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 H oly Spirit, now
and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen.
Remembering also our Most Holy, M ost Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, M aria,
Theotokos, ye t Ever Virgi n, to gether wi th all the S aints. And let us commit ourselves and
one anothe r and o ur w hole Life to Christ our God. Ame n.

2 February 2011

T h e Pre s e n t at i o n /Me e ti n g of o ur Lo rd Je s u s Ch r is t

Also the Feast of St Gabriel the New Martyr of Constantinople –

St Jordan the New Martyr – St Agathadoros of Cappadoccia
A p o l y t i k i o n O f The Meeting/Presentation
Here Keharitomeni Theotoke Parthene. Ek Sou gar Rejoice, O Full of Grace, Virgin Theotokos,
anetilen o Ilios tis dikeosinis, Hristos O Theos imon, because from Thee has risen the Only Sun of
fotizon tous en skoti. Justice, Christ our God, Lighting those in
darkness.
Evfrenou ke si Presvita dikee, dexamenos en agkales Rejoice as well, O Elder Righteous, having held in thy
ton elevtherotin ton psihon imon, harizomenon imin arms the liberator of our souls, Who grants also
ke tin Anastasin. Resurrection to us.
Kontakion Of The Kontakion Of The Presentation Of Christ - - Tone 1
O Mitran Parthenikin Agiasas to toko Sou, ke hiras tou Thy Birth Sanctified a Virgin’s Womb and properly
Symeon Evlogisas os eprepe, profthasas ke nin esosas Blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come
imas Hriste O Theos. All’ irinefson en polemis to and Saved us O Christ, our God, grant Peace to
politevma, ke krateoson Vasilis ous igapisas, O Monos Thy Commonwealth in troubled times and
Filanthropos strengthen those in authority, whom Thou Love,
as the Only Lover of mankind.
M a t i ns G os p e l Acc o rd in g t o S t L u ke 2 : 25 – 3 2
St Symeon’s Meeting Of Christ & His Hymn Of Deep Gratitude
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Symeon, who was Just and Devout, and who was awaiting the
Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon Him.
And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see Death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
So he went, by the Spirit, into the Temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to
the custom of the Law, he took Him up in his arms and Blessed God and said: “O Lord, now Thou art letting Thy
servant depart in Peace according to Thy Word! For my eyes have seen Thy Salvation, which Thou hast prepared
before the face of all peoples – a Light to bring Revelation to the Gentiles, and the Glory of Thy People, Israel!”
ST SYMEON WAS ONE OF THE 70 MOST ERUDI TE HEBREW Messiah – the Divine Saviour sent to Redeem us by
SCHOLARS WHO WERE CHOSEN FROM ALL TWEL VE
TRIBES TO MA KE A TRUE AND P ROPER TRANSLATION
God the Father.
FROM THE ANCIENT HEBREW HOLY SCRIPTURE INTO HAVING BEEN KEPT ALIVE UNTIL THE AGE OF 325, S T
SYMEON FULFILLED THE DI VINE P ROMISE TO ALL WHO
HELLENISTIC GREEK , which was the written and
LOVE GOD , as recorded in Psalm 90:16: “With
spoken language of the known world at the time -
length of days I will satisfy him, and show
three centuries before the Birth of Christ.
him My Salvation.”
This translation into Hellenistic Greek became known
The Hymns of our Holy Church compare St Symeon’s
as “T H E S E P T U A G I N T ” and has been used by
Reception of Christ to that of St Isaiah’s reception of
everyone, including our Lord Jesus Christ and His
the Burning Coal from the Angel.
Apostles – throughout the ages to this very day.
I s a i a h 6 : 6 - 7 : “...Then one of the Seraphim was
It is THE COMPLETE, UNABRIDGED HOLY SCRIPTURE OF THE OLD
COVENANT. sent to me. He had a live Coal in his hand,
St Symeon had been allocated the task of translating a which he took with tongs from the Altar. He
section that mentioned the Virgin Birth of the touched my mouth, and said: ‘Behold! This
Messiah and just as he was about to translate the has touched your lips. Your lawlessness is
word “Virgin” as “young woman,” ARCHANGEL taken away and your sin is cleansed.’”
GABRIEL APPEARED BEFORE HI M AND EXPLAINED In both cases, a Holy Prophet of God received the Life-
THAT CHRIST WOULD TRUL Y BE BORN FROM AN ALL giving Fire of the Divine Offering – St Isaiah
PURE AND MOS T HOL Y VIRGIN , but SINCE ST SYMEON received the type while St Symeon received the
STILL REMAINED SCEP TICAL, GOD KEPT HIM ALIVE
ALL THOSE YEARS UNTIL HIS MEETING WITH OUR Fulfilment – Christ Himself.
SAVIOUR A T THE HOLY TEMPL E OF JERUSALEM. The Canticle of St Symeon is chanted daily during
St Symeon – like all those who lived at the Temple – Vespers.
knew our Most Blessed Lady Theotokos very well, Since Salvation has been Born into the world, “all
having watched over her as she grew up and being peoples” can embrace death.
well aware of her Sacred Vow of Chastity and the P h i l i p p i a n s 1 : 2 3 “... I am hard-pressed between
peculiar circumstances of her Betrothal to her the two, having a desire to depart and be with
elderly uncle and legal guardian, St Joseph the Christ, which is far better.”
Betrothed. For the Faithful Christian, death is no longer frightful
HIS GREAT JOY IS EXP RESSED IN THIS HYMN OF but a necessary gateway to Everlasting Peace.
DISMISSAL, WHICH WE CHANT AT EVERY VESPERS
SERVICE SINCE THAT TIME.
St Symeon represented all humanity who waited for
“the Consolation of Israel” – the long awaited
Prokeimenon
Prokeimenon of the Presentation
I will remember Thy Name from generation to generation.
My heart overflowed with a good word; I tell my works to the King; my tongue is the pen of a swift-writing Scribe.

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 T h e E p is tle o f S t Pa ul to t he H e bre ws 7 : 7 – 17
The Rules of the Priestly Orders
Brethren: beyond all contradiction the lesser is Blessed by the Better. Here mortal men receive Tithes, but there He
receives them, of Whom it is witnessed that He Lives.
Even Levi, who received Tithes, paid Tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when
Melchizedek met him.
Therefore, if Perfection were through the Levitical Priesthood (for under it the people received the Law), what further need
was there for another Priest to arise according to the Order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the Order
of Aaron? Or the Priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the Law.
For He of Whom these Things are spoken, belongs to another Tribe, from which no man has officiated at the Altar. For it
is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which Tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning Priesthood. And it is yet
far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchezedek, there arises another Priest Who has come – not according to the
Law of a fleshly Commandment, but according to the Power of an Endless Life. For He testifies: “Thou art a Priest
forever, according to the Order of Melchezedek.”
Persecuted Christians were encouraged not to Any priesthood is so intertwined with a covenant that if
apostasies to Judaism because THE FOUNDING FATHER the priesthood is changed, so is the covenant.
OF CHRIST’S HOLY PRIESTHOOD, MELCHIZEDEK ( A PRIEST Thus our Holy and Eternal Priesthood is intertwined
AND A KING OF SALEM WHO BLESSED ABRAHAM) WAS
SUPERIOR TO THE OLD COVENANT PRIESTHOOD OF LEVI.
with our New Perfect and Eternal Covenant with
The payment of tithes expressed the desire to enter into God.
the ministrations of a religious priesthood, which ✽ BEING ETERNAL AND ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, LIKE GOD, THE
NEW COVENANT IS UNCHANGEABLE – FOR EVEN THE
was only fulfilled once such an offering was made. SLIGHTEST CHANGE WOULD DISTORT IT AND MAKE IT
This applied to all religions, both pagan – Gentile – and IMPERFECT AND NO LONGER ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE
Hebrew – Jewish. TRUTH!
Throughout the Old Testament, we read how the Thus by “modernising” or changing anything of the New
Israelites showed their continuing desire for God’s Covenant to suit ourselves is Apostasy!
Priesthood by continuing to give a tenth of all they Such a religion – even if we pick and choose from Holy
received. Scripture to suit our flawed concepts - becomes an
✽ However, because CHRIST HAS PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE ungodly, man-made concept that misguides and
FOR OUR REDEMPTION, OUR MOST LOVING GOD OFFERS misdirects us away from Eternal Life in Christ
US HIS INFINITE DIVINE BLESSINGS FREELY. ✽ LIFE IN CHRIST IS A TOTAL ACCEPTANCE OF ALL HOLY THINGS
✽ OUR UNRESTRICTED, WILLING AND VOLUNTARY OFFERINGS TO THAT HAVE BEEN TAUGHT AND INSTITUTED BY OUR ONE
GOD ARE CONSTANT TIME SPENT IN THANKSGIVING, AND ONLY ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST – OUR LORD JESUS
PRAISING, HONOURING AND WORSHIPPING - AS WELL AS CHRIST – Who verbally instructed His Holy
OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES IN REPENTANCE, FASTING
AND PRAYER.
Apostles.
✽ AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WE SHOULD GENEROUSLY
✽ BY THE DIVINE GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT - GOD’S TRUTH IS PRESERVED AND PASSED DOWN
OFFER OUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT TO THE HOLY CHURCH
TO US UNALTERED AND CORRECT - ACCORDING TO THE
– ESPECIALLY TO THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD - so that AS WORD AND WILL OF ALMIGHTY GOD – BY THE AUTHORITY
“THE CHURCH OF CHRIST” WE MAY ALL FULFIL OUR AND MEANS OF THE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION.
SACRED DUTIES TO GOD during this preparatory This means that WE CAN TRACE OUR ORTHODOXY OR TRUE
period before Eternity. TEACHINGS ALL THE WAY BACK TO CHRIST THROUGH THE
Our voluntary offerings and fundraising are vital for the APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION – an unbroken lineage
growth, nurturing and maintenance of our Parish through our Holy Church Fathers to the Holy
churches and Archdiocese. Apostles of Christ and to Christ our Lord Himself!
✽ NOT ONLY IS THE FOUNDER OF OUR NEW COVENANT WITH
GOD – OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – SUPERIOR TO THAT OF
THE OLD COVENANT, THE RULES OF THE NEW
COVENANT’S PRIESTLY ORDER ARE ALSO SUPERIOR.

T h e H ol y G os p e l Acc o rd i ng t o S t L u ke 2 : 2 2 – 40
Our Lord Jesus Christ was Presented at the Holy Temple for His Dedication to God
At that time, when the days of her Purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they took Jesus to
Jerusalem to Present Him to the Lord, (as it is written in the Law of the Lord; ‘Every male who opens the womb
shall be called Holy to the Lord’), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is written in the Law of the Lord: ‘A
pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Symeon, and this man was Just and Devout, waiting for the
Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon Him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he
would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he went, by the Spirit, into the Temple. And when the
parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the Custom of the Law, he took Him up in his arms
and Blessed God and said: “O Lord, now Thou art letting Thy servant depart in Peace, according to Thy
Word; for my eyes have seen Thy Salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a
Light to bring Revelation to the Gentiles, and the Glory of Thy People, Israel.”
And Joseph and the Mother of Jesus marvelled at those thing that were spoken of Him.
Then Symeon Blessed them, and said to Mary, His Mother: “Behold! This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many
in Israel, and for a Sign, which will be spoken against, (yes, a sword will pierce through Thine own soul also!), so
that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Now there was one, Anna, a Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the Tribe of Asher, who was of a great age, and who
had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who
did not depart from the Temple, but served God with Fastings and Prayers night and day.
And entering in that instant, she gave Thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for Redemption in
Jerusalem.
So when they had performed all things according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city,
Nazareth.
And the Child grew and became Strong in Spirit, filled with Wisdom; and the Grace of God was upon Him.
On 2 February the Orthodox Church celebrates the Covenant Law by taking the forty day old Christ
Presentation of Christ - also known as “The Child to the Temple in Jerusalem to Present Him
Meeting of the Lord”- when - according to ancient and to Dedicate Him to the Holy Service of the Lord
Holy Tradition that is practised to this very day – our God.
“The Blessing of a Child on the Fortieth Day In the Orthodox Christian Church this is known as “The
After Birth “ is done at the Holy Temple of God. 40th Day Church of the Mother and Child.”
Our Most Pure and Holy Lady Theotokos faithfully and The Old Covenant Law required a sacrificial blood
correctly fulfilled all requirements of the Old offering of an unblemished lamb – or if the mother

2. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) The Presentation/Meeting Of Christ At The Temple 2 February 2011
 of the newborn infant was unable to afford such an
offering, “a pair of turtledoves or two young
pigeons” was accepted.
✽ NOT ONLY DID THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OFFER GOD
A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES, BUT ALSO CHRIST WHO IS THE
MOST PERFECT AND UNBLEMISHED LAMB OF GOD –
THEREBY FULFILLING COMPLETELY THE PRECEPTS OF
THE LAW.
This also fulfilled the Prophecy at the time the ancient
Patriarch, St Abraham, was ready to offer his
beloved son, Isaac, as an ultimate sacrifice to
Almighty God:
St Sophronios of Jerusalem – On the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ
Our lighted candles are a Sign of the Divine Splendour
of the One Who comes to expel the dark shadows of
evil and to make the whole Universe radiant with
the Brilliance of His Eternal Light.
Our candles also show how bright our souls should be
when we go to Meet Christ.
The Mother of God, the Most Pure Virgin, carried the
True Light in her arms and brought Him to those
who lay in darkness.
We too should carry a Light for all to see and reflect the
Radiance of the True Light as we hasten to meet
Him.
The Light has come and has shone upon a world
enveloped in shadows - the Dayspring from on High
has visited us and given Light to those who lived in
darkness.
This, then, is our Feast, and we join in procession with
lighted candles to reveal the Light that has shone
upon us and the Glory that is yet to come to us
through Him.
So let us hasten all together to meet our God.
The True Light has come, the Light that Enlightens
every man who is born into this world.
Let all of us, my Brethren, be Enlightened and become
Radiant by this Light.
Let all of us share in its Splendour, and be so filled with
It that no one remains in the darkness.
T h e E te r nal W is d o m of o u r G od - In s p ire d H oly C h u rc h F a t he rs
Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
Indifference toward God leads to indifference toward
everything else; it leads to disintegration.
Faith in God is so very important.
When we worship God then we love our parents too,
and our home, our relatives, our work, our village,
our whole region, our State, our fatherland.
St Nicholai of Zica - Prayers by the Lake - Prayer 10
To a silent tongue and a contemplative mind Thou draw
near, O All-Holy Spirit, Bridegroom of my soul.
Thou avoid a talkative tongue as a swan avoids a
stormy lake. Like a swan Thou swim across the
quiet of my heart and make it Fruitful.
Desist from your worldly wisdom, my Neighbours.
Wisdom is Begotten, not made.
As Wisdom is Begotten in God, so is it Begotten on
earth.
Begotten Wisdom creates, but is not created.
So, you braggarts brag about your intellect!
What is your intellect except remembering many facts?
And if you remember so much, how could you have
forgotten the moments of the Wondrous Begetting
of Wisdom within you?
Sometimes I hear you talking about great thoughts that
were born to you unexpectedly without any effort.
Who bore these thoughts to you, intellectuals?
How were they Begotten without a father, if you admit
that you did not father them?
Truly, I say to you: the Father of these Thoughts is the
All-Holy Spirit, and their Mother survives as the
Virgin corner of your soul, where the All-Holy Spirit
still dares to enter.
Thus every Wisdom in Heaven and on earth is Begotten
of the Virgin and the All-Holy Spirit.
The All-Holy Spirit hovered over the Chastity of the first
Hypostasis, and the Ultimate Man, the Wisdom of
God, was Begotten.
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G e n e s i s 2 2 : 8 : (Abraham told Isaac) “My son, God will
provide for Himself the Lamb for a Whole
Burnt Offering.”
The very old St Symeon symbolises humanity who
waited for so long for the coming of “The
Consolation of Israel.”
KINDLY REFER TO THE AFOREMENTIONED EXPLANATORY NOTES

CONCERNING ST SYMEON AND HIS SIGNIFICANCE IN THE
HISTORY AND PRACTISE OF OUR FAITH.
Let us ourselves be Shining as we go together to meet
and to receive - together with the aged St Symeon -
the Light whose Brilliance is Eternal.
Rejoicing with St Symeon, let us sing a Hymn of
Thanksgiving to God, the Father of the Light, Who
sent the True Light to dispel the darkness and to
give us all a share in His Splendour.
Through St Symeon’s eyes we too have “...seen the
Salvation of God,” which He prepared for all the
Nations and revealed as the Glory of the New Israel,
i.e. ourselves [who are the Christian Church.]
As St Symeon was released from the bonds of this life
when he had seen Christ, so we too were at once
freed from our old state of sinfulness.
By Faith we, too embraced, Christ, the Salvation of God
the Father, as He came to us from Bethlehem.
Gentiles before, we have now become the People of
God.
Our eyes have seen God Incarnate, and because we
have seen Him present among us and have
mentally received Him into our arms, we are called
the New Israel.
Never shall we forget this Presence; every year we keep
a Feast in His Honour.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: SERMON ON THE PRESENTATION BY ST SOPHRONIOS OF
JERUSALEM – PREACHERS’ INSTITUTE -
http://preachersinstitute.com/2010/01/28/sermon-on-
the-presentation-y-st-sophronius-of-jerusalem/
Those who do not Love God or family are incapable of
loving anything; and, of course, they do not love
their country either, which after all is but one big
family.
What I’m trying to say is that EVERYTHING STEMS FROM
FAITH IN GOD.
What the Chastity of the Father is in Heaven, the
Virginity of the Mother is on earth.
What the Action of the Holy Spirit is in Heaven, His
Action is on earth.
What the Begetting of Wisdom is in Heaven, the
Begetting of Wisdom is on earth.
O my soul, my Eternal Surprise!
What happened once in Heaven and once on earth
must happen to you.
You must become a Virgin, so that you can Conceive
the Wisdom of God.
You must be a Virgin, so that the Spirit of God may fall
in Love with you.
All the Miracles in Heaven and on earth originate from
the Virgin and the Spirit.
A Virgin gives Birth to Creative Wisdom.
A wanton woman creates barren knowledge.
Only a Virgin can see Truth, while a wanton woman can
only recognize things.
O Triune Lord, cleanse the Vision of my soul, and bow
down Thy Sight over her, so that my soul may
glisten with the Glory of her Lord, so that the
wondrous History of Heaven and earth may be
unsealed in her, so that she may be filled with
Glittering like my lake, when the sun hovers above
it at noon.
2 February 2011 3.
 Abba Benjamin:
As he was dying, Abba Benjamin said to his sons, ‘If you joyful at all times, pray without ceasing and
observe the following, you can be Saved: ‘Be give thanks for all things.”’
Elder Michael of Valaam – On the Major Steps of Spiritual Life
NO ONE SAVES HIMSELF WITHOUT HUMILITY. YET FOR EACH SIN THERE IS REPENTANCE.
Until the end of your life you will be falling into sins, – again and again
SO YOU WHENEVER YOU SIN, YOU MUST REPENT
whether severe or slight: you will get angry, you will be you sin and again and again you must Repent, and so
haughty, you will lie, you will be proud, you will hurt with every sin you commit, YOU MUST REPENT - RIGHT
others, you will be greedy... UNTIL THE VERY END OF YOUR LIFE.
This very realization will keep you in Humility. IF YOU KEEP ON REPENTING WITH ALL SINCERITY AND HUMILITY, YOU
What is there to boast about if every day you sin and you WILL NEVER BE DESPONDENT AND GRADUALLY YOU WILL COME
TO A PEACEFUL STATE.
hurt your close ones?
Elder Michael of Valaam Monastery – On Two Kinds of Silence
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF SILENCE. There are Elders who speak from morning to evening, yet
The first type is “being silent”. remaining constantly in Silence, for THEY DO NOT SAY
This is not bad - at least it doesn’t tempt or hurt others. ANYTHING THAT IS NOT USEFUL TO ANYONE, INCLUDING
But that is not enough. THEMSELVES.
The Desert Fathers said that the Recluse who is sitting in This is the Interior Silence.
his cave and doesn’t see anyone, can be similar to a You should strive to obtain it.
serpent who sits in his hole and is filled with deadly And when you achieve it and STOP JUDGING OTHERS, THEN GET
UP AND THANK THE LORD WHO HAS SHOWN YOU SUCH GREAT
poison. MERCY.
When he remembers offences that were once inflicted Then you are not far from Purity of Heart.
upon him, he gets angry. But know that only the Pure in Heart will be able to see
The second form of Silence is “Interior Silence”. God.
About this our Holy Desert Fathers taught us:
Abba Arsenios
Arsenios – On silence
I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having been silent.
Elder Porphyrios – On Divine Grace
A little effort, of course, is required, butPROFOUND HUMILITY ‘Unless the Lord builds the House, they labour in vain
IS NOT ACQUIRED ONLY BY STRUGGLE AND EXERTION - I T I S A that build it. ‘
GIFT OF GRACE.
CHRIST GRANTS US EVERYTHING.
I say this from my own experience: W H A T I H A V E , I H A V E
BY GRACE.
St Kosmas Aitolos – On Love (Agape)
If you wish to be saved, seek no other thing here in this world as much as Love.
St John of Kronstadt – On the Gifts of God
Remember constantly that t h e L i g h t o f y o u r s o u l , o f y o u r t h o u g h t s , a n d o f y o u r h e a r t c o m e s f r o m
Jesus Christ.
Archimandrite Sophrony
If we would C O N C E N T R A T E O N D I V I N E T R U T H A S S E E N until finally the mind enters the realm of profound
I N C H R I S T , all need for a stream of words disappears, Silence.
St. Gregory of Nyssa
WE SHALL BE BLESSED WITH CLEAR VISION IF WE KEEP OUR EYES A S NO DA RKNES S CA N B E S EEN BY A NYONE S URROUND ED B Y
FIXED ON CHRIST, FOR HE, AS ST PAUL TEACHES, IS OUR HEAD, L I G HT, SO NO TRI VI A L I TI ES CAN C A P TURE THE
AND THERE IS IN HIM NO SHADOW OF EVIL. A TTENTI ON OF A NY ONE W H O HA S HI S EYES ON C HRI S T.
St Paul himself and all who have reached the same Those who keep their focus upon the Head and Origin of
Heights of Sanctity had their eyes fixed on Christ, and the whole Universe has them on VIRTUE IN ALL ITS
so have all who live and move and have their being in PERFECTION; they are FOCUSED ON TRUTH, ON JUSTICE, ON
Him. IMMORTALITY AND ON EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS GOOD, FOR
CHRIST IS GOODNESS ITSELF.

St Makarios – Spiritual Homily 17.2

(Christians) having been Anointed with the Ointment from
the Tree of Life, Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Plant, are
considered worthy to reach the degree of Perfection of
the Kingdom, and of the Adoption.
Indeed, they are PARTICIPATORS OF THE SECRETS OF THE
HEAVENLY KING AND ENJOY THE CONFIDENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY.
They enter into His Palace, where the Angels and Spirits of
the Saints are, even while they are still in this world.
Even though they have not yet entered into the full
Inheritance prepared for them in that Age,
nevertheless, THEY ARE MOST CERTAIN BECAUSE OF THE
An Athonite Gerontikon – The Importance of Hospitality
Many years ago, on Mount Athos, a Hegumen cut out
hospitality from his Monastery.
Archimandrite Sophrony – On Judging Others
What am I after when I judge my Brethren?
AS LONG AS I DO NOT SEE THEM AS THE LORD SEES THEM, ALL MY
JUDGMENTS WILL BE WRONG.
BEGIN RATHER WITH PRAYERS FOR THEM - WITH THE IDEA OF
BEING OBEDIENT, OF NOT JUDGING YOUR BRETHREN .
BEGIN WITH THE DESIRE TO SERVE OTHERS WITH LOVE , like
St Silouan, who, on Feast Days, was grateful to be
allowed to serve hundreds of Monks in the Refectory.
PLEDGE, WHICH THEY HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED (THE
ANOINTING), AS IF ALREADY CROWNED AND REIGNING.
Nor are they surprised, as though it were a strange and
new thing, that they are about to Reign with Christ,
because of the abundance of Grace and their childlike
abandonment to the Spirit.
Why?
Because WHILE STILL IN THE FLESH, THEY ENJOYED THAT RELISH
OF SWEETNESS AND THAT EFFECTIVE WORKING OF POWER.
It is said that very night - all night long - the ants were
busy removing the entire supply of the Monastery's
wheat from the storage room to the sea!
He was so happy to see how much Christ Loved those
people, those Children of God – HE SERVED THEM WITH
MUCH LOVE.
EVERYDA Y TASKS , ACCOMPLISHED IN SUCH A SPIRIT, CAN
BECOME AN EXTREMEL Y PLEASANT SPIRITUAL FOOD.
Because of such AN ATTITUDE OF SERVICE, in the evening your
heart will be very tender, and YOU WILL WEEP B EFORE
GOD OVER YOUR OWN DEFEC TS, YOUR OWN LACK OF
LOVE.

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 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 H oly Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Ame n.
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mari a, Theotokos, yet
Ever Virgi n, toge the r with all the Saints. And le t us commi t ourselves and one ano the r and our whole
Life to C hrist o ur Go d. Ame n.

