Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2 May 2016
St Athanasios of Egypt
& St George the Great Holy Martyr & Trophy Bearer
(FEAST
TRANSFERRED FROM
23 APRIL)
Also the Feast of St Jeremiah, Holy Prophet of God St Paphnutios the Abbot of Borov Monastery St Euthymios, St
Ignatios & St Akakios of Mount Athos of Mount St Makarios the Metropolitan & Hieromartyr of Kiev St Bata the
Persian St Tamara, Queen of Georgia St Nicephoros of Chios St Panaretos of Cyprus St Gerasimos of Boldino
St Isidora, Holy Martyr St Zosimas II of Kumurdo, Georgia
VERSE 1:
Through
en
enesi Aftou.
VERSE 3:
VERSE 4:
STIHOS 3:
STIHOS 3:
Amin
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.
Amen
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
of
the
Theotokos,
STIHOS 1:
VERSE 1:
Soson
Soson
Amin
VERSE 4:
Amen
THIRD PASCHAL ANTIPHON PSALM 67/88 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
VERSE
Christ
OF
STIHOS
VERSE
En
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
dead.
When
Esfragismenou
Tes
The
To
AZARIAH TONE 4
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers, for Thou art Praiseworthy and Exalted beyond measure unto the Ages.
For Thou art Righteous in all Thou did for us, all Thou brought upon us and on Jerusalem, the Holy City of our Fathers...
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 13 : 7 - 16
Brethren: remember those who rule over you - those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their
Lives, and imitate their Faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings. It is
Good that the heart be Strengthened by Grace not by foods, which have not benefitted their adherents.
We have an Altar - from which those who serve the Tabernacle have no right to eat. The bodies of those animals,
whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the High Priest as a Sacrifice for sin are burnt outside the Camp.
Jesus also suffered in order to Sanctify the People through His own Blood, outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth
to Him outside the Camp, to bear the abuse He endured. Here we have no Lasting City, but we seek that which is to
come. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a Sacrifice of Praise to God that is: the Fruit of lips that
Confessed His Name.
Share what you have - do not neglect to do Good. Such Sacrifices are pleasing to God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST MATTHEW 5 : 14 19
At that time, our Lord said to His Disciples: You are the Light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor
do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let you
Light so shine before mankind, that they may see your Good Works and Glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil
them.
Truly, I say to you: until Heaven and Earth pass away, not an iota, nor a jot, will pass from the Law until all is
accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these Commandments and teaches mankind likewise,
shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who do them and teach them shall be called great in
the Kingdom of Heaven.
ST HERMAN
OF
From these Judgments we should Hope and Rejoice and not in the least accept an inflicted despair. Here
one needs the Shield of Faith.
Sin, to one who Loves God, is nothing other than an arrow
from the enemy in Battle. The True Christian is a
Warrior fighting his way through the regiments of the
unseen enemy to his Heavenly Homeland.
According to St Paul, our Homeland is in Heaven,
and...our Warfare is not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities and powers of
wickedness under Heaven (EPHESIANS 6:12)
2. B R I G H T M O N D A Y F I R S T M O N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A S T A T H A N A S I O S
OF
5 May 2016
St Irene the Great Holy Martyr of Thessalonika
Also the Feast of St Euthymios of Maditou - St James of Zhelezny Bor St Ephraim the New
Holy Martyr
Irinis
OF A
O my
Bridegroom, Thee I Love; and seeking Thee I now suffer
everything in search of Thee, and am crucified and
buried with Thee in Baptism; and suffer for Thy sake,
so that I may reign with Thee, and give my life for
Thee, that I may Live with Thee; but accept as Pure
Sacrifice, the one who desired to give her life for you.
Through her Intercessions, O Most Compassionate,
Save our souls.
Prolavouse
When
Although
Parthenias
INSTEAD
OF THE
Allelouia!
PRIEST
PEOPLE
Amen
Have put on Christ.
Allelouia!
(3)
tous Eonas ton eonon.
PEOPLE
OF
ST IRENE
THE
OF
Allilouia!
3.
Dynamis!
Kelefson, Despota!
Evlogimenos O erhomenos en Onomati Kyriou.
Evlogison, Despota, tin Ano Kathedran)
Evlogimenos i, O epi Thronou Doxis tis Vasilias
DEACON
Sou, O
Kathimenos epi ton Heroubim, pantote, nin ke ai ke is
tous eonas ton eonon.
Amin)
Me Dynamis!
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.
Power!
With thy Blessing, Master.
PRIEST Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
DEACON Master, Bless the Throne on High.
PRIEST Blessed art Thou on the Throne of Glory of
PRIEST
Thy
Kingdom, seated upon the Cherubim always, now and
forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amen
CHOIR With Power!
PEOPLE As many of
DEACON
Allelouia!
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE
2 : 38 43
In those day, Peter said to the people: Repent, and be Baptised every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the
Forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. For the Promise is to you and to your children,
and to all who are far off everyone whom the Lord our God Calls to Him.
With many other words he Testified, and exhorted them, saying: Save yourselves from this crooked generation!
Those who received his word were Baptised, and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They devoted
themselves to the Apostles Teaching and Fellowship, to the Breaking of Bread, and to the Prayers.
Fear came upon every soul - many Wonders and Signs were done through the Apostles.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST JOHN 3 : 1 15
At that time, there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nikodemos, a Ruler of the Judeans. He went to Jesus by night, and
said to Him: Rabbi, we know that thou art a Teacher Who has come from God, for no one can do these Signs that Thou
does, unless God is with Him. Jesus answered him: Truly, truly, I say to you: unless one is Born from Above, he
cannot behold the Kingdom of God.
Nikodemos said to Him: How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter into his mothers womb a second time, and
be born? Jesus replied: Truly, truly, I say to you: unless one is Born of Water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the
Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is Born of the Spirit, is spirit.
Do not marvel that I said to you You must be Born from Above. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the
sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes. So it is with everyone who is Born of the
Spirit.
Nikodemos said to him: How can this be? Jesus answered him: Art Thou a Teacher of Israel, yet Thou doest not
understand this? Truly, truly, I say to Thee: We speak of what We know, and bear Witness to what we have seen, yet
you do not receive our Testimony. If I have told you earthly things, and you do not believe, how - if I tell you
Heavenly Things - can you believe? No one has Ascended into Heaven but He Who Descended from Heaven the
Son of Man Who is in Heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him
may have Eternal Life.
ST IRENE
THE
OF
ST IRENE
THE
OF
THESSALONIKA
OF
BY
GEORGE POULOS
4.
6 May 2016
The Life-giving Spring
Also the Feast of St Job the Long Suffering St Micah of Radonezh St Barbaros the
Soldier, St Bacchos, St Callimachos & St Dionysios of Morea St Barbaros of Thessaly St Stava, First Archbishop of
Serbia St Seraphim of lebadeia St Sophia of Klisoura Dramas
En
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
dead.
Prolavouse
OUR
When the Women, with Mary, had gone before dawn, and
they found that the ston had been rolled away from the
Sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why do You
seek among the dead, as a mortal Man, the One Who
exits in Everlasting Light? Behold the Grave Wrappings
in the Tomb! Hasten, and to the world proclaim: the
Lord has Risen and put Death to death! For He is the
Son of God Who Saves mankind!
