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.
TONE (6) PLAGAL 2 4 AUGUST 2019
7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW
THE TWO BLIND MEN
Also the Feast of the 7 Holy Sleepers of Ephesos St Maximilian, St Iamblikos, St Martinian, St
John, St Dionysios, St Constantine & St Antoninos – St Eudokia of Persia – St Eleftherios of
Constantinople
THE SUNDAY AND FESTAL HYMNS ARE PUBLISHED IN BOOKLET FORM EACH MONTH. THESE
ARE PUBLISHED AND FREELY DOWNLOADABLE ON www.scribd.com/writers4574. L I N K S ARE ALSO POSTED ON FACEBOOK
“ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN EASTERN CAPE.” (OR CAN BE EMAILED DIRECTLY, ON REQUEST TO marguerite.paizis@gmail.com)
R ESUR REC TION G OSPEL 7- J OHN 20 : 1 – 10
The Great and Small Paraklesis to our Lady, Theotokos
P R OKE IME NON – P SALM 27 – TO NE (6) P L AGAL 2 will be alternately offered every evening from
Save, O Lord, Thy People and Bless Thine Inheritance. 1 August – 13 August,
To Thee, O Lord, I cry, O my God! except on Saturday evening.
Please make every effort to attend.
E P ISTLE OF S T P AUL TO THE R OM ANS 15 : 1 – 7
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us
please our neighbours for their good, leading to edification, for even Christ did not please Himself, but, as it is
written: “... the reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me.”
For whatever things were written before, were written for our learning, so that we, through the Patience and Comfort of
the Scriptures, might have Hope.
Now, may the God of Patience and Comfort grant you to be like-minded towards one another, according to Christ
Jesus, so that you may with one mind and one mouth Glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the Glory of God.
✶ “... we who are strong...” refers to those of us who are
We must be ready to serve our fellow mankind in
SPIRITUALLY EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO BE CONSTANTLY imitation of Christ our Divine Saviour – by putting
WATCHFUL. the needs of others before our own.

SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND WATCHFULNESS KEEPS US ALERT TO
This might be at first difficult for some of us, but with
THE PERSISTENT TEMPTATIONS AND GRIEVOUS PASSIONS Spiritual Experience and the Acquisition of Agape
THAT CAUSE US SPIRITUAL DEATH – i.e. disobedience to through Life in Christ, it does become possible for
God, which alienates and separates us from Him everyone.
and all His Goodness.
Faithful Service to God and to our fellow mankind has

As we Spiritually Mature, we BECOME FAR MORE AWARE OF Eternal Consequences.
ALL ‘PITFALLS AND STUMBLING BLOCKS’ THAT PREVENT OUR
Unselfishness and self-sacrifice are Holy Attributes of
PROPER SPIRITUAL PROGRESS AND LIFE IN CHRIST. Christ’s Faithful Disciples.
✶ “... bear with...” does not merely mean ‘to put up with’
Everything we do for or to others is
the behaviour and attitude of others but rather 1. returned to us “... a hundredfold...” in many
that we ought TO “... CARRY TOGETHER...” EACH OTHER’S different ways.
BURDENS. 2. like doing so to and for our Lord
 GALATIANS 6:2 “... bear one another’s burdens, and so ✶ “... things (that) were written before... for our learning...”
fulfill the Law of Christ.” refers to ALL THE DIVINELY INSPIRED HOLY SCRIPTURES

This is IN IMITATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO BORE AND WRITINGS OF OUR HOLY FATHERS AND ESPECIALLY THE
ALL MANKIND’S WEAKNESSES - so that those who are DIVINE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF OUR LORD
indeed “... strong in Faith...” might LOVINGLY AND GOD.
JOYFULLY IDENTIFY WITH EACH OTHER, including those
OUR WRITTEN HOLY TRADITION AND OUR VERBAL HOLY
who are Spiritually Immature or weak Believers. TRADITION ARE FOR ALL MANKIND’S SPIRITUAL BENEFIT.

As Faithful Disciples of Christ, WE ARE CALLED TO INITIATE
THE DIVINE TRUTH OF GOD HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY RECORDED
CARE-GIVING IN OUR HOLY CHURCH – TO ALL MEMBERS OF BY HIS EYE-WITNESSES SO THAT ALL FUTURE GENERATIONS
CHRIST’S HOLY BODY – AND NOT TO BE UNNECESSARY WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE FULLY AND PROPERLY IN THE
BURDENS OF ANY TYPE TO ONE ANOTHER. ONE, TRUE, UNIVERSAL FAITH AND WORSHIP OF ALMIGHTY
✶ "... for their good, leading to edification...” means that GOD
we must AT ALL TIMES BE GOOD EXAMPLES AS CHRIST’S
THE DIVINE TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND ETERNAL.
DISCIPLES SO THAT OTHERS WILL DO LIKEWISE. Hence NOT ONE IOTA OR TITTLE MAY BE CHANGED, for WHEN

Furthermore, WE MUST TEACH OTHERS EVERYTHING that we TRUE PERFECTION IS THUS CHANGED OR ALTERED in any
have learnt, WHICH CHRIST HAS TAUGHT US. other manner (by erroneous interpretation) IT IS NO

THE DIVINE TRUTH OF CHRIST HAS BEEN VERY CAREFULLY LONGER DIVINE TRUTH but merely an imperfect
PRESERVED AND PASSED DOWN throughout all time by opinion of mankind’s limited and distorted
His Holy Apostles and all our Holy Orthodox perceptions.
Fathers - our Bishops, Priests, Spiritual Fathers and ✶ “... we, through the Patience and Comfort of the
Teachers. Scriptures, might have Hope.”
✶ “... even Christ did not please Himself...” because He
THE DIVINE TRUTH OF GOD, which is recorded in the Holy
always acts and speaks according to the Divine Scriptures, TEACHES US
Will of our Heavenly Father. 1. to have PATIENCE TO ENDURE ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
Christ is absolutely unselfish and Self-sacrificing. 2. TO BE COMFORTED AND ENCOURAGED BY THE KNOWLEDGE
As His Faithful Disciples, we must also strive to become AND UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S DIVINE PLAN FOR
unselfish and self-sacrificing by deny the EACH OF US.
demands of our flesh (thoughts, words and deeds) 3. TO HOPE IN GOD’S LOVE AND GREAT MERCY WHILE
in voluntary, eager and willing Obedience to the ANTICIPATING OUR ENTRY INTO HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM
Will of our Heavenly Father. OF LOVE where we will Rejoice in His Blissful

7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH OF ST MATTHEW – TWO BLIND MEN – 4 AUGUST 2019 1.
 Love, Joy and Peace that is beyond TEACH US HIS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES – AS MUCH AS WE ARE
description! ABLE TO UNDERSTAND.

Through the Testimony of Holy Scripture we might
CHRIST OUR LORD HAS REVEALED A VERY DIFFERENT HEAVENLY
understand not only the “Patience” of the ancient, FATHER TO US THAN THE TERRIFYING, INTOLERANT GOD
Old Covenant Israel, and of the New Israel, Christ’s DESCRIBED BY HIS HOLY PROPHETS, in order to force the
Holy Church, but WE ALSO BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE Chosen People of the Old Covenant to Obey His
INFINITE LOVE AND PATIENCE OF OUR LORD GOD. Divine Will.

THROUGH ALL THE DIVINE PROMISES, VICTORIES AND SPIRITUAL
During this short lifespan, WE MUST STRIVE TO BECOME
STRUGGLES that are meticulously recorded in Holy MORE SPIRITUAL BEINGS than physical beings.
Scripture as well as in the Writings and Life of our
WE HAVE TO TRAIN OUR IMMORTAL SOUL TO DOMINATE AND
Holy Fathers and all the Saints, WE, TOO, FIND TRUE CONTROL THE SELFISH, CORRUPTIBLE DEMANDS OF OUR
COMFORT AND SPIRITUAL ENCOURAGEMENT. FLESH – our body and mind.
✶ “...with one mind and one mouth...” refers to THE
AS WE BECOME MORE SANCTIFIED, MORE SPIRITUALLY
ESSENTIAL HOLY UNITY AND SPIRITUAL HARMONY OF EXPERIENCED, AND GROW CLOSER TO OUR LORD GOD, WE
CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH – i.e. the Blessed Unity of all CONTINUALLY GLORIFY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BY
the members of Christ’s Body – all Faithful Disciples STRUGGLING CONSISTENTLY TO FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL IN
of Christ. ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST IS UNIVERSAL, which means
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is -
that WE ALL LIVE IN CHRIST WITH COMPLETE HOLY UNITY THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM AND
OF BODY AND SOUL. CHRISMATION - ALSO OUR OWN HEAVENLY FATHER

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IS IDENTICAL EVERYWHERE IN THROUGH OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION.
THIS UNIVERSE for WE WORSHIP, PRAY AND LIVE IN CHRIST
WE ARE THUS CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST of our Heavenly
WITH “...ONE MIND AND ONE MOUTH...” Father’s Kingdom of Love.

WE ARE ALL “YOKED” TOGETHER WITH THE YOKE OF CHRIST, so
In order to BECOME WORTHY CITIZENS OF HIS HEAVENLY
that we Journey together, BEING EQUAL IN THE SIGHT KINGDOM, we need to learn how to
OF GOD – HELPING, ENCOURAGING AND GUIDING EACH 1. CEASELESSLY PRAY – Communicate with God on a
OTHER as we progress slowly but surely towards deeply personal level,
Eternity. 2. GLORIFY HIM WITH SACRED HYMNS, many of which are
✶ “... Glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...” in fact Angelic Hymns chanted Eternally in His
refers to THE LIVING, LOVING, COMPASSIONATE, Divine Presence.
ALMIGHTY, ALL MERCIFUL, BENEVOLENT AND 3. CLEANSE OURSELVES through continuous
PROVIDENTIAL LORD GOD WHOM OUR DIVINE LORD AND Repentance-Confession,
SAVIOUR HAS REVEALED TO US. 4. PURIFY AND SANCTIFY OUR BODY AND SOUL by partaking

THE ETERNAL, INCARNATE, SON AND WORD OF GOD OUR of all the essential Holy Mysteries – especially
HEAVENLY FATHER – JESUS CHRIST - IS THE ONLY ONE Holy Eucharist and Holy Unction,
WHO CAN REVEAL HIS DIVINE TRUTH TO US because He 5. DISCIPLINE AND CORRECT OUR BODY AND SOUL BY SELF-
is the Second Person of the One Divine Godhead – DENIAL AND SELF-CONTROL through Fasting and
our Triune God. Prayers

AS THE ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AND WORD OF GOD,
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN
T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACC OR D ING TO S T M ATTHE W 9 : 27 – 35
At that time, two blind men followed our Lord Jesus, crying out and saying: “Son of David, have Mercy on us!” And
when He went into the house, the blind men went to Him. And Jesus said to them: “Do you believe that I Am able to
do this?” They said to Him: “ Yes, Lord!” Then He touched their eyes, saying: “According to your Faith, let it be unto
you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly cautioned them, saying: “See that no one knows it.” But
when they had departed, they spread the News about Him in all that region.
As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out,
the mute spoke. And the multitude marvelled, saying: “It was never seen like this in Israel!” Yet the Pharisees said:
“He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons!”
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the
Kingdom, and Healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
✶ “... two blind men followed our Lord Jesus...” all the way All these Divinely Miraculous Healings signify that our
to where He was staying, which showed THEIR Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Great Messiah
DETERMINATION TO RECEIVED HEALING, AND ALSO ✶ “... when He went into the house, the blind men went to
DEMONSTRATED THEIR DEEP FAITH IN CHRIST. Him...” – THE TWO BLIND MEN HAD NOT ONLY FOLLOWED
✶ “...’Son of David...” is one of the many Divine Titles of the OUR LORD JESUS ALL THE WAY FROM THE HOUSE OF JAIRUS,
Great Messiah Whom all God’s Chosen People of BUT THEY ALSO ENTERED THE HOUSE WHERE HE RESIDED.
the Old Covenant had expected for so many
This clearly shows HOW DETERMINED THEY WERE TO RECEIVE
centuries. THEIR SIGHT FROM HIM – like so many other examples

By addressing our Lord Jesus as “Son of David” THEY of COMPLETE FAITH IN CHRIST’S ABILITY AND POWER TO
PROCLAIMED THEIR BELIEF that He was indeed the MIRACULOUSLY HEAL EVERY AILMENT OF OUR HUMAN
long-awaited Divine Messiah Who would solve all CONDITION.
their problems. ✶ “...Do you believe that I Am able to do this?...” is A HIGHLY
✶ “... have Mercy on us...”Although physically blind, the SIGNIFICANT QUESTION THAT GOD ASKS EACH OF US WHEN
two men were confident in their Faith in God and WE BESEECH HIS GREAT MERCY.
their belief that our Saviour is indeed our Only
Although our Lord sees into the very depths of our
Hope for Divine Mercy and Healing. heart and soul, HE SOMETIMES REQUIRES US TO CONFIRM

THE INFINITE DIVINE LOVE OF GOD IS DEMONSTRATED BY HIS OUR FAITH IN HIM - such as in this case.
GREAT MERCY for all us wretched sinners when we
ALL TOO OFTEN, WE ASK GOD FOR THINGS THAT WE EITHER DO
Repent our sins and seek His Healing and NOT ACTUALLY WANT, OR WE DO NOT REALLY BELIEVE WITH
Forgiveness, granted to us through His Divine ALL OUR BEING that only He can grant us His Great
Mysteries. Mercy and Love.

According to the ancient Holy Prophet of God, St
SOME PEOPLE USE THEIR AFFLICTIONS TO GAIN SYMPATHY, TO
Isaiah, THE MESSIANIC AGE IS SIGNIFIED WHEN “... THE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHERS, OR TO EXCUSE THEMSELVES
EYES OF THE BLIND SHALT BE OPENED, AND THE EARS OF THE from fulfilling their mundane obligations and
DEAF SHALT HEAR...” Sacred Duties.
 ISAIAH 35:5 “... the eyes of the blind shalt be
Therefore, as in several cases recorded in Holy
opened, and the ears of the deaf shalt hear... the Scripture, OUR LORD HAS QUESTIONED HIS PETITIONERS TO
lame shalt leap like a deer, and the tongue of EXPOSE THEIR DEGREE (OR LACK) OF FAITH IN GOD.
the dumb will speak clearly...” ✶ “... According to your Faith...” OUR LORD GOD NEVER FORCES
HIS DIVINE WILL UPON US.

2 7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH OF ST MATTHEW – TWO BLIND MEN – 4 AUGUST 2019

LOVE CANNOT BE FORCED UPON ANYONE, for it is the most
marvellous Gift that can only be given and
received freely and sincerely.

Therefore, even THE GREAT MERCY AND LOVE OF GOD CAN
ONLY BE RECEIVED WHEN WE ARE WILLING AND EAGER TO
ACCEPT IT.

The same principle applies to DIVINE HEALING, which is
A CO-OPERATIVE ACT OF LOVE AND MERCY.

WITHOUT OUR FREE, SINCERE AND WILLING CO-OPERATION,
GOD WILL NOT HEAL US OF OUR AFFLICTIONS.

OUR SUFFERING AND SORROWS ARE NOT CAUSED BY GOD AT ALL!

THEY ARE ALL CAUSED BY SIN – the invented grievous
passions of the evil one who seeks our destruction
by ALIENATING OR SEPARATING US FROM GOD AND HIS
DIVINE LOVE AND MERCY.

MOST CALAMITIES ARE DUE TO MANKIND’S STUBBORN,
UNREPENTED WICKEDNESS caused by wilful, selfish,
greedy disobedience and rebellion against God
and His Goodness.

EVERYTHING THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US BECOMES POSSIBLE BY
THE DIVINE GRACE OF GOD.
✶ “... See that no one knows...” AT THAT STAGE OF HIS PUBLIC
MINISTRY, OUR LORD DID NOT NEED EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT
HIM AND HIS DIVINE POWER that performed so many
marvellous Healings and Cures.

INITIALLY, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SENT HIS BELOVED SON, OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST, TO GATHER TOGETHER THE “LOST
SHEEP” OF ISRAEL – to Enlighten, Restore and Save
them as He had Promised His ancient Holy
Prophets.

GOD NEVER FAILS TO KEEP HIS DIVINE PROMISE!

However, IF PEOPLE CHOOSE TO REJECT HIM, HE WILL TAKE
CARE OF THOSE WHO WELCOME HIM IN FAITH

WHEN HE HAD ATTENDED TO HIS JUDAIC FLOCK, CHRIST AND
HIS HOLY APOSTLES THEN SOUGHT OUT AND HEALED AND
SAVED THE GENTILES – the non-Hebrews and pagans
WHO BELIEVED IN HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
✶ “...they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-
possessed...”
These two cases of the blind men and the mute demon-
possessed man, are brought to our attention so that
7 T H
S U NDAY AF TE R P E NTEC OST – 7
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved in Christ, today’s Sacred Lesson teaches
us about the Divine Healing of the two blind men and
a mute demoniac. EVERY HOLY GOSPEL ACCOUNT – just
as each and every word of the Holy Gospel - CONTAINS
IMMEASURABLE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE, because It is
the Eternal – timeless - Divine Truth – the Eternal Truth
of Life in Christ.
Today’s Sacred Lesson is thus of great importance to our
daily existence because It teaches us about the Divine
Love of our Lord for all mankind and our Love of God.
It teaches us how GOD NEVER LEAVES US WITHOUT HIS ALL-
MERCIFUL ASSISTANCE. No matter what might befall us,
OUR LOVING, COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL GOD WILL NEVER
ABANDON US to trouble or woe as long as we remain
Faithful to Him through our belief in Him, our Love for
Him and our steadfast Fidelity to Him in all
circumstances.
THE TWO BLIND MEN WERE EXTREMELY PERSISTENT FOR THEY KNEW
AND BELIEVED IN THE DIVINE POWER OF OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST WITHOUT ANY DOUBT WHATSOEVER!
They had followed Him from the Synagogue to the house
of Jairus, and all the way back to where He was
residing – and they even followed Him inside!
Suddenly, our Lord seemed to have noticed them by
asking them A MOST VITAL AND SIGNIFICANT QUESTION: “Do
you believe that I Am able to do this?”
As soon as they confessed their Faith and belief in Him,
our Lord touched their eyes and they were
immediately granted sight.
WE ARE ALL SIMILAR to those two blind men and the mute
demoniac, for MOST OF US HAVE VARYING DEGREES OF
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS, SPIRITUAL MUTENESS AND ARE
CONTROLLED TO A CERTAIN DEGREE BY OUR HABITUAL SINS.
We also resemble all those ailing people who sought a
Miraculous Cure from Christ, for WE, TOO, ARE
TORMENTED BY INNUMERABLE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL
INFIRMITIES AND SICKNESSES.
7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH
we can learn about THE DEEPER, SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF OUR
VARIOUS AFFLICTIONS.
Any affliction is tragic indeed. SOME ARE CAUSED BY OUR
PHYSICAL SINS WHILE OTHERS ARE CAUSED BY SPIRITUAL
WICKEDNESS, WEAKNESS OR NEGLECT.
THE EVIL ONE USES OUR PERSONAL WEAKNESSES AND FLAWS AS WELL
AS HIS INVENTED GRIEVOUS PASSIONS AGAINST US, so we need
to BE VERY AWARE OF THESE TRAPS AND STUMBLING BLOCKS.
✶ “... the multitudes marvelled... yet the Pharisees...” The
Faith of the people who marvelled at the Words
and Deeds of our Divine Saviour, and the self-
righteous, arrogant and Spiritually Blind Pharisees
who plotted and schemed against Christ is starkly
contrasted.
✶ “... casts out demons by the ruler of the demons!” This
was THE NONSENSICAL ACCUSATION OF THE PHARISEES
AGAINST OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – THE ETERNAL SON OF
GOD!

THE ABSURDITY OF THEIR ACCUSATIONS IS OBVIOUS for casting
out demons by the ruler of the demons would be
impossible BECAUSE THE EVIL ONE’S AIM IS TO
CONSOLIDATE POWER FOR HIS OWN WICKED PURPOSES AND
CERTAINLY NOT TO DESTROY IT!

THE GENUINE LOVE, HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST
WHO CLEANSED LEPERS, RAISED THE DEAD AND REMITTED
SINS ARE UTTERLY BEYOND THE ABILITIES OF THE EVIL ONE
OR HIS DEMONS!
✶“...teaching in the Synagogues... preaching the Gospel...
Healing every disease and every infirmity...” shows
how CHRIST FULFILLED EVERYTHING REQUIRED OF HIM FOR
THE SPIRITUAL BENEFIT OF HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.

HE MADE EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT TO ENLIGHTEN HIS PEOPLE
1. by TEACHING THEM HIS DIVINE TRUTH
2. by PROPERLY EXPLAINING THE ANCIENT HOLY SCRIPTURES
to them,
3. by CORRECTING THE ERRORS that had crept into their
interpretation of the Old Covenant Faith
4. by REVEALING THE NEW COVENANT of God,
5. by FULFILLING ALL HOLY PROPHECIES AND TEACHINGS
concerning Him as our Great Divine Messiah –
the Saviour of all mankind.
T H
S U ND AY OF S T M ATTHE W – THE TW O BL IND ME N
Furthermore, we are also similar to them for WE CONTINUE
TO BESEECH OUR LORD TO ALLEVIATE OUR PHYSICAL AND
SPIRITUAL SUFFERING, TO RESTORE OUR HEALTH so that we
might enjoy a good quality of life, WHICH WE HAVE LOST
THROUGH OUR OWN OR OTHERS’ NEGLECT, GREED, SELFISHNESS
OR CARELESSNESS.
However, sadly, MANY OF US HAVE NOT ACQUIRED THE
STEADFAST FIDELITY TO GOD that the two blind men
possessed, for WE LACK SPIRITUAL FORTITUDE AND ABIDING
FAITH, WHICH MIGHT BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF OUR CONTINUED
SORROW AND SUFFERING.
INDIVIDUAL AND GENERAL ANGUISH ARE CERTAINLY DUE TO THE
GRIEVOUS PASSIONS THAT SEPARATE AND ALIENATE US FROM
GOD AND HIS GREAT MERCY.
WITHOUT REPENTANCE-CONFESSION whereby we might
correct our errors, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WALLOW IN THE
MIRE OF PASSIONS THAT COMPEL US TO REPEATEDLY COMMIT
SINS AS WE SINK EVER DEEPER INTO THE MURKY DEPTHS OF
SPIRITUAL DEATH.
THE GRIEVOUS PASSIONS ROB US OF THE TRUE JOY OF LIFE
because THEY STIFLE AND EVENTUALLY EXTINGUISH THE
SACRED LIGHT AND SPIRITUAL WARMTH that ought to dwell
in our heart and soul.
TEMPTATIONS LURE US INTO STATES OF DEVASTATION AND
DISILLUSIONMENT, INDUCING OUR SOUL TO BECOME ICY COLD
AND ROCK HARD.
WITHOUT SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS AND AWARENESS, OUR
GRIEVOUS PASSIONS WILL CRIPPLE US, BLIND US, AND MAKE US
COLD, EMPTY, LAZY AND CALCULATING EGOISTS!
EVERYTHING AROUND US – ALL OUR RELATIONSHIPS – ARE DEEPLY
AFFECTED BY WHATEVER IS OCCURRING WITHIN US!
By surrendering to the grievous passions, WE BLOT OUT THE
DIVINE LIGHT OF THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD WITH
WHICH HE CREATED US.
HOWEVER, THE GRIEVOUS PASSIONS CAN MERELY OVERSHADOW THE
DIVINE IMAGE OF GOD IN US, BUT CANNOT DESTROY IT FOR IT IS
INDESTRUCTIBLE!
THE PASSIONS – LIKE THEIR INVENTOR, THE EVIL ONE – ARE NOT ALL
POWERFUL and their dominance – even over the very
worst sinner – is limited because THEY CAN CERTAINLY BE
OF ST MATTHEW – TWO BLIND MEN – 4 AUGUST 2019 3.
 OVERCOME AND DEFEATED by our heart and soul WHEN WE
ARE SPIRITUALLY TRANSFORMED, RENEWED, REGENERATED AND
SANCTIFIED BY THE ALL POWERFUL DIVINE MYSTERIES OF GOD
– ESPECIALLY BY OUR CONTINUOUS SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES THAT
INCLUDE THE REGULAR PARTAKING OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF
REPENTANCE-CONFESSION, HOLY EUCHARIST AND HOLY
UNCTION.
EVERYONE BORN INTO THIS TEMPORARY WORLD CAN BE
ENLIGHTENED AND ILLUMINED BY THAT SAME DIVINE POWER of
our Lord God, which granted sight to the two blind
men and, having exorcised the demons, granted
speech and full health to the wretched dumb
demoniac.
THIS ALMIGHTY POWER IS GOD’S DIVINE GRACE, which,
according to His Will, is granted to those who seek it
with Faith in and Love for God with all our being!
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we have often heard
Sermons concerning the Teachings of our Lord Jesus
and many of our Holy Fathers, which mention the
Divine Grace of our Lord God. And who among us
has not, in fact, Experienced the incredible Action of
Divine Grace to a greater or lesser extent?
We all know that it is BY THIS DIVINE POWER AND ENERGY OF
GOD’S GRACE that “...we are made (Blessed) Partakers
of the Divine...” as St Gregory Palamas explained,
and whose sublime, Inspired Teaching of the Divine
Energies disclose and Unite us to our Triune Lord God.
Nevertheless, IT IS NOT ENOUGH ONLY TO KNOW ABOUT THE
ETERNAL DIVINE POWER OF GOD Who abides forever in this
world.
It is not enough to know about this even by Experience or
by the remembrance of the past, for EACH OF US HAS
ACTUALLY WITNESSED OR FELT THE DIVINE GRACE OF GOD
MOMENTARILY TOUCH OUR SINFUL HEART IN A MIRACULOUS
MANNER.
It is essential for us to CEASELESSLY DESIRE THE GRACE OF GOD,
and to DETERMINEDLY STRIVE TO ACQUIRE IT BY ALL MEANS
POSSIBLE so that we might BE WITH GOD AND IN GOD – SO
THAT THE DIVINE LIGHT OF THE IMAGE OF GOD MIGHT NEVER
BE EXTINGUISHED IN OUR HEART AND SOUL, AND THAT THE TRUE
JOY, LOVE AND PEACE OF GOD MIGHT ALWAYS BE WITH US.
Brethren, NEVER DESPAIR NOR BE OVERWHELMED BY THE SPIRITUAL
DARKNESS OF SIN AND EVIL THAT ENVELOPS AND THREATENS
OUR SOUL!
T HE E TER NAL , I
S T THE OPH AN THE R E CLU SE
Our body and soul cannot be freed of the grievous
passions unless our spirit/soul is first Liberated by
Divine Grace, which only occurs when we acquire the
Holy Fear of God and Repent-Confess our sins.
E LDE R P H IL OTHE OS Z E RV AKOS
The evil one has set his traps everywhere to ensnare us,
and the only way to avoid these is through the
acquisition of Humility and Obedience. We must
strive to acquire an internal, sincere Humility whereby
we also acquire Obedience and real – not false –
modesty whereby we will be able to feel in the depth
of our heart, the Gifts and Talents that we have
received from the Lord our God. It is the True
Realisation that everything we have – our existence,
life, health, wealth and wisdom – is foreign to us for
they are the Divine Gifts, which God alone bestows
upon us.
S T BA SIL THE G RE AT
Hypocrites retain their hatred in the depths of their heart,
showing superficial love, in the same way as a reef
that is covered with water is an accident waiting to
happen to those who are not alert and careful.
Hypocrisy is the result of envy and all wickedness arise
from it!
S T J OH N C HRY SOSTOM
When we want to root out any grievous passion that has
wormed its way into our heart and become firmly
established there over time, it is not enough to receive
advice from our Spiritual Father for one or two days in
order to correct this passion. We have to sincerely
confess our sins and Struggle over many days -
4 7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 7TH
DO NOT BE DECEIVED INTO BELIEVING THAT SIN, WICKEDNESS,
GRIEF AND SPIRITUAL DEATH ARE OUR UNAVOIDABLE ETERNAL
DESTINY! No! Not at all!
Always keep in mind that “...God resists the proud, but
grants (His Divine) Grace to the humble!”
BY OUR DAILY SELF-EXAMINATION AND CONTINUOUS SPIRITUAL
WATCHFULNESS, PARTAKING OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF
REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AND HOLY EUCHARIST WE ARE ABLE
TO CORRECT OUR ERRORS AND RETURN TO SPIRITUAL LIFE IN
CHRIST.
Only thereby can we STRIVE TO ACQUIRE THE ESSENTIAL HOLY
VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, for then - by the
Grace of God - we will certainly be raised up from the
lowest depths of our Fall.
WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THESE TWO, INSEPARABLE HOLY VIRTUES
OF HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO FULLY
EXPERIENCE THE WONDROUS ACTIONS OF OUR LORD GOD’S
GRACE-FILLED ENERGY ILLUMINATING OUR SOUL.
Our Divine Saviour said: “...To whom will I look, but unto
the Humble and the Meek.” [ISAIAH 66:2]
Therefore, let us MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BECOME HUMBLE AND
MEEK.
Let us thereby RESTORE AND RENEW OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH
GOD AND WITH OUR FELLOW MANKIND, so that the Divine
Power and Grace of God’s Great Mercy is able to
dwell in us always, and unfailingly Heal the infirmities
of our body and soul.
Although OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST visibly walked in our
midst a very long time ago, Healing every infirmity
and disease, He CONTINUES TO HEAL ALL MANKIND WHO
HAVE FAITH IN HIM, WITH THAT SAME DIVINE POWER AND
ENERGY, WHICH GRANTS US HIS LOVE, PEACE, JOY, AND
SALVATION.
May our Faith and Love of our Lord God be as strong and
unwavering as the two blind men who believed in
Him with all their being.
And may we FOREVER JOYFULLY AND SINCERELY GLORIFY,
HONOUR AND WORSHIP OUR TRIUNE LORD GOD AND HIS MOST
WONDROUS, MAJESTIC AND DIVINE NAME.
Amen.
ARCHPRIEST VSEVOLOD SHPILLER -SERMON DELIVERED ON 12 AUGUST 1956
TRANSLATED FROM RUSSIAN - EDITED BY MP
HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM
NSP IRE D W ISD OM OF OUR H OLY F ATHE R S
provided of course that we are aiming for Spiritual
Profit and Benefit, rather than mere pleasantries and
an outward show!
S T P OR PHY R IOS OF K AVSAKALY V IA
In order for Christ our Divine Saviour and Lord to enter
into our heart and soul, when we invite Him by
praying “O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have Mercy
on me, a sinner!” our heart must be Pure and not have
any impediments. We must be free of hatred, egotism
and wickedness!
S T P AISIOS THE NEW OF M OU NT A TH OS
When wealth is not distributed to the poor for the good of
our soul and for the Spiritual Benefit of our departed,
it is a total disaster! Riches and worldly possessions
choke our immortal soul, through great anxiety and
rapacity. When we see those who seem to have
everything – who seem to want for nothing, yet who
are always anxious, suspicious, worried and unhappy
– we should recognise their lack of God, which
impoverishes them beyond description!
S T BA SIL THE G RE AT
Nothing is so characteristic of Christians as the fact that
they are Peacemakers, for our Lord Jesus Christ
promised a Great Reward for this!
S T J OH N C HRY SOSTOM
Despite the fact that Chastity, Fasting and sleeping on the
ground demand great effort, there is nothing so
Powerful and so capable of extinguishing the flames
of our sins as Charity/Love, for it is superior to
everything else and places those who live it close to
our King of Heaven Himself!
OF ST MATTHEW – TWO BLIND MEN – 4 AUGUST 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 AUGUST 2019
TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST

THE SUNDAY AND FESTAL HYMNS ARE PUBLISHED IN BOOKLET FORM EACH
MONTH. THESE ARE PUBLISHED AND FREELY DOWNLOADABLE ON
www.scribd.com/writers4574. L I N K S A R E A L S O P O S T E D O N F A C E B O O K
“ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN EASTERN CAPE.” (OR CAN BE EMAILED DIRECTLY,
ON REQUEST TO marguerite.paizis@gmail.com)
P R OKE IME NON – P SALM 88
Tabor and Hermon shalt greatly Rejoice in Thy Name.
The Heavens belong to Thee, and the Earth is Thine for Thou founded the world and all its fullness.

