN - as a
EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY INSTANTLY AND VOLUNTARILY
tiny six month baby still developing in the womb of his
OBEYED HIS DIVINE WILL WHICH SHE HAS ALWAYS DONE,
mother PROPHESIED THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF GOD
SINCE HER VERY EARLY CHILDHOOD.
INCARNATE BY LEAPING FOR JOY.
And although Eve - through her wilful disobedience by
BECAUSE ST JOHN IS GODS HOLY PROPHET, HIS RECOGNITION OF
breaking the one Divine Commandment - had
CHRIST WHILE THEY WERE STILL BOTH IN THE WOMBS OF THEIR
alienated and distanced herself from God exile and
RESPECTIVE MOTHERS, FULFILLED ST JEREMIAHS HOLY
alienation caused by sin OUR EVER BLESSED LADY
PROPHESY:
OPENED HER HEART AND SOUL UP TO GOD AND DREW EVER
Before I formed Thee in the womb, I knew Thee.
(JEREMIAH 1:5)
CLOSER TO HIM BY HER HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO HIS DIVINE
THE ALL HOLY EVER VIRGIN THEOTOKOS RECEIVES VENERATION
WILL IN ALL MATTERS.
FROM THE HEAVENLY HOSTS AS WELL AS ALL HUMANITY.
SHE WAS EVER WATCHFUL AND RESISTED TEMPTATION, PREFERRING
And just as St Gabriel, the Holy Archangel of God, had
TO REMAIN IN HIS DIVINE GRACE.
done, SO NOW TOO, ST ELIZABETH DECLARED HER YOUNG
As St Theophilact of Bulgaria put it, Her response to God
NIECE TO BE BLESSED AMONG WOMEN.
was always as though she said: I am a (writing)
Our Panagia Mary is confessed as the Mother of my
tablet; let the Writer inscribe whatever He desires on
Lord by St Elizabeth and HER SPONTANEOUS, SINCERE
me.
CONFESSION and others like it in our Holy Church such
In other words, HER ATTITUDE TO GOD WAS ALWAYS: Let it be
as Theotokos or Mother/Bearer of God CONFIRMS
according to Thy Will and not my will, O Lord!
THAT THE ONE IN HER PURE WOMB IS BOTH FULLY HUMAN AND
AS SOON AS CHRIST BECAME INCARNATE, HOLY PROPHECY RESUMED
FULLY DIVINE IN NATURE - our Lord Jesus Christ is THE
IN ISRAEL.
TRUE SON OF GOD Himself as well as being the TRUE
GOD HAD SILENCED HIS HOLY PROPHETS FOR MANY YEARS and
SON OF MAN(kind)!
even permitted an illegitimate usurper occupy the
At Holy Vespers of the Annunciation, we declare: It is the
position of King of Judea.
Word of God Who dwells in Her.
And in the last days before the Coming of Christ, GOD ALSO
It is significant that EVEN THOUGH HIS PHYSICAL BODY HAD NOT
SILENCED ST ZACHARIAH, THE HIGH PRIEST.
YET FULLY FORMED, OUR LORD JESUS WAS TRULY THE
THE DORMITION
OF OUR
ALL PURE, EVER BLESSED
LADY THEOTOKOS
15 AUGUST 2015
13
INCARNATE SON OF GOD, and THE EVER BLESSED, ALL HOLY

VIRGIN MARY WAS ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNISED
AS HIS ALL PURE, HOLY MOTHER.
THIS DIVINE TRUTH DEALS A FATAL BLOW TO THE DELUSION THAT
ABORTION IS JUSTIFIABLE BECAUSE THE FOETUS IS NOT YET A
PERSON!
In this day and age, infertile couples regard the dividing cells - from
the moment of conception or fertilisation - as a viable, living
baby who is Joyfully awaited and already named!
Every child who is conceived but lost is mourned and remembered by
the loving parents.
Furthermore, the tiny heart begins to beat very soon after conception
and babies have been able to be delivered and kept alive from
very early in the gestation period, many of whom survive and
grow into adulthood.
Therefore, ABORTION IS THE VIOLENT AND MOST BRUTAL MURDER OF A
TINY CHILD WHO IS MORE SENSITIVE TO AND AWARE OF EVERYTHING
THAN A FULLY DEVELOPED AND BORN BABY!
NOT ONE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONCEIVED OR BORN IS A MISTAKE
because every Miracle of conception and birth is by the Divine

Will of Almighty God Who has a Plan and Sacred Purpose for
each, unique soul into whom He breathes Life! (mp)
Lady Theotokos who was inspired by a song of St

Hannah. (1 KINGS 2 : 1 10)
This lovely Hymn is chanted during the Matins Service
and from it we are taught:
FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS FOR ALL TIME HONOUR AND VENERATE THE
ALL HOLY, EVER VIRGIN THEOTOKOS as she prophesied: ...
ALL GENERATION WILL CALL ME BLESSED.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE IN THE INSPIRATION OF HOLY
SCRIPTURE YET NOT BLESS OUR LADY THEOTOKOS.
OUR PANAGIA ASCRIBED THE MIRACLE OF THE INCARNATION TO
ALMIGHTY GOD not to herself which reveals Her deep
and sincere Humility and Knowledge that GOD IS THE
SOURCE OF ALL DIVINE GRACE.
THROUGH THE INCARNATION, GOD REIGNS OVER ALL
NATIONS.
BECAUSE OUR LADY THEOTOKOS HAD NO MOTHER TO CONFIDE IN OR
TO
INSTRUCT
HER
regarding
her
impending
motherhood, IT WAS NATURAL FOR HER TO HAVE REMAINED
WITH HER AUNT, ST ELIZABETH, FOR THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF
HER PREGNANCY before returning home, where HER
COMPANIONS WERE ALL COMMITTED, DEDICATED VIRGINS.
(Today they are known as Nuns)
Verses 46 56 - known as the Magnificat or

Megalinaria - came from the Joyful heart of our
PROKEIMENON ODE OF THE THEOTOKOS TONE 3
My soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour!
For He has regarded the lowly state of His Maidservant.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
PHILIPPIANS 2 : 5 - 11
TO THE
PRESERVING UNITY
IN
HUMILITY
Brethren: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the Form of God, did not consider it
robbery to be Equal to God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and Coming in the
likeness of men. And being found in Appearance as a Man, He Emptied Himself and became Obedient to the point of
Death even the death of the Cross.
Therefore, God also has highly Exalted Him and given Him the Name, which is above every other name that at the Name
of Jesus every knee should bow of those on Earth and of those under the Earth and that every tongue should
Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.
CHRIST HAS EQUALITY WITH GOD THE FATHER not by illegal or
This passage consists of a Hymn that was already in use
in the early Christian Church, which was quoted by St
forceful seizure or theft but DUE TO HIS ETERNAL DIVINE
Paul.
NATURE, HAVING BEEN BEGOTTEN BY HIS ETERNAL DIVINE
It calls us to CONTEMPLATE THE EXTREME AND ABSOLUTE
FATHER.
HUMILITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST the Majestic and All
THERE WAS NEITHER LOSS NOR CHANGE IN THE DIVINE NATURE OF
Powerful Incarnate Son of God which is A DIVINE
OUR LORD JESUS WHEN HE TOOK ON OUR HUMAN NATURE and
TRUTH THAT IS NECESSARY FOR ALL SUFFERING AND
offered us His Eternal Salvation.
STRUGGLING CHRISTIANS TO UNDERSTAND, TO APPRECIATE AND
CHRIST ...made Himself of no reputation... IS A REFERENCE
TO IMITATE THROUGH LIVING EVERY MOMENT OF THIS LIFE IN
TO HIS DIVINE WILL, NOT HIS DIVINE NATURE FOR HE
CHRIST.
EMPTIED HIMSELF not by laying down or ridding
The words of this particular passage of Holy Scripture
Himself of His Divine Nature or by setting it aside, but
have been incorporated into many Hymns of the
BY VOLUNTARILY TAKING ON OUR HUMAN FORM AND NATURE.
Orthodox Church.
(He Emptied Himself of His Majestic Divine Glory in order to
assume our weak human form and nature.)
CHRIST is He Who BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD, i.e. HIS
OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR TOOK ...THE FORM OF A BONDSERVANT...
ETERNAL, DIVINE NATURE IS ALSO IN THE FORM OF A
VOLUNTARILY SHARING OUR HUMAN CONDITION EXCEPT FOR
BONDSERVANT IN OUR HUMAN LIKENESS, HIS HUMAN NATURE
OUR INCLINATION AND ABILITY TO SIN HE CANNOT SIN!
and so HE WAS VOLUNTARILY SUBJECT TO DEATH.
To us human beings, Christ looks just like us, for BEING
Christ could only enter Hades in His human Nature where - in His
TRULY INCARNATE, HE IS FULLY HUMAN BY NATURE AND FORM.
Divine Nature - He smashed open the imprisoning Gates of
In His human Nature, CHRIST SHOWED THE FULLNESS OF HIS
Hades and set the Righteous free to Rest in Peace in Paradise
HUMILITY BY HIS ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE even to Death,
until the Final Judgement. mp
which has enslaved us since our Fall.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - Who died upon the Cross for our
To have died by crucifixion a terrible, humiliating and
Eternal Salvation -HAS BEEN EXALTED AND NAMED AS LORD
shameful form of execution for the worst type of
BY GOD THE FATHER a Divine Name that God the Son
criminals of the Roman Empire was as repulsive to
shares with His Eternal Father.
the Roman Citizens as it was to the Hebrews who
The Form (Morphe) of God... is a concept that is parallel
considered it the ultimate Curse.
with the Image (Ikon) of God and refers to GOD THE
However, THE DEATH OF OUR SAVIOUR BROUGHT ETERNAL LIFE TO
SONS SHARING IN THE COMPLETE, FULL DIVINE NATURE OF
ALL WHO ARE JOINED TO HIM even those whom He
GOD THE FATHER. (COLOSSIANS 1:15)
confronted in Hades and who repented their sins.
Robbery (harpagmon prize or booty) refers to
something that is stolen or looted illegally.
ON
TO
E
ST LUKE 10 : 38
THIN
G IS
EEDED
- 42
&
11 : 27 28
At that time, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister
called Mary, who also sat at Jesus Feet and heard His Word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said: Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister
has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me!
And Jesus answered and said to her: Martha! Martha! You are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing
is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.
... And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him:
Blessed is the Womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that nursed Thee! And He replied: More than that: Blessed are
those who hear the Word of God and keep It!
14.
THE DORMITION
OF OUR
LADY THEOTOKOS
15 AUGUST 2015
THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD - ELDER THADDEUS
When the chanting is beautiful, we are freed from all our

cares and our interest for earthly things and we ascend
into Eternity with the Lord, His Angels, and the Saints,
where our true Fatherland and our Kingdom is.
If our Fatherland were of this world, then we would live
here in a state of well-being, Peace, and Joy. However,
this life for us Christians is an Epitimia. (Penance)
WE MUST PREPARE OURSELVES FOR LIFE IN THE HEAVENLY
KINGDOM AND WE MUST ATTAIN DIVINE PEACE.
Only God can grant Peace to His created beings if we seek
and long for Him with all our heart and if we desire to
become one with Him.
HE WANTS OUR SOUL TO BE UNITED WITH HIS DIVINE WILL, IN
ORDER FOR US TO FEEL THE TRUE JOY OF LIFE IN CHRIST.
We, on the other hand, become too involved in this material
existence and we seldom, if ever, think about our
immortal soul and about our Inner Peace, which is
shattered and distressed by worldly affairs.
We have many good people from whom we can learn how
to achieve and maintain our Inner Peace and Unity with
God.
FIRST AND FOREMOST OF OUR PERFECT HUMAN EXAMPLES IS OUR
BELOVED PANAGIA - the Most Holy Theotokos who
remained with our Lords Holy Apostles - to comfort
and encourage them after His Resurrection and
Ascension.
St Dionysios the Areopagite went to visit Her in Jerusalem,
at the home of St John the Theologian, and WHEN HE
ENTERED H ER CHAMBER, HE WAS AT ONCE FREE OF ALL CARES
AND WORRIES, AND WAS OVERCOME WITH INEFFABLE JOY AND
PEACE, commenting later: "Had I not learnt in my
youth about the True God, for me the Most Holy
Theotokos would have been God!"
See what extraordinary Peace, Stillness, and Joy radiates
from the Most Holy Theotokos! GOD GRANTS HIS PEACE
AND JOY TO EXUDE FROM EVERY SANCTIFIED SOUL WHO IS
CLOSE TO H IM AND WHO LIVES IN H IM IN H OLY H ARMONY
AND UNITY - and we can instantly feel that Spiritual
Goodness and Warmth in their presence.
THIS IS A FORETASTE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, which is
Sanctified Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy
Spirit! (ROMANS 14: 17)
THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD CEASELESSLY PRAYS FOR US.
She is always visits us and watches over us, and
whenever we turn to Her, She is present and ready to
assist us.
As the greatest of all the Saints, SHE IS OUR SUPREME
INTERCESSOR AND PROTECTOR, which is why so many
churches and chapels throughout the world have been
dedicated to Her.
Many Healing Springs where people are miraculously cured
of their ailments have sprung up in various places
where our Lady, Theotokos, has appeared and Blessed
those springs with Healing qualities for all human
problems, whether physical or Spiritual Suffering!
Our Beloved All Holy Mother is constantly at our side, yet
all too often we forget or ignore Her.
We have all experienced abandonment to varying degrees
even by some of our closest family or friends.
We all have personal weaknesses, which cause us to hurt
each other especially those who are closest to us.
We may ignore or desert each other due to hurtful or
harmful attitudes or behaviour - or we may forgive one
another but still feel deeply hurt, offended or
distrusting.
With regard to our Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Holy
Mother how often do we insult Them, or hurt Them or
ignore or forsake Them, yet THE INSTANT WE REPENT OUR
SINFUL ATTITUDE OR BEHAVIOUR AND BESEECH THEIR
FORGIVENESS, WE ARE IMMEDIATELY RECONCILED WITH
THEM AND THEY NEVER RECALL NOR REMIND US OF OUR SINS!
Life goes by unbelievably quickly. We do not notice this in
our early childhood, but when the years bear down
upon us, we realise how much time has passed and how
little is left to Repent and restore our Relationship with
God and each other.
We know more or less - where we are going or what we
are doing while we are still here, but what happens
afterwards? Where are we going? HAVE WE PREPARED FOR
THE ETERNAL, H EAVENLY KINGDOM - our True Homeland that only the Meek and Pure of heart will enter?
HAVE WE TAKEN CARE TO CONSTANTLY CLEANSE OUR HEART

AND SOUL WHILE IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO DO SO?
Have we examined ourselves from deep within and heard
that little voice that cautions and guides us: Humble
yourself and be Patient and Long-suffering! Repent
your sins and Renew your Relationship with God!"
Our Lord has taught us that WE SAVE OUR SOUL BY Patience
and Long-suffering.
Many misfortunes and painful experiences happen to both
those who are pious and those who are impious - the
Righteous and the sinful.
We all receive our share of ADVERSITY, PAIN AND MISERY,
which IS A MEANS OF LEARNING HOW TO ACCEPT
EVERYTHING IN PEACE TRUSTING THE WISDOM AND GREAT
MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
We have little or no Strength, but GOD GRANTS US THE
NECESSARY STRENGTH, COURAGE AND PATIENCE TO ENDURE
ALL DIFFICULTIES, for it is very important to RISE ABOVE
EVERYTHING THAT ROBS US OF OUR INNER PEACE.
We rarely pay attention to maintaining our Inner Peace until
we are confronted by the injustices that surround us.
At times, we are intolerant of others, even though we may
think at the time that we are doing the right thing, but
later we are proved to be very wrong!
Therefore, WE MUST LEARN TO OVERCOME ALL DISAGREEMENTS
OR ANY PROBLEMS WITH PEACE AND LOVE (AGAPE) thereby REMAINING HARMONIOUS AND UNITED WITH OUR
LORD, so that ANXIETY WILL BE AVOIDED and we can
preserve our Inner Peace.
GOD IS AT THE CENTRE OF EVERY PERSONS LIFE, for He is in our
heart and soul - WHETHER WE ACCEPT HIM OR NOT!
He never separates Himself from us because He is the Giver
of Life to every one of His creatures.
WE CAN SET DOWN BEFORE HIM THE GREAT BURDEN OF ALL OUR
WORRIES AND WORLDLY CARES, which destroy our Inner
Peace, for we can then REST ASSURED OF HIS DIVINE
WISDOM AND ASSISTANCE, (according to His Will.)
Financial or material wealth cannot grant us Peace, nor can
fame or social status. NOTHING ON EARTH CAN GRANT US
UNSHAKABLE INNER PEACE, EXCEPT THE LORD OUR GOD.
So we must Repent our innumerable, habitual sins and
return to our Lord Who Loves us unconditionally.
REPENTANCE MEANS THAT WE DRASTICALLY CHANGE OUR ENTIRE
BEING OUR HABITUAL ATTITUDES AND LIFESTYLES.
Repentance means plucking out all our deeply rooted sins
discarding the old man our old, wretched and
wicked characteristics - so that WE MAY BE RESTORED AND
RENEWED AS GOD CREATED US TO BE.
REPENTANCE MEANS TO BECOME QUIET, PEACEFUL, HUMBLE,
MEEK AND OBEDIENT TO ALMIGHTY GOD.
It is always pleasant and reassuring to be in the company of
those who enjoy a close, intimate Relationship with God
for they radiate their own Inner Peace, Joy and Love to
their surroundings.
Those who have no Inner Peace generate a restlessness that
makes us feel anxious and uncomfortable so that we,
too, become agitated. This is caused by not having a
close Relationship with our Lord through His Holy
Church and Her Holy Mysteries and especially, a lack
of Unceasing Prayer.
These are all essential to nurturing and maintaining our
Inner Peace in the Company of our Lord Jesus Christ
and His Most Holy Mother, Who are is always ready to
hear our Prayers, to guide and advise us, and to help us
whenever we call upon Them.
We may lose or be abandoned by our family, friends and
acquaintances, but OUR LOVING SAVIOUR AND HIS MOST
HOLY MOTHER WILL NEVER DESERT US.
And so, my Children, as we celebrate this Great Feast of the
Dormition of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, let us
prepare ourselves for the Heavenly Life.
We must perpetually yearn for God as His Heavenly Hosts
do and also for the Most Holy Theotokos, for She
Intercedes unceasingly before the Throne of Her
Beloved Lord and Son for us, Her Spiritual Children,
who are weak and sinful for the sake of our immortal
souls and our Eternal Life in Gods Heavenly Kingdom
of Love.
Countless are those whom she has Comforted throughout
the ages, and countless are the souls She has led from
the depths of Hades to the Kingdom of Heaven.
OUR THOUGHTS DETERMINE OUR LIVES - HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/
THE DORMITION
OF OUR
LADY THEOTOKOS
15 AUGUST 2015
15
THE TRUE NATURE OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST

The True Nature of the Church is revealed at Pentecost.
God is three Persons in One Godhead, and all three Persons
The Church is totally Christ-centred and it is through our
of the Holy Trinity work in absolute Harmony and
Relationship with Christ that we are United with Him
Unity. Although three distinctly different Persons They
forever.
always act with Perfect Knowledge of each other and
Father Staniloae explains how the Decent of the Holy Spirit
exist in Perfect Love.
at Pentecost reveals the True Nature of the Church:
The Image of Christ in Heaven and of the Holy Spirit in the
Our Salvation is achieved only through Christ, Who comes
Church is false, because such a vision does not take the
to dwell within us with the Body He borea Body that
Trinitarian Persons Unity seriously. This in turn leads to
has Risen, Ascended, and been made fully Spiritual, that
either rationalism or to sentimentalism, or even to both.
is, has been filled with the Holy Spirit and thus has
[FATHER STANILOAE]
It is through the Holy Spirit that Christ penetrates our
become totally transparent.
Christ had been made fully Spiritual, which means He is
heart. The Holy Spirit works to form us progressively
filled with the Holy Spirit. His Body is no longer
into the Image of the Son. As we acquire the Holy Spirit
physical, but Spiritual and Transparent. He now works
in our Sacramental Life in the Church, Christ imprints
Himself more clearly in us, nurtures our Love for Him,
through us by the Holy Spirit. He mystically dwells
leading us to follow His Will.
within us.
It is by the Holy Spirit that our Saviour becomes more
His Indwelling in each of us is what produces the Church.
evident to us and we receive more and more of His
The Greek word is "Ekklesia," or Gathering.
The Church is the gathering of those who have within them
Divine Powers. With Him present within us the Holy
Christ Himself. It is through the Church that we
Spirit penetrates us with His full Presence.
received this Indwelling at our Baptism.
It is the Miracle of Pentecost that Christ descends for the
first time into human hearts. The Church is created and
The Church is where the Holy Spirit works for
is now maintained by Christ through the Holy Spirit.
our Salvation given to us through the Incarnation of
The Holy Spirit is continually available for our benefit in
Jesus Christ.
His Church. Through Holy Spirit we are United with
We can think of this as a Process initiated by God involving
the Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension
Him.
and then the Formation of the Church.
His Holy Church is therefore utterly necessary for our
His Body and the Seed of our Resurrection is implanted
Eternal Salvation.
The Work of Salvation, whose Foundation was laid in
during our Baptism and we are then are Spiritually
Nurtured by our ongoing Cooperation with Christ in His
Christs human Nature, is being Fulfilled in the form of
the Church, which is our Union with God and among
Holy Church.
ourselves.
This is quite a different view than that of most Protestant
Only within the harmony between human beings in God is
churches, where the emphasis is on the Word of God
it shown that they have abandoned egoism as a general
and not on the Indwelling of Christ. The Role of the
image of sin, or of their confinement in themselves as
Holy Spirit is minimized and the church is simply an
narrow monads.
assembly hall where Prayers are given and people hear a
That is why the state of Salvation is equivalent to belonging
lecture on the Holy Scripture.
to the Church, or to the Gathering of those who are
For Orthodox Christians the physical place where the
Saved into the Church with their common participation
Faithful gather is seen as a Holy Place where the Holy
in the Body that Christ raised upbeyond any selfSpirit is very much present and where He actively works
preoccupationto the sacrificial state that was made
through the Holy Mysteries that are offered to the
permanent in Him. [FATHER STANILOAE]
Faithful during each Holy Service.
At Pentecost we can renew our Spiritual Understanding of
The Descent of the Holy Spirit gives our Church Her
the Role of the Holy Spirit.
Purpose and Existence and Initiates the Indwelling of
Let us remember to seek Christ within us, not just as a
the Resurrected Body of Christ in us.
Figure described in Holy Scripture.
Through the Holy Spirit we attain this Indwelling and
We need to Purify our heart so that the Holy Spirit and
therefore the Church. It is through the Descent of the
Gods Grace can work through us and we can become
Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost that Christ is able to
more and more like Christ.
work through us, that we are able to be in an intimate
We need to remember the importance of the Holy Mysteries
Relationship with Him, enabling us to do His Will and to
of His Holy Church, especially Holy Communion where
act with Love towards others.
through the Holy Spirit, we are able to regularly partake
At Pentecost the Holy Spirit first shone forth from human
of the Life-giving and Most Precious Body and Blood of
beings. On that day Christ sent the Holy Spirit as He
Christ , which grants us Renewed Spiritual Strength so
promised the Apostles.
that we can live as He taught us.
He descended on them, filling them with Christs Glory,
Let's remember to give Thanks for all that our Lord and
making them the first members of His Holy Church.
Saviour, Jesus Christ does for us through the Holy
After the Descent they were filled with Christ and His
Spirit.
Powers were extended to them, and they were able to go
Pray for the Holy Spirit to act within you.
to all Nations without fear to spread the Good News and
St Seraphim of Sarov taught us: Acquiring the Holy Spirit of
Teachings of Christ - Baptizing thousands and rapidly
growing the Church.
God is the True Aim of our Christian Life, while Prayer,
Fasting, Almsgiving and other Good Works done for
The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son, and
must always be considered as the Spirit of Christ.
Christ's sake are merely the means for Acquiring the
Spirit of God.
The Holy Spirit should never be thought of as being
THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD
separate from Christ.
HTTP
BY DIMITRU STANILOAE. VOL 4

://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/
NO SALVATION OUTSIDE AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

Orthodoxy is all about Community.
Hospital, and the place wherein we receive the Healing
The fierce individualism found in much of what claims to
that comes from Christ.
be Christianity is in opposition to the Orthodox
The importance of this Teaching is demonstrated by the
understanding of Faith.
fact that we are called to be at Peace with our Brethren
The Church as the Body of Christ is where we are United in
before receiving the Holy Mysteries.
Christ, becoming part of Community. The ancient Greek
We are asked to forgive others just as we hope to be
word Ecclesia literally means to be called into
forgiven, for our Christian Faith cannot be lived in a
Authentic Community, and it is within the Ecclesia that
vacuum. Our personal Transformation requires working
out our Salvation within Community.
our personal Transformation is intimately connected
with the interaction we have with others, and runs side
Even the Confession of our sins takes place within this
Community, for each time we sin, we sin against the
by side with our fellow Believers. Ecclesia in modern
usage refers to the Church, and her role as a Spiritual
whole of the Body of Christ.
16.
THE DORMITION
OF OUR
LADY THEOTOKOS
15 AUGUST 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Mary, Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 2
16 August 2015
th
11 Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday After the Dormition
11 t h of St Matthew - The Unmerciful Servant
Also the Feast of the H O L Y M A N D Y L I O N ( H O L Y I C O N N O T M A D E B Y H A N D S ) , T R A N S F E R F R O M E D E S S A T O
C O N S T A N T I N O P L E St Diomedes the Physician of Tarsos, Cilicia St Cherimon the Ascetic of Skete, Egypt - St
Anthony of Martkofeli - St Christopher of Guria, Georgia St Isaac & St Joseph of Karnu, Georgia St Joachim the
Great Hermit of Osogovo, Bulgaria St Roman & St Raphael of Banat St Eustathios of Serbia St Nicodemos of
Meteora, Thessaly St Stamatios of Volos St Gerasiimos the New Ascetic of Cephalonia St Constantine
Brancoveanu and his sons: St Constantine the Younger, St Radu, St Matthew & St Stephen & St Ianahe Vacarescu, his
loyal Counsellor, Holy Martyrs of Romania
Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton
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!
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 APOLYTIKION - TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY MANDYLION NOT MADE BY HANDS - TONE 2
Tin
ahranton Ikona Sou proskinoumen Agathe, etoumeni

sighorisin ton ptesmaton imon, Hriste O Theos. Voulisi
gar iidokisas Sarki, anelthin en to Stavro, ina risi ous
eplasas ek tis doulias tou ehthrou. Othen Efharistos
voomen Si. Haras eplirosas ta panta O Sotir imon,
paragenomenos is to Sose ton kosmon.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
We venerate Thy Most Pure Image, O Good One, and ask

Forgiveness of our transgression, O Christ God. Of
Thine own Will Thou were pleased to ascend the Cross
in the Flesh to Deliver Thy creatures from bondage to
the enemy. Therefore, with Thanksgiving, we cry aloud
to Thee: Thou hast filled all with Joy, O our Saviour, by
coming to Save the world!
-THE EVER BLESSED
En

Mitir iparhousa tis Zois.
litromeni, ek Thanatou tas psihas imon.
SEASONAL KONTAKION -
In
EVER VIRGIN
THEOTOKOS

DORMITION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Tin
en Presvies akimiton Theotokon, ke prostasies

ametatheton Elpida, Tafos ke nekrosis ouk ekratisen; os
gar Zois Mitera, pros tin Zoin metestisen, O Mitran
ikisas Aiparthenon.
The Theotokos who is incessant in her Intercessions, and

immovable Hope in her Protection, Tomb and the state
of Death could not hold; for being the Mother of Life,
to the Life He carried, He Who dwelt in a Womb Ever
Virgin.
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 11: JOHN 21:14 - 25

OUR LORD JESUS RESTORES AND COMMISSIONS ST PETER
PROKEIMENON- PSALM 117/118 TONE 2
Ishis mou ke imnisis mou O Kyrios ke egeneto mi is sotirian. The Lord is my Strength and my Glory!
Pedevon epedefse me O Kyrios ke to Thanato ou paredoke The Lord has chastened me severely,
me.
but He has not
delivered me to Death.
FIRST EPISTLE
TH
GOOD EXA
MPLE
AND
OF
RIGH
ST PAUL
TS
OF
TO THE
ST PA
UL AS
AN
AP
OSTLE
OR
ISCIPLE
OF
CH
RIST
Brethren: You are the Seal of my Apostleship in the Lord.

My defence to those who examine me is this: Do we have no right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along a
believing wife, as do also the other Apostles - the Brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who
have no right to refrain from working?
Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and
does not drink of the milk of the flock?
Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the Law say the same also? For it is written in the Law of Moses: You
shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain. Is it oxen that God is concerned about? Or does He say it
altogether for our sake?
For our sake, no doubt, this is written, that he who ploughs should plough in Hope, and he who threshes in Hope should
be a partaker of his Hope.
If we have sown Spiritual Things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are Partakers of this
right over you, are we not even more so?
Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the Gospel of Christ.
St Pauls Holy Apostleship was under attack and he had
ST PAUL had led most of the Christians in the Corinthian
to defend its authenticity and Truth.
Church to the Divine Truth of our Lord God and
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CLERGY IS CERTIFIED BY THE
consequently WAS THEIR SPIRITUAL FATHER.
SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE HOLY FLOCK.
11TH AFTER PENTECOST11TH
OF
ST MATTHEWTHE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT AFTER DORMITION - 16 AUGUST 2015
17
Things and not have to waste their valuable time

trying to earn a living for themselves and their
families.
According to the Old Covenant Law, GOD HAD PROVIDED
FOR THIS ASPECT OF HOLY LIFE, for the people always
ensured that the Holy Priesthood and their families
were provided for and St Paul implied the same for
the New Covenant Priesthood.
Cephas refers to St Simon Peter, the Apostle of Christ.
TOGETHER
WITH ST BARNABAS,
CEASELESSLY FOR THE HOLY
ST PAUL HAD WORKED

FLOCK IN CORINTH and
seemed to have been criticised for taking a break or
resting.
THE MARRIED APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WERE OFTEN
ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR MARRIED SPOUSES AND CHILDREN, so
they obviously enjoyed a certain amount of time
with them.
ST PAUL OFTEN DID MANUAL LABOUR TO EARN HIS KEEP AND HE
ALWAYS ENCOURAGED OTHERS TO DO LIKEWISE SO THAT THEY
WOULD NEVER BE A BURDEN TO OTHERS.
THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD SHOULD BE SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGED
BY THE FAITHFUL so that they are free to sow Spiritual
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 18 : 23 35

THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT
At that time our Lord Jesus related a Parable: ... the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain King Who wanted to settle
accounts with His servants. When He had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to Him who owed Him ten
thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his Master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children
and all that he had, and that payment should be made.
The servant fell down before Him, saying: Master, have Patience with me, and I will pay Thee all. The Master of that
servant was moved with Compassion, released him, and Forgave him the Debt.
That servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on
him and took him by the throat, saying: Pay me what you owe! His fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged
him, saying: Have Patience with me, and I will pay you all. He refused, and imprisoned him until he should pay the
debt.
When his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and went and told their Master all that had
been done.
After He had summoned him, his Master said to him: You wicked servant! I Forgave you all that Debt because you
begged Me. Should you not also have Mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had Pity on you?
And his Master was angry, and delivered him to the Torturers until he should pay all that was due to Him.
So My Heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his Brother his trespasses!
Before relating the Parable of the Unforgiving or
Certain of our Holy Church Fathers have interpreted this
Unmerciful Servant, St Peter had asked our Lord Jesus
Holy Parable as follows:
THE SERVANT REPRESENTS OUR SOUL.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US,
THE WIFE REPRESENTS OUR BODY.
to which He answered: SEVENTY TIMES SEVENTY! THE CHILDREN REPRESENT OUR DEEDS I.E. OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS
which was symbolic of AN UNLIMITED OR INFINITE AMOUNT
OF TIMES TO FORGIVE OTHERS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW OFTEN GOD
FORGIVES US WHEN WE SINCERELY REPENT OUR SINS.
Our Lord Jesus used this Parable to clearly illustrate and

make us understand THE FULL EXTENT AND MEANING OF
TRUE FORGIVENESS.
Ten thousand talents was an impossible amount to owe

FAR MORE THAN ANY LABOURER COULD EARN IN SEVERAL
LIFETIMES!
SUCH IS THE DEGREE OF OUR OWN, PERSONAL UNPAYABLE SPIRITUAL
DEBT TO GOD.
A hundred denarii is a significant amount from an
earthly perspective (approximately three months
wages) yet it was A PITTANCE COMPARED TO THE ENORMOUS
DEBT OWED TO THE KING.
GOD NOT ONLY WITHHOLDS THE PUNISHMENT WE DESERVE, BUT HE
FORGIVES US FOR OUR ENTIRE DEBT AS WELL.
Because God forgives us so generously and so
mercifully, WE IN TURN ARE REQUIRED TO GRANT THE GREAT
AND LIBERATING GIFT OF FORGIVENESS TO OTHERS.
WHATEVER WE DO FOR OR TO OTHERS IS RETURNED TO US A

HUNDRED TIMES MORE!
Therefore, if we share our Divine Blessings with others we

will reap the Spiritual Reward a hundred times
infinitely more.
OF
Todays Sacred Lesson of FORGIVENESS IS A DAY TO DAY

VIEWPOINT in response to St Peters question to our Lord
Jesus Christ: How many times shall my Brother sin
against me and I forgive him?
It was Autumn of the year 29, and our Lord knew that He
would be crucified the following Spring.
He had sent His Twelve Apostles out two by two to heal the
sick, to cast out demons and to raise the dead.
In a few weeks thereafter, He would send out his other
Seventy Apostles, two by two to fulfil the same Holy
Tasks.
In preparing His Disciples and Apostles for their role on the
following Pentecost, our Lord focussed on significant
matters that His Holy Church would need to know.
Consequently, leading up to this particular Gospel Lesson,
our Saviour had spoken to them concerning:
those who achieve Humility and Obedience and thus
are the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven i.e.
those who humble themselves like small children
and obey their Heavenly Father without doubt or
question.
18. 1 1 T H A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 1 1 T H
OF
AND DEEDS.
THUS OUR BODY AND OUR UNREPENTED DEEDS ARE
given over to
Spiritual Slavery i.e. although we are IMPRISONED BY
SATAN, WE DO HAVE THE CHANCE TO REPENT OUR SINS SO THAT
OUR SOUL MIGHT BE SAVED.
1 C O R I N T H I A N S 5 : 5 ... deliver such a one to
Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his
spirit might be Saved on the Day of the Lord
Jesus.
IN THE HOLY CHURCH THERE IS PROTECTION FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE

POWER OF SATAN.
However, THIS HOLY PROTECTION IS REMOVED FROM US THROUGH
EXCOMMUNICATION in the hope that HAVING EXPERIENCED
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS RULE AND SATANS
ENSLAVEMENT AND SPIRITUAL DEATH, THE OFFENDER MAY TRULY
REPENT and in the end be Saved from Eternal
Condemnation and Everlasting Banishment from the

Divine Presence and Goodness of God.
THE FLESH (SARX) IS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH THE BODY (SOMA)
and WE MUST CONSTANTLY STRUGGLE TO ERADICATE THE
PASSIONS OF THE FLESH THE DESTRUCTIVE SINS OR LUSTS OF
THE FLESH FROM OUR SANCTIFIED BODY, WHICH IS THE HOLY
TEMPLE OF God
ST MATTHEW THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT
The importance of finding the Lost Sheep of the

House of Israel which His Twelve Apostles would
need to do within a few short months.
THE GREAT PURPOSE, MEANING AND CONSEQUENCE OF
FORGIVENESS AND AGAPE (unconditional, Divine
Love), which would be vital and essential when
so many souls would be added to the Holy
Church of Christ from all levels of humanity.
Todays Sacred Lesson concerns Brethren sinning against
other Brethren i.e. us who sin against each other.
When our Lord mentioned to St Peter that we need to
...forgive 70 times 7... it REPRESENTED A SINNING RATE
OF ONCE EVERY TWO MINUTES figured on 16 waking
hours to a day!
St John Chysostom stated that OUR LORD DID NOT SET A
LIMIT ON OUR FORGIVENESS OF ONE ANOTHER, BUT RATHER
HE INSTRUCTED HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES TO FORGIVE AN
INFINITE NUMBER OF TIMES PERPETUALLY AND FOREVER!
To illustrate this point, our Lord Jesus made an analogy
where indebtedness equated to sin.
One servant owed the King 10,000 talents, which equated
to 63 million denarii, (where one denarius was a days
wage.) This was a staggering amount of debt 375 tons

of silver or about eleven 18-wheeler trucks each loaded
to the legal weight limit with silver!!
THIS WAS AN IMPOSSIBLE DEBT TO PAY OFF THROUGH THE
SERVANTS DAILY LABOUR AND WAGES.
One might wonder just how the servant managed to
accumulate that much debt! It could not have been just
an accidental bad investment, but it had to have been
A CONCERTED EFFORT OF ABUSE OF HIS MASTERS FUNDS
OVER A VERY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
St John Chrysostom referred to that servant as having ...
devoured all his Masters wealth... and ... having eaten
up the 10,000 talents.
The Parable begins with the words: The Kingdom of
Heaven is like a certain King Who wanted to settle
accounts with His servants...
THE SERVANT WAS EVEN WORSE THAN THE PRODIGAL SON in
that he SQUANDERED FAR MORE WEALTH, WHICH,
FURTHERMORE, WAS NOT EVEN HIS OWN!
The servants Master had every right to be furious with his
behaviour.
THE SERVANT DID NOT WANT TO BE SOLD INTO SLAVERY, ALONG
WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN, so he prostrated himself at
his Masters Feet and begged for Mercy - for time to pay
off this great Debt.
However, EVEN THAT REQUEST WAS LUDICROUS! IF HE TRIED TO
WORK OFF THAT DEBT HIMSELF, DESPITE WORKING ALL DAY,
SIX DAYS A WEEK, IT WOULD TAKE HIM APPROXIMATELY
200,000 YEARS TO FULFIL and the King knew it.
Yet THE KING WAS COMPASSIONATE AND FORGAVE HIM THE
ENTIRE, IMPOSSIBLE DEBT, THEREBY FREEING HIM AND HIS
FAMILY FROM A LIFETIME OF SLAVERY.
Equating the servants indebtedness to sin, ST JOHN
CHRYSOSTOM COMPARED OUR FORGIVENESS OF OUR
BRETHREN TO OUR LORDS FORGIVENESS OF US IN TERMS OF
A DROP OF WATER COMPARED TO AN ENDLESS, FATHOMLESS
SEA!
St John Chrysostom noted that the King exhibited ...
surpassing Benevolence... for He granted far more that
the servant had asked for.
The servant asked only for a delay in the time of payment,
but (the King) granted more than he (the servant)
asked Remission and Forgiveness of the entire Debt.
For it had been the Kings Will to grant it even from the
first, but He desired that the Gift extend to others also.
The King was ... moved with Compassion... at the servants
Entreaty and did not want him to go away uncrowned.
He wished the servant, himself, to contribute something
in order that he might not be covered with shame.
Having been schooled in his own calamities, the King
wished that the servant might be more indulgent to
his fellow servants.
Up to that point then, the servant was good and acceptable,
for he Confessed, and promised to repay the Debt.
He had fallen down before his Master, and Entreated
Him, and condemned his own sins knowing the
enormity of his Debt.
But the sequel was unworthy of his former deeds.
For us, the analogy is that WE, TOO, ARE SLAVES OF OUR SIN
IF WE ALLOW THEM TO DOMINATE AND CONTROL US.
Our Lord Jesus said: ... whoever commits sin, is a slave of
sin. And a slave does not stay in the house forever,
only a son does! (JOHN 8: 32 36)
St Peter wrote in his Epistle: ... by whom a person is
overcome, by that he is brought into bondage. (2 PETER
2 : 19)
When we are overcome by any of the things that are

