2015 - March 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.
M arch
2015
Tone 5
5 t h Sunday of Triodion Orthodoxy Sunday
The Triumph of Orthodoxy
Also the Feast of St Eudokia of Heliopolis St Martyrios of Pskov St Nestor & St
Tribiminos St Antonina of Nicea, Bithynia St Marcellos, St Anthony & St Domnina the
Virgin Martyr, of Syria St Agapios of Vatopedi Monastery, Mount Athos St David of
Wales
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton
The
sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek

Parthenou Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen,
Pisti, ke Proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en to
Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en
ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ORTHODOXY SUNDAY
Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no

beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it
was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the
Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own
Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
- TONE 2
Tin
We venerate Thy Most Pure Image, O Good One, and ask
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 KONTAKION - KONTAKION
Ti
OF THE
Forgiveness of our transgression, O Christ God. Of Thy

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 has filled all with Joy, O our Saviour, by
coming to Save the world!
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
To
Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon

Efharistiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os
ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me
kindinon eleftheroson, ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi
Animfevte!
Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been

Delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the Victory
Festival as a Thanksgiving Offering.
In Thine
Irresistible Might, keep me Free from all Trials, so that I
may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded Bride!
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 5 LUKE 24 : 13 35

OUR RISEN LORD JESUS APPEARS ALONG THE ROAD TO EMMAUS
PROKEIMENON PRAYER
OF
AZARIAH TONE 4
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers....

For Thou art Righteous in all Thou did for us...
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
FAITH
FROM
TO THE
MOSES
HEBREWS 11 : 24 26 & 32 40
TO
JOSHUA
THE
SON
OF
NUN
Brethren: by Faith Moses when he became of age refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, choosing
rather to suffer affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the
Reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the Reward...
...And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also
of David and Samuel and the Prophets who, through Faith subdued Kingdoms, worked Righteousness, obtained
Promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, so that they might
obtain a better Resurrection. Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings yes, and of chains and
imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, slain with the sword. They
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not
worthy.
They wandered about in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these people having
obtained a Good Testimony through Faith did not receive the Promise God having provided something better
for us, so that they should not be made Perfect apart from us.
These verses are self-explanatory.
St Paul reminds us how THE O LD C OVENANT S AINTS HAD
THE MOST AMAZING , UNSHAKABLE F AITH IN G OD , NO
MATTER WHAT
ENDUR E .
THEY
WER E
FORCED
TO
SUFFER
AND
We are so greatly Blessed to live in this day and age

when SO MUCH HUMAN HISTOR Y AND D IVINELY I NSPIRED
W RITINGS , PERSONAL WITNESSING , ETC IS AVAILABLE TO
THOSE WHO SEEK D IVINE T RUTH .
Yet our Faith is possibly much weaker than all those who
went before us because ALTHOUGH THEY ONLY HAD
5TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY
OF
THEIR DEEP SEATED LOVE OF GOD AND STEADFAST F AITH

IN H IM TO ENCOURAGE AND TO GUIDE THEM , THEY
NEVER DOUBTED NOR DID THEIR OWN THING LIKE ALL
EGOCENTRIC PAGANS OR NON - BELIEVERS DO .
All too often, in the mistaken belief that we are so clever,

we need proof before we accept anything as being
true.
However, D IVINE T RUTH THE P ERFECT AND A BSOLUTE
T RUTH OF G OD CANNOT B E PUT IN A TEST TUB E ,
DISSECTED NOR EXAMINED UNDER A MICROSCOPE !
LENT SUNDAY
OF THE
TRIUMPH
OF
ORTHODOXY 1 MARCH 2015
1.
TRUE FAITH COMES FROM DEEP WITHIN OUR SOUL FOR IT IS A

NATURAL RECOGNITION OF AND RESPONSE TO DIVINE
TRUTH AND LOVE
In other words: it is natural for us to yearn for God and His

Goodness.
D ESPITE OR PER HAPS B ECAUSE OF THE TR EMENDOUS DEEP
SEATED AND SINCERE F AITH OF THE O LD C OVENANT
S AINTS , THEY DID NOT ... RECEIVE THE P ROMISE ... OF
EITHER RESTING OR REPOSING IN P EACE IN P ARADISE
UNTIL THE G ENERAL R ESURR ECTION AND OUR F INAL
J UDGEMENT until after Christs Death on the Cross the
final and ultimate Great Blood Sacrifice for our sins
and for our Eternal Salvation His Harrowing of
Hades and His Glorious Resurrection.
The good and the bad all were imprisoned by Death in
Hades until Christ broke open the Gates of Hades and
allowed the Justified immortal souls to rest in Peace in
His re-opened Paradise, whence He had already sent
the soul of the Repentant Thief.
After the beheading of St John the Baptist the final and
greatest Holy Prophet of God the DEPARTED SOULS
HEAR D THE P R EACHING OF THE F ORERUNNER , WHO
ANNOUNCED AND PR EPARED THEM FOR THE C OMING OF

THE O NE T RUE M ESSIAH .
O NLY ONCE DID THE DEPARTED SOULS HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT THEIR SINS AND FOLLOW
C HRIST INTO His Paradise to await the Final
Judgement and Eternal Life or Condemnation and

Eternal Death in exile from God and all His Joyful
Goodness.
S INCE THE G LORIOUS R ESURR ECTION OF C HRIST , WE NOW
ONLY HAVE THIS LIFETIME IN WHICH TO DEVELOP A
CLOSE R ELATIONSHIP W ITH G OD AND TO IMPROVE OUR
S PIRITUAL S TATE .
As soon as we begin the transition from this life through

death towards Eternity, we no longer have the
opportunity to Repent our sins and to improve
ourselves and our Relationship with God and with one
another.
W HATEVER S PIR ITUAL S TATE WE DEPART THIS LIFE
WHETHER IN A STATE OF S PIRITUAL L IFE IN C HRIST OR
S PIRITUAL D EATH IN SIN AND A LIENATION FROM G OD ,
SO TOO WILL OUR IMMORTAL SOULS EXIST FOR ALL
E TER NITY .
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING

THE CALLING
OF OUR
TO
ST JOHN 1: 44 52
LORDS HOLY APOSTLES
At that time, Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him: We
have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law, and also the Prophets, wrote Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
And Nathanael said to him: Can anything Good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him: Come and see!
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him: Behold! An Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!
Nathanael said to Him: How dost Thou know me? And Jesus answered: Before Philip called you when you
were under the fig tree I saw you. Nathanael said to Him: Rabbi: Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the
King of Israel!
Jesus said to him: Because I said to you I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater
Things than these! And He said to him: Truly, truly, I say to you: hereafter you shall see Heaven open, and
the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
Our Lord Jesus Christs first Disciples had been followers
of St John the Baptist.
They were St Andrew, Simon - who is known to us as St
Peter (or Cephas) - St Philip and St Nathanael or St
Bartholomew and St John (THE DIVINE, THE THEOLOGIAN,
THE EVANGELIST AND THE GOD-INSPIRED AUTHOR OF THIS HOLY
GOSPEL.)
When Christ referred to St Nathanael/Bartholomew as

having no deceit, it revealed that HE COULD SEE DEEP
WITHIN HIS SOUL TO A PURE HEART I.E. CHRIST KNEW HIM TO
BE A PERSON WHO WAS ALWAYS STRAIGHTFORWARD AND HONEST
WITH OTHERS.
Whatever happened under the fig tree, is not stated by

St John but St John Chrysostom believed that THIS WAS
THE MEETING PLACE OF ST PHILIP AND ST NATHANAEL AND
THAT OUR LORD JESUS WAS PRAISING ST NATHANAEL FOR BEING
1ST SUNDAY
OF
OF
(GENESIS 28: 12 15)
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THIS EXACT DIVINE LADDER WHO

UNITES US ON EARTH TO HEAVEN, AND THUS IS REALLY THE SON
OF MANKIND.
GREAT LENT THE TRIUMPH
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
Rejoicing today in the Triumph of Orthodoxy on this first
Sunday of Lent, we joyfully commemorate three Events:
one Event belonging to the past; one Event to the
present; and one Event which still belongs to the future.
Whenever we have any Feast or Joy in the Church, we
Orthodox first of all look back for in our present life
we depend on what happened in the past.
We depend first of all, of course, on the first and the
ultimate Triumph -- that of Christ Himself.
Our Faith is rooted in that strange defeat, which became
the most Glorious Victory the defeat of a God-Man
nailed to the Cross, Who rose again from the dead, Who
is the Lord and the Master of the world.
This is the First Triumph of Orthodoxy. This is the content
of all our commemorations and of all our Joy.
This God-Man selected and chose other good men, gave
them Power to preach about that defeat and that
Victory, and sent them to the whole world, instructing
them to Preach and to Baptise, to teach everything He
had revealed to them, to build up the Church and to
announce the Kingdom of God.
And as we know, those Holy Apostles who were very simple
men indeed who were mostly humble fishermen
went out and preached.
The world hated them, the Roman Empire persecuted them,
and they were covered with blood. But that blood was
another Victory.
2. 5 T H S U N D A Y
SO DILIGENT AND CAREFUL IN THEIR SEARCH FOR THE TRUE

MESSIAH.
Christs Foreknowledge and ability to see into his heart
stirred St Nathanael to this sincere Confession of Faith.
The title Son of Man, is that of THE LONG AWAITED MESSIAH
THAT HAD A LEVEL OF MYSTERY IN ITS MEANING, INDICATING
SOMEONE OF HEAVENLY ORIGIN WHO WOULD USHER IN THE
ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD. (REFER DANIEL 7: 13 14)
In an Old Testament imagery, St Jacob dreamt of a
Ladder connecting earth to Heaven, upon which the
Angels of God were ascending and descending.
TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY
OF
OF
ORTHODOXY
The Church grew and covered the universe with the True
Faith.
After 300 years of the most unequal conflict between the
powerful Roman Empire and the powerless Christian
Church, the Roman Empire accepted Christ as Lord and
Master, which was the Second Triumph of Orthodoxy.
The Roman Empire recognized the One Whom it had
crucified and those whom it had persecuted as the
Bearers of Truth whose teaching was the Teaching of
Life Eternal. The Church triumphed.
Then the following centuries saw many attempts to distort
the Faith, to adjust it to human needs, to fill it with
human content.
In each generation there were those who could not accept
that Message of the Cross and Resurrection and Life
Eternal.
They tried to change Divine Truth with their heresies. Again
there were persecutions. Again, Orthodox Bishops,
Monks and laymen defended their Faith and were
condemned, sent into exile and covered with blood.
After five centuries of conflicts, persecutions and
discussions, the day, which we commemorate today,
finally came - the Final Victory of Orthodoxy as the True
Faith over all heresies.
In 843 on the First Sunday of Lent, in Constantinople, after
almost 100 years of persecution directed against the
veneration of Holy Icons, the Holy Church finally
proclaimed that the Truth had been defined, and was
fully in the possession of the Holy Church of Christ.
LENT SUNDAY
OF THE
TRIUMPH
OF
And since then all Orthodox Christians have gathered on

this first Lenten Sunday to proclaim our Faith in that
Truth before the world - our belief that our Holy Church
is truly Apostolic, truly Orthodox, truly Universal.
This is the Event of the past that we commemorate today.
However: do all the Triumphs and Victories of Orthodoxy,
belong to the past?
Looking at our present circumstances, we sometimes feel
that our only Consolation is to remember the past, for
THEN Orthodoxy was Glorious, THEN the Orthodox
Church was powerful and dominated the world.
But what about the present?
If the Triumph of Orthodoxy belongs to the past only, if
there is nothing else for us to do but commemorate, to
repeat to ourselves how glorious was the past, then
Orthodoxy is dead.
Yet, we are gathered here to witness to the Truth that
Orthodox Christianity is very much alive and that it will
forever celebrate Its Victories and Triumph!
We might not have to fight against heresies amongst
ourselves, but we certainly do have other things that
challenge our Orthodox Faith.
Today, gathered together as Faithful Orthodox of various
national backgrounds, we proclaim and glorify our
Unity in Orthodoxy, which is the present Triumph of
Orthodoxy.
It is a most wonderful Event when all of us - with all our
differences, with all our limitations, with all our
weaknesses - can come together and declare our mutual
Orthodox Faith.
Although we are Eastern Orthodox Christians, we live in
the West - far from all those glorious cities, which were
centres of our Orthodox Faith for centuries
Constantinople,
Alexandria,
Antioch,
Jerusalem,
Moscow...
No matter how far away those cities are, we sense that a
miracle has occurred for God sent us into the West - not
just to settle here, to increase our income, to build up a
community - but as Apostles of Orthodoxy, so that our
Faith, which historically was limited to the East, is now
a universal faith, having spread through the entire
world.
So many people immigrated far and wide - not thinking so
much about their Faith as about themselves, about their
lives, about their future. They were usually poor people,
who endured many difficulties, which compelled them
to build Orthodox churches everywhere - not for others
but for themselves - to remember their homelands and
to perpetuate their traditions without consideration
for the future.
The Orthodox Church was established throughout the
world by those very poor people who carried with them
the Divine Truth and the fullness of our Apostolic Faith,
which has strengthened the universe - which leads us to
the Event that belongs to the future.
If we can only proclaim and pray for that coming Triumph
of Orthodoxy in our country and throughout the world,
our Faith compels us to believe that it is never by
chance but by Divine Providence that our Orthodox
Faith has reached all countries, all cities, all continents
of this world.
After all that historic weakness of our religion, after the
persecutions by the Roman Empire, by the Turks, by the
godless atheists, after all the troubles that we had to
suffer, today a new day begins - and it is this future of
Orthodoxy that we celebrate today.
We can already see how our Orthodox Faith is growing and
truly becoming universal.
Orthodox Christianity has always possessed the Divine
Truth - the answers to all the questions of mankind.
"Orthodoxy" means "True Faith" for it is the True Teachings
and Divine Revelations of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His
Apostles, who in turn carefully preserved that Divine
Truth and passed it down to us.
Our Holy Church has preserved for all ages the True
Teachings of the Holy Apostles and of our Holy Church
Fathers and the Inspired Writings of the Saints.
The world is so complex - changing all the time - and the
more it changes, the more people fear, the more they
are frightened by the future, the more they are
preoccupied by what will happen to them.
Orthodoxy accepts the challenge of modern civilization and
reveals to all Nations, to all humanity in the whole
5TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY
OF
world, that it has remained the Force of God, which is

for the Transformation, for the Deification and for the
Transfiguration of all human life.
The past, the present, the future: At the beginning, one
lonely Man on the Cross the complete defeat.
And if we - with our human reckoning - had been there, we
probably would have said: "Thats the end. Nothing else
will happen."
His Apostles, with one exception, had left Him. There was
no one to hope. The world was in darkness. Everything
seemed finished.
Nevertheless, three days later He Appeared to His Faithful
Disciples, whose hearts burnt brightly within them
because they knew that He was our Resurrected Lord.
Since then, in every generation, there have been people with
burning hearts - those who understood that this Great
Victory of Christ had to be carried again and again into
this world - to be proclaimed in order to win more and
more souls and to be the Transforming Force in our
history.
Today this responsibility belongs to us although we may
feel that we are weak, that we are limited, that we are
divided- separated into so many groups and that we
have far too many obstacles to overcome.
But today, on this Sunday of Orthodoxy, we rejoice in that
Unity, which is already here - Priests of various national
churches praying together, people of all backgrounds
uniting in Prayer for the Triumph of Orthodoxy.
We are already Triumphant! And may God help us to keep
that Triumph in our hearts, so that we never lose Hope
in that future Event in the history of Orthodoxy when
Divine Truth becomes the Victory that eternally
overcomes all obstacles - because that Victory is the
Great Victory of Christ Himself!
As we approach the most important moment of the
Eucharist, the Priest says: "Let us Love one another,
that with one mind we may confess...."
Love (Agape) is the real Triumph of Orthodoxy - which
comes from Christ Himself and from the whole
Tradition of Orthodoxy with one mind of
unconditional, Divine Love, we confess our Faith, our
Orthodox Christianity.
We must feel responsible for each other and understand
that even if we are divided into small Parishes or
Dioceses, we belong to one another - together, to
Christ, to His Body, to His One Holy Church.
Let us feel responsible for each other, and let us Love one
another - putting above everything else the interests of
Orthodoxy in our country. Each of us is an Apostle of
Orthodoxy in a country that is not yet Orthodox, in a
society that asks us: "What do you believe?" "What is
your Faith?"
And above everything else, keep the memory, keep the
experience, keep the taste of that Unity, which we
celebrate today...
We have the Promise of Christ, that the Gates of Hell
will never prevail against His Holy Church - and if we
have Faith, all things are possible.
We have the Promise of the Holy Spirit, that He will fill all
that which is weak, that He will help us at the moment
when we need help.
In other words, we have all the possibilities - everything
that we need, and therefore the Victory is ours - not a
human victory to be defined in terms of money, or
success, or achievements. It is the Victory of Christ in
each of us - the Victory of His Holy, Eternal Church.
We are chosen. We are elected. We are the happy few that
can say of our Faith, "Apostolic," "Universal," "the Faith
of our Fathers," "Orthodoxy," "the Truth."
And having this Wonderful Treasure, let us preserve it, and
use it in such a way that it becomes the Victory of
Christ in us and in His Church.
Amen.
PROTOPRESBYTER ALEXANDER SCHMEMANN -CHAIR OF LITURGICAL THEOLOGY. NY, ST.
VLADIMIRS ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, MARCH 1985.
HTTP://WWW.SCHMEMANN.ORG/BYHIM/ORTHODOXY1985.HTML
LENT SUNDAY
ST JOHN
OF
KRONSTADT - GIFTS
OF
GOD
Remember constantly that the Light of your soul, of your

thoughts, and of your heart comes from Jesus Christ
OF THE
TRIUMPH
OF
LIVING
THE
TRIUMPH
OF
ORTHODOXY METROPOLITAN ANTHONY
We must thank God with all our heart that He has revealed
Himself to us, that He has dispelled Darkness in the
mind and heart of thousands and thousands of people,
that He Who is the Truth has shared the Knowledge of
the Perfect Divine Truth with us.
Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy commemorates the
recognition of the legitimacy of the veneration of Holy
Icons.
By doing so, we proclaim that Almighty God He Who is
invisible, ineffable and Whom we cannot comprehend
has truly become Man, and that God Himself has taken
on Flesh, so that He was able to live in our midst filled
with Humility, Simplicity and also with Glory.
And by proclaiming these Divine Truths, we venerate the
Holy Icons not as man-made idols, but as Declaration
of the Truth of His Incarnation.
Even while doing this, we must never forget that it is not
the Icons of wood and paint, that we venerate, but God
Who reveals Himself in our world.
Each of us every human being are created in the Image
of God.
Therefore, we are all living Icons, and this lays upon us a
great responsibility because any Icon can be defaced or
turned into a caricature and into a blasphemy!
And we must think of ourselves and ask ourselves: Am I
worthy? Am I capable of being called an Icon an
Image of God?
IS ORTHODOXY
OF
SOUROZH
A western writer said that when meeting Christians, those

who surround them should see them as Visions
Revelations of something they have never perceived
before that the difference between non-Christians and
Christians is as great, as radical, as striking, as the
difference between statues and living people.
Statues may appear to be beautiful but are made of stone
or wood and are quite lifeless and cold.
Human beings may not at first appear to be beautiful but like those who venerate Holy Icons that have been
Blessed and Consecrated by the Church - those who
meet them should be able to see in them the shining
Presence of the Holy Spirit and see God revealing
Himself in the humble form of a human being.
As long as we are incapable of being such Visions to those
who surround us, we fail in our Duty, for we do not
proclaim the Triumph of Orthodoxy through our
lifestyle and we lie about what we proclaim.
Therefore, each of us and all of us collectively bear
every responsibility for the fact that the world meeting
Christians by the millions is not converted by the Vision
of Gods Presence in their midst -carried indeed in
earthen vessels but Glorious, Saintly and
Transfiguring the entire world.
BIT WEIRD? - DEACON CHARLES JOINER
What is the Aim of life (death)? For Orthodox Christians it

is Salvation and Eternal Life with God.
How are we Saved? St Paul tells us we are Justified in
Christ through our Faith. (GALATIANS 2:16).
But what is Faith? Faith is our surrender to the Truth of the
Gospel and the Holy Tradition of His Church.
Faith is not some general belief in God, but specifically
total acceptance of the Life, Death, Resurrection and
Teachings of Christ as recorded in the Scriptures.
Our Faith implies a Way of Life following the Teachings of
Christ. It also means that we accept and fulfil the
Gospel and Epistle writings!
It is not enough to be good citizens we must also have
Faith - complete and total Faith in the Word of God.
At the Final Judgment our Life will be examined and we will
be Saved through the Grace of God.
The Church provides us with the Structure and Guidelines
to Live our Faith (in Christ.)
A Holy Person recently told me that there will be few in this
society who will be Saved. That should be scary, and it
made me think. It challenged me to wake up.
It is very important to recognize that our modern culture
is based on assumptions or values that differ from our
Orthodox Christian Faith, for Orthodox Christians are
like strangers in todays culture.
An Orthodox Way of Life has a worldview that is quite
different from the dominate culture we live in and have
been conformed to accept.
What is a world view? To make sense out of all the sensual
data we receive at any time, our mind relies on
unreliable ideas to simplify all the information we
receive through our senses. This is how we try to make
sense of our experiences and actions.
It is these often hidden assumptions that make up our
world view.
One person may assume: If I do good, I will be Saved.
The Orthodox view is: To be Saved, I must first have Faith
and follow the Teachings of the Bible as Commandments
from God and work to Perfect myself though Repentance
and by partaking regularly in the Holy Mysteries of the
Church to become a Holy (Sanctified) and then by Gods
Grace I can be Saved.
Some people even refuse to believe that God created the
world and that Truth is only determined by scientific
evidence.
Alternatively, we believe - without question - that God
created all we know, provides all we have for He is our
Heavenly Father - and that Truth is revealed to us
directly by our Triune God as well as through the
Divinely Inspired Scriptures, which are interpreted
by the Church, which is the Body of Christ on Earth
and headed by Christ Himself.
With just a few differing assumptions we can interpret

what is good and bad in quite different ways, leading to
different actions based on the same Reality.
People with differing world views have a difficult time
communicating on issues that concern our Salvation
and even the idea of Eternal Salvation may not be in
their worldview.
How many of us actually do put God at the centre of
everything we do?
As Orthodox Christians, we accept without any doubt,
based on our Faith, that God is our Creator and Lord.
The Inspired writings of His Holy Evangelists and Apostles
document for us the Example of our Incarnate Lord
Who voluntarily accepted our human condition, His
Actions and His Teachings, which clearly show us the
Path to Salvation.
Our Orthodox Life in Christ puts us at odds with society,
for others do not understand and regard us as being a
bit weird, out of step, not with it, or old fashioned.
We can expect to be ridiculed and ignored. And when we
try to explain, we should not expect to be understood,
because our reasons will not make sense to them.
Only by exposing their underlying assumptions can we ever
hope to explain although these assumptions are
generally hidden.
Our Salvation requires us to have a firm understanding of
the basis our Orthodox Way of Life.
It is generally accepted that Truth is relative. Many believe
that what is the truth for one person may be different
to that of another, and it is accepted that both are
equally valid. What is not tolerated in this view are
those who think they have the absolute Truth.
However, we Orthodox know through Faith that there is
only one Perfect, Absolute and Divine Truth!
Therefore we can expect that our Faith will not be
welcomed in general, and that others will work to
undermine it. We can expect to be shunned and
persecuted, just as the early Christians were in the
Roman pagan times.
Even though we act out of Love towards our neighbours as
we are commanded, we will still be rejected and
ridiculed for our practices and because of this, it is
important to be careful with whom we choose to spend
our time.
It is important to maintain and preserve our Faith, which
guides and supports us - by reading Scripture, attending
Services, praying throughout the day, participating
regularly in Holy Confession and Holy Communion, and
by adhering to the Fasts.
These prepare us for the Kingdom of God, so we must
constantly purify our heart and cultivate our Inner
Strength.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM
4. 5 T H S U N D A Y
OF
TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY
OF
LENT SUNDAY
OF THE
TRIUMPH
OF