T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACCO R D ING TO S T LU KE 9 : 28 – 36

At that time, about eight days after these sayings, our Lord Jesus took with Him Peter and John and James, and went
up on the mountain to pray. And as He was praying, the Appearance of His Countenance was altered, and His
Raiment became dazzling white.
And behold! Two men conversed with Him - Moses and Elijah, who Appeared in Glory, and spoke of His Departure,
which He was to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Now Peter and those who were with Him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened, they saw His Glory and the
two men who stood with Him. And as the men were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it is good that we
are here. Let us make three booths - one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah...” not knowing what he
said. As he said this, a Cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the Cloud. And
a Voice came out of the Cloud, saying: “This is My Son, My Chosen! Listen to Him!”
And when the Voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they remained silent and told no one in those days
anything of what they had seen.
✶ “... after these sayings...” refers to THE FIRST TIME THAT OUR
ST MOSES REPRESENTS THE DIVINE LAW (given to Him by
LORD JESUS CHRIST SPOKE TO HIS FAITHFUL APOSTLES God on Mount Sinai) AND ALL THOSE WHO HAD DIED
CONCERNING HIS APPROACHING PASSION – His Betrayal by (and were still held captive by Death in Hades.)
Judas Iscariot, His arrest, trials, scourgings,
ST ELIJAH REPRESENTED THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD AND –
crucifixion, Death and Resurrection that would occur since he had not experienced Death – ALL THOSE
in Jerusalem. WHO ARE ALIVE IN CHRIST.
✶ Our Lord “...Jesus took with Him...” St Peter, St John and
The presence of these two important Saints manifests
St James as HIS MOST RELIABLE WITNESSES WHO THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS AND GREAT CLOUD OF
REPRESENTED MANKIND AND WHO WOULD LATER TESTIFY TO WITNESSES who have gone before us.
THIS DIVINE TRUTH.
THE APOSTLES WERE ABLE TO COMPREHEND our Lord’s words

OUR LORD WANTED HIS APOSTLES TO WITNESS HIS “... Elijah has come already...” when He referred to
TRANSFIGURATION – to see up close and personally – HIS HOLY FORERUNNER - ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.
His True Divine Identity.
They also understood that THE PROPHECY OF ST MALACHI
 SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF HIS TRANSFIGURATION CONFIRM that REFERRED TO ST JOHN THE BAPTIST who had come “...
our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Eternal, Divine in the Spirit and Power of Elijah...” rather than to
Messiah/Saviour and our Lord God. St Elijah himself.
✶ “... as He was praying...” OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS Malachi 4: 5 – 6
TRANSFIGURED. ✶ “...
...spoke
... of His Departure ... in Jerusalem...” CHRIST AND

HE REVEALED HIS GLORIOUS, DIVINE IDENTITY - THE ETERNAL, HIS TWO HOLY PROPHETS DISCUSSED HIS APPROACHING
SON AND WORD OF GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND THE PASSION that would occur in Jerusalem.
SECOND PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
THE DEATH OF CHRIST IS INTIMATELY CONNECTED TO THE
✶ ”... His Countenance was altered... His Raiment became GLORY OF HIS TRANSFIGURATION, for He is Glorified
dazzling white...” through His Sacrificial and Salvific Death on the
Cross.
 GOD IS LIGHT.
In the Orthodox Liturgical Cycle, THE GREAT FEAST OF THE

THE BRIGHT CLOUD, THE SUN-BRIGHT ILLUMINATION OF OUR TRANSFIGURATION IS FORTY DAYS BEFORE THE GREAT
LORD’S FACE AND EVEN THE EXTREME BLINDING WHITENESS FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, showing
OF HIS GARMENTS, all clearly show the Glory of our the connection between THE GLORY OF CHRIST AND
Lord Jesus. HIS LIFE-GIVING HOLY CROSS.

BEING THE SECOND PERSON OF THE ONE GODHEAD – the Holy
The term “Departure” or “Exodus” confirms that
Trinity – our Lord Jesus is (Divine) LIGHT OF (Divine) CHRIST’S PASSION IS THE FULFILMENT OF THE OLD
LIGHT. COVENANT PASSOVER (the First Holy Pascha) and is

THE TRANSFIGURATION IS A THEOPHANY – a Divine OUR TRUE DEPARTURE OR EXODUS OR LIBERATION FROM
Manifestation (Revelation) of our Almighty Lord ENSLAVEMENT into Eternal Salvation and Everlasting
God. Life in God’s Heavenly Kingdom of Love.

THE TRANSFIGURATION REVEALED THE TRUE DIVINITY of our
THIS REVELATION OF HIS DIVINE POWER ALSO CONFIRMS THAT
Lord Jesus Christ by DISPLAYING HIS UNCREATED, OUR LORD’S SACRIFICIAL OFFERING – His Passion – was
DIVINE ENERGY to St Peter, St John and St James, not merely forced on Him by outside forces, but
which is the reason for the Great Festal WAS A VOLUNTARY OFFERING OF HIS DIVINE LOVE FOR ALL
Celebration of the Transfiguration. MANKIND – because no one could withstand His
✶ “...Moses and Elijah... Appeared in Glory...” and were infinite Power and Glory unless it is according to
IMMEDIATELY RECOGNISED by the three Holy Apostles. Divine Will.
 Their presence confirms that the Divine Law and the
HIS APOSTLES WERE ONLY ABLE TO WITNESS AS MUCH OF HIS
Holy Prophets of God – the Living and the dead – GLORIOUS TRANSFORMATION AS THEY COULD BEAR.
ALL BEAR WITNESS THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
CHRIST CHOSE THEM AS HIS WITNESSES WHO WOULD LATER
INDEED THE GREAT MESSIAH/SAVIOUR WHO IS THE UNDERSTAND THAT HIS SUFFERING WAS VOLUNTARY, and
FULFILMENT OF THE ENTIRE OLD TESTAMENT/COVENANT

T H E T R ANSF IGUR ATION OF OUR L ORD JE SU S CHR IST 6 AU GU ST 2019 5

 THAT HIS GREAT BLOOD SACRIFICE WAS FOR THE SAKE OF
ALL MANKIND’S SALVATION.
✶ “...a Cloud ... overshadowed them...”
 OUR LORD’S TRANSFIGURATION FORESHADOWS HIS FUTURE
GLORY when He will usher in His long-awaited
Heavenly Kingdom of Love.

THIS MYSTERIOUS CLOUD RECALLS THE TEMPLE WORSHIP AND
SHINING CLOUD THAT WENT BEFORE THE ISRAELITES in
their 40-year sojourn in the wilderness before
being permitted to enter the Promised Land.

It is A VISIBLE SIGN OF THE EXTRAORDINARY, SUPERNATURAL
PRESENCE OF GOD.
✶ “...Let us make three booths...”

St Peter regarded Its Presence as signifying that THE
HEAVENLY KINGDOM HAD COME.

Knowing that the Feast of Tabernacles is the Great
Feast of the Coming of the Kingdom, ST PETER
WANTED TO CONSTRUCT THE BOOTHS OF GREENERY AND
BRANCHES THAT SYMBOLISED GOD’S DWELLING WITH HIS
JUST IN HIS HOLY KINGDOM.
✶ “... a Voice came out of the Cloud...”
 GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER TESTIFIED FROM HEAVEN
✶ “... This is My Son...” is a Divine PROCLAMATION OF GOD
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

GOD CONFIRMS THAT THIS DIVINE GLORY IS DUE TO OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST’S ETERNAL, DIVINE, UNCREATED NATURE.

HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON of our
Heavenly Father.

HE HAS ALWAYS EXISTED TOGETHER WITH OUR HEAVENLY
FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, for God has existed
infinitely before anything He created from
nothing!

Our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed “...TRUE GOD OF TRUE
GOD...” WHO IS ETERNALLY BEGOTTEN – NOT CREATED!
✶ “... Listen to Him!...” is a DIRECT DIVINE COMMANDMENT that
is ADDRESSED FOREVER TO ALL MANKIND.
 THE HOLY TRINITY WAS MANIFESTED AT THE TRANSFIGURATION.
1. Our Lord Jesus Christ was Transfigured into all His
Divine Glory as THE ETERNAL SON AND WORD OF
GOD.
2. GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER spoke to the Holy Apostles
from Heaven, Testifying to our Lord Jesus’
Divine Sonship.
3. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT was present as the dazzlingly
Bright, Uncreated Light that surrounded our
Lord Jesus’ Person, and which Overshadowed
the entire mountain.
✶ “...they remained silent and told no one in those days...”

OUR LORD JESUS HAD INSTRUCTED THEM NOT TO SPEAK ABOUT
WHAT THEY HAD WITNESSED, AND THEY WERE TOO STUNNED
AND UNCOMPREHENDING TO EXPLAIN THE FULL EXTENT OF
THE TRANSFIGURATION.

EVERYTHING OCCURS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD AND
HIS DIVINE PLAN FOR ALL MANKIND – and for each
individual soul.

AFTER THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Who enables us to
accomplish the Will of God, which is far beyond
our limited human abilities, THE HOLY APOSTLES WERE
ABLE FULLY UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING that our Lord
Jesus Christ had revealed and taught them.

SIMILAR TO OUR LADY, THEOTOKOS, THE HOLY APOSTLES
WISELY KEPT MANY THINGS “... IN THEIR HEART...” until
they were able to properly comprehend them and
use that Divinely Inspired Knowledge to Enlighten
and Guide others in the Life of Christ.

UNLESS WE FULLY AND CORRECTLY UNDERSTAND THE WISDOM
AND KNOWLEDGE GRANTED TO US BY GOD, WE CANNOT AND
DARE NOT TEACH NOR GUIDE OTHERS.

P R OKE IME NON – P SALM 103 – T ONE 4

O Lord, Thy Works shalt be Magnified greatly – Thou made all things in Wisdom!
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art exceedingly Magnified!

T H E S EC OND EP ISTLE OF S T P E TE R 1 : 10 – 19
Brethren: be even more diligent to make your Call and Election sure. If you do these things you will never stumble. An
Entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For this reason I will not neglect reminding you always of these things, although you know and are established in the
present Truth. I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you – knowing that shortly I
must put off my tent - just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. I will be careful to ensure that you always have a
reminder of these things after my decease.
We did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the Power and Coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His Majesty. He received from God the Father Honour and Glory when such a Voice
came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased.”
And we heard this Voice, which came from Heaven, when we were with Him on the Holy Mountain. And so we have
the Prophetic Word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a Light that shines in a dark place, until the Day
dawns and the Morning Star rises in your heart...
THIS PASSAGE OF ST PETER’S EPISTLE IS READ ON THE GREAT FEAST
We have been very clearly taught how to AVOID ALL THE
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S TRANSFIGURATION. PITFALLS AND THREATS OF THE EVIL ONE who seeks our
✶ “... be even more diligent...” is the urgent exhortation of destruction and causes us such deep sorrow and
St Peter to ALL FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. pain.

NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, WE OUGHT TO MAKE EVERY
OUR LORD GOD HAS PROVIDED US WITH EVERYTHING NECESSARY
EFFORT TO FULFIL ALL OUR SACRED DUTIES TO GOD AND TO for our successful and healthy Spiritual Journey.
EACH OTHER.
BY MAINTAINING OUR CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND

WE ONLY HAVE A VERY SHORT LIFESPAN IN WHICH TO PREPARE WITH EACH OTHER – WITH LOVE/AGAPE – WE WILL PROSPER
OURSELVES FOR ETERNITY. AND ENJOY A GOOD SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST that makes

OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLES AND LIFE IN CHRIST IS THE ONLY life so much easier to endure.
WAY TO BECOME WORTHY CITIZENS OF GOD’S HEAVENLY
NONE OF US IS EVER SINLESS, so WE NEED TO REPENT-CONFESS
KINGDOM OF LOVE. OUR SINS IMMEDIATELY – acknowledge and admit our

WE HAVE ALL BEEN CALLED TO FOLLOW OUR LORD JESUS errors so that we might correct ourselves and
CHRIST BY STRIVING TO FULFIL HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND BY continue our Journey.
CORRECTING OUR ERRORS, STRENGTHENING OUR
BEING PROPERLY “ARMED” WITH DIVINE TRUTH AND
WEAKNESSES, AND BY APPLYING EVERYTHING CHRIST KNOWLEDGE, WE WILL BE ALERT TO ALL TEMPTATIONS AND
TAUGHT US TO OUR PERSONAL WORDS, THOUGHTS AND MIGHT BE ABLE TO AVOID THEM.
DEEDS, which have specific Eternal Consequences. ✶ “... an Entrance will be supplied to you...” IF WE BECOME
✶ “ ... if you do these things...” OUR LORD AND HIS HOLY WORTHY, FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, WE WILL BE
CHURCH NEVER FORCES US TO DO ANYTHING. GRANTED ENTRY INTO HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM where we

WE HAVE BEEN CREATED WITH FREE WILL TO CHOOSE THE PATH will dwell forever in His Divine Presence.
WE TAKE – towards Eternal Life or towards Eternal
EVEN BEFORE THE END OF TIME – before the Eighth Day –
Death. WE MIGHT ENJOY A FORETASTE OF THE HEAVENLY BLISS

EVERYTHING WE THINK, SPEAK AND DO IN THIS SHORT LIFESPAN that awaits us.
HAS AN ETERNAL CONSEQUENCE.
The primary Truth with which St Peter dealt – to which

IF WE CHOOSE TO LIVE IN CHRIST, WE MUST ENDEAVOUR WITH he only indirectly referred – was THE SECOND
ALL OUR ABILITY TO FULFILL OUR SACRED COMMITMENTS COMING OR REAPPEARANCE (PAROUSIA) OF OUR LORD
AND RESPONSIBILITIES. JESUS CHRIST AND HIS EVERLASTING KINGDOM.
✶ “ ... you will never stumble...” if we HUMBLY OBEY AND ✶ “... I will not be negligent to remind you always ...” THE
FULFILL THE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS OF OUR LORD WRITTEN AND VERBAL HOLY TRADITION OF CHRIST, HIS
GOD. HOLY CHURCH, HIS APOSTLES AND ALL THE WRITINGS OF
OUR HOLY FATHERS THROUGHOUT THE AGES SERVES AS OUR

6 T H E T R ANSF IGUR ATION OF OU R L ORD JE SU S C HR IST 6 AU GU ST 2019

 CONSTANT REMINDER OF THE TRUE MEANING AND PURPOSE
OF THIS VERY SHORT PREPARATORY PERIOD BEFORE
ETERNITY.

WE MUST FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON GOD’S DIVINE TRUTH AND
ETERNITY, even while implementing our mundane
daily responsibilities.

IF WE NEGLECT OUR SPIRITUAL WELFARE, WE WILL BECOME
SPIRITUALLY DEAD AND STAGNANT.

We must therefore ENCOURAGE AND URGE ONE ANOTHER TO
FULFIL ALL OUR SACRED DUTIES AND COMMITMENTS SO
THAT WE MAKE GOOD SPIRITUAL PROGRESS.

God created us as intellectual spiritual and physical
beings, so that we might STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN
OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE.

During this short lifespan, OUR IMMORTAL SOUL MUST BE
TAUGHT TO DOMINATE AND CONTROL OUR CORRUPTED
FLESH with all its fleshy demands and desires.

OUR SOUL YEARNS TO RETURN TO OUR CREATED STATE OF PURITY
AND HOLINESS – to be close to our Lord God in
Whose Image and Likeness we were created.

OUR FLESH HAS BEEN CORRUPTED by the temptations and
sins invented by the evil one who seeks our
destruction and alienation from God.

OUR FLESHY DESIRES INCLINE US TOWARDS HABITUAL SIN AND
GRIEVOUS PASSIONS that separate us from God and
His Goodness, Love and Mercy.

Although our created Image of God remains, slightly
distorted by sin, WE HAVE LOST OUR DIVINE LIKENESS TO
GOD DUE TO OUR ANCESTRAL SIN.

OUR COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING GOD DESIRES OUR
RESTORATION to our original created state, so OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS TAUGHT US AND PROVIDED
EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR OUR RETURN TO THEOSIS.
✶ “... as long as I am in this tent...” refers to this short,
temporary lifespan.

TENTS ARE PORTABLE, TEMPORARY SHELTERS that are used
while on journeys away from home or at war
against the enemy.

As long as we exist in our physical state, WE RESIDE IN
SANCTIFIED “TENTS” THAT BELONG TO GOD!

This testifies to OUR LIFE-LONG JOURNEY TOWARDS ETERNITY
AND TO OUR CONTINUOUS SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST THE
FORCES OF DARKNESS, CORRUPTION AND DEATH – the
threats, temptations and assaults of the evil one
and his demonic forces.
✶ “... shortly I must put off my tent...” St Peter wrote this
Epistle during the period 63 – 67 when HE WAS
IMPRISONED IN ROME, AND CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

Knowing that his days were numbered, ST PETER URGED
ALL THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES TO STAY FAITHFUL TO
THE DIVINE TRUTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
✶ “...cunningly devised fables...” and MISLEADING AND
HERETICAL TEACHINGS of the Gnostics and other
divisive, schismatic groups that had begun to
infiltrate the Church MUST BE REJECTED AND AVOIDED
AT ALL COSTS.

THESE DAYS THERE ARE INNUMERABLE VERSIONS OF “CHRISTIAN
TEACHINGS” THAT ARE MISGUIDED, INCORRECT, HERETICAL,
BLASPHEMOUS AND EXTREMELY DECEPTIVE, because they
are THE LIMITED, FLAWED OPINIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
OF MANKIND rather than the Absolute, Pure and
Perfect Divine Truth of God.
✶ “...We made known to you the Power and Coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ... eyewitnesses of His
Majesty...”

ST PETER AND ALL THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST WERE
THE CLOSEST AND MOST CONSTANT DISCIPLES WHO LEARNT
HIS DIVINE TRUTH DIRECTLY FROM HIM – ie the Divine
Truth directly from the Mouth of our Lord God!

ST PETER, ST JOHN AND ST JAMES WERE ENTRUSTED TO
PERSONALLY WITNESS THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST ON
MOUNT TABOR AND ALL THE MARVELLOUS ASPECTS OF
THAT GREAT DIVINE EVENT.

THEY EXPERIENCED, WITNESSED AND TAUGHT EVERYTHING
THAT OUR LORD HAD REVEALED, SPOKEN AND DONE.
T H E H OLY G OSPEL
At that time, after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John, his brother, led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And He was Transfigured before them. And His Face shone like the sun - His clothes became as white as the Light.
And behold! Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Peter said to Jesus: ”Lord, it is good for us to be here! If Thou wish, let us make here three tabernacles - one for Thee,
one of Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold! A Bright Cloud overshadowed them!
T H E T R ANSF IGUR ATION OF

AFTER PENTECOST AND THE DESCENT OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT,
THEY WERE FURTHER EMPOWERED AND ENABLED TO
CORRECTLY TEACH GOD’S DIVINE TRUTH TO ALL THE
NATIONS.

ST PETER HAD PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE DIVINE MAJESTY OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SO MANY TIMES AND IN SO MANY
WAYS.

St Peter spoke of THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
ACCORDING TO THE COMMON APOSTOLIC TRADITION,
CONFIRMED BY THE FIRST HAND TESTIMONY OF THE OTHER
HOLY APOSTLES.

In all the Holy Gospel accounts, THE GLORIOUS
TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR IS SOLID PROOF
AND A MARVELLOUS FORETASTE OF THE SECOND
APPEARANCE OF CHRIST JESUS IN ALL HIS MAJESTIC,
DIVINE GLORY.
✶ Christ “... received from God the Father Honour and
Glory...” when HE WAS PROCLAIMED BY OUR HEAVENLY
FATHER AS “... My Beloved Son in Whom I Am well-
pleased.”

THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT HUMAN BEINGS HEARD THE
VOICE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER CONFIRM THE DIVINE
SONSHIP OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, the first time
being at His Baptism by St John the Baptist and
Forerunner.
✶ “... on the Holy Mountain...” is a reference to MOUNT
TABOR, where the Transfiguration of Christ
occurred.

Mount Tabor is 575 metres high, situated in Lower
Galilee, Israel at the eastern end of the Jezreel
Valley, 18 kilometres west of the Sea of Galilee.
Mount Tabor was the site of the ancient battle
between the Israelite army under Barak and the
Canaanite forces commanded by Sisera.
✶ “... we have the prophetic word confirmed...” OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED ALL THE PROPHECIES CONCERNING
THE GREAT DIVINE MESSIAH.

ST PETER AND THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST, in
particular those who were closest to Him, SAW
EXACTLY HOW ALL THESE ANCIENT PROPHECIES WERE
INDEED ACCOMPLISHED AND CONFIRMED.
✶ “... you do well to heed...” St Peter, who fully understands
the Divine Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, URGENTLY
ADMONISHES US – AS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES – TO PAY
ATTENTION AND TO APPLY ALL THE DIVINE TEACHINGS AND
COMMANDMENTS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO
OURSELVES – OUR WORDS, OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR DEEDS.

ST PETER REPEATED THE DIVINE COMMANDMENT OF OUR
HEAVENLY FATHER, which had been addressed to
him, St John and St James on Mount Tabor.

WE HAVE NO EXCUSE AT ALL FOR FAILING TO OBEY THE WILL OF
GOD.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS TAUGHT US AND PROVIDED US
WITH EVERY MEANS NECESSARY for our Eternal Salvation
and Life in His Heavenly Kingdom.

WE ONLY HAVE THIS SHORT LIFESPAN TO COMPLETE OUR
SPIRITUAL RESTORATION – to regain our Divine
Likeness as God created us.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO PATHS FOR US TO FOLLOW –
1. The Path to our Lord God’s Heavenly Kingdom
2. The Path to Perdition (Hell) – Eternal Death and
Spiritual Exile from all God’s Love and Goodness.
✶ “... until the Day dawns...” is a reference to THE EIGHT DAY
WHEN ALL CREATION WILL STAND BEFORE THE AWESOME AND
DREADED JUDGEMENT SEAT OF GOD.

WE OUGHT NEVER TO DARE NEGLECT OUR SACRED DUTIES TO
GOD AND TO EACH OTHER.
WE HAVE TO STRIVE AND STRUGGLE UNTIL WE DRAW OUR VERY
LAST BREATH.
EACH OF US HAS A SPECIFICALLY ALLOTTED LIFESPAN, which
we must make good use of in order TO FULFILL OUR
SACRED MISSION during this preparatory time before
Eternity.
DO NOT WASTE THIS MOST PRECIOUS TIME!!
ACCO R D ING TO S T M ATTHE W 17 : 1 – 9
OUR L ORD JE SU S CHR IST 6 AU GU ST 2019 7
And behold! a Voice from the Cloud said: “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased! Hear Him!” And when
the Disciples heard It, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. And Jesus went and touched them and said:
“Arise, and do not be afraid!” When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
And, as they went down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying: “Tell the Vision to no one until the Son of
Man is Risen from the dead!”
✶ “...after six days...” ALTHOUGH ST MATTHEW’S ACCOUNT
DIFFERS SLIGHTLY FROM THAT OF ST LUKE’S ACCOUNT,
following our Lord’s first Revelation of His
approaching Death and Resurrection, IT IS
INSIGNIFICANT.

THEY MERELY CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST
OCCURRED A FEW DAYS AFTER OUR LORD HAD FIRST SPOKEN
OF HIS FORTHCOMING PASSION TO HIS APOSTLES.
✶ “... they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid...”
ANYONE - hearing the Voice of our Heavenly Father,
and being overshadowed by the supernatural
Bright Cloud - WOULD HAVE REACTED IN A SIMILAR
MANNER.
T H E T R ANSF IGUR ATION
The Transfiguration of our Saviour occupies a central
position in the Orthodox Church and Theology.
It is THE EVENT THAT REVEALS THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH AND OF
THE FAITHFUL and is the EVIDENCE OF THE NEW SITUATION
THAT ENTERED HISTORY THROUGH THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.
At His Transfiguration, CHRIST MANIFESTED THROUGH HIS
HUMAN NATURE THE UNCREATED GLORY OF HIS DIVINITY, and
simultaneously, HE CAUGHT UP THE APOSTLES, who with
Him, IN HIS UNCREATED DIVINE GLORY.
ST MOSES AND ST ELIJAH SHARED THE SAME BRIGHTNESS as our
Lord - the only difference is that CHRIST IS THE SOURCE,
WHEREAS THEY ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF DIVINE BRIGHTNESS.
The reason why Christ was Transfigured before His
Apostles was His impending crucifixion: “So that when
they see Thee crucified, they will understand Thy
voluntary Passion.”
WITH HIS TRANSFIGURATION, CHRIST CONFIRMS, on the one
hand, HIS DIVINITY, which St Peter had confessed a
little earlier, while on the other, He offered THE FIRST
EVIDENCE OF THE COMING OF HIS KINGDOM.
THE TRANSFIGURATION ON 6 AUGUST REMINDS US OF THE
APPROACHING GREAT FEAST OF THE UNIVERSAL EXALTATION
OF THE HOLY LIFE-GIVING CROSS ON 14 SEPTEMBER, which, in
turn, reminds us of Great and Holy Friday when our
Lord Jesus was crucified and buried.
AS AN HISTORICAL EVENT THE TRANSFIGURATION OCCURRED A FEW
WEEKS BEFORE CHRIST’S PASSION, so, our Festal Calendar
would have celebrated it a few weeks before Holy
Pascha - as many as now separate it from the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
INSTEAD THE CHURCH HAS CHOSEN ANOTHER IMPORTANT FEAST -
THAT OF THE THEOLOGIAN OF THE LIGHT OF TABOR, SAINT
GREGORY PALAMAS – to be COMMEMORATED ON THE SECOND
SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT, FIVE WEEKS BEFORE HOLY PASCHA.
It is also characteristic that, in the three Synoptic Gospels,
the Transfiguration occurs immediately after our Lord
Jesus declared: “...there are some standing here who
will not taste death until they see the Kingdom of
God coming in Power.” (M A R K 9 : 1 )
Thus, THE TRANSFIGURATION IS A “POTENTIAL” MANIFESTATION
(OR FORETASTE) OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
THROUGH HIS TRANSFIGURATION, CHRIST CONFIRMS AND
REINFORCES THE FAITH IN HIS DIVINITY, which His Apostles
have already Confessed.
At His Transfiguration, CHRIST DID NOT ASSUME SOMETHING HE
DID NOT HAVE BEFORE, BUT REVEALED- in the measure that
His Apostles were able to receive it - THE GLORY HE HAD
ALWAYS HAD AS GOD/MAN.
Thus, HIS DIVINE GLORY that the Apostles witnessed on
Mount Tabor WAS NOT A PASSING PHENOMENON, BUT THE
ETERNAL LIGHT OF THE DIVINE NATURE OF CHRIST.
“Thou were Transfigured on the Mountain, O Christ our
God, showing as much of Thy Glory to Thy Disciples
as they were able to bear...”
THE DIVINE, UNCREATED LIGHT OF THE TRANSFIGURATION IS THE
DIVINE, UNCREATED LIGHT OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN,
WHICH ENTERED THE WORLD WITH THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.
AS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BEING WITHOUT BEGINNING NOR
END, IS NOT CONFINED BY TIME BUT SUPERSEDES IT AND
TRANSFIGURES IT – for IT DOES NOT BEGIN WITH THE END OF
HISTORY, BUT IS ALREADY PRESENT IN IT AND ABOVE IT AND WILL
CONTINUE TO EXIST BEYOND IT.
In Reality, then, THIS “COMING” ADVENT OF THE KINGDOM OF
GOD IS THE MANIFESTATION OF ITS “POTENTIAL” (FORETASTE) -
8 T H E T R ANSF IGUR ATION OF
✶ “... Tell the Vision to no one...” OUR LORD INSTRUCTED
HIS THREE APOSTLES NOT TO SPEAK OF THIS EXTREMELY
MARVELLOUS EVENt because NOT ONLY WOULD THEY BE
INCAPABLE OF EXPLAINING IT, BUT EVERYTHING MUST BE
DONE ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD – according to
His Divine Plan for mankind.

ONLY AFTER THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WERE THEY ABLE
TO COMPREHEND EVERYTHING THAT OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST HAD REVEALED TO THEM AND TAUGHT THEM.

