2016 June Sacred Lessons

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

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto
the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria,
Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our
whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone (5) Plagal 1

5 June 2016
th
6 Sunday of Holy Pascha
Sunday of the Blind Man (born without eyes)
Also the Feast of St Dorotheos, Bishop & Hieromartyr of Tyre St George (Igor) Gabriel,
Grand Prince of Chernigov & Kiev (Translation of Holy Relics) St Constantine,
Metropolitan of Kiev St Theodore Yaroslavich, (elder brother of St Alexander Nefsky)
of Novgorod St Bassian & St Jonah, Monks of Pertomsk, Solovki St Marcian, St
Nicandor, St Hyperechios, St Apollonios, St Leonidas, St Arios, St Gorgias, St Pambo, St Selenia & St Irene of Egypt St
Theodore, Wonderworking Hermit of the Jordan St Anubios the Confessor and Anchorite of Egypt St Dorotheos of
the Monastery of Abba Seridos, Palestine - St Peter of Korish, Kosovo St Markon the New Martyr of Chios
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 8 JOHN 20 : 11 - 18

PASCHAL HYMN TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Hristos Anesti, ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patisas, Christ
is Risen from the dead; By Death trampling

upon Death, and has bestowed Life to those in the
Tombs.(3)
Ke tis en tis mnimasin, Zoin harisamenos (3)
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou The
Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no

beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a
Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it
was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the
Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own
Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke

Proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en to Stavro
ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti
Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
PASCHAL KONTAKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Although
ke en Tafo katilthes, Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin

Dinamin. Ke anestis os Nikitis, Hriste O Theos, Gynexi
Myroforis fthegxamenos Herete, ke tis Sis Aposlis Irinin
doroumenos, O tis pesousi parehon Anastasin.
Thou went down into the Tomb, O Immortal

One, Thou brought down the dominion of Hades; and
Thou rose as Victor, O Christ our God; and Thou called
out: Rejoice! to the Myrrh-Bearing Women, and
granted Peace to Thine Apostle, O Lord, Who to the
Fallen grant Resurrection.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 11/12 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Thou, O Lord, Protect us and Preserve us!

Save us, O Lord, for there is not Godly Man left!
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
THE IMPRISONMENT
OF
TO
ST LUKE 16: 16 34
ST PAUL & ST SILAS
In those days, as the Apostles went to Prayer, a certain slave girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination met them, who
profited her masters much by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and Silas, and cried out, saying: These men are the
Servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the Way of Salvation! This she did for many days. So Paul, greatly
annoyed, turned and said to the spirit: I command you, in the Name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her! And it came out
of her that very hour.
When her masters saw that their hopes of profit were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the
marketplace to the authorities. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said: These men exceedingly trouble our
city being Judeans, they teach customs that are unlawful for us to receive or observe being Romans! And the
multitude rose up together against them. And the Magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten
with rods. When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the Jailer to keep them
securely.
And having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. At midnight Paul
and Silas were praying and singing Hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were
opened and everyones chains were loosened.
The Keeper of the prison, having awoken from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, and supposing that the prisoners had
fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. With a loud voice Paul called, saying: Do not harm yourself, for we are
all here! The Jailer called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he took them out,
saying: Sirs: what must I do to be Saved? They said: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be Saved and your
household.
6TH SUNDAY
OF
HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
BLIND MAN 5 JUNE 2016
And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them that same hour of the night
and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were Baptised. When he had taken them into his house,
he had set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God, together with all his household.
FAITH IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST LED IMMEDIATELY TO HOLY
The Holy Baptism Service begins with three Exorcisms in
BAPTISM NOT ONLY OF THE JAILER AND THE ADULT MEMBERS
The Making of a Catechumen, which EXPELS SATAN
OF HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY, BUT TO HIS ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD
AND HIS DEMONS FROM HAVING ANY FURTHER INFLUENCE OVER
men, women and children the free and the
THE NEW BELIEVER THE NEW DISCIPLE OF CHRIST - who must
enslaved.
from that moment onwards LIVE DAILY BY THE PERFECT
RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW HOLY COVENANT WITH
EXAMPLE AND TEACHINGS OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
ALMIGHTY GOD, HOLY BAPTISM (I.E. THREE FULL IMMERSIONS) IN
Although the demon-possessed slave girl declared the
WATER AND WITH FAITH IN CHRIST ARE BOTH ESSENTIAL FOR
Truth concerning the two Holy Apostles of Christ, SHE
ENTRANCE INTO HIS HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH (THE HOLY
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOUR WITH ITS BLOODLESS
HERSELF NEEDED TO BE SET FREE IN ORDER TO ACCEPT CHRIST
SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS.)
BY MEANS OF HER OWN FREE WILL.
THE APOSTOLIC PATTERN OF CONVERSION IS HEARING BELIEVING
Furthermore, St Paul could not endure seeing her being
AND HOLY BAPTISM- (i.e. LEARNING CORRECTLY AND THEN
tormented and possessed by the evil spirit, which
APPLYING EVERYTHING TO DAILY LIFE LIVING IN CHRIST
FAITHFULLY AND CONSTANTLY NOT ONLY WHEN WE FEEL
misguides and deceives people into believing Satanic
LIKE IT OR HAVE A NEED FOR IT!)
inventions rather than Divine Truth, for THE DEVIL AND
BEING CHRISTIAN A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST IS A
HIS SERVANTS ALWAYS BAIT THEIR DEADLY HOOKS WITH A TINY,
CONTINUOUS LIFE-LONG PROCESS and that is one of the
TEMPTING MORSEL OF TRUTH, WHICH AS SOON AS ACCEPTED BY
reasons why GOD GRANTS EACH SOUL ITS OWN UNIQUE
THEIR PREY, PROVES TO BE FATAL.
NUMBER OF DAYS in this material world.
THE IMPURE PRAISE OF HYPOCRITES AND ENEMIES OF GOD IS
It is LIFE IN CHRIST meaning that EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY
COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE INSTANTLY
WE STRIVE TO IMITATE HIM WITH OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS AND
REJECTED.
DEEDS always remembering our Holy Baptism and
W I S D O M O F S I R A C H 1 5 : 9 Praise is not proper in
our inevitable, unavoidable, death, when we will face
the mouth of a sinner, because it is not sent from
our First Judgement, which is the Spiritual Foretaste of
the Lord.
the Final Judgement of Christ on the Eighth Day the
L U K E 4 : 4 1 ...And demons also came out of many,
beginning of Eternity for us.
crying out and saying: Thou art the Christ, the
LIFE IN CHRIST means a DEDICATION TO EVERY ASPECT OF
Son of God!
FAITHFUL WORSHIP, PRAYER AND DAILY LIVING not merely
THE ACCUSERS OF ST PAUL AND ST SILAS the owners of the
being a token member of the Orthodox Christian
slave girl - CARED LITTLE FOR RELIGION YET THEY USED
Church as though it was a mere hobby that we can
RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE AGAINST THE HEBREWS TO RETALIATE FOR
pick and choose to do, whenever or however we feel
THEIR FINANCIAL LOSS when she could no longer make
like it.
money for them through her fortune telling - by
Sadly far too many converts apostatize almost as soon
cheating the superstitious people out of their hardas they have made their Sacred Vows before Holy
earned wages.
NEVERTHELESS, BEING UNJUSTLY PERSECUTED FOR CHRIST LED ST
Baptism!
PAUL AND ST SILAS TO GREAT SPIRITUAL JOY RATHER THAN
THIS IS USUALLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT EITHER THEY HAVE NOT
BEEN TAUGHT CORRECTLY AND THOROUGHLY OR THEY HAD NO
REAL INTENTION OF LIVING IN CHRIST JESUS AT ALL! THEY HAVE
BETRAYED GOD!
Many unenlightened, misguided converts revert to their

former lives either as non-believers altogether or by
living as before.
Once we have converted and COMMITTED OURSELVES to
Orthodox Christianity HAVING SWORN OUR ALLEGIANCE TO
OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST we cannot
continue to shop around for a type of religion or sect
that suits us!
AS
ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS WE HAVE A FAR GREATER

RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT TO LIFE IN CHRIST THAN
OTHERS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE FREELY CHOSEN
TO BECOME ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS, for IF WE CHOOSE TO
APOSTATIZE BY REJECTING ANY ASPECT OF THE ORTHODOX
FAITH as taught by Christ and His Holy Apostles WE WILL BE SEVERELY JUDGED BY GOD, unless we
contritely Repent our rebellion against God and

return to His Sacred Fold.
THE CHOICE IS OURS AND WE MUST ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES
UPON OURSELVES WE CANNOT AND MUST NOT BLAME

ANYONE ELSE AT ALL AND NEITHER SHOULD WE SHRUG IT
OFF AS BEING A MAN-MADE IDEA!
OUR LORD HIMSELF CAUTIONED US AGAINST BEING PHARISAIC
HYPOCRITES, WOLVES, HIRELINGS, GOATS, THIEVES
AND ROBBERS, ETC. meaning all those who are not of the
Sacred Fold of our Good Shepherd, Christ our Lord or WHO
PRETEND TO BE COMMITTED TO GOD YET DESERT HIM
AND/OR DESTROY OTHERS THROUGH THEIR OWN MEAN,
SELFISH ACTIONS!
WE MUST EXAMINE OUR HEART AND SOUL REGULARLY AND
METICULOUSLY - PLUCKING OUT AND ERADICATING ANY
SIGN OF SPIRITUAL REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD OUR GOD
THROUGH REPENTANCE-CONFESSION.
Only through such regular housekeeping can we begin

to prepare ourselves for our Final Judgement and
Eternity.
SORROW.
WE
SHOULD THANK GOD FOR ALL ADVERSITY, WHICH BRINGS US CLOSER TO HIM AND
STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH AS WE DEPEND ON AND APPRECIATE MORE AND MORE THE
GREAT MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD WHO PROTECTS US AND PROVIDES EVERYTHING
WE COULD POSSIBLE NEED FOR THIS EARTHLY AS WELL AS ETERNAL LIFE.
LUKE 6: 22-23 Christ warned us: ... Rejoice in that day

and leap for Joy! For indeed your Reward is
great in Heaven. For in like manner their fathers
did to the Prophets. But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation!
THE PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS BY ST PAUL AND ST SILAS
PREPARED THE OTHER PRISONERS FOR CONVERSION LATER THAT
NIGHT.
Any Roman Jailer whose prisoners managed to escape

faced extremely cruel torture and even possibly
execution, for the Roman oppressors ruled and
dominated the people through fear and merciless
brutality. So the Jailer thought it would be better and
quicker to commit suicide rather than endure the
vicious suffering inflicted by the Executioners.
After St Paul had reassured him that he and St Silas were
still there, the Jailer asked a double-sided question:
What must I do to be Saved?
This might have referred to his impending problem of the
Roman authorities punishment for escapees, but IT
ALSO REFERRED TO ETERNAL SALVATION, WHICH ST PAUL
IMMEDIATELY GRANTED THE JAILER AND HIS ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD
THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM.
THE UNNAMED ROMAN JAILER HAD LISTENED CAREFULLY TO ST PAUL
AND ST SILAS PROCLAIMING THE WAY OF SALVATION, AS WELL AS
THEIR DEVOUT, HEARTFELT PRAYERS AND HYMNS.
The miraculous earthquake and St Pauls concern for the

Jailers life earthly and Eternal strengthened the
mans Faith and led to his and his entire households
Conversion to Christ Jesus.
EXORCISMS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST ARE PART OF APOSTOLIC

MINISTRY.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST JOHN 9 : 1 38
THE MAN BORN WITHOUT EYES RECEIVES SIGHT
FROM OUR
CREATOR
At that time, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His Disciples asked Him: Rabbi: who
sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind? Jesus answered: Neither this man nor his parents
sinned, but that the Works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the Works of Him Who sent Me while it
is day. The night is coming when no one can Work. As long as I Am in the world, I Am the Light of the world.
2.
6TH SUNDAY
OF
HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva. And He anointed the eyes of the
Blind Man with the clay. And He said to him: Go. Wash in the Pool of Siloam, (which translated means Sent.) He
went, and washed, and returned, seeing.
The neighbours and those who previously had seen that he was blind said: Is this not he who sat and begged? Some
said: It is he! Others said: He is like him! He said: I am he! And they said to him: How were your eyes opened?
He answered, and said: A Man called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me: Go to the Pool of
Siloam and wash. I went and washed - I received sight. They asked him: Where is He? He replied: I do not
know.
They took him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees.
It was a Sabbath when Jesus had made the clay and opened his eyes.
The Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them: He put clay on my eyes, and I
washed, and I see. Some of the Pharisees said: This Man is not from God because He does not keep the Sabbath!
Others said: How can anyone who is a sinner do such Signs? And there was a division among them.
They said to the Blind Man again: What do you say about Him because He opened you eyes? He said: He is a
Prophet. The Judeans did not believe him - that he had been blind and now could see until they called the
parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them: Is this your son who you say was born blind?
How then does he now see? His parents answered them, and said: We know that this is our son, and that he was
born blind. By what Means he now sees, we do not know. Who has opened his eyes, we do not know. He is of age ask him. He will speak for himself.
His parents said these things because they feared the Judeans. For the Judeans had agreed already that anyone who
Confessed that He is the Christ, would be put out of the Synagogue. Therefore, his parents said: He is of age; ask
him.
They called again the man who was formerly blind, and said to him: Give God the Glory! We know that this Man is a
sinner! He replied: Whether He is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I do know is that although I was blind,
now I see! And they questioned him again: What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes? He replied: I
have told you already, yet you do not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His
Disciples?
They reviled him, and said: You are His Disciple! We are Moses Disciples! We know that God spoke to Moses. As for
this Fellow we do not know where He is from. The man answered them: Why, this is a marvellous thing! for you
do not know where He is from and He has opened my eyes! We know that God does not hear sinners, but if
anyone is a Worshipper of God and does His Will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that
anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If He were not from God, He could do nothing!
They answered and said to him: You were completely born in sins, and you are teaching us?! And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out. And when He had found him, He said to him: Do you believe in the Son of
God?
He answered and said: Who is He, O Lord, that I may believe in Him? Jesus said to him: You have both seen Him
and He Who is speaking to you it is He. And he said: O Lord: I believe! And He worshipped Him.
This Divine Healing is THE SIXTH SIGN OF OUR LORDS DIVINE
The Pool of Siloam, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, was a
NATURE AND TRUE IDENTITY in St Johns Holy Gospel.
considerable distance from the Temple and provided
the water for the Holy Rites connected with the Feast
OF ALL THE MIRACLE ACCOUNTS THROUGHOUT HOLY
SCRIPTURE, THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WHEREBY A PERSON WAS
of Tabernacles (WHICH TOGETHER WITH PASCHA AND
PENTECOST WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVALS OF THE
BLIND FROM BIRTH I.E. BORN WITHOUT EYES AT ALL!
THE BLIND MAN SYMBOLISES ALL SPIRITUALLY BLIND HUMANITY
ANCIENT HEBREWS, WHICH INCLUDED NUMEROUS SACRIFICES AND
CELEBRATIONS. (LEVITICUS 23:33 43)
FOR WE ALL NEED SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION BY CHRIST OUR
Siloam meaning Sent symbolises CHRIST WHO IS SENT
LORD WHO IS THE LIGHT OF THE FALLEN, SPIRITUALLY
BY GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER and just as the Healing
DARKENED WORLD.
This Divine Miracle is AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOLY BAPTISM,
of the Blind Man confirms Christs claim as the
(Divine) Light of the World, so also HIS USE OF THE
which is also referred to as Holy Illumination.
POOL OF SILOAM CONFIRMS THAT HE IS THE TRUE AND
As Pascha (Easter) was the traditional day on which
DIVINE PURIFICATION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE AND ALL WHO
Catechumens were received into the Holy Church of
WORSHIP IN IT WITH TRUE FAITH IN GOD.
Christ, THE SACRED LESSONS OF THE HOLY PASCHA PERIOD
Just as the hypocritical Pharisees had ignored the
FROM THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF CHRIST UNTIL
PENTECOST ALL REFLECT A BAPTISMAL THEOLOGY. Thus,
Healing of the Paralytic and focused only on the
perceived violation of the Sabbath, so too on this
this Sacred Lesson is read on the Sixth Sunday of Holy
occasion MANY OF THEM COULD NOT BEHOLD THE GLORY OF
Pascha.
GOD DUE TO THEIR PERSONAL WICKED PREJUDICE.
OUR SAVIOUR REJECTED THE ASSUMPTION - which was common
in the ancient world - THAT ALL TROUBLES AND MALADIES
When Christ was not present, the Pharisees dared to
pronounce Him as a sinner, yet earlier, WHEN HE HAD
WERE NECESSARILY THE CONSEQUENCE OF PERSONAL SIN OR
ASKED THEM FACE TO FACE: ...WHICH OF YOU CONVICTS ME OF
EVEN THE SINS OF PARENTS. (REFER EXODUS 20:5; DEUTERONOMY 5:9
& EZEKIEL 18:19-21)
SIN? THEY HAD ALL EVADED THE VITAL QUESTION.
ALTHOUGH SUFFERING CAN BE THE DIRECT RESULT OF PERSONAL SIN,
Give God the Glory was an Oath Formula, which was
THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.
always used before giving testimony.
THE MAN WAS BORN WITHOUT EYES, WHICH PROVIDED THE MOST
THE FORMERLY BLIND MAN MOST CERTAINLY GAVE GOD THE
AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DIVINE WORKS OF ALMIGHTY
GLORY FOR THE MORE HE WAS QUESTIONED BY THE
GOD TO BE REVEALED TO EVERYONE CONCERNED so the man
HYPOCRITES AND DOUBTERS, THE MORE FERVENT HIS FAITH
was not blind due to anyones personal sin at all.
BECAME, WHILE THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS PHARISEES LAPSED
The Work i.e. the Spiritual Labour - that we are able to
DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND DEATH.
fulfil consists of FAITH, GOOD DEEDS AND REPENTANCE.
THE HEALED BLIND MAN IS A MODEL OF CHRISTIAN WITNESS.
The night to which our Lord referred meant THE TIME
MOST PEOPLE DO NOT BEAR WITNESS TO CHRIST SINCE THEY
AFTER OUR DEATH AND THE AGE TO COME ETERNITY WHEN
FEAR THEY WILL BE ASKED QUESTIONS THAT THEY WILL NOT
THERE IS NO LONGER ANY OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR FAITH
BE ABLE TO ANSWER OR EXPLAIN.
because AT OUR DEPARTURE FROM THIS WORLD OR EARTHLY
THIS MANS HONEST AND SIMPLE ANSWER TO EVERYONE EVEN
LIFE, THERE IS NO CHANCE OF REPENTANCE OR CONFESSION
THOSE WHO WERE FAR BETTER EDUCATED THAN HIM
AND ALL IMMORTAL, HUMAN SOULS WHETHER BELIEVERS OR
PROVIDES THE TRUTH
NOT WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT TO DEATH.
HE ADMITS SOMETHING THAT HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT YET
THE UNPRECEDENTED HEALING OF THE MAN BORN WITHOUT
FOLLOWS UP WITH WHAT HE MOST CERTAINLY DOES KNOW
EYES CONFIRMS OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS TRUTHFUL
AND WHICH HE CAN POSITIVELY CONFIRM: ... One thing I
PROCLAMATION THAT HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
do know is that although I was blind, now I see!
St Irenaeos regarded THE MIXTURE OF CLAY FROM THE
BY CONFIRMING WHAT WE DO MOST DEFINITELY KNOW IN UTTER
EARTH AND THE SALIVA OF CHRIST OUR ALMIGHTY LORD
TRUTH AND WITHOUT ANY DOUBT IS FOUNDATIONAL TO
AND CREATOR LIKE THE ORIGINAL CREATION OF HUMANITY
WITNESSING OUR TRUE FAITH TO OTHERS.
FROM THE EARTH. (REFER GENESIS 2:7)
Have created perfectly healthy eyes for the formerly Blind
CHRIST REVEALS HIS DIVINE NATURE BY RESTORING A TINY PART
Man OUR LOVING LORD JESUS OPENED UP BOTH HIS PHYSICAL
OF CREATION BY USING THE SAME MATERIAL WITH WHICH
AND SPIRITUAL SIGHT FOR GOD ALONE CAN OPEN OUR HEART
HE HAD CREATED HUMANITY AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR
AND SOUL BY HIS DIVINE ILLUMINATION.
EXISTENCE.
All healings had to be confirmed by the Priests, followed
by various ritual cleansings, sacrifices, etc. This is the
6TH SUNDAY
OF
HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY
OF THE
only full account of a healing being examined and

questioned by Hebrew authorities.
THE BLIND MAN PROGRESSES RAPIDLY FROM KNOWING NOTHING
ABOUT CHRIST TO HIS REALISATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND
CONFESSION THAT THAT OUR LORD JESUS IS INDEED THE TRUE
MESSIAH: ... you do not know where He is from - yet He
has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does
not hear sinners; but if anyone is a Worshipper of
God and does His Will, He hears him. Since the
world began it has been unheard of that anyone
opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this
Man were not from God, He could do nothing!
6TH SUNDAY
OF
HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY
The self-righteous, hypocritical Pharisees could not refute

his Inspired Logic and Truth so they resorted to
personal insult.
THE DIVINE HEALING OF THE BLIND MAN WAS ONE OF THE
GREAT SIGNS OR MIRACLES OF THE MESSIAH AND A
PREROGATIVE (RIGHT)
UNIQUELY AND EXCLUSIVELY OF
ALMIGHTY GOD. (ISAIAH 35:5 & 42:7 PSALM 145:8)
The coming of God Incarnate into our world brought
Divine Judgement to us not because He came to
Judge us but because of OUR ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD.
ALL THOSE WHO SEE HIM AND WHO HEAR HIM BUT WHO DO NOT
BELIEVE OR WHO REJECT HIS DIVINE TRUTH ARE JUDGED BY
THEIR OWN FAITHLESSNESS!
OF THE
Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