important to this fallen world, WE NEED TO BESEECH OUR
ETERNAL, GLORIOUS AND MERCIFUL KING TO FREE US FROM
OUR UNPAYABLE DEBTS SO THAT WE MIGHT BE GRANTED
TRUE FREEDOM.
The servant, who had been forgiven his immense Debt and
freed from slavery, turned right around and demanded
payment from his fellow servant who owed him a mere
100 denarii (about 100 days wages).
It is interesting to note that THE SECOND SERVANT
PROSTRATED HIMSELF AND BEGGED FOR TIME TO REPAY THE
DEBT USING THE SAME ACTIONS AND WORDS THAT THE FIRST
SERVANT
HAD
USED
when he addressed the
Compassionate, Merciful King.
THE FIRST SERVANT, HOWEVER, HAD NO COMPASSION NOR
MERCY AT ALL, for he seized his fellow servant by the
11TH AFTER PENTECOST11TH
OF
throat and had him imprisoned until the debt was paid
thereby causing his family to suffer as well!
St John Chrysostom commented: The wicked servant did
not regard even the words by which he had been
Saved, for he, himself, on saying this, was Delivered
from 10,000 talents.
He did not recognise so much as the Harbour by which he
escaped Shipwreck.
The gesture of Supplication did not remind him of his
Masters Kindness, but he put away from him all these
things from covetousness, cruelty and revenge.
He was more fierce than a wild beast seizing his fellow
servant by the throat.
When the King was informed by His other servants what
had occurred, He reneged on His Pardon and
...delivered him to the Torturers until he should pay
all that was due to Him.
Following the revocation of the servants Pardon, there
would appear to be no sunset clause on his slavery
either!
St John Chrysostom noted: ... when the first servant owed
10,000 talents, his Master did not call him wicked, nor
reproached him, but showed Mercy on him.
When he became harsh to his fellow servant, then his
Master said: O you wicked servant!
For us, the analogy is that OUR REFUSAL TO FORGIVE OTHERS,
BRINGS OUR LORDS JUDGEMENT DOWN ON OUR OWN HEAD!
St John Chrysostom cautioned us: ... let us, the covetous,
listen, for even to us the Word is spoken.
Let us, the merciless and the cruel, listen also, for not to
others are we cruel, but to ourselves!
When, then, you are minded to be revengeful, consider
that against yourself are you revengeful not against
another that you are collecting up your own sins
not your neighbours.
For as to you, whatever you may do to another, you do as
a human being in this present life.
But God is not so more mightily will He take Vengeance
on you, and with the Vengeance hereafter! For, if we
are willing, no one shall be able to injure us, but even
our enemies shall benefit us in the greatest degree.
And why do I speak of men? For what can be more wicked
than the devil? Yet, nevertheless, even now, we have a
great opportunity of approving ourselves; and Job
showed it.
But if the devil has become a cause of Crowns, why are
you afraid of others as enemy?
While this relates directly to our forgiving others, by
extension, it also includes MODELLING OUR BEHAVIOUR AS
SUCH THAT WE DO NOT CAUSE OTHERS TO SIN.
St Paul cautioned those who have more knowledge or
liberty, against CAUSING OUR BRETHREN TO STUMBLE, AND
WOUNDING THEIR WEAK CONSCIENCE. (1 CORINTHIANS 8: 9-13)
WE, TOO, ARE SERVANTS WHO OWE OUR KING AN
INSURMOUNTABLE DEBT EVEN MORE THAN THE GREAT DEBT
OF THIS UNMERCIFUL SERVANT!!
St John Chrysostom puts our sin against God in a more
practical light: When (someone) looks at us, we back off
and stop sinning; but when God sees us every day, we
do not abstain, but we do and speak all things (sins)
without fear!
Not by this alone, but also because of the Honour of which
we have Partaken, our sins become far more serious.
Our sins against Him exceed those 10,000 talents!
Our Lord Jesus Christ addressed our Relationship with Him
by saying that a servant is not expected to eat and drink
before his Master. Instead the servant prepares himself
and serves his Master until his Master has finished
eating. The Master does not thank the servant for doing
his job.
Likewise, us! WHEN WE HAVE DONE ALL THAT WE HAVE BEEN
COMMANDED AND TAUGHT NO MATTER HOW GREAT OR
SMALL WE SHOULD ALWAYS REALISE THAT WE ARE
UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS OF GOD WHO MERELY DO WHAT WE
OUGHT TO Do. (Luke 17:7 10)
Our Lord Jesus also taught us that WE ARE MEASURED BY THE
SAME STANDARD OR MEASURE THAT WE USE FOR OTHERS
WHETHER WE JUDGE, CONDEMN OR FORGIVE OTHERS. (LUKE
6:37-38 & LUKE 19:22 -24)
Therefore, IT BEHOVES US TO BE MERCIFUL AND ALWAYS

FORGIVING, SINCE WE ARE ESSENTIALLY DOING SO TO
OURSELVES.
19
St Gregory the Theologian stated that we obtain our own

Forgiveness by extending Forgiveness to others:
What is swifter than Mercy? The Disciples asked for the
flames of Sodom upon those who drove Jesus away, but
He forbade revenge. Peter cut off the ear of Malchos,
one of those who outraged Him, but Jesus restored it.
Peter also asked whether he must forgive a brother seven
times who had offended him; is he not condemned for
his stinginess, for to the seven is added seventy times
seven? What of the Debtor in the Gospel who would not
forgive as he had been forgiven? Is it not more severely
exacted of him for this?
The pattern of Prayer says that Forgiveness may be
earned by Forgiveness.
St John Chrysostom reminded us that God has granted us a
way of Repayment that is both ready and easy, and
which is able to cancel all 10,000 talents and more
that we owe to God that is, simply, DO NOT BE
REVENGEFUL!
Our Lord Jesus taught us: ... with the same standards that
you judge, shall you be Judged yourself. And with the
measure you use, it will be measure back to you.
neighbours, and usurping a Teachers rank, when HE IS

DISCIPLE.
Our Lord does not forbid judging, but commands us to
clear the beam first from our own eye, and then to set
right the doings of the rest of the world. For each
person knows his own things better than those of
others and he loves himself more than his neighbour.
If you do it out of guardian care, I suggest you care for
yourself first, in whose case the sin is both more
certain and greater.
But if you neglect yourself, it is quite obvious that
neither do you judge your Brethren out of care for
them, but in hatred, and wishing to expose them.
If they ought to be judged, it should be by one who commits
no such sins, not by anyone who hates them.
In the Lords Prayer, we say ...forgive us our trespasses as
we forgive those who trespass against us. (MATTHEW
NOT WORTHY TO BE SO MUCH AS A
6:12).
Our Lord Jesus amplified what He meant by this: ...for if

you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly
Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses.
Thus there is a reciprocal relationship between Divine and
human Forgiveness.
Christ illustrated this same theme on other occasions, such
as the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
St John Chrysostom commented on this: We ourselves
have control over the Judgment that is to be passed
upon us.
For in order that no one, even the senseless, might have any
complaint to make, either great or small, when brought
to Judgment, He causes the Sentence to depend on us
who are to give an account.
In what way we have judged for ourselves, in the same,
says He: ...do I also Judge you. (HOMILY XIX ON MATTHEW 6).
(MATTHEW 7:2)
St John Chrysostom explained that this means that IF WE

CONDEMN SOMEONE FOR ANY REASON, WE ARE SETTING THAT
SAME STANDARD OF JUDGEMENT FOR OUR OWN EVALUATION
ON JUDGEMENT DAY!
WE ARE ALLOWED TO JUDGE OUR B RETHREN, BUT the question
that we should ask is WHETHER WE DO SO OUT OF LOVE
AND CARE FOR THEM.
THE BEGINNING OF THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS COME FROM
US.
So also in this judgement, IT IS BY OURSELVES THAT THE
STANDARDS OF OUR CONDEMNATION ARE LAID DOWN.
We should not scold nor trample on them, but admonish
not revile, but advise not assault with pride, but
CORRECT WITH TENDERNESS.
For not him, but YOURSELF, DO YOU HAND OVER TO
VENGEANCE by not sparing him, when it may be
necessary to correct his offences.
Do you see how THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS ARE BOTH EASY,
AND BRING GREAT B LESSINGS TO THE OBEDIENT, just as of
evils on the other hand, bring the opposite to those who
disregard?
HE WHO FORGIVES HIS NEIGHBOUR HAS FREED HIMSELF first
from the grounds of complaint, and that WITHOUT ANY
LABOUR.
In addition, HE WHO WITH TENDERNESS, INQUIRES INTO
OTHERS OFFENCES, HAS A GREAT ALLOWANCE OF PARDON
LAID UP BEFOREHAND FOR HIMSELF BY HIS JUDGEMENT.
What then! you say, if one commits fornication? Am I
forbidden to say that fornication is a bad thing, or
correct him at all, who is playing the Prodigal?
No! CORRECT HIM, BUT NOT AS AN ADVERSARY exacting a
penalty, but as a Physician providing medicine.
Christ did not say: Do not stop him who is sinning. But He
said: DO NOT JUDGE! DO NOT BE BITTER in pronouncing
sentence.
SUCH JUDGEMENT OFTEN COMES not out of protecting care
but OUT OF A HOSTILE FEELING TOWARDS SOMEONE.
When a man puts forward a mask of Benevolence, while he
is doing a work of the utmost wickedness, causing
rebukes without ground, accusations, dividing his
ST MAXIMOS
TWO HUNDRED TEXTS
ON
THEOLOGY
Forgiveness can also be seen from the illustration of Old

Testament Law.
From the Old Testament analogy, our Lord Jesus is the
Lamb of God, without blemish, by Whom we are
Redeemed. (1 PETER 1:17-19).
He is the Propitiation or Substitutionary Atonement for our
sins. (ROMANS 3:21- 26).
However, just as God accepted Abels Offering, but not
Cains - and just as He accepted the Publicans Offering
but not the Pharisees - so if we dont forgive all men
their trespasses against us, God the Father will not
accept our Offering. (GENESIS 4:3-5) (LUKE 18:10-14)
Under Old Testament Sacrificial Laws, a person who was
unclean could not offer an Offering (Numbers 19:20ff).
Our Offering may be a perfectly good Offering (the Blood of
Christ), but if we are rendered defiled or unclean by an
unforgiving heart, it is not acceptable. (MATTHEW 6:14-15).
And the longer we linger with lack of Forgiveness in our
heart, the deeper goes the root of bitterness - and the
harder it is to pull out. (HEBREWS 12:14-15)
But this is the season where we focus on pulling it all out
and starting clean.
HTTP://WWW.STATHANASIUS.ORG/SITE/ASSETS/FILES/2811/STUDY_03_02_14
THE
AND THE
All visible realities need the Cross - that is, the state in
which they are cut off from things acting upon them
through the senses.
All intelligible realities need burial - that is, the total
quiescence of the things which act upon them through
the intellect.
When all relationship with such things is severed, and their
natural activity and stimulus is cut off, then the Logos,
CONFESSOR
INCARNATE DISPENSATION
OF THE
SON
OF
GOD
Who exists alone in Himself, appears as if Risen from

the dead.
He encompasses all that comes from Him, but nothing
enjoys Kinship with Him by virtue of natural
relationship. For the Salvation of the Saved is by Grace
and not by nature (CF. EPHESIANS. 2:5)
ST GREGORY PALAMAS
A NEW TESTAMENT DECALOGUE
"A rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."
Here is meant a rich man who sees in his own self many methods and many powers unto his own prosperity.
But as soon as one who has many possessions cuts off all attachment to them, extinguishes within himself all reliance on
them, and ceases to see them as his substantial support, then in his heart he is the same as one who possesses
nothingfor thus is the Road to the Kingdom open.
20. 1 1 T H A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 1 1 T H
OF

Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and
one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 3
23 August 2015
12 Sunday After Pentecost
12th Sunday of St Matthew Inheritance of Eternal Life
Apodosis of the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God
th
Also the Feast of St Lupos, Faithful Servant of St Demetrios of Thessalonika &

Holy Martyr St Irenaeos, Hieromartyr of Lyons St Eutychios & St Florentios,
Holy Ascetic Monks of Nursia, Italy St Callinikos of Constantinople
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.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
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.
-THE EVER BLESSED
En

Mitir iparhousa tis Zois.
litromeni, ek Thanatou tas psihas imon.
In
EVER VIRGIN
THEOTOKOS

SEASONAL KONTAKION -EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS & EVER VIRGIN MARY
Tin
en Presvies akimiton Theotokon, ke prostasie

ametatheton Elpida, tafos ke nekrosis ouk ekratisen; os
gar Zois Mitera, pros tin Zoin metestisen, O Mitran ikisas
Aiparthenon
The
Theotokos who is incessant in Her Intercessions

and Immovable Hope in Her Protection, neither tomb
nor Death could hold; for being the Mother of Life, to
the Life She carried - He Who dwelt in a Womb EverVirgin.
RESURRECTION GOSPEL1- MATTHEW 28 : 16 - 20
Sing to our God, sing!

All ye Nations, clap your hands!
THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
Brethren: I declare unto you the Gospel that I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand by
which also you are Saved, if you keep in mind what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.
I Delivered to you first of all, that which I also received how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and was
buried, and Rose again on the Third Day, according to the Scriptures. And that He was seen by Cephas, then by the
Twelve. After that, He was seen by more than 500 Brethren at once of whom the greater part remain unto this
present day, but some have fallen asleep. After that, He was seen by James, then by all the Apostles. Last of all, He was
seen by me also, as one born out of due time.
I am the least of the Apostles, who is not worthy to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. By the
Grace of God, I am what I am: and His Grace, which was bestowed on me, was not in vain; but I laboured more
abundantly than them all, yet not I, but the Grace of God, which was with me.
Therefore - whether it was me or them - so we preach, and so you believed.
TO
ST MATTHEW 19 : 16 26
EARTHLY RICHES & ETERNAL LIFE IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

At that time, a certain young man went to our Lord Jesus and said: Good Teacher, what Good Thing shall I do that I may
have Eternal Life? He said to him: Why do you call Me Good? No one is Good - except God! If you want to enter
into Life, keep the Commandments. He asked Him: Which?
Jesus replied: Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false
witness. Honour thy father and thy mother. And Thou shalt Love thy neighbour as thyself.
The young man said to Him: All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack? Jesus said to him: If you
want to be Perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor; and you will have Treasure in Heaven. And come,
follow Me! When the young man heard His Words, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Jesus said to His Disciples: Truly, I say to you: it is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again, I
say to you: 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.
When His Disciples heard that, they were greatly astonished, saying: Who then can be Saved? Jesus looked at them and
said: With men this is impossible with God all things are possible!
THE RICH YOUNG MAN HAD NOT TRIED TO TEST OUR LORD JESUS
CHRISTS RESPONSE TO THE YOUNG MAN DID NOT DENY HIS OWN
CHRIST, BUT INSTEAD, GENUINELY SOUGHT HIS ADVICE,
DIVINITY BUT WAS INTENDED TO LEAD HIM TO THE REALISATION
regarding Him to be no more than a most Wise and
OF HIS TRUE DIVINE IDENTITY.
Truthful Teacher.
OF
ST MATTHEW ETERNAL LIFE
23 AUGUST 2015
21.
Furthermore, CHRIST GUIDED EVERYONE TO A L W A Y S G I V E

G L O R Y T O A L M I G H T Y G O D the Holy Trinity
Who always works in Perfect Unison.
FORMAL OBSERVANCE OF GODS COMMANDMENTS DOES NOT MAKE
ANYONE RIGHTEOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
THE RICH YOUNG MAN HAD AN EARNEST DESIRE FOR ETERNAL LIFE
YET HE REALISED THAT HE LACKED SOMETHING VITAL TO ITS
ACQUISITION, compelling him to press our Lord for a
more direct Commandment.
TO ACHIEVE SPIRITUAL PERFECTION, W E M U S T W I L L I N G L Y
SACRIFICE EVERYTHING WE HAVE - WHATEVER
HOLDS US BACK FROM FOLLOWING CHRIST.
GOD DOES NOT REQUIRE THE SAME SACRIFICE FROM EVERYONE FOR
EACH OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE.
GOD KNOWS US FAR BETTER THAN WE CAN EVER KNOW OURSELVES
and in the case of the rich young man, CHRIST KNEW
EXACTLY WHAT KEPT HIM FROM SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.
PERHAPS THE RICH YOUNG MAN MERELY WANTED TO LIVE FOREVER IN

ORDER TO CONTINUE ENJOYING THE PLEASURES OF SELFINDULGENCE OF HIS WORLDLY WEALTH AND SOCIAL STATUS I.E.
HIS DESIRE FOR ETERNAL LIFE MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CRAVING OF
THE FLESH RATHER THAN FOR THE SAKE OF HIS IMMORTAL SOUL!
Therefore OUR LORD TOLD THE YOUNG MAN TO FREE HIMSELF

FROM ALL HIS WORLDLY POSSESSIONS THAT HE LOVED SO MUCH
BECAUSE HIS GREEDY OBSESSION WITH HIS MATERIAL WEALTH
WAS NOT PUT TO ITS PROPER USE IT WAS NOT SHARED WITH
OTHERS WHO WERE LESS BLESSED.
WHEN GOD BESTOWS AN ABUNDANCE OF BLESSINGS ON US, I T I S
IMPERATIVE
TO
SHARE
THEM
WITH
OTHERS,
because, unless we do so, OUR MATERIAL POSSESSIONS
WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL AND CAUSE OUR FINAL, ETERNAL
CONDEMNATION.
It has frequently been proved that THE MORE WE SHARE WITH
OTHERS, THE MORE BLESSED WE ARE!
In fact, WHATEVER WE DO FOR OTHERS - WHETHER GOOD OR

WICKED IS RETURNED A HUNDREDFOLD to us in so many
different ways!
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM taught us that the giving away of
our earthly possessions is the least of Christs
instructions because FAITHFULLY FOLLOWING OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST IS A FAR GREATER AND MORE DIFFICULT
CALLING YET IT IS FAR MORE FULFILLING AND REWARDING
THAN THE ENTIRE EARTHLY WEALTH!
The debates concerning the eye of a needle have been
many and varied.
OUR LORD OFTEN USED EXTREME CONTRASTS TO EMPHASISE HIS
TEACHINGS SO THAT PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE
ENORMITY AND SIGNIFICANCE.
Some have replaced the word camel with rope IT IS
ALSO UTTERLY IMPOSSIBLE TO THREAD ROPE THROUGH THE EYE
OF A NEEDLE.
Others see it as follows: SMALL DOORS WERE SET INTO THE LARGE
PROTECTIVE CITY GATES, which could not be entered by
beasts laden with goods. So the BURDENS HAD TO BE
REMOVED BEFORE THE ANIMAL AND THEN THE GOODS COULD BE
SQUEEZED THROUGH THE SMALL OPENING.
WE, TOO, MUST OFFLOAD OUR WORLDLY CONCERNS
B E F O R E W E E N T E R C H U R C H FOR COMMUNAL WORSHIP
AND PRAYERS, IN ORDER TO GIVE OUR FULL ATTENTION TO GOD
AND HIS HOLY MYSTERIES.
And ESPECIALLY BEFORE WE DIE, WE MUST WE OFFLOAD/CONQUER
OUR ATTACHMENT AND OBSESSION WITH WORLDLY POSSESSIONS
BEFORE WE ARE ABLE TO ENTER ETERNAL LIFE IN GODS
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE.
Naturally, the question arises: Who then can be Saved?