Likewise, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO RECEIVE VERBAL TEACHINGS
BEFORE WE CAN POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY THE
WRITTEN TRADITION OF OUR TRUE FAITH.
KINDLY REFER TO THE EXPLANATORY NOTES AFTER
THE MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE
OF OUR L ORD JE SU S CHR IST
revealing that which already existed and will always
exist.
PRECISELY AS THE UNCREATED DIVINE LIGHT that was revealed
to the Apostles HAD EXISTED FOREVER AND REMAINS
ETERNALLY IN THE THEANTHROPIC HYPOSTASIS OF CHRIST, SO
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, which came into the world
with Christ, IS MANIFESTED TO THE FAITHFUL, AS BRIEF
FORETASTE OF THE AGE TO COME – ETERNITY!
OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH DOES NOT DEPEND ON ANY MORAL PRINCIPLE
NOR IDEOLOGY, but is FOUNDED ON THE REVELATION OF THE
KINGDOM OF GOD IN CHRIST, in history.
Indicative of this is THE TESTIMONY OF ST PETER, who refers
directly to his Experience of the Transfiguration, in
order to state THE TRUTH OF THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE: “...For
we did not follow clever myths when we made
known to you the Power and Presence of our Lord
Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of His
Majesty”.
WITHOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CELESTIAL, WE CAN NEVER BE
LIBERATED FROM THE EARTHLY. Likewise, the Holy
Apostles, the Martyrs, the Saints and the Ascetics
COULD NOT HAVE CONQUERED THE WORLD AND OFFERED
EVERYTHING TO CHRIST UNLESS THEY HAD HAD A FORETASTE OF
ETERNAL BLISS.
OUR HOLY ADOPTION IN CHRIST IS GAINED IN THIS PRESENT LIFE.
As St John the Beloved Apostle wrote: “...Now we are
Children of God and it has not been shown what we
shall be. We know that when this happens, we shall
be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
We acquire the sense of our Adoption and Christ in our
Life ONLY BY KEEPING HIS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS.
BY SELF-NEGATION AND SELF-OFFERING TO GOD AND HIS WILL,
both of which are a form of death, WE BECOME
PARTAKERS OF HID DIVINE LIFE AND KINGDOM.
THE FORETASTE OF ETERNITY DOES NOT BEGIN AFTER THE CROSS,
BUT WITH THE CROSS, for OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WILL “...unto
death...” IS ALREADY PARTICIPATION IN THE RESURRECTION.
JUST AS THE GLORY OF CHRIST BEGINS WITH HIS CROSS, which
puts to flight the forces of the Evil One, SO THE GLORY OF
CHRISTIANS BEGINS WITH THE VOLUNTARY ACCEPTANCE OF
DEATH FOR CHRIST, WHICH VANQUISHES OUR OLD (FALLEN)
NATURE AND REVEALS OUR NEW NATURE.
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST IS THE PREPARATION FOR THE
CROSS, which was the starting-point of His Glory as a
human Being – as the “Son of Man.”
With His Transfiguration, Christ did not acquire anything
new, but GAVE HIS APOSTLES THE NECESSARY STRENGTH
BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION, SO THAT THEY COULD COME TO
TERMS WITH THE CRUCIFIXION OF THEIR DIVINE TEACHER, AND
WITH THEIR MARTYRDOM, which they later endured for
the Sake of Christ our Divine Saviour and Lord God.
THE GATEWAY TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND THE GLORY OF GOD
BEGINS WITH THE CROSS.
EVERY MANIFESTATION OF THE DIVINE GLORY OF GOD
THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY - before or after the Advent of
our Lord Jesus Christ - IS A FORETASTE OR EXTENSION OF
THE HOLY LIFE-GIVING CROSS OF CHRIST.
EVERY EXPERIENCE OF THE GLORY OF GOD in this present life
HERALDS OR ACCOMPANIES THE MYSTERY OF HIS VICTORIOUS,
LIFE-GIVING CROSS.
GEORGE MANTZARIDIS, PROFESSOR EMERITUS,
THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL, ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI
HTTPS://PEMPTOUSIA.COM/2018
OU R L ORD JE SU S C HR IST 6 AU GU ST 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.
TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE 11 AUGUST 2019
8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AFTERFEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
8TH OF ST MATTHEW - FEEDING 5,000 FAMILIES
Also the Feast of St Evplos the Archdeacon of Catania, Sicily - St Niphon of
Mount Athos & Patriarch of Constantinople – The Divine Miracle of St Spyridon
of Kerkyra – St Basil & St Theodore of Kiev Near Caves Monastery – St
Theodosios, Prince of Ostrog, of the Kiev Caves – St Susanna, Virgin-Martyr &
her Venerable Father, St Gabinos the Presbyter, St Gaius the Bishop - St
Maximos, St Claudios, St Prepedigna, St Alexander & St Cythios of Rome – St Passarion the Holy Ascetic & Founder of
Monasticism in Jerusalem – St Mary Syncletica
THE SUNDAY AND FESTAL HYMNS ARE PUBLISHED IN BOOKLET FORM EACH MONTH. THESE ARE PUBLISHED AND FREELY
DOWNLOADABLE ON www.scribd.com/writers4574. LINKS ARE ALSO POSTED ON FACEBOOK “ORTHODOX
CHRISTIAN EASTERN CAPE.” (OR CAN BE EMAILED DIRECTLY, ON REQUEST TO marguerite.paizis@gmail.com)

R ESUR REC TION G OSPEL 8 - J OH N 20 : 11 – 18

P R OKE IME NON – P SALM 28 – T ONE (7) V ARY S / GR AVE

Our Lord will grant Strength to His People – our Lord will Bless His People with Peace.
Bring unto our Lord, O sons of God, bring unto our Lord Glory and Honour!

T H E F IR ST EP ISTLE OF S T P AUL TO TH E C OR INTH IANS 1 : 10 – 17

Brethren: I plead with you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same, and that there be no
divisions among you, but that you be Perfectly United in the same mind and in the same Knowledge.
Contentions amongst you have been declared to me, my Brethren, by those of Chloe’s household. I say this for each of
you says ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul
crucified for you? Or were you Baptised in the name of Paul?
Thanks be to God that I Baptised none of you except Crispos and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had Baptised in
my own name! I also Baptised the household of Stephanas – besides which I do not know if Baptised any others.
For Christ did not send me to Baptise, but to preach the Gospel - not with Wisdom of Words, lest the Cross of Christ
should be made meaningless!
This is ST PAUL’S FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF HOUSEHOLD, AS WELL AS FOR OTHER IMPOVERISHED
CORINTH, WHICH HE HAD FOUNDED. CHRISTIANS WHO WERE EITHER SLAVES OR FREEMEN.
It was WRITTEN IN EPHESOS, CIRCA 55, DURING ST PAUL’S THIRD
She also FINANCED THE NECESSITIES OF THOSE WHOM SHE
MISSIONARY JOURNEY. REGULARLY SENT TO EPHESOS (AND ELSEWHERE) TO
THIS PASSAGE CONCERNS FACTIONALISM, which had begun to FAITHFULLY REPORT THE PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF
arise in their midst. THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH TO ST PAUL.
✶ “... I plead with you...” AS THE OVERSEER (BISHOP) AND
During the early years of the Church, gatherings were
FOUNDER OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH, ST PAUL – the great held in private homes of Disciples.
Apostle to the Gentiles - BESOUGHT THE FAITHFUL NOT TO ✶ “... Apollos...” was A WELL EDUCATED HEBREW FROM
BE ENSNARED BY SPIRITUALLY UNBENEFICIAL ‘POLITICS’ AND ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, whom St Luke also mentioned
ARGUMENTS THAT WOULD SEPARATE OR DIVIDE THE SACRED as being “... mighty in the Scriptures...” (ACTS 18:24)
BODY OF CHRIST, CAUSING DISCORD AND UNHAPPINESS AMONG
St Apollos was initially “... a follower of the Baptism of
HER MEMBERS. John...” but was later TAUGHT MORE FULLY ABOUT OUR
✶´”... in the Name of our Lord...” shows that SINCE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BY ST PRISCILLA AND ST AQUILA OF
BEGINNING OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST, EVERYTHING EPHESOS. (ACTS 18.25)
IS DONE IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD GOD – not
ST APOLLOS HAD PREACHED IN CORINTH where some
according to individual personalities – ACCORDING regarded him as being “...a rival...” of St Paul, but
TO THE WILL OF GOD, not of egocentric mankind! ST PAUL SOON MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT HE AND ST
✶ “... speak the same... no divisions among you...” When APOLLOS WERE BOTH LABOURERS IN THEIR APOSTOLIC
WE ALL FOLLOW THE EXACT SAME DIVINE TRUTH OF GOD – His WORK and that ST APOLLOS WOULD CERTAINLY NOT HAVE
Teaching and Commandments – WE WILL SPEAK WITH APPROVED OF THE FACTIONALISM that had arisen in
‘ONE VOICE’ because we will have the same Knowledge Corinth.
of God.
St Apollos became THE FIRST BISHOP OF CRETE. (TITOS 3:13)
✶ “... be perfectly joined together ...”
THE GREAT CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, WAS FAMOUS FOR ITS

IF WE ALL UNDERTAKE THE SAME HOLY STRUGGLE AGAINST THE VAST LIBRARY AND INNUMERABLE SCHOLARS who studied
GRIEVOUS PASSIONS that threaten us constantly, and the immense variety of texts that were preserved
WHEN WE ALL STRIVE TO LIVE IN CHRIST AS HIS FAITHFUL there.
DISCIPLES, WE BECOME TRULY UNITED as we Journey IN THOSE DAYS, HOLY SCRIPTURE CONSISTED ONLY OF THE 49
together, as SANCTIFIED MEMBERS OF THE ONE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, WHICH WERE TRANSLATED
BODY/CHURCH OF CHRISt. FROM THE ORIGINAL HEBREW INTO GREEK CIRCA 200 BC

WE ARE ABLE TO LOVE, TO EMPATHISE WITH AND TO ENCOURAGE (known as “The Septuagint” and denoted as ’ LXX’)
EACH OTHER AS ONE UNITED HOLY FAMILY IN CHRIST. Most of Christ’s quotations were derived from these
✶ ‘... those of Chloe’s household...” refers to ST CHLOE who Holy Books.
WAS A PROMINENT WOMAN – A MOST FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF ✶ “ ... Cephas...” (Κηφᾶς in Greek or kēpā in Aramaic)
CHRIST, WHO HOSTED THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH IN HER meaning ‘Rock’ or ‘Stone),’ was A NICK-NAME GIVEN BY
HOME. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO ST SIMON PETER the Holy

Being FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT AND SOCIALLY INFLUENTIAL Apostle of Christ and leader/spokesman of the
she was ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF HER Apostles in Jerusalem.

8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST MATTHEW – FEEDING 5,000 FAMILIES – 11 AUGUST 2019 9
 ST PETER’S ROCK-SOLID FAITH WAS ‘THE ROCK’ UPON WHICH
St Crispos was succeeded by Sosthenes as Ruler of the
CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH WOULD BE ESTABLISHED, for Corinth Synagogue. (ACTS 18:17)
without our own rock-solid Faith, His Church ✶ “... Gaius...” was A RESIDENT OF CORINTH WITH WHOM ST PAUL
cannot flourish. RESIDED WHILE WRITING HIS EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.
✶ “... Is Christ divided...?” This series of rhetorical questions
St Gaius also hosted the Church of Corinth. (ROMANS
IS ANSWERED WITH A RESOUNDING “NO!” 16:23)

WE CAN LEAVE THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, BUT WE CANNOT DIVIDE THE THIRD EPISTLE OF ST JOHN WAS ADDRESSED TO THIS SAME ST
IT. GAIUS, of whom St John was very fond for, BEING ONE OF

FACTIONALISM, HOWEVER, CAN CAUSE GREAT HARM TO THE ST JOHN’S SPIRITUAL SONS, ST GAIUS “... walked in Truth...”
HOLY UNITY OF THE CHURCH, for – in this case – it – he was a Faithful Disciple of Christ. (3 JOHN 1)
sought to give others the place that only our Lord ✶”... lest anyone should say I Baptised in my own name.”
Jesus Christ can occupy.
ST PAUL did not denigrate Holy Baptism but simply

IT IS THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST – not of any flawed and EMPHASISED THE FACT THAT BAPTISING WAS NOT HIS
sinful human being! PRIMARY ROLE, which was to preach the Holy Gospel
THE ONLY HIGH PRIEST, HEAD OR LEADER OF THE HOLY of Christ to all Nations, making them Disciples of
CHURCH OF GOD IS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – GOD THE Christ, and teaching those who sought the One
SON - WHO FULFILS THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD OUR True and Living Lord God to be Baptised in the
HEAVENLY FATHER, BY THE POWER AND ENERGY OF GOD Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy
THE HOLY SPIRIT. Spirit.
ALL HOLY MYSTERIES AND HOLY SERVICES ARE CONDUCTED IN
THOSE WHO PERFORM THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM AND
THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE CHRISMATION ARE THE ORDAINED INSTRUMENTS OF OUR
HOLY SPIRIT – not in any other name! LORD GOD.

MANY PEOPLE REGARDED THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST AS
CONSEQUENTLY, OUR LOYALTY AS THE BAPTISED AND THUS
MERELY TEACHERS OF “PHILOSOPHY” RATHER THAN ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD, MUST BE TO OUR LORD GOD
PREACHERS OF THE HOLY, LIFE-GIVING CROSS – i.e. ALONE – not to any created being!
Resurrection and Eternal Life. (1 CORINTHIANS 18 – 2:5) ✶ “...preach the Gospel – not with wisdom of words...”

Those WHO ARE FACTIOUS DO NOT ACCEPT TRUE WISDOM, refers especially to PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT AND
which is BESTOWED UPON MANKIND ONLY BY GOD THE RHETORICAL DEVICES.
HOLY SPIRIT. (1 CORINTHIANS 2: 6 – 3:4) OUR LIMITED HUMAN WISDOM BY ITSELF DOES NOT PROMOTE,
Therefore, THEY MISREPRESENTED THE HOLY APOSTLES as PROVIDE, EXPLAIN NOR REVEAL
rivalling each other INSTEAD OF BEING CO-WORKERS 1. our SALVATION
WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. (1 CORINTHIANS 3: 5 – 23) 2. an UNDERSTANDING of how our Lord God Works in
✶ “...Crispos...” HAD BEEN A RULER OF THE JUDAIC SYNAGOGUE IN this (fallen) world
CORINTH. (ACTS 18:8) 3. GOD’S DIVINE WILL.

HAVING BEEN CONVERTED THROUGH THE INSPIRED PREACHING
OF ST PAUL, ST CRISPOS AND “... ALL HIS HOUSEHOLD...”
HAD ACCEPTED HOLY BAPTISM.
T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACCO R D ING TO S T M ATTHE W 14 : 14 – 22
At that time, our Lord Jesus saw a great multitude, and He was moved with Compassion for them, and He Healed their
sick. When it was evening, His Disciples went to Him, saying: “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.
Send the multitude away, so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” Jesus said to them: “They
do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” They said to Him: “We have here only five loaves and
two fish.” He said: “Bring them to Me.” And He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.
And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to Heaven, He Blessed and broke and gave the loaves to
the Disciples, and the Disciples gave to the multitudes. And they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve
baskets full of the fragments that remained. Those who had eaten were about five thousand men – besides the
women and children!
And immediately Jesus made His Disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the
multitudes away.
✶ “... He saw a great multitude...” There were 5,000 NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE, which clearly demonstrates
FAMILIES or groups of people, which made the THE DEPTH OF HIS SELF-SACRIFICING SERVICE TO
actual number of people who needed to be fed even MANKIND.
more extraordinary and exceedingly astonishing! ✶ “...He was moved with Compassion ...” so His Divine
✶ THIS MIRACULOUS EVENT OCCURRED AFTER THE MARTYRDOM OF Power and Authority are extended to all mankind in
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST & FORERUNNER, when our Lord Jesus their suffering.
Christ had set off “... by boat to a deserted place...” ✶ “... they do not need to go away...” means that WE NEVER

Our Lord went into the wilderness DUE TO THE HAVE TO SEEK OUR SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT AND
UNPREDICTABLE CRUELTY AND PARANOIA OF THE TETRARCH SUSTENANCE ANYWHERE ELSE BUT IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF
RULER, HEROD, CHRIST.

This teaches us to AVOID THREATS AND DANGERS WHENEVER ✶ “... You give them something to eat...” Christ told His
POSSIBLE. concerned Apostles – “... not in ignorance of their

According to St Theophylact, CHRIST “... DEPARTED SO extreme poverty...” but rather in order TO PERFORM HIS
THAT HE WOULD NOT SEEM TO HAVE BEEN INCARNATED DIVINE MIRACLE “...OUT OF NECESSITY AND NOT FROM
ONLY IN APPEARANCE...” because IF HEROD HAD VAINGLORY.”
ARRESTED AND EXECUTED HIM, CHRIST WOULD HAVE ✶ “...He commanded the multitude to sit ...” because THIS IS
PREVENTED THAT FROM HAPPENING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO CONTROL A NEEDY CROWD AND TO
YET THE RIGHT TIME FOR HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS – and PREVENT A STAMPEDE that would harm the weaker
He would have seemed to be only an ‘Apparition” people and prevent everyone from receiving.
rather than the visible, physical God-Man Whom
THEY WERE SEATED IN GROUPS that could be counted so
He is. that THE FOOD COULD BE EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED to

THE PEOPLE HAD FOLLOWED CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES ON everyone.
FOOT, when they saw the direction in which they
AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, we ought to be UNDER OR
had set sail, AND HAD SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY, RECEIVING OBEDIENT TO HIS DIVINE DISCIPLINE.
SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT AND HEALING OF EVERY TYPE. We must ALWAYS BE SELF-DISCIPLINED AND WELL BEHAVED,

The vast multitude who so eagerly followed our Lord TREATING EACH OTHER WITH SINCERE RESPECT.
to that deserted place WITHOUT TAKING ANY ✶ Our Lord Jesus “...took the five loaves and the two fish...”
PROVISIONS FOR THEMSELVES, THEREBY DEMONSTRATED all four Evangelists mentioned how OUR LORD FED
THEIR FAITH IN HIM AND THEIR INSATIABLE NEED FOR HIS THAT GREAT MULTITUDE WITH A YOUNG BOY’S FOOD PARCEL
DIVINE TRUTH AND HEALING. provided by his mother that consisted of 5 SMALL

DESPITE HIS OWN NEED FOR A LITTLE SOLITUDE AT THAT BREAD ROLLS AND TWO SARDINES!
DISTRESSFUL SORROWFUL TIME, CHRIST TENDED TO THE

10 8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST MATTHEW – FEEDING 5,000 FAMILIES – 11 AUGUST 2019
 The incredible Faith of that child was held up by Christ as
a most profound example of absolute Trust and
Confidence in our Lord God, which our Lord exhorted
us to acquire.

CHRIST FED THIS HUGE CROWD JUST AS HE HAD NOURISHED HIS
CHOSEN PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WITH MANNA – “THE BREAD OF
HEAVEN” -while they sojourned in the desert for 4o
years before entering the Promised Land.
This is regarded as A FORETASTE OF HIS HOLY EUCHARIST
THAT SUSTAINS US WHILE WE SOJOURN ON EARTH, BEFORE
ENTERING OUR PROMISED LAND – HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
(JOHN 6)

ANOTHER SIMILAR MIRACULOUS EVENT OCCURRED WHEN
so when he had St John the Baptist and
CHRIST FED 4,000 FAMILIES WITH SEVEN SMALL LOAVES OF
BREAD AND A FEW SMALL FISH. (MATTHEW 15: 32 – 39)
Once again, this number did not include all the
women and children who had accompanied the
men.
Although some modern scholars claimed that these
for if He does not first forgive our sins and Heal our
two Miraculous Accounts are one and the same,
the Testimony of the Holy Gospel makes it clear
that OUR LORD JESUS HAD ALSO REFERRED TO THEM
SEPARATELY. (MATTHEW 16 : 8 – 10)

We are hereby taught that NO MATTER HOW MUCH OR HOW
LITTLE WE HAVE, WE MUST ALWAYS SHARE IT WITH OTHERS
BECAUSE OUR LORD ALWAYS PROVIDES ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN
US.

These five little loaves and two fish have A SIGNIFICANT
SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION ACCORDING TO OUR HOLY
FATHERS.
1. THE FIVE LOAVES SIGNIFY THE FIVE BOOKS OF THE LAW –
GENESIS – DEUTERONOMY – which are BROKEN OPEN
IN CHRIST and thus NOURISH THE UNIVERSE.
2. THE TWO FISH SIGNIFY THE BOOK OF HOLY GOSPELS
These are THE HOLY GOSPELS AND THE EPISTLES (as
(EVANGELION) AND THE BOOK OF THE EPISTLES
(APOSTOLOS)
3. THE GATHERING OF THE LEFTOVERS BY THE HOLY APOSTLES
SIGNIFIES THAT THE TEACHINGS, which the Faithful
are unable to comprehend are nevertheless
CAREFULLY PRESERVED INTACT IN THE CONSCIOUSNEss
(Knowledge/Mind) OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST.
✶ “... looking up to Heaven, He Blessed and broke...” the
bread thereby
EXACTLY LIKE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO NEVER
1. demonstrating HIS HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO THE
WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER Who sent Him to us.
2. Teaching us to ALWAYS EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT
GRATITUDE TO OUR PROVIDENTIAL, GRACIOUS AND ALL
For that reason, NOT ONE IOTA NOR TITTLE CAN BE
MERCIFUL GOD WHO PROVIDES US WITH EVERY NECESSITY
OF LIFE.
The terminology points to the Last Supper and leads to
the Eucharistic Interpretation of this great Divine
Miracle.
✶ “...gave ... to the Disciples, and the Disciples gave to the
multitude...” which is SIMILAR TO THE HOLY MYSTERY OF
EUCHARIST WHEREBY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST NOURISHES
HIS HOLY FLOCK THROUGH THE HANDS OF HIS ORDAINED
BISHOPS AND PRESBYTERS. (Priests)
St Theophylact explained that OUR LORD GAVE THE FOOD
TO HIS DISCIPLES TO DISTRIBUTE TO ALL THE PEOPLE SO
THAT THEY WOULD REMEMBER THIS DIVINE MIRACLE,
whereby THE BREAD AND FISH MULTIPLIED IN THEIR
HANDS.
✶ “... they all ate and were filled...” confirms how GOD
PROVIDES MORE THAN ENOUGH TO NOURISH AND SUSTAIN US.
There is no need to hoard food for ourselves because
WE KNOW THAT GOD WILL GRANT US OUR DAILY
NECESSITIES, as He does for all His creatures.
✶ “... twelve baskets full of the fragments remained...”
Even more astonishing was the fact that THERE WAS
SO MUCH MORE FOOD LEFT OVER, WHICH THE PEOPLE TOOK
WITH THEM WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME.
ALL TWELVE APOSTLES OF CHRIST, INCLUDING JUDAS ISCARIOT,
CARRIED THE BASKETS OF LEFTOVERS, which was again
distributed amongst the people.
OUR LORD’S ABUNDANT INCREASE OF THE 5 SMALL BREAD ROLLS AND
2 SARDINES CLEARLY PROVED THAT HIS IS INDEED THE CREATOR
S T I GNATIOS
We have a long Struggle ahead! We have to cultivate a
bold outlook within ourselves. We must look at the
things we love. Are we over-fond of them? Are we too
8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF ST MATTHEW – FEEDING 5,000 FAMILIES – 11 AUGUST 2019
OF EVERYTHING VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE,
and that He is our
Gracious Provider of all necessities that nourish and
sustain us daily.
Furthermore, THIS GREAT DIVINE MIRACLE OCCURRED IN THAT
DESERTED PLACE THAT WAS SOME DISTANCE FROM THE NEAREST
TOWNS AND VILLAGES, thereby confirming that THE FOOD
WAS NOT BROUGHT FROM ELSEWHERE to feed that enormous
crowd of hungry men, women and children.
St Theophylact explained THE SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF THIS
DIVINE MIRACLE as follows:
1. HEROD SIGNIFIES THE FLESHLY, SUPERFICIAL MIND OF THE
HEBREWS.
Forerunner beheaded, HE ALSO REJECTED ALL THE
HOLY PROPHETS WHO HAD PROPHESIED ABOUT CHRIST.
2. OUR LORD’S WITHDRAWAL TO THAT DESERTED PLACE SIGNIFIES
THE DESOLATED NATIONS WHO WERE WITHOUT GOD, WHOSE
BODIES AND SOULS HE FIRST HEALED AND THEN NOURISHED,
ailments by Holy Baptism, HE CANNOT NOURISH
AND SUSTAIN US WITH HIS IMMACULATE HOLY
MYSTERIES, WHICH NONE OF US CAN PARTAKE OF
UNLESS WE ARE FIRST BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED.
3. The 5,000 families signify THOSE WHOSE 5 SENSES ARE
SICKENED BY THE GRIEVOUS PASSIONS, and who are
HEALED BY THE 5 LOAVES OF BREAD – BY THE BODY OF
CHRIST – BOTH BY THE HOLY EUCHARIST AND BY THE
TEACHINGS OF HIS HOLY CHURCH, which provide CURES
FOR EVERY TYPE OF PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL AFFLICTION.
4. THE TWO LITTLE FISH SIGNIFY THE WORDS AND TEACHINGS OF
THE FISHERMEN – THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST - who
carefully preserved and passed down the Divine
Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ to all generations.
mentioned previously.)
5. The five loaves signify THE OLD COVENANT PENTATEUCH OF
MOSES: THE BOOKS OF GENESIS, EXODUS, LEVITICUS,
NUMBERS AND DEUTERONOMY.
6. The twelve baskets of leftovers, carried by the 12
Apostles of Christ, signify that WHATEVER WE ARE
UNABLE TO DIGEST (understand) THE HOLY APOSTLES
HAVE CAREFULLY PRESERVED.
CHANGES BUT REMAINS THE SAME FOREVER, SO TOO,
DOES HIS DIVINE TRUTH, WHICH IS ABSOLUTE AND
PERFECT.
ALTERED in any manner for then His Divine Truth
is no longer Absolute and Perfect, BUT BECOMES
DISTORTED, CORRUPTED AND ERRONEOUS FOR IT IS
MERELY MANKIND’S PERCEPTION OF TRUTH.
✶ “... those who had eaten were about 5,000, besides
women and children...” IS CAREFULLY AND CLEARLY
RECORDED, because it means that THE NUMBERS OF
THOSE PRESENT WERE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 10,000 –
20,000 PEOPLE ALTOGETHER! A vast crowd indeed!

CENSUS TAKERS USUALLY ONLY COUNT THE MEN – referring to
households that will include women and children
– THEREBY ESTIMATING THE TOTAL POPULATION.
✶ Our Lord Jesus had “... made His Disciples... go before
Him ... while He sent the multitudes away...” implies
that HE HAD TO INSTRUCT HIS DISCIPLES TO SET OFF BY BOAT
TO THE OPPOSITE SHORE OF THE SEA OF GALILEE BEFORE
SENDING THE PEOPLE BACK TO THEIR VILLAGES AND TOWNS.

EVERYONE WHO ENCOUNTERS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WANTS
ONLY TO REMAIN IN HIS DIVINE PRESENCE, for IT IS A
MARVELLOUS FORETASTE OF ETERNAL LIFE IN HIS
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE.

IT IS NATURAL FOR US TO YEARN TO BE IN GOD’S DIVINE
PRESENCE, as He created us to be.