INSTEAD
OF THE
Allelilouia!
(3)
Amin
Hriston enedisasthe: Allelouia!
Dynamis!
Dynamis!
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe:
Amen
Have put on Christ: Allilouia!
With Power!
With Power!
As many of you as were Baptised into Christ have put on
Allilouia!
Christ: Allilouia!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 103/104 TONE 4
O Lord, Thy Works shall be greatly magnified! Thou made all things in Wisdom!
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God Thou art Exceedingly Magnified!
BRIGHT FRIDAY FIRST FRIDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA LIFE-GIVING SPRING 6 MAY 2016
THE ACTS
OF THE
ST PETER HEALS
APOSTLES ACCORDING
LAME
MAN IN THE
TO
ST LUKE 3 : 1 8
OF OUR
SAVIOUR
In those days, Peter and John were going up to the Temple at the Hour of prayer, the Ninth Hour. And a man lame from
birth was being carried. He was laid daily at the gate of the Temple, which is called Beautiful, to beg for Alms from
those who entered the Temple.
Seeing Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked them for Alms. Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and
said: Look at us. He fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them.
Peter said: Silver and gold I do not have. What I have, I give to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth get up and
walk! And he took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened, and
leaping up, he stood, and walked.
And he entered the Temple with them, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
ST JOHN 2
TO
IN
12 22
JERUSALEM
At that time, our Lord Jesus went to Capernaum with His Mother and His Brothers and His Disciples, and they remained
there for a few days.
And the Passover of the Judeans was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And in the Temple He found the sellers of
oxen, and sheep, and pigeons, and the money-changers conducting their business. And, having made a whip of cords,
He drove them all out of the Temple with the sheep and oxen. And He poured out the coins of the money-changers
and overthrew the tables. And to those who sold doves He said: Take these away from here! Do not make My
Fathers House a house of merchandise!
His Disciples remembered that it was written: The Zeal for Thy House hath consumed Me!
The Judeans responded, and said to Him: What Sign dost Thou show us, seeing that Thou doest these things? Answering,
Jesus said to them: Destroy this Temple, and in Three Days I Will Raise It up. The Judeans replied: Forty six years
it took to build this Temple, and Thou wilt raise it up in three days?
However, He spoke of the Temple of His Body. When, therefore, He was Risen from the dead, His Disciples remembered
that He had said this to them. And they believed the Scriptures, and the Word that Jesus had spoken.
BRIGHT FRIDAY - THE FEAST
OF THE
LIFE-GIVING SPRING
6. B R I G H T F R I D A Y F I R S T F R I D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A L I F E - G I V I N G S P R I N G 6 M A Y 2 0 1 6
Tone 1
8 May 2016
First Antipaschal Sunday
The Belief of St Thomas
Also the Feast of St John the Beloved Apostle, Evangelist & Theologian St Arsenios the
Great of Rome St Arsenios the Lover of Labour of Kiev Far Caves Monastery St Pimen
the Ascetic of Kiev Far Caves Monastery St Tamara, Venerable Queen of Georgia
OF OUR
En
HYMNS TONE 2
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
dead.
Esfragismenou
Apostole
Their Proclamation went forth into all the Earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
THE FIRST UNIVERSAL EPISTLE
OF
ST JOHN 1 : 1 7
Brethren: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we
have looked upon, and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life -(and the Life was made manifest,
and we saw It, and Testify to It, and proclaim to you the Eternal Life, Who was with the Father, and Who was made
manifest to us) - that which we have seen and heard, we proclaim also to you, so that you may have Fellowship
with us. And our Fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
And we are writing this so that our Joy may be complete.
And this is the Message that we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, for God is Light and in Him is no Darkness
at all.
If we say we have Fellowship with Him and we walk in Darkness, we lie, and do not Live according to the Truth. If we
walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have Fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus, His Son,
Cleanses us from all sin.
OF
7.
TO
ST JOHN 20 : 19 31
On the evening of that day the first day of the week the doors being shut where the Disciples were for fear of the
Judeans, Jesus came and stood among them, and said to them: Peace be with you! And when He had said this,
He showed them His Hands and His Side.
The Disciples were glad when they beheld our Lord.
Jesus said to them again: Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, even so, I send you. And having said this, He
breathed on them, and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you
retain the sins of any, they are retained.
Thomas one of the Twelve, who was called the Twin was not with them when Jesus came.
The other Disciples told him: We have seen our Lord! He said to them: Unless I see in His Wrists the imprint of the nails,
and place my finger in the marks of the nails, and place my hand in His Side, I will not believe!
And eight days later, His Disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus
came, and stood amidst them, and said: Peace be with you!
To Thomas He said: Put your finger here, and see My Wrists; and stretch forth your hand, and place it in My Side, and
do not be unbelieving, but believe! And answering, Thomas said to Him: My Lord and my God!
Jesus said to him: Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe!
Many other Signs were done by Jesus in the presence of His Disciples, which are not written in this book. These are
written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing, you may have Life in
His Name.
FIRST ANTIPASCHA SUNDAY THE BELIEF
8.
OF
ST THOMAS
OF
TO
G OD
F OR
A LL T HINGS T HE W ORK
THAT
FREEMAN
OF
9.
OF
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/78855.htm
Elder Porphyrios tells us that Vigilance is Passionate Love An intense yearning for Christ.
When we are Spiritually Vigilant we are careful about
everything we do.
We avoid laziness, we make efficient use of our efforts,
and seek to do all things in ways that lead to more
harmony.
We pay attention to the details of things - even the way
we may open the latch on a gate (This is an example
the Elder uses).
This effort must be constant and careful.
We need to pay attention to our soul.
The more we seek God the more Vigilant we become.
It is with constant Vigilance that we enter the Spiritual
World.
We acquire Remembrance of God though the Jesus
Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy
10.
OF
Tone 2
15 May 2016
nd
THE
EMPTY TOMB
OF OUR
RESURRECTED LORD
En
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
dead.
THE
SMALL ENTRANCE
TONE
Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton When Thou descended unto Death, O Lord, Who Thyself
Edin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos, ote de ke tous
tethneotas ek ton katahthonion anestisas, pase e
Dinamis ton epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hrist O
Theos imon, Doxa Si.
Tes
The
The
Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the Myrrhbearing Women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but
Christ has been shown to be a stranger to corruption.
But cry aloud: The Lord has Risen, granting the world
His Great Mercy!
ASCENSION DAY
I ke en Tafo katilthes athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou descended in the grave, O Immortal One,
dinamin; ke Anestis os nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Ginexi
Miroforis fthengxamenos: Herete! Ke tis sis Apostolis
Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS 15 MAY 2016
11
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
DEACONS
ARE
TO
ST LUKE 6 : 1 7
ORDAINED
In those days, when the number of Disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the
Hellenists because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
The Twelve summoned the multitude of Disciples and said: It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God
and serve tables. Therefore, Brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit
and Wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. We will give ourselves continually to Prayer and the
Ministry of the Word. And their words pleased the whole multitude.
And they chose Stephen, a man full of Faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and
Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the Apostles; and when they had prayed they laid hands
on them.
And the Word of God spread, and the number of Disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the
Priests were Obedient to the Faith.
