2012 - NOVEMBER Sacred Lessons

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa Archdiocese of Good Hope
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorio us Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
1 November 2012 St Damianos & St Kosmas, the Holy Unmercenary Physicians of Asia Minor.
Also the Feast of St Theodotos, their Righteous Mother - St David the Righteous of Evia St John & St James of Persia St Cyrenia & St Juliana of Cilicia St Hermeningilda the Goth St Caesarios, St Adrian, St Sacios, St Savvas, St Sabian, St Agrippa & St Thomas of Damascus
Festal Apolytikion St Damianos & St Kosmas of Asia Minor TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Agii
Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe tas astheneias imon: dorean elavete, dorean dote imin!
Sainted Unmercenaries and Wonder Workers, regard our

infirmities; freely you have received, freely share with us. 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!
Kontakion of the 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.
The First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 12 : 27 13 : 8

Love, A Divine And Everlasting Gift That Is Superior To All Other Gifts
Brethren: you are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healing, Helps, Administrations, varieties of Tongues (languages). Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best Gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. Although I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge, and although I have all Faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing! And although I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt, but have not Love, it profits me nothing! Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails! But whether there are Prophecies, they will fail. Whether there are tongues, they will cease. Whether there is Knowledge, it will vanish away.
THERE IS A HIERARCHY OF HONOUR IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE NEW COVENANT TO THIS DAY.
The Apostolic Work that of the Bishop sets the pace for all the rest. When the oversight of the Bishop is in order i.e. the supervision of the Bishop the rest of the Holy Church is free to function at its optimal level. However, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and operative, there is SOMETHING EVEN MORE EXCELLENT and that IS THE LOVE OF GOD AGAPE which is THE
TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LIFE-GIVING, ALL HOLY SPIRIT. St Basil the Great taught us that there are THREE REASONS ALL BIBLICAL AND ALL GOD-GIVEN THAT WE FOLLOW THE LORD:
OUR LORD JESUS URGED US TO GIVE TO THE POOR AND TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OTHERS. HOWEVER: EVEN SUCH A SELFLESS ACT OF HOLY MARTYRDOM AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE THAT IS DONE WITHOUT LOVE WILL PROFIT US ABSOLUTELY NOTHING it will be a wasted effort because IT IS NOT COMPELLED, FULFILLED OR MOTIVATED BY LOVE FOR OTHERS AND ESPECIALLY FOR GOD. V This particular passage explains THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE LOVE DIVINE GODLY LOVE - AGAPE: LOVE IS PATIENT, KIND AND GENTLE, especially with
FEAR P r o v e r b s 1 : 7 The Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom. O B E D I E N C E a recognition that BECAUSE HE IS GOD WE MUST FOLLOW HIM. A c t s 5 : 2 9 ... Peter and the other Apostles answered: We ought to obey God rather than men... LOVE 1 J o h n 4 : 1 9 We Love Him (God) because He first Loved us. Furthermore, WHILE WE MUST AIM TO DO ALL THINGS OUT OF
LOVE, WE MUST ALSO NOT CEASE FEARING RESPECTING GOD AND (WILLINGLY) OBEYING HIM. I.E.
To any church that is preoccupied with the speaking of tongues different languages ST PAUL TAUGHT THE ULTIMATE DIVINE GIFT THAT OF DIVINE LOVE AGAPE..
DIVINE OR GODLY LOVE OUTSHINES PROPHECY AND ALL FAITH because it is of far greater value and
Spiritual Benefit than the miraculous ability to remove mountains!

(SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR ALL DONATIONS)
those who are hurt. 1 T h e s s a l o n i a n s 5 : 1 4 We exhort you, Brethren: warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. E p h e s i a n s 4 : 3 2 ... Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, even as God in Christ forgives you.) LOVE DOES NOT ENVY AND IS NOT JEALOUS of what others have. P r o v e r b s 2 3 : 1 7 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be in Fear of the Lord the whole day long. LOVE DOES NOT PARADE ITSELF or put itself on display. J o h n 3 : 3 0 He (Christ) must increase, but I (St John the Baptist) must decrease. LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP or arrogant or proud. G a l a t i a n s 6 : 3 ... If anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. LOVE DOES NOT ACT RUDELY or brashly, mean-spiritedly nor does it insult anyone. Ecclesiastes 5:2 The voice of a senseless man is with a multitude of words. 1
ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS - UNMERCENARY PHYSICIANS & WONDERWORKERS - ASIA MINOR 1 NOVEMBER 2012
LOVE DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN WAY
or act forcefully 1 Corinthians 10:24: Let no one seek his own, but each one the others well-being. LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS it copes with burdensome things or all difficulties of daily life. G a l a t i a n s 6 : 2 Bear each others burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ. LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS AND TRUSTS IN GOD no matter what the circumstances or what happens. P r o v e r b s 3 : 5 Trust in God with all your heart.) LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS: it keeps looking upwards, does not despair and is always optimistic P h i l i p p i a n s 3 : 1 3 ... Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forward to those things that are ahead.
it puts up with everything and does not wear out. G a l a t i a n s 6 : 9 ... Grow not weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. The only thing that Love cannot do is fail! 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 6 : 1 4 : Let all that you do be done with Love. THE DIVINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, as wonderful as they are, ARE MERELY TEMPORARY AND INCOMPLETE. They are FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE ONLY, while we are still Spiritual Children Spiritually Immature. V However, DIVINE LOVE IS ETERNAL, COMPLETE AND
FULFILLING, AND IT CONTINUES INTO THE AGE TO COME ETERNAL LIFE.
LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS:
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 11: 47 12 : 1

Avoid The Fatal Sins Of Pride And Hypocrisy
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to a Pharisee: Woe to you! For you built the tombs of the Prophets, and your fathers killed them. In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you built their tombs. Therefore the Wisdom of God also said: I will send them Prophets and Apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute, that the blood of all the Prophets that was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the Altar and the Temple. Yes! I say to you: it shall be required of this generation! Woe to you Lawyers! For you have taken away the Key of Knowledge. You yourselves did not enter, and those who were entering you hindered. And as Jesus said these things to them, the Scribes and Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, so that they might accuse Him. In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His Disciples first of all: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy! For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known! The short time of Satan is the period of tribulation just Our Lord Jesus Christ used the term: Woe! which prior to the end of the ages just before the Eighth indicates COMPLETE, DEVASTATING DESTRUCTION. Day the General Resurrection and the Final Isaiah 5 : 18 24: Woe to those who draw sins to Judgement of Christ. themselves as with a long rope and Because the example of a leader can be so influential, lawlessness as with the strap of a cows ANY LEADER WHO DOES NOT LOVE GOD WILL HINDER yoke, who say: Let God speedily hasten OTHERS FROM SEEKING, FINDING AND DEVELOPING A what He will do so that we may see it, and CLOSE RELATIONSHIP OF HUMBLE OBEDIENCE AND let the counsel (advice) of the Holy One of WORSHIP WITH GOD. Israel come, so that we may know it! Therefore, DUE TO THE INCALCULABLE RESPONSIBILITY OF Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, ANY LEADER FOR THE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL WELFARE OF OTHERS, THEY ARE HELD TO A HIGHER who put darkness for light and light for STANDARD THAN THOSE WHO FOLLOW OR OBEY THEM. darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet James 3:1 My Brethren: let NOT many of you for bitter! Woe to those who are intelligent in become Teachers, knowing that we shall their own eyes and expert in their own sight! receive a stricter Judgement, for we all Woe to your strong ones who drink wine and stumble in many things. the mighty ones who mix intoxicating drink, who justify the ungodly for a bribe and take away Justice from the Righteous! Therefore in the manner that stubble shall be burnt by coals of fire and consumed by a violent flame, their root shall be like chaff and their flower shall go up like dust, for they did not will to do the Law of the Lord of Hosts, but despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel. Amos 5 : 18 : Woe to you who desire the Day of the Lord! What is the Day of the Lord to you? It will be Darkness, not Light! Revelation: 12:12 Rejoice, O Heavens! And those who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time!
SATAN AND ALL HIS EVIL INVENTIONS THE DEADLY PASSIONS OR SINS ARE OVERCOME DEFEATED BY CHRISTS SELF-SACRIFICE and that of the Holy Saints
V
If
WHAT WE SAY, DO OR TEACH OTHERS REVEALS THE TRUE STATE OF WHAT WE REALLY ARE. we control our words, WE CAN CONTROL WHAT WE DO,
which is a prime example of the relationship between Faith and Works. This substantiates (proves) THE RELENTLESS SPIRITUAL WARFARE THAT CONFRONTS AND THREATENS US, and against which we must ceaselessly struggle. We must CONSISTENTLY GUARD AGAINST HYPOCRITICAL
AND CONTRADICTORY THOUGHTS, SPEECH AND DEEDS. TRUE WISDOM COMES ONLY FROM GOD AND IS PROVED BY THE FRUIT IT BEARS the result or
consequence of such Wisdom. These DIRE WARNINGS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ARE ESPECIALLY VITAL TO ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS because HIS HOLY CHURCH HAS CAREFULLY AND
FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED THE HOLY TRADITION OF CHRIST AND OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS AND MOTHERS
- the verbal Instructions and Teachings of Jesus Christ, (God Himself!) to His Holy Apostles, which have been PRESERVED UNCHANGED AND PASSED ON
and Martyrs those who did not love their lives to death. Our own SELF-DENIAL, REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AND REGULAR PARTAKING OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES, which all bring us closer to God in humble and eager willingness to obey and worship God, CONQUER AND DESTROY ANY DECEPTIONS OR ENSLAVING BONDS of wickedness of the evil one AS WELL AS UNSELFISH,
LOVING ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH THE PRAYERS AND ASSISTANCE OF OUR FELLOW STRUGGLERS.
THROUGHOUT THE AGES TO US. GODS TRUTH ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND PURE AND ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE OUR EXPRESSIONS OF DEEP FAITH, WHICH LEAD US TO A MORE INTIMATE AND SINCERE COMMITMENT TO GOD, which safeguard our LIFE IN CHRIST.
However, if we merely pay lip service to them, without ever really taking them to heart and practising - i.e. LIVING - WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY CHRIST, we will face Eternal Condemnation as hypocrites!
(SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR ALL DONATIONS)
ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS - UNMERCENARY PHYSICIANS & WONDERWORKERS - ASIA MINOR 1 NOVEMBER 2012
All Glory, Honour and Wo rship 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.
22nd Sunday After P e n t e c o s t 5
Tone(5) Plagal 1
t h
4 November 2012
Sunday of St Luke The Rich Man & Poor Lazaros Eternal Consequences of this Life
Also the Feast of St Ioannikios the Great of Bithynia St Nicander the Bishop & St Hermas the Presbyter, Hieromartyrs of Myra - St Mercurios the Faster of Kiev Caves St Nicander of Gorodensk, Novgorod St John, St Stephen & St Isaiah of Georgia St Simon of Yurievets St Gabriel of Atonelni, Georgia
Resurrection Apolytikion TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton
sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise Sarki anelthin en to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
The
Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a Virgin, let us Faithful Believers hymn and adore. For it was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton O

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton Se.
Protector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the Aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O Theotokos who always protects all those who honour Thee!
Resurrection Gospel 11 John 21 : 14 - 25

Our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ Restores & Commissions St Peter
Prokeimenon
Thou, O Lord, shalt Protect us and Preserve us. Save me, O Lord, for the Godly man has failed.
St Pauls Epistle to the Galatians 6 : 11 - 18
The Rule of Faith Brethren: See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! Many of those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh would compel you to be circumcised, for the Cross of Christ. Yet not even those who are circumcised keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. God forbid that I should boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by Whom the world has been crucified in me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything but a New Creation. And all who walk according to this Rule may Peace and Mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the Marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren: the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. St Pauls remarked about the large handwriting of this V TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE A SACRED COMMITMENT TO FULLY Epistle (Letter) to the Galatians, which confirmed the PARTICIPATE IN ALL OUR HOLY CHURCHS MYSTERIES fact that he himself had written these words. HOLY SACRAMENTS AND COMMUNAL WORSHIP ON A V HE WARNED US AGAINST THOSE WHO ONLY PAY LIP SERVICE REGULAR BASIS. TO ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS Therefore, UNLESS WE FULLY COMMIT OUR LIVES TO CHRIST IN INSTEAD OF FULFILLING THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. ALL ASPECTS REQUIRED OF US AS FAITHFUL ORTHODOX V TRUE CHRISTIANS LIVE THEIR SINCERE AND GENUINE CHRISTIANS, WE MAKE A MOCKERY OF GOD AND HIS HOLY SERVICE TO GOD WITH ALL HUMILITY AND WILLING CHURCH, which bears dire Eternal Consequences for OBEDIENCE TO HIM. unrepentant sinners and apostatisers! In this day and age, all too often we only pay lip service to We freely choose our own state of Eternity by whatever we Christ WE ONLY PRETEND TO SERVE GOD BY GOING do during our present lifetime. THROUGH THE REQUIRED MOTIONS WITHOUT ANY INNER We prove nothing by being Christian in name alone! COMMITMENT OR LOVE FOR GOD AND HIS CREATION. V WE ARE COMPELLED BY OUR SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT TO V BEING BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED IS ONLY THE CHRIST TO FULFIL ALL HIS DIVINE REQUIREMENTS DURING BEGINNING OF OUR LIFE IN CHRIST. OUR TEMPORARY EARTHLY LIFE only then may we truly From that moment onwards, WE MUST LIVE EVERY DAY IN hope to enjoy the Fruits of our Spiritual Labours. IMITATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. V WE ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED OF THIS DIVINE TRUTH AS St Paul had to contend with the Hebrews who thought that CHRIST HIMSELF REVEALED TO US FOR GOD NEVER being circumcised proved your Faith in God. DESIRES THE DESTRUCTION OF SINNERS BUT EXPECTANTLY V However: as he emphasised, TRUE FAITH IS FROM AWAITS OUR RETURN TO HIS LOVING EMBRACE BY MEANS WITHIN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS, WHICH IS EVIDENT FROM OF US VOLUNTARILY FREELY - CHANGING OUR CHOICE OF HOW WE LIVE EACH DAY, WALKING STEADFASTLY IN THE PERSONAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR. FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST. V Finally, St Paul ends this particular Epistle with the Blessing: ... the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
[SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR ALL DONATIONS]
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ST LUKE THE RICH MAN & POOR LAZAROS 4 NOVEMBER 2012
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with your spirit, which means that he prays that BY CORRECTING OUR ERRORS, WE MAY ONCE AGAIN RECEIVE V
THE DIVINE INDWELLING OF GOD HIS DIVINE GRACE AND LOVE. IT IS ENTIRELY OUR OWN PERSONAL CHOICE.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 16 : 19 31

The Rich Man & Poor Lazaros At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazaros, who was full of sores and who lay at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich mans table. And dogs went and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the Angels to Abrahams Bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazaros in his Bosom. Then he cried: O Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazaros so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and to cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this Flame! And Abraham replied: Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great Gulf fixed so that those who want to pass from her to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us. Then the formerly rich man said: I beg you therefore, Father, that you send him to my fathers house - for I have five brothers - so that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment. And Abraham answered: They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them! and he said: No, Father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will Repent. But Abraham said to him: If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded by one risen from the dead! When our Lord Jesus described the Rich Man being ... sweet oils, perfumes, large quantities of wine, varieties of food, and his many flatterers... (St John clothed in purple and fine linen... and eating Chrysostom) extravagantly every day, HIS AUDIENCE IMMEDIATELY In addition, THE FACT THAT CHRIST DID NOT IDENTIFY THE UNDERSTOOD THE EXTREME WEALTH that he possessed RICH MAN BY NAME, INDICATES THAT HE WAS ULTIMATELY and with which he indulged himself. FORGOTTEN BY EVERYONE. Only Kings, influential Rulers and the very affluent wore robes that were dyed PURPLE. (PSALM 9:6: Thou rebukes the nations, and the PURPLE DYE WAS PRODUCED FROM THE MUCUS OF THE HYPOBRANCHIAL GLAND OF ungodly man destroys himself; Thou blot out VARIOUS SPECIES OF MARINE MOLLUSKS - NOTABLY MUREX - AND IT TOOK their names in their lifetime and unto ages of APPROXIMATELY 12,000 SHELLFISH TO EXTRACT 1.5 GRAMS OF THE PURE DYE (PURPURA). ages...) Furthermore, it was also extremely costly to produce Although the names of the ungodly are forgotten, their FINELY WOVEN LINEN. wicked and unrepented deeds will be exposed and In addition, the consumption of such lavish meals every judged by God because EVERYTHING WILL BE EXPOSED day was also evidence of much prosperity and BY HIS DIVINE LIGHT AND TRUTH AT THE FINAL decadence since others ate very simple meals of basic JUDGEMENT ON THE EIGHTH DAY THE BEGINNING OF foods whatever they could either grow themselves or ETERNITY. were able to purchase at the marketplace. THE RICH MANS DESPERATE APPEAL TO ST ABRAHAM AS A Meat and any other extravagant dishes would be served SPIRITUAL FATHER WAS NOT REJECTED, for he addressed only on very special occasions and then only by those the tormented man as Son, AND SPOKE TO HIM WITH who were able to afford them. COMPASSION BY EXPLAINING THE TRUTH AND REALITY OF OUR LORD JESUS ALWAYS CONTRASTED HIS SACRED LESSONS THE SPIRITUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THOSE ALREADY IN WITH EXTREME AND OPPOSITE SCENARIOS, and in THIS HADES (I.E. BEFORE THE HARROWING OF HADES BY OUR CRUCIFIED CHRIST) TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE TWO MENS CIRCUMSTANCES, He THE TORMENTED AND THE REPOSED - AND THOSE WHO brings our attention to the complete opposite of the WERE STILL ALIVE ON EARTH. rich mans self-indulgent lifestyle - to that of the The great Gulf is not a physical or geographical divide destitute and suffering beggar lying so patiently at his but THE COMPLETE SEPARATION BETWEEN VIRTUE AND gate. VICE goodness and wickedness AN IRREVOCABLE ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE NATURE, CHRIST KNEW THE SEPARATION THAT CANNOT BE OVERCOME OR CORRECTED SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF POOR LAZAROS AND THAT HE AFTER DEATH. HAD BEEN CARRIED BY ANGELS TO THE COMFORTING It is of great significance that NOT EVEN THE TORMENTS HE BOSOM OF ABRAHAM, WHICH REVEALED THAT LAZAROS HAD SUFFERED IN HADES HAD CHANGED THE RICH MANS ACCEPTED HIS LIFE WITH PATIENT GRATITUDE TO GOD AND HEART because he still regarded poor Lazaros as a NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT HIS SAD SITUATION. mere servant who existed to fulfil the Rich Mans own The ancient Patriarch, ST ABRAHAM, WAS MENTIONED BY selfish bidding and desires! CHRIST AMONG ALL THE RIGHTEOUS BECAUSE IN STARK In other words, NOT EVEN THE TORMENTS OF HADES CAN CONTRAST TO THE RICH MAN, ST ABRAHAM HAD ALWAYS CHANGE A STUBBORN, SELF-SEEKING SINNER! SHOWN WELCOMING AND GENEROUS HOSPITALITY TO ALL THIS SACRED LESSON OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALS STRANGERS EVEN THE HOLY TRINITY. ( R E F E R G E N E S I S 1 8 : 1 8) TO US THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS: a man who was not On the contrary, THE RICH MAN WHO LIVED SUCH A LAVISH, even a faithful servant of God called out for mercy THOUGHTLESS EXISTENCE, SUFFERED INDESCRIBABLE ... from Hades and conversed with St Abraham! TORMENTS IN HADES... WHILE BEING ABLE TO SEE THE Some scholars see this After-death account as being set RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE WHO RESTED PEACEFULLY IN THE after the Final Judgement of Christ, citing the COMFORT OF ABRAHAMS BOSOM Punishment and Reward that will be received by the ABRAHAMS BOSOM WAS A FORETASTE OF HEAVEN AND THE PLACE OF PEACEFUL two men respectively. REPOSE FOR GODS FAITHFUL PEOPLE UNTIL CHRIST DESCENDED INTO HADES, However, OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS REGARD THIS SMASHED OPEN THE IMPRISONING GATES AND SET THE RIGHTEOUS FREE TO REST IN THE RE-OPENED PARADISE UNTIL THE GENERAL RESURRECTION AND THE FINAL ACCOUNT AS BEING DURING A TIME AFTER DEATH BUT JUDGEMENT AT HIS SECOND COMING. BEFORE THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, AS EVIDENCED Christ mentioned that THE RICH MAN HAD BEEN BURIED, BY THE MAN INTERCEDING ON BEHALF OF HIS FIVE which our Holy Fathers regard as ILLUSTRATING THE BROTHERS WHO WERE STILL ALIVE. STATE OF HIS THOUGHTLESS, UNCARING AND MERCILESS The multiple Torments the Rich Man experienced would be SOUL WHICH WAS BURIED BY THE PLEASURES OF HIS SELFmerely A HIDEOUS FORETASTE OF HIS FINAL JUDGEMENT INDULGENT FLESH. AND SPIRITUAL STATE IN ETERNITY. In other words, THE RICH MAN WAS ALREADY BURIED DURING HIS LIFETIME by his ... couches, rugs, furnishings,
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From this perspective, we are taught that SOULS OF THE

