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Morfin analliotos anthropinin proselaves, Theos on kat’ Thou took on human form without change in Thee, being
ousian Poleiefsplaghne Kyrie, ke Nomon ekpliron God in Essence, O Lord Most Compassionate. And
peritomin, thelise katadehi sarkikin, ina pafsis ta skiodi, Thou accepted Circumcision in the Flesh, in total
ke perielis to kalimma ton pathon imon. ✞ Doxa ti fulfilment of the Law, to put an end to the acts of
agathotiti, ti Si! ✞Doxa ti efsplahnia Sou! ✞Doxa ti darkness, and roll away the veil of our sufferings. ✞
anekfrasto, Loge, singatavasi Sou! Glory to Thy Goodness, O Lord! ✞ Glory to thy
Tenderness! ✞ Glory to Thine inexpressible
Condescension, O Word!
F E S T A L A P O L Y T I K I O N O F S T B A S I L T H E G R E A T – T O N E 1
Is pasan tin gin exilthen O fthongos Sou, os dexamenin ton Thy voice has gone out all over the earth, which was
Logon Sou; diou theoprepos edogmatisas, tin fisin ton ready to accept Thy Word; by which in a Godly
onton etranosas, ta ton anthropon ithi katekosmisas. manner Thou Dogmatised; the nature of all that exists
Vasilion Ieratevma, Pater Osie; Presveve Hristo to Thou clarified; the manners of people Thou Purified.
Theos, Sothine tas psihas imon. As Royal Priesthood that Thou art, O Father Righteous,
Intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be
PARISH PATRONAL APOLYTIKION Saved.
F E S T A L K O N T A K I O N - C I R C U M C I S I O N O F C H R I S T – T O N E 3
O ton olon Kyrios peritomin ipomeni ke vroton ta Now the Lord of all that is undergoes Circumcision, in His
ptesmata os agathos peritemni. Didosi tin Sotirian Goodness cutting off the sins and failings of mortals.
simeron kosmo: Here de en tis Ipsistis ke O tou ktistou He this day grants Salvation to the whole world; and
Ierarhis ke Fosforos, O Thios Mystis Hristou Vasilios. the Hierarch and Bright Daystar of the Creator now
rejoices in the Highest: Basil the Wise and Divine
Initiate of Christ.
FESTAL MAGNIFICAT - (INSTEAD OF “AXION ESTIN...”)
Epi Si heri, Keharitomeni, pasa i Ktisis, Angelon to sistima, In Thee, O Lady Full of Grace, rejoices all Creation, the
ke anthropon to genos, igiasmene nae, ke Paradise Orders of Angels and humanity together. O Hallowed
logike, parthenikon kavhima. Ex is Theos esarkothi, ke Temple and Rational Garden of Paradise, the Pride of
pedion gegonen, O pro eonon iparhon Theos imon. Tin Virgins, from Thou did God become Incarnate, and our
gar Sin Mitran Thronon epiise, ke tin Sin Gastera, God Who existed before the Ages became a Child. For
Platiteran Ouranon apiergasato. Epi Si heri, He made Thy Womb a Throne for Himself, and Thy
Keharitomeni, pasa i Ktisis: Doxa Si! Body He made wider than the Heavens. In thee, O Lady
Full of Grace, rejoices all Creation: Glory to Thee!
PROKEIMENON – PSALM 48/49 – TONE 1
To stoma mou lalisi Sofian ke i meleti tis kardias mou My mouth shall speak Wisdom, and the meditation of my
Sinesin. heart, Understanding.
Akousate tafta, panta ta Ethni! Hear this , all you Nations!
THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS 2: 8 – 12
ST PAUL SPEAKS OUT AGAINST FALSE THEOLOGY OF HERETICS
Brethren, beware lest any man cheat you by Philosophy, and vain deceit -according to the tradition of men, according
to the elements of the world, but not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the Fullness of the Godhead
corporeally. And you are filled in Him, Who is the Head of all Principality and Power; in Whom also you are
Circumcised with Circumcision Not Made By Hand, in the despoiling of the body of the flesh, but in the Circumcision
of Christ, Buried with Him in Baptism, in Whom also you are Risen again by the Faith of the Operation of God, Who
has raised Him up from the dead.
The basic principles of the world include 2. The NATURAL LAWS that regulate the universe,
1. The basic ELEMENTS OF MATTER/material including those conditioning our fallen human
CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – ST BASIL THE GREAT – 1 JANUARY 2019 1..
life – death, sin, the flesh – as well as the Mosaic OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – BEING GOD AND MAN – FULFILS OUR
Law. HUMAN NATURE, and all levels of being submit to Him as
3. THE (WICKED, FALLEN) SPIRITS OR DEMONS who use our Divine Lord, Master and Saviour.
these natural conditions to oppose our Lord WE NO LONGER NEED TO RISE SLOWLY THROUGH A HUMANLY
Jesus Christ, and who are at the core of pagan CONCEIVED ‘SPIRITUAL BUREAUCRACY’ TO REACH OUR LORD
cults and false beliefs GOD.
4. ALL HUMAN, MANMADE TRADITIONS that are opposed WE MAY APPROACH OUR LORD DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR DIVINE
to God’s Sacred Tradition. SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, WHO IS THE SOVEREIGN POWER – our
✶✶ “In Him (God) dwells all the Fullness of the Divine Ruler, King and High Priest – over all Angelic
Godhead...” WHEN THE ETERNAL WORD AND SON OF and earthly beings.
GOD BECAME INCARNATE, IT BECAME POSSIBLE FOR US TO WE NO LONGER NEED TO PERFORM MAN-MADE RITUALS NOR WORKS
BEHOLD GOD IN PERSON. in order to gain our Divine Redeemer’s attention,
When Christ was asked to describe our Heavenly Father, Compassion or Great Mercy.
He told us that WHOEVER SEES HIM (CHRIST) SEES WHAT THE WE ARE ABLE TO APPROACH OUR DIVINE LORD AND SAVIOUR
FATHER WOULD LOOK LIKE, FOR ALL THREE OF THE PERSONS OF THROUGH HIS SACRED WORKS – for by the Holy Mystery of
THE DIVINE GODHEAD ARE IDENTICAL EXCEPT IN THEIR DIVINE our Baptism we have been Adopted by God and
ROLES. United to Him.
THE WORD AND SON OF GOD BECAME MAN WITHOUT CEASING TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TRIUMPHS OVER ALL THE TRAGIC
BE DIVINE, although He assumed our human nature CONDITIONS OF OUR FALLEN EXISTENCE – sin, death, the
with the exception of the inclination to commit sin (act flesh, the laws and the evil spirits – due to His own
in any way against the Divine Will of our Heavenly Passion, Death and Glorious Resurrection.
Father.) According to the Old Covenant Rite of Circumcision, only
IN CHRIST, GOD AND MAN IN ONE PERSON, HIS DIVINE NATURE a small piece of flesh was removed, whereas
POURS INTO OUR HUMAN NATURE, for anything that is not ACCORDING TO OUR NEW COVENANT, THE NEW CIRCUMCISION
assumed by Christ would not have been HEALED AND OF CHRIST – OUR HOLY BAPTISM – WE DIE TO THE FLESH AND
RESTORED TO OUR CREATED STATE AND PURPOSe. LIVE IN GOD.
DUE TO CHRIST’S INCARNATION, WE DO NOT NEED TO RISE THROUGH
MANIFOLD LEVELS OF BEING IN ORDER TO APPROACH THE LORD
OUR GOD.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 2 : 20 – 21 & 40 – 52
THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD & HIS FIRST TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE AT THE AGE OF TWELVE YEARS
At that time, the Shepherds returned, Glorifying and Praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it
was told them. And when eight days were completed for the Circumcision of the Child, His Name was called ‘Jesus,’
the Name given by the Angel before He was Conceived in the Womb.
The Child grew and became strong in Spirit, filled with Wisdom and the Grace of God was upon Him.
And every year His Parents went to Jerusalem to attend the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old,
they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.
And when they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and
His Mother did not know it. Supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey. And they
sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem,
to look for Him.
And after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the Teachers, and listening to them, and
asking them questions. All who heard Him were astonished at His Understanding and Answers. And when they
saw Him, they were amazed. And His Mother said to Him: “Son, why hast Thou done this to us? Look Thy father and
I have sought Thee anxiously.” And He said to them: “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be
about My Father’s Business?”
And they did not understand what He said to them. And He went down with them to Nazareth. And He was subject to
them. And His Mother kept all these things in Her heart. And Jesus increased in Wisdom and stature, and in
Favour with God and mankind.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST RECEIVED CIRCUMCISION ACCORDING TO THIS WAS THE FIRST STATEMENT MADE BY CHRIST CONCERNING
THE PRECEPTS OF MOSAIC LAW – which He faithfully GOD AS HIS HEAVENLY FATHER.
followed throughout His Life and Ministry, because HE CHRIST DID NOT BREAK THE 5TH COMMANDMENT, “...Honour thy
FULFILLED THE ENTIRE OLD COVENANT LAW as given by God father and mother...” because WHAT HE HAD DONE BY
to St Moses on Mount Sinai. REMAINING AT THE TEMPLE AFTER HIS MOTHER AND GUARDIAN
AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, HOLY BAPTISM REPLACED HAD LEFT THE CITY, WAS AN ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION AS THE UNIVERSAL MYSTERY OF HE OBEYED GOD AND DID GOD’S WILL although St Joseph the
SALVATION AND INITIATION INTO THE CHURCH. (It is referred Betrothed and the Ever Blessed Theotokos did not fully
to as being “THE NEW CIRCUMCISION.”) understand at the time and were naturally concerned
In the Orthodox Church IT IS AN ANCIENT HOLY TRADITION TO for His safety.
NAME A CHILD ON THE EIGHTH DAY of its life. This is not the WHILE HE GREW UP, CHRIST WAS SUBJECT TO HIS EARTHLY,
Holy Mystery (Sacrament) of Baptism and Chrismation TEMPORARY, PARENTS – HIS LEGAL GUARDIANS - CLEARLY
that takes place a month or two later. DEMONSTRATING HIS HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO AND RESPECT FOR
It is a different Service to the 40 Day Churching of the HIS EARTHLY FAMILY.
Mother that occurs 40 days after the birth of a baby. HE GREW UP HEALTHY IN BODY AND SPIRIT, increasing daily in
The Incarnation [assuming or taking on a visible, “...Wisdom, Stature and Favour with God and men...”
physical body of flesh and bone] means that OUR LORD and BRINGING INTO PLAIN VIEW THE WISDOM AND GRACE
JESUS CHRIST EXPERIENCED NORMAL HUMAN PHYSICAL, INHERENT IN HIM.
EMOTIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL GROWTH, but UNDER THE In His Incarnation, JESUS CHRIST MADE HUMANITY COMPLETELY
SPECIAL OVERSHADOWING GRACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD THAT HIS OWN, INCLUDING PROGRESS IN WISDOM AND GRACE.
FILLS HIM WITH WISDOM AND STRENGTH – BOTH PHYSICAL AND HE EXPERIENCED AND SANCTIFIED EVERY STAGE OF HUMAN LIFE.
SPIRITUAL. Since our Lord Jesus Christ is both God and Man, OUR
PILGRIMAGES TO JERUSALEM ON THE THREE GREAT FEASTS OF LORD INCREASED HUMANLY IN THE GRACE AND WISDOM THAT
PASSOVER, PENTECOST AND TABERNACLES, WERE CUSTOMARY WERE ALREADY FULLY HIS IN HIS DIVINE NATURE.
FOR ALL HEBREWS except those who lived at great THE GROWTH OF CHRIST’S HUMANITY PREFIGURES OUR OWN
distances from the Temple. Entire Clans and GROWTH INTO UNION WITH HIM.
Communities would travel together for safety and AS CHRIST OUR GOD AND CREATOR TOOK ON COMPLETE
companionship. HUMANITY, HE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO ACHIEVE SPIRITUAL
WHEN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REFERRED TO “MY FATHER’S PURITY OR THEOSIS AND BECOME “GOD-LIKE.”
BUSINESS” HE REFERRED TO GOD’S WILL IN PREPARATION FOR
HIS DIVINE (AND PUBLIC) MINISTRY.
2. CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – ST BASIL THE GREAT – 1 JANUARY 2019
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.
6 January 2019
Holy Theophany – Baptism of Christ our Lord
TH E DIVINE REVELAT ION OF THE HOLY TRINIT Y
HOLY THEOPHANY – BAPTISM OF CHRIST & DIVINE REVELATION OF THE HOLY TRINITY – 6 JANUARY 2019 3..
...For when the Kindness and the Love of God our Saviour toward mankind Appeared - not by Works of Righteousness
which we have done -but according to His Mercy, He Saved us, through the Washing of Regeneration and
Renewing of the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having
been Justified by His Grace we should become Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life.
While Christian ethical Teaching often appears similar to St Paul had many opponents who accused him of failing
other systems, St Paul used both Roman and Judean to Love his fellow Israelites.
ethical terms – THE BASIS OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS BEING Judean unbelief was illuminated by ST PAUL’S DESCRIPTION
UNIQUE. OF ISRAEL – THE ONE THAT IS PHYSICAL (OLD COVENANT ISRAEL
CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE GOOD PEOPLE – not merely due to - JUDAISM) AND ONE THAT IS SPIRITUAL (NEW COVENANT
Obedience to Divine Law or harmony with nature, or ISRAEL – CHRISTIANITY).
in order to gain Immortal Bliss for our soul. ✶✶ GOD IS FAITHFUL TO ALL ISRAEL, but the significant point
Rather, Christians should BE RIGHTEOUS IN ANTICIPATION OF concerns THE TRUE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM/ISRAEL WHO ARE
THE AGE TO COME – IN PREPARATION FOR ETERNAL LIFE IN THE CHILDREN OF THE DIVINE PROMISE – FAITHFUL BELIEVERS
GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM – THE ESCHATON, which is the AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
Age of THE FULLNESS OF CREATION IN THE INCARNATE WORD 2 P E T E R 1 : 1 – “... those who have obtained like
AND SON OF GOD THE FATHER. Precious Faith with us by the Righteousness of
“Grace” is THE UNCREATED ENERGY OF ALMIGHTY GOD. our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ...”
Divine Grace is THE HOLY GIFT OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, St Peter taught an Apostolic Consensus – “... like Precious
THROUGH WHICH HE GRANTS HIS DIVINE GIFTS TO MANKIND IN Faith with us...” - thereby REMINDING AND EXHORTING US
TENDER MERCY AND GOOD WILL. TO FULL CHRISTIAN BELIEF AND VIRTUE – encouraging us to
The Grace of God is THE FORMATIVE POWER, THE RULE OF LIFE FAITHFULLY FULFIL OUR DAILY LIFE IN CHRIST BY COMPLETE
OF THE ESCHATON, THAT REQUIRES OUR DETERMINED OBEDIENCE TO DIVINE TRUTH, BY STRIVING TO FULFILL ALL
PARTICIPATION AND OUR PERSONAL SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE OR GOD’S TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS CEASELESSLY AND
STRIVING TO MAINTAIN. UNCONDITIONALLY.
To belong to God is to BECOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE LIKE OR St Paul believed that the Name “God” usually referred to
SIMILAR TO GOD IN WHOSE LIKENESS AND IMAGE WE ARE the Person of God the Father, not to His Divine Nature.
CREATED. As St Paul grew older, it seems his sense of the difference
(After the Fall, mankind lost our Divine Likeness, and this between this present age and the Age to come
temporary, preparatory period of earthly life is granted to (Eternity) was more profound. (deepened)
each of us in order to Struggle and Strive to regain that lost In his earlier Epistles, St Paul emphasised the present
Divine Likeness. mp) realisation of God’s Divine Power, whereas later, he
To be “Ransomed” or “owned” by our Lord God is not concentrated more on OUR FUTURE TRANSFIGURATION.
simply a legal and static state, but means to LIVE IN The “Washing of Regeneration” – THE HOLY MYSTERY OF
SOLIDARITY WITH OUR TRIUNE GOD BY OUR CEASELESS, BLESSED BAPTISM – and the “Renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
AND VICTORIOUS SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE. CHRISMATION, FORM A UNITY IN OUR SALVATION, which is
Our Holy Church Fathers regard “...our Great God and clearly stated throughout the New Testament.
Saviour, Jesus Christ...” as A LANDMARK STATEMENT OF THE Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that WE ARE RE-BORN
DIVINITY OF CHRIST JESUS. FROM ABOVE THROUGH “WATER AND THE (HOLY) SPIRIT.”