UNNAILING &
BURIAL
OF OUR
CRUC
TO
ST MARK 15 : 43 16 : 8
IFIED
RIST
At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of
God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the Body of Jesus.
Pilate wondered if He were already dead and, summoning the Centurion, he asked him whether He was already dead.
And when he learnt from the Centurion that He was dead, he granted the Body to Joseph.
And he bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a Tomb that had
been hewn out of rock. And he rolled a stone against the door of the Tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of Joses saw where He was laid. And when the Sabbath had past, Mary Magdalene
and Mary, the Mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go to Anoint Him.
And very early on the first day of the week they went to the Tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying one to
another: Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the Tomb? And looking up, they saw that the stone had
rolled back for it was very large. And entering the Tomb, they saw a young Man sitting on the right side dressed in a
white robe. And they were amazed.
He said to them: Do not be amazed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth Who was crucified. He has Risen He is not here. Behold
the place where they laid Him. But go tell His Disciples, and Peter - that He is going before you to Galilee. There you
will see Him, as He told you.
And they went out and fled from the Tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them. And they said nothing
to anyone - for they were afraid.
The mother of Joses - Joses was one of St Joseph the
Betrothal also one of Her stepsons. Likewise Mary,
Betrotheds sons from his late wife, Salome, sister of
the mother of James also refers to our Lady,
St Anna. In other words, this is an oblique reference
Theotokos, while Salome was a sister of Joses, and
to our Lady Theotokos who always maintained a
thus a cousin and stepdaughter of our Lady
humble and low-key role in the background of Her
Theotokos.
Beloved Son and Gods Mission on Earth. Joses was
The first day of the week is Sunday now known as
Her cousin and by Mosaic Law according to Her
the Lords Day.
12.
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS 15 MAY 2016
THEY HAD CARRIED HIM TO THE TOMB AND WRAPPED HIM WITH
OTHER LINEN STRIPS SOAKED WITH THE 100 POUNDS OF
BITTER ALOES THAT ST NIKODEMOS SUPPLIED.
THE MANDYLION OR FACE CLOTH WAS GENTLY AND
RESPECTFULLY PLACED OVER HIS FACE AS SOON AS THEY TOOK
HIM DOWN FROM THE CROSS, WHICH REMAINED UNDER THE
OUTER BURIAL CLOTHS, which were soaked with bitter
aloes and dried as hard as concrete.
Therefore, when St Peter and St John saw the folded
Mandylion, they were amazed (and even more so
when they noticed the Image of Christ upon it
which became known as the Holy Icon Not-MadeBy-Hands the first Holy Icon of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which was copied many times by others over
the years. mp)
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS 15 MAY 2016
13
the Apostles would have thought the Myrrhbearing Women were merely hysterical or
delusional due to their intense grief.
IS
IN
14.
KRONSTADT
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS 15 MAY 2016
21 May 2016
St Constantine & St Helena Equal to the Apostles
Also the Feast of St Constantine & his sons, St Michael & St Theodore, Wonderworkers of
Murom - St Cassian the Greek of Uglich
En
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
dead.
When
Tes
The
The
Angel standing by the Tomb cried to the Myrrhbearing Women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but
Christ has been shown to be a stranger to corruption.
But cry aloud: The Lord has Risen, granting the world
His Great Mercy!
Tou Stavrou Sou ton tipon en Ourano theasamenos, ke os Thine Apostle among the Rulers, who once beheld in the
O Pavlos tin klisin ouk ex anthropon dexamenos, O en
Vasilefsin, Apostolos Sou Kyrie, Vasilevousan polin ti hiri
sou paretheto in perisoze dia pantos en Irini, Presvies tis
Theotokou, Mone Filanthrope.
sky the Image of Thy Cross, and who like Paul, received
his Calling not from man, once entrusted the Ruling
city into Thy Hands. We Entreat Thee to Restore it in
Peace forever, at the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O
Lord Who Loves mankind.
To
In
IS THE
TO
ST JOHN 10 : 9 16
ONLY WAY
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: I Am the Door: by Me if anyone enters in, he shall be Saved, and shall go in
and out, and find pasture. The thief comes to steal and to kill, and to destroy. I Am come so that they might have
Life, and so that they might have it more abundantly. I Am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His Life
for the Sheep.
But he that is a hireling, and not the Shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the
Sheep, and flees. And the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. For the hireling flees, because he is a hireling,
and does not care for the Sheep.
I Am the Good Shepherd, and know My Sheep, and Am known by My own. As the Father knows Me even so know I the
Father; and I lay down My Life for the Sheep. And other Sheep I have that are not of this Fold; them also I must
bring, and they will hear My Voice; and there will be one Flock and one Shepherd.
ST CONSTANTINE & ST HELENA EQUALS
TO THE
15
Their proclamation went forth into all the Earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
THE ACTS
OF THE
In those days, Agrippa the King said to Paul: You are permitted to speak for yourself.
So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: ... while thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with
authority and commission from the Chief Priests, at midday along the road, I beheld, O King, a Light from Heaven that
was brighter than the sun shining around me and those who journeyed with me. We had all fallen to the ground, when I
heard a Voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language: Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me? It is
difficult for you to kick against the goads. I said: Who art Thou, Lord? He said: I Am Jesus, Whom you are
persecuting. But Rise and stand on your feet. I have Appeared to you for this Purpose to make you a Minister and
a Witness both of the Things that you have seen and of the Things that I will yet reveal to you.
I will Deliver you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you to open their eyes - in order to turn
them from Darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive Forgiveness of sins and
an Inheritance among those who are Sanctified by Faith in Me.
Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the Heavenly Vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem,
and throughout all the region in Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should Repent, and turn to God, doing Work
befitting Repentance.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
THE DOOR &
THE
TO
ST JOHN 10 : 1 9
GOOD SHEPHERD
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to the Judeans: Truly, truly, I say you, he who does not enter the Sheepfold by the
Door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. He Who enters by the Door is the Shepherd
of the Sheep. To Him the Doorkeeper opens, and the Sheep hear His Voice. And He Calls His own Sheep by name
and leads them out. And when He brings out His own Sheep, He goes before them. And the Sheep follow Him, for
they know His Voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the
voice of strangers.
This illustration was used by Jesus, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
Jesus said to them again: Truly, truly, I say to you: I Am the Door of the Sheep. All who ever came before Me are
thieves and robbers, but the Sheep did not heed them. I Am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved and
will go in and out and find Pasture.
ST CONSTANTINE & ST HELENA EQUAL TO THE APOSTLES
St Constantine the Great was born in Naissos (Nis, Serbia)
the heretical teachings of Arius were condemned by
circa 274.
all the Holy Fathers who attended the Council.
After he defeated Emperors Maxentios and Licinius, he
St Constantine the Great was Baptized on his deathbed
became the sole Ruler of the entire Roman Empire.
by Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, and Reposed in
According to the historians Eusebios and Lactantios, on
Christ shortly afterwards in 337 in Nicomedia.
the eve of the battle against Maxentios, Emperor
His mortal relics were buried in the Church of the Holy
Constantine beheld in the daylight sky a bright,
Apostles in Constantinople, a church that had been
shining Cross with the inscription in Greek letters: By
constructed under his authority and sponsorship.
this sign you will conquer!