Dearly Beloved Let us turn our attention to the term
Spiritual Blindness.
We have all seen people who are physically blind either from birth defects, or accidents, or as a result
of severe illnesses.
Whenever we see a blind person we experience a deep
sense of sympathy and are even sometimes moved to
tears, realising that such a person cannot do many
things that we take so much for granted especially
being able to see and enjoy the immense beauty of
Gods Divine Creation.
However, far more tragic and worthy of tears is the
blindness of our mind and heart the blindness of our
free will and of our conscience!
For our immortal soul is extremely more precious than
our temporary, physical body.
As our Beloved Lord and Saviour said: ...For what will it
profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his
own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his
soul? (MARK 8, 36-37).
Spiritual Blindness is the weightiest and most
devastating diseases of our immortal soul, which
is created by God for Eternity.
Unless we correct our stubborn Spiritual Blindness
through Enlightenment and Obedience to all Gods
Commandments and Teachings, our immortal soul
will suffer Eternal Death, Outer Darkness, and
Condemnation, being forever exiled from God and
all His Goodness and Loving Light!
Consequently, we must take every measure to heal our
Spiritual Blindness, which is of far greater
significance Eternal Significance! than any
physical blindness!
But do we understand the meaning, the causes, and
magnitude of Spiritual Blindness?
Spiritual Blindness is the darkness of ignorance and the
enslavement of our immortal soul that is caused by all
kinds of spiritual and bodily passions and
wickedness.
Spiritual Blindness is the vainglorious pride of an
egocentric mind, the hardness of heart, the
weakening, obsession and enslavement of our free
will and conscience, the unbelief and rejection of God
and His Divine Truth.
Spiritual Blindness is stubborn, wilful doubts and denial of
True Faith,
intolerance, despair absolute
hopelessness utter selfishness, obsessive anger and
ideas or habits.
Spiritual Blindness is self-destructive behaviour and
active or passive suicide, abortion (murder of the Holy
Innocents), hatred, jealously, divorce, fornication or
adultery, deceit, deception and lies, an obsession with
wealth and worldly possessions or people, miserliness,
greediness, drunkenness, addiction of any type,
laziness and many other destructive ideas, behaviour
or speech.
BLIND MAN (BORN
WITHOUT EYES
Every passion and sin sickens and drags the soul into
Spiritual Blindness, Spiritual Apathy and, ultimately, to
Spiritual Death!
This, in turn affects us physically and mentally, leading to
serious and even terminal diseases.
Unless we recognise, seek out and renounce through
Repentance, Confession and Spiritual Renewal, all
sins that enslave and sicken us, that Spiritual
Blindness, causes us Spiritual Death, which, if not
acknowledged and Repented, will ultimately lead us
to Eternal Condemnation, without the possibility of
Repentance and Restoration to all Divine Goodness
and Love after our physical Repose!
Only God knows how long our temporary lifespan is to be,
so as Orthodox Christians, we must regularly selfexamine ourselves and wherever possible, be
Guided by our Spiritual Fathers or Orthodox Teachers
so that we are as prepared as possible for our final
Falling Asleep.
In other words, we must always strive to ensure that
whenever we have fallen into a state of Spiritual
Death due to unrepented sins, we must immediately
Repent and correct ourselves so that we may be
restored to Spiritual Life!
Orthodox Christians who renounce the Faith and
abandon the Holy Orthodox Church that is founded
by Christ our Lord and Saviour, and by His Holy
Apostles, and falls into all sorts of heresies and
apostatises is without doubt in a terrible state of
Spiritual Blindness and Spiritual Death!
Orthodox Christians who do not attend any Holy Services
for many years, who do not pray nor read Orthodox
Writings or Holy Scripture, who never Repents their
sins, and never partakes of the Holy Mysteries of
Repentance-Confession, Holy Unction or Holy
Eucharist are also Spiritually Blind and in a state of
Spiritual Death, unless they realise the error of their
ways and seek Forgiveness and Repent their sins
before they Repose.
And those, too, who regard themselves as being
Christian, but spend their time, wealth and health
with earthly affairs, passions of the flesh, and other
deadly sins, ignoring or rejecting RepentanceConfession are, sadly, also very much Spiritually
Blind and in a state of Spiritual Death.
Dearest Brethren in Christ, let us examine ourselves very
closely while we still have time to do so, and let us
seek out the cause for Spiritual Blindness and Death
so that, through ceaseless Repentance-Confession
and all other Spiritual Requirements, we may remain
in a state of Spiritual Life, and be as ready as possible
for our Departure from this short preparatory period
and our entry into Eternity by Gods Great Mercy,
into His Eternal Life!
ELDER CLEOPA ON SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS
HTTPS://ORTHODOXWORD.WORDPRESS.COM/2010/05/09/SUNDAY-OF-THEBLINDMAN
ST MAXIMOS CONFESSOR
The Father, therefore, through the Son Reconciles us to
Himself, not taking into account our offences and He
Calls us, not in so far as we are engaged in unseemly
works, but in so far as we are idle - although idleness is
also a sin, since we shall give an account even for an
idle word (2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 & MATTHEW 12:36)
But, as I said. God overlooks former sins and Calls us again
and again. And what does He Call us to do? To work in
4.
6TH SUNDAY
OF
HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY
the Vineyard - that is, to work on behalf of the Branches

- on behalf of ourselves.
And afterwards O the Incomparable Grandeur of His
Compassion! - He promises and grants us a Reward for
toiling on our own behalf.
'Come,' He says, 'receive Eternal Life, which I bestow
abundantly; and as though in your debt I reward
you in full for the labour of your Journey and even
for your very desire to receive Eternal Life from Me.'
OF THE

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.
9 June 2016
Ascension Thursday
Also the Feast of St Cyril of Alexandria - St Cyril of White Lake - St Alexander of Kushta,
Vologda - St Thekla, St Martha & St Mary St Columba of Iona, Enlightener of Scotland - St
John of Shavtel-Gaenati - St David Gareji & St Lucian
FIRST ANTIPHON PSALM 46/47 TONE 2
Panta ta Ethni, krotisate hiras. Alalaxate to Theo

en Foni agalliasesos.
All you Nations, clap your hands! Shout to God

with the voice of Rejoicing!
STIHOS 1 :
VERSE 1 :
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas
Through
the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O

Saviour, Save us.
Oti Kyrios Ipsistos, Foveros, Vasilefs Megas epi

pasan tin Gin.
VERSE 2
Ipetaxe laous imin ke Ethni ipo tous podas imon.
VERSE 3
STIHOS 2
STIHOS 3 :
For the Lord Most High is Fearsome, a Great King

over all he Earth.
He subdued the peoples under us and the Nation

under our feet.
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.
Through
Spirit
the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O
Saviour, Save us.
DIVINE LITURGY SECOND ANTIPHON - ASCENSION THURSDAY TONE 2
Megas Kyrios, ke enetos sfodra.

VERSE 1 Great is our God and greatly to be praised
Soson imas Iie Theou, O en Doxi Analifthis af imon is Save us, O Son of God, taken up from us in Glory into
STIHOS 1
tous Ouranous, Psallontas Si: Allilouia!

STIHOS 2
Heaven, who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
O Theos en tes Varesin Aftis ginoskete.
God is known
VERSE 2
in Her Palaces; whenever He helps
Her.
STIHOS 3
Oti idou i Vasilis tis Gis sinihthisan
VERSE 3
For behold: the Kings of the Earth were assembled.
THIRD ANTIPHON PSALM 48/49 TONE 4
: Akousate tafta, panta ta Ethni, enotisasthe pantes i

katikountes tin ikoumenin.
STIHOS 1
Hear this, all you Nations!

inhabitants of the world!
VERSE 1
Hearken, all you
Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, haropiisas tous Thou Ascended in
Glory, O Christ our God, after Thou

filled the Disciples with Joy, by promising to send the
Holy Spirit, and Thou Blessed them and established
their Faith, that thou art the Son of God the
Redeemer of the world.
Mathitas, ti epangelia tou Agiou Pnevmatos.

Veveothenton afton dia tis Evlogias, oti Si i O Iios tou
Theou, O Litrotis tou Kosmou.
To stoma mou lalisi Sofian ke i meleti tis kadias mou

sinesin.
VERSE 2
Klino is paravolin to ous mou, anixo en psaltirio to

provlima mou.
VERSE 3
STIHOS 2
STIHOS 3
My mouth shall speak Wisdom, and the Meditation

of my heart, Understanding.
I will incline my ear to a Parable; I will open my
riddle on the harp.
FESTAL KONTAKION ASCENSION - TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Tin iper imon plirosas Ikonomian, ke ta epi Gis enosas tis When
Ouraniis, Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon,
oudamothen horizomenos, alla menon adiastatos, ke
voon tis Agaposi Se. Ego Imi meth imon, ke oudis kath
imon.
Thou had fulfilled the Dispensation for our sake,

and united things on earth with the Things in Heaven,
Thou were taken up thither in Glory, O Christ our god,
going not away from any place, but continuing
inseparable, and to the m who Love Thee, crying out: I
Am with you and there is, therefore, none against you.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 107/108 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Be Exalted above the Heavens, O God, and Thy Glory above all the Earth.
My heart is ready, O God! My heart is ready! I will sing and offer Praises in my Glory.
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 1 : 1 12
In the First Book, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that our Lord Jesus began to do and teach, until after He had give
Commandments, through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles - whom He had Chosen - on the Day when He was taken
up.
To them He had presented Himself alive after His Passion by many proofs, Appearing o them during Forty Days, and
speaking of the Kingdom of God. And while with them, He charged them: Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait
for the promise of the Father, which you heard from Me. For John Baptised with water you will be Baptised with
the Holy Spirit before many days.
ASCENSION THURSDAY
9 JUNE 2016
When they had come together, they asked Him: Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore the Kingdom of Israel?
He said to them: It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His Own Authority. But you
shall receive Power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. And you shalt be My Witnesses in Jerusalem, and
in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.
And when He had said this as they were looking at Him He was lifted up, and a Cloud took Him out of their sight.
And while they were gazing into Heaven as He went, behold! Two men stood by them in white robes, and said: Men of
Galilee! Who do you stand looking into Heaven? This Jesus Who was taken up from you into Heaven, will come int
he same way as you beheld Him go into Heaven.
Then they returned from the Mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem a Sabbaths Day Journey.
TO
ST LUKE 24 : 36 53
At that time, our Lord Jesus, having Risen from the dead, stood in the midst of His Disciples and said to them: Peace to
you! They were startled and frightened, and supposed that they were seeing a spirit.
And He said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold! My Wrists and My Feet
it is I, Myself! Touch Me, and see! For a spirit does not have flesh and bone as you can see that I have!
And when He said this, He showed them His Wrists and His Feet. As they still disbelieved for Joy and Wonder, He said to
them: Have you anything here to eat? They gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honey comb, and He took
it, and ate before them.
He said to them: These are My Words, which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about
Me in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.
Then He opened their minds to Understand the Scriptures, and said to them: ... for it is written, that the Christ should
Suffer, and on the Third Day Rise from the dead, and that Repentance and Forgiveness of sins should be
preached in His Name to all Nations, beginning with Jerusalem.
You are Witnesses of these Things. And behold: I send the Promise of My Father upon you. Stay in the city of
Jerusalem until you are Vested with Power from on High.
He led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His Hands, He Blessed them. And as He Blessed them, He was carried
up into Heaven.
And they worshipped Him, and they returned to Jerusalem with Great Joy, and were continually in the Temple,
Blessing God.
Amen.
THE
THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST,

ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON OF GOD THE FATHER
On the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord and Saviour,

Jesus Christ, we celebrate the fulfilment of the Prophecy
of King David, which is used as the Prokeimenon of the
day.
What does Ascension Day mean for Orthodox Christians?
It is not only our Lord Jesus Christ Who has Ascended into
Heaven, for He has raised our human nature itself to
the Heavens!
We, too, as Faithful Disciples of Christ, shall rise from the
dead - and, if we are judged as being worthy, we will
Ascend with our Regenerated, Spiritual Body to Heaven,
where - as the Blessed St Augustine said: ...all the
people of God shall be made equal to the Angels.
But the thought of this Divine Promise reminds us also of
our own responsibility.
Our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is no longer with us in
the Flesh, but He is ever present together with His
invisible Holy Spirit.
The interim between the First and Second Appearances of
Christ our Lord God is for us a time of Witness and
Testimony of Him Whom we worship without seeing or
having seen.
THE NEW ISRAEL,
St Pauls teaching in Romans 11 is clear that those who

rejected Christ are like branches cut off from the Olive
Tree i.e. the People of Godand that Gentile Converts
are like wild Olive branches that have been grafted on
to that same Tree.
The Church is the Israel of God, the Israelites formed the
Church of the Old Covenant, and the New Covenant
Church is in continuity with the old. (GALATIANS 6:16)
However, St Paul is equally clear that there is still a future
in Gods Providence for those who are the physical
descendants of the Old Covenant Israel, who rejected
Christ and thus been cut off from the Church, yet who
will one day be Saved.
So the Church is the New Israel, but this does not mean
there is no sense in which we can still speak of Israel
according to the flesh.
We reject the notion that there is a separate Covenant for
Jews, who may be Saved by the Old Covenant, while
Christians are Saved by the New Covenant. Nor do we
believe that the descendants of those who rejected
Christ have some special claim on the Holy Land that
entitles them to steal land from many of whom are no
doubt descended from who embraced Christ.
Christians are children of Abraham in the truest sense, and
as such are the True Heirs of Gods Promise to him.
(Refer to GALATIANS 3:7-9)
6.
Just before His Ascension, our Lord Jesus commanded His

Disciples: Go into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature... (MARK 16:15)
He also told them: Ye shall be My Witnesses unto the
uttermost part of the Earth... (ACTS 1:8).
Our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ has been with us for
Forty Days, and we have rightly Feasted.
However - being filled with God the Holy Spirit - we must
now strive to spread His Holy Gospel and be His
Witnesses before the world.
For everything that we do, or fail to do, we shall be Judged
by Him Who shall return to Earth in the same way He
Ascended to Heaven.
With such a sobering thought in mind, how can we not be
zealous to make His Divine Truth known, so that all
may join in the joyous cry of this Feast: Be Thou
Exalted, O God, above the Heavens, and Thy Glory
over all the Earth... (PSALM 107:6 LXX, 108:5 HEBREW TEXT).
[FROM THE HEAVENLY REALM, ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA BROTHERHOOD, 1983
HIEROMONK SERAPHIM (ROSE)
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/79457.HTM21 / 05 / 2015
THE
NEW JERUSALEM
Because we do not equate the modern state of Israel with

the Old Covenant Israel, some Protestants erroneously
believe that this constitutes anti-Semitism, but we reject
such a claim.
Furthermore, this abuse of the term anti-Semitism to
defend the most indefensible actions only cheapens the
term, and has the effect of providing greater credibility
for real anti-Semitic voices.
The term New Jerusalem, is found in Revelation 21:2:
And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming
down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride
adorned for Her Husband... Our Fathers explain:
The Heavenly Jerusalem is the multitude of Saints who will
come with our Lord, even as Zechariah said: Behold my
Lord God will come, and all His Saints with Him ...
[ZECHARIAH 14:5]
By Jerusalem he symbolized the Blessed Destiny and
Dwelling of the Saints, which he figuratively calls
Jerusalem both here and in the following passages...
The City is constructed of the Saints concerning whom it is
written: Holy Stones are rolled upon the land... having
Christ as its Cornerstone - and called a City, since it is
the Dwelling Place of the Kingly Trinity Who Dwell and
walk in it as Promisedand Bride, as it is joined to the
Lord and is United with Him in the highest, inseparable
conjunction.[ HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/93181.HTM]
ASCENSION THURSDAY
9 JUNE 2016

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure,
Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the
Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God.
Amen.
Tone (6) Plagal 2

7th Sunday After Holy Pascha
Sunday of the 318 Holy Church Fathers
of the First Ecumenical Council
12 June 2016
Also the Feast of St Onuphrios the Great Ascetic of the Thebaid Desert, Egypt
St Petros of Mount Athos St Anna of Kashin, Right Believing Princess (Translation
of Holy Relics) - St Arsenios, Abbot of Konevits Monastery, Novgorod St Onuphrios, Founder & Abbot of the Nativity
of the Mother of God at ala, Pskov St Bassian of Pertomsk, Solovki St Onuphrios & St Auxentios of Vologda St
Stephen of Komel, Abbot of Ozersk Monastery, Vologda St John, St Andrew, St Heraclemon, & St Theophilos, Holy
Hermits of Egypt St John Tornike Eristavi of Georgia & Mount Athos St Jonah of Pertomsk, Solovki
RESURRECTION GOSPEL10 - JOHN 21: 1-14
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Angelike
Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontes

apenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitousa to
ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilevsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis ip
aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenos tin Zoin. O
Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie, Doxa Si.
The
Angelic Powers were in Thy Tomb, and the guards

became as dead men, and Mary stood by the Tomb
seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led captive Hades,
yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who art the
Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Glory to
Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the dead!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ASCENSION TONE 4
Anelifthis
en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon, haropiisas tous

Mathitas, ti epangelia tou Agiou Pnevmatos.
Veveothenton afton dia tis evlogias, oti si i O Iios tou
Theou, O litrotis tou kosmou.
Thou
ascended in Glory, O Christ our God, after Thou

filled the Disciples with Joy, by promising to send
them the Holy Spirit, and Thou Blessed them and
established their Faith that Thou art the Son of God,
the Redeemers of the world.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION HOLY CHURCH FATHERS TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Iperdedoxasmenos i Hriste O Theos imon, O fostiras epi gis, Supremely
praised art Thou, O Christ our God, Who