R O M A N S 9 : 5 - “... for whom pertain the Adoption the (REFER TO JOHN 3:5)
Glory, the Covenants, the Giving of the Law, the St Peter preached SALVATION IN CHRIST THROUGH BEING
Service of God, and the Promises, of Whom are the BAPTISED AND BY RECEIVING THE SEAL OF THE GIFT OF THE
Fathers, and from Whom, according to the flesh, HOLY SPIRIT. (REFER ACTS 2:38)
Christ came, Who is over all, the Eternally St Paul strongly encouraged us to ACCEPT THE WASHING
Blessed God.” OF THE WATER, AND THE RENEWING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT –
THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF BAPTISM AND CHRISMATION.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 3 : 13 – 17
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS PUBLICLY PROCLAIMED BY GOD AS HIS ETERNAL SON AT HIS BAPTISM
At that time, our Lord Jesus went from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be Baptised by him. And John tried to prevent
Him, saying: “I need to be Baptised by Thee, and art Thou coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him:
“Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all Righteousness.”
Then he allowed Him.
When He had been Baptised, Jesus came up immediately from the water. And behold:, the Heavens were opened to
Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And behold: a Voice came
from Heaven, saying: “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased.”
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BEING GOD-MAN, AND THUS SINLESS, HE ENTERED THE WATERS OF THE RIVER JORDAN, THEREBY
CERTAINLY DID NOT NEED THE SPIRITUAL PURIFICATION AND SANCTIFYING ALL THE WATER ON EARTH.
SANCTIFICATION OF REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM. HE FULFILLED THE MANY FORETYPES MENTIONED IN THE OLD
By making the Purification of mankind His own, OUR TESTAMENT HOLY SCRIPTURES, as when St Moses led
SAVIOUR WASHED AWAY THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND, GRANTED US the Israelites from bondage into Freedom through
SPIRITUAL REGENERATION AND REVEALED THE DIVINE MYSTERY the Red Sea, and when the Ark of the Covenant
OF THE HOLY TRINITY – God the Father, God the Son and was carried into the Jordan River so that the
God the Holy Spirit. Faithful People of God could enter the Promised
Therefore, HIS BAPTISM WAS NECESSARY FOR THE FULFILMENT OF Land. (EXODUS14 & JOSHUA 3,4 & 7)
GOD’S RIGHTEOUS PLAN OF SALVATION. HE OPENED HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM to a world that had
St Gregory of Nyssa explained that our Lord Jesus Christ been separated and exiled from God due to our
“... entered the filthy, sinful waters of the (fallen) rebellion, disobedience and all unrepented sins.
world, and when He arose from the water, He THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST IS CORRECTLY ENTITLED “THE GREAT
Elevated (Uplifted) and Purified our entire world with FEAST OF THEOPHANY” WHICH MEANS “GOD REVEALED.”
Him.” THE ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON OF GOD IS
By being Baptised, our Divine Saviour accomplished REVEALED TO US BY THE DESCENT OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT,
several significant Things: AND BY THE VERY VOICE OF GOD THE FATHER WHO TESTIFIES
HE AFFIRMED THE HOLY MINISTRY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST TO THIS DIVINE TRUTH.
AND FORERUNNER. THEOPHANY IS THE GREATEST AND CLEAREST PUBLIC
HIS TRUE, DIVINE IDENTITY WAS TESTIFIED TO AND REVEALED MANIFESTATION OF OUR TRIUNE GOD in human history –
BY the other Two Persons of the Holy Trinity – GOD “...the Trinity was made Manifest...” as we so Joyfully
THE FATHER AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. sing.
HE IDENTIFIED WITH HIS PEOPLE by descending naked into THE DIVINE WORDS ACTUALLY SPOKEN BY GOD OUR HEAVENLY
the waters of the Jordan River together with them. FATHER, ALSO APPLY TO EVERYONE WHO IS BAPTISED AND who
HE PREFIGURED HIS OWN FORTHCOMING DEATH, BURIAL AND strives ceaselessly and determinedly to LIVE IN CHRIST,
RESURRECTION, which gave the Holy Mystery of for WE ARE DIVINELY ADOPTED at our Holy Baptism,
Baptism its ultimate Meaning and Purpose.
4. HOLY THEOPHANY – BAPTISM OF CHRIST & DIVINE REVELATION OF THE HOLY TRINITY – 6 JANUARY 2019
BECOMING CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST our Saviour. (SEE AT THEOPHANY, GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT HOVERED “LIKE A DOVE” AND
GALATIANS 4:4-7) ALIGHTED UPON OUR LORD’S HEAD, THEREBY ANOINTING HIM
THE HOLY SPIRIT APPEARING and hovering “like a dove” IS AS THE GREAT MESSIAH – our Lord and Saviour – at the
CERTAINLY NOT AN INCARNATION at all, but was A VISIBLE beginning of the New Creation (of the New Covenant
SIGN OF SOMETHING MYSTERIOUS THAT DESCENDED FROM between God and mankind.)
HEAVEN AND ALIGHTED UPON CHRIST OUR LORD. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DID NOT “BECOME” THE SON OF GOD AT
Doves are able to hover in the air, which is how the witnesses THEOPHANY, FOR HE IS ETERNALLY THE WORD AND SON OF
described what they beheld, but the Holy Spirit did not GOD – HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO!
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS REVEALED TO MANKIND AS THE
take the form of a dove, which is an incorrect
ETERNAL SON OF GOD THE FATHER on that Glorious Day.
assumption that should be avoided or rejected at all
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS ALWAYS RESTED UPON HIM.
costs!! We can only describe anything according to our THEOPHANY – THE REVELATION OF THE HOLY TRINITY – is Joyfully
personal experiences and limited knowledge. mp Commemorated on 6 January, for it also POINTS US
TOWARDS THE BLISSFUL AGE TO COME – Eternal Life in God’s
THIS MYSTERIOUS, INDESCRIBABLE APPEARANCE OF THE HOLY
Heavenly Kingdom of Love.
SPIRIT FULFILLED THE TYPE THAT HAD BEEN PREFIGURED AFTER
P S A L M 2 : 7 The Royal Psalmist, St David, wrote
THE GREAT FLOOD, as St Theophan explained: “... just as
prophetically “... Thou art My Son... Today I have
a dove announced to Noah that God’s Wrath had
Begotten Thee..”
ceases, so too the Holy Spirit Announced on
It is remarkable how THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Theophany that Christ has Reconciled us with God by
REVEALED TO US THE INFINITE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY TRINITY
sweeping sin away in the Flood Waters of Baptism...”
when GOD THE FATHER SPOKE from Heaven, and THE HOLY
GENESIS 12 “The Spirit of God...” HOVERED OVER THE
SPIRIT DESCENDED, hovered and alighted upon THE
WATER AT THE FIRST CREATION.
BAPTISED, INCARNATE, ETERNAL SON OF GOD.
HOL Y TH EOPHANY – ST JOH N OF SH ANGHAI & SAN FRANC ISCO
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Simultaneously, GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED FROM
Holy Spirit... HEAVEN AND HOVERED ABOVE OUR LORD JESUS, THEREBY
Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ – as we celebrate this CONFIRMING THE DIVINE TRUTH OF GOD THE FATHER.
Great Feast of Theophany, we must understand that Thus, by His Absolute Humility and Obedience, Christ our
Almighty God was made known to us human beings Divine Saviour opened the Heavens, and revealed to
as the Holy Trinity and that our Lord Jesus Christ was us the Great Divine Mystery of the Tri-Hypostatic
revealed to us as the Christ – our Divine Saviour. Godhead. (Three Divine Persons In One Godhead.)
Where was Christ revealed? Where was His Work begun? Why did God Reveal His Divine Mystery in the waters of
Did He go to a great city to be revealed there in all His the Jordan River, and not by any other place or
Divine Glory? Did He ascend a high mountain, with a means?
crowd of many thousands standing below and At the Creation of the Universe, when God created the
looking up at Him in wonder? No! Not at all! Heavens and the Earth, the Earth was without form
Our Lord Jesus Christ was revealed to us and His Public and void; the Holy Spirit of God moved over the
Ministry began when He went into the wilderness, to waters, and God divided the Earth from the waters,
the River Jordan, where St John, His Forerunner, was but in such a way that water still remained
preparing His People by calling them to Repentance everywhere.
and then Baptizing them Water is essential to everything He created, for nothing
St John the Baptist ceaselessly preached Repentance, can live without water.
calling all sinners to Repent their sins and be Baptized There is water (humidity) in the air and even in a handful
in the Jordan River, signifying their Spiritual of sand from absolutely anywhere – and even in
Cleansing. stone, although it might seem to us that there is none
Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is sinless, went to St John and there, but when God so wills, He can draw it out, as He
asked him to Baptise Him, but St. John – recognising did for Moses and His People in the Wilderness during
the True Identity of our Divine Saviour, fearfully their 40 year sojourn.
protested, saying: “I need to be Baptised by Thee, and P S A L M 2 3 : 1 - 2 “...The Earth is the Lord’s, and the
art Thou coming to me?” fullness thereof, the world, and all that dwell
And our Lord Jesus explained to him: “Permit it to be so therein. He hath founded it upon the seas, and
now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all upon the rivers hath He prepared it...”
Righteousness.” ( MATTHEW 3:13-15] 2 P E T E R 3 : 5 - 6 “... By the Word of God the Heavens
Our ancient Forefather, Adam, sinned through pride. He were of old, and the Earth standing out of the
wanted to be exalted by becoming like God. water and in the water... Whereby the world that
However, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CAME TO FULFILL THE then was, being overflowed with water,
RIGHTEOUSNESS OF OUR LORD GOD BY EXPIATING ADAM’S PRIDE perished...”
BY MEANS OF HIS OWN PROFOUND HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE When mankind became overwhelmed by their sins, they
TO GOD THE FATHER. incurred the wrath of God not only upon themselves,
Adam wanted to exalt himself before God, but GOD but upon all Creation.
HUMBLED HIMSELF BEFORE MANKIND! Man is the Crown of God’s Creation, and was made
So Christ our God voluntarily descended into the waters of nature’s King. But when that King became the enemy
the Jordan River and accepted the Baptism of His of God our Lord and Eternal King, his entire Kingdom
Most Faithful Servant and Forerunner, St John, who, fell into a state of animosity, alienation and rebellion
trembling in Holy Fear, placed his hand on His against God.
Beloved Master and Lord God, while Christ humbly Consequently, the ensuing Penalty was incurred not only
bowed His Head before him. by mankind, but by all Creation!
Christ’s sincere and Natural Humility unlocked the R O M A N S 8 : 2 0 “...We know that the whole Creation
Heavens for us! groaned and travailed in pain together until
The Heavens were opened and the Voice of God our now... (for) ... the creature was made subject to
Heavenly Father was heard by everyone present, vanity - not willingly, but by reason of him who
proclaiming: “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I Am has subjected the same ...”
well pleased!” Therefore, THE FORGIVENESS OF THE OFFENDERS ALSO FREES
In other words, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER TOLD US VERY CLEARLY CREATION FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION.
AND CONCISELY THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY HIS 2 PETER 3:13 THIS CORRUPTIBLE NATURE WILL BE
BELOVED SON WHO WILLINGLY HUMBLED HIMSELF IN ORDER TO DESTROYED, BEING TRANSFORMED into “... New
ACCOMPLISH HIS DIVINE WILL. Heavens and a New Earth, wherein dwelleth
Our Lord Jesus Christ is OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’S ETERNAL, Righteousness...”
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AND WORD WHO ABASED HIMSELF IN It was in order TO MAKE THIS TRANSFORMATION POSSIBLE, AND
ORDER TO ELEVATE US – I.E. ALL MANKIND! TO PREPARE NATURE FOR THE INCORRUPTION THAT WILL OCCUR
AFTER THE DREAD DAY OF JUDGEMENT, that OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST WENT INTO THE WATERS OF THE JORDAN.
HOLY THEOPHANY – BAPTISM OF CHRIST & DIVINE REVELATION OF THE HOLY TRINITY – 6 JANUARY 2019 5.
By His Immersion in the Jordan River, Christ our Lord PREPARED HIS BELOVED MANKIND FOR HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM
Sanctified not only the waters of the Jordan, but the OF LOVE.
whole nature of the waters: OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY BY REPEATING
“Christ hath Appeared in the Jordan to Sanctify the THE ADMONISHMENT OF HIS RIGHTEOUS FORERUNNER:
waters...” (TROPARION OF THE FOREFEAST) MATTHEW 4:17 “... Repent! For the Kingdom of
“Today the nature of the wate(TROPARION AT THE BLESSING OF THE Heaven is at hand!”
WATERS)rs is Sanctified...” M A R K 1 : 1 5 “ . . . The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom
Since there is water everywhere, BY SANCTIFYING THE of God is at hand! Repent and believe the
WATERS, CHRIST THEREBY SANCTIFIED ALL OF CREATION AND Gospel!”
THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. Until that time, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST HAD BEEN URGING THE
Our Lord Jesus Christ prepared nature that it, too, might FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF ISRAEL TO REPENT, THEREBY PREPARING
experience the Beneficial Consequences of the THE WAY FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – THE TRUE LAMB OF
Sacrifice that He came to offer. GOD – THE ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AND WORD OF GOD
But this was not yet everything. THE FATHER.
HE GAVE THE WATERS THE POWER TO CLEANSE US OF OUR SINS. Now THE LORD OUR GOD HIMSELF CRIES OUT TO EVERY ONE OF US
The Baptism of St John His Righteous Forerunner only THROUGHOUT ALL THE AGES: “Repent!”
signified Repentance of sins whereas OUR ORTHODOX His Divine Voice is not addressed only to those who lived
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IS A NEW BIRTH AS WELL AS THE those days but TO ALL PEOPLE OF EVERY ERA AND EVERY
FORGIVENESS OF ALL OUR SINS. GENERATION!
God punished the sins of His first Creation with water, by As long as we hear and read the Holy Gospel and chant
destroying it in the Great Flood but now HE SAVES US these Festal Hymns of Theophany – and of all others
FROM ETERNAL CONDEMNATION THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY throughout the year, as well as listening carefully to
OF BAPTISM WITH ITS SANCTIFIED WATER THAT CLEANSES US the Spiritual Guidance and Teachings of our Holy
AND RENEWS US COMPLETELY. Fathers - WE CANNOT FORGET NOR NEGLECT TO REPENT OUR
Thus, as we sing in the Festal Hymns of Theophany, our SINS AS QUICKLY AS WE FALL INTO TEMPTATION AND SIN.
Lord Jesus Christ crushed the head of the serpent in Let us be attentive! For THESE ARE THE DIVINE WORDS - not of
the waters of the Jordan - THAT SAME EVIL SERPENT THAT a Prophet nor an Angel - but OF THE LORD OUR GOD
DECEIVED OUR ANCIENT FOREFATHERS, ADAM AND EVE, which HIMSELF!
WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DEFEATED BY THE HUMILITY AND Let us CEASELESSLY REPENT OUR SINS, and, throughout the
OBEDIENCE OF JESUS CHRIST. approaching Great Lenten Fast, let us STRIVE TO
On that great day of His Baptism in the River Jordan, OUR CONQUER OUR PASSIONS AND TO RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS,
DIVINE TEACHER REVEALED TO US THAT OUR LORD GOD IS A that in the Age to come – Eternity - we might BE WORTHY
TRIUNE GOD – THREE PERSONS IN ONE GODHEAD - and HE TO ENTER THE IMPERISHABLE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR US BY THE
SANCTIFIED THE WATERS OF THE WORLD, THEREBY PREPARING LORD OUR GOD.
ALL CREATION, along with the waters, TO RECEIVE THE Amen
WORD OF FORGIVENESS AND TO PREPARE IT FOR INCORRUPTION.
Then, having been Victorious in yet another battle ST JOHN OF SHANGHAI & SAN FRANCISCO, IN BITOL, SERBIA. 1928
against the evil one in the wilderness, CHRIST OUR LORD HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM
TH E MYST ERY OF TIME
In ancient times, people were in awe of the dark enigma God alone determines the length of our Journey, and,
of time. They tried to explain it through Philosophy when it has been completed, He recalls each one of
and Science. us in the Spiritual State that we have acquired – good
But as life passes and time rolls by, we are horrified when or bad.
we realize the vanity of yesterday, the evanescence of This temporary, earthly course of our existence is similar
today and the uncertainty of tomorrow. to any journey, but this Journey of Life begins when
This is because yesterday has passed, today is being we are born into this world, where we come into
erased - since every moment escapes and becomes contact with many different types of people, some of
the past - and the future is unknown. whom will accompany us throughout most of this
Saint Basil the Great wondered if time “...is perhaps the Journey, and many others who will disembark at
mirror of Eternity...” because the concept of time, is different stages or times, leaving us with memories of
beyond the understanding of our limited human them yet without their physical presence.
brain. Everyone we meet affects our Spiritual Journey to a
Although the fleeting nature of time poisons our life with greater or lesser degree – especially those whom we
anxiety, the sanguine Light of the Christian Revelation Love and respect – while others will guide us,
brings us calm, for God manifested Himself in time encourage us, teach us, tempt us, destroy us, harm us
and, in the Person of Christ, trod the solid ground of or save us.
history. It answers our questions and anxieties. Some will have a Christian outlook on life and an
Christian Teaching notes that time is God’s Work and Gift awareness of their own impermanence, while others
and has important educational value. will suffer pains and sorrows, be ‘oppressed and
Time begins with the Creation and proceeds towards a mistreated,’ embittered, vengeful and angered by
specific Goal at the end of the ages - completion in circumstances and consequences.
