Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

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

1 July 2017
St Kosmas & St Damianos - Holy Unmercenaries of Rome
Also the Feast of St Potitos of Naples St Peter of Constantinople St Angelina the
Princess of Albania & Serbia St John of Rila, Translation of Holy Relics St Leontios of
Radauti, Moldavia, Founder of St Laurences Monastery

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS OF ROME - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Agii Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe tas Holy Unmercenaries and Workers of Miracles, visit upon
asthenias imon. Dorean elavete dorean dote imin all our ailments and weaknesses, a Gift have you
received, a Gift do give to us.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS
I tin Harin lavontes ton Iamaton, efaploute tin rosin tis en Having obtained the Grace of Healing, grant Health to
anagkes, Iatri Thavmatorgi Endoxi. Alla ti imin those in need! O Kosmas and Damianos, Physicians
episkepsi, ke ton polemion ta thrasi katavalete, TON and Most Glorious Wonderworkers, Visit us, putting
KOSMON IOMENI EN TIS THAVMASI. down the insolence of our enemies, And by Your
Miracles, BRING HEALING TO THE UNIVERSE!
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 15/16 TONE 4
Tis Agiis tis en ti Gi aftou ethavmastosen O Kyrios, panta To the Saint on His Earth, in them He Magnified all His
ta thelimata aftou en aftis. Will.
Proromin ton Kyrion enopion mou diapantos, oti ek dexion I behold the Lord always before me; for He is at my right
mou Estin, ina mi saleftho. hand, that I may not be shaken.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 12 : 27 13 : 8
THE DIVINE GIFT OF LOVE IS THE MOST SUPERIOR OF ALL GIFTS
Brethren: You are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first
Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healings, Helps, Administrations, varieties
of Tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healings? Do all
speak with Tongues? Do all interpret? Earnestly desire the best Gifts.
And yet I show you a more excellent Way: Although I speak with the Tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love,
I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand
all Mysteries and all Knowledge, and although I have all Faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not
Love, I am nothing! And although I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt,
but have not Love, it profits me nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
But whether there are tongues they will cease; whether there is Knowledge it will vanish away...
There has always been a Hierarchy of Honour in the WISDOM BEGETS THE FEAR OF GOD IN SIMPLE PEOPLE i.e.
Church of the New Covenant. those who are beginners on the Spiritual Path towards
THE APOSTOLIC WORK OF THE BISHOP SETS THE PACE FOR ALL THE Eternal Life in the Kingdom of God.
REST. When the oversight is in order, the rest of the This HOLY FEAR IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM, GODLINESS
Holy Church is free to function at its optimal level. TOWARDS GOD AND THE BEGINNING OF PERCEPTION.
But even with all the Divine Gifts in place and operative, As SPIRITUAL BEGINNERS practise this Fear of God, they GROW
there is SOMETHING MORE EXCELLENT THE LOVE OF GOD IN GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF DIVINE WISDOM AND DIVINE
AGAPE THE TRUE SIGN OF THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY VIRTUES.
SPIRIT! On the contrary, THE UNGODLY ARE THOSE WHO DESPISE DIVINE
St Basil the Great taught us THAT THERE ARE THREE REASONS WISDOM AND GODS INSTRUCTIONS, FOR THEY CLAIM TO
ALL BIBLICAL AND ALL GOD-GIVEN FOR FOLLOWING OUR LORD BELIEVE IN GOD BUT THEY NEITHER KNOW GODS WISDOM NOR
JESUS CHRIST. DO THEY LIVE A VIRTUOUS LIFE IN CHRIST A LIFE OF GENUINE

F E A R P R O V E R B S 1 : 7 : The Fear of God is the HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE.
beginning of Wisdom. And there is good Consequently, THEY DO NOT TRULY BELIEVE IN GOD.
Understanding in all who practise it. And
O B E D I E N C E A RECOGNITION THAT BECAUSE HE IS
Godliness towards God is the beginning of OMNIPRESENT AND ALMIGHTY GOD WE MUST FOLLOW HIM.
Perception, but the ungodly despise Wisdom and A C T S 5 : 2 9 : ... Peter and the other Apostles answered
Instruction. and said: We ought to OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN.

ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS, THE HOLY UNMERCENARIES OF ROME 1 JULY 2015 1.

While God commands our Obedience to Governing WHILE WE MUST ALWAYS AIM TO DO ALL THINGS OUT OF OUR LOVE
Authorities, OBEDIENCE TO GOD COMES FIRST before OF GOD, WE ALSO MUST NEVER CEASE FEARING GOD AND
anything else in this earthly life! OBEYING HIM i.e. We must always show our deepest
WHEN THE TWO ARE IN CONFLICT FAITHFUL AND TRUE DISCIPLES OF respect and Love of God through an eager and
willing Obedience to all His Teachings and
CHRIST MUST FOLLOW GOD AND BE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE
Commandments, according to which we will all
(TEMPORARY BUT OFTEN DEVASTATING) CONSEQUENCES such eventually be judged on the final day.
as martyrdom. (REFER ALSO LUKE 20:25 & ROMANS 13 : 1 7) Above everything else above all the other Divine Gifts

L O V E 1 J O H N 4 : 1 9 We Love God for He first St Paul emphasised THE SUPERIORITY OF DIVINE LOVE -
Loved us! AGAPE - THAT HAS THE BEST RESULTS OF ALL OTHER DIVINE
GOD HAS ALWAYS LOVED US UNCONDITIONALLY even though GIFTS outshining even Prophecy and Faith, and
we are habitual sinners! which is far greater value than even the Miraculous
So EVEN BEFORE GOD BEGAN HIS MAGNIFICENT CREATION, WE ability to remove mountains!
HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE INTELLECTUAL BEINGS TOGETHER Our Lord Jesus Christ urged us to give to the poor and
WITH HIS HEAVENLY ANGELS WERE PROVIDED FOR. even to lay down or offer our own lives for the sake of
NOT ONLY WERE WE PUT IN CHARGE OF THIS WORLD AND ALL ITS others yet even such SELFLESS ACTS, IF DONE WITHOUT
CREATURES TO PROTECT AND TO TAKE CARE OF IT - BUT TRUE LOVE AGAPE WOULD BE OF NO BENEFIT WHATSOEVER
AFTER OUR EXPULSION FROM PARADISE - GOD ALSO GRANTED US ARE EMPTY GESTURES WITH NO SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS AT ALL!
THE UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND MEANS St Paul clearly explains the actual meaning of Divine
WHEREBY WE ARE ABLE TO REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO GOD Love ending with the fact that the ONE THING THAT
that we lost after having fallen from Divine Grace LOVE CANNOT DO, IS TO FAIL!
through Spiritual Rebellion and Disobedience. Otherwise, LOVE MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE FOR GOD IS
EVERY IMMORTAL SOUL IS BELOVED BY GOD WHO WANTS ONLY THE INDEED DIVINE LOVE ITSELF!!
BEST OF EVERYTHING FOR US His Great Mercy and Eternal THE WONDERFUL GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE ONLY TEMPORARY
Life in His Everlasting Kingdom of Love, Joy and AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD WITH
Peace. THE EXCEPTION OF AGAPE, WHICH WE CARRY THROUGH TO
GOD NEVER STOPS LOVING US AND HE NEVER ABANDONS US. ETERNITY .
Instead, WHENEVER WE WILFULLY SIN, WE DISTANCE Consequently, AGAPE IS THE MOST ESSENTIAL VIRTUE OF ALL to
OURSELVES FROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS. possess for it enables us to obtain Eternal Life in Gods
ONLY WHEN WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND CORRECT OUR ERRORS DO WE Heavenly Kingdom.
RETURN TO GODS PRESENCE to His Warm and Protective Thus: THOSE WHO HAVE NO LOVE, HAVE NOTHING AT
Embrace. ALL for they shall not be Blessed with the Bliss and
GOD HAS GRANTED US FREE WILL TO CHOOSE whether we want Peace of Eternal Life but rather be condemned to
to live in His Divine Light and Love - or to surrender to exile in Outer Darkness the Deep Abyss total
the enslavement and ultimate devastation of the evil alienation from God and all His Goodness according
one who due to his obsessive hatred of all mankind - to their very own choices throughout their life!
relentlessly tempts or lures us away from God and all
Good Things.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 10 : 1 & 5 8
C HRIST OUR SA VIOUR CH OSE & INSTRUC TED HIS TWELVE APOSTLES
At that time, when our Lord Jesus had Called His Twelve Disciples to Him, He gave them Power over unclean spirits to
cast them out and to Heal all kinds of disease. These Jesus sent out, having commanded them: Do not go into
the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. Go to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.
Go, preach, saying: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast
out demons.
Freely you have received freely give.
The terms Disciples and Apostles are often could not blame any of them for going to
interchangeable concerning the Twelve Holy Apostles uncircumcised men. (ACTS 11:3)
of Christ: OUR LORD PREPARED THEM TO BE SINGLE-MINDED IN THEIR SACRED
DISCIPLE means ONE WHO LEARNS AND IS DISCIPLINED or MISSION of preaching and healing by reminding them
guided by another more experienced person. that HIS DIVINE POWER WAS FREELY GRANTED TO THEM AS A
APOSTLE means ONE WHO IS SENT OUT TO TEACH DIVINE GIFT OF GOD and furthermore, they were not to carry
WISDOM AND TRUTH TO OTHERS BY THE GRACE AND any money with them so that they could not be
INSPIRATION OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT thus others have accused of greed and especially so that they learnt
been entitled Equal to the Apostles. to DEPEND ON THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD
OUR LORD JESUS GRANTS HIS FAITHFUL APOSTLES AND DEVOUT and THEY OFTEN DID MANUAL LABOUR FOR OTHERS TO SUPPORT
DISCIPLES SOME OF HIS DIVINE POWER TO PERFORM THEMSELVES SO AS NOT TO BE A BURDEN TO ANYONE ELSE.
MIRACLES AND TO FULFIL THEIR HOLY CALLING. Christ said: Freely you have received freely give!
AS THE ALMIGHTY CREATOR, ALL HIS DIVINE WONDERS ARE BY HIS Which was the Holy Rule whereby all Holy
OWN DIVINE POWER, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF HIS Unmercenaries have served God.
HEAVENLY FATHER, AND THROUGH THE LIFE-GIVING We, too, should KEEP THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DIVINE
ACTIVATION OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. INSTRUCTION IN MIND AT ALL TIMES so that we may share
THE APOSTLES HOLY MISSION WAS SIMILAR TO OUR LORD JESUS everything we have with others especially those who
DIVINE MISSION: TO PREACH AND TO HEAL THE HEBREW are far less Blessed than we.
NATION, so that after Christs Resurrection, His enemies UPON THIS IMPORTANT SACRED LESSON WILL WE ALL BE JUDGED!
ABBOT TRYPHON RESTORATION OF OUR TRUE SELF
Our Lord Jesus Christ is Humble, Meek and Good, and We must fulfil all our Sacred Labours with a sincere and
with the Help of God, we, too, can become humble determined Commitment in order to restore our soul to
and obedient to Him. our original, created state.
Fasting and Prayer are the means whereby our Loving (This is the actual Purpose of this short lifespan the Restoration of
God can change our heart and soul, but we must our created Image and Likeness to God!)
approach both these Holy Commitments with Humility True Repentance is the beginning of Life in Christ
and purpose. Eternal Life - and leads us to a close and proper
When we recite our Prayers too quickly just to get Communion with God.
through them we are not praying at all. The Restoration of our True Self can only be achieved
(We are not communicating with our Lord God at all, for it is with Divine Help by the Grace of God for without
merely an empty gesture that is meaningless and useless!) Him we can do nothing at all that is worthwhile or of
Likewise, Fasting and daily Self-denial and Self- Spiritual Benefit to our temporary and Eternal
Disciple - must be undertaken as our Holy Offering to existence and, especially, to our immortal soul.
God.
ELDER THADDEUS OF VITOVNICA
Our starting point is always wrong. Instead of beginning with ourselves, as we should, we always want to change
others first and ourselves last.
If everyone would begin first with themselves, then there would be Peace all around

2. ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS, THE HOLY UNMERCENARIES OF ROME 1 JULY 2017

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

Tone 3 2 July 2017

th th
4 Sunday After Pentecost - 4 Sunday of St Matthew
The Marvellous Faith of the Roman Centurion
The Feast of THE DEPOSITION OF THE ROBE OF OUR LADY, THEOTOKOS AT BLACHERNAE,
CONSTANTINOPLE St Photios, Metropolitan of Kiev St Juvenal, Patriarch of Jerusalem
St Stephen the Great of Moldavia St John (Maximovitch) Archbishop of Shangai & San
Francisco

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 4 LUKE 34 : 1 12

THE HOLY MYRRH-BEARERS WITNESS OUR RESURRECTED LORDS EMPTY TOMB

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 3

Evfrenestho ta Ourania, agaliastho ta epigia, oti epiise Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the
Kratos en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanato Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has
ton Thanaton.Prototokos ton nekron egeneto. Ek kilias trampled down Death by Death; He has become the
Adou errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to Mega Eleos. First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He
has delivered us, and to the world He has granted
Great Mercy.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION THEOTOKOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Theotoke Aiparthene, ton anthropon i Skepi, Esthita ke O Ever Virgin Theotokos, Shelter for mankind Thou hast
Zonin tou ahrantou Sou Somatos, kratean ti poli Sou granted to Thy City as a Protective Wall, the Vestments
pervolin edoriso, to asporo Toko Sou aftharta and Cincture that Thou wore upon Thine Immaculate
diaminanta. Epi Si gar ke fisi kenotomite ke hronos. Body. By Thy Seedless Childbirth, they have remained
Dio disopoumen Se, Irinin ti Ikoumeni dorisasthe, ke tes incorrupt. For in Thee, both nature and time are made
psihes imon to Mega Eleos. unique. Wherefore, we implore Thee: Grant Peace to
Thy commonwealth, and to our soul Great Mercy.
FESTAL KONTAKION - EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE 4
Perivolin pasi Pistis aftharsias, Theohartote Agni edoriso, Thou hast bestowed Thy Sacred Garment, O Lady, to be a
tin Ieran Esthita Sou, meth is to Ieron, Soma Sou Robe of Incorruption, O Pure One, for all the Faithful,
eskepasas, Skep Thia anthropon. Isper tin katathesin, O Holy Protection of mankind, for with it Thou hast
Eortazomen potho, ke ekvoontes krazomen Pistos. arrayed Thy Most Pure, Sacred Body. Now, with
Here, Parthene, Hristianon to Kavhima! longing, we observe the Feast of its bestowal, and with
loud voices we cry out with Faith: Hail, O Virgin, the
Boast of Christians everywhere!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON SONG OF THEOTOKOS TONE 3
Megalini i psihi mou ton Kyrion, ke igalliase to Pnevma My soul Magnifies our Lord, and my spirit has Rejoiced in
mou epi to Theo to Sotiri mou! God my Saviour!
Oti epevlepsen epi tin tapinosin tis doulis Aftou. Idou gar, For He hath regarded the lowly state of His handmaiden.
apo tou nin Makariousi me pase e genee! For behold, henceforth all generations shalt call me
Blessed.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE HEBREWS 9 : 1 7
Brethren: the First Covenant had Regulations for worship and an earthly Sanctuary.
A Tabernacle was prepared the outer one, in which were the Lampstand and the Table and the Bread of the
Presence called the Holy Place.
Behind the Second Curtain stood a Tabernacle the Holy of Holies having the Golden Altar of Incense and the Ark of
the Covenant covered on all sides with Gold, which contained a golden Urn holding the Manna, Aarons Rod that
budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant.
Above it were the Cherubim of Glory, overshadowing the Mercy Seat.
Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
These preparations having thus been made, the Priests went continually into the Outer Tabernacle, performing their
Ritual duties, but into the Second Tabernacle only the High Priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without
taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOSAIC TABERNACLE, WHICH FROM THE MOST HOLY PLACE THE HOLY OF HOLIES OR THE
PREFIGURED THE HEAVENLY ALTAR. HOLIEST OF ALL, WHICH CONTAINED THE MYSTERIOUS ARK OF
This passage is read during the Great Feasts of our THE COVENANT AND INTO WHICH ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST
Lady Theotokos and Advent (before the Feast of the COULD ENTER ON ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR.
Nativity of Christ) in order to describe the Great Holy The Inner Veil forms THE LOCUS OF THE LITURGICAL PRACTICE
Mystery of the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God. OF THE OLD COVENANT and reveals its imperfection
THE EVER BLESSED, EVER VIRGIN MARYS WOMB WAS PREPARED TO for the people could not draw close to God and the
BE THE HOLY TABERNACLE OF CHRIST THE VERY DWELLING High Priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a
PLACE OF THE LORD OUR GOD. year for his own sins as well as those of the people.
A most important detail in St Pauls Epistle to the At His Death on the Cross, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST RESOLVED
Hebrews concerns THE INNER VEIL THE SECOND VEIL OUR ALIENATION AND ESTRANGEMENT FROM GOD. (MATTHEW
WHICH SEPARATES THE HOLY PLACE THE HOLY SANCTUARY 27:51)

4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH OF ST MATTHEW - CENTURIONS FAITH - 2 JULY 2017 3.
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT CONTAINED ALL THE PRECIOUS HOLY However, GOD THE SON OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS
RELICS OF THE OLD COVENANT AND OF ISRAEL THE GOLDEN CHRIST - CAN BE DEPICTED ACCORDING TO HIS
POT OF MANNA, AARONS ROD, AND THE STONE TABLETS OF INCARNATION, FOR HE IS GOD-MAN AND THUS HIS
THE MOSAIC LAW, given to the ancient Patriarch by HUMAN NATURE CAN AND IS IMAGED.
God Himself. Furthermore, CHRIST LEFT A PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE UPON HIS
GOD IS ENTHRONED UPON THE CHERUBIM, hence, Gods DISCARDED BURIAL CLOTHES on the inner Face Cloth,
Throne in the midst of Israel the Mercy Seat had which He left neatly folded - and on the long
a Cherub depicted on each side. Shroud, which were both left in His Empty Tomb
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HOLY ALTAR IS ALSO FLANKED BY after His Glorious Resurrection.
DEPICTION OF THE CHERUBIM. WHEN ST PETER AND ST JOHN ENTERED THE EMPTY TOMB,
THESE REPRESENTATIONS, along with the images of the Holy THEY WERE IMMEDIATELY AMAZED BY THE PRECIOUS HOLY
Cherubim on the Inner Veil and the beauty and RELICS THAT HAD BEEN LEFT BEHIND.
detailed workmanship of everything that was made In many churches, THE HOLY ICON OF CHRIST NOT MADE BY
for the Holy Tabernacle, SERVED AS THE FIRST HOLY HANDS IS DEPICTED BEING HELD ALOFT BY TWO CHERUBIM,
ICONS OF THE OLD COVENANT. (Exodus 26:31) SITUATED OVER THE ROYAL GATES OF THE ICONOSTASION.
This and various other passages PUT TO REST THE FEAR THAT While Priests were allowed to enter the Holy Place
THE SECOND DIVINE COMMANDMENT OF GOD PROHIBITS ALL daily, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of
IMAGERY. (EXODUS 20: 4 6) Holies on the one Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur.)
GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT CANNOT BE The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies carrying the
REPRESENTED OR DEPICTED BECAUSE THEIR DIVINE NATURE IS blood of sacrificed animals for the atonement of his
UNKNOWABLE AND HENCE CANNOT BE DEPICTED. own sins as well as those of the people.
Their Eternal Unity and Presence with Christ is usually This annual Blood Sacrifice reveals the imperfection
depicted as two differently coloured shapes behind the and temporary status of the Old Covenant, for only
Figure of our Lord such as in the Holy Icon of the one man could enter into Gods Divine Presence
Transfiguration. but not continually and only to repeat the annual
The depiction of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit Sacrificial Offering for his and the peoples sins.
as an Old Man and a White Dove is a modern, western Furthermore, THAT BLOOD SACRIFICE DEALT ENTIRELY WITH
influenced heresy, because the Persons of the Holy MATERIALS FROM THIS AGE, WHICH ARE IMPERFECT AND
Trinity may only be depicted as three identical IMPERMANENT WHICH CANNOT BEGIN A PARTICIPATION IN
Angels such as at the Oaks of Mamre the THE AGE TO COME.
Hospitality of Abraham. In addition, THAT IMPERFECT ATONEMENT OFFERING DEALT
They NEVER manifested visibly at any other time and our MAINLY WITH THE OUTER BEING FOR IT WAS SUPERFICIAL AND
Lord Jesus Christ clearly told His Disciples that COULD NOT PURIFY MANKINDS HEART, MIND OR SOUL LET
whoever has seen Him, has also seen His Co-Eternal, ALONE RESTORE OUR FALLEN HUMAN NATURE.
Co-Essential Father (and thus also the Holy Spirit!) mp
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 8 : 5 13
At that time, as our Lord Jesus entered Capernaum, a Centurion approached him, beseeching him, and saying: Lord,
my servant is lying paralysed at home, in terrible distress. And He said to him: I will come to Heal him.
And the Centurion answered him: Lord, I am not worthy to have Thee come under my roof, but only say the Word, and
my servant will be Healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one: Go, and he
goes, and to another: Come, and he comes, and to my slave: Do this, and he does it.
And hearing him, Jesus marvelled, and said to those who followed Him: Truly, I say to you: not even in Israel have I
found such Faith. I say to you: many shall come from the East and West, and shall sit down with Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Children of the Kingdom shall be cast out into Outer
Darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And Jesus said unto the Centurion: Go Thy way; and as Thou hast believed, so be it done unto Thee.
And his servant was Healed in the selfsame hour.
A Roman Centurion (usually a Gentile or pagan) commanded By saying : ... many will come from East and West... OUR
100 men in a Roman Legion. LORD JESUS NULLIFIED ANY IDEAS OF ETHNIC SUPERIORITY.
OUR LORD JESUS IS THE DIVINE SAVIOUR OF ALL HUMANITY AND THE REJECTED SONS OF THE KINGDOM INCLUDE THE HEBREWS AND
TO HIM THERE ARE NO ETHNIC DISTINCTIONS OR OTHERS WHO DENY CHRIST AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RAISED
BOUNDARIES. IN HIS HOLY CHURCH BUT WHO DO NOT LIFE IN FAITH THOSE
Our Lords response to the concerned Centurion is WHO DO NOT LIVE IN CHRIST.
regarded by many scholars as having been a CHRIST REVEALS THE REALITY AND TRUTH OF ETERNAL DEATH
question rather than a statement: Shall I go? but the horrific consequences of wilful Spiritual
whatever it was, the significant fact is that OUR SAVIOUR Rebellion against the Lord our God by
IS ALWAYS READY AND WILLING TO HELP EVERYONE, even this describing THE ETERNAL STATE OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS
Roman Centurion a pagan or Gentile whose house DEAD in Sheol (Hades) according to the Hebrew
He was prepared to enter although the Hebrews Tradition ...THE OUTER DARKNESS... and ...THE
would never have even considered doing so! WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH... which were
The Centurion expressed his unusual Faith in Christ by common expressions used in the Holy Gospels of St
addressing Him as Lord, and HIS CONFESSION: I am Matthew and St Luke.
not worthy that Thou should come under my roof, IS
E N O C H 1 0 3 : 8 ...And into Outer Darkness and
FREQUENTLY QUOTED in our Orthodox Christian Liturgical Chains and a burning Flame where there is
texts AS AN IDEAL EXPRESSION OF HUMILITY. grievous Judgement shall your spirits enter; And
Twice in all the Holy Gospels is has been noted that our the Great Judgement shall be for all the
Lord marvelled at something: generations of the world. Woe to you, for you
 HE HAD MARVELLED AT THE UNBELIEF IN HIS HOMETOWN OF shall have no Peace.
NAZARETH and now, in this instance,
 HE MARVELLED AT THE CENTURIONS COMPLETE FAITH IN HIM
AND HIS DIVINE POWERS.
4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -4TH SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Why is our Faith so weak and insipid? Why do we not feel
Holy Spirit... the Presence of Christ Who is always with us? Why is it
Beloved Brethren in Christ: In todays Sacred Lesson so difficult for us to pray to communicate with God
according to St Matthews Holy Gospel, we are on a personal, intimate and confident level?
reminded of a Roman Centurions remarkable Faith The answer to these questions that we all need to
in the Divine Power of God - a Faith that was so strong contemplate is contained in todays Holy Gospel
that it moved our Lord Jesus Christ to Heal his servant. account.
It raises significant questions that apply to each and Today we are taught clearly about the Foundation of
every one of us to various degrees: Spiritual Life - the essential Foundation of our

4. 4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH OF ST MATTHEW - CENTURIONS FAITH - 2 JULY 2017
 personal Relationship with our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ.
The Roman Centurion in Capernaum, who was not a Jew
but a pagan, confronted our Saviour, and having
explained the dire circumstances of his suffering
servant, besought Him to Heal him.
However, even before the Centurion had finished what
he wanted to say, our Lord Jesus immediately
responded: I will come to Heal him, whereupon
the Centurion declared: Lord, I am not worthy that
Thou should come under my roof: but only say the
Word and my servant shall be healed...
Our Holy Fathers explained that the
...roof... actually refers to the Centurions heart.
Thus, following his example, we should pray: O Lord I
am not worthy that Thou should come into my heart,
but only say the Word and I will be Healed!
We all want our Lord Jesus Christ to come to us - to enter
our heart and to be with us and to reveal His Divine
Power to us.
We all want to see a clear Vision of Who He is.
We all want confirmation (or proof) of His Divine Presence
... of His Divine Glory and Majesty!
We all want Him to enter into our heart, into our home,
into our daily life.
We all want our Lord and Saviour to grant us a taste of
His Divine Presence for we all want His Peace, His Joy,
His Love and His Glory!
Yet we lack the Humility and Obedience that makes it
possible for us to acquire all this!
We want Christ our Lord to come under our roof into our
heart - but we do not want to do whatever is
necessary indeed, everything that is essential - for
this to happen!
We do not want to make any effort at all! We do not want
to Struggle or Strive to make ourselves worthy to
accommodate the indwelling of the Holy Trinity!
In our pride and Spiritual Blindness, we imagine that
we are worthy.
We simply refuse to understand why our Lord God cannot
dwell within our heart.
We ask ourselves: What is wrong with me? or Why do I
feel so empty?
Yet we stubbornly refuse to examine ourselves honestly
and sincerely so that we can root out and resolve our
weaknesses, and Repent our sins, thereby making
ourselves worthy for our Lord to enter and to remain
with us.
We carelessly neglect or thoughtlessly attend the Holy
Services and recite our morning and evening Rule of
Prayer.
When we are in our Lord Gods Holy Temple and in His
Very Presence, we are easily distracted by others or
by our selfish and worldly thoughts when we should
be focussed only on Him and His Holy Things!
Our Holy Fathers and the Holy Scriptures severely warn
us to keep a watch over our mind and a guard over
our lips, yet we treat these admonitions as if they were
meant for others but not for ourselves!!.
We are grieved and disappointed that our Lord does not
Visit us for we do not cannot - Experience His Divine
Presence personally while we remain unworthy and
unprepared due to our Spiritual State.
In the midst of our sins, in the midst of our pride, we
cannot begin to understand why our Lord Jesus Christ
cannot dwell with us as He did with His Saints.
Although many Orthodox Christians regard themselves as
being Faithful or Religious, they do not practise
True Faith.
In order to understand what is meant by this, let us look
at two examples:
One man attends Church periodically, making many
prostrations, crossing himself many times, weeping,
venerating all the Icons on the Iconostasis and
making a generous donation to the Church.
Another man attends Church on most Sundays and often
on a week day, sitting or standing quietly and
unobtrusively, concentrating on the Holy Services.
The first man, when he departs from Church immediately
complains about his finances, his business, his health,
4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH OF
We cannot Experience the Presence and Reality of Christ
the way His Saints did, nor can we experience the
Sweetness of Prayer like all our Holy Fathers and Holy
Mothers have done, because we either neglect or
make feeble attempts at Prayer and our Spiritual Life!!
We cannot Experience the very Presence and Divine Love
of Christ because we are so preoccupied with our
careers, our jobs, our hobbies and entertainments
with all types of worldly distractions!!
It is no wonder that our Spiritual Life is so dry, or non-
existent!!
Our priorities are very obvious to God, but not to
word ourselves.
Do we really know our priorities what is most important
and essential to us? Do we really understand the
significance of what we think about the most or put
the most energy into doing?
We are proud that we are Orthodox Christians ...
or good Christian married couples.
We are proud of our ideas and our accomplishments...
however, there is no Humility nor Obedience in us due
to our arrogance and egocentricity.
The pagan Centurions Humility puts us all to shame!
He confessed his unworthiness of our Lords Presence in
his heart and in his home.
Nevertheless, he believed that his servant did deserve
our Lords Divine Healing, which could definitely be
accomplished merely by His Word of Divine Authority!
That unforgettable Centurions Humility shines through
the ages like a Beacon of Light on a dark night.
His Humility and his Faith in Christ brought about his
servants Healing.
When the Centurions Faith in Christ, and his perception
of His Divine Authority was revealed by his words:
...only say the Word, and my servant will be Healed,
for I am a man under authority, having soldiers
under me... our Lord ... marvelled... and
commented to those around Him: Truly, I say to you:
not even in Israel have I found such Faith.
Our Lord Jesus Christ ... marvelled... for He was
delighted by such unexpected Faith and
Understanding from that pagan Roman Centurion,
which is what He had been waiting for from His
Chosen People, Israel.
Such Faith in and Understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ
Who has Divine Authority and Power over all Creation
is what had been preached throughout the ages by
His Holy Prophets in order to prepare His People for
the New Covenant with God.
This what the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is all
about, for it teaches us to be as Humble and Obedient
as our Lord Jesus Christ the Eternal, Only Begotten
Son of God.
Dearest Brothers and Sisters, it was the Centurions great,
inseparable Virtues of Humility and Obedience that
astonished and, no doubt, pleased our Lord Jesus
Christ, for these Holy Virtues are the unshakable
foundation of our Spiritual Life in Christ, which draws
us to God and welcomes His Indwelling within us!
Through the Prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus
Christ Our God, have Mercy on us.
Amen
HERMITAGE OF THE HOLY CROSS MONASTIC COMMUNITY
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
HTTPS://WWW.HOLYCROSS-HERMITAGE.COM
TRUE FAITH
his family and acquaintances, and various other
aspects of his life.
The second man, even though he suffers from several
ailments, and endures many problems, always has a
warm smile, is helpful, kind, and concerned about
others.
St Porphyrios pointed out that True Faith is based on our
Love of God - not on the form but on substance of this
Love. He called it Eros or Love with passion, for when
we have this kind of Love for God we receive His
Divine Grace and we live in His Light.
And when we are granted His Divine Light there is no
Spiritual Darkness and no matter what confronts us,
we will find His Goodness.
ST MATTHEW - CENTURIONS FAITH - 2 JULY 2017 5.
St Porphyrios used the example of ancient people who
lived in a cave and blocked the entrance to keep the
wind out. Inside the cave it was dark and there was
little oxygen, so it was unhealthy for them, but when
they went outside the sunlight and fresh air would
rejuvenate and refresh them.
Similarly, we are like those ancient cave dwellers, until
we receive the Divine Light of Christ our Lord that
Regenerates us so that whatever was weak or bad
becomes strong and good.
Spiritual Darkness becomes Enlightened
Regenerated by our Lords Divine Light and Truth.
This is the nature of our True Faith.
We can follow all the Rules. we can Fast, we can Pray,
we can Repent and Confess our sins, we can Bless
ourselves with the Sign of the Cross, we can attend
Church and we can read Holy Scripture yet we can
also still not have True Faith!
St Porphyrios teaches us: ...Often neither (Spiritual)
Labour, nor Prostrations, nor crossing ourselves,
attract God's Grace....
...The most important thing is to go beyond the formal
aspects and go to the heart of the matter.
Whatever is done must be done with Love...
With Christ we are filled with Grace and so live above
evil. Evil does not exist [with Christ.]. There is only Good,
which is God. Evil cannot exist. While there is Light
there cannot be Darkness. Nor can Darkness
encompass Him because He is the Light...
True Christian Faith Transforms and Heals us.
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS
Regardless of what we are forced to endure, if we take
everything good or bad - in the right way and see it
as a Blessing from God because, indeed, it is a
Blessing we will feel so very differently about life in
general!
We will feel that we are already in Paradise, even while
we are walking together with Christ to Calvary!
When we find our Lord Jesus Christ - when we believe
and faithfully follow Him - and when we begin to
understand Divine Truth, then, no matter what state
our circumstances may be, it will be like receiving
Tidings of Great Joy.
No matter what happens to us in this temporary,
preparatory lifespan, by our Life in Christ, it can only When lecturing or trying to Guide others, if we experience
bring Good to us, for without Christ, life is tyrannical
and hellish!
We may often feel miserable, because we think we lack
this or that, yet we actually lack nothing.
Even when we may have only a little or nothing, we
should never feel miserable, dissatisfied nor envious.
We must be grateful at all times, no matter what our
circumstances may be.
We should always express our Gratitude and Obedience
to our Lord: Dear God, Thou knowest what is best for
me, for which I am most grateful.. May it always be
according to Thy Will and not my will!
We never wish to deprive ourselves of certain pleasures
but God permits the loss of such things for our Spiritual
Benefit and Progress, which we should certainly
appreciate.
With Humility and Obedience, we must face each day,
accepting the Divine Wisdom and Truth of our Lords
Will, rather than trying to do everything according to
our limited knowledge and ego.
When we Live in Christ, every day will be like a Feast Day,
filled with Divine Blessings and Love.
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Sorrows draw us closer to God, and when we understand
the Eternal Profit we receive from our suffering, we will 3. Burn incense to rise to Heaven like our Prayers, and
no longer feel sad.
ST BASIL THE GREAT
Since God is preparing for us the Crown of His Eternal,
Heavenly Kingdom, then illness should be a cause for
Virtue.
ST SERAPHIM OF SAROV
While listening to others, we should not respond until we
have carefully and patiently heard every word they
have to say, for ... to answer before listening is folly
and shame. (Book of Proverbs 18:13)
6. 4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH OF ST MATTHEW
However, this requires our Humility and Obedience for
True Faith is Love.
Love of God causes us to always yearn for God, to seek
Union with Him and to Live in His Divine Light and
Truth.
Without this, Faith will be a unfulfilled Struggle that
leaves us confused and weak.
Love of God compels us to fulfil all pious actions, to seek
charitable activities, to make Prostrations and to pray
ceaselessly.
and Without Love of God that is fulfilled by Humility and
Obedience to His Will in all things, we will remain
confused, quarrelsome or depressed.
True Faith is not according to our own ideas or ego but
according to Divine Truth according to True
Knowledge of our Trinitarian God by the Power and
Energy of the Holy Spirit Who enables us in all
essential Salvific Matters.
The Divine Purpose for mankind and our ultimate Aim -
is to be United with Almighty God, based on our
passionate Love for Him.
This Love of God extends to all members of His Eternal,
Holy Church, which St Porphyrios describes as
...enthusiasm, madness, an intense longing for the
Divine... whereby we attract the Grace of God that
Transforms us and grants us His Divine Peace, Joy
and Love.
FATHER CHARLES JOINER, DEACON.
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SOUTH CAROLINA - USA
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/
ST PIMEN THE GREAT
When someone falls into sin but thinks he has not sinned,
do not try to reason or argue with him. It is better to
advise him not to lose his Strength, but to be very
careful. In this way you may turn his soul towards
Repentance.
ST MARK THE EGYPTIAN
When we are in charge of others, those who do not listen
to us or who do not obey us from our first word, must
neither be pressured nor quarrelled with, for we will
then gain the Profit of Obedience that they have lost.
Our Forbearance will grant us much more than if we try
to correct them.
ST MAKARIOS THE GREAT
anger, then we are satisfying our own passions.
It is not God to try to Save others but to lose ourselves!
ST ANTHONY THE GREAT
True Love (Agape) does not mean only to give, but also to
be deprived and to feel contrite and sorrowful when
such deprivation and sadness restrains others from
going astray and falling into sin.
When trees are swayed by the wind, they develop
deeper, firmer roots, and they grow taller and
stronger. This is similar to what happens to us when
we are tested by difficult circumstances, for we grow
more deeply rooted and firmly strengthened by the
Power and Providence of our Loving and Benevolent
God.
ST PORPHYRIOS OF KAFSOKALIVIA
We need to create a proper climate before we begin to
pray, then our Lord Jesus Christ Himself will teach us
how to pray.
A wise Elder told us that in order to have light in our
house we must first install the necessary hardware
such as conduits, plugs and switches. Similarly, there
are certain prerequisites to Prayer:
1. Read Orthodox Writings, Lives of the Saints, and Holy
Scripture before praying
2. Isolation from any disturbance or distractions.
light an oil lamp and/or a candle.
4. Sit or stand in silence. Focus on our Lord and
surrender body and soul to Him alone.
5. Repeat the Jesus Prayer several times before
fulfilling our Rule of Prayer.
6. Beseech our Lord for Tears of Contrition and a
Repentant heart.
7. Strive ceaselessly to acquire Humility and Obedience
to God in all circumstances - words, thoughts and
deeds!
- CENTURIONS FAITH - 2 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

5 July 2017
Feast of St Athanasios the Great of Trebizond
Founder of the Coenobitic Monastic Community of Mount Athos
Also the Feast of 6 Venerable Disciples of St Athanasios St Sergios of Radonezh (Holy Relics)
St Anna of Rome St Cyrilla the Widow of Cyrene, Libya St Lampados of Irenopolis St
Cyprianos of Mount Athos

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST ATHANASIOS OF MOUNT ATHOS TONE 3

Tin en sarki zoin, Sou kateplagisan, Angelon tagmata, pos Angelic Hosts on High were filled with wonderment,
meta somatos, pros aoratous simplokas, ehorisas beholding Thy Life in the flesh how with Thy body
panevfime, ke katetravmatisas, ton demonon, tas Thou courageously went out to wrestle with invisible
falnagas. Othen Athanasie, O Hristos Se imipsato, foes; and to the demonic hordes Thou inflicted
plousies dorees. Dio Pater, Presveve Hristo to Theo, serious wounds. Wherefore, O Athanasios, Thou
Sothine tas psihas imon. received from our Master, Christ, a Wealth of Gifts. O
Holy Father: Intercede on our behalf with Christ our
God, for the Salvation of our soul.
SEASONAL KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 149/150 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Kavhisonte Osii en Doxi ke agalliasonte epi ton kiton Afton. The Holy shalt boast in Glory, and they shalt greatly
Rejoice on Their beds.
Asate to Kyrio asma kenon, i Enesis Aftou en Ekklisia Sing to the Lord a New Song! His Praise in the Assembly
Osion. of His Holy!
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 5 : 22 6 : 2
Brethren, the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
Against these there is no Law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have Crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one
another, no envy of each other.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are Spiritual, should Restore him in a Spirit of Gentleness. Look
to yourself lest you, too, be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ.
This Sacred Lesson commemorates all Holy Monks and it WITHOUT HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE two inseparable Virtues
reminds us, AS STRUGGLING DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, WHOM WE WE CANNOT EXPECT TO MAKE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST PROGRESS for
STRIVE TO IMITATE AND FAITHFULLY FOLLOW OUR LORD AND ONLY BY WORKING IN HARMONY AND UNITY WITH GOD AND WITH
SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST WHO IS THE SON OF GOD WE ARE ONE ANOTHER, CAN WE ACHIEVE THEOSIS SPIRITUAL
GUIDED AND ENABLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT our Divine PERFECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE.
Comforter, Advocate and Helper Who grants us His Being Enlightened by Christ and the Holy Spirit, WE SHOULD
Divine Gifts of Virtue such as Love, Joy, Peace, ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST ONE ANOTHER, especially when
Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, anyone of us stumbles or falls along the way.
Gentleness and Self-Control. However, WHEN CORRECTING OUR FALLEN OR STUMBLING
As developing, maturing and Faithful Christians we are BRETHREN, WE MUST ALWAYS DO SO WITH HUMBLE AGAPE OR
reminded that THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM WE HAVE LOVE ... A spirit of gentleness... and never with a
ABANDONED OUR FORMER SELVES THE OLD MAN WHO WERE sense of criticism or condemnation because the next
RULED AND DOMINATED BY OUR PASSIONS OR VICES AND SELFISH time we, ourselves, may fall even harder than any of
DESIRES but now, HAVING BEEN REGENERATED IN CHRIST, OUR our fellow sinners: Today my Brother, tomorrow me!
ONLY DESIRE IS TO BECOME LIKE HIM THROUGH HUMILITY AND (ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT)
WILLING OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. TO BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER CORRECTION WITH GENTLENESS IS A
To walk in the (Holy) Spirit is to Live every moment in the SPIRITUAL GIFT OF GOD.
(Holy) Spirit, being CONSTANTLY AWARE OF OUR HOLY St Paul admonished us to BEAR ONE ANOTHERS BURDENS AND
MISSION during this preparatory period of life on Earth TO BEAR OUR OWN BURDENS AS WELL because we are
and MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO FULFIL GODS DIVINE WILL Called to initiate True Care-Giving in our Holy
instead of indulging our own flawed and destructive Church and NEVER TO BE NEEDLESS BURDENS TO OTHERS!
desires and whims that do not benefit anyone at all.
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 11 : 27 30
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST REST ASSURED & CONFIDENT IN HIM
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son
except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and the one to whom the Son Wills to
reveal Him. Come to Me, all who Labour and who are heavily laden, and I will grant you rest. Take My Yoke
upon you, and learn from Me, for I Am Gentle and Lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My
Yoke is easy and My Burden is light.