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

alithinin pistin pantas imas odigisas, Poliefsplahne Doxa
Si!
FESTAL KONTAKION
HOLY CHURCH FATHERS TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Tin iper imon plirosas ikonomian, ke ta epi gis enosas tis When
Thou had fulfilled the Dispensation for our sake,

and united things on earth with the Things in Heaven,
Thou were taken up thither in Glory, O Christ our God,
going not away from any place, but continuing
inseparable, and to them who Love Thee, crying out: I
Am with you and there is, therefore, none against
you.
Ouraniis, Anelifthis en Doxi, Hriste O Theos imon,

oudamothen horizomenos, alla menon adiastatos, ke
voon tis Agaposi Se. Ego Imi meth imon, ke oudis
kath imon.
THE PROKEIMENON
THE
PRAYER
OF
AZARIAH TONE 4
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers, for Thou art Praiseworthy and Exalted beyond measure unto the ages.
For Thou art Righteous in all Thou did for us, all Thou brought upon us, and on Jerusalem, the Holy City of our
Fathers.
THE ACTS
OF THE
APOSTLES ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 20 : 16 18 & 28 36
ST PAULS FAREWELL SPEECH
In those days, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia. He was
hastening to be - on the Day of Pentecost if possible - at Jerusalem. From Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to
him the Elders of the Church.
When they went to him, he said to them: Take heed to yourselves and to all the Flock, in which the Holy Spirit has
made you Overseers, to care for the Flock of the Church of God, which He obtained with the Blood of His own Son. I
know that after my departure fierce Wolves will come in among you - not sparing the Flock. And from among
yourselves men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw away the Disciples after them. Therefore, be alert
remembering that for three years I did not cease - night or day - to admonish everyone with tears.
And now I commend you, Brethren, to God and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up and to grant
you the Inheritance among all those who are Sanctified. I coveted no ones silver or gold or apparel. You
yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me.
In all things I have shown you that by so toiling, one must help the weak, remembering the Words of our Lord Jesus
how He said: It is more Blessed to give than to receive.
And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
St Paul wanted to be together with the other Holy Apostles
Consequently, ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS TRUE DISCIPLES OF
of Christ in Jerusalem for the Feast of Holy Pentecost,
CHRIST LIVE ACCORDING TO THE FESTAL CALENDAR OF
since A LITURGICAL CALENDAR BASED ON SACRED FEAST DAYS
MAJOR FEASTS, FASTS AND CELEBRATIONS.
HAS ALWAYS BEEN OBSERVED BY THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST.
7TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA 318 HOLY FATHERS - 1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL 12 JUNE 2016
ACTS 18:21: St Paul told his Holy Flock: I must by all

means keep this coming Feast in Jerusalem; but I
will return again to you God Willing.
THE SINCERE WORDS GOD WILLING, UNDERSCORED ST PAULS
CONSTANT RELIANCE ON GOD AND HIS CONTINUAL DEVOUT
SUBMISSION OF HIS OWN PLANS AND FREE WILL TO THE WILL OF
ALMIGHTY GOD.
JAMES 4: 13-17 ... you who say: Today or tomorrow
we will go to such and such a city, spend a year
there, buy and sell, and make a profit; whereas
you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For
what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears
for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead
you ought to say: If the Lord Wills, we shall live
and do this and that... But now you boast in your
own arrogance.
All such boasting is evil.
Therefore, to those who know to do good and
who do not do so, to them it is sin!
The budding Christian Liturgical Calendar revealed THE
DEEP DESIRE OF THE HOLY APOSTLES AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
OF CHRIST TO GATHER TOGETHER IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE
GREAT CHRISTIAN FEASTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIPPING
GOD AND THE COMMEMORATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
IN A COMMUNAL MANNER.
At that time, the Holy Church of Christ was alive and

developing in Ephesos and had already established a
permanent pattern of Sacramental Leadership with
Elders (Presbyters) and Overseers (Bishops).
However, the threat of false teachers and various heresies
arose from both within and without the Holy Church.
Furthermore, THE FATAL THREAT OF SUCH FALSE TEACHERS AND
HERESIES CONTINUES TO THIS DAY, CAUSING SO MANY SOULS TO
BECOME PLUNGED IN DEEP, DARK SPIRITUAL DEATH CAUSED BY
ALIENATION FROM GOD AND UNREPENTED SINS.
Therefore, we must LEARN TRUE HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE
TO THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD AND FOLLOW ONLY WHAT HE
HAS TAUGHT US not the lies, deceptions and
heresies that other less intelligent beings try to
convince us of, which misguide and condemn us.
THERE IS SO MUCH DIVINE TRUTH AVAILABLE TO US THESE DAYS that
we have absolutely no excuse for doing our own
thing.
WITHOUT THE INSEPARABLE VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND
OBEDIENCE, WE CANNOT MAKE ANY SPIRITUAL PROGRESS
AND WILL REMAIN IGNORANT, SELFISH AND IN A STATE OF
SPIRITUAL DEATH DUE TO OUR ALIENATION FROM
ALMIGHTY GOD WHO MAKES EVERYTHING THAT IS TRULY
GOOD POSSIBLE FOR US.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS PRAYER
FOR
TO
ST JOHN 17 : 1 13
HIMSELF & HIS HOLY APOSTLES
At that time, our Lord Jesus lifted up His Eyes to Heaven, and said: Father, the Hour has come. Glorify Thy Son that
Thy Son may Glorify Thee, since Thou hast granted Him Power over all flesh, to grant Eternal Life to all whom
Thou hast given Him. This is Eternal Life, that they know Thee, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou
hast sent.
I Glorified Thee on Earth, having accomplished the Work that Thou gave Me to do. And now, Thou Glorify Me in
Thine own Presence, Father, with the Glory that I had with Thee before the world was made. I have manifested
Thy Name to the men whom Thou gave Me out of the world. Thine they were, and Thou gave them to Me, and
they have kept Thy Word. Now they know that everything that Thou hast given Me is from Thee. For I have
given them the Words that Thou gave Me, and they have received them and know in Truth that I came from
Thee. And they have believed that Thou sent Me.
I Am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Mine.
All Mine art Thine, and Thine art Mine, and I Am Glorified in them. And now I Am no more in the world, but they
are in the world, and I Am coming to Thee.
Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me, that they may be One, even as we are One. While
I was with them, I kept them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me. And none of them is lost but the son of
perdition, that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
Now I Am coming to Thee; and these Things I speak in the world, that they may have My Joy fulfilled in
themselves.
THE PRAYER OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, is often
suffering and death - IS NOW GLORIFIED IN HIS HOLY
CHURCH AS LIFE-GIVING AND A WEAPON OF PEACE.
referred to as the High Priestly Prayer because it
CONTAINS THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A PRAYER THAT ORTHODOX
THE (EMPTY) HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST HAS BECOME A
CHRISTIAN PRIESTS OFFER TO THE LORD OUR GOD BEFORE A
VICTORIOUS EMBLEM OF DIVINE GOODNESS: RESURRECTION
(BLOODLESS) SACRIFICE OR OFFERING IS OFFERED TO HIM:
AND ETERNAL LIFE:
GLORIFICATION of Almighty God
The Holy Cross of Christ CONQUERS ALL SINFUL
REMEMBRANCE of Gods Divine Works
ENSLAVEMENT, ALIENATION FROM GOD.
INTERCESSION on behalf of others
The Holy Cross of Christ is OUR SANCTIFIED BADGE OR
A DECLARATION of the Holy Offering Itself
EMBLEM OF HONOUR whereby we strive to live each
This particular passage of New Covenant Holy Scripture is
moment of the day, for it REMINDS US OF THE PERFECT
read on the Seventh Sunday After Holy Pascha in
EXAMPLE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR IN WHOM WE LIVE
remembrance of the 318 Holy Church Fathers of the
AND IT INFORMS OTHERS OF OUR SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE.
First Ecumenical Council, which had been convened
The Holy Cross of Christ is THE MOST POWERFUL FORM OF
in Nicaea in 325 in order to condemn and correct the
DIVINE PROTECTION, which repels and rejects Satan
heresy of Arianism (WHICH TAUGHT THAT THE SON OF GOD
and his evil schemes.
WAS CREATED BY GOD THE FATHER AND THUS THERE WAS A TIME
The Holy Cross of Christ is ALL WE NEED.
WHEN THE SON AND WORD OF GOD DID NOT EXIST!)
True Disciples of Christ do not wear evil eyes or any other so OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS ACTUAL WORDS BEAR WITNESS TO HIS
called good luck charms!
TRUE, ABSOLUTE AND ETERNAL DIVINITY, AS WELL AS HIS
Such pagan talismans, amulets or trinkets expose deep-seated
ETERNAL FILIAL RELATIONSHIP TO GOD THE FATHER.
superstitions, which reveal a lack of Faith in God - the denial
This Divine Testimony alone is more than sufficient to
of Gods Infinite Power and Love that conquers all threats
and wickedness against us.
dismiss any form of heretical Arianism.
True Disciples of Christ wear the (empty) Cross only against their
The Hour has come, signifies THAT CHRIST IS LORD OVER
hearts (not as mere ornamentation such as ear-rings, etc)
TIME: He voluntarily Willed to ascend the Cross in
and never together with any superstitious lucky charms!
the Flesh... (HYMN OF SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY)
Belief in anything else is a reversion to paganism the rejection
The expression Glorify refers to THE REDEMPTION OF ALL
of our One True and Living God!
CREATION THAT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH OUR
The so-called peace sign is in fact the curse of Satan: a
LORDS CRUCIFIXION (the Final, Ultimate and Most Pure
cloven hoof and a broken, upside down cross declaring
Blood Sacrifice for sins and Eternal Life) AND GLORIOUS
the wearer as a slave of Satan that must be avoided at all
RESURRECTION (THE HARROWING OF HADES), which was THE
costs
by True Disciples of Christ.
DIVINE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE DIVINE WORD AND SON OF
KNOWLEDGE OF THE ONLY TRUE GOD IS FAR MORE THAN
GOD WAS SENT BY GOD THE FATHER INTO THE SIN
INTELLECTUAL UNDERSTANDING. IT IS PARTICIPATION OF
ENSLAVED AND DARKENED WORLD.
CHRISTS DIVINE LIFE AND BEING IN COMMUNION WITH
IN HIS DIVINE REDEMPTION, GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE
HIM.
SON ARE GLORIFIED.
CONSEQUENTLY, ETERNAL LIFE IS AN ONGOING, LOVING
FOR THAT REASON THE CROSS OF CHRIST - which was a
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
hideous form of execution with its excruciating
8. 7 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A 3 1 8 H O L Y F A T H E R S - 1 S T E C U M E N I C A L C O U N C I L 1 2 J U N E 2 0 1 6
Our Lord Jesus Christs Divine Work can never be

separated from Who He is.
I have Glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished
the Work, which Thou hast given Me to do... is a
statement that every Faithful Disciple of Christ
should be able to make at the end of life no
matter how long or short our Life in Christ has
been!
...the men whom Thou hast given Me... are THE HOLY
APOSTLES OF CHRIST THROUGH WHOM THE WORD OF GOD
COMES DOWN THROUGH THE AGES CAREFULLY PRESERVED
TO US, WHICH IS KNOWN AS OUR APOSTOLIC TRADITION
THE TRUE TEACHINGS OF THE SON OF GOD, OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.
St Isaiah prophesied that IN THE DAYS OF THE MESSIAH,
THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NAME OF GOD WOULD BE
REVEALED. (ISAIAH 52:6)
According to the Old Covenant, THE EXPRESSION THE NAME
WAS MOST REVERENTLY USED instead of Gods actual
Name, Yahweh, which was considered as being FAR
TOO SACRED TO PRONOUNCE.
THE FULLER REVELATION OF THE DIVINE NAME WAS GRANTED
TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND
SAVIOUR, FOR HE MANIFESTED THE DIVINE NAME NOT ONLY
BY DECLARING GOD THE FATHER, BUT BY BEING THE VERY
PRESENCE OF GOD ON EARTH AND BY SHARING THE DIVINE
NAME WITH HIM!
OUR LORD JESUS FIRST PRAYED FOR HIMSELF AND THEN FOR HIS
HOLY APOSTLES WHO WERE GRANTED TO HIM BY GOD THE
FATHER AS WELL AS ALL THE SOULS WHO BELIEVE IN HIM
THROUGHOUT THE AGES.
The reference to the world means the fallen
world consisting of ALL THOSE WHO LIVE
ACCORDING TO THE DESIRES OF THEIR BODY THE FLESH

which is used against us through the
temptation the wiles and deceptions - of
Satan.
The physical world and all that is in it - which God created is all Good and Beautiful - and we as Earthly intellectual
beings - have been Ordained by God to preserve and
nurture it, yet through our sinful desires of greed and selfish
indulgence, we have almost destroyed it beyond recovery!
The fallen world consists of ALL WHO ARE IN REBELLION
AGAINST THE DIVINE WILL OF GOD AND WHO PREFER
SPIRITUAL DARKNESS AND BLINDNESS TO HIS DIVINE,
LIFE-GIVING LIGHT AND SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT.
The term Holy Father is echoed in THE EUCHARIST
PRAYER OF DIDACHE: We give Thee Thanks, O Holy
Father, for Thy Holy Name, which Thou has made
to dwell in our hearts... (DIDACHE 10:2)
The lost son of Perdition (Destruction) is Judas Iscariot
to whom Old Testament Prophesy alluded. (PSALM
40:10; PSALM 108:2 13; ZECHARIAH 11: 12-13)
JUDAS ISCARIOT, THE SON OF PERDITION WHO BETRAYED

CHRIST, EPITOMISES ALL WHO FALL AWAY, RENOUNCE,
REBEL AGAINST OR BETRAY GOD - ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST
DAYS, WHICH IS NOW!
According to St Paul in his Second Epistle to the
Thessalonians, THE SON OF PERDITION IS THE ANTICHRIST
who is the manifestation of everything that is ungodly,
evil and destructive but WHO WILL BE COMPLETELY
DEFEATED AND BANISHED TO HELL TOGETHER WITH ALL WHO
ARE WILLINGLY ENSLAVED BY HIM - BY CHRIST ALMIGHTY AT
THE FINAL JUDGEMENT OF ALL CREATION. (2 THESSALONIANS 2:3)
7TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA THE 318 HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
The Holy Orthodox Church prayerfully remembers the

Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea,
which met in the city of Nicaea in 325, in order to
investigate and judge the heresy of Arius.
In the first centuries of Christianity, the Church endured
severe persecution - first from the Jews and then from
the pagan Roman Imperial power.
Despite the persecution being so brutal and bloody,
causing millions of Christians to perish under torture
for our Faith, it was not dangerous for the Eternal,
Holy Church of Christ our Lord.
Christians of the first centuries remembered well that our
Lord Jesus Christ had told us: ... fear not those who
kill the body, yet are unable to kill the soul! Rather
fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body
in Hell! (MATTHEW 10:28).
In the Apocalypse our Lord told us: ...Be thou Faithful
unto death, and I will grant thee a Crown of Life.
(REVELATION 2:10)
In those terrible and bloody persecutions Christians were

indeed Faithful even unto death, suffering Martyric
deaths, and receiving from our Lord Saviour Glorious
Crowns of Eternal Life so worthily earned by them!
When the hideous persecutions ended, another type of
persecution began, which was even more dangerous
for the Holy Church, for from within the Church the
ferocious Spiritual Wolves appeared - heresy,
delusion, and distortion and corruption of Gods
Divine Truth!
These deadly deceptions and lies appeared from the
beginning but were initially overlooked or even
missed and had not attracted many followers, or were
quickly corrected or rejected.
The heresy of Arius, which appeared when the
persecutions against Christianity had ended, agitated
the entire Church from laity to clergy.
Arius was a scholar and an eloquent Presbyter - Priest in
the great city of Alexandria, Egypt.
At that time the Holy Flock chose its own Bishops and
when the Archbishop of Alexandria had Reposed, the
eloquent, educated but arrogant Arius was certain
that he would be elected to the See of Alexandria.
However, another Presbyter was chosen, being well read,
highly educated, and profoundly knowledgeable.
Bishop Alexander might not have been as talented as
Arius, but he was known for his genuine piety and
humility, having led a most Righteous and Holy Life in
Christ.
OF THE
FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
Consequently, Arius conceit and self-love was wounded,

which, unfortunately, is always the case of heretics,
for from the beginning there lurks an evil motive - an
evil impulse of personal character, which is disguised
as fidelity to truth.
Thus Arius, in his arrogance, decided to speak out
against his Bishop because he adamantly refused to
accept the fact that he had not been elected.
Bishop Alexander spoke with his Clergy about the Mystery
of the Holy Trinity - the equality of the Three Persons,
that the Holy Trinity is a Trinity of Unity, inasmuch as
in the Three separate Persons Father, Son and Holy
Spirit - there is One Divine Essence, One Divine Nature.
Arius impudently stood up and began to contradict him!
He declared that the Son of God is neither Equal to
God the Father, as Bishop Alexander had said, nor
was He Eternally Begotten by God the Father, but
instead was created by Him i.e. our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who is the Eternal, Only Begotten
Word and Son of God the Father was, according to the
heresy and blasphemy of Arius a mere creature who
had been created by God!!
Arius said that Christ was indeed a higher and more
perfect being than us, but only a creature of God!!
Although Bishop Alexander tried to reason and correct
Arius with gentle admonitions, the wilful heretic
stubbornly persisted, and - due to his eloquence and
insistence - his heretical ideas spread like wildfire,
eventually rousing the entire Church into heated
debates, forcing Bishop Alexander to excommunicate
him.
Arius was bitterly opposed to Divine Truth and
determinedly spread his blasphemies everywhere
until Emperor Constantine commissioned the devout
and profoundly wise Elder, St Hosios of Cordova to
investigate the growing controversy.
Arriving in Alexandria, St Hosios of Cordova - without any
prejudice and being absolutely impartial, listened
carefully to everyone concerned, after which he
returned to Constantinople and informed Emperor
Constantine that Arius was definitely preaching an
extremely dangerous and evil heresy.
He explained that if the Son of God is not equal to God the
Father and is not Eternally Begotten of Him, then He is
not God, but indeed merely a creature thereby
meaning that Christ is not the Eternal Word and Son of
God Incarnate i.e. He is not True God Man.
7TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA 318 HOLY FATHERS - 1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL 12 JUNE 2016
Furthermore, everything concerning Eternal Life,

Resurrection and Salvation cannot be accomplished
or does not exist as our Christian Faith i.e. as our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ has taught us!!
[In fact, everything that our Lord taught and revealed to us would be
a blatant lie!! That makes the heresy of Arius an enormous
blasphemy against God and His Divine Truth!!mp]
Due to the significance and gravity of the raging
controversy, an Ecumenical Council was assembled.
Arius had only a few Bishops who supported his heresy,
while the overwhelming majority of Bishops stood
firmly rooted in the Orthodox Faith, and condemned
the blasphemous heresy of Arius.
Finally they excommunicated him as a persistent and
uncorrected unrepentant - heretic whose wicked
notions continued to agitate and trouble the Church
for a very long time before finally disappearing
altogether.
St Basil the Great, St Gregory the Theologian, and St John
Chrysostom, who lived after the time of Arius
continued the fight against such misguided and false
ideas concerning our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
At last Divine Truth triumphed even though there was a
time when in the East, only St Athanasios the Great
and in the West, only St Hilary of Poitiers fought for
Divine Truth against these evil deceptions of the Arian
heretics.
The Eternal, Orthodox Church of Christ survived, even
when it was so difficult for St Athanasios to fight
against the heretics in the East.
WHAT
Many times he was forced into exile, but no matter what

his enemies did against him, he remained steadfast
and firm in the Divine Truth of our Lords
Commandments and Teachings.
Eventually, when he learnt in his solitude that he had an
ally, a successor, in St Basil the Great, this great
Defender and Holy Protector of Orthodoxy breathed a
sigh of relief.
Sadly, Arius was not to be the only heretic that would
disrupt and mislead the Orthodox Christians, for there
followed several other serious and blasphemous
heretics,
who
were
also
condemned
and
anathematised by the various Ecumenical Councils
throughout the ages.
Today, the 7th Sunday after Holy Pascha, we especially
Commemorate the 318 Holy Church Fathers of the
Ecumenical Council, as well as all those who stood so
Faithfully and Truthfully rooted in the Divine Truth of
our Lord Jesus Christs Commandments and
Teachings.
May God grant us all the ability to perceive the dangers
and temptations of every increasing heresies and
blasphemies that constantly threaten and surround us
as we Struggle towards Eternity.
Amen
HTTP://WWW.PRAVMIR.COM/SUNDAY-OF-THEFATHERS-OF-THE-FIRST-ECUMENICAL-COUNCIL
LIFE?
who are regarded as being merely lazy or ...looking
for a free hand out.
The less fortunate are regarded as a nuisance or an
annoyance, and barely noticed as being mirrors of
ourselves as suffering fellow sinners.
There is no pause for thought: There, but for the Grace of
God, go I!! or Today... my Brother... tomorrow... me!!
or How would I feel if that were me??!!
Conversely, when we actually look at those beggars, ask
them who they are their names - and speak with
them, and actually listen to their stories, we will
realise that they are struggling with the basic
elements of this temporary, difficult life, and our
granite hearts will soften and melt with Agape!!
Consequently, what we should do with this short,
preparatory life before Eternity, is to stop thinking of
grand schemes and turn with unconditional Love to
those who are near to us and with whom we come
into contact.
We must talk with them, listen carefully to them, and show
them that we do care about them.
One by one we can help each other - and in this way we
can impact society or mankind in general.
We should not waste our precious time, energy or
resources in general movements or causes, but that
pay attention to what is directly before us and around
us.
St Theophan the Recluse believes that ...those who
inattentively and unrealistically entertain thoughts of
contributing to the welfare of all mankind, allow
opportunities to do something good which is right
before them, to slip by!
Because they do not have the opportunity to perform a
general work, and lose the opportunity to perform a
particular work, they accomplish nothing towards
the main Purpose of this short lifespan.
All troubles come from a mental outlook that is too
broad.
It is better to humbly cast your eyes down toward your
feet, and to figure out which step to take next.
This is the Truest Path...
ARE WE TO DO WITH OUR
People often want to do something that will benefit

mankind or society.
St Theophan the Recluse tells us: There is no reason to
torture yourself with difficult problems.
You need to put out of your mind any plans about multibeneficial, all-embracing, common-to-all mankind
activities...
Phrases such as ...for the good of mankind... and ...for
the good of the people... are always on their
tonguesthey have in mind all mankind or at least
all of its people lumped together.
After hearing so many profound ideas, you were
probably captivated by such ideas yet if you turned
your attention to your own circumstances, you may
realise with deep regret that you have actually
vegetated within your family circle without
benefit or purpose!
Only now someone has finally opened your eyes!
We must be cautious about grand ideas or ideologies in
case we forget about our own relationships with
family and friends.
What we are called to do as Christians our most vital
Sacred Duty - is to first Love God - and then to Love our
neighbour - with our whole heart and soul as
unconditionally and as much as the Lord our God
Loves us.
Our Sacred Mission is to Love - not to save society or
mankind in general.
We need to focus our attention on those who are right
there in front of us!
They are the ones we are to Love Unconditionally - to
help or assist in any way possible, to console and to
nurture, to understand, to support and to encourage.
This is our Sacred Purpose our Sacred Calling!
So many others are suffering to varying degrees and
depths besides all those who lack even the most
basic necessities.
If we are Blessed to reside in an affluent neighbourhood,
we are more than likely to ignore, overlook or forget
those who are in desperate need - just like the real
account of the Rich Man and Poor Lazaros, of which
our Lord Jesus Christ informed us.
How often have we heard disparaging remarks so
carelessly passed concerning the poor and destitute
ELDER THADDEUS
ST THEOPHAN THE RECLUSE: THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/
OF
VITOVNICA
You should learn to Love little things

Always try to be modest and simple in everything.
10. 7 T H S U N D A Y A F T E R H O L Y P A S C H A 3 1 8 H O L Y F A T H E R S - 1 S T E C U M E N I C A L C O U N C I L 1 2 J U N E 2 0 1 6

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
18 June 2016
Saturday of the Souls
Forefeast of Pentecost Sunday
Feast Day of St Leontios, St Hypatios, & St Theodoulos, Roman Soldiers & Holy Martyrs of
Tripoli, Syria St Leontios of Kiev Far Caves Monastery St Leontios the Clairvoyant of
Mount Athos
FIRST MEMORIAL ANTIPHON TONE 2
1.
Agathon
to Exomologisthe to Kyro ke psallin to

Onomati Sou, Ipsiste.
1.
It
is Good to Confess the Lord and to sing to Thy

Name, O Most High!
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas!