Eternity - the Transformation of all things into a Some of our fellow travellers will be willing helpers to
different quality and dimension of time, life and those in need, and are compassionate, kind people of
existence. service and sacrifice, while many others are diversely
All things are born and die in this present world and time. opposite.
Time is so transitory and everything is constantly Most people get on and off “the train” without us realizing
changing and, in the end, impermanent, so it is what impact, if any, we have had on them or vice
natural to desire a State that is permanent, stable and versa. They are the countless numbers we encounter
imperishable - the Kingdom of God, for which we on a daily basis, to whom we pay no heed.
were created. Our earthly life is a Journey full of hopes and
Every moment is unique and unrepeatable, with no disappointments, greetings and farewells, but
turning back, which makes our lifespan a period of certainly without any going back.
Struggle, Vigilance and Repentance. The Mystery of this Journey is that we do not know when
Repentance in relation to time means, among other we and our fellow travellers will finally disembark.
things, that we are Called to Live this earthly, The partings are often very sad and painful, but not
temporary present without becoming attached to, nor without Hope, because we have the Sacred Pledge
being absorbed by it, because the ‘here and now’ that we will meet again at the station of Eternity.
really is “...an evening going towards its own Let us use this precious duration of our Journey well, so
decline.” that we make good Spiritual Progress and leave
Our unique, individual lifespan is like being in a carriage behind pleasant, loving memories, with the
on a train of natural time of history and ‘of the whole unwavering Hope of our Reunion. Amen.
world’, which is speeding towards Eternity. A RCHIMANDRITE N IKANOR K ARAYANNI S - HTTP :// PEMPTOUSIA . COM /2018
6. HOLY THEOPHANY – BAPTISM OF CHRIST & DIVINE REVELATION OF THE HOLY TRINITY – 6 JANUARY 2019
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.
7 January 2019
Synaxis of St John the Baptist & Forerunner
AFTERFEAST OF THEOPHANY
Also the Feast of St Pachomios of Keno Lake – St Brannock of Braunton, Wales – St Cedd of
Lastingham
En Iordani Vaptizomenou Sou Kyrie, i tis Triados When Thou, O Lord, was Baptised in the Jordan, the Worship
efanerothi Proskinisis. Tou gar Gennitoros i Foni of the Trinity was made manifest. For the Voice of the
prosemartiri Si, Agapiton Se Iion Onomazousa. Ke to Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee “the Beloved
Pnevma en idi peristeras eveveou tou Logou to Son,” and the Spirit, like a dove, confirmed His Word as
asfales. O Epifanis, Hriste O Theos, ke ton kosmon Sure and Steadfast. O Christ our God, Who has Appeared
Fotisas, ✞ Doxa Si! and Enlightened the world: ✞ Glory to Thee!
MENAION - FESTAL APOLYTIKION – SYNAXIS OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST – TONE 2
Mnimi Dikeou met engomion; Si de arkesi i martyria tou The Memory of the Just is praised; but for Thou shall
Kyriou Prodrome; anedihthis gar ontos ke Profiton suffice, the Witness of the Lord, O Forerunner; for
sevasmioteros, oti ke rithris Vaptise, katihiothis ton Thou hast truly come forth as more honoured than the
kirittomenon. Othen tis Alithias Iperathlisas, heron Prophets, since Thou proved worthy to Baptise, in the
evingeliso ke tis en Adi: Theon fanerothenta en Sarki, streams, the One they preached about. Thus, having
ton eronta tin amartian tou kosmou, ke parehonta imin contended for the Truth supremely, with Joy Thou
to Mega Eleos. brought the Good News, even to those in Hades of God
Who appeared in the Flesh, and took away the sin of
the world, and Who grants to all His Great Mercy.
FESTAL KONTAKION OF THEOPHANY
Epefanis simeron ti ikoumeni, ke to fos sou Kyrie, esimiothi Thou hast appeared today to the inhabited earth, and Thy
ef imas en epignosi imnountas se. Ilthes efanis to Fos to Light, O Lord, has been marked upon us, who with
aprositon. knowledge sing Thy praise: Thou hast come, Thou art
made manifest, the Light that no man can approach.
INSTEAD OF THE TRISAGION ( AGIOS O THEOS... )
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe. Allilouia! As many of you as have been Baptised into Christ, have
put on Christ: Alleluia!
FESTAL PROKEIMENON – PALM 63/64 – TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Eufranthisete Dikeos en to Kyrio. ke Elpii ep’ Afton. The Righteous Man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall
Hope in Him.
Isakouson, O Theos, tis fonis mou, en to deesthe me pros Se. Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication.
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 19: 1 – 8
In those days, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper regions, went to Ephesos. And
finding some Disciples, he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you Believed?” They said to him: “But
we have not heard about the Holy Spirit!” He said to them, “Into what were you Baptised?” They said, “Into John’s
Baptism.”
Paul said, “John indeed Baptised with a Baptism of Repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe in Him
Who would come after him - that is - in Christ Jesus.”
When they heard this, they were Baptised in the Name of our Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the
Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with Tongues and Prophesied. These men were in all about twelve.
He went into the Synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of
the Kingdom of God.
Ephesos was a large, magnificent city, the capital of the St Paul remained in Ephesos for at least two years and
Roman Province of Asia Minor. Located on the main three months.
route from Rome to the East, it was a major centre of In the Church, the Laying On Of Hands for the Receiving
trade and commerce, not only in goods but also in of the Holy Spirit immediately follows the Holy
ideas. Because of its strategic location, the city Mystery of Baptism. THE TWO EVENTS ARE DISTINCT BUT
became a centre of outreach for the growing NOT SEPARATE. The Orthodox Church continues this
Church. Apostolic Sacramental Practice.
CHURCHES WERE ESTABLISHED IN ALMOST EVERY CITY AND TOWN Faithful Preaching of the Holy Gospel demands
IN THE PROVINCE WITHIN THREE YEARS, including the Preaching the Kingdom of God, because ANY
churches to which the Seven Letters in the Book of RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST WITHOUT THE REALITY OF HIS
Revelation/the Apocalypse are addressed. KINGDOM - AS IT IS EXPERIENCED IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE
AGE TO COME FALLS FAR SHORT OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN 1 : 29 – 34
At that time, John saw Jesus coming towards him, and said: “Behold! The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the
world! This is He of Whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man Who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did
not know Him; but that He should be Revealed to Israel. Therefore I came Baptising with water.”
And John bore witness, saying: “I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I
did not know Him, but He Who sent me to Baptise with water said to me: ‘Upon Whom Thou see the Spirit
SYNAXIS OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST & FORERUNNER TO CHRIST 7 JANUARY 2019 7..
descending, and remaining on Him, this is He Who Baptises with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and Testified that This
is the Son of God.”
St John’s identifying and revealing our Lord Jesus Christ “When you make His Life an Offering for sin, He shall see
publicly as “...the Lamb of God...” recalled St Isaiah’s His Offspring and shall prolong His Days; THROUGH HIM
“...Servant of God...” Who died for the transgressions THE WILL OF THE LORD SHALL PROSPER, out of His Anguish
of His People. He shall see Light; He shall find satisfaction through
The Prophecy of St Isaiah foretold of Christ: “Surely He has His Knowledge.
borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we “THE RIGHTEOUS ONE, MY SERVANT, SHALL MAKE MANY RIGHTEOUS
accounted Him stricken - struck down by God - and AND HE SHALL BEAR THEIR INIQUITIES.
afflicted. “Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the Great and He
“And HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, crushed for shall divide the spoil with the strong: because He
our iniquities; upon Him was the Punishment that poured out Himself in Death, and was numbered with
made us whole, and by His Bruises we are Healed. the transgressors; yet HE BORE THE SIN OF MANY AND MADE
“All we - like sheep - have gone astray; we have all INTERCESSIONS FOR THE TRANSGRESSORS.” [ISAIAH 53:4 – 12]
turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid upon Christ, the True Paschal Lamb, offered Himself for our
Him the iniquity of us all. Deliverance from Darkness [OF SIN, IGNORANCE, DISOBEDIENCE
“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He did not TO GOD, ETC] as St Peter the Holy Apostle reminded us:
open His Mouth; like a lamb that is led to the “(…conduct yourselves throughout the time of your
slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is stay here in Fear;) knowing that YOU WERE NOT
silent, so He did not open His Mouth. REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE/PERISHABLE THINGS, like silver
“By a perversion of justice He was taken away. or gold, from your aimless conduct received by
“Who could have imagined His Future? For He was cut off tradition from your Fathers, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS
from the Land of the Living, STRICKEN FOR THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a Lamb Without Blemish and
TRANSGRESSION OF MY PEOPLE. Without Spot.” [1 PETER:18-19]
“They made His Grave with the wicked and His Tomb with The Holy Spirit “...remained upon Him,” because CHRIST
the rich, although He had done no violence, and OUR LORD POSSESSES THE HOLY SPIRIT IN HIS FULLNESS.
there was no deceit in His Mouth.
“Yet it was the Will of the Lord to crush Him with pain.
SYNAXIS OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
✞ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy St John of Damascus urged and encouraged us to “...
Spirit. honour also the Holy Prophet, St John, as Forerunner
Dearly beloved Brethren, today, being the day after and Baptist, as Apostle and Martyr, for among those
Theophany, we celebrate the Synaxis of St John the who are born of women there hath not risen one
Baptist. greater than John the Baptist, says our Lord, and he
In the Orthodox Church it is customary, on the day became the first to proclaim the Kingdom...”
following the Great Feasts of our Lord and His All Holy, According to the Old Covenant Law, those who touched a
Pure and Ever Blessed Mother, to remember those ‘dead body’ were considered to be ‘impure and
Saints who participated directly in the Sacred Event. unclean,’ but the Saints are not dead, for how could a
So, today we honour ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND HOLY dead body work Miracles?
FORERUNNER WHO PARTICIPATED DIRECTLY IN THE BAPTISM OF Furthermore, DEMONS ARE DRIVEN OFF, DISEASES ARE DISPELLED,
CHRIST, BY PLACING HIS TREMBLING HAND UPON THE HEAD OF THE AILING ARE HEALED, THE BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, LEPERS ARE
OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR. PURIFIED, TEMPTATIONS AND TROUBLES ARE OVERCOME, BY THE
At the age of thirty, St John left the wilderness, appearing INTERCESSORY PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS, AND EVERY GOOD GIFT
on the banks of the Jordan River, where HE PREACHED FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER COMES DOWN THROUGH THEM to
REPENTANCE IN ORDER TO PREPARE THE PEOPLE FOR OUR LORD those who pray with unwavering Faith.
JESUS CHRIST – THE LONG-AWAITED GREAT MESSIAH. Consequently, THE SAINTS ARE TRULY WORTHY OF HONOUR AND
St John is referred to as a "...bright morning star..." whose VENERATION – ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE THE PATRON SAINTS
gleaming outshone the brilliance of all the other stars, OF ALL MANKIND AND WHO INTERCEDE WITH GOD ON OUR
ANNOUNCING THE COMING DAWN OF THE DAY OF GRACE, BEHALF AND FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION.
ILLUMINED WITH THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRITUAL SUN, OUR LORD We establish Holy Temples of God in their names,
JESUS CHRIST. honouring their memories and taking Spiritual Delight
ST JOHN POSSESSED THE GREAT HOLY VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND in them, and to ensure that we may not cause any
OBEDIENCE – THE ESSENTIAL QUALITY OF SAINTS - having a offenses, for THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY WORSHIP GOD TAKE
combination of both Spiritual Boldness and extreme PLEASURE IN THE HOLY THINGS whereby God is
Humility. Worshipped, Honoured and Glorified.
WE LACK THAT SPIRITUAL BOLDNESS AND HUMILITY BECAUSE OF WITH PSALMS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, IN CONTRITION AND
OUR EGOCENTRIC SINFULNESS, whereas St John the Baptist PITY FOR THE NEEDY, WE IMPLORE THE INTERCESSIONS OF THE
was able to speak boldly, yet at the same time yield to SAINTS, as God is also most worshipped in such
Christ, Who was the reason for St John’s existence. manner, AND BY IMITATING THEIR VIRTUES, WE BECOME
The Holy Forerunner was completely unconcerned with LIVING MONUMENTS AND IMAGES OF THEM.
his own position, for he was focused the Divine Let us REVERE ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, AND EMULATE HIS FAITH,
Mission of our Lord Jesus Christ. LOVE, HUMILITY, AND OBEDIENCE. And JUST AS ST JOHN WAS
What Humility and Reality, for Humility is indeed Reality! COMPLETELY FOCUSED ON CHRIST, LET US DO LIKEWISE for this
WHEN CONFRONTED BY UNDENIABLE TRUTH IT IS ONLY OUR Life is not merely about us but about Christ.
SINFULNESS AND PRIDE THAT ALLOWS US TO DENY IT, TO DEBATE As Metropolitan Vlakos reminded us THE GREATEST GIFT OF
IT OR TO IGNORE IT! GRACE, WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED, IS THAT WE BELONG TO
ST JOHN ACCEPTED HIS ROLE AND HIS CALLING, AND, IN ALL CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH, AND THAT WE ARE MEMBERS OF THIS
HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, he acknowledged it because GREAT HOLY FAMILY, which includes all of us, TOGETHER
HE FULFILLED A LIFE OF REPENTANCE. WITH THE THEOTOKOS, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE ANGELS, THE
Likewise, THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE FULFILL A LIFE OF PROPHETS, THE HOLY FATHERS, THE GREAT MARTYRS, AND ALL
REPENTANCE, IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE EXUDE HUMILITY THE SAINTS.
AND OBEDIENCE, FOR THESE HOLY VIRTUES ARE INSEPARABLE! We are not alone, and we should value this Great Gift, by
We cannot be truly Humble and Obedient if we are not STRIVING AND STRUGGLING TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO CHRIST
Repentant! AND HIS HOLY CHURCH - BY EXPERIENCING AND PARTAKING OF
Thus HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE AND REPENTANCE, ARE OUR MOST ITS SANCTIFYING GRACE AND SHOWING BY OUR LIFESTYLE THAT
ESSENTIAL HOLY VIRTUES TO STRIVE FOR AND TO ACQUIRE as WE ARE IN A PLACE OF REDEMPTION AND SANCTIFICATION.
Faithful Orthodox Christians. May we all BESEECH THE INTERCESSIONS OF ST JOHN who
FOR THOSE WHO SEEK GOD, THE REALIZATION OF THE ABSOLUTE pleased God even within his mother’s womb, who
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “WORLDLY WISDOM” AND DIVINE WISDOM proclaimed the Kingdom of God to those on Earth and
OF CHRIST’S HOLY GOSPEL IS DEPENDENT UPON A CONSTANTLY to those in Hades, and WHO CONTINUES TO GUIDE US ALL BY
REPENTANT SPIRIT, FOR “METANIA” OR REPENTANCE ACTUALLY HIS WORDS, DEEDS AND PRAYERS TO CHRIST OUR LORD, to
MEANS OUR COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION OF MIND – OUR Whom alone belongs Eternal Glory.
THOUGHTS, WORDS AND DEEDS! Amen.
For that very reason, St John the Baptist and our Lord
Jesus Christ began their public Ministry with the HTTP://WWW.HOLY12.ORG/SYNAXIS-ST-JOHN
injunction to “REPENT!”
8. SYNAXIS OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST & FORERUNNER TO CHRIST 7 JANUARY 2019
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.
11 January 2019
Afterfeast of Theophany – St Theodosios the Cenobiarch
Also the Feast of St Michael the Fool For Christ of Klops Monastery, Novgorod - St Theodosios of
Antioch – St Theodosios, Metropolitan of Trebizond & Philotheou Monastery, Mount Athos – The Holy
Icon of our Lady, Theotokos, of Elets
ISODIKON – TONE 2
Defte proskinisomen ke prospesomen Hristo. Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
Soson imas, Iie Theou, O EN IORDANI IPO IOANNOU Save us, O Son of God WHO WAS BAPTISED IN THE JORDAN BY
VAPTISTHIS,psallontas Si, Allilouia! JOHN, who sing to Thee: Allelouia!