ST ATHANASIOS OF MOUNT ATHOS 5 JULY 2017 7.

 St Theophylact explained to us that GOD HAS HIDDEN HIS
DIVINE MYSTERIES FROM THE WISE AND ERUDITE PEOPLE OF THE
WORLD not out of any malice towards His creatures
but rather BECAUSE OF OUR UNWORTHINESS, for we chose to
trust our own fallen, warped and limited wisdom and
judgement instead of Gods Perfect and Absolute
Wisdom and Knowledge.
Furthermore, IT IS OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR MANKIND THAT GOD
WITHHOLDS DIVINE REVELATION FROM THOSE WHO WOULD
SCORN IT IN ORDER THAT THEY DO NOT RECEIVE EVEN WORSE
ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AT THEIR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
THE YOKE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR FREE AND
WILLING SUBMISSION TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND
EVERYTHING THAT IS REQUIRED OF US AS WORTHY FUTURE
CITIZENS.
A yoke could be seen as a sign of hardship, burdens, and
responsibilities, but IN CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, HIS YOKE IS
EASY, BECAUSE DIVINE POWER WORKS IN EACH OF US. (2 KINGS
12: 1 11; JEREMIAH 34: 1-11; WISDOM OF SIRACH 40:1)
Furthermore, THE ULTIMATE REWARD IS INFINITELY GREATER
THAN ANY EFFORT REQUIRED OF US!
The term Gentle is literally translated Meek.
Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us clearly that ...all things
have been delivered to Me by My Father... which
means that EVERYTHING OUR SAVIOUR TEACHES US AND
REVEALS TO US IS ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF OUR
HEAVENLY FATHER.
Thus the DIVINE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER IS REVEALED TO US AND
TAUGHT TO US ONLY BY GOD THE SON by the Second
Person of the Holy Trinity - WHO CONDESCENDED TO
BECOME INCARNATE AND TO LIVE WITH US IN ORDER TO TEACH
US CLEARLY AND DIRECTLY HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
No one knows the Son except the Father... means
that OUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST AND
HIS DIVINE TRUTH IS LIMITED BY OUR HUMAN CONDITION.
THE DEGREE OR DEPTH OF OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HIS DIVINE
TRUTH, DEPENDS ON OUR SPIRITUAL STATE AND PROGRESS.
However, BY THE POWER AND ENERGY OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
the Third Person of the Holy Trinity WE ARE GRANTED
THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND FULFIL FAR MORE OF HIS
DIVINE TRUTH.
SOMETIMES, LIKE ST PAUL, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE RECEIVE
DIVINE TRUTH DIRECTLY FROM OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN A
DIVINELY MYSTERIOUS MANNER THAT CANNOT BE EXPLAINED
BUT ONLY EXPERIENCED!
WE ARE SUBSEQUENTLY COMPELLED BY OUR LOVE OF GOD TO SHARE
SUCH KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND TEACHING WITH OUR
FELLOW DISCIPLES.
...Nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son,
and the one to whom the Son Wills to reveal Him.
Our Lord Jesus Christ emphasises and confirms what
He has taught us ONLY THROUGH HIS DIVINE TRUTH CAN
ST ATHANASIOS
St Athanasios was born and Baptised Abraham circa 920
in Trebizond. Orphaned at an early age he was raised
by a pious Nun until her Repose. Having been sent to
the court of Emperor Romanos the Elder, in
Constantinople, he was educated by the renowned
rhetorician, Athanasios, and upon his graduation, he
became a teacher.
To St Michael Maleinos, who was the Igumen of Kyminas
Monastery, he revealed his desire for Monastic Life, and
during one of their subsequent intense Spiritual
Discussions, he met a nephew of St Michael -
Nicephoros Phokas, a military officer and future
Emperor, who was profoundly impressed with him, and
who regarded St Athanasios with much reverent Love
and respect for the rest of his life.
St Michael Maleinos joyfully Tonsured him as Athanasios.
In 958, having left Kyminas Monastery in search of solitude,
St Athanasios arrived at Melanos, situated at the very
extremity of Mount Athos, far from other Monastic
dwellings, where he began his intense Spiritual
Struggles, intending to leave after a year. On the final
day, as he began to pray, a Heavenly Light suddenly
shone upon him, filling him with an Indescribable Joy,
and all thoughts of departing dissipated, as his eyes
welled up with Tears of Joy.
From that moment St Athanasios received the Gift of
Tender Compassion, and he became as fond of the
place of his solitude as he had formerly loathed it.
8. ST ATHANASIOS OF MOUNT ATHOS
WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND OUR BENEVOLENT, PROVIDENTIAL
AND LOVING LORD GOD.
The ancient Holy Prophets and the Chosen People of God
believed our Almighty God to be a fearsome, vengeful
and wrathful God Who demanded Obedience and
Who would instantly destroy all who dared to
challenge Him!
(This was according to their experience of powerful,
merciless and cruel Rulers who terrified their subjects
into submission and obedience!)
However, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALED TO US THAT
ALMIGHTY GOD IS LOVE! HE IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
OUR LORD GOD NEVER FORCES HIS DIVINE WILL ON ANYONE, for
Love is Patient, Longsuffering, Kind, Gentle, Humble,
Compassionate, etc. as St Paul described it so well.
Our All Merciful and Loving God is incapable of doing
anything that is destructive and fatal, for that is utterly
against His Divine Nature and Attributes, which
embody everything that is absolutely Good!
ALL EVIL, WICKEDNESS, CRUELTY, SUFFERING, DEATH all the
woes of our human condition - ARE INVENTIONS OF THE
EVIL ONE none of which pertains to Gods Divine Will
for THESE ALL CONTRADICT DIVINE LOVE I.E. THESE
CONTRADICT OUR TRIUNE GOD.
ONLY THE TEACHINGS AND REVELATIONS OF OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST CAN ENLIGHTEN US FOR THE SAKE OF OUR SALVATION
AND ETERNAL LIFE.
ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH
CAN WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE INFINITE
LOVE, MERCY, JOY, AND PEACE OF OUR LORD GOD.
ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BY THE POWER AND
ENERGY OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, ARE WE ABLE TO FULFIL OUR
SACRED TASKS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY
FATHER.
ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CAN WE MAINTAIN AND
INCREASE OUR BLESSED LIFE IN HIM THAT DRAWS US SLOWLY
TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE AND ALL THE BLESSINGS OF HIS
HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
By Living in Christ, our Spiritual Labours are achieved
without causing us to become exhausted and
ineffectual.
Our Lord God makes everything possible for us to
achieve, despite our weaknesses or inabilities.
We are Yoked together with each other, by Christ, which
makes this preparatory, often difficult and painful
lifespan far more bearable and Spiritually Profitable.
Our Journey is not a solo effort but always a Team Effort,
for we cannot fulfil our Sacred Tasks that are essential
to our Eternal Life without working in Unison and
Harmony with each other and, especially, with our
Lord.
THE GREAT OF MOUNT ATHOS
Emperor Nicephoros Phokas besought St Athanasios to
build a Monastery, which he was initially reluctant to
do. While having had to defend the neighbouring
Hermits and Sketes from devastating raids of Muslim
Saracens, St Athanasios incorporated these into what
eventually become known as the Great Lavra -
consecrated in 963, and in full use to this day. He
established three other Monasteries Iviron,
Esphigmenou and Vatopedi Monasteries on Mount
Athos, and initiated his Cenobitic Monastic Rule on the
model of the old Palestinian Monasteries.
Divine Liturgies and Holy Services were served with great
strictness, and it was forbidden to speak during these
Holy Services. Monks were severely instructed not to be
late for any of the Holy Services and were forbidden
from departing before the final Blessings, unless
absolute necessary.
St Athanasios had to contend with opposition from Hermits
who resented his intrusion and any attempts to bring
order and discipline to their life. When Emperor
Nicephoros Reposed in 969, the enemies of St
Athanasios prevailed, and forced him to leave Mount
Athos for Cyprus until Emperor John Tzimisces
resumed Patronage of the Great Lavra and in 971
bestowed upon the Monastery its first charter.
In 1000, St Athanasios was killed by falling masonry when
the newly constructed cupola on his church collapsed.
HTTPS://ORTHODOXWIKI.ORG
5 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

7 July 2017
St Kyriake the Great Virgin Martyr of Nicomedia
Also the Feast of St Thomas of Mount Maleon St Akakios of Sinai St Euphrosyne (Eudokia),
Grand Duchess of Moscow St Peregrinos, St Lucian, St Pompeios, St Hesychios, St Papios, St
Saturninos and St Germanos of Dyrrachium, - St Evangelikos, Bishop of Tomis, Constantsa,
Romania
APOLYTIKION OF ST KYRIAKE THE GREAT TONE 4
Kyrion ton Kyrion, ke Vasilea Hriston, ex olis igapisas, The Lord of all Lords, and Christ the King thou loved, O
Kyriaki tis psihis, ke herousa ithlisas. Othen Kyriake, with all thy soul, and cheerfully contended
Parthenomartis, par aftou doxasthisa, vriis tis se for; thus as a Virgin Martyr, by Him thou were glorified
timosin, iamaton tin Harin, tis pasin etoumeni, and thou flow to all who honour thee, the Grace of
ptesmaton sighorisin. Healing, by beseeching for all, the forgiveness of their
faults.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF A FEMALE MARTYR
I amnas Sou Iisou, krazi megali ti foni. Se Nimfie mou O my Lord Jesus, Thine Ewe-Lamb, with a loud voice calls
potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume, ke out: Thou, my Groom, do I long for, and suffer all in
sinthptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke pasho dia Se, os search for Thee, and I am crucified and buried with
Vasilefso sin Si, ke thnisko iper sou, ina ke ziso en Si. All
Thee in Baptism; and I suffer for Thy Sake, inorder to
os thisian amomomn, prosdehou tin meta pothou
tithisan Si. Aftis presvies, os eleimon, Soson tas psihas reign with Thee, and give my life to Thee so that I may
imon. live with Thee; but accept as pure Sacrifice, the one
who desired to give her life for Thee. Through her
Intercessions, O Most Compassionate, Save our souls!
SEASONAL KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 67/68 TONE 4
Thavmastos O Theos en tis Agiis Aftou. Wondrous is God in His Saints.
En Ekklisies Evlogite ton Theon, Kyrion ek Pigon Israil. In the Congregations Bless God The Lord from the
Fountain of Israel
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 3 : 23 4 : 5
OUR ADOPTION AS CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST THROUGH OUR FAITH AND HOLY BAPTISM
Brethren: before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law kept for the Faith that would afterward be
revealed. Therefore, the Law was our Tutor - to bring us to Christ, so that we might be Justified by Faith. After Faith
has come, we are no longer under a Tutor.
You are all sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female. You are all
one in Christ Jesus.
If you are Christs then you are Abrahams seed, and Heirs according to the Promise. I say that the Heir as long as he is
a child does not differ at all from a slave, although he is master of all, but is under Guardians and Stewards until
the time appointed by the Father.
Even so, we when we were children were in bondage under the elements of the world. When the fullness of time
had come, God sent forth His Son Born of a Woman, Born under the Law - to Redeem those who were under the
Law, that we might receive the Adoption as sons.
Faith IN Christ is also Faith OF Christ because TWO FAITHS Because Gods Love of us is infinite and absolute, He
ARE COOPERATING together: first and foremost, the faith provided mankind with a set of TEN COMMANDMENTS OR
of Christ, and secondarily, the Faith in Christ of those LAWS that GUIDE US TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE AND PROTECT US
who believe. FROM FALLING INTO A STATE OF PERMANENT SPIRITUAL DEATH.
Although THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT with God had THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OR MOSAIC LAW prepared the
complete Faith in God, they COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN Hebrew Nation for the Coming of God. They STILL APPLY
THE FAITH OF CHRIST FOR OUR SAVIOUR HAD NOT YET APPEARED TO US, THE NEW ISRAEL THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD.
TO THEM. WITH GODS NEW COVENANT, CHRIST REVEALED THE TRUE NATURE
THE HOLY TRINITY IS OMNIPRESENT - ever-present there has OF OUR MOST MERCIFUL, LOVING AND BENEVOLENT GOD TO
never been a time or place when God the Father, the US AND TAUGHT US THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE, which the
Son and the Holy Spirit was not present! ancient people of God only understood instinctively at
The only time WE COULD ACTUALLY SEE GOD WAS WHEN CHRIST first and then through the Teachings of the Holy
the Word and Son of God became Man BECAME Prophets of God.
INCARNATE took on physical matter a human body. AT THE HARROWING OF HADES AFTER HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS IN
St Abraham also saw the Holy Trinity as three identical Men HIS HUMAN NATURE, CHRIST - IN HIS DIVINE, ALMIGHTY
Angels, Whom he addressed as Lord as one Being. mp NATURE - SMASHED OPEN THE IMPRISONING DOORS OF HADES,
AND FREED ALL HUMANITY FROM THE ENSLAVING POWER OF EVIL
THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE ON EARTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VITAL
PREPARATORY PERIOD FOR ETERNITY. HAVING ALREADY RE-OPENED PARADISE to THE FAITHFUL

ST PARASKEVE, GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR OF NICOMEDIA 7 JULY 2017 9.

 where they could REPOSE IN PEACE UNTIL THE GENERAL SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED ARE INTERWOVEN we
RESURRECTION AND OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT. cannot claim to have one without the other!
The Repentant Thief, St Demas, was the first to enter Paradise For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have
since the banishment of Adam and Eve. put on Christ, is our ancient Baptism Hymn that is
THOSE WHO STUBBORNLY REJECTED HIM, REMAIN IN HADES where chanted during the Procession of the Newly
they suffer the hideous Foretaste of the vileness and Regenerated into the assembly the Holy Church of
torment of Eternal Alienation from God, Christ.
OUR FAITH IN CHRIST IS ONE OF PERSONAL COMMITMENT AND WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE IN CHRIST.
ALLEGIANCE to Him Therefore, ASSESSING PEOPLE according to our own opinion,
Through our Holy Baptism WE HAVE BECOME ADOPTED attitude, value, gender or ethnicity IS FORBIDDEN IN
HEIRS OF GOD CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST TO THE ETERNAL CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH,
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF GOD. If we are genuinely trying to imitate Christ we must do so
Not only have WE BEEN BAPTISED into Christianity into without fail: He never discriminated against anyone
the Christian Faith, but WE HAVE VESTED OURSELVES so how dare we do so!
WITH CHRIST WE HAVE PUT ON CHRIST we have ANY DISCRIMINATION, BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE OR PREJUDICE
taken on our Sacred Mission TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE WILL CAUSE US SERIOUS SPIRITUAL CONDEMNATION, which
TO IMITATE CHRIST Himself and thereby REGAIN OUR - unless we quickly correct ourselves with sincere
LOST LIKENESS TO GOD Repentance - will affect our Eternity!
According to our New Covenant with Almighty God, THERE We are all one in nature and equal in dignity.
IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOCIAL STATUS, ETHNICITY OR
GENDER because WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD!
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 5: 24 34
THE HEALING OF THE BLEEDING WOMAN ON THE WAY TO JAIRUS DYING DAUGHTER
At that time, a great multitude followed our Lord Jesus and thronged Him. And a certain Woman had a flow of blood
for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many Physicians, and had spent all that she had and was no
better but rather grew worse.
When she heard about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. She thought: If only I may
touch His garment, I shall be made well.And immediately the source of her bleeding dried up and she felt in her
body that she was Healed of the affliction.
And Jesus - immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him - turned around in the crowd and asked:
Who touched My garment? And His Disciples said to Him: Thou see the multitude thronging Thee and Thou
ask Who touched Me?
And He looked around to see her who had done so. The woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened
to her, went and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. He said to her: Daughter, your Faith has
made you well. Go in Peace, and be Healed of your affliction.
AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD HIM SO THAT OTHERS WOULD LEARN FROM HER AND GLORIFY
ALONE AND BEING OF THE SAME DIVINE ESSENCE AS GOD GOD.
THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES THAT Therefore He loudly enquired Who touched My
SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY. garment? which astonished His Disciples since the
THE HEALING OF THAT WOMAN, ST VERONICA, DEMONSTRATED large crowd shoved and pushed one another to get
OUR LORD JESUS POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM OUR SINS closer to Christ and many would have brushed
AND TO HEAL ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS THE SPIRITUAL AND against Him or certainly touched His garments.
THE PHYSICAL. Although on His way to save the daughter of Jairus a
According to the Old Covenant Laws, ANY TYPE OF ruler of the Synagogue OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS TIME
HAEMORRHAGING CAUSED CEREMONIAL DEFILEMENT, which TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH BOTH
imposed religious and social restrictions upon the HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE TRUTH:
sufferers for ANY CONTACT WITH BLOOD WAS STRICTLY First He granted her Good cheer because of THE PROOF
PROHIBITED AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as Then He corrected her thinking for SHE COULD NEITHER HIDE
being unclean and had followed all the requirements HER ACTIONS FROM HIM FROM GOD NOR WAS SHE EXCLUDED
AS A SOCIAL OUTCAST but SHE HAD REACHED SUCH A DEGREE OF FROM HIM BECAUSE OF HER AFFLICTION.
MISERY AND DESPERATION THAT SHE RISKED FURTHER SHAME And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
AND HUMILIATION IN THE CONVICTION THAT ONLY CHRIST WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
COULD HEAL HER. Our Holy Church Fathers believed that St Veronica
It was a risk that she was willing to take after all what symbolises human nature in general because ALL
more could she lose? People had already taken HUMANITY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH,
everything she had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER WHICH WAS SYMBOLISED BY HER HAEMORRHAGING.
WHAT SHE REALLY NEEDED! The Physicians who could not heal her symbolise the
EVERYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY GOD BECOMES SANCTIFIED various religions of the world, AS WELL AS THE OLD
HOLY AND WILL PASS THAT SANCTIFICATION ONTO THE COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
FAITHFUL. HUMANITY THEY CANNOT SAVE US
So THE INSTANT ST VERONICA SOFTLY TOUCHED THE ROBES OF ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US! ONLY THROUGH OUR
CHRIST SHE WAS HEALED AND GOD KNEW HER SINCERE FAITH IN LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE GENUINELY
HIM. FREED FROM SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
DIVINE ENERGY OR POWER WENT FROM CHRIST TO ST VERONICA
AND HE WANTED HER TO OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE HER FAITH IN
ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
ST PAISIOS OF MOUNT ATHOS Virtues, the temptations will be stronger and will
Anything that can be done by one another, we should soon overwhelm us.
not ask from God, for we must humble ourselves ST MAKARIOS OF EGYPT
and ask each other for help. We should willingly cultivate the field of our heart, but
ELDER CHRISTODOULOS KATOUNAKIOTIS we also need the Rain of Divine Grace.
Simplicity in our life and the ceaseless Prayer of the Those who are truly humble never fall, because -
heart the Jesus Prayer is a knife against the believing that they are far more unworthy than
evil one. others - they have no height from which to fall!
ST MARK THE ASCETIC ST JOHN OF DAMASCUS
We must perpetually fight against all temptations with We should not maintain any thoughts that are
Patience and Prayer, for if we try to do battle pleasing to Satan but immediately destroy them
against the evil one without these two Holy by using the Sword of Divine Truth.

10. ST PARASKEVE, GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR OF NICOMEDIA 7 JULY 2017

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

8 July 2017
St Prokopios, Great Holy Martyr of Caesarea, Palestine
Also the Feast of St Theophilos the Myrrhgusher of Zichnis, Macedonia - St Anastasios,
Hieromartyr of Jannina - St Prokopios, Fool for Christ and Wonderworker of Ustiug, Vologda St
Epictetos the Presbyter & St Asion the Monk of Halmyris, Bithynia, Black Sea Miracle of the
Holy Icon of the Annunciation at Ustiug St Mirdat, King of Kartli, Georgia

FESTAL APOLYTIKION HOLY MARTYR OF CHRIST TONE 4

O Martys Sou, Kyrie, en ti Athlisi Aftou to Stefos Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous Contest for Thee
ekomisato tis aftharsias ek Sou tou Theou imon. Ehon received Crowns of Incorruption and Life from Thee,
gar tin Ishin Sou, tous tyrannous kathilen, ethrafse ke our God. Since he possessed Thy Strength, he cast
demonon ta anishira thrasi. Aftou tes ikesies, Hriste O down the tyrants and destroyed the demons powerless
Theos, Soson tas psihas imon. presumption. Through his Intercessions, O Christ our
God, Save our soul.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PROKOPIOS - TONE(5) PLAGAL 1
Agrevthis Ouranothen pros tin efsevian, katikolouthisas Led towards Heavenly Piety, Thou Rejoiced like Paul, to
heron osper O Pavlos Hristo, ton Martyron kalloni follow Christ, O Boast of Martyrs, Prokopios.
Martys Prokopie. Othen Dinami tou Stavrou, aristefsas Therefore, by the Power of the Cross, Thou were
evkleos, katishinas ton Veliar, ou tis kakias atrotous, excellently Perfected, and deposed Belial. Save
Soze tou potho Se garerontas. unscathed from evil, those who praise Thee with
fervour.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST PROKOPIOS - TONE 2
To Zilo Hristou, to Thio pirpoloumenos, ke en to Stavro, to Zeal for Christ, devoutly aflamed, armed and protected
Timio frouroumenos, ton ehtrhon to frigma, ke ta thrasi by the Strength and Power of the Cross, Thou cast
kathiles Prokopie, ke tin septin Ekklisian ipsosas, ti Pisti down the insolence and boldness of the enemy, O
prokopton, ke Fotizon imas. Prokopios, and Thou exalted the Honourable
Church, excelling in Faith and granting Light to us
all.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO ST TIMOTHY 4 : 9 - 15
My Child, Timothy: this is Faithful Saying and worthy of all acceptance, for thus we both Labour and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the Living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially those who believe.
These Things command and teach. Let no one despise Thy youth; but be an example to Believers - in word, in
conversation, in Charity, in spirit, in Faith, in Purity.
Until I come, attend to reading, to exhortation, to Doctrine. Do not neglect the Gift that is in Thee, which was granted to
Thee by Prophecy, with the Laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. Meditate upon these things give Thyself
wholly to them that Thy progress may appear to all.
AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus SCRIPTURE AND THE INSPIRED WRITINGS OF OUR HOLY
Christ, WE MUST CONSTANTLY LABOUR, STRUGGLE AND CHURCH FATHERS either to others or in private IS TIED
STRIVE, WHILE ENDURING THE CRITICISM AND REPROACH of TO EXHORTATION (PREACHING) AND DOCTRINE
those who prefer living according to their own (TEACHING.)
flawed and wicked desires. The early Christians already had a Liturgical worship
EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TAUGHT WITH structure, which included the Reading of Holy
REGARD TO OUR LORDS DIVINE TRUTH HIS TEACHINGS Scripture and the Homily the roots of which were in
AND COMMANDMENTS WHEREBY WE MUST LIVE IN the Synagogue.
CHRIST, WE MUST CAREFULLY AND CORRECTLY TEACH Do not neglect the Gift that in Thee... REFERRED TO ST
OTHERS AS WELL, thereby passing on our Orthodox TIMOTHYS HOLY ORDINATION AS PRESBYTER (PRIEST)
Christianity and avoiding the pitfalls of man-made WHICH WAS CONFERRED BY THE HOLY APOSTLES of Christ
doctrines and ideas that are according to the evil upon him, AS IT IS PERFORMED BY OUR BISHOPS to this
ones machinations. day.
Our SPIRITUAL ENDEAVOURS THAT FAITHFULLY AND TRUTHFULLY St Paul later gave St Timothy instructions for Holy
OBEY AND FULFIL OUR LORDS COMMANDMENTS AND Ordination. (1 TIMOTHY 5: 22)
TEACHINGS, LEAD US CORRECTLY TO ETERNAL LIFE in His In continuity with the New Covenant, ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
Heavenly Kingdom. ORDINATION INTO THE HOLY DIACONATE AND HOLY
By giving attention ... to Reading, to Exhortation and PRIESTHOOD COMES THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS BY
to Doctrine... means that our personal READING, THE BISHOP. (The unbroken line of Apostolic Succession)
CONTEMPLATING AND UNDERSTANDING OF HOLY
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 6 : 17 19 & 9: 1- 2 &10: 16 21
At that time, our Lord Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of His Disciples, and a great multitude of people
from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who went to hear Him, and to be Healed of their
diseases and those who were troubled with unclean spirit were Cured. And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for
Power went forth from Him and Healed them all...
...He Called His Twelve Disciples together and granted them Power and Authority over all demons, and to Cure
diseases. And He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and to Heal the sick....
... And He said to them: ...He who hears you, hears Me. And he who rejects you, rejects Me, and he who rejects Me
rejects Him Who sent Me!

ST PROKOPIOS THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR OF CAESAREA, PALESTINE 8 JULY 2017 11

 The Seventy returned with Joy, saying; Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name! He said to them: I
beheld Satan fall like lightning from Heaven.
Behold, I grant you Authority to trample upon Serpents and Scorpions, and over all the power of the Enemy, and
nothing shalt by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not Rejoice in this that the spirits are subject to you
but rather Rejoice for your names are written in Heaven.
In that Hour, Jesus Rejoiced in the Spirit, and said: I Thank Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, that Thou hast
hidden these Things from the wise and the prudent, and revealed them to infants. Indeed, Father, for so it
seemed Good in Thy Sight...
This is the beginning of our Lords Sermon on the He prepared them to be focussed and single-minded in
Plain, which is similar in content although it is not as
extensive as His wonderful Sermon on the Mount.
Our Lord often repeated many of His Divine Teachings
over the three year period of His Public Ministry.
Disciples and Apostles are often USED
INTERCHANGEABLY WITH REGARD TO THE TWELVE OR SEVENTY
CHOSEN APOSTLES OF CHRIST.
 The title Disciple of Christ applies to every one of us
who VOLUNTARILY FOLLOW OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR and
thus who UNDER HIS DIVINE DISCIPLINE, STRIVING
CEASELESSLY TO OBEY AND FULFIL ALL HIS By comparison, those who have never known Christ due
COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS.
 An ...Apostle... is someone who has been ...sent
out... by our Lord to initially prepare the people
for the Divine Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
After the Descent of God the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost
Sunday, His Holy Apostles and Disciples spread
throughout the known world in order to fulfil His
Divine Commission, which still applies to us to this very
day:
1. ...make Disciples of all Nations... by teaching
them the Divine Truth of our Lord God.
2. ...Baptising them... in the Name of our Triune
God: i.e. in the Name of each of the Three
Persons of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God
the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
3. ...teaching them to observe all things that I
have commanded you...
Our Lord Jesus Christ used His Divine Power directly to
Heal and to perform all His Miracles, whereas He
had to grant Power and Authority to His Apostles
so that they *could fulfil His Divine Mission on
Earth in His Beloved Name.
The lists of our Lords Holy Apostles may differ slightly
because many of them were known by two
names.
On the Apostles First Missionary Journey, they were sent
out two by two so their names were often linked
together.
Initially, our Lord Jesus sent His Apostles to serve only the
Chosen People of God the people of the first Israel,
the Hebrew people.
He did so in order to prevent them from being accused
later of consorting with the despised pagans the
Gentiles the uncircumcised.
ST PROKOPIOS OF
St Prokopios was born in Jerusalem to a Christian father
and a pagan mother, who named him Neanias. After
the Repose of his father, his mother raised him as a
pagan.
Emperor Diocletian had heard about Neanias and had
recruited him for Military Service, and when that
nefarious Emperor began to persecute Christians, he
was posted to Alexandria with a garrison of soldiers.
Along the way, Neanias had Miraculous Encounter with our
Lord Jesus Christ, similar to that of St Paul.
At the Third Hour one night, a strong earthquake occurred
and our Lord appeared before him and said: "Neanias,
where art Thou going and against Whom art Thou
fighting?" Terrified, Neanias enquired: "Who art Thou,
Lord? I am unable to recognize Thee."
A glowing, crystal-like Cross appeared in mid-air. "I Am
Jesus, the crucified Son of God. By this Sign conquer
Thine enemies, and My Peace will be with Thee."
St Prokopios was Transformed. He had a Cross made
similar to that of his Vision, and instead of persecuting
the Christians as ordered, he and his soldiers fought
against, and defeated, the Agarians who were attacking
Jerusalem, but when he joyfully declared his Conversion
to his pagan mother, she denounced him to the Roman
authorities whereupon he was arrested and tried.
12. ST PROKOPIOS THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR
their Sacred Mission of Healing and Preaching,
having reminded them that the Power He bestowed
upon them was a free Gift of God.
Furthermore, our Lord instructed His Apostles and
Disciples not to carry anything extra with them so that
they would learn to depend on the Divine Providence
of our All Merciful and Benevolent Lord God.
Judgement is extremely severe for those who reject
our Lord Jesus Christ after having experienced His
Divine Grace.
to their genuine ignorance, are without sin in that
regard.
They will be Judged by their God-given Conscience. (That
little Voice of God of Divine Truth and Wisdom - that always
Guides us, Cautions us and Teaches us according to Divine
Will, which is breathed into us by God the Holy, Life-giving
Spirit when we are conceived and Enlivened.)
I beheld Satan fall... describes the significant Event
that occurred before the Creation of our material
Universe, when Satan and his fallen angels, the
demons, were banished from Heaven and the
Presence of Almighty God, being neither of
Heaven nor of Earth.
Lucifer/Satan/the Evil One set his egocentric, arrogant
and proud will against the Lord our God, and had
encouraged other Angels to follow him. Thus they
were exiled forever from the Divine Light and all the
Goodness of the Heavenly Kingdom.
When mankind was created, whom God Loved, Satans
intense, obsessive jealousy began its warfare against
us, which our Lord permits at times for our Spiritual
Benefit to draw us closer to Him through growing,
strengthening Faith.
Everything evil and destructive is invented by the Evil One
in order to destroy our close Relationship to God.
The term ...Infants... refers to those who have simple
Faith in God and a willing and humble heart that
joyfully fulfils His Divine Will and Truth.
It is a reference to the pure heart and soul of the
innocent, in whom there is no guile. (ISAIAH 14:12 15 &
REVELATION 12: 7 12)
CAESAREA, PALESTINE
In court, St Prokopios promptly removed his belt and sword
and tossed them before the Judge, proclaiming that
thereby he was a Faithful Soldier of Christ the King.
He was sentenced to many hideous tortures, after which he
was thrown into a dark, filthy dungeon where our Lord
Jesus Christ again appeared to him and Baptized him
with the name Prokopios.
Twelve women went to his prison window and called out to
him: "We, too, are the servants of Christ!"
Having been arrested, tried and tortured, they were cast
into the same dungeon where St Prokopios taught them
the Faith and Truth of Christ, and told them how they
would be Crowned with Martyrs Wreaths, which is why
in the Holy Service of Betrothal-Matrimony St Prokopios
is mentioned together with St Constantine and St
Helena, Equals to the Apostles.
Having witnessed the brutal, disgusting torture, the
suffering and the extraordinary Courage of the twelve
female Martyrs, the mother of St Prokopios confessed
her conversion to Christ, whereupon she, too, was
arrested, tried, and martyred with them.
On 8 July 303, in Caesarea, Palestine, St Prokopios prayed
for all the suffering people, and especially that the Holy
Church of Christ may grow, spread and shine forever,
then he bent his neck for the sword and was Perfected
in Eternal Joy. May his memory be Eternal.
OF CAESAREA, PALESTINE 8 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone 4 9 July 2017

th th
5 Sunday After Pentecost - 5 Sunday of St Matthew
The Gergesene (Gadarene) Demoniacs
The Feast of St Pankratios, Bishop of Taormina, Sicily St Dionysios the Orator of St Anne Skete, & St Metrophanes of
Mount Athos St Michael, New Martyr of Athens St Cyril, Bishop of Cortyna, Crete St Patermuthios and St Copres,
Ascetic Hermits & St Alexander the Soldier of Egypt St Theodore, Bishop of Edessa, Syria -

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 5 LUKE 24 : 12 35

OUR RESURRECTED LORD ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 4

To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from
Mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon. had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather,
Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos. more! Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great
Mercy.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Epi tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou, Upon the Mount Thou were Transfigured, and Thy
tin Doxan Sou Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina otan Se Disciples beheld Thy Glory, as far as they were able to
idosi Stavoumenon, to Me Pathos noisosin ekousion to do, O Christ our God; so that when they would see
de kosmo kirixosin oti Si iparhis Alithos, tou Patros to Thee Crucified, they would know that Thou Suffered
Apavgasma! willingly; and thus proclaim to all the world: Thou art
truly the One Who is the Fathers Radiance!
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM 103/104 TONE 4
Os Emegalinthi ta Erga Sou, Kyrie. Panta en Sofia epiisas. Greatly Magnified art Thy Works, O Lord! All things Thou
made in Wisdom!
Evlogi, i psihi mou, ton Kyrion. Kyrie O Theos mou: Bless, O my soul, the Lord! O Lord my God! Exceedingly
Emegalinthis Sfodra! Magnified!
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE ROMANS 10 : 1 - 10
Brethren, my hearts desire and Prayer to God for them is that they may be Saved. I bear them witness, therefore, that
they have a zeal for God, yet it is unknown. For, being unaware of Gods Righteousness, and seeking to establish
their own, they did not submit to Gods Righteousness. For the End of the Law is Christ, that everyone who has Faith
may be Justified.
Moses wrote that those who practise Righteousness that is based on the Law, shall live by it.
Righteousness based on Faith says: Do not say in your heart: Who will Ascend into Heaven? (that is to bring Christ
down,) nor Who will descend into the Abyss? (that is to bring Christ up from the dead.)
But what does it say?
The Word is near you on your lips and in your heart (that is: the Word of Faith that we preach) because, if you Confess
with your lips that Jesus is our Lord, and believe in your heart that God Raised Him from the dead, you will be
Saved.
For Faith of the heart is Justification and Confession with the lips, is Salvation.
ST PAUL WANTED NOTHING BUT GOOD FOR THE NATION OF ISRAEL, MERE OBEDIENCE TO THE LETTER OF THE MOSAIC LAW HAS
BUT THEIR ZEAL WAS NOT BASED IN DIVINE TRUTH. ALWAYS FAILED TO RENEW AND RESTORE MANKIND, nor
If they had merely been ignorant in their rejection of our granted Eternal Life, whereas FAITH AND WORKS IN
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, their Offence would CHRIST GRANTS US ETERNAL SALVATION AND LIFE IN HIS
certainly have been pardonable. HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
However, THEIR REJECTION AND DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD WAS FAR TRUE FAITH never doubts but TRUSTS IMPLICITLY IN GOD,
WORSE THAN UNENLIGHTENMENT, for it was not that they which compels us through our Love of God to
simply did know Christ, or Who He really is, but THEY HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE AND CEASELESS STRUGGLE to
CONTINUED TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN CONCEPT OF fulfil His Divine Truth.
RIGHTEOUSNESS, RATHER THAN SUBMITTING TO THE FAITH BRINGS US EVER CLOSER TO THE LORD OUR GOD AND
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH OF ALMIGHTY GOD. TOTALLY TRANSFORMS US, and we are thus able to
In other words: THEY TRUSTED THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN regain our created Likeness to Christ.
WORKS, WHILE THEY REJECTED THE TRUE AND ONLY WAY OF FAITH OF HEART AND CONFESSION OF LIPS MEANS THAT OUR
FAITH when it was presented to them. GENUINE, HEARTFELT BELIEF IN GOD IS FAR MORE
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE ONLY BEGOTTEN, ETERNAL PROFOUND than mere mental or intellectual
WORD AND SON OF GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ONLY acknowledgement of the Existence and Reality
WAY OF MANKINDS ETERNAL SALVATION ACCORDING TO and Truth of Almighty God.
BOTH THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS. FAITH IS OUR ABSOLUTE AND UTTER KNOWING GOD Who is
THE MOSAIC LAW PREPARED GODS CHOSEN PEOPLE FOR THE far beyond our limited intellect or imagination. It
COMING OF CHRIST OUR LORD, Who is ...the End of the is KNOWING ABSOLUTELY AND COMPLETELY WITH
Law... and THE FULFILMENT OF GODS RIGHTEOUSNESS OUR ENTIRE BEING BODY AND SOUL - that GOD IS!
The Way of the Old Covenant Law and the Way of the FAITH IS A MYSTICAL ASPECT OF OUR BEING THAT CANNOT BE
New Covenant Faith are contrasted. FORCED ON ANYONE but which is A COMPLETELY

5TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 5TH OF ST MATTHEW THE GERGESENE DEMONIACS 9 JULY 2017 13.
 NATURAL ACCEPTANCE OF DIVINE TRUTH that can only IN WHOM WE LIVE, having ...put on Christ.. at our Holy
come from our heart and soul not from an Baptism, and, having taken up our personal Cross, WE
intellectual argument or explanation., for BELIEF IS CEASELESSLY STRIVE TO FOLLOW in His Divine Footsteps.
SOMETHING WAY BEYOND OUR RATIONAL OR LOGICAL ONLY BY COMMITTING OURSELVES ENTIRELY to our Lord and
COMPREHENSION. Saviour, Jesus Christ, and thereby to our Triune,
AS TRUE AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, WE HAVE Almighty God, IS OUR FAITH ...unto Righteousness.
UNSHAKABLE TRUST IN OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST,
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 8 : 28 9 : 1
TH E TWO GERGESENE DEMONIACS
At that time, when our Lord Jesus went to the other side to the region of the Gergesenes two demoniacs, coming out
of the tombs, met Him so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold! They cried out: What hast Thou to
do with us, O Jesus, Son of God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?
At some distance from them, a herd of many swine was feeding. The demoniacs appealed to Him, saying: If Thou cast
us out, send us into the herd of swine.And He said to them: Go! They went out, and entered the swine.
And behold! The entire herd stampeded down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen
fled, and went into the city, reporting everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs.
And behold! All the citizens went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.
And getting into a boat, He crossed over, and went to his own city.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS CONTROL OVER ALL CREATION, Although the malice of the demons causes such fear and
WHICH IS ANOTHER SIGN OF HIS DIVINITY AND PROOF THAT suffering THEY CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD
HE IS THE TRUE MESSIAH. so they had to beg our Lord Jesus to allow them to
THE DEMONS who had taken possession of the two enter the herds of swine.
wretched men of Gergesene (or Gadarene) KNOWING THAT WHAT HAPPENED NEXT WOULD BE A GREAT
IMMEDIATELY RECOGNISED OUR LORD JESUS AS THE WORD LESSON TO THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT, CHRIST PERMITTED
AND SON OF GOD. THEM to do so.
THEY KNOW GOD since they were created to be His Faithful THE INSTANT THE DESTRUCTIVE DEMONS ENTERED THE SWINE, THE
Angels in Heaven before the terrible rebellion of POOR ANIMALS WENT BERSERK, stampeded right over the
Satan. high cliffs and drowned in the sea below.
Satans devastating arrogance, pride, jealousy, greed CHRIST REVEALED HIS INCOMPARABLE RESPECT OF ALL HUMAN
and disobedience to God caused his expulsion from BEINGS whose ETERNAL SALVATION IS WORTH EVERY
Heaven together with all those who had dared to SACRIFICE!
rebel with him. The immediate eradication of the wretched, forbidden
DEMONS ARE EXCRUCIATINGLY AWARE OF THE FACT THAT WHEN THE herds clearly showed how GOD HAD PROTECTED HIS
FINAL DAY OF JUDGEMENT COMES, THEY WILL BE SENT TO THE BELOVED HUMAN BEINGS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE
TERRIBLE ABYSS, THE OUTER DARKNESS, THE ETERNAL PERISHED UNDER SUCH LETHAL DEMONIC INFLUENCE.
CONDEMNATION OF ALIENATION FROM GOD AND EVERYTHING Furthermore, it emphasised the illegality of the
GOOD, WHERE THEY BELONG. swineherds, which the Judeans were forbidden to
ETERNAL HELL WILL BE SO HORRENDOUS THAT EVEN THE WICKED keep or to eat.
DEMONS FEAR IT. Another conspicuous but very sad aspect of this
THE EVIL ONE AND HIS DEMONS MAY BE ABLE TO TEMPT US AND Miraculous Incident, was the fact that THE
INTERFERE WITH US in their constant obsessive hatred GERGESENES WERE MORE CONCERNED WITH THE MATERIAL
of mankind, BUT THEY HAVE NO REAL POWER OVER LOSS OF THEIR FORBIDDEN SWINEHERDS THAN OVERJOYED
ANYTHING UNLESS IT IS PERMITTED BY GOD according to AT THE RESTORATION OF THE TWO MEN TO FULL SPIRITUAL
His own Divine Plans for us. HEALTH or the fact that THE REGION HAD BEEN FREED
Although we may be subjected to their temptations, WE FROM THE INTIMIDATION SUCH FIERCE DEMONS.
COMMIT SIN ONLY ACCORDING TO OUR FREE WILL OUR OWN EVEN WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD, THEY
CHOICE. REJECTED HIM in preference to their worldly
Therefore, GOD ALLOWS US TO BE TEMPTED SO THAT WE MAY possessions, which they deeply resented having
GROW SPIRITUALLY STRONGER through our constant lost so they begged Him to leave their region.
resistance to the wicked temptations and draw ever MANY OF US ARE THE SAME AS THE GERGESENES, because we
closer to God Who watches over us and Whose Love are MORE CONCERNED WITH OUR OWN TEMPORARY,
protects us from harm. WORTHLESS PLEASURES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY THAN
SPIRITUAL WARFARE LASTS THROUGHOUT OUR EARTHLY LIFESPAN developing a closer, stronger and more intimate
SO WE DEPEND ON DIVINE GRACE FOR OUR SURVIVAL AND Relationship with God PREPARING OURSELVES FOR
SPIRITUAL PROGRESS. ETERNAL LIFE IN GODS HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
EVERYTHING IS ACCORDING TO DIVINE GRACE AND PROVIDENCE Our Lord Jesus Christ had established Capernaum as
yet the demons were shocked when, seeing Christ His ...own city... whence He and His Apostles set out
approaching, they thought their cruel torment of to spread His Divine Gospel of Love/Agape.
people was being terminated even before the Last
Judgement.
5TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 5TH SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW THE GERGESENE DEMONIACS
In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Capernaum, are situated to the North and on the West
Spirit... coast.
Dearly Beloved: The Sacred Lesson for today - the 5th Because THE GERGESENES (OR GADARENES) WERE MAINLY PAGAN
Sunday of St Matthew - concerns one of the many GENTILES, THE JEWISH CITIZENS had been influenced by
Divine Miracles that our Lord Jesus Christ performed them some having family ties with them - so they NO
during His three year public Ministry. LONGER FAITHFULLY OBSERVED MOSAIC LAW, which is why
THIS DIVINE MIRACLE INVOLVED EXORCISING OR EXPELLING our Lord had gone to them.
DEMONS FROM TWO DEMONIACS (possessed by demons.) TWO WRETCHED, TERRIFYINGLY FIERCE DEMONIACS had escaped
This Event is recorded in all three of the SYNOPTIC GOSPELS the shackles and chains with which they had been
according to St Matthew, St Mark, and St Luke THAT subdued and controlled. They HAD TAKEN SHELTER IN THE
RELATE THE LIFE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. TOMBS AMONGST THE DECOMPOSING CORPSES AND BONES OF
The version we hear today, the 5th Sunday of St Matthew, THE DEAD, and persistently scared the local population.
is the shortest of the three, and without the other WE CAN ONLY SPECULATE ABOUT WHAT MANNER OF DEMONIC
accounts, it would be difficult to understand the POSSESSION THEY SUFFERED. Was it serious physical or
Sacred Lesson properly. mental ailments, such as epilepsy or schizophrenia?
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES ...went to the Or was it really the ultimate manifestation of evil?
other side to the region of the Gergesenes... which In the Old Testament there is no word for "demon" as in
is on THE EAST SHORE OF THE SEA OF GALILEE, while our "...being possessed by an evil spirit."
Lords birthplace, Bethlehem, His home, Nazareth,
and the headquarters of His public Ministry,

14. 5 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 5 T H OF ST MATTHEW THE GERGESENE DEMONIACS 9 JULY 2017

The word (demoniis) in the Old Testament Their words: "...What has Thou to do with us, O Son of
as it was translated from the ancient Hebrew into
Hellenistic Greek, is used to mean "false god" or "idol."
Nevertheless, THESE PARTICULAR DEMONS KNEW EXACTLY WHO
OUR LORD JESUS IS, for ...They cried out: What hast
Thou to do with us, O Jesus, Son of God? Hast Thou
come here to torment us before the time?
Having been expelled from Heaven and the very
Presence of Almighty God, THE DEMONS THE FALLEN
ANGELS IMMEDIATELY RECOGNISE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS
THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD!
They also knew that ON THE EIGHTH DAY OR JUDGEMENT DAY,
THEY WOULD BE BANISHED FOR ALL ETERNITY to the ...Outer
Darkness... ETERNAL EXILE FROM GOD AND ALL HIS
GOODNESS FOREVER - but NOT BEING ABLE TO PREDICT
ANYTHING ABOUT THE FUTURE, THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW SOON
THAT WILL OCCUR.
DEMONS DO KNOW ABOUT OUR LORD GODS INFINITE DIVINE
POWER; AND they do know HOW POWERLESS AND EVIL THEY
ARE to such a degree that they will never Repent!
Therefore, THEY DID NOT BESEECH CHRIST FOR HIS GREAT MERCY
THAT WOULD BRING THEM DIVINE FORGIVENESS AND
RECONCILIATION BEFORE THEIR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
Instead they besought our Lord Jesus Christ to delay their
Judgement.
In our own short lifespan, THE DEMONS OR FALSE GODS THAT
POSSESS US ARE OUR GREEDY, SELFISH AND LUSTFUL OBSESSIONS
FOR WEALTH, POSSESSIONS, AND EVERYTHING THAT HAS NO
SPIRITUAL BENEFIT FOR US neither now nor in Eternity.
DEMONIC POSSESSION IS EVERYONE OR EVERYTHING THAT
MISGUIDES US, THAT DECEIVES US, THAT DISTRACTS US AND
PREVENTS US FROM DEVELOPING A GOOD AND HEALTHY
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER.
Even when confronted by the Son of God, the demons
challenged Him in their wicked arrogance and self-
serving justification.
DEALING WITH HIDDEN CAUSES
Our Holy Church Fathers consistently exhort us to CONTROL
OUR THOUGHTS IN ORDER TO CONTROL OUR PASSIONS.
These thoughts are not usually predictable but seem to
arise out of nowhere as though they are hidden from
our view.
We do know that when thoughts arise they are
strengthened by external circumstances and
stimulants.
We may have no conscious lustful, greedy or wicked
thoughts in our heart, until an enticing sight, tempting
suggestions, a touch or taste arouses our awareness,
and a latent inner thought becomes inflamed with
uncontrollable passion.
Recognizing this reality of our human condition, the way
we control our external circumstances is important for
the control our passions.
St Theophan advises us:
1. We must not give free reign to our senses. We must
avoid indiscriminately seeing, hearing, touching,
smelling or tasting everything. We should not
become distracted by nor involved or obsessed
with anything that is obviously neither good or
unbeneficial for our Salvation.
THE HOLY TRINITY OUR TRIUNE GOD
The Foundation of our Spiritual Life is based on the
Nature of God - One God in Three Persons - the Holy
Trinity.
This Divine Truth concerning our Lord God is most
important to our Orthodox understanding of Theosis -
seeking Union with God.
Our Unity with God in Eternity is guaranteed because
God the Son, in His Divinity, has also taken on our
human flesh our human nature.
The Incarnation of the Eternal, Only Begotten Son and
Word of God our Lord Jesus Christ - clearly shows the The distinguishing feature of Orthodox Christianity is the
infinite Love God has for mankind, because - for our
Union to be possible - God cannot be an unknown,
impersonal Being.
We will never lose our human identity in our Unity with
God because of the Triune Nature of Almighty God.
It is because God has become Man that we, too, will be
assured of our identity in our Eternal Life.
5TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 5TH OF ST MATTHEW THE GERGESENE DEMONIACS 9 JULY 2017
God?" and ...If Thou cast us out, send us into the herd
of swine... proclaim the depth and depravity of their
wickedness for it is as though they dared to say to
God: "We cannot be bothered with Thy Laws and
Commandments! We cannot nor do we wish to
Repent our evil! We will not renounce our false gods,
nor our wickedness! So leave us alone! Do not bother
us! But do permit us enter the swine."
SIMILAR TO ALL UNREPENTANT SOULS, THEIR ARROGANCE AND
REFUSAL TO USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR REPENTANCE-
CONFESSION PROVED TO BE THEIR DESTRUCTION AND THEY WERE
PLUNGED INTO THE ABYSS!
Dearly Beloved, we must TAKE THIS SACRED LESSON TO HEART!
We must ALWAYS BE AWARE OF EVERY TEMPTATION that drags
us away from the Lord our God.
We must strive to BE CONSTANTLY WATCHFUL so that we do
not become possessed by our own personal demons.
WE MUST IMMEDIATELY RECTIFY OUR ERRORS REPENT OUR SINS -
before we become so hardened and set in our wicked
ways that we renounce Divine Truth and become like
these evil demons - even when confronted by Christ
our Lord!
We must CEASELESSLY BESEECH HIS GREAT MERCY, so that, as
we pray each day, the Lord our God will ...Deliver us
from the evil one...
ONLY BY OUR CONCERTED SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES CAN WE PREVENT
BEING PLUNGED FOREVER INTO THE DEEP, BOTTOMLESS, DARK
ABYSS - exiled for all Eternity from His Love, Joy and
Peace in His Heavenly Kingdom.
Amen.
REVEREND PETER A DAY
GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY, USA
HTTP://NJ.GOARCH.ORG/CLERGY/SERMONS/SERMONS.HTM
OF OUR PASSIONS
2. We must immediately reject or avoid any deceptive,
wicked temptations as well as and more
particularly any thoughts that arise as a result.
3. Having experienced harm from certain stimulants
i.e. having sinned by surrendering to certain
wicked temptations, we must be all the more
determined to avoid anything that will cause us to
sin again.
4. We must be constantly Spiritually Watchful - always
aware of and understand the dangers of
temptations that regularly confront us so that we
can avoid them and not commit any sins due to
our ignorance or habitual weakness.
Having encountered an enticingly attractive woman, St
Ephraim the Syrian, commented to his disciples: "You
see how she takes care to adorn her body, which soon
will be dust - how can we not be concerned with just
as carefully adorning our immortal soul?
To avoid or to overcome passions does not mean that we
need to seclude ourselves like a recluse.
We must learn to live with the reality of a full life in this
world, lived in the spirit and not for the satisfaction of
our unbeneficial and sinful passions.
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za/
Similar to how our Lord Jesus Christ relates to God our
Heavenly Father, we, too, will be Blessed with an
Eternal personal Relationship with our Lord, being
Nourished in His Divine Love.
Since Almighty God is Trinitarian, we know that He
always exists as Three Persons in one Godhead.
This is the True Nature of God as taught in Holy Scripture.
Our Orthodox Saints used the terms "...Life in Christ..." ...
Life in Spirit,.. and "...Spiritual Life..." to describe the
nature of our Sacred Union with God.
Triune Nature of God, Who became Man in order to
Transform us in Spirit.
Our Lord communicates with us through the Holy Spirits
Uncreated Power and Energy, and He is never
distanced from us because His Uncreated Energy
supports our existence and nurtures our Spiritual
Growth.
15.
Saint Symeon the New Theologian described this Sacred
Union experienced by him: ...Even at night and in
the midst of darkness I see, trembling, Christ opening
Heaven for me, and I behold how He Himself beholds
me from there, and how He sees me here ... together
with the Father and the Spirit in the Thrice Holy Light.
Because this is one and the same - nevertheless in three
Images, although It is only one. And It Illuminates my
soul brighter than the sun and floods my spirit
covered with gloom....
And this Miracle was even the more astonishing because
It opened my eyes and helped me to see, and that
which I saw is He Himself.
This Light helped those who behold to know
themselves... For they see the Light of Spirit and in as
much they see Him, they see the Son.
Now those who have been made worthy to see the Son,
see also the Father...
Note how Saint Symeon beheld God as three distinct,
separate Persons, which is quite different from the
way many western mystics regard God as a Unity of
Persons as only one Godhead.
Since the earliest times, Orthodox Christians have
believed our Lord Jesus Christ to be the Eternal, Only
Begotten Son of God, which is much greater than
simply as Jesus Christ the Man.
When we are Blessed with Divine Insight in Union with
God, we will understand that the living Relationship
between mankind and God is similar to the
Relationship of the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity
Father, Son and Holy Spirit which demonstrates the
Superior, Pure Love of God.
As our Lord Jesus Christ revealed to us, God is Love and
not only is He a Loving God, but our Sacred Union
with Him demands our Love of Him.
Father Dimitru Staniloae explained: ...Only a Perfect
Community of Supreme Persons can nourish with Its
infinite and Perfect Love, our thirst for Love in relation
to It and between ourselves.
This Relationship cannot be merely theoretical but must
also be lived, because Love (Agape) is not satisfied
with being only theoretical, but wants to give itself - to
welcome and be welcomed...
The Holy Trinity, radiated by this Love that is proper to It,
cannot be lived and conceived without Its Uncreated
Energies in ever-increasing levels.
Love is characterized by this paradox, for while It Unites
those who Love each other, It does not confuse their
identity...
ABBOT TRYPHON KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
The Things that are of God are far beyond the
capabilities of our finite mind to comprehend.
The Divine can only be known through the Nous - that
place in the heart that is our true centre.
Unlike the brain, the Nous is capable of Knowledge that is
beyond human comprehension, coming as it does
from Noetic Knowledge.
There is the seen (visible) and there is the unseen (invisible) - God is Unknowable without His Divine Revelation, and
the material and the immaterial.
That which is material can be scientifically examined
and experienced, while the immaterial can only be
seen and experienced spiritually.
These are two worlds that are only seemingly at odds
with one another.
If we attempt to examine that which is of a Spiritual
Nature using a science that is by its very nature
meant to explore the material realm, we will fail.
When we try to apply words to the Noetic Form, we fail.
We cannot understand God because He is outside the
realm of human intellectual understanding.
The Eastern Orthodox Church approaches Things of God
as Holy Mysteries, since God can only be known in His
Divine Energies, not in His Divine Essence.
Yet, if we can believe in quantum physics, which is
unseen, how can we not believe in God Who is not
seen?
If we can believe in the concept of infinity - something
that goes on and on without end - why can we not
believe in God?
The science of the soul is Noetic and can be examined
and experienced only through the activation of the
Nous.
16. 5 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 5 T H OF
God wants to extend the Gift of His infinite Love to... (His
created, intellectual beings, the Angels and mankind.)
He wants to extend this Divine Love in its Paternal form
(to His adopted Children who are) ... United with His Son.
So, after the creation of mankind, He wanted His Son to
become Man so that His (Divine) Love... (could also be
bestowed on mankind whom He Loves.)
In God the Incarnate Son we are adopted by God the
Father...
God made mankind in the Image of His Son so that His
Son could become Man too.
God the Father Loves all of us in His Son, because His Son
became our Brother...
The Son's Love for us is not separate from the Father's
Love for us, because as our Brother, He makes Their
Divine Love engulf us...
(Through our Holy Baptism we have become the adopted
Children of God and thus co-Heirs with Christ.)
With this Love of our Heavenly Father and our Love for
Him in Christ, Divine Love of the Holy Spirit is poured
upon us in the form His Uncreated Power and Energy.
...If the Son had not become Man we would not have
received the Love of the Father.
It is in Christ as Man that Divine Love reached us.
It is by the incarnate Son that the Holy Spirit radiates
Love within humanity and the world ...
The Holy Spirit has granted all creation Trinitarian Love,
raising Creation to the level of Divine Love and
Theosis.
This is why we invoke God the Holy Spirit in all our
Sanctifying Services, for by the Divine, Uncreated
Power and Energy of the Holy Spirit Creation is
elevated to the Heavenly Kingdom, and the Divine
Realm of Love Transforms us.
This is the Nature of Orthodox Spirituality.
Our Aim and Purpose is to acquire His Uncreated Energy
that comes though the Love of God in the Holy Spirit.
This is far more significant than the limited, intellectual
understanding of God by means of Holy Scripture.
We can become United with our Triune God though the
Blessings of the Holy Spirits Uncreated Energy and
Power that make the impossible achievable for us.
FATHER CHARLES JOINER, DEACON
ST GEORGE CATHEDRAL, GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA
FATHER DIMITRU STANILOAE ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
The Nous in Orthodox Christian Theology is the Eye of the
soul and the Mind of the heart.
God created us with the Nous because our human
intellect is not capable of knowing Him without it.
Our intellect alone cannot know God, for human
reasoning is limited to the things that are of a
material nature.
only the Nous can perceive this Knowledge.
Gods Essence remains inaccessible without Noetic
Knowledge.
Science has its place, but only our heart and soul can
know God.
HTTPS://BLOGS.ANCIENTFAITH.COM/MORNINGOFFERING
ST ISAAK THE SYRIAN:
The continuous study of Holy Scripture is the Light and
Nourishment of our soul and protects us from the
passions.
ST PORPHYRIOS OF KAFSOKALIVIA:
Satan the devil hides himself and makes some people
deny his existence. They use other names for his
wickedness and to his great glee, they deny that it
is him who invents, incites and stimulates egoism
and wicked passions in us that cause us to sin.
ST NILOS THE HOLY ASCETIC:
Endure all afflictions for through them we can
acquire Virtue.
ST MATTHEW THE GERGESENE DEMONIACS 9 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

11 July 2017
Miracle of St Euphemia at Chalcedon
Also the Feast of St Helen/Olga, Venerable Princess & Equal to the Apostles, of Russia St
Cindeos the Presbyter & Hieromartyr of Pamphylia, Asia Minor St Nikodemos the New
Martyr of Albania St Barbara, Great Holy Martyr, Translation of Holy Relics St
Arkadios of Novotorsk St Nektarios of Vrioulon

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST EUPHEMIA TONE 4

Lian efranas, tous Orthodoxous, ke katiskhinas, tous All the Orthodox, Thou greatly cheered, and Thou put to
kakodoxous, Effimia Hristou kalliparthene. This gar shame the false believers, O fair Virgin of Christ,
Tetartis Sinodou ekirosas, I Pateres kalos edogmatisan. Euphemia. For Thou confirmed what the Fathers well
Martis Endoxe, Hriston ton Theon iketeve, dorisasthe Dogmatise, at the 4th Ecumenical Council. O Martyr
imin to Mega Eleos. Glorious, entreat Christ our God to grant to us His
Great Mercy!
SEASONAL KONTAKION OUR LADY THEOTOKOS - TONE 4
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin Voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Se. Theotokos who always Protects all those who Honour
Thee!
MATINS FESTAL GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 5 : 24 24
THE HEALING OF ST VERONICA WHO HAD HAEMORRHAGED FOR TWELVE YEARS
At that time, many people followed our Lord Jesus, and thronged Him. And there was a certain Woman who had had
a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered much from many Physicians. And she had spent all that she had
and was not better, but rather, grew worse.
When she heard that about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garments. She had thought: If
only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.And immediately the source of her bleeding dried up, and she
felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus - instantly knowing in Himself that Power had gone
out of Him - turned around in the crowd and asked: Who touched My clothes? And His Disciples said to Him:
Thou see the multitude thronging Thee, and Thou ask: Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who
had done this thing. The Woman fearing and trembling knowing what had happened to her, went and fell
down before Him and told Him the whole truth. He said to her: Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in
Peace, and be healed of your affliction.
AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD HIM SO THAT OTHERS WOULD LEARN FROM HER AND GLORIFY
ALONE AND BEING OF THE SAME DIVINE ESSENCE AS GOD GOD.
THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES THAT Therefore He loudly enquired Who touched My
SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY. garment? which astonished His Disciples since the
THE HEALING OF THAT WOMAN, ST VERONICA, DEMONSTRATED OUR large crowd shoved and pushed one another to get
LORD JESUS POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM OUR SINS AND TO closer to Christ and many would have brushed
HEAL ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PHYSICAL. against Him or certainly touched His garments.
According to the Old Covenant Laws, any type of Although on His way to save the daughter of Jairus a
haemorrhaging caused ceremonial defilement, ruler of the Synagogue OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS TIME
which imposed religious and social restrictions upon TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH BOTH
the sufferers for ANY CONTACT WITH BLOOD WAS STRICTLY HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE TRUTH:
PROHIBITED AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. First He granted her Good cheer because of THE PROOF
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
being unclean and had followed all the requirements Then He corrected her thinking for SHE COULD NEITHER HIDE
as a social outcast but SHE HAD REACHED SUCH A DEGREE OF HER ACTIONS FROM HIM FROM GOD NOR WAS SHE EXCLUDED
MISERY AND DESPERATION THAT SHE RISKED FURTHER SHAME FROM HIM BECAUSE OF HER AFFLICTION.
AND HUMILIATION IN THE CONVICTION THAT ONLY CHRIST And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
COULD HEAL HER. WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
It was a risk that she was willing to take after all what Our Holy Church Fathers believed that ST VERONICA
more could she lose? People had already taken SYMBOLISES HUMAN NATURE IN GENERAL because ALL
everything she had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER HUMANITY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH,
WHAT SHE REALLY NEEDED! WHICH WAS SYMBOLISED BY HER HAEMORRHAGING.
EVERYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY GOD BECOMES SANCTIFIED THE PHYSICIANS WHO COULD NOT HEAL HER SYMBOLISE THE
HOLY AND WILL PASS THAT SANCTIFICATION ONTO THE VARIOUS RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD, AS WELL AS THE OLD
FAITHFUL. COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
So THE INSTANT ST VERONICA SOFTLY TOUCHED THE ROBES OF HUMANITY THEY CANNOT SAVE US
CHRIST SHE WAS HEALED AND GOD KNEW HER SINCERE FAITH IN ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US! ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD
HIM. AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE GENUINELY FREED
DIVINE ENERGY OR POWER WENT FROM CHRIST TO ST VERONICA FROM SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
AND HE WANTED HER TO OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE HER FAITH IN
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL THE CORINTHIANS 6 : 1 10
TH E MARKS OF AP OSTLESHIP
Brethren: we, then, as workers together with Him, also plead with you not to receive the Grace of God in vain. He said:
In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the Day of Salvation I have helped you.

THE MIRACLE OF ST EUPHEMIA THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR, AT CHALCEDON 11 JULY 2016 17
Behold! Now is the accepted time! Behold! Now is the Day of Salvation! We give no offence in anything - that our
Ministry many not be blamed. In all things we commend ourselves as Ministers of God: in much Patience, in
tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in Labours, in sleeplessness, in Fastings,
by Purity, by Knowledge, by Longsuffering, by Kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere Love, by the Word of Truth, by
the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by
evil report and Good Report; as deceivers, and yet True; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold
we Live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always Rejoicing; as poor, yet Enriching many; as having
nothing, and yet possessing all things.
St Paul describes AN AUTHENTIC HOLY APOSTLE OF CHRIST OUR The Day of Salvation is right NOW!
LORD. THE BEGINNING OF OUR ETERNAL SALVATION IS ALWAYS AT THIS
HIS LIFE IN CHRIST CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE MYSTERIOUS PRESENT MOMENT in the period before the
PARADOX OF GODS DIVINE GRACE AND STRENGTH WORKING IN Reappearance of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
OUR HUMAN WEAKNESS by the RENUNCIATION OF THE Christ, in His Incarnate, Resurrected State.
FALLEN WORLD IN ORDER TO MASTER AND GUIDE IT ALONG THE This particular passage of St Pauls Second Epistle to the
RIGHTEOUS PATH TO ETERNAL LIFE in Gods Heavenly Corinthians is read on the Feast Days that
Kingdom of Love (Agape.) Commemorate our Female Saints and Holy Martyrs.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 7 : 36 50
TH E FORGIVENESS OF A SINFUL WOMAN
At that time, one of the Pharisees asked our Lord Jesus to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisees house, and sat
down to eat. And behold: A woman of the city, who was a sinner when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the
Pharisees house, took an alabaster flask of fragrant Myrrh, and stood at His Feet, behind Him, weeping. She
washed His Feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. And she kissed His Feet and anointed
them with the fragrant Myrrh.
When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying: This Man if He were a Prophet would
know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner! And Jesus answering, said
to him: Simon, I have something to say to you. He said: Teacher, say it.
There was a certain Creditor who had two Debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other, fifty. Having
nothing with which to repay him, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me: which of them Love him more?
Simon answered and said: I suppose the one whom he forgave more. Jesus said to him: You have rightly judged.
And turning to the woman, He said to Simon: Do you see this woman? I entered your house - you gave Me no water
for My Feet. She has washed My Feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no
kiss. Since she came in, She has not ceased kissing My Feet. You did not anoint My head with oil. She - with
fragrant Myrrh - has anointed My Feet. Therefore, I say to you: her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she
Loved much. To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
He said to her: Thy sins art forgiven.
And those who dined with Him began to say within themselves: Who is This Who forgives sins also? He said to the
woman: Thy Faith hath Saved thee. Go in Peace.
Our Lord Jesus Christ intrigued a certain Pharisee, Furthermore, SHE HAD UNWITTINGLY DEMONSTRATED HER
named Simon who had invited our Saviour to dine HUMBLE, LOVING REVERENCE AND WORSHIP OF ALMIGHTY GOD
with him in his home. However, SIMON THE PHARISEE BY HER HEARTFELT, SINCERE ACTIONS that clearly revealed
CLEARLY DID NOT BELIEVE IN CHRIST as demonstrated by the true state of her immortal soul.
his reaction to OUR LORDS GREAT MERCY FOR THE WEEPING, Finally, our Saviour cautions us: ...To whom little is
REPENTANT WOMAN who had anointed His Feet with forgiven, the same loves little. Those of us who
...fragrant Myrrh... for he secretly thought: This Man either consider ourselves as being sinless or who do
if He were a Prophet would know who and what not acknowledge nor confess our innumerable sins,
manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she nor strive to seek out and correct our faults every day,
is a sinner! are incapable of Loving God and each other. For
PROVING HIS DIVINE NATURE, OUR LORD RESPONDED TO SIMON THE WHEN WE ACQUIRE THE INSEPARABLE HOLY VIRTUES OF TRUE
PHARISEES UNSPOKEN WORDS WITH A PARABLE CONCERNING HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD ARE WE ABLE TO ACTUALLY
TWO FINANCIAL DEBTS, which He knew the Pharisee LOVE GOD AND ONE ANOTHER.
would understand very clearly. Thy sins art forgiven. OUR LORD HAD ALREADY FORGIVEN
OUR ALL MERCIFUL AND LOVING GOD DOES NOT FORGIVE US THE REPENTANT WOMAN THE MOMENT SHE APPROACHED HIM
ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF OUR SINFULNESS HOW GREAT WITH HER CONTRITE HEART, BUT HE DECLARED HIS DIVINE
OUR SPIRITUAL DEBT IS TO HIM BUT RATHER ACCORDING TO FORGIVENESS SO THAT SHE AND THOSE PRESENT MAY HEAR IT
OUR SINCERE REPENTANCE ACCORDING TO OUR CONTRITE CLEARLY.
HEART. Thy Faith hath Saved thee. Go in Peace. WITH THESE
AS SOON AS WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONFESS OUR SINS, our Lord WORDS, OUR LORD dismissed the Repentant Woman and
forgives us no matter what sins we have committed RESPONDED WITH HIS DIVINE TRUTH to those who witnessed
for HIS GREAT MERCY IS INFINITE FOR THOSE WHO TRULY the Event.
REPENT AND DETERMINE TO STRUGGLE AGAINST ALL ONLY THE LORD OUR GOD CAN GRANT US FORGIVENESS,
TEMPTATIONS. SALVATION AND HIS DIVINE PEACE.
WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY THE DEGREE OF OUR CEASELESS SPIRITUAL Even if our Divine Saviour had been merely a most
LABOURS AND STRIVINGS, which compels us to Repent our devout Judean, He would never have dared to
sins as soon as we fall into Spiritual Death. pronounce such powerful words!! He would never
This temporary lifespan consists of our CONTINUOUS STATES have committed such an act of blasphemy or heresy!!!
OF SPIRITUAL DEATH (SIN) AND SPIRITUAL LIFE (REPENTANCE- Once again, THE SPIRITUALLY BLIND COULD NOT COMPREHEND
CONFESSION) as we slowly proceed inevitably towards WHAT THEY HAD JUST WITNESSED - up close and personally
Eternity. - at the house of Simon the Pharisee!
In order to Enlighten and Teach His Divine Truth to the THIS ENCOUNTER with the Repentant Woman DEPICTS THE
self-righteous Pharisee and those who sat with DIVINE GRACE THAT IS GRANTED TO US ONLY THROUGH OUR
them, OUR LORD COMPARED THE HUMBLE, RESPECTFUL AND LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS HOLY CHURCH through Her
LOVING BEHAVIOUR OF THE REPENTANT WOMAN AND THE Divine Mysteries that grant us Forgivenes, Salvation
ARROGANT, DISRESPECTFUL AND INHOSPITALITY OF SIMON and Divine Peace and Joy.
THE PHARISEE: St Ambrose of Milan explained: CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH IS
1. ...I entered your house - you gave Me no water for ...JUSTIFIED AS BEING GREATER THAN THE (MOSAIC) LAW, for
My Feet. She has washed My Feet with her tears THE LAW DOES NOT KNOW THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, NOR THE
and wiped them with the hair of her head. MYSTERY IN WHICH SECRET SINS ARE CLEANSED. Therefore,
2. You gave Me no kiss. Since she came in, she has WHAT IS LACKING IN THE LAW IS PERFECTED IN THE GOSPEL...
not ceased kissing My Feet. THE FACT THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST COULD TRULY FORGIVE
3. You did not anoint My head with oil. She - with SINS WAS FAR BEYOND THE BOUND OF THE MOSAIC LAW AS THE
fragrant Myrrh - has anointed My Feet. PHARISEES AND SCRIBES UNDERSTOOD IT. but OUR LORD JESUS
He concluded: ...Therefore, I say to you: her sins, which CHRIST IS NOT A MERE MAN, BUT THE VERY LAWGIVER HIMSELF!
are many, are forgiven, for she Loved much... St Cyril of Alexandria said: ...WHO COULD DECLARE THINGS
meaning that ALTHOUGH SHE HAD HAD MANY SINS TO THAT WERE ABOVE THE LAW, EXCEPT THE ONE WHO ORDAINED
REPENT, SHE HAD DONE SO WITH A MOST CONTRITE HEART. THE LAW?

18. THE MIRACLE OF ST EUPHEMIA THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR, AT CHALCEDON 11 JULY 2016
 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.