Afterfeast of the Presentation Tone 4 6 F e br u ar y 20 11

S u nd a y o f t he C a na an it e W o ma n

The Feast of St Boukolos of Smyrna (former Disciple of St John the Divine

Apostle & Theologian & First Bishop of Smyrna) – St Photios of
Constantinople – St Barsanuphios the Great & St John, his Disciple - St
Dorothea, St Christina, St Caliista & St Theophilos, Holy Martyrs of
Caesarea, Cappadocia – St Julian of Emesa – St Fausta, St Evilasios & St
Maximos, Holy Martyrs of Cyzicus (Mezium) – St Mary, St Martha & St
Lykarion, Holy Martyrs of Asia Minor – St Arsenios of Iqualto, Georgia – St Amand, Abbot of
Maastricht Monastery
Apolytikion 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, and
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather,
elegon: Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
Theos, doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos! more: Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world
Great Mercy!
Apolytikion Of The Presentation Of Christ: Tone 1:
Here Keharitomeni Theotoke Parthene; ek sou gar Rejoice, O Full of Grace, Virgin Theotokos, because
anetilen O Illios tis dikeosinis, Hristo O Theos imon, from Thee has risen the Only Sun of Justice: Christ
fotizon tous en skoti. Efrenou ke si Presvita dikee, our God, lighting those in darkness. Rejoice as well,
dexamenos en Angales ton eleftherotin ton psihon O Elder Righteous, having held in thine arms the
imon, harisomenon imin ke tin Anastasin. Liberator of our souls, Who grants also Resurrection
unto us.
Kontakion Of The Presentation Of Christ - - Tone 1
O Mitran Parthenikin Agiasas to toko Sou, ke hiras tou Thy Birth Sanctified a Virgin’s Womb and properly
Symeon evlogisas os eprepe, profthasas ke nin Blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come
esosas imas Hriste O Theos. All’ irinefson en polemis and Saved us O Christ, our God, give peace to Thy
to politevma, ke krateoson Vasilis ous igapisas, O Commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen
monos filanthropos those in authority, whom Thou Love, as the Only
Lover of mankind.
R e s urre c t i on G os p e l 4 : Luke 24 : 1 – 12 – T h e H o l y M y r r h b e a r e r s find our Risen Lord’s Tomb Empty

P r o ke i me n on :
Arise, O Lord, and help us! Deliver us for Thy Name's sake!
We have heard with our ears, O God, and our Fathers have told us.
T h e Se co nd Ep is tle o f St P a ul to t he Co r in t h i an s 6 : 1 6 – 7 : 1
The Spiritual Perspective of the New Covenant Holiness Code
Brethren: What agreement has the Temple of God with idols? For you are the Temple of the Living God.
As God has said: “I will dwell in them, and walk in them. I will be their God, and they shall be My People.”
Therefore: “‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I
will receive you.’
‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My Sons and Daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
So, having these Promises, Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting Holiness
in the Fear of God.
This section of St Paul’s Epistle to the Christians of When we really Love God or our fellow sinners, we
Corinth is an example of THE HOLINESS CODE OF THE make every effort to please them and not to
SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE OF OUR NEW COVENANT WITH GOD. disappoint them in any manner.
We are clearly and consistently taught that LOVE OF GOD Consequently, OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS G OD AND
AND HIS HOL Y CHURC H REQUIRES US TO SPURN – TO EVERYTHING HOLY EXP OSES THE DEP TH OF OUR
REJEC T – ALL I MMORALITY AND FALSE BELIEFS AND FAITH, PIETY AND LOVE .
HERETICAL TEACHINGS .
Whenever we fall into a state of sin – a state of Spiritual
We must devote ourselves entirely to “perfecting
Death – we fall away from God and His Goodness,
Holiness in the Fear of God.”
but THE INSTANT WE REALISE OUR ERRORS AND
In other words, WE SHOULD BE COMPELLED - BY OUR UTTER CORRECT THEM THROUGH AB JECT REPENTANCE-
LOVE OF GOD AND OUT OF OUR DEEPEST RESPECT FOR HIM – CONFESSION, W E ARE MOST JOYFULLY RETURNED TO
TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO IMPROVE OURSELVES THROUGH A SPIRITUAL LIFE AND GOD’S DI VINE PRESENCE.
CONSTANT SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS over our own sins, GOD NEVER REJEC TS US yet WE EXC OMMUNICATE
weaknesses and bad habits so that BY THE GRACE OURSEL VES through our own choice of words,
OF G OD AND THROUGH A CONCERTED SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE
AND UNCEASING REPENTANCE, WE OVERCOME AND CORRECT
thoughts and deeds.
THESE PERSONAL FLAWS OR INCLINATIONS. God’s Love is so immense – HE HAS MADE EVERY
PROVISION FOR OUR RETURN TO DIVINE GRACE and it
is simply our decision as to which route we take –

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 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 Someone 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 CANNOT DEFILE OUR SACRED
TEMPLES IN ANY IMMORAL OR DESTRUCTIVE WAY.
Our bodies are “rented” from God to accommodate our
immortal souls, 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 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 Zone. We are entrenched in habitual
patterns of sin.
Often a terrible Spiritual Darkness becomes imprinted
on our souls and bodies so that even our free will is
T h e H ol y G os p e l Acc o rd i ng t o S t Ma t t he w 1 5 : 2 1 - 28
The Great Faith of the Canaanite Woman
At that time, our Lord Jesus departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold: a woman of Canaan came from that
region and cried out to Him: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon
possessed!”
Yet with not a word did He answer her. So His Disciples went to urge Him, saying: “Send her away, for she cries out
after us!” And He said to them: “I was not sent, except to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.”
Then she went and worshipped Him, saying: “Lord, help me!” And He replied: “It is not good to take the Children’s
Bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said: “Yes, Lord; yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall
from their Master’s Table.”
And Jesus said to her: “O Woman! Great is your Faith! Let it be to you as you desire!”
And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
St Matthew’s account of our Lord’s Compassionate
Ministry to the Gentile Canaanite Woman illustrates
the Hebrew orientation of his Holy Gospel.
This particular incident is also mention by St Mark in his
Holy Gospel. (Mark 7: 24 – 30)
However, there are two major differences:
➤ St Matthew noted our Lord’s words concerning
the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel,”
while St Mark omitted them.
➤ St Matthew mentions the fact that the Canaanite
Woman addressed Christ by using the
Hebrew term for the Messiah – “Son of
David” – which, again, St Mark did not.
Our Lord Jesus Christ went to the Gentile cities of Tyre
and Sidon in order to withdraw from the faithless,
and no doubt, frustrating, self-righteous Pharisees,
rather than to preach His Divine Truth to them,
which St Mark confirmed in his Gospel account –
our Lord “...wanted no one to know...” that He was
there.
In this Sacred Lesson, it is again evident from the words
of our Lord when He stated: “I was not sent,
except to the Lost Sheep of the House of
Israel.”
The Canaanite Woman revealed her immeasurable Love
for her daughter when she appealed so persistently
and loudly to our Saviour: “Have mercy on me...”
SHE REGARDED THE WELFARE OF HER DAUGHTER AS IMPORTANT
AS HER OWN AND SHE IDENTIFIED WITH HER CHILD’S
SUFFERINGS AS THOUGH IT WERE HER OWN TERRIBLE
BURDEN AND PAIN.
When Christ refused to respond to her pleas, He did so
not only because she was a Gentile and His Divine
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, which is Promised to us by
Almighty God - Who always awaits our return from
Spiritual Exile with great Joy.
✽ OUR CONSTANT SPIRITUAL CLEANSING INCLUDES A GENUINE
SORROW FOR PERSONAL SINS AND A
DETERMINA TION TO I MMEDIATEL Y 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 SACRAMENTS AND
SERVICES.
However, if we think all these things are too difficult for
us to do, WE CAN REST ASSURED IN THE KNOWL EDGE
THAT W HATEVER FOR US IS DIFFICULT OR
IMPOSSIBLE, GOD THE HOL Y SPIRIT MA KES P OSSIBLE.
✽ OUR DIVINE COMFORTER AND ADVOCATE CLEANSES
US FROM EVERY S TAIN AND HEALS OUR
INFIRMI TIES – BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL –
AND HE EMPOW ERS US TO LIVE THIS WONDERFUL
LIFE OF PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR STEADY
AND QUIC K REPENTANCE FROM SINS.
Ministry before His Great Passion was initially for the
Hebrew Nation alone, but also IN ORDER TO REVEAL
AND EXPOSE THE DEPTH OF HER PROFOUND FAITH
AND AGAPE – that pure Love that is beyond simple
human love.
Several of our Holy Church Fathers regard the Disciples’
request to “... send her away...” as an attempt to
persuade Christ to heal the demon-possessed
daughter – as if saying to Him: “Give her what she
wants so that she will leave us alone.”
The response of our Lord to their request indicates that
this interpretation is correct, for He continued to
ignore the desperate mother.
FINALLY, HAVING EVOKED THE CANAANITE WOMAN’S LOVE AND
UNRELENTING FAITH, CHRIST REVEALED HER TRUE HUMILITY
for she accepted her less important position to that
of the Hebrews, knowing them to be the Chosen
People of God, YET SHE STILL DESIRED A TINY SHARE OF
GOD’S DIVINE GRACE – a little crumb from the Master’s
Table!
OUR LORD JESUS’ HESITATION AND APPARENT LACK OF INTEREST
WAS DEFINITELY NOT A LACK OF HIS LOVE OR DIVINE
COMPASSION.
RATHER, IT WAS A CONSCIOUS MEANS OF REVEALING THE
WONDERFUL VIRTUES OF THIS DEVOTED MOTHER TO HIS
DISCIPLES AS WELL AS FOR HER OWN SAKE.
Her ultimate acceptance by Christ also points to the
gathering of the Gentiles into His Holy Church after
the Glorious Day of Pentecost and the Descent of
the Holy Spirit.
ALL GENTILES – NON HEBREWS – ARE NO LONGER REGARDED AS
“LITTLE DOGS” BUT AS THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD AND
CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST TO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD.
AS THE NEW ISRAEL THEY ARE ALL INVITED TO GOD’S GREAT
BANQUET TO PARTAKE OF THE BREAD OF ETERNAL LIFE.

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 H u m i l it y & t he Ca n aan i t e W o m a n
We often suffer or experience – either directly or
indirectly the injustices of this fallen world - whether
due to the circumstances of our own lives or due to
the actions of other people.
So many things can make us painfully miserable: we
get sick; we become destitute and desperate; we
lose those who are dear to us or things that are
precious to us; we are persecuted by those who
hate us and those who speak poorly about us – who
Spiritually Murder us ... the list seems endless!
And, at times, it may seem that even God Himself has
abandoned us because of our agonizing loss or
pain.
In today’s Sacred Lesson, we hear a wonderful and yet
unusual account of a woman from Canaan, who
represented all those who - although not one of
God’s Chosen People - sought the Mercy of Christ
our Lord and Saviour.
She explained the terrible circumstances of her beloved
daughter who was so cruelly possessed by a demon
- the tragedy of a horrific plight that can only be
fully understood by those who have actually
experienced such a hideous situation!
Yet having heard her sad story, our Lord “...with not a
word did He answer her!”
How many times has this happened to us when we
turned to God and begged Him for His Help?
And having laid the burden of our sorrow, difficulty,
loss, or injustice before Him, He responded “...
with NOT A WORD!”
✽ GOD OFTEN RESPONDS TO US WITH HIS SILENCE.
➤ IT IS A RESPONSE THAT MUST ELICIT A PARTICULAR AND
from us if we desire to
ESSENTIAL REACTION
continue our intimate, personal
communication with God:
➤ HUMILITY AND PATIENT PERSEVERANCE.
✽ GOD ALLOWS US A PERIOD OF ANXIOUSLY WAITING SO AS TO
REVEAL TO OURSELVES (AND OTHERS) OUR REACTIONS
WHEN CONFRONTED BY DIFFICULTIES OR “STUMBLING
BLOCKS” ALONG OUR PATH OF LIFE, FOR IT IS ONLY IN
ADVERSITY THAT VIRTUE WI LL BE MADE
MANIFES T .
God Loves us infinitely and because of this Love He
makes us wait.
WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF INSTANT SELF-GRATIFICATION – a
push-button, internet buying, fast paced consumer
society - WHICH HAS CONDITIONED US WITH
UNREASONABLE EXPECTATIONS.
✽ However, as our Lord reminds us: “My Ways are
not your ways and My Thoughts are not
your thoughts!” (Isaiah 55.)
The Way to God - if we really wish to know Him - is
through Humility and Obedience – (i.e. ON BENDED KNEES IN
A STATE OF ABJECT HUMILITY, PRAYER AND WORSHIP BEFORE THE MAJESTY OF
GOD.)
The word “Canaanite” literally means “Humility.”
After experiencing the Silence of our Lord, this
“Canaanite Woman,” or “Woman of Humility,”
persevered – SHE PERSISTED IN HER QUEST FOR DIVINE
MERCY FOR HER PERSECUTED, SUFFERING CHILD.
SHE EPITOMISED THE HUMBLE IMAGE OF FAITH AND CONSTANCY,
yet she was rebuked by Christ when He remarked:
“It is not good to take the Children’s Bread
and throw it to the little dogs.”
With all due respect for Christ, she was compelled to
quietly respond to His Words: “Yes, Lord; yet even
the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their
Master’s Table.”
This dialogue may seem very strange to us and it might
arouse a sense of embarrassment, disappointment
or even annoyance within us.
✽ Nevertheless, A PROFOUND SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE IS
REVEALED to us for THE CANA ANITE WOMAN’S
TYP E OF HUMILITY IS A DIVINE VI RTUE!
St Silouan teaches us that “...True Humility is the
Light in which we behold the Unapproachable
Light, Who is God.”
➤ Just like Life itself, HUMILITY CAN ONLY BE GAINED
FROM OUTSIDE OURSELVES (USUALLY THROUGH
SOME KIND OF DISHONOUR, HUMILIATION OR
PERSECUTION.)
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Whatever we may encounter in life, if we can humbly
MEET IT WITH A CERTAINTY THAT GOD LOVES US, THAT GOD
WILLS OUR SALVATION AND THAT HE IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL
OF EVERYTHING (EVEN THE BAD STUFF) THEN WE WILL BE
ABLE TO RECEIVE THAT PRECIOUS DIVINE GIFT OF HUMILITY
THAT ENABLES US TO HAVE OUR PRAYERS ANSWERED BY GOD
(LIKE THE CANAANITE WOMAN.)
✽ TRUE HUMILITY MA KES US EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG
WITH HIS STRENGTH, AND LEADS US TO HIS ETERNAL
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
When the Canaanite Woman bowed her head in
Humility at Christ’s stunning and incredible Rebuke,
He pronounced her as Blessed: “O Woman! Great
is your Faith! Let it be to you as you desire!”
CHRIST LOVED HER ENOUG H TO TEST HER, TO HUMBLE
HER, TO MAKE HER SEE HER OWN INADEQUACY IN
DEALING WITH THE ISSUE AT HAND. (HE KNEW THE EXACT
DEPTH AND SIGNIFICANCE OF HER UNWAVERING HUMILITY AND FAITH.)
WHEN WE ARE CRUSHED and it seems that sorrow after
sorrow or one difficulty after another threatens to
overwhelm us, WE MUST PERSEVERE IN OUR HUMBLE
DIALOGUE WITH OUR LORD.
✽ It is ONLY THROUGH MEEK ACCEPTANCE OF OUR
CIRCUMSTANCES AND A WILLINGNESS TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS
HAPPENED TO US – the cause of so many
misfortunes and sorrows – THAT GOD GRANTS US
HIS DIVINE STRENGTH to resolve, endure and
overcome them, AND BY THE GRACE OF HIS
GREAT MERC Y, TO MAKE GOOD SPIRITUAL
PROGRESS THROUG H THEM.
✽ WE MUST NEVER DESPAIR FOR GOD WILL NEVER ABANDON OR
DESERT US. He is infinitely Compassionate due to His
unlimited Love for us.
THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE IS OPPOSITE OF THAT OF THE FALLEN,
DISILLUSIONED AND WEARY WORLD.
✽ St Paul constantly reminds us that THOSE WHOM THE
LORD OUR GOD LOVES, HE ALSO CHASTENS – HE ALLOWS
US TO STRUGGLE AT TIMES IN ORDER FOR US TO GAIN A
GREATER SELF-AWARENESS AND THROUGH A HUMBLED
SPIRIT, TO DRAW CLOSER TO HIM.
✽ Only through our humbling experiences do WE
REGAIN MORE OF OUR LIKENESS TO CHRIST Who is
the ultimate Icon of True Humility.
✽ Furthermore WE DEVELOP COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR
OUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS WHO SUFFER SIMILAR
TRIALS.
✽ There are THREE DIVINE TRUTHS we can always be
certain of:
➤GOD LOVES US AND HE WILLS OUR SALVATION, ALWAYS
GRANTING IN OUR LIFE THOSE THINGS THAT BRING
US CLOSER TO HIM AND TO SALVATION.
➤ INJUSTICES – [ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE HUMAN FACTOR] - WILL
CERTAINLY OCCUR CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT
THIS LIFE
➤ OUR GRACIOUS LORD WILL OFTEN SPEAK “THE GREAT
LANGUAGE OF SILENCE” TO US, UNTIL WE RESPOND
TRUTHFULLY AND HUMBLY, REPENTING AND
CONFESSING OUR OWN ERRORS OR SINS.
However, AS LONG AS WE BOW OUR HEADS, AND PERSEVERE IN
THE MIDST OF DISHONOUR AND ANGUISH - unwaveringly
confident in the Love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Saviour – WE WILL BE FILLED WITH HOPE,
which gives us courage whenever we are confronted
by adversity!
✽ Indeed, WE POSSESS HOPE WHEN, IN THE MIDST OF
AFFLICTION AND SORROW, WE ARE ABLE TO REJECT
PRIDE AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT BY
CONFRONTING IT, ACKNOWLEDGING OUR SINFUL
CONTRIBUTION AND BESEECHING FORGIVENESS FROM
GOD AND FROM OUR FELLOW SINNERS – EVEN IF WE ARE
NOT AT FAULT!
✽ Blaming others is the way of the fallen world, but
TAKING THE BLAME UPON OURSELVES IS THE WAY OF
CHRIST THAT LEADS US TO ETERNAL LIFE.
Indeed, THERE ARE NO GREATER NOR MORE POWERFUL WORDS
THAT EMBODY THE UNFATHOMABLE DEPTHS OF HUMILITY
THAN: “Please forgive me.”
Let us LEARN FROM CHRIST Who is our most Perfect
Example of TRUE MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY so that we
can find rest.
Let us BOW our head upon our own personal Cross and
COMMIT OUR SOULS TO GOD’S WILL AND CARE so that we
may certainly EXPERIENCE OUR GLORIOUS RESURRECTION
now - today! - and in the Age to come.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “SERMON ON THE CANAANITE WOMAN” ST TIKHON
MONASTERY:
http://sttikhonsmonastery.org/files/Sermon-Canaanite-woman.pdf
7.
 P re p a r in g O ur s e lv e s f or t he D i vi ne L i t ur g y
✽ INTENTION IS AT THE VERY HEART
WORSHIP.
In order for our Divine Liturgy to be what it should be,
WE MUST RECOGNISE AND POSSESS
INTENTIONS.
We attend the Divine Liturgy in order to Worship the
Lord our God – in order to perform a Sacred Act
and to make an acceptable offering of Praise to our
Lord.
We know, however, that GOD HIMSELF DOES NOT “NEED”
ANYTHING FROM US. He does not need our voices, our
gifts, or our Prayers, for HE LACKS ABSOLUTELY
NOTHING.
✽ WORSHIP EXISTS AS A SUPREME GIFT FROM GOD TO US.
Worship is provided by God so that we can have A MEANS
OF DEMONSTRATING AND EXPRESSING OUR THANKSGIVING
AND SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR ALL HIS ABUNDANT
BLESSINGS.
THE DIVINE LITURGY ITSELF IS AN EXPRESSION OF GREAT DIVINE
CONDESCENSION THAT ALLOWS AN IMMEDIATE AND INTIMATE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US MORTALS AND ALMIGHTY GOD.
Our Divine Liturgy is acceptable and pleasing to our
Lord God in as much as it is an expression of the
intentions of our heart to demonstrate our
Thanksgiving and Gratitude.
The Worship of Cain and Abel:
There is no better Scriptural example of the utter
importance of our intentions in Worship than the
story of Cain and Abel, who were the first people to
be born and live outside Paradise after the Fall.
THE BIRTHS OF THE TWO BROTHERS were great consolation
to Eve for they SIGNIFIED A HOPE THAT DEATH WOULD NOT
REIGN SUPREME.
It is interesting that THE FIRST RECORDED ACT OF CAIN AND
ABEL WAS THAT OF OFFERING WORSHIP TO GOD:
“...in the process of time Cain took an Offering to
the Lord of the fruits of the ground.
“And Abel also took the firstborn of his flock and
of their fat.
“And the Lord respected Abel and his Offering;
but He did not respect Cain and his Offering.
So Cain was extremely sorrowful...” (GENESIS 4:3–5)
From this passage several aspects are evident.
✽ THE FIRST ESSENTIAL TASK OF HUMAN BEINGS, as
recorded in Holy Scripture, IS TO WORSHIP GOD.
No one instructed or taught either Cain or Able to make
such Offerings to God.
➤ Thus it may be concluded that WORSHIP OF GOD IS
DEEPLY IMPLANTED IN THE CONSCIENCE OF EVERY
HUMAN BEING.
➤ To Worship God is THE ULTIMATE ACT OF BEING
HUMAN FOR ONLY HUMAN BEINGS WORSHIP.
➤ FAILING TO WORSHIP GOD IS TO BE LESS THAN HUMAN!
Both Cain and Abel consecrated in Worship Offerings
from their own possessions – from their unique
vocation: Cain offered “fruits of the earth” because
he was a tiller of the earth, while Abel offered the
firstborn of his livestock because he was a keeper of
flocks.
✽ THERE WAS NO GREAT SEPARATION BETWEEN THEIR EARTHLY
VOCATION AND LABOUR, AND THEIR WORSHIP OF GOD.
Their occupations were not detached from their Faith
and so EACH VOCATION WAS CONSECRATED BY BEING
ATTACHED TO THE WORSHIP OF GOD.
We, too, must ALWAYS MAINTAIN THIS VITAL CONNECTION
BETWEEN OUR WORK, OUR VOCATION OR OCCUPATION AND
OUR WORSHIP OF GOD, BECAUSE SUCH WORSHIP IS THE
SUPREME WORK OF GOD’S FAITHFUL PEOPLE.
OUR SUPREME WORK SANCTIFIES OUR LESSER WORK,
do throughout the week.
At the point of death, Abba Chomas
instructed his sons:
“Do not dwell with heretics, and do
not have anything to do with
rulers, then your hands will not
be opened to gather together, but
open to give.”
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Our Intentions for Worship of God
OF DIVI NE
The Difference Between the Two Offerings
THE CORRECT Some Holy Fathers have suggested that the reason for
God’s displeasure with Cain’s Offering was because
it was a Bloodless Offering.
Cain had offered the harvest of the earth while Abel had
offered the firstborn of his flocks, which
foreshadowed Christ’s shedding of His Precious
Blood as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin
of the world.
This is a beautiful concept, but it is not the point of the
text.
✽ There were numerous bloodless Offerings made to
God that were recorded in the Old Testament
but THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETW EEN THE
TWO BROTHERS ’ OFFERINGS CONCERNED THEIR
RESPECTIVE INTENTIONS .
➤ CAIN OFFERED GOD WHATEVER WAS AT HAND AT THE
TIME, WHICH WAS EASILY AND QUICKLY HARVESTED.
➤ ABEL OFFERED HIS VERY BEST - his most prized
firstborn of his flocks – thereby expressing
his inner intention – EXPRESSING HIS DEEP LOVE
OF GOD AND HOW MUCH HE VALUED THE
OPPORTUNITY TO WORSHIP HIM - OFFERING HIM
THE VERY BEST OF WHAT HE HAD BEEN BLESSED
WITH BY GOD - and WHILE BEING AS UNWORTHY
AS HE KNEW HIMSELF TO BE!
➤ Abel clearly revealed HIS EAGERNESS AND ZEAL FOR
GOD by the quality of his Offerings – an
indication of his FERVENT, SINCERE GRATITUDE.
➤ CAIN WAS SLOTHFUL AND INDIFFERENT TO GOD AND ALL
HIS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.
➤ HE DID NOT CONSIDER WORSHIP OF GOD AS AN
INCREDIBLE AND BENEFICIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR
THANKSGIVING FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS OF WHICH
HE WAS SO UNWORTHY.
➤ HIS OFFERING WAS AN EMPTY GESTURE that was made
without consideration, gratitude or care.
✽ IF OUR OW N PARTICIPATION IN THE DI VINE LITURGY
IS TO B E ACCEPTABLE TO OUR L ORD GOD, I T TOO
MUST COME FROM THE P UREST OF INTENTIONS OF
HEART AND SOUL .
➤ We must BE LIKE ABEL and not like Cain in this
respect.
➤ OUR OFFERINGS on Sundays and Feast Days MUST
CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE AND EXPRESS OUR PURE
INTENTIONS.
➤ We must AVOID CAIN’S CASUAL ATTITUDE towards
God and HIS TOTAL LACK OF AWE, HUMILITY AND
SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR GOD’S GREAT MERCY.
➤ OUR VARIOUS OFFERINGS of time, attitude and
intention must be THE EXPRESSION OF SINCERE
GRATITUDE AND A SENSE OF BEING OVERWHELMED
by the Gracious Gifts God continuously
bestows upon us, especially by allowing us
to draw so near to Him even though we are
all unworthy!
➤ WE ALL NEED TO EXAMINE OURSELVES BY THIS
MEASURE.
✽ IS THE OFFERING OF OUR PRESENCE – THE TIME WE ARRIVE
AND THE INTENSITY WITH WHICH WE FOCUS ON OUR
WORSHIP OF GOD – AN EXPRESSION OF OUR PURE
INTENTIONS??
➤ DOES OUR OFFERING OF HYMNS, PRAYERS AND GIFTS
EXPRESS SUCH PURE INTENTIONS AND CLEARLY
DEMONSTRATE OUR INNER GRATITUDE AND
APPRECIATION?
➤ OR DO WE WORSHIP GOD WITH EMPTY, THOUGHTLESS
GESTURES AND CASUAL, FLIPPANT ATTITUDE?
May our Loving Lord God grant us sincerity of heart
which we such as that of our Forefather, the Righteous St
Abel, thereby making our Offering acceptable in His
Divine sight, and so number us with him in God’s
Eternal Kingdom of Heaven.
Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “PREPARING YOURSELF FOR LITURGY: WHAT IS YOUR
INTENTION?” BY FATHER JOSIAH TRENHAM, ST ANDREW ORTHODOX CHURCH,
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, USA.
http://saintandrew.net/fr_josiah/works/Preparing-for-Holy-
Liturgy/Intention_is_Everything.pdf
The Mysteries of our Faith are unknown and
not understandable to those who are not
Repenting. ARCHPRIEST NICHOLAS DEPUTATOV
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the So n, and to the Holy Spirit, now and foreve r, and unto
the Ages of ages. Amen.
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgi n,
together with all the Sai nts. And let us commit ourselves and one ano ther and our w hole Life to Chris t our God.
Amen.

