2016 April Sacred Lessons

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

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the
Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria,
Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole
Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 3
3 April 2016
th
44 Sunday After Pentecost

7 Sunday of Triodion 4th of Great Lent
Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross
th
Feast of St Nicetas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion (Milan) St Theodosia the Virgin
Martyr of Tyre St Irene the Holy Martyr St Elpidephoros, St Dios, St Bithonios, & St Galykos
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 11 JOHN 21: 14 25
FIRST FESTAL ANTIPHON VENERATION - HOLY CROSS -
Esimiothi ef imas to Fos tou Prosopou Sou, Kyrie.

Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.
O Lord, the Light of Thy Face was stamped on us

Through the Intercessions of the Theotokos,
1.
2.
3 .
4.
TONE 2
1.
Saviour, Save us.
Edokas
tis fovoumenis Se simiosin tou figin apo

prosopou toxou.
Anevis
is ipsos, ihmalotefsas ehmalosian, elaves

domata en anthropis.
Edokas klironomian tis fovoumenis to Onoma Sou, Kyrie.
2.
Thou gave
a Sign to those who fear Thee so they may

flee from the face of the bow.
Thou
3.
4.
Ascended on High; Thou led captivity captive;

Thou received Gifts for mankind.
Thou grant an Inheritance to those who fear Thy Name,

O Lord.
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.
Through
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Amin
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, soson imas.
Amen
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
tous Eonas ton eonon.
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
Idosan
panta ta perata tis Gis to Sotirion tou Theou

imon.
Soson
imas Iie Theou, O A N A S T A S E K N E K R O N ,

psallontas Si: Allilouia!
2 .
Iselefsometha is ta Skinomata Aftou, Proskinisomen is
1.
the
Theotokos,
TONE 2
Son of God, W H O A R O S E F R O M T H E D E A D ,
Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia
3.
God is our King before the Ages; He worked Salvation
4.
Be
place where His Feet stood.
O de Theos Vasilefs imon pro Eonon, irgasato Sotirian
in the midst of the Earth.
Sholasate ke gnote oti Ego Imi O Theos, ipsothisome en

Soson
of
Let us enter into His Tabernacle; let us worship at the
tis Ethnesin, ipsothisome en ti Gi.
2.
en meso tis Gis.

1.
Theotokos,
All the ends of the Earth saw the Salvation of our God.
ton topon, ou estisan i Podes Aftou

3.
the
Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.
SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON VENERATION HOLY CROSS 1.
of
imas Iie Theou, O

psallontas Si: Allilouia!
ANASTAS
EK
still and know that I Am God; I will be Exalted

among the Nations; I will be Exalted in the Earth.
O Son of God, W H O
A R O S E F R O M T H E D E A D , Save
us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
NEKRON
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
tous Eonas ton eonon.
Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amin
Amen
THIRD FESTAL ANTIPHON HOLY CROSS
1.
Ipsoute
Kyrion ton Theon imon ke proskinite to

ipopodio ton Podon Aftou.
1.
His Feet.
Soson Kyrie ton laon Sou, ke Evlogison tin Klironomian O

Sou, Nikas tis evsevesi kata varvaron doroumenos,
ke to son Filatton, dia tou Stavrou Sou Politefma.
2.
Soson, Kyrie, ton laon Sou ke Evlogison tin Klironomian
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at the Footstool of

Lord, Save Thy People, and Bless Thine Inheritance,
granting Victory over enemies unto our Rulers and
through Thy Cross preserving Thine Estate
2.
Save, O Lord, Thy People and Bless Thine Inheritance.
3.
And shepherd them, and raise them up forever.
Sou.
3.
Ke pimanon aftous ke eparon aftou eos tou eonos.
44TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH TRIODION 3RD LENT VENERATION
OF THE
HOLY CROSS-3 APRIL 2016
HYMNS AFTER
THE
SMALL ENTRANCE
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 3
Evfrenestho
ta Ourania, Agaliastho ta Epigia, oti epiise

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

TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Soson Kyrie ton Laon Sou,
ke Evlogison tin Klironomian

Sou, Nikas tis efsevesi kata varvaron doroumenos, ke to
Son filatton, dia tou Stavrou Sou politevma
THE
HOLY CROSS
Lord, Save Thy people and Bless Thine Inheritance,

granting Orthodox Christians victory over their
enemies, and guarding Thy commonwealth with Thy
Cross
SEASONAL 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!
INSTEAD
OF THE
Unto Thee, O Theotokos Invincible Champion, Thy City in

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

Holy Resurrection [3]
Anastasin Doxazomen [3]
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati ke nin ke Ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
tous eonas ton eonon.
Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amin
Ke tin Agian Sou Anastasin Doxazomen
Dynamis!
Ton Stavron Sou Proskinoumen, Despota, ke tin Agian Sou
Amen
And Thy Holy Resurrection we Glorify
Power/Strength
Thy Cross, O Master, we Reverence, and
we Glorify Thy
Anastasin Doxazomen
Holy Resurrection
TRIODION PROKEIMENON PSALM 27/28 TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Save, O Lord, Thy People, and Bless Thine Inheritance, and shepherd them, and raise them up forever!
To Thee, O Lord, I cry: O my God, do not pass over me in silence! May Thou never be silent, lest I become like those
who go down into the Pit!
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
OUR MERCIFUL HIGH PRIEST & QUALIFICATION
HEBREWS 4 : 14 5 : 6
FOR THE
ETERNAL, HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Brethren: ... seeing then that we have a Great High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens Jesus, the Son of God
let us hold fast our Confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but
Who was - in all points - tempted as we are yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, so that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in the time of
need. For every High Priest taken from among men is appointed for mankind in things pertaining to God, that he
may offer both Gifts and Sacrifices for sins. He can have Compassion for those who are ignorant and going astray
since he himself is also subject to weakness, and because of this, he is required as for the people, so also for
himself to offer Sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honour to himself, but he who is Called by God just as
Aaron was - so also Christ did not Glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He Who said to Him: Thou art My
Son: today I have Begotten Thee. As He also said in another place: Thou art a Priest forever according to the
Order of Melchizedek.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST TRUE, DIVINE
The Ever Blessed Theotokos and St John the Baptist were
HEAD OF HIS ETERNAL, HOLY CHURCH.
so devoted to the Will of God that THEIR LOVE FOR HIM
COMPELLED THEM TO BE HUMBLY OBEDIENT, WHICH IS WHAT WE
The expression ... passed through the Heavens... refers
to the Ascension into Heaven by our Resurrected Lord
TOO MUST ALWAYS STRIVE TO ACHIEVE.
Jesus Christ when He returned to His rightful Divine
Our Lord Jesus Christ is Enthroned at the right hand side
Position in Eternity at the right hand of God the
of God the Father the position of honour and HE IS
Father.
SEATED ON A THRONE OF GRACE RATHER THAN A THRONE OF
However, it is important to keep in mind that GOD, BEING
JUDGEMENT, GRANTING HIS GREAT MERCY AND DIVINE GRACE
OMNIPRESENT, NEVER LEAVES EITHER HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM
TO HELP US IN TIMES OF NEED.
NOR US ON EARTH. HE IS EVER PRESENT BUT INVISIBLE TO US
A PRIEST USUALLY STANDS WHILE SERVING OUR LORD GOD. He
WATCHING OVER Us unless we enter a state of Spiritual
can never be seated while doing so, for that would be
Death (sin) then HE TURNS HIS SIGHT AWAY FROM US UNTIL
utterly disrespectful.
(That is also why we should be standing at all times throughout the
WE REPENT AND RETURN TO A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE.
Holy Services. Now that we have pews or chairs in our churches,
Our Lords Ascension into Heaven means that HE HAS
we should only rest on the edge of the seat if need be, ready to
ACCOMPLISHED HIS DIVINE MISSION ON EARTH AND HAS
stand and worship with our entire bodies.)
ENTERED INTO HIS SABBATH REST.
THERE IS SIGNIFICANT POWER IN OUR ENTHRONED HIGH PRIEST,
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS GREAT EMPATHY WITH HIS CREATURES
FOR HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED AND FULFILLED ALL THE NECESSARY
and especially with us sinners, since HE EXPERIENCED
SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS FOR ALL TIME!
THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE IN HIS HUMAN NATURE,
(The Holy Icon of 0ur Lord Jesus Christ, depicted as a High Priest, is
EVEN THOUGH HE REMAINED SINLESS.
usually situated on the Bishops Throne in every Orthodox
AS GOD-MAN, OUR LORD JESUS WAS INCAPABLE OF COMMITTING
Church reminding us that there is only one Divine Head and
ANY SIN WHATSOEVER BECAUSE IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AGAINST HIS
that the Bishop acts on His Behalf. Thus we should obey the will
PERFECT NATURE.
of the Bishop as though it was the Divine Will of Christ.)
Christ showed us by His own Example that IT IS INDEED
In order to qualify as an Old Covenant Priest, a man was
POSSIBLE TO RESIST TEMPTATION although for us it is an
chosen from among men i.e. another male human
even greater Spiritual Struggle that lasts until we have
being who was appointed for men specifically for
drawn our last breath.
Liturgical Service. He had to offer the blood Sacrifices
2. 4 4 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 7 T H T R I O D I O N 3 R D L E N T V E N E R A T I O N
OF THE
to God for his and the peoples sins. He had to be

compassionate towards others and he had to be
Called by God to serve Him.
In the Aaronic Priesthood A PRIEST IDENTIFIED HIMSELF WITH
HUMANITY AND HAD GREAT SYMPATHY FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE
HE SINNED AS MUCH AS OTHERS SINNED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
The Blood Sacrifices were vicarious offerings of various

animals, according to the sins that had been
committed.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
OUR LORDS DIVINE TEACHING
OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ASSUMED AND FULFILLED THE OLD

COVENANT PRIESTHOOD FOR JUST LIKE MELCHIZEDEK, HE IS
BOTH PRIEST AND KING.
HOWEVER, HE HAS NEVER SINNED I.E. HE CANNOT SIN AND HIS
GREAT SACRIFICE WAS THE BLOOD SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF,
WHILE HIS PERFECT, ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD CONTINUES IN HIS
HOLY CHURCH FOR EVERMORE.
TO
ST MARK 8 : 34 9 : 1
ETERNAL LIFE &
BEING
GOOD, FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
At that time, when our Lord Jesus had called the people to Himself, with His Disciples also, He said to them: Whoever
desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospels will Save it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in
exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of
him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the Glory of His Father with the Holy Angels.
And He said to them: Truly, I say to you: there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the
Kingdom of God present with Power.
NONE OF THESE CAN REDEEM OUR FALLEN, UNREPENTANT
THE CROSS, which was the most dreaded and
IMMORTAL SOUL.
inhumane instrument of Roman torture and
execution, HAS BECOME FOR ALL STRUGGLING DISCIPLES
NOTHING OF THIS TEMPORARY, MATERIAL WORLD BENEFITS US
OF CHRIST A HOLY SYMBOL OF OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE
IN ETERNITY.
THEREFORE, WE MUST RESIST THE
AND SUFFERING, IN IMITATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR,
TEMPTATIONS THAT DISTRACT US AND LEAD US ASTRAY AND
JESUS CHRIST.
CAUSE US TO FALL INTO SPIRITUAL DEATH.
Let us rather take up our heavy Crosses of earthly
THE HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST IS OUR MOST VENERATED BADGE
life AND FOLLOW CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, WHO LEADS US
OF HONOUR WHEREBY WE LIVE AND DIE IN CHRIST.
SAFELY TO OUR HEAVENLY DESTINATION.
WE PRACTICE SELF-DENIAL FOR THE SAKE OF OUR LOVE OF GOD AND
Let us use every minute of our lifespan LIVING IN
HIS HOLY GOSPEL and our acceptance of this part of our
CHRIST AND SEEKING ONLY THE SPIRITUAL QUALITIES
Sacred Mission is certainly not a form of punishment,
AND NECESSITIES TO ADVANCE US AND TO BENEFIT US
nor is it an end in itself, but rather, IT IS A MEANS OF
ETERNALLY.
OVERCOMING AND DEFEATING THE FALLEN WORLD FOR THE
Let us CONSTANTLY OFFER THANKSGIVING TO OUR LIVING
SAKE OF GODS HEAVENLY, ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE, JOY
GOD WHO IS INFINITELY MERCIFUL, GRACIOUS AND
AND PEACE.
BENEVOLENT.
Therefore we take up our personal Crosses and Follow
BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS WHICH FAR
Christ by CRUCIFYING THE DEMANDS AND DESTRUCTIVE
OUTWEIGH ALL THE THINGS YOU MAY THINK YOU WANT
PASSIONS OF OUR WEAK FLESH AND BY SO DOING, WE
OR NEED!
STRENGTHEN OUR IMMORTAL SOULS AND GRADUALLY BECOME
Let us MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO IMITATE CHRIST our Lord
WORTHY, SANCTIFIED CITIZENS OF ETERNAL LIFE.
Who clearly and concisely shows us that
G A L A T I A N S 5 : 2 4 : ... those who are Christs have
EVERYTHING GOOD IS INDEED POSSIBLE in this poor,
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
tragic and darkened fallen world.
The central paradox of our Life in Christ is that whenever
we try to grasp temporal (earthly) things, we lose the
Finally, those who would ... see the Kingdom of God
present with Power... was a reference to OUR LORD
Eternal, Priceless Treasures of Heaven.
However, WHEN WE LEARN SELF-DENIAL AND REPENTANCE, AND
JESUS CHRISTS TRANSFIGURATION ON MOUNT TABOR,
which three of His closest Apostles witnessed
WE SACRIFICE OR RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF ALL WORLDLY
THINGS, WE GAIN UNTOLD AND UNIMAGINABLE ETERNAL
shortly before His Great Passion and Resurrection.
It is also a reference to THOSE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
RICHES!
What will a man give in exchange for his soul? is a
IN EVERY GENERATION WHO WILL EXPERIENCE THE TRUE
PRESENCE OF GODS KINGDOM
most profound question because it emphasises the
utter foolishness of trying to accumulate WORLDLY
POSSESSIONS AND TEMPORARY SOCIAL STATUS OR POWER for
44TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH OF TRIODION 3RD OF GREAT LENT
SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF CHRISTS HOLY LIFE-GIVING CROSS
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit... Amen
Beloved Brethren in Christ: We are questioned in puzzled
astonishment by non-Christians non Believers - who
say to us: ... you bow down to the tool of execution?
You revere a God crucified upon the cross? But the
Death of God on a shameful piece of wood is a
counter-intuitive concept!
Yes, indeed, the Cross is indeed "...foolishness to the wise
and a stumbling-block to the Jews."
However, my Beloved, we do not seek Christ our Lord and
Saviour through such narrow, created, natural logic.
In our Lord Jesus Christ is revealed the Higher Logic of
Love - the Logic of Truth - and this Divine Love of our
Loving Creator is Victorious over the limited logic of
our human mind.
The higher Logic of Truth, which is only revealed in
Christ, is unattainable to the prideful reason of our
created human mind, which has abandoned the
Light of Reason.
The (empty) Life-giving Cross - as the Symbol of the
Eternal Power of God, of His Love for all mankind - will
always be kept in the highest and most honoured
place by us Orthodox Christians, and we will never
cease to bow down before It, as It is the Source of our
Eternal Joy and Consolation.
Yes, my Beloved, the Cross is our Joy and our Strength.

