Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

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

2nd Sunday of Triodion

Tone (6) Plagal 2 The Prodigal Son

3 M ar ch 2 01 3

The Feast of St Eutropios, St Kleonikos & St Basilikos of Pontine Amasea (Asia Minor) - St Zenos - St Zoilis - St Theodoritos of Antioch - St Non of Wales - St Winwaloe of Landevennec St Sio Mgvime of Georgia - St Piama Virgin Martyr of Alexandria - St John IV of Georgia
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

Angelike

Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to Tafo, zitousa to ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilefsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis ip aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos tin Zoin. O Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie, Doxa Si.

The

Angelic Powers were in Thy Sepulchre, and the guards became as dead men, and Mary stood by the Tomb seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led Hades captive, yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art the Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Glory to Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the dead!

TRIODION KONTAKION THE PRODIGAL SON TONE 3

Tis Patroas Doxis Sou, aposkirtisas afronos, en kakis

eskorpisa, on mi paredokas plouton. Othen Si, tin tou Asotou fonin krafvgazo. Imarton, enopion Sou Pater iktirmon. Dixe me metavoonta, KE PIISON ME OS ENA TON MISTHION SOU.

Foolishly

I ran away, from Thy Glory, O Father, and wasted in sin, all the wealth that Thou granted me. Therefore, the Prodigals cry I repeat to Thee: I have sinned, before Thy Compassionate Father. Do accept me in repentance, AND MAKE ME AGAIN, ONE OF THY HIRED HANDS.

Resurrection Gospel 6: Luke 24:35 - 53

OUR LORD JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES & ASCENDS TO HEAVEN

Prokeimenon
Let Thy Mercy be upon us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on Thee. Rejoice in the Lord, all Righteous men.

St Pa u l s F ir s t E pi s t le t o t he C or i nt h i an s 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 Gods. All things are lawful for me... may be a statement St Fast, as well as all the other physical pleasures of life, Paul made in Corinth sometime earlier perhaps through self-denial by FOCUSSING OUR ATTENTION ON REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, PRAYERS AND ALMSGIVING regarding the Mosaic Cleanliness Law which the OCCUPYING OURSELVES WITH VIRTUOUS THOUGHTS, Libertines took out of context as their slogan. WORDS AND DEEDS. Consequently, St Paul set the record straight by explaining Everything to do with our physical existence is merely that WITHOUT DISCIPLINE AND DISCERNMENT THROUGH temporary and will not last, while EVERYTHING OUR OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST, FREEDOM FROM LAW IS
SLAVERY TO SIN!

The Libertines in Corinth as some do today argued that illicit sex adultery and fornication is as necessary for the body as eating, and that both are irrelevant to our Spiritual Life. However, as St Paul points out very clearly: OUR BODIES
BELONG TO GOD AND EVERYTHING WE SAY, THINK OR DO IN THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY IS MOST CERTAINLY RELEVANT TO OUR SPIRITUAL WELFARE! Therefore, DEALING WITH SIN AVOIDING TEMPTATION AND REPENTING OUR SINS MEANS WE CONTROL OUR BODIES THROUGH SELF-DISCIPLINE AND SELF-DENIAL OF THE FLESH.

CONCERNING OUR IMMORTAL SOULS LASTS FOREVER AND RESULTS IN THE TYPE OF ETERNITY WE WILL HAVE.

When St Paul refers to our bodies as members of Christ, he reminds us of OUR HOLY UNION WITH
CHRIST OUR LORD DURING OUR HOLY BAPTISM.

R O M A N S 6 : 3 1 0 : ... our Old Man was crucified

By controlling the desires of the flesh i.e. all our physical desires and demands - WE TEACH OUR SOULS TO BE IN CONTROL OF OUR BODIES rather than the other way around. In such a manner, WE LEARN TO BECOME
MORE SPIRITUAL BEINGS WORTHY CITIZENS OF GODS HEAVENLY, ETERNAL KINGDOM.

with Him, so that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died as been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also Live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him, for the Death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the Life that He lives, He Lives to God. To have died to sin does not mean our human nature has died. Rather, it means that WE ARE NO LONGER HELD
CAPTIVE BY SIN AND WE ARE NOW IMMOVABLE TOWARDS SIN JUST LIKE SOMETHING THAT WAS DEAD WOULD BE.

For that reason the Orthodox Church encourages us to abstain from foods, which is the first discipline of the

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Our freedom from sin is grounded in the Holy Mystery of Baptism yet ignorance of what happens when we are Baptised is a great enemy since through such ignorance, many are defeated in their battle against wickedness.

DWELLS WITHIN US when we are cleansed from our sins in a state of Repentance, Prayer and Worship of God. The Holy Spirit dwells within us as His Holy Temple in order to Guide, Teach, Inspire and Watch over us, etc.

WHAT CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED ON THE CROSS AN ACTUAL DEATH TO SIN HOLY BAPTISM ACCOMPLISHES IN US: AN ACTUAL DEATH TO SIN AND OUR LIBERATION FROM ITS ENSLAVING POWER SINCE OUR BAPTISM INTO CHRIST GIVES US HIS POWER OVER TEMPTATION AND SIN AN EXACT LIKENESS TO CHRISTS DEATH ON THE CROSS. Consequently, OUR HOLY BAPTISM does not merely stand for this Divine Truth but IS ITSELF OUR DEATH TO SIN. Being united with Christ refers to GROWING TOGETHER IN CHRIST WHICH IMPLIES THE EXPECTATION OF A GOOD SPIRITUAL HARVEST BEARING OF GOOD FRUIT THE FINAL RESULTS OF OUR SPIRITUAL LABOURS IN CHRIST JESUS.

ANY FORM OF BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AN UNFORGIVABLE SIN.

Therefore, if we knowingly commit sins against ourselves, thus harming or desecrating our Holy Temples our God-owned bodies it is a sin against God and especially the Holy Spirit for IN A STATE OF
UNREPENTANT SIN, WE EXPEL OR CAUSE GOD TO LEAVE US AS HE CANNOT BE WHERE THERE IS SPIRITUAL DARKNESS OR DEATH.

Fornication and adultery is therefore a sin to be fled from in horror, for it joins, through our own immorality, Christ to harlots!

V V

We would certainly be extremely offended if someone were to paint graffiti all over our Parish churches, or commit other outrages inside or outside the walls of such hallowed ground, yet we continuously commit similar outrageous offences to our Sanctified bodies! St Paul always encourages the Faithful to P R A C T I S E C E L I B A C Y wherever possible ESPECIALLY IF NOT MARRIED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD for he knew that
CELIBACY IS A DIVINE GIFT GRANTED TO THOSE CONCERNED ALTHOUGH VERY FEW ARE GRANTED IT.

WE HAVE MANY IMPROPER DESIRES, BUT WE MUST REPRESS THEM, BECAUSE WE CAN! (ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM) WE ARE SANCTIFIED, HOLY TEMPLES OF GOD because OUR BODIES BELONG TO GOD AND THE HOLY TRINITY

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 Fathers 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. STUPOR AND REALISE OUR PREDICAMENT, AND THE YOUNGER, IMMATURE SONs request for his portion of YEARN FOR HIS BLESSINGS AND GOODNESS. goods (ousia = essence) from his Father, BEING IMMERSED IN THE DARKNESS OF SIN, IS SIGNIFIES US HUMAN BEINGS RECEIVING OUR FREE WILL
(TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH PATH TO FOLLOW) AND OUR RATIONAL MIND FROM OUR GRACIOUS LORD GOD. Just as Adam did in Paradise, THE YOUNGER SON USED THESE WONDERFUL POSSESSIONS DIVINE GIFTS TO REBEL AGAINST HIS (HEAVENLY) FATHER. V T H E F A R C O U N T R Y to which the Prodigal Son journeyed represents A LIFE IN EXILE FROM THE GOODNESS AND BLESSINGS OF GOD. WHENEVER WE ARE IN A STATE OF SIN, WE ARE ALIENATED AND EXILED FROM DIVINE GOODNESS

EXISTING OUTSIDE OUR NATURAL HUMAN STATE. F E E D I N G S W I N E could rightly be called Jewish Skid Row, because IN SUCH A STATE OF DEBAUCHERY AND SELF-INDULGENCE, WHICH RESULTED IN COMPLETE DESTITUTION BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL - THE PRODIGAL SON COULD NOT POSSIBLY SINK MUCH LOWER. . . . W H E N H E C A M E T O H I M S E L F . . . As soon as we

come to ourselves when our sanity is restored WE RETURN TO THE DIVINE LIGHT AND REGAIN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST. THE PRODIGAL SON ACKNOWLEDGED HIS HOPELESS CONDITION Spiritual Death and alienation from God and all His Blessings AND IMMEDIATELY PREPARED HIS CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE. T H E B R E A D to which the Prodigal Son refers SYMBOLISES OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Who is known

we are a great distance from God.

HAVING UNITED HIMSELF TO ... A CITIZEN OF T H A T C O U N T R Y . . . is an oblique reference to THE EVIL ONE WHO IS OBSESSED WITH OUR DESTRUCTION AND ALIENATION FROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS. SATAN FIRST TEMPTS US INTO A SPIRITUAL DEATH AND THEN TRIES TO KEEP US THERE AND AWAY FROM GODS BLESSINGS IN A STATE OF SLAVERY AND IMPRISONMENT.

However, the evil one cannot destroy us himself and like the Prodigal Son, BY GODS GRACE, WE
WILL EVENTUALLY AWAKEN FROM OUR GODLESS

to us throughout Holy Scripture and especially in the Holy Eucharist the Divine Liturgy.

...HIS FATHER SAW HIM AND ... RAN...

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Although it was considered undignified and unfitting behaviour for a mature man or elderly person to run,
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 CHRISTS 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.

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 GODS 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, which are constantly to be used in the

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.

ISAIAH

conflict we face as we proceed ever closer to God and His Heavenly Kingdom. WITHOUT
STRUGGLE THERE DEIFICATION THEOSIS PERFECTION. T H E F A T T E D C A L F is more closely CAN BE NO OR SPIRITUAL

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.

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.

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-CONFESSION 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. V 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 SELFRIGHTEOUS, STUBBORN AND UNREPENTANT SINNERS to

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 FATHERS KINGDOM.

HAGGAI

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 MONARCHS SIGNET RING so by designating Zerubbabel as

whom Christ related this Parable. GOD REQUIRES HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE TO REJOICE
WHENEVER EVEN THE MOST GUILTY PERSON RETURNS TO GOD THROUGH SINCERE REPENTANCECONFESSION. (ST CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA) The eldest sons FAILURE TO RECOGNISE HIS OWN SINS LEADS TO HIS SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND MERCILESS ATTITUDE.

His Signet, the Lord was, in effect, stating that

HE WOULD BE ACTING AS GODS 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)

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 sons 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

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 The Second Sunday of the Triodion before the beginning of Great and Holy Lent, is dedicated to the recollection of the Prodigal Son. A certain man had two sons... BOTH HIGHLY FAVOURED one of a more rebellious spirit than the other. The wealth of the young son is squandered by his raucous living, and from the mire of his agony (literally, from

matter how others may try to tempt us into a state of discontentment and ingratitude! COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS AND THANK GOD CONSTANTLY!

Sunday of the Prodigal Son: All to no purpose have I left my True Home...
the mud of a pigsty) he has a profound change of heart and returns home, humbled. His Father certainly justified in any anger he might choose to show instead embraces his Prodigal Son with tears and orders a mighty feast of celebration: ... for my son was lost, and now is found!

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Each year, as the cycle of the Great Fast begins, the preparatory season leading up to Lent is marked out in its centre by the reading of this great Parable. As Bishop Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia has stated, it is ...an exact Ikon of Repentance in its different stages... and so the authors and compilers of the Triodion have placed it at the start of the Great Season of Repentance: an Icon and Image of the Reality of the coming weeks.['THE INNER UNITY OF THE TRIODION' IN THE LENTEN TRIODION
(ST TIKHON'S SEMINARY PRESS: 1999), P. 44]

with frightening agility they take control of our will and mind - leading us far, far indeed, from our True Home. This theme of our Spiritual Exile - so often repeated during Great Lent - begins here: I was enslaved to strangers, an exile in the land of corruption, and I was filled with shame. But now I return, Merciful Lord, and cry to Thee: I have sinned! (TROPARION FROM CANTICLE FIVE,
CANON)

Brethren, let us learn the meaning of this Mystery. For when the Prodigal Son ran back from sin to his Father's House, his loving Father came out to meet him and kissed him. He restored to the Prodigal tokens of his proper glory, and mystically He made glad on High, sacrificing the fatted calf. Let our lives, then, be worthy of the Loving Father Who has offered Sacrifice, and of the Glorious Victim Who is the Saviour of our souls. (STICHERON AT VESPERS) Firstly, the Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us of the Character of the Father - the God Whom we worship at all times. St John the Divine Apostle proclaimed: God is Love' and in this Parable we have the ultimate Image of that Love. [1 JOHN 4:8] THE FATHER GIFTS HIS SON WITH UNCALLED-FOR BLESSINGS; He stands watch for the return of His lost child; HIS FORGIVENESS IS SO SWIFT AND SO GREAT that the wayward son cannot even finish his pleas for Mercy before the Father has embraced his return; HE
REJOICES ABOVE DUE MEASURE WHEN THE LOST SON IS ONCE AGAIN FOUND. THE FATHER'S LOVE IS ACTIVE, ATTENTIVE. it also teaches us about ourselves for THE PRODIGAL SON IS NONE OTHER THAN OUR OWN SELVES and Christ related THE STORY OF OUR OWN PERSONAL SINFULNESS AND ERROR.

I am wasted with hunger, deprived of every Blessing and an exile from Thy Presence, O Christ Supreme in Loving-kindness. Take pity on me as I now return, and Save me as I sing the Praises of Thy Love for mankind. (TROPARION FROM CANTICLE SIX, CANON) Ruled by corrupting thoughts, I am full of darkness and separated far from Thee, and I have lost all possession of myself, O Merciful Lord. Therefore Save me as I fall before Thee in Repentance. (TROPARION FROM
CANTICLE EIGHT, CANON)

Yet

So the narrative moves into the first-person Confession: I have wasted the wealth, which the Father gave to me, and in my wretchedness I have fed with the dumb beasts. Yearning after their food, I remained hungry and could not eat my fill. But now I return to the Compassionate Father and cry with tears: I fall down before Thy Loving-kindness - receive me as a hired servant and Save me! (STICHERON AT THE LITY) WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOODNESS OF THE FATHER AND THE REALITY OF THE 'WEALTH' HE HAS GRANTED US: OUR LIVES, THE BEAUTY OF CREATION, HIS TRUTH, HIS SALVATION none of which can be denied, if only we opens our eyes to the reality of our world. Yet, even as we acknowledge our Divine Gifts, so too do we acknowledge how much we have wasted these Holy Treasures: The Divine Wealth that once Thou gave me I have sinfully wasted. I have departed far from Thee and lived as the Prodigal, O Compassionate Father. Accept me now also as I return. (TROPARION FROM
CANTICLE ONE, CANON)

None has taken the Good Things of God from us: THEIR
ABSENCE IS THE RESULT ONLY OF OUR TURNING AWAY FROM THE PROVIDER OF DIVINE BLESSINGS. We waste what we

have received and through our sins, we turn away and '...depart far from [God]...' drifting away from the Source of Good and we only have ourselves to blame! Having sinfully wasted the Divine Wealth of Blessings granted so generously to me, I have departed from God and all His Goodness and BEING SPIRITUALLY DESTITUTE I HAVE TO FEED WITH DUMB BEASTS BUT NEVER SATISFY MY SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HUNGER. As the Prodigal Son I MUST REALISE AND ACKNOWLEDGE MY SPIRITUAL DESTITUTION AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for the wretched state into which my own evil deeds have thrust me. Spiritual Exile is the consequence of rejecting or turning away from God our Heavenly Father: Spiritual Enslavement and suffering: I have become enslaved to every evil and in my wretchedness I have bowed down before the demons that provoke the passions; through heedlessness I have lost possession of myself. O Saviour, Heavenly Father, take pity on me as I flee for refuge to Thy many Mercies. (TROPARION FROM
CANTICLE FOUR, CANON)

It is not merely a coincidence that the haunting words of Psalm 136: By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept... are sung for the first time during the Matins of the Sunday of the Prodigal Son - the words of a Nation in exile and dominated in a foreign land weeping bitterly for the life, which now stands afar off a mere memory. So, too, did the Prodigal Son weep - remembering all the Goodness of his Father's Love from the mud and filth into which had had cast himself. At that moment, as he lay in the stench of the pigs, HE LONGED FOR NOTHING MORE THAN A RETURN HOME. THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF LENT. The whole Journey into Pascha becomes our own if we sincerely examine our lives and realise how far we have taken ourselves from the Life God intends for us, and then truly long to return to our True Home. Whatever or wherever our Babylon or pigsty is - we must turn with tears of Repentance toward the Home from which we have sinfully departed - and resolutely begin our Journey back - begging God's Forgiveness. Our Saviour teaches us every day with His own Voice: let us therefore hearken to the Scriptures concerning the Prodigal who became wise once more, and with Faith let us follow the good example of his Repentance. With humbleness of heart let us cry out to Him Who knows all secrets: we have sinned against Thee, Merciful Father, and are not worthy ever again to be called Thy Children as before. But since Thou art by Nature full of Love for mankind, accept me and make me as one of Thy hired servants. (IKOS OF THE CANON) TRUE REPENTANCE BEGINS WITH THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SELF-IMPOSED EXILE. Such Knowledge pains us, but it is a pain that leads to action, and ACTION that LEADS TO REFORM. And as Christ re-forms us into His Heavenly Life, WE BEGIN TRULY TO LIVE. Behold, O Christ, the affliction of my heart; behold my turning back; behold my tears, O Saviour, and despise me not. But embrace me once again in Thy Compassion and count me with the multitude of the Saved, that with Thanksgiving I may sing the Praises of Thy Mercy. (TROPARION FROM CANTICLE NINE, CANON) The Parable of the Prodigal Son is, indeed, an '...exact Icon of Repentance...' inasmuch as through it we see
THE REALITY OF REPENTANCE AS IT MUST BE LIVED IN OUR OWN LIVES. Bestowed with Immeasurable Blessings from the God of Love, WE HAVE IN OUR WRETCHEDNESS WASTED WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND WANDERED SPITEFULLY FROM THE LOVE OF THE FATHER. Eventually

The son becomes enslaved - not because of any anger or vengefulness on the part of the Father, but because he has ...'lost possession of himself...' -- he has turned from the support of Divine Love and '...bowed down before the demons.' The passions of evil are voluntarily taken on as our new masters, and

we must come to that place, that harsh moment, when in the stark reality of our sinful lives we realise, with the Prodigal, that '...all to no purpose have I left my True Home.' APART FROM GOD, THERE IS NOTHING. We have each experienced this 'nothing', for we have each turned from God. But now, as we prepare to enter into Great Lent, WE LONG FOR THE GREAT 'SOMETHING' THAT IS GOD'S LOVE AND SANCTIFICATION. BEGGING HIS MERCY WE STRIVE FOR TRUE REPENTANCE, THAT WE MAY RECEIVE HIS SALVATION IN ALL JOY. The wealth of Grace that Thou hast given me, in my wretchedness I have wasted sinfully; all to no purpose have I left my True Home, and as the Prodigal I have scattered my Riches deceitfully among the demons. But now on my return accept me as the Prodigal, Merciful Father, and Save me. (FIRST
EXAPOSTILARION OF THE TRIODION) M.C. STEENBERG, 2001 -

www.Monachos.net

4.

2ND SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION 17TH

OF

ST LUKE PRODIGAL SON 3 M

ARCH

2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

ll Glory, Honour and Worshi p to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, now a nd forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our Mos t Holy, M ost Pure, Most Blessed and Gl orious Lady, Maria, Theotok os, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit our selves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

9 March 2013 Saturday of the Souls

Feast of the Miracle of St Theodore the Recruit & Great Martyr the 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste: St Cyrion, St Candidos, St Domnos, St Hesychios, St Heraclios, St Smaragdos, St Eunikos, St Valens, St Vivianos, St Claudios, St Priskos, St Theodoulos, St Eutychios, St John, St Xanthios, St Helianos, St Sisinios, St Aggias, St Aetios, St Flavios, St Acakios, St Ekdikios, St Lysimachos, St Alexander, St Elias, St Gorgonios, St Theophilos, St Dometianos, St Gaius, St Leontios, St Athanasios, St Cyril, St Sacerdon, St Nicholas, St Valerios, St Philoktimon, St Severianos, St Chudion, St Aglaios and St Meliton St Urpasianos of Nicomedia St Caesarios, brother of St Gregory the Theologian St Tarasios of Linconium
FESTAL APOLYTIKION SATURDAY SOULS TONE

OF THE

vathi Sofias Filanthropos panta ikonomon, ke to simferon pasin aponemon, Mone Dimiourge, anapafson Kyrie, tas psihas ton doulon Sou; en Si gar tin Elpida anethento, to Piiti ke Plasti ke Theo imon.
OF THE

Thou Who with profound Wisdom and Love for mankind, order all things, and grant to all what is to their Profit, Only Creator: grant rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants; for they set their every Hope in Thee, the Maker and Creator and God of us all.

FESTAL KONTAKION SATURDAY

SOULS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Meta

ton Agion Anapafson, Hriste, tas psihas ton doulon Sou, entha ouk esti ponos, ou lipi, ou stenagmos, alla Zoi Atelevtitos.

Grant Rest, O Christ, among the Saints to the souls of

Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no grieving, but Life Everlasting.

St Pauls First Epistle to the Thessalonians 4 : 13 17

THOSE WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN CHRISTS 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. 1. The Sign spread out IN THE HEAVENS OUR LORD THIS IS ONE OF THE CLEAREST PASSAGES OF NEW COVENANT SCRIPTURE CONCERNING THE SECOND JESUS CHRIST AND HIS HEAVENLY HOSTS COMING OR REAPPEARANCE OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND 2. The Sign of THE TRUMPET OF GOD SAVIOUR. 3. THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. Faithful Disciples of Christ never die but REPOSE IN FOR those of us who constantly and faithfully Struggle PEACE IN CHRIST. THE RIGHTEOUS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST HIS GLORIOUS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS REFER TO DEPARTED SOULS AS SECOND COMING IS OUR GREATEST JOY AND COMFORT . HAVING FALLEN ASLEEP - for at our Resurrection, we FOR THE UNGODLY AND THE DISOBEDIENT those who are will once again be awakened ready for our Final stubbornly unrepentant IT IS A GREAT THREAT FOR Judgement and (hopefully) Eternal Life in Gods THEY FEAR HIS DIVINE JUDGEMENT, which - although Heavenly Kingdom of Love. they might choose to vehemently deny it - is A The first century document, written by Christs Holy REALITY FOR ALL CREATION WHETHER ONE BELIEVES IT Apostles The Didache - lists THREE SIGNS THAT OR NOT! WILL MARK THE RETURN OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST:

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 21: 8 9 ; 25 27 & 33 36

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; mens 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. claiming to be sent to guide us by the Lord our OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WARNS US AGAINST THE MANY God. FALSE PROPHETS AND FAKE SAVIOURS who will THOSE SELF-APPOINTED, FALSE PROPHETS OF DOOM AND pretend to be Him or who will try to mislead us by GLOOM WILL BRING US TO DESPAIR A HOPELESS

SATURDAY

OF THE

SOULS

9 M

ARCH

2013

5.

STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH ALIENATION FROM GOD AND ALL HIS BLESSINGS. THE LAST OF THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD WAS ST JOHN THE BAPTIST WHO PREPARED THE HEBREW NATION FOR THE COMING OF THE GREAT MESSIAH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Throughout the centuries, PEOPLE HAVE ANTICIPATED CHRISTS SECOND COMING I.E. HIS VISIBLE REAPPEARANCE - ALMOST TO THE POINT OF NOT LIVING THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.

Although Christ has prepared us for a difficult life as Christians, HE IS OUR SOLID ROCK OF HOPE AND WE MUST LEARN TO TRUST GOD IMPLICITLY WITHOUT ANY QUESTION OR DOUBT.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO PRAY, TO REPENT AND TO WORSHIP GOD CEASELESSLY THEREBY ENJOYING A FULFILLED LIFE IN CHRIST and we must not waste any

precious time on ridiculous distractions or deceptions of the self proclaimed doomsday prophets who can only CONFUSE US AND DRAW US RAPIDLY INTO SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND EXILE. In other words: WE MUST STEADFASTLY CONCENTRATE ON
OUR LIFE IN CHRIST BY STRUGGLING DAILY FOR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION IN IMITATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR SO 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! must MAKE EVERY EFFORT AND USE EVERY MOMENT OF EACH DAY TO IMPROVE OURSELVES AND OUR

We

and the closer we get to God the more confident and assured we become since WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THAT WITH GODS 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. We should ALSO FEAR FAILING OUR FELLOW SINNERS IN OUR MUTUAL QUEST FOR SANCTIFICATION AND ETERNAL LIFE in Gods 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! V WORRY ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE CAN AND SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WHICH WILL AFFECT OUR WE NEED TO DO 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 N O
HEIGHTS MISTAKING IT FOR ANYTHING ELSE AND THE WHOLE OF CREATION WILL FULLY EXPERIENCE IT.

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

So, we must not waste our time with nonsense and dangerous deceptions but C O N T I N U E O U R SPIRITUAL JOURNEY UNINTERRUPTED FOCUSED UPON OUR ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD ALMIGHTY.

The Importance and Value of Memorial Services

PRAYER FOR THE REPOSED IS AN ANCIENT TRADITION OF OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH one that has consistently been observed. As the Holy Gospel clearly demonstrates - both in the narrative of our Lords Divine and Awesome Transfiguration, where St Moses and St Elijah appeared, and in the account of Poor Lazaros and the Rich Man, DEPARTED SOULS RETAIN COMPLETE CONSCIOUSNESS. Life continues after death. THROUGH OUR COMMON LOVE IN CHRIST, [AGAPE], THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH WHO HAVE REPOSED, MAINTAIN SPIRITUAL COMMUNICATION with those of us who remain on earth. This Love links all the Faithful into a single whole. It can do this because there is ONE CHURCH, WHICH HAS CHRIST AS ITS HEAD. ALL OF US TOGETHER ARE THE BODY OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST, and EACH ONE OF US INDIVIDUALLY IS A MEMBER OF THIS ETERNAL, SACRED BODY. The only thing that death changes in our relationships with those who have died is THE WAY IN WHICH WE PERCEIVE THEM: Whether we live or die we belong to the Lord. (ROMANS 14:7-8) The Holy Church is divided into THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT AND THE CHURCH MILITANT. To the Church Triumphant belong all those who ended their Struggle of earthly life Victoriously: they await the Crown of the Righteousness that they will receive on that Day. To the Church Militant belong all those who are still Struggling against sin in order to attain Perfection. The members of the Church Triumphant have an indissoluble Relationship with the members of the Church Militant. Those in Heaven or in Paradise are not indifferent toward those who are still alive: Earthly death, which is the separation of the soul from the body, does not destroy the Faithful Believers Relationship with the Church. Death does not separate us from our other co-members in Christ. LOVE, LIKE OUR IMMORTAL SOUL, IS ETERNAL. Both Holy Scripture and our Ecclesiastical History and Tradition in particular provide us with a large amount of evidence for the existence of MUTUAL SPIRITUAL COMMUNION AND SUPPORT, THROUGH LOVE AND PRAYER ON EACH OTHERS BEHALF, between the members of the Heavenly Church and the Church on earth. THIS RELATIONSHIP EXISTS BECAUSE WE ALL CONSTITUTE ONE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. Those who have passed on and those who are still alive in this world ALL SHARE IN A MYSTICAL AND SUPERNATURAL COMMUNION OF LIFE, PRAYER, AND BROTHERLY LOVE. It is this Relationship that enables us to assist each other and it is GOD, IN HIS INFINITE LOVE FOR MANKIND, Who ESTABLISHED THINGS IN THIS WAY DESIRING THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE SAVED THROUGH ONE ANOTHERS HELP.

Our Churchs Memorial Services are based on this Relationship, and the Church has been performing these Holy Services and praying for the Reposed in Christ since it began. IF THESE HOLY SERVICES WERE OF NO VALUE, THE CHURCH
WOULD NOT PERFORM THEM AND WOULD NOT PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY.

We the living (Church Militant) can be assured that OUR GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS and that OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP (CHURCH TRIUMPHANT) IN CHRIST OUR LORD, CAN AND DO BENEFIT FROM THIS ACT OF LOVE, REMEMBRANCE AND SPIRITUAL CARE. The ones left behind to continue the Life given to them by God Himself also benefit because THEY KNOW
THEY ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN AS GOOD FAMILY AND CHURCH MEMBERS.

It also grants us peace of mind - knowing that THROUGH CHRIST AND THE UNDIVIDED CHURCH MADE UP OF THE LIVING AND DEPARTED GOD OFFERS US A WAY TO STAY CONNECTED SPIRITUALLY. CHRIST IS OUR LIFE AND OUR REST AND WILL ALSO BE OUR RESURRECTION TO EVERLASTING LIFE.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP ; LEONIDAS IOANNOU, SAINT ANDREWS GREEK ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. HTTP://WWW.AXIONESTIN.ORG.AU/EDUCATION/SACRAMENTS/63-ORTHODOXMEMORIAL.HTML

6.

SATURDAY

OF THE

SOULS

9 MARCH 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

All Glory, Honour a nd W orship to the Father, and to the Son, a nd to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our M ost Holy, M ost Pure, M ost Blessed and Gl orious La dy, Maria, Theotok os, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commi t our selves and one another and our whole Li fe to Chris t our God. Amen.

10 March 2013 3rd Sunday of Triodion Tone (7) Varys/Grave

Meatfare Sunday The Final Judgement

The Feast of the Holy Martyrs of Corinth - St Quadratos, St Saturinos, St Rufinos & other Holy Martyrs of Nicomedia - St Anastasia, Patrician of Alexandria - St Michael Mavroidi the New Martyr - St John of Khakhuli

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE

Katelisas

to Stavro Sou ton Thanaton. Ineoxas to listi ton Paradison. Ton Myroforon ton thrinon metevales ke tis sis Apostolis kirittin epetaxas, oti Anestis, Hriste O Theos, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos.

By

Thy Cross Thou destroyed Death; Thou opened Paradise to the Thief; Thou changed the funeral lament of the MyrrhBearers, 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!

KONTAKION

OF

MEATFARE SUNDAY TONE 1

Otan elthis O Theos, epi gis meta doxis, ke tremosi ta O God, when Thou come upon the earth in Glory, the
simpanta, potamos de tou piros, ipo tou vimatos elki, ke vivli anigonte, ke ta kripta dimosievonte, tote rise me, ek tou piros tou asovestou, ke axioson, ek dexion sou me stine, Krita dikeotate. whole world will tremble. A River of Fire will bring all before Thy Judgement Seat and the Books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the Fire that never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right Hand, O Judge Most Just.
OF OUR

Resurrection Gospel 7: John 20 : 1 10

ST PETER & ST JOHN WITNESS
THE

EMPTY TOMB

RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST

The

The Lord is my Strength and my Glory! Lord has Punished me severely but He has not delivered me to Death!
LOV
E

Prokeimenon

The First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 8: 13 9 : 2

(AGAPE) REIGNS OV
ER

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 is anyone sees you who have Knowledge eating in an idols temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things that are offered to the idols? And because of your Knowledge shall the weak Brethren perish for whom Christ Died? But when you thus sin against the Brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ! Therefore, if food makes 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. THAT IS WHY THE INTERTWINED VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND Whether we Fast from certain foods or not makes no OBEDIENCE ARE SO VITAL TO OUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT difference to our Spiritual Welfare, since GOD DOES NOT
JUDGE US ON THE FOOD WE EAT, BUT HE DOES JUDGE US ON WHETHER WE LIVE OUR LIVES WITH SELF-DISCIPLE AND LOVE AND ESPECIALLY HOW TREAT OUR FELLOW SINNERS OR WHETHER WE SIMPLY INDULGE OURSELVES AND WASTE THIS PRECIOUS TIME! Therefore, St Paul reminds us that WE MUST ALWAYS BE VERY CAREFUL TO NEITHER OFFEND ONE ANOTHER NOR LEAD EACH OTHER ASTRAY BY OUR PERSONAL HABITS, IDEAS OR PREFERENCES. Throughout this life, WE ARE ALL STRUGGLING TO MAKE GOOD SPIRITUAL PROGRESS and IT IS THE SACRED DUTY OF EVERY FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST TO ENCOURAGE, TO SUPPORT AND TO CORRECTLY GUIDE AND TEACH ONE ANOTHER, A little knowledge is a dangerous thing because ALL TOO OFTEN PEOPLE ASSUME THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND SOMETHING WHEN THEY ARE IN FACT MISINFORMED OR FAR LESS KNOWLEDGEABLE THAT THEY REALISE. Therefore, IN ORDER TO LIVE IN CHRIST, WE MUST CONSTANTLY LOOK TO HIM FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE, OR THOSE WHOM HE HAS CALLED TO GUIDE, TEACH AND ADVISE especially our Holy Church Fathers whose AND PROGRESS.

Christ our Saviour died for all human beings He paid the ultimate Ransom for the Salvation of all mankind not for just a select few.
SO IF WE LEAD ANYONE ASTRAY THROUGH OUR OWN MISGUIDED OR ERRONEOUS KNOWLEDGE, WE CAUSE THEM TO SUFFER SPIRITUAL DEATH i.e. fall into sin, which separates us from Gods Divine Grace and Presence THE CONSEQUENCES OF WHICH ARE DIRE INDEED! Consequently, WHENEVER WE SIN AGAINST EACH OTHER, WE SIN AGAINST CHRIST i.e. Almighty God the Holy

Trinity for They always operate in Perfect Unity and Harmony. (ALWAYS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF THE FATHER, THROUGH THE
SON AND BY MEANS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.)

St Paul teaches us that IF WE DO SOMETHING THAT CAUSES

THE SPIRITUAL DEATH OF ANYONE ELSE, WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE NEVER DO SO AGAIN IN CASE IT CAUSES MORE PEOPLE TO FALL INTO WICKEDNESS OR HARM THEM IN SOME OTHER MANNER AS A RESULT, THE BURDEN OF THAT SIN WILL BE UPON US WHO HAVE CAUSED THEIR FALL AND WE WILL BE ETERNALLY CONDEMNED FOR IT, UNLESS WE QUICKLY REPENT AND CORRECT OUR ERROR.

Spiritual Experience is priceless.

3RD SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION M

EATFARE

FINAL JUDGEMENT SUNDAY 10 M

ARCH

2013

7.

FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WHO LIVE IN CHRIST, ARE ALWAYS MOTIVATED BY A SELFLESS REGARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANY NEVER FOR THEMSELVES AND WITHOUT FAIL, FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD!

The authenticity of St Pauls Apostleship was often attacked by the Hebrews, so he often had to defend it: Am I not an Apostle...? Similar to the Divine Calling of St Paul by our Lord Jesus Christ, others have also been Called by God to serve Him, being filled with the Wisdom and Knowledge and everything necessary by the Holy Spirit Who makes such Wonderful, GodDIVINE JUDGEMENT
OF

Inspired Work possible to be achieved by mere human beings. THE AUTHENTICITY OF DIVINE CALLING IS IN THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT THAT IS BROUGHT FORTH FOR THE EXCLUSIVE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF ALMIGHTY GOD. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CLERGY of the Holy Church of Christ our Spiritual Shepherds or Holy Fathers - IS
CERTIFIED BY THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE FAITHFUL the Spiritual Flock of God - the Faithful Congregation

or Laity (people of the Parish).

The Holy Gospel According to Matthew 25 : 31 46

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 hungry 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 Christs Discourse us : when we TREAT OTHERS WITH AS MUCH LOVE AS WE concerning His Second Coming, which is not simply a PROFESS TO HAVE FOR GOD, we prove our integrity. Parable but A D I V I N E R E V E L A T I O N O F T H E On the contrary, WHEN WE SHOW NEITHER COMPASSION,
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.

Since His Passion was soon to be fulfilled, our Lord Jesus raised His Disciples to the Sight of THE GLORY OF THE
SON OF MAN ON HIS AWESOME JUDGEMENT SEAT WITH THE ENTIRE CREATION BEFORE HIM. The standard of Divine Judgement is U N C A L C U L A T E D MERCY TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER.

KINDNESS NOR ANY DEGREE OF LOVE FOR OTHERS, WE EXPOSE THE WICKEDNESS THAT LURKS WITHIN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS!

The Works or Good Deeds that are produced by True Faith are emphasised by Christ because such SAVING FAITH
ALWAYS PRODUCES RIGHTEOUS WORKS GOOD DEEDS COMPELLED BY DIVINE, UNCONDITIONAL, ALL ENCOMPASSING LOVE TRUE AGAPE. WHATEVER WE DO REFLE CTS O UR TRUE INNER STATE.

As much as God Blesses us and as much as we expect to receive from Him, WE MUST RECIPROCATE BY TREATING EACH OTHER WITH THE SAME CONSIDERATION with all our Love, mercy, respect, etc. Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you! Furthermore, although we should never do anything in the expectation of reward, WHATEVER WITH WE DO FOR ANYONE
ELSE WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE OF AGAPE, GOD RETURNS TO US A HUNDREDFOLD He grants us a hundred times

No matter what lip-service and empty gestures we use to convince others including ourselves of how wellintentioned we are, OUR DEEDS ULTIMATELY EXPOSE THE
TRUE CONDITION OF OUR SOULS.

more Blessings! So whether we do good things or evil things, EVERYTHING

COMES BACK A HUNDRED TIMES MORE TO US! THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST are not only those who suffer physical hunger and thirst, but who YEARN FOR THE ETERNAL HOPE OF THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST JESUS. Our Lord used THE ANALOGY OF SHEEP AND GOATS to DIFFERENTIATE THE RIGHTEOUS AND JUSTIFIED FROM THE UNGODLY AND THE UNREPENTANT. AS CHRIST IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD, WE ARE THE REASONENDOWED FLOCK OR SHEEP OF GOD WHO EAGERLY FOLLOW THE SOUND OF HIS VOICE, AND WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY PRODUCTIVE AND GENTLE CREATURES OF THE LORD.

Consequently, it is essential to our proper Spiritual Development to LEARN TO BE ABSOLUTELY HONEST WITH
OURSELVES, WITH GOD AND WITH EVERYONE ELSE. SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS AND CONTINUOUS (CONSTRUCTIVE) SELF-EXAMINATION, WHICH LEADS TO REPENTANCECONFESSION, TEACHES US TO METICULOUSLY SCRUTINISE OUR OWN PERSONAL WEAKNESSES especially those

hidden away in the darkened crevasses of our soul, so that, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE CAN EXPOSE SUCH
DEFECTS TO THE DIVINE LIGHT OF GODS TRUTH AND HEAL OURSELVES. 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

recommended for all struggling Disciples of Christ who genuinely wish to improve themselves and their Relationship with God as well as with their fellow human beings.
WE WILL KNOW IF WE ARE MAKING ANY PROGRESS WHEN INSTEAD OF P OINTING ACCUSATORY FINGERS ELSEWHERE WE IMMEDITATELY TURN THEM INWARDS AND CORRECT OUR OWN GLARING ERRORS. 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,

The goats are those who remain Spiritually Stubborn and unrighteous for they ignore or refuse to follow the Voice of our Good Shepherd, choosing to risk their lives by walking along the treacherous and dangerous precipices of temptation and sin. Inheritance suggests family members such as sons and daughters rather than strangers or servants, for the
RIGHTEOUS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD BY ADOPTION.

G A L A T I A N S 4 : 4 7 : ... when the fullness of the

which is the very first big step closer to Spiritual Perfection and Eternal Life. ...the least of these... is a reference to all the poor, the needy and the destitute of the world in a Spiritual and a physical sense. Having been created in the Image and Likeness of God,
WE SHOULD SEE ALL HUMANITY AS A REFLECTED DIVINE IMAGE OF GOD and, as Christ so clearly reminds

time had come, God sent forth His Son, Born of a Woman; Born under the Law, to Redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive Adoption as sons. Son refers to Christ as God by Nature. God, then is Born of a Woman, and so the Ever Blessed, All Pure, and Ever Virgin Mary is rightly entitled Theotokos, which means the Mother of God or the Bearer of God.
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, BEGOTTEN OF GOD THE FATHER, WITHOUT MOTHER

8.

3RD SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION MEATFARE FINAL JUDGEMENT SUNDAY 10 M

ARCH

2013

Since Christ was Born under the Law, He can Redeem those under the Law. (INITIALLY THE HEBREWS, AND THEN, LATER, THE
GENTILES I.E. ALL HUMANITY)

THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO REJECT GODS DIVINE TRUTH WHO THROUGH THEIR WILFUL REBELLION REJECT HIS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS THAT BRING US CLOSE TO HIM ...will go

THE ONGOING GROWTH INTO DIVINE ADOPTION BEING AN HEIR OF GOD IS DEIFICATION OR THEOSIS SPIRITUAL PERFECTION. 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 T H E D I V I N E T R U T H C O N C E R N I N G ETERNITY!

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 GODS HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE, PEACE AND JOY ... the Righteous

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: Today is Meat-fare Sunday - Sunday of the Last Judgement - when we are presented with a theme which seems to be currently popular but very misleading and misguided. Such predictions of the end of the world are generally terrifying especially to the uninformed but always wrong for many reasons. The whole point of the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is not to make us panic because when we are in a state of fear, we cannot and do not pay proper attention to anything else. However, if we pay close attention to both of todays Sacred Lessons, we will understand the nature of our Relationship with each other, and especially, with God. St Paul told the Corinthians that if they ate the meat that had been offered to the pagan idols (which was then sold in the marketplace,) they had the liberty to do so because WE BLESS OUR FOOD BEFORE WE EAT IT and AS WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE, GODS BLESSINGS OVERCOME ANYTHING offered to idols by the pagans. However, FOR THE SAKE OF A BROTHER OR SISTER WHO MIGHT BE TEMPTED BY OUR EXERCISE OF LIBERTY, WE RESTRAIN OURSELVES. Those who are weaker than us must not to be led into temptation by our liberty. It is true that WE HAVE GREAT FREEDOM IN CHRIST, BUT THIS
FREEDOM IS NOT WILDFIRE FREEDOM THAT IS TO BE EXERCISED ON A WHIM. OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST IS TO BE EXERCISED CIRCUMSPECTLY

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!

Third Sunday of the Triodion Meatfare

Sunday The Final Judgement

OUR LOVING AND MERCIFUL GOD IS NOT INTERESTED IN LITTLE DETAILS BUT RATHER IN THE CONDITION OF OUR HEART AND SOUL - AND THE EFFECT OF OUR THOUGHTS, WORDS AND DEEDS ON THOSE AROUND US - AND ALSO ON OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT,

However,

which belongs to God Who created everything for our temporary use and AS AN ENDURING LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ENJOY. Celebrating the Divine Liturgy reverently and correctly, for example, is very important, but we are not going to be judged by that alone by any means. Observing the Fasts (Self-Denial and Self-Discipline) is very important, but it will not qualify us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What does count in our favour is the offering to God of our abstention from the pleasures of the flesh, in an effort to strengthen our spiritual nature and thereby grow closer to God.
WE MUST LEARN TO STRENGTHEN OUR SOUL SO THAT SHE DOMINATES THE FLESH RATHER THAN THE FLESH DOMINATING OUR SOUL. THIS IS HOW WE SLOWLY REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO GOD AS HE CREATED US TO BE.

especially with regard to those around us. But MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL IS WHETHER OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST IS EXERCISED ACCORDING TO GODS WILL. We have been granted the freedom to choose whether we wish to live in harmony with Gods Will in a state of Spiritual Life - or to reject or ignore Gods Divine Will and live perilously in sin in a state of Spiritual Death. DUE TO GODS INFINITE LOVE FOR US, WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD SUCH LIBERTY TO CHOOSE FOR GOD NEVER FORCES HIMSELF ON US. And that is how the Fall from Divine Grace of Adam and Eve was possible when OUR FIRST PARENTS LISTENED TO THE TEMPTER, AND ACCEPTED THE HYPOTHESIS. When it comes to the Last Judgement itself, people like to focus on insignificant details such as who exactly is going to the left, or to the right when
EVERY ONE OF US SHOULD BE CONSTANTLY WORRIED ABOUT OUR THOUGHTS, OUR WORDS AND OUR DEEDS that

will decide whether we will be granted Eternal Life with God or Eternal Condemnation in Outer Darkness in Eternal Spiritual Exile from God and all His Goodness. We are so obsessed with minor, unimportant details, and mistaken in our belief that we can somehow qualify to enter Eternal Life.