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.
8 M a r c h 2015
Tone (6) Plagal 2

6 t h Sunday of Triodion 2 n d Sunday of Great Lent
St Gregory Palamas
Also the Feast of the Synaxis of the Venerable Holy Fathers of Kiev Caves Lavra St
Theophylaktos of Nicomedia St Lazaros & St Athanasios of Murom St Hermas of the
Seventy Apostles St Theodoritos, Hieromartyr of Antioch St Dometios the Persian St Felix
of Burgundy and Dunwich, Enlightener of East Anglia
Angelike
Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes

apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitousa to
ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilevsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis ip
aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos tin Zoin. O
Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie,
The
Angelic Powers were in Thy Tomb, and the guards

became as dead men, and Mary stood by the Tomb
seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led captive Hades,
yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art the
Doxa Si.
Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Glory to

Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the dead!
LENTEN APOLYTIKION ST GREGORY PALAMAS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Orthodoxias
O Fostir, Ekklisias to stirigma ke didaskale,

ton monaston i Kalloni, ton Theologon ipermahos
aprosmahitos, Grigorie Thavmatourge, Thessalonikis to
kavhima, kirix tis Haritos, iketeve dia pantos, sothine tas
psihas imon.
Beacon
of Orthodox Belief, the strong Support of the

Church and Her Teacher Inspired by God, Thou art the
Ornament of Monks, the unassailable Champion of
Theologians, O Gregory the Wonderworker and Boast
of Thessalonika, the Messenger of Grace. Forever
earnestly Entreat for the Salvation of our soul.
FESTAL KONTAKION- THEOTOKOS
Ti

Efharistiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os
ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me kindinon
eleftheroson, ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi Animfevte!
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
To Thee,
O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been

Delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the Victory
Festival as a Thanksgiving Offering.
In Thine
Irresistible Might, keep me Free from all Trials, so that
I may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded Bride!
RESURRECTION MATINS GOSPEL 6 : LUKE 24 : 36 - 53

OUR LORD JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES & ASCENDS TO HEAVEN
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM 27/28 TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
O Lord, protect us and preserve us, both now and forever.

Save us, O Lord, for there is not one Godly man left!
THE EPISTLE
OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
ST PAUL
TO THE
IS WITHOUT
HEBREWS 1 : 10 2 : 3
BEGINNING
AND THE
DIVINE CREATOR
OF
ALL
Brethren: God the Father said to His Son: Thou, O Lord, in the beginning laid the Foundation of the Earth, and the
Heavens are the Work of Thy Hands. They will perish, but Thou remain; and they will all grow old like a garment;
like a cloak Thou will fold them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will not fail.
Yet to which of the Angels has He ever said: Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy Footstool? Are they
not all ministering spirits who are sent forth to minister to those who will inherit Salvation?
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if
the word spoken by Angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall
we escape if we neglect such a great Salvation, which at first began to be spoken of by the Lord, and was confirmed
unto us by those who heard Him.
St Paul used a quotation from Psalm 101: 26 28, which
Rather than ruling over humanity, THE HOLY ANGELS OF GOD
concerns GOD THE FATHER ADDRESSING ANOTHER PERSON
ARE OUR PARTNERS OUR FELLOW INTELLECTUAL BEINGS - WHO
HIS ETERNAL SON AS LORD I.E. AS GOD.
ASSIST AND GUIDE US IN OUR HOLY SERVICE TO GOD.
THE SACRED ROLE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD the Holy
God has granted their Service to humanity as OUR HOLY
Messengers of God IS ... TO MINISTER TO THOSE WHO WILL
GUARDIAN ANGELS WHO ENLIGHTEN, CAUTION, PROTECT AND
INHERIT ETERNAL SALVATION.
WATCH OVER US as we Journey through this temporary
At the beginning of the New Covenant Era, many
existence towards Eternity and hopefully, Eternal
Hebrews believed that the Heavenly Angels still
Life in Christ.
mediated the Old Covenant with God.
WE MUST GIVE THE MORE EARNEST HEED... IS ST PAULS SERIOUS
THE HOLY ANGELS MOST CERTAINLY SERVED GODS DIVINE ANGEL
ADMONITION AGAINST WILFUL NEGLIGENCE AND CARELESSNESS,
OR MESSENGER I.E. OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST,
WHICH IS A SLOW PROCESS OF SPIRITUAL DRIFTING AWAY FROM
THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD, WHILE HE LIVED AMONGST US,
GOD AND INTO SPIRITUAL EXILE AND SIN.
until His Death on the Cross and His Descent into
Therefore, WE MUST REMAIN ALERT AND SPIRITUALLY WATCHFUL
Hades, where they could not go having nothing to
AT ALL TIMES for the evil one always waits for every
do with Death and Hades, the inventions of the Evil
opportunity to destroy us and our wonderful
Relationship with God and our fellow struggling
One who rebelled against God and who, together
with his fallen angels (demons), is no longer part of
sinners.
We must learn to APPLY ALL OUR LORDS TEACHINGS AND
Heaven or earth.
REVELATIONS TO OUR PERSONAL LIFE.
6THSUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 2ND
OF
LENT ST GREGORY PALAMAS
8 MARCH 2015
5.
We must also learn to HEAR THE VOICE OF OUR GUARDIAN

ANGELS WHO WORK JUST AS CEASELESSLY TO DRAW US CLOSER
TO GOD AND WHO HELP US ENDURE DIFFICULTIES AND TO RESIST

TEMPTATION.

THE FAITH
OF THE
PARALYTIC
ST MARK 2 : 1 - 12
TO
AND
HIS FOUR FRIENDS
At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that he was in the house. Immediately many
gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the
Word to them.
Then they came to Him, bringing a Paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near to Him
because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was and when they had broken through, they let down the bed
on which the Paralytic lay.
When Jesus saw their Faith, He said to the Paralytic: Son, your sins are forgiven you. And some of the Scribes were
sitting there and reasoning in their hearts: Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins except
God alone?
And immediately Jesus perceived in His Spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves so He said to them: Why do you
reason about these things in your heart? Which is easier, to say to the Paralytic, Your sins are forgiven you, or to
say, Arise! Take up your bed and walk!? But that you may know that the Son of Man has Power on earth to
forgive sins... He turned to the Paralytic, ...I say to you: Arise! Take up your bed, and go to your house.
Immediately he arose, took up his bed and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God,
saying: We never saw anything like this!
The one main Divine Purpose of our Lord Jesus Christs
As shown by the Healing of this paralysed man, Faith is
Coming into our world is for the Forgiveness of sins
certainly an indispensable condition for our
and granting us Eternal Life in His Divine Kingdom of
Salvation.
FAITH IS COLLECTIVE AS WELL AS PERSONAL for the profound
Love.
OUR WILLING REPENTANCE OF OUR PERSONAL SINS IS AN CEASELESS
Faith of the paralysed mans friends contributed to
his Miraculous Healing.
STRUGGLE WHEREBY WE ARE SET FREE BY THE GRACE OF GOD
This incident revealed THREE CLEAR SIGNS OF OUR LORD
from the bondage and enslavement of the evil one
JESUS DIVINITY HIS DIVINE NATURE:
who ensnares and entraps us with all his devious
temptations.
our Lord Jesus knows the secrets of all hearts and
THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS IS A FAR GREATER POWER THAN
souls.
PHYSICAL HEALING, because, as the Scribes correctly
1 KINGDOMS 16:7 LXX : The Lord said to Samuel: Have no
regard for his outward appearance, nor for the
stated, GOD ALONE CAN FORGIVE SINS!
maturity of his stature, because I have refused
Consequently, it is far easier for Christ to grant physical
him, for mankind does not see as God sees, for
Healing to those who seek it, but OUR SPIRITUAL HEALING
mankind looks at the outward appearance,
REQUIRES US TO HUMBLE OURSELVES, RECOGNISE OR IDENTIFY
while the Lord sees into the heart.
OUR SINS AND THEN EXPOSE THEM TO THE DIVINE LIGHT OF
St Cyprianos believed that GODS JUDGEMENT will not be
GOD, SEEKING HIS DIVINE FORGIVENESS.
merely based on outward appearances, but WILL
Similarly, THE FORGIVENESS OF ONE ANOTHER ALSO REQUIRES THE
PENETRATE MUCH DEEPER INTO THE HEART AND SOUL OF
EXPOSURE TO THE DIVINE LIGHT OF TRUTH since all too often
EVERYONE for God clearly sees the heart and the mind
the so-called victim is the initial offender and needs
to rectify deep seated, hidden sin, which is only
of every human being, and HE WILL JUDGE EACH SOUL
ACCORDING TO OUR DEEDS, OUR WORDS AND OUR THOUGHTS!
possible when True Humility and Obedience to God is
sincerely sought.
2 CHRONICLES 6 : 30 LXX: ... hear from Heaven, Thy
Although our Lord Jesus Christ is fully Divine (God) and
Dwelling Place, and forgive them. And GRANT TO
EVERYONE ACCORDING TO HIS WAYS, for Thou know his
He possesses complete Divine Authority to Forgive us
heart, since THOU ALONE KNOW THE HEARTS OF THE SONS
our sins, in this incident HE CONDESCENDED TO THOSE WHO
OF MANKIND...
HAD GATHERED AROUND HIM, by Healing the Paralysed
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FORGIVES SINS a Divine Power
Man in order TO DRAW THEM ALL CLOSER TO ALMIGHTY GOD
that belongs to God alone
WHOM THEY THEN GLORIFIED FOR HIS GREAT MERCY.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HEALS COMPLETELY physically
and spiritually by the Power of His Divine Word
alone.
6TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 2ND SUNDAY
OF
GREAT LENT ST GREGORY
HIS EMINENCE, ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS
Today, the second Sunday of the Great Fast, the Orthodox

Church worldwide celebrates the memory of St Gregory
Palamas, the fourteenth-century Archbishop of
Thessaloniki and one of the greatest Holy Fathers of the
Orthodox Church.
Until this century, because of the influence of the West, St
Gregory Palamas was a virtual mystery to Orthodox
Theologians.
This Holy Church Father, whom we hymn as "O Phoster tes
Orthodoxias" (the "Enlightener of Orthodoxy") and "to
Sterigma tes Ekklesias" (the "Pillar of the Church"),
taught and lived our Faith in a Purity which - except in
the hidden confines of Monasteries and in the hearts of
simple people who could not articulate what they knew
of Orthodoxy - was lost...
Even the Life of this great Saint is obscured by modern
Western ideas.
One of the few Commentaries on his Life - in a book
dedicated to the Pillars of Orthodoxy - refers to St
Gregory as a member of the "Palamas" family - as
though this great Saint were merely remembered for the
nobility of his parents, who were, indeed, members of
the Imperial Byzantine Court.
Many names at the time, of course, were not like family
names as we know them today, and the name "Palamas"
was an honourific name derived - not from St Gregorys
bloodline, but from the Greek word for "clapping,"
6.
6THSUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 2ND
OF
OF
OF
PALAMAS
ETNA (GREAT LENT 1998)
(applauding) - thus meaning that the Saints family was

lauded and honoured.
And so, this worldly honour was transformed by St Gregory
into Spiritual Honour, which we commemorate when we
refer to him as "Palamas" i.e. one who is applauded
for his Spiritual Stature.
Nor was St Gregory Palamas influenced by the Bogomils, as
the Theologian Father, John Meyendorff, so wrongly
taught; neither did he teach an innovative Theology, as
many modern Orthodox Theologians teach.
Rather, he codified and wrote about the deep, Mystical
Theology of the Orthodox Church, which is, indeed, a
teaching passed down through our Holy Church Fathers
- both in writing and by word of mouth - from the time
of the Apostles.
Orthodoxy, which is a living organism, developed and
matured under the Guidance of the Holy Spirit - from an
embryo that existed in Holy Scripture, which blossomed
over the centuries.
We do not, in fact, as Orthodox, honour that which is
ancientsince many heresies are as ancient as
Orthodoxyexcept that which is mature and which
fully expresses the spirit of Christianity given to us by
our Lord Jesus Christ, as one of our Holy Fathers tells
us, which was preached by the Apostles, and preserved
by our Holy Church Fathers.
St Gregory Palamas was nothing more than a great Saint
who focused us on mature Orthodoxy - on that fullness
8 MARCH 2015
of the Faith that was manifest by his time, which had its
roots in the Early Church, and which lives on today and
is found beneath the false accretions to Orthodoxy that
we must wipe away, if we are to find it in its authentic
form.
His is but the voice of the whole Church speaking maturely,
beyond Theologies, beyond Nationalities, beyond
administrative notions of the Church, and from its soul
and heart, which speaks to all mankind, whether
Orthodox or not, and which Enlightens, Vivifies, and
Transforms us Orthodox when we seek and achieve
Union with Christ.
The Orthodox Christianity that we know today - except for
its core - has deviated, on the whole, from the standard
of fully-developed Orthodoxy, which St Gregory Palamas
characterized and placed before us, and this both in
worship and in our Theology - again, because of
Western influence, but also because of the loftiness of
Orthodoxy that we often obfuscate by our human
pettiness and weakness.
Liturgically, we have come to think of Orthodoxy as a
religion focused on the ritualistic worship of God.
We do not worship God in our Church, as such; rather, we
commune with God directly, through the convergence
of Heaven and Earth in the symbols of worship.
Our worship is not mere veneration, but participation in the
timeless, Eternal Truth of Christ.
Indeed, the culminating point of worship is the Divine
Eucharist, in which we are made one with Christ.
How far this is from our present-day theatrical worship pews, lights, loud proclamations and singing, and all of
the other things that go along with the theatre!
Indeed, appealing, and falsely so, to the past, some
Orthodox have even come to the perversion of
congregational singing, thinking that the primitive
Services of the Early Churchwhere there were also
ordained Chanters, as many forgetcan somehow
replace the mature system of worship that we have
inherited from the mature Church.
We see this, too, in personal intimacyexcessive and
emotional embracing, kissing, and so onwhich are
inappropriate to the Christian and which come from
passions and not from sobriety.
The purpose of worshiphearing the very Voice of God in
silence and with our minds and eyes darkened to the
world, focused on the windows into the other world
that are our Icons; our senses saturated by incense; our
egos humbly subdued in pious standing and Prayer
has been thwarted.
Today - having adopted Western ideas of worship - we
scream and sing at God, making such a din that we do
not hear Him speaking to us.
St. John Chrysostomos told us that chanting, for example,
is a double form of Prayer.
And since, in Prayer we hear God, how far our chanting and
singing are from an act of listening!
How far, indeed, we are from the Experience of that small
Inner Voice, through which God speaks to our heart,
when we seek so-called "active" participation in our
Holy Services.
Our participation should be silence, submission, and awe
before the Splendour of God.
And our Prayers and chants should not be pronouncements
before God, but Supplications for God to speak to us
and be with us.
And so it is that, if we listen even to the Prayers that
accompany the Hymn that we just sang before the
Entrance with the Gospel, we hear Supplications that
Holy Angels will accompany us and be with us as we
receive Christ, Who is truly present among us and Who
speaks TO US through our Church rituals.
In Theology, few know the deep Truths of our Church.
Indeed, it is the Purpose of Christian Life to become one
with God - even in this life - and to conquer and
overcome our sexual passions, our greed, our envy, our
ST MAXIMOS
jealousy, and sin itselfremaining always subject to sin

and, because of our closeness to God, even more aware
of our sinfulness; but, nonetheless, remaining
unresponsive and resistant to sinful actions.
Our Union with God, which begins in this life, Transforms
our fleshas we see in the Holy Relics of the Saints,
which give off a sweet fragrance, and often do not
deteriorateand Transform the world around us.
This Enlightenment is Salvation, and the Transformation of
the world at the Parousia, the Second Appearance, will
express, in part, the Power that comes from those who
have been Transformed in Christ and who have
overcome and transcended this world of sin.
St Gregory Palamas calls us back to the earliest Holy
Fathers, who taught, in simplicity, that Christ became
Man, so that we might become gods.
By this, we do not mean the New Age nonsense of humans
becoming God and usurping His Power and Being, since
God transcends all that we can ever be!
Rather, we mean that, by the Ascetic Struggle of
Transforming ourselves, becoming a peculiar people
apart from the world, we take on the Traits of Christ
and become, as Scripture tells us, "Partakers of the
Divine Nature," or, to translate the original Greek into
idiomatic English, "Participants in the Divine Nature."
God remains what He is when we are United to Him, but we
become what we are not, yet what we were created to
be: Jesus Christs within Jesus Christ, as St Maximos the
Confessor expressed it - sons of gods within the Son of
God.
And again, this we accomplish only by Humility, the death
of the ego, Fasting, taking on Christian names, living a
Life centred on the Holy Eucharist, and dedicated to
Purity and the Love of God.
This is not something that we claim, like deluded New
Agers, but is something which we accomplish and
achieve by Ascetic Struggle in synergy with the Divine
Grace of God.
Finally, St Gregory Palamas told us something of the nature
of Struggle - something of great importance in this age
of ours - when we have so little appreciation for
discomfort and when we seek comfort at all costs.
There is in Orthodoxy no glory in suffering.
These are Latin ideas beloved by modern Orthodox, but
foreign to our Churchs True Tradition.
There is no "offering up" of our sufferings, as the medieval
Latins taught.
Such things are an offence to God, Who does not wish
recompense from us, but Who reaches us through Love.
When we suffer, then, according to the Hesychastic
Tradition of the Church, in the inner Tradition, which St
Gregory Palamas expressed in concordance with the
Teachings of the ancient Fathers, we do nothing more
than affirm the Grace of God in all thingsin human
happiness, in human adversity, and in human triumph
and loss.
A True Christian becomes passive to the world and treats
all things with a quiet acceptance.
This is a Sign of our Communion with God, since - when we
touch and live in the other world, yet still exist on Earth
- we gain a perspective that makes the things of this
world less threatening and, to be sure, less alluring.
Thus death is longer fearful, since we have beheld Life as it
continues beyond death.
This passivity, which must underlie our natural emotions,
is the core of our Faith; for through it, while remaining
inhabitants of Earth, we yet become Partakers of the
Heavenly.
Let us heed the Message of St Gregory Palamas and live our
Faith in its profundity and with sobriety and passivity accepting all things in a good way and seeking to rise
above the moment to the timeless.
http://orthodoxinfo.com/phronema/sgpm_sermon.aspx
THE
CONFESSOR
Our Lord said: ... I say to you: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who persecute
you..."
Why did He command these things?
So that He might free us from hatred, sadness, anger and grudges, and might grant us the greatest possession of all Perfect Love, which is impossible to possess except by those who Love all people equally in imitation of God.
6THSUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 2ND
OF
8 MARCH 2015
7.
ON
THE
IMPORTANCE
OF
PRAYER FATHER SERGEI SVESHNIKOV
Today, on the second Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate

the memory of St Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of
Thessaloniki, who lived in the fourteenth century.
He is known for his defence of the Hesychasm of Athonite
Monks and the Orthodox understanding of Prayer
against the criticism and attacks of Theologians who
were influenced by Western scholasticism.
Most of us, living in the world as we do, know very little
about the Hesychast controversy, the works of St
Gregory Palamas, or about the practise of Hesychasm.
This is not because Orthodox Theology and Praxis is
somehow more complicated than other areas of human
knowledge and experience.
We are often very successful at learning highly complex
subject-matters, mastering very sophisticated skills, and
becoming experts in our area of work or study.
Yet, when it comes to Prayer, too many Christians spend
very little time and effort to learn about it and to
practise it.
It is hardly surprising, therefore, that among the multitude
of very accomplished experts on a variety of subjects
that attend our churches, very few are experts in Prayer.
We often think of Prayer as a compilation of formulas that
have to be pronounced or tasks that have to be fulfilled
- certain Prayers in the morning, others in the evening,
and different ones before Communion.
The goal of such exercises is rarely very loftyusually
people say Prayers to quieten their own conscience: I
have fulfilled my morning obligation... or I have
fulfilled my pre-Communion obligation...and they feel
better about themselves.
When Prayers are missed, we feel guilty: I have not done
what I was supposed to do!
Prayer becomes a life-long conversation with ones own
self, but not with God.
Sometimes we want something, so we remember God, and
we decide to make a deal with Him.
We say a certain formula and expect that God will feel
obliged to deliver.
If it is something that we really want and we are not sure
that He will feel obliged enough, we may lengthen our
plea by putting in some extra Prayers and Readings, or
by doing a little extra to get something a little bigger.
We try to manipulate God in the same way that a dog tries
to manipulate its owner into throwing an extra biscuit
or two by doing an extra trick.
The only problem is that God did not die on the Cross in
order to acquire a pet for Himself.
Prayer is not a formula for manipulating God into doing
something for us, nor is it an obligation that was placed
on us to fulfil.
God knows exactly and precisely what we need for our
Salvation far better than we do, and He Delivers us from
all sinful bondage, including the burdens and
obligations of His Divine Law.
The Saints of both the Old and New Covenants prayed
constantly to God and even our Lord Jesus Christ spent
a lot time in Prayer at every chance He got, and His
Holy Church teaches us to do the same.
Why is Prayer so important?
In the same way that we cannot manipulate Almighty God,
He does not want to manipulate us.
Our Loving Lord wants us to freely and willingly enter into
Communion with Him - He wants to live in us and He
wants us to live in Him, to live for Him and to live with
Him. (GALATIANS 2:20; 2 CORINTHIANS 5: 15 & ROMANS 6:8)
Due to His infinite Love of mankind, ...the Son of God
became Man so that we might become gods. (ST.
ATHANASIUS, DE INCARNATIONE VERBI DEI 54).
Our Lord only wants our willing and loving heart - not our
tricks aimed at getting a few extra biscuits.
He needs us to be eager co-workers with Him in the task of
our Salvation. (1 CORINTHIANS 3:9)
Our Lord God wants to grant us abundant Life but He needs
us to live it. (JOHN 10:10)
And the Breath of Life in Christ is Prayer.
Prayer is the Communion of the Person of God with the
person of mankind but without our mutual
participation that Holy Communion becomes
impossible.
Just as a close relationship between two people is
impossible when one makes every effort to grow
6THSUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 2ND
OF
and nurture it, while the other person makes no effort

