• St Cyril of Alexandria taught us: “...

God requires His Faithful

People to Rejoice whenever even the most guilty person
returns to God through sincere Repentance-Confession.”
 “...he was angry and would not go in...” signifies the hard-
hearted, unloving attitude of the Pharisees and all Self-
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Righteous, stubborn and unrepentant sinners to whom Christ
addressed this Parable.
Archdiocese of Good Hope
• The Older Son’s failure to recognise his own sins leads to his
self-righteous and merciless attitude.
• St Ambrose of Milan contrasted his anger and resentment with
the humble contrition of the Prodigal Son : “...the one who
seems to himself to be Righteous, who does not see the Beam
in his own eye, becomes angry when Forgiveness is granted Explanatory Notes
to one who Confesses his sins and begs for Mercy.”
 “...his Father went out and pleaded with him...” signifies the
infinite Love of our Heavenly Father Who provides us with
Sunday Matins & Divine Liturgy
every necessity for our Repentance and Spiritual Perfection.
 "... Thou never gave me...” – these selfish, deluded accusations
of the Older Son reveal our own ingratitude to God Who
grants us everything we need, and more!
12 February 2023
 “...all that I have is thine...” for God grants us an abundance of 34th After Pentecost – 2nd Sunday of Triodion
everything necessary, so that we can share it with others as Sunday of the Prodigal Son
well.
• Instead of complaining about our perceived lack of any selfish
and unbeneficial desires, we ought to offer ceaseless
Thanksgiving to God for all things that Sustain or
challenge us, and draw us closer to Him and His Eternal
Kingdom of Love.
• When we acknowledge our infinite Blessings and express
Thanksgiving to God for His Great Mercy in all things, we
shall never be dissatisfied nor resentful.
 “ ... we should make merry and be glad...” for being Saved by our
Repentance and Blessed Life in Christ.
• We are all sinners – Struggling against temptation and personal
weaknesses, and Striving for Spiritual Perfection by Living in

•
Christ.
Our Lord God and all His Faithful Rejoice when we Repent our
Tone 2
sins and return to His Divine Presence.
Resurrection Gospel 2 – Mark 16 : 9 - 20
1 Corinthians 6 :12 - 20
Luke 15 : 11 – 32

20. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES

 Resurrection Gospel 2 – Mark 16 : 9 - 20
 “…when the Sabbath was past…” The Sabbath – Saturday, the
seventh day of the week – was a day of rest from heavy
labours.
• The Sabbath Day is from sunset on Friday until sunset on
Saturday, when the Old Covenant Faithful prayed and
communally Worshipped God in Synagogues or at
gatherings in homes for teaching, learning and Communal
Prayers and Worship.
• Great Feast Days were also regarded as “Sabbath Days,” Holy
Days that were dedicated to God and the commemoration of
Great Feasts.
• Saturday is still the Sabbath Day, a Day of Rest, and the
seventh day of the week but has become our Memorial Day
when we Commemorate those who have Reposed in Christ,
according to the New Covenant.
• Saturday evening, from sunset, we begin our Communal
Worship with the Holy Service of Vespers, which is the first
Sunday Service.
• We also prepare ourselves to Partake of Holy Communion by
Fasting and Self-examination thereby Repenting-Confessing
our sins.
 “…Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Salome…”
were three of the Eight Holy Myrrhbearers who were the first
Witnesses to our Lord’s Resurrection and His Empty Tomb.
• Most families of Christ’s Disciples were involved in His Life and
Ministry.
• “Mary Magdalene” was an elderly, wealthy and independent
Disciple of Christ who became a close companion of
Theotokos. She had always been a devout and Faithful Old
Covenant Judean, [not a prostitute as some erroneously
believe.] After the Resurrection of Christ she confronted
the Emperor and reported the illegal, unjust persecution
and crucifixion of Christ, for which Herod, Herodias and
Pontius Pilate were condemned and exiled.
• “Mary the Mother of James” is an oblique reference to the Ever
Blessed Theotokos who was Betrothed to Her elderly
widowed uncle, St Joseph the Betrothed, the father of St
James, and several others.
• St James was the eldest son of St Joseph the Betrothed and his
late wife, St Salome. He accompanied St Joseph, Theotokos
and the Infant Christ to Egypt and back to Judea and
Galilee. His Righteous character and devotion to God made
him known by several titles: “St James the Just” “St James
the Adelphotheos” or “Brother of Jesus/Christ” because of
his absolute devotion to Christ. He became the First Bishop
of Jerusalem and was martyred when over 100 years of age,
2. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• Without our Spiritual Strivings and Struggles there can be no
Deification – Theosis or Spiritual Perfection.
 “... fetch the Fatted Calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry...
“
• This signifies the Sacrificial Offering of Thanksgiving to God
for His Love and great Mercy, and in celebration of those
who have returned to Spiritual Life in Christ Jesus
• The ‘fatted calf’ is translated as either ‘wheat-fed bull-calf’ or
‘bull-calf formed from wheat’ - a male calf that has been
raised on wheat in preparation as a special Sacrificial
animal.