Through the Intercessions of Theotokos, O Saviour,
Save us!
2. Tou anangellin to proi to Eleos Sou ke tin Alithian Sou
2. To proclaim Thy Mercy in the morning, and Thy Truth
kata nikta.
at night.
3.
Oti evthis Kyrios O Theos imon ke ouk Estin adikia en
3.
So as
to proclaim: The Lord my God is Upright, and

there is no wrongdoing in Him.
Afto.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is
tous Eonas ton eonon.
Spirit, now and forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amin
Amen
SECOND MEMORIAL ANTIPHON TONE 2
1.
Kyrios
evasilefsen evprepian enedisato.

Kyrios Dinamin ke perizosato.
Enedisato
Soson
1.
The Lord reigns;
He vests Himself with Majesty. The

Lord vests and girds Himself with Power.
imas, Iie Theou, O en Agiis Thavmastos,

psallontas Si: Allilouia!
Save
2.
Ke gar estreose tin ikoumenin, itis ou salevthisete
2.
And
3.
To Iko Sou prepi Agiasma, Kyrie, is makrotita imeron.
3.
Holiness is proper to Thy House, O Lord, unto length
us, O Son of God, Who art Wondrous in Thy

Saints, who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
He established the world, which shall not be
moved.
of days.
Amin
Amen
SECOND M
Defte agalliasometha to
OR
EMORIAL ANTIPHON
Kyrio, alalazomen to Theo to
TONE 2
Come, le us greatly Rejoice in the Lord;
Sotiri imon.
let us shout aloud
to God our Saviour!
Soson
Save
Profthasomen
Let us
imas, Iie Theou, O en Agiis Thavmastos,

psallontas Si: Allilouia!
to prosopon Aftou en Exomoligi ke en

psalmis alalazomen Aft. Oti Theos Megas Kyrios ke
Vasilefs Megas epi pasan tin Gin.
us, O Son of God, Who art Wondrous in Thy

Saints, who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
come before His Sight with Confession and let us
shout aloud to Him with Psalms! For the Lord is a
Great God, a Great King over all the Earth!
Oti en ti Hiri Aftou ta perata tis Gis, ke ta ipsi ton oreon For
in His Hands are the ends of the Earth, and the

heights of the mountains are His, for the sea is His,
and He made it, and His Hands formed the dry land.
aftou isin. Oti aftou Estin i thalassa, ke aftos epiisen

afti, ke tin xiran e hires Aftou eplasan
Amin
Amen
MEMORIAL APOLYTIKION
Vathis Sofias filanthropos, panta ikonomon, ke to

simferon pasin aponemon mone Dimiourge, anapafson
Kyrie tas psihas ton doulon Sou. En Si gar tin Elpida
anethento, to Piiti ke plasti ke Theo imon.
TONE
(8) PLAGAL 4
O Only Creator, Who out of Love for mankind arrange all

things with depth of Wisdom, and impart to all what is
Beneficial. O Lord, grant Repose to the Souls of Thy
servants. For they have placed their Hope in Thee, our
Creator, and Fashioner, and God!
ISODIKON TONE 2
Defte proskinisomen ke prospesomen Hristo.

Iie Theou, O en Agiis Thavmastos...
Psallontas Si, Allilouia!
Soson imas,
Come, let us worship, and bow down before Christ.
Save
us, O Son of God, Who art Wondrous in Thy Saints...
Who sing to Thee:

SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS FOREFEAST
OF
Alleluia!
HOLY PENTECOST
18 JUNE 2016
11
MEMORIAL KONTAKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Meta
With the Saints grant Rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy
ton Agion anapafson Hriste, tas psihas ton doulon

Sou, entha ouk esti ponos, ou lipi, ou stenagmos, alla zoi
ateleftitos.
servants where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor

suffering, but Life Everlasting.
MEMORIAL PROKEIMENON TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
To Thee, O Lord, I cry:
Their souls shall dwell among Good Things.

O my God, may Thou not pass over me in silence; may Thou never be silent to me, or else I
would become like those who go down into the pit.
THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
PARTICIP
ATION
TO THE
IN
CH
THESSALONIANS 4:13 18
RIST
S RETURN
Brethren: I do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who have Fallen Asleep, lest you sorrow as others who
have no Hope.
If we believe that our Lord Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who Sleep in Jesus. For
this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the Reappearance of the Lord
will by no means precede those who are Asleep. For the Lord Himself with a shout - with the Voice of an Archangel
and with the Trumpet of God - will descend from Heaven. And the dead in Christ will Rise first. Then we who are
Alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with our Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE CLEAREST NEW TESTAMENT
2. ... THE SIGN OF THE TRUMPET...
PASSAGES
ON
THE
SECOND COMING OR PHYSICAL
3. ... THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD...
REAPPEARANCE OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR OUR FINAL
THE REAPPEARANCE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR GREATEST
AND ONLY DIVINE JUDGE!
JOY AND DIVINE COMFORT I.E. THE JOYOUS HOPE AND
THE DIDACHE the writings of the Holy Apostles lists THREE
EXPECTATION OF ALL THE RIGHTEOUS AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES
SIGNS THAT WILL HERALD THE RETURN OF OUR LORD JESUS
OF CHRIST while it is regarded as a dreadful and
CHRIST:
much feared threat to the ungodly and unrepentant
1. ...THE SIGN SPREAD OUT IN THE HEAVENS... Christ and
sinners, including Satan and his demons.
all His Heavenly Hosts
THE THIRD APPEARANCE
OF OUR
TO
ST JOHN 21 : 14 - 25
RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST - HIS DIVINE COMMISSION
At that time, our Lord Jesus showed Himself to His Disciples after He was Raised from the dead. And Jesus said to Simon
Peter: Simon Jonah: do you Love Me more than these? He said to Him: Yes, Lord. Thou know that I love Thee.
He said to him: Feed My Lambs.
Jesus said to him a second time: Simon Jonah: do you Love Me? He said to Him: Yes, Lord. Thou know that I love
Thee. He said to him: Tend My Sheep.
He said to him the third time: Simon Jonah: do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He asked him for the third
time: Do you love Me? And he said to Him: Lord, Thou know all things Thou know that I love Thee. Jesus said
to him: Feed My Sheep.
Truly, truly, I say to you: when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished. When you
are old, you will stretch out your hands and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.
This he spoke, signifying by what death he would Glorify God. And when He had said this, He said to him: Follow
Me.
Turning around, Peter saw the Disciple whom Jesus Loved following, who also had leant upon His Breast at the Supper,
and had asked: Lord, who is the one who betrays Thee? Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus: Lord, what about him?
Jesus said to him: If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!
Then this saying went out among the Brethren that this Disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he
would not die, but: If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?
This is the Disciple who testifies to these Things, and wrote them. And we know that his Testimony is True. There are
also many other Things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one I suppose that even the world itself
could not contain the Books that would be written. Amen
.
The fact that our Lord Jesus Christ singled out St Peter has
a twofold significance:
1. ST PETER WAS THE LEADER OR SPOKESMAN AMONG THE
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST and being such a passionate
and impulsive character HAD TO BE THE FIRST TO
CONFESS HIS LOVE FOR OUR RESURRECTED LORD AND
SAVIOUR.
2. ST PETER HAD DENIED CHRIST THREE TIMES after His arrest
despite having been adamant that he would
never betray or deny him. KNOWING THE HEARTS AND
SOULS OF EVERYONE HE CREATES, CHRIST KNEW WHAT
MOTIVATED ST PETER.
Consequently, DUE TO HIS
INFINITE DIVINE LOVE AND GREAT MERCY, OUR LORD
RESTORED HIS DIVINE GRACE UPON ST PETER WITH HIS
THREEFOLD CONFESSION OF LOVE.
It is important to note that the first two times our Lord
Jesus inquired of St Peter: Do you Love Me? HE
USED A FORM OF THE WORD AGAPE, WHICH DENOTES THE
HIGHEST FORM OF SACRIFICIAL AND SELF-EMPTYING LOVE
THE KIND OF LOVE THAT ALMIGHTY GOD HAS FOR ALL
HUMAN BEINGS AND WHICH WE CAN DEVELOP ONLY
THROUGH MATURING IN GODS DIVINE GRACE.
However, each TIME ST PETER WAS UNABLE TO CLAIM SUCH A
LOFTY LOVE and when he answered: Lord, Thou know
that I love Thee, he used the term FILO, which IS A
LESSER FORM OF LOVE MERELY AKIN TO BROTHERLY
AFFECTION.
Then, WHEN OUR LORD ASKED ST PETER FOR THE THIRD TIME
WHETHER HE LOVED HIM, HE USED THE TERM FILO THEREBY
CONDESCENDING TO ST PETERS HUMAN WEAKNESS AND
ACCEPTING WHATEVER LOVE ST PETER WAS ABLE TO OFFER HIM
AT THAT STAGE OF HIS LIFE.
12.
SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS FOREFEAST
Nevertheless, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CERTAINLY KNEW THAT ST

PETER AND ALL THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES
WOULD DEVELOP A DIVINELY GRACIOUS AGAPE FOR HIM
INDEED FOR GOD BECAUSE ST PETER AND MOST OF THEM
ACCEPTED HOLY MARTYRDOM FOR HIS SAKE for the sake of
their absolute Faith and Trust in Gods Divine Truth
and Eternal Life.
Of course ST PETER in his lack of profound
Understanding at that time WAS GRIEVED both by
the fact that our Lord Jesus had to condescend to his
basic level of love and that this was a clear
although gentle reference to his previous three
denials of Christ.
When our Lord said: ... when you are old, you will
stretch out your hands and another will gird you
and carry you where you do not wish to go, He
prophesied for the second time St Peters eventual
martyrdom under Emperor Nero, circa 67, in Rome
when St Peter would be crucified upside down.
The ...Disciple whom Jesus Loved... is AN OBLIQUE
REFERENCE TO ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN,
EVANGELIST AND APOSTLE OF CHRIST WHO RECORDED THIS
PARTICULAR EVENT and who was the only Holy Apostle to
survive the cruel persecutions against all Christians
until his Repose in Christ at the age of approximately
101 circa 98 108 AD.
His longevity was marvelled at by THE EARLY CHRISTIANS
who THOUGHT HE WOULD LIVE UNTIL THE SECOND COMING
the Reappearance of our Lord.
However, ST JOHN THE DIVINE HIMSELF CORRECTED THIS
FALSE ASSUMPTION BY CLARIFYING THE TRUTH THAT OUR
LORD JESUS ... DID NOT SAY TO HIM THAT HE WOULD NOT
DIE...
OF
HOLY PENTECOST
18 JUNE 2016
THE USE OF THE WORD WE INDICATED THAT ST JOHN THE

EVANGELIST, HAD AN ASSISTANT and according to Holy
Tradition, that faithful Scribe was named Prochoros,
who is often depicted in many of the Icons of St John
writing down his words and Teachings.
ALTHOUGH ACKNOWLEDGING AND CONFIRMING THAT HIS HOLY
GOSPEL CONTAINS ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF OUR LORD
JESUS CHRISTS EARTHLY LIFE, ST JOHN THE DIVINE
THEOLOGIAN AND EVANGELIST WROTE HIS HOLY GOSPEL TO
BRING ALL WHO READ IT CAREFULLY TO TRUE FAITH IN GOD.
WHILE THE HOLY GOSPELS OF ST MATTHEW, ST MARK AND ST
LUKE CONTAIN MANY MORE DIVINE MIRACLES AND
PARABLES, THOSE, TOO, ARE FAR FROM EXHAUSTIVE i.e.
they are only a few of the rich Spiritual and Divine
Treasure that Christ bestowed upon all His Faithful
Disciples throughout all ages.
Therefore, TO RESTRICT ONESELF MERELY TO THE WRITTEN WORDS
AND TEACHINGS OF CHRIST, RESTRICTS ONESELF TO A VERY
SMALL PORTION OF THE WHOLE DIVINE TRUTH OF ALMIGHTY
GOD, which consists of so much more: the VERBAL
TEACHINGS OF CHRIST OUR GOD HOLY TRADITION - THAT
WHY
WAS GRANTED BY GOD TO CHRISTS APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES

and which have been CAREFULLY PRESERVED AND PASSED
ON TO US THROUGH THE GOD-INSPIRED WRITINGS, HYMNS AND
TEACHINGS OF ALL OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS AND MOTHERS
throughout the ages.
Consequently, by reminding us ...there are also
many other Things that Jesus did... ST JOHN NOT
ONLY EMPHASISES THE DIVINE HOLINESS OF WHAT WAS
WRITTEN, BUT ALSO POINTS TO THE ONGOING GODINSPIRED HOLY TRADITION WITHIN CHRISTS VERY MUCH
ALIVE NURTURING AND GROWING - BODY HIS HOLY
CHURCH.
THAT IS THE GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS ABSOLUTE,

PERFECT AND DIVINE TRUTH THAT UNITES US WITH GOD
AND ONE ANOTHER IN TRUE AGAPE, WHICH RESULTS IN
JOYOUS ETERNAL LIFE - AND THE WEAK, FLAWED AND
MISGUIDED IDEAS OR INTERPRETATIONS OF HUMAN EGO
AND ARROGANCE THAT CAUSE SO MUCH CONFUSION,
CONFLICT, DISUNITY AND ALIENATION FROM GOD AND
ONE ANOTHER SPIRITUAL DEATH! mp
DO WE PRAY FOR THE DEAD
Many people who regard themselves as being Christian

predilection to commit sin, we always Hope in the
are offended when they hear that we Orthodox
Resurrection as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us and
Christians pray for the Reposed.
we leave all Judgement to God Who knows us all far
We pray for those who have Fallen Asleep in Christ for at
better than we know ourselves.
least three reasons.
Because we Love one another, we remember and pray
Most importantly, we believe in the Resurrection.
for each other - especially when we are no longer
together.
Our Lord God is God of the Living, and not of the dead,
as our Lord Jesus Christ told us, and which we
Furthermore Prayer teaches us to Love to Love
believe.
unconditionally just as God Loves us all!
Since this is True, then the departed souls have not
It takes time and effort to pray for those from whom we
ceased to exist, because ...all are Alive to God.
get no response that we are aware of.
Praying for the Reposed, as much as asking them
We seldom think of death, but we mostly think of
especially the Saints and the Righteous - to intercede
ourselves. By making an effort to pray, we not only
remember our loved ones but God also responds to us
for us shows that we really do believe in the
Resurrection.
by softening our heart and teaching us to Love.
The most important aspect of Christian Life is that
We also know that ...all mankind has sinned and fallen
short of the Glory of God..., and there is ...not one
whatever we think, or say or do affects who we are
(person) who lives and does not sin... so we - at
and vice versa.
In addition, whatever we send forth good or evil
least as a Church, if not individually should certainly
be profoundly humble.
returns to us a hundredfold!! (What we sow, we shall
The Judgement of Almighty is far beyond our limited
reap!)
We all need Prayers for our immortal soul and unselfish
human capacity to understand.
Therefore, we dare not presume to judge who will be
Prayers are more of a Blessing to us than even those
for whom we pray!
Eternally Blessed or
who will be Eternally
During the 40 Day period after death, it is of great
Condemned!
significance to pray ceaselessly for our Beloved
Only the Lord our God knows everything, and only rarely
departed family and friends that God may have
according His Divine Will and Purpose does He
Mercy on them and that they may Rest in His Divine
reveal His Divine Mysteries, Will or Plan for our Eternal
Peace in Paradise until the General Resurrection and
Benefit.
Final Judgement.
We pray because we Love. Love remembers, and we
continue to remember our dearly Beloved family and
HTTP://ORTHODOX.NET/REDEEMINGTHETIME/2010/02/11/NB-PRAYER-FOR-THEfriends even though they are no longer with us in
DEAD-WHY-DO-WE-DO-IT/
physical form.
We pray for those who have Fallen Asleep in Christ
because, knowing the weakness of our flesh and our
TRADITIONAL DAYS AND WAYS OF REMEMBRANCE
The Fortieth Day after death is considered to be the most
3rd Saturday of the Great Lenten Fast.
4th Saturday of the Great Lenten Fast.
important Day of Commemoration.
Orthodox Christians Commemorate their Beloved family
Radonitsa (Tuesday of the 2nd week of Pascha, which
and friends as follows with Prayers and Memorial
is observed mainly by the Russian Orthodox
Christians.)
Services on:
The week before Pentecost/Trinity Sunday, and
The 3rd day after Repose
The 9th day after Repose
especially on
Saturday of the souls before
Pentecost Sunday
The 40th day after Repose
6 months after Repose
The week before the Commemoration of St Demetrios
12 months after Repose and thereafter on the annual
the Great Holy Martyr of Thessalonika
anniversary.
Note: The day a Christian Reposes is counted as the first
Meat-fare/Final
Judgement
Week.
(Panikhidas/Memorial Services for our Beloved
day of/after Falling Asleep.
family and friends are held during the week, with
If a Christian dies on Sunday, the 3rd Day is Tuesday as
Sunday is the 1st day) then Monday, Tuesday), while
a Universal Panikhida/Memorial Service after the
the 9th Day is a week after the day of Repose - in this
Divine Liturgy on the Saturday of the Souls before
case, Sunday.
Sunday of Meatfare/Final Judgement)
2nd Saturday of the Great Lenten Fast.
TRADITIONAL
WAYS OF COMMEMORATION
The lists of names of the departed Orthodox souls
A Panikhida/Trisagion to Commemorate our Beloved
together with the giving of alms in their memory

(usually a monetary donation to the Church) is
handed to the Priest before Holy Services for their
Commemoration during the Proskomedi at the
start of every Divine Liturgy.
departed Brethren may be served by the Priest on

request at the cemetery, or at the church, on any
day, EXCEPT Sunday. The list of names should be
accompanied by a donation for the Church,
because most Priests do not accept "payment" for
SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS FOREFEAST
OF
HOLY PENTECOST
18 JUNE 2016
13
their services, but they will accept alms in Memory

of the departed souls for the Church or any other
needy cause.
In the morning and/or evening during our Daily Rule
of Prayer, we should all pray for the immortal souls
of our Departed Brethren.
On Memorial Days when we Commemorate our

Departed Brethren at Church, we should offer
small bowls of Kolyva, which is Blessed and
distributed among the Faithful after the Holy
Services.
ON DEATH METROPOLITAN ANTHONY
Death is the touchstone of our attitude to life.