"By this Sign, conquer!" proclaimed Divine Providence to
the pious Emperor Constantine the Great.
And this same Holy, Life-giving Cross symbolised our own
Victory since the moment our Lord Jesus Christ
Divine Love Himselfcame down to mankind - and
especially, since the day of His Crucifixion, followed
by His Glorious Resurrection days later!
The Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is the genuine
Evidence of God's Love for all mankind.
Christianity is once again suffering under indescribable,
horrific persecution, and the Holy Symbol of
Christianity the Holy Life-giving Cross - is mocked by
those who are ignorant of Divine Truth and enslaved
by their Spiritual Darkness and Death.
Many Christians are embarrassed to cross themselves!
It just isn't done today! they protest.
Yet ONLY THE TRUE CHRISTIANITY OF THE CROSS WILL
ULTIMATELY TRIUMPH OVER THE FALLEN, DEVASTATED AND
ENSLAVED WORLD!
We state unequivocally: WHERE ATTENTION TO CHRIST'S
CROSS WANES, WHERE ITS TRUE MEANING AND POWER ARE
DIMINISHED, WHERE FAITH IN OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR,
JESUS
CHRIST
AS
GOD-MAN,
AS
THE
ONLY
COMPASSIONATE, LOVING AND BENEVOLENT SAVIOUR OF
THE WORLD, WEAKENS, THERE CHRISTIANITY'S POWER IS
SUBVERTED!
44TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH TRIODION 3RD LENT VENERATION
OF THE
It is not through concessions to natural reasoning but
from that Sacred Cross, which Unites us with God, and

promises us Eternal Resurrection!
The Life-giving Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ beckons us,
while Golgotha calls out to us, and today's Golgotha of
Christianity compels us to Love the Crucified One, and
through Him, to Love each other unconditionally as
He Loves all mankind unconditionally!!
May our thoughts and remembrance of those who are
separated from us and from each other meet again at
the foot of our Lord and Saviours Holy Life-giving
Cross: spouses, friends, relatives and all who are truly
Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Amen.
THROUGH DEVOTION TO CHRIST'S CROSS AND THROUGH

PREACHING THE CROSS THAT THE PATH TO VICTORY OVER
EVIL LIES - the evil under which the entire world
now groans in horror and agony.

Preparing for the Glory of the Eternal Pascha, we bow
down before the Holy, Life-giving Cross.
Already in anticipation - we praise our Lords Victorious
and Holy Resurrection.
Hurry, all those who are faithful to Christ!
Hasten to venerate His Life-giving, Glorious Cross!
For only by standing before our Lord's Cross can we
begin to understand God, can we begin to see the
Righteous Narrow Path described by Divine
Providence, and can we begin to really Love. Obey
and serve our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Holiness and Love intersect on His Holy Cross.
The Life-giving Cross condemns and defeats the sin that
separates us from God, for Divine Love shines forth
ST. THEOPHAN
THE
BISHOP MITROFAN ( ZNOSKO - BOROVSKY , +2002) OF BOSTON:

SERMON ON THE SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE CROSS
HTTP://WWW.RUSSIANORTHODOXCHURCH.WS/SYNOD/ENGROCOR/ENSER_BPMIT
ROFANCROSS.HTML
RECLUSE
ON
FASTING
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a
man.(TTHEW 15:11)
Our Lord Jesus Christ did not caution us with these words
denial - then it is as though our passions have been
because He did not approve of Fasting nor because
undermined and weakened and with more
determination, we will be able to resist those
He considered Fasting unnecessary.
Indeed, He Himself Fasted, and taught His Disciples to do
demanding, deceptive and destructive temptations,
so, and established Fasts in His Holy Church.
thereby growing Spiritually Stronger with each battle.
Our Saviour said these words to each and every one of us
On the other hand, to overcome the passions without
Fasting and Prayer would be as remarkable as
- not to discourage Fasting but rather because while
standing in a fire without being burnt.
Fasting from food - we should not merely limit
How is it possible for those who continually indulge their
ourselves to eating far less than usual, and avoid
flesh with food, sleep and rest to maintain any sort of
cooked, tasty food, but should we also refrain from
indulging the appetites, the demands and the
attention and purpose in Spiritual Matters?
For such people to turn from the earth, directing their
passionate inclinations of our flesh!!
attention to invisible things against which we must
This is the Spiritual Fast, which, of course, is the most
continually struggle, is just as difficult as it is for bird
important aspect of Fasting of self-denial and selfwith a broken wing to try to fly freely again!!
discipline.
Fasting from food, in its turn, serves a powerful means of
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2010/02/STaccomplishing the more important Spiritual Fast!
THEOPHAN-RECLUSE-ON-FASTING.HTML
Our wicked passions are rooted in the flesh, so when our
flesh is weakened through Fasting through selfRECOGNISING
THE
REALITY
OF OUR
SINFUL STATE - S T . B A S I L
We sin every day - at times unconsciously or out of

forgetfulness, without intending to or involuntarily, or
because of weakness - we sin every day willingly and
unwillingly.
Because of our human nature and Spiritual Weakness we
sin every day voluntarily and involuntarily.
And this is exactly what St Paul the Great Holy Apostle of
Christ meant when he wrote: ...I do what I do not
want - and what I do not want, is what I do! (ROMANS
7:15)
All of us commit excusable sins without asking to be

excused!!
BE EVER WATCHFUL
OVER YOURSELF
So, Brethren, since the enemy watches you constantly,

waiting for an opportunity to sow evil in you, be
doubly Watchful over yourself, lest you fall into the
nets spread for you!
As soon as he shows you some fault in your
neighbour, hasten to repel this thought, lest it
take root in you and grow.
Cast it out, so that no trace is left in you, and replace
it by the thought of the good qualities you know
SURRENDERING COMPLETELY
TO THE
LORD
OUR
How is it possible that in the face of so many Exhortations

and Promises, we still refuse to accept totally to go to
Him and surrender ourselves completely to Him?
How can we refuse, as the Gospel says, to deny all other
things, even our own soul and to seek Him alone with
our Love and give it to nothing else? (LUKE 14:26)
But, behold! All these Things and such Glory given!
Look at all the Loving Dispositions of God manifested in
the times of the Fathers and the Prophets!
What Promises! And what Exhortations! What Great Mercy
of the Lord has been shown us from the very
beginning!
Finally, in His own Coming on this Earth He has
shown to us an Ineffable Kindness through His
OF
POIANA MARULUI
Or rather, we fall into sins that can be forgiven - and yet

we feel no contrition and thus become guilty of
Gods Judgment and bring Gods Wrath upon
ourselves.
In the words of an ancient saying: ...we have made a
habit of sitting with her own free will that is, we are
consciously aware of committing sins and have
developed the habit of sitting with our own free will.
(This means that we choose to ignore our sins, or are always ready
with an excuse to justify them, but seldom, with all due Humility,
bowing down before God and beseeching His Forgiveness, and
then making a determined effort not to continue committing the
same old, habitual sins!! mp)
- ST. NIKODEMOS
THE
HAGIORITE
your neighbour to possess, or of those people

generally should have.
If you still feel the impulse to pass judgement, add to
this the Truth - that you are given no Authority for
this and that the moment you assume this
Authority you thereby make yourself worthy of
Judgement and Condemnation - not before
powerless men - but before God, the All-Powerful
Judge of all.
GOD ST MAKARIOS
THE
GREAT
OF
EGYPT
Crucifixion in order to Convert us and bring us into

Life.
And yet, we do not will to give up our love for the world,
nor our evil tendencies and habits.
In this way we show ourselves to be persons of little or
absolutely no Good Faith!
And in spite of all this, He still shows Himself Kind to us.
He Protects and Cherishes us invisibly - not turning us
over (according to our sinful deserts) to the deceits of
evil and the world.
He, in His Great Compassion and Long-Suffering,
Watches from Above, waiting for the time we shall
Return to Him.
4. 4 4 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 7 T H T R I O D I O N 3 R D L E N T V E N E R A T I O N
OF THE

Tone 4
10 April 2016
45 Sunday After Pentecost 8 of Triodion
th
4 Sunday of Great Lent St John Klimakos
th
th
Also the Feast of St Terence, St Pompeios, St Afrikanos, St Maximos, St Zeno, St Alexander, St

Theodore, St Makarios, and their fellow Martyrs of Carthage St James the Presbyter, St
Azadanes & St Abdikios the Deacons of Persia Hoy Mothers and Holy Martyrs of
Kvabtakhevi Monastery, Georgia
RESURRECTION GOSPEL
GOSPEL 1 - MATTHEW 28: 16 - 20
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 4
To
fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou

Mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon.
Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos,
doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
When
the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from

the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather,
they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
more! Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great
Mercy.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST JOHN KLIMAKOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Tes ton dakrion Sou roes, tis erimou to Agonon Egeorgisas, With rivers of Thy tears Thou made the desert bloom; and
ke tis ek vathou stenagmis, is ekaton tous ponous
ekarpoforisas. Ke gegonas Fostir, ti Ikoumeni Lampon
tis Thavmasin, Ioanni Patir imon Osie. Presveve Hristo
to Theo, Sothine tas psihas imon.
SEASONAL
Ti
with Thy sighs from deep within; Thou made Thy