12 July 2017
St Paisios the New, Holy Elder of Mount Athos
Also the Feast of St Proklos & St Hilarion of Kallippi, Ancyra St Michale of Maleinos St
Theodore the Varangian & St John, his son, of Kiev St Arsenios, Fool for Christ of
Novgorod St Simon, Abbot of Volomsk Monastery St Mary Golinduc of Persia St
John & St Gabriel the Georgians, of Mount Athos St Veronica/Bernice, Healed by
Christ

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PAISIOS THE NEW OF MOUNT ATHOS

Tis entheou Agapis to pir dexamenos, ipervallousi askisi Once the Fire of Love for our Lord was lit in Thee,
edothis olos Theo ke paraklisis pollon anthropon through Ascetical Rigor Thou gave Thyself to God. O
gegonas, logis Thiis noutheton, prosevhees God-bearing Paisios, for many Thou became
Thavmaourgon, Paisie Theofore, Ke nin presvevis Consolation, granting Counsel with God-Inspired
apafstos iper pantos tou kosmou, Osie. Words, and by Thy Prayers, working Wonders. And
now, O Devout One, Thou Intercede unceasingly for the
whole world.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST PAISIOS THE NEW OF MOUNT ATHOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Angelikos epi tis Gis politevsamenos ke di Agapis lampsas, Leading Thy Life on Earth in an Angelic manner, and
Osie Paisie, monazonton mega stirigma anedihthis, ton brightly shining through Thy Love, O Holy Paisios,
Piston hirsgogos pros vion Agion, ikoumenis de Thou became a Great Encouragement to Monastics, and
entrifima glikitaton dio krazomen. Heris, Pater a Guide for the Faithful to a Holy Life, for the whole
Pagkosmie. wide world, a Source of Sweet Divine Delight. So we
shout to Thee: Hail! O Father, known throughout the
world!
SEASONAL KONTAKION OUR LADY THEOTOKOS - TONE 4
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin Voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Se. Theotokos who always Protects all those who Honour
Thee!
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 11: 27 - 30
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son
except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and the one to whom the Son Wills to
reveal Him.
Come to Me, all who Labour and who are heavily laden, and I will grant you rest. Take My Yoke upon you, and
learn from Me, for I Am Gentle and Lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My Yoke is easy and
My Burden is light.
St Theophylact explained to us that GOD HAS HIDDEN HIS Thus the DIVINE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER IS REVEALED TO US AND
DIVINE MYSTERIES FROM THE WISE AND ERUDITE PEOPLE OF TAUGHT TO US ONLY BY GOD THE SON by the Second
THE WORLD not out of any malice towards His Person of the Holy Trinity - WHO CONDESCENDED TO
creatures but rather BECAUSE OF OUR UNWORTHINESS, BECOME INCARNATE AND TO LIVE WITH US IN ORDER TO TEACH
for we chose to trust our own fallen, warped and US CLEARLY AND DIRECTLY HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
limited wisdom and judgement instead of Gods No one knows the Son except the Father... means
Perfect and Absolute Wisdom and Knowledge. that OUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST
Furthermore, IT IS OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR MANKIND THAT GOD AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH IS LIMITED BY OUR HUMAN
WITHHOLDS DIVINE REVELATION FROM THOSE WHO WOULD CONDITION.
SCORN IT IN ORDER THAT THEY DO NOT RECEIVE EVEN WORSE THE DEGREE OR DEPTH OF OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HIS DIVINE
ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AT THEIR FINAL JUDGEMENT. TRUTH, DEPENDS ON OUR SPIRITUAL STATE AND PROGRESS.
THE YOKE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR FREE AND However, BY THE POWER AND ENERGY OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
WILLING SUBMISSION TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND the Third Person of the Holy Trinity WE ARE GRANTED
EVERYTHING THAT IS REQUIRED OF US AS WORTHY FUTURE THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND FULFIL FAR MORE OF HIS
CITIZENS. DIVINE TRUTH.
A yoke could be seen as a sign of hardship, burdens, and SOMETIMES, LIKE ST PAUL, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE RECEIVE
responsibilities, but IN CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, HIS YOKE IS DIVINE TRUTH DIRECTLY FROM OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN
EASY, BECAUSE DIVINE POWER WORKS IN EACH OF US. (2 KINGS A DIVINELY MYSTERIOUS MANNER THAT CANNOT BE
12: 1 11; JEREMIAH 34: 1-11; WISDOM OF SIRACH 40:1) EXPLAINED BUT ONLY EXPERIENCED!
Furthermore, THE ULTIMATE REWARD IS INFINITELY GREATER WE ARE SUBSEQUENTLY COMPELLED BY OUR LOVE OF GOD TO SHARE
THAN ANY EFFORT REQUIRED OF US! SUCH KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND TEACHING WITH OUR
The term Gentle is literally translated Meek. FELLOW DISCIPLES.
Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us clearly that ...all things ...Nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son,
have been delivered to Me by My Father... which and the one to whom the Son Wills to reveal Him.
means that EVERYTHING OUR SAVIOUR TEACHES US AND Our Lord Jesus Christ emphasises and confirms what
REVEALS TO US IS ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF OUR He has taught us ONLY THROUGH HIS DIVINE TRUTH CAN
HEAVENLY FATHER. WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND OUR BENEVOLENT, PROVIDENTIAL
AND LOVING LORD GOD.

ST PAISIOS THE NEW, HOLY ELDER OF MOUNT ATHOS 12 JULY 2017 19.
The ancient Holy Prophets and the Chosen People of God ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH
believed our Almighty God to be a fearsome, vengeful CAN WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE INFINITE
and wrathful God Who demanded Obedience and LOVE, MERCY, JOY, AND PEACE OF OUR LORD GOD.
Who would instantly destroy all who dared to ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BY THE POWER AND
challenge Him! ENERGY OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, ARE WE ABLE TO FULFIL OUR
(This was according to their experience of powerful, SACRED TASKS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY
merciless and cruel Rulers who terrified their subjects FATHER.
into submission and obedience!) ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CAN WE MAINTAIN AND
However, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALED TO US THAT INCREASE OUR BLESSED LIFE IN HIM THAT DRAWS US SLOWLY
ALMIGHTY GOD IS LOVE! HE IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE! TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE AND ALL THE BLESSINGS OF HIS
OUR LORD GOD NEVER FORCES HIS DIVINE WILL ON ANYONE, for HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
Love is Patient, Longsuffering, Kind, Gentle, Humble, By Living in Christ, our Spiritual Labours are achieved
Compassionate, etc. as St Paul described it so well. without causing us to become exhausted and
Our All Merciful and Loving God is incapable of doing ineffectual.
anything that is destructive and fatal, for that is utterly Our Lord God makes everything possible for us to
against His Divine Nature and Attributes, which achieve, despite our weaknesses or inabilities.
embody everything that is absolutely Good! We are Yoked together with each other by Christ, which
ALL EVIL, WICKEDNESS, CRUELTY, SUFFERING, DEATH all the makes this preparatory, often difficult and painful
woes of our human condition - ARE INVENTIONS OF THE lifespan far more bearable and Spiritually Profitable.
EVIL ONE none of which pertains to Gods Divine Will Our Journey is not a solo effort but always a Team Effort,
for THESE ALL CONTRADICT DIVINE LOVE I.E. THESE for we cannot fulfil our Sacred Tasks that are essential
CONTRADICT OUR TRIUNE GOD. to our Eternal Life without working in Unison and
ONLY THE TEACHINGS AND REVELATIONS OF OUR LORD JESUS Harmony with each other and, especially, with our
CHRIST CAN ENLIGHTEN US FOR THE SAKE OF OUR Lord
SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 149 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
The Holy Ones shall boast in Glory and they shall greatly Rejoice on their beds.
Sing to the Lord a New Song. His praise in the Assembly of His Holy Ones.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 5: 22 6: 2
Brethren, the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
Against such there is no Law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have Crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one
another, no envy of each other.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are Spiritual, should Restore him in a Spirit of Gentleness. Look
to yourself lest you, too, be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ.
St Paul reminds us of THE WONDERFUL SPIRITUAL FRUIT THAT IS A fleshy soul means that we are in a state of SPIRITUAL
GRANTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO STRIVE DEATH!
CEASELESSLY, all of which HELP US TO DEAL WITH OUR DAILY Unless we truly acknowledge and expose our sins,
PROBLEMS AND SPIRITUAL CONTESTS that confront us all. eradicating them through a concerted effort of
EVERY ONE OF THESE DIVINE FRUITS PROMOTES AND NURTURES OUR REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, we cannot RETURN TO OUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER. NATURAL SPIRITUAL STATE - SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST and
THE ONLY GIFT AND FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WE return to our close, intimate Relationship with
REQUIRE FOR OUR ETERNAL LIFE AS WELL AS A Almighty God and all His Goodness.
SUCCESSFUL, TEMPORARY, PREPARATORY LIFESPAN IS LOVE, St Paul reminds us that we are trying to Live in Christ to
FOR LOVE OR AGAPE NEVER FAILS!! LIVE ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER BY
Furthermore, UNLESS WE STRIVE WITH ALL OUR MIGHT TO ACHIEVE MEANS OF THE POWER AND ENERGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
TRUE AGAPE, WE WILL NOT BE WORTHY CITIZENS OF THE THROUGH THE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST.
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE. This is SPIRITUAL LIFE, which we must NURTURE, PROTECT AND
OUR ENTIRE JUDGEMENT IS BASED ON THAT UNCONDITIONAL, HOLY, GROW until our last breath, for WHATEVER CONDITION WE
DIVINE AND ABSOLUTE LOVE of God and our fellow DEPART THIS LIFE, WE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED IN THE NEXT
mankind, for whatever we do for them will be done i.e. in Eternity.
for us a hundredfold. Thus, we must STRIVE TO REMAIN IN SPIRITUAL LIFE and avoid
Thus it benefits us immensely if we do achieve Agape at all cost falling into a state of Spiritual Death!!
and treat one another with pure, virtuous heart and WE MUST IMMEDIATELY CORRECT OURSELVES as soon as we
soul! have fallen into sin - and we must encourage each
THEOSIS, DEIFICATION OR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION MEANS TO other to stay close to the Lord our God by means of
HAVE ACQUIRED THE GREATEST OF ALL HOLY VIRTUES - our Spiritual Endeavours.
TRUE LOVE THAT DIVINE, PERFECT AGAPE. We must AVOID PROVOKING EACH OTHER, or doing anything
This short lifespan, which prepares us for Eternity, should that will endanger our Brethren in Christ who might
be spent STRIVING TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN OUR be discouraged, disheartened or disturbed by our
IMMORTAL SOUL IN ORDER TO CONTROL OUR WILFUL, SELFISH careless, inconsiderate words, thoughts and deeds!
AND ARROGANT FLESH, because we all need TO RETURN TO We must GENTLY GUIDE AND CORRECT ONE ANOTHER always
GOD WHO CREATED US AS HIS PERFECT CREATURES OF LOVE. with Love, Kindness and Compassion, thereby
IF WE DO NOT LEARN TO CONTROL THE DEMANDS OF OUR bearing each others burdens, but never being a
UNDISCIPLINED FLESH, WE WILL DEVELOP A FLESHY SOUL burden to others by taking advantage of their good
A FLESHY SOUL IS DOMINATED AND CONTROLLED BY OUR PHYSICAL nature or kindness of heart.
PASSIONS THAT STIFLE AND DEADEN OUR CONSCIENCE AND, We must ensure THAT WHATEVER WE DO, IT IS ACCORDING TO THE
CONSEQUENTLY, ALIENATE US FROM GOD AND ALL HIS DIVINE DIVINE TRUTH, TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF OUR
GOODNESS AND LOVE. LORD JESUS CHRIST.
FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 6 : 17 23
At that time, our Lord Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of His Disciples, and a great multitude of people
from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the coast of tyre and Sidon, who went to hear Him, and to be Healed of their
diseases and those who were troubled with unclean spirit were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for
Power went forth from Him and Healed them all.
And He lifted up His Eyes to His Disciples, and said: Blessed art you who art poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Blessed art you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed art you who weep now, for you shall rejoice.
Blessed art you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
on account of the Son of Man!
Rejoice in that day, and leap for Joy, for behold! Your Reward is Great in Heaven!

20. ST PAISIOS THE NEW, HOLY ELDER OF MOUNT ATHOS 12 JULY 2017
In the age of the Old Covenant a select few were chosen
to hear God directly. (REFER EXODUS 19: 3 13)
IN THE AGE OF THE NEW COVENANT GOD INCARNATE SPEAKS
DIRECTLY TO HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AND ALL THOSE WHO SEEK
DIVINE TRUTH.
Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks to us with His own Divine
Authority and WE, AS HIS DISCIPLES, DO NOT DISCUSS OR
DEBATE BUT LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT HE REVEALS AND
TEACHES US CONCERNING GODS TRUTH READY AND EAGER TO
FULFIL WHATEVER IS REQUIRED FROM US. THIS IS OUR HOLY
MISSION AND PURPOSE ON EARTH DURING THIS PREPARATORY
PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY.
The term Blessed indicates HEAVENLY, SPIRITUAL
EXALTATION RATHER THAN EARTHLY HAPPINESS OR PROSPERITY.
In Hebrew, poor means both THE MATERIALLY POOR AND
GODS FAITHFUL PEOPLE.
The poor in spirit, are THOSE WHO HAVE THE HEART OF THE
POOR, THE SAME ATTITUDE AS THE POOR, AND WHO ARE TOTALLY
DEPENDENT ON GOD.
Those who hunger ... and thirst for Righteousness REGARD
THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM AS THE
MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES OF LIFE. THEY HAVE A
TREMENDOUS CRAVING AND YEARNING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND
GOOD A SPIRITUAL HUNGER THAT IS FAR MORE COMPELLING
THAN A DESIRE FOR FOOD.
Those who weep... refers to THOSE WHO ARE DISTRESSED BY
THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS LIFE, ESPECIALLY BY THE MISERY OF SO
MANY OTHERS, THE STATE OF THE FALLEN WORLD, AND THEIR
OWN PERSONAL SINS. (REFER JOHN 11:35... LUKE 19:41 & LUKE 7 : 36 38)
ALL THESE ARE COMFORTED BY THE POWER OF GOD BOTH IN THIS
WORLD AND IN THE AGE TO COME.
ST PAISIOS OF
12 July 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of the Repose
of St Paisios the Athonite.
On 13 January 2015, the Ecumenical Patriarchate
officially Canonised our Holy Father, St Paisios.
Of course much has been written of this great Holy
Father, who during his life helped innumerable souls
on a daily basis with his Prayers and Spiritual
Instruction, and after his Repose, he continues to help
even more.
Thousands of Faithful Pilgrims flock to his grave at the
Monastery of St John the Theologian in Souroti
(outside Thessaloniki) to receive his Blessings.
THE DIVINELY INSPIRED, ETERNAL WISDOM
I know from experience that in this life we are divided in
two categories. A third category does not exist. We
either belong to one or the other.
The first category resembles the fly.
The main characteristic of the fly is that it is attracted to
dirt.
For example, when a fly is in a garden full of flowers with
beautiful fragrances, it will ignore them and go to
something that is dirty and decaying on the ground. It
will start messing around with it and feel comfortable
with the bad smell.
If the fly could talk, and you asked it to show you a rose
in the garden, it would answer: I dont even know
what a rose looks like. I only know where to find
garbage, toilets and dirt.
There are some people who resemble the fly.
People belonging to this category have learnt to think
negatively and they always look for the bad things of
life, ignoring and rejecting the presence of anything
that is good.
The second category is like the bee whose main
characteristic is to always look for something sweet
and pleasant to sit on.
If a bee enters an area full of dirt but there is a small
piece of sweetness in a corner, it will ignore the dirt
and will go to the sweetness that is pleasant and
good.
Now, if we ask the bee to show us where the garbage or
heap of rotting vegetation or rubbish is, it will answer:
I dont know about any of that. I can only tell you
where to find beautiful flowers, sweet fragrances,
honey and all kinds of goodness for the bee only
knows about the good things in life and is ignorant of
all evil or corruption.
This is the second category of people who are positive
thinking and see only the good side of all things.
ST PAISIOS THE NEW, HOLY ELDER OF MOUNT ATHOS
HOLY SORROW IS PART OF OUR REPENTANCE, CONVERSION AND
VIRTUOUS ACTION.
HOLY SORROW OR JOYFUL MOURNING IS THE FIRST-FRUIT THE
INITIAL RESULT OF INFINITE OR ETERNAL BLISS/JOY, which is
completely different from ungodly sorrow an
inconsolable sadness that leads to despair utter
hopelessness. (REFER TO 2 CORINTHIANS 7 : 10 )
THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL IS WHEN WE COMMIT OUR LIVES
ENTIRELY TO CHRIST WHEN WE LIVE IN CHRIST AND NEVER
COMPROMISE OUR FAITH no matter what the
circumstances or threats against us.
This Sermon on the Plain is similar but not as extensive
as Christs profound Sermon on the Mount. (MATTHEW 5 7)
OUR LORD JESUS REPEATED MANY OF HIS DIVINE TEACHINGS OVER
THE PERIOD OF THREE YEARS HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY TO THE
HEBREWS AND GENTILES, WHICH WERE LATER SPREAD
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BY HIS DIVINELY INSPIRED APOSTLES
AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES.
St John the Divine Apostle, Evangelist and Theologian
wrote of three Passover Feasts that occurred between
Theophany the Revelation of the Holy Trinity at the
Baptism of our Lord in the River Jordan by St John the
Baptist and His Passion the New Covenant Pascha
which shows us that our Lords earthly Divine Mission
the direct Teaching by God Incarnate Himself lasted
only three short years!
This short section of the Holy Gospel according to St Luke
is read on Feast Days commemorating our Holy
Hierarchs, Hieromartyrs and Monks.
MOUNT ATHOS
Throughout the world many Divine Miracles continue to
occur through his Intercessory Prayers to our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ and to His Ever Blessed, All Pure
and Holy Mother, our Lady, Theotokos.
As St Paisios ceaselessly prayed for the Deliverance and
Salvation of all mankind, he, no doubt, continues to
do so for the sake of our immortal soul.
His Inspired Life and writings continue to encourage,
instruct and lead many to Repentance and a more
profound Spiritual Life in Christ.
May his memory be Eternal, and may he ceaselessly
Intercede on our behalf.
OF ST PAISIOS
They always try to cover up the evil in order to protect
others, while, on the contrary, the people in the first
category those who act like the disease carrying
flies - try to expose evil and bring it to the surface, (in
order to show how bad others are!)
When someone comes to me and starts accusing others,
it puts me in a difficult situation, so I tell him about the
aforementioned examples.
Then, I ask him to decide to which category he wishes to
belong, so he may find people of the same kind with
whom to socialize!
St Paisios constantly emphasised the importance of pious
thinking in Spiritual Life, for he believed that A SINGLE
POSITIVE THOUGHT EQUALS A VIGIL IN MOUNT ATHOS."
"In former days, the Holy Fathers first withdrew into the
desert, becoming themselves a desert void of their
passions by Struggling.
Without plans or motives of their own, they left
themselves in the Hands of God, avoiding honours
and power, even when they acquired a measure of
Sanctity unless our Mother Church had need of
them.
They were Obedient to the Will of God, and they
Glorified the Name of God by means of their Holy Life.
They became Spiritual Blood Donors, for they had
acquired good Spiritual Health in the desert with
good Spiritual Nourishment and Vigilant Patristic
Watchfulness.
In our day, however, many of us, who are unfortunately
influenced by worldly love, which can make no
Spiritual Pledge, supposedly venture to do good, to
donate their Spiritual Blood, but our blood is full of
Spiritual Bacteria and we do more harm than good.
If, however, we did Live Patristically, we would all have
Spiritual Health, which even all the heterodox would
12 JULY 2017 21.
 envy, leaving their sick delusions aside to be Saved
without preaching.
Now, however, they are not moved by our Holy Patristic
Tradition, for they want to see how we continue the
Patristic Tradition, to see our True Kinship with our
Saints.
Unfortunately, in our day, words and books have
multiplied while Spiritual Experiences have
diminished, because the worldly spirit that pursues all
conveniences and avoids all bodily effort, influences
people.
Most of us find rest in much reading, but with little or no
implementation.
We simply marvel at the Holy Athletes of our Church
without realizing how much they had Laboured, for
we have not toiled so as to be able to understand
their toil, to Love them and to Struggle out
of Philotimo in order to imitate them.
Those, however, who do Struggle with Philotimo and who
do not allow themselves to rest - removing their egos
from every one of their actions -, help very positively.
For only then are the souls in need of help granted rest,
and only then will their own souls find inner rest, in
this life as well as in eternity."
We should not Struggle with sick scholastic
meticulousness and be choked by stress (fighting
against our thoughts), but we should simplify our
Spiritual Struggle and place our Hope in Christ our
Lord and not in ourselves.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is all Love, Kindness and
Consolation, and He never stifles us, for He possesses
an abundance of Spiritual Oxygen Divine
Consolation.
Thorough Spiritual Labour is one thing and sick
meticulousness is another too much meticulousness
chokes us with inner anguish (due to thoughtless
external strain) and afflicts our forehead with splitting
headaches!"
Those who Struggle hard with much devotion and
who have reached the Angelic State to a certain
extent, and who are Nurtured with Celestial Honey,
nevertheless offer nothing significant to God
compared to what He has offered us.
For we eat honey, while offering Him on the wax!
We eat sweet fruit but offer God only tree resin with the
Censer!
Therefore, we do nothing, and offer nothing worthy to
God, compared to His Great Loving Kindness.
For while our Good Lord produces beautiful Fruit with
our rubbish, or even with our manure, in order to feed
us, we wretched people turn beautiful Fruit into
manure!
"Blessed are those who have Christ as their hearts axis
and joyfully revolve around His Holy Name, noetically
and unceasingly repeating "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of
God, have Mercy on me."
It is not only that we become accustomed to saying the
Prayer.
The Purpose is for us to know ourselves and to sense our
sinfulness.
If we only slapped someone, we are sinners because we
should not have done so..
We are all sinners.
Consider what God did for us and what we do for God in
return!
After thinking of that, even if our heart is as hard as
granite it will soften.
Let us think a little logically.
God could have made us mules and given us into
undiscerning hands that would overload us with
heavy burdens, and beat us cruelly.
Finally, we could fall into a pit and dogs could open our
bellies, so that passersby would have to cover their
noses due to the rotten stench.
Just because we have been spared that, should we give
thanks to God? I would not thank Him for that neither
if God had created me as a snake or scorpion!
However, His Divine Love created us as human beings.
God was sacrificed for us!
22. 6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF ST MATTHEW LIGHT
With one drop of His Divine, Life-giving Blood He washes
away all the sins of the world!
If we think of all this - on one side, the Good Work of God
and on the other, our own sinfulness and ingratitude -
even if our heart was as hard as granite, it would
soften. and then we will begin to understand the
Great Mercy of God!
Our heart can only attain rest with the ceaseless Prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ, have Mercy on me! for this
Prayer of the heart refreshes us body and soul and
does not weary us at all.
When we do not proceed in this manner, we have only
an unprofitable habit for our old self remains within
us and we continue to follow the way of delusion!"
"Theology is the Word of God, which is apprehended by a
pure, humble and Spiritually Regenerated soul, and
not the beautiful words of the mind, which are crafted
with literary art and expressed by the legal or worldly
spirit...
"Theology that is taught like a science usually examines
things historically and, consequently, things are
understood only externally.
Since Patristic Ascesis and Inner Experience are absent,
this kind of Theology is full of uncertainty and
questions.
For we cannot grasp the Divine Energies with our mind if
we do not first practise Ascesis and Live the Divine
Energies, so that the Grace of God might be energized
within us...
Whoever thinks that we can come to know the Mysteries
of God through external scientific theory, resembles
the fool who wants to see Paradise with a telescope."
"If we were able to escape our self (i.e. our self-love), we
would also be able to escape from gravity that keeps
us on Earth - and we would be able to see everything
in Reality - with Divine Sight utterly clearly, truly and
most profoundly.
That is why it is necessary for us to leave the world for the
Desert, to Struggle with Humility, Repentance and
Prayer, in order to be deserted by our passions, to
remove our Spiritual "Rust" and become good
conductors who are able to receive Divine Grace and
become True Theologians...
If we do not remove the rust from our Spiritual Cables,
we will constantly be short-circuited by worldly
theories, doubts and questions.
Consequently, we cease to Theologize and, being in a
condition of worldliness, we will speak historically, or
examine things legally and mathematically.
In other words, for example, we will examine how many
nails were used to crucify Christ, and how many
soldiers were present when He was crucified - without
regarding the Spiritually Essential Truth and Reality -
that Christ was crucified for our own sins, in order to
Redeem us, and that He Suffered more than all His
Holy Martyrs throughout the ages.
Although our Lord Jesus Christ helped His Holy Martyrs
with His Divine Power, He did not use His Divine Power
to spare Himself at all and He suffered terribly due to
His Love of all mankind, even while His wrists and His
Feet were so cruelly pierced with nails.
The details of how the executioners crucified Him, is of
no Spiritual Significance, inasmuch as both wrists and
feet were nailed to the Cross.
What is important to us, is that our sinless Divine Saviour
suffered the excruciating pains of crucifixion, and He
tasted the bitter vinegar, so that He might sweeten us
again in Paradise, and eternally keep us close to Him,
as our Loving Father."
We should make the suffering of others our own!! We
must Love and hurt for others, so that we can pray for
them. We must Love and hurt, for other people - for
the large family of God, as well as for our own
family...
The more we hurt, the more Divine Consolation we
receive, because otherwise it is not possible to stand
the pain... God especially consoles those who hurt
for others."
OF THE WORLD 16 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the
Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria,
Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our
whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone (5) Plagal 1 16 July 2017

6th Sunday After Pentecost - 6th Sunday of St Matthew
Light of the World
The Feast of the Holy Father of the 4th Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451 St Athenogenes the Bishop & 10
Disciples of Heracleopolis St Paul, St Alevtina (Valentina) & St Chionia Thea of Egypt - St Antiochos the Physician of
Sebaste St Julia the Virgin Martyr of Carthage St John the New Martyr of Trnovo

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 6 LUKE 24: 35 - 53

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
Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en to Stavro Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it
ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the
Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own
Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - 4TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Iperdedoxasmenos i Hriste O Theos imon, O fostiras epi gis, Supremely praised art Thou, O Christ our God, Who
tous Pateras imon themeliosas, ke di afton, pros tin established on earth, our Fathers as Luminaries; and
alithinin pistin pantas imas odigisas, Poliefsplahne Doxa through them, to the True Faith all of us Thou has
Guided, O Most Compassionate One: Glory to Thee!
Si!
SEASONAL KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 31/32 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Eufranthite epi Kyrion ke Agalliasthe, Dikei, ke kavhasthe, Be glad in the Lord and Rejoice greatly, O Righteous Ones,
pantes i evthis ti kardia and boast, all you who are upright in heart.
Makarii on afethisan e anomie ke on epekalifthisan e Blessed art those whose transgressions art forgiven and
martie whose sins art covered.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO ST TITOS 3 : 8 - 15
My Son, Titos: ...Faith of the Word is True, and I desire Thee to insist on these Things so that those who believe in God
may be careful to apply themselves to Good Deeds that are excellent and profitable to mankind.
Avoid senseless controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
As for a factious man after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a
person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned!
When I send Artemas or Tychikos to you, do your utmost to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the
winter there. Make every effort so as to speed Zenas the Lawyer and Apollos on their way, ensuring that they lack
nothing. Let our people apply themselves to Good Deeds so as to help those in urgent need, and not to be
unfruitful.
Greetings are sent by all who are with me. Greet those who Love us in the Faith. Grace be with you all.
St Paul was painfully aware that WE ARE ALL AWAITING THE The Holy Spirit is also referred to as Lord both in this
CONSUMMATION OF THE AGE TO COME AND HE KNEW THAT WE instance and in our Creed of Faith the Nicene
ALREADY PARTICIPATE IN THE ESCHATOLOGICAL COMMUNITY. Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and
(i.e. Concerning our immortal souls in their relation to Death, Giver of Life...
Judgement, Eternal Life and Eternal Condemnation and Hell) Since THE TERM LORD APPLIES TO ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE
HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION ARE THE BEGINNING OF OUR HOLY TRINITY, there might be a difference of opinion as
TRUE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY towards Eternal Life in Gods to which of the three Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity
Eternal Kingdom of Love, Peace and Joy. the word Lord refers in this instance.
THESE HOLY MYSTERIES GRANT US THE RITES OF PASSAGE TOWARDS GOD THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE IN NO WAY
A PROGRESSIVE LIFE OF RENEWAL IN CHRIST. CONFUSED here for St Paul had in mind one Person or

2 CORINTHIANS 3 : 16 18: ... when one turns to the Lord, Another.
the Veil is taken away. Now the Lord is Spirit; and The Son, for example, cannot be the Holy Spirit.
where the Spirit of our Lord is, there is True THE SPIRIT IS SPECIFICALLY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT not an
Liberty. But we all - with unveiled face, beholding impersonal Force although ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW
as in a mirror, the Glory of our Lord are being TESTAMENT THE TERM SPIRIT OCCASIONALLY REFERS TO
Transformed into the same Image from glory to THE SOUL, A REALM OR A MANNER OF EXISTENCE.
Glory just as the Spirit of our Lord. In this instance, St Paul described how ALMIGHTY GOD
THE REFERENCE TO THE LORD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, REIGNS IN OUR WORLD.
USUALLY REFERS TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST the Word It does not describe THE ETERNAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE
and Son of God the Father, Who is also referred to THREE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT PERSONS OF THE HOLY
as the Lord. (MATTHEW 11:25; 22:44 LUKE 1:32; 4:12 &18, TRINITY - THE HOLY SPIRIT, for example, PROCEEDS
10:21 ACTS 3:22; 4:26 REVELATION 11:15; 21:22)

6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF ST MATTHEW LIGHT OF THE WORLD 16 JULY 2017 23.
 FROM GOD THE FATHER ALONE and not from God  THROUGH THE SONS DEIFIED HUMANITY (1 CORINTHIANS
the Son. 13:12 & JAMES 1:23-35)
ST PAUL TRANSFORMED THE OLD COVENANT UNDERSTANDING  IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
OF ONE GOD THE LORD GOD INTO THE NEW COVENANT AS WE GROW CLOSER TO GOD AND ARE ABLE TO TRULY BEHOLD HIM,
TEACHING OF CHRISTS DIVINE REVELATION OF THE HOLY WE BECOME WHAT WE WERE CREATED by God to be i.e. WE
TRINITY IN ONE DIVINE GODHEAD THREE PERSONS EACH REGAIN OUR LOST HOLY LIKENESS.
OF WHOM IS LORD DIVINE. GOD IS INFINITE there are no limitations to Almighty
Consequently, WHEN WE ...TURN TO THE LORD... WE TURN God, SO THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO GROWING IN HIS IMAGE
TO THE FATHER, THROUGH THE SON AND BY THE POWER OF AND LIKENESS and the more we are Transformed
THE HOLY SPIRIT. into His Likeness, the more CLEARLY WE SHALL SEE
WHEN WE PRAY ALTHOUGH WE MAY ADDRESS ONE OF THE GOD!
TRINITY IN PERSON, IT ALWAYS INCLUDES THE OTHER TWO A DIVISIVE PERSON is one who PICKS AND CHOOSES FROM
PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS IN THE WHOLE, COMPLETE AND PERFECT TRUTH OF GOD, in
PERFECT HARMONY AND UNITY OF THE HOLY TRINITY: BY order TO SUIT HIS OWN SELFISH PURPOSES.
THE WILL OF THE FATHER, THROUGH THE TEACHINGS AND A SECT IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW THEIR OWN IDEAS
REVELATIONS OF THE SON AND BY THE LIFE-GIVING AND CHOICES rather than being Obedient and
ENABLING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! Humble before God.
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS US TRUE LIBERTY TRUE They are isolated and independent of Gods Holy
SPIRITUAL FREEDOM freeing us from the constraints Tradition and such INCOMPLETE OR ERRONEOUS BELIEFS
and shackles of Spiritual Darkness and sin so RESULT IN IMMORAL BEHAVIOUR AND A SELF-IMPOSED SPIRITUAL
that WE ARE ABLE TO BEHOLD GOD, HAVE OPEN ACCESS TO DEATH AND ALIENATION FROM ALMIGHTY GOD Who never
HIM AT ALL TIMES, AND GROW EVER CLOSER TO HIM, forces Himself on anyone waiting ever so patiently
THEREBY SLOWLY REGAINING OUR LOST SPIRITUAL (GODLY) for their return to His Divine Light through sincere
LIKENESS. Repentance.
Having been CREATED IN GODS IMAGE (AND LIKENESS) WE ARE
ABLE TO SEE HIS UNCREATED IMAGE God Incarnate our
Lord Jesus Christ in two ways:
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 5 : 14 19
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: You are the Light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be
hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Let your Light so shine before mankind, so that they may see your Good Works, and give Glory to your Father Who is
in Heaven.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfil
them! Truly, I say unto you: until Heaven and Earth pass away, neither an iota nor a tittle shall pass from the
Law until all is accomplished! Whoever shall break one of the least of these Commandments and teaches
mankind to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. He who does them, and teaches them, shall
be called Great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
ALMIGHTY GOD IS THE TRUE AND UNCREATED LIGHT.
MATTHEW 17 : 1 5 THREE APOSTLES of Christ witnessed
In the Old Testament LIGHT WAS SYMBOLIC OF ALMIGHTY GOD, the Divine Light of God at OUR LORDS
HIS DIVINE LAW AND ISRAEL in contrast to all other TRANSFIGURATION ON MOUNT TABOR.
Nations. Darkness refers to SPIRITUAL DARKNESS OR BLINDNESS DUE

ISAIAH 60: 1 3 Shine, shine, O Jerusalem, for your TO UNREPENTED SIN. It is both Spiritual Ignorance
Light has come, and the Glory of the Lord has and Satanic opposition to the Divine Light and
risen upon you. Behold: darkness and gloom Truth of Almighty God. THOSE WHO HATE TRUTH,
shall cover the earth upon the Nations, but the PREFER IGNORANCE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEY STRIVE TO
Lord will shine on you and His Glory shall be KEEP OTHERS IGNORANT AS WELL.
seen upon you. Kings shall come to your Light, Comprehend means both understand and
and the Gentiles to your Brightness... overcome. Thus SPIRITUAL DARKNESS CAN NEVER
This is the Hymn that we sing during Holy Pascha in OVERPOWER THE DIVINE LIGHT AND TRUTH OF OUR LORD
the Liturgical Services for, as St John of JESUS CHRIST, NOR CAN IT UNDERSTAND THE WAY OF
Damascus expressed it: ... the whole Creation DIVINE LOVE. (AGAPE)
rejoices and exults, for Christ is Risen and Hades John is a reference to ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND
despoiled. FORERUNNER TO CHRIST THE LAST AND GREATEST OF ALL

PSALM 118:105 - Thy Word is a Lamp to my feet and a THE OLD COVENANT HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD, who not
Light to my paths. only prepared the Hebrews on earth for the
In the New Testament, THE SON OF GOD IS LIGHT HE IS advent of Christ the True Messiah, but after his
UNCREATED LIGHT OF UNCREATED LIGHT TRUE GOD OF Holy Martyrdom, HE ALSO PREPARED THOSE WHO WERE
TRUE GOD! IMPRISONED IN HADES. (AFTER CHRISTS DEATH AND HIS

JOHN 1: 4 9 ... In Him is Life, and the Life is the OWN DESCENT INTO HADES, OUR LORD JESUS SET THE
Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the RIGHTEOUS SOULS FREE TO REPOSE IN PARADISE UNTIL THE
darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend FINAL JUDGEMENT. THIS IS KNOWN AS THE HARROWING OF
It. There was a man sent from God, whose name HADES.)
was John. This man came as a Witness, to bear Although OUR MOST MERCIFUL GOD HAS OFFERED HIS DIVINE
witness of the Light, that all through him LIGHT TO EVERY HUMAN BEING, the fallen world and even
might believe. He was not that Light, but was many of His chosen people refuse to receive Him.
sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the Thus they can neither know nor recognise Him. THOSE
True Light, which gives Light to everyone coming WHO ACCEPT CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, ARE GRANTED HIS DIVINE
into the world... LIGHT.
ONLY GOD HAS LIFE IN HIMSELF, THUS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, After having heard the reading of the Holy Gospel and
BEING GOD, IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE, TOGETHER WITH THE having received the Holy Eucharist in Divine Liturgy,
FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. we sing: We have seen the True Light! We have
...The Life was the Light of mankind... St John now received the Heavenly Spirit!
introduces MANKIND AS SANCTIFIED RECEIVERS OF THE
JOHN 8: 12 Our Lord Jesus said: I Am the Light of the
DIVINE LIGHT OF GOD, WHO, BY LIVING IN CHRIST, BECOME world. He who follows Me shall not walk in
CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT OF GOD. (JOHN 12:36 EPHESIANS darkness, but have the Light of Life.
5:8 1 THESSALONIANS 5:5) Our Lord used these words in the context of the great

EXODUS 3: 2 & 13 :21 ST MOSES, our ancient Patriarch, lamps that were lit at the conclusion of the Feast of
saw the Divine Light in THE MYSTERIOUS BURNING BUSH Tabernacles in the Outer Court of the Temple in
and the whole Nation of Israel witnessed It at THE Jerusalem.
PARTING OF THE RED SEA. Consequently, CHRIST DECLARES HIMSELF AS THE FULFILMENT

ISAIAH 6: 1 5 ST ISAIAH beheld the Divine Light of God AND THE DIVINE OBJECT OF ALL CELEBRATIONS OF LIGHT.
IN HIS HEAVENLY VISION.