People who are afraid of death are afraid of life.
It is impossible not to be afraid of life with all its
complexity and dangers if one is afraid of death.
This means that to solve the problem of death is not a
luxury.
If we are afraid of death we will never be prepared to
take ultimate risks; we will spend our life in a
cowardly, careful and timid manner.
It is only if we can face death, make sense of it, determine
its place and our place in regard to it that we will be
able to live in a fearless way and to the fullness of our
ability.
Too often we wait until the end of our life to face death,
whereas we would have lived quite differently if only
we had faced death at the outset.
According to St John Klimakos, one of the essential steps
in the Transformation of our fallen nature and the
Acquisition of the Virtues is "Meleti Thanatou", or the
Remembrance of Death.
In fact, Step 6 of his Ladder of Divine Ascent is dedicated
to this very practise.
On 3 October our Holy Church guides us to read this
specific chapter from beginning to end, because at
the end is the account of Blessed St Hesychios the
Horebite, which St John considered to be the perfect
seal on this Beneficial Chapter dedicated to the
Remembrance of Death, and below I offer the ending
portion of this Chapter:
...Some inquire and wonder: Why, when the
Remembrance of Death is so Beneficial to us, has
God hidden from us the Knowledge of the Hour of
Death? not knowing that in this way God
wonderfully accomplishes our Salvation.
For no one who foreknew his death would at once
proceed to Baptism or the Monastic Life; but everyone
would spend all his days in iniquities, and only on the
OF
SOUROZH
day of his death, would he approach Baptism and

Repentance. From long habit, he would become
confirmed in vice, and would remain utterly
incorrigible.
And I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychios the
Horebite.
He passed his life in complete negligence, without
paying the least attention to his soul.
Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he
expired.
And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave
him immediately.
And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for
twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone,
and without eating anything but bread and water.
And, always remaining motionless, he was so rapt in
spirit at what he had seen in his Ecstasy, that he never
changed this manner of life but was always as if out
of his mind, and silently shed hot tears.
But when he was about to die, we broke open the door
and went in, and after many questions, this alone was
all we heard from him: Forgive me! No one who has
acquired the Remembrance of Death will ever be
able to sin.
We were amazed to see that one who had before been
so negligent was so suddenly Transfigured by this
Blessed Change and Transformation.
We reverently buried him in the cemetery near the fort,
and after some days we looked for his Holy Relics, but
did not find them.
So by Hesychios True and Praiseworthy Repentance, the
Lord showed us that He accepts those who desire to
Amend, even after long negligence.
[EXCERPT FROM THE LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT, BY ST JOHN KLIMAKOS BOSTON: HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, 1978)
ON WATCHFULNESS
Watchfulness is guarding ourselves against our

automatic reactions to thoughts stimulated by our
senses.
The Greek word for Watchfulness is Nepsis - derived
from nepho, which means to guard, inspect,
examine, watch over and keep under surveillance.
Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Monastery describes
Watchfulness as being ...the axe that shatters the
large trees, by striking (cutting) their roots. When the
root is struck, it does not spring up again.
St Hesychios believed: Watchfulness is a continual fixing
and halting of thought at the entrance to the heart...
If we are conscientious in this, we can gain much
Experience and Knowledge of Spiritual Warfare.
He explained that Watchfulness involves an effort to
intervene on our thoughts, forcing them to be
examined - to shine the Commandments of our Lord
on them.
He sees this as Spiritual Warfare, which emphasizes the
nature of this effort.
In warfare it is essential to have effective weapons that
are stronger than those of the enemy.
St Paisios the Elder of Mount Athos cautioned us about
some of the consequences of not being Watchful:
When our soul lives carelessly without watching
over our thoughts, we will consequently fill up with
dirty and sly thoughts!
As a result, people start developing psychological
problems which gradually pile up....
Some people, while they are found in this situation and
come face to face with the problem itself, do not
realize it, and thus are unable to humbly confess their
fall to their Spiritual Father.
Instead, they look for a secular solution and consult a
Psychiatrist,
who
will
inevitably
prescribe
medication...
14.
SATURDAY
OF THE
SOULS FOREFEAST
The only solution is to become aware of the problem

and confess it to a Spiritual Father and then humbly
and obediently follow his advice.
These days, people have lost control over their life, and
they do not know what they are doing - the reason
being that they do not wish to be Guided. They want
to live undisturbed - following their own free will,
which will eventually bring their total destruction...
When man uses his freedom and independence without
taking into consideration his human weakness, he
becomes deceived. He experiences and interprets
everything by using his own logic.
Instead of Gods Grace, human logic rules his life, and
his mind is put into confusion. This is terrible!
It is essential to build up your self-control selfdiscipline.
Most importantly, we have to learn to harness the
actions of our mind, which tends to run wild and
unchecked. This condition forces us to rely on mental
programming that needs to be changed in order to
live the Christian Life.
This is what being Watchful is about.
Being Watchful means that we have the necessary selfdiscipline that enables us to guard our Inner
Sanctuary from being invaded by thoughts
stimulated by our senses, that lead us to sinful
actions.
Watchfulness is the ability to intervene in the process of
choosing how to act - based on any kind of stimulus
that leads to a thought.
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2009/06/WATCHFULNESS.HTML
OF
HOLY PENTECOST
18 JUNE 2016

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and
Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit
ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
Tone (7) Varys/Grave

19 June 2016
th
8 Sunday After Holy Pascha
Sunday of Holy Pentecost
THE DESCENT
OF
GOD
THE
HOLY SPIRIT &
THE
BEGINNING
OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
OF
CHRIST
Also the Feast of St Jude the Holy Apostle, son of St Joseph the Betrothed & his late wife,
Salome, cousin & Brother of our Lord St Barlaam of Shenkursk St Zosimos the Soldier of
Antioch, Pisidia St Paisios the Great of Egypt St John the Solitary, Holy Ascetic Hermit of Jerusalem St Paisios of
Hilandar, Bulgaria St Job, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia
KINDLY NOTE: FOR THE FESTAL HYMNS OF PENTECOST, AND THE VESPERS KNEELING SERVICE, PLEASE REFER TO
READINGS OF PENTECOST, WHICH ARE PRINTED SEPARATELY IN BOOKLET FORM... OR AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
MARGUERITE.PAIZIS@GMAIL.COM
THE HYMNS AND

VIA EMAIL
PENTECOSTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 18/19 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Their Proclamation went forth into all the Earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God! The Firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
THE ACTS
TH
OF THE
ISCIPLES
APOSTLES ACCORDING
RECEIVE TH
HOLY SP
IRIT
TO
ST LUKE 2 : 1 11
FROM TH
RISEN CHRIST
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a
Sound from Heaven, as of a Rushing Mighty Wind, and It filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there
appeared before them divided Tongues, as of Fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the
Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other Tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
There were dwelling in Jerusalem Judeans - devout men, from every Nation under Heaven. When this Sound
occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own
language. They were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another: "Behold! Are not all these who speak
Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes
and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Hebrews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs
we hear them speaking in our own tongues the Greatness of God!"
TO
ST JOHN 7 : 37 8 : 12
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HIS DISCIPLES
On the last day, that Great Day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me
and drink. He who believes in Me - as the Scripture has said - out of his heart will flow rivers of Living Water."
This He spoke concerning the Spirit, Whom those Believing in Him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given,
for Jesus was not yet Glorified.
Many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said: Truly this is the Prophet." Others said: "This is the Christ." Or
they said:"Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that from the Seed of David and from the
town of Bethlehem, where David was, the Christ will come?"
There was division amongst them because of Him. Some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands upon Him.
The Officers went to the Chief Priests and Pharisees, who said to them: "Why have you not brought Him?" The officers
answered: "No man ever spoke like this Man!" The Pharisees answered them: "Are you also deceived? Have any
believed in Him of the Rulers of the Pharisees? But this crowd - who does not know the Law - is accursed!"
Nikodemos said to them - (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of His): "Does our Law judge a man before it
hears him and knows what he is doing?" They answered and said to him: "Are you also from Galilee? Search and
look, for no Prophet has arisen out of Galilee."
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying: I Am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in Darkness, but
have the Light of Life."
8TH SUNDAY AFTER HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY OF HOLY PENTECOST HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY
T HE D ESCENT OF G OD THE H OLY S PI RIT & THE B EGIN NING OF C HRIST S H OLY C HURCH
Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ:

See how the Holy
Church teaches our conscience.
The blossoming flowers represent our conscience,
because when all of nature was still dead, when the
beginning of our yearly cycle was approaching, the
Holy Church revealed to us a Great Divine Mystery the Divine Mystery of our Redemption!
She then opened before us the Cave Stable of Bethlehem
and revealed our Lord Jesus Christ the Eternal, Only
Begotten Word and Son of God the Father - Who had
just been born.
And we were informed by St Paul through his Epistle to
the Galatians that that Cave, which witnessed the
Birth of the long-awaited Saviour, is our Entrance in to
a new yearly cycle - hat at the humble Manger of
Christ our soul is Renewed, and that in this Renewal of
spirit we receive the Spirit of Adoption (Holy Sonship),
which Unites us into the one Family of Christ our Lord

and Saviour. (GALATIANS 4:4-7).
And these are not merely meaningless words!
The Holy Church of Christ convinces us of this Divine
Truth by comparing our Spiritual Life with what
occurs in nature: the death or dormancy of nature in
Winter, its revival in the magnificent beauty of Spring
and Summer, and the yielding of fruit in Autumn.
It is the similar to the immortal soul of us human beings.
After the sluggishness of Spiritual Slumber, we received
the Spirit of Adoption in our Holy Baptism in order to
Unite us all into one Holy, Universal and Eternal
Family - and thereby to receive what our All Merciful
and Loving Lord grants us by means of His Divine
Plan of Salvation - His Most Precious, Life-giving Body
and Blood, which grants us Forgiveness of sins and
Eternal Life, which is the Divine Mystery of the Tree of
8 T H A FTER H OLY P ASCHA P ENTECOST H OLY T RINITY S UNDAY -D ESCENT
OF
G OD
THE
H OLY S PIRIT 19 J UNE 2016
15.
Life, which Adam lost in Paradise when he disobeyed

with His Divine Salutation: "Peace be unto you!" (LUKE
24:36).
the One and Only Commandment of God.
Yes, we gratefully receive His Divine Peace in our heart,
And as nature blooms, so does our Life in Christ when we
but all too quickly we lose it again and again!
obey and fulfil the Divine Grace, which our Lord
Enmity, malice, any kind of impurity forces it out of our
grants us through His Sufferings that He endured for
heart and alienates us from God and His Goodness
the sake of our Redemption - in order to make our soul
and Light, until we realise the error of our words,
Spiritually Fruitful with Good Works - what our Saviour
thoughts and deeds, and quickly seek Forgiveness
referred to as the Beatitudes - Blessed are the poor
and Redemption through Repentance-Confession.
in spirit... Blessed are the Meek....Blessed are those
Let us not be distracted, tempted, obsessed with, or
who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness...Blessed
deceived by the temporary, earthly things that
are the Merciful...Blessed are the Peacemakers...
surround us and which often overwhelm us, for all too
Blessed! (MATTHEW 5:3-12)
quickly and often without any warning, Death comes
And this - our surrendering to our Beloved Lord God is
to claim us!
repeated on the Eighth Day after the Nativity of Christ
Every day, let us ensure that we are in a State of Spiritual
- when the Holy Church celebrates the Circumcision
Life, rather than Spiritual Death caused by our
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
unrepented sins, for once we pass away from this
Then we, too, similarly Spiritually Circumcise our own
temporary state into Eternity, there will be no
heart and Confess: We are Faithful Christians and
opportunity to Repent at all!
Disciples of Christ who form One Holy Family, whose
Our Loving and All Merciful Lord God knows the state of
Heavenly Father is God!
our soul He knows our weak human condition so He
After we have experienced all this and have given our
has provided us with His Divine Truth His Teachings
Promise and fully committed ourselves to our Saviour,
and Commandments that make it so much easier for
Christ brings us to the Manifestation of our Triune
us when all we have to do is to obey them and follow
God at His Baptism by St John, His Forerunner, in the
the Holy Path He sets before us.
River Jordan - the moment when Christ shows us the
Do not even for an instant - be lured by thoughts of how
Way to Perfection at Theophany.
difficult it is to follow our Saviour!
Yet we did not fulfill all this, for we proved to be unworthy,
It is far easier and less stressful and more Joyful and
and instead of the Revelation of God, we transformed
fulfilling - to follow Him step by step, knowing that our
our life into a manifestation of worldliness, because
Lord Jesus Christ has never deceived us nor lied to us
we were focussed on unbeneficial worldly interests,
about anything at all! He has always spoken His
forgetting, rejecting or ignoring the True Purpose of
Truth without any hidden agendas!
this short, temporary preparatory period before
God is Absolute, Perfect Love and Truth!
Eternity!!
Everything He has granted us is Perfection itself! What
However, the Holy Church grants us Great Lent as an
beauty! What jewels! Such magnificence can only be
opportunity for our contemplation, self-examination
possible by the Creator Himself.
and Repentance, for during these Lents, we should
Today, Pentecost or Holy Trinity Sunday, after the Divine
turn our attention and focus inwards upon our heart
Liturgy, during Vespers, we all humbly kneel down
and soul spiritually returning to Golgotha and
before our Triune God while the Priest reads the Great
standing before the Cross of Christ, remembering and
Penitential Prayers.
weeping most sorrowfully over His terrible, unjustified
Let us pray that, whenever and wherever we are
Wounds and indescribable Sufferings.
powerless to act, the Grace and Power of God the Holy
And by His Great Mercy, we receive great Comfort and
Spirit will accomplish everything that will grant us all
Hope from the Joy of His Resurrection, which reveals
Eternal Salvation.
our own future Resurrection.
Meanwhile, we strive ceaselessly to seek and pluck out
HTTP://WWW.HOLYTRINITYMISSION.ORG/BOOKS/ENGLISH/SERMONS_ARCHBISH
our sins the visible and invisible sins so that day by
OP_ANDREI.HTM#_TOC45953452 One Thing Needful
day, we are able to truly Live in Christ Who Blesses us
THE TRUE NATURE OF THE CHURCH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
The True Nature of the Holy Church of our Lord Jesus
then are Spiritually Nurtured by our ongoing
Christ is revealed at Pentecost.
Cooperation with Christ in His Holy Church.
The Church is totally Christ-centred and it is through our
This is quite a different view than that found in most
Relationship with our Lord God that we are United
Protestant churches, where the emphasis is on the
with Him forever.
Word of God and not on the Indwelling of Christ.
How is it then that the Descent of God the Holy Spirit at
The Role of the Holy Spirit is minimized and the church is
Pentecost reveals the True Nature of the Holy Church?
simply an assembly hall where Prayers are given and
Father Staniloae explained: Our Salvation is achieved
a lecture on Holy Scripture is delivered.
only through Christ, Who comes to dwell within us with
For Orthodox Christians, the physical place where the
the Body He borea Body that has Risen, Ascended,
Faithful gather is seen as a Holy Temple - a Sacred
and been made fully Spiritual, that is, has been filled
Place where God the Holy Spirit is very much present,
with the Holy Spirit and thus has become totally
and where He actively works through the Holy
transparent.
Mysteries that are offered to the Faithful during each
Christ had been made Fully Spiritual, which means He is
Service.
filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Descent of God the Holy Spirit gives the Church Her
His Body is no longer physical, but spiritual and
Purpose and existence, and initiates the Indwelling of
transparent. (invisible to us)
the Resurrected Body of Christ in us.
He now works through us by the Holy Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit we attain this Indwelling and,
He dwells within us mystically.
therefore, the Church.
His Indwelling in each of us is what produces His Holy
It is through the Descent of God the Holy Spirit that came
Church.
at Pentecost that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is
The Greek word is "Ekklesia," or Gathering.
able to work through us, that we are able to be in an
The Church is the gathering of those who have within
intimate Relationship with Him, enabling us to do His
them Christ Himself.
Will and to act with Love towards others.
It is through the Church that we received this Indwelling
It was at Pentecost that God the Holy Spirit first shone forth
at our Baptism.
from human beings.
The Church is where the Holy Spirit works for
On that day of Pentecost, Christ sent to us God the Holy
our Salvation given to us through the Incarnation of
Spirit as He had promised His Holy Apostles.
Jesus Christ.
He descended on them, filling them with Christs Glory,
We can think of this as a process initiated by
thereby making them the first members of His Holy
God involving
the
Incarnation,
Crucifixion,
Church.
Resurrection, Ascension and then the formation of the
After His Descent they were filled with Christ and His
Church. His Body, and the Seed of our Resurrection is
Powers were extended to them, enabling them to go
planted in Believers during our Baptism and we are
to all Nations without fear - to spread the Good News,
16. 8 T H A FTER H OLY P ASCHA P ENTECOST H OLY T RINITY S UNDAY -D ESCENT
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teaching them everything that Christ had taught His

Apostles, Baptizing millions of souls, making them
Faithful and Obedient Disciples of Christ, thereby
nurturing and increasing the Holy Church of Christ.
God the Holy Spirit is One with God the Father and God
the Son, being One of the Three Persons of the One
Divine Godhead.
He must always be considered as the Holy Spirit of Christ,
having Proceeded from God the Father, Who always
operate in Perfect Harmony and Unity with God the
Father and God the Son.
Being Three individual Persons of the One Divine
Godhead, they act with Perfect Knowledge of each
other and exist in Perfect Love. They operate
according to the Will of the Father, through the Son by
the Power and Energy of the Holy Spirit.
Father Staniloae commented: The Image of Christ in
Heaven and of the Holy Spirit in the Church is false,
because such a vision does not take the Trinitarian
Persons Unity seriously.
This in turn leads to either rationalism or to
sentimentalism, or even to both...
It is by means of the Holy Spirit that our Lord Jesus Christ
penetrates our heart and soul
The Holy Spirit forms us progressively into the Image and
Likeness of the Son.
As we Acquire the Holy Spirit by means of the
Sacramental Life in the Church and struggling daily
to Live in Christ, our Saviour imprints Himself more
clearly in us.
He nurtures and encourages our Love for Him, leading
us to follow Gods Divine Will and Truth.
Only by the Power and Energy of the Holy Spirit is it
possible for us to develop a close and intimate
Relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and for us to
receive more and more of His Power.
Due to the Divine Indwelling of us, the Holy Spirit is able to
Bless us and enable us with His full Presence.
It is the Divine Miracle of Holy Pentecost that God
descends and dwells for the first time within our
human heart!
The Holy Church of Christ is established and maintained
by our Lord Jesus Christ through the Power and
Energy of the Holy Spirit Who is continually available
WHAT
IS
REQUIRED
TO
St Seraphim of Sarov said: "The True Goal of our