8 F e br u ar y 20 11
S t T he od or os t he S tr a te l a te s ( t he C o m m an d e r) & Gre a t Ma r t yr
Also the Feast of St Zacharah the Sickle-Seer, Holy Prophet of God – St Savva II of Serbia –
St Nicephoros & St Stephanos

Apolytikion of St Theodore the Stratelates (General)

Stratologia Alithi Athlofore, tou Ouraniou Stratigos Enlisted in Truth with the King of the Heavenly Hosts,
Vasileos, perkallis gegenise Theodore; oplis gar tis Thou became for Him a Noble Commander, O
Pisteos, paretxo emfronos, ke kateholothrefsas ton Trophy-Bearer and Great Martyr Theodore. With the
demonon ta stifi, ke nikiforos ofthis Athlitits; othen Armour of Faith Thou armed Thyself wisely and utterly
se Pisti, e Makarizomen. destroyed the hordes of demons, as a triumphant
Athlete of our Lord. Wherefore we faithfully call Thee
Blessed.
Kontakion Of The Kontakion Of The Presentation Of Christ - - Tone 1
O Mitran Parthenikin Agiasas to toko Sou, ke hiras tou Thy Birth Sanctified a Virgin’s Womb and properly
Symeon Evlogisas os eprepe, profthasas ke nin Blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come
esosas imas Hriste O Theos. All’ irinefson en polemis and Saved us O Christ, our God, grant Peace to Thy
to politevma, ke krateoson Vasilis ous igapisas, O Commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen
Monos Filanthropos those in authority, whom Thou Love, as the Only
Lover of mankind.
Kontakion of St Theodore Stratelates
Andria psihis, tin Pistin oplisamenos, ke rima Theou, os With courage of soul, and armed with Faith, Thou took
loghin hirisamenos, ton ehthron katetrosas, ton in hand the Word of god as though a spear and put
Martiron kleos Theodore. Sin aftis Hristo to Theo, Thy foe to flight, O Thou Great Boast of Martyrs,
Presvevon mi pavsi iper panton imon. Theodore. Now, together with the, O Saint, do not
cease entreating Christ our God for all of us.
T h e F irs t B oo k o f St Pe te r 3 : 1 0 – 2 2
Suffering for Righteousness
Brethren: “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from
speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek Peace and pursue it. For the
Sight of the Lord is on the Righteous, and His Hearing is open to their Prayers; but the Sight of the Lord
is against those who do evil.”
And who are they who will harm you if you become Followers of what is Good? Yet even if you should suffer for
Righteousness’ sake, you are Blessed.
“And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
And Sanctify the Lord God in your heart, and always be ready to defend Him with meekness and fear before everyone who
asks you for a reason for the Hope that is within you, having a good conscience, that when they defame you as
evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better – if it is the Will of God – to
suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered once for sins – the Just for the unjust – so that He might bring us to God, being put to death in
the Flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by Whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly
were disobedient, when once the Divine Longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared,
in which a few – that is, eight souls – were Saved through water.
There is also an antitype that now Saves us – Baptism (not he removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience towards God), through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who has gone into heaven and Who is at the
right hand of God, Angels and Authorities and Powers having been made subject to Him.
✽ OUR BEHAVIOUR NOW, TODA Y, HAS CONSEQUENCES Our Lord Jesus Christ taught that same Golden, Divine
FOR THE FUTURE – FOR ETERNI TY. Rule in the positive form because IT IS THE
The Holy Church of Christ, as a corporate Priesthood NECESSARY ACTION THA T BEG INS TO DRAW US
expresses God’s Graciousness to the entire world. CLOSER TO AL MIGHTY GOD.
✽ AS WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED, S O MUST WE BL ESS Furthermore, the Golden Rule is A MINIMUM OF
OTHERS. CHRISTIAN VIRTUE , because it places our desire for
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, goodness – “... the natural law of self-love...” as a A
do also to them, for this is the Law and the BASIC STANDARD OF HOW TO TREAT ONE ANOTHER . (ST
Prophets.” MATTHEW 7:12 CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA)
➤ THIS GOLDEN RULE FUL FILS THE DEMANDS OF Consequently, the Golden Rule of treating others as
THE OLD C OVENANT LAW AND THE DI VINELY well as God treats us is THE VERY BEGINNING OF OUR
INSPIRED TEACHINGS AND P ROPHECIES OF JOURNEY TOWARDS THEOSIS – SPI RITUAL PERFEC TION
THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD. – THE RESTORATION OF OUR LI KENESS TO GOD.
➤ It is also A PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE ✽ SPIRITUAL PERFECTION OR THEOSIS IS ACHIEVED
COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE’S NEIGHB OUR ONLY THROUG H GOD’S GREAT MERCY AND
AS MUCH AS WE LOVE OURS ELVES AND CERTAINLY NOT DUE TO OUR PERS ONAL DESIRE.
ESPECIALLY AS MUCH AS G OD L OVES US! As the Royal and Holy Priesthood follows Christ our
➤ It is A FIRST S TEP IN OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH . Lord in His Obedience and His Mercifulness, so it
The negative form of this Golden Rule –“Do not do to follows Him in His great Suffering as well.
others what you do not want them to do to “... Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and
you!” – was well known in Judaism. always be ready...” is a great challenge to all

(DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) St Theodore the Great Commander & Holy Martyr 8 February 2011 9.
 Faithful Christians – Clergy and laity alike – to Then, having defeated Death and having set the
answer when questioned about our Hope in Christ Righteous souls free, Christ sent them to rest in
“... with meekness and fear.” Paradise together with the Repentant Thief who had
✽ Not all our suffering is due to our having been been the first to enter the re-opened Paradise,
Righteous – since ALL GOODNESS IS ONLY without entering Hades first.
ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD WHO CLEARLY AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, W E ONLY HAVE
KNOWS THE FULL EXTENT OF EVERYTHING. THIS LIFETIME IN WHICH TO CORRECT OUR ERRORS
As Noah had preached Righteousness to the ungodly, AND TRULY REPENT OUR SINS.
AFTER DEA TH, THERE WILL BE NO CHANCE TO RETURN TO
had suffered unjustly for his Faith in God and had DIVINE G RACE THROUGH REPENTANCE, IF W E ARE
rescued those who were with him, so also did EXILED AND ALIENATED THROUGH OUR UNREPENTED
Christ. SINS!
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DESCENDED IN HIS HUMAN NATURE As our Lord fearlessly faced His tormentors – Death and
INTO HADES – TO THOSE IN DARKNESS AND DEATH – “.THE Hades – SO THROUGH HIM, CAN WE CONFIDENTLY FACE
SPIRITS IN PRISON...” SO THAT HIS DIVINE LIGHT MIGHT MOCKERS AND TORMENTORS AND BRING HIS DIVINE LIGHT
SHINE UPON THEM AND DELIVER THEM FROM THE SHACKLES TO THEM AS WELL.
OF DEATH AND SIN.
The Great Flood is an Old Testament Mystery of
Before our Lord’s “Harrowing of Hades,” all souls – the
Salvation of the human race.
Righteous and the ungodly were imprisoned in
St Noah was Saved from a godless society – not so
Hades but separated.
much saved FROM the water as THROUGH the
This we learnt from Christ’s account of the Rich Man
water, from evil, for THROUGH THE WATER OF HOLY
and Poor Lazaros. BAPTISM OUR RESURRECTED CHRIST, HAVING TAKEN HIS
When our Lord entered the dark confines of Hades, RIGHTFUL POSITION IN HEAVEN, GRANTS US A CLEAN
bringing His Glorious, Divine Light to the dead, it CONSCIENCE.
was the only time after death that souls had an
opportunity to Repent their sins and beseech God’s
Forgiveness.
T h e H ol y G os p e l Acc o rd i ng t o S t Ma r k 12 : 18 – 27
Our Lord Jesus Christ Explains Resurrection from the Dead
At that time, certain Sadducees, who believed that there is no Resurrection, went to Jesus; and they said to Him:
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his
brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.
“Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. And the second brother took
her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. So the seven brothers had her and left no
offspring. Finally the woman also died.
“Therefore, in the Resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven brothers had her as wife.”
Jesus answered them: “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the Power
of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like
Angels in Heaven. And concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in
the Burning Bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying: ‘I Am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,
and the God of Jacob.’? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the Living. You are therefore
greatly mistaken.”
The Sadducees represented landowners and other The Sadducees believed that the Resurrection would
wealthy families in Jerusalem. merely be a continuation of earthly life – including
They held many high offices in Israel, controlling the earthly marriage – and thus mocked such a doctrine
Temple and the Sanhedrin. with the absurd scenario of one wife and seven
They differed from the Pharisees in that they were brothers/husbands.
politically prudent and adapted to the presence of However, they were completely ignorant of the Holy
the Romans. Scriptures, which reveals A COMPLETE
The Sadducees interpreted the Mosaic Law even more TRANSFIGURA TION OF LIFE IN THE RESURRECTION ,
rigidly than the Pharisees and, unlike them, rejected making such earthly assumption irrelevant.
belief in Angels and in the Resurrection of the dead Furthermore, they failed to understand how Abraham
at the end of the Age. and his sons could be alive in God even if they were
The Sadducees completely disappeared after the physically dead.
destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in the year ✽ CHRIST TAUGHT US VERY CLEARLY AND PRECISELY
70. THAT THE SOULS OF THE FAITHFUL WHO HAVE
Christ – God Incarnate – confirmed that there will be a DEPARTED THIS LIFE ARE SUSTAINED BEFORE
General Resurrection of all mankind, but not of the THE SIGHT OF GOD IN ANTICIPATION OF THE
FINAL JOY OF THE RESURRECTION.
sort that the Sadducees imagined.
S t T he od ore S t ra te la te s – t he Ge ne r al & G re a t M ar t y r
St Theodore Stratelates was from Euchaita, Galatia and and silver to him with so that he might take them
dwelt in Heraclea, Pontus. home and attend to them that evening, promising that
He was a renowned Roman Commander but when the following day he would honour them in public.
Emperor Licinius was informed that he was a Christian Lucinios, overwhelmed with a sense of triumph, gave St
who despised the pagan idols, Lucinios immediately Theodore permission to remove the idols, and as soon
sent messengers from Nicomedia to order him to as he arrived home, the Saint smashed them into
appear before him. small pieces and immediately distributed all the bits of
However, St Theodore sent back a message that it was gold and silver amongst the poor.
necessary for various reasons, that Lucinios go to The next day when a beggar was seen carrying the golden
Heraclea to meet him and the Emperor, believing that head of Artemis and the shocked Emperor heard what
he could persuade his famous Commander to had happened to the idols, St Theodore boldly
renounce Christ, did as he had requested. confessed his Faith in Christ, which infuriated Lucinios
On his arrival at Heraclea, the Emperor was met by St to such a degree that he ordered every form of the
Theodore who welcomed him with all due respect. cruellest torture to be suffered by St Theodore.,
As Lucinios warmly greeted his favoured Commander, he including crucifixion.
was convinced that he would be able to make the The next day Lucinios sent his men to take his corpse and
Christians worship his idols so in the midst of the cast it into the sea; but they found the Holy Martyr still
people, he publicly told St Theodore to make an alive and perfectly whole. Through this great Miracle
offering to the gods. many converted and seeing his own men turning to
However, St Theodore asked the Emperor to entrust the Christ, and the city in an uproar, Lucinios had St
most venerable of his gods, which were made of gold Theodore beheaded.

10. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) St Theodore the Great Commander & Holy Martyr 8 February 2011
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the H oly Spiri t, 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 ano the r and our whole Life to Christ our God.
Amen.

9 February 2011
A p od os is ( Le a ve - t a k in g) of t he Pre s e n t at i o n o f C h r is t
Also the Feast of St Nicephoros of Antioch, Syria – Uncovering of the Relics of St Innocent
of Irkutsk – St Pankratios Hieromonk of Kiev Caves – St Nicephoros & St Genadios of
Vasheozersk – St Marcellos, Hieromartyr of Sicily, St Philagrios, Hieromartyr of Cyprus , St Pancratios
Hieromartyr of Taoromina, Sicily,, Disciples of St Peter the Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ – St Sio Mgvime,
Holy Ascetic of Cappadocia & founder of Georgian Monasticism - St Apollonia Virgin Martyr of Alexandria –
St Romanos of Cilicia
The Apolytikion of the Meeting/Presentation
Here Keharitomeni Theotoke Parthene. Ek Sou gar Rejoice, O Full of Grace, Virgin Theotokos, because from
anetilen o Ilios tis dikeosinis, Hristos O Theos imon, Thee has risen the Only Sun of Justice, Christ our
fotizon tous en skoti. Evfrenou ke si Presvita dikee, God, Lighting those in darkness. Rejoice as well, O
dexamenos en agkales ton elevtherotin ton psihon Elder Righteous, having held in Thy arms the
Liberator of our souls, Who grants also Resurrection
imon, harizomenon imin ke tin Anastasin.
to us.
Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ - - Tone 1
O Mitran Parthenikin Agiasas to toko Sou, ke hiras tou Thy Birth Sanctified a Virgin’s Womb and properly
Symeon Evlogisas os eprepe, profthasas ke nin esosas Blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come
imas Hriste O Theos. All’ irinefson en polemis to and Saved us O Christ, our God, grant Peace to Thy
politevma, ke krateoson Vasilis ous igapisas, O Monos Commonwealth in troubled times and Strengthen
those in Authority, whom Thou Love, as the Only
Filanthropos
Lover of mankind.
T h e F irs t B oo k o f St Pe te r 4 : 1 – 11
Crucifying Passions & Preparing for Heaven by Serving
Since Christ suffered for us in the Flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin, so that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of en, but for the Will of
God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the Will of the Gentiles – when we walked in lewdness,
lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of
you. They will give an account to Him Who is ready to Judge the Living and the dead.
For this reason, the Gospel was preached also to those who are dead, so that they might be Judged according to men in
the flesh, but Live according to God in the spirit.
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your Prayers. And above all things have Fervent
Love for one another, for ‘Love will cover a multitude of sins.’
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a Gift, minister it to one another, as Good
Stewards of the manifold Grace of God.
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the Oracles of God.
If anyone Ministers, let him do it with the ability that God supplies, so that in all things God may be Glorified through
Jesus Christ, to Whom belong the Glory and the Dominion forever and ever.
Amen.
Although St Peter referred to specific activities and vices GOODNESS AND BLESSINGS AS WELL AS MAKING EVERY
IMPOSSIBILITY ACHIEVABLE B Y HI S DIVINE GRACE!
prevalent in those days in Asia Minor – where excessive
Even though we live in this fallen earthly world with all its
drinking together with other immoral and debauched
temptations and deceptions, BY FOLLOWING
practises occurred, in connection with the pagan FAITHFULL Y IN THE DIVINE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIS T OUR
worship of various man-made deities – THERE CAN B E LORD - BY I MITATING HIM AND OBEYING ALL G OD’S
NO DOUB T OF THE DIRECT APPLICATION OF THIS COMMANDMENTS JUST AS HE DID WHILE HERE AMONGST
PASSAGE TO OUR DA Y AND AGE AND THE CONDI TION US AS GOD INCARNATE - WE WILL REALLY LIVE IN CHRIST
FROM WHICH MANY OF US HAVE COME INTO THE – i.e. “... Live according to God in the spirit.”
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
THE REFERENCE TO THE LI VING AND THE DEAD REFERS TO The wicked and the ungodly will always criticise and mock
BOTH OUR P HYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL CIRCUMSTANCES , those who Struggle because although they might see
FOR W HEN WE HAVE REPENTED OUR SINS AND RETURNED how different we are to them, they would prefer us to
TO G OD, WE RETURN TO OUR LI FE IN CHRIST AND A
STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE.
be as miserable and dissatisfied as they are.
YET I F WE REMAIN UNREPENTANT AND ALIENATED FROM GOD The ungodly will have all the arguments possible to try to
THROUGH OUR SINS, WE ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD. deceive, confuse or make us apostasise – to make us
Furthermore, those who depart this life while in a state of stumble and fall by the wayside rather than to continue
Spiritual Death are imprisoned in Hades where they our correct Path.
suffer the foretaste of Eternal Condemnation and We must learn to ignore them and recognise whose
perpetual Spiritual Exile from God and all His deceptions and arguments they are really using!
Goodness. When St Peter had asked our Lord Jesus told about
We must always remember CHRIST’S ULTI MATE BLOOD another Apostle, Christ warned him not to concern
SACRIFICE – HIS INCALCULABLE PAYMENT OF THE
himself about the relationship of others with God but
RANSOM FOR OUR SALVATI ON - and having experienced
to fulfil his own personal Mission: “You follow Me!”
the temporary consequences of our own sins as well
St Peter also cautioned us to “... be serious and
as that of others, we should be compelled to imitate
watchful in your Prayers. And above all things
and to follow our Lord’s Perfect Example.
BY UNDERSTANDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF WICKEDNESS,
have Fervent Love for one another...”
WE SHOULD EAGERLY AND WILLINGLY OBEY THE WILL OF By looking to our own Spiritual Condition in order to
GOD WHOSE P ROVIDENTIAL L OVE GRANTS US ALL correct our innumerable sins, constantly seeking the

(DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) Apodosis Of The Presentation Of Christ At The Temple 9 February 2011 11.
 forgiveness of God and our fellow sinners, we will soon that Divine Abundance with one another in the same
learn not to cast even a critical eye towards anyone spirit of love, kindness and generosity, never
else and if we should notice the flaws in our Brethren, grudgingly or being miserly at all!
we must instantly look within ourselves for whatever When dealing with anyone we must “... speak as the
we see in others that we are tempted to criticise or Oracles of God...” - as a worthy and faithful Disciple
judge, may simply be a reflection of our own of Christ.
wickedness! And when Ministering to others, we must “...do it with
And once we no longer judge others – not even in the the ability that God supplies, so that in all
slightest degree – we will learn to truly Love! things God may be Glorified...!”
We will be granted, by the Grace of God, True Agape! That In other words, we must do everything according the Will
wonderful, Divine, Fervent Love that is completely of God and - by His Divine Grace - we will be given the
unconditional and pure. ability to fulfil our Sacred Duties in all matters thereby
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling,” is Glorifying God and sharing His Divine Majesty and
a reminder to us that as God has so generously Great Mercy with everyone else.
Blessed us with all His Goodness, so must we share
The Holy Gospel According to Mark 12 : 28 – 37
The Greatest Commandment
At that time, one of the Scribes went to Jesus and - having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had
answered them well – asked Him: “Which is the First Commandment of all?”
Jesus answered him: “The first of all the Commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.
And you shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and
with all your strength.’ This is the First Commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall Love
your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other Commandment gather than these.”
So the Scribe said to Him: “Well said, Teacher. Thou has spoken the Truth, for there is One God, and there is no other
but Him. And to Love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength,
and to Love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more than all the Whole Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices.”
Now, when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And after that no one dared to question Him.
Then Jesus said while He taught in the Temple: “How is it that the Scribes say that the Christ is the Son of
David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand, until
I make Thine enemies Thy Footstool.’ Therefore David himself called Him ‘Lord.’ How then is He his
Son?”
And the common people heard Him gladly.
In His response to one of the Scribes, our Lord JESUS Although this particular Scribe or Lawyer approached
CHRIST QUOTED FROM THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY – THE Christ with malicious intent, he was converted by the
GREATEST JEWISH CONFESSION OF FAITH CALLED “THE SHEMA”
(MEANING “HEAR!” WHICH IS THE FIRST WORD OF THE CONFESSION OF FAITH): profound Truth of Christ’s Wisdom.
D e u t e r o n o m y 6 : 4 - 5 : “These are the Ordinances and the ✽ Furthermore, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUE
MEANING OF THE SECOND PART OF THIS GREAT
Judgements the Lord commanded the Children of
COMMANDMENT, which is often misinterpreted as
Israel in the desert, when they went from the land of
Egypt: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is One “You shall Love your neighbour as (much as you
Lord. You shall Love the Lord your God from love) yourself.”
your whole heart, from your whole soul, and This erroneous interpretation destroys the force of the
statement, because how much we love ourselves is not
from you whole strength!”
the standard by which Christ Calls us to Love one
By Moses saying ‘One Lord,’ we understand THE SIMPLE,
BLESSED AND INCOMPREHENSIBLE ESSENCE OF GOD. (ST another!
ATHANASIOS THE GREAT) ➤ Rather, WE ARE CALLED TO Love OUR NEIGHBOURS WHO
✽ Moses did not teach us that the One Lord is one ARE THE SAME HUMAN NATURE AS WE OURSELVES -
solitary Person, but rather that GOD IS ONE UNDIVIDED BEING CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE AND LIKENESS JUST
ESSENCE OR NATURE, FOR PERSON AND NATURE ARE NOT AS WE ARE.
THE SAME THING. (ST HILARY OF POITIERS & ST JOHN OF DAMASCUS) ➤ AND, AS OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS HAVE TAUGHT US, WE
➤ THE DIVINE NATURE OF GOD EXISTS UNDIVIDED IN THE THREE FIND, DEMONSTRATE AND EXPOSE OUR TRUE SELF BY
LOVING OUR NEIGHBOUR AS MUCH AS GOD LOVES US!
DISTINCT PERSONS OF ALMIGHTY GOD: God the Father,
✽ Our Lord Jesus asked the question ““How is it
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
➤ THE SON IS BEGOTTEN BEFORE ALL TIME AND AGES, FROM THE
that the Scribes say that the Christ is the Son
DIVINE ESSENCE OF THE FATHER, BUT HIS BEGETTING DOES of David?” IN ORDER TO LEAD THE PHARISEES to the
NOT DIVIDE THE FATHER’S ESSENCE. only logical conclusion: HE IS GOD INCARNATE – HE IS
➤ THE HOLY SPIRIT PROCEEDS BEFORE ALL TIME AND AGES, FROM TRULY THE LONG-AWAITED CHRIST OR MESSIAH OF GOD.
THE FATHER, BUT HIS PROCESSION DOES NOT DIVIDE THE Yet the Pharisees had supposed the Messiah to be a mere
FATHER’S ESSENCE.
➤ THE THREE PERSONS ARE DISTINCT OR DIFFERENT BUT THEIR man, and therefore assumed Christ would be a “Son of
DIVINE ESSENCE IS ONE AND UNDIVIDED. David” – of Royal lineage.
THEREFORE WE BELIEVE IN ONE GOD AND LORD – THE (ONE) HOLY ➤ However, DAVID, AS KING OF ISRAEL, COULD NOT AND
TRINITY. WOULD NOT HAVE ADDRESSED ANYONE AS “LORD”
The second part of the Greatest Commandment: “You EXCEPT GOD.
shall Love your neighbour as yourself” combines ➤ In Psalm 109:1 DAVID REFERRED TO THE MESSIAH AS
what is already present in the Old Covenant to create A “LORD,” SO THE MESSIAH MUST OBVIOUSLY BE GOD
INCARNATE!
NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMANDMENT
OF NEW COVENANT – FOR LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR IS AN ➤ The only possible conclusion is that THE TRUE MESSIAH
EXPRESSION OF OUR LOVE OF GOD. (LEVITICUS 19:18) IS INDEED A DESCENDANT OF KING DAVID BUT ONLY
✽ ALL GOD’S DIVINE COMMANDMENTS CAN BE SUMMED UP IN THIS ACCORDING TO THE FLESH (GOD INCARNATE) AND HE IS
ONE GREATEST COMMANDMENT: LOVE OF GOD AND OUR ALSO TRULY DIVINE, SHARING HIS LORDSHIP, HIS
FELLOW MANKIND! DIVINITY WITH GOD THE FATHER, AND GOD THE HOLY
SPIRIT.
➤ The two are tightly intertwined for WE CANNOT
DEMONSTRATE OR PROVE OUR LOVE OF GOD WITHOUT OUR THE PHARISEES did not dare to answer Christ because they
LOVE OF ONE ANOTHER AND VICE VERSA! REALISED THE ENORMOUS IMPLICATIONS AND WERE AFRAID TO
CONFESS OUR LORD JESUS TO BE THE TRUE AND INCARNATE SON
The self-righteous Pharisees had found 613 OF GOD.
Commandments in Holy Scripture and had debated In this quotation that our Lord used, the first reference to
about which one was the most important and central “the Lord,” applied to God the Father, while the term
to all others. “my Lord,” referred to Christ.
✽ OUR LORD JESUS IMMEDIATELY SET THESE TWO
This question is answered by the Truth that OUR LORD
COMMANDMENTS AS ONE, GREAT AND MOST ESSENTIAL
JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF DAVID IN HIS HUMAN NATURE
COMMANDMENT BECAUSE FROM IT ALL THE OTHER
AND KING DAVID’S LORD GOD IN HIS DIVINE NATURE.
COMMANDMENTS WILL BE FULFILLED AS WELL.
Thus, this Greatest of all Commandments constitute THE
GRAND SUMMARY OF THE ENTIRE DIVINE LAW.

12. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) Apodosis Of The Presentation Of Christ At The Temple 9 February 2011
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worshi p to the Fathe r, and to the So n, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Ame n.
Remembering also our Most Holy, Mo st Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever
Virgin, toge ther with all the Saints. And let us commi t ourselves and one ano the r and our whole Life to
Christ our God. Amen.

1 0 F e b r u a r y 20 1 1
S t C h ara la m b os , H ie r om a r t yr o f Ma gn e s ia
Also the Feast of St Anastasios of Jerusalem – St Porphyrios & St Baptos, Holy Monk
Martyrs & 3 Female Martyrs, perfected in Holy Martyrdom together with St
Charalambos of Magnesia - St Valentina, St Ennatha & St Paula, Virgin Martyrs of Palestine – St John
Chimchimeli the Philosopher – Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Novgorod – St Anna, Princess & Holy Martyr of
Novgorod – St Prochoros of Kiev Near Caves – St Longinos of Koryazhemsk, Vologda – The Holy Icon of the
Ever Blessed Theotokos “Areovindos”
Apolytikion of St Charalambos – Tone 4
Os stilos aklonitos, tis Ekklisias Hristou, ke lihnos Thou became a firm Pillar in the Church of Christ, O
aifotos tis ikoumenis sofe, edihthis Haralambes; Wise Charalambos; a Lamp of Everlasting Light to
elampsas en to kosmo, dia tou Martiriou, elisas ton the world: Well known to the world through Thy
idolon, tin skotomenan makar. Dio en parrisia Holy Martyrdom, Thou dispelled the dark night of
Hristo, presveve sothine imas idolatry. Boldly Intercede with Christ God so that
He may Save our souls.
Kontakion of St Charalambos – Tone 4
Thisavron politimon i Ekklisia, tin sin haran kektite, Thou rose from the East like a star, O Hieromartyr
iromartis athlita, tropeofore Haralambes. Dio ke Charalambos, and Enlightened the Faithful with the
heri ton Ktistin doxazousa. brightness of Thy Miracles. Therefore we honour
Thy Holy Contest.
Kontakion of the Ever Blessed Theotokos
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hurry
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
timonton se. Theotokos who always protects all those who
honour Thee!
T h e M a t ins Go s p e l A cco rd i n g t o S t L u ke 2 1 : 1 2 – 1 9
Various Signs of the End of the Ages & the Persecution of Christ’s Faithful Disciples
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “... before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute
you, delivering you up to the Synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before Kings and Rules for
My Name’ s sake.
“But it will turn out for you as an occasion for Testimony. Therefore settle it in your heart not to meditate
beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and Wisdom, which all your
adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to
death. And you will be hated by all for My Name’s sake.
“But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
“By your Patience, possess your souls.”
T h e Se co nd Ep is tle o f St P a ul to St T i m o t h y 2 : 1 – 9
Transmitting the Faith, Strengthening Others, Discipline & Suffering
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 these 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, so that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in
athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the Rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to
partake of the crops.
Consider what I say, and 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.
T h e H ol y G os p e l Acc o rd i ng t o S t J o hn 15 : 17 – 1 6 : 2
Our Lord Jesus Christ Teaches us about Union & Communion with Him
At that time our Lord Jesus said: “... These Things I Command you, so 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. Yet - because you are not of the world, but 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 Name’s sake, because they do not know Him Who sent Me.
“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
“He who hates Me, hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the Works that no one else did, they
would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated Me and My Father.
“But this happened that the Word might be fulfilled, which is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without
cause.’

(DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) St Charalambos the Great Hieromartyr of Thessaly 10 February 2011 13.
“And when the Helper comes, Whom I shall send you FROM THE FATHER – the Spirit of Truth Who
PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER, He will Testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have
been with Me from the beginning.
“These Things I have spoken to you so that you should not be made to stumble.
“They will put you out of the Synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he
offers God Service.
“And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.”
S t C h ara la m b os t he G re a t H i e r o ma r t yr o f T he s s al y , Ma g ne s ia
St Charalambos, Bishop of Magnesia, the Martyrs St
Porphyrios, St Baptos and three unidentified female
Martyrs were martyred at the same time in the year
202.
St Charalambos successfully spread Faith in Christ our
Saviour, guiding people on the way to Salvation.
News of his Preaching reached Lucian, the Governor of
the district, and the military Commander Lucius.
Our Holy Church Father was arrested and brought to
trial, where he steadfastly confessed his Faith in
Christ and adamantly refused to offer any form of
sacrifice to the pagan idols nor to renounce Christ
at all.
Despite the Bishop's advanced age - he was 113 years
old - he was subjected to monstrous tortures: the
laceration of his body with iron hooks and the
scraping all the skin from his body.
Nevertheless, by the Power and Grace of God, the Holy
Martyr calmly said his tormentors: “I thank you,
Brethren, that you have restored my spirit, which
longs to pass over to a New and Everlasting Life!"
Witnessing the faithful Holy Elder's endurance and his
complete lack of malice, two soldiers openly
confessed Christ, for which they were immediately
beheaded with a sword and we commemorate them
as St Porphyrios and St Baptos.
Three unidentified women who were watching the
public torture of St Charalambos also began to
Glorify Christ Jesus, and they, too, were quickly
tortured and executed.
The enraged Commandeer Lucius seized the
instruments of torture and began to torture the Holy
Martyr himself, but suddenly his forearms were cut
off as if by an invisible sword!
And when Governor Lucian spat at the face of the St
Charalambos, his head immediately turned around
so that he faced backwards.
The terrified Commander Lucius begged for mercy from
St Charalambos and through his compassionate
Prayers, both the Roman Officials were healed.
A multitude of witnesses turned to Christ and one of
them was the Commander, Lucius, who fell at the
feet of the Holy Bishop, asking to be Baptised as
well.
Governor Lucian, despite his frightening experience,
stubbornly remained a merciless enemy of Christ
and all His Disciples.
He reported all these events to Emperor Septimus
Severus (193-211), who was then at Pisidian
Antioch (western Asia Minor) and he ordered St
Charalambos to be taken to him in Antioch.
Soldiers twisted St Charalambos’ beard into a rope,
wound it around his neck, and used it to drag him
along.
They also drove an iron nail into his body.
The Emperor then ordered them to torture the Bishop
even more intensely, and they began to burn him a
little at a time.
However, God protected His Holy Martyrs, and St
Charalambos remained amazingly unharmed.
Many Miracles occurred through his Prayers.
Having raised a youth back from the dead, and healed
a man who had been tormented by devils for thirty-
five years, many people believed in Christ our
Saviour, even Galina, the daughter of the Emperor,
accepted our Lord as her Saviour, and twice she
smashed the idols in a pagan temple.
14. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) St Charalambos the Great Hieromartyr of Thessaly
On the orders of the sadistic Emperor the torturers beat
St Charalambos about the mouth with stones. They
tried to set his beard on fire, but the flames burnt
the torturers instead.
Filled with wickedness, Septimus Severus and an official
named Crispus hurled blasphemy at our Lord
Jesus Christ, mockingly calling Him to come down
to the earth, and boasting of their own power and
might.
Suddenly a great earthquake shook the ground, and
great fear fell upon everyone especially when the
impious ones were both suspended in mid-air held
by invisible bonds.
Finally by the Prayers of St Charalambos they were put
down again. The dazed Emperor was shaken but
quickly regained his wickedness and issued orders
to torture the aged Martyr, until in the end, he
ordered the beheading of St Charalambos.
During his final Prayers, the heavens opened and the St
Charalambos beheld our Beloved Saviour together
with a great multitude of Heavenly Hosts.
Then the Holy Hieromartyr asked Him to grant that the
place where his relics would repose would never
suffer famine or disease. He also begged for Peace,
Prosperity, and an abundance of fruit, grain, and
wine in that place, and that the souls of these
people would be saved.
The Lord promised to fulfil his request and ascended to
Heaven, and the soul of the Great Hieromartyr
Charalambos followed Him.
By the Great Mercy of God, the Saint died before he
could be executed and the Emperor’s daughter,
Galina buried his Sanctified body with great honour
and reverence.
IN GREEK HAGIOGRAPHY AND ICONOGRAPHY ST CHARALAMBOS IS REGARDED AS A
PRIEST, WHILE RUSSIAN SOURCES SEEM TO REGARD HIM AS A BISHOP.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA –
FEASTS AND SAINTS OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
S t . T ik h o n o f Zad o ns k
“Prayer does not consist merely of standing and bowing
your body or in reading written Prayers….it is
possible to pray at all times, in all places, with
mind and spirit.
You can lift up your mind and heart to God while
walking, sitting, working, in a crowd and in solitude.
His door is always open, unlike man’s.
We can always say to Him in our hearts Lord , Lord
have mercy.”
S t . J o h n o f K r ons t ad t
The candles lit before the Icons of the Theotokos are a
symbol of the fact that She is the Mother of the
Unapproachable Light, and also of Her Most Pure
and Burning Love for God and Her Love for
mankind.
F r. Se ra p hi m ( Ro s e ) o f P la t i na
"We are told by the Holy Fathers that we are supposed
to see in everything something for our Salvation.
If you can do this, you can be Saved."
E ld e r Ep ip h a n io s
"My heart only has entrances.
It doesn’t have exits.
Whoever enters remains there.
Whatever he may do, I love him the same as I loved
him when he first entered into my heart.
I pray for him and seek his salvation."
10 February 2011
 G re e k O r t ho d o x Pa t r iar c ha te o f Ale x an d r ia & Al l A fr ic a
A rc h d io ce s e o f Go od H o p e
All Glory, Honour and Worshi p to the Fathe r, and to the So n, and to the H oly Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Ame n.
Remembering also o ur Most Holy, Mo st Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, M aria, T heotokos, ye t Ever
Virgin, toge the r with all the Saints. And le t us commit o urselves and one another and our whole Life to
Christ our God. Amen.

Beginning of Triodion Tone (5) Plagal 2 1 3 F e b r ua r y 20 11

S u nd a y o f t he P h ar is e e & t he P u bl ic a n

Also the Feast of St Martinios the Righteous – St Aquilla & St Priscilla, Holy Disciples
of Christ, St Stephen, the Myrrhgusher & Prince of Serbia – St Zoe – St Photina – St
Eulogios of Alexandria

Resurrection Apolytikion - Tone (5) Plagal 1

Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no
Parthenou tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Pisti, ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise Sarki anelthin Virgin, let us Faithful believers hymn and adore. For
en to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous it was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the
tethneotas en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou. Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own
Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
Kontakion of the Publican & Pharisee – Tone 4
Fariseou figomen ipsigorian, ke Telonou mathomen, to Let us flee the Pharisee’s exalted parlance; let us learn
tapinon en stenagmis, pros ton Sotira kravgazontes, the Publican’s humble demeanour, and with sighs to
Ilathi Mone imin Evdiallakte!. our Saviour cry out: Be gracious to us, O Only
Forgiving Lord!
R e s urre c t i on G os p e l 5 : L u ke 2 4 : 12 – 3 5
Our Risen Lord Jesus Appears Along The Road To Emmaus
S t P a ul’ s F i rs t Ep is tl e to S t T i m o t h y 3 : 10 – 1 5
Qualifications for Deacons
Timothy my son: Let these also first be tested; then let them serve as Deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their
wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Let Deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses as well. For those who have served
well as Deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the Faith that is in Christ Jesus.
These things I write to you although I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how
you ought to conduct yourself in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and the Ground
of the Truth.
The qualifications for the first chosen Deacons of the essential necessities of this preparatory life on earth
Church of Christ – the New Israel – was described by as we slowly proceed towards Eternal Life.
St Luke in his Book of the Acts of the Apostles 6 : 1 THE DEACONS AND DEACONESSES ARE CHOSEN AS BEING BOTH
SPIRITUALLY FAITHFUL AND POSSESSING WISDOM AND LOVE
– 6. NECESSARY TO PROPERLY ACCOMPLISH THEIR SACRED
✽ The Holy Church of Christ grew rapidly after the Day TASKS.
of Pentecost WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED UPON BECAUSE OF THE GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AND OFTEN
THE APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF THEIR HOLY WORK, DEACONS AND
BESTOWED DIVINE GRACE UPON THEM SO THAT NOT THEIR WIVES (DEACONESSES) “...be
ARE REQUIRED TO
ONLY WERE THEY FILLED WITH GOD’S TRUTH AND reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in
WISDOM, BUT ALSO THE ABILITY TO FULLY AND
CORRECTLY UNDERSTAND AND TEACH OTHERS ALL all things...” otherwise people would not be able to
CHRIST’S TEACHINGS, COMMANDMENTS AND trust them and major disruptions and unhappiness
INSTRUCTIONS. would arise within a Community.
BEING THUS SPIRITUALLY ACTIVATED AND ENABLED BY THE HOLY
SPIRIT, ALL THESE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WERE COMPELLED Holy Scripture is the Divinely Inspired Truth of God,
TO SHARE THIS WONDERFUL KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHERS. recorded and preserved for us in human terms but
So the DIVERSIFIED MINISTRIES DEVELOPED which continue the Holy Church of Christ is the Divine Pillar and
to this day in the Orthodox Church. Ground (or solid Foundation) of God’s Truth.
While our Bishops and Priests focus on Prayer and the 2 Timothy 3 : 15 - 17 “... from childhood you have
Holy Ministry of God’s Word, the OTHER IMPORTANT known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
ASPECTS OF OUR LIFE IN CHRIST ARE FULFILLED BY DEACONS make you wise for Salvation through Faith, which
AND LAITY .
THE ENTIRE BODY OF CHRIST – FROM THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD TO
is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by
EVERY MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION - OPERATES Inspiration of God, and is profitable for
CORRECTLY AND FAITHFULLY so as to encourage, guide, Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for
teach, advise, nurture, care for, share etc as our Instruction in Righteousness, so that the man
Lord Jesus Christ has taught us to do – filling all of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped
for ever Good Work.”
T h e H ol y G os p e l Acc o rd i ng t o S t L u ke 1 8 : 10 – 1 4
The Arrogant Self-righteousness of the Pharisee & the Humble Repentance of the Publican(Tax Collector)
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a Tax
Collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself: ‘O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men –
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this Tax Collector. I Fast twice a week; I give tithes of all
that I posses...’
And the Tax Collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast,
and said: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
I tell you: this man went down to his house Justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself
will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

(DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) Beginning Of Triodion – The Pharisee & the Publican 13 February 2011 15.
The Pharisees were highly respected by the Hebrews
and they carefully observed every detail of the
Mosaic Law, yet they constantly confronted our
Lord Jesus Who tried to Enlighten them with Divine
Wisdom and Divine Love – Agape.
Many of them were so arrogant and self-righteous, filled
with a sense of self-importance and superiority to
such a degree that they plotted and planned to
destroy our Saviour.
With their Spiritual Blindness and stubbornness, they
refused to acknowledge that “Jesus of Nazareth...
the Son of the Carpenter...” was indeed the long-
awaited Messiah – despite their intense study of the
Holy Prophets and the Law of Moses.
Nevertheless, our Lord Jesus took every opportunity to
make them understand that the Law of God was a
Law of Agape – unconditional Love of God and one
another... a concept they rejected because it did not
suit their own flawed interpretation and belief.
The Publicans or Tax Collectors were despised Hebrews
who worked for the Roman Empire by collecting the
dreaded taxes. Many of these exploited their
position and extorted their suffering fellow
countrymen and Spiritual Brethren.
As collaborators with the Roman oppressors, all Tax
Collectors were intensely loathed and feared.
The practises of the Pharisee might have been worthy
example to follow since his good deeds of Fasting
and giving Tithes are primary weapons against the
passions of lust and greed – adultery and extortion.
However, the Pharisee stood where everyone could see
him and no doubt hear him praying – and he has
the audacity to list his perceived virtues for God
Who knows the absolute true state of every soul
ever created! This alone demonstrated his pride
and arrogance in the Sight of God and his fellow
sinners.
S u nd a y o f t he P u bl ic an an d t he P ha r is e e
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this week we
start our preparation for the Great and Holy Lent
with the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee.
In this Parable, we are told about two men who are
praying.
The one man, THE PHARISEE, tells God about all the good
things in his life and RAISES HIMSELF ABOVE OTHER
PEOPLE.
The other man, THE PUBLICAN, CONTINUOUSLY ASKS FOR
GOD’S MERCY IN HIS PRAYER.
Our Lord then asks WHICH OF THESE MEN IS JUSTIFIED AFTER
THEY COMPLETE THEIR PRAYERS.
We hear this Parable every year.
We are familiar with the story and its meaning.
In a sense, we can become numb to the Message or
Sacred Lesson of this Holy Gospel.
Saint Cyril of Alexandria reminds us "…receive once
again the sacred words: delight yourselves in the
Honey of Wisdom;…’Good words are
honeycombs, and their sweetness is the
healing of the soul.’ …THE DIVINE AND SAVING HONEY
MAKES THOSE IN WHOM IT DWELLS SKILFUL IN EVERY GOOD
WORK, AND TEACHES THEM THE WAYS OF SPIRITUAL
IMPROVEMENT." (PROVERBS 16:24)
The simple message in this Parable is about OUR
ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD.
HOW DO WE CONDUCT OUR LIVES?
We see how each of these men conducts his life
through his Prayer.
✽ WE ARE TAUGHT HOW TO PRAY
PARABLE.
As it says in the Gospel, the Pharisee went to pray and
prayed "thus with himself."
… WITH HIMSELF!
HE WAS NOT PRAYING TO GOD; H E WAS
HIMSELF.
Why was his Prayer with himself and not with God?
✽ He is praying with himself because
AND JUDGMENTAL – EVEN IN HIS PRAYERS TO GOD:
"I
thank Thee, O God that I am not as other
men…"
16. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) Beginning Of Triodion – The Pharisee & the Publican
Consequently, his lack of Humility or a repentant heart
made his outward gestures empty and worthless.
In fact his arrogance and cynical judgement brought
him far more condemnation than the presumed
sins of others.
A most relevant detail of Christ’s narration are the
words: “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus
with himself...”for wherever there is pride,
arrogance and boasting, God Himself is absent!
The contrast to this particular Pharisee was the
repentant and ashamed Tax Collector who revealed
the state of his troubled soul by means of his self-
effacing posture.
The repentant Publican stood far away from the Altar of
Sacrifice with eyes cast downwards, beating his
chest in an act of self-disgust, Spiritual Mourning
and an attitude of utter unworthiness in the Sight of
God.
His heart-felt Prayer is the foundation of the Jesus
Prayer as is the refrain “Lord, have mercy,” that
permeates Orthodox Worship and our personal
Prayers.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16 -18 “Rejoice always, pray without
ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the
Will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Our Holy Church Fathers teach us that Unceasing Prayer
is a proper goal to achieve for Spiritual Growth
comes through such Spiritual Discipline.
For centuries Faithful Christians have recited the “Jesus
Prayer” as a way of unceasing Prayer of the Heart:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God: have mercy
on me, a sinner!”
When Christ said that the Publican/Tax Collector was
Justified rather than the erudite Pharisee, He meant
that the repentant sinner had been forgiven and set
right with Almighty God because inward Humility is
Blessed by God while pride in personal outward
gestures is condemned.
 Holy Scripture reminds us, "Let a neighbour
praise you, and not your own mouth: a
stranger and not your own lips." (PROVERBS 27:2)
✽ THE MANNER W HEREBY W E P RAY REFLEC TS AND
EXPOSES THE WAY IN WHICH WE L IVE OUR LIVES.
We are all too often encouraged to be boastful in our
lives.
In business, we often get ahead by beating our own
drum.
We have all met these types of people who cannot stop
telling us about the good things they have done.
Our immediate reaction to such types of people is
usually: "Why don’t you just keep quiet?"
Think about how it is for God if - when we are in Prayer
- all we do is boast to Him about all the good
things that we have done. (AS THOUGH GOD DOES NOT KNOW US
BETTER THAN WE KNOW OURSELVES! )
 It is most simply put in the Psalms: "Put a door to
your tongue, and a lock." (PSALMS 140:3)
Not only is the Pharisee boastful, but he is also
judgmental in his Prayer.
✽ JUDGMENT FURTHER RUINS HIS P RAYER.
 In the Book of Leviticus we are told: "Of sheep,
and ox, that are offered for sacrifice, there
must be no blemish therein." (LEVITICUS 22:21)
 In the Book of Isaiah we learn: "This is not the
Fast that that I have chosen, says the
Lord." (ISAIAH 58:5)
THROUGH THIS ✽ Thus, we are reminded that GOD ONLY ACCEPTS PURE
GIFTS FROM THOSE WHO ARE NEITHER BOASTFUL NOR
PROUD.
➤ JUDGMENT NOT ONLY MAKES OUR PRAYER UNACCEPTABLE TO
GOD, BUT ALSO MAKES US UNACCEPTABLE TO GOD.
PRAYING WITH  As it says in the Holy Gospel according to St Luke:
"Judge not, and you shall not be Judged:
condemn not, and you shall not be
HE IS BOASTFUL Condemned." (LUKE 6:37)
 St James further confirms this in his Epistle: "There
is one Lawgiver, and Judge; why then
judge your neighbour?" (JAMES 4:12)
13 February 2011
THESE ARE ALL SERIOUS WARNINGS AND GOOD ADVICE FOR US TO
APPLY TO THE MANNER WHEREBY WE PRAY AND CONDUCT
OUR LIVES.
In contrast to the Pharisee’s Prayer, WE ARE GIVEN THE
EXAMPLE OF HOW WE ARE TO PRAY by the humble and
repentant Publican/Tax Collector.
✽ First we are to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING - as the
Publican continually said "O God be merciful me
a sinner." (1 THESSALONIANS 5:17)
The last half of the Jesus Prayer, "O Lord Jesus
Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me a
sinner;" is based on this Prayer.
✽ The Publican further teaches us that we must not
only pray continually, but that WE MUST FIRST
ACKNOWLEDG E OUR SIN.
 This confirms the words of the Prophet Isaiah:
"Declare your sins first, that you may be
justified." (ISAIAH 43:26)
 Thus, we learn through the Publican what is said in
Proverbs: "the Righteous is the accuser of
himself" (PROVERBS 18:17)
 and in Psalms: "I will confess against myself my
transgression unto the Lord; and You
forgave the iniquity of my heart." (PSALMS 31:5)
Growing in the Knowledge of Christ – Part 2
A Relationship of True Communion & Love
TO KNOW OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST MEANS THA T WE HAVE
A CLOSE AND INTIMA TE RELA TIONSHIP OF TRUE
COMMUNION AND LOVE WI TH HIM.
An important Biblical concept transcends the ordinary
meaning of the term “Knowledge,” for WE MOVE
BEYOND THE MERE COGNITI VE OR INTELL ECTUAL
FIELD INTO A TOTAL EXPERIENCE INVOLVING THE
ENTIRE HUMAN BEING .
To know Christ our Lord and Saviour implies a deep,
committed Relationship with Him, establishing live
Communication and a state of unconditional Love .
[AGAPE - PERFECT, DIVINE PURE LOVE]
ANY SUBS TANTIVE KNOWL EDG E OF CHRIST JESUS
REQUIRES AN ADVANCED RELATIONSHIP BASED ON
LOVE.
To know Christ in terms of True Communion and Love
superbly combines with our Quest for TRUE
KNOWL EDGE AND THE PERFECT RELATIONSHIP .
What our mind is constantly dreaming of – Perfect
Knowledge – and what our soul is desperately
seeking – the Perfect Relationship – are present in
the Knowledge of Christ, where KNOWLEDGE IS
ULTIMATELY CHANGED INTO A UNIQUE EXP ERIENCE,
WHICH ENCOMPASSES AND INTEG RATES THE HIGHEST
INTELLECTUAL SATISFACTION WITH THE DEEPES T
EMOTIONAL FUL FILMENT.
That is what motivated St Paul in his Epistle to the
Ephesians when he told them how he fervently
prayed that they might be granted the ability to
comprehend the “...width and length and depth
and height...” of THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHICH
SURPASSES ALL (HUMAN) KNOWLEDGE, so that they might
be “...filled with all the Fullness of God.”
(EPHESIANS 3: 18 – 19)
The subtle interface between the words “Love” and
“Knowledge” suggests much more in this instance.
The aspect of Knowledge implies mutuality – A TWO-WAY
RELATIONSHIP .
St Paul emphasised this Truth when he said: “... now
that you have come to Know God, or rather, to
be Known by God...” (GALATIANS 4:9)
WE KNOW GOD ONLY AS WELL AS OUR RELATI ONSHIP WITH
HIM HAS DEVELOP ED YET HE KNOWS US COMPLETELY
– WITHOUT ANYTHING HIDDEN OR SECRET FROM HI M.
This wonderful Relationship reveals, in a most exciting
manner, the nature of Knowledge of Christ as A
TRUL Y UNI QUE RELATIONSHIP THAT IS ACTIVE FROM
BOTH SIDES.
St John Chrysostom, in an inspiring Homily, beautifully
presented the idea of this mutuality when he
depicted Christ as speaking to each one of us:
Sharing in the Wholeness of the Truth
Another aspect of knowing Christ is having access to
and sharing in the wholeness of Divine Truth.
KNOWING C HRIST MEANS TO ENTER THE REALM OF THE
TRUTH THAT HE – G OD INCARNA TE – REVEALED TO US.
In this context Knowledge is to be considered as
content – as something that comprises A WELL-
DEFINED B ODY OF TRUTHS.
(DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) Beginning Of Triodion – The Pharisee & the Publican
✽ It is no coincidence that THE CHURCH TELLS US TO
BEGIN ALL PRAYER B Y SAYING: " O G OD CL EANSE
ME, A S INNER, AND HAVE MERC Y UPON ME" THREE
TIMES BEFORE WE START ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
PRAYER.
✽ The Publican teaches us that BY FIRS T B EING
HUMBL E WE CAN GROW CLOSER TO GOD.
It is only after we acknowledge how we have separated
ourselves from God that we can COME TO GOD AND
PRAISE HIM PROPERLY AND GIVE THANKS FOR THE MANY
BLESSINGS HE HAS BESTOWED UPON US.
➤ BY RECOGNIZING OUR SEPARATION FROM GOD FIRST, IT IS
MORE UNLIKELY FOR US TO FALL INTO THE TRAPS OF
PHARISEEISM – A STATE OF ARROGANT PRIDE AND
UNREPENTANCE.
So, my Brethren in Christ, I pray that each of you may
not pray with yourselves, but that you may approach
God as the Publican, recognizing your separation
from Him, so that you may PRAISE HIM PROPERLY AND
GIVE THANKS TO HIM FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS WITH A
RIGHT ATTITUDE.
Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE) (2009)
BY FATHER MILAN MEDAKOVIC
http://www.saintgregoryoutreach.org
“I Am a Father for you; and a Brother, a
Bridegroom; and a Home, a Nurse and a
Garment, a Root and a Cornerstone.
Whatever you want, I Am for you.
I do not want you to be in any need.
I will serve you, because I came – not to be
served – but to Serve.
I Am Friend, and a Member, and a Head, and a
Brother and a Sister, and a Mother.
I Am everything for you.
Only be in contact with Me.
I have been poor for you and a Wanderer for you.
I have been on the Cross and in the Tomb for
you.
High Above with the Father, I mediate for you.
Down here, I arrived as an Ambassador Who was
Sent by the Father to you.
You are everything to Me – a brother and a co-
heir, a friend, and a member of My Body.
What more do you desire?” (HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF ST
MATTHEW – HOMILY 76)
THE DI VINE LITURG Y OF OUR HOL Y CHURCH, CULMINATING
WITH OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE HOL Y EUCHARIST,
OFFERS A SPLENDI D EXAMPLE OF KNOWL EDGE AS AN
INTIMATE MUTUAL RELA TIONSHIP .
WE AP P ROACH CHRIST W ITH AL L OU R WIL L , OU R SOU L , OU R M IND
AND OU R BODY AND HE E NTE RS INTO O U R E XISTE NCE WITH AL L
HIS DIV INE AND HU M AN NATU RE IN AN INE F F ABL E , YE T
P AL P ABL E M ANNE R.
This constitutes THE SUPREME EXPERIENCE OF A LOVE
(AGAPE) RELATIONSHIP , AND THE UL TIMA TE
KNOWL EDGE OF WHO C HRIST IS.
In the Didache, which is one of the earliest texts of the
Holy Church of Christ, we find something which is
very indicative of this.
In THE PRA YERS B EFORE AND A FTER THE EUCHARIST , in
an elated mood of Thanksgiving, the Faithful
express their gratitude for the Knowledge they have
received: “We thank Thee for the Knowledge
and Faith and Immortality, which Thou hast
made known to us through Jesus Thy Son...”
(DIDACHE 9:3 & 10:1-2)
The Knowledge to which this Prayer refers is
inextricably bound together with the Holy Eucharist.
A Relationship such as PARTICIPATING IN HOLY
COMMUNION IS INTERP RETED A ND UNDERSTOOD AS
KNOWL EDGE OF CHRIST BECAUS E IT IS KNOWLEDGE,
WHICH IS ENG ENDERED BY AND MANIFES TED
(REVEALED) AS AN INTI MATE REL ATIONSHIP BETWEEN
US AND G OD.
IN ORDER TO KNOW CHRIST, W E NEED TO BE ACQUAINTED
WITH HIS TRUTH – HIS DIVINE TEACHINGS THA T ARE
CAREFULLY PRESERVED IN THE NEW TES TAMENT – HIS
REVELA TION OF BARE, ESSENTIAL AND PERFECT
TRUTH – AS WELL AS THROUG H THE WRI TINGS OF OUR
HOLY CHURCH FA THERS , WHICH C ONSTITUTE MUC H OF
HIS VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL.
Such a perception of Truth is unique in many ways.
13 February 2011 17.
IT IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT DEA LS WITH THE UL TIMATE
QUESTI ONS THAT HAVE TORMENTED US SINCE THE
WORLD BEGAN.
Who is God? What is mankind? What is our destiny?
What is the nature of the Universe, the Cosmos?
What is behind natural phenomena? What is the
True Meaning of Life? What is the purpose of the
Universe and why are we subject to pain and death?
KNOWL EDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST GRANTS ACCESS
TO THE ANSWERS TO ALL THESE QUESTI ONS , and this
is something unique.
It has to do with A SUPERNATURAL KNOWLEDGE – an
Understanding that is not due to the efforts of a
brilliant human mind, but to ALMIGHTY G OD’S MOST
GRACIOUS REVELATION.
THE KNOWL EDGE OF DIVINE TRUTH, WHICH IS REVEALED
TO US B Y CHRIST, IS ALSO UNIQUE BECAUSE I T
ENGENDERS P OWER OF LI FE.
Any knowledge is power, but the Power inherent in the
Knowledge of Christ’s Truth is something
incomparable.
IT IS A DIVINE POWER THAT IS CAPABLE OF
COUNTERBALANCING LIFE’S HIGH PRESSURES ,
AFFLICTIONS, ANXIETIES, DISEASE, AND EVEN DEATH.
MILLIONS OF HOL Y MARTYRS were able to defy political
and state pressure and force because they KNEW
AND LOVED CHRIST AND S HARE HIS AMAZING TRUTH,
WHICH INFORMED THEM AND ILLUMINED THEM WITH
THE MEANING OF LIFE AND DEATH, SUFFERING AND
MARTYRDOM.
Perhaps the uniqueness of the Knowledge of Christ’s
Truth finds it most beautiful expression in its direct
association with Freedom.
Our Lord, speaking about the Divine Truth He revealed
to us, said: “If you abide with My Word, you
are truly My Disciples, and you will know the
Truth and the Truth will set you free.” [JOHN 8: 31-
32]
WHEN W E ENTER INTO THE REA LM OF CHRIST’S TRUTH,
WE ENTER INTO THE REALM OF FREEDOM
T h e E te r nal W is d o m of o u r H o l y C h ur c h F a t he rs
Elder Paisios Of Romania
On Humility
Humility springs forth out of Love, because
if you Love others you do not upbraid
them so that they are disgusted with
themselves.
You do not get angry with them so that they languish,
because if you get someone angry, the poor person
will not be able to eat, to pray, nor sleep properly.
Therefore, make sure that in no way do you anger
anyone.
However, it is impossible to never anger anyone!
Perhaps without realizing it, you have used troubling
words.
So, when you meet those whom you have angered or
hurt, immediately make a bow and say with all
sincerity: “Forgive me, my dear, for angering
you.”
And when you have said the words:
“...forgive me...” all the anger dissipates
at once - the animosity and hurt is
completely removed and nothing at all
remains.
And when the devil looks for it in his Book of
Condemnation, he quickly realizes that he is
defeated for there is nothing written there any
longer!
Humility may seem to be difficult to you, my
dear. But try to lift the rock first and only
then say, “I cannot!”
Humility of heart springs forth from the Love
for God.
When I was younger, the Abbot put me to the test.
Once he banished me from the church.
I had been singing in the Choir, and I had sung in my
own way: “Jesus, Son of God…”, thinking that I was
chanting so beautifully.
I had become proud and arrogant within my heart!
However, when the Abbot heard me, he gave me a jab
in the ribs and said: “Go outside! Get out, you
donkey, what is this bellowing?”
18. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) Beginning Of Triodion – The Pharisee & the Publican
ignorance and fear, from existential vacuum and
metaphysical chaos, from guilt, sin, and evil that so
ruthlessly plague all mankind.
Here again WE EXPERIENCE AN AMAZING INTEGRATI ON:
TRUTH AND FREEDOM – TRUTH AND LIFE THAT
CONVERGE, INTERWEAVE AND EVENTUALLY
CONSTITUTE A SUPERB INTEG RATED EXISTENTIAL
REALITY.
Tragically many people – especially the young – choose
to ignore this integration of Truth and Life – TRUTH
AND FREEDOM THA T KNOWL EDGE OF CHRIST
PRODUCES .
Despite their advanced knowledge and how
astonishingly informed people are in every
conceivable field, THE Y ARE E XTRE M E L Y P OOR IN K NOW ING
THE WHOL E NE SS OF TRU TH THAT IS R E VE AL E D TO U S BY OU R
L ORD AND SAVIOU R, JE SU S CHRIST.
As a result they turn to other sources, even to therapy,
in order to obtain answers to crucial existential
questions.
St Paul understood the great need of most young adults
to find answers to questions pertaining to Truth and
the meaning of life and their existence.
He also understood the immense, incomparable value
of sharing in the wholeness of Truth revealed by
Christ.
He thus used extremely intense language to emphasise
this point when he wrote to the Philippians: “I
count everything a loss because of the
surpassing worth of the Knowledge of Christ.”
[PHILIPPIANS 3:8]
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST” BY BISHOP
DEMETRIOS Trakatellis – GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
www. goarch.org
– from
I had thought I was singing so nicely, and then look
what I experienced!
And even now I sadly think to myself: ‘O
insidious Pride, how it clings to all the
seams!’
Elder Epiphanios
On Unconditional Love (Agape)
My heart only has entrances. It doesn’t have exits.
Whoever enters remains there.
Whatever they may do, I Love them the same as
I Loved them when they first entered into my heart.
I pray for them and seek their Salvation.
St Paul
On Our Mutual Relationship with God
"You are the People of God; He Loved you and
Chose you for His own. So then, you must
Clothe yourselves with Compassion, Kindness,
Humility, Gentleness, and Patience." COLOSSIANS 3:12
St Theophylact
On the Holy Gospel of St Luke
Merely to hear the word of God Saves no one and is
instead a Condemnation.
After hearing, one must do.
St. Symeon the New Theologian
On Repentance
Through Repentance the filth of our foul actions is
washed away.
After this, we participate in the Holy Spirit - not
automatically, but according to the Faith, Humility
and inner disposition of the Repentance in which
our soul is engaged.
For this reason it is good to Repent each day
as the Act of Repentance is unending.
13 February 2011
 G re e k O r t ho d o x Pa t r iar c ha te o f Ale x an d r ia & Al l A fr ic a
A rc h d io ce s e o f Go od H o p e
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Fathe r, and to the So n, 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, Theo tokos, yet Ever
Virgin, to gether with all the Saints. And let us commit o urselves and one another and our whole Life to Chris t
our God. Ame n.