HIS MOTHER: ST HELENA THE RIGHTEOUS EMPRESS
The following night, during his sleep, St Constantine had
Flavia Julia Helena was born in the Province of Bithynia.
a Vision of Christ, telling him to put the Sign of the
In 293, the Roman General, Constantios Chloros,
Cross on all the banners and flags that would be
encouraged by Emperor Diocletian, divorced his
carried onto the battlefield.
legal wife, the Righteous Empress, Helena, who
Emperor Constantine obeyed our Lords Commandment
refused to re-marry and withdrew from public life,
and beyond all expectation, his army defeated the
while remaining close to her son, Constantine.
opposing forces.
After her son had become the sole Emperor of the Roman
The Triumphal Arch of Constantine, now preserved in
Empire, she was responsible for the finding of the True
Rome, carries the inscription: Instinctual divinitatis
and Life-giving Holy Cross of our Lord and Saviour,
which is translated: By Divine Inspiration, which is
Jesus Christ.
how Victory over the powerful but ungodly Emperor
After the site had been excavated at Golgotha, a cave
Maxentios was won.
containing three cross bars was exposed, as well as a
The most important achievement of Emperor Constantine
sign board identifying the King of the Jews.
was the Edict of Milan (313) whereby Christianity was
To discover which one of the three crosses belonged to
recognized as one of the religions of the Roman
Christ, they touched each one to the body of a dead
Empire.
man.
Before this, many Christians were persecuted and were
When the True Cross of Christ touched the corpse, the
martyred for their Faith.
man was instantly restored to life, rose up and
Christianity eventually became the state religion (of the
Glorified God.
Roman Empire) during the reign of Theodosios the
On 14 September
326 St Makarios the Bishop of
Great (379-395).
Jerusalem elevated the Holy Life-giving Cross in front
of the enormous crowd of faithful Christians, which
After the Edict of Milan in 313, St Constantine exempted
ever since then is Commemorated as the Feast of the
Christian churches from taxes, granted them the right
Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
to receive donations and gave Bishops the right to
St Constantine and his Faithful mother,
St. Helena,
judge those who did not want to be judged by the
authorised and sponsored the structure of many
state/civil law.
Temples and Monasteries throughout the Holy Land
St Constantine also removed from Roman Law the
and elsewhere - the most important of which are the
criminal penalties that were contrary to the spirit of
Church of the Holy Sepulchre or ...the
Christianity, such as crucifixion, the crushing of feet
Resurrection, in Jerusalem, and the Church of the
and stigmatization (being branded with red hot iron
brands, and many other cruel punishments that had
Nativity in Bethlehem.
been practised under the pagan Roman Law.
HTTPS://ORTHODOXWORD.WORDPRESS.COM/2010/05/21/SAINTSEmperor Constantine convened the First Ecumenical
CONSTANTINE-AND-HIS-MOTHER-HELEN-EQUALS-TO-THE-APOSTLES/
Council of Nicaea (325), where, after long discussions,
ST SILVANOS
16.
THE
ATHONITE
TO THE
Tone 3
22 May 2016
Third Sunday After Holy Pascha
The Paralytic at Sheeps Pool, Bethesda
Also the Feast of St Vasiliskos, Bishop of Comana - St Dimitrios & St Paul New Martyrs
Holy Fathers of the 2nd Ecumenical Council - St John Vladimir, Great Holy Martyr & Miracle Worker of Serbia - - St Paul
of Lavra, Mount Athos - St Melchizedek, King of Salem St James, Wonderworker of Novgorod
En
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
dead.
Eufrenestho
Let the Heaven sing for Joy, and let everything on Earth e
Glad. For with His Arm the Lord has worked Power.
He trampled Death underfoot by means of Death; and
He became the Firstborn of the dead. From the maw of
Hades He Delivered us; and He granted the world His
Great Mercy.
I ke en Tafo katilthes Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin Although Thou went down into the Sepulchre, O Immortal
dinamin. Ke anestis os Nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Gynexi
Myroforis fthegxamenos, Herete! Ke tis Sis Apostolis
Irinin doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.
Sing Praises to our God! Sing Praises! Sing Praises to our King! Sing Praises!
O Clap your hands, all you Nations. Shout to God with the voice of Rejoicing.
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 9 : 32 42
In those days, it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout the quarters, he went down also to the Saints who dwelt at
Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bed-ridden for eight years, suffering from
palsy. And Peter said to him: Aeneas: Jesus Christ makes Thee whole! Arise, and make Thy bed.
And he immediately arose. And behold! all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord.
And at Joppa there was a certain Disciple named Tabitha, which is translated as Dorcas. She was full of Good Works
and Almsgiving, which she had done.
And it came to pass in those days that she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper
chamber. And due to the fact that Lydda was close to Joppa, and the Disciples had heard that Peter was there,
they sent two men to him, requesting him to hasten to them. Peter arose and went with them.
When he arrived, they took him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood around him, weeping, and showing
him the cloaks and garments that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
After putting them all outside, Peter knelt down, and prayed. And turning to the body, he said: Tabitha! Arise! She
opened her eyes, and when she beheld Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand, and helped her up, and when he
had called the Saints and widows, he presented her to them, alive.
And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in our Lord.
Lydda is approximately 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem
The later use of the term, referring to Holy People who
and Sharon was a region north of Lydda along the
lived particularly exemplary lives and who have been
Mediterranean coastline.
Canonised (Glorified) by the Holy Church of Christ
THE TERM SAINTS REFERRED TO ALL CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS, for all
does not negate this primary meaning.
who believe in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ with
St Peter was able to completely heal the paralysed
their whole heart AND WHO ARE SANCTIFIED BY THE HOLY
Aeneas BY INVOKING THE AMAZING DIVINE HEALING POWER
SPIRIT ARE BY DEFINITION SAINTS.
3RD SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY THE PARALYTIC
OF
17
THE PARALYTIC
AT THE
SHEEPS POOL
IS
HEALED
TO
AFTER
ST JOHN 5 : 1 15
38
YEARS BY OUR
At that time our Lord Jesus went up to Jerusalem. There is in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, a pool, which is called in
Hebrew: Bethesda, having five porches.
In these lay a great multitude of sick people: blind, lame and paralysed waiting for the moving of the water. An Angel
went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the
water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
A certain man was there who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he
already had been in that condition for a long time, He said to him: Do you want to be made well? The sick man
answered Him: Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am going, another
steps down before me. Jesus said to him: Rise. Take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made
well, took up his bed and walked.
That day was the Sabbath. The Hebrews, therefore, said to him who was cured: It is the Sabbath! It is not lawful for you to
carry your bed! He answered them: He Who made me well said to me: Take up your bed and walk. They asked
him: Who is the Man Who said to you: Take up your bed and walk? But the one who was healed did not know Who it
was. Jesus had withdrawn a multitude being in that place.
Afterwards Jesus found him in the Temple and said to him: Behold! You have been made well. Sin no more, lest a
worse thing come upon you.The man departed and told the Judeans that it was Jesus Who had made him well.
This Divine Healing was the Third Sign or Miracle that St
WE USUALLY HAVE TO CORRECT SOMETHING TO DO WITH OUR OWN
PERSONAL SPIRITUAL CONDITION BEFORE WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE
John the Divine Apostle recorded in his Holy Gospel.