at all our Life in and with Almighty God is impossible
when He makes every effort for our Spiritual Benefit,
yet in return, we offer Him only a few short moments of
mindless recitations if or when we remember to pray.
Prayer does not consist of something written or printed on
a page in a book, but rather something special, intimate
and unique that arises from the depths of our heart and
soul.
Perhaps this is why the most common and most
meaningful Prayer has always been the simple Jesus
Prayer or Prayer of the heart which we pray with
each breath and with each heart beat: O Lord, Jesus
Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!
Prayer is not a mindless recitation of printed symbols, but a
devotion of mind and heart.
When we learn about ...the Prayer of the mind that enters
the heart... we are confronted by a rejection of a purely
mechanical recitation of words.
We would find it unacceptable to offer a mindless recitation
of words to our friends and loved ones yet how dare
we offer such meaningless recitation to the Lord our
God day after day?!
The Experience of the Athonite Hesychasts has revealed
that through Prayer we can enter into Communion with
the Very Uncreated Energies of God, or Communicate in
the direct way that God relates to the world and acts in
itnot through created mediators, but directly entering
into a Relationship with us.
And it is our response to God that makes this most
wonderful Relationship possible.
Look at the Prayers that the Church offers to us as our
Morning and Evening Rule of Prayer.
Pay close attention to the words.
These Prayers were composed by people whose heart was
ablaze with Love for God, who responded to Gods Gift
of Life by giving their own lives to God.
Their Prayers are not offered to us as recitations, but to
guide our heart and our Life in the same direction - in
the footsteps of our Holy Church Fathers.
We are to take these words written by other people and
make them our own - coming directly from our heart
and soul.
But this is not yet the Life of Prayer.
If Prayer is the Breath of Life, then it is impossible to live
just by breathing for a few minutes twice a day.
The Apostle Paul instructs us to ...pray without ceasing.
(1 THESSALONIANS 5:17).
Many have said that this is impossible - how can one do
anything without ceasing?
But do we not breathe without ceasing?
The Saints who devoted their Life to God found that not
only is it possible to pray without ceasing, but that it is
Unceasing Prayer that makes Life in God possible.
The more we allow our soul to breathe Prayer, the more
alive in God we become.
Although we cannot expect to spend our Life in Solitude
and Contemplation, as do the Athonite Hesychasts, we
can and should make Prayer both a state of our being
and an active Way of Life in God.
We do not have to study the works of St Gregory Palamas in
order to make the simple Jesus Prayer O Lord, Jesus
Christ, Son of God, have Mercy on me, a sinnera part
of everything we do throughout the day.
We can pay more attention to every word of our Prayers
and make them our own, as well as striving to model
our Spiritual Life on that of our Holy Church Fathers.
The Breath of Prayer is just as vital to our Spiritual Life as
the breath of air is to our physical life and just as
physical illness takes time and effort to heal, so too
does Spiritual Illness caused by the lack of Prayer.
Therefore, it is essential to begin immediately!
When the Ethiopian Eunuch learnt about Christ, he
exclaimed to St Philip: Behold! There is water! What is
to prevent me from being Baptised? (ACTS 8:36)
What hinders us from taking a Breath of Life this very
moment? If you believe with all your heart, you may!
HTTPS://FRSERGEI.WORDPRESS.COM/2010/02/27
8 MARCH 2015
8.

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
9 M a r c h 2015
The 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebastia:
St Acacios, St Aetios, St Aglaios, St Alexander, St Angos, St Athanasios, St Candidos, St
Chudion, St Claudios, St Cyril, St Cyrion, St Dometian, St Domnos, St Ecdicios, St Elias, St
Eunoicos, St Eutyches, St Eutychios, St Flavios, St Gaios, St Gorgonios, St Helianos, St
Herachos, St Hesychios, St John, St Lysimachos, St Meliton, St Nicholas, St Philoctemon, St
Priscos, St Sacerdon, St Severian, St Sisinios, St Smaragdos, St Theodulos, St Theophilos,
St Valens, St Valerios, St Vivianos, and St Xanthias.
Also the Feast of St Urpasianos of Nicomedia St Caesarios, (brother of St Gregory the
Theologian) St Tarasios of Liconium
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
40 HOLY MARTYRS
OF THE
SEBASTIA
OF
Tas algidonas ton Agion, as iper Sou epathon, disopithiti Be Entrated,
O Lord, by the Sufferings endured for Thee

by Thy Saints, and we pray Thee: heal all our pain.
Kyrie, ke pasas imon tas odinas, iase Filanthrope,

deometha.
THEOTOKION
Tou Gavriil fthegxamenou Si Parthene to Here, Sin ti Foni When
Gabriel uttered Hail to Thee, O Virgin, then with

the Voice the Lord of all became Incarnate in Thee
Whom the Holy Ark of old prefigured, as Righteous
David said. Thou carried Thy Creator and proved to be
more spacious than the Heavens. Glory to Him Who
dwelt inside Thee! Glory to Him Who came forth
from Thee!
Glory to Him Who through Thy
Childbirth has set us free!
esarkouto O ton olon Despotis, en Si ti Agia kivoto, os efi

O Dikeos David, edihihis Platitera ton Ouranon,
vastasasa ton Ktistin Sou. Doxa to enikisanti en Si!
Doxa to proelthonti ek Sou! Doxa to eleftherosanti
imas dia tou Tokou Sou!
FESTAL KONTAKION THE 40 HOLY MARTYRS
Pasan
Stratian tou kosmou katalipontes to en Ouranis

Despoti prosekollithite, Athloforie Kyriou Tessarakonta;
dia piros gar ke idatos, dielthondes makarii, epaxios
ekomisasthe, Doxan ek ton Ouranon, ke Stefanon plithin,.
OF
SEBASTIA
TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Forty Champions of the Lord: You abandoned the

armies of the world and attached yourselves to the
Master in Heaven. Having gone through fire and
water, O Blessed Ones, You worthily won Glory from
Heaven and a multitude of Crowns.
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL LUKE 21 : 12 19

DIFFICULTIES CONFRONTED
BY
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
OF
CHRIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... before all these things, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you,
Delivering you up to the Synagogues and prisons. You will be taken before Kings and rulers for My Names sake,
but it will turn out for you as an opportunity for Testimony. Therefore, settle it in your heart not to meditate
beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and Wisdom that all your adversaries will not be
able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will
put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My Names sake. But not a hair of your head shall be
lost.
By your Patience possess your soul!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 11 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us and preserve us.

Save me, O Lord, for the Godly man ceases.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 12: 1 10
PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO GODS CHASTENING AS WELL ARE HIS DIVINE PROMISES
Brethren: since we are surrounded by so great a Cloud of Witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with Endurance the Race that is set before us, looking to Jesus Christ, the Author and
Finisher of our Faith, Who for the Joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat
down at the right Hand of the Throne of God.
For consider Him Who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in
your soul. You have not yet resisted bloodshed striving against sin. And you have forgotten the Exhortation that
speaks to you as to sons: My son: do not despise the Chastening of the Lord. Do not be discouraged when you are
rebuked by Him; for whomever the Lord Loves, He Chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.
If you endure Chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a Father does not chasten? But if
you are without Chastening, of which al have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we respected them. Shall we not much more readily be in
subjection to the Father of spirits, and Live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them,
but He Chastens us for our Profit so that we may be Partakers of His Holiness.
TO
ST MATTHEW 20: 1 16
THE FIRST & THE LAST TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... the Kingdom of Heaven is like a Landowner Who went out early in the
morning to hire Labourers for His Vineyard. And when He had agreed with the Labourers on one denarius a day,
He sent them into His Vineyard. And He went out about the Third Hour, and saw others standing idle in the
THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS
OF
SEBASTIA
9 MARCH 2015
marketplace, and He said to them: You also, go into the Vineyard, and whatever is right, I will give you. So they
went.
Again, He went out, about the Sixth and the Ninth Hour, and did likewise. And about the Eleventh Hour He went out
and found others standing idles, and said to them: Why have you been standing here idle all day? They said to
Him: Because no one has hired us. He said to them: You also go into the Vineyard, and whatever is right, you will
receive.
And when evening had come, the Owner of the Vineyard said to His Steward: Call the Labourers and give them their
Wages, beginning with the last to the first. And when those who had been hired about the Eleventh Hour came,
they each received a denarius. And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; yet they
likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the Landowner, saying:
These Labourers have worked only one Hour, and Thou made them equal to us who have borne the Burden and
the heat of the day.
And He answered one of them, saying: Friend, I Am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with Me for a denarius?
Take what is yours and go on your way. I wish to give this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful for Me to do
what I wish with My own Things? Or is your eye evil because I Am Good?
So shall the last be first, and he first last, for many are Called, but few are Chosen.
THE COURAGE
AND
GRACE
OF
HOLY MARTYRDOM-SCHEMA-ARCHIMANDRITE AVRAAM
Spirit...
Today, Brothers and Sisters, we have assembled in order to
honour the memory of the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia,
who suffered at a time when the Christian Faith seemed
to have already begun to triumph over the entire
Roman Empire, and when Emperor Constantine the
Great, having defeated many of his opponents, had
become the Patron of Christianity.
It was during this period that Emperor Licinius, one of
Emperor Constantines former allies and co-ruler,
resisted his authority, desiring to reign independently.
Knowing that Emperor Constantine protected Christians
and fearing that sympathy for him might arise among
his troops, Licinius ordered them to publically declare
their renunciation of Christ.
At the very time that the Christian world was ready to
celebrate the end of the indescribably brutal
persecution, forty Faithful Christian soldiers were
unexpectedly martyred.
This must have been a shock to them since persecution and
torture suddenly befell them, just when everyone
expected a peaceful life.
At first they were urged to renounce Christ, but when it
was obvious that they refused to do so, the threats
became more dire.
These soldiers who had demonstrated their courage on the
battlefield, now acted even more bravely in their battle
against the evil one, remaining steadfast even when
confronted by cruel, unjust torture.
Forty soldiers almost half a division of 100 Roman
Centurions were subjected to being stripped naked
and forced into a frozen, ice covered lake, where they
remained for a very long time, yet enduring with
resilience and longsuffering.
To tempt them and to aggravate their agony, their
tormentors placed heated bathhouses along the bank of
the lake.
They were repeatedly told that all they had to do was to
renounce Christ and they would be able to warm
themselves in no time again.
With the exception of one soldier, all remained determined
and Faithful.
The weak soldier, unable to bear the agony of his frozen
body, renounced our Lord but fell dead on the
threshold of a bathhouse with its alluring warm water.
A short time later, one of the guards saw a Divine Light
that shone from Heaven upon the suffering soldiers in
Lake Sebastia, and then 40 crown descending upon
them. One crown, intended for the soldier who had
renounced Christ, began to rise back into the sky but
the guard, Aglaius, declared himself to be Christian,
removed his clothing and walked into the frozen lake to
suffer along with the martyred soldiers.
By the Grace of God, the soldiers all remained alive but
when morning came, they were executed in the most
terrible, excruciating manner their legs were smashed
with hammers.
When the last Holy Martyr finally perished, their bodies
were burnt and the remains thrown into the lake.
The following day Christians gathered their Holy Relics
from the lake bed and buried them with Love and
respect.
Todays Feast is one of the few that are especially singled
out during Great Lent, because we bow down with all
10.
due veneration before the unwavering Faith and

Longsuffering of these Forty courageous Soldiers of
Sebastia.
Martyrs, Venerable Ones, Holy Hierarchs, Passion-Bearers
or Saints however we may refer to them are Holy
Witnesses to Divine Truth, for due to their own Life in
Christ, and their Spiritual Struggles, they demonstrate
the Truth and Reality of Christianity more convincingly
than any Apologist or Theologian.
How did they accomplish this and what did they have that
we lack?
After these brave soldiers had demonstrated their
longsuffering and unwavering Faith in Christ, a
Supernatural, Divine Light suddenly appeared, shining
upon them and even warming the air.
The Grace of God witnessed as that Divine Light of Heaven,
penetrated their heart and soul and began to shine
forth from within them rendering them capable of
bravery far beyond human nature.
The Divine Grace of Almighty God granted them Strength
to endure that which exceeds the capabilities of not
only an ordinary person, but even of an especially
strong spirit, and those with strong, unwavering Faith
in God.
Only by the Grace of God is any human being capable of
performing that which is far beyond nature itself.
Only the Grace of God helps us to endure all afflictions
that are brought upon us by the evil one in his constant
warfare against us.
Satan usually uses small problems that imperceptibly
compel us to behave in an un-Christian manner, and by
underestimating the significance of these minor
occurrences, we commit many sins even heresy and
apostasy!
We constantly betray the Divine Commandments, by
regarding them as unimportant, yet if confronted by
such terrible trials as those that befell the Forty Martyrs
of Sebastia, would we recognise them as a matter of our
Salvation or perdition an opportunity to declare or
renounce our Faith in Christ?
We do not take care to have the Grace of God always
present in us - by increased Prayer, Repentance, and the
painstaking fulfilment of our Sacred Duties through
participation in the Divine Services, Fasting, etc.
We ignore the necessity of fulfilling the Divine
Commandments and Teachings, and we remain
negligent and careless, thereby losing the Divine Grace
that we received in the Holy Mystery of Baptism, and
which we receive from the Holy Mysteries of
Repentance-Confession and Communion.
Consequently, we render ourselves powerless over the
countless machination of the evil one, which today
might be small, but who knows what tomorrow will
bring upon us?!
HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM/THE-COURAGE-AND-GRACE-OF-MARTYRDOM-SERMONON-THE-FEAST-DAY-OF-THE-FORTY-MARTYRS-OF-SEBASTIA/
ARCHIMANDRITE SOPHRONY
If we would concentrate on Divine Truth as seen in Christ,
all need for a stream of words disappears, until
finally the mind enters the realm of profound
Silence.
THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS
OF
SEBASTIA
9 MARCH 2015

15 M a r c h 2015
Tone (7) Varys-Grave

7 t h Sunday of Triodion 3 r d Sunday of Great Lent
Veneration of the Holy Cross
Also the Feast of St Agapios, St Publios, St Timolaus, St Romulos, St Alexander, St Alexander, St

Dionysios & St Dionysios of Caesarea, Palestine St Alexander of Side, Pamphylia St
Nicander of Egypt
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (7) VARYS-GRAVE
Katelisas to Stavro Sou ton Thanaton.
By
Ineoxas to listi ton

Paradison. Ton Miroforon ton thrinon metevales ke tis
sis Apostolis kirittin epetaxas, oti
Anestis, Hriste O
Theos, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
Thy Cross Thou destroyed Death; Thou opened

Paradise to the Thief; Thou changed the funeral wail
of the Myrrh-bearing Women, and Commanded them
to announce to Thine Apostles that Thou had Risen
from the dead, O Christ our God, Who bestows upon
the world Great Mercy!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION VENERATION
Soson Kyrie ton Laon Sou,
ke Evlogison tin Klironomian

Sou, Nikas tis efsevesi kata varvaron doroumenos, ke to
Son filatton, dia tou Stavrou Sou politevma
FESTAL KONTAKION
Ti
OF THE
Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria Os Litrothisa ton dinon

Efharistiria Anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke All os
ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton ek pantion me kindinon
eleftheroson ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi Animfevte!
INSTEAD
OF THE
OF THE
HOLY CROSS
OF
CHRIST:
Lord, Save Thy people and Bless Thine Inheritance,

granting Orthodox Christians victory over their
enemies, and guarding Thy commonwealth with Thy
Cross
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Unto Thee, O Theotokos Invincible Champion, Thy City in

Thanksgiving ascribes the Victory for the Deliverance
from sufferings. But having Thy Might unassailable,
free me from all dangers so that I may cry out to Thee:
Hail! O Bride Ever Virgin!
TRISAGION HYMN
Ton Stavron Sou Proskinoumen, Despota, ke tin Agian Sou Thy
Cross, O Master, we Reverence, and we Glorify Thy

Holy Resurrection [3]
Anastasin Doxazomen [3]
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati ke nin ke Ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
tous eonas ton eonon.
Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amin
Ke tin Agian Sou Anastasin Doxazomen
Dynamis!
Ton Stavron Sou Proskinoumen, Despota, ke tin Agian Sou
Anastasin Doxazomen
Amen
And Thy Holy Resurrection we Glorify
Power/Strength
Thy Cross, O Master, we Reverence, and
we Glorify Thy
Holy Resurrection
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 7: JOHN 20:1 - 10

ST PETER & ST JOHN WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST
PROKEIMENON
Sing Praises to our God, sing Praises!

O Clap your hands, all you Nations!
ST PAULS EPISTLE
CONCERNING
OUR
TO THE
HEBREWS 4 : 14 5 : 6
MERCIFUL HIGH PRIEST & QUALIFICATIONS
FOR THE
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Brethren: ... seeing then that we have a Great High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens Jesus, the Son of God let
us hold fast our Confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but Who
was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, so that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in the time of
need.
For every High Priest taken from among men is appointed for mankind in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both
Gifts and Sacrifices for sins. He can have Compassion for those who are ignorant and going astray since he himself is
also subject to weakness. Because of this, he is required as for the people, so also for himself to offer Sacrifices for
sins.
And no man takes this honour to himself, but he who is Called by God just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not Glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He Who said to Him: Thou art My Son: today I
have Begotten Thee. As He also said in another place: Thou art a Priest forever according to the Order of
Melchizedek.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST TRUE, DIVINE
Position in Eternity at the right hand of God the
Father.
HEAD OF HIS ETERNAL, HOLY CHURCH.
The expression ... passed through the Heavens... refers
However, it is important to keep in mind that GOD, BEING
to the Ascension into Heaven by our Resurrected Lord
OMNIPRESENT, NEVER LEAVES EITHER HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM
Jesus Christ when He returned to His rightful Divine
NOR US ON EARTH. HE IS EVER PRESENT BUT INVISIBLE TO US
7TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY
OF
GREAT LENT VENERATION
OF THE
HOLY CROSS 15 MARCH 2015
11.
WATCHING OVER Us
unless we enter a state of Spiritual