• Just as the Reconciliation of the Prodigal Son was not complete
without the Sacrifice of the Fatted Calf, so too our
Reconciliation with God is accomplished and Perfected - not
by our Repentance alone but by Christ having Offered
Himself as the Ultimate, Final and Most Purest Blood
Offering of all that fulfilled any need for more Blood
Sacrifices as Repentance and Thanksgiving Offerings.
• The Festive Dining on the Fatted Calf - “...formed from
wheat...” - is a clear reference to our Partaking of the New
Covenant Holy Eucharist/Communion.
• Likewise, our Reconciliation with God is through Repentance-
Confession and Holy Eucharist – for the Forgiveness of sins
and Eternal life.
• The Old and the New Covenants are Fulfilled at the Marriage of
Christ the Heavenly Bridegroom and His Bride, His Holy
(Universal) Church.
”... His older son was in the field...” signifies the Old Covenant
Faithful who continued to fulfil their Sacred Labours and Duties to
God and to each other.
• This Parable concerns the Divine Love and Forgiveness of our
Heavenly Father, which Christ taught us to imitate. It also
concerns the Sacred Relationship between Spiritual Siblings.
• It was initially addressed to the Old Covenant Faithful who
lived according to Mosaic Law and the unfaithful who had
become Spiritually Lost due to their sins or apostasy.
• Divine Truth is Eternal. So this Parable applies to all who have
remained Faithful to God in all circumstances, and those
who are Spiritually Lost or who have apostasied.
 “...he heard music and dancing...” signifying the great Rejoicing
of our Lord God, all His Heavenly Hosts, and all those in
Paradise – all who watch over us – when we Repent and return
to Spiritual Life in Christ.
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 19.
  Galatians 3:27 “,,,for as many of you as were Baptised into
Christ have put on Christ.”
• The Ring signifies Family Identity – our Adoption at Holy
Baptism as a Child of God and Co-Heir with Christ to our
Heavenly Father’s Kingdom.
• Haggai 2 : 23 “... ‘in that day,’ saith the Lord Almighty, ‘I shall
take Thee...and shall make Thee like a Signet Ring; for I have
Chosen Thee.’”
• Official Royal Acts in the ancient world were authenticated by
the use of a Monarch’s Signet Ring. By that Signet Ring,
one is charged with carrying out God’s Supreme Rule and
Divine Will.
• On a deeper level: That Signet Ring has a strong Messianic
Prophecy.
• St Ambrose of Milan taught us: “...When our soul becomes
Peaceful... then she (our soul) shall receive Christ like a
Signet Ring upon her, for she is the Image of God. Then she
shall be according to that Image, because Heavenly is the
Heavenly Man. And we need to bear the Image of the
Heavenly One, that is, Peace ...
“I wish the Lord Jesus may say to you: ‘Put Me as a Seal upon
Thine arm.’ May Peace glow in Thy heart, Christ in Thy
Works, and may there be formed in Thee Wisdom and Justice
and Redemption.”
• We are Equipped – Enabled and Empowered - to walk the Path
of Righteous.
• We are able to follow in the Footsteps of our Saviour, according
to His Holy Gospel – by the Will of God the Father, through
the Teachings of God the Son, and Activated, Inspired and
Enabled by God the Holy Spirit.
• Ephesians 6: 14-15 “... Stand therefore, having Girded thyself
with Truth, having put on the Breastplate of Righteousness,
and having shod thy feet with the Preparation of the Gospel
of Peace...”
• We fight against all evil armed with this Divine Armour, which
is God’s Uncreated Divine Energy, granted to us at Holy
Baptism and used by us throughout our Life in Christ as we
Battle in Spiritual Warfare every moment of the day.
• As Faithful Disciples of Christ we have put on all the Spiritual
Qualities bestowed upon us as Spiritual Armour - Truth,
Righteousness, Peace and Faith, which are constantly to be
used in the Conflict we face as we proceed ever closer to
God and His Heavenly Kingdom.
18. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
by being thrown from the roof of the Temple and then
beaten to death by fanatical Judeans.
• Others erroneously believe “mother of James” referred to the
mother of St James the son of Alphaeos (referred to by
some as “St James the Less”, one of the Twelve Apostles).
She was one of the daughters of St Joseph the Betrothed
and his late wife, Salome and also one of the Holy
Myrrhbearers.
• St Joseph and his late wife, Salome (sister of St Anna) had many
children who became the ‘step-children’ of Theotokos
through her Betrothal to Her Righteous Guardian. They
were all older than Her and became devout Disciples of
Christ.
• St Salome was one of two daughters of St Joseph and his late
wife, Salome. She was the mother of St James and St John,
sons of Zebedee and two of the Twelve Apostles.
 The Holy Myrrh-Bearers “…brought spices, with which to anoint
…” our Lord Jesus Christ’s crucified, entombed Body.
