Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

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

Tone (8) Plagal 4 1 October 2017

th nd
17 Sunday After Pentecost 2 Sunday of St Luke
THE GOLDEN RULE
The Feast of the Holy Protection of our Lady, Theotokos (Celebrated on 28 October by
the Greeks.) St Ananias of the 70 Apostles of Christ St Romanos the Melodist and
Composer of the Kontakia St John of Koukouzelis St Sava, Abbot of Vishera
Monastery, Novgorod St Domninos of Thessalonika St Michael the Abbot & 26
Hieromartyrs of Armenia Commemoration of the Apparition of the Pillar with the
Robe of our Lord beneath it at Mtskheta, Georgia St Gregory Domestos of Great
Lavra, Mount Athos St Sidonia of Georgia Holy Icon of our Lady, Theotokos, of
Pskov, The Protection St Mirian & St Nana, Emperor and Empress of Georgia Holy
Icon of our Lady of Gerbovets Holy Icon of our Lady of Barsk Holy Icon of our Lady, Theotokos, of Kasperov St
Melchizedek, Patriarch of Georgia Holy Icon of our Lady, Theotokos, of Terebovlya

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 6 - LUKE 24 : 35 - 53

OUR RESURRECTED LORD APPEARED AND OPENED THE UNDERSTANDING OF HIS APOSTLES & DISCIPLES BEFORE HIS ASCENSION

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Ex ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo triimeron, Thou descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;
ina imas elevtherosis ton Pathon. I Zoi ke i Anastasis Thou endured the three-days burial, so that Thou
imon, Kyrie, Doxa Si! might free us from our passions, O our Life and
Resurrection: Glory to Thee!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST ANANIAS OF THE 70 APOSTLES OF CHRIST TONE 3

Apostole Agie Anania, Presveve to Eleimoni Theo, ina O Holy Apostle, Ananias, Intercede with our Merciful God
ptesmaton afesin, parashi tes psihes imon. to grant forgiveness of offences to our soul.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST ROMANOS THE HYMNOGRAPHER - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

En Si, Pater, akrivos diesothi to kat Ikona.

Lavon gar ton In Thee, O Father, is preserved undistorted what was
Stavron, ikolouthisas to Hristo ke pratton edidaskes. made in the Image of God, for, taking up the Cross,
Iperoran men sarkos, parerhete gar, epimelisthe de psiis Thou followed Christ and, by example, taught us that
pragmatos Athanatou. Dio ke meta Angelon we should overlook our flesh, since it passes away, and
sinagallete, Osie Romane, to Pnevma Sou. instead look after our soul, since it is Immortal.
Wherefore, O Holy Romanos, Thy spirit Rejoices with
the Angels.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Timonton Se. Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 75/76 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Evxasthe ke apoote Kyrio to Theo imon. Pantes i kiklo Pray and return to the Lord our God. All shall offer Him
Aftou isousi dora. gifts.
Gnostos en ti Ioudea O Theos, en to Israil mega to Onoma God is known in Judah. His Name is Great in Israel!
Aftou.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 6 : 16 7 : 1
Brethren, you are the Temples of the Living God, as God said: I will live in them and move among them, and I will be
their God, and they shall be My People. Therefore, come out from them, and be separate from them, says the
Lord, and touch nothing unclean. I will welcome you, and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My Sons
and Daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
Since we have these Promises, Beloved, let us Cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make
Holiness Perfect in the Fear of God.
This section of St Pauls Epistle to the Christians of Corinth EFFORT TO IMPROVE OURSELVES through a CONSTANT
is an example of THE HOLINESS CODE OF THE SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS over our own sins, weaknesses
PERSPECTIVE OF OUR NEW COVENANT WITH GOD. and bad habits so that BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND
We are clearly and consistently taught that LOVE OF GOD THROUGH A CONCERTED SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE AND UNCEASING
AND HIS HOLY CHURCH REQUIRES US TO SPURN TO REJECT REPENTANCE, WE OVERCOME AND CORRECT THESE PERSONAL
ALL IMMORALITY AND FALSE BELIEFS AND HERETICAL FLAWS OR INCLINATIONS.
TEACHINGS. When we really Love God or our fellow sinners, we make
We must devote ourselves entirely to ...perfecting every effort to please them and not to disappoint them
Holiness in the Fear of God. in any manner.
In other words, we should BE COMPELLED BY OUR UTTER LOVE Consequently, OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS GOD AND EVERYTHING
OF GOD AND OUR DEEPEST RESPECT FOR HIM to MAKE EVERY HOLY EXPOSES THE DEPTH OF OUR FAITH, PIETY AND LOVE.

17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2ND SUNDAY OF ST LUKE GOLDEN RULE 1 OCTOBER 2017 1.
Whenever we fall into a state of sin a state of SPIRITUAL
DEATH we fall AWAY FROM GOD AND HIS GOODNESS, but
THE INSTANT WE REALISE OUR ERRORS AND CORRECT THEM
THROUGH ABJECT REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, we are most
JOYFULLY RETURNED TO SPIRITUAL LIFE AND GODS DIVINE
PRESENCE.
GOD NEVER REJECTS US yet WE EXCOMMUNICATE OURSELVES
through our own choice of words, thoughts and
deeds.
Gods Love is INFINITE HE HAS MADE EVERY PROVISION
FOR OUR RETURN TO DIVINE GRACE and it is simply our
decision as to which route we take towards HIS
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE or into dark exile and
horrid alienation from everything Good and True!
Fear of God is not a destructive terror but rather a
PERSONAL FEAR OF DISAPPOINTING THOSE WHOM WE LOVE WITH
ALL OUR BEING.
The Fear of God is A PERSONAL FEAR OF LOSING EVERYTHING
THAT IS GOOD AND TRUE, which comes only from our
Benevolent and Providential ...Father Who art in
heaven.
THE FEAR OF GOD IS OUR PROFOUND RESPECT FOR - OUR HONOUR
AND WORSHIP OF - THE TRIUNE AND ALMIGHTY GOD, WITHOUT
WHOM, EVERYTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!
We are constantly reminded that OUR BODIES ARE THE SACRED
TEMPLES OF OUR LIVING GOD, Who Resides within us
whenever we are Cleansed from the filth of our sins
and especially when we are IN A STATE OF SINCERE
PRAYER AND WORSHIP.
That is the reason why WE MUST NOT DEFILE OUR SACRED
TEMPLES IN ANY IMMORAL OR DESTRUCTIVE WAY.
OUR BODY IS LOANED TO US FROM GOD TO ACCOMMODATE OUR
IMMORTAL SOUL, WHILE WE ARE IN THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD
BEFORE ETERNITY.
WHILE UNITED, OUR BODY AND SOUL DEVELOPS, MATURES AND
SLOWLY REGAINS OUR LOST LIKENESS TO GOD IN WHOSE IMAGE
AND LIKENESS WE WERE ORIGINALLY CREATED.
WITHOUT THE BODY, THE SOUL CANNOT DEVELOP, MATURE OR
IMPROVE. And vice versa, because THE BODY IS COMPLEX
WHILE THE SOUL IS SIMPLE each is important and
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
THE GOLDEN RULE OF CHRIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... and just as you want others to do to you, you also must do to them as well.
And if you Love those who Love you what credit is that to you? For even sinners Love those who Love them!
And if you do good to those who do good to you what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And
if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to
sinners in order to receive as much in return!
Love your enemies, do good, and lend hoping for nothing in return! And your Reward will be great, and you will
be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and those who are evil.
Be Merciful just as your Father also is Merciful!
THIS IS THE GOLDEN RULE OR GOLDEN COMMANDMENT OF OUR
LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
IT IS A MINIMUM OF CHRISTIAN VIRTUE AS IT PLACES OUR DESIRE
FOR GOODNESS ... THE NATURAL LAW OF SELF-LOVE... AS ST
CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA EXPRESSED IT AS A BASIC STANDARD OF
HOW TO TREAT ONE ANOTHER.
IT IS BUT THE FIRST GREAT STEP ON THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL
PERFECTION OF VIRTUE.
17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2ND SUNDAY OF ST LUKE THE GOLDEN RULE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved Brethren, Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us
how to live according to His Divine Golden Rule,
which is based on one simple Commandment: ...
just as you want others to do to you, you also must
do to them as well.
In other words, we must always treat other people
exactly the same as we want them to treat us. We must
respect others as we want them to respect us. We
must be kind, compassionate and considerate of
others as we would like them to be to us!
The Golden Rule first appeared in the Old Covenant Law
that God gave to St Moses.
 LEVITICUS 19:18 ...Thou shalt not take vengeance or
bear a grudge against the children of thy
people, but thou shalt Love thy neighbour as
thyself. I Am the Lord!
 LEVITICUS 18 : 34 ... the stranger who dwells amongst
you shall be to you as one born among you, and
you shalt Love him as yourself; for you were
2. 17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2ND SUNDAY
necessary for the welfare and development of the
other, due to their unique attributes.
An escape from the enslaving filthiness of sin requires
more from us than merely thinking Repentant
thoughts or having good intentions.
WE ARE ENMESHED AND ENTRAPPED IN A CEASELESS, PITILESS
SPIRITUAL WAR. We are entrenched in habitual patterns
of sin.
When a terrible SPIRITUAL DARKNESS BECOMES IMPRINTED on
our souls and bodies so that even OUR FREE WILL IS
CONQUERED, OVERWHELMED OR DEFEATED AND WE BECOME
AUTOMATICALLY WICKED.
To ...Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh
and spirit... WE MUST COMMIT OURSELVES TO A SUSTAINED,
CEASELESS SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE THROUGH DETERMINED AND
REGULAR REPENTANCE in order to attain Holiness.
SPIRITUAL PERFECTION IS PROMISED TO US BY ALMIGHTY GOD -
WHO ALWAYS AWAITS OUR RETURN FROM SPIRITUAL EXILE WITH
GREAT PATIENCE, COMPASSION, LOVE AND JOY.
Our constant Spiritual Cleansing includes A GENUINE
SORROW FOR PERSONAL SINS AND A DETERMINATION TO
IMMEDIATELY CORRECT ANY FALL WITH REPENTANCE AND
CONFESSION.

True Repentance is A WILFUL OR RESOLUTE AVOIDANCE OF
ALL TEMPTATION.

True Repentance is THE JOYFUL RECONCILIATION WITH
GOD AND ALL THOSE WHOM WE HAVE WRONGED.

True Repentance is the UNYIELDING STRIVING FOR
CHRISTIAN VIRTUE AND A CLEAVING TO GOD through deep
Faith, constant Worship and ceaseless Prayer.

True repentance compels us to FAITHFUL PARTICIPATION
IN ALL HOLY MYSTERIES AND SERVICES.
However, if we think all these things are too difficult for us
to do, we can rest assured in the knowledge that
WHATEVER FOR US IS DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE, GOD THE HOLY
SPIRIT MAKES POSSIBLE.
OUR DIVINE COMFORTER AND ADVOCATE CLEANSES us from
every stain and HEALS OUR INFIRMITIES both physical
and spiritual and He EMPOWERS US to Live this
Wonderful Life of Peace with God THROUGH OUR STEADY
AND QUICK REPENTANCE FROM SINS.
TO ST LUKE 6 : 31 - 36
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND MERCY
... BE MERCIFUL, JUST AS YOUR FATHER (IN HEAVEN) IS
MERCIFUL... EXPRESSES THE SPIRITUAL PERFECTION THAT WE
MUST CONSTANTLY STRIVE FOR.
WE MUST ALWAYS STRIVE FOR THAT PERFECT, ABSOLUTE AND DIVINE
MERCY THAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US INSTEAD OF THAT
CONDITIONAL, JUDGEMENT TYPE OF LOVE AND MERCY THAT
WE PREFER BECAUSE IT IS EASIER BUT WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY
CONDEMN US ETERNALLY!
strangers in the Land of Egypt. I Am the Lord
your God!
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the very same God Who spoke to
St Moses on Mount Sinai and Who, by the Power of
God the Holy Spirit spoke through His Holy Prophets to
the people of ancient Israel.
Thus, it makes sense that our Eternal, Divine Saviour
would repeat His Teachings and Commandment.
 MATTHEW 7 : 12 ...whatever you want men to do to
you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the
Prophets...
 MARK 12 :30 Our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... you shall
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, with all you mind, and with all your
Strength. This is the First Commandment. And the
second is like it: You shall Love your neighbour as
yourself. There is no greater Commandment than
this!
THE LOVE OF GOD AND OUR FELLOW MANKIND WITH ALL OUR BEING
BODY AND SOUL FULFILS THE DIVINE TRUTH OF GODS
OF ST LUKE GOLDEN RULE 1 OCTOBER 2017
 COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS, WHEREBY WE ACQUIRE
ETERNAL LIFE AND INFINITE DIVINE BLESSINGS, LOVE AND JOY.
Our Lord Jesus Christ specifically mentioned four
significant aspects that demonstrate and prove our
Love of God and others.
1. We must unconditionally Love them.
2. We must do whatever is good and beneficial for them.
3. We must give generously - without expectation of
reciprocation or reward.
4. We must be as Merciful, as Kind, as Compassionate,
as Forgiving and as Loving as God is to us.
 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 - St Paul taught us about True, Pure
Love (Agape): Love is Patient and Kind. Love
does not envy; does not behave rudely; does not
seek its own; is not provoked; thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but Rejoices in Truth;
bears all things; believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things...
Furthermore, Love never fails!
Before our Lord Jesus taught His Disciples about his
Golden Rule, He instructed them to ...Bless those
who curse you and pray for those who spitefully use
you...
The word Bless (Evlogia) literally means Good Words.
So, we should use good, complimentary, positive,
inspiring words when we speak to others.
To pray (prosevhe) literally means to send up Good
Wishes beseeching God to help us all - according to
His Divine Will and Purpose.
According to our abundantly Providential Lords
Teachings and Commandments we must give as
much as we can whenever anyone asks for
assistance.
We should never refuse to help others, especially when
we have abundant resources that have been
generously bestowed upon us by God Himself so that
we are able to share our Blessings.
Nor should we be resentful when those to whom we have
lent something forgets or fails to return it.
Being Merciful means to forgive others their trespasses
or offences against us as our Heavenly Father will
forgive us our insurmountable Spiritual Debts when
we Repent our own offences and sins against Him, our
neighbours and ourselves.
Our Lord Jesus urged us: ...to him who strikes you on
the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him
who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your
tunic either.
As His Faithful Disciples, we must never repay evil with
evil for that only multiplies the anger, hatred and
warfare.
W E M U S T E L I M I N A T E P O V E R T Y , O P P R E S S I O N , R A C I S M
How is it possible to disagree with the demand for justice?
Who would not agree to end all suffering? How can
we not commit our lives to bringing about a better
world?
The desire for justice and an end to suffering are deeply
seductive in our modern world.
Being told that these are false desires flies in the face of
almost everything that characterizes our present
culture.
On their surface, these desires seem deeply religious. But
as religions go, they are married more to Hell than to
Heaven.
Buddhism offered a way to escape the world of suffering.
It is possible to critique his method and his
conclusions. But, prior to the modern period, no one
would have criticized his observations regarding
suffering in this world.
Siddhrtha Gautama lived some centuries before Christ.
Disease and death were unavoidable, medical help
of but little benefit. A large part of any population
would not live to see adulthood. His parents sheltered
him and his Spiritual Journey began when he left that
safety and first encountered old age, suffering and
death. His experience posed the essential religious
question concerning suffering.
It can be said that every religion in the world addresses
the problem of suffering. They vary in their accounts
of its origin and of the means of addressing it.
But all recognize that the problem of suffering is at the
very core of human existence.
17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2ND SUNDAY
No matter what others may do to us, we should only react
with Love, with Mercy, with Humility, with
Compassion, with Understanding not by retaliating
in a similar aggressive manner that only adds fuel to
the fires of wickedness and cruelty.
Four aspects of the Golden Rule are therefore:
1. Love
2. Doing Good
3. Giving generously
4. Being Merciful
However, this Golden Rule is not unique to Christianity,
nor to Judaism, for the various other ancient religions
also taught similar principles.
Nevertheless, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christs Divine
Truth should be referred to as The Platinum Rule for
we are taught not only to Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you... but also ... even
when they treat you poorly or badly.
Consequently our Lord Jesus Platinum Rule builds on
the Golden Rule when He taught us to ...Love your
enemies...
In fact, our Divine Saviour also exhorted us: ... to you
who hear: Love your enemies, do Good to those who
hate you, Bless those who curse you, and pray for
those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you
on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him
who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your
tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And
from him who takes away your goods, do not ask
them back.
The Purpose for exercising the Golden Rule and
implementing the Platinum Rule is clearly explained
to us by our Lord Jesus Christ:
 Luke 6 : 35 ... your Reward will be great, and you
will be Children of the Most High.
By fulfilling the Divine Love of God in all things, WE BECOME
WORTHY CHILDREN AND CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST OF OUR
HEAVENLY FATHERS ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE!
The Golden Rule is no credit to us if we only apply it to
ourselves and those of whom we approve!
But if, by the Grace of God and through our ceaseless
Spiritual Struggle we fulfil our Lords Platinum Rule it
will Sanctify and Confirm our Spiritual State and True
Communion with God in this life and in the Age to
come.
Amen
FATHER RICK
ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO USA
HTTP://STGEORGEGOC.ORG
The Modern Project can itself be seen as a religious
response to the problem of suffering.
However, in a strange twist of Christian Eschatology,
modernity assumes that suffering, sorrow and
injustice can be ended. And, if those things cannot be
utterly obliterated, then the world is still rightly
engaged in the ever-increasing pursuit of that goal.
A common point in any endeavour is that the first 90-95
percent of a project is the most easily accomplished.
The last 5 percent or so, the completion that encompasses
perfection, is the most pernicious and persistent.
A friend of mine was the primary leader in Rotarys efforts
to eradicate polio. I recall the incredible efforts in my
childhood that removed polio from the list of
American dangers. The same work has successfully
reduced its existence to only three countries. And yet,
year by year, it persists. Completion is a very difficult
thing.
Eliminating a disease is but a little thing.
There are no vaccines against racism and poverty, no
medicines that protect us from anger and greed.
Indeed, even our drive against disease has sometimes
resulted in new and unforeseen disease.
Current studies suggest that our overly antiseptic world is
producing allergies and other intractable problems.
We may need dirt more than we know.
CHRISTIANITY DOES NOT ENVISION A WORLD WITHOUT SUFFERING
AND INJUSTICE, EXCEPT AS A FINAL GIFT FROM GOD IN THE
ESCHATON.
OF ST LUKE GOLDEN RULE 1 OCTOBER 2017 3.
GOD HAS NOT CREATED AN EVIL WORLD, but NEITHER HAS HE
REMOVED EVIL FROM THE WORLD OR DESTROYED DISEASE.
Our Lord Jesus Christ tramples down Death by Death, but
does not thereby exempt His Faithful Disciples from
enduring the same WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE.
His Invitation to take up the Cross is a blank Invitation to
SHARE IN HIS SUFFERINGS.
I have written before about the deception of ...building a
better world.
Perhaps it would be proper to say that it is fine to work for
a slightly better world, or improvements.
This is similar to saying that a glass of wine a day is good
for your health. However, it does not take much more
than that to harm your health.
The drive for improvement is itself fraught with problems.
Justice is an insatiable goal. Nothing can ever be fair
enough, equal enough, right enough.
REAL OR IMAGINED, INJUSTICE REMAINS AND WILL REMAIN UNTIL
GOD ALONE MAKES IT OTHERWISE.
In the modern world, the pendulum swings.
Revolutions destroy empires and eradicate oppressors,
always replacing them with new empires and new
faces of oppression.
Every swing of the pendulum seems to leave justice at a
remove.
THE ETERNAL INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS
ST NICHOLAS OF SERBIA
Truth is not a thought, not a word, not a relationship
between things, not a law. Truth is a Person. Truth is a
Being Who exceeds all beings and grants Life to all. If
we seek Truth with Love and for the sake of Love, She
will reveal the Light of His Face to us inasmuch as we
are able to bear it without being burnt.
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS
Whoever does not Love his enemies cannot know our
Lord and the Sweetness of the Holy Spirit Who teaches
us to Love our enemies in such a way that we feel pity
for their soul as if they were our own children.
ST MARK THE ASCETIC
When we have been insulted, cursed or persecuted by
others, we must not think of what has happened to us,
but of what will come as a result of it, and we will see ST BASIL THE GREAT
that those who insulted us have become the cause of
many Spiritual Benefits to us not only in this age, but
in that which is to come.
ST MARK THE ASCETIC
We must neither desire nor hear about the misfortunes of
those who oppose us for those who listen to such
things will later reap the corrupted fruit of their evil ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS
intentions!
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS
When anyone causes us grief, or dishonours us, or takes
something of ours, we must pray: O Lord, we are all
Thy creatures. Pity Thy servants, and turn them to
Repentance! and then we will perceptibly bear
Grace in our soul. We must induce our heart to love
our enemies and our Lord seeing our good will ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS
shall help us in all things, and He will Himself show us No matter how much we may study, it is impossible to
Experience. But those who think evil of their enemies
do not have Love of God and have not known Him.
ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN
The soul who Loves God has her rest in God and in God
alone. In all the Paths that we walk in the world, we
do not attain Peace until we draw nigh to Hope in
God.
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
God Loves us more than any father, mother, friend, or
anyone else is capable of loving, and even more than
we are able to love ourselves!
ST SILOUAN OF MOUTH ATHOS
A certain Monk told me that when he was very sick, his
mother said to his father: How our little boy is
suffering! I would gladly give myself to be cut up into
pieces if that would ease his suffering! Such is the We must consistently pray in all things so that we might
Love of God for people. He pitied us so much that he
wanted to suffer for us, like their own Father, and
even more so! But no one can understand such Great
Love without the Divine Grace of the Holy Spirit.
4. 17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2ND SUNDAY
Christ said: The Kingdom of God does not come with
observation. the Kingdom of God is within you.
(LUKE 17:20-21)
It is only with the apprehension of the inner Kingdom
that human beings can be made to understand just
HOW TRULY DIFFICULT IS THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM.
If we cannot bring forth the Kingdom within our own
heart, surely WE SHOULD NOT IMAGINE THAT BY SOME ACT OF
FORCE OR LAW WE COULD BRING IT FORTH WITHIN THE LARGER
WORLD.
All of this being true, the Virtues required for Life in this
world are not a passion for Justice and Zeal for a
better world.
PATIENT ENDURANCE AND THE ABILITY TO BEAR SUFFERING ARE OF
MUCH GREATER USE.
For the Church, an abiding question must be:, HOW DO WE
BECOME THE KIND OF COMMUNITY THAT CAN SUPPORT PEOPLE
IN THE SUFFERINGS OF THEIR LIVES?
This is not acquiescence to suffering. It is the sober
recognition that THE LIMITS OF OUR POWER TO REMAKE THE
WORLD REQUIRE US TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE IN THE World.
OUR HOPE IS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, Whose Coming is sheer
Gift and Wonder.
FATHER STEPHEN FREEMAN
GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS
HTTPS://BLOGS.ANCIENTFAITH.COM
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS
Our Lord God Loves all mankind, but He Loves those who
seek Him even more. To His Chosen our Lord grants
such Great Grace that for Love they forsake the whole
Earth, the whole world, and their soul burns with
desire that all mankind might be Saved and behold
the Glory of our Lord God.
ST NICHOLAS OF SERBIA
If we want to know about the pyramids of Egypt, we must
either trust those who have been in immediate
proximity to the pyramids, or we must see them for
ourselves. There is no third option. In the same way if
we want to know about God we must either trust those
who have been in the very Presence of God or we
must make every effort to do so ourselves.
As it is impossible to verbally describe the sweetness of
honey to those who have never tasted it, so, too, the
Goodness of God cannot be clearly communicated by
way of teaching, if we ourselves are unable to
penetrate the Goodness of our Lord by our own
Experience.
Many rich and powerful men would pay dearly to behold
our Lord Jesus Christ, or His All Pure, Most Holy Mother,
but God does not appear in riches, but in the humble
heart... Every one of the poorest can be humbled and
come to know God. It needs neither wealth nor
reputation to come to know God. It needs only
Humility and Obedience.
come to know God unless we Live according to His
Commandments, for God is not known by science but
by the Holy Spirit. Many Philosophers and learned
men came to the belief that God does exist, yet they
did not know God. It is one thing to believe that God
exists and another to know Him. If we have come to
know God by the Holy Spirit, our soul will burn with
Love for God day and night, and our soul cannot be
bound to any earthly thing.
ST GENNADIOS OF CONSTANTINOPLE
We must not forsake Prayer, for just as our body becomes
weak when it is deprived of nourishment, so too, does
our soul weaken when she is deprived of prayer,
drawing nigh to Noetic death.
ST MARK THE ASCETIC
not do anything without the Help of God... If we do
anything without Prayer, we will not succeed in the
end. Concerning this, our Lord said: ... without Me
you cannot do anything!
OF ST LUKE GOLDEN RULE 1 OCTOBER 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And
let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone 1 8 October 2017

th rd
18 Sunday After Pentecost 3 Sunday of St Luke
The Widow of Nain
The Feast of ST PELAGIA THE PENITENT OF EDESSA St Pelagia the Virgin Martyr of Antioch St Thais the Virgin Martyr of
Egypt St Dositheos, Abbot of Verkneostrov & Pskov St Tryphon, Archimandrite of Vyatka St Ignatios the New
Monk Martyr of Trnovo, Bulgaria - St Philotheos, Patriarch of Constantinople

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 7 - JOHN 20 : 1 10

ST PETER & ST JOHN FIND THE FOLDED MANDYLION & THE ABANDONED, EMPTY SHROUD IN THE TOMB OF OUR RESURRECTED LORD.