DEPARTED HAVE AN AWARENESS OF AND CONCERN FOR THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THOSE WHO STILL LIVE ON EARTH, BUT ALSO THAT - ALTHOUGH THE INTERCESSORY PRAYERS OF THE WICKED MAN FOR DIVINE MERCY FOR THE REST OF HIS LIVING FAMILY ARE HEARD, SADLY THEY WILL BENEFIT NEITHER HIM NOR HIS FAMILY. L U K E 9 : 3 0 - 3 1 : CHRISTS PASSION ON THE CROSS WAS a
EVERYONE KNEW EACH OTHER VERY WELL AND THERE WAS AN ELEMENT OF COMPLETE TRUST BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL UNITED IN THE SAME FAITH AND MANNER OF WORSHIP. EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD AND PRESERVED THE SANCTITY OF SUCH GATHERINGS AND SHARING OF ONE ANOTHERS PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL BURDENS. NO ONE GOSSIPPED OR SCANDALISED ABOUT WHATEVER THEY WITNESSED DURING THEIR SANCTIFIED GATHERINGS. THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT WE ARE ALL SINNERS SEEKING REDEMPTION IN CHRIST JESUS SO NO ONE COULD OR WANTED TO POINT ACCUSING FINGERS AT EACH OTHER.
fulfilment of the Old Covenant Passover and was THE TRUE EXODUS FROM SPIRITUAL ENSLAVEMENT OF SIN INTO GLORIOUS SALVATION AND SPIRITUAL FREEDOM OF ETERNAL LIFE. Only in His human Nature could Christ experience Death and descend into Hades where, IN HIS DIVINE NATURE, HE SMASHED OPEN THE GATES OF HADES AND SET THE RIGHTEOUS SOULS FREE, while the stubbornly unrepentant souls remained there, tormented by the Foretaste of Eternal Death suffering the unspeakable horrors of the total absence of God and everything good! 2 M A C C A B E E S 1 5 : 1 2 - 1 6 : The Hebrews believed that THE DEPARTED SAINTS LIKE ST JEREMIAH ARE ALIVE EVEN BEFORE THE GENERAL RESURRECTION. This was clearly confirmed by the New Covenant when ST MOSES AND ST ELIJAH APPEARED WITH CHRIST AT HIS GLORIOUS TRANSFIGURATION ON MOUNT TABOR, WHICH WAS WITNESSED BY ST PETER, ST JAMES, AND HIS BROTHER, ST JOHN the Divine Apostle and Theologian. M A T T H E W 2 : 1 8 : The Book of Jeremiah mentions that when the people of Jerusalem were led into exile, they passed Ramah, near Bethlehem, where the tomb of St Jacobs wife, St Rachel, was situated. In his Prophecy, ST JEREMIAH SAW ST RACHEL LAMENTING, WEEPING AND MOURNING FROM HER GRAVE, BEING DEEPLY
SORROWFUL FOR THE FATE THAT HAD BEFALLEN HER DESCENDENTS, AND THIS WAS REPEATED AT THE TIME OF THE MERCILESS SLAUGHTER OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS,
However, as the Church grew, and more often than not, other people who were not part of the Christian Community would attend, many of whom hoped to become Catechumens and then be Baptised Christians. Some attended out of mere curiosity or even possibly with other more sinister motives. Consequently communal, public Confessions became less desirable and even dangerous during the persecutions of Christians . Instead of Confessions before the entire Christian Community, REPENTANT SINNERS CONFESSED IN PRIVATE BEFORE A PRIEST (WHO REPRESENTS OUR FELLOW SINNERS,) AND IN THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD (WHO, THROUGH HIS
ORDAINED SERVANTS, THE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS, GRANTS US FORGIVENESS OF SINS.)
which occurred approximately two years after the Birth of Christ when all male infants were murdered by order of the insane and cruel King Herod. Thus the weeping of St Rachel for her suffering children demonstrates that SAINTS IN HEAVEN ARE VERY AWARE OF AND COMPASSIONATE TOWARDS ALL WHO STRUGGLE IN LIFE ON EARTH. CONSEQUENTLY, WE TURN TO THEM FOR THEIR PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE.
THE HUMAN SOUL IS IMMORTAL IT NEVER DIES SO IT REMAINS ALIVE AND AWARE OF BOTH THE VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE WORLDS. SOULS THAT HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A CLOSE AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD CONTINUE AFTER THIS LIFE TO BE IN THE DIVINE PRESENCE. OBVIOUSLY THEN, THOSE THAT HAVE REJECTED GOD AND REFUSED TO MAKE ANY EFFORT TO GET CLOSE TO GOD HAVE CHOSEN THEIR ALIENATION AND SPIRITUAL EXILE FOR ALL ETERNITY AND WILL THUS SUFFER THE UNCEASING TORMENTS OF HELL FOREVER WITH NO RESPITE OR RELIEF AND BEING COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM EVERYTHING OF GOD AND HIS GOODNESS.
What is definitely NOT TAUGHT IN HOLY SCRIPTURE IS PRIVATE CONFESSION ONLY TO GOD, WHEREBY WE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINS TO OUR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OUR FELLOW STRUGGLING SINNERS - AGAINST WHOM WE COMMIT OUR SINS! 1 J O H N 1 : 8 1 0 : If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. If we Confess our sins, (Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us! V FAITH IS PROVED BY GOOD WORKS I.E. OUR FAITH MUST PRODUCE PURITY IT MUST PRACTICE THE TRUTH WHERE TRUTH IS A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THAT IS MANIFESTED IN A HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS LIFE IN CHRIST. V And TRUE FAITH MUST ALWAYS SEEK FORGIVENESS for and cleansing from sin THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST ... CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN. V SIN MOST CERTAINLY DOES EXIST AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE PRACTICE OF REGULAR CONFESSION IS THE ESTABLISHED BASIS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Furthermore, ALTHOUGH WE CONTINUOUSLY COMMIT SIN, WE
MUST JUST AS CEASELESSLY STRIVE TO AVOID ALL TEMPTATION THAT LEADS US INTO WICKEDNESS. SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A LONG, PERPETUAL PROCESS A CEASELESS AND WATCHFUL STRUGGLE the most essential part of which is a CONSTANT AWARENESS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EVERY SIN GREAT OR SMALL AND REGULAR REPENTANCE-CONFESSION COMBINED WITH
5 : 1 6 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective, Fervent Prayer of a Righteous person avails much. Some people allege that confessing our sins to God in the presence of a Priest is not Biblical! THE ANCIENT CHRISTIAN PRACTICE WAS TO CONFESS OUR TRESPASSES TO ONE ANOTHER and when a Christian was guilty of sinning, the matter was confessed before the entire Church AS A MOST HUMBLE ACT OF REPENTANCE. JAMES
EARLY CHURCHES CONSISTED OF GATHERINGS OF FAITHFUL IN SMALL GROUPS IN THE HOMES OF OTHER CHRISTIANS.
HOLY EUCHARIST.
V In order for fulfil these requirements and to make

good Spiritual Progress, A CONSTANT ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION IN ALL HOLY SERVICES, HOLY MYSTERIES AND PERSONAL PRAYERS IS VITAL. V THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST EFFECTS HEALING PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL THROUGH WORKS OF FAITH SUCH AS CONFESSION OF OUR SINS AND THE POWER OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER.
The Rich Man & Poor Lazaros

Over the years, I have heard many Christian Teachers claim that one should not attempt to derive Doctrine from the Parables of Christ, asserting that they utilize confusing symbolism and hidden meaning, making it difficult to clearly understand what Christ was trying to say, thus leading to the possibility of doctrinal error. However, it seems to me that there are plenty of people who misunderstand and misinterpret even the plain and straight-forward Teachings of Christ, such as when He said: ...unless a man is born again of water and the Spirit, he shall not see the Kingdom of God... or when He said: ...unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you have no Life in you. THESE ARE BOTH VERY CLEAR AND DIRECT STATEMENTS OF CHRIST, UNDERSTOOD - BY HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND THE CHURCH FROM DAY ONE - TO APPLY TO HOLY BAPTISM AND THE EUCHARIST, RESPECTIVELY. Yet today many Christians no longer care to know what the Holy Apostles or the early Holy Church Fathers actually taught, or what the early Church believed. They no longer measure their own beliefs by this yardstick, but are content to accept contemporary doctrinal models - even if that means CREATIVELY
REINTERPRETING OR OUTRIGHT DISMISSING CERTAIN
22ND AP 5TH
OF
5.
HOLY SCRIPTURES that just ...dont quite fit! Case in point: Todays Sacred Lesson, which consists of certain aspects that align precisely with historic Christian Teaching quite well, but which tend to make many modern believers cringe. For example, when the Eternal Destinies of these two men were prefigured by Poor Lazaros being carried away by Gods Angels to Abrahams Bosom [I.E. RESTING IN PEACE], while the formerly Rich Man was taken down into the torments of Hades, absolutely NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE PERSONAL FAITH OF EITHER OF THEM. For many of our Brethren today thats a positively ghastly omission! Whats even worse is that Father Abraham told the Rich Man that Poor Lazaros was being comforted after suffering a lifetime of abject misery, whereas the RICH MAN WAS BEING TORMENTED BECAUSE HE HAD
PORTIONS OF THE LIVED A LIFE OF GREAT COMFORT COUPLED WITH A CALLOUS NEGLECT OF THE NEEDS OF THOSE AROUND HIM.
As we contemplate todays Sacred Lesson, we certainly find much to which we all need to pay closer attention. Although most of us are probably not at all like Poor Lazaros, who bore his Cross without complaint and unless we eventually become like the All Wise Father Abraham - that only leaves one other character to whom we might be similar! And although it is uncomfortable to consider ourselves similar to the Rich Man aside from ... being clothed in purple and fine linen - and dining sumptuously every day... in every other way the comparison is uncanny. Most of us are ALMOST ALWAYS FAR MORE CONCERNED WITH
OUR OWN LIFE AND PLEASURE THAN WITH THE REAL NEEDS OF OTHERS. IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO LOOK PAST THOSE IN NEED AND TO SIMPLY IGNORE THEM.
This would seem to move us even farther away from the modern notion that Salvation is entirely a matter of right Faith alone and has nothing to do with ones earthly Works or way of life. We begin to understand why THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD JESUS ARE NOT SO POPULAR TODAY. And not just the Parables, but MUCH OF OUR LORDS TEACHING AS WELL. V For, WHILE HE SPOKE OFTEN OF THE NEED TO BELIEVE IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE, HE ALSO SPOKE THROUGHOUT HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY ON THE NEED FOR CHARITABLE WORKS AND RIGHTEOUS LIVING AS WELL. In fact HE SUMMED UP HIS TEACHING ON THIS MATTER BY WARNING US: Not all who say to Me, Lord, Lord, shall see the Kingdom of Heaven, except those who do the Will of My Father Who is in Heaven... Clearly, NOT ALL WHO MERELY BELIEVE AND CALL JESUS CHRIST LORD WILL BE SAVED - ONLY THOSE WHO DO THE WILL OF HIS ETERNAL, HEAVENLY FATHER the most important Truth for us all to remember! And what is the Will of God our Heavenly Father? WE ARE TAUGHT ABOUT THE WILL OF GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BY CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR - His Only Begotten Son - WHO CONTINUOUSLY INSTRUCTS AND COMPELS US TO FEED THE HUNGRY, GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY, CARE FOR THE STRANGER, CLOTHE THE NAKED, VISIT THE SICK, MINISTER TO THOSE IN PRISON, AND PREACH HIS HOLY GOSPEL HIS DIVINE TRUTH WITHOUT ERROR OR OMISSION! In other words, WE ARE TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET AND THE HEART OF OUR MOST COMPASSIONATE LORD JESUS, and DO EXACTLY WHAT HE WOULD DO IN THE MIDST OF SUCH HUMAN SUFFERING. WE ARE, AFTER ALL, HIS BODY ON EARTH, CALLED OUT FROM AMONG THE NATIONS TO CARRY ON HIS DIVINE MINISTRY TO THE FALLEN, HURT AND SUFFERING PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD. EVERYTHING THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DID DURING HIS LIFETIME ON EARTH, WE ARE TO CONTINUE DOING so that His Love (DIVINE LOVE AGAPE) might be manifested (REVEALED) in us and through us - SO THAT THE WORLD MIGHT KNOW THAT WE ARE HIS BLESSED CHILDREN AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS. THIS IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL THAT FAR TOO OFTEN
HAS BEEN DISTORTED OR NEGLECTED BY SO MANY PEOPLE today. And here I include Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants alike, for WE ALL SHARE A MEASURE OF GUILT IN THIS.
I dont mean to paint an entirely negative picture of how most of us flawed human beings behave, because there are many times when we are quite capable of being good models of True Spirituality and Compassion for others. Whenever we hear of someones great need we may fall piously to our knees and pray: Oh Lord, raise someone up to help that person! Someone else, Lord, because Thou knowest how busy I am! YES, IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO BE TOO BUSY - TOO
PROTECTIVE AND SELFISH OF OUR OWN TIME AND EFFORTS - AND TOO BLIND AND UNFEELING - just as
the Rich Man was with Poor Lazaros. Yet when we really get down to it, GOD NEVER ASKS TOO MUCH OF US! He simply wants us to STOP LIVING AS IF WE, ALONE, ARE THE CENTRE OF OUR OWN LITTLE UNIVERSE. He wants us all to realise to acknowledge - that A SELF-INDULGENT LIFE IS NOT TRUE LIFE AT ALL IT IS NOT THE REAL PURPOSE OF OUR CREATION AND EXISTENCE. God is a Good Father, and like all good Fathers HE WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO OUTGROW THE NARCISSISM OF CHILDHOOD AND LEARN TO LOVE AND TO CARE FOR OTHERS. That is such a hard lesson for many of us to learn, isnt it? We all tend to live for ourselves or our own families, for work and for play, and make so little time for anything or anyone else. GOD WANTS US TO GIVE OF OURSELVES FOR OTHERS, LEST WE WIND UP LIKE THE RICH MAN IN A PLACE OF TORMENT CAUSED ENTIRELY BY OUR OWN SELFISHNESS. Todays Sacred Lesson is vitally important to our Life and Instruction. V GOOD WORKS OF CHARITY [I.E. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OR AGAPE] ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR ETERNAL SALVATION. IT IS SO TRAGIC THAT SO MANY BELIEVERS OF OUR DAY AND AGE DENY THIS - thinking all the while that they are protecting the True Gospel of Christ [ OUR GOD OF TRUE,
INFINITE AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!]
Yes, it is true that some people subscribe to distorted, even heretical teachings that claim that God only cares about what a person believes and is entirely unconcerned with how they actually live. However, all too sadly, THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE BELIEVERS WHO ATTEND CHURCHES IN WHICH BOTH RIGHT BELIEVING AND RIGHT LIVING ARE PREACHED, YET THEY SIMPLY FAIL TO LIVE UP TO IT!
WHAT IS EVEN SADDER, HOWEVER, IS WHEN CHRISTIANS KNOW THAT WORKS OF LOVE AND MERCY ARE IMPORTANT, BUT STILL DO NOT MAKE ANY EFFORT TO FULFIL THEM. NO ONE IS SAVED APART FROM CHRIST - NEITHER CAN ANY CHRISTIAN EXPECT TO IGNORE THE NEEDS OF OTHERS AND BE AWARDED ETERNAL LIFE DUE MERELY TO FAITH ALONE. WE NEED FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND TO ALLOW THAT FAITH TO MATURE WITHIN US, LEADING US TO WORKS (DEEDS) OF MERCY THAT REVEAL CHRIST IN US - that ultimately validate our Faith and give it True Life in Christ!
FATHER MICHAEL REAGAN ST BARNABAS ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, USA HTTP://THEABANDONEDMIND.BLOGSPOT.COM/2006/11/RICH-MAN-ANDLAZARUS.HTM
6.
22ND AP 5TH
OF
8 November 2012 Synaxis of the Holy Archangels: St Michael, St Gabriel, St Raphael, St Uriel, St Salaphiel, St Jegudiel & St Barachiel & all the Heavenly Hosts
Also the Feast of St Alexander of Guria
Festal Apolytikion Synaxis Archangels & Heavenly Hosts
Ton
Ouranion Stration Arhistratigi, disopoumen imas imis i anaxii, ina tes imon deisesi, tehisite imas, Skepi ton pterigon, tis aflou imon Doxis, frourountes imas prospiptontas, ektenos ke Voontas. Ek ton kindinon litrosasthe imas, os Taxiarhe ton ano Dinamenon.
ye Foremost of the Heavenly Hosts, we who are unworthy, beseech You that by Your Petitions You encompass us with the Protection of Your Immaterial Glory, preserving us who kneel and cry ceaselessly: Deliver us from oppressions, since You are the Princes of the Ranks of Dominions on High
Festal Kontakion: Entry of Theotokos into Temple
O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke The

Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou, simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
Most Pure Temple of the Saviour, the Precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
Matins -
Holy Gospel According To St Matthew 18 : 10 20
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in Heaven their Angels always see the Face of My Father Who is in Heaven. For the Son of Man has come to Save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than the ninety-nine sheep that did not go astray. Even so, it is not the Will of your Father Who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Furthermore, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault - between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. However, if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the Church. But if he refuses even to hear the Church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Assuredly, I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven. Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven. For when two or three are gathered together in My Name, I Am there in the midst of them.
Festal Prokeimenon
Who makes spirits His Angels and a Flame of Fire His Ministers. Bless the Lord, O my soul;
O Lord, my God, You have been greatly Magnified!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 2 : 2 10

Beware Of Wilful Negligence
Brethren, if the word spoken through Angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a Just Reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation? Which, at the first, began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness, both with Signs and Wonders, with various Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own Will. For He has not put the world to come of which we speak, in subjection to Angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: What is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the Son of Man that Thou takes care of Him? Thou hast made Him with Glory and Honour, and set Him over the works of Thy Hands. Thou hast put all things in subjection under His Feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we do not yet see all things put under Him. Yet we see Jesus Who was made a little lower than the Angels, for the suffering of death, Crowned with Glory and Honour, that He, by the Grace of God, might taste Death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to Glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation Perfect through sufferings.
(SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR DONATIONS)
SYNAXIS
OF THE
HOLY ARCHANGELS &
THE
HEAV
ENLY
H O S T S - 8 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 7.
Holy Gospel According to St Luke 10: 16 21

Our Lords Sending Forth Of His 70 Apostles And His Cautionary Warnings To Them
At that time our Lord Jesus said to them: He who hears you, hears Me, he who rejects you, rejects Him Who sent Me. Then the Seventy returned with Joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name! So He told them: I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I grant you the Authority to trample upon 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. The Synaxis of the Holy Archangels & Heavenly Hosts of God On 8 November, the Holy Orthodox Church of Christ 8 November is specifically a Feast of St Michael the celebrates the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel, which goes back in history to the Archangels and the Heavenly Hosts of Almighty God. Commemoration of the church in Arcadia, Constantinople, which is dedicated to him. The term Synaxis means THE GATHERING OF FAITHFUL THE TITLE ANGELOS MEANS MESSENGER OR ONE WHO IS BELIEVERS TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL FEAST or to commemorate a Great and Holy Saint. SENT, WAS GIVEN TO THE INCORPOREAL HOSTS BY GOD TODAYS HOLY FEAST IS THE GATHERING OF ALL BECAUSE OF THEIR FUNCTION OF SERVING MANKIND FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION: ... are they not all INTELLECTUAL CREATURES OF GOD: MANKIND AND THE HEAVENLY HOSTS : ... their Union, their Gathering Ministering Spirits sent forth to Minister for those who shall be Heirs of Salvation? (HEBREWS 1:14) and standing in Fear before our Creator. [FESTAL SYNAXARION] Holy Scripture does not mention exactly when the Angels After the rebellion and consequent banishment of Satan were created, but the Church in its Divine Inspired and his wicked angels (DEMONS) from Heaven, this Holy Holy Tradition - through the writings of our Holy Feast is THE CELEBRATION OF SOBRIETY AND UNITY OF Fathers, chiefly St John of Damascus, St John Cassian, ALL THE OTHER HEAVENLY RANKS OF GODS FAITHFUL St Basil the Great, St Gregory the Theologian, St AND TRUE ANGELIC HOSTS the innumerable Angelic Ambrose of Milan, St Dimitri of Rostov, St Dionysios Powers who are so steadfastly Loyal and Obedient to the Areopagite - believe that God and His Divine Will. V THE HEAVENLY, INCORPOREAL HOSTS WERE CREATED We celebrate also the contribution of the Angels FROM "NOTHING" PRIOR TO THE SENSIBLE MATERIAL and Archangels, and their help and support in WORLD AND PRIOR TO MANKIND. our ceaseless Warfare against Satan and his dark ANGELS WERE CREATED BY GOD TO GLORIFY HIM, TO powers. [FESTAL SYNAXARION] FAITHFULLY SERVE HIM AND TO CONTEMPLATE HIM: WE JOYOUSLY COMMEMORATE THIS FEAST OF UNITY BETWEEN "...when the stars were created, all My Angels THE HEAVENLY HOSTS AND MANKIND, which is not in the were Glorifying Me and Praising Me." (JOB 38:7). ... Life to come... [ETERNITY] at the end of times, but THE LOGOS OF GOD the Word and Only Begotten Son of WHICH BEGINS IN THIS PRESENT EXISTENCE IN OUR God, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ - created EARTHLY WORLD, NOW! them "... for by Him were all things created, that THE HOLY ANGELS DIRECT AND GUARD THE FAITHFUL are in Heaven, and that are on earth, visible and CHILDREN OF GOD [ADOPTED THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM AND invisible - whether they be Thrones, or CHRISMATION] while WE CONSTANTLY STRUGGLE AGAINST THE Dominions, or Principalities or Powers - all TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE WHO SEEKS OUR things were created by Him and for Him." (COLOSSIANS 1:16). DESTRUCTION THROUGH OUR ALIENATION FROM GOD. V ANGELS HAVE A MAJOR ROLE IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THE HEAVENLY HOSTS REJOICE WITH ALL REPENTANT SINNERS EACH AND EVERY HUMAN BEING. EVERY PRODIGAL SON WHO by acknowledging THEY CONVEY ALL THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO US - according to their sins - MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CORRECT THEIR their Rank and depending on our Spiritual State: SPIRITUAL CONDITION THROUGH REPENTANCEPurification, Illumination or Deification. CONFESSION AND RETURN TO A CLOSE, PERSONAL "The more we Purify ourselves, the more we know RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD. God, and the more we Love Him." (ST. GREGORY THE THEY INTERCEDE ON OUR BEHALF to our Lord and place our THEOLOGIAN). Prayers before His Heavenly Throne. TRULY SPIRITUAL PEOPLE RESEMBLE ANGELS, as St. Gregory Consequently, there is A COMMON LITURGICAL WORK of Nyssa commented: Spiritual Life allows our BETWEEN THE HOLY ANGELS AND US human beings. spirit to enter the world of Angels." The Angels offer A CEASELESS DOXOLOGY AND NOETIC During our Spiritual Purification "...we need an Angel to WORSHIP TOGETHER WITH US TO GOD. help us overcome our passions, since we are not They offer to the Holy Trinity the Trisagion the Thrice Perfect," according to Origen. Holy Prayers and Hymns to the Holy Trinity and WE V SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION ENABLES OUR SOUL TO ENTER
SINNERS ARE ABLE TO RECITE THE WORDS IN UNISON WITH THEM: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of Sabaoth: the
Heavens and earth are filled with Thy Glory! Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest! DURING THE DIVINE LITURGY THE HEAVENLY HOSTS GATHER AROUND THE HOLY ALTAR TOGETHER WITH OUR CELEBRANT PRIESTS AND SERVE THE LITURGY TOGETHER WITH THEM. (REFER ICON ABOVE )
VERY YOUNG BABIES AND CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BEHOLD THE HEAVENLY HOSTS WHO ARE GATHERED AROUND THE HOLY ALTAR - AND THEY REACT JOYFULLY TO THEM DURING THE LITURGY. FOR THAT REASON IT IS OF GREAT BENEFIT TO THEIR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT TO BE BROUGHT TO CHURCH FROM THE FIRST MONTHS OF THEIR LIFE. IT IS PERFECTLY NATURAL FOR BABIES TO BE IN THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF GOD AND HIS HEAVENLY HOSTS.
THE ANGELIC WORLD AND TO FINALLY ATTAIN A MOST WONDERFUL LIFE OF UNION WITH GOD. ANGELS CONTEMPLATE HOW OUR SOUL MOVES out of the
So THERE IS ONLY ONE, UNIFIED CELEBRATION ONE FEAST THAT IS COMMON TO MANKIND AND THE HEAVENLY HOSTS OF GOD: ... Angels with human, celebrate together... THE EARTHLY WITH THE HEAVENLY SPEAK ... through Thy Cross, our Christ, our God; the Angels and mankind become one: Church, Heaven and earth are United, O Lord: Glory to Thee! [LITURGY OF THE FEAST OF ARCHANGELS & TROPARION OF WEDNESDAY
ORTHROS]
darkness of sin to a Blessed State of Spiritual Illumination and Grace - AND PASSES US OVER TO THE GLORY THAT THE DIVINE LOGOS GRANTED TO MANKIND in His Union with human nature. V ANGELS WAIT FOR A DEIFIED PERSON TO BE UNITED TO PRAYER AND UPLIFTED TO GOD: "... Angels wait for the death of Martyrs so as to lead their soul to its place..." and "...they surround the Martyrs on their Way to God and accompany them to the Holy of Holies where the Holy Trinity is located - in the midst of Cherubim and Seraphim..." [ST GREGORY OF NYSSA & ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM] NOTHING PROHIBITS US FROM LIVING LIKE ANGELS, FOR ANGELIC LIFE IS GRANTED TO EVERY TRULY FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN. Many cannot see Angels, nor do they accept Help from them because they are prevented by their passions that darken both soul and heart. WHEN FREED THROUGH REPENTANCE, GOD GRANTS US HIS LIGHT AND AN ANGEL OF PEACE, WHO WILL DIRECT AND PROTECT US.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: WRITTEN BY NABIL SEMAAN, PIERREFONDS, QUE ST STEPHEN'S PROGRAM OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES htp://aggreen.net/beliefs/the_angels.html
THE HOLY ANGELS OF GOD ARE ESSENTIAL MEMBERS OF CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH I.E. THE BODY OF CHRIST.
8.
SYNAXIS
OF THE
HOLY ARCHANGELS & HEAV
ENLY
HOSTS - 8 NOVEMBER 2012
All Glo ry, Honou r and Worship to th e Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and fo rever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorio us 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.
9 November 2012 St Nektarios of Pentapolis & Aegina