And as usual, OUR LOVING AND COMPASSIONATE LORD JESUS
CHRIST ASSURES US T H A T E V E R Y T H I N G B E C O M E S
POSSIBLE BY DIVINE GRACE EVEN THE MOST
INCREDULOUS THINGS!
12TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 12TH SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW THE INHERITANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE
The central figure in todays Gospel Lesson is a young
witness of Myself, My witness is not True. (John 4:22 &
man who is also referred to as a certain Ruler by St
5:31)
Luke.
When, therefore, He said: No one is Good but One, He did
However, he was not a Ruler of the Roman Authorities, but
not put Himself down as not being Good far from it.
rather a Ruler of the local Synagogue in Pearea, East of
He did not say: Why do you call Me Good? I Am not
the Jordan River, who would be equivalent to a Parish
Good, but: No one is Good but One, that is: no one
Priest.
among mankind is Good.
As a Synagogue Ruler, he would be expected to know the
Our Lord Jesus first response struck at the heart of the
Mosaic Law very well and would also be expected to
matter.
have kept the Divine Commandments from his youth as
The young man had addressed our Saviour as Good
he stated. (Matthew 19:20)
Teacher as if He was merely another man whose
Unfortunately, however, he had overlooked one of the
influence was important.
Divine Commandments his wealth and worldly
When our Lord Jesus pointed out that no one but God is
possessions were more important to him than the Lord
Good, it was the whole point of the Old Covenant
our God! (Matthew 19: 21-22)
Sacrificial Faith to atone for the sins of the Priest first,
He seemed to realise that he was missing something
then for all the people, since no one, but God, is Good
significant and asked our Lord Jesus the most vital of
sinless.
all questions: What Good Thing shall I do that I may
If the young man accepted our Lord Jesus as Good, then
have Eternal Life?
here is the Word from the Good One: keep the Divine
In keeping with his dutiful observation of the Mosaic Law,
Commandments!
he thought that there was something that he could do
From is youth, the young man had learnt the Greatest
for our Lord Jesus, or for His Disciples, or even for the
Commandment as a Creed as had all Hebrew boys
poor that would guarantee him Eternal Life.
and he knew the Ten Commandments by heart, as well
That practice is common for all political leaders, past and
as a great deal of commentary and interpretation on the
present!
Mosaic Law.
King Herod the Great, whom the Judeans despised, spent
Our Lord Jesus told the young man clearly and concisely:
many years rebuilding and refurbishing the Temple into
If you want to enter into Life, keep the
an ornate structure in order to curry the favour of the
Commandments. And when asked which of them
people.
were the most significant for him to observe, our
Our Lady Theotokos and many other skilled young virgins
Saviour mentioned the 5th to the 9th Commandments,
helped by weaving fine cloth and embroidering and
plus a summary statement of the 4th to 10th
decorating all the necessary Temple vestments,
Commandments: Love your neighbour as yourself.
hangings and ornamentations.
(Leviticus 19:18)
The first words our Lord uttered to the young man were in
Our Lord listed these first, and not the first three of the
order to point him in the right direction: Why do you
Ten Commandments, because He knew exactly what the
call Me Good? No one is Good - except God!
young mans problem was. The expected response was
St John Chrysostom commented that the young man
that the young man had indeed kept all these
approached our Lord Jesus as though He were an
Commandments since his youth.
ordinary human being one of many: Why then does
Although some people think we no longer need the Ten
Christ reply to him: No one is Good but One?
Commandments/Mosaic Law, we do need to Love the
Because the young man went to Him as a mere man, one of
Lord our God with all our mind, with all our heart, with
all our strength and with all our soul and we also need
the common sort, and a Jewish Teacher, as a Man, our
Lord Jesus spoke to him. In many instances, He replied
to Love (unconditionally) our neighbours as much as we
Love ourselves but especially, as much as God Loves us
to the secret thoughts of those who went to Him; as when
He said: We worship what we know. And: If I bear
all!!
22.
OF
23 AUGUST 2015
Our Lord very clearly told us that He ...did not come to

destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfil them.
Furthermore He assured us that neither one jot nor one
tittle shall pass from the Law until all is fulfilled.
(These are the tiny accent marks in Hebrew and Greek.)
Christ severely cautioned us: Whoever, therefore, breaks
one of the least of these Commandments, and teaches
others so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of
Heaven, but whoever does and teaches them, shall be
called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:1719)
We certainly need to take every precept of the Divine Law
to heart and apply them to our words, thoughts and
deeds!
Our Lord Who can see into the depths of every heart,
discerned that the young man had a serious problem
with the First Commandment, for his earthly wealth and
possessions were more important to him than the Lord
our God and he, being enslaved by them, could never
let them go, even to obtain Eternal, Priceless Treasure in
Heaven.
The First Commandment Love God with all our being
consists of:
A willingness to Confess the Lord our God before
others.
Loving the Lord our God more than parents or
children.
Taking up our Cross willingly in order to follow
Him.
We need to constantly examine ourselves with the following

questions pertaining to our Love of Almighty God:
1. HAVE I BELIEVED IN GOD THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE
HOLY SPIRIT?
2. HAVE I FAILED TO TRUST GOD AND HIS MERCY?
3. HAVE I COMPLAINED AGAINST GOD WHILE HAVING
DIFFICULTIES?
4. HAVE I BEEN THANKFUL FOR GODS BLESSING?
5. HAVE I DOUBTED THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND THE TEACHINGS
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS HOLY CHURCH?
6. HAVE I TRIED TO SERVE GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS?
7. HAVE I GIVEN WAY TO SUPERSTITION?
8. HAVE I FREQUENTED THE RELIGIOUS MEETINGS OF HERETICS
AND SCHISMATICS?
9. HAVE I NEGLECTED MY DUTIES TO GOD THROUGH FEAR OF
RIDICULE OR PERSECUTION?
10. HAVE I FAILED TO PRAY TO GOD FAITHFULLY?
THE WAY
OF
11. HAVE I PUT MYSELF BEFORE GOD WILFULLY INDULGING MY

OWN DESIRES?
ADAPTED AND EDITED BY MP: 12TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 12TH OF
ST MATTHEW INHERITANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE BY M KERN, ST
ATHANASIOS ORTHODOX CHURCH (2007)
OUR LORD DOES NOT EXPECT NOR DEMAND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD
SELL WHATEVER THEY POSSESS AND DISTRIBUTE IT AMONGST THE
POOR AND DESTITUTE.
However, due to the abundance of our Divine Blessings, and the

depth of our Gratitude for His Great Love and Mercy, WE SHOULD
CHEERFULLY AND GENEROUSLY SHARE OUR BLESSINGS MATERIAL
AND FINANCIAL WITH THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN US.
In the Holy Mystery of Matrimony, Prayers are recited for the

abundance of Blessings upon the newly United couple SO THAT
THEY ARE ABLE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS!
We prove our Love of God by our Love for our neighbours, for our
Lord Jesus Christ made it absolutely clear that we will certainly
be judged accordingly.
Whatever we did for or to each other, will have been done for or to
Him!
This short lifespan is a time of Spiritual Preparation when we are still
able to improve and develop our immortal soul.
We should take every opportunity to learn how to achieve the
ultimate Virtue Agape i.e. Divine Love that supersedes any
human concept of love.
All the Divine Virtues, which God the Holy Spirit bestows on us are
to enable us to grow and develop spiritually so that we make
steady progress towards our ultimate Destination and Goal:
Eternal Life in Gods Heavenly Kingdom of Agape Love.
We cannot profess to Love God but despise our neighbours, nor can
we profess to Love our neighbours but rebel against or reject
Almighty God.
This entire lifespan is all about improving our Spiritual State by
means of the Divine Virtues, which is only possible for us to
achieve now not after Death.
Once the body and soul have separated, our immortal soul remains in
the same state that it left this temporary existence.
Unless we understand the meaning of this current life, we shall not be
compelled to strive all the more harder to achieve Theosis to
regain our lost Likeness to Christ our Lord and Saviour, thereby
becoming worthy Citizens of His Heavenly Kingdom. mp
PRAYER - ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW
" If you [know how to] pray truly, then you are a Theologian"
EVAGRIUS OF PONTUS (4TH CENTURY)

The Prayer of Orthodox Christians was primarily formed
Prayer may be what Monastics are pre-eminently designed
in the Liturgy of the Community rather than inside
to do, but it also constitutes the fundamental
the walls of Monasteries or in the hearts of individual
expression of the human relationship to God and to
Saints.
other people as well as to God's natural Creation.
It is the Liturgy that provided the regular expression and
As such, Prayer is truly Universal.
rhythmical pattern for adoration and intercession.
There are many different ways of praying. Yet Prayer
Liturgy is not identical to Prayer, even though it is the
cannot be experienced by means of a detached
source and an essential part of Prayer.
perception or external connection, in the way that
Prayer accompanies every aspect of Life and Liturgy.
objects are experienced.
The cycle of weekly Services, the daily routine of Morning
Prayer must be personally lived or "touched," as St John
Prayer and Evening Song, and the Unceasing
Klimakos (579-649) would prefer to say in his Ladder
Invocation of the Name of our Lord Jesus are as
of Divine Ascent.
intimately connected and as integrally life-giving for
We do not learn to pray from manuals or Prayer Books.
the individual at Prayer as blood cells are to a body.
Prayer cannot even exist in itself: it existsas the English
In this way, Liturgy spills over and into the daily Life of
term denotesonly as the activity of someone at
Orthodox Christians.
Prayer.
Prayer is the touchstone of a person's Spiritual Life.
Simply put, a "pray-er" is a praying person. It is not a text,
It discloses the true stature and authentic condition of
but a living human being; not a book, but a burning
one's Life.
heart.
Prayer is what ultimately reveals who we are in relation to
"Prayer" is a relationship word; it can never be thought of
God and other people.
in abstraction, isolated from others or from God.
If we can pray, then we can talk to others; if we know how
Prayer presupposes and aims at Mystical Connection or
to pray, then we also know how to relate to others.
Sacramental Encounter.
Prayer is a mirror of the Inner Life.
Unless this is clearly understood, all talk about Prayer
This applies equally to those who have chosen to
tends to falsify what is at stake.
consume their lives entirely in Prayer and to
This means that Prayer must be inclusive of others, of all,
laypersons, both men and women, whose Life ought
and of the entire world.
to be infused with Prayer.
However, it is especially inclusive of God as the Divine
Prayer is not the privilege of the few but the Vocation of
"Other."
all.
St John Klimakos observed that Faith in God is Prayer's
wing, proof, and self-verification.
OF
23 AUGUST 2015
23.
It is this openness to others that informs Prayer at all

times.
Prayer is always a dialogue. When it involves silence, it is
not a mute or sterile silence, but rather one that
begets God: "Be still, and know that I Am God" (PSALM
Self-regarding Prayer is sinful Prayer; or, more precisely,

it is not Prayer at all.
In fact, the Desert Fathers and Mothers insist that not
only is Purity a prerequisite for Prayer, Purity actually
is Prayer.
They speak of stripping ourselves of all that is
unnecessary or superfluous, of all that prevents or
delays us from connecting with our Creator, with our
Inner World, and with the rest of the world.
This is why the sequence of Prayer recommended by the
Church Fathers is: Thanksgiving, Confession, and
Petition.
It is a suggestion that serves to underline the priority of
looking outward toward others rather than focusing
inwardly on ourselves: ...Before all else, let us first list
sincere Thanksgiving on the scroll of our Prayer. On
the second line, we should place Confession and
heartfelt Contrition of the soul. Finally, let us present
our Petition to God. This has been shown to be the best
way of Prayer, revealed to someone by an Angel. (ST
45:11).
Silence implies a keen sense of listening, of expectancy, of

anticipation.
Prayer implies concern for what is going on inside us and
around us.
"Silence exposes those who are truly able to Love." [THE
LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT: STEP 28:6]
The dialogical character of Prayer means that God is able

to speak, and the human heart is able to hear, through
everyone and in everything.
Prayer can never presume; Prayer can never demonstrate
or result in prejudice.
To presume or exclude is the denial of Prayer.
On the one hand, God speaks unpredictably inasmuch as
He surprises us with what matters in life, things that
normally lie far beyond our petty interests and needs.
JOHN KLIMAKOS LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT. Step 28:6)
On the other hand, God's Voice is quite predictable, as we
Although St John Klimakos refers to this sequence as
know well that responding "...to the least of our
being revealed "by an Angel," in fact it is not
Brothers and Sisters" is tantamount to responding to
unprecedented in the Spiritual Classics, including
God. (MATTHEW 25:40)
Evagrios of Pontus in the fourth century, Abba Isaiah
How unfortunate it is that we have reduced Prayer to a
of Skete in the fifth century, St Barsanuphios and St
private act, an occasion for selfish complaint.
John in the sixth century, and St Isaac the Syrian in
In Prayer, our concerns ought to be the concerns of
the seventh century.
others, of the world, and especially of those who
Our concerns and preoccupations should not take centre
cannot protect themselves.
stage at the time of Prayer.
Otherwise, Prayer becomes more than exclusive; it
We should first allow a period of silence, when our
becomes divisive, which is the literal meaning of the
personal interests and anxieties settle somewhat from
term "diabolical."
the intensity of our daily routine, and then allow
Authentic Prayer reveals a sense of togetherness, not as a
space for the needs of the world to rise to the surface
comfortable feeling of self-complacency but rather as
of our hearts.
an experience of at-one-ment or Reconciliation with
Just as Love arises from Prayer, so, too, does Prayer
all humanity and all of God's Creation.
derive from Silence.
The Macarian Homilies, a late fourth-century Spiritual
Moreover, in the Orthodox Tradition, Prayer does not
Classic, states that "...those who pray truly and in
constitute a stage - whether preliminary or ultimate silence, edify everybody everywhere. "
in the Spiritual Life; rather, it is a pervasive activity
The cosmic significance of Prayer and its universal force
that permeates all stages and all aspects of Life.
in the world have important qualifications, not least
Prayer presupposes a Life that is fully integrated with the
for the understanding of the role of Believers in
life of the world rather than something that happens
our age.
at a particular point in our daily or weekly routine.
For there can never be Love for one person or group of
Our aim in reciting Prayers on given occasions, and
people and not another.
retiring for Prayers at particular moments, is to
As the Christian Gospel puts it, to say that we Love God
advance from the stage of saying Prayers to the point
when we do not Love our neighbour is to be proved
of becoming Prayer.
liars. (CF. 1 JOHN 4:20).
To adopt the words of an early Theologian, Origen of
This mutual interdependence of all humankind, as of all
Alexandria (175-254): "The entire Life of a Saint is
Creation, is crucial in appreciating the wide-reaching
one great, unbroken Prayer."
effects of our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions.
Our Goal is to become fiery flames of Prayer, living
The foremost Purpose of Prayer is Self-purification.
Prayers, comforting those in despair and warming
"First of all pray to be purified from your passions,
those in need.
claimed Evagrios of Pontus (346-99) in his work On
Prayer.
HIS ALL HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
Unpurified Prayer becomes false piety, or quite simply
BARTHOLOMEW, ENCOUNTERING MYSTERY, DOUBLEDAY, 2008,
false Prayer.
ON UNBELIEF ABBOT TRYPHON
Humankinds ultimate sickness, is that of unbelief.
This Illness that awaits a Cure is unbelief, and this unbelief
This world is the place of Preparation for our Life in
is based on our failure to avail ourselves to the
Eternity - the place where we are prepared for the
Medicine that is abundantly available within the Life of
Kingdom that is to come.
the Church.
Within this world, Our Lord Jesus Christ established a
Belief comes as a Free Gift from a God Who ...so Loved us
Hospital in which the Medicine for the Cure of our
that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whoever
Sickness is available, and this Hospital of the soul is
believes in Him, will have Eternal Life. (JOHN 3:16)
none other than His Holy Church.
All we need to do is cooperate with Gods Grace, and
This world does not provide the Medicine for that which
unbelief will disappear.
ails us, for the only Medicine that can Heal us, is Christ
When we Confess our sins, and receive Christ into our Life,
Himself.
we will have thrust our hand into His Side, and we will
If we are unwilling to receive this Medicine, we will never be
believe.
Healed, and will never know the Joys of the Eternal
Unbelief, at this very moment in time, will have no place to
Kingdom that awaits us.
reside in our heart, and like the Apostle Thomas, we
will know the Peace that comes with a Life in Christ.
ST MARK
THE
ASCETIC
Reveal yourself to the Lord in your mind. 'For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'
(1 SAMUEL 16:7).
ST BARSANUPHIOS
THE
GREAT
Having God, fear nothing, but cast all of your care upon Him, and He will take care of you.
Believe undoubtingly, and God will help you according to His Mercy.
24.
OF
23 AUGUST 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and Forever, and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
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.
29 August 2015
The Beheading of St John the Baptist

& Forerunner
Also the Feast of St Theopistis of Aegina St Anastasios of the Strumitza
Eparchy
FESTAL APOLYTIKION BEHEADING
OF
Mnimi Dikeou met engomion;
FESTAL KONTAKION NATIVITY
ST JOHN
THE
BAPTIST & FORERUNNER
The memory of the Just is praised;
Si de arkesi i martiria tou

Kyriou Prodrome; anedihthis gar ontos ke Profiton
sevamioteros, oti ke en rithris Vaptise katihiothis ton
kiritomenon. Othen tis Alithias iperathlisas, heron
evingeliso ke tis en Adi: Theo fanerothenta en Sarki,
ton eronta tin amartian tou kosmou, ke parehonta
imin to Mega Eleos.
but for Thee shall

suffice, the Witness of the Lord, O Forerunner; for
Thou hast truly come forth as more honoured than
the Prophets, since Thou proved worthy to Baptise,
in the streams, the one they preached of. Thus,
having contended for the Truth supremely, with Joy
Thou brought the Good News, even to those in
Hades: O God Who did appear in the flesh, and took
away the sin of the world, and grants to all His Great
Mercy.
OF THE
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Ioakim ke Anna onidismou ateknias, ke Adam ke Eva ek By thy Holy Nativity, O Most Undefiled One, Joachim and
tis fthoras tou Thanatou ileftherothisan Ahrante, en ti
Agia gennisi Sou. Aftin eortazi ke O Laos Sou, enohis
ton
ptesmaton, litrothis en to krazin Si: i stira tikti
tin Theotokon, ke Trofon tis Zois imon.
MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING

TH
UNJUST MA
RTYRDOM
Anna were freed from the scorn of childlessness, and

Adam and Eve from deaths corruption. This is the
Feast now observed by thy people, who from the
guilt of their errors, were delivered as they cry out to
thee: the barren one bear the Theotokos, and our
lifes Sustainer!
TO
ST MATTHEW 14 : 1 13
OF
ST JOH
THE
BAP
TIST
At that time, Herod the Tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, This is John the Baptist! He is
Resurrected from the dead, and therefore these Powers are at work in him.
Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and imprisoned him for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philips wife. John
had said to him: It is unlawful for you to have her! And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the
multitude, for they regarded (John)as a Prophet.
When Herods birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he
promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she having been prompted by her mother - said: Give
me, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist!
And the King was sorry - nevertheless, because of his oaths and because of those who sat with him - he commanded it to
be given to her. And he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was presented on a platter to the girl, and
she took it to her mother.
And his Disciples took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He departed from there
by boat to a deserted place by Himself. And when the multitude heard about it, they followed Him on foot from the
cities.
T HIS ACCOUNT WAS GIVEN PARENTHETICALLY , THEREBY
D IVINE N ATURE , H E SET SOULS FREE from Satans
EXPLAINING S T J OHN THE B APTIST S EARLIER
imprisonment Hades and ALSO SMASHED OPEN
M ARTYRDOM SO THAT THOSE WHO HEARD IT WOULD
THE GATES OF H ADES THAT SHALL NEVER AGAIN
UNDERSTAND WHY H EROD THOUGHT THAT S T J OHN
PREVAIL AGAINST R EPENTANT SINNERS .
THE B APTIST HAD BEEN R ESURRECTED FROM THE
O UR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST FULFILLED ALL D IVINE
DEAD .
P ROPHESY as revealed to us through His Holy
The Beheading of St John the Baptist is
Prophets, who had prepared mankind for the
C OMMEMORATED IN OUR H OLY C HURCH ON 29
Coming of our Eternal Saviour.
A UGUST WITH A DAY OF VERY STRICT FASTING.
Consequently, THERE WAS NO LONGER A NEED FOR ANY
A S AN IMPORTANT PART OF GOD S PLAN OF SALVATION
MORE H OLY P ROPHETS OF G OD .
FOR ALL MANKIND , S T J OHN S H OLY M ARTYRDOM
After Christs Death on the Cross and His Descent into
ALLOWED THE C OMING OF THE M ESSIAH TO BE
and His Harrowing of Hades, ALL DEPARTED
A NNOUNCED TO THE SOULS IMPRISONED IN H ADES .
SOULS WERE GRANTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT
ALL I MMORTAL SOULS BOTH THOSE OF UNREPENTANT
OR REJECT H IM AS OUR E TERNAL L ORD G OD .
SINNERS AND THE R IGHTEOUS WERE INFORMED BY S T
NEVER AGAIN WOULD THERE BE SUCH AN
J OHN THAT THE LONG - AWAITED M ESSIAH HAD INDEED
OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REPENT OUR SINS
COME TO S AVE THE FALLEN , SIN DARKENED WORLD .
AFTER DEATH!
Despite the efforts of St John the Baptist and the Love
St John - as the F ORERUNNER TO C HRIST AND THE LAST
GREAT H OLY P ROPHET OF G OD ACCORDING TO THE
of God, CERTAIN WICKED AND STUBBORN SOULS
REFUSED G OD S D IVINE M ERCY AND L OVE , preferring
O LD C OVENANT had to depart from this life
before OUR L ORD J ESUS IN H IS HUMAN N ATURE
the company of similar wicked and disgusting
souls and demons!
COULD DIE AND THUS ENTER H ADES , where, IN H IS
THE BEHEADING
OF
ST JOHN
THE
OF
CHRIST
- 29 AUGUST 2015
25.
OF G OD in general, and as A H OLY D EFENDER OF