Christian Life consists of the Acquisition of the Holy
Spirit...
"What God requires is True Faith in Himself and His
Only begotten Son. In return, He generously bestows
the Grace of the Holy Spirit.
Our Lord seeks hearts filled with Love for God and for
one's neighbour."
St John Chrysostom reminds us that this is not a Sacred
Task just for Monks, but also for all Faithful,
Struggling Christians: "...Those who live in the world,
even though married, should resemble the Monks in
everything else.
You are wholly mistaken if you think that there are
some things that are required of seculars, and
others for Monastics...
They will all have to render the same account... When
Christ orders us to follow the Narrow Path, He is
speaking to all mankind."
The level of Perfection to which we are all Called does
not come without our effort, which involves what is
commonly termed Ascetic Practises that include a
Daily Rule for Prayer and Fasting as well as the
study of Holy Scripture and other Spiritual Writings.
When St Seraphim spoke of Acquiring the Holy Spirit,
he used this term in a similar way to how we
acquire material benefits.
Surely you understand what it means to acquire
money?
The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God is exactly the
same.
You understand I am sure, O lover of God, the meaning
of acquiring in a worldly sense.
The primary aim of ordinary people in a worldly sense
is to acquire, or to make, money...
for our Spiritual Benefit, Welfare and Development in

the Holy Church of Christ.
The Holy Spirit Unites us with Almighty God through the
means provided for us by His Holy Church, which is
thus absolutely essential for our Eternal Salvation.
Father Staniloae explains: ... The Work of Salvation,
whose Foundation was laid in Christs human Nature,
is being fulfilled in the form of the Church, which is
our Union with God and among ourselves.
Only within the Harmony between human beings in God
is it shown that they have abandoned egoism as a
general image of sin, or of their confinement in
themselves as narrow monads.(simple or single
entity).
That is why the state of Salvation is equivalent to
belonging to the Church, or to the gathering of those
who are Saved into the Church with their common
participation in the Body that Christ raised up
beyond any self-preoccupationto the Sacrificial
state that was made permanent in Him.
On this day of Pentecost we can Renew our Spiritual
Understanding of the Role of the Holy Spirit.
Let us remember to seek Christ within us - not just as a
Figure described in Holy Scripture.
We need to Purify our heart and soul so that the Holy
Spirit and Gods Grace can work through us and we
can slowly regain our lost Likeness to Christ.
The importance of the Holy Mysteries of the Church of
Christ cannot be emphasised enough - especially
Holy Communion where - through the Holy Spirit - we
are able partake of the Precious, Life-giving Body and
Blood of Christ regularly thereby granting us
Renewed Spiritual Strength so we can Live in Him - as
He taught us.
Let remember to give Thanks for all that our Lord God
does for us through the Holy Spirit, and let us pray for
the Holy Spirit to act within us all.
St Seraphim of Sarov taught us: ...Acquiring the Spirit of
God is the True Aim of our Christian Life, while
Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving and other Good Works
done for Christ's sake are merely means for
Acquiring the Spirit of God...
THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD BY DIMITRU STANILOAE. VOL 4
ACQUIRE
THE
HOLY SPIRIT?
The Acquisition of the Spirit of God is the same as the

acquisition of capital with the difference that it is
Eternal and dispenses Grace.
Since it is so similar to everyday ordinary money, it is
acquired in much the same way.
How do we acquire material wealth? We must train
ourselves, develop valued skills, and apply them
through hard work.
For Spiritual Benefits we also must work hard, and
prepare ourselves to receive the Heavenly
Benefits...
...Our Lord Jesus Christ himself compares our life in this
world with a marketplace.
He likens our everyday activities to trading, telling us to
'...trade until I come, redeeming the time, because
the days are evil. ( C F . L U K E 1 9 : 1 3 ; E P H E S I A N S 5 : 1 6 ) .
In other words we must make the most of our time by
obtaining Heavenly Blessings in exchange for our
earthly goods.
The goods we should be trading are those very same
good works done for Christ's sake that confer upon
us all the Grace of the Holy Spirit.
It is these Good Works that include not only Charitable
Acts but also our Ascetic Efforts that are essential to
Purify our mind and heart from the bodily passions
that too frequently take precedence over the desire
of the soul.
Ascetic Efforts cannot be considered as merits to earn
God's Grace, but only as a means to an end,
Ascetic Efforts prepare us for the Acquisition of the
Holy Spirit and Union with God.
With the Holy Spirit moving through us, we must align
our free will with God's Will, and strive to acquire
the Holy Virtues.
This is only possible though the Work the Power and
Energy - of the Holy Spirit, Who makes the impossible
possible for us!
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17.
However, we must always remember that God will not

Judge us according to our Ascetic Efforts, but will
Judge us according to our Humility and Obedience,
which is expressed by our unconditional Love for
others - and our Love for God.
St Seraphim explained: Prayer, Fasting, Vigils and all
other Christian Practices - however good they may
be in and of themselves - do not constitute the True
Goal of our Christian Way of Life.
They only serve as the indispensable means of
attaining it.
The True Goal of our Christian Life consists of the
Acquisition of the Holy Spirit.
Fasting, keeping Vigil, Prayers, and Charity, as well as
every other Good Deed done for the sake of Christ,
are but the means through which we may Acquire
the Holy Spirit.
The Love of God must be the Motivation of all our

actions.
As we learn to Love others we will increase our Love of
God.
As our Love of God is increased, so will our Love for
others.
The Ascetic Practices cannot interfere with our Love for
others.
If we must take care of the needs of a child or a parent
or any other person, we cannot use our Ascetic
Practices to excuse ourselves from our Loving Care
of others.
But we also must recognize that this ability to Love is
increased as we Purify our heart and mind, and this
comes about as a result our Ascetic Efforts so we can
Acquire the Holy Spirit...
T H E J O Y
OF THE
HOLY
BY
HARRY M. BOOSALIS,
OUR SECRET LIFE FATHER STEPHEN FREEMAN
The Truth of a person is always more than the

person himself knows and always more than
anyone else knows. Created in the Image of God,
human beings have an inherent transcendence.
The soul is a Mystery. (EVERYWHERE PRESENT: CHRISTIANITY
IN A ONE-STOREY UNIVERSE)
What is a soul? This is the sort of question that Priests

dread (particularly on the lips of children).
There is nothing to point to, nothing to show as an
answer to the question. To believe that we even
have souls is an act of Faith.
For myself, to speak of a soul is to confess a
transcendent aspect to human beings.
The soul is the something more of our existence. I am
more than chemicals and proteins.
The soul cannot be weighed or measured or
described.
Some English translations of the New Testament render
the word for soul (psyche) as life. It is an attempt
to speak the unspeakable and is surely as useful
as soul.
The soul is not the ghost in the machine, although the
expression comes close to describing what many
imagine the soul to be.
To make matters more difficult, St Gregory of Nyssa
once said that ...the soul is not in the body, but
the body in the soul.
The expression, something more, ultimately works
best for me. What it is to be human cannot be
reduced to something we can know.
As the Psalmist wrote: I will praise Thee, for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made Marvellous art
Thy Works! (PSALM 139:14)
What we often think of as myself, is not the self at all,
but a feeble construct maintained feverishly in its
existence with fantasy, delusion, deception,
comparison and a host of other strategies.
It begets anxiety and anger, criticality and envy. It is
not being Saved nor will it be.
For lack of a better description, there is a true self, an
identity of the person that we are in Christ.
There are, doubtless, elements of this identity entwined
or enmeshed with the false self which
Archimandrite Meletios Webber identifies as being
the ego.
These same elements, however, are often hidden by
the tireless work of the ego.
We do not recognize them nor understand them.
The identity upon which we lavish such energy is a
source of loneliness since it is a stranger to True
Communion. It hungers but never eats; thirsts but
never drinks; is lonely but does not Love. Its needs
are infinite.
The True Self remains a mystery and this is also part
of our Salvation.
For we only come to know the True Self in the same
manner and at the same time that we come to
know the True and Living God.
Made in His Image, our True Self is revealed from
Glory to Glory as we grow in the Knowledge and
Love of God.
God is a Mystery and is only known in the slow and

patient work of Repentance, Forgiveness and
Illumination.
The Divine Commandment ...be still and know that I
Am God is a Commandment to cease from the
useless construction of our ego. (Psalm 46:10)
We give up the project of endlessly re-inventing
ourselves. Our goals and accomplishments, our
endless comparisons and judgments of others, our
fears and anxieties - the fantasies and delusions
that we call self are all allowed to rest.
Before the Reality of God, we learn to become Still and
to let the frenzy of our identity cease.
Who I am is not known in my goals and
accomplishments, comparisons and judgments,
fears and anxieties, etc. Those are the busy efforts
of a corpse that seeks to create the illusion of
reality.
Who I am is a Mystery that has largely escaped my
notice. It is at Peace with God; Forgives its
enemies and Loves as God Loves.
It is not anxious nor in despair. It has no need to
compare or judge but rejoices in the excellence
of everyone.
This is truly a Great Mystery. It is for this Mystery that
the Monk seeks Solitude.
It is a secret because its existence is hidden with
Christ in God. (COLOSSIANS 3:3).
Just as the Kingdom of God is like a Treasure hidden in
a field, so the True Self is the hearts Greatest
Treasure.
A man ...sells all that he has that he may go and buy
the field.
All that he has (the false self and its self-definitions)
is as nothing to the man who understands the
Nature of the Treasure.
From the time of Christ until now, there have not
ceased to be those who sold all that they had and
followed Him. It is the only True Pilgrimage.
As surely as my own Life is a secret so much more
the Life of another.
If I do not yet know myself, how can I begin to know
another?
We cannot judge correctly regardless of the care we
take. Who are you to judge another Mans
servant? (ROMANS 14:4)
The fact that the True Self is a secret, tells us something
of the Way in which it can be known - it must be
revealed.
I will not know the Truth of who I am unless and
until God tells me.
In the meantime, we watch and pray - never knowing
when the Master of the House will Return.
He will Return and will bring us with Him!
BY: FATHER STEPHEN FREEMAN , GLORY TO
GOD FOR ALL THINGS
HTTPS://THEINNERKINGDOM.WORDPRESS.COM/201
2/04/06/OUR-SECRET-LIFE/#MORE-1627
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20June 2016
Tone (7) Varys/Grave

Afterfeast of Holy Pentecost
Monday of the Holy Spirit
1ST ANTIPHON OF PENTECOST PSALM 18 TONE 2
1.
I Ourani diigounte Doxan Theou, piisin de Hiron Aftou

anangelli to stereoma.
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.
1.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God: the firmament

proclaims the Work of His Hands.
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us.
of
the
Theotokos,
2.
Imera ti imera erevgete rima, ke nix nikti anangelli

Gnosin.
2.
Day
3.
Ouk isi lalie, oude logi, on ouhi akouonte e fone afton.
3.
There is no speech or language: where their voices are

not heard.
4.
Is pasan tin gin exilthen O fthongos afton, ke is ta

perata tis ikoumenis ta rimata afton.
4.
Their sound has gone out into all the Earth: and their
words to the ends of the world.
to day utters the word: and night to night

proclaims Knowledge.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ke nin ke ai ke is Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Amin
Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas
Amen
Through
the Intercessions
Saviour, Save us
2ND ANTIPHON OF PENTECOST PSALM 19 -
1.
Ekouse Sou Kyrios en imera thlipseos, uiperaspise Sou
1.
of
the
Theotokos,
TONE 2
The Lord hear you in the day of trouble: the Name of
to Onoma tou Theou Iakov.
the God of Jacob shield you.
Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, psalontas Si: Allilouia!

Good Paraclete, Save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
2. Exapostile Si voithian ex Agiou, ke ek Sion antilavito 2. May He send you Help from the sanctuary: and
Sou.
3.
support you out of Zion.
Mnisthii
pasis thisias Sou, ke to olokavtoma Sou

pianato
3.
THIRD FESTAL ANTIPHON (SUNG
1.
Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou evfranthisete O Vasilefs, ke epi
May
He remember your every sacrifice: and accept

your Burnt Offering.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION)
WITH
1.
The King shall Rejoice in Thy Power, O Lord, and Exult
to Sotirio Sou agalliasete sfodra.
greatly in Thy Salvation.
2.
Tin
epithimian tis kardias Aftou edokas afto ke tin

thelisin ton hileon Aftou ouk esterisas afton.
2.
Thou hast granted him his souls desire, and have not
3.
Oti proefthasas afton en evlogies hristotitos, ethikas epi
3.
For Thou anticipated him with Blessings of Goodness.
4.
Zoin itisato Se, ke edokas afto makrotita imeron is eona
denied him the request of his lips.
tin kephalin Aftou stefanon ek lithou Timiou.
Thou placed a Crown of Precious Stones on his

head.
4.
eonos.
He asked Thee for Life, and Thou granted him length

of days unto Ages of ages.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION PENTECOST TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Evlogitos
Blessed
i, Hriste O Theos imon, O Pansofous tous aliis

anadixas, katapempsas aftis to Pnevma to Agion, ke di
afton tin ikoumenin saginefsas, Philanthrope:
Si!
art Thou, O Christ our God. Thou made the

Fishermen All Wise, by sending down upon them the
Holy Spirit, and through them Thou drew the world
Doxa
into Thy Net. O Lover of mankind:
Glory to Thee!
ISODIKON OF PENTECOST
Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou.
Be
Asomen ke psaloumen
tas Dinastias Sou. Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe,
psallontas Si Allilouia!
exalted, O Lord, in Thy Power: we shall sing and

chant Thy Mighty Deeds. Good Paraclete, Save us
who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL KONTAKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

( PENTECOST UNTIL THE APODOSIS BEFORE ALL SAINTS SUNDAY)
Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O Ipsisto.

Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita panta
ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion Pnevma!
AFTERFEAST
19.
OF
PENTECOST MONDAY
When
the Most High came down and confused the

tongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided out
the Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with
one voice we Glorify the All-Holy Spirit!
OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT 20 JUNE 2016
BAPTISM HYMN INSTEAD OF THE
Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.
Allelouia!
AGIOS O THEOS...
As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, have put

on Christ: Alleluia!
PENTECOSTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 27/28 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
O Lord, Save Thy People, and Bless Thine Inheritance, and Shepherd them, and raise them up forever.
To Thee, O Lord, I cry: O my God, may Thou never pass over me in silence; may Thou never be silent to me, or else I shall
become like those who do down into the pit!
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
EPHESIANS 5: 8 - 19
Brethren, walk as Children of Light. For the Fruit of Light is found in all that is Good , and Right, and True. Learn what
is Pleasing to our Lord. And take no part in the unfruitful deeds of Darkness - instead expose them. For it is a
shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret. When anything is exposed by the Light it becomes visible for anything that becomes visible is Light. Wherefore, it is said: Awaken, O Sleeper, and Arise from the dead, and
Christ shall grant you Light.
Watch carefully then how you walk not unwisely, but with Wisdom - making the most of the time, for the days are evil.
Do not be foolish, but understand what the Will of our Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is
debauchery; but be filled with the Holy Spirit, addressing one another in Psalms and Hymns, and Spiritual Odes,
singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.
We must carefully JUDGE STRICTLY ACCORDING TO WHAT OUR
AS FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WE RENOUNCE
LORD GOD HAS TAUGHT US ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE,
THE WICKEDNESS AND FALLENNESS OF THE WORLD BUT NOT THE
PERFECT TRUTH whatever the fallen world tells us is
BEAUTIFUL CREATION OF GOD.
reasonable.
When we sincerely Repent, a surge of Life and Joy wells
BESIDES SEPARATING OURSELVES FROM SPIRITUAL DARKNESS SIN
forth.
A distinctive spirit, a kind of elation energizes both
AND IGNORANCE AS FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS WHO ARE FAITHFUL
darkness and light.
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, WE MUST EXPOSE EVERYTHING TO THE
For those in (Spiritual) Darkness, this spirit is like
DIVINE LIGHT OF TRUTH.
drunkenness, artificial and temporary, while for
However, WE MUST FIRST COME OUT OF HIDING FROM THE DIVINE
Christians it is the Presence of the Holy Spirit (that
TRUTH OURSELVES and thus expose our own errors,
profoundly affects and changes us) and the
ignorance and sins accordingly, IN ORDER TO SINCERELY
indescribable Joy is the New Covenant worship of the
AND HONESTLY REPENT OUR SINS.
Holy Trinity, the Holy Eucharist (Thanksgiving) to God
The Hymn Awake, you who sleep! is an early Baptismal
the Father, through God the Son Incarnate, in God the
Hymn Holy Baptism is our Spiritual Illumination, so
Holy Spirit.
WHEN WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, WE WALK IN OUR HOLY BAPTISM
Those who are inebriated through alcohol totter and
IE. WE LIVE EVERY DAY OF OUR LIFE ACCORDING TO EVERYTHING
sway and even fall down, but THOSE WHO ARE INEBRIATED
THAT OUR HOLY BAPTISM SIGNIFIES.
WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE FIRMLY ROOTED IN OUR LORD AND
In other words, WE MUST LIVE EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIFE IN
SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, AND GLORIOUSLY SOBER!!
CHRIST BY MEANS OF OUR CEASELESS SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND
WE CANNOT FULFIL OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE by reading or quoting
STRUGGLE AGAINST THE TEMPTATIONS, PASSIONS AND SINS BY
Holy Scripture or singing Hymns and Psalms IF WE DO
IMMEDIATELY ACKNOWLEDGING PERSONAL SIN AND REPENTING
NOT HAVE SINCERE, REAL OR TRUE HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE AND
THEM.
FEAR OF GOD (i.e. deepest Respect for God and the fear
OUR GOAL IS not to abandon the world, but TO KEEP
of disappointing our Most Beloved Heavenly Father
OURSELVES IN CHRIST AND TO SALVAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
through our personal failures.)
FROM THE EVIL, FALLEN WORLD.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 18 : 10 20
Our Lord said: See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in Heaven their Angels always
behold the Presence of My Father Who is in Heaven. For the Son of Man came to Save the Lost.
What do you think? If a Man has a hundred Sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine
on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray? And if He finds it, Truly, I say to you: He Rejoices over it
more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray! So it is not the Will of your Father Who is in Heaven that
one of these little ones should perish!
If you Brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have
gained your Brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be
confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the Church. If he
refuses to listen even to the Church, let him be to you as a Gentile and Tax Collector. Truly, I say to you: whatever
you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loosen on Earth shall be loosened in Heaven.
Again, Truly I say to you - if two of you agree on Earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father
in Heaven. For where there are two or three gathered together in My Name, there Am I in the midst of them.
Our Lords use of the term little ones includes all those
THE NINETY-NINE SHEEP SIGNIFY THE RIGHTEOUS WHO REMAIN
who have a childlike Humility and simplicity all
FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT TO ALMIGHTY GOD. (LUKE 15:7)
those who are ... poor in spirit.
Some of our Holy Church Fathers also regard this as a
With regard to the Angels, St John Chrysostom taught us
reference to Christs Incarnation whereby THE NINETYthat not only the Holy Saints but EACH OF US HAS OUR
NINE - SIGNIFYING THE HEAVENLY HOSTS OF ANGELS - WERE
OWN, PERSONAL GUARDIAN ANGELS, WHO WATCH OVER US,
LEFT IN HEAVEN WHEN HE CAME TO EARTH IN ORDER TO FIND
GUIDE US AND PROTECT US FROM HARM.
HIS LOST SHEEP ON EARTH MANKIND WHO HAD FALLEN INTO
CORRUPTION AND SIN.
(However, it all depends on whether we are Obedient and willing to
Mankind had gone astray and thus became severely
listen to those little voices that always tell us the correct way
alienated from God.
to behave and who warn us when we are in imminent danger.)
CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS BASED ON MUTUAL CORRECTION IN THREE
EXPANDING STAGES.
THE GUARDIAN ANGELS OF HUMBLE PEOPLE HAVE GREATER
SIN AND CORRECTION ARE TO REMAIN PRIVATE UNLESS THE
BOLDNESS AND GREATNESS ... in the Face of God... (in the
OFFENDER REFUSED TO REPENT.
Sight of God) because of the Humility of those whom
ALL CORRECTION MUST BE DONE WITH GREAT CARE AND HUMILITY,
they guard, guide and protect.
WITH THE HIGHEST CONCERN BEING THE SALVATION OF THE
It is not the Divine Nature of God but rather THE WEAKNESS
OFFENDER.
OF MANKIND THAT REQUIRES ANGELIC ASSISTANCE.
1 CORINTHIANS 5 : 5 ... deliver such a one to Satan for
Unlike human, earthly Shepherds and their flocks of
the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be
sheep, CHRIST OUR GOOD SHEPHERD, HIGHLY VALUES EVEN
Saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus.
ONE OF HIS HOLY FLOCK - to such a degree that HE WILL
IN THE CHURCH THERE IS PROTECTION FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE
LEAVE HIS OTHER SHEEP IN ORDER TO SAVE THOSE THAT GO
POWER OF SATAN. (MATTHEW 16:18)
ASTRAY AND WHO ARE LOST.
20.
AFTERFEAST
OF
PENTECOST MONDAY
OF THE
THIS PROTECTION IS - IN SUCH SERIOUS CASES REMOVED THROUGH

EXCOMMUNICATION IN THE HOPE THAT, HAVING EXPERIENCED
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS LOVING RULE AND SATANS
DESTRUCTIVE ENSLAVEMENT, THIS OFFENDER MAY REPENT AND
IN THE END BE SAVED.
The flesh (sarx) is not synonymous with body (soma).
St Pauls instructions called for the destruction not of
the body but rather of the lusts of the flesh.
GALATIANS 6 : 1 ... if a man is overtaken in any
trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in
a spirit of Gentleness, considering yourself lest you
also be tempted.
To be able to administer correction with GENTLENESS IS A
SPIRITUAL GIFT GRANTED TO US BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Nevertheless, CORRECTION AND REPENTANCE MUST TAKE PLACE
SO THAT THE SIN DOES NOT SPREAD TO OTHERS AS WELL.
AFTERFEAST
OF
ON GOD
THE
E V A G R I U S T H E S O L I T A R Y - The Holy Spirit, out of