Also the Feast of St Onesiphoros of Ephesos St Porphyrios of Ephesos St Matrona, Abbess of Constantinople - St Onesiphoros the Confessor of Kiev Near Caves Monastery St Alexander of Thessalonika - St Anthony of Apamea St John the Short /the Dwarf of Egypt - St Eustolia of Constantinople St Sopatra of Constantinople - St Theoktiste of Lesbos St Euthymios & St Neophytos the Co-Founders of Dochiarious Monastery, Mount Athos - the Holy Icon of our Ever Blessed Lady Theotokos Quick to Hear
ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS WRITTEN BY JULIA BRIDGET HAYES
Festal Apolytikion of St Nektarios TONE 1
Silivrias
ton Gonon ke Eginis ton eforon, ton eskhatis hronis fanenta, aretis Filon Gnision, Nektarion Timisomen Pisti, os entheon theraponta Hristou; anavlizi gar iasis pantodapas, tis evlavos kravgazousi: Doxa to Se, Doxanti Hristo, Doxa to Se Thavmastosanti! Doxa to Energounti dia Sou, pasin iamata!
Silivrias
Offspring and Protector of Aegina, the True Friend of all Virtue, who appeared to us lately, Nektarios the Godly Servant of Christ, let us honour, we the Faithful; for he pours forth Healings of every kind, on those who Piously cry out: Glory to Christ Who Glorified Thee! Glory to Him Who Magnified Thee! Glory to the One Who Works through Thee, Healings for everyone!
Festal Kontakion Of St Nektarios TONE PLAGAL 4
Orthodoxias
ton Astera ton Neofoton, ke Ekklisias to Neodmiton protihisma, animnisomen kardias en evfrosini. Doxasthis gar energia ti tou Pnevmatos, iamaton anavlizi Harin afthonon, tis kravgazousi. Heris Pater Nektarie!
The
latest shining Star of Orthodoxy and the newly erected Rampart of the Church let our hearts joyfully praise. For, Glorified by the Work of the Spirit, he abundantly pours forth the Grace of Healing to those who cry out: "Hail, O Father Nektarios!"
Festal Kontakion Of The Entry Into The Temple Of The Ever Blessed Theotokos

Most Pure Temple of the Saviour, the Precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
Matins Gospel According to St Matthew 24 : 42 - 47

At that time, our Lord said: Watch, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this: that if the Master of the house had known what hour the thief should come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Master made ruler over His Household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Master, when He comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that He will make him Ruler over all His Goods..
Festal Prokeimenon
My mouth shall speak Wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, Understanding. Thy Priests shall clothe themselves in Righteousness; Thy Saints shall greatly rejoice!
St Pauls First Epistle to the Thessalonians 2 : 14 20
St Paul defends His Holy Mission
Brethren: you became imitators of the churches of God, which are in Judea and in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own Prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all mankind, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles so that they may be Saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but Wrath has come upon them to the utmost. But we, Brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence - not in heart - endeavoured more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you even I, Paul, time and again but Satan hindered us. For what is our Hope, or Joy, or Crown of Rejoicing? Is it not even you in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His Coming? For you are our Glory and Joy. This was an extremely strong indictment against the Although the PERSECUTION THAT WAS SUFFERED BY THE Jewish leaders and their ill-advised Flock. CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF THESSALONIKA WAS MAINLY However, St Pauls Love for his fellow Hebrews never DUE TO THE PAGAN GREEKS, St Paul was very honest wavered and he would rather have been cursed concerning HIS MISGUIDED FELLOW HEBREWS who : himself if it would have caused them to turn to our REJECTED OUR SAVIOUR the long awaited Messiah Lord Jesus Christ for their Eternal Salvation. ... KILLED BOTH OUR LORD JESUS ... ROMANS 9: 3: ... I could wish that I myself were accursed ...AND THEIR OWN PROPHETS... from Christ for my Brethren my countrymen PERSECUTED THE APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST according to the flesh... DID NOT PLEASE GOD and ROMANS 10:1: Brethren: my hearts desire and Prayer to WERE HOSTILE TOWARDS ALL MANKIND God for Israel is that they may be Saved.
ST NEKTARIOS
THE
WONDERWORKER
OF
PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA - 9 NOVEMBER 2012
9.
Although unable to prevail against the Holy Church of Christ, or to overcome the unwavering, steadfast Faithful Disciples of Christ, OUR GREATEST ENEMIES
(SATAN AND HIS DEMONS)
ARE AT TIMES ALLOWED TO HINDER
BENEFIT - especially those who are making slow but sure Spiritual Progress because WHILE SUFFERING ADVERSITY AND SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE WE ENACT GODS DIVINE PROMISE: Resist the devil and he will flee from you! (MATTHEW 16 : 18 & JAMES 4:7)
US
BUT ONLY IF GOD PERMITS IT FOR OUR SPIRITUAL
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 13 : 31 - 35

Our Lord Jesus Christ & His Faithful Disciples continue towards Jerusalem
At that time, some Pharisees went to our Lord Jesus Christ and told Him: Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill Thee! And He said to them: Go. Tell that fox: Behold! I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the Third Day I shall be Perfected. Nevertheless, I must journey today, tomorrow and the following day; for it cannot be that a Prophet should perish outside Jerusalem. O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! The one who kills the Prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold! Your house is left to you desolate! And truly, I say to you: you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! This passage of the Holy Gospel according to St Luke 2. HIS GREAT LOVE FOR THE CITY OF JERUSALEM (THE CITY OF reveals the following facts: PEACE) NEVER WAVERED despite its continuous 1. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WENT VOLUNTARILY TO HIS state of rebellion and unnecessary bloodshed SALVIFIC PASSION due to His infinite, 3. HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE of exactly how He would be unconditional Love for all mankind received on that first Palm Sunday, followed by the horrific, unjust Events that would occur so quickly afterwards.
St Nektarios Wonderworker of Pentapolis & Aegina

St Nektarios was born on 1 October 1846 in Selybria in Thrace to a poor family. His given name was Anastasios Cephalas. At the age of 14 he moved to Constantinople (Istanbul) in order to go to work and further his education. In 1866 he went to the island of Chios where he taught school for seven years. St Nektarios became a Monk at the age of thirty, which is highly unusual in itself. Three years later he was ordained a Deacon, taking the name Nektarios. He graduated from the University of Athens in 1885. During his years as a student of the University of Athens he wrote many books, pamphlets, and Bible commentaries. Following his graduation he went to Alexandria, Egypt, where he was Ordained a Priest and served the Church in Cairo with great distinction. In recognition of his Piety and brilliance as a Preacher, as well as his administrative ability, he was consecrated Bishop/Metropolitan of Pentapolis by Patriarch Sophronios, which was an Egyptian See, in 1889. He served as a Bishop in Cairo for one year, and was unjustly removed from his post by jealous Clerics who envied his popularity with the people. Lies were made up about him by the jealous clergy. Patriarch Sophronios refused to listen to St Nektarios. He was sent away from Egypt without a trial or explanation, and was never given an opportunity to defend himself. After his unjust dismissal, he returned to Greece in 1891, where he sought employment as a Preacher. Eventually, after a long period of destitution, St Nektarios was appointed Preacher in the jurisdiction of Euboia, a large Greek island, north of Athens, where he served for two and a half years. In 1893 he was transferred to part of the Greek mainland, west of Athens. He served as Preacher there with the same great effectiveness as he had in Euboia. In 1894 he was appointed Director of Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens where his service was exemplary for fifteen years. He developed many courses of study, and wrote numerous books, all while preaching widely throughout Athens. In 1904 at the request of several Nuns, he established a Monastery for them on the island of Aegina. The Monastery was named Holy Trinity Monastery. In December of 1908, at the age of 62, St. Nektarios resigned as Director of the Theological School and withdrew to the Holy Trinity Convent on Aegina, where he lived out the rest of his life as a Monk. He wrote, published, preached, and heard Confessions from those who came from near and far to seek out his Spiritual Insights. While at the Monastery, St Nektarios tended the gardens, carried stones, and helped with the construction of the Monastery buildings that were built with his own funds. St Nektarios died on the evening of 9 November 1920,
(THE DAY AFTER THE COMMEMORATION OF ST. MICHAEL, ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGELS AND ALL THE HEAVENLY HOSTS), following hospitalization for Prostate Cancer. His body was taken to the Holy Trinity Convent, where he was buried by a Priest-Monk named Savvas, who later painted the first icon of St Nektarios. The funeral of St Nektarios was attended by multitudes of people from all parts of Greece and Egypt. Many people regarded St Nektarios as a Saint during his lifetime because of his Purity of life, Virtues, the nature of his publications, as well as the Miracles he performed. St Nektarios also had a unique Gift of Foreknowledge. When the Incorruptible Relics of St Nektarios were removed from the grave on 2 September 1953 a beautiful fragrance of Sanctity wafted through the area, as it had done after his repose at the hospital in Athens. Official recognition of Father Nektarios as a Saint, by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, took place on 20 April 1961. The Feast Day of St Nektarios is celebrated every year on 9 November and he has become the Patron Saint for all cancer sufferers. More than two thousand Miracles have been attributed to the Intercessory Prayers of St Nektarios. The first great Miracle attributed to St Nektarios occurred at the hospital where, during the last days of his life, he had lain in the ward for the terminally ill - among many other destitute patients. In the bed beside his, lay a patient who had been paralyzed for a very long time. As soon as St Nektarios gave up his spirit, a nurse and the Nun who had accompanied Father Nektarios and kept watch over him, began to prepare his body for transportation to Aegina for burial. They gently removed an old, thread-bare sweater from his body, and placed it on the bed of the paralytic while continuing their preparations. Suddenly, the patient felt strength returning to his paralysed limbs and, incredulously, he rose from his bed, praising the Lord with extreme gratitude and Joy. May the Memory of St Nektarios be Eternal!
http://orthodoxword.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/themonastery-st-nektarios-from-aegina/
10.
ST NEKTARIOS
THE
WONDERWORKER
OF
PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA - 9 NOVEMBER 2012
23rd Sunday After Pentecost
Tone(6) Plagal 2
11 November 2012
8th Sunday of St Luke The Good Samaritan
Also the Feast of St Menas of Egypt St Victor of Damascus St Vincent & St Stephanida of Spain St Theodore the Confessor of Studion St Maximos the Blessed Fool for Christ of Moscow St Martyrios the Abbot of Zelenets Monastery, Pskov St Stephen of Decani, Serbia St Martin the Merciful Bishop of Tours
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!
Kontakion Of Holy Male Martyrs Tone (8) Plagal 4
Martires Sou, Kyrie, en ti athlisis afton, to stefos ekomisanto tis aftharsias, ek Sou tou Theou imon; ehontes tin iskhin Sou, tous tirannous kathilon. Ethrafsan ke demonon ta aniskhira thrasi; afton tes ikesies Hriste, O Theos, soson tas psihas imon.
Thy loyal Martyrs, O Lord, while contending for Thee,
the Crown of Incorruption they earned for themselves, from Thee the God of all of us; for armed with Thy Might, they defeated the tyrants, and crushed all the demons and their powerless presumption. Through their Intercessions, O Christ our God, we pray to Thee to Save our souls!
Kontakion - Entry Into The Temple Of The Ever Blessed Theotokos

Most Pure Temple of our Saviour, the Precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
The Great Commission of Christ
Resurrection Gospel 1 : Matthew 28 : 16 20 Prokeimenon
Pray to the Lord our God, and give thanks to Him! God is known in Judea; His Name is great in Israel!
The Power of an Apostle of Christ
The Second Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 4 : 6 15

Brethren: we are persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the Dying of our Lord Jesus, so 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 believe and therefore I spoke, 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 sakes, so that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause Thanksgiving to abound to the Glory of God. TRUE CHRISTIANITY, BEING LIVED IN CHRIST WITH ALL However, that does not mean that we are able to sit HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD, IS VICTORIOUS back and wait for His Divine Providence; WE MUST
MAKE EVERY EFFORT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ASSIST OURSELVES AND OTHERS THEN GODS BLESSINGS ARE RETURNED TO US A HUNDRED TIMES MORE!! St Paul reminds us that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TAUGHT US AND REVEALED DIVINE MYSTERIES TO US BY HIS OWN PERFECT EXAMPLE. Consequently, ALWAYS KEEPING OUR LORD JESUS AS OUR SHINING BEACON OF LIGHT TO GUIDE US ALONG THE ROCKY PATHS OF LIFE, we may rest assured
BUT NOT TROUBLE-FREE. EVERY OBSTACLE ALONG THE PATH OF LIFE IN CHRIST BECOMES A HIDDEN BLESSING, and, by the Grace
of God we are always able to endure and overcome. Therefore, we have been taught by our Holy Church Fathers to THANK GOD EVEN FOR SUCH
DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE, WHICH BRING US CLOSER TO HIM. GOD ALLOWS US TO STRUGGLE through this earthly life because BY DOING SO, WE EXPERIENCE THE INFINITE LOVE OF GOD AND HIS GREAT MERCY, WHICH ENABLES US TO ACHIEVE WHAT FOR US ALONE WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. WITH GOD EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE THROUGH HIS DIVINE LOVE, WISDOM AND STRENGTH. As the Creator of everything visible and invisible, GOD IS IN CONTROL AND THUS, WE MUST LEARN TO TRUST AND TO DEPEND ON HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE.
that we, too, will be Resurrected and become worthy Citizens of Gods Eternal Kingdom of Love.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GODS GREAT MERCY AND LOVE COMPELS US ALL TO RESPOND TO HIM WITH CONSTANT THANKSGIVING AND PRAISES,
encouraged always with our Hope of Eternal Life and to assist, encourage and guide one another along the way.
23RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 8TH
OF
ST LUKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN 11 NOV
EMBER
2012
11
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 10 : 25 37

The Good Samaritan
At that time a certain Lawyer stood up to test our Lord Jesus by asking Him: Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life? And Jesus answered him: What is written in the Law? What is your reading of it? And he said: You shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind... and: ... your neighbour as yourself. And Jesus said to him: You have answered correctly; do that and you will live. And he - wanting to justify himself - said to Him: And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answered and said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Then by chance, a certain Priest went down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, went and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as He journeyed, went to where he lay. And when He saw him, He had Compassion. And He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and He set him on his own animal and took him to an Inn, and took care of him. The next day, before He departed He took out two denarii, gave them to the Innkeeper and said to him: Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. So, which of these three men do you think was neighbour to him who had fallen amongst thieves? And the Lawyer replied: He Who showed Mercy on him. And Jesus said to him: Go and do likewise! ALL TITLES AND SOCIAL STATUS IS MEANINGLESS IN GODS The term Lawyer, applied to THOSE WHO STUDIED SIGHT when they have nothing to do with Good MOSAIC LAW AND HOLY SCRIPTURE ESPECIALLY THE Deeds. SELF-RIGHTEOUS, ARROGANT, CONCEITED SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, who regarded themselves as being The dignity of the Priesthood means nothing unless the Priest also excels in (Good) Deeds. superior to the average person.
THESE SANCTIMONIOUS MEN LOOKED DOWN ON EVERYONE ELSE, priding themselves on what they thought they
(ST CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA)
knew. As a result, THEY REGARDED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A MERE NOBODY Whom they saw only as the Son of St Joseph the Carpenter or as Jesus of Nazareth, (i.e. from a small insignificant town). However, WITH CHRISTS PROFOUND DIVINE KNOWLEDGE
AND WISDOM, COMBINED WITH ALL HIS WONDERFUL, COMPELLING QUALITIES AND ABILITIES, THEY HAD ALSO BEGUN TO PERCEIVE HIM AS BEING A THREAT TO THEIR SOCIAL STATUS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING EXPOSED FOR THEIR TRUE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING DIVINE MATTERS. Knowing the hearts and souls of all people, OUR LORD JESUS HUMBLY USED THE LAWYERS OWN PERCEPTION AND UNDERSTANDING TO ANSWER HIS QUESTION
The fact that neither the Priest nor the Levite helped the dying man is another indication of THE FAILURE OF
THE OLD COVENANT TO HEAL THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN. THE GOOD SAMARITAN IS CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR.
Samaritans were despised by the Hebrews and were avoided at all costs.
CHRIST OUR LORD WAS ALSO DESPISED BY HIS ENEMIES EVEN THOUGH HE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO SAVE ALL HUMANITY including those who rebel against
God and those who reject Him.

