2016 - July 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
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
1 July 2016
St Kosmas & St Damianos - Holy Unmercenaries of Rome
Also the Feast of St Potitos of Naples St Peter of Constantinople St Angelina the
Princess of Albania & Serbia St John of Rila, Translation of Holy Relics St Leontios of
Radauti, Moldavia, Founder of St Laurences Monastery
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Agii
Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe

asthenias imon. Dorean elavete dorean dote imin
tas
OF
ROME
Holy
Unmercenaries and Workers of Miracles, visit upon

all our ailments and weaknesses, a Gift have you
received, a Gift do give to us.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS
Having
tin Harin lavontes ton Iamaton, efaploute tin rosin tis en

anagkes, Iatri Thavmatorgi Endoxi.
Alla ti imin
episkepsi, ke ton polemion ta thrasi katavalete, TON
KOSMON IOMENI EN TIS THAVMASI.
SEASONAL KONTAKION -
THE
Prostasia
ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se.
THE FIRST EPISTLE

TH
IVINE
OF
GIFT
ST PAUL
OF
LOVE
obtained the Grace of Healing, grant Health to

those in need! O Kosmas and Damianos, Physicians
and Most Glorious Wonderworkers, Visit us, putting
down the insolence of our enemies, And by Your
Miracles, BRING HEALING TO THE UNIVERSE!
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
TO THE
IS
THE
the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading

voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
CORINTHIANS 12 : 27 13 : 8
MOST SUPERIOR
OF ALL
GIFTS
Brethren: You are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first
Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healings, Helps, Administrations, varieties
of Tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healings? Do all
speak with Tongues? Do all interpret? Earnestly desire the best Gifts.
And yet I show you a more excellent Way: Although I speak with the Tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love,
I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand
all Mysteries and all Knowledge, and although I have all Faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not
Love, I am nothing! And although I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt,
but have not Love, it profits me nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
But whether there are tongues they will cease; whether there is Knowledge it will vanish away...
There has always been a Hierarchy of Honour in the
On the contrary, THE UNGODLY ARE THOSE WHO DESPISE DIVINE
WISDOM AND GODS INSTRUCTIONS, FOR THEY CLAIM TO
Church of the New Covenant.
THE APOSTOLIC WORK OF THE BISHOP SETS THE PACE FOR ALL THE
BELIEVE IN GOD BUT THEY NEITHER KNOW GODS WISDOM NOR
REST. When the oversight is in order, the rest of the
DO THEY LIVE A VIRTUOUS LIFE IN CHRIST A LIFE OF GENUINE
Holy Church is free to function at its optimal level.
HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE.
But even with all the Divine Gifts in place and operative,
Consequently, THEY DO NOT TRULY BELIEVE IN GOD.
there is SOMETHING MORE EXCELLENT THE LOVE OF GOD
O B E D I E N C E A RECOGNITION THAT BECAUSE HE IS
AGAPE THE TRUE SIGN OF THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY
OMNIPRESENT AND ALMIGHTY GOD WE MUST FOLLOW HIM.
SPIRIT!
A C T S 5 : 2 9 : ... Peter and the other Apostles answered
St Basil the Great taught us THAT THERE ARE THREE REASONS
and said: We ought to OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN.
ALL BIBLICAL AND ALL GOD-GIVEN FOR FOLLOWING OUR LORD
While God commands our Obedience to Governing
JESUS CHRIST.
Authorities, OBEDIENCE TO GOD COMES FIRST before
F E A R P R O V E R B S 1 : 7 : The Fear of God is the
anything else in this earthly life!
beginning of Wisdom. And there is good
WHEN THE TWO ARE IN CONFLICT FAITHFUL AND TRUE DISCIPLES OF
Understanding in all who practise it.
And
CHRIST MUST FOLLOW GOD AND BE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE
Godliness towards God is the beginning of
(TEMPORARY BUT OFTEN DEVASTATING) CONSEQUENCES such
Perception, but the ungodly despise Wisdom and
as martyrdom. (REFER ALSO LUKE 20:25 & ROMANS 13 : 1 7)
Instruction.
L O V E 1 J O H N 4 : 1 9 We Love God for He first
WISDOM BEGETS THE FEAR OF GOD IN SIMPLE PEOPLE i.e.
Loved us!
those who are beginners on the Spiritual Path towards
GOD HAS ALWAYS LOVED US UNCONDITIONALLY even though
Eternal Life in the Kingdom of God.
we are habitual sinners!
So EVEN BEFORE GOD BEGAN HIS MAGNIFICENT CREATION, WE
This HOLY FEAR IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM, GODLINESS
HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE INTELLECTUAL BEINGS TOGETHER
TOWARDS GOD AND THE BEGINNING OF PERCEPTION.
WITH HIS HEAVENLY ANGELS WERE PROVIDED FOR.
As SPIRITUAL BEGINNERS practise this Fear of God, they GROW
NOT ONLY WERE WE PUT IN CHARGE OF THIS WORLD AND ALL ITS
IN GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF DIVINE WISDOM AND DIVINE
CREATURES TO PROTECT AND TO TAKE CARE OF IT - BUT
VIRTUES.
AFTER OUR EXPULSION FROM PARADISE - GOD ALSO GRANTED US
ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS,
THE
HOLY UNMERCENARIES
OF
ROME
1 JULY 2015
1.
GIFTS outshining even Prophecy and Faith, and

which is far greater value than even the Miraculous
ability to remove mountains!
Our Lord Jesus Christ urged us to give to the poor and
even to lay down or offer our own lives for the sake of
others yet even such SELFLESS ACTS, IF DONE WITHOUT
TRUE LOVE AGAPE WOULD BE OF NO BENEFIT WHATSOEVER
ARE EMPTY GESTURES WITH NO SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS AT ALL!
St Paul clearly explains the actual meaning of Divine
Love ending with the fact that the ONE THING THAT
LOVE CANNOT DO, IS TO FAIL!
Otherwise, LOVE MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE FOR GOD IS
INDEED DIVINE LOVE ITSELF!!
THE WONDERFUL GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE ONLY TEMPORARY
AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PREPARATORY PERIOD WITH
THE EXCEPTION OF AGAPE, WHICH WE CARRY THROUGH TO
ETERNITY .
Consequently, AGAPE IS THE MOST ESSENTIAL VIRTUE OF ALL to
possess for it enables us to obtain Eternal Life in Gods
Heavenly Kingdom.
Thus: THOSE WHO HAVE NO LOVE, HAVE NOTHING AT
ALL for they shall not be Blessed with the Bliss and
Peace of Eternal Life but rather be condemned to
exile in Outer Darkness the Deep Abyss total
alienation from God and all His Goodness according
to their very own choices throughout their life!
THE UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND MEANS

WHEREBY WE ARE ABLE TO REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO GOD
that we lost after having fallen from Divine Grace

through Spiritual Rebellion and Disobedience.
EVERY IMMORTAL SOUL IS BELOVED BY GOD WHO WANTS ONLY THE
BEST OF EVERYTHING FOR US His Great Mercy and Eternal
Life in His Everlasting Kingdom of Love, Joy and
Peace.
GOD NEVER STOPS LOVING US AND HE NEVER ABANDONS US.
Instead, WHENEVER WE WILFULLY SIN, WE DISTANCE
OURSELVES FROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS.
ONLY WHEN WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND CORRECT OUR ERRORS DO WE
RETURN TO GODS PRESENCE to His Warm and Protective
Embrace.
GOD HAS GRANTED US FREE WILL TO CHOOSE whether we want
to live in His Divine Light and Love - or to surrender to
the enslavement and ultimate devastation of the evil
one who due to his obsessive hatred of all mankind relentlessly tempts or lures us away from God and all
Good Things.
WHILE WE MUST ALWAYS AIM TO DO ALL THINGS OUT OF OUR LOVE
OF GOD, WE ALSO MUST NEVER CEASE FEARING GOD AND
OBEYING HIM i.e. We must always show our deepest
respect and Love of God through an eager and
willing Obedience to all His Teachings and
Commandments, according to which we will all
eventually be judged on the final day.
Above everything else above all the other Divine Gifts
St Paul emphasised THE SUPERIORITY OF DIVINE LOVE AGAPE - THAT HAS THE BEST RESULTS OF ALL OTHER DIVINE
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
C
HRIST
OUR
SA
VIOUR
CH
OSE
TO
ST MATTHEW 10 : 1 &
& INSTRUC
TED
5 8
HIS TWELVE APOSTLES
At that time, when our Lord Jesus had Called His Twelve Disciples to Him, He gave them Power over unclean spirits to
cast them out and to Heal all kinds of disease. These Jesus sent out, having commanded them: Do not go into
the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. Go to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.
Go, preach, saying: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast
out demons.
Freely you have received freely give.
The terms Disciples and Apostles are often
could not blame any of them for going to
uncircumcised men. (ACTS 11:3)
interchangeable concerning the Twelve Holy Apostles
of Christ:
OUR LORD PREPARED THEM TO BE SINGLE-MINDED IN THEIR SACRED
MISSION of preaching and healing by reminding them
DISCIPLE means ONE WHO LEARNS AND IS DISCIPLINED or
guided by another more experienced person.
that HIS DIVINE POWER WAS FREELY GRANTED TO THEM AS A
APOSTLE means ONE WHO IS SENT OUT TO TEACH DIVINE
GIFT OF GOD and furthermore, they were not to carry
WISDOM AND TRUTH TO OTHERS BY THE GRACE AND
any money with them so that they could not be
INSPIRATION OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT thus others have
accused of greed and especially so that they learnt
been entitled Equal to the Apostles.
to DEPEND ON THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD
OUR LORD JESUS GRANTS HIS FAITHFUL APOSTLES AND DEVOUT
and THEY OFTEN DID MANUAL LABOUR FOR OTHERS TO SUPPORT
DISCIPLES SOME OF HIS DIVINE POWER TO PERFORM
THEMSELVES SO AS NOT TO BE A BURDEN TO ANYONE ELSE.
MIRACLES AND TO FULFIL THEIR HOLY CALLING.
Christ said: Freely you have received freely give!
AS THE ALMIGHTY CREATOR, ALL HIS DIVINE WONDERS ARE BY HIS
Which was the Holy Rule whereby all Holy
Unmercenaries have served God.
OWN DIVINE POWER, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF HIS
HEAVENLY FATHER, AND THROUGH THE LIFE-GIVING
We, too, should KEEP THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DIVINE
ACTIVATION OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
INSTRUCTION IN MIND AT ALL TIMES so that we may share
THE APOSTLES HOLY MISSION WAS SIMILAR TO OUR LORD JESUS
everything we have with others especially those who
DIVINE MISSION: TO PREACH AND TO HEAL THE HEBREW
are far less Blessed than we.
UPON THIS IMPORTANT SACRED LESSON WILL WE ALL BE JUDGED!
NATION, so that after Christs Resurrection, His enemies
DESIRE
AND
ACTION
What do we need to do to have Divine Grace permeate

our being, Enlightening us, and leading us to a Life
according to the Virtues? How do we nurture the Zeal
within us to become worthy of God's Grace? We need
both to desire it and resolve to set out to achieve it.
St Theophan said: Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but
not everyone has the desire to Labour towards this
end. I am saying this because it is not enough merely
to desire. You need to resolve firmly to achieve without
fail that which you desire. You also need to resolve
firmly to begin the process itself of Labour towards
this...
So, how do we move from desire to action. Our desire
must have some deep personal meaning for us. We
must see it as something extremely important and
essential to our life. We have many desires, most of
which remain unfulfilled because we lack the
strength to act on them
In order for desire to be fulfilled, it is necessary to be
elevated to the level of firm intention or decision, and
it is necessary tell ourselves: No matter what happens,
I will obtain such-and-such a thing, or I will
accomplish such-and-such a deed.
Once our desire is clear we must act. We must make
changes in our lifestyle and re-evaluate our priorities
in order to make new choices.
2.
ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS,
THE
IN
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Simply put, we must begin. This first step is probably the

most difficult of all!
...So that your desire does not fail to bloom, it is necessary
to carry it from the beginning to the point of decision.
This should not be a hasty decision, but careful,
deliberate, firm, rational, and most importantly, an
irrevocable decision.
Then get down to work itself.
First, everything must be accomplished and inwardly
through personal reflection, along with Prayer to God
to bring reason and Enlightenment to the mind with
respect to the extremely crucial matter at hand...
Examine what is really important in your life and then,
with Love, make the necessary changes based on the
Holy Traditions, Scriptures and Practices of the
Church, to do the things that will lead you to your
desired Goal.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2011/01/DESIRE-ANDACTION-IN-SPIRITUAL-LIFE.HTM
HOLY UNMERCENARIES
OF
ROME
1 JULY 2016

2July 2016
The Deposition of the Robe of our Lady Theotokos at Blachernae
Also the Feast of St Photios, Metropolitan of Kiev & All Russia St Juvenal, Patriarch of
Jerusalem St Stephen the Great, Prince of Moldavia St John Maximovitch, of Sanghai &
San Francisco
FESTAL APOLYTIKION THEOTOKOS ROBE - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Theotokos
Ever Virgin Theotokos, the Shelter of mankind, Thou hast
Aiparthene, ton anthropon i Skepi, Esthita ke

Zonin tou ahrantou Sou Somatos, kratean ti poli Sou
perivolin edoriso, to asporo took Sou aftharta
diaminanta. Epi Si gar ke fisis kenotomite ke hronos.
Dio disopoumen Se, Irinin ti ikoumeni dorisasthe, ke tes
psihes imon to Mega Eleos.
granted to Thy City as a Protective Wall, the cincture

and garment that Thou wore upon Thine Immaculate
Body.
By Thy Seedless Childbirth, they remained
Incorrupted. For in Thee both nature and time are
made novel. Wherefore, we implore Thee, Grant Peace
to Thy Commonwealth, and Great Mercy to our soul.
FESTAL KONTAKION THEOTOKOS ROBE
Perivolin
TONE 4
Thou hast bestowed Thy Sacred Garment, O Lady, to be a
pasi Pistis aftharsias, Theharitote Agni edoriso,

tin ieran Esthita Sou, meth is to Ieron, soma Sou
eskepasas, Skepi Thia anthropon. Isper tin katathesin,
Eortazomen potho, ke ekvoontes krazomen Pistos:
Here Parthene, Hristianon to kavhima.
Robe of Incorruption, O Pure One, for all the Faithfu, O

Divine Protection of mankind; for with it, Thou had
arrayed Thy Most Pure Sacred Body.
Now, with
longing, we observe the Feast of its bestowal, and in a
loud voice we cry out with Faith: Hail, O Virgin, the
Boast of Christians everywhere.
PROKEIMENON THE MAGNIFICAT
OF OUR
LADY THEOTOKOS TONE 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit Rejoices in God my Saviour.

For He has regarded the lowly estate of His Handmaiden, for behold: henceforth all generations shalt call me
Blessed.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 9 : 1 7
Brethren: the First Covenant had Regulations for worship and an earthly Sanctuary. A Tabernacle was prepared the outer
one, in which were the Lampstand and the Table and the Bread of the Presence called the Holy Place.
Behind the Second Curtain stood a Tabernacle the Holy of Holies having the Golden Altar of Incense and the Ark of the
Covenant covered on all sides with Gold, which contained a golden Urn holding the Manna, Aarons Rod that budded,
and the Tablets of the Covenant. Above it were the Cherubim of Glory, overshadowing the Mercy Seat. Of these things
we cannot now speak in detail.
These preparations having thus been made, the Priests went continually into the Outer Tabernacle, performing their Ritual
duties, but into the Second Tabernacle only the High Priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood,
which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people
TO
ST LUKE 1 : 39 49 & 56
In those days Mary arose and went in haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zachariah
and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb; and Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry: Blessed art Thou among women, and Blessed is the Fruit of
Thy Womb! And why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of
Thy greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for Joy. And Blessed is she who believed, for there would be
a Fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has regarded the lowly estate
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 Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.
THE PLACING
OF
OUR LADY THEOTOKOS ROBE
During the reign of the Byzantine Emperor, Leo the Great

(457-474), two brothers Galbios and Candidos, set out
on a Pilgrimage from Constantinople to Palestine,
intending to visit all the Holy Sites.
In a small settlement near Nazareth they lodged at the
home of an old Jewish woman, where they noticed a
room lit by many lamps.
Incense filled the air and
many sick people had gathered there. When they
questioned the old lady concerning the unusual
circumstances, she seemed reluctant to answer them.
Finally, seeing their persistence, she told them that she
possessed a Most Precious Holy Garment - the Robe of
the Mother of God, whereby many Divine Miracles and
Healings occurred.
Before Her Dormition the Most Holy Virgin Theotokos had
bequeathed one of her garments to a pious Jewish
maiden - an ancestor of the old woman - instructing
her to pass it on to another Virgin after her death. Thus,
the Robe of the Mother of God was preserved in that
Jewish family from generation to generation.
THE DEPOSITION
OF THE
ROBE
OF OUR
AT
BLACHERNAE
The jewelled casket containing the Sacred Robe, was

eventually transferred to Constantinople, after St
Gennadios, Patriarch of Constantinople and Emperor
Leo - having been informed of the Most Holy Relic and
being convinced of its incorrupt state - certified its
authenticity.
At Blachernae, near the coast, a church in honour of our All
Holy Lady Theotokos was constructed and on 2 June
458 St Gennadios carried the Sacred Robe into the
Blachernae Church with appropriate solemnity, and
reverently placed it within a new Reliquary.
Her Maphorion (i.e., the outer robe), and part of Her Belt
were also placed in the Reliquary.
Orthodox
Iconography of the Feast subsequently combined the
two Events of the Placing of the Robe, and the Placing of
the Belt in the Blachernae church.
During several enemy invasions and attacks, our All Holy
Ladys Intercessory Prayers saved Constantinople - from
the Avars in 626, the Persians in 677, and the Arabs in
717.
LADY, THEOTOKOS,
AT
BLACHERNAE, CONSTANTINOPLE - 2 JULY 2016
On 18 June 860 the Russian fleet of Prince Askold comprising more than 200 ships - laid waste the coastal
regions of the Black Sea and the Bosphoros, before
entering
the
Golden
Horn
and
threatening
Constantinople by setting ashore troops who
...proceeded before the city, stretching forth their
swords.
Emperor Michael III (842-867), interrupted his campaign
against the Arabs and returned to the capital, where he
prayed all night, prostrated upon the stone tiles of the
Church of the Mother of God at Blachernae. Patriarch
Photios addressed his Flock, calling for Tears of
Repentance to wash away sins, and to seek the
Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos with Fervent
Prayers.
The danger increased with each passing hour. The city
was barely able to stand against a spear... said
Patriarch Photios in another of his Homilies. Under
these conditions the decision was made to save the
Churchs Most Sacred Objects, especially the Holy Robe
of the Mother of God, which was kept in the Blachernae
Church, not far from the shore.
After serving an All-Night Vigil, the Holy Robe was removed
from the Reliquary in the Blachernae Church, and
carried in a procession around the city walls, dipping its
hem into the waters of the Bosphoros, wherever
possible, before carrying it into the Church of Agia
Sophia in the centre of Constantinople.
As they had prayed and hoped, our All Holy Theotokos
protected the great city and even quelled the fury of the
Russian warriors, making it possible for an honourable
truce to be concluded which compelled Prince Askold
to lift the siege of Constantinople.
On 25 June 860 the Russian Army began to depart, taking
with them a large tribute payment. A week later, on 2
July, the Wonderworking Robe of the Mother of God was
solemnly and reverently returned to its resting place in
the Reliquary at the Blachernae Church. To
Commemorate these Events an annual Feast Day was
established on 2 July by St Photios, the Patriarch of
Constantinople.
In October-November 860, a Russian delegation arrived in
Constantinople to conclude a Peace Treaty ...in Love
and Peace. Some of the conditions included Articles
concerning the Baptism of Kievan Rus, (the Russian
people) the payment of an Annual Tribute by the
Byzantines to the Russians, permission for them to
serve with the Byzantine Army, an Agreement to Trade
in the territory of the Empire (primarily in
Constantinople), and to send a Diplomatic Mission to
Byzantium.
The most important Article concerned the Holy Baptism of
Russians.
The
Continuator
of
the
Byzantine
Theophanes Chronicles related: ...their Delegation
arrived in Constantinople with a request for them to
receive Holy Baptism, which also was fulfilled.
An Orthodox Mission was sent to Kiev to fulfill this mutual
wish of the Russians and the Greeks. Not very long
before this (in 855) St Cyril the Philosopher had created
a Slavonic alphabet and translated the Holy Gospel.
St Cyril was sent with his brother, St Methodios on a
Mission to Kiev with books translated into Slavonic.
This was at the initiative of St Photios, who was the
Spiritual Father and Teacher of St Cyril.
The brothers spent the winter of 860/861 at Cherson, and
in the spring of 861 they were at the River Dnieper, with
Prince Askold, who was confronted by a most difficult
choice just like that which Prince Vladimir had faced
before him.
The Jews and the Moslems had wanted him to accept their
Faiths, but through the True Teachings and Eternal,
Inspired Wisdom of St Cyril, Prince Askold chose
Orthodox Christianity.
At the end of 861, St Cyril and St Methodios returned to
Constantinople and carried letters with them from
Prince Askold to Emperor Michael III, thanking him for
sending ...such men, who showed by both Word and
by Example, that the Christian Faith is Holy...
Persuaded that this is the True Faith, we bid them to
Baptize in the hope that we may also attain Sanctity.
We are all Friends of the Kingdom and prepared to be
of Service to you, as requested.
Prince Askold accepted Holy Baptism with the name
Nicholas, and many of his retinue were also
Baptized.
Directly from Constantinople, the capital of Orthodoxy,
through the efforts of the Holy Apostles to the Slavs
4.
THE DEPOSITION
OF THE
ROBE
OF OUR
LADY, THEOTOKOS,
both the Slavonic Divine Services and the Slavonic

written language had arrived in Rus. (Russia)
St Photios had appointed Metropolitan Michael to Kiev, and
the Russian Metropolitan District was entered into the
lists of Dioceses of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Patriarch Photios in an Encyclical of 867 referred to the
Baptism of the Bulgarians and the Russians as among
the chief accomplishments of his Hierarchical Service:
The Russians, who lifted their hand against the
Romans might have now replaced the impious
teaching, which they held to formerly, with the pure
and genuine Christian Faith, and with Love having
established themselves in the array of our friends and
subjects. (The Byzantines counted as subjects all who
accepted Holy Baptism from Constantinople and
entered into Military Alliance with the Empire.)
The desire and Zeal of Faith has flared up within them
to such an extent, that they have accepted Bishops
and Priests, and they embrace Christian Sanctity with
great Zeal and Fervour...
The Feast of the Placing of the Robe of the Most Holy
Theotokos in Blachernae also marks the Canonical
Establishment of the Russian Orthodox Metropolitanate
in Kiev.
By the Blessing of our All Holy Theotokos and by the
Miracle from Her Holy Robe not only was the
Deliverance of Constantinople from the most terrible
siege in all its history accomplished, but also the
Liberation of the Russians from the Darkness of pagan
superstition to Life Eternal.
The year 860 also brought the recognition of Byzantium
(Constantinople) to Kievan Rus signifying the
emergence of the young Russian Realm into the Arena
of history.
Prince Askolds endeavours to renew and restore the
original Christian Evangelization of St Andrew the FirstCalled Holy Apostles of Christ, were intended as a
religious and state Reform. However, adherents of the
old paganism were too strong, and the princely power
was too weak.
Finally, during the clash of Prince Askold with the pagan
Oleg in 882, the Kievans betrayed him by luring him
into their camp with promises of reconciliation, where
he received a martyrs death at the hands of bribed
murderers.
Nevertheless, the Good Deeds of Blessed Prince Askold
were not extinguished in the Russian Church, even
though Oleg the Sage, who had killed Prince Askold,
occupied the Kiev Principality after him, and named
Kiev the Mother of Russian Cities.
The most important achievement of Prince Askold was the
Slavonic Gospel and Slavonic Services that were
translated by St Cyril and St Methodios whose
Apostolic Activity among the Slavs began in Kiev at the
court of Prince Askold in 861, and continued afterwards
in Moravia and Bulgaria. As stated in the ancient
Alphabetic Prayers ...the Slavonic Tribe now soars in
flight, all striving toward Baptism.
Several outstanding Works of Byzantine Church Hymnology
and Homiletics are connected with the Miracle of the
Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos at Blachernae. There
are two Homilies of St Photios, one of which he
preached within days of the Siege of Constantinople,
and the other soon after the departure of the Russian
Forces - as well as a remarkable Akathist to the Most
Holy Theotokos, - the Salutations to our Lady
Theotokos which are chanted every Friday night over
five weeks of Great Lent.
St Nestor the Chronicler, stressing the significance of the
Russian Campaign against Constantinople, notes that
from this time ...(Rus) was begun to be called the
Russian Land.
The Veneration of the Feast inspired St Andrew
Bogoliubsky to built a church in honour of this Feast
day in the city of Vladimir at the Golden Gates. At the
end of the fourteenth century, part of the Robe of the
Mother of God was transferred from Constantinople to
Rus by St Dionysios, Archbishop of Suzdal and it later
saved Moscow from hostilities in the summer of 1451.
St Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow, with constant Prayer
and Holy Services, encouraged the defenders of the city.
On the night of 2 July, great confusion and utter fear in the
Tatar camp caused them to suddenly abandon their
plundered goods and speedily retreat in complete
terror and disarray!
O All Holy Mother of God, Save us!
AT
BLACHERNAE, CONSTANTINOPLE - 2 JULY 2016

3 July 2016
Tone 1
nd
2 Sunday After Pentecost

2 Sunday of St Matthew Calling of the Holy Apostles
nd
Also the Feast of the Holy Martyrs of Yakinthos - St Anatolios, Patriarch of Constantinople St
Gerasimos the New of Evritanias the Synaxis of All Saints of North America St Hyacinth the
Cubicularios/Chamberlain of Caesarea, Cappadocia with St Diomedes, St Evlampios, St
Asclepiodotos & St Golinduc of Rome St Philip, Wonderworking Metropolitan of Moscow & All Russia,
Translation of Holy Relics St Anatolios the Recluse of Kiev Near Caves Monastery St Basil of Ryazan & Murom St Basil & St
Constantine Vsevolodovich, Holy Princes of Yaroslav St John & St Longinos, Wonderworkers of Yarenga, Solovki St John,
Wonderworking Fool for Christ of Vologda & Moscow St Nikodemos, Abbot of Kozhe Lake Monastery St Mark & St Mokios St
Alexander, Founder of the Unsleeping Ones Monastery, Syria St George the God-Bearer The Milk-giver Holy Icon of our Lady,
Theotokos, at Hilandar Monastery, Mount Athos
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 2 - MARK 16 : 1 8

THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS WITNESS THE EMPTY TOMB OF OUR RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE1
While the stone was sealed by the Judeans, and soldiers
Tou
lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon ke Stratioton

filassonton to ahranton Sou Soma, Anestis trimeros,
Sotir, Doroumenos to kosmo tin Zoin. Dia touto e
Dinamis ton Ouranon evoon Si Zoodota.
Doxa ti
Anastasi Sou, Hriste! Doxa ti Vasilia Sou! Doxa ti
Ikonomia Sou, mone Filanthrope!
SEASONAL KONTAKION -
OUR
stood on guard over Thine Undefiled Body, Thou rose

on the Third Day, O Saviour Who gives Life to the
world. For which cause the Heavenly Powers cried
aloud to Thee: O Giver of Life: Glory to Thy
Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory
to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone Loves mankind!
EVER BLESSED LADY, THEOTOKOS
Prostasia

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

to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
Help of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed
up Thine Intercession, and press on Thy
Supplication, O Theotokos who always protects all
those who honour Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 32/33 TONE 1
Let Thy Mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we Hope in Thee!

Rejoice greatly in the Lord, O you Righteous! Praise is fitting for the Upright!
ST PAULS EPISTLE
JUD
GEMENT
TO THE
ROMANS 2 : 10 16
OF EACH
CONSCIENCE
Brethren: ...Glory, Honour and Peace to everyone who works what is Good. To the Judean first and also to the Hellenes.
There is not partiality with God. For as many as have sinned without Law will also perish without Law. And as
many as have sinned in the Law will be Judged by the Law. (For not the hearers of the Law are Justified in the Sight
of God, but the doers of the Law will be Justified.)
When the Gentiles who do not have the Law, by nature, do the things in the Law, these, although not having the Law,
are a law unto themselves, who show the work of the Law written in their heart, their conscience also bearing
witness. And between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them - in the Day when God will Judge
the secrets of mankind according to my Gospel by Jesus Christ.
Gentiles are counted as Hebrews as Gods Chosen
THE ADVANTAGE OF THE HEBREW NATION WAS PEDAGOGICAL
when THEIR CONSCIENCE LEADS THEM TO RIGHTEOUSNESS IN
(educational/instructive) FOR THEY WERE TAUGHT MORE
THE SAME MANNER AS WHEN THE LAW LEADS AND GUIDES THE
THOROUGHLY AND MORE PRECISELY ABOUT THE LORD OUR GOD.
VIRTUOUS HEBREWS.
However, EVEN THIS ADVANTAGE DID NOT MAKE THE HEBREWS ANY
The Law is written in their heart...refers to OUR
MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN THE GENTILES/PAGAN/HEATHENS FOR
CONSCIENCE, which IS GOD-GIVEN AND HAS THE SAME NATURAL
ALL HUMANITY IS UNDER THE ENSLAVEMENT AND OPPRESSION OF
HOLY POWER.
SIN.
According to St John Chrysostom, THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO
MANY IF NOT MOST HEBREWS relied on knowing the Law
FOLLOW THEIR CONSCIENCE TO GOD ARE MORE VIRTUOUS THAN
for their Righteousness, when in fact, they DID NOT OBEY
THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE LAW, FOR THEY do not have the
it.
advantage of concrete instructions yet still HAVE A
KNOWING THE LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS OF GOD DOES NOT MAKE
NATURAL, COMPELLING DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD.
ANYONE A RIGHTEOUS TEACHER AND GUIDE FOR OTHERS, UNLESS
While GENTILES/PAGANS could find God through their
THEY THEMSELVES FAITHFULLY OBEY ALL GODS TEACHINGS AND
conscience, they WERE NOT BETTER OFF THAN THE HEBREWS
COMMANDMENTS.
WHO HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF THE ORACLES OF GOD THE
ONLY BY KEEPING/OBEYING THE SPIRIT AND HEART OF DIVINE TRUTH
MOSAIC LAW OF GOD AND HIS HOLY PROPHETS TO LEAD,
LAW, TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENT, CAN WE GUIDE
TEACH AND GUIDE THEM TOWARDS GOD.
OTHERS.
OUR LORD JESUS C
HRIST
TO
ST MATTHEW 4 : 18 23
CALLS HIS FIRST AP
OSTLES
At that time, our Lord Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his
brother, casing a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them: Come, follow Me, and I will
make you Fishers of Men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
2ND AP 2ND SUNDAY
OF
ST MATTHEW CALLING
OF THE
HOLY APOSTLES -
3 JULY 2016
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 to them. Immediately they left the boat and their
father, and followed Him.
And throughout all Galilee Jesus went, teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and
Healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
shows that THEY MISUNDERSTOOD THE TRUE NATURE OF HIS
THESE FIRST DISCIPLES OR APOSTLES OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR had
DIVINE, ETERNAL KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
already heard the preaching of St John the Baptist
and WERE PREPARED TO ACCEPT OUR LORD IMMEDIATELY.
The arrogance and selfishness that motivates most people is clearly
ALTHOUGH THEY WERE ILLITERATE AND UNEDUCATED, THESE
evident:
HUMBLE FISHERMEN WHOM OUR LORD JESUS CALLED TO
Once they realised that they could benefit from Christ whats in it
FOLLOW HIM WOULD SOON BE REVEALED AS THE WISEST OF ALL,
for me? their immediate desire was for instant but temporary
THROUGH THE DESCENT AND RECEPTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
gratification and only then did they began to pay attention to
what He tried to teach them and bestow upon them His
ON THAT GLORIOUS DAY OF PENTECOST.
Priceless, Everlasting Spiritual Treasures of Eternal Life!
THE PEOPLE DID NOT SWARM TO OUR LORD JESUS WHEN HE
INITIALLY, LIKE ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, COMMANDED
IT ALSO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED OUR LORDS CONCESSION TO
REPENTANCE.
GRANT CREDIBILITY TO WHAT HE TAUGHT AND REVEALED TO THE
THEY ONLY BEGAN TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION WHEN HE BEGAN TO
FICKLE MULTITUDES OF THAT TIME
HEAL THE PEOPLE AND PERFORM HIS DIVINE MIRACLES, which
THE CALLING
OF OUR
Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, did not endure His
indescribable, terrible and unjust Suffering so that we
would not have to. No! He Suffered so that we could
endure our own suffering with Him!
Non-Orthodox are erroneously told that Christ our Saviour
Suffered and died so that we could be freed from a
similar fate and they believe that our Lord Jesus has
appeased the terrifying Divine Wrath of God the
Father thereby freeing us from a rightful
punishment.
However, for Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the focus is
largely on Christ our Compassionate Lord as the Great
Physician God the Son Who suffers and dies so that
He can Wash away our sins, Cleanse us from Spiritual
Defilement, and Reunite us with God our Heavenly
Father - through Himself.
Rather than presenting a Trinitarian nightmare of God
the Father and God the Son being opposed to each
other God Forbid!! - Orthodox Christology declares
that Christ voluntarily lay down His Life for the sake of
the fallen worldwhich is the Unified, Divine Will. (It is
always by the Will of the Father, through the Son and by the
Power and Energy of the Holy Spirit. Mp)
In other words - even while we are still unrepentant
sinners, Christ has Suffered and Died for us.
One of my personal Struggles is that of a severe and even
crippling empathy for others, because I have trouble
disassociating myself from their sufferings or
experiences, grafting their experiences into my own.
In these times of overwhelming distress, I can turn to
Prayer, petitioning God for His Great Mercy.
However, in these Prayers, I catch myself assuming that
suffering is only negative.
While it might seem noble to ask for Gods Deliverance,
we should adjust our heart and our Prayers in light of
the fact that our Lord Suffered so that we could
endure our own suffering with Him.
Instead of praying for Deliverance from suffering, we
must pray for Salvation through suffering.
In the Orthodox Christian context, Hope is inextricably
linked to suffering, as St Paul wrote to the Romans:
...The (Holy) Spirit Himself bears witness with our
spirit, that we are Children of God. And if Children,
also Heirs on the one hand, Heirs of God, on the
other hand Co-Heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer
with Him, in order that we might also be Glorified
together. For I reckon that the sufferings of the present
time are not worthy in comparison to the Future Glory
to be revealed in us. (ROMANS 8: 16 18)
St Paul referred to our Adoption into Gods Holy Family.
Yet, if we are to receive our Inheritance (as Gods
Children), we are also called to suffer, becoming CoHeirs with the Eternal, Only Begotten Son of God, so for
that reason, we endure the ...sufferings of the present
time... living according to Hope.
It is totally incorrect to believe that God adopts us into His
Family without anything expected of us! Nor - even
worse that we are promised ...a better life,
happiness, and even material wealth or worldly
success!
6.
2ND AP 2ND SUNDAY
OF
LORDS APOSTLES
These wrong beliefs and misguided teachings are

actually opposite what Holy Scripture or Christ has
taught us!
St Paul reminded the Romans that ...we were Saved by
Hope. (ROMANS 8:24)
Furthermore, our Salvation is not realized immediately,
nor is it a flip of the switch in ones mental assent of
Faith, but is rather a life-long Spiritual Journey that
begins at our Holy Baptism, which is eventually
consummated on the Last Day.
Until that Last Day the Eighth Day or Final Judgement
Day - we ceaselessly strive for and await our Eternal
Salvation.
The beginning of our Salvation Journey is Holy Baptism
and Chrismation, which continues throughout our
entire lifetime of trials, temptations, suffering, Spiritual
Discipline, Asceticism, Struggle, and Growth.
Being Saved in Hope also means knowing in Whom we
place our Trust: ...what shall separate us form the
Love of Christ? Affliction, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . . But in
all these things we more than conquer through the
One Who Loved us. (ROMANS 8 : 35 37)
While we are almost guaranteed a lifespan marked by
...affliction, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness,
danger, and sword... we have assurance of Victory
through the Love of Christ.
Our Hope is in Him and He is our Assurance, just as He
is True Life.
Since we are guaranteed as much, our Prayer should be
to see suffering Transformed into Salvation, as St
Paisios the Elder of Mount Athos said: ...In every test,
let us say: Thank you, my God, because this was
needed for my Salvation!
Similarly, Father Seraphim Rose urged us: Only Struggle
a little more. Carry your Cross without complaining.
Dont think you are anything special. Dont justify your
sins and weaknesses, but see yourself as you really
are. And, especially, Love one another.
When confronted by Spiritual Struggle or temptation, ask
God that we might Struggle a little more.
Give Thanks to God that we are being provided with an
opportunity for our Sanctification and Salvation in
Him.
Look to Christ as our Source of Strengthas One Who
Suffered all, and yet without sin.
Consider the Lives of the Saints, who have imaged Christ
in their own Struggles.
Always remember that Christ did not suffer so that we
would not have to but that He Suffered, Died, and
conquered Death-by-Death so that we could endure
our own suffering with Him.
Following our Lord Jesus Christ is a Calling to endure
suffering - to carry our Crosswhether great or small!
And through Him and the Holy Mysteries of His Holy
Church, and through our own individual Struggle and
Ascesis, we can live as Co-heirs with Him, having
been properly prepared for future Glory!
ST MATTHEW CALLING
GABE MARTINI - ON BEHALF OF ALL - 04 / 07 / 2014

HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/72001.HTM
OF THE
HOLY APOSTLES -
3 JULY 2016
WHAT
IS MEANT BY
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY?
St Gregory Palamas commented: "Our mind goes outside

itself and so Unites with God; it becomes more than
mind."
Spirituality is a most difficult term because it is used in
many ways - often in ways that denigrate or reject
True Christian Spirituality.
Those who do not have any Faith in God or who refuse to
live by His Commandments and Teachings, will
vehemently protest: "I don't believe in any religion...
or I am not religious!! ...but I am spiritual!"
The term spiritual generally refers to our undefined
inner human spirit, so those who do not have any
firm religious belief have some sense of this inner
spirit, but they have no clear path nor any intention of
developing it. (Possibly being afraid of losing their already lost
Freedom of will! Mp)
For Orthodox Christians there is a very clear notion of this

inner sense of spirit and a clear Path that exists which
we freely and joyfully follow.
Orthodox Spirituality is our personal, unique, Journey
towards a Mystical Union with God through living the
Commandments and Teachings of our Lord God and
by fully participating in all the vital Holy Mysteries
and Holy Traditions of Christs Holy Church.
In his book Orthodox Spirituality Father Dimitru Staniloae
explains that it "...presents the process of a Christians
Progress on the Road to Perfection in Christ, by the
Cleansing of the passions and the winning of the
Virtues - a process that takes place in a certain
order...
In other words, it describes ...the manner in which the
Christian can go forward from the Cleansing of one
passion to the Cleansing of another, and at the
same time acquiring of the different Virtues."
THE AIM
God Calls us to Perfection (Deification, Sanctification, Theosis)

This is impossible for us to achieve without the
participation in the Divine-human Life of our Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ: "...Therefore the Goal of
Orthodox Spirituality is our Spiritual Perfection of by
means of our Holy Union with Christ."
Father Dimitru Staniloae explained the attributes of
Orthodox Christian Spirituality:
1. The culmination of our Spiritual Life is Union of our
soul with God that is lived or experienced.
2. This Union is only possible for us to attain by the Power
and Energy of the Holy Spirit, but until it is
achieved we are perpetually involved in a
prolonged effort of Spiritual Purification.
3. Our Holy Union occurs when we have regained our
lost Likeness to God, through our Spiritual
Struggles.
4. At the same time we will be granted True Knowledge

and Love.
5. Among other things, the effect of this Holy Union
consists of a considerable intensification of our
Spiritual Energies together with all types of
Charismas (Gifts granted by Divine Grace.)
Consequently, our Ultimate Goal of Christian Orthodox
Spirituality is none other than living in a state of
Deification or participation in the Divine Life (Having
put on Christ at our Holy Baptism, we must be committed to
Life IN Christ. mp)
This raises the questions:
1 . What is this State of Deification?
2 . What is the Nature of this Knowledge and Love?
3 . How do we attain it and how are we Perfected?
And, as Father Dimitru Staniloae pointed out, these all
involve our own personal "... prolonged efforts of
Purification."
THE ESSENTIAL NATURE
Father Dimitru Staniloae encourages us to strive even

harder for our Spiritual Perfection, because "...only by
prolonged effort, by discipline, can the state of
Perfection and Mystical Union with God be
reached."
St Paul also clearly and concisely explained what is
required, comparing our Ultimate Goal of Theosis to
the training of athletes who prepare themselves for
victory: "Run in such a way that you may obtain it [the
prize]....I discipline my body and bring it into
subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I
myself should become disqualified... (1 CORINTHIANS 2427)
"... If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned

unless he competes according to the rules.... Be
diligent to present yourself approved to God.... (2
TIMOTHY 2:5, 2:15)
This Spiritual Work and training is called Asceticism.

There should not be any negative connotation given to
Asceticism, which has only a positive Purpose: ...The
ultimate goal of Asceticism is to free our nature not
only from the movements of sinful appetites, but
also from the ideas that appear in the mind after the
Cleansing from passions. This is only to gain its
independence from created things, which have
enslaved our nature by the passions, and make it
long more for God.
Our Ascetic Efforts can also be seen as a gradual Death
with Christ for we cannot be Resurrected with Him if
we do not first die with Him.
The Ascetic Activities follow a clear Path involving a series
of essential steps.
...It is a precise Discipline that takes into consideration
the laws of the normal development of our Spiritual
Life, as well as the principles of Faith.
OF
FAITH: THE STARTING POINT
Is it enough to develop self-control? Why do the Church

Fathers put such emphasis on Faith? Why do
Christians see limitations in the Buddhist and Hindu
practices of Meditation and Ascetic practices? Why?
2ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2ND SUNDAY
OF
ASCETICISM
Such a Battle according to the law means that its road is

established according to a well grounded logic...
We must seek out the nature of these Spiritual Laws and
the Steps necessary to develop our Spiritual Life.
Asceticism, while essential to our Spiritual Growth, is not a
technique that of itself can produce the sought
Mystical Union with God.
It is more akin to athletic training, which prepares us to
receive Uncreated Light of God.
Ascetic practices develop us spiritually so we can be
given God-like Powers such as exhibited by the
Apostles.
This is only possible by the Grace of God when we have
properly prepared ourselves, (and thus become worthy to
receive Divine Grace, which compels and enables us to further
Labours of Love for the Glory, Honour and Worship of God
alone! Mp)
...For this Self-Revelation of God in a Mystical Union we
have to make ourselves worthy by being sincere,
cleansed, and good...
We begin with Faith, but then we must work to Purify
ourselves to become worthy to receive God's
Transforming Grace, which is Asceticism.
We are Blessed with free will that needs to be
disciplined in order to control our physical passions
and to Unite ourselves voluntarily with the Will of
God.
We must never forget not even for an instant that we
are incessantly engaged in the Supreme Contest that
St Paul called "Spiritual Warfare."
Our Sacred Purpose and Aim is Life in Christ - United
with Him, to become like Him in His Perfect Humanity,
so that - as it is stated in our Lord's Prayer, Gods "...
Will be done - on Earth as it is in Heaven."
TO
PERFECTION
Because without Faith we cannot act according to

Divine Grace that Saves us, that leads us to a
Virtuous Life and promises us Eternal Life.
We can have a still mind gained from some meditation
practice, but we will be dead to the Holy Spirit.
ST MATTHEW THE CALLING
OF THE
HOLY APOSTLES 3 JULY 2016
The unwavering Foundation of Christian Life i.e. Life

in Christ - is Faith.
We begin our Orthodox Spiritual Journey with a belief
that is according to the True Teachings of Christ
and His Holy Gospel, which is then Consummated
through our Holy Baptism and Chrismation.
Then our belief begins to be Transformed into Faith.
So first is our choice and ability to truly believe, followed
by our Baptism and Chrismation, after which, through
our ceaseless Struggles and Strivings, we develop,
nurture and increase our Faith.
Father Dimitru Staniloae explained: ... Before starting on
the Way to Purification, it is necessary for us to
Strengthen our Faith received at Baptism, by will....
Our Faith cannot be Strengthened except by
contemplating God constantly...
Thoughts of God are maintained by short and frequent
Remembrances of Him, made with Piety, and with
the unwavering belief that we can always depend
on Him...
Callistos and Ignatius Xanthopoulos in Directions to
Hesychasts teach us: ...The beginning of every
action pleasing to God is a call with Faith on the
Life-Saving Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He
Himself said: 'Without Me you can do nothing. (JOHN
The Invocation of our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

helps us to avert the passions and also Strengthens
our free will.
Orthodox Christians have the Doctrine of Uncreated
Energies of God.
Our Faith is based on more than our free will, for it
includes the Uncreated Energy of God that
penetrates the mind as Light.
There is a Synergy between our reason and will and the
Uncreated Energies of God or His Divine Grace.
Father Dimitru said: On the one hand, in Faith there is
an element of the Strengthening of will and reason, of
their stimulation, while, on the other hand, the will
contributes to the emphasis on the evidence from
Faith produced by Grace. One grows on the other in
a mutual way."
Faith develops and must be carefully nurtured and
cultivated in the beginning: ...In time Faith grows to
a very brilliant evidence. But it grows in the measure
in which we obey the commands and gain the
Virtues, because through them we show that we feel
God and we also open ourselves more to Him.
To nurture Faith, we must increase our Remembrance of
God by consciously bringing Him to our
consciousness throughout our daily activities.
We must continually repeat the words: Kyrie eleison.
(Lord, have Mercy) and make the Sign of the Cross,
and recite our Lord's Prayer. This is the first step.
We must force ourselves to Remember the Lord our God
at all times, and we must have Patience, for by doing
all these things, our Faith will indeed grow and
become Strengthened day by day.
15:5)
... we should force ourselves in every possible way to

live, breathe, sleep, wake up, eat and drink with
Him and in Him...
This is important based on the way passions are aroused,
so before an aroused passion gains power, we must
intervene with Prayer!
DEIFICATION - THE UNCREATED LIGHT
St Symeon the New Theologian - in one of his hymns

said: ...He Himself is discovered within me,
resplendent inside my wretched heart, Enlightening
me from all sides with His Immortal splendour,
shining on all of my members with His Rays. Entirely
intertwined with me, He embraces me entirely. He
gives Himself totally to me, the unworthy one, and I
am filled with His Love and Beauty. I am sated with
pleasure and Divine Tenderness. I share in the Light.
I participate also in the Glory. My face shines like that
of my Beloved and all my members become Bearers
of Light.
St Maximos the Confessor explained Deification is an

enhypostatic* and direct Illumination, which has no
beginning, but appears in those who are worthy, as
something exceeding their comprehension.
It is indeed a Mystical Union with God, beyond mind
and reason in the age when creatures will no longer
know corruption.
Deification is most often expressed as involving the
"Uncreated Light."
Father Sophrony said: ...This (Uncreated, Divine) Light
penetrates us with the Power of God, and we become
'without beginning'not through our origin but by
the Gift of Grace: Life without beginning is
communicated to us.
And there is no limit to the Outpouring of our Heavenly
Father's Love: man becomes identical with Godthe
same by content, not by primordial Self-Being. God
will eternally be GOD for the reasonable being."
It is though our participation in this Uncreated Light that
we become Deified we become like Christ.
We do not become God/Divine in essence but by Grace
and adoption.
We are taught that we can never behold, or know His
Divine Essence, yet when we are filled with this
Divine Light we experience His Uncreated Energies.
This is a personal Communion with God - face to Face.
Our (human) identity is not assumed into the Divine
Essence and it is much more than an Experience of
(Uncreated) Light.
FEAR
Father Dimitru Staniloae said: "With our Spiritual

Progress, Faith becomes the Fear of God"
It is most important to fully understand that Faith is not
born of the Fear (the deepest Respect and Awe) of God,
which is only developed through our Faith in God:
...Faith that has neither reached Fear of God nor is
accompanied from the beginning by (Holy) Fear,
has not gained a high enough degree of efficiency
to lead to action...
What is Fear of God? After all, God is a Loving God!
We know about our fear of the things of this world and
the anxiety we have as a result of these worldly fears.
Father Dimitriu teaches us that worldly fear must be
counteracted with a greater Fear - the Fear of God,
which not the dread of any immediate danger, but a
trepidation of the future, Eternal Consequences :
...The Fear of God is a Fear of His Judgement, which
will seal our fate forever! It is the Fear of the Last
Judgement and (the subsequent Eternal Reality of) the
8.
2ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2ND SUNDAY
OF
* Father John Meyendorff explained the meaning of Enhypostatic:

"This Divine Light cannot be contemplated as a Hypostasis, that
is, as an independent Reality, since strictly speaking it has no
Essence. It can be contemplated only in a Hypostasis, i.e. in a
personal locus. St Gregory Palamas had in mind the Deified
Saints who by Grace show forth in their whole persons the Light
that Transforms them. But the Energies are also "Enhypostatic" in
respect of the Person (Hypostasis) of Christ. The Light of Tabor
did not reveal the Divine Essence, but the Second Person of the
Holy Trinity.
As well as meaning "what exists in another hypostasis", Enhypostatic
can also mean "what really exists"' - that which is genuine or
authentic, e.g. of our real Adoption as sons by the Grace of the
Holy Spirit. The first sense of the word goes back to the
Christology of St Leontios of Byzantium, the second to St Mark
the Monk.
OF
GOD
infinite, terrible tortures of an Eternal, non-authentic,

unfulfilled existence... (an Everlasting existence without
any Divine Goodness and Light!)
Always keep in mind the Last Judgment, for it compels us
to resist temptation and avoid sin : ... Thoughts of
death and our Final Judgment makes us think of God
more frequently, thereby
increasing
inner
meditation. The fear and contemplation of death are
nothing but the thought of God, associated with the
consciousness of personal sins and the dread of
judgment.
We come to God through His Love and Forgiving
Compassion.
As our Faith grows we develop the proper Fear of God,
which is emphasized by our Spiritual Life in Christ.
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY - HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
ST MATTHEW THE CALLING
OF THE
HOLY APOSTLES 3 JULY 2016

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
4 July 2016
St Andrew of Crete
Hymnographer & Composer of the Great Holy Canon
Also the Feast of St Maximos the Greek (Holy Relics) St Andrew Rublev, Great Holy Iconographer St Martha,
Venerable Mother of St Symeon Stylites the Younger - St Andrew Bogoliubsky (God-Loving), Venerable Prince St Euthymios,
Archimandrite of Suzdal St Theodotos & St Theodotia of Caesarea, Cappadocia St Theodore, Bishop & Hieromartyr of Cyrene,
Libya St Cyprilla, St Lucia & St Aroa of Libya St Tikhon, St Basil & St Nikon, Monks of Solovki St Platon the New Holy Martyr of
Banjaluka, Georgia St George, Hieromartyr St Sava, Bishop of Gornjikarlovci, Georgia
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
ROMANS 7 : 1 13
Brethren, (I speak to those who know the Law). Do you not know that the Law has dominion over mankind as as as he
lives? For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives, but if the
husband is dead, she is loosened from the Law of her husband.
So then if, while her husband lives, she is married to another man, she shalt be called an adulteress, but if her husband
is dead, she is free from that Law, so that she is not an adulteress, although she is married to another man.
Wherefore, my Brethren, you also have become dead to the Law by the Body of Christ, that you should be married to
Another even to His Who is Raised from the dead so that we should bring forth Fruit unto God.
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the Law, worked in our members to bring forth Fruit
unto Death.
But now we are Delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were held, that we should serve in Newness of
spirit, and not in the oldness of the Letter.
What shall we say then? Is the Law sinful? No! God forbid! I had not known sin, but by the Law, for I had not known lust
except the Law, which said: Thou shalt not covet!
But sin, taking occasion by the Commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence (the ability and
inclination to sin). For without the Law sin was dead, for I was alive without the Law once, but when the
Commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
And the Commandment, which was Ordained to Life, I found to be unto Death. For sin, taking occasion by the
Commandment, deceived me, and by it, slew me.
Wherefore, the Law is Holy, and the Commandment is Holy, and Just, and Good.
Was then that which is Good made Death unto me? God forbid! But sin, that it might appear sin, working Death in me
by that which is Good that sin by the Commandments, might become exceedingly sinful.
The Law was intended to reveal the depth of mankinds
St Paul affirmed that Justification our ongoing
sin so that we would turn to our Lord and Saviour,
Communion with God comes by Faith in Christ, and
Jesus Christ in Repentance and Faith.
not by following the Works of the Law.
The Law also had the effect of increasing rebellion and
These verses use examples from the Old Covenant Law to
sin in many disobedient, wilful and stubborn people.
prove our ultimate need for be free from that Law.
This is not because the Law itself was bad, but because
Under the Law of Moses, only Death released a person
from marriage, while divorce did not.
being weak and selfish we crave, are tempted,
lured, misled and deceived by sinful things that are
Likewise, our Lords Death bring about our own death to
forbidden to us.
the Old Covenant Law so that we can be married to
The deadly passions that drive us to sin become ever
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
stronger and more irresistible unless we identify them
The term Flesh is a reference to unredeemed mankind
who are under the power and enslavement of sin and
in the Light of Truth, root them out and Repent our sins
as often as possible.
Death.
We are far too weak and ineffectual to resist or to rid
In that condition, sinful passions are awakened when we
face the demands of the Law.
ourselves of temptations and sins, and thus, only
through our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Power and
Aroused by... is more properly translated as being
Energy of the Holy Spirit can we be Redeemed,
aroused through...
Renewed and Regenerated as our Heavenly Father
The Law merely brings to light our bondage to sin but it
Wills.
does not cause or motivate us to commit sin.
In order to maintain our Life in Christ, and be victorious
Conversely, as Faithful Disciples of Christ, we live a New
in the ceaseless Spiritual Warfare that continuously
Mode of existence by the Power and Energy of God
threatens us, it is most essential for us to be humble
the Holy Spirit (according to the Divine Will of the
and
obedient
to
Gods
Teachings
and
Father and through the Son.)
Commandments so that we fulfil all our Spiritual
As we have been Liberated from the bondage and
Obediences our Sacred Labours.
enslavement of the flesh, in our Sacred Union with
Christ the Divine Bridegroom we bear Fruit for the
Glory, Honour and Worship of Almighty God.
the Letter refers to the Old Covenant Mosaic Law.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 9 : 36 10:8
THE HEAVENLY HARVEST, THE APOSTLES & THEIR SACRED MISSION
At that time, our Lord Jesus saw a great multitude, and was moved with Compassion for them, for they fainted, and
were scattered abroad, like Sheep having no Shepherd.
Then He said to His Disciples: The Harvest truly is plenteous, but the Labourers are few. Pray, therefore, to the Lord
of the Harvest, that He will send forth Labourers to His Harvest.
And when He had Called unto Him His Twelve Apostles, He granted them Power against unclean spirits, to cast them
out, and to Heal all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease.
ST ANDREW
OF
CRETE HOLY HYMNOGRAPHER & COMPOSER
OF THE
GREAT CANON 4 JULY 2016
The names of the Twelve Apostles are : the first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother; James, the son of
Zebedee, and John, his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew, the Publican; James the son of
Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also
betrayed Him.
These Twelve Jesus sent forth, commanding them, saying: Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of
the Samaritans do not enter. But go rather to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, preach,
saying: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Heal the sick, Cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.
Freely you have received, freely give!
Our Lord Jesus granted them Power to perform Miracles
Our Lord Jesus Christ does not condemn sinners but
and fulfil their Sacred Mission, whereas our Lord,
instead He regards them as His Lost Sheep who are to
being Divine by Nature, performed all His Great
be found and brought into the safety of His Heavenly
Fold.
Miracles by His own Power.
The term Compassion means suffering with them.
The lists of the Holy Apostles of Christ may differ because
most of them were often known by other names as
The illustration of Sheep having no Shepherd... which
well.
was drawn from the Old Testament, was an
St Matthew listed the original Twelve Apostles in pairs
accusation against the Judaic leaders who, having
suggesting how they were sent forth on their First
been charged with the Sacred Duty of acting as
Shepherds who kept the Holy Flock of God safe, acted
Missionary Journey in pairs, as St Mark mentioned in
His Holy Gospel.
instead as ravenous Wolves who destroyed or
The Apostles Mission was similar to our Lords to preach
scattered them. (NUMBERS 27:17 3 KINGS 22:17 & EZEKIEL 34:5)
(It also applies to miscreant, self-appointed religious leaders who
i.e. to teach and to Heal the physical and the
deceive people by using the Church as a means of making
Spiritual Ailments of the suffering Judeans.
themselves rich, at the cost of others, thereby scattering our
Initially, our Lord Jesus Christs earthly Mission was to
Lords Flock and devouring His Sheep when they become
Redeem the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel not
disillusioned by these wicked people, causing them to often
the Gentiles.
reject our Lord and their Faith in God! mp)
This was in order to prevent anyone from accusing Him
The Harvest suggests an abundance of those who are
or His Disciples for associating with those who were
ready to accept the Heavenly Kingdom of God.
uncircumcised.
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is both the Sower and the Lord
Our Lord prepared them to be single-minded and
of the Harvest.
focussed on their Sacred Mission of making Disciples
His Disciples and Apostles were send out not to sow, but
of all Nations... Baptising them in the Name of our
to Reap what He had Sown by means of His Holy
Triune God ...and teaching them to fulfil and do
Prophets who had prepared the Chosen People of
everything that Christ had revealed and taught us.
God for the Coming of the Messiah and His Heavenly
Before sending His Disciples forth, our Lord reminded
Kingdom.
them that His Divine Power and Authority was freely
How many are sent forth to Harvest is less important than
bestowed upon them all Gifts from God that enable
with what Power and Energy they go forth to Harvest
us to do amazing things in His Honour and for His
for God.
Glory are freely granted to us.
Disciples and Apostles are interchangeable for the
He also instructed them to carry neither money nor
Twelve Apostles of Christ.
provisions, nor extra clothing... but to take with them
Disciple means someone who is learning and under the
only basic essentials, thereby trusting in, and
discipline of a Teacher or Spiritual Father.
All
depending entirely on, the Providence of Almighty
Struggling, Striving Christians are indeed Disciples of
God.
our Lord Jesus Christ.
In addition, our Lord instructed them in this manner so
Apostle refers to one who is sent forth by our Lord to
that none of their enemies or opponents could accuse
fulfil His Divine Will and Sacred Mission.
His Faithful Disciples of being greedy or self-serving.
ST ANDREW
OF
CRETE GREAT HYMNOGRAPHER & COMPOSER
St Andrew, Archbishop of Crete, was born in the city of

Damascus into a pious Christian family. Up until seven
years of age the boy was mute and did not talk.
However, after Communing the Holy Mysteries of Christ
he began to speak. And from that time he began
earnestly to study Holy Scripture and the Discipline of
Theology.
At fourteen years of age he went to Jerusalem and
accepted Monastic Tonsure at the Monastery of St
Sava the Sanctified.
St Andrew led a strict and chaste life, being so meek and
abstinent, that all were amazed at his Virtue and
reasoning of mind. Due to his virtuous attributes, he
was respected by the Jerusalem Clergy and was
appointed Secretary of the Patriarchate.
In 680, the incumbent Jerusalem Patriarchate, Theodore,
included
Archdeacon
Andrew
among
the
representatives of Jerusalem who attended the Sixth
Ecumenical Council, where St Andrew together with
others - steadfastly contended against heretical
teachings, relying upon his profound knowledge of
Orthodox Doctrine.
Afterwards he was summoned to Constantinople and was
appointed Archdeacon at the great Holy Church of
Agia Sophia.
During the reign of Emperor Justinian II (685-695) St
Andrew was ordained Bishop of Gortineia on the
island of Crete- and he proved to be a True Luminary
of the Church - a Great Hierarch, being an excellent
Theologian, Teacher and Hymnographer.
St Andrew wrote many Liturgical Hymns, and was the
originator of a new Liturgical form -- the Canon the best known being his Great Penitential Canon,
OF THE
GREAT CANON
consisting of 9 Odes and 250 Troparia that are recited

during Great Lent.
In the First Week of Lent during Compline it is read in
portions (thus called Methymony derived from the
Greek words Meth imon O Theos or God is with us
- in Slavonic Snami Bog) and again on Thursday of
the Fifth Week at the All-night Vigil during Matins.
St Andrew of Crete was renowned for his many Praises of
the All-Pure Virgin Mary.
He also composed the Canon for the Feast of the Nativity
of Christ, three Odes for the Compline of Palm Sunday,
which are also chanted the first four days of Holy
Week - as well as verses for the Feast of the
Meeting/Presentation of our Lord, and many another
beautiful Hymns.
His Hymnographic Tradition was continued by other
great Melodists such as St John of Damascus, St
Cosma of Maium, St Joseph the Melodist, St Theophan
the Written-upon, etc.
Also having been preserved are a few of his edifying
Sermons for certain Great Feasts.
Church historians disagree with regard to the date of his
Repose in our Lord one suggests 712, while others
believe it to be in 726.
St Andrew of Crete Fell Asleep in our Lord on the island of
Lesbos, while returning to Crete from Constantinople.
His Holy Relics were transferred to Constantinople where
they were preserved at the Holy Monastery named in
honour of St Andrew of Crete.
May his memory be Eternal, and may St Andrew always
Intercede with our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of the
Salvation of our immortal soul.
HTTP://OCA.ORG/SAINTS/LIVES/2016/07/04/101894-ST-ANDREW-THEARCHBISHOP-OF-CRETE
10.
ST ANDREW
OF
CRETE HOLY HYMNOGRAPHER & COMPOSER
OF THE
GREAT CANON 4 JULY 2016

St Kyriake (Domnica)
Great Holy Martyr of Nicomedia
7 July 2016
Also the Feast of St Thomas of Mount Maleon St Akakios of Sinai St Eudokia/Euphrosyne,

Grand Duchess of Moscow St Periginos, St Lucianos, St Pompeius, St Hesychios, St Papios,
St Saturninos & St Germanos of Macedonia St Evangelikos, Bishop of Tomis, Romania
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST KYRIAKE TONE 4
Kyrion
ton Kyrion, ke Vasilea Hriston, ex olis igapisas,

Kyriaki tis psihis, ke herousa ithlisas.
Othen
Parthenomartis, par aftou doxasthisa, vriis tis se
timosin, iamaton tin Harin, tis pasin etoumeni,
ptesmaton sighorisin.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
OF A
amnas Sou Iisou, krazi megali ti foni. Se Nimfie mou

potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume, ke
sinthptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke pasho dia Se, os
Vasilefso sin Si, ke thnisko iper sou, ina ke ziso en Si. All
os thisian amomomn, prosdehou tin meta pothou
tithisan Si. Aftis presvies, os eleimon, Soson tas psihas
imon.
KONTAKION
OF THE

alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson
EPISTLE
OF
Kyriake, with all thy soul, and cheerfully contended

for; thus as a Virgin Martyr, by Him thou were glorified
and thou flow to all who honour thee, the Grace of
Healing, by beseeching for all, the forgiveness of their
faults.
FEMALE MARTYR
TONE
O my Lord Jesus, Thine Ewe-Lamb, with a loud voice calls

out: Thou, my Groom, do I long for, and suffer all in
search for Thee, and I am crucified and buried with
Thee in Baptism; and I suffer for Thy Sake, inorder to
reign with Thee, and give my life to Thee so that I may
live with Thee; but accept as pure Sacrifice, the one
who desired to give her life for Thee. Through her
Intercessions, O Most Compassionate, Save our souls!
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia
THE
The Lord of all Lords, and Christ the King thou loved, O
ST PAUL
O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to

Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who honour
Thee!
TO THE
ROMANS 8 : 22 27
Brethren, we know that the entire Creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
And not only them, but ourselves also, who have the First Fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for the Adoption to wit: the Redemption of our body.
For we are Saved by Hope, but Hope that is seen is not Hope, for what a man sees, why does he yet Hope for it? But if
we Hope for that we do not see, then we wait with Patience for it.
Likewise, the Holy Spirit also helps our infirmities for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit
Himself Intercedes for us with groaning that cannot be uttered.
And He Who searches the heart, knows what is the Mind of the Spirit, for He Intercedes for the Saints, according to the
Will of God.
TO
At that time, our Lord said to His Disciples: ... when they persecute you in this city, flee into another, for Truly I say to
you: you shall not have gone over the cities of Israel until the Son of Man has come.
The Disciple is not above his Master, nor is the servant above his Lord. It is enough for the Disciple that he be like his
Master, and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shalt
they call them of his household?
Do not fear them, therefore, for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed or hidden that shall not be known.
What I tell you in Darkness, that you speak of in Light, and what you hear with your ears, that will you preach upon the
housetops.
And do not fear those who kill the body, but who are unable to kill the soul. Rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both
soul and body in Hell!
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of the shalt not fall upon the ground without your Father, but the
very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, for you are of more value than many sparrows!
ON HEARING
AND
OBEYING
THE
HOLY GOSPEL
We must take heed how we hear and then obey the

Holy Gospel, for our Lord wants us to hear with our
heart and soul rather than with merely our ears.
Our personal Inner Life affects how - or if - we hear the
Word of God His Divine Truth for we either ignore
It, deny It, reject It or even kill It - or ( what we should
do) we make It alive within us by eagerly accepting
It, nurturing and living It so that It thrives and pour
forth from us to others.
Therefore, whoever wants to properly and thoroughly
hear and obey the Divine Truth of Gods Words His
Commandments and His Teachings to secure It in
ST KYRIAKE
THE
OF
CHRIST
OUR
LORD ST MATTHEW
THE
POOR
an honest and good manner - should prepare our

heart and soul inwardly so that It may safely and
firmly take root there and flourish due to our True
Faith in God and Truthfulness in word and promise
i.e. our unconditional Commitment to God.
It is utterly impossible to understand the Word of God if
we are not completely honest and sincere before our
Lord.
We must commit our entire life and worldly possessions
to the Lord our God, laying everything at His Feet,
taking up our Cross and without any hesitation,
following Him every step of the way.
GREAT HOLY VIRGIN MARTYR
OF
NICOMEDIA
7 JULY 2016
11.
LOOKING
FOR THE
...And this is the verdict, that the Light came into the
LIGHT
IN
DARKNESS
When all is revealed, we will be just as shocked and

surprised at how our sins and our good works add
up and especially their consequences for us and
for others!
When the Divine Light of our Saviours Judgement
comes, nothing will be hidden anymore.
St John said ...people preferred Darkness.... He did not
say some people.
We all prefer Darkness that hides our sins.
None of us have done such good things that we would
stand up to the scrutiny of the Light.
We would not mind if more people knew how good we
have been, so long as no one also knew how
bad we have been.
What we need is Humility.
When we have acquired real Humility we will no longer
fear the Light the Divine Truth of God.
We are all sinners, yet God Loves us and He encourages
us and helps us to Repent.
If we acquire the great Virtues of Humility
and
Obedience, we will no longer try to hide our sins nor
show off our good works, for the Divine Light of God
will reveal how weak we are and we will be
compelled
to
Repent,
without
shame
or
embarrassment, for we shall no longer try to protect
our selfish, arrogant ego.
Instead we will be focussed on God and all His
Goodness and abundant Blessings and we will
ceaselessly strive for our Spiritual Perfection.
world, but people preferred Darkness to Light,

because their works were evil.
Between Darkness and Light, it is clear that Light is
better.
People only prefer Darkness when they have a secret,
when they have something to hide.
We all have secrets.
There are things about each one of us that the world
does not know.
The question is whether we would welcome the Light
that would reveal our works to the world.
If our secrets are about things we are not proud of, we
would rather have them stay in Darkness i.e.
hidden.
If our secrets are about things that we are proud of, we
will welcome the Light.
For instance, perhaps we have helped someone.
Maybe even that person never realized how much
work we did to help them. Certainly no one else is
aware of how helpful we were.
We do not walk around bragging about helping others.
If, however, we have some secret sin that no one but
God knows about, we will not be glad to hear that
everything we have done will be revealed to the
world.
Real life is more complicated of course.
We all have secret sins that we are ashamed of.
We all have secret ways in which we were good that we
would be glad to have revealed.
Beyond this, we do not really even know ourselves very
well.
ON THE EGOCENTRICITY OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS PATRIARCH ATHENAGORAS I OF CONSTANTINOPLE
What have we done? What have we done?
ask where all this is going, what is the meaning of it
all and what is the meaning of our own life.
Christ has left us! We have driven him away!
Our hatred, our pride, our pharisaical self-sufficiency
What is most lacking among men of the Church is the
Spirit of Christ: Humility, selflessness, an open
have driven out the Holy Spirit of the Gospel!
welcome, the capacity to see the best in others.
And Christ has gone! Christ has gone!
Oh, how satisfied we are with ourselves!
We are afraid - we want to hang on to what is over and
We are the Pure Faith... we possess the Divine Truth... yet
done with, because we are used to it.
we condemn others!
We want to be right over against the others, and under a
And life and history go on.
language of conventional Humility we hide the spirit
of pride and power.
They are knocking at the doors of the Church, and
putting ultimate questions to us.
We carry on apart from life.
Everything is changing.
We have made the Church into an organization - just like
The Scientific Revolution is advancing - it is modifying all the others!
and not only our environment, but us ourselves our
We have put all our energy into setting it up, and now we
put all our energy into keeping it going.
education, our relationship between the sexes, our
And it works more or less - rather less than more - but it
psychology... and tomorrow perhaps our heredity and
character as well!
works.
Not that Science and Technology necessarily build a
Only it works like a machine, and not like Life not being
world without God, as is sometimes said. But they
our Life in Christ Jesus!
force us - and they will force us more and more - to
ON LOVING GOD IN THE DEPTH OF OUR HEART DIADOCHOS OF PHOTIK
Anyone who Loves God in the depths of his heart has
Although still living in this existence, at the same time we
already been Loved by God.
will not be living in it, for despite still inhabiting our
In fact, the measure of our Love for God depends upon
physical body, we are able to constantly leave it in
how deeply aware we are of Gods Love for us.
spirit because of the Love that draws us to God.
When this awareness is keen it makes us long to be
Once the Love of God has released us from self-love, the
Enlightened by the Divine Light, and this longing is so
flame of Divine Love never ceases to burn in our heart
intense that it seems to penetrate our very bones.
and soul, and we remain United to God by an
We lose all consciousness of ourselves and we become
irresistible, compelling yearning.
entirely Transformed by our Love of God.
ON HELPING OTHERS FATHER ALEXANDER ELCHANINOV
We cannot cure the soul of others nor help people,
by influencing them through our Spiritual Gifts,
without having changed ourselves.
without ourselves seeing or knowing how we do so.
We cannot put in order the Spiritual Economy of others, so
Once St Anthony the Great asked a visitor who had not
long as there is chaos in our own soul.
spoken one word at all: Why do you not ask me
We cannot bring Peace to others if we do not have it
anything? and the other answered: It is enough for
ourselves.
me to look at you, Holy Father.
Often, we are able to help other people - not by a series
of conscious acts directed upon their soul - but rather
ON HAPPINESS - ST NEKTARIOS
Brothers and Sisters! Our All-Merciful God desires

happiness for us both in this life and in the Life to
come.
To this end He established His Holy Church, so that She
might Cleanse us from sin, Sanctify us, Reconcile us
with Him and grant us a Heavenly Blessing.
The Embrace of His Holy Church is always open to us.
ST KYRIAKE
THE
OF
AEGINA
Let us all hasten there more quickly, we whose

conscience is burdened.
Let us hasten, and the Church will lift the weight of our
burdens, grant us Boldness before God, and fill our
heart with Happiness and Blessedness.
GREAT HOLY VIRGIN MARTYR
OF
NICOMEDIA
7 JULY 2016
12.