• Aromatic spices and oils were used to anoint corpses according
to Judean customs, but embalming has always been
forbidden according to Old and New Covenant practises,
because the flesh must decompose and return to the Earth
whence it originated.
• Holy Myrrh used in the Holy Mysteries of Baptism,
Chrismation, Unction and Ordination consists of the ancient
mixture of aromatic spices and oil with which we are
Anointed.
• Holy Myrrh is produced only by the Patriarchate of
Constantinople every ten years and is distributed
throughout the world to all Eastern Orthodox Churches.
“ very early in the morning, on the first day of the week…” -
despite the persecution against all Christ’s Disciples - the
devout Holy Myrrhbearers went to the Tomb at sunrise on
Sunday – “the Lord’s Day,” which is the first day of the week.
• Their devotion to Christ compelled them to fulfil their Sacred
Duties, despite many obstacles that confronted them, while
the male Disciples had scattered and hidden themselves so
as to avoid being arrested for being implicated in the
unjustified “crimes” for which our Lord had been illegally
tried, convicted and executed.
• The Holy Myrrh-Bearers were Rewarded for their Courage and
Loyalty by being the Most Honoured First Witnesses to the
Glorious Resurrection of our Divine Saviour.
 “…the stone had been rolled away - for it was very large…” - not
to accommodate our Lord’s Resurrection, but to reveal the
Empty Tomb with the discarded Shroud and burial clothes.
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 3.
 • The newly carved out rock tomb, donated by St Joseph of
Arimathea, had been firmly closed with a very large round
stone and then sealed, which was common practise against
grave robbers.
• The Tomb of Christ was then guarded by two Roman soldiers
in order to prevent anyone from removing the Corpse and
making false claims of Resurrection, as our Lord had
promised would happen.
• After His Glorious Resurrection, a powerful earthquake caused
the great stone to roll aside and reveal the Empty Tomb, as
well as the presence of a bright Angel of God.
• Utter terror at what occurred at the Tomb struck the two
guards unconscious. Later, hearing their testimony, the
Judeans tried to bribe them to lie about everything they had
personally experienced at the Tomb.
 “…entering the Tomb, they saw a Young Man…” who was
obviously an Angel of God – who might have been St Gabriel,
the Holy Archangel and Bearer of Good Tidings concerning our
Lord Jesus Christ.
• Holy Angels are Messengers of God who serve the Will and
Purpose of God by interacting with us who are created in
His Divine Image and Likeness.
• Each Angelic Rank has specific Duties to perform, many of
which assist us to acquire the Holy Virtues that lead us to
Spiritual Perfection, as God intended us.
• Although details of this Great Holy Event may vary according
the Gospels of St Matthew and St Luke, the Truth remains
the same – our Lord Jesus Christ Resurrected from the
dead, thereby revealing our own future Resurrection on the
Eighth Day when we shall be Judged. [Matthew 28:2 & Luke
24:4]
 “…Jesus of Nazareth, Whom you seek, Who was crucified, is
Risen…” The Joyful Annunciation of our Lord’s Resurrection is
conveyed very simply and concisely by the Angel of God
according to St Matthew’s Holy Gospel.
• Our Lord Jesus is referred to as being “… of Nazareth…” which
is how the Judeans identified Him.
• Anyone who was crucified, would definitely be dead by the
time he was removed from the cross, having suffered an
excruciatingly painful and slow death.
• The words “… is Risen…” infers Resurrection from the dead or
being fully Restored to life. Resurrection is a permanent
state of life, whereas resuscitation implies that death shall
certainly occur later.
 “…Behold the place where they laid Him…” confirms that our
Lord Jesus had indeed been laid to rest there.
4. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• This is the heartfelt, sincere and contrite Confession and
Repentance of the Prodigal Son.
• This Confession applies to every one of us, for none of us is
worthy of our Divine Adoption as Children of God and Co-
Heirs with Christ.
• We all need to continuously Repent our sins, so as to continue
our Journey in a State of Spiritual Life in Christ.
• This Prayer expresses a willingness to be Humble and Obedient
to the Will of our Heavenly Father.
 “...when ... still a great way off, his Father saw him ... had
Compassion ...ran ...and kissed him...” describes the Love and
Joy of our Heavenly Father, Who so warmly welcomes the
Return of His Lost Children
• Our Heavenly Father hears every thought and word while we
prepare ourselves for the Holy Mystery of Repentance-
Confession.
• Although it was considered undignified and unfitting
behaviour for a mature man or elderly person to run, it
implies the unbridled Joy of our Heavenly Father – and all
the Heavenly Hosts - when we Repent and Return to His
Loving Embrace.
• Our Lord’s voluntary self-humiliation for the sake of His Lost
Children indicates the manner whereby our Heavenly
Father, through the sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus
Christ, actively seeks those who have strayed or been lured
away from Him.
 “...Bring out the best Robe and put it on him, and put a Ring on
his hand, and sandals on his feet. ...”