Meanwhile, during Great Lent, instead of spending less time preparing simple meals, we involve ourselves in observing the letter of the Law of Lent, ensuring that there are no dairy products, no fish, no meat, no oil in our food and taking much longer to prepare delicious Fasting Food! Some of us have access to substitute food that looks like chicken, or Vienna sausages, or turkey, or beef, or any other meat products but which are actually make of soya beans. They may look good or even taste good but they are deceptive because WE ARE NOT DENYING OURSELVES OUR NORMAL SELF-INDULGENT PLEASURES! Furthermore, while we may become obsessed by the Food Fast WE FORGET THE MORE IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL FAST AND CONTINUE COMMITTING OUR SINS AGAINST GOD AND EACH OTHER. The real fulfilment of Great Lent is, and always has been, not in the letter of the Law by observing the dietary prescriptions (which are good in themselves, but which, when taken in the wrong direction, can be deadly), but in HOW WE BEHAVE TOWARDS OTHER HUMAN BEINGS AND HOW WE BEHAVE TOWARDS THE LORD OUR GOD. What we are almost always forget in our self-indulgent society is that THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PART OF GREAT LENT IS ALMSGIVING - CARING FOR AND PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEEDY AND THE DESTITUTE. That is one of the reasons why todays Sacred Lesson concerning our Final Judgement is given to us at this particular time. As this Parable from our Saviour Jesus Christ indicates, WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OTHERS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SURROUND US whose needs may not only be of a material nature but more often than not, of a spiritual or emotional nature.

3RD SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION M

EATFARE

FINAL JUDGEMENT SUNDAY 10 M

ARCH

2013

9.

HUMAN BEINGS HAVE ALL KINDS OF NEEDS AND GOD PROVIDES EACH OF US WITH ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT HOLY GIFTS IN ORDER TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. As struggling Disciples of Christ, WE MUST ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO NEEDY CIRCUMSTANCES with the thought or impulse of how we can serve others or how we can help the situation. The Holy Priesthood of Christ is responsible for the nurturing and serving of His Holy Flock and EACH OF US ALSO HAVE A SACRED RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT TO GOOD USE ALL THE WONDERFUL GIFTS THAT HAVE BEEN BESTOWED UPON US BY GOD, which, together, are FOR THE BUILDING UP AND MAINTAINING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST HIS HOLY CHURCH. What is important to remember, dear Brethren, is that
THE PRESCRIPTIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN ARE INDICATIONS OF HOW WE SHOULD GO ABOUT OUR LIVES, BUT THEY ARE NOT RULES, like the Ten

GODS ONLY DESIRE IS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL WELFARE for our Eternal Spiritual Life that brings us ever closer to Him. Our Merciful and Loving Lord never threatens us with cruel punishments even when HE DISCIPLINES AND CHASTISES US IN ORDER TO GUIDE US BACK TO THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE. And WHENEVER WE HAVE BEEN CHASTISED BY OUR LORD, WE
HAVE ALWAYS DESERVED IT YET IT IS CERTAINLY NEVER A CRUEL AND UNJUST TYPE OF PUNISHMENT. GOD TURNS HIS LOVING, PROTECTIVE SIGHT AWAY FROM US WHEN WE ARE IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH I.E. SIN AND WE SUDDENLY REALISE EXACTLY HOW BEREFT WE ARE WITHOUT HIS DIVINE GRACE.

Commandments, for example. The Pharisees went wrong with regard to the Ten Commandments by losing sight of the Foundation of Gods Divine Commandments, which was, and is, and always will be: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. [DEUTERNOMY 6:5] And our Saviour also added His Commandment: ...and your neighbour as yourself. [MARK 12:31]
THIS COMMANDMENT OF CHRIST MEANS THAT WE MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS MUCH AS GOD LOVES US INFINITELY AND UNCONDITONALLY!

In the same way, in our childhood when we were disciplined rather firmly, even corporally, we did not resent our parents, our grandparents, or even the teacher or whoever felt the need to chastise us nor were we afraid of them. For those of us who were always in trouble it may have been difficult for others to guide us to the right Path and it may have taken a lot of emotional pushing and shoving but always due to their love and concern for us. OUR LORD WHO LOVES US MORE THAN WE CAN EVER
UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE ONLY WANTS TO KEEP US WELL DIRECTED, AND FOCUSSED ON OUR ULTIMATE GOAL ETERNAL LIFE. IT IS IMPORTANT for us, dear Brethren, TO KEEP OUR FOCUS, AND OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT DURING GREAT LENT - to

All of that is in the Ten Commandments. Nevertheless, the Pharisees enshrined the Ten Commandments in such a way that they had to be protected, and they invented thousands of other Rules about how to live life in order to protect themselves from offending or breaking the Great Ten Commandments. Yet that again was compelled by fear living in abject terror of a wrathful God.
CHRIST HIMSELF HAS TAUGHT US THAT GOD IS A LOVING GOD WHO HAS GREAT MERCY FOR US - SO WE MUST ONLY LIVE IN THE RESPECTFUL AND LOVING FEAR OF DISAPPOINTING SUCH A LOVING AND BENEVOLENT HEAVENLY FATHER.

THE LORD DOES NOT WANT US TO BE AFRAID (IN TERROR) OF HIM, for as St John the Divine Apostle and Theologian reminded us: God is Love. [1 JOHN 4:16] And he is absolutely correct! THE LORD OUR GOD IS CERTAINLY 100% LOVE! AND OUR HOLY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALL ABOUT TRUE LOVE. Fear and terror is the invention of the Evil One and has nothing at all to do with DIVINE LOVE, FREE WILL AND ETERNAL LIFE WHICH ALL COME FROM THE ONE, TRUE AND LIVING GOD WHO LOVES US FAR BEYOND OUR LIMITED UNDERSTANDING AND WHO IS ONLY INTERESTED IN OUR GAINING ETERNAL LIFE IN HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE.

offer our Fasting - our self-denial and abstinence - to our Lord out of Love for Him - so that we can spend more time with Him, and less time in self-indulgent, non-beneficial pleasures. We must not worry about the exact Rules of everything concerning the Great Lenten Fast. Instead we must rather concern ourselves with IMPROVING AND DEEPENING OUR LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LORD GOD because that is THE REAL PURPOSE OF EACH LENTEN PERIOD. Furthermore, WE MUST CONCERN OURSELVES WITH THE WELFARE AND CARE OF OTHERS - BECAUSE IT IS EXACTLY ON THOSE THINGS THAT OUR SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, WILL FINALLY JUDGE US. Our Lord Jesus Christ will ask us the vital question: How did you Love Me? How do you Love Me? How did you show your Love for Me? Let us beseech our Lord to help our hearts to be attuned to Him - to His Love and according to His Will - so that we will always know and do His Will - quickly and with Love,- for His Glory, Honour and Worship: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: MEATFARE SUNDAY: A SERMON OF THE ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF CANADA.

The Eternal God-Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers

ST GREGORY OF NYSSA: It is necessary that those who wish to speak or to hear of But IF THINGS ARE UNCREATED THEY MUST in all consistency God should understand clearly, that alike IN THE BE ALSO WHOLLY IMMUTABLE. For THINGS THAT ARE DOCTRINE [TEACHING] OF DEITY [OF GOD] AND IN THAT OF THE OPPOSED IN THE NATURE OF THEIR EXISTENCE MUST ALSO INCARNATION, ALL THINGS ARE NEITHER UNUTTERABLE BE OPPOSED IN THE MODE OF THEIR EXISTENCE - THEY NOR ALL UTTERABLE NEITHER ARE ALL THINGS MUST HAVE OPPOSITE PROPERTIES: ... ALL EXISTING UNKNOWABLE NOR ALL KNOWABLE. THINGS, not only those ... of the senses, but EVEN THE For the knowable belongs to one order, and the utterable VERY ANGELS, ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND to another - just as IT IS ONE THING TO SPEAK AND TRANSFORMATION AND MOVEMENT OF VARIOUS KINDS. ANOTHER THING TO KNOW. FOR THINGS PERTAINING TO THE RATIONAL WORLD - ANGELS Many of the Things relating to God, therefore, that are AND SPIRITS AND DEMONS - ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGES OF dimly understood, cannot be put into fitting terms, but WILL, whether it is a progression or a retrogression in on things Above us, WE CANNOT DO OTHERWISE THAN TO Goodness - whether a Struggle or a surrender - while EXPRESS OURSELVES ACCORDING TO OUR LIMITED the OTHERS SUFFER CHANGES OF GENERATION AND CAPACITY - as, for instance, when we speak of God we DESTRUCTION, OF INCREASE AND DECREASE, OF QUALITY use the terms sleep and wrath hands, too, and AND OF MOVEMENT IN SPACE. feet, and such similar expressions. THINGS THAT ARE MUTABLE ARE ALSO WHOLLY CREATED and ALL THINGS THAT EXIST ARE EITHER CREATED OR UNCREATED. MUST BE THE WORK OF SOME CREATOR WHO CANNOT HAVE If things are created, they are also wholly mutable. BEEN CREATED. [CHANGEABLE OR VARIABLE]. For THINGS, WHOSE EXISTENCE THE CREATOR - BEING UNCREATED - IS ALSO WHOLLY ORIGINATED IN CHANGE, MUST ALSO BE SUBJECT TO IMMUTABLE. AND WHAT COULD THIS CREATOR BE OTHER CHANGE, WHETHER THEY PERISH OR THEY BECOME OTHER THAN DEITY? [GOD] THAN THEY ARE BY ACT OF WILL.

10.

3RD SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION MEATFARE FINAL JUDGEMENT SUNDAY 10 MARCH 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

All Glory, Honour and W orship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now a nd forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our Most Holy, Mos t Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, toge ther with all the Saints. A nd let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

4th Sunday of Triodion

Tone (8) Plagal 4

17 M ar ch 2 01 3

Cheesefare Sunday Forgiveness Sunday

Feast of St Alexis the Man of God of Rome - St Patrick, Bishop of Amagh & Enlightener of Ireland St Marinos St Makarios, Abbot & Wonderworker of Kalyazin St Gabriel the Lesser, Hieromartyr of Georgia
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Ex

Ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo triimeron, ina imas eleftherosis ton pathon. I Zoi ke i Anastasis imon, Kyrie, Doxa Si!

Thou descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;

Thou endured the three-days burial, so that Thou might free us from our passions, O our Life and Resurrection: Glory to Thee! Wisdoms Guiding Star, of prudence Provider, Instructor of the foolish ones, and the Defender of the poor: Support and grant understanding, O Master, to my heart. Grant me words, O Thou Who are the Fathers Word; for behold I shall not hold back from crying out to Thee: O Compassionate One, have mercy on me having gone astray!

TRIODION KONTAKION CHEESEFARE FORGIVENESS SUNDAY

Tis Sofias Odige, froniseos horige, ton afronon pedefta, O

ke ton ptohon iperaspista, stirixon sinetison tin kardian mou Despota. Si didou mi logon, O tou Patros Logos. Idou gar ta hili mou, ou mi koliso en to krazin Si. Eleimon, Eleison me ton parapesonta.

Prokeimenon
Sing Praises to our God! Sing Praises to our King! Clap your hands, all you Nations!

The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans 13 : 11 14 : 4

TODAY
IS THE

DAY!

Brethren: you know what Hour it is - that now is the exact time to awaken out of sleep - for now our Salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the Day is at hand! Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the Armour of Light. Let us walk properly, as in the Day not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy - but put on our Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfil its lusts. Receive those who are weak in the Faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things, for one believes he may eat all things, yet he who is weak, eats only vegetables. And let those who eat not despise those who do not eat, and let those who do not eat, not judge those who do eat; for God has received them. Who are you to judge Anothers servant? Before his own Master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
WE ONLY HAVE A VERY SHORT LIFESPAN IN WHICH TO PREPARE AND DEVELOP OUR IMMORTAL SOULS FOR ETERNITY. WE HAVE COME FROM GOD BEING CREATED BY HIM IN HIS DIVINE IMAGE AND LIKENESS AND WE HAVE A NATURAL INCLINATION TO RETURN TO GOD BY REGAINING OUR LOST LIKENESS TO HIM, which makes us worthy

Therefore, St Paul reminds us that we cannot waste another minute of such precious time because THE
TIME OF OUR REPENTANCE AND SALVATION IS NOW!

citizens and co-Heirs of His Eternal Kingdom.

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN CAST OFF OUR WORKS OF DARKNESS THE FILTH AND DESTRUCTION OF SIN IS TO put on

It is time to wake up from our sin-induced stupor to arise from our slovenly bed of ignorance, negligence and Spiritual Death and immediately set off on our Lifes Journey towards Eternal Life and Gods Heavenly Kingdom.
WHATEVER WE CHOOSE TO DO NOW IN THIS MOMENT OF OUR EXISTENCE AND IN EVERY OTHER MOMENT OF EVERY DAY OF THE REST OF OUR LIFE WILL AFFECT OUR ETERNITY

the Armour of Light i.e. through our Holy Baptism WE PUT ON CHRIST WHO IS DIVINE, UNCREATED
LIGHT. WE CONTINUOUSLY CLEANSE AND SANCTIFY OURSELVES WITH THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF HIS HOLY CHURCH and in this

manner we are able to slowly but surely take one tiny step at a time, closer to our Ultimate Destination.
WE CANNOT PROCEED WITHOUT GOD AND OUR FELLOW SINNERS who are striving just as eagerly and

our own Eternal Life with God or Eternal Death in exile a total absence of God and all His Goodness!
AS LONG AS WE ARE STILL IN THIS EXISTENCE, WE CAN CHANGE OUR COURSE BY SINCERE REPENTANCECONFESSION AND A CONCERTED, DETERMINATION TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO IMITATE AND TO FOLLOW CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR in Whom we Live since our Holy

determinedly as ourselves. So whenever we weaken, or stumble and fall, WITH THE

LOVING SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF ALL OUR FAITHFUL BRETHREN AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, AND ESPECIALLY BY THE GRACE OF OUR MOST LOVING GOD, WE ARE ABLE TO RISE UP AGAIN, AND SET OFF ONCE MORE, with joyful and enthusiastic hearts and souls. With the Love and Strength granted to us by God, WE NEED NOT WORRY FOR AN INSTANT ABOUT ANY OF OUR PHYSICAL NEEDS. We are CONFIDENT IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE and are able to CONCENTRATE OUR EFFORTS ON OUR SPIRITUAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT. AND THE CLOSER WE GET TO GOD, THE MORE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE WE WILL BE GRANTED.

Baptism.
GOD GRANTS US INNUMERABLE REPENTANCE and a complete OPPORTUNITIES FOR

change of heart and attitude that brings us closer to Him and enriches our lives - in this world and the next - beyond our simple understanding or perception. We must clearly understand that EVERY WORD, THOUGHT

AND DEED HAS A CONSEQUENCE NOT MERELY NOW BUT CERTAINLY LATER. However, WITH THE GUIDANCE AND GRACE OF GOD WE CAN CONSTANTLY IMPROVE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND WITH OUR FELLOW STRUGGLERS who are on the exact

same Journey of Life even though many do not grasp the reality and purpose of our existence.

With serenity of soul and the unconditional Divine Love of God in our hearts, we help each other in every way necessary, never judging anyone else except ourselves.
17 M
ARCH

4TH SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION CHEESEFARE SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS -

2013

11.

GREAT LENT BEGINS TOMORROW

As St Paul reminds us: God is our only Judge and we are all His Faithful servants! Anyone who would dare to point an accusatory finger at a fellow sinner, should immediately Repent for we are told by Christ: Judge not lest you be Judged! which means that whatever we do to others will come back to us a hundred times more!
CHRIST
OUR

Consequently, during the next weeks of Great Lent, we should make every effort possible to think, to say and to do only those things that can Spiritually Benefit us and each other so that our words, thoughts and deeds become great Blessings rather than dreadful curses for us!!

The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 6 : 14 21

LORD & SAVIOUR TEACHES US ABOUT FORGIVENESS & FASTING

At that time our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses! Furthermore, when you Fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to others to be Fasting. Truly, I say to you: they have their reward! But you: when you Fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to others to be Fasting, except to your Father Who is in the Secret Place; and your Father Who sees in secret will Reward you openly. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves Treasure in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also! V OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INSISTS ON MUTUAL FORGIVENESS i.e. to maintain a good, healthy and clean personal BETWEEN US HUMAN BEINGS AS A PRECONDITION OF state throughout the Fast and the rest of the year, GODS DIVINE FORGIVENESS AND GREAT MERCY. without any discernible difference that others might THOSE WHO DO NOT FORGIVE OTHERS WILL NOT BE notice. FORGIVEN BY GOD EITHER! (There is no Ash Wednesday in Orthodox Christianity!) This is an absolutely clear Teaching of Christ Who will be FASTING IS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT our Final and Only Judge before Whom all Creation AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP will stand! So we will not be able to plead ignorance! OF GOD AND NOT TO BE SEEN BY THOSE AROUND US. This Divine Teaching is vital to our Eternity and is repeated Fasting is also not merely the abstinence from certain often, such as in Christs Parable of the Unforgiving foods but consists mainly of A STRICT SELF-DENIAL AND Servant, SELF-DISCIPLINE IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE so as to escape IF WE HOPE FOR DIVINE FORGIVENESS AND MERCY FROM the physical control and damage caused by our GOD, WE MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FORGIVE AND passions and self-indulgence. BE MERCIFUL TO OUR FELLOW SINNERS! We have TO STRENGTHEN OUR IMMORTAL SOULS so that we Whatever we desire to be granted by God for ourselves, we are able TO CORRECTLY CONTROL OUR PHYSICAL AND must grant to one another and when we find ourselves MENTAL DESIRES AND DEMANDS and even dominate and in dire straits, WE MUST SEARCH WITHIN OUR OWN conquer the weaknesses of our bodies. HEARTS, MINDS AND SOULS TO FIND AND ROOT OUT WHAT
IS PREVENTING US FROM MAKING PROPER SPIRITUAL PROGRESS!

Most tragedies in life are caused by people who are selfish and arrogant who are unforgiving and merciless towards others. Once again, the Sacred Lesson is Do unto others what you would like done to you ..!!
PUTTING ON A SAD FACE OR APPEARANCE TO SHOW OFF OR TO BRAG ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU ARE SACRIFICING WHILE FASTING, ONLY BRINGS YOU SHAME AND DISCREDIT FOR IT EXPOSES YOUR FAST AS A MERE EMPTY GESTURE THAT WILL NOT BENEFIT YOU IN THE SLIGHTEST DEGREE! OUR LORD JESUS REJECTED AND DESPISED NOTHING ELSE BUT HYPOCRITES!

WE ONLY HAVE THIS LIFE-SPAN IN WHICH TO STRENGTHEN AND DEVELOP OUR IMMORTAL SOUL, WHICH CANNOT DO SO ONCE IT IS SEPARATED FROM OUR BODY.

On the eve of Great Lent we sing: Let us abstain from passions as we abstain from food! St John Chrysostom admonished us: What good is it if we abstain from eating birds and fish but bite and devour our Brethren?

DURING EVERY FASTING PERIOD, WE MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE THE MOST PERFECT DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, SO THAT EVENTUALLY WE GROW INTO SUCH GOOD HABITS THAT IT BECOMES NATURAL TO US - and

Those who Fast correctly by not only fulfilling the selfdenial of the flesh but also of the spirit experience the Divine Compassion of God which dispels any difficulty or physical discomfort. In other words: IF WE FAST PROPERLY IN BOTH A SPIRITUAL
AND PHYSICAL MANNER WITH ALL THE RIGHT MOTIVATION AND PURPOSE - WE WILL BE GREATLY BLESSED WITH THE LOVING PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

with less effort or struggle. By attaching ourselves to material but temporary treasures of this world, we cut ourselves off from the everlasting True and Most Priceless Treasures of Heaven. We become slaves to earthly things rather than being Truly Free in Christ Jesus.

During the Fasts of our Holy Church, the Hymns call all Faithful Christians to wash and to anoint themselves Our Holy Church Fathers have appointed THE COMMEMORATION OF ADAMS EXILE FROM THE PARADISE OF DELIGHT today - the eve of the Holy Forty-day Fast Great Lent - DEMONSTRATING TO US not by simple words, but BY ACTUAL DEEDS, HOW BENEFICIAL FASTING IS FOR US, AND HOW HARMFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE ARE SELF-INDULGENCE AND GLUTTONY, AND THE TRANSGRESSING OF THE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS. For the First Commandment that God gave to mankind concerned Fasting self-denial - which our first-fashioned ancestors received yet did not keep. And not only did THEY NOT BECOME GODS, as they had been tempted by the evil one into believing, but THEY LOST EVEN THAT BLESSED LIFE THAT THEY HAD, AND THEY FELL INTO CORRUPTION AND DEATH.

THE FOCAL POINT OF GENUINE DISCIPLESHIP CONCERNS DISENTANGLING OURSELVES FROM THE CHAINS AND SHACKLES OF INSIGNIFICANT, FLEETING EARTHLY POSSESSIONS AND SOCIAL STATUS AND ATTACHING OURSELVES INSTEAD TO OUR LOVING AND MOST BENEVOLENT LORD GOD WHO IS OUR TRUE ETERNAL TREASURE!

Cheesefare Sunday Sunday of Forgiveness

CONSEQUENTLY THROUGH THEIR DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD, THEY TRANSMITTED CORRUPTION AND DEATH, AS WELL AS INNUMERABLE OTHER EVILS, TO ALL OF MANKIND. Our God-bearing Holy Fathers set these things before us today, that BY BRINGING TO MIND WHAT WE HAVE FALLEN FROM, AND WHAT WE HAVE SUFFERED BECAUSE OF THE GREED AND DISOBEDIENCE OF OUR FIRSTFASHIONED ANCESTORS, WE MIGHT BECOME DILIGENT AND RETURN TO THAT ANCIENT BLISS AND GLORY BY MEANS OF FASTING AND OBEDIENCE TO ALL THE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS. We must take to heart todays Holy Gospel Lesson and thereby BEGIN THE GREAT LENTEN FAST UNENCUMBERED BY ENMITY BY SEEKING FORGIVENESS FIRST FROM GOD, THEN FROM ONE ANOTHER AND ALL CREATION. (THE ORTHODOX WEEKLY BULLETIN)

Cheese-Fare Sunday - the Remembrance of Adams Expulsion from Paradise

12.