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 1

Tou lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon, ke Stratioton
filassonton to ahranton Sou Soma, Anestis Triimeros
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!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PELAGIA
The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans,
and a pair of soldier guarded Thine Immaculate Body.
Thou Rose on the Third Day, O Lord and Saviour,
granting Life to the world. Wherefore the Powers of
Heaven cried to Thee, O Life-giver: Glory to Thy
Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom!
Glory to Thy Dispensation, O Only Lover of mankind!
THE PENITENT - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

En Si, Miter, akrivos diesothi to kat Ikona. Lavousa gar In Thee, O Mother, is preserved undistorted what was
ton Stavron, ikolouthisas to Hristo, ke prattousa created in the Image of God, for taking up the Cross,
edidaskes iperoran men sarkos parerhete gar Thou followed Christ, and by example, taught us to
epimelisthe de psihis, pragmatos Athanatou. Dio ke overlook the flesh, since it passes away, and instead
meta Angelon sinagallete Osia Pelagia, to Pnevma Sou. look after our soul, since it is immortal.. Wherefore, O
Devout, Thy Spirit Rejoices with the Angels.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Timonton Se. Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 32 TONE 1
Genito, Kyrie, to Eleos Sou ef imas. Let Thy Mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Agalliasthe, Dikei, en Kyrio. Rejoice in the Lord, O you Righteous
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 9: 6 -11
SOWING AND REAPING
Brethren, ... those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly, and those who sow bountifully, will also reap bountifully.
Let each one give according to the purpose of his heart not grudgingly nor of necessity for God Loves a cheerful
giver.
God is able to make all Grace abound towards you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an
abundance for every Good Work. As it is written: He has dispersed abroad; He has given to the poor; His
Righteousness endures forever.
He Who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will supply and multiply the seed you have sown, and increase
the Fruits of your Righteousness. In all things you are enriched for all liberality, which causes Thanksgiving through
us to God.
This is St Pauls essential Teaching concerning OUR SACRED ALL OUR SPIRITUAL TOOLS AND WEAPONS ARE GRANTED FREELY
CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP. AND ABUNDANTLY TO US BY GOD so that we are able TO
He did not use a financial metaphor the generous GROW, TO NURTURE AND TO HARVEST THE FRUITS OF OUR
giving of WORLDLY WEALTH AND POSSESSIONS, WHICH ARE CONSTANT SPIRITUAL LABOURS OF LOVE FOR THE GLORY,
TEMPORARY AND CORRUPTIBLE EVERYTHING THAT IS HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
MEANINGLESS AND UNBENEFICIAL TO OUR ETERNAL SALVATION. The Abundant Fruits of our Labours and the infinite
St Paul used the metaphor of OUR CONSTANT SPIRITUAL Providence of God should compel us to EXPRESS OUR
LABOUR - OF SOWING OR PLANTING SPIRITUAL SEEDS THAT PROFOUND, HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO OUR LORD GOD,
MUST BE CULTIVATED AND CAREFULLY, STEADILY NURTURED IN WITHOUT WHOM NOTHING GOOD, BLESSED, WORTHY OR
ORDER TO BECOME A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST FOR GODS ETERNAL, JOYFUL WOULD BE POSSIBLE!
DIVINE AND HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 7 : 11 - 16
THE WIDOW OF NAIN THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus went into a city called Nain. And many of His Disciples went with Him, as well as a large
crowd. They arrived at the gate of the city, and behold! A dead man was being carried out the only son of his
mother and she was a widow. And a large crowd was with her. And seeing her, our Lord felt Compassion for her,
and said to her: Do not weep.

18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3RD OF ST LUKE THE WIDOW OF NAIN 8 OCTOBER 2017 5.
And He touched the bier, and said: Young man! To you I say: get up! And he who was dead sat up and began to
speak. And He presented him to his mother.
Then Fear came upon everyone, and they Glorified God, saying: A great Prophet has risen among us! And ...for God
has Visited His people!
THE RAISING OF THE DEAD SON OF THE WIDOW OF NAIN IS ONE OF
THREE GREAT DIVINE MIRACLES OF OUR SAVIOUR, JESUS
CHRIST.
EACH OF THE THREE MIRACLES DEPICTED DIFFERENT STAGES OF
DEATH:
1. Jairus little daughter had died WITHIN THE HOUR.
2. The Widow of Nains son had been dead for SEVERAL
HOURS AND WAS ABOUT TO BE BURIED.
3. St Lazaros had been dead for FOUR DAYS AND HAD
ALREADY BEGUN TO DECOMPOSE IN HIS TOMB.
THEY CONFIRM THE DIVINE PROMISE GIVEN TO ST EZEKIEL, THE
HOLY PROPHET OF GOD, THAT OUR LORD WOULD ONE DAY OPEN
THE TOMBS OR GRAVES AND RAISE THE DEAD no matter how
long they had been dead, for He is truly the Master of
Life:
 E Z E K I E L 3 7 : 1 4 : ... the Hand of the Lord came
upon me, and took me by the Spirit of the Lord,
and set me in the midst of the plain, which was full
of human bones. And He led me round about
them, and behold! There was a great multitude of
bones on the face of the plain. They were very
dry. And He said to me: Son of Man: can these
bones live? And I answered: O Lord, Thou know
this. And He said to me: Prophesy to these bones
and say to them: O dry bones, hear the Word of
the Lord: thus says the Lord to these bones:
Behold, I will bring the Spirit of Life upon you. I
will put muscles and flesh on you. I will cover you
with skin and put My Spirit into you. And you
shall live and know that I Am the Lord!
Although many people have exercised their authority
over the living, ONLY THE SON OF GOD ... has Power
over the living and the dead! (ORTHODOX FUNERAL SERVICE)
As the Incarnate Eternal Son of God the Father, OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST HAS DIVINE POWER THROUGH HIS WORDS ALONE.
18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3RD SUNDAY
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ, THE MORE TIME AND
EFFORT WE INVEST IN ANY OF OUR ENDEAVOURS, THE MORE WE
WILL RECEIVE IN RETURN. This significant Truth applies to
everything we do whether good or bad.
No matter what we say or think, IF WE DO NOT USE OUR TIME,
ENERGY, AND ATTENTION WISELY, WORTHILY AND WITH GOOD
INTENTIONS, WE CANNOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE GOOD RESULTS
AND BLESSINGS IN RETURN!
Many of us have learnt this important Lesson the hard
way ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CONCERNS OUR FAMILY
CIRCUMSTANCES, OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, OUR
EMPLOYMENT, OUR STUDIES AND INNUMERABLE OTHER
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF OUR DAILY LIFE.
The most important question that we need to ask
ourselves is: Am I investing enough or any time and
effort in the Life of Christ?
If we examine HOW WE TREAT OTHERS AND WHAT TYPE OF
ATTITUDE WE HAVE TOWARDS EVERYONE INDIVIDUALLY even
our enemies - we will see to what extent if any - we
actually Live in Christ!
St Paul referred to this when he wrote to the Corinthians:
... he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.
It is obvious that those who plant only a few seeds cannot
expect much of a crop, while those who plant more
can expect a far better harvest.
Likewise, WE ENTER MORE FULLY INTO THE LIFE OF OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST WHEN WE BLESS OTHERS WITH THE
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND GREAT MERCY THAT GOD
BESTOWS UPON US, for that is how those who share
our abundant Divine Gifts with others ...will be
enriched in every way for great generosity,
which, through us, will produce Thanksgiving to
God...
BY BECOMING A BLESSING TO OTHERS WE OURSELVES ARE
BLESSED EVEN MORE BY GOD.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TAUGHT HIS GOLDEN RULE TO US
WHO ARE HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES,
6. 18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3RD OF ST LUKE THE WIDOW
However, COMPELLED BY HIS LOVE AND COMPASSION for the
bereft Widow of Nain, HE TOUCHED THE OPEN COFFIN and
showed us that ANYTHING THAT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH
OUR LORD GOD IS CHANGED FROM THE MUNDANE (ORDINARY
A DEAD MAN) INTO THE EXTRAORDINARY SOMETHING VERY
DIFFERENT in this case, someone who was brought
back from Death to Life and WHOSE LIFE WOULD NEVER
BE THE SAME AS BEFORE.
THIS PARTICULAR EVENT PREFIGURED OUR LORDS CRUCIFIXION AND
RESURRECTION for just as the Widow wept for the loss of
her beloved and only son, SO TOO WOULD HIS EVER
BLESSED MOTHER WEEP FOR HIM AT THAT FOOT OF HIS CROSS
yet later HER TEARS OF SORROW WOULD BECOME TEARS OF
GREAT JOY AT HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION.
CHRIST KNEW THE EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT FACED THE
MOURNING WIDOW OF NAIN:
WITHOUT A CLOSE MALE RELATIVE TO TAKE CARE OF HER AND TO
PROTECT HER, ALL HER PROPERTY AND POSSESSIONS WOULD
HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM HER AND SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN CAST
OUT INTO THE STREET TO DEPEND ON THE KINDNESS OF
STRANGERS.
Perhaps this woman had much property and possessions
that was about to be seized and that could have been
why there were so many people following her to the
cemetery.
EVEN TO THIS DAY, WIDOWS AND ORPHANS ARE TAKEN FULL
ADVANTAGE OF AND MISTREATED ABOMINABLY BY THE WICKED
AND MERCILESS.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES AND
APOSTLES TO TAKE CARE OF ALL WIDOWS AND ORPHANS AND IT
IS ONE OF OUR MOST SACRED DUTIES TO FULFIL.
HAVING WITNESSED SUCH A MARVELLOUS MIRACLE, THE PEOPLE
WERE NATURALLY RATHER SHOCKED - and although MOST OF
THEM GLORIFIED AND OFFERED PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING TO
ALMIGHTY GOD, there were OTHERS WHO PLOTTED AGAINST
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
OF ST LUKE THE WIDOW OF NAIN

FOR HE CALLED US TO DEMONSTRATE THE GREAT MERCY AND
INFINITE LOVE OF GOD TO ALL MANKIND - EVEN THOSE
WHOM IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO LOVE.

He taught us HOW TO TREAT EVERYONE AS WE WOULD LIKE TO
BE TREATED BY THEM.

He taught us to LOVE NOT ONLY THOSE WHO ARE OUR
NEAREST AND DEAREST FAMILY AND FRIENDS, BUT ALSO TO
LOVE OUR ENEMIES THOSE WHO HATE US, WHO INSULT
US, WHO HURT US OR WHO EVEN HARM US!

As His Faithful Disciples, we are to TREAT EVERYONE WELL
WITH RESPECT, COMPASSION, KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY.

He taught us to BE GENEROUS - WITHOUT EXPECTING
ANYTHING IN RETURN.
Consequently, our ultimate ...Reward will be great...
because WE WILL BE THE CHILDREN AND CO-HEIRS WITH
CHRIST ... of the Most High... God.
This is the meaning of our Lord Gods Golden Rule and
what it means to ...be Merciful, even as your Father
is Merciful.

Our Lord Jesus Christ Calls each of us to ENTER FULLY
INTO HIS LIFE OF DIVINE BLESSINGS AND LOVE.

He Calls us to PERSONALLY MANIFEST THE GREAT MERCY AND
LOVE THAT HE HAS SHOWN TO US, even though we are
sinners.

He Calls us to BECOME LIKE HIM, TO BE SO CLOSELY UNITED
TO HIM THAT HIS DIVINE LOVE BECOMES A CHARACTERISTIC
OF OUR OWN ESPECIALLY WHEN WE RELATE TO THOSE WE
DO NOT LIKE AND WHO DO NOT LIKE US, for this is the
most important dimension of what it means to
BECOME HIS CHILDREN AND HEIRS WHO ARE SANCTIFIED
...PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE... BY HIS GRACE.
Initially, we may think that it is impossible for us to ever
be able to fulfill the Teachings and Commandments
of our Lord Jesus Christ, many of which we consider
being too difficult for us to achieve.
Most of us due to our dominant, arrogant ego - are
tempted to varying degrees, into ANGER AND
RESENTMENT THAT CAUSES US TO DESPISE AND JUDGE AND TO
HOLD GRUDGES OR EVEN SEEK REVENGE RATHER THAN TO
FORGIVE AND FORGET.
OF NAIN 8 OCTOBER 2017
 WE JUSTIFY OUR SELFISH ATTITUDE with the excuse that it is
simply due to our human condition - yet WE
KNOW AND OUR LORD CONSTANTLY REMINDS US - IT IS
SINFUL AND REQUIRES REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS.
We can make every excuse to justify our iniquities, but WE
CANNOT AVOID DIVINE TRUTH!
Even the worst of sinners are good to those who are good
to them, but, as struggling Disciples of Christ, WE MUST
STRIVE TO FULFIL HIS RIGHTEOUS WAY RATHER THAN LIMITING
OUR EFFORTS THAT WILL VITALLY IMPACT OUR ETERNITY!
According to the sinful world of corruption and
devastation, it is normal to hate our enemies and to
hold grudges against them, even seeking vengeance
against them.
THAT IS NOT OUR NATURAL, CREATED HUMAN NATURE!
WE WERE CREATED IN THE PERFECT, DIVINE IMAGE AND LIKENESS
OF OUR LOVING AND ALL MERCIFUL GOD!
Our Lord Jesus Christ is THE SECOND ADAM Who RESTORES
OUR FALLEN HUMAN NATURE.
OUR COMPASSIONATE LORD GOD EXPECTS US - AND HE ENABLES US
- TO LIVE IN A WAY THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT to the normal
or acceptable behaviour and lifestyle of THOSE WHO
ARE SO TRAGICALLY SPIRITUALLY DEAD!
As Faithful Disciples of Christ who must increase in
Humility and Obedience to Him, WE MUST NOT VIEW OUR
LORDS TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS AS ONLY ANOTHER
...SET OF RULES... THAT WE CAN FOLLOW - ACCORDING TO OUR
OWN ABILITY OR INCLINATION.
Our Divine Saviour Called His Disciples to BE MORE
RIGHTEOUS THAN THOSE WHO THINK OF GODS
COMMANDMENTS AS A LONG LIST OF REQUIREMENTS that can Thereby we will be ...Enriched in every way for great
be satisfied by simply going through the motions i.e.
by making empty, useless and meaningless gestures
that are Spiritually Unbeneficial!
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REINTERPRETED AND EXPLAINED THE OLD
COVENANT LAWS IN WAYS THAT REQUIRED OUR SPIRITUAL
TRANSFORMATION heart and soul - as we gradually
BECOME MORE LIKE HIM i.e. as we REGAIN OUR LIKENESS TO
GOD as He created us.
REGAINING OUR DIVINE LIKENESS IS A PROFOUND SACRED
FULFILMENT, WHICH IS NOT A VAGUE ACCOMPLISHMENT
ACQUIRED THROUGH OUR OWN WILL POWER OR DESIRE.
When our genuine life-long Goal is to REGAIN OUR ORIGINAL
CREATED STATE BY IMITATING OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST and by
CEASELESSLY STRIVING TO FULFIL HIS DIVINE TRUTH by Living
in Christ FULLY PARTICIPATING IN HIS DIVINE LIFE, LOVE
AND HOLINESS that has conquered sin and Death - we
must clearly understand that IT IS POSSIBLE ONLY BY
MAKING A CONCERTED, PERPETUAL EFFORT.
To become worthy Children of God, we must be Reborn
into the Sacred Life of His Heavenly Kingdom, which
begins here and now!
We must be EMPOWERED BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT for an
extraordinary, Mystical New Life that is beyond our
own limited ability.
AT OUR HOLY BAPTISM, WE ...PUT ON CHRIST... and WE NOW
LIVE IN CHRIST BY PARTICIPATING WITH ALL OUR BEING IN A
BLESSED AND HEALING LIFESTYLE that is far beyond our
own ability.
ALL OUR ABUNDANT BLESSINGS ARE GRACIOUS GIFTS OF GOD.
They are never Rewards that we have deserved or to
which we are entitled!
AS BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED MEMBERS OF CHRISTS HOLY BODY
HIS HOLY CHURCH WE ALREADY SHARE IN HIS LIFE for WE
HAVE BEEN GRANTED THE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND ABILITY TO
HEAR AND OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS.
We must remember the importance of sowing
bountifully - of INVESTING DEEPLY IN EVERYTHING THAT
PRAYER IS THE TEST OF EVERYTHING....
St Theophan the Recluse believed that ... Prayer is the
test of everything. Prayer is also the Source of
everything. Prayer is the driving force of everything.
Prayer is also the Director of everything. If Prayer is
right, everything is right. For Prayer will not allow
anything to go wrong."
Perhaps the most popular and basic definition of Prayer
is that IT IS A CONVERSATION WITH GOD.
While this is essentially true, Orthodox Christianity looks
upon Prayer as SOMETHING DEEPER THAN "CONVERSATION".
Prayer is understood as AN INTIMATE ENCOUNTER WITH GOD.
18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3RD OF ST LUKE THE WIDOW
ENABLES US TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN DIVINE
BLESSEDNESS.
When we fail to do so, we are incapable of Loving our
enemies, being generous to others without expecting
anything in return, or being able to treat everyone as
we ourselves would like to be treated.
Our failures and frustrations remind us that WE HAVE
NOT SOWN BOUNTIFULLY - that WE HAVE NOT INVESTED
OURSELVES DILIGENTLY IN THE HOLY VIRTUES OF MERCY,
LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, and that WE HAVE FAILED TO
PRODUCE A GOOD HARVEST OF SPIRITUAL FRUIT FOR OUR
LORDS HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE!
The lack of Spiritual Fruit proves that we have not been
Good Stewards of the Spiritual Strength and Power
that God bestowed upon us
Let us commit ourselves to our Salvation, by humbly,
sincerely and honestly acknowledging that WE ARE IN
CONSTANT NEED OF OUR LORD GODS MERCY, FORGIVENESS
AND GRACE for which we hope and pray.
Let us BESEECH HIS DIVINE MERCY, FORGIVENESS, AND LOVE so
that we will never again be unmerciful, unforgiving
and unloving to others!
WE HAVE RECEIVED ABUNDANT DIVINE BLESSINGS but we have
not shared them with our neighbours.
Consequently, WE HAVE JEOPARDISED AND RESTRICTED OUR OWN
PARTICIPATION IN THE HEALING AND BLESSINGS OF OUR
REDEEMER, JESUS CHRIST.
We can never earn His Divine Grace, but WE CAN OPEN OUR
HEART AND SOUL TO RECEIVE AND PARTICIPATE IN HIS GREAT
MERCY AND LOVE.
generosity, which, through us, will produce
Thanksgiving to God.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE HAVE THE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND
ABILITY TO HELP, TO FORGIVE, TO BE MERCIFUL AND
LOVING, TO BE RECONCILED, TO WORK IN UNITY AND
HARMONY - even with our enemies.
WE MUST SOW AS BOUNTIFULLY AS POSSIBLE,
AS SOON AS WE FALL SHORT, WE MUST BESEECH GODS FORGIVENESS
so that we may rise up again and continue our
Sacred Journey, by USING EVERY WORTHY WAY AND MEANS
OF BLESSING THOSE WHO ARE DIFFICULT TO LOVE.
In other words, WE MUST CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY WITH
HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE BY INVESTING OUR EFFORTS IN THE
WAYS OF THE KINGDOM WITH CEASELESS PRAYERS FOR THE
SPIRITUAL STRENGTH, ABILITY AND ENDURANCE that are
essential for us to become Icons of Divine Mercy.
Through this slow but sure Spiritual Process, we share our
Abundant Blessings with others.
WHEN WE EXTEND TO OUR NEIGHBOURS THE SAME MERCY FOR
WHICH WE FERVENTLY ENTREAT OUR LORD GOD, WE BECOME
TRUE CHILDREN ...of our Lord God Who is ...Kind to the
ungrateful and selfish.
We are all ...ungrateful and selfish... and we all
Struggle, often unsuccessfully, to ...be Merciful, even
as your Father is Merciful.
We must invest in our True Life in Christ by making every
effort TO LOVE, TO FORGIVE, AND TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER
EVERY DAY.
And even WHEN WE FALL INTO SPIRITUAL DEATH, LET US
IMMEDIATELY PICK OURSELVES UP, BESEECH FORGIVENESS,
RETURN TO SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST, AND CONTINUE OUR
SPIRITUAL WARFARE UNTIL THE END, when we hope to be
Victorious and worthy Children and Heirs of our Most
High, Almighty God!
Amen
FATHER PHILIP LEMASTER
HTTP://EASTERNCHRISTIANINSIGHTS.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
When we pray, WE MEET WITH GOD IN OUR HEARTS IN THE
SANCTUARY OF ALL OUR THOUGHTS, MOTIVATIONS, DREAMS,
EMOTIONS AND CONCERNS.
WITH PRAYER WE SHARE OUR INNER SELVES COMPLETELY WITH OUR
LORD which is impossible with any other human
being.
To enter into this very personal and intimate place with
God, full of Faith and Love, is TO FEEL HIS DIVINE
PRESENCE IN THE MOST PROFOUND, SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
We no longer perceive God as being "out there", looking
down on us. Rather, WE SENSE HIS PRESENCE WITHIN US,
STIRRING OUR HEART, GUIDING OUR ACTIONS, ENLIGHTENING
OUR MIND.
OF NAIN 8 OCTOBER 2017 7.
Our Orthodox Christian Faith teaches us that PRAYER IS THE
MOST NATURAL THING WE CAN DO - IT IS WHAT WE ARE CREATED
FOR.
In Paradise, Adam and God conversed frequently.
Since the Fall we hide from God and choose not to speak
openly with Him.
HUMAN BEINGS WERE MADE FOR PRAYER - not because God
needs us to pray to Him, but because WE NEED TO
CONNECT WITH HIM WHO CREATED US, WHO SAVED US FROM
SIN AND DEATH, AND WHO SHOWERS HIS SANCTIFYING GRACE
UPON US.
WITHOUT PRAYER THERE IS NO LIFE - not in its fullest sense.
AS INTELLECTUAL BEINGS, WE ARE CREATED FOR PRAYER just as
we are created to breathe and to think.
PRAYER IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR UNIQUE HUMAN NATURE.
Out of all Gods earthly creatures, ONLY WE ARE ABLE TO
PERCEIVE AND INTERACT WITH BOTH THE VISIBLE (PHYSICAL)
AND INVISIBLE (SPIRITUAL) REALITIES.
Prayer is so vital to our Life that St Gregory of Nazianzos
instructed us to "...remember God more often that
you breath!"
At first, this might seem daunting, perhaps impossible.
In Truth, often the greatest obstacle to developing our
Prayer Life is THE LACK OF TRUST IN OURSELVES, AND IN WHAT
GOD CAN DO FOR AND WITH US.
Often we "psych" ourselves out when it comes to Prayer by
thinking that a Life of Prayer is only for the Spiritual
"Specialists" - Clergy, Monks, Nuns.
THE ETERNAL INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS
ST GENNADIOS OF CONSTANTINOPLE ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT
We must always have the Fear of God in our heart, and
remember that God is always with us - everywhere,
whether we are walking or sitting...
ST. BARSANUPHIOS THE GREAT
Having God, we fear nothing, but cast all our care upon
Him, and He will take care of us. Believe without any
doubt, and God will help us according to His Great
Mercy.
ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR
We must Love everyone with our whole soul, and we must
put our Hope in our one God, and serve Him alone.
For as long as He Protects us, and our friends (His
Angels) are helping us, our enemies (the demons)
cannot inflict evil upon us. But when He forsakes us,
(due to our sins) then also our friends turn away from
us, and our enemies get power over us.
ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROV
If we have no worries about ourselves at all due to our
Love of God and our Labours of Good Deeds -
knowing that God is taking care of us - this is a True
and Wise Hope. But if we try to take care of our own
business and only turn to God in Prayer when
misfortunes that are beyond our power overwhelm us
and we begin to Hope in God, such a Hope is vain
and false for True Hope seeks only the Kingdom of
God... and our heart can have no Peace until we
obtain Faith in God that pacifies our heart and soul -
and produces Joy within us.
ST BASIL THE GREAT
We must never believe that anything happened by
chance, while this cam to be of itself In all that exists,
there is nothing disorderly, nothing indefinite, nothing
without Purpose, nothing by chance...! How many
hairs are on our head? God does not forget even one
of them! Do we see how nothing not even the
smallest thing escapes the gaze of God?
ST ELIAS MINIATIOS
It is an indubitable Truth that the Highest Divine
Providence arranges all of Creation. God has
considered everything beforehand, and has taken
care of all things. This is the Divine Fatherly Care of
which the Blessed Apostles, St Peter spoke: ... cast all
your cares upon Him, because He is concerned for
you... (1 PETER 5:7)
ST MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR
The Purpose of Gods Divine Providence is to Unite by
means of Right Faith and Spiritual Love those who
have been separated by evil. To this end, our Saviour
also Suffered for us ... in order to gather together the
Children of God who were scattered... (JOHN 1:52)
8. 18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3RD OF ST LUKE THE WIDOW
We erroneously think that if we struggle with our Prayer
Life we are not doing it correctly.
However, IT IS ONLY WHEN WE STRUGGLE WITH PRAYER THAT WE
ARE SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY.
But even though Prayer is - or at least should be - a
natural part of our human nature, PRAYER IS A
DISCIPLINE - A SPIRITUAL EXERCISE.
An analogy commonly used by the Saints is that PRAYER IS
LIKE A FIRE.
Initially, our Prayers begin as a small sparks with in our
soul, but eventually - IF WE FAN THOSE LITTLE SPARKS BY
MAKING A CONCERTED EFFORT TO PRAY, THEY WILL BECOME
BRIGHT, SPIRITUAL FLAMES LIKE THE BURNING BUSH WITHIN OUR
SOUL, AND WE like St Moses WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH
GOD.
In order to fuel the Flames of Prayer in our soul, WE MUST
HAVE A REGULAR, CONSISTENT RULE OF PRAYER.
Like any fire, if our Prayer Life is left untended
neglected or ignored - it will die out and turn into
cold, grey ashes!
THE MORE WE PRAY, THE MORE MEANINGFUL AND NOURISHING OUR
PRAYER LIFE BECOMES - and the more we desire, the
more we must pray.
...TO BE CONTINUED...
FATHER. ANDREW JARMUS
ST NICHOLAS ALBANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
We become Spiritual insofar as we Live a Spiritual Life.
We begin to see God in all thing, to behold His Power
and Might in every manifestation. Always and
everywhere we see ourselves Abiding in God, and
dependent on God for all things. But if we live a
bodily life, we will only do bodily things. We will not
be able to behold God in anything not even in the
Most Wondrous Manifestation of His Divine Power! In
all things, we will only see physical, material things
everywhere and always for ...God is not before
(our) eyes! (PSALM 35:2)
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS
When our soul knows the Love of God by the holy Spirit,
then we clearly feel that our Lord is our own Heavenly
Father our closest, dearest and best Divine Father.
And there is no greater Happiness than to Love God
with our mind, with all our heart, with all our Strength
and with all our soul, and our neighbours as
ourselves! And when that Marvellous Divine Love is in
our soul, all things will bring us Great Joy.
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS
You must not be troubled if you do not yet feel the Love of
God within yourself. Contemplate our Lord and know
that He is All Merciful, and guard yourself against
temptations and sins, and the Grace of our Lord God
will Teach and Enlighten you.
ST SYMEON OF DAIBABE
If we throw an iron nail into a fire, it will heat up and
glow like fire. In the same manner, when we listen to
and really hear the Divine Teachings, and Live
according to them, we will become God-like (as we
were created to be)
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS
Those souls who have come to know God fully, no longer
desire anything else, nor do they attach themselves to
anything of this world. And if we put before them an
entire earthly Kingdom, they will not desire it, for the
Love of God grants such Sweetness and Joy to our soul
that even the most privileged life of a King cannot
offer anything that is more desirable nor sweeter!
ST EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
The Fear of God Illumines our soul, annihilates evil,
weakens the passion, drives Darkness from us and
Purifies us. The Fear of God is the Summit of Wisdom.
Without the Fear of God there is nothing Good. Without
the Fear of God we are susceptible to diabolical falls!
ST DOROTHEOS
The acquisition of the Fear of God remembers our
unavoidable death and the Eternal Torments that
await unrepentant sinners ...
OF NAIN 8 OCTOBER 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone 2 15 October 2017