24. 6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF ST MATTHEW LIGHT OF THE WORLD 16 JULY 2017
In Holy Scripture, GOD THE FATHER IS LIGHT a Divine
Attribute that He bestows upon His Faithful Flock. (JOHN
1:4-9 & 1 JOHN 1:5 MATTHEW 5:14 - PHILIPPIANS 2:15)
Furthermore, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CONFIRMS HIS CLAIM BY
PERFORMING THE GREAT MIRACLE OF CREATING EYES FOR THE
MAN WHO WAS BORN WITHOUT EYES. (JOHN 9 : 1-7 ESPECIALLY
9:5)

1 JOHN 1 : 5 ... This is the Message that we have heard
from Him and declare to you: that God is Light
and in Him is no darkness at all.
For St John the Divine and Beloved Theologian and
Apostle of Christ
 LIGHT IS DIVINE ENERGY,
 WHICH MANIFESTED (REVEALED) DIVINE TRUTH I.E. TRUE
TEACHING
 VIRTUE AND HOLINESS I.E. TRUE BEHAVIOUR AND LIFESTYLE
 AND HOLY COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS HOLY CHURCH I.E.
TRUE SPIRITUALITY.
THE STRONGEST OF ALL WEAPONS AGAINST SPIRITUAL DARKNESS
AND SIN IS OUR LOVE FOR GOD, - A STRONG, VIBRANT AND
CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
Light is necessary for clear vision and for life itself.
FAITH RELIES ON DIVINE LIGHT and FAITHFUL BELIEVERS
BECOME SONS OF LIGHT, WHO SHINE IN A DARKENED
AND PERVERSE WORLD. (JOHN 12:36 - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:5
PHILIPPIANS 2 : 15)
At Holy Pascha the Divine Liturgy begins with the Priest
exiting the Holy Sanctuary and presenting a lit candle
into the darkened church - inviting the congregation
to Come and receive the Light that is never
overtaken by night! whereupon, one by one, our
candles are lit and the entire church is quickly
illuminated by the soft, golden light a wonderful
way of REMINDING US HOW GODS DIVINE LIGHT OF TRUTH
AND LOVE SPREAD AND ENLIGHTENED THE ENTIRE WORLD
FOREVER!
6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF ST MATTHEW LIGHT OF
HOLY FATHERS OF THE 4TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: We use a lot of lights
in Church. There are candles on the Altar and in front
of Icons, we switch on the lights at the beginning of
the Divine Liturgy, and the Priests proclamation:
Come Receive the Light... is the high point of the
Pascha Service when the Light of our Lords
Resurrection shines in the Darkness and spreads from
the Priests candle to everyone in the church.
Our Lord Jesus Christ told His Disciples that they were to
be ...the Light of the world... - like a city on a hill that
cannot be hidden.
In the countryside at night, from quite a distance, we can
see the lights of even the smallest town, for when light
shines in darkness, it cannot be hidden. And we
never turn on a light in order to hide something but to
illumine it so that we can see it clearly.
The Good News of our Faith is that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
HAS BROUGHT THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN TO OUR SIN-DARKENED
WORLD. Indeed, HE IS THE LIGHT - the Eternal Son of God
Who becomes fully human while remaining fully
Divine, which is how HE BRINGS US INTO HIS DIVINE LIGHT -
how HE MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SHINE WITH HIS HOLY
GLORY even while we live and breathe upon Earth.
Our Lord Jesus fulfilled all the foreshadowing and
preparation of the Old Covenant Law and His Holy
Prophets, for GOD WAS NEVER CONCERNED WITH OLD
COVENANT RULES CONCERNING MANKINDS OUTWARD
BEHAVIOUR NOR THE SACRIFICE OF ANIMALS.
Instead, THOSE OLD COVENANT RULES POINTED THE WAY TO THE
TRUE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD -
to the One Who triumphs over sin and Death
themselves. And now, ACCORDING TO HIS NEW COVENANT,
OUR LORD GOD MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR US ALL TO SHARE IN HIS
GLORIOUS, BRILLIANT LIGHT, BY BECOMING WORTHY
PARTAKERS OF HIS DIVINITY BY GRACE.
Today we commemorate THE 630 HOLY GOD-BEARING
FATHERS OF THE FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL IN
CHALCEDON IN 451, WHO CLARIFIED AND CONFIRMED THE
DIVINE TRUTH CONCERNING OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR.
6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF
CHRISTIAN VIRTUES HAVE BOTH A PERSONAL AND PUBLIC
FUNCTION, for it can bring others to Glorify God and
to live in Christ forever.
OUR LORD JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW IN HIMSELF - IN HIS
WORDS AND IN HIS ACTIONS
 BY PERFORMING GODS WILL IN ALL ITS FULLNESS,
 BY TRANSGRESSING NONE OF THE PRECEPTS OF THE LAW,
 BY DECLARING THE PERFECT FULFILMENT OF THE LAW, WHICH
HE WAS ABOUT TO DELIVER TO THEM AND
 BY GRANTING RIGHTEOUSNESS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE
LAW TO US.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALSO FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES OF
ALL THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD, by BEING AND CARRYING
OUT EVERYTHING THEY HAD FORETOLD centuries before.
Our Lord Jesus often used the term Truly or
Assuredly which means confirmed, or so be it
Amen as A SOLEMN AFFIRMATION OR FORM OF OATH.
His use of this expression at the beginning of certain
Divine Proclamations (rather than at the end) is UNIQUE
AND AUTHORITATIVE: HE DECLARES HIS WORDS AFFIRMED
BEFORE THEY ARE EVEN SPOKEN!
A JOT IOTA IS THE SMALLEST LETTER IN THE GREEK
ALPHABET WHILE A TITTLE IS THE SMALLEST STROKE IN
CERTAIN HEBREW LETTERS.
Thus, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, THE ENTIRE LAW OF GOD IS AFFIRMED
AS THE SACRED FOUNDATION OF CHRISTS NEW COVENANT
TEACHING.
All is fulfilled is a reference to THE PASSION AND
RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUr.
RIGHTEOUSNESS ACCORDING TO THE LAW IS A UNIFIED WHOLE.
 THE OBSERVANCE OF ALL THE LEAST COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
IS TO OBSERVE OR KEEP OR OBEY THE WHOLE DIVINE LAW OF
GOD,
 WHILE THE VIOLATION OF THE LEAST COMMANDMENT IS
CONSIDERED BY GOD TO BE THE VIOLATION OF THE ENTIRE
DIVINE LAW OF GOD!
This Sacred Lesson of our Lord Jesus Christ could not be
made more definitive or clear to us than this!!
THE WORLD
Truly, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN. HE
IS ONE PERSON WITH TWO NATURES DIVINE AND HUMAN - for
if He were not, He could not Save us who are only
human beings.
Those Holy Fathers rejected the views of the Monophysites
who claimed that our Lord Jesus has only one Divine
Nature. If that were the case, we could not
participate in His Divine Life, for we are merely
human, and it would be difficult - if not impossible -
for us to understand how Christs Death and
Resurrection had anything to do with us.
SO TODAYS COMMEMORATION IS not simply a reminder about
ancient history. It is A PROCLAMATION OF THE HOLY GOSPEL
OF CHRIST, FOR OUR LORD JESUS MUST BE BOTH GOD AND MAN
IN ORDER TO BE OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR.
Certainly, the Good News is that WE ARE CALLED TO BECOME
SO RADIANTLY ILLUMINATED BY THE LIGHT OF CHRIST that we
become ...the Light of the world... - shining so
brightly with True Faith and Good Works that all will
Glorify God.
The point is NOT TO RELAX THE OLD COVENANT LAWS, BUT TO
COMPLETE THEIR PURPOSE. In other words, IT IS NOT GOOD
ENOUGH TO REFRAIN FROM COMMITTING GRIEVOUS SINS, BUT
RATHER TO OVERCOME THE PASSIONS THAT CAUSE US TO
COMMIT THEM.
It is not sufficient to avoid the physical act of adultery or
fornication but instead to BE FREE FROM THE BONDAGE of
lust in all its forms.
As Faithful Disciples of Christ, instead of seeking revenge
against our enemies - ...an eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth... - we are to ... turn the other cheek... by
BLESSING THEM WITH THE SAME FORGIVENESS AND LOVE THAT
WE RECEIVE FROM OUR LORD.
THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THESE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS IS OUR
SPIRITUAL PERFECTION, as our Lord Jesus urges us: Be
Perfect as your Father in Heaven is Perfect.
If we all acted Perfectly, imagine what a Blessing we
would be to the world, for we would be living proof
that HUMAN BEINGS MAY BECOME PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE
NATURE IN CHRIST.
Unfortunately, most of us have not reached any degree of
Spiritual Perfection yet although THE FUNDAMENTAL HOPE
ST MATTHEW LIGHT OF THE WORLD 16 JULY 2017 25.
 OF THE HOLY GOSPEL REMAINS: Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who is God-Man, is OUR PERFECTION, OUR SALVATION AND
OUR THEOSIS. He has already worked the
unfathomable Miracle of JOINING HUMANITY TO DIVINITY,
OF CONQUERING SIN AND DEATH, OF MAKING US WORTHY
PARTICIPANTS IN HIS LIFE.
WE MUST FULLY COOPERATE WITH OUR LORD GOD striving
perpetually to Illuminate all our dark corners with His
Divine Light in order to STOP CORRUPTING AND
DIMINISHING OURSELVES, AND INSTEAD BECOME LIVING ICONS
OF HIS DIVINE GLORY AS WE WERE CREATED TO BE.
SPIRITUAL PROGRESS in Christian Life, NEEDS THE HOLY CHURCH
OF CHRIST in order for us TO BE ENLIGHTENED WITH OUR
LORDS DIVINE TRUTH AND TO BE INSTRUCTED HOW WE MUST
PARTICIPATE IN HIS GREAT SALVATION.
This is not simply a fleeting, emotional experience, nor a
reward for good behaviour.
As Baptised, Chrismated Members of a living Body, OUR
PASSIONS ARE HEALED, OUR HEART IS PURIFIED, AND OUR SOUL
IS ILLUMINED as we increase in our Spiritual Union with
Christ and with each other.
Any relationship is a process, a journey, and our
Relationship of Communion with the Holy Trinity is no
exception.
BY GODS GRACE, WE STRIVE CEASELESSLY throughout this short,
temporary and preparatory lifespan TO GROW IN
HOLINESS, for there is no limit to what it means for us,
as creatures, to share in the Life of our Creator.
Perhaps that is why OUR LORD SETS THE STANDARD SO HIGH.
Those who are ...great in the Kingdom of Heaven... are
not those who break Gods Laws and teach others to
follow their bad example, nor those who teach and
live by a lower standard. Nor are they those who
cause confusion and division within the Holy Church
of Christ.
They are THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY FULFIL GODS COMMANDMENTS
AND TEACHINGS, THEREBY TEACHING AND GUIDING OTHERS BY
THEIR FINE EXAMPLE, as they SHINE BRIGHTLY WITH DIVINE
LIGHT.
Sadly, there are many religious groups or Sects that have
no Divine Light at all! Being ...unprofitable and
futile... they are TO BE AVOIDED just as those whom St
Paul described and advised St Titos to avoid.
There are always people who waste their time in FOOLISH,
UNBENEFICIAL, AND USELESS ARGUMENTS THAT CAUSE NOTHING
BUT DISCORD AND DIVISION!
St Paul teaches us to rather USE OUR PRECIOUS TIME AND
ENERGY FOR GOOD WORKS AND LABOURS OF LOVE THAT CAN
SATISFY THE URGENT NEEDS OF OTHERS, WHICH BEAR GOOD
SPIRITUAL FRUIT for the Heavenly Kingdom of God.
In other words, it is better to FOCUS ON FULFILLING OUR LIFE IN
CHRIST instead of being misguided and distracted by
useless nonsense.
If our Lord Jesus Christ had been just another, ordinary
Rabbi, it would not have mattered if people argued
continuously about His Teachings and lived any way
they pleased.
However, that is not our Orthodox Faith, for our Lord Jesus
Christ is truly God and truly Man. He is our
Resurrected Lord and Saviour in Whom we share
Eternal Life.
CHRIST OUR GOD IS THE TRUE, DIVINE LIGHT that ...is never
overtaken by night... WHO CALLS US TO BECOME ... the
Light of the world... in order to manifest to reveal -
the Glory of His Eternal Salvation in even the smallest
details of our Life.
There are no secret Mysteries or hidden teachings that
require endless debate, for Christ did not come to
Save only a few selected, clever Philosophers!
There is no code for figuring out when He will Reappear
nor for being able to identify anyone as the
THE SPIRIT OF
St Barnabas encouraged everyone ...for he was a good
man, filled with the Holy Spirit and Faith.
The Virtue of Encouragement is more truly a proof of the
Presence of the Holy Spirit than speaking in tongues
or prophecy. The evil spirits give prophecies, but only
the Holy Spirit grants Encouragement to Christs
Disciples.
A true Barnabas looks for God-given Gifts in others and is
not jealous but rather rejoices.
26. 6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH OF ST MATTHEW LIGHT
Antichrist, nor for any other ridiculous ideas or
fantasies.
Neither is there any reason for each succeeding
generation to attempt to redefine basic Christian
Teachings concerning Theology and morality
according to whatever is currently popular or easier
or modern!
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS GRANTED HIS DIVINE LIGHT AND LIFE
TO ALL MANKIND, and in His Body, His Holy Church, we
are taught and guided how to grow and nurture our
Holy Relationship with God.
WHEN WE DO EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO OUR LORDS DIVINE
TRUTH, WE WILL CERTAINLY INCREASE IN HOLINESS AND
SANCTITY.
In order TO FOLLOW CHRIST, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TAKE EACH
SIMPLE AND REGULAR STEP: by ATTENDING CHURCH as
many of the Holy Services as possible and in
particular the Divine Liturgies; by regularly PARTAKING
OF THE HEALING, SALVIFIC HOLY MYSTERIES OF REPENTANCE-
CONFESSION AND COMMUNION WITH PROPER PREPARATION,
sincerity and truth; by PRAYING every morning, noon
and evening; by FASTING to the best of our ability; by
ceaselessly striving to AVOID ALL TEMPTATIONS and
IMMEDIATELY REPENTING OUR SINS; by HELPING THE NEEDY
and SUPPORTING THE CHURCH; by FORGIVING those who
have wronged us and ASKING FORGIVENESS of those we
have wronged; by FIGHTING AGAINST OUR PASSIONS; by
being MINDFUL AND CONCERNED for others, and by being
ALWAYS WATCHFUL over our words, thoughts and deeds
that are motivated by our habitual weaknesses.
When we use our time and energy for the fulfilment of our
Life in Christ we will not want to waste any of it on
pointless disputes and any other spiritually unhealthy
endeavours.
BY UNDERTAKING ALL OUR SACRED LABOURS WITH SINCERE FAITH,
HOPE, AND LOVE, WE GROW IN CHRIST AND BECOME THE LIGHT
AND BLESSING OF THE WORLD.
Although we might not glow in the dark, every effort we
make that brings us closer to God is certainly worth it,
especially if our Struggles encourage others to also
strive to improve themselves and their Relationship
with our Saviour.
Those who are indeed Holy, never for a moment consider
themselves as being so. In contrast to the brilliant
Light of our Lord, they see their own dark spots with
greater clarity than the rest of us are able to see ours!
Nevertheless, THE CLOSER WE BECOME TO OUR SAVIOUR, THE
MORE AWARE WE ARE OF OUR OWN IMPERFECTIONS,
COMPELLING US TO STRIVE EVEN MORE INTENSELY TO ACQUIRE
SPIRITUAL PERFECTION OR THEOSIS.
If we are aware of more Darkness than Light in us at the
moment, we must not despair. We must DO WHATEVER
WE CAN TO NURTURE AND TO INCREASE THE LIGHT - no matter
how dim it may seem.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has already conquered the
Darkness of Death, of the tomb, and of Hades! He
wants us to INCREASE OUR SACRED UNION WITH HIM, so that
He can Save us and grant us Eternal Life in His
Heavenly Kingdom.
AS WE ACCOMPLISH OUR GOOD WORKS AND INCREASE OUR FAITH,
OUR PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION WILL GRANT US A TINY
GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY AND BLISS OF HEAVEN!
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS CALLED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF
US TO BE ...the Light of the world... so that others will
also Glorify God and be drawn to the New Life in our
Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who is truly the
Divine Light shining in the Darkness and Illuminating
and Enlightening even sinners like you and me!
Amen
SERMON BY FATHER PHILIP LEMASTERS-EASTERN ORTHODOX
C H U R C H - HTTP://EASTERNCHRISTIANINSIGHTS.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
ENCOURAGEMENT
We may not preach nor convert thousands, nor have a
Theological mind. Neither can we raise the dead,
cure the sick nor speak in tongues or prophesy, but
we can learn to emulate St Barnabas by encouraging
our Brethren without any patronizing or saccharine
words.
The Spirit of Encouragement will grant us words or
actions to share with others when we listen to Him and
speak with Love and Encouragement to each other.
OF THE WORLD 16 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the
Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria,
Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our
whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

17 July 2017
St Marina/Margarita the Great Holy Martyr of Antioch
Also the Feast of St Nicholas, St Alexandra, St Tatiana, St Maria, St Alexis, St Olga & St Anastasia,
Imperial Holy Martyrs of Russia St Irenarchos, Abbot of Solovki Monastery St Lazaros,
Wonderworker of Mount Galesios, Ephessos St Leonid of Ustnedumsk

FESTAL APOLYTIKION - FEMALE MARTYRS TONE 4

I Amnas Sou Iisou, krazi megali ti foni. Se Nimfie mou O my Lord Jesus, Thine Ewe-Lamb, with a loud voice calls
potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume, ke out: Thou, my Groom, do I long for, and suffer all in
sinthptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke pasho dia Se, os search for Thee, and I am crucified and buried with
Vasilefso sin Si, ke thnisko iper Sou, ina ke ziso en Si. Thee in Baptism; and I suffer for Thy Sake, in order to
All os thisian amomomn, prosdehou tin meta pothou reign with Thee, and give my life to Thee so that I may
tithisan Si. Aftis Presvies, os eleimon, Soson tas psihas live with Thee; but accept as Pure Sacrifice, the one
imon. who desired to give her life for Thee. Through her
Intercessions, O Most Compassionate, Save our souls!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ST MARINA/MARGARITA TONE 1
Tou Patros Sou ek vrefous apestrafis ta idola, ke tou While still an infant Thou rejected Thy fathers idols,
Olivriou tirannou tin oftin katepatisas, othen efhes sou and trampled down the pride of the cruel tyrant
ton ofin edesmefsas, ke tin kefalin tou drakontos Olyvrios; thus through thy Prayers Thou put the
epirmenin katethlasas, Megalomartis Marina; Presveve serpent in bondage, and the dragons proud head Thou
Hristo to Theo Sothine tas psihas imon. completely crushed, O Great Martyr Marina; Intercede
with Christ our God, that our souls may be Saved.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Se. Theotokos who always protects all those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 67 TONE 4
God is Marvellous in His Saints!
Bless the Lord in the Congregation!

THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 3 : 23 4 : 5

OUR ADOPTION AS CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST THROUGH OUR FAITH AND HOLY BAPTISM
Brethren: before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law kept for the Faith that would afterward be
revealed. Therefore, the Law was our Tutor - to bring us to Christ, so that we might be Justified by Faith. After Faith
has come, we are no longer under a Tutor.
You are all sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female. You are all
one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christs then you are Abrahams seed, and Heirs according to the Promise.
I say that the Heir as long as he is a child does not differ at all from a slave, although he is master of all, but is under
Guardians and Stewards until the time appointed by the Father. Even so, we when we were children were in
bondage under the elements of the world.
When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son Born of a Woman, Born under the Law - to Redeem those
who were under the Law, that we might receive the Adoption as sons.
Faith IN Christ is also Faith OF Christ because TWO FAITHS BECAUSE GODS LOVE OF US IS INFINITE AND ABSOLUTE, HE
ARE COOPERATING TOGETHER: PROVIDED MANKIND WITH A SET OF TEN COMMANDMENTS OR
1. first and foremost, THE FAITH OF CHRIST, and LAWS THAT GUIDE US TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE AND PROTECT US
2. secondarily, THE FAITH IN CHRIST of those who FROM FALLING INTO A STATE OF PERMANENT SPIRITUAL DEATH.
believe. The Ten Commandments or Mosaic Law prepared the
Although THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT with God had Hebrew Nation for the Coming of God.
complete Faith in God, they COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN With Gods New Covenant, CHRIST REVEALED THE TRUE
THE FAITH OF CHRIST FOR OUR SAVIOUR HAD NOT YET APPEARED NATURE OF OUR MOST MERCIFUL, LOVING AND
TO THEM. BENEVOLENT GOD to us AND TAUGHT US THE WAY TO
THE HOLY TRINITY IS OMNIPRESENT - Ever-Present THERE ETERNAL LIFE, which the ancient people of God only
HAS NEVER BEEN A TIME OR PLACE WHEN GOD THE FATHER, understood instinctively at first and then through
THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS NOT PRESENT! the Teachings of the Holy Prophets of God.
THE ONLY TIME WE COULD ACTUALLY SEE GOD WAS WHEN After HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS IN HIS HUMAN NATURE, Christ IN
CHRIST THE WORD AND SON OF GOD BECAME MAN HIS DIVINE NATURE, SMASHED OPEN THE IMPRISONING DOORS
BECAME INCARNATE TOOK ON PHYSICAL MATTER A OF HADES AND SET THE RIGHTEOUS FREE TO ENTER PARADISE.
HUMAN BODY. ST JOHN THE FORERUNNER HAD ALREADY PREACHED TO THE
THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE ON EARTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VITAL DEAD both the wicked and the Righteous
PREPARATORY PERIOD FOR ETERNITY. concerning Repentance and our Lord Jesus Christ.

ST MARINA (MARGARITA) THE GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR OF ANTIOCH 17 JULY 2017 27

OUR DIVINE SAVIOURS HARROWING OF HADES OCCURRED WHEN According to our New Covenant with Almighty God,
FOR THAT BRIEF, UNIQUE MOMENT, SINNERS COULD REPENT THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOCIAL STATUS,
THEIR SINS AFTER DEATH AND BE SET FREE, to rest in Peace ETHNICITY OR GENDER BECAUSE WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE
in the re-opened Paradise until Judgement Day. SIGHT OF GOD!
In that Glorious Moment CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, in His SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED ARE INTERWOVEN we
Divine Nature FREED ALL HUMANITY FROM THE cannot claim to have one without the other!
ENSLAVING POWER OF EVIL. For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ
Those wicked souls or spirits who stubbornly rejected Him have put on Christ, is our ancient Baptism Hymn
and all His Loving Goodness, remain in Hades where that is chanted during THE PROCESSION OF THE NEWLY
they suffer the hideous Foretastes of the vileness and REGENERATED INTO THE ASSEMBLY the Holy Church of
torment of Eternal Alienation from God. Christ.
OUR FAITH IN CHRIST IS ONE OF PERSONAL COMMITMENT AND WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE IN CHRIST.
ALLEGIANCE TO HIM. THEREFORE, ASSESSING PEOPLE according to our own opinion,
THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM WE HAVE BECOME ADOPTED HEIRS OF attitude, value, gender or ethnicity IS FORBIDDEN IN
GOD CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST TO THE ETERNAL HEAVENLY CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH,
KINGDOM OF GOD. If we are genuinely trying to imitate Christ, we must do so
Not only have we been Baptised into Christianity into the without fail: God never discriminates against anyone
Christian Faith, but WE HAVE VESTED OURSELVES WITH so how dare we do so!
CHRIST WE HAVE PUT ON CHRIST we have taken on ANY DISCRIMINATION, BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE OR PREJUDICE WILL
our Sacred Mission TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE TO IMITATE CAUSE US SERIOUS SPIRITUAL CONDEMNATION, which -
CHRIST HIMSELF AND THEREBY REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO unless we quickly correct ourselves with sincere
GOD. Repentance - will affect our Eternity!
WE ARE ALL ONE IN OUR HUMAN NATURE AND EQUAL IN DIGNITY.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 5: 24 34
THE HEALING OF THE BLEEDING WOMAN ON THE WAY TO JAIRUS DYING DAUGHTER
At that time, a great multitude followed our Lord Jesus and thronged Him. And a certain Woman had a flow of blood
for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many Physicians, and had spent all that she had and was no
better but rather grew worse.
When she heard about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. She thought: If only I may
touch His garment, I shall be made well. And immediately the source of her bleeding dried up and she felt in her
body that she was Healed of the affliction.
And Jesus - immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him - turned around in the crowd and asked:
Who touched My garment? And His Disciples said to Him: Thou see the multitude thronging Thee and Thou ask
Who touched Me?
And He looked around to see her who had done so. The woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened
to her, went and fell down before Him and told Him the whole Truth. He said to her: Daughter, your Faith has
made you well. Go in Peace, and be Healed of your affliction.
AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD ALONE HIM SO THAT OTHERS WOULD LEARN FROM HER AND GLORIFY
and being of the same Divine Essence as God the GOD.
Father, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES THAT SAME DIVINE Therefore, He loudly enquired Who touched My
AUTHORITY. garment? which astonished His Disciples since the
The Healing of the Bleeding Woman, St Veronica, large crowd shoved and pushed one another to get
demonstrated OUR LORD JESUS POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM closer to Christ and MANY WOULD HAVE BRUSHED AGAINST
OUR SINS AND TO HEAL ALL OUR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HIM OR CERTAINLY TOUCHED HIS GARMENTS.
AFFLICTIONS. Although on His way to save the DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS A
According to the Old Covenant Laws, any type of RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS TIME
haemorrhaging caused CEREMONIAL DEFILEMENT, WHICH TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH BOTH
IMPOSED RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS upon the HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE TRUTH:
sufferers because any contact with blood was strictly First He granted her Good cheer because of THE PROOF
prohibited and avoided at all costs. AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as Then HE CORRECTED HER THINKING for she could neither hide
being unclean and had followed all the her actions from Him from God nor was she
requirements as a social outcast but she had excluded from Him because of her affliction.
reached such a degree of misery and desperation And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
that SHE RISKED FURTHER SHAME AND HUMILIATION IN THE WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
CONVICTION THAT ONLY CHRIST COULD HEAL HER. Our Holy Church Fathers believed that ST VERONICA
It was a risk that she was willing to take after all what SYMBOLISES HUMAN NATURE IN GENERAL BECAUSE ALL
more could she lose? People had already taken HUMANITY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH,
everything she had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER which was symbolised by her haemorrhaging.
WHAT SHE REALLY NEEDED! The Physicians who could not heal her symbolise THE
EVERYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY GOD BECOMES SANCTIFIED VARIOUS RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD, AS WELL AS THE OLD
Holy and will pass that Sanctification onto the COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
Faithful. HUMANITY they cannot Save us
SO THE INSTANT ST VERONICA SOFTLY TOUCHED THE ROBES OF ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US!
CHRIST SHE WAS HEALED and God knew her sincere Faith ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE
in Him. GENUINELY FREED FROM SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
DIVINE ENERGY OR POWER WENT FROM CHRIST TO ST VERONICA
and HE WANTED HER TO OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE HER FAITH IN
FATHER DAMASCENE CHRISTENSEN ON TRUE CHRISTIAN LOVE
True Christian Love is not just a feeling or a pleasant we find it impossible to return to the lifeless state we
disposition of the soul. were in before the suffering.
It is a self-sacrificing, ceaseless, life-long act of heroism We Bless life and all that is around us, and this Blessing
unto death. becomes Universal.
It is fiery yet dispassionate, not dependent on anything, True Love can only come from God.
not on being loved in return nor having a kinship of This is the only Love that Christ is concerned with - the
blood. Love He came to Earth to show us and to teach us.
We no longer think of receiving something for ourselves. With this Love He gave up His Spirit on the Cross.
We can be spat upon and reviled, and yet in this
suffering there is such a deep, profound Peace that

28. ST MARINA (MARGARITA) THE GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR OF ANTIOCH 17 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

20 July 2017
St Elias (Elijah) Great Holy Prophet of God
Also the Feast of St Abramios of Gallich, Disciple of St Sergios of Radonezh & the Holy
Chukhloma Icon of our Lady, Theotokos St Athanasios, Abbot of Brest-Litovsk Monastery (
Uncovering of Holy Relics) St Ilia Chavchavadze of Georgia St Maria Skobtsova the
Righteous of Latvia St Demetrios Klepinine, Hieromartyr St Alexei Medvedkov, Hieromartyr
St Salome the Georgian of Jerusalem & Kartli

FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF ST ELIAS THE TISHBITE & HOLY PROPHET TONE 4

O efsarkos Angelos, ton Profiton I kripis, O defteros O Angelic of body, Pillar of the Prophets and their
Prodromos tis parousias Hristou, Ilias O Endoxos, anothen Corner Stone, the Forerunner of the Second Coming
katapempsas, Elisseo tin Harin, nosous apodioki, ke of Christ, the Venerable and Glorious Elijah Thou
leprous katharizi; dio ke tis timosin afton vrii iamata. sent Grace from on High to Elisha to dispel
sicknesses and to purify lepers. Wherefore, he ever
overflows with healing to those who honour him.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 23: 29 39
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to the Judeans who went to Him: Woe to you, O Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites!
For you build the tombs of the Prophets, and adorn the monuments of the Righteous, and say: If we had lived in
the days of our Father, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the Prophets.
Thus you witness against yourselves for you are sons of those who murdered the Prophets! And you have lived up
to the measure of your Fathers guilt, you serpents! You brood of vipers! How can you escape being Judged to
Hell?
Wherefore, Behold! I send to you Prophets, and Wise Men, and Scribes some of whom you will kill and crucify, and
some you will scourge in your Synagogues, and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the
Righteous Blood shed on Earth from the blood of Righteous Abel, to the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias,
whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and the Altar!
Truly, I say to you: all this will come upon this generation. Jerusalem! O Jerusalem! You who kill the Prophets, and
stone those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings? And you would not!
Behold! Your house is desolate! For I tell you: you will not see Me again until you say: Blessed is He Who comes in
the Name of the Lord!
The term Woe indicates complete and devastating OF US - WILL LAST ONLY A SHORT TIME - DURING THIS
destruction. PERIOD OF TRIBULATION JUST PRIOR TO THE END OF THE AGES

ISAIAH 5: 18-24 - ... Woe to those who draw sins to these Final Days before Judgement Day and the
themselves as though with a long rope and beginning of Eternity.
lawlessness as with the strap of a yoke... Woe can also refer to utter bereavement and sorrow.
St Isaiah, the Holy Prophet of God, described THE VARIOUS In his Holy Gospel account, St Luke used the term Woe
SINS THAT WILL BRING DEVASTATING SORROW AND DESTRUCTION four times. (LUKE 6: 24 26)
UPON MANKIND ESPECIALLY THE CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD According to St Cyril of Alexandria, those who prize the
such as GREED, LOVE OF PLEASURE, INDIFFERENCE TO GOD, vices listed by St Luke are liable to the ...utmost
INTENTIONAL EVIL ACTS, MOCKING GOD, PERVERSION OF misery... i.e. THEY HAVE CONDEMNED THEMSELVES TO
TRUTH, VANITY AND CONCEIT, DISHONESTY AND FINALLY, ETERNAL CONDEMNATION!
REJECTING DIVINE LAW AND DIVINE TEACHINGS. However, they WILL FIND HOPE WHEN THEY SACRIFICE THEIR

AMOS 5:18-19 - ... Woe to you who desire the Day of EARTHLY BLESSINGS IN ORDER TO SHOW MERCY TO OTHERS.
the Lord! What is the Day of the Lord to you? It OUR LOVING AND BENEVOLENT LORD GOD DESIRES ONLY THE
will be Darkness and not Light! It will be as RECONCILIATION WITH HIS PEOPLE - I.E. WITH ALL
though a man fled from a lion, and a bear met MANKIND yet most people have rebelled against
him! As though he rushed into the house, leaned God or even rejected Him!
his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him!... HYPOCRITES always ...witness against ... themselves

REVELATION 12:12 ... Rejoice, O Heavens, and you who i.e. they ARE SELF-CONDEMNED for everything of which
dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the they accuse others, they themselves are guilty.
Earth and the sea! For the devil has come down WE SEE OUR OWN IMPERFECTIONS MIRRORED IN OTHERS for often
to you, having great wrath, because he knows he what we think others are guilty of is merely A
has only a short time... REFLECTION OF OUR OWN SPIRITUAL STATE A REVELATION OF
All who live on Earth are severely cautioned against OURSELVES!!
the TERRIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE WROUGHT BY For this exact reason, our Lord Jesus Christ has taught
SATAN WHO OBSESSIVELY HATES MANKIND BECAUSE WE ARE us to PERPETUALLY LOOK INWARD AT OUR OWN SPIRITUAL
SO LOVED BY GOD. CONDITION SO THAT WE CAN PLUCK OUT OUR SINS WITH A
The evil ones ...great wrath... is a reference to HIS WAR PROPER, SINCERE REPENTANCE.
AGAINST MANKIND - CAUSED BY HIS INSANE, OBSESSIVE HATRED

THE FEAST OF ST ELIAS (ELIJAH) THE TISHBITE & GREAT HOLY PROPHET OF GOD 20 JULY 2017 29
 Furthermore, IF WE CONTINUE TO SEEK OUT AND REPENT OUR OWN
Psalm 113:20 ...The Lord remembered us and
SINS, WE WILL NOT BE INCLINED TO ASSESS OTHERS, WHO MAY BE Blessed us. He Blessed the House of Israel. He
FAR BETTER PEOPLE THAN WE ARE!! Blessed the House of Aaron...
We must never forget that ONLY GOD KNOWS THE
Psalm 134:19 21 ...O House of Israel, Bless the
CONDITION OF EACH PERSONS HEART AND SOUL! Lord; O House of Aaron, Bless the Lord; O House
THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES REGARDED THEMSELVES AS BEING of Levi, Bless the Lord, you who Fear the Lord,
SUPERIOR TO OTHERS, YET THEY AND THEIR FOREFATHERS Bless the Lord. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion,
COMMITTED SOME OF THE WORST SINS AGAINST GOD AND THEIR He Who dwells in Jerusalem.
FELLOW MANKIND. B O T H T H E T E M P L E I N J E R U S A L E M A N D T H E H E B R E W
Your house is desolate! was our Lord Jesus Christs NATION OF ISRAEL WILL BE WITHOUT GODS
reference to BOTH THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM AND TO PRESENCE ONCE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DEPARTS
THE HEBREW NATION ITSELF, for House can refer FROM OUR MIDST.
either to family, lineage, Tribe or Clan.
PROKEIMENON PSALM 109/110 TONE 1
Thou art a Priest forever, according to the Order of Melchizedek.
The Lord said unto My Lord: Sit at My right Hand until I make Thine enemies the Footstool for Thy Feet.

THE UNIVERSAL EPISTLE OF ST JAMES 5: 10 - 20

ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE OPPRESSED & HEALING THE WORK OF FAITH
My Brethren, take, as an example of Suffering and Patience the Prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord.
Behold! We count them Blessed who Endure. You have heard of the Endurance of Job, and seen the end intended by
the Lord for the Lord has much Compassion and Kindness.
Above all, my Brethren, do not swear neither by Heaven, nor by Earth, or with any other Oath. Let your yes be yes
and your no be no - in case you fall into hypocrisy!
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call for the Presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with Oil in the Name of our
Lord. And the Prayer of Faith will Save the sick, and our Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be
forgiven.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for each other so that you may be Healed. The effective, Fervent
Prayer of a Righteous person avails much. Elias was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it
would not rain. And it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the
Heavens gave forth rain, and the Earth produced its fruit.
Brethren, if any among you wanders from the Truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a
sinner from the error of his way will Save a soul from Death, and cover a multitude of sins.
Faithful Holy PROPHETS OF GOD ARE certainly His TRUE The instant that Sacred Trust is broken, WE LOSE OUR
SAINTS, AND THUS OUR BEST MODELS OR EXAMPLES OF INTEGRITY, OUR AUTHENTICITY AND OUR LEGITIMACY.
SUFFERING AND PATIENCE whom we should STRIVE TO THOSE WHO HABITUALLY LIE ARE MORE OFTEN
IMITATE. T H A N N O T A L S O H A B I T U A L T H I E V E S due to the
Consequently, as Faithful Christians Disciples of Christ fact that they lack Honesty and Ethics, and they
and His New Covenant - we must HONOUR OR VENERATE always have a ready excuse to justify themselves!
THESE HOLY PROPHETS AS WELL AS ALL THE SAINTS AND HOLY LYING AND THIEVING are the noxious vices of Satan and
MARTYRS, thereby acknowledging them as being Most MUST BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY AND MOST
Blessed with the Divine Grace of God. DETERMINEDLY through personal Discipline and
A polemic (a strong argument) against a bad custom or True Repentance and Confession.
habit stemming from bad faith is the common THERE IS NO JUSTIFIABLE EXCUSE FOR LYING OR STEALING,
practice of swearing by God or something that which reveals a Spiritual Darkness and Death from
signifies God as though swearing proved within, and MAKE US MURDERERS OF GODS DIVINE TRUTH
Truthfulness! AND SLAVES OF THE EVIL ONE.
WE MAY SWEAR AN OATH WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY BUT THE Thus we must BE EVER WATCHFUL OVER THE STATE OF OUR
SOLUTION TO THE LACK OF TRUST IS GENUINE GOOD FAITH WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS, ensuring that we
proof of our personal INTEGRITY AND TRUTHFULNESS quickly correct errors and emergent habits.
BETWEEN US AND GOD. St James instructed us to SEEK THE FERVENT PRAYERS OF THE

M A T T H E W 5 : 3 3 3 7 : . . . You have heard that it was CHURCH ELDERS (OR PRIESTS) FOR OUR SPIRITUAL AND
said to those of old: You shall not swear falsely, but PHYSICAL HEALING.
shall perform your Oaths to the Lord. I say to you: do S A L V A T I O N D E A L S W I T H B O T H B O D Y A N D S O U L OUR
not swear at all: neither by Heaven , for it is Gods VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE BEING.
Throne; nor by the Earth, for it is His Footstool; nor by Thus THE HOLY MYSTERY OF UNCTION SERVES A DOUBLE PURPOSE
Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great king. Nor HEALING AND THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
shall you swear by your head, because you cannot Priests are granted certain Divine Gifts for the Holy
make one hair white or black. Let your yes be yes, Ministry at their Ordination at the Laying on of
and your no be no, for whatever is more than these Hands.
is from the evil one.
1 T I M O T H Y 4 : 1 4 ...do not neglect the Gift that is in
With these Words, Christ our Saviour taught us how to you, which was given to you by Prophecy with the
HONOUR OUR DIVINE ADOPTION AS HEIRS to Gods Eternal Laying on of the Hands of the Eldership.
Kingdom and as His Faithful Disciples. This referred to St Timothys Ordination into the Holy
T R U T H C A N N O T B E S E C U R E D B Y S W E A R I N G A N Priesthood of Christ, which was conferred upon him
OATH BY THINGS THAT ARE NOT IN OU R by the Holy Apostles of Christ, exactly as it is still done
P O S S E S S I O N A N Y W A Y , but only by simple Integrity! today by the Bishops.
Furthermore, in this Spiritually Dark and fallen world of S P E C I F I C P R A Y E R S A R E C O M B I N E D W I T H O L I V E O I L ,
the Last Days, PEOPLE SWEAR WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT OR which was not only the primary medicine of ancient
REGARD FOR THE TRUTH. times, but also symbolised the Presence and Activity
All too often, they commit two serious sins by of the Holy Spirit in the Church of Christ.
Blaspheming the Lord our Gods Holy Name So it is that T H E S I N G L E H O L Y M Y S T E R Y O F U N C T I O N
attached to a blatant lie! EFFECTS A HEALING FOR OUR COMPLETE BEING
Known HABITUAL LIARS OATHS ARE USELESS AND FUTILE and physical and Spiritual Welfare and Healing through
EACH TIME THEY SWEAR AN OATH, THEY CONDEMN THEMSELVES the Forgiveness of our sins that enslave and sicken us.
MORE AND MORE. THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF HOLY UNCTIOn
T R U S T A N D T R U T H A R E I N S E P A R A B L E V I R T U E S . include
Only through our constant preservation and practice of 1. An Orthodox P R I E S T ,
Trust and Truth will others be able to take us at our 2. the P R A Y E R S of the Faith that Saves us,
word.