1 7 F e b r ua r y 20 11

S t T he od ore t he T y r o (R e cr u i t) & Gre a t Ma r t yr

Also the Feast of St Mariamne, sister of St Philip the Apostle of Christ – St

Auxentios the Righteous – St Marclanos & St Pulcherias the Pious Kings – St
Theodore the New Martyr of Byzantium
Apolytikion of St Theodore the Tyro – Tone 2
Megala ta tis Pisteos katorthomea! En ti Pigi tis Flogos, Great are the achievements of Faith! In the fountain of
os epi Idatos Anapafseos, O Agios Martis Theodoros flame, as by the Water of Rest, the Holy Martyr
igalleto, piri gar olokavtothis, os Artos Idis, ti Triadi Theodore rejoiced; for having been made a Whole-
prosinekte. Tes aftou ikesies, Hriste O Theos, eleison Burnt Offering in the fire, he was offered as Sweet
imas. Bread unto the Trinity. By his Prayers, O Christ God,
have mercy on our souls.
Kontakion of St Theodore the Tyro – Tone (8) Plagal
Pistin Hristou osi thoraka, endon lavon en kardia Sou, Having received the Faith of Christ in Thy heart as a
as enantias dinamis katepatisas, Poliathle, ke Stefi Breastplate, Thou trampled upon the enemy hosts, O
Ournio estefthis, eonios os aittitos. Much-suffering Champion; and Thou hast been
Crowned Eternally with a Heavenly Crown, since Thou
art invincible.
T h e F irs t B oo k o f St J oh n 1 : 8 – 2 : 6
We must Walk in the Divine Light of Christ our Lord
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, God is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.
My Little Children: these things I write to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the
Father – Jesus Christ the Righteous. And He Himself is the Propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also
the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His Commandments. Those who say: ‘I know Him,“ and do not keep
His Commandments, are liars, and the Truth is not in them. But whoever keeps His Word, truly the Love of God is
Perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
Those who say they abide in Him ought themselves also to walk just as He walked.
St John addressed three false Gnostic teachings Holy Scripture and His Verbal Teachings and
concerning Light. Instruction passed down to us through His Apostles
Their intertwined errors are that union with God is and then through the Apostolic Succession – the
indifferent to sin, sin does not exist and one in Holy Priesthood of Christ – our Holy Church Fathers
union with God cannot commit any sin! (and Spiritual Mothers) who have carefully preserved
St John explains: Divine Truth by the Guidance and Inspiration of the
1. Faith must be evidenced by Good Works – Faith Holy Spirit – the Giver of Truth.
must produce Purity and put the Truth into St Bede believed: “in vain do we applaud Him Whose
practise in every aspect of life, for where Divine Commandments we do not keep.”
Truth is, a right Relationship with God is L u k e 9 : 2 3 : Our Lord Jesus said: “If anyone desires
manifested by a Holy and Righteous Life in to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
Christ – a moral and virtuous lifestyle is take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
meticulously maintained. J a m e s 2 : 1 9 Christ our Lord said: “You believe that
2. Faith must always seek forgiveness and there is One God. You do well. Even the
cleansing of sin. demons believe – and tremble!”
3. Although we continually commit sin, we The New Commandment is Christ’s Commandment of
should strive – make every effort – to avoid unconditional and absolute Love (Agape) – we must
any temptation that leads to sin. Salvation Love God and one another with all our being, which
in Christ is a life-time process – a continuous encapsulates all the Ten Commandments as given
struggle to reject sin and to progress in by God to Moses.
Spiritual Life. Adam and Eve were given one Commandment of
The ancient Gnostics also held two false teachings on Obedience, which they broke.
God’s Divine Light: knowledge of God requires Now Christ has once again given us One
neither Obedience nor Love of others! Commandment, which grants us Salvation and
St John teaches us: Eternal Life: Love God and Love one another!
To know God is to willingly obey Him at all times. To Love God is to be in His Divine Light and it is
God’s Commandments are not a mere legal code but also to Love one another.
actual LIFE IN CHRIST, which is the Way of “Anyone who comes hating his brother to the Font of
Love. Life where he is to be Reborn, to the Cup of that
Those who live outside Christ will not become Partakers Precious Blood whereby he is to be Redeemed,
of His Life unless they – by God’s Grace – practice even though he may think he is Enlightened by the
what He has taught us to do – to faithfully obey all Lord, is still in Darkness. He cannot in any way
His Commandments, Teachings and Instructions – have put off the darkness of his sins when he did
His entire Truth, which is His Written Divine Word of

(DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) Beginning Of Triodion – The Pharisee & the Publican 13 February 2011 19.
 not take care to put on the Fundamentals of Love.” To Love one another, is to truly Love God. And to
(St Bede) truly Love God is to Love one another.
T h e H ol y G os p e l Acc o rd i ng t o S t Ma r k 13 : 31 – 14 : 2
The End of the Ages and the Reappearance of Christ on Judgement Day
At that time, our Lord said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away. But
of that Day and Hour, no one knows, not even the Angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a Man going to a Far Country,
Who left His House and gave Authority to His Servants, and to each His Work, and commanded the
Doorkeeper to watch.
“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the Master of the House is coming – in the evening, at
midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly he finds you sleeping.
“And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the Chief Priests and the Scribes sought how
they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. But they said: “Not during the Feast, lest there be an uproar
of the people.”
These words are addressed by Christ our Saviour and to truly Love God and one another
to everyone throughout all ages and not unconditionally just as infinitely as God Loves
merely to those at the time of His Life on us.
earth. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread begins with the
Christ revealed to us the fact that His Holy Church Passover meal on the evening of 15 Nisan
would continue to thrive and prosper until His according to the Hebrew calendar and lasts for
Glorious Second Coming – His Glorious seven days. (REFER TO EXODUS 12: 12 – 20)
Reappearance for all to see – regardless of how Together, these Feasts commemorate Israel’s liberation
desperate the circumstances of the world may from their slavery in Egypt.
appear. The word “Passover” refers to the Angel of Death who
Although our Lord Jesus declared that the Son does not passed over the homes of the Hebrews (when the
know the Day of His Return, St John Chrysostom firstborn of the Egyptians were dying) because they
believed that this is not to be understood literally, had marked their doorposts with the blood of
but rather as a figure of speech. sacrificed lambs. (EXODUS 12:13)
The meaning is simply that Christ does not reveal the Unleavened Bread is a reminder of the haste with which
exact date to anyone and that all Faithful Disciples the Hebrews left Egypt (EXODUS 12:39)
of Christ should not be so brazen as to question The final Old Covenant Passover was fulfilled in Christ
Him or even to worry about it. Jesus Whose Precious Pure Blood was shed in
Our Sacred Duty as His Faithful Disciples, is to order to free all humanity from the bondage and
Repent our sins constantly, to pray ceaselessly slavery of sin and death.
St Theodore the Tyro (Recruit) & Great Holy Martyr
St Theodore the Recruit (Tyro) was a soldier in the city His Holy Relics were later transferred to Constantinople,
of Alasium of the Pontine District (Northeast to a church dedicated to him.
Province of Asia Minor, stretching along the coast of Sadly, since the invasion and destruction of
the Euxine, i.e. the Black Sea), under the command Constantinople in 1204 by the Fourth Crusade of
of a certain Brinkos who ordered him – as well as all the West, his skull has been kept in Italy, in the city
the other soldiers - to offer sacrifices to the pagan of Gaeto.
idols. Fifty years after the Martyrdom of St Theodore the
However, St Theodore firmly and loudly confessed his Recruit, during the first week of Great Lent,
Faith in Christ our Saviour but amazingly the Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) - in a bitter
Commander gave him several days to reconsider drive to commit an outrage upon the Christian
his Christian Confession before having to face the population - commanded the City-Commander of
usual terrible consequences – unimaginable torture. Constantinople to sprinkle all the food in the
During the following days, St Theodore prayed fervently marketplaces with the blood of animals that had
to God for the strength and the courage to endure been offered to pagan idols.
whatever they planned to do to him and that with However, by Divine Grace, St Theodore the Recruit
Divine Assistance, he would never renounce our appeared in a Vision to Archbishop Eudoxios,
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, nor ever pay any warning him to inform all the Christians not to
homage – real or sham – to the pagan, manmade purchase anything from the public marketplaces,
gods. but rather to eat boiled wheat with honey (i.e.
When the time of his trial began, false accusers charged kollyva) instead.
him with setting a pagan temple on fire, which In memory of this occurrence, the Orthodox Church
brought upon him imprisonment and death by annually celebrates St Theodore the Recruit and
starvation. Holy Great Martyr on the first Saturday of Great
Nevertheless, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him - Lent.
comforting and encouraging him. On Friday evening, at the Divine Liturgy of the
After some time, he was once again presented before Presanctified Gifts following the Prayer Behind the
the Governor and St Theodore boldly and fearlessly Ambo (Pulpit), the Canon to St Theodore the Recruit
continued to confess his Faith in God for which he (Tyro), composed by St John of Damascus, is
was subjected to new torments and condemned to chanted. Afterwards, kollyva is blessed and
being burnt to death. distributed to the congregated Faithful.
On the day of his execution, St Theodore unhesitatingly The celebration of St Theodore the Recruit on the first
climbed onto his execution pyre while praying Saturday of Great Lent was set by Patriarch
ceaselessly and, as the hot flames licked his Nectarios of Constantinople (381-397).
scorching body, he surrendered his Sanctified soul The Troparion to St Theodore the Recruit is quite
to Almighty God. similar to the Troparion for St Daniel the Holy
St Theodore the Recruit/Tyro’s Holy Martyrdom occurred Prophet and the Three Holy Youths.
circa 306 under the Roman Emperor Galerius (305- The Kontakion to St Theodore, who suffered
311). Martyrdom by fire, reminds us that he also wore his
Miraculously unharmed by the intense fire, the Holy Faith like a breastplate. (I THESSALONIANS 5:8).
Relics of St Theodore were eventually buried in the We pray to St Theodore for the recovery of stolen
city of Euchaita, not far from Amasium. articles.

20. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) St Theodore the Tyro (Recruit) 17 February 2011
 G re e k O r t ho d o x Pa t r iar c ha te o f Ale x an d r ia & Al l A fr ic a
Arc h d io ce s e o f Go od H op e
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Fathe r, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, 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, toge ther wi th all the Saints. And le t us commit ourselves and one another and our w hole Life to Christ
our God. Ame n.

2nd Sunday of Triodion Tone (6) Plagal 2 2 0 F e b r ua r y 2 0 11

S u nd a y o f t he P ro d ig al S o n – Re p e n ta nce & F o r g ive ne s s

( T h ir d S un d a y B e f ore G re a t Le n t)

Also the Feast of St Leo of Catania, Sicily – St Agathon, Wonderworker of Kiev

Caves – St Cornelios, Abbot, Kiev Caves – St Sadoc, Hieromartyr of Persia & 128 Holy Martyrs who
suffered with Him – St Agathon of Rome
Resurrection Apolytikion - Tone (6) Plagal 2
Angelike Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes The Angelic Powers were in Thy Sepulchre, and the
apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitousa guards became as dead men, and Mary stood by the
to ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilefsas ton Adin, mi Tomb seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led Hades
pirasthis ip aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos
captive, yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art
tin Zoin. O Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie, ✞ Doxa Si.
the Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. ✞
Glory to Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the
dead!
Kontakion Of The Prodigal Son

Tis Patroas doxis Sou, aposkirtisas afronos, en kakis Foolishly I ran away, from Thy Glory, O Father, and
eskorpisa, on mi paredokas plouton. Othen Si, tin wasted in sin, all the wealth that Thou gave me.
tou Asotou fonin krafvgazo. Imarton, enopion Sou Therefore, the Prodigal’s cry I repeat unto Thee: I
Pater iktirmon. Dixe me metavoonta, ke piison have sinned, before Thy Compassionate Father. Do
me os ena ton misthion Sou. accept me in repentance, and make me again, one of
Thy hired hands.
R e s urre c t i on G os p e l 5 : L u ke 2 4: 3 6 – 5 3
Our Risen Lord Jesus Appears Along The Road To Emmaus
S t P a ul’ s F i rs t Ep is tl e to t he C or i n t h ia ns 6 : 1 2 – 2 0
Concerning Immorality & the Holy Church as a Temple
Brethren: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought
under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them.
Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord
and will also raise us up by His Power.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them
members of a harlot?
Certainly not!
Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “...the two...” He says, “... shall become
one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a person commits is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins
against his own body. Or do you not know that you body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, Whom you
have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
“All things are lawful for me...” may be a statement St life, through self-denial by FOCUSSING OUR ATTENTION
Paul made in Corinth sometime earlier – perhaps ON REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, PRAYERS AND
ALMSGIVING – OCCUPYING OURSELVES WITH VIRTUOUS
regarding the Mosaic Cleanliness Law – which the THOUGHTS, WORDS AND DEEDS.
Libertines took out of context as their slogan. Everything to do with our physical existence is merely
Consequently, St Paul set the record straight by temporary and will not last, while EVERYTHING
explaining that WITHOUT DISCIPLINE AND DISCERNMENT CONCERNING OUR IMMORTAL SOULS LASTS FOREVER AND
THROUGH OUR OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST, FREEDOM FROM RESULTS IN THE TYPE OF ETERNITY WE WILL HAVE.
LAW IS SLAVERY TO SIN! When St Paul refers to our bodies as “members of
The Libertines in Corinth – as some do today – argued Christ,” he reminds us of OUR HOLY UNION WITH
that illicit sex – adultery and fornication – is as CHRIST OUR LORD DURING OUR HOLY BAPTISM .
necessary for the body as eating, and that both are  R o m a n s 6 : 3 – 1 0 : “... our Old Man was crucified
irrelevant to our Spiritual Life. with Him, so that the body of sin might be
However, as St Paul points out very clearly: OUR BODIES done away with, so that we should no
BELONG TO GOD AND EVERYTHING WE SAY, THINK OR DO
IN THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY IS MOST longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died
CERTAINLY RELEVANT TO OUR SPIRITUAL WELFARE! as been freed from sin. Now if we died with
Therefore, DEALING WITH SIN – AVOIDING TEMPTATION AND Christ, we believe that we shall also Live
REPENTING OUR SINS – MEANS WE CONTROL OUR BODIES with Him, knowing that Christ, having been
THROUGH SELF-DISCIPLINE AND SELF-DENIAL OF THE
FLESH. raised from the dead, dies no more. Death
By controlling the desires of the flesh – i.e. all our no longer has dominion over Him, for the
physical desires and demands - WE TEACH OUR SOULS Death that He died, He died to sin once for
TO BE IN CONTROL OF OUR BODIES rather than the all; but the Life that He lives, He Lives to
other way around. In such a manner, WE LEARN TO God.”
BECOME MORE SPIRITUAL BEINGS – WORTHY CITIZENS OF To have died to sin does not mean our human nature
GOD’S HEAVENLY, ETERNAL KINGDOM. has died. Rather, it means that WE ARE NO LONGER
For that reason the Orthodox Church encourages us to HELD CAPTIVE BY SIN AND WE ARE NOW IMMOVABLE
abstain from foods, which is the first discipline of the TOWARDS SIN JUST LIKE SOMETHING THAT WAS DEAD
WOULD BE.
Fast, as well as all the other physical pleasures of

(DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) 2nd Sunday of Triodion – The Prodigal Son 20 February 2011 21.
Our freedom from sin is grounded in the Holy Mystery of our sins – in a state of Repentance, Prayer and
Baptism yet ignorance of what happens when we are Worship of God.
Baptised is a great enemy since through such The Holy Spirit dwells within us as His Holy Temple in
ignorance, many are defeated in their battle against order to Guide, Teach, Inspire and Watch over us,
wickedness. etc.
✽ WHAT CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED ON THE CROSS – AN ✽ ANY FORM OF BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT IS
ACTUAL DEATH TO SIN – HOLY BAPTISM AN UNFORGIVABLE SIN.
ACCOMPLISHES IN US: AN ACTUAL DEATH TO SIN AND Therefore, if we knowingly commit sins against
OUR LIBERATION FROM ITS ENSLAVING POWER –
SINCE OUR BAPTISM INTO CHRIST GIVES US HIS
ourselves, thus harming or desecrating our Holy
POWER OVER TEMPTATION AND SIN – AN EXACT Temples – our God-owned bodies – it is a sin against
LIKENESS TO CHRIST’S DEATH ON THE CROSS. God and especially the Holy Spirit for IN A STATE OF
➤ Consequently, OUR HOLY BAPTISM does not UNREPENTANT SIN, WE EXPEL OR CAUSE GOD TO LEAVE
merely “stand for” this Divine Truth but IS US AS HE CANNOT BE WHERE THERE IS SPIRITUAL
ITSELF OUR DEATH TO SIN. DARKNESS OR DEATH.
✽ Being united with Christ refers to GROWING TOGETHER We would certainly be extremely offended if someone
IN CHRIST – WHICH IMPLIES THE EXPECTATION OF A were to paint graffiti all over our Parish churches, or
GOOD SPIRITUAL HARVEST – BEARING OF GOOD FRUIT commit other outrages inside or outside the walls of
– THE FINAL RESULTS OF OUR SPIRITUAL LABOURS IN such hallowed ground, yet we continuously commit
CHRIST JESUS.
similar outrageous offences to our Sanctified bodies!
Fornication and adultery is therefore a sin to be fled St Paul always encourages the Faithful to P R A C T I S E
from in horror, for it joins, through our own C E L I B A C Y wherever possible – ESPECIALLY IF NOT
immorality, Christ to harlots! MARRIED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD for he knew that
✽ WE HAVE MANY IMPROPER DESIRES, BUT WE MUST CELIBACY IS A DIVINE GIFT GRANTED TO THOSE
REPRESS THEM, BECAUSE WE CAN! (ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM) CONCERNED – ALTHOUGH VERY FEW ARE GRANTED IT.
✽ WE ARE SANCTIFIED, HOLY TEMPLES OF GOD because
OUR BODIES BELONG TO GOD AND THE HOLY TRINITY
DWELLS WITHIN US when we are cleansed from
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 15 : 11 – 32
The Prodigal Son – Repentance & Forgiveness
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “A certain Man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his Father:
‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So He divided between them His Livelihood. And
not many days later, the younger son gathered all his possessions together and journeyed to a far
country where he wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
“And when he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in need.
So he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country who sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, yet no one gave him
anything.
“And when he came to himself, he said: ‘How many of my Father’s hired servants have enough bread to eat
and to spare, yet I perish from hunger! I will arise and go to my Father, and I will say to Him: “Father, I
have sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and I am no longer worthy to be called Thy son. Make me
like one of Thy hired servants.”’
“And he arose and went to his Father. And when he was still a great way off, his Father saw him and had
Compassion, and ran, and fell upon his neck and kissed him.
“And the son said to Him: ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and I am no longer worthy
to be called Thy son.’
“But the Father said to his servants: ‘Bring out the best Robe and put it on him, and put a Ring on his hand,
and sandals on his feet. And fetch the Fatted Calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this, My
son was Dead and is Alive again; he was Lost and is Found!’ and they began to be merry.
“Now His older son was in the field. And as he went and drew near to the House he heard music and
dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him: ‘Your
Brother has returned, and because He received him safe and sound, your Father has killed the Fatted
Calf.’
“And he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his Father went out and pleaded with him. So he
answered and said to his Father: ‘Behold, these many years I have been serving Thee; I never
transgressed Thy Commandment at any time; and yet Thou never gave me a young goat, so that I might
make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of Thine returned – having devoured Thy
Livelihood with harlots – Thou killed the Fatted Calf for him.’
“And He said to him: ‘Son, you are always with Me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should
make merry and be glad, for your Brother was Dead and is Alive again; and was Lost and is Found.’”
THE YOUNGER, IMMATURE SON’s request for his “portion of STUPOR AND REALISE OUR PREDICAMENT, AND YEARN
FOR HIS BLESSINGS AND GOODNESS.
goods” (“ousia” = “essence”) from his Father, ➤ BEING IMMERSED IN THE DARKNESS OF SIN, IS EXISTING
SIGNIFIES US HUMAN BEINGS RECEIVING OUR FREE WILL (TO
OUTSIDE OUR NATURAL HUMAN STATE.
PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH PATH TO FOLLOW) AND OUR
RATIONAL MIND FROM OUR GRACIOUS LORD GOD. ✽ F E E D I N G S W I N E could rightly be called “Jewish Skid
Just as Adam did in Paradise, THE YOUNGER SON USED THESE Row,” because IN SUCH A STATE OF DEBAUCHERY AND
WONDERFUL POSSESSIONS – DIVINE GIFTS – TO REBEL SELF-INDULGENCE, WHICH RESULTED IN COMPLETE
AGAINST HIS (HEAVENLY) FATHER. DESTITUTION – BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL - THE
PRODIGAL SON COULD NOT POSSIBLY SINK MUCH LOWER.
✽ THE “ F A R C O U N T R Y ” to which the Prodigal Son
journeyed represents A LIFE IN EXILE FROM THE ✽ “...WHEN HE CAME TO HIMSELF...” As soon as we
GOODNESS AND BLESSINGS OF GOD. “come to” ourselves – when our sanity is
➤ WHENEVER WE ARE IN A STATE OF SIN, WE ARE restored - WE RETURN TO THE DIVINE LIGHT AND
ALIENATED AND EXILED FROM DIVINE GOODNESS – REGAIN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST.
we are a great distance from God. ➤ THE PRODIGAL SON ACKNOWLEDGED HIS HOPELESS
CONDITION – Spiritual Death and alienation
✽ HAVING UNITED HIMSELF TO “ ... A CITIZEN OF
T H A T C O U N T R Y . . . ” is an oblique reference to
from God and all His Blessings – AND
IMMEDIATELY PREPARED HIS CONFESSION AND
THE EVIL ONE WHO IS OBSESSED WITH OUR DESTRUCTION
REPENTANCE.
AND ALIENATION FROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS.
➤ SATAN FIRST TEMPTS US INTO A SPIRITUAL DEATH AND ✽ THE “BREAD” to which the Prodigal Son refers
THEN TRIES TO KEEP US THERE AND AWAY FROM SYMBOLISES OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Who is known to
GOD’S BLESSINGS IN A STATE OF SLAVERY AND us throughout Holy Scripture and especially in
IMPRISONMENT.
the Holy Eucharist – the Divine Liturgy.
➤ However, the evil one cannot destroy us himself -
✽ “...HIS FATHER SAW HIM AND ... RAN...”
and like the Prodigal Son, BY GOD’S GRACE, WE
WILL EVENTUALLY AWAKEN FROM OUR GODLESS
Although it was considered undignified and unfitting
behaviour for a mature man or elderly person to run,

22. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) 2nd Sunday of Triodion – The Prodigal Son 20 February 2011
 THE FATHER EXPRESSED HIS LOVE AND EAGERNESS TO
WELCOME THE RETURN OF HIS LOST CHILD BY RUNNING TO
HIM AND EMBRACING HIM WARMLY.
➤ THIS SELF-HUMILIATION FOR THE SAKE OF HIS LOST SON
INDICATES THE MANNER WHEREBY OUR HEAVENLY
FATHER, THROUGH HIS SON AND OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST’S SACRIFICE, ACTIVELY AND PATIENTLY
AWAITS AND JOYOUSLY WELCOMES ALL THOSE WHO
RETURN SAFELY TO HIS LOVING EMBRACE.
✽ T H E R O B E signifies RIGHTEOUSNESS GRANTED TO US BY
OUR HOLY BAPTISM.
 I s a i a h 6 1 : 1 0 “... they shall have exceeding
Gladness in the Lord. Let my soul rejoice
exceedingly in the Lord, for He clothed me
with the Garment of Salvation and the
Tunic of Gladness. He put a Mitre around
me like a Bridegroom and adorned me with
Ornaments like a Bride. As the earth causes
its flower to grow, and a s a garden its
seeds, so shall the Lord cause
Righteousness to rise up, and exceeding
Joy before all the Gentiles.”
St John Chrysostom and all our Holy Church Fathers
have taught us that “THE GARMENT OF SALVATION” IS
CHRIST HIMSELF.
This explains why St Paul taught us that in Holy
Baptism we “PUT ON CHRIST.”
 G a l a t i a n s 3 : 2 7 “For as many of you as were
Baptised into Christ have put on Christ.”
➤ St Paul directly relates our SAVING FAITH AND BEING
BAPTISED by connecting them as OUR MOST
PRECIOUS AND INTIMATE BLESSINGS FROM GOD.
➤ This particular verse is the ancient Hymn CHANTED
AT ALL CHRISTIAN BAPTISMS DURING THE
PROCESSION OF THE NEWLY REGENERATED INTO THE
ASSEMBLY.
✽ T H E S I G N E T R I N G signifies FAMILY IDENTITY – OUR
ADOPTION AT HOLY BAPTISM AS A CHILD OF GOD AND CO-
HEIR WITH CHRIST TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’S
KINGDOM.
H a g g a i 2 : 2 3 “... ‘In that day,’ says the Lord
Almighty, ‘I shall take you, Zerubbabel, My
servant, son of Shealtiel... and shall make you
like a Signet Ring; for I have chosen you.’”
➤ OFFICIAL ROYAL ACTS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD WERE
AUTHENTICATED BY THE USE OF A MONARCH’S
SIGNET RING so by designating Zerubbabel as
His Signet, the Lord was, in effect, stating
that HE WOULD BE ACTING AS GOD’S VICE-REGENT,
CHARGED WITH CARRYING OUT HIS SUPREME RULE
AND DIVINE WILL.
➤ On a deeper level: this is a strong Messianic
Prophecy. “When our soul becomes
peaceful... then she (our soul) will
receive Christ like a Signet Ring upon
her, for she is the Image of God. Then
she will be according to that Image,
because Heavenly is the Heavenly Man.
And we need to bear the Image of the
Heavenly One, that is, Peace ... I wish
the Lord Jesus may say to you: ‘Put Me
as a Seal upon your arm.’ May Peace
glow in your heart, Christ in your
Works, and may there be formed in you
Wisdom and Justice and Redemption.”
(ST AMBROSE OF MILAN)
✽ T H E S A N D A L S signify how WE ARE EQUIPPED TO WALK
THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUS.
➤ WE ARE ABLE to follow in the Footsteps of our
Saviour, according to His Holy Gospel – BY
THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH THE
TEACHINGS OF GOD THE SON, AND ACTIVATED,
INSPIRED AND ENABLED BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
 E p h e s i a n s 6 : 1 4 - 1 5 “... Stand therefore, having
Girded yourself with Truth, having put on
the Breastplate of Righteousness, and
having shod your feet with the Preparation
of the Gospel of Peace...”
➤ CHRISTIANS FIGHT AGAINST ALL EVIL ARMED WITH DIVINE
ARMOUR, WHICH IS GOD’S UNCREATED DIVINE
ENERGY, GIVEN TO US AT HOLY BAPTISM AND USED BY
US THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES AS WE BATTLE IN
SPIRITUAL WARFARE EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY.
➤ AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WE HAVE PUT ON all
the qualities bestowed upon us AS SPIRITUAL
ARMOUR: TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND FAITH,
(DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) 2nd Sunday of Triodion – The Prodigal Son
which are constantly to be used in the
conflict we face as we proceed ever closer to
God and His Heavenly Kingdom.
➤ WITHOUT S TRUGGLE THERE CAN BE NO
DEIFICATION – THEOSIS OR SPIRITUAL
PERFECTION.
✽ T H E F A T T E D C A L F is more closely
translated as the
“wheat-fed bull-calf” or “Bull-calf formed from
wheat,” which is a male calf that has been raised
on wheat in preparation FOR USE AS A SACRIFICIAL
OFFERING.
➤ As the Reconciliation of the Prodigal Son was not
complete without the sacrifice of the calf, so
too OUR RECONCILIATION WITH GOD IS
ACCOMPLISHED AND PERFECTED - NOT BY OUR
REPENTANCE ALONE BUT BY CHRIST HAVING OFFERED
HIMSELF AS THE ULTIMATE, FINAL AND MOST PUREST
OFFERING OF ALL.
The festive dining on an animal offering “formed from
wheat” is a clear reference to our Partaking of the
Holy Eucharist – THUS OUR RECONCILIATION WITH GOD IS
THROUGH REPENTANCE-CONFES SION AND HOLY
EUCHARIST – FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND ETERNAL
LIFE.
Consequently, BOTH THE OLD AND THE NEW COVENANTS ARE
FULFILLED AT THE MARRIAGE OF CHRIST THE HEAVENLY
BRIDEGROOM AND HIS BRIDE, THE HOLY CHURCH.
✽ T H E R E S E N T F U L O L D E R B R O T H E R signifies THE
HARDHEARTEDNESS OF THE PHARISEES AND ALL SELF-
RIGHTEOUS, STUBBORN AND UNREPENTANT SINNERS to
whom Christ related this Parable.
➤ GOD REQUIRES HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE TO REJOICE
WHENEVER EVEN THE MOST GUILTY PERSON RETURNS
TO GOD THROUGH SINCERE REPENTANCE-
CONFESSION. (ST CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA)
➤ The eldest son’s FAILURE TO RECOGNISE HIS OWN SINS
LEADS TO HIS SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND MERCILESS
ATTITUDE.
➤ Contrast this with the contrition of the Prodigal
Son:
“The one who seems to himself to be Righteous,
who does not see the beam in his own eye,
becomes angry when Forgiveness is granted to
one who Confesses his sins and begs for
Mercy.” (ST AMBROSE OF MILAN)
➤ The older son’s INGRATITUDE IS ALSO APPARENT IN
HIS ACCUSATION: “... Thou never gave me a
young goat...”
➤ Meanwhile HIS LOVING FATHER HAS GRANTED HIM
EVERYTHING HE HAS!
WE ALWAYS COMPLAIN about and desire what we think we
are lacking in material possessions and wealth WHEN
WE SHOULD BE CONSTANTLY EXPRESSING OUR DEEPEST
GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR ALL HIS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.
WHEN WE LEARN TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR BOUNDLESS BLESSINGS
AND EXPRESS THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR HIS GREAT MERCY
IN ALL THINGS, WE WILL NEVER BE DISSATISFIED WITH
ANYTHING IN THIS LIFE.
Instead WE WILL BE OVERJOYED BY HOW MUCH GOD HAS
GRANTED US EACH AND EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY – no
matter how others may try to tempt us into a state of
discontentment and ingratitude!
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS AND THANK GOD
CONSTANTLY!
O n R e p e n ta nce
A soldier asked Abba Mius if God accepted Repentance.
After the Wise Father had taught the young man many
things he said: 'Tell me, my dear, if your cloak is
torn, do you throw it away?'
He replied: 'No, I mend it and use it again.'
The Holy Elder said to him: 'If you are so careful about
your cloak, will not God be equally careful about His
creature?'
St. Symeon the New Theologian
Through Repentance the filth of our foul actions is
washed away. After this, we participate in the Holy
Spirit, not automatically, but according to the Faith,
Humility and inner disposition of the Repentance in
which our soul is engaged. For this reason it is good
to repent each day as the act of Repentance is
unending.
20 February 2011 23.
 Sunday of the Prodigal Son
"Of what great Blessings in my wretchedness have I deprived myself! From what a Kingdom in my misery
have I fallen! I have wanted the riches that were given to me, I have transgressed the Commandment.
Alas, unhappy soul! You are henceforth Condemned to the Eternal Fire. Therefore before the end cry out
to Christ our God: Receive me as the Prodigal Son, and have Mercy upon me!"
This Hymn is chanted on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, HE COULD NOT PARTAKE IN THE JOYOUS FESTIVITIES BECAUSE HE
WAS TOO WEIGHED DOWN BY HIS MISERABLE STUBBORNNESS
which we celebrate today. AND IGNORANCE.
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son we are told - and in our How many Christians live “by the Book?”
minds we regard - the younger as being the Prodigal How many attend Church Services out of habit or a
Son. But which one of these two Brothers is truly the sense of duty, who pray to God but with empty
Prodigal Son? words and gestures, who help the Church financially
Is it the immature Brother who left but returned in sincere or through other endeavours but for all the wrong
Repentance, or the mature, older Brother who refused reasons - very busy and involved with all kinds of
to welcome him back or join in the joyful festivities, activities and practises yet NEVER UNDERSTANDING NOR
despite his Father’s pleas? APPRECIATING THE DIVINE PURPOSE OR INTENTIONS OF
Both of them are Prodigal Sons, for if we examine the ALMIGHTY GOD NOR REALISING EXACTLY HOW WE, AS FAITHFUL
Parable from a different angle, we will see that EVEN CHRISTIANS, SHOULD ACTUALLY LIVE EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES.
THOUGH THE OLDER BROTHER ALWAYS OBEYED HIS FATHER, HE HOW MANY OF US WALK OUT OF THE HOLY SERVICES – ESPECIALLY
AFTER HAVING PARTAKEN OF HOLY EUCHARIST - AND
TOO CONSTANTLY SQUANDERED HIS FATHER’S ESTATE. IMMEDIATELY CAST CRITICAL EYES TOWARDS OTHERS, GOSSIP
THE FATHER HAS GIVEN ALL OF US GIFTS – WONDERFUL AND AND SLANDER ONE ANOTHER, NOT POSSESSING A TINY DROP OF
GENEROUS GIFTS THAT SHOULD BE USED FOR HIS GLORY - YET COMPASSION OR FORGIVENESS FOR OUR FELLOW SINNERS!
WHICH ARE USUALLY SQUANDERED FOR OUR OWN PURPOSES – YET WE ALL EXPECT TO BE SAVED OR DIVINELY REWARDED FOR OUR
SELF-INDULGENTLY. EMPTY, HYPOCRITICAL GESTURES!
The older son only obeyed the Father because HE EXPECTED We are entering Great Lent soon, and Christ asks us today,
TO BE REWARDED IN RETURN! WITH WHICH OF THESE BROTHERS ARE WE IDENTIFIED?
He had gone “by the book” all his life but for all the wrong DO WE TRULY SEE OUR OWN SINS AT ALL OR DO WE ONLY SEE THOSE
reasons. He had not learnt True Love - the Perfect, REFLECTED BY OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST AND OTHERS?
Divine Love that the Father possesses! DO WE INDULGE OURSELVES by cursing, gossiping, and
By not striving to be as Perfect as his Loving Father is, he slandering and committing all our other habitual and
did everything for reasons opposite to those of the continuous sins?
OR WILL WE REALLY “COME TO” OURSELVES IN TRUE R E P E N T A N C E
Father. A N D C O N F E S S I O N , STRIVING TO ROOT OUT AND DESTROY
The eldest son also lived in a foreign and distant land, ALL EVIL SEEDS lurking within our deep, dark depths,
because his actions were completely foreign to and striving to improve ourselves every day through
distant from those of his Father. constant, heart-felt Prayers, Fasting and Confession?
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER DID NOT CREATE US HUMAN BEINGS TO LIVE
DO WE TRULY T R E A T E A C H O T H E R W I T H C H R I S T I A N L O V E
IN A SELF-CENTRED, SELF-INDULGENT STATE – OR EVEN WORSE -
OR DO WE HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST ONE ANOTHER?
NOT TO REALIZE NOR ACKNOWLEDGE THE WICKEDNESS OF OUR
SELFISHNESS, AND THEREFORE NOT TO FEEL THE NECESSITY DO WE CHOOSE TO DISREGARD OUR OWN UNREPENTED SINS in the
FOR REPENTANCE! deceptive belief that since we “live by the Book,” and
On the contrary, his younger Brother was completely lost we will be Saved anyway, it does not really matter?!
but now is found – he returned to Divine Grace. The Truth is that W E A R E A L L P R O D I G A L S I N O U R
HE WAS SPIRITUALLY DEAD BUT DUE TO HIS INTENSE REMORSE AND OWN WAY!
CONTRITION THE YOUNGER BROTHER WAS RESTORED TO
SPIRITUAL LIFE.
However, let us immediately “come to” ourselves, so that
BEING HUMBLED IN HIS REPENTANCE, HE WAS WILLING AND EAGER we may S E E O U R S E L V E S A S W E R E A L L Y A R E – in a
TO RETURN TO THE INFINITE LOVE OF HIS FATHER, under foreign land, in exile and alienation from God and all
whatever conditions would be required of him – even His wonderful Blessings.
as the lowest of all His servants! Let us all I M M E D I A T E L Y R E C O G N I S E O U R U R G E N T N E E D
Sadly, THE ELDER BROTHER WAS TOO BLINDED BY HIS OWN T O R E T U R N T O D I V I N E G R A C E – to return to the
RESENTMENT, CRITICISM, JEALOUSY AND EVEN A TOUCH OF warmth and comfort of our Lord’s Loving Embrace!
LOATHING TO UNDERSTAND ANY OF THIS, for he believed that Let us all “...cry out to Christ our God: receive me as
he had done everything according to his Father's Will, the Prodigal Son, O God, and have mercy upon
yet EVERYTHING HE HAD DONE WAS IN VAIN SINCE HE WAS LOST me!"
IN SELF-INTEREST AND SELF-CONCERN. Amen.
HE WAS LOST AND COULD NOT BE FOUND. HE WAS DEAD AND COULD
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON” BY JAMES ILIOU –
NOT BE RESTORED TO LIFE UNTIL HE REPENTED HIS OWN ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA – www.goarch.org
BURDENSOME SINS!

T h e E te r nal W is d o m of o u r H o l y C h ur c h F a t he rs – O n Re p e n ta nc e
St. John of Kronstadt
You, sinner, who have fallen into the depths of evil, when
you represent to yourself the multitude of your sins
and fall into despair and hardness of heart, remember
that the Heavenly Father sent His Only-Begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world for your Salvation
from sins and from Eternal Condemnation for them.
Turn then with Faith to this Mediator for all mankind
before God, imploring Him from the depths of your
soul to wash away by His All-cleansing Blood, shed for
us on the Cross, your iniquities too.
Turn zealously to Repentance, confessing your sins before
His Priest as though as before Himself, that you may
be Justified, after which, if the Minister of the
Sacrament of Penitence finds you prepared and fit,
draw near to the Holy Cup and you shall be Cleansed
of your sins: Peace shall flow into your soul like a river
and you shall be the son of the Heavenly Father,
'...who was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is
found.'” (LUKE 15:32) (MY LIFE IN CHRIST; HOLY TRINITY MONASTERY)
St. Dorotheos of Gaza
A human being can know nothing about the Judgments of
God. He alone is the One Who takes account of all and
is able to Judge the hearts of each one of us, as He
alone is our Master.
Truly it happens that people may do certain things that
seem to be wrong out of simplicity, and there may be
something about what they have done, which makes
more amends to God than your whole life; how are you
going to sit in judgment and constrict your own soul?
And should it happen that people have fallen away, how do
you know how much and how well they fought; how
much blood they sweated before they did so? Perhaps
so little fault can be found in them that God can look
on their actions as if they were Just, for God looks at
our Labours and all the Struggle we have had before
we commit the sin, and He has pity on us.
And do you know this - and for what reason or purpose
God has spared such sinners? Are you going to
condemn them for this and ruin your own soul? And
how do you know what tears they have shed over their
sins before God?
You may well know about their sins but do you not
know about their Repentance?

24. (DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED) 2nd Sunday of Triodion – The Prodigal Son 20 February 2011
 G re e k O r t ho d o x Pa t r iar c ha te o f Ale x an d r ia & Al l A fr ic a
A rc h d io ce s e o f Go od H o p e
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Fathe r, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Ame n.
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theo tokos, yet Ever
Virgin, toge the r with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and o ur w hole Life to
Christ our God. Amen.

2 3 F e b r ua r y 20 11

S t P ol yc arp t he G re a t H ol y M ar t y r o f S m yr na

Also the Feast of St Proterios, Archbishop of Alexandria – St Gorgonia the

Righteous, sister of St Gregory the Theologian – St Damianos the New
Martyr of Mount Athos
Apolytikion Of The Heavenly Hosts
Ton Ouranion Stration Arhistratigi, disopoumen imas ai O Foremost of the Heavenly Hosts, we who are unworthy,
imis i anaxii, ina tes imon disesi tihisite imas, skepi ton beseech You that by Your Petitions You encompass us
pterigon tis ailou imon doxis frourountes imas with the shadow of Your Immaterial Glory, preserving
prospiptontas, ektenos ke voontas. Ek ton kindinon us who kneel and cry ceaselessly: deliver us from
litrosasthe imas, os Taxiarhe ton ano Dinameon. oppressions, since You are the Princes of the Ranks of
Dominions on High.
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 voices
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the Assistance
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
timonton se. Theotokos who always protects all those who honour
Thee!
Apolytikion Of St Polycarp Hieromartyr Of Smyrna – Tone 4
Tin klisin tis ergis sou, episfragisas sofe, elea katakarpos Thou sealed the Call with Thy Works, O Most Wise, as Most
ofthis en iko Theou, Polikarpe endoxe; si gar os Ierarhis, Fruitful Olive Tree, Thou were seen in the House of God,
ke sterros Athloforos trefis tin Ekklisian, logiki efkarpia, O Glorious Polycarp; because as a Hierarch, and a Most
presvevon Ieromartis, iper ton psihon imon. Steadfast Victor, the whole Church Thou nourished with
Spiritual Abundance, as Thou intercedes, O Hieromartyr,
for our souls.
Kontakion Of St Polycarp Hieromartyr Of Smyrna – Tone (8) Plagal 4
Karpous tous logikous, to Kyrio prosferon, Polikarpe sofe, Through Godly Virtues, Thou brought forth for the Lord God
areton di entheon, edihtis axiotheos, ierarha makarie. much Spiritual Fruit, O Thou Most Blessed Hierarch, and
Othen smeron, i fotisthentes sis logis, animnoumen sou, so proved worthy of God Thy Lord, O Wise Polycarp.
tin axiepenon mnimin, doxazontes Kyrion. Wherefore, on this day we who have all been
Enlightened through thy Holy Words extol Thy
praiseworthy Memory and Glorify Christ the Lord
F ir s t B o o k o f S t J o h n 3: 2 1 – 4 : 11
The Holy Spirit’s Witness: The Incarnation & the Redemption of our Loving God

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask, we received from
Him, because we keep His Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His Sight.
And this is His Commandments: that we should believe in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ and Love one another, as He
commanded us to do.
Now those who keep His commandments abide in Him, and He abides in them. And by this we know that He abides in
us, by the Spirit Whom He has granted to us.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone
out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the
Flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the Flesh, is not of God. And this
is the spirit of Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
You are of God, Little Children, and have overcome them, because He Who is in you, is greater than he who is in the
world.
They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He Who knows
God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.
Beloved, let us Love one another, for Love is of God; and everyone who Loves is born of God and knows God.
Those who do not Love, do not know God, for God is Love. In this the Love of God is manifested to us, that God has sent
His Only Begotten Son into the world, so that we might Live through Him.
In this is Love, not that we Loved God, but that He Loved us and sent His Son to be the Propitiation for our sins.
Beloved: if God so Loves us, we also ought to Love one another.
A CLOSE AND PERSONAL RELATI ONSHIP WITH GOD GIVES CONTRIBUTES TO OUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND
US GREAT CONFIDENCE AND ASSURANCE because we PROGRESS.
know, without a doubt, that OUR LORD GOD IS IN Furthermore, HAVING PUT ON CHRIST AT OUR HOLY BAPTISM
CONTROL OF EVERYTHING AND WE HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY AND NOW LIVING IN CHRIST JESUS AS HIS FAITHFUL
ABOUT EXCEPT OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DISCIPLES, WE MUST LEARN TO TRULY LOVE ONE ANOTHER
THROUGH CONSTANT REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AND UNCONDITIONALLY – JUST AS GOD LOVES US.
COMMUNION WITH HIM. Our Lord Jesus Christ – the Incarnate Son of God – has
ABSOLUTE FAITH OR TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN GOD WHO IS ALL made it very clear that THE GREA TEST COMMANDMENT
KNOWING MOTIVATES US TO OBEY ALL HIS DIVINE OF ALL CONCERNS OUR ABSOL UTE LOVE OF GOD AND
COMMANDMENTS, since we realise that ONLY GOD KNOWS FOR ONE ANOTHER – our fellow sinners.
WHAT IS TO OUR REAL ADVANTAGE – WHAT BENEFITS AND

(ANY DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) St Polycarp the Great Martyr of Smyrna 23 February 2011 25..
Although none of us is as Perfect as Him, but - AS HIS
STRUGGLING AND DETERMINED DISCIPLES - WE MUST
CEASELESSLY STRIVE FOR THAT DIVINE PERFECTION – A
STATE OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
This is the meaning of Perfection, Deification and
Theosis – to become as Perfect as Christ - thereby
REGAINING OUR LOST LIKENESS TO GOD IN WHOSE IMAGE
AND LIKENESS WE WERE CREATED.
Even if we can never become Perfect, WE MUST USE EVERY
MEANS POSSIBLE THAT GOD GIVES US IN ORDER TO REACH
THAT ULTIMATE GOAL – FOR THIS IS HOW WE WILL BE FINALLY
JUDGED: “How much effort did I really make –
despite all my weaknesses - to achieve
Theosis?”
WE WERE CREATED AS HOLY TEMPLES TO ACCOMMODATE
ALMIGHTY GOD.
So with every effort we make to obey all His Divine
Commandments, WE ARE FILLED WITH DIVINE GRACE –
filled with the very Presence of God within us -
which makes us all the more Spiritually Stronger and
AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO OUR LOVING GOD.
St John the Divine Apostle and Theologian warns us NOT
TO BE DECEIVED BY FALSE SPIRITS OR DECEPTIVE PEOPLE
WHO TEMPT US AWAY FROM GOD AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
THE ANTICHRIST IS ANYONE WHO DOES NOT CONFESS THAT THE
WORD AND SON OF GOD BECAME MAN – THAT JESUS CHRIST IS
GOD INCARNATE AND REMAINING FULLY DIVINE.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS A DIVINE NATURE AS HE IS THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD –
AND HE HAS A HUMAN NATURE, HAVING BECOME INCARNATE – HAVING TAKEN
HIS FLESH AND BLOOD FROM THE ALL PURE, ALL HOLY AND EVER VIRGIN MARY.
HIS TWO NATURES ARE COMPLETE BUT SEPARATE AND UNCONFUSED AND THOSE WHO
REJECT THIS DIVINE TRUTH, ARE REGARDED AS BEING ANTI-CHRIST AND
DECEPTIVE LIARS.
“We are of God,” means that EVERY FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN
IS A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST and as such, WE BELONG TO
ALMIGHTY GOD – HIS “NEW ISRAEL” OF THE NEW COVENANT.
“God is Love,” is not a definition of Who God is, but
rather A DESCRIPTION OF HIS DIVINE RELATIONSHIP TO US
AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
AS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD SACRIFICIALLY OFFERED
HIMSELF FOR OUR REDEMPTION OR SALVATION, SO THAT WE
MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM, WE TOO WILLINGLY AND EAGERLY
OFFER OURSELVES – BODY AND SOUL – TO HIM AND TO ONE
ANOTHER WITH AGAPE – GODLY LOVE – PERFECT LOVE.
“... not that we Loved God, but that He Loves us
and sent His Son to be the Propitiation for our
sins...” is one of the most profound statements of
GOD’S INFINITE MERCY AND GRACE!
A SIMILAR STATEMENT IS VERSE 19: “WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST
LOVED US!”
St John explains how we can know whether God truly
lives within us:
➤ If we LOVE ONE ANOTHER UNCONDITIONALLY and without
reservation or question.
➤ If we have been granted HIS HOLY SPIRIT WHO COMPELS
US TO ACHIEVE GOOD WORKS FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR
AND WORSHIP OF GOD ALONE and not for any self-
motivated reason or purpose.I
➤ If we CONFESS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS THE SON OF GOD.
➤ If we ABIDE IN THE LOVE OF GOD AND STRIVE CONSTANTLY
TO HUMBLY AND FAITHFULLY OBEY ALL HIS
COMMANDMENTS.