THE DRESSING, CLEANSING AND SOOTHING OF HIS WOUNDS WITH OIL AND WINE that were applied to the dying mans wounds ARE SACRAMENTAL (MYSTERIOUS) IMAGES FOR OUR GARMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM, WHICH DELIVERS US FROM THE FATAL WOUNDS OF SIN, THE SANCTIFIED OIL AND MYRRH OF CHRISMATION, WHICH GRANTS US NEW LIFE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT; AND THE EUCHARISTIC COMMUNION OF CHRISTS DIVINE BODY AND BLOOD, WHICH LEADS US TO ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN.
concerning the inheritance of Eternal Life: What is written in the Law? What is YOUR reading of it? Nevertheless, after his reply was confirmed to be correct, THE LAWYER FURTHER FELT THE NEED TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF by enquiring: Who is my neighbour? And, very ingeniously, instead of answering him directly, OUR LORD JESUS USED THE PARABLE OF THE
GOOD SAMARITAN AS A MEANS OF - ONCE AGAIN TESTING THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ARROGANT MAN AND THOSE WHO HAD HEARD HIS WORDS. JERUSALEM was known as THE CITY OF PEACE, A PLACE OF WORSHIP, while JERICHO WAS NOTORIOUS AS A CITY OF INIQUITY AND WAS COMMONLY IDENTIFIED WITH ALL KINDS OF SINFUL, DEBAUCHED LIFESTYLES. So THE MAN HAD WALKED AWAY FROM PEACE AND WORSHIP TOWARDS TEMPTATION AND WICKEDNESS when he ...
The Good Samaritan gently placed the wounded Man upon His own animal, indicating how CHRIST
OUR MOST COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL LORD BEARS OUR SINS UPON HIS OWN BODY AND CARRIES OUR BURDENS UPON HIS SHOULDERS. THE INN AND THE INNKEEPER REFER TO THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST AND HIS HOLY PRIESTHOOD WHEREBY WE RECEIVE SPIRITUAL HEALING AND DIVINE CARE FOR ALL OUR WOUNDS SUFFERED THROUGHOUT LIFE ON EARTH
especially those sustained during the ceaseless Spiritual Warfare that is waged against us by the evil ones and their willing slaves.
OUR SPIRITUAL CARE IS PAID FOR IN FULL BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND EVERYONE WILL BE PROPERLY REPAID FOR ALL THEIR DEEDS BOTH GOOD AND BAD
fell among thieves... who, after robbing him of all his possessions, left him for dead. This is a reference to THE NATURAL CONSEQUENCES WITH
WHICH WE ARE ALL CONFRONTED WHEN WE TURN AWAY FROM GOD AFTER BEING LURED BY THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE AND WILFULLY ENTER A LIFE OF SIN WE LOSE ALL THE GOOD THINGS GRANTED TO US BY GOD AND VOLUNTARILY ENTER A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH. THE ULTIMATE THIEF IS SATAN who spreads his lies,
when He returns on the Eighth Day the dread Judgement Day the beginning of Eternity. 1 C O R I N T H I A N S 6 : 2 0 ... you were bought for a Price; therefore Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods 1 C O R I N T H I A N S 7 : 2 3 - You were bought at a Price; do not become slaves of men. Finally: TOGETHER WITH THE ARROGANT HEBREW
LAWYER, WE ARE EACH COMMANDED BY CHRIST TO TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER AND TO HAVE AS MUCH LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR EACH OTHER AS GOD HAS FOR US WRETCHED SINNERS!
deceptions and heresies among the people of God, thereby enticing both leaders and people.
8th Sunday of St Luke - The Good Samaritan

The most important of all questions put to our Saviour, Jesus Christ, was: What must I do to inherit Eternal Life? which reminds us that EVERYONE WILL BE CONFRONTED SOONER OR LATER BY DEATH by the end of this earthly, material existence AND, MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, ENTER ETERNITY. That essential question also sets before us ANOTHER VERY DESIRABLE AND SOUGHT AFTER LIFE, which is utterly different from this present life - ETERNAL LIFE. Eternal Life is not merely the life of our body or soul - It is the very Eternal Life OF GOD HIMSELF! If we rouse ourselves to SQUARELY CONFRONT THE FACT OF OUR IMPENDING DEATH, we might BECOME SOBER
ENOUGH TO BEGIN MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO REDEEM THE LIMITED TIME WE HAVE in the flesh - and we will then be compelled to SEEK EVERY MEANS POSSIBLE OF GAINING THAT ETERNAL LIFE OF WHICH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REVEALED TO US.
. 12 2 3 R D S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 8 T H
OF
EMBER
2012
Our Inspired, Holy Church Fathers have taught us what each aspect of this Divine Parable actually represents: JERUSALEM represents THE TREE OF LIFE that is in the Garden of Eden ALL THE VIRTUES AND TRUTH OF CHRIST THAT LEADS US TO ETERNAL LIFE. JERICHO is the TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, which is obviously THE TREE OF DEATH since it is opposite to the Tree of Life. Jericho was a walled, pagan city that worshipped its man-made idols similar to our contemporary, main godless world that has walled itself up in the citadels of its own scientific, religious and philosophical wisdom and which sets sinful, flawed and fallen people up as its idols and role models WORSHIPPING THE SO-CALLED WISDOM OF THEIR OWN
OPINIONS AND SPECULATIVE AND SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS AS THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS! It is THE IDOLISATION OF FLAWED, IMPERFECT HUMANITY who is merely breathing, animated clay of the earth who will all too soon be returned to the earth from whence we originate!
OUR IMMORTAL SOULS, HOWEVER, HAVING BEEN BREATHED INTO US BY THE LIFEGIVING HOLY SPIRIT, NEEDS TO RETURN TO GOD FROM WHENCE IT ORIGINATED. THEREFORE, WE REALLY NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BECOME WORTHY OF ETERNAL LIFE RATHER THAN ETERNAL CONDEMNATION THAT WILL ALIENATE US FROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS FOREVER! (mp)
OUR TRUTH PATH AND THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF OUR EXISTENCE ON EARTH, WHICH IS TO REGAIN OUR LOST DIVINE LIKENESS i.e. TO BECOME AS PERFECT HUMAN BEINGS AS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS IN HIS HUMAN NATURE.
THE MODERN WORLD WORSHIPS, ADORES AND PROMOTES MINDLESS NONSENSE, FILTHY BLASPHEMY AND REPULSIVE HUBRIS! [ARROGANT, OFFENSIVE SPEECH]
SATAN AND HIS DEMONS OBSESSIVELY SEEK MANKINDS ETERNAL DEATH AND DESTRUCTION BY CEASELESSLY TEMPTING US AND DISTRACTING US BY EVERY MEANS THEY CAN INVENT WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE US TO TAKE OUR FOCUS OFF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUS PATH TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE. HATRED AND FEAR IN FACT ALL OUR HUMAN WEAKNESSES AND OBSESSIONS - ARE USED AGAINST US BY THE EVIL ONE IN ORDER TO DISTRACT OR DIVERT US FROM GOD UNTIL WE SINK INTO A MIRE OF DESPAIR AND UTTER HOPELESSNESS SPIRITUAL DEATH. THEY ARE UNABLE TO KILL US BUT THEY CERTAINLY USE US AND OUR SINFUL STATE TO DO THEIR OWN DIRTY DEEDS THEREBY CAUSING US TO COMMIT MURDER, SUICIDE AND ALL OTHER GOD-HATING DEEDS!
THE CERTAIN MAN who goes down from Jerusalem to Jericho is Everyman - i.e. YOU AND ME. ALL MANKIND IS SINFUL AND FALLEN, THROUGH OUR HABITUAL DISOBEDIENCE TO DIVINE WILL i.e. Gods First Commandment NOT to eat the Forbidden Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which was THE BITTERNESS AND DEATH HARVESTED FROM INDULGING THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH the lust of the senses and the pride of the flesh. THE THIEVES are SATAN AND HIS DEMONS who
TEMPT AND CAPTURE US THROUGH THE DEMANDS OF OUR SELFISH, DEPRAVED FLESH by means of the
Anything of this temporary, material world becomes old and ugly - until finally it disintegrates back into the soil and dust of our earth. THE PRIEST AND THE LEVITE who passed by represent THE IMPERFECT OLD COVENANT - AND, for that matter - MANY OF TODAYS EGOCENTRIC, FLAWED RELIGIONS CONCEIVED BY HERETICAL AND EVEN BLASPHEMOUS - BELIEFS AND SELFSERVING PEOPLE. V THESE CANNOT GRANT US ETERNAL LIFE IN GODS HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF DIVINE LOVE, because their spiritual life is drawn from the blood of slaughtered bulls and goats, or from the imperfect, distorted and egocentric wisdom of human reasoning. NOR CAN THESE IMPERFECT BELIEFS OR PRACTICES CLOTHE US IN ROBES OF LIGHT - only in the wool and leather of animals - or in the unstable theories of human science and religious and political philosophy. THESE IMPERFECT, UNBENEFICIAL BELIEFS ALL EVENTUALLY FAIL; they become out of date, unpopular, ignored, discarded when proven to be wrong or misguided, until they vanish or cease altogether. Philosophers can only observe, criticise and comment on the plight of mankind and the state of the world, but they quickly PASS BY on their way to the next lecture or symposium to discuss more of their lifeless ideas, leaving mankind and his immortal soul lying naked, wounded and half-dead alongside the road. THE GOOD SAMARITAN is, of course, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - GOD THE SON AND WORD WHO BECAME MAN AND WHO DWELT AMONG US. He appears as a despised Samaritan - i.e. as someone who is outside our cultural and ethnic prejudices because ISRAEL, AND MANKIND IN GENERAL Gods own because they were made by Him DID NOT RECEIVE HIM. In the end, THEY REJECTED CHRIST in favour of the Roman Caesar AND SO THEY REJECTED GOD, HIS TRUTH AND HIS LOVE BEING DRIVEN BY THEIR SINFUL
DESIRES AND THE ERROR OF THEIR OWN OPINIONS AND SPECULATIONS I.E. BEING ENSLAVED AND MISGUIDED BY THE LUST AND PRIDE OF THEIR FLESH!
self-indulgence of our undisciplined, uncontrolled body and mind. By FALLING IN WITH THEM we are ROBBED OF OUR HOLY BIRTHRIGHT AS CREATURES OF GOD who are made IN HIS DIVINE IMAGE AND LIKENESS. The Evil One and his slaves STRIP us of OUR ROBES OF SANCTIFIED LIGHT with which God clothed us in Paradise. We are left HALF-DEAD having become INDIFFERENT TO AND IGNORANT OF THE TRUTH, WISDOM AND LOVE OF ALMIGHTY GOD. If our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Church had not proclaimed to us His Holy Gospel, WE WOULD NEVER HAVE REMEMBERED HIS FIRST DIVINE COMMANDMENT AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD: ... from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil you may not eat, for in whatever day you eat from it, you will die by Death! V And WHEN WE DULY PASS AWAY from this life into Eternity, IT IS TOO LATE FOR US TO REDEEM OURSELVES - for we will instantly realise that
THIS WORLD AND ITS TEMPORARY PLEASURES ARE AS FLEETING AND CORRUPTIBLE AS OUR MORTAL FLESH!
And, exactly as Cain did to his brother, Abel, by whose murder world history began, so they did to their own Brother - Christ our God. Consequently, ALL THOSE INVOLVED TOOK THE HISTORY OF
THE WORLD TO ITS CLIMAX WITH THE UNJUST MURDER OF GOD!
We will suddenly know that we have wasted our short lifespan on unbeneficial SPIRITUALLY UNPROFITABLE THINGS THAT DISTRACT US FROM
All of us have gone ... DOWN FROM JERUSALEM TO JERICHO. EVERY ONE OF US HAS SPURNED THE ETERNAL FRUIT OF THE TREE OF LIFE in favour of the fatal fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As a result, WE HAVE ALL BEEN set upon by vicious thieves and fallen UNDER THE CONSEQUENT BITTERNESS AND SPIRITUAL DEATH OF SELFINDULGENT SIN. We have been STRIPPED OF OUR ROBES OF LIGHT and WE ARE IN SINFUL DARKNESS, yet we think we are Enlightened! WE ARE UTTERLY IGNORANT, yet we think we are wise! WE ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD, yet we think we are alive! Christ, our Good Samaritan, comes to us as the Divine Light that shines brightly and comfortingly in the darkness of our sin. CHRIST comes to Save us on an beast of burden He COMES TO SAVE US HIMSELF, having taken on our own human nature that He received from the Blessed Virgin Panagia SO THAT HE MIGHT CLOTHE US AGAIN IN ROBES OF SANCTIFIED LIGHT. HE ASCENDED THE CROSS FREELY - of His own Will - in His Loving Obedience to God the Father DUE TO
23RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 8TH
OF
ST LUKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN 11 NOVEMBER 2012
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HIS GREAT COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR US HUMAN BEINGS. He ascended the Cross - not in defeat but IN VICTORY. For, HE DEFEATED HADES WITH THE SPLENDOUR OF HIS GODHEAD. HE SHATTERED THE IMPRISONING DOORS OF HADES and HE DESTROYED DEATH BY HIS DEATH and now HE COMES TO SAVE EACH OF US AS WE LIE NAKED, WOUNDED AND HALF-DEAD at the side of the road. V CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR RAISES US UP IN HIS MYSTICAL GOODNESS AND GRANTS US HIS OWN ETERNAL LIFE YET ONLY IF WE WANT IT. We know THIS IS TRUE THROUGH FAITH - THROUGH A KNOWLEDGE THAT IS FAR MORE SUPERIOR THAN THE
DIALECTIC OF RATIOCINATION BECAUSE IT IS BORN FROM THE LOVE OF GOD IN HIS GOODNESS.
Our soul may not see the Uncreated Light of God, but she certainly feels it in THE LIGHTNESS OF SOUL, which THE INDESCRIBABLE JOY OF GOD brings. Go and do likewise, Christ says to those who have received Him in Holy Baptism and Holy Chrismation, who have experienced His Goodness in the Joy and Light with which He Anoints our soul. AS DID CHRIST, WE, TOO, MUST SUBMIT OURSELVES IN HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD THE FATHER - AND WE MUST EAGERLY TAKE UP THE CROSS OF REPENTANCE. St Peter, in his Second Epistle, urges us to FLEE FROM
WORLDLY CORRUPTION AND THE DEMANDS OF THE FLESH - and RUSH TO CHRIST WHEN HE CALLS US to
In Faith, we experience the Joy and Light of Christ our Lord descending on our soul from Above when we receive Him and give ourselves to His Holy Church. THE INN is CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH. THE OIL AND THE WINE with which Christ our Good Samaritan treats the wounded man lying on the road are THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF HIS CHURCH the Sanctified Medicine of Immortality with which Christs Holy Church nurses us back to Health. THE DENARRI that He paid for the wounded man is the Ultimate Blood Sacrifice that Christ paid as Ransom for all mankinds sins for all time. THE INNKEEPER represents Christs Holy Apostles and all the subsequent Bishops and Priests of His Holy Priesthood who guide, teach and Minister to us our God Inspired and Ordained Holy Church Fathers THE ASCETIC DISCIPLINES OF THE CHURCH ARE ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST, which He has commanded us to take up as our own WEAPON OF VICTORY which ENABLES US TO DEFEAT HELL ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND ALIENATION FROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS - IN THE SPLENDOUR AND BY THE GRACE OF THE HOLY TRINITY, and to make our death THE DEATH OF THE OLD MAN i.e. our old sinful, fatal habits - and THE BEGINNING OF OUR RESURRECTION IN THE NEW MAN WHO IS CHRIST OUR LORD. The Pure in heart shall see God. Yet, long before we become Pure enough to behold God, WE KNOW HIM BECAUSE WE EXPERIENCE HIM. GODS UNCREATED LIGHT SENDS OUT INVISIBLE RAYS OF JOY THAT TOUCH OUR SOUL AS SOON AS SHE TURNS TO HIM. St Agathon: 2 "I have never gone to sleep with a grievance against anyone, and, as far as I could, I have never let anyone go to sleep with a grievance against me."
become Partakers of His own Glory and Virtue even His own Divine Nature in the Fruit of the Tree of Life that is before you in the middle of the Garden of Christs Holy Church. Let our Lord Jesus Christ clothe you in His Holy Church with the Robe of Light, the Uncreated Light of His Glory, as you were clothed by the Priest at your Holy Baptism. We must RISE UP OUT OF THE DARKNESS OF SIN AND STAND IN THE RADIANT COMPANY OF THE SAINTS. We must SEEK THE LOVE OF GOD that is full of Light and Life, THAT HEALS AND MAKES WHOLE AGAIN, AND RAISES UP THOSE WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD into the warmth and Love of the Uncreated Light of His own Eternal Life. V And then, WE MUST TAKE THE LOVE OF CHRIST THAT
HAS BEEN GRANTED TO US AND PASS IT ON TO ALL OUR NEIGHBOURS AND EVEN TO OUR ENEMIES. WE MUST PROTECT AND MAINTAIN OUR HEART AND MIND IN THE INN OF THE HOLY CHURCH. Furthermore, THE LOVE OF GOD CLEANSES US AND FILLS OUR HEART WITH INEXPRESSIBLE SPIRITUAL JOY, which TRANSFIGURES our life INTO A JUBILANT MINISTRATION OF CHRISTS GOODNESS TO OTHERS who suffer alongside us, naked and wounded, SHARING WITH THEM THE DEATH-DESTROYING AND LIFE-CREATING LOVE OF OUR SAVIOURS HOLY PASCHA that has MAKES US ALIVE IN GODS DIVINE JOY and which nurses us back to Health in His Divine Light. May God help us to go and do likewise in the Joy and Love of His Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Prayers of His Saints and His All-Holy Mother, the Ever Blessed, All Holy Theotokos. Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: A SERMON OF FATHER PAUL WESCHE, ST HERMAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, MINNEAPOLIS, USA
The God-Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers

ELSE; the other dogs - seeing the dog in pursuit run with him for a short time, but soon give up the chase. Only the dog that saw the hare chases it until he catches it - not being turned from his course by those who give up and turn back, and not caring about any ravines, rocks, or thick undergrowth that impedes his mission. SO IT IS WITH THOSE WHO SEEK CHRIST AS MASTER BEING EVER MINDFUL OF THE CROSS - THEY IGNORE ALL THE SCANDALS OR OBSTACLES THAT OCCUR, IN ORDER TO REACH THE CRUCIFIED ONE."
2 An important person from abroad went to Sketis

taking much gold with him, which he asked the Abbot to distribute among the Monks. However, the Abbot told him that they did not need it but when the visitor was persistent, he suggested putting a basket filled with gold at the door of the church where anyone could take whatever they needed. Nevertheless, the basket remained untouched for no one went near it and most of the Brethren did not even notice it was there. The Wise Elder then said to the visitor: "GOD HAS SEEN YOUR CHARITY: GO, AND GIVE IT TO THE POOR." Greatly edified, the man took his gold and went away.
St Mark the Ascetic
2 Those who base themselves on bare knowledge

alone are not yet Faithful Servants; FAITHFUL SERVANTS ARE THOSE WHO PROFESS THEIR FAITH BY THEIR HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST, Who gave us the Commandments. 2 THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS not a Reward for deeds, but A GIFT OF THE LORD OUR GOD PREPARED FOR HIS FAITHFUL SERVANTS.
2 St Agathon was asked: "How can a fervent Brother

not be shocked when he sees others returning to the world?" And he replied: "Watch dogs that chase hares: WHEN A DOG HAS SPOTTED A HARE, HE PURSUES IT UNTIL HE CATCHES IT, WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTED BY ANYTHING
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Also the Feast of St Antoninos, St Germanos, St Manetha & St Nicephoros of Caesarea, Palestine St Damascene & St Damianos, Monk-Martyrs of Lavra, Mount Athos
Festal Apolytikion St John Chrysostom TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
tou stomatos Sou kathaper Pirsos, eklampsasa Haris. Tin ikoumenin efotisen, afilargirias to kosmo thisavrous enapetheto. To ipsos imin tis tapinofrosinis ipedixen. Alla sis logis pedevon, Pater Ioanni Hristostome, Presveve to Logo Hristo to Theo, Sothine tas psihas imon.
Ever Blessed Theotokos
The
Grace of Thy Words Illuminated the Universe like a shining Beacon. It amassed Treasures of munificence in the world. It demonstrated the greatness of Humility, teaching us by Thine own words; therefore, O Father John Chrysostom, Intercede to Christ the Logos for the Salvation of our souls.
Festal Kontakion - Entry -
O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke The Most Pure Temple of our Saviour, the Precious Bridal
Festal Kontakion Of St John Chrysostom
Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Ek
ton Ouranon edexo tin thian harin, ke dia ton son hileon, pantasdidaskis, proskinin en Triadi ton ena Theon, Ioanni Hrisostome, pammakariste osie, epazios evfimoumen se. Iperhis gar kathigitis, os ta thia safon.
Thou
received Divine Grace from Heaven, and by thy own lips taught all to worship the One God in Trinity. All-Blessed, Venerable John Chrysostom, deservedly, we praise thee for thou art a Teacher clearly revealing things Divine
Matins Gospel John 10 : 1 - 9 St Pauls Epistle to the Hebrews 7 : 26 8 : 2

Jesus Christ is our one and only eternal high priest
Brethren: a High Priest was fitting for us, Who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the Heavens, who does not need daily, as those High Priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the peoples, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints as High Priests men who have weakness, but the word of the Oath, which came after the Law appoints the Son Who has been perfected forever. Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: we have such a High Priest Who is seated at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Ministry of the Sanctuary and of the True Tabernacle, which the Lord erected, and not man. V NOT ONLY IS THE FOUNDER OF THE NEW COVENANT V However, THE COVENANT OF MOSES IS EXTERNAL TO PRIESTHOOD SUPERIOR TO THAT OF THE OLD MAN AND CANNOT SOLVE THE ROOT OF HUMANITYS COVENANT, THE RULES OF THE NEW COVENANTS PROBLEM SIN AND DEATH. It cannot reunite and reintegrate the souls of PRIESTLY ORDER ARE ALSO SUPERIOR. human beings Priesthood is so intertwined with a Covenant that if the It is learnt by being taught. Priesthood is changed, so is the Covenant. It is heeded with fearful compliance, "Majesty" is a biblical name for God the Father. It gives imperfect forgiveness (only temporary) V A HIGH PRIEST SITTING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF V THE COVENANT OF JESUS CHRIST, ON THE CONTRARY, MAJESTY WOULD HAVE TO BE BOTH HUMAN AND IS INTERNAL DIVINE AS IS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. IT HEALS OUR NATURE, "Seated means that no one but an equal sits in the IT UNIFIES THE INNER BEING MIND AND SOUL ARE presence of a King much less in the Presence of Almighty God. JOINED IN UNION WITH GOD. V THE COVENANT OF JESUS CHRIST SOLVES THE IT THEREFORE IS INTUITIVELY UNDERSTOOD, PROBLEMS THAT THE MOSAIC COVENANT COULD IT IS HEEDED WITH WILLING CO-OPERATION OR NOT. SYNERGY AND Both Holy Covenants come from Gods Grace and IT GIVES PERFECT FORGIVENESS, EVEN THOSE SINS require mans willed response. THAT THE OLD COVENANT WAS POWERLESS TO DEAL WITH.
The Holy Gospel According to St John 10 : 9 16

Our Lord Gives His Life For His Sheep
At that time our Lord said: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come so that they may have Life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I Am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His Life for the sheep. But a hireling - he who is not the Shepherd, one who does not own the sheep - sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I Am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this
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fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My Voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd. EVEN TO THE POINT OF GIVING THEIR LIVES FOR THE THIEF THE DEVIL STEALS, KILLS AND THEM. DESTROYS THE VIRTUES OF CHRISTIAN LIFE AND LAYS WASTE THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIS HERESIES. THE HIRELING THE UNCOMMITTED RELIGIOUS LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY IS THE LIFE OF GODS LEADER - is contrasted with the Shepherd the one who considers the Sheep his own. KINGDOM, OFFERED US BY CHRIST HIMSELF. The hired hand looks primarily after himself. P S A L M 2 3 : 5 Thou prepares a table before me in OTHER SHEEP ARE THE GENTILES WHO WILL BE the presence of mine enemies; Thou anoints BROUGHT INTO THE ONE FLOCK UNDER THE ONE my head with oil; my cup overflows. SHEPHERD. Verse 11 I Am the Good Shepherd is A PROPHECY THEREFORE THE CHURCH CANNOT BE DIVIDED ALONG OF OUR LORDS IMPENDING DEATH, through which his DENOMINATIONAL, ETHNIC, CULTURAL OR FAMILY people are to be reconciled to God the Father. THE GOOD SHEPHERD, CHRIST, AND HIS UNDERLINES. SHEPHERDS [HIS BISHOPS AND PRIESTS] LOOK This is also a reference to all those who have had diverse, heretical beliefs but who finally find Gods AFTER THE SHEEP [THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS] Truth with Christ our Lord, Saviour and God.
St John Chrysostom Holy Relics