8 July 2016
St Prokopios the Great Holy Martyr of Caesarea, Palestine
Also the Feast of St Prokopios, Fool for Christ and Wonderworker of Ustiug, Vologda St
Epictetos the Presbyter & St Asion the Monk of Halmyris, Bithynia, Black Sea Miracle of
the Holy Icon of the Annunciation at Ustiug St Theophilos the Myrrhgusher of Macedonia
St Mirdat, King of Kartli, Georgia
FESTAL APOLYTIKION HOLY MARTYR
Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous Contest for Thee

received Crowns of Incorruption and Life from Thee,
our God. Since he possessed Thy Strength, he cast
down the tyrants and destroyed the demons powerless
presumption. Through his Intercessions, O Christ our
God, Save our soul.
ST PROKOPIOS -
Agrevthis
follow Christ, O Boast of Martyrs, Prokopios.

Therefore, by the Power of the Cross, Thou were
excellently Perfected, and deposed Belial.
Save
unscathed from evil, those who praise Thee with
fervour.
FESTAL KONTAKION -
To Zilo
ST PAUL
TONE 2
Zeal for Christ, devoutly aflamed, armed and
Hristou, to Thio pirpoloumenos, ke en to Stavro, to

Timio frouroumenos, ton ehtrhon to frigma, ke ta thrasi
kathiles Prokopie, ke tin septin Ekklisian ipsosas, ti Pisti
prokopton, ke Fotizon imas.
OF
TONE(5) PLAGAL 1
Led towards Heavenly Piety, Thou Rejoiced like Paul, to
Ouranothen pros tin efsevian, katikolouthisas

heron osper O Pavlos Hristo, ton Martyron kalloni
Martys Prokopie. Othen Dinami tou Stavrou, aristefsas
evkleos, katishinas ton Veliar, ou tis kakias atrotous,
Soze tou potho Se garerontas.
THE FIRST EPISTLE
CHRIST TONE 4
Thy
Martys Sou, Kyrie, en ti Athlisi Aftou to Stefos

ekomisato tis aftharsias ek Sou tou Theou imon. Ehon
gar tin Ishin Sou, tous tyrannous kathilen, ethrafse ke
demonon ta anishira thrasi. Aftou tes ikesies, Hriste O
Theos, Soson tas psihas imon.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
OF
protected
by the Strength and Power of the Cross, Thou cast
down the insolence and boldness of the enemy, O
Prokopios, and
Thou exalted the Honourable
Church, excelling in Faith and granting Light to us
all.
TO
ST
TIMOTHY 4 : 9 - 15
My Child, Timothy: this is Faithful Saying and worthy of all acceptance, for thus we both Labour and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the Living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially those who believe.
These Things command and teach. Let no one despise Thy youth; but be an example to Believers - in word, in
conversation, in Charity, in spirit, in Faith, in Purity.
Until I come, attend to reading, to exhortation, to Doctrine. Do not neglect the Gift that is in Thee, which was granted to
Thee by Prophecy, with the Laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. Meditate upon these things give Thyself
wholly to them that Thy progress may appear to all.
As Faithful Disciples of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Scripture or the Writings of our Holy Church Fathers
we must constantly Labour, Struggle and Strive,
either to others or in private is tied to Exhortation
while enduring the criticism and reproach of those
(Preaching) and Doctrine (Teaching.)
The early Christians already had a Liturgical worship
who prefer living according to their own flawed and
wicked desires.
structure, which included the Reading of Holy
Everything that we have been properly taught with
Scripture and the Homily the roots of which were in
the Synagogue.
regard to our Lords Divine Truth His Teachings
and Commandments whereby we must LIVE IN
Do not neglect the Gift that in Thee... referred to St
Timothys Holy Ordination as Presbyter (Priest) which
CHRIST, we must carefully and correctly teach
was conferred by the Holy Apostles of Christ upon him,
others as well, thereby passing on our Orthodox
as to this day it is performed by our Bishops.
Christianity and avoiding the pitfalls of man-made
St Paul later gave St Timothy instructions for Holy
doctrines and ideas that are according to the evil
Ordination. (1 TIMOTHY 5: 22)
ones machinations.
In continuity with the New Covenant, Orthodox Christian
Our Spiritual Endeavours that Faithfully and Truthfully
Ordination into the Holy Diaconate and Holy
obey and fulfil our Lords Commandments and
Teachings, lead us correctly to Eternal Life in His
Priesthood comes through the Laying On of Hands by
the Bishop.
Heavenly Kingdom.
By giving attention ... to Reading, to Exhortation and to
Doctrine... means that our personal Reading of Holy
THE HOLY
GOSPEL OF
ST MATTHEW 10 : 32 11:1
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: ... whoever Confesses Me before men, him will I also Confess before My
Father Who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in
Heaven.
Do not think that I came to bring Peace on Earth. I did not come to bring Peace, but a Sword, for i have come to ...
set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter in law against her mother in law...
and a mans enemies will be those of his own household!
He who loves father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me,
"is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his Cross and Follow Me, is not worthy of Me.
He who finds his life, will lose it, and he who loses his life for My Sake, will find it. He who receives you, receives
Me, and he who receives Me, receives Him Who sent Me.
ST PROKOPIOS
THE
GREAT HOLY MARTYR
OF
CAESAREA, PALESTINE 8 JULY 2016
13
He who receives a Prophet in the Name of a Prophet, shall receive a Prophets Reward. And he who receives a
Righteous Man in the name of a Righteous Man, shalt receive a Righteous Mans Reward.
And, whosoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the Name of a Disciple, truly I say to you:
he shall by no means lose his Reward.
And it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His Twelve Disciples that He departed from there to teach and
to preach in their cities...
Just before Christ our Saviours unjustified and unlawful
The rebellion and betrayal of family and friends fulfils
the Prophecy of Micah. (Micah 7:6)
violent scourging and crucifixion, He promised Peace
In addition to the literal meaning, which has been
to His Faithful Disciples and Apostles.
However, the existence of evil necessitates perpetual
experienced in the Holy Church since the time of our
Spiritual Warfare.
Lord the older generation being divided from the
The Earth to which our Lord Jesus came was under the
younger generation also symbolises
1. The rejection of the New Covenant by followers of the
oppressive enslavement and authority of Satan.
Old Covenant
Consequently, it is essential for Christ to wage war
2. The Spiritual Struggle between our old, sinful state
against the inventor and instigator of vice, with His All
Powerful Weapons of Virtue.
and our Renewal and Regeneration in Christ.
There are two types of Peace false peace, which is a
In order for us to carry our Cross as True Disciples of
shallow harmony that results from ignoring issues of
Christ, we must always be ready, willing and able
even if it requires the sacrifice of our family
Truth, while genuine Holy Peace is our Reconciliation
relationships.
with God through Faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ and by surrendering to His Divine Truth His
Apostles of Christ are Ambassadors who represent our
Divine Commandments and Teachings.
Lord Jesus.
Therefore, all those who extend help to them showed
Genuine Peace has division as a by-product because not
Mercy directly to our Saviour and consequently will
everyone desires Absolute, Divine Truth!
receive His Divine Reward.
In the fallen world, divisions are necessary for Divine
Truth to be manifest (revealed.)
A R E Y O U A T T E N D I N G C H U R C H J U S T I N C A S E G O D I S R E A L ?
How common this tragic attitude is today! So many
The Orthodox Christian Faith is our centre, our Rock and
people attend Church at Pascha and at Christmas,
an unshakable Foundation.
and for Weddings, Baptisms or Funerals yet they do
Being the original Christian Faith, it has been most
not believe in God!
carefully preserved - unchanged over time.
Some attend Church Services "...just in case God is
When we finally surrender ourselves to Christs Divine
Real!!
Teachings and Commandments, and strive constantly
These days, there are far too many Orthodox Christians
to fulfil and obey all that is required from us, our daily
who have this troubling, Spiritually Dead attitude existence will drastically change for the better!
attending the Divine Liturgy on Sunday .. just in
Our Sacred Purpose is redirected to seeking a Blessed
case... or as an opportunity for socialising!
Unity with God, to become United with Him in the
They ignore or reject the True Teachings and Life in
closest, most intimate of Holy Relationship.
Christ taught by our Holy Church, seldom if ever
Worldly life hardens our heart so we need to be Renewed
partaking of Her essential Holy Mysteries.
and Regenerated with Gods Compassionate, Merciful
They have no idea of - nor inclination towards - our True
Love.
Faith, which they will denigrate even though they are
If we strive correctly, we become worthy of the Indwelling
utterly ignorant of Orthodox Christianity.
of the Triune God even though we are habitual
Why have so many lost sight of the Reality and Truth of
sinners!
our present existence? Why do they ignore or reject
The Holy Church of Christ is a veritable Storehouse of
the Wisdom of God and His Holy Elders?
Divine Truth and Wisdom i.e. Perfect and Absolute
Why is there so much hatred around us? Why are we so
Truth and Wisdom of Almighty God not according to
angry in our political arena? Why do we expose our
the flawed concept of mankind!
hatreds on social media?
The priceless Spiritual Treasures of Orthodox Christianity
Has Christianity become something we occasionally pay
is our Eternal Inheritance! Not only is there the
lip service to ... just in case....?
documentation of the Incarnation of the Son of God
Our Fasting periods especially Great Lent are periods
for our Salvation, His Life, His Suffering, Crucifixion,
of time set aside by the Holy Church for our concerted
Resurrection and then the establishment of His Church
efforts
of
Spiritual
Renewal,
Repentance,
through the Miraculous Work of His Disciples who
Contemplation and Introspection, yet, one glance at
were Empowered by the Holy Spirit, but there is much
social media proves how few actually take it seriously,
more.
understanding the great significance these Lenten
There is a simpler, easier Way of Life that our Lord Jesus
periods are for our Spiritual Welfare.
taught us. His Orthodox Church emphasizes this and
It is clearly evident that there is an ever-increasing
shows us how to gain True Joy step by step - not the
ignorance of our Orthodox Christian Teachings
temporary unfulfilling delights of the world - but the
according to the Divine Truth of God.
True Joy and Spiritual Fulfilment that comes from the
Less and less people attend the Lenten Services or the
Inner Peace of being in Communion with our Most
Festal Services and Sunday Liturgy and how many
Merciful and Loving God - the Holy Joy of Unity with
of them actually observe the required Fasting and
the Source of Life and the Understanding of the
Prayers that are of such important Spiritual Benefit.
Eternal Nature of our Life in Christ!
We have all experienced that total lack of Spiritual
Our Spiritual Awakening is the realization that our earthly
Knowledge to a greater or lesser degree while
existence is to prepare for Eternity.
growing up and selfishly seeking only the temporary
Such Enlightenment and True Wisdom is a Divine Gift
pleasures of our existence, without any regard nor
from our Ever Merciful Lord God Who Loves us, and
thought of Eternity.
Who forgives us.
We were all initially unaware of the Spiritual Benefits of
Wake up! Seek the Divine Truth of Holy Scriptures and the
the fasting periods such as Great Lent, and Holy
Way of Life taught by the Church!
Services were just another obligation that we avoided
Learn how to pray in earnest every morning and night.
until we finally awakened from our Spiritual Slumbers
Follow the Fasting Guidelines and develop an Inner
and realised the Truth and the absolute necessity of
Discipline. Attend Holy Services, compelled by our
making every effort to fulfil our Sacred Duties while
Love of God and a desire to be United with Him in
still in this short lifespan!
Holy Communion. Read Holy Scripture and Orthodox
We only really begin to Live once we realise that there
Writings each day seeking Knowledge of God and His
is Hope of an Eternal Life and that our Lord Jesus
Divine Truth.
Christ is ever present, and very active in our daily life
Holy Icons Inspire us to Prayer and proper Worship, and
and that He cannot be denied!
Spiritual Fathers/Teachers Guide us towards True Joy.
14.
ST PROKOPIOS
THE
GREAT HOLY MARTYR
OF
CAESAREA, PALESTINE 8 JULY 2016

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 2
10July 2016
rd

3 Sunday of St Matthew Absolute Faith in Christ our Lord
rd
Also the Feast of St Pancratios, Bishop of Taormina, Sicily St Cyril of Gortyna, Crete St Patermouthios, St
Copres, Holy Ascetics & St Alexandrosthe Soldier of Egypt St Theodore, Bishop of Edessa St Dionysios the
Orator & St Metrophanes, Holy Ascetics of St Anne Skete, Mount Athos
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 3 - MARK 16 : 9 20

OUR RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST APPEARS TO HIS APOSTLES & DISCIPLES BEFORE A S C E N D I N G
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 2
Ote katilthes pros ton Thanaton, i Zoi i Athanatos, tote ton

Adin enekrosas ti astrapi tis Theotitos. Ote de ke tous
tethneotas ek ton katahthonion
anestisas, pase e
Dinamis ton Epouranion ekravgazon. Zoodota Hriste, O
Theos imon, Doxa Si!
When
Thou condescended to Death, O Life Immortal,

Thou slayed Hades with the lightning flash of Thy
Divinity. When also Thou raised up the dead from the
subterranean abodes, all the Powers of Heaven cried
aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, Glory to Thee!
SEASONAL KONTAKION
Prostasia

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon Deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is
Presvian, ke
spefson is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton
Timonton Se.
O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the

Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of
those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
The Lord is my Strength, and my son, and He became my Salvation.

The Lord Chastened and Corrected me, but He did not give me up to Death.
THE EPISTLE
OF ST PAUL
RIGHTEOUSNESS
TO THE ROMANS
AS A LIVING REALITY
5 : 1 10
Brethren: Having been Justified by Faith, we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also
we have access by Faith into this Grace in which we stand and Rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God.
Not only that, but we also Glory in tribulations - knowing that tribulation produces Perseverance; and Perseverance,
Character; and Character, Hope.
Hope does not disappoint, for the Love of God has been poured out in our heart by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.
For in due time Christ - while we were still without Strength - died for the ungodly.
Scarcely for a Righteous man will one die. Perhaps for a Good man someone would even dare to die.
While we were still sinners, God demonstrated His own Love for us, in that Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been Purified by His Blood, we shall be Saved through Him from Wrath.
For if we were Reconciled to God - while we were enemies - through the Death of His Son, much more - having been
Reconciled - shall we be Saved by His Life.
FAITH IN CHRIST JUSTIFIES US, WHICH IS AN ONGOING STATE OF
Christs Sacrifice for sin is complete Sanctification is
HOLY COMMUNION WITH HIM A CONTINUOUS, LIFE-LONG
Perfect!
PROCESS OF BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE AND
WE SPEND OUR INDIVIDUALLY UNIQUE LIFESPAN THIS
EFFORT.
TEMPORARY PREPARATORY PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY Being Justified refers to an ongoing state of Righteousness
SANCTIFYING OUR BODIES AND SOULS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE
and not merely to a one-time Event in our life - LIVING
THEOSIS SPIRITUAL PERFECTION. (THUS: ANY WILFUL,
EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY IN CHRIST.
VIOLENT DESTRUCTION OF OUR BODY THE HOLY TEMPLE
This SPIRITUAL JUSTIFICATION REQUIRES REDEMPTION a
OF GOD IS A DENUNCIATION OF ALL OUR SPIRITUAL
Sacrificial Offering that is capable of SETTING US FREE
STRUGGLES AND A TERRIBLE INSULT TO GODS GREAT LOVE
FROM SIN AND DEATH and which UNITES US ETERNALLY
AND DIVINE MERCY!)
WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LIFE.
The term Faith (Pistis) also means faithfulness."
FAITH IS FAR MORE THAN A SIMPLE PERSONAL CONVICTION THAT
According to the Old Covenant, such a Sacrificial
Offering was prefigured by the blood sacrifices of
SOMETHING IS TRUE.
animals THE SLAUGHTER OF PHYSICALLY PERFECT ANIMALS
James 2:19: You believe that there is one God. You do
FOR THE TEMPORAL REMISSION OF SINS. (REFER HEBREWS 9)
well. Even the demons believe and tremble!
According to our New Covenant with God, OUR LORD JESUS
TRUE FAITH THAT SAVES IS A COMPLETE FAITH not just the mind
CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE, MOST PERFECT SACRIFICIAL
and the tongue, but our whole being TRUSTING
OFFERING that was necessary ONLY ONCE FOR ALL the
IMPLICITLY AND KNOWING OUR LIVING ALMIGHTY AND
souls of humanity throughout the ages, which SETS US
OMNIPRESENT TRIUNE GOD.
ETERNALLY FREE FROM SIN AND DEATH and by the Grace of
This means that our Faith and our Relations with God
our Justification - is dynamic and alive!
God UNITES US WITH TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ETERNAL LIFE
TRUE FAITH GROWS, FLOURISHES AND AFFECTS EVERY ACTION OR
IN CHRIST!
IT DIES.
HEBREWS 10: 14: ... by one Offering (Christ) has
Perfected forever those who are BEING
FAITH ALONE A STATIC FAITH DOES NOT SAVE US AT ALL, so we
must nurture our Faith in God, as well as our Love for
Sanctified.
Him, through our daily words, thoughts and deeds.
3RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 3RD
OF
ST MATTHEW ETERNAL KINGDOM
OF
GOD- 10 JULY 2016
15
JEREMIAH 7:3 & ST MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR: Do

not say you are the Temple of the Lord; nor
should you say that faith alone in our Lord Jesus
Christ can Save you for this is impossible unless
you acquire Love for Him through your works. As
for faith by itself: ... the devils also believe and
tremble!
GENUINE FAITHFULNESS IS CONTINUOUS LOYALTY AND OBEDIENCE
TO GOD for such Faithfulness justifies us through the
Grace of God.
Hope does not disappoint because the Love of God
(Agape) has been poured out in our hearts by the
Holy Spirit... means that not only do we experience
His Divine Love, but we can also pass it on to others by
our own GOOD EXAMPLE, through our own SPIRITUAL
EXPERIENCE, and by TEACHING OTHERS CORRECTLY BY THE
GRACE AND INSPIRATION OF GOD.
To a greater or lesser degree, WE ARE ALL UNGODLY
BECAUSE WE ARE HABITUAL SINNERS!
EVERY TIME WE FALL INTO A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH THROUGH
OUR UNREPENTED SINS, WE ALIENATE OURSELVES FROM GOD
WE ARE UNGODLY!
WE ARE UTTERLY INCAPABLE OF BECOMING RIGHTEOUS ON OUR
OWN.
TRUST GOD
WITH
However, DUE TO GODS INFINITE LOVE FOR US, Christ became

our final and Supreme Sacrificial Offering for our sins,
which was so Unique and Powerful, that it never had
to be done again HE BROUGHT US GODS ETERNAL GIFT OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Those who ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE GODS DIVINE LOVE are
Reconciled to Him, having been RESTORED TO HIS PEACE
AND COMMUNION WITH HIM.
GOD NEVER CEASES TO LOVE US FOR HE IS UNCHANGEABLE!
We change from good to bad so WE NEED TO CONSTANTLY
CORRECT OUR SPIRITUAL FALLS THROUGH REPENTANCECONFESSION, GAINING STRENGTH AND COURAGE THROUGH
GODS DIVINE GRACE.
So we - as Faithful Disciples of Christ - relentlessly STRIVE
AND STRUGGLE TO REMAIN IN - OR TO RETURN TO - A STATE OF
SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST, always hoping and praying
that when our time comes to depart this life, we are in
that Blessed State, rather than being exiled through
our wilful and unrepented sins!
Consequently, AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO DRIFT AWAY OR FALL
INTO THAT REBELLIOUS STATE as enemies of God, OUR
LORD CEASELESSLY WORKS IN HIS DIVINE LOVE TO RESTORE US
TO that Spiritual State in which He created us HIS
PERFECT IMAGE AND LIKENESS.
TO
BODY
&
SOUL
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... The Lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full
of Light. If your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of Darkness.
If, therefore, the Light that is in you is Darkness, how great is that Darkness?
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon!
Therefore, I say to you: do not worry about your life what you will eat or what you will drink nor about your body
what you will put on. Is not Life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air,
for they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more
value than they?
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to your stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the
lilies of the field, how they grow - their neither toil nor spin . I say to you that even Solomon - in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, is so clothed, will God not much more
clothe you, O you of little Faith? Do not worry, saying: What shall we eat? or: What shall we drink? or: What
shall we wear All these things the Gentiles seek. Your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you...
The mind nous is the Spiritual Eye of the soul. It
Illuminates our Inner Being and governs our (free)
will.
Christ explains to us that keeping our mind and thus
our soul Healthy and Pure, is fundamental to our
Christian Life our True Life In Christ.
Just like slaves we try to serve two masters, which is an
impossible and useless waste of our precious time and
efforts!
It is impossible to maintain an attachment and
dedication to both temporary Earthly things physical desires and demands and Eternal
Heavenly Things
Spiritual Virtues that are
essential to achieving Theosis and Eternal Life.
All our Allegiance is owed to Almighty God ALONE! Yet
Mammon Earthly possessions and social status as
well as the desires of the flesh demands our
mindless attention and even obsession!
Although our Lord Jesus Christ referred to Mammon
(meaning riches) as a master, it was not because
material wealth and possessions are evil by nature,
but because of the control it has over us and our
obsession with such things.
We become so involved with getting rich and enjoying
ourselves we are led astray we are led away from
God and have no time and make no effort to express
our gratitude to Him for His Great Blessings which
we egotistically ascribe to our own efforts alone!
Only when we find ourselves bereft of Spiritual
Nourishment or Strength, do we suddenly remember
the Lord our God and rush to light Votive Candles or
beg His Great Mercy in our time of need, distress or
pain.
Our Lord Jesus tried to teach His Disciples to stop
worrying about mundane issues such as food,
shelter and clothing so that they would concentrate
on the most important aspects of Life with Christ and
accept with complete Faith the assurance and
security of Divine Providence.
16.
OF
However, our Lord warns us against unnecessary

anxiety about such matters not against thoughtful
planning.
Our physical welfare is directly dependent on Almighty
God and only indirectly on our other direct needs.
Therefore, our needless apprehension concerning
Earthly matters demonstrates our lack of Faith in
Gods Loving Care His Great Mercy.
Gentiles, the ungodly or the pagans, are consumed by
their dependence on Earthly possessions and status
their man-made gods or idols - but those who are
True and Faithful Disciples of Christ are freed from
such slavish dependence, resting assured in Divine
Agape Gods Indiscriminate Love for all Creation
especially His Beloved Mankind.
The Eternal Kingdom of God is the central theme of our
Lords Teaching, and His Righteousness is the main
topic of His Sermon on the Mount.
Christ calls us to follow Him and live every moment of
Life according to His Divine Teachings, which are
always for our Spiritual Welfare and Development
the means of slowly regaining our lost Divine
Likeness.
By choosing to follow our Saviour, we are set free from
unnecessary
stress
and fixation concerning
temporary (Spiritually Useless) Earthly things.
Instead, our Lord Jesus leads us towards His Eternal
Heavenly Kingdom of Love, Joy and Peace, secure
in utter Faith that God will Provide us with
everything necessary - His Abundant Earthly
Blessings, while enduring this short Preparatory Time
before Eternity.
Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, means exactly that:
we must make every effort to proceed steadily
towards Eternal Life in Christ even while going
through this Earthly existence for that is our only
Sacred Purpose and Goal for being here!
OF
GOD
10 JULY 2016
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST THE THIRD SUNDAY
Our Lord Jesus Christ urges us never to be anxious

about our life or our body - never worry about what
we shall eat, drink, or wear.
But how can this be, if we must eat and drink, and clothe
ourselves? Are we not earthly beings, who are bound
by laws of biological existence?
Are we not ancestors of our ancient Forefather, Adam,
who was created from earth and as he was so also
are we? (GENESIS 3:19 & 1 CORINTHIANS 15:48)
This is true - being descendants of Adam, we have
inherited ancestral sin and thus desire transitory
material, physical satisfaction that is neither
Spiritually Beneficial nor physically or mentally
fulfilling!
We sustain our existence by devouring the created world.
We wrap our body in that which is corruptible while our
soul becomes corrupted by the lusts and desires of
our flesh, and our spirit feeds on the passions of our
corrupted soul.
This is the order of life that has become habitual to us, but
it is definitely unnatural for us, for God did not
create us for such a contaminated, temporary
existence!
Our Lord Jesus Christ came to Restore our nature - to
lift us out of the fallen state of ancestral sin, and to
grant us a new and original order to our existence.
Our spirit needs the Spiritual Nourishment and
Sustenance of God Who is the Source of our being.
Our immortal soul needs to be Inspired by Things
Divine, even as our spirit draws Spiritual Nourishment
and Sustenance from God - and even our body
cannot and must not live ...by bread alone, but by
every Word that proceeds from the Mouth of God...
that is to say, by Christ Himself, Who is the Eternal
Word of God. (MATTHEW 4:4)
Instead of our old corrupt nature, we are now able to
... put on a New Nature... for at our Holy Baptism,
we indeed ...put on Christ... and for the rest of our
days we must Live in Christ. (EPHESIANS 4:24; COLOSSIANS
3:10 & GALATIANS 3:27).
And we are able to slowly regain our created Likeness

to God as long as we strive to fulfil all His Teachings
and Commandments as He showed us Himself, with
Humility and Obedience. (1 CORINTHIANS15:48)
Using the basis of our being in the things of this temporal,
created world, we mould ourselves according
everything that is NOT the Source of our being and
therefore of no Eternal Benefit to us, for they are
short-lived, unprofitable and unfulfilling - ...which
today is, but tomorrow is thrown into the oven. (LUKE
12:28)
By being anxious about or even obsessed with such
unimportant, worthless and temporary things we
unite ourselves to corruption and irrelevance, ...for
where your treasure is, there your heart will also be!
OF
ST MATTHEW THE ETERNAL KINGDOM
OF
GOD
On
the contrary, we must obey the Divine

Commandment of our Saviour Who urged us to ...
seek first the Kingdom of God, and His
Righteousness...
In other words, if we direct our all attention on God and
all our efforts on fulfilling His Divine Will, we will find
the unwavering, firm Foundation of our being in Him
Who is Life Itself and we will thereby
...become Heirs of the Kingdom... and be Blessed
with Blissful Eternal Life with God. (MATTHEW 6:33 & JAMES
2:5)
Our Lord Jesus Christ does not command us to stop

eating, for He Himself and His Disciples ate and
drank. Neither does He is tell us to disregard our
clothing, for He Himself wore garments and a robe
made for Him by His Most Pure Mother.
Our Saviour is not instructing us to reject our entire
existence, but to Sanctify it by bringing every aspect
of our lifestyle to the Holy Service of His Eternal
Kingdom.
And to remember always that the ultimate Goal of our
Life
in
Christ
is Theosisan
Eternal,
Holy
Union/Relationship with Christ and the Ascension of
our human nature to the right hand side of the
Father to the position of honour - not shop-osis a
relationship with material possessions and trips to the
nearest shopping mall for another retail therapy
session!
Christ our Lord told us very clearly and as always,
absolutely Truthfully: Seek first His Kingdom and His
Righteousness, and all these things shall be yours
as well. (MATTHEW 6:33).
Note how clearly and concisely He tells us that ...all these
things shall be yours as well!
The Lord our Triune God knows exactly what we really
need not what we think we want or perhaps may
need!
Our Lord Creator placed us in this material world, and He
Blesses the labour of our hands.
However, let us never be like The Foolish Rich Man and
his barns to whom God said: Fool! This night your
soul is required of you; and the things you have
prepared, whose will they be? (LUKE 12:20)
Let us rather firmly bind our heart and soul to Gods
Eternal, Heavenly Kingdom by making it our only
desire and Eternal Life in that Heavenly Kingdom,
our only Priceless Treasure!
Only by our Spiritual Struggles and Strivings to fulfil
His Divine Commandments and Teachings do we
become worthy and pleasing Heavenly Citizens in
Gods Sight, because only that is truly Life in the
Fullness of being and Life Abundant! (JOHN 10:10).
HTTPS://FRSERGEI.WORDPRESS.COM/2010/06/11/THE-THIRD-SUNDAY-AFTERPENTECOST-SEEK-FIRST-HIS-KINGDOM-AND-HIS-RIGHTEOUSNESS/
(MATTHEW 6:21)
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY - BASIS
FOR
UNION
WITH
GOD: LOVE
Most Protestant Theologians see the Word of God as the

only means of Divine Revelation, which they believe
was intended for our intellect. But this would signify a
Person Who is distinct from us rather than One in
Union with us.
This view explains their emphasis on Bible Study and
their denigration of the Holy Mysteries and all that is
considered Mystical.
It is a denial of Orthodox Spirituality and implies that the
Word does not have a Spiritual Task.
However, we all sense that there is far more than an
Intellectual Understanding of God.
We all sense that there is something beyond an
Intellectual Understanding.
We seek and yet cannot completely know.
The Reality is that the Word of God impacts us in a most
dynamic way.
The Divine Word of God was intended for our immortal
soul and not just our intellect.
The Word of God awakens Faith in us, which clearly
demonstrates that there is a direct Relationship
involved between us and the Word of God!
OF
NOT
INTELLECT FATHER DIMITRU STANILAOU
Our Holy Church Fathers do not limit us to only an

intellectual dimension of the mind but speak of the
"...feeling of the mind and our Relationship with God."
According to Father Dimitru: ...The Fathers of the Church
- when they speak of the ...feeling of the mind... assert
a direct contact of our mind with the Spiritual Reality
of God - not a simple knowledge of Him from a
distance.
It is something like the understanding of a person with
whom you are in contact...
In seeking this Spiritual Union we do not imply that we
will ever assume the Divine Substance of God, for we
are merely His Creation - His creatures.
Father Dimitru explained: ...On the other hand, our
creatureliness implies the Sovereignty of God.
It makes our Transformation into a Divine Substance
impossible - no matter how close we get to Him.
Our approach to God - our uplifting to an Understanding
of Him -, can only be realized if God Himself vests us
with the Things proper to Him.
But even if we are penetrated by His Power, we cannot
shed our created nature.
Our human nature can neither become Uncreated nor
Divine!
OF
GOD- 10 JULY 2016
17
Consequently, we become gods or godly by Grace, not

by nature.
We can conclude from this that our Link to Him must be
established on the basis of a personal Relationship,
which begins with a Spiritual Encounter with Him.
Our Lord God must reveal His Divine Nature to us.
We can use the analogy of knowing our neighbour.
We cannot know the inner nature our neighbour by our
own initiative.
For us to truly know others, they must reveal themselves to
us on their own initiative.
Normally this is revealed in inverse proportion to the
aggressive acts we take to know them.
The more we demand they tell us, the less likely they will
reveal their inner personhood to us.
We must first show our own vulnerability and Humility for
a relationship to develop.
This is how it is with God.
We cannot know our Lord unless He reveals Himself to us.
We should never fear losing our identity in this process.
Similar to our developing relationships with our
neighbours, we develop our Relationship with God
and find Union with Him and likewise, we retain our
own identity.
It is with Humility and Love that we invite and welcome
our Lord God to reveal Himself to us.
Father Dimitru commented: ...The Spiritual Christian
adopts this affirmation of supreme Humility, but
likewise of supreme daring: I am man, yet I live as
God - by what God has granted me. I am man, yet I
am on God's Level by the Grace with which He has
been pleased to vest me...
This reflects the words of Apostle Paul, who said: "I live,
yet not I, but Christ Lives in me." (GALATIANS 2:20).
As in a Relationship between two people, it is Love that is
central to our Union with God.
We must not make the mistake of only trying to know God
intellectually!
In order to develop our Relationship with our Lord, we
must with all Humility and Obedience - cultivate a
Loving Relationship with Him.
WORKING
IN
COMMUNITY DEVELOPS
OUR
SOUL
In our Quest for Union with God we cannot limit ourselves

to the development of all the possibilities inherent in
the physical world.
We must also reach out and develop that which is

spiritual in each of us.
It is through our cooperation with others in community
activities that we learn how to help others as well as
ourselves develop our Spiritual Potential.
As we work on our own ability, through discipline of our
actions and by increasing attention we give to all
activity, we become more capable of doing good to
others.
We learn to be good neighbours.
We learn to Love and be loved.
We find the Way to Live the Life prescribed and Lived by
Christ Himself.
We come closer to God in the process...
As we work together with a common purpose we learn to
set aside our differences and, as we help each other,
we put into practice to the best of our ability the
Virtues we have acquired.
As we fail and fall into conflict during such activity we
can immediately see our weaknesses and how and
where we need to improve and strengthen.
When we have a Spiritual Aim for any activity, it becomes
a process of Spiritual Growth for all of us.
Our difficulties become opportunities for the expression of
Love (Agape) and Spiritual Growth.
...The Road to Christian Perfection does not exclude
work, but it does require that it contributes to our
Acquisition of the Virtues.
No one should imagine that the work we do is an end in
itself.
Our labours are opportunities to beautify our nature with
the Holy Virtues of Patience, Self-control, Love for one
another, Faith in God...
Furthermore, our labours can also open our
understanding of the Wise Principles placed by God
in all things....!
The ultimate Purpose of all our labours and the taking
part in the activities of this world is not so much for
the development of our nature as it is the normal
development of the dormant possibilities in all of us
human beings!
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za/2010/05/workingin-community-develops-our-soul.html
THE INSPIRED, ETERNAL WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS

ST NEKTARIOS OF AEGINA
We must put all our cares before the Lord our God, for He
cares for us all.
We must never become faint-hearted, and we must not
distress ourselves, for our Lord, Who searches out the
hidden depths of our immortal soul, knows our need
and our desires - and He alone has the Power to fulfil
them as He knows what is most Spiritually Beneficial
for each of us.
For our part, we must ask of God, but never lose our Hope
or our Courage.
We must never not for an instant - think that, since the
longing we have is Holy, that we have a right to
complain when our Prayers seem to go unheard!
God fulfils our longings in ways that we can never know,
nor understand, so we must always be at Peace and
Trust in Gods Great Mercy and Love.
FATHER ROMAN BRAGA
Our Lord Jesus Christ is God - and God is within us.