The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 14 : 43 – 15 : 1

The Betrayal, Arrest & Unjust Trial of our Lord Jesus Christ
At that time, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs,
arrived from the Chief Priests and Scribes and the Elders.
Now His betrayer had given a signal, saying: “Whomever I kiss is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”
As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Jesus and said to Him: “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
And they laid their hands on Him and took Him. And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of
the High Priest, and cut off his ear.
And Jesus said to them: “Have you come out, as against a robber, with words and clubs to take Me? I was daily with
you in the Temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”
Then they all forsook Him and fled.
Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid
hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
And they led Jesus away to the High Priest and with him were assembled all the Chief Priest, the Elders, and the Scribes.
And Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the High Priest. And he sat with the servants and
warmed himself at the fire.
Now the Chief Priests and all the Council sought testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death, but they found
none, for many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying: “We heard Him say: ‘I will destroy this Temple made
with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’” But not even then did their testimony
agree.
And the High Priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus: “Do you answer nothing? What is it that these men testify
against Thee?” But He kept silent and answered nothing.
Again the High Priest asked Him, saying to Him: “Art Thou the Christ – the Son of the Blessed?”
Jesus said: “I Am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with
the Clouds of Heaven.”
Then the High Priest tore his clothes and said: “What further need do we have of witnesses. You have heard the
blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Jesus to be deserving of death.
And some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him: “Prophesy!” And the Officers
struck Him with the palms of their hands!
Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the High Priest came. And when she saw Peter
warning himself, she looked at him and said: “Thou also were with Jesus of Nazareth!” But he denied it, saying: “I
neither know nor understand what you are saying!” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. And the
servant girl saw him again, and began to so to those who stood by: “He is one of them,” but Peter denied it again.
And a little later, those who stood by said to Peter again: “Surely thou art one of them, for thou art a Galilean, and thy
speech shows it.” Then Peter began to curse and swear: “I do not know this Man of Whom you speak!” A second
time the rooster crowed.
And Peter called to mind what Jesus had said to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three
times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.
Immediately in the morning, the Chief Priests held a consultation with the Elders and the Scribes and the whole Council;
and they bound Jesus, let Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.
The fact that A KISS WAS REQUIRED TO SIGNAL THE MOB IS A “I Am” is the Divine Name of God, which indicates a
COMMENTARY ON THOSE WHO WENT TO ARREST CHRIST since Theophany or Revelation of God Himself and its use by
the Jewish leaders and even the people would have a mere human being is certainly blasphemous, which
easily recognised our Lord, which shows that the would have been punishable by death.
ARRESTING SOL DIERS WERE MERCENARIES AND ROMANS , ALTHOUGH SOME HAVE SPECULATED AS TO THE IDENTITY OF “THE CERTAIN YOUNG MAN”
WHO FOLLOWED THE RAUCOUS CROWD IT IS LIKELY THAT IT WAS ST MARK HIMSELF
dispatched by the Chief Priests, Scribes and Elders. SINCE THE OTHER EVANGELISTS NEITHER MENTION IT NOR WOULD NOT HAVE
AT EVERY DIVINE LITURGY W E PRAY FOR THE S TRENGTH NOT WANTED TO EMBARRASS ST MARK BY RELATING IT, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE
TO KISS OUR L ORD IN B ETRA YAL LIKE JUDAS ISCARIOT INCIDENT WAS A GREAT SHAME AND PUBLIC HUMILIATION.
DID!

26. (ANY DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) St Polycarp the Great Martyr of Smyrna 23 February 2011
 G re e k O r t ho d o x Pa t r iar c ha te o f Ale x an d r ia & Al l A fr ic a
A rc h d io ce s e o f Go od H o p e
All Glory, Hono ur and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Ame n.
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theo tokos, yet Ever
Virgin, to gether wi th all the Sai nts. And let us com mit o urselves and o ne ano the r and our whole Life to
Christ our God. Amen.

VERY STRICT FAST TODAY 2 4 F e br u ar y 2 01 1

st nd
1 & 2 F i nd i ng o f S t J o h n t he B ap t is t ’s H e ad
Also the Feast of St Romanos of Uglich – St Cumein, Abbot of Iona Monastery

Apolytikion Of The Finding Of St John The Baptist’s Head – Tone 4:

Ek gis anatilasa, i tou Prodromou Kefali, aktinas aflisi, The Head of the Forerunner, having risen from the
tis aftharsias pistis ton laseon; anothen sinathriszi, earth, sends out rays of Incorruption, for the healing
tin plithin ton Angelon, katothen singalite, ton of the Faithful; in the Heavens it gathers the Choir
anthropon ta geni, omofonon anapempse, doxan of Angels, below are called together all people of all
Hristo to Theo. races, to send in a single voice: Glory to Christ our
God!
Kontakion Of The Ever Blessed Theotokos
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton up Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication,
Timonton Se. O Theotokos who always protects all those who
honour Thee!
T h e Se co nd Ep is tle o f St P a ul to t he Co r in t h i an s 4 : 6 - 1 5
Like St Paul, St John The Baptist Faced Death So That He Might Show Forth The Light Of Christ
Brethren, it is the God Who commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of
the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, so that
the excellence of the Power may be of God and not of us.
We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the Life of
Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
For we who live are already delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal
flesh. So then death is working in us, but Life in you. And since we have the same spirit of Faith, according to what is
written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He Who raised up the
Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
For all things are for your sakes, that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the
Glory of God.
The “Treasure” is THE LIGHT OF GOD’S GLORY IN CHRIST and THIS IS VICTORIOUS, BUT NOT TROUBLE-FREE CHRISTIANITY .
“earthen vessels” refers to OUR HUMANITY – OUR HUMAN These TRIALS OF LIFE “...show both the Power of God
NATURE – our mortal, physical bodies that God first and, more, disclose His Grace” [ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM]
created from the soil of the earth and which, BOTH THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS AND ST JOHN
THE BAPTIST WERE THE MOST PERFECT LIVING
therefore, must be returned to the earth before our EXAMPLES OF DIVINE GRACE.
Resurrection into Eternity. Since very early childhood – from about the age of two
As this DIVINE LIGHT SHINES IN AND THROUGH US, people will or three years – ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND FORERUNNER
see that “the Power” is “of God" and not of TO CHRIST HAD LIVED IN THE WILDERNESS, ALL ALONE BUT
mankind. PROTECTED AND NURTURED BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND THE
LIKE THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS GRACE OF GOD.
UTTERLY OBEDIENT TO GOD AND WAS A MOST SUITABLE ALL HIS KNOWLEDGE WAS BESTOWED UPON HIM BY GOD WHO NOT
LIVING TEMPLE FOR THE HOLY TRINITY. ONLY PROTECTED HIM FROM ANY HARM, BUT ALSO EQUIPPED
HIM WITH ALL THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS AS THE HOLY
Thus THE DIVINE LIGHT SHONE FORTH FROM HIM UPON THE
FORERUNNER TO CHRIST AND THE LAST BUT GREATEST HOLY
HEBREW PEOPLE, ENCOURAGING THEM TO HEED HIS
PROPHET OF GOD.
in
DIVINELY INSPIRED WORDS AND TO SEEK REPENTANCE
preparation for the Coming of the long-awaited
Messiah – our Saviour.
T h e H ol y G os p e l Acc o rd i ng t o S t Ma t t he w 1 1: 2 – 15
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST EXPLAINS ST JOHN THE BAPTIST’S MISSION TO US
At that time, when John had heard in prison about the Works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples who asked Him: “Art
Thou the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Jesus answered them: “Go and tell John the things that you hear and see: the blind see and the lame walk;
the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel
preached to them. And Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness
to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments?
Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A Prophet?
Yes, I say to you: and more than a Prophet! For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My
Messenger before Thy Face, who will prepare Thy Way before Thee.’
“Assuredly, I say to you: among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist;
but he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist

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.
 until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all Prophets and
the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
According to our Holy Church Fathers, St John the
Baptist asked “Art Thou the Coming One, or do
we look for another?” – a most important
question in order TO GUIDE HIS OWN DISCIPLES TO OUR AN ANCIENT PATRISTIC INTERPRETATION IS THAT THE KINGDOM
LORD JESUS CHRIST.
It is also possible, according to modern interpretations,
that St John thought of the Messiah as Divine Judge
only and was perplexed by His Infinite Mercy.
 ST ISAIAH HAD PREDICTED THAT AT THE COMING OF THE
MESSIAH THE BLIND WOULD SEE, THE LAME WOULD
WALK, LEPERS WOULD BE CLEANSED AND THE DEAF
WOULD HEAR.
OUR LORD JESUS FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES OF ST ISAIAH,
BEARING THE FRUIT THAT ONLY THE MESSIAH CAN PRODUCE!
IN TERMS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST IS
THE GREATEST PROPHET, but THE NEW COVENANT
INAUGURATED BY CHRIST IS OF SUCH INCOMPARABLE VALUE
THAT EVERYONE WHO SHARES IN IT IS, AS IT WERE, GREATER
THAN ST JOHN, because BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH UNDER
THE NEW COVENANT WE BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD AND
PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
St John is honoured because
➤ He is Righteous
➤ He prepared the Way of the first Coming of our Lord
and Saviour
➤ He Baptised Christ.
“Suffers violence” may mean that the Heavenly
Kingdom is under attack by opponents of St John
the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ, or other
T h e F irs t a nd t he Se c on d F ind i n g o f S t J o h n t h e B ap t i s t ’s Ve n e ra ble H e ad
After the Beheading of St John the Holy Prophet,
Forerunner and Baptist of Christ, his martyred body
was buried by his faithful Disciples in the Samarian
city of Sebaste, but his venerable head was hidden
by the evil adulteress and murderess, Herodias in
the most unclean place she could find (which was
probably in a cesspool).
St Joanna, who was the wife of King Herod's steward,
Chuza, and later one of the Holy Myrrhbearers,
secretly recovered the Holy Relic and cleaned it
carefully before placing it gently in a clay vessel,
which she then buried with fitting Prayers on the
Mount of Olives – on one of Herod's properties.
After many years, this property passed into the
possession of a Government Official who became a
devout Christian Monk named “Innocent.”
He wanted to build a small church and a cell on the
Mount of Olives and as he began digging the
foundations, the clay jar containing the Venerable
Head of St John the Baptist, was unearthed.
Father Innocent immediately recognized its great
Holiness from the signs of Grace emanating from it
– a Heavenly Aroma, which is the Sweet Perfume of
Sanctity that is emitted by certain things that have
been Sanctified through contact with God.
St Innocent the Monk preserved it with great Piety, but
fearful that the Holy Relic might be abused by the
ungodly, he again hid it in that same place before
his own repose in Christ.
As the years passed, his little church and cell fell into
ruin and were eventually totally destroyed.
During the reign of St Constantine the Great, when
Christianity was no longer persecuted and the Holy
Church flourished immensely throughout the known
world, two Brother Monks went on a Pilgrimage to
Jerusalem to visit the Holy Sites.
Twice along the way, St John the Baptist appeared to
them in Holy Visions, revealing the exact location of
his Holy Relic, which he wanted them to find.
Eventually, having completed their Holy Pilgrimage,
the two Monks went to the Mount of Olives, and
digging down through the ruins of St Innocent’s old
church, they uncovered the Holy Relic, which they
carefully placed in a camel-hair sack before
proceeding on their homeward bound journey.
Along the way they encountered an unnamed potter
travelling in the same direction whom they asked to
carry the precious burden for them.
28 (ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) 1st & 2nd Finding Of St John The Baptist’s Head
violent men – messianic pretenders trying to bring
in the Kingdom by using military force against the
Romans.
ITSELF BREAKS INTO THIS WORLD “VIOLENTLY.” FOR
INSTANCE, THROUGH POWERFUL MIRACLES, ALERT AND
DARING PEOPLE TAKE HOLD OF IT AGGRESSIVELY.
Whoever is a hearer and lover of the Word of God takes
the Kingdom “by force,” EXERTING ALL EARNESTNESS
AND DESIRE TO ENTER THE REALITY OF THE KINGDOM. For
this Holy Martyrs shed their blood, making their
Confession of Faith, being “made a spectacle to the
world, both to Angels and to men.” [1 CORINTHIANS4:9]
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS NOT TO THE SLEEPING OR
THE LAZY, BUT INSTEAD TO “... the violent (WHO)) take
it by force.”
THE IDENTIFICATION BETWEEN ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ST
ELIJAH IS QUITE EXPLICIT.
It is not St John who ascribes to himself the role of St
Elijah the Prophet, but OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO
ASSIGNS HIM THIS PLACE IN THE HISTORY OF SALVATION.
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST FULFILLED THE MISSION OF ST ELIJAH THE
PROPHET AND HIS DESTINY WAS SIMILAR TO ST ELIJAH’S.
YET ST JOHN IS HONOURED OVER ST ELIJAH, BECAUSE OUR LORD
JESUS IN COMPARING THE PROPHETS DECLARED: “There
has not risen one greater than John.”
Not realising the precious Holy Relic that he bore, the
potter happily accompanied the two Monks until the
Holy Forerunner appeared before him that night
and told him to flee from such careless and lazy
Monks, being sure to take with him the camel-hair
sack containing his head.
So the potter set off ahead of the two slothful Monks
and then hid himself from them.
However, the Monks seemed to be completely
unconcerned about their lost Treasure, not
bothering to search for either the lost bearer or the
burden.
The potter returned to his home where he most
carefully kept the Venerable Head of St John the
Baptist with great reverence until just before his
death.
He wrapped it up and placed it once again in a clay
water jug before presenting it to his beloved sister.
From that time onwards, St John the Baptist’s Holy
Relic was respectfully protected throughout the
ages by devout Christians, until a heretical Priest,
Eustathios, who was infected with the Arian heresy
gained possession of it.
He beguiled a multitude of sufferers who had been
healed by their contact with the Sanctified Holy
Relic by arrogantly ascribing their miraculous cures
to the fact that it was in the possession of an Arian
believer.
Nevertheless, as soon as his blasphemy was exposed,
he was forced to flee.
Having buried the Miracle-working Holy Relic in a cave,
near Emesa, the ungodly heretic intended to return
later to continue using it as a means of
disseminating his lies and deceptions.
God, in His Great Mercy did not permit this and when
Pious and Faithful Monks settled in the cave, a
Monastery arose at that Sanctified Site.
In 452 St John the Baptist appeared in a Holy Vision to
St Marcellos, an Archimandrite of this Holy
Monastery, and once more revealed the exact
location of his hidden Holy Relic.
This was subsequently celebrated as “the Second
Finding of St John the Baptist’s Head.”
Having been transferred to Emesa, the Venerable Head
of St John the Baptist was eventually laid to rest in
Constantinople.
24 February 2010
 G re e k O r t ho d o x Pa t r iar c ha te o f Ale x an d r ia & Al l A fr ic a
A rc h d io ce s e o f Go od H o p e
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Fathe r, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, now and fo rever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Ame n.
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mari a, Theotokos, ye t
Ever Virgi n, toge the r with all the Sai nts. And let us commit ourselves and one ano the r and our whole
Life to C hrist o ur Go d. Ame n.

25 February 20 11

S a t ur d a y o f t he S o uls

Also the Feast of St Porphyrios of Gaza – St Photini (The Samaritan Woman) &
her sisters: St Anatole, St Phota, St Photis, St paraskevi & St Kyriaki – St
Theokletos – St John the New Martyr of Clephas & Constantinople

Apolytikion of Saturday of the Souls

O vathi sofias filanthropos panta ikonomon, ke to O Thou Who with profound Wisdom and Love for
simferon pasin aponemon, mone Dimiourge, mankind, order all things, and grant to all what is to
anapafson Kyrie, tas psihas ton doulon Sou; en si their profit, Only Creator: grant rest, O Lord, to the
gar tin elpida anethento, to Piiti ke Plasti ke Theo souls of Thy servants; for they set their every hope in
imon. Thee, the Maker and Creator and God of us all.
Kontakion Of Saturday Of The Souls – Tone (8) Plagal 4
Meta ton Agion anapafson, Hriste, tas psihas ton Give rest, O Christ, among the Saints to the souls of
doulon Sou, entha ouk esti ponos, ou lipi, ou Your servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no
stenagmos, alla zoi atelevtitos. grieving, but Life Everlasting.
S t P a ul’ s F i rs t Ep is tl e to t he T he s s al on i a ns 4 : 1 3 – 17
Those Who Will Participate In Christ’s Return
Brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have
no hope, for, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no
means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the Voice of
an Archangel and the Trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.
This is one of the clearest passages of New Covenant For those of us who constantly and faithfully Struggle –
Scripture concerning the Second Coming or the Righteous Disciples of Christ – His Glorious
Reappearance of Christ our Lord and Saviour Second Coming is our greatest Joy and Comfort .
The first century document, The Didache, lists three For the ungodly and the disobedient – those who are
Signs that will mark the Return of our Lord Jesus stubbornly unrepentant – it is a great threat for they
Christ: fear His Divine Judgement, which - although they
1. The Sign spread out in the Heavens – our Lord might choose to vehemently deny it - is a reality for
Jesus Christ and His Heavenly Hosts all Creation whether one believes it or not!
2. The Sign of the Trumpet of God
3. The Resurrection of the dead.
T h e H ol y G os p e l Acc o rd i ng t o S t L u ke 2 1: 8 – 9 ; 25 – 27 & 3 3 – 3 6
Our Lord Jesus Christ Warns Us About Forthcoming Events Preceding His Glorious Return
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “Take heed that you are not deceived, for many will come in My Name,
saying: ‘I am He...’ and ‘...the time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.
“But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first,
but the end will not come immediately....”
“... and there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation
of those thing that are coming on the earth, for the Powers of the Heavens will be shaken.
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a Cloud with Power and Great Glory...”
“...Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away.
“And take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of
this life, and that Day come upon you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell
on the face of the whole earth.
“Watch, therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will
come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Our Lord Jesus Christ warns us against the many false Although Christ has prepared us for a difficult life as
prophets and fake “saviours” who will pretend to be Christians, He is our solid Rock of Hope and we
Him or who will try to mislead us by claiming to be must learn to trust God implicitly – without
sent to guide us by the Lord our God. any question or doubt.
Those types of prophets of doom and gloom will WE MUST CONTINUE TO PRAY, TO REPENT AND TO WORSHIP GOD
CEASELESSLY THEREBY ENJOYING A FULFILLED LIFE IN
bring us to despair – a hopeless state of
CHRIST – and we must not waste any precious time
Spiritual Death –alienation from God and all
on ridiculous distractions or deceptions of the
His Blessings.
doomsday prophets who can only confuse us and
Throughout the centuries, people have anticipated
draw us rapidly into Spiritual Darkness and Exile.
Christ’s visible Reappearance almost to the point of
In other words: WE MUST STEADFASTLY CONCENTRATE ON
not living their lives according to the Will of God. OUR LIFE IN CHRIST BY STRUGGLING DAILY FOR SPIRITUAL
PERFECTION IN IMITATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR SO

(DONATIONS ARE MOST GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) Saturday of the Souls 25 February 2011 29.
 THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO US, WE WILL BE AS
PREPARED AS POSSIBLE TO FACE HIS AWESOME JUDGEMENT
SEAT IN DUE TIME – WHICH ONLY GOD THE FATHER KNOWS!
We must make every effort and use every moment of
each day to improve ourselves and our
Relationship with God.
We must be alert and watchful because the evil one
takes every opportunity to manipulate and
misdirect our attention by tempting and diverting
us with his evil tricks.
EVERY LITTLE STEP CLOSER TO THEOSIS IS WORTH EVERY DROP
OF SWEAT OR TEARS.
OUR HEARTFELT LOVE FOR GOD AND ALL HIS BEAUTIFUL
CREATION MOTIVATES US TO GREATER SPIRITUAL HEIGHTS
and the closer we get to God the more confident
and assured we become since WE BEGIN TO
UNDERSTAND THAT WITH GOD’S GRACIOUS PROVIDENCE AND
PROTECTION, NOTHING NEED BE FEARED.
In fact the only fear we should have is one of failure to
grow and to progress – and the fear of
disappointing our Most Benevolent and Loving
Heavenly Father Who grants us everything we could
possible require.
T h e T i me le s s W is d o m o f o ur H ol y C h urc h F at h e r s – O n E te r n al L i fe
St Hesychios:
Let us always remember death, for from this
remembrance is born in us the putting aside of all
cares and vanities, the preservation of the mind and
unceasing prayer, a healthy attitude toward the
body and a loathing of sin, and, if the truth be told,
almost every live and active virtue flows forth from
it.
Therefore, let us, if possible, do this work as
uninterruptedly as our breathing is uninterrupted.
St Isaac the Syrian:
The Saviour called the many mansions of the Father the
various capacities of the mind of those dwelling in
that realm, that is, the distinction and diversity of
spiritual gifts which they enjoy according to the
capacity of the mind.
For, not according to a diversity of places, but
according to the degree of gifts does he call the
mansions many.
Just as each man enjoys the perceptible sun,
depending on the purity and receptivity of his power
of sight, and just as illumination from one lamp
varies in a house, although the light is not divided
into many lights, so in the future age all the
righteous will abide indivisibly in one realm, but
each, according to his own capacity, is illumined by
one noetic Sun, and, according to his worthiness,
attracts joy and gladness to himself, even though
from one air, from one place, throne, sight and
image.
And no one sees the measure of his friend, both higher
and lower, lest, if he see the superior grace of his
friend and his own deprivation, this be a cause of
sorrow and grief for him.
There, each, according to the grace given to him, is
glad inwardly in his measure.
Outside them all is one sight and realm and besides
these two degrees, I understand just one realm on
high and another below, in the midst of them is
variety in a diversity of gifts.
St Anthony the Great.
Death, for men who understand it, is immortality; while
for the simple, who do not understand it, it is death.
And one should not fear this death, but ought to fear
the perdition of the soul, which is ignorance of God.
This is what is terrible for the soul! Life is the uniting
and joining of the mind (spirit), soul and body;
while death is not the perdition of these joined
parts, but the dissolution of their union; God
preserves all this even after the dissolution.
Just as a man comes forth from his mother's womb, so
does a soul come forth naked from the body. Some
are pure and bright, some are spotted by falls, and
some are black from many transgressions.
30. (DONATIONS ARE MOST GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) Saturday of the Souls
We should also fear failing our fellow sinners in our
mutual quest for Sanctification and Eternal Life in
God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
So many “natural disasters” are caused by human
greed and error, certainly not due to Divine Wrath.
And even when catastrophe strikes that is beyond any
human influence, WE MAY REST ASSURED IN THE GREAT
MERCY AND INFINITE LOVE OF GOD.
Why worry? GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING!
✽ WORRY ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE CAN AND SHOULD DO
SOMETHING ABOUT – ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WE NEED
TO DO - WHICH WILL AFFECT OUR ETERNITY – ALL THE
THINGS THAT CHRIST HAS TAUGHT US.
Finally: W H E N C H R I S T D O E S R E T U R N I N A L L H I S
GLORY, THERE WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE NO
MISTAKING IT FOR ANYTHING ELSE AND THE
WHOLE OF CREATION WILL FULLY EXPERIENCE
IT.
So, we must not waste our time with nonsense and
dangerous deceptions but C O N T I N U E OUR
SPIRITUAL JOURNEY UNINTERRUPTED -
FOCUSED UPON OUR ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD
ALMIGHTY.
That is why the wise and Godloving soul, remembering
and considering the calamities and extremities that
come after death, lives piously lest it be condemned
and subjected to them.
But the unbelievers, the mindless in soul, do not
perceive and they sin, despising what is to come.
Just as on issuing forth from the womb thou dost not
remember what was in the womb, so on issuing
forth from the body thou dost not remember what
was in the body.
Just as on issuing forth from the womb thou becamest
better and greater in body, so on issuing forth from
the body pure and undefiled, thou wilt be better and
incorrupt, abiding in the heavens.
Mortal men ought to care about themselves, knowing in
advance that death awaits them.
For blessed immortality is the lot of the holy soul when
it is good, and death eternal meets it when it is evil.
Remember that thy youth is past and thy powers
exhausted, while thine infirmities have grown and
already the time of thy departure is near, when thou
wilt give an account of all thy deeds; and know that
there, neither will brother redeem brother, nor will
father deliver son.
Always remember thy departure from the body, and do
not let eternal condemnation out of thy thoughts; if
thou wilt act thus, thou wilt not sin unto the ages.
Elder Sampson of Russia
The drunkard, the fornicator, the proud... will receive
God's Mercy.
But those who do not want to forgive, to excuse, to
justify consciously and intentionally ... shut
themselves out of Eternal Life before God - and
even more so in the present life.
They are turned away and not heard.
St Symeon the New Theologian
Let everyone pay attention to the Reading...! (CF. I TIMOTHY
4:13)
The words of the Saints are Words of God and not of
men. Let us put them in our heart and keep them
securely, since God's Words are Words of Life and
those who have them within them and keep them,
has Eternal Life.
If you were so often guests at a sumptuous banquet I
doubt that any one of you would be so indifferent
that he would fall asleep and only take from it for
his own need, and not be anxious before departing
to take with him something for tomorrow that he
would eagerly share with some of his friends or
even with the poor.
But here the Words of Life are offered to you, which
make those who feed on them Immortal!
Tell me: is it right for anyone to be inattentive or to fall
asleep and snore as if he were a living corpse?
How great the loss! How great the insensitivity and
sluggishness!
25 February 2011
 G re e k O r t ho d o x Pa t r iar c ha te o f Ale x an d r ia & Al l A fr ic a
A rc h d io ce s e o f Go od H o p e
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the So n, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Ame n.
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet
Ever Virgin, to gether with all the Sai nts. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole
Life to C hrist o ur Go d. Ame n.