In November 2004, the Sacred Relics of two renowned Archbishops of Constantinople were solemnly restored to the Ecumenical Patriarchate: St Gregory the Theologian (329390) and St John Chrysostom (c. 347407). His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I presided over a Service of Thanksgiving for their return and reception during the Thronal Feast of St Andrew The First-Called of the Apostles. This historic occasion was the celebration and conclusion of a series of painful as well as joyful events. The two Saints served as Archbishops of Constantinople during the late fourth and early fifth centuries - a creative period for Christian Theology and Liturgy. St Gregory the Theologian was regarded as par excellence, having delivered five extraordinary Theological Orations on the Holy Trinity and preparing the way for the Triumph of Orthodoxy during the Second Ecumenical Council (381), which completed the Symbol (Creed) of Faith, also known as the [Nicean-Constantinopolitan] Creed. St John Chrysostom is widely recognized as the greatest of Preachers and one of the most popular of the Greek Holy Church Fathers in both East and West and his remarkable Sermons On the Holy Priesthood remain formative reading on the Holy Ministry of the Clergy. The Sacred Relics of these two extraordinary Archbishops were formerly treasured in the Holy Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, where they lay side-by-side from the tenth century. St Gregory the Theologian was originally buried in Cappadocia, where he had retired circa 381. His Holy Relics were transferred to Constantinople in the tenth century by Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus VII. St John Chrysostom was originally buried in Koukousos, Asia Minor, where he had Reposed in Christ while in exile. His Holy Relics were returned to Constantinople in 438 by the Emperor Theodosius II. The Holy Relics of the two Saints were taken to Rome after the devastating sacking and pillaging of the Fourth Crusade in 1204, which left a deep and lasting wound in the memory of the Orthodox Church. St John Chrysostoms Holy Relics were placed in the medieval church of St Peter in Vatican City, while St Gregory the Theologians Holy Relics were kept at the Convent of St Maria in Campo Santo. In 1580, with the construction of St. Peters new basilica in the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII transferred the Holy Relics of St. Gregory to a side Altar, which came to be known as the Capella Gregoriana (Chapel of St Gregory), in the Nave of St Peters Bsilica. In 1626, the Holy Relics of St John Chrysostom were transferred to another Altar in the Nave, known as the Choir Chapel.11 The Holy Relics of the two most influential Patriarchs of Constantinople remained in Rome for 800 years and in the new Basilica of St Peter for 400 years. In the early 1960s, in an act of Fraternal Fellowship, Pope Paul VI returned the Sacred Relics of certain Saints of the Orthodox Church, including those of St Andrew (FORMERLY PRESERVED IN THE AMALFI, ITALY) to Patras and St Mark (FORMERLY PRESERVED IN VENICE, ITALY) to the Coptic Church. The mid-1960s and 1970s also witnessed the extraordinary vision of Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, who embarked on a Dialogue of Love with the Roman Catholic Church. In 1980, the Dialogue of Truth marked the commencement of the Theological discussions between the two Churches. 29 June 2004, the Ecumenical Patriarch attended the Patronal Feast of the Roman Catholic Church, which also marked the 40th anniversary of the Dialogue of Love established in Jerusalem in 1964 as well as the 800th anniversary of the Fourth Crusade. Pope John Paul II officially apologized for the shocking, catastrophic atrocities that were committed against the Orthodox Church and it Faithful Flock. In response, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I observed that no material compensation was at that time appropriate, but the rightful return of the Sacred Relics of the two Archbishops of Constantinople would comprise a Spiritual Restoration of that Churchs legacy i.e. it would be a tangible gesture of the acknowledgement of past errors, a moral restoration of the Spiritual Legacy of the East, and a significant step in the process of True Reconciliation. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I personally accompanied the Holy Relics of the great Hierarchs to Constantinople on 27 November 2004, following an official Service and Ceremonial Procession at St Peters Cathedral in Rome. In the Cathedral of St George, the crystal cases containing the relics were placed on the Solea, before the Patriarchal Throne. In accordance with ancient practice and protocol, during a Service of Thanksgiving - in the presence of representatives from all Orthodox churches as well as a formal delegation from the Vatican - the Ecumenical Patriarch symbolically deferred to the Saints by offering the Throne in honour of their preeminence, while he sat in the Parathronion or Side-Throne. The return of the Holy Relics is more than a purely historical event of Theological importance: traditionally, it is a Liturgical Feast of Spiritual Significance.
HTTP://WWW.PATRIARCHATE.ORG/PATRIARCHATE/RELICS
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All Glory, Honour and Worship to th e Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and foreve r, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glo rious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Eve r Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
1 6 No v e m b e r 2 0 1 2 St Matthew Levi Holy Apostle & Evangelist

Also the FeastS of St Matthew Fulvianos, Prince of Ethiopia St Sergios of Maloginega St Hypatios of Gangra
Festal Apolytikion of St Matthew the Apostle of Christ & Evangelist TONE 3
Thias
ikousas, Fonis tou Logou, ke tis Pisteos, to Fos Edexo, katalipsas teloniou ton sindesmon; othen Hristou tin aporriton Kenosin, Evangeliso Matthee Apostole. Ke nin presveve, dothine tis se gererousi, ptesmaton ilasmon ke Mega Eleos.
Thou heard the Words Divine Voice, and accepted the

Light of Faith, and abandoned the bond with the customs-house; whence, O Matthew Apostle, Thou brought all the Good News of Christs ineffable Kenosis. And now, Intercede, to be granted to those who honour Thee, Atonement for their faults and Great Mercy Most Pure Temple of the Saviour, the Precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
Festal Kontakion - Entry into the Temple of the Ever Blessed Theotokos

The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans 10 : 11 11 : 2

GODS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BY FAITH - ISRAEL REJECTED BUT GENTILES RECEIVE THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST
Brethren: The Scripture says: Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him, for ... whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be Saved. How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a Preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of Peace, who bring Glad Tidings of Good Things! But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah said: Lord, who has believed our report? So then Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their works to the ends of the world. But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses said: I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation. But Isaiah was very bold and said: I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me. But to Israel He said: All day long I have stretched out My Hands to a disobedient and contrary people. I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel...
The Holy Gospel According to St Matthew 9 : 9 13

SINNERS ARE WELCOMED BY CHRIST OUR SAV
IOUR
At that time, as our Lord Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him: Follow Me. So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His Disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His Disciples, Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? When Jesus heard that, He said to them: Those who are well have no need of a Physician, but those who are sick do. So go and lean what I desire Mercy and not sacrifice means. For I did not come to call the Righteous but sinners to Repentance.
St Matthew Levi Holy Apostle of Christ & Evangelist

St Matthew, son of Alphaeos, was a Tax Collector when our Lord Jesus Christ Called him in Capernaum: ... And he arose, and followed Him... (MATTHEW 9:9). Then St Matthew prepared a reception for our Lord at his home and listened carefully as Christ revealed several great Truths concerning His Coming to earth. After receiving the Holy Spirit, St Matthew dedicated the rest of his life to serving Christ and preached His Holy Gospel to the Parthians, Medes and Ethiopians. In Ethiopia St Matthew appointed Plato as Bishop, and withdrew to Prayerful Solitude on a mountain, where the Lord appeared to him. Besides many Good Works and Great Miracles, which drew great multitudes to Christ, St Matthew Baptized the wife and the son of Prince Fulvianos of Ethiopia, which greatly enraged the Prince who immediately dispatched his soldiers to arrest St Matthew. However, the soldiers returned to the Prince saying that although they had heard St Matthew's voice, they were unable to see him with their eyes. The Prince then sent a second contingent. Yet again, as they approached the Apostle of Christ, he shone with such a brilliant Heavenly Light that the soldiers could not look directly at him and filled with fear, they threw down their weapons and hastily retreated. The Prince then went to see for himself. As before, St Matthew radiated such a strong Holy Light that the angry man was instantly blinded. However, the Holy Apostle had a compassionate heart and he prayed to God for His Great Mercy, whereupon Prince Fulvianos was given back his sight, but,
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unfortunately, he saw only with his physical eyes and not his Spiritual Sight so, ignoring the personal Miracle that he had experienced, he had St Matthew arrested and subjected to most cruel tortures. Fires were twice lit on his chest, but each time the Power of God preserved him and kept him unharmed, until St Matthew prayed to God and gave up his spirit. Fulvianos ordered St Matthews body to be placed in a lead coffin and thrown into the sea. However, the Saint appeared to Bishop Plato and told him where the coffin bearing his body could be found and the Bishop quickly retrieved it from the sea. Having been informed of this new Miracle, Prince Fulvianos finally accepted Christ as his Saviour and received Holy Baptism, taking the name Matthew in honour of his former victim. Amazingly, the powerful Prince then renounced all the vanities of this world and eventually became a Presbyter (Priest) and spent the rest of his life faithfully and most devoutly serving Christs Holy Church. When Bishop Plato died, St Matthew appeared in a Holy Vision to Presbyter Matthew Fulvianos and urged him to accept the Episcopacy. Consequently he accepted the Bishopric and, for many years, was a devoted Good Shepherd to his Flock until the Lord our God called him to His Immortal Kingdom. St Matthew Fulvianos faithful devotion and service to God eventually made him one of our Lords Holy Saints whose memory is Commemorated on the same Feast Day as that of St Matthew the Apostle. St Matthew the Holy Apostle and Evangelist of Christ wrote his Holy Gospel in the Aramaic language, which was soon afterwards translated into Greek, and the Greek text has been most carefully preserved and passed down to us through the ages, even though, sadly, the Aramaic text has been lost. St Matthew the Apostle never ate meat, but only vegetables and fruit and lived a very strict Ascetic Life in Christ. May their memories be Eternal.
and was adorned with blossoms, And Living Water flowed from its roots, And the Church was filled with a multitude of people. Whoever was sick, was Healed; Whoever was healthy, became Healthier still. The blacks were Blessed, their faces Radiant, And this fierce people became God's Vineyard. O Wondrous Tree, would that we could have it! But we do have It, Brethren; all of us have It! It is Christ the Lord, the Lord of Hosts He is the Tree of Life; by Him we are Saved.
HOMILY On Christ's Dwelling in the Hearts of the Faithful that Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith; that you [may be] rooted and grounded in Love. (EPHESIANS 3:17) With Faith, Christ comes into the heart, and with Christ comes Love. Thus mankind is rooted and grounded in Love. First then, there is Faith; then with Faith comes Christ's Presence in the heart; then with Christ's Presence, the Presence of Love; and with Love, all ineffable Goodness. In a few words, the Apostle delineates the whole Ladder of Perfection. The beginning is Faith and the end is Love; and Faith and Love are joined in a Living, Undivided Unity by the Living Lord Jesus Christ's Presence in the heart. By strengthening Faith, we further abolish the distance between ourselves and our Lord Jesus Christ. The stronger our Faith, the closer we are to Christ. Ultimately, our heart is filled with Christ and cannot be separated from Christ, just as our lungs cannot be separated from air. Then we may - with Tears of Joy - communicate with Christ by the Prayer of the Heart: O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner...'' and our heart is imperceptibly filled with Light and ardent Love. In this way, Love is United with Faith and Hope; and when they are United, the boundaries between them disappear, so that we cannot even think of determining of how far Faith goes, and where Hope and Love begin. When the Living Christ dwells in us, then we no longer perceive Faith, Hope or Love in ourselves, nor do we identify them. Instead, we see only Christ and identify and acknowledge only Him. This is just like a fruit-grower in autumn who considers the ripe fruit on the tree, and speaks no more of blossoms and leaves but of fruit ripe, delicious fruit. O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Height of all our endeavours and the Destination of all our Journeys, draw near to us and Save us. To Thee be Glory and Praise forever. Amen.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: The Prologue from Ohrid http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/prolog.cgi
HYMN OF PRAISE THE HOLY APOSTLE MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST: To His Holy Apostle Matthew, The Lord appeared in the land of the blacks, Giving great Comfort to the tortured Warrior, And great Strength to his heroic soul. The Lord gave him a staff from His Hand, And told Matthew to plant it in front of the church. He told him that it would grow green with life and blossom with various colours, And bear sweet fruit for everyone to enjoy. A spring would flow from beneath its rootsA spring of cool water for those who thirst. The face of whomever would partake of it with thanksgiving Would shine with a Wondrous Light. The Apostle did as the Lord said, And the wood budded forth, FASTING - either above or below your ability - WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR VIGIL. We should not ponder Divine Matters on a full stomach, say the Ascetics. Even the most superficial Secrets of the Trinity lie hidden from the well-fed. CHRIST HIMSELF SET THE EXAMPLE WITH HIS LONG FAST when He drove out the devil, He had Fasted for forty days. Are we better than Him? "Behold, Angels came and ministered unto Him. THEY ARE WAITING TO MINISTER TO US, TOO. (MATTHEW 4:11). FASTING TEMPERS LOQUACITY, says St John Klimakos. FASTING IS AN OUTLET FOR COMPASSION AND A GUARD UPON OBEDIENCE; it destroys evil thoughts and roots out the insensibility of the heart. FASTING IS A GATE TO PARADISE: WHEN THE STOMACH IS CONSTRICTED, THE HEART IS HUMBLED. THOSE WHO
The Eternal, Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers - On Fasting

FAST PRAY WITH A SOBER MIND, but the mind of the intemperate person is filled with impure fancies and thoughts. FASTING IS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE AND DEVOTION, whereby we sacrifice earthly satisfaction TO ATTAIN THE HEAVENLY. Too much thought is focussed on SUSTENANCE AND THE ENTICEMENTS OF THE PALATE; WE NEED TO BE FREE FROM THEM, SO FASTING IS OUR EMANCIPATION AND AN INDISPENSABLE SUPPORT in the struggle against selfish desires. TOGETHER WITH PRAYER, FASTING IS ONE OF HUMANITY'S GREATEST GIFTS, CAREFULLY CHERISHED BY THOSE WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN IT.
[FROM "WAY OF THE ASCETICS," BY TITO COLLIANDER]
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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 Vi rgin, together with all the Saints. And let us co mmit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
1 8 No ve m b er 2 0 1 2
24th Sunday After Pentecost 9th Tone (7) Varys - Grave Sunday of St Luke The Foolish Rich Mans Harvest
Also the Feasts of St Platon of Ancyra St Romanos the Deacon, St Barulas the Youth, St Zacchaeus the Deacon, St Alphaeus the Reader, of Caesarea - St Anastasios the New Martyr of Epiros
Resurrection Apolytikion TONE (7) VARYS - GRAVE
Katelisas to Stavro Sou ton Thanaton.
Ineoxas to listi ton Paradison. Ton Myroforon ton thrinon metevales ke tis sis Apostolis kirittin epetaxas, oti Anestis, Hriste O Theos, parehon to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
By
Thy Cross Thou destroyed Death; Thou opened Paradise to the Thief; Thou changed the funeral lament of the 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!
Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros, i politimitos pastas ke Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou, simeron isagete, en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati dio: In animnousin Angeli Theou. Afti iparhi, Skini Epouranios
YRRH
The purest Abode of the Saviour, and the Most Priceless

Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Most Sacred Treasure of the Glory of God, today is led inside the House of the Lord, bringing in the Grace with Her, of the Holy Spirit. It is for Her whom Gods Angels sing in praise: She is truly a Heavenly Tabernacle!
Resurrection Gospel 2 Mark 16 : 1 8

THE HOLY M -BEARERS WITNESS
THE
EMPTY TOMB
OF OUR
RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST
Prokeimenon
The Lord will grant Strength to His People. Bring to the Lord, you sons of God! Bring to the Lord Glory and Honour!
St Pauls Epistle to the Ephesians 2:14-22 Christ our Lord is the Divine Means of our Peace and Unity
Brethren, Christ Himself is our Peace Who has made both (Him and you one) and Who has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His Flesh the enmity that is, the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances so as to create in Himself one New Man from the two, thus making Peace, and so that He might reconcile them both to God in one Body through the Cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached Peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow Citizens together with the Saints and Members of the Household of God, having been built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone, in Whom the whole structure, being fitted together, grows into a Holy Temple in the Lord, in Whom you also are being built together for a Dwelling Place of God in the Spirit. MANKINDS BROKENNESS WAS TWOFOLD: WILL OF GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH AND IN GOD THE MAN WAS SEPARATED FROM MAN that is Gentile SON, AND ACTIVATED AND ENABLED BY GOD THE HOLY from Hebrew through prejudice and SPIRIT. animosity. CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR HAS TAUGHT US ALL WE NEED TO MAN WAS SEPARATED FROM GOD alienation KNOW AND WHICH WE NEED TO APPLY TO OUR DAILY from God and His Goodness through our LIVES in order to become worthy Citizens of His wilful, arrogant, ignorant and stubborn sin. Eternal Kingdom and everything He has taught us OUR HEALING IS LIKEWISE TWOFOLD: is founded on Divine Love Agape which we need GODS CREATION OF A UNIFIED HUMANITY to learn and to achieve for our own Spiritual CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH ALL HIS FAITHFUL Perfection and which we will carry into Eternal Life. DISCIPLES AND HOLY PRIESTHOOD WHO WITHOUT THE LOVE OF GOD AGAPE WE CANNOT MAKE STRUGGLE TO LIVE IN CHRIST. ANY SPIRITUAL PROGRESS WHATSOEVER!! THE RAISING OR ELEVATION OF THIS UNIFIED The middle wall of separation referred to the barrier that separated the Court of the Gentiles from HUMANITY TO GOD THROUGH THE CORRECT the Court of the Hebrews, which revealed the TEACHINGS, GUIDANCE, PRACTICES AND limitations of the Old Covenant. WORSHIP OF HIS HOLY CHURCH. The Old Covenant did not heal humanitys selfThe Incarnation of the Eternal and Only Begotten Word alienation from God and one another and in fact, and Son of God accomplished the Holy Unification increased hostility and distrust, and even hatred. of all mankind while His Passion and Glorious OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS BROKEN DOWN THE Resurrection accomplished the worthy elevation of SPIRITUAL BARRIERS THAT SEPARATE AND ALIENATE US mankind. FROM GOD AND EACH OTHER. OUR RECONCILIATION - SPIRITUAL RENEWAL WITH GOD IS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALL HUMANITY IS DUE TO HIS GREAT MERCY AND LOVE AND IS ONLY UNIFIED AND RECONCILED. POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE HOLY TRINITY WORKS IN PERFECT UNITY TO ACHIEVE EVERYTHING: the Divine
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Furthermore, THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST, which is humanity unified and renewed through our personal Union with and Commitment to the Incarnate, Eternal Son and Word of God IS BUILT ON THE UNSHAKABLE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST, HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND HOLY PROPHETS. FROM THIS ETERNAL AND DIVINE FOUNDATION COME THE HOLY SCRIPTURES AND ALL HOLY, TRUE DOCTRINE (TEACHING).
THE HARVEST
OF THE
THE HOLY GIFTS THAT ARE GRANTED TO US FOR OUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND PERFECTION BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, ARE A CONTINUING REALITY IN THE HOLY CHURCH. THE SPIRITUAL STRUCTURE OF THE HOLY CHURCH IS ONE FOR IT IS DESIGNED TO BE ETERNALLY UNITED.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 12 : 16 - 21

RICH M
AN
&
REMEMB
RANCE OF
DEATH
At that time, our Lord Jesus narrated a Parable to them, saying: The ground of a certain Rich Man yielded abundantly. And he thought within himself: What shall I do, since I have no space in which to store my crops? And he thought: I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build even greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul,, you have many good laid up for many years take your ease eat, drink, and be merry! But God said to him: Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be that you have provided? Likewise is he who lays up treasures for himself yet is not rich towards God! In ancient times, IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR RESPECTED Furthermore, IT IS USELESS TO STORE UP ANYTHING FOR RABBIS OR TEACHERS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE TO ARBITRATE FUTURE USE because that may never happen and it PERSONAL DISPUTES ACCORDING TO MOSAIC LAW OLD will be wasted on us (lost, rusted, broken, stolen or COVENANT LAW AND WISDOM. decomposed). However, A DISPUTE OVER AN INHERITANCE IS ALWAYS The storing up of material goods for the future reveals DETRIMENTAL TO OUR ETERNAL SALVATION because A DEEP-SEATED DISTRUST OF THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE THIS TYPE OF GREED IS PURE IDOLATRY and UNFITTING OF GOD. FOR ANYONE WHO KNOWS GOD OR WHO HAS A CLOSE It also reveals THE DENIAL OF OUR INEVITABLE REPOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THROUGH CORRECT AND i.e. our departure from this earthly life delaying FAITHFUL LIFE IN CHRIST. anything for tomorrow - that may never come! V THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SACRED LESSON IS THE BY STORING MATERIAL GOODS AND BY NOT USING THEM, WE QUESTION that our Lord puts to each of us DEPRIVE OTHERS WHO ARE IN NEED OF THEM concerning our material, earthly treasures: We must MAKE GOOD USE OF THE PRESENT NOW! TODAY! ...whose will those things be...? AND ALL ITS DIVINE BLESSINGS and WHATEVER WE DO
THOSE WHO ARE OBSESSED WITH TEMPORARY, PERISHABLE, EARTHLY POSSESSIONS ARE VERY RARELY CONCERNED WITH GOD OR OTHERS. NOT NEED OR USE, MUST BE GIVEN TO OTHERS.
Their only concern is gaining more and more by any means possible.
THEY ARE SO CONSUMED BY THEIR WORSHIP OF MAMMON AND BECOME SO ENSLAVED BY THEIR DESIRES FOR MORE THAN THEY ALREADY HAVE, THAT THEY WILL NEVER HAVE TIME TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOURS. Being so shackled by their earthly desires, THEY HAVE NO TIME OR CONCERN FOR GOD OR THE WELFARE OF OTHERS. V EVERYTHING WE HAVE HAS BEEN GRANTED TO US BY OUR ALL MERCIFUL, LOVING AND BENEVOLENT GOD, Who
Far too many people live in the past or live for the future earthly life rather than FULFILLING OUR SACRED DUTIES
IN THIS PRESENT TIME - BY APPRECIATING EVERY MOMENT WE HAVE - TO IMPROVE OUR SPIRITUAL STATE AND TO HELP OTHERS THUS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS TOWARDS ETERNITY. ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM believed that THE ONLY BARNS WE NEED we already have, which ARE ...the stomachs
of the poor. taught us that ...the bread in our cupboard belongs to the hungry man; the coat hanging unused belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in our closet belong to the one who has no shoes; and the money we hoard belongs to the poor. ST AMBROSE cautioned us: The things that we cannot take with us are not ours! Only Virtue will be our Companion when we die. Even in ancient times, WHEN JOSEPH STORED UP GRAIN IN EGYPT, IT WAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE NATION.
ST BASIL THE GREAT
(GENESIS 41)
always Blesses us with abundance so that we are able to SHARE IT WITH OTHERS AND THUS PROVE
OUR LOVE OF GOD AND OUR FELLOW MANKIND.
It is essential to UNDERSTAND EARTHLY POSSESSIONS