THE S ANCTITY OF M ARRIAGE in particular, WHICH
WAS EVIDENT FROM HIS LOUD AND VEHEMENT
CONDEMNATION OF K ING H EROD S UNLAWFUL CO HABITATION WITH HIS BROTHER S WIFE , THE WICKED
H ERODIAS .
S T J OHN S OBEDIENCE TO GOD WAS SO PROFOUND THAT
HE
PREFERRED
DEATH
OVER
ANY
SORT
OF
COMPROMISE .
T HOSE WHO RECEIVED C HRIST WITH JOY AND G RATITUDE ,

WERE GRANTED E TERNAL L IFE , AND now REST IN
P EACE IN THE RE- OPENED P ARADISE until our Final
Judgement at the Re-Appearance in the Flesh or
the Second Glorious Coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
D URING M ATINS , WE SING TO S T JOHN THE BAPTIST :
Thy tongue, which constantly speaks of God,
has preceded Christ into Death, and is sent to
Preach Him to those in Hades.
H EROD, who was one of four Rulers under the Roman
domination, with all his wealth and power,
actually FEARED ST JOHN THE B APTIST a simple
and humble man who lived in abject Ascetic
poverty and who was clothed with plain
garments made from rough camels hair.
H EROD S FEAR OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST TESTIFIED TO THE
P OWER , A NGELIC L IFE AND GENUINE I NTEGRITY OF
THE H OLY P ROPHET OF G OD , AS WELL AS TO THE
PEOPLE S PERCEPTION AND VENERATION OF S T J OHN
WHOM THEY HELD IN THE HIGHEST ESTEEM .
Furthermore, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST IS C OMMEMORATED
FOR HIS HUMBLE AND UTTER O BEDIENCE TO THE L AW
At Holy Vespers we chant to St John: When Thy

head was cut off, Thou revealed to us the Law
of God, abolishing mans disobedience to the
Law.
Because the account of St John the Baptists Holy
Martyrdom
is
given
parenthetically,
St
Theophylact believed that when O UR L ORD J ESUS
... heard it... H E REACTED TO THE ERRONEOUS
BELIEF OF K ING H EROD THAT C HRIST WAS THE
R ESURRECTED S T JOHN THE B APTIST that our Lord
Jesus was St John who had been raised from the
dead.
The Righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication.
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TH
CH
URCH
IN
TO
ST LUKE
13 : 25 32
PISIDIA
In those days as John was finishing his course, he said: Who do you think I am? I am not He. But, behold: there
comes One after me the sandals of Whom I am not worthy to loosen.
Men and Brethren, sons of the Family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God: to you the Word of this
Salvation has been sent.
Those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their Rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the
Prophets, which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. And although they found no
cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. When they had fulfilled all that was
written concerning Him, they took Him down from the Tree and laid Him in a Tomb.
God Raised Him up from the dead. He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to
Jerusalem, who are His Witnesses to the people.
And we declare to you Glad Tidings that what God Promised to the Fathers, He has fulfilled to us, their children, by
Resurrecting Jesus.
THE BEHEADING
OF
ST JOHN
THE
TO
ST MARK 6 : 14 30
TO
CHRIST
At that time, King Herod heard of our Lord Jesus, for His Name had become well known. And he said: John the
Baptist is Risen from the dead, and therefore these Powers are worked in Him. Others said: It is Elijah. Others
said: It is the Prophet, or one of the Prophets. When Herod heard, he said: This is he whom I beheaded John.
He has been raised from the dead!
For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, the wife of
Philip, his brother, for he had married her. John had said to Herod: It is unlawful for you to have your brothers
wife. Therefore Herodias had held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not.
Herod feared John, knowing that he was a Just and Holy Man, and he protected him. And hearing (John), he did
many things, and had heard him gladly.
And an opportune day arose when Herod, on his birthday, gave a Feast for his noblemen, the high officers, and the
chief men of Galilee. And when the daughter of Herodias went in and danced, she pleased Herod and those who
sat with him.
The King said to the girl: Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it to you! And he promised her:
Whatever you ask of me, I will give you even half of my Kingdom! So she went out and asked her mother: For
what shall I ask? Herodias answered: The head of John the Baptist! And without delay she hastened to the
King and said: I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist!
And the King was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not
want to refuse her. And immediately the King sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. He
went and beheaded him in prison, and presented his head on a platter, and she gave it to her mother.
And when his Disciples heard of it, they went and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.
erroneously believing that such Divine
T HIS K ING H EROD WAS THE SON OF KING H EROD THE
...Powers are worked in him.
G REAT who having heard of the newly born
Consequently, H EROD FEARED S T J OHN THE
Great King (our Lord Jesus Christ) from the Magi
B APTIST EVEN MORE THAN WHEN HE HAD BEEN
- had issued the orders that led to the terrible
ALIVE .
Slaughter of the Innocents when all male
S OME THOUGHT THAT OUR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST WAS
children who were two years or younger, were
S T E LIJAH THE T ISHBITE AND H OLY PROPHET OF
put to the sword without exception or the
G OD WHO WAS EXPECTED TO RETURN AND TO
smallest sign of mercy.
WORK MANY M IRACLES BEFORE THE S ECOND
A LTHOUGH TECHNICALLY ONLY A TETRARCH RULER ONE
C OMING OF THE L ORD:
OF FOUR G OVERNORS ELECTED BY THE R OMAN
M A L A C H I 3 : 2 2 - 2 3 Behold: I will send
OPPRESSORS H EROD WAS KNOWN AS K ING .
you Elijah before the Coming of the Great
However, HIS POWERS OF AUTHORITY AS G OVERNOR
and Glorious Day of the Lord. And he will
WERE LIMITED TO HIS AREA OF RULE .
turn the heart of the father to his son, and a
Knowing that St John the Baptist had performed
mans heart to his neighbour...
several Miracles while alive, H EROD WAS
S T ELIJAH T HE T ISHBITE (WHO REPRESENTS THE H OLY
UTTERLY CONVINCED BY HIS OWN BELIEFS THAT
P ROPHETS OF G OD WHO PREPARED THE PEOPLE FOR
OUR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST WAS S T J OHN THE
THE C OMING OF THE MESSIAH ) AND S T M OSES
B APTIST WHO HAD BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD
( WHO GAVE US THE D IVINE L AWS OF G OD WHEREBY
WE MUST LIVE WHILE ON EARTH) WERE PRESENT
26.
THE BEHEADING
OF
ST JOHN
THE
OF
CHRIST
- 29 AUGUST 2015
WITH OUR L ORD J ESUS ON M OUNT T ABOR AT H IS

G LORIOUS T RANSFIGURATION. (MATTHEW 17: 1 13)
T HE G IVER OF THE L AW OF M OSES (THE W ORD AND
S ON OF G OD AND OUR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST )
WOULD SOON BECOME I NCARNATE
Those who believed OUR L ORD J ESUS WAS THE
P ROPHET meant that THEY BELIEVED H E WAS
THE M ESSIAH THE O NE OF W HOM S T M OSES
HAD FORETOLD .
O UR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST INDEED FULFILS THREE
SIGNIFICANT AND ESSENTIAL D IVINE R OLES : H E
IS OUR D IVINE T EACHER , OUR D IVINE P ROPHET
AND OUR D IVINE K ING !
D E U T E R O N O M Y 1 8 : 1 5 The Lord your God
will raise up for you a Prophet like me from

your Brethren. Him you shall hear... the
Lord said to me: ... I will raise up for them a
Prophet like you from among their Brethren,
and I will put My Word in His Mouth, and He
shall speak to them all I command Him..
At the time of St Moses, IT WAS FIRST NECESSARY
Others have interpreted their reference to The

Prophet
as meaning that THEY RECOGNISED
C HRIST AS A NEW H OLY PROPHET OF GOD WHO HAD
BEEN SENT TO PREPARE THE PEOPLE FOR THE C OMING
OF THE G REAT M ESSIAH OR SAVIOUR .
However, our Lord came to live amongst us in order
TO FIRST GATHER UP H IS L OST S HEEP OF THE O LD
C OVENANT I SRAEL AND THEN TO E NLIGHTEN , G UIDE
AND H EAL H IS N EW C OVENANT F LOCK THE N EW
I SRAEL I . E . H IS F AITHFUL D ISCIPLES , WHO , HAVING
FREELY CHOSEN TO PUT ON CHRIST AT H OLY
B APTISM CONTINUE TO LIVE IN CHRIST FOREVER .
FOR THE PEOPLE TO BE TESTED AND TO LEARN TO

FEAR GOD AND NOT TO COMMIT SIN , FOR THEY
WERE TOO IGNORANT AND INATTENTIVE to hear
about another Great Holy Prophet of God

Who was to come later.
Because the Israelites failed the test, they died
in the desert. THEY REFUSED TO OBEY OR PUT
INTO PRACTICE EVERYTHING THAT G OD S H OLY
BEHEADING
OF
ST JOHN
THE
TODAY IS A LITTLE GREAT FRIDAY, A SECOND GREAT FRIDAY.

For today the greatest man among those born of
women, St John, the Holy Forerunner and Baptiser
of our Lord, was murdered.
On Great Friday, people murdered God - crucified God.
On todays Great Holy Feast, people murdered the
greatest of all men.
It is not I who chose to use the expression the
greatest.
What are my praises of the Great and Glorious
Forerunner of our Lord, whom He praised more than
anyone among mankind, more than any of the
Apostles, the Angels, the Prophets, the Righteous
Ones, the Sages?
For our Lord Jesus declared of him: ...Among those who
are born of women there has not risen one greater
than John the Baptist (ATTHEW 11: 11).
In all Creation, there exists no greater praise. This is
why today is a little Great Friday.
SENSELESS PEOPLE MURDERED THE GREATEST OF THE
RIGHTEOUS. Was he getting in their way? Yes, he got
between the perverse King Herod and the dissolute
Herodias.
GODS TRUTH - GODS IMMUTABLE TRUTH - GETS IN THE WAY
OF THE LAWLESS, gets in the way of poor sinners, gets
in the way of everyone stupefied by the various
passions.
CHRISTS OPPONENTS STILL SHOUT CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY
HIM! Even today, those who oppose Christ still
demand the Death of Jesus of Nazareth! Not to
mention calling for the Head of St John the Baptist.
What is this? Could it be that this world has become a
madhouse?
PEOPLE DO NOT WANT GOD, THEY DO NOT WANT THE
GREATEST RIGHTEOUS ONE in the whole world.
WHOM DO YOU WANT? Whom would you prefer? Whom
would you set in Christs stead? With whom would
you replace St. John the Baptist? With yourselves?!
moth! , tiny mortal insects!
WHEN PEOPLE BECOME MADDENED BY PRIDE, WHEN OUT OF
EGOTISTICAL PRIDE THEY LOSE THEIR REASON, THEY
HAVE NO NEED OF GOD, THEY HAVE NO NEED OF GODS
TRUTH.
They declare themselves to be gods. They present their
petty, shallow, false likeness of truth as the great
and Salvific Truth. They declare their shallow,
earthly, perishable images of truth to be the greatest
of truths: they imagine that we do not need Christs
Truth, that we do not want Gods Truth.
THOSE WHO ARE BLIND IN INTELLECT AND SPIRIT DO NOT SEE,
AND DO NOT WANT TO SEE, THAT MANKIND - TRUE MAN CANNOT MANAGE WITHOUT GOD.
THE BEHEADING
OF
ST JOHN
THE
P ROPHET , S T M OSES , TRIED SO HARD TO TEACH

THEM .
LIKEWISE , WE TOO , WILL FAIL THE TEST AND DIE IN
THE DESERT THROUGH OUR OWN CHOICES AND
S PIRITUAL STUBBORNNESS - WE WILL SUFFER THE
CONSEQUENCES OF E TERNAL C ONDEMNATION TO
S PIRITUAL E XILE FROM G OD E TERNAL S PIRITUAL
D EATH !
Consequently, ALL THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO REJECT
THE D IVINE W ILL AND T EACHINGS OF A LMIGHTY
G OD (W HO L OVES US AND W HO SEEKS OUR
R EDEMPTION AND S ALVATION) WILL NEITHER
ENTER NOR ENJOY THE G LORIOUS B LISS , L OVE
AND P EACE OF E TERNAL L IFE IN THE P ROMISED
L AND G OD S H EAVENLY K INGDOM .
TO
CHRIST HOMILY
BY
ST JUSTIN POPOVIC
Why? Because this world is full of Herods and Pharisees.

Herods demand the head of John the Baptist - the heads
of all the Righteous of the world - and Pharisees, the
lying Scribes, lying sophists of this world, demand
the death of Christ, the Incarnate God the death of
Divine Truth and Love.
Todays Great Feast is a second Great Friday. Why?
Because THERE WAS NO GREATER TRANSGRESSION THAN
THAT COMMITTED ON GREAT FRIDAY AND THAT
COMMITTED ON THIS DAY, when Herod destroyed the
greatest among those born of women.
Why did our Saviour exalt the greatness of St John the
Baptist, as He did for no one else? Why?
Because, B RETHREN, THE HOLY FORERUNNER ENCOMPASSED
WITHIN HIMSELF, WITHIN HIS PERSON, ALL THE VIRTUES
OF H EAVEN, ALL THE VIRTUES OF THE PROPHETS, THE
APOSTLES, THE HOLY MARTYRS, THE ANGELIC HOSTS OF
HEAVEN AND THE HOLY CONFESSORS.
TODAY WE GLORIFY THE HOLY MARTYRDOM THE
BEHEADING OF THE FIRST APOSTLE AMONG THE HOLY
APOSTLES, FOR THE FORERUNNER OF THE LORD WAS THE
FIRST SENT BY GOD TO WITNESS AND TO HERALD THE
SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.
Long before the Holy Apostles -before anyone else ST
JOHN THE B APTIST BORE WITNESS TO AND ANNOUNCED
GOD INCARNATE TO THE WORLD - IN THE PERSON OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST.
ST JOHN WAS THE FIRST APOSTLE (AND LAST, GREATEST
PROPHET) OF GOD TO WITNESS THE HOLY SPIRIT
DESCENding from Heaven onto our Lord Jesus when
he had Baptized Him in the Jordan River and HE
HAD ALREADY PROCLAIMED H IM AS THE SON OF GOD the Saviour of the world (which was confirmed by
the Voice of God the Father!)
ST JOHN WAS THE FIRST EVANGELIST AMONG THE
EVANGELISTS OF CHRIST for he had been the first to
proclaim Him to the world, AND HAD IDENTIFIED HIM
AS OUR LONG AWAITED SAVIOUR - THE LAMB OF GOD
AND B EARER OF GOOD N EWS FOR ALL MANKIND.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Good News of
Heaven and Earth - Gods Gospel for all mankind:
Behold! The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of
the world!
With those few words, THE HOLY FORERUNNER EXPRESSED
THE FULLNESS OF THE H OLY GOSPELS!.
Looking toward the East, St John the Baptist exhorted
and urged the entire human race - from Adam to
our own days - Repent! for the Kingdom of
Heaven is at hand! (And he continued to do so even
when he entered Hades after his Martyrdom, before Christ
came and shattered the tyranny and imprisonment of Hades!
mp)
OF
CHRIST
- 29 AUGUST 2015
27.
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is here, now! Our Lord Jesus

came from Heaven. In Him is the Kingdom of
Heaven.
Looking toward the West, and SEEING GREAT MULTITUDES
OF PEOPLE DROWNING IN THEIR SINS, ST JOHN CALLED TO
THEM AS WELL: Repent! for the Kingdom of Heaven
is at hand!
He looked to the North and to the South and saw even
more people who were enslaved by their sins, death
and the evil one, and to all of them he called out
and announced the Glorious, Holy and Salvific
Gospel: Repent! for the Kingdom of Heaven is at
hand! He was such a powerful and impressive
Evangelist, who possessed great power and Divine
Grace!
When our Lord began to preach His Divine Gospel with
Divine Power and Truth, He used those same
Inspired Words as the beginning and end of His
Holy Gospel: Repent! for the Kingdom of Heaven is
at hand! (MATTHEW 4:17)
This is why the Holy Forerunner is the first Evangelist
among Christs Evangelists.
We have come into contact with an Angel in the flesh an earthly Angel - and a Heavenly Man -St John the
Baptist.
IT WAS NOT ONLY ST ISAIAH, THE OLD COVENANT PROPHET
OF GOD, WHO CALLED THE FORERUNNER ...THE ANGEL
OF THE LORD... BUT OUR LORD HIMSELF WHO SAID HE
WAS AN ANGEL SENT TO GO BEFORE H IM TO PREPARE THE
WAY FOR HIM. (CF. ISAIAH 40: 3 & MATTHEW 11: 10).
NOT ONLY A PROPHET, SAID OUR LORD REGARDING HIS
FAITHFUL B APTIST, BUT GREATER THAN A PROPHET
THE ANGEL OF THE LORD. Yet people did not want
him, and they rejected him and drove him from this
fallen world!
Thus, THE HOLY FORERUNNER IS TRULY THE FIRST ANGEL IN
THE FLESH - the first among those who became
Angels in the flesh Holy Lamps shining brightly
with Gods Divine Light, who lived on Earth like
Angels of Heaven, and, indeed, were earthly Angels,
while in Heaven, they remained Gods Faithful and
Holy people.
Today we Glorify the Great Feast of THE FIRST AND FINAL
HOLY PROPHET OF THE NEW COVENANT.
St John had announced that our Lord Jesus Christ had
appeared to us - not only as our Divine Saviour, but
as the Divine Enlightener and Judge of the entire
world. In His Hands were both the hatchet and the
spade for on the Day of the Dread Judgement, our
Lord will sweep clean threshing-floor of Earth separating the wheat from the chaff the
Righteous from the sinners.
All of this the Great and Glorious Holy Prophet,
Forerunner and Baptizer of our Lord had foreseen.
Therefore, today we also praise him as THE HOLY NEW
COVENANT PROPHET, who was unjustly killed by the
impious, criminal, King Herod.
The Holy Forerunner also received our Lords
confirmation of the Truth that he was the greatest
of those born of woman, because HE WAS THE FIRST
OF ALL OF THE H OLY MARTYRS OF THE N EW COVENANT.
Behold how he suffered for Gods Truth in this world!
Yet he remained Courageous and suffered Joyously!
The Festal Hymns and Prayers mention that he went to
his death and suffered rejoicing, thereby being OUR
FIRST WONDERFUL EXAMPLE AND INSPIRATION TO ALL
FUTURE H OLY MARTYRS OF THE N EW COVENANT -
beginning with St Stephen the Protomartyr and

continuing until the end of the ages.
All Holy Martyrs face Death rejoicing in our Lord Jesus
Christ - knowing that DEATH HAS NO HOLD OVER US
AND IS MERELY A GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH OUR SOULS
ENTER THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF H EAVEN.
St. John, the Holy Forerunner and Baptizer of our Lord

was FIRST TO REVEAL THAT HOLY JOY OF MARTYRDOM.
We also glorify THE FIRST EVANGELIST AND CHRISTIAN
CONFESSOR, THE FIRST TO CONFESS GOD ACCORDING TO
OUR N EW COVENANT.
28.
THE BEHEADING
OF
ST JOHN
THE
HOW FEARLESSLY, OPENLY AND DIRECTLY HE CONFESSED