Death (sin) then HE TURNS HIS SIGHT AWAY FROM US UNTIL
WE REPENT AND RETURN TO A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE.
Our Lords Ascension into Heaven means that HE HAS
ACCOMPLISHED HIS DIVINE MISSION ON EARTH AND HAS
ENTERED INTO HIS SABBATH REST.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS GREAT EMPATHY WITH HIS CREATURES
and especially with us sinners, since HE EXPERIENCED
THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE IN HIS HUMAN NATURE,
EVEN THOUGH HE REMAINED SINLESS.
AS GOD-MAN, OUR LORD JESUS WAS INCAPABLE OF COMMITTING
ANY SIN WHATSOEVER BECAUSE IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AGAINST HIS
PERFECT NATURE.
Christ showed us by His own Example that IT IS INDEED
POSSIBLE TO RESIST TEMPTATION although for us it is an
even greater Spiritual Struggle that lasts until we have
drawn our last breath.
The Ever Blessed Theotokos and St John the Baptist were
so devoted to the Will of God that THEIR LOVE FOR HIM
COMPELLED THEM TO BE HUMBLY OBEDIENT, WHICH IS WHAT WE
TOO MUST ALWAYS STRIVE TO ACHIEVE.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is Enthroned at the right hand side
of God the Father the position of honour and HE IS
SEATED ON A THRONE OF GRACE RATHER THAN A THRONE OF
JUDGEMENT, GRANTING HIS GREAT MERCY AND DIVINE GRACE
TO HELP US IN TIMES OF NEED.
A PRIEST USUALLY STANDS WHILE SERVING OUR LORD GOD. He
can never be seated while doing so, for that would be
utterly disrespectful.
(That is also why we should be standing at all times
throughout the Holy Services. Now that we have pews
or chairs in our churches, we should only rest on the
edge of the seat if need be, ready to stand and

worship with our entire bodies.)
THERE IS SIGNIFICANT POWER IN OUR ENTHRONED HIGH PRIEST,
FOR HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED AND FULFILLED ALL THE NECESSARY
SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS FOR ALL TIME!
(The Holy Icon of 0ur Lord Jesus Christ, depicted as a
High Priest, is usually situated on the Bishops Throne
in every Orthodox Church reminding us that there is
only one Divine Head and that the Bishop acts on His
Behalf. Thus we should obey the will of the Bishop as
though it was the Divine Will of Christ.)
In order to qualify as an Old Covenant Priest, a man was
chosen from among men i.e. another male human
being who was appointed for men specifically for
Liturgical Service. He had to offer the blood Sacrifices
to God for his and the peoples sins. He had to be
compassionate towards others and he had to be
Called by God to serve Him.
In the Aaronic Priesthood A PRIEST IDENTIFIED HIMSELF WITH
HUMANITY AND HAD GREAT SYMPATHY FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE
HE SINNED AS MUCH AS OTHERS SINNED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
The Blood Sacrifices were vicarious offerings of various

animals, according to the sins that had been
committed.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ASSUMED AND FULFILLED THE OLD
COVENANT PRIESTHOOD FOR JUST LIKE MELCHIZEDEK, HE IS
BOTH PRIEST AND KING.
HOWEVER, HE HAS NEVER SINNED I.E. HE CANNOT SIN AND HIS
GREAT SACRIFICE WAS THE BLOOD SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF,
WHILE HIS PERFECT, ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD CONTINUES IN HIS
HOLY CHURCH FOR EVERMORE.
TO
ST MARK 8 : 34 9 : 1
OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS DIVINE TEACHING CONCERNING ETERNAL LIFE BEING GOOD & FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
At that time, when our Lord Jesus had called the people to Himself, with His Disciples also, He said to them: Whoever
desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospels will Save it. For what will it profit a man
if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever
is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be
ashamed when He comes in the Glory of His Father with the Holy Angels.
And He said to them: Truly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the
Kingdom of God present with Power.
Let us rather take up our heavy Crosses of earthly
THE CROSS, which was the most dreaded and
life AND FOLLOW CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, WHO LEADS US
inhumane instrument of Roman torture and
execution, HAS BECOME FOR ALL STRUGGLING DISCIPLES
SAFELY TO OUR HEAVENLY DESTINATION.
OF CHRIST A HOLY SYMBOL OF OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE
Let us use every minute of our lifespan LIVING IN
CHRIST AND SEEKING ONLY THE SPIRITUAL QUALITIES
AND SUFFERING, IN IMITATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR,
JESUS CHRIST.
AND NECESSITIES TO ADVANCE US AND TO BENEFIT US
THE HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST IS OUR MOST VENERATED BADGE OF
ETERNALLY.
HONOUR WHEREBY WE LIVE AND DIE IN CHRIST.
Let us CONSTANTLY OFFER THANKSGIVING TO OUR LIVING
WE PRACTICE SELF-DENIAL FOR THE SAKE OF OUR LOVE OF GOD AND
GOD WHO IS INFINITELY MERCIFUL, GRACIOUS AND
HIS HOLY GOSPEL and our acceptance of this part of our
BENEVOLENT.
Sacred Mission is certainly not a form of punishment,
BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS WHICH FAR
nor is it an end in itself, but rather, IT IS A MEANS OF
OUTWEIGH ALL THE THINGS YOU MAY THINK YOU WANT
OR NEED!
OVERCOMING AND DEFEATING THE FALLEN WORLD FOR THE
SAKE OF GODS HEAVENLY, ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE, JOY
Let us MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO IMITATE CHRIST our Lord
AND PEACE.
Who clearly and concisely shows us that
Therefore we take up our personal Crosses and Follow
EVERYTHING GOOD IS INDEED POSSIBLE in this poor,
Christ by CRUCIFYING THE DEMANDS AND DESTRUCTIVE
tragic and darkened fallen world.
PASSIONS OF OUR WEAK FLESH AND BY SO DOING, WE
Finally, those who would ... see the Kingdom of God
STRENGTHEN OUR IMMORTAL SOULS AND GRADUALLY BECOME
present with Power... was a reference to OUR LORD
WORTHY, SANCTIFIED CITIZENS OF ETERNAL LIFE.
JESUS CHRISTS TRANSFIGURATION ON MOUNT TABOR,
G A L A T I A N S 5 : 2 4 : ... those who are Christs have
which three of His closest Apostles witnessed
shortly before His Great Passion and Resurrection.
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The central paradox of our Life in Christ is that whenever
It is also a reference to THOSE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF
we try to grasp temporal (earthly) things, we lose the
CHRIST IN EVERY GENERATION WHO WILL EXPERIENCE
THE TRUE PRESENCE OF GODS KINGDOM.
Eternal, Priceless Treasures of Heaven.
However, WHEN WE LEARN SELF-DENIAL AND REPENTANCE, AND
WE SACRIFICE OR RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF ALL WORLDLY
ST NEKTARIOS OF AEGINA
THINGS, WE GAIN UNTOLD AND UNIMAGINABLE ETERNAL
We have within us deeply rooted weaknesses, passions,
RICHES!
and defects. This cannot all be cut out with one sharp
What will a man give in exchange for his soul? is a
motion, but patience, persistence, care and attention.
most profound question because it emphasises the
The Path leading to Perfection is long. Pray to God so that
utter foolishness of trying to accumulate WORLDLY
He will Strengthen you. Patiently accept your falls
POSSESSIONS AND TEMPORARY SOCIAL STATUS OR POWER for
and, having stood up, immediately run to God, not
NONE OF THESE CAN REDEEM OUR FALLEN, UNREPENTANT
remaining in that place where you have fallen. Do
IMMORTAL SOUL.
not despair if you keep falling into your old sins. Many
NOTHING OF THIS TEMPORARY, MATERIAL WORLD BENEFITS US IN
of them are strong because they have received the
ETERNITY. THEREFORE, WE MUST RESIST THE TEMPTATIONS THAT
force of habit. Only with the passage of time and with
DISTRACT US AND LEAD US ASTRAY AND CAUSE US TO FALL INTO
fervour will they be conquered.
SPIRITUAL DEATH.
Don't let anything deprive you of hope.
12. 7 T H S U N D A Y
OF
TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY
OF
OF THE
THE HOLY LIFE-GIVING CROSS
OF THE
Rejoice, O Life-giving Cross," "the Invincible Victory of

Piety," "the Heavenly Door," "Confirmation of the
Faithful," "Protection of the Church," "for by it the Curse
is destroyed" and "abolished," and the "reign of Death is
trampled" and "we are raised up from earthly to
Heavenly Things," "Invincible Weapon," "Resistance of
demons," "Glory of Martyrs," the True "Adornment of
the Saints", the "Haven of Salvation," "granting to the
world Great Mercy.
With these words (and many others) today the Holy Church
of Christ magnifies and glorifies the Life-giving Cross this Weapon of our Salvation.
We all know, of course, that the Life-Giving Cross is our
main Holy Symbol, our main Spiritual Treasure.
And the Church glorifies this Holy Symbol in a special
manner.
During the course of the entire year, on Wednesdays and
Fridays, in Church Hymns and practically on every
Sunday, the Cross is glorified.
It is brought out triumphantly three times during the year
for veneration: on 1 August we commemorate the
Procession of the Cross out from the Cathedral in
Constantinople and along the streets of that royal city;
on 14 September we commemorate the main Feast - the
Triumphant Elevation and Exaltation of the Cross; and
today, the Third Sunday of Great Lent, we
commemorate the Veneration of the Holy Cross.
Why does our Holy Church commemorate the Veneration of
the Holy, Life-giving Cross on this Third Sunday of
Great Lent?
In the Old Testament there was an episode, which Holy
Scripture relates, when the Hebrew people who were
wandering in the desert under the leadership of the
Prophet and God-seer, St Moses, were for a long time
without any drinkable water, and were growing weaker
by the day from thirst.
Finally they found a spring with water, and being
completely exhausted, and at the height of their
suffering, they ran to drink the water, but alas it was
unbearably bitter and impossible to drink.
So they turned to St Moses to solve the problem, and he
besought the Lord our Gods Great Mercy upon the
woeful state of the people and this bitter spring of
undrinkable water.
The Lord instructed him to take a branch of a particular
type of tree, which he then, with Fervent Prayers,
immersed into that bitter water, whereupon a wondrous
change occurred the water was no longer bitter but
had become pleasant to the taste and refreshing - as it
happens only with the best and purest sources of water.
This particular Divine Miracle, as our Holy Fathers have
pointed out, prefigured the Life-giving Cross that
sweetens the turbulent and bitter waters of the sea of
life in which we now find ourselves.
Particularly now - during Great Lent - the Church reminds
us of the Holy, Life-giving Cross and offers It to us, to
encourage and Strengthen us for the continuation of
our Podvig of carrying our Cross.
Of course, for those who do not Fast, this is
incomprehensible for they neither understand nor see
any need for this.
However, for those of us who do faithfully observe the
Fasts, we know that human frailty becomes apparent
during this Labour of Fasting and that we grow weak.
In order to encourage us and to Spiritually Strengthen us,
the Church reminds us of the Holy Cross - of what our
Lord Jesus Christ did for us, how He took upon Himself
our sins, nailed them to the Cross, became nailed
Himself to it and through His Sufferings upon the
Cross, obtained for us our Salvation and Clemency from
Divine Justice.
LORD ST PHILARET
OF
NEW YORK
This is particularly comprehensible for great Fasters and

Ascetics - True Monks in strict Monasteries.
In Monasteries they all Fast strictly, harshly, not sparing
themselves.
Certain Fasters spend entire days completely without food
or drink.
And in order to strengthen their human frailty, which
weakens with such Fasting Feats, Ascetics turn to the
wood of the Cross, which speaks to us of what our
Lord Jesus Christ endured for us, and by this we receive
Strength and wings for our new Spiritual Labours our
new Podvigs.
But remember, when we bow down in veneration before the
Life-giving Cross - to venerate it and kiss it, as our Holy
Symbol, as our Holy Treasure, which Sanctifies us - we
must always keep in mind everything that occurred on
the Cross of Christ and everything that it represents to
us who are His Faithful Disciples.
The Mystery of our Saviours Great Podvig on the Cross
consists of His being nailed to the Cross in His Human
Nature - and in this Nature He experience all
indescribable sufferings of crucifixion.
But at the same time, since He was not merely Man, but
God-Man, His Divine, Omniscient Nature revealed to
Him the full knowledge of all the sins of all people of all
ages - and of ours as well.
And while He was suffering there, He grievously
experienced all the torments of the sins of all mankind
and our own sins were also there in front of Him - and
He sorrowed for them and accepted crucifixion for the
sins of each one of us!
Concerning this, the Holy Fathers tell us that since the
Power of His Podvig on the Cross - Its Salvific effect extends over all time, and consequently touches all
mankind's sins.
Consequently, every time that we sin, we exacerbate the
suffering that our Lord endured on the Cross for us.
The Holy Fathers taught us that we who sin impenitently
thereby crucify the Son of God again and again for it
is like nailing Him to the Cross repeatedly!
Whenever we commit a conscious sin, it is as though we are
personally nailing our Saviour to the Cross!
A certain unrepentant sinner often approached the Holy
Icon of the Mother of God the Unexpected Joy despite the fact that he was on his way to commit his
sins, yet with Faith and Reverence he glorified Her,
pronouncing the Angelic Salutation: Rejoice O Virgin
Theotokos, Mary Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou among women.
One day, after such a greeting, he was terrified to see that
the Image had become alive - and fresh blood streamed
from the Wounds of our Saviour.
The man began to shake uncontrollably, and falling before
the Holy Icon in abject horror, he begged our Lady
Theotokos: O Mother of Mercy, Intercede for me, a
sinner, before Thy Son, that He would forgive me my
lawlessness.
And She responded: You call me Mother of Mercy, yet you
are not merciful to My Son - for each time that you sin
impenitently, you nail Him again to the Cross!
The sinful man, with contrite tears, implored Her - and
eventually She obtained Forgiveness for him from Her
Divine Son.
What an edification is this for us!
Remember this, beloved Christian - when bowing down
before the Cross and kissing it, pray to the Lord, that
He, through the Power of the Cross, will Strengthen you
in your Battle against sin, so that you might not sin
impenitently - and through this unrepented sin, once
again nail our Lord to the Cross.
Amen.
HTTP :// BLESSEDPHILARET . BLOGSPOT . COM /2011/09/ SERMON - HOLY - CROSS 3 RD - SUNDAY - LENT . HTML
WHAT
IS
NECESSARY
FOR
SALVATION?- ELDER CLEOPA
In the Orthodox Tradition our Salvation is not a simple

matter.
It is not a matter of being chosen or simply the Work of
Divine Grace through Faith.
Our Salvation is a long process that is part of a Spiritual
Maturing with the full cooperation of both God and
mankind.
13. 7 T H S U N D A Y
OF
TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY
OF
We must cooperate with God based on Faith, receiving His

Grace to do Righteous deeds.
Elder Cleopa said:
Our Church, however, teaches that our personal Salvation
is neither a Gift, nor a simple work, but rather a Process
and an Undertaking that matures or develops gradually
OF THE
and is realized in the Co-operation of two Persons: God

and man.
On the part of God, Divine Grace (His Uncreated Divine
Energy) is offered to us, while for our part, Faith and
Righteous Deeds are necessary.
Consequently, the prerequisites for our personal Salvation
are the following:
1. the Divine Grace or Uncreated Divine Energy of
God and
2. the Faith and Virtuous Deeds of mankind....
Holy Scripture is filled with passages that refer to Good
Deeds as a necessary prerequisite for our Salvation.
Central to this issue is the question of free-will.
Do we have free-will?
On this question Holy Scripture is very clear and these are
some
passages
identified
by
Elder
Cleopa:
PSALM 5 : 13: ...Lord, as with a Shield of Thy Good
Pleasure hast Thou crowned us.
ECCLESIASTES 15: 14 ...He Himself made man from the
beginning, and left him in the hand of His Council.
ECCLESIASTES 15 : 6 ...He hath set fire and water before
thee: stretch forth thy hand unto which ever thou
wilt.
DEUTERONOMY 11 : 26 27 ...Behold, I set before you this day
a Blessing and a curse; a Blessing if you obey the
Commandments of the LORD your God.
DEUTERONOMY 30 : 15 & 19 ...Behold! I have set before thee
this day Life and Death, good and evil... I call Heaven
and Earth to record this day against you, that I have
set before you Life and Death, Blessing and cursing;
therefore choose Life, that both thou and thy seed
may live.
MATTHEW 19 :17 Our Lord Jesus said to the Rich Man, ...If
you would enter into Life, keep the Commandments.
ISAIAH 1 : 19 20: God says through mouth of St Isaiah:
...If you are willing and Obedient, you shall eat the
TAKE
UP
YOUR CROSS
AND
OF
(CORINTHIANS 5:10)
We must be humble when reading Scripture, for the True

Wisdom of God cannot be gained through intellectual
means and we must first purify our minds and hearts
from all passions.
Elder Cleopa said: ...Christ has brought Salvation to
everyone - something the Theologians have labelled
General
Salvation.
And
yet,
everyone
does
not actualize this objective Salvation - only those who
seek and peruse it...
Those who desire to be Saved and work toward this Goal
receive Divine Grace as their Aid and Guide.
This Grace does not work in us violently; rather It abides
with us perennially as a specific offering for the Work of
our Salvation....
Grace does not compel anyone. Mankind has the God-given
Freedom to accept it and to work with it or to reject it.
Those who embrace it are Saved and those who withdraw
from it are lost.
ELDER CLEOPA - THE TRUTH OF OUR FAITH PP 153-166
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/2012/04/WHAT-IS-NECESSARY-FORSALVATION.HTML
FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST ST INNOCENT, APOSTLE
The First Sacred Duty of a Christian a Faithful Disciple and

Follower of Jesus Christ is to deny oneself.
To deny oneself means to give up our personal bad habits, to
root out of our heart and soul all that shackles us to the
fallen world to be dead to sin and the world, but alive to
God.
The Second Sacred Duty of a Christian is to take up ones Cross.
The word Cross, means our own sufferings, sorrows and
adversities.
To take up our Cross therefore means to accept without
complain everything that is unpleasant, painful, sad,
difficult and oppressive that may happen to us in this
temporary life.
In other words: we must bear all mocking, scorn, weariness,
sorrow and annoyance from others.
We must also bear all poverty, misfortune, illness, and suffering
without regarding ourselves as being offended or feeling
self-pity.
And if, when we are bearing our Cross according to the Will of
God, a proud thought suggests to us that we are not as
weak as others, but that we are firm, pious or better than
others, we must immediately root out those ideas as much
as we can, for they are the ruin of all Virtue.
There are external and internal Crosses.
All the above-mentioned Crosses are external and our Lord will
not let those who Struggle to bear them wisely perish.
However, in order to become Holy and become like our Lord
Jesus Christ, merely external Crosses are not enough.
External Crosses without internal Crosses are of no more use
than external Prayers without internal Prayers.
External Crosses are borne not only by Christians, but by
everyone by all humanity!
There is one person on this Earth who has not suffered in some
way or another. But whoever wants to Follow our Lord
Jesus Christ must bear internal Crosses as well.
Internal Crosses can be found at all times, and more easily than
external Crosses.
We must direct our attention to ourselves with a sense of
penitence, and a thousand internal Crosses will spring up!
For instance, consider how we came to be in this world and
whether we live as we ought to be living.
We must question ourselves sincerely and we will see that we
are indeed the Creation and Work of Almighty God, and
that we exist solely in order to Glorify Him with all our
actions, our lifestyle and with our whole being.
Not only do we not Glorify God, but we also anger and
dishonour Him by our sinful lifestyles!
14. 7 T H S U N D A Y
good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you

shall be devoured with the sword.
MATTHEW 19 :21 If you wish to be Perfect, go and sell all
that you have and give it to the poor, and you will
have Treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.
All the above show that it is obvious that God gave
mankind free-will. Therefore, we must use it to
cooperate with God's Grace, which we receive though
Faith
...For we all must appear before the Judgment Seat of
Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his
body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
TRIODION 3RD SUNDAY
OF
TO
AMERICA
We should seriously contemplate what awaits us on the other

side of our grave and on which side will we be standing at
Christs Final Judgement on His left or on His right?
Furthermore, we should think about being Eternally separated
or alienated from God and all His Goodness, which is
Eternal Death or Hell.
Have we thought about Paradise, which our Lord has prepared
for us?
Have we ever considered the fact that we are depriving
ourselves of its Eternal Blessings and Bliss through our
carelessness, our neglect and our stupidity?
If we begin to reflect in this manner, we will undoubtedly
become alarmed and disquieted.
We must not try to drive away or ignore such profound
thoughts by means of empty, worldly diversions and
entertainment for they are vital and Spiritually Profitable
for us all and in fact, we will find still more Crosses to
bear!
We can never really see the full state of our soul in all its
nakedness and Truth without the special Help and Grace of
God, because the depths of our soul is always hidden from
us by our own self-love, passions, worldly cares, and selfdelusions.
What little we can see is only superficial and no more than what
reason and conscience can show us.
Our enemy, Satan, tries to blind us to ourselves so that we will
be prevented from running to God and seeking Salvation.
But if he cannot discourage us from seeking God, he tries
other tricks and deceptions.
Our Lord grants us Knowledge of ourselves and although we
will be sorrowful, His gentle Voice Calls us to His Kingdom
for all sin can be erased through Repentance...
Our Third Duty as a Disciple of Christ is to Follow Him to act
and live as He taught us to do, always thanking, loving and
praising God the Father.
Our Lord honoured and respected His Mother and His Legal
Guardian.
So, too, must we honour and respect our
parents, teachers and elders.
Just as our Lord Loved, forgave, respected and helped everyone,
so too must we without hypocrisy but with all Humility
and Obedience.
And so we must take up our Cross and Follow our Lord Jesus,
striving to fulfil all Sacred Tasks as Faithful and Obedient
Disciples of Christ.
HTTPS://THEINNERKINGDOM.WORDPRESS.COM/2011/03/22/TAKE-UP-YOURCROSS-FOLLOW-JESUS-CHRIST
OF THE

22 M a r c h 2015
Tone (8) Plagal 4

8 t h Sunday of Triodion 4 t h Sunday of Great Lent
St John Klimakos (of the Ladder of Divine Ascent)
Also the Feast of St Basil, Hieromartyr of Ancyra, Galatia St Drosis, daughter of Emperor
Trajan, St Agalida, St Apollinaria, St Daria, St Mamthusa and St Thais Virgin Martyrs St Isaac,
Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople St Euthymios of Prodromou
Monastery, Mount Athos St Callinica & St Basilissa of Rome
Ex ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo triimeron,
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!
ina imas elevtherosis ton Pathon. I Zoi ke i Anastasis

imon, Kyrie, Doxa Si!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST JOHN KLIMAKOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Tes ton dakrion Sou roes, tis erimou to agonon egeorgisas, With the rivers of Thy tears Thou made the barren desert
ke tis ek vathous stenagmis, is ekaton tous ponous
ekarpoforisas. Ke gegonas fostir, ti ikoumeni lampon
tis Thavmasin, Ioanni Patir imon Osie. Presveve Hristo
to Theo, sothine tas psihas imon.
FESTAL KONTAKION
Ti
OF THE
Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria Os Litrothisa ton dinon

Efharistiria Anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke All os
ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton ek pantion me kindinon
eleftheroson ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi Animfevte!
bloom; and with Thy sighs from deep within, Thou

made Thy Labours bear their Fruit a hundredfold; and
Thou became a Star, Illuminating the world by Thy
Miracles. O John, our Devout Father: Intercede with
Christ our God for the Salvation of our soul.
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Unto Thee, O Theotokos Invincible Champion, Thy City in

Thanksgiving ascribes the Victory for the Deliverance
from sufferings. But having Thy Might unassailable,
free me from all dangers so that I may cry out to Thee:
Hail! O Bride Ever Virgin!
RESURRRECTION GOSPEL 8: JOHN 20:11-18

OUR RISEN LORD JESUS SPEAKS TO ST MARY MAGDALENE
PROKEIMENON PSALM 7 TONE (7) VARYS-GRAVE
The Lord will grant Strength to His People.