4TH SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION CHEESEFARE SUNDAY OF FORGIV

ENESS

- 17 MARCH 2013

The quickly flowing river of time rushes on to Eternity. Only the Holy Church and Gods Feasts stop this motion momentarily, as if counting the time. And our entire life, from our birth to departure from it, is reflected in this yearly cycle - it reminds us and calls to us: Know yourself, look inside yourself, O man. Who are you? How do you live, and what awaits you? You are rushing headlong with this flow of time to timelessness - to Eternity. So it is every day, every year. Was it so long ago that the cry of the human heart, languishing in sins, rang out in Church: Open unto me the Doors of Repentance, O Giver of Life? Our hearts trembledthe Fast was already in the air. But now, the weeks of preparation for our Field of Repentance in Great Lent have passed, when: THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN WERE THE MIRRORS OF OUR SOULS; WE CALLED OUT TO THE HEAVENLY FATHER WITH THE VOICE OF THE PRODIGAL SON, recognizing also our distance from the Truth - our departure to a faraway land: O God, I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee; make me one of Thy hired servants. A REMINDER OF THE TERRIBLE AND GLORIOUS LAST JUDGMENT OF THE LORD, WHEN THE BOOKS SHALL BE OPENED AND ALL SECRETS REVEALED. Not yet frightening us, it CALLS US TO KNOWLEDGE OF OURSELVES - TO REPENTANCE. Now we are at the last day of the threshold before Great Lent. On this day, the Church remembers the terrible Tragedy that happened to mankind at the dawn of our historyour expulsion in the person of our ancient Forefather, Adam, from the Face of God the very Presence of God - the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. The vale of tears and sadnessthe earthreceived the outcasts, so that at Gods Commandment the transgressors would reap thorns and thistles, so that they would eat the bread of the sweat of their brows, so that in pain, tears, and sadness she would give birth to their children and feed them, so that THEY WOULD REAP ALL THE BITTER FRUITS OF THEIR DISOBEDIENCE TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. Adam wept in his exile, sitting outside of Paradise HE WEPT, REMEMBERING WHAT HE WAS, WHAT HE POSSESSED, AND WHO HE HAD LOST. TO THIS DAY, ALL MANKIND WEEPS AND SIGHS OVER THE FIRST ADAM - over the now elusive phantom of True Happiness. The whole world, harassed and weary, weeps because of its waywardness, because of its naked soul; because life is aimless and joyless. Nothing can fill our life so that we might unconditionally feel THE FULLNESS OF TRUEnot phantomHAPPINESS; for this fullness IS ONLY IN GOD. But WE ARE EXILES. Paradise is far away, and the further mankind lives from the time of the Fall, the more shadowy that beautiful image of Paradise becomes in him - THE DEEPER MANKINDS PAIN AND SUFFERING, THE MORE THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD IS ERASED FROM OUR SOUL. THE WORLD WOULD HAVE PERISHED LONG AGO, HAD NOT THE SECOND ADAM, CHRIST, NOT RE-OPENED PARADISE
AND GIVEN ALL HUMANITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN TO IT. now bear THE WEIGHT AND SORROW OF THE LIFE OF AN EXILE.

WHAT WE HAVE LOST THROUGH SIN, WE CAN FIND AND REGAIN ONLY THROUGH REPENTANCE AND ASCETIC LABOURS OF GREAT TEMPERANCE.

We

Even we, who live the Life of the Church Life in Christ - know also the Paradisal Joy of the open Royal Doors, and the Life-creating, Jubilant words: Christ is Risen! In these most wonderful words is THE ORIGINAL NEARNESS TO DIVINE LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND. But preceding this Paradisal Joy on earth is Great Lent, and the Church continually teaches that
4TH SUNDAY
OF

Just a few hours will pass, and we will all notice with amazement that something will change around us and within us; something will happen that will place a Seal of particular concentration and attention upon everything. And along with the Church, WE MUST PASS FROM THE CALL TO REPENTANCE TO THE VERY LABOURS OF REPENTANCE, TO THE WORK OF REPENTANCE. OUR MOTHER-CHURCH RECEIVED THE LORDS COMMANDMENT OF THE HEALING FAST, which could be heard in Old Covenant times for the people of God through St Joel, the Holy Prophet of God: Now says the Lord your God: Turn to me with all your heart, and with Fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning Sanctify a Fast, proclaim a solemn Service assemble the Elders and all the inhabitants of the Lords House, let the Priests who minister to the Lord weep, and say: Spare Thy People, O Lord, and give not Thine Inheritance to reproach (JOEL 2:12, 15, 16, 17). THE SECOND ADAM, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BEGAN THE PATH OF HIS LABOURS WITH A GREAT FORTY DAY FAST, SO THAT BY HIS DIVINE LOVE FOR FALLEN MANKIND HE MIGHT RE-OPEN THE LOCKED PARADISE AND SHOW THE WAY WHEREBY WE MAY RETURN TO IT. The Holy Gospels testify that: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness And when He had Fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. (MATTHEW 4:12) The evil one tried to tempt Christ in His weakened, hungry state so immeasurable is the audacity and blindness of the dark power! Having succeeded in his temptation of mankind in Paradise, the evil one began to war against God in his wicked blindness - not recognizing Christ as the Great Saviour and Eternal, Only Begotten Son of God. Satan approached our Lords profound Meekness, Humility, Patience, Purity, and Holiness with the darkness of temptations woven from pride, betrayal, conceit, and lies. However, the sinless Christ God, Who needed no Purification, opposed the tempter with Fasting and Prayer, showing all of us who follow Him the Path of Struggle against sin. And THE LORD CONFIRMED BY WORD AND DEED THAT THIS ...kind [OF DEMON] does not go out except by Prayer and Fasting. (MATTHEW 17:21). BY PRAYER AND FASTING, STRIVING CHRISTIANS RECEIVE THE STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM OUR LORD for our Struggle against the ceaseless temptations of the enemy - THROUGH FASTING AND PRAYER WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT AND THE MIND OF CHRIST. Prayer and Fasting lights the Light, which disperses the Darkness of sinful life, for: The Light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (JOHN 1:5). Nevertheless, due to our free will, we are able to choose between a Path of Corruption or Incorruption - good or evil. If woe, suffering, and death entered life through the sin of disobedience to God, then ONLY THROUGH OBEDIENCE, PRAYER, AND FASTINGOUR LIVING SACRIFICE OF LOVE FOR GODCAN THE LIGHT OF SUPREME RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY RETURN. And this, my dear ones, is PARADISE ON EARTH. However, according to Gods Commandment, LOVE FOR GOD ON EARTH MANIFESTS ONLY AS LOVE FOR PEOPLE. The heart of a Christian can warm itself and burn only with a two-in-one love for God and people simultaneously. IF OUR HEART IS HARD AND CRUEL TOWARD OTHERS - then darkened by dislike, coldness, and cruelty - WE BECOME INDIFFERENT OR HYPOCRITICAL TOWARD GOD.

TRIODION CHEESEFARE SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS -

17 M

ARCH

2013

13.

GREAT LENT BEGINS TOMORROW

Consequently, Paradise, which could have been so closein our heartleaves and fades and THE SIN OF THE LACK OF LOVE GIVES BIRTH TO DISOBEDIENCE, CONCEIT, AND SELF-LOVE. But how can we Love a sinner? How can we Love those who do not Love us - our enemies? Here also, the Lord comes to our aid. He gives us the Lords Prayer: ...And forgive us our debts (trespasses), as we forgive our debtors (those who trespass against us) By this Prayer our Lord is saying to us: Look at yourself: after all, you are that very debtor who needs to be forgiven; you are that very sinner; you are the one who does not Loveyou Love by choice; you are someones enemyyou have offended others, you have had contempt for or humiliated others. YOURSELF NEED FORGIVENESS, YOU NEED YOU CONDESCENDING LOVE. The words of todays Sacred Lesson also resound: ... if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses!
[MATTHEW 6:14-15]

This is no longer judgement over a person, but A JUDGEMENT OVER GOD, WHO HAS BEEN MERCIFUL AND FORGIVEN. Thus, WE PERISH BY JUDGEMENT - because where there is judgement, THERE IS NO LOVE. ONLY LOVE IS CAPABLE OF BEING AT ALL TIMES AN ADVOCATE, AND ONLY LOVE CAN COVER OUR BRETHRENS NAKEDNESS. Yet we judge! And this JUDGEMENT BECOMES OUR OWN CONDEMNATION AND SENTENCE: ...For he shall have Judgement without Mercy, having shown no mercy. (JAMES
2:13)

FORGIVE EVERYONE EVERYTHING, AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN. V FORGIVE, AND YOU WILL BE SAVED - AND YOU WILL INHERIT PARADISE. Having cautioned us time and again concerning Forgiveness, our Lord also severely warned us NEVER JUDGE OTHERS: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. (MARK. 7:1). With this Divine Commandment our Lord shows A VERY SHORT AND MOST SURE PATH TO SALVATION, WHICH OPENS TO US THE GATES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. He makes it very clear that THAT PARTICULAR VIRTUE, WITHOUT WHICH ALL OUR ASCETIC LABOURS AND EFFORTS IN LIFE IN GENERAL, AND DURING THE GREAT LENTEN FAST IN PARTICULAR, WILL BE IN VAIN. Furthermore this is THE ONLY PATHTHE PATH OF LOVE for people, beginning with non-judgement. Judge not, lest ye be judged! In His first Coming, OUR LORD CAME NOT TO JUDGE THE WORLD, BUT TO SAVE IT. He came to re-open the locked Paradise for all humanity since GOD THE FATHER GAVE ALL JUDGMENT TO HIS SON AT THE SECOND COMING. However, for now: ... Mercy rejoices against judgement. (JAMES 2:13). Now is the time of Gods Mercy - HE HAS GREAT MERCY FOR US, YET WE DARE TO JUDGE AND ENFORCE! Filled with utter arrogance we elevate ourselves with our opinions and judgement over others, whether close or distant to us whether they are insignificant or important. WE JUDGE EVERYONE ELSE WHETHER WE KNOW ANYTHING OR NOTHING AT ALL! We judge according to other peoples words, thoughts or attitudes. We judge according to our own inflated egotistic perceptions. OUR JUDGEMENT - AS THE JUDGEMENT OF AN ENEMY EXTENDS EVEN TO OUR SAVIOUR HIMSELF! EVERYONE HAS SINNED before God, before people, and we might even be witnesses - BUT WE NEVER SEE HOW THEY REPENTED, and we did not hear the Priests consoling words pronounced over their bowed head: ... by the Authority given to me, I forgive and absolve all your sins, in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. V GODS GREAT MERCY HAS ALREADY ERASED THE HANDWRITING OF SINS, YET WE CONTINUE TO REMEMBER AND DARE TO JUDGE!

Furthermore, PARADISE CANNOT RECEIVE US, FOR WE HAVE NO LOVE IN US. V WHERE THERE IS NO LOVE, THERE IS NO SALVATION!! Today, beginning with the Repentance of Great Lent, let us resolve two major Spiritual Lessons: DO NOT JUDGE AND DO NOT TEMPT! So that we might root ourselves in Saving, Blessed non-condemnation - that we might begin our Repentance during the very first days of Great Lent - we must learn TO SEE, JUDGE, AND CONDEMN ONLY OURSELVESTHE ONLY PERSON THAT WE TRULY KNOW, FROM ALL SIDES AND DEEPLY. THIS IS WHERE JUDGEMENT WITHOUT MERCY WILL BE FOR OUR OWN SALVATION; FOR THIS IS THE ONLY JUDGEMENT THAT WILL LEAD US TO TRUE REASON. It gives us a vision of THAT TERRIFYING ABYSS ON THE EDGE OF WHICH WE STAND, and WHICH WE DIG ALL THE MORE DEEPER BY OUR SINS, OUR DEBTS TO GOD AND OTHER PEOPLE, AND BY OUR CONDEMNATION OF OTHERS. This MERCILESS JUDGEMENT OF OURSELVES will tear a living, saving cry from our hearts that WILL REACH THE HEAVENS: O Lord! Have Mercy on me! O God, be Merciful to me, a sinner! And the Miracle of our Salvation will begin. The Lord our God will console our repentant souls and hearts with His Blessed Peace, Serenity, and Love. In the words of our dear Holy Elder, St. Seraphim of Sarov: Acquire the Spirit of Peace, and thousands will be Saved around you TRANSFORMATION WILL BEGIN IN LIFE around us. Now is the Spring of the soul! Holy and Great Lent is at our door! May the Blessed Seed of our Repentance and Prayer sprout forth by it, and produce the Saving Fruits of our souls Resurrection in God. Children of God: May your mind Fast from vain thoughts; may your will Fast from evil desires; may your eyes Fast from seeing evil; may your ears Fast from base songs and calumnious whisperings; may your tongue Fast from slander, condemnation, lies, flattering, and foul language; may your hands Fast from striking, and from stealing what does not belong to you; may your feet Fast from walking to evil deeds. THIS IS THE CHRISTIAN FAST, WHICH THE LORD EXPECTS OF US. Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ: let us enter the Great Fast - let us ENTER THE FIELD OF ITS ASCETIC LABOURSREPENTANCE, TEMPERANCE, AND HUMILITYand confirm ourselves in them; so that HAVING RECEIVED FORGIVENESS, WE MAY MEET CHRISTS RESURRECTION - HOLY PASCHATHE HEAVENLY RADIANCE ON EARTH. Amen. V
ADAPTED & EDITED BY SERMON DELIVERED ON 28 FEBRUARY (13 MARCH ) 1994 BY ARCHIMANDRITE JOHN (KRESTIANKIN) ORIGINAL TRANSLATION FROM RUSSIAN BY NUN CORNELIA (REES) 27 / 02 / 2012

http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/51820.htm

14.

4TH SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION CHEESEFARE SUNDAY OF FORGIV

ENESS

- 17 MARCH 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now a nd forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our M ost Holy, M os t Pure, M ost Blessed and Gl ori ous Lad y, Maria, Theotok os, yet Ever Virgin, toge ther with all the Saints. A nd let us c ommit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Chris t our God. Amen.

23 March 2013 The Miracle of St Theodore the Recruit of Tyre

Also the Feast of St Nikon the Monk of Sicily and his 199 Novice Monks - St Nikon the Abbot of the Kiev Far Caves Monastery, (first Disciple and Fellow Ascetic of St Anthony, the Founder of Kiev Caves Monastery) St Philetos the Senator, St Lydia, his wife, and St Macedonios & St Theoprpios, their sons, St Chronides the Notary & St Amphilochios the Captain & those who were martyred with them in Illyria St Basil of Mangazea, Siberia St Luke the Monk-martyr of St Annas Skete, Mount Athos & Odrin St Sergios the New Confessor of Tver

FESTAL APOLYTIKION

OF

ST DANIEL &

THE

THREE HOLY YOUTHS TONE 4

Megala

ta tis Pisteos katorthomata! En ti pigi tis flogos, os epi idatos anapafseos, i Agii Tris, Pedes igallonto, ke O Profitis Daniil, leonton pimin, os Provaton ediknito. Tes afton ikesies Hriste O Theos, Soson tas psihas imon!
OF THE

Great indeed are Faiths accomplishments!

The Three Holy Youths stood exultingly in the fountain of fire as if beside the still waters of rest. And Daniel the Prophet appeared like a Shepherd in the den of lions. At their Entreaties, O Christ God, Save our souls!

KONTAKION

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton Se.

Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always protects all those who honour Thee!
POWER
OF

The Second Epistle of St Paul to St Timothy 1 : 1 10

ST TIMOTHYS GIFT
IS THE

GOD

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the Will of God, according to the Promise of Life, which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a Beloved Son: Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God the Father, and Christ Jesus, our Lord. I thank God, Whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my Prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with Joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine Faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your Grandmother, Lois, and your Mother, Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to stir up the Gift of God, which is in you through the Laying On of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of Power and of Love and of a sound mind. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord, nor of me, His Prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the Power of God, Who has Saved us and Called us with a Holy Calling not according to our works, but according to His own Purpose and Grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, yet has now been revealed by the Appearing of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who has abolished Death and brought Life and Immortality to Light through the Gospel... Those who suffer persecution for Christ walk the same THE GIFT OF GOD IS THE DIVINE GRACE OF THE HOLY Path as the Holy Prophets, Saints and Martyrs. SPIRIT OR CHARISM, WHICH WAS GRANTED TO ST The Greek translation of be exceedingly glad is leap TIMOTHY AT HIS HOLY ORDINATION BY ST PAUL when he exceedingly with Joy. bestowed the Holy Authority of the Church upon St OUR GREATEST HOPE AND OUR GREATEST JOY IS THE Timothy by the Laying On of hands (WHEREBY THE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION HAS BEEN PASSED ON THROUGHOUT TIME TO ALL ORTHODOX PRIESTS.) PROSPECT OF ETERNAL LIFE IN GODS HEAVENLY THE DIVINE GRACE OF GOD FILLS UP AND COMPLETES KINGDOM OF LOVE, JOY AND PEACE. EVERYTHING THAT MIGHT BE LACKING AND GRANTS HIS We do not quench the Spirit as St Paul expressed it, but DIVINE AUTHORITY TO THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD, but it is rather must always try to ACT WITH POWER AND certainly not automatic at all IT HAS TO BE STIRRED UP COURAGE WITH WHICH GOD WILL BESTOW US especially AND REKINDLED CEASELESSLY THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL if we beseech Him in our Fervent Prayers. (1 THESSALONIANS STRUGGLES AND SUFFERING OF THOSE CALLED TO SERVE 5:19) M A T T H E W 1 0 : 3 3 Our Lord Jesus said: ...whoever GOD AND HIS PEOPLE. denies Me before men, him will I also deny Although any Christian may be persecuted for our Faith, before My Father Who is in Heaven. we REJECT FEELINGS OF FEAR OR TIMIDITY BEING L U K E 9 : 2 6 ... whoever is ashamed of Me and My CONFIDENT IN DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND PROTECTION. Words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed J O H N 1 5 : 2 0 As our Lord Jesus Christ had said: when He comes in His own Glory, and in His Remember the Word that I said to you: A Fathers, and of the Holy Angels. servant is not greater than his Master. If they Each of us must take up our own Cross and Follow Christ persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If our Saviour. they kept My Word, they will keep yours also. Our personal burden of this world is unique and different The fallen, ungodly world hates our Lord Jesus Christ, so it to that of others because EACH SOUL HAS BEEN CHOSEN will certainly hate those who strive to become ChristBY GOD TO BEAR CERTAIN, SPECIFIC STRUGGLES OF OUR like. OWN SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE, AS WELL AS THE M A T T H E W 5 : 1 1 & 1 2 : Blessed are you when they SALVATION OF THOSE AROUND US. revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of Each day we are committed to taking up our Cross and evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and continuing our Lifes Journey in the Footsteps of Christ be exceedingly glad, for great is your Reward in because OUR SACRED COMMITMENT TO THE LORD OUR Heaven, for so they persecuted the Prophets who GOD IS NOT A MERE ONE TIME EVENT. were before you.

5TH

OF

TRIODION 1ST

OF

LENT THE TRIUMPH

OF

ORTHODOXY FOREFEAST

OF THE

ANNUNCIATION 24 MARCH 2013

15.

Rather, IT IS THE CONTINUAL PRACTICE OF FAITH AND OBEDIENCE, even to the point of being humiliated and persecuted by the world. OUR ETERNAL SALVATION AND CALLING ARE BASED ON DIVINE GRACE AND LOVE definitely not on anything that we have done or can do to merit Gods Favour. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ... SUBMITTED (TO SUFFERING) SO THAT HE MIGHT BREAK THE POWER OF DEATH AND REVEAL HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD thus it was necessary for Him to be manifested in the Flesh.
THE DEDICATION
IN THE

OUR LORD JESUS WAS THE FIRST-FRUIT OF THE RESURRECTION that we will all experience on the Final Day while we repose in Christ. Furthermore, CHRIST ... submitted so that He might fulfil the Divine Promise to the Fathers, and, while He was preparing His New People for Himself, and while He was still on earth, to prove that after He has brought about the Resurrection He will Judge.
(EPISTLE OF BARNABAS 5: 6-7)

The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 2 : 23 - 3 : 5

TEMPLE
OF OUR

LORD JESUS CHRIST

At that time, our Lord Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath; and as they went, His Disciples began to puck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees sad to Him: Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath? And He said to them: Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry he and those with him how he went into the House of God in the days of Abiathar the High Priest, and ate the Showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the Priests, and also gave some to those who were with Him? And He said to them: The Sabbath was made for mankind, and not mankind for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath. And He entered the Synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hard. So they watched Him closely to see whether Jesus would Heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had a withered hand: Stand in the middle. And He said to them: Is it Lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil to save life or to kill? But they remained silent. And after He had looked around at them in anger, being aggrieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man: Stretch out your hand. And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. And the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him how they might destroy Him.

First Saturday of Great Lent The Miracle of St Theodore the Recruit of Tyre
Today we remember the Miracle of St Theodore and the Kollyva (boiled wheat and honey). St Theodore the Recruit of Tyre was a Roman soldier during the reign of Galarius (305-311). When they were all commanded to offer sacrifices to the pagan idols, St Theodore boldly proclaimed his Faith in Christ. He was given several days to reconsider, which he spent in Prayer and when it was time to face his persecutors, he once again loudly professed his Faith in Christ. Consequently, St Theodore was imprisoned without food or water and when he failed to die, he was subjected to indescribable tortures before being burnt to death. Fifty years after St Theodores Martyrdom, Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363), who passionately hated the Christians, had instigated merciless persecutions against them and, knowing Clean Monday the first day of Great Lent was coming, he commanded the officials of Constantinople to sprinkle all the food in the marketplaces during the first week of Great Lent with the blood of animals that had been the offered to the pagan idols. The food would not only be contaminated with blood, which Christians avoid during Lent, but the food would also be contaminated with the blood of animals that had been offered to the false gods. However, St Theodore appeared in a dream to Archbishop Eudoxios, ordering him to inform all the Christians not to purchase anything from the marketplaces, but rather to eat cooked wheat with honey (Kollyva). This Miracle of the Vision of St Theodore preserved the Faithful Christians of Constantinople from eating what would have been contaminated food. In memory of this Miracle, the Orthodox Church annually Commemorates St Theodore the Recruit on the first Saturday of Great Lent. This example of Gods Divine Providence encourages us to examine ourselves closely, for God watches over us, protecting and preserving His Faithful People from partaking of anything that is not good for us. God and His Heavenly Hosts guard His Faithful Flock even when we do not know what is being plotted against us and have not prayed for His Holy Protection. Too often we doubt or do not realise our Lords Loving concern for us and many have a wrong perception of Almighty God Who they believe may have had something to do with Creation and Who might somehow watch us but Who has nothing to do with our individual lives. Some believe that God is beyond being concerned with all the minor (or even major) details of our lives and that - if He is an All-powerful Being ruling the entire Universe - surely He has better things to do with Himself than to interfere in our lives! This misguided and ignorant concept makes our Lord a very convenient God, for the question of Creation is settled and He does not impose on our choice of lifestyle. This would be a God that lets us do whatever we want to do without any Eternal Consequences! However, THESE HERETICAL IDEAS HAVE NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH DIVINE TRUTH OR OUR LORD GOD OF THE TRUE TEACHING OF CHRIST OR THE GOD-INSPIRED HOLY SCRIPTURES and certainly not like the Compassionate and Loving God witnessed in todays Commemoration a God Who is always concerned with the Eternal Welfare of His People! Such misleading attitudes frequently infects the Church, and our lives especially when we are tempted by the evil one to doubt that God really cares about us. When such thoughts arise we are merely being tempted by the greatest liar and deceiver of all who wants us to believe that our personal issues are insignificant and of no consequence at all. It is natural for us to sometimes have doubts even King David occasionally questioned Gods Actions in his Psalms. But WORSE THAN DOUBTS IS WHEN WE LIVE AS THOUGH THERE IS NO GOD WHO WATCHES OVER US AND TAKES CONSTANT CARE OF US. We sin as though we are non-believers or atheists. We feel no shame, no remorse and we never question our evil impulses WE JUST DO WHATEVER WE WANT TO DO. How do we pray? Do we pray as True Believers in a Loving and Provident Almighty God with Humility and Thanksgiving? Do we plan and live each day knowing that God has a specific, Eternal Purpose for each and every one of us? These are attitudes that need to be examined closely. WHAT WE DO WITH OURSELVES IS A VERY GOOD INDICATOR OF WHAT WE ACTUALLY BELIEVE. The biggest difference between our Christian God and the modern, new age, popular secular ideas of God, is LOVE AGAPE THE INFINITE AND UNCONDITIONAL DIVINE LOVE OF GOD THAT REALLY DOES CARE WHAT
HAPPENS IN THE LIVES OF EACH AND EVERY PERSON ON THE THIS PLANET - because GOD IS LOVE.