MENAION - FESTAL APOLYTIKION – THEOPHANY
En Iordani Vaptizomenou Sou Kyrie, i tis Triados In the Jordan, when Thou was Baptised, O Lord, the
efanerothi Proskinisis. Tou gar Gennitoros i Foni Worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the
prosemartiri Si, Agapiton Se Iion Onomazousa. Ke to Voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, naming Thee
Pnevma en idi peristeras eveveou tou Logou to asfales. “the Beloved Son.” And the Spirit, like a dove,
O Epifanis, Hriste O Theos, ke ton kosmon Fotisas, confirmed His Word as Sure and Steadfast. O Christ
Doxa Si! our God, Who has Appeared and Enlightened the
world: Glory to Thee!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST THEODOSIOS – TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Tes ton dakrion Sou roes, tis erimou to agonon egeorgisas, With the rivers of Thy Tears Thou made the barren desert
ke tis ek vathous stenagmis, is ekaton tous panous bloom; and with Thy sighs from deep within, Thou
ekarpoforisas, ke genonas foster ti ikoumeni, lampoon made Thy Labours bear their Fruit a hundredfold, and
tis Thavmasin. Osie atir imon Theodosie, Presveve Thou became a Star, Illuminating the world by Thy
Hristo to Theo, Sothine tas psihas imon. Miracles, O Theodosios, our Holy Father. Intercede
with Christ our God, for the Salvation of our soul.
PATRONAL APOLYTIKION
FESTAL KONTAKION - THEOPHANY
Epefanis simeron ti ikoumeni, ke to Fos Sou Kyrie, Thou hast appeared today to the inhabited earth, and Thy
esimiothi ef imas en epignosi imnountas Se. Ilthes Light, O Lord, has been marked upon us, who with
efanis to Fos to aprositon. knowledge sing Thy praise: Thou hast come, Thou art
made manifest, the Light that no man can approach.
RETURN TO THE DIVINE LITURGY SERVICE BOOK
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON – PSALM 115/116 – TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Timios enantion Kyriou O Thanatos tou Osiou Aftou. Precious in the Sight of our Lord is the death of His Holy
One.
Ti antapodosomen to Kyrio peri panton, on antapedoken What shalt we render unto our Lord for all He has
imin? bestowed upon us?
FESTAL MATINS - HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 6 : 17 – 23
At that time, our Lord Jesus went down the mountain with His Apostles and stood on a level place with a crowd of His
Disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who
went to hear Him and be Healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And
they were Cured, for Power went out from Him and Healed them all.
And He - raising His Eyes towards His Disciples - said: “Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Blessed
are the hungry now, for they shall be filled. Blessed are those who weep now, for they shall Rejoice. Blessed are
you when others hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the
Son of Man’s sake.
“Rejoice in that day and leap for Joy! For behold! your Reward is great in Heaven...”
In the age of the Old Covenant A SELECT FEW WERE CHOSEN “The poor in spirit,” are THOSE WHO HAVE THE HEART OF
TO HEAR GOD DIRECTLY. (REFER EXODUS 19: 3 – 13) THE POOR, THE SAME ATTITUDE AS THE POOR, AND WHO ARE
IN THE AGE OF THE NEW COVENANT GOD INCARNATE SPEAKS TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GOD.
DIRECTLY TO HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AND ALL THOSE WHO “Those who hunger ...” and thirst for Righteousness
SEEK DIVINE TRUTH. REGARD THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND HIS ETERNAL
Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks to us with His own Divine KINGDOM AS THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES OF LIFE.
Authority and WE, AS HIS DISCIPLES, DO NOT DISCUSS OR THEY HAVE A TREMENDOUS CRAVING AND YEARNING FOR
DEBATE BUT LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT HE REVEALS AND WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOOD – A SPIRITUAL HUNGER THAT IS
TEACHES US CONCERNING GOD’S TRUTH – READY AND EAGER TO FAR MORE COMPELLING THAN A DESIRE FOR FOOD.
FULFIL WHATEVER IS REQUIRED FROM US. THIS IS OUR HOLY “Those who weep...” refers to THOSE WHO ARE DISTRESSED
MISSION AND PURPOSE ON EARTH DURING THIS PREPARATORY BY THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS LIFE, ESPECIALLY BY THE
PERIOD BEFORE ETERNITY. MISERY OF SO MANY OTHERS, THE STATE OF THE FALLEN
The term “Blessed” indicates HEAVENLY, SPIRITUAL WORLD, AND THEIR OWN PERSONAL SINS. (REFER JOHN 11:35...
LUKE 19:41 & LUKE 7 : 36 – 38)
EXALTATION RATHER THAN EARTHLY HAPPINESS OR
PROSPERITY.
ALL THESE ARE COMFORTED BY THE POWER OF GOD BOTH IN THIS
WORLD AND IN THE AGE TO COME.
In Hebrew, “poor” means both THE MATERIALLY POOR AND
GOD’S FAITHFUL PEOPLE.
Also the Feast of St Hermylos & St Stratonikos of Belgrade – St Irenarchos the Recluse of Rostov – St Eleazar of Anzersk
Island, Solovki – St Peter of Anium, Hieropolis – St James, Bishop of Nisibis – St Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers – St Maximos
Kavsokalyvites of Mount Athos – St Elian of Cornwall, England
33RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – AFTER THEOPHANY –CHRIST’S MINISTRY BEGINS- 13 JANUARY 2019 11..
LOVE – AGAPE – which is the primary Quality of Christian – but rather as Unique and Sanctified Members of
Growth and Development. Christ’s Body, EACH SOUL STRIVING TO REACH THE PERFECT FAITH
THE CHURCH IN WHICH CHRISTIAN LIFE – I.E. OUR LIFE IN CHRIST – AND FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD.
DEVELOPS, IS not primarily an organisation, but AN Thus UNITY OF FAITH CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM KNOWLEDGE OF
ORGANISM WHOSE PARTS OR MEMBERS RECEIVE THEIR EDIFYING THE SON OF GOD
POWER FROM CHRIST TO GROW INTO HIM.
St Paul did not look at Christians as being isolated
individuals who progressed towards Perfection – Theosis
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 4 : 12 – 17
At that time, when our Lord Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving
Nazareth, He went and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it
might be fulfilled, which was spoken by Isaiah the Prophet, saying: “The Land of Zebulun and the Land of
Naphtali, by way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: the people who sat in Darkness have
seen a Great Light, and upon those who sat in the Region and Shadow of Death, Light has dawned…”
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say: “Repent! for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
After the illegal imprisonment of St John the Baptist, OUR MATTHEW 3: 1 – 3 : the Preparation for our Saviour’s
LORD JESUS WENT TO LIVE IN GALILEE. Consequently the Divine Ministry begins with St John the Baptist’s
Inspired Prophesy of St Isaiah, the Holy Prophet of call to Repentance, which accompanies Faith and
God, was fulfilled. which is a TOTAL REFORMATION OF OUR EARTHLY HABITS
St Isaiah had lived so many centuries before and his AND LIFESTYLE.
Prophecies were recorded in the Book of Isaiah (circa TRUE AND SINCERE REPENTANCE IS BROUGHT ABOUT BY OUR
745 – 680 BC, which was between 25 years before the TRUE AND SINCERE FAITH IN CHRIST AND THE HOLY
Assyrian captivity of the Northern Kingdom of Judah TRINITY.
to approximately 40 years afterwards.) Our continuing Repentance is motivated by our Faith.
St Isaiah’s Prophecy concerning our Lord and Saviour WE ARE IN A PERPETUAL STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE AND
Jesus Christ- i.e. his Vision of the Glory of God – is one SPIRITUAL DEATH – I.E. REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS
of infinite Transcendence. (Spiritual Life and a return to Divine Grace) and
MANKIND’S ROLE IS ONE OF FAITH IN RESPONSE TO DIVINE surrendering to the temptations through our sinful
HOLINESS AND VISION FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD and ST ISAIAH thoughts, which become sinful words and deeds –
REVEALED THE MESSIAH – OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – “THE HOLY i.e. falling into Spiritual Death , which is our
ONE OF ISRAEL” – IN AMAZING DETAIL – as if he were terrifying alienation from the Divine Grace of God.
relating history instead of predicting the distant So THIS LIFE OF PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY IS A CONSTANT
future! STRIVING AND STRUGGLE against the weakness of our
He even described Theotokos and how She was to flesh and the temptation of the fallen world and the
Conceive and Bear God the Son Incarnate with Her deceptions of the evil one.
Virginity intact. THE “Kingdom of Heaven” IS PRESENT WHEREVER CHRIST
Furthermore, ST ISAIAH DESCRIBED THE SUFFERING PASSION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR IS so through our constant
CHRIST TOGETHER WITH HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION FROM Spiritual Watchfulness and Struggle, we are able
THE DEAD, PROCLAIMING HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM as if it had to return after each fall to His Divine Presence and
already happened! Love.
The term: “”Galilee of the Gentiles” indicates that The word “METANOIA” (REPENTANCE) LITERALLY MEANS to
MANY NON-HEBREWS LIVED IN THE REGION. Having a change one’s mind, or more generally, TO TURN
mixed population, Galilee was not considered to AROUND COMPLETELY.
be a genuinely Jewish land, even though many Thus TRUE REPENTANCE IS A RADICAL CHANGE OF BODY AND SOUL
Gentile residents had converted to Judaism during – a complete transformation of attitude, belief,
the Maccabean period. motivation, deeds - of being – a genuine Life IN Christ!
Because many of the Hebrews there had been influenced This is the only and most essential – most vital - first step
by the Greek or Hellenistic culture and customs, they on the Path or Way of the Lord, which – after Holy
were generally regarded as being “second class Baptism and Chrismation - is accompanied by
citizens” by the Judean Hebrews. REGULAR CONFESSION OF SINS, THE PARTAKING OF HOLY
The reference to “Darkness” means A STATE OF EUCHARIST (COMMUNION), REGULAR PARTICIPATION AND
UNGODLINESS – I.E. BEING IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH ATTENDANCE AT ALL HOLY SERVICES, AND THE COMMITMENT
OR DARKNESS WHERE THE DIVINE LIGHT OF GOD HAS BEEN TO FASTING EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AS WELL AS
REJECTED. WHENEVER PRESCRIBED BY THE HOLY CHURCH.
In this context, it represents THE GENTILES’ UNAWARENESS OF OUR LIFE IN CHRIST IS FULFILLED AND CLEARLY EVIDENT BY THE
THE ONE TRUE LIVING AND ALMIGHTY GOD AND THOSE RESULTS OF OUR SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION – by the
HEBREWS WHO REMAINED IN THE SHADOWS OF THE OLD Spiritual Harvest of Fruits of our Labours of Love
COVENANT WITH GOD INSTEAD OF ACCEPTING THE DIVINE throughout this life.
LIGHT AND TRUTH OF THE NEW COVENANT with God In other words, WHATEVER WE DO MUST BEAR GOOD RESULTS FOR
through the Guidance, Enlightenment and Teaching EVERYONE CONCERNED AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE GLORY,
of Christ our Lord and Saviour Who is in reality the HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD.
actual Incarnate Son of God. EVERY WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED HAS AN ETERNAL
For anyone to “sit in Darkness” means TO BE OVERCOME CONSEQUENCE!
OR ENSLAVED BY A SPIRITUAL IGNORANCE OR REBELLION Although we might like to think that we can get away
AGAINST GOD. with our “secret sins,” we must never forget that
The “Great Light” is THE HOLY GOSPEL OR GOOD NEWS OF NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM GOD OR THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – the long-awaited Messiah WHO WATCH OVER US CONSTANTLY!
of God. WE ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERYTHING WE THINK,
THE FIRST DIVINE MESSAGE OF CHRIST TO THE WORLD – like EVERYTHING WE SAY AND EVERYTHING WE DO – EXCEPT FOR
that of His Forerunner and Baptist, St John, WAS THOSE SINS THAT WE REPENT AND CONFESS BEFORE GOD
“REPENT!” AND HIS HOLY PRIESTHOOD!!
33RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – SUNDAY AFTER THEOPHANY
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the apply them to all aspects of our lifespan, for only then
Holy Spirit. will their True meaning be revealed!
Dearly Beloved, our Lord Jesus Christ began His earthly A C T S 2 0 : 2 1 - St Paul ceaselessly urged, encouraged
Ministry to fallen mankind with the profound Divine and exhorted “...both to the Jews, and also to the
Exhortation: ““Repent! for the Kingdom of Heaven is Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith
at hand!” towards our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Outwardly, these words seem to be a self-explanatory Repentance is absolutely necessary in order
Teaching, yet we must understand them properly and to believe
to faithfully follow our Lord Jesus Christ
12. 33RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – AFTER THEOPHANY –CHRIST’S MINISTRY BEGINS- 13 JANUARY 2019
to nurture and to maintain our Salvific Faith, perform the Works of our Renewed nature – for our
to acquire the essential Holy Virtues fallen nature is revealed to us, having been hidden
to Struggle against temptations until then, and we enter into a sustained Spiritual
to receive Forgiveness and Spiritual Restoration – Battle against temptation and sin, being armed with
to regain Spiritual Life and Healing the Holy Gospel.
to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Our Life in Christ is a perpetual Spiritual Struggle, with
The Divine Teachings have revealed to us that innumerable, unavoidable falls.
“...God sent His Son into the world … that the world A C T S 7 : 2 2 - 2 4 - As St Paul explained: ”...I delight in
through Him might be Saved,” the Law of God after the inward man: yet I see
Those who “...believe in Him (Christ) are not another law in my members, warring against the
Condemned; but those who do not believe are law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity
Condemned already...“ to the law of sin, which is in my members. O
J O H N 3 : 1 7 - 2 0 - “...Light (Christ) has come into the wretched man that I am!”
world, and men loved Darkness rather than From such an aware observation of ourselves, Blessed
Light, because their deeds were evil. For every Poverty of spirit is engendered within us, and rational,
one who does evil hates the Light, nor comes to Spiritual Mourning occurs.
the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” P S A L M 5 0 / 5 1 : 2 0 “...a broken and contrite heart is
To those afflicted by the passion of vainglory the Scripture established, which God will not destroy.”
witnesses: By Living according to the Holy Gospel, there will arise
J O H N 5 : 4 4 - “How can you believe, when you receive within us - as if naturally - the Repentance
the honour of one from another, yet seek not the commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ and His
Honour that comes from God only?” Venerable Forerunner, St John the Baptist.
L U K E 1 6 : 1 4 - When our Divine Saviour preached the Therefore, Repentance is necessary not only in order to
important, and Most Holy Teaching concerning believe in Christ but in order to have a Living Faith in
Eternity, earthly matters and the immortality of Christ.
mankind, THOSE WHO WERE BOUND BY THE PASSION OF The reason for such a close connection between the
GREED DID NOT ONLY DISBELIEVE HIM, BUT THEY ALSO Words of our Lord Calling us to Repent our sins, and
DARED TO MOCKED HIM, WHILE THOSE WHO WERE the announcement of the presence of the Kingdom of
CONSUMED BY THE EVIL PASSION OF ENVY NOT ONLY Heaven – without any intermediate struggle nor
REJECTED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BUT THEY ALSO condition - is that our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed
CONSPIRED TO KILL HIM. “...the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the
M A T T H E W 2 2 : 5 Until the end of time, all those who are world.” (J O H N 1 : 2 9 )
enslaved by their vain and sinful vices, cannot Our Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished everything for
participate in the Spiritual Wedding Banquet of our Salvation.
the Eternal Son of God, thereby making He has Reconciled us – all mankind - with the Lord our
themselves unworthy of Blessed Union with Him. God.
L U K E 1 6 : 1 4 “...You cannot serve God and Mammon!” He has prepared and acquired for us His Heavenly
We are clearly and severely warned that we Kingdom of Love.
cannot serve two masters – i.e. we cannot serve On the contrary, we have been requested to fulfil one
both the Lord our God and the evil one Work concerning our Salvation – the acceptance of
M A R K 1 : 1 5 “Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at our Salvation, which is freely and completely granted
hand!” Christ very clearly commanded us to to us by our Heavenly Father by means of our
Repent our sins, so that we would be able to Repentance.
understand and believe in His Holy Gospel – His our Heavenly King and His Eternal Kingdom are ineffably
Divine Truth. close to us --- incomparably closer than we can
However, when we do sincerely believe in Christ our Lord imagine!
God and Divine Saviour, and we strive to continually Our Divine Saviour specifically told us : “...Behold, I stand
fulfill all essential requirements of our Orthodox Faith , at the door...” (of our heart and soul) and He knocks
by our words, thoughts and deeds, we always need to upon it with His All Holy, Mighty Divine Truth.
Repent and Confess our sins, which are innumerable R E V E L A T I O N 3 : 2 0 - “...if any man hears My Voice, and
and constantly being committed – voluntarily and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will
involuntarily! sup with him, and he with Me.”
The first fruit of our Living Faith and of fulfilling the The opening of the door of our heart to our Heavenly King
Commandments of Christ was explained by St Symeon can only be accomplished with Repentance: “Repent
the New Theologian, who acquired his Knowledge of for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
Divine Truth through his Holy Experience: “...the Amen.
careful fulfilment of the Commandments of Christ
teaches us our own infirmities.” ST. IGNATIUS (BRIANCHANINOV)
Exactly! As soon as we who believe in our Divine Saviour, TRANSLATION BY BISHOP GEORGE (SCHAEFER).