CORRECTLY. ALL EARTHLY POSSESSIONS ARE TEMPORARY
none last forever. Although EARTHLY POSSESSIONS AND SOCIAL STATUS do not directly contribute to our Spiritual Welfare, they certainly CAN AFFECT OUR ETERNITY OUR SALVATION
OR ETERNAL LIFE. SOCIAL STATUS AND WHETHER WE PUT IT TO GOOD USE OR NOT not only for our own advantage or benefit but FOR THE WELFARE OF OTHERS especially those
V This is V
It all depends on HOW WE GAIN MATERIAL WEALTH AND
THE MOST RELEVANT, MOST BASIC AND MOST SIGNIFICANT SACRED LESSON OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST and IT APPLIES TO EACH OF US AND TO EACH HOLY PARISH OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH, FOR IT WILL MOST CERTAINLY APPLY TO OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
less Blessed than us.
9th Sunday of St Luke

What does it mean to be rich towards God? V ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE INTRINSICALLY RICH TOWARDS GOD BECAUSE WE ARE MADE IN HIS DIVINE IMAGE AND LIKENESS. The problem is that WE HAVE FORGOTTEN WHO WE ARE. Man is a messenger who has forgotten the Message.
[ABRAHAM HESCHEL]
Being Rich Towards God

TOGETHER WITH THE ANGELIC HOSTS i.e. GODS FAITHFUL HEAVENLY HOSTS AS WELL AS SATAN AND HIS FALLEN ANGELS OR DEMONS - WE ARE CREATED AS INT ELLEC TU AL BEINGS - SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHER CREATURES - WHO ARE IMMO RT AL! OUR IMMORTAL SOUL IS BREATHED INTO US BY GOD THE LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT AND THUS WE HAVE A NATURAL NEED AND DESIRE TO RETURN TO HER HEAVENLY ABODE TO RETURN TO THE DIVINE PRESENCE FROM WHENCE OUR SOUL ORIGINATED. mp
Our Holy Church Fathers often echo the ancient admonition to know thyself! V Orthodox Mystics considered SELF-KNOWLEDGE to be THE GREATEST OF ALL THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS. ALTHOUGH WE CONSIST OF TWO REALITIES PHYSICAL, WHICH IS VISIBLE, AND SPIRITUAL, WHICH IS INVISIBLE - WE DO NOT PRECISELY KNOW WHO WE ARE.
We know that WE HAVE PHYSICAL BODIES AND ALL OUR FIVE SENSES revolve around that fact and we simply look in a mirror to see ourselves. V However, OUR SPIRITUAL, IMMORTAL [ETERNALLY EXISTING] ATTRIBUTES ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT AND INVISIBLE TO US. What evidence do we have to prove that we have an immortal soul? Where is our immortal soul situated and what does it look like? How does our immortal soul function? And do we have any control over it?
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THE SELFISH DEMANDS OF THE FLESH CAN DOMINATE THE GOOD WILL OF OUR IMMORTAL SOUL. THEREFORE, BEING IN REALITY, SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL CREATURES, OUR SOULS MUST LEARN TO DOMINATE AND CONTROL THE FLESH. THIS IS SP IRIT U AL WARFARE AGAINST THE WICKED, SELF-INDULGENCE OF OUR OWN BODIES AND ESPECIALLY AGAINST THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONES WHO USE OUR WEAKNESS AGAINST US IN THEIR OBSESSIVE HATRED OF US WHOM GOD LOVES SO MUCH. AS WE STRIVE TO BECOME MORE SPIRITUAL THAN PHYSICAL, WE SLOWLY REGAIN OUR LOST DIVINE LIKENESS. mp
AT THE VERY MOMENT OF THE SEPARATION OF BODY AND SOUL, WE SUDDENLY AND PROFOUNDLY UNDERSTAND
THE INSIGNIFICANCE OF THEM ALL AND THE LOST OPPORTUNITIES FOR WHAT REALLY MATTERS OUR PERSONAL, INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD!
THE IDEA OF THE IMMORTAL SOUL SOUNDS EITHER LIKE A FANTASY OR LIKE FAR TOO MUCH WORK TO MAINTAIN, SO
WE CHOOSE TO CONCERN OURSELVES ONLY WITH OUR
(TEMPORARY) PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES. WE IGNORE OR ARE IGNORANT OF - THE MOST VITAL

PART OF OUR BEING THAT WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST IN ETERNITY i.e. for evermore!
We try to justify ourselves by thinking: It is all right for those poor fanatics who care about invisible things they are crazy anyway! As for me... I am just not religious! Nevertheless THE RACE AGAINST TIME CONTINUES UNABATED! Sadly, all too many of us have decided for ourselves and choose to waste our most precious and limited time chasing the so-called Great American Dream because THE ENTIRE WORLD THESE DAYS HAS BEEN BRAIN-WASHED INTO BELIEVING THAT WORLDLY
POSSESSIONS AND INSTANT GRATIFICATION IS THE ONLY
REASONABLE ROAD TO HAPPINESS. And IF WE FIND SOME EGO-CENTRIC, SELF-SERVING CHURCH OR ORGANISATION THAT AGREES WITH US AND WHICH ACCOMMODATES OUR FLAWED, ERRONEOUS AND SELFISH BELIEFS, well, perhaps WE WILL JOIN THEM TO OBTAIN A LITTLE SUPERNATURAL HELP WHILE PURSUING OUR MATERIAL happiness i.e. material OBSESSIONS. If not, then it means that spirituality is as irrelevant to us as we always (foolishly) thought and without which we will continue our life. V CATASTROPHICALLY, HOWEVER, MANY OF US WILL FINALLY DISCOVER ONCE IT IS TOO LATE - THAT WE
HAVE WASTED OUR PRECIOUS TIME CHASING UNREALISTIC DREAMS AND FANTASIES - and we will
It is easy to understand the existentialists, the nihilists and other non-believers or sceptics as well as the devout author of the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes who proclaimed: ... vanity of vanity! All is vanity! V We have forgotten THE MOST PRECIOUS MESSAGE: WE ARE MADE IN THE DIVINE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD! If we ignore the invisible, spiritual aspect of our existence, then we are seriously missing the boat! V THE ROAD TO TRUE HAPPINESS DOES NOT LIE OUTSIDE OF US BUT WITHIN US. WHEN WE AT LAST RECOGNISE THAT EVERYTHING WE CAN TOUCH IS CORRUPTIBLE, DESTRUCTIBLE AND TEMPORARY SHORT-LIVED, and everything material we gather, is like dry sand running through our fingers, only then do WE BEGIN TO REGAIN OUR LOST MEMORY. WE ARE MADE IN GODS DIVINE IMAGE AND LIKENESS AND NOTHING WE CAN SEE, TOUCH OR GATHER CAN MAKE US HAPPY - ONLY GOD FULFILS US AND ALL THINGS! Until we PAY ATTENTION TO THAT VAGUE SENSE OF UNEASINESS that we constantly experience, and GET A GRIP ON WHAT THIS LIFE IS ALL ABOUT THE TRUE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF EARTHLY LIFE we will never FIND UTTER SATISFACTION AND GAIN ETERNAL SPIRITUAL ATTRIBUTES! We have to STOP TRYING TO IGNORE THE UNHAPPY
CLAMOURING OF OUR IMMORTAL SOUL AND SEEK THE ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND DIVINE TRUTH of
also realise that THE HAPPINESS WE SOUGHT HAS NEVER SATISFIED US NOR BENEFITTED US IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER!! While we are so busy making our way in this world, WE MAY FEEL A SENSE OF DISSATISFACTION DEEP INSIDE OURSELVES A CERTAIN, FOREBODING DISCOMFORT AND AN AWAKENING REALISATION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG OR LACKING. We may begin to realise that WE ARE NOT AT ALL HAPPY NOR CONTENTED WITH OUR CURRENT LIFESTYLE and its consequences yet we may not fully understand exactly why. NOTHING SEEMS TO FILL THE VAST EMPTINESS we feel inside ourselves no matter how hard we try to fill it. So - having filled up our bigger and better barns and storerooms with everything we think we need - WE
MAY BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THAT NOTHING OF THIS EARTHLY, TEMPORARY EXISTENCE CAN SATISFY OR FULFIL US TO THE DEGREE WE NEED.
everything that sets us REALLY FREE and grants us Everlasting Joy. In order to BEGIN OUR T RUE J OURNEY OF L IFE , we must STOP TRYING TO RUN AWAY FROM THAT DIVINE TRUTH AND HAVE COURAGE TO FULFIL OUR TRUE PURPOSE on this temporary earth. V Although the True Path to Eternity is certainly not easy, WITH GOD AS OUR CONSTANT MASTER, SAVIOUR, GUIDE AND TEACHER, EVEN THE MOST
IMPOSSIBLE THINGS BECOME ACHIEVABLE FOR EVERY HUMAN BEING.
Dissatisfaction might drive us to a more obsessive collection of worldly goods and self-indulgence, until, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE SUDDENLY AWAKEN TO OUR SAD SPIRITUAL STATE AND SEEK GODS DIVINE TRUTH AND REALITY. The excitement of winning or gaining anything no matter what or how much so quickly dissolves away into THE DENSE BLACK HOLE OF YEARNING FOR MORE, WHICH WE SENSE IS ABOUT TO DEVOUR US AS WELL. Fear of that terrible interior emptiness drives us relentlessly onwards and WE FRANTICALLY TRY TO
ESCAPE THOSE UNEASY EMOTIONS THAT THREATEN TO OVERWHELM US.
Deep within our destitute hearts is a Holy Barn or Storehouse made by God, which is infinitely bigger and better than anything we could ever build yet there is only one Most Precious and Vital Thing that is necessary to fill it. Mankind is an animal that has been given the Vocation to become godlike... V THE ONLY REAL AND EVERLASTING HAPPINESS we can achieve in this temporary life COMES TO US BY CONNECTING WITH DIVINE TRUTH AND LIVING IT MOMENT BY MOMENT. Only then will that limitless black hole within us begin to close up and disappear altogether ONLY WHEN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS INVITED TO ENTER OUR CONSCIOUS EXISTENCE for HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN FILL THAT IMMENSE AND INFINITE SPACE. And it is simple O so simple! V ONCE WE HAVE OPENED THAT DOOR OF OUR HEART AND SOUL TO GOD, WE MUST THEN CEASELESSLY AND
TIRELESSLY KEEP THE DOOR OPEN THROUGH OUR CEASELESS SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES! must LIVE EACH AND EVERY MOMENT WITH A CONSCIOUS AWARENESS OF OUR HOLY VOCATION OUR HOLY CALLING TO DIVINE SERVICE THROUGH HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD and, of
We
After such an exhausting, unsatisfied way of life with only fleeting benefits and relief, THE MOMENT OF OUR DEATH SUDDENLY COMES UPON US AND
EVERYTHING WE HAVE POSSESSED OR TRIED TO SEIZE OR OBTAIN, NO LONGER MATTERS AT ALL!
All earthly possessions either decay into rust and dust, are stolen or taken away by others.
course, the Lord our Gods Divine Presence. We must LIVE EACH MOMENT AS IF THIS TEMPORARY LIFE REALLY MATTERED. We must LEARN TO SEE GOD in every blade of grass, in every changing leaf IN ALL BEAUTIFUL CREATION, IN EVERY CHILD, IN EVERY FAMILY
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21.
MEMBER AND FRIEND, IN EVERY NEIGHBOUR OUR FOES AND IN EVERY STRANGER.
EVEN
We must mine the Great Treasure that God has placed within our depths by means of MEDITATION AND PRAYER. We must PROFOUNDLY TOUCH, RESPECT AND LOVE THAT DIVINE IMAGE OF ONE ANOTHER, INCLUDING OUR OWN. We must REJOICE EVERY DAY that we have been so Marvellously and Gloriously created. We must learn to SING THE PRAISES OF THE HOLY TRINITY WITH EVERY BREATH THAT WE TAKE AND ultimately also by CONTEMPLATIVE, THANKFUL SILENCE. V THE DIVINE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD ACCORDING TO THE OLD COVENANT WAS SO SACRED, IT COULD NOT BE PRONOUNCED and was represented by four letters of the Hebrew alphabet THE SACRED TETRAGRAMMATON: Y H V H. Although unpronounceable, we can try to say His Most Holy Name, but the only sound we can squeeze out of those Mysterious, Holy Letters is THE SOUND OF THE BREATH GOING IN AND GOING OUT. For many Christians, there seems to be a battle between Faith and Works. Some proclaim that our Salvation comes through Faith alone and perhaps they are concerned that we might think we can get to Heaven by our own efforts without Faith. FOR ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS THERE IS NO BATTLE BETWEEN FAITH AND WORKS. We know that BOTH FAITH AND WORKS ARE NECESSARY. We call it SYNERGIC COOPERATION WITH GOD. However, THE STARTING POINT IS ALWAYS AN ACT OF BELIEVING IN GOD. V SAINT SERAPHIM taught us: ... Before anything else, one must believe in God, ...that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (HEBREWS 11:6). THOSE WHO DOUBT are like a man who is lost at sea without a life raft: they ARE INCAPABLE OF DOING WORKS THAT WILL LEAD THEM TO GOD. V SAINT JAMES THE JUST taught us: "... those who doubt are like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind: let not them suppose that they will receive anything from the Lord, for they are double-minded and unstable in all their ways. (JAMES 1:6-8 NKJV) FAITH IS THE NECESSARY FIRST STEP on a journey TO BE UNITED WITH GOD AND TO KNOW HIM THROUGH DIRECT EXPERIENCE. WITHOUT FAITH WE COULD NOT UNDERTAKE THE NECESSARY PREPARATION. WE WOULD NOT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. Such preparation for many is seen as works without God, trying to earn our way to Heaven. This is a concern without basis.
Thus, WITH EVERY BREATH whether we realise it or not WE ARE SAYING THE MOST HOLY NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD! The secret is to REMEMBER THIS as often as we possibly can. It is as simple as that! This is THE UNSHAKABLE DIVINE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY. That is HOW WE HAVE BEEN MADE. That is HOW CLOSE GOD IS TO US - HE IS THE VERY AIR WE BREATHE AND IN EVERY BREATH WE TAKE. V WHEN WE BECOME CONSCIOUS OF THIS AND OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE IT THROUGH OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS, A GENUINE TRUE LIFE TAKES ROOT, AND WITH ONE LITTLE BREATH AT A TIME, WE BEGIN TO WAKE UP FROM OUR SPIRITUAL STUPOR SPIRITUAL COMA AND BEHOLD EVERYTHING AS IT REALLY IS! At long last finally and before it is too late let us begin to REMEMBER WHO WE ARE AND PRECISELY WHY WE EXIST!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: SEEING THINGS AS THY REALLY ARE BY FATHER ANTHONY HUGHES, ST MARYS ORTHODOX CHURCH, HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM/SEEINGTHINGS-AS-THEY-REALLY-ARE/
Faith and Works - A Synergy Not Conflict

V TO SEEK TO KNOW GOD, WE BEGIN WITH FAITH, BELIEVING that IT IS GOD THE FATHER WHO SENT HIS SON FOR OUR TRANSFORMATION TO BE UNITED WITH HIM and that IT IS HIS TEACHINGS THAT WE MUST FOLLOW. With this Belief WE WILL UNDERTAKE MEANINGFUL WORKS THAT WITH PATIENCE LEADS US TO AN INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. FAITH of necessity INVOLVES WORKS. ST JAMES taught us: "Faith without Works is dead."
(JAMES 2 : 26)
He pointed out that THE NECESSARY WORKS INVOLVED ARE LOVE, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, MERCY, HUMILITY, REST FROM ALL WORKS, BEARING OF THE CROSS, AND LIFE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. SAINT SERAPHIM taught us: True Faith cannot be without Works; one who truly believes will unfailingly have Works as well. V OUR JOURNEY WITH CHRIST IS ONE OF COOPERATION WHERE WE SUBMIT OUR WILL TO HIS WILL TO DO HIS WORK. TO FULLY ACHIEVE AND FULFIL OUR LIFE IN CHRIST, WE HAVE MANY WORKS TO ACCOMPLISH in preparation for receiving His Divine Grace, which profoundly Transforms and Unites us with Him. WITH TRUE FAITH WE NATURALLY DESIRE TO UNDERTAKE MANY WORKS ACCORDING TO GODS DIVINE WILL in order to Perfect ourselves in His Grace.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: ORTHODOX WAY OF LIFE: WALKING THE PATH TO THEOSIS FAITH AND WORKS A SYNERGY NOT CONFLICT BY DEACON CHARLES JOINER REFERENCE: LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA, VOL 1 , P 25. HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM /2011/11/FAITH-AND-WORKS-SYNERGY-NOT-CONFLICT.HTML
The Eternal, Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers

Abba Matthew the Poor On Prayer Let those who do not pray expect nothing whatsoever their awareness. Their ego remains the source of all from God - neither Salvation nor Renewal nor their desires and ambitions. Direction nor Grace. As for their Relationship with Christ, it remains only Rather, they are consigned to the whims and fancy of superficial and outward. It has no power to change their own mind, the will of their own ego, and the or amend anything. The possibility to even deny direction of their own thinking. Christ at times of danger, temptation, illness, or They have rejected the Intervention of the Lord Jesus in poverty becomes imminent. their life; they have hidden themselves from the SO IF WE DO NOT PRAY, WE CAN NEVER BE CHANGED OR Holy Spirit of God. RENEWED, and those who are not Changed or Those who do not pray are those who are content with Renewed can have NO GENUINE OR EFFECTIVE their own condition. They wish to remain as they RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. are and not be Changed, Renewed or Saved. THEIR WORSHIP, HOWEVER ACTIVE, IS NOTHING BUT AN Their life unconsciously changes from bad to worse. OUTWARD PROTRUSION OR A SUPERFICIAL GROWTH. They recede spiritually day after day. The ties that bind In the end it breaks off, BEARING NO FRUIT. them to the earth and to the flesh increase without
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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 Sai nts. And let us commit ourselves a nd one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
21 November 2012 Entrance into the Temple of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary
Festal Apolytikion Entrance of Virgin Mary
TONE 4
Simeron tis Evdokias Theou to proimion, ke tis ton Today is the prelude of Gods Good Pleasure, and the
anthropon Sotirias i prokirixis. En Nao tou Theou tranos i Parthenos diknite, ke ton Hriston tis pasi prokatangellete. Afti ke imis megalofonos voisomen. Here! Tis Ikonomias tou Ktistou i Ekplirosis!
Proclamation of Humanitys Salvation. In the Temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in Herself She announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a Great Voice cry aloud to Her: Rejoice! O Thou who art the Fulfilment of the Creators Dispensation! Saviours Most Pure and Immaculate Temple, the very Precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, who is the Sacred Treasure of the Glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the Grace in the Divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A Heavenly Tabernacle is she.
Festal Kontakion Entry into Temple of the Ever Blessed Theotokos, Virgin Mary
Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros, i politimitos pastas ke Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou, simeron isagete, en to Oiko Kyriou, tin Harin sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio. In animnousin Angeli Theou. Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
The
Matins Gospel: Luke 10: 39 49 & 56

In those days Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leapt in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed art Thou among women, and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb! But why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of Thy greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leapt in my womb for Joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of those things that were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He has regarded the lowly state of His handmaiden; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me Blessed. For He Who is Mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name. And His Mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown Strength with His Arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His Mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever And Mary remained with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
Prokeimenon:
My soul magnifies the Lord, For He has regarded the Humility of His handmaiden!
The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 9:1 7
THE EARTHLY SANCTUARY AND THE DIV
INE
LITURGY
Brethren: indeed, 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 contained 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