We can Repent, Watch and Pray: Lord, I believe. Help Thou my unbelief!
[ PRIESTMATTHEWJACKSON.BLOGSPOT.COM]

16.

5TH

OF

TRIODION 1ST

OF

LENT THE TRIUMPH

OF

ORTHODOXY FOREFEAST

OF THE

ANNUNCIATION 24 MARCH 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, now a nd forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our Mos t Holy, M os t Pure, M ost Blessed and Glori ous Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgi n, together wi th all the Saints. And le t us c ommit ourselves and one another and our wh ole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

4th Sunday of Triodion - Tone 1

24 March 2013

1st Sunday of Great Lent Sunday of Orthodoxy

THE TRIUMPH
OF

ORTHODOXY - TRUE TEACHING - AND THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT ICONS IN PROPER WORSHIP OF GOD

OF

HOLY

Forefeast of the Annunciation Feast of St Zachariah the Recluse of Egypt St Artemon (Menignos), Bishop of Seleucia, Pisidia (Asia Minor) St Zachariah the Ascetic of Kiev Caves Monastery St Stephen & St Peter of Kazan St James the Confessor of Catania the Holy Icon of our Lady Theotokos The Uncut Mountain

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Tou lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon ke stratioton While

filassonton to ahranton Sou Soma, Anestis trimeros, Sotir, Doroumenos to kosmo tin Zoin. Dia touto e Dinamis ton Ouranon evoon si Zoodota. Doxa ti Anastasi Sou, Hriste! Doxa ti Vasilia Sou! Doxa ti Ikonomia Sou, mone Filanthrope!

the stone was sealed by the Judeans, and soldiers stood on guard over Thine Undefiled Body, Thou rose on the Third Day, O Saviour Who gives Life to the world. For which cause the Heavenly Powers cried aloud to Thee: O Giver of Life: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone Loves mankind!

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ORTHODOXY SUNDAY THE HOLY ICON

OF

CHRIST NOT MADE BY HANDS TONE 2

Tin

ahranton Ikona Sou proskinoumen Agathe, etoumeni sighorisin ton ptesmaton imon, Hriste O Theos. Voulisi gar iidokisas Sarki, anelthin en to Stavro, ina risi ous eplasas ek tis doulias tou ehthrou. Othen efharistos voomen Si. Haras eplirosas ta panta O Sotir imon, paragenomenos is to Sose ton kosmon.
OF THE

We

venerate Thy Most Pure Image, O Good One, and ask Forgiveness of our transgression, O Christ God. Of Thy own Will Thou were pleased to ascend the Cross in the Flesh to Deliver Thy creatures from bondage to the enemy. Therefore, with Thanksgiving, we cry aloud to Thee: Thou has filled all with Joy, O our Saviour, by coming to Save the world! Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been Delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the Victory Festival as a Thanksgiving Offering. In Thine Irresistible Might, keep me Free from all Trials, so that I may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded Bride!

KONTAKION

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Ti

Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon Efharistiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson, ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi Animfevte!

To

Resurrection Gospel 9 - John 20 : 19 31

OUR RISEN LORD BESTOWS HIS AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS UPON HIS APOSTLES

Prokeimenon

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our Forefathers! For Thou hast always dealt Righteously with us.
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 11 : 24 26 & 32 40
FAITH
FROM

OSES TO

JOSHUA

THE

SON

OF

NUN

Brethren: by Faith Moses when he became of age refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the Reward... ...And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the Prophets who, through Faith subdued Kingdoms, worked Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, so that they might obtain a better Resurrection. Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered about in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these people having obtained a Good Testimony through Faith did not receive the Promise God having provided something better for us, so that they should not be made Perfect apart from us. These verses are self-explanatory. WRITINGS, PERSONAL WITNESSING, ETC IS AVAILABLE TO St Paul reminds us how THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS HAD THOSE WHO SEEK DIVINE TRUTH. THE MOST AMAZING, UNSHAKABLE FAITH IN GOD, NO Yet our Faith is possibly much weaker than all those who went before us because ALTHOUGH THEY ONLY HAD MATTER WHAT THEY WERE FORCED TO SUFFER AND ENDURE. THEIR DEEP SEATED LOVE OF GOD AND STEADFAST We are so greatly Blessed to live in this day and age FAITH IN HIM TO ENCOURAGE AND TO GUIDE THEM, THEY when SO MUCH HUMAN HISTORY AND DIVINELY INSPIRED

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NEVER DOUBTED NOR DID THEIR OWN THING LIKE ALL EGOCENTRIC PAGANS OR NON-BELIEVERS DO.

All too often, in the mistaken belief that we are so clever, we need proof before we accept anything as being true. However, DIVINE TRUTH THE PERFECT AND ABSOLUTE
TRUTH OF GOD CANNOT BE PUT IN A TEST TUBE, DISECTED NOR EXAMINED UNDER A MICROSCOPE! TRUE FAITH COMES FROM DEEP WITHIN OUR SOUL FOR IT IS A NATURAL RECOGNITION OF AND RESPONSE TO DIVINE TRUTH AND LOVE

Peace in His re-opened Paradise, whence He had already sent the soul of the Repentant Thief. After the beheading of St John the Baptist the final and greatest Holy Prophet of God the DEPARTED SOULS
HEARD THE PREACHING OF THE FORERUNNER, WHO ANNOUNCED AND PREPARED THEM FOR THE COMING OF THE ONE TRUE MESSIAH. ONLY ONCE DID THE DEPARTED SOULS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT THEIR SINS and follow Christ into His

In other words: it is natural for us to yearn for God and His Goodness.
DESPITE OR PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE TREMENDOUS DEEP SEATED AND SINCERE FAITH OF THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS, THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF EITHER RESTING OR REPOSING IN PEACE IN PARADISE UNTIL THE GENERAL RESURRECTION AND OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT until after Christs Death on the Cross

Paradise to await the Final Judgement and Eternal Life or Condemnation and Eternal Death in exile from God and all His Joyful Goodness.
SINCE THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, WE NOW ONLY HAVE THIS LIFETIME IN WHICH TO DEVELOP A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND TO IMPROVE OUR SPIRITUAL STATE.

the final and ultimate Great Blood Sacrifice for our sins and for our Eternal Salvation His Harrowing of Hades and His Glorious Resurrection. The good and the bad all were imprisoned by Death in Hades until Christ broke open the Gates of Hades and allowed the Justified immortal souls to rest in
THE CALLING

As soon as we begin the transition from this life through death towards Eternity, we no longer have the opportunity to Repent our sins and to improve ourselves and our Relationship with God and with one another.
WHATEVER SPIRITUAL STATE WE DEPART THIS LIFE WHETHER IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST OR SPIRITUAL DEATH IN SIN AND ALIENATION FROM GOD, SO TOO WILL OUR IMMORTAL SOULS EXIST FOR ALL ETERNITY.

The Holy Gospel According to St John 1: 44 52

OF OUR

LORDS HOLY APOSTLES

At that time, Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him: We have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law, and also the Prophets, wrote Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said to him: Can anything Good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him: Come and see! Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him: Behold! An Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit! Nathanael said to Him: How dost Thou know me? And Jesus answered: Before Philip called you when you were under the fig tree I saw you. Nathanael said to Him: Rabbi: Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of Israel!
Jesus said to him: Because I said to you I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater Things than these! And He said to him: Truly, truly, I say to you: hereafter you shall see Heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. DEEP WITHIN HIS SOUL TO A PURE HEART I.E. CHRIST Our Lord Jesus Christs first Disciples had been followers KNEW HIM TO BE A PERSON WHO WAS ALWAYS of St John the Baptist. STRAIGHTFORWARD AND HONEST WITH OTHERS. They were St Andrew, Simon - who is known to us as St Whatever happened under the fig tree, is not JESUS Peter (or Cephas) - St Philip and St Nathanael or St CHRIST IS THIS EXACT DIVINE LADDER WHO UNITES US ON Bartholomew and St John (THE DIVINE, THE THEOLOGIAN, THE EARTH TO HEAVEN, AND THUS IS REALLY THE SON OF
EVANGELIST AND THE GOD-INSPIRED AUTHOR OF THIS HOLY GOSPEL.)

When Christ referred to St Nathanael/Bartholomew as having no deceit, it revealed that HE COULD SEE Dear Brethren: this is THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK OF ORTHODOXY OR THE TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY, because today OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH SOLEMNLY COMMEMORATES ITS GREAT VICTORY OVER THE ICONOCLAST HERESY AND OTHER HERESIES, AND GRATEFULLY
REMEMBERS ALL WHO FOUGHT FOR THE ORTHODOX FAITH IN WORD, WRITING, TEACHING, SUFFERING OR GODLY LIVING.

MANKIND.

First Sunday of Great Lent Sunday of Orthodoxy The Triumph of Orthodoxy

fought for it; and our Holy Ancestors stood for it - whose priceless Legacy it was - so that to us it should be dearer than the pupil of our eyes. And as to us, their descendants do we preserve the Orthodox Faith? Do we keep to its Gospel Teachings the Sacred Lessons of Christ our Saviour? Since ancient times, the Holy Prophet of God, St Elijah - the great worker for the Glory of God - complained that the Sons of Israel had abandoned the Testament of the Lord, drifting away from it towards the gods of the heathens. Yet the Lord revealed to His Holy Prophet that amongst the Israelites there remained 7000 people who had not knelt before Baal. (3 KINGS 19) Likewise, no doubt, in our days also there are some True Disciples of Christ: "The Lord knows those who are His." (2 TIMOTHY 2.19) We do occasionally meet sons of the Church, who are Obedient to Her Decrees, who honour their Spiritual Pastors, Love the Church of God and the beauty of its exterior, who are eager to attend Her Divine Services and to lead a good life i.e. Life in Christ - who recognize their human failings and sincerely Repent their sins. But are there many such among us? Are there not more people, "...in whom the weeds of vanity and passion allow but little Fruit to the influence of and Teachers

Commemorating Sunday of Orthodoxy, we ought to remember IT IS OUR SACRED DUTY TO STAND FIRM IN OUR ORTHODOX FAITH AND CAREFULLY MAINTAIN IT. For us the True Teaching of Christ and His Holy Apostles is the Most Precious Treasure: in it we were born and raised; all the important events of our life are related to it, and it is ever ready to give us its Help and Blessing in all our needs and good undertakings, however unimportant they may seem. Orthodoxy supplies us with Strength, Good Cheer and Consolation - it Heals, Purifies and Saves us. The Orthodox Faith is also dear to us because it is the Faith of our Holy Church Fathers. For its sake the Apostles of Christ bore pain and suffering, ceaselessly labouring for His sake. Holy Martyrs and Preachers suffered for our Faith Spiritual Champions, who were like the Saints, shed their tears and their blood; devout Pastors

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the Gospel, or even in whom it is altogether fruitless, who resist the Truth of the Gospel, because of the increase of their sins, who renounce the Gift of the Lord and repudiate the Grace of God..." (ORTHODOXY SUNDAY). "I have given birth to sons and have glorified them, yet they deny Me," said the Lord in the ancient days, concerning Israel. And today also THERE ARE MANY WHO WERE BORN, RAISED AND GLORIFIED BY THE LORD IN THE ORTHODOX FAITH, YET WHO DENY THEIR FAITH, PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH, DO NOT KEEP ITS INJUNCTIONS, DO NOT LISTEN TO THEIR SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND REMAIN COLD TOWARDS THE DIVINE SERVICES AND THE CHURCH OF GOD. How speedily some of us lose the Orthodox Faith in this world of so many different Creeds and Tribes! They begin their apostasy with things, which in their eyes have but little importance. They judge Orthodoxy as being "old fashioned" and "not accepted amongst educated people" to observe all such customs as: praying before and after meals, or every morning and night, to wear a Cross, to keep Icons in their houses and to observe Church Holidays and Fast Days. They go further in their apostasy: they seldom if ever - attend Church Services as they need their rest on Sunday (...at casinos and other places of entertainment); they neither Repent nor Confess; they do not bother with Church Marriage and either delay or neglect Baptising their children. In this way THEIR SACRED RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR ORTHODOX FAITH IS BROKEN! They might remember the Great Mercy and Blessings Christs Holy Church on their deathbed, but usually they do not even do that! To excuse their apostasy they naively say: "This is not the old country - this is ...(WHEREVER)... and consequently it is impossible to observe all the demands of the Church..." - as if the Word of Christ is of use for the old country only and not suitable for or applicable to the whole world - as though THE ORTHODOX FAITH IS not THE SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF THE ENTIRE WORLD! "O sinful Nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel into anger." (ISAIAH, 1: 4) If you do not preserve the Orthodox Faith and the Commandments of God, THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS
NOT TO HUMILIATE YOUR HEARTS BY INVENTING FALSE EXCUSES FOR YOUR SINS!

"...go into the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature..." (LUKE, 16: 15), "...go therefore and teach all Nations..." (MATTHEW
28:19)

WE OUGHT TO SHARE OUR SPIRITUAL WEALTH, THE DIVINE TRUTH, LIGHT AND JOY WITH OTHERS, who are deprived of these Blessings, but who often are seeking them and thirsting for them. Once "...a Vision appeared to Paul in the night, there stood a man from Macedonia who prayed him, saying: Come over into Macedonia, and help us..." after which the Apostle went to that country to preach Christ. (ACTS 1: 9) We also hear a similar inviting voice. We live surrounded by people of alien creeds; in the sea of other religions, our Church is a small island of Salvation, towards which swim some of the people, plunged in the sea of life. "Come, hurry, help!" we sometimes hear from those of far Alaska, and more often - especially of late from those who are our blood brethren, and who were once our Brethren in Faith as well...: "Receive us into your Community, ... send us a Priest so that we might have the Divine Services performed for us. Help us to build a church and to start a school for our children, so that they do not lose their Faith and Nationality." And are we to remain deaf and insensible? GOD SAVE US FROM SUCH A LACK OF SYMPATHY! We must be ever watchful and take great care never to be like that for then we would HAVE ...TAKEN AWAY THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.. AND HAVING NOT ENTERED INTO (DIVINE KNOWLEDGE) OURSELVES, WE HINDER THOSE WHO SEEK TO DO SO. (cf LUKE 11.52) But who is to work for the spread of the Orthodox Faith - for the increase of the children of the Orthodox Church? Pastors and Missionaries, you answer. You are right; but are they to be alone? St Paul wisely compared the Church of Christ to a Body, and THE LIFE OF THAT BODY, WHICH IS SHARED BY ALL THE MEMBERS. So it ought to be in the Life of the Church also. ... Christ from Whom the whole Body joined and interwoven by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which ever part does its share causes Growth of the Body for the edifying of Itself in Love.
[AGAPE] [EPHESIANS 4.16]

At the beginning, NOT ONLY DID PREACHERS OF THE HOLY GOSPEL SUFFER FOR THE FAITH OF CHRIST, BUT ALSO THE FAITHFUL MEN, WOMEN AND EVEN CHILDREN DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.
WE ARE THE CHURCH THE GATHERING TOGETHER OF THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AND HOLY PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST. THEREFORE, WE ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST AND MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY, UNITY AND ALWAYS WITH AGAPE DIVINE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

If you do not honour our Orthodox Tradition, the least you can do is NOT TO LAUGH AT THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND. If you do not accept the Motherly Care of the Holy Orthodox Church, the least you can do is to CONFESS YOU ACT WRONGLY, THAT YOU ARE SINNING AGAINST THE CHURCH AND BEHAVE LIKE UNDISCIPLINED, IGNORANT CHILDREN! If you do, THE ORTHODOX CHURCH MAY FORGIVE YOU, LIKE A LOVING MOTHER, your coldness and slights, AND WILL RECEIVE YOU BACK INTO HER EMBRACE, as if you were erring children. Holding to the Orthodox Faith, as to something Holy, Loving it with all their hearts and prizing it above all, ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS OUGHT TO ENDEAVOUR TO
SPREAD IT AMONGST OTHERS THROUGH THEIR RESPECTFUL AND DEVOUT LIFESTYLE AS A GOOD EXAMPLE TO OTHERS.

Heresies were fought against by lay people as well. Likewise, THE SPREAD OF CHRIST'S FAITH OUGHT TO BE
NEAR AND CHRISTIAN. PRECIOUS TO THE HEART OF EVERY

Christ our Saviour said: "...neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candle stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." (MATTHEW 5, 15) The Light of Orthodoxy was not lit to shine only on a small number of people. The Orthodox Church is universal; She remembers the Words of Her Founder:

In this Holy Work EVERY MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OUGHT TO TAKE A LIVELY AND HEART-FELT INTEREST. This interest may even manifest itself in personal preaching of the Gospel of Christ. And to our great joy, we know of such examples amongst our lay Brethren who do Missionary Work amongst other inhabitants of their villages, towns and regions. Some have helped the Priests in shielding the simple and credulous children of the Orthodox Church against alien influences, by their own explanations and persuasions. Moreover, IN MANY PLACES ... THOSE WHO HAVE CONVERTED TO ORTHODOXY POINT OUT TO THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHERE DIVINE TRUTH IS TO BE FOUND, and encourage them to enter the Orthodox Church.

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Needless to say, it is not everyone who has the opportunity or the faculty to preach the Holy Gospel in Truth and Love. However, DEAR BRETHREN, EVERYONE CAN AND OUGHT TO
DO WHATEVER THEY ARE ABLE TO IN ORDER TO SPREAD AND SHARE ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY WITH OTHERS.

The Apostolic Epistles record how - when the Apostles of Christ went to distant places to preach - THE FAITHFUL USUALLY ASSISTED THEM WITH THEIR PRAYERS AND THEIR OFFERINGS. St Paul sought and encouraged such help from the Christian Communities. CONSEQUENTLY WE CAN EXPRESS THE INTERESTS WE TAKE IN THE CAUSE OF THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST BY PRAYING TO OUR LORD: that He should TAKE THIS HOLY CAUSE UNDER HIS PROTECTION, that He should GRANT HIS SERVANTS THE STRENGTH
TO DO THEIR WORK WORTHILY

that He should HELP THEM TO CONQUER ALL OBSTACLES, DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS, which are part of such Holy Work, that He should NOT ALLOW THEM TO GROW DESPONDENT, DEPRESSED OR TO WEAKEN IN THEIR ZEAL; that He should OPEN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE, so that they might hear and accept the Divine Truth of the Holy Gospel of Christ, that He should impart to them the Word of Truth, that He should unite them to His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; that He should CONFIRM, INCREASE AND PACIFY HIS HOLY CHURCH, KEEPING IT FOREVER INVINCIBLE", V WE PRAY for all this, but MOSTLY WITH LIPS AND SELDOM WITH THE HEART. We hear defeatists remarks such as: "What is the use of these special Prayers for the Newly Initiated? They do not exist in our time, except, perhaps, in the out of the way places ... let them pray for them...! Such Prayers only prolong the Holy Services, which are lengthy enough already!" WOE TO OUR LACK OF WISDOM! WOE TO OUR CARELESSNESS AND IDLENESS!

OFFERING FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL PREACHING OF CHRISTS DIVINE TRUTH, WE CAN ALSO DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO HIM BY HELPING MATERIALLY OR PHYSICALLY. It was so in the early Church, and THE APOSTLES LOVINGLY ACCEPTED MATERIAL HELP FOR THE HOLY CAUSE OF SPREADING THE HOLY GOSPEL - REGARDING IT AS AN EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN LOVE AND ZEAL. IN OUR DAYS, THESE OFFERINGS ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED, because due to their lack the work often comes to a dead stop. Due to the lack of financial assistance to the Church, Orthodox Preachers cannot be sent out or supported, Parish Churches and Chapels cannot be built, schools and clinics cannot be established, and the needy and destitute especially amongst those who are newly converted cannot be helped. ALL THESE SACRED DUTIES NEED MONEY AND MATERIALS, AS WELL AS WILLING VOLUNTEERS, which others always seem to find a way of supplying for themselves. Others may indeed be wealthier than ourselves but V
GREAT THINGS ARE OFTEN ACHIEVED BY A SMALL NUMBER OF DETERMINED AND COMMITTED PEOPLE. IF EVERYONE CONTRIBUTED WHATEVER HE OR SHE WAS ABLE TO, WONDERFUL THINGS CAN BE FULFILLED FOR THE ETERNAL, SPIRITUAL BENEFIT OF ALL CONCERNED!

Never be ashamed of the limits of your offerings unless you have great wealth yet choose to share as little as possible!! If you have much, offer all you can - DO NOT LOSE THE CHANCE OF HELPING THE HOLY CAUSE OF CHRIST to share amongst all Nations His Divine Truth - because by so doing, in the words of St James: "...you shall save your own soul from Death and shall hide a multitude of sins." Beloved Orthodox Brethren! In celebrating this great Feast of Orthodoxy, WE MUST ALL DEVOTE OURSELVES TO THE ORTHODOX FAITH not merely with empty, meaningless gestures, nor in word only, but IN DEED AND IN TRUTH.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: ONE CHURCH VOL. 4, NO 3, MARCH 1995. WWW.ORTHODOX.NET HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIETO.COM/CALENDAR/SUNDAY_OF_ORTHODOXY.HTM

Eternal, Divinely Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers

ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT:
[ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT HAD PROFOUND COMPASSION FOR HIS FELLOW SINNERS, AND WEPT COPIOUS TEARS FOR THEM AND WHEN ASKED WHY HE SHED SO MANY TEARS FOR SUCH DEBAUCHED AND WRETCHED SINNERS, HE WOULD SAY: T O D A Y , M Y B R O T H E R T O M O R R O W , M E ! IN OTHER WORDS, HE WAS VIVIDLY CONSCIOUS THAT BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, HE COULD SO EASILY BECOME ONE OF THOSE POOR PEOPLE.]