Jesus Christ, we begin to fulfill the All-Holy HTTP://ORTHOCHRISTIAN.COM/67869.HTML
Commandments and Teachings of His Holy Gospel -
THE MYSTERY OF THE HEART
According to St Luke’s Holy Gospel “... the Kingdom of St Gregory Palamas taught us that the heart is “...the body
God is within us...” but what does this mean to us? of our body, a place where our whole being
(LUKE 17:21) becomes like a knot.”
Our Holy Church Fathers refer to this place ”...within us...” WHEN OUR MIND AND HEART ARE UNITED WE HAVE ONLY ONE
as our "Heart" WHERE OUR LORD GOD ABIDES SO THAT HE CAN THOUGHT––THE THOUGHT OF GOD. All of our desire is
MANIFEST (REVEAL) HIMSELF THROUGH EACH OF US. FOCUSED ON GOD.
THE SACRED ROLE OF HIS HOLY CHURCH IS TO HELP US DISCOVER WHEN WE GIVE OUR WHOLE MIND, OUR WHOLE HEART TO GOD WE
THIS DEEP PLACE OF THE HEART THAT IS ALSO THE CENTRE OF ARE TOTALLY FOCUSED ON HIM.
OUR SOUL. In this stance WE RECEIVE HIS GRACE AND ARE GRANTED THE
It is within us (within our heart and soul) where WE WAGE A ABILITY TO FULFIL HIS WILL.
CONTINUOUS SPIRITUAL BATTLE FOR OUR SALVATION, WHICH IS St Paul pointed out that in this manner we attain what he
THE PURPOSE OF ALL OUR ASCETIC EFFORTS. meant when he said that CHRIST IS FORMED IN US
We want our heart to be made Pure, for our Lord Jesus (GALATIANS 4:19).
told us that the “...Pure of Heart will see God.” WE BECOME WHOLE AND ARE PERFECTED.
As we SEEK UNITY WITH GOD, TO OVERCOME OUR SINFULNESS, we Although, obviously, we can never wholly contain God in
desire that our soul - our heart - be ignited by our heart as He is infinite - far greater than our heart -
His Divine Grace. HE MAKES IT A DWELLING PLACE - A TEMPLE OF HIS DIVINITY
Our Lord Jesus told us to “... Love the Lord your God with REFLECTING HIS IMAGE IN US.
all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all
your mind, and with all your strength.” (MATTHEW 12:30)
33RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – AFTER THEOPHANY –CHRIST’S MINISTRY BEGINS- 13 JANUARY 2019 13.
WHEN OUR WHOLE HEART AND MIND ARE TURNED TO GOD WE door, I will come to him, and will sup with him, and
BECOME HOLY AND ENLIGHTENED - "...the Light of the he with Me.” (REVELATION 3:20)
world." WHEN WE KNOCK AND THE DOOR IS OPENED, WE DISCOVER THE
In this manner, OUR LORD GOD DIRECTS OUR LIFE, FULFILLING GREATEST OF MIRACLES, FOR WE BECOME UNITED WITH GOD
THE PURPOSE HE HAS FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. THE HOLY SPIRIT.
During His “Sermon on the Mount” our Lord Jesus told His WITH AN OPEN HEART, WE CAN UNIFY OUR MIND WITH OUR HEART,
Disciples: “...You are the Light of the world. A city set and God will fill His Kingdom within us with His full
on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a Goodness.
lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and However, for this to happen, our Lord God must first be
it gives light to all in the house. In this same way, let able to converse with us.
your Light shine before others, so that they may see WE MUST BE CAPABLE OF HEARING HIM AND WILLING TO SURRENDER
your Good Works and give Glory to your Father Who OUR WILL TO HIS WILL AND DIRECTION.
is in Heaven.” (MATTHEW 5:14-16) In this way GOD CAN BECOME THE SOLE FOCUS OF OUR LIFE.
We want to PURIFY OUR HEART SO THAT IS SHINES BRIGHTLY and We must learn to develop an intimate Relationship with
becomes a Great Light, enabling us to TAKE ACTION IN Him so that we can have an ongoing Dialogue with
THE WORLD IN A WAY THAT GLORIFIES GOD, THAT ENCOURAGES Him.
OTHERS TO PURIFY THEIR HEART AND TO SEEK GOD WITH THEIR Our greatest obstacle to any good Relationship is our
WHOLE HEART AND MIND AND SOUL. pride and self-centredness.
In this way the whole world can become a Great Light. We fail to see the “bigger picture” and regard death as
What is it that prevents us from becoming this Light of the end of everything that gives us pleasure.
which our Lord Jesus speaks? We become fearful and sinful-seeking to satisfy our own
Our reality is that WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GIVE OUR WHOLE HEART desires.
AND MIND TO GOD BUT INSTEAD ARE DISTRACTED BY OUR We remain stagnant until we come to terms with the
PASSIONS, OUR EARTHLY DESIRES. Reality of our situation, just like the Prodigal Son
We are not focussed on our heart but on the things of this before he was able to “...come to his senses....” Repent
created world, siphoning our attention away from and return to the Loving Providence of his Father,
God. before Whom he humbly Confessed: "Father, I have
BECAUSE OF OUR FALLEN NATURE WE HAVE WITHIN US ALSO THE sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and am
TENDENCY TO SIN. no more worthy to be called Thy son.” (LUKE 15:19-19)
As Paul says, "...all have sinned and come short of the Only regular soul-searching Repentance-Confession can
Glory of God." (ROMANS 3:23) help us to become humbled and Obedient, for
In order to make good Spiritual Progress, we must follow thereby WE LEARN TO WHAT DEGREE AND HOW POORLY WE LIVE
the example of “the Prodigal Son,” by constantly BY HIS COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS, and UNDERSTAND
recognising, confessing and Repenting our Spiritual EXACTLY HOW DISTANT WE ACTUALLY ARE FROM HIM!
Condition – our sins - thereby seeking to return to our SINCERE SELF-EXAMINATION, REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION HELPS
Heavenly Father's House which is within us. US TO CLEARLY SEE THE DEPTH AND EXTENT OF OUR SELF-
Through our sincere Repentance, WE MUST UPROOT OUR CENTEREDNESS, OUR SELFISHNESS AND PRIDE.
SINFUL TENDENCIES SO THAT GOD'S COMMANDMENTS AND We begin to mourn our Spiritual Condition and
TEACHINGS WILL BECOME ALIVE IN OUR HEART instead of our CEASELESSLY BESEECH OUR LORD’S WISDOM AND GUIDANCE
selfish, egocentric passions and worldly desires. AND STRENGTH TO RETURN TO A HEALTHY AND GOOD SPIRITUAL
This is the only Path of return, which is difficult for us, but RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER.
as it is only way, WE MUST MASTER OUR SITUATION WITH From this realization we are motivated to CORRECT AND
GOD'S HELP so we can fulfil the Divine Will of our Lord. CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE AND ORIENTATION.
Archimandrite Zacharias believed that “...there is no We slowly begin a very long Journey of Purification
greater misfortune than that of an insensible and whereby we liberate ourselves from all the bodily
verified heart that is unable to distinguish between passions.
the Luminous Way of God's Providence and the ONLY BY OUR COOPERATION WITH THE GRACE OF GOD, WE WILL
gloomy confusion of the ways of the world." FINALLY BE ABLE TO SURRENDER OUR WHOLE BEING TO HIM, to
Difficult, yes, but we know it is possible, for we have an commit our whole heart, our whole mind, and our
All-Powerful Ally – our Lord God, Who wants our heart whole soul to Him – and, finally, discover His Holy
and soul as His Sacred Temple. "...Kingdom within."
Our Divine Saviour tells us: "Behold, I stand at the door
and knock: If anyone hears My Voice, and opens the “THE HIDDEN MAN OF THE HEART” BY ARCHIMANDRITE ZACHARIAS
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.COM
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY FATHERS
ST PORPHYRIOS OF KAVSOKALYVIA ST DIMITRI OF ROSTOV
When we Love Christ our God, despite all the difficulties We must never be lazy, but rather be eager to do
and feelings we have concerning them, we also have anything good because now is the time for us to
the certainty that we have overcome death, because Labour, while later is the time for Reward. On Earth,
we are in the Communion of the Love of Christ. warfare – in Heaven, Rest and Repose. And of a
ELDER AMBROSIOS necessity we will do one or the other – we will either
Although Death is right behind us, we imagine that it is be victorious or be defeated! We will either remain
hidden behind the mountains, and we do not even close to our Lord or be separated and alienated from
think about it! Him! There is no third way!
ST ANTHONY THE GREAT ELDER EPIPHANIOS THEODOROPOULOS
We should never think that it is impossible for us to live a Our Lord God allows the Righteous and Virtuous to suffer
Virtuous Life, but rather that it is difficult to do so. Nor terrible illnesses in order for them to be Cleansed of
can Virtue be acquired by just anyone. The Virtuous even the slightest trace of passion, and so that they
Life is Lived by those who are devout, and who have will gain an even greater Crown in Heaven. In any
a mind and heart that Loves God. case, since our Heavenly Father allowed His own
METROPOLITAN ATHANASIOS OF LEMESSOS Beloved Son to suffer on the Cross, what can we say
We do whatever we can. We do what we can without about people who, however Holy they are, still have
worry, without anxiety, without being troubled. We do stains and blemishes from sins.
whatever we can, and our conscience will bear ST LUKE THE DOCTOR
witness that we have done so, thus far. Thereafter, we Many of us are unconcerned with our own faults and
cannot do any more. We place the issues, the sins, but we find plenty of transgressions in others,
problems, our children and our family, our health, our and we make sure everyone hears about them! It is a
finances or whatever is weighing down upon us in very bad habit for us - as soon as we hear something
our Lord God’s Loving Hands and Care. And that is negative about others - to judge them and spread
when He will really Appear! gossip abroad – whether true or not!
14. 33RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – AFTER THEOPHANY –CHRIST’S MINISTRY BEGINS- 13 JANUARY 2019
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.
17 January 2019
St Anthony the Great Holy Hieromartyr, Founder of Monasticism
Also the Feast of St Anthony of Veiras – St George the New Martyr of Jannina – St Anthony of
Dymsk, Novgorod – St Anthony of Black Lake, Chernoezero – St Anthony of Krasny Kholm – St
Theodosios the Great & Holy Emperor – St Achilles the Confessor
18 January 2019
St Athanasios & St Cyril of Alexandria
Also the Feast of St Athanasios, Abbot of Syandemsk Monastery, Vologa – St Athanasios of
Novolotsk – St Marcian of Cyrrhas, Syria – St Cyril, Venerable Schemamonk, & St Maria,
Venerable Schema-Nun, Parents of St Sergios of Radonezh – St Joachim I, Patriarch of Trnovo
& Bulgaria – St Maximos, Archbishop of Serbia – St Maximos the New, Metropolitan of
Wallachia, of Serbia – St Ephraim the Lesser, Writer, Translator, Philosopher & Defender of the
Georgian Church – St Alexi of Teklati, Venerable Hieromonk
FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST ATHANASIOS & ST CYRIL - TONE 3
Ergis lampsantes Orthodoxias, pasan svesantes Having shone with deeds of Orthodoxy and extinguished
kakodoxian, Nikite Tropeofori gegonate. Ti efsevia ta all impious doctrines, You rightly won the Trophies
panta ploutisantes, tin Ekklisian Megalos kosmisantes, and Victory. Since You enriched all the world with
Axios evrate Hriston ton Theon evhes imon, correct belief, greatly adorning the Church with Your
doroumenon pasi to Mega Eleos. words and deeds, You therefore have worthily found
Christ God, Who by Your Prayers grants to all His Great
PATRONAL APOLYTIKION Mercy.
SEASONAL KONTAKION – MEETING/PRESENTATION – TONE 1
O Mitran Parthenikin Agiasas to Toko Sou, ke hiras tou Thou Sanctified the Virginal Womb by Thy Birth, O Lord,
Symeon Evlogisas os eprepe, profthasas ke nin esosas and Blessed the hands of Symeon fittingly, O Christ
imas Hriste O Theos. All’ irinefson en polemis to God; and even now, Thou came and Saved us. Grant
politevma, ke krateoson Vasilis ous igapisas, O Monos Peace to our Nation in time of war, and empower our
Filanthropos! Leaders, so Loved by Thee, the Only One Who Loves
humanity.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON - PSALM 131:48
O Lord, Thy Priests shalt vest themselves with Righteousness! Thy Saints shalt greatly Rejoice!
My mouth shalt speak Wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, Understandig!
Also the Feast of ST EUTHYMIOS THE GREAT OF MELITENE, ARMENIA – St Euthymios the Silent
Schemamonk of Kiev Caves Monastery - St Laurence the Recluse of Kiev Far Caves
Monastery – St Euthymios of Syanzhemsk and Vologda – St Inna, St Pinna & St Rimma,
Disciples of St Andrew First Called Apostle of Christ, Holy Martyrs of Scythia – St Bassos, St
Eusebios, St Eutychios & St Basiides, martyred courtiers of Emperor Diocletian of
Nicomedia – St Euthymios, Patriarch of Trnovo & Bulgaria – St Zachariah the New Holy
Martyr of Peloponnesos, Greece – St Euthymios the Confessor
34 T H
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 12 T H
OF ST LUKE – TEN LEPERS – 20 JANUARY 2019 19
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 17 ;12 – 19
At that time, as our Lord Jesus entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar
off. And they lifted up their voices, and said: “Jesus! Master! Have Mercy on us!” And when He saw them, He said to
them: “Go. Show yourselves to the Priests.” And it came to pass that – as they went – they were Cleansed.
One of them - when he saw that he was Healed - turned back, and with a loud voice, Glorified God, and fell down on
his face at His Feet, giving Him Thanks. And he was a Samaritan. Answering, Jesus said: “Were there not ten
Cleansed? Where are the nine? There are not found any who returned to give Glory to God, except this
stranger!” And He said to him: “Arise! Go thy way. Thy Faith hath made thee whole!”
THE LEPERS “STOOD AFAR OFF” BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT PERMITTED and into Spiritual Death – exile and alienation from
TO APPROACH ANYONE OR TO ENTER THE VILLAGES. God and all His Goodness.
THEY WERE UTTERLY OSTRACISED AND ISOLATED from society and All too often we totally ignore the fact that EVERY BLESSING
sometimes they even wore or rang little bells so that WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED – WHETHER GREAT OR SMALL – IS
people knew they were nearby and could avoid FREELY AND MOST GRACIOUSLY BESTOWED UPON US THROUGH
them. THE GREAT MERCY AND LOVE OF GOD.
Leprosy was regarded as a “punishment” from God for Let us learn to BE AWARE AND ALWAYS ACKNOWLEDGE WITH
unrepented sins and everyone feared leprosy for APPRECIATION AND THANKSGIVING THE ABUNDANT BLESSINGS
various (usually unfounded) reasons. OUR LOVING LORD GOD GRANTS US SO FREELY AND SO
People have always been terrified of being infected so GENEROUSLY.
they not only shunned the poor sufferers but often After partaking of His Greatest, Glorious Banquet – His
chased them away with sticks and stones. Mysterious, Eternal Supper – the Divine Eucharist/Holy
ONLY A DESPISED SAMARITAN WHOM THE HEBREWS REGARDED AS A Communion – which bestows God’s Divine Love,
‘HERETIC’ SET THE EXAMPLE OF SINCERE AND HEARTFELT Forgiveness and Eternal Life upon us, WE MUST BOW
GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS MIRACULOUS HEALING. DOWN BEFORE HIS HOLY ALTAR, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
Whenever any Miraculous or natural healing occurred, AND EXPRESS OUR THANKSGIVING: “✞ Glory to Thee, O God!
the former sufferers had to immediately consult the Glory to Thee!”
Temple Priests who would then examine them and EACH SIGN OF THE CROSS IS OUR SACRED DECLARATION OF
confirm or deny their re-acceptance into society. WORSHIP: “I worship Thee, O God, with all my mind,
Those who were healed had a variety of Purifications with all my heart, with all my strength and with all
Rites to fulfil before normal life and worship was my soul!”
allowed to continue. BE ALERT AND AWARE OF ALL GOD’S BLESSINGS that make our
NINE OF THE HEALED LEPERS rushed off to have their difficult Journey towards Eternity so much easier to
Miraculous Healing authenticated by the Temple bear – for WITHOUT HIS DIVINE LOVE, GUIDANCE AND
Priests. They WERE TOTALLY SELF-ABSORBED – JUST LIKE MOST ASSISTANCE, WE CAN ACHIEVE NOTHING WORTHWHILE AND
OF US! SPIRITUALLY PROFITABLE!