Offer to the Lord, O Sons of God, offer to the Lord Sacrifice and Praise!
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 6 : 13 - 20
THE LORD OUR GOD CONFIRMS HIS DIVINE PROMISE BY A SACRED OATH
Brethren: when God made a Promise to Abraham, because He could Swear by no one greater, He Swore by Himself, saying:
Surely Blessing I will Bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
And so after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the Promise, for mankind indeed swears by the greater, and an
Oath for Confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.
Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the Heir of Promise the immutability of His Counsel, Confirmed It by
an Oath, so that by two immutable Things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong Consolation,
who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the Hope set before us.
This Hope we have as an Anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast and which enter the Presence behind the Veil,
where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the Order of
Melchizedek.
T HE PROMISE THAT GOD MADE TO ST ABRAHAM CONCERNED a son
Behind the Veil is a reference to THE HEAVENLY ALTAR,
who would be born to him and his equally elderly
WHICH IS SERVED BY OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
and barren wife, St Sarah AN HEIR THROUGH WHOM GOD
WHO IS OUR ONE AND ONLY MOST HIGH PRIEST OF THE
WOULD GREATLY MULTIPLY HIS FAMILY.
ETERNAL HOLY PRIESTHOOD ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF
The two immutable Things refer to GODS DIVINE PROMISE
MELCHIZEDEK an ancient King and Priest of the Old
AND GODS DIVINE OATH.
Covenant whose Holy Priesthood was equally Eternal.
THE HOLY GOSPEL
OF
ST MARK 9 : 17 - 31
O FAITHLESS GENERATION!
At that time, one of the crowd said to our Lord Jesus Christ: Teacher, I brought Thee my son who has a mute spirit. And
wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to
Thy Disciples, that they could cast it out, but they could not.
He answered him and said: O faithless generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?
Bring him to Me. And they brought him to Him. And when he saw Jesus, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and
he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
And He asked his father: How long has this been happening to him? And he said: From childhood. And often he has
thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if Thou can do anything, have Compassion on us
and help us.
Jesus said to him: If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. And immediately the father of the
child cried out with tears: Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief! When Jesus saw that the people came running together,
He rebuked the unclean spirits, saying to it: Deaf and dumb spirit: I command you, come out of him, and enter him
8TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION-4TH
OF
GREAT LENT SUNDAY
OF
ST JOHN KLIMAKOS - 22 MARCH 2015
15.
no more! And the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and went out of him. And he became as though dead, so
that many said: He is dead!
And Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
And when He had gone into the house, His Disciples asked Him privately: Why could we not cast it out? And He said to
them: This kind can come out by nothing but Prayer and Fasting.
Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. For He taught His
Disciples: The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men who will kill Him. And after He is dead, He will
rise the Third Day.In ancient times, mental and physical illness was often regarded as being connected to
demonic activity, which in Truth it often can be.
St John Chrysostom taught us that THIS REBUKE OF CHRIST
According to St Matthews account of this incident, THE
DESPERATE FATHER OF THE EPILEPTIC BOY HAD KNELT DOWN
WAS ACTUALLY DIRECTED AT THE NINE DISCIPLES WHO COULD
BEFORE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHICH REVEALED HIS
NOT CAST OUT THE DEMON that caused the young boys
HUMILITY BEFORE SUCH A POWERFUL TEACHER AND HOLY
epileptic fits, WHEREAS THE PILLARS OF FAITH, ST PETER, ST
PERSON, EVEN THOUGH HE LACKED PERSONAL FAITH IN GOD.
JAMES AND ST JOHN, WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE REBUKE,
Although His Disciples also were lacking in their absolute
since they had been on Mount Tabor with our Lord
Faith in God, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REBUKED NOT ONLY
Jesus Christ, where they had witnessed His Glorious
Transfiguration.
THEM AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED THE INCIDENT, BUT ALSO
THIS KIND... of evil spirit DEMONIC POSSESSION THAT CAUSES
THE FATHER OF THE YOUNG BOY, WHICH PREVENTED THE
NOT
ONLY
SPIRITUAL ILLNESS BUT ALSO PHYSICAL
HEALING OF HIS BELOVED SON.
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE GREAT SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE that
Although OUR LORD JESUS defended the abilities of His
Disciples and Apostles before the gathered multitude,
occurs during demonic attacks IS A REFERENCE TO ALL
He later REBUKED THEM IN PRIVATE for their weak Faith
(LIMITED) POWERS OF DARKNESS OF EVIL - and not simply
and trust in the Divine Mercy and Power of Almighty
to those that can cause a particular type of physical
God.
illness.
Christ thereby teaches us that WHEN WE CORRECT OTHERS, WE
THE BANISHMENT OF DEMONS REQUIRES STRONG, UNSHAKABLE
MUST NOT HUMILIATE OR EMBARRASS THEM, ESPECIALLY BEFORE
FAITH, SINCERE AND HUMBLE PRAYER AND BOTH SPIRITUAL AND
WITNESSES WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND ONES CONCERN OR
PHYSICAL FASTING, FOR THERE IS NO HEALING AND NO VICTORY
LOVING MOTIVATION FOR CORRECTING THOSE WHO ARE
IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE WITHOUT ALL THREE!
Beginning with the Didache the earliest writings of the
STUMBLING OR WHO HAVE ALREADY FALLEN.
EVERYTHING WE DO TO ENCOURAGE, ASSIST, GUIDE OR TEACH
Holy Apostles our Holy Church Fathers have taught
us that BOTH THE PERSON WHO IS IN NEED OF HEALING AND THE
OTHERS MUST ALWAYS WITHOUT FAIL BE DONE WITH AGAPE
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
PERSON WHO PERFORMS THE HEALING, MUST HAVE UNWAVERING
FAITH IN ALMIGHTY GOD, must constantly Pray for Divine
FURTHERMORE, THOSE WHO ARE BEING CORRECTED MUST ACCEPT
Assistance and Grace and Fast properly.
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OR SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE WITH
Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed His approaching Death
UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE WELL INTENTIONED
and Resurrection for a second time to show that HE
ACT OF LOVE.
FULFILLED HIS PASSION FREELY AND NOT ACCORDING TO THE
Besides that, whenever we are corrected by our fellow
DICTATES OF THOSE SEEKING HIS DESTRUCTION.
Disciples of Christ, WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE APPLY SUCH
CORRECTIONS TO OUR BEHAVIOUR OR PRACTISES.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE
WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, ACCEPTED HIS ULTIMATE
OTHERWISE NONE OF US WOULD MAKE ANY SPIRITUAL PROGRESS AT
ALL!
BLOOD SACRIFICE WILLINGLY AND FREELY OUT OF GODS
INFINITE LOVE OF MANKIND for it was the final and
This is all part of our Spiritual Journey learning to
ACCEPT GOOD ADVICE FROM OTHERS WITH ALL DUE HUMILITY
greatest of all Blood Sacrifices for mankinds Salvation
the greatest Blood Sacrifice that Redeemed all
AND OBEDIENCE. TO DO OTHERWISE IS TO SHOW A LACK OF
THESE TWO IMPORTANT VIRTUES AND CAN MEAN THAT WE HAVE
mankind so that NEVER AGAIN WOULD WE HAVE TO OFFER
TEMPORARY BLOOD SACRIFICES FOR THE ATONEMENT OF OUR
FALLEN INTO THE VICES OF PRIDE, ARROGANCE AND
CONTINUOUS SINS.
DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD.
NOW ACCORDING TO OUR NEW COVENANT WITH GOD A
THE DISCIPLINE OF OUR HOLY CHURCH IS BASED ON OUR MUTUAL
CORRECTION IN THREE EXPANDING STAGES.
BLOODLESS COVENANT WE CONSTANTLY MAKE OUR
OFFERINGS OF THANKSGIVING, PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN THE
Sin and correction are to remain private unless the
offender stubbornly refuses to Repent and rejects
DIVINE LITURGY SERVICE OF HOLY EUCHARIST continuously
Repenting our sins and joyfully accepting the
correction.
ongoing Forgiveness of Christ our Saviour, which
ALL CORRECTION OF OUR ERRORS IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN DONE
WITH GREAT CARE AND HUMILITY, WITH THE PRIMARY CONCERN
grants us Eternal Life in His Divine Kingdom of Love,
Peace and Joy.
BEING THE SALVATION OF THE OFFENDER.
BECAUSE WE CONTINUE TO COMMIT SIN, WE MUST CONTINUE TO
CORRECTION OF OUR ERRORS IS ESSENTIAL SO THAT WE DO NOT
REPENT AND BESEECH GODS DIVINE FORGIVENESS SO THAT
DRAW OTHERS INTO SIN AS WELL:
WHEN OUR TIME COMES TO LEAVE THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD OF
1 CORINTHIANS 5 : 5 ... deliver such a one to Satan for
TEMPORARY LIFE, WE SHALL BE IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE
the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may
a state of True Repentance rather than in a state of
be Saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus.
This means that IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST WE ARE
Spiritual Death and Alienation from God a state of
unrepentance, disobedience and sin!
PROTECTED FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF SATAN.
HOWEVER, THIS HOLY PROTECTION WILL BE REMOVED FROM US
Just like so many of us today, THE DISCIPLES DID NOT FULLY
UNDERSTAND THE FULL TRUTH AND SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTS
THROUGH EXCOMMUNICATION IN THE HOPE THAT AS SOON AS WE
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS DIVINE AND
CLEAR WORDS YET THEY DID NOT USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND
OUT WHAT EVERYTHING WOULD MEAN TO THEM.
MERCIFUL RULE OVER US AND THE DESTRUCTIVE, WICKED AND
DEVASTATING ENSLAVEMENT OF SATAN WE WILL QUICKLY
Similarly, many of us today, could not bother to SEEK
DIVINE TRUTH AND UNDERSTANDING, which is granted to us
REPENT our sins of Spiritual Disobedience and
once we honestly begin our Spiritual Journey.
Rebellion against God and return to the Sacred Fold
THE MORE WE SEEK DIVINE TRUTH WITH A SPIRITUAL YEARNING FOR
of Christ our Saviour.
A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, THE MORE HE
The flesh (sarx) is not synonymous with our body
(soma) ST PAUL WAS CALLING FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
GRANTS US HIS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING!
However, because GOD NEVER FORCES ANYTHING ON US
LUSTS OF THE FLESH rather than the destruction of our
body.
having granted us free will to choose for ourselves
which Spiritual Path we take towards Eternity IT IS UP
GALATIANS 6 : 1 Brethren: if (anyone) is overtaken in
any trespass, you who are Spiritual restore such
TO US TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LEARN HIS DIVINE AND
ABSOLUTE TRUTH concerning everything to do with the
a (person) in a spirit of Gentleness, considering
yourself lest you also be tempted.
Purpose of this temporary life and Eternity the Age to
TO BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER CORRECTION WITH THE BLESSED VIRTUE
come which is never ending and a very conscious
state more consciously aware than at present!!
OF GENTLENESS IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT FROM GOD.
16.
8TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION-4TH
OF
GREAT LENT SUNDAY
OF
ST JOHN KLIMAKOS
22 MARCH 2015
F OURTH S UNDAY
OF
G REAT L ENT S T J OHN K LIMAKOS S T P HILARET
Spirit.
More than once, Brethren, the fact has been mentioned that
on each Sunday in the Great Fast (i.e. Great Lent) there
are other Commemorations besides that of the
Resurrection.
Thus, on this day, the Holy Church of Christ glorifies the
Righteous St John of the Ladder who is one of the
greatest Ascetics, to whom the Church refers as being
...earthly Angels and Heavenly men.
These great Holy Ascetics were extraordinary people who
commanded the elements - and even wild beasts
willingly and readily obeyed them.
There were no maladies or afflictions they could not cure.
They walked on the waters as on dry land; all the elements
of the world were subject to them, because they lived in
God and had the Power of Divine Grace to overcome the
laws of terrestrial nature.
One such Holy Ascetic was St John, who was surnamed of
the Ladder (Klimakos) because he had written an
immortal work: The Ladder of Divine Ascent.
In this Inspired Work, we learn how - by means of Thirty
Steps - the Faithful, Struggling Christian is able to
gradually ascend to the heights of Supreme Spiritual
Perfection.
We are taught how one Virtue leads to another, as we rise
higher and higher, and finally attain that Spiritual
Height where the Crown of the Virtues abides Christian Love.
St John Klimakos wrote his immortal work especially for
Monastics, but his Ladder has always been a favourite,
inspiring reading for anyone who desires to live piously,
even though they are not Monks.
St John clearly instructs us how to make Spiritual Progress
from one Step to the next.
Remember, Christian soul, that this Ascent on High is
indispensable for those who wish to Save their soul for
Eternity.
When we throw a stone upwards, it ascends until the
moment when the propelling force ceases to be
effectual.
So long as this force acts, the stone travels higher and
higher in its ascent, overcoming the force of Earths
gravity.
But when this force is spent and ceases to act, then, as you
know, the stone does not remain suspended in the air.
Immediately, it begins to fall, and the further it falls the
greater the speed of its fall.
This is solely according to the physical laws of terrestrial
gravity.
So it is also in our Spiritual Life.
As we gradually Ascend, the force of Spiritual and Ascetical
Labours lifts us higher.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: Strive to enter in through the
Narrow Gate.
That is, we, as Christians or Faithful Disciples of Christ,
ought to be Ascetic, which not only applies to
Monastics, but to every Struggling Christian.
We must take pains for our soul and our Life (in Christ).
We must direct our entire Life on the Christian Path, and
purge our soul of all filth and impurity.
Now, if we Christians, who are Ascending upon this Ladder
of Spiritual Perfection by our Struggles and Ascetic
Labours, cease from this Work and Ascetic Toil, our
soul will not remain in its former condition; but, like the
stone, it will fall to Earth.
OF
N EW Y ORK
More and more quickly will it drop until, finally, if we do

not come to our senses, it will cast us down into the
very Abyss of Hell.
It is necessary to remember this.
People forget that the Path of Christianity is indeed an
Ascetical Labour.
Last Sunday, we heard how our Lord said: He who would
come after Me, let him take up his Cross, deny
himself, and follow Me.
Our Lord said this with the greatest emphasis.
Therefore, we must be those who take up our Cross - and
our Life, likewise, must be an Ascetic Labour of bearing
that Cross.
Whatever the outward circumstance of our life whether
we are Monastic or layman - it is of no consequence.
In either case, if we do not force ourselves to climb
upwards, then, of a certainty, we will fall lower and
lower.
And in this regard, alas, people have confused thoughts.
For example, a Clergyman visited a home during a Fast.
Cordially and thoughtfully, they offered him Fast food (i.e.,
food prepared according to the Rules of the Fast), and
said: For you, Holy Father, Fast food, of course! And
he replied: Yes, I am Orthodox. But who gave you
permission not to keep the Fast?
ALL THE FASTS OF THE CHURCH - ALL THE ORDINANCES
(everything that is prescribed) - ARE MANDATORY FOR EVERY
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN.
Monastics - Ascetics such as St John of the Ladder and
those like him - Fasted much more rigorously than the
Church prescribes; but this was a matter of their
Spiritual Ardour - their personal Ascetic Labour.
However, the Church does not require this degree of
Fasting of everyone, because it is not in accord with
everyones Strength.
Nevertheless, the Church DOES require of every Orthodox
Christian the keeping of those Fasts, which She has
established. (It is our Sacred Spiritual Commitment to Fast.
Our other Sacred Commitment is the regular partaking of Holy
Communion. mp)
Once, a mother went to St Seraphim of Sarov because she
was concerned about how to arrange the best possible
marriage for her young daughter.
St Seraphim said to her: Before all else, ensure that he,
whom your daughter chooses as her companion for
life, keeps the Fasts. If he does not, then he is not a
Christian, whatever he may consider himself to be.
You see how the greatest Saint of the Russian Orthodox
Church, St Seraphim of Sarov, knew - better than us what Orthodox Christianity is and how significant and
essential the Fasts are to us!
Let us remember this!
St John Klimakos has described and taught us about the
Ladder of Spiritual Ascent, which every Faithful
Christian must strive to achieve.
The great Holy Ascetics ascended this Divine Ladder like
swiftly-flying eagles, yet we scarcely ascend at all!
Nonetheless, let us not forget that - unless we employ our
efforts in correcting ourselves and our Life - we shall
cease our Holy Ascent, and, most assuredly, we shall
begin to fall.
Amen.
http://preachersinstitute.com/2013/04/03/sermon-for-the-sunday-of-stjohn-climacus/
TAKING LENT SERIOUSLY REPENTANCE

Lent is not just about Fasting, but more importantly it is a
period for introspection and Repentance.
If we are taking Lent seriously we will have made time for
quiet reflection and made plans for a full Confession
with a Priest.
Repentance is not something we do only in Lent, but is part
of an Orthodox Way of Life.
After all Christ began His Teaching by saying: "Repent, for
the Kingdom is at hand!
And during Lent the Church gives it special emphasis.
Elder Sergei of Vanves tells us that there are two kinds of
Repentance:
1. Repentance that involves the Confession of a specific
sin.
8TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION-4TH
OF
2. Repentance that is based on a general sinful state.

The first type of Repentance is critical, because to not
Repent for a specific sin is to remain in sin and to be
separated from God and His Church.
For a specific sin there are THREE STAGES OF REPENTANCE.
1. REPENTING AS SOON AS THE SIN IS COMMITTED.
2. RECALLING IT AT THE END OF THE DAY AND ASKING FOR
GOD'S FORGIVENESS.
3. CONFESSING IT WHEN ONE RECEIVES THE HOLY MYSTERY OF
CONFESSION.
At the third stage we receive a full Pardon and are Reunited
with Christ through the Holy Spirit as the Prayer of
Absolution is read by the Priest.
In the Sight of God the sin no longer exists.
GREAT LENT SUNDAY
OF
ST JOHN KLIMAKOS - 22 MARCH 2015
17.
Our Heavenly Record is cleared and our conscience is

relieved of its burden.
At the first stage we can gain Forgiveness from God from
lesser sins like wicked thoughts.
Elder Sergei said: "If you have a wicked thought and
Repent by desiring to think and act otherwise, this sin
is erased immediately."
He emphasizes the need for the second stage beseeching
Gods Forgiveness at the end of each day.
He advises us to provide a specific concentrated time for
Repentance each day, even if it is only but a few
seconds.
This involves examining our conscience and making a
Spiritual Critique of all our activities of the day.
We should identify all that was evil - as well as the good
that we failed to do - and everything that was done
without the proper attitude or thought.
After our self-examination we can ask God for His
Forgiveness.
However, this must always be done with sincerity and with
a contrite heart - with remorse and sorrow for not doing
everything according to His Will.
Elder Sergei also instructs us not to pay attention to our
past sins.
We are to live each day as a new day.
We must remember that sin is not part of our true nature.
If we are not careful we can be led to despair and this we
must avoid as it is an even greater sin.
The second type of Repentance is a more general condition
- one that many of us may have neglected.
This is our sinful state that we inherited from the sin of
Adam, which has separated us from God - ancestral
sin, which we have inherited from birth.
Ancestral sin is a general state of our being i.e. the inborn
tendency to sin. (Concupiscence.)
The recognition of our inclination to sin is contrition.
Because of our Ancestral Sin or our inclination to commit
sin, we must also Repent for the sins we have
unknowingly committed.
But how can we ask for Forgiveness for that which we do
not know we have done?
Are we not only responsible for those sins we have
knowingly committed?
The Reality is that this may be our largest area of
sinfulness.
Out of our ignorance and our psychological needs, such
sins are hidden in our mind but linger underneath our
awareness.
We frequently unknowingly do or say things that offend
others without our realisation or acknowledgement of
the impact of our actions.
Each time we cause others to suffer - knowingly or
unknowingly - we have sinned.
REPENTANCE - THE SHIP
We need to admit the limits of our conscience and our

Spiritual Weakness that leaves us in a condition where
we are unable to discern such sins.
Consequently, Elder Sergei advises us to beseech God:
"Forgive me for committing sins of which I do not
know forgive me for all my unconscious, involuntary
sins."
In addition we should recognize all our failures and
insufficiencies.
This means acknowledging - in front of God - our sorrow
for not loving Him or our neighbours sufficiently - for
not having enough compassion or not praying enough
for others.
Elder Sergei says that Repentance is necessary for everyone
because we are all sinners.
We all live in a state of sin from birth - a state of having a
tendency to sin.
Fortunately, our merciful God knows our condition and has
provided us with every means possible to enable us to
continually Repent.
God does not look favourably on those who do not consider
themselves as being sinful, and who do not see any
necessity for Repentance.
Even if we do not realise that we have sinned, we must still
acknowledge the fact that we are sinners and with
Humility be constantly Repentant due to our weakness
and general condition, ever seeking to improve
ourselves in the Sight of God.
According to Elder Sergei, Repentance is "...the Key to
Spiritual Life."
Repentance is the only way we are able to gain Forgiveness
from God.
Repentance allows us to become Purified so we can be
United with God.
Repentance allows us to have effective Prayers and a True
Relationship with God.
Through the Humility that comes with a Life of Repentance
we gain the support of the Holy Spirit Who helps us in
all kinds of difficult situations while living in this world.
Repentance is a normal state of being for all Faithful
Christians, and it is the characteristic of the Life of the
Saints.
Repentance is the surest Path for or Spiritual Progress.
So, if we take Lent seriously we must Repent our sins each
day and seek a deeper Understanding of our sinful
nature, knowing that God will help us if we do Repent.
Great Lent is a good time for those who have not regularly
participated in the Holy Mystery of Confession to
arrange with their Priest to do so.
ELDER SERGI OF VANVES: HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS BY JEAN-CLAUDE LARCHET,
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com/search/label/Lent
THAT BRINGS US TO THE
St Isaac the Syrian compared our Life in this world to

crossing the sea in a ship:
Just as it isn't possible for someone to cross the great sea
without a ship, so someone can't reach Love without
fear.
We can cross the tempestuous sea placed between us and
the Spiritual Paradise only with the Ship of Repentance,
borne by the oarsmen of fear.
If these oarsmen of fear don't handle the Ship of
Repentance well, by which we cross the sea of this world
toward God, we will be drowned in it.
Repentance is the Ship, Fear is the Rudder, Love the Divine
Harbour.
So fear puts us in the Ship of Repentance and we cross the
tempestuous sea and it guides us to the Divine Harbour,
DIVINE HARBOUR
which is Love where all those who labour and have been
Enlightened by Repentance arrive.
And when we have reached Love, we have reached God.
And our Journey has ended and we have reached the
Island, which is beyond this world.
Notice how he emphasizes that it is only with this "Ship of
Repentance" that we can reach our Goal.
Repentance is essential to arrive at the "Divine Harbour."
It is the fundamental way we move toward Perfection and a
Virtuous Life of Love based on God's Grace.
It is because of our desire for God's Love, and to Love
others that we Repent.
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY, P 140
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/2010/05/REPENTANCE-SHIP-THATBRINGS-US-TO.HTML
THE LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT ST JOHN KLIMAKOS

A servant of the Lord is he who in body stands before
men, but in mind knocks at Heaven with Prayer.
Do not say that you are collecting money for the poor;
with two mites the Kingdom was purchased.
An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion
except pride, and so we may ask whether it is
possible to Ascend to Heaven by Humility alone,
without any other of the Virtues.
The Christian is one who imitates Christ in thought,
word and deed, as far as is possible for human
18.
8TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION-4TH
OF
beings, believing rightly and blamelessly in the

Holy Trinity.
In all your undertakings and in every way of life,
whether you are living in Obedience, or are not
submitting your work to anyone, whether in
outward or in Spiritual Matters, let it be
your Rule and Practice to ask yourself: Am
I really doing this in accordance with
Gods Will?
GREAT LENT SUNDAY
OF
ST JOHN KLIMAKOS
22 MARCH 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
25 M a r c h 2015
The Annunciation
The Beginning of our Eternal Salvation
Also the Feast of the Independence of Greece St Senuphrios the Confessor
FESTAL HYMNS
DIVINE LITURGY:
OF THE
FIRST FESTAL ANTIPHON - ANNUNCIATION TONE 2

1
O Theos, to krima Sou to Vasili dos ke tin
Dikeosinin Sou to vio tou Vasileos.
STIHO S
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.