HEAR
THE
WORD
OF
GOD
AND
LIVE IT!
At that time, it happened as they went that 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 hath left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. And Jesus answered and said to her: 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 to Him: Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that nursed Thee! But He said: More than that, Blessed art those who hear the Word of God and keep it! TODAY, OUR HOLY CHURCH CELEBRATES THE SOLEMN ENTRY JOACHIM AND ST ANNA - THE ALL PURE, EVER VIRGIN INTO THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM OF THE THREE-YEAR-OLD THEOTOKOS, MARY - TO BE IN INSTRUCTED IN THE DIVINE EVER BLESSED DAUGHTER OF RIGHTEOUS PARENTS, ST WILL OF THE LORD OUR GOD.
ENTRANCE
INTO
TEMPLE - EV
ER
BLESSED, ALL HOLY, EV
ER
VIRGIN MARY
21 NOVEMB
ER
2012
23.
ST ZACHARIASTHE ELDER AND HIGH PRIESTMET HER WITH PRIESTLY SPLENDOUR; and AS INSTRUCTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE TOOK HER, accompanied by other young maidens, INTO the most interior part of the Temple - THE HOLY OF HOLIES where the High Priest himself entered once a year, and WHERE THE HOLY OF HOLIES - THE LORD HIMSELF - DWELT BECAUSE SHE WAS TO BECOME THE MOTHER OF HIS FLESH His Incarnation. THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN WAS TAUGHT TO READ AND WRITE HEBREW AND HOW TO PRAY BY THE HOLY SPIRIT and SHE CEASELESSLY PRAYED AND STUDIED THE HOLY WORD OF GOD whenever She was not in Divine Contemplation, OR BUSY WITH A VARIETY OF HANDIWORK FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE GREAT TEMPLE. Her love of communicating with God and reading Holy Scripture was so intense that SHE OFTEN FORGOT ABOUT FOOD AND DRINK, SO AN ARCHANGEL NOURISHED HER WITH HEAVENLY FOOD ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. SHE IS OUR MOST EXCELLENT EXAMPLE i.e. for all struggling Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ and faithful servants of our Heavenly Queen, Theotokos AND THE FOUNDER OF SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION. We should EMULATE HER FERVENT LOVE OF GOD as best as we can AS WELL AS HER ZEAL FOR READING THE WORD OF GOD, FOR PRAYER, FOR DIVINE CONTEMPLATION, SELF-RESTRAINT, AND LOVE OF LABOUR! If we want to worthy Spiritual Members of Christ's Holy Church then we should IMITATE HER GREAT VIRTUES OF PROFOUND HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN ALL THINGS! As Her Children by Grace BE OF ONE SPIRIT WITH HER: LEARN FROM HER HOW TO LOVE THE LORD, OUR CREATOR, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD, more than father and mother, more than anyone dear to us. AVIDLY STUDY THE WORD OF GOD and PRAY TO THE LORD WITH WARMTH OF HEART AND UTTER LOVE. DEDICATE OURSELVES WHOLEHEARTEDLY TO GOD and ENTRUST OUR LIFE TO HIS WISE AND ALL-GOOD PROVIDENCE WITH SUCH PURITY, MEEKNESS, HUMILITY, AND PATIENCE. CLOTHE AND ADORN OURSELVES WITH VIRTUE - and not with the vain embellishments of this adulterous and sinful world, which knows no bounds of luxury and elegance. LOVE A LIFE WITH GOD AND THE SAINTS ...more than to dwell in the tents of sinners. (PSALM 83:11) THE MOST HOLY VIRGIN WAS PRESENTED AT THE TEMPLE TO BE INSTRUCTED IN THE WILL OF OUR LORD GOD - so we must also COMMIT TO THE ETERNAL BENEFIT AND
NECESSITY OF REGULAR ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION OF HOLY SERVICES in the House of God where WE ARE RAISED AS WORTHY CITIZENS OF THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM. We are Christians because WE HAVE ALL BEEN CALLED BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO BECOME FITTING HEAVENLY CITIZENS, DIVINE INHERITORS, CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST. OUR CALLING AND SACRED DUTIES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS OF OUR IMMORTAL SOUL, WHICH MUST BECOME ELEVATED, HOLY, MEEK AND HUMBLE.
The Church teaches us about our Holy Calling and Sacred Duties, and how WE SHOULD LIVE IN CHRIST: WE RECEIVE THE NECESSARY SPIRITUAL POWERS AND ABILITY IN THE HOLY TEMPLE OF GOD THROUGH HER HOLY MYSTERIES. We experience THE HEAVENLY HOSTS AND THE LIFEGIVING HOLY SPIRIT WHO ENABLES US TO ACHIEVE SUCH WONDROUS SPIRITUAL HEIGHTS! We receive THE HOLY TEACHINGS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHEREBY FUTURE WORTHY CITIZENS OF HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM ARE EDUCATED, GUIDED AND NURTURED. We receive HEAVENLY LESSONS FROM THE DIVINE TEACHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LIFEGIVING HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH HIS HOLY GOSPEL. We receive HEAVENLY SUSTENANCE, HEAVENLY, SPIRITUAL GARMENTS AND THE ARMOUR OF SALVATION AGAINST OUR ENEMIES. We receive THE PEACE THAT IS A FORETASTE OF HEAVEN so necessary to our Spiritual Activity and education, and Strength for Spiritual Labours and Struggle against temptations and sin. WE CONVERSE AND COMMUNICATE with our Heavenly Father and the Most Holy Queen and Theotokos, and with the Angels of God as well as all His Saints FOR WE LEARN HOW TO PRAY, AND FOR WHAT TO PRAY.
WE STRIVE TO IMITATE THE INNUMERABLE VIRTUOUS EXAMPLES OF THE SAINTS who are commemorated every day and with whose names we are Baptised - GATHERED TOGETHER IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, AS CHILDREN OF ONE HEAVENLY FATHER, AS MEMBERS OF THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST and we learn how to TRULY LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS MEMBERS OF CHRIST AND AS CHRIST HIMSELF. See HOW BENEFICIAL AND INDISPENSABLE IT IS FOR US TO REGULARLY ATTEND THE HOLY SERVICES IN GOD'S TEMPLE, WHICH IS OUR HOLY SCHOOL OF FAITH AND PIETY, FOUNDED BY GOD - a Most Sacred Treasure ... according to His Divine Power, which has granted us all things that pertain to Life and Godliness... - the inestimable Treasury of all the Mysteries of Christ! (2 PETER 1:3), The benefit and necessity of attending Holy Services is more clearly revealed by comparing the wondrous, Life-giving Holy Church with the vain, selfish world, which we prefer. In the world, at every step there is vanity, delusion, and vice, while IN CHURCH IS TRUTH, SANCTITY, AND EVERY KIND OF VIRTUE. The world is filled with corruption, sin, and death, while THE CHURCH GRANTS US INCORRUPTION, REPENTANCE, RENEWAL AND ETERNAL LIFE! Outside the Church we see worldly vanity that feeds on ... the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1 JOHN 2:16) We see things that constantly entice and captivate us, and cause us to neglect THE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, OUR CREATOR AND SAVIOUR OF ALL MANKIND. No matter where we direct our attention in the world, we are confronted by decay, vanity, and sin - empty, futile conversations, worthless activity that distracts our attention from God and all His Goodness, and the fastapproaching Eternity. Only in pious homes do the Icons of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Most Pure Mother, and His Blessed Saints remind us that WE ARE MEMBERS OF CHRIST AND OF HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM, WHO LOOK FORWARD TO THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE OF THE AGE TO COME, when we shall be United forever with our Lord and His Saints, having Cleansed ourselves of all defilement of flesh and spirit. WE CAN OBVIOUSLY SEE WHAT AN IMMENSE DIFFERENCE THERE IS BETWEEN THE HOLY TEMPLE OR HOUSE OF GOD, AND THE FALLEN WORLD! We can see HOW ETERNALLY BENEFICIAL AND VITAL IT IS FOR US TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN ALL THE HOLY SERVICES AND HOLY MYSTERIES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE, STRENGTHEN AND ENLIGHTEN OUR IMMORTAL SOULS FOR THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM - TO INVITE CHRIST INTO OUR HEARTS AND SOULS AND TO ENGENDER HEAVENLY, SAINTLY MANNERS. For where else besides God's Temple will WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD and where else will WE RECEIVE THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF FAITH - or BE GRANTED THE SPECIAL STRENGTH TO LIVE IN CHRIST? ONLY IN AND FROM HIS HOLY CHURCH! We must ALWAYS BE EAGER TO FULFIL OUR SACRED TASKS and thereby PREPARE AND MAINTAIN THE TEMPLE OF GOD WITHIN OURSELVES:You, also, as Living Stones, are built up (as) a Spiritual House, a Holy Priesthood, to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 PETER 2:5). IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND RELATIVES TAKE OR SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY AND FEAST DAY WITHOUT FAIL, (instead of Spiritually Unprofitable places of entertainment). IN CHURCH, THEY WILL HEAR THE MOST HOLY NAME OF THE LORD THE HOLY TRINITY FREQUENTLY AND THEY WILL LEARN THE ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND DIVINE TRUTH CONCERNING CREATION AND MANKIND. Furthermore, THEY WILL COME TO KNOW OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR, HIS EVER BLESSED, ALL PURE MOTHER, AND MANY OF OUR GREAT AND HOLY SAINTS. They will also learn about THE RESURRECTION, OUR FINAL JUDGMENT, ETERNAL LIFE, AND THE CONDEMNATION OF UNREPENTANT SINNERS. THEY WILL LEARN FROM AND BE EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE GOOD CHRISTIANS - which is far more valuable than anything else in this age and the Age to come. Amen.
ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT - TRANSLATED BY NUN CORNELIA (REES)- 03 / 12 / 2011 HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/43276.HTM
24.
ENTRANCE
INTO
TEMPLE - EV
ER
BLESSED, ALL HOLY, EV
ER
VIRGIN MARY
21 NOVEMB
ER
2012
2 5 t h S u n d a y Af t e r P e n t e c o s t
Tone (8) Plagal 4 13th Sunday of St Luke Inheriting Eternal Life

APODOSIS OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE The Feast of St Catherine the Great Martyr St Mercury St Clement of Rome St Peter of Alexandria St Peter of Galatia St Clement of Ochrid & Enlightener of the Bulgarians
25 N ov em ber 2 0 1 2
R e s u r r e c t i o n A p o l y t i k i o n TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Ex
Ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo triimeron, ina imas eleftherosis ton pathon. I Zoi ke i Anastasis imon, Kyrie, Doxa Si!
Thou descended from on High,
O Tender-hearted One; Thou endured the three-days burial, so that Thou might free us from our passions, O our Life and Resurrection: Glory to Thee!
Festal Apolytikion Entrance of Ever Blessed Virgin
TONE 4
Simeron
tis Evdokias anthropon Sotirias tranos i Parthenos prokatangellete. voisomen. Here! Ekplirosis!
Theou to proimion, ke tis ton i prokirixis. En Nao tou Theou diknite, ke ton Hriston tis pasi Afti ke imis megalofonos Tis Ikonomias tou Ktistou i
Today
is the prelude of the Good Pleasure of God for mankind, and the Proclamation of our Salvation; in the Temple of God, the Virgin is clearly revealed, to all foretelling the Coming of Christ. Wherefore, let us cry to her with a mighty voice: Rejoice O Fulfilment of the Creators Dispensation. All Blessed Bride of Christ, let us extol in song: Catherine the Holy and Protector of Sinai, our assistance and unfailing firm Support; for she brilliantly muzzled the ungodly, clever men, by the Power of the Spirit, and now, as a Crowned Martyr, she pleads for the Great Mercy for us all.
Festal Apolytikion - St Catherine Of Alexandria
Tin Panevfimon Nimfin Hristou imnisomen,
Aikaterinan tin Thian ke Poliouhon Sina, tin voithian imon ke antilipsin; oti efimose lambros, tous kompsous ton asevon, tou Pnevmatos ti dinami; ke nin os Martis stefthisa, etite pasi to Mega Eleos.
The
Festal Kontakion Entry of Ever Blessed Virgin Mary
O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke The Most Pure Temple of our Saviour, the Precious Bridal
OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST APPEARS
TO
Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of God, today enters the House of the Lord, bringing the Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
HIS APOSTLES & DISCIPLES BEFORE HIS ASCENSION
Resurrection Gospel 3 Mark 16 : 9 20 Prokeimenon God is Wonderful in His Saints! Bless God in the Congregations! The Epistle of St Paul to the Galatians 3 : 23 4 : 5
DIVINE LAW
IS OUR
TUTOR OUR HOLY SONSHIP
BY
FAITH & BAPTISM
Brethren: Before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law kept for the Faith that would afterwards be revealed. Therefore the Law was our Tutor that brought us to Christ so that we might be Justified by Faith. But after Faith came, we are no longer under a Tutor. For you are all sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; neither slave nor free; neither male nor female for you are all One in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christs then you are also Abrahams seed, and Heirs according to the Promise. NEWLY REGENERATED SOUL INTO THE ASSEMBLY OF TWO FAITHS ARE CO-OPERATING: first and foremost THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. CHRISTS FAITH, AND then, secondly, THE FAITH OF
THOSE WHO BELIEVE. WHILE THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT WITH GOD CERTAINLY HAD FAITH, THEY COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN CHRISTS FAITH BECAUSE HE HAD NOT YET COME while they were still alive on earth. St Paul directly related our SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED connecting them as the most intimate WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE WITH CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR SO THE ERROR OF VALUING PEOPLE BASED ON PERSONAL OPINIONS AND ETHNICITY neither
Jew nor Greek or on pride and social status neither slave nor free or gender neither male nor female has no place in Christs Holy Church.
WE CAN NEVER CATEGORIZE OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS BECAUSE WE ALL SHARE ONE AND THE SAME HUMAN NATURE AND SO WE ARE ALL EQUAL BEFORE GOD AND ONE ANOTHER!
of friends. For as many of you as were Baptised in Christ have put on Christ! is THE ANCIENT HYMN WE
STILL CHANT DURING THE PROCESSION OF THE
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke
18 : 18 27
25TH AP 13TH ST LUKE INHERITANCE
OF
ETERNAL LIFE ST CATHERINE
OF
A L E X A N D R I A 2 5 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 25.
THE INHERITANCE
OF
ETERNAL LIFE
At that time, a certain ruler asked Jesus, saying: Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life? And Jesus said to him: Why do you call Me Good? No one is Good but One that is, God. You know the Commandments: Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honour your father and your mother. And he said: All these things I have kept from my youth. And when Jesus heard these things, He said to him: You still lack one thing: sell all that you have and distribute them amongst the poor, and you will have Treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me. But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became sorrowful, He said: How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. And those who heard it said: Who then can be Saved? And Jesus said: The things that are impossible with mankind are possible with God! THE RICH YOUNG RULER HAD NOT GONE TO CHRIST IN The symbolism was that NO ONE COULD ENTER THE CITY
ORDER TO TEST HIM BUT TO SINCERELY SEEK THE WISE ADVICE OF SOMEONE WHOM HE CONSIDERED AS BEING MERELY A GOOD TEACHER OF MOSAIC LAW NOT AS THE MESSIAH OR THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. THROUGH THE SMALL GATE WITHOUT EFFORT BY BOWING DOWN AND BEING UNBURDENED BY POSSESSIONS. V Thus, WHEN ENTERING THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF GOD WHETHER IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE OR HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM, WE MUST FIRST UNBURDEN OURSELVES OF ALL BAGGAGE BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL AND BOW DOWN IN ALL HUMILITY AND WORSHIP BEFORE HIS DIVINE MAJESTY. No matter how it is interpreted, CHRIST USED THE EXPRESSION TO DESCRIBE HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO ACHIEVE SALVATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE SO BURDENED BY THEIR EARTHLY POSSESSIONS AND EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO IT!
Consequently, our Lords response to him did not deny that HE IS GOD but was designed to lead the man to the Truth that HE IS INDEED GOD AND TO CONFIRM
GODS WISDOM AND TRUTH, WHICH NEVER CHANGES. FORMAL OBSERVANCE OF GODS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS DOES NOT MAKE ANYONE RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD and
this young man had an earnest desire for Eternal Life.

HE REALISED THAT HE STILL LACKED SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL TO THAT ETERNAL LIFE IN GODS KINGDOM SO HE PERSISTED and, knowing the depths of that mans heart, OUR LORD THEN GAVE HIM AN EVEN MORE DIFFICULT SACRED TASK TO FULFIL ONE THAT CHRIST DOES NOT ASK OF EVERYONE.
And in answer to the vital question: Who then can be Saved? our Lord Jesus said: THE THINGS THAT ARE
V V
V In order for us to become Perfect or achieve Theosis

a Godlike Purity WE MUST WILLINGLY SACRIFICE EVERYTHING family, friends, occupations and possessions ( that are to be distributed amongst the poor and destitute) SO THAT WE CAN FREELY
FOLLOW CHRIST TO THE FULLEST DEGREE.
IMPOSSIBLE WITH MANKIND ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD! WITHOUT GOD WE ACHIEVE NOTHING WORTHWHILE AND PERMANENT. BY THE GRACE OF GOD TRUE AND IMPOSSIBLE MIRACLES OCCUR - AND EVEN REPENTANT SINNERS ARE SANCTIFIED!
The specifics of how we follow Christ is different for every eager and devoted Disciple. However, due to his extreme wealth and despite all his efforts to fulfil Gods Commandments throughout his short life, THE YOUNG MAN UNDERSTOOD AND
ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEPTH OF HIS AVERSION AND UNWILLINGNESS TO SURRENDER HIS COMFORTABLE LIFE AND FOLLOW CHRIST.
Our entire lifespan is allocated to each of us by God Who knows exactly how much time we need to grow to our fullest potential. We can no longer claim to be ignorant of our Sacred Mission on this earth which is TO REGAIN OUR LOST
LIKENESS TO GOD AND FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, WHICH MAKES US FITTING CITIZENS OF HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM. GOD DESIRES ETERNAL LIFE FOR EVERY SINGLE SOUL HE HAS EVER CREATED, BUT HAVING GRANTED US FREE WILL TO CHOOSE WHICH PATH WE WISH TO TAKE TOWARDS ETERNITY, WE ARE ALL TOO OFTEN DISTRACTED AND LED ASTRAY BY THE EVIL ONE WHO SEEKS OUR SPIRITUAL DEATH AND ETERNAL ALIENATION FROM GOD. Nevertheless, EVEN BEFORE HE CREATED US, GOD HAD MADE PROVISION FOR OUR SALVATION AND THEOSIS SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.
He became deeply sorrowful when faced with his own ability to give up his comfortable but impermanent circumstances in exchange for Eternal Life!
HIS SADNESS WAS CAUSED BY THE REALITY OF HIS SPIRITUAL CONDITION, WHICH CHOSE INSTANT GRATIFICATION OVER AN EVERLASTING EXISTENCE OF LOVE, PEACE AND ALL DIVINE GOODNESS!
Such is our own deep Spiritual Mourning the realisation of how much we prefer self-indulgence and temporary satisfaction (that never gratifies our desires) to SELFDENIAL AND SACRIFICE THAT DOES TRULY GRATIFY AND WHICH SETS US FREE AND ABLE TO FOLLOW CHRIST ALL THE WAY TO HIS DIVINE KINGDOM.
Various interpretations have been suggested for the utterly impossible image of a camel going through the eye of a needle. Some have suggested that the word camel can be replaced by rope. Otherwise, the eye of the needle referred to the small gate of the large city gates of ancient times, through which neither a fully laden person nor beast could pass through, without first being unloaded of all baggage and even then it would have been a tight squeeze and taken some effort to get a camel or any other animal through the gap.
When mankind continued to misinterpret and misunderstand His Divine Commandments and His infinite Love for us, God the Father sent His Only Begotten Son to live amongst us and to teach us directly so that we can now choose wisely and properly either to follow Him or reject Him.
WHATEVER CHOICES WE MAKE, WE WILL FACE THE CONSEQUENCES either in this life so that by Divine
Mercy we are able to correct our errors and seek forgiveness and Spiritual Renewal being able to continue our Spiritual Journey or by remaining unrepentant even when confronted by the results of our sins, being Eternally Condemned and Alienated from everything that is good. So WE CONSTANTLY PRAY FOR OUR SALVATION, ASKING THE
CHURCH TRIUMPHANT TO INTERCEDE WITH GOD FOR HIS GREAT MERCY AND CEASELESSLY CORRECTING OURSELVES AND WITH LOVE, GUIDING AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS WHO ACCOMPANY US THROUGH THIS PREPARATORY LIFE.
The Rich Young Ruler and the Average Orthodox Parishioner

If we put this Sacred Gospel Lesson in a modern Orthodox context, it is possible to imagine an average Orthodox Parishioner going to Holy Confession and telling the Priest: I do not really know what to confess for I have not murdered anyone; I have not committed adultery; I have not stolen anything nor told any big lies. The Priest can only reply like our Lord Jesus Christ had done: Good for you! Then all you need to do is sell all you possess and give it to the poor, then go and follow Christ! How many of us would walk away from such a Confession every bit as sorrowful as that certain Ruler mentioned in todays Sacred Lesson? For we might think highly of ourselves that we have not committed any major sins - yet we pray constantly in Church that we might spend the remaining time of our life in True Repentance.
26.
OF
OF
ALEXANDRIA 25 NOVEMBER 2012
If, however, we are so unaware of what sins we are actually committing, then WE DO NEED TO DO WHAT CHRIST TOLD THAT CERTAIN RULER: WE MUST SELL ALL WE POSSESS
AND DISTRIBUTE THE PROCEEDS AMONGST THE POOR AND DESTITUTE AND THEN FOLLOW HIM! ONLY WHEN WE HAVE FREED OURSELVES FROM THE SHACKLES OF OUR POSSESSIONS, WILL WE TRULY BE ABLE TO FOLLOW OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Such is the great challenge of todays Holy Gospel Lesson. Maybe IT REALLY IS EASIER FOR US TO EXAMINE OUR
CONSCIENCE A BIT MORE THOROUGHLY AND INTENSELY BEFORE SINCERELY REPENTING OF OUR SINS (BY GIVING OUR SINFUL OBSESSIONS AWAY!) than it is for us to give
up our worldly wealth no matter how much or how meagre it may be! It is certainly ...easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter into Heaven! Therefore, before we go into Holy Confession and declare that we have nothing much to confess, we might want to PROPERLY EXAMINE OUR CONSCIENCE, OR BE PREPARED
TO BE TOLD TO SELL ALL WE HAVE AND ONLY THEN TO FOLLOW CHRIST.
A second, very important aspect to consider is our Lord Jesus severe warning: ... where your treasure is, there your heart will be as well! OUR TREASURES DO NOT ALWAYS CONSIST OF MATERIAL WEALTH OR PROSPERITY. Far too often the things we treasure and store in our heart is our PERSONAL WICKEDNESS SUCH AS ANGER, UNWILLINGNESS TO FORGIVE, SEXUAL LUST, GREED, SELFINDULGENCE AND JEALOUSY. We also treasure time spent WATCHING TELEVISION OR USING THE COMPUTER ESPECIALLY FOR MINDLESS HOURS OF GAMES AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS THAT BRAIN-WASH US V
INTO BELIEVING THAT I T IS ALL A LITTLE HARMLESS FUN! BUT WHICH HAS FARREACHING EFFECTS ON OUR MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CONDITIONING as well as the dangerous indulgence of
We try to get around our Lord Jesus Teachings by being exactly literal ... I have not committed adultery... or stolen... or committed murder...! However, just like the Rich Young Ruler, WE HAVE ALL STORED UP OTHER TOXIC AND DESTRUCTIVE TREASURES IN OUR HEART and certainly, hold a grudge or maintaining - or even nurturing hatred, is gathering the most deadly treasures that will lead to our Eternal Alienation and Banishment from God and all His Goodness! MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE THINGS WE REFUSE TO GIVE UP ARE OBVIOUSLY SPIRITUALLY HARMFUL yet we cling to them as tightly as the Rich Young Ruler clung to his earthly possessions TO THE DETRIMENT OF his and OUR OWN IMMORTAL SOUL. As St Paul reminded St Timothy: The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to Save sinners of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason, I received Mercy, so that in me, as the foremost sinner, Jesus Christ might display the utmost Patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in Him for Eternal Life... (1TIMOTHY 1: 15 17) ST PAUL ACCEPTED A LIFE-TIME OF REPENTANCE AND WAS NOT
ASHAMED TO ADMIT THAT HE WAS THE FOREMOST OF SINNERS BECAUSE HE ALSO RECOGNISED THIS CONFESSION DID NOT PUT HIM IN GODS DISFAVOUR BUT RATHER IN GODS GRACE. St Paul acknowledged that his previous way of life was wrong and HE TURNED TO GOD TO CHANGE HIS PERSONAL SINFUL WAYS AND TO SINCERELY EMBRACE THE SACRED AND TRUE WAY OF GOD. May God grant us the courage and honesty to IMITATE ST PAUL SO THAT OUR REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION IS TRUTHFUL AND SINCERE, thereby granting us great Spiritual Progress and Divine Grace of our Most Merciful and Loving God! For ONLY WITH THE GOLDEN VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, WHICH ACHIEVE THE OTHER GREAT VIRTUES, CAN WE INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE!
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: SERMON BY FATHER TED BOBOSH, ST PAUL THE APOSTLE ORTHODOX CHURCH, DAYTON.OHIO,USA HTTP://FRTED.WORDPRESS.COM/2012/01/16/THE-RICH-RULER-AND-THE-AVERAGEORTHODOX-PARISHIONER/
pornography or sex, alcohol and/or drugs, or ANY