3rd Sunday of Triodion Tone (7) Varys/Grave 27 F e br u ar y 20 11

S u nd a y o f Me a t fa re - th e Las t J u d ge me n t

Also the Feast of St Prokopios the Confessor of Dekapolis – St Raphael of

Brooklyn – St Stephen the Monk – St Titos the Presbyter of the Kiev Near Caves –
St titos the Soldier of the Kiev Caves Monastery – St Thalelaeos the Hermit of Syria
– St Asclepios of Syria – St James of Syria – St Stephen of Constantinople – St
Julian of Alexandria, St Eunos (Kronion) his servant, St Beza (Bizos) the soldier &
St Mekaros of Lebanon – St Leandre of Seville.

Resurrection Apolytikion - Tone (7) Varys/Grave

Katelisas to Stavro Sou ton thanaton. Ineoxas to listi
ton Paradison. Ton Miroforon ton thrinon metevales
ke tis sis Apostolis kirittin epetaxas, oti Anestis,
Hriste O Theos, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
Kontakion of Triodion – Sunday of Meatfare – Last Judgement – TONE 1
O tan elthis, O Theos, epi gis meta Doxis, ke tremousi
ta simpanta, potamos de tou piros pro tou vimatos
elki ke vivli anigonte k eta kripta dimosievonte, tote
rise me ek tou piros tou asvestou ke axioson ek
dexion sou me stine, krita dikeotate.
G o s p e l 7: Jo h n 2 0:1 – 1 0 St Peter & St John Witness the Empty Tomb of Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ
By Thy Cross Thou destroyed Death; Thou opened
Paradise to the Thief; Thou changed the funeral wail
of the Myrrh-bearing Women, and Commanded them
to announce to Thine Apostles that Thou had Risen
from the dead, O Christ our God, Who bestows on the
world Great Mercy!
O God, when Thou come upon the earth in Glory, the
whole world will tremble. A River of fire will bring all
before Thy Judgement Seat and the Books will be
opened, and everything secret will become public. At
that time, deliver me from the Fire that never dies,
and enable me to stand at Thy right hand, O Judge
Most Just!

P r o ke i me n on
The Lord is my Strength and my Glory!
The Lord has punished me severely, but He has not delivered me to Death!
T h e F irs t E p is tle o f S t P a u l t o t h e C or i n t h ia ns 8 : 8 – 9 : 2
Love Reigns Over Knowledge
Brethren: Food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we better, nor if we do not eat are we worse. But
beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you
who have Knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat
those thing offered to idols?
And because of your Knowledge shall the weak Brother perish, for whom Christ died? Yet when you thus sin against our
Brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Therefore, if food make my Brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my Brother stumble.
Am I not an Apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?
If I am not an Apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the Seal of my Apostleship in the Lord.
Whether we Fast from certain foods or not makes no SO IF WE LEAD ANYONE ASTRAY THROUGH OUR OWN MISGUIDED
OR ERRONEOUS KNOWLEDGE, WE CAUSE THEM TO SUFFER
difference to our Spiritual Welfare, since GOD DOES
NOT JUDGE US ON THE FOOD WE EAT, BUT HE DOES JUDGE US SPIRITUAL DEATH – i.e. fall into sin, which separates us
ON HOW WE TREAT OUR FELLOW SINNERS. from God’s Divine Grace and Presence.
Therefore, St Paul reminds us that WE MUST ALWAYS BE Consequently, WHENEVER WE SIN AGAINST EACH OTHER, WE
VERY CAREFUL TO NEITHER OFFEND ONE ANOTHER NOR LEAD SIN AGAINST CHRIST – i.e. Almighty God – the Holy
EACH OTHER ASTRAY BY OUR PERSONAL HABITS, IDEAS OR
PREFERENCES.
Trinity – for They always operate in Perfect Unity and
Throughout this life, WE ARE ALL STRUGGLING TO MAKE GOOD Harmony. (ALWAYS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF THE FATHER, THROUGH
THE SON AND BY MEANS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.)
SPIRITUAL PROGRESS and IT IS THE SACRED DUTY OF EVERY
St Paul teaches us that IF WE DO SOMETHING THAT CAUSES
FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST TO ENCOURAGE, TO SUPPORT
THE SPIRITUAL DEATH OF ANYONE ELSE, WE MUST ENSURE
AND TO CORRECTLY GUIDE AND TEACH ONE ANOTHER, THAT WE NEVER DO SO AGAIN IN CASE IT CAUSES MORE
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing because ALL TOO PEOPLE TO FALL INTO WICKEDNESS OR HARM THEM IN SOME
OFTEN PEOPLE ASSUME THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND OTHER MANNER
SOMETHING WHEN THEY ARE IN FACT MISINFORMED OR FAR AS A RESULT, THE BURDEN OF THAT SIN WILL BE UPON US WHO
LESS KNOWLEDGEABLE THAT THEY REALISE. HAVE CAUSED THEIR FALL AND WE WILL BE ETERNALLY
Therefore, IN ORDER TO LIVE IN CHRIST, WE MUST LOOK TO HIM CONDEMNED FOR IT, UNLESS WE QUICKLY REPENT AND
CORRECT OUR ERROR.
FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE, OR THOSE WHOM HE HAS CALLED TO
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WHO LIVE IN CHRIST, ARE
GUIDE, TEACH AND ADVISE – especially our Holy Church ALWAYS MOTIVATED BY A SELFLESS REGARD FOR THE
Fathers whose Spiritual Experience is priceless. BENEFIT OF MANY – NEVER FOR THEMSELVES – AND WITHOUT
THAT IS WHY THE INTERTWINED VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND FAIL, FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD!
OBEDIENCE ARE VITAL TO OUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND The authenticity of St Paul’s Apostleship was often
PROGRESS. attacked by the Hebrews, so he often had to defend
Christ our Saviour died for all human beings – He paid it: “Am I not an Apostle...?”
the ultimate Ransom for the Salvation of all Similar to the Divine Calling of St Paul by our Lord
mankind – not for just a select few. Jesus Christ, others have also been Called by God
to serve Him, being filled with the Wisdom and

(DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED) 3 r d Sunday of Triodion – Sunday of Meatfare – the Final Judgement – 27 February 2011 31.
 Knowledge – and everything necessary – by the Holy THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CLERGY of the Holy Church of
Spirit Who makes such Wonderful, God-Inspired Christ – our Spiritual Shepherds or Holy Fathers - IS
Work possible to be achieved by mere human CERTIFIED BY THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE FAITHFUL –
beings. the Spiritual Flock of God - the Faithful
The authenticity of Divine Calling is in the Spiritual Fruit Congregation or Laity (people of the Parish).
that is brought forth for the exclusive Glory, Honour
and Worship of Almighty God.
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 25 : 31 – 46
Divine Judgement of Works at the Second Coming of Christ
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: “When the Son of Man comes in His Glory, and all the Holy Angels with Him,
then He will sit on the Throne of His Glory. All the Nations will be gathered before Him, and He will
separate them one from another, as a Shepherd divides His Sheep from the goats. And He will set the
Sheep on His right hand side, but the goats on His left.
Then the King will say to those at His right hand: “Come, you Blessed of My Father: inherit the Kingdom
prepared for you from the Foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was
thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
And the Righteous shall answer Him, saying: ‘Lord, when did we see Thee hungy and feed Thee, or thirsty
and give Thee drink? When did we see Thee, a Stranger, and take Thee in, or naked and clothed Thee?
Or when did we see Thee sick, or in prison, and come to Thee?’
And the King will answer and say to them: ‘Truly, I say to you: inasmuch as you did so to one of the least
of these My Brethren, you did it to Me.’
Then He will also say to those at His left: ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the Everlasting Fire prepared for
the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no
drink; I was a Stranger and you did not take Me in; naked and you did not clothe Me; sick and in prison
and you did not visit Me.’
Then they will answer Him, saying: ‘Lord, when did we see Thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or
sick or in prison, and did not minister to Thee?’
And He will answer them, saying: ‘Truly, I say to you: inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of
these, you did not do it to Me.’
And those will go away into Everlasting Punishment, but the Righteous will go into Eternal Life.”
This is the majestic climax of Christ’s Discourse On the contrary, WHEN WE SHOW NEITHER COMPASSION,
concerning His Second Coming, which is not simply KINDNESS NOR ANY DEGREE OF LOVE FOR OTHERS, WE EXPOSE
THE WICKEDNESS THAT LURKS WITHIN OUR HEARTS AND
a Parable but A D I V I N E P R O P H E C Y O F T H E SOULS!
U N I V E R S A L J U D G E M E N T THAT WILL MOST CERTAINLY
BE FACED BY ALL CREATION. As much as God Blesses us and as much as we expect
Since His Passion was soon to be fulfilled, our Lord to receive from Him, WE MUST RECIPROCATE BY TREATING
Jesus raised His Disciples to the Sight of THE GLORY EACH OTHER WITH THE SAME CONSIDERATION – with all our
OF THE SON OF MAN ON HIS AWESOME JUDGEMENT SEAT Love, mercy, respect, etc. “Do unto others as you wish
WITH THE ENTIRE CREATION BEFORE HIM. others to do unto you!”
The standard of Divine Judgement is UNCALCULATED Furthermore, although we should never do anything in
MERCY TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER.
the expectation of reward, WHATEVER WITH WE DO FOR
The Works or Good Deeds that are produced by True ANYONE ELSE WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE OF AGAPE, GOD
Faith are emphasised by Christ because such SAVING RETURNS TO US “A HUNDREDFOLD” – He grants us a
FAITH ALWAYS PRODUCES RIGHTEOUS WORKS – GOOD DEEDS
COMPELLED BY DIVINE, UNCONDITIONAL, ALL ENCOMPASSING
hundred times more Blessings!
LOVE – TRUE AGAPE. So whether we do good things or evil things,
W HA TEVER W E D O RE FL EC TS OUR TRUE I NNER S TA TE . EVERYTHING COMES BACK A HUNDRED TIMES MORE TO
US!
No matter what lip-service and empty gestures we use
THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST are not only those who
to convince others – including ourselves – of how
suffer physical hunger and thirst, but who YEARN FOR
well-intentioned we are, OUR DEEDS ULTIMATELY EXPOSE
THE ETERNAL HOPE OF THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST JESUS.
THE TRUE CONDITION OF OUR SOULS.
Consequently, it is essential to our proper Spiritual Our Lord used THE ANALOGY OF SHEEP AND GOATS to
DIFFERENTIATE THE RIGHTEOUS AND JUSTIFIED FROM THE
Development to LEARN TO BE ABSOLUTELY HONEST WITH UNGODLY AND THE UNREPENTANT.
OURSELVES, WITH GOD AND WITH EVERYONE ELSE. AS CHRIST IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD, WE ARE THE “REASON-
SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS AND CONTINUOUS (CONSTRUCTIVE) ENDOWED FLOCK OR SHEEP” OF GOD WHO EAGERLY FOLLOW
SELF-EXAMINATION, WHICH LEADS TO REPENTANCE- THE SOUND OF HIS VOICE, AND WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY
CONFESSION, TEACHES US TO METICULOUSLY SCRUTINISE PRODUCTIVE AND GENTLE CREATURES OF THE LORD.
OUR OWN PERSONAL WEAKNESSES – especially those The “goats” are those who remain Spiritually Stubborn
hidden away in the darkened crevasses of our soul, and unrighteous for they ignore or refuse to follow
so that, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE CAN EXPOSE SUCH the Voice of our Good Shepherd, choosing to risk
DEFECTS TO THE DIVINE LIGHT OF GOD’S TRUTH AND HEAL
OURSELVES.
their lives by walking along the treacherous and
This is the D A I L Y S P I R I T U A L A C C O U N T I N G that is dangerous precipices of temptation and sin.
recommended for all struggling Disciples of Christ Inheritance suggests family members such as sons and
who genuinely wish to improve themselves and daughters rather than strangers or servants, for the
RIGHTEOUS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD
their Relationship with God as well as with their BY ADOPTION.
fellow human beings.  G a l a t i a n s 4 : 4 – 7 : “... when the fullness of the
WE WILL KNOW IF WE ARE MAKING ANY PROGRESS WHEN –
INSTEAD OF POINTING ACCUSATORY FINGERS time had come, God sent forth His Son,
ELSEWHERE – WE IMMEDITA TELY TURN THEM INWARDS Born of a Woman; Born under the Law, to
AND CORRECT OUR OWN GLARING ERRORS. Redeem those who were under the Law,
Thereby we L E A R N H U M I L I T Y A N D O B E D I E N C E to God, that we might receive Adoption as sons.”
which is the very first big step closer to Spiritual “Son” refers to Christ as God by Nature. God, then is
Perfection and Eternal Life. “Born of a Woman,” and so the Ever Blessed, All Pure,
“...the least of these...” is a reference to all the poor, and Ever Virgin Mary is rightly entitled “Theotokos,”
the needy and the destitute of the world – in a which means the Mother of God or the Bearer of God.
Spiritual and a physical sense. (I.E. GOD INCARNATE IN THE FLESH (WITHOUT HUMAN SEED, WITHOUT HUMAN
FATHER) AND IN HIS HUMAN NATURE FOR IN HIS DIVINE NATURE HIS IS ETERNAL,
Having been created in the Image and Likeness of God, BEGOTTEN OF GOD THE FATHER, WITHOUT MOTHER.)
WE SHOULD SEE ALL HUMANITY A S A REFLECTED DIVINE Since Christ was Born under the Law, He can Redeem
IMAGE OF GOD and, as Christ so clearly reminds us :
those under the Law. (INITIALLY THE HEBREWS, AND THEN, LATER, THE
when we TREAT OTHERS WITH AS MUCH LOVE AS WE PROFESS GENTILES – I.E. ALL HUMANITY)
TO HAVE FOR GOD, we prove our integrity. THE ONGOING GROWTH INTO DIVINE ADOPTION – BEING AN HEIR
OF GOD – IS DEIFICATION OR THEOSIS – SPIRITUAL
PERFECTION.

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This means that WE ARE BECOMING, BY DIVINE GRACE, WHAT
GOD IS BY DIVINE NATURE AND EACH OF THE THREE PERSONS
OF THE HOLY TRINITY: FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT – IS
INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS OF SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION OF
HUMANITY.
Therefore TO BECOME SONS OF GOD BY GRACE, WE MUST
BELIEVE IN AND GET TO KNOW THE FATHER, AND THE SON, AND
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Finally: This is THE DIVINE TRUTH CONCERNING
ETERNITY!
These are not words of speculation, imagination - or
worse, untruth!
THIS IS DIVINE REVELATION!
This is what our human existence is all about!
This is why we have been granted a temporary,
complicated life-time for our Spiritual Preparation!
There is no need for discussion or debate because
Christ our Lord explicitly tells us about Eternity – the
Ages of Ages:
THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO REJECT GOD’S DIVINE TRUTH – WHO
THROUGH THEIR WILFUL REBELLION REJECT HIS DIVINE
COMMANDMENTS THAT BRING US CLOSE TO HIM “...will go
Sunday of Meatfare – the Final Judgement
To both groups of people – the Justified Righteous and
the unrepentant sinners - our Saviour says: “When
you did it to the least of these My Brethren,
you did it to Me!”
The Righteous were surprised and delighted to hear His
Words while the unrepentant sinners were shocked
and dismayed to hear such a statement.
This vital Sacred Lesson - concerning whatever we
do to our Brethren, we do to Christ Himself - is
a concept that is not easy for human beings to
remember and to apply to their daily deeds.
Alas, when we read Church history – both ancient and
recent - we realise that even seemingly spiritual
people appeared to have forgotten this Divine
Teaching and have fallen into Satan’s trap of
sinning against their neighbour for the sake of
some personal agenda.
We do not have to seek intensely to see people
practising all manner of lies, slander and harmful
behaviour towards their Brethren for the sake of
perverse ambition.
Christian Love – Agape - does not seek its own, but
rather seeks Truth and Righteousness.
Our Saviour demonstrated to us by His own Perfect
Example, that Christian Love is self-sacrificing Love
that puts the well-being of others first and foremost.
When we see mad ambition – even sometimes within
our Holy Church - we know that this has nothing to
do with the Divine Will of our Loving God.
Ambition and pride is the ultimate source of every
violation of Church Order and heresy.
Real Christian Love and Asceticism is the voluntary
bearing of one another’s burdens, which fulfils the
Divine Law of Christ – the Law of Love. (GALATIANS 6:2)
We are Called to initiate care-giving in our Holy Church,
but not to be needless burdens to others by using
Christian Love as an excuse or means of extorting
assistance from our Brethren because - due to
whatever reasons - we are too selfish to help
ourselves or anyone else!
There is a story concerning a wise Spiritual Father and
a very zealous Monk who asked him for a Blessing
to wear chains for the sake of greater Asceticism.
The Holy Father told the Monk to come back later so
that they could discuss the matter.
After the zealous Brother departed, the Spiritual Father
instructed another Monk to seek out the zealous
Brother and without saying a word to him, to give
him a few light slaps in the face.
The Monk did so and the zealous Brother, being greatly
indignant, rushed back to the Spiritual Father in a
great state of agitation.
As he entered the room and began to complain the
Spiritual Father told him: ‘Brother, you wanted to
wear chains and you can’t even endure a few light
slaps from your Brother Monk? Wearing chains will
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33.
away into Everlasting Punishment...” which is
also referred to by Christ as “Outer Darkness”
because it is UTTER SPIRITUAL EXILE OR ALIENATION
FROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS – A PERPETUAL,
UNCHANGEABLE STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH AND ETERNAL
SUFFERING – THE ABSOLUTE ABSENCE OF ANYTHING
PEACEFUL, PLEASANT, JOYOUS OR GOOD!
However, THOSE WHO TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO “FIGHT THE
GOOD FIGHT,” BY CEASELESSLY STRIVING FOR SPIRITUAL
PERFECTION AND A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR MOST
BELOVED LORD GOD WILL BECOME WORTHY CITIZENS AND
CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST IN GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF
LOVE, PEACE AND JOY – “... the Righteous will go
into Eternal Life.”
We only have this short life-span to correct ourselves
and to reach out to God with all Humility and
Obedience, in the confident Hope of Eternal Life
and all its indescribable Goodness and Wonders!
not profit you. Go and learn what it is to be a
Christian by being patient with your Brethren.’
Saint Paul emphasizes how important this concept of
self-sacrificing Love towards our Brothers and
Sisters is when he wrote:
“Although I speak with the tongues of men and of
Angels, but have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And
although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and
understand all Mysteries, and all Knowledge;
and although I have all Faith, so that I could
remove mountains, but have not charity, I am
nothing.
“And although I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and although I give my body to be
burned, but have not charity, it profits me
nothing! (1CORINTHIANS 13:1-3)
A person can seem to be fulfilling all of the Virtues
listed above, when in fact these deeds can very well
be done not for Love’s sake, but rather for the sake
of some sort of an investment to be paid back later.
This trait can be recognized in false spiritual fathers
who constantly remind people of the things they
have done for them.
Those who practice real Christian self-sacrificing Love
can be recognized by the following:
“Love suffers long, and is kind; Love does not envy;
Love doe not vaunt itself, is not puffed up, does
not behave unseemly, does not seek her own, is
not easily provoked, thinks no evil; does not
rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth; bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.” (1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7)
Let us not deceive ourselves, Brothers and Sisters in
Christ.
Titles and attainments will not help us in that Day
unless we demonstrate that we have Love for one
another by our deeds.
Whether we are rich or poor in this life, whether we
command others or take orders, it will mean
absolutely nothing when we stand before the
Awesome Judgement Seat of God.
Kings, Potentates, Presidents, Prime Ministers,
Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Bishops, Archimandrites,
Elders (Presbyters) or laity – we shall all be Judged
according to our thoughts, words and deeds.
The Holy Gospel of Christ must be taken in its full
context because we are all Called to worship God in
Spirit and in Truth.
We may profess correct Doctrine yet still lose our
immortal soul if we lack the spirit of self-sacrificing
Brotherly Love.
May God grant you His Grace to practise self-sacrificing
Love.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “MEATFARE SUNDAY – 2008” SERMON BY METROPOLITAN
MOSES – ST PHILARET ORTHODOX MISSION -
http://www.saintphilaret.org
 G r o w in g i n t he K no w le d ge o f C hr is t
O ve rc o m i ng t he D ic h o to m y B e tw e e n I nd i v id ua l & S oc ie t y
The Dichotomy (Division) between us and our
community, between our personal needs and our
social indebtedness is a vital contemporary problem.
Modern society is characterised by strong individualistic
and egocentric elements.
Our individual rights, ambitions, needs and drives have
become central to worldly life yet some societies do
have a strong awareness of Community yet in many
instances it seems difficult to properly reconcile the
two aspects.
People think they have to sacrifice either their
individuality or the community, and they may feel
that keeping the two aspects of life in balance is
almost impossible since the dichotomy seems
inescapable.
At this junction, our Knowledge of Christ is a decisive
factor because to know Him means – among other
things – to overcome such a division, for in Christ is
the realisation of the most magnificent combination.
Our Lord Jesus Christ did everything for our Salvation –
for the Redemption of our tragic, fallen world.
He continuously, consistently and fully served others –
the entire Community – the people of Israel initially
and then the whole of mankind throughout the ages
and throughout the world, without exception.
In Christ we encounter the Perfect Example – the
unsurpassed Model of service-oriented life – a steady
focus on the needs of others.
Our Lord Jesus, however, was not like a modern super-
activist – someone who impulsively works for others
because he or she is an incurable extrovert.
Christ is Someone Who has the sharpest and most
profound Personal Awareness, which distinguished
T h e E te r nal W is d o m of o u r G od - In s p ire d H oly C h u rc h F a t he rs
St Seraphim of Sarov
One should try by every means to preserve peace of soul
and not to be disturbed by insults from others.
Therefore it is necessary to strive to contain anger in
every way, and through heedfulness of the mind and
heart to restrain from unbecoming impulses.
So then, we must bear insults from others with
indifference, and accustom ourselves to having such
a disposition of spirit as to feel that their insult did
not have to do with us but with others.
Such an exercise can bring quietness to our heart and
make it a Dwelling Place of God Himself.
If it is not possible to be undisturbed then one should at
least try to restrain the tongue, in accord with the
words of the Psalmist: “I was troubled and spoke
not” (PSALM 76:5)
For preserving peace of soul one must also flee from
every judgment of others.
Silence and lack of judgment preserve peace of soul.
When we are in such an orderly state, we receive Divine
Revelations.
In order to be delivered from judging, one must take
heed to oneself, not accepting extraneous thoughts
from anyone, and be dead to everything.
For the preservation of peace of soul, it befits one to
enter into oneself more frequently and ask: “Where
am I?”
At the same time, one must watch in order that the
bodily senses, especially sight, serve the inner man,
and that they do not distract the soul through
sensual objects; for Gifts of Grace are received only
by those who have interior activity, and are vigilant
over their soul.
S t A ga t h o n o f t h e De s e rt F a t he rs
Whenever his thoughts urged him to pass Judgment on
something which he saw, Abba Agathon would say to
himself, 'Agathon, it is not your business to do
that!'
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himself clearly from the rest of the crowd, always
unique and completely different to others.
In our Saviour, individuality – if we can use this term
somewhat improperly – finds its most Perfect and
Immaculate expression, for in Him we meet not the
Individual, but the Person.
Thus Christ is certainly the Perfect Person Who serve the
Community in the Perfect Manner: the dichotomy is
removed and Harmony between the two aspects is
established.
We learn of the same theme repeated with variations
throughout history: in the Lives of the Great Saints
and our Holy Church Fathers we observe the ultimate
in individuality: highly cultivated, strong-minded,
independent, sensitive souls, in sacrificing personal
comfort, property, time, and even life, for the good
of so many others – for the benefit of the Community
in general – the Ecclesial or general Community.
As we proceed in getting to know our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ, we acquire – tacitly but surely – the
elements that bring the two opposing poles of
individuality and society or community closer and
closer, until we end up with a synthesis of the two.
If we really know our Lord Jesus, we are in the process
of overcoming the detrimental oscillation between
individualism and community – between our
personal need and our social needs.
We become a whole person – integrating in the best
sense individualism and commitment to others.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST” BY BISHOP
DEMETRIOS TRAKATELLIS – GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA –
http://www.goarch.org
S t An t o n y t he Gre a t
When Abba Anthony thought about the depths of the
Judgements of God, he asked, 'Lord, how is it that
some die when they are young, while others drag
on to extreme old age? Why are there those who
are poor and those who are rich? Why do wicked
men prosper and why are the just in need?'
He heard a Voice answering him: 'Antony, keep your
attention on yourself; these things are
according to the Judgement of God, and it is
not to your advantage to know anything about
them.'
S t . I gn a t i us o f A n t i och
The Lord does nothing without the Father, for He says: 'I
can do nothing of Myself' - so do you - neither
Presbyter, nor Deacon, nor layman - do anything
without the Bishop. (JOHN 5:30)
Nor let anything appear commendable to you which is
contrary to His Judgement. For every such thing is
sinful, and opposed to the Will of God.
Do come into the same place for Prayer.
Let there be one common Supplication, one mind, one
hope, with Faith unblameable in Christ Jesus, of
which nothing is more excellent.
All of you, as one man, run together into the Temple of
God, to one Altar, to one Jesus Christ, the High
Priest of the Unbegotten God.
S t J oh n Cas s i a n ( C o n fe re n ce s ):
"...whoever is guided solely by his own judgement and
decision will never climb up to the Summit of
Perfection and will not fail to be the victim of the
devil's ruinous power to delude."
S t . J o h n o f K r ons t ad t
He who is accustomed to give account of his life at
Confession here will not fear to give an answer at the
Awesome Judgment-Seat of Christ.
It is for this Purpose that the mild tribunal of Penitence
was here initiated, in order that we, being Cleansed
and Amended through Penitence here below, may
give an answer without shame at the Fearful
Judgement-Seat of Christ.