OR EXPERIENCE GODS DIVINE GRACE AND MERCY:
IT EXEMPLIFIES THE DIVINE POWER OF CHRIST OUR LORD TO
WE NEED TO REPENT OUR SINS, TO HUMBLE OURSELVES, TO LEARN
RESTORE A PERSON TO WHOLENESS TO FULL HEALTH,
OBEDIENCE TO GOD, TO FORGIVE OTHERS, TO DO UNSELFISH AND
DESPITE THE DEGREE OF AFFLICTION.
LOVING (CHARITABLE) ACTS OF MERCY WITHOUT EXCEPTION,
LEARN TO BE PATIENT, KIND, GENTLE, GENEROUS, DEVELOP A
The Feast, which is referred to, was the Old Covenant
POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND TO FULFIL ALL OUR SACRED DUTIES AND
Pentecost also known as the Feast of Weeks, which
COMMITMENTS WITH WILLING AND EAGER HEARTS.
celebrates the granting of the Divine Law the Ten
Commandments of God to St Moses on Mount Sinai.
ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM STRANGE THAT OUR LORD ASKED THE
(THE REFERENCES TO THE LAW OF MOSES LATER IN THIS CHAPTER
PARALYSED MAN IF HE WANTED TO BE HEALED, IT WAS A
CONFIRM THIS INTERPRETATION OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS..)
MOST RELEVANT QUESTION FOR SEVERAL REASONS:
The double-basin Pool of Bethesda, which was believed to
It made public the fact that THE SICK MAN KEPT HIS FAITH
have had miraculous curative powers, has been reEVEN IN A SITUATION THAT WAS SEEMINGLY HOPELESS, for
discovered about 100 yards North of the Temple area,
how could a paralytic ever be the first into the
near to the Sheep Gate.
water?
The water for this high-ground pool came from
Our Lord drew attention away from the water and
underground springs and was used to wash the
towards THE NEED WE ALL HAVE FOR THE HELP AND
SACRIFICIAL LAMBS before they WERE SLAUGHTERED AS
ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHERS, WHICH IS FULFILLED IN
BLOOD OFFERINGS FOR THE ATONEMENT AND FORGIVENESS OF
CHRIST HIMSELF, Who became Man in order to heal
SINS ACCORDING TO THE OLD COVENANT LAW.
all ailing and fallen mankind.
THE POOL OF BETHESDA FUNCTIONED AS A TYPE OF HOLY
NOT EVERYONE WHO IS ILL ACTUALLY DESIRES HEALING, for
BAPTISM:
sadly, some prefer to remain infirm in order to
UNDER THE OLD COVENANT, ALTHOUGH A GREAT MULTITUDE
have an excuse or licence to complain, to avoid
WAITED to enter the water for physical healing after
any responsibility for their lives, or to continue
an Angel of God had touched it and stirred it up,
drawing the pity of others!
ONLY ONE PERSON WAS HEALED AT A TIME.
Although Mosaic Law did not specifically forbid the
The water was special because IN AN INDIRECT MANNER IT
carrying of burdens on the Sabbath, it was prohibited
WAS PART OF THE BLOOD SACRIFICES of the Holy Temple of
and explicitly forbidden in Rabbinical Teachings.
Jerusalem, since the sacrificial animals were
JEREMIAH 17 : 23 The Lord said: ... if you will not
cleansed in the water.
hear Me so as to Sanctify the Sabbath Days, and
However, DIVINE GRACE WAS LIMITED TO THE FIRST PERSON
bear no burdens, nor enter the gates of
WHO ENTERED THE WATER BUT NOT TO THE REST.
Jerusalem on the Sabbath Days, then I will
GODS NEW COVENANT BAPTISM IS GRANTED TO ALL NATIONS
kindle a fire in her gates. It will consume the
AS A DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN CHRISTS OWN SACRIFICIAL
streets of Jerusalem and will not be quenched.
DEATH WITHOUT THE MEDIATION OF HIS ANGELS.
St Jeremiah the Holy Prophet of God delivered the Word of
Holy Baptism of the New (Bloodless) Covenant GRANTS
the Lord which commanded that Israel stop violating
US ALL HEALING OF THE BODY AND OF THE IMMORTAL SOUL,
the Sabbath Day. The Reward for Obedience to God is
AS WELL AS THE DIVINE PROMISE OF ETERNAL RESURRECTION
a gathering of the nations into Jerusalem to offer
OF THE BODY.
sacrifice and although this was done after the Exile, it
Furthermore, DIVINE GRACE OF THE NEW COVENANT IS
was not completely fulfilled until the Gentiles joined
INEXHAUSTIBLE AND IS OFFERED TO ALL WHO SEEK IT.
the procession on the Day of Pentecost.
The Truth that Christ is Lord over the Sabbath is made
According to St John Chrysostom, OUR LORD JESUS
clear by His Command to the Paralytic and by the
CHRIST SINGLED OUT THE MAN WHO HAD SUFFERED FOR
mans unhesitating Obedience to Him.
THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS PATIENTLY WAITING TO BE HEALED
As is often the case in the Holy Gospel according to St
IN ORDER TO TEACH US TO PERSEVERE AND TO HAVE
John, HEBREWS REFERS TO THE LEADERS - and not to the
PATIENCE, WHILE BEING A JUDGEMENT OR CONDEMNATION
people in general WHOSE MALICE IS QUITE EVIDENT
AGAINST THOSE WHO LOSE HOPE OR PATIENCE ALTOGETHER
BECAUSE THEY FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE VIOLATION OF THE
THOSE WHO DESPAIR WHO LOSE ALL HOPE AND FAITH IN
SABBATH RATHER THAN ON THE GREAT MIRACLE OF THE LONGGODS
DIVINE
PROVIDENCE
because
their
SUFFERING PARALYTIC.
circumstances are not according to their own will
and desires and especially when we have only
THE GENUINE AND PROFOUND FAITH OF THE MAN IS
minor problems that can be easily resolved if we
DEMONSTRATED BY HIS IMMEDIATELY GOING TO THE TEMPLE
make an effort to do so.
TO OFFER HIS HEARTFELT THANKSGIVING AND WORSHIP,
instead of going home, or anywhere else to show
GOD DOES EVERYTHING IN HIS OWN TIME AND ACCORDING TO
off his healed body.
HIS OWN DIVINE WILL BECAUSE ONLY HE KNOWS WHAT IS
BEST FOR US AND HOW TO HELP US.
18. 3 R D S U N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A S U N D A Y T H E P A R A L Y T I C
OF
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!
Today is Sunday of the Paralytic according to the
Orthodox Liturgical Calendar for the Holy Gospel
Lesson appointed for today, recounts the Healing by
our Lord Jesus Christ of a lonely Paralytic at the Sheep
Pool, Bethesda.
The ruins of the Pool of Bethesda are located in the
Muslim quarter of old Jerusalem, just behind the
beautiful Church of St Anna, which stands next to the
site of the house in which the Righteous parents of our
Lady Theotokos St Joachim and St Anna - had lived,
and where She had been born.
In the first century the Romans had totally destroyed
Jerusalem, and so, until the 19th century, there was
no visible, above-ground evidence of Bethesda.