When you see faults and passions in your neighbours, pray for them - pray for everybody, even for your enemy. If you see that your Brethren are proud and stubborn, and behave arrogantly either to you or others, pray for them that God may Enlighten their mind and warm their heart with the Fire of His Divine Grace, and pray: O Lord, teach Meekness and Humility to Thy servants, who have fallen into Satan's pride, and drive from their heart the darkness and burden of the evil one's pride. If you see them wrathful, pray thus: O Lord, make these Thy servants good through Thy Grace. Let everybody remember constantly that WE BELONG TO GOD - SOUL AND BODY - AND THAT WE DEPEND ON GOD
FOR ALL OUR SPIRITUAL AND BODILY NECESSITIES EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIFE. Therefore let us TURN TO GOD EVERY TIME THAT WE FEEL IN NEED OF ANYTHING (EITHER FOR OUR SOUL OR FOR OUR BODY): when, for instance, we are oppressed in body

Let us ALWAYS REMEMBER THE AUTHOR AND CREATOR OF ALL THINGS Who created everything from nothing, and WHO HAS BESTOWED VARIOUS POWERS UPON HIS
CREATURES SO THAT WE MAY ACCOMPLISH MANY AND VARIOUS WORKS.

If you see a drunken person, pray in your heart: O Lord, look mercifully upon Thy servant, allured by the flattery of the belly and by carnal merriment; MAKE HIM (OR HER) UNDERSTAND THE SWEETNESS OF TEMPERANCE AND FASTING, AND OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ARISING THEREFROM." DO NOT BE IRRITATED EITHER WITH THOSE WHO SIN OR THOSE WHO OFFEND; do not have a passion for noticing every sin in your neighbour, and for judging him, as we are in the habit of doing. EVERYONE SHALL GIVE AN ANSWER TO GOD FOR HIMSELF. Everyone has a conscience; EVERYONE HEARS GOD'S WORD, AND KNOWS GOD'S WILL either from books or from conversation with other people. ESPECIALLY DO NOT LOOK WITH EVIL INTENTION UPON THE SINS OF YOUR ELDERS, which do not regard you; "...to his own Master he stands or falls." CORRECT YOUR OWN SINS, AMEND YOUR OWN LIFE.

or soul - that is, when we are stricken by sorrows (Spiritual Sickness) or by passions (bodily sickness); also when we are threatened by the inconstancy of the elements (of fire, water, air, storm); LIKEWISE WHEN WE ARE ABOUT TO UNDERTAKE ANYTHING.

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

A LL G LOR Y , H ONOU R A ND W OR SH I P TO THE F A TH E R , A ND TO THE S ON , AND TO TH E H OLY S PI R I T , NOW A ND F ORE VE R , A ND U NTO TH E A GE S OF A GES . A ME N . R E ME MBE R I NG A LSO OU R M OST H OLY , M OST P U R E , M OST B LE SSE D AND G LOR I OU S L A DY , M A R IA , T H E OTOKOS , YE T E VE R V I R GI N , TOGE TH E R WI TH A LL TH E S A I NTS . A ND LE T U S COMMI T OU R SE LVE S A ND ONE A NOTH ER A ND OU R WH OLE L I F E TO C HR I ST OU R G OD . A ME N .

25 March 2013 The Annunciation

[THE BEGINNING
OF OUR

ETERNAL SALVATION]

Also the Feast of T HE I NDEPENDENCE O F G REECE St Senuphios the Confessor

FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF THE ANNUNCIATION

TONE 4

Simeron

tis Sotirias imon to kefaleon, ke tou ap eonos Mistiriou i fanerosis; O Ios tou Theou, Ios tis Parthenou ginete, ke Gavriil tin Harin evangelizete. Dio ke imis sin afto, ti Theotoko voisomen: Here Keharitomeni! O Kyrios meta Sou!

Today is the Crown of our Salvation,

and the Revelation of the Mystery planned from Eternity: the Son of God becomes the Virgins Son, and Gabriel announces the Grace. Wherefore, let us along with him cry out, to the Theotokos: Hail! O Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee!

FESTAL KONTAKION ANNUNCIATION - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Ti

Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon Efharisiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson, ina krazo Si. Here Nimfi Animfevte!

To Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having

been delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the Victory Festival as a Thanks Offering. In Thine Irresistible Might, keep me safe from all trials, so that I may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded Bride!

Matins Gospel According to St Luke 1: 39 49 & 56

ST ELIZABETH PRAISES THE EVER BLESSED, THEOTOKOS (MOTHER OF GOD) WHO EXALTS GOD: THE MAGNIFICAT

At that time, Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leapt in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed art Thou among women, and Blessed in the Fruit of Thy Womb! But why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of Thy greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for Joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me Blessed. For He Who is mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name! THE EVER-BLESSED VIRGIN MARYS FAITHFUL RESPONSE TO CHURCH, WAS DERIVED FROM THE TRUTH OF THIS ARCHANGEL GABRIELS ANNOUNCEMENT MAKES HER THE CONFESSION. Because the One Who was in Her Blessed, Pure Womb is HIGHEST MODEL OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD. God, the world is freed from enslavement to sin. V THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD IS NOT ONLY THE The passage from verses 46 - 56 is called the WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY, BUT ALSO THE WORK Magnificat, which is the first word of this hymn in OF THE WILL AND THE ABSOLUTE FAITH OF THE Latin. HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT VIRGIN MARY. THE MAGNIFICAT IS A REMARKABLE Therefore, the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary is HYMN OF PRAISE TO GOD which honoured not only because God chose comes from the heart of the Ever her, or because she bore the Son of Blessed Virgin Mary, who was God in the Flesh, but also BECAUSE probably only 14 - 16 years old at SHE FREELY CHOSE TO BELIEVE AND TO the time. OBEY GOD COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT It also comes from the heart of ST ANY HESITATION OR QUESTION. HANNAH, WHO WAS OF A MORE The babe who would become known as MATURE AGE AT THE TIME, AND WHO ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, FORERUNNER TO FIRST UTTERED THIS INSPIRED CHRIST, WAS IN HIS SIXTH MONTH OF PRAYER AND WHICH HAD BEEN GESTATION. PRAYED BY EXPECTANT JEWISH HE LEAPT IN HER WOMB AS A JOYOUS MOTHERS FOR CENTURIES. [1 SAMUEL RESPONSE TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD, 2:1-10] the Lord Jesus Christ, in St Marys From this New Testament passage Womb. we learn: V THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS V CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS FOR ALL
RECEIVES VENERATION FROM BOTH

ANGELS AND MANKIND: Archangel Gabriel and St Elizabeth both called Her Blessed V OUR LADY THEOTOKOS IS THE MOST PERFECT MODEL OF WOMANHOOD. No other woman has ever received the Glory given to Her - either in Holy Scripture or throughout Church History. SHE IS CONFESSED AS THE MOTHER OF MY LORD by St Elizabeth because THIS WAS NO MERE MAN THAT THE THEOTOKOS CARRIED IN HER BLESSED WOMB. V THE TITLE THEOTOKOS [THE MOTHER OF GOD (INCARNATE)], GIVEN TO THE VIRGIN MARY BY THE

VIRGIN MARY, for all generations will call me Blessed. V IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO BELIEVE AND OBEY HOLY SCRIPTURE AND NOT BLESS THE MOTHER OF GOD. Identity between the Theotokos and Israel is implicit here as THE ISRAEL OF GOD, THE CHURCH, RECEIVES HIS MERCY. THE REIGN OF GOD IS over our hearts, Kings and Rulers, the poor and the rich, and the Faithful of God i.e. OVER ALL CREATION!

TIME WILL VENERATE THE

HONOUR

OR

THE ANNUNCIATION

25 M

ARCH

2013

21.

Festal Prokeimenon The Annunciation My soul magnifies the Lord. For He has regarded the Humility of His Handmaiden. The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 2: 11- 18
CHRIST BECAME HUMAN SO THAT HE COULD BE OUR HIGH PRIEST

Brethren: both He Who Sanctifies, and they who are being Sanctified, are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them Brethren, saying: I will declare Thy Name to My Brethren; in the midst of the Church will I praise Thee. And again: I will put my trust in Him. And again: Behold I and My children, whom God has given Me. Therefore because the children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, so that through Death, He might destroy him who had the power of death - that is to say, the devil - and release those who, through the fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to the Angels: but H does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His Brethren, so that He might become a Merciful and Faithful High Priest in Things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. b CHRIST WAS PERFECT EVEN BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION YET V ONLY OUR BELOVED LORD JESUS CHRIST IS ABLE TO FREE HE VOLUNTARILY TOOK ON HUMAN NATURE THAT COULD US FROM THIS BONDAGE OR SLAVERY OF SIN AND BE SAVED AND PERFECTED ONLY BY HIS OWN DEATH. It behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His SUFFERING AND DEATH. Brethren means that EVEN CHRIST WAS TEMPTED CHRIST COULD ONLY DIE AND ENTER HADES IN HIS HUMAN NATURE. THEN IN HIS DIVINE NATURE, HE WAS ABLE TO SMASH OPEN THE IMPRISONING GATES OF HADES AND because WHATEVER IS NOT ASSUMED [TAKEN ON] IS NOT RELEASE THE RIGHTEOUS AND REPENTANT SOULS TO REST IN PEACE IN HIS REHEALED, AND WHAT IS UNITED TO ALMIGHTY GOD IS OPENED PARADISE, WHERE THE REPENTANT THIEF HAD ALREADY BEEN ADMITTED. SAVED. CHRIST IS THE PIONEERING CAPTAIN OF THE NARROW PATH TO V The Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is like us in His human GOD in His Suffering for our sins, Death, and Descent Nature but WE DO NOT BECOME LIKE HIM IN into Hades, His Resurrection and Ascension into HIS DIVINE NATURE. This is impossible because Heaven where HE HAS REGAINED HIS RIGHTFUL POSITION WE CANNOT BECOME A PART OF THE GODHEAD. AT THE PLACE OF HONOUR - ENTHRONED NEXT TO OUR However, WE CAN BECOME GOD-LIKE IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. SPIRITUAL CONDITION In Salvation we take on Christs Way of Suffering. V OUR PERSONAL GOAL IN LIFE IS TO REACH THEOSIS b OUR PERFECTION THEOSIS - REQUIRES SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL PERFECTION! GROWTH THAT IS MANIFESTED IN SUFFERING. St Paul wrote about CHRIST AS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE to b In the Incarnation of Christ, GOD DID NOT COME IN CHRIST AS OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST without transition APPEARANCE ONLY. HE TRULY ASSUMED [TOOK ON] because HE IS BOTH THE DIVINE SACRIFICIAL OFFERING HUMAN FLESH AND BLOOD from the Ever Blessed AND THE DIVINE OFFERER, THE HIGH PRIEST. Virgin Mary, Theotokos, AND BECAME THE SAME AS V CHRIST IS MERCIFUL ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHOM HE WE ARE - EXCEPT FOR THE ABILITY TO SIN SO SERVES AND FAITHFUL IN HIS SACRED MINISTRY TO THAT HE COULD REALLY ENTER THE STATE OF DEATH ALMIGHTY GOD. AND THEREBY BRING US ALL HUMANITY SALVATION. Christians are Holy Brethren b CHRIST DESTROYED THE DEVILS POWER BY USING V TO BE IN CHRIST IS A HEAVENLY CALLING THAT SATANS STRONGEST WEAPON DEATH AGAINST HIM. SEPARATES THOSE IN CHRIST FROM THOSE WHO HAVE There is A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIN AND DEATH: EACH IGNORED OR REFUSED HIS CALL. ONE LEADS TO THE OTHER. V As Apostle and High Priest, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS V SIN CAUSES DEATH ESPECIALLY SPIRITUAL DEATH AND BOTH GODS DIVINE REPRESENTATIVE TO MANKIND THE FEAR OF DEATH LEADS PEOPLE TO SIN and AND ALSO MANKINDS MEDIATOR BEFORE ALMIGHTY thereby into bondage or slavery to Satan who GOD. In Him, the Offices of PROPHET AND PRIEST certainly does not want any souls returning to our are combined. Almighty Creator to Whom they belong.
THE COMING BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS ANNOUNCED TO HIS MOTHER, THE EVER VIRGIN MARY

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 1 : 24 38

At that time, Zachariahs wife, Elizabeth, conceived, and hid herself five months, saying: Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men. And in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David; and the Virgins Name was Mary. And the Angel came in with Her, and said: Hail, Thou who art highly Favoured! The Lord is with Thee! Blessed art Thou among women! And when She saw him, She was troubled at his saying, and cast in Her mind what manner of Salutation this should be. And the Angel said to Her: Fear not, Mary, for Thou has found Favour with God. And behold, Thou shalt Conceive in Thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call His Name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give to Him the Throne of His Father, David. And He shall reign over the House of Jacob forever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary to the Angel: How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said to Her: The Holy Spirit shall come upon Thee, and the Power of the Highest shall Overshadow Thee. Therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be Born of Thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, Thy cousin, Elizabeth, has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the Handmaiden of the Lord! Be it unto me according to Thy Word. And the Angel departed from her. The name Mary, Maria, or Miriam literally means SIGN - TO PROTECT HER BECAUSE SHE HAD TAKEN A THE EXALTED ONE. SACRED VOW OF CHASTITY THAT COULD NEVER BE V THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WAS BETROTHED, BY BROKEN. THE WILL OF GOD, TO HER AGED UNCLE, ST JOSEPH, V THERE WAS NO INTENTION OF ACTUAL MARRIAGE AND IT WHO WAS OF ROYAL LINEAGE. He was of the WAS NEVER CONSUMMATED. House or family of David the ancient King who V ST JOSEPH IS ENTITLED THE BETROTHED BECAUSE IT had been Anointed by Almighty God. WAS A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT HE WAS INDEED THE He was the elderly widowed husband of Salome, sister of RIGHTEOUS GUARDIAN OF BOTH THEOTOKOS AND St Anna, whom the Priests at the Temple had CHOSEN CHRIST, AS WELL AS THE OTHER VIRGINS WHO KEPT BY DIVINE INSPIRATION AND THROUGH A MIRACULOUS HER COMPANY.

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Women had to be married as soon as they reached puberty, especially if they had no immediate family to protect and care for them. St Luke twice mentions the fact that the Ever Blessed Theotokos was a Virgin. V SHE WAS PURE AND VIRGINAL BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST. AND SHE MAINTAINED HER VIRGINITY AND CHASTITY THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. Highly favoured [Charitou] can also be translated as FULL OF GRACE. V THE YOUNG THEOTOKOS WAS GREETED WITH AN EXALTED SALUTATION BECAUSE AS THE MOTHER OF THE INCARNATED CHRIST THE ETERNAL ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD THE FATHER - SHE IS THE MOST BLESSED WOMAN OF ALL TIME. V EVEN MORE RELEVANT IS HER ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO GOD, as pointed out by Christ Himself. According to St Lukes description of her, SHE IS PRAISED IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH AS BEING SURROUNDED WITH DIVINE GRACE AND SHINING WITH NATURAL HOLINESS. Verses 31 33 and behold, Thou shalt Conceive in Thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name

Jesus is an amazingly accurate description of the long-awaited Messiah! HOLY SPIRIT AND POWER OF THE HIGHEST ARE SYNONYMOUS. This is a case of repetition for emphasis. V HOLY ONE IS A MESSIANIC TITLE and the fact that Christ was to be BORN (without Seed,) OF THE EVER VIRGIN MARY DEMONSTRATES HIS TRULY DIVINE NATURE V Note in particular the reference to THE HOLY TRINITY: GOD THE FATHER (THE HIGHEST), THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. V THE BLESSED THEOTOKOS FAITHFUL RESPONSE MAKES HER THE HIGHEST AND MOST PERFECT MODEL OF HUMAN OBEDIENCE TO ALMIGHTY GOD. V THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD WAS NOT ONLY THE DIVINE WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY, BUT ALSO THE WORK OF THE WILL AND FAITH OF THE EVER VIRGIN MARY. THEREFORE SHE IS HONOURED NOT ONLY BECAUSE GOD CHOSE HER, OR BECAUSE SHE BORE THE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH, BUT BECAUSE SHE FREELY AND WILLINGLY CHOSE
TO BELIEVE HESITATION! AND OBEY GOD WITHOUT QUESTION OR

The Annunciation
Brethren and Fathers, today is the Great Feast of the Annunciation - the first of the Great Feasts of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, which we should always celebrate with understanding and with reverence for such a great Divine Mystery when THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD BECAME THE SON OF MAN, using the Holy Virgin Theotokos as the means to do so by Dwelling in Her and fashioning for Himself a Most Holy Temple from Her Immaculate Flesh - and becoming Perfect Man: "...that He might ransom those under the Law..." as it is written, "...and that we might receive sonship." [GALATIANS 4:5] The Eternal Son of God became the Son of Man so that we may no longer be enslaved by sin, but set free no longer being subject to the deadly passions, but free to develop Holy Virtues. We are no longer friends of the world, but friends of God. We are no longer living according to the demands of our flesh, but according to the Guidance of the Holy Spirit and our own spirit our immortal soul [WHICH
IS INSTILLED INTO US BY THE LIFE-GIVNG HOLY SPIRIT AND THUS REMAINS A TINY FRAGMENT OF HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND LOVE]:

"Those who walk according to the flesh, think the

things of the flesh; those who walk according to the spirit, the things of the spirit; for the thought of the flesh is death; but the thought of the spirit, is Life and Peace. And so the thought of the flesh is hostile to God, for it is not subject to the Law of God. Indeed it cannot be. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." [ROMANS. 8:5-8]. In brief, THIS IS THE POWER OF THE DIVINE MYSTERY, and this is why WE SHOULD CELEBRATE AND BEHAVE SPIRITUALLY - WITH HOLINESS AND JUSTICE, WITH LOVE, WITH GENTLENESS, WITH PEACE, "...WITH FORBEARANCE, WITH GOODNESS, WITH THE H OLY SPIRIT..." so that as far as we ourselves are concerned, we DO NOT RENDER THE DISPENSATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
EMPTY AND INEFFECTUAL.
[2 CORINTHIANS 6:6]

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST OFFERS US HIS MOST PRECIOUS, LIFEGIVING BODY AND BLOOD - to eat and to drink - FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND THUS FOR OUR ETERNAL LIFE. He allows us to address Him as: Father... Brother... Head... High Priest... Teacher... Bridegroom... CoHeir to the Heavenly Kingdom... and many other Titles, which are too numerous to mention. And although He is continuously rejected by those who are either ignorant or who have wilfully chosen to do so, HE ALWAYS GRACIOUSLY TOLERATES OUR STUBBORN DISOBEDIENCE: "...I have not come to Judge the world, but to Save the world" [JOHN 12:47]. The genuine Disciples of Christ are grieved by these rejections of God and His Divine Truth - thus showing Love both for our Divine Teacher and for our fellow sinners. So too, genuine servants of God suffer in the same way from the apostasy and desertion of their fellowservants. This is why St Paul exhorts us to ... offer Supplications, Prayers, Entreaties, Thanksgivings on behalf of all mankind [ESPECIALLY] for Kings and for all those who are in high positions..." [1
TIMOTHY 2:1-2]

Elsewhere he also stated: "I speak the Truth in Christ I do not lie - my conscience bears witness with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have a great grief and unceasing anguish in my heart; for I have prayed that I might be anathema to Christ for the sake of my Brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh..."
[ROMANS 9:1-3]

Not only that, but we should both PRAY AND GRIEVE FOR THE [FALLEN] WORLD, because THE SON OF GOD CAME TO SAVE THE WORLD, YET THE WORLD REJECTS HIM. Tribes and barbarian nations reject Him, AND SOMETIMES EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE HAD HIS HOLY NAME INVOKED UPON THEM REJECT HIM - SOME THROUGH ABANDONING THEIR FAITH, OTHERS THROUGH THEIR EVIL LIFESTYLES. What should He have done and did not do? BEING GOD HE BECAME MAN: HAVING HUMBLED HIMSELF TO A
DEGREE FAR BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING OR PERCEPTION, HE EMPTIED HIMSELF OF ALL HIS DIVINE MAJESTY: "He humbled Himself, becoming

Do you see THE POWER OF LOVE? Do you see THE HEIGHT OF FRIENDSHIP, which our ancient Patriarch, St Moses, exhibited when he said to the Lord our God: "If Thou Will forgive them their sin, forgive; if not, wipe me out of the Book, which Thou hast written." [EXODUS 32:32] So we too, as genuine - not counterfeit Disciples of Christ should not only look to what concerns ourselves, but WE SHOULD CONSTANTLY GRIEVE AND PRAY FOR OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST AS WELL AS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD. For by so DOING WHAT IS PLEASING TO THE LORD, and WE SHALL BECOME WORTHY HEIRS OF ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD, to Whom be the Glory and the Might with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: CATECHESIS 64: ON THE INCARNATE DISPENSATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST... BY ST THEODORE THE STUDITE

Obedient unto Death - the Death of the Cross."

[PHILIPPIANS 2,8]

http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/03/homily-on-feast-ofannunciation.html

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The Eternal, Divinely Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers On Repentance Part 1
REPENTANCE, according to the Teaching of the Holy Church, IS THE RESTORATION OF BAPTISM, THE SECOND GRACE, CLEANSING OF THE CONSCIENCE, THE SACRED PROMISE TO GOD OF A NEW LIFE, MAKING PEACE WITH GOD BY MEANS OF GOOD WORKS THAT ARE THE OPPOSITE OF SINFUL FALLS. Those who do not approach the Saving Mystery of Repentance-Confession will hear the terrible Words of God: Unless you Repent, you shall all ... perish! (LUKE 13:3) Even those who approach the Holy Mystery of Repentance are not all Cleansed, because not all KEEP THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR TRUE REPENTANCE. The beginning of Repentance is the awareness of our sins, and contrition over them: When thou shalt turn and mourn, then thou shalt be Saved. (ISAIAH
30:15)

2 2 2

committed a sin, we must ARISE IMMEDIATELY from our fall AND REPENT. (ST NILOS OF SINAI) To sin is a human weakness, but TO REMAIN AND WALLOW IN SIN IS DEMONIC. (ST. TIKHON OF ZADONSK). Do not put off anything until tomorrow: this "TOMORROW" HAS NO END! (ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM). Those who do not weep here shall weep forever there [in the afterlife]. Thus, we must either weep here voluntarily or therefrom Eternal Torment! (ABBA ARSENIUS). Let us weep, Brethren! Let our eyes pour tears before we depart to the other world, where our tears will scorch our bodies. (ST. MACARIUS OF
EGYPT).