Labours bear Fruits a hundredfold; and Thou became a
Star, illuminating the world by Thy Miracles, O John,
our devout Father: Intercede with Christ our God for
the Salvation of our souls.
KONTAKION EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
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
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!
TRIODION PROKEIMENON PSALM 103/104 TONE 4
O Lord, Thy Works shall be magnified greatly! Thou made all things in Wisdom!
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art exceedingly Magnified!
THE EPISTLE
THE LORD
OUR
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 6 : 13 20
GOD CONFIRMS HIS DIVINE PROMISE
BY A
SACRED OATH
Brethren: when God made a Promise to Abraham, because He could Swear by no one greater, He Swore by Himself,
saying: Surely Blessing I will Bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
And so after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the Promise, for mankind indeed swears by the greater,
and an Oath for Confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.
Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the Heir of Promise the immutability of His Counsel, Confirmed It by
an Oath, so that by two Immutable Things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong
Consolation, who have fled for Refuge to lay hold of the Hope set before us.
This Hope we have as an Anchor of the soul both sure and Steadfast and which enter the Presence behind the Veil,
where the Forerunner has entered for us - even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the Order of
Melchizedek.
T HE PROMISE THAT GOD MADE TO ST ABRAHAM CONCERNED a son
Behind the Veil is a reference to THE HEAVENLY ALTAR,
who would be born to him and his equally elderly
WHICH IS SERVED BY OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
and barren wife, St Sarah AN HEIR THROUGH WHOM GOD
WHO IS OUR ONE AND ONLY MOST HIGH PRIEST OF THE
WOULD GREATLY MULTIPLY HIS FAMILY.
ETERNAL HOLY PRIESTHOOD ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF
The two immutable Things refer to GODS DIVINE PROMISE
MELCHIZEDEK an ancient King and Priest of the Old
AND GODS DIVINE OATH.
Covenant whose Holy Priesthood was equally Eternal.
TO
ST MARK 9 : 17 - 31
O FAITHLESS GENERATION!
At that time, one of the crowd said to our Lord Jesus Christ: Teacher, I brought Thee my son who has a mute spirit. And
wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke
to Thy Disciples, that they could cast it out, but they could not.
He answered him and said: O faithless generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?
Bring him to Me. And they brought him to Him. And when he saw Jesus, immediately the spirit convulsed him,
and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father: How long has this been
happening to him? And he said: From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the
water to destroy him. But if Thou can do anything, have Compassion on us and help us. Jesus said to him: If you
can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. And immediately the father of the child cried out with
tears: Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirits, saying to it: Deaf and dumb
spirit: I command you, come out of him, and enter him no more! And the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly,
45TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 8TH TRIODION - 4TH LENT ST JOHN KLIMAKOS 10 APRIL 2016
and went out of him. And he became as though dead, so that many said: he is dead! And Jesus took him by the
hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
And when He had gone into the house, His Disciples asked Him privately: Why could we not cast it out? And He said to
them: This kind can come out by nothing but Prayer and Fasting.
And they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. For He taught His
Disciples: The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men who will kill Him. And after He is dead, He
will rise the Third Day.
According to St Matthews account of this incident, THE
St John Chrysostom taught us that THIS REBUKE OF CHRIST
DESPERATE FATHER OF THE EPILEPTIC BOY HAD KNELT DOWN
WAS ACTUALLY DIRECTED AT THE NINE DISCIPLES WHO COULD
BEFORE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHICH REVEALED HIS
NOT CAST OUT THE DEMON that caused the young boys
HUMILITY BEFORE SUCH A POWERFUL TEACHER AND HOLY
epileptic fits, WHEREAS THE PILLARS OF FAITH, ST PETER, ST
PERSON, EVEN THOUGH HE LACKED PERSONAL FAITH IN GOD.
JAMES AND ST JOHN, WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE REBUKE,
Although His Disciples also were lacking in their absolute
since they had been on Mount Tabor with our Lord
Faith in God, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REBUKED NOT ONLY
Jesus Christ, where they had witnessed His Glorious
THEM AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED THE INCIDENT, BUT ALSO
Transfiguration.
THE FATHER OF THE YOUNG BOY, WHICH PREVENTED THE
THIS KIND... of evil spirit DEMONIC POSSESSION THAT CAUSES
HEALING OF HIS BELOVED SON.
NOT
ONLY
SPIRITUAL ILLNESS BUT ALSO PHYSICAL
Although OUR LORD JESUS defended the abilities of His
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE GREAT SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE that
Disciples and Apostles before the gathered multitude,
occurs during demonic attacks IS A REFERENCE TO ALL
He later REBUKED THEM IN PRIVATE for their weak Faith
(LIMITED) POWERS OF DARKNESS OF EVIL - and not simply
and trust in the Divine Mercy and Power of Almighty
to those that can cause a particular type of physical
God.
illness.
Christ thereby teaches us that WHEN WE CORRECT OTHERS, WE
THE BANISHMENT OF DEMONS REQUIRES STRONG, UNSHAKABLE
MUST NOT HUMILIATE OR EMBARRASS THEM, ESPECIALLY BEFORE
FAITH, SINCERE AND HUMBLE PRAYER AND BOTH SPIRITUAL AND
WITNESSES WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND ONES CONCERN OR
PHYSICAL FASTING, FOR THERE IS NO HEALING AND NO VICTORY
IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE WITHOUT ALL THREE!
LOVING MOTIVATION FOR CORRECTING THOSE WHO ARE
STUMBLING OR WHO HAVE ALREADY FALLEN.
Beginning with the Didache the earliest writings of the
Holy Apostles our Holy Church Fathers have taught
EVERYTHING WE DO TO ENCOURAGE, ASSIST, GUIDE OR TEACH
us that BOTH THE PERSON WHO IS IN NEED OF HEALING AND THE
OTHERS MUST ALWAYS WITHOUT FAIL BE DONE WITH
PERSON WHO PERFORMS THE HEALING, MUST HAVE UNWAVERING
AGAPE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
FAITH IN ALMIGHTY GOD, must constantly Pray for Divine
FURTHERMORE, THOSE WHO ARE BEING CORRECTED MUST
Assistance and Grace and Fast properly.
ACCEPT CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OR SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed His approaching Death
WITH UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE WELL
and Resurrection for a second time to show that HE
INTENTIONED ACT OF LOVE.
FULFILLED HIS PASSION FREELY AND NOT ACCORDING TO THE
Besides that, whenever we are corrected by our fellow
DICTATES OF THOSE SEEKING HIS DESTRUCTION.
Disciples of Christ, WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE APPLY
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE
SUCH CORRECTIONS TO OUR BEHAVIOUR OR PRACTISES.
WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, ACCEPTED HIS ULTIMATE
OTHERWISE NONE OF US WOULD MAKE ANY SPIRITUAL
BLOOD SACRIFICE WILLINGLY AND FREELY OUT OF GODS
PROGRESS AT ALL!
INFINITE LOVE OF MANKIND for it was the final and
This is all part of our Spiritual Journey learning to
greatest of all Blood Sacrifices for mankinds Salvation
ACCEPT GOOD ADVICE FROM OTHERS WITH ALL DUE HUMILITY
the greatest Blood Sacrifice that Redeemed all
AND OBEDIENCE. TO DO OTHERWISE IS TO SHOW A LACK OF
mankind so that NEVER AGAIN WOULD WE HAVE TO OFFER
THESE TWO IMPORTANT VIRTUES AND CAN MEAN THAT WE HAVE
TEMPORARY BLOOD SACRIFICES FOR THE ATONEMENT OF OUR
FALLEN INTO THE VICES OF PRIDE, ARROGANCE AND
CONTINUOUS SINS.
DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD.
NOW ACCORDING TO OUR NEW COVENANT WITH GOD A
THE DISCIPLINE OF OUR HOLY CHURCH IS BASED ON OUR MUTUAL
BLOODLESS COVENANT WE CONSTANTLY MAKE OUR
CORRECTION IN THREE EXPANDING STAGES.
OFFERINGS OF THANKSGIVING, PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN THE
Sin and correction are to remain private unless the
DIVINE LITURGY SERVICE OF HOLY EUCHARIST continuously
offender stubbornly refuses to Repent and rejects
Repenting our sins and joyfully accepting the
correction.
ongoing Forgiveness of Christ our Saviour, which
ALL CORRECTION OF OUR ERRORS IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN DONE
grants us Eternal Life in His Divine Kingdom of Love,
WITH GREAT CARE AND HUMILITY, WITH THE PRIMARY CONCERN
Peace and Joy.
BEING THE SALVATION OF THE OFFENDER.
BECAUSE WE CONTINUE TO COMMIT SIN, WE MUST CONTINUE TO
CORRECTION OF OUR ERRORS IS ESSENTIAL SO THAT WE DO NOT
REPENT AND BESEECH GODS DIVINE FORGIVENESS SO THAT
DRAW OTHERS INTO SIN AS WELL:
WHEN OUR TIME COMES TO LEAVE THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD OF
1 CORINTHIANS 5 : 5 ... deliver such a one to Satan for
TEMPORARY LIFE, WE SHALL BE IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE
the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may
a state of True Repentance rather than in a state of
be Saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus.
Spiritual Death and Alienation from God a state of
This means that IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST WE ARE
unrepentance, disobedience and sin!
PROTECTED FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF SATAN.
Just like so many of us today, THE DISCIPLES DID NOT FULLY
HOWEVER, THIS HOLY PROTECTION WILL BE REMOVED FROM US
UNDERSTAND THE FULL TRUTH AND SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTS
THROUGH EXCOMMUNICATION IN THE HOPE THAT AS SOON AS WE
CLEAR WORDS YET THEY DID NOT USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS DIVINE AND
OUT WHAT EVERYTHING WOULD MEAN TO THEM.
MERCIFUL RULE OVER US AND THE DESTRUCTIVE, WICKED AND
Similarly, many of us today, could not bother to SEEK
DEVASTATING ENSLAVEMENT OF SATAN WE WILL QUICKLY
DIVINE TRUTH AND UNDERSTANDING, which is granted to us
REPENT our sins of Spiritual Disobedience and
once we honestly begin our Spiritual Journey.
Rebellion against God and return to the Sacred Fold
THE MORE WE SEEK DIVINE TRUTH WITH A SPIRITUAL YEARNING FOR
of Christ our Saviour.
A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, THE MORE HE
The flesh (sarx) is not synonymous with our body
GRANTS US HIS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING!
(soma) ST PAUL WAS CALLING FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
However, because GOD NEVER FORCES ANYTHING ON US
LUSTS OF THE FLESH rather than the destruction of our
having granted us free will to choose for ourselves
body.
which Spiritual Path we take towards Eternity IT IS UP
GALATIANS 6 : 1 Brethren: if (anyone) is overtaken in
TO US TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LEARN HIS DIVINE AND
any trespass, you who are Spiritual restore such
ABSOLUTE TRUTH concerning everything to do with the
a (person) in a spirit of Gentleness, considering
Purpose
of this temporary life and Eternity the Age to
yourself lest you also be tempted.
come which is never ending and a very conscious
TO BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER CORRECTION WITH THE BLESSED VIRTUE
state more consciously aware than at present!!
OF GENTLENESS IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT FROM GOD.
48TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 8TH
OF
TRIODION 4TH
OF
GREAT LENT SUNDAY
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen
The Holy Eastern Orthodox Church dedicates the Fourth
Sunday of Great Lent to the memory of St John
Klimakos -of the Ladder - being the Inspired author
OF
ST JOHN KLIMAKOS (OF
THE
LADDER)
of the excellent book of Spiritual Instruction: The

Ladder of Divine Ascent.
There is a deeper meaning to this dedication - after all, the
Lenten Fast is entirely connected with RepentanceConfession.
6. 4 5 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T - 8 T H T R I O D I O N - 4 T H L E N T S T J O H N K L I M A K O S 1 0 A P R I L 2 0 1 6
But what does it mean to Repent? Only to identify and

expose our sins, and to Confess: I have sinned? No!
This is not enough for our True Repentance!
To Repent means we must thoroughly completely change our sinful thoughts and feelings, our sinful
words and deeds.
To Repent means unreservedly correcting ourselves so that
we become Righteous Disciples of Christ we become
very different to our fallen ways and habitual sins! We
become worthy Faithful Disciples of Christ!
It is good to admit our sins - to feel the weight and pain of
our wickedness - which should then compel us to seek
Spiritual Cleansing, Forgiveness and Healing.
But in place of a defiled life made straight - Purified - by
our Lord Jesus Christ through our genuine, sincere
Repentance, we need to begin a New Life in Christ - a
Good, Fulfilled Life according to the Spirit and Teachngs
of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
We need Spiritual Growth and Development we need to
Spiritually Ascend "...from strength to Strength..." as
though slowly and surely climbing up the Sacred Steps
of a Spiritual Ladder that reaches into Gods Heavenly
Kingdom of Eternal Love.
St John of the Ladder left us a remarkable work entitled:
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, which contains clear
Instructions on how we may Ascend that Spiritual
Ladder to finally reach our awaiting Lord.
All Christian Growth and Progress is achieved only through
our personal Ascetic Labours each according our
personal ability our strengths and weaknesses.
When our Lord God grants us His Divine Grace that enables
us to fulfil His Divine Teachings and Commandments
while we Journey along the Narrow Path towards
Eternity and His Heavenly Kingdom, then we must make
every effort to achieve self-denial, self-discipline and to
fulfil our Sacred Labours with Love and an eagerness to
always please God and to freely obey His Will, rather
than our own!
The Ladder of Divine Ascent consists of thirty Homilies
(Chapters), or Steps, according to our Lord Jesus
Christs (human) age when He began His public
Ministry.
At the First Step, St John Klimakos placed the Renunciation
of earthly attachments.
Thereafter he teaches us about Detachment, Life in Exile,
Obedience, Repentance, Remembrance of Death, Tears,
and Meekness.
The toxic passions and other sinful states are revealed, and
Instructions are given for our constant Spiritual Warfare
and Struggle against them.
St John Klimakos also Enlightens us concerning the Holy
Path of the Virtues - the Mother of which is "...Holy and
Blessed..." Prayer.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent is crowned by the Union of
three most significant and Holy VirtuesFaith, Hope,
and Love.
St John Klimakos lived in the sixth century, and had
received a very good education.
When he reached the age of sixteen, he Renounced the
world by entering the Monastery of St Savva on Mount
Sinai, where he was tonsured a Monk four years later,
ST JOHN KLIMAKOS LADDER
OF
DIVINE
by Elder Martyrios, with whom he lived in total Humility

and Obedience for twenty years.
The Raithu Monastery Monk, Daniel,
in his writings
concerning St John Klimakos, mentioned that even as a
youth of sixteen, St John had ascended Mount Athos in
body, but in soul he had already Ascended the Heavenly
Heights.
After his Elder had Reposed in Peace, St John departed to
Thola in the Sinai Desert where he remained for forty
years, performing Great Ascetic Labours, with ceaseless
Prayer and with deep compunction of heart and tears.
His cell was a small cave, which others referred to as being
"tear-streaming, due to his continuous tears for not
only his own sins, but also those of the fallen world.
St John Klimakos had left the Coenobium so that other
Monks would neither hear, nor witness his ceaseless,
heart-broken lamentations.
His entire Life in Christ consisted of constant Fasting,
Prayer, Tears of Contrition, Silence, and writing.
He went to the Monastery every Saturday and Sunday for
Holy Services, to receive the Holy Mysteries, and to
converse with the Brethren.
After forty years of Ascetic Labours, St John was chosen as
Abbot of Sinai - an appointment that had been foreseen
many years previously (when Elder Martyrios visited
with his young disciple, John) by St Anastasios the
Great, who had enquired: "Who is this youth, and who
tonsured him?"
St Martyrios the Elder had answered: "He is thy servant,
Father, and I tonsured him." Whereupon St Anastasios
commented: "Who would have thought that thou would
tonsure the Abbot of Sinai?"
Another time, St Martyrios and St John visited the great St
John the Sabbaite, who immediately rose, poured some
water, and to the amazement of all who were present,
bent down and gently washed St John's feet, after which
he kissed his hand.
When the Disciple of St John the Sabbaite, Stephan, asked
his Elder why he had done so, the Saint replied: "Believe
me, my Son, although I do not know who this youth is, I
received the Abbot of Sinai, and washed the feet of the
Abbot."
The Life of St John Klimakos was itself truly a Ladder of
Divine Ascent, for St John knew from Experience what
True Spiritual Life is, and thus, although with all due
Humility and reluctance, he obediently wrote The
Ladder of Divine Ascent at the heartfelt request of the
Abbot of Raithu Monastery, John.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, an Inspired Work
containing such rare Spiritual Experiences and such
Superlative Soul-Saving Advice is really worth reading
and constantly contemplating especially during these
days of Fasting and Repentance!
Let us not deprive our hungry and thirsty soul of a Most
Sweet and Enlightening Nourishment let us make the
effort to read this book not only during this Great and
Holy Lenten period, but throughout the year.
Amen
ARCHIMANDRITE JOHN (KRESTIANKIN) - TRANSLATED BY NUN CORNELIA (REES)
07 / 04 / 2011- HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/45797.HTM
PS: I FOUND THIS PDF COPY OF THE LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT. NOT 100% SURE
OF TRANSLATION BUT DOES GIVE A GOOD IDEA OF ST JOHNS BOOK. (MP)
HTTP://WWW.PRUDENCETRUE.COM/IMAGES/THELADDEROFDIVINEASCENT.PDF
ASCENT STEP 13 - ON DESPONDENCY
1. As we have already frequently said, despondency is very

often one of the branches of talkativeness, and its
first child. And so we have given it its appropriate
place in this chain of vices.1
2. Despondency is a slackness of soul, a weakening of the
mind, neglect of Asceticism, hatred of the Vow
made. It is the blessing of worldlings. It accuses God
of being merciless and without Love for mankind.
It is being languid in singing Psalms, weak in Prayer,
stubbornly bent on service, resolute in manual
labour, indifferent in Obedience.
3. A person under Obedience does not know Despondency,
having achieved Spiritual Things by means of
sensory things.
4. Community Life is opposed to Despondency. But she is a

constant companion of the Hermit.2 She will never
leave him until his Repose, and wrestles with him
daily until his end. Seeing an Anchorites cell, she
smiles, and creeps up and camps nearby.
5. A Physician visits the sick in the morning, but
despondency visits Ascetics about noonday3.
6. Despondency is a pretext for hospitality. She insists that
by means of manual labour, Alms could be given;
and she urges us eagerly to visit the sick, recalling
Him Who said: ... I was sick and you visited Me...4
She puts it into our heads to go out visiting the dejected
and faint-hearted, and sets one faint heart to
comfort another.
More exactly, On Accidie. It means languor, torpor, tedium,