STIHO S
2
Analaveto ta ori Irinin to lao ke
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
i vouni
Dikeosinin.
Theou imon.
the
Theotokos,
2
Let the mountains raise up Peace for Thy People
and the hills in Righteousness.
VE RSE
Omose Kyrios to David Alithian ke ou mi athetisi
of
VE RSE
Evangelizesthe imeran ex imeras to Sotirion tou
STIHO S 3
STIHO S
1
O God, give Thy Judgements to the King. And
Thy Righteousness to the Kings Son.
VE RSE
VE RSE
Aftin.
Proclaim day to day the Salvation of our God

The Lord swore to David this Truth and He
shall not reject it.

SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON - ANNUNCIATION TONE 2
1
Katavisete os vetos epi pokon ke osi stagon i
stazousa epi tin gin.
STIHO S
Soson
imas Iie Theou,

psallontas Si: Allilouia!
STIHO S
STIHO S
2
3
DI
IMAS
Igase to Skinoma Aftou O Ipsotos

O Theos emfanos ixi, O Theos
SARKOTHIS
1
He shall come down like rain on the fleece and
like raindrops falling on Earth.
VE RSE
Son of God, W H O W A S I N C A R N A T E F O R O U R S A K E ,
Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia
VE RSE 2
imon ke ou
VE RSE3
parasiotisete.
STIHO S
keep
silent.
Anateli en tes imeres aftou Dikeiosini ke plithos
The Most High Sanctified His Tabernacle

Our Lord shall plainly come, and shall not
In His Days, Righteousness and abundance of Peace

shall flourish...
VE RSE4
Irinis.
THIRD FESTAL ANTIPHON PSALM 71 TONE 4
Este to Onoma Aftou Evlogimenon is tous eonos.
STIHO S 1
Simeron
tis Sotirias imon to Kefaleon, ke tou ap Eonos

Mystiriou i fanerosis; O Ios tou Theou, Ios tis Parthenou
ginete, ke Gavriil tin Harin evangelizete. Dio ke imis sin
afto, ti Theotoko voisomen: Here Keharitomeni! O
Kyrios meta Sou!
STIHO S
Evlogitos
His Name shall be Blessed forever
Today
is the Crown of our Salvation, and the Revelation

of the Mystery planned from Eternity: the Son of God
becomes the Virgins Son, and Gabriel announces the
Grace. Wherefore, let us along with him cry out, to the
Theotokos: Hail! O Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee!
2 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel Who
only does Wondrous Things
VE RSE
Kyrios O Theos tou Israil, O pion
Thavmasia Monos
STIHO S 3
VE RSE
Evlogimenon to Onoma Aftou is ton Eona ke is
3 And Blessed be His Glorious Name unto the Ages

and unto the Ages of ages.
VE RSE
ton eona tou eonas.

ISODIKON
Evangelizesthe
imeran ex imeras to Sotirion tou Theou

imon.
Soson imas, Iie Theou, O di imas Sarkothis, psallontas Si:
Allilouia!
Tell
forth from day to day the Glad Tidings of the

Salvation of our God.
Save us, O Son of God, Incarnate of the Virgin, who sing to
Thee: Alleluia!
F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N A N N U N C I A T I O N - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Ti

Efharisiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os ehousa
to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me kindinon
eleftheroson, ina krazo Si. Here Nimfi Animfevte!
To
Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having

been delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the
Victory Festival as a Thanks Offering. In Thine
Irresistible Might, keep me safe from all trials, so
that I may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded
Bride!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION THE ANNUNCIATION
Simeron
tis Sotirias imon to kefaleon, ke tou ap eonos

Mistiriou i fanerosis; O Ios tou Theou, Ios tis Parthenou
ginete, ke Gavriil tin Harin evangelizete. Dio ke imis sin
afto, ti Theotoko voisomen: Here Keharitomeni! O Kyrios
meta Sou!
TONE
Today is the Crown of our Salvation, and the Revelation

of the Mystery planned from Eternity: the Son of God
becomes the Virgins Son, and Gabriel announces the
Grace. Wherefore, let us along with him cry out, to the
Theotokos: Hail! O Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee
THE ANNUNCIATION
25 MARCH 2015
19.
MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 1: 39 49 & 56

ST ELIZABETH PRAISES THE EVER BLESSED, THEOTOKOS (MOTHER OF GOD) WHO EXALTS
GOD
At that time, Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zachariah
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. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed art Thou among
women, and Blessed in the Fruit of Thy Womb! But why is this granted 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 leaped in my womb for Joy. Blessed is
she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of those things which 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 for me, and Holy is His Name!
THE EVER-BLESSED VIRGIN MARYS FAITHFUL RESPONSE TO
THE TITLE THEOTOKOS [THE MOTHER OF GOD (INCARNATE)],
ARCHANGEL GABRIELS ANNOUNCEMENT MAKES HER THE
GIVEN TO THE VIRGIN MARY BY THE CHURCH, WAS DERIVED
HIGHEST MODEL OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD.
FROM THE TRUTH OF THIS CONFESSION.
THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD IS NOT ONLY THE WORK
Because the One Who was in Her Blessed, Pure Womb is
OF THE HOLY TRINITY, BUT ALSO THE WORK OF THE WILL
God, the world is freed from enslavement to sin.
The passage from verses 46 - 56 is called the Magnificat,
AND THE ABSOLUTE FAITH OF THE HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT
VIRGIN MARY.
which is the first word of this hymn in Latin.
Therefore, the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary is honoured not
THE MAGNIFICAT IS A REMARKABLE HYMN OF PRAISE TO GOD
only because God chose her, or because she bore the
which comes from the heart of the Ever Blessed Virgin
Son of God in the Flesh, but also BECAUSE SHE FREELY
Mary, who was probably only 14 - 16 years old at the
CHOSE TO BELIEVE
AND TO OBEY GOD COMPLETELY AND
time.
WITHOUT ANY HESITATION OR QUESTION.
It also comes from the heart of ST HANNAH, WHO WAS OF A
The babe who would become known as ST JOHN THE
MORE MATURE AGE AT THE TIME, AND WHO FIRST UTTERED THIS
BAPTIST, FORERUNNER TO CHRIST, WAS IN HIS SIXTH MONTH OF
INSPIRED PRAYER AND WHICH HAD BEEN PRAYED BY EXPECTANT
GESTATION.
JEWISH MOTHERS FOR CENTURIES. [1 SAMUEL 2:1-10]
HE LEAPT IN HER WOMB AS A JOYOUS RESPONSE TO THE PRESENCE
From this New Testament passage we learn:
OF GOD, the Lord Jesus Christ, in St Marys Womb.
CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS FOR ALL TIME WILL HONOUR OR VENERATE
THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS RECEIVES VENERATION FROM
THE VIRGIN MARY, for all generations will call me
Blessed.
BOTH ANGELS AND MANKIND: Archangel Gabriel and
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO BELIEVE AND OBEY HOLY
St Elizabeth both called Her Blessed
OUR LADY THEOTOKOS IS THE MOST PERFECT MODEL OF
SCRIPTURE AND NOT BLESS THE MOTHER OF
GOD.
WOMANHOOD.
No other woman has ever received the Glory given to Her
Identity between the Theotokos and Israel is implicit here
- either in Holy Scripture or throughout Church History.
as THE ISRAEL OF GOD, THE CHURCH, RECEIVES HIS MERCY.
SHE IS CONFESSED AS THE MOTHER OF MY LORD by St Elizabeth
THE REIGN OF GOD IS over our hearts, Kings and Rulers, the
because THIS WAS NO MERE MAN THAT THE THEOTOKOS
poor and the rich, and the Faithful of God i.e. OVER
CARRIED IN HER BLESSED WOMB.
ALL CREATION!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON THE MAGNIFICAT SONG
OF
PRAISE TONE 3
My soul magnifies
the Lord.
For He has regarded the Humility of His Handmaiden.
THE
EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 2: 11- 18
CHRIST BECAME HUMAN SO THAT HE COULD BE OUR HIGH PRIEST
Brethren: both He Who Sanctifies, and they who are being Sanctified, are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to
call them Brethren, saying: I will declare Thy Name to My Brethren; in the midst of the Church will I praise Thee.
And again: I will put my trust in Him. And again: Behold I and My children, whom God has given Me.
Therefore because the children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, so that through
Death, He might destroy him who had the power of death - that is to say, the devil - and release those who, through the
fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to the Angels: but H does give
aid to the seed of Abraham.
Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His Brethren, so that He might become a Merciful and Faithful High Priest in
Things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being
tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
ONLY OUR BELOVED LORD JESUS CHRIST IS ABLE TO FREE US FROM
CHRIST WAS PERFECT EVEN BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION YET HE
VOLUNTARILY TOOK ON HUMAN NATURE THAT COULD BE SAVED
THIS BONDAGE OR SLAVERY OF SIN AND DEATH.
AND PERFECTED ONLY BY HIS OWN SUFFERING AND DEATH.
It behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His
Brethren
means that EVEN CHRIST WAS TEMPTED
CHRIST COULD ONLY DIE AND ENTER HADES IN HIS HUMAN NATURE. THEN IN HIS DIVINE
because WHATEVER IS NOT ASSUMED [TAKEN ON] IS NOT
NATURE, HE WAS ABLE TO SMASH OPEN THE IMPRISONING GATES OF HADES AND RELEASE
HEALED, AND WHAT IS UNITED TO ALMIGHTY GOD IS SAVED.
THE RIGHTEOUS AND REPENTANT SOULS TO REST IN PEACE IN HIS RE-OPENED PARADISE,
The Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is like us in His human
WHERE THE REPENTANT THIEF HAD ALREADY BEEN ADMITTED.
Nature but WE DO NOT BECOME LIKE HIM IN HIS
CHRIST IS THE PIONEERING CAPTAIN OF THE NARROW PATH TO GOD
DIVINE NATURE.
This is impossible because WE
in His Suffering for our sins, Death, and Descent into
CANNOT BECOME A PART OF THE GODHEAD. However, WE CAN
Hades, His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven
BECOME GOD-LIKE IN OUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION
where HE HAS REGAINED HIS RIGHTFUL POSITION AT THE
OUR PERSONAL GOAL IN LIFE IS TO REACH THEOSIS SPIRITUAL
PLACE OF HONOUR - ENTHRONED NEXT TO OUR HEAVENLY
PERFECTION!
FATHER.
St Paul wrote about CHRIST AS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE to CHRIST
In Salvation we take on Christs Way of Suffering.
AS OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST without transition because HE IS
OUR PERFECTION THEOSIS - REQUIRES SPIRITUAL GROWTH THAT IS
BOTH THE DIVINE SACRIFICIAL OFFERING AND THE DIVINE
MANIFESTED IN SUFFERING.
OFFERER, THE HIGH PRIEST.
In the Incarnation of Christ, GOD DID NOT COME IN
CHRIST IS MERCIFUL ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHOM HE SERVES AND
APPEARANCE ONLY. HE TRULY ASSUMED [TOOK ON] HUMAN
FAITHFUL IN HIS SACRED MINISTRY TO ALMIGHTY GOD.
FLESH AND BLOOD from the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary,
Christians are Holy Brethren
Theotokos, AND BECAME THE SAME AS WE ARE - EXCEPT FOR
TO BE IN CHRIST IS A HEAVENLY CALLING THAT SEPARATES THOSE
THE ABILITY TO SIN SO THAT HE COULD REALLY ENTER THE
IN CHRIST FROM THOSE WHO HAVE IGNORED OR REFUSED HIS
STATE OF DEATH AND THEREBY BRING US ALL HUMANITY
CALL.
SALVATION.
As Apostle and High Priest, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS BOTH
CHRIST DESTROYED THE DEVILS POWER BY USING SATANS
GODS DIVINE REPRESENTATIVE TO MANKIND AND ALSO
STRONGEST WEAPON DEATH AGAINST HIM.
MANKINDS MEDIATOR BEFORE ALMIGHTY GOD. In Him, the
There is A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIN AND DEATH: EACH ONE
Offices of PROPHET AND PRIEST are combined.
LEADS TO THE OTHER.
SIN CAUSES DEATH ESPECIALLY SPIRITUAL DEATH AND THE FEAR
OF DEATH LEADS PEOPLE TO SIN and thereby into bondage
or slavery to Satan who certainly does not want any
souls returning to our Almighty Creator to Whom they
belong.
20
THE ANNUNCIATION
25 MARCH 2015
TO
ST LUKE 1 : 24 38
THE COMING BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS ANNOUNCED TO HIS MOTHER, THE EVER VIRGIN MARY
At that time, Zachariahs wife, Elizabeth, conceived, and hid herself five months, saying: Thus has the Lord dealt with me
in the days wherein He looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.
And in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a Virgin espoused to a
man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David; and the Virgins Name was Mary. And the Angel came in with
Her, and said: Hail, Thou who art Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee! Blessed art Thou among women! And
when She saw him, She was troubled at his saying, and cast in Her mind what manner of Salutation this should be.
And the Angel said to Her: Fear not, Mary, for Thou has found Favour with God. And behold, Thou shalt Conceive in
Thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call His Name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of
the Highest; and the Lord God shall give to Him the Throne of His Father, David. And He shall reign over the
House of Jacob forever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary to the Angel: How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said to Her:
The Holy Spirit shall come upon Thee, and the Power of the Highest shall Overshadow Thee. Therefore also that
Holy One Who shall be Born of Thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, Thy cousin, Elizabeth, has also
conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing
shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the Handmaiden of the Lord! Be it unto me according to Thy Word. And the Angel departed from
her.
The name Mary, Maria, or Miriam literally means
CHRIST THE ETERNAL ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD THE
THE EXALTED ONE.
FATHER - SHE IS THE MOST BLESSED WOMAN OF ALL TIME.
THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WAS BETROTHED, BY THE WILL OF
EVEN MORE RELEVANT IS HER ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO GOD, as
pointed out by Christ Himself.
GOD, TO HER AGED UNCLE, ST JOSEPH, WHO WAS OF ROYAL
According to St Lukes description of her, SHE IS PRAISED IN
LINEAGE. He was of the House or family of David the
ancient King who had been Anointed by Almighty
THE ORTHODOX CHURCH AS BEING SURROUNDED WITH DIVINE
God.
GRACE AND SHINING WITH NATURAL HOLINESS.
He was the elderly widowed husband of Salome, sister of
Verses 31 33 and behold, Thou shalt Conceive in Thy
St Anna, whom the Priests at the Temple had CHOSEN BY
Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name
DIVINE INSPIRATION AND THROUGH A MIRACULOUS SIGN - TO
Jesus is an amazingly accurate description of the
PROTECT HER BECAUSE SHE HAD TAKEN A SACRED VOW OF
long-awaited Messiah!
CHASTITY THAT COULD NEVER BE BROKEN.
HOLY SPIRIT AND POWER OF THE HIGHEST ARE SYNONYMOUS.
THERE WAS NO INTENTION OF ACTUAL MARRIAGE AND IT WAS NEVER
This is a case of repetition for emphasis.
HOLY ONE IS A MESSIANIC TITLE and the fact that Christ was
CONSUMMATED.
ST JOSEPH IS ENTITLED THE BETROTHED BECAUSE IT WAS A WELL
to be BORN (without Seed,) OF THE EVER VIRGIN MARY
KNOWN FACT THAT HE WAS INDEED THE RIGHTEOUS GUARDIAN
DEMONSTRATES HIS TRULY DIVINE NATURE
OF BOTH THEOTOKOS AND CHRIST, AS WELL AS THE OTHER
Note in particular the reference to THE HOLY TRINITY: GOD
THE FATHER (THE HIGHEST), THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
VIRGINS WHO KEPT HER COMPANY.
Women had to be married as soon as they reached
THE BLESSED THEOTOKOS FAITHFUL RESPONSE MAKES HER THE
puberty, especially if they had no immediate family to
HIGHEST AND MOST PERFECT MODEL OF HUMAN OBEDIENCE TO
ALMIGHTY GOD.
protect and care for them.
THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD WAS NOT ONLY THE DIVINE
St Luke twice mentions the fact that the Ever Blessed
Theotokos was a Virgin.
WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY, BUT ALSO THE WORK OF THE WILL
AND FAITH OF THE EVER VIRGIN MARY.
SHE WAS PURE AND VIRGINAL BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE
INCARNATION OF CHRIST. AND SHE MAINTAINED HER VIRGINITY
THEREFORE SHE IS HONOURED NOT ONLY BECAUSE GOD CHOSE HER,
AND CHASTITY THROUGHOUT HER LIFE.
OR BECAUSE SHE BORE THE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH, BUT
Highly favoured [Charitou] can also be translated as
BECAUSE SHE FREELY AND WILLINGLY CHOSE TO BELIEVE AND
FULL OF GRACE.
OBEY GOD WITHOUT QUESTION OR HESITATION!
THE YOUNG THEOTOKOS WAS GREETED WITH AN EXALTED
SALUTATION BECAUSE AS THE MOTHER OF THE INCARNATED
ON
THE I NCARNATE
D ISPENSATION
OF OUR
L ORD J ESUS C HRIST S T T HEODORE
Fathers and Brethren: the Great Feast of the Annunciation

is here and it is the first of the Great Feasts of our Lord,
which we should not simply celebrate as most do, but
with Understanding and with Reverence for the Mystery.
What is the Mystery?
The Mystery is that the Eternal Son of God becomes Son of
Man, using the Holy Virgin as the means, dwelling in
Her and from Her fashioning for Himself a Temple, and
becoming Perfect Man ... that He might Ransom
those under the Law... as it is written, ... and that we
might receive Sonship... (GALATIANS 4 : 5)
Furthermore, He did so in order that we may no longer be
enslaved but free so that we may no longer be subject
to the passions, but be free of them that we may no
longer be friends of the fallen world but rather Related
to God and that we no longer walk according to the
flesh, but according to the Holy Spirit, for ... those who
walk according to the flesh, think the things of the flesh;
those who walk according to the spirit, the things of the
Spirit, for the thought of the flesh is death, but the
thought of the Spirit is Life and Peace.
And so the thought of the flesh is hostile to God, for it is not
subject to the Law of God. Indeed it cannot be. Those
who are in the flesh cannot please God. (ROMANS 8: 5
8)
In brief, this is the Power of the Mystery, and this is why we

should celebrate spiritually and behave spiritually - with
Holiness and Justice, with Love, with Gentleness, with
Peace, ... with forbearance, with Goodness, with the
Holy Spirit... so that as far as we ourselves are
concerned, we do not render the Dispensation of our
Lord Jesus Christ empty and ineffectual. (2 CORINTHIANS 6
: 6)
THE
S TUDITE
Not only that, but we should both pray and grieve for the
world because the Son of God came to Save the world,
and the world rejects Him.
Tribes and languages reject Him; the barbarian nations
reject Him; those who have had His Holy Name invoked
upon them reject Him - some through abandoning the
Faith, others through their evil lifestyles.
What should He have done and did not do?
Being God, He became Man: ... He humbled Himself,
becoming Obedient unto Death the death of the Cross.
(PHILIPPIANS 2:8)
Our Saviour gave us His Body to eat and His Blood to drink;
He allowed us to call Him Father, Brother, Head,
Teacher, Bridegroom, Co-Heir, and all the other
innumerable titles.
And still He is rejected, and still He bears it, because as He
said, He has ...come - not to Judge the world, but to
Save the world. (JOHN 12:47)
Brethren, what then is there to say?
The genuine Disciples are grieved by the rejections of their
fellow disciples, thus showing Love both for the Teacher
and for the Disciples.
So too, genuine servants suffer in the same way from the
desertion of their fellow servants.
This is why St Paul, the Great Apostle, urged us to ... offer
Supplications, Prayers, Entreaties, Thanksgivings on
behalf of all mankind for Kings and for all in high
positions... (1 TIMOTHY 2 : 1 2)
St Paul also declared: ... I speak the Truth in Christ. I do
not lie. My conscience bears witness with me in the Holy
spirit, that I have a great grief and unceasing anguish in
my heart; for I have prayed that I might be anathema
to Christ for the sake of my Brethren and my Kinsmen
according to the flesh.. (ROMANS 9: 1 3)
Do you see the Power of Love?
THE ANNUNCIATION
25 MARCH 2015
21.
Do you see the Height of Friendship?