ANY PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH OUR LORD GOD TRANSFORMS
US, AND MAKES A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON Us, which
ought to compel us to make greater efforts to
acquire the Holy Virtues that bring us ever closer
to God.
B R IANC H ANINOV
attached to them? We must renounce them, for that is
the response our Lord expects of us.
11
 8 T H
S U ND AY AF TER P E NTEC OST
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved – According to Cynthia Bourgeault, “…the
heart is first and foremost an organ of Spiritual
Perception. Its primary function is to look beyond
the obvious…and see into a deeper Reality.”
Unless we are Spiritually Perceptive, today’s Sacred
Lesson concerning the Miraculous Feeding of the
5,000 families may seem to be nothing more than
a Miraculous Event whereby between 10,000 –
20,000 people, (including the women and
children), were all fed with only a small amount of
food.
This amazing Event is even much more meaningful
than that, which is why we ought to contemplate
the various essential aspects so that – more
importantly – we might apply them to ourselves
and to our daily circumstances.
We must never impose our own limited interpretation
on Holy Scripture, and we must always be open to
God's Voice, by being receptive to anything
Extraordinary that changes our perception and
understanding.
Holy Scripture has many layers of meaning, and,
depending on the level of our emptiness, that is,
our openness and willingness, we receive what we
are capable of comprehending, yet there is
always far more!
Our Lord Jesus Christ admonished the arrogant, self-
righteous Pharisees, by saying: “...You search the
Scriptures thinking that in them you find life, but
the Scriptures speak of Me...” and He is the
deepest of all Divine Mysteries!
There are a few things we need to consider with
regard to this Divine Miracle:
1) The number 5 in Holy Scripture signifies OUR L ORD
G OD’ S GOODNESS AND G RACE .
This Divine Mystery reveals His infinite Divine Grace
that our Lord pours out on all Creation.
That small portion of food became so abundant that
there was not only enough to satisfy the hungry
crowd but 12 baskets were filled with the
remaining food!
Our Lord God’s Divine Grace and Goodness are truly
unlimited and bestowed upon all mankind
according to His Divine Love and Will.
The people whom Christ and His Apostles and Faithful
Disciples fed that day came from all social strata –
the rich and poor, the Virtuous and the sinful – so
many of whom were despised and shunned by
their own people.
They all sought His Divine Truth and Healing of their
physical and Spiritual Afflictions.
2) O UR L ORD HAS C OMPASSION FOR ALL C REATION -
ESPECIALLY FOR MANKIND .
The people had rushed from their villages and towns
to be with Christ, so they had carried no provisions
with them.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was well aware that although
they had been Spiritually Nourished, they had
become physically hungry and tired, but He
waited for His Disciples to voice their concern.
God knows our needs – often before we become
aware of our own needs and seek to resolve them.
3) T HE M IRACULOUS F EEDING OF THIS GREAT MULTITUDE IS
PROPHETIC AND S ACRAMENTAL .
The people had followed Christ into the deserted
wilderness, and when they became hungry, He
fed them.
This is reminiscent of the feeding of the Israelites after
their exodus from Egypt, when they wandered for
40 years in the wilderness before entering the
Promised Land.
God provided Manna every morning, which was
gathered up and eaten by the Israelites to satisfy
their hunger.
This was regarded as being the “Bread of Heaven,”
which they continued to receive every day until
they reaped their first harvests in the Promised
Land. (“Manna” means “What is it?”)
12 8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 8TH OF
– 8 T H
OF S T M ATTHE W – FE ED ING 5,000 F AM IL IE S
A jar of Manna was preserved in the Holy of Holies
in the Great Temple of Jerusalem, together with
various other Holy Relics of the Old Covenant.
The Faithful Judeans who knew their history, would
have recalled that Heavenly Bread that sustained
them during those difficult years.
Someone suggested that perhaps the Feeding of the
5,000 families was Christ’s first Holy Eucharist of
the New Covenant.
In a very real sense every meal and partaking of
food is Eucharistic, which is why according to our
Orthodox Faith every meal begins and ends with
Prayers of Blessing and Thanksgiving, since Life
itself is God’s Holy Mystery!
Furthermore, there is a definite connection between
the feeding of the Israelites during their 40 year
exile and the feeding of the 5,000 families in that
deserted place, with the Life-giving Holy Eucharist
of Christ.
During our own sojourn in the wilderness of this fallen
world we are Spiritually Sustained by God's All-
pervasive Grace when we partake of the New
Manna – the Most Precious Life-giving Body and
Blood of Christ in the Holy Mystery of Eucharist.
One of the encompassing aspects of the feeding of
the 5,000 families and of every Divine Miracle
is the fact that God is always present – always
with us - taking care of us by connecting with
us through the material of this world.
4) E VERY T EACHING AND EVERY D IVINE M IRACLE OF C HRIST
HAS A SOCIAL AND ETHICAL ELEMENT .
When His Disciples asked Him to dismiss the hungry
multitude so that they could go into the distant
towns and villages to purchase food, our Divine
Saviour simply responded by telling them: “You
give them something to eat.”
He also tells us plainly and clearly to feed the
hungry, to clothe the naked, to welcome strangers
and to visit those who are sick, needy or
imprisoned, for we must do everything He has
commanded us to do so that we might become
like Him in Whose Image and LIKENESS He created
us.
God always provides more than we actually need for
ourselves so that we might share our Divine
Blessings with others.
As Nikolai Berdyaev said: “... bread for myself is a
material question. Bread for my neighbour is a
Spiritual one.”
We will never know how our Lord Jesus Christ
performed this great Divine Miracle, for it is truly
another inexplicable Divine Mystery that is far
beyond our human understanding.
The entire cosmos exists by Divine Grace.
His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware
commented that “..the entire cosmos is one vast
Burning Bush, permeated by the Fire of Divine
Power and Glory!”
If this is True, then nothing is impossible – and the
feeding of approximately 20,000 men, women,
and children is actual proof of this Truth!
Because Almighty God is indeed the ‘Glue’ that holds
everything together, and the Divine Energy that
courses through and grants life to everything, in
the Hands of the Eternal Son of God a few small
rolls and two little sardines was more than enough
to feed them all and to have twelve basketsful to
sustain them on their homeward journey!
Finally, the overall Sacred Lesson is that our Lord God
and His Heavenly Kingdom of Love begins here
and now! For He Loves and Cares for us
unconditionally - and when we recognize our very
real Spiritual Hunger, He will abundantly fulfil our
personal needs.
We who are proud, arrogant and egotistic cannot be
fed, until we admit our physical and Spiritual
Poverty, Hunger and Thirst, but when we are
Humble and “...Poor in spirit...” God will provide
everything we need.
F ATHER A NTHONY H UGHES
HTTP://WWW.STMARYORTHODOXCHURCH.ORG
ST MATTHEW – FEEDING 5,000 FAMILIES – 11 AUGUST 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.
15 AUGUST 2019
THE DORMITION OF OUR LADY, THEOTOKOS

THE SUNDAY AND FESTAL HYMNS ARE PUBLISHED IN BOOKLET FORM EACH MONTH.
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H OLY G OSPE L A CC ORD ING TO S T L UKE 1 : 39 - 49 & 56
THE VISITATION
In those days Mary arose and went in haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of
Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb;
and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry: “Blessed art Thou among women,
and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy womb! And why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?
For behold, when the voice of Thy greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for Joy. And Blessed is
She who believed, for there would be a Fulfilment of what was spoken to Her from the Lord.”
And Mary said: “My soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has regarded the lowly
estate of His handmaiden. For behold: henceforth all generations will call me Blessed; for He Who is Mighty has
done Great Things for me, and Holy is His Name!”
And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to Her home.
✶ “... Mary arose and went in haste...” AFTER THE ALL PURE, Joseph the Betrothed in order to preserve Her Sacred
HOLY VIRGIN RECEIVED THE DIVINE ANNUNCIATION FROM ST Vow of Chastity.
GABRIEL, THE ARCHANGEL OF GOD AND BEARER OF GOOD She dwelt in his home, together with several other young
TIDINGS, CONCERNING THE LONG-AWAITED GREAT MESSIAH, Virgins who had accompanied Her, having followed
WHOM SHE HAD CONSENTED TO BEAR. Her Example by also making Sacred Vows of Chastity.
✶ “... to a city of Judah...” which was ONE OF THE ALLOTTED After the Annunciation of the Messiah Whom She had
CITIES FOR LEVITES – where Priests, Levites and their consented to bear, the All Pure, Holy Virgin Mary
families resided as they took turns to serve in the hastened to St Elizabeth for guidance and advice.
Great Temple of Jerusalem or teach at Synagogues. ✶ “...the babe leapt in her womb...” ST ELIZABETH HAD
These were specifically set out throughout the Promised Land, CONCEIVED St John the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ
details of which are recorded in the Book of Numbers. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE INCARNATION of our
(Numbers 35 : 3 – 5). Lord Jesus Christ in His All Pure Mother’s Womb.
Six Levite cities were walled cities of Refuge that protected When the Holy Virgin greeted St Elizabeth
everyone who resided therein. Specific areas were 1. St John leapt for Joy IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD
strictly for dwellings, for fields and vineyards, while an JESUS CHRIST – even though they were both still
area outside the city walls was set aside for burials. The growing in their respective Mothers’ wombs.
suburban lands of Israel were given to the Levites for 2. St John leapt for Joy WHEN HE HEARD THE LOVELY VOICE
their livestock.
OF THE ONE WHO IS FULL OF (DIVINE) GRACE -
Hebrews who fled to these cities of Refuge, lived freely,
without having to pay for anything at all. “Keharitomeni.”
Levites and Priests were expected to maintain Justice and to ✶ St Elizabeth “... was filled with the Holy Spirit...” Who is
protect the innocent from harm. ALWAYS PRESENT AND OPERATING TOGETHER WITH OUR
The other Levitical cities had many Universities where the HEAVENLY FATHER AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Priests and Levites studied the Old Covenant Laws before
WHEN THE INCARNATION OF THE GOD-MAN OCCURRED at the
sharing their knowledge in their Synagogues throughout Annunciation, DIVINE PROPHECY RESUMED IN ISRAEL.
the land.
ST JOHN, THE LAST AND GREATEST HOLY PROPHET OF GOD,
Priests and Levites ministered to the people, for there were ANNOUNCES THE PRESENCE OF OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR by
seldom Holy Prophets of God to do so. Rejoicing in his Mother’s womb.
The Holy Prophets of God instructed the Priests and Levites,
HIS JOYFULNESS FULFILLED THE INSPIRED PROPHECY OF ST
who, in turn, were sent forth to guide the people of Israel. JEREMIAH – “... Before I formed Thee in the womb, I
Tithes were granted to the Priest and Levites while they
knew Thee, and before Thou were born, I
studied the Law at the Universities, when they preached
Sanctified Thee. I established Thee as a Prophet
and when they served at the Altar or in the Temple.
to the Nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
✶ “... the house of Zachariah and ...Elizabeth...”
GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE AND HIS CALLING ARE WOVEN

ST ZACHARIAH WAS OF THE PRIESTLY TRIBE OF LEVITES AND TOGETHER.
SERVED AS A HIGH PRIEST in the Temple of Jerusalem,
✶ “... Blessed art Thou among women...” These words
and his wife, ST ELIZABETH WAS A SISTER OF ST ANNA, express THE PROFOUND VENERATION THE ALL PURE, HOLY
Mother of our Lady, Theotokos. AND EVER BLESSED MOTHER OF GOD WORTHILY RECEIVES

Similar to the Venerable Parents of Panagia - St FROM BOTH THE HEAVENLY ANGELIC HOSTS AND MANKIND.
Ioachim and St Anna – the Marriage of St
ST GABRIEL, THE HOLY ARCHANGEL OF GOD AND BEARER OF
Zachariah and St Elizabeth had been childless GOOD TIDINGS TO MANKIND HAD GREETED OUR LADY
until, according to the Will of God, a Beloved Child THEOTOKOS WITH THIS PROCLAMATION, WHICH IS
was granted to them. SIMILARLY PROCLAIMED BY ST ELIZABETH.
The Holy Virgin Mary had been orphaned at a very young age ✶ “... and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb!” is THE DIVINELY
and had been brought up in the Temple under the care of INSPIRED DECLARATION OF FAITH, for BEING “... FILLED
the Priests, Levites and Pious Women who took care of the
WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT...” ST ELIZABETH ACKNOWLEDGED
children dedicated to God.
AND BLESSED THE DIVINE CHRIST-CHILD Who is indeed
Girls had to leave the Temple confines when they reached
puberty in order to be married and produce many our long-awaited Messiah/Saviour.
offspring to increase the Nation of Israel.
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS US GREAT KNOWLEDGE AND
The Priests, Divinely Inspired and Guided, had placed Her UNDERSTANDING THAT IS FAR BEYOND OUR NATURAL
under the Protective Custody of Her elderly Uncle, St ABILITIES.

D OR M ITION OF OU R L ADY , T HE OTOKOS 15 AU GU ST 2019 13


GOD CREATED BOTH HIS HEAVENLY ANGELS AND HIS BELOVED
MANKIND AS INTELLECTUAL BEINGS, to whom,
ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL, HE GRANTS
EXTRAORDINARY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.

It is GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT Who by Divine Grace ENABLES
US TO ACQUIRE ABILITIES THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR OUR
EARTHLY SOJOURN AND, ESPECIALLY, FOR OUR SPIRITUAL
PROGRESS - the development and strengthening of
our immortal soul.
✶ “...the Mother of my Lord...” St Elizabeth confessed the
Truth that THE ALL PURE VIRGIN MARY IS INDEED THE
MOTHER OF OUR LORD GOD.

The most excellent and worthy Title “Theotokos”
means that SHE IS TRULY THE IMMACULATE BEARER OF
GOD INCARNATE – our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ.

HER CONFESSION AND OTHERS SIMILAR TO IT, whereby we
address Her, as Faithful Disciples of Christ and
Orthodox Christians, THEREBY CONFIRMING AND
DECLARING THAT THE DIVINE INFANT OF HER ALL PURE,
SANCTIFIED WOMB IS BOTH HUMAN AND DIVINE, for He is
the Eternal, Only Begotten Son and Word of our
Heavenly Father.

At the Festal Vespers of the Annunciation, we joyfully
proclaim “... It is the Word of God Who dwells in
Her!...”

It is of special significance that EVEN AS HIS PHYSICAL
BODY WAS ONLY BEGINNING TO FULLY FORM, OUR DIVINE
LORD AND SAVIOUR WAS FULLY, AND TRULY, THE INCARNATE
SON OF GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND HIS ALL PURE,
HOLY AND EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, WAS
ACKNOWLEDGED AS HIS MOTHER.

THIS DIVINE TRUTH UTTERLY REFUTES AND REJECTS THE FALLEN,
CORRUPTED WORLD VIEW THAT ABORTION IS ACCEPTABLE –
that terrible, cruel and brutal murder of innocent
children – BECAUSE THEY DO NOT REGARD THAT INFANT
BEING AS AN IDENTIFIABLE PERSON – “only a foetus!” -
T H E E PISTLE OF S T
Brethren: let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the Form of God, did not consider it
robbery to be Equal to God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and Coming in
the likeness of men. And being found in Appearance as a Man, He Emptied Himself and became Obedient to the
point of death – even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has Highly Exalted Him and given Him the Name,
which is above every other name – that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bend – of those in Heaven, and of
those on Earth and of those under the Earth – and that every tongue should Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
Glory of God the Father.
ST PAUL HAD FOUNDED THE CHURCH IN PHILIPPI, which was the
first in Europe, ON HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY CIRCA
50-51, (Acts 16: 11 – 40)
On his Third Missionary Journey HE MADE TWO BRIEF VISITS TO
PHILIPPI, CIRCA 57 – 58. (Acts 20: 1 & 6)
WHILE UNDER HOUSE ARREST IN ROME, ST PAUL WROTE THIS EPISTLE
to the Philippian Christian Community, while being
able to received visitors and correspond with his
Spiritual Children.
SALVATION IS A DYNAMIC, ONGOING EXPERIENCE that is not
merely personal but shared among all Faithful
Disciples of Christ.
ST PAUL URGED US TO CONTINUE STRIVING TO MAINTAIN OUR HOLY
UNITY, WHILE STRUGGLING TO ACQUIRE HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE,
SELFLESS GENEROSITY AND JOY IN CHRIST OUR LORD.
ST PAUL CAUTIONED THE FAITHFUL AGAINST
1. ANY INTERFERENCE FROM SELF-SERVING “EVANGELISTS”
2. THE ANTAGONISM OF HERETICS – PARTICULARLY THE
LEGALISTIC JUDAIZERS.
3. PERSECUTION FROM ENEMIES OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF
CHRIST.

The Church of Philippi was known for their generosity
and support of the Apostolic Ministry.
✶ “... let this mind be in you...” is from A HYMN THAT WAS
ALREADY IN USE IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

St Paul quoted it in order FOR US TO CONTEMPLATE THE
INFINITE HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE OF OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST TO THE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

This is A DIVINE TRUTH THAT IS NECESSARY FOR ALL SUFFERING
CHRISTIANS TO UNDERSTAND.

We ought to DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ACQUIRE THE SAME
HOLY VIRTUES AS OUR LORD JESUS AND TO APPLY THEM TO
OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS.

This passage has been incorporated into many of our
Orthodox Christian Hymns.
14 D OR M ITION
but in Truth, already A HUMAN BEING WITH A HEART
AND IMMORTAL SOUL, THAT SUFFERS FROM ANY PAIN,
DISCOMFORT OR TRAUMA INFLICTED UPON HIM OR HER IN
THE WOMB!
✶ “... My soul Magnifies the Lord...” This Hymn is called
“the Magnificat” or “Megalinarion” for it was sung
from the overjoyed heart of our Lady, Theotokos.
It was Inspired by a Hymn of St Hannah.
1 Kings 2 : 1 – 10
The Megalinarion is chanted during Matins and teaches
us:
1. FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS OF EVERY GENERATION HONOUR AND
VENERATE THE EVER BLESSED, ALL PURE AND HOLY VIRGIN
MARY, THEOTOKOS, just as She had prophesied - “...
all generations will call me ‘Blessed.’”
2. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE IN THE DIVINE INSPIRATION OF
HOLY SCRIPTURE WITHOUT VENERATING AND HONOURING
OUR LADY – THE MOTHER OF GOD INCARNATE!
3. SHE ASCRIBES THE DIVINE MIRACLE OF THE INCARNATION TO
ALMIGHTY GOD WHO IS THE EXCLUSIVE SOURCE OF DIVINE
GRACE.
4. EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR LADY THEOTOKOS SHOWS HER
NATURAL, DEEP LOVE, HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE AND WISDOM.
5. THROUGH THE INCARNATION OF THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD our
Heavenly Father, OUR LORD GOD IS OUR ETERNAL
SOVEREIGN RULER FOR HE REIGNS OVER ALL HIS CREATION.
✶ “... Mary remained with her about three months...” THE
YOUNG, INNOCENT VIRGIN NEEDED THE GUIDANCE AND
ADVICE OF HER ELDERLY AUNT AS SHE HAD NO MOTHER to
help Her understand the changes occurring in Her
Ever Virginal Body.

Three months refers to the first trimester of Her
pregnancy.

By the time the Ever Blessed Virgin returned to Her
home, St Elizabeth was about to deliver her own
son, St John the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ.
P AUL THE P H IL IP P IANS 2 : 5 - 11
✶ “... being in the Form of God...” OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR IS TRULY
“...EQUAL TO GOD....”
✶ “... made Himself of no reputation...” PROVES THE UTTER
HUMILITY OF OUR LORD JESUS WHO NEVER GLORIFIED HIMSELF.
✶ Instead He voluntarily took on “... the form of a
bondservant...” – HE WILLINGLY ACCEPTED THE STATUS OF A
SERVANT OR SLAVE – THE LOWEST RANK OF ANY SOCIETY.

OUR LORD CHOSE TO BECOME SOMEONE Who was a hard-
working Carpenter WHO SERVED THE NEEDS OF HIS
PEOPLE whom He had created from nothing!

It also shows how OUR LORD CHOSE NOT TO APPEAR IN ALL
HIS DIVINE MAJESTY NOR BE BORN INTO A RICH, POWERFUL
STRATA OF SOCIETY
✶ “... Coming in the likeness of men...” shows clearly HOW
MUCH GOD LOVES US AND WANTS TO REDEEM US from our
fallen state.

HE BECAME A MAN WHO LIVED AND WORKED WITH US, AND
TAUGHT US NOT ONLY BY REVEALING HIS DIVINE TRUTH, BUT
BY HIS OWN GOOD EXAMPLE.
✶ “... He Emptied Himself...” OF ALL HIS DIVINE POWER,
MAJESTY AND GLORY IN ORDER TO FULLY ENDURE EVERY ASPECT
OF OUR HUMAN NATURE – EVEN UNTO DEATH.
✶ “... God has Highly Exalted Him...” IN HIS HUMAN NATURE
WHEN HE ACKNOWLEDGED AND PROCLAIMED HIM AS HIS
BELOVED SON – AT CHRIST’S BAPTISM AND AT HIS
TRANSFIGURATION.

HE IS INDEED OUR LORD GOD FOR AS THE SON OF GOD HE
WORTHILY AND TRULY SHARES HIS ETERNAL, DIVINE
IDENTITY WITH GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
Having offered Himself as the Supreme Blood Offering for
all mankind’s sins – once and for all – He was Exalted
and Glorified by our Heavenly Father.
✶ “... at the Name of (our Lord) Jesus, every knee shalt
bend...” All Creation ought to bow down before our
Lord Jesus Christ – our Divine Creator and Saviour
through Whom we are able to fulfill the Will of our
OF OU R L ADY , THE OTOKOS 15 AU GU ST 2019
 Heavenly Father, by the Power and Energy of the Holy on first name basis as though He was merely one
Spirit. of our ordinary human friends!
✶ “...every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
St Paul very seldom addressed our Lord Jesus Christ
Lord...” means that all intellectual beings whom by His first Name – ALWAYS SPEAKING OF HIM WITH THE
He created ought to acknowledge and proclaim UTMOST RESPECT AND REVERENCE – WHICH WE OUGHT TO
Him as our Lord God and Divine Saviour. DO AS WELL!

We ought to BE EVER RESPECTFUL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORTHODOXY AND
FOR WE ARE NEITHER HIS CONTEMPORARIES NOR HIS PROTESTANTISM.)
EQUALS. ✶ “... to the Glory of God the Father...” We must imitate our

We are, by our Divine Adoption, Co-Heirs with Him to Lord Jesus Christ Who never took credit for
our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom, but WE MUST anything but always gave and instructed His
ADDRESS HIM WITH COMPLETE RESPECT, HONOUR AND People to GLORIFY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
WORSHIP AS THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD – AS TRUE GOD OF
AS HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES – ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS –
TRUE GOD. EVERYTHING WE DO OUGHT TO BE FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR
Therefore, AS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS – AS HIS HUMBLE AND AND WORSHIP OF OUR LORD GOD – IN THE NAME OF GOD
OBEDIENT DISCIPLES - WE MUST ALWAYS ADDRESS OUR LORD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
JESUS CHRIST BY HIS FULL DIVINE TITLES – not casually
T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 10:38–42 & 11:27–28
ONLY ONE THING IS NEEDED
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her
house. And she had a sister called “Mary,” who also sat at Jesus’ Feet and heard His Word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said: “Lord, dost Thou not care that my
sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me!” And Jesus answered and said to her: “Martha!
Martha! You are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that
good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
... And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him:
“Blessed is the Womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that nursed Thee!”
And He replied: “More than that: Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep It!”
✶ “... a certain village...” was BETHANY, which was situated ONLY WHEN SHE TRIED TO DRAW HER SISTER AWAY FROM
VERY CLOSE TO JERUSALEM, AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNT OF LISTENING DID OUR LORD REBUKE HER BECAUSE ALTHOUGH
OLIVES. HOSPITALITY IS HONOURABLE, IT SHOULD NOT CAUSE

It was THE SITE OF AN ALMSHOUSE FOR THE POOR AND THE TURMOIL NOR DRAW US AWAY FROM WHAT IS MORE
SICK. IMPORTANT FOR US.

The pious siblings - ST MARY, ST MARTHA AND ST LAZAROS – According to St Theophylact “... when hospitality begins
LIVED IN BETHANY AND OFTEN HOSTED OUR LORD AND HIS to hinder us from doing what is more important, then
DISCIPLES. paying attention to the Divine Truth of God is

ST SIMON THE LEPER ALSO RESIDED IN BETHANY and one preferable.”
day, while our Lord Jesus had dined with him, a St Martha missed the point and purpose of His Visit to their
repentant woman had anointed Christ with costly home, while her sister, Mary, took advantage of the
Myrrh, which was objected to by Judas Iscariot. occasion to learn whatever she could from Christ.
✶ St Mary of Bethany “... sat at Jesus’ Feet and heard His
OUR LORD DOES NOT FORBID HOSPITALITY BUT RATHER
Word. But Martha was distracted...” EXTRAVAGANCE, DISTRACTIONS AND ANXIETY CAUSED BY IT

The different attitudes of the two devoted sisters are Hospitality ought to be simple so that we are able to
contrasted. pay full attention to what is being spoken.

We can either TAKE TIME TO LISTEN CAREFULLY AND PAY
ST MARTHA SIGNIFIED ACTIVE VIRTUE WHILE ST MARY SIGNIFIES
CLOSE ATTENTION TO GOD’S WORDS OF DIVINE TRUTH, or DIVINE VISION.
become so distracted by worldly cares and St Theophylact explained that “... action entails
obligations that we learn nothing Beneficial to our distractions and disturbances but Divine Vision,
Eternal Salvation. having become the ruler of grievous passions,

ST MARTHA OF BETHANY FELT OBLIGED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR devotes itself entirely to the Contemplation of Divine
GUESTS before taking time to listen to Christ WHEREAS Words and Judgements.”
ST MARY OF BETHANY DID NOT WANT TO MISS ANYTHING HE ✶ “... One Thing is needed... which will not be taken
SPOKE OF. away...”
Both women Loved Christ and were utterly devoted to
WE MUST PAY VERY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO CHRIST’S
Him but THEIR PRIORITIES WERE DIFFERENT – JUST LIKE TEACHINGS AND COMMANDMENTS AND THEN APPLY EVERY
OURS. ONE OF THEM TO OUR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.

BEING SEATED AT THE FEET OF OUR LORD SIGNIFIED ST MARY’S St Theophylact pointed out that “... Activity has a part
ACTIVE VIRTUE – HER READINESS TO FULFIL HIS TEACHINGS that will be taken away from it – the cares and
AND COMMANDMENTS to the best of her ability – AS distractions that accompany it, for as we progress
WELL AS IMPLYING HER STEADFASTNESS AND CONSTANCY. and attain to Divine Vision, we are freed tom

WHOEVER SITS AT THE FEET OF CHRIST AND STEADFASTLY distractions and troubles...
FOLLOWS AND IMITATES HIM IS INDEED ESTABLISHED IN ALL However, “... those who are engaged in Divine Vision
ACTIVE VIRTUES. shall never be deprived of ‘... that good part...’ which

WE, TOO, MUST BE IN CONTROL OF OUR GRIEVOUS PASSIONS, is the Vision of God ... when they are Deified. Those
AND STRIVE TO ATTAIN DIVINE VISION, like St Mary of who are found worthy to see God become God-like...”
Bethany, OR, IF NOT STRONG ENOUGH, we must be like By our own Humility and Obedience to God, we BECOME
St Martha and DEVOTE OURSELVES TO ACTIVE VIRTUE BY LIVING EXAMPLES OF HIS HOLY GOSPEL, thereby SERVING OUR
WARMLY WELCOMING CHRIST. LORD AND FACILITATING THE SPREAD OF HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
✶ “... You are worried and troubled about many things...” ✶ “...Blessed is the Womb that bore Thee...” Although the

HOSPITALITY IS A VIRTUE, YET PAYING ATTENTION TO THE smug Pharisees and Scribes had slandered and
WORDS OF CHRIST so that we might apply them to blasphemed the Divine Miracles of Christ Jesus, THIS
ourselves IS AN EVEN GREATER HOLY VIRTUE. SIMPLE AND GUILELESS WOMAN PRAISED AND GLORIFIED THEM

ALTHOUGH FOOD NOURISHES OUR BODY, THE DIVINE TRUTH THROUGH HER WORDS THAT WORTHILY HONOURED AND
SUSTAINS OUR SOUL. REVERENCED HIS ALL PURE AND HOLY MOTHER.

DIVINE TRUTH ENLIVENS OUR IMMORTAL SOUL AND ENABLES US ✶ “... ‘More than that...’” - Our Sweet Lord corrected her –
TO OPERATE AT OUR FULL CAPACITY. NOT BY DENOUNCING HIS EVER BLESSED MOTHER, BUT BY

OUR KIND-HEARTED LORD DID NOT REBUKE ST MARTHA FOR EMPHASISING HER AMAZING FAITH AND LIFE OF HUMBLE
WANTING TO SERVE THEM well by providing a good OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN ALL THINGS.
meal for everyone, BUT RATHER FOR COMPLAINING
The Greek word “Menounge,” is also translated as
ABOUT HER SISTER AND FOR BEING SO DISTRACTED BY HER “Yes, indeed!” for IT CORRECTS BY AMPLIFYING – NOT BY
WORLDLY CONCERNS. NEGATING.

D OR M ITION OF OU R L ADY , T HE OTOKOS 15 AU GU ST 2019 15

✶ “...Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and
keep it!” Our Lord Jesus is very clear that THOSE
WHO LISTEN CAREFULLY AND THEN DO EVERYTHING
POSSIBLE TO APPLY EVERY DIVINE WORD OF TEACHING AND
COMMANDMENT TO THEIR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS –
as our Lady, Theotokos did throughout Her entire
Life – ARE INDEED BLESSED BY GOD.
T H E D ORM ITION OF OU R E
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved, every time we celebrate the Dormition of
the Mother of God, it is like Pascha all over again.
Our Lady Theotokos prepares this Pascha - this
“...Glorious Passover from Death unto Life...’ for us.
It is a second Pascha that is Holy, Spotless, Life-giving for
the human race, because Truly, today, “...the terms of
nature are overcome...”
St John the Damascene joyfully exclaimed: “How the
Source of Life goes towards Life by passing through
death!”
The Repose of the Mother, who was the Source of Life for
our Lord Himself, Transcends the notion of death, so
that it is not even called ‘death’ but ‘Dormition’ and
‘Divine Translation’ that is a Progression or
Procession towards our Lord. And even if we call it
‘death,‘ it is still a death that is Life-bearing, since it
moves on to the Heavenly and Immortal Life.
The Translation of the Mother of God as an Unequivocal
Event, which has been preserved in Sacred Tradition,
has been incorporated into the Teaching of the
Orthodox Church and has no connection with the
pietist Western doctrines of the ‘immaculate
conception’ and ‘deathless’ end to Her Life on Earth.
The All Holy Virgin was that unique Creation of God who
transcended all other people and the Angels because
- of all human beings – She, alone, not only Lived a
Spotless Life, which is inconceivable to all rational
beings – but She also became the Mother of God
(Incarnate).
Because she had never sinned1 – She had never
submitted to any thoughts of indulgent pleasure - it
was right that She did not Live on Earth with carnal
pleasures nor suffer from illnesses.
Even though She had the body that gave Birth to Life, as
a human being, She was still subject to the sickness of
death, and she did indeed die.
Although the connection, which United them was briefly
broken, as had happened when our Lord Jesus Christ
died, Her All Pure Body and Soul were not separated
from God, because at the moment of Her Dormition,
our Lord - accompanied by the Celestial Ranks of
Angels and all the Saints – not only carried Her Holy
Soul into Heaven, but - as stated by St John the
Damascene – “...to His own Royal Throne; to the
Celestial Holy of Holies...”
Our Lady’s Most Pure and Holy Body, which had received
God and given Birth to Life, was Transposed Incorrupt
after three days to those Places beyond the Heavens -
to Her Only-Begotten, Beloved Son and Lord God.
A witness to this Resurrection/Translation of the Ever
Blessed, All Holy Theotokos was the Apostle, St
Thomas, who had not been present like the other Holy
Apostles of Christ at Her Dormition and Burial but, as
before, after the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus, had
arrived (from India) three days later.
He requested that the tomb be opened by the other
Apostles2 and when they did so, they found that Her
Body, which had been Glorified by God, was no
longer there!
They had not witnessed our Lady, Theotokos, Ascending
into Heaven, after presenting St Thomas with Her
Precious and Holy Sash as evidence of Her
Translation, which was somewhat similar to when the
same Apostle had been invited to feel the imprint of
our Lord’s Wounds, after His Resurrection.
1 If we believe that God is Dependable and All Powerful we
Our Lady, like us, possessed Ancestral Sin – the inclination
to commit sin just like us, but She had always resisted and
avoided all temptations to do so.
2
The Apostles and Disciples had kept a strict Vigil outside
the sealed tomb to prevent their enemies from
desecrating it.
16 D OR M ITION OF
Thus, OUR LADY THEOTOKOS IS MAGNIFIED AND BLESSED BY GOD
AND ALL MANKIND FOREVER – NOT ONLY BECAUSE SHE
CONSENTED TO BEAR OUR GREAT DIVINE SAVIOUR, BUT – “...
more than that...” BECAUSE SHE WAS – FROM HER
EARLIEST CHILDHOOD – HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT TO GOD IN
ALL THINGS.
VE R BL E SSED L ADY , THE OTOKOS
Our Lady’s Body - like that of Her Most Beloved Son -
suffered no decay after Her Repose – it neither
changed nor decomposed into the material elements
of which it was created.
After our Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, the bodies of
many of His Saints have also not decayed but have
become partially Incorrupt Relics.
Therefore, how much more reasonable is it that the
‘”...Dwelling that received God...’ was Incorruptible.
St Andrew of Crete explained that the Preservation of our
All Pure Lady’s Virginity before, during and after the
Birth of Christ has, as its natural concomitant, the
Incorruptibility of Her All Pure Body. “...Birth avoided
degeneration and the grave did not welcome
decay...”
After Her Dormition, the Mother of God became the
Mother of the New Creation, - the Mother of the
Church of Christ.
Since She was crucial to God’s Salvation of mankind,
because our Lord, Who is the Head of His Holy Church,
took His Flesh from Her, She now has, in the Celestial
Church, the Fullness of Grace, Glory and Boldness.
She has become the Benefactress of all Creation, which is
why She is Venerated by the entire Universe as Ever
Virgin, Lady, Queen, and Mother of God.
Through the Ever Blessed, All Pure and Holy Theotokos
and because of Her, the history of all mankind
entered onto a New Path, which is incomparably
more Magnificent and more Superior than to that
which had been there before.
It was not and is not possible for anything created to be
more Perfect than Her, nor could She Herself have
become more Perfect than She was.
According to our Holy Fathers, Almighty God could not
have made more Perfect the Incarnation of the Divine
Word, the Virgin Mother of God and the Eternal Bliss
enjoyed by those who are Saved.
Amen
E LDER E PHRAIM V AT OPAIDINOS
HTTPS://PEMPTOUSIA.COM/2018/08
D IV INELY I NSP IR ED , ET ER NAL W ISD OM
UNKNOWN HOLY FATHER
Through Tears of Repentance, all the impurities of sin
that have accumulated in our heart and soul are
expelled and being Cleansed, we are returned to
Spiritual Life.
FATHER DIMITRIOS PANAGOPOULOS
It is such a terrible waste of effort when we serve the evil
one while invoking the Great Mercy of our Lord God!
ST JOHN OF KRONSTADT
If we hate our enemy, we show how senseless we are,
because if our enemy torments us, we torment
ourselves as well within. Surely then is not tormenting
the worst and fiercest form of persecution when our
hatred provokes and troubles us with regard to our
enemies? If only we knew what a Triumph - what a
Blessing! - it is to Love our enemies and to do good to
them!
ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA
Hypocrisy is the result of envy and all evils derive from it.
Hypocrites are the most unjust of people because they
think they are just when they are not, which is the
final and worst injustice!
ELDER EVPREPIOS
will not only Hope in Him but become a Sharer of His
Good Things.
OU R L ADY , THE OTOKOS 15 AU GU ST 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.
16 AUGUST 2019
TRANSLAT ION OF THE HOL Y MANDYLION “NOT MADE BY HANDS”
FROM EDESSA TO CONSTANTINOPLE
AFTER FEAST OF THE DORMITION

Also the Feast of St Diomedes the Physician of Tarsos, Cilicia – St Timothy, Bishop of Evripos - St
Gerasimos the New Ascetic of Cephalonia – St Apostolos & St Stamatios, New Martyrs of
Megaris – St Akakios - St Cherimon the Holy Ascetic of Skete, Egypt – The Holy Icon of our Lady,
Theotokos, of St Theodore – St Anthony of Martkofeli, Georgia – St Christopher of Guria, Georgia – St Isaac & St Joseph of
Karnu, Georgia – St Joachim of Osogovo, Bulgaria – St Roman & St Raphael of Banat – St Eustathios of Serbia – St Nikodemos,
Hieromartyr of Meteora, Thessaly –St Constantine the Holy Prince and his sons, St Constantine the Younger, St Stephen, St
Radu & St Matthew Brancoveanu – St Ianache Vacarescu
THE SUNDAY AND FESTAL HYMNS ARE PUBLISHED IN BOOKLET FORM EACH MONTH. THESE ARE PUBLISHED AND FREELY
DOWNLOADABLE ON WWW.SCRIBD.COM/WRITERS4574. LINKS ARE ALSO POSTED ON FACEBOOK “ORTHODOX
CHRISTIAN EASTERN CAPE.” (OR CAN BE EMAILED DIRECTLY, ON REQUEST TO MARGUERITE.PAIZIS@GMAIL.COM)

P R OKE IME NON – P SALM 68 – T ONE 6

Turn not Thy Sight from Thy Child!
The Salvation of Thy Presence, O God, lays hold of me!