Others, through ignorance or inattentiveness to the Work of their Salvation, consider the Mystery of Repentance to mean Confession alone. They think that through a verbal Confession of sins to a Spiritual Father they will be completely Cleansed of their sins, but their hope is vainTHIS IS NOT THE REPENTANCE THAT OUR LORD EXPECTS FROM US. He wants us to FEEL THE FULL WEIGHT OF OUR SINS, so that we would HAVE ANGUISH OVER THEM, CLEANSE THEM WITH TEARS OF HEARTFELT CONTRITION and MAKE A FIRM PROMISE in our hearts TO CORRECT OUR LIVES. Only then will our Repentance be truly acceptable to God. The Prodigal Son, the Publican and many others portrayed in the Holy Gospels serve as examples of such Repentance. We must HAVE CONSTANT REMORSE OVER OUR SINS and have them at all times as if before our eyes, according to the words of St David in his great Psalm of Repentance: ...For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me ...
(PSALM 50:5)

2 We shall weep according to the measure of our iniquity: a deep wound requires attentive and prolonged Treatment - REPENTANCE SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN THE CRIME. (ST CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE). 2 In order to receive Forgiveness from God, it is not enough to pray for two or three days; WE MUST PRODUCE A CHANGE IN OUR WHOLE LIFE, AND, HAVING ABANDONED THE VICE, CONTINUALLY ABIDE IN VIRTUE. (ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM). 2 FORGIVENESS OF SINS IS FREEDOM FROM PASSIONS, and whoever has not been FREED FROM THEM THROUGH GRACE has not yet received Forgiveness. (ABBA THALASSIOS). 2 THE SUREST SIGN BY WHICH ANY REPENTANT SINNER
MAY KNOW WHETHER HIS OR HER SIN HAS TRULY BEEN FORGIVEN BY GOD IS WHEN WE FEEL SUCH HATRED AND REPUGNANCE FOR ALL SINS THAT WE WOULD SOONER DIE THAN VOLUNTARILY SIN BEFORE GOD. (ST BASIL THE GREAT) PRAYERS, ALMSGIVING, FASTING, AND MORTIFICATION OF THE FLESH (SELF-DENIAL) COMPRISE ONLY THE GARMENTS OF CHRISTIAN REPENTANCE; BUT HATRED OF SIN IS ITS ESSENCE.

The Holy King and Prophet of God, St David, always kept his sin in mind, through which he aroused himself to constant Repentance, preserving himself from repeating his sins. (SPIRITUAL MARGARITE). 2 Repentance is a Ladder that leads us back up to the place from which we fell. (ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN). Consciousness of our sinfulness and self-accusation are the first steps along the Path of Repentance.
(REFER TO LUKE 15:17-19)

2 Do not strengthen previously committed sins in your soul by thinking about them, so that they would not renew themselves in you. Be assured that THEY ARE FORGIVEN OF YOU FROM THE MOMENT YOU GAVE YOURSELF TO GOD IN REPENTANCE. DO NOT DOUBT THIS. (ST. ANTHONY THE
GREAT).

WE MUST HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO ALWAYS RECOGNIZE OUR ERRORS, WHICH WILL COMPEL US TO STRIVE TO CORRECT THEM. 2 St Nilos of Sinai exhorted us to Know that you have sinned, and you will correct your sin! BY NOT RECOGNIZING OR BY IGNORING - OUR ERRORS CAUSES US TO ACTUALLY MAGNIFY AND WORSEN THEM! THOSE WHO SIN AND THEN BOAST OF THEIR SIN, SINS TWICE. WE WHO HAVE SINNED SHOULD JUDGE OURSELVES STRICTLY EVEN IF NO ONE ELSE ACCUSES US. AS SOON AS REPENTANT SINNERS PRONOUNCE JUDGEMENT UPON THEMSELVES, THEY HAVE AVERTED THE FINAL JUDGEMENT OF GOD. FORGIVE EVERYTHING OF OTHERS, AND NOTHING OF YOURSELF. 2 THOSE WHO JUSTIFY THEMSELVES ESTRANGE THEMSELVES FROM REPENTANCE! (ABBA ISAIAH). We must NEVER STRIVE TO JUSTIFY OURSELVES without having sufficient reason to do so. ATTEMPTS TO JUSTIFY OR EXCUSE OUR SINFUL LIFESTYLE DUE TO HUMAN WEAKNESS HAVE NO POWER OF JUSTIFICATION FOR US WHATSOEVER! 2 We must CONSTANTLY AVOID TEMPTATIONS THAT LEAD US INTO SIN but as soon as we have

We must CONSTANTLY FEAR FALLING INTO THOSE SINS THAT THE MERCY OF GOD HAS FORGIVEN US through the Holy Mystery of Repentance; but when through weakness we should fall again, then WE MUST NEVER FALL INTO DESPAIR. 2 A Brother asked Abba Poemen: "Father! If a man falls into some sin and then again returns to a Virtuous Life, will that sin be Forgiven him by God?" The Elder replied: "God Commanded the Apostle Peter to Forgive his Brother seventy times seven! Thus did He command men to do - EVEN MORE SO SHALL H E H IMSELF FORGIVE. (CF. MATTHEW 18:22 & SPIRITUAL
MEADOW)

OBVIOUS SINS - BUT EVEN DESTRUCTIVE ENTERTAINMENTS AND FLESHLY DELIGHTS, ILLICIT IMAGININGS AND INIQUITOUS THOUGHTS EVERYTHING THAT IS FORBIDDEN BY THE GOSPELS. CLEANSE your former sinful life WITH TEARS OF SINCERE REPENTANCE. THE AUTHOR OF REPENTANCE IS OUR CREATOR, Who ASIDE NOT ONLY

REPENT! CAST fornication,

slander,

and

lies

created us from nothing. All the easier it is therefore FOR HIM TO RE-CREATE YOUR HEART: TO MAKE A GOD-LOVING HEART out of a sin-loving heart; to make A PURE, SPIRITUAL, HOLY HEART out of a sensual, fleshly, malicious, and passionate heart.
(... TO BE CONTINUED...)
COUNSELS AND INSTRUCTIONS OF A SPIRITUAL FATHER TO THE NUNS OF THE MOSCOW JOY OF ALL WHO SORROW MONASTERY, FROM THE GUIDANCE OF THE GREAT ASCETICS AND TEACHERS OF MONASTIC LIFE, COMPILED BY THE SPIRITUAL FATHER OF THE MOSCOW JOY OF ALL WHO SORROW CONVENT, HIEROMONK JOSEPH (MOSCOW 1913)

http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/48338.htm

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our Mos t Holy, M ost Pure, Most B lessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotok os, yet Ever Virgi n, together wi th all the Saints . And le t us c ommit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

26March 2013 Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel Apodosis (Leave-taking) of the Annunciation

The Feast of the 26 Holy Martyrs of Crimea: St Bathusios, St Berkos the Presbyter, St Arpilos the Monk, St Abibos, St Agnos, St Reasos, St Igathrax, St Iskous, St Silas, St Sonirilos, St Suimbalos, St Thermos, St Phillos the Layman, St Anna, St Alla, St Larissa, St Monco, St Virko, St Animaida, St Gaatha the Queen, St Duclida the Princess St Irenaeos, Hieromartyr of Sirmium, Hungary St Malchos of Chalcis, Syria St Basil the New Anchorite St Montanos the Presbyter and his wife, St Maxima of Singidunum St George of Sofia

FESTAL APOLYTIKION SYNAXIS

OF

ARCHANGEL GABRIEL TONE 4

Ton Ouranion Station Arhistratige, disopoumen Se ai O

imis i anaxii, ina tes ses deisesi tehisis imas, Skepi ton pterigon tis ailou Sou Doxis, frouron imas prospiptontas ektenos ke voontas. Ek ton kindinon Litrose imas, os Taxiarhis ton Ano Dinameon.

Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech You, that through Your Entreaties You will Fortify us, Guarding us in the Shelter of the wings of Your Ethereal Glory, even as we fervently bow before You crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on High! " Commander of God and Minister of the Divine Glory, Guide of men and Leader of the Bodiless Hosts: Ask for what is to our profit and for Great Mercy, since Thou art Supreme Commander of the Bodiless Hosts.

KONTAKION

OF THE

SYNAXIS

OF

ARCHANGEL GABRIEL

Arhistratige

Theou Litrouge Thias Doxis, ton anthropon Odige ke ar hige asom aton, to simferon imin pre sveve, ke to Mega Eleos, os ton Asomaton Arhistratigos.

Supreme

FESTAL KONTAKION ANNUNCIATION - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Ti

Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon Efharisiria, anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke. All os ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton, ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson, ina krazo Si. Here Nimfi Animfevte!

To Thee, O Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having

been delivered from peril, I, Thy City, dedicate the Victory Festival as a Thanks Offering. In Thine Irresistible Might, keep me safe from all trials, so that I may call out to Thee: Hail, O Unwedded Bride!

The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 2 : 2 - 10

BEWARE
OF

WILFUL NEGLIGENCE

If the Word, spoken through Angels, proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a Just Reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation, which first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God, also bearing Witness both with Signs and Wonders, with various Miracles, and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own Will? For He has not put the world to come of which we speak in subjection to Angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: What is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the Son of Man that Thou take care of Him? Thou hast made Him a little lower than the Angels; Thou hast Crowned Him with Glory and Honour, and set Him over the Works of Thy Hands. Thou hast put all things in subjection under His Feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. And now we do not see all things put under Him, but we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the Angels, for the Suffering of Death Crowned with Glory and Honour, that He by the Grace of God might taste Death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to Glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation Perfect through Sufferings. St Paul answered the query of the Hebrews by explaining His Eternal, Only Begotten Son Who rightly and most worthily shares His Eternal Title. that OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS PUBLIC HUMILIATION Made a little lower than the Angels... refers to THE WAS ONLY TEMPORARY it was THE ONLY MEANS OF INCARNATION OF THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD, when He REDEEMING MORTAL MANKIND and IT REbecame Man. ESTABLISHED OUR GOD-INTENDED DOMINION OVER ALL Christs Suffering and Death have highly Exalted Him. CREATION, INCLUDING THE ANGELS the Heavenly CHRISTS HOLY, LIFE-GIVING CROSS, which should have Hosts. brought shame and reproach, HAS BROUGHT OUR CHRIST is He Who, being in the Form of God [i.e. HIS SAVIOUR GREAT GLORY AND HONOUR. DIVINE NATURE] HAS ALSO VOLUNTARILY TAKEN ON the OUR ETERNAL REDEMPTION - our Salvation and Eternal form of a bondservant [SLAVE] [i.e. HIS HUMAN NATURE] Life - IS CERTAINLY NOT OWED TO US BY ALMIGHTY in our likeness AND THEREBY ALSO WILLINGLY ALLOWED GOD - it is HIS DIVINE GIFT TO US TO ALL HIMSELF TO BE SUBJECTED TO INDESCRIBABLE AND GENERATIONS. UTTERLY UNJUST TORTURE AND EXECUTION IN ADDITION In other words, WE ARE GRANTED THE ABUNDANCE OF TO SUCH PUBLIC HUMILIATION. And having suffered DIVINE BLESSINGS BY THE GRACE OF GOD not due to Death, GOD THE FATHER HAS EXALTED HIM AND anything we deserve! ACKNOWLEDGED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS LORD

SYNAXIS

OF

ARCHANGEL GAB

RIEL

BEARER

OF

GOOD TIDINGS

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Taste Death means TO EXPERIENCE DEATH FULLY to know death intimately i.e. to experience the separation of body and soul and the immediate afterlife, which is OUR ENTRY INTO ETERNITY. [T H I S I S A
VE R Y CONSCI OU S STA TE OF OU R A LTE R ED BE I NG !!]

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR EVERYONE not merely for His Faithful Disciples. ALL MANKIND THROUGHOUT ALL THE AGES BENEFITS FROM HIS DEATH AND HIS ETERNAL SALVATION.

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 10 : 16 21

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SENDS OUT HIS 70 APOSTLES

At that time our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... he who hears you, hears Me. He who rejects you, rejects Me, and he who rejects Me, rejects Him Who sent Me. And the Seventy returned with Joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name! And He said to them: I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I give you the Authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven! In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said: I Thank Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these Things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them to babes. Even so, O Father, for so it seemed Good in Thy Sight... We must be humble and obedient to those whom Christ Five times Satan, in his arrogance and self-glorification, has ordained into His Holy Priesthood for by being set himself against God! obedient to our Spiritual Fathers, Bishops and Babes is a reference to those who are of simple Faith Priests, we reflect our Humility and Obedience to and who have open hearts and souls ready and Almighty God Himself. willing to receive Gods Divine Love and Christ as the Eternal Son of God witnessed the rebellion Commandments and to fulfil them as best as they and subsequent banishment of Satan and his fallen possibly can. angels from Heaven, which occurred before the Creation of our world. Today we Commemorate THE FEAST OF THE SYNAXIS OF ARCHANGEL GABRIEL, which IS THE SECOND DAY OF THE GREAT FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION, when WE CELEBRATE AND PRAISE THE HEAVENLY MESSENGER OF GOD WHO WAS SENT to the Ever Blessed, All Pure and Ever Virgin Mary TO ANNOUNCE TO HER THE GREAT DIVINE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION OF THE ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD THE FATHER. ST GABRIEL the Holy Archangel IS ONE OF SEVEN HOLY ARCHANGELS WHO ARE KNOWN TO US "...who present the Prayers of the Saints and enter into the Presence of the Glory of the Holy One [ALMIGHTY GOD]..." (TOBIT 12:15 &
[DANIEL9:21]

The Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel- the Heavenly Herald of God

The name Gabriel means "Might of God." St Gabriel whom God has put IN THE SERVICE OF THE SALVATION OF MANKIND, is especially revealed to us as THE HOLY HERALD AND MINISTER OF THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD. Thus St Gabriel was revealed as indeed the Might [OR POWER] of God in the wonderful, natural conception of St John the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ the last and greatest of the Holy Prophets of God - by his aged and barren parents, St Zachariah and St Elizabeth. St Gabriel announced the impending conception to St Zachariah at the Holy Temple in Jerusalem when the aged Priest was fulfilling his Sacred Tasks at the Altar of Incense and, due to St Zachariahs incredulity of such a Miracle occurring, he also struck him dumb until eight days after the birth of his son when St Zachariah wrote the name John, on a tablet. Immediately, St Zachariah was able to speak again and filled with the Joy of the Holy Spirit he prophesied the significant role of his beloved son in the Salvation of all mankind. But THE GREATEST DIVINE ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY ST GABRIEL THE HOLY ARCHANGEL OF GOD, WAS THE SUPERNATURAL, SEEDLESS CONCEPTION INCARNATION OF THE TRUE AND ETERNAL SON OF GOD THE BEGINNING OF MANKINDS ETERNAL SALVATION AND LIFE IN CHRIST. He was the same Holy Archangel who was sent to support and to encourage our Saviour in the Garden of Gethsemane during the night before His Betrayal and Arrest. Furthermore, ST GABRIEL HAD WATCHED OVER AND PROTECTED OUR BLESSED LADY THEOTOKOS SINCE SHE WAS PRESENTED AT THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM AT THE AGE OF THREE AND WHILE SHE GREW UP there as

the good example to other dedicated children who also resided at the Temple. ARCHANGEL GABRIEL THEN APPEARED BEFORE HER AT THE HOME OF HER RIGHTEOUS GUARDIAN, ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED, TO ANNOUNCE HER IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH the Christ of God thereby opening to all mankind the possibility of Eternal Life in Gods Heavenly Kingdom of Love. ST GABRIEL ANNOUNCED THE GREATEST NEWS OF ALL TIME AT THE EMPTY TOMB OF CHRIST TO THE EIGHT HOLY MYRRH-BEARERS: He is Risen! And finally, IT WAS ST GABRIEL, THE BEARER OF GOOD TIDINGS, WHO WAS SENT BY GOD ONCE AGAIN TO OUR EVER BLESSED LADY THEOTOKOS TO ANNOUNCE HER IMPENDING DORMITION [FALLING ASLEEP OR REPOSE] in three days time, which gave Her the opportunity to fulfil the last of Her Holy Duties, and enabled the Holy Apostles and many Faithful Disciples of Christ, who were scattered far and wide throughout the world, to gather together in Jerusalem being carried there by Divinely Mysterious means, after She had summoned them. Together they kept Vigil until Christ came to claim Her All Pure soul, attended by vast Hosts of Heavenly Angels. THE FUNERAL PROCESSION WAS LED BY ONE OF THE HOLY APOSTLES WHO HELD A PALM LEAF FROM PARADISE, which had been PRESENTED TO OUR BLESSED THEOTOKOS, BY ST GABRIEL AS A TOKEN OF THE DIVINE PROMISE OF HER SON WHO CARRIED HER SOUL TO REST IN PEACE IN PARADISE, AND WHICH WAS WITNESSED BY ALL THOSE PRESENT AT THE VIGIL. ARCHANGEL GABRIEL IS THE SERVANT OF WONDERS AND OF THE DIVINE MYSTERIES OF GOD, who is USUALLY DEPICTED EITHER HOLDING THE PARADISIACAL BRANCH OR A SHINING LANTERN IN HIS RIGHT HAND, WHILE IN HIS LEFT HAND HE HOLDS THE MYSTICAL ORB THAT REPRESENTS THE DIVINE TRUTH AND WORD OF GOD, since HE IS THE HERALD OF THE SALVATION OF MANKIND. The lit lantern signifies THE HIDDEN MYSTERIES OF GOD, WHICH ARE VEILED UNTIL THE TIME OF THEIR FULFILMENT, WHEN THEY BECOME UNDERSTOOD BY THOSE, WHO STEADILY GAZE IN THE MIRROR OF JUSTICE OF THE WORD OF GOD AND THEIR CONSCIENCE. ST GABRIEL HAS CONTINUED BRINGING DIVINE ENLIGHTENMENT TO MANKIND THROUGHOUT THE AGES. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NAMED GABRIEL AND WHO FULFIL THE "FAITH OF GOD" ACCORDING TO OUR SAVIOUR, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! (MARK. 2:23)

26.

SYNAXIS

OF

ARCHANGEL GAB

RIEL

BEARER

OF

GOOD TIDINGS

26 M

ARCH

2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

All Glory, Honour a nd W orship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our M ost Holy, Mos t Pure, Most Blessed and Gl orious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one a nother and our whole Li fe to Christ our God. Amen.

31 March 2013
6th Sunday of Triodion Tone 2

2nd Sunday of Great Lent Sunday of St Gregory Palamas

The Feast of St Hypatios the Wonderworker of Gangra St Akakios the Confessor of Melitene, Armenia St Innocent of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts and Apostle to the Americas St Jonah the Wonderworker of Moscow and All Russia St Hypatios the Healer of the Kiev Caves Monastery St Apollonios the Ascetic of Egypt St Audas the Bishop & St Benjamin the Deacon of Persia St Hypatios, Abbot of Rufinos Monastery, Chalcedon The appearance of the Iveron Icon of our Lady Theotokos - St Joesph the Patriarch
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 2

Ote

katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton Adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste, O Theos imon, Doxa Si!
OF

When Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal,

Thou slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. When also Thou raised up the dead from the subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!

FESTAL APOLYTIKION

ST GREGORY PALAMAS

Orthodoxias O Fostir, Ekklisias to Stirigma ke

Didaskale, ton Monaston i Kalloni, ton Theologon Ipermahos aprosmahitos, Grigorie Thavmatourge, Thessalonikis to kafhima, krix tis haritos, iketeve dia pantos, sothine tas psihas imon.
FESTAL KONTAKION
OF THE

Orthodoxys Great

Star, Support and Teacher of the Church, the Beauty of the Monks, and invincible Protector of the Theologians, O Gregory, Worker of Miracles, the Pride of Thessaloniki, Preacher of Grace, forever Thou Intercedes, that our souls may be Saved.

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Ti Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria os litrothisa ton dinon Unto Thee, O Theotokos Invincible Champion, Thy City
efharistiria anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke all os ehousa to Kratos aprosmahiton ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson ina krazo Si: Here Nimfi Animfevte!
OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS

in Thanksgiving ascribes the Victory for the Deliverance from sufferings. But having Thy Might unassailable, free me from all dangers so that I may cry out to Thee: Hail! O Bride Ever Virgin!
HIS ELEVEN APOSTLES

Resurrection Gospel 10 : John 21: 1 - 14

SERVES BREAKFAST TO

Prokeimenon

O Lord, protect us and preserve us, both now and forever. Save us, O Lord, for there is not one Godly man left!
St Pauls Epistle to the Hebrews 1 :10 2 : 3
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
IS WITHOUT

BEGINNING

AND THE

DIVINE CREATOR

OF

ALL

Brethren: God the Father said to His Son: Thou, O Lord, in the beginning laid the Foundation of the earth, and the Heavens are the Work of Thy Hands. They will perish, but Thou remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak Thou will fold them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will not fail. Yet to which of the Angels has He ever said: Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy Footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits who are sent forth to minister to those who will inherit Salvation? Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. St Paul used a quotation from Psalm 101: 26 28, which Rather than ruling over humanity, THE HOLY ANGELS OF concerns GOD THE FATHER ADDRESSING ANOTHER GOD ARE OUR PARTNERS OUR FELLOW INTELLECTUAL PERSON HIS ETERNAL SON AS LORD I.E. AS BEINGS - WHO ASSIST AND GUIDE US IN OUR HOLY GOD. SERVICE TO GOD. THE SACRED ROLE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD the Holy God has granted their Service to humanity as OUR HOLY Messengers of God IS ... to minister to those GUARDIAN ANGELS WHO ENLIGHTEN, CAUTION, who will inherit Eternal Salvation. PROTECT AND WATCH OVER US as we Journey through At the beginning of the New Covenant Era, many this temporary existence towards Eternity and Hebrews believed that the Heavenly Angels still hopefully, Eternal Life in Christ. mediated the Old Covenant with God. We must give the more earnest heed... is ST PAULS THE HOLY ANGELS MOST CERTAINLY SERVED GODS DIVINE SERIOUS ADMONITION AGAINST WILFUL NEGLIGENCE ANGEL OR MESSENGER I.E. OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, AND CARELESSNESS, WHICH IS A SLOW PROCESS OF JESUS CHRIST, THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD, WHILE HE SPIRITUAL DRIFTING AWAY FROM GOD AND INTO LIVED AMONGST US, until His Death on the Cross and SPIRITUAL EXILE AND SIN. His Descent into Hades, where they could not go Therefore, WE MUST REMAIN ALERT AND SPIRITUALLY having nothing to do with Death and Hades, the WATCHFUL AT ALL TIMES for the evil one always waits inventions of the Evil One who rebelled against God for every opportunity to destroy us and our and who, together with his fallen angels (demons), is wonderful Relationship with God and our fellow no longer part of Heaven or earth. struggling sinners.