GOD'S TRUTH: O King, it is not right for you to have
your living brothers wife!
FEARLESS AND UNDAUNTED, HE WAS THE FIRST CONFESSOR
OF CHRISTS FAITH, who was followed by multitudes
of Glorious Confessors who BORE WITNESS AND
CONFESSED
DIVINE TRUTH - despite hideous
persecutions, all the lies and deceits, all the
heresies, all the theomachists, and all the enemies
of Almighty God.
After being informed by His Disciples of all that had
occurred to St John, our Saviour remained silent,
before calling them together and going into the
wilderness.
Did our Lord flee from Herod? His Greatest Holy
Prophet the one to whom He had referred as being
...the greatest among those born of women.. had
been beheaded by the malefactor king.
Yet our Lord remained silent, and retreated to a
deserted place to pray to God and THIS HE DID
BECAUSE H IS HOLY FORERUNNER WAS ALSO THE FIRST
HOLY APOSTLE OF HADES where all the departed
souls since Adam and Eve remained imprisoned by
Death and the evil one!
THE KINGDOM OF DEATH WAS CALLED HADES, (i.e. the
impenetrable place) WHERE EVERY DEPARTED SOUL WHETHER
RIGHTEOUS
OR
SINNER
REMAINED
IMPRISONED,
ALTHOUGH
SEPARATED,
UNTIL
THE
HARROWING OF HADES BY OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
Sin had brought Death into the earthly realm and THE
KINGDOM OF DEATH BECAME THE PRISON FOR ALL
HUMAN SOULS.
ST JOHN THE B APTIST WAS THE FORERUNNER OF CHRIST IN
HADES WHERE HE EXHORTED THE SINFUL SOULS TO
REPENT, AND PROCLAIMED TO ALL THE SOULS THE
WONDERFUL GOOD TIDINGS OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR
TELLING THEM EVERYTHING THAT HAD OCCURRED.
As the first Christian Martyr, he revealed how others
would also go joyously through Death, for the sake
and Love of our True God - our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who would very soon break open the Gates of Hades
and destroy the imprisoning power and fear of
Death.
WE NEED NO LONGER FEAR DEATH, FOR WE HAVE BECOME
MORE POWERFUL THAN DEATH, AND THROUGH H IS OWN
GLORIOUS RESURRECTION, OUR LORD GRANTS US, TOO,
HIS GREAT VICTORY OVER DEATH..
As True Confessor of Christ St John also told them that
THEY WOULD SOON ENTER THE RE-OPENED PARADISE!
And INDEED, ON RESURRECTION SUNDAY, OUR LORD LED
THEM INTO THE KINGDOM OF H EAVEN.
Brethren: whenever you are in great sorrow, turn to
that first Apostle of Christ, and he will help you
with all your burdens. And when misfortunes strike,
turn to that first Evangelist. No matter what
bitterness might fill your soul, he will sweeten it
with Christs Grace, which he will mystically
administer to your tortured soul.
And when you find yourself in temptations and horrors,
run to him, as our Holy Confessor and tell him what
is in your heart - pour out your sorrows and
Spiritual Needs, and rest assured he will Deliver you.
Should you need to suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ in
this world: should others attack you on all sides,
should atheists and those who oppose Christ want
to swallow you up, to destroy you for belonging to
Christ, should they want to silence your voice, to
stop it from speaking of Christ, then remember that
first Martyr, and call out to him: O first Holy
Martyr of Christ, hurry to my aid! Grant that I
may die for our Lord Jesus Christ, leave my body
like temporary clothing, and by the Path of the
Holy Martyrs move to Christs Kingdom!
By his Holy Intercessory Prayers, may our Lord Jesus
lead us all to Repentance, have Mercy on us, Save us,
and bring us all to Him, forever Glorifying our One
True God in Heaven and on Earth.
Amen
[EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP]
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/39103.HTM
OF
CHRIST
- 29 AUGUST 2015

Theotokos yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves
and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 4
30 August 2015

The Wicked Tenants (Vinedressers)
The Apodosis of the Beheading of St John the Baptist & Forerunner, the
Feast of St Alexander, St John and St Paul the New, Patriarchs of
Constantinople St Alexander the Ascetic Abbot of Svir - St Alexander
Nevsky, Translation of Holy Relics St Daniel the Righteous Prince of
Moscow, uncovering of the Holy Relics St Christopher of Palestine St
Fantinos of Calabria Synaxis of the Serbian Hierarchs: St Sava I, St
Arsenios I, St Sava II, St Eustratios I, St James, St Nikodemos, St Daniel, st
Joannikos II, St Spyridon, St Ephraim II, St Makarios, St Gabriel I & St
Gregory.
To
When
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.
the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from

the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
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.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST JOHN
Mnimi
FESTAL KONTAKION -
THE
BAPTIST TONE 2
The
Dikeou met egkomion, Si de arkesi i Martyria tou

Kyriou Prodrome. Anedihthis gar ontos ke Profiton
sevasmioteros. Oti ke en rithris Vaptise katixiothis ton
kirittomenon. Othen tis Alithias iperathlisas, heron
evingeliso ke tis en Adi, Theon fanerothenda en sarki,
ton eronda tin amartian tou kosmou, ke parehonda
imin to Mega Eleos.
memory of the Righteous is observed with Praises,

but for Thee sufficient is the Testimony of the Lord, O
Forerunner. Thou were shown to be more venerable
than the Prophets, for Thou were counted worthy to
Baptise in the River the One Whom they proclaimed.
Then, when Thou had contended for the sake of Truth,
joyfully Thou Evangelised to those in Hades, that God
has appeared in the Flesh, and takes away the sins of
the world, and grants us His Great Mercy.
ST JOACHIM & ST ANNA
Ioakim ke Anna onidismou ateknias, ke Adam ke Eva ek tis
By
fthoras tou thanatou ileftherothisan Ahrante, en ti Agia

Gennisi Sou. Aftin eortazi ke o laos Sou, enohis ton
ptesmaton, litrothis en to krazin si: I stira tikti tin
Theotokon, ke trofon tis zois imon.
TONE
Thy Holy Nativity, O Most Undefiled One, Joachim

and Anna were freed from the scorn of childlessness,
and Adam and Eve from deaths corruption. This is
the Feast now observed by Thy people, who from the
guilt of their error, were delivered as they cry out
unto Thee: The Barren One bears the Theotokos, and
our Lifes Sustainer
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 2 MARK 16 : 1 8

THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS WITNESS
THE EMPTY
TOMB
OF OUR
RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST
PROKEIMENON PSALM 103/104 TONE 4
O Lord, Thy Works shall be magnified greatly! Thou made all things in Wisdom!
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art Magnified exceedingly!
THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
Brethren: be Watchful, stand firm in your Faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in Love.
I beseech you, Brethren - you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have
devoted themselves to the Service of the Saints. Be subject to such men, and to ever one who helps us.
I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatos, and Achaikos, because they have made up for your absence. They
refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Acknowledge such men.
Greetings from the churches of Asia. Greetings from those in the Lord, Aquila and Priscilla, from the church in their house.
Greetings from all our Brethren. Greet one another with a Holy Kiss. The salutation by my own hand of me, Paul.
If anyone has no Love for the Lord, let him be Anathema! O Lord, come!
The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
My Love be with you all in Christ Jesus.
Amen
Having endured many problems with certain members of
WE ARE CHEERED ON AND ENCOURAGED BY THE ENTIRE CHURCH
the Corinthian Christian Community, ST PAUL STILL
TRIUMPHANT by all those who have gone before us
not the least of whom is St Paul Himself.
LOVED HIS DISCIPLES AND TRIED TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO
We must NEVER CEASE BEING SPIRITUALLY WATCHFUL AND ALERt
CONTINUE THEIR SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS IN CHRIST.
so that we may remain on the Path of Righteousness
St Aquila and St Priscilla were Hebrews who had been
laid before us by our Lord Jesus Christ by God
among those expelled from Rome by Emperor
Incarnate Himself!
Claudios in 49-50. They had settled in Corinth for a
WHATEVER WE THINK, WHATEVER WE SAY AND WHATEVER WE DO
while before moving to Ephesos.
MUST ALWAYS BE DONE WITH AGAPE PURE LOVE.
ST PAUL USUALLY DICTATED HIS LETTERS TO A PERSONAL SCRIBE
The people whom St Paul mentioned conveyed St Pauls
and in this case the proof that he had indeed
Epistles to the various churches.
composed this Epistle is in his closing salutations.
OF
S T M A T T H E W T H E W I C K E D T E N A N T S - 3 0 A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 29
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 21 : 33 42

THE WICKED TENANTS
Our Lord narrated this Parable: There was a Householder who planted a Vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug
a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to Tenants, and went into a far country. When the season of
Harvest drew near, He sent His Servants to the Tenants to get His Harvest. And the Tenants took His Servants and
beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again He send other Servants, more than the first. And they did the
same to them. Afterwards He sent His Son to them, saying: They will respect My Son.
When the Tenants saw the Son, they said to themselves: This is the Heir. Come, let us kill Him and have His
Inheritance. And they took Him and cast Him out of the Vineyard, and killed Him.
When therefore the Owner of the Vineyard comes, what will He do to those Tenants?
They said to Him: He will put those wretched to a miserable death, and let out the Vineyard to other Tenants who will give
His the Fruits in their Seasons.
Jesus said to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The very Stone that the Builders rejected has become the
Cornerstone. This was the Lords doing, and it was Marvellous in our sight!
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS MOST CERTAINLY THE ETERNAL
The certain Landowner represents GOD THE FATHER
CHIEF CORNERSTONE IN WHOM WE TRULY LIVE AND UPON
the Vineyard refers to GODS CHOSEN PEOPLE
WHOM THE TRUE FAITH AND TEACHINGS OF GOD IS SOLIDLY
the Vinedressers were THE LEADERS OF THE HEBREWS
ESTABLISHED AND WILL REMAIN SO FOR ALL ETERNITY!
NATION who were entrusted to care for Gods
This is exactly BY THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH HIS
Chosen.
BELOVED SONS TEACHINGS AND SACRIFICE AND BY THE
Each Servant sent by the Landowner represents THE
ACTIVATION AND WISDOM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT which is
OLD COVENANT PROPHETS OF GOD who were sent to
indeed, MOST MARVELLOUS OF ALL!
bring the Hebrew Nation back to God.
According to St John Chrysostom, the quotation: The
The Son, of course, means OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, the
Stone that Builders rejected... illustrates the two ways
Most Beloved Only-begotten Son of God.
of destruction: Those falling on (stumbling over) the
When the Son is cast out of the Vineyard and killed for His
Stone are people who suffer the consequences of their
Inheritance by the wicked Vinedressers, it may be
sins while yet in this life, whereas those on whom the
understood on two levels:
Stone falls are the unrepentant sinners who will suffer
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED OUTSIDE THE CITY
GATES OF JERUSALEM just as the sacrificial animals
were slaughtered outside the city walls, away from

the Holy Temple.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED BY ROMAN (FOREIGN)
and not by His own Hebrew
EXECUTIONERS
countrymen.
According to the Gospel account of this Parable by St
Luke, our Lord completed it by saying: (The
Landowner)
will
come
and
destroy
those
Vinedressers and give the Vineyard to others...
meaning that GOD WILL GRANT HIS SACRED VINEYARD

HIS HOLY CHURCH TO GENTILES TO CHRISTIANS OF HIS

NEW ETERNAL COVENANT!
The Stone is a reference to CHRIST Who was rejected
by
the Builders, meaning THE HEBREW NATION His own
people.
In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

On this the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost the Church
presents to us Christs Parable of the Wicked Tenants in
the Vineyard.
Historically, this story refers to the Old Covenant Kingdoms
of Judah and Israel and how they behaved or, rather,
misbehaved over the course of their Covenantal
Relationship with God.
The people were supposed to show forth in themselves the
Good Fruit that God expected of them, but they did
not.
And when God sent His servants, the Prophets, to them to
call them to account for that lack and to recall them to
the Path, which would produce such Fruit, they were
as St Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid in Bulgaria
noted in his Commentary on this Parable ...abused in
various ways by the Husbandmen - that is, the false
prophets and false teachers of those times.
One they beat - as they did to Micah when Sedek struck him
on the jaw - another they killed - as they did to
Zechariah [the father of the Forerunner St John the
Baptist] between the Temple and the Altar - while
another they stoned -as they did to Zechariah the son of
Jodae, the High Priest.
Metaphorically, however, the meaning of this Parable
extends to each and every one of us since WE TOO LIVE IN
A COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
We, too, often fail to develop within ourselves and to show
the Good Fruits of Christian Life Joy in living
Kindness, in giving selfless service to others (and in that
giving receiving in return, multitudes of Blessings).
And while we do not go around maiming or killing the
people whom God sets in our path to recall us to
Righteous Life, we do what is perhaps worse, which is to
regard them as being of no account at all!
The persecution and slaying of the Prophets indicated that
at least they were noticed. But how often do we, on the
OF
utter destruction at the Final Judgement.

WHILE WE ARE STILL ALIVE IN THIS WORLD, GOD, IN HIS GREAT
MERCY, OFFERS US EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND THE MEANS
WITH WHICH TO RECTIFY OUR SPIRITUAL DARKNESS
THROUGH OUR PERSONAL REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AND
HIS FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
Therefore, in this present human condition, CHRIST IS OUR
STUMBLING BLOCK BRINGING US TO OUR KNEES SO THAT
WE MAY REALISE THE ERRORS OF OUR WAYS AND QUICKLY
CORRECT THEM by SEEKING DIVINE FORGIVENESS AND
STRIVING ALL THE HARDER TO FOLLOW HIS GUIDING
FOOTSTEPS TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE.
However, if we stubbornly and arrogantly refuse to

acknowledge our sins, and reject Gods offer of
Remission of Sins through Repentance-Confession, WE
WILL MOST CERTAINLY REAP OUR OWN BITTER HARVEST
Eternal Death in Outer Darkness Eternal Exile or
Banishment from the Divine Light and Love of God!!
OF
ST MATTHEW THE WICKED TENANTS
other hand, simply choose to ignore or to not take

advantage of the special people and opportunities
whom God sends our way as our reminders and means
of returning to a fulfilled Life in Christ and the
production of Good Fruits within It.
There are many different ways in which we can fall short of
the mark and fail to produce this Good Fruit in our
daily existence.
Let us consider one particular way that is granted to us in
the context of this Parable.
When the Householder sent His Son to the Wicked Tenants,
they said: Come, let us kill Him, that we may receive His
Inheritance.
What makes this reason truly astounding is that THE WHOLE
GOAL OF HUMAN EXISTENCE in the Life of Gods
Covenanted Communities - the Old and New Covenant
Church - IS PRECISELY TO SHARE IN THE INHERITANCE OF
THE SON OF GOD.
THEOSIS, DEIFICATION, THE SUBLIME CALLING OF HUMANITY,
MEANS NOTHING ELSE BUT THAT WE ARE TO BECOME as the
Fathers say BY GRACE ALL THAT GOD IS BY NATURE,
except in identity of Nature.
WE ARE CALLED TO BECOME GODS BY ADOPTION - SONS AND
DAUGHTERS OF GOD BY ADOPTION.
So the irony is that THE WICKED TENANTS KILLED THE SON FOR
SOMETHING THEY WERE ALREADY GOING TO RECEIVE, HAD
THEY BUT WAITED.
And thats the key to their mistake and ours as well, many
times.
WE ARE IMPATIENT - we push for something way too soon for which we are not yet ready.
Because we jump the gun, WE OFTEN END UP SERIOUSLY
COMPROMISING OR EVEN RUINING THAT GOOD THING FOR
WHICH WE SHOULD HAVE WAITED.
Scripture records other similar accounts:
ST MATTHEW THE WICKED TENANTS- 30 AUGUST 2015
in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, when he asked for his

This is perhaps the hardest and most difficult way in which
half of the Inheritance, he was not stealing or taking
we can fall short of the mark and fail to produce Good
anything that wasnt already coming to him.
Fruit in our lives.
Things that are truly wrong and sinful are often easy to
Although Christ never mentioned exactly why the Prodigal
Son wasted his Inheritance in riotous living, it is not
recognise yet IT IS DIFFICULT FOR SOME OF US TO RESIST
difficult to understand that it was due to his immaturity
THEM DUE TO OUR HABITUAL SELF-INDULGENCE AND
for he was unable to control or deny his desires nor
IMPATIENCE.
could he manage his resources properly for he was
There are times when a goal may be good but the timing is
unprepared and ill equipped for the great responsibility
all wrong, yet THOSE WHO ARE IMPATIENT AND WEAK
that came with such an Inheritance.
WILLED ARE OVERWHELMED AND CONTROLLED BY THEIR
This is clearly evident in the fundamental, primordial sin of
SELFISH DESIRES.
all humanity.
It is not always easy to DISCERN AND PATIENTLY WAIT FOR THE
In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were clearly told
CORRECT TIME TO FULFIL OUR DESIRES OR GOALS.
not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and
We need to EARNESTLY PRAY TO GOD, CONSULT OTHERS who
Evil, which stood in the Garden of Eden Paradise are wiser or more experienced such as our Spiritual
where
everything
created
was
good
and
Father or Mother, a trusted, Enlighteed relative or friend
incorruptible.
- ASK FOR THE INTERCESSORY PRAYERS OF OUR PATRON
Therefore, it is probable that IN DUE TIME, GOD WOULD HAVE
SAINTS AND OTHERS OF THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, OR TO
ALLOWED THEM TO EAT THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT - BUT ONLY
TURN TO THOSE SPECIAL PEOPLE WHOM GOD SENDS our way
WHEN THEY WERE READY - for they had been created to
who will help us to GAIN WISDOM, INSIGHT AND
become exactly what Satan had told them: You will
TEMPERANCE, SO THAT WE WILL PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT FOR
become like God - knowing good and evil!
THE GLORY AND H ONOUR OF OUR B ELOVED LORD GOD
However, THEY WERE NOT READY.
AND SO THAT WE MAY BE SAVED AND DEIFIED ACCORDING
Consequently, HAVING STRIVED FOR THAT GODHOOD FAR TOO
TO GODS WILL AND TIMING.
SOON, LED TO MANKINDS SEPARATION FROM ALMIGHTY GOD
Amen.
AND ENMITY WITH EACH OTHER CAUSING BOTH SPIRITUAL
THE THOUGHTFUL ORTHODOX BLOG
AND PHYSICAL DEATH, WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF NOT A
HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM/HAD-THEY-BUT-WAITED-SERMON-FOR-THEPUNISHMENT FOR THEIR SIN THEIR DISOBEDIENCE TO
13TH-SUNDAY-AFTER-PENTECOST
GOD.
LIVING OUT OF THE HEART
BURNING FROM WITHIN - FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND TO BE
Those who are new to Orthodoxy often spend much time
reading and studying the Holy Fathers of the Church,
UNITED WITH HIM.
her Traditions and Practices, reconciling Doctrine to
We leave our earthly passions behind and have only one
Scripture, all to help develop a new Orthodox
Desire - to be in the Loving Embrace of God.
worldview.
We experience a sense of WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE ALL WE
THERE IS MUCH TO LEARN WHEN WE ARE MAKING A CHANGE IN
HAVE FOR H IM.
OUR WAY OF THINKING ABOUT RELIGION AND SALVATION.
When we speak, we no longer search our memory for the
For some, this effort can be very intense and demanding.
proper thing to say, based on what we have learnt from
out readings or studies.
But, this effort is only the beginning.
AT SOME POINT IT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE A TRANSITIONto
Instead, THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVES US TO SAY THE PROPER WORDS
shift one's effort towards more Inner Development.
AND DO THE PROPER DEEDS.
OUR LOVE FOR CHRIST MUST MOVE FROM THE HEAD TO THE
It comes naturally and in a loving way.
HEART.
WE COME ALIVE WITH AN INNER FIRE OF LOVE.
This requires more than following the guidelines for Daily
WE FIND AN INNER PEACE NO MATTER WHAT DIFFICULTIES WE
Prayer, following the Fasting guidelines, and attending
FACE.
the Holy Services.
ELDER PORPHYRIOS said: When you find Christ [in the heart],
This too, can be done through mental effort, and often is
you are satisfied, you desire nothing else, you find
in the beginning.
Peace.
THE MOVE FROM THE HEAD TO THE HEART REQUIRES A
You become a different person.
SURRENDER TO THE CHURCH, A GIVING UP OF FILTERING
You live everywhere - wherever Christ is.
EVERYTHING THROUGH THE MIND.
You live in the stars, in infinity, in Heaven with the Angels,
What we seek is THE ACTIVE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT
with the Saints, on Earth with people, with plants, with
WAS PLANTED IN US AT OUR HOLY B APTISM AND SEALED
animals, with everyone and everything.
WITH THE GIFT OF THE SEAL OF THE H OLY SPIRIT AT OUR
When there is Love for Christ, loneliness disappears.
CHRISMATION.
You are Peaceable, Joyous, Full - neither melancholy, nor
The Aim is OUR HOLY UNION WITH GOD, not fulfilling some
illness, nor pressure, nor anxiety, nor depression nor hell.
external Rules.
When Christ enters your heart, your life changes.
ST TIKHON (OF ZADONSK) explained: If someone should say
Christ is everything.
that True Faith is the correct holding and Confession of
Whoever experiences Christ within himself, experiences
correct Dogmas, he would be telling the Truth, for a
Ineffable ThingsHoly and Sacred Things. He lives
Believer absolutely needs the Orthodox holding and
in Exultation...
Confession of Dogmas.
FATHER SERAPHIM wrote: "When those who are Rich in the
BUT THIS KNOWLEDGE AND CONFESSION BY ITSELF DOES NOT
Holy Spirit, really having the Heavenly Wealth and the
MAKE A MAN A FAITHFUL AND TRUE CHRISTIAN. ...
Fellowship of the Spirit in themselves, speak to any the
The Knowledge of correct Dogmas is in the mind, and it is
Word of Truth...it is out of their own Wealth and out of
often fruitless, arrogant, and proud....
their own Treasure, which they possess within
THE TRUE FAITH IN CHRIST IS IN THE HEART, AND IT IS
themselves when they speak, and out of this that they
FRUITFUL,
HUMBLE,
PATIENT,
LOVING,
MERCIFUL,
Gladden the souls of the hearers of the Spiritual
COMPASSIONATE, HUNGERING AND THIRSTING FOR
Discourse...."
RIGHTEOUSNESS...
But one who is poor, and does not possess the Wealth of
FATHER SERAPHIM ROSE said: Do we perhaps boast that we
Christ in his soul ... even if he wishes to speak a Word of
keep Fasts and the Church Calendar, have good Icons
Truth and to Gladden others ... but after he has gone
and Congregational singing, give to the poor and maybe
through it, each word goes back to the source from
even Tithe to the Church?
which is was taken, and he himself remains once more
Do we delight in exalted Patristic Teachings and
naked and poor....
Theological discussions without having in our hearts the
For this reason we should seek first from God with pain of
duplicity of Christ and True Compassion for the
heart and in Faith, that He would grant us to find this
suffering?then ours is a spirituality of comfort, and WE
Wealth, the True Treasure of Christ in our hearts, in
WILL NOT HAVE THE SPIRITUAL FRUITS THAT WILL BE
the Power and Effectual Working of the Spirit.
EXHIBITED BY THOSE WITHOUT ALL THESE COMFORTS WHO
In this way - first finding in ourselves the Lord to be our
DEEPLY SUFFER AND STRUGGLE FOR CHRIST.
Profit and Salvation and Eternal Life - we may then
When we are able to make this Transition from the head to
Profit others also, according to our Strength and
the heart, WE DISCOVER AN INTENSE HEARTFELT DESIRE - A
OF
S T M A T T H E W T H E W I C K E D T E N A N T S - 3 0 A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 31
opportunity, drawing upon Christ, the Measure