F IR ST EP ISTLE OF S T P AUL TO S T T IM OTHY 3 : 13 – 4 : 5

Timothy, my Son, ... those who have served well as Deacons, obtain for themselves a good standing and great Boldness
in the Faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
These things I write to Thee, although I hope to come to Thee shortly, but if I am delayed, I write so that Thou may know
how Thou ought to conduct Thyself in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God – the Pillar and
Ground of Truth. And without controversy, Great is the Mystery of Godliness (for) God was Manifested in the Flesh,
Justified in the Spirit, seen by Angels, Preached among the Gentiles, believed in the world, received up in Glory.
Now the (Holy) Spirit expressly states that in latter times some will depart from the Faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits
and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods that God created to be received with Thanksgiving by
those who believe and know the Truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is
received with Thanksgiving, for it is Sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer.
This passage is read on the Feast of the Synaxis of the ✶ “...God was manifested in the Flesh...” - the Eternal, Only
Seventy Apostles of Christ. Begotten Son and Word of God became Incarnate by
This Epistle was written by St Paul to St Timothy before St taking on THE FLESH AND BLOOD OF HIS ALL PURE AND HOLY
Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome, while he was in MOTHER.
Macedonia.
HE ‘EMPTIED’ HIMSELF OF HIS INFINITE, INCOMPREHENSIBLE
St Paul emphasises the fact that the Holy Church of Christ DIVINE MAJESTY AND POWER so that He could
reveals the Kingdom of God on Earth, so how it is run voluntarily become (visible) God-Man Who Lived
relates to Apostolic Doctrine and Worship. with us and taught us His Divine Truth directly
St Paul’s Epistle concerned the significant Role of the while EXPERIENCING OUR HUMAN CONDITION – WITH THE
Clergy, combating heresy, the caretaking of widows, EXCEPTION OF SIN.
orphans, slaves and all who are defenceless and ✶ “...Justified in the Holy Spirit...” - The Divine Truth
needy, and various matters of finance and Ministry. concerning our Lord Jesus Christ was CONFIRMED AND
This Epistle is both personal and pastoral for it is JUSTIFIED BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO ENABLES US TO
addressed directly to St Timothy – one of St Paul’s RECEIVE AND COMPREHEND SOME OF THE DIVINE MYSTERIES of
closest and dearest Spiritual Sons. God to the extent of our limited human abilities – as
✶ “...Deacons, obtain ... a good standing...” because THEY much as each of us is able to do.
HAD TO BE VERY CAREFULLY CHOSEN. ✶ “...Seen by Angels...” THE HEAVENLY HOSTS ALSO WITNESSED
As the first step into the Holy Priesthood of Christ, DEACONS - HOW THE INVISIBLE, ETERNAL SON OF GOD BECAME A (VISIBLE)
AND THEIR FAMILIES - HAD TO BE MEN OF GOOD CHARACTER AND MAN by taking on our human Nature, WHILE RETAINING
REPUTE, HIS DIVINE NATURE.
✶ “...men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and
THE ANGELIC HOSTS FAITHFULLY AND OBEDIENTLY SERVE THE
Wisdom...” (1 TIMOTHY 3: 8 – 12) WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. They act as HIS

They had to be DEDICATED TO THEIR SACRED DUTIES, which MESSENGERS AND INTERCEDE BETWEEN HIM AND HIS
included assisting the Priests and taking care of CREATION, ESPECIALLY MANKIND.
the laity.
BOTH THE CELESTIAL ANGELS AND THE FALLEN ANGELS – THE

They had to be SINCERELY HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT, and DEMONS – RECOGNISE OUR LORD JESUS AS TRULY THE
willing to fulfill whatever was required of them for ETERNAL, ALMIGHTY SON OF GOD, for they have
the Honour, Glory and Worship of God. always known Him as their Creator and the
✶ “... the Pillar and the Ground of that Truth...” Creator of the entire Universe.
While Holy Scripture is the Divinely Inspired Truth of our ✶“...Preached among Gentiles...” – THE DIVINE TRUTH OF OUR
Lord God expressed with our human words, the Holy LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS INDEED PREACHED THROUGHOUT THE
Church of Christ is indeed the firmly rooted Support KNOWN WORLD, not only to the Judaic people of the First
and Foundation of that Divine Truth. (2 TIMOTHY 3 : 15 – Israel, but TO THE GENTILES, THE NEW ISRAEL AND THE HOLY
17) CHURCH OF CHRIST.
✶ “ ... without controversy, Great is the Mystery of ✶ “...Believed on in the world...” – Those who responded
Godliness...” with their heart and soul to hearing the Divine Truth of

Divine Truth is Absolute Perfect Truth. God believed in our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy

IT CANNOT BE ALTERED IN ANY WAY, WHICH WOULD THEN MAKE Gospel.
IT LESS THAN PERFECT. For the same reason, it also ✶ “...Received up in Glory ... “ refers to tHE GLORIOUS
cannot be debated nor compromised to any ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO PHYSICALLY
degree. ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN TO RESUME HIS ENTHRONEMENT AT
THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER – the Most

T R ANSL ATION OF THE H OLY M ANDYL ION – AFT E RFE AST OF D ORM ITION – 16 AU GU ST 2019 17
 Honoured Position – IN BOTH HIS DIVINE AND HUMAN AND SEPARATE US FROM GOD AND FROM ONE ANOTHER
NATURES. CERTAINLY DO HARM US AND OUR MUTUAL RELATIONSHIPS

THEREBY CHRIST GLORIFIED HIS BELOVED CREATURES – THAT ARE SACRED.
MANKIND WHOM HE CREATED IN GOD’S LIKENESS AND
THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST TEACHES AND GUIDES US
IMAGE and whom He Wills to return to our created PROPERLY so that we might live in True Happiness
state as worthy Citizens of His Heavenly Kingdom and Harmony with God, with nature and with
of Love. each other.

THIS IS AN ANCIENT CHRISTIAN CREED OF FAITH that is ✶ “...foods that God created .... received with
particularly clear about the Eternal Divinity of our Thanksgiving...” When we know and understand
Lord Jesus Christ. A similar Creed of Faith is noted Divine Truth, we will ACCEPT ALL GOD’S BENEVOLENT
in St Paul’s Second Epistle to St Timothy. (2 TIMOTHY 2 PROVIDENCE WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE.
: 11 – 13) ✶ “... nothing is to be refused...” means that WE CANNOT

Therefore, whenever the early Councils convened REJECT ANYTHING THAT GOD PROVIDES FOR OUR PHYSICAL
and issued Creeds, they were well within Biblical NOURISHMENT.
precedent.
We must BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING that we are able to
✶ “... seared with a hot iron...” describes exactly how OUR eat and drink.
REPEATED, WILFUL SINS BLUNT OUR SENSITIVITY TO GOOD AND
We must EXPRESS OUR THANKSGIVING by making the Sign
EVIL. of the Cross and reciting our Lord’s Prayer and

It is a grim and severe warning to all Christians – other Prayers of Thanksgiving BEFORE AND AFTER
those who are neglectful and slothful and those PARTAKING OF ANY MEAL.
who are Struggling – to PERSISTENTLY REJECT EVIL IN
We must BE GRATEFUL FOR THE GOOD AND BAD ASPECTS OF
ALL FORM AND TO EVERY DEGREE in order to maintain a LIFE because everything contributes to our
softness of heart that welcomes and obeys the Spiritual Progress and Development.
Lord our God. ✶ “... Sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer...”
✶ “...forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain EVERYTHING BECOMES GOOD, BENEFICIAL AND WORTHY.
from foods...” SEXUAL ABSTINENCE AND FASTING ARE
Before we do anything, we ought to MAKE THE SIGN OF
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF OUR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE. THE CROSS AND PRAY THAT IT BEARS GOOD FRUIT for our

However we must control our grievous passions and Salvation and for the Glory of God.
desires not because the material world is evil, but
EVERYTHING that is good and Beneficial in this life IS
because INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS IN MARRIAGE AND THE FOR OUR SALVATION AND FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
EATING OF FOOD IS NOT “UNCLEAN”
Therefore, ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE IN THIS

SELF-INDULGENCE, DISOBEDIENCE, INGRATITUDE, GREED, LUST, MANNER IS A WASTED EFFORT.
AND ALL UNCONTROLLED GRIEVOUS PASSIONS THAT ALIENATE
T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACCO R D ING TO S T LU KE 9: 51-55; 10:22-24 & 13:22
At that time, when the time had come for (our Lord Jesus) to be received up, He steadfastly set His Sight to go to
Jerusalem. And He sent messengers before His Presence. And as they went, they entered a village of the
Samaritans, to prepare for Him.
And they did not receive Him, for His Sight was set on the journey to Jerusalem. Seeing this, His Disciples, James and
John said: “Lord, dost Thou want us to command Fire to come down from Heaven, and consume them, just as Elias
did?” Turning to them, He rebuked them, and said: “ You do not know what manner of spirit you are! For the Son
of Man did not come to destroy mankind’s life but to Save it!” And they went to another village...
...As they went on their way, He said to those who followed Him: “... all things have been granted to me by My Father.
And no one knows Who the Son is, except the Father, and Who the Father is, except the Son, and the one to whom
the Son Wills to reveal Him.” And, turning to His Disciples in private, He said: “ Blessed are the eyes that behold the
Things that you see; for I tell you that many Prophets and Kings have desired to see what you see, and have not
seen; and to hear what you have heard, and have not heard!”
...And He went through the cities and the villages, teaching, and journeying towards Jerusalem.
✶ “... when the time had come...” OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST’S HEAVENLY FIRE TO CONSUME THEM, just as the ancient Holy
PUBLIC MINISTRY TO HIS PEOPLE WAS FULFILLED. Prophet of God, St Elias (Elijah) had done. (4 KINGS 1 : 9 –
It was time for His Great Salvific Passion on the Cross, 12)
followed by His Glorious Resurrection and a little later, ✶ “... You do not know what manner of spirit you are...”
His Ascension into Heaven. They reacted
✶ “ ... He steadfastly sight His Sight to go to Jerusalem...” 1. angrily because THEY WERE NOT YET PERFECTED IN
Our Lord set His focus on Jerusalem to fulfil THE FINAL HOLY VIRTUE.
STAGE OF HIS EARTHLY MISSION. 2. according to OUR FALLEN SPIRITUAL STATE, WHICH IS
HE PREPARED HIS APOSTLES, and the other Disciples who WEAK AND INCLINED TO SIN.
accompanied Him, FOR WHAT WAS TO OCCUR IN
When we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we can
JERUSALEM, BUT THEY DID NOT YET UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING control our sinful inclinations and avoid the
HE TOLD THEM. temptations of the grievous passions.
✶ “... sent messengers ... to prepare for Him...” OUR LORD
If we ACQUIRE THE HOLY VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND
USUALLY SENT SOME OF HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AHEAD OF HIM OBEDIENCE, we will also be able to acquire the
TO ORGANISE A PLACE TO PREACH THE HOLY GOSPEL AND TO other Holy Virtues.
HEAL THE AFFLICTED. Sometimes it was to find suitable ✶ “... the Son of Man did not come to destroy... but to
accommodation and provisions for Christ and His Save...” - HIS DIVINE LAW IS ON A HIGHER PLANE than St
Apostles and Disciples who accompanied Him. Elias’ conduct, our Lord Jesus rebuked them and
✶ “...a village of Samaritans... did not receive Him...” Our instructed them to ENDURE INSULTS MEEKLY, AS HE HIMSELF
Lord knew that those Samaritans would refuse to ALWAYS DID.
welcome them, ✶ “...All things have been granted to Me by My Father...” -
1. it was NOT ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL. ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,
2. the SAMARITANS WOULD HAVE NO EXCUSE LATER, EVERYTHING IS SUBJECT TO HIS ETERNAL SON – our Lord
claiming that He had not come to them. Jesus Christ.
3. when HIS DISCIPLES saw Him being publically
GOD IS THE SOVEREIGN RULER OVER ALL CREATION according
humiliated and insulted later, they WOULD NOT to His Will and over those who willingly subject
BE SCANDALISED. themselves to His Divine Will.
4. He wanted them to learn from His own example
OUR LORD GOD IS OUR MASTER, independently of our own
how to PATIENTLY ENDURE REJECTION AND ABUSE. will because HE IS OUR CREATOR.
When His Disciples witnessed His Crucifixion He wanted
OUR LORD GOD IS OUR MASTER WHENEVER WE, as His
them to understand that HE ENDURED IT ALL – not as One grateful servants, FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL through our
Who is powerless - but AS ONE WHO IS PATIENT AND LONG- willingness to Strive and to Struggle.
SUFFERING.
St Theophylact explained: “... Formerly, our human
✶ “... command Fire to come down from Heaven ...as Elias nature was subject to God even though we did
did...” ST JAMES AND ST JOHN felt insulted and angered not want to be and even though we also were
by the rejection of the Samaritans and WANTED subject to the evil one.

.
18 T R ANSL ATION OF THE H OLY M ANDYL ION – AFT E RFE AST OF D ORM ITION – 16 AU GU ST 2019
“But when our Lord Jesus Christ waged Warfare against
the demons on our behalf, and Delivered us from the
tyranny of the devil, He made us Labourers and
Doers of His Commandments, and since then we
became His grateful and willing servants – both by
nature and by our own free will.
“The first condition of servitude was by nature only but
the second was by our own free will as well.”

CHRIST HAS TRIUMPHED OVER SIN AND DEATH and has thus
established Peace between all in Heaven and on
Earth.

ALL DIVINE ECONOMY AND OUR ETERNAL SALVATION IS
GRANTED BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER TO HIS BELOVED SON.

Since He alone became Incarnate, Suffered and
Resurrected for the sake of all mankind and He is
thus the Author of our Eternal Salvation.
✶ “... no one knows Who the Son... and Who the Father
is...”

Only God our Heavenly Father fully knows His Divine
Son – and vice versa - because THEY ARE OF THE
SAME DIVINE NATURE AND ESSENCE.

Thus EVERYTHING IS GRANTED TO CHRIST IN ORDER TO
PERFECTLY ACCOMPLISH THE DIVINE PLAN FOR MANKIND’S
ETERNAL SALVATION.

Our Triune Lord God is infinitely BEYOND ANY HUMAN
KNOWLEDGE OR COMPREHENSION.
T R ANSL ATION OF THE HO
The Holy Mandylion “Not Made By Hands” is a Most
Precious Holy Relic and the first Holy Icon of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
It was a square, linen cloth upon which a Miraculous
Image of His Face had been imprinted. (It is also
referred to as the Face Cloth, Soudarion or Holy
Napkin of Christ our Lord.)
It had covered our Lord’s Face prior to being encased by
the burial wrappings, which were then hardened and
preserved by 100 pounds of bitter aloes!
After His Resurrection, when St Peter and St John had
rushed to the Empty Tomb, they had found the
Mandylion neatly folded and placed to one side on
the ledge upon which the Precious Body of our Lord
had been laid, while the hardened, protective shell-
like grave cloths and 14ft long, fine linen Shroud lay
where they had fallen. (J O H N 2 0 : 1 – 1 0 )
Hebrew custom forbade the removal of anything from
tombs yet these abandoned burial cloths were so
Extraordinary that the Apostles took them away with
them.
King Abgar of Edessa suffered from the devastating and
disfiguring disease of leprosy and, having heard of
the great Divine Powers and Teachings of our Lord
Jesus Christ, had sent an urgent message beseeching
Him to visit Edessa as soon as possible and Heal him.
However, the request reached our Lord shortly before His
Passion in Jerusalem, so He sent a reply to King Abgar
declining his invitation but promising him that when
He had completed His Mission He would send His
Apostles to Heal him.
One of His Seventy Apostles, St Jude Thaddeus of Edessa,
carried the Epistle of Christ to King Abgar.
Our Lord kept His Promise, as He always does, and, after
He had Ascended into Heaven, His Apostles duly
delivered the Mandylion to King Abgar, who was
instantly Healed and Restored to full health.
Like so many other Holy Relics, the Mandylion and the
Shroud were Sanctifed by having been in contact with
the Divine Body and Blood of our Lord God.
The precious Mandylion was covered with the most
expensive material made for King Abgar, with a
circular hole exposing the Face of Christ.
Later, when copies were made by the early
Iconographers, the circle, the pattern of the
surrounding material, and various other details were
depicted, some of which have been continued by
Orthodox Iconographers throughout the ages.
The Eastern Orthodox Church has at least two Feast Days
commemorating the Mandylion and the Holy Shroud
– both of which have clear “photographs” of Christ
upon , which are definitely “Not Made By Hands.”
The Mandylion was returned to Jerusalem from Edessa,
and both were transferred from Jerusalem to
Constantinople. These Events have been
T R ANSL ATION OF THE H OLY M ANDYL ION

The only way we human beings can receive
Knowledge of God and His Divine Truth is BY THE
POWER AND ENERGY OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT AND
THROUGH THE DIVINE REVELATIONS OF OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST.

BEFORE THE INCARNATION OF THE ETERNAL SON AND WORD OF
GOD, NO HUMAN BEING RECEIVED THE GIFTS OF GOD THE
HOLY, LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT, which enables us to
receive Divine Knowledge and Revelation.
✶ “... Blessed are the eyes that behold the Things that you
see...” OUR ANCIENT HOLY FATHERS DID NOT SEE OUR LORD
INCARNATE THROUGH WHOM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS
REVEALED TO US.

THEY NEVER RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF - NOR COULD THEY
COMPREHEND OUR LORD GOD, THE HOLY TRINITY, as His
Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples were able to
do.

Christ’s Words also refer to those who are able to
BEHOLD AND COMPREHEND THE DIVINE TRUTH THROUGH
FAITH AND BY DIVINE GRACE.

Christ spoke similar words to His Apostles and
Disciples after His Resurrection, when He referred
to FUTURE GENERATIONS WHO – WITHOUT WITNESSING UP
CLOSE AND PERSONALLY LIKE THEM – WOULD BELIEVE.
LY M ANDYL ION “N OT M ADE BY H ANDS ”
commemorated ever since by the Eastern Orthodox
Church of Christ.
During the devastating destruction and pillaging of
Constantinople by the ungodly Fourth Crusaders most
of our Holy Relics and innumerable priceless and
irreplaceable Sacred Treasures, including the
Mandylion and Shroud were stolen – many of which
were never seen again.
Centuries later the 14ft long linen Shroud of Christ
appeared in Turin, Italy having been bequeathed to
the Roman Catholic Church by King Umberto of Italy.
Having miraculously survived through the centuries, the
Shroud of Christ is occasionally displayed for all
Faithful Christians to venerate.
A team of scientists was allowed to closely examine the
Shroud, which since then, has raised far more
questions than answers.
The full length (negative) Holy Icon of Christ, with all His
Wounds clearly visible – back and front - has
remained sharply imprinted on the finely woven linen
cloth.
Despite much controversy, debates and many attempts to
reproduce it exactly the same, yet failing to do so, it
remains a great scientific mystery!
The Image is a ‘photographic negative’, which can be
properly seen when reproduced as a positive Image.
Prior to the destruction of Constantinople, the Shroud was
elevated and venerated by the Faithful every Friday
in the Agia Sophia Cathedral.
Both Holy Relics were well known to all Faithful Orthodox
Christians throughout the centuries and Holy Icons of
Christ – copies of these Divine Images – are entitled:
“Not Made By Hands” - “The Holy Napkin” or “The
Mandylion”
Eusebios of Caesarea claimed to have transcribed and
translated the actual Epistle of Christ, which was
carefully preserved in the Syriac chancery documents
of King Abgar of Edessa.
According to the Syriac Doctrine of Addai, a messenger,
named Ananias had tried to copy the Image of Christ
“Not Made by Hands”, which was then conserved in
the Royal Palace.
Circa 593 Evagrius Scholastikos reported a Miraculous
Holy Icon of Christ “Not Made by Hands” – of Divine
Origin – Theoteuktos – which had effected the
Miraculous Delivery of Edessa against a powerful
Persian invasion in 544.
Another later account of the Mandylion noted that due to
the successor of King Abgar having reverted to
paganism, the Bishop had placed the Miraculous
Holy Icon inside a wall together with a lit oil lamp,
and then sealing them up behind a clay tile.
Many years later, on the night of an impending Persian
invasion, a devout Bishop of Edessa was granted a
– AFT E RFE AST OF D ORM ITION – 16 AU GU ST 2019 19
 Vision, revealing the location of the hidden
Mandylion.
Accompanied by other Faithful Clergymen, the Bishop
ordered the clay tile to be removed, whereupon not
only was the hidden Mandylion exposed but the oil
lamp was still mysteriously shining brightly, showing
clearly that the Image of Christ Not Made By Hands
was also imprinted on the back of the tile!
Furthermore, the Bishop of Edessa used fire into which
myrrh flowing from the Holy Icon was poured, which
helped to repel and defeat the invasion.
It was decided to reseal the Holy Icon inside the city wall
to protect Edessa from further attacks.
A court historian, Procopios of Caesarea, recorded how in
525, the Daisan River, a tributary of the Euphrates,
T H ANK
St Anthony the Great was a realist. His Rules or Canons
are not some formula he found and threw at us.
Each of them has something unique concerning the Life
of the Monk and, if one is broken, everything comes
crashing down.
He taught us to pray without ceasing but at the same time
to thank God for everything that happens to us.
He used a coordinating conjunction because these
Ceaseless Prayers and Thanksgiving are inseparable.
We thank God for pleasant things, but we ought to thank
Him even more when matters do not always turn out
as we would want them to – for example, when we
pray and it seems that God does not hear us, or when
we beseech Him for good health, yet our illness
worsens, or when we entreat Him to grant us certain
things, and we receive nothing.
However, everything is back to front!
Unless we learn to thank God for everything – especially
for adversity – we will never advance even an inch
beyond where we were at our birth! We will make no
progress at all!
Of course, when our mothers gave birth to us, we were
innocent infants and possessed a natural Sanctity,
whereas now, being much older, we have acquired
cruelty and knowledge that makes us guilty.
So we have to learn to thank God for everything.
When we have bad thoughts, when others offend us,
when resentment, anger and any grievous passion
arises within us, we must, at that very moment, thank
God for His Great Mercy, and smile at our Brethren.
Unless we learn do so, it is impossible for us to advance
even one step, because everything will seem perverse
to us.
T H E E TE R NAL
S T N ICH OL AS V EL IMIR OVIC H
The heart is an apparently small organ of our body, yet
there is always more than enough room for our Lord
God to dwell inside. And if God does reside within us,
then our heart is filled to overflowing, and there is
room for nothing else. Even if this entire world were to
be installed there, our heart would be an empty
dwelling place without God.
S T J OH N C HRY SOSTOM
Hypocrites want to be considered Saints, and have
everyone reverence them for their ‘piety.’ We see their
outward demeanour and think that they serve God in
all things, but their heart is filled with jealousy, guile
and every kind of wickedness.
S T P AISIOS THE AT H ONITE
We cannot expect to uproot the futility of the world from
within us as long as we are content to live within its
vanity. When we become estranged to the world,
then our intellect is also detached from it easily and
we wish only to become close to God.
S T J USTIN P OP OV ICH
There is no worse torture than thought itself. There is no
Hell greater than thought that is completely cut off
from our Creator and God of all thought, our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Divine Word. Human though without
our Divine Saviour can know neither itself nor the
world around us.
.
20 T R ANSL ATION OF THE H OLY
which flowed past Edessa, had overflowed its banks
and flooded the city.
During the restoration of the city and its walls, the
Mandylion was rediscovered, having been hidden
above one of the city gates.
Writing soon after the Persian siege of Edessa in 544, he
mentioned our Lord Jesus Christ’s letter to King Abgar
and an inscription over that city gate stating “... no
enemy shalt ever enter the city of Edessa...”
Although Procopios was sceptical about the authenticity
of the declaration, the desire to disprove it motivated
the Persian King Khosrau to attack the city as those
words “... kept irritating his mind.”
The Syriac Chronicle of Edessa, written circa 540 - 550
also claimed Divine Interventions in the siege, without
mentioning the Holy Icon of Christ.
G OD F OR E VERY TH ING TH AT HAPP ENS
And then, in particular, others will react negatively
towards us, and our circumstances will cause us to
have bad thoughts, temptations, grievous passions
and contrariness.
Ceaseless Prayer and Gratitude to God for all that
happens to us are the necessary conditions for a
natural Life.
If we do not thank God for everything, we cannot pray,
nor live a Monastic (or Christian) Life.
We have to be grateful for whatever happens to us –
whether we live in a Monastery or in the world,
whether good or bad circumstances arise from our
inner or outer world, or from the Holy Brotherhood or
our society, from enemies or from demons.
When bad thoughts torment us, we should not allow them
to overwhelm us to the point of despair but rather we
should Rejoice and thank God for testing us.
Whenever we are tempted we should tell the demon: “Get
behind me, Satan!” and reject him immediately.
Unceasing Prayer and sincere Gratitude for everything
are directly connected to our personal Rule.
In other words, we can all perform our Rule when we
learn to pray ceaselessly. And those who perform
their Rule can acquire Unceasing Prayer.
However, if we try to separate our Rule from Unceasing
Prayer, both will come tumbling down. This is basic
and we must remember it.
Miss your Rule for two days and you will see that you will
forget to say “Glory to Thee, our God!” even once a
day!
ARCHIMANDRITE EMILIANOS OF SIMONOPETRA MONASTERY, MOUNT ATHOS
HTTPS://PEMPTOUSIA.COM/2017
, I NSP IR ED W ISD OM OF OU R H OLY FATHERS
S T P OR PHY R IOS OF KAVSO KALY V IA
A large part of the responsibility for our Spiritual State lies
with the family. If we want to rid children of various
internal problems, then advice, coercion, reason and
threats are not going to be enough. They will
probably just make everything worse. Correction
comes through the Sanctification of the parents.
S T CY R IL OF AL EX AND RIA
Knowledge is Awareness of God. If we really want to
know the Lord our God, we must first get to know
ourselves.
E LDE R TH AD DEU S OF V ITOV NIC A
Life on Earth is very short – unimaginably so! But much
has been granted to us in this short span of time so
that we can turn to God from the very depths of our
heart. He Transfigures and Resurrects our immortal
soul and we are extremely Blessed to have our Most
Pure Lady, Theotokos, to Intercede on our behalf
before the Heavenly Throne of Almighty God.
S T G RE GORY V OF C ONSTANTINOPLE
If each and every one of us did whatever good we could,
there would not be so many unhappy people in this
world.
M ANDYL ION – AFT E RFE AST OF D ORM ITION – 16 AU GU ST 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.
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4 18 AUGUST 2019
9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AFTERFEAST OF THE DORMITION
9TH SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW – WALKING ON WATER
Also the Feast of St Floros & St Lauros of Illyria – St Hermes, St Serapion & St Polyaenos of Rome –
St Emilianos the Bishop, St Hilarion, St Dionysios & St Hermippos of Armenia – St John V & St
George I, Patriarchs of Constantinople – St Makarios the Abbotof Pelekete Monastery – St John
the Abbot of Rila Monastery, Bulgaria – St Sophronios of St Anne Skete, Mount Athos – St Arsenios
of Paros (Holy Relics) – St Barnabas & St Sophronios, his nephew, of Athens & Asia Minor – St
Christopher of Gazara, Trebizond, Abbot of Mount Mela Monastery – 4 Unknown Ascetics & 300
Holy Martyrs – St Christodoulos the Philosopher of Sakara, Georgia

THE SUNDAY AND FESTAL HYMNS ARE PUBLISHED IN BOOKLET FORM EACH MONTH. THESE ARE PUBLISHED AND FREELY
DOWNLOADABLE ON www.scribd.com/writers4574. L I N K S ARE ALSO POSTED ON FACEBOOK “ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
EASTERN CAPE.” (OR CAN BE EMAILED DIRECTLY, ON REQUEST TO marguerite.paizis@gmail.com )

R ESUR REC TION G OSPEL 9 – J OH N 20 : 19 – 31

P R OKE IME NON – P SALM 75 – TO NE (8) P L AGAL 4

Pray and return to the Lord our God!
Known in Judah is God – in Israel Great is His Name!
T H E F IR ST EP ISTLE OF S T P AUL TO TH E C OR INTH IANS 3 : 9 – 17
Brethren: ... we are God’s Fellow Workers – you are God’s field – you are God’s building. According to the Grace of God,
which was granted to me, as a Wise Architect, I have laid the Foundation, and no other builds on it. Let each one
take heed how he builds on it! For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus
Christ. If anyone builds on this Foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will
become clear. For the Day will declare it – for it will be revealed by Fire. And the Fire will test each one’s work, of
what sort it is. If anyone’s work, which he has built on, endures, he will receive a Reward. If anyone’s work is burnt,
he will suffer loss, yet he himself will be Saved, as though through Fire.
Do you not know that you are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells within you? If anyone defiles the
Temple of God, God will destroy him. For the Temple of God is Holy, which Temple you are.
✶ “... we are God’s Fellow Workers...” (“Synergi”) - refers to CONVERT SO MANY SOULS BY THE POWER AND ENERGY OF
THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF SYNERGISM – HARMONIOUS GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
TEAM EFFORT – demonstrated by the manner
St Paul not only converted innumerable souls but also
whereby THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST WORKED ESTABLISHED MANY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES during his
TOGETHER WITH OUR LORD GOD BY FULFILLING HIS HOLY Missionary Journeys throughout the Roman
MINISTRY TO ALL MANKIND. Empire.