Compassion for our weakness, comes to us even when
we are impure. And if He finds our intellect truly
praying to Him, He enters it and puts to flight the
whole array of thoughts and ideas circling within it,
and He arouses it to a longing for Spiritual Prayer.
S T S E R A P H I M O F S A R O V - In spite of our sinfulness, in
spite of the Darkness surrounding our soul, the Grace
of the Holy Spirit, conferred by Baptism in the Name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, still shines
in our heart with the Inextinguishable Light of Christ
and when the sinner turns to the Way of
Repentance the Light smoothes away every trace of
the sins committed, clothing the former sinner in the
Garments of Incorruption, spun of the Grace of the
Holy Spirit. This is the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit...
A R C H I M A N D R I T E S O P H R O N I U S ( S A K A R O V ) - He who is
made in the Image of God is made for Life ...after His
Likeness, also.
Those who have found Salvation in God receives Life in
the Likeness of Gods own Life.
God is Omnipresent and Omniscient, and the Saints in the
Holy Spirit receive a Likeness of that Omnipresence
and Omniscience.
God is Light, and the Saints in the Holy Spirit become
Light. God is Love encompassing all that exists, and
the Saints in the Holy Spirit embrace the Universe in
their Love. God is All-Holy, and the Saints in the Holy
Spirit are Holy.
Holiness is not an ethical but an ontological concept. A
man is not Holy because his morals or conduct are
OF
CHRYSOSTOM)
PENTECOST MONDAY
The day after every Great Holy Feast, the Orthodox

Church honours those who were significant to the
Great Feast.
For example, the day after the Nativity of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ, we celebrate the Synaxis of His
Most Pure and Holy Mother, our Lady, Theotokos and
on the day after Theophany, we Commemorate St
John the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ.
Today, Monday of the Holy Spirit, we honour the Third
Person of the Holy Trinity - God the All Holy, Good and
Life-giving Holy Spirit Who descended upon our Lords
Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples on the Day of
Pentecost in the form of Fiery Tongues, thereby
fulfilling our Saviours Divine Promise to send the
Divine Comforter to His Faithful Apostles and Disciples,
from His Heavenly Father.
Since then from the very beginning of the Holy Church
of Christ it is God the Holy Spirit, Who Proceeded
from God the Father, and Who works through God
the Son, and thus by His Divine Power and Energy,
enables us to fulfil everything that would normally
be totally impossible!
It is God the Holy Spirit - ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF
GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH GOD THE ETERNAL, ONLY
BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON - Who has remained with us
throughout the ages, GUIDING US, ENLIGHTENING US AND
EMPOWERING US INTO ALL TRUTH.
One of the Vespers Hymns on Saturday Evening states
that God the Holy Spirit ... is the Fountain of
Goodness, through Whom the Father is know, and
the Son is Glorified...
AFTERFEAST
The Church consists of everyone Bishops, Priests,

Deacons, Choir, Teachers, Readers and laity the
people.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND WE ARE ALL
MEMBERS SIGNIFICANT PARTS OF CHRISTS BODY, HAVING TO
FUNCTION IN HARMONY, PEACE AND UNITY.
THE AUTHORITY TO BIND OR LOOSEN SINS IS GRANTED TO THE
APOSTLES AND TRANSMITTED TO THE BISHOPS AND PRESBYTERS
(PRIESTS) THEY ORDAINED.
THIS AUTHORITY IS GIVEN FOR THE SAKE OF THE SALVATION OF THE
SINNER.
The sinner, ... seeing that he is not cast out of the
Church, but that the bond of his sin will remain in
Heaven, he may turn and become gentle. (ST JOHN
PENTECOST MONDAY
OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT
God the Holy Spirit is ... the Living Fountain of Spiritual

Gifts... Who ... Purifies us from our sins.
Furthermore, it is by God the Holy Spirit that ... the
Prophets, Divine Apostles, and Holy Martyrs are
crowned...
God the Holy Spirit is the Source of Life and of
Sanctification.
In the Holy Services for this Synaxis Feast, we chant the
same Hymns as we did yesterday on Pentecost
Sunday except for the Canon of the Holy Spirit,
which is chanted at Compline.
The Vigil is not prescribed for the Eve of Monday of the
Holy Spirit, and although we do chant the Great
Doxology at Matins, we do not chant the Polyeleos.
The Irmos of the Ninth Ode Hail, O Queen: Glory of
Mothers and Virgins... is chanted instead of the usual
Magnificat My soul Magnifies the Lord...
During the Divine Liturgy, the Priest or Deacon chants the
Entrance Verse Be exalted in Thy Strength, O Lord.
We will sing and Praise Thy Power... as on Pentecost
Sunday.
The usual Thrice Holy Hymn Holy God, Holy Mighty,
Holy Immortal... replaces the Festal Baptism Hymn As
many as have been Baptised...
Finally, the Dismissal of Holy Pentecost is also used today.
This whole week the Afterfeast of Pentecost - is Fast-free
until the Leave-taking the Apodosis of Pentecost
on Saturday.
HTTP://WWW.JOHNSANIDOPOULOS.COM/2010/05/MONDAY-OF-HOLY-SPIRIT.HTML
HOLY SPIRIT
good, or even because he leads a Righteous Life in

the sense of devoting himself to Spiritual Endeavour
and Prayers - indeed, the Pharisees kept the Fasts
and made long Prayers.
But those are Holy who bear within themselves the Holy
Spirit.
The One God is Truth and Life, and those who
communicate in the Holy Spirit become True and
have Life; whereas those who fall away from God
suffer Spiritual Death and depart into Outer
Darkness.
To say that mankind who was called into Life out of
nothingness by a Creative Act of God does not possess
Eternal Life within himself, does not mean that in
dying he returns to nothingness, to non-existence.
Gifted with Freedom, when we turn away from God we
leaves Light and Life for perpetual Death and Outer
Darkness; but this Darkness and Death do not
correspond to that nothingness, that non-existence,
out of which the creature was called into being.
It is the state of the reasonable being indestructible in
his nature.
Turning away from God, the creature, however, cannot
find any realm inaccessible to Him.
Even in Hell Divine Love will embrace all mankind, but,
while this Love is Joy and Life for those who Love
God, it is Eternal Torment for those who hate Him!
EXCERPT TAKEN FROM ST. SILOUAN THE ATHONITE
https://theinnerkingdom.wordpress.com
OF THE
21.
THE HOLY ICON
THAT
REVEALS
THE
It is most absurd and improper to depict in Icons

God the Father with a grey beard and the OnlyBegotten Son in His Bosom with a dove between
them, because no-one has seen the Father
according to His Divinity, and the Father has no
flesh [] and the Holy Spirit is not in Essence a dove,
but in essence God. (GREAT SYNOD OF MOSCOW, 1667)
For the Russian Orthodox Church, DEPICTING THE HOLY
TRINITY IN ART HAS BEEN AN ISSUE OF CONTROVERSY for the
past thousand years.
Even though the Council of Nicaea in 787 permitted the
artistic representation of God, the Russian Orthodox
Church was unhappy with the popular images of God
the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
They felt the gray-bearded Man and the dove could not
do justice to the Unfathomable Mystery of the Triune
God (It refutes, ignores or rejects Orthodox Doctrine of the
Invisibility of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, Who
NEVER manifested in any type of visible Form !! mp).
In place of these widespread (Blasphemous) images of
God, they chose to USE ANDREI RUBLEVS TRINITY ICON AS
THE PROPER WAY TO DEPICT GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON
AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The Russian Icon is difficult for non-Orthodox Christians to
grasp and - at first glance it may not appear to
represent the Holy Trinity.
The central scene of the Holy Icon comes from the Book of
Genesis, when Abraham welcome and hosted the
three Strangers into his tent, to share his meal, (which
he never partook of alone.)
...And the Lord Appeared to [Abraham] by the Oaks of
Mamre He lifted up his eyes and behold! three
Men stood in front of him. When he saw Them, he
ran from the tent entrance to meet Them, and
bowed himself to the Earth [Abraham] set [cakes,
curds, milk, and a calf he prepared] before Them;
and he stood by Them under the tree while They
ate. (Genesis 18:18)
St Andrei Rublevs Icon depicts this scene with THREE
ANGELS, WHO ARE SIMILAR IN APPEARANCE, SEATED AROUND A
TABLE.
IN THE BACKGROUND THE DWELLING OF ABRAHAM AND SARAH, AS
WELL AS AN OAK TREE (OF MAMRE) is depicted behind the
Three Guests.
While the Icon depicts this scene that is mentioned in
the Old Testament, St Andrei Rublev used the Biblical
Episode to make A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE HOLY
TRINITY THAT FITS WITHIN THE STRICT GUIDELINES, CREED AND
DOGMA OF THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
THE SYMBOLISM OF THIS HOLY ICON IS COMPLEX AND IS MEANT TO
SUMMARIZE THE HOLY CHURCHS THEOLOGICAL BELIEFS AND
TEACHINGS CONCERNING THE HOLY TRINITY:
1. First of all, THE THREE ANGELS ARE IDENTICAL IN APPEARANCE
corresponding to the belief of THE ONENESS OF GOD
IN THREE PERSONS.
2. However, EACH ANGEL IS WEARING A DIFFERENT GARMENT,
bringing to mind how EACH PERSON OF THE TRINITY IS
DISTINCT.
3. The fact that St Andrei Rublev depicts THE HOLY TRINITY
AS THREE ANGELS is also a reminder of THE DIVINE
NATURE OF GOD, WHO IS PURE SPIRIT.
HOW
THE
AFTERFEAST
OF
OF THE
HOLY TRINITY
THE THREE ANGELS ARE SHOWN FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE

ORDER THAT WE PROFESS OUR FAITH IN THE CREED: GOD
THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE FIRST DIVINE ANGEL WEARS A BLUE UNDERGARMENT,
SYMBOLIZING THE DIVINE NATURE OF GOD AND A PURPLE
OUTER GARMENT, POINTING TO THE FATHERS KINGSHIP.
THE SECOND DIVINE ANGEL IS THE MOST FAMILIAR AS HE IS
4.
5.
6.
WEARING THE GARMENTS THAT WERE TYPICALLY WORN BY

OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, in Traditional
Iconography.
THE CRIMSON COLOUR SYMBOLIZES CHRISTS HUMAN NATURE
WHILE THE BLUE IS INDICATIVE OF HIS DIVINE NATURE.
8.
THE OAK TREE BEHIND THE ANGEL REMINDS US OF THE TREE OF
LIFE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN, AS WELL AS THE CROSS UPON
WHICH CHRIST SAVED THE WORLD from the Fall of Adam
and Eve.
9.
THE THIRD DIVINE ANGEL IS WEARING A BLUE GARMENT
(DIVINITY), UNDER A GREEN VESTMENT.
10. The green colour symbolises THE EARTH AND THE HOLY
SPIRITS MISSION OF RENEWAL.
Green is also THE FESTAL COLOUR OF THE LITURGICAL
VESTMENTS WORN ON PENTECOST SUNDAY (AND ON FEAST
DAYS OF THE LIFE-GIVING HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST
DEPICTING OUR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL) in the Orthodox
and Byzantine Tradition.
11. THE TWO DIVINE ANGELS TO THE RIGHT OF THE FIRST DIVINE
ANGEL, HAVE SLIGHTLY BOWED THEIR HEADS TOWARDS
HIM, illustrating the True Teaching that THE SON IS
BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER, AND HOLY SPIRIT PROCEEDS
FROM THE FATHER.
12. In the centre of the Icon is A TABLE THAT RESEMBLES A
HOLY ALTAR.
13. PLACED ON THE TABLE IS A GOLDEN BOWL OR CHALICE that
contains the calf that Abraham had prepared for
his Guests.
14. THE CENTRAL DIVINE ANGEL (OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST)
APPEARS TO BE BLESSING THE MEAL.
15. All of these details combined reminds us of THE HOLY
MYSTERY OF EUCHARIST.
While not the most direct Representation of the Holy
Trinity, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND VISUALIZATIONS
EVER PRODUCED.
This Holy Icon of the Holy Trinity, without doubt, remains
in the Orthodox and Byzantine Traditions the primary
way - (the only way!) - to depict the Triune God.
THIS HOLY ICON OF THE HOLY TRINITY IS FREQUENTLY USED BY
CATECHISTS TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT THE DIVINE MYSTERY OF
THE HOLY TRINITY.
THE HOLY TRINITY IS A MOST PROFOUND DIVINE MYstery and
will always be so while we are on Earth in this
mortal lifespan.
However, sometimes by the Grace and Great Mercy of
our Lord - we are granted brief glimpses into Gods
Divine Life, and, certainly, St Andrei Rublevs Holy Icon
allows us a brief second to peek behind the Veil!
7.
HOLY SPIRIT WORKS
When we are Baptized and Chrismated in the Orthodox

Faith we receive the Seal of the Holy Spirit. We are
Reborn and become a New Person We now have the
Force of God living within our heart.
As long as we continue to be Repentant - being honest
and sincere about our shortcomings in our
Relationship with God and our Neighbours, and
ceaselessly Struggle to control our passions, giving
priority to the Salvific Work of our soul the Holy Spirit
works within us.
St Theophan explained: Our spirit, set in motion,
recollects within itself its natural Divine Knowledge
that God exists, that He maintains everything, and is
the Rewarder. Our consciousness of this gives rise to a
feeling of complete dependence on God, and
enkindles the Fear (Awe, Respect) of God. These and
other things are stirred up by our conscience, that
Witness and Judge of our affairs and feelings, among
which is rarely to be found anything that God would
look upon with kindness... The Goodness of God
makes it possible for the True Awakening of our soul.
As a result of the Awakening of our slumbering soul, the
Holy Gospel proclaims: Come beneath the Protection
of the Cross and be Saved! The Son of God, Who is
22.
DIVINE MYSTERY
PHILIP KOSLOSKI - ALETEIA - 23 / 05 / 2016

HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/93554.HTM
IN
US
FOR OUR
SALVATION
Incarnate, died on the Cross to Cleanse your sins.

Believe this, and you will receive Remission of sins
and Encounter the Grace of God.
Our soul is Nourished by reading and contemplating
the Divine Truth, and, as we begin to internalize the
Sacred Lessons we learn, our soul becomes alive,
and we begin to have Spiritual Zeal - a strong
yearning to be with God and to do His Will.
As soon as we heed the Good News of Salvation and
our Lord God, the Holy Spirit enable us to, undertake
with all our Strength to fulfil everything with Good
Cheer and Willingness, and thus we become
Partakers of Divine Blessings.
This all prepares us for Divine Communion, and the
Grace of the Holy Spirit, Who has acted hitherto from
outside us by arousing us, and establishing Himself
within - not directly, but through the Holy Mysteries.
The Divine Spirit arouses us and the Good News Guides
us but God waits for our free and willing
cooperation and eagerness to Obey Him with all
Humility and unconditional Devotion...
PENTECOST MONDAY
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2011/01/HOWSPIRIT-WORKS-IN-US-FOR-OUR.HTML
OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT
20 JUNE 2016

24 June 2016
The Nativity of St John the Baptist & Forerunner

Also the Feast of St James & St John the Righteous Youths of Meniugi, Novgorod St
Orentios, St Pharnakios, St Eros, St Firmos, St Firminos, St Kyriakos and St Longinos,
Brothers, Roman Soldiers & Holy Martyrs of Georgia St Athanasios Parios, Theologian &
Great Teacher of Kostos, Paros St Barlaam of Khutin
FESTAL APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST TONE 4
Profita ke Prodrome tis parousias Hristou, axios effimise
se ouk efporoument imis, i potho timontes se; stirosis

gar tekousis, ke patros afonia, lelinte ti endoxo ke
septi sou gennisi, ke sarkosis Iou tou Theou, Kosmo
kirittete.
Prophet & Forerunner of the coming of Christ, to

praise Thee worthily we find no proper means, we
who cherish Thy Memory. For the barrenness of the
Bearer, and lack of speech of the Father, both were
loosened, in Thy Birth the Sacred and Glorified; and
the Incarnation of the Son of God was proclaimed to
the world.
SEASONAL KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Prostasia
ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

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

to the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
voices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the
Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up
Thine Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all those who
honour Thee!
MATINS GOSPEL : LUKE 1: 24 25; 57 68; 76, 80

THE MIRAC
ULOUS
ONCEPTION
& BIRTH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
At that time, Elizabeth, the wife of Zaharias conceived; and she hid herself for five months, saying: Thus has the Lord
dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.
...Now Elizabeths full time came for her to be delivered. And she brought forth a son.
And when her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had shown Great Mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
And on the Eighth Day, they went to circumcise the child, and they would have named him by the name of his father,
Zacharias. And His mother said: No! For he shall be called John. And they said to her: There is no one among
your relatives who is called by this name. They made signs to his father what he would have him called. And he
asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all marvelled. Immediately his mouth
was opened, and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, praising God.
And Fear came on all who dwelt around them. And all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of
Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying: What kind of child will this be? And the
Hand of the Lord was with him.
...And Zacharias, his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for
He has Visited and Redeemed His People... ...And Thou, child, will be called the Prophet of the Highest. Thou will
go before the Face of the Lord to prepare His Ways...
...The child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his Manifestation to Israel.
Elizabeth Conceived: THE MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION OF ST
CRUCIAL ROLES HELD BY VARIOUS PEOPLE OF THE OLD
JOHN THE BAPTIST AND FORERUNNER TO CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR
COVENANT: THE HOLY OFFICES OF PROPHET, PRIEST AND
is Liturgically celebrated on 24 September, and
KING
CONFIRMS THE SANCTITY OF MARITAL RELATIONS FOR THOSE
ONLY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED ALL THREE HOLY
PAST THEIR CHILDBEARING YEARS.
OFFICES PERFECTLY.
Hid herself: SINCE THE TIME OF MALACHI, GOD HAD NOT SENT
CIRCUMCISION WAS A SIGN OF ISRAELS (BLOOD) COVENANT WITH
A GREAT PROPHET TO ISRAEL.
GOD and the means whereby a male became a
1 MACCABEES 9: 27: There was great perplexity in
member of Gods Community.
Israel, such as had not been seen since the days
GENESIS 17:10-14 (& LEVITICUS 12:3):
THIS IS THE
when the Prophets ceased to be seen in their
COVENANT YOU SHALL KEEP; between Me and you
midst.
and your seed after you throughout their
THIS SILENCING OF THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD SERVED TO
generations: every male child among you shall
HEIGHTEN THE ANTICIPATION OF THE MESSIAH AND TO MAKE IT
be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in
ALL THE MORE EVIDENT WHEN HE CAME.
the flesh of your foreskin. It shall be A SIGN OF THE
COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND YOU. A CHILD OF EIGHT
AS ST JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS THE LAST AND GREATEST HOLY
PROPHET OF GOD WHO PREPARED THE WAY FOR CHRIST
DAYS OLD SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED BY YOU every male
child throughout your genealogy; he who is born
OUR SAVIOUR, HE WAS KEPT HIDDEN UNTIL CHRIST THE
in your house, and he who is bought with your
INCARNATE SON OF GOD WAS CONCEIVED.
money must be circumcised; and MY COVENANT
Only then ST JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS REVEALED THROUGH HIS
SHALL BE IN YOUR FLESH FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT.
FIRST PROPHETIC ACT OF LEAPING WITH JOY INSIDE ST
And the uncircumcised male child(s) ...soul shall
ELIZABETHS WOMB.
be cut off from his people for he has broken My
When ST ZACHARIAS WAS STRUCK DUMB DUE TO HIS LACK OF
Covenant.
FAITH, IT ALSO SERVED AS PROOF THAT ST GABRIEL THE
THE NEW COVENANT WITH GOD IS A BLOODLESS COVENANT
ARCHANGELS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS TRUE.
AND HOLY BAPTISM OF BOTH MALE AND FEMALE IS OUR
THE SILENCING OF THE HIGH PRIEST ALSO REVEALED A DEEPER
NEW CIRCUMCISION.
MYSTERY: THE MESSIAH WAS EXPECTED TO FULFIL THREE
NATIVITY
OF
ST JOHN
THE
BAPTIST & FORERUNNER
TO
CHRIST
OUR
LORD - 24 JUNE
2016
23
THE NAME JOHN MEANS GRACE OF GOD, and by INSISTING

ON THE NAME GOD HAD CHOSEN FOR HER SON, ST ELIZABETH
AFFIRMED THE TRUTH OF ST JOHNS DIVINE CALLING AND
MISSION. (REFER GENESIS 17:5; 15; 32:28)
WHEN ST ZACHARIAS ASSENTED TO GODS WILL, HIS SPEECH WAS
RESTORED and just as the prophecy was restored at the
Incarnation of Christ, so St Zacharias, as High Priest,
could speak again now that our Saviour Jesus Christ
and His Forerunner, St John the Baptist, had come
into the world.
It is of particular significance that ST ZACHARIAS
IMMEDIATELY DECLARED CHRIST THE LORD GOD OF
ISRAEL AND THEN REVEALED THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF HIS
OWN SON AS PROPHET OF THE HIGHEST.
SINCE THE AGE OF APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS, as a

consequence of the terrible Slaughter of the
Innocents, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST LIVED IN THE DESERT ON
HIS OWN.
HIS MOTHER HAD DIED SOON AFTER THEIR ESCAPE AND HIS FATHER
HAD BEEN MURDERED IN THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM BY THE
SOLDIERS OF KING HEROD.
DUE TO THE WILL OF GOD AND BY HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND
GRACE, ST JOHN REACHED ADULTHOOD SAFELY AND WITHOUT
THE INFLUENCE OR CONTAMINATION OF HUMAN WICKEDNESS,
WHICH MADE HIM SPIRITUALLY PURE ABLE TO RESIST
TEMPTATION BY HAVING GROWN SO STRONG IN SPIRIT.
PROKEIMENON PSALM 63 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
The Righteous shall be glad in the Lord.