th th
19 Sunday After Pentecost 4 Sunday of St Luke
The Sower & The Seed
The Feast of the Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council in Nicea in 787 St Loukianos the Presbyter of Antioch St
Sabinos the Bishop of Catania, Sicily St Barson the Confessor St Euthymios the New of Thessalonika & Mount Athos
St John the Bishop of Suzdal & Nizhegorod St Lucianos the Presbyter of Kiev Far Caves Monastery of St Theodosios
St Sarbelos & St Bebaia (Barbea), Righteous Siblings of Edessa the Holy Icon of our Lady, Theotokos, the Multiplier
of Wheat

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 8 - JOHN 20:11-18

OUR RISEN LORD JESUS SPEAKS TO ST MARY MAGDALENE

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 2

Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal,
Adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous Thou slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy
tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e Divinity. When also Thou raised up the dead from the
Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste, O subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven cried
Theos imon, Doxa Si! aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!
HOLY FATHERS OF THE 4TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Iperdedoxasmenos i, Hriste O Theos imon, O fostiras epi gis Supremely Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God. Thou
tous Pateras imon Themeliosas, ke di afton pros tin established the Holy Fathers upon the earth as
alithinin pistin, pantas imas odigisas. Polievsplaghne, Beacons, and through them Thou hast guided us all to
Doxa Si! the True Faith, O greatly Merciful One: Glory to Thee!
SEASONAL KONTAKION - TONE 2

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Timonton Se. Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
PROKEIMENON THE PRAYER OF AZARIAH TONE 4
Evlogitos i Kyrie
O Theos ton Pateron imon, ke eneton ke Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers, for Thou art
dedoxasmenon to onoma Sou is tous eonas. Praiseworthy and Exalted beyond Measure unto the
Ages.
Oti Dikeos i epi pasin, is epiisas imin, ke epi tin polin tin For Thou art Righteous in all Thou did for us, all Thou
Agian tin ton Pateron imon Ierousalim. brought on us, and on Jerusalem, the Holy City of our
Fathers.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO ST TITOS 3 : 8 - 15
My Son, Titos: Faith of the Word is True, and I desire Thee to insist on these Things so that those who believe in God may
be careful to apply themselves to Good Deeds that are excellent and profitable to mankind.
Avoid senseless controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
As for a factious man after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a
person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned!
When I send Artemas or Tychikos to you, do your utmost to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the
winter there. Make every effort so as to speed Zenas the Lawyer and Apollos on their way, ensuring that they lack
nothing. Let our people apply themselves to Good Deeds so as to help those in urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
Greetings are sent by all who are with me.
Greet those who Love us in the Faith.
Grace be with you all.
St Paul was painfully aware that WE ARE ALL AWAITING THE there is True Liberty. But we all - with unveiled
CONSUMMATION OF THE AGE TO COME AND HE KNEW THAT WE face, beholding as in a mirror, the Glory of our
ALREADY PARTICIPATE IN THE ESCHATOLOGICAL COMMUNITY. Lord are being Transformed into the same
(i.e. Concerning our immortal souls in their relation to Death, Image from glory to Glory just as the Spirit of
Judgement, Eternal Life and Eternal Condemnation and Hell) our Lord.
HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION ARE THE BEGINNING OF OUR THE REFERENCE TO THE LORD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT,
TRUE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY towards Eternal Life in Gods USUALLY REFERS TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST the Word
Eternal Kingdom of Love, Peace and Joy. and Son of God the Father, Who is also referred to
THESE HOLY MYSTERIES GRANT US THE RITE OF PASSAGE TOWARDS A as the Lord. (MATTHEW 11:25; 22:44 LUKE 1:32; 4:12 &18,
PROGRESSIVE LIFE OF RENEWAL IN CHRIST. 10:21 ACTS 3:22; 4:26 REVELATION 11:15; 21:22)
 2 CORINTHIANS 3 : 16 18: ... when one turns to The Holy Spirit is also referred to as Lord both in this
the Lord, the Veil is taken away. Now the Lord instance and in our Creed of Faith the Nicene
is Spirit; and where the Spirit of our Lord is,

19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH OF ST LUKE THE SOWER & THE SEED 15 OCTOBER 2017 9.
 Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and
IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Giver of Life... As we grow closer to God and are able to truly behold
Since THE TERM LORD APPLIES TO ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE Him, we become what we were created by God to be
HOLY TRINITY, there might be a difference of opinion as i.e. WE REGAIN OUR LOST HOLY LIKENESS.
to which of the three Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity GOD IS INFINITE there are no limitations to Almighty God,
the word Lord refers in this instance. SO THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO GROWING IN HIS IMAGE AND
God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are in no way LIKENESS and the more we are Transformed into His
confused here for St Paul had in mind one Person or Likeness, the more clearly we shall see God!
Another. A divisive person is one who picks and chooses from
The Son, for example, cannot be the Holy Spirit. the whole - complete and Perfect Truth of God.
THE SPIRIT IS SPECIFICALLY THE HOLY SPIRIT not an Those who are divisive disregard the Divine Truth of
impersonal Force although ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW Christ and His Holy Orthodox Church by doing
TESTAMENT THE TERM SPIRIT OCCASIONALLY REFERS TO whatever they want to do according to their own
THE SOUL, A REALM OR A MANNER OF EXISTENCE. selfish, wilful desires.
In this instance, St Paul described how ALMIGHTY GOD When others try to correct their serious, disrespectful
REIGNS IN OUR WORLD. It does not describe the Eternal errors, they become angry and more determined to
Relationship of the three separate and distinct Persons satisfy their own desires by deception and deceit.
of the Holy Trinity: the Holy Spirit, for example, When others see that they are doing their own thing and
Proceeds from God the Father ALONE and not from getting away with it, they, too, will be led into error
God the Son. and deception.
ST PAUL TRANSFORMED THE OLD COVENANT UNDERSTANDING This causes divisiveness within Gods Holy Church and
OF ONE GOD THE LORD GOD INTO THE NEW COVENANT should be resolved as quickly as it arises.
TEACHING OF CHRISTS DIVINE REVELATION OF THE HOLY VISITORS TO OUR CHURCH SHOULD BE INFORMED ACCORDING TO
TRINITY IN ONE DIVINE GODHEAD THREE PERSONS EACH OUR ORTHODOX FAITH AND PRACTISES.
OF WHOM IS LORD DIVINE. THOSE WHO HAVE NOT ACCEPTED HOLY BAPTISM AND
Consequently, WHEN WE TURN TO THE LORD, WE TURN TO THE CHRISMATION CANNOT PARTAKE OF ANY OF THE HOLY
FATHER, THROUGH THE SON AND BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES of our Orthodox Christian Church and
SPIRIT AND EVEN WHEN WE PRAY ALTHOUGH WE MAY SHOULD BE PREVENTED BY DOING SO IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
ADDRESS ONE OF THE TRINITY IN PERSON, IT ALWAYS INCLUDES We must assist our Priests by doing so FOR THE SPIRITUAL
THE OTHER TWO PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY BECAUSE BENEFIT OF ALL CONCERNED AND TO PREVENT OR AVOID ANY
EVERYTHING IS IN PERFECT HARMONY AND UNITY OF THE HOLY DISHARMONY AND DISRUPTION WITHIN OUR PARISH CHURCHES
TRINITY: BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER, THROUGH THE BUT PARTICULARLY DUE TO PROFOUND RESPECT FOR GOD AND
TEACHINGS AND REVELATIONS OF THE SON AND BY THE LIFE- ALL THINGS THAT ARE SACRED.
GIVING ENABLING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! Sects are groups of people who follow their own ideas
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS US TRUE LIBERTY and choices rather than being Obedient and Humble
TRUE SPIRITUAL FREEDOM freeing us from the before God.
constraints and shackles of Spiritual Darkness and They are isolated and independent of Gods Holy
sin so that WE ARE ABLE TO BEHOLD GOD, HAVE OPEN Tradition.
ACCESS TO HIM AT ALL TIMES, AND GROW EVER CLOSER TO Their INCOMPLETE OR ERRONEOUS BELIEFS RESULT IN IMMORAL
HIM, THEREBY SLOWLY REGAINING OUR LOST SPIRITUAL BEHAVIOUR AND A SELF-IMPOSED SPIRITUAL DEATH AND
(GODLY) LIKENESS. ALIENATION FROM ALMIGHTY GOD Who never forces
Having been created in Gods Image (and Likeness) WE Himself on anyone but patiently awaits their return to
ARE ABLE TO SEE HIS UNCREATED IMAGE God Incarnate His Divine Light through sincere Repentance.
our Lord Jesus Christ in two ways:

THROUGH THE SONS DEIFIED HUMANITY (1 CORINTHIANS
13:12 & JAMES 1:23-35)
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 8 : 5 - 15
THE SOWER & THE SEED
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke this Parable: A Sower went out to sow His Seed. And as He sowed, some fell
by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the birds of the air devoured it. And others fell on rock, and as
soon as they sprang up, they withered away for lack of moisture. And others fell among thorns, which sprang
up with them and choked them. And others fell on ground that was good, sprang up and yielded a crop a
hundredfold.
His Disciples asked Him, saying: What does this Parable mean? He said: To you it has been given to know the
Mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in Parables, so that ... seeing, they may not see, and
hearing, they may not understand.
Now the Parable is this: The Seed is the Word of God. Those by the Wayside are the ones who hear. Then the devil
comes and takes away the Word out of their heart, lest they should believe and be Saved. The Seed that falls on
the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the Word with Joy, and have no root, they believe for a while
and in time of temptation fall away. The Seed that falls among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go
out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no Fruit to maturity.
The Seed that falls on good ground, are those who having heard the Word with a noble and good heart keep it
and bear Fruit with Patience.
Having said these things, He cried: He who has ears to hear let him hear!
AS THE SOWER IN THIS PARABLE, OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS  My Word is THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, which
CHRIST FULFILS THE ANCIENT PROPHECY OF ST ISAIAH: ACCOMPLISHES GOD THE FATHERS DIVINE WILL.
 THE BOOK OF ISAIAH: ...as rain comes down, or snow There are times that the preaching of the Holy Gospel
from Heaven, and does not return until it seems to bear no Fruit, but GOD IS AT WORK, WHETHER OR
saturates the Earth, and it brings forth and NOT WE SEE VISIBLE RESULTS.
produces, and gives Seed to the Sower and While some might teach that we are permanently Saved
Bread for food, so shall My Word be whatever at the moment we profess our Faith in Christ a
proceeds from My Mouth. concept that is unacceptable to the Orthodox Church
It shall not return until It accomplishes whatever of Christ THE DIVINE TEACHING OF OUR SAVIOUR IS
I Willed, and I shall prosper Thy Ways and My ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT IT IS INDEED POSSIBLE TO BELIEVE FOR
Commandments. For Thou shall go forth with A WHILE AND THEN FALL AWAY.
Gladness and shall be taught with Joy, for the THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH ARE NOT
mountains and hills shall exult to receive Thee OBSCURE CONCEPTS, BUT THE PRESENCE OF THE KINGDOM
with Joy; and all the trees of the field shall OF GOD, WHICH CANNOT BE DEFINED.
applaud with their branches. AN UNWILLINGNESS TO UNDERSTAND Christs profoundly Wise
Instead of the broom tree shall come up as the Parables IS DUE TO A REJECTION OF HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM.
cypress, and instead of the nettle, shall come If the blindness were natural, it would have been
up the myrtle; and the Lord shall be for a proper for God to open their eyes; but because it
Name and for an Everlasting Sign, and He was a voluntary and self-chosen blindness, He does
shall not fail. not overthrow their free will.