Spiritual Gloom, low spirits, indifference to the work of
Salvation, distaste for Spiritual Things, Spiritual Sloth.
3
4
Or, Hesychast
Cf. Psalm xc, 6, the noonday demon
Matthew 25:36
45TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 8TH TRIODION - 4TH LENT ST JOHN KLIMAKOS 10 APRIL 2016
7. She reminds those standing at Prayer of necessary

duties. And, brutish as she is, she leaves no stone
unturned to find some plausible pretext to drag us
from Prayer as with a kind of halter.
8. At the Third Hour the demon of despondency produces
shivering, headache, and even colic.
At the Ninth Hour the sick man gathers his strength.
And when the table is laid he jumps out of bed.
But the Hour of Prayer has come; again the body is
weighed down. He had begun to pray, but it steeps
him in sleep, and tears his response to shreds with
untimely yawns.
9. Each of the other passions is destroyed by some
particular Virtue. But despondency for the Monk (or
Faithful Disciple) is a general death.
10. A courageous soul resurrects his dying mind, but
despondency and sloth squander all his riches.
11. Since despondency is one of the eight capital Vices, and
moreover the gravest, let us deal with it just as we
have dealt with the others; but let us only add this.
When there is no Psalmody, then despondency does
not make its appearance. And as soon as the
appointed Office is finished, the eyes open.
12. Spiritual Heroes come to light at the time of
despondency, for nothing procures so many Crowns
for a Monk as the Battle against despondency.
13. Observe, and you will find that if you stand on your
feet, despondency will battle with you.
If you sit, it will suggest that it is better for you to lean
back; and it urges you to lean against the wall of the
cell; then it persuades you to peep out of the
window, by producing noises and footsteps.
14. He who mourns over himself does not know
despondency.
15. Let this tyrant be bound by the Remembrance of your
sins. Let us buffet him by manual labour. He should
be brought into court by the thought of Blessings to
come. And when brought as before a Tribunal let
him be duly questioned:
16. Tell me, you nerveless, shuffling fellow, who viciously
spawned you? Who are your offspring? Who are your
foes? Who is your destroyer?
And despondency, under compulsion, may be thought
to reply: Among those who are truly Obedient I
have nowhere to lay my head; but with those
amongst whom I have a place for myself, I live
quietly.
I have many mothers: sometimes insensibility of
soul, sometimes forgetfulness of the things Above,
sometimes excessive troubles.
My offspring who abide with me are: changing from
place to place, disobedience to ones Spiritual
Father, forgetfulness of the Judgement, and
sometimes breach of the Vow.
And my opponents, by whom I am now bound, are
Psalmody and manual labour.
My enemy is the thought of Death.
What completely mortifies me is Prayer with firm
Hope of Future Blessings.
And who gave Birth to Prayer? Ask her.
This is the Thirteenth Victory. He who has really gained it
has become Experienced in all Good.
STEP 16 - ON
LOVE OF MONEY OR AVARICE
1. Many learned Teachers treat next, the thousand-headed

demon of avarice! ... So let us first say a little about
the disease, and then speak briefly about the
Remedy.
2. Avarice, or love of money, is the worship of idols,5 a
daughter of unbelief, an excuse for infirmities, a
foreboder of old age, a harbinger of drought, a
herald of hunger.
3. The lover of money sneers at the Gospel and is a wilful
transgressor. He who has attained Love scatters his
money. But he who says that he lives for Love and
for money has deceived himself!
4. He who mourns for himself has also renounced his body;
and at the appropriate time he does not spare it.
5. Do not say that you are collecting money for the poor;
with two mites the Kingdom was purchased.6
6. A hospitable man and a money-lover met one another,

and the latter called the former unintelligible.
7. He who has conquered this passion has cut out care; but
he who is bound by it never attains to Pure Prayer.
8. The beginning of love of money is the pretext of
Almsgiving, and the end of it is hatred of the poor.
So long as he is collecting, he is charitable, but when
the money is in hand, he tightens his hold.
9. I have seen how men of scanty means enriched
themselves by living with the poor in spirit, and
forgot their first poverty.7
10. A Monk (or Disciple of Christ) who loves money is a
stranger to idleness and hourly remembers the word
of the Apostle: ...Let an idle man not eat8... and:
...These hands of mine have ministered to me and to
those who were with me9.
This is the Sixteenth Struggle. He who has won this Victory
has either obtained Love or cut out care.
ONE NECESSITY - HUMILITY
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: Truly, I say to you: unless you
are converted and become as little children, you will by
no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore,
whoever humbles himself as this little child, is the
greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." (MATTHEW 18:3-4)
As we proceed through the Lenten Fast that is a Gift of the
Church to help us grow spiritually, it is Spiritually
Beneficial to contemplate these Wise Words of our
Saviour when asked ...who is the greatest.
But what does it mean to be humble and how do we humble
ourselves?
The Orthodox Study Bible defines Humility as follows:
Humility - without which there is no Virtue at all - is the
acknowledgement of Divine Grace, and the constant
denial of mankinds achievement.
This reminds us that whenever we think we have
accomplished anything by our own efforts, it actually
reveals our lack of True Humility!
We must always acknowledge and believe - that Divine
Grace is enables us to fulfil all our good, worthy and
successful words, thoughts and deeds, which means
that we live in constant Prayer and worship i.e. we
must always LIVE IN CHRIST!
Worldly events occur very quickly and we act instinctively
most of the time. When things go the way we intended
them, and we are overwhelmed by pride, we need to
acknowledge and confess the True Source of those
achievements!
Our only pride should be in our willingness to confess and
be ever grateful for God's Divine Grace in all things that
are truly according to His Divine Will and Plan.
Humility and Obedience demand Faith our deep belief in
God - and that all that is Good and Beneficial only
comes from Him Divine Grace working through us.
Faith is the unique Foundation for Spiritual Life, and when
it is weak, we easily succumb to ego-centred pride
without any Humility and Obedience.
We must nurture and struggle to attain our Spiritual Life
always encourage children and others as well.
God granted us many different talents that we must
increase in order to fulfil His Divine Will throughout our
daily life.
(The Jesus Prayer is a Prayer of Humility that will lead us to
ceaseless Prayer.)
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za
7
5
6
Cf. Ephesians 5:5

Luke 21:2
8
9
Cf. Matthew 5:3

2 Thessalonians 3:10
Acts 20:34
8. 4 5 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T - 8 T H T R I O D I O N - 4 T H L E N T S T J O H N K L I M A K O S 1 0 A P R I L 2 0 1 6

Tone (5) Plagal 1

17 April 2016
th
th
46 Sunday After Pentecost 9 Sunday of Triodion
5th Sunday of Great Lent St Mary of Egypt
Also the Feast of St Symeon, St Abdechalas, St Ananias the Presbyter, St Usthazanes, St
Phusikos, St Askitrea & St Azades the Eunuch of Persia - St Agapitos of Rome - St Adrian & St
Makarios of Corinth - St Akakios of Melitene -St Zosimas the Abbot of Solovki - St Alexander
the Abbot of Svir Monastery (Uncovering of Holy Relics) St Agapitos, Bishop of Rome
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 2 - MARK 16 : 1 8

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou The
Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no

beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it
was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the
Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own
Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke

Proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en to Stavro
ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti
Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST MARY
En Si Miter akrivos diesothi to kat ikona;
lavousa gar ton

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

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

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is
Presvian, ke
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton
Timonton Se.
O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the

Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 75 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Pray to the Lord our God and render Thanks to Him!

God is known in Judea His Name is Great in Israel.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 9: 11 -14
THE HEAVENLY HOLY SANCTUARY & THE DIVINE LITURGY
Brethren: Christ came as High Priest of the Good Things to come with the greater and more Perfect Tabernacle Not
Made With Hands that is, not of this Creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own Blood He
entered the Most Holy Place once, for all having obtained Eternal Redemption. For, if the blood of bulls and goats,
and the ashes of heifers, sprinkled upon the unclean Sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall
the Blood of Christ - Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God - Cleanse our conscience
from dead works, to Serve the Living God?!
In contrast to the Old Covenant Hebrew High Priest, CHRIST
with our COMMITMENT TO CONSTANT REPENTANCE of our
OUR SAVIOUR IS OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST OF GODS NEW
habitual sins.
COVENANT.
Because we continue to use our God-given free will to
indulge our wilful and selfish flesh rather than to obey
Christ entered the Heavenly Sanctuary once for all i.e.
HIS ONE PERFECT AND ULTIMATE BLOOD SACRIFICE COVERS
the Spiritual Guidance of our Holy Conscience the
ALL THE SINS COMMITTED BY ALL HUMAN BEINGS FOR ALL TIME
little Remnant or Voice of God within us WE MUST
THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY AND FOREVER!
CONSTANTLY STRIVE AND STRUGGLE TO RESIST TEMPTATION
AND RESOLVE OUR SINS AS SOON AS WE FALL INTO A STATE OF
Christ was our High Priest THE DIVINE, PERFECT OFFERER
SPIRITUAL DEATH by means of sincere Repentance and
WHO OFFERED HIS OWN PERFECT, SINLESS BLOOD THE
a determined effort to return to Spiritual Life and so
DIVINE PERFECT OFFERING WHICH IS ABLE TO HEAL THE
continue our Spiritual Journey in the Divine Footsteps
ENTIRE CORRUPTION OF ALL HUMANITY FOR ALL TIME AND
of our Lord and Saviour.
NEEDS NEVER BE REPEATED EVER AGAIN!
NO SPIRITUAL PROGRESS IN CHRIST IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT
His Most Precious Blood Offering RESTORES EACH AND EVERY
CONSTANT WATCHFULNESS AND STRUGGLE.
ONE OF US HUMAN BEINGS throughout history TO OUR
Those who erroneously believe that the mere acceptance
PROPER, FORMER SACRED RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD.
of our Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour will
CHRISTS SACRIFICE PURIFIES CLEANSES our conscience and
guarantee us Eternal Life are seriously deceiving
REINSTATES US AS HOLY OR SANCTIFIED BEINGS who are
themselves because that implies that our Struggle for
DRAWN CLOSER TO ALMIGHTY GOD THROUGH CORRECT
Theosis (Spiritual Perfection) has been achieved.
LITURGICAL WORSHIP serve the Living God together
OF
TRIODION 5TH
OF
LENT ST MARY
OF
EGYPT 17 APRIL 2016
However, OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE

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

they lack LOVE, HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD!
The DEAD WORKS that St Paul often cautions us against is a
reference to all human activity in and of this fallen
age when we participate in acts of mortality,
immorality and corruption EVERYTHING THAT ALIENATES
AND EXILES US FROM THE DIVINE PRESENCE AND GRACE OF OUR
LOVING AND BENEVOLENT GOD.
Liturgically speaking, dead works include the actions of
OLD COVENANT TYPE OF WORSHIP, WHICH ARE NO LONGER
REQUIRED OF US AS CHRIST HAS FULFILLED EVERYTHING
REQUIRED OF THOSE OLD LAWS.
OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD REQUIRES US TO FULFIL HIS NEW
COVENANT: TO LOVE GOD with all our mind, with all
our heart, with all our strength and with all our
soul, AND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS MUCH AS HE LOVES US
unconditionally and completely, without
exception!
and this includes all the Ten
Commandments as well!
THE NEW COVENANT OF GOD IS A COVENANT OF ETERNAL
LOVE and so WE WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO EVERY
WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED COMPELLED AND FULFILLED
WITH AGAPE DIVINE LOVE a difficult Sacred Task To
achieve until our very last breath!
TO
OUR LORDS THIRD PROPHECY
ST MARK 10: 32 45
CONCERNING
HIS PASSION
At that time, they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and our Lord Jesus had gone before them; and they were
amazed. And as they followed, they were afraid, for He had taken the Twelve aside again and had begun to tell
them the things that would happen to Him.
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the Chief Priests, and to the Scribes.
And they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him and spit on Him,
and kill Him. And the third day He will Rise again.
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, went to Him and asked: Teacher, we want Thee to do for us whatever we
ask. He said to them: What do you want Me to do for you? They said to Him: Grant us that we may sit - one on
Thy right hand side and the other on Thy left - in Thy Glory. Jesus said to them: You do not know what you ask.
Are you able to drink from the Cup from which I drink, and be Baptised with the Baptism with which I Am
Baptised? They answered: We are able.
Jesus said to them: You will indeed drink the Cup from which I drink, and with the Baptism with which I Am
Baptised you will be Baptised. But to sit on My right hand side and on My left is not Mine to grant, since it is for
those for whom it is prepared.
And when the ten heard about it, they were greatly displeased with James and John.
Jesus called them to Himself and said to them: You know that those who are considered Rulers over the Gentiles lord
it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet is shall not be so among you; for whoever
desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desire to be first shall be slave of
all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to Serve and to give His Life as a Ransom for many.
Our Lord Jesus Christs Revelations of His approaching
Baptism SHOWS HIS DIVINE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR FUTURE
Passion were intended to encourage and strengthen
PERSECUTION, SUFFERING AND HOLY MARTYRDOM for their
His Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples for the
Love of Christ, which they would endure after the
terrifying Events with which they would all too soon be
Glorious Day of Holy Pentecost from the beginning to
confronted.
the end of their Holy Gospel Mission on earth.
THE DIVINE PROPHECIES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALSO Although our Lord Jesus Christ told the two Apostles that
the places of Great Honour in the Eternal Kingdom of
CONFIRM THE TRUTH AND REALITY THAT HE APPROACHED
God are not His to grant, it does not mean that He has
HIS TERRIBLE PASSION ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WILL AND
no Divine Authority, but rather that SUCH DIVINE FAVOURS
HIS OWN TIMING.
ARE NOT HIS TO GRANT ARBITRARILY TO ANYONE.
Our Lord Jesus pointed out that ANY QUEST FOR TEMPORAL
Instead HE WOULD GRANT THEM TO THOSE FOR WHOM ALMIGHTY
POWER AND GLORY IS UNFITTING FOR A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF
GOD HAS PREPARED THEM: BY THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER,
CHRIST
and
it
only
exposes
an
earthly
THROUGH GOD THE WORD AND SON, AND BY THE ACTION AND
misunderstanding of the Eternal Kingdom of God.
ABILITIES MADE POSSIBLE BY GOD THE HOLY LIFE-GIVING
St Matthew noted that the Mother of Zebedees sons
SPIRIT.
actually asked for the great Honour for her beloved
With regard to being seated as equals to Christ on His
sons to be seated on either side of Christ in His Eternal
right and left hand side in Gods Eternal, Heavenly
Glory, but THE FACT THAT OUR SAVIOUR USED THE PLURAL
Kingdom, St John Chrysostom taught us that NO ONE
TERM YOU SHOWS THAT HE KNEW WHO REALLY SOUGHT THIS
NO ORDINARY HUMAN BEING - COULD POSSIBLY OCCUPY SUCH
DIVINE FAVOUR FROM HIM.
AN ELEVATED DIVINE POSITION!
However, a True Disciple of Christ should BE READY TO
However, according to the Depiction of our God-Inspired
SACRIFICE EVEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IF THEY PREVENT US
Holy Icons, THE HIGHEST PLACES OF HONOUR THAT HAVE BEEN
FROM FULFILLING OUR SACRED DUTY TO GOD OR IF THEY
GRANTED TO HUMAN BEINGS BELONG TO THE EVER BLESSED, ALL
IMPEDE OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN CHRIST JESUS.
PURE AND MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS (THE MOST BLESSED
Our Lord Jesus referred to His Crucifixion as a Cup, and
AMONGST ALL WOMEN)
AND ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND
His Death as Baptism.
FORERUNNER TO CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR (THE GREATEST HOLY
His unjust Crucifixion like a common criminal was
PROPHET EVER BORN OF WOMEN) BUT THEY ARE NEVER SEATED
regarded as a Cup since HE DRANK OF IT
AND THEY STAND IN PERFECT HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE AT
VOLUNTARILY FREELY AND WILLINGLY FOR THE
EITHER SIDE OF OUR ENTHRONED LORD AND MASTER, JESUS
ETERNAL BENEFIT OR SALVATION OF ALL MANKIND
CHRIST having dedicated their entire earthly lives to
FOREVER.
the Service of Almighty God with all due Humility and
his Death was regarded as Baptism since HE WAS
Obedience, as well as many other Virtues as well THE
FULLY IMMERSED IN IT, WHILE IT CLEANSED THE ENTIRE
TWO MOST PERFECT HUMAN ROLE MODELS WE COULD EVER WISH
HUMAN RACE AND RENEWED THE ENTIRE CREATION.
TO IMITATE TOGETHER WITH OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
Furthermore, THE PROPHECY OF CHRIST CONCERNING ST JOHN
The phrase for many, is an Aramaic expression
AND ST JAMES participating in the same Cup and
meaning for all.
10. 4 6 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 9 T H
OF
TRIODION 5TH
OF
LENT ST MARY
OF
EGYPT 17 APRIL 2016
46TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9TH OF TRIODION 5TH OF LENT SUNDAY OF ST MARY OF EGYPT
COMMITTING SINS
AND
COMMITTING
TO
GOD: A SERMON
Orthodox Christianity records many accounts of

Conversion Experiences.
Throughout her long history the Church has
commemorated thousands of men and women Saints
whose former unethical and undesirable lifestyles
were Transformed into a wholesome Christian
Existence of Submission and Obedience to the Will of
God.
By God's Grace, the one-time Rulers, persecutors, Tax
Collectors, prostitutes, thieves, and murderers, today
make up our Canon of Saints.
This Reality bears witness to the Church's raison d'tre
the reason why our Lord established His Holy Church
within the fallen world.
The Church is God's ultimate vehicle for Transforming
people's lives.
The Church's main Purpose is to Heal, Sanctify, and Save
all Believers.
In Orthodox Theology, the Church is properly called the
"Redeemed Community" of Christ Jesus - a Union of
sinners constantly Struggling and growing toward
God's Eternal Kingdom, of which the Church offers
only a glimpse.
To suggest that the Church exists only for the Holy and
Worthy is to undermine its whole nature - if not to
ridicule Christ, Who came into this world to Save
sinners, and Who established the Church to continue
this Ministry of Conversion and Salvation.
THE LIFE
OF
ST MARY
OF
EGYPT:
The Saints of the Church come right out of the ranks of us

sinners.
On this Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, the Church remembers
and honours one such sinner turned Saint: St Mary of
Egypt.
Her life is Extraordinary, to say the least!
St Mary was an individual who represented a crosssection of the immoral, fallen world of her day - a
woman whose powerful Conversion Experience from
a life of prodigality to a Life of Holiness and Purity has
been the focus of much admiration among Orthodox
Christians.
St Mary lived during the fourth century. At the tender
age of twelve, she relocated with her parents to the
prominent metropolitan city of Alexandria, in Egypt,
where she lived on her own for seventeen years as a
loathsome prostitute.
So enveloped was the young Mary in her sexual sins that
many times out of desperation, she sought out clients
for herself without requesting any payment in return.
Her fellow citizens looked down on her lowliness as a
harlot and treated her with the utmost disrespect.
Mary in turn resented her accusers, living in
seclusion, and realizing that she was wilfully throwing
her life away.
Until one day... A group of Christians had gathered to
embark on a Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the
solemn Feast of the Elevation of the Holy, Life-giving
Cross.
Driven by curiosity, Mary followed the group.
When the Alexandrian Christians arrived in Jerusalem,
they immediately went to the great Church of the Holy
Resurrection, which is Christendom's Most Sacred
Church that is built over the sites where our Lord was
crucified Golgotha - and buried, including the cave
wherein the Holy Life-giving Cross of our Saviour, plus
the others had been hidden for centuries before
being uncovered by order of St Helena the Empress.
As Mary reached the great doors of the church, an
invisible Power prevented her from stepping over the
threshold!
All the multitudes of pious worshipers went past her on
either side, but no matter how much she tried, she
could not enter!
As Mary peered into the church, she see how all the
Christians fell to their knees in the Holy Presence of
the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of Christ, as it was
raised and processed out of her sight.
Then her tearful, frightened gaze fell upon an Icon of our
Ever Blessed Lady, the All Pure Virgin Theotokos, and
immediately, Mary also dropped to her knees in deep
OF
TRIODION 5TH
ON
ST. MARY
OF
EGYPT
contrition, weeping uncontrollably for all the sins she

had committed.
Suddenly, the Grace and Great Mercy of our Lord was
granted to this profoundly Repentant sinner, and St
Mary was able to enter the church, where she spent a
long time venerating the Holy Cross of our Lord and
all the other Holy Things within.
Before departing, St Mary stood before that first Holy Icon
she had beheld, and she solemnly vowed to our Lady
Theotokos that she would dedicate the remainder of
her days to God through her ceaseless Repentance.
Having been gifted with a few meagre coins by a
mysterious stranger, she purchased a few small bread
rolls before leaving Jerusalem and setting off for the
Jordan River.
On the banks of that great river, St Mary received Holy
Baptism and partook of her first Holy Eucharist and
then she entered the desert, where she lived in all
piety, humility, and poverty for 47 years.
For almost half a century, St Mary engaged herself in
strenuous Fasts, and prayed to God unceasingly,
Repenting her former promiscuous life, and praising
Almighty God Whose Great Mercy and Compassion,
which she had experienced for the first time in
Jerusalem, had made her painfully aware of the
seriousness of her Spiritual Condition, and had Saved
her.
Towards the end of her Life, St Mary met a Monastic Priest
St Zosimas to whom she related her entire life story
but without revealing her name to him.
Before they departed from each other, she besought him
to return once again during Great Lent, so that she
could receive Holy Eucharist.
This he did the following year, and once again, she
begged him to return the next year.
When he duly returned he at first could not find her, and
then he found she had Reposed in Peace, but had
written her name and the date of her Repose in the
hard desert sand.
Miraculously, her Holy Relics were Incorrupted and
issued the sweet fragrance of Sanctity.
St Zosimas struggled to dig a suitable grave for St Mary,
and then suddenly a huge lion appeared, which
terrified him, but it went meekly to St Mary, gently
licked her feet, and then began to dig the hard
ground with his large, powerful paws.
St Zosimas thanked God for sending the lion to help him
prepare the grave, and after he had finished all the
Funeral Prayers and Hymns, and had interred St Mary
of Egypt, the lion turned away and wandered off.
According to her scrawled message, St Mary had
Reposed in the Lord on 1 April, which was shortly
after she had so joyfully received the Holy Eucharist
he had administered to her the previous year!
THE SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE
LIFE
OF
ST MARY
OF
EGYPT
Two aspects of St Mary of Egypt 's Life stand out and are
worth noting.
First, St Mary's complete immersion in her sins made her
cognizant of just how serious her Spiritual State was.
Second, God's full-force Transformation of St Mary made
her abundantly aware of just how much God Loved
her, and how much she desired to follow Christ and
serve Him.
St Mary's overwhelming, enslaving sins had made her
aware of just how serious her Spiritual State was.
Like most harlots and people of ill repute in her day, St
Mary had no time (and made no time) for personal
meditation and Inner Spiritual Assessment.
She offered herself from one man to the next, blinded by
her transgressions and Spiritual Enslavement.
She never realised that she was Spiritually Ill and
Spiritually Dead!
She did not understand that there was something really
wrong with her, until the Consequences of her
immoral lifestyle blatantly confronted her
preventing her from setting a foot upon Hallowed
Ground preventing her from crossing the threshold
into the Holy Temple of God.
At that frightening moment of absolute Perception, her
heart was pierced to its very depths by the
OF
LENT ST MARY
OF
E G Y P T 1 7 A P R I L 2 0 1 6 11
excruciating pain of knowing that her wickedness

had not only corrupted so many other souls, but that
she herself had stood before the Gates of Hades and in that instant, she so clearly understood what
was truly worthy, pure and priceless.
St Mary's sudden Discernment of that overpowering
wickedness and the inestimable, exquisite Spiritual
Treasure being offered to her became the
motivating force behind her Holy Conversion.
That Moment that Spiritual Awakening - proved to be
her greatest Blessing, for the severity of her immorality
the depth of her Spiritual Death - and the
immediacy of her Repentance and Conversion which
grants us Spiritual Life - was reinforced and impacted
upon her heart and soul!
If St Mary of Egypt had only sinned occasionally, and
continually Repented, although again committing
the same, habitual sins, her Conversion Process not
only may have been merely lukewarm, but also may
never have occurred at all!
A little sprinkle of rain will not cause a person to run
inside for shelter, but a violent downpour will
certainly do so!
Thus St Mary of Egypt had Experienced the consequences
of that torrential
"downpour" of sins that
unrelenting, terrifying storm in her Spiritual Life
affecting who we all really are i.e. our immortal
soul.
By the Grace of our All Merciful and Loving Lord, she
sought Holy Refuge by turning to our Lady Theotokos
and beseeching Divine Forgiveness and Spiritual
Guidance, and thus was Redeemed by the
Intercessory Prayers of our Beloved Panagia the All
Holy, Most Compassionate Mother of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Consequently, we must never surrender to the deadly
temptations of gossip and condemnation by judging
and criticizing others because - believe it or not they, too, may very well be our future Saints just like
St Mary of Egypt!
Our Lord Gods Holy Transformation of St Mary of Egypt
revealed His Infinite Love for her for all sinners,
especially those who are Repentant.
Furthermore, for the very first time St Mary of Egypt
Experienced the full Force of AGAPE that Divine,
Unconditional, Infinite Love that is a Holy Mystery to
us, but which we, too - having been created in the
Divine LIKENESS of God - are taught strive for.
Our Lord God often reveals His Divine Love and Power to
us in a physical, materialistic way - in a way He
knows will appeal to and be understood by
physically-minded people.
Before our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to people's souls, He
knew that He had to reveal and make His Power
known to us on a purely physical level, by Healing
and performing His Divine Miracles.
The Divine Power of our One True and Living God was
revealed to St Mary of Egypt by that terrifying
invisible Force that had physically prevented her
from crossing over the threshold of the Holy Church of
the Resurrection in Jerusalem, while seeing everyone
else able to do so!
For St Paul that great Holy Apostle of Christ to the
Gentiles God revealed Himself by means of a
blinding Light on the road to Antioch .
For St Mary and St Martha of Bethany the sisters of St
Lazaros that Divine Power was shown to them by the
(healthy) physical Resurrection of their beloved
brother, who had been buried for four days and
whose body had already begun to decompose!
ST PETER
OF
DAMASCUS PUT
INTO
In each Unique Circumstance, the Witnesses of these