OTHER HARMFUL OBSESSIONS. These DESTRUCTIVE ADDICTIONS
are our self-indulgent riches which we stubbornly hold onto and refuse to renounce which SHOWS THE DEPTH OF OUR ENSLAVEMENT TO THEM.
Orthodox Way of Life - How to Deal with Wealth

MOST OF US who live in the modern, affluent towns and cities of the world and even in certain parts of Africa ARE CERTAINLY RICH BEYOND COMPARE TO THE INNUMERABLE MILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE UTTERLY DESTITUTE, STARVING AND DYING. WE ARE CERTAINLY RICH WHEN OUR RESOURCES EXCEED THE BASIC NEEDS OF LIFE even if we do not acknowledge
or realise it! A third world Development Agency in Sri Lanka identified the following TEN BASIC HUMAN NEEDS: 1. Clean environment 2. Adequate supply of water 3. Clothing 4. Nutritious food 5. Shelter 6. Health care 7. Communication 8. Fuel and lighting (energy) 9. Education 10. Cultural and spiritual engagement Most of us have all these and much more! We are indeed rich! However, BEING SO WEALTHY AND PRIVILEGED IN THIS WAY, HOW ARE WE TO ACT? METROPOLITAN GREGORY OF ST PETERSBURG wrote: Never think as many foolish people among the rich do that you owe your wealth to your intelligence, cleverness or energy. Although you perhaps are really intelligent, clever and energetic, never ascribe the acquisition of your wealth only to these attributes for consider: Who gave you your intelligence?
Who gave you health and strength so that you can work? Who Blesses your labours with the success you desire, while so many others who are no less intelligent and hardworking than you are hardly able to get their daily bread? Remember the Word of the Spirit of God: ... the Lord ...maketh rich. [1 KINGS 2:7] We must BE EVER THANKFUL for what we have, which allows us to engage in luxuries most people cannot enjoy. WE NEED TO CONSTANTLY EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST, AND MOST SINCERE GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR OUR GOOD FORTUNE, BY NOT ONLY OFFERING PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING BUT ALSO AND MOST ESPECIALLY BY SHARING OUR MANY BLESSINGS WITH OTHERS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN US! We must PREVENT OUR WEALTH FROM BECOMING AN OBSESSION SO THAT WE ARE ENSLAVED BY IT and forced by our worsening greed to maintain or increase it to the detriment of everything that is good. GREED AND SELF-GRATIFICATION CORRUPTS our heart and soul to such an extent that we will live in persistent fear that God or something else will take our possessions away from us. Consequently, WE WILL BECOME PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND
PHYSICALLY BURDENED MANIAS AND PHOBIAS. AND OVERWHELMED BY OUR
Metropolitan Gregory believed: ... Jesus Christ said that wealth can be very perilous for the soul: It is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven... and ... those who will be rich fall into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which
OF
OF
A L E X A N D R I A 2 5 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 27.
drown men in destruction and perdition...

19:23 & 1 TIMOTHY 6:9]
[MATTHEW
Metropolitan Gregory also cautioned all those who are rich: When you pray, never in your Prayer ask the Lord God for permanent continuation of your earthly abundance, and especially, do not ask for an increase of wealth! If we who are wealthy ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM GOD, then we can RETAIN A HUMBLE SPIRIT and we will
RECOGNISE PROPER WAYS TO USE SUCH ABUNDANCE FOR THE HOLY WORK OF GOD. need to seriously CONTEMPLATE THE REASONS WHY GOD HAS BLESSED US SO ABUNDANTLY and then we must TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING AS DEDICATED STEWARDS OR CARETAKERS OF GODS KINGDOM on earth. must PRAY FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE IN THE PROPER USE OF OUR WORLDLY WEALTH SO THAT IT IS ALWAYS ACCORDING TO GODS DIVINE WILL.
We
Our Lord God expects everyone who is so richly Blessed to ALWAYS - WILLINGLY AND GENEROUSLY - HELP OTHERS TO ATTAIN - at the very least - THE TEN BASIC HUMAN NEEDS that we take for granted in the comfort and luxury of our modern life-style. If we consider ourselves as being Blessed with all the things that are far above the most basic human needs, we should ALWAYS REMEMBER THE TRUE ACCOUNT OF POOR LAZAROS AND THE SELF-INDULGENT RICH MAN and then reflect deeply on our responsibilities based on the vast Blessings we have been granted by God. This is A CONTINUAL, LIFE-TIME SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE for all Faithful Disciples of Christ especially in this day and age of self-gratification and indulgence.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: BY DEACON CHARLES JOINER, ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM/
We
The Eternal, Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Church Fathers A Prayer of St Ilia Chavchavadze: Our Father Who art in Heaven: with tenderness I stand before Thee on my knees; I ask for neither wealth nor glory - and not wanting to debase my Holy Prayer with earthly matters, I wish for my soul to rest in Heaven, my heart to be Radiant with Love heralded by Thee and to be able to ask for Forgiveness of my enemies, even if they pierce me to the heart: forgive them, O Lord, for they know not what they do! St Symeon the New Theologian: O Grandeur of Ineffable Glory! O Excess of Love! He Who embraces all things, makes His Home within a mortal, corruptible man; He by Whose Indwelling Might all things are governed, and the man becomes like a woman who is heavy with child. O Astonishing Miracle and Incomprehensible Deeds and Mysteries of the Incomprehensible God! A man carries God consciously within himself as Light carries Him Who has brought all things into being and created them, including the one who carries Him now. He carries Him within as a Treasure inexpressible, unspeakable, without quality, quantity, or form, immaterial, shapeless, yet with Form in Beauty inexplicable, altogether simple, like Light - Him Who transcends all light. And, clenching his hands at his sides, this man walks in our midst and is ignored by everyone who surrounds him. Who can then adequately explain the Joy of such a man? Will he not be more Blessed and more Glorious than any Emperor? Than whom, or than how many visible worlds, will he not be more wealthy? And in what shall such a man ever be lacking? Truly, in no way shall he lack any of Gods Good Things! Desert Fathers The Brothers asked: "What kind of Prayer is unacceptable to God?" The Elder replied: "Any Prayer seeking the destruction of enemies - because when we ask for evil things to come upon those who do harm to us and even for physical health, abundance of possessions or fertility in respect of children - these requests are unacceptable before God. If God bears with us sinners who offend Him so often, how much more is it right that we should bear each problem with Patience? Therefore it is not fitting that we should ask for the things that concern the body or our personal circumstances, for the Wisdom of God provides everything necessary. St Theophan the Recluse A Brother asked Abba Agathon: Tell me, Abba, which is greater: physical work or guarding what lies within? The Abba replied: Man is like a tree; physical work is the leaves and guarding what lies within is the fruit. Now it says in the Gospel, Every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire clearly, then, all our care should be about the Fruit, that is, about guarding the mind. But we also need the protection and adornment of leaves, that is, physical work. (MATTHEW 3:10) THE CHIEF ENEMY OF LIFE IN GOD IS A PROFUSION OF WORLDLY CARES. This profusion of cares impels us into an endless round of secular activities. Every day, from morning till night, it drives us from one job to another, not giving us a moments rest, LEAVING US NO TIME TO TURN TO GOD AND TO REMAIN FOR A WHILE UPLIFTED IN PRAYER TO HIM. This profusion of cares has no place among Monks. Those who understand this enter a Monastery simply in order to free themselves from this torture of cares. And they are freed. WHEN THE MULTITUDE OF CARES SUBSIDES, THE MIND AND
HEART ARE LEFT COMPLETELY FREE AND THERE IS NOTHING TO HINDER THEM FROM REMAINING IN GOD AND TAKING THEIR JOY IN HIM. Those who practise
the Monastic Life in an intelligent way, quickly gain success in this and become firmly established in their purpose. All that remains thereafter is to MAINTAIN THIS TREASURE OF FREEDOM FROM CARES; and such people do in fact manage to maintain it. Every Monk or Nun has tasks to fulfil in the course of the twenty-four hours. Since these tasks are a matter of routine, they do not demand any special attention; and so THE HANDS CAN BE AT WORK WHILE THE MIND CONVERSES WITH GOD AND THUS FEEDS THE HEART. This norm for the inner order of things was long ago recommended by St Anthony the Great. Monks have an active life, similar to the active life of laymen - only THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE NOT
ACCOMPANIED BY THE MULTITUDE OF CARES WHICH GNAW AT THE MINDS OF LAYMEN. IT IS THIS FREEDOM FROM ANXIETY, resulting from the ordered sequence of the Monastic Life, THAT ENABLES THEM TO HOLD FAST TO THEIR AIM - TO REMAIN CONSTANTLY WITH GOD AND IN GOD.
All Glory, Honour and Wo rship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen.
28.
OF
OF
ALEXANDRIA 25 NOVEMBER 2012
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.
30 November 2012 St Andrew First Called Apostle of Christ

Also the Feast of the Entrance of St Andrew, First Called Apostle of Christ into Georgia - St Frumentios, Archbishop of Abyssinia, Ethiopia St Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia St Samuel, Second Catholicos (Bishop) of Georgia St Peter, First Catholicos (Bishop) of Georgia
Apolytikion of St Andrew, First Called Apostle Tone 4
Os
ton Apostolon Potoklitos, ke tou Korifeou aftadelphos, ton Despotin ton olon Andrea iketeve, irinin ti ikoumeni dorisasthe, ke tes psihes imon to Mega Eleos!
Nativity of Christ
As First Called of the Apostles and Brother of Peter the

Pre-eminent, O Andrew, Intercede with the Master of all to grant Peace to the whole world, and Great Mercy to our souls!
Kontakion of the
Parthenos simeron, ton Iperousion tikti, ke i gi to spyleon to aprito prosagi. Angeli meta Pimenon Doxologousi, Magi de meta Asteros odiporousi, di imas gar egenniti, Pedion Neon, O Pro Aionon Theos.
Today
the Virgin gives Birth to Him Who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no man can approach. Angels with Shepherds give Glory, and Magi journey with a Star. For unto us is Born a young Child: the Pre-Eternal God.
OF
Matins Gospel Matthew 4 : 18 - 23

THE CALLING
TO
HOLY SERVICE
OF THE
TWELVE APOSTLES
CHRIST
OUR
GOD
At that time, our Lord Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when He saw two brothers Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them: Follow Me, and I shall make you Fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on from there, He saw two other brothers James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother in the boat with Zebedee, their father, mending their nets. And He Called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their Synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and Healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Prokeimenon
His Proclamation went forth into all the earth, and His Words to the ends of the world. The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
The First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 4 : 9 16
THE INSPIRED WISDOM & PURPOSE
OF OUR
SPIRITUAL FATHERS
Brethren: I think that God has displayed us the Apostles last - as men who are condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world both to Angels and to mankind. We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonoured! Until the present hour, we hunger and thirst, we are poorly clothed, and we are beaten and homeless. And we labour working with our own hands. Being reviled, we Bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made like the filth of the world the offscouring of all things until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my Beloved Children, I warn you. For although you might have ten thousand Instructors in Christ you do not have many Fathers; for in Christ I have Begotten you through the Gospel. Therefore, I urge you: imitate me!
ST PAUL DIRECTED A SERIES OF SHARP STATEMENTS TO THE ARROGANT CORINTHIANS IN ORDER TO DEFLATE THEIR PRIDE, WHICH IMPEDES SPIRITUAL GROWTH BECAUSE NOTHING JUSTIFIES THINKING THAT WE ARE BETTER THAN OR SUPERIOR TO ANYONE ELSE! HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE ARE TIGHTLY INTERTWINED FOR NEITHER IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE OTHER VIRTUE and DEPENDING ON THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE OF OUR LORDS GREAT LOVE, GRACE AND MERCY.
by achieving these two wondrous Virtues, we are able to attain the other Virtues that are essential for our Spiritual Progress - regaining our lost Divine Likeness and Eternal Life with God. In order to awaken and heal the apathetic Corinthians, St Paul prodded them with bitter irony and sarcasm: ... we are fools... we are weak... we are dishonoured... The relative comfort of the Corinthians Christians was thus contrasted with the struggling, persecuted, destitute and uncertain life of the Holy Apostles who laboured unceasingly in order to teach, heal, guide, gather and protect the Holy Flock of Christ our Saviour. (READ MARK 6:4; 9:35 & 10:31) THE HOLY APOSTLES AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST who spread the Holy Gospel throughout the known world ENDURED every type of humiliation, degradation and persecution ALWAYS TRUSTING IN AND
They were treated as though they were filth or offscourings as though they were the worst type of people by the pagans as well as misguided Hebrews who had been instructed by their leaders to reject them as the worst type of heretic.
YET, INSTEAD OF RETALIATING, JUSTIFYING OR DEFENDING THEMSELVES, THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES OF CHRIST RESPONDED TO THEIR ANIMOSITY AND HATRED WITH LOVE AGAPE UNCONDITIONAL DIVINE LOVE, which our Lord taught us by His own Perfect Example FOR THE TRUE JOY OF SERVING OUR LORD and especially for the purpose of RECONCILING THE FALLEN WORLD TO GOD.
St Paul soothed any hurt caused by his rebuke by reminding the Corinthians of his SPIRITUAL
FATHERHOOD.
V Although our Lord Jesus said: Do not call anyone

on earth your Father, for One is your Father He Who is in Heaven. And do not be called Teacher, for One is your Teacher the Christ... HE WAS WARNING US AGAINST HYPOCRITICAL SPIRITUAL LEADERS such as the selfrighteous Scribes and Pharisees WHO HAVE THEIR
OWN HIDDEN AGENDAS OF SELF-GLORIFICATION,
(C HR I STMAS
FAST)
ST ANDREW ZEB
EDEE
FIRST-CALLED APOSTLE
OF
CHRIST 30 NOV
EMBER
2 0 1 2 29.
WHICH LEADS MANY TRUSTING BUT DECEIVED SOULS ASTRAY AWAY FROM GOD! However, IT WAS NOT AN ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION AGAINST USING SUCH TERMS BECAUSE BY HIS DIVINE GRACE CERTAIN PEOPLE DO TEACH US HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND THOSE WHO GUIDE US IN LIFE IN CHRIST ARE OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS AS WE ARE THEIR SPIRITUAL CHILDREN
Father is used in:

COLOSSIANS 3:21
LUKE 16:24 1 CORINTHIANS 4: 15
&
through Humility and Obedience to the Will of God.

(MATTHEW 23: 9 -10)
SINCE THE VERY EARLY DAYS OF CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH, BISHOPS AND PRESBYTERS (PRIESTS) HAVE BEEN CALLED FATHER (PATER) not because they replace God by any means at all, but DUE TO THEIR FATHERLY CARE for their Holy Flocks ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD AND EXCLUSIVELY FOR HIS GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP.
As St Paul expressed it - WE ARE BEGOTTEN AS SPIRITUAL

CHILDREN OF OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS OF CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH THROUGH THE HOLY GOSPEL THROUGH OUR NEW COVENANT WITH GOD.
As our Spiritual Fathers who Love us unconditionally, they lead us to God by guiding us carefully in Divine Truth and Life in Christ exercising their Fatherly Authority within our Christian Community.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TOLD US TO BE LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN who trust their parents implicitly. ACCORDINGLY, WE SHOULD TRUST AND OBEY OUR NURTURING, GUIDING SPIRITUAL FATHERS WITHOUT QUESTION OR ARGUMENT ASSURED BY AND CONFIDENT IN THEIR WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE THAT IS GREATER THAN OUR OWN DUE TO THEIR LIFELONG, DIVINELY INSPIRED SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
Furthermore, we become adopted Spiritual co-Heirs with Christ of Gods Eternal Kingdom through Holy Baptism into His Eternal Holy Church. The honourable titles Teacher and Father, are applied to people many times throughout New Covenant Writings all of which are INSPIRED BY GOD. Teacher is used in the following Gospel passages: JOHN
3:10 ACTS 13:1 1 CORINTHIANS 12: 28 EPHESIANS 4: 11 & 2 TIMOTHY 1: 11
St Paul encourages us as he exhorted the Corinthians to IMITATE HIM since he unremittingly strove to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ IN EVERYTHING!
OUR
The Holy Gospel According to St John 1 : 35 52

THE
FORMER
DISCIPLES
OF
ST JOHN
THE
BAPTIST & FORERUNNER FOLLOWED
LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time, the following day, John stood with two of his Disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said: Behold! The Lamb of God! The two Disciples, having heard his words, followed Jesus. And Jesus turned, and seeing them following Him, said to them: What do you seek? And they said to Him: Rabbi: (which is to say, when translated: Teacher,) ... where art Thou staying? And He said to them: Come and see. And they went and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day. (It was about the tenth hour.) One of the two who had heard John speak, and who had followed Him, was Andrew - Simon Peters brother. He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him: We have found the Messiah! (which is translated: the Christ.) And he took him to Jesus. When Jesus looked at him, He said: Thou art Simon the son of Jonah. Thou shalt be called Cephas, (which is translated: Stone.) The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him: Follow Me. Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him: We have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said to him: Can anything Good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him: Come and see! Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards Him, and said of him: Behold: an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit! Nathanael said to Him: How dost Thou know me? And Jesus answered: Before Philip called thee, when thou were under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and said to Him: Rabbi! Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of Israel! Jesus replied: Because I said to thee; I saw thee under the fig tree, dost thou believe? Thou will see greater Things than these! And He said to him: Truly, I say to thee: hereafter thou shalt see Heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. OUR LORDS FIRST DISCIPLES HAD BEEN FAITHFUL St John Chrysostom pointed out that it was the meeting FOLLOWERS AND STUDENTS OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST place of St Philip and St Nathanael and that OUR
AND FORERUNNER TO CHRIST, WHO HAD PREPARED THEM FOR THE MESSIAH: ST ANDREW and his brother Simon ST PETER whom LORD PRAISED ST NATHANAELS DILIGENCE AND CAREFUL SEARCH FOR THE LONG AWAITED MESSIAH. OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS FOREKNOWLEDGE AND DIVINE INSIGHT INTO HEARTS AND SOULS DEEPLY AFFECTED ST NATHANAEL WHO WAS COMPELLED TO CONFESS HIS HEARTFELT FAITH IN CHRIST AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. THE UNIQUE AND MOST HONOURABLE TITLE SON OF MAN IS THE SPECIFIC TITLE OF GODS HOLY MESSIAH that had
Christ nicknamed Cephas because his Faith would become as solid as a rock; ST PHILIP and ST NATHANAEL who was also known as St Bartholomew who, as the previous two Disciples were from Bethsaida. ST JOHN who was the closest and most beloved of all our Lords Apostles, who devoted his entire life to the Service of God and who was, by Divine Grace, the first True Theologian of Christ and to whom our Lord entrusted the care and protection of His All Pure, Holy Mother. St Nathanael or Bartholomew had the purest of hearts and souls and was always utterly straightforward and uncomplicated. What exactly had occurred when St Nathanael was under the fig tree remained undisclosed obviously insignificant.
a level of Divine Mystery in its meaning, thereby indicating He was Someone OF HEAVENLY ORIGIN
WHO USHERED IN THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD.
(DANIEL 7:13-14)
In an Old Covenant Prophecy, ST JACOB HAD BEHELD A

VISION OF AN EXTRAORDINARY LADDER THAT CONNECTED EARTH TO HEAVEN AND UPON WHICH THE ANGELS OF GOD ASCENDED AND DESCENDED. (GENESIS 28:
12 15)
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THAT SAME DIVINE LADDER
Who unites us on earth to His Heavenly Kingdom and thus is clearly THE TRUE SON OF MAN.
The God-Inspired, Eternal Wisdom of our Holy Father Abba Peter the Pionite
We must not be puffed up when the Lord does something through our mediation, but we must rather thank
Him." Him for having made us worthy to be Called by Him It is good to think about each Virtue in this manner.
30.
( CHR I STM AS
FAST)
ST ANDREW ZEBEDEE FIRST-CALLED APOSTLE
OF
CHRIST 30 NOV
EMBER
2012

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

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

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BUT ONLY IF GOD PERMITS IT FOR OUR SPIRITUAL

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