So, too, we who are Faithful Disciples of Christ, must ✶ “... another builds on it...” Having established these
co-operate with our Lord God by striving to fulfil Christian Communities, ST PAUL ORDAINED BISHOPS
His Divine Will in all circumstances. AND PRIESTS TO CONTINUE THE HOLY MISSION OF CHRIST

THIS HOLY CO-OPERATION OR SYNERGY WITH OUR LORD GOD BY GUIDING AND SUSTAINING THE FAITHFUL FLOCK
DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE WORK TOGETHER AS EQUALS nor ACCORDING TO TRUE/ORTHODOX APOSTOLIC TEACHINGS
by a so-called ‘fifty-fifty’ arrangement. AND WORSHIP.

OUR LORD IS OUR BENEVOLENT, ALMIGHTY CREATOR AND LORD ✶ “... let each one take heed how he builds on it...”
WHOM WE MUST RESPECT WITH ALL OUR BEING, WHILE WE
OUR FAITH AND WORSHIP CANNOT BE COMPROMISED, ALTERED
ARE MERELY HIS INTELLECTUAL CREATURES WHO ARE OR SELECTIVE.
CALLED TO VOLUNTARILY SERVE HIM AND TO PARTICIPATE
As Faithful Disciples, WE MUST MOST CAREFULLY PRESERVE
IN HIS HOLY MISSION ON EARTH WITH SINCERE HUMILITY THE DIVINE TRUTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
AND OBEDIENCE.
We must LIVE ACCORDING TO THE TEACHINGS AND
✶ “... God’s field ... building...” WE HAVE BEEN CREATED BY GOD COMMANDMENTS OF OUR LORD as He instructed His
IN ORDER TO PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT – GOOD RESULTS – Holy Apostles and Disciples.
ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL AND HIS SALVIFIC PLAN
THE UNBROKEN APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION OF THE GENERATIONS
FOR ALL MANKIND. OF ORDAINED BISHOPS AND PRIESTS ENSURE THAT OUR LIFE

We are like fertile fields that are CAPABLE OF PRODUCING IN CHRIST REMAINS AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THOSE FIRST
GOOD CROPS FOR THE GLORY AND HONOUR OF OUR LORD FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES OF CHRIST.
GOD.
WE CANNOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHATEVER WE PREFER FOR GOD

We have been CREATED TO FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL BUT HIMSELF HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR OUR
ONLY IF WE CHOOSE TO DO SO, for He granted us free FAITH AND WORSHIP.
will to choose whatever path we wish to take. ✶ “... no other foundation...”
✶ “... According to the Grace of God... granted to me...”
THE DIVINE TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE AND PERFECT, so TO CHANGE

St Paul understood that ONLY BY THE DIVINE GRACE OF OUR EVEN THE SMALLEST “IOTA OR TITTLE” WOULD CAUSE IT TO
LORD GOD ARE WE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING THAT IS BECOME IMPERFECT AND NO LONGER DIVINE TRUTH.
GOOD AND WORTHY.
As God’s Faithful Disciples WE MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO

Without Divine Grace, WE CAN ACHIEVE VERY LITTLE BY OUR FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL – not our own flawed, sinful
OWN EFFORTS. will.

BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE ARE ABLE TO FULFIL THE WILL OF
BY CHANGING OR – GOD FORBID! – REJECTING ANY OF THE
GOD AND DO THINGS THAT ARE USUALLY WAY BEYOND OUR HOLY MYSTERIES that our Lord Jesus Christ has
HUMAN ABILITIES. instituted for our Eternal Salvation, WE COMMIT THE
✶ “... as a wise Master Builder, I have laid the TERRIBLE SIN OF HERESY AND BLASPHEMY!
foundation...” ST PAUL RECEIVED HIS KNOWLEDGE ✶ “... each one’s work will become clear... it will be
DIRECTLY FROM OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE revealed by Fire...”
NECESSARY ABILITIES TO PREACH HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND TO
EVERY THOUGHT, EVERY WORD AND EVERY DEED HAS AN
INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE.

9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 9TH OF ST MATTHEW – WALKING ON WATER – 18 AUGUST 2019 21

NOTHING CAN BE HIDDEN FROM OUR LORD GOD NOR FROM THE CONSECRATED AS SACRED LIVING TEMPLES OF GOD – from
“GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES” who see, hear and our birth to our Repose!
know everything we do!
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT – INDEED THE HOLY TRINITY – DWELLS

WE CANNOT MAKE ANY EXCUSES FOR OURSELVES because WITHIN US, UNTIL EVICTED BY OUR UNREPENTED SINS!
GOD HAS GIVEN US EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND EVERY MEANS
As Sanctified Temples of God, OUR BODY MUST ALWAYS BE
POSSIBLE TO OBEY AND TO FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL AND TREATED WITH UTMOST RESPECT – not only while we live
TRUTH. but even after our immortal soul has separated

OUR EVERY WORD, THOUGHT AND DEED DURING THIS SHORT from our mortal flesh.
LIFESPAN WILL JUDGE US and either reward us with
OUR BODY IS “LENT” TO US FOR THE DURATION OF THIS LIFESPAN
Eternal Life in His Heavenly Kingdom of Love, or AND MUST BE RETURNED TO THE EARTH WHENCE IT
condemn us to Eternal Death (a total absence of ORIGINATED, TO BE RESURRECTED ANEW ON THE EIGHTH
God and all His Goodness and Love!) DAY, as Christ showed us so clearly by His own

In other words, THE CHOICES WE MAKE NOW, WILL EITHER physical Resurrection.
BLESS OR CONDEMN US.
Therefore UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MUST WE VIOLENTLY

For that reason we need to learn how to CLOSELY CREMATE, GRIND UP AND DISPOSE OF OUR SANCTIFIED
EXAMINE OURSELVES SO THAT WE CAN REPENT OUR SINS AS FLESH AND BONES as though merely discarded,
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE and return to a healthy, useless garbage!
productive Spiritual Life of CONTINUOUS REPENTANCE Furthermore, BY FORCING OUR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS TO DO SO
AND CONFESSION, WHILE PARTICIPATING FULLY IN OUR CONDEMNS US AS WELL AS THEM, for it is a blatant,
CHRISTIAN LIFE AND WORSHIP. wilful sin against the Lord our God.

The entire Purpose of this short, preparatory lifespan is ✶ “... it will be revealed by Fire...” - a reference to THE HOLY
to DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REGAIN OUR DIVINE SPIRIT WHO IS TRUTH ITSELF, for HE REVEALS EVERYTHING
LIKENESS so that we become worthy Citizens of THAT IS GOOD AND TRUE – according to the Goodness
Heaven and Co-Heirs with Christ. and Truth of Almighty God, not our limited and
✶ “ ... you are the Temple of God... the Spirit of God dwells ignorant concept of “truth.”
in you...” OUR PHYSICAL BODY HAS BEEN SANCTIFIED AND
T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MA TTHE W 14 : 22 – 34
WALKING ON WATER
At that time, our Lord Jesus made His Disciples get into the boat, and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the
multitudes away. And when He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening
came, He was alone there.
The boat was then in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves. The wind was contrary. In the Fourth Watch of the
night Jesus went to them – walking on the sea. And when His Disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were
troubled, and said: “It is a phantom!” And they cried out in Fear.
Immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: “Be of good cheer! It is I – do not fear!” Peter answered Him, saying: “Lord, if
it is Thee, command me to come to Thee on the water.” He said: “Come!” And when Peter got down out of the boat,
he walked upon the water and went towards Jesus.
Seeing the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out: “Lord! Save me!” Immediately Jesus
stretched out His Hand and caught him, and He said to him: ““O ye of little Faith! Why did thou doubt?”
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Those who were in the boat went and worshipped Him, saying:
“Truly! Thou art the Son of God!”
And when they had crossed over, they arrived at the land of Gennesaret.
✶ “...when He had sent them away...”
Whenever there is an unexpected Encounter with

Having fed and Healed the bodies and souls of the Christ, He identifies Himself and calms the natural
5000 Families who had followed our Lord Jesus - but often superstitious - fears of His People.
Christ and His Disciples into the wilderness, Christ
“I Am” IS THE DIVINE NAME OF GOD.
first sent His Apostles to go ahead of Him, and
By Identifying Himself with His Divine Name, OUR LORD
then sent the people home, before going up the JESUS CHRIST REASSURED HIS DISCIPLES OF HIS ABSOLUTE
mountain IN TOTAL ISOLATION TO COMMUNICATE AND DIVINE AUTHORITY OVER ALL CREATION.
THROUGH PRAYER WITH GOD HIS FATHER.
A MARVELLOUS TRANSFORMATION OCCURS TO ALL HEARTS AND

Like our Divine Saviour, WE NEED SOLITUDE AND QUIETNESS SOULS WHEN WE ARE IN GOD’S LOVING AND
IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. COMPASSIONATE PRESENCE.

It is better to pray in peaceful surroundings when WE WE MIGHT ALSO FEEL AND RESPOND TO HIS DIVINE PRESENCE
CAN FOCUS OUR ATTENTION SOLELY ON THE LORD OUR AND GRACE WHEN WE ENCOUNTER HIS MOST FAITHFUL
GOD. SERVANTS.
✶ “ ... In the Fourth Watch of the night...” was THE PERIOD ✶ “... ‘Lord, if it is Thee, command me...’” ST PETER, as
03:00 – 06:00. impulsive as usual, ASKED OUR LORD JESUS TO PROVE IT IS

THE ROMANS HAD DIVIDED THE 24-HOUR DAY INTO PERIODS OF INDEED HIM BY MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO ALSO WALK
THREE HOURS EACH, which was used by everyone UPON THE WATER.
throughout the vast Roman Empire.
ST PETER WAS WILLING TO BELIEVE, YET STILL NEEDED PROOF –

It shows us how many hours our Lord had spent in just like the other Apostles who often had
Communication with our Heavenly Father, before difficulties comprehending whatever they heard
He rejoined His Apostles. and witnessed.
✶ “... the boat was then in the middle of the sea...” A storm
AFTER THE DESCENT OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT on each ot
had prevented the Apostles from reaching the them at Pentecost, after the Ascension of Christ,
safety of the opposite shore. THEY WOULD ALL BE ABLE TO FULLY UNDERSTAND AND
✶ “... the wind was contrary...” THEY HAD MADE VERY LITTLE TEACH OTHERS HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
PROGRESS since their departure from our Lord. ✶ “... to come to Thee...” St Peter did not ask Christ to make
In fine weather, they could sail across the water quite it possible for him to walk on water because he
quickly, but THE ADVERSE WIND AND TEMPESTUOUS WAVES needed to see Him perform a Divine Miracle, but
MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PROCEED. rather TO BE REUNITED WITH HIM.

Their increasing fears might have compelled our Lord
We are profoundly Comforted, Encouraged and
Jesus Christ to go to them sooner than He had Reassured when we are in the Presence of our
intended. Lord God.
✶ Our Lord “... Jesus went to them – walking on the sea...”
The closer our Relationship to God becomes, the more
– A NATURAL ACTION FOR OUR LORD GOD but we yearn to be with Him.
completely unnatural for any human being.
Ceaseless Prayer keeps us close to God for we are
✶ “... they cried out in fear...” His Disciples, who were United to Him by our Prayers.
already frightened by their tempestuous
If we are indeed walking with our Lord throughout
circumstances and an overwhelming fear of the day, it is natural to constantly speak to Him.
drowning, obviously perceived Him to be “...a ✶ “... He said: ‘Come!’...” - WITH THAT ONE WORD CHRIST
phantom...” – a supernatural apparition rather than ENABLED ST PETER TO DO SOMETHING THAT WAS
our Incarnate Divine Saviour. NATURALLY IMPOSSIBLE
✶ "... It is I - do not fear...” Our Lord immediately
WHEN GOD CALLS US OR COMMANDS US WE MUST RESPOND
comforted them by identifying Himself. INSTANTLY, knowing with all our being that we can
go wherever He leads us.

22 9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 9TH OF ST MATTHEW – WALKING ON WATER – 18 AUGUST 2019

WHEN WE WALK WITH OUR LORD GOD – LIVE IN CHRIST - WE
HAVE NEITHER HESITATION, DOUBT NOR ANY FEAR AT ALL.

ONCE WE LEARN TO SURRENDER OUR WILL TO GOD’S DIVINE
WILL, EVERYTHING BECOMES POSSIBLE AND EASIER TO
ENDURE.

St Theophylact pointed out, “... it is not an attribute of
mankind to walk upon the sea, but of God...”
 PSALM 76/77:20 “... Thy Way is in the sea, and Thy Paths
are in many waters...”
✶ “...Peter got down out of the boat... walked upon the
water ...” ST PETER’S INITIAL STRENGTH OF FAITH
ALLOWED HIM TO WALK ON THE WATER.

ST PETER WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVINE MIRACLE OF
CHRIST AS LONG AS HE FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON HIM.

According to St Theophylact: “... our Lord laid the sea
down beneath St Peter’s feet, thereby
demonstrating His Divine Power.

As St John Chrysostom explained: “...St Peter
prevailed over the sea, which was the greater
(peril), yet was afraid of the wind, which was
the lesser peril! Such is the weakness of our
human nature!”
✶ “...Seeing ... he was afraid, and beginning to sink...”

As soon as ST PETER BECAME DISTRACTED by the
surrounding conditions, HIS FEARS OVERWHELMED AND
DEFEATED HIM.

Perhaps the concern for St Peter’s safety, as well as the
doubts and fears of the other Apostles had also
distracted him.

THE INSTANT ST PETER TOOK HIS ATTENTION OFF CHRIST HE
LOST FAITH AND BEGAN TO SINK UNDER WAVES OF DOUBT.
✶ “...’Lord! Save me!’...” (“Kyrie, Soson me!”) is THE MOST
POWERFUL, HEARTFELT PRAYER.

We repeatedly pray a similar ‘Prayer of the Heart’ -
“Kyrie, eleison!” thereby BESEECHING OUR LORD’S
GREAT MERCY UPON US AND ALL MANKIND WHO STRUGGLE
EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
The First Watch signifies the Old Divine Covenant
against the evil one and his invented temptations
that lead to sin and death.

According to St Theophylact our Lord Jesus allowed
The Second Watch signifies the Divine Law given to
this to happen “... so that St Peter would not
become puffed up, and to console the other
The Third Watch signifies the Holy Prophets of God
Disciples who perhaps might have envied him.”

This also showed HOW ALMIGHTY AND POWERFUL OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST IS than any of us!
✶ “... Immediately Jesus stretched out His Hand and
The Fourth watch signifies the Advent of Christ and
caught him...” showing us HOW QUICKLY HE RESPONDS
TO OUR PRAYERS when we perceive impending
danger to ourselves and others.

IN TIMES OF NEED, EVERYONE CALLS OUT TO GOD FOR
DELIVERANCE – even those who profess unbelief, for
OUR IMMORTAL SOUL KNOWS THAT ONLY GOD CAN SAVE US
AND DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE.

MANY PEOPLE NEED TO FEAR SOMETHING BEYOND THEIR
‘CONTROL’ IN ORDER TO COMPEL THEM TO TURN TO GOD
and beseech His Divine Help and Great Mercy.

We all know – even though so many deny it – that
ONLY GOD IS TRULY IN CONTROL OF ALL CREATION - ONLY
BY HIS DIVINE GRACE AND MERCY ARE WE ABLE TO SURVIVE
AND FLOURISH.
✶ “...O thee of little Faith! Why did thou doubt?...”
ALTHOUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ADMONISHED ST PETER ,
HE ALSO ADDRESSED THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES WHO
WITNESSED EVERYTHING AND EVERY ONE OF US FOR OUR LACK OF
STEADFAST FAITH IN ALMIGHTY GOD.

The Greek term “edistas” in this context means “to
waver” or “to hesitate.”

Thus, THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF ST PETER’S SINKING WAS not due
to the stormy conditions, but rather DUE TO HIS
SUDDEN WAVERING OR HESITATION.

Christ rebuked St Peter rather than the tempestuous
conditions, which had distracted him.
✶ “... when they got into the boat, the wind ceased...” –
EVERYTHING BECOMES CALM AND PEACEFUL IN THE PRESENCE
OF OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR WHO IS TRULY MASTER OF ALL
CREATION.

It is significant that CHRIST DID NOT CARRY ST PETER IN HIS
ARMS TO THE SAFETY OF THE BOAT, BUT THEY WALKED
TOGETHER TO THE BOAT, which shows us how
EVERYTHING THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US BECOMES
MYSTERIOUSLY POSSIBLE WHEN WE ARE WITH GOD.
9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 9TH OF ST MATTHEW – WALKING
✶ “... those who were in the boat... worshipped Him...”

Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Disciples in a boat on
the storm-tossed waves signifies OUR DIVINE HIGH
PRIEST AND HIS HOLY CHURCH, which is LIKE A STURDY
WELL-CONSTRUCTED BOAT THAT IS STEERED BY OUR TRIUNE
LORD GOD - ON COURSE TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE.

HIS HOLY CHURCH IS FILLED WITH HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
who are CARRIED SAFELY OVER THE STORMY SEAS OF
TURMOIL AND TROUBLES OF EARTHLY LIFE, TOWARDS THE
SAFETY OF HIS ETERNAL HARBOUR – HIS HEAVENLY
KINGDOM.

GOD PERMITS US TO EXPERIENCE THE STORMY, SOMETIMES LIFE-
THREATENING CONDITIONS OF EARTHLY LIFE.

Thereby we are able to ACQUIRE UNDERSTANDING AND
APPRECIATION OF HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND
PROTECTION, without which we would never be able
to survive or progress.

Similar to the calming of the stormy weather, OUR
DIVINE SAVIOUR CALMS THE STORMY, SPIRITUAL TEMPESTS
THAT DISTURB OUR IMMORTAL SOUL.

IN HIS ETERNAL PRESENCE, OUR LORD GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US
– even in the midst of the worst conditions.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HIS DISCIPLES CONFESS OUR
LORD AS “SON OF GOD.”

knowing that ONLY GOD CAN BE WORSHIPPED, THEY CONFESS
HIS DIVINITY BY WORSHIPPING AND GLORIFYING HIM.
✶ ST THEOPHYLACT EXPLAINED THE SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF THIS
DIVINE EVENT:
1. The boat signifies the Earth.
2. The waves signify our life that is troubled by evil
spirits, temptations and sin.
3. The darkness of night signifies our Spiritual Ignorance
and its harmful ramifications.
4. The Fourth Watch signifies the end of the ages when
our Divine Saviour, Jesus Christ Appeared and
Saved us.
with St Abraham concerning God’s Promise to
His Chosen People.
St Moses, whereby God Commands us to live.
who Guided and Enlightened His People,
preparing them for the Coming of the Great
Divine Messiah.
our New Covenant with God.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SAVES US FROM DROWNING THE
TEMPESTUOUS DEPTHS OF SIN by revealing His Divine
Truth whereby we might know Him and Glorify,
Honour and Worship Him properly and worthily as
our only, Living, Loving, Merciful, Providential and
Gracious Triune Lord God.

BY HIS OWN PERFECT EXAMPLE WE ARE TAUGHT HOW TO APPLY
HIS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS TO
OURSELVES so that we regain our Divine Likeness
which we have lost due to Ancestral Sin and our
inclination to commit sins caused by grievous
passions.
✶ St Theophylact stated “... St Peter’s later thrice denial of
Christ and his subsequent Repentance were
prefigured by this Event...” for although St Peter
would proclaim : ‘I will not deny Thee,’ with the
same vehemence as when he said to our Lord “ ...
Command me to come to Thee...” he would be
“...permitted to deny Christ later, as he was
permitted to sink now.”

Just as on this day, our Lord had “...stretched out His
Hand and caught him...” thereby preventing St
Peter from drowning, later – after the Resurrection
of Christ - when St Peter had wept so bitterly and
Repented, our Lord “... drew him out of the Abyss
of denial...” by FORGIVING AND RESTORING HIM –
Saving him from drowning in sin.

This Sacred Lesson teaches us clearly that WITH
UNWAVERING FAITH IN GOD, WE CAN ACHIEVE IMPOSSIBLE
THINGS WITH GOD.

It also shows us how GOD SAVES US WHENEVER WE ARE
OVERWHELMED AND DROWNING IN SINS – WHEN WE REPENT
OUR ERRORS AND BESEECH HIS GREAT MERCY.
ON WATER – 18 AUGUST 2019 23
 9 T H
S U ND AY AF TE R P E NTEC OST – 9
Our Lord Jesus Christ went up into the mountain to teach
us that WHEN WE ARE TO PRAY TO GOD, SOLITUDE AND SILENCE
ARE GOOD, so He continually withdrew into the
wilderness, and often spent the whole night in Prayer,
thereby teaching us to earnestly SEEK QUIETNESS for our
Prayers whenever possible, for the wilderness is the
Mother of Quietness - a Calm Harbour, DELIVERING US
FROM ALL TURBULENCE.
Meanwhile His Disciples were struggling against a storm
as fierce as the earlier one when Christ had been with
them but now they were by themselves and very
afraid. In this manner, BY DEGREES, HE ENCOURAGED THEM
AND IMPELLED THEM TOWARDS SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.
During the previous storm they had been in similar
danger, but our Lord was present, although asleep,
and He quickly relieved their fears, but now, THEY
NEEDED A GREATER DEGREE OF ENDURANCE, COURAGE AND
FAITH IN GOD, for they were on the open, deep waters,
at the mercy of the tempestuous elements.
Their fear and contrition was caused by the coincidence
of timing and foul weather. And they longed for Him
with vivid recollections of His Great Mercy.
Our Lord Jesus did not go to them at once, but only
several hours later – “...in the fourth watch of the
night...” which teaches us NOT TO BE IN A RUSH TO SEEK
DIVINE DELIVERANCE FROM IMPENDING THREATS, BUT TO BEAR
EVERYTHING COURAGEOUSLY that befalls us.
However, just when they were losing hope of being
Delivered, THEIR FEARS WERE FURTHER HEIGHTENED, for
“...when the Disciples saw Him walking on the sea,
they were troubled, and said, ‘It is a phantom!’ and
they cried out in fear.”
SOMETIMES WHEN OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR IS ABOUT TO CALM OUR
TERROR, HE PERMITS US TO SUFFER EVEN WORSE AND MORE
ALARMING THINGS. Apart from the frightening storm, the
sight of Him walking on the water terrified them even
more.
He neither dispelled the darkness, nor immediately
revealed His Identity, but taught them to BE READY TO
ENDURE ALL CIRCUMSTANCES BY ALLOWING THEIR FEAR TO TEST
THEM. So, before relieving their terror and temptation,
He permitted the experience to be even more taxing.
WE CANNOT BE TEMPTED BOTH LONG AND HARD: so when we are
on the point of coming to an end of our conflicts, HE
SOMETIMES INTENSIFIES OUR STRUGGLES, SO THAT WE MIGHT
PROFIT MORE GREATLY FROM THEM.
In this way, even THINGS THAT ARE OTHERWISE INTOLERABLE for
us, just before their removal, at our last gasp, WILL
BECOME TOLERABLE, which is what Christ did by
refraining from Identifying Himself and calming their
fears before they cried aloud - THE MORE INTENSE THEIR
ALARM, THE MORE EAGERLY THEY WELCOMED HIS COMING.
HIS DIVINE PRESENCE REMOVED THEIR FEAR AND GRANTED THEM
CONFIDENCE.
THEY HAD NOT RECOGNIZED HIM BY SIGHT, DUE TO THE POOR
VISIBILITY, AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE MIRACULOUS
MANNER OF HIS APPROACH, UNTIL HE VERBALLY IDENTIFIED
HIMSELF.
ST PETER, who WAS HABITUALLY IMPULSIVE AND ARDENT in
everything he did, called out to Him: “Lord, if it is
Thee, command me to come to Thee on the water.”
HE DID NOT ASK OUR LORD TO “ENTREAT” BUT TO COMMAND HIM,
which shows his profound Faith in Christ, although HIS
FAITHFUL ZEAL OFTEN LANDED HIM IN DANGER AND MOTIVATED
HIM TO SEEK THINGS THAT WERE BEYOND HIS ABILITIES AT THE
TIME.
On this occasion, too, he asked Christ to grant him a very
great thing, although it was OUT OF LOVE FOR OUR
SAVIOUR, RATHER THAN TO SHOW OFF, for he Loved our Lord
Jesus so much, HE WAS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO BE WITH
HIM.
St Peter demonstrated the depth of his devotion to Christ,
for HE NOT ONLY BELIEVED THAT BY THE WILL OF OUR LORD, HE
WOULD BE ABLE TO WALK ON THE WATER HIMSELF, BUT HE
COULD WAIT NO LONGER TO BE REUNITED WITH HIM.
OUR LORD SAID ONE WORD - “Come!” – and ST PETER CLIMBED
OUT THE BOAT AND STEPPED ONTO THE WATER AND WALKED
TOWARDS CHRIST, but the instant he took his attention off
our Lord, HE BECAME AFRAID AND BEGAN TO SINK.
24 9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 9TH OF
T H
S U ND AY OF S T M ATTHE W – W AL KING ON W ATER
As St Peter cried out: “Lord, save me!” HE IMMEDIATELY “...
STRETCHED FORTH HIS HAND AND CAUGHT HIM, and said to
him, “O you of little Faith, why did you doubt?”’ and
THEY WALKED BACK TO THE BOAT TOGETHER.
This was more wonderful than the former occasion, when
Christ had calmed the storm, for after revealing His
control of Creation by calming the wind, HE NOW
WALKED UPON THE WATER AND PERMITTED ST PETER TO DO SO
AS WELL.
If our Lord had required this to be done at the
beginning, St Peter would not have received it so well,
because he had not yet acquired such great Faith,
and if He had refused to permit St Peter, he might
have tried to contradict Him, so OUR LORD CONVINCED
HIS APOSTLE BY THIS EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE TO RESTRAIN
HIS HABITUAL IMPULSIVENESS.
St John, relating this same Event, said that His Disciples
“...willingly received Him into the ship; and
immediately the ship was at the land they had left...”
implying that THEY SOON ARRIVED AT THEIR DESTINATION
AFTER OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAD BOARDED THE BOAT.
St Peter climbed overboard and went so eagerly towards
our Lord - not SO MUCH PLEASED AT WALKING ON THE WATER,
AS AT BEING REUNITED WITH HIM, and WHEN HE HAD
PREVAILED OVER THE GREATER DANGER, HE WAS ON THE POINT
OF SUCCUMBING TO THE LESSER – yielding to the violence
of the wind, rather than the tumultuous sea.
This is typical of our human nature – as IT NOT UNUSUAL FOR
US TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING GREAT AND THEN STUMBLE OVER
SOMETHING LESS, like Elijah with Jezebel, Moses with the
Egyptian, and David with Bathsheba.
So it was with St Peter. WHILE THE OTHER APOSTLES’ FEAR WAS
AT ITS HEIGHT, HE HAD THE COURAGE TO CLIMB OUT THE BOAT
AND TRY TO WALK ON THE WATER, UNTIL HE BECAME
DISTRACTED BY THE BUFFETING OF THE WIND, and was no
longer able to stand, DESPITE BEING NEAR TO CHRIST.
IT IS OBVIOUSLY OF NO BENEFIT TO APPROACH OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST, UNLESS WE POSSESS UNWAVERING FAITH.
This demonstrated the difference between our Divine
Master and His Disciple, which would have PLACATED
THE OTHER APOSTLES WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN ANNOYED, SINCE
THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD NOT YET BEEN TRANSMITTED TO THEM.
Afterwards, ALTHOUGH ALL THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST WERE
EQUALLY EMPOWERED AND AUTHORISED, THEY ACCEPTED THE
LEADERSHIP OF ST PETER WHO BECAME THEIR SPOKESMAN –
beginning on the Day of Pentecost when the Universal
Holy Church of Christ began to spread the Holy
Gospel throughout the world.
Our Lord had not commanded the winds to cease and
the tossing waves to calm, but AS SOON AS ST PETER
BEGAN TO SINK, HE STRETCHED FORTH HIS HAND AND TOOK
HOLD OF HIM because St Peter needed to trust God’s Will
implicitly, by realising that WHEN WE LACK SOMETHING
ESSENTIAL, OUR LORD GOD WILL PROVIDE WHATEVER WE NEED.
Christ’s rhetorical question to St Peter “...Why did you
doubt?” meant that IT WAS NOT THE ADVERSE CONDITIONS
BUT HIS LACK OF FAITH AND FOCUS THAT HAD CAUSED HIM TO
SINK. HAD HE NOT HESITATED WHILE ACTUALLY WALKING ON
WATER, HE WOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED, which is why our Lord
allowed the adverse weather to continue until they
were safely aboard the boat.
Previously when He had calmed the storm, His Apostles
had wondered: ‘What kind of Man is this, that even
the winds and the sea obey Him!’ but then,
WITNESSING CHRIST AND ST PETER WALKING ON WATER, AND
THE STORMY WEATHER SUDDENLY ABATING ONCE THEY HAD
RETURNED TO THE BOAT, THEY CONFESSED AND WORSHIPPED
HIM.
HE GRADUALLY LED THEM TO SPIRITUAL HEIGHTS AS THEIR FAITH
INCREASED WITH EACH MIRACULOUS EXPERIENCE AND AS THEY
LISTENED CAREFULLY TO HIS TEACHINGS, which they came
to fully comprehend when THE DIVINE GRACE OF GOD THE
HOLY SPIRIT, ENABLED THEM TO ACQUIRE ALL NECESSARY
ATTRIBUTES FOR THEIR WORLD-WIDE SACRED MISSION.
And so today we joyfully Confess, together with His Holy
Apostles. “Truly! Thou art the Son of God!”
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
(ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP)
HTTPS://PEMPTOUSIA.COM/2014
ST MATTHEW – WALKING ON WATER – 18 AUGUST 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.
TONE 1 25 AUGUST 2019

10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 10TH OF ST MATTHEW

MUSTARD SEED FAITH

The Feast of St Titos of the 70 Apostles & Bishop of Crete – St Bartholomew, Holy
Apostle of Christ (Relics) – St Barses & St Evlogios, Confessors & Bishops of Edessa – St
Protogenes the Confessor & Bishop of Carrhae – St Mena, Patriarch of Constantinople
– St Vladimir (Moshchansky) of Tver – St John the Cappadocian & St Epiphanios,
Patriarchs of Constantinople

THE SUNDAY AND FESTAL HYMNS ARE PUBLISHED IN BOOKLET FORM EACH MONTH.
T H E S E A R E P U B L I S H E D A N D F R E E L Y D O W N L O A D A B L E O N www.scribd.com/writers4574.
LINKS ARE ALSO POSTED ON FACEBOOK “ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN EASTERN CAPE.”
( O R C A N B E E M A I L E D D I R E C T L Y , O N R E Q U E S T T O marguerite.paizis@gmail.com )

R ESUR REC TION G OSPEL 10 – J OHN 21 : 1 - 14

P R OKE IME NON – P SALM 32 – T ONE 1

Let Thy Mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we Hope in Thee.
Rejoice, O Righteous, in the Lord! Praise is fitting!