He is in our consciousness, in our heart, in our minds not
Someone Who is Visible and Who can be seen
outside of us.
We find God within us, by descending into our
personality by means of our self-examination and
our honest inspection of our words, thoughts and
deeds.
We are Eternal. We never die. Our body will be laid to
rest in the cemetery (the Place of Sleep) but our
consciousness, our actual person is immortal.
So when we descend into ourselves when we examine
ourselves from within our consciousness is infinite,
and this infinity is the Temple of our Living God.
ST MAXIMOS
God, Who is by Nature Good and Dispassionate, Loves all

mankind equally as His Handiwork.
But He Glorifies the Virtuous because according to their
free will, they are United to God.
At the same time, in His Goodness, He is Merciful to
sinners, and by Chastising them in this life brings
them back to the Path of Virtue.
18.
OF
THE
CONFESSOR.
St Paul repeatedly told us that we are Temples of our

Living God for He dwells within us.
Furthermore, we find God when we know ourselves when we really know who and what we are.
If we neglect getting to know ourselves, or try to excuse
ourselves by saying: I dont have time to think about
myself... we will never find God because He is neither
physical nor visible and we cannot locate Him in any
specific, material place.
The Lord our God is always with us yet only if we want
Him to be with us, for He never forces Himself nor His
Divine Will upon anyone.
Consequently, we will find God when we find ourselves!
And we will find God when we earnestly seek Him!
THE
CONFESSOR
Similarly, those of good and dispassionate judgment also

Love all mankind equally.
God Loves those who are Virtuous because of their good
nature and the probity of their intentions, and He
Loves sinners, too, because of His Divine Nature and
because in His Compassion He pities them for
foolishly stumbling in Darkness.
OF
GOD
10 JULY 2016

11 July 2016
The Miracle of St Euphemia at Chalcedon
Also the Feast of St Helen/Olga, Venerable Princess & Equal to the Apostles, of Russia St
Cindeos the Presbyter & Hieromartyr of Pamphylia, Asia Minor St Nikodemos the New
Martyr of Albania St Barbara, Great Holy Martyr, Translation of Holy Relics St Arkadios
of Novotorsk St Nektarios of Vrioulon
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST EUPHEMIA TONE 4
Lian
All the Orthodox, Thou greatly cheered, and Thou put to
efranas, tous Orthodoxous, ke katiskhinas, tous

kakodoxous, Effimia Hristou kalliparthene. This gar
Tetartis Sinodou ekirosas, I Pateres kalos edogmatisan.
Martis Endoxe, Hriston ton Theon iketeve, dorisasthe
imin to Mega Eleos.
shame the false believers, O fair Virgin of Christ,

Euphemia. For Thou confirmed what the Fathers well
Dogmatise, at the 4th Ecumenical Council. O Martyr
Glorious, entreat Christ our God to grant to us His
Great Mercy!
SEASONAL KONTAKION OUR LADY THEOTOKOS -
Prostasia

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

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!
MATINS FESTAL GOSPEL ACCORDING

THE HEALING
OF
ST VERONICA
WHO HAD
TONE 4
TO
ST MARK 5 : 24 24
HAEMORRHAGED
FOR
TWELVE
YEARS
At that time, many people followed our Lord Jesus, and thronged Him. And there was a certain Woman who had had
a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered much from many Physicians. And she had spent all that she had
and was not better, but rather, grew worse.
When she heard that about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garments. She had thought: If
only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.And immediately the source of her bleeding dried up, and she
felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus - instantly knowing in Himself that Power had gone
out of Him - turned around in the crowd and asked: Who touched My clothes? And His Disciples said to Him:
Thou see the multitude thronging Thee, and Thou ask: Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who
had done this thing. The Woman fearing and trembling knowing what had happened to her, went and fell
down before Him and told Him the whole truth. He said to her: Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in
Peace, and be healed of your affliction.
THE SECOND EPISTLE
TH
OF
E
ST PAUL
MARKS
OF
THE
AP
CORINTHIANS 6 : 1 10
OSTLESHIP
Brethren: we, then, as workers together with Him, also plead with you not to receive the Grace of God in vain. He said:
In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the Day of Salvation I have helped you.
Behold! Now is the accepted time! Behold! Now is the Day of Salvation! We give no offence in anything - that our
Ministry many not be blamed. In all things we commend ourselves as Ministers of God: in much Patience, in
tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in Labours, in sleeplessness, in Fastings,
by Purity, by Knowledge, by Longsuffering, by Kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere Love, by the Word of Truth, by
the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by
evil report and Good Report; as deceivers, and yet True; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold
we Live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always Rejoicing; as poor, yet Enriching many; as having
nothing, and yet possessing all things.
TH
FORGIVENESS
OF
TO
A
ST LUKE 7 : 36 50
SINFUL WOMAN
At that time, one of the Pharisees asked our Lord Jesus to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisees house, and sat
down to eat. And behold: A woman of the city, who was a sinner when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the
Pharisees house, took an alabaster flask of fragrant Myrrh, and stood at His Feet, behind Him, weeping. She
washed His Feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. And she kissed His Feet and anointed
them with the fragrant Myrrh.
When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying: This Man if He were a Prophet would
know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner! And Jesus answering, said
to him: Simon, I have something to say to you. He said: Teacher, say it.
There was a certain Creditor who had two Debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other, fifty. Having
nothing with which to repay him, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me: which of them Love him more?
Simon answered and said: I suppose the one whom he forgave more. Jesus said to him: You have rightly judged.
And turning to the woman, He said to Simon: Do you see this woman? I entered your house - you gave Me no water
for My Feet. She has washed My Feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no
kiss. Since she came in, She has not ceased kissing My Feet. You did not anoint My head with oil. She - with
fragrant Myrrh - has anointed My Feet. Therefore, I say to you: her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she
Loved much. To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
He said to her: Thy sins art forgiven.
And those who dined with Him began to say within themselves: Who is This Who forgives sins also? He said to the
woman: Thy Faith hath Saved thee. Go in Peace.
THE MIRACLE
OF
ST EUPHEMIA
THE
GREAT HOLY MARTYR,
AT
CHALCEDON
11 JULY 2016
19
THE MIRACLE
OF
ST EUPHEMIA
In 304, in Chalcedon, St Euphemia, the Great Holy Martyr

had been martyred, until her Repose in Christ.
One and a half centuries later, when the Christian
Church had become Victorious within the Roman
Empire, God deigned that St Euphemia, His All-Praised
Witness, should again witness and Confess the Purity
and Divine Truth of Orthodox Teaching.
In 451 in Chalcedon, in the same church where the
Sanctified Holy Relics of St Euphemia rested, the
Fourth Ecumenical Council convened to determine
and ratify the precise Dogmatic Formulae of the
Orthodox Church concerning the Nature of the GodMan, Jesus Christ, which was necessary due to the
heresy of the Monophysites ["Mono-Physis" meaning
"One Nature"], who opposed Orthodox Teaching of the
two Natures of our Lord Jesus Christ His Divine and
Human Natures of His One God-Man, (Incarnate,
Eternal Son and Word of God the Father.)
The Monophysites falsely affirmed that Christ had only
one Divine Nature thus rejecting His human Nature
and causing discord and unrest within the Church.
630 representatives of all Christian Churches attended,
with the Orthodox contingent being led by
St
Anatolios, Patriarch of Constantinople, St Juvenal,
Patriarch of Jerusalem and delegates of St Leo, Pope
of Rome.
The Monophysites attended in large numbers, headed by
Dioscoros, Patriarch of Alexandria, and the
Constantinople Archimandrite, Eutychios.
After prolonged discussions the two sides could not come
to a decisive agreement so St Anatolios of
Constantinople proposed submitting both sides of the
dispute to the Holy Spirit, through His undoubted
Bearer, St Euphemia, whose Wonderworking Relics
had been discovered during the Councils discussions.
The Orthodox Hierarchs and their opponents wrote down
their Confessions of Faith on separate scrolls and
sealed them with their seals.
They opened the tomb of St Euphemia and placed both
scrolls upon her hands. Then, in the presence of
Emperor Marcian, the participants of the Council
carefully sealed the tomb with the Imperial Seal and
set trustworthy guards to watch over it for three days.
During those three days both sides imposed upon
themselves a Strict Fast and intense Prayers.
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY - ASCENT
IS
BASED
ON
LOVE
CHALCEDON
THE MONASTERY OF PANAGIA YPSENI, RHODES - 25 / 07 / 2011

AND
Orthodox Teachings are based on the Experience of our

Triune God our Lord God Who Communicates with
us through His Love - by the Will of the Father,
through the Son and by means the Uncreated Power
and Energy of the Holy Spirit.
Our Lord God is neither distant nor a God Who brings us
into fusion with Him where our personality is lost.
Our Christian God is Trinitarian, consisting of three
separate Persons - God the Father, God the Son and
God the Holy Spirit Who are One in their Divine
Essence One Godhead in Three Persons.
Each of the three Persons of the one Godhead is
Unconfused in Divinity but bound together
inseparably by Divine, Absolute, Eternal Love.
The Love exhibited by the Oneness of the three Persons
affirms that God is a God of Love.
The Trinitarian Nature of God shows us the nature of the
Earthly Community we are to be part of, and the
Sacred Nature of our Union with God.
Divine Love (Agape or Unconditional, Absolute, Pure, Perfect
Love) means that separate people are United by Love
for each other, yet they each retain their identity and
free will.
As Orthodox Christians, we are taught by Christ, to seek
Blessed, Holy Unity without being blended together
nor by losing our identity and free will.
God extends His Infinite Divine Love to us, for we have
been created in the Likeness of His Only Begotten,
Eternal Son, through Whose Incarnation, Life,
Teachings, Crucifixion, and Resurrection we have
been shown the Way, while the Holy Spirit Enables
and Empowers us by Mystically Transforming us, as
other mundane elements are also Mystically
Transformed by His Power and Energy into Life-giving,
Renewing and Cleansing Holy Eucharist, Baptismal
Water or Holy Unction.
Father Dimitru Stanislaou explained: ...By the Holy Spirit
we are raised up to the Divine World, or the Divine
AT
After three days the Patriarch and the Emperor, in the

presence of the Council re-opened the tomb.
To everyones shock, not only was the scroll with the
Orthodox Confession was held in St Euphemias right
hand, while the scroll of the heretics lay at her feet,
but suddenly, as though alive, St Euphemia raised her
hand and presented the Orthodox scroll to the
Patriarch.
Having witnessed such an astonishing Divine Miracle
many of those who were hesitant in their Faith,
wholeheartedly accepted the Orthodox Confession,
while those who stubbornly clung to their heretical
beliefs, were consigned to Condemnation and
Excommunication.
After an invasion by the Persians during the seventh
century, the Holy Relics of St Euphemia were
transferred to Constantinople, where a newly built
church was dedicated to her.
Many years later, during the period of the Iconoclast
heresy, the Reliquary with her Holy Relics was cast
into the sea by order of the heretic Emperor, Leo the
Isaurian.
As the beautiful silver Reliquary of St Euphemia floated
amazingly on top of the water, instead of sinking to
the bottom, two ship-owner brothers, Sergios and
Sergonos, spotted it and rescued it , and when they
had docked safely, they carried reverently it to the
local Faithful Bishop.
The Bishop realised what they had brought to him, and
he immediately ordered St Euphemias Reliquary to
be preserved in secret, beneath the church, in a
crypt, while the Iconoclast heresy continued raging
against and destroying many Sacred Things as well
as those who Faithfully defended Gods Divine Truth.
A small church was built over the Holy Relics, which had
been marked by a board with an inscription stating
the name of St Euphemia.
When the Iconoclast heresy was finally condemned by
the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787, during the
reign of Emperor Constantine VI, he and his Faithful
Mother, St Irene, together with St Tarasios, Patriarch of
Constantinople, had the Holy Relics once again
solemnly transferred to Constantinople.
IS
WITHIN
THE
CHURCH- FATHER DIMITRU STANISLAOU
World penetrates us. This changes us, with this our

Deification starts. This is what Orthodox Spirituality, or
our Spiritual Life consists of...
Our Spiritual Ascent toward Union with God must be can
only be - in His Holy Church.
As Christians starting on the lowest Step of our Spiritual
State, we have our consciousness Sensitized by the
Holy Spirit. We know that in this weary and prolonged
undertaking we have a continuous Relationship with
Jesus Christ, Who is standing beside us, sustaining our
steps; but we also know that He is ahead of us, as an
Example, Calling us to Him, to a fuller Communion
with Him. He is like a Good Friend, better than you
are in every way, Who is also beside you as you
Journey toward Moral Perfection - a Friend Who is
also ahead of you, always prompting you to go on...
Our Lord Jesus gave us His Commandments that speak to
our conscience, and He dwells within us since our
Baptism, so as we constantly Purify ourselves, His
Presence becomes ever more clear to us.
We make the Ascent by Ascetical Efforts to the Mystical
Contemplation of Christ, through Christ, toward Christ....
Nicholas Cabasilas said: Christ penetrates us by the Holy
Mysteries, by the Washing of Baptism, by the
Anointing with Holy Chrism, and by the Partaking of
Him from the Holy Table. By the medium of these Holy
Mysteries Christ comes to us and dwells in us. He is
United to us and becomes one with us. He stifles sin in
us and infuses into us His own Life and Merit... (THE LIFE
IN CHRIST)
Father Dimitru believes: ...The Spiritual Ascent, even if it

carries someone close to God in Heaven, is an Ascent
within the Church, on the Spiritual Steps of the Church
on Earth, and on those of the Church in Heaven.
There is no other Ladder to God, except the One in His
Holy Church.... at the top of this Ladder ad only
there, as the Peak of the entire Hierarchy, Christ is
found...
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
20.
THE MIRACLE
OF
ST EUPHEMIA
THE
GREAT HOLY MARTYR,
AT
CHALCEDON
11 JULY 2016

12 July 2016
St Paisios the New, Holy Elder of Mount Athos
Also the Feast of St Proklos & St Hilarion of Kallippi, Ancyra St Michale of Maleinos St Theodore the
Varangian & St John, his son, of Kiev St Arsenios, Fool for Christ of Novgorod St Simon, Abbot of
Volomsk Monastery St Mary Golinduc of Persia St John & St Gabriel the Georgians, of Mount Athos
St Veronica/Bernice, Healed by Christ
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PAISIOS
Tis
THE
NEW
OF
MOUNT ATHOS
Once
entheou Agapis to pir dexamenos, ipervallousi askisi

edothis olos Theo ke paraklisis pollon anthropon
gegonas,
logis
Thiis
noutheton,
prosevhees
Thavmaourgon, Paisie Theofore, Ke nin presvevis
apafstos iper pantos tou kosmou, Osie.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST PAISIOS
THE
the Fire of Love for our Lord was lit in Thee,

through Ascetical Rigor Thou gave Thyself to God. O
God-bearing Paisios, for many Thou became
Consolation, granting Counsel with God-Inspired
Words, and by Thy Prayers, working Wonders. And
now, O Devout One, Thou Intercede unceasingly for the
whole world.
NEW
OF
MOUNT ATHOS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Angelikos epi tis Gis politevsamenos ke di Agapis lampsas, Leading
Thy Life on Earth in an Angelic manner, and

brightly shining through Thy Love, O Holy Paisios,
Thou became a Great Encouragement to Monastics, and
a Guide for the Faithful to a Holy Life, for the whole
wide world, a Source of Sweet Divine Delight. So we
shout to Thee: Hail! O Father, known throughout the
world!
Osie Paisie, monazonton mega stirigma anedihthis, ton

Piston hirsgogos pros vion Agion, ikoumenis de
entrifima glikitaton dio krazomen.
Heris, Pater
Pagkosmie.
Prostasia

Se.
TONE 4

Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 149 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
The Holy Ones shall boast in Glory and they shall greatly Rejoice on their beds.
Sing to the Lord a New Song. His praise in the Assembly of His Holy Ones.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
GALATIANS 5: 22 6: 2
Brethren, the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
Against such there is no Law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have Crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one
another, no envy of each other.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are Spiritual, should Restore him in a Spirit of Gentleness. Look
to yourself lest you, too, be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ.
FESTAL MATINS &
DIVINE
LITURGY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 6 : 17 23
At that time, our Lord Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of His Disciples, and a great multitude of people
from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the coast of tyre and Sidon, who went to hear Him, and to be Healed of their
diseases and those who were troubled with unclean spirit were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for
Power went forth from Him and Healed them all.
And He lifted up His Eyes to His Disciples, and said: Blessed art you who art poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Blessed art you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed art you who weep now, for you shall rejoice.
Blessed art you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
on account of the Son of Man!
Rejoice in that day, and leap for Joy, for behold! Your Reward is Great in Heaven!
ST PAISIOS
THE
NEW, HOLY ELDER
Our Venerable and God-bearing Spiritual Father, St Paisios the New,

the Holy Elder of Mount Athos was born on 25 July 1924 and
Reposed in Christ on 12 July 1994.
As a most beloved Ascetic of Mount Athos, St Paisios was known for
his profound, Inspired Wisdom, his gentle manner and his
acceptance of all those who went to visit him and who sought
Spiritual Guidance and Blessings from him.
On 13 January 2015 he was Canonised by the Holy and Sacred
Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Arsenios Eznepidis was born on 25 July 1924 to pious
Orthodox Christian parents who lived in Farasa,
Cappadocia, Asia Minor, shortly before the
ST PAISIOS
THE
NEW, HOLY ELDER
OF
MOUNT ATHOS
population exchange that occurred between Greece

and Turkey after the Greco-Turkish War of 1919 1922.
He was names by St Arsenios the Cappadocian who
Baptised him and foretold of his great Monastic Life.
Immediately after his Baptism, the family was forced to
leave Asia Minor in accordance with the Peace Treaty
of Lausanne, and St Arsenios led his Holy Flock along
a difficult and dangerous 400 mile journey to Greece.
The Eznepidis family settled in the town of Konitsa in
Epiros in north western Greece, and as he had
prophesied to his Holy Flock, St Arsenios Reposed in
Christ forty days after they had all settled safely in
Greece, leaving as his Spiritual Heir, the infant
OF
MOUNT ATHOS
12 JULY 2016
21
Arsenios, who grew up in Konitsa, where he became a

carpenter after completing intermediate public
education.
During the civil war in Greece following World War II,
Arsenios served as a radio operator, and was
renowned for his extreme bravery, constant selfsacrifice and moral Righteousness. He was always
deeply concerned for his compatriots who had family
responsibilities, while, he had far less relationship
commitments to worry about - being unmarried.
When the tragic civil war finally ended, he wanted to
enter Monastic Life, but had first to provide for his
unmarried sisters.
In 1950 by the Grace and Great Mercy of God - he was
able to begin his Monastic Journey on Mount Athos,
first under the Spiritual Guidance of Father Kyril, the
future Abbot of Koutloumousiou Monastery, and then
going o the Esphigmenou Monastery.
After four years as a Novice, St Paisios was tonsured a
Monk, receiving the name Averkios.
He was always most conscientious and dedicated,
finding ways to complete his Obediences, (which
required contact with others) and to preserve his
silence, so as to progress in the Art of Prayer.
He was selfless in helping his Brethren, and never rested
at all while others worked (even though he may have
already completed his own Obediences) for he Loved
his Brothers greatly and without distinction.
In addition to his Ascetic Struggles and the common life
of the Monastery, he was Spiritually Nourished and
Enriched through reading Spiritually Profitable
writings and books especially concerning the Lives
of the Saints, the Gerontikon and the Ascetical
Homilies of St Isaac the Syrian.
Soon after his Tonsure, Father Averkios left Esphigmenou
Monastery and joined the then Idiorhythmic (selfregulating) Brotherhood of the Philotheou Monastery,
where his uncle was a Monk.
He placed himself under Obedience to the Elder, Father
Symeon, who granted him the Small Schema in 1956,
with the new name Paisios.
Father Paisios deeply contemplated the thought that his
own Spiritual Failures and lack of Love were the
cause of his neighbour's shortcomings - as well as
those of the world in general.
He harshly accused himself, and pushed himself to
greater Self-denial, and more Fervent Prayer for his
soul, and for the whole world.
Father Paisios cultivated the habit of seeking the "...good
reason..." for a potentially scandalous event, and for
people's actions.
In this way he preserved himself from judging others.
For example, Pilgrims to Mount Athos who had been
scandalized by the strange behaviour and stories told
by a certain Monk, asked Elder Paisios what was
wrong with the Monk.
St Paisios cautioned them never to judge others, for the
Monk was actually Virtuous but merely pretended to
be a fool when visitors approached him, so as to
preserve his silence.
In 1958, Elder Paisios was asked to spend some time in
and around his home village so as to Guide and
Strengthen the Faithful against the proselytism of
Protestant groups.
He greatly encouraged the Orthodox Flock and helped,
Enlightened, and strengthened the Faith of
innumerable people with whom he came into
contact.
In 1962, St Paisios visited Mount Sinai where he stayed for
two years, and became much beloved by the
Bedouins who benefited spiritually as well as
materially from his presence, for he nourished them
with his natural Kindness and Love, and bought food
for them with the money he received from Pilgrims
who eagerly purchased his carved wooden
handicrafts.
He returned to Mount Athos in 1964, and took up
residence at the Skete of Iviron before moving to
Katounakia at the southernmost tip of the isthmus for
a short stay in the wilderness.
His failing health may have been part of the reason for
his departure from there and in 1966, a section of his
lungs was surgically removed.
It was during this time of hospitalization that his long
friendship began with the young Sisterhood of St John
the Theologian in Souroti, on the outskirts of
Thessalonika.
During his surgical procedure Father Paisios had
urgently needed blood so a group of Novices from the
Sisterhood of St John the Theologian had donated
blood to save him.
St Paisios was most grateful to them, and after he had
recovered his health, he did everything materially
and spiritually possible to help them build their
Monastery.
In 1968, he resided at the Monastery of Stavronikita where
he assisted with the Spiritual and material renovation.
While there St Paisios had the Blessing of being in contact
with the Holy Ascetic, Elder Tikhon, who lived in the
Hermitage of the Holy Cross, near Stavronikita.
St Paisios remained at his side until his Repose, serving
him selflessly as his Faithful Disciple.
It was during this period that Elder Tikhon clothed St
Paisios in the Great Schema.
According to the wishes of the Holy Elder Tikhon, St
Paisios remained in his Hermitage after his Repose
until 1979, when he moved to the Hermitage of
Panagouda, which belongs to the Monastery of
Koutloumousiou - his final home on the Holy
Mountain.
At Panagouda, St Paisios' distinction as an Inspired, Wise
and God-bearing Elder grew, drawing the sick and
suffering people of God to him.
He received them all day long, dedicating the night to
God - in Prayer, Vigil, and Spiritual Struggle, which left
him with only two or three hours each day for rest.
The self-discipline and Love with which he served God
and his fellow man, the austerity of his Ascetic Feats,
and his sensitive nature made him increasingly prone
to sickness.
In addition to respiratory problems, he suffered from a
serious hernia that was very painful. When he was
forced to leave the Holy Mountain for various reasons
(often due to his illnesses) he would receive Pilgrims
for hours on end at the Women's Monastery at Souroti.
The physical effort that this entailed in his weakened
state caused him such pain that he would turn quite
pale, yet he always bore his suffering with much
Grace and Patience, confident that, as God knows
what is best for us, it could not be otherwise. He would
say that God is greatly touched when someone who is
in great suffering does not complain, but rather uses
his energy to pray for others.
In addition to his other illnesses he suffered from
haemorrhaging, which left him very weak, and in his
final weeks before leaving Mount Athos, he would
often fall unconscious.
On 5 October 1993, St Paisios left his Beloved Holy
Mountain for the last time, and although he had
hoped to return soon enough, he was diagnosed with
advanced cancer that needed immediate surgery.
Having recovered sufficiently in hospital St Paisios was
transferred to the Monastery at Souroti.
Despite his critical state he continued to receive Pilgrims patiently listening to their sorrows and counselling
them with his Inspired Wisdom and Love.
Although his heart was set on returning to Mount Athos,
his failing health prevented him from being moved.
St Paisios suffered very much during his last days but he
also experienced the Joy of the Holy Martyrs. On 11
July 1994, our Beloved Holy Father received Holy
Eucharist for the last time on Earth, and the following
day he gladly surrendered his immortal soul to the
Lord our God Whom he had served so worthily, and
was laid to rest at the Monastery of St John the
Theologian in Souroti.
May his memory be Eternal, and may St Paisios the New
ceaselessly Intercede with Christ for His Great Mercy
on our soul.
HTTPS://ORTHODOXWIKI.ORG/PAISIOS_OF_MOUNT_ATHOS
22.
ST PAISIOS
THE
NEW, HOLY ELDER
OF
MOUNT ATHOS
12 JULY 2016
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria

& All Africa
All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen.
Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints.
And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to
Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 3
17 July 2016
th

4 Sunday of St Matthew the Faithful Centurion
The Feast of St Marina/Margarita the Great Holy Martyr
th
Also the Feast of all the Holy Fathers of the first Six Ecumenical Councils St Irenarchos, Abbot of Solovki Monastery St
Lazaros the Venerable of Mount Galesios, near Ephesos, Translation of Holy Relics The Holy Imperial Passion
Bearers: St Nicholas, Tsar of All Russia, St Alexandra, Tsarina, St Olga, St Tatiana, St Maria, St Anastasia, Grand
Duchesses, St Alexei, Crown Prince St Leonid of Ustnedumsk, Vologda & the Holy Icon of Theotokos of Sviatogorsk
Monastery
MATINS RESURRECTION GOSPEL 4
THE HOLY MYRRHBEARERS WITNESS
THE
- LUKE 24 : 1 12
EMPTY TOMB
OF OUR
RESURRECTED LORD
Evfrenestho
ta Ourania, Agaliastho ta Epigia, oti epiise

Kratos en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanato
ton Thanaton.Prototokos ton nekron egeneto. Ek kilias
Adou errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION HOLY FATHERS
OF THE
Let the Heavens Rejoice and let the Earth be glad, for the
Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has
trampled down Death by Death; He has become the
First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He
has Rescued us, and to the world He has granted Great
Mercy.
ECUMENICAL COUNCILS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Supremely
Iperdedoxasmenos i Hriste O Theos imon, O fostiras epi gis,
praised art Thou, O Christ our God, Who

established on earth, our Fathers as Luminaries; and
through them, to the True Faith all of us Thou has
Guided, O Most Compassionate One: Glory to Thee!
tous Pateras imon themeliosas, ke di afton, pros tin

alithinin pistin pantas imas odigisas, Poliefsplahne Doxa
Si!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST MARINA/MARGARITA TONE 4
amnas Sou, Iisou, krazi megali ti Foni: Se Nimfie mou

potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume ke
sinthaptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke pasho dia Se, os
Vasilefso Sin Si, ke Thnisko iper Sou, ina ke ziso en Si.
All os thisian amomon, prosdehou tin meta pothou
imon.
Thine
own Ewe-lamb cries to Thee aloud, O Jesus, and

says: For my Bridegroom I yearn, and seeking Thee I
now contend; and I am crucified and buried with Thee
in Thy Baptism. I suffer for Thy Sake, that I may reign
with Thee. I die for Thee so that I may also Live in
Thee. Accept me as an Unblemished Sacrifice as I offer
myself to Thee with Love. At her Entreaties and
Intercessions, Save our Souls, O Merciful Lord.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE 2
Prostasia

Se.
Protector of the Christians unashamable, Mediator to

aid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten
Theotokos who always protects all who honour Thee!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 31/32
TONE
(8) PLAGAL 4
Be glad in the Lord and Rejoice greatly, O Righteous Ones, and boast, all you who are upright in heart.
Blessed art those whose transgressions art forgiven and whose sins art covered.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO
ST TITOS 3 : 8 15
My Son, Titos: These are Faithful Words , and I desire Thee to insist on these Things so that those who believe in God
may be careful to apply themselves to Good Deeds that are excellent and profitable to mankind.
Avoid senseless controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
As for a divisive man after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a
person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned!
When I send Artemas or Tychikos to you, do your utmost to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the
winter there. Make every effort so as to speed Zenas the Lawyer and Apollos on their way, ensuring that they lack
nothing. Let our people apply themselves to Good Deeds so as to help those in urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
Greetings are sent by all who are with me.
Greet those who Love us in the Faith.
Grace be with you all.
4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH
OF
ST MATTHEW LIGHT
OF THE
WORLD ST MARINA-MARGARITA 17 JULY 2016
23
St Paul was painfully aware that WE ARE ALL AWAITING THE

CONSUMMATION OF THE AGE TO COME AND HE KNEW THAT WE
ALREADY PARTICIPATE IN THE ESCHATOLOGICAL COMMUNITY.
(i.e. Concerning our immortal souls in their relation to Death,
Judgement, Eternal Life and Eternal Condemnation and Hell)
HOLY BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION ARE THE BEGINNING OF OUR
TRUE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY towards Eternal Life in Gods
Eternal Kingdom of Love, Peace and Joy.
THESE HOLY MYSTERIES GRANT US THE RITE OF PASSAGE TOWARDS A
PROGRESSIVE LIFE OF RENEWAL IN CHRIST.
2 CORINTHIANS 3 : 16 18: ... when one turns to
the Lord, the Veil is taken away. Now the Lord
is Spirit; and where the Spirit of our Lord is,
there is True Liberty. But we all - with unveiled
face, beholding as in a mirror, the Glory of our
Lord are being Transformed into the same
Image from glory to Glory just as the Spirit of
our Lord.
THE REFERENCE TO THE LORD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT,
USUALLY REFERS TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST the Word
and Son of God the Father, Who is also referred to
as the Lord. (MATTHEW 11:25; 22:44 LUKE 1:32; 4:12 &18,
10:21 ACTS 3:22; 4:26 REVELATION 11:15; 21:22)
The Holy Spirit is also referred to as Lord both in this

instance and in our Creed of Faith the Nicene
Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and
Giver of Life...
Since THE TERM LORD APPLIES TO ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE
HOLY TRINITY, there might be a difference of opinion as
to which of the three Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity
the word Lord refers in this instance.
God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are in no way
confused here for St Paul had in mind one Person or
Another.
The Son, for example, cannot be the Holy Spirit.
THE SPIRIT IS SPECIFICALLY THE HOLY SPIRIT not an
impersonal Force although ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT THE TERM SPIRIT OCCASIONALLY REFERS TO
THE SOUL, A REALM OR A MANNER OF EXISTENCE.
In this instance, St Paul described how ALMIGHTY GOD
REIGNS IN OUR WORLD. It does not describe the Eternal
Relationship of the three separate and distinct Persons
of the Holy Trinity: the Holy Spirit, for example,
Proceeds from God the Father ALONE and not from
God the Son.
ST PAUL TRANSFORMED THE OLD COVENANT UNDERSTANDING
OF ONE GOD THE LORD GOD INTO THE NEW COVENANT
THE LIGHT OF
TEACHING OF CHRISTS DIVINE REVELATION OF THE HOLY