As a result, sceptical biblical scholars decided that both
the place and the account in the Holy Gospel were
fiction.
They erroneously believed that the Holy Gospel
according to St John was actually written long after
the death of St John the Beloved Apostle of Christ by
someone who was unfamiliar with the layout and
geography of Jerusalem at the time of Christ!
However, archaeologists eventually discovered the ruins
under much rubble of a holding tank that exactly
corresponds to the Pool of Bethesda in St. Johns
account!
Further digging confirmed this.
Of course this did not stop the sceptics, who have
continued to maintain their impious and even
unscientific views of Holy Scripture in general.
Nevertheless, the ruins of the Bethesda Pool are there:
and
have
been
verified
by
erudite
Scientists/Archaeologists to be the original Five Porch
Pool of Bethesda as mentioned by St John the Beloved
Apostle and Theologian of Christ.
It was also referred to as the Sheep Pool because was
where the sacrificial sheep were washed and
inspected for any blemishes or disfigurements, before
being offered to God at the Temple.
There were five marble porches or porticos surrounding
the pool, where great numbers of sick and diseased
people gathered, waiting for the miraculous
troubling of the waters.
According to Judaic belief, every so often, an Angel of
God would descend and stir up the waters, and the
first person to enter the water would be healed.
There was more to this story, for when Adam was
expelled from Eden he took with him two seeds from
the Tree of Life, one of which he planted in what
centuries later became a suburb of Jerusalem. That
seed grew into the Tree that became the Wood of the
Cross, and on that site stands an Orthodox Monastery
dedicated to the Holy Cross.
Others believe that the Three Holy Angels (the Holy Trinity) stuck
Their staffs of pine, cedar and cypress into the ground outside
Abrahams tent at the ancient Oaks of Mamre, when he hosted
Them. These were left behind and grew into one Tree from
which the Cross-bar of our Saviours Cross was cut. When
Solomon built his Great Temple, it was cut down but rejected by
OF
OF
19
IN
FULNESS
PRAYER ST THEOPHAN
THE
RECLUSE
20. 3 R D S U N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A S U N D A Y T H E P A R A L Y T I C
THE PATH
OF
OF
BY
25 May 2016
Mid Pentecost
Third Finding of the Venerable Head of St John the Baptist
Also the Feast of St Therapon of Cyprus & St Urbanos of Rome
There I shall cause to spring up a horn for David; there I prepared a Lamp for My Anointed.
Remember David, O Lord, and all his Meekness.
PASCHAL MATINS GOSPEL - LUKE 7 : 17 30
At that time, a report concerning Jesus spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. And the
Disciples of John told him of all these things. And John, calling to him two of his Disciples, sent them to the Lord,
saying: Art Thou He Who is to come, or shall we look for Another?
When the men had gone to Him, they said: John the Baptist has sent us to Thee, saying: Art Thou He Who is to come, or
shall we look for Another? In that hour He cured many of diseases and plagues, and evil spirits, and on many who
were blind, He bestowed sight. And He answered them: Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind
receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are Cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have Good
News preached to them. And Blessed is he who takes no offence at Me.
When the Disciples of John had departed, He began to speak to the crowds concerning John. What did you go out into
the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man vested in soft
clothing? Behold! Those who are gorgeously apparelled and live in luxury are in Kings courts. But what did you
go out to see? A Prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a Prophet! This is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send
My Messenger before Thy Face, who shall prepare Thy Way before Thee. I tell you: among those born of women,
none is greater than John! Yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than him.
When they heard this, all the people and the Tax Collectors Justified God, having been Baptised with the Baptism of John.
The Pharisees and the Lawyers rejected the Purpose of God for themselves, not having been Baptised by him.
ISODIKON SMALL ENTRANCE HYMN TONE 2
En
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who arose from the
dead.
Mesousis
Os
THE
BAPTIST TONE 4
Tis
BETWEEN
21
TONE
(7) VARYS/GRAVE
The Righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 4: 6 15
THE POWER
OF THE
HOLY APOSTLES
Brethren: It is the God Who Commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has shone in our hearts to grant the Light of
the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Sight of Jesus Christ. We have this Treasure in earthen vessels so that the
excellence of the Power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in
the body the dying of our Lord Jesus so that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who Live are
always Delivered to Death for Jesus sake, 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.
We have the same Spirit of Faith, according to what is written: I believed and therefore I spoke... and we also believe.
Therefore speak - knowing that He Who raised up our Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with
you. All things are for your sakes, that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause Thanksgiving to abound to
the Glory of God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST JOHN 7 : 14 - 30
At that time, about the middle of the Feast, Jesus went up into the Temple and taught. And the Judeans marvelled, saying:
How does this Man know letters, having never studied? Jesus answered them and said: My Doctrine is not Mine, but
His Who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His Will, he shall know concerning the Doctrine - whether it is from God or
whether I speak on My own Authority. He who speaks from himself, seeks his own glory; but He Who seeks the
Glory of the One Who sent Him, is True, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did Moses not give you the Law? And
none of you keeps the Law! Why do you seek to kill Me?
The people answered and said: Thou hast a demon! Who is seeking to kill Thee? Jesus answered and said: I did one
Work, and you all marvel. Moses gave you Circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the Fathers), and on
the Sabbath you Circumcise a man. If a man receives Circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the Law of Moses
should not be broken, why are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not
judge according to appearance, but judge with Righteous Judgement!
Some of them who were from Jerusalem said: Is this not He Whom they seek to kill? And behold! He speaks boldly, and
they say nothing to Him! Do the Rulers know indeed that this is Truly the Christ? Yet we know where this Man is from.
When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.
Jesus cried out, as He taught in the Temple, and said: You both know Me, and you know where I Am from! And I have
not come of Myself, but He Who sent Me is True, Whom you do not know! I know Him, for I Am from Him, and He
sent Me.
They sought to take Him; and no one laid a hand on Him, for His Hour had not yet come.
THE FEAST
OF
MID-PENTECOST
22.
AND THE
PENTECOSTARION
BETWEEN
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/46565.HTM
Tone 4
29 May 2016
th
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 7
- JOHN 20 : 1 - 10
En
Bless God in the churches, let the Lord from the Fountains
To
When
Mesousis
TONE
O Lord, Thy Works shall be Magnified greatly! Thou made all things in Wisdom!
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art exceedingly Magnified!
THE ACTS
OF THE
THOUSANDS
APOSTLES ACCORDING
OF
SOULS CONVERT
TO
TO
ST LUKE 11 : 19 30
Those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen, travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and
Antioch, preaching the Word to no one but the Judeans. Some of them were from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when
they went to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the Hand of the Lord was with them,
and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
News of these things was heard by the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When
he went and saw the Grace of God, he was glad. And he encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they
should continue with the Lord, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and Faith. And a great many people
were added to the Lord.
Barnabas departed for Tarsos to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he took him to Antioch.
So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the Church and taught a great many people. The Disciples were
first called Christians in Antioch.