10. 19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH OF ST LUKE THE SOWER & THE SEED 15 OCTOBER 2017
For by doing so would have been not only to ... no
advantage for them, but an even greater
Condemnation. (ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM)
Unless we as Orthodox Christians continue to LEARN
ALL THE DIFFERENT FACETS OF OUR BEAUTIFUL FAITH AND PUT IF IT WAS AS EASY AS THAT, DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT OUR LORD
THEM INTO PRACTISE, we too, shall fall away from Gods
Truth and become ensnared in the evil ones deadly
traps.
If all we had to do was to declare our belief in our Lord
Jesus Christ in order to receive Eternal Life, there
would be no need for the Holy Church with all its
Divine Mysteries and Divinely Inspired, True
Teachings as well as everything else that makes up
our Life in Christ while on Earth.
19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE - THE SOWER AND THE SEED
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Certain Inspired poetry and prose may have a
Holy Spirit...
Beloved Brethren: today, being the 4th Sunday of St Luke,
our Lord Jesus Christs Sacred Lesson concerns His
Parable of the Sower and the Seed.
Our Saviour referred of FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE -
THREE OF WHOM DO NOT PRODUCE ANY SPIRITUAL FRUIT while
only those who are like fertile soil that is carefully
cultivated and constantly nourished, bring forth
abundant Spiritual Fruit and are Saved.
THE SEED THAT IS SOWN BY CHRIST OUR LORD, IS THE WORD OF
GOD HIS DIVINE TRUTH THAT GRANTS US THE GOOD NEWS OF
OUR ETERNAL SALVATION, THE ESSENCE OF WHICH IS HIS PURE, The appropriate response to this Divine Love is to return
UNDEFILED, UNMINGLED, PERSONAL, ALL-POWERFUL, LIFE-
CREATING DIVINE LOVE.
When we love each other, or perform acts of love, it is
often motivated or tainted by a certain degree of self-
interest, vanity, vainglory, or condescension, whereas
THE TRUE LOVE THE AGAPE OF OUR TRIUNE LORD GOD IS In the Book of Proverbs, GOD SPEAKS TO ALL MANKIND THROUGH
UTTERLY SELFLESS, PERFECT AND PURE.
Our Loving and All Merciful Lord Who is the Divine Sower
of these marvellous Seeds of His Divine Truth, thereby
expresses His infinite Love for each and every one of
us with each and every one of those tiny little Seeds.
If our eyes are truly open and focused on God, we will see
clearly that His Divine Seeds of Love are sown in a
million different ways every moment of our day.
THE MAGNIFICENT BEAUTY OF THE NATURAL WORLD is sown
through our physical senses and conveys the Love of
God.
THE SUPERB SYMPHONY OF COLOURS, SIGHTS AND AROMAS
THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT SEASONS, THE AMAZING,
GLORIOUS SIGHT of sunrises and sunsets, THE COMPLEXITY
of the structure, operation and marvel, of every cell,
every molecule of the physical bodies of all creatures,
with their combination of elements in precise
arrangements working together to sustain life, THE
ELEGANCE of distant horizons, sweeping ridges of
mountain ranges, and deep valleys, and even THE
MICROSCOPIC BEAUTY AND PERFECTION of awe-inspiring
crystals, minerals and metals innumerable different
elements that make this planet so fascinating...
THESE ARE ALL SEEDS OF DIVINE LOVE FROM GOD TO US.
MUSIC THAT IS MEMORABLE, SOOTHING AND UPLIFTING IS CREATED
BY DIVINE INSPIRATION, WHICH COMMUNICATES THE LOVE OF
GOD and sows the Seeds of Love in our heart and soul.
PRAYER IS THE TEST OF EVERYTHING
THE WAYS THAT WE PRAY
In Orthodox Spirituality, we recognize TWO BASIC TYPES OF
PRAYER: LITURGICAL (THAT IS, WORSHIP); AND PERSONAL
PRAYER.
In our Church both of these types of Prayer are
understood as CORPORATE ACTS -- they are fulfilled by
Believers as a single Body - THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Liturgical Prayer is obviously Corporate.
A GROUP OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE FAITH GATHER
TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE TO OFFER HYMNS AND PRAYERS TO
GOD.
However, even WHEN WE PRAY IN PRIVATE, WE DO NOT PRAY
ALONE.
Rather, we join our voices to the countless other Orthodox
Christians throughout the world who are also lifting
their heart to God in Prayer at that time.
CHRISTIANITY IS ALWAYS LIVED OUT AS A GROUP, NEVER AS
ISOLATED INDIVIDUALS.
19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH OF ST LUKE
We could then all simply Repose for there would be no
further Purpose for our unique lifespan, which God
grants each of us, knowing how much time we need
to achieve our best Spiritual Condition.
JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE OFFERED HIMSELF AS OUR
ULTIMATE BLOOD SACRIFICE OR THAT ALL THE SAINTS AND
HOLY MARTYRS WOULD HAVE SUFFERED UNNECESSARILY??
If it was as easy as that, our Lord Jesus would not have
spent the three years of His Public Ministry trying to
teach us everything necessary for Eternal Life even
RETURNING TO US IN HIS RESURRECTED STATE TO SHOW US AND
TO CONFIRM HIS TRUTH - AND TO GIVE US HIS FINAL
COMMANDMENTS THAT BENEFIT AND DEVELOP OUR IMMORTAL
SOUL.
remarkable effect on us - not just on the eyes that
read or the ears that hear the words, but upon our
actual consciousness.
This faculty of speech, and the understanding of speech,
is itself a Miracle, whereby WORDS ARE TRANSLATED INTO
THOUGHTS AND IMPRESSIONS, THAT HAVE A LASTING EFFECT ON
OUR MIND AND HEART.
Christ has been sowing these Seeds of Love in His
Creation forever and continues to do so now, every
day.
Yet, how do we respond or react?
that unconditional Love to God by sharing our Love
with others - to arrange everything in our life, from
our thoughts to our actions to our future plans, as a
loving response to this outpouring of Love from the
Sower, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
HIS HOLY PROPHET, and says: (My Child), give Me your
heart.
THOSE IN WHOM HIS DIVINE SEEDS OF LOVE ARE CULTIVATED AND
NURTURED AND THUS PRODUCE ABUNDANT SPIRITUAL FRUIT,
HAVE RESPONDED EAGERLY AND JOYFULLY BY THEIR WORDS,
DEEDS AND THOUGHTS THROUGHOUT EVERY DAY, BY STRIVING
TO IMITATE HIM IN ALL THINGS.
ST. JOHN OF KRONSTADT IS ONE OF OUR MOST PERFECT EXAMPLES
OF THIS POSITIVE RESPONSE TO OUR LORD GOD AND TO OUR
FELLOW MANKIND.
His Inspiring writings reveal how much HE STRUGGLED WITH
EVERY THOUGHT, WITH EVERY QUESTION and how HE
OVERCAME THE ONSLAUGHT OF TEMPTATIONS BY MEANS OF HIS
HUMBLE AND LOVING ATTITUDE TO GOD AND MANKIND, WHICH
WAS COMPLETELY ILLUMINATED BY THE LIGHT OF LOVE.
Keeping St. John of Kronstadt in our mind and in our
heart, let us STRIVE TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE SAME AMAZING
FEATS that are indeed possible when we - despite all
the adverse influences of the world around us -
determines our lifes course based on one single Goal
our TOTAL SURRENDER TO THE LOVE OF GOD, Who
continues to sow His Seeds of Love in our heart and in
our soul.
Amen.
HERMITAGE OF THE HOLY CROSS (2015)
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/87332.htm
(PART 2)
LITURGY AND PRIVATE PRAYER ARE INTERDEPENDENT.
It is not enough for us only to pray by ourselves, because
every human being has an innate need for
COMMUNITY - a need to belong.
OUR LITURGICAL WORSHIP ALSO GIVES US THE ORDER AND
STRUCTURE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE STABILITY IN OUR SPIRITUAL
LIFE.
At the same time, our Liturgical Prayer is truly vibrant and
Life-giving only when those present are "PEOPLE OF
PRAYER" OUTSIDE THE HOLY SERVICES AS WELL.
Our Faith is NEVER "Sunday-only" and neither should our
Prayer Life be only on Sunday.
Each type of Prayer - LITURGICAL AND PERSONAL -
COMPLIMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THE OTHER
In both worship and personal Prayer, STRUCTURE IS
IMPORTANT.
THE SOWER & THE SEED 15 OCTOBER 2017 11.
WORSHIP SERVICES HAVE A SET STRUCTURE OF FIXED AND VARIABLE
PARTS.
Although our PRIVATE PRAYER can be much more simple
and "customized" than Worship Services, we still
structure it as PART OF OUR DAILY LIFE.
In our personal Prayer Life, we need to DEVELOP A HABIT OF
PRAYING REGULARLY AT CERTAIN TIMES DURING THE DAY.
This regular Prayer is called a "RULE OF PRAYER."
Ancient Christian sources instruct Christians to PRAY THREE
TIMES A DAY: IN THE MORNING, AT MID-DAY AND IN THE
EVENING.
In this way WE KEEP GOD ON OUR MIND AND HEART THROUGHOUT
THE DAY - upon waking up, in the midst of our daily
tasks and before retiring at night.
This regularity is very important because, at its core, A
LIFE OF PRAYER IS A LIFE LIVED IN THE CONSTANT
REMEMBRANCE OF GOD I.E. LIFE IN CHRIST.
The Saints teach us that our Prayers should include the
following four Elements, in this order:
1 & 2) GLORIFICATION AND THANKSGIVING: the primary Work
of Prayer is to Glorify God and Thank Him for His
Abundant Blessing - both known and unknown;
3) CONFESSION OF SINS: we ask God for His Forgiveness for
when we fall short of the Life to which He has Called
us.
SHOULD WE PRAY FROM BOOKS
Many Faithful Disciples of Christ have a great love for the
Prayers found in OUR PRAYER BOOKS THAT CONSIST OF
COLLECTIONS OF PRAYERS, WRITTEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN
HISTORY FOR DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, TIMES OF DAY AND NEEDS.
One of the most beloved Prayer Books is the Old Covenant
BOOK OF PSALMS, which offer us a way of framing life's
varying experiences -- good and bad -- in Prayer,
using very poetic and profound language.
THE INSPIRED PSALMS ARE SO SIGNIFICANT TO OUR PRAYER LIFE,
THEY ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF EVERY WORSHIP SERVICE AND
RULE OF PRAYER.
Written Prayers are a marvellous Font of SPIRITUAL WISDOM
AND COMFORT.
There are those, who may feel that the written Prayers do
not completely fit their personal "voice". For them,
spontaneous Prayer is an important part of their
personal devotions.
There is certainly nothing wrong with spontaneous
Prayer.
However, WE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL THAT THE CONTENT OF SUCH
PRAYERS DO NOT CONTRADICT THE TEACHINGS AND PRAXIS
(PRACTISE) OF OUR ORTHODOX FAITH.
For example, we cannot beseech the Lord our God to
reincarnate us as a better person, since
REINCARNATION IS CONTRARY TO THE DIVINE TRUTH THAT OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALED AND TAUGHT US.
The Orthodox Christian approach to written and
spontaneous Prayers is one of balance.
OUR WRITTEN PRAYERS ARE TRULY AN EXQUISITE TREASURY OF
CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL INSIGHT, NURTURE AND GUIDANCE, and
we have been encouraged to "...take time to pray to
God in your own words..."
Consequently, BOTH TYPES OF PRAYER - written and
spontaneous - COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER.
 Our Lord Jesus Christ did, however, caution us:
"...when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as
the heathen do. For they think that they will be
heard for their many words. (MATTHEW 6:7)
Based on these Divine Words, certain Protestants and
Sects believe that God is not pleased by written
Prayers, and thus all Prayer should be spontaneous.
 Nevertheless, this does not make sense when, shortly
after having said this, OUR LORD JESUS GAVE HIS
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES A SPECIFIC PRAYER, instructing us:
ST JOHN KLIMAKOS
Whoever has become a servant of the Lord fears only his
Master. But whoever is without the Fear of God is often
afraid of his own shadow. Fearfulness is the daughter
of unbelief. A proud soul is the slave of fear; hoping in
itself, it comes to such a state that it is startled by a
small noise, and is afraid of the dark.
12. 19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH OF ST LUKE
4) SUPPLICATION: we ask God to be Merciful and to grant
our Petitions for others as well s for ourselves
This structure helps us remember that GODS BLESSINGS ARE
GRANTED TO US - NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE EARNED THEM -BUT IN
SPITE OF OUR IMPERFECTIONS AND FAULTS.
It also helps us to avoid regarding God as being our
Benefactor only when we decide that we need Him!
We must NEVER ASK OUR LORD FOR ANYTHING that is
materialistic and thus Spiritually Unprofitable.
NOR SHOULD WE PUT OUR OWN NEEDS OR DESIRES BEFORE OUR
THANKSGIVING PRAYERS OR PETITIONS ON BEHALF OF OTHERS.
Prayers do not have to be long nor complicated to be
effective.
Some of the most powerful Prayers have consisted of only
a few words.
The Thief on the Cross had said to Christ: "Remember me,
Lord, in Thy Kingdom to which our Saviour replied:
Today thou shalt be with Me in Paradise."
When trying to MAINTAIN A RULE OF PRAYER we must realise
that it is far better to SPEND FIVE MINUTES EACH DAY IN
PRIVATE DEVOTIONS, than to "bank" the time and take
longer with our personal Prayers only once a week.
, OR USE OUR OWN WORDS ?
"...In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father
Who art in Heaven... (MATTHEW 6:9-13)
The issue that our Divine Saviour addressed is not written
Prayer versus spontaneous Prayer, but rather HOW WE
APPROACH PRAYER.
 Our Lord Jesus Christ also taught us: "...when you
pray, go into your room, and when you have shut
your door, pray to your Father Who is in the
secret place; and your Father Who sees in secret,
will Reward you openly." (MATTHEW 6 :6)
The Saints teach us that THERE IS A DOUBLE MEANING TO THE
WORDS, "...go into your room."
Firstly, "...go into your room..." means that WE MUST NOT
DRAW ATTENTION TO OURSELVES WHEN WE PRAY.
OUR PRAYERS ARE HUMBLE, PRIVATE COMMUNION WITH THE LORD
OUR GOD not to exhibit our piety to others, which
would make them empty, useless gestures, rather
than HEARTFELT PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING, GLORIFYING AND
SUPPLICATION.
Secondly, "...go into your room..." means that WE MUST
SHUT OUT ALL DISTRACTIONS WHEN WE PRAY.
We have to PAY ATTENTION when we pray.
We cannot simply mouth the words of our Prayers while
our mind is distracted by random thoughts or various
other distractions.
We must FOCUS ON OUR LORD GOD and we must concentrate
by paying VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE PURPOSE OF OUR
PRAYERS.
Whether we are praying by using a Prayer Book or with
our own words, IT IS VITAL TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION
EXCLUSIVELY ON OUR LORD TO WHOM WE ARE ADDRESSING OUR
PRAYERS.
It is rather disconcerting, disrespectful and unpleasant
when conversing with others while we are inattentive
or distracted!
We would avoid acting like this with another human
being, so we should most definitely MAKE EVERY EFFORT
WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH GOD Who deserves OUR FULL
ATTENTION THAT IS HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT TO HIS DIVINE
WILL!
...TO BE CONTINUED...
Father. Andrew Jarmus
St Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za
ST EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
Whoever Fears God stands above all manner of fear. He
has become a stranger to all the fear of this world
and placed it far from himself, and no manner of
trembling comes near him
ST NICHOLAS OF SERBIA:
Falsehood - and only falsehood - separates us from God
... False thoughts, false words, false feelings, false
desires - Behold the aggregate of lies that leads us to
non-being, illusion, and rejection of God!
THE SOWER & THE SEED 15 OCTOBER 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us
commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

18 October 2017
St Luke the Holy Apostle & Evangelist
Also the Feast of St Marinos the Elder of Anazarbos & Cilicia St Julian the Hermit of
Mesopotamia St Joseph the Igumen (Abbot) and Wonderworker of Volokolamsk St
James the Deacon of York, England St Peter, Metropolitan of Cetinje & All Montenegro
St David the Ascetic Hermit of Serpukhov

HYMNS OF THE SMALL ENTRANCE

Defte proskinisomen, ke prospesomen Hristo. Soson Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. O
imas, Iie Theou, O E N A G I I S T H A V M A S T O S , psallontas Son of God, W H O A R T E X T O L L E D B Y T H E S A I N T S :
Si. Allilouia! Save us who sing unto Thee: Alleluia!

FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ST LUKE HOLY APOSTLE & EVANGELIST OF CHRIST - TONE 3

Apostole Agie, ke Evangelists Louka, Presveve to Eleimoni O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, Intercede with our
Theo, ina ptesmaton afesin, paraskhi tes pishes imon. Merciful God, to grant Remission of faults, to the souls
of all of us.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 18/19 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Is pasan tin Gin exilthen O fthongos afton ke is ta perata tis Their Proclamation went forth into all the earth; their
ikoumenis ta rimata afton. words to the ends of the world.
I Ourani diigounte Doxan Theou, piisin de hiron aftou The Heavens declare the Glory of God the Firmament
anangeli to stereoma. shows the Creation of His Hands.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS 4 : 5 - 11 & 14 18
SPIRITUALITY FOR THE WORLD
Brethren: Walk in Wisdom toward those who are outside, Redeeming the time. Let your words always be with Grace,
seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Tychikos, a Beloved Brother, Faithful Minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. For
this very purpose I am sending him to you, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your heart, with
Onesimos, a Faithful and Beloved Brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things that are
happening here.
Greetings from Aristarchos, my fellow prisoner, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas about whom you received
instructions. If he comes to you, welcome him - and Jesus who is called Justus. These who are of the circumcision,
are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God - having proved to be a comfort to me...
Greetings from Luke, the Beloved Physician, and Demas. Greet the Brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and
the Church that is in his house. And when this Epistle is read also in the Church of the Laodiceans, that you likewise
read the Epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippos: See to the Ministry, which you have received in the Lord,
that you may fulfil it.
This salutation by my own hand Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen
St Paul expected the Church to MAINTAIN REGULAR To distinguish between the Divine Name of our Lord Jesus
CORPORATE PRAYER. Christ and that of His Holy Prophet, when a child is
Not only are the Holy Apostles to speak the Mystery of named Joshua he is referred to as Joshua, son of
Christ, but EVERY MEMBER OF THE CHURCH IS TO SPEAK WITH Nun, thereby meaning that he is not our Lord and
GRACE SO AS TO ANSWER THOSE WHO SEEK THE TRUE FAITH Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Eternal, Only Begotten,
THOSE WHO SEEK DIVINE TRUTH. Beloved Son and Word of God our Heavenly Father.
ST TYCHIKOS WAS THE COURIER OF THIS EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE The Disciple to whom St Paul referred was probably
CHURCH IN COLOSSAE, IN EPHESOS AND TO ST PHILEMON. Joshua/Jesus Justus or the son of Justus.
ST PAULS EPISTLES WERE READ TO THE FAITHFUL WHO GATHERED News of the known world was quite promptly broadcast
TOGETHER at various home churches, which he and to the people by couriers whose journeys over vast
other Apostles had established. distances within the Roman Empire by land and sea
Colossae and Laodicea are less than 15 miles apart. were possible and safer due to a well organised and
St Pauls Epistle that was to come from the Church in protected infrastructure.
Laodicea is probably the Epistle of St Paul, which we Although a Scribe or someone else would have written
know as Ephesians. these Epistles, St Paul often signed them himself.
THE NAME JESUS OR JOSHUA WAS COMMONLY USED BY THE Remember my chains, has several significant
HEBREWS. meanings, the most likely being to remind his fellow
Disciples to pray for him while imprisoned in Rome.

ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST OF THE 70 APOSTLES OF CHRIST 18 OCTOBER 13.

 THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 10 : 16 21
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INSTRUCTED HIS 70 APOSTLE BEFORE HE SENT THEM OUT
At that time, our Lord said to His Apostles: ... he who hears you, hears Me, and he who rejects you rejects Me, and he
who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.
The Seventy returned with Joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name!
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. Do not rejoice in
this that the spirits are subject to you Rejoice instead that your names are written in Heaven.
In that hour Jesus Rejoiced in the Spirit, and said: I thank Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, that Thou has
hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for so it seemed
Honourable in Thy Sight....
DIVINE JUDGEMENT IS MOST SEVERE FOR THOSE WHO REJECT SATAN HAD EXPRESSED HIS REBELLIOUS WILL AND EGOCENTRIC
CHRIST AFTER EXPERIENCING HIS DIVINE GRACE! PRIDE FIVE TIMES WHEN HE DECLARED HIS OWN PLANS TO RULE
In contrast, those who have never known Christ due to OVER HEAVEN, desiring to overthrow Almighty God!
genuine ignorance are without sin in that regard.  I S A I A H 1 4 : 1 2 1 5 : ... how you are fallen, O
 J O H N 1 5 : 2 2 - 2 4 : If I had not come and spoken to Lucifer, who rose up in the morning! He who
them, they would have no sin, but now they have sends for all the Nations is crushed to the Earth.
no excuse for their sin. He who hates me, hates For you said in your mind: I will ascend into
My Father also. If I had not done among them Heaven. I will place my throne above the stars of
the Works that no one else did, they would have heaven. I will sit on a lofty mountain, on the lofty
no sin, but now they have seen and also hated mountains towards the North. I will ascend
both Me and My Father... above the clouds. I will be like the Most High!
REBELLION AGAINST GOD reveals several things: But now you shall descend to Hades, to the
While Union with Christ brings Joy, Truth and Peace, it foundations of the Earth...
also brings persecution, because THE FALLEN WORLD  R E V E L A T I O N 1 2 : 7 1 2 : ... war broke out in
HATES Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought with the

LOVE AND TRUTH. dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought;

CHRIST, THEREFORE, IT ALSO HATES ALL WHO TRY TO BECOME but they did not prevail, nor was a place found
CHRIST-LIKE. for them in Heaven any longer. So the great

CHRIST BECAUSE IT NEITHER KNOWS NOR DESIRES TO KNOW GOD dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called
THE FATHER. the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole
HATRED FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS IRRATIONAL AND world. He was cast out to the Earth and his
UNREASONABLE, for Christ brings Love and Mercy. angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a
Thus Christ is hated without any justifiable cause. loud Voice saying in Heaven: Now Salvation,
Consequently, THEY ARE JUDGED BY THEIR GOD-GIVEN and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and
CONSCIENCE. the Power of His Christ have come, for the
 R O M A N S 2 : 1 2 1 6 ... for as many as have sinned accuser of our Brethren, who accused them
without Law, will also perish without Law, and, before our God day and night, has been cast
as many as have sinned in the Law, will be down. And they overcame him by the Blood of
judged by the Law (for not the hearers of the Law the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and
are Just in the Sight of God) but the doers of the they did not love their lives to the death...
Law will be Justified. For when Gentiles, who do When our Lord used the term infants He was
not have the Law, by nature do the things in the referring to those who are SIMPLE, UNCOMPLICATED
Law, these, although not having the Law, are a AND THUS PURE OF SPIRIT.
law to themselves, who show the Work of the Law INFANTS ARE THE STANDARD OF FAITH WHEREBY ADULTS RECEIVE
written in their heart, their conscience also THE KINGDOM OF GOD and not the other way around.
bearing witness, and between themselves their A little child is not arrogant. He does not despise
thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the anyone. He is innocent and guileless. He does not
Day when God will Judge the secrets of mankind inflate himself in the presence of important people,
by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel. nor withdraw from those in sorrows. Instead he lives
Our Lords Words : I saw Satan fall... reveal to us HIS in complete simplicity. (ST THEOPHAN)
DESCRIPTION OF THAT MAJOR EVENT WHEN SATAN AND HIS Such people have SIMPLE, SINCERE FAITH AND COMPLETELY
DEMONS WERE EXPELLED FROM HEAVEN AND PERMANENTLY OPEN, RECEPTIVE HEARTS AND SOULS THAT WELCOME THE
EXILED FROM DIVINE GRACE AND ALL GODS GOODNESS, WHICH INDWELLING OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
HAPPENED BEFORE THE CREATION OF THIS WORLD AND OF
MANKIND.
THE INSPIRED, ETERNAL WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS them, and that He Loves them. And they will know
Our Lord does not show Himself to a proud soul, for no this from True Experience, and the Divine Grace of the
matter how many books we may read, if our soul is Holy Spirit Who will be a Witness in their soul of their
proud, we will never know God, since due to our Salvation, and they will be compelled to cry out to the
arrogance we cannot accommodate the indwelling entire world: Our Lord Loves us so much!
of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, our Lord God is ST NIKON OF OPTINA
known only by those who are truly Humble and Only those who guard themselves from all sin can have
Obedient to His Divine Will. sincere and fervent Faith, for Faith is only preserved
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS in the presence of good morals.
Each of us can discuss God inasmuch as we have known ST NICHOLAS CABASILAS
the Grace of the Holy Spirit, for how can we think of or A lie is a delusion of the mind, while evil is a delusion of
discuss what we have never experienced, nor heard the will. The signs that distinguish one from the other
of nor know. The Saints say that they have seen God, is the Judgement of God Himself... that which He
but there are other people who say that there is no teaches us. His Divine Truth is that which leads us to
God! But that does not at all mean that He does not desire and fulfil whatever is Good, but whatever
exist! The Saints speak of that which they have contradicts this is entirely false, deceptive and entirely
actually beheld and truly know. evil.
ST SILOUAN OF MOUNT ATHOS ST JUSTIN POPOVICH
Pride prevents the soul from setting out upon the True Our world is guided by two principles and sources: God
Path of Faith. Let those who do not believe say: Lord, the evil one. Everything that is Good in the world of
if Thou exist, Illumine me, and I will serve Thee with mankind has its Source in Almighty God, but all that is
all my heart and soul. And for this humble thought wicked has the devil as its principle source. In the
and readiness to serve God, our Lord will immediately Final Account, all Goodness is from God while all evil
Illumine them... And their soul will sense the Presence is from Satan.
of our Lord and know that our Lord has forgiven

14. ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST OF THE 70 APOSTLES OF CHRIST 18 OCTOBER

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

20 October 2017
St Gerasimos the New Ascetic of Cephalonia
Also the Feast of St Artemios the Great Holy Martyr of Antioch St Artemios the Righteous
Child of Verkola St Matrona of Chios the Holy Icon of our Lady, Theotokos, of Filersk

HYMNS OF THE SMALL ENTRANCE

Defte proskinisomen, ke prospesomen Hristo. Soson Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. O
imas, Iie Theou, O E N A G I I S T H A V M A S T O S , psallontas Son of God, W H O A R T E X T O L L E D B Y T H E S A I N T S :
Si. Allilouia! Save us who sing unto Thee: Alleluia!