TRINITY IN ONE DIVINE GODHEAD THREE PERSONS EACH
OF WHOM IS LORD DIVINE.
Consequently, WHEN WE TURN TO THE LORD, WE TURN TO THE
FATHER, THROUGH THE SON AND BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT AND EVEN WHEN WE PRAY ALTHOUGH WE MAY
ADDRESS ONE OF THE TRINITY IN PERSON, IT ALWAYS INCLUDES
THE OTHER TWO PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY BECAUSE
EVERYTHING IS IN PERFECT HARMONY AND UNITY OF THE HOLY
TRINITY:
BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER, THROUGH THE
TEACHINGS AND REVELATIONS OF THE SON AND BY THE LIFEGIVING ENABLING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS US TRUE LIBERTY
TRUE SPIRITUAL FREEDOM freeing us from the
constraints and shackles of Spiritual Darkness and
sin so that WE ARE ABLE TO BEHOLD GOD, HAVE OPEN
ACCESS TO HIM AT ALL TIMES, AND GROW EVER CLOSER TO
HIM, THEREBY SLOWLY REGAINING OUR LOST SPIRITUAL
(GODLY) LIKENESS.
Having been created in Gods Image (and Likeness) WE
ARE ABLE TO SEE HIS UNCREATED IMAGE God Incarnate
our Lord Jesus Christ in two ways:

THROUGH THE SONS DEIFIED HUMANITY (1 CORINTHIANS
13:12 & JAMES 1:23-35)
IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

As we grow closer to God and are able to truly behold
Him, we become what we were created by God to be
i.e. WE REGAIN OUR LOST HOLY LIKENESS.
GOD IS INFINITE there are no limitations to Almighty God,
SO THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO GROWING IN HIS IMAGE AND
LIKENESS and the more we are Transformed into His
Likeness, the more clearly we shall see God!
A divisive person is one who picks and chooses from the
whole - complete and Perfect Truth of God.
A sect is a group of people who follow their own ideas
and choices rather than being Obedient and Humble
before God.
They are isolated and independent of Gods Holy
Tradition and such INCOMPLETE OR ERRONEOUS BELIEFS
RESULT IN IMMORAL BEHAVIOUR AND A SELF-IMPOSED SPIRITUAL
DEATH AND ALIENATION FROM ALMIGHTY GOD Who never
forces Himself on anyone waiting ever so patiently
for their return to His Divine Light through sincere
Repentance.
TO ST MATTHEW
THE WORLD
5 : 14 19
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: You are the Light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be
hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Let your Light so shine before mankind, so that they may see your Good Works, and give Glory to your Father Who is
in Heaven.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfil
them!
Truly, I say unto you: until Heaven and Earth pass away, neither an iota nor a tittle shall pass from the Law until all
is accomplished! Whoever shall break one of the least of these Commandments and teaches mankind to do so,
shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. He who does them, and teaches them, shall be called Great
in the Kingdom of Heaven.
ALMIGHTY GOD IS THE TRUE AND UNCREATED LIGHT.
witness of the Light, that all through him
In the Old Testament LIGHT WAS SYMBOLIC OF ALMIGHTY GOD,
might believe. He was not that Light, but was
HIS DIVINE LAW AND ISRAEL in contrast to all other
sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the
True Light, which gives Light to everyone coming
Nations.
Isaiah 60: 1 3 Shine, shine, O Jerusalem, for your
into the world...
ONLY GOD HAS LIFE IN HIMSELF, THUS OUR LORD JESUS
Light has come, and the Glory of the Lord has
risen upon you. Behold: darkness and gloom
CHRIST, BEING GOD, IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE, TOGETHER
shall cover the earth upon the Nations, but the
WITH THE FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Lord will shine on you and His Glory shall be
The Life was the Light of mankind... St John now
seen upon you. Kings shall come to your Light,
introduces MANKIND AS SANCTIFIED RECEIVERS OF THE
and the Gentiles to your Brightness...
DIVINE LIGHT OF GOD, WHO, BY LIVING IN CHRIST, BECOME
This is the Hymn that we sing during Holy Pascha in
CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT OF GOD. (JOHN 12:36 EPHESIANS 5:8
1 THESSALONIANS 5:5)
the Liturgical Services for, as St John of
St Moses, our ancient Patriarch, saw the Divine
Damascus expressed it: ... the whole Creation
Light in THE MYSTERIOUS BURNING BUSH and the
rejoices and exults, for Christ is Risen and Hades
whole Nation of Israel witnessed It at THE
despoiled.
PARTING OF THE RED SEA. (EXODUS 3: 2 & 13 :21)
Psalm 118:105 - Thy Word is a Lamp to my feet and a
St Isaiah beheld the Divine Light of God IN HIS
Light to my paths.
HEAVENLY VISION. (ISAIAH 6: 1 5)
In the New Testament, THE SON OF GOD IS LIGHT HE IS
The three Apostles of Christ witnessed the Divine
UNCREATED LIGHT OF UNCREATED LIGHT TRUE GOD OF
Light of God at OUR LORDS TRANSFIGURATION ON
TRUE GOD!
MOUNT TABOR. (MATTHEW 17 : 1 5)
John 1: 4 9 ... In Him is Life, and the Life is the
Darkness refers to SPIRITUAL DARKNESS OR BLINDNESS DUE TO
Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the
UNREPENTED SIN.
It is both Spiritual Ignorance and
darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend
Satanic opposition to the Divine Light and Truth of
It. There was a man sent from God, whose name
Almighty God. THOSE WHO HATE TRUTH, PREFER IGNORANCE
was John. This man came as a Witness, to bear
24.
4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 4TH SUNDAY
OF
ST MATTHEW LIGHT
OF THE
FOR THEMSELVES AND THEY STRIVE TO KEEP OTHERS IGNORANT

AS WELL.
Comprehend means both understand and overcome.

Thus SPIRITUAL DARKNESS CAN NEVER OVERPOWER THE DIVINE
LIGHT AND TRUTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, NOR CAN IT
UNDERSTAND THE WAY OF DIVINE LOVE. (AGAPE)
John is a reference to ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND FORERUNNER
TO CHRIST THE LAST AND GREATEST OF ALL THE OLD
COVENANT HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD, who not only
prepared the Hebrews on earth for the advent of
Christ the True Messiah, but after his Holy Martyrdom,
HE ALSO PREPARED THOSE WHO WERE IMPRISONED IN HADES.
(AFTER CHRISTS DEATH AND HIS OWN DESCENT INTO HADES, OUR
LORD JESUS SET THE RIGHTEOUS SOULS FREE TO REPOSE IN
PARADISE UNTIL THE FINAL JUDGEMENT. THIS IS KNOWN AS THE
HARROWING OF HADES.)
Although OUR MOST MERCIFUL GOD HAS OFFERED HIS DIVINE
LIGHT TO EVERY HUMAN BEING, the fallen world and even
many of His chosen people refuse to receive Him.
Thus they can neither know nor recognise Him. THOSE
WHO ACCEPT CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, ARE GRANTED HIS DIVINE
LIGHT.
After having heard the reading of the Holy Gospel and
having received the Holy Eucharist in Divine Liturgy,
we sing: We have seen the True Light! We have
received the Heavenly Spirit!
John 8: 12 Our Lord Jesus said: I Am the Light of the
world.
He who follows Me shall not walk in
darkness, but have the Light of Life.
Our Lord used these words in the context of the great
lamps that were lit at the conclusion of the Feast of
Tabernacles in the Outer Court of the Temple in
Jerusalem.
Consequently, CHRIST DECLARES HIMSELF AS THE FULFILMENT
AND THE DIVINE OBJECT OF ALL CELEBRATIONS OF LIGHT.
In Holy Scripture, God the Father is Light a Divine
Attribute that He bestows upon His Faithful Flock. (JOHN
1:4-9 & 1 JOHN 1:5 MATTHEW 5:14 - PHILIPPIANS 2:15)
Furthermore, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CONFIRMS HIS CLAIM BY

PERFORMING THE GREAT MIRACLE OF CREATING EYES FOR THE
MAN WHO WAS BORN WITHOUT ANY EYES AT ALL. (JOHN 9 : 1-7
ESPECIALLY 9:5)
1 JOHN 1 : 5 ... This is the message that we have heard
from Him and declare to you: that God is Light and in

Him is no darkness at all.
For St John the Divine and Beloved Theologian and
Apostle of Christ LIGHT IS DIVINE ENERGY, WHICH
MANIFESTED (REVEALED) DIVINE TRUTH I.E. TRUE TEACHING
VIRTUE AND HOLINESS I.E. TRUE BEHAVIOUR AND LIFESTYLE
AND HOLY COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS HOLY CHURCH I.E.
TRUE SPIRITUALITY.
THE STRONGEST OF ALL WEAPONS AGAINST SPIRITUAL
DARKNESS AND SIN IS OUR LOVE FOR GOD, WHICH IS A
STRONG, VIBRANT AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
Light is necessary for clear vision and for life itself.
OF
ST MATTHEW LIGHT
In the Old Testament, at the beginning of the Creation of

the world, God said: "...Let there be light: and there
was light." (GENESIS L:3)
With God's Commandment, the infinite darkness was
scattered and the abyss was Enlightened. The space
was filled with galaxies - suns and planets with their
moons.... "...And God said: Let there be lights in the
firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the
night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons,
and for days, and years. And let them be for lights in
the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the
Earth. And it was so." (GENESIS 1: 14-15).
Because of (created) light mankind is able to admire the
beauty of God's Creation.
In the New Testament, at the beginning of the new
Spiritual World the same God calls all those who
believe in His Name "...the Light of the world..."
(MATTHEW 5:L4).
Our Lord encourages and exhorts those who follow Him to
be the best examples of Christian Life - thereby
Glorifying our Heavenly Father.
Being Orthodox we must shine brightly so as to Illuminate
this dark, wicked world with our Love, Kindness, Good
Deeds and Virtuous behaviour and attitude, thereby
conquering sin.
Hatred must be overcome by Love; immorality by
Morality; disbelief by True Faith in God.
We are Called to lead a New Way of Life in the Uncreated
Light of the only True God.
OF
ST MATTHEW LIGHT
FAITH
RELIES ON DIVINE LIGHT and FAITHFUL BELIEVERS

BECOME SONS OF LIGHT, WHO SHINE IN A DARKENED
AND PERVERSE WORLD. (JOHN 12:36 - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:5
PHILIPPIANS 2 : 15)
At Holy Pascha the Divine Liturgy begins with the Priest

exiting the Holy Sanctuary and presenting a lit candle
into the darkened church - inviting the congregation
to Come and receive the Light that is never
overtaken by night! whereupon, one by one, our
candles are lit and the entire church is quickly
illuminated by the soft, golden light a wonderful
way of REMINDING US HOW GODS DIVINE LIGHT OF TRUTH
AND LOVE SPREAD AND ENLIGHTENED THE ENTIRE WORLD
FOREVER!
CHRISTIAN VIRTUES HAVE BOTH A PERSONAL AND PUBLIC FUNCTION,
for it can bring others to Glorify God and to live in
Christ forever.
OUR LORD JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW IN HIMSELF - IN HIS
WORDS AND IN HIS ACTIONS BY PERFORMING GODS WILL
IN ALL ITS FULLNESS, BY TRANSGRESSING NONE OF THE
PRECEPTS OF THE LAW, BY DECLARING THE PERFECT
FULFILMENT OF THE LAW, WHICH HE WAS ABOUT TO DELIVER
TO THEM AND BY GRANTING RIGHTEOUSNESS THE
ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE LAW TO US.
HE ALSO FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES OF ALL THE HOLY
PROPHETS OF GOD, by being and carrying out
everything they had foretold centuries before.
Our Lord Jesus often used the term Truly or Assuredly
which means confirmed, or so be it Amen as A
SOLEMN AFFIRMATION OR FORM OF OATH.
His use of this expression at the beginning of certain
Divine Proclamations (rather than at the end) is UNIQUE
AND AUTHORITATIVE:
HE DECLARES HIS WORDS AFFIRMED
BEFORE THEY ARE EVEN SPOKEN!
A JOT IOTA IS THE SMALLEST LETTER IN THE GREEK ALPHABET
WHILE A TITTLE IS THE SMALLEST STROKE IN CERTAIN HEBREW
LETTERS.
Thus, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, THE ENTIRE LAW OF GOD IS
AFFIRMED AS THE SACRED FOUNDATION OF CHRISTS NEW
COVENANT TEACHING.
All is fulfilled is a reference to THE PASSION AND
RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUr.
RIGHTEOUSNESS ACCORDING TO THE LAW IS A UNIFIED WHOLE.
THE OBSERVANCE OF ALL THE LEAST COMMANDMENTS OF
GOD IS TO OBSERVE OR KEEP OR OBEY THE WHOLE
DIVINE LAW OF GOD,
WHILE THE VIOLATION OF THE LEAST COMMANDMENT IS
CONSIDERED BY GOD TO BE THE VIOLATION OF THE
ENTIRE DIVINE LAW OF GOD!
It could not be made more definitive or clear to us than
This!!
OF THE
WORLD - METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON
OF
ANTINOES
There is no other True Pious Way except through our Lord

Jesus Christ, for all others lead us into ungodliness
and Spiritual Death.
Our Lord assured us: "I Am the Vine - you are the
Branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears
much Fruit; for without Me you can do nothing..."
and "...You are the Light of the world." (JOHN L5:5 &
MATTHEW 5:L4)
We who strive to be Christ's Faithful Disciples, are the

Light of the world because we must be the best
example of Life in Christ of Spiritual Life - to the
fallen world that exists lives in the darkness of sin
Spiritual Death.
Our Life has to consist of Good Deeds.
Thus we
ceaselessly struggle against temptation so as to be
blameless and avoid causing and offence or
scandals.
Our entire Life in Christ has to be a continuous battle
against all evil passions, which enslave us to sin.
Our Life has to be Holy and Sanctified because we Live in
Christ in Whom we have entrusted our Faith and
being.
We become "the Light of the world" only when we have
achieved Holiness.
However, in order to become Holy, we must Struggle
perpetually to overcome all sinful earthly and fleshly
desires, for True Freedom is only possible when we
Repent the sins that enslave and imprison us.
OF THE
25
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, said: "Most assuredly, I say to

you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a
slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son
abides forever. Therefore if the Son sets you free, you
shall be Free indeed!" (JOHN 8:34-36)
Jesus Christ is the "Light of the world" for He is the ONLY
"...Way, the Truth and the Life" as well as being "...the
Resurrection and the Life." (JOHN 14:6 & JOHN 11:25)
All those who believe in Him, as Christ clearly explained:
"...although he may die, he shall Live. And whoever
Lives and believes in Me shall never die." (JOHN 11:2526)
In the Old Testament the Holy Prophet of God, St Malachi,

who was Inspired by the Holy Spirit, spoke about our
Lord Jesus Christ as being "...the Sun of
Righteousness." (MALACHI 4:2)
Christ's Divine Teachings Enlightened us to Understand
God - so that we could acquire True Knowledge of our
Unique God and the True Way of Life.
There is no other god nor gods for they are merely
inventions or concepts of human imagination.
There is only One True and Triune God - the Father, and
the Son, and the Holy Spirit - Who Enlightens all who
come into this material world.
God is the Source of Light. He is not only the Creator of
light, but the Eternal Fountain of the Spiritual and
Moral Light, which lead us to Virtuous Life and thus
enables us to become Sanctified.
Mankind is no longer stuck in the Darkness of Ignorance,
for our Lord has taught us how to become Children of
God Children of (Uncreated, Divine) Light!
Through our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are all Called by
Him to become "the Light of the world" simply
because we have been created by God in "the
Image and Likeness" of the Holy Trinity.
As Almighty God is (Uncreated) Light, likewise, all who
believe in Him, may become the Holy, Sanctified Light
of this fallen world.
The Saints do not radiate Holiness from themselves, but,
being Partakers of the Divine, Uncreated Light of
Christ our God, they reflect His Divine Holiness
similar to the planets and the moons that do not
radiate their own brightness, but rather reflect the
brilliance of the Sun.
The Holiness and Sanctity of the Saints is due to them
being members of Christ's Holy Body.
They were Sanctified within the Body of the Orthodox
Church and their Good Deeds shone brilliantly in this
world - as the stars shine so brightly in the darkened
night sky.
Those who truly believe in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ, as the Only Begotten and Eternal Word and Son
of God the Father, by accepting and fulfilling His
Teachings and Commandment, in turn shine brightly
in our midst.
Consequently, by their own good exemplary Spiritual
Life, they lead, teach and guide others to Christ, Who s
the Source of Life.
MAJOR STEPS
OF
St Paul explained: " ... For you were once Darkness, but
now you are Light in the Lord. Walk as Children of
Light (for the Fruit of the Spirit is in all Goodness,
Righteousness, and Truth)..." (EPHESIANS 5: 8-9)
My Beloved Friends, today our Holy Orthodox Church
commemorates the Holy Fathers of the 4th
Ecumenical Synod, which took place at Chalcedon of
Asia Minor in the year 45l.
At that time the false and blasphemous teachings of
Monophysitism claimed that there is but one Nature
in Christ.
Some of the Monophysites claimed that the two Natures of
Christ (Divine and human) were mingled into one,
making Him neither God nor Man!
Others Monophysites believed that His Divine Nature had
swallowed up His human Nature, while still other
Monophysites claimed that the Son had abandoned
His Divine Nature when He became Man!
The Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church at the 4th
Ecumenical Synod proclaimed our Lord Jesus Christ
as being True God and True Man, having two
Natures - a Divine Nature and a human Nature.
His two Natures are United in His one Person as our Lord
Jesus Christ, but not mingled.
His Divine Nature and His human Nature remain
unmixed with each other, although they inter-act.
In other words His Divine Nature Sanctifies and
Enlightens His human Nature, and His human
Nature Obeys and Submits by Its own free Will to His
Divine Will (that works in Perfect Harmony according to the
Divine Will of God the Father, by the Power and Energy of God
the Holy Spirit.)
Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ is True God and True
Man.
He is Unique God-Man.
Furthermore, the Orthodox Holy Fathers of the 4th
Ecumenical Council proclaimed the Ever Virgin Mary
to be Honoured and Most Worthy of the exclusive,
specific Title of Theotokos (God-Bearer).
These Holy Fathers laudably fought for, preserved and
protected the Divine Truth of Holy Scripture as well as
the Teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy
Apostles.
We Commemorate these Holy Fathers today, because through Jesus Christ our Lord - they became the
Holy, Sanctified Light of this wicked darkened world.
Let us honour their memory with sincere respect and
Love. Let each and every one of us honour them by
becoming imitators of their True Faith in our Triune,
Almighty God. Let us all become the True, Glorifying
Light of this sad world so that our Life in Christ shines
forth upon all who are so far away from Orthodoxy
from the Divine Truth of our Merciful and Loving God
and thereby drawing them closer to Eternal Life in
Christ.
(EDITED & ADAPTED BY MP)
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOX-MITROPOLITAN-OF-ANTINOESPANTELEIMON.COM/ENGLISH/SERMONS/4THMATTHEW
SPIRITUAL LIFE FATHER DIMITRU STANILOAE
There are two Basic Phases in our Path of Spiritual Growth.

1. The Practical Phase actions - is intended to raise our
nature - from being subjected to the passions and
elevating it to and by the Acquisition of Virtue, until
it reaches Love... the Purpose being our Liberation
from deadly passions.
2. The Contemplative Phase is our Reintegration, Unity and
Simplicity, and our exclusive focus on God...
Only those who have Cleansed the mind through
dispassion
can
achieve
Knowledge
or
Contemplation.... Only a clean soul is a shiny mirror unspotted by passionate attachment to worldly things
and capable of receiving Divine Knowledge.
There is a Third Phase of Mystical Knowledge: ...The Holy
Fathers strictly distinguish this Gnosis or Contemplation,
from the Spiritual Knowledge of the world aided by
Divine Grace, which itself is distinguished from profane
knowledge.
St Maximos the Confessor described these Phases: ...Of the
three Steps, the first is that of Beginners, who must strive
to become proficient in the Seven Virtues (consisting of
Faith, Fear of God, Self-restraint, Patience, Hope, Dispassion, and

Love.)
At the beginning stands Faith; at the end Love,
immediately preceded by Dispassion. Love consists of
all the Virtues and carries mankind to Knowledge or
Contemplation.
The final step is Mystical Knowledge. No longer concerned
with the reasons of things but only with God Himself...
this Knowledge of God is an Ecstasy of Love, which
persists, unmoved in a concentration on God, reached
in the state of Deification or of our Union with God.
St Dionysios the Areopagite described these Phases as
Purification, Illumination and Perfection.
Most of us are usually concerned only with the first stage of
our Purification, although it is extremely important
to recognize our Spiritual State and increase our levels
of Spiritual Development.
However, many writings are aimed at the highest levels
of Spiritual Growth. Trying to fulfil advice intended for
those at a higher level can be detrimental, thus a
wise Spiritual Father or Teacher is crucial.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/
26.
OF
ST MATTHEW LIGHT
OF THE

20 July 2016
St Elias (Elijah) Great Holy Prophet of God
Also the Feast of St Abramios of Gallich, Disciple of St Sergios of Radonezh & the Holy
Chukhloma Icon of our Lady, Theotokos St Athanasios, Abbot of Brest-Litovsk Monastery
( Uncovering of Holy Relics) St Ilia Chavchavadze of Georgia St Maria Skobtsova the
Righteous of Latvia St Demetrios Klepinine, Hieromartyr St Alexei Medvedkov,
Hieromartyr St Salome the Georgian of Jerusalem & Kartli
FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF ST ELIAS THE TISHBITE & HOLY PROPHET
efsarkos Angelos, ton Profiton I kripis, O defteros

Prodromos tis parousias Hristou, Ilias O Endoxos, anothen
katapempsas, Elisseo tin Harin, nosous apodioki, ke
leprous katharizi; dio ke tis timosin afton vrii iamata.
TONE 4
Angelic of body, Pillar of the Prophets and their

Corner Stone, the Forerunner of the Second Coming
of Christ, the Venerable and Glorious Elijah Thou
sent Grace from on High to Elisha to dispel
sicknesses and to purify lepers. Wherefore, he ever
overflows with healing to those who honour him.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia


Thee!
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST MATTHEW 23: 29 39
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to the Judeans who went to Him: Woe to you, O Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites!
For you build the tombs of the Prophets, and adorn the monuments of the Righteous, and say: If we had lived in
the days of our Father, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the Prophets.
Thus you witness against yourselves for you are sons of those who murdered the Prophets! And you have lived up
to the measure of your Fathers guilt, you serpents! You brood of vipers! How can you escape being Judged to
Hell?
Wherefore, Behold! I send to you Prophets, and Wise Men, and Scribes some of whom you will kill and crucify, and
some you will scourge in your Synagogues, and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the
Righteous Blood shed on Earth from the blood of Righteous Abel, to the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias,
whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and the Altar!
Truly, I say to you: all this will come upon this generation. Jerusalem! O Jerusalem! You who kill the Prophets, and
stone those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings? And you would not! Behold! Your house is desolate! For I tell you: you will not see Me
again until you say: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Thou art a Priest forever, according to the Order of Melchizedek.

The Lord said unto My Lord:
Sit at My right Hand until I make Thine enemies the Footstool for Thy Feet.
THE UNIVERSAL EPISTLE
OF
ST JAMES 5: 10 - 20
ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE OPPRESSED & HEALING THE WORK OF FAITH
My Brethren, take, as an example of Suffering and Patience the Prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord.
Behold! We count them Blessed who Endure. You have heard of the Endurance of Job, and seen the end intended by
the Lord for the Lord has much Compassion and Kindness.
Above all, my Brethren, do not swear neither by Heaven, nor by Earth, or with any other Oath. Let your yes be yes
and your no be no - in case you fall into hypocrisy!
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call for the Presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with Oil in the Name of our
Lord. And the Prayer of Faith will Save the sick, and our Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be
forgiven.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for each other so that you may be Healed. The effective, Fervent
Prayer of a Righteous person avails much. Elias was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it
would not rain. And it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the
Heavens gave forth rain, and the Earth produced its fruit.
Brethren, if any among you wanders from the Truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a
sinner from the error of his way will Save a soul from Death, and cover a multitude of sins.
The Faithful Holy Prophets who are certainly True
Martyrs, thereby acknowledging them as being
Saints of God, are our best Models or Examples of
Most Blessed with the Divine Grace of God.
Suffering and Patience whom we should strive to
A polemic (a strong argument) against a bad custom or
imitate.
habit stemming from bad faith is the common
Consequently, all Faithful Christians Disciples of Christ
practice of swearing by God or something that
and His New Covenant - honour or venerate these
signifies God as though swearing proved
Holy Prophets as well as all the Holy Saints and
Truthfulness!
THE FEAST
OF
ST ELIAS (ELIJAH)
THE
TISHBITE & GREAT HOLY PROPHET
OF
GOD
20 JULY 2016
27
We may swear an Oath when absolutely necessary

but the solution to the lack of trust is genuine Good
Faith proof of our personal Integrity and
Truthfulness between us and God.
M A T T H E W 5 : 3 3 3 7 : . . . You have heard that it
was said to those of old: You shall not swear
falsely, but shall perform your Oaths to the Lord. I
say to you: do not swear at all: neither by Heaven ,
for it is Gods Throne; nor by the Earth, for it is His
Footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the
Great king. Nor shall you swear by your head,
because you cannot make one hair white or black.
Let your yes be yes, and your no be no, for
whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
With these Words, Christ our Saviour taught us how to
honour our Divine Adoption as Heirs to Gods
Eternal Kingdom and as His Faithful Disciples.
Truth cannot be secured by swearing an Oath by
things that are not in our possession anyway, but
only by simple Integrity!
Furthermore, in this Spiritually Dark and fallen
world of the Last Days, people swear without
any thought or regard for the Truth.
All too often, they commit two serious sins by
Blaspheming the Lord our Gods Holy Name
attached to a blatant lie!
Known habitual liars oaths are useless and futile
and each time they swear an oath, they
condemn themselves more and more.
TRUST AND TRUTH ARE INSEPARABLE VIRTUES.
Only through our constant preservation and practice of
Trust and Truth will others be able to take us at our
word.
The instant that Sacred Trust is broken, we loose our
Integrity, our Authenticity and our Legitimacy.
Those who habitually lie are more often than not
also habitual thieves due to the fact that they
lack Honesty and Ethics, and they always have a
ready excuse to justify themselves!
Lying and thieving are the noxious vices of Satan
and must be corrected immediately and most
determinedly through personal Discipline and
True Repentance and Confession.
There is no justifiable excuse for lying or stealing,
which reveals a Spiritual Darkness and Death from
within, and make us murderers of Gods Divine
Truth and slaves of the evil one.
Thus we must be ever Watchful over the state of our
words, thoughts and deeds, ensuring that we
quickly correct our errors and emergent habits.
St James instructed us to seek the Fervent Prayers of the
Church Elders (or Priests) for our Spiritual and
physical Healing.
SALVATION DEALS WITH BOTH BODY AND SOUL OUR VISIBLE
AND INVISIBLE BEING.
Thus the Holy Mystery of Unction serves a double
Purpose Healing and the Forgiveness of sins.
Priests are granted certain Divine Gifts for the Holy
Ministry at their Ordination at the Laying on of
Hands.
1 T I M O T H Y 4 : 1 4 ...do not neglect the Gift that
is in you, which was given to you by Prophecy with
the Laying on of the Hands of the Eldership.
This referred to St Timothys Ordination into the Holy
Priesthood of Christ, which was conferred upon him
by the Holy Apostles of Christ, exactly as it is still
done today by the Bishops.
PRAYERS ARE COMBINED WITH OLIVE OIL, which was not
only the primary medicine of ancient times, but also
symbolised the Presence and Activity of the Holy
Spirit in the Church of Christ.
So it is that THE SINGLE HOLY MYSTERY OF UNCTION EFFECTS A
HEALING FOR OUR COMPLETE BEING physical and
Spiritual Welfare and Healing through the
Forgiveness of our sins that enslave and sicken us.
THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF HOLY UNCTIOn
include
1. An Orthodox PRIEST,
28.
THE FEAST
OF
ST ELIAS (ELIJAH)
THE
2. the PRAYERS of the Faith that Saves us,

3. connected to THE WORK OF CHRIST Himself, for our
Lord will raise us all up,
4. and THE HOLY SPIRIT manifested in the Blessed,
Sanctified Olive Oil,
5. as well as THE REPENTANCE-CONFESSION of personal
sins prior to the Anointing with Oil the Mystery
of Holy Unction.
This explains why St James wrote: ... If he has
committed sins, he will be forgiven.
In the Orthodox Church HOLY UNCTION IS GRANTED TO
ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS WHO ARE SICK OR AILING - WHETHER
IN DANGER OF DYING OR NOT.
Every year ON HOLY WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK (before
Holy Pascha), ALL FAITHFUL ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS
RECEIVE HOLY UNCTION - HAVING PREPARED THEMSELVES
CORRECTLY WITH PRAYERS, SPIRITUAL SELF-EXAMINATION
AND REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AS WELL AS (OF COURSE)
HAVING KEPT THE GREAT LENTEN FAST.
(HOLY UNCTION IS ONE OF THE SEVEN HOLY MYSTERIES OF
CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH AND SHOULD BE AS RESPECTED AND
HONOURED AS MUCH HOLY EUCHARIST, HOLY CONFESSION,
HOLY BAPTISM AND HOLY CHRISMATION. IT IS NOT MERELY
A BLESSING TO BE BESTOWED ON ANYONE WHO HAPPENS TO
THIS WILL ONLY SERVE AS AN ETERNAL
BE VISITING!
CONDEMNATION TO THOSE CONCERNED, UNLESS SINCERELY
REPENTED!!)
Although some people allege that confessing our sins to
God before a Priest is not Biblical, the ancient
Christian custom was to confess their sins
trespasses - to one another.
THE SINS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE CONFESSED BEFORE THE
ENTIRE CONGREGATION AS AN ACT OF HUMBLE REPENTANCE.
But as the Holy Church grew, non-Christian i.e. the
uninitiated
or untaught - visitors who were
unfamiliar with the Sanctity and Trust of Public
Confession often attended the Holy Services.
Consequently, it became more practical and efficient
for REPENTANT SINNERS to CONFESS THEIR SINS IN PRIVATE
BEFORE A PRIEST - WHO REPRESENTS OUR FELLOW HUMANITY
AGAINST WHOM WE CONSTANTLY TRESPASS - AND GOD.
PRIVATE CONFESSION ONLY TO GOD IS CERTAINLY NOT
TAUGHT IN HOLY SCRIPTURE !
By rejecting the Holy Mystery of Confession, we thereby
refuse to acknowledge our sin to the Christian
Community to our fellow sinners.
1 J O H N 1 : 8 1 0 : ...if we say we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. If
we confess our sins, He 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!
OUR FAITH IS REVEALED AND PROVED BY OUR ACTIONS OUR
WORDS, OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR DEEDS which must
produce Purity i.e. we must PRACTISE AND LIVE TRUTH,
WHICH VALIDATES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD living
every moment in Holiness and Righteousness.
OUR FAITH COMPELS US TO SEEK FORGIVENESS and Spiritual
Cleansing for all our sins great and small.
Sin is our fallen, human condition but God has
provided us with a means to improve and correct
ourselves through constant Watchfulness and
Repentance-Confession, which is the established
basis for Spiritual Growth towards Righteousness.
So, WITH HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE ACCORDING TO OUR LIFE
IN CHRIST WE STRUGGLE DAILY to follow Him Faithfully learning to recognise and resist the onslaught of
temptations - even though we will continue to sin in
varying degrees until we draw our last breath.
SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS and as long
as we do the best we can to fulfil the Will of God, we
need not fear our Final Judgement as much as
those who rebel and disobey God at every
opportunity.
OF
GOD
20 JULY 2016