• “…the best Robe…” signifies “the Garment of Righteousness”
granted to us at our Holy Baptism.
 Isaiah 61:10 “...Let my soul Rejoice exceedingly in the Lord,
for He Vested me with the Garment of Salvation and the
Tunic of Gladness. He put a Mitre around me like a
Bridegroom and Adorned me with ornaments like a Bride.
As the Earth causes its flower to grow, and as a garden its
seeds, so shall the Lord cause Righteousness to rise up,
and Exceeding Joy before all the Gentiles.”
• St John Chrysostom and all our Holy Church Fathers have
taught us that “...the Garment of Salvation...” is Christ
Himself.
• St Paul taught us that during our Holy Baptism we “...put on
Christ.”
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 17.
 • Only when we become aware of our hopeless condition are we
motivated to Repent our sins, Restore our Relationship with
God and each other, and enjoy the Blessings of Spiritual Life
in Christ.
 ROMANS 7 : 17-20 “... it is no longer I ... but sin that dwells in
me... I know that in me ... in my flesh... nothing good dwells...
to will is present... but how to perform what is good I do not
find...”
• We are not sinful by nature and must reject any teaching that
we have a sinful nature or are depraved to the core of our
being.
• Sin is a Spiritual State – Spiritual Death – that is unnatural to
our Divinely Created human nature.
• Having been created in the Divine Image and Likeness of God,
the indelible Goodness in our nature can never be undone.
• We become immersed in sin but must know that it is not a
natural attribute of our Divinely Created nature.
• Sin and death are foreign, unnatural inventions of the evil one
that overwhelm and dwell in us.
• Consequently, what we think, say and do can be sinful but we
are not naturally sinful.
• There is a distinction between the will of our immortal soul
and the will of our mortal flesh.
• Our immortal soul is Reborn, Restored and Regenerated during
the Holy Mystery of Baptism.
• Our Immortal soul strives ceaselessly to fulfil the Will of our
Heavenly Father by following and obeying His Divine
Commandments and Teachings.
• Our mortal flesh is inclined to sin and thus fights against the
will and desires of our immortal soul, which yearns to be
with God whence it originated.
 ‘...my Father’s hired servants have enough bread to eat and to
spare, yet I perish from hunger...”
• The Prodigal Son realised his hopeless circumstances and
fallen Spiritual Condition compared to those who remained
Faithful to our Heavenly Father.
• Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Life-giving Heavenly Bread that
Spiritually Sustains us - as so often referred to in Holy
Scripture and the Holy Mystery of Eucharist.
 “...’Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and I
am no longer worthy to be called Thy son. Make me like one
of Thy hired servants.’...”
16. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• His discarded Shroud and the hardened burial wrappings, as
well as the folded inner Facecloth – the Mandylion – were
evidence of His Burial and Resurrection.
 “…tell His Disciples - and Peter - for He is going before you into
Galilee…” The stunned Holy Myrrhbearers are instructed to
quickly find the Apostles, including St Peter, and tell them the
overwhelming Joyful Tidings that our Lord is Resurrected and
awaited them in Galilee, as He had told them He would.
• St Peter was utterly distraught and bereft for having denied
Christ three times before His Crucifixion as predicted.
However, due to his profound remorse and “…contrite
heart…” our Saviour forgave St Peter and reinstated him so
that he, together with all the other Apostles and Disciples,
could accomplish the Sacred Mission of the New Covenant
throughout the world.
 “…they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid…” Initially
the astounded Myrrh-bearers kept quiet about their Marvellous
Experience at the Tomb of Christ, probably while being
undecided as how and what to tell the others.
• Women were humble, reserved and subservient to men, and
often kept things to themselves, but St Mary of Magdala was
a more mature and independent woman who was unafraid
of men and far more outspoken.
• Yet, as expected, the Glorious Resurrection of Christ was not
immediately believed by most of the Apostles and Disciples,
with the exception of St Peter and St John, the Beloved
Disciple of Christ.
First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 6 : 12 - 20
This First Epistle to the Corinthians was written from Ephesos circa
55, by St Paul, during his Third Missionary Journey. (Acts 19: 1 –
20: 1)
The major theme of this Epistle concerns our Sacred Communion
with God versus communion with ‘Darkness’ – the Spiritual
Darkness and Death of wickedness and grievous passions that
alienate us from God and from each other.
We are created for Sacred Communion with God and each other,
which is Lived in Christ through following the Teachings,
Guidance and Counsel of His Holy, Orthodox Church – the Body of
Christ and the Holy Temple of God the Holy Spirit.
This Sacred Communion requires us to Struggle against all
temptations and our sinful inclinations, while Striving to acquire
Spiritual Perfection through Humility and Obedience to the Divine
Will of Almighty God.
Despite our sinful habits and inclinations, we are created to
Cooperate - Harmoniously and with Love/Agape - with our Triune
Lord God and with each other.
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 5.
  Brethren – Through the Holy Mystery of Baptism and Chrismation,
we have become the adopted Children of God and Co-Heirs
with Christ to our Heavenly Father’s Eternal Kingdom of Love.
• As Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we encourage, assist and
guide each other with unconditional Love/Agape as we
Journey together towards Eternity.
• As Sanctified Members of Christ’s Body – His Holy, Universal
and Orthodox Church, we are one Sacred Family in Christ
who share each other’s Joys and sorrows.
 “…all things are Lawful for me…” may refer to a previous
statement made by St Paul in Corinth, regarding the Mosaic
cleanliness/health/ritual code, which the libertines had taken
out of context as their slogan.
St Paul explained clearly and concisely that without self-discipline
or self-control and sensible discernment through Humility
and Obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, freedom from the
Old Covenant Law actually means that we become enslaved
by temptations of the evil one and our own habitual
grievous passions.
 “… all things are not helpful…”
• Without the Spiritual Guidance and Teachings of Christ we
cannot make any good Spiritual Progress.
• When we become Spiritually stagnant, we are more easily
inclined to fall into a state of Spiritual Death, caused by
unrepented sins that alienates us from God and each other.
• When we are Spiritually Dead, all our grievous passions control
us, causing us to think, speak and act unworthily and
sinfully.
• The grievous passions of the flesh shall then dominate and
stifle our soul, which causes unhappy relationships with
God and others, personal failure and misery for all
concerned, until we rectify ourselves through strict and
continuous self-examination and sincere Repentance.
 “…I shalt not be enslaved by anything…” when we are
determined to Live in Christ by fulfilling everything He has
taught us.
• Ceaseless Prayer, continuous self-awareness and correction –
constant self-examination and Repentance – as well as fully
participating in all Holy Services and partaking of the
essential Life-giving Holy Mysteries, Spiritually Sustains and
Strengthens us.
• As long as we hold on tightly to our Lord Jesus Christ and His
Divine Truth, we shall continue to overcome our personal
weaknesses and the temptations that confront us.
• Life in Christ is not possible without the Guidance and
Sustenance of His Holy Church, which means that we must
be humble and willing enough to accept the Spiritual
6. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• This was regarded as Spiritual ‘Skid Row,’ since being in such
a state of debauchery and self-indulgence, results in
complete destitution –utter physical and spiritual poverty.
• The Prodigal Son could not possibly sink much lower into the
quagmire of sin and wickedness, for he had hit ‘rock
bottom.’
• The forbidden herds of swine were more important than the
Prodigal Son – than his immortal soul.
• Only when we realise the devastation of our Spiritual Death
caused by our sins, are we willing and eager to Repent and
return to our Marvellous Relationship with God and each
other.
• Sometimes we need a severe ‘wake up call’ before beginning to
understand our serious need for God,
 “...he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the
swine ate, yet no one gave him anything...”
• This reveals
1. the lack of Love and Compassion of the evil one and the
fallen world in general.
2. the depth of his fall into sin
3. the desperation of his Spiritual Starvation
• When we experience intense physical and Spiritual Poverty we
begin to appreciate the Divine Providence, Love and
Compassion of our Lord God.
• Personal suffering and Divine Deliverance makes us more
aware of the pain and suffering of others, which ought to
compel us to do whatever we can to fulfil their needs, in
Gratitude to God.
 “...when he came to himself...” implies his recovery from an
unnatural, unhealthy Spiritual State. – Spiritual Apathy and
Neglect.
1. He was painfully aware of his Spiritual Condition.
2. He was no longer under the influence of the evil one.
3. His immortal soul clamoured for True Freedom and
Love, Mercy and Compassion.
4. He realised his True Needs and natural desires.
• By the Grace of God, we shall eventually awaken from our
sinful stupor and realise our predicament, and yearn for
God’s Blessings and Goodness.
• This motivated him to return to our Heavenly Father.
• When we are immersed in wickedness, we exist in an unnatural
state of Spiritual Exile from God and from ourselves.
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 15.
 • Every choice we make – every thought, word and deed – has a
Consequence – a result or aftermath.
• Some consequences are obvious but most remain hidden until
we are finally Judged by God.
• Our errors and sins can be corrected by sincere Repentance
while we still Struggle and Strive until we draw our final
breath.
 “...journeyed to a far country where he wasted his possessions
with prodigal living....”
• The “far country’ refers to our sinful lifestyle, which causes our
Spiritual Exile from God and all His Goodness and Love.
• It is a self-imposed Spiritual Exile – Spiritual Death - that is
quickly resolved by sincerely Repenting our sins.
• Repentance Restores us to Spiritual Life in Christ.
• A prodigal lifestyle is utterly wasteful, self-indulgent and
extravagant, which causes us both physical and Spiritual
Afflictions of various devastating degrees.
• All self-indulgence and greed alienates us from God and each
other.
 “...he began to be in need... went and joined himself to a citizen
of that country ...” –
• The Prodigal Son became a servant of the evil one who is
obsessed with our destruction and alienation from God and
each other.
• Satan first tempts us into a Spiritual Death and then tries to
keep us there - away from God’s Blessings - in a state of
Spiritual Slavery and Imprisonment.
• However, neither the evil one nor his demons can destroy us.
They need our co-operation in order to use our weaknesses
against ourselves and each other.
• Living without God is an extremely wretched and very bleak
existence. Unless our Spiritual Needs are fulfilled, we
continue feeling miserable and needy.
• We experience a deep sense of loss – of something Vital
missing from our life and being. Nothing works properly
nor do our efforts succeed or satisfy us.
• Being immersed in the Darkness of sin, is existing
UNNATURALLY outside our created state.
 “...who sent him into his fields to feed swine...” implies the
extreme depth of his Fall
14. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
Teachings and Guidance offered to us by Priests, Holy
Fathers, Teachers and our Experienced fellow Disciples of
Christ.
• The evil one and his demons can only tempt us into sin, but
we must become aware of all his wicked machinations, as
well as our own habitual, grievous passion, so as to avoid
being enslaved by them. Once we focus on or surrender to
temptations, we fall into a state of Spiritual Death and
enslavement.
• Our Loving Lord God provides us with every means possible to
resist temptations but even if we have fallen into Spiritual
Death, we can return to Spiritual Life as soon as we
recognise our errors and sincerely Repent.
• This short lifespan consists of many falls into Spiritual Death
and returning to Spiritual Life. We thus constantly strive to
ensure that as we take our final breath, we shall be in a
Blessed State of Spiritual Life in Christ.
 “…Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food…”
• We shall not be condemned for what we eat to sustain our
body/flesh but we shall be condemned for our unworthy
and wicked thoughts, words and deeds that cause hurt or
harm to others, thereby alienating us from God and each
other.
• Everything that is visible and material shall perish in time,
which is why we ought not to place too much importance on
them, especially worldly things that do not Spiritually Profit
nor Benefit us to any meaningful degree.
• Having created everything from nothingness, our Lord God can
“destroy both and the other,” if and when He so Wills.
 “The body is not meant for wickedness, but for the Lord, and the
Lord for the body…”
• The libertines in Corinth, as so many people today, argued that
illicit sex – adultery and fornication – is as necessary for the
body as eating, and that both are irrelevant to our Spiritual
Life.
• However, as St Paul so correctly pointed out, our body belongs
to God, and everything is indeed relevant to our Spiritual
Life.
• Therefore, in order to Repent our innumerable sins we are
required to continuously control the selfish demands of our
flesh/body, so that our immortal soul – the very Breath of
God within us – can become stronger and eventually control
the wilful, egocentric mortal flesh.
• Abstinence from certain food is the first Sacred Discipline of
all Fasts, together with Prayers, charitable deeds, self-
examination, Repentance, Communal Worship and
partaking of the Essential Holy Mysteries of Confession and
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 7.
 Eucharist/Communion – as well as Holy Unction during
Holy Week.
• Any form of sexual promiscuity is strictly forbidden outside
Marriage, for the Sacred Relationship between husband and
wife is Sanctified by God Who Unites the two into “one
flesh” during the Holy Mystery of Matrimony. Conjugal
rights are for procreation of mankind and also for the
bonding and pleasure of the couple.
• We ought to use our body to fulfil, with Love/Agape, the Will of
our Heavenly Father, so that not only do we Strive to
become Spiritual Perfected by applying His Divine Truth and
Teachings to our thoughts, words and deeds, but also to
assist, encourage and guide our fellow mankind as we all
Journey together towards Eternity.
 “…God Raised the Lord and shall also raise us up by His
Power…”
• Just as God our Heavenly Father raised His Incarnated, Only
Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, from the dead, so, too,
shall He Resurrect us from the dead on the Eighth Day when
He shall Judge the Living and the Dead.
• The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Resurrected
Appearance during the days preceding His Ascension into
Heaven, clearly showed us that we, too, shall be Resurrected
after our physical Repose.
• At the General Resurrection, all mankind shall behold our Lord
God in all His Divine Magnificence, when our Final,
irrevocable Judgement shall occur - Blessing those who were
Righteous with Eternal Life in His Heavenly Kingdom of
Love, or condemning those who refused to Repent to
Eternal Death, exiled to “the Outer Darkness” or “the Abyss”
which is Eternal Exile from God and all His Divine Love,
Light and Goodness.
 “…your body is a Member of Christ…” because through the Holy
Mystery of Baptism, we have become the adopted Children and
Co-Heirs of God our Heavenly Father.
• During the Holy Mystery of Baptism we are forever United with
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
• We are Sanctified Members of His Divine Body – His Holy,
Universal and Orthodox Church.
 1 Corinthians 12: 12 “… as the body is one and has many
members, but all members of that body, being many, are
one body, so, also is Christ…” meaning that although we
are many, we are to work in perfect harmony and unity in
Christ – in His Holy Church and in the Life of Christ.
 Romans 6 : 13 “… Do not present your members as
instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present
8. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• Without God, we are less than nothing, for His Divine Love
Empowers and Enables us to reach great Heights of
unconditional Love, Joy and Peace that surpasses all human
understanding.
• God is Love and Love never fails!
H OLY G OSPE L A CC ORD ING TO S T L UKE 15 : 11 – 32
 "...A certain Man had two sons...” refers to our Lord God and
mankind.
• The “certain Man” is our Heavenly Father Whose Divine Will is
motivated by infinite Love.
• He is All Wise, Merciful and Providential – providing everything
necessary for our daily needs, as well as for our Salvation
and Eternal Life.
• One son rebels against the Will of our Heavenly Father, desiring
his ‘independence’ – away from God’s Sight and living
according to his own selfish, immature, destructive and
sinful ideas.
• The other son consistently and humbly Obeys our Heavenly
Father and strives to fulfil His Divine Will, by surrendering
his own free will to that of God, Who takes care of our every
need while we Struggle against temptation and sin, and
Strive for Spiritual Perfection – for Theosis.
 “...the younger ... said ...: ‘Father, give me the portion of goods
that falls to me.’ ...”
• This indicates mankind – every one of us - receiving our free
will and rational mind from our Divine Creator.
 “...He divided between them His Livelihood...”
• God grants every human being free will and a rational mind
with which to make our own, personal choices – good or
bad, loving or hateful, Beneficial or Condemning.
• We receive our (original) human nature and being – our human
essence (ousia) - from our Divine Creator.
• Thus it is natural to Love since we were created in the
Likeness and Image of God.
• However, like our first Ancestors, Adam and Eve, we use these
Perfect Spiritual Gifts to rebel against our Heavenly Father
by indulging the selfish desires of our flesh.
• We allow the demands of our immature, egocentric mortal
flesh to dominate our wise and good immortal soul.
Constant Repentance restores the correct balance so that
our immortal soul can guide and encourage our mortal flesh
to become closer to God.
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 13.
 • Every thought, word and deed has a consequence. Thus we
shall be Judged accordingly on the Eight Day at the Final
Judgement of Christ our Lord.
• We were created with free will so that we can make our own
choices, for Love and Faith, the very core of our existence,
cannot be forced but must be freely given and received.
• Consequently, we choose whether or not to become worthy
Children of God, Co-Heirs to His Heavenly Kingdom of Love,
who by the Acquisition of unconditional Love/Agape are
rewarded with Eternal Life.
• However, the alternative is far too terrifying to contemplate,
for the reality of Eternal Death – “Outer Darkness” or “the
Abyss” - horrifies even the evil one and his demons!
 “…Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which belongs to
God.”
• It is natural for us to Love and Glorify our Loving and
Benevolent God with our thoughts, words and deeds. To do
otherwise is unnatural.
• Both body and soul are Sacred.
• From Baptism to Repose, our body and soul is being Sanctified,
while we consciously Strive to acquire Divine Love/Agape
together with all the subsequent Holy Virtues that Spiritual
Perfect us.
• Every worthy thought, word and deed Glorifies, Honours and
Worships our Lord God.
• As aspiring Citizens and Heirs of God’s Heavenly Kingdom of
Love, we need to learn the Prayers and Hymns whereby we
Glorify and Worship God, both now and Eternally.
• We each have a specific, unique lifespan in which to acquire
Spiritual Perfection to the very best of our ability, which
must not squandered on Spiritually Unprofitable thoughts,
words and deeds.
• We continually fall into Spiritual Death but, by the Grace of
God, we are returned to Spiritual Life through Repentance-
Confession, Holy Eucharist and Holy Unction.
• Repentance is the acknowledgement and correction of our sins
caused by our own flaws, errors and habitual grievous
passions, which are easily influenced by other people and
circumstances.
• This short lifespan concerns our Sacred Relationship with
Almighty God and with each other, which requires constant,
concerted effort and determination.
12. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your
members as Instruments of Righteousness to God…”
o The “Instruments” are literally the “weapons of war”
which, in this case are the various aspects of
human nature, especially the flesh/body.
o Although God created our members good, we chose
to use them to serve either the evil one or the
Lord our God. For those who Live in Christ
according to their Sacred Baptism, the choice we
make is clear.
 Romans 12: 4 – 5 “… as we have many members in one
body, but all the members do not have the same function,
so we, being many, are One Body in Christ, and
individually members of one another.”
o We LIVE our Faithful Relationship with God in His
Holy Church, which is the Divine Body of Christ,
with Humility, Obedience, sober, worthy thoughts,
words and deeds, and by the proper use of His
Spiritual Gifts.
o Holy Ministry requires functioning together in
diversity, according to the Divine Gifts granted to
us by our Gracious and Compassionate Lord God.