T H E F IR ST EP ISTLE OF S T P AUL TO TH E C OR INTH IANS 4 : 9 – 16

Brethren, God has set forth us, the Apostles, last, as men condemned to Death, for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to Angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you
are strong; you are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and
are naked, and are buffeted, and have no dwelling-place. And we labour, working with our own hands.
Being reviled, we Bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we Entreat. We are made as the filth of the
world - the offscourings of all things unto this day.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my Beloved Children, I warn you. Although you have ten thousand
instructors in Christ, yet have you not many Fathers. In Christ Jesus through the Gospel I have begotten you.
I beseech you, therefore - be imitators of me.
St Paul had founded the Corinthian Church and this First
THE RELATIVE COMFORT OF THE CORINTHIANS CHRISTIAN
Epistle to the Christian Community of Corinth was COMMUNITY was contrasted with the persecuted,
written while St Paul was in Ephesos during his Third poverty-stricken and uncertain lifestyle of the Holy
Missionary Journey in 55. Apostles of Christ.
This Epistle mainly concerns our Communion with the
THEY HAD BEEN PROPERLY ENLIGHTENED AND PREPARED for
Lord our God for which He created us. Life in Christ by St Paul and the other Holy Apostles
Communion with God and each other ought to be fully so they no longer lived in Spiritual Ignorance but
experienced in the Life of the Holy Church of Christ, were CONFIDENT IN THEIR FAITH.
for She is the Body of Christ and the Sacred Temple of
They were UNITED AND RESPECTED AS A CHRISTIAN
God the Holy Spirit. COMMUNITY.
However, Holy Communion with God and with each other ✶ “... we labour... being reviled... persecuted... defamed.. “
is not automatic because we have to pursue it THE APOSTLES HAD TO WORK VERY HARD EVERY DAY TO SUSTAIN
through our personal Struggles against wicked THEMSELVES AND BE ABLE TO TRAVEL wherever necessary in
temptations, grievous passions and our inclination to order to fulfil their Sacred Mission throughout the
sin. Roman Empire and even beyond its borders
It is vital for us, as Disciples of Christ, to resolve problems ✶ “... we have been made as the filth of the world - the
arising from disunity, factionalism, civil lawsuits and offscourings of all things... “
sexual immorality.
THE APOSTLES ENDURED ALL KINDS - AND DEGREES OF –
We must learn about and apply to our own lifestyle all HUMILIATION AND DEGRADATION.
aspects of Eucharistic Theology and practise, the ✶ “... we Bless... we endure... we entreat...”
Spiritual Gits that we have received, and focus on the
Instead of retaliating in a similar fashion against their
Divine Truth of Christ and our ultimate Resurrection persecutors – THE HOLY APOSTLES AND FAITHFUL
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST RESPONDED WITH UNCONDITIONAL,
and Eternal Life.
DIVINE LOVE – AGAPE!
✶ “... God has set forth us, the Apostles...”
THEY ENDURED ALL THEIR HUMILIATION AND SUFFERING FOR

ST PAUL USED IRONY AND SARCASM AS BITTER MEDICINE, SO THE PURE JOY OF SERVING OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR –
THAT THE CORINTHIANS WOULD APPRECIATE HOW BLESSED THEREBY RECONCILING THE FALLEN WORLD TO GOD.
THEY WERE, compared to the difficult Mission of the ✶ “... as my Beloved Children, I warn you...”
Apostles of Christ.
ST PAUL WAS THE SPIRITUAL FATHER OF THE CORINTHIANS.
✶ "... we are made a spectacle...” NO MATTER WHAT
As their Loving Spiritual Father, St PAUL NOT ONLY
HAPPENED TO THE APOSTLES, NOR HOW BADLY THEY WERE
GUIDED THEM CORRECTLY BUT ALSO NEEDED TO CAUTION
THEM AGAINST ALL TEMPTATIONS AND GRIEVOUS PASSIONS
HUMILIATED AND ABUSED, THEY DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO
THAT ALIENATE US AND SEPARATE US FROM GOD AND FROM
FULFIL THEIR SACRED MISSION of spreading the Holy
EACH OTHER.
Gospel of Christ throughout the known world.
Similarly, OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS ENLIGHTEN US WITH THE
✶ “ We are fools,... weak... dishonoured...” The three DIVINE TRUTH, GUIDE US CORRECTLY AND CAUTION US
parallel statements were heaped upon each other in AGAINST IMPENDING SPIRITUAL DEATH.
a stinging series.
ACCORDINGLY, WE MUST BE HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT to our
✶ “... you are Wise in Christ... strong... distinguished...” Spiritual Fathers by learning what they teach us,
APPLYING ALL ASPECTS OF DIVINE TRUTH TO OUR WORDS,

10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-10TH MATTHEW-MUSTARD SEED FAITH- BEFORE TRANSFIGURATION-5 AUGUST 2018 25.
 THOUGHTS AND DEEDS, AND CORRECTING OUR ERRORS with was necessary to become like our Lord Jesus Christ to
regular self-examination, Repentance and the very best of his abilities.
Confession.
THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THIS TEMPORARY LIFESPAN IS FOR US

THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SIMILAR TO ANY OTHER FAMILY TO BECOME LIKE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Who is Perfect
– with maturing children who need parental Man and in Whose Image and Likeness He
guidance. created us.

As Struggling Disciples of Christ, WE WHO ARE THE
DUE TO ANCESTRAL SIN, WE LOST OUR DIVINE LIKENESS TO
MATURING CHILDREN, NEED OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS TO GOD.
TEACH AND GUIDE US.
ONLY BY EMULATING OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR IN WORD, THOUGHT

OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS HELP US TO FULFIL AND TO OBEY THE AND DEED, CAN WE REGAIN HIS DIVINE LIKENESS.
DIVINE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
This is the meaning of THEOSIS, DEIFICATION AND
✶ “... I urge you, imitate me...” SPIRITUAL PERFECTION FOR WHICH WE NATURALLY YEARN.
WE ARE ALL URGED AND ENCOURAGED TO IMITATE THE PROFOUND
HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE OF ST PAUL who did whatever
T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACCO R D ING T O S T M ATTHE W 17 : 14 – 23
At that time, a man went to Jesus, knelt down before Him and said: “Lord, have Mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic
and suffers severely. He often falls into fire and water. So I brought him to Thy Disciples, but they could not cure
him.” Jesus answered and said: “O faithless and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you? How long
shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him. And the child
was Cured at that very hour.
When the Disciples went to Jesus privately and asked Him: “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said to them: “Because
of your unbelief. Truly, I say to you: if you have Faith as (small as) a mustard seed, you will say to that
mountain: ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. “And nothing will be impossible for you. However, this
kind (of demon) does not go out except by Prayer and Fasting.”
And while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them: “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of
men. And they will kill Him, and on the Third Day He will be raised up.”
✶ “... a man ... knelt down before Him...” which SHOWED THE HEAL HIS SON, as they had Healed so many other
FATHER’S GREAT CONCERN FOR HIS AFFLICTED SON rather afflicted people.
than having deep Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as
He did not understand that HIS OWN LACK OF FAITH
our Divine Saviour. PREVENTED HIS SON FROM BEING HEALED.

ALTHOUGH THE FATHER DISPLAYED SINCERE HUMILITY AND
THE LACK OF FAITH IN PARENTS DEPRIVES THEIR CHILDREN OF
DESPERATION, CHRIST KNEW THAT HE LACKED FAITH
TRUE LIFE IN CHRIST because they obviously
AND HOPE (which is understandable due to his
influence the beliefs and behaviour of their
circumstances - for his son had obviously suffered
for a long time without anyone being able to cure offspring.
him.)
IT IS THE MOST SACRED DUTY OF PARENTS TO BAPTISE THEIR

PARENTAL LOVE IS SO POWERFUL AND ALL CONSUMING THAT CHILDREN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEY MIGHT BE
THE NEED TO PROTECT AND TO SUSTAIN A CHILD MOTIVATES
SANCTIFIED MEMBERS OF CHRIST’S HOLY CHURCH.
PARENTS’ TO GREAT ACTS OF SELF-SACRIFICE.
It is also the Most Sacred Duty of parent to EDUCATE
THEIR CHILDREN IN OUR FAITH, ENSURING THEIR REGULAR

This father Loved his son so much he was prepared to
PARTICIPATION IN HOLY LIFE from childhood onwards.
do whatever it took to Heal him and keep him safe
from harm.
LOVING PARENTS NEVER NEGLECT THE PHYSICAL HEALTH
AND CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN YET THEY NEGLECT THEIR
“... Lord, have Mercy on my son...” is the unselfish Prayer
of a devoted father. SPIRITUAL WELFARE, WHICH HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES!

OUR LORD GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS FOR OTHERS when we
St Theophylact believed that the father’s lack of Faith
beseech Him on their behalf. was so great, it “... prevailed over the equal

Likewise, THE INTERCESSORY PRAYERS OF OUR LADY, measure of their (Spiritual) Strength...”
THEOTOKOS, AND ALL THE SAINTS, ARE EVEN MORE In other words, even THE COMBINED FAITH AND SPIRITUAL
POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE as they are much closer to
STRENGTH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES COULD NOT SUPERSEDE
THE UNBELIEF OF THE FATHER.
our Lord and are able to Communicate directly
with Him.
WE ARE USUALLY VERY QUICK TO POINT ACCUSATORY FINGERS
AT OTHERS - blaming others for our disappointment
✶ “... he is an epileptic...” is THE MODERN TRANSLATION
whereas THE ORIGINAL TERM WAS “...MOONSTRUCK...” or unhappiness.
whence the word “lunatic” is derived.
WE OUGHT TO - FIRST AND FOREMOST - LOOK INWARDS AT OUR
OWN NEGATIVE ATTITUDE THAT MIGHT BE THE ROOT CAUSE

According to St Theophylact: “... the moon was not the
OR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR OF AN UNHAPPY SITUATION.
cause but the demons who would use the full
moon to set upon their victims so that mankind
THEN WE MUST DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CORRECT IT, WHICH
REQUIRES HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE.
would blaspheme the created things of God as
being maleficent!... ✶ “...O faithless and perverse generation...” reveals THE
EXASPERATION AND SADNESS OF OUR LONGSUFFERING LORD
“It is a foolish man who changes like the moon, as it is
written, at times waxing great in Virtue, and at GOD.
other times, waning and vanishing altogether.
DESPITE HAVING REVEALED AND TAUGHT HIS DIVINE TRUTH TO
✶ “...and suffers severely... falls into fire and ... water...” HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE – indirectly through His Divine

This shows how THE SON’S LIFE WAS IN PERIL OF HARM OR Law and the Guidance of His Holy Prophets and
EVEN DEATH, for not only does he suffer the effects of now, directly by His Teachings and Good Example
epilepsy, but HE CANNOT SAVE HIMSELF FROM HARM – THEIR FAITH WAS STILL UNCERTAIN OR EVEN NON-
EXISTENT.
WHEN HAVING AN ATTACK.

SICKNESS AND DISEASE WERE ALWAYS ASSOCIATED WITH
WE HAVE NO JUSTIFIABLE EXCUSE FOR OUR LACK OF FAITH .
DEMONIC ACTIVITY AND ARE INDEED SOMETIMES A

We persist in our SELF-IMPOSED SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND
MANIFESTATION OF DEMONIC POSSESSION.
DEATH CAUSED BY OUR ARROGANT EGOCENTRICITY,
DISOBEDIENCE AND PERVERSITY!

ALTHOUGH OUR LORD MIGHT PERMIT THE DEMONS TO TEST US
WHEN NECESSARY TO INCREASE OUR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH ✶ "... how long shall I bear with you?” is a rhetorical
AND PERSEVERANCE, HE DOES NOT ALLOW THEM TO KILL US. question but it reminds us that OUR LORD’S PHYSICAL
However, THE DEMONS DO USE OUR WEAKNESS AGAINST US SOJOURN IN OUR MIDST WOULD ALL TOO SOON END.
AND CAN DRIVE US TO SELF-DESTRUCTION.
WE TAKE MOST THINGS FOR GRANTED but greatly

St Theophylact explained: “... Then the foolish man appreciate and miss them when we lose them.
becomes deranged and falls down into the fire Therefore, we must learn to LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
of anger and lust and into ... the waves of many AND APPRECIATE ALL OUR BLESSINGS, OFFERING OUR
cares wherein the devil dwells, for the cares of PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR HIS GREAT
the rich are like waves that follow each other in MERCY AND INFINITE PROVIDENCE.
quick succession...”
We ought to taKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF EVERY MOMENT AND
EVERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY THAT ENLIGHTENS US AND
✶ “... Thy Disciples... could not cure him...” THE UNHAPPY
FATHER ACCUSED THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST OF FAILING TO

26. 10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-10TH MATTHEW-MUSTARD SEED FAITH- BEFORE TRANSFIGURATION-5 AUGUST 2018
 BRINGS US CLOSER TO GOD AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM OF
LOVE.
✶ Our Lord Jesus “... rebuked the demon and it came out
of him... and the child was Cured...” showing thereby
that THE SON HAD INDEED BEEN DEMON-POSSESSED.
✶ “... The Disciples went to (our Lord) Jesus privately...”
RATHER THAN SPEAK OF THEIR FAILURE IN THE HEARING OF THE
PEOPLE, WHO MIGHT THEN HAVE QUESTIONED OR REJECTED THE
DIVINE MISSION of Christ and His Apostles.
✶ “... Why could we not cast it out?...”

OUR LORD HAD BESTOWED HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY AND POWER
TO HEAL AND CLEANSE THE SICK AND AFFLICTED IN THE
NAME OF AND FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
INITIALLY THE APOSTLES HAD BEEN EXTREMELY AMAZED THAT
THEY WERE ABLE TO FULFIL THEIR SACRED TASK with
which Christ had entrusted them.
However, when they returned to Him and had
reported what had occurred, HE HAD CAUTIONED
THEM AGAINST BECOMING PROUD AND BOASTFUL.

This failure to exorcise the demon-possessed youth
must have upset them deeply but IT ALSO TAUGHT
THEM VERY IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THEIR HOLY MISSION,
WHICH THEY NEVER FORGOT.

THEY HAD BEEN HUMBLED BY THEIR FAILURE.

It reminded them that THEY COULD PERFORM MIRACULOUS
HEALINGS ONLY BY THE GRACE AND POWER OF GOD.

Certain afflictions and problems can only be resolved
1. ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD
2. AFTER MANY PRAYERS AND FASTING (SELF-DENIAL)
3. REQUIRING STEADFASTNESS, PERSEVERANCE, PATIENCE AND
UNWAVERING FAITH
✶ “’... because of your unbelief...’” OUR LORD ALWAYS SPEAKS
ONLY THE TRUTH – HONESTLY AND DIRECTLY.

Although our Lord Jesus had defended His Disciples
and Apostles in public, HE REPRIMANDED THEM IN
PRIVATE for their lack of Faith.

St John Chrysostom noted that OUR LORD’S REBUKE WAS
DIRECTED AT NINE OF HIS TWELVE APOSTLES RATHER THAN
AT HIS THREE “PILLARS OF FAITH” – St Peter, St James
and St John - who had accompanied Him to
Mount Tabor (His Transfiguration).

THIS IS HOW TO CORRECT THE ERRORS OF OTHERS – WITHOUT
HUMILIATING OR EMBARRASSING THEM IN FRONT
WITNESSES.
Errors are to be GENTLY BUT FIRMLY CORRECTED
We should ACCEPT GUIDANCE AND CORRECTION WITH
The Didache (of the Holy Apostles) and all our Holy
HUMBLE GRATITUDE AND OBEDIENCE.
THE DEGREE OF RESENTMENT, REBELLION, HURT OR ANGER
REVEALS
1. THE DEPTH OF OUR PRIDE
2. OUR DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD
3. OUR INTENTIONS OR MOTIVATIONS WERE SELFISH, SELF-
SERVING OR VAINGLORIOUS.

THE DISCIPLINE OF OUR HOLY CHURCH IS BASED ON MUTUAL
CORRECTION IN THREE EXPANDING STAGES. (MATTHEW 18: 15 -
20)

SIN AND CORRECTION ARE TO BE DEALT WITH IN PRIVATE -
Repentance and Confession - unless the offender
stubbornly and wilfully refuses to Repent or correct
their errors.

ALL CORRECTION IS TO BE DONE WITH GREAT CARE AND
HUMILITY, - the only concern being THE SALVATION OF
THE OFFENDER. (1 CORINTHIANS 5:5 & GALATIANS 6:1)

CORRECTION OF ERRORS IS NECESSARY AND ESSENTIAL - TO
PREVENT SIMILAR SINS FROM ADVERSELY INFLUENCING
OTHERS.
✶ “...Faith as (small as) a mustard seed...” – although ONE
MUSTARD SEED IS EXTREMELY TINY, A VERY LARGE TREE CAN
GROW FROM IT.

Our Lord often used EXTREME EXAMPLES TO PUT ACROSS THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS TEACHINGS.

THE SMALLEST MEASURE OF FAITH CAN GROW INTO AN ALL
CONSUMING FAITH, when we are totally devoted to
the Lord our God and utterly committed to
fulfilling His Divine Will in all things.

EVEN WITH A LITTLE FAITH, GOD CAN WORK HIS DIVINE
MIRACLES.

While it is not recorded that an Apostle literally moved
a mountain, our Holy Church Fathers are clear
that THEY HAD SUCH DIVINE AUTHORITY IF THE NEED EVER
AROSE – and CERTAIN SAINTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CAUSE
CREVASSES TO APPEAR IN MOUNTAINS IN DIRE NECESSITY.
10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-10TH MATTHEW-MUSTARD SEED FAITH- BEFORE TRANSFIGURATION-5 AUGUST 2018
Furthermore, NOT EVERYTHING THAT THE HOLY APOSTLES OF
CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED WAS WRITTEN DOWN FOR
POSTERITY.

Beyond the literal meaning THIS DIVINE PROMISE IS ALSO
AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE GREAT POWER OF TRUE FAITH
AND FERVENT PRAYER IN ALL AREAS OF EARTHLY LIFE.

St Theophylact believed: “Whatever we ask, without
hesitation and by believing in God’s Power, we
shall receive...”

WE OUGHT TO PRAY ONLY FOR SPIRITUALLY PROFITABLE THINGS.
✶ “... this kind does not go out ...” refers to ALL EVIL POWERS
OF SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND DEATH – and not simply those
types of demons that cause certain types of illnesses.

ANY DEGREE OF DEMONIC POSSESSION HAS TO BE DEALT WITH
ACCORDING TO THE DOCTRINES OF OUR HOLY CHURCH.

ONLY ORDAINED BISHOPS AND PRIESTS CAN PERFORM THE HOLY
SERVICE OF EXORCISM over a wretched demoniac.

BEFORE WE ARE BAPTISED, WE GO THROUGH THREE EXORCISMS
The Priest banishes all evil from the Candidate and then,
during our Most Sacred Vows, we renounce Satan and all
his wickedness before we Vow Allegiance to our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ.

GOD-PARENTS ACT ON BEHALF OF INFANTS who cannot
speak for themselves.

IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BE BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED SO THAT
THROUGH REGULAR PARTAKING OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES OF
REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AND HOLY EUCHARIST, AS WELL
AS HOLY UNCTION, OUR BODY AND SOUL ARE SANCTIFIED
AND PROTECTED against the evil one and his
demons.
We must avoid any type of occult, which invites demons into
our home and into ourselves. Superstitions and idle
curiosity can lead to far more serious consequences that
can permanently harm us and our loved ones!
✶ “... Prayer and Fasting...” are TWO ESSENTIAL HOLY
COMMITMENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OUR PHYSICAL AND
SPIRITUAL WELFARE.

The Exorcism and banishment of such fearsome
demons requires THREE SPIRITUAL WEAPONS
1. STRONG, UNWAVERING FAITH,
2. FERVENT PRAYERS
OF
3. STRICT FASTING,

THERE IS NO HEALING AND NO VICTORY IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
WITHOUT ALL THREE SPIRITUAL WEAPONS.
Fathers have taught us that BOTH THE PERSON IN NEED
OF HEALING AND THE PERSON PERFORMING THE HEALING
MUST
1. FIRMLY BELIEVE,
2. FERVENTLY PRAY
3. AND STRICTLY FAST
Throughout the year we are required to Fast, but this does
not mean that we merely observe a strictly vegan diet, but
more particularly, we must fulfil the Spiritual Fast of
Self-discipline and self-denial to our greatest ability.
While Fasting to any degree, we ought to spend more time in
Prayer and Contemplation so that we can correct our
errors, Repent and Confess our sins, and thereby return
to and maintain a healthy Spiritual Life in Christ.
Fasting helps us to focus on our Sacred Duties to God, to
others and to ourselves because we are more Spiritually
Alert and Aware.
By Fasting and Prayer, we ought to acquire Humility and
Obedience that brings us closer to our Lord God.
✶ “... the Son of Man is soon to be betrayed...” refers to the
approaching Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ in His
human Nature – i.e. as God Incarnate.
Our Lord uses two terms when He speaks of Himself:
“... Son of God...” refers to His Eternal, Divine Nature as the
Only Begotten Son of God the Father.
“...Son of Man...” refers to His human Nature, which He
assumed when He became Incarnated from the All Pure
Flesh and Blood of our Lady, Theotokos.

This was the second time that our Lord mentioned His
forthcoming Death and Resurrection.

This was to make them understand that HE WENT TO HIS
PASSION FREELY AND NOT AGAINST HIS WILL.

GOD HIMSELF CHOSE THE DAY, THE YEAR AND THE HOUR OF HIS
PASSION.

EVERYTHING HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF OUR
HEAVENLY FATHER.
27.

EVERYTHING IS CONTROLLED AND PERMITTED BY GOD FOR OUR
SALVATION - or Condemnation – depending on
what course we freely and wilfully choose to take!

AT THAT TIME, HIS DISCIPLES COULD NOT FULLY COMPREHEND
HIS REVELATIONS AND TEACHINGS.

WHEN GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT BESTOWED HIS DIVINE GIFTS
UPON THEM on the Day of Pentecost - after our Lord’s
Ascension into Heaven - THEY RECALLED AND
COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING.

WITHOUT RECEIVING THE DIVINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE
CANNOT PROPERLY PERCEIVE NOR COMPREHEND DIVINE
TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE.
10 T H
S U ND AY A FTER P E NTEC OST – 10
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit...
Dearly Beloved, Today’s Sacred Lesson concerns our Faith
in God and how a young boy’s affliction was not of the
body but of the spirit – not due to a physical cause but
a Spiritual Sickness that had serious repercussions on
his health - for it was not a case of being “moon-
struck,” or “lunatic,” but actual demonic possession
that caused epileptic fits, which in turn, endangered
him.
Although the father (like many people) regarded his son
as being ‘under the influence of the moon,’ St Matthew
witnessed Christ’s exorcism of a demonic spirit, which
was confirmed by our Lord when He told His Disciples
that “...this kind [of demon] cannot be expelled
except through Prayer and Fasting.’
Furthermore, our Lord condemned all superstitious belief
that the moon (or the planets or any other material,
created things) can influence mankind, when He
exclaimed: “O ‘Faithless and perverse generation!”
Any disbelief and perfidy (betrayal) saddens our Lord
when people – especially His own People - are
deliberately obtuse - when they refuse to see what is
actually happening to them or right before their eyes,
as mentioned by St Mark in his Holy Gospel when our
Lord Jesus Christ “...was grieved...” by the self-
righteous Pharisees “... for the hardness of their
heart.” [MARK 3:5]
Sadly, our own generation is very much “... faithless and
perverse...!” because so many of us refuse to
recognize the extent to which evil is severely afflicting
us and influencing our entire life by deliberately
deceiving and corrupting us in a variety of ways.
Not only do so many people refuse to believe in God, but
there are many of us, who claim to be “Christian,” yet
who are clearly superstitious and gullible.
We cannot claim to believe in the Life-giving Power of
Christ’s Precious Cross yet, at the same time, adorn
ourselves with pagan talismans or amulets to ‘protect’
us or to give us ‘good luck!’ (These are portals to evil!)
None of us can deny the existence of the evil one and his
possessive demons, despite ascribing whatever
happens to us merely being due to ‘natural causes.’
We refuse to see how and when we are being seduced
and misguided by the evil one, or that we might be
more ill than we want to believe, or that our Healing
cannot depend on any human intervention but only
on God Himself.
This contemporary era – “...the last of days...” or “... the
Messianic Era...” - in which we now live, is so critical
and our personal experiences have become so tragic,
that we cannot be Saved without the Great Mercy and
Love of our Lord God!
Many of those who hear – or read - these words might
think that they are exaggerated, without foundation,
or foolish.
We want to believe that we are in no serious danger, and
that everything will turn out just fine for us – “... as long
as we believe in ourselves...!”
But, tragically, that only means and demonstrates to what
extent we are utterly unaware of the actual, REAL
nature and depth of our Spiritual Affliction, which can
only be Healed by God.
Our Spiritual Ailments are far more severe than we know
because this debilitating Sickness is not of the body
but of the spirit – as St John the Theologian warned
us: “...the whole world lies under the power of the
evil one...” [1 JOHN 5:19].
Those who are bold and courageous enough to talk
about demonic influence on our thoughts, words and
deeds, are confronted by people who stubbornly
refuse to pay attention yet reject any idea of evil
28. 10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-10TH MATTHEW-MUSTARD SEED FAITH- BEFORE TRANSFIGURATION-5 AUGUST 2018
This is how we are able to believe, to speak and to worship
with the exact same One Mind and One Truth of God, in
Christ’s Holy Universal Church, which is One Body United
in Divine Love.
All Eastern Orthodox churches throughout the world
celebrate the same Divine Liturgy, together with the
Heavenly Hosts, for there is only One Holy Eucharist and
we are all Sanctified Members of One Holy Family.
T H
S U ND AY OF S T M ATTHEW – MU STAR D S EE D F AITH
outright just as much as they are dubious and
negating about our Almighty, Loving and Benevolent
God. Most of these people believe only in themselves,
which makes demonic influence on them all the more
evident!
We must therefore, take great care that our heart and
mind do not become cold and arid due to our lack of
Faith and stubborn unbelief, for when we cast out
God from our life – from our heart and soul - and
replace Him with belief in ourselves, we enslave
ourselves to wickedness and Spiritual Death!
The Truth of the matter is that the age in which we now
live is the era of apostasy - against which Saint Paul
severely cautioned the Thessalonian Christian
Community - for having neglected or rejected Divine
Truth – the Absolute, Perfect Truth of God – we now
live according to the corrupted, distorted beliefs of
mankind, which are governed by all grievous
passions! (CF 2 THESSALONIANS 2:15 & 3:6)
At our Lord Jesus Christ’s Second Appearance (Parousia) –
His Second Coming in all His Majestic, Divine Glory -
the evil one will be exposed before all Creation as the
inventor of sin and everything that is evil – all death,
catastrophe and destruction – because now “... he
opposes and exalts himself above every so-called
‘god’ or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in
the Temple of God, declaring himself to be God...”
Fallen mankind has rebelled against God and is
enslaved by the evil one who craves the destruction of
anything that is Sacred and Holy!
So many people have replaced God with an egocentric
belief in themselves to such an extent that even
mentioning God has become difficult and ‘socially
offensive and incorrect!’
Most people are quick to reject or mock any idea of the
spirit of deceit, demonic influence or the evil one
himself, which is exactly what he desires!
Nevertheless, the Divine Truth of God repeatedly cautions
us against the evil one who deceives “... the entire
world.”
Holy Scripture teaches us about God and mankind. It
also teaches and cautions us against the wicked
machinations of the evil one, who was a created
Archangel but was banished from Heaven - together
with others whom he had lured into rebellion against
God - and who is thus obsessively jealous and
opposed to all Divine Works, especially mankind’s
Salvation.
Without the devil - not as the personification of evil, but as
a very real spiritual being - the Fall, the Incarnation
and the whole Divine Mystery of our Lord God’s All
Gracious and Merciful Dispensation are inexplicable.
Although today’s Sacred Lesson might seem pessimistic, it
concerns crucial Aspects of daily life, which we and
our Church ought to preach more often, for as our
Lord Jesus Christ clearly said: “... this kind does not
come out except by Prayer and Fasting!”
We need to pay very close attention to Christ’s Teachings
so that we can apply them to ourselves while living in
such a corrupted world that no longer hungers nor
thirsts for Truth and Righteousness because “... we are
perishing from hunger in the midst of a surfeit of
material and demonic possessions.”
Only God can Empower and Save us, but we need to
voluntarily Repent-Confess our sins, and commit
ourselves to a humble and Obedient Life in Christ,
which includes correct Fasting, praying and worship.
Everything is indeed possible for us, even if, to begin with,
we have Faith as tiny as one little mustard seed!
Amen.
METROPOLITAN DIONYSIOS OF SERVIA AND KOZANI
HTTPS://PEMPTOUSIA.COM/2017/08/10TH-SUNDAY-OF-MATTHEW/
 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.
29 AUGUST 2019

BEHEADING OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST & FORERUNNER

(A VERY STRICT FAST IS OBSERVED TODAY)

Also the Feast of St Theopistis of Aegina & St Anastasios the Bulgarian

M ATINS G OSP EL A CC ORD ING TO S T M ATTH EW 14 : 1 – 13

At that time, Herod the Tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist! He is
Resurrected from the dead, and therefore these Powers are at work in him.” Herod had laid hold of John and
bound him, and imprisoned him for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. John had said to him: “It is
unlawful for you to have her!” And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, for they
regarded (John)as a Prophet.
When Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore
he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she – having been prompted by her mother -
said: “Give me, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist!” And the King was sorry - nevertheless, because of his
oaths and because of those who sat with him - he commanded it to be given to her. And he sent and had John
beheaded in prison. And his head was presented on a platter to the girl, and she took it to her mother.
And his Disciples took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He departed from
there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. And when the multitude heard about it, they followed Him on foot
from the cities.
✶ THIS ACCOUNT WAS GIVEN PARENTHETICALLY, thereby Despite the efforts of St John the Baptist and the Love
EXPLAINING ST JOHN THE BAPTIST’S EARLIER MARTYRDOM so of God, certain wicked and stubborn souls refused
that those who heard it would understand why HEROD God’s Divine Mercy and Love, preferring the
THOUGHT THAT ST JOHN THE BAPTIST HAD BEEN RESURRECTED company of similar wicked and disgusting souls
FROM THE DEAD. and demons!
St Theophylact believed that when OUR LORD JESUS “...
During Matins, we sing to St John the Baptist: “Thy
heard it...” He REACTED TO THE ERRONEOUS BELIEF OF KING tongue, which constantly speaks of God, has
HEROD THAT CHRIST WAS THE RESURRECTED ST JOHN THE preceded Christ into Death, and is sent to Preach
BAPTIST – THAT OUR LORD JESUS WAS ST JOHN WHO HAD BEEN Him to those in Hades.”
RAISED FROM THE DEAD ✶ “...Herod the Tetrarch...” was one of four Rulers over the
✶ As an important part of God’s Plan of Salvation for all Judaic regions under the domination of the Roman
mankind, ST JOHN’S HOLY MARTYRDOM ALLOWED THE Empire.
COMING OF THE MESSIAH TO BE ANNOUNCED TO THE SOULS
Despite all his wealth and power, HEROD FEARED ST
IMPRISONED IN HADES. JOHN THE BAPTIST – a simple and humble man who

ALL IMMORTAL SOULS – both those of unrepentant sinners lived in abject Ascetic poverty and who was
and the Righteous WERE INFORMED BY ST JOHN THAT clothed with plain garments made from rough
THE LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH HAD INDEED COME TO SAVE camel’s hair.
the fallen, sin darkened world. ✶ “... he feared the multitude...” Herod’s fear of St John the

ST JOHN - as THE FORERUNNER TO CHRIST AND THE LAST GREAT Baptist and the people testified to THE POWER,
HOLY PROPHET OF GOD according to the Old ANGELIC LIFE AND GENUINE INTEGRITY OF THE HOLY
Covenant – HAD TO DEPART FROM THIS LIFE BEFORE OUR PROPHET OF GOD, AS WELL AS TO THE PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION
LORD JESUS in His human Nature COULD DIE AND THUS AND VENERATION OF ST JOHN WHOM THEY HELD IN THE
ENTER HADES, where, in His Divine Nature, He set HIGHEST ESTEEM.
souls free from Satan’s imprisonment – Hades – ✶ “... It is unlawful...” St John the Baptist is
and also smashed open the Gates of Hades that Commemorated for HIS HUMBLE AND UTTER OBEDIENCE
shall never again prevail against Repentant TO THE LAW OF GOD in general as well as being the
sinners. HOLY DEFENDER OF THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE in

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED ALL DIVINE PROPHESY as particular, which was evident from HIS LOUD AND
revealed to us through His Holy Prophets, who had VEHEMENT CONDEMNATION OF KING HEROD’S UNLAWFUL
prepared mankind for the Coming of our Eternal CO-HABITATION WITH HIS BROTHER’S WIFE, THE WICKED
Saviour. HERODIAS.
Consequently, THERE WAS NO LONGER A NEED FOR ANY MORE ✶ Herod “...had John beheaded in prison...” due to AN
HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD. INEBRIATED, LUSTFUL PROMISE MADE TO A MOST EVIL DEMAND.