ONLY ONE OF THE LEPERS – a despised “sinner and heretic!” – “Unprofitable” or “without merit” does not mean without
IMMEDIATELY ACKNOWLEDGED THE ENORMITY OF GOD’S intrinsic value but instead it means that EVERYTHING WE
GRACIOUS MERCY AND FELL DOWN AT THE FEET OF OUR HAVE IS BESTOWED UPON US BY GOD – AN INSURMOUNTABLE
SAVIOUR WITH SINCERE THANKSGIVING AND GLORIFICATION. DEBT THAT WE OWE HIM BUT WHICH WE CAN NEVER REPAY,
THE ONE GRATEFUL LEPER SHOWED HIS GENUINE, HUMBLE LOVE FOR (because everything we have already belongs to
AND APPRECIATION OF GOD’S UNEXPECTED AND BOUNTIFUL Him!)
BLESSINGS, while the nine ungrateful lepers hurried OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST CAME TO EARTH TO TEACH
away, without any thought of the enormity of their US HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND TO HEAL ALL FALLEN HUMANITY, YET
Miraculous Healing – their only desire being to get ONLY A VERY SMALL PORTION RECEIVES HIM IN FAITH AND
back to “normal” living. THANKSGIVING.
SADLY, MOST OF US ARE LIKE THE NINE UNGRATEFUL LEPERS who For that very reason, our Lord cautioned us: “MANY ARE
all too easily take for granted or even ignore or forget CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN!” (MATTHEW 20:16)
Almighty God’s Great Blessings because we are too
involved with our own Spiritually Unprofitable
preoccupations and distractions that lead us astray
34TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 12TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE HEALING OF THE 10 LEPERS
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the However, the Samaritan Leper was the only one of those
Holy Spirit... ten lepers who returned immediately to our Lord
Dearly Beloved, it is so easy for us human beings to find Jesus Christ to thank Him wholeheartedly for His Great
a way to ‘keep score’ - to focus on where we stand in Mercy, which not only Healed him but also Saved and
relation to other individuals and groups. We Transformed his entire life.
probably do that in order to feel that at least we are The Healing of that Samaritan Leper is an icon of the
not as bad as others. Good News that we celebrate at Christmas and
The first century Hebrews had that attitude towards the Theophany, which is the very heart of our Faith, for his
Samaritans, whom they bitterly despised. And the Healing from such a terrible, disfiguring disease
lowest in their social standing would have been a manifests (reveals) our own Salvation and Healing
Samaritan with leprosy - a greatly feared disease that from the disfigurement of our sins, in the God-Man
made its sufferers religiously unclean and complete Jesus Christ, which extends to all who have “...put Him
social outcasts to be avoided at all costs! on...” in the Holy Mystery of our Baptism.
So it was shocking to the Judeans that the Samaritan The Healing of the Samaritan Leper shows us that God’s
Leper was the only one of the Ten Lepers who Great Mercy and Love extends to everyone who
returned to thank our Lord Jesus Christ for Healing receives our Lord Jesus Christ with Faith, Repentance,
Him from that dreaded disease. and Gratitude.
That Samaritan Leper was, no doubt, so profoundly Regardless of what anyone else does, we should be like
thankful to God precisely because he had learnt not that one Grateful Leper, by always receiving God’s
to expect any compassion, kindness nor mercy from infinite and abundant Blessings with sincere Humility
the local population, and especially because he and deep Gratitude.
never took any Blessing for granted. But in order to do that, we have to seek Healing for our
He must have also felt out of place walking with the sins - for the diseases of our soul that have disfigured
Jewish lepers to the Temple in Jerusalem where the us and corrupted our created beauty as those whom
Priests were to confirm their Healing, because that Christ has vested with a Garment of Light at our Holy
was not where the Samaritans were allowed to Baptism.
worship nor to present their sacrificial offerings, and The Truth is that we all Struggle to wear that Robe of
more than likely, he would not have been welcomed Light, to embrace Christ’s Healing, for we so easily fall
there. back into the ugly sickness of sin.
Nonetheless, he immediately obeyed our Lord’s If we are honest with ourselves, we will see that we are
Commandment, and was thus instantly Healed. like those Ten Lepers who were right to call out to our
Lord: “Jesus! Master! Have Mercy on us!”
20. , 34 T H
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 12 T H
OF ST LUKE – TEN LEPERS – 20 JANUARY 2019
We need their Humility and sense of dependence upon Him - by keeping His Commandments and by
our Lord’s Divine Grace for a Healing that is far applying all His Divine Teachings to ourselves.
beyond what anyone else can give us. A murderer does not become an icon of Christ’s Salvation
Our Daily Prayers state the same thing, and the “Jesus by continuing to murder. A proud person does not
Prayer” – “O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have Mercy become humble by continuing to be proud.
on me, a sinner!” - should always be in our heart. We will not experience any degree of Victory over any
Our Prayer Life is not a matter of merely mouthing words sin we commit if we simply give into it or make
with our lips, but should be a sincere, heart-felt plea excuses to justify ourselves.
for Forgiveness, for Healing, and for Strength from the No, we MUST Repent! We MUST reject our sinful actions,
depths of our soul concerning the challenges that we thoughts, words, and habits that we know are wrong –
face each day. that alienate us from God and each other!
There is nothing more fundamental to our Christian Life We may experience the greatest Struggle of our Life by
than our Daily Personal Prayer – our Personal Rule of doing so and feel nothing but pain and frustration as
Prayer – whereby we are fully present to our Lord we fight against our passions.
Jesus Christ Who was Born and Baptized in order to We may fall flat on our faces a thousand times and
Save us. wonder if we will ever find Peace and Joy.
The more we open ourselves to Him, the more fully we When that happens, we must take our attention off
will be aware of our personal brokenness and the ourselves and focus on Christ. For if we are obeying
constant need for His Great Mercy and Healing. Him as we best we can, despite our current state of
Our ceaseless Struggle to Live Faithfully can certainly Spiritual Health, then we become like that Samaritan
feel lonely and frustrating. Leper who went to Jerusalem in Obedience to Christ’s
Sin so easily isolates us from one another and also from Commandment, regardless of how we feel about it.
ourselves. Our Lord Jesus Calls us to Obey and be Healed, which is
Even if we manage to keep secrets from others, the different from being perfectly at ease.
burdens of guilt and shame are profound and can Having to endure physical therapy after an injury or
separate us at a deep level from those closest to us. working out when we are not in shape is also very
They easily become unhealthy obsessions that make us difficult to do but is eventually worth it.
feel as unclean as a leper who thinks that no one When we do ‘the right thing’ - even though it is difficult
could understand his pain and that no one could and we do not particularly like it, or are worried
possibly Heal his wounds. about how things will turn out – we usually get it done,
That is one of the reasons why the Holy Mystery of by focussing on something that is much more
Confession is such a Blessing and a relief - such a important than our fears.
Source of Strength in our Journey to Live our New Life That is what the Samaritan Leper did and it is what we
in Christ. must all do if we want to find Healing for our soul.
In the Holy Mystery of Confession we are reminded that We simply cannot expect to find Strength and
we are not left alone in isolation to Struggle with our Transformation unless we humbly obey our Lord.
sins, for the Priest is an Icon of our Lord, conveying His Unless we pray at home and at Church, practise Fasting
Great Mercy and providing Spiritual Guidance for the and other forms of self-denial, give to the poor and
Healing of our soul. needy, forgive those who have offended us, keep a
If we want to be Healed like the Samaritan Leper, we will close watch on our thoughts and actions, and
partake of the Holy Mystery of Repentance-Confession Struggle mightily against our familiar temptations, we
regularly, identifying and exposing our sins, really cannot expect Spiritual Growth in our Christian
especially those of which we are most ashamed and Life.
which we would like to keep hidden. If we do not actively strive to become Living Icons of
We will kneel before our Lord Jesus Christ in Humility, Christ’s Salvation, we will not grow in Holiness.
baring our soul, and being assured of His Forgiveness, Like the Samaritan Leper, we must do our part in order to
if we are truly Honest and Repentant. open ourselves to the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ -
Like everyone else in the Orthodox Church, a Priest goes to put ourselves in the place where His New Life shines
to another Priest for Confession. in us, which always requires our Humble Obedience.
This Holy Mystery is Spiritual Therapy for our Healing, as We should never think that we are obeying an abstract
well as a reminder that we are members of a Body law of religion or morality, for our Divine Saviour and
United together in Love and Mercy. Creator knows us better than we know ourselves.
We do not have to suffer alone, in isolation as though we We must turn away from obsessing over whether we are
were the only one who ever sinned. doing anything ‘perfectly’, for that only a reflection of
We each have a slightly different version of a common our personal pride and arrogance!
Struggle. We should not be bogged down nor tempted by the
Our sins are not nearly as unique as we are tempted to thousands of excuses that tempt us into doing
think, and there is great Power in hearing a human anything else rather than to obey our Lord Jesus
voice say that we should give no further care to the Christ.
sins we have confessed, for they are forgiven in this We all need to be like that Samaritan Leper who called
world and in that which is to come. out to our Lord Jesus Christ, beseeching His Great
Christ our God tells each of us in Holy Confession through Mercy, and then immediately and humbly obeyed
the voice of a Priest, “Arise, go your way. Your Faith Him.
has made you well.” Furthermore, we should not make any Sacred Obedience
The Samaritan Leper is also a good example of Humility any more difficult than it really is!
and Obedience because he immediately obeyed Despite our innumerable imperfections and the extent of
what Christ told him to do - to go to the Temple in our corruption, that is the only way for us to be able to
Jerusalem to show himself to the Priests, who would hear those Most Blessed Words: “Rise, and go your
confirm his Healing and instruct him to follow the way! Your Faith has made you well.”
necessary Cleansing Rites. Amen.
This is another powerful Image of our Christian Life, for
we open ourselves to our Lord’s Healing by obeying FATHER PHILIP LEMASTER
(EDITED BY MP)
HTTPS://BLOGS.ANCIENTFAITH.COM/EASTERNCHRISTIANINSIGHTS/2016/01/17/751
THE HUMBLE MINDSET – ELDER JOSEPH THE HESYCHAST OF MOUNT ATHOS
St John Klimakos, the Guiding Light and the Crown of Elder, Martyrios: “Abba, did you know that today you
Monasticism, was renowned for his Humility in have tonsured the Abbot of Sinai?”
addition to the other Holy Virtues beautifying his In his absolute Humility, St John Klimakos never revealed
Blessed soul. anything about himself. The only thing we know
One of our Divinely Inspired Holy Fathers, filled with Holy about him is that he was sixteen years old when he
Ecstasy during St John’s Tonsure, exclaimed to his entered Monasticism and he stayed with his Elder
approximately eighteen years before he withdrew
34 T H
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 12 T H
OF ST LUKE – TEN LEPERS – 20 JANUARY 2019 21
into the far desert for another forty years, where he Our Divine Saviour never issued His Commandments and
remained with his Disciple, Moses, or perhaps with Teachings from afar.
some others. Instead, He took upon Himself our human nature, lived
In his old age, when he was over seventy, he was elected amongst us and taught us practically - step by step -
Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Sinai. how to proceed through the Acquisition of Holy
Being embellished with Virtues, he strengthened Virtues and the eradication of evil.
Monasticism and the entire region. He also told us Who He is: “...Learn from Me for I Am
He wrote his famous book, “The Ladder of Divine Gentle and Humble in heart.” (MATTHEW 11:29)
Ascent,” and left it as a great legacy to all Faithful The Great Mystery of our Lord God has now been
Disciples of Christ. revealed, for we have not only seen what He looks like
Beginning with the Virtue of “Renouncing the world,” he – His Incarnate Image - but have also witnessed the
wrote about all the Holy Virtues including Impassion depth of His Loving Heart - the centre of His Divine
and Deification and ranked them in levels as if Existence!
ascending a Ladder, step by step. This is our Almighty Lord God and our Heavenly Father!
He specifically recommended the practise of humbling Those who have acquired Humility and Obedience also
our mindset as being the most essential element and receive a most marvellous Eternal Inheritance, which
absolute Duty of every Christian. enables us to cast aside all obstacles and restrictions,
In his biography, it noted that the Holy Fathers, wishing and rest assured in our Heavenly Father’s Bosom.
to test him, threw him a piece of bread as if to a dog. We must strive courageously and ceaselessly to acquire
The Blessed Saint went on his hands and knees and the fullness of our Divine Father’s Attributes – to regain
picked it, up proving that he had passed their test. our created Image and Likeness of God - during this
Such were the Spiritual Heights he had reached. short, preparatory life.
I would like to refer to the Holy Virtue of Patience, which Is Humility a natural Virtue or is it beyond our nature and
we all ought to acquire. difficult to even understand?
As already mentioned, a Spiritual Father ‘saw’ that St The Holy Virtue of Humility is Reality itself, for it enables us
John would become Abbot of Sinai. Nevertheless, this to clearly see our own Spiritual Condition and
prediction only occurred fifty years later. Circumstances - to see exactly how unworthy,
This is crucial for us as it concerns the start of our wretched and incapable of any goodness we are!
Monastic Life. When we hear about our human Ancestry according to
Even though there is no one to tell us, our conscience and Holy Scripture and compare it to our present
our deep Faith constantly testifies that we are condition, we should be deeply embarrassed, for,
destined to accomplish our absolute success through according to our Lord’s Providence, we were created
our Lord’s Great Mercy, since we have been Called to “...in His Image and Likeness...” in order to be gods
this Holy Life. by His Divine Grace (NOT by our human nature.)
No one - except God - knows when and if this will occur, Although this is our Sacred Lineage, we have become
nor how long we will live. What we do know is that “... “...thieves and robbers...” for all degrees and types of
He Who has Called us...” is always True to His wickedness, criminality, and deceit have taken root
Promises and “...faithful in all His Words...” (PSALMS 145, within us and we only differ from the beasts
13). externally.
Therefore, He will grant us the Place He has prepared for Consequently, when we begin to understand, we may
us. However, we need to have Patience for many begin to acquire Humility, and - having realized how
years until this Promise is fulfilled, for that is how our wretched we are - we will maintain this mindset and
Lord fulfills His Promises. Struggle with concerted determination.
Let us now contemplate the important Holy Virtue of If we persevere and acquire Humility, it would be
Humility, (which is firmly attached to Obedience.) impossible to be angry, greedy, vengeful, selfish,
Every Holy Virtue is Beneficial and necessary since they corrupt, arrogant, egocentric or any other
all elevate our personality, which was disgraced by wickedness, for it is fitting that being so deplorable we
the Fall and tarnished with the blemishes of sin. will suffer hardship rather than glory!
These stains must be blotted out, one by one, so that our We must understand that, by the Grace of God, it
“...Image...” returns to its perfectly created state. becomes easier for us to strive to acquire and
By ‘blemishes’ we mean those caused by an unnatural maintain Humility and Obedience, which will make
life – i.e. by passions and sins caused both by the Fall the Acquisition of the other essential Holy Virtues
and our sinful behaviour. possible: “It is always good to be zealous in a good
Ever since we became aware of Holiness, we have not cause.” (GALATIANS 4: 18)
been able to adhere to our Lord’s Will, because we Behold! There is another vital reason for Humility and
were sinners not only while we were ignorant, but, Obedience, for when our Lord became Incarnate, He
unfortunately, we have remained sinners despite our tore up the impossible list of our debts, raised ‘the
Spiritual Awareness, and thus our Holy ‘Image’ Image’ from the depths, and sealed it with His
continues to be disgraced! bloodstained Fingers!
We must now make every effort to acquire the Holy He restored our created Image to its ancient Beauty and
Virtues that overcome our habitual wickedness and bestowed on it the Seal of our Adoption, which we
passions, with sincere Humility and Obedience, as receive during our Holy Baptism, yet, again and
well as the essential Assistance of Divine Grace. again, we fall back into our old ways - into Spiritual
The Sacred Purpose of the Virtues is to Transform and Wretchedness beyond limits and description!
Restore our deformed Image to its original state. We must hold onto these thoughts and strive to acquire
When we slowly reinstate our Image to its former glory - the Mother of all Virtues that is a genuine Divine
to its ancient simplicity and perfection - then our Attribute of our Heavenly Father, which makes even
authentic humanity is revealed, testifying from Whom the Angels withdraw when they see it.
we originated and to Whom we belong - to our The Burning Sword (at the entrance to Paradise) would have
Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ for Whom departed as soon as it came face to face with our
we are named as “Christians.” Humility had it not been abolished by the Holy Cross
Thus all Holy Virtues are useful, necessary and essential of our Lord Jesus, for how could it remain (guarding
since each one uproots its respective evil and Heals Paradise) when the sons of God the Father enter boldly
the appropriate wounds. to inherit the Promises made to us?
There is, however, one Sacred Virtue recommended by Remembering always our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is “...the
our Holy Fathers, which alone may replace all others Founder and Perfecter of our Faith...” - our Perfect
and restore the Image to an unrivalled Brilliance. Prototype and the Divine Saviour of our Salvation - let
It is infinite, unconditional and absolute Love - the us continue with our present Struggle and let us rest
precise, genuine Attribute of our Triune Lord God – of assured that our success is certain. ( HEBREWS 12, 2)
our Heavenly Father, and His Eternal, Only Begotten Amen.