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We must learn to APPLY ALL OUR LORDS TEACHINGS AND REVELATIONS TO OUR PERSONAL LIFE. We must also learn to HEAR THE VOICE OF OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS WHO WORK JUST AS CEASELESSLY TO DRAW US
THE FAITH
OF THE

CLOSER TO GOD AND WHO HELP US DIFFICULTIES AND TO RESIST TEMPTATION.

ENDURE

The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 2 : 1 - 12

PARALYTIC
AND

HIS FOUR FRIENDS

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that he was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the Word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a Paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near to Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was and when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the Paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their Faith, He said to the Paralytic: Son, your sins are forgiven you. And some of the Scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts: Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins except God alone? And immediately Jesus perceived in His Spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves so He said to them: Why do you reason about these things in your heart? Which is easier, to say to the Paralytic, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Arise! Take up your bed and walk!? But that you may know that the Son of Man has Power on earth to forgive sins... He turned to the Paralytic, ...I say to you: Arise! Take up your bed, and go to your house. Immediately he arose, took up his bed and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying: We never saw anything like this! As shown by the Healing of this paralysed man, FAITH IS THE ONE MAIN DIVINE PURPOSE OF OUR LORD JESUS CERTAINLY AN INDISPENSABLE CONDITION FOR OUR CHRISTS COMING INTO OUR WORLD IS FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND GRANTING US ETERNAL LIFE IN SALVATION. V FAITH IS COLLECTIVE AS WELL AS PERSONAL FOR THE HIS DIVINE KINGDOM OF LOVE. PROFOUND FAITH OF THE PARALYSED MANS FRIENDS OUR WILLING REPENTANCE OF OUR PERSONAL SINS IS AN CONTRIBUTED TO HIS MIRACULOUS HEALING. CEASELESS STRUGGLE WHEREBY WE ARE SET FREE BY THE V This incident revealed THREE CLEAR SIGNS OF OUR LORD GRACE OF GOD FROM THE BONDAGE AND ENSLAVEMENT OF JESUS DIVINITY HIS DIVINE NATURE: THE EVIL ONE WHO ENSNARES AND ENTRAPS US WITH ALL OUR LORD JESUS KNOWS THE SECRETS OF ALL HEARTS HIS DEVIOUS TEMPTATIONS. AND SOULS. THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS IS A FAR GREATER POWER THAN PHYSICAL HEALING, because, as the Scribes 1 K I N G D O M S 1 6 : 7 L X X : The Lord said to correctly stated, GOD ALONE CAN FORGIVE SINS! Samuel: Have no regard for his outward Consequently, it is far easier for Christ to grant physical appearance, nor for the maturity of his Healing to those who seek it, but OUR SPIRITUAL stature, because i have refused him, for mankind does not see as God sees, for HEALING REQUIRES US TO HUMBLE OURSELVES, mankind looks at the outward appearance, RECOGNISE OR IDENTIFY OUR SINS AND THEN EXPOSE THEM WHILE THE LORD SEES INTO THE HEART. TO THE DIVINE LIGHT OF GOD, SEEKING HIS DIVINE St Cyprianos believed THAT GODS JUDGEMENT WILL NOT BE FORGIVENESS. MERELY BASED ON OUTWARD APPEARANCES, BUT WILL Similarly, THE FORGIVENESS OF ONE ANOTHER ALSO REQUIRES PENETRATE MUCH DEEPER INTO THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE EXPOSURE TO THE DIVINE LIGHT OF TRUTH since all EVERYONE FOR GOD CLEARLY SEES THE HEART AND THE too often the so-called victim is THE INITIAL OFFENDER MIND OF EVERY HUMAN BEING, AND HE WILL JUDGE EACH and NEEDS TO RECTIFY DEEP SEATED, HIDDEN SIN, WHICH SOUL ACCORDING TO OUR DEEDS, OUR WORDS AND OUR IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN TRUE HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE THOUGHTS! TO GOD IS SINCERELY SOUGHT. 2 C H R O N I C L E S 6 : 3 0 L X X : ... hear from Heaven, Although our Lord Jesus Christ is fully Divine (God) and He possesses complete Divine Authority to Forgive us our Thy Dwelling Place, and forgive them. And sins, in this incident HE CONDESCENDED TO THOSE WHO grant to everyone according to his ways, for Thou know his heart, since Thou alone know HAD GATHERED AROUND HIM, BY HEALING THE PARALYSED the hearts of the sons of mankind... MAN IN ORDER TO DRAW THEM ALL CLOSER TO ALMIGHTY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FORGIVES SINS A DIVINE GOD WHOM THEY THEN GLORIFIED FOR HIS GREAT POWER THAT BELONGS TO GOD ALONE MERCY. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HEALS COMPLETELY PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY BY THE POWER OF HIS DIVINE WORD ALONE.

On Physical and Spiritual Healing

In todays Sacred Lesson from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, WE HEAR OF THE FORGIVENESS AND SUBSEQUENT HEALING OF A MAN WHO SUFFERED FROM PALSY - a condition that may also refer to being paralyzed, with weakened muscles and possible tremors. THIS PARALYSED MAN REPRESENTS ALL OF US WHO ARE
PARALYSED BY OUR UNREPENTED SINS AND WHO ARE WEAKENED BY ALL THE OVERWHELMING WORLDLY INFLUENCES AND SINFUL, SELF-INDULGENT LIFESTYLES THAT MISLEAD US AND WHICH CAN ULTIMATELY DESTROY US. TROUBLED BY OUR SINFUL DESIRES THOUGHTS AND DEEDS.

OUR SINFUL WORDS,

Nevertheless, when the going gets tough - such as WHEN WE BECOME SICK, BEREFT OR DESTITUTE, EVERYTHING IS PROFOUNDLY DIFFERENT. We may find that WE HAVE DIFFICULTY IN PRAYING AND FASTING BECOMES A CHALLENGE. We do not think of others - only of ourselves and all too often, WE INDULGE OUR WEAKNESSES, USING OUR
AILMENTS AS AN EXCUSE FOR NOT FULFILLING OUR CHRISTIAN DUTIES TO GOD AND TO OTHERS. If only we would all realise that GOD PERMITS US TO STRUGGLE AGAINST ADVERSITY IN THIS TEMPORARY LIFE BECAUSE IT SHOULD DRAW US ALL THE MORE CLOSER TO HIM AS WE AWAKEN FROM OUR SPIRITUAL STUPOUR AND PARALYSIS - AND ACKNOWLEDGE AND FULLY APPRECIATE HIS GREAT MERCY. Our Holy Church Fathers have taught us that WE ONLY DISCOVER WHO WE TRULY ARE OUR TRUE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF CHARACTER IN TIMES OF TEMPTATION AND ADVERSITY, such as when we are

When everything is going well for us, it is easy for us to live an Orthodox Life - praying is not a burden to us. It is easy for us to Fast and we might be generous with almsgiving. However, WHEN ALL IS GOING WELL FOR US WE ALSO
QUICKLY FORGET OR CHOOSE TO IGNORE OUR UNENDING GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS INFINITE BLESSINGS THAT MAKE OUR LIFE SO GOOD - NOR ARE WE AT ALL

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struck down by serious, debilitating illnesses or personal tragedy. We are forced by circumstances we are challenged to reveal who we truly are. In the case of the Palsied Man and his four friends, we might suppose that realising the seriousness of his medical condition, they decided to present him to our Lord Jesus Christ for His Help. If we are wise, we react the same WHENEVER WE FIND OURSELVES IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES: WE PRESENT OURSELVES BEFORE THE LORD OUR GOD AND BESEECH HIS DIVINE HELP FOR HEALING AND FOR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH TO ENDURE OUR AILMENTS ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL. Our Lord did not immediately heal the Palsied Man, but rather, forgave his sins.
WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT GOD, THE HEAVENLY HOSTS AND THE ENTIRE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT CAN SEE EVEN OUR INVISIBLE SINS! NOTHING WE SAY, THINK OR DO IS SECRET!

ALTHOUGH WE TRY TO IGNORE OR OVERLOOK OUR UNREPENTED SINS, THERE IS USUALLY A CONNECTION
BETWEEN OUR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL CONDITION OR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Spiritual Illness contributes to a large degree to the cause of our physical ailments. Of course, WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE WATCHFUL AND ALERT as to how we live each day, and as soon as we realise or acknowledge our sins, WE MUST IMMEDIATELY REPENT AND CONFESS TO GOD WHO ALONE FORGIVES US OUR TRANSGRESSIONS. Furthermore, WE CAN ASK OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS, OUR PARISH PRIESTS, OUR FELLOW DISCIPLES, AND ANY OF THE HOLY SAINTS AND MARTYRS TO PRESENT THEIR INTERCESSORY PRAYERS TO GOD ON OUR BEHALF. However, WE SHOULD GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR OUR DIFFICULTIES that show us who we really are what type of person we actually are WHICH BRING US TO
THE REALISATION OF HOW MUCH WE STILL HAVE TO

So it is with us. V WHEN WE CLOSELY EXAMINE OURSELVES AND REPENT AND CONFESS OUR SINS, ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE PROMISE OF GOD, WE RECEIVE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING AND FORGIVENESS. TRUSTING IN THE GREAT MERCY OF GOD, we, too, can then take up our beds and walk. In other words, WE SHOULD ALSO SHOW - IN DEEDS AS WELL AS IN WORDS - THAT WE HAVE DEFINITELY CHANGED AND CORRECTED OUR ERRORS - AND OUR SOULS HAVE BEEN HEALED. There should be A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE in us a difference IN HOW WE SPEAK AND HOW WE ACT - after we have Repented and Confessed. If there is no apparent change, we need to seriously question and examine ourselves for it is evident that we have not sincerely Repented nor have we truly Confessed our sins. Then, HAVING SOUGHT OUT AND EXPOSED OUR DEEPLY ROOTED, LURKING SINS, WE MUST ONCE AGAIN PARTAKE OF THE HOLY MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE-CONFESSION SO THAT OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER MAY INTERCEDE FOR us and we thereby may receive Divine Forgiveness and become different cleansed and renewed souls. As we journey through this time of Great Lent - this Season of Preparation for the celebration of our Lords Glorious Holy Pascha - His Triumph over Death on our behalf - LET US ASK GOD FOR HIS GRACE TO EXPOSE OUR SPIRITUAL ILLNESSES AND WEAKNESSES TO EXPOSE OUR WICKEDNESS AND
NEGLECT SO THAT IT MAY BE CORRECTED AND THEREBY OUR SOUL MAY BE HEALED AND RENEWED. And let us beseech our Lord for His Grace to REPENT AND CONFESS WITH ALL SINCERITY AND TRUTH.

STRUGGLE AND STRIVE IN ORDER TO BECOME THE PERSON WHOM GOD CREATED US TO BE. WHEN THE PALSIED MAN WAS FORGIVEN, IMMEDIATELY HE WAS ALSO HEALED IN HIS BODY and to prove his restored strength and ability, our Lord told him to take up his bedding and go home.

Let us beseech Him for His Forgiveness and Healing so that WE MAY THEN PROPERLY CONTINUE OUR HOLY LABOURS OF OUR LIFE IN CHRIST BECOMING GOOD EXAMPLES FOR OTHERS TO IMITATE for the Glory, Honour and Worship of God and the Eternal Salvation of our immortal souls.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL ILLNESS BY FATHER JOHN McCUEN http://www.pravmir.com/physical-and-spiritual-illness/

Second Sunday of Great Lent Sunday of St Gregory Palamas On the Importance of Prayer
Today, on the second Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate the memory of SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS, ARCHBISHOP OF THESSALONIKI, who lived in the fourteenth century who is KNOWN FOR HIS DEFENCE OF THE HESYCHASM OF ATHONITE MONKS AND THE ORTHODOX UNDERSTANDING OF PRAYER against the attacks of Theologians who were influenced by Western scholasticism. Most of us, living in the world as we do, know very little about the Hesychast controversy, the works of Saint Gregory, or about the practice of Hesychasm. This is not because Orthodox Theology and Praxis is somehow more complicated than other areas of human knowledge and experience. We are often very successful at learning highly complex subject-matters, mastering very sophisticated skills, and becoming experts in our area of work or study. Yet, WHEN IT COMES TO PRAYER, TOO MANY CHRISTIANS
SPEND VERY LITTLE TIME AND EFFORT TO LEARN ABOUT IT AND TO PRACTICE IT.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that among the multitude of very accomplished experts on a variety of subjects who attend our Church, VERY FEW ARE EXPERTS IN PRAYER. We often think of Prayer as a compilation of formulas that have to be pronounced or tasks that have to be fulfilled: certain Prayers in the morning, others in the evening, and different ones before Communion. THE GOAL OF SUCH EXERCISES IS RARELY VERY LOFTY USUALLY PEOPLE SAY PRAYERS TO QUIET THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE: I have fulfilled my morning obligation or I have fulfilled my pre-Communion obligationAND THEY FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES.

WHEN PRAYERS ARE MISSED, WE FEEL GUILTY: I have not done what I was supposed to do. PRAYER BECOMES A LIFE-LONG CONVERSATION WITH ONES OWN SELF, BUT NOT WITH GOD. SOMETIMES WE WANT SOMETHING, SO WE REMEMBER THAT THERE IS A GOD, and we decide to make a deal with Him. WE SAY A CERTAIN FORMULA AND EXPECT THAT GOD WILL FEEL OBLIGED TO DELIVER. If it is something that we really want and we are not sure that He will feel obliged enough, WE MAY LENGTHEN OUR PLEA BY PUTTING IN SOME EXTRA PRAYERS AND READINGS, or by doing a little extra to get something a little bigger. WE TRY TO MANIPULATE GOD in the same way that a dog tries to manipulate its owner into throwing an extra biscuit or two by doing an extra trick. The only problem is that GOD DID NOT DIE ON THE CROSS IN ORDER TO ACQUIRE A PET FOR HIMSELF. V PRAYER IS NOT A FORMULA TO MANIPULATE GOD into doing something for us, NOR IS IT AN OBLIGATION THAT WAS PLACED ON US TO FULFIL. V GOD KNOWS WHAT WE NEED FOR OUR SALVATION MUCH BETTER THAN WE DO, and He Delivered us from all bondage, including the burdens and obligations of the Law. Yet we see that the Saints of both the Old and New Covenants prayed to God - CHRIST HIMSELF SPENT TIME IN PRAYER EVERY CHANCE HE HAD, AND THE CHURCH TEACHES US TO DO THE SAME. Why is Prayer so important? In the same way that we cannot manipulate GOD, He DOES NOT WANT TO MANIPULATE US. HE WANTS US TO ENTER INTO COMMUNION WITH HIM; HE WANTS TO LIVE IN

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US

- AND US TO LIVE FOR HIM - AND WITH HIM.

(GALATIANS 2 :

20, 2 CORINTHIANS 5 : 15 & ROMANS 6:8)

The Son of God became Man so that we might become gods. [ M E A N I N G W E M I G H T B E C O M E C H R I S T - L I K E O R R E G A I N

OUR LOST DIVINE LIKENESSATHANASIUS). A S W E W E R E C R E A T E D T O B E . ] (ST

We are to TAKE THESE WORDS written by other people AND MAKE THEM OUR OWN - COMING DIRECTLY FROM OUR HEART. But this is not yet the Life of Prayer. IF PRAYER IS THE BREATH OF LIFE, THEN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO
LIVE JUST BY BREATHING FOR A FEW MINUTES TWICE A DAY.

GOD WANTS OUR HEARTS OUR LOVE - not our tricks aimed at getting a few extra biscuits. He needs us TO BE CO-LABOURERS with Him in the Task of our Salvation. (1 CORINTHIANS 3:9). He wants to grant us Life abundantly but HE NEEDS US TO LIVE IT. (JOHN 10:10), V And THE BREATH OF LIFE IN GOD IS PRAYER. PRAYER IS THE COMMUNION OF THE PERSON OF GOD WITH THE PERSON OF MAN, and without our participation in it, this Communion becomes impossible. Just as a close relationship between two people is impossible when one gives all, but the other is only interested in exchanging Christmas cards, A LIFE WITH GOD IS IMPOSSIBLE WHEN HE GIVES US ALL OF HIMSELF, BUT WE ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN GIVING HIM A FEW MINUTES OF RECITATIONS EACH DAY. PRAYER IS not what is written on a page in a book, but THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS. THAT IS WHY THE MOST COMMON AND MOST MEANINGFUL PRAYER HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SIMPLE JESUS PRAYER: LORD, JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER. PRAYER IS NOT A MINDLESS RECITATION of printed symbols, BUT A DEVOTION OF MIND AND HEART. When we read or hear about THE PRAYER OF THE MIND THAT ENTERS THE HEART, we are faced with THE
REJECTION OF A PURELY MECHANICAL RECITATION OF WORDS.

The Apostle Paul exhorted us to Pray constantly.

THESSALONIANS 5:17)

(1

We would find it unacceptable to offer a mindless recitation of words to our friends and loved ones; how dare we offer it to God day after day?! The experience of the Athonite Hesychasts shows that THROUGH PRAYER WE ENTER INTO COMMUNION WITH THE VERY UNCREATED ENERGIES OF GOD, OR THE DIRECT WAY THAT GOD RELATES TO THE WORLD AND ACTS IN ITnot through created mediators, but DIRECTLY INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH US. And it is OUR RESPONSE that MAKES THIS RELATIONSHIP POSSIBLE. Look at what the Church offers to us as OUR MORNING AND EVENING RULES OF PRAYER. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WORDS, which were composed by people whose hearts were ABLAZE WITH LOVE FOR GOD and who responded to Gods Gift of Life by giving their own lives to God. THEIR PRAYERS ARE not offered to us for recitations, but TO GUIDE OUR HEARTS AND LIVES in the same direction, in the footsteps of the Fathers. 2 You say that you have no Humility or Love. So long as these are absent, everything spiritual is absent. What is spiritual is born when they are born and grows as they grow. They are the same for the soul as mastery of the flesh is for the body. HUMILITY IS ACQUIRED BY ACTS OF HUMILITY, LOVE BY ACTS OF LOVE. 2 Keep both eyes open. This is the measure of Humility: IF A MAN IS HUMBLE HE NEVER THINKS
THAT HE HAS BEEN TREATED WORSE THAN HE DESERVES. He stands so low in his own

Many have said that this is impossible: how can one do anything without ceasing? But DO WE NOT BREATHE WITHOUT CEASING? V The Saints who devoted their lives to God found that NOT ONLY IS IT POSSIBLE TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, BUT THAT IT IS UNCEASING PRAYER THAT MAKES LIFE IN GOD POSSIBLE. V THE MORE WE ALLOW OUR SOUL TO BREATHE PRAYER, THE MORE ALIVE IN GOD WE BECOME. Perhaps we cannot expect to spend our lives in Solitude and Contemplation, as do the Athonite Hesychasts. But we can and should MAKE PRAYER BOTH A STATE OF OUR BEING AND AN ACTIVE WAY OF LIFE IN GOD. We do not have to study the works of Saint Gregory Palamas to MAKE THE SIMPLE JESUS PRAYERO Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinnerA PART OF EVERYTHING WE DO THROUGHOUT THE DAY. We can apply effort to PAY MORE ATTENTION TO EVERY WORD IN OUR MORNING AND EVENING PRAYERS, to MAKE THEM OUR OWN, AND to try to PATTERN OUR OWN SPIRITUAL LIFE AFTER THE MODEL OFFERED TO US BY THE FATHERS. The Breath of Prayer is just as vital to our Spiritual Life as the breath of air is to our physical life. But just as a physical illness takes time and effort to heal, SPIRITUAL ILLNESS CAUSED BY THE LACK OF PRAYER WILL ALSO TAKE TIME AND EFFORT TO RECOVER. That is why it is so important to BEGIN IMMEDIATELY, not tonight or tomorrow, but right now. When the Ethiopian Eunuch learnt about Christ, he exclaimed to St Philip: See, here is water! What is to prevent my being Baptized? What hinders us from taking a Breath of Life this very moment?If you believe with all your heart, you may ((ACTS 8:37).
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER BY PALAMAS

Fr. Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov - 2ND SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT SUNDAY OF ST GREGORY

http://frsergei.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/the-second-sundayof-great-lent-on-the-importance-of-prayer

St Theophan the Recluse On Humility & Obedience

true Humility. And we cannot think ourselves humble merely by thinking about it. The best, or rather, THE ONLY SURE WAY TO HUMILITY IS BY OBEDIENCE AND THE SURRENDER OF OUR OWN WILL. Without this it is possible to develop a satanic pride in ourselves, while being humble in words and in bodily postures. I beg you to pay attention to this point and, in all fear, EXAMINE THE ORDER OF YOUR LIFE. Does it include Obedience and surrender of your will? Out of all the things you do, how many are done contrary to your own will, your own ideas and reflections? Do you do anything unwillingly, simply because you are ordered, through sheer Obedience? Please examine it all thoroughly and tell (your Spiritual Father.) If there is nothing of this type of Obedience, the kind of life you lead will not bring you to Humility. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU MAY HUMBLE YOURSELF IN THOUGHT, WITHOUT DEEDS LEADING TO SELFABASEMENT HUMILITY WILL NOT COME. So you must think carefully how to achieve this.

estimation that no one, however hard they try, can think more poorly of him than he thinks himself. This is the whole secret of the matter. 2 THE LORD SOMETIMES LEAVES IN US SOME DEFECTS OF
CHARACTER IN ORDER THAT WE SHOULD LEARN

HUMILITY. For without them we would immediately soar above the clouds in our own estimation and would place our throne there. And herein lies perdition. 2 THE INVINCIBLE WEAPON AGAINST ALL OUR ENEMIES IS HUMILITY. IT IS NOT EASILY ACQUIRED. We can think ourselves humble without having a trace of

30.

6TH SUNDAY

OF

TRIODION 2ND LENT ST GREGORY PALAMAS - 31 M

ARCH

2013