30. THE FEAST OF ST ELIAS (ELIJAH) THE TISHBITE & GREAT HOLY PROPHET OF GOD 20 JULY 2017
3. connected to T H E W O R K O F C H R I S T Himself, for our A PRIEST - WHO REPRESENTS OUR FELLOW HUMANITY AGAINST
Lord will raise us all up, WHOM WE CONSTANTLY TRESPASS - AND GOD.
4. and THE HOLY SPIRIT manifested in the Blessed, PRIVATE CONFESSION ONLY TO GOD IS CERTAINLY NOT TAUGHT
Sanctified Olive Oil, IN HOLY SCRIPTURE !
5. as well as THE R E P E N T A N C E - C O N F E S S I O N of personal By rejecting the Holy Mystery of Confession, we thereby
sins prior to the Anointing with Oil the Mystery of refuse to acknowledge our sin to the Christian
Holy Unction. Community to our fellow sinners.
This explains why St James wrote: ... If he has committed
1 J O H N 1 : 8 1 0 : ...if we say we have no sin, we
sins, he will be forgiven. deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. If we
In the Orthodox Church HOLY UNCTION IS GRANTED TO confess our sins, He is Faithful and Just to forgive us
O R T H O D O X C H R I S T I A N S WHO ARE SICK OR AILING - our sins and to Cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
WHETHER IN DANGER OF DYING OR NOT. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a
Every year ON HOLY WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK (before liar, and His Word is not in us!
Holy Pascha), ALL FAITHFUL ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS OUR FAITH IS REVEALED AND PROVED BY OUR ACTIONS OUR
RECEIVE HOLY UNCTION - HAVING PREPARED THEMSELVES WORDS, OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR DEEDS which must
CORRECTLY WITH PRAYERS, SPIRITUAL SELF-EXAMINATION produce Purity i.e. we must PRACTISE AND LIVE
AND REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AS WELL AS (OF COURSE) TRUTH, WHICH VALIDATES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
HAVING KEPT THE GREAT LENTEN FAST. living every moment in Holiness and
(H O L Y U N C T I O N I S O N E O F T H E S E V E N H O L Y Righteousness.
M Y S T E R I E S OF CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH AND SHOULD BE OUR FAITH COMPELS US TO SEEK FORGIVENESS and Spiritual
AS RESPECTED AND HONOURED AS MUCH HOLY EUCHARIST, Cleansing for all our sins great and small.
HOLY CONFESSION, HOLY BAPTISM AND HOLY Sin is our fallen, human condition but God has provided
CHRISMATION. IT IS NOT MERELY A BLESSING TO BE us with a means to improve and correct ourselves
BESTOWED ON ANYONE WHO HAPPENS TO BE VISITING! THIS through constant Watchfulness and Repentance-
WILL ONLY SERVE AS AN ETERNAL CONDEMNATION TO Confession, which is the established basis for Spiritual
THOSE CONCERNED, UNLESS SINCERELY REPENTED!!) Growth towards Righteousness.
Although some people allege that confessing our sins So, WITH HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE ACCORDING TO OUR LIFE
to God before a Priest is not Biblical, the ancient IN CHRIST WE STRUGGLE DAILY to follow Him Faithfully -
Christian custom was to confess their sins learning to recognise and resist the onslaught of
trespasses - to one another. temptations - even though we will continue to sin
THE SINS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE CONFESSED BEFORE THE in varying degrees until we draw our last breath.
ENTIRE CONGREGATION AS AN ACT OF HUMBLE REPENTANCE. SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS and as long
But as the Holy Church grew, non-Christian i.e. the as we do the best we can to fulfil the Will of God,
uninitiated or untaught - visitors who were unfamiliar we need not fear our Final Judgement as much as
with the Sanctity and Trust of Public Confession often those who rebel and disobey God at every
attended the Holy Services. opportunity.
Consequently, it became more practical and efficient for
REPENTANT SINNERS to CONFESS THEIR SINS IN PRIVATE BEFORE
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 4 : 22 - 30
TH E UNBELIEF OF NAZARETH
At that time, all bore witness and marvelled at the Gracious Words that proceeded out of the Mouth of our Lord Jesus.
And they said: Is this not the Son of Joseph? And He said to them: You will surely say this Proverb to Me:
Physician, heal Thyself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Thy country.
He said: Assuredly, I say to you: no Prophet is accepted in his own country. I tell you Truly: many widows were in
Israel in the days of Elijah, when the Heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a great
famine throughout all the land. And to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon -
to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the Prophet, and none of
them was Cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.
And all those in the Synagogue were filled with wrath when they heard these things. And they rose up and thrust Him
out of the city. And they led Him to the edge of the mountain on which their city was built, so that they might throw
Him down.
Passing through their midst, He went His way.
THE DOUBLE-SIDED RESPONSE of the Judeans with regard THE REJECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST in His own
to our Lord Jesus Christ initially marvelling at His country FULFILLED THE REJECTION OF THE OLD
profound Wisdom, Knowledge and Truth followed COVENANT PROPHETS OF GOD SUCH AS ST ELIJAH AND ST
by their rejection and contempt to the point of ELISHA, and FORESHADOWED HIS REJECTION BY THE
wanting to kill Him - OCCURS FREQUENTLY even to ENTIRE JEWISH NATION AT HIS UNJUST TRIAL before the
this day and until the end of time WITH THOSE WHO Roman Governor, Pontios Pilate. (JOHN 19: 14 & 15)
ENCOUNTER CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH. (REFER LUKE OUR LORD JESUS ACCEPTED HIS SUFFERING AND DEATH
11:14-16 & JOHN 9:16) ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF HIS ETERNAL,
THOSE WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY BLIND AND DEAD REFUSE TO HEAVENLY FATHER but not according to the wicked,
ACCEPT CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH. misguided will of the Judeans.
THEY STUBBORNLY PREFER THE DARKNESS OF SPIRITUAL DEATH AND On this particular day, however, THE HOUR OF HIS GREAT
THE ENSLAVEMENT OF IGNORANCE AND DISOBEDIENCE to PASSION HAD NOT YET COME, so they were unable to lift a
everything that we were created to be. finger against Him. (JOHN 8:20)
THE FEAST OF ST ELIAS/ELIJAH THE TISHBITE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of which resulted in St Elijah being forced to flee into
the Holy Spirit. the wilderness, where, as a fugitive, he suffered
Dear Brethren: While St. James commended all the great privation. (3 KINGS 16:29-17:3 & 18:16-19:4 LXX).
Faithful and Holy Prophets of God as models of Due to the increasing moral corruption and idolatrous
Patience in suffering - mentioning St Job in materialism of the contemporary world, vast
particular - he recognized St Elijah as one who numbers of Christians, similar to St Elijah, are
endured bitter conflicts with great Patience. (JAMES 5: suffering unjustified humiliation, degradation and
10 11) rejection for speaking the Truth concerning the
Our Lord God had bestowed upon His Holy Prophet a appalling state of our fallen world and society.
glorious departure by means of a great whirlwind St Gregory of Sinai pointed out that ...the envy that the
and a ...Chariot of Fire... that carried him into innocent provoke is for their benefit, while our
Heaven without having to experience death. (2 KINGS Lords schooling tests us so as to bring about our
2:11-12) Conversion, since it opens our ears when we are
Twice in his lifetime, St Elijah spoke the Truth of God to guilty....
King Ahab concerning his promotion of idolatry,

THE FEAST OF ST ELIAS (ELIJAH) THE TISHBITE & GREAT HOLY PROPHET OF GOD 20 JULY 2017 31
 Therefore, St Gregory encouraged us: ...that is why
our Lord has promised an Eternal Crown to those
who endure in this manner.
St James exhorted the Faithful to SPEAK PLAINLY AND
DIRECTLY, rather than to swear ...either by Heaven
or by Earth, or with any other oath. But let your
Yes be Yes and your No be No, lest you fall into
Judgement. (JAMES 5:15)
Furthermore, ST JAMES EXHORTED THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
OF CHRIST TO CONFESS THEIR ...trespasses to one
another and pray for one another that you may
be Healed.
St Elijah was just such a man of direct communication.
When Queen Jezebel and King Ahab conspired to
appropriate the vineyard of their neighbour,
Naboth, the Prophet did not spare the Kings
feelings, but plainly told him all the consequences
the Lord would bring upon him - the end of his
dynasty and the violent end of his entire family. (1
KINGS 21:20-29).
We, too, must not hold back in speaking the absolute
Truth, nor in searching out our own faults and sins
before the Lord.
St James commended diligent Prayer, reminding us
that ...The effective, Fervent Prayer of a Righteous
man avails much. (JAMES 5:16)
At this point in his Epistle, St James used the good
example of St Elijah as one who ...prayed
earnestly.
Prayer surely was the Source of St Elijahs great Virtues
of Honesty, Patience, Strength, and Faith
throughout all his trials and sufferings.
ON PATIENCE
WHEN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE IS OVERTAKEN BY BOREDOM OR
LAZINESS WE ARE EASILY OVERTAKEN WITH DESPAIR when
confronted with events that do not go as we desire.
This is an indication of our SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY.
WE NEED TO ACQUIRE PATIENCE AND HUMILITY because they
are extremely important for a healthy, growing and
strengthening Spiritual Life in Christ.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov taught us that ...A lofty and
sound soul does not despair over misfortunes, of
whatever sort they may be.
Our (Spiritual) Life is like a house of temptations
and trials.
Yet we will not renounce our Lord no matter how
long He allows the tester to remain with us nor
how long we must wait to be Revived through
Patience and secure passionlessness!
ALL THE TRIALS of this (preparatory) Life ARE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
Even the most difficult situation provides A CHANCE TO
DEMONSTRATE OUR LOVE AND GRATITUDE FOR ALL GOD'S
WORKS, for this is how WE LEARN TO ACQUIRE AND TO
PRACTISE PATIENCE.
Saint Seraphim encourages us to ... always endure
any trial for the sake of God with Gratitude for this
life is a single minute compared to Eternity.
In other words, everything we experience in this short,
preparatory lifespan does end, sooner or later!
Everything we experience now whether PHYSICAL OR
MATERIAL WILL PASS, but OUR SPIRITUAL STATE IS ETERNAL
and will NEVER CHANGE IN ETERNITY! mp

ROMANS 8 : 18 - The sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the Glory
that shall be revealed in us .

JAMES 1: 2 4 - "My Brethren, count it all Joy when
you fall into various trials, knowing that the
testing of your Faith produces Patience. But let
Patience have its Perfect Work, that you may be
Perfect and complete - lacking nothing."
HUMILITY AND PATIENCE ARE INSEPARABLE HOLY VIRTUES.
Humility and Patience concern OUR WILLINGNESS TO
ACCEPT WHATEVER COMES OUR WAY, instead of thinking
that we can control circumstances by means of our
own ideas, standards or will.
When others denigrate, demean, dishonour or
humiliate us, we must make a determined effort to
forgive them.
32. THE FEAST OF ST ELIAS (ELIJAH) THE TISHBITE & GREAT HOLY PROPHET
He never hesitated to submit himself to the Divine Will
of God, upon Whom he remained entirely
dependent.

1 K I N G S 1 8 : 3 0 - 3 8 - St Elijahs Prayer when he
challenged the priests of Baal is a classic
example of his utter trust in God

1 K I N G S 1 8 : 4 1 - 4 6 - His Prayer for rain revealed
great persistence.

1 KINGS 19 : 4 - His Prayer in the wilderness
exhibits his self-surrender to the Will of God

1 K I N G S 1 9 : 1 1 1 9 - His Prayer on Mount Horeb
reveals absolute Obedience.
May God establish every one of us in such a Prayerful
Life!
Archimandrite Ioannikios Kotsonis urged us: We
cannot be called Christian if we do not pray
often! All the Saints prayed continually and with
ardour. Therefore, we must become practitioners
of Unceasing Prayer. It will grant Enlightenment
to our mind.
O Prophet Elijah, who Foresaw the Great Acts of God,
who with a word stopped the flow of rain,
Intercede for our sake with Him
Who alone is the Lover of all mankind.
Amen
FATHER JOSEPH HONEYCUTT
ST JOSEPH ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, HOUSTON, TEXAS
HTTP://WWW.PATHEOS.COM/BLOGS/ORTHODIXIE
AND HUMILITY
This is only possible with Fervent Prayers to God for His
Strength and Power that enables us to do so, because on
our own, we are too weak and ineffective due to our
stubborn, wilful ego!
When we understand the depth or degree of our
unworthiness and powerlessness to fulfil our Sacred
Duties to God and our fellow mankind, we will begin
to acquire the priceless Holy Virtues of Humility,
Obedience and Patience.
Saint Seraphim urged us to ...Love Humility and we
shall see the Glory of God; for where Humility issues
forth, there the Glory of God abounds.
Father Seraphim Rose explained: ...by taking one
small step at a time... we can walk straight to the
Kingdom of Heaven and there is no reason for any
of us to fall away from that Path...
Patience is something we all long to acquire, for as our
Lord Jesus Christ urged us: By your Patience
possess your soul! ( LUKE 21: 19)
St Paisios taught us how to develop Patience.
When he had been asked about the acquisition of
Patience, he took a bag of sweets and said: Take
two a day. Do not chew them. Be patient and wait
for them to melt in your mouth.
He used the simple example of slowly melting sweets to
illustrate the essential daily Spiritual Exercise that
we must practise.
In other words, we must patiently slowly taste, enjoy and
appreciate the pleasant and delicious flavour and
sweetness of Spiritual Life, thereby slowly acquiring the
Holy Virtues.
Anything that is good and worthy cannot be rushed nor
properly and thoroughly accomplished without taking time
and making every possible effort. mp
FATHER CHARLES JOINER, DEACON, ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX
CATHEDRAL, GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA
LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA & ELDER PAISIOS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/
ST SERAPHIM OF SAROV
What is not in the Light is all dark.
Likewise without Humility
there is nothing in us except only Darkness!
OF GOD 20 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

22 July 2017
St Mary of Magdala
Holy Myrrhbearer & Equal to the Apostles
Also the Feast of St Markella, Virgin Martyr of Chios St Phokas, Bishop of Sinope
(Translation of Holy Relics) St Cornelios, Holy Ascetic of Pereyaslavl

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST MARY OF MAGDALA - TONE 1

Hristo to di imas, ek Parthenou tehthenti, Semni Thou followed Christ our Lord, Who was Born of a Virgin
Magdalini, ikolouthis Maria, aftou ta Dikeomata, ke for us, and Thou kept His Laws and Lived by His
tous nomous filattousa. Othen simeron, tin Panagion Statutes. Wherefore as we celebrate Thine All Holy
Sou Minimin, Eortazontes, anevfimoumen Se Pisti, ke Memorial, O Mary Magdalene, today, with Faith, we
potho gereromen. extol Thee, O Most Blessed Saint, and with Divine Love
and longing, we honour Thy Memory.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST MARKELLA, HOLY MARTYR TONE 1
Tou Kyriou tis Nomis, ke tis Thiis Didagmasi, pithomeni Submitting to the Laws of the Lords Divine Teachings,
Markella, ke amemptos filattousa, tin vian ptoithisa tou Thou strove to keep them blamelessly, O Martyr
Patros, O Nimfi akirate Hristou, en tis oresin iilizou, en Markella. And fearing the violence of Thy Father, Thou
is diokon evriski ke ektini Se. Doxa to dedokoti Si ishin! fled from him and dwelt int he mountains. Pursuing
Doxa to Se Stefaosanti! Doxa to energounti dia Sou Thee, he found Thee and slew Thee, O Undefiled Bride
pasin iamata! of Christ. Glory to Him Who Strengthened Thee! Glory
to Him Who Crowned Thee! Glory to Him Who works
Healings for all through Thee!
SEASONAL KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 67/68 TONE 4
Wondrous is God in His Saints.
In the Congregation Bless God, the Lord of the Fountains of Israel.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 9 : 2 - 12
Brethren, you are the Seal of my Apostleship in the Lord. This is my defence to those who will examine me. Do we not
have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other Apostles,
and the Brothers of our Lord, and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no rights to refrain from working
for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who
tends a flock without getting some milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it
is written in the Law of Moses: You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does He not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, for the
Ploughman should plough in Hope, and the Thresher thresh in Hope of a share in the crop.
If we have sown Spiritual Goodness among you, is it too much if we Reap your material benefits? If others share this
rightful claim upon you, do not we still more?
Nevertheless, we have not made us of this right, but we Endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the Way of the
Gospel of Christ.
ST PAUL HAD ESTABLISHED THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AT BY ALL THE WORLDLY PROBLEMS THAT ARE CAUSED BY OUR
CORINTH. FALLEN HUMAN CONDITION.
HE WROTE SEVERAL EPISTLES TO THE CORINTHIANS, due to the St Paul encourages us to FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ONLY THE
variety of serious problems that arose amongst them, DIVINE TRUTH THE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF OUR
such as FACTIONALISM AND DISUNITY, WHICH WERE CAUSED LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST STRIVING CEASELESSLY TO
BY CIVIL LAWSUITS, SEXUAL IMMORALITY, PAGAN SACRIFICES, APPLY THEM TO ALL ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE.
and several other problems. ...the Seal of my Apostleship... ST PAULS TRUE AND
MOST OF THESE DIFFICULTIES HAVE CONTINUED TO PLAGUE US FAITHFUL APOSTLESHIP IS INDEED EQUAL TO THAT OF ALL THE
THROUGHOUT THE AGES. OTHER HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST, WHICH IS PROVED BY THE
ST PAUL CONTINUED HIS INSPIRED TEACHINGS CONCERNING FRUITS OF HIS SPIRITUAL LABOURS.
EUCHARISTIC THEOLOGY AND PRACTISE, SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND ...the Brothers of our Lord, and Cephas... This refers
RESURRECTION LIFE IN CHRIST BY MEANS OF HIS MISSIONARY to ST JAMES THE JUST, ST JOSES AND ST JUDE, THE SONS OF ST
JOURNEYS AND, ESPECIALLY BY HIS EPISTLES, many of which JOSEPH THE BETROTHED AND HIS LATE WIFE SALOME, who
were shared and read to other Christian were also cousins to our Lady Theotokos and to our
Communities, just like our own to this very day. Lord Jesus Christ according to His human Nature.
When St Paul and his True Apostleship were criticised, According to Her Betrothal to Her aged uncle, who was
questioned and attacked, HE WAS FORCED TO DEFEND Her Legal Guardian and Protector, our Lady
HIMSELF. Theotokos became their step-mother and they
He did so in order TO ENCOURAGE THE FAITHFUL TO CONTINUE became step-brothers to our Lord.
THEIR JOURNEY OF SALVATION AND NOT TO BECOME DEFEATED

ST MARY OF MAGDALA, HOLY MYRRHBEARER & EQUAL TO THE APOSTLES 22 JULY 2017 33.
Cephas is another name for St Peter, the brother and St Paul often emphasised the necessity of employment so
fellow Apostle of St Andrew, the First-Called Apostle. as not to freeload or scrounge off other people who
St Barnabas and St Paul were celibate, unmarried had worked very hard for their own food and shelter.
men, whereas many of the other Holy Apostles of As Christian Disciples, we must never be a nuisance nor a
Christ were married. burden to anyone else!
Wives and children would often accompany the Apostles ...Endure anything rather than put an obstacle in
on their Missionary Journeys, especially obviously the Way of the Gospel of Christ... Despite any
if they travelled to distant lands. problems that we may have or which we may
All the Apostles and those who accompanied them encounter, WE MUST ALWAYS DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO
worked to earn their food and shelter, for our Lord FULFIL OUR SACRED DUTIES TO GOD AND TO OUR FELLOW
had strictly instructed them never to be a burden on MANKIND, rather than be distracted or misguided by
others. WORLDLY MATTERS that DO NOT BENEFIT ANYONE
CONCERNED!!
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 8 : 1 - 3
At that time, our Lord Jesus went through the cities and villages, preaching and bringing the Good News of the
Kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been Healed of evil spirits and
infirmities - Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out and Joanna, the wife of Chuza,
Herods Steward, and Suzanna, and many others who provided for them out of their means.
During our Lord Jesus Christs Public Mission, FINANCIALLY SHE COMFORTED OUR LADY THEOTOKOS through the long, dark
SECURE OR INDEPENDENT WOMEN AND RELATIVES OF THE MALE hours before they SET OFF TOGETHER, CARRYING MYRRH TO
DISCIPLES OFTEN ACCOMPANIED HIM AND HIS APOSTLES IN OUR LORDS TOMB, even before the dawning of the sun.
ORDER TO PROVIDE FOOD AND SHELTER FOR EVERYONE ST MARY OF MAGDALA WAS THE FIRST DISCIPLE TO SPEAK TO OUR
particularly when they were far from their home. RESURRECTED LORD in the garden surrounding His
From the very beginning of our Lords Public Mission, it is Empty Tomb and SHE ANNOUNCED THOSE GLORIOUS,
clearly evident that HE TREATED WOMEN WITH MUCH ANGELIC WORDS TO HIS OTHER APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES:
RESPECT AND HONOUR that was not usually the case in HRISTOS ANESTI! - CHRIST IS RISEN!
those days. AFTER PENTECOST, ST MARY MAGDALENE WENT TO ROME where
Unfortunately, even to this very day, women are treated SHE CONFRONTED THE EMPEROR, AND REPORTED ALL THE
abominably by ignorant, uncouth men. ILLEGAL ASPECTS OF OUR LORDS ARREST, TRIAL AND EXECUTION
MALE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST MUST ALWAYS HAVE RESPECT AND BY CRUCIFIXION.
CARE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, just as our Lord had As a result, the Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, was
for His Beloved Mother and all other women and exiled to Spain, where he died before his due time.
children He encountered. ST JOANNA ...the wife of Chuza, Herods Steward...
FEMALE DISCIPLES, LIKEWISE, SHOULD TREAT MEN WITH RESPECT AND ST SUZANNA .WERE DAUGHTERS OF ST JOSEPH THE
EVEN THOSE WHO CERTAINLY DO NOT DESERVE IT! BETROTHED AND HIS LATE WIFE, SALOME, and thus were
OUR BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS EACH OTHER IS A REFLECTION OF OUR first cousins of our Lady Theotokos.
INNER SPIRITUAL STATE, so we must always be According to Old Covenant Law, due to Her Betrothal to St
circumspect and honourable, which is worthy Joseph the Betrothed, OUR LADY, THEOTOKOS, BECAME
behaviour of a Faithful Disciple of Christ. THEIR (STEP-) MOTHER AND THEY WERE REFERRED TO AS HER
SOME OF THOSE WHO ACCOMPANIED OUR LORD JESUS AND HIS DAUGHTERS.
APOSTLES, HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY HEALED OF "... and many others ... - DUE TO THE NATURAL HUMILITY
THEIR DREADFUL AFFLICTIONS, SO THEIR DEVOTION TO CHRIST OF OUR LADY, THEOTOKOS, SHE PREFERRED TO REMAIN
KNEW NO BOUNDS. INCOGNITO, so, according to Her wishes, SHE IS
ST MARY OF MAGDALA WAS A MATURE, RESPECTFUL AND MENTIONED OBLIQUELY IN THE HOLY GOSPELS that were
FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT WOMAN whom the devil written by the four Apostles and Evangelists St
had possessed with seven demons that our Matthew, St Mark, St Luke and St John.
Saviour subsequently exorcised. ALTHOUGH SHE WAS OFTEN PRESENT, SHE REMAINED IN THE
According to certain accounts, the evil one thought she BACKGROUND, so that THE FOCUS WOULD ALWAYS BE ON HER
would be the mother of the Great Messiah. DIVINE SON AND LORD, JESUS CHRIST.
ST MARY MAGDALENE MEANING OF MAGDALA BECAME ONE Nevertheless, THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARYS ROLE IN
OF THE CLOSEST FEMALE COMPANIONS OF OUR LADY MANKINDS SALVATION IS INDEED SIGNIFICANT, and thus
THEOTOKOS WHO WAS MUCH YOUNGER THAN HER. She is always treated with much honour and
Consequently, SHE ACCOMPANIED THEOTOKOS EVERYWHERE. respect.
SHE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO EVERY WORD OF OUR LORDS DIVINE Archangel Gabriel announced the Good Tidings that She
TRUTH AND WITNESSED HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY AS WELL AS HIS is ...more honourable than the Cherubim and more
HEARTBREAKING PASSION. Glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim...
SHE STOOD AT THE FOOT OF HIS CROSS WITH HIS BELOVED MOTHER which means that OUR LORD GOD HAS ELEVATED HER ABOVE
AND ST JOHN during those dreadful, agonising hours. EVEN THE HIGHEST ORDERS OF HIS HEAVENLY HOSTS!
ST MARY MAGDALENE WATCHED AS HIS BROKEN, BLEEDING WE CANNOT PROFESS TO BE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST OR
PRECIOUS, LIFE-GIVING BODY WAS TAKEN DOWN, WRAPPED IN CHRISTIANS UNLESS WE RESPECT AND HONOUR HIS ALL
THE FINEST LINEN AND THEN LAID GENTLY IN THE NEWLY HEWN PURE AND HOLY MOTHER.
TOMB BY THE TENDER HANDS OF ST NIKODEMOS AND ST JOSEPH Our Ever Blessed, All Holy Theotokos was CREATED AND
OF ARIMATHEA. CHOSEN BY GOD FOR OUR SALVATION.
SHE IS THE SAINT OF SAINTS!
THEREFORE SHE IS OUR MOST PERFECT HUMAN BEING TO IMITATE.
ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY A POSITIVE SCIENCE ABBOT TRYPHON (MORNING OFFERINGS)
OUR ORTHODOX UNDERSTANDING OF THEOLOGY IS NOT AS A about this Encounter, but ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED
SPECULATIVE SCIENCE, BUT A SCIENCE BASED ON A POSITIVE GLORIFICATION.
SCIENCE much like that of the Astronomer. Father John Romanides explained: The writings of
Like the Sciences that are inspired by observations made Scientists are accompanied by a tradition of
using instruments that allow us to see things that are interpretation, headed by successor Scientists, who, by
invisible to the naked eye, OUR ORTHODOX SCIENCE IS A training and experience, know what their colleagues
POSITIVE SCIENCE THAT ALLOWS US TO OBSERVE THAT mean by the language used, and how to repeat the
WHICH WE CANNOT SEE. observations described.
OUR ORTHODOX UNDERSTANDING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE AND So it is in the Bible and the writings of the Fathers.
THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS is that neither are the Only those who have the same Experience of
Revelation nor the Word of God. They CONCERN DIVINE Glorification as their Prophetic, Apostolic, and Patristic
REVELATION AND THE WORD OF GOD. predecessors can understand what the Biblical and
Like all the positive Sciences, BOOKS ABOUT OUR FAITH CAN Patristic Writings are saying about Glorification and the
NEVER REPLACE OBSERVATIONS. The writings of the Spiritual Stages leading to it.
Fathers, and Holy Scripture, are not observations Those who have reached Glorification know how they
themselves, but concern these observations. GOD HAS were Guided there, as well as how to Guide others,
REVEALED H IMSELF TO H IS PROPHETS, APOSTLES, AND and they are the Guarantors of the Transmission of
SAINTS, AND THEY HAVE SEEN GOD - not simply read this same Tradition.

34. S T M A R Y OF MAGDALA, HOLY MYRRHBEARER & EQUAL TO THE APOSTLES 22 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

Tone (6) Plagal 2 23 July 2017

th th
7 Sunday After Pentecost - 7 Sunday of St Matthew
Two Blind Men
The Feast of St Phokas, Hieromartyr St Ezekiel, Holy Prophet of God St Pelagia of Tino St
Trophimos, St Theophilos & 13 other Holy Martyrs of Lycia St Apollinaris, Bishop of Ravenna
The Miraculous Appearance and Deliverance of our Lady, Theotokos at the Dormition Lavra
Monastery at Pochaev Synaxis of the Saints of Smolensk St Vitalios, Bishop of Ravenna

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 7 JOHN 20 : 1 10

ST PETER AND ST JOHN WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

Angelike Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes The Angelic Powers were in Thy Tomb, and the guards
apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitousa to became as dead men, and Mary stood by the Tomb
ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilevsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis ip seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led captive Hades,
aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos tin Zoin. O yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art the
Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie,  Doxa Si. Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. O Lord,
Who Rose again from the dead, Glory to Thee!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PHOKAS THE HIEROMARTYR - TONE 4
Ke tropon metohos, ke Thronon diadohos, ton Apostolon Having become a Partner of the Apostles in Way of Life
genomenos, tin praxin evres Theopenevste, is Theorias and Successor to their Thrones, O God-Inspired Saint,
epivasin. Dia touto ton logon tis alithias orthotomon, ke in the active Life Thou found an Entrance to
ti Pisti enithlisas mehris ematos, Ieromartys Phoka, Contemplation. Hence Thou rightly expounded the
Presveve Hristo to Theo, Sothine tas psihas imon. Word of Truth and shed Thou blood while Struggling
for our Faith. O Hieromartyr Phokas: Intercede with
Christ our God, beseeching Him for the Salvation of
our soul.
SEASONAL KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se. Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 27/28 TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
O Lord, Save Thy People, and Bless Thine Inheritance.
To Thee, O Lord, I cry!
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE ROMANS 15 : 1 - 7
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let each of us please our neighbours for their good, to edify them. For even Christ did not please Himself, but, as it is
written: ...The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me. For whatever was written aforetime, was
written for our instruction, that we, through Patience and the Comfort of the Scriptures, might have Hope.
May the God of Patience and Consolation grant you to be like-minded, one towards the other, according to Christ
Jesus, that together, with one voice, you may Glorify God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore, receive each other, as Christ has also received us to the Glory of God.
When St Paul instructed us to bear the infirmities of As FAITHFUL DISCIPLES of our Saviour, we must ALWAYS
the weak he did not teach us to merely put up STRIVE TO IMITATE OUR LORD Who bears all mankinds
with or to tolerate but rather TO CARRY TOGETHER weaknesses, so that BEING STRONG IN OUR FAITH AND
EACH OTHERS WEAKNESSES AND FAILURES. LOVE OF GOD, WE LOVINGLY, COMPASSIONATELY AND
In his Epistle to the Galatians, St Paul taught us that JOYFULLY IDENTIFY WITH THOSE WHO ARE STILL WEAK
WHENEVER ANYONE ... is overtaken in any trespass, you BELIEVERS who do not know how to fulfil their
who are Spiritual (must) restore such a person in a Sacred Commitments according to the Divine
spirit of Gentleness, considering yourself lest you, Truth and Teachings of our All Merciful God.
too, be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens, and so THE INFINITE BOUNTY OF OUR HOPE IS TO BE FOUND IN HOLY
fulfil the Law of Christ. SCRIPTURE, which is a Sacred Record of actual
However, ST PAUL ALSO URGED EACH OF US TO BEAR OUR OWN Spiritual Experiences and personal Witness to
BURDENS OUR OWN PROBLEMS - AND NEVER TAKE the Divine Truth and Love of God that teaches us
ADVANTAGE OF THE GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS OF OTHERS, about the necessity of Holy Virtue and Worship
UNLESS UNAVOIDABLE AND ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY! that prepares us for Eternal Life.
AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES of our Lord Jesus Christ, WE ARE Furthermore, it is THROUGH THE DIVINE PROMISES, VICTORIES
CALLED TO CARE FOR EACH OTHER WITHIN HIS HOLY CHURCH AND SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES THAT ARE RECORDED IN HOLY
BUT NEVER BE NEEDLESSLY DEPENDENT ON OTHERS who have SCRIPTURE, that WE FIND TRUE COMFORT,
their own problems with which to contend. ENCOURAGEMENT AND HOPE

7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW 2 BLIND MEN 23 JULY 2017 35.
 THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 9: 27 - 35
At that time, when our Lord Jesus went forth, two blind men followed Him, crying, and saying: Have Mercy on us, O Son
of David!
When He had entered the house, the Blind Men went to Him, and Jesus said to them: Do you believe that I Am able to
do this? They said to Him: Yes, Lord!
Touching their eyes, He said to them: Be it according to your Faith! And their eyes were opened, and Jesus sternly
warned them, saying: See that no one knows it. Having departed, they spread the news about Him in all that
country.
As they went forth, behold! a dumb man possessed with a demon was presented to Him. And when the demon had
been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the multitudes marvelled, saying: It was never so seen in all Israel! The
Pharisees said: He casts out demons through the prince of the demons!
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the
Kingdom, and Healing every sickness and every infirmity among the people.
According to St Isaiah, THE MESSIANIC AGE IS SIGNIFIED He can only tempt us but not force us to do anything he desires,
WHEN ... THE EYES OF THE BLIND SHALL BE OPENED, AD THE because we have the strength and power of self-will to
EARS OF THE DEAF SHALL HEAR. (ISAIAH 35:5) resist and reject him.
These Miraculous Healings are EXTRAORDINARY SIGNS There are times when God permits us to be tempted or even to
THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY THE LONG AWAITED fall into sin, so that we can learn important lessons of Faith,
MESSIAH. but the evil one cannot destroy us as he would like us to
The Two Blind Men addressed our Saviour as Son of believe and fear.
David which EXPRESSED THEIR FAITH IN THIS TRUTH . Our Lord Jesus, the Eternal, Only Begotten Son of God our
These TWO BLIND MEN INSTINCTIVELY KNEW WITHOUT ANY Heavenly Father, is infinitely Good and Loving.
DOUBT, THAT HE IS TRULY THE MESSIAH OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR He is incapable of committing anything that is harmful, or sinful.
The exact opposite were THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS, ARROGANT Whatever He does is Good, All Merciful and Loving.
AND SPIRITUALLY BLIND PHARISEES AND SCRIBES WHO MADE Satan cannot do anything that is Good, Compassionate, Merciful
RIDICULOUS AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS that our Lord our or Loving for he is totally obsessed with the consolidation of
Good and Life-giving Creator! - cast out demons ...by his evil manipulations that cause us pain, suffering and
the ruler of the demons! sorrow.
In other words, they accused Christ our Lord and Creator He would never do anything that would work against his wicked
of all things visible and invisible, of performing His machinations or evil intentions.
Divine Miracles by ...the evil power of Satan!! a He definitely does not want the blind to see, the lame to walk
concept that is indescribably and utterly absurd!! and all the ailments that affect our physical and spiritual
Their hatred and inability to recognise the True Identity welfare to be healed. (MP)
of Christ exposed the depths of their Spiritual The evil one and his demons are entirely incapable of
Blindness and wicked deviousness! doing anything that is even close to being Good,
Satan is merely a creature i.e. he was originally created from Merciful, Compassionate or Kind, for THEY ARE
nothingness by Christ as one of His Heavenly Angels until EXILED FROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS AND LOVE.
Satans jealousy, greed and rebellion caused his banishment BY HIS OWN DIVINE POWER AND AUTHORITY, OUR LORD JESUS
from Heaven. CHRIST CLEANSES LEPERS, RAISES THE DEAD AND FORGIVES
Satan has no power over anything of Gods Beautiful Creation. OUR SINS.
His hatred of mankind, due to Gods infinite Love for us, is totally Our Lord Jesus Christ works IN PERFECT HARMONY with the
obsessive and destructive, but his power and abilities are Divine and Good Power of the Holy Trinity.
restricted, weak and limited just like our own. In other words, ALL GOODNESS AND BLESSINGS ARE ACCORDING
TO THE WILL OF THE FATHER, THROUGH THE SON AND
ACTIVATED AND EMPOWERED BY THE LIFE-GIVING HOLY SPIRIT!
7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW TWO BLIND MEN
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the The Lord our God Loves us all unconditionally - He
Holy Spirit... Loves all mankind - whether we know Him or not.
Dearest Brethren in Christ, According to the Sacred The True Purpose of this temporary life, is to cultivate a
Lesson of today - the 7th Sunday After Pentecost and close Relationship with God and to become receptive
the 7th Sunday of St Matthew - our Lord Jesus Christ to His Divine Grace.
granted sight to two blind men. Being a recipient of Gods Grace really depends on the
They had besought His Great Mercy upon them, and they condition of our heart and soul - and whether we are
had followed Him all the way and into His house. ready to receive Him and be Transformed forever.
But before He Healed them, He asked them a most We are all in varying degrees of receptivity but we need
significant question: Do you believe that I Am able to strive harder in order to fulfil our Sacred Duties that
to do this? enable us and make us worthy to receive Gods Grace
As soon as they confessed their Faith in Him, He touched and Love.
their eyes and said: Be it according to your Faith! St Paul instructed and advised us on how we can
Similar actions are frequently mentioned by the Apostles cultivate our state of receptivity and become worthy
who wrote the Holy Gospel. Disciples of Christ.
Often, when our Lord Jesus Christ had Healed the He urged those of us who are more Spiritually
physical ailments of certain people, He told them that Experienced to take care of our Brethren who are
their Faith and/or that of others - had made them inexperienced and weaker than us, which often
well. requires great Patience and tolerance.
By doing so, our Saviour teaches us an extremely As Disciples of Christ, we cannot be self-indulgent,
important Lesson. negligent nor careless, for our Commitment to our
If we want to benefit from or increase our Relationship Lord means that we will take care of each other in
with God, we must have Faith. We must believe and every way necessary putting their needs before our
trust implicitly in the Lord our God. own.
His Divine Presence, Will and Love never fluctuates nor St Paul had once used the analogy of a soldier being
changes. prepared to go to war against the enemy.
Truly, our Lord God is exactly the same Loving and No soldier on active service becomes entangled in
Benevolent Almighty God Who never fails us! civilian pursuits, since his duty is to obey the orders or
He is always Omnipresent and infinitely All Merciful. commandments of those who enlisted him.
Wherever we are and whatever we do whether we are A soldier has a specific mission, which requires him to
good or bad He is with us, watching over us and stay focused on the task at hand, which is clearly
seeing everything. defined by his superior Commander.
Our Lord God waits ever patiently for us to turn to Him Our Divine Commander is our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has
when we realise that nothing worthwhile is possible Called us to fulfil His Sacred Mission.
without His Divine Help and Providence.

36. 7 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 S U N D A Y O F S T M A T T H E W 2 B L I N D M E N 2 3 J U L Y 2 0 1 7
Our specific orders His Holy Commandments - are
written in Holy Scripture, so we need to focus all our
efforts on fulfilling His Divine Will, by setting aside all
other worldly, selfish pursuits.
Our Sacred Mission as Soldiers of Gods Militant Church
is to apply His Divine Truth to ourselves, and to share
the Good News of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ -
that through His Death on the Cross, His Resurrection
and His Ascension into Heaven, we are able to receive
that amazing Divine Gift of Life Eternal.
As Good Soldiers of Christ, we are Called to do Good
Works, for we are agents of His Divine Mercy and Love
in this world that tragically suffers so much struggle
and strife, and which is so much in need of His Great
Mercy and Love.
PATIENCE WITH HOPE LEADS
AS WE PRACTISE PATIENCE AND ARE ABLE TO ENDURE OUR
TROUBLES WITH HOPE, WE WILL BEGIN TO DEVELOP
HUMILITY AND MEEKNESS.
The Greek word for Meekness - prautes does not imply
anything negative nor weak.
On the contrary, it means openness to God and mankind,
implying a determined effort toward a conciliatory
attitude.
When applied to our human relationships it involves
tolerance and flexibility, while, concerning our
Relationship with God, it implies a readiness to accept
His Word and His Will.
Father Dimitru Staniloae explained: ...Meekness is a firm
disposition of the mind ... unaffected either by
honours or insults.
It means to be unaffected by the disappointments that
our neighbours have caused us and to pray sincerely
for them.
It is the Rock that arises above the sea of anger.
MEEKNESS IS NOT A WEAKNESS OR PERSONAL FLAW, as many
tend to think.
Meekness is A POSITIVE FORCE A HOLY VIRTUE - aimed at THE
HEALING OF HATRED.
THOSE WHO ARE MEEK ARE ABLE to put themselves into the
shoes of others and TO CLEARLY SEE THEIR POINT OF VIEW
AND UNDERSTAND THEIR SITUATION.
TRUE MEEKNESS ENABLES US TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
MANY DIMENSIONS OF ANY SITUATION.
The actions of who are Meek are congruous with
(according to) their thoughts.
Father Dimitru commented: "By Meekness the soul
approaches simplicity."
HUMILITY IS THE OPPOSITE OF PRIDE.
Father Dimitru Staniloae defined Humility as follows:
Humility is the Supreme Consciousness and living both
of the Divine Infinity and our own littleness.
It is at the same time the consciousness that the Divine
Infinity pierces everything and everybody around
us...
As long as there is a trace of pride in us, we lack the
thrill of contact with God; we lack the profound
ABBOT TRYPHON ON THE IMPORTANCE
When we know of anyone who is suffering, we must pray
for them with much sincerity, and with tears, because
our Brothers or Sisters in Christ are being tormented
becoming despondent and sorrowful.
As Orthodox Christians, we must believe that Intercessory
Prayer, when spoken with Love and complete
attention, leads to the Intervention of the Holy Spirit,
Who brings Healing of body, and Peace of soul, to
those who are being tormented.
If we have a neighbour or co-worker who despises us,
and who is overcome with hatred even upon seeing
us, we must immediately pray for them.
We must not pray for them to like us, but we must beseech
our Lords Great Mercy so that they will be freed from
the spirit of anger and hatred that is driving them to
sin.
We must also pray that God reveals our own part in any
conflict so that we may Repent and seek forgiveness
from God and neighbour.
If we have relatives or friends who can never say
anything nice about us or others, we must pray for
7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW 2 BLIND MEN 23 JULY 2017
We are all Called to make sensible and worthy use of all
of our resources no matter how great or small - for
the Glory of God.
As we depart here today, let us commit ourselves to
fulfilling our Sacred Mission by redefining ourselves
as Gods Loving and Faithful Soldiers!
May we open our heart and soul to God so that our
Relationship with Him becomes ever closer -
Cleansing us and Healing every infirmity - so that we
may truly reach our full potential just as our Creator
intended us to be!
Amen.
FATHER CONSTANTINE LAZARAKIS AND ROY BRADBROOK
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE KIMISIS TIS THEOTOKOU
THE HAMPTONS, USA
HTTP://KIMISISHAMPTONS.ORG
TO MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY
consciousness of a deeper relationship with God,
and neither do we make others feel it....
Only the humble live in the Immeasurable Depths, full of
Mystery, in God....
The humble, far from becoming poor, embrace the
Infinite more than anybody else and offer it to
others...
TO KNOW GOD WE MUST BECOME HUMBLE AND MEEK.
This is an essential Lesson.
As Father Dimitru explained: "Only the humble live... in
God."
In order for us TO BECOME REALLY HUMBLE, WE MUST
TOTALLY SURRENDER OUR SELFISH EGO.
WE MUST BECOME NOTHING. (We must believe that we are
inferior to all others we must believe that others are far
better and more worthy than us.)
BY ACQUIRING THE VIRTUE OF TRUE HUMILITY, WE WILL BECOME
PURE AND WILL REFLECT OUR LORDS DIVINE LIGHT.
However, this is certainly AN ADVANCED STATE OF SPIRITUAL
DEVELOPMENT, WHICH TAKES MANY YEARS OF SPIRITUAL
STRUGGLE TO ATTAIN.
As Father Dimitri expressed it: ... if we could only accept
this role of being nothing but a reflector and receiver
of Divine Light, we will have a tremendous Destiny -
living with the infinite.
If we are ashamed of this role and are filled with our own
smoke, we can no longer see anything - not even in
ourselves!
So we must reflect on this image of being "filled with our
own smoke..." that needs to be cleared away for us to
be able to SEE GOD AND JOIN WITH HIM IN A SPIRITUAL STATE
OF THEOSIS.
TO SEE THE DIVINE LIGHT, WE MUST BE CLEARED
OF ALL THE "SMOKE."
As our Lord Jesus Christ told us so clearly and concisely:
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the
Earth. (MATTHEW 5:5)
FATHER CHARLES JOINER, DEACON, ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL,
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/
OF INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
them, asking our Lord to free them from the sin of
gossip and hatred, and to infuse their heart with the
Understanding that they are worthy in their own right.
We must pray fervently for those whom we dislike, so that
True Love for them will grow in our heart, through the
sincere act of remembering them before the Throne of
God.
Intercessory Prayer is not just for Monastics or Priests, but
is a necessary component for every Orthodox
Christian, for it is a wonderful way of remembering
that we are all connected together as the Children of
our Heavenly Father.
Our Orthodox Faith teaches us to imitate our Lord Jesus,
Who, when praying to His Heavenly Father, also
prayed for His People.
Our Divine Saviour is our only Intercessor with our
Heavenly Father, for in His Resurrected Glory, He
prays Eternally to His Father on behalf of us all.
It is only in and through Christ our Lord, that we Orthodox
Christians become competent to Intercede before
God.
37.
All Prayer is addressed to God the Father, through His
Eternal, Only Begotten Son, by the Power of His Holy
Spirit.
It is in the Name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, that we who
are Disciples of Christ, are Authorized to pray for
each other and for all Creation.
God Eternally hears the Prayers of His People, and knows
what is asked even prior to it being asked, for He
knows all of life in one Divine Act of All-Embracing
Vision and Knowledge.
Prayers, including for those who are dead, are heard
and considered by our Lord God even before we
have expressed them!
METROPOLITAN HIEROTHEOS VLACHOS - FOR
Many times, at various meetings with people, even within
Ecclesiastical Synodical bodies, the view is expressed
that WE MUST ALWAYS AGREE ON A MATTER, EVEN IF WE HOLD A
DIFFERENT OPINION, ...for the sake of Unity.
It so happens that these Synodical bodies, in which the
same people partake, decide in a different way, a
matter which is justified that this is being done ...for
the sake of... or ...for... Unity.
There are some individuals Politicians or Clergymen -
who claim to toil for the Unity of the body to which
they belong as if others are unconcerned about Unity.
It must be noted from the beginning that UNITY IN HOLY
COMMUNION AND THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE
TARGET FOR WHICH WE SHOULD ALL AIM.
UNITY IN THE CHURCH IS THE PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF US ALL,
SINCE THIS WAS ACHIEVED ON HOLY PENTECOST.
As the Festal Kontakion states: When the Most High came
down, and confused the tongues, He divided the
Nations. When He distributed the Tongues of Fire, He
Called all to Unity.
THIS IS THE FUNCTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO OPERATES IN OUR
HOLY CHURCH.
Therefore, THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH IS THE EXPERIENCE OF
HOLY PENTECOST, which is why UNITY (ACCORD) EXISTS IN
THE THEOLOGY OF THE APOSTLES AND OF OUR HOLY FATHERS.
However, it is imperative to note that UNITY CAN ALSO BE
FOUND AMONG THOSE WHO DO EVIL and those who make
up a criminal organization, and aim towards
CREATING DIVISION AND MALAISE IN SOCIETY.
These people are only concerned with their unity so that
they can do evil without being exposed.
Therefore, UNITY ALONE IS NOT THE AIM, BUT THE COMBINATION
OF (HOLY) UNITY WITH TRUTH.
In the Divine Liturgy, the Faithful are encouraged with
the words: HAVING ASKED FOR THE UNITY OF THE FAITH AND
FOR THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, LET US COMMEND
OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST
OUR GOD.
Unity in Ecclesiastical language is neither abstract nor
unconditional but RELATED TO FAITH.
IT IS A UNITY OF FAITH, AS IT HAS BEEN REVEALED BY GOD TO THE
SAINTS, LINKED CLEARLY WITH THE ...COMMUNION OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT...
Unity of Faith certainly PRESUPPOSES THE SURRENDER OF OUR
ENTIRE LIFE TO CHRIST.
SUCH A UNITY IS BLESSED BY GOD and CANNOT BE SHARED BY
HERETICS, who are based on speculative reason and
combat Orthodox Doctrine.
St Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians, advised Christians
to STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH IS
CONNECTED TO THE ONE LORD GOD, WITH THE ONE FAITH
AND ONE BAPTISM:

E P H E S I A N S 4 : 3 - 6 endeavouring to keep the Unity
of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace. There is one
Body and one Spirit, even as you are Called in
one Hope of your Calling; one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is
above all, and through all, and in you all.
THE UNITY OF FAITH IS CONNECTED TO THE ONE LORD, THE
ONE FAITH, THE ONE BAPTISM, THE ONE BODY, THE ONE
SPIRIT.

E P H E S I A N S 4 : 1 1 1 3 St Paul also spoke of THE UNITY
IN DEIFICATION : ...And He gave some to be
Apostles, and some Prophets, and some
Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for
the Perfecting of the Saints for the work of the
Ministry, and for the Edifying of the body of Christ,
until we all come into the Unity of the Faith and of
38. 7 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 S U N D A Y O F S T M A T T H E W 2 B L I N D M E N 2 3 J U L Y 2 0 1 7
Failure to pray is also known to God from Eternity, and
takes its effect in Gods Plan of Salvation.
Whenever we are asked to pray for someone, we know
that our Prayers are heard by God.
When we are in need of Intercessory Prayers ourselves,
we must not hesitate to ask other Christians to pray for
us, for failure to ask for their Prayers deprives them of
their chance to fulfill their obligation as our fellow
Christians, and suggests that we dismiss their Prayers
as being ineffective - as though God would dismiss
their Prayers as well!
THE SAKE OF UNION
the Knowledge of the Son of God, unto a Perfect
Man, unto the measure of the stature of the
Fullness of Christ.
This means that UNITY OF FAITH IS CONNECTED TO THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, and its Aim is PERFECTION
- TO ACQUIRE ...the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ... which is DEIFICATION.
Our Holy Fathers proceeded with the same perspective,
striving to preserve the Unity of the Church in the Faith
revealed by anathematising and banishing heretics
who disrupted the Unity of Faith and Church with their
heretical doctrines.
By doing so, our Holy Fathers defended the Holy Unity,
which was confirmed by the Ecumenical Councils.
St Dorotheos related Holy Unity with the same belief:
...Nothing Unites as much as to Rejoice for the same
things and to have the same Belief in Christ Jesus!
His statements often referred to the Epistles of St Paul:

ROMANS 15: 5 - 6 ... the God of Patience and
Consolation grant you to be likeminded one
toward another, according to Christ Jesus, that
you may with one mind and one mouth Glorify
God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For
when we were yet without Strength, in due time
Christ died for the ungodly.

P H I L I P P I A N S 2 : 1 2 ... If there be, therefore, any
Consolation in Christ, if any Comfort of Love, if
any Fellowship of the Spirit, if any Tenderness
and Mercies, fulfill my Joy, by being like-
minded, having the same Love, being of one
accord and of one mind ...
St Isaac the Syrian defined Spiritual Unity: ...Spiritual
Unity is an unsealed and perpetual recollection,
which incessantly blazes in the heart with ardent
longing; and from perseverance in the
commandments, the heart receives its capacity for
this bond, not figuratively, nor in a natural way...
(ASCETICAL HOMILY 1:8)
SPIRITUAL UNITY IS ACHIEVED BY FULFILLING THE
COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST, AND IT IGNITES DIVINE
LONGING IN OUR HEART.
In society, there is much said about unity despite the
existing differences of opinion, which is what
democracy aims for. The different authorities and
their various motives that divide the parties ... when
expressed in a democratic manner, are considered to
be elements of unity.
However, IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, HOLY UNITY IS NOT MERELY
A SUPERFICIAL AGREEMENT OF DIFFERENT VIEWS, BUT THE FRUIT
OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT - A COMMUNION OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT, AND A UNITY OF FAITH.
Consequently, for our Church it is impossible even ...for
the sake of unity... to negate Orthodox Ecclesiology or
Orthodox Theology, and to undermine the entire Faith
Revealed, for A DIVERGENCE FROM TRUE FAITH IS NEITHER
ACCEPTABLE NOR LAUDABLE.
Truly, THOSE WHO PRESERVE HOLY UNITY ALSO PRESERVE OUR TRUE
FAITH REVEALED BY CHRIST.
Likewise, it is impossible to be diplomatic in
Ecclesiastical Matters, by recanting or changing
opinions according to popular belief, nor to
characterize such heresy as the Unity of the Holy
Spirit!. Degradation of words cannot be allowed,
especially those concerning Holy Unity, for the sake of
some artificial, changeable diplomatic mentality, that
hides elements of intent and utilitarianism.
ORTHODOX ETHOS - HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH
 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.

25 July 2017
Dormition of St Anna
Righteous Mother of our Lady Theotokos
Also the Feast of St Olympias, Deaconess of Constantinople St Eupraxia, Virgin Martyr of
Tabenna St Makarios of Zheltovod & Unzha The 165 Holy Fathers of the 5th Ecumenical
Council, Constantinople

FESTAL APOLYTIKION - DORMITION - ST ANNA THE RIGHTEOUS TONE 4

Zoin tin kiisasan, ekioforisas, Aganin theomitora, theofron Thou carried within Thy Womb Her who was Expectant
Anna; dio pros lixin Ouranion, entha efrenomenon, with Life: the Mother of God, O Godly-minded Anna,
katikia en doxi, herousa nin metestis, tis timosi se and thus rejoicing Thou were today Translated unto
patho, ptesmaton etoumeni ilasmon, aimakariste. Heaven, where they live who now Rejoice. And Thou
entreat Forgiveness of offences for the Faithful who
honour Thee with longing, O Ever Blessed One.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST ANNA - DORMITION - TONE 2
Progonon Hristou, tin mnimin eortazomen, tin touton Today we observe the memory of Christs Forebears, and
Pistos, etoumeni voithian, tou risthine apantas, apo also we pray that we might receive their Aid, so that
pasis thlipseos, tous kravgazontas. O Theos genou all of us may be freed from tribulations, as we cry
meth imon, O TOUTOUS DOXASAS OS IIDOKISAS. aloud: Be with us, O Lord our God, WHO GLORIFIED
THEM AS THOU WERE PLEASED TO DO!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 67/68 & PSALM 33/34 TONE 4
God is Wondrous in His Saints.
VERSE : Bless God in the Churches, the Lord from the Fountains of Israel.
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 4 : 22 27
TH E D IFFERENCE BETWEEN SLA VERY AND SONSHIP
Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a Bondwoman and the other by a Freewoman. But he
who was of the Bondwoman was born according to the flesh - he of the Freewoman through Promise, which things
are symbolic.
These are the two Covenants: the one from Mount Sinai, which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar for this Hagar
is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem, which now is - in bondage with her children. The
Jerusalem Above is free, which is the Mother of us all.
It is written: Rejoice, O Barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labour! For the
desolate has many more Children than she who has a husband.
ABRAHAMS TWO SONS AND RELATED EVENTS ARE SYMBOLIC According to St John Chrysostom, ISAAC ... was the
(allegoreo), as well as being HISTORICAL FACTS. issue of bodies that were dead, and of a womb
St Paul asserted that OLD COVENANT HISTORY ANNOUNCED that was dead.
SOMETHING FAR GREATER THAN ITSELF. His conception was not by the flesh, nor his birth by
 HAGAR THE BONDWOMAN AND MOUNT SINAI SYMBOLISE the seed, for the womb was dead both through
EARTHLY JERUSALEM, AND THE JUDEANS UNDER THE LAW. age and barrenness (infertility).
OLD ISRAEL But the Word of God fashioned him...
 SARAH, THE FREEWOMAN, SYMBOLISES THE HEAVENLY He who was not according to the flesh was more
JERUSALEM I.E. THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST NEW honourable than he who was born after the flesh
ISRAEL Therefore, let it not disturb you that you were not born
The desolate ARE THOSE IN CHURCH, ESPECIALLY THE after the flesh. For due to the very reason that you
GENTILES. are not so born, are you most of all Abrahams
Even if we do not have any biological children, we kindred.
can and do have many Spiritual Children within Having been ADOPTED BY GOD AS HIS CHILDREN OF LIGHT,
the Holy Church. DURING OUR BAPTISM, WE ARE RIGHTFUL HEIRS to the
She who has a husband, is ISRAEL. Heavenly Kingdom, thereby being ...most of all
SARAH IS A TYPE OF MARY OUR LADY THEOTOKOS (MOTHER Abrahams kindred... i.e. HAVING BEEN CALLED BY
OF GOD) FOR SARAHS SON WAS BORN THROUGH DIVINE GOD HIMSELF.
PROMISE.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 8 : 16 21
TAKE CARE OF HOW WE HEAR GODS D IVINE & PERFEC T TRUTH
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: ...No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a
bed, but sets it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.
For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.
Take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he
seems to have will be taken from him.
His Mother and Brothers went to Him, but could not approach Him because of the crowd. And He was told by some
who said: Thy Mother and Thy Brothers are standing outside, wanting to see Thee.He answered and said to them:
My Mother and My Brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do It.
This is another Teaching of our Lord and Saviour Who would be closely observed and imitated by so many
addressed these words to His Faithful Disciples, urging others.
them to FOLLOW A STRICT WAY OF LIFE and teaching
them to BE SERIOUS STRUGGLERS IN VIRTUE because they

THE DORMITION OF ST ANNA, RIGHTEOUS MOTHER OF OUR LADY THEOTOKOS 25 JULY 2017 39
 OUR LORD WARNS US MOST SERIOUSLY THAT ALL THOSE WHO TEACH
AND PREACH HIS DIVINE TRUTH ARE SEEN AND HEARD BY
EVERYONE SO THEY MUST BE GENUINE, SHINING ROLE MODELS.
Furthermore, when Teachers and devout Disciples are
examined by others some who genuinely seek Gods
Truth but some who seek a reason for persecution of
Christs Faithful NOTHING WILL BE HIDDEN BECAUSE GODS
TRUTH DOES NOT NEED TO BE HIDDEN IN DARKNESS for It
shines forth like His Divine Light.
GOD IS TRULY THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRITUALLY DARKENED
WORLD AND HIS TRUTH EXPOSES THE LIARS, THE FRAUDSTERS
AND THE DECEIVERS.
We honour God and bring Him Glory and Worship when
His Truth is held up for all to see and hear.
Therefore, AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, IF WE HAVE
DILIGENCE AND ZEAL, WE WILL RECEIVE MUCH DIVINE GRACE
FROM GOD.
But those who have neither diligence nor zeal, by their
own negligence, they will extinguish and lose even
that Divine Grace that they appeared to have
received from God.
When the Ever Blessed Theotokos and the cousins of
Christ the sons of St Joseph the Betrothed and his
wife, Salome (the sister of St Anna) went to see our
Lord, it was apparent from Christs Words that HE WAS
NOT IN THE COMPANY OF HIS RELATIVES ACCORDING TO THE
FLESH. For He had left them in order to devote Himself
to His Spiritual Teaching.
Nevertheless, His Family had gone to Him and in this
example, we are taught that ANYONE WHO IS ENTRUSTED
WITH SERVING ALMIGHTY GOD MUST ALWAYS PUT GODS
SPIRITUAL LIFE AS A
A common issue in any couples relationship concerns
their Spiritual Life.
One spouse may follow the Way of Life as prescribed for
Orthodox Christians while the other spouse makes no
attempt at all.
If this is not dealt with carefully, it can become a source
of great conflict.
The advice that is most usually offered, is to first of all
Love each other and not judge nor criticise.
With Love, the faithful spouse must pray for the one who
seems to be unconcerned about Spiritual Matters.
St Paisios of Mount Athos advised a certain woman who
voiced her concern for the Spiritual Welfare of her
husband:
Entrust him to Christ and pray that his heart may be
softened.
Eventually, little by little, our Lord Jesus Christ will
descend into his heart, and he will start to think about
it.
As soon as his heart has softened slightly towards our
Saviour, ask him to drive you to Church.
However, do not tell him, nor ask him, to attend Church
with you, but only ask him to drive you to the church.
If he agrees to drive you all the way to the church, he
might decide for himself that because he had come
all that way, he may as well go inside even if only to
light a candle.
In this way, little by little, he may make some Spiritual
Progress.
With Prayers, and with Gentleness, Patience and Kindness
we may lead our spouse to open his or her heart to
Spiritual Life.
Unless this delicate matter is approached with Love and
Tenderness, the errant spouses heart will harden
even more and our relationship could potentially be
damaged.
We must slowly and carefully discover if and how we can
lead our beloved spouse in the right direction but we
must take care that our nudges do not become
nagging that will worsen the situation.
Our Spiritual Father may be able to help us to develop
our own Spiritual Life so that by our own example,
and deep Faith, our spouse may be encouraged to
join us in Prayer and Worship.
St Paisios believed that women tend to be pious by
nature.
Sometimes spouses becomes interested in their Spiritual
Life to such a degree that the other cannot keep up
with them, but we must always be careful never to
envy anothers Spiritual Progress.
If it causes any type or degree of disharmony or
unhappiness then we need to take care.
40. THE DORMITION OF ST ANNA, RIGHTEOUS MOTHER
SERVICE BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE INCLUDING OUR BELOVED
FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
When someone told Christ that His Family had arrived -
either wanting to listen to His Teaching or to discuss
personal matters with Him, our Lord pointed out that
HIS FAMILY WAS NOT RESTRICTED TO THE FEW WHO WERE
INDEED RELATED TO HIM ACCORDING TO THE FLESH.
This should under no circumstances be taken as being
insulting to either His Beloved Mother or to His
Relatives.
Instead our Lord emphasised that fact that HE HAD COME
TO SERVE ALL MANKIND AND TO MAKE EVERYONE MEMBERS OF
HIS DIVINE FAMILY.
THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY OUR PERSONAL ADOPTION AS CHILDREN
OF GOD AND CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST AT OUR HOLY BAPTISM.
Another important point that our Lord made was that
by MERELY LISTENING TO THE WORDS OF GOD WILL NOT SAVE
ANYONE - and could actually become a Condemnation
of us because ONLY THOSE WHO HEARD THE DIVINE WORDS
AND OBEYED THEM by putting them into practise in their
daily lives, WOULD ATTAIN HIS DIVINE SALVATION AND
ETERNAL LIFE.
READING ALL THE HOLY SCRIPTURES the Teachings and
Commandments of God and all the Divinely-
Inspired Writings and Teachings of our Holy Church
Fathers - and even endlessly studying Theology (and
being able to quote them chapter and verse ) - WILL
DO US ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD WHATSOEVER UNLESS WE OBEY
GOD BY PUTTING INTO PRACTISE ALL HIS TEACHINGS
whether directly taught by Christ Himself or by His
Holy Church Fathers and Mothers
MARRIED COUPLE
The aim is to grow together in our Spiritual Life, although
we will not always be on the same step at the same
time.
St Paisios advised us: ...To keep the family from falling
apart, when the right moment comes, tell your spouse:
'If I go to Church and pray a little and do some
prostrations, or if I read a Spiritual Book, I am not
doing this out of an over-abundance of devotion, but
only as a means of self-restraint - to keep me from
being led astray by our wretched society and getting
involved with bad company.'
If you handle it circumspectly, then your spouse will be
happy and may even eventually outdo your Spiritual
Labours, but if you are careless or insensitive, it will
damage your relationship with each other!
The wife of Father Charles Joiner was the one who was
interested in Spiritual Matters and insisted on going to
Church regularly, while he would find excuses to not
attend.
His wife was patient and prayed for him until eventually
...Christ got hold of me and I could not get enough. I
read everything, I went to Church regularly, I prayed
daily, I sought counsel from a Spiritual Father
frequently.
Then I became worried that my wife was not showing
the same interest as I now felt.
Somehow God gave me the insight to understand that
we must walk this Path together and that we would
not always be on the same step along this long Path.
So instead of going my own way, I sought ways to involve
her in my efforts and was careful not to judge, but to
appreciate how she led me to what now gave me
Great Inner Joy.
Through God's guidance we have continued to walk this
Path together.
We pray together, we attend Holy Services together, and
we share what we are reading.
We have found that an active Spiritual Life nurtures our
Love for each other.
We still have our arguments but they do not last long.
The challenge for all couples is to seek a shared Path,
even though this may take many years to achieve,
but with sincerity on the part of either one of the
couple, the other will be brought along with them and
may eventually surpass them.
It then becomes like a beautiful dance, where each leads
the other at different times.
This is the way we have been able to grow old together.
FATHER CHARLES JOINER, DEACON,
ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/
OF OUR LADY THEOTOKOS 25 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

26 July 2017
St Paraskeve, Virgin Martyr & Miracle Worker of Rome
Also the Feast of St Jacob Netsvetov, Enlightener of Alaska St Hermolaos, St Hermippos
& St Hermocrates, Hieromartyrs of Nikomedia St Moses the Hungarian of Kiev Near
Caves Monastery St Gerontios, Venerable Founder of the Skete of St Anne on Mount
Athos St Sava III of Serbia

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PARASKEVE OF ROME

Tin spoudin Sou ti klisi katalilon, ergasameni feronime, Thy diligence corresponded to Thy name, O Paraskeve,
tin omonimon Sou Pistin is katikian keklirose, Paraskevi which denotes preparedness. Through Faith Thou
athlofore. Othen proheis iamata, ke presvis iper ton inherited the Promised Dwelling that was prepared for
psihon imon. Thee, O Prize-winning Martyr. Therefore Thou pour
out Cures and Healings, and Thou Intercede on behalf
of our soul.
SEASONAL KONTAKION OUR LADY THEOTOKOS - TONE 4
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to
Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas, the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin Voithian imon, ton voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Se. Theotokos who always Protects all those who Honour
Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 67/68 TONE 4
Wondrous is God in His Saints.
In the Congregations Bless God The Lord from the Fountain of Israel
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS 3 : 23 4 : 5
OUR ADOPTION AS CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST THROUGH OUR FAITH AND HOLY BAPTISM
Brethren: before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law kept for the Faith that would afterward be
revealed. Therefore, the Law was our Tutor - to bring us to Christ, so that we might be Justified by Faith. After Faith
has come, we are no longer under a Tutor.
You are all sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female. You are all
one in Christ Jesus.
If you are Christs then you are Abrahams seed, and Heirs according to the Promise. I say that the Heir as long as he
is a child does not differ at all from a slave, although he is master of all, but is under Guardians and Stewards
until the time appointed by the Father. Even so, we when we were children were in bondage under the
elements of the world. When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son Born of a Woman, Born under
the Law - to Redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the Adoption as sons.
Faith IN Christ is also Faith OF Christ because TWO FAITHS ancient people of God only understood instinctively at
ARE COOPERATING together: first and foremost, the faith first and then through the Teachings of the Holy
of Christ, and secondarily, the Faith in Christ of those Prophets of God.
who believe. AT THE HARROWING OF HADES AFTER HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS IN
Although THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT with God had HIS HUMAN NATURE, CHRIST - IN HIS DIVINE, ALMIGHTY
complete Faith in God, they COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN NATURE - SMASHED OPEN THE IMPRISONING DOORS OF HADES,
THE FAITH OF CHRIST FOR OUR SAVIOUR HAD NOT YET APPEARED AND FREED ALL HUMANITY FROM THE ENSLAVING POWER OF EVIL
TO THEM. HAVING ALREADY RE-OPENED PARADISE to THE FAITHFUL
THE HOLY TRINITY IS OMNIPRESENT - ever-present there has where they could REPOSE IN PEACE UNTIL THE GENERAL
never been a time or place when God the Father, the RESURRECTION AND OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
Son and the Holy Spirit was not present! (The Repentant Thief, St Demas, was the first to enter Paradise since
The only time WE COULD ACTUALLY SEE GOD WAS WHEN CHRIST the banishment of Adam and Eve.)
the Word and Son of God became Man BECAME THOSE WHO STUBBORNLY REJECTED HIM, REMAIN IN HADES where
INCARNATE took on physical matter a human body. they suffer the hideous Foretaste of the vileness and
(St Abraham also saw the Holy Trinity as three identical Men torment of Eternal Alienation from God,
Angels, Whom he addressed as Lord as one Being.) OUR FAITH IN CHRIST IS ONE OF PERSONAL COMMITMENT AND
THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE ON EARTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VITAL ALLEGIANCE to Him and through our Holy Baptism
PREPARATORY PERIOD FOR ETERNITY. WE HAVE BECOME ADOPTED HEIRS OF GOD CO-HEIRS
Because Gods Love of us is infinite and absolute, He WITH CHRIST TO THE ETERNAL HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF
provided mankind with a set of TEN COMMANDMENTS OR GOD.
LAWS that GUIDE US TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE AND PROTECT US Not only have WE BEEN BAPTISED into Christianity into the
FROM FALLING INTO A STATE OF PERMANENT SPIRITUAL DEATH. Christian Faith, but WE HAVE VESTED OURSELVES WITH
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OR MOSAIC LAW prepared the CHRIST WE HAVE PUT ON CHRIST we have taken on
Hebrew Nation for the Coming of God. They STILL APPLY our Sacred Mission TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE TO IMITATE
TO US, THE NEW ISRAEL THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD. CHRIST Himself and thereby REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO
WITH GODS NEW COVENANT, CHRIST REVEALED THE TRUE NATURE GOD
OF OUR MOST MERCIFUL, LOVING AND BENEVOLENT GOD TO
US AND TAUGHT US THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE, which the

ST PARASKEVE, GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR & MIRACLE WORKER OF ROME 26 JULY 2017 41
 According to our New Covenant with Almighty God, THERE Therefore, assessing people according to our own
IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOCIAL STATUS, ETHNICITY OR opinion, attitude, value, gender or ethnicity is
GENDER because WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD! forbidden in Christs Holy Church,
SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED ARE INTERWOVEN we If we are genuinely trying to imitate Christ we must do so
cannot claim to have one without the other! without fail: He never discriminated against anyone
For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have so how dare we do so!
put on Christ, is our ancient Baptism Hymn that is ANY DISCRIMINATION, BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE OR PREJUDICE WILL
chanted during the Procession of the Newly CAUSE US SERIOUS SPIRITUAL CONDEMNATION, which -
Regenerated into the assembly the Holy Church of unless we quickly correct ourselves with sincere
Christ. Repentance - will affect our Eternity!
WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE IN CHRIST. We are all one in nature and equal in dignity.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 5: 24 34
THE HEALING OF THE BLEEDING WOMAN ON THE WAY TO JAIRUS DYING DAUGHTER
At that time, a great multitude followed our Lord Jesus and thronged Him. And a certain Woman had a flow of blood
for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many Physicians, and had spent all that she had and was no
better but rather grew worse.
When she heard about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. She thought: If only I may
touch His garment, I shall be made well. And immediately the source of her bleeding dried up and she felt in her
body that she was Healed of the affliction.
And Jesus - immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him - turned around in the crowd and asked:
Who touched My garment? And His Disciples said to Him: Thou see the multitude thronging Thee and Thou
ask Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who had done so.
The woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, went and fell down before Him and told Him
the whole truth. He said to her: Daughter, your Faith has made you well. Go in Peace, and be Healed of your
affliction.
AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD HIM SO THAT OTHERS WOULD LEARN FROM HER AND GLORIFY
ALONE AND BEING OF THE SAME DIVINE ESSENCE AS GOD GOD.
THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES THAT Therefore He loudly enquired Who touched My
SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY. garment? which astonished His Disciples since the
THE HEALING OF THAT WOMAN, ST VERONICA, DEMONSTRATED large crowd shoved and pushed one another to get
OUR LORD JESUS POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM OUR SINS AND closer to Christ and many would have brushed
TO HEAL ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS THE SPIRITUAL AND THE against Him or certainly touched His garments.
PHYSICAL. Although on His way to save the daughter of Jairus a
According to the Old Covenant Laws, any type of ruler of the Synagogue OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS
haemorrhaging caused ceremonial defilement, TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH
which imposed religious and social restrictions BOTH HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE
upon the sufferers for ANY CONTACT WITH BLOOD WAS TRUTH:
STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. First He granted her Good cheer because of THE PROOF
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
being unclean and had followed all the Then He corrected her thinking for SHE COULD NEITHER
requirements as a social outcast but SHE HAD REACHED HIDE HER ACTIONS FROM HIM FROM GOD NOR WAS SHE
SUCH A DEGREE OF MISERY AND DESPERATION THAT SHE EXCLUDED FROM HIM BECAUSE OF HER AFFLICTION.
RISKED FURTHER SHAME AND HUMILIATION IN THE And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
CONVICTION THAT ONLY CHRIST COULD HEAL HER. WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
It was a risk that she was willing to take after all what Our Holy Church Fathers believed that St Veronica
more could she lose? People had already taken symbolises human nature in general because ALL
everything she had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER HUMANITY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH,
WHAT SHE REALLY NEEDED! WHICH WAS SYMBOLISED BY HER HAEMORRHAGING.
EVERYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY GOD BECOMES SANCTIFIED The Physicians who could not heal her symbolise the
HOLY AND WILL PASS THAT SANCTIFICATION ONTO various religions of the world, AS WELL AS THE OLD
THE FAITHFUL. COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
So THE INSTANT ST VERONICA SOFTLY TOUCHED THE ROBE OF HUMANITY THEY CANNOT SAVE US
CHRIST SHE WAS HEALED AND GOD KNEW HER SINCERE FAITH ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US! ONLY THROUGH OUR
IN HIM. LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE GENUINELY
DIVINE ENERGY OR POWER WENT FROM CHRIST TO ST VERONICA FREED FROM SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
SO HE WANTED HER TO OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE HER FAITH IN
PRAYER THAT IS FREE FROM THOUGHTS
To have True Prayer, our mind must be pure, still and it, and after doing so, immediately cut off the head of
totally open for an Encounter with our infinitely the Snake through refutation, and, at the same time,
Compassionate Lord God. call on Christ with groaning.
When random thoughts clutter our mind, our Prayer Through Experience we come to know God's invisible
becomes distracted and disturbed by worldly things, Help; then we see clearly the true condition of our
and our time of Prayer becomes a problem solving heart.
session with ourselves. Our challenge is to have the sobriety to be Watchful and
Our thoughts pollute and distort our Prayers and confuse Attentive to the nature of our thoughts, and to dismiss
our Relationship with God with our own desires and them when we enter into Prayer.
needs. As St Hesychios advise: "... we must look with the sharply
A pure and open mind will receive Divine Grace that focused eye of the mind..." in Prayer.
enables us to hear, understand and do Gods Will This is the True Purpose of our mind - to enable us to
instead of our own. focus on our Creator and discern His Will for us.
St Hesychios explained: ...One who does not have Prayer As we repeat the Jesus Prayer, our mind will instantly
that is free from thoughts is without a Weapon for become focused on God and we will receive His
Battle. Grace, which helps us deter all distracting thoughts.
I understand Prayer to be that which is carried out One of the reasons we pray is to overcome the
unceasingly within the depths of our soul, so that the domination of our soul by the thoughts roaming
Enemy who is secretly fighting (against us) may be thorough our mind, distracting us from a intimate
vanquished and scorched by our Invocation of Christ. Relationship with God.
For we must look with the sharply focused eye of the It is in Prayer where thoughts are subdued that we find
mind so that we will recognize what has entered into this Relationship that our soul seeks.