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST GERASIMOS OF CEPHALONIA - TONE 1

Ton Orthodoxon prostatin, ke en somati Angelon, ke The Protector of the Orthodox and the God-bearing
Thavmatourgon Theoforon, Neofanenta imin, Miracle-worker recently appearing, let us praise - the
epenesomen Pisti, Thion Gerasimon. Oti Axios para Incarnate Angel, Holy Gerasimos, for he has worthily
Theou apilifen, iamaton tin aenaon Harin. Ronnisi tous received from God the Ever Flowing Grace of Healing,
nosountas demonontas iate. Dio ke tis timosin afton vrii strengthening those with diseases and healing those
iamata. with demons. Wherefore, he pours forth Healings to
all who honour him.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 6 : 17 23
At that time, our Lord Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of His Disciples, and a great multitude of people
from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the coast of tyre and Sidon, who went to hear Him, and to be Healed of their
diseases and those who were troubled with unclean spirit were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for
Power went forth from Him and Healed them all. And He lifted up His Eyes to His Disciples, and said: Blessed art
you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed art you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed art you who weep now, for you shall rejoice. Blessed art you when men hate you, and when they
exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day,
and leap for Joy, for behold! Your Reward is Great in Heaven!
This Sermon on the Plain level place is similar in St John the Beloved Apostle of Christ recorded three
content to our Lord Jesus Christs Sermon on the Passover Feasts between our Lords Baptism in the
Mount, although not as extensive. River Jordan and His Passion, thereby certifying that
Our Saviour often repeated may of His important our Divine Saviours Public Ministry was over that
Teachings over the three year period of His Public three year period.
Mission.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 149 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Kavhisonte Osii en Doxi ke agalliasonte epi ton kiton afton. The Holy Ones shall boast in Glory and they shall greatly
Rejoice on their beds.
Asate to Kyrio asma kenon, i enesis aftou en Ekklisia Osion. Sing to the Lord a New Song. His praise in the Assembly
of His Holy Ones.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 5 : 22 6 : 2
Brethren, the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
Against such there is no Law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have Crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one
another, no envy of each other.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are Spiritual, should Restore him in a Spirit of Gentleness. Look
to yourself lest you, too, be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ.
St Paul reminds us of THE WONDERFUL SPIRITUAL FRUIT THAT IS THE ONLY GIFT AND FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WE REQUIRE
GRANTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO STRIVE FOR OUR ETERNAL LIFE as well as a successful,
CEASELESSLY, ALL OF WHICH HELP US TO DEAL WITH OUR DAILY temporary, preparatory lifespan IS LOVE, for Love or
PROBLEMS AND SPIRITUAL CONTESTS THAT CONFRONT US ALL. Agape NEVER FAILS!!
EVERY ONE OF THESE DIVINE FRUITS PROMOTES AND NURTURES OUR Furthermore, UNLESS WE STRIVE WITH ALL OUR MIGHT TO ACHIEVE
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER. TRUE AGAPE, WE WILL NOT BE WORTHY CITIZENS OF THE
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE.

ST GERASIMOS THE NEW HOLY ASCETIC 20 OCTOBER 15.

OUR ENTIRE JUDGEMENT IS BASED ON THAT UNCONDITIONAL, HOLY,
DIVINE AND ABSOLUTE LOVE OF GOD AND OUR FELLOW
MANKIND, FOR WHATEVER WE DO FOR THEM WILL BE DONE FOR
US A HUNDREDFOLD.
Thus it benefits us immensely if we do achieve Agape
and TREAT ONE ANOTHER WITH PURE, VIRTUOUS HEART AND
SOUL!
THEOSIS, DEIFICATION OR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION MEANS THAT ONE
POSSESSES THE GREATEST OF ALL HOLY VIRTUES - TRUE LOVE
THAT DIVINE, PERFECT AGAPE.
This short lifespan, which prepares us for Eternity, should
be spent STRIVING TO GET OUR IMMORTAL SOUL TO CONTROL
OUR WILFUL, SELFISH AND ARROGANT FLESH, because WE ALL
NEED TO RETURN TO GOD WHO CREATED US AS HIS PERFECT
CREATURES OF LOVE.
IF WE DO NOT LEARN TO CONTROL THE DEMANDS OF OUR
UNDISCIPLINED FLESH, WE WILL DEVELOP FLESHY SOULS.
A fleshy soul is DOMINATED AND CONTROLLED BY OUR PHYSICAL
PASSIONS THAT STIFLE AND DEADEN OUR CONSCIENCE AND,
CONSEQUENTLY, ALIENATE US FROM GOD AND ALL HIS DIVINE
GOODNESS AND LOVE.
A fleshy soul means that we are in A STATE OF SPIRITUAL
DEATH!
UNLESS WE TRULY ACKNOWLEDGE AND EXPOSE OUR SINS,
ERADICATING THEM THROUGH A CONCERTED EFFORT
REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, WE CANNOT RETURN TO OUR
NATURAL SPIRITUAL STATE - SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST and
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son
except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and the one to whom the Son Wills to
reveal Him. Come to Me, all who labour and who are heavily laden, and I will grant you rest.
Take My Yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I Am Gentle and Lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For My Yoke is easy and My Burden is light.
St Theophylact explained to us that GOD HAS HIDDEN HIS
DIVINE MYSTERIES FROM THE WISE AND ERUDITE PEOPLE OF THE
WORLD not out of any malice towards His creatures
but rather BECAUSE OF THEIR UNWORTHINESS, for they
chose to trust their own fallen, warped and limited
wisdom and judgement instead of Gods Perfect and
Absolute Wisdom and Knowledge.
Furthermore, IT IS OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR MANKIND THAT GOD
WITHHOLDS DIVINE REVELATION FROM THOSE WHO WOULD
SCORN IT IN ORDER THAT THEY DO NOT RECEIVE EVEN WORSE
ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AT THEIR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
ST GERASIMOS THE HOLY ASCETIC
Saint Gerasimos the New Ascetic of Cephalonia was born
in the village of Trikkala in the Peloponessos.
As a young adult, he accepted Tonsure as a Monk on the
island of Zakynthos.
Having relocated to Mount Athos, St Gerasimos became a
Schemamonk and studied under the Spiritual
Guidance and Teachings of the Holy Ascetics.
He eventually received a Blessing from the Holy Elders to
travel to Jerusalem to worship at the Life-giving Tomb
of our Lord and Saviour.
He was able to make pilgrimages to many of the Holy
Sites in and around Jerusalem, and also journeyed to
Antioch, Damascus, Mount Sinai, Alexandria and
various other Holy Sites in Egypt, before returning to
Jerusalem where he became a Lamp-lighter at the
Holy Sepulchre of our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.
St Gerasimos was ordained as Deacon and then as
Presbyter by St Germanos, the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Throughout his lifespan, St Gerasimos maintained strict
Asceticism. Seeking Blessed Solitude he withdrew to
the Jordan, where he spent forty days without respite.
Afterwards St Germanos the Patriarch of Jerusalem
granted St Gerasimos his Blessing for a Life of Silence,
whereupon the Holy Ascetic withdrew from the world
and lived in solitude on the island of Zakynthos for
the following five years after which he was Divinely
Inspired to go to the island of Cephalonia, where he
took shelter in a cave while living in a state of
ceaseless Prayer, Holy Contemplation and Fasting.
ST MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR
Food is not evil, but gluttony is! Child-bearing is not
evil, but fornication is! Money is not evil, but
avarice is! Glory is not evil, but vainglory is!
Indeed, there is no evil in existing things, but only
in their misuse!
16. ST GERASIMOS
return to our close, intimate Relationship with
Almighty God and all His Goodness.
St Paul reminds us that we are trying to LIVE IN CHRIST to
LIVE ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER BY
MEANS OF THE POWER AND ENERGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
THROUGH THE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST.
THIS IS SPIRITUAL LIFE, WHICH WE MUST NURTURE, PROTECT AND
GROW UNTIL OUR LAST BREATH, for whatever condition we
depart this life, we will remain unchanged in the next
i.e. in Eternity.
Thus, we must STRIVE TO REMAIN IN SPIRITUAL LIFE AND AVOID
AT ALL COST FALLING INTO A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH!!
We must IMMEDIATELY CORRECT OURSELVES AS SOON AS WE HAVE
FALLEN INTO SIN - and we must ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO
STAY CLOSE TO THE LORD OUR GOD BY MEANS OF OUR SPIRITUAL
ENDEAVOURS.
WE MUST AVOID PROVOKING EACH OTHER, OR DOING ANYTHING
THAT WILL ENDANGER OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST who might
be discouraged, disheartened or disturbed by our
careless, inconsiderate words, thoughts and deeds!
WE MUST GENTLY GUIDE AND CORRECT ONE ANOTHER always
with Love, Kindness and Compassion, thereby
bearing each others burdens, but never being a
burden to others by taking advantage of their good
OF nature or kindness of heart.
WE MUST ENSURE THAT WHATEVER WE DO, IT IS ACCORDING TO THE
DIVINE TRUTH, TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST.
TO ST MATTHEW 11 : 27 30
THE YOKE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR FREE AND WILLING
SUBMISSION TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND EVERYTHING THAT
IS REQUIRED OF US AS WORTHY FUTURE CITIZENS.
A Yoke could be seen as a sign of hardship, burdens, and
responsibilities, but IN CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, HIS YOKE IS
EASY, BECAUSE DIVINE POWER WORKS IN EACH OF US. (2 KINGS
12: 1 11; JEREMIAH 34: 1-11; WISDOM OF SIRACH 40:1)
Furthermore, THE ULTIMATE REWARD IS INFINITELY GREATER
THAN ANY EFFORT MANKIND PUTS FORTH.
The term Gentle is literally translated Meek.
OF CEPHALONIA
St Gerasimos restored a church at Omala, and founded
a women's Monastery where he lived in constant
physical toil and Spiritual Vigil for thirty years.
He prayed for hours on his knees or stretched out on the
ground, and due to his Exalted Life in Christ, he was
granted the Miraculous Divine Gift of Healing the
sick, comforting the suffering and casting out unclean
spirits from the afflicted.
At 71 years of age, St Gerasimos knew that he would soon
Repose in Christ, so he was able to give his Blessings
and final instructions to the Nuns at the Monastery
before he peacefully fell asleep in our Lord on 15
August 1579.
Two years later, his tomb was opened and his Holy Relics
were found to be fragrant, incorrupt and still able to
Miraculously Heal the sick, the suffering and the
afflicted by the Grace of Almighty God.
Since the Feast of the Dormition of the All Holy Mother of
God, our Lady, Theotokos, occurs on 15 August , our
Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates St Gerasimos
on 16 August, while the Feast we celebrate today
commemorate the Uncovering of his incorrupt Holy
Relics in 1581, which have continued to Miraculously
Heal to this very day.
May the Memory of St Gerasimos bet Eternal, and may he
unceasingly Intercede with our Lord Jesus Christ for
the sake of our Eternal Salvation.
http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.co.za
ST NICHOLAS OF SERBIA
None of us can turn our face to God unless we have
first turned our back on sin. When we turn our face
to God, all our Paths lead to Him, but when we turn
away from God, all our paths lead to Perdition! If
we finally reject the Lord our God by word, thought
and deed, we are no longer fit to do anything good
except which leads to our complete destruction!
THE NEW HOLY ASCETIC 20 OCTOBER
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone 3 22 October 2017

th th
20 Sunday After Pentecost 6 Sunday of St Luke
The Gadarenes
THE FEAST OF ST AVERKIOS, WONDER-WORKING BISHOP OF HIEROPOLIS, PHRYGIA - THE SEVEN HOLY
SLEEPERS OF EPHESOS: St Maximilian, St Iamblikos, St Martinian, St John, St Dionysios, St Exacustodianos (Constantine) and
St Antoninos St Alexander the Bishop, St Heraklios the Soldier, St Anna, St Elizabeth, St Theodota & St Glykeria of
Adrianopolis St Paul & St Theodore of Rostov Commemoration of the Kazan Icon of our Lady Theotokos and
Deliverance from the Polish invaders in 1612 The Holy Icon of our Lady, Theotokos, of Emperor Andronikos

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 9 - JOHN 20 : 19 - 31

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 3

Evfrenestho ta Ourania, Agaliastho ta Epigia, oti epiise Let the Heavens Rejoice and let the Earth be glad, for the
Kratos en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanato Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has
ton Thanaton.Prototokos ton nekron egeneto. Ek kilias trampled down Death by Death; He has become the
Adou errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to Mega Eleos. First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He
has Rescued us, and to the world He has granted Great
Mercy.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST AVERKIOS TONE 4

Kanona Pisteos ke Ikona praotitos, engratias Didaskalon
anedixe se ti Pimni Sou i ton pragmaton Alithia. Dia
touto ekomiso ti tapinosi ta ipsila, ti ptohia ta piousia.
Pater Ierarha Averkie, Presveve Hristo to Theo, Sothine
tas psihas imon.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION THE SEVEN HOLY SLEEPERS
As Rule of the Faith and Icon of Gentleness - Teacher of
Temperance - Thou were manifested to Thy Flock, by
the evident Truth. Thus Thou acquired the Lofty
through Humility -the Abundant through Poverty. O
Father and Hierarch, Averkios: Intercede with Christ
our God, so that our souls may be Saved!
OF EPHESOS TONE 4

I Martyres Sou, Kyrie, en ti Athlisi Afton, Stefanous Thy Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by Thee,
ekomisanto tis aftharsias, ek Sou tou Theou imon. Crowns of Incorruption, in that they Contested for
Shontes gar tin ishin Sou, tous tyrannous kathilon, Thee, our Immortal God. Since they possessed Thy
ethrafsan ke demonon, ta anishira Thrasi. Afton tes Power, they defeated the tyrants, dashing the demons
Ikesies, Hriste O Theos, Soson tas psihas imon. powerless displays of defiance. O Christ God, at their
Fervent Entreaties, Save our souls.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Se. Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 46/47 TONE 3
Psalate to Theo imon! Psalate, Psalate to Vasili imon, Sing Praises to God! Sing Praises! Sing Praises to our
psalate! King! Sing Praises!
Panta ta Ethni krotisate hiras Alalaxate to Theo en Foni All you Nations, clap your hands! Shout to God with the
agalliaseos. voice of Rejoicing!
EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 1 : 11 19
Brethren: I certify that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not according to mankind. For I neither received it
from man, nor was I taught it, but It came to me through the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
You have heard of my former conduct in Judaism how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure, and tried to
destroy Her. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own Nation, being more
exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my Fathers.
When it pleased God, Who separated me from my mothers womb, and Called me through His Grace, to reveal His son
in me, so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I
go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
After three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him for fifteen days. The other Apostles I did
not see, except James, the Brother of our Lord
APOSTOLIC TRADITION IS GROUNDED IN DIVINE REVELATION FROM  Just as the Twelve STOOD TOGETHER AS ONE, so St Paul
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. entered their UNITY IN CONSENSUS AND MUTUAL
 Just as the Twelve Apostles were CALLED BY CHRIST, SUBMISSION.
so was St Paul. PEOPLE ARE CALLED BY GOD not according to their former
 Just as the Twelve RECEIVED THE HOLY GOSPEL conduct whether good or bad - but BY DIVINE GRACE.
DIRECTLY FROM CHRIST, so did St Paul.

20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF ST LUKE THE GADARENES 22 OCTOBER 2017 17.
ST PAUL, WHOM GOD CALLED IN MERCY, RECEIVED DIVINE GRACE James refers to ST JAMES THE JUST, THE FIRST BISHOP OF
FROM ST ANANIAS HANDS AND THE BLESSED WATERS OF HOLY JERUSALEM AND AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE OF ST JAMES.
BAPTISM. THE TERM BROTHER IS ALSO A REFERENCE TO A COUSIN OR CLOSE
The words ... separated me from my mothers womb... MALE RELATIVE.
refer not to St Pauls physical birth but to GODS DIVINE ST JAMES WAS THE ELDEST SON OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED AND
CALL TO APOSTOLIC MINISTRY BEFORE HE WAS BORN. HIS LATE WIFE, SALOME (a sister of St Anna, the mother of
As with St Paul, GODS INTENTIONS FOR PEOPLE MAY LIE HIDDEN the Blessed Virgin) and therefore a COUSIN TO
FOR MANY YEARS. THEOTOKOS AND OUR LORD.
As a True Apostle of Christ, ST PAUL SUBMITTED HIMSELF TO THE ST JAMES DEEP LOVE FOR AND DEVOTION TO OUR LORD JESUS
CHURCH AND HER HOLY APOSTLES RATHER THAN ELEVATING SINCE HIS BIRTH, ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE REASON FOR HIS
HIMSELF. HONOURABLE TITLE OF BEING OUR LORDS BROTHER.
St Paul knew that his ENCOUNTER WITH OUR LORD JESUS According to some, he was the only one of St Josephs
CHRIST, HIS INSTRUCTION IN THE HOLY GOSPEL AND HIS CALL sons who was quite willing to share his inheritance
TO APOSTLESHIP WERE HIGHLY UNUSUAL. with Christ.
IN ALL PRIVATE REVELATIONS, THE ONLY OTHER WITNESS IS In accordance with Mosaic Law, adopted children were
ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF. supposed to have equal rights to inheritance, but
However, ST PAUL KNEW THAT HE HAD TO TEACH THE SAME HOLY often this proved problematic due to human greed or
GOSPEL AS THE OTHER APOSTLES OF CHRIST. other motivations.
THE HOLY GOSPEL OF ST LUKE 8 : 26 39
At that time, when our Lord stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had been demon-
possessed for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house, but in tombs.
Beholding Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said: What have I to do with Thee, Jesus,
Son of the Most High God? I beg Thee do not torment me! He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of
the man. For many years it had possesses him, and he had been kept under guard, bound with chains and
shackles. And he had broken the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
Jesus asked him: What is your name? He replied: Legion, for many demons had entered him. And they begged Him
not to Command them to go out into the Abyss.
A herd of many swine were grazing on the mountain, and they beseeched Him to permit them to enter them. And He
permitted them. The demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the
steep incline, into the lake and drowned.
Seeing what had happened, those who herded them fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Having gone out to
see what had occurred, they went to Jesus, and they found the man Cleansed of the demons, sitting at the Feet of
Jesus clothed and in his right mind - and they were afraid.
Those who had beheld it, told them how the demoniac had been Healed. And the whole multitude of the surrounding
region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for great fear had seized them.
He (Jesus) got into the boat, and returned.
The man from whom the demons had departed, had wanted to stay with Him. Sending him on his way, Jesus had
said: Return to your own house, and tell everyone what Great Things have been done for you by God.
And after departing, the man proclaimed throughout the whole city what Great Things had been done for him by
Jesus.
The Gadarene Demoniac had suffered demonic Although some may believe that the presence of those
possession ... for a long time. large herds of swine indicated a Gentile population,
To add to his degradation and misery, the demoniac was since OUR LORD FORBADE HIS DISCIPLES TO GO TO THE
naked and lived amongst the tombs among the GENTILES, and was Himself reluctant to seek them out,
dead - having escaped the ...chains and shackles... THE GADARENES PROBABLY WERE JUDEANS WHO WERE ENGAGED
with which he had been constrained and having IN SINFUL MATTERS
broken them, it also indicated that he was extremely In addition, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENTIRE HERD OF SWINE
violent a danger to himself and to others. REVEALS:
DEMONS, WITHOUT FAIL, IMMEDIATELY RECOGNISE OUR LORD it was UNLAWFUL FOR THE JEWISH GADARENES TO OWN AND TO
JESUS CHRIST AS THE ETERNAL ...SON OF THE MOST HIGH EAT PORK
GOD. THE INCOMPARABLE VALUE OF HUMAN BEINGS whose Salvation is
They know and fear that their power to torment mankind worth every sacrifice
will soon end when THEY WILL BE BANISHED TO THE OUTER while animals are a venerable part of Creation, MANKIND
DARKNESS, THE ABYSS OR HELL, WHICH HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR IS OF FAR GREATER VALUE AND SIGNIFICANCE.
THEM AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE CONDEMNED THEMSELVES. CHRIST REMOVED A SOURCE OF SIN, for swine herding was AN
When forced to reveal his true identity, the demon ABOMINATION TO THE OLD COVENANT.
declared himself to be Legion, which inferred the DEMONS HAVE NO POWER OVER DIVINE CREATION AND ARE
wretched mans POSSESSION BY MANY DEMONS. STRICTLY SUBJECT TO THE DIVINE WILL OF ALMIGHTY GOD
Although their spiteful malice against us is often that is why they could only enter the forbidden swine
overwhelming and unbearable, SATAN AND HIS DEMONS at the Command of Christ Who is God Himself.
CAN DO NOTHING AT ALL AGAINST THE DIVINE WILL OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS INFINITELY LOVED BY GOD ARE PROTECTED
ALMIGHTY GOD. UNDER HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE. Otherwise the man would
Because, in Truth, THEY ARE POWERLESS TO DO WHATEVER THEY have been killed long ago by the demons who
DESIRE, they besought the permission of Christ to enter obsessively hate us and ceaselessly seek our Eternal
the large (forbidden) herd of swine, which grazed on Death to suffer all the permanent torments of being
the steep mountain slope. alienated from God and all His Divine Goodness.
INSTANTLY, THE SWINE WENT BERSERK AND STAMPEDED OVER THE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE ECONOMIC LOSS OF THOSE LARGE HERDS OF
CLIFFS INTO THE SEA BELOW AND PERISHED, which clearly SWINE COULD REMAIN AS A SIGN FOR THE HARD-HEARTED
shows us how THE MAN HAD IN FACT BEEN PROTECTED BY (SPIRITUALLY STUBBORN) PEOPLE who had fled to that
GOD ALL THE TIME. region
DIVINE GRACE AND LOVE PREVENTED THE WRETCHED DEMONIAC
FROM BEING KILLED by the demons who had possessed
him all those years.
20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE THE GADARENE DEMONIAC
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy It reveals several significant Truths how by His Power
Spirit... our Lord Jesus Christ casts out entire legions of
Today, the Sacred Lesson of our Lord Jesus Christ possessive demons merely by His Word, how
concerns a wretched, terrifying Gadarene demoniac powerless the demons are, how defeated and servile
and his fellow citizens. they become in His Divine Presence, and how they
This remarkable Encounter was recorded in the Holy cannot do anything unless God permits them to do so
Gospels according to St Matthew, St Mark and St Luke.