TH
TO
ST LUKE 4 : 22 - 30
UNBELIEF OF NAZARETH
At that time, all bore witness and marvelled at the Gracious Words that proceeded out of the Mouth of our Lord Jesus.
And they said: Is this not the Son of Joseph? And He said to them: You will surely say this Proverb to Me:
Physician, heal Thyself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Thy country.
He said: Assuredly, I say to you: no Prophet is accepted in his own country. I tell you Truly: many widows were in
Israel in the days of Elijah, when the Heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a great
famine throughout all the land. And to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the Prophet, and none of
them was Cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.
And all those in the Synagogue were filled with wrath when they heard these things. And they rose up and thrust Him
out of the city. And they led Him to the edge of the mountain on which their city was built, so that they might throw
Him down.
Passing through their midst, He went His way.
The double-sided response of the Judeans with regard
Nation at His unjust Trial before the Roman Governor,
to our Lord Jesus Christ initially marvelling at His
Pontios Pilate. (JOHN 19: 14 & 15)
profound Wisdom, Knowledge and Truth followed by
Our Lord Jesus accepted His Suffering and Death
their rejection and contempt to the point of wanting to
according to the Divine Will of His Eternal, Heavenly
kill Him - occurs frequently even to this day and
Father but not according to the wicked, misguided
until the end of time with those who encounter
will of the Judeans.
Christ and His Divine Truth. (REFER LUKE 11:14-16 & JOHN
On this particular day, however, the Hour of His Great
9:16)
Passion had not yet come, so they were unable to lift
The Spiritually Blind and Dead refuse to accept Christ
a finger against Him. (JOHN 8:20)
and His Divine Truth, stubbornly preferring the
Darkness of Spiritual Death and the enslavement of
ignorance and disobedience to everything that we
were created to be.
The rejection of our Lord Jesus Christ in His own country
fulfilled the rejection of the Old Covenant Prophets
of God such as St Elijah and St Elisha, and
foreshadowed His rejection by the entire Jewish
ST ELIAS (ELIJAH)
THE
St Elias was able to behold and converse with the Lord

our God.
Possessing a most zealous Faith in Almighty God, he was,
by Divine Grace, a great Wonderworker for the Glory
and Honour of our Lord.
He was of the Tribe of Aaron, and had resided in the city
of Tishba, whence his surname "the Tishbite."
When St Elias was born, his father, Sabah, beheld Holy
Angels of God surrounding the child, swaddling him
with Heavenly Fire, and feeding him with it Mystical
Flames, which foretold of St Elias fiery character and
his God-given Powers and Energy.
His whole youth was spent in Prayer and Meditation, and
he constantly withdrew into the wilderness of the
desert to contemplate the Wonders of Almighty God
and to pray in solitude and tranquillity.
St Elias, the Holy Prophet of the Lord our God, had one of
his greatest conflicts with the Israelite King, Ahab,
and his evil wife Jezebel, for they worshipped their
man-made, lifeless idols, and forcefully turned the
people away from their Sacred Worship of the One,
Living God.
Jezebel the Queen, was a Syrian and she persuaded
her husband order a temple to be constructed in
honour of the Syrian god, Baal.
Innumerable, pagan priests were brought from Syria to
serve that false god who then enforced paganism on
the people who had to renounce their True Faith, and
instead make all kinds of profane offerings and
gestures of worship.
By the All Powerful Might of our Living God, St Elias
performed many Divine Miracles - his Intercessory
OF
GOD
Prayers to God prevented rainfall for three years and

six months, called down Fire from Heaven that
consumed his Holy Sacrifice to God, while the pagan
priests of Baal were unable to do so; brought rainfall
to relieve the devastating drought,
miraculously
multiplied corn and oil in the home of the Widow of
Zarephath, and restored her dead son to life.
Furthermore, St Elias prophesied to King Ahab that very
soon dogs would lick his blood and he told the wicked
Queen Jezebel that those same dogs would devour
her all of which came to pass.
This great Holy Prophet of God performed many other
Divine Miracles and foretold many events, by the
Power, Energy and Grace of Almighty God.
He conversed with God on Mount Horeb, and heard His
Voice in the stillness that came after the great wind.
At the time of his Departure, he appointed his Faithful
Disciple, St Elisha, as his heir - as a Faithful Prophet of
God.
St Elias parted the fast flowing waters of River Jordan with
his mantle, and was finally borne to Heaven in a Fiery
Chariot drawn by Fiery Horses.
Many years later, St Elias appeared (representing the
Holy Prophecies of God) together with St Moses,
(representing the Divine Laws of God) conversing with
our Lord Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor at His Glorious
Transfiguration.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP
THE PROLOGUE FROM ORCHID. BISHOP NIKOLAI VELIMIROVIC
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY ARE PASSIONS NATURAL? FATHER DIMITRU STANILOAE
Passions are impulses that move us to action by

overcoming our free will, which is how they are able
to enslave us.
Furthermore, deadly passions cause us to desire, crave
or obsess over all kinds of things that will never be
satisfied, nor will they fulfil us, benefit us or prepare
us for Eternity.
Passions work against everything that we know to be
correct, True or acceptable, but they drive or force us
to words, thoughts and deeds that are opposite to the
Spiritually Beneficial Commandments of Christ our
Lord and Saviour.
Although there is no complete, definitive list of these
innumerable passions, the following Seven Grievous
Sins gives us an idea of what to avoid and to Repent:
pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth.
THE FEAST
OF
ST ELIAS (ELIJAH)
THE
The ultimate cause of the Grievous Passions is our

rejection, ignoring or forgetting our Lord God and all
our Sacred Commitments as Struggling Disciples of
Christ.
Our Healing begins with Faith.
Not all passions are bad. There are both natural and
unnatural passions.
Hunger, thirst, fear and sadness are some of our natural
passions that concern our physical sustenance and
preservation, and are important instinctive aspects of
our existence, granted by God.
However, we are superior, intellectual beings because we
are also immortal Spiritual Beings, who have
aspirations for the infinite aspects of our existence.
Often these natural passions, which are intended for our
earthly preservation, become unnatural passions.
OF
GOD
20 JULY 2016
29
They are frequently transformed into a misguided or

deceptive quest for the infinite in things of this
temporary, material world.
When our soul loses control over our flesh and the
demands of this temporary, corruptible life,
the
grievous passions take over, forcing us into a state of
Spiritual Death, and, unless quickly recognised and
Repented, they will enslave us.
Consequently, our never-ending Sacred Task is to control
the passions so that they are restricted to their proper
purpose or subdued - and we can direct our energy
and strength to seek Divine Things instead.
St Maximos the Confessor explained: ...The natural
passions become good in those who Struggle when,
wisely unfastening them from the things of the flesh,
use them to gain Heavenly Things.
For example they can change appetite into the
movement of a Spiritual Longing for Divine Things;
pleasure into Pure Joy for the Cooperation of the mind
with Divine Gifts; fear into care to evade future
misfortune due to sin, and sadness into corrective
Repentance for present evil...
So the natural passions are not necessarily bad.
When we are thinking of God they are kept to their
necessary biological functions.
Our task is not to eradicate them but to control them,
keeping them within the limits necessary for the
preservation of the body.
Nevertheless, our passions must continually be watched
and controlled, which is the basis of Asceticism.
Father Dimitru Staniloae: Asceticism means, in the spirit
of Eastern thought, the restraint and discipline of the
biological passion, not a battle for its extermination.
CAUSES
OF
The problem with passions began with our expulsion

from Paradise.
When Adam and Eve chose to follow their own will
instead of the Divine Will of God, their senses
overwhelmed them their desire to experience more
pleasure such as they had had from the delicious
Fruit of the Forbidden Tree.
They disobeyed the One Commandment of God and
partook of that Forbidden Fruit, which led to them
being banished from Paradise and having to endure
an earthly life of many difficulties and suffering.
In this temporary, physical life, our senses became
intensified and our mind began to serve the demands
of the senses, forgetting its original Purpose - the
Contemplation of God.
Our intellect became focused on worldly things and
unsuccessfully sought the infinite aspect of material
things instead of the Divine: "It entered a service
foreign and inferior to it, which couldn't satisfy its thirst
for the infinite."
Father Dimitru identified three causes of our unnatural
passions:
1. The mind is weakened in its autonomous and
proper work.
2. The work of sense perception, has become
predominant and is no longer in subordination
to the mind.
3. An exclusive and irrational running after pleasure,
even if merely obtained by the praises of
others while at the same time, a frightened
flight from pain.
Our body (the flesh) and its constant demands now control
our mind, and our soul has become subordinate to
our fleshy desires.
When our attention focuses exclusively on our physical
desires, we become separated from God for we then
act in ways that are selfish and thus counter to His Will
for our Salvation.
When we shift our focus towards God, we regain our
Sacred Connection to Him.
It is this fallen condition of our mind our focus - that
Asceticism strives to correct.
For example, the fear of being ridiculed or judged by
others often prevents us from meeting the needs of
others because our attention is fixed on ourselves.
However, if we are able to attack that fear by focusing
on the Lord our God and His Divine Will, our
selfishness or fear will immediately lessen and
disappear, so that we may then accomplish our
Sacred Duties to God and to others.
If we continue to allow our passions to dominate our
free will, we will remain self-centred and unable to
30.
THE FEAST
OF
ST ELIAS (ELIJAH)
THE
On the contrary, Asceticism means the sublimation of

this element of bodily affectivity, not its abolition....
Natural passions can assume a Spiritual Character
and give an increased accent to our Love for God....
By controlling our passions, we increase our Spiritual
Blessings!
...By putting a bridle and a limit on the pleasure of
material things, a transfer of this energy of our nature
takes place, in favour of the spirit; pleasure in
Spiritual Blessings grows. ...
The challenge we face is not easy.
Its difficulty is increased by our tendency to react in the
wrong way.
Once a pleasure leaves us, we feel a sense of loss. This
can be painful.
Pain or dissatisfaction always follows pleasure, which
does not lead us to take action to temper the
pleasure, but does the opposite.
We seek even more pleasure, and the cycle continues
without satisfaction.
The pain that follows pleasure - instead of making us
avoid pleasure as its source,...pushes us anew into
pleasure as if to get rid of (the pain of loss), entangling
us even more in this vicious chain.
Asceticism is aimed at breaking this dysfunctional
cycle of pleasure and pain, liberating us from the
unnatural extension of passions that have a proper
role in our bodily preservation.
That bodily domination due to our uncontrolled
passions is the main obstacle to our Holy Union with
God.
PASSIONS
make any Spiritual Progress, remaining spiritually

and physically stagnant and isolated from all the
Blessings and Joy of Life in Christ.
Such an exclusive and passionate focus at a given
moment on an isolated aspect of the world, makes
our entire human nature concentrate on it in our
desire for it.
Then, too, our entire nature goes from moment to
moment through alternative passions - from anger to
dejection; from disgust of people to an avid seeking of
their company - unable to maintain our various
impulses in a balance and moderate state.
This tears our nature to pieces because, instead of being
kept continually balanced and moderate in its
functions, our passions are abandoned one after
another - becoming prey to the extremes that are selfcontradictory by their exaggerated exclusivity.
We are no longer unitary beings - remaining the same at
every moment of our life.
Forgetfulness of God also has the consequence of the
forgetfulness of self as a permanent unity of our own
person.
Such a breakdown extends to the level of our interrelationships, which are affected to varying degrees.
We want pleasure, and we want innumerable material
possessions - or our ego becomes over-inflated due to
our arrogant, careless behaviour, and our pride all
of which often arouses anger, frustration and many
other grievous passions within the hearts of those with
whom we live or with whom we associate.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA
ARCHIMANDRITE JUSTIN POPOVICH
Through Faith the mind, which was previously dispersed

among the passions, is concentrated, freed from
sensuality, and endowed with Peace and Humility of
thought.
When it lives by the senses in a sensual world, the mind is
sick. With the Help of Faith, however, the mind is
Delivered from the prison of this world, where it has
been stifled by sin, and enters into New Age, where it
breathes in a Wondrous New Air.
The sleep of the mind is as dangerous as Death, and it is
therefore essential to rouse the mind by Faith to the
performance of Spiritual Works, by which we will
overcome ourselves, and drive out the passions.
Drive out self, and the enemy will be driven from our side.
OF
GOD
20 JULY 2016

Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves
and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
22 July 2016
St Mary of Magdala
Holy Myrrh Bearer & Equal to the Apostles
Also the Feast of ST MARKELLA, VIRGIN MARTYR OF CHIOS - St Phokas, Bishop of Sinope
(Translocation of Holy Relics) St Cornelios of Pereyaslavl
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST MARY
Hristo
to di imas, ek Parthenou tehthenti, semni

Magdalini, ikolouthis maria, aftou ta Dikeomata, ke
tous Nomous filattousa. Othen simeron, tin Panagian
Sou mnimin,, eortazontes, anevfimoument Se pisti, ke
potho gereromen.
OF
MAGDALA TONE 1
Thou followed Christ our Lord, Who was Born of a Virgin

for us, and kept His Laws, and Lived by His Statutes.
Thus as we today celebrate Thine All Holy Memorial, O
Mary Magdalene, with Faith we Extol Thee, O Most
Blessed Saint, and, with Divine Love and Longing we
honour Thy Memory.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ST MARKELLA VIRGIN MARTYR
Tou
Kyrisou tis Nomis, ke tis Thiis didagmasi, pithomeni

Markella, ke amemptos filattousa, tin vian ptoithisa tou
Patros, O Nimfi akirate Hristou, en tis oresin iilizou, en
is diokon evriski ke ektini Se. Doxa to dedokoti Si
Ishin! Doxa to Se Stefanosanti! Doxa to energounti
dia Sou pasin Iamata!
OF
CHIOS - TONE 1
Submitting
to the Laws of our Lords Divine Teachings,

Thou strove to blamelessly keep them, O Markella, and
fearing the violence of Thy father, Thou fled from him
and dwelt in the mountains. Pursuing Thee, he found
Thee and slew Thee, O Undefiled Bride of Christ.
Glory to Him Who Strengthened Thee! Glory to Him
Who Crowned Thee!
Glory to Him Who works
Healing for all through Thee!
Prostasia


Thee!
FESTAL MATINS PROKEIMENON PSALM 63/64
Hear, O God, my voice, in my Supplication to Thee.

Deliver my soul from fear of the enemy.
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST MATTHEW 10 : 16 - 22
At that time, our Lord said to His Disciples: Behold! I send you out as Sheep in the midst of Wolves! So be as Wise as
serpents, and as innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their
Synagogues they will flog you. And before Governors and Kings you will be dragged, for My sake, to bear
witness before them, and the Gentiles.
When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak, nor what you are to say, for it will be given to
you in that hour what you shall say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through
you.
Brother will deliver up brother to Death, and father his child, and children will rise up against parents, and have
them put to death. And you shall be hated by all for My Names sake.
Those who Endure to the end shalt be Saved.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 67/68 TONE 4
Wondrous is God in His Saints.

In the Congregation Bless God, the Lord of the Fountains of Israel.
THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
CORINTHIANS 9 : 2 - 12
Brethren, you are the Seal of my Apostleship in the Lord. This is my defence to those who will examine me.
Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other
Apostles, and the Brothers of our Lord, and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no rights to refrain from
working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eat any of its fruit?
Who tends a flock without getting some milk?
Do I say this on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses: You shall not
muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain. Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does He not speak entirely for
our sake? It was written for our sake, for the Ploughman should plough in Hope, and the Thresher thresh in Hope of
a share in the crop.
If we have sown Spiritual Goodness among you, is it too much if we Reap your material benefits? If others share this
rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made us of this right, but we Endure
anything rather than put an obstacle in the Way of the Gospel of Christ.
ST MARY
OF
MAGDALA, HOLY MYRRH-BEARER, EQUAL
TO THE
APOSTLES
22 JULY 2016
31
ST MARY OF MAGDALA HOLY MYRRH-BEARER & EQUAL TO THE APOSTLES
St Mary of Magdala is entitled as both Holy Myrrhbearer and Equal to the Apostles.
The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates St Mary
Magdalene on 22 July/4 August.
She is also honoured and commemorated together with
our Lady Theotokos and another six Faithful Women
Disciples of Christ on the Second Sunday After Holy
Pascha.
St Mary was born in the port of Magdala on the coast of
the Sea of Galilee.
However, very little is known of her background, but she
was known to be a wealthy and Righteous woman
from whom our Lord had exorcised 7 demons.
[According some accounts, Satan who knows Holy Scripture as well as
any erudite scholar, realised that the Great Messiah the Saviour
of all mankind was to be borne by a Faithful Woman of the
Jewish Faith.
Having noticed the piety and Faithfulness of St Mary of Magdala, he
possessed her with 7 demons in order to corrupt her and prevent
the Messiah being borne by her.
However, not being fond of Divine Truth and Reality, he did not know
that it was another Mary an exceptional and extraordinary
young Virgin chosen by the Lord God - who would give Birth to
the Incarnate Son, Who would then Restore mankind to our
former, created God-likeness. mp]
St Mary Magdalene was independently wealthy and
obviously widowed or unmarried, for she and various
other women were able to accompany our Lord Jesus
Christ and His Apostles, together with many other
Disciples - taking care of their earthly requirement
and providing for them ... out of their means. (LUKE 8.1-
She turned and said to him: Rabboni! (which means

Teacher). (JOHN 20:15-16)
St Gregory the Dialogist is believed to have begun the
tradition in the Western Church, but not accepted in
the Eastern Church, which identified St Mary of
Magdala as being the sinful woman who is
mentioned in the seventh chapter of St Lukes Gospel.
There are two possible reasons for erroneous concept:
1. St. Mary was from the port of Magdala, a city that had
an immoral and unsavoury reputation, which,
unfortunately, may have been transferred to St
Mary or
2. St Mary of Magdala is first mentioned in the Gospel
according to St Luke directly following the account
of the Sinful Woman, thereby being erroneously
identified as being the same person. (LUKE 7.36-50)
3. Further parallels can be drawn from the fact that the
Sinful Woman anointed Christs Feet with fragrant
myrrh after having washed Them with her tears of
Repentance and then wiped them with her hair.
4. St Gregory also incorrectly supposed that St Mary of
Bethany, the sister of St Martha and St Lazaros of
Bethany, was the same person as St Mary
Magdalene.
Furthermore, the Orthodox Church vehemently rejects a
number of misguided legends concerning St Mary of
Magdala that originate from the Western medieval
cult of the Saints, which dishonour and even
denigrate such a Venerable and Worthy Disciple of
Christ..
For the Orthodox Church, little more is known of her Life
as a Faithful Friend and Disciple to both our Lady
Theotokos, and our Lord Jesus Christ, beyond the
Gospel accounts recorded by His Holy Apostles.
After Christs Ascension, when all the Apostles and
Disciples dispersed throughout the known world to
...make Disciples of all Nations, to Baptise them in
the Name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, and to teach them to do everything I have
taught you... as our Lord had commanded them, St
Mary Magdalene went to Ephesos and evangelized
with St John the Theologian, who resided there,
together with our Lady Theotokos, whose care and
protection he had been entrusted, by our Lord Jesus.
There she Reposed and was buried near the entrance to
the tomb of the Seven Sleeping Youths.
During the reign of Emperor Leo, the Holy Relics of St
Mary of Magdala were transferred to the Monastery
of St Lazaros, where an annual Synaxis is celebrated
in her honour.
By means of the brief mention of this most pious and
Faithful Disciple in the Holy Gospel, the devotion,
profound respect and Love of St Mary Magdalene for
our Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, Redeemer,
Teacher and God, is evident, as was her respect and
devotion to His Holy Mother whose side she seldom left
comforting, supporting, encouraging and taking
good care of her especially during His Passion,
Death, and Resurrection - which continued afterwards
in Ephesos, until she Reposed in Christ.
The Holy Church of Christ has recognized St Mary of
Magdala as an outstanding Disciple of Christ, being
worthily entitled Equal-to-the-Apostles.
May her memory be Eternal, and may St Mary of
Magdala ceaselessly intercede with Christ our Lord
on our behalf for the sake of our immortal soul.
3)
According to the Gospel accounts St Mary Magdalene

and a few other women (most of whom were related
to our Lady Theotokos) witnessed our Lords
crucifixion, and saw where His Precious Body was
entombed.
After the Sabbath, they planned to return to the Tomb to
anoint and wrap His Body.
However, when they returned very early before dawn
on Sunday, our Lady Theotokos and the seven other
Myrrh-bearing Women found that the enormous
heavy stone that sealed the Tomb had been moved
aside, showing that it was empty!
To their utter astonishment a brightly shining Angel of
God probably Archangel Gabriel announced the
most wonderful, joyous Tidings of Pascha: Christ is
Risen!
He then instructs them to proclaim the Good News of our
Saviours Resurrection to His Apostles and the other
Faithful Disciples who had hidden themselves away
from the threats and danger of the Judeans.
According to St Marks Gospel, St Mary of Magdala was
the first to see and speak with our Resurrected Lord,
while according to the Holy Gospel of St John, Christ
Himself instructed her to inform the Apostles of His
Resurrection, thus many refer to her as the Apostle to
the Apostles.
(St Gregory Palamas believed that in fact it was our Lady Theotokos
who first heard that Her Beloved Son was Resurrected, but as She
and St Mary of Magdala were always together, and She preferred
to remain in the background, they are probably all correct
according to their individual viewpoints. mp)
Her meeting with our Resurrected Lord in the garden that
surrounded His Tomb is one of the most touching
scenes in the Gospel according to St John:
Our Lord ...Jesus said to her: Woman, why art Thou
weeping? Whom dost Thou seek? Supposing Him to
be the Gardener, she said to Him: Sir, if Thou hast
carried Him away, tell me where Thou hast laid Him,
and I will take Him away. Jesus said to her: Mary!
ST CLEMENT
The perfect person does not only try to avoid evil. Nor
does he do good for fear of punishment, still less in
order to qualify for the hope of a promised reward.
The perfect person does good through Love.
His actions are not motivated by desire for personal
benefit, so he does not have personal advantage
as his aim.
32.
ST MARY
OF

SOURCE: ST. MARY MAGDALENE ORTHODOX CHURCH,
FENTON MICHIGAN - 03 / 08 / 2013
OF
ALEXANDRIA
But as soon as he has realized the beauty of doing

good, he does it with all his energies and in all
that he does.
He is not interested in fame, or a good reputation, or a
human or Divine Reward.
The Rule of Life for a perfect person is to be in the
Image and Likeness of God.
MAGDALA, HOLY MYRRH-BEARER, EQUAL
TO THE
APOSTLES
22 JULY 2016

Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And
let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone 4
24 July 2016
th
5th Sunday of St Matthew Two Gergesene Demoniacs
Also the Feast of S T C H R I S T I N A , G R E A T V I R G I N M A R T Y R O F T Y R E - St Romanos & St David (Boris & Gleb) St
Polycarp, Archimandrite of Kiev Far Caves Monastery St Hilarion of Tvali, Abbot of Khakhuli Monastery, Georgia
Synaxis of the Smolensk Saints
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 5 LUKE 24 : 12 - 35
To
fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou

Mathouse e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin
apofasin aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon.
Eskilefte O Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos,
doroumenos to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION
When
the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from

the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather,
they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
more! Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great
Mercy.
OF A
Amnas Sou Iisou, krazi megali ti foni. Se Nimfie mou

potho, ke Se zitousa athlo, ke sistavroume, ke
sinthaptome to Vaptismo Sou. Ke Pasho dia Se, os
Vasilefso Sin Si, ke thnisko iper Sou, ina ke ziso en Si.
All os thisian amomon, prosdehou tin meta pothou
imon.
FEMALE HOLY MARTYR
Thy Lamb, O Jesus, cries to Thee with a loud voice:
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.
Prostasia


Thee!
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM 103/104 TONE 4
Greatly Magnified art Thy Works, O Lord! All things Thou made in Wisdom!
Bless, O my soul, the Lord! O Lord my God! Exceedingly Magnified!
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
ROMANS 10 : 1 10
Brethren, my hearts desire and Prayer to God for (Israel) is that they may be Saved. I bear them witness, therefore, that
they have a zeal for God, yet it is unknown. For, being unaware of Gods Righteousness, and seeking to establish
their own, they did not submit to Gods Righteousness. For the End of the Law is Christ, that everyone who has Faith
may be Justified. Moses wrote that those who practise Righteousness that is based on the Law, shall live by it.
Righteousness based on Faith says: Do not say in your heart: Who will Ascend into Heaven? (that is to bring Christ
down,) nor Who will descend into the Abyss? (that is to bring Christ up from the dead.)
But what does it say? The Word is near you on your lips and in your heart (that is: the Word of Faith that we preach)
because, if you Confess with your lips that Jesus is our Lord, and believe in your heart that God Raised Him from the
dead, you will be Saved. For Faith of the heart is Justification and Confession with the lips, is Salvation.
St Paul wanted nothing but Good for the Nation of
Mosaic Law prepared Gods Chosen people for Christ
Israel, but their zeal was not based in Divine Truth.
Who is ...the End of the Law... and the Fulfilment of
If they had merely been ignorant in their rejection of our
Gods Righteousness
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, their Offence would
The Way of the Old Covenant Law and the Way of the
certainly have been pardonable.
New Covenant Faith are contrasted.
However, their Rejection and Disobedience to God was
Mere obedience to the letter of Mosaic Law has
far worse than ignorance, for it was not that they did
always failed to Renew and Restore mankind, nor
not know Christ, nor Who He really is, but rather
granted Eternal Life, whereas Faith and Works in
because they continued to establish their own
Christ grants us Eternal Salvation and Life in His
concept of Righteousness, rather than submitting
Heavenly Kingdom.
True Faith never doubts but trusts implicitly in God,
to the Righteousness and Truth of Almighty God.
In other words: they trusted themselves and their own
which compels us through our Love of God to humble
works, while they rejected the True and Only Way of
Obedience and ceaseless Struggle to fulfil His Divine
Faith when it was presented to them.
Truth.
Our Lord Jesus Christ the Only Begotten, Eternal Word
Faith brings us ever closer to the Lord our God and
and Son of God has always been the Only Way of
totally Transforms us, and we are thus able to regain
mankinds Eternal Salvation according to both the
our created Likeness to Christ.
Old and New Covenants.
5TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -5TH SUNDAY
OF
ST MATTHEW THE TWO GERGESENE DEMONIACS
2 4 J U L Y 2 0 1 633
Faith of heart and Confession of lips means that our

genuine, heartfelt belief in God is far more profound
than mere mental or intellectual acknowledgement
of the Existence and Reality and Truth of Almighty
God.
Faith is our absolute and utter KNOWING God Who is far
beyond our limited intellect or imagination. It is
KNOWING ABSOLUTELY AND COMPLETELY with our
entire being body and soul - that God is!
Faith is a mystical aspect of our being that cannot be
forced on anyone but which is a completely natural
acceptance of Divine Truth that can only come from
our heart and soul not from an intellectual
argument or explanation., for Faith in God is
something way beyond our rational or logical
comprehension.
OF
Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved: Our Lord Jesus Christ has numerous
Encounters with those who have been possessed
(indwelt) by the demons, whom the demons torment
and control, forcing them to do their bidding and
destroying themselves and others, ultimately leading
to Spiritual Death, and, in some cases, even physical
death.
Todays Sacred Lesson concerns one such account.
There are two gravely erroneous perceptions of the
demonic forces that surround us and constantly battle
against us.
The first is the fatal delusion that demons and those who
worship Satan might be terrifying but are merely
imaginary and quite harmless - or that evil witches,
wizards, sorcerers, demons, phantoms and even the
devil himself do not exist!
The other danger is to attribute too much power to Satan
and his sycophants, the demons, and those who serve
them - to be more afraid of them and attribute more
power to them than to Almighty God.
Holy Tradition clearly teaches us that Satan and his
demons are indeed a Spiritual Force to be reckoned
with demonic beings who surround us and against
whom we must ceaselessly battle.
St Paul reminds us of this when he warned us: ...we do
not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against rulers of the
Darkness of this age, against Spiritual Hosts of
wickedness in the Heavenly Places! (EPHESIANS 6:12).
The two wretched Gergesene demoniacs, were possessed
by a whole legion of demons who tormented them
hideously, causing them to become ...exceedingly
fierce... so that no one could ...pass that way.
These demoniacs hid themselves amongst the tombs for
they were truly the living dead.
They were enslaved by demons who had robbed them of
their God-given faculties, the beautiful nous (eye of
the soul) that God had created in them had become
Darkened and Blinded - obscured by their Spiritual
Confusion, Paralysis and Death that kept them
imprisoned by that host of evil spirits.
It was unknown how they came to be so cruelly possessed
by such wickedness, for there are many human
weaknesses and flaws that grant easy access for the
evil one and, unless we recognise them, and quickly
Repent our sins, any one of us can be entrapped by
demonic influence and, finally, complete bondage
and domination!
Likewise, certain sinful practices that are opposite to the
Will and Teachings of God can cause demonic
influence or possession such as pornography, drugs,
adultery or fornication, obsessive behaviour that
destroys our relationships, or which is harmful to
ourselves - even violent, immoral and abusive video
games that are violent, immoral or have abusive
language or behaviour, can altar our reality brain
wash us thereby making us accessible and
vulnerable to diabolical control.
With regard to demonic possession, we must be extremely
cautious and watchful because it is indeed rife in our
social circles and surroundings.
OF
Our Saviour urged us to approach Him and His Divine Truth like little
children who are innocent and utterly uncomplicated. The
younger children are, the closer they are to God... therefore, we
must discard worldly opinions and complicated debates, and open
our heart and soul entirely to God. mp
ST MATTHEW THE HEALING
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
34.
As True and Faithful Disciples of Christ, we have

unshakable trust in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ, in Whom we Live, having ..put on Christ.. at
our Holy Baptism, and, having taken up our personal
Cross, we ceaselessly strive to follow in His Divine
Footsteps.
Only by giving committing ourselves entirely to our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and thereby to our
Triune, Almighty God,
is our Faith unto
Righteousness.
OF THE
TWO GERGESENE DEMONIACS
Satan and his demons, who were active from the very
beginning of mankinds Fall from Divine Grace, will
continue the Second Appearance of Christ, when He
comes in all His Divine Glory to Judge Creation.
Although medical science may be able to treat the
symptoms of demonic possessionsome of which is
mistakenly labelled under the generic title of mental
illness, it cannot actually cure demoniacs with any
drugs or psychotherapy!
The only Healing from demonic possession or influence is
through the Divine Love and Truth of our Lord Jesus
Christ by means of His Holy Mysteries that we receive
through His Holy Church.
In the Holy Mystery of Baptism, Satan and his demons are
exorcised from the Faithful Disciples of Christ, and
having been Cleansed, and Illuminated, and Sealed
with the Gift of the Holy, Life-giving Spirit, we put on
Christ Who grants us New Life in Him through the
Indwelling of God the Holy Spirit, together with the
Father and the Son.
Taking up our Cross, we begin our ceaseless Struggle by waging our perpetual Spiritual Warfare against
the evil one who has no power over us, unless we
allow it!
Exorcism is the first part of the Holy Mystery of Baptism
an essential precursor to ...putting on Christ..
whereby demons and their influence are expelled
from the Neophyte (the Newly Illumined) so that Christ
may dwell within us through the Indwelling of the
Holy Spirit at Chrismation.
Christ came so that we may be free of demons - free of
their control and influence - so that we may not be
enslaved by them.
This Freedom is granted to us by virtue of our choosing
Life in Christ, Who is the Life - over the living death
that Satan and his evil spirits force upon those whom
they have shackled and exploited.
Our Saviour came to equip us with the Power and Energy
of the Holy Spirit so that we being Empowered with
Virtue and Truth are prepared and ready to battle
against the wicked spiritual forces thereby
conquering and controlling the grievous passions
and temptations that threaten to destroy or misdirect
us and our Life with God.
We rest assured in Christ, knowing that whenever we fall
victim to the temptations of the evil one, we will be
Healed and Restored through our RepentanceConfession and His Great Mercy.
As Orthodox Disciples of Christ we need not fear the evil
spirits, for, as St John the Theologian and Beloved
Apostle of our Lord reassured us: ...He Who is in you
is greater than he who is in the world! (1 JOHN 4:4)
Furthermore, being Orthodox Christians, we never
minimise the Reality of the evil one against whom we
constantly wage Spiritual Warfare.
Satan is described by our Lord Jesus Christ as the
murderer of man, for due to his all-consuming
jealousy and hatred of mankind he and his demons
are fixated on our destruction!
We certainly never regard witches and demons and
ghosts as a little harmless fun nor do we make them
seem to be cute or amusing!
In addition, as Faithful Disciples of our Lord who are
called on to become Lights of the world by reflecting
our Lords Brilliant Uncreated Light of Truth and Love,
24 JULY 2016
we never participate in any unworthy, lewd, cruel,

immoral or depraved activities that may cause others
to think that it is acceptable to Orthodox Christianity
Life in Christ!
As for the Gergesene demoniacs, Christ cast out those
demons with one word, permitting them to enter the
herds of (forbidden) swine.
The instant those evil demons entered the poor creatures,
they went beserk and stampeded in blind-panic over
the cliff edge and drowned in the sea.
The men were freed from the demonic shackles that had
robbed them of their healthy human nature and
identities.
They were Restored and Renewed by our Compassionate,
Kind and Loving Creator, and, although in their
extreme gratitude and Love for Him, they would have
preferred to accompany Him for the rest of their lives.
However, our Lord Calls us to fulfil many different Holy
Missions in this life.
Thus the former demoniacs were told to return to their
families and spread the Good News and give Glory to
God, while teaching others of that Spiritually
Darkened region by proclaiming what Great things
the Lord our God had done for them.
The destruction of the herds of swine shows us the
incomparable value of human life, and that the
Salvation of mankind is truly worth every sacrifice.
While those indwelt by the Holy Spirit may not be indwelt
by demons, the influence and affects of wickedness
can wreak havoc on everyones life but only if we try
to ignore it, belittle it or refuse to Repent our sins,
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY WHY
DO WE SPEAK OF
OF
FATHER ROBERT MICLEAN