Son - our Lord Jesus Christ, Who became Man for our
sake - not because He needed to do so, but because (ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP)
of the Fullness of His Love. TRANSLATED BY OLGA KONARI KOKKINOU FROM THE GREEK EDITION: Γέροντος Ιω
σήφΒατοπαιδινού, Διδαχές από τον Άθωνα, Εκδόσεις ‘Το Αγιον Όρος’,
Θεσσαλονίκη, 1989.
22. , 34 T H
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 12 T H
OF ST LUKE – TEN LEPERS – 20 JANUARY 2019
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.
25 January 2019
St Gregory the Theologian of Constantinople
Also the Feast of St Moses, Archbishop of Novgorod – St Felicitas of Rome & her 7 sons: St
Januarios, St Felix, St Philip, St Silvanos, St Alexander, St Vitalios and St Marcial – St Publios the
Ascetic of Syria- St Mares the Singer of Syria – St Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev & Gallich – St
Auxentios of Constantinople - St Anatole 1 of Optina – St Dositheos of Tbilisi, Georgia – St Gabriel of
Imereti, Georgia
35TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 15TH OF ST LUKE – ZACCHAEUS’ CALLING – 27 JANUARY 2019 1.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 19 : 1 – 10
At that time, our Lord Jesus passed through Jericho. And behold! There was a man named ‘Zacchaeus.’ And he was
Chief of the Publicans, and he was rich. And he wanted to see Who Jesus was, and was unable due to the crowd,
for he was short of stature. And he ran ahead and climbed up into a Sycamore tree to see Him, for He was to pass
that way. And when Jesus got to that place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him: “Zacchaeus, make haste
and come down. Today I must stay at your house.” And he hastily climbed down, and received Him joyfully.
And seeing, they all complained, saying: “He has gone to be a Guest of a man who is a sinner!”
Standing, Zacchaeus said to Jesus: “Behold! to the poor, my Lord, half my goods I shall give. And if I have taken
anything from anyone by false accusation, I shall restore it fourfold!”
Jesus said to him: “Today Salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. The Son of Man
has come to seek and to Save what was lost!”
JERICHO WAS NOTORIOUS AS A CITY OF WICKEDNESS and was St Zacchaeus had used the term “...give...” for HIS FREE
commonly associated with corruption and immorality. AND GENEROUS OFFERING TO THE POOR and “...restore...”
(LUKE 10:30) for WHAT HE OWED to those whom he had cheated
The comment “...he was rich...” is a reference to the (and robbed) as it was not a gift but rather
earlier Teaching of Christ Who had told the Rich REQUIRED BY MOSAIC LAW.
Young Man that THE ONLY WAY HE COULD GAIN ETERNAL E X O D U S 2 2 : 1 “...If a thief is found breaking in at
LIFE WAS TO SELL ALL HIS GOODS, DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY night and is killed, there shall be no guilt for his
TO THE POOR AND THEN FOLLOW CHRIST. blood. But if the sun rises on the thief, there shall be
This specific advice to the Rich Young Man was followed guilt if his blood is shed. However, he should make
by the quotation: “It is easier for a camel to pass full restitution; but if he has nothing, then he shall be
through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to sold for his theft. If the thing stolen from a donkey to a
enter the Kingdom of God.” sheep, is found alive in his possession, he shall
When the Disciples asked our Lord Jesus Christ who then restore double...”
would be able to be Saved under such conditions, He By giving generously to the poor and restoring what he
had assured them that “...the things which are owed and more to those whom he had robbed, ST
impossible for men are possible with God!” ZACCHAEUS NOT ONLY FULFILLED THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE
✶✶ This Encounter between Christ and Zacchaeus LAW BUT DEMONSTRATED HIS LOVE OF GOD AND HIS HOLY
demonstrates clearly that DIVINE GRACE CAN ACCOMPLISH GOSPEL.
ANYTHING AT ALL – ESPECIALLY THOSE THINGS THAT ARE The title “...son of Abraham...” indicates that
IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO. Zacchaeus had become like this particular
There are many Spiritual Interpretations expressing the Patriarch of Israel for he was counted as BEING
Universal significance of this particular Encounter: RIGHTEOUS BY HIS SINCERE FAITH, HE BECAME GENEROUS
➤ St Theophylact regarded THE CROWD THAT FOLLOWED AND COMPASSIONATE towards the poor and destitute,
CHRIST OUT OF CURIOSITY AS SYMBOLISING OUR and HE WAS UNITED TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
INNUMERABLE SINS: “...crowded in by a multitude of ✶✶ ZACCHAEUS, THE SINFUL CHIEF TAX COLLECTOR BECAME “SAINT
passions and worldly affairs, Zacchaeus was not ZACCHAEUS” - A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST AND WAS LATER
able to see our Lord Jesus.” ELECTED AS BISHOP of His Holy Church, serving God
St Ambrose saw several parallels: the fact that ... devoutly until his repose in Christ Jesus.
➤ ZACCHAEUS WAS “...short in stature...” was indicative of The immense significance of THIS REPENTANT SINNER IS
his being SHORT IN FAITH AND VIRTUE AS WELL evident from the fact that St Zacchaeus has not only
➤ ZACCHAEUS HAD TO CLIMB A TREE shows that NO ONE been COMMEMORATED EVERY YEAR THROUGHOUT THE AGES,
ATTACHED TO EARTHLY MATTERS IS ABLE TO SEE OUR but THE LAST SUNDAY BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE
SAVIOUR CLEARLY (unless we make a determined TRIODION PERIOD IS IN HONOUR OF HIM,
effort!) ✶✶ This Calling of St Zacchaeus reminds us and
➤ OUR LORD INTENTIONALLY PASSED THAT WAY reveals that encourages us that NO MATTER HOW SINFUL ANYONE IS,
CHRIST APPROACHES ANYONE WHO IS WILLING TO REPENT THROUGH SINCERE AND DETERMINED REPENTANCE, WE TOO CAN
AND TO BELIEVE – HE WILL GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO MEET BECOME HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND ENJOY ETERNAL
REPENTANT SINNERS AND SPEND TIME WITH THEM. (but LIFE.
God never forces Himself on us.)
35TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 15TH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE CALLING OF ST ZACCHAEUS
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the On one hand, we are able ascend to great heights with
Holy Spirit... new perspectives on what we can see and what is
Dear Brethren in Christ most of us climbed a tree when below us, while on the other hand, we take significant
we were young and often our adventurous nature risks of falling, which could either seriously injure us
gave us - sometimes to our surprise - a new or even kill us.
perspective, for we could now see the surrounding Perhaps this will help us to understand the paradox of St
area and perhaps even far beyond it. Zacchaeus in today’s Sacred Lesson.
These days, we no longer need tall trees to climb St Zacchaeus had also climbed a tree, because he was
because we have Google Earth and satellite imagery “...short of stature...” and wanted to see over the crowd
that is accessible to everyone. who had gathered because our Lord Jesus Christ was
Nevertheless, it is exhilarating and even intoxicating to passing through the city of Jericho.
see things from a great height. His name “Zacchaeus” actually means “the pure and
Just the feat of climbing a tree is was as gratifying for a innocent one,” and he is commended by some of our
child as climbing Mount Everest was for the most Holy Fathers for his persistence in trying to see our
extreme adventurer. Then, right when we were Lord Jesus Christ of Whom he had heard.
enjoying our moment of exaltation, a voice called out: His undignified climbing up the Sycamore tree to get a
“Get down from there right now! You are going to fall better view of Christ our God is similar to the four
and break you neck!” friends of the Paralytic of Capernaum who broke
A concerned adult had seen us and, concerned for our through the sun-baked roof of a house in order to
safety, had issued a dire warning and a strict bypass the gathered crowd surrounding our Lord
commandment that we immediately obeyed, but as Jesus and then lowering their bed-ridden friend right
we made our descent, it seemed to be a lot more before Him to be Healed. (Mark 2:1-12)
difficult than when we climb up that tree! St Cyril of Jerusalem and St. Augustine believed that St
And suddenly we become acutely aware of just how high Zacchaeus had to rise above all earthly things in
we had climbed, and how far we could fall! order to clearly behold Christ our Divine Saviour. This
Although it was a scary realization it probably did not Teaching is extremely significant and should be
discourage us from climbing to various heights again. applied to ourselves.
That is the paradox of climbing trees and various other Life – and especially our Spiritual Life - is a Journey
things that take us to great heights. towards Eternity.
We must focus on our Destination and learn how to get
there by the proper Route.
26 35TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 15TH OF ST LUKE – ZACCHAEUS’ CALLING – 27 JANUARY 2019
It is difficult to navigate through a thick forest or rocky “... rich ...” which had many negative, sinister
area without a clearly defined path or a compass. connotations.
Our life at times is so overgrown with worldly concerns However, DUE TO HIS ENCOUNTER WITH OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR, ST
that we stray off the Path that leads us to Christ. ZACCHAEUS WAS COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED!
This can happen even when we are actively involved in HE NOT ONLY REPENTED HIS SINS BUT ALSO GAVE HALF OF HIS
the Life of the Church through Prayer, Worship, WORLDLY POSSESSIONS TO THE POOR AND REPAID EVERYONE
Fasting and Almsgiving. WHOM HE HAD CHEATED – OR WHO ACCUSED HIM OF DOING SO -
It is necessary to pause and climb up above the thick FOUR TIMES MORE THAN THEY HAD LOST.
foliage to see where we are and where we need to How many of us would give 50% - or even 1% - of our
go. wealth and possessions to the poor?
The account of St Zacchaeus reminds us to climb Consequently, St Zacchaeus turned out to have been rich
upwards and look ahead. in worldly wealth and possessions, but neither
In few weeks’ time, we will enter the period of Triodion obsessed nor enslaved by it, for having given most of
which begins on Sunday of the Publican and the it away, he then became a Faithful Disciple of Christ
Pharisee, and three weeks later, Great Lent will begin who dedicated the rest of his life to the Holy Service of
after Sunday of Cheesefare/Forgiveness with “Clean God.
Monday.” Regardless of how others perceived St Zacchaeus, our
After another three weeks it is Sunday of the Veneration Lord Jesus Christ, Who sees every heart and soul
of the Cross and after three more weeks it will be Palm clearly, looked directly up at him in that tree and
Sunday and Holy Pascha! Called him by saying: “...Today I must stay at your
Each Sunday is like a signpost that points us in the right house.”
direction where we need to go as we proceed Just like our parents or those who cared for us when we
towards Eternity. were young and immature, our Lord Jesus Christ
Although some of our Holy Fathers regarded the climbing constantly watches out for us and Calls us to Him.
up into the Sycamore tree by St Zacchaeus as a He is not satisfied with just being an Icon hanging on our
positive action, others regarded it differently. wall. He wants to enter our heart, mind and soul.
Father Paul Tarazi asserted that St Zacchaeus represents According to Lev Gillet this Calling of St Zacchaeus should
those who try to see or encounter our Lord God remind us of Christ Who stands at the Door of our
through their own efforts. heart and knocks: “... If any man hears My Voice and
He noted that the word “Sycamore,” with which St Luke opens the door, I will come in to him and will sup with
described the tree that St Zacchaeus ascended, him and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
appears nowhere else in Holy Scripture. By telling St Zacchaeus to “... make haste...” because
St Luke apparently invented the term himself, for it seems “...Today I must stay at your house...” our Lord Jesus
to have been a play on words combining “syke” Christ emphasised the urgency of His Divine Salvation.
meaning “fig tree,” and “moria,” meaning We cannot put off until later, tomorrow, next week or next
“foolishness” or “folly.” Thus the “Sycamore” tree month what must be done now, today.
meant “the tree of foolishness.” We must heed our Divine Saviour Who is patiently waiting
Lev Gillet believed that when our Lord Jesus’ told St at the Door of our heart – waiting to get our attention,
Zacchaeus to “...come down...” it meant that WE MUST waiting for us to eagerly welcome Him, for our Lord
LEAVE BEHIND ALL VANITY AND PRIDE IN ORDER TO BE IN THE God never forces Himself into our life.
PRESENCE OF OUR LORD. He has already knocked at our Door and waits for us to
It was a preview of what our Lord Jesus said when He respond by joyfully and willingly inviting Him to enter
concluded His Parable of the Publican and the our Life by allowing His Divine the Kingdom to be
Pharisee: “... He who exalts himself will be humbled, established within us, and by becoming Faithful
and he who humbles himself will be exalted!” (LUKE Children of our Heavenly Father.
18:14) According to St Cyprian of Carthage this can only occur if
Another paradox concerning St Zacchaeus is that “...he we imitate St Zacchaeus - by sincerely Repenting our
was Chief of the Publicans, and he was rich...” sins, Transforming ourselves from wicked, selfish
meaning that as a self-serving, greedy collaborator sinners to Faithful Disciples of Christ and by sharing
with the Roman Empire Authorities who oppressed the our Abundant Blessings with those in need.
people of the occupied territories, Zacchaeus was Amen
regarded and bitterly despised by the Judeans as a
corrupted traitor to his own people and therefore a FATHER RICK, ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, USA
most despicable sinner – especially because he was (ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP)
HTTP://WWW.STGEORGEGOC.ORG
MAINTAINING OUR SPIRITUAL ZEAL
In order for us to LIVE AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LIFE or to Our Holy Fathers also remind of this by using words such
SUSTAIN OUR LIFE IN CHRIST (Whom we have “put on” at as “...seeking... proposing ... fervour... diligence...
our Holy Baptism) we must FULFIL ALL GOD’S warmth of spirit... burning ... zeal.”
COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS – ALL HIS DIVINE TRUTH. SPIRITUAL ZEAL IS COMBINED WITH LOVE, as St Nektarios of
We must LOVE OUR LORD GOD WITH ALL OUR BEING – HEART, Pentapolis and Aegina explained:
MIND, STRENGTH AND SOUL – AND we must also LOVE EACH “... the Zealot according to Knowledge, who is Motivated
OTHER AS MUCH AS WE LOVE OURSELVES AND AS MUCH AS GOD by the Love of God and neighbours, does all things
LOVES US ALL. with Charity and self-effacement – doing nothing
This is not an easy Path to follow so we must STRIVE that might cause sorrow to others.
CONSTANTLY TO LIVE A LIFE OF HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE AND “Such a Zealot is Enlightened by Knowledge, and
REPENTANCE for these lead to all the other essential nothing prompts the deviation from what is morally
Holy Virtues. right.”
Furthermore, by adopting an Orthodox Way of Life, we St Symeon the New Theologian teaches us: “... for every
will BECOME ZEALOUS AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. pursuit and every endeavour involving great toil
L U K E 1 2 : 4 9 Our Lord Jesus Christ told us: “... I have that does not end up in Love and a contrite spirit is
come to send Fire to the Earth, and how I wish It futile, and yields no Profitable result!”
were already kindled!” St Theophan the Recluse emphasised the preserving of
This reference to “Fire” concerns HIS HOLY GOSPEL, AND THE Spiritual Zeal should be our first priority: “...The first
DIVINE GIFTS OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, which ENLIVENS THE job of the Christian Ascetic should be the
FAITHFUL AND JUDGES THE FAITHLESS, WHILE IT PURIFIES HOLY preservation of this Zeal and Fervour as Source of
VIRTUE AND DESTROYS SIN. Power for Living a God-pleasing Life...”
P H I L I P P I A N S 3 : 1 4 - St Paul urged us to “...press toward 2 PETER 1 : 5 – 6 St Peter the Holy Apostle of Christ,
the Goal for the Prize of the upward Call of God taught us to “... make every effort to add
in Christ Jesus.” Goodness to your Faith, and to Goodness,
Knowledge; and to Knowledge, Self-control, and
to Self-control, Perseverance...”
35TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 15TH OF ST LUKE – ZACCHAEUS’ CALLING – 27 JANUARY 2019 1.
AN “INWARD JOURNEY” TO OUR HEART AND SOUL IS REQUIRED, and “...stand in those feelings and thoughts
just like our Awakening to Christ our Lord and Saviour whereby we Ascend as though climbing the
Transformed us, WE MUST CONTINUALLY TRANSFORM OUR steps of a Ladder to the Footstool of our Lord’s
WORLDLY PERCEPTION AND VIEW INTO A CELESTIAL VIEW AND Throne...”
PERCEPTION. Let us keep in mind, therefore, the exhortation of our Lord
St Theophan the Recluse advised those who wish “...to Jesus Christ Who commanded us:
preserve an unwavering Spiritual Zeal...” to REVELATION 3:19 “... Be Zealous, therefore, and Repent!”
“... go within...”