18. 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF ST LUKE THE GADARENES 22 OCTOBER 2017
 thus they cannot kill us but they can tempt us into
committing wicked thoughts, words and deeds.
This Encounter between our Lord Jesus Christ and the
Gadarenes shows us how profoundly Compassionate,
Gentle and Merciful our Saviour is to the suffering,
enslaved demonic and to his hard-hearted, Spiritually
Blind fellow Gadarenes.
The demons are terrified of the Abyss which is where
they belong having been exiled to Outer Darkness
banished from the Divine Light and infinite Love
and Goodness of Almighty God.
They are incredibly evil towards mankind and even to
humble animals because that is what they have
become themselves being possessed by their
obsessive jealousy, hatred, envy all the depraved
attributes and inventions of Satan and his fallen
angels.
The astonishingly adverse reaction of the Gadarenes is
another important aspect to contemplate and from
which to learn!
It is inconceivable how the Gadarenes reacted to the
Divine Miraculous Healing of that most frightening,
uncontrollable and wretched Demoniac who had
terrified them for years and who was probably
related to some of them - but for whom they neither
rejoiced, nor welcomed his return to their midst!!
Our Lord God created us to know Him, yet He has never
forced us to follow His Commandments.
Some of us freely, joyfully and eagerly choose to fulfil His
Divine Will, while others choose to reject Him.
The Gadarenes ignored the Great Joy, Peace and Love
that is experienced by the Divine Presence of God.
They ignored and rejected the Miraculous Healing of
their fellow Gadarene.
They rejected our Lord Jesus Christ instead of warmly
welcoming Him and being eager to hear or to learn
His Divine Truth.
Instead, ...the whole multitude of the surrounding
region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from
them, for great fear had seized them...
And without any further discussion, our Lord Jesus Christ
...got into the boat, and returned... whence He had
come!
We must seriously contemplate this Sacred Lesson so that
we can understand what our Lord Jesus Christ wants
us to know.
As His Faithful Disciples, we must pay careful attention to
everything that is Sacred and we must then apply
everything that is Good and Holy, which we hear in
the Divine Liturgy and in all the Holy Services, to
ourselves and every aspect of our short lifespan!
The Gadarene Demoniac was stripped naked for he no
longer was in control of himself and he had no sense
of being ashamed or embarrassed by his actions.
The demons had stripped him of all Holy Virtue.
Through the Holy Mystery of Baptism having been
Cleansed and Regenerated, we ...put on Christ.. like
a beautiful Garment of Righteousness, and we then
...Live in Christ... by Faithfully imitating Him with our
words, our thoughts and our deeds, whereby we
receive Eternal Salvation.
The demoniac had neither Virtue nor Life in Christ, and
he dwelt in the tombs in the cemetery amongst the
dead.
The devil persuades people to believe his ridiculous
deceptions and superstitions that have no Truth at all,
so they believed that from the dead came demons,
and that cemeteries were noxious, frightening and
evil,
However, the word cemetery means a place of sleep -
i.e. where the Reposed rest in Peace until the General
Resurrection.
The evil one does not want us to know the Truth
concerning him and his demons how they fell from
Divine Grace due to their Spiritual Rebellion against
Almighty God and were thus banished from Heaven,
being neither of Heaven nor of Gods beautiful
created Earth!
Having no power over mankind, Satan uses our
weaknesses and ignorance against us, often using a
tiny grain of Truth to draw us in and to ultimately
deceive us into committing sin.
20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF
The wretched demoniac could not be allowed to live
among the citizens due to his uncontrollable violence
that horrified them, so he was an outcast.
He was exiled from the city. He was exile from Kindness,
Compassion, Mercy, Love and Salvation. He was
exiled from the Holy Salvific Church of Christ..
When our Lord asked him what his name was, the
demons answered: Legion... for there was an entire
legion of evil spirits in possession of the Gadarene
whose personal identity his very soul - had been
lost, defeated, overwhelmed, conquered, imprisoned
and enslaved!
The cause of the Gadarenes demonic possession is
unknown and irrelevant.
However, this Encounter is an example of how terrible,
how frightening, and how dreadfully vengeful the evil
one is against mankind whom God Loves so much.
It is also a Marvellous Example of the infinite and Great
Mercy and Love of God for all mankind and it
teaches us the vital Lesson concerning the judgement
of our fellow sinners.
The Lord our God is our only True Judge so we cannot
judge anyone according to our limited
understanding, wisdom or circumstances.
As the Psalmist wrote: Thy Judgments are a vast Abyss...
so we cannot even begin to understand why some
people are sick, some are demonized, some die
young, while the wicked grow old ....
It is impossible for us to understand such things only
God knows the reasons and the cause of everything.
We need only to have complete Faith in Him!
The Gadarene Demoniac may have been demonized
because of the evil of the people, and not because of
his own unrighteousness, because as soon as the
demons are exorcised, he had great Love for our
Divine Saviour, and was Obedient to His Will when
Christ told him: ... Return to your own house, and tell
everyone what Great Things have been done for you
by God.
Sadly, although many people might know of our Lord
Jesus Christ and a little about His Divine Truth, they
are unwilling to change or to commit themselves to
God because they are afraid of doing so usually due
to erroneously thinking that they will have to give up
their freedom in order to live a rigid, restrictive life.
However, that is not the Holy Fear of God, which brings
forth Wisdom but the fear of those who wilfully commit
sins and who stubbornly refuse to change even when
they are aware of the harm they are causing.
Faith in Christ Spiritually Transforms us and grants us
True Freedom to exercise our Free Will without fear or
restrictions.
Our Lord Jesus Christ not only Cleansed, Restored and
Healed the Gadarene man, He also revealed the
depth of the Gadarene citizens sinful behaviour -
their unmerciful, stubborn attitude.
He allowed the demons to destroy their large swineherds
for which the Gadarenes cared more than for one of
their own people. He thus Delivered them from their
careless cruelty and their immense greed.
Nevertheless, when their forbidden herds of swine had
been destroyed, the herdsmen ran to tell their
superiors about what had befallen their illicit
commerce not to spread the marvellous, wonderful
news concerning the former Demoniac!
When the Gadarene citizens witnessed the Divine Power
of God, they were intensely afraid!
They frightened of God due to the extent of their sins, and
their determined refusal to Repent.
Our continual Repentance is a fundamental Principle of
our Christian Faith for as we are Enlightened with the
Knowledge of God, we must act accordingly, being
compelled by our Love of and devotion to our Lord.
The Healed Gadarene was extremely grateful to God for
his Deliverance from the evil one, and adored and
worshipped Christ for His Great Mercy.
It is impossible to avoid or hide from the Knowledge of
God, for eventually, all things will be revealed!
All sins that have not been Repented and Confessed will
cause us indescribable suffering - Eternally accusing
and condemning us!
ST LUKE THE GADARENES 22 OCTOBER 2017 19.
Our Lord Jesus Christ offered Salvation to the Gadarenes
but they rejected Him, and He departed from them.
Our Loving God has offers us and indeed, has granted
us His Divine Salvation and Eternal Life, but if we
consistently reject or ignore Him, He will also depart
from us!
When we do not prepare a place for Him within our heart
and soul by regularly Repenting and Confessing our
habitual sins, thereby maintaining and keeping His
Holy Temple clean and welcoming, He cannot dwell
within us.
Our All Merciful and Loving God always offers us sinners
more opportunities to Repent our sins and be
Transformed by His Divine Love.
Although the Healed Gadarene man so much wanted to
remain in the Company of our Saviour, he remained
in his region in order to teach others our Lords Divine
Truth and Reality.
By the Grace of God he might have converted some when
their sin-hardened heart had softened and when they
PRAYER IS THE TEST OF EVERYTHING THE JESUS PRAYER
One of the most important Prayers in the Eastern Orthodox
Tradition is the "Jesus Prayer, or The Prayer of the
heart.
It is neither long nor complicated, simply beseeching our
Saviour: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have
Mercy on me, a sinner."
An even more shortened version is either "O Lord, Jesus
Christ, have mercy on me," or Kyrie, eleison.
The Jesus Prayer became famous in Monasteries through
the Ascetic Practise known as "Hesychasm", or the
Way of "Stillness."
Hesychasm become possible only when we have stilled
our heart, our soul and our body so that we can be
fully open to the Life-Giving Presence of God.
The body must be stilled from its obsessions, compulsions
and addictions, and the heart and mind must be
focused - not wandering here and there by being
distracted by circumstances or desires.
The Jesus Prayer is used as the Refrain of a Prayerful
Meditation.
Through continued use, practitioners find themselves
repeating it automatically, much in the same way
that we sometimes find a tune running through our
mind without any conscious effort.
At its highest level, the practise of the Jesus Prayer leads
to an intimate Encounter with God through an
indescribable Vision of what is known as the
"Uncreated Light."
Shortly before His Crucifixion, our Lord Jesus Christ took
three of His Apostles - St Peter, St James and St John -
to the top of Mount Tabor, where they witnessed His
glorious Transfiguration.
The garments of our Divine Saviour became an extremely
bright white, while He Himself shone with a
Resplendent, Uncreated Light that was unbearable
for them to look at for more than a brief moment.
(MATTHEW 17:1-9; MARK.9:2-13; LUKE. 9:28-36)
That exceedingly bright Uncreated Light is the Divine
Manifestation of Christs Divine Nature, which is the
Divine Light that highly elevated Hesychasts are able
to Experience, while reciting the Prayer of the heart
and being in a profound state of Stillness.
This may seem rather impressive and perhaps even
desirable to us, but it is certainly not what we are able
to Experience.
However, what really matters is that we must pray with an
awareness of what our words actually mean, and we
must be as attentive as possible to those words while
we pray - and even afterwards.
The Name of our Divine Saviour is the important part of
the Jesus Prayer, for the Saints teach us that at the
mention of our Lords Name, the demons are repelled
and defeated!
Our Lord Jesus Christ is God speaking for Himself.
Our Lord God is certainly not remote from us, but is
always close to us, for He Loves us so much that He
came to be with us through His Beloved, Eternal, Only-
Begotten Son, and He allows us to relate to His Son as
our Lord Jesus Christ or our Divine Saviour.
20. 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF ST LUKE THE GADARENES 22 OCTOBER 2017
understood the abundant Blessings and infinite Love
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May our Lord God help us to learn from todays Sacred
Lesson so that we do not walk away from Him nor
reject Him when He exposes our deeply rooted sins to
us, but cleave to Him with Love and devotion.
May He grant us the ability and strength His Divine Will
and Truth to ourselves and to our Life so that through
our close Relationship with Him and with our fellow
mankind, we make good Spiritual Progress.
May we all become worthy, humble and Obedient
Disciples of Christ so that we may Enlighten others,
showing them the Way by example - being ever
willing to root out our sins by Repentance and
Confession.
Amen
ST NICHOLAS RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
MCKINNEY, TEXAS, USA
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOX.NET
Repetition of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the
Eternal Son of God our Heavenly Father, is a very
powerful Spiritual Tool that is essential to our Life in
Christ.
We are permitted to approach the Lord our God in a very
direct, personal manner.
We specifically pray: "O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God..."
hear my Prayer.
( By the way, the Name "Jesus" or Joshua means, "the
Lord is Salvation."
As we call on the Name of our Divine Saviour, we address
Him as "Lord" -- "Lord, Jesus Christ..." for it is a title of
extreme Honour and deep respect for our Divine
Creator, Saviour and Life-giver.
In times past, those who were entitled Lord had
authority over people under him.
By addressing Christ as our Lord, we willingly place
ourselves under His Divine Authority, for He is indeed
the Almighty Lord of our Life... as we voluntarily follow
His Teachings, strive to fulfil His Will and imitate His
earthly Life.
As our Benevolent, Merciful and Loving Saviour, Christ
Jesus is the Lord of our Life.
As we pray the Jesus Prayer we beseech our Lord God's
Great Mercy.
We confess that we are broken and sinful. Therefore,
being contrite and having Repented our sins, we seek
our Lords Forgiveness: "...have Mercy on me".
None of us is "worthy" of God's Grace or Mercy.
There are no "necessary requirements" that makes us
"entitled" to God's Blessings, we receive solely due to
His infinite Love and abundant Great Mercy.
Divine Mercy is the starting point of our whole life, for, if
the Lord our God was neither Loving nor Merciful, we
would not exist!
The Jesus Prayer or Prayer of the heart became so
important, so loved, that it is prayed throughout every
Worship Service in various forms.
The best known of these is our response to Supplications
and Fervent Prayers: "Lord, have Mercy" Kyrie,
eleison.
Whether we are chanting it in our Corporate Worship at
Church, or praying it quietly in our personal Prayer,
the Prayer of the Heart is certainly a most precious
Spiritual Jewel of our Holy Tradition.
Our Prayers do not have to be very long in order to be
effective.
By repeatedly reciting the Jesus Prayer with sincere
awareness and attention we will experience the very
Presence of our Lord God - and our words, thoughts
and deeds will accordingly, become far better and
more worthy.
...TO BE CONTINUED...
Father. Andrew Jarmus
St Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

26 October 2017
St Dimitrios the Myrrh-bearing Wonderworker
& Great Holy Martyr of Thessalonika
Also the Commemoration of the Great Earthquake in Constantinople Feast of St
Theophilos of Kiev Caves Monastery St Lupos, Faithful Servant of St Dimitrios of
Thessalonika S Athanasios of Medikion Monastery St Dimitrios of Basarvov, Bulgaria
St Joseph of Dionysiou Monastery, Mount Athos St Dimitrios of Tsilibinsk

FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE

O epivlepon epi tin gin, ke pion aftin tremin,
Rise ims tis Thou Who surveys all of the Earth, and causes her to
foveras tou sismou apilis, Hriste O Theos imon; ke tremble, deliver us all from the frightful fear of the
katapempson imin, plousia ta Elei Sou, Presvies tis quake, O Christ our God; and bestow upon us Thy
Theotokou, Mone Filanthrope Mercies abundantly; by the Intercessions of the
Theotokos, O only True Friend of mankind.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF ST DIMITRIOS OF THESSALONIKA TONE 3
Megan evrato en tis kindinis, se ipermahon i ikoumeni, Verily, the inhabited world found Thee a great Comfort
Athiofore ta theni tropoumenon. Os oun Lieou kathiles in Tribulations and a Conqueror of Nations, O Fight-
tin eparsin, en to stadio tharrinas ton Nestora, outos bearing One. Wherefore, as Thou demolished the
Agie, Megalomartis Dimitrie, Hriston ton Theon iketeve, arrogance of Lahosh, and on the battlefield heartened
dorisasthe imin to Mega Eleos. Nestor, beseech, O Saint Dimitrios, Christ God to
grant us His Great Mercy!
SEASONAL KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson Help of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed
is Ikesian, i Prostatevousa Ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton up Thine Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication,
Se. O Theotokos who always protects all those who
honour Thee!
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 21 : 12 19
SIGNS BEFORE ETERNITY
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: ... Beware of men: they will lay hands on you and persecute you,
delivering you up to the Synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before Kings and Rulers for My Names
sake. It will turn out for you as an occasion for Testimony. Settle it therefore in your heart, not to meditate
beforehand on what you will answer. I will give you a mouth and Wisdom, that all you adversaries will not be
able to contradict or resist.
You will be betrayed even by parents and relatives, and friends and brothers. And they will put some of you to
death. And you will be hated by all for My Names sake. And not a hair of your head shall be lost.
By your Patience, possess your soul!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 63 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
The Righteous shall be glad in the Lord.
Hear, O God, my voice!
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO ST TIMOTHY 2 : 1 10
TRANSMITTING THE FAITH
Timothy my Son: be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among
many witnesses, commit to Faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
You therefore, must endure hardship as a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in Warfare entangles himself
with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him Who enlisted him as a Soldier. Anyone who competes in athletics
is not Crowned unless he competes according to the Rules. The hardworking Farmer must be the first to partake of
the crops.
Consider what I say. May the Lord grant you Understanding in all things.
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the Seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, for which I suffer
trouble as an evildoer - even to the point of chains - but the Word of God is not chained.
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the Elect that they also may obtain the Salvation, which is in Christ Jesus
with Eternal Glory.
ST PAUL ESTABLISHED A CLEAR CHAIN OF FAITHFUL WITNESSES TO  Christian Tradition is to be PASSED DOWN TO ALL
ORAL TRADITION. GENERATIONS WITHOUT ANY HINDRANCE, WITHOUT ANY
 Christian Tradition is FOR ALL BELIEVERS. CHANGE AND WITHOUT INCORRECT INTERPRETATIONS
 Christian Tradition is CATHOLIC UNIVERSAL This stands in clear contrast to the elitism of the major
 Christian Tradition BELONGS TO THE ENTIRE HOLY religions of the 1st century Roman world, including
CHURCH OF CHRIST. Gnosticism and the various mysterious religions.
 Christian Tradition is to be MOST CAREFULLY PRESERVED FAITHFUL MINISTRY REQUIRES DISCIPLINE:
IN DIVINE TRUTH AND SPIRITUAL PERFECTION  OBEDIENCE

ST DIMITRIOS THE MYRRH-STREAMING MIRACLE WORKER OF THESSALONIKA - 26 OCTOBER 2017 21

 SELF-DENIAL beings - who constantly strove with all their being to
 SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE achieve their ultimate Spiritual Goal. Eternal Life in
The Saints are our icons, models or examples who were Christ
soldiers, athletes and farmers, - ordinary human
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 15 : 17 16 : 2
UNION & COMMUNION WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: ... these things I command you, that you Love one another.
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would
love its own. Because you are not of the world for I chose you out of the world, the world hates you.
Remember the Word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his Master. If they persecuted Me, they will
also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for
My Names sake, because they do not know Him Who sent Me.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin.
He who hates Me also hates My Father. If I had not done the Works among them - which no one else did they
would have no sin. Now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
Yet this happened so that the Word might be fulfilled, which is written in their Law: They hated Me without a
cause.
When the Helper comes Whom I shall sent to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth Who proceeds from the
Father He will Testify of Me. And you, too, will bear witness for you have been with Me from the beginning.
These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the
Synagogues. But the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he serves God.
The term World is used in several distinct ways in Holy ... in the Holy Spirit the Lord the Giver of Life Who
Scripture. Proceeds from the Father.
In some cases, it refers to ALL THAT IS GLORIOUS, BEAUTIFUL While GOD THE SON IS BEGOTTEN OF GOD THE FATHER ALONE, THE
AND REDEEMABLE IN GODS WONDROUS CREATION. HOLY SPIRIT PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE FATHER ALONE.
At other times, it refers to THAT WHICH IS FINITE IN CONTRAST TO THE SOURCE THE FOUNTAINHEAD OF BOTH PERSONS OF GOD THE
THAT WHICH IS ETERNAL. SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD THE FATHER.
In still other instances as in this case it indicates ALL Our Lord Jesus Christ has given us these DIVINE
THAT IS IN REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD OUR GOD.
REVELATIONS to TEACH US AND TO REVEAL HIS ETERNAL,
 JOHN 8:23 (Christ) said to the Judeans: You are from
ABSOLUTE AND PERFECT TRUTH so that we will UNDERSTAND
beneath; I Am from Above. You are of this world.
THEM FULLY and are able to DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN HIS
I Am not of this world.
The rebellion of this fallen world against God reveals DIVINE TRUTH AND MANS FLAWED, LIMITED AND ERRONEOUS
IDEAS that are utterly imperfect, often heretical and
several aspects:
1. While UNION WITH CHRIST BRINGS US HIS LOVE, TRUTH AND completely wrong!!
PEACE, it also brings us PERSECUTION, because THE Our Lord God does not want us to be deceived and
WORLD HATES LOVE AND TRUTH. misled by Satans lies and deceptions that can cause
2. THE WORLD HATED CHRIST SO THEREFORE IT HATES ALL WHO our Fall from Divine Grace, Spiritual Death, confusion,
TRY TO BE CHRIST-LIKE i.e. Christian. frustration and alienation from God and all His
3. THE WORLD HATES BECAUSE IT NEITHER KNOWS NOR DESIRES TO Goodness.
KNOW GOD THE FATHER. KNOWLEDGE IS INDEED POWER so we must always
4. HATRED FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS UTTERLY IRRATIONAL, MEASURE EVERYTHING WE SEE, HEAR OR THINK, BY THE
ILLOGICAL AND UNREASONABLE for He brings all DIVINE TRUTH, TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF
humanity His infinite Divine Love and Great CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR Who never fails us at all!!
Mercy. Finally, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CLEARLY WARNS US THAT WE WILL
Consequently, as prophesied so many centuries before: BE PERSECUTED by self-deluded slaves of Satan who will
OUR GREAT SAVIOUR IS hated without a cause!! be convinced that they are serving the Divine Will of
With respect to GODS WORKING SALVATION IN OUR WORLD, Almighty God.
GOD THE SON SENDS OUR DIVINE COMFORTER GOD THE Tragically, however, they are serving the evil one and
HOLY SPIRIT FROM THE FATHER. certainly not our Loving, Peaceful and
With respect to the Divine Nature, THE HOLY SPIRIT Compassionate Lord God.
ETERNALLY PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE FATHER EXCLUSIVELY. As faithful Disciples of Christ, we must ALWAYS BE READY TO
In other words: GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT RECEIVES HIS ETERNAL FACE ANIMOSITY AND PERSECUTION, CONFIDENT IN OUR FAITH
EXISTENCE ONLY FROM GOD THE FATHER. AND KNOWING THAT GOD WILL DELIVER US from the evil one
In conformity with our Lord Jesus Christs Words, THE and his deadly machinations!
NICENE-CONSTANTINOPOLITAN CREED CONFESSES BELIEF
ST DIMITRIOS THE MYRRH-STREAMING, GLORIOUS HOLY MARTYR OF THESSALONIKA
The fact that Monastic Life is an Evangelic Life and Baptism with a will that was humble and obedient to
Monks must therefore live accordingly is clearly with God's Law - "...like a Book of God or a Tablet or
evident in the Homily of St Gregory Palamas Plaque Engraved by God or a slate written upon by
concerning St Dimitrios of Thessaloniki, whom he the Finger of God and placed before all for their
presented as a Faithful Monk, although during that common use."
early era there was no Monasticism as we know it Being chaste in both body and soul, St Dimitrios ...was
today. worthy of his Heavenly Citizenship and walked on
Nevertheless, every Faithful Christian who fulfils the Will an equal footing with the Angels... due to his
of God in all facets of their daily life is essentially a Angelic Lifestyle.
Monk by living an Evangelic Life a strict, devoted St Dimitrios is the Patron Saint of Thessaloniki who is
Life in Christ. ...both a Teacher and an Apostle - Wise and Chaste
St Dimitrios remained celibate and maintained his and Holy... very Beautiful and Spotless, and made
chastity, sincerity and honesty even though he held Radiant by nature, Zeal and Grace."
high rank in the Roman army. St Gregory Palamas compared St Dimitrios to
According to St Gregory Palamas, St. Dimitrios was St Job of the Old Testament, but he commented that
Graced with splendid Prophetic Power and was ...although St Job was Blameless, Righteous and
counted worthy of ...the Apostolic and Teaching Pious, just as St Dimitrios was, St Job was not praised
Diaconate and a high position." by God for possessing Holy Chastity, whereas St
St Dimitrios was utterly Virtuous and equal to any of the Dimitrios Purity of Life was equal to the Heavenly
Saints in Asceticism ...and in their Radiance of Life..." Hosts!
and he was granted many Holy Gifts.
The Spiritual Warfare that St Dimitrios waged within his METROPOLITAN HIEROTHEOS VLACHOS
heart and soul was comparable to that of the Great HTTP://FULL-OF-GRACE-AND-TRUTH.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2008/10/VENERATION-OF-ST-
Ascetics, yet he kept his nous pure of any unseemly DEMETRIOS.HTML
thought, preserving the immaculate Grace of his Holy