In those days Prophets went from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabos, stood up and showed by the
Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout the world - which also had happened in the days of
Claudius Caesar. The Disciples - each according to his ability - determined to send relief to the Brethren dwelling in
Judea. This they did, and sent it to the Elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
4TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE SAMARITAN WOMAN (ST PHOTINI) 29 MAY 2016
23
The Apostolic Work of the Bishops sets the pace for all the
rest of Christs Holy Flock and WHEN THE OVERSIGHT IS
IN CORRECT WORKING ORDER, THE REST OF CHURCH IS FREE
TO FUNCTION AT OPTIMAL LEVEL FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR
AND WORSHIP OF GOD.
Yet, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and operative,
there is something far more excellent THE LOVE OF
GOD, which IS THE TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
1 CORINTHIANS 14:3 HE WHO PROPHESIES SPEAKS
1
TO
AT
ST JOHN 4 : 5 42
JACOBS WELL
At that time, our Lord Jesus went to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph.
Jacobs Well was there. Wearied as He was with His journey, Jesus sat down beside the well. It was about the Sixth
Hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her: Give Me a drink. For His Disciples had
gone into the city to buy food. The Samaritan Woman said to Him: How is it that Thou a Judean ask a drink of
me a woman of Samaria? For Judeans had no dealings with Samaritans.
Jesus answered her: If Thou knew the Gift of God, and Who it is Who is saying to Thee: Give Me a drink, Thou
would have asked Him and He would have given Thee Living Water. The Woman said to Him: Sir, Thou hast
nothing with which to draw water, and the well is deep. Where dost Thou get that Living Water? Art Thou greater
than our Father, Jacob, who gave us this well, and drank from it himself and his sons, and his livestock?
Jesus said to her: Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the Water that I shall
give, will become a Spring of Water welling up to Eternal Life. The Woman said to Him: Sir, give me this Water,
that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.
Jesus said to her: Go fetch Thy husband, and come here. The Woman answered him: I have no husband. Jesus
said to her: Well said: I have no husband. Thou hast had five husbands, and now he whom Thou hast is not
Thy husband. This Thou said truly.
The Woman said to Him: Sir, I perceive that Thou art a Prophet. Our Fathers worshipped on this mountain. And you
say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus said to her: Woman, believe Me: for the Hour is coming when neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, wilt
you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know - we worship what we know, for Salvation is from the
Judeans. But the Hour is coming and now is when the True Worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and
Truth and thus, for such the Father seeks to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship
in Spirit and Truth.
The Woman said to Him: I know that the Messiah is coming He Who is called Christ. When He comes, He will show us
all things. Jesus said to her: I, Who speak to Thee, Am He.
And when His Disciples returned, they marvelled, for He was speaking to a woman. Yet none said: What seekest
Thou? or Why art Thou talking to her?
The Woman left her water jar, and departed to the city, and said to the people: Come see a Man Who told me all that I
ever did. Can this be the Christ? They went out of the city, and went to Him.
Meanwhile, the Disciples besought Him, saying: Rabbi, eat. He said to them: I have Food to eat of which you do not
know. The Disciples said to one another: Has anyone brought Him food?
Jesus said to them: My Food is to do the Will of Him Who sent Me, and to accomplish His Work. Do you not say:
There are yet four months, then comes the harvest? Behold, I tell you: lift up your eyes and see how the fields
are already white for Harvest! He Who Reaps receives Wages, and gathers Fruit for Eternal Life, so that the
24.
4TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE SAMARITAN WOMAN (ST PHOTINI) 29 MAY 2016
Sower and the Reaper may Rejoice together! For here the saying holds True, for One Sows, Another Reaps. I
sent you to Reap that for which you did not Labour others Laboured and you have entered into their Labour.
Many Samaritans from that city believed in Him because of the Womans Testimony: He told me all that I ever did.
When the Samaritans went to Him, they asked Him to stay with them and He stayed there two days. And many more
believed because of His Word. They said to the Woman: It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for
we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed Christ, the Saviour of the world!
The Old Testament does not mention Jacobs Well although
St Athanasios the Great taught us: The commonwealth of
St Jacob did dwell in the area. (GENESIS 33:19)
Israel was the School of the Knowledge of God for all
Wells had great significance because of their rarity and their
nations.
More importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ testified that THE
priceless value in desert life. Therefore, wells came to
symbolise life itself. (PSALM 35:910; PSALM 45:4; ISAIAH 55:1)
MESSIAH WHO WAS PROPHESIED AMONG THE HEBREWS, HAS
RISEN FROM THE HEBREWS.
Jacobs Well has been maintained as a Holy Shrine by the
WHILE THE GIFT OF THE SALVATION IN CHRIST IS TO ALL NATIONS,
Greek Orthodox Christian Church to this very day and
IT HAS COME FROM WITHIN JUDAISM.
pilgrims still drink from it. (ST PHILOMENOS THE NEW MARTYR
OF JACOBS WELL GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ITS PROTECTION AND
The Hour refers to THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
PRESERVATION IN 1979. mp)
AND TO THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT HOLY
Our Lord Jesus was wearied from His journey - meaning
PENTECOST, which inaugurated the Worship of our New
that IN HIS HUMAN NATURE, HE, TOO, SUFFERED hunger,
Covenant with Almighty God.
thirst, tiredness - THE SAME WEAKNESSES OF OUR OWN HUMAN
I, Who speak to you, Am He, is literally translated: I AM
CONDITION.
(EGO EIMI) Who speaks to you. I Am is the Divine Name
The Sixth Hour is midday 12:00 the hottest part of the
of God and its use indicates A THEOPHANY OR DIVINE
day, when most inhabitants of hot areas rest from the
REVELATION OF GOD HIMSELF.
heat.
The use of this Most Holy Name by a mere man would have
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN WAS THE EARLIEST EVANGELIST (BESIDES
been considered as the worst blasphemy ever
THE APOSTLES) WHO TESTIFIED TO THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.
punishable by stoning to death! (JOHN 8:58; MARK 14:62)
TOGETHER WITH HER TWO SONS AND FIVE DAUGHTERS (SOME SAY
However, as our Lord Jesus Christ is Truly Divine the Son of
SISTERS,) SHE BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF SOULS TO CHRIST.
God and thus one of the three Persons of the Almighty
AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST SHE WAS BAPTISED WITH THE NAME
Godhead the Holy Trinity HIS OWN USE OF THIS DIVINE
OF PHOTINI (THE ENLIGHTENED ONE,) AND WENT TO CARTHAGE
NAME REVEALS HIS TRUE UNITY WITH GOD THE FATHER AND
TO SPREAD THE HOLY GOSPEL. SHE WAS EVENTUALLY MARTYRED
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
WITH HER ENTIRE FAMILY BY ORDER OF EMPEROR NERO BY BEING
He most certainly reveals that HE IS INDEED GOD
THROWN INTO A VERY DEEP WELL. WE COMMEMORATE HER MEMORY
INCARNATE!
ON 20 MARCH AND ON THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF HOLY PASCHA. mp
His Apostles marvelled not only because our Lord Jesus
The Samaritans were a mixed breed of Judeans and pagans,
spoke with a Samaritan, but that HE SPOKE WITH AN
and thus were traditional enemies of Israel.
UNACCOMPANIED
WOMAN,
WHICH
WAS
POTENTIALLY
Although they also worshipped the God of Israel and awaited
SCANDALOUS FOR THEM BOTH!
the Advent or Coming of the Messiah the Christ they
CHRIST IS ABOVE ALL SOCIAL NORMS AND CUSTOMS, SO HE
accepted only the first five Books of the Old Testament
TREATED ALL WOMEN WITH THE HIGHEST OF RESPECT,
Scriptures the Pentateuch.