42. ST PARASKEVE, GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR & MIRACLE WORKER OF ROME 26 JULY 2017
 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

27 July 2017
St Panteleimon
the Great Unmercenary Physician, Wonderworker & Holy Martyr
Also the Feast of St Nicholas Kochanov, Fool for Christ of Novgorod St Anthousa, Abbess & 90
Venerable Holy Sisters of Mantinea Monastery, Asia Minor St Clement of Ochrid, Equal to the
Apostles & Bishop, St Naum, St Sava, St Gorazd & St Angelar, Disciples of St Cyril & Methodios,
of Ochrid Monastery, Greater Macedonia

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PANTELEIMON

Athlofore Agie, ke iamatike Panteleimon, Presveve ton O Holy Laurel-bearer and Physician Panteleimon, make
eleimoni Theo, in ptesmaton afesin, parashi tes psihes Intercession to our Merciful God, that He grant our
imon. souls Remission of offences.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST PANTELEIMON - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Mimitis iparhon tou Eleimonos, ke iamaton tin Harin par Imitator Thou were of the Merciful God. Thou received as
aftou komisamenos, Athlofore ke Martys Hristou tou Grace from Him the Art of Medicine. O Medallist and
Theou, tes evhes Sou, tas psihikas imon nosous Martyr of Christ our God, by Thy Prayers Thou cures
therapefson, apelavnon tou ai polemiou ta skandala, ek the disease of our soul. Drive the scandals of our age
ton voonton apafstos. Soson imas Kyrie. old enemy away from those who unceasingly cry: Save
us O Lord!
SEASONAL KONTAKION TRANSFIGURATION - 27 JULY 13 AUGUST
Epi tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou, Upon the Mount Thou were Transfigured, and Thy
tin Doxan Sou Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina otan Se Disciples beheld Thy Glory, as far as they were able
idosi Stavoumenon, to me Pathos noisosin ekousion to de to do, O Christ our God; so that when they would see
kosmo kirixosin oti Si iparhis alithos, tou Patros to Thee Crucified, they would know that Thou Suffered
Apavgasma! willingly; and thus proclaim to all the world: Thou
art truly the One Who is the Fathers Radiance!
MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 21 : 12 19
THE MARTYRDOM & PERSECUTION OF CHRISTS FAITHFUL APOSTLES & DISCIPLES
At that time our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: ... before all these things, men will lay their hands on you and
persecute you, delivering you up to the Synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before Kings and Rulers
for My Names sake. It will turn out for you as an occasion for Testimony. Therefore settle it in your heart not to
meditate beforehand on what you will answer. I will give you a mouth and Wisdom, which all your adversaries
will not be able to contradict or resist.
You will be betrayed even by parents and brethren, relatives and friends. And they will put some of you to death,
and you will be hated by all for My Names sake. And not a hair of your head shall be lost.
By your Patience possess your soul!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 63/64 TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
The Righteous Man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO ST TIMOTHY 2 : 1 10
THANKSGIVING & THE POWER OF GOD
Timothy, my Son: be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among
many witnesses commit these to Faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
You therefore must endure hardship as a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in Warfare entangles himself
with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not Crowned unless he competes according to the Rules. The hardworking
Farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say: may the Lord grant you Understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the Seed of
David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point
of chains. But the Word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the Elect, that they also may obtain the Salvation, which is in Christ Jesus
with Eternal Glory.
St Paul established a clear chain of Faithful Witnesses to This stands in clear contrast to the elitism of the major
Oral Tradition. religions of the 1st century Roman world, including
 Christian Tradition is for all Believers. Gnosticism and the various mysterious religions.
 Christian Tradition is Catholic Universal Faithful Ministry requires discipline:
 Christian Tradition belongs to the entire Holy  Obedience
Church of Christ.  Self-denial
 Christian Tradition is to be most carefully preserved  Spiritual Struggle
in Divine Truth and Spiritual Perfection Our icons, models or examples are soldiers, athletes
 Christian Tradition is to be passed down to all and farmers, who constantly strive with all their
generations without any hindrance, without any being to achieve their goals.
change and without incorrect interpretations

ST PANTELEIMON THE UNMERCENARY PHYSICIAN & WONDERWORKER 27 JULY 2017 43.

 THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 15 : 17 16 : 2
UNION & COMMUNION WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: ... these things I command you, that you Love one another.
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would
love its own. Because you are not of the world for I chose you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember
the Word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his Master.
If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also. But all these
thing they will do to you for My Names sake, because they do not know Him Who sent Me.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. He who
hates Me also hates My Father. If I had not done the Works among them - which no one else did they would
have no sin. Now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. Yet this happened so that the Word
might be fulfilled, which is written in their Law: They hated Me without a cause.
When the Helper comes Whom I shall sent to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth Who proceeds from the
Father He will Testify of Me. And you, too, will bear witness, for you have been with Me from the beginning.
These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the
Synagogues. But the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he serves God.
The term World is used in several distinct ways in Holy ... in the Holy Spirit the Lord the Giver of Life Who
Scripture. Proceeds from the Father.
 In some cases, it refers to ALL THAT IS GLORIOUS, BEAUTIFUL While God the Son is Begotten of God the Father alone,
AND REDEEMABLE IN GODS WONDROUS CREATION. THE HOLY SPIRIT PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE FATHER ALONE.
 At other times, it refers to THAT WHICH IS FINITE IN THE SOURCE THE DIVINE FOUNTAINHEAD OF BOTH PERSONS
CONTRAST TO THAT WHICH IS ETERNAL. OF GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD THE

J O H N 8 : 2 3 (Christ) said to the Judeans: You are FATHER.
from beneath; I Am from Above. You are of this OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS GRANTED US THESE DIVINE
world. I Am not of this world. REVELATIONS TO TEACH US AND TO REVEAL HIS ETERNAL,
 In still other instances as in this case it indicates ALL ABSOLUTE AND PERFECT TRUTH so that we will
THAT IS IN REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD OUR GOD. understand them fully and are able to
The rebellion of this fallen world against God reveals differentiate between His Divine Truth and mans
several aspects: flawed, limited and erroneous ideas that are
1. WHILE UNION WITH CHRIST BRINGS US HIS LOVE, TRUTH AND utterly imperfect, often heretical and completely
PEACE, IT ALSO BRINGS US PERSECUTION, because the wrong!!
world hates Love and Truth. Our Lord God does not want us to be deceived and
2. THE WORLD HATED CHRIST SO THEREFORE IT HATES ALL WHO misled by Satans lies and deceptions that can cause
TRY TO BE CHRIST-LIKE i.e. Christian. our Fall from Divine Grace, Spiritual Death, confusion,
3. THE WORLD hates because it NEITHER KNOWS NOR DESIRES frustration and alienation from God and all His
TO KNOW GOD THE FATHER. Goodness.
4. HATRED FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS UTTERLY IRRATIONAL, Knowledge is indeed power so we must always measure
ILLOGICAL AND UNREASONABLE for He brings all everything we see, hear or think, by the Divine Truth,
humanity His infinite Divine Love and Great Teachings and Commandments of Christ our Saviour
Mercy. Who never fails us at all!!
Consequently, as prophesied so many centuries before: Finally, our Lord Jesus Christ clearly warns us that we will
our Great Saviour is ...hated without a cause!! be persecuted by self-deluded slaves of Satan who
With respect to Gods Working Salvation in our world, will be convinced that they are serving the Divine Will
GOD THE SON SENDS OUR DIVINE COMFORTER GOD THE of Almighty God.
HOLY SPIRIT - FROM THE FATHER. Tragically, however, they are serving the evil one and
With respect to the Divine Nature, THE HOLY SPIRIT certainly not our Loving, Peaceful and
ETERNALLY PROCEEDS FROM GOD THE FATHER EXCLUSIVELY. Compassionate Lord God.
In other words: GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT RECEIVES HIS ETERNAL As faithful Disciples of Christ, we must always be ready to
EXISTENCE ONLY FROM GOD THE FATHER. face animosity and persecution, confident in our Faith
In conformity with our Lord Jesus Christs Words, the and knowing that God will Deliver us from the evil
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed Confesses belief one and his deadly machinations!
THE UNMERCENARY SAINTS
We are all Icons of our Lord Jesus Christ in that we are As they stood on trial for their Faith before the Roman
created in the Image and Likeness of God. Emperor St. Cosmas and St Damien each stated in
Yet it is in the saints, whose souls have been scoured and their own defence: We have done evil to no one. We
scrubbed clean of the black taint and deformity of are not involved with the magic or sorcery of which
sin, that this Image of Christ is made clear, and shines you accuse us.
through their Life in Christ each in their own We treat the infirm by the Divine Power of our Lord and
particular way. Saviour, Jesus Christ and we take no payment for
The Image of our Saviour, our True Physician, is clearly rendering aid to the sick, because our Lord God
evident In the Unmercenary Healers, whose lifestyle commanded His Disciples. Freely have you received,
and very being pointed to our Lord Jesus. freely give. (MATTHEW 10:8)
As the Holy Brothers, St. Cosmas and Damien, told the sick This is the motivation of Agape (Unconditional, Divine
and the needy: : It is not by our own power that we Love) and True Faith that compelled, and
treat you, but by the Power of Christ, our True God. empowered all the Wonderworking Unmercenary
Believe in Him and be healed. Saints of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
None of the Unmercenary Healers were self-serving they And by their fine example, all those who regard
had no ulterior motives. themselves as being Faithful Disciples of our Lord
Rather, they showed a Christ-like Love for everyone, by Jesus Christ, should strive to do so as well, to whatever
giving of themselves and everything they had to degree is possible.
everyone - unconditionally and without fail!
INSPIRED, ETERNAL WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT: Everything is possible for those who believe and trust.
When some inward disturbance or weakness of the heart We must Struggle and conquer.
prevents your pronouncing the words of the Prayers
during Divine Service, then consider such disturbance ST IGNATIOS BRIANCHANINOV
and weakness as an illusion of the enemy, of the Two of His Beloved Disciples asked our Lord for Thrones of
demon. Glory. He gave them His Chalice.
Throw aside the despondency, the faint-heartedness, and Christs Chalice is suffering. For those who partake of it
timidity, and speak concerning the Name of our Lord Christs Chalice procures on Earth a part in Christs
without hurrying - calmly and intentionally louder. Kingdom of Grace, and it prepares for them in
You will thus overcome your disturbance and weakness, Heaven Thrones of Eternal Glory.
and will obtain Courage and Strength.

44. ST PANTELEIMON THE UNMERCENARY PHYSICIAN & WONDERWORKER 27 JULY 2017

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

Tone (7) Varys/Grave 30 July 2017

th th
8 Sunday After Pentecost - 8 Sunday of St Matthew
Feeding 5,000 Families & Unity of the Church
The Feast of St Silas, St Silvanos, St Crescens, St Epaenetos & St Andronikos of the 70 Apostles St John the Warrior of
Constantinople St Herman of Solovki (Holy Relics ) St Polychronios, Bishop,& St Parmenios, St Helimenas, St
Chrysotelos, Presbyters, St Luke & St Mokios, Deacons, St Abdon & St Sennen, Persian Princes, St Maximos & St
Olympios, Holy Martyrs of Babylon St Valentine, Bishop & his Disciples, St Proculos, St Ephebos & St Apollonios as
well as St Abundios of Interamna, Terni, Italy St Angelina of Serbia St Anatole II of Optina Monastery St Tsotne
Dadiani the Confessor, of Georgia

R E S U R R E C T I O N GOSPEL 8 : JOHN 20 : 11 18
OUR RESURRECTED LORD DISCLOSES THE TRUTH OF HIS RESURRECTION TO ST MARY MAGDALENE

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE

Katelisas to Stavro Sou ton Thanaton. Ineoxas to listi ton By Thy Cross Thou destroyed Death; Thou opened
Paradison. Ton Miroforon ton thrinon metevales ke tis Paradise to the Thief; Thou changed the funeral wail
sis Apostolis kirittin epetaxas, oti Anestis, Hriste O of the Myrrh-bearing Women, and Commanded them
Theos, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos. to announce to Thine Apostles that Thou had Risen
from the dead, O Christ our God, Who bestows upon
the world Great Mercy.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - TRANSFIGURATION
Epi tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou, Upon the Mount Thou were Transfigured, and Thy
tin Doxan Sou Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina otan Se Disciples beheld Thy Glory, as far as they were able to
idosi Stavoumenon, to me Pathos noisosin ekousion to do, O Christ our God; so that when they would see
de kosmo kirixosin oti Si iparhis Alithos, tou Patros to Thee Crucified, they would know that Thou Suffered
Apavgasma! willingly; and thus proclaim to all the world: Thou art
truly the One Who is the Fathers Radiance!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 28/29 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
The Lord grants Strength unto His People.
Bring unto the Lord, O sons of God; bring unto the Lord, Glory and Honour!
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 1 : 10 17
AVOID CONTENTIOUSNESS
Brethren: I plead with you by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same, and that there be no
divisions among you, but that you be Perfectly United in the same mind and in the same Knowledge. For it has
been declared to me concerning you, my Brethren, by those of Chloes household, that there are contentions
amongst you.
I say this for each of you says I am of Paul, or I am of Apollos, or I am of Cephas, or I am of Christ. Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you Baptised in the name of Paul?
Thanks be to God that I Baptised none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had Baptised in
my own name! I also Baptised the household of Stephanas besides which I do not know if Baptised any others. -
for Christ did not send me to Baptise, but to preach the Gospel - not with Wisdom of Words, lest the Cross of Christ
should be made meaningless!
ST PAUL urged the Corinthians and us and PLEADED Apollos was AN EDUCATED JEW FROM ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT,
IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - ON BEHALF OF who was ...mighty in Scriptures... according to St
OUR SAVIOUR - TO AVOID OR RESOLVE ANY DIVISIONS THAT Luke. (ACTS 18:24)
CAUSE DISHARMONY OR DISUNITY WITHIN THE HOLY St Apollos had been taught more fully about our Lord
CHURCH. Jesus Christ and His Divine Truth by St Pricilla and St
WE HAVE PUT ON CHRIST and therefore, we should MAKE EVERY Aquila, two Faithful Disciples of Ephesos.
EFFORT TO LIVE IN CHRIST i.e. ALL OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS ST APOLLOS BECAME AN ERUDITE PREACHER IN CORINTH, WHICH IS
AND DEEDS SHOULD ALWAYS BE MOTIVATED AND PERFORMED WHY SOME REGARDED HIM AS A RIVAL OF ST PAUL.
WITH UNCONDITIONAL, DIVINE LOVE WITH AGAPE St Paul eventually ordained St Apollos as the FIRST BISHOP
THEREBY MAINTAINING THE HOLY UNITY OF OUR LORDS OF CRETE. (TITUS 3:13)
CHURCH. AS WE ARE ALL BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY TRINITY, WE
Chloe was A PROMINENT FEMALE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST WHO ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
HOSTED THE CHURCH OF CORINTH IN HER HOME. Therefore, as St Paul so clearly pointed out to the
She had faithfully reported these ...contentions... to St Corinthians, HE AND ST APOLLOS ALL THE OTHER APOSTLES
Paul so that they may be quickly and correctly AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WERE EQUAL PARTNERS CO-
resolved, without disrupting or dividing the Blessed WORKERS IN OUR LORDS EARTHLY MISSION IN THEIR
Harmony and Peace of the Christian Community. APOSTOLIC LABOURS.

SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SUNDAY OF ST LUKE (TITLE) - OCTOBER 2016 45.

 None of Christs Faithful Apostles or Disciples would ...Thanks be to God that I Baptised none of you... St
approve nor encourage the factionalism that Paul did not denigrate the Holy Mystery of Baptism.
threatened the Holy Unity of Corinth, for WE ARE ALL He simply emphasised that THE BAPTISM OF THOSE WHO
EQUALLY COMMITTED TO SHARING GODS DIVINE TRUTH. CONVERTED WAS NOT HIS PRIMARY ROLE.
Cephas is a reference to ST PETER THE APOSTLE and ...preach the Gospel ... AS AN APOSTLE, ST PAULS MOST
brother of St Andrew, the first Called Apostle of SIGNIFICANT SACRED TASK WAS TO ...preach the
Christ. Gospel... TEACHING ALL THOSE WHO SOUGHT THE ONE
Is Christ divided? St Paul asked the Corinthians TRUE AND LIVING GOD so that they would be
and, definitely, He is not, neither is His Divine Body THOROUGHLY AND CORRECTLY ENLIGHTENED BEFORE
His Holy Church of which we are all members. ACCEPTING HOLY BAPTISM AND THEN LIVING IN CHRIST
AS INDIVIDUALS, WE CAN LEAVE HIS HOLY CHURCH BUT WE CANNOT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFESPAN.
NOR SHOULD WE TRY TO DIVIDE HER! THE ONE WHO PERFORMS THE SERVICES OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF
FACTIONALISM CAUSES MUCH HARM TO US AS INDIVIDUALS who GOD, SUCH AS HOLY BAPTISM, ARE MERELY HIS INSTRUMENTS.
must maintain the Holy Unity Harmony and Peace OUR LOYALTY WHETHER WE HAVE CONVERTED OR WERE BORN
and Love of Christs Holy Church. INTO OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH MUST BE EXCLUSIVELY TO
FACTIONALISM is harmful because it PUTS CERTAIN SELF- ALMIGHTY GOD FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT!
APPOINTED PEOPLE INSTEAD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AT THE ...not with Wisdom of Words... Sadly, many people
HEAD OF HIS HOLY CHURCH A POSITION OF AUTHORITY THAT looked upon THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST as
CAN ONLY BE HELD BY OUR SAVIOUR AND NOT BY ANY HUMAN teachers of Philosophy (which still occurs today!)
BEING!! rather than INSPIRED PREACHERS OF THE HOLY, LIFE-
Those who are factious do not accept True, Inspired and GIVING CROSS OF CHRIST I.E. CONCERNING OUR
Holy Wisdom, which is bestowed only by God the Holy SALVATION AND RESURRECTION INTO ETERNAL LIFE.
Spirit. Words of wisdom refer especially to PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT
They misrepresent the Holy Apostles of Christ as AND RHETORICAL DEVICES. Such human wisdom BY ITSELF
competing against one another rather than being DOES NOT PROMOTE SALVATION NOR AN UNDERSTANDING OF
True Fellow Workers with our Lord Jesus Christ. GODS WILL AND HIS DIVINE WORKS.
Crispus had been a ruler of the Synagogue in THE MESSAGE OF THE HOLY, LIFE-GIVING CROSS is
Corinth.. (Acts 18:17) foolishness to those who do not believe.
Sosthenes succeeded St Crispus when he was converted According to St John Chrysostom UNBELIEVERS ARE PERISHING,
to our Christian Faith by the preaching of St Paul, who FOR THEY ARE UNABLE TO RECOGNISE NOR APPLY TO
subsequently Baptised him. THEMSELVES THOSE BLESSED THINGS THAT LEAD US TO
Gaius was a resident of Corinth with whom St Paul SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE,
stayed while writing his Epistle to the Romans. AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, WE WHO BEAR WITNESS TO
(Romans 16:23) CHRIST, MUST NEVER BE DISCOURAGED WHEN UNBELIEVERS OR
The Third Epistle of St John the Beloved Apostle of Christ THE UNGODLY MOCK US AND OUR FAITH, for so did St Paul
was apparently directed to this same Gaius. (3 John before his Conversion that utterly Transformed and
1) Saved him!
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 14 : 14 22
DIVINE MIRACLE FEEDING 5000 FAMILIES
At that time, Jesus saw a great multitude, and He was moved with Compassion for them, and He healed their sick.
When it was evening, His Disciples went to Him, saying: This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the
multitude away, so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food. Jesus said to them: They do not
need to go away. You give them something to eat. They said to Him: We have here only five loaves and two
fish. He said: Bring them to Me.
And He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking
up to Heaven, He Blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the Disciples, and the Disciples gave to the multitudes.
And they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.
Those who had eaten were about five thousand men besides the women and children!
And immediately Jesus made His Disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the
multitudes away.
This great Divine Miracle, which was recorded by all THIS LITTLE BOYS FAITH WAS HELD UP AS AN EXAMPLE TO ALL THE
four Holy Evangelists, shows OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST OTHERS THE FAITH OF A CHILD which carried him
FED A GREAT MULTITUDE OF HIS PEOPLE (5000 FAMILIES!) throughout his life towards his eventual Martyrdom.
JUST AS HE HAD FED THE WANDERING ISRAELITES FOR 40 HE WAS ST POLYCARP OF SMYRNA - a faithful Disciple of
YEARS in the wilderness before they entered the Christ since early childhood and later of St John the
Promised Land. (EXODUS 16) Divine Theologian and Apostle.
Our Holy Church Fathers regard this Divine Event as AN TO THIS DAY WHEN A CENSUS IS TAKEN or when counting
IMAGE OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST a concept made clear masses of people ONLY MEN ARE COUNTED and
by St John the Beloved Apostle and Theologian in then the women and children are estimated relative
his Holy Gospel. (JOHN 6) to the number of men. So FOR EVERY MAN THERE ARE AT
ST MATTHEW MENTIONED ANOTHER DIVINE MIRACLE OF 4000 LEAST ANOTHER TWO OR THREE PEOPLE!
FAMILIES FED WITH SEVEN LOAVES AND A FEW SMALL FISH. THUS THE MULTITUDE WHO WERE FED WITH THE CHILDS FOOD
While certain modern scholars say that these two PARCEL MUST HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO 20 000 SOULS!
different accounts are merely one and the same A Spiritual Interpretation of our Holy Church Fathers
story, the True Witness and Testimony of the Holy teaches us that:
Gospel is quite clear that they are definitely TWO  THE FIVE LOAVES INDICATE THE PENTATEUCH the five
SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ACCOUNTS with Christ Himself Holy Books of the Law according to the Old
referring to both of them separately. (MATTHEW 16: 8 Covenant Genesis to Deuteronomy which are
10) broken open in Christ and which feed the
OUR LORD HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY recorded as having been Universe.
...moved by Compassion... by His Evangelists,  THE TWO FISH" REPRESENT THE HOLY GOSPEL AND THE
thereby showing us that HIS POWER AND AUTHORITY IS EPISTLES OF THE NEW COVENANT the Divinely
EXTENDED TO ALL WHO SUFFER. (MATTHEW 20:34; MARK 1:41& Inspired Teachings of the simple Fishermen of
6:34; LUKE 7:13) Christ.
An even more astonishing fact is that THE FIVE LITTLE  The gathering of the ...TWELVE BASKETS FULL OF THE
LOAVES AND TWO FISH WERE OFFERED TO CHRIST BY ONE OF FRAGMENTS... by the Holy Apostles shows that THE
HIS YOUNGEST DISCIPLES A LITTLE BOY WHOSE MOTHER TEACHINGS THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO GRASP OR
HAD PACKED FIVE SMALL ROLLS AND TWO SARDINES UNDERSTAND ARE NEVERTHELESS PRESERVED CAREFULLY
for her son to sustain himself even though ALL THE AND REVERENTLY IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE HOLY
ADULT DISCIPLES HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO CARRY CHURCH OF CHRIST FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO MAKE
ANYTHING EXTRA WITH THEM so that they would learn to GOOD USE OF THEM.
depend on the Providence of God.

46. 8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 8TH OF ST MATTHEW-FEEDING 5000 FAMILIES 30 JULY 2017
Once again, our Lord Jesus Christ shows by His own
Good Example that we NEVER PARTAKE OF ANYTHING
UNLESS WE HAVE FIRST EXPRESSED OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE TO
ALMIGHTY GOD for His Great Mercy and infinite
Blessings.
THE TERMINOLOGY THAT IS USED POINTS TOWARDS THE LAST
SUPPER OR THE MYSTICAL SUPPER OF CHRIST, which leads
8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 8TH SUNDAY OF
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit....
Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ: St Paul encourages
and severely cautions us today about UNITY AND
SCHISM IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST OUR LORD.
This is INCREASINGLY MORE URGENT AND SIGNIFICANT because
our society is being polarized due to so many things
that DIVIDE US SPIRITUALLY, MORALLY, AND POLITICALLY.
Sadly, this is true even in our Church, where various
sources of identity - political, ethnic, or others - DIVIDE
US FROM ONE ANOTHER, CAUSING GREAT HARM TO THE HOLY
UNITY OF THE FAITH AND MISSION OF CHRISTS CHURCH,
HINDERING OUR HEALING IN CHRIST, AND LEADING MANY
ASTRAY.
Division is nothing new to any society or, sadly, to our
Holy Church.
Orthodox Christian have had to contend with the threat of
disunity countless times before, even in the first
century Church.
The Seven Great Ecumenical Councils, and many more
other Synods, were called together throughout the
centuries to deal with such serious threats to the Holy
Unity of our Faith that challenge the timeless Truth of
Christ Himself and His Revelation to us.
In his Epistle to the Church of Corinth, for instance, St Paul
pleaded with the Brethren to be ...like-minded... - to
...speak the same thing... in order TO PREVENT OR HEAL
any ... SCHISMS among you.
St Paul used the word ...skismata... ...schisms... - to
caution them against personal disharmony or
disunity.
St John Chrysostom commented: ...the emphatic force of
the word, schism itself, was a sufficient
accusation.
In other words, St Paul used the term schism as a worst
case scenario so they would realise the severity of the
threat to their Christian Community and the Holy
Church.
The dread of being labelled schismatics may seem
strange and insignificant to many people these days.
Protestants believe that they can believe whatever they
want or behave however they please yet still be
considered Christian.
However, in the early Church and throughout Her history,
being anyone who was schismatic - i.e. a divisive
person whose words or deeds caused others to reject
or rebel against the Teachings and Worship of our
Holy Church and the Divine Truth of our Orthodox
Faith in Christ - was the same as being a heretic who
outright preaches or teaches doctrines or morality
contrary to the Holy Gospel.
Both lead to ex-communication i.e. the most serious
voluntary separation from the Koinonia alienation
from Holy Communion, our Lord Jesus Christ and His
Body, His Holy Church, which is the Ark of our
Salvation in Christ.
When we fully understand the gravity of schism and
heresy, we can also understand how St Pauls urgent
exhortation would have made the Corinthians more
careful and more watchful concerning such dangers
with regard to themselves and others.
St Paul did not accuse them of being schismatics, but he
severely warned them against such divisions and
factions that can cause havoc in our Christian
Community and Church, with no Spiritual Benefits for
anyone concerned.
Modern societys values and beliefs are constantly
changing, but tragically, they are not changing for
the better nor for the Spiritual Benefit of mankind!
They do not draw anyone towards Orthodox Christianity
but away from Divine Truth and Love.
Those who stand in the way of so-called progress are
labelled as old fashioned, bigots, narrow-minded,
or worse.
8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 8TH OF ST MATTHEW-FEEDING 5000 FAMILIES 31 JULY 2017
us to a Eucharistic interpretation of this Divine
Miracle.
Just as His Faithful Disciples and Apostles distributed the
food amongst the great multitude, so also does OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST DISTRIBUTE HIS HOLY EUCHARIST TO HIS
FAITHFUL FLOCK THROUGH THE HANDS OF HIS ORDAINED
BISHOPS (OVERSEERS) AND PRIESTS (PRESBYTERS).
ST MATTHEW UNITY OF CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH
Many of Christs Teachings of Love, Honour, Respect,
Compassion, Kindness, Gentleness, and Goodness, for
example, stand in stark contrast to whatever modern
society considers as being acceptable, good, or
even laudable - abortion, fornication or adultery by
rejecting or disrespecting the Holy Mystery of
Marriage between male and female for the purpose
of recreation and Holy Unity, vulgarity, debauchery of
varying degrees, disrespect for oneself and others,
self-indulgence and instant gratification that feeds
the passions of the flesh and dominates the soul into
total submission and Spiritual Death!
There are far too many, ever-increasing spiritual and
moral issues where dominant and vocal elements
within our society oppose the Divine Truth that God
has revealed to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and
His Holy Church.
THE PLURALISM OF THIS FALLEN AND SPIRITUALLY BLIND AND DEAD
SOCIETY DIVIDES US when we allow those evil forces to
infiltrate the Church BY CHANGING AND CONFUSING OUR
BELIEFS FROM WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED FOR OUR GOOD - ...the
Faith that was once delivered to the Saints. (JUDE
1:3)
When that happens, we no longer share THAT SAME FAITH
THAT UNITES US TOGETHER WITH ALL OTHER ORTHODOX
BELIEVERS AROUND THE WORLD AND THROUGHOUT ALL AGES -
OUR BELOVED ANCESTORS IN THE FAITH WITH WHOM WE ALSO
SHARE COMMUNION.
When we allow the temporal beliefs and identities of this
particular time and culture to define us, WE SEPARATE
OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER FROM THAT ETERNAL GREAT
COMMUNION WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.
The glue that holds us together as Orthodox Christians is
precisely the opposite of what the world believes.
Our Faith does not conform to modern, popular society
but holds ...all things in common... in our True Faith,
which Unites us forever.
Our Unity of Faith means that we are United with Christ
our Lord and with one another in His Divine Truth.
AS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST - WE BELIEVE
THAT DIVINE TRUTH IS A PERSON OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST -
GODS REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO US AND THE WAY OF
SALVATION.
THROUGH OUR PROFESSION OF FAITH, and OUR CONSTANT
STRIVING TO LIVE THE TRUTH that Christ is, WE ARE UNITED TO
HIM as WE PARTAKE OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES AND THE LIFE
THAT IS IN HIM ALONE, for He is the same yesterday,
today, and forever.
WE AS ORTHODOX DISCIPLES ARE THE INHERITORS AND
EVANGELISTS OF THAT REVELATION OF HEALING for us, for all
mankind.
Only in this way, can we fulfill Christs High Priestly Prayer
to our Heavenly Father that we ...may all be one... so
that ...the world may believe that Thou sent Me.
(JOHN 17:21).
Contrary to those who see OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH as
being divisive for ...not changing with the times...
She IS IN REALITY THE TRUE PRESERVER OR UPHOLDER OF HOLY
UNITY AMONG ALL MANKIND!
Orthodox Christianity calls us all into this COMMUNION
OF LOVE AND LIFE WITH GOD THE HOLY TRINITYREGARDLESS
OF race, gender, political preferences, ethnicity,
culture, time, geographyWHATEVER OTHERWISE DIVIDES
SECULAR HUMANITY.
BY LIVING IN CHRIST WE ARE CALLED INTO UNITY WITH EACH
OTHER by virtue of OUR NEW IDENTITY, OUR NEW
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH ONE ANOTHER.
All mankind is invited into a Loving Relationship with our
Lord God of the Universe He Who created all things
that are beautiful and good and Who sustains and
nurtures all things.
We must willingly submitting ourselves to our Lord Jesus
Christ and His Holy Church, even though we may
47
 wrestle or struggle with various aspects of our
Orthodox Faith.
While WE UNDERTAKE OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES WITH HUMILITY
AND OBEDIENCE, we CEASELESSLY PRAY FOR DEEPER
UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE, because we
know THE TRUE TESTIMONY OF COUNTLESS SAINTS AND HOLY
MARTYRS who have Struggled even more intensely
before us - WHO ENDURED AND WERE GLORIOUSLY
VICTORIOUS!
It is clearly evident from their Testimonies that THIS IS THE
ONLY WAY THAT LEADS TO LIFE for it is THE ONLY PATH TO THE
HEALING OF OUR SOUL, OUR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE.
AS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WE
ARE CALLED BY CHRIST OUR LORD TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES
those who persecute us, those who hate and harm us,
those who try to divide us by their lies and
deceptions those who distort, deny or reject Divine
Truth and the Person of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ.
We are able to Love BY STANDING UP FOR THE TRUTH that is
Christ.
We are able to Love BY CALLING ALL TO THE REPENTANCE TO
WHICH WE OURSELVES ARE ALSO CALLED.
WE ARE ABLE TO LOVE BECAUSE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SETS US
FREE from our delusions, our divisions, our humanistic
ways, which - instead of leading us to progress,
actually lead us further away from God, His Love, His
Life-Saving Morality, and the Blessed Life of His
Kingdom.
The Holy Orthodox Church has seen empires, heretics,
schismatics come and go.
SHE HAS WEATHERED THE STORMS AND DEVASTATION OF ARIANISM,
ISLAM, COMMUNISM, and every other ism.
THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH OF CHRIST WILL ENDURE AND
SURVIVE all secular humanism and postmodernism as
well until the end of the age, BUT AT A COST.
The cost is THE CROSS THAT YOU AND I MUST TAKE UP - by DYING
TO SELF, BEARING OUR BURDENS AND ENTRUSTING THEM TO
GOD, HEROICALLY AND CEASELESSLY BATTLING OUR SINS AND
PASSIONS.
Our Cross is both a personal and a corporate Cross.
We must die to our selfish, self-indulgent desires.
We must die to modern societys hold on us.
We must battle against whatever tries to entice us away
from our Communion with God and each other.
By taking up our Cross, we demonstrate and fulfil our
Love of God, our neighbour and our people.
Our Cross is the only means through which our society
can be Baptized and Saved i.e. only through our
Lord and Saviour can we all be Redeemed and
received Eternal Life.
The Holy Baptism and Transfiguration of our society can
happen, if we, the Orthodox Christians in this land,
stand together - United, Prayerful, humbly articulating
and living to the best of our ability.
Whatever we perceive to be impossible becomes
gloriously possible by Divine Grace - with Gods Help
THE INSPIRED, ETERNAL WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
ST NIKODEMOS OF MOUNT ATHOS
Much damage is caused by so-called light or small sins.
Unfortunately, many of those who have a weakened
Conscience dismiss their disobedience and rebellion
against the Will of God, by trying to justify their sins.
They excuse themselves by daring to think: It is Therefore, we must be ever Watchful and alert so that we
nothing.... It is only a little lie.... It is only a joke... It is
only a few times... It is not my fault... It is only a little
harmless gossip... it is only a rumour... It is only a little
self-indulgence it is only a little harmless fun...
everyone else does it... I am not as bad as...
Holy Scripture assures us that we will be held
accountable before God for idle talk, as well as for
over-indulgence and for mockery. (Matthew 12:36 &
Luke 6:25)
Every word, thought and deed will be our Judgement.
We regard our sins as being small sins so we can justify
and separate them from the grievous, deadly sins.
However, a lake may be regarded as being small when
compared to the vast ocean, although in itself it is not
small, for it contains thousands and even millions of
cubic meters of water.
48. 8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 8TH OF ST MATTHEW-FEEDING 5000 FAMILIES 30 JULY 2017
and the Eternal Truth of Christ as Divinely Revealed to
His Holy Church.
It all begins when we take up our Cross and Follow Christ.
It all becomes possible only when we Repent our sins and
strive every moment to fulfil an authentic and Faithful
Christian Life of integrity - by increasing and
nurturing His Holy Mission, and by prioritizing our
personal and communal Life of Worship, Prayer and
Service to God.
In these Ways, we, too, Witness (or Testify) to the Vibrant
Divine Truth of the Holy Gospel of Christ and to our
Orthodox Faith.
Having ...put on Christ... at our Baptism, WE MUST NOW
LIVE IN CHRIST, so that BY OUR OWN EXAMPLE, WE WITNESS
TO THE DIVINE, ABSOLUTE TRUTH THAT IS OUR LORD AND
SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST AND THE SALVIFIC LIFE THAT IS ONLY IN
HIM.
In this way, we are able to Love as God Loves us.
Furthermore, BY LIVING IN CHRIST FULFILLING HIS DIVINE
TRUTH WE WILL BRING OTHERS TO THE SAME KNOWLEDGE AND
LOVE OF GOD that we hold so dear.
St Paul explained the Great Mystery of God so concisely
and correctly when he stated: ...the Message of the
Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but
to us who are being Saved it is the Power of God...
Consequently, we can fully understand and accept the
Truth that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS HOLY APOSTLES
WERE INDEED ABLE TO FEED THE 5,000 FAMILIES WITH A CHILDS
PACKAGE OF TWO SMALL SARDINES AND FIVE LITTLE BREAD
ROLLS! I.E. APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 15,000 20,000
PEOPLE.
Having spent all day healing and comforting THAT VAST
MULTITUDE OF PATIENT, SUFFERING PEOPLE FROM CHILDREN
TO ADULTS WHO HAD SO EAGERLY FOLLOWED OUR LORD TO
HEAR HIM SPEAK HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND TO RECEIVE RELIEF
FROM THEIR VARIOUS AILMENTS - Christ our Saviour
instructed His Apostles to feed them so that they could
return home that night.
OUR ALL KNOWING GOD BLESSED THE SMALL AMOUNT OF FOOD
THAT SO MIRACULOUSLY INCREASED AS IT WAS DIVIDED INTO
PORTIONS FOR EACH OF THE 5,000 FAMILIES even to the
extent that THE LEFTOVER BREAD OF THOSE FIVE SMALL ROLLS
FILLED 12 BASKETS, WHICH WOULD SUSTAIN THEM ALL AS THEY
WENT ON THEIR WAY!
As we stand together IN HOLY UNITY AND FAITH, OUR LORD
CONSISTENTLY SUSTAINS AND NURTURES US.
We are like those 5000 families, seeking Divine Wisdom,
Truth and Healing, and OUR LORD NEVER FAILS US FOR HIS
DIVINE LOVE, TRUTH AND PROVIDENCE IS TRULY INFINITE.
Glory to God for His Great Mercy!
Amen
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP
SERMON BY FATHER ROBERT MICLEAN
HOLY ARCHANGELS ORTHODOX CHURCH
HTTPS://WWW.ORTHODOXANNAPOLIS.ORG/
Thus, every sin whether large or small - has its own
capacity has its own consequences.
Everything that is sinful every word, thought or deed
that disobeys or breaks even the least of Gods Divine
Commandments and Teachings, will condemn us.
can quickly Repent even the smallest disobedience
and return to our Lord - Cleansed and able to
continue our Journey.
ELDER SOPHRONY OF ESSEX:
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... I came, not to bring Peace
but a Sword... thereby summoning us to Spiritual
Warfare with our Sacred Weapon ... the Sword of
the Spirit, which is the Word of God...
We dare not strike with fire nor sword, for our sole
Armament is Love even for enemies.
This Unique Spiritual War in which we are perpetually
engaged is indeed a Holy War, for we wrestle with the
last and only enemy of mankind Death!
Our Battle is our Fight for our Universal Resurrection.
FATHER SERAPHIM ROSE
Suffering is an indication of another Kingdom to which
we look. If being Christian meant being happy in
this life, we would not need the Kingdom of Heaven.