22. S T D I M I T R I O S THE MYRRH-STREAMING MIRACLE WORKER OF THESSALONIKA - 26 OCTOBER 2017

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

1/ 28 October
Holy Protection of Our Ever Blessed,
All Holy Lady, Theotokos
(COMMEMORATED ON 28 OCTOBER IN GREECE DELIVERANCE FROM
INVASION IN 1940 (NATIONAL OXI DAY)
Also the Feast of St Terence, St Neonilla, his wife and their children: St Sarbelos,
St Photios, St Theodoulos, St Hierax, St Nita, St Vele and St Eunice of Syria &
Carthage St Stephen, Hymnographer of St Sabbas Monastery, Palestine St
Arsenios, Archbishop of Serbia St Job the Venerable Abbot & Wonderworker of
Pochaev St Dimitrios of Rostov St Nestor the Venerable of Kiev Caves
Monastery - St Africanos & 39 Fellow Martyrs of Carthage, North Africa St
Kyriakos, Patriarch of Jerusalem St John the Chozebite, Bishop of Caesarea,
Palestine St Neophytos of Urbin, Georgia St Athanasios the Young, Patriarch
of Constantinople St Arsenios of Farasa, Cappadocia

FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF THE HOLY PROTECTION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Tis Skepis Sou Parthene animnoumen tas Haritas, in os Of Thy Protection, O Virgin, we praise the Benefits, which
Fotoforon nefelin efaplis iper ennian, ke Skepis ton laon as Luminous Cloud Thou stretch out Most
Sou noeros, ek pasis ton ehthron epivoulis; Se gar Wondrously, and Thou protect Thy People so
Skepin ke Prostatin ke Voithon, kektimetha voontes Si: thoughtfully from every plot of the enemies; for as
Doxa tis Megaliis Sou Agni! Doxa ti Thia Skepi Sou! Shelter, Protector and Helper have we Thee, as we cry
Doxa ti pros imas Promithia Ahrante! out to Thee: Glory to Thy Wonders, O Pure One!
Glory to Thy Shelter Divine! Glory to Thy
Forethought for us, O Undefiled!
Theotoke Aiparthene, tin Agian Sou Skepin, di is
Ever Virgin Theotokos, Thy Holy Protection, by which
periskepis, tous is se elpizontas, kratean to Ethni Sou
Thou protects those who hope in Thee, Thou hast
katafigin edoriso; oti os pale ke nin thavmastos imas
granted to Thy nation, as a Mighty Shelter; because, as
esosas, os noiti nefeli, ton laon Sou perivalousa. Dio
of old, even now Thou miraculously Saved us, by
disopoumen se, irinin ti politia Sou Dorise, ke tes psihes
enveloping Thy people, like a Spiritual Cloud.
imon to Mega Eleos
Wherefore, we implore Thee: Grant Peace to Thy
commonwealth, and to our souls, Great Mercy.
FESTAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Se. Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON THEOTOKOS MAGNIFICAT - LUKE 1 TONE 3
Megalini i psihi mou ton Kyrion ke igalliase to pnevma My soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God
mou epi to Theo to Sotiri mou... my Saviour...
Oti epevlepsen epi tin tapinosin tis Doulis Aftou For He has regarded the low estate of His Handmaiden.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 9 : 1 7
Brethren: ... the First Covenant had Ordinances of Divine Service and the Earthly Sanctuary. A Tabernacle was
prepared: the first part, in which was the Lampstand, and the Table, and the Showbread, which is called the
Sanctuary. Behind the Second Veil, the part of the Tabernacle, which is called the Holy of Holies, which had the
Golden Censer, and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the Golden Pot that
contained the Manna, the Rod of Aaron that budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant. Above it were the Cherubim
of Glory, overshadowing the Mercy Seat. Of these things we cannot these days speak in detail.
When these things had been prepared, in the first part of the Tabernacle, the Services were always performed by the
Priests. In the second part, the High Priest went alone once a year not without blood, which he offered for himself
and for the peoples sins committed in ignorance...
THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOSAIC TABERNACLE, WHICH THE MOST HOLY PLACE THE HOLY OF HOLIES OR THE HOLIEST
PREFIGURED THE HEAVENLY ALTAR. OF ALL, WHICH CONTAINED THE MOST SACRED RELICS OF THE
This passage is read during the Great Feasts of our Lady OLD COVENANT - MYSTERIOUS ARK OF THE COVENANT.
Theotokos and Advent (before the Feast of the Nativity ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST COULD ENTER - ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR
of Christ) in order to describe THE GREAT HOLY MYSTERY CARRYING THE BLOOD OF THE SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS.
OF THE INCARNATION OF THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD. THE INNER VEIL HID THE LOCUS OF THE LITURGICAL PRACTICE OF
THE EVER BLESSED, EVER VIRGIN MARYS WOMB WAS PREPARED THE OLD COVENANT which thereby showed its
TO BE THE HOLY TABERNACLE OF CHRIST THE VERY IMPERFECTION for THE PEOPLE COULD NOT DRAW CLOSE TO
DWELLING PLACE OF THE LORD OUR GOD. GOD and THE HIGH PRIEST COULD ONLY ENTER THE HOLY OF
A most important detail in St Pauls Epistle to the Hebrews HOLIES ONCE A YEAR FOR HIS OWN SINS AS WELL AS THOSE OF
concerns THE INNER VEIL THE SECOND VEIL WHICH THE PEOPLE.
SEPARATES THE HOLY PLACE THE HOLY SANCTUARY FROM

HOLY PROTECTION OF OUR EVER BLESSED ALL HOLY LADY, THEOTOKOS - 1 & 28 OCTOBER 23.
 At His Death on the Cross, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALSO SEEN HIS CO-ETERNAL, CO-ESSENTIAL FATHER (and thus also the
RESOLVED OUR ALIENATION AND ESTRANGEMENT FROM Holy Spirit!) MP
GOD. (MATTHEW 27:51)
However, GOD THE SON OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT CONTAINED ALL THE PRECIOUS HOLY
- CAN BE DEPICTED ACCORDING TO HIS INCARNATION, for HE IS
RELICS OF THE OLD COVENANT AND OF ISRAEL THE GOLDEN
GOD-MAN AND THUS HIS HUMAN NATURE CAN AND IS IMAGED.
POT OF MANNA, AARONS ROD, AND THE STONE TABLETS OF THE
Furthermore, Christ left a photographic Image upon His
MOSAIC LAW, GIVEN TO THE ANCIENT PATRIARCH BY GOD
discarded burial clothes on the inner Face Cloth,
HIMSELF.
which He left neatly folded - and on the long Shroud,
GOD IS ENTHRONED UPON THE CHERUBIM, hence, Gods
which were both left in His Empty Tomb after His
Throne in the midst of Israel THE MERCY SEAT HAD
Glorious Resurrection.
A CHERUB DEPICTED ON EACH SIDE.
When St Peter and St John entered the Empty Tomb, they
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HOLY ALTAR IS ALSO FLANKED BY
were immediately amazed by the Precious Holy Relics
DEPICTIONS OF THE CHERUBIM.
that had been left behind.
THESE REPRESENTATIONS, along with the images of the Holy
In many churches, the Holy Icon of Christ Not Made by
Cherubim on the Inner Veil and the beauty and
Hands is depicted being held aloft by two Cherubim,
detailed workmanship of everything that was made
situated over the Royal Gates of the Iconostasion.
for the Holy Tabernacle, SERVED AS THE FIRST HOLY ICONS
While the Old Covenant Priests were allowed to enter
OF THE OLD COVENANT. (EXODUS 26:31)
the Holy Place daily, ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST COULD
This and various other passages PROVES THAT THE SECOND
ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES ON THE ONE DAY OF
DIVINE COMMANDMENT OF GOD DOES NOT PROHIBIT ALL
ATONEMENT (YOM KIPPUR.)
IMAGERY. (EXODUS 20: 4 6)
The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies carrying the
GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT CANNOT BE
blood of sacrificed animals for the atonement of his
REPRESENTED OR DEPICTED BECAUSE THEIR DIVINE NATURE
own sins as well as those of the people.
IS UNKNOWABLE AND HENCE CANNOT BE DEPICTED.
THIS ANNUAL BLOOD SACRIFICE REVEALS THE IMPERFECTION AND
The Eternal Unity and Presence with Christ of the Father and the TEMPORARY STATUS OF THE OLD COVENANT, for ONLY ONE MAN
Holy Spirit is usually depicted as two differently coloured COULD ENTER INTO GODS DIVINE PRESENCE BUT NOT
Shapes behind the Figure of our Lord such as in the Holy Icon CONTINUALLY and only to repeat the annual
of the Transfiguration. Sacrificial Offering for his and the peoples sins.
The depiction of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit as an Old Furthermore, THAT BLOOD SACRIFICE DEALT ENTIRELY WITH
Man and a White Dove is a modern, western influenced MATERIALS FROM THIS AGE, WHICH ARE IMPERFECT AND
HERESY, because THE PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY MAY ONLY BE IMPERMANENT WHICH CANNOT BEGIN A PARTICIPATION IN THE
DEPICTED AS THREE IDENTICAL ANGELS such as at the Oaks of AGE TO COME.
Mamre depicted in the Holy Icon of the Hospitality of In addition, THAT IMPERFECT ATONEMENT OFFERING DEALT
MAINLY WITH THE OUTER BEING FOR IT WAS SUPERFICIAL AND
Abraham.
COULD NOT PURIFY MANKINDS HEART, MIND OR SOUL LET
THEY NEVER MANIFESTED VISIBLY AT ANY OTHER TIME and OUR LORD JESUS
ALONE RESTORE OUR FALLEN HUMAN NATURE.
CHRIST CLEARLY TOLD HIS DISCIPLES THAT WHOEVER HAS SEEN HIM, HAS
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 10 ; 38-42 & 11: 27 28
ONE GOOD THING HEARING AND FULFILLING GODS WORD
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ entered a certain village. A woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at Jesus Feet, listening to His Word. Martha was distracted with much
serving. She approached and said: Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore
tell her to help me! Jesus answered and said to her: Martha! Martha! You are worried and troubled about many
things. One thing is needed. Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.
... As He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him: Blessed is the Womb
that bore Thee, and the Breasts that nursed Thee! He replied: More than that: Blessed are those who hear the
Word of God and keep It!
THESE VERSES ARE READ ON MOST OF THE GREAT FEASTS OF OUR crowd NOT BY DENOUNCING HIS ALL PURE MOTHER, BUT BY
LADY THEOTOKOS EMPHASISING HER HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, WHICH
MARY AND MARTHA ARE THE SISTERS OF ST LAZAROS, (who EPITOMISED HER UNSHAKABLE FAITH.
had been dead for four days and whom our Lord  ALL HUMANITY IS BLESSED BY GOD WHEN WE HEAR THE WORD
Jesus Christ had resurrected.) OF GOD AND KEEP IT.
OUR LORD JESUS DID NOT REBUKE ST MARTHA FOR SERVING, BUT  WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE HEAR AND ACCEPT THE DIVINE
RATHER FOR COMPLAINING AND FOR BEING SO DISTRACTED, TRUTH AND WISDOM AND APPLY IT TO OURSELVES our
WORRIED AND TROUBLED BY SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS THAT own lifestyle, words, thoughts and deeds.
SHE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD A WORD THAT HE SPOKE.  WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE APPLY ALL GODS COMMANDMENTS
Instead of listening to what He was saying, even while AND TEACHINGS TO OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS.
busy with her serving, ST MARTHA WAS FOCUSSED ON HER The Greek word menounge which is rendered in this
OWN SELFISH NEEDS AND CONCERNS. translation as ... more than that... is actually Yes,
In following our Lord Jesus Christ, WE SERVE IN ORDER TO indeed! (REFER TO ROMANS10:18)
FACILITATE THE SPREAD OF HIS HOLY GOSPEL. (ACTS 6 : 1 4) This particular word, therefore, CORRECTS BY AMPLIFYING
In the second portion of todays Sacred Lesson, CHRIST NOT BY NEGATING.
CORRECTS THE WOMAN who shouted from the gathered
THE HOLY PROTECTION OF OUR EVER BLESSED, ALL HOLY LADY, THEOTOKOS
The Church of Christ has always Glorified the Most Holy presented the Greek General, Ioannis Metaxas, with an
Theotokos as our Protectress and Defender, whom we ultimatum, demanding full control of Greeces
Entreat for Her Holy Intercessions on our behalf with strategic locations or be forcefully invaded. General
our Loving Lord God for His Great Mercy. Metaxas loudly and vehemently refused to comply and
Two Divine Miracles are celebrated on this day: the first in Greece was plunged into the Second World War, when
tenth-century Constantinople, the second in twentieth- first Italy, then Nazi Germany, invaded, wreaking havoc
century Greece. and horrors on the people.
On 1 October 911, an All Night Vigil was held at the In 1952, the Orthodox Church of Greece transferred its
Blachernae Church of the Theotokos while Slavic armed celebration of the Holy Protection to 28 October in
forces threatened to invade Constantinople. conjunction with Ohi Day as a Testament to the
Before daybreak, our Ever Blessed Lady appeared above the rejection of European aggression and as the National
people, holding a veil spread over Her outstretched Day of Remembrance.
hands and thus Protected and Delivered them from Both dates of Commemoration of our Ladys Holy
danger. Protection celebrate Her constant Intercessory Prayers
Ironically, in the twelfth century, the Orthodox Church of and Deliverance whenever we entreat Her in distress
Russia also began to celebrate Her Holy Protection on 1 and strife. As She is our Wonder-working Holy Mother,
October. we ceaselessly pray: By the Intercessions of the Most
On 28 October 1940, Before daybreak the Italian Holy Theotokos, O Christ our God, have Mercy on us.
Ambassador to Greece, representing Benito Mussolini, Amen
24. HOLY PROTECTION OF OUR EVER BLESSED ALL HOLY LADY, THEOTOKOS - 1 & 28 OCTOBER
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages.
Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together
with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our
God. Amen.

Tone 4 29 October 2017

st th
21 Sunday After Pentecost 7 Sunday of St Luke
Jairus Daughter & St Veronica
The Feast of St Anastasia of Rome St Abramios the Recluse & St Maria the Holy
Ascetics of Mesopotamia Abramios the Archimandrite of Rostov St Claudios, St
Asterios, St Neones & St Theonilla of Aegae, Cilicia St Anna & St John of Constantinple
St Timothy the Monk Martyr of Esphigmenos Monastery, Mount Athos St Serapion of
Zarzma, Georgia

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 10 JOHN 21 : 1 - 14

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 4

To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from
Mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon. had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather,
Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos. more! Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great
Mercy.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Timonton Se. Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 103/104 TONE 4
Os emegalinthi ta Erga Sou, Kyrie. Panta en Sofia epiisas. O Lord, Thy Works shall be greatly magnified; Thou made
all things in Wisdom.
Evlogi, i psihi mou, ton Kyrion. Kyrie O Theos mou, Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord, my God: Thou art
emegalinthis sfodra. exceedingly Magnified.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 2 : 16 20
Brethren, knowing that a man is not Justified by the Works of the Law, but by the Faith of Jesus Christ, even we have
believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be Justified by the Faith of Christ, and not by the Works of the Law; for by the
Works of the Law no flesh shall be Justified.
If, while we seek to be Justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found to be sinners, is therefore Christ the Minister of
sin? God forbid! If I build again the things that I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
I through the Law died to the Law, that I might Live in God. With Christ, I am crucified. Nevertheless, I live! Christ
Lives in me! The Life in the flesh, I Live in the Faith of the Son of God, Who Loves me, and gave Himself for me.
ST PAUL GIVES THE CONTENT OF THE TRUE GOSPEL by Names and by Whose Power and Authority we are
contrasting it with the false doctrines of the Baptised and Chrismated.
Judaizers. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS US HIS POWER AND ENERGY FOR
THE SOURCE OF JUSTIFICATION IS FAITH, not the works of the THE ONGOING LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN CHRIST the
Old Covenant Law. wonderful Life of Blessing, Great Mercy and infinite
Works of the Law deal with mankind in our fallen state Love.
in our corrupted state (i.e. a state of Spiritual Death) THE ANCIENT PATRIARCH ABRAHAM IS OUR HOLY FATHER OF
FAITH CRUCIFIES OUR CORRUPT CONDITION AND DEALS WITH OUR FAITH AND OF THE BLESSINGS OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
NEW BEING IN CHRIST (i.e. we abandon our old, fallen, However, the Judaizers, who have based their
corrupt nature and take on a Regenerated, New Righteousness on the works of the Law, have
and Sanctified nature in Christ at our Baptism and received Condemnation not the Blessings of the
Chrismation.) Holy Spirit!
Works of the Old Covenant Law begin with mankinds THE STATUS CONFERRED BY RIGHTEOUSNESS IS HOLY SONSHIP, for
actions, while FAITH BEGINS WITH GODS DIVINE ACTIONS. WE BECOME ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH OUR
EVERY WORK OF FAITH IS THE COMBINED ACTION OF GOD AND US, UNION WITH GOD INCARNATE.
for it is AN ESSENTIAL SYNERGY a Holy Cooperation THE SOURCE OF SONSHIP IS GOD not humanity.
between us and God between Divine Will and SONSHIP IS A DIVINE PROMISE not achieved by human
human will. deeds and it is ATTAINABLE ONLY BY OUR FAITH not by
THIS FAITH AND THESE ACTIONS HAVE THEIR SOURCE AND our works not by any effort we may make.
FULFILMENT IN GOD in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus GOD INTRODUCED THE WORKS OF THE LAW IN ORDER TO PROTECT
Christ. HUMANITY against the evil wiles of the devil and his
WE EXPERIENCE THESE AMAZING FAITH AND ACTIONS THROUGH demons who ceaselessly our Spiritual Death and
OUR UNION WITH THE HOLY TRINITY God the Father, destruction.
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in Whose