Divine Miracles did not simply become physically or
Spiritually Healed.
Instead, a deep Faith and total Devotion to the Lord our
God, which had been dormant in them, became alive
and drew them into a far deeper Relationship,
Understanding and Love for God!
As our Lord Jesus Christ said with regard to St Lazaros:
"This sickness is not unto death, but for the Glory of
God, that the Son of Man may be Glorified through
it." (JOHN 11:4)
Our Saviour also performed the Miracle of Creating eyes
with His Divine Saliva and clay, for the man born
without eyes, for the Glory, Honour and Worship of
God. (JOHN 9:3)
God's Love is Mysteriously manifested through the Actions
He takes in the life of mankind Actions that
sometimes appear to be quite harsh in order to
induce and awaken deeper Faith in Almighty God,
and thereby effecting within them physical and
Spiritual Healing.
My dear Brethren: today our Holy Church reminds us of St
Mary of Egypt who is an amazing Example of
Repentance and Conversion.
The Life of St Mary of Egypt consisted of two necessary
extremes, which led her to her Holy Transformation:
i.e. her utter immorality her wilful sinfulness - and
God's Sublime Revelation at the doors of the Holy
Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem.
Sometimes such extremes are Blessings in disguise - us
sinners blindly and wilfully going one way while God
waits ever patiently for us to reach a point when He
can shock us Spiritually Awake and return us to True
Life Life in Christ.
Our Loving God is always able to Redeem us by turning
our lost, misguided and dangerous circumstances
into a New Life in Christ.
The instant we Encounter the Lord our God, we become
very different - and our heart and soul is filled with
His Divine Love, which motivates us to joyfully strive to
fulfil His Will in all things.
Indeed, as we slowly get closer to the Lord our God, we
will often also be confronted by evil and a variety of
challenges.
However, the more tightly we cleave to our Saviour,
resting in the Assurance of His Divine Love and Great
Mercy, we will never be tempted to abandon Him, nor
surrender to the deceptions of the evil one.
Like the Prodigal Son at the lowest point of our life
when we do eventually come to our senses, we know
- without any fear or doubt - that we can still return to
our Loving and Merciful Heavenly Father, by means
of our genuine Repentance-Confession and His Divine
Forgiveness.
Our Path towards Eternity like that of St Mary of Egypt
is a very long, difficult and Narrow Path.
Nevertheless, having linked arms with all our Brethren in
Christ gaining and giving Encouragement,
Guidance and Love to one another - we Journey
together along It with Spiritual Joy and Confidence,
knowing that no matter what obstacle tries to block
our way or what deceptive demon tries to misguide or
distract us It is the most direct and only Path to the
Eternal Kingdom of God the Heavenly Kingdom of
Eternal Love.
Amen.
SERMON BY FATHER STELYIOS MUKSURIS
EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP
HTTP://AMPHILOCHIOS.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2011/04/SERMON-ON-STMARY-OF-EGYPT.HTML
PRACTISE
Our Holy Church Fathers kept the Commandments.

Their successors wrote them down, but we have
placed their books on the shelves.
And even if we want to read them, we do not have the
application to understand what is said and to put it
into practise.
K INDLY N OTE : T HERE ARE NO S ALUTATIONS T O OUR L ADY
T HEOTOKOS THIS COMING F RIDAY .
H OWEVER , ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR H OLY W EEK B OOK
FOR NEXT WEEK ! STARTING P ALM S UNDAY N IGHT .
12. 4 6 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 9 T H
OF
TRIODION 5TH
WHAT WE READ AND ARE TAUGHT
We read them either as something incidental, or because

we think that by reading them we are doing
something great, thus growing full of pride.
We do not realize that we incur greater Condemnation if
we do not put into practise what we read
And we should always remember what our Lord said
about the servant who knew his Masters Will but
failed to carry it out! (CF. LUKE 12:47)
OF
LENT ST MARY
OF
EGYPT 17 APRIL 2016

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
23 April 2016
Saturday of the Raising of St Lazaros of Bethany
Also the Feast of St George the Great Holy Martyr & Trophy Bearer, St Alexandra
the Empress (wife of the wicked, God-hating Diocletian), St Anatolios & St
Protoleon, soldier witnesses & converts, - St Lazaros of Bulgaria
TRIODION
APOLYTIKION - SATURDAY
OF THE
Tin kinin ananstasin pro tou Sou Pathos pistoumenos, O

ek nekron igiras ton Lazaron Hriste O Theos, othen
ke imis, os i Pedes, ta tis Nikis Simvola ferontes, Si to
Niki ti tou Thanatou voomen: Osanna en tis
Ipsistis, Evlogimenos O erhomenos en Onomati
Kyriou.
RAISING
OF
ST LAZAROS TONE 1
Christ our God, before Thy Passion, Thou raised Lazaros

from the dead to confirm the common Resurrection for all.
Therefore, we carry the Symbols of Victory as did the
Youths, and we cry out to Thee, the Victor over Death:
"Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is He Who comes in the
Name of the Lord!"
TRIODION KONTAKION OF SATURDAY OF THE RAISING OF ST LAZAROS
- TONE 2
Christ,
panton Hara, Hristos i Alithia, to Fos i Zoi, tou kosmou i

Anastasis, tis en gi pefanerote, ti Aftou Agathotiti, ke
gegone Tipos tis Anastaseos, tis pasi Parehon Thian
afesin.
the Joy of all, the Truth, the Light, the Life, the
Resurrection of the world, in His Goodness, appeared
to those on Earth; and He became the Model of the
Resurrection, by granting Divine Remission to all.
INSTEAD OF THE TRISAGION HYMN:
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.
As many as have been Baptised into Christ, have put on
Allilouia!
[3]
Christ: Alleluia! [3]
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati ke nin ke Ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amin
Hriston enedisasthe. Allilouia!
Dynamis!
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.
Amen
Have put on Christ: Alleluia!
Power/Strength
As many as have been Baptised into Christ, have put on
Allilouia!
Christ: Alleluia!
PROKEIMENON ST LAZAROS SATURDAY
PSALM 26 - TONE 3
Kyrio Fotismos mou ke Sotir mou.

Kyrios Iperaspistis tis Zois mou.
The Lord is my Light and my Saviour!

The Lord is the Defender of my Life...!
THE EPISTLE
TH
OF
E
ST PAUL
PURITY
TO THE
OF THE
HEBREWS 12 : 28 13 : 8
HRISTIAN
OMMUNITY
Brethren: Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have Grace, by which we may serve God
acceptably with Reverence and Godly Fear. For our God is a Consuming Fire.
Let Brotherly Love continue. Do not forget to welcome strangers, for by doing so some have unwittingly hosted Angels.
Remember the prisoners as if chained with them those who are mistreated since you yourselves are in the body
also. Marriage is honourable among all, and the bed undefiled - but fornicators and adulterers God will Judge.
Let your conduct be without covetousness - be content with the things that you have. For Christ Himself has said; I will
never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear. What can mankind
do to me?
Remember those who rule over you - who have spoken the Word of God to you, whose Faith you follow - considering
the outcome of their conduct.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
WORSHIP HIM IN AN ACCEPTABLE MANNER, with proper
ONLY THOSE THINGS THAT ARE CREATED CAN BE SHAKEN AND
Reverence and Godly Fear.
EVEN DESTROYED THE TEMPORAL, IMPERMANENT AND
(DIVINE GRACE THAT ENABLES US TO DO THE WILL OF GOD WITH HUMBLE
IMPERFECT.
OBEDIENCE IS BESTOWED ON US BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. mp)
THE FINAL CONSUMMATION OF THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD IS
UNSHAKABLE AND INDESTRUCTIBLE AND ENDURES FOREVER FOR
PRACTICAL BROTHERLY LOVE IS TO BE SHOWN TOWARDS ALL
ALL ETERNITY AND EVERYTHING OF ETERNITY IS EVERLASTING,
FELLOW CHRISTIANS AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST and
UNCHANGEABLE AND IMPERISHABLE.
ESPECIALLY TOWARDS THE LOWLY, THE POWERLESS, AND ALL
That is why we must prepare ourselves throughout this
VICTIMS OF CRUELTY AND INJUSTICE.
lifetime to BECOME WORTHY SPIRITUAL CITIZENS OF GODS
Strangers are travellers (visitors) in need of Christian
ETERNAL KINGDOM OF LOVE, PEACE AND JOY BY MEANS OF
Hospitality.
ALL THE SPIRITUAL TOOLS WITH WHICH CHRIST OUR LORD AND
THE HOSPITALITY OF ABRAHAM THE ANCIENT PATRIARCH IS A GOOD
SAVIOUR HAS PROVIDED US ALL HIS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS
EXAMPLE TO US: he never ate a meal unless he had
AND TEACHINGS.
others with whom to share it.
ETERNAL LIFE IS CONTINUOUS EUCHARISTIC (THANKSGIVING)
The day came when he hosted three very special Visitors
DIVINE LITURGY.
the Holy Trinity at the Oaks of Mamre - where They left
Grace is a reference to OUR SINCERE AND PROFOUND
Their three wooden Staffs/Rods of Cypress, Cedar and
GRATITUDE THAT COMPELS US TO SERVE GOD AND TO
SATURDAY
OF THE
RAISING
OF
ST LAZAROS
OF
BETHANY (AND
THE
FEAST
OF
ST GEORGE
THE
GREAT MARTYR) 23 APRIL 2016
13
Pine imbedded in the sand, which grew into a most
St Paul urged us to apply all the Divine Commandments
unique Tree. (GENESIS 18 : 1 8 & 19: 1 3)
When King Solomon was building his first great Temple in

and Teachings of Christ our Lord and Saviour, to our
Jerusalem centuries later, the Trinity Tree was cut down
daily life, treating others with Compassion, Kindness
but the wood was never used and merely thrown aside,
and Respect, just as we would like to be treated
until the Crucifixion of Christ when He was forced to carry
ourselves.
the heavy cross-bar (not the whole cross) as part of His

Furthermore, we must always remember that OUR LORD
public humiliation and punishment, before being nailed
JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH NEVER CHANGE AND
at the wrists to it.
ARE ALWAYS APPLICABLE TO THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD
The cross-bar was then fastened to the upright pole which
BEFORE ETERNITy
was secured in a hole in the rock on Golgotha which
still exists to this day. MP
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 11: 1 45
OUR LORD JESUS C
HRIST
IS
THE
RESURREC
TION AND THE
LIFE
At that time, a certain man was sick - Lazaros of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister, Martha.
It was that Martha who had anointed our Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His Feet with her hair, whose brother,
Lazaros, was sick. Therefore, the sisters sent a message to Jesus, saying: Lord, behold: he whom Thou Love, is sick.
When Jesus heard that, He said: This sickness is not unto death, but for the Glory of God so that the Son of God may
be Glorified through it.
Jesus Loved Martha and her sister, and Lazaros, so when He heard that Lazaros was sick, He stayed two more days in
the place where He was. Then He said to His Disciples: Let us go to Judea again. The Disciples said to Him:
Rabbi, lately the Hebrews sought to stone Thee, and art Thou going there again? And Jesus answered: Are there
not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this
world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the Light is not in him.
These things He said, and after that He said to them: Our Friend, Lazaros, sleeps, but I go so that I may wake him
up. And His Disciples said: Lord, if he sleeps, he will get well. However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought
that He spoke of taking rest in sleep.
So Jesus told them plainly: Lazaros is dead, and I Am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may
believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him. And Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow Disciples: Let
us also go, that we may die with Him.
Jesus went, and found that Lazaros had already been in the tomb for four days.
Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away, and many of the Judeans had joined the women around Martha
and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him -, while Mary sat in the house. Martha said to
Jesus: Lord, if Thou had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that whatever Thou ask
of God, God will grant Thee. Jesus said to her: Your brother will rise again. Martha said to Him: I know that he
will rise again in the Resurrection at the Last Day. Jesus said to her: I Am the Resurrection and the Life: he who
believes in me, although he may die, he shall Live. And whoever Lives and believes in Me, shall never die. Do
you believe this? She said to Him: Yes, Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ the Son of God Who is to come into
the world.
And having said these things, Martha went her way, and secretly called Mary, her sister, saying: The Teacher has
come and is calling for you. As soon as Mary heard that, she quickly arose and went to Him.
Now Jesus had not yet gone into the town, but was in the place where Martha had met Him. When the Judeans, who
were with her in the house, comforting her, saw that Mary had quickly arisen and gone out, they followed her,
saying: She is going to the tomb to weep there.And when Mary arrived where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell
down at His Feet, saying to Him: O Lord, if Thou had been here, my brother would not have died.
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Judeans who had come with her, weeping, He groaned in Spirit and was
troubled. And He said: Where have you laid him? They said to Him: Lord, come and see.
Jesus wept. And the Judeans said; See how He loved him! Some of them said: Could not this Man Who opened the
eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?
Jesus, again groaning within Himself, went to the tomb, which was a cave, and a stone lay against it. And Jesus said:
Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him: Lord, by this time there is a stench, for
he has been dead four days! Jesus said to her: Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the
Glory of God?
Then they took away the stone from the cave where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up His Eyes and said: O
Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I know that Thou always hears Me, but because of the
people who are standing by, I say this, so that they may believe that Thou sent Me. And when Jesus had said
these things, He cried with a loud Voice: Lazaros! Come forth! And he who had died came out, bound hand and
foot with grave-cloths, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. And Jesus said to them: Loosen him, and let him
go.
And many of the Judeans who had gone to Mary, and had seen the Things that Jesus did, believed in Him...
FLY
WITH
DIVINE WINGS ST JOSEPH
THE
HESYCHAST PRECIOUS VESSELS
Question yourself as to whether this Faith is within you, or

perhaps you are led by worldly wisdom.
And if you leave all things in the Hands of God, behold!
You have acquired Faith and undoubtedly, without
any question, you will find God to be your Helper.
And so, even should you be tried a myriad of times and
should Satan tempt you to abandon Faith, prefer
death a thousand times more and never obey worldly
wisdom!
PARTAKING
OF THE DIVINE
MYSTERIES ST EPHRAIM
Brethren, let us practice Stillness, Fasting, Prayers and