Moses showed it too, when he said to God: If Thou will
forgive them their sins, forgive; if not, wipe me out of
the Book Thou hast written... (EXODUS 32: 32)
So, we too, as genuine and not false Disciples of Christ,
should not only look to what concerns ourselves, but we
should grieve and pray for all our Brethren and for the
whole world.
THE INCARNATION CAUSE
OF
YOU
AND
CAUSED
BY
NONE GEORGE GABRIEL
St Gregory is telling us that, from before the ages, it was

the Divine Will for mankind to be Sanctified and made
Immortal by Communion with the Humanity of the
Incarnate God, but corruptibility and death came and
stood in the way.
By His Passion and Resurrection, Jesus Christ destroyed
these obstacles and Saved - that is, preserved - mankind
for the Incarnations Eternal Communion of the GodMan and immortal men.
St John of Damascus repeats the same idea that the
Incarnation is a prior and indeed Ontological Purpose in
itself, and that Redemption is the means to that end.
Thus, he says the Holy Virgin ...came to serve in the
Salvation of the world so that the ancient Will of God for
the Incarnation of the Word and our own Theosis may be
fulfilled through Her.
(Father Stephen Freeman commented:) It seems worthwhile
for us to meditate on the Fullness of our Salvation,
which is to be accomplished in Gods Great Pascha.
Indeed, it seems to me that everything always was about
Pascha the ...Lamb was slain before the foundation of
the Earth. (REVELATION 12:8)
We are approaching the end of all things and, I should
add, their beginning as well.
FATHER STEPHEN FREEMANS BLOG: GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS
EXCERPT FROM MARY, THE UNTRODDEN PORTAL OF GOD BY GEORGE GABRIEL
HTTP://BLOGS.ANCIENTFAITH.COM/GLORY2GODFORALLTHINGS/2007/03/29
SEEK SELF-SATISFACTION
Do you seek out self-help programmes for your selfsatisfaction? I did. I have experienced many of the selfhelp programmes that continue to be offered.
Meditation centres, for example, call people to inner peace
and prove their power with studies that show they
reduce stress. For a long time I thought this was what
it meant to become spiritual - to get in touch with your
inner-self, to find peace within, to become what you
were meant to be. The problem is that these goals are
all self defined.
Father Matthew Steenberg sums it up well in his recent
article in The Orthodox Word:
...the mantra of society is largely one of self-satisfaction. It
is true that by this world we are called at times to
examine ourselves; but we are charged to do so to
discover how to be happy and content with ourselves,
either as we are or with the true self
Humanity is at its best when it comes to being content
with itself as it is - deep within. We are to look inwards,
to discover and define the self with whom we must
learn to be comfortable and content.
For many years, I thought that looking inward was seeking
the inner soul. But, I now know that this inner being I
sought, was of my own creation. I was really pursuing
my own vision, my self-actualization, my contentment
with who I am as I defined it. This is a delusion.
Father Matthew describes two forms of this delusion:
Firstly, there is the simplistic belief that one can and should
be whatever one wishes to be, however one wishes to be
it, so long as one does not harm others. the goal of an
self-examination is the discovery of the me with whom
to be happy and satisfied. the very core so such a
mindset is that any attempt to particularize belief and
action imposes upon the freedom of the will in a negative
way.
A more nuanced, refined form exists, in the various
contours of the new age and self-help movements
which still orbit around the central point of selfsatisfaction and contentment with the true self. they
often involve calls to change and transformation there
remains however a solid foundation in self-definition.
22
HTTP://WWW.JOHNSANIDOPOULOS.COM/2010/03/HOMILY-ON-FEAST-OFANNUNCIATION.HTML
ALL THINGS MADE,
...From Eternity, God provided for a Communion with His

Creation that would remain forever.
In that Communion mankind would attain to the Eternal
Theosis for which it was made.
The Communion, of course, is the Incarnation through the
Ever-Virgin.
Mankinds existence and, therefore, that of all Creation is
inexorably tied to the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary because
She was always to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word.
The Holy Fathers say that neither the course of human
events nor necessity of any kind forced the Uncreated
One to join to Himself a creaturely mode of existence.
God did not become flesh because some actions of the
devil or of mankind made it necessary, but because it
was the Divine Plan and Mystery from before the ages.
Despite the works of Satan and the coming of sin into the
world, the Eternal Will of God was undeterred, and it
moved forward.
History and the course of human events were the occasion
and not the Cause of the Incarnation.
The Incarnation did not take place for the Crucifixion; the
Crucifixion took place so the Incarnation and the
Eternal Communion of God and mankind could be
fulfilled despite Satan, sin, and death.
Explaining that there was no necessity in God the Father
that required the Death of His Son, St Gregory the
Theologian says of the Father ...neither asked for Him
nor demanded Him, but accepts [His Death] on account
of the Economy [of the Incarnation] and because
mankind must be Sanctified by the humanity of God.
DO
For by doing what is pleasing to the Lord our God, we shall

become Inheritors of Eternal Life, in Christ Jesus our
Saviour and Lord, to Whom be the Glory and the Might,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and to the Ages of Ages.
Amen.
OF
UNION
WITH
GOD?
the true-self one aims to discover and love through

shedding of such false selves, is still self defined by ones
will and desires the root of both is the same:
satisfaction gained through contentment in the self, as
defined by the self.
This view generally rejects all forms of formal religion,
claiming: I am spiritual but not religious! Things like
sin are rejected as being outdated or old fashioned
and even superstitious. There is a reliance on the
psychological interpretation of reality instead. Demons,
the devil, or Heaven and Hell are considered to be no
more than outmoded myths aimed at enforcing moral
codes. And there is no acknowledgment that
everything of this world is the result of a Creator!
Theories like the Big Bang theory and a random process of
evolution is accepted as truth, and as a result, the call
to become the Likeness of Christ is lost. Instead, we
accept things as they are and are content with the
present state.
This is a deception and a trap to the Christian: The human
person is to instigate whatever helps - whatever
modification to his life and lifestyle may bring about a
deeper satisfaction with whom and what he is. He is
charged not to become something else, but to become
happy with the self that lies hidden.
Christianity is a Life rooted in Christs own. Its charge is
not to live for self but to live for Christ; and its Goal is
not satisfaction but Transformation. We discover the
self of our current existence, precisely so that we can
change it into a Life defined and made real by God
Himself. Life in Christ is a Life of Transformation into a
New Person. It is Life that works toward Resurrection when glorified mankind will know the Lord of Glory...
This is what the Orthodox way of life is all about.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/2013/03/DO-YOU-SEEK-SELFSATISFACTION-OR-UNION.HTML
THE ANNUNCIATION
25 MARCH 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
26 M a r c h 2015
Apodosis of the Annunciation
Synaxis of St Gabriel the Holy Archangel of God
Also the Feast of St
The Feast of St Irenaeus of Sirmium, Hungary 26 Holy Martyrs of Crimea: St Bathusios
& St Verkos the Presbyters, St Arpilos the Monk, St Abibos, St Agnos, St Reasos, St
Igathrax, St Iskous, St Silas, St Sonirilos, St Suimbalos, St Thermos, St Phillos, St Anna, St
Alla, St Larissa, St Monco, St Viriko, St Animais, St Gaatha the Queen & St Duclida the
Princess - St Malchos of Chalcis, Syria St Basil the New Anchorite of Constantinople
St Monatanos the Presbyter & St Maxima, his wife, of Singidunum St George of Sofia
FESTAL APOLYTIKION SYNAXIS
OF
ARCHANGEL GABRIEL
Ton Ouranion Station Arhistratige, disopoumen Se ai imis O

i anaxii, ina tes ses deisesi tehisis imas, Skepi ton
pterigon tis ailou Sou Doxis, frouron imas prospiptontas
ektenos ke voontas. Ek ton kindinon Litrose imas, os
Taxiarhis ton Ano Dinameon.
FESTAL KONTAKION
OF THE
Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy

beseech You, that through Your Entreaties You will
Fortify us, Guarding us in the Shelter of the wings of
Your Ethereal Glory, even as we fervently bow before
You crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as
Commanders of the Powers on High! "
SYNAXIS
Arhistratige
Theou Litrouge Thias Doxis, ton anthropon

Odige ke ar hige asom aton, to simferon imin pre sveve,
ke to Mega Eleos, os ton Asomaton Arhistratigos.
OF
ARCHANGEL GABRIEL
Supreme
Commander of God and Minister of the Divine

Glory, Guide of men and Leader of the Bodiless Hosts:
Ask for what is to our profit and for Great Mercy, since
Thou art Supreme Commander of the Bodiless Hosts.
FESTAL KONTAKION ANNUNCIATION -
Ti
TONE 4

Efharisiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os ehousa
to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me kindinon
eleftheroson, ina krazo Si. Here Nimfi Animfevte!
To
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having

been delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the
Victory Festival as a Thanks Offering. In Thine
Irresistible Might, keep me safe from all trials, so
that I may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded
Bride!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON THE MAGNIFICAT SONG
OF
PRAISE TONE 3
My soul magnifies
the Lord.
For He has regarded the Humility of His Handmaiden.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
HEBREWS 2 : 2 - 10
TO THE
NEVER NEGLECT
OUR
SALVATION
Brethren: If the Word, spoken through Angels, proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a Just
Reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation, which first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was
confirmed to us by those who heard Him; God, also bearing Witness - both with Signs and Wonders, with various
Miracles, and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own Will? For He has not put the world to come of which we
speak in subjection to Angels.
But one testified in a certain place, saying: What is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the Son of Man that Thou take
care of Him? Thou hast made Him a little lower than the Angels; Thou hast Crowned Him with Glory and Honour, and
set Him over the Works of Thy Hands. Thou hast put all things in subjection under His Feet.
For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him.
And now we do not see all things put under Him, but we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the Angels, for the
Suffering of Death Crowned with Glory and Honour, that He by the Grace of God might taste Death for everyone.
For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to Glory, to make the
Captain of their Salvation Perfect through Sufferings.
Made a little lower than the Angels... refers to THE
St Paul answered the query of the Hebrews by explaining
that OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS PUBLIC HUMILIATION WAS ONLY
INCARNATION OF THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD, when He
TEMPORARY it was THE ONLY MEANS OF REDEEMING MORTAL
became Man.
MANKIND and IT RE-ESTABLISHED OUR GOD-INTENDED
Christs Suffering and Death have highly Exalted Him.
DOMINION OVER ALL CREATION, INCLUDING THE ANGELS the
CHRISTS HOLY, LIFE-GIVING CROSS, which should have
Heavenly Hosts.
brought shame and reproach, HAS BROUGHT OUR SAVIOUR
GREAT GLORY AND HONOUR.
CHRIST is He Who, being in the Form of God [i.e. His Divine
OUR ETERNAL REDEMPTION - our Salvation and Eternal Life Nature] HAS ALSO VOLUNTARILY TAKEN ON the form of a
IS CERTAINLY NOT OWED TO US BY ALMIGHTY GOD - it is HIS
bondservant [slave] [i.e. His human Nature] in our
DIVINE GIFT TO US TO ALL GENERATIONS.
likeness AND THEREBY ALSO WILLINGLY ALLOWED HIMSELF TO
In other words, WE ARE GRANTED THE ABUNDANCE OF DIVINE
BE SUBJECTED TO INDESCRIBABLE AND UTTERLY UNJUST TORTURE
BLESSINGS BY THE GRACE OF GOD not due to anything we
AND EXECUTION IN ADDITION TO SUCH PUBLIC HUMILIATION.
deserve!
And having suffered Death, GOD THE FATHER HAS
Taste Death means TO EXPERIENCE DEATH FULLY to know
EXALTED HIM AND ACKNOWLEDGED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS
death intimately i.e. to experience the separation of
LORD His Eternal, Only Begotten Son Who rightly
body and soul and the immediate afterlife, which is
and most worthily shares His Eternal Title.
SYNAXIS
OF
ARCHANGEL GABRIEL APODOSIS
OF
THE
ANNUNCIATION
26 MARCH
23.
OUR ENTRY INTO ETERNITY. [THIS IS A VERY CONSCIOUS STATE OF

OUR ALTERED BEING!!]
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR EVERYONE not merely for
ALL MANKIND THROUGHOUT ALL THE AGES BENEFITS FROM HIS

DEATH AND HIS ETERNAL SALVATION.
His Faithful Disciples.
TO
ST LUKE 10 : 16 21
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SENDS OUT HIS 70 APOSTLES
At that time our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... he who hears you, hears Me. He who rejects you, rejects Me, and he who
rejects Me, rejects Him Who sent Me.
And the Seventy returned with Joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name!
And He said to them: I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I give you the Authority to trample on
serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are
written in Heaven!
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said: I Thank Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast
hidden these Things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them to babes. Even so, O Father, for so it seemed
Good in Thy Sight...
WE MUST BE HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT to those whom Christ has
FIVE TIMES SATAN, in his arrogance and self-glorification,
ordained into His Holy Priesthood for BY BEING OBEDIENT
SET HIMSELF AGAINST GOD!
to our Spiritual Fathers, Bishops and Priests, WE REFLECT
The expression Babes is a reference to those who are of
OUR HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF.
simple Faith and who have open hearts and souls
CHRIST - being the Eternal Son of God HAD WITNESSED THE
that are ready and willing to receive Gods Divine
REBELLION AND SUBSEQUENT BANISHMENT OF SATAN AND HIS
Love and Commandments and to fulfil them as best
as they possibly can.
FALLEN ANGELS FROM HEAVEN, which occurred before the
Creation of our world.
THE SYNAXIS
OF
ST GABRIEL
THE
Today, being the day after the Feast of the Annunciation,

the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Synaxis of the
Holy Archangel, St Gabriel.
The Holy Archangels are intermediaries between God and
mankind.
They reveal the Mysteries of Faith, the Prophecies and an
understanding of the Will of God.
Furthermore, according to the Will of God the Father, the
Holy Archangels especially St Gabriel who is the
Bearer of Good Tidings - announce Great and Glorious
Things, such as the Second Appearance of our Lord and
Saviour: ... the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven
with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with
the Triumph of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise
first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught
up together with them in the clouds (1 THESSALONIANS.
4:16-17).
St Gabriel the Archangel was chosen by God to announce to

the Holy Virgin Mary - and together with Her to all
people - the great Joy of the Incarnation of our Saviour
Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word and Son of God.
It is precisely for this reason that on the day following the
Annunciation, which glorifies the Ever Blessed and Holy
Virgin Mary, we give Thanks to Almighty God for His
Great Mercy and we venerate His Holy Archangel, St
Gabriel, who participated in the Great Holy Mystery of
our Eternal Salvation.
In the Old Covenant Scriptures there are many testimonies
to the Nine Orders of Angels of God, equal in Rank and
Honour.
The Seven Holy Archangels of God are led by St Michael the Chief Commander of the Heavenly Hosts and
conqueror of Gods enemies - and St Gabriel who is
sent by the Lord to announce Good Tidings and to
explain the Divine Mysteries to us.
When St Daniel the Holy Prophet of God received a Divine
Vision concerning the fate of the Israelite Nation, he did
HOLY ARCHANGEL
OF
GOD
not understand what it meant, so

Archangel Gabriel
was sent to explain it to him.
St Gabriel the Holy Archangel also announced to the High
Priest, St Zacharias, the forthcoming birth of his son,
who would become known to all generations as St John
the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ
He told St Zacharias: I am Gabriel, who stands in the
Presence of God, and am sent to speak to Thee, and to
reveal these Glad Tidings to Thee ... (LUKE 1:19).
His words confirmed that St Gabriel is extraordinarily close
to the Lord our God and was sent by Him to announce
the Greatest Mystery concerning the Salvation of all
mankind.
Furthermore, Archangel Gabriel announced to the
Righteous St Joachim and St Anna the forthcoming
birth of their daughter, the Ever Blessed and All Holy
Virgin Mary.
Three days before the end of Her Life St Gabriel presented
our Lady Theotokos with a branch from Paradise and
announced Her glorious Dormition and Ascent to
Heaven. She then summoned all the Holy Apostles who
were scattered throughout the world, to be with Her
and to arrange everything necessary for Her Funeral.
Before His Great Passion, our Lord Jesus Christ prayed in
the Garden of Gethsemane but was extremely stressed
(in His human Nature) to such an intense degree that He
actually sweated Blood.
Archangel Gabriel was sent from Heaven to fortify and
encourage Him and after His Crucifixion and Burial,
the Holy Myrrh-bearers received the most Joyous
Tidings of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ
from two Angels - one of whom was St Gabriel.
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP: SYNAXIS OF THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL
BY REVEREND FATHER IOANN BARBUS - TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD RUSSIAN
ORTHODOX CHURCH - BALTIMORE, USA
HTTP://WWW.HOLY-TRANSFIGURATION.ORG/LIBRARY_EN/SAINTS_GABRIEL.HTML
ST MAKARIOS
(Christians) having been Anointed with the Ointment from
the Tree of Life, Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Plant, are
considered worthy to reach the degree of Perfection
of the Kingdom, and of the Adoption.
Indeed, they are Participators of the secrets of the
Heavenly King and enjoy the confidence of the
Almighty.
They enter into His Palace, where the Angels and Spirits of
the Saints are, even while they are still in this world.
Even though they have not yet entered into the full
Inheritance prepared for them in that Age,
ST GREGORY
nevertheless, they are most certain because of the

Pledge, which they have already received (the
Anointing), as if already Crowned and reigning.
Nor are they surprised, as though it were a strange and
new thing, that they are about to Reign with Christ,
because of the abundance of Grace and their
childlike abandonment to the Spirit.
Why? Because while still in the flesh, they enjoyed that
relish of sweetness and that effective working of
Power.
OF
NYSSA
We shall be Blessed with clear vision if we keep our eyes

fixed on Christ, for He, as St Paul teaches, is our Head,
and there is in Him no shadow of evil. St Paul himself
and all who have reached the same Heights of
Sanctity had their eyes fixed on Christ, and so
have all who live and move and have their
being in Him.
As no darkness can be seen by anyone surrounded by

Light, so no trivialities can capture the attention of
anyone who has his eyes on Christ. Those who keep
their focus upon the Head and Origin of the whole
Universe has them on Virtue in all its Perfection; they
are focused on Truth, on Justice, on Immortality and
on everything else that is Good, for Christ is Goodness
itself.
24.
OF
SYNAXIS
OF
ARCHANGEL GABRIEL APODOSIS
THE
ANNUNCIATION
26 MARCH 2015

29 M a r c h 2015
Tone 1
9 t h Sunday of Triodion 5 t h Sunday of Great Lent
St Mary of Egypt
Also the Feast of St Mark of Arethusa St Cyril the Deacon & fellow Martyrs of Heliopolis - St
John the Anchorite of Egypt St Eustathios the Confessor of Bithynia St Mark, St Jonah and St
Bassa, Founders of Pskov Caves Monastery
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE1
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 OF ST MARY OF EGYPT
En Si Miter akrivos diesothi to kat ikona;
- TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
In
lavousa gar ton

Stavron, ikolouthiasas to Hriste, ke prattousa edidaskes,
iperoran men sarkos, parerhete gar; epimilisthe de
psihis, pragmatos athanatou;
dio ke meta Angelo
sinagallete, Osia Maria, to pnevma Sou.
Thee, O Mother, was preserved, intact what was in

Gods Image; for after taking up the Cross, Thou
followed Christ our Lord, and by Thy actions Thou
taught us to overlook the flesh, for it perishes and to
care for the soul, which is Immortal; wherefore, O
Holy Mary, Thy spirit rejoices, along with the Angels.
KONTAKION - EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia
ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton
Se.
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 9:
Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to

the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up
Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who always protects all those who honour
Thee!
JOHN 20 : 19 31
OUR RISEN LORD BESTOWS HIS AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS UPON HIS APOSTLES
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM 75 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Pray to the Lord our God and render Thanks to Him!

God is known in Judea His Name is Great in Israel!
ST PAULS EPISTLE
TO THE
THE HEAVENLY HOLY SANCTUARY
HEBREWS 9 : 11 -14
AND THE
DIVINE LITURGY
Brethren: Christ came as High Priest of the Good Things to come with the greater and more Perfect Tabernacle Not Made
With Hands that is, not of this Creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own Blood He entered
the Most Holy Place once, for all having obtained Eternal Redemption.
For, if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of heifers, sprinkled upon the unclean Sanctifies for the purifying of the
flesh, how much more shall the Blood of Christ - Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God Cleanse our conscience from dead works, to Serve the Living God?!
with our COMMITMENT TO CONSTANT REPENTANCE of our
In contrast to the Old Covenant Hebrew High Priest, CHRIST
OUR SAVIOUR IS OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST OF GODS NEW
habitual sins.
COVENANT.
Because we continue to use our God-given free will to
Christ entered the Heavenly Sanctuary once for all i.e.
indulge our wilful and selfish flesh rather than to obey
the Spiritual Guidance of our Holy Conscience the
HIS ONE PERFECT AND ULTIMATE BLOOD SACRIFICE COVERS
ALL THE SINS COMMITTED BY ALL HUMAN BEINGS FOR ALL TIME
little Remnant or Voice of God within us WE MUST
CONSTANTLY STRIVE AND STRUGGLE TO RESIST TEMPTATION
THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY AND FOREVER!
Christ was our High Priest THE DIVINE, PERFECT OFFERER
AND RESOLVE OUR SINS AS SOON AS WE FALL INTO A STATE OF
SPIRITUAL DEATH by means of sincere Repentance and
WHO OFFERED HIS OWN PERFECT, SINLESS BLOOD THE
DIVINE PERFECT OFFERING WHICH IS ABLE TO HEAL THE
a determined effort to return to Spiritual Life and so
continue our Spiritual Journey in the Divine Footsteps
ENTIRE CORRUPTION OF ALL HUMANITY FOR ALL TIME AND
NEEDS NEVER BE REPEATED EVER AGAIN!
of our Lord and Saviour.
His Most Precious Blood Offering RESTORES EACH AND EVERY
NO SPIRITUAL PROGRESS IN CHRIST IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT
ONE OF US HUMAN BEINGS throughout history TO OUR
CONSTANT WATCHFULNESS AND STRUGGLE.
PROPER, FORMER SACRED RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD.
Those who erroneously believe that the mere acceptance
CHRISTS SACRIFICE PURIFIES CLEANSES our conscience and
of our Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour will
REINSTATES US AS HOLY OR SANCTIFIED BEINGS who are
guarantee us Eternal Life are seriously deceiving
DRAWN CLOSER TO ALMIGHTY GOD THROUGH CORRECT
themselves because that implies that our Struggle for
LITURGICAL WORSHIP serve the Living God together
Theosis (Spiritual Perfection) has been achieved.
9TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 5TH SUNDAY
OF
GREAT LENT ST MARY
OF
EGYPT 29 MARCH 2015
25.
However, OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE

PREPARATORY PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY IS AN ONGOING
SACRED MISSION THAT IS ONLY ENDED AT OUR VERY LAST
BREATH.
Christ our Lord emphasised the fact that FAITH WITHOUT
GOOD WORKS AND SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE DOES NOT BENEFIT
ANYONE and is actually be mere lip-service AN EMPTY
TYPE OF FAITH WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANCE!
LIFE IN CHRIST MEANS A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO ALL FACETS
OF CHRISTIAN FAITH AND WORSHIP not simply a few
selected portions of the whole Faith according to the
luke-warm manner we choose to follow Him.
A GENUINE LIFE IN CHRIST IS our most determined effort - A
DEDICATED OR SACRED COMMITMENT TO GOD, which is
compelled by our utter Love for Almighty God and a
desire to please Him in all ways possible: Let it be
according Thy Will, O Lord!
Tragically, in this day and age, a large majority of our
fellow sinners have been deceived by false teachings
of Spiritual Wolves who lead Gods Lost Sheep even
further astray and then consume them with their lies
and duplicity luring them with baited hooks that
have a miniscule drop of Truth just enough to entice
them and by telling them whatever they want to
hear pleasing or pleasuring people rather than
DIVINE WILL OF GOD which REQUIRES what

they lack LOVE, HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD!
The DEAD WORKS that St Paul often cautions us against is a
reference to all human activity in and of this fallen
age when we participate in acts of mortality,
immorality and corruption EVERYTHING THAT ALIENATES
AND EXILES US FROM THE DIVINE PRESENCE AND GRACE OF OUR
LOVING AND BENEVOLENT GOD.
Liturgically speaking, dead works include the actions of
OLD COVENANT TYPE OF WORSHIP, WHICH ARE NO LONGER
REQUIRED OF US AS CHRIST HAS FULFILLED EVERYTHING
REQUIRED OF THOSE OLD LAWS.
OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD REQUIRES US TO FULFIL HIS NEW
COVENANT: TO LOVE GOD with all our mind, with all
our heart, with all our strength and with all our
soul, AND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS MUCH AS HE LOVES US
unconditionally and completely, without
exception!
and this includes all the Ten
Commandments as well!
THE NEW COVENANT OF GOD IS A COVENANT OF ETERNAL
LOVE and so WE WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO EVERY
WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED COMPELLED AND FULFILLED
WITH AGAPE DIVINE LOVE a difficult Sacred Task To
achieve until our very last breath!
OBEYING THE
TO
ST MARK 10 : 32 45
OUR LORD JESUS THIRD PROPHECY CONCERNING HIS PASSION
At that time, they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus had gone before them; and they were amazed. And
as they followed, they were afraid, for He had taken the Twelve aside again and had begun to tell them the things that
would happen to Him.
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the Chief Priests, and to the Scribes; and
they will condemn Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.
So James and John, the sons of Zebedee, went to Him and asked: Teacher, we want Thee to do for us whatever we ask.
And He said to them: What do you want Me to do for you? And they said to Him: Grant us that we may sit, one on
Thy right hand side and the other on Thy left, in Thy Glory. And Jesus said to them: You do not know what you ask.
Are you able to drink from the Cup that I drink, and be Baptised with the Baptism with which I Am Baptised? And
they answered: We are able.
And Jesus said to them: You will indeed drink the Cup from which I drink, and with the Baptism with which I Am
Baptised you will be Baptised; but to sit on My right hand side and on My left is not Mine to grant, since it is for
those for whom it is prepared.
And when the ten heard about it, they were greatly displeased with James and John. And Jesus called them to Himself and
said to them: You know that those who are considered Rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great
ones exercise authority over them. Yet is shall not be so among you; for whoever desires to become great among
you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desire to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to Serve and to give His Life as a Ransom for many.Our Lord Jesus Christs Revelations
of His approaching Passion were intended to encourage and strengthen His Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples for
the terrifying Events with which they would all too soon be confronted.
THE DIVINE PROPHECIES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALSO Although our Lord Jesus Christ told the two Apostles that
the places of Great Honour in the Eternal Kingdom of
CONFIRM THE TRUTH AND REALITY THAT HE APPROACHED
God are not His to grant, it does not mean that He has
HIS TERRIBLE PASSION ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WILL AND
no Divine Authority, but rather that SUCH DIVINE FAVOURS
HIS OWN TIMING.
ARE NOT HIS TO GRANT ARBITRARILY TO ANYONE.
Our Lord Jesus pointed out that ANY QUEST FOR TEMPORAL
Instead HE WOULD GRANT THEM TO THOSE FOR WHOM ALMIGHTY
POWER AND GLORY IS UNFITTING FOR A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF
GOD HAS PREPARED THEM: BY THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER,
CHRIST
and
it
only
exposes
an
earthly
THROUGH GOD THE WORD AND SON, AND BY THE ACTION AND
misunderstanding of the Eternal Kingdom of God.
ABILITIES MADE POSSIBLE BY GOD THE HOLY LIFE-GIVING
St Matthew noted that the Mother of Zebedees sons
SPIRIT.
actually asked for the great Honour for her beloved
With regard to being seated as equals to Christ on His
sons to be seated on either side of Christ in His Eternal
right and left hand side in Gods Eternal, Heavenly
Glory, but THE FACT THAT OUR SAVIOUR USED THE PLURAL
Kingdom, St John Chrysostom taught us that NO ONE
TERM YOU SHOWS THAT HE KNEW WHO REALLY SOUGHT THIS
NO ORDINARY HUMAN BEING - COULD POSSIBLY OCCUPY SUCH
DIVINE FAVOUR FROM HIM.
AN ELEVATED DIVINE POSITION!
However, a True Disciple of Christ should BE READY TO
However, according to the Depiction of our God-Inspired
SACRIFICE EVEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IF THEY PREVENT US
Holy Icons, THE HIGHEST PLACES OF HONOUR THAT HAVE BEEN
FROM FULFILLING OUR SACRED DUTY TO GOD OR IF THEY
GRANTED TO HUMAN BEINGS BELONG TO THE EVER BLESSED, ALL
IMPEDE OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN CHRIST JESUS.
PURE AND MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS (THE MOST BLESSED
Our Lord Jesus referred to His Crucifixion as a Cup, and
AMONGST ALL WOMEN)
AND ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND
His Death as Baptism.
FORERUNNER TO CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR (THE GREATEST HOLY
His unjust Crucifixion like a common criminal was
PROPHET EVER BORN OF WOMEN) BUT THEY ARE NEVER SEATED
regarded as a Cup since HE DRANK OF IT
AND THEY STAND IN PERFECT HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE AT
VOLUNTARILY FREELY AND WILLINGLY FOR THE
EITHER SIDE OF OUR ENTHRONED LORD AND MASTER, JESUS
ETERNAL BENEFIT OR SALVATION OF ALL MANKIND
CHRIST having dedicated their entire earthly lives to
FOREVER.
the Service of Almighty God with all due Humility and
his Death was regarded as Baptism since HE WAS
Obedience, as well as many other Virtues as well THE
FULLY IMMERSED IN IT, WHILE IT CLEANSED THE ENTIRE
TWO MOST PERFECT HUMAN ROLE MODELS WE COULD EVER WISH
HUMAN RACE AND RENEWED THE ENTIRE CREATION.
TO IMITATE TOGETHER WITH OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
Furthermore, THE PROPHECY OF CHRIST CONCERNING ST JOHN
The phrase for many, is an Aramaic expression
AND ST JAMES participating in the same Cup and
meaning for all.
Baptism SHOWS HIS DIVINE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR FUTURE
PERSECUTION, SUFFERING AND HOLY MARTYRDOM for their
Love of Christ, which they would endure after the
Glorious Day of Holy Pentecost from the beginning to
the end of their Holy Gospel Mission on earth.
26.
9TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 5TH SUNDAY
OF
GREAT LENT ST MARY
OF
EGYPT 29 MARCH 2015
5TH SUNDAY
OF
GREAT LENT - SUNDAY
OF
ST MARY
One of the very first things we learn as we begin to pursue

the Spiritual Life is that everything we can see and
touch is temporal.
Everything is changing and everything that changes
eventually passes away, including us.
There is no security or lasting happiness in anything that
passes away so it makes no sense to attach to them as if
there is.
Trying to hold on to temporal things is like trying to carry
water in a bucket filled with holes or trying to satisfy
our thirst with sea water.
A good deal of suffering has its origin in the vain pursuit of
the perfect relationship, the perfect job, the perfect
house...
We never find them, but in the event that we think we do, at
some point they no longer satisfy or disappear
altogether.
St James and St John sought to ensure their own security
and happiness in the Lord's coming Kingdom, but they
did not understand what they were asking for.
The greatest in the Kingdom, our Lord Jesus taught, would
be the least among the Brethren - the most humble - not
the most exalted and powerful.
As all of them would learn in the coming days, our Lord
Jesus leads us from His Throne of Extreme Humility that is, the Cross, and not from a throne of earthly
power.
What St James and St John were asking for they would not
really want.
They were asking to share in the Humiliation and death
that Christ would suffer - and He assured them that
they would do so.
However, to sit at His right and left hand Side positions of
great Honour - was not His to Promise.
So many misunderstood who our Lord Jesus was and what
He meant when He was on Earth.
The Zealots expected Him the Great Messiah - to assume
political power and restore the Kingdom of David in an
earthly empire that would rule with the Jewish
equivalent of sharia.
Many zealots in our time and a good many in our Church
are falling into the same temptation and making the
same mistake.
They believe our Church should become a central
combatant in their so-called culture wars and align
with politicians and political parties in an attempt to
impose Christian Values on this multicultural and
pluralistic society with the heavy hand of a Christian
form of sharia.
Concerning these types of erroneous ideas, our Lord Jesus
Christ said: "You know that those who are supposed to
rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great
men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so
among you...
...but whoever would be great among you must be your
servant, and whoever would be first among you must
be the slave of all. For the Son of Man Himself came
not to be served but to serve, and to give His Life as a
Ransom for many."
That does not sound like the agenda of any political party
nor of any politician I know.
Metropolitan Anthony Bloom said - (and I am most grateful
to my brother, Father Robert Arida for pointing this out
in his remarkable Sermon on the Cross) - It seems to
me - and I am personally convinced - that the Church
must never speak from a position of strength. It ought
not to be one of the forces influencing this or that state.
The Church ought to be, if you will, just as powerless as
God himself, which does not coerce but which calls and
unveils the Beauty and the Truth of things without
imposing them.
As soon as the Church begins to exercise power, it loses its
most profound Characteristic which is Divine Love [i.e.]
the understanding of those it is Called to Save and not to
smash
St Mary of Egypt's life-long Pilgrimage in the desert was the
opposite of the call to worldly power and happiness.
She left everything behind to reconstruct her Life through
absolute abstinence and self-denial.
She sought not to master others, but to master herself.
9TH SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 5TH SUNDAY
OF
OF
EGYPT FATHER ANTHONY HUGHES
In fact, that is the Rule we must follow:

We must master ourselves.
We must Love and serve our neighbours.
Christ exhorted us:
Do not labour for the food that perishes, but for the
Food that endures to Everlasting Life.... And
...seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness.
Our Lord taught us not to attach ourselves to things that
are temporary or perishable, but rather to seek those
things that are Eternally Beneficial for us.
Since the Kingdom of Heaven is within us, that is where we
must search. (Our Spiritual Journey begins from within our
heart and soul.)
St Matthew the Poor - the great Egyptian Monk and Ascetic taught us that the only place we can meet God is within
ourselves. (For we are Holy Temples of God Who dwells within
us as long as we are in a good and healthy Spiritual Condition.)
It is a continuous theme of the Orthodox Spiritual Writers.
When we begin to turn within to discover what is there,
after a while we will discover a Great Mystery - there is
something within us that is Immortal!
The very core and centre of who we are is undying and
unchanging, for it is the Image of God and the Kingdom
of Heaven!
In the depths of the sea there is always stillness. Even when
storms are churning up waves on the surface and chaos
reigns, the depths of the sea remain quiet and peaceful.
Eventually, when the wind and waves cease (which they
always do), the stillness in the depths remains
unchanged.
The Stillness in us - the Image of God - is like the depths of
the ocean.
The deep, blue sky is always still and serene even when
thick clouds gather, and lightning and thunder crash.
Not even hurricanes have the power to change the
depths of the sky.
Storms come and go - leaving no lasting impression on the
deep, blue sky. And the serenity of the sky remains
unchanged.
We are not the waves and the wind - we are the ocean's
depths. We are not the clouds, white and fluffy or dark
and threatening - we are the deep, blue sky. That is
who we are.
There is Stillness in us - a calm and quiet place.
Joseph Campbell wrote: Find the immovable centre (within
yourself) and you can survive anything.
Spiritual Life is about finding that serene centre and
learning to rest there.
It is nothing less than the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is what St Mary of Egypt discovered.
When the storm of her lust subsided, she became still and
serene like the depths of the sea and the deep, blue
sky.
How else could she have survived all those years in the
desert?
Through this Divine Discovery we become like yeast hidden
in a loaf of bread.
The whole world is Blessed by our Experience of the Grace
of God.
Leaving behind our dysfunctional ways of life, Cleansing
our heart, rewiring our brain, putting on the Mind of
Christ, our Life begins to mirror nothing less than the
Divine Life that already exists within us and the Benefits
we gain for ourselves, reverberates outwards for
everyone else to experience.
We serve the world by serving our Lord and laying down
our Life for others.
Father Paul Tarrazi believes that ..we are Called to do
more than Love those who hate us. We are Called to
Love those whom we hate!
Nowhere are we commanded to rule like autocrats over
anyone.
We are Called to Love and to serve from our centre from
our heart and soul.
HTTP://WWW.STMARYORTHODOXCHURCH.ORG/ORTHO
DOXY/SERMONS/2011/FIFTH-SUNDAY-OF-LENT
GREAT LENT ST MARY
OF
EGYPT 29 MARCH 2015
27.
OVERCOMING PASSIONS
Overcoming our passions is one of our biggest challenges
along our Path to Theosis.
St Theophan the Recluse assures us that they do not have
autonomy. This means we do have control over them if
we choose.
We do not have to give up our humanity or our personality.
They have entered into our nature and can be driven
out without making a person something other than a
human being. On the contrary, once they have been
driven out, they leave us as a real human being, whereas
their presence ruins us, making us into something that is
in many respects worse than an animal.
So what is the source of these things we call passions?
St Theophan explained: All of these (passions) come from
the desire to please one's self, selfishness and pride; and
they are sustained by these.
Our challenge is to do as Christ says we must deny
ourselves - that is, we must put our Faith in God as the
Real Doer and do not focus on our own ego as being
the centre of the world.
Once we are able to do this the passions will lose their
power over us. They will then become tendencies that
we can immediately identify and objectively observe as
they come and go.
We will eventually be able to ignore their demands, which is
referred to as Spiritual Detachment or Dispassion.
St Peter encouraged us to ... be sober, be vigilant..." and the
Gospel according to St Mark urges us to ...take heed,
watch and pray" (1 PETER 5:8 & MARK 13:33).
St Theophan told us: To watch and be vigilant means not
to sleep, not to give yourself over to negligence, but
instead to keep the soul and body in a state of alertness.
To be sober means not to put your heart in anything but
God.... To take heed means to watch carefully, so that
nothing bad appears in the heart...
Mastering our passions is a never ending Struggle it is
constant Spiritual Warfare!
As we become Spiritually Watchful and our Faith in God
becomes stronger, we will receive Strength from the
Holy Spirit to resist the desires that continually tempt
us in our daily life.
We will lose our attachments to Spiritually Unprofitable
things and thoughts, and learn to practise Love as
Christ has commanded us to do, in order to become
worthy to be with Him in His Kingdom.
We will eventually lose our self-centeredness and always
think of the Struggles and needs of others - being more
able to show Compassion even for our enemies.
Overcoming our deadly passions is the only way we are
able to become God-centred and more Christ-like.
"MY PASSIONS
ARE
PRETTY MUCH UNDER CONTROL"

BEWARE!
For most of us who are serious about our Spiritual Life, we

feel we have a good degree of self-control.
We are able to follow the regular Fasts and other Traditions
of the Church.
We don't seem to have any major sins.
This is a good condition, but also one where WE NEED TO BE
ESPECIALLY VIGILANT.
The passions that do remain can deceive us into believing
that they are merely frivolous, harmless or
insignificant.
However, these are like the glowing embers of a dying fire
that can suddenly, without warning, set off another
immense blaze as soon as enough wind fans them back
to life!
Each glowing ember of our passions needs to be thoroughly
extinguished in order to prevent them from being
fanned back to life - to their full, destructive force.
Every passion, - no matter how seemingly slight - needs to
be plucked out and thoroughly eradicated and
permanently extinguished.
St Theophan the Recluse advises: ...no matter how small
or weak a passion appears, it is necessary to regard it
as if it were the largest and most powerful.
How do we respond then to the passions that we
seem to regard so lightly as we become more
Spiritually Mature?
One thing we cannot do is to ignore them for, without
a doubt, if we do they will eventually flare up and
possibly consume us.
28.
T H
SUNDAY
OF
TRIODION 5
T H
SUNDAY
OF
According to St Theophan, we must treat them with anger

and hostility for they are indeed our worst enemies.
Try to stir up anger within yourself against these
passions as quickly as possible. This anger is a firm
rejection of the passions.
The passions cannot be sustained unless there is
sympathy for them, but any sympathy is destroyed by
anger, and the passions will leave or fall away at the
first manifestation of hostility.
This is the only time and circumstance where anger and
hostility is permissible and useful.
St David the Royal Psalmist told us to "...be angry, and
sin not... (PSALM 4:5)
St Paul likewise instructed the Ephesians: "Be angry
and sin not" (EPHESIANS 4:26)
It is important to be constantly Watchful for the passions
to treat them like lurking terrorists who want to destroy
us.
They approach us silently and are not immediately obvious,
but we must always be Spiritually Alert and ready to
take quick and firm action against them.
We must never hesitate nor delay in rejecting the passions,
for any doubt or sympathy will only encourage and
strengthen them, leading to all-consuming, raging and
uncontrollable sin.
St Theophan the Recluse, severely cautions us : ... Selfindulgence still lives concealed within us - even long
after we have obviously renounced evil and devoted
ourselves to God...
Thus, it is necessary to reject this sympathy and stir up
anger...
As soon as you realize a passion's belligerence, get
angry at it in a very obvious way.
COUNTERATTACK - OPPOSING PASSIONS
We are constantly called to be Watchful because our

passions are ever active and lurking waiting to attack
when we least expect.
This is a Spiritual War in which we are ceaselessly engaged.
The challenge is to starve and suffocate the passions,
for if we are unsuccessful in our Watchfulness, we can
destroy them with our external actions.
We must deny the passion whatever it demands, thereby
combining our inner and external efforts.
St Theophan tells us that one kind of Active Warfare
against passions is do whatever is directly opposed to
their demands: For example, to suppress stinginess, it is
necessary to become generous; to combat pride, it is
necessary to choose humbling occupations; to combat
carousing, one must stay at home; and the like. It is true
that one such mode of action does not lead directly to the
Goal, because the passion, enduring external constraint,
may erupt inwardly--either as the same passion, or
another in its place. When inner and spiritual warfare
are united with this active combat, however, they soon
defeat any passion against which they are directed
together.
We must be Watchful of our inner thoughts as well as our
actions against passions, for both are useful in our
Spiritual Struggle.
Orthodox Life requires us to choose our friends, work,
activities, and so forth, so that we do not allow
ourselves to be tempted in ways that we cannot control.
We need to change our lifestyle to accommodate beneficial
activities that oppose the passions we encounter daily.
With a balanced life, we can aggressively oppose passions
with opposite actions. By doing so, we will progress in
overcoming passions that haunt us.
Passions lead us into sin and alienate us from God. As we
learn to conquer them we must develop a more
Virtuous Life - and our Prayers will become more
effective. God will send more Grace that will aid us in
this Spiritual Battle. We must slow down and order our
life so that we can overcome all our passions and draw
closer to God : "Since this habit has acquired power over
your heart through frequent repetition of certain actions,
which satisfy the passion dwelling in the heart, opposing
it in the heart is not enough to weaken and destroy this
power; you must use actions that are contrary to the
former ones - actions opposed to the passions- thereby
smashing and destroying them. ( Unseen Warfare)
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com
GREAT LENT ST MARY
OF
EGYPT 29 MARCH 2015

2015 - March Sacred Lessons

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2015 - March Sacred Lessons

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ORTHODOXY SUNDAY

Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no

We venerate Thy Most Pure Image, O Good One, and ask

ahranton Ikona Sou proskinoumen Agathe, etoumeni

FESTAL KONTAKION - KONTAKION

Forgiveness of our transgression, O Christ God. Of Thy

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon

Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 5 LUKE 24 : 13 35

Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers....

We are so greatly Blessed to live in this day and age

TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY

THEIR DEEP SEATED LOVE OF GOD AND STEADFAST F AITH

All too often, in the mistaken belief that we are so clever,

ORTHODOXY 1 MARCH 2015

TRUE FAITH COMES FROM DEEP WITHIN OUR SOUL FOR IT IS A

In other words: it is natural for us to yearn for God and His

ANNOUNCED AND PR EPARED THEM FOR THE C OMING OF

Judgement and Eternal Life or Condemnation and

As soon as we begin the transition from this life through

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING

LORDS HOLY APOSTLES

When Christ referred to St Nathanael/Bartholomew as

Whatever happened under the fig tree, is not stated by

(GENESIS 28: 12 15)

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THIS EXACT DIVINE LADDER WHO

GREAT LENT THE TRIUMPH

SO DILIGENT AND CAREFUL IN THEIR SEARCH FOR THE TRUE

TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY

ORTHODOXY 1 MARCH 2015

And since then all Orthodox Christians have gathered on

TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY

world, that it has remained the Force of God, which is

Remember constantly that the Light of your soul, of your

ORTHODOXY 1 MARCH 2015

ORTHODOXY METROPOLITAN ANTHONY

A western writer said that when meeting Christians, those

BIT WEIRD? - DEACON CHARLES JOINER

What is the Aim of life (death)? For Orthodox Christians it

With just a few differing assumptions we can interpret

TRIODION 1ST SUNDAY

ORTHODOXY 1 MARCH 2015

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Tone (6) Plagal 2

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes

Angelic Powers were in Thy Tomb, and the guards

Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Glory to

LENTEN APOLYTIKION ST GREGORY PALAMAS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

O Fostir, Ekklisias to stirigma ke didaskale,

of Orthodox Belief, the strong Support of the

FESTAL KONTAKION- THEOTOKOS

Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon

TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been

RESURRECTION MATINS GOSPEL 6 : LUKE 24 : 36 - 53

RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM 27/28 TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

O Lord, protect us and preserve us, both now and forever.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST