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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

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

3 October 2013 St Dionysios the Areopagite of Athens


Also the Feast of St Rustikos the Presbyter & St Eleftherios the Deacon, Disciples & Companions of St Dionysios & St Damaris, his wife - St Dionysios the Recluse of Kiev Caves St John the Chozebite of Caesarea, Palestine - St Hesychios of Mount Horeb

FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF ST DIONYSIOS THE AREOPAGITE TONE 4

Hristotita

ekdidahthis ke nifon en pasin, Agathin Sinidisin iroprepos endisamenos, intlisas ek tou skevous tis eklogis ta aporrita ke tin Pistin tirisas, ton ison dromon tetelekas, Ieromartis Dionisie: Presveve Hristo to Theo Sothine tas psihas imon.

Since

Thou had been instructed in Uprightness thoroughly and was Vigilant in all things, Thou was clothed with a Good Conscience as befitted one Holy. Thou drew from the Chosen Vessel Ineffable Mysteries; and having kept the Faith, Thou finished a like Course, O Hieromartyr Dionysios: Intercede with Christ God that our souls be Saved. spirit, Thou passed through Heaven's Gates, instructed by the Great Apostle who attained to the Third Heaven's Heights, and was made rich in all Knowledge of things beyond speech; and then Thou, O Dionysios, Illuminated those who slumbered in the darkness of their ignorance. Hence we all cry out: Hail, O Universal Father!

FESTAL KONTAKION

OF

ST DIONYSIOS

THE

AREOPAGITE

Tas Ouranious

diavas pilas en Pnevmati, Mathitefthis to iper tris Ouranous fthasanti apostolo, Dionisie, ton arriton eploutisthis pasan gnosin, ke katiigasas tous en skoti agnosias prin kathefdontas. Dion Krazomen: Heris, Pater Pagkosmie!

In

KONTAKION

OF THE

EV

ER

BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia

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

O Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to


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

Prokeimenon The Saints shall rejoice in Glory Sing unto the Lord a New Song! The Acts of the Apostles According to St Luke 17 : 16 - 34
THE CHURCH
IN

ATHENS

St Paul said to the Athenians: ... Since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and mans devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He Commands all men everywhere to Repent, because He has appointed a Day on which He will Judge the world in Righteousness by the Man Whom He has Ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by Raising Him from the dead. And when they heard of the Resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said: We will hear you again on this Matter. So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them was Dionysios the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. St Paul consistently preached our Lord and Saviour, Jesus 6. God Resurrected our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Christ, from a starting point familiar to his audience. Furthermore, while St Paul preached Christ to the Hebrews by To the Hebrews, he preached from the Old Testament, while using the Old Testament, he also presented the Living to the Gentiles he used one of their own Altars to God to the Gentiles from the perspective of Creation. proclaim Divine Truth by emphasising: The Resurrection of the dead is the point at which some 1. God is Creator of all. Gentile Philosophers reacted negatively, while other 2. God is the Giver of Life. aspects of St Pauls speech went unchallenged. 3. God desires all humanity to seek Him. This rejection was due to the Platonic view that the body was 4. Repentance is the Way to God and Eternal Life. a prison for the soul and unworthy of Salvation. 5. God is the only Divine and Merciful Judge of all Creation
ST JOHN

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 7 : 17 - 30


THE

BAPTISTS MESSENGERS INQUIRED

ABOUT OUR

LORD JESUS CHRIST

At that time, reports concerning Christ went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. And the Disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his Disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying: Art Thou the Coming One, or do we look for Another? When the men went to him, they said: John the Baptist has sent us to Thee, saying: Art Thou the Coming One, or do we look for Another? And that very hour our Lord had Cured many infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He granted sight.

ST DIONYSIOS

THE

AREOPAGITE

OF

ATHENS

3 OCTOB

ER

2013

Jesus answered and said to them: Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me. When the Messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? And what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously apparelled and live in luxury are in Kings courts. But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Yes! I say to you: and more than a Prophet! This is he of whom it is written: Behold! I send My Messenger before Thy Face, who will prepare Thy Way before Thee. For I say to you: among those born of women, there is not a greater Prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than him. And when all the people heard Him, even the Tax Collectors Justified God, having been Baptised with the Baptism of John. But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Will of God for themselves, not having been Baptised by him. Reports concerning Christ referred to the Resurrection of the encounter as a means that St John used to convince his Widow of Nains son, which was one of three remaining Disciples that our Lord Jesus was indeed the Resurrections of the dead that were performed by our Coming One the True Messiah. Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the Holy Gospels. Although St John the Baptist was the greatest Holy Prophet of They confirm the Divine Promise given to St Ezekiel, the Holy God, his earthly life and Ministry remained in the period of Prophet, that God would one day open all graves and the Old Covenant. Resurrect the dead. [EZEKIEL 37 : 1 14] The New Covenant so far surpassed the Old Covenant that Many people exercised authority over the living but only the the least in the Kingdom is greater than the greatest Eternal, Divine Son of God ... has Power over both the outside it. living and the dead. [ORTHODOX FUNERAL SERVICE] This does not imply that St John the Baptist would not be While Christ has Power through His Word alone, He also Resurrected to the Eternal Kingdom of God, but merely touched the coffin to show that His actual Body is also that his Life on earth came before something far superior Life-giving. the New Holy Covenant of God. The Resurrection of the Widows son prefigured our Lords own M A T T H E W 2 1 : 2 3 2 7 :Since Christ was not a Levitical Glorious Resurrection. Priest, the Chief Priests and the Elders challenged His As much as our Lady Theotokos would weep for our Lord Authority . Jesus at the foot of His Cross, Her tears would turn to As Christ was careful not to reveal Himself to scoffers, He extreme Joy by His Resurrection. confounded them with a different question concerning St Likewise the Widows only son is Resurrected from the dead, John the Baptist. which put an end to her sorrowful weeping. Both the Elders question and Christs question required the St John the Baptist was imprisoned soon after our Lord Jesus same answer, and consequently would lead one to was Baptised by him. [MARK 1 : 14] confess that our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed come Although St John directed his Disciples to follow Christ, some from Heaven. of them remained with him. By not answering them directly, our Lord Jesus Christ And while St Johns own Faith was undoubtedly Strengthened taught us not to answer those who enquire about Holy Things with a malicious intent. by the Signs or Miracles that our Lord Jesus performed, our Holy Church Fathers universally regard this particular

St Dionysios the Areopagite


As a young man St Dionysios studied in Alexandria, Egypt, with its huge library, which was probably the greatest centre of learning in the ancient world. St Dionysios was there at the time of Christs Crucifixion and seeing the sun darkened at that time, he exclaimed: Either God the Creator is suffering, or else the end of the world is coming! These words alone show the Spiritual Sensitivity of St Dionysios and also prefigured his future destiny. Returning to Athens and increasing in the wisdom of the age, St Dionysios became a member of the Areopagos - the Supreme Court of Athens, which was situated near the Acropolis. (Hence he is known as the Areopagite.) Being a wise man who believed deeply in a God, although not knowing Him, St Dionysios recognized the True God only in the preaching of St Paul. Thus The Unknown God became known to St Dionysios and together with his wife, St Damaris, he received Baptism from St Paul and later became Bishop of Athens and one of the Seventy Apostles. After the Martyrdom of St Paul, his Spiritual Father, St Dionysios, wanting to follow in his footsteps, left Athens and travelled to Greek settlements in the West, ending up in Gaul, in the area of what is today Paris. It was here at the end of the first century that the elderly St Dionysios suffered Martyrdom when, on a hill just north of Paris - Montmartre, the Mount of the Martyrs - he was Crowned with Heavenly Glory together with two companions, St Rustikos the Priest and St Eleutherios, the Greek Deacon. St Dionysios became known as St Denis, the Patron Saint of France and his Cathedral became the burial site of French Kings.
THE FRENCH NAME ST DENIS WAS TAKEN INTO ENGLISH AND CORRUPTED TO SIDNEY. SO TODAY THE PATRON SAINT OF THOSE NAMED SIDNEY AND OF THE AUSTRALIAN CITY OF SYDNEY, IS ST DIONYSIOS.

In Athens, St Dionysios wrote much about Mystical Theology, no doubt inspired by St Pauls Experiences when he had been caught up to the Third Heaven, and notably about the Angels. Unfortunately, all the original manuscripts of these works have been lost but over 400 years afterwards, another writer set down the thoughts and Experiences of St Dionysios.

Adding to his insights, this unknown writer described the Mystical Traditions of St Dionysios, the Greek Philosopher who had found Christ. In St Dionysios, Humility and Faith were the Source of Healing of the mind and the spirit for without Humility there can be no Faith. Without Humility, no Philosopher - however great his mind - can find answers to deep questions. And without Humility, no human soul can find Peace. There were many Philosophers in Greece, who had naturally rejected the silly fables of Greek mythology and its pantheon of ridiculous gods, but were too proud to admit the existence of a Creator. Among those Philosophers in particular were the contrasting self-promoting Epicureans and selfdenying Stoics. Being unlike them, St Dionysios admitted that there was a God, but was honest enough to admit that he did not know Who He was- but, being humble he immediately recognized the previously Unknown God in the preaching of St Paul. St Dionysios was quite different to the proud, arrogant Athenians and even St Paul chose not stay long there but moved to less pretentious, less proud communities in Greece and elsewhere, in order to preach Christ with greater success. Only St Dionysios and St Damaris had enough Humility to confess our Crucified and Risen Saviour. St Dionysios was the merchant who found the Pearl of great price for he found the Creator of the Universe and the Master of his Life, Who gave meaning to everything and so transformed his Life forever. St Dionysios knew a great deal in worldly terms, but yet realised that in real, Spiritual Terms he knew nothing at all!. By humbly confessing that he knew nothing, St Dionysios came to know everything that we need to know - the opposite of those who think that they know everything, but in reality know nothing. Thus, Faith thrives wherever there is Humility, but dies wherever there is pretension and pride. Thus our Lord found Faith among the Fishermen of Provincial Galilee, in Canaan and Samaria, but crucifixion among the learned Scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem.

2.

ST DIONYSIOS

THE

AREOPAGITE

OF

ATHENS

3 OCTOB

ER

2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa


All Glory, Honour a nd Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spiri t, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our Mos t Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glori ous Lady, Maria, Theotok os, yet Ever Virgin, together wi th all the Saints. And let us commi t ou rselves and one another and our whole Li fe to Chris t our God. Amen .

15th Sunday After Pentecost

6 October

2013

Tone (6) Plagal 2 3


rd

Sunday of St Luke The Widow of Nain

Also the Feast of St Thomas Didymos Holy Apostle of Christ - St Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts & Apostle to the Americas St Makarios of St Anne Skete, Mount Athos
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

Angelike

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

The

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

FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ST THOMAS DIDYMOS HOLY APOSTLE

TONE 3

Apostole

Agie, ke Evangelists Louka, presveve to eleimoni Theo, ina ptesmaton afesin, paraskhi tes pishes imon.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede with our merciful God, to grant remission of faults, to the souls of all of us.

RESURRECTION KONTAKION EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O


Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se.

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

Resurrection Gospel 4:
THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS
SEE THE

Luke 24:1 12
OF OUR

EMPTY TOMB

RESURRECTED LORD

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 4 : 6 15


THE POWER
OF AN

APOSTLE

Brethren: It is the God Who Commanded Light to shine out of the Darkness, Who has shone in our heart to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellence of the Power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the Dying of the Lord Jesus Christ, that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then, Death is working in us, but Life in you. And since we have the same spirit of Faith, according to what is written: I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He Who raised up our Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sake, that Grace having spread through the many may cause Thanksgiving to abound to the Glory of God. The Goal in Preaching is not to glorify ourselves but only to from God Himself and certainly not from us weak GLORIFY GOD. human beings. The Treasure is the Divine Light of Gods Glory in our Lord Christianity is Victorious but not trouble-free and all trials Jesus Christ. and persecutions against us ... show both the Power Earthen vessels refers to our humanity our human of God and, more, disclose His Grace. (St John nature. Chrysostom) As this Divine Light shines in and through us, other people are able to see and to realise that the Power comes

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 7 : 11 16


THE GREAT M
ERCY

& LOVE

OF

GOD - THE WIDOW

OF

NAIN

At that time, our Lord Jesus went into a city called Nain, and many of His Disciples went with Him, as well as a large crowd. And when He arrived at the gate of the city, behold! A dead man was being carried out the only son of his mother and she was a widow. And a large crowd was with her. When our Lord saw her, He had Compassion for her and said to her: Do not weep. And He went and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said: Young man, I say to you: arise! And he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus presented him to his mother. Then Fear came upon all those who were present, and they Glorified God, saying: A great Prophet has risen up among us! and God has Visited His people! THE RAISING OF THE WIDOWS SON AT NAIN IS ONE OF THREE GREAT Jairus little daughter had just died. DIVINE MIRACLES OF OUR SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST. The Widow of Nains son had been dead for some Each of the three Miracles depicted different stages of time and was about to be buried. Death:

15TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3R

OF

ST LUKE THE WIDOW

OF

NAIN

6 OCTOBER 2013

St Lazaros had been dead for four days and had already begun to decompose in his tomb. THEY CONFIRM THE DIVINE PROMISE GIVEN TO ST EZEKIEL, the Holy Prophet of God, that our Lord would one day open the tombs or graves and raise the dead no matter how long they had been dead, for He is truly the Master of Life:
E z e k i e l 3 7 : 1 4 : ... the Hand of the Lord came

upon me, and took me by the Spirit of the Lord, and set me in the midst of the plain, which was full of human bones. And He led me round about them, and behold! There was a great multitude of bones on the face of the plain. They were very dry. And He said to me: Son of Man: can these bones live? And I answered: O Lord, Thou know this. And He said to me: Prophesy to these bones and say to them: O dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord: thus says the Lord to these bones: Behold, I will bring the Spirit of Life upon you. I will put muscles and flesh on you. I will cover you with skin and put My Spirit into you. And you shall live and know that I Am the Lord! V Although many people have exercised their authority over the living, ONLY THE SON OF GOD ... has Power over the living and the dead! (ORTHODOX
FUNERAL SERVICE)

AS THE INCARNATE ETERNAL SON OF GOD THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS DIVINE POWER THROUGH HIS WORDS ALONE. However, COMPELLED BY HIS LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR THE BEREFT WIDOW OF NAIN, HE TOUCHED THE OPEN COFFIN and showed us that ANYTHING THAT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH HIS BODY IS CHANGED FROM THE MUNDANE (ORDINARY A DEAD In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. St Paul quoted some words from the Old Testament Scriptures: I will dwell in them; I will be their God, and they shall be My People. During Great Lent we sing the Hymn God is with us! Know it, all you people! God is with us! The Presence of God brings us Divine Light, Guidance, Hope and Salvation. An early Teaching of our Holy Church is reflected in the Holy Gospel according to St John, to which St Paul also referred: What does Light have to do with Darkness? There is clearly a separation, a distinction and a difference. At the age of 15, very early one morning, I was awoken by the gentle touch of our Parish Priest who had come to tell me that my Father had Reposed. He did the same for my two siblings. I cannot tell you how sad I was how devastated I was to lose my Father a week before my sixteenth birthday. However, I also cannot explain to you how profoundly touching, how Pastoral, how loving, kind and compassionate and how helpful to this very day it was to have someone like my Parish Priest touch me so gently on my shoulder before informing me that my Father had died. And that is what I think of whenever I hear the account of the Widow of Nains son whom Christ Resurrected from the dead. Only St Luke recorded this amazing Miracle in his Holy Gospel, which clearly shows us how the Divine Promise of God being with us is fulfilled. Our Lords Presence is a Reality, which is experienced in the Divine Liturgy and whenever we listen to or read the Holy Gospel, when we receive Holy Communion and when we gather together to pray and offer our Thanksgiving for His abundant Providence: ... where two or three are gathered together, there I Am in the midst of them. ( LORD JESUS CHRIST)

SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT in this case, someone who was brought back from Death to Life and WHOSE LIFE WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME AS BEFORE. THIS PARTICULAR EVENT PREFIGURED OUR LORDS CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION for just as the Widow wept for the loss of her beloved and only son, so too would His Ever Blessed Mother weep for Him at that foot of His Cross yet later her tears of sorrow would become tears of Great Joy at His Glorious Resurrection. Christ knew the exact circumstances that faced the mourning Widow of Nain: Without a close male relative to take care of her and to protect her, all her property and possessions would have been taken from her and she would have been cast out into the street to depend on the kindness of strangers. Perhaps this woman had much property and possessions that was about to be seized and that could have been why there were so many people following her to the cemetery. Even to this day, widows and orphans are taken full advantage of and mistreated abominably by the wicked and merciless. V OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES TO TAKE CARE OF ALL WIDOWS AND ORPHANS AND IT IS ONE OF OUR MOST SACRED DUTIES TO FULFIL. Having witnessed such a marvellous Miracle, the people were naturally rather shocked - and although most of them Glorified and offered Prayers of Thanksgiving to Almighty God, there were others who plotted against our Lord Jesus Christ.

MAN) INTO THE EXTRAORDINARY

The Touch of Christ


Consequently, Christs Presence fulfils His Divine Promise and expresses the impact of that Sacred Promise: I will be their God; and they shall be My People. Gods Presence is felt and experienced by us. His Divine Power is palpable and His Light and Love and Grace are with us. Our Lords Presence in the city of Nain foretold and prefigured what His Divine Presence can and is in our Life. We can imagine that Funeral Procession going out of the city of Nain a very sad Procession of Death, sorrow and mourning. And on the contrary, we can see our Compassionate Saviour approaching the city accompanied by His Faithful Apostles and Disciples a Procession of Life, Peace and Joy. The two Processions met up and our Lord immediately tried to comfort the bereft Mother: Do not weep. It was neither a Commandment nor an admonishment but rather gentle words of Comfort and expectation a reassurance that all would be well again for her. There is always a Sweetness and a Calmness with the Presence of Christ, and most importantly, there is an overwhelming, indescribable Peace and Joy! The next thing that our Lord Jesus did was a very intimate action an expression of His Love, Tenderness and Great Mercy: He touched the Funeral Bier. Beyond the fact that Hebrew Purification Rules considered it unclean or taboo to touch anything associated with Death, our Lord Jesus reached out His Hand and touched the dead son. His widowed Mother was grieving for the loss of her only son (possibly an only child and her only male relative who would have protected her and provided her welfare.) Our Lord Jesus had great Compassion for her circumstances and perhaps thought of the pain and suffering that His own Beloved Mother would soon have to endure.

4.

15TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3RD

OF

ST LUKE THE WIDOW

OF

NAIN 6 OCTOBER 2013

I will dwell with them is the Divine Promise that God has made to us - and our Lord Jesus certainly does dwell with us in Life and Death! St Cyril of Alexandria commented: Why then did He not effect the Miracle by His Word alone, yet also touched the Funeral Bier? It was, my Beloved, that you might learn that the Holy Body of Christ is effectual for the Salvation of mankind. For the Flesh of the Almighty Logos is the Body of Life, and is Clothed with His Might. For, consider iron - when it is brought into contact with fire it produces the effects of fire it becomes hot similarly the Flesh of the Logos grants Life to all. The Flesh of Christ therefore also has the Power of granting Life and annihilating the influence of Death and corruption. Here, St Cyril of Alexandria expressed very clearly why Christ became Man: He wanted to infect and infuse us with Life. And He did that with His Flesh. That is where we touch God. That is where we come into Union with God our flesh and Christs Flesh. He became one of us so that we can become like Him.
(SO THAT WE MAY REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO GOD IN WHOSE IMAGE AND LIKENESS WE ARE CREATED.)

This Divine Touch of our Lord Jesus Christ is REAL. This Divine Touch of our Lord Jesus Christ is IMPORTANT. Our Lord stopped His Journey in order to comfort the grieving Widowed Mother of Nain and when He touched the Funeral Bier, His Voice gently but firmly Commanded the dead son: Young man: I say to thee: Arise! In the Old Testament, St Elias, the Holy Prophet of God, had also Resurrected a Widows son by praying to God so that God Himself would Resurrect her son. However, our Lord Jesus Christ the co-Eternal and Only Begotten Son of God the Father said to the dead son: ... I say to thee: Arise! By His own Divine, Life-giving Power, our Lord Resurrected the son of the Widow of Nain, unlike His Holy Prophet, St Elias, who had to intercede with God so that God would then Resurrect the son. Christ is indeed our Resurrection and our Life. The Funeral Procession met up with the Life and the Resurrection our Lord Jesus for He is truly the Victor over Death and corruption. We Live in Christ, we act in Christ and we are in Christ. (ACTS 17:28) Thy dead shall live. Their bodies shall rise. O dwellers of the dust: awaken and sing for Joy! For Thy Dew is a Dew of Light, and on the Land of the Shadows Thou will let it fall. (ISAIAH 26 : 19) The Dew symbolises the Life-giving Grace, Power and Operation of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

The Divine Dew falls into the Land of the Dead, and Resurrects repentant souls just like when Christ died upon His Cross, descended into Hades and Resurrected all who believed in Him. God is the Source of Life and without God, nothing stays together or good. When Thou hidest Thy Face, they are dismayed. When Thou takest away their breath, they die and return to the earth. When Thou send forth Thy Spirit, they are created, and Thou Reneweth the face of the earth. (PSALM 104 : 29 30) We all live and act because of the Life-giving Power of Almighty God. We have been given the Divine Promise of God the Promise of Eternal Life and the Promise of Hope: He will swallow up Death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that Day: Lo! This is our God! We have waited for Him that He might Save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him! Let us be glad and Rejoice in His Salvation! (ISAIAH 25: 8-9) And, today, having heard the account of the Widow of Nain, we see that God never disappoints us and that He is always with us. We can rest assured that every Divine Promise that our Lord has made to us from the beginning of time until the Final Day the Eighth Day, which is the Beginning of Eternity He has and will fulfil. Furthermore, we should take continuous Comfort from the Reality and Truth that He is always with us. Our Lord Jesus Christ went to the Widow of Nain and not only comforted her, but brought her Joy beyond her wildest expectations! Our Compassionate and Loving Lord changes everything from Spiritual Darkness and Ignorance into brilliant, wonderful Divine Light and Life. Today we heard of the time when He changed a Procession of Death into a celebration of Life. Christ changes sorrow into Happiness, despair into Hope and Death into Life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Beginning and the End He is Divine Light, Hope, Joy, Peace and Eternal Life. Our Lord Jesus Christ never fails us and just as He touched the lifeless body of the Widows son and brought him back to Life, may He do so for those of us who even now stumble about in the Darkness of Disobedience and Spiritual Death. And as St Cyril of Alexandria once prayed for us all in his Sermon concerning this Sacred Gospel Lesson: May our Lord touch us as well! May God Bless us all and keep us in His Sight forever. Amen
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: THE TOUCH OF CHRIST BY FATHER TOM ZAFERES GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF THE ASCENSION, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, USA, 10-10-2010

www.groca.org/files/20101010trans.pdf

Giving Children Room to Grow


One of the challenges of parenthood is giving children the freedom to act on their own. This is essential for their development, both spiritually and for their life in this world. When a child is very young we protect them carefully as they are not yet able to use their free will with any intelligence. But as they grow there comes a time when we have to loosen the reigns a bit. We do not want to make the mistake of over controlling them and forcing our will on them constantly as this will only drive children away from us. But they still need to have quite a bit of supervision so as not to fall into grave trouble. Elder Paisios used the analogy of a garden to explain how this should work in a healthy relationship between child and parent: ... Parents cannot help their children by force; they suffocate them...They can keep watch over their children to keep them in line, but without creating a distance between them. They should do what a good gardener does when he plants a small tree: he ties it gently to a strong stake to keep it from growing crooked and from being harmed when the wind blows a little to the right, a little to the left. He waters it regularly, taking care that its branches grow. He may also surround it with a fence so that goats will not eat it, for if the goats eat its branches and truncate it, the tree will be destroyed. A truncated tree cannot bear fruit; it cannot provide any shade. Once the branches grow big and strong, then the gardener removes the fence, and the tree can bear fruit and comfort goats, sheep and people with its shade.

THE UNIVERSAL EXALTATION

OF THE

HOLY CROSS

OF

CHRIST

OUR

LORD -14 SEPTEMBER 2012

Too often parents will try and tie their children with "hard wire." What is proper is a gentle tying. There needs to be room for them to make their own choices little by little. As they learn the consequences of their actions we can reinforce their action with the Teachings of the Holy Gospel. In this way they can learn how to use their free will in line with God's Commandments. They can learn how to choose in ways that will yield for them a Good Life based on Christ. As we do this, we must remember to constantly pray for them asking God to Guide them in their choices. If we tied them too tightly as though with wire by always saying "no" children are more than likely to rebel and we will lose all influence over them. In fact we will become a negative influence from their perspective. Our constraints have to be carefully chosen and always based on our Love and understanding of their need to grow. Children do not always understand the Love behind our "No!" but when used judiciously it will have the right impact.

The worst thing is to treat our children as our friends. In most cases we do not reprimand friends and just accept them as they are. We are not trying to develop or guide them correctly. But our children need our guidance in order to develop properly. We must be able to say "no" when necessary without fearing that our children will reject us. This is why it is necessary to always provide a little room for their own choices and to allow them to make small mistakes so they can learn to make good choices on their own while experiencing the loving guidance that we are able to provide. We must always include children in our Prayers and we should especially pray with them each day. Daily Prayer is essential for our Spiritual Growth as children and as adults and it has the most beneficial value when the family prays together every day.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: GIVING CHILDREN ROOM TO GROW BY ORTHODOX WAY OF LIFE: WALKING THE PATH TO THEOSIS ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, DEACON CHARLES JOINER: HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/

Glory to God for All Things!


A debate arose recently concerning: Which is more difficult Marriage or Monasticism? My own thoughts are that everything is extremely difficult. In our modern world, even the most fundamental structures of society have been eroded. In American culture (ALAS! THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE WORLD TODAY! MP) we have re-imagined the family with the result that today a majority of children grow up in a non-traditional family structure. Even those children for whom such a structure exists are in relationship with others for whom it does not exist. Many do well regardless of their structure but in the aggregate we are enduring a difficult Struggle. Monasticism has always been a voluntary Spiritual Struggle. However, many Monastics today enter that Arena lacking a stable family background. The wounds they bring to their Spiritual Struggle can and often does create weaknesses that lead to Spiritual Disaster. The same can be said of those who enter Married Life. Our Hope is in Christ Whose Grace ... completes that which is lacking...

On the Greatest Generation


With much Prayer and Patience we discover that even in our troubled times Great Things are actually possible. Having said all this, let us contemplate the words of our Holy Church Fathers who were making predictions concerning the Last Generation. They asked: What have we, ourselves, done? One of them, the Great Abba Ischyrion replied: We ourselves have fulfilled the Commandments of God. One of the Elders replied: And those who come after us what will they do? Abba Ischyrion responded: They will Struggle to achieve half our Works. Another Elder asked: And to those who come after them what will happen? And the Wise Holy Father answered: The men of that generation will not accomplish any Works at all and temptation will come upon them; and those who will be approved in that Day will be greater than either us or our Fathers!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS BY FATHER STEPHEN FREEMAN OF ST ANNE ORTHODOX CHURCH, OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE, USA. FATHER STEPHENS BLOG IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! HTTP://GLORY2GODFORALLTHINGS.COM/2012/09/16/THE-GREATESTGENERATION/

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS ALL OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN BRETHREN AS WELL AS ALL THOSE YOUNG AND OLD WHO SUFFER THE TERRIBLE DEVASTATION OF HATRED, WARFARE AND INHUMANE CRIMES! MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US ALL!!

My dear, Suffering is a Gift from God! The Mission of Christ on earth was to Save the world through Suffering, so Suffering brings much Humility. It is a mistake to run from your own Suffering. You are truly free only when you are Struggling, when you are present on the Cross. Suffering brings deep Wisdom and makes you reflect more seriously on your Salvation. A question arises: how is our heart responding to the Suffering around us? The greatest thing well be asked at the Last Judgment is: Why have we not paid more attention to our neighbour?
[ELDER ARSENIE PAPCIOC OF ROMANIA]

6.

15TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3RD

OF

ST LUKE THE WIDOW

OF

NAIN 6 OCTOBER 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa


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

13 October 2013 16
t h

Sunday After Pentecost

Tone (7) Varys/Grave

4th Sunday of St Luke The Sower & the Seed


Also the Feast of the 350 Holy Church Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council St Carpos, St Papylos, St Agathodoros & St Agathonike of Pergamos St Benjamin of Kiev Far Caves Monastery St Florentios of Thessalonika St Benjamin the Deacon of Persia St Nicetas the Confessor of Paphlagonia St Chryse (Zlata) of Meglena, Bulgaria St Jacob the Elder & St Anthony of Chkondidi, Georgia

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Katelisas

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

By

Thy Cross Thou destroyed Death; Thou opened Paradise to the Thief; Thou changed the funeral lament of the Myrrh-Bearers, and Commanded them to announce to Thine Apostles that Thou had Risen from the dead, O Christ our God, Who bestows on the world Great Mercy! praised art Thou, O Christ our God, Who established on earth, our Fathers as Luminaries; and through them, to the True Faith all of us Thou has Guided, O Most Compassionate One: Glory to Thee!

FESTAL APOLYTIKION

HOLY

CHURCH FATHERS

TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Iperdedoxasmenos i Hriste

O Theos imon, O fostiras epi gis, tous Pateras imon themeliosas, ke di afton, pros tin alithinin pistin pantas imas odigisas, Poliefsplahne Doxa Si!

Supremely

RESURRECTION KONTAKION EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton


Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se.

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

Resurrection Gospel 5: Luke 24:12 35


OUR RISEN LORD JESUS APPEARS ALONG THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

Let Thy Mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have set our hope on Thee. Rejoice in the Lord, O All Righteous people!
The Epistle of St Paul to St Titos 3 : 8 15
REMAINING TRUE
TO THE

Prokeimenon

FAITH

To Titos a True Son in our Common Faith: It is a Faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain Good Works. These things are good and profitable to mankind. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings concerning the Law, for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas to you, or Tychikos, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Send Zenas the Lawyer and Apollos on their Journey with haste, so that they may lack nothing. And let our people also learn to maintain Good Works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who Love us in the Faith. Grace be with you. Amen F ATHER , S ON AND H OLY S PIRIT EACH OF W H OM IS St Paul was painfully aware that WE ARE ALL AWAITING THE L ORD . C ONSUMM ATION OF THE A GE TO C OME E TERNITY and So when we turn to the Lord our God, we turn not just to he knew that WE ALREADY PARTICIPATE IN THE E SCHATOLOGICAL C OMMUNIT Y i.e. those of us who are God the Father, but also to God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. concerned with our immortal soul in its relation to T HE D IVINE W ORK OF THE H OLY S PIRIT BRINGS US T RUE L IBERT Y Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. because God frees us from the shackles of sin and H OLY B APTISM AND C HRISM ATION ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING Death so that we are able to behold God and to enjoy OF OUR PROGRESSIVE L IFE OF R ENEWAL IN C HRIST . 2 CORINTHIANS 3 : 16 18 : ... when one turns to the Lord, open and constant access to Him. H AVING BEEN CREATED IN G OD S D IVINE I MAGE , WE ARE ABLE the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is Spirit; and where TO SEE G OD S U NCREATED I M AGE H IS W ORD AND O NLY the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty. But we all with B EGOTTEN S ON OUR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST Who is the unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the Glory of the Glory of the Lord in two aspects: Lord are being Transformed into the same Image from glory to Glory just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Through Christs Deified Humanity S T P AUL TRANSFORMED THE O LD C OVENANT UNDERSTANDING In the Power of the Holy Spirit OF O NE G OD , THE L ORD , INTO OUR L ORD J ESUS N EW C OVENANT R EVELATION OF O NE G OD IN T HREE P ERSONS :

17

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A S WE BEH OLD G OD I NCARNATE OUR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST AND AS WE GROW CLOSER T O H IM THROUGH OUR S PIRITUAL S TRUGGLES , WE SLOWLY BECOME WH AT H E CREATED US TO BE we regain our lost Divine Likeness. G OD IS INFINITE SO GROWING IN H IS D IVINE I M AGE AND G LORY HAS NO RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS EITHER ! I N E TERNIT Y WE SH ALL SEE G OD MORE CLEARLY , AND WE SHALL BE FOR EVERMORE T RANSFORMED INTO H IS D IVINE L IKENESS . No creature no Angel nor any human being can ever become Divine because G OD ALONE IS E TERNALLY D IVINE .
THE SOWER

We can just like our Ever Blessed Lady Theotokos and St John the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ achieve a very high Spiritual Purity Holy Sainthood, Theosis or Deification through Absolute Humility and Obedience to God in all things. A divisive person is one who picks or chooses from the whole, Pure Truth. A Sect is a group of people who follow their own choices, ideas and beliefs utterly independent of any Holy or Sacred Tradition. Incomplete or erroneous beliefs result in immoral and ungodly, unrighteous behaviour.
AND THE

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 8 : 5 15


SEED

At that time our Lord Jesus Christ said: A Sower went out to sow His Seed. And as He sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold. When He had said these things, He exclaimed: He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Then His Disciples asked Him: What does this Parable mean? And He said: To you it has been granted to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in Parables, so that Seeing, they may not see; and hearing, they may not understand. Now the Parable means this: the Seed is the Word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear then the devil comes and takes away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be Saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the Word with Joy; but these have no root, for they believe for a while and in times of temptation, they fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches and pleasures of life, and bring no Fruit to maturity. But the Seed that fell on good ground are those who having heard the Word with a noble and good heart keep it and bear Fruit with Patience. T HE H OLY M YSTERIES ARE THE VERY P RESENCE OF THE A S THE S OWER IN THIS P ARABLE , OUR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST FULFILS THE D IVINE P ROPHECY RECORDED IN THE O LD K INGDOM OF G OD , WHICH CANNOT BE DEFINED . C OVENANT B OOK OF I SAIAH : Ones unwillingness to understand Christs Parables is due I S A I A H 5 5 : 1 0 1 3 : ... as rain comes down, or to a rejection of His Eternal Kingdom. snow from Heaven, and does not return until it S T J O H N C H R Y S O S T O M commented: If the blindness saturates the earth, and brings forth and were natural, it would have been proper for God to produces, and gives seed to the Sower, and open their eyes; but because it was a voluntary and bread for food, so shall My Word be, whatever self-chosen blindness, He does not overthrow their proceeds from My Mouth. It shall not return until free will... for doing so would have been not only to it accomplishes whatever I Willed, and I shall ... no advantage for them, but an even greater prosper your ways and My Commandments... Condemnation... and the Lord shall be for a Name and for an U NLESS WE AS O RTHODOX C H RISTIANS CONTINUE T O Everlasting Sign, and He shall not fail. LEARN ALL THE DIFFERENT FACETS OF OUR B EAUTIFUL M Y W ORD IS THE H OLY G OSPEL OF OUR L ORD J ESUS F AITH AND PUT THEM INTO PRACTISE , WE TOO , SHALL FALL C HRIST , WHICH ACCOMPLISHES G OD S D IVINE W ILL . AWAY FROM G OD S T RUTH and become ensnared in Although there are times when the Preaching of the Holy the evil ones deadly traps. Gospel seems to bear no Fruit, GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK If all we had to do was to declare our belief in our Lord whether or not we see visible Results. Jesus Christ in order to receive Eternal Life, THERE While some people might believe that one is permanently WOULD BE NO NEED FOR THE H OLY C HURCH WITH ALL ITS Saved at the very moment one professes Faith in our D IVINE M YSTERIES AND D IVINELY I NSPIRED , T RUE Lord Jesus Christ a dangerous and erroneous belief T EACHINGS AS WELL AS EVERYTHING ELSE TH AT M AKES that is rejected by Orthodox Teaching C HRIST UP OUR L IFE IN C HRIST WHILE ON EARTH . H IMSELF IS VERY CLEAR ON THIS SUBJECT for, as He We could then all simply Repose for there would be no teaches by means of this significant Parable, IT IS further purpose for our unique lifespan, which God POSSIBLE FOR ONE T O BELIEVE FOR A WHILE AND THEN grants each of us, knowing how much time we will FALL AWAY DUE T O V ARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES AND need to achieve our best Spiritual Condition. PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO G OD . I F IT WAS AS EASY AS THAT , DO YOU REALLY THINK TH AT OUR O UR S PIRITUAL P REPARATION FOR E TERNAL L IFE IN THE L ORD J ESUS C HRIST WOULD HAVE OFFERED H IMSELF AS H EAVENLY K INGDOM OF G OD C ANNOT BE ACHIEVED OUR ULTIMATE B LOOD S ACRIFICE OR THAT ALL THE S AINTS WITHOUT A DETERMINED AND CONSTANT S TRUGGLE AND H OLY M ARTYRS WOULD HAVE SUFFERED both physically and spiritually. UNNECESSARILY ?? W E ARE IN A PERM ANENT STATE OF S PIRITUAL W ARFARE If it was as easy as that, OUR L ORD J ESUS WOULD NOT H AVE against the evil one and his demons who never cease SPENT THE THREE YEARS OF H IS P UBLIC M INISTRY TRYING their efforts against us to lead us astray and to TO TEACH US EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR E TERNAL L IFE destroy our Relationships with God and each other. even returning to us in His Resurrected State to show us T HE H OLY M YSTERIES ARE NOT OBSCURE INTELLECTUAL and to confirm His Truth - and to give us His Final CONCEPTS OF MANKIND . Commandments that benefit and develop our Immortal Soul.

The Sower & the Earth


Our Lord Jesus Christs Parable of the Sower is one of the most important Biblical passages, which is loved by everyone and which is clearest to us. Our Lords Disciples had questioned Him about this Parable so He explained it to them as we heard today. The Sower symbolises God and the Seed is His Divine Word His Divine Truth while the different kinds of earth represent the different kinds of people. Firstly, it is clear that Christ never spoke about how difficult it is for us to be Spiritually Fruitful. Instead He described the condition of Fruitfulness, which is contrary to the first impression that we might have upon hearing this Sacred Lesson that cites paved roads, thorny earth and dead Fruit.

8.

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Every type of earth (soil) or every type of human being is good unless we transform it into a rock hardened road or if we allow thorny weeds to flourish. The problem then does not lie in the nature of soil, for the wayside has at its base good earth, but it is hardened to make a path for everyone to walk on, and it will not be fertile at all - just like rock. And, when giving this example, our Lord Jesus expressed our human position towards His cultivation of the Word by describing all the causes that lead to Spiritual Barrennness of our cultivated earth of our immortal soul. Upon hearing this Parable, the first question that comes to mind is: How can I be good, fertile soil, unlike the hardened wayside or the dead rock, or the thorny, weed choked earth? To achieve this, the first condition is for us not to be like the wayside that has been trodden by so many without restrictions and prohibitions, accessible to all, all goodness being pecked away and with no place left for the Word of God to be nurtured and to thrive. How numerous are the Christians who lead the way to odd ideologies, being themselves a passage to all strange currents. Who monitors whatever comes and goes through us that is: all the policies, the ideas, the plans and the advertisements? Watch how Christians follow the media. How many of us accept all the ideas and suggestions we hear, without testing or purifying them? We ought to judge everything in the Light and Truth of the Holy Gospel of Christ our Lord and Saviour. Who effectively judges all the educational programmes presented to us, or the political ideologies, etc in the Light and Truth of the Holy Gospel? We are susceptible to being dominated by a deceptive and destructive authority, brought to us by any casual passersby, or through any rising, popular and dangerous ideology. It is as if we do not possess the basic fertile earth for Faith in Almighty God. The modern day Christian is self-isolated. Many do not read anything especially writings that nurture and strengthen our Faith in God and so their Faith remains stagnant and almost dead. God forbid! However, those who do pass all concepts, suggestions and ideologies under the Light and Truth of the Divine Word of God, will straighten and correct them for they turn the Light of the Holy Gospel on whatever is in their heart and mind. This is how we keep Vigilant or maintain Spiritual Watchfulness thereby all the Divine Seeds of the Word of God are kept and nurtured in our heart. We must test everything in the Divine Light of Jesus Christ. The Word of God is cultivated in the fertile soil of our soul, which has been created to receive and cherish the Divine Truth and not anything else at all! The Divine Love sown by God in the good earth of our soul is much more precious than the pounding, stamping and destruction of so many passersby or the pecking beaks that gobble up whatever goodness they find. To be Spiritually Fertile, we have to be constantly Watchful. The second condition required is that we ought not to be as hard and unfertile as rock, meaning that we must never deal with the Divine Word of God in a superficial manner and merely going through the motions of our Faith without any of its Holy Spirit and Divine Essence.

We ought never to worship merely as a habit an empty gesture only practising the outward appearance of Christianity. We will end up being Pharisaic in our worship practising Liturgical forms without any Essence or Spiritual Depth living superficially in the Holy Church of Christ. Any practice or Virtue that does not go deep, which is not firmly grounded in Christ, remains stagnant and superficial. Our Faith cannot flourish without Roots, and sooner or later it will die altogether. Many Christians profess to love Christianity but they are neither Pious nor Faithful to Christ. Christianity differs from all other religions in that it is not a religion of Law nor of a Book. Christianity is Life in Christ having Christ as our Centre of Life. Christian Life is an Encounter with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. King David, the Holy Prophet and Psalmist wrote: I looked to the Lord at all times. St Paul proclaimed: It is not I who live, but Christ Who Lives in me! In every Virtue and at every moment, we ought to meet Christ. In Almsgiving and Charity, we do not just give to the poor, but we share in Christs needs. In Prayer, we do not simply recite or chant, but we speak directly to Christ. The depth of Christianity is Prayer it is meeting with and communicating intimately with our Lord Jesus. For that very reason Christian Life is referred to as a Life of Prayer. Prayer is not a mindless recitation of written paragraphs at home or in Church. Prayer is having our mind continuously in the Presence of Christ meeting Him at every event or place, in every situation or circumstance. Christian and Christ are in a continuous, alive Encounter everywhere and throughout all ages. If we do not reach this profound Depth, we will remain superficial in our Prayer and worship. If Christ is not the objective of all our actions in our Life that is in Prayer we will after all deal with life itself superficially. Christianity as merely a religious concept is certainly not worthy of our sacrifices, unless we enliven it with the Living Christ as St Paul did. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not the Founder of a Sect Who died. He is the Eternal Living One of the One True Faith. By Enlivening our existence, we will not find any fear or pain when the Love of Christ encompasses us. At such time, the Divine Seeds of the Word of God will reach a Depth that will not be affected by the hot, burning midday sun, and we will know how to face all circumstances of this earthly life. Consequently, we will bear much Spiritual Fruit. So the measure of a profound Life in Christ is to transform everything from its shallow perspective to the Depth of Prayer. The third necessary condition is that we ought not to mix the good plants with choking thorns and weeds. We must not mix the fallen world with our Faith and have the same respect for our Lord God and His Divine Truth. The third type of earth (soil) is full of choking thorns, which symbolise those who profess to love God very much and who profess to love both the world and the Church as well. Good, healthy plants or crops cannot thrive for long amidst thick thorns and weeds. In other words: the pleasures and temptations of the fallen world do not comply nor encourage our keeping of the Commandments of the Word of God.

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It is impossible for us to serve two Masters God and Mammon and it is Pharisaic to love two things that are incompatible with each other. The ideologies of this age claim that we can go along with both the Love of God and the lustful lifestyles we so desire. We cannot profess to love God yet still be as greedy as ever. Nor can we profess to love and care for the poor and still be so selfish and self-indulgent. We cannot accept the wholesomeness of the Divine Message and simultaneously indulge ourselves with the baseness of materialism. The mind of this corrupt age tries to convince us that we can sustain both the choking thorns and weeds of a sinful lifestyle as well as the Divine Seeds of the Word of God. Such a ridiculous philosophy is both evil and deceitful since it tries to persuade us that we can worship two gods and serve each faithfully! Our God is a Burning Fire Who will neither befriend nor make any compromises with corrupted, sinful lifestyles. This most vital issue concerns our heart, our immortal soul and the deadly passions. Is our soul and our heart fertile soil for the Divine Seeds to flourish into a great, abundant Spiritual Harvest or is it infertile and choked to death by thorns of sin. Our Holy Commitment to Fasting is essential for directing and straightening our human tastes and thirsts. Neither our heart nor our soul can be cut into two to serve two Masters.

Furthermore, our Lord has severely cautioned us: My Child: I desire all your heart! The third important condition for a fertile heart and soul is Fasting Self-denial and self-discipline. Our Holy Church addresses the Righteous who constantly Struggle: By Vigils, Fasting and Prayers you have received Heavenly Gifts (Seeds) and borne Fruit a hundredfold. These three essential Spiritual Conditions make up our Spiritual Tilling our Spiritual Ploughing making our heart and soul a fertile land ready and able to receive the Divine Seeds of God instead of being a hard paved and unfruitful wayside, and by breaking up the rock of our stubborn hearts, and by plucking out the choking thorny weeds from our Life in Christ. Finally, as our Lord Jesus Christ exclaimed: He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: THE SOWER AND THE EARTH BY METROPOLITAN PAUL YAZIGI OF ALEPPO, SYRIA.

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Paul_Yazigi of_Aleppo PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR THE SAFE RETURN OF OUR HOLY FATHERS WHO HAVE BEEN CAPTURED BY THE ENEMIES OF GOD. TO DATE THERE IS STILL NO NEWS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. ALSO PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ALL OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST AND ALL THE INNOCENT VICTIMS OF SUCH TERRIBLE PERSECUTION, HATRED AND DEVASTATION OF CONTINUOUS WARFARE AND ACTS OF UNSPEAKABLE VIOLENCE. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US ALL!!

The Eternal Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers Father George Calciu
These days we have become so used to and hardened by all evil that surrounds us and invades our life. We have become so accustomed to sin - to such an alarming degree - yet so few are disturbed by or even notice the new heresies that arise on a daily basis! We are no longer troubled by the practise of homosexuality, fornication, social debaucherynor by blasphemous publications such as the Da Vinci Code. We are accustomed to evil and its destructive consequences. Wickedness, which is the darkest aspect of fallen humanity, has become socially acceptable just a little harmless fun! We are accustomed to evil in such a way that we no longer even notice it. This is our tragic moral state in todays Spiritually Dark world. Every heresy occurs primarily in our towns and cities encouraged and supported by the dirty laws of society for all modern societies have adopted such wicked laws. Those who turn a blind eye or even permit or encourage the debauchery of our society are all in the service of the Antichrist in order to destroy all good morals, to isolate people, to create divisions and to enslave. Regardless of whether we live in the greatest democracy or not - all these heretical laws and social behaviour have caused us to slowly but surely accept so many aspects of deadly evil as being normal. Today no one protests against the wickedness that is overwhelming us nor does anyone protest when our Lord Jesus Christ and our Faith is mocked, or transformed into a game, a concert, a means of making money or a type of amusement. The fallen world considers Faithful Christians as being retarded, ignorant or even stupid because we believe in Jesus Christ. Society in general is being brainwashed into believing that there is no True and Living God and thus no necessity for Faith and worship of any kind. Instead, these deceivers try to convince us that we should trust only what is palpable or proven and that we are here to enjoy ourselves without restraint or consequence!!

Elder Justin Parvu


A man once found a bag of colourful pebbles on the shore of a river. He took it and on his way home, he began to amusing himself by throwing the stones one by one into the water and at the birds of the air. When the bag had only two or three pebbles left, which he was about to throw also, he met a neighbour who looked at the stones and said: ...Where did you find these? They are very precious stones! Upon hearing his words, our man desperately ran back along the way he had come to seek those precious gems that he had so casually tossed away, but it was impossible to find any of them again. This is the same that we do with the precious days of our life. Every day, every week, every month and every year of our life are Treasures that we throw away without reflecting much upon their value - and once we have lost them, it is impossible to find them and possess them again.

10.

17

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa


All Glory, Honour a nd Worship to the Father, and to the Son, a nd to the Holy Spiri t, now a nd forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our Mos t Holy, Mos t Pure, Most Blessed and Glori ous Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together wi th all the Saints. And le t u s commit ourselves and one a nother a nd our wh ole Li fe to Christ our God. Amen .

18 October 2013 St Luke the Holy Apostle & Evangelist


Also the Feast of St Marinos the Elder of Anazarbos St Julian the Hermit of Mesopotamia St Joseph the Abbot & Wonderworker of Volokolamsk St James the Deacon of York, assistant of St Paulinos of York St Peter of Cetinje, Montenegro St David of Serpukhov

FESTAL APOLYTIKION

OF

ST LUKE

THE

HOLY APOSTLE & EV

ANGELIST

Apostole

Agie, ke Evangelista Louka, presveve to eleimoni Theo, ina ptesmaton afesin, paraskhi test psihes imon.
ER

O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke: intercede with our


Merciful God, to grant remission of fault, to the souls of all of us.

KONTAKION OF THE EV

BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton se.

Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the Help of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always protects all those who honour Thee!

Prokeimenon His Voice has gone out into all the earth. The Heavens declare the Glory of God. The Epistle of St Paul to the Colossians 4:5-11, 14-18
SPIRITUALITY FOR THE WORLD & GREETINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Brethren: Walk in Wisdom toward those who are outside, Redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with Grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Tychikos, a beloved Brother, Faithful Minister, and fellow Servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimos, a Faithful and Beloved Brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. Aristarchos, my fellow prisoner, greets you, with Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instruction: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. Luke the Beloved Physician and Demas greet you. Greet the Brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the Church that is in his house. Now when this Epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that you likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippos, "Take heed to the Ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfil it." This salutation by my own hand Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. St Paul was imprisoned in Rome circa 61-63 when he wrote this and the Epistle to the Philippians. This letter concerns LIVING BY THE WILL OF GOD . St Paul expected the Church to BE AT COMMUNAL "PRAYER" OFTEN . Not only were the Apostles to "SPEAK THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST " but every member of the Church was to HAVE "SPEECH WITH GRACE" SO AS "TO ANSWER" THOSE SEEKING THE TRUE FAITH. St Tychicos was the courier of this letter as well as for those addressed to the Ephesians and to St Philemon. St Paul expected his letters to be read aloud to the various churches and at least sometimes to be sent on to neighbouring churches. (Colosse and Laodicea are less than 15 miles apart.) St Pauls letter coming from Laodicea is probably the one we know as Ephesians.

THE REVELATION OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR CONCERNING SPIRITUAL MATTERS & THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 10:16-21

At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me." Then the Seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name." And Jesus said to them: "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I give you the Authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven." In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said: "I thank Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy Sight. I SAW SATAN FALL FROM HEAVEN" is probably a reference by God; I will sit on the Mount of Assembly on the Lord Jesus Christ to the Book of Isaiah: heights of Zaphon; I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High. But I S A I A H 1 4 : 1 2 - 1 5 - "How you are fallen from you are brought down to Sheol, to the depth of Heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are the Pit." cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, I will ascend to Heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of

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NOTE THE FIVE "I WILLS" in the passage that illustrate the
SELFISH, EGOTISTICAL AND PROUD ATTITUDES THAT REBEL AGAINST GODS DIVINE WILL. Because he pursued his own will, SATAN IS BOTH FALLEN FROM HEAVEN AND HE IS DEFEATED AND DETHRONED from his demonic lordship over the world BY THE DIVINE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES. V THE JOY OF DISCIPLESHIP IS not in authority over demonic power, but IN THE CITIZENSHIP OF GODS KINGDOM. "These things" are THE MYSTERIES of the Kingdom of God that ARE MANIFESTED THROUGH THE WORDS AND DEEDS OF JESUS CHRIST.

They are received by "babes, people of simple and open hearts, rather than the Scribes and Pharisees the "wise and prudent." The first accept with total trust, humility and innocence while the others the Scribes & Pharisees - try to be academic and logical, questioning and analysing everything. The arrogant wise and prudent are those who expect God to fit into their own concept of things, rather than them ACCEPTING GOD AS INFINITELY MYSTERIOUS AND
BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING OR CONCEPT.

St Luke the Holy Apostle of Christ and Evangelis


St Luke was born in Antioch. In his youth, he excelled in his studies of Greek philosophy, medicine and art. During the Ministry of the Lord Jesus on earth, St Luke went to Jerusalem, where he saw our Saviour face to Face, heard His Saving Teaching and was witness to His Miraculous Works. As a Disciple of Christ, St Luke became one of His Seventy Apostles, and was sent out to preach. Together with St Cleopas, he met up with our Resurrected Lord along the road to Emmaus. (LUKE 24). After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, St Luke returned to Antioch and there became a fellow worker of St Paul. He accompanied St Paul to Rome and together they converted Hebrews and pagans to the Christian Faith. Luke, the Beloved Physician, greets you... wrote St Paul to the Colossian Christian Community.
(COLOSSIANS 4:14).

In old age, he visited Libya and Upper Egypt. From Egypt he returned to Greece, where he continued to preach and convert many with great zeal despite his old age. In addition to his Inspired Holy Gospel, St Luke wrote the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, which he dedicated to Theophilos, the Governor of Achaia. St Luke was eighty-four years old when the wicked idolaters tortured him for his unwavering Faith in Christ our Lord and Saviour, and they eventually hanged him from an olive tree in the town of Thebes, in Boethia. The Miracle-Working Holy Relics of this wonderful Saint were transported to Constantinople during the reign of Emperor Constantios, the son of Emperor Constantine the Great.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE HTTP://ORTHODOXCHRISTIANITYBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM/2009/10/HOLYAPOSTLE-AND-EVANGELIST-LUKE.HTML
THE VERY FIRST HOLY ICONS WERE THE (NEGATIVE) IMAGES OF OUR LORDS FACE UPON THE BURIAL FACECLOTH OR MANDYLION AND HIS SHROUD, WHICH ST PETER AND ST JOHN HAD FOUND AND REMOVED FROM HIS TOMB AFTER HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION. THESE HOLY ICONS OF CHRISTS FACE HAVE BEEN COPIED MANY TIMES OVER THE CENTURIES AND ARE ALWAYS REFERRED TO AS THE HOLY ICON NOT MADE BY HANDS OR THE MANDYLION, AS WELL AS THE HOLY FACE CLOTH OR THE HOLY NAPKIN. I AM SURE THAT ST LUKE WOULD ALSO HAVE PAINTED A COPY FOR HIS BELOVED LADY THEOTOKOS. (MP)

At the request of the Faithful, St Luke wrote his Gospel circa 60. Following the Martyrdom of the great Apostle, St Paul, St Luke preached the Gospel throughout Italy, Dalmatia, Macedonia and other regions. He painted Icons of the Most-holy Theotokos and not just one, but three different Icons as well as those of the Holy Apostles St Peter and St Paul. Hence, St Luke is considered to be the first Iconographer i.e. writer or painter of Holy Icons.

The Miracle Working Holy Relics of St Luke


Lukes Miracle Working Holy Relics were transported to Constantinople during the 4thcentury, under the reign of Emperor Constantios (357), who was the son of Emperor Constantine the Great. In 1204, the undisciplined and merciless Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade ransacked and destroyed the great city of Constantinople, looting and ravaging everything they saw. Amongst so many irreplaceable Holy Items, they also stole the Holy Relics from Constantinople including that of St Luke which they carried off to Padova, Italy where they remain to this day in the Roman Catholic Church of Santa Justina. In 1992, the then Metropolitan Ieronymos of Thebes and Levathia (and eventually the Archbishop of Greece) requested the return of "...a significant fragment of the Relics of St Luke to be placed on the site where the holy tomb of the Evangelist is located and venerated today." This prompted a scientific investigation of the Holy Relics that were preserved in Padua, and by numerous lines of empirical evidence confirmed that these were the remains of an individual of Syrian descent who had died between 130 and 400. The Bishop of Padua then delivered to Metropolitan Ieronymos a rib of St Luke that was closest to his heart to be kept at his tomb in Thebes, Greece. To this very day many Divine Miracles occur at the tomb of St Luke. St Suddenly on 22 December 1997, at 13:30 sweet smelling Myrrh oozed from the marble of St Lukes tomb and since then the interior of the marble sarcophagus has remained fragrant. The olive tree upon which St Luke was Martyred is still thriving to the right side of the cemetery in Thebes. On the right side of the Sanctuary of this church is the Roman sarcophagus where the body of St Luke had been placed. This tomb belonged to a Roman family of the 2ndcentury BC but later on it was emptied and the Christians of Thebes used it to "honour" St Luke's Holy Relic since it was such a majestic tomb. The emblem of St Luke is the calf, which is the third symbolical beast mentioned by St Ezekiel. [Ezekiel 1 : !0) St Irenaeus pointed out the fact that the calf symbolises our Lord Jesus Christs Sacrificial and Priestly Office He is the Offering and the Offerer of the ultimate, Perfect Blood Offering the Ransom for all mankinds sins throughout time. St Luke is commemorated on 18 October, on 22 April together with St Nathaniel and St Clement, and on 20 June, when his Holy Relics, among others, were Translated to the Holy Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, and on 4 January, which is the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles of Christ.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWIKI.ORG/APOSTLE_LUKE

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa


ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND FOREVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. 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.

17th Sunday After Pentecost Tone (8) Plagal 4 6


t h

20 October 2013

Sunday of St Luke The Gadarene Demoniac

Also the Feast of S T G E R A S I M O S T H E N E W A S C E T I C O F K E P H A L O N I A - St Artemios, Great Martyr of Antioch St Matrona of Chios St Artemios the Righteous Child of Verkhol

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Ex

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

Thou descended

from on High, O Tender-hearted One; Thou endured the three-days burial, so that Thou might free us from our passions, O our Life and Resurrection: Glory to Thee!
OF

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST GERASIMOS

NEW ASCETIC

KEPHALONIA TONE 4

Martis Sou Kyrie en ti Athlisi Aftou, to Stefos ekomisato tis aftharsias, ek Sou tou Thou imon. Ehon gar tin Ishin Sou, tous tirannous kathilen, ethrafse ke demonon ta anishira Thrasi. Aftou tes ikesies, Hriste O Theos, Soson tas psihas imon.

Thy Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by Thee the


Crown of Incorruption, in that he contested for Thee, our Immortal God. Since he possessed Thy Power, he defeated the tyrants, dashing the demons powerless displays of defiance. O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, Save our soul.

RESURRECTION KONTAKION EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se.

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

Resurrection Gospel 6: Luke 24:35 - 53


OUR LORD JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES & ASCENDS TO HEAVEN

Prokeimenon The Saints shall rejoice in Glory! Sing unto the Lord a new song! The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 5 : 22 6 : 2
WARFARE AGAINST
THE

FLESH

Brethren: The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christs have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren: if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of Gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. This passage is read on Feast Days commemorating To be able to administer correction with Gentleness is a Holy Monks. Spiritual Gift of God. To walk in the Spirit comes from Life in the Holy Spirit i.e. we must live according to the Will of God the Father, IN CHRIST, by means of the Life-giving Holy Spirit.

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 8 : 27 39


THE GADARENE DEMONIAC

At that time, when our Lord Jesus stepped out on the land, a certain man from the city, who had demons for a long time, met Him. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. And when he saw Jesus he cried out, fell down before Him and with a loud voice said: What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg Thee do not torment me! For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man because it had often seized him and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying: What is your name? And he replied: Legion, because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him not to command them to go out into the Abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him to permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine - and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled, and went and told those who lived in the city and the country. And they went out to see what had happened, and went to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the Feet of Jesus clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

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Those also who had witnessed it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was Healed and the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. Now the man from whom the demons had departed had begged Jesus to allow him to remain with Him, but He sent him away, saying: Return to your own house, and tell what Great Things God has done for you. And the man went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what Great Things Jesus had done for him. The Gadarene or Gergesene Demoniac is the same Although some may believe that the presence of the herds person - the region was known by slightly differently of swine indicated a Gentile population in that region, it is unlikely since OUR L ORD FORBADE H IS D ISCIPLES AND names by St Matthew, a Palestinian, and St Luke, a Syrian. A POSTLES TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE G ENTILES (the pagan T HE DEMONS IMMEDIATELY REC OGNISE OUR L ORD J ESUS AS THE non-Hebrews) and H E H IMSELF WAS RELUCTANT TO HAVE S ON OF G OD because EVEN SATAN AND HIS EVIL ANY DEALINGS WITH THEM , ESPECIALLY AT THAT STAGE OF H IS SERVANTS KNOW AND ACKNOWLEDGE ALMIGHTY GOD , Who PUBLIC M INISTRY , which was initially the renewal of the in His Great Mercy has allowed them to continue their Faith of the Hebrew nation restoring and gathering the wicked, destructive TEMPTATIONS of mankind, which ONLY Lost Sheep of God. MAKE US S PIRITUALLY S TRONGER AND DRAW US CLOSER TO Many Gentiles lived in the region and the mixed population was not considered a genuine Hebrew region, even G OD , ESPECIALLY IN ADVERSIT Y . through many had converted to Judaism during the THE EVIL ONES MAY TEMPT US GREATLY and drag us into the lowest pits of degradation and sin, BUT THEY HAVE NO POWER T O Maccabean period. ACTUALLY KILL US , FOR ONLY G OD MAY PERMIT OUR FALLING Many of the local Hebrews had been influenced by the INTO A STATE OF DEATH WHETH ER PHYSICAL DEATH OR Hellenic culture and its pagan customs so they were S PIRITUAL D EATH . generally regarded as second-class citizens by the D EMONS KNOW THEY HAVE A LIMITED TIME AMONGST US , but Judean Hebrews. when God Wills, THEY WILL BE EXILED TO THE GREAT , DARK In conclusion: the annihilation of the entire herd of swine AND TERRIFYING A BYSS TOT AL EXILE FROM G OD AND ALL revealed several important aspects: H IS G OODNESS . 1. While animals are a venerable part of Creation, As soon as they saw our Lord Jesus Christ, they thought it was MANKIND IS OF FAR GREATER V ALUE THE E IGHTH D AY THE D AY OF F IN AL J UDGEMENT AND THE 2. C HRIST REMOVES A SOURCE OF SIN such as the swine BEGINNING OF E TERNIT Y . herding that was an abomination to the T HEY ONLY HAVE LIMITED KNOWLEDGE like us and they were Hebrews. (DEUTERONOMY 14:8) shocked and horrified to see Him, but as soon as they 3. D EMONS HAVE NO POWER OVER C REATION , but like realised they still had time to do their dirty deeds among all Creation, are subject to the Divine Will of mankind, they besought Him to enter the forbidden herds Almighty God. of swine. 4. P EOPLE ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE D IVINE Although their malice and destruction can be devastating, P ROVIDENCE AND G REAT M ERCY OF G OD DEMONS CAN DO NOTHING AT ALL AGAINST THE D IVINE W ILL otherwise the demon-possessed man would OF G OD , which is evident from the fact that THEY H AD T O have been killed like the swine. BEG C HRIST S PERMISSION T O ENTER THE POOR ANIM ALS . 5. T HE MAGNITUDE OF THE ECONOMIC LOSS TO THE T HE IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCE WAS COMPLETE DESTRUCTION of LOCAL G ADARENES WOULD REMAIN AS A S IGN AND the wretched, crazed herds that stampeded down the D IVINE A DMONITION for the hard-hearted and steep incline, fell over the high cliffs and were either Spiritually Stubborn people who fled that region, dashed to death on the rocks below or drowned a having witnessed the terrifying Event. most dramatic and terrifying sight to all witnesses. GOD NEVER FORCES HIMSELF ON ANYONE and since the This shows us how the poor demon-possessed man had terrified Gadarenes asked Him to leave them alone, been protected by God - because G OD ALWAYS without delay our Lord Jesus Christ returned to PROTECTS US HUMAN BEINGS AGAINST THE DESTRUCTIVE Capernaum from whence He had come. FORCES OF EVIL . GOD IS ALWAYS PRESENT WITH US BUT IF WE KEEP ON The obliteration of the huge herds of swine reinforced the REJECTING H IM OR IGNORING H IM , H E WILL SOON unlawfulness of Hebrews who owned those forbidden DISTANCE H IMSELF FROM US UNTIL WE EXPERIENCE THE animals and clearly demonstrates THE INCOMPARABLE UNBEARABLE DESOLATION TH AT WE SUFFER WITHOUT VALUE OF HUMAN BEINGS , WH OSE E TERNAL S ALV ATION IS G OD S G RACE ! WORTH EVERY SACRIFICE . GOD NEVER DESERTS US yet WE ABANDON AND REJECT H IM WITH EACH SIN WE COMMIT !

The Gadarene Demoniac


As our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ visited the villages of Judea, He met a certain man from the village of Gergesen.. Now a few years previously this particular man had become possessed by many demons who made him suffer terribly in many different ways. The possessed man was wild and in a desperate condition, which was caused by demonic influence. He had ripped off all his clothing and lived in the cemetery outside the village, amongst the tombs of the dead. Although his relatives had tried to subdue him and prevent him from harming others by shackling him with chains, he had managed to break loose from them and, driven by his demons, had escaped into the countryside. While in this miserable condition he met up with our Saviour the Son of God. The demoniacs appearance was extremely pitiful and frightening, yet our All Merciful Lord walks into the wilderness in order to meet with His troubled Creation and a dialogue ensues between Him and the unclean spirits, which, by His Divine Authority, are cast out and banished. The Work of Salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ had as its final God to free mankind from the bondage and tyranny of the evil one Satan. With mankinds fall into sin, day after day, year after year, we were all drifting further and further away from God and falling ever deeper into the deadly traps of the enemy. Mankind had become enslaved to the devil and the peak of this tyranny is achieved when people are possessed by evil spirits. When an evil spirit takes possession of a persons soul, it rules over the body and the soul it enslaves the entire human being! Consequently the demoniac is controlled by Satan and does whatever he wills, without any understanding or realisation of what is said or done. Both soul and conscience is paralysed by the evil forces and the demoniac is unable to react against them and is trapped in the greatest misery of his or her existence! Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God came to free us from this destructive tyranny. Our Saviour came to meet with every human being to teach us and to guide us Truthfully back to God the Father.

14.

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Everyone who is alienated from Christ lives in the burning hot desert of sin and slavery under the domination of Satan. However, as much as we are arrogant and proud of ourselves, being distanced from Christ means that we no longer have True Freedom! Instead we are shackled with chains of sin and bound by wicked passions that drag us even further away from God and all His Goodness. Thos who live in sin deprive themselves of the wonderful Life-giving Grace of the Holy Spirit. An existence that is far away from Christ is really barren of all Virtue all Goodness. The spirit is sterile and dead while in a state of Spiritual Death. Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ has often cautioned us that every tree that does not bear fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire because it is useless and unprofitable. Our Saviour also taught us that if we want to bear good Spiritual Fruit, we must be United with Him, for only then are we able to bear much Spiritual Fruit only as long as we remain close to Him, for without Christ we cannot achieve anything worthwhile, good or profitable. At this point let us consider the great deception of so many Christians who have created a false image of themselves by believing that they can still be good Christians without a Life in Christ, without attending Church, without partaking of the essential Holy Mysteries such as Holy Confession, Holy Unction and Holy Eucharist and without the Divine Blessing of God upon their Marriage. These people have created a dangerous, false image of themselves that satisfies only their egocentri and egoistic personality. And although they may boast about themselves, they are essentially deprived of every Holy Virtue. Those who do not follow Christ, His Holy Orthodox Church nor participate in the Holy Mysteries of God, in reality live in the Hell of guilt, anxiety and constant Spiritual Stress. Therefore we see those who are enslaved to sin, wanting to find some type of deliverance from the miserable tyranny of their conscience. So they seek refuge at night clubs or the casino, believing that they will be able to forget their unhappiness or stifle the voice of their conscience, which ceaseless cries out to them: This is not the Way and Purpose of our Life! Those who have not met with Christ our Saviour in order to beseech His Divine Healing from their Spiritual Ailments, are like the Gadarene Demoniac First, you have to understand the Romanian cultural environment when I was young in the 1920 1950s. The Romanian people were always inclined toward the Monastic Way of Life, because being Monastic and a leading a Monastic type of Life does not mean only to go and live in a Monastery. When our Lord Jesus Christ was preaching His Holy Gospel He said: ... if you love your Mother and Father more than Me you are not worthy of Me... or when He said: ... if you do not take up your Cross and follow Me you are not worthy of Me... He was not speaking to Monks for they did not exist at that time. Our Lord Jesus was speaking to people single or married people everyone. So, in a way, regarding the Virtues, there is no difference between Monks and lay people. The Monastic Virtues are for everyone. I will give you an example: those who want to dedicate their Life to our Lord Jesus, to His Church and who want to Save their soul through the Monastic Way of Life, become at times at odds with parents wishes who may want their children to lead a secular life.

who before being Healed was completely controlled by the malicious demons that possessed him. How many of us, how many of our Brethren, relatives and friends and how many of our children are under the domination and tyranny of evil spirits enslaved by their sinful passions of the flesh, bound and shackled by hatred, pride, anger, cruelty, greed, maliciousness, spite and so many other dreadful passions? How many young people are overcome by the spirit of disobedience and contradiction to their parents and those in authority over them neither respecting themselves nor their families, friends, acquaintances nor their social circumstances? Those who avoid meeting with Christ our Lord and Saviour, are like the cemetery that is decorated with beautiful tombstones yet which is empty and deprived of Life. On the contrary, those who do meet with Christ are freed from the catastrophic influence of sin. The bonds and shackles of the passions are crushed and broken. The oppression of demons is abolished and they are Healed and Renewed by Gods Divine Love within His Holy Orthodox Church and through the Divine Grace of the Holy Spirit, which is freely offered to us all through our willing participation of the Holy Mysteries. Those who Live in Christ find themselves and come to their full senses and reason. They each become a New Man, a New Creation. Every Repentant sinner is Transfigured into a state of Holiness, thereby fulfilling Gods Divine Plan for all mankind to regain our lost Divine Likeness to be restored to our original created state in the Image and Likeness of God. When we meet with Christ and speak to Him and relate t Him, then we depart from the lifeless desert of sin and we become free from the bondage of hatred and we joyfully discover our Spiritual Peace and Calmness. Our Lord taught us: Learn from Me, for I Am Meek and Humble in heart, and you will find Peace in your soul. Let us approach Christ and seek His Healing because the Truth does liberate us from all that makes us suffer and which drags us into the lifeless desert that has no Divine Grace.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: 6TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE BY HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON OF ANTINOES HTTPS://SKYDRIVE.LIVE.COM

God is always with us

(Part 1)

But remember, God comes first in our Life, then come our parents and family. First we must listen to God because He is the Father of us all. So there is a Monastic element in that. Abstinence, for example, is not just for Monks. In general, married people need to exercise more abstinence than single people. Lay people as well need to exercise more abstinence than Monastics. Abstinence means to abstain from food, from alcohol, from many other things. Or, in our culture here in America, we abstain from certain things only when we are forced into it by medical conditions. But God wants us to abstain from certain things so that we are not dominated by material things - to be free of material things. The material things are temporary - we cannot take them with us into Eternity. As human beings we have to grow. We cease to be human beings when we are dominated by material things.

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20 OCTOBER 2013

15

Sex, drugs, alcohol, smoking, over-eating, and many other things like that enslave us and we are no longer free. Well, God wants us to be free because He made us to be free willed, which is an essential aspect of our Likeness to God: Let us make men according to Our own Image and Likeness. So the Virtues are the same for married people as well as for Monastics. The only difference is that Monastics live in a Monastery in a Monastic Community - because they want to dedicate their lives to God without the usual social obligations. Monastics do not marry but instead they take Sacred Vows of Virginity (Chastity) and of Poverty because they do not want to depend on worldly possessions. Monks do not own land - do not own anything other than their most essential personal belongings. In the Monasteries, the Monks wear a Habit - a special uniform if you wish because they are considered the Army of the Church - the Holy Soldiers of the Church, which depends on them. The Holy Synod of a Church is made up of Bishops. The Church needs Bishops. The Bishops cannot be married, and they should be from among the Monks. If the leaders of the Church tell a Monk: We need you for a Bishop, he cannot refuse because he has to be Obedient to the Church. Along with the Vow of Chastity and Poverty the Monk also takes a Vow of Obedience. If the Church needs to send a Monk somewhere to found a new church, he has to go. A Monk does not have possessions such as a house to worry about: he just has a suitcase in which to put a few necessary items before departing immediately as instructed. So Obedience is another essential Sacred Vow that the Monks take. As I said before, Monks wear a habit - long garments and robes. This is outer Monk, the Monk that everybody sees. This outer Monk so to speak does not apply to everyone. The Church teaches us that THE M YSTERY OF R EPEN TANCE IS THE M YSTERY BY WHICH WE HUMAN BEINGS - HAVING DECIDED TO RENOUNCE THE SINFUL DIRECTION OF OUR WILL - TO RENOUN CE SIN BY WHICH WE HAVE HITHERTO L IVED ASK G OD TO FORGIVE US OUR PAST SINS , TO DESTROY THE SINFUL ILL WILL WITHIN US , AND TO GRANT US S TRENGTH TO L IVE HENCEFORTH ACCORDING TO C HRIST ' S L AW . In another way, THE M YSTERY OF R EPENTAN CE IS THE
PAIN CAUSED BY THE AW AREN ESS OF DECAY BROUGHT INTO THE WORL D BY SIN , with the sinner

However, the Inner Monk is applicable to every Faithful Christian. In other words, the Virtues of Abstinence, Self-denial and Sacrifice are the same for the professed Monk as well as for the lay person. So those essential Monastic Virtues of denying ourselves, taking up our Cross, abstaining from the self indulgent pleasures of the flesh, and following Christ apply to everyone. The Virtues we hope to achieve are the same for single or married people and Monks. And marriage is not an easy task either. One needs much Asceticism in Marriage. Families sometimes have three, four, five children, and sometimes parents do not eat so that their children can eat they sacrifice their own needs for those of their children and others. So this is the difference between Monks and lay people. Romania has about 500 Monasteries. There were always many Monks and Nuns in Romania. They are not cloistered; they go shopping, they go to the market. Romania is a small country, the size of the state of Ohio, and Monks and Nuns are influenced by the culture of the country. Even now the Monasteries of Romania are full of Nuns and Monks. So it depends on the culture in which you live and the way you understand the Gospel. TO BE CONTINUED...
FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH FATHER ROMAN BRAGA OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD MONASTERY IN RIVES JUNCTION, MICHIGAN, USA.

... Ms. Jessica Precop, on behalf of Wonder Blog, travelled to the Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery in Rives Junction, Michigan to interview Father Roman Braga, who grew up and served in Romania under a communist regime. We are very thankful to Ms. Precop, Father Roman, and the Sisterhood at the Monastery for making this interview possible.
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/54147.htm

The Mystery of Repentance


This kind of attitude toward a Holy Mystery is blasphemous. F ORGIVENESS IS ENTIREL Y CONDITIONAL ON TH E COM PL ETE TRAN SF ORM ATI ON OF TH E P EN I TEN T ' S
L IF E AN D HI S RESOL VE TO L I VE H EN CEF ORTH ACCORDI NG TO TH E L AW OF G OD . T HOSE WHO APPROACH THE C ONFESSIONAL WITHOUT THIS RESOL VE DEPRIVE TH EMSEL VES OF D IVINE G RACE AND THEIR SINS WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN .

wishing and praying for the Remission of personal sins committed and PRAYING FOR L IBERATION , WITH G OD ' S H EL P , from the force of sin within us all. What is sin? According to the Teaching of the Church,
SIN IS MANKIND PL ACING OUR OWN WILL ABOVE THE W ILL OF G OD AND ABOVE L OVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS -regarding ourselves at the centre of

the universe, the be-all and end-all. R EPEN TANCE IS THE RENUNCIATION OF THIS SOLIPSISTIC EGOCENTRISM - THE DESIRE TO ANNIHIL ATE SEL F - SEEKING , WITH G OD ' S H EL P . T HE M YSTERY OF R EPEN TANCE IS AT ON E WITH C HRIST ' S T EACHING OF L OVE AND L IFE FOR OTHERS - at one with Christ's Glad Tidings. The Mystery of Repentance--by promising Forgiveness in the future--does not encourage anyone to neglect of our Salvation in the present. Even those who are Pious commit sin by reassuring themselves: I shall go to the Priest and get rid of my sin and sin again. But with what ultimate result?

St. Ephraim of Syria said: There is no Repentance for those who bargain with Repentance, who - hoping for Repentance - remain in the state of sin. Repentance is of no avail to them. Those who mock are not pleasing to God. Even if the Mystery of Repentance could remit sins by the authority of the Priest, THE PENITENT IS STILL REQUIRED TO RENOUNCE SIN. The Mystery in no way encourages us to sin further. Confession is not a chat in which the sinner tells his sins and is washed clean through the telling. REPENTANCE IS A LIFE-LONG PROCESS. The Church always urges sinners not to put off Repentance and not to pave the way to their damnation (WITH UNREPENTED SINS.) F EW CAN TRUL Y REPEN T ON THEIR DEATHBED , because the state of mind during the final moments is not at all conducive. The Church sees Confession and Repentance as no less than THE TOTAL T RANSFORMATION OF A PENITEN T SOUL .
ARCHPRIEST VICTOR POTAPOV RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH MARCH 1986

16.

17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6TH SUNDAY

OF

ST LUKE THE GADARENE DEMONIACS

20 OCTOBER 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa


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

23 October 2013 St James the Just & Adelphotheos Holy Apostle & First Bishop & First Hieromartyr of Jerusalem Son of St Joseph the Betrothed & Salome
Also the Feast of St James of Borovichi & Wonderworker of Nogorod St Ignatios of Constantinople St Elisha of Lavreshev, Beloros
FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF ST JAMES ADEPHOTHEOS & HOLY APOSTLE T O N E 4:

Os tou Kyriou Mathitis, anedexo Dikee to Evangelion; os As the Disciple of the Lord,
Martis ehis to aparatrepton; tin parrisian os Adelfotheos; to Presvevin os Ierarthis. Iketeve Hriston ton Theon, Sothine tas psihas imon.

Thou undertook the Work of the Gospel, O Righteous One; as Martyr Thou possess the Steadfastness; as Brother of God the Confidence; as Hierarch to be an Intercessor. Intercede with Christ our God, for our souls to be Saved.

KONTAKION

OF THE

EV

ER

BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia

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

O Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to


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

Prokeimenon His Voice has gone out into all the earth. The Heavens declare the Glory of God. The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 1 : 11 19
THE DIVINE CALLING OF ST PAUL THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST

Brethren, I make known to you that the Gospel that was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the Revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the Traditions of my Fathers. But when it pleased God, Who separated me from my mothers womb and Called me through His Grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other Apostles except James, the Lords brother. IN ALL PRIVATE REVELATIONS, THE ONLY OTHER WITNESS IS ALMIGHTY APOSTOLIC TRADITION IS GROUNDED IN DIVINE REVELATION FROM OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. GOD HIMSELF. Just as the Twelve Apostles were CALLED BY CHRIST, so However, ST PAUL KNEW THAT HE HAD TO TEACH THE SAME HOLY was St Paul. GOSPEL AS THE OTHER APOSTLES OF CHRIST. Just as the Twelve RECEIVED THE HOLY GOSPEL DIRECTLY James refers to ST JAMES THE JUST, THE FIRST BISHOP OF JERUSALEM AND AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE OF ST JAMES. FROM CHRIST, so did St Paul. THE TERM BROTHER IS ALSO A REFERENCE TO A COUSIN OR CLOSE Just as the Twelve STOOD TOGETHER AS ONE, so St Paul MALE RELATIVE. entered their UNITY IN CONSENSUS AND MUTUAL ST JAMES WAS THE ELDEST SON OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED AND HIS SUBMISSION. LATE WIFE, SALOME (a sister of St Anna, the mother of the PEOPLE ARE CALLED BY GOD not according to their former conduct whether good or bad - but BY DIVINE GRACE. Blessed Virgin) and therefore a COUSIN TO THEOTOKOS AND OUR LORD. ST PAUL, WHOM GOD CALLED IN MERCY, RECEIVED DIVINE GRACE ST JAMES DEEP LOVE FOR AND DEVOTION TO OUR LORD JESUS SINCE FROM ST ANANIAS HANDS AND THE BLESSED WATERS OF HOLY HIS BIRTH, ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE REASON FOR HIS HONOURABLE BAPTISM. TITLE OF BEING OUR LORDS BROTHER. The words ... separated me from my mothers womb... According to some, he was the only one of St Josephs refer not to St Pauls physical birth but to GODS DIVINE sons who was quite willing to share his inheritance with CALL TO APOSTOLIC MINISTRY BEFORE HE WAS BORN. Christ. As with St Paul, GODS INTENTIONS FOR PEOPLE MAY LIE HIDDEN FOR MANY YEARS. In accordance with Mosaic Law, adopted children were As a True Apostle of Christ, ST PAUL SUBMITTED HIMSELF TO THE supposed to have equal rights to inheritance, but often CHURCH AND HER HOLY APOSTLES RATHER THAN ELEVATING this proved problematic due to human greed or other HIMSELF. motivations. St Paul knew that his ENCOUNTER WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HIS INSTRUCTION IN THE HOLY GOSPEL AND HIS CALL TO APOSTLESHIP WERE HIGHLY UNUSUAL.

TO

ADMIRE THE LABOURS OF THE SUDDENLY TO

The Ladder of Divine Ascent -- St. John Klimakos S AINTS IS GOOD ; TO EMULATE THEM WINS S ALVATION ; IMITATE THEIR L IFE IN EVERY POINT IS UNREASONABLE AND IMPOSSIBLE .

BUT TO WISH

ST JAMES ADELPHOTHEOS -

THE

JUST APOSTLE, FIRST BISHOP

OF

JERUSALEM & HIEROMARTYR - 23 OCTOBER 2013

17

The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 13 : 54 58


OUR LORDS REJECTION AT NAZARETH

At that time, when Jesus had come to His own country, He taught them in their Synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said: Where did this Man get this Wisdom and these Mighty Works? Is this not the Carpenters Son? Is not His Mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things? So they were offended with Him. But Jesus said to them: A Prophet is not without honour except in his own country and in his own house. Now He did not do many Mighty Works there because of their unbelief. THE PEOPLE OF NAZARETH REFUSED TO BELIEVE THAT A CARPENTERS SON THE SANCTITY OF HER BETROTHAL TO ST JOSEPH FURTHER PROTECTED WHO WAS ONE OF THEIR OWN COULD HAVE SUCH DIVINE HER AGAINST SCANDAL. As far as Hebrew society and WISDOM. Mosaic Law were concerned, they were legally THEY STUBBORNLY REFUSED TO BELIEVE OR EVEN THINK THAT THE MESSIAH husband and wife - ESSENTIAL FOR THE LEGALITY OF WOULD BE FROM THEIR OWN PEOPLE. CHRISTS BIRTH. ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED HAD SEVEN CHILDREN FROM HIS PREVIOUS EVEN IN HIS OWN HOME TOWN, NAZARETH, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST MARRIAGE TO HIS LATE WIFE, SALOME (sister of St Anna): 4 WAS NOT ACCEPTED AS THE MESSIAH BUT REJECTED. IN THEIR ENVY AT HIS GREAT WISDOM AND ALTHOUGH THEY COULD FIND sons: James, Jude, Simon and Joses and 3 daughters NO FAULT IN HIS WORDS AND MIRACLES, THE NAZARENES Salome (the mother of St James and St John the DISMISSED HIM ON THE BASIS OF THE SOCIAL UNIMPORTANCE OF Divine and Beloved Apostle of Christ), Esther and HIS FAMILY. Martha or Lydia or Thamar or Assia [name is uncertain.] It is further proof of our Lords infinite Humility that HE DID NOT HAVING BEEN ELECTED BY THE TEMPLE PRIESTS, THROUGH DIVINE GUIDANCE, TO PROTECT THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WHO EVEN TRY TO CONVINCE THEM OF HIS TRUE IDENTITY - It was not HAD TAKEN A SACRED VOW OF CELIBACY, ST JOSEPH [HER essential to mankinds Salvation, which was the entire ELDERLY - OVER 80 YEARS OLD - UNCLE BY MARRIAGE] PROVIDED Purpose of the Incarnation of the Son of God. HER AND HER FIVE VIRGIN COMPANIONS WITH A SAFE HAVEN and his Paternal Protection.

St James the Just, Holy Apostle & First Bishop & Hieromartyr of Jerusalem
St James the Just the Holy Apostle of Christ (Hebrew: Ya'akov; Greek Ikbos) was the first Bishop of Jerusalem - who was martyred circa 62 69. He was an important figure of the Apostolic Age and is distinguished by various epithets from the other Apostle St James, who was the son of Zebedee: St Paul referred to him as James the Brother of the Lord (GALATIANS 1:19) Hegesippos and others referred to him as James the Brother of the Lord, surnamed the Just Others referred to him as "James the Righteous", "James of Jerusalem" "James Adelphotheos" ( ), and so on. St James became the leader of the Christian Community in Jerusalem in the decades after our Lord Jesus Christs Resurrection and Ascension. However, like so many of the early Christians, detailed information about his life is scarce and ambiguous. Apart from a few references in the Holy Gospels, the main sources for his Life are the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles of St Paul, Josephos the Historian, and St Jerome who also quoted the early Christian chronicler Hegesippos. The Epistle of St James in the New Testament is traditionally attributed to him, and he is a principal author of the Apostolic Decree of Acts 15. In the extant lists of Hippolytos of Rome, St Dorotheos of Tyre, the Chronicon Paschale, and St Dimitry of Rostov, he is the first of the Seventy Apostles of Christ. Hegesippos in his fifth book of his Commentaries, referred to St James: "After the Apostles, James, the Brother of the Lord, surnamed the Just, was made head of the Church at Jerusalem." As a consequence of the Doctrine of Perpetual Virginity, which does not allow that the Ever Blessed, All Pure and Ever Virgin Mary had children after our Lord Jesus Christ, St Jerome considered that the term "Brother" of the Lord should be understood as "cousin..."
ST JAMES ADELPHOTHEOS THE BROTHER OF OUR LORD WAS THE SON OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED AND HIS LATE WIFE, SALOME. HE WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST COUSIN OF OUR LADY THEOTOKOS, AS HIS MOTHER, SALOME, WAS A SISTER OF ST ANNA, THE MOTHER OF OUR EVER BLESSED PANAGIA. JUST BEFORE THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS, ST JAMES ACCOMPANIED HIS AGED FATHER, OUR LADY THEOTOKOS AND INFANT CHRIST TO EGYPT AND RETURNED LATER WITH THEM TO NAZARETH. HAVING WATCHED OVER AND WITNESSING THE YOUNG CHRIST, ST JAMES WAS DEVOTED TO HM AND WHEN THE OTHER SONS OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED INITIALLY PROTESTED SHARING THEIR INHERITANCE WITH OUR LORD, ST JAMES WAS ONLY TOO HAPPY TO DO SO. ACCORDING TO MOSAIC LAW, ADOPTED CHILDREN AND THOSE UNDER THEIR PROTECTION HAVE FULL RIGHTS TO THE INHERITANCE OF THEIR ADOPTED FATHER AND GUARDIAN PROTECTOR. THE TEMPLE PRIESTS BY DIVINE INSPIRATION AND A MIRACULOUS SIGN HAD CHOSEN ST JOSEPH THE AGED UNCLE OF OUR LADY TO BE HER LAWFUL GUARDIAN AND PROTECTOR OF HER SACRED VOW OF CHASTITY. BEING BETROTHED MEANT THAT THE RELATIONSHIP WAS LEGAL AND BINDING. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT MEAN THAT THEY WOULD BE FULLY MARRIED IN THE CONJUGAL SENSE. ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED WAS A MOST RIGHTEOUS MAN WHO TOOK SACRED VOWS SERIOUSLY AND WHO WOULD NEVER HAVE BROKEN OUR LADYS SACRED VOW OF CHASTITY. THOSE WHO HAD WATCHED OVER HER AS SHE GREW UP IN THE HOLY TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM ALSO KNEW THAT SHE WOULD NEVER HAVE BROKEN HER VOW OF CHASTITY. BEING BETROTHED TO HER AGED UNCLE MEANT THAT ACCORDING TO MOSAIC LAW HIS CHILDREN - HER COUSINS - BECAME HER CHILDREN. THE FACT THAT CHRIST WAS HER FIRST BORN SON, CERTAINLY DID NOT MEAN THAT SHE BORE OTHER CHILDREN. FURTHERMORE, THE MIDWIVES WHO ATTENDED HER AFTER GIVING BIRTH WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT SHE HAD INDEED REMAINED VIRGIN AND THEY WOULD HAVE COMMENTED ON THIS AMAZING TRUTH. mp

St Symeon the New Theologian Those who have not consciously invested their intelligence and intellect with the Image of our Lord Jesus Christ - the Heavenly One, Man and God - is still but flesh and blood. They cannot perceive Spiritual Glory solely through their intelligence, just as those blind from birth cannot know the sun's light solely through their intelligence. St John of Kronstadt All Prayers assume the great poverty and misery of our fallen nature; they also assume that the Lord is the Ever Flowing Source of every Perfection, every Blessing; that He is our Inexhaustible Treasury. Truly, we must have Poverty of spirit during Prayer and at all times. "Blessed are the poor in spirit."

18

ST JAMES ADELPHOTHEOS -

THE

JUST APOSTLE, FIRST BISHOP

OF

JERUSALEM & HIEROMARTYR - 23 OCTOBER 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa


All Glory, Honour and W orship to the Father, and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our Mos t Holy, Most Pure, Theotok os, yet Ever Virgi n, together wi th all the one another and our whole Li fe to Chris t our God. to the Son, a nd to the Holy Spirit, now a nd Mos t Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Sai nts. And let us commi t ourselves and Amen .

26 October 2013 St Dimitrios the Great & Holy Martyr Myrrh Streamer & Miracle Worker of Thessalonika
Also the Commemoration of the Great Earthquake in Constantinople Feast of St Theophilos of Kiev Caves Monastery St Lupos, Faithful Servant of St Dimitrios of Thessalonika S Athanasios of Medikion Monastery St Demetrios of Basarvov, Bulgaria St Joseph of Dionysiou Monastery, Mount Athos St Demetrios of Tsilibinsk
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
OF

ST DIMITRIOS

OF

T H E S S A L O N I K A Tone 3

Megan

evrato en tis kindinis, se ipermahon i ikoumeni, Athiofore ta theni tropoumenon. Os oun Lieou kathiles tin eparsin, en to stadio tharrinas ton Nestora, outos Agie, Megalomartis Dimitrie, Hriston ton Theon iketeve, dorisasthe imin to Mega Eleos.
OF THE

Verily, the inhabited world found Thee a great Comfort


in Tribulations and a Conqueror of Nations, O Fightbearing One. Wherefore, as Thou demolished the arrogance of Lahosh, and on the battlefield heartened Nestor, beseech, O Saint Demetrios, Christ God to grant us His Great Mercy! Who surveys all of the earth, and causes her to tremble, deliver us all from the frightful fear of the quake, O Christ our God; and bestow upon us Thy Mercies abundantly; by the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O only True Friend of mankind.

FESTAL APOLYTIKION

GREAT EARTHQUAKE

O epivlepon epi tin gin, ke pion aftin tremin, rise ims tis Thou
foveras tou sismou apilis, Hriste O Theos imon; ke katapempson imin, plousia ta elei Sou, presvies tis Theotokou, Mone Filantrhope
KONTAKION OF THE EV
ER

BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton se.

Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the Help of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always protects all those who honour Thee!

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 21 : 12 19


SIGNS BEFORE ETERNITY

At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... before all these things, they will lay 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, but it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore, settle it in your heart no to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and Wisdom that all you adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My Names sake. Yet not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your Patience, possess your soul!

The Second Epistle of St Paul to St Timothy


THE POWER
OF

2 : 1 10

GOD

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the Will of God, according to the Promise of Life, which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a Beloved Son: Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father, and Christ Jesus, our Lord: I thank God, Whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my Forefather did, as without ceasing I remember you in my Prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with Joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine Faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your Grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to stir up the Gift of God, which is in you through the Laying on of my hands, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of Power and of Love and of a sound mind. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord, nor of me, His Prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the Power of God, Who has Saved us and Called us with a Holy Calling, not according to our works, but according to His own Purpose and Grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but which has now been revealed by the Appearing of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who has abolished Death and brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel...

The Holy Gospel According to St John


THE UNREASONAB
LE

15 : 17 16 : 2

HATRED OF THE FALLEN WORLD

At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... These things I command you, so that you Love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world for I chose you out of the world the world hates you. Remember what I said to you: A servant is not greater than his Master! If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My Names sake, because they do not know Him Who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have had no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin! Those who hate Me, hate My Father also. If I had not done among them the Works that no one else has done, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and yet hate both Me and My Father.

ST DIMITRIOS - GREAT HOLY M

ARTYR

& MYRRH-STREAMER

OF

THESSALONIKA - 26 OCTOB

ER

2013

19

Yet this happened so that the Word might be fulfilled, which is written in their Law: They hated Me without cause. And when the Helper comes, Whom I shall send to you from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you, also, will bear witness because you have been with Me from the beginning. These things I have spoken to you, so that you should not be made to stumble...

St. Dimitrios' Holiness according to St. Gregory Palamas


St Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki was well acquainted with the great Grace and Holiness of St Dimitrios. In the following quote, Bishop Ierotheos Vlachos discusses St. Gregory Palamas' view of St. Dimitrios: "The facts that the Monastic Life is the Evangelic Life and that a Monk is one who lives Evangelically can also be seen in St Gregory Palamas' Homily on St Dimitrios of Thessaloniki, in which St Dimitrios is presented as a Monk. Naturally in the time of St Dimitrios there was no Monasticism as we know it today, but every Christian who kept the Will of God was essentially a Monk. In his Homily on St Dimitrios the Divine Gregory puts in relief the Chastity of his body and soul. He lived in general Chastity even though he was the highest Officer in the Roman Army. According to St Gregory Palamas, St Dimitrios was Graced with splendid Prophetic Power and was counted worthy of "...the Apostolic and Teaching Diaconate and a high position." He was full of Virtues and was not inferior to the Saints in Asceticism "...and in their Radiance of Life." But he was behind some, was like others; superior to some and surpassing others. St Dimitrios possessed many Gifts. The Warfare which St Dimitrios waged within his heart was comparable to the Warfare of the Great Ascetics. He kept his nous pure of any unseemly thought, protecting the Immaculate Grace of Holy Baptism, had a will that harmonised with God's Law "...like a Book of God and a Tablet and Plaque engraved by God or a Writing Tablet written by the Finger of God and placed before all for the common use." In this way St Dimitrios was Chaste in both body and soul. He had his Citizenship in Heaven and walked on an equal footing with the Angels, having a body as well. So St Dimitrios seems to have had an Angelic Life and Citizenship. The Patron Saint of Thessaloniki was "...both a Teacher and an Apostle, Wise and Chaste and Holy, and we may say very beautiful and spotless, and made Radiant by nature, Zeal and Grace." Comparing St Dimitrios with Job of the Old Testament, St Gregory says that while Job was blameless, Righteous and Pious, just as Dimitrios was, Job was not praised by God for Chastity, something which St. Dimitrios had. His Chastity showed St. Dimitrios to be higher than nature and on a par with the Angels."
METROPOLITAN IEROTHEOS VLACHOS: ST GREGORY PALAMAS AS A

HAGIORITE,

http://www.pelagia.org

St Dimitrios of Thessalonika Wonderworker & Myrrh Streamer


St. Dimitrios bears the title "Myrovletes" (or "Myrrh-streamer") in commemoration of the Miraculous Spring of fragrant Myrrh from his Holy Relics which continues to flow to this day. Testimonies to the flow of Myron are numerous. According to a Jacobite Synaxary: Every day a perfumed Oil flows, which Heals those who accept it with Faith, particularly on the Feast of St Dimitrios. That day, in fact, it flows more copiously than on others, even from the walls and columns of the church. The people in great numbers wipe it from the walls and put this Oil in flasks. This Miracle will endure until the end of time. Virtuous Priests who have seen this have spoken of it and given witness to it."

The Eternal, Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers St John Klimakos
Christians are those who imitate Christ in thought, word and deed, as far as is possible for human beings, believing rightly and blamelessly in the Holy Trinity.

St Gregory the Great


In doing Penance it is necessary to deprive oneself of as many lawful pleasures as we had the misfortune to indulge in unlawful ones.'

Elder Paisios of Mount Athos


When you speak to others, do not put pressure on them. It is a Spiritual Nobility. Respect others and do not impose anything onto them.

Author Unknown
The Spiritual life requires Guidance. A Spiritual Father is a Priest who guides your Spiritual Life. He can be very simple, very unprepossessing, without any particular education but if we trust him, that means that the Lord can say something very important to us through him

St

Justin

Popovich

Those who live in this world must solve a Problem: to be with Christ, or to be against Him. And every human being decides this, whether we want to or not. We will either be a Lover of Christ or an enemy of Christ. There is no third option!
(COMMENTARY ON I JOHN, 4.3 )

20.

ST DIMITRIOS - GREAT HOLY MARTYR & M

YRRH

-STREAMER

OF

THESSALONIKA - 26 OCTOBER 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa


All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now a nd forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Rememberi ng also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Sai nts. A nd let us commit ourselves and one a nother and our whole Li fe to Christ our God. Amen .

18th Sunday After Pentecost - Tone 1 -

27 October 2013

7th Sunday of St Luke : Jairus Daughter & St Veronica


Also the Feast of St Nestor of Thessalonika St Nestor the Chronicler of Kiev Caves Monastery - St Andrew, Righteous Prince of Smolensk St Capitolina & St Erotheis of Cappadocia St Mark & Holy Martyrs of St Thasos St Dimitrios the New of Bucharest St Dimitrios of Basarbovo St Nestor the Ascetic of Far Kiev Caves Monastery St Alexander of Guria & Samegrelo
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 1

Tou

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

While the stone was sealed by the Judeans, and soldiers


stood on guard over Thine Undefiled Body, Thou rose on the Third Day, O Saviour Who gives Life to the world. For which cause the Heavenly Powers cried aloud to Thee: O Giver of Life: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone Loves mankind!
TONE 3

FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF ST DEMETRIOS THE GREAT MARTYR

Megan

evrato en tis kindinis, se ipermahon i ikoumeni, Athiofore ta theni tropoumenon. Os oun Lieou kathiles tin eparsin, en to stadio tharrinas ton Nestora, outos Agie, Megalomartis Dimitrie, Hriston ton Theon iketeve, dorisasthe imin to Mega Eleos.

Verily, the inhabited world found Thee a great Comfort


in Tribulations and a Conqueror of Nations, O Fightbearing One. Wherefore, as Thou demolished the arrogance of Lahosh, and on the battlefield heartened Nestor, beseech, O Saint Dimitrios, Christ God to grant us His Great Mercy! Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always protects those who honour Thee!

RESURRECTION KONTAKION EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O


Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se.

Gospel 7: John 20:1 - 10


ST PETER & ST JOHN WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST

Prokeimenon Let Thy Mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye Righteous. St Pauls Second Epistle to the Corinthians 9 : 6 11
ON CHEERFUL GIVING

Brethren: Those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly, and those who sow bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart not grudgingly or of necessity - for God Loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all Grace abound towards you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every Good Work. As it is written: He has dispersed abroad; He has given to the poor; His Righteousness endures forever. Now may He Who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the Seed you have sown and increase the Fruits of your Righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes Thanksgiving through us to God. This is St Pauls landmark Teaching on Christian Stewardship. The metaphor is not the giving of money but rather the sowing of (Spiritual ) Seed for a (good Spiritual) Harvest. This Fruitful, abundant Spiritual Seed comes from God alone.

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 8 : 41 56


A WOMAN (ST VERONICA)
IS

HEALED & JAIRUS DAUGHTER

IS

RAISED

FROM

DEATH

At that time, a man named Jairus, who was a Ruler of the Synagogue, went to our Lord Jesus and fell down at His Feet and begged Him to go to his house, for he had an only daughter who was about twelve years of age and dying. And as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. And a woman, who had a flow of blood for twelve years and who had spent all she had on Physicians - none of whom could heal her went from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately the flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said: Who touched Me? when all denied having done so, Peter and those with him said: Master, the multitudes throng and press against Thee, and Thou ask: Who touched Me? And Jesus said: Someone touched Me, for I perceived Power going out from Me. And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she went trembling and fell down before Him. And she declared to Jesus in the presence of all the people the reason for having touched Him and how she had immediately been healed. And He said to her: Daughter, be of good cheer; your Faith has made you well. Go in Peace.

18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH

OF

ST LUKE JAIRUS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA

27 OCTOBER 2013

21

While He was still speaking, someone from the house of the Ruler of the Synagogue arrived, saying to him: Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. And when Jesus heard, He answered him: Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well. When Jesus went into the house, He permitted no one to enter except Peter, James and John, and the father and mother of the girl. And all wept and mourned for her; but He said: Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping. And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. And He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called: Little girl: arise! And her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. V ALL AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS EXCLUSIVELY IN THE HEALING POWERS even though He was accompanied CONTROL OF AND ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. by Jairus, a ruler of the Synagogue, and a huge crowd DEUTERONOMY 32:39: Now behold: I even I Am who would be defiled by her and who would, without He, and there is no god besides Me; I take away a doubt, ridicule and embarrass her beyond measure if life and I grant life; I wound and I heal; nor is her circumstances became known! there any who can deliver from My Hands. Yet her belief in Christ was so firm and unshakable that SHE This Divine Statement could be expressed not only by God KNEW THAT BY MERELY TOUCHING THE EDGE OF HIS GARMENT, the Father, but also God the Son and God the Holy SHE WOULD BE HEALED, since ANYTHING THAT GOD TOUCHES OR BLESSES IS SANCTIFIED BY GOD AND THROUGH ONES FAITH Spirit because - BEING CO-EQUAL IN ONE GODHEAD - EACH IN GOD, IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE MIRACULOUS RESULTS. (REFER NOTE DIVINE PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY CAN TRULY SAY: There is ABOVE ) no god besides Me. V HER FAITH AND DESIRE FOR GODS HEALING SUPPLANTED ALL This Statement is made in contrast to all the false (manOTHER RESERVATIONS. made) gods of the pagans. (ST ATHANASIOS THE GREAT, ST BASIL THE V Consequently, CHRIST REVEALED HER UTTER FAITH IN GOD AS GREAT & ST HILARY OF POITIERS) A SHINING EXAMPLE TO OTHERS the majority of whom 1 KINGS 2:6: The Lord takes away life and grants life; like us - merely paid lip service to God while their He takes down to Hades and raises up. hearts were empty of Love for God or Faith in God. This verse foreshadows the Resurrection and is likely a description of our Lords own (voluntary) descent into Hades and His glorious Resurrection. St Aphrahat the Holy Prophet of God used this passage among many to demonstrate that THE BELIEF IN THE
RESURRECTION EXISTED EVEN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ERA.
IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THAT GOD IS NEITHER DESTRUCTIVE NOR HARMFUL EVEN THOUGH HE PERMITS US TO EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL DEATH THE CONSEQUENCE OF OUR HUMAN CONDITION BEFORE HE RETURNS US TO FULL PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL LIFE AT THE RESURRECTION AND FINAL JUDGEMENT. IN OTHER WORDS, GOD PERMITS US TO DEPART FROM THIS LIFE AND ENTER A STATE OF DEATH I.E. PHYSICAL REPOSE IN CHRIST FOR HIS FAITHFUL BUT FOR THE UNREPENTANT AND UNGODLY SOULS A RESTLESS FORETASTE OF SPIRITUAL EXILE FROM GOD. mp

HE EXPOSED HER IDENTITY NOT TO SHAME OR EMBARRASS HER, BUT TO BLESS HER AND ENCOURAGE HER FOR HER GREAT FAITH AND TO SHOW OTHERS THE POWER OF SUCH FAITH IN GOD.

When our Lord asked His Apostles: Who touched Me? it revealed HIS CONSTANT AWARENESS OF THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF ALL HUMANITY and that HIS DIVINE POWER IS
IMPARTED DIRECTLY FROM HIMSELF TO THOSE WHO APPROACH HIM WITH ABSOLUTE FAITH AND LOVE.

BEING OF ONE ESSENCE WITH GOD THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS THIS EXACT SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH.

The Benevolence and Love of our Lord Jesus Christ is clearly evident in the manner whereby He addressed the faithful woman: HE BLESSED HER for her courage and deep Faith, HE CORRECTED HER THINKING that He would not be aware of her and HE DID NOT EXCLUDE HER FROM HIS PRESENCE NOR CONDEMN HER for having the courage to seek His i.e. Gods - Blessings due to her long illness. V HE PURPOSELY REVEALED HER DEVOTION TO GOD for all to witness so that they might IMITATE HER rather than to condemn and ostracise her for breaking one of the Mosaic Laws in order TO SEEK A CURE FOR SOMETHING
THAT ONLY GOD COULD GRANT.

The healing of St Veronica also shows us that GOD ALWAYS


HAS TIME FOR EVERYONE WHO REACHES OUT TO HIM.

JOHN 5:21: ...as (God) the Father raises the dead and grants Life to them, even so (God) the Son grants Life to those whom He Will. The instantaneous healing of the bleeding woman (ST VERONICA) revealed and demonstrated Christs Divine Powers of Healing and Cleansing.
ANYTHING THAT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE DIVINE WITH GOD - IS SANCTIFIED AND DIVINE POWER IS TRANSFERRED VIA THE MEDIUM SUCH AS WATER, OIL OR EVEN GARMENTS TO THE FAITHFUL FOR TH EIR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL BENEFIT ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF OUR LOVING AND PROVIDENT GOD. THUS THE MUNDANE BECOMES EXTRAORDINARY OR SANCTIFIED BY GOD ALWAYS AN INEXPLICABLE AND GREAT MYSTERY TO OUR LIMITED UNDERSTANDING.

Furthermore, this Miraculous Healing of a twelve year long ailment before the resurrection of a little twelve year old girl, SERVED A TWO-FOLD PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO JAIRUS
AND HIS WIFE: IT WAS A REMINDER OF THE GREAT MERCY AND POWER OF DIVINE HEALING, WHICH CHRIST COULD DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY GRANT. IT STRENGTHENED THEIR WAVERING FAITH WHEN CONFRONTED BY THE DEATH OF THEIR BELOVED CHILD.

PEO PLE ARE VERY MISFORTUNES QUICK TO BLAME GOD FOR ALL MOST OF WHI CH ARE CAUSED BY

EITHER DIRECT OR INDI RECT HUMAN ACTIONS.

mp

mp

According to the Old Covenant, haemorrhaging (BLEEDING) was regarded as ceremonial and social defilement, which imposed upon the sufferer stringent religious and social restrictions since any contact with blood was severely prohibited. LEVITICUS 15:25 If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her menstruation, or if it occurs beyond this time, all the days of her (haemorrhaging) shall be as the days of her menstruation: she shall be unclean. Nevertheless the wretched suffering woman who was regarded as unclean, daringly but secretly approached our Lord Jesus WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN HIS

When Jairus received the news of his daughters death and was told not to bother our Lord any further the inevitable belief that nothing could be done about it our compassionate Saviour immediately comforted the grief-struck father: Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well. Only God can reassure us like this! Then at the house, Christ was again confronted by despondent mourners who mocked His words of consolation: Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping, because they knew for sure that she had died. So it was that Christ made everyone else leave the room while He and His Apostles: St Peter, St James and St John, (who also would witness His Transfiguration on Mount Tabor) together with the parents, remained inside.

22.

18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH

OF

ST LUKE JAIRUSS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA

27 OCTOBER 2013

Quietly Christ called the little girls spirit to return to her body and she promptly awoke. Then He instructed her overjoyed parents to feed her (for He knew she would be hungry and thirsty). At this point of His Divine Ministry, our Lord did not want everyone to know how great His Divine Powers were for
HE WANTED TO TEACH THE PEOPLE TO WORSHIP AND GLORIFY ALMIGHTY GOD AND NOT A PERCEIVED PROPHET.

And so He instructed them not to let others know what had occurred with their resuscitated daughter.

THE RESUSCITATION OF JAIRUS DAUGHTER FROM DEATH WAS ONE OF THREE THAT WE KNOW OF, WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT FOR THEIR THREE DIFFERENT DEGREES OF DEATH: JAIRUS DAUGHTER HAD JUST DIED, THE WIDOW OF NAINS SON HAD BEEN DEAD FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND ST LAZAROS OF BETHANY HAD BEEN BURIED FOR FOUR DAYS AND ALREADY BEGUN TO DECOMPOSE WHEN CHRIST CALLED HIM BACK TO LIFE. ALL THESE CLEARLY PROVE THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS NO ORDINARY HOLY PROPHET OF GOD BUT GOD HIMSELF WHO HAS DOMINION OVER ALL LIFE AND DEATH!

mp

Christ Heals & Resurrects


In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen. When our Lord Jesus returned from the country of the Gergasenes where the episode with the demoniac and the herd of swine took place, a crowd welcomed him. He had been teaching and working Miracles all around Galilee, so, of course, people thronged to see Him wherever He went. All of these wonderful things began to happen right after our Lord Jesus was Baptized and was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for forty days. St Luke wrote that Christ returned to Galilee from the desert ...in the Power of the Spirit... and the Fruit of that Power is what we see in todays Holy Gospel Lesson. Jairus, an official of the Synagogue, approached our Lord in great distress. His only daughter - a young twelve years old - was dying. He fell to his knees before our Lord Jesus begging Him to Save her. The pathos of this scene is palpable. Of course, our All-Compassionate Saviour responded immediately and set off with Jairus to his home. St Luke pointed out that the crowd was so large it nearly crushed Him. In the midst of all this, a woman who had suffered from an haemorrhage for twelve years pushed her way through the massive crowd and managed to touch the hem of our Lords garment and was instantly healed. St Luke must have interviewed the woman after the incident because he filled the account with such wonderful detail.
THE WOMAN BECAME ONE OF DISCIPLES AND IS KNOWN TO CHRISTS FAITHFUL US AS ST VERONICA.

What a unique and telling moment this is in Scripture! This woman - regarded as being unclean by the standards of the Mosaic Law and liable for stoning should she be discovered - threw all caution to the wind in her desperation and reached out in all-consuming Faith, to touch our Lords garment. Then - can you not imagine this scene?! our Lord Jesus stood still and exclaimed: Who touched Me? He must have used a loud voice since the crowd was certainly noisy and otherwise He could not have been heard. St Peter - as was so often the case - was perplexed by the question: Master, the multitudes throng and press against Thee, and Thou ask: Who touched Me? And Jesus said: Someone touched Me, for I perceived Power going out from Me. Remarkable, isnt it? There was something different about this particular womans touch. There was intent behind it. There was Faith behind it.

There was rich content in her touch that made her contact significant - so significant that it drew Power from Christ! Why? Firstly, I believe it was because she was focused on her Goal - undistracted by the crowd -, its noise and size, the pushing and shoving - or from the fear of being discovered because anyone who was unclean was forbidden to be in contact with the ritually pure. She was undistracted even by her own suffering. Her mind was simple and clear: to touch His garment and be Healed. Secondly, I believe it was her Faith. Our Lord Jesus told her that her Faith had made her whole. She believed - even after twelve years of physical suffering and of enduring the pain and isolation of being a social outcast - that only our Lord would Heal her. In fact, it may well have been her suffering that gave birth to the rich Faith she brought to that scene. Suffering can inspire the deepest kinds of Faith. I would love to have had a glimpse of her life during those twelve long years. How did she pray? How did she express her Piety? How exactly did the suffering help to Purify her heart - to simplify and clarify her mind? What was her response to all of it that brought forth such pure Faith? Thirdly, she was uniquely prepared for the Encounter; her long suffering had prepared her to meet the Incarnate God. She literally had nothing to lose. She had abandoned all feelings of shame, of fear, even of being and non-being as St Dionysios the Areopagite writes in mystical terms. She had passed beyond everything, including herself, with her single-minded purpose of touching the hem of His garment. So, she became a model of the Spiritual Life for all of us. She fully incorporated in herself the essential Mystical Elements of Renunciation of self and the world and detachment from everything in them. Scripture often points to the need for single-minded Faith and undistracted focus. Our Lord Jesus Christ has promised us: Whatever you ask in my Name, not doubting... will be granted. Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened. Did this woman not ask? Did she not seek? Did she not approach the Door Himself and knock? Did she not deny herself radically as our Saviour asks all of us to do? Whatever else she may have offered Christ that day, she at least offered three things: clarity of focus, courageous Faith and utter Self-denial. She had little else to give than these natural Virtues, where developed in her through her suffering and which are also available to all of us through the Gift of Gods Image and of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.

18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH

OF

ST LUKE JAIRUSS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA

27 OCTOBER 2013

23.

The wedding of her Offering and the Divine Grace in Christ brought forth a Miracle, as it does whenever people hone and develop their natural God-given attributes and call upon His Name. The combination of Divine Grace and human will is explosive. It is what St Paul meant when he wrote that we are Co-workers with Christ (Synergy) and that we must ...work out our Salvation with fear and trembling. We have a contribution to make to our own Salvation. Perhaps this is a key to understanding the emptiness of our own Spiritual Life and practice. We are too scattered, too distracted and too burdened with the cares and pleasures of life. Faith has no time and place to take root and grow in us. We are far from Renunciation and Detachment. And forget focus - this thing the Holy Fathers call Vigilance, Watchfulness and Guarding the heart! We can barely remember what we had for dinner last night, much less are we able to bring our full attention to bear on living authentically moment by moment in Christ. And Self-denial?

Fat chance in this society of ours where the ultimate and utterly insipid goal, is to become a Pop Idol! But without these things we will always be Spiritually Adrift. The element most unsettling to us in the Teaching of Christ is the Commandment to Take up your Cross and follow me. Believe me, my friends, these things can be learnt. There is training that must be done - a training of our minds and hearts and bodies. Meditation, Prayer, Vigilance, Self-Denial. The image of the Spiritual Athlete in St Pauls writings is the image we need to take away from the Gospel today. The Woman with the issue of blood is to me an image of the Spiritual Athlete. Her Life of Renunciation and Detachment is something every one of us needs to seriously contemplate and embrace.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP:

THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS AND THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD ST MARY ORTHODOX

CHURCH HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM/THE-DAUGHTER-OF-JAIRUS-AND-THEWOMAN-WITH-THE-ISSUE-OF-BLOOD/

The Eternal Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers Abba Evagrios the Monk
Anger is by nature designed for waging war with the demons and for Struggling with every kind of sinful pleasure. Therefore Angels, arousing Spiritual Pleasure in us and giving us to taste its Blessedness, incline us to direct our anger against the demons. But the demons, enticing us towards worldly lusts, make us use anger to fight with each other which is against nature - so that the mind, thus stupefied and darkened, should become a traitor to Virtues.

St Moses of Optina
On Examining Yourself Each Day Should you exercise mercy toward another, you will receive Mercy for it. Should you pray, even a little, from the heart for Salvation, you will be Saved. Should you accuse and condemn yourself before God for the sins on your conscience, you will be Justified for doing so. Should you be sorrowful over your sins, or be moved, or shed a tear, or sigh, your sighing will not be hidden from Him. St Symeon tells us: Nothing is hidden from Thee, my God, my Creator, my Redeemer, neither a teardrop, nor a part of a drop. St John Chrysostom states: If you only lament over your sins, He will take it as a reason for your Salvation. Each day examine yourself: What have you sown for the Age to come: wheat or weeds? Having tested yourself, arrange to become better the next day, and spend the rest of your life in that manner. In the event that you spent today badly - did not honestly pray to God, did not feel even once contrition in your heart, did not become humble in thought, gave no alms and did no act of charity, but instead did not refrain from anger, from words, from food and drink, or if you sank your mind in unclean thoughts - honestly examine all of this, condemn yourself for it, and firmly resolve that tomorrow you will be more careful to do good and to avoid evil.

Elder Anatoly Potapov of Optina


Live simply, honestly, always remember that God sees everything, and as for the rest, do not pay attention!

Abbot Pastor
If a man has done wrong and does not deny it, but says: I did wrong, do not rebuke him, because you will break the resolution of his soul. And if you tell him: Do not be sad, brother, but watch it in the future, you stir him up to change his life.

St Seraphim of Sarov
You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant Joy, streams from the face of those who give and kindles Joy in the heart of those who receive. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach Inner Peace. Keep Silent and refrain from Judgement. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing heart against all evil.

St John of Kronstadt
Do not fear bodily privations, but fear Spiritual Privations. Do not fear, do not be faint-hearted, do not be irritated when you are deprived of money, food, drink, enjoyments, clothes, dwelling, even of your body itself; but fear when the enemy deprives your soul of Faith, of Trust, and Love for God and your neighbour; when he sows hatred, enmity, attachment to earthly things, pride, and other sins in your heart. "Fear not those [men] who, will kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul."

St John Chrysostom
When God erases sins, He does not even leave a scar, not even allowing a mark to remain, for together with the Healing He grants also Beauty.

Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica


Here on earth there is nothing that can give us Inner Peace. For neither riches, nor glory, nor honour, nor position, nor family, nor neighbours can give us unshakable Inner Peace. There is only One Giver of Life, Peace and Joy and that is God!

24.

18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH

OF

ST LUKE JAIRUSS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA

27 OCTOBER 2013

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa


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

28 October 2013 Holy Protection of our Ever Blessed Lady Theotokos


THIS FEAST IS CELEBRATED ON 1/14 OCTOBER BY THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHUR CH AND VARIOUS OTHER ORTHODOX CHUR CHES. THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHUR CH CELEBRATES IT ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF OX I DAY

The Feast of St Terence & St Neonilla, and their children: St Sarbelos, St Photios, St Theodoulos, St Hierax, St Nita, St Vele & St Eunice of Carthage St Stephen the Hymnographer of St Savvas Monastery St Arsenios of Serbia St Paraskeve of Iconium St Job, Venerable Abbot & Wonderworker of Pochaev St Dimitrios of Rostov St Nestor of the Kiev Caves Monastery St Afrikanos, St Maximos, St Pompeios & 39 fellow Martyrs of Carthage St Kyriakos of Jerusalem (Keeper of the secret location of the Holy Cross) St John Chozebite of Caesarea, Palestine St Athanasios the Younger of Constantinople St Neophytos of Urbin, Georgia St Arsenios of Cappadocia
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
OF THE

HOLY PROTECTION T O N E 1

Tis Skepis Sou Parthene animnoumen tas Haritas,

in os fotoforon Nefelin efaplis iper ennian, ke Skepis ton Laon Sou noeros, ek pasis ton ehthron epivoulis; Se gar Skepin ke Prostatin ke Voithon, kektimetha voontes Si: Doxa tis Megaliis Sou Agni! Doxa ti Thia Skepi Sou! Doxa ti pros imas promithia Ahrante!

Of

Thy Protection, O Virgin, we praise the benefits, which as Luminous Cloud Thou stretch out most wondrously, and Thou protect Thy people so thoughtfully from every plot of the enemies; for Thee as Shelter, Protector and Helper have we, as we cry out to Thee: Glory to Thy Wonders, O Pure One! Glory to Thy Shelter Divine! Glory to Thy forethought for us, O Undefiled One! Virgin Theotokos, Thy Holy Protection, by which Thou protects those who hope in Thee, Thou hast granted to Thy Nation, as a Mighty Shelter; because, as of old, even now Thou miraculously Saved us, by enveloping Thy people, like a Spiritual Cloud. Wherefore, we implore Thee: Grant Peace to Thy commonwealth, and to our souls, Great Mercy.

Theotoke

Aiparthene, tin Agian Sou Skepin, di is periskepis, tous is se Elpizontas, Kratean to Ethni Sou katafigin edoriso; oti os pale ke nin Thavmastos imas esosas, os Noiti Nefeli, ton Laon Sou perivalousa. Dio disopoumen Se, Irinin ti politia Sou Dorise, ke tes psihes imon to Mega Eleos
ER

Ever

KONTAKION OF THE EV

BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Ti Ipermaho Stratigo ta Nikitiria, Os litrothisa ton dinon Unto Thee, O Theotokos Invincible Champion, Thy City
evharistiria, Anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke, All os ehousa to kratos aprosmahiton Ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson Ina krazo Si, Here Nimfi Animfevte! in thanksgiving Ascribes the Victory for the deliverance from sufferings. But having Thy Might unassailable, Free me from all dangers So that I may cry out to Thee: Hail! O Bride Ever Virgin!

Prostasia

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton se.

Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the Help of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always protects all those who honour Thee!

Prokeimenon My Soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. For He has regarded the lowliness of His Handmaiden The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 9: 1-7
T HE E VER B LESSED V I RGIN M ARY B ECA ME T HE H OLY T ABERN ACLE O F T HE L OR D O U R G O D W HOM S HE B O RE I N H ER W OMB

Brethren: even the first Covenant had Ordinances of Divine Service and the earthly Sanctuary. For a Tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lamp-stand, the Table, and the Showbread, which is called the Sanctuary; and behind the second Veil, the part of the Tabernacle, which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden Censer and the Ark of the Covenant, overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the Manna, Aarons Rod that budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant; and above it were the Cherubim of Glory overshadowing the Mercy Seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things had been thus prepared, the Priests always went into the first part of the Tabernacle, performing the Services. But into the second part the High Priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the peoples sins committed in ignorance.

The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 10:38 - 42, 11:27 - 28


THE ONE THING NECESSARY
FOR

ETERNAL LIFE

IS TO

LISTEN CAREFULLY

TO

GOD

AND

FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL AT ALL TIMES.

At that time, as they went our Lord Jesus entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus feet and heard His Word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her,

FEAST

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Martha, Martha, thou art worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. ...And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts which nursed Thee! But He said, More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!

The Holy Protection of our Ever Blessed, All Holy Lady Theotokos
Dear Brethren: Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Protection of our Ever Blessed, All Holy Lady Theotokos. The beginning of this Feast Day goes back to 910 and the city of Constantinople in the Byzantine Empire, which was being besieged by invading enemies who threatened it with complete destruction as the citizens had been caught off guard and without the necessary means of defence. It is easy to understand the terrible panic and fear of the inhabitants of that great city. However, even under such dire threats, they did not lose their composure. Although weak in military power, they were strong in their Faith and Hope in Almighty God. So the Faithful Christians gathered together with their pious Emperor, Leo the Wise, and kept an All Night Vigil in the famous Church of Vlachernae, where the Robe of our All Holy Mother of God was preserved. They fervently prayed to our Ever Blessed Queen of Heaven and earth for Her Intercessory Prayers that would Deliver them from their enemies. Suddenly the Wondrous Visitation that we celebrate today occurred, which has remained unforgettable for all times. The Righteous Fool for Christ, St Andrew of Scythia, and his Faithful Disciple, St Epiphanios (who later became the Patriarch of Constantinople) both beheld the Holy Mother of God praying together with the entire assembly of Saints who accompanied Her. They watched in amazement as She then covered the congregation with Her Veil. At present, throughout the world, we are experiencing similar circumstances we are also in Church and participating in a Holy Service. But what would we feel, dear Brethren, if the Mother of God were to suddenly appear before us all, accompanied by the entire Assembly of Holy Saints? No doubt we would be utterly dumbstruck with Holy Awe, wonderment, delight... And yet such a Holy Visitation is not so impossible. It is not only an ephemeral dream! The profound Mysteries of the Spiritual World surround us everywhere like air. We do not see them with our eyes, because our physical sight is too coarse and is only adapted for purely physical purposes. If we put our eyes to a powerful telescope we will see amazing sights that are a great distance from us and if we look through a microscope we will see other wonderful things that are invisible to us with the naked eye. To some degree it is quite miraculous yet at the same time it is quite natural. It is the physical law that operates here but there is another, totally different world Spiritual World and no one can penetrate or examine it by means of merely physical laws. Every one of us carries a particle of this wonderful Spiritual World within ourselves! This is our immortal soul. The Life of our soul within us is closely bound with the physical construction of our organism our body and at the same time we feel that this is only a temporary arrangement. If we do not like it, we try not to think about it. If thoughts of Spiritual Life come to us, we try to chase them away or ignore them. However, let us ponder, Dear Brethren: where now are the countless millions of millions of people who, beginning with Adam, have lived on this earth? Discounting their personal Spiritual State, we understand that they must be located somewhere. Their bodies have long returned to the earth, but were are their immortal souls? And at this point we are confronted with an idea although vague, still definitely present about a Creative Plan for the Universe, which consists of two parts spiritual and physical and at the edge of these two worlds, we human beings stand. Todays Holy Feast shows the Union of these two world. Actually, most Miraculous was not the Vision itself, for Her Intercessory Prayers are mentioned in all our Hymns and Holy Services, but that it was beheld by mortals. This was the real Miracle since it entailed a retreat from customary laws of nature. The Spiritual World and all its manifestations are usually invisible to the human eye. We have become used to imagining that the All Holy Theotokos and all the Saints, all those who have Reposed and the entire Spiritual World in general are somewhere far away in the Heavens. It is unusual and even difficult for us to believe but our Beloved Panagia and all the Saints are so close to us that they pray together with us in our churches. The Divine Liturgy, which is served by sinful people, is a Divine Mystery which, according to one of our Prayers, ... even the Holy Angels wish to penetrate... while for Her, the Holy Mother of God, this Sacrifice must be most precious of all. Dear Brethren: do not let neglect the chance to make use of our Ever Blessed Theotokos nearness. Pray to Her with childish simplicity, loyalty and sincere Faith, calling out to Her: Hail! O Our Joy! Protect us from all evil with Thy Most Precious Veil! Amen
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: THE HOLY PROTECTION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD, RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, BALTIMORE, USA http://www.holy-transfiguration.org

St Symeon the New Theologian


Those who with fear and trembling have laid a good foundation of Faith and Hope in the Court of Devotion; who have planted their feet firmly on the Rock of Obedience to their Spiritual Father; who listen to his Counsel as if it came from the Mouth of God; and who with Humility of soul build all this on the basis of Obedience - such people will succeed immediately. They will achieve that great and primary task of denying themselves. For to fulfil the will of another and not one's own entails not only the denial of one's own soul, but also mortification towards the whole world.

St. John Klimakos


A man will know his Brotherly Love and his genuine Charity when he sees that he mourns for his Brothers sins, and rejoices at his Progress and Graces.

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