Tears; gather together in the Church; work with our
hands; speak about the Holy Fathers; be Obedient to
the Truth; and listen to the Divine Scriptures - so that
our minds do not become barren (and sprout the
thorns of evil thoughts).
14. S A T U R D A Y
OF THE
RAISING
OF
ST LAZAROS
OF
BETHANY (AND
THE
OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT
In this Way, the Door of the Mysteries will be opened to

you, and you will be amazed how the chains of
worldly wisdom previously bound you.
Now you will fly with Divine Wings above the Earth and
breathe the New Air of Freedom, of which, of course,
others are deprived.
If, however, you see that within you, you are governed by
worldly wisdom, and are in the smallest danger of
losing Hope, and despair, know that you have not yet
acquired Faith, and, consequently, also Hope in God!
THE
SYRIAN
And let us certainly make ourselves worthy of partaking

of the Divine and Immaculate Holy Mysteries, so that
our soul may be Purified from thoughts of unbelief
and impurity, and so that the Lord will Dwell within us
and Deliver us from the evil one!
With Love in Christ & Best Wishes for a Most

Blessed Holy Week and a Joyful, Peaceful
Holy Pascha!
FEAST
OF
ST GEORGE
THE
GREAT MARTYR) 23 APRIL 2016

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone (6) Plagal 2

24 April 2016
th
th
47 Sunday After Pentecost - 10 of Triodion
6th Sunday of Great Lent Palm Sunday
TRIUMPHANT ENTRY
INTO
JERUSALEM
Also the Feast of St Elizabeth the Wonderworker of Constantinople - St Doukas the

New Martyr of Mytilini - St Nicholas New Martyr of Magnesia - St Savva Stratelates the General of Rome & his
faithful 70 Soldiers St Savva the Recluse & Wonderworker of the Kiev Far Caves Monastery - St Alexios the Recluse
of Kiev Far Caves Monastery St Pasikrates & St Valentine of Moesia, Bulgaria St Eusebios, St Neon, St Leontios, St
Longinos & other Holy Martyrs of Nicomedia St Thomas the Fool for Christ & Holy Monk of Syria St Iorest Elias, Holy
Confessor & Metropolitan of Ardeal of Romania St Sava Brancovici, Serbian Holy Confessor & Metropolitan of
Ardeal, Romania St Elijah (Ilie) the Wallachian, Hieromartyr & Holy Confessor St Branko (Dobrosavljevic) the New
Hieromartyr of Veljusa St Joseph the Holy Confessor & Bishop of Maramures, Romania
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 3 - MATTHEW 21 : 1 - 1 & 15 -17
FIRST FESTAL ANTIPHON PSALM 114 TONE 2
1.
Igapisa, oti isakousete Kyrios tis fonis tis Deiseos mou.
1.
I am filled with Love, for the Lord will hear the voice of
my Supplication
2.
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas!

3.
Perieshon
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us!
me odines Thanatou, kindini adou evrosan
2.
of
the
Theotokos,
The Pangs of Death have encompassed me.
me.
The perils
of Hades have found me.
4.
Thlipsin
3.
Tribulation
5.
Evapestiso enopion Kyriou, enhora zonton.
4.
ke odinin evron, ke to Onoma Kyriou

epekalesamin.
and sorrow have I found, and I called

upon the Name of the Lord.
will walk acceptably before the Lord in the Land of

the Living
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.
Amin
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas!
Amen
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us!
of
the
Theotokos,
SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON PALM SUNDAY PSALM 115 - TONE 2

1.
Epistefsa, dio elalisa; ego de etapinothin sfodra.
1.
2.
Soson imas Iie Theou, O
EPII POLOU ONOU KATHESTHIS,
psalontas Si: Allilouia!
believed, wherefore I spoke;

humbled.
Save us, O Son of God, W H O

ASS,
I was exceedingly
SAT UPON THE FOAL OF AN
who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
3.
Ti antapodoso to Kyrio peri panton, on antapedoke mi?
2.
What
4.
Potirion
Kyriou
3.
5.
Tas evhas mou to Kyrio
apodoso enantion pantos tou
4.
My Vows to the Lord will I pay in the presence of all
Sotiriou
epikalesome.
lipsome
ke
to
Onoma
shall I render to the Lord for all that He has

rendered unto me?
will take the Cup of Salvation, and I will call upon the
Name of the Lord.
laou Aftou.
His People.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is

Amin
O MONOGENIS IIOS

Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.
Amen
KE
LOGOS
TOU
THEOU
THIRD FESTAL ANTIPHON PALM SUNDAY PSALM 117 TONE 1

1.
Exomologisthe to Kyrio, oti Agathos, oti is ton eona to
Eleos Aftou.
1.
endures forever.
Tin kinin Anastasin, pro tou Sou Pathous pistoumenos, Of

ek nekron igiras ton Lazaron Hriste O Theos. Othen
ke imis os i Pedes, ta tis Nikis Symvola ferontes, Si to
Nikti tou Thanatou voomen. Osanna en ti Ipsistis,
Evlogimenos O erhomenos, en Onomati Kyriou.
2.
Ipato di Ikos Israil, oti Agathos, oti is ton eona to Eleos
Aftou.
OF
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good; for His Mercy
2.
the common Resurrection before Thy Passion

assuring us, from the dead Thou raised Lazaros, O
Christ our God; therefore we also, like the children,
carrying Symbols of Victory, to Thee the Victor over
Death, we cry: Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Let the House of Israel now say that He is Good;
TRIODION 6TH
His
Mercy endures forever.

OF
LENT PALM SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016
15
3.
Ipato di Ikos Aaron, oti Agathos, oti is ton eona to Eleos
3.
Aftou.
4.
Let the House of Aaron now say that He is Good; and

His Mercy endures forever.
Ipatosan di pantes i fovoumeni ton Kyrion, oti Agathos,
4.
oti is ton eona to Eleos Aftou.
Let all who Fear the Lord now say that He is Good; for
His Mercy endures forever.
ISODIKON PALM SUNDAY PSALM 117
Evlogimenos
O erhomenos en Onomati Kyriou.

Kyrios ke epafanen imin.
Theos
Soson
imas, Iie Theou Soson imas Iie Theou, O epi polou

onou kathesthis, psalontas Si: Allilouia!
Blessed
is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord; the

Lord is God and has Appeared to us.
Save us, O Son of God, Who was seated upon the foal of
an ass, who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION PALM SUNDAY TONE 1
Tin
kinin Anastasi pro tou Sou Pathous pistoumenos, ek

nekron igiras ton Lazaron Hriste O Theos; othen ke imis
O i pedes, ta tis Nikis simvia ferontes, Si to Nikiti tou
Thanatou
voomen;
Osanna
en
tis
Ipsistis!
Evlogimenos O erhomenos en Onomati Kyriou.
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
Of the common Resurrection before Thy Passion assuring

us, from the dead Thou raised Lazaros, O Christ our
God; therefore we also, like the children, carrying
symbols of Victory, to Thee the Victor over Death, we
cry: Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He Who
comes in the Name of the Lord!

Spirit
Sindafentes Si di dia tou vaprismatos, Hriste O Theos imon, As by Baptism we are buried with Thee, O Christ our God,
tis Athanatou Zois i xiothimen ti Anastasi Sou, ke
animnountes krazomen:
Osanna en tis Ipsitis!
Evlogimenos O erhomenos, en Onomati Kyriou!
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton eonon.

Amin.
so by Thy Resurrection we are made worthy of Eternal

Life; and praising Thee, we cry aloud: Hosanna in the
Highest! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the
Lord!
Now and ever, and to the Ages of ages.

Amen
FESTAL KONTAKION PALM SUNDAY
To
Throno en Ourano, to polo epi tis gis, epohoumenos,

Hriste, O Theos, ton Angelon, tin enesin, ke ton pedon
animnisin, prosedeho voonton Si:
Evlogimenos O
erhomenos, ton Adam anakalesasthe.
In
Heaven upon a Throne, on earth upon a colt, being

carried, O Christ our God, Thou accepted the Angels
praise and the childrens extolling Hymns, as they
cried out to Thee: Blessed is He Who comes, fallen
Adam to recall again!
THE MEGALYNARION PALM SUNDAY (INSTEAD OF AXION ESTIN...) - TONE 4
Theos Kyrios,
ke Epefanen imin. Sistisasthe eortin, ke

Agallomeni, defte Megalinomen Hriston, meta vaion ke
kladon, imnis kravgazontes. Evlogimenos O erhomenos,
en Onomati Kyriou - Sotiros imon!
God is the Lord, and He Appeared to us.
O Christians,
appoint a Feast, and with exultant Joy, come, let us
Magnify Christ, waving our palms and branches, crying
aloud in Hymns: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name
of the Lord our Saviour!
PALM SUNDAY MATINS GOSPEL: MATTHEW 21: 1 11 & 15 - 17

CHRISTS TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM
At that time, when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two Disciples,
saying to them: Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with
her. Loosen then and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say: The Lord has need
of them, and immediately he will send them.
All this was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet, saying: Tell the daughter of Zion,
Behold, Thy King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, a foal of a donkey.
So the Disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on
them, and set Him on them. A very great multitude spread their clothes upon the road; others cut down branches
from the trees and spread them upon the road. The multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out,
saying: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest!
And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying: Who is this? And the multitudes said: This is
Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth of Galilee! But when the Chief Priests and Scribes saw the Wonderful Things that
He did, and the children crying out in the Temple and saying: Hosanna to the Son of David! they were indignant,
and said to Him: Dost Thou hear what these are saying? And Jesus said to them: Yes. Have you never read: Out
of the mouth of babes and nursing infants Thou has perfected praise?
And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.
Our Lord Jesus Christs Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem is
The Orthodox Christian Church the New Jerusalem - is truly the All
celebrated by the Holy Church on Palm Sunday.
Pure Bride of Christ Who is the Divine Bridegroom. mp
By the time of Christ, Jewish Nationalism had led to the
St Matthew recorded in his Holy Gospel that there was A
expectation of a political Messiah to deliver them
COLT AS WELL AS A DONKEY and our Holy Church Fathers
from Roman oppression and rule and to re-establish
regard the two animals as REPRESENTING THE FAITHFUL
King Davids Kingdom.
HEBREWS AND THE GENTILES WHO ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER IN
In utter Humility, our Lord Jesus emphasised the fact that
THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
He had not come to establish an earthly Kingdom
At Vespers of Palm Sunday we sing: Thy riding upon a
because He did not enter Jerusalem on a horse or in
foal prefigured how the untamed and uninstructed
a chariot like a conquering hero but instead He
Gentiles would pass from unbelief to Faith.
entered on a donkey a real sign of His Humility and
Those people who spread their clothes upon the ground
Peace. (SEE THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH 9:9 LXX)
before our Lord Jesus Christ, did so as a spontaneous
CHRISTS TRIUMPHAL ENTRANCE INTO THE HOLY CITY
gesture of reverence to a great King and it is
DECLARED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF
Spiritually Interpreted as OUR NEED TO LAY DOWN OUR
ALMIGHTY GOD.
FLESH AND INDEED, OUR VERY LIVES, FOR CHRIST.
IT WAS ALSO A DIVINE PROMISE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
comes from Psalm 117:25-26, which was associated
FINAL ENTRANCE INTO THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM
with MESSIANIC EXPECTATION.
TOGETHER WITH ALL FAITHFUL BELIEVERS AND OF HIS
ACCEPTING THE NEW JERUSALEM AS HIS PURE BRIDE. (SEE
THE REVELATION OF CHRIST THE APOCALYPSE 21:2)
16. 4 7 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 1 0 T H
OF
TRIODION 6TH
OF
It was recited daily for six days during the Feast of

Tabernacles, and seven times on the 7th Day as
branches were waved.
Hosanna! means Save, we pray!
At Vespers of Palm Sunday we sing: Keep the Feast with
the children, and holding branches in your hands,
sing Hosanna.... many Liturgical Hymns of this day
emphasise the perfect Praises of the children, which,
unlike that of adults, were innocent, fitting,
unashamed and from pure Love.
WE ARE ALL CALLED TO GLORIFY CHRIST IN THE SAME SPIRIT OF
UNASHAMED AND PURE LOVE!
In
contrast, the adults Praises carried earthly