“... view the New World...” http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com/2010
ON TRIALS AND PAIN - ST PAISIOS OF MOUNT ATHOS
WHEN WE REALIZE THAT OUR TRIALS AND PAINS ARE BLESSINGS LORD OUR GOD FOR HIS DIVINE TRUTH, WHICH WHEN APPLIED
FROM GOD, WE WILL VIEW ALL DEGREES OF SUFFERING TO OUR OWN WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS, WILL SANCTIFY US
PROPERLY AND WILL IMMEDIATELY BE RELEASED FROM A SENSE AND KEEP US CLOSE TO OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR, for we have
OF BEING DISADVANTAGED. come to know Him and THROUGH OUR PRAYERS WE ARE
If a child is disabled and has not been taught to properly UNITED WITH HIM AND CAN COMMUNICATE FREELY WITH HIM.
understand and Rejoice in that disability, then there is Wherever we are, or whatever we are occupied with, WE
some excuse for feeling ‘disadvantaged.’ CAN ALWAYS CONTEMPLATE THE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND
But IF CHILDREN GROW UP WITH A SENSE OF INFERIORITY IT MEANS ALL HOLY SCRIPTURE THAT WE HAVE READ AND BEEN TAUGHT
THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT NOR GRASPED THE DEEPER ABOUT.
MEANING OF THIS TEMPORARY LIFE. The whole basis of our Orthodox Faith is the right way of
A little girl who had lost an eye due to a tumour, was looking at everything.
mocked at school by the other children, which deeply We can think about how our Lord God wants us to
distressed her, so her father spoke to me about their behave, to think and to speak.
problems. A devout Lawyer, who was losing his sight due to his old
HE WANTED TO GIVE HER ANYTHING SHE WANTED in order to age, once said to me: “Pray for me, Holy Elder, so that I
make her happy and to forget about her can read a little and recognize the faces of those who
disfigurement but, having five other small children are dear to me.”
who would become jealous, and, being poor, he I told him: ‘You know those who are dear to you from
could not do so. their voice. As for reading, you have been reading
I told him that IT WOULD BE FALSE COMFORT AND BY NO MEANS A for all these years. Now continue to pray the Jesus
SOLUTION, FOR IT WOULD ONLY MAKE HER GREEDY AND Prayer, for it seems that this is what God wants from
DEMANDING, AND HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH A you.” And from then on the aging Lawyer felt greater
SITUATION THAN WOULD WORSEN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. Joy than when he had had his sight.
“... Try to get your daughter to understand, and to be We will be granted a Greater Reward if we are disabled
grateful for still having the sight of her one eye. by temporary or chronic ailments or pain, which we
“Explain to her that many Holy Martyrs had their eyes patiently endure without any complaint, and by
plucked out, or their ears and nose cut off, and being grateful to God for His Great Mercy and Love.
people laughed at them. But although they suffered There is indeed, much suffering all around us, and so
from the pain, and the mockery of others, they did many others are in far worse circumstances than
not lose their Courage nor Faith in God, and they ourselves but if we all Struggle against the passions of
endured their Martyrdom unflinchingly. our soul, we will eventually receive Crowns of
“If your child understands and deals with her disability Salvation from the Lord our God.
with Hymns of Praise, God will grant her a place This is similar to those military people who - having been
among His Holy Confessors, for it is ‘no small thing’ disabled in warfare - receive a pension and medals
for God to permit the eye of your child to be removed from their grateful Nation.
in such a way that it does not hurt, and then place Those people who always seem to be “hale and hearty” -
her among His Confessors, for she will have far less flourishing and healthy - and who seem to have
sins to Repent and will receive an Eternal Reward for everything they could wish for but who never deal
her disability.” with their errors or shortcomings, God will say to them:
The father departed, grateful and relieved, for he was ‘In your life, you enjoyed your goods and your well-
able to help his daughter to understand and accept being. What do I owe you now? Nothing!’
that her disability was a Blessing from God, for which However those who suffer from various disabilities -
she should Glorify Him. either being a birth defect. inherited or due to other
Subsequently, she grew up healthy and confident, and circumstances, should be happy about what they will
went to University to study languages, and is presently receive in the next life – in Eternity – for if they are
a Lecturer who is happier than OTHERS WHO ‘HAVE IT ALL’ innocent victims, they will receive a Great Reward in
YET REMAIN MISERABLE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT UNDERSTOOD Heaven - without any ‘deductions.’ Our Loving,
THE DEEPER MEANING OF THIS LIFE. Compassionate Lord God will say to them: ‘Come, My
WHEN WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE TRUE MEANING AND PURPOSE Children, and sit in this comfortable armchair for all
OF THIS PRESENT LIFE, WE WILL BECOME DISTRESSED AND LACK Eternity.’
CONFIDENCE AND FAITH, despite all the Abundant This is why I have said that I would have preferred a
Blessings and opportunities that our Lord bestows thousand times to have been born mentally retarded,
upon us for our Eternal Salvation. blind or deaf, because then I would receive a far
On the contrary, WHEN WE VIEW EVERYTHING PROPERLY, WE Greater Reward from God.
REJOICE AND ARE EXCEPTIONALLY GRATEFUL TO GOD – even if As long as we never grumble and complain when we are
we are disfigured or suffer any type of debilitating sick or chronically ailing or disabled, but instead we
ailments - even if we are disabled or disadvantaged humbly Glorify God and live close to Him, we will be
to any extent - WE WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY AND CONTENT, awarded a Blissful Place in Paradise for God will rank
THEREBY BEING COMPELLED TO GLORIFY AND OFFER all patient and humble sufferers with His Holy
THANKSGIVING TO OUR LORD GOD FOR HIS Great Mercy and Confessors and Martyrs, who offered the sacrifice of
Love. their body for the sake of Christ our Divine Saviour,
Of course, I realize how difficult it is for all those who are and now, in Paradise, will continually embrace Him
disabled or disadvantaged. I pray constantly for with all their devotion...
those who struggle the most to overcome so many Little children express their discomfort so there are
obstacles in order to make their way in life especially certain situations that our Lord overlooks just as
for those who are blind. parents who Love their children equally, but will take
In my Prayers I beseech our Lord God to grant the blind special interest in those who are weak or disabled.
even a little light - and for all those who are disabled, We must welcome Divine Intervention whenever and
the ability to take care of themselves. however God Wills, knowing it is always for our
When we suffer poor eyesight, we must not worry about Spiritual Benefit, even though we do not always
reading entire Chapters of the Holy Gospel for WE CAN understand and appreciate it.
READ A FEW VERSES AT A TIME AND THEN QUIETLY CONTEMPLATE
THEM, AND WE CAN KISS THE HOLY GOSPEL, AND THANK THE http://pemptousia.com
28 35TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 15TH OF ST LUKE – ZACCHAEUS’ CALLING – 27 JANUARY 2019
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.
30 January 2019
The Three Holy Hierarchs
St Basil the Great, St John Chrysostom & St Gregory the Theologian
Also the Feast of St Hippolytos of Rome - St Censorinos, St Sabinos, St Chryse the Virgin
Martyr, St Felix, St Maximos, St Herculianos, St Venerios, St Styrakios, St Menas, St
Commodos, St Hermes, St Mavros, St Eusebios, St Rustikos, St Monagros, St Amandinos St
Nymphodora, St Cyros, St Theodore the Tribune, St Maximos the Presbyter, St Achelaos
the Deacon, & St Kyriakos the Bishop, Holy Martyrs of Ostia – St Zeno the Faster of Kiev
Caves Monastery – St Zeno the Hermit of Antioch, Disciple of St Basil the Great – St
Theophilos the New of Cyprus – St Peter, King of Bulgaria – St Demetrios, the New Martyr
of Sliven – St Theodore the New Martyr of Mytilene & Mount Athos
THREE HOLY HIERARCHS: ST BASIL, ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM & ST GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN 30 JANUARY 29.
until all is fulfilled. Whoever breaks one of the least of these Commandments, and teaches others to do so, shall
be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven! Whoever does and teaches them, shall be called ‘Great’ in the
Kingdom of Heaven.
✶✶ ALMIGHTY GOD IS THE TRUE AND UNCREATED LIGHT. Tabernacles in the Outer Court of the Temple in
In the Old Testament LIGHT WAS SYMBOLIC OF ALMIGHTY Jerusalem.
GOD, HIS DIVINE LAW AND ISRAEL in contrast to all other Consequently, CHRIST DECLARES HIMSELF AS THE FULFILMENT
Nations. AND THE DIVINE OBJECT OF ALL CELEBRATIONS OF LIGHT.
ISAIAH 60: 1 – 3 “Shine, shine, O Jerusalem, for your In Holy Scripture, God the Father is Light – a Divine
Light has come, and the Glory of the Lord has risen Attribute that He bestows upon His Faithful Flock.
upon you. Behold: darkness and gloom shall (JOHN 1:4-9 & 1 JOHN 1:5 – MATTHEW 5:14 - PHILIPPIANS 2:15)
cover the earth upon the Nations, but the Lord will Furthermore, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CONFIRMS HIS CLAIM BY
shine on you and His Glory shall be seen upon PERFORMING THE GREAT MIRACLE OF CREATING EYES FOR
you. Kings shall come to your Light, and the THE MAN WHO WAS BORN WITHOUT ANY EYES AT ALL. (JOHN 9 :
Gentiles to your Brightness...” 1-7 – ESPECIALLY 9:5)
This is the Hymn that we sing during Holy Pascha in the 1 JOHN 1 : 5 “... This is the message that we have heard
Liturgical Services – for, as St John of Damascus from Him and declare to you: that God is Light and
expressed it: “... the whole Creation rejoices and in Him is no darkness at all.”
exults, for Christ is Risen and Hades despoiled.” For St John the Divine and Beloved Theologian and
PSALM 118:105 - “Thy Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Apostle of Christ “LIGHT” IS DIVINE ENERGY, WHICH
Light to my paths.” MANIFESTED (REVEALED) DIVINE TRUTH – I.E. TRUE TEACHING
In the New Testament, THE SON OF GOD IS “LIGHT” – HE IS – VIRTUE AND HOLINESS – I.E. TRUE BEHAVIOUR AND LIFESTYLE
UNCREATED LIGHT OF UNCREATED LIGHT – TRUE GOD OF – AND HOLY COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS HOLY CHURCH –
TRUE GOD! I.E. TRUE SPIRITUALITY.
JOHN 1: 4 – 9 “... In Him is Life, and the Life is the Light ✶✶ THE STRONGEST OF ALL WEAPONS AGAINST SPIRITUAL
of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, DARKNESS AND SIN IS OUR LOVE FOR GOD, WHICH IS A
and the darkness did not comprehend It. There STRONG, VIBRANT AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Light is necessary for clear vision and for life itself.
This man came as a Witness, to bear witness of the ✶✶ FAITH RELIES ON DIVINE LIGHT and FAITHFUL BELIEVERS
Light, that all – through him – might believe. He BECOME “SONS OF LIGHT,” WHO SHINE IN A DARKENED AND
was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of PERVERSE WORLD. (JOHN 12:36 - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:5 – PHILIPPIANS 2 :
that Light. That was the True Light, which gives 15)
Light to everyone coming into the world...” At Holy Pascha the Divine Liturgy begins with the Priest
✶✶ONLY GOD HAS LIFE IN HIMSELF, THUS OUR LORD JESUS exiting the Holy Sanctuary and presenting a lit
CHRIST, BEING GOD, IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE, TOGETHER WITH candle into the darkened church - inviting the
THE FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
congregation to “Come and receive the Light that
“The Life was the Light of mankind...” St John now is never overtaken by night!” whereupon, one by
introduces MANKIND AS SANCTIFIED RECEIVERS OF THE one, our candles are lit and the entire church is
DIVINE LIGHT OF GOD, WHO, BY LIVING IN CHRIST, BECOME quickly illuminated by the soft, golden light – a
CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT OF GOD. (JOHN 12:36 – EPHESIANS 5:8 – 1 wonderful way of REMINDING US HOW GOD’S DIVINE
THESSALONIANS 5:5) LIGHT OF TRUTH AND LOVE SPREAD AND ENLIGHTENED THE
(EXODUS 3: 2 & 13 :21) St Moses, our ancient Patriarch, saw ENTIRE WORLD FOREVER!
the Divine Light in THE MYSTERIOUS BURNING BUSH and CHRISTIAN VIRTUES HAVE BOTH A PERSONAL AND PUBLIC
the whole Nation of Israel witnessed It at THE PARTING FUNCTION, for it can bring others to Glorify God and
OF THE RED SEA. to live in Christ forever.
(ISAIAH 6: 1 – 5) - St Isaiah beheld the Divine Light of ✶✶OUR LORD JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW IN HIMSELF - IN HIS
God IN HIS HEAVENLY VISION. ( WORDS AND IN HIS ACTIONS BY PERFORMING GOD’S WILL IN
(MATTHEW 17 : 1 – 5) The three Apostles of Christ witnessed ALL ITS FULLNESS, BY TRANSGRESSING NONE OF THE PRECEPTS
the Divine Light of God at OUR LORD’S TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LAW, BY DECLARING THE PERFECT FULFILMENT OF THE
ON MOUNT TABOR. LAW, WHICH HE WAS ABOUT TO DELIVER TO THEM AND BY
“Darkness” refers to SPIRITUAL DARKNESS OR BLINDNESS DUE GRANTING RIGHTEOUSNESS – THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE
TO UNREPENTED SIN. It is both Spiritual Ignorance and LAW – TO US.
Satanic opposition to the Divine Light and Truth of ✶✶HE ALSO FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES OF ALL THE HOLY
Almighty God. THOSE WHO HATE TRUTH, PREFER PROPHETS OF GOD, by being and carrying out
IGNORANCE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEY STRIVE TO KEEP everything they had foretold centuries before.
OTHERS IGNORANT AS WELL. Our Lord Jesus often used the term “Truly” or “Assuredly”
“Comprehend” means both “understand” and which means “confirmed,” or “so be it” – “Amen” – as
“overcome.” Thus SPIRITUAL DARKNESS CAN NEVER A SOLEMN AFFIRMATION OR FORM OF OATH.
OVERPOWER THE DIVINE LIGHT AND TRUTH OF OUR LORD His use of this expression at the beginning of certain
JESUS CHRIST, NOR CAN IT UNDERSTAND THE WAY OF DIVINE Divine Proclamations (rather than at the end) is
LOVE. (AGAPE) UNIQUE AND AUTHORITATIVE: HE DECLARES HIS WORDS
“John” is a reference to ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND AFFIRMED BEFORE THEY ARE EVEN SPOKEN!
FORERUNNER TO CHRIST – THE LAST AND GREATEST OF ALL “A JOT” – “IOTA” – IS THE SMALLEST LETTER IN THE GREEK
THE OLD COVENANT HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD, who not ALPHABET WHILE A “TITTLE” IS THE SMALLEST STROKE IN
only prepared the Hebrews on earth for the advent CERTAIN HEBREW LETTERS.
of Christ the True Messiah, but after his Holy ✶✶Thus, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, THE ENTIRE LAW OF GOD IS
Martyrdom, HE ALSO PREPARED THOSE WHO WERE AFFIRMED AS THE SACRED FOUNDATION OF CHRIST’S NEW
IMPRISONED IN HADES. (after Christ’s Death and His own COVENANT TEACHING.
descent into Hades, our Lord Jesus set the Righteous souls “All is fulfilled” is a reference to THE PASSION AND
free to Repose in Paradise until the Final Judgement. This is RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUr.
known as “The Harrowing of Hades.”) ✶✶RIGHTEOUSNESS ACCORDING TO THE LAW IS A UNIFIED WHOLE.
Although OUR MOST MERCIFUL GOD HAS OFFERED HIS DIVINE THE OBSERVANCE OF ALL THE LEAST COMMANDMENTS OF
LIGHT TO EVERY HUMAN BEING, the fallen world and GOD IS TO OBSERVE OR KEEP OR OBEY THE WHOLE DIVINE LAW
even many of His chosen people refuse to receive OF GOD,
Him. Thus they can neither know nor recognise WHILE THE VIOLATION OF THE LEAST COMMANDMENT IS
Him. THOSE WHO ACCEPT CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, ARE CONSIDERED BY GOD TO BE THE VIOLATION OF THE ENTIRE
GRANTED HIS DIVINE LIGHT. DIVINE LAW OF GOD!
After having heard the reading of the Holy Gospel and It could not be made more definitive or clear to us than
having received the Holy Eucharist in Divine Liturgy, this!!
we sing: “We have seen the True Light! We have
received the Heavenly Spirit!” ST ANTHIMOS OF CHIOS
John 8: 12 Our Lord Jesus said: “I Am the Light of the When we sit and collect our thoughts and see that we
world. He who follows Me shall not walk in are nothing; when, in Humility, we put ourselves to
darkness, but have the Light of Life.” shame, then our Tears in God begin to flow,
Our Lord used these words in the context of the great sweetening the heart and igniting Divine Fire.
lamps that were lit at the conclusion of the Feast of
30. THREE HOLY HIERARCHS: ST BASIL, ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM & ST GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN 30 JANUARY