 Romans 6 : 3 – 10 “… as many of us as were Baptised into
Christ Jesus were Baptised into His Death. Wherefore we
were Buried with Him through Baptism into Death, so that,
just as Christ was Raised from the dead by the Glory of the
Father, even so, we also should walk in the Newness of
Life.”
o Freedom from sin is grounded in the Holy Mystery of
Baptism.
o Ignorance of what happens when we are Baptised is
a great enemy and Spiritual Sorrow, for through
such ignorance, many are defeated in their
Spiritual Battle against temptation and sin.
o What Christ accomplished on the Cross – an actual
Death to sin – Holy Baptism accomplishes in us –
an actual Death to sin and our Spiritual Liberation
from its enslaving power.
o Because our Holy Baptism into Christ grants us Power
over sin, it is an exact Likeness of His Death.
o Holy Baptism does not meanly ‘stand for’ this Divine
Truth but is Itself our Death to sin.
 “Shalt I therefore take the members of Christ and make them
members of a harlot? Never! Do you not know that he who
joins himself to a harlot becomes one body with her?
• St Paul vehemently reminds us that to desecrate anything that
is Sanctified and Holy, like our body, which belongs to God,
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 9.
 being a Holy Temple within which Dwells God the Holy
Spirit, is a very serious sin that, unless quickly Repented,
shall Condemn us Eternally!
• Our body and soul are both constantly Sanctified throughout
this short, preparatory lifespan through the Partaking of the
Holy Mysteries of Unction, Repentance-Confession and
Eucharist/Communion.
• Our Sanctification of body and soul begins during the Holy
Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation, and needs to be
continued regularly through the other Essential, Life-giving
Holy Mysteries, without which we can make no Spiritual
Progress at all.
• Fornication defiles our Sanctified body and soul to a degree
that few can comprehend, which is why we need to be ever
Watchful over ourselves and learn to become self-
controlled/disciplined.
• The other grievous passions such as gluttony, greed, jealousy,
envy, pride, lust, anger and slothfulness also need to be
strictly controlled and rooted out as soon as they appear in
our thoughts, before they adversely affect our words and
deeds.
• As St John Chrysostom taught us: “We have many improper
desires, but we must repress them, because we can!”
 “…as it is written ‘… the two shalt become one flesh.’ He who is
United to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him…”
 Genesis 2:24 Adam declared: “… a man shalt leave his father
and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shalt
become one flesh…”
• Our Lord Jesus Sanctified Marriage, and instituted the Holy
Mystery of Matrimony.
• Christ is likened to a Divine ‘Bridegroom’ Who becomes United
as One Sacred Spirit with His Holy Church – His All Pure
‘Bride.’
• Being His Faithful Disciples, we are His Holy Church, so ought
to fulfil a most Blessed and Pure Lifestyle that is worthy of
His Eternal Kingdom of Love, Truth and Joy.
 “Flee from wickedness. Every other sin, which a man commits is
outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own
body…”
• As we become self-aware and Spiritually Watchful, we shall be
able to immediately recognise temptations and avoid
committing sin.
10. 2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• St Paul cautioned us that although our other grievous sins
affect our thoughts, words and deeds, which are outside our
body/flesh, immorality, promiscuousness or fornication are
the most egregious and atrocious sins that we commit
against ourselves, and thereby against the Lord our God.
• If we do not constantly Cleanse the Sacred Temple of God the
Holy Spirit, by Repentance-Confession, and then
maintaining and Sustaining It through ceaseless Prayers,
Communal Worship and Holy Eucharist, we shall soon
become adrift and alienated, making ourselves easy targets
for Spiritual Attacks and being overwhelmed by the selfish
desires and grievous passions of the flesh – both ours and
others.
 “…Do you not know that your body is a Temple of the Holy
Spirit within you, which you have from God? For you are not
your own.
• Our body belongs to God, Who created us to become the
Sanctified Dwelling-place/Temple for God the Life-giving
Holy Spirit Whom He breathed into us at the very moment
of Creation and conception.
• When we stubbornly refuse to fulfil the Will of our Heavenly
Father, He departs from us so that we can experience the
terrible bereavement of being alone and contending with
the evil one.
• God Who is Love Itself, never forces Himself on us. He waits
for us to return to Him and to welcome Him with Love and
Humility.
• Only when we are in a close Relationship with God can we
make good Spiritual Progress and enjoy a healthy, peaceful
and joyful Life in Christ.
• Our mortal body is the temporary abode for our Immortal soul.
At our Repose, the body and soul separate.
• The body needs to be returned to the earth whence it
originated, while the soul needs to return to God.
• We thus belong to Almighty God Who paid an insurmountable
Price for the sake of our Eternal Salvation – the Life and
Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• The Eternal, Only Begotten Word and Son of God became
Incarnate so as to teach us His Divine Truth directly, and
then offered Himself as the ultimate Blood Sacrifice for the
sins of all mankind.
2ND SUNDAY OF TRIODION – THE PRODIGAL SON – EXPLANATORY NOTES 11.