THEREBY SHOWING THEIR VALUE AND IMPORTANCE IN
They had built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which the
EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY LIFE. (JOHN &;53-8:11; LL:20-30; 20:
Israelites had destroyed in 128 BC.
11-18 & LUKE 8:1 3)
On many occasions CHRIST IS MISUNDERSTOOD BY PEOPLE DUE TO
In the ordinary sense, living water means, fresh, flowing
water from a stream or spring, rather than from a
OUR LIMITED HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE.
Nevertheless, THROUGH THESE MISUNDERSTANDINGS, OUR LORD
stagnant pond or cistern.
Christs use of the term LIVING WATER MEANT THE DIVINE
FULFILS HIS DIVINE ROLE AS MESSIAH BY DOING THE WILL OF
GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT LEADS US TO ETERNAL LIFE,
HIS HEAVENLY FATHER AND THIS IS HIS SPIRITUAL FOOD.
Our Lord Jesus, by His own Perfect Example, has taught us to
WHICH NOT ONLY REMAINS IN A FAITHFUL PERSON BUT IS SO
ABUNDANT THAT IT OVERFLOWS AND AFFECTS OTHERS IN THE
PERFORM/OBEY THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD THROUGHOUT OUR
LIFE WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTED BY EARTHLY CARES such as
BEST POSSIBLE MANNER.
However, St Photini misunderstood our Lord Jesus and thus
hunger, shelter and comfort. (JOHN 6:27; MATTHEW 4:4; 6:25-33)
enquired whether He was greater that St Jacob, the
According to St John Chrysostom, when Christ commanded
ancient Patriarch who was a type of Christ because he had
His Apostles to Behold He wanted them to witness the
received the Vision of the Divine Ladder, which our Lord
approaching multitude of white clad Samaritans who
Jesus Christ fulfilled. (GENESIS 28:12)
were ready and eager to believe in Christ Jesus.
Furthermore, just as St Jacob gave this Well for earthly life,
Our Lord compared these Samaritans (RELATIVE TO THE HEBREWS)
CHRIST GRANTS US THE WELL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR
to fields of crops that were ready to harvest.
ETERNAL LIFE.
In addition, our Lords command to Behold! is also
Since our Lord Jesus knew that St Photini was living in sin,
addressed to all Faithful Christians to all Faithful
and as He was aware of her five previous husbands, she
Disciples of Christ to LOOK AT THOSE AROUND US AND TO
assumed Him to be a Holy Prophet but since the
SHARE HIS HOLY GOSPEL WITH ANYONE WANTING TO RECEIVE IT
Samaritans did not accept or recognise any Prophets after
REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY OR SOCIAL STATUS.
St Moses, THE ONLY PROPHET THEY EXPECTED WAS THE
St John Chrysostom believed that THOSE WHO SOWED AND
MESSIAH Whom St Moses had foretold. (DEUTERONOMY 18:
THOSE WHO REAPED WERE THE HOLY PROPHETS OF THE OLD
15-18)
COVENANT AND THE HOLY APOSTLES OF THE NEW COVENANT
CHRISTS INSIGHT INTO EVERY HUMAN BEINGS HEART, which is
RESPECTIVELY.
repeatedly mentioned throughout the Holy Gospels,
The Holy Prophets sowed the Seeds of Faith in preparation
EMPHASISES HIS DIVINE NATURE.
for the Advent of the Messiah, yet they did neither
Our Lord Jesus was indeed the expected Holy Prophet, so He
witnessed it nor reap the Spiritual Fruit of their Holy
could settle the historical argument about where True
Labours.
Worship was to be offered.
The Apostles who did witness and experience the Presence of
However, OUR LORD JESUS REFUSED TO ANSWER SUCH AN EARTHLY
God Incarnate, did not prepare either the Hebrews nor the
QUESTION AND ELEVATED THE DISCUSSION TO THE ONE WHOM
Gentiles yet, after the Resurrection and especially after
WE WORSHIP: ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF.
Pentecost, they drew millions of souls to Faith in Christ
our Lord and Saviour, in their own lifetime.
According to our Lord Jesus Christ the Eternal, Only
The fact that these Samaritans were amongst the first to
Begotten Word and Son of God - GOD IS SPIRIT AND
recognise and to acknowledge our Lord Jesus as the
CANNOT BE CONFINED TO ANY PARTICULAR LOCATION:
Saviour of the world, shows us exactly how HIS HOLY
GOD IS OMNIPRESENT HE IS EVERYWHERE!
GOSPEL IS FOR ALL PEOPLE OF EVERY NATION THROUGHOUT THE
THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BELIEVE IN JESUS
ENTIRE WORLD.
CHRIST THE SON AND WORD OF GOD THE FATHER
WORSHIP GOD WITH PURITY OF HEART.
Our Lord Jesus Christ affirmed that TRUE REVELATION COMES
FROM JUDAISM: Salvation is of the Hebrews.
4TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE SAMARITAN WOMAN (ST PHOTINI) 29 MAY 2016
25
26.
AT
JACOBS WELL
His
Divine
Teachings
and
Commandments.
True worshippers worship in Truth. We can be bad, we
can be much more sinful than the Samaritan Woman,
but we cannot be liars, we should not be liars!!
God can and does Save everyone who seeks His
Salvation, but He is powerless when we become
enmeshed in lies!!
Christ can save the Repentant sinner, but He cannot help
us when we lie and refuse to Repent!
When we are exhausted by our Spiritual Thirst - sick and
poisoned by toxic atheistic ideas and opinions, we
must seek the Living Waters of Christ to revive our
weakening spirit and strengthen our tired flesh, for we
all need to see ourselves clearly - without selfishness,
false pride and lies! For only then can our Lord, Who
is Truth, Righteousness, and Life, teach us to worship
Him in Spirit and Truth.
The Thirst for Truth is the primary, vital requirement for
Encountering our Living God.
The Truth of the incomprehensibility of the Holiness of
God and of His Great Mercy will smite (strike) our
heart, and in the Light of His Truth will we see the
actual depth of our sinfulness!
Heart wrenching grief will draw us to the Source of Living
Water - and Gods Grace, with its Life-giving Strength,
will restore us - granting Spiritual Freedom to our soul
as we are freed from the shackles of sin.
In these accelerated times, how many of us are like the
living dead due to a desperate Thirst for Divine
Truth.
The Knowledge of Truth begins quickly for those who truly
Thirst, and seek, and desire to live in Divine Truth, for
our Lord will reveal Himself to them!
The Power and Majesty of God is clearly evident in our
Life in Christ - in the Churchs seven Holy Mysteries
which are the Source of Living Water, flowing into Life
Eternal.
Divine Truth is the Word of God, which is alive and
always active - leading the Thirsting Traveller along
the Path of Life...
Christ is Risen! Truly Christ is Risen! Amen!
ARCHIMANDRITE JOHN (KRESTIANKIN) - 01 / 06 / 2013
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/46642.htm
4TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE SAMARITAN WOMAN (ST PHOTINI) 29 MAY 2016