within."
It is helpful to SEEK OUT A SPIRITUAL FATHER OR SPIRITUAL
MOTHER WHO CAN GUIDE YOU - who is able to help you to
make this Transition.
He can help you AVOID BECOMING TOO INTENSE IN YOUR
EFFORT TO LEARN DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR
THIS AND THAT.
It is GOD'S LOVE WE SEEK AND THIS ONLY COMES FROM THE

HEART.
DEACON CHARLES JOINER
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/2009
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS

ST NICHOLAS VELIMIROVIC OF ZHICHA - ON THE POWER AND EFFICACY OF
GOOD WORKS
...For so is the Will of God, that with well-doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. (I PETER 2:15).
Brethren, it is difficult to argue with an atheist; it is
If you think you will overcome an embittered man with
difficult to talk with a madman; it is difficult to
anger, you will stir up greater fire of bitterness.
persuade and embittered man with words.
A Meek and Good Deed is like water on a fire.
Always remember the Holy Apostles and their successful
You will convince them more easily by deed.
methods of behaviour toward men.
They may by your Good Works, which they shall
If an atheist provokes you, it is not the man that provokes
behold, Glorify God in the Day of Visitation. (I PETER
you but the devil; for man is by nature religious.
2:12).
If a madman swears at you, it is not the man that swears at
Do good to those who wish to argue with you, and you will
you but the devil; for man is by nature reasonable.
win the argument.
If an embittered man persecutes you, it is not the man that
One deed of Compassion will bring the madman to his
persecutes you but the devil; for man is by nature good.
senses and will pacify the embittered man more quickly
The devil provokes you to lengthy arguments and
than many hours of conversation.
unfruitful conversations, but he flees from Good Deeds.
If atheism, madness and bitterness stem from ignorance,
Do Good in the Name of Christ, and the devil will flee.
that ignorance is like a rage which can quickly be
Only then will you have dealings with men, with true men:
retrained by Good Works.
pious, reasonable and good.
If you argue with an atheist in his own rabid manner, you
Therefore, whatever you do, do it in the Name of the Lord.
strengthen the rage of atheism.
If you converse with a madman by derision, the darkness of
his madness is increased.
ST IGNATIOS BRIANCHANINOV ON
Two of His Beloved Disciples asked our Lord for Thrones of

Glory. He gave them His Chalice. Christs Chalice is
Suffering.
For those who partake of It, Christs Chalice procures on
Earth a part in Christs Kingdom of Grace, and prepares
Thrones of Eternal Glory for us in Heaven.
Before Christs Chalice, we are all speechless. No one can
complain of It or refuse It, because He Who has ordered
us to drink of It, drank of It to the bitter end, first of all
Himself.
O Tree of the Knowledge of Good and evil, thou killed our
first parents in Paradise by luring them with the charms
of sensuous pleasure and with the charms of
Knowledge.
To failures and exiles, Christ our Redeemer of the Lost,
brought to Earth His Saving Chalice. By the Bitterness
of this Chalice, the criminal, deadly pleasure of sin is
eradicated from our heart. By Humility which flows
abundantly from the Chalice proud, carnal knowledge
is mortified.
Those who drink from the Chalice with Faith and Patience
regain Eternal Life, which was taken and which
continues to be taken from us through the eating of the
Forbidden Fruit.
I will take the Cup of Salvation, the Chalice of Christ! The
Chalice is taken when Christians bear Earthly troubles
with Humility derived from the Gospel.
St Peter rushed with a drawn sword to the Defence of the
God-Man when He was surrounded with malefactors.
But our most gentle Lord Jesus said to St Peter: Put
Thy sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the Cup
that My Father has given Me? (JOHN 18:11)
And when trials beset you, comfort and fortify your soul by
saying to her: Shall I not drink the Cup that our Father
has given me? The Chalice of Christ is bitter. We have
merely to glance at It, and all human calculations
vanish.
Substitute
Faith
for
calculation,
and
courageously drink the Bitter Cup. It is the All Good
and All Wise Father Who gives it to us.
It is not the Pharisees, nor Caiaphas, nor Judas, who
prepared it. It is not Pontius Pilate and his soldiers who
give It. The Pharisees plotted, Judas Iscariot betrayed,
Pontius Pilate ordered the iniquitous Murder, the
Governors soldiers performed It. By their evildoings
they all prepared for themselves certain Perdition!
Do not prepare for yourself Perdition equally certain by
animosity and resentment, by desiring and planning
revenge, by being indignant and angry with your
enemies.
OF
THE
CHALICE
OF
CHRIST (PART 1)
Our Heavenly Father is All-Seeing, All-Knowing. He sees our

troubles and afflictions, and if He should find it
necessary and profitable to remove the Chalice from us,
He would certainly do so.
Scripture and Church History bear witness to the fact that
in many cases our Lord permitted afflictions to His
beloved servants, and that in many cases He averted
afflictions from His beloved servants, in accordance
with His Incomprehensible Judgments.
When the Chalice appears before you, do not look at the
men who give it to you, but raise your gaze to Heaven
and say: Shall I not drink the Cup that our Father has
given me? I will take the Cup of Salvation. I cannot
refuse the Chalice, which is a Pledge of Heavenly,
Eternal Blessings.
Christs Apostle teaches us Patience: By many tribulations,
we must enter the Kingdom of God. (ACTS 14:22)
Shall we refuse the Chalice, which is a means of acquiring
and developing within us that Kingdom? We will take
the Cup Gods Gift!
Christs Chalice is the Gift of God. It has been granted to
you, that for the sake of Christ you should not only
believe in Him but also suffer for His sake. (PHILIPPIANS
1: 29)
We receive the Chalice apparently from the hands of men.

What business is it of ours whether those men are acting
rightly or wrongly?
Our business it to act rightly.
It is our Duty as Disciples of Christ to take the Chalice with
Faith and Thanksgiving to God. It is not only the
Chalice of the Innocent but also of the All-Holy One.
Repeat the words of Blessed and Prudent Thief who was
nailed to the cross on the right side of the crucified
God-Man: We are receiving the due reward for our
deeds Lord, remember me when Thou comest into
Thy Kingdom. (LUKE 23:41).
Then turn to the people and say to them (if they are not in
a position to understand and accept your words do not
cast the Precious Pearls of Humility under the feet of
those who cannot appreciate them, but say it with your
mind and heart): Blessed are you, Instruments of the
Justice and Mercy of God! God Bless you, now and for
ever!
In this way only you will be carrying out the Commandment
of the Gospel which says, Love your enemies, Bless
those who curse you. (MATTHEW 5:44)
(...TO BE CONTINUED...)
https://theinnerkingdom.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/thechalice-of-christ-by-st-ignatius-brianchaninov
ST MATTHEW THE WICKED TENANTS- 30 AUGUST 2015

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and Forever,
and unto the Ages of Ages. Amen
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary, Theotokos yet
Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole
Life to Christ our God. Amen.
31 August 2015
The Deposition of the Venerable Zoni of our Lady Theotokos
Also the Feast of St Cyprianos, Bishop & Hieromartyr of Carthage St Gennadios of
Constantinople St Aidan of Lindesfarne St Eanswythe, Abbess of Folkestone
FESTAL APOLYTIKION THEOTOKOS ZONI -
Theotoke
Aiparthene, ton anthropon i Skepi, Esthita ke

Zonin tou Ahrantou Sou somatos, kratean ti poli Sou
pervolin edoriso, to asporo Toko Sou aftharta
diaminanta, epi Si gar ke fisi kenotomi ke hronos, dio
disopoumen Se, Irinin ti politia Sou dories, ke tes psihes
imon to Mega Eleos.
Ever Virgin Theotokos, the Shelter of mankind: Thou hast

given Thy City as a Protective Wall the Garment and
Girdle that Thou worn upon Thine Immaculate Body.
By Thy seedless Childbirth, they have remained
incorrupt. For in Thee both nature and time are made
novel. Therefore, we implore Thee, grant Peace to Thy
Commonwealth, and Great Mercy to our souls.
FESTAL KONTAKION - THEOTOKOS ZONI
Tin
Theodohon gastera Sou Theotoke, perlavousa i Zoni

Sou i Timia, kratos ti poli Sou aprosmahiton, ke
thisafros iparhi, ton Agathon anekliptos, i Moni Tekousa
Aiparthenos.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON ODE
OF
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
TONE
The Precious Girdle that Thou wore around Thy Body that
hosted God, O All Blessed Theotokos, truly is Power
unassailable for Thy City and a Treasure whose
Blessings are perpetual, O Only Child-bearing Ever
Virgin.
THEOTOKOS (LUKE1) TONE 3
Megalini
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God
Oti epevlepsen epi tin tapinosin tis doulis Aftou.
For He regarded the low estate of His Handmaiden!
i psihi mou ton Kyrion ke igalliase to pnevma

moue pi to Theo to Sotiri Mou.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
my Saviour!
TO THE
HEBREWS 9: 1 - 7
Brethren: the First Covenant had Ordinances of Divine Service, and a worldly Sanctuary. A Tabernacle was prepared: the
first part, in which was the Lampstand, the Table, and the Showbread, which is called the Sanctuary. Behind the
Second Veil, was the part of the Tabernacle, which is called Holy of Holies, which had the Golden Censer and the Ark
of the Covenant, overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was the Golden Pot that had the Manna, Aarons Rod that
budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant. Above it were the Cherubim of Glory overshadowing the Mercy Seat.
Of these we can no longer speak these days.
When these Things had been thus prepared, the Priests always went into the first part of the Tabernacle, performing the
Services. Into the second part only the High Priest went - once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself
and for the peoples sins.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS ULTIMATE MOST PERFECT AND
The first seven verses of St Pauls Epistle to the Hebrews
POWERFUL BLOOD OFFERING ENDED OUR SEPARATION FROM
describe THE MOSAIC TABERNACLE, WHICH PREFIGURES THE
HEAVENLY ALTAR.
OUR LOVING, BENEVOLENT GOD.
This particular passage is read during the Feasts of our
Our alienation was resolved forever by our Lord Jesus
Lady Theotokos and Advent, to describe THE GREAT
Christ.
DIVINE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION OF THE ETERNAL WORD
HIS BLOOD SACRIFICE FULFILLED FOR ALL TIME THE ATONEMENT
AND SON OF GOD THE FATHER.
SACRIFICE - and being Perfect, ended any further need
OUR LADY THEOTOKOS WOMB WAS PREPARED BY GOD TO BECOME
for any more blood sacrifices.
THE HOLY OF HOLIES The Holy Tabernacle of Christ our
THROUGH HIS ULTIMATE SACRIFICIAL OFFERING, OUR LORD HAS
Lord THE VERY DWELLING PLACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
REDEEMED MANKIND FOR ALL TIME.
A most important detail is THE INNER VEIL THE SECOND VEIL,
THE LORD OUR GOD IS ENTHRONED UPON THE CHERUBIM. So His
WHICH SEPARATED THE HOLY PLACE THE HOLY SANCTUARY
Throne in Israels midst the Mercy Seat is depicted
FROM THE MOST HOLY PLACE THE HOLY OF HOLIES OR THE
with a Holy Cherub on either side just as the
MOST HOLIEST OF ALL, WHICH CONTAINED THE ARK OF THE
Orthodox Christian Holy Altar is flanked by depictions
COVENANT AND THE OTHER SIGNIFICANT HOLY RELICS OF THE
of the Holy Cherubim. (One of the highest Orders of
OLD COVENANT A GOLDEN POT OF MANNA, AARONS ROD
Heavenly Hosts.)
THAT BUDDED, AND THE CARVED, STONE TABLETS OF DIVINE
THESE REPRESENTATIONS, along with the depictions of
Cherubim on the Inner Veil , and the beauty and
COMMANDMENTS.
THE HOLY OF HOLIES COULD ONLY BE ENTERED ONCE A YEAR BY THE
detailed workmanship of everything that was made
HIGH PRIEST carrying a Blood Offering for the
especially for the Holy Tabernacle, SERVED AS HOLY
forgiveness of his own sins as well as those of the
ICONS OF THE OLD COVENANT. (EXODUS 26:31)
people.
This, and other numerous passages, put to rest the fear
THE INNER VEIL FORMED THE LOCUS OF THE LITURGICAL PRACTICE
that the Second Commandment prohibits all imagery.
OF THE OLD COVENANT, WHICH REVEALED ITS IMPERFECTION,
GOD CANNOT BE REPRESENTED BECAUSE DIVINE NATURE IS
for the people could not personally draw near to God
UNKNOWABLE AND THUS CANNOT BE DEPICTED.
Who seemed to be only approachable through His
However, WHEN THE ETERNAL WORD AND SON OF GOD BECAME
THE SON OF MAN I.E. INCARNATE HIS HUMAN NATURE CAN
Priests - and the forgiveness their sins required an
annual Blood Offering carried into the Holy of Holies
AND IS IMAGED.
only by the High Priest, who offered the Sacrifice for
This is evidently permissible due to His Holy Icon Not
the forgiveness of his own sins as well as those of the
Made by Hands which He left behind on His inner
people.
Face Cloth and on other items such as His Shroud.
THE DEPOSITION
OF OUR
LADY THEOTOKOS SANCTIFIED ZONI
31 AUGUST 2015
33
ALTHOUGH THE OLD COVENANT PRIESTS ENTERED THE HOLY PLACE

DAILY, ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST AND ONLY ON ONE DAY A YEAR
COULD ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES ON THE DAY OF
ATONEMENT YOM KIPPUR.
He entered carrying animal blood of the Atonement
AND
Sacrifice, which revealed THE IMPERFECTION
TEMPORARY STATUS OF THE OLD COVENANT:
1. ONLY ONE MAN COULD ENTER THE DIVINE PRESENCE
2. He could NOT CONTINUALLY enter.