21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE JAIRUS DAUGHTER - 29 OCTOBER 2017 25.
The Old Covenant Laws were to protect us until the time St Paul destroyed THE WORKS OF THE LAW in the sense that
of Divine Sonship when our Union with the Eternal, they PROVED TO BE INEFFECTUAL FOR OUR ETERNAL
Only Begotten Son of God became possible. SALVATION.
THE PURPOSE OF HOLY SONSHIP IS FOR US TO BECOME GODLIKE AND The real transgressors are those who try to reinstate the
TO ENTER HEAVEN. Old Covenant Law.
Faith in Christ is parallel to the works of the Law and can WE DIE THROUGH THE LAW not bypassing or dishonouring it,
be translated as the Faith of Jesus Christ, which is but by RECOGNISING THAT IT IS HOLY; that WE DESERVE ITS
the Holy Gospel. CONSEQUENCE, WHICH IS DEATH.
As the Source of works is the Law, so THE SOURCE OF FAITH IS WE VOLUNTARILY DIE TO THE LAW THROUGH OUR DEATH WITH
CHRIST His Beliefs, His Trust, His Obedience that CHRIST, for being crucified with Him through our Holy
Justifies us , not our Faith as such. Baptism, WE COME ALIVE TO THE DIVINE, ETERNAL LAW OF
CHRISTS FAITH IS SEEN IN HIS ENTIRE LIFE ON EARTH, not in THE HOLY SPIRIT, which Perfects the intention of the Old
merely a few of His crucial Works. Covenant Law.
WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY CHRIST AND IN CHRIST, for our THERE IS NO CONTRADICTION BETWEEN THE OLD COVENANT LAW
Justification is not simply legal but actual effected AND THE NEW COVENANT GOSPEL, FOR THE LAW IS ... HOLY
by our real, personal Union with Christ in His Glorified AND JUST AND GOOD... (ROMANS 7:12)
human Nature. However, the Law is weak and obsolete for it is Fulfilled in
The fact that we can still be sinners clearly shows that the Holy Gospel in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
THIS HOLY UNION NEVER TAKES AWAY OUR FREE WILL and it Christ, Himself! (ROMANS 8 : 3 & HEBREWS 8 : 13)
also explains how some chose to defect to Judaism.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 8 : 41 56
JAIROS DAUGHTER & THE HAEMORRHAGING WOMAN
At that time, there was a man named Jairos, and he was a Ruler of the Synagogue. And he fell down at the Feet of
Jesus and begged Him to go to his house, for he had only one daughter, who was about twelve years of age, and
she was dying.
As He went, the multitudes thronged Him. And a woman, who had a flow of blood for twelve years and who had spent
all she had on Physicians - none of whom could heal her went from behind and touched the edge of His garment.
And immediately the flow of her blood ceased. And Jesus said: Who touched Me? When all denied having done
so, Peter and those with him said: Master, the multitudes throng and press against Thee, and Thou ask: Who
touched Me? Jesus said: Someone touched Me. I perceived Power going out from Me.
When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she went trembling and fell down before Him. She explained to Him,
before all the people, and how she had instantly been Healed. He said to her: Be of good cheer, Daughter. Thy
Faith has made thee well. Go in Peace.
While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the Ruler of the Synagogue, saying to him: Your
daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. Jesus heard and answered him, saying: Do not be afraid. Only
believe, and she will be made well.
Entering the house, He permitted no one to enter except Peter, James and John, and the Father and Mother. All wept
and mourned for her. He said: Do not weep. She is not dead, but sleeping. And they ridiculed Him, knowing
that she was dead.
He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called: Little girl: arise! And her spirit returned, and she arose
immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished.
He requested them not to tell anyone what had happened.
ALL AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS EXCLUSIVELY IN THE This Statement is made in contrast to all the false (man-
CONTROL OF AND ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. made) gods of the pagans. (ST ATHANASIOS THE GREAT, ST
 DEUTERONOMY 32:39: Now behold: I even I Am He, BASIL THE GREAT & ST HILARY OF POITIERS)
and there is no god besides Me; I take away life  1 KINGS 2:6: The Lord takes away life and grants life;
and I grant life; I wound and I heal; nor is there He takes down to Hades and raises up.
any who can deliver from My Hands. THIS VERSE FORESHADOWS THE RESURRECTION and is likely A
This Divine Statement could be expressed not only by God DESCRIPTION OF OUR LORDS OWN (VOLUNTARY) DESCENT INTO
the Father, but also God the Son and God the Holy HADES AND HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION.
Spirit because BEING CO-EQUAL IN ONE GODHEAD - EACH St Aphrahat the Holy Prophet of God used this passage
DIVINE PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY CAN TRULY SAY: There among many to demonstrate THAT BELIEF IN THE
is no god besides Me. RESURRECTION EXISTED EVEN IN THE OLD COVENANT ERA.
21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE THE HEALING OF ST VERONICA
& THE RAISING OF JAIRUS DAUGHTER
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the However, KNOWING THE DEPTH OF HER SUFFERING, AND ALSO HER
PROFOUND FAITH IN HIM, HE USED HER AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF
Holy Spirit...
THAT FAITH, BY TELLING HER AND ALL WHO HEARD HIM - Be
My Dearly Beloved: THE SACRED SCRIPTURES IDENTIFY THREE
of good cheer, Daughter. Thy Faith has made thee
MAJOR TYPES OF HEALINGS OR DIVINE MIRACLES: EXORCISMS,
well. Go in Peace.
PHYSICAL HEALINGS AND RESURRECTIONS FROM THE DEAD.
Shortly after this Divine Miracle of Healing occurred, a
These Miraculous Events are IN ADDITION TO SO MANY OTHER
servant from the house of Jairus brought the tragic
DIVINE MIRACLES AND WONDERS THAT WERE REVEALED TO US
message from his wife: Your daughter is dead. Do
AND WITNESSED by Christs Holy Apostles and Faithful
not trouble the Teacher.
Disciples, such as our Lord walking on the water, the
Nevertheless, our Lord Jesus said to the bereaved Jairus:
Miraculous Catch, and our Divine Saviour's control
Do not be afraid. Only believe, and she will be
over all natural phenomena.
made well.
Todays Sacred Lesson reminds us of TWO DIFFERENT TYPES
Having arrived at his home, our Divine Saviour, sent all
DIVINE MIRACLES that occurred on the day when our
the mourners outside while He remained inside -
Lord Jesus Christ was BESOUGHT BY JAIRUS, the ...Ruler
together with His Apostles, St Peter, St James and St
of the Synagogue... TO HEAL HIS SERIOUSLY ILL TWELVE
John and again assured the bereft parents: "Do not
YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.
weep; for she is not dead but sleeping."
As they were on their way to the house of Jairus, A WOMAN
Then our Most Loving, All Merciful and Gentle Lord Jesus
WHO HAD SUFFERED A DEBILITATING AILMENT ALSO FOR
took the child's cold hand said Little girl: arise! and
TWELVE YEARS - but unable to find a cure for her
IMMEDIATELY HER SOUL WAS REUNITED WITH HER BODY.
condition, HAD MERELY TOUCHED THE EDGE OF OUR LORD
HE TOLD THE AMAZED PARENTS TO GIVE HER SOME NOURISHMENT,
JESUS' ROBE WHEREUPON SHE WAS INSTANTLY HEALED.
which AFFIRMED HER RESTORATION TO LIFE AND HEALTH.
As soon as He ... perceived Power going out from
He also ...requested them not to tell anyone what had
(Him)... HE ASKED THE WOMAN TO IDENTIFY HERSELF, WHICH
happened... perhaps because THE PEOPLE HAD
MIGHT HAVE CAUSED IMMENSE PUBLIC HUMILIATION,
MOCKED HIM WHEN THEY HEARD HIM SAY THAT SHE WAS MERELY
EMBARRASSMENT AND SCANDAL
SLEEPING. (THEY REJECTED HIS DIVINE TRUTH.)

26. 21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE JAIRUS DAUGHTER - 29 OCTOBER 2017
Since we live in a time when scientific progress and
medical research and medical procedures provide
cures and healings from many diseases and illnesses,
we sometimes forget that it is IN THE CHURCH AND
THROUGH OUR LIVING LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT MANY DIVINELY
MIRACULOUS HEALINGS AND CURES CONTINUE TO OCCUR.
Miraculous Healings can and do occur every day and
are perhaps most prevalent WHEN SCIENCE AND MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGY ARE ASSISTED BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
ESPECIALLY WHEN EVERYTHING SCIENTIFIC HAS BEEN DONE
AND THE PATIENT RESTS IN GODS HANDS.
Although Orthodox Priests perform Exorcisms before every
Holy Mystery of Baptism, and would perhaps do so
when there was demonic possession, no one - except
our Lord Jesus Christ - can actually resuscitate
(temporary) and Resurrect (Eternally) the dead.
The Truth is that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Eternal, Only
Begotten Son and Word of God, the Second Person of
the Holy Trinity, Who is Co-Eternal and Divinely Equal
to God our Heavenly Father and God the Life-giving
Holy Spirit .
Consequently, THE HOLY TRINITY, ALWAYS WORKING IN PERFECT
HARMONY BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER, THROUGH THE SON
AND BY THE POWER AND ENERGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT -
RESPONDS TO THE NEEDS OF ALL MANKIND AND TO THE
VOLUNTARY TRANSFORMATION OF OUR FALLEN, SINFUL NATURE.
PRAYER IS THE TEST OF EVERYTHING - PRAYER AS SILENCE
Our Lord God is always trying to get our attention. HE
WANTS US TO TURN TO HIM, TO LISTEN TO HIM, TO OPEN
OURSELVES TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
OUR LORD NEVER FORCES HIS DIVINE WILL ON US.
Instead HE WAITS FOR US TO RESPOND TO HIS DIVINE LOVE with
our own devotion, attention and Love for Him.
WHEN WE ACTUALLY PAY ATTENTION by listening carefully to
His Divine Truth - WE WILL HEAR OUR LORD GOD SPEAKING
TO US AND WE WILL EXPERIENCE HIS DIVINE PRESENCE WITH US. The Saints have taught us to TAKE TIME EVERY DAY TO SIT
Prayer is as much about listening to our Lord as it is about
speaking to Him.
In fact, LISTENING ATTENTIVELY TO HIM IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT Our Monastic Holy Fathers and Holy Mothers have taught
THAN SPEAKING OR PRAYING TO HIM.
One way of listening to God is by READING AND
CONTEMPLATING HOLY SCRIPTURE AND THE DIVINELY INSPIRED
WRITINGS OF OUR HOLY SPIRITUAL FATHERS from the
Apostles to our contemporary Holy Fathers.
We must do so in order TO RECOGNISE OUR OWN WEAKNESSES,
FLAWS AND SINS, AND TO CORRECT THEM by APPLYING THE
HOLY TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS TO OUR OWN WORDS,
THOUGHTS AND DEEDS.
In our private devotions, we may SELECT A CERTAIN PASSAGE
TO READ - TAKING TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE READ
(AND HOW TO APPLY IT TO OURSELVES.)
We may RECORD SPECIFIC SENTENCES, PHRASES OR WORDS that
strike us as being significant as well as our own
observations for discussion with our Spiritual Father or IN ORDER FOR PRAYER TO BE TRULY BENEFICIAL TO US, IN ADDITION
Teacher.
Another means of listening to God in Prayer is through
SILENCE.
Silence is something with which many of us are
uncomfortable. There are constant noises from
innumerable artificial sources that perpetually
ATTENDING TO OURSELVES ST IGNATIOS BRIANCHANINOV
The soul of all Spiritual Life in our Lord is VIGILANCE.
WITHOUT VIGILANCE, ALL HOLY PRACTICES ARE FRUITLESS.
Those of us who wish to Save ourselves must REMAIN
CONTINUOUSLY VIGILANT toward ourselves - NOT ONLY IN
SOLITUDE, BUT ALSO UNDER CONDITIONS OF DISTRACTION, into
which we are often unwillingly drawn by
circumstances.
We must LET THE HOLY FEAR OF GOD OUTWEIGH ALL OTHER
SENSATIONS upon the scales of our heart; and THEN WE
WILL BE SPIRITUALLY VIGILANT - BOTH IN THE SILENCE OF OUR
KELLIA [CELL] AND IN THE MIDST OF THE NOISE THAT
SURROUNDS AND DISTRACTS US.
A REASONABLE MODERATION IN EATING diminishes the
passionate heat of our blood, and thus FACILITATES OUR
ABILITY TO ATTEND TO OURSELVES.
On the other hand, WHEN WE ARE IMPASSIONED by the
excessive consumption of food, by extreme, intensified
physical activity, by being inflamed by wrath, by
vanity, and by a variety of other causes, A MULTITUDE
OF THOUGHTS AND REVERIES ARISES AND DISTRACTS US.
21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE JAIRUS DAUGHTER - 29 OCTOBER 2017
THE TIMID BUT COURAGEOUS FAITH OF ST VERONICA, the woman
who was Healed by touching the edge of our Lord's
robe - TRANSFORMED HER INTO A POWERFUL PUBLIC
TESTIMONY AND WITNESS OF GOD'S SUPERIOR POWER.
When that ...Ruler of the Synagogue... fell down at our
Divine Saviours Feet and begged him to Cure his
dying daughter, JAIRUS REVEALED HIS FAITH IN THE DIVINE
POWER OF CHRIST THAT MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE EVEN
WHEN IN EXTREMELY IMPOSSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES
For any Faithful Disciple, BELIEF IN CHRIST IS ESSENTIAL FOR IT
IS THE GENESIS OF CONFIDENT BELIEF, OF HEALING, OF
RESUSCITATIONS AND ESPECIALLY OF OUR ETERNAL
SALVATION AND RESURRECTION.
MAY OUR OWN FAITH IN OUR TRIUNE LORD GOD BE AS DETERMINED
AND UNWAVERINGLY COURAGEOUS AND CONFIDENT, as that of
St Veronica - AND AS PERSISTENT AND TRUSTING as Jairus -
so that we may ALWAYS HAVE COMPLETE FAITH IN THE
SUPERIOR, ALMIGHTY POWER OF GOD WHO ALONE GRANTS US
LIFE, HEALING AND DELIVERANCE AND WHO WILL
ETERNALLY RESURRECT US on the Eighth Day in Eternity -
GRANTING US SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE.
Amen.
FATHER STEVEN J. VLAHOS
HTTP://NJ.GOARCH.ORG
bombard us and distract us to such an extent that
some people dread any quietness before they fall
asleep - they avoid silence and being alone with
their thoughts.
Yet MOST OFTEN OUR LORD GOD SPEAKS TO US not with
deafening thunder claps or blinding flashes of
lightning - but WITH A QUIET VOICE WHISPERING WITHIN US.
(1 KINGS 19:11-13)
QUIETLY to listen and to Experience the Loving
Presence of God.
us that PRAYER IS LIKE BIRD THAT FLIES FREELY.
When flying through the air, a bird must wave its wings
until it has reached a certain height and can then
GLIDE ALONG THE UPLIFTING CURRENTS THAT CARRY IT
FORWARD AND UPWARD.
THE WORDS OF OUR PRAYERS ARE OUR SPIRITUAL WINGS.
There will come a point while praying where words are
no longer necessary, we can stop talking and GLIDE IN
SILENCE, ALLOWING GOD'S PRESENCE KEEP US ALOFT.
Prayer is a conversation - a two-way dynamic.
As we all know, it is impossible to have had a
"conversation", if one person has monopolized the
time, without giving the other the chance to offer any
input.
TO TALKING TO GOD WE ALSO NEED TO LISTEN TO WHAT HE HAS
TO SAY TO US.
...TO BE CONTINUED...
FATHER. ANDREW JARMUS
ST NICHOLAS ALBANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
Our Holy Fathers, first and foremost, ascribe to us who
wish to attend to our Spiritual Welfare, A MODERATE,
EVENLY-MEASURED, CONSTANT ABSTENTION FROM FOOD.
UPON AWAKENING FROM SLEEP - an image of awakening
from the death that awaits us all WE MUST DIRECT OUR
THOUGHTS TO THE LORD OUR GOD, offering Him the first
thoughts of our mind, which has not yet become
imprinted with any vain impressions.
Having carefully fulfilled all the needs of the flesh upon
arising from sleep, we must QUIETLY READ OUR CUSTOMARY
RULE OF PRAYER, taking care not so much for the
quantity of our prayerful expression, as for the quality
of it i.e. we must PRAY ATTENTIVELY, so that, by
reason of our attention, OUR HEART AND SOUL MIGHT BE
ENLIGHTENED AND ENLIVENED THROUGH PRAYERFUL FEELING
AND CONSOLATION.
Upon concluding our Rule of Prayer, we must direct all
our strength to THE ATTENTIVE READING OF THE NEW
TESTAMENT ESPECIALLY THE HOLY GOSPELS during which
we must intently TAKE NOTE OF ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, SO THAT
27.
 WE MIGHT DIRECT ALL OUR VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE ACTIONS
ACCORDINGLY.
The quantity of the Reading is determined by our
Strength and circumstances.
IT IS UNNECESSARY TO OVER BURDEN OUR MIND WITH AN EXCESSIVE
READING OF PRAYERS AND SCRIPTURE.
Likewise, is it unnecessary to neglect our needs in order
to practise immoderate Prayer and Reading.
Just as excessive eating disorders and weakens our
belly, so too does IMMODERATE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
WEAKEN OUR MIND AND CREATE A DISLIKE OF PIOUS PRACTICES,
CAUSING US DESPAIR, as St Isaak the Syrian cautioned us.
For those of us who are Novices, our Holy Fathers suggest
FREQUENT, BRIEF PRAYERS.
WHEN WE ARE SPIRITUALLY MATURE, WE BECOME STRONGER AND
ABLE TO PRAY CEASELESSLY.
It was to those who are Spiritually Mature in our Lord that
St Paul referred, when he wrote: ... I desire, therefore,
that men pray everywhere, lifting up Holy Hands,
without anger and reproach... (1 TIMOTHY 2:8)
In other words, St Paul urges us to PRAY DISPASSIONATELY AND
WITHOUT ANY DISTRACTIONS NOR INCONSTANCY, for that
which is NATURAL TO THOSE WHO ARE MATURE, is not yet
natural to those who are infants.
When we are Enlightened, through Prayer and Reading,
by our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we may then
carry out the affairs of our daily course, VIGILANTLY
by TAKING CARE THAT IN ALL OUR THOUGHTS, DEEDS AND
WORDS - WITH OUR ENTIRE BEING - THE ALL-HOLY WILL OF GOD
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER MIGHT PREVAIL.
EVERYTHING WE DO EACH DAY MUST BE ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE
TRUTH - as it is revealed, taught and explained to us
by our Divine Saviour in His Commandments and
Teachings of the New Covenant Holy Gospels and the
Inspired Epistles of His Holy Apostles.
Should there be any free moments during the course of
the day, we must use them to read ATTENTIVELY SOME
CHOSEN PRAYERS, OR SOME CHOSEN PORTIONS OF SCRIPTURE.
By means of these, we are able to FORTIFY THE POWERS OF
OUR SOUL, which become exhausted through activity in
the midst of a world of vanities, delusions and
beguilement.
When there are no such Golden Moments with which to
reinforce our soul, it will be like the loss of a valuable
Treasure.
However, WHATEVER IS WASTED TODAY SHOULD NOT BE LOST
TOMORROW.
SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS AND TEMPTATIONS ENTICE US INTO
NEGLIGENCE AND FORGETFULNESS, THAT MISGUIDES AND
CRIPPLES OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES, which are essential to
our Eternal Salvation.
AS SOON AS WE HAVE SAID OR DONE ANYTHING THAT IS CONTRARY
TO GOD'S WILL, COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS, WE MUST
IMMEDIATELY REPENT OUR SIN.
ST ZOSIMAS ON ACQUIRING THE GRACE OF GOD
In our Spiritual Struggle to acquire Holy Virtue, it is easy to WHEN WE SOW INTENTIONS THAT ARE RICH AND GENEROUS IN GOOD
lose Hope and to surrender to our weakness and
inabilities. All too often we are tempted into the false
belief that the Holy Virtues are too difficult and
impossible for us to acquire but that is not at all True
for THE GRACE OF GOD EMPOWERS AND ENERGISES US, MAKING
EVERYTHING POSSIBLE FOR US!
Our Holy Father Zosimas, taught us: ...THE GRACE OF GOD
ALWAYS FOLLOWS CLOSE ON OUR INTENTIONS, AND WITH THE
ASSISTANCE OF DIVINE GRACE WE SUCCEED IN ACCOMPLISHING
EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD AND WORTHY.
Yet we must neither do Good, nor display a great, eager
intention of doing so in order to attract the Grace of
God to help us.
Our intentions are paltry and sluggish, and do not make
us worthy to receive any Goodness from God, for ALL
OUR SPIRITUAL ENDEAVOURS ARE REMINISCENT OF A SEED AND
THE FRUIT THAT IT BEARS.
It is like Farmers who sow seeds in the fields, and then
PATIENTLY AWAIT THE GREAT MERCY OF GOD, WHO GRANTS
HIS DIVINE BOUNTY OF RAIN AND FAVOURABLE WEATHER AT THE
APPROPRIATE TIMES SO THAT THE SEEDS WILL SPROUT, FLOURISH
AND EVENTUALLY BE READY FOR HARVESTING.
IN THIS WAY, OUR LORD GOD HELPS FARMERS TO REAP MANY GOOD
CROPS FROM ONLY A FEW SEEDS.
The same thing happens to us.
28. 21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH SUNDAY OF
Only by means of our sincere contrition and Repentance-
Confession, can we return to the Way of God, from
which we have fallen through the violation of God's
Will.
We must ALWAYS RETURN QUICKLY TO THE WAY OF GOD!
We must RESPOND WITH FAITH AND HUMILITY to every
unworthy, sinful thought, fantasy or sensation by
opposing them, USING OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS TEACHINGS
AND COMMANDMENTS, and saying: How shall I speak
or commit this evil, and sin before the Lord my God?
(GENESIS 30 : 9)
If we are constantly Vigilant, we will REJECT ALL MANNER OF
FANTASIES AND WICKED, UNWORTHY THOUGHTS regardless
of how attractive or harmless they may appear to
be, for SUCH DECEPTIONS FLATTER AND DELUDE US BY THEIR
LIES, BEING NON-EXISTENT AND INCAPABLE OF REALITY AND
TRUTH.
Consequently, WE WILL SUFFER THE LOSS OF OUR SPIRITUAL
VIGILANCE THROUGH THE DISSIPATION (CORRUPTION) OF OUR
MIND, AND THE HARDNESS OF OUR HEART THEREBY CAUSING
GREAT DISTRESS TO OUR SOUL.
Every evening, before we go to sleep, WE MUST EXAMINE OUR
ACTIONS DURING THE COURSE OF THAT DAY.
SELF-EXAMINATION IS NOT DIFFICULT WHEN WE ARE ATTENTIVE,
because SELF-INDULGENT FORGETFULNESS AND SPIRITUAL
NEGLECT, which is so natural to those who are
distracted, IS DESTROYED THROUGH OUR DETERMINED
SPIRITUAL VIGILANCE.
BY RECOLLECTING ALL OUR DAILY SINS - WHETHER COMMITTED BY
WORD, THOUGHT OR DEED WE MUST OFFER OUR SINCERE
CONTRITION AND REPENTANCE TO GOD, BESEECHING HIS
DIVINE FORGIVENESS AND GREAT MERCY, with both the
disposition and heart-felt Pledge OF SELF-AMENDMENT.
Later, having read our Rule of Prayer, we must CONCLUDE
EACH DAY WITH CONTEMPLATION OF AND MEDITATION, UPON
OUR LORD GOD.
What happens to all our thoughts and feelings while we
sleep?
What mysterious state of being is our sleep, during which
our soul and body are both alive and yet not alive,
being alienated from the awareness of our life, as
though dead?
SLEEP IS AS INCOMPREHENSIBLE AS DEATH.
In the course of sleep, OUR SOUL REPOSES AND FORGETS THE
MOST-CRUEL EARTHLY AFFLICTIONS AND CALAMITIES THAT HAVE
BESET US, while we image our Eternal Repose, for OUR
BODY WILL ARISE FROM SLEEP AS IT WILL ALSO ARISE, INEVITABLY
FROM DEATH, AT OUR RESURRECTION!
As St Agaphon taught us: It is impossible to succeed in
Virtue without exerting Vigilance towards ourselves!
(THE PATERIKON OF SKETE)
Amen.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
DEEDS, WE SHALL BE GRANTED DIVINE GRACE whereby we
will henceforth be able TO ACCOMPLISH ALL GOOD THINGS
WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY AND FRUITLESS TOIL.
WE WILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING WITH REGARD TO OUR SKILLS,
for those who learn certain skills, WILL TOIL AT FIRST AND
EVEN EXPERIENCE A FEW FAILURES, coming close to despair,
despite which, IF WE DO NOT LOSE OUR RESOLVE NOR ARE
DISCOURAGED BUT PERSIST IN OUR STRUGGLE, SEEKING TO
CORRECT OURSELVES, WE WILL SHOW OUR GOOD INTENTIONS.
If, however, we are discouraged and withdraw from the
Struggle, we will never learn anything.
ONLY WHEN WE GRADUALLY IMPROVE THROUGH CORRECTION, WE
WILL LEARN PERFECTLY WELL AND WILL EAGERLY STRIVE WITH
PATIENT EXERTION AND PERSISTENCE.
TO ATTAIN VIRTUE, WE MUST BE COURAGEOUS, RESOLUTE, AND
PATIENT, BEING DEPENDENT ON GODS GRACE AND GREAT
MERCY.
WE MUST NEVER BE INDIFFERENT WHEN WE FAIL. NOR SHOULD WE
EVER DESPAIR NOR ABANDON OUR ATTEMPTS, for then we will
never accomplish anything Good or worthwhile.
http://www.orthodoxpath.org
ST LUKE JAIRUS DAUGHTER - 29 OCTOBER 2017