expectations and hidden agendas which, when left
unfulfilled, led them to rebel against our Lord Jesus
Christ just a mere five days later!
As usual, the evil one always uses our human weaknesses and selfish
desires against us and against the Will of God.
In the case of Christ our Saviour, the enemies of God used the earthly
desires and expectations of the people as an excuse for their unjust
and unlawful punishment and execution of Christ.
However, the Lord our God, voluntarily submitted to their evil schemes so
that He could enter Hades, smash open its gates and set the
Righteous free. From that moment onwards, the Righteous would
Repose in Peace in Paradise until Judgement Day. mp
PROKEIMENON
Evlogimenos O erhomenos en Onomati Kyriou.
Blessed
is the Messiah Who comes in the Name of the
Lord!
Exomologisthe to Kyrio, oti Agathos, oti is ton eona to Eleos Give Thanks to the Lord,
Aftou.
for He is Good, and His Mercy
endures forever!
THE EPISTLE
EXH
ORTATION
OF
ST PAUL
FOR
TO THE
PHILIPPIANS 4 : 4 9
DAILY LIVING SP
IRITUAL
ONTENTMENT
Brethren: Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I will say: Rejoice! Let your Gladness be known to all mankind!
The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by Prayer and Supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God. And the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart
and mind through Christ Jesus.
Finally, Brethren: whatever things are True, whatever things are Noble, whatever things are Righteous, whatever
things are Pure, whatever things are Lovely, whatever things are of Good Report, if there is any Virtue and if there is
anything Praiseworthy meditate on these things. And the things that you learnt and received and heard and saw
in me - these do - and the God of Peace will be with you.
TH
ANOINTING &
THE
TO
ST JOHN 12: 1 18
TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
INTO
JERUSALEM
At that time, six days before the Passover, our Lord Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazaros was who had been dead and
whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served but Lazaros was one of
those who sat at the table with Him.
Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the Feet of Jesus and wiped Them with her hair. And the
house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. And one of His Disciples - Judas Iscariot, Simons son, who would
betray Him - said: Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? This he said
- not that he cared for the poor - but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what
was put in it. Jesus said: Leave her alone; she has kept this for the Day of My Burial. For the poor you have with
you always, but Me you do not have always.
Now a great many of the Judeans knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus sake only, but so that they
might also see Lazaros whom He had raised from the dead.
However, the Chief Priests plotted to put Lazaros to death also, because on account of him, many of the Judeans had
gone away and believed in Jesus.
The next day a great multitude who had gone to the Feast - when they heard that Jesus was going to Jerusalem - took
branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out: Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of
the Lord! The King of Israel! And Jesus - when He had found a young donkey - sat upon it, as it is written: Fear not,
Daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting upon a donkeys colt.
His Disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was Glorified, then they remembered that these
things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. Therefore, those who were with Him
when He called Lazaros out of his tomb, and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For that reason the people
also met Him because they heard that He had done that Sign.
This was the third Passover that is mentioned by St John
If anyone had asked Christ before the woman did this,
the Divine Theologian in his Holy Gospel and it is the
He would not have approved it. But after she had
setting for the final week of our Lord and Saviours
done it, He looked only to the motive itself. For after
earthly Ministry, which is narrated in careful detail.
the fragrant oil had been poured, what good was a
rebuke?
O UR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST HAD ALREADY B EEN G LORIFIED
Likewise, if you see anyone providing a Sacred Vessel or
THROUGH H IS S IGNS (D IVINE M IRACLES ) AND
Ornament for the walls of a church, do not spoil his
W ORDS , AND IT REMAINED FOR H IM TO BE
zeal. But IF BEFOREHAND HE ASKS ABOUT IT, COMMAND HIM
ULTIMATELY G LOR IFIED THROUGH H IS D EATH AND
TO GIVE INSTEAD TO THE POOR. (ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM)
R ESURRECTION .
JUDAS ISCARIOT WAS MOTIVATED BY HIS INSATIABLE GREED WHILE
The other Disciples had made the same sort of comment
THE OTHER DISCIPLES WERE MOTIVATED BY THEIR VIRTUE OF
as Judas Iscariot concerning the expensive oil of
CHARITY/LOVE.
spikenard but with very different motives to his.
The fact that our Lord Jesus put such a greedy thief like
At the house of Simon the Leper (the one grateful leper
Judas Iscariot in charge of the money, shows that BY
in a group of ten whom our Lord Jesus had healed)
EVERY MEANS POSSIBLE HE TRIED TO SAVE JUDAS ISCARIOT:
a woman also used very expensive fragrant oil with
Christ fulfilled Judas Iscariots lust for money by
which to anoint His Head and although the Disciples
entrusting him with their limited funds and He
protested at the extravagance, our Lord accepted
allowed him to exercise Apostolic Authority.
that anointing as an honour from someone who had
Our Lord also washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, just as He
newly discovered Faith in Him.
did to each of His other Disciples, and HE ALLOWED
He also accepted her loving gesture as a Sign of His
JUDAS ISCARIOT TO PARTAKE OF THEIR LAST SUPPER - FROM THE
approaching Burial. (MATTHEW 26:6 - 13)
SAME TABLE OF HIS MYSTICAL SUPPER THE VERY FIRST HOLY
Nevertheless, according to St John Chrysostom, His
EUCHARIST/COMMUNION.
Disciples were not wrong in principle because MERCY
YET, DESPITE ALL THAT, JUDAS ISCARIOT NEVER OVERCAME HIS
SHOWN TO THE POOR IS MORE FITTING THAN OUTWARD SIGNS
TERRIBLE GREED AND SELFISHNESS.
OR GESTURES SHOWN EVEN TO GOD. (MATTHEW 25:40; JAMES
WHEN JUDAS ISCARIOT IS REFERRED TO AS BEING ONE OF THE
1:27)
TWELVE, IT EMPHASISES THE DEPTH AND EXTENT OF HIS FATAL
However, the Disciples did not understand that ONCE SUCH
A GIFT HAD BEEN GIVEN, IT WAS A GREATER MERCY TO ACCEPT
BETRAYAL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO ACCEPTED HIM
INTO THE INNER SANCTUM OF HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY.
IT WITH LOVE AGAPE.
OF
TRIODION 6TH
OF
17
It proves and emphasises
HOW SHOCKING, DEVASTATING

AND DANGEROUS THOUGHTLESS, SELF-SERVING MOTIVES REALLY
ARE BOTH TOWARDS GOD AND OUR FELLOW SINNERS!
Trust is a Priceless, Irreplaceable Gift we give to one another.

If that trust is broken or damaged, it can never be repaired or regained.
Consequently, if we break the trust of others whether in us or in others
- we will be severely judged due to the inestimable and irreparable
damage and hurt it causes everyone concerned!
Therefore, without fail treat the Wonderful Gift of Trust with the utmost
respect and care and never for a moment think that lies, deception,
theft, etc will remain a hidden secret!
In
OF
TRIODION 6TH
the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit...
Today the Creator of the Universe enters Jerusalem!
He is not seated on a magnificent white stallion, adorned
with rich vestments, and escorted by a 100,000 strong
army like the ancient conquering King of Babylon.
Our Divine Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ the Eternal Only
Begotten Word and Son of God the Father - is seated on
an asses colt - the most humble of all beasts of burden
- and He is joyfully and sincerely exalted, and
welcomed, and escorted into the great city of Jerusalem
by a multitude of innocent, sincere children who regard
Him as the True King of Jerusalem!
For our Lord Jesus Christ is certainly not the King of
Babylon, the King of War and Power and Pride and
Riches! No, indeed, He is the True King of the Heavenly
Jerusalem - the True, Eternal King of Peace, Love and
Humility.
These innocent children rightly Exalt and Welcome our
Saviour, for the name 'Jerusalem' means 'the City of
Peace' and our Lord Jesus Christ alone is certainly the
True King of Peace, and therefore our rightful Eternal
King!
Children greet Him with palms, which symbolise Victory,
and they cry out in joyful beseeching to our Saviour:
'Hosanna!' - meaning 'Save, we pray' while throwing
down garments upon which He will ride a gesture
reserved for great conquering heroes!
Their cries, and their adoration, and their heartfelt
welcome, have a far greater significance than they
know, for in their innocence, they express the Divine
Truth - because our Lord Jesus Christ alone Saves us
and Delivers us from the evil one, especially when we
pray to Him, while the waving palm branches of Victory
certainly is by means of the Tree (the Wood) of our
Lords Life-giving Cross.
This is not merely an historic Event, but an Event that is
repeated at every Holy Eucharist at every Divine
Liturgy.
Whenever we seek Gods Divine Healing, Comfort, Peace,
and Humility, as if we, too, are seated on a humble little
colt, like those joyful, innocent children of Jerusalem,
we cry to our Triune God: Hosanna! - 'Save, we pray'
and then as we received Holy Communion - our
Divine Saviour enters our body and soul, thereby
Sanctifying us, and making us like little Jerusalems
little cities of Divine Peace and Love!
However, we know that in Jerusalem there were not only
children - 'babes and sucklings' - who greeted our Lord
Jesus Christ, there were also others who were less wellintentioned the scheming, self-serving Scribes and
Pharisees who '...were displeased'.
They wanted a strong leader - a man of violence - a
warmonger who would lead the Israelites against the
Romans someone who would resolve the oppressing
occupation of the Roman Empire with a bloody and
temporary solution to their worldly problems.
Those misguided enemies of God unjustly arrested, judged
and condemned to death the Eternal Saviour of all
mankind. They insulted, brutalised and crucified our
Lord Jesus Christ after choosing an unrepentant thief to
the True Son of God.
Within a few days our Lord would suffer public humiliation
of blows and punches to His beautiful Face and Body, as
well as being spat upon and hearing blasphemous,
disgusting insults,
followed by the indescribably
cruelty of being scourged more than 150 times,
which would have killed any mortal man as His Skin
18. 4 7 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 1 0 T H
OF
Sooner or later, God will expose our wickedness to the Bright Light of
His Divine Truth for the whole Universe to behold!
Always be absolutely trustworthy to others as you would like them to be
to you!!
Exposure of our sins is far more devastating and shameful than we can
begin to understand so we must ensure that we remain Steadfastly
Righteous and Trustworthy through constant Prayers for Guidance
and Spiritual Assistance!
Be ashamed of your sins when you commit them or are tempted to do
so, rather than when you Repent them and Confess them before God
and His Holy Priesthood. mp
OF
GREAT LENT PALM SUNDAY
was shred into pieces by the whips far beyond the

punishment allowed by all known laws of that time!
Then He was forced to carry the heavy cross-bar of His
Cross to Golgotha, where His Wrists and Feet would be
nailed to the wood of the Cross, and while suffering
unspeakable agony, He would slowly drown as His
Lungs filled with water (condensation) and Blood.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is absolutely sinless but He
voluntarily allowed His persecutors to fulfil their
wicked plots, so that He would be the Final, Ultimate
Blood Sacrifice for the sins of mankind for all time.
He paid the Ransom that set the Righteous free from
Hades, so that they could Rest in Peace in the re-opened
Paradise, until the General Resurrection on that Final
Day of Judgement.
The great Spiritual Division between ...the babes and
sucklings... and the arrogant, self-deluded Scribes and
Pharisees continues throughout time and space.
Every one of us has at some time or another been on
both sides of that great Spiritual Division, for whenever
we sin we are like the Scribes and Pharisees, and
whenever we are Repentant and innocent, we are like
the babes and sucklings.
But on which side are we today and which side of that
great Spiritual Division will we be during this coming
week Holy Week leading towards the Great Joy of
Holy Pascha?
During Great Holy Week - Passion Week - we are all Called
to accompany our Lord Jesus Christ.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we begin to relive the
dramatic Events in Jerusalem of this Week.
On Thursday morning we celebrate the Last Supper, which
was the First Divine Liturgy instituted by our Saviour.
On Thursday evening we listen carefully to the Twelve Holy
Gospels that relate the Accounts of our Lords betrayal,
of Judas Iscariot, of Christ's unjust Trial, of Pontius
Pilate, and
of our Lords brutal scourging and
Crucifixion.
On Friday afternoon our Lord Jesus Christ is taken down
from the Cross, and on Friday evening He is buried after
we have chanted the Lamentations and processed
during His Funeral.
On Saturday morning, we witness the First Resurrection
Liturgy with the changing of Liturgical Vestments from
dark violet to white.
On Saturday at midnight, we joyfully and triumphantly
celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and
everyone partakes of the Holy Eucharist of Holy Pascha
before returning home to break the Fast.
Later, on Paschal Sunday, we will celebrate the Service of
Agape (Love) by reading the Holy Gospel Lesson in every
language possible, before feasting on Paschal Lamb, Red
Eggs and Tsoureki, happily greeting each other with the
words: Christ has Risen! Indeed, He has Risen!
No Faithful Disciple of Christ can avoid these Holy Services
and still regard themselves as being Orthodox
Christian!! By not participating in all these Holy Services
throughout the week, we cannot properly experience
nor celebrate the True Holy Pascha!
Let us make every effort to accompany our Lord Jesus
Christ and His Holy Family every step of the way for
only thereby can we anticipate our own Resurrection of
Victory and Triumph while now being Spiritually
Resurrected together with Him!
Amen.
HTTP://ORTHODOXENGLAND.ORG.UK/SERMPALM.HTM
With Love in Christ & Best Wishes for a Most

Blessed Holy Week and a Joyful, Peaceful
Holy Pascha
TRIODION 6TH
OF

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

44 Sunday After Pentecost

Esimiothi ef imas to Fos tou Prosopou Sou, Kyrie.

O Lord, the Light of Thy Face was stamped on us

Saviour, Save us.

tis fovoumenis Se simiosin tou figin apo

is ipsos, ihmalotefsas ehmalosian, elaves

Edokas klironomian tis fovoumenis to Onoma Sou, Kyrie.

a Sign to those who fear Thee so they may

Ascended on High; Thou led captivity captive;

Thou grant an Inheritance to those who fear Thy Name,

Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy

tous Eonas ton eonon.

panta ta perata tis Gis to Sotirion tou Theou

imas Iie Theou, O A N A S T A S E K N E K R O N ,

Iselefsometha is ta Skinomata Aftou, Proskinisomen is

God is our King before the Ages; He worked Salvation

place where His Feet stood.

O de Theos Vasilefs imon pro Eonon, irgasato Sotirian

in the midst of the Earth.

Sholasate ke gnote oti Ego Imi O Theos, ipsothisome en

Let us enter into His Tabernacle; let us worship at the

tis Ethnesin, ipsothisome en ti Gi.

en meso tis Gis.

ton topon, ou estisan i Podes Aftou

Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.

SECOND FESTAL ANTIPHON VENERATION HOLY CROSS 1.

imas Iie Theou, O

still and know that I Am God; I will be Exalted

Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.

Kyrion ton Theon imon ke proskinite to

Soson Kyrie ton laon Sou, ke Evlogison tin Klironomian O

Soson, Kyrie, ton laon Sou ke Evlogison tin Klironomian

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at the Footstool of

Save, O Lord, Thy People and Bless Thine Inheritance.

And shepherd them, and raise them up forever.

Ke pimanon aftous ke eparon aftou eos tou eonos.

44TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH TRIODION 3RD LENT VENERATION

HOLY CROSS-3 APRIL 2016

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 3

ta Ourania, Agaliastho ta Epigia, oti epiise

TRIODION APOLYTIKION VENERATION OF

Soson Kyrie ton Laon Sou,

ke Evlogison tin Klironomian

Lord, Save Thy people and Bless Thine Inheritance,

SEASONAL KONTAKION EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria Os Litrothisa ton dinon

Unto Thee, O Theotokos Invincible Champion, Thy City in

Ton Stavron Sou Proskinoumen, Despota, ke tin Agian Sou Thy

Cross, O Master, we Reverence, and we Glorify Thy

Anastasin Doxazomen [3]

Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

OUR MERCIFUL HIGH PRIEST & QUALIFICATION

ETERNAL, HOLY PRIESTHOOD

HOLY CROSS-3 APRIL 2016

to God for his and the peoples sins. He had to be