ON
TO
E
3. HE HAD TO ENTER EACH YEAR TO REPEAT THE ATONEMENT

SACRIFICE, which was ONLY EFFECTIVE FOR A SHORT TIME
AND NEEDED TO BE REPEATED ANNUALLY.
4. The blood sacrifice DEALT WITH ONLY MATERIALS FROM THIS
EARTHLY AGE, which are temporary, imperfect,
impermanent and could not begin a
participation in the Age to come Eternity.
5. IT ONLY DEALT WITH THE OUTER PERSON BEING SUPERFICIAL,
IT CANNOT PURIFY OUR HEAR AND MIND, LET ALONE
RESTORE, RENEW, REGENERATE, OR REBIRTH OUR FALLEN
HUMAN NATURE.
ST LUKE 10 : 38
THIN
G IS
EEDED
- 42
&
11 : 27 28
At that time, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister
called Mary, who also sat at Jesus Feet and heard His Word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said: Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister
has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me!
And Jesus answered and said to her: Martha! Martha! You are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing
is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.
... And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him:
Blessed is the Womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that nursed Thee! And He replied: More than that: Blessed are
those who hear the Word of God and keep It!
THE VENERABLE ZONI (BELT, SASHA, CINCTURE OR GIRDLE)
At the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, there
was carried off to Bulgaria, and from there it later
is a Great Treasure of Orthodoxy that has survived. It
passed into the possession of the Serbs, whose Prince
is one of two Most Priceless and Precious Holy Relics of
Lazaros I (1372-1389) presented it to the Vatopedi
our Ever Blessed All Holy Theotokos Her Esthitos a
Monastery on Mount Athos, together with a large piece
garment or robe and Her Zoni. Each of these are
of the True Life-giving Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
commemorated by separate Feasts 2 July for her
Since then, the Holy Zoni has been kept in the Sanctuary of
Esthitos (Robe) and 31 August, Her Zoni.
the Katholikon of the Vatopedi Monastery.
The common Festal Apolytikion mentions both, as both
During the Turkish Occupation, the Brethren of the
were present in Constantinople and preserved the
Monastery took it on Journeys to Crete, Macedonia,
faithful for centuries.)
Thrace, Constantinople and Asia Minor - to distribute
The Zoni of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was divided
its Blessing, to Strengthen the morale of the enslaved
into three pieces, is the only remaining Holy Relic of
Greeks and to bring Freedom from infectious diseases.
Her Earthly Life - made out of camel hair by the Ever
The Miracles performed through the Holy Zoni throughout
Blessed Virgin Mary Herself. After Her Dormition, She
the ages are innumerable. The following are a few
presented it to St Thomas the Holy Apostle of Christ
examples:
who arrived three days after Her interment and, on
At one time when the inhabitants of Ainos had requested
opening Her Tomb witnessed to the Truth that She had
the Blessings of the Holy Zoni, the Vatopedi Monks
been bodily taken up to Heaven.
who were put in charge of its protection had accepted
During the early centuries of Christianity the Venerable
hospitality at the home of a Priest, whose wife
Zoni was kept at Jerusalem.
surreptitiously removed a piece of it. When the Holy
However, in the 4th century, it was located at Zela in
Fathers wanted to depart, the ship remained immobile,
Cappadocia by Emperor Theodosios the Great who
despite the sea and the weather being calm, and no
returned it to Jerusalem. Later, his son, Arcadios, took
fault being found with the workings of the ship.
the Precious Holy Relic to Constantinople, where was
Watching this strange phenomenon, the priests wife
originally deposited in the Chalcoprateia Church.
realised that she had done something very wrong and,
Emperor Leo subsequently transferred it to the Vlachernae
repenting and begging their forgiveness, she returned
Church in 458 and during the reign of Emperor Leo VI
the stolen piece of the Holy Relic to the distraught
Leo the Wise the Venerable Zoni was taken to the
Monks, whereupon they were able to depart without
Imperial Palace in order to miraculously Cure Empress
further incident.
Zoe, his seriously ill wife, who had been possessed by
A second silver Reliquary was made, which contains the
an unclean spirit.
stolen piece of the Holy Zoni of our Lady Theotokos.
Empress Zoe had had a Vision instructing her to place the
During the Greek War of Independence of 1821, the Holy
Sanctified Zoni of our Ever Blessed Lady Theotokos
Girdle was taken to Crete at the request of the Faithful,
upon her, which would instantly exorcise the unclean
who were afflicted by a terrible plague. When, however,
spirit and Heal her.
So Emperor Leo the Wise
the Monks were preparing to return to Vatopedi
requested the Patriarch to open the sealed Reliquary in
Monastery on Mount Athos, they were arrested by the
which the Holy Relic was kept.
Turks and taken off to be hanged, while the Holy Relic
At that time the Zoni of the Mother of God was completely
was eventually redeemed from the Turks in 1831 by
intact and undamaged by the passage of time.
the British Consul, Domenikos Santantonio, who took
As soon as the Patriarch placed the Zoni on Empress Zoe,
it to his new home in Santorini.
she was immediately restored to her former good
News of this quickly spread throughout the island. The
health, and all the Faithful
sang Hymns of
local Bishop informed the Vatopedi Monastery, and the
Thanksgiving to the Most Holy Theotokos.
The
Abbot, Dionysios, was sent hurriedly to Santorini.
Patriarch reverently returned the Holy Relic to the
The British Consul asked for the sum of 15,000 piastres
Reliquary and resealed it.
before he was prepared to hand over the Holy Zoni, so
Some time afterwards, however, Empress Zoe embroidered
the Faithful Christians of the island, with touching
the whole Girdle with gold thread as an act of
eagerness, managed to collect together the ransom,
Gratitude and Thanksgiving to the All Holy Theotokos,
and return the precious Relic to the Vatopedi
which gives it the appearance it bears to this day.
Monastery, accompanied by Abbot Dionysios.
In the 12th century, during the reign of Emperor Manuel I
Meanwhile, similar to the Ainos Priests wife, the British
Comnenos (1143-1180), the Feast of the Holy Girdle on
Consuls wife also cut off a small piece of the Holy
31 August was officially introduced. Previously it had
Zoni before it was returned to its rightful place. Within
shared the Feast of the Vesture (Esthitos or Robe) of
a very short period her husband died suddenly, and
the Ever Blessed Holy Virgin on 1 July.
her mother and sister became gravely ill. In 1839, she
The Zoni itself remained in Constantinople until the 12th
wrote to the Monastery beseeching them to send
century, when Emperor Isaakios was conquered by the
Monks to fetch the ill-gotten piece which she had
Bulgar King, Asan, (1185). Being part of the great
stolen.
plunder of Constantinople, the Miracle Working Zoni
34.
THE DEPOSITION
OF OUR
31 AUGUST 2015
In 1864, the Holy Zoni was taken to Constantinople, for

soon as the ship that conveyed the Monks and the Holy
there was a cholera epidemic among the inhabitants.
Relic entered the harbour, the sky was darkened by
As soon as the ship bearing it approached the harbour,
thick clouds of locusts, which suddenly dropped into
the cholera ceased and none of those already suffering
the sea and drowned, the extent of which made it
from it died.
difficult for the vessel to anchor.
This Divine Miracle excited the curiosity of the Sultan, who
Having witnessed such a great and unique Miracle, the
had the Girdle brought to the Palace so that he could
people of Madytos, spontaneously as one voice
reverence it.
chanted over and over again,
with Joy and
During its sojourn at Constantinople, a Greek of Galata
Thanksgiving: Kyrie eleison! (Lord have mercy!)
requested the Sanctified Zoni to be taken to his home
The Sanctified Zoni of our Ever Blessed, All Holy and Pure
where his son lay seriously ill, but when they arrived,
Theotokos has continued to work many Divine
his son had already Reposed. Refusing to give up hope,
Miracles, particularly in the case of infertile women,
the Monks placed the Holy Relic on his body,
who - by the Will and Grace of God, are Blessed in due
whereupon the beloved son was restored to life and
time, with children after being presented with a piece
full recovery.
of cord from the Reliquary that holds the Holy Relic
In 1894, the inhabitants of Madytos,
Asia Minor,
having Faith and Love for God and His All Holy Mother,
requested the Vatopedi Monastery to send the Holy
as well as for all His Holy Saints.
HTTP://FULL-OF-GRACE-AND-TRUTH.BLOGSPOT.COM/2009/06/HOLYZoni to them, due to a devastating infestation of
BELT-ZONI-OF-THEOTOKOS-AND.HTML
locusts that destroyed all vegetation in the region. As
WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT
PART 1 - THE TRAGIC TWO-SIDEDNESS OF OUR WORLD
From early childhood we are constantly confronted by the
What is more, no matter how much we tell ourselves that
unpleasant fact that the world in which we live is twosomeday we will all have to die, and that death is the
sided and contradictory.
natural end of every creature, we have a stubborn
subconscious resistance to this thought - we demand
On one hand, it is majestic and beautiful. Nature enchants
the continuation of life, even when it is linked with
us with her beauty, her immenseness and her
incredible effort and suffering.
gentleness. Life beckons to us with all its riddles and
It turns out that the greatest contradiction in this world lies
(so it seems) its boundless possibilities.
within our very selves.
We sometimes feel within ourselves great energy and
There is some aspect of our nature that does not think and
ability. We think that everything has been set up for our
feel according to the laws of the physical world, but
happiness, our enjoyment and our progress.
according to some other, Spiritual, Kind of Law.
At the same time, we constantly run up against the fact that
This is why we can never be reconciled with the facts of
so much of what is enchanting and beautiful about this
destruction and death. They will always remain for us
world ends in destruction and death.
In nature there are storms, earthquakes, drought and
things that are unnatural and unacceptable.
Everyone, perhaps without thinking about it, would like to
epidemics, from which plants and animals suffer and
die.
live in a world free from contradictions, a world where
Harmony and Justice rule, where Joy is not dimmed by
In human society we see deception, dissension, robbery,
violence and war.
sorrow, where Life knows no end.
Is it possible that, as asserted by certain Philosophers (such
In families we see enmity and quarrelling. Even in ourselves
we frequently feel discord and disturbances. We are
as Plato, with his world of ideas), our soul once dwelt in
some other and better world, filled with Harmony, and
afflicted with doubts; we are affected by unexpected
troubles and disappointments; we are deprived of our
that it then fell into this imperfect world against its own
will, and therefore it subconsciously longs for the ideal
planned activities by illness.
It appears that there is nothing sure and constant in the
world?
Such a possibility is fascinating, and it could partially
world.
Fame does not endure. Riches slip away between our
explain the general dissatisfaction felt by mankind, but
isn't it just a dream?
fingers. Brief moments of happiness are followed by
Belief in the existence of God, in His Infinite Goodness and
long periods of emptiness and aimlessness. Material
Power, suggests to us that He made us for Happiness.
things become tiresome. Friends deceive us. Loved ones
It is He Who gave us an unquenchable thirst for Perfection
betray our trust. Dreams do not come true.
and the attainment of Happiness.
A few minutes of joy are succeeded by a feeling of
Therefore, there must be another world - one that is better
barrenness and discontent. Youth is replaced by old
and more perfect than ours. But where is it and how do
age. Death is always waiting for people of every age,
we reach it?
waiting to cast down into the dust all human hopes and
A clear and precise answer to this most important and
plans.
besetting question is provided by Christianity.
What is the reason for these opposite and contradictory
It unequivocally affirms that there really does exist another
perceptions of the world?
and better world - Paradise or the Kingdom of Heaven Why does the world seem to give with one hand, only to
in which the Angels and the souls of Just dwell.
take away with the other hand?
It is a world without the contradictions and injustices of
Why does it build up only to tear down?
our own; it is free from crime, violence, sickness and
Is it possible that it gives us times of joy only in order to
death.
make our disappointment more bitter later?
It is a world where never-ending Life and Harmony are the
Does the world allure us only to strike at us? Does it give us
rule, where all rational beings - Illumined by the Lifethe joy of life only that it may later grieve us
mercilessly with death?
giving Light of our Creator - ceaselessly contemplate His
Beauty and Rejoice in His incalculable Mercies.
Furthermore, if the world is by its very nature a duality like the positive and negative charges of atomic
Our physical world was also created by God for Goodness,
Life and Happiness, but sin has disfigured and
particles - then why is it that we, who are an organic
part of it, cannot reconcile ourselves to this duality, but
corrupted it.
rather long for complete harmony and order?
BY ARCHPRIEST LEV LEBEDEV & ARCHIMANDRITE ALEXANDER
Why do we have within us such a burning thirst for Life and
TRANSLATED BY HIEROMONK HERMAN CIUBA
endless Happiness, when death and dissolution are just
HTTP://WWW.FATHERALEXANDER.ORG/BOOKLETS/ENGLISH/MOST_IMPORTANT.
as natural as life and development?
HTM
FATHER STEPHEN (FREEMAN)
- PUTTING
INTO
...To travel towards the Kingdom of God and to make True

Progress in the Spiritual Life ... depends upon the Grace
of God and the very little that we know (if we put into
practice that same very little).
In Christ, in the True Light of the Gospel, what do we
know?
THE DEPOSITION
OF OUR
PRACTICE
THE
VERY LITTLE
WE
DO KNOW
We know that GOD TRULY LOVES THE WORLD AND GAVE US

HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON that we might have Life True Life, Communion with the True and Living God;
We know that THIS LIFE IS MARKED BY LOVE AND
FORGIVENESS; even and especially including the
Forgiveness of our enemies;
31 AUGUST 2015
35
We know that GIVING IS MORE BLESSED THAN RECEIVING

thus we already have the means of being Blessed;
We know that THE WAY OF THE CROSS IS THE WAY OF LIFE
and that following Christ on that Way means freely
laying down our lives for others.
We know that WE HAVE BEEN COMMANDED TO GIVE THANKS
FOR ALL THINGS, thus affirming Gods Goodness as
the True Ground of our existence;
We know WE ARE NOT ALONE that many have walked
this Way before us and that our success in following
Christ is of concern to them;
I certainly could add to this list with some further thought,
although I find it is easy to state some things that not
many of us know.
What I believe is that, even in the absence of great and Holy
men, we can take the little that we know and Live (in
Christ.)
It is better to LIVE SEEKING COMMUNION WITH THE TRUE
AND LIVING GOD than to believe that God is
somewhere at a distance;
PRAYER
IS THE
It is better TO FORGIVE AND TO LOVE even if it means we

make ourselves victim to the hate and cruelty of
others;
It is indeed better TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE, even if I can
give but little. No one can keep me from giving.
It is better TO DIE FOR OTHERS than to die alone.
It is better TO GIVE THANKS FOR ALL THINGs than to be
eaten alive with regret and bitterness;
It is better TO HAVE THE SAINTS AS FRIENDS than to be
famous or popular with those of this world.
I know that these Things are small (though they are truly
large).
But such SMALL THINGS - LIVED AND ACTED UPON WITH PRAYER
- WILL MAKE THE WAY FOR PARADISE IN OUR HEART AND
WRITE OUR NAMES IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE.
...He who is Faithful in a very little is Faithful also in
much (LUKE 16:10)
HTTP://FATHERSTEPHEN.WORDPRESS.COM/2010/01/29/KEEPING-IT-SIMPLE/
HIGHEST HUMAN ACTIVITY
No consideration of our Saviours humanity is adequate

that fails to consider a simple fact mentioned often in
the Gospels: Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed.
Indeed, if we reflect that Prayer is the highest human
activity, His Prayers revealed more about our Lord
Jesus as a human Being than anything else He did.
Holy Scripture conveys the impression our Saviour was
fond of praying alone and out-of-doors.
St Mark wrote of the earliest days of His Divine Ministry:
"... in the morning, having risen a long while before
daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place;
and there He prayed." (Mark1:35).
In the Greek text, that final verb "prayed" is expressed
in the imperfect tense, which denotes continued and/or
repeated action.
St Mark implied that our Lord Jesus spent a significant
period of time in that Prayer, which began in the dark
and ended after sunrise - He prayed through the
transition from night into day.
He also prayed through the transition from light to
darkness day to night.
St Mark mentioned that immediately after the feeding of
the great multitude of 5,000 families, which happened
late in the day, the Apostles set off in their boat while
our Lord Jesus remained behind on the shore: "... when
He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to
pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of
the sea and He was alone on the land." (MARK 6:46-47).
Our Saviours Prayers began in the remnants of daylight
and continued into the darkness of night until late: ...
the fourth watch... of the night.
(MARK 6:48 & CF.
MATTHEW 14:23-25).
It is almost impossible to consider Christ's preference for

nocturnal Prayer without suspecting it was related to
the vast expanse of the Palestinian sky at night.
In that setting our Lord made His own the rapturous
admiration of St David the Royal Psalmist, who, a
thousand years before, had also prayed under that same
spangled vault: "... I see Thy heavens, the work of Thy
Fingers - the moon and the stars, which Thou hast
appointed..." (PSALM 8:3).
This reference to the "appointment" of the Celestial Bodies
refers to the Fourth Day of Creation, on which, we are
told, "...God made two great lights: the greater light to
rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night-and
the stars." (GENESIS 1:116 I.E. THE SUN AND THE MOON).
This nocturnal Prayer of Jesus Christ is set, then, not
simply in the beauty of nature, but in the narrative of
Creation.
I dont mean simply the story in Genesis, for the original

account of Creation is much older than Genesis - it was
already inscribed in the stars.
Consequently, when our Lord prayed under the heavens, He
not only spoke, He also listened, because the moon and
the stars and also the sun had a story to tell:
"...The heavens recount the Glory of God, and the
firmament declares the Work of His Hands. Day unto
day tells the story, and night unto night imparts the
knowledge..." (PSALMS 19 [18]:1-2).
The first Creation narrative is much older than Holy
Scripture.
Genesis 1 simply tells in words what the Creation itself
tells without words.
Indeed, the biblical author himself learnt the story of
Creation by doing what our Lord Jesus did listening
closely to the subtle message of the stars: "...There is
no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the Earth, and their
words to the ends of the world." (PSALM 19 [18]:3-4).
Of all creatures on Earth, only the human soul has the
receptive capacity to hear the narrative declared in the
heavens, and hearing it to commune in Prayer
with our Creator revealed there.
The Gospels testify that our Lord Jesus had frequent
recourse to that Communion - sometimes spending
entire nights in such Prayer: "...He went out to the
mountain to pray, and continued all night in Prayer to
God." (LUKE 6:12).
We already observed that St Mark used the imperfect tense
(denoting continued/repeated action) to speak of
Christs Prayer, and St Luke, going further, intensified
this impression by using an awkward periphrastic
construction, difficult to render in correct English: "...He
remained apart in the wilderness, praying." (LUKE 5:16).
Inasmuch as we find our Lord Jesus Christ doing this from
the very beginning of His public Ministry, we are surely
justified in thinking this preference was already the
habit of a lifetime.
Indeed, we suspect it began in childhood.
He was able to read the heavens before He knew how to
read the scroll of Genesis.
We may think of our young Lord Jesus, most of all, when
we recall another line from Psalm 8 : "...Out of the
mouth of babes and nursing infants Thou hast
perfected Praise."
FR. PATRICK HENRY REARDON ALL SAINTS ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH,
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOXYTODAY.ORG
ON HEARING THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST - FATHER MATTHEW THE POOR

We must take heed how we hear the Holy Gospel of Christ,
Faithfulness to God and Truthfulness in word and
for it is clear that our Lord wants us to hear with our
promise!
heart rather than merely with our ears, for our Inner
It is absolutely impossible that anyone should understand
Life affects the Word of God - either killing it, or
what we hear of the Word of God, if we are not
making it live and thrive.
completely honest before God and if we have not
So if we really want to hear His Divine Word well, to
determined to surrender our life, our responsibilities,
understand it, and to hold it fast in an honest and good
our interests, our money, our future, and our own
heart, we must prepare ourselves inwardly so that His
honour and lay them at Gods Feet.
Word may safely take root there, finding in our heart
36.
THE DEPOSITION
OF OUR
31 AUGUST 2015

2015 August Sacred Lessons

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Tone (8) Plagal 4

9th Sunday After Pentecost - 9th Sunday of St Matthew

ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo

descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST STEPHEN TONE 4

Vasilion Diadima, estefthi Si korifi, ex athion on ipeminas

With a Royal Diadem, Thy sacred head was Crowned, for

iper Hristou tou Theou, Martyron Protoathi Stefane;

the Struggles Thou endured because of Christ our God,

27 JULY UNTIL 13 AUGUST

Epi tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou, Upon

the Mount Thou were Transfigured, and Thy

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 9 : JOHN 20 : 19 31

Vow, and Pray to the Lord your God!

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 14 : 22 - 34

TO HAVE MERCY ON US OR OUR WEAK HUMAN CONDITION, HE

When Christ rebukes the stormy conditions that threaten

WE ARE OFTEN EASILY DISTRACTED FROM WHAT IS REALLY MOST

WATER FATHER PHILIP LEMASTERS

BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON OF GOD our Lord and

and the wind so strong.

and unwaveringly focussing our full attention on Him

S T . M A R K T H E A S C E T I C - ON THE SPIRITUAL LAW : TWO HUNDRED TEXTS

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME...

VIRTUES, CONTEMPLATION &

Do not try to embark on the higher forms of Contemplation

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

para Si Pigi Zoix, Kyrie, en to

with Thee is the Fountain of

FESTAL APOLYTIKION TRANSFIGURATION TONE 4

were Transfigured upon the

FESTAL KONTAKION TRANSFIGURATION - TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE

tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite

the Mountain Thou were Transfigured, and Thy

SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON TRANSFIGURATION TONE 2

imas Iie Theou, O EN TO O RI TO T HAVOR

I themelii Aftou en ti Oresi tis Agiis

Son of God, T RANSFIGURED UPON M OUNT T ABOR

His Foundations are in the Holy Mountains

the dwellings of Jacob.

Dedoxamena elalithi peri Sou, i Polis tou Theou.

Things are spoken of Thee, O City of

Mitir Sion eri anthropos, ke anthropos egennithi

Zion is our Mother, a man shall say, and such a

FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING

Peace and Joy the Kingdom of Eternal Life in

5. Finally, THE HOLY TRINITY IS REVEALED HERE, for CHRIST IS

CHRISTS DEPARTURE (Greek: Exodus) is a reference to

THE SECOND EPISTLE

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ON MOUNT TABOR

MOUNT TABOR ST GREGORY PALAMAS

Everywhere and in every way the King will be present, and

an explanation of the present Feast and

conceive of nothing higher than what is known

through a glass windowpane, granting Light to those

Hence it is clear that the Light of Tabor was a Divine

Clearly he points out that this [Lamb] is our Lord Jesus,

What Light is there that is constant and unsetting, unless

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

10th Sunday After Pentecost - 10th Sunday of St Matthew

lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon ke stratioton

While the stone was sealed by the Judeans, and soldiers