AFTER CHRIST’S DEATH ON THE CROSS AND HIS DESCENT INTO
ST JOHN’S OBEDIENCE TO GOD WAS SO PROFOUND THAT HE
AND HIS “HARROWING OF HADES,” ALL DEPARTED SOULS PREFERRED DEATH OVER ANY SORT OF COMPROMISE.
WERE GRANTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT OR REJECT
At Holy Vespers we chant to St John: “When Thy head
HIM AS OUR ETERNAL LORD GOD. was cut off, Thou revealed to us the Law of God,
Never again would there be such an opportunity for abolishing man’s disobedience to the Law.”
us to Repent our sins after death! .
P R OKE IME NON – P SALM 63 – T ONE 7
The Righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication.

T H E A CTS OF THE AP OSTLE S ACC OR D ING TO S T L U KE 13 : 25 – 32

TH E CH URCH IN PISIDIA
In those days as John was finishing his course, he said: “Who do you think I am? I am not He. But, behold: there comes
One after me – the sandals of Whom I am not worthy to loosen.” Men and Brethren, sons of the Family of Abraham,
and those among you who fear God: to you the Word of this Salvation has been sent.
Those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their Rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets,
which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. And although they found no cause for
death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. When they had fulfilled all that was written
concerning Him, they took Him down from the Tree and laid Him in a Tomb. God Raised Him up from the dead. He

T H E BE HE AD ING OF S T JO H N THE B AP TIST & F ORE RU NNE R 29 AU GU ST 2018 29.

 was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His Witnesses to the
people.
And we declare to you Glad Tidings - that Promise, which was made to the Fathers, God has fulfilled to us, their
Children, by Resurrecting Jesus.
“...finishing his course...” ST JOHN THE BAPTIST HAD NEARLY
COMPLETED HIS PUBLIC MISSION of preparing the
Hebrew people for the Coming of the long-
awaited Great Messiah.

ALMIGHTY GOD’S NEW COVENANT WOULD BE REVEALED AND
TAUGHT BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST to His People and to
future generations.

ALTHOUGH ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND OUR SAVIOUR WERE
RELATED ACCORDING TO THE FLESH THROUGH THEIR
MOTHERS, THEY HAD NEVER MET until that great Day of
Theophany at the River Jordan.
SINCE THE AGE OF APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS, ST JOHN THE
BAPTIST HAD LIVED ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS.
HE HAD BEEN PROTECTED by the Grace of God and HE HAD
BEEN ENLIGHTENED WITH THE DIVINE TRUTH BY GOD
HIMSELF.

EVERYTHING IS ACCORDING TO THE TIME, PURPOSE AND THE
WILL OF GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, so WHEN THE TIME
WAS JUST RIGHT, ST JOHN HAD APPEARED IN PUBLIC
✶ “... the sandals of Whom...” expressed THE PROFOUND
HUMILITY, RESPECT AND FAITH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
who made it very clear that HE ONLY SERVED THE
DIVINE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, but was
certainly not the Great Messiah Whom they had
awaited for so many generations.
✶ “...the Family of Abraham...” refers to THE NATION OF
ISRAEL - THE HEBREW /JUDAIC PEOPLE WHO WERE THE
CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD, whom St John had urged
to Repent their sins and to prepare themselves to
receive the Divine Messiah.

These were the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel”
WHOM CHRIST INITIALLY WANTED TO SAVE AND DELIVER
FROM THEIR FALLEN, SINFUL STATE.
✶ “... those among you who Fear God...” THIS SMALL
SEGMENT OF ST PAUL’S PREACHING WAS ADDRESSED TO THE
HEBREWS IN A SYNAGOGUE IN PSIDIA.
In His Book of the Acts of the Apostles, ST LUKE RECORDED
ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE AMAZINGLY FAST GROWTH OF
THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST as His Holy Apostles and
Faithful Disciples spread the Word of the Holy
Gospel throughout the known world.

CHRIST OUR GOD WAS SENT TO THOSE WHO MAKE EVERY EFFORT
TO REPENT THEIR VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY SINS AND
HUMBLY OBEY THE WILL OF GOD..

THE GENTILES ALSO FEARED GOD – i.e. they Loved and
respected Him. Although they were converts, THEY
BECAME FIRMLY ROOTED IN THEIR CHRISTIAN FAITH TO
SUCH A DEGREE THAT UNTOLD NUMBERS WERE MARTYRED
for the sake of their Love of and Steadfast Faith in
Christ Jesus.

ETERNAL SALVATION IS PROCLAIMED AND OFFERED TO ALL
MANKIND.
✶ ”...the Word of this Salvation...” is OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH – His Divine Revelations and
Teachings.
✶ “Those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their Rulers...”
referred specifically to the Judaic Community and
their Spiritually Blind leaders, as well as the
Gentile citizens and Roman authorities.
✶ “...they did not know Him...” DUE TO IGNORANCE OF THE HOLY
SCRIPTURES, LACK OF FAITH, OR DISOBEDIENCE AND
REJECTION OF THE DIVINE TRUTH.

St Paul consistently emphasised how Holy Scripture
makes it positively evident that our Lord Jesus
Christ
1. IS TRULY “THE MESSIAH”
2. WHO WAS BORN OF A VIRGIN
3. IN BETHLEHEM, THE CITY OF THE ANCIENT KING DAVID,
4. BEING OF HIS ROYAL LINEAGE
5. AND JUDAIC TRIBE,
6. AS PROPHESIED.
✶ “... have fulfilled them in condemning Him...” They
fulfilled the ancient Prophecies WHEN THEY REJECTED
OUR LORD JESUS AS THE DIVINE CHRIST – the Great
Messiah/Saviour

THEY NEITHER HEEDED, UNDERSTOOD NOR OBEYED THE OBVIOUS
EVIDENCE OF THE PROPHECIES OF GOD’S HOLY PROPHETS
AND HIS DIVINE TEACHINGS.
30. TH E BE HE AD ING OF S T J OH N TH E

WHEN THE JEWISH RULERS of the Synagogues and Priests
of the Temple in Jerusalem, who had supposedly
closely studied Holy Scripture, REJECTED OUR LORD,
THEY THEREBY FULFILLED THE ANCIENT PROPHECIES
REGARDING THE DIVINE MESSIAH. (PSALM 2:1-2; PSALM
118:22-23 & ISAIAH 53:1-9)
✶ “... read every Sabbath...” IF HOLY SCRIPTURE IS PROPERLY
UNDERSTOOD, it is very clear that our Lord Jesus
Christ is truly the Great Messiah – the Divine
Saviour of all mankind.

Those who went to the Synagogues and the Temple
every Sabbath day heard these prophecies
constantly, YET THEY NEITHER HEEDED, UNDERSTOOD NOR
OBEYED THE EXHORTATIONS AND PROPHECIES OF THE HOLY
PROPHETS.
✶ “... they took Him down from the Tree...” CRUCIFIXION WAS
UNKNOWN IN THE PREVIOUS CENTURIES when the Holy
Prophets of God had prophesied concerning the
unjustified execution of our Divine Saviour..

YET THEY PROPHESIED THAT OUR GREAT MESSIAH WOULD BE
HUNG UPON “...a Tree...” – A MOST SHAMEFUL DEATH
even in those ancient times.

.Crucifixion was the worst, most cruel and hideous
public execution of common criminals practised
throughout the Roman Empire.
✶ “... laid Him in a tomb... God raised Him from the
dead...” – These words confirm the Death and
Resurrection of Christ.
✶ “... seen for many days...” DURING THE FORTY DAYS FROM HIS
RESURRECTION UNTIL HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN, MANY
PEOPLE SAW AND CONVERSED WITH OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST.
✶ “... His Witnesses to the people...” There are 11
Resurrection Gospels Readings describing these
Encounters with our Resurrected Lord Jesus Who
SHOWED HIMSELF TO HIS FAITHFUL SO THAT WE MIGHT ALL
UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE IN OUR OWN FORTHCOMING
RESURRECTION IN THE AGES OF AGES - ETERNITY.
✶ “... that Promise, which was made to the Fathers...”

The Glorious Resurrection and Ascension of Christ is
OUR MOST SOLID PROOF UPON WHICH WE BASE OUR OWN
HOPE for our Resurrection into Eternal Life in Christ
Jesus.

The heart of St Paul’s Message was that our Lord Jesus
Christ is
1. “The Promise” and therefore He is THE PERFECT
FULFILMENT OF THE OLD COVENANT.
2. “the Seed of David” according to His Royal
Lineage - His Incarnation as “the Son of Man”
– i.e. the Son of our Lady Theotokos, “...without
seed...” - WITHOUT A BIOLOGICAL, HUMAN FATHER –
thereby fulfilling His Office as
3. THE TRUE KING OF ISRAEL.
4. THE DIVINE MESSIAH about Whom St John the Baptist,
Forerunner to Christ and the Greatest of the
Holy Prophets of God, had preached

DIVINE SALVATION - according to the Will of God the
Father, through God the Son, by the Power and
Energy of the God the Holy Spirit - IS PROCLAIMED TO
ALL MANKIND – not only a select few – for we are all
equal in the Sight of God, Who Loves us
✶ “... for us, their Children...” means that WE ARE BY OUR
BAPTISM AND FAITH, THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD WHO
MUST BE RESPECTFUL, HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT TO ALL OUR HOLY
FATHERS of all generations.

They are OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS WHO GUIDE AND TEACH US
HOW TO LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD’S DIVINE TRUTH.

Besides Christ’s Death and Resurrection, TWO RECURRING
THEMES IN APOSTOLIC PREACHING ARE
1. the FORGIVENESS OF SINS
2. NO ONE IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OF MOSES,

The Divine Commandments
1. teach us SELF-CONTROL AND DISCIPLINE
2. instruct us how to WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD PROPERLY,
3. KEEP US PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY STRONG while
sojourning in this temporary state.
B AP TIST & F ORE RU NNER 29 AU GU ST 2018
 4.SPIRITUALLY PREPARE US TO RECEIVE OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR
IN ADDITION TO GOD’S TEN COMMANDMENTS, OUR LORD JESUS
AND OUR NEW COVENANT WITH GOD THROUGH HIS CHRIST HAS GIVEN US A NEW COVENANT - A DIVINE
REVELATIONS AND TEACHINGS COVENANT OF LOVE – AGAPE – that Absolute, Perfect

THE ANCIENT OLD COVENANT RITUALS WERE FULFILLED BY and Unconditional Divine Love that supersedes
CHRIST so are no longer applicable to us any type of human love.
according to the New Covenant.
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS US HIS DIVINE GIFTS, BUT THE

WE ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN FROM CHANGING OR OMITTING GREATEST OF ALL DIVINE GIFTS IS LOVE, which is most
ANYTHING FROM HIS DIVINE TRUTH - “...not one iota important if we desire Eternal Life in God’s
nor tittle....” for THEY ESSENTIAL TO OUR LIFE IN CHRIST. Heavenly Kingdom.
T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACCO R D ING TO S T M AR K 6 : 14 – 30
TH E BEHEADING OF ST JOHN THE BAP TIST & FORERUNNER TO CH RIST
At that time, King Herod heard of our Lord Jesus, for His Name had become well known. And he said: “John the Baptist
is Risen from the dead, and therefore these Powers are worked in Him.” Others said: “It is Elijah.” Others said: “It is
the Prophet, or one of the Prophets.” When Herod heard, he said: “This is he whom I beheaded – John. He has been
raised from the dead!” For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of
Herodias, the wife of Philip, his brother, for he had married her. John had said to Herod: “It is unlawful for you to
have your brother’s wife.” Therefore Herodias had held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not.
Herod feared John, knowing that he was a Just and Holy Man, and he protected him. And hearing (John), he did
many things, and had heard him gladly.
And an opportune day arose when Herod, on his birthday, gave a Feast for his noblemen, the high officers, and the
chief men of Galilee. And when the daughter of Herodias went in and danced, she pleased Herod and those who
sat with him. The King said to the girl: “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it to you!” And he promised
her: “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you – even half of my Kingdom!” So she went out and asked her mother:
“For what shall I ask?” Herodias answered: “The head of John the Baptist!” And without delay she hastened to the
King and said: “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist!”
And the King was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want
to refuse her. And immediately the King sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. He went
and beheaded him in prison, and presented his head on a platter, and she gave it to her mother.
And when his Disciples heard of it, they went and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.
✶ ”... King Herod...” WAS THE SON OF K ING H EROD “ THE 2. our Divine Prophet
G REAT .” 3. our Divine King!
Having heard of the newly born “Great King” (our Lord Jesus  D E U T E R O N O M Y 1 8 : 1 5 “The Lord your God will
Christ) from three Magi, the paranoid, psychotic King raise up for you a Prophet like me from your Brethren.
Herod ‘the great’ had issued orders for the terrible Him you shall hear... the Lord said to me: ‘... I will raise
“Slaughter of the Innocents” – when all male children who up for them a Prophet like you from among their
were two years or younger, were put to the sword without Brethren, and I will put My Word in His Mouth, and
exception. He shall speak to them all I command Him..’”

At the time of St Moses, IT WAS FIRST NECESSARY FOR

H EROD WAS MERELY A T ETRARCH R ULER – ONE OF FOUR
THE PEOPLE
G OVERNORS ELECTED BY THE R OMAN OPPRESSORS,
1. TO BE TESTED AND
WHOSE AUTHORITY WAS LIMITED TO EACH AREA OF
2. TO LEARN TO FEAR GOD AND
RULE .
3. NOT TO COMMIT SIN ,
✶ “... these Powers are worked in him!” - Knowing that St
for THEY WERE TOO IGNORANT AND INATTENTIVE TO HEAR
John the Baptist had performed several Miracles
ABOUT ANOTHER GREAT HOLY PROPHET OF GOD Who was
while alive, H EROD ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED THAT OUR
to come later.
L ORD J ESUS CHRIST WAS S T J OHN THE BAPTIST WHO

Because THE ISRAELITES FAILED THE TEST, they died in
HAD BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD .
the desert.

Consequently, H EROD FEARED ST J OHN THE B APTIST EVEN

THEY REFUSED TO OBEY OR PUT INTO PRACTISE
MORE THAN WHEN HE HAD BEEN ALIVE .
EVERYTHING that God’s Holy Prophet, St Moses,
✶ “... Others said: ‘It is Elijah/Elias...” Some thought that our
tried so hard to teach them.
Lord Jesus Christ was ST ELIJAH/ELIAS THE TISHBITE

likewise, WE TOO , WILL FAIL THE TEST AND “ DIE IN THE
AND HOLY PROPHET OF GOD WHO WAS EXPECTED TO
DESERT ” THROUGH OUR OWN CHOICES AND
RETURN AND WORK MANY MIRACLES before the Second
S PIRITUAL S TUBBORNNESS
Coming of the Lord:

W E WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF E TERNAL
 M A L A C H I 3 : 2 2 - 2 3 ”Behold: I will send you
C ONDEMNATION TO S PIRITUAL E XILE FROM G OD –
Elijah before the Coming of the Great and
E TERNAL SPIRITUAL D EATH!
Glorious Day of the Lord. And he will turn the

All WHO CHOOSE TO REJECT THE D IVINE W ILL AND
heart of the father to his son, and a man’s heart
T EACHINGS OF ALMIGHTY G OD WILL NEITHER
to his neighbour...”
ENTER NOR ENJOY THE G LORIOUS B LISS , L OVE AND

ST ELIJAH/ELIAS REPRESENTS THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD
P EACE OF E TERNAL L IFE IN THE P ROMISED L AND –
who prepared the people for the Coming of the
G OD’ S H EAVENLY K INGDOM .
Messiah, AND ST MOSES who REPRESENTS THE

Some of our Holy Fathers have interpreted “...The
DIVINE LAWS OF GOD whereby we must live, were
Prophet...” as meaning that they regarded
present with our Lord Jesus on Mount Tabor at
Christ as A NEW H OLY P ROPHET OF GOD W HO HAD
His Glorious Transfiguration. (MATTHEW 17: 1 – 13)
BEEN SENT TO PREPARE THE PEOPLE FOR THE C OMING

T HE E TERNAL W ORD AND SON OF GOD Who gave the
OF THE G REAT M ESSIAH OR SAVIOUR .
Law to Moses, BECAME I NCARNATE - OUR L ORD
However, our Lord came to live amongst us in order
J ESUS CHRIST W HO IS GOD-M AN.
TO FIRST GATHER UP H IS L OST S HEEP OF THE O LD
✶ ”... It is the Prophet...” showed their belief that Christ was
C OVENANT I SRAEL and then TO E NLIGHTEN , G UIDE
the Messiah – the One of Whom St Moses had AND H EAL H IS N EW C OVENANT F LOCK – THE N EW
foretold. I SRAEL – i.e. HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES, WHO, having

Our Lord Jesus Christ indeed fulfils THREE SIGNIFICANT freely chosen to PUT ON CHRIST AT HOLY BAPTISM
AND ESSENTIAL DIVINE ROLES: CONTINUE TO LIVE IN CHRIST FOREVER.
1. our Divine Teacher
T H E BE HE AD ING OF S T JO H N THE B AP TIST & FORERUNNER TO CHRIST
TODAY IS “A LITTLE GREAT FRIDAY” - A SECOND GREAT FRIDAY for HIM MORE THAN ANY OTHER MAN - even more than any of
we Commemorate THE GREATEST MAN OF THOSE BORN OF His Apostles, His Angels, His Prophets, His Righteous or
WOMAN - ST JOHN, THE HOLY FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST OF His Wise, when He declared: “...among those born of
OUR LORD. women there has arisen no one greater than John
On Great Friday our Lord God, was murdered by the Baptist’ (MATTHEW 11:11).
crucifixion, and on this Great Holy Feast, the greatest Of all Creation, there exists NO GREATER PRAISE!
of all men was murdered by beheading. This Great Feast is ‘a little Great Friday’ because senseless
Our praises of the Glorious Forerunner and Baptist of our people murdered the Most Righteous One who was an
Lord cannot equal those of CHRIST HIMSELF Who PRAISED obstacle between the perverse Herod and the
T H E BE HE AD ING OF S T JO H N THE B AP TIST & F ORE RU NNE R 29 AU GU ST 2018 31.
 dissolute Herodias and God’s immutable (abiding)
Truth.
DIVINE TRUTH IS ALWAYS AN OBSTACLE – A HINDRANCE – TO THE
LAWLESS, TO WRETCHED SINNERS, to those who are
OVERWHELMED BY THE GRIEVOUS PASSIONS, so that even
today the opponents of our Lord Jesus Christ and His
Divine Truth would still scream: “Crucify Him! Crucify
Him!” or they would demand His beheading like the
wicked, debauched Herodias had demanded the
beheading of St John.
OUR WORLD HAS BECOME CORRUPTED AND INSANE SINCE MANKIND
HAS CHOSEN TO REJECT GOD AND HIS MOST RIGHTEOUS.
Who do we want? Who would we prefer? Who would we
put in Christ’s place? With whom would we replace St.
John the Baptist? With ourselves – tiny, insignificant
and mortal creatures?
WHEN PEOPLE BECOME MADDENED BY PRIDE - DRIVEN BY
EGOTISTICAL ARROGANCE AND SELFISHNESS - THEY LOSE THEIR
SANITY AND HAVE NO NEED OF GOD NOR HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
They regard themselves as being ‘gods,’ PRESENTING THEIR
HERETICAL, BLASPHEMOUS AND ERRONEOUS IDEAS AS OUR LORD
GOD’S ETERNAL, SALVIFIC TRUTH.
THEY DECLARE THEIR SHALLOW, EARTHLY, PERISHABLE IMAGININGS
AS ‘TRUTH’ – BELIEVING THAT DIVINE TRUTH IS REDUNDANT AND
UNDESIRABLE! Those who are blind in mind and spirit
cannot see - and refuse to see - that NONE OF US CAN
MANAGE WITHOUT GOD.
This fallen world has innumerable wicked people like
Herod and Herodias, who demand the heads of the
Righteous, and the Pharisees and Scribes - THE LYING
SOPHISTS OF THIS WORLD, WHO PLOT AND SCHEME AGAINST OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
Thus today is a second Great Friday, for THERE IS NO
GREATER TRANSGRESSION THAN THAT WHICH WAS COMMITTED
WHEN OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR WAS SO UNJUSTLY AND SO CRUELLY
CRUCIFIED.
OUR LORD JESUS PRAISED AND HONOURED SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
MORE THAN ANY OTHER MAN, BECAUSE HIS HOLY FORERUNNER
PERSONIFIED ALL THE HOLY VIRTUES of all the Heavenly
Hosts, of all His Holy Prophets, of all His Holy Apostles,
of all His Holy Martyrs and Holy Confessors.
We Glorify OUR LORD GOD’S FIRST APOSTLE AMONG ALL HIS HOLY
APOSTLES, for the Forerunner of Christ was THE FIRST TO
BE SENT BY GOD TO TESTIFY TO AND TO BEHOLD AND IDENTIFY
OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR as the Great Messiah and to
proclaim Him to the world.
LONG BEFORE HIS HOLY APOSTLES, St Simon Peter and St
Nathaniel Bartholomew – or anyone else – ST JOHN
THE BAPTIST BORE WITNESS TO AND HERALDED GOD INCARNATE
TO THE WORLD.
That first Holy Apostle WITNESSED FIRST-HAND HOW GOD THE
HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED FROM HEAVEN AND ALIGHTED UPON
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHILE HE WAS BAPTISING HIM IN THE
JORDAN RIVER, and HE WAS THE FIRST TO PROCLAIM AND TO
CONFESS HIM AS TRULY, THE ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
AND WORD OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER – the long awaited
Divine Saviour of the fallen world of mankind!
St John the Forerunner of Christ is also THE FIRST EVANGELIST
AMONG THE EVANGELISTS, because he was THE FIRST TO
REVEAL (IDENTIFY) AND TO ANNOUNCE HIM to the world as
“...the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the
world ...” which expresses THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY
GOSPEL, for indeed, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE GOOD
NEWS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
Looking towards the East, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SEVERELY
URGED ALL MANKIND TO REPENT – from Adam to ourselves
- for his loud and clear exhortation is addressed to all
generations throughout all time: “Repent! For the
Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
The Kingdom of Heaven is now present!
Our Lord Jesus has come to us from Heaven and in Him –
IN CHRIST – IS CERTAINLY THE ETERNAL HEAVENLY KINGDOM
OF LOVE!
Looking towards the West, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST SEES MANKIND DROWNING IN SIN AND
DEATH, so call out, again and again: “Repent, for the
Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
MANKIND EVERYWHERE IS ENSLAVED BY SIN AND DEATH, which is
invented by the evil one who craves our destruction.
TO ALL MANKIND THE GLORIOUS, HOLY AND SAVING GOSPEL IS
OFFERED but first we must “Repent! for the Kingdom of
Heaven is at hand!”
32. TH E BE HE AD ING OF S T J OH N TH E
ST JOHN WAS A MOST POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL HOLY PROPHET,
HOLY APOSTLE AND HOLY EVANGELIST, for he exhorted all
mankind – past and present – on Earth and in Hades -
to REPENT THE SINS THAT HAVE CAUSED OUR FALL, OUR DEATH
AND ALL OUR SUFFERING, SO THAT OUR PAIN AND SORROW
BECOMES COMFORT AND JOY WHEN WE WELCOME, AND ACCEPT
OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR AND HIS ETERNAL, PERFECT TRUTH.
When our Lord Jesus Christ began and ended His public
Mission, He encouraged us with those same words of
St John His Forerunner, for UNLESS WE CONSTANTLY
REPENT AND CONFESS OUR HABITUAL SINS, WE CANNOT BECOME
WORTHY CITIZENS OF HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE.
St John the Baptist is AN EARTHLY ANGEL WHO LIVED AN
ANGELIC, ASCETIC LIFE and was certainly A HOLY
MESSENGER (ANGELOS) OF GOD. (ISAIAH 4:3 & MATTHEW 11:10)
The Holy Forerunner is truly THE FIRST CORPOREAL, EARTHLY
ANGEL AMONG THOSE WHO BECAME THE MULTITUDE OF BRIGHT
LAMPS OR BEACONS, BRINGING US GOD’S LIGHT while living
on Earth like the Heavenly Hosts, who are FOREVER
GOD’S HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS IN PARADISE.
Today we Glorify THE LAST AND GREATEST OF GOD’S HOLY
PROPHETS WHO WITNESSED AND ANNOUNCED to all mankind
THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST has now Appeared to the
world not only as our Divine Saviour, but as the
ENLIGHTENER AND JUDGE OF ALL CREATION.
In Christ’s Hands are both “...the Hatchet...” and the
spade, for ON THE DAY OF THE DREAD JUDGEMENT, HE WILL
CUT DOWN ALL “...FRUITLESS TREES...” AND CLEAR THE EARTH’S
THRESHING-FLOOR BY SEPARATING “...THE WHEAT FROM THE
CHAFF...” – separating the Righteous from the sinners.
EVERYTHING WAS FORESEEN BY GOD’S GREAT HOLY PROPHET,
FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST who was murdered by the
impious, criminal King Herod.
ST JOHN WAS THE FIRST HOLY MARTYR OF THE NEW COVENANT
WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S TRUTH in this sin-
darkened world and HAVING SUFFERED JOYFULLY FOR HIS
LOVE OF GOD – “...having contended for the Truth
supremely, with Joy Thou brought the Good News,
even to those in Hades...” (FESTAL APOLYTIKION)
St John the Forerunner and Baptist is THE FIRST AND
FOREMOST GOOD EXAMPLE AND INSPIRATION TO ALL HOLY
MARTYRS OF THE NEW COVENANT - beginning with St
Stephen the Archdeacon and Protomartyr (First
Martyr) of the New Covenant.
ALL HOLY MARTYRS CONFRONT DEATH REJOICING IN OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST, knowing that DEATH CAN NO LONGER HOLD
US CAPTIVE IN HADES, knowing that DEATH IS MERELY A
GATEWAY - AN ENTRANCE - THROUGH WHICH OUR IMMORTAL
SOUL ENTERS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Thus the Holy Forerunner went joyously to his death, since
HE FORESAW CHRIST’S VICTORY OVER DEATH, knowing that
our Lord has prepared Resurrection and Eternal Life
for all Repentant sinners.
After His Crucifixion and Death, our Divine Saviour
descended into Hades, the Kingdom of Death - and
how astonished all the souls in Hades must have been
when they beheld God, shining so brightly with His
Ineffable Uncreated Light!
Who could not believe in Christ Jesus, when He
Appeared, so filled with Eternal Truth, Eternal Life and
Eternal Justice, as the Almighty Conqueror of Death!
HADES COULD NOT HOLD GOD NOR HIS PEOPLE CAPTIVE, SINCE
CHRIST’S “HARROWING OF HADES” - WHEN HE BROKE OPEN THE
IMPRISONING GATES AND LED HIS FAITHFUL TO PARADISE.
All those who have Repented their sins and believed the
Forerunner’s Proclamations, MOST JOYFULLY WELCOME
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND STRIVE TO LIVE IN HIM,
believing His Divine Truth and that He is True God of
Heaven and Earth.
Amen
A SERMON OF ST JUSTIN POPOVIC
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP
HTTPS://PEMPTOUSIA.COM
S T AR SE NIOS B OC A
Hell (Eternal Death) is only for those who refuse to Repent
and abandon sin, for when we sincerely Repent and
renounce sin, the Gates of Divine Mercy are opened
for us.
B AP TIST & F ORE RU NNER 29 AU GU ST 2018