Hear, O God, my voice
THE EPISTLE
BE SPIRITUALLY A
WAKENED
OF
, A
ST PAUL
LERT
TO
ROMANS 13 : 11 14 : 4
& PREPARED - AND PUT ON THE A
RMOUR
OF LIGHT.
Brethren: ... and do this - knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now our Salvation is
nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent the Day is at hand. Let us cast off the works of
Darkness, and let us put on the Armour of Light. As in the day, let us walk properly not in revelry and
drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ - and for the flesh,
make no provision to fulfil its lusts.
Receive those who are weak in Faith, but do not dispute over doubtful things. One believes that he may eat all things he who is weak, eats only vegetables. Let him who eats, not despise him who does not eat, and let him who does
not eat, not judge him who eats - God has received him.
Who are you to judge Anothers servant? To his own Master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for
God is able to make him stand.
EXPECTATION OF FUTURE SALVATION THROUGH THE
We must NEVER JUDGE OTHERS BECAUSE WE HAVE NO
GLORIOUS COMING OF CHRIST MOTIVATES US TO
AUTHORITY or right to do so, being wretched sinners
VIGILANCE AND PROPER CONDUCT.
ourselves.
WE ARE ALL GODS SERVANTS WHOM ONLY GOD CAN
The night is this life under the influence of evil powers
while the day is the Glorious Coming or rather, the
JUDGE.
Reappearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
WE WILL BE JUDGED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE like those
IN ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT
we dare to criticise, so therefore TAKE GREAT
CANNOT BE COMPROMISED BUT THERE ARE ALSO GREY
CARE NOT TO JUDGE OTHERS.
AREAS.
Instead LOOK CLOSELY AT YOURSELF AND CORRECT YOUR
GOD IS GRACIOUS AND ALLOWS DIVERSITY IN DOUBTFUL THINGS
OWN FLAWS.
[personal opinions - not Gods Truth] BUT NOT MATTERS
THROUGH CONSTANT WATCHFULNESS OF OURSELVES AND
INVOLVING CHRISTIAN DOGMA.
CORRECTION OF OUR OWN ERRORS, WE WILL GROW
SPIRITUALLY STRONGER AND LESS CRITICAL OF OTHERS.
WE MUST CONDUCT OR BEHAVE OURSELVES ACCORDING TO
CHRISTIAN TEACHING, HAVING PUT ON CHRIST AT OUR HOLY
ONLY GOD KNOWS THE HEARTS AND SOULS OF HIS
BAPTISM.
CREATURES AND HE WILL DECIDE WHO HAS ETERNAL
THE CROSSES WE WEAR ARE A REMINDER TO US, AND OTHERS,
LIFE OR ETERNAL DEATH.
OF THE RISEN CHRIST WHOM WE ARE STRIVING TO IMITATE
The two examples of flexible areas in this reference
EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES. We must STRUGGLE TO LIVE UP TO
concern food restrictions and the observance of
THE CHRISTIAN IDEALS HE PRESENTED TO US.
Liturgical Calendars, thing that the Spiritually Weak
THOSE WEAK IN THE FAITH ARE CHRISTIANS OF IMMATURE
might try to use to judge others or to divide the
Church.
CONSCIENCE AND WISDOM who may attach primary
importance to secondary matters, such as foods and
In both cases, we are commanded to BE FLEXIBLE WITH
religious festivals.
OTHERS JUST AS GOD HIMSELF IS WITH US!
[Many pay more attention to the rituals rather than the complete,
DURING ANY PERIOD OF FASTING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE
whole Faith, making their efforts empty gestures instead of

meaningful worship of God. mp]
SHOULD NOT ONLY FOCUS ON THE DETAILS OF OUR PHYSICAL

SELF-DENIAL BUT PARTICULARLY ON THE SPIRITUAL FAST
CONCERNING OUR IMMORTAL SOUL RESISTING ALL
TEMPTATIONS OF SIN.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 1 : 1 25; 57 68; 76; 80

PROPHECY, CONCEPTION & NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things that have been fulfilled among us just as those who, from the beginning, were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, delivered them to us - it
seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an
orderly account, most excellent Theophilos, so that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were
instructed.
There was - in the days of Herod, the King of Judea - a certain Priest named Zacharias, of the Division of Abijah. And
his wife was one of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both Righteous before God,
walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because
Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
While he was serving as Priest before God in the Order of his Division, according to the custom of the Priesthood, his lot
fell to burn incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. And a whole multitude of the people was praying
outside at the Hour of Incense.
An Angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the Altar of Incense. And when Zacharias saw him,
he was troubled, and Fear fell upon him.
The Angel said to him: Fear not, Zacharias! Thy Prayer is heard, and Thy wife, Elizabeth, will bear Thee a son, and
Thou shalt call his name John. And Thou will have Joy an Gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. He will be
Great in the Sight of the Lord. And shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. And he will be filled with the Holy
Spirit, even from his mothers womb. And he will turn many of the Sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will
go before Him in the Spirit and Power of Elijah, ...to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children... and the
disobedient to the Wisdom of the Just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
And Zacharias said to the Angel: How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.
24
NATIVITY
OF
ST JOHN
THE
TO
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2016
And the Angel answered and said to him: I am Gabriel who stands in the Presence of God. And was sent to speak to
Thee and bring Thee these Glad Tidings. And behold! Thou will be mute and not able to speak until the day these
things take place. Because Thou did not believe my words they will be fulfilled in their own time.
And the people waited for Zacharias. And they marvelled that he lingered so long in the Temple.
When he came out, he could not speak to them. And they perceived that he had seen a Vision in the Temple. And he
beckoned to them, and remained speechless.
So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.
At that time, Elizabeth, the wife of Zaharias conceived.
And she hid herself for five months, saying: Thus has the Lord dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to
take away my reproach among people.
...Now Elizabeths full time came for her to be delivered. And she brought forth a son.
And when her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had shown Great Mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
And on the Eighth Day, they went to circumcise the child, and they would have named him by the name of his father,
Zacharias. And His mother said: No! For he shall be called John. And they said to her: There is no one among
your relatives who is called by this name. They made signs to his father what he would have him called. And he
asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all marvelled.
Immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, praising God.
And Fear came on all who dwelt around them. And all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of
Judea. And all those who heard them, kept them in their hearts, saying: What kind of child will this be?
And the Hand of the Lord was with him.
...And Zacharias, his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for
He has Visited and Redeemed His People... And Thou, child, will be called the Prophet of the Highest. Thou will go
before the Face of the Lord to prepare His Ways...
...The child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his Manifestation to Israel.
AS EYEWITNESSES AND INTIMATE CONTEMPORARIES OF OUR LORD
ST ZACHARIAS AND ST ELIZABETH HAD CONTINUOUSLY PRAYED FOR A
JESUS CHRIST, HIS DISCIPLES LISTENED TO HIS HOLY GOSPEL
SON and at last their Prayers were answered when St
(GOOD NEWS) AND SAW HIS DIVINE MIRACLES FIRSTHAND.
Gabriel, the Archangel of God, was sent to Announce
As St Luke himself was not one of the original Disciples of
the coming of their son who would always be
remembered as St John the Baptist & Forerunner to
our Lord Jesus, HIS HOLY GOSPEL IS ANCHORED ON THE TRUE
Christ our Lord. (The name John means the Grace
TESTIMONY OF THESE ORIGINAL WITNESSES.
of God.)
ST LUKE ADDRESSED HIMSELF TO THEOPHILOS, A PROMINENT
GENTILE, WHO HAD RECEIVED CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION.
THE ARCHANGEL GABRIELS DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTER
AND ROLE OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST IS AS AN ASCETIC
However, nothing else is known of him.
St Lukes Holy Gospel is written as AN ORDERLY ACCOUNT so
PROPHET OF GOD who was to prepare the Hebrew
as to provide greater certainty CONCERNING THE DETAILS
Nation for the long-awaited Coming of the
Messiah.
OF OUR LORDS HOLY MINISTRY.
ST LUKE WAS ON THE ONLY EVANGELIST WHO PROVIDED
The Hebrews expected St Elijah, one of the greatest
Prophets of Israel, to reappear from Heaven in order
INFORMATION ABOUT THE BIRTH AND INFANCY OF ST JOHN THE
to Anoint the Messiah.
BAPTIST.
ST ZACHARIAS QUESTION: How shall I know this? INDICATED A
ST ZACHARIAS AND ST ELIZABETH WERE ACKNOWLEDGED AS
SLIGHT LACK OF FAITH IN GODS PROMISE AND HIS SUBSEQUENT
BEING A RIGHTEOUS COUPLE OF PRIESTLY LINEAGE, WHO
MUTENESS SERVED BOTH AS A DISCIPLINE FOR HIS UNBELIEF AND
LIVED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES IN THE FULFILMENT OF GODS
AS A SIGN OF THE DIVINE TRUTH OF ST GABRIELS
WILL.
ANNOUNCEMENT.
Nevertheless, ST ELIZABETH WAS BARREN, like so many other
CIRCUMCISION WAS A MOST IMPORTANT RITUAL whereby a male
significant women mentioned in holy scripture. (SUCH
AS SARAH - GENESIS 16:1; REBECCA GENESIS 25:21; HANNAH 1
child was initiated into the Covenant Nation of God.
SAMUEL 1:2).
AFTER CHRIST - ACCORDING TO THE NEW BLOODLESS COVENANT INFERTILITY WAS REGARDED AS A PUBLIC REPROACH and it was
CIRCUMCISION WAS REPLACED BY THE TONSURING IN THE HOLY
viewed very negatively because a womans most
MYSTERY OF BAPTISM.
important role in family life was to produce as many
According to our New, Bloodless Covenant with God, Tonsuring is
living children as possible to continue the family
the Bloodless New Circumcision whereby we offer a tiny
name and to contribute to the welfare of the family.
portion of ourselves hair to God as our Affirmation of
BARREN WOMEN WERE USUALLY DENIGRATED AND INSULTED, being
Absolute Faith in our Triune, Almighty God. mp
regarded as parasites rather than valuable
THE SONG OF ST ZACHARIAS (THE BENEDICTOS) WAS A
contributors to society.
PROPHETIC HYMN OF PRAISE TO GOD WHO IS BLESSED FOR
EACH PRIEST WHO SERVED GOD AT THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM WAS
HIS GRACIOUS AND REDEEMING ACTS AMONG HIS PEOPLE
ASSIGNED TO A DIVISION. [1 CHRONICLES 23:3-6; 28:13]
IN FULFILMENT OF THE MESSIANIC PROMISES.
There were 24 divisions in all, each serving a week at a
time by rotation. The responsibilities of the priests in
each division were decided by drawing lots.
THE NATIVITY
OF
ST JOHN
Among the Feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church, there

are three in honour of God's Saints, which in their
significance, stand out from the other Feast Days
Commemorating the Holy Saints and Great Martyrs,
and are numbered among the Great Feasts of the
Church of Christ.
These important Feasts that Glorify the Economy of God
for our Salvation are:
The Nativity of St John the Baptist & Forerunner
The Beheading of St John the Baptist a& Forerunner
The Feast of the Holy Apostles of Christ, St Peter & St
Paul.
The Appearance of the Holy Archangel, St Gabriel, to the
Old Covenant Priest, St Zacharias, in the Temple, to
announce the forthcoming birth to him and his aged,
barren wife, the Righteous St Elizabeth, of a son who
would prepare the Way for the long awaited Messiah
- the Great, Holy Saviour of the world - and the
subsequent fulfilment of this annunciation, are the
first of the Great Events related to us by the GodInspired Evangelists.
NATIVITY
OF
ST JOHN
THE
THE
BAPTIST &
FORERUNNER
The Announcement of the extraordinary birth of St John

the Baptist and Forerunner by the Holy Archangel of
God, St Gabriel in the Temple of Jerusalem, actually
began the New Covenant Holy Gospel.
The Annunciation of the Long-awaited Saviour by the
same Holy Archangel and Bearer of Good Tidings, six
months later in Nazareth to the Ever Blessed Virgin
Mary was a continuation of the Revelation of the PreEternal Counsel concerning the Salvation of all
mankind.
Three months after the Annunciation of the Incarnate Son
of God, St John the Forerunner was born "...in a city of
Judah..." and six months after him, the Great Nativity
of
Christ occurred in a humble cave stable in
Bethlehem.
These extremely significant Events are closely bound
together.
"The Glorious conception of the Forerunner proclaimed
beforehand the King Who was to be born of a Virgin..."
(FESTAL EXAPOSTILARION, 23 SEPTEMBER, CONCEPTION OF JOHN THE

BAPTIST)
TO
CHRIST
OUR
LORD - 24 JUNE
2016
25
The announcement of the Forerunner by Archangel

Gabriel in the Temple, was later announced to all the
relatives and friends of the Righteous couple by St
Zacharias, in the Magnificent Hymn he sang after the
Eighth Day Circumcision of the Infant John, as soon as
he regained his ability to speak, having been struck
dumb by the Archangel due to his doubts of such a
Great Divine Miracle.
That Hymn of St Zacharias preceded the marvellous
Angelic Hymn: "Glory to God in the highest;" which
was sung in Bethlehem by the Heavenly Hosts when
they announced the Nativity of Christ to the
Shepherds, who were the first to worship our Saviour.
The Nativity of John the Baptist was the first Great Joy sent
bestowed by God upon mankind, for it was the
beginning of our Divine Deliverance from the power
and enslavement of the devil, sin and Eternal Death!
It is certainly True that even before St John the
Forerunner, the Most Holy Virgin Mary had been born,
and St Gabriel, the Holy Archangel of God and Bearer
of Good Tidings had also announced Her forthcoming
birth to Her aged, barren parents.
However, at that time, only Her Righteous Parents, St
Joachim and St Anna, had been told of their Beloved
Childs Exalted Role and Purpose although they
themselves did not fully understand the magnitude of
what had been announced to them beforehand.
Therefore, it was only them and their closest family and
friends who celebrated the birth of their Most Pure
Daughter, while the rest of the world only began to
understand the full significance and Great Joy of that
Birth much later.
Consequently, the Feasts of the Nativity of our Most Holy
Lady Theotokos and Her Entrance into the Temple
were
established
and
solemnly
celebrated
significantly later than the other Great Feasts,
whereas the Nativity of St John the Forerunner is one
of the most ancient and most Venerated Christian
Feasts.
Sermons on the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist
and Forerunner have been preserved from the first
centuries.
Since the Nativity of St John the Forerunner, the
preparation of mankind for the First Appearance of
the Eternal and Only Begotten Word and Son of God
began.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He has Visited and
Redeemed His People . . . And Thou, Child, shalt be
called the Prophet of the Most High for Thou shalt go
before the Face of the Lord, to prepare His Ways...
(LUKE 1:68 - 76).
Involuntarily the thought arose: Is this not the Messiah

Himself?
- for in those days Judea was in an
especially tense state of anticipation of the long
awaited Saviour.
Thus, from his infancy, St John prepared the people and
the way for our Lord Jesus Christ by his extraordinary
birth.
Even when he leapt for Joy in the Presence of the newly
Conceived Incarnate Son of God, while he was still in
the womb of His aged mother, St John announced the
Coming of our Saviour, as if loudly proclaiming the
Good Tidings that would change all human history:
"Christ is born! Glorify Him! Christ comes from
Heaven, meet Him!" (FESTAL IRMOS, 1st CANTICLE, CANON FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST)
Being born exactly six months before our Lord Jesus

Christ, St John the Forerunner by the exact time of his
birth, began his Sacred Mission of preparing the Way
for our Lord.
St John the Baptist was born at the time of the year when
hours of daylight begin to shorten after the Summer
Solstice, (in the Northern Hemisphere) whereas the
Nativity of Christ occurred when the daylight hours
grow longer after the Winter Solstice.
These facts are an embodiment of the words spoken
later, by the Forerunner, at the beginning of our Lord
Jesus Christs public Ministry: ...He must increase, but
I must decrease... (JOHN 3:30)
"The Herald of the Sun, the Forerunner" was St John the
Baptist, who was like the Morning Star that announces
the Rising of the Sun of Righteousness in the East.
Just as the Nativity of St John the Baptist was the
antechamber to the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so also the Feast of the Nativity of St John the
Forerunner is also the antechamber to the Feast of
the Nativity of Christ.
"The Star of stars, the Forerunner, is born on Earth today,
from a barren womb - John the Beloved of God, and
manifests the Dawning of Christ, the Orient from on
High..." (LAUDS, THE NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, 24 JUNE )
"The whole Creation rejoices at Thy Divine Nativity: for
Thou wast shown forth as an Earthly Angel, O
Forerunner and Heavenly Man, proclaiming to us, the
God of Heaven Incarnate" (5TH CANTICLE OF THE CANON).
"O Prophet and Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, we
who Venerate Thee with Love, are in perplexity how
worthily to Praise Thee; for the barrenness of her who
bore Thee and the dumbness of Thy Father are
loosened by Thy Glorious and Precious Nativity, and
the Incarnation of the Son of God is preached to the
world" (TROPARION OF THE FEAST)
These God-Inspired words of St Zacharias, became

known throughout Judea, causing much discussion
and speculation amongst the people who wondered:
What manner of child shalt this be? (LUKE 1:66)
WHAT JOHN
Repent!
THE
BAPTIST TAUGHT ABOUT REPENTANCE
For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
(MATTHEW 3:2)
It is not by chance that St John the Forerunner taught

Repentance as the Way to Heaven and Eternal Life.
He was followed by our Lord Jesus Christ Whose very first
Teaching was also "Repent for the Kingdom of
Heaven is at hand!" (MATTHEW 4:17)
St Gregory Palamas explained: Repentance means
hating sin and loving Virtue, turning away from evil
and doing good. (PSALM 34:14, 1 PETER 3:11).
These acts are preceded, however, by condemning
ourselves for our faults, being penitent before God,
fleeing to Him for Refuge with a contrite heart, and
casting ourselves into the Ocean of His Mercy,
considering ourselves unworthy to be counted among
His sons. As the Prodigal Son said when he Repented:
Lord, I am not worthy to be called Thy son. Make
me as one of Thy hired servants.(LUKE 15:19).
St John was direct in his preaching, and he clearly
warned the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to
Him to change their ways: Bear Fruits worthy of
Repentance! (MATTHEW 3:8)
Repentance means to make a complete change of mind
and become a new way of being, for when we Repent,
we admit our errors, sincerely regret our failures, and
commit ourselves to a total change of attitude and
26
NATIVITY
OF
ST JOHN
THE
ST JOHN OF SHANGHAI & SAN FRANCISCO

WWW.STMARYOFEGYPT.ORG
06 / 07 / 2010
behaviour by striving to fulfil an utterly new lifestyle,

thereby intending to bear Spiritual Fruits worthy of
True