HOLY ARCHANGELS ORTHODOX MISSION
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, USA
SUNDAY, 28 JULY 2013
LIBERATING
As described by our early Church Fathers, our soul has

three parts:
1. the mind (nous) with the power of acts of
knowledge
2. desire (epithymia) a power of all desires and
appetites and thought
3. the incensive power (thymos) - the impulse for
acts of courage, mindfulness or for good or evil
anger
It is the nous that is destined for Eternal Life.
The mind and soul are the same.
For understanding of Spiritual Things, we have to
distinguish between the mind and the brain.
The brain is physical (flesh) and the mind is spiritual.
We often use these terms interchangeably.
The Spiritual Issue is that the brain, in its work dealing
with the senses, takes over the mind and dominates
it.
Our soul then loses her power and we are overwhelmed
by the temptations and sinful passions, resulting in
our separation from God and Spiritual Death (until we
Repent and regain our Spiritual Life.)
What is most significant is that the centre of our soul is
often called the heart.
This is also referred to as our spirit, or the Inner Temple,
(for the Indwelling of the Holy Trinity).
This Inner Sanctum of our soul is at first covered or
hidden from our consciousness. (1 CORINTHIANS 2:11)
At our Holy Baptism and Chrismation, Christ and the
Holy Spirit enter and reside there, Empowering and
Energising us due to their Indwelling, thereby
making our Life in Christ possible.
As our heart is opened and the Holy Spirit is allowed to
work through our members, we gain the Power of
Love for God and our neighbours, whereby we are
able to acquire all the other essential Holy Virtues
through our Spiritual Efforts.
When she opens, our soul realizes her Holy Relationship to
the
Divine
Infinite,
and
the
possibility
of
communication.
This opening or softening of our heart is the liberation of
our immortal soul, which regains authority over our
brain and the persistent demands of our body (our
flesh) and the ensuing passions.
This Union of soul and spirit, and the softening of our
heart is the essence of our Spiritual Life.
Father Dimitru explained: The Holy Spirit cooperates
and enables us with the acquisition of Virtues, as an
which are our weaknesses whereby the evil one gains

access to us by using them against us.
Consequently, we must learn every means possible to
protect ourselves.
We must develop strong Spiritual Discipline and always
be vigilant against all temptation and deception,
ready to fight against them through our No! to sin
and our Yes! to God, which is manifested in the Cross
of our daily Repentance and by humbling ourselves
through the Holy Mystery of Repentance-Confession.
By keeping short accounts with God in His Church, we
allow Christ our God to Heal and Strengthen our most
susceptible areas against the influence of the prince
of this world, and to enable us to be Victorious by
Gods Grace.
This is the Good News inherent in Sacred Lesson.
There is nothing in this world or of this world that can
destroy us if we avail ourselves of our God-given Life
in Him, Struggling for Healing from our passions, and
learning to recognize the dangers of those habits and
practices so often accepted or even encouraged in
our culture and social circles, which lead us away
from Him Who is Life and Who Calls us to Holiness, by
being Transformed into His Likeness.
This is our Sacred Journey of Salvation that Christ our God
leads us on, for ...He Who is in you is greater than he
who is in the world.
Amen
THE SOUL?
BY
FATHER DIMITRU STANISLOAU
opening to God and our neighbours. Our spirit

catches fire in us. It wakes us up. Our heart is
softened. The walls of our soul become transparent.
God's Love wakes up our Love.
God's Presence within us makes us open to God.
Most of the time our brain deals with all our senses,
which are essential for the functioning of our body.
However, this activity makes it difficult for us when any
of our senses become a habitual source of pleasure,
because then our desires dominate us, our brain
influences our mind, and our soul loses her
authority, and becomes controlled by the demands
of our flesh.
We fall into a pattern of pleasure and pain seeking
relief, satisfaction or fulfilment through pleasure
that is insatiable.
...Sense perception understood as pure perception of
the senses is in itself innocent, and can be used for
the service of the mind.
Only when the overwhelming desire for pleasure works
through and enslaves our senses does it become
sinful.
A minimum of pleasure is a natural passion, as long as it
is not overpowered by the spiritual pleasure of a
knowing mind.
For example: when we eat, concentrating completely on
the taste and pleasure that the food gives us, it is
sinful, because our fleshy desire is dominant.
Our mind only has the subordinate role of discovering all
the possibilities of pleasure of the food.
But if we bridle the feelings of pleasure when we eat,
by reflecting on the Purpose of food such as it
being a Divine Blessing granted to us for our
physical welfare, or by contemplating and
determining to fulfil our Sacred Duty of being
merciful, compassionate and generous to others by
sharing our daily sustenance - we conquer the
passion of sensuality that can subordinate our mind
and our soul.
Orthodox Spirituality is about the freeing of our soul
from the domination of our flesh and the actions of
our brain that transforms natural passions into desires
for pleasure through things of this material world.
This involves uncovering, or opening, the inner place
our heart - where our spirit resides i.e. the Inner
Temple where Christ dwells within us.
As we learn to do this, the Holy Spirit flows through us,
Empowering us so that we can control these
2 4 J U L Y 2 0 1 635
tendencies - enabling us to live Virtuously, as God

The latter is more frequently called ..the dumb, carnal
Wills and as He created us.
passionate will.
As we ceaselessly and determinedly Struggle to do this,
The higher will is always desiring nothing but Good,
the lowernothing by evil... (UNSEEN WARFARE)
by the Grace of God, we will find a Life in Union with
Him.
This sensory will must become totally subordinated to
St Nicodemus of Mount Athos described this as ...two
the higher intelligent will.
wills that work in us.
In this way the soul is liberated from its enslavement by
We must always be aware that in this Unseen Warfare,
the passions.
two wills existing in us fight against one another.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2010/05/WHY-DO-WE-SPEAKOne will belongs to the intelligent part of our soul - the
OF-LIBERATING-SOUL.HTML
other will belongs to the sensory part of us, and is
therefore called ...the sensory will... which is the
lower. (our flesh).
A WORD ON ANGER FATHER GEORGE CALCIU OF ROMANIA
We all live under such overwhelming pressure that our
I counsel my Penitents that before they express their
nerves are strained to the limit, and even the
anger - be it in speech or gestures, be it only
slightest provocation arouses in us the sin of anger.
mentally - to pray three or five times: Lord Jesus
Causes for anger could be a child who does not listen to
Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
us, or the husband or wife who contradicts us, or the
And if they recite this Prayer quickly and inattentively
driver who cuts us off with his car - or only seems to
under the oppression of anger, then they should
us to cut us off - giving us a motive for anger.
concentrate
with
Humility
upon
the
word sinner, and their anger will abate.
Even if, through self-restraint, our anger is not
As a consequence of doing exactly so, many of them
outwardly expressed, or is not heard by those who
provoked it, it is still a sin, because it harms our soul
have succeeded in making their life, their family
relationships, their association with other people and our heart.
Anger is a sin against our very own self, caused by the
and even their Interior Life - change for the better.
All the conflicts in the world have their origin in
temptation of the devil whose only desire is our
Eternal Destruction and Death!
unabated anger.
One person is angry and wounds the other, who then
Our Saviour has severely cautioned us about the sin of
anger that gives birth to verbal conflicts and
retaliates with greater violence and force.
abusive words that can never be taken back or
Once this bitter chain of events has begun, it cannot be
stopped
except
through
the
Power
and
unsaid!
Truly, I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his
Supplications of genuine, humble and heartfelt
Brother shall be in danger of the Judgment: and
Prayer!
whosoever shall say to his Brother, Raca! shall be
The Name of our Lord Jesus is sweet to utter. It casts out
in danger of the Council: but whosoever shall say,
demons, and brings Angels of Peace and Joy and
Thou fool! shall be in danger of Hell Fire. (MATTHEW
Love back into the heart and into the mind, and we
5:22).
will bear ourselves in Meekness before others.
[Raca! referred to a vain, empty or worthless person a grave
insult.]
(EXCERPTS FROM A WORD ON ANGER BY FATHER GEORGE
CALCIU OF ROMANIA IN THE ORTHODOX WORD NO.261
No one thinks evil without corrupting the heart in
HTTPS://ORTHODOXWORD.WORDPRESS.COM/
which God should dwell [.]
THE INSPIRED WISDOM
OF
MOTHER GABRIELLA, HOLY ELDRESS
Orthodox Spirituality is not a knowledge that you learn,

but a Knowledge that you suffer.
Do not desire many things more than you have or that
which is far away. Rather, seek to take care of what
you have already been Blessed with so as to
Sanctify it.
One thing necessary is Spiritual Education so that we
learn how to Love God.
Nothing is cheaper than money!
It is not that which we say, but that which we live. And it
is not what we do, but what we are.
We desire our freedom. Why? In order to be slaves to
our passions.
God does not desire the act, but the intention. It is
enough that He see that we are willing to obey His
Commandments and Teachings.
When God created us, He gave us Life, and He
breathed His Spirit into us. That Holy Spirit is Love.
When we lack Love, we become corpses and are
altogether dead!
T H E M A T E R I C O N O F
We who have taken upon ourselves this Calling, must

keep extreme modesty. Many people in the world
are seemingly chaste, but this does not Benefit them
in the least because with their other senses they are
not modest.
Let your lying down on your bed be for you the image of
your enclosure in the coffin, and you will sleep very
little, and with Humility. Likewise, let your food
remind you of the Bitter Torments of ...the NeverSleeping Worm... and you will eat your bread and
drink your water with Fear.
It is impossible to fulfil Prayer and Stillness as it ought
when our mind is fragmented by many cares, even
if we were to strive for this. Our Lord Himself said: ...
no man can serve two masters... and ...you cannot
serve God and Mammon. (MATTHEW 6:24)
36.
OF
OF
GREECE
The Spiritually Advanced are those who arrive at a

place of no identity, and who have understood in
the depths of their soul that whatever happens, is
the Will of God or by the Permission of God.
Only when we stop reading other books except the Holy
Gospel doe we begin to make real interior progress.
Only then, United with God through our Prayers, can
we hear the Will of God.
We must never desire anything except the Will of God,
and accept with Love the evil that comes to us.
We must never think: Why has this happened to me?
Nor - when we see those who suffer with gangrene,
or cancer, or blindness, or any other debilitating or
disfiguring disease - question why it happened to
them. Instead we must ask God to give us the Vision
of the other bank of the river. Then we will see with
the Angels, as it is in fact: everything is according
the Plan of God. Everything!
The Language of God is Silence.
Anxiety and worry is for those who do not have Faith.
ABBA ISAIAH
Friendship is great and honourable, but only if it is
Spiritual. Run from those who want to destroy your
soul, as though from the devil himself!
Believe me, in these days, there is hardly anyone due
to the captivating age of your youth who would
genuinely desire to become a Spiritual Friend to you,
except Sweetest Jesus Christ our God. Besides, what
need is it to have friendships with those who cannot
in the least help you on the day of your Repose, or at
the Judgement?
Push aside everyone, the little and the great, and cleave
to Sweet Jesus our God Who is able to help you
both at the Hour of Death and on the Day of
Judgement. And, what is more, He can give you the
Never Ending Kingdom. St Paul said: ... the world is
crucified unto me, and I unto the world... so choose
the better, as one who is wise and sensible.
24 JULY 2016

25 July 2016
Dormition of St Anna
Righteous Mother of our Lady Theotokos
Also the Feast of St Olympias, Deaconess of Constantinople St Eupraxia, Virgin Martyr of
Tabenna St Makarios of Zheltovod & Unzha The 165 Holy Fathers of the 5th Ecumenical
Council, Constantinople
Also the Feast of St Olympias, Deaconess of Constantinople St Eupraxia, Virgin Martyr of Tabenna St Makarios of
Zheltovod & Unzha The 165 Holy Fathers of the 5th Ecumenical Council, Constantinople FESTAL APOLYTIKION - DORMITION - ST ANNA THE RIGHTEOUS TONE 4
Zoin tin kiisasan, ekioforisas, Aganin theomitora, theofron Thou
carried within Thy Womb Her who was Expectant

with Life: the Mother of God, O Godly-minded Anna,
and thus rejoicing Thou were today Translated unto
Heaven, where they live who now Rejoice. And Thou
entreat Forgiveness of offences for the Faithful who
honour Thee with longing, O Ever Blessed One.
Anna; dio pros lixin Ouranion, entha efrenomenon,

katikia en doxi, herousa nin metestis, tis timosi se
patho, ptesmaton etoumeni ilasmon, aimakariste.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST ANNA - DORMITION
Progonon
Hristou, tin mnimin eortazomen, tin touton

Pistos, etoumeni voithian, tou risthine apantas, apo
pasis thlipseos, tous kravgazontas. O Theos genou
meth imon, O TOUTOUS DOXASAS OS IIDOKISAS.
- TONE 2
Today we observe the memory of Christs Forebears, and

also we pray that we might receive their Aid, so that
all of us may be freed from tribulations, as we cry
aloud: Be with us, O Lord our God, WHO GLORIFIED
THEM AS THOU WERE PLEASED TO DO!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 67/68 & PSALM 33/34 TONE 4

VERSE
God is Wondrous in His Saints.

Bless God in the Churches, the Lord from the Fountains of Israel.
THE EPISTLE
TH
OF
ST PAUL
IFFERENCE
TO THE
BETWEEN
GALATIANS 4 : 22 27
SLA
VERY
AND
SONSHIP
Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a Bondwoman and the other by a Freewoman. But he
who was of the Bondwoman was born according to the flesh - he of the Freewoman through Promise, which things
are symbolic.
These are the two Covenants: the one from Mount Sinai, which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar for this Hagar
is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem, which now is - in bondage with her children. The
Jerusalem Above is free, which is the Mother of us all.
It is written: Rejoice, O Barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labour! For the
desolate has many more Children than she who has a husband.
By stating that Abrahams two sons and related events
According to St John Chrysostom, Isaac ... was the
are symbolic (allegoreo), St Paul did not imply that
issue of bodies that were dead, and of a womb
they were not historical.
that was dead. His conception was not by the
Rather, St Paul asserts that Old Covenant history
flesh, nor his birth by the seed, for the womb was
announced something far greater than itself.
dead both through age and barrenness
Hagar the Bondwoman and Mount Sinai symbolise
(infertility).
earthly Jerusalem, and the Judeans under the Law.
But the Word of God fashioned him... He who was not
Sarah, the Freewoman,
symbolises the Heavenly
according to the flesh was more honourable than
Jerusalem i.e. the Church.
he who was born after the flesh
The desolute are those in Church, especially the
Therefore, let it not disturb you that you were not born
Gentiles.
after the flesh. For from the very reason that you
She who has a husband, is Israel.
are not so born, are you most of all Abrahams
Furthermore, Sarah is a Type of Mary our Lady
kindred.
Theotokos (Mother of God) for Sarahs son was
born through Divine Promise.
TO
ST LUKE 8 : 16 21
TAKE CARE OF HOW WE HEAR GODS D
IVINE
& PERFEC
TRUTH
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: ...No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a
bed, but sets it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.
For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.
Take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he
seems to have will be taken from him.
His Mother and Brothers went to Him, but could not approach Him because of the crowd.
And He was told by some who said: Thy Mother and Thy Brothers are standing outside, wanting to see Thee.
He answered and said to them: My Mother and My Brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do It.
This is another Teaching of our Lord and Saviour Who
would be closely observed and imitated by so many
addressed these words to His Faithful Disciples, urging
others.
them to FOLLOW A STRICT WAY OF LIFE and teaching
Our Lord warns us most seriously that all those who
them to be serious Strugglers in Virtue because they
teach and preach His Divine Truth are seen and
THE DORMITION
OF
ST ANNA, RIGHTEOUS MOTHER
OF OUR
LADY THEOTOKOS
25 JULY 2016
37
When someone told Christ that His Family had arrived either wanting to listen to His Teaching or to discuss
personal matters with Him, our Lord pointed out that
His Family was not restricted to the few who were
indeed related to Him according to the Flesh.
This should under no circumstances be taken as being
insulting to either His Beloved Mother or to His
Relatives.
Instead our Lord emphasised that fact that He had come
to serve all mankind and to make everyone
members of His Divine Family.
This is accomplished by our personal Adoption as
Children of God and Co-heirs with Christ at our Holy
Baptism.
Another important point that our Lord made was that
by merely listening to the Words of God will not Save
anyone
and
could
actually
become
a
Condemnation of us because only those who heard
the Divine Words and obeyed them by putting them
into practise in their daily lives, would attain His
Divine Salvation and Eternal Life.
Reading all the Holy Scriptures the Teachings and
Commandments of God and all the DivinelyInspired Writings and Teachings of our Holy Church
Fathers - and even endlessly studying Theology (and
being able to quote them chapter and verse ) - will
do us absolutely no good whatsoever unless we obey
God by putting into practise all His Teachings
whether directly taught by Christ Himself or by His
Holy
Church
Fathers
and
Mothers
heard by everyone so they must be genuine,

shining role models.
Furthermore, when Teachers and devout Disciples are
examined by others some who genuinely seek Gods
Truth but some who seek a reason for persecution of
Christs Faithful nothing will be hidden because
Gods Truth does not need to be hidden in Darkness
for It shines forth like His Divine Light.
God is Truly the Light of the Spiritually Darkened
world and His Truth exposes the liars, the fraudsters
and the deceivers.
We honour God and bring Him Glory and Worship when
His Truth is held up for all to see and hear.
Therefore, as Faithful Disciples of Christ, if we have
diligence and zeal, we will receive much Divine
Grace from God.
But those who have neither diligence nor zeal, by their
own negligence, they will extinguish and lose even
that Divine Grace that they appeared to have
received from God.
When the Ever Blessed Theotokos and the cousins of
Christ the sons of St Joseph the Betrothed and his
wife, Salome (the sister of St Anna) went to see our
Lord, it was apparent from Christs Words that He was
not in the company of His Relatives according to the
flesh. For He had left them in order to devote Himself
to His Spiritual Teaching.
Nevertheless, His Family had gone to Him and in this
example, we are taught that anyone who is entrusted
with serving Almighty God must always put Gods
Service before everything else including our
beloved family and friends.
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY - HOW
THE
PASSIONS
If we understand how the passions are aroused then we

can find ways to keep them under control.
...In all Orthodox Spiritual Writings we find the following
sequence whereby the passions are aroused in every
circumstance:
Satan attacks us with a tempting thought in our mind a
simple suggestion of a seemingly innocuous word,
thought or deed.
The temptation is not yet a sin, because we have not yet
responded to it. We do not invent temptations for they
come from the evil one and initially are
only
theoretical - a mere possibility, which does not initially
bother us, for we are perhaps preoccupied with
something else.
We dont know where or how temptations arise but when
they catch our attention and we continue to think
about them, we will soon react to them either
positively or negatively...
From temptation to sin consists of several stages and
the decisive moment is when we respond.
If we reject the enticement at the very first moment, we
shall escape the resultant sin.
However, as soon as we begin to think about it - to
relish, anticipate and debate the enticement in our
mind, the mingling of our thoughts with those of
wicked demons transpires.
We have been hooked by the lure of the temptation, and
unless we quickly disentangle ourselves by rejecting it
and by not acting according to it, we have entered
the arena of sin and cannot prevent the process once
it is set in motion.
Our acceptance - and even anticipation - of the
temptation means that we now co-operate with the
machinations of Satan the initial thought
materializes into actual words, thoughts and deeds!
[Thus we fall into Spiritual Death by committing the sin.]
Have you wondered why we are severely urged and
exhorted to be cautious of unworthy thoughts and
the reason for immediately rejecting them?
St Paul explained: ...For what I am doing, I do not
understand. For what I will to do, that I do not
practice; but what I hate, that I do.
If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the Law
that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but
sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in
38.
THE DORMITION
OF
ST ANNA, RIGHTEOUS MOTHER
ARE
AROUSED- FATHER DIMITRU STANISLOAE
my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present

with me, but how to perform what is good I do not
find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the
evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do
it, but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a Law, that evil is present with me, the one
who wills to do good. For I delight in the Law of God
according to the inward man.
But I see another law in my members, warring against
the Law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity
to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! Who will Deliver me from this
body of Death? I thank Godthrough Jesus Christ
our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the Law of God,
but with the flesh, the law of sin. (ROMANS 7:15-25)
The implications of this process are clear.
If we want to progress in our Spiritual Life we must
first have Faith and firm reason why these thoughts
should be rejected.
Rejecting temptations requires a firm stance, a
disciplined mind, and the help of God.
...Therefore the Duty imposed on those who want to go
ahead towards Perfection is to watch continually the
thoughts that appear in the field of conscience.
We must eliminate the thought of any passion at its first
appearance.
The guarding of the mind, attention, and steadfast,
alert resistance to thoughts are continuous
recommendations of our Spiritual Masters for those
who do not want to fall victim to the passions...
In order to resist and avoid temptations, we must
constantly be Watchful, and ensure the we keep our
thoughts bridled firmly controlled - filled with Love
(Agape) and focussed on the Divine Infinite, which
enriches us with ever new and pure meanings.
This is our first and most important Step of Orthodox
Spirituality (which lays the foundation for the other significant
steps or stages.)
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za/2010/05/howpassions-are-aroused.html
OF OUR
LADY THEOTOKOS
25 JULY 2016

Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us
commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
26 July 2016
St Paraskeve, Virgin Martyr & Miracle Worker of Rome
Also the Feast of St Jacob Netsvetov, Enlightener of Alaska St Hermolaos, St Hermippos
& St Hermocrates, Hieromartyrs of Nikomedia St Moses the Hungarian of Kiev Near
Caves Monastery St Gerontios, Venerable Founder of the Skete of St Anne on Mount
Athos St Sava III of Serbia
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PARASKEVE
Tin
OF
ROME
Thy
spoudin Sou ti klisi katalilon, ergasameni feronime,

tin omonimon Sou Pistin is katikian keklirose, Paraskevi
athlofore. Othen proheis iamata, ke presvis iper ton
psihon imon.
diligence corresponded to Thy name, O Paraskeve,

which denotes preparedness. Through Faith Thou
inherited the Promised Dwelling that was prepared for
Thee, O Prize-winning Martyr. Therefore Thou pour
out Cures and Healings, and Thou Intercede on behalf
of our soul.
Prostasia

Se.
TONE 4

Thee!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 67/68 TONE 4
Wondrous is God in His Saints.

In the Congregations Bless God The Lord from the Fountain of Israel
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
GALATIANS 3 : 23 4 : 5
OUR ADOPTION AS CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST THROUGH OUR FAITH AND HOLY BAPTISM
Brethren: before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law kept for the Faith that would afterward be
revealed. Therefore, the Law was our Tutor - to bring us to Christ, so that we might be Justified by Faith. After Faith
has come, we are no longer under a Tutor.
You are all sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female. You are all
one in Christ Jesus.
If you are Christs then you are Abrahams seed, and Heirs according to the Promise. I say that the Heir as long as he
is a child does not differ at all from a slave, although he is master of all, but is under Guardians and Stewards
until the time appointed by the Father. Even so, we when we were children were in bondage under the
elements of the world. When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son Born of a Woman, Born under
the Law - to Redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the Adoption as sons.
Faith IN Christ is also Faith OF Christ because TWO FAITHS
US AND TAUGHT US THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE, which the
ARE COOPERATING together: first and foremost, the faith
ancient people of God only understood instinctively at
of Christ, and secondarily, the Faith in Christ of those
first and then through the Teachings of the Holy
who believe.
Prophets of God.
Although THE PEOPLE OF THE OLD COVENANT with God had
AT THE HARROWING OF HADES AFTER HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS IN
complete Faith in God, they COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN
HIS HUMAN NATURE, CHRIST - IN HIS DIVINE, ALMIGHTY
THE FAITH OF CHRIST FOR OUR SAVIOUR HAD NOT YET APPEARED
NATURE - SMASHED OPEN THE IMPRISONING DOORS OF HADES,
TO THEM.
AND FREED ALL HUMANITY FROM THE ENSLAVING POWER OF EVIL
THE HOLY TRINITY IS OMNIPRESENT - ever-present there has
HAVING ALREADY RE-OPENED PARADISE to THE FAITHFUL
never been a time or place when God the Father, the
where they could REPOSE IN PEACE UNTIL THE GENERAL
RESURRECTION AND OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT.
Son and the Holy Spirit was not present!
The only time WE COULD ACTUALLY SEE GOD WAS WHEN CHRIST
(The Repentant Thief, St Demas, was the first to enter Paradise since
the Word and Son of God became Man BECAME
the banishment of Adam and Eve.)
INCARNATE took on physical matter a human body.
THOSE WHO STUBBORNLY REJECTED HIM, REMAIN IN HADES where
(St Abraham also saw the Holy Trinity as three identical Men
they suffer the hideous Foretaste of the vileness and
Angels, Whom he addressed as Lord as one Being.)
torment of Eternal Alienation from God,
THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE ON EARTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VITAL
OUR FAITH IN CHRIST IS ONE OF PERSONAL COMMITMENT AND
PREPARATORY PERIOD FOR ETERNITY.
ALLEGIANCE to Him and through our Holy Baptism
Because Gods Love of us is infinite and absolute, He
WE HAVE BECOME ADOPTED HEIRS OF GOD CO-HEIRS
provided mankind with a set of TEN COMMANDMENTS OR
WITH CHRIST TO THE ETERNAL HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF
LAWS that GUIDE US TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE AND PROTECT US
GOD.
FROM FALLING INTO A STATE OF PERMANENT SPIRITUAL DEATH.
Not only have WE BEEN BAPTISED into Christianity into the
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OR MOSAIC LAW prepared the
Christian Faith, but WE HAVE VESTED OURSELVES WITH
Hebrew Nation for the Coming of God. They STILL APPLY
CHRIST WE HAVE PUT ON CHRIST we have taken on
TO US, THE NEW ISRAEL THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD.
our Sacred Mission TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE TO IMITATE
WITH GODS NEW COVENANT, CHRIST REVEALED THE TRUE NATURE
CHRIST Himself and thereby REGAIN OUR LOST LIKENESS TO
OF OUR MOST MERCIFUL, LOVING AND BENEVOLENT GOD TO
GOD
ST PARASKEVE, GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR & MIRACLE WORKER
OF
ROME
26 JULY 2016
39
According to our New Covenant with Almighty God, THERE

IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOCIAL STATUS, ETHNICITY OR
GENDER because WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD!
SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED ARE INTERWOVEN we
cannot claim to have one without the other!
For as many of you as were Baptised into Christ have
put on Christ, is our ancient Baptism Hymn that is
chanted during the Procession of the Newly
Regenerated into the assembly the Holy Church of
Christ.
WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE IN CHRIST.
Therefore, assessing people according to our own

opinion, attitude, value, gender or ethnicity is
forbidden in Christs Holy Church,
If we are genuinely trying to imitate Christ we must do so
without fail: He never discriminated against anyone
so how dare we do so!
ANY DISCRIMINATION, BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE OR PREJUDICE WILL
CAUSE US SERIOUS SPIRITUAL CONDEMNATION, which unless we quickly correct ourselves with sincere
Repentance - will affect our Eternity!
We are all one in nature and equal in dignity.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK 5: 24 34

THE HEALING OF THE BLEEDING WOMAN ON THE WAY TO JAIRUS DYING DAUGHTER
At that time, a great multitude followed our Lord Jesus and thronged Him. And a certain Woman had a flow of blood
for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many Physicians, and had spent all that she had and was no
better but rather grew worse.
When she heard about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. She thought: If only I may
touch His garment, I shall be made well. And immediately the source of her bleeding dried up and she felt in her
body that she was Healed of the affliction.
And Jesus - immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him - turned around in the crowd and asked:
Who touched My garment? And His Disciples said to Him: Thou see the multitude thronging Thee and Thou
ask Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who had done so.
The woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, went and fell down before Him and told Him
the whole truth. He said to her: Daughter, your Faith has made you well. Go in Peace, and be Healed of your
affliction.
AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD DIVINE ENERGY OR POWER WENT FROM CHRIST TO ST VERONICA SO
HE WANTED HER TO OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGE HER FAITH IN HIM
ALONE AND BEING OF THE SAME DIVINE ESSENCE AS GOD
SO THAT OTHERS WOULD LEARN FROM HER AND GLORIFY GOD.
THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES THAT
Therefore He loudly enquired Who touched My
SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY.
garment? which astonished His Disciples since the
THE HEALING OF THAT WOMAN, ST VERONICA, DEMONSTRATED OUR
large crowd shoved and pushed one another to get
LORD JESUS POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM OUR SINS AND TO
closer to Christ and many would have brushed
HEAL ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PHYSICAL.
against Him or certainly touched His garments.
According to the Old Covenant Laws, any type of
Although on His way to save the daughter of Jairus a
haemorrhaging caused ceremonial defilement,
ruler of the Synagogue OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS TIME
which imposed religious and social restrictions upon
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH BOTH
the sufferers for ANY CONTACT WITH BLOOD WAS STRICTLY
HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE TRUTH:
PROHIBITED AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.
First He granted her Good cheer because of THE PROOF
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as
AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
being unclean and had followed all the requirements
Then He corrected her thinking for SHE COULD NEITHER HIDE
as a social outcast but SHE HAD REACHED SUCH A DEGREE OF
HER ACTIONS FROM HIM FROM GOD NOR WAS SHE EXCLUDED
MISERY AND DESPERATION THAT SHE RISKED FURTHER SHAME
FROM HIM BECAUSE OF HER AFFLICTION.
AND HUMILIATION IN THE CONVICTION THAT ONLY CHRIST
And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
COULD HEAL HER.
WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
It was a risk that she was willing to take after all what
Our
Holy Church Fathers believed that St Veronica
more could she lose? People had already taken
symbolises human nature in general because ALL
everything she had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER
HUMANITY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH,
WHAT SHE REALLY NEEDED!
WHICH WAS SYMBOLISED BY HER HAEMORRHAGING.
EVERYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY GOD BECOMES SANCTIFIED The Physicians who could not heal her symbolise the
HOLY AND WILL PASS THAT SANCTIFICATION ONTO THE
various religions of the world, AS WELL AS THE OLD
FAITHFUL.
COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
So THE INSTANT ST VERONICA SOFTLY TOUCHED THE ROBE OF
HUMANITY THEY CANNOT SAVE US
CHRIST SHE WAS HEALED AND GOD KNEW HER SINCERE FAITH IN
ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US! ONLY THROUGH OUR LORD
HIM.
AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE GENUINELY FREED FROM
SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
ST PARASKEVE GREAT HOLY VIRGIN MARTYR & WONDERWORKER
St Paraskeve of Rome was the only daughter of devout

Christian parents, St Agathon and St Politia.
From her early childhood she dedicated herself to God,
spending most of her time in Prayer, Contemplation,
and the study of Holy Scripture.
After the Repose of her parents, St Paraskeve distributed all
of her inheritance amongst the poor and destitute, and
made Sacred Vows to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ of Eternal Allegiance, Chastity, Poverty and
Obedience.
Emulating His Holy Apostles, she preached Christ and His
Holy Gospel His Divine Truth - to the pagans, thereby
converting many to Christianity.
During the reign of Emperor Antoninos Pius (138-161) she
was arrested for refusing to make offerings and to
worship the lifeless idols.
During her trial, the very young St Paraskeve fearlessly
confessed her unwavering Faith and Love of Christ and
the Only True, Living and All Powerful God.
Neither material wealth, treasures or social status, nor
promises or threats could persuade her to renounce
her Divine Bridegroom.
As expected, St Paraskeve was handed to the
executioners who subjected her to indescribably
horrific tortures such as a red-hot metal helmet
forced onto her head, being thrown into a cauldron
40.
OF
ROME
of boiling oil and pitch... all of which, by the Power of

God, preserved His Beloved Virgin Martyr unharmed.
The Emperor did not believe that the oil and tar had been
heated enough to boil her and kill her instantly, so to
prove it to him, St Paraskeve impulsively splashed his
face with the boiling liquid, which scalded him
excruciatingly, causing him to scream for deliverance
from such terrible torment!
Instantly regretting her action, St Paraskeve besought our
Lord to Heal the Emperor, and he was immediately
restored to health, whereupon., in gratitude and, no
doubt compelled by great fear of such a Powerful God,
the Emperor pardoned her and she was free to
continue her Labours of Love.
Accompanied by other Faithful Disciples, St Paraskeve
travelled from one place to another, fulfilling the Divine
Commission of Christ, until arrested and sentenced to
death by a Governor named Ascepios.
When she was thrown into a pit with an immense serpent,
she made the Sign of the Cross over it and it died, and
Asclepios and the other witnesses believed in Christ.
Having continued her Holy Work, St Paraskeve was
again arrested, tortured and finally, beheaded in 140,
yet many Miracles continue through her Intercessions
for those who beseech her with Faith in our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ.
ST PARASKEVE, GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR & MIRACLE WORKER
OF
ROME
26 JULY 2016

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
27 July 2016
St Panteleimon
THE
GREAT UNMERCENARY PHYSICIAN, WONDERWORKER & HOLY MARTYR
Also the Feast of St Nicholas Kochanov, Fool for Christ of Novgorod St Anthousa, Abbess &
90 Venerable Holy Sisters of Mantinea Monastery, Asia Minor St Clement of Ochrid, Equal
to the Apostles & Bishop, St Naum, St Sava, St Gorazd & St Angelar, Disciples of St Cyril &
Methodios, of Ochrid Monastery, Greater Macedonia
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PANTELEIMON
Athlofore
Agie, ke iamatike Panteleimon, Presveve ton

eleimoni Theo, in ptesmaton afesin, parashi tes psihes
imon.
Holy Laurel-bearer and Physician Panteleimon, make

Intercession to our Merciful God, that He grant our
souls Remission of offences.
FESTAL KONTAKION ST PANTELEIMON -
Mimitis iparhon tou Eleimonos, ke iamaton tin Harin
TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Imitator Thou were of the Merciful God.
par
aftou komisamenos, Athlofore ke Martys Hristou tou
Theou, tes evhes Sou, tas psihikas imon nosous
therapefson, apelavnon tou ai polemiou ta skandala, ek
ton voonton apafstos. Soson imas Kyrie.
Thou received as
Grace from Him the Art of Medicine. O Medallist and
Martyr of Christ our God, by Thy Prayers Thou cures
the disease of our soul. Drive the scandals of our age
old enemy away from those who unceasingly cry: Save
us O Lord!
SEASONAL KONTAKION TRANSFIGURATION -
Epi
Upon
tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou,

tin Doxan Sou Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina otan Se
idosi Stavoumenon, to me Pathos noisosin ekousion to de
kosmo kirixosin oti Si iparhis alithos, tou Patros to
Apavgasma!
the Mount Thou were Transfigured, and Thy

Disciples beheld Thy Glory, as far as they were able
to do, O Christ our God; so that when they would see
Thee Crucified, they would know that Thou Suffered
willingly; and thus proclaim to all the world: Thou
art truly the One Who is the Fathers Radiance!
MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING

THE MARTYRDOM & PERSECUTION
OF
27 JULY 13 AUGUST
ST LUKE 21 : 12 19
TO
CHRISTS FAITHFUL APOSTLES & DISCIPLES
At that time our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: ... before all these things, men will lay their hands on you and
persecute you, delivering you up to the Synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before Kings and Rulers
for My Names sake. It will turn out for you as an occasion for Testimony. Therefore settle it in your heart not to
meditate beforehand on what you will answer. I will give you a mouth and Wisdom, which all your adversaries
will not be able to contradict or resist.
You will be betrayed even by parents and brethren, relatives and friends. And they will put some of you to death,
and you will be hated by all for My Names sake. And not a hair of your head shall be lost.
By your Patience possess your soul!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 63/64 TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
The Righteous Man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication.
THE SECOND EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
THANKSGIVING &
THE
TO
ST TIMOTHY 2 : 1 10
POWER
OF GOD
Timothy, my Son: be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among
many witnesses commit these to Faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
You therefore must endure hardship as a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in Warfare entangles himself
with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not Crowned unless he competes according to the Rules. The hardworking
Farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say: may the Lord grant you Understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the Seed of
David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point
of chains. But the Word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the Elect, that they also may obtain the Salvation, which is in Christ Jesus
with Eternal Glory.
UNION & COMMUNION
TO
ST JOHN 15 : 17 16 : 2
WITH OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: ... these things I command you, that you Love one another.
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love
its own. Because you are not of the world for I chose you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the
Word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his Master.
If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also. But all these thing
they will do to you for My Names sake, because they do not know Him Who sent Me.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates
Me also hates My Father. If I had not done the Works among them - which no one else did they would have no sin.
Now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. Yet this happened so that the Word might be fulfilled,
which is written in their Law: They hated Me without a cause.
When the Helper comes Whom I shall sent to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth Who proceeds from the Father
He will Testify of Me. And you, too, will bear witness, for you have been with Me from the beginning.
ST PANTELEIMON
THE
GREAT HOLY UNMERCENARY PHYSICIAN, WONDERWORKER & MARTYR -
27 JULY 2016
41
These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the Synagogues.
But the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he serves God.
ST PANTELEIMON
THE
GREAT UNMERCENARY PHYSICIAN & OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH
The Holy Church of Christ consists of people from every

walk of life from erudite professionals to the
humblest of mankind.
St Panteleimon was a Physician, and as God Enlightens
all Healers in order to heal the afflicted, we respect
and honour them.
In fact, we are exhorted to Honour a Physician with the
honour due to him for the uses that you may have of
him, for our Lord has created him. For of the Most
High comes Healing, and he shall receive the
honour of the King. The skill of the Physician shall
lift up his head, and in the sight of great men he
shall be admired. The Lord has created medicines
out of the earth, and he who is wise, will not abhor
them. (SIRACH 38:1-4)
With Divinely Inspired Wisdom and Enlightenment, St
Panteleimon Healed many sick and diseased people
whom the other Physicians could not or would not
cure.
Furthermore, as St Panteleimon knew that his Healing
Powers were by the Grace of God alone, he never
accepted any form of payment for treating his
patients, and would even seek out the poor and
destitute to tend to their wounds and their
innumerable ailments with Great Love, Mercy and
Compassion, thereby worthily earning the surname
Panteleimon, which means All Merciful, but
arousing the jealousy, envy and wrath of others.
People were instinctively drawn to St Panteleimon who being constantly aware of the Loving Presence of
our Lord -lived every moment according to His
Divine Will, with profound Humility and Obedience
that shone forth like a brilliant Light in the
surrounding sin darkened world.
He greatly honoured, Loved, and respected his Spiritual
Father, St Hermolaos, who had taught him
everything he could concerning the Divine Truth
and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
His enemies finally succeeded in renouncing him as a
Christian and having him arrested and brought to
trial before the pagan Emperor, Maximian, who
interrogated him about his Faith in Christ, and when
nothing would persuade him to deny our Lord and
reject our Faith, he sentenced him to torture and
death.
No matter what indescribable indignities or brutalities
he was forced to endure, St Panteleimon was
Strengthened by our Lord Jesus Christ Who
Appeared in a Vision as his Spiritual Father, St
Hermolaos.
God created mankind healthy adorned with the Holy
Virtues, until, misled by sin, we lost our Likeness to
God and became Spiritually Afflicted.
However being Panteleimon All Merciful and Loving God does not want any of his creatures to be
unhealthy alienated from Him Who is our Source of
Life, and all His Goodness and Blessings.
His Holy Church is our Spiritual Hospital and His Priests
are our Holy Physicians, while we are the sick and
ailing patients who need and who thus seek His
Divine Healing.
ST MAKARIOS
If it truly seems difficult and impossible to us that we can

ever be converted from such a great multitude of sins
because we are caught in their grasp, a temptation, of
evil and a sure obstacle to our Salvation, let us recall
and seriously consider how our Lord, while on this Earth,
restored sight to the blind, cured the paralytics, healed
every sickness.
He raised the dead, already decaying and disintegrating.
He made the deaf hear and drove out a legion of devils
from one man and restored him to full mental health
after such madness.
How much more, therefore, will He not convert a soul who
turns back to Him, seeking from Him Mercy and in need
of His Help?
Will He not bring such a soul into a freedom from passions
and permanence in all Virtues with a Renewed mind?
42.
ST PANTELEIMON
THE
In order to prescribe the necessary therapy for each

type of sickness of the soul, the Priest must get to
know us through our regular attendance at Holy
Services, but especially by means of the Holy Mystery
of our Repentance-Confession.
This is a Divine Science, with which the Saints were well
acquainted, for, just like us, they bore within
themselves the grievous disobedience of Adam our
Ancestral Sin.
Consequently, they implicitly relied on and trusted the
Holy Church of Christ as our Divine Hospital, and with
heartfelt Humility and Obedience they followed the
advice and Spiritual Guidance of their Holy Fathers
our Spiritual Physicians and regularly partook of
the Divine Medicine that Heals and Sanctifies us, and
which Restores us according to Gods Will and
Creation.
All the Saints freely and willingly went through the
various stages of Spiritual Treatment their great
Ascetical Struggles for the Purification of their soul
and now they shine brightly with their Perfect Spiritual
Health,
having
attained
Theosis,
Deification,
Sanctification or Spiritual Perfection, which is the
Glory they enjoy in Paradise and in Heaven.
Our All Merciful and Loving Lord Jesus Christ invites
every one of us to His Holy Hospital so that we may
all be Healed of every calamity with which the evil
one has stricken us.
We must never think, as so many do, that there is
nothing wrong with us, for we all have profane
passions lurking in the very depths of our being that
incessantly affect us until we seek them out, and
control or eradicate them through RepentanceConfession.
In order to be Healed to the depths of our being, we need
to regularly partake of the essential Holy Mysteries
and strive to fulfil all our Lords Teachings and
Commandments.
Unless we do everything possible for our Spiritual
Healing, we will not be able to receive the Joyful
Brilliance of Paradise and our Lords Heavenly
Kingdom, which requires a Pure, Sanctified and
Healthy soul.
Let us beseech our Lord, through the Intercessions of St
Panteleimon, for good physical and Spiritual Health
and Welfare.
In a certain Prayer, the supplicant refers to himself as
Pantilimona meaning Most Unfortunate, yet he
takes Courage and Hope, and finds Refuge in our All
Merciful Lord Jesus, to Whom he confesses his sins,
and Whom he beseeches ... grant me a good end to
my life, O Christ All Merciful, I the Most Unfortunate
pray, for in Thee I take Courage in my heart without
any doubt, having sinned knowingly and
unknowingly...
ORIGINAL SERMON BY METROPOLITAN OF GORTYNOS &
MEGALOPOLIS, JEREMIAH TRANSLATED BY JOHN
SANIDOPOULOS
HTTP://WWW.JOHNSANIDOPOULOS.COM/2015/07/SAINTPANTELEIMON-AND-OUR-SPIRITUAL.HTML
THE
GREAT
Will He not lead us to Health and Inner Insight, to thoughts of

Peace, freed from the Blindness, Deafness, and Death of
unbelief, ignorance, and rashness, bringing such a soul
to a Virtuous Moderation and to Purity of heart?
For He, Who created our body, made also our soul, and
when He walked this Earth, He granted His Help and
Health to those who approached and begged Him for
such Favours.
He granted with Divine Generosity and Kindness such
Healings for He is our Good and only True Physician.
So it is with Spiritual Matters.
PSEUDO-MACARIUS- THE FIFTY SPIRITUAL HOMILIES &
THE GREAT LETTER, HOMILY 4
HTTPS://THEINNERKINGDOM.WORDPRESS.COM
GREAT HOLY UNMERCENARY PHYSICIAN, WONDERWORKER & MARTYR -
27 JULY 2016

Tone (5) Plagal 1

31 July 2016
th
6 Sunday of St Matthew Paralytic & Friends
Forefeast f the Procession of the Holy Cross
th
(TOMORROW
IS THE BEGINNING OF THE
DORMITION FAST)
The Feast of St Eudokimos of Cappadocia St Julitta of Caesarea, Cappadocia St Germanos, Bishop of Auxerre, Gaul
St Sergios the Archimandrite, St George (Yuri), St John, & St Benjamin, Metropolitan, New Holy Martyrs of Petrograd
St Arsenios, Holy Ascetic & Bishop of Ninotsminda St Joseph the secret Disciple of Christ, of Arimathea
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 6 : LUKE 24: 35 - 53
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou The
Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no

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.
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.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST EUDOKIMOS -
Ek
Gis O Kalesas Se, pros eonious monas, triri ke meta

Thanaton adialoviton, to soma Sou, Agie. Si gar en
sofrosini, ke semni politia, Makar epolitefso, mi molinas
tin sarka. Dio en parrisia Hristo, Presveve Sothine imas.
SEASONAL KONTAKION
preserves Thy Body Incorrupt even in Death, O Holy

Evdokimos. For Thou had led a Life of Self-Restraint
and propriety. Blessed art Thou truly - never staining
Thy flesh. Wherefore, with confidence Intercede with
Christ to Save our soul.
- TRANSFIGURATION -
Epi tou Orous Metemorfothis, ke os ehoroun i Mathite Sou,
TONE 4
The Master Who Called Thee to Eternal Mansions on High
27 JULY UNTIL 13 AUGUST
Upon
the Mount Thou were Transfigured, and Thy

Disciples beheld Thy Glory, as far as they were able to
do, O Christ our God; so that when they would see
Thee Crucified, they would know that Thou Suffered
willingly; and thus proclaim to all the world: Thou art
truly the One Who is the Fathers Radiance!
tin Doxan Sou Hriste O Theos etheasanto. Ina otan Se

idosi Stavoumenon, to me Pathos noisosin ekousion to
de kosmo kirixosin oti Si iparhis Alithos, tou Patros to
Apavgasma!
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM
11/12 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Thou, O Lord, shalt Guard us.
Thou shalt Preserve us from this generation forever.

Save me, O Lord, for the Holy have ceased the Truthful are diminished from among the sons of mankind.
THE EPISTLE
OUR LIFE
OF
OF
ST PAUL
UNITY
AND
TO THE
MERCY
IN
ROMANS 12 : 6 14
CHRISTS HOLY CHURCH
Brethren: having Gifts differing according to the Grace that is granted to us, let us use them: if Prophecy, let us prophesy in
proportion to our Faith; or Ministry, let us use it in our ministering; those who teach, in their Teaching, those who
exhort, in exhortations; those who give, with liberality; those who lead, with diligence; those who show Mercy, with
cheerfulness. Let Love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one
another with Brotherly Love, in Honour, giving preference to one another serving the Lord; rejoicing in Hope, Patient
in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in Prayer; distributing to the needs of the Saints, given to Hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you Bless and do not curse.
W E LIVE OUT OUR F AITHFUL R ELATIONSHIP WITH G OD IN
as mentioned above REPRESENT ALL THE INFINITE
H IS H OLY C HURCH , which is the Sacred Body of
D IVINE G IFTS OF G RACE that God has granted to His
Christ, WITH H UMILITY , SOBER THOUGHTS , AND PROPER
Faithful Flock.
While a Faithful Believer is Justified by Faith, this F AITH
USE OF S PIRITUAL G IFTS , WHICH ARE GRANTED TO US
BY THE D IVINE G RACE OF G OD THE H OLY S PIRIT .
IS INTIMATELY UNITED TO G OOD W ORKS , WHICH AR E
Faithful and True Christian Ministry requires us to
GENUINE AND SINCER E EXPRESSIONS OF OUR T RUE
FUNCTION TOGETHER IN ALL OUR DIVERSITY
F AITH IN AND L OVE OF G OD .
combining all our Holy Gifts that have been granted
F AITH AND G OOD D EEDS OR W ORKS CANNOT BE
to us by God.
SEPARATED we cannot have one without the other!!
The Seven Holy Gifts of Divine Grace that St Paul
mentioned should not be understood as being
exhaustive. Instead G OD S G IFTS OF D IVINE G RACE
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 9 : 1 8
THE FAITH OF A PARALYTIC & HIS FOUR FRIENDS
At that time, our Lord Jesus got into a boat, crossed over, and went to His own city. And, behold: they brought to Him a
Paralytic lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their Faith, He said to the Paralytic: Son, be of good cheer your
sins are forgiven you.
And behold: at once some of the Scribes said within themselves: He Blasphemes! And Jesus knowing their thoughts
said: Why do you think evil in your heart? For which is easier: to say: Your sins are forgiven you, or to say:
Arise, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has Power on earth to forgive sins... He said to the
OF
ST MATTHEW THE PARALYTIC (& FRIENDS)
31 JULY 2016
43
Paralytic: ...Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house. And he arose and departed to his house. When the
multitude saw this, they marvelled and Glorified God Who had given such Power to men.
house and the courtyard - they carried the pallet with
Capernaum was our Lord Jesus Christs own city, having
the Paralytic to the roof of the house, made a great hole
set up His home base from there.
in the sun baked roof - having established exactly
As shown by the Healing of the Paralytic, F AITH IS AN
where our Lord stood - and then lowered the bed safely
INDISPENSABLE AND ESSENTIAL E LEMENT OF S ALVATION
down to the ground right in front of our Saviour.
BECAUSE T RUE F AITH IS COLLECTIVE AS WELL AS PERSONAL
In this account, THREE S IGNS OF OUR L ORD S D IVINITY AR E
and consequently THE F AITH OF THE P ARALYTIC S
EVIDENT :
FRIENDS ALSO HELPED IN HIS HEALING .
St Mark and St Luke also mentioned this particular
1. H E KNEW THE SECR ET THOUGHTS OF THE HYPOCRITICAL
Miraculous Healing and through their Gospel accounts,
S CRIB ES AND P HARISEES ,
we learn how determined the Paralytic and his friends
2. H E FORGIVES SINS A D IVINE P OWER THAT BELONGS TO
were.
G OD ALONE
In order to be presented to Christ Whom the friends just
AND H E H EALS MER ELY BY THE D IVINE P OW ER OF H IS W ORD !
knew would Heal his paralysis and being unable to
get close to our Lord due to the multitude who filled the
In
OF
ST MATTHEW THE HEALING
the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved: I affirm that we are witnesses of a Beautiful
Miracle - through the Living Word of the Holy Gospel,
we see a paralyzed man being Healed of his paralysis
by God - by He Who had created his legs and granted
his first heart-beat in his mothers womb.
For, as the Psalmist, St David wrote: ...I am fearfully and
wonderfully madeThou formed my inward parts;
Thou covered me in my mothers womb... (Psalm 138)
Christ our God, as the Eternal Logos (Word) of God, through
Whom all things were made, knew this man and loved
him with a Fatherly Love even before he was presented
before Him.
The Paralytic was brought to our Creator, and he received
Healing - he was granted a new lease on life, a new
beginning a Holy Restoration!
Every Miracle - both those past and present - is a
Testimony to the Truth of God - the Truth that is God - in
that it points us directly to the Kingdom of Heaven, to
the Restoration of the human race.
Every Miracle reminds us of Gods defeat of sin and death
on the Cross, His Triumphant Resurrection from the
dead, His Harrowing of Hades, His Glorious Ascension,
and His Victorious and Final Second Appearance when
all that Christ has assumed, will Restore all those who
have joined the New Race of Adam in Christ - and we
will behold a New Heaven and a New Earth in which
our Lord Jesus Christ will be all in all!
Divine Miracles are Signs of the Eschaton - the Reality of
the Kingdom of God after the Second Coming of Christ.
The Healing of the Paralytic alludes to all of these Works
and Promises of God on our behalf, where those who
are being Saved will be gathered up to join the Ranks
of Heaven in Christ our Gods Near Presence, where all
our ...sighing and sorrow shall flee away. (ISAIAH 51:11).
An even greater Miracle occurred for when our Lord Jesus
beheld the Faith of those who had brought the
Paralytic to Him, He spoke directly to the Paralytic, and
told him: Son, be of good cheer - your sins are
forgiven you, which was obviously not what some the
witnesses were expecting.
Those wonderful, Divinely Gracious Words came as quite a
shock especially to those who were seeking an excuse
to charge Him with blasphemy or any other unjustified
accusations!
The four friends who had brought the Paralytic to Christ
(the details of which are recorded in the Gospel
according to St Luke) must have carried him a great
distance on his pallet, determined to do whatever was
necessary to present him to our Saviour, for they had
utter Faith in Him - the Great Messiah of Israel.
They would not have undertaken such an exhausting
journey while bearing the weight of a grown man and
his pallet, so many miles on foot under the blazing hot
sun, without possessing great Faith in the outcome.
And when the dust had literally settled, our Lord Jesus
looked straight at the Paralytic lying at His Feet, and,
instead of pronouncing the words He had spoken so
often before: ...take up your bed and walk... with His
first words to the Paralytic, He forgave him for all the
sins he had committed, knowing better even than any
of us, the deepest secrets of mankind.
44.
OF
OF THE
PARALYTIC
Christ clearly teaches us the priority of our eternal soul

over our mortal, (temporary) and decaying body.
Our souls are eternal. Sin, having entered the world and
separated us from Him Who is Life itself, reminded us
that our body wears out ...like a garment. (JOB 13).
It was not meant to be so, for before the Fall, we had been
created with an immortal body and soul.
However, according to our New Covenant with God, those
of us who Live in Christ, having put on Christ at our Holy
Baptism, will be granted transformed, immortal bodies
at our Resurrection when our Saviour Reappears in all
His Divine Glory, to Judge His Creation.
And so here we see yet another Sign of the Eschaton the
Reality of the Eternal Kingdom of God to come.
Our Most Merciful Lord addressed the initial need of the
Paralytic, for although he wanted the use of his legs
restored, even more importantly, he needed Spiritually
Cleansed, Purified and Forgiven.
More important than the healing of body was the Healing
of his immortal soul - his becoming an adopted son of
the Living God and thus a Co-Heir with the Eternal Son
of God to the Heavenly Kingdom of Love.
Everything else pales in comparison!
By forgiving his sins our Saviour clearly revealed His Divine
Identity, just as the Scribes unconsciously declared,
when they said: ...Who can forgive sins but God
alone? (MARK 2:7; LUKE 5:21)
Their sinful, hard and blind hearts could not comprehend
that the God Who so lovingly spoke Creation into being
through His Word (His Logos), Himself had assumed our
human nature in order to Restore us - to Restore a Path
to the Kingdom for His beloved sons and daughters
who are the pinnacle of His Creation, and with whom
He so dearly desires Communion.
The Scribes ...within themselves... instantly regarded Him
as the worst of blasphemers!
So, in order to deepen the Faith of those who were
assembled there,
and to silence the actual
blasphemers, our Lord Jesus did two things that reveal
His Divine Nature: first, He tells them what they were
thinking, by saying:, Why do you think evil in your
hearts? For which is easier to say, Your sins are
forgiven you, or to say, Arise and walk? But that you
may know that the Son of Man has Power on Earth to
forgive sins - and then, and only then, does Christ
say to the Paralytic: Arise, take up your bed, and go
to your house.
Both of these Miracles - the revelation of the inner thoughts
of others and the Healing of the Paralytic - proved that
our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed God.
What Joy! Can you just imagine the overwhelming
gratitude and intense Joy of this former Paralytic and
his faithful friends? Their burden been lifted from them,
and they could return home together, rejoicing,
laughing and Glorifying God for His Great Mercy.
But the greatest Joy of all was that this son of Adam had
been forgiven and was Reconciled to God.
We, too, are paralyzed by our sins especially before
being Renewed, Regenerated and Illumined at our
Holy Baptism, and then afterwards, until we Repent our
sins and again, are Renewed through Holy Confession,
Holy Unction and Holy Eucharist.
Even though we Strive and Struggle ceaselessly to Live in
Christ as His Faithful Disciples - as Orthodox Christians -
31 JULY 2016
having committed ourselves to the New Creation as a

Beloved Child of the Eschaton, the fallen, Spiritually
Darkened world that surrounds us with all its confusion
and hedonism, always threatens to distract us and to
paralyse us with its innumerable temptations,
addictions and habitual sins.
To a greater or lesser degree, we are all beset by
temptations, wicked passions, and habitual sins that
paralyze our soul, thereby preventing us from
progressing towards Sanctification and Deification,
which is our exclusive Purpose for this short,
preparatory lifespan.
As we make our way slowly towards Eternity step by slow
step our Lord Jesus encourages us onwards and
upwards by telling us, as He told the former Paralytic:
Arise, take up your bed, and go unto your house.
We take great comfort and courage from knowing without
any doubt whatsoever, that as long as we Struggle and
Repent, we shall receive from our Lord Jesus Christ
forgiveness of sins and Spiritual Renewal.
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY FREE
FROM
FEAR
The reality is that we exist in a passionate state.

Let's face it, our focus is on external things. We are
attached to the things of the world. We crave them.
We cuddle them. We hoard them. We fear losing
them.
What we need to learn is how to free ourselves from this
enslavement while we live in the world.
As Orthodox Christians our greatest challenge is to learn
how to avoid or be liberated from the domination
and oppression of fleshy passions the perpetual
demands and desires of our body.
Father Dimitru Staniloae tells us: The challenge is how
can we live in this world as free beings, admiring it
and understanding it as a transparent Creation of
God, without being enslaved by its purely
perceptible and opaque surface, and thus hinder
our development as beings oriented toward the
Infinite Spiritual Order.
How can we use the world, the road toward our Goal,
without falling and succumbing to it?
It is that very anxiety and worry, or care concerning
worldly matters that ties us to the material,
unbeneficial things of this existence.
We spend most of our earthly life waiting for and seeking
pleasure, and fearing present and future pain,
which is the fruit of the passions and the unceasing
manifestation of the passions in us.
These periods of waiting and fearing produce care in us.
But even in the moments when we are no longer
conscious of waiting for pleasure or expecting pain,
we seek certain pleasurable experiences and try to
avoid some unspecified future pain.
Most of us are motivated by various and different
degrees of fear and anxiety, which is caused by
living in the fallen, corrupted world where nothing is
permanent, unchanging nor indestructible.
SALVATION
IN THE
We may rest assured that, as He promised us, our Lord

Jesus Christ will Restore us when we approach Him
with Humility, Faith and Hope of our Spiritual
Restoration and Growth as well as a Renewal of our
Life in Him Who is Life itself the Great Physician of our
soul for He alone is God, the only One Who can
Forgive our sins, Renew our Baptism, and Help us to
progress in our Life in Him.
As Disciples of Christ we are Blessed to be able to call on
His Great Love and Mercy in times of need, entrusting
ourselves to His Divine Grace, which is sufficient, and
His Strength, which is Perfected, in our weakness.
Amen.
Adapted & Edited by mp
Original Homily by FATHER ROBERT MICLEAN
HOLY ARCHANGELS ORTHODOX CHURCH
delivered on SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2013
THE PARALYTIC FROM MATTHEWS GOSPEL
https://www.orthodoxannapolis.org/
AND
ANXIETY FATHER DIMITRU STANISLOAE
We do not want to lose pleasure - we always want more

of it and we strive to avoid any pain.
Consequently, we live in constant fear of anything that
is unpleasant and causes us pain, which in turn
makes us anxious and stressful.
However, there is another type of care or
responsibility that we really need, which concerns
our Eternal Salvation our Eternal Union with God.
This care for our Eternal Salvation needs to be
stronger and far more desirable than the
aforementioned.
...This care (for our Eternal Salvation) is opposed to the
other...It arises when we ...lay aside all earthly
care... because it concerns taking care to please
God, not to please the world by partaking of its
(unbeneficial, fleeting and destructive) pleasures, but to
actually be exempt from its pain.
This care grows from the responsibility which we have
for our true self.
By satisfying this command of
responsibility, it is, at the same time, a continual
launching out beyond ourselves, towards the Source
of Eternal Life...
It too includes a Fear, but although it is our fear that
death ends everything, this Fear alone will succeed
in delivering us from what we fear the most.
We must escape from the first care (our anxieties and
trepidations) in order to become available to God.
Only then will we be free of our passionate state having gained dispassion...
Purification aims at our liberation from worldly cares...
By fulfilling the Will of God, our authentic nature is
realized.
This care comes when we "lay aside all earthly care."
Our first steps in Orthodox Spirituality then involve
practices that help us do this.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2010/05/
WORLD - ARCHBISHOP HILARION ALFEYEV (PART 1)
Christians living in the world are Called, not to be Saved

from the world, but to learn, while living in the world, to
use what the world offers for Spiritual Benefit.
The Epistle to Diognetos, an ancient Christian text dated to
about the 2nd century, stated: ...The Christians are
distinguished from other men neither by country, nor
language, nor the customs which they observe.
For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a
peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life that is marked
out by any singularity.
The course of conduct, which they follow, has not been
devised by any speculation or deliberation of
inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim
themselves the advocates of any merely human
doctrines.
But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according
to the lot each of them has determined, and following
the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food,
and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to
us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of
Life.
They dwell in their own countries, but simply as
sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with
others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners.
OF
Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and

every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They
marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do
not destroy their offspring.
They have a common table, but not a common bed.
They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh.
They pass their days on Earth, but they are citizens of
Heaven.
They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time
surpass the laws by their lives.
They Love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are
unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and
Restored to life.
They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all
things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured,
and yet in their very dishonour are glorified.
They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are
reviled, and Bless; they are insulted, and repay the
insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as
evil-doers.
When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into Life.
Such are the words of the author of the Epistle to
Diognetos.
31 JULY 2016
45
And so, what the soul is in the body, the Christian is in

the world.
Each of us Christians has been placed by God in a
certain historical and geographical context.
We live in a specific city, in a specific epoch, are
surrounded by specific people, and our lives are
influenced by specific circumstances, but the Words
of our Lord Jesus Christ telling us that we are ... the
Salt of the world... and that we are ...the Light of the
world... always apply to our Life in Christ, even while
we are still living in this sin-darkened world.
We are not Called to renounce the world, oppose the
world, or abhor the world.
While living in the midst of the world, we are Called to be
...the Salt of the world... and ...the Light of the
world... meaning that - like our (immortal) soul in our
(mortal) body, we are Called to give Life to the world to Transfigure the world.
However, in order to have a good influence on the world,
we need to learn how to correctly use all that this
material world offers us. We need to learn how to
approach the world creatively.
In the Russian migr community in Paris, there lived one
of the most remarkable Priests of the 20th century,
Father Alexander Elchaninov, whose entire conscious
life was connected to the Orthodox Church.
He had spent his youth in Georgia and in Russia, and
had become a Priest when he was already an
migr.
He never wrote any great Theological works.
All that he left behind were isolated diary entries, which
were collected into a book after his death.
Father Alexander lived his whole life in the world, around
people, yet he reached great Spiritual Heights.
This is one of his thoughts about how a Christian ought to
perceive the world around him: ...The circumstances
with which our Lord has surrounded us are the first
stage leading to the Kingdom of Heaven; and this is

the only way of salvation possible for us.
These circumstances will change as soon as we have
profited by them, converting the bitterness of
offences, insults, sickness, and labours into the Gold
of Patience, Forbearance, and Meekness...
Constantly - each day, each hour - God is sending us
people, circumstances, tasks, which should mark
the beginning of our Renewal; yet we pay them no
attention, and thus continually we resist Gods Will
for us.
Indeed, how can God help us? Only by sending us in our
daily life, certain people, and certain coincidences of
circumstances.
If we accepted every hour of our life as the Hour of
Gods Will for us - as the decisive, most important,
unique Hour of our life what Sources of Joy, Love,
Strength, as yet hidden from us, would spring from
the depths of our soul!
Here, then, is the Key to the Christian Way of perceiving
the Reality always to see in everything that
happens to us and that takes place with us the
providential finger of God.
Nothing in our life happens by chance.
If we are placed in certain conditions, if we end up in
difficult circumstances, then that means that this is
pleasing to God.
When God sends us a Blessing or a temptation, each
time, He is placing a task before us for us to solve.
Joy or grief, health or sickness, friends or enemies all
of this God sends us to train and Perfect us and we
must learn to derive the spiritual benefit from all of it
and use it for spiritual growth.
... T O B E C O N T I N U E D ...
HTTPS://THEINNERKINGDOM.WORDPRESS.COM/2009/12/15
DISCOVERING GOD - ABBOT TRYPHON THE MORNING OFFERING
At the age of seventy find myself spending an increasing

amount of time on area campuses, and hosting a
growing number of young people making a
Pilgrimage to the Monastery.
At an age when many of my contemporaries are
grandfathers, or even great grandfathers, Ive
discovered the truth of something I read about while
still a college student.
Grandparents are often more sympathetic to the burdens
and challenges that young people face than their
own parents.
Age seems to mellow us out and make us more
sympathetic to the challenges young people face. We
become less judgmental because weve been down
the same road and know that, in the end, these young
people will come out just fine.
Some time ago I had the mother of a boy of about
thirteen arrive at the Monastery, son in tow.
She was upset because her son had declared himself an
atheist and she was afraid he was in danger of
Eternal Damnation.
I sat down with the boy and told him that each one of us
has to come to a personal Awareness of the Reality of
God for ourselves.
Doubting the Existence of God, I told him, is all part of
building a personal Relationship with God.
If we simply go through the motions without seeking a
real Relationship, we might as well be atheists.
My own youth was filled with great Spiritual Struggle, as I
sought to fill the void I felt within my heart.
Most young people struggle with questions about things
Eternal. It is part of relationship building.
Like the young lad who visited with his mom, I struggled
with doubt. The only difference was that my Struggle
happened during my college days. It was a period of
time when I was filled with anxiety about the future,
and fearful of making the wrong decisions.
I understand the issues facing young people today
because I was a young man with the same fears, and
struggling with many of the same issues.
Knowing as I do now, the importance of being honest, I
told the mother to let her son explore for himself the
Reality of God. It was better for him to question the

Existence of God than to simply feign belief.
At the same time I told the boy he needed to attend
Church with his family because it was important to be
obedient to his parents and supportive of his younger
brother. After all, one does not tell his parents that hes
not going to attend school just because he doesnt see
his studies as being important.
The God whom this boy was rejecting was the very false
image of God that I have long rejected. The God I
have come to know personally is not the same god I
rejected in my youth.
The True, Loving and All Merciful God revealed in our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is the One Whom Ive
personally Experienced and Who first sought me out.
If we are to have a personal Relationship with God we
must be open and honest and unafraid to question.
Our Lord wants us to be real with Him. Like the sound
relationship that one sees in a long and successful
Marriage, a Relationship with God must first and
foremost be based in Honesty and Truth.
Love and Trust come with time and experience.
Our Relationship with God is something that builds up
over time - like all good relationships and results in a
sense of Peace and Serenity.
It is this Peace and Joy that I want to impart to young
people.
My personal Relationship with our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is
Something Precious that I want to share, and not just
with Orthodox youth who may make a Pilgrimage to
the Monastery.
I KNOW God exists because Ive Experienced His Great
Love in a personal way, and it is this certainty of the
Reality of God that leads me to reach out to the
college students, and faculty, of the Puget Sounds
area Colleges and Universities.
They, like me, need to discover God for themselves, and
build upon a unique, personal Relationship that
began with their conception.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
HTTPS
46.
OF
://BLOGS.ANCIENTFAITH.COM/MORNINGOFFERI
NG/2015/12/DISCOVERING-GOD
31 JULY 2016

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe

Unmercenaries and Workers of Miracles, visit upon

FESTAL KONTAKION ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS

tin Harin lavontes ton Iamaton, efaploute tin rosin tis en

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

THE FIRST EPISTLE

obtained the Grace of Healing, grant Health to

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to

the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading

GIFTS outshining even Prophecy and Faith, and

THE UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND MEANS

that we lost after having fallen from Divine Grace

HIS TWELVE APOSTLES

What do we need to do to have Divine Grace permeate

ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS,

Simply put, we must begin. This first step is probably the

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Ever Virgin Theotokos, the Shelter of mankind, Thou hast

Aiparthene, ton anthropon i Skepi, Esthita ke

granted to Thy City as a Protective Wall, the cincture

FESTAL KONTAKION THEOTOKOS ROBE

Thou hast bestowed Thy Sacred Garment, O Lady, to be a

pasi Pistis aftharsias, Theharitote Agni edoriso,

Robe of Incorruption, O Pure One, for all the Faithfu, O

PROKEIMENON THE MAGNIFICAT

LADY THEOTOKOS TONE 3

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit Rejoices in God my Saviour.

OUR LADY THEOTOKOS ROBE

During the reign of the Byzantine Emperor, Leo the Great

The jewelled casket containing the Sacred Robe, was

BLACHERNAE, CONSTANTINOPLE - 2 JULY 2016

both the Slavonic Divine Services and the Slavonic

BLACHERNAE, CONSTANTINOPLE - 2 JULY 2016

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

2 Sunday After Pentecost

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 2 - MARK 16 : 1 8

While the stone was sealed by the Judeans, and soldiers

lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon ke Stratioton

stood on guard over Thine Undefiled Body, Thou rose

EVER BLESSED LADY, THEOTOKOS

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation

PROKEIMENON PSALM 32/33 TONE 1

Let Thy Mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we Hope in Thee!

CALLS HIS FIRST AP

2ND AP 2ND SUNDAY

These wrong beliefs and misguided teachings are

GABE MARTINI - ON BEHALF OF ALL - 04 / 07 / 2014

St Gregory Palamas commented: "Our mind goes outside

For Orthodox Christians there is a very clear notion of this

God Calls us to Perfection (Deification, Sanctification, Theosis)

4. At the same time we will be granted True Knowledge

THE ESSENTIAL NATURE

Father Dimitru Staniloae encourages us to strive even

"... If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned

This Spiritual Work and training is called Asceticism.

FAITH: THE STARTING POINT

Is it enough to develop self-control? Why do the Church

2ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2ND SUNDAY

Such a Battle according to the law means that its road is

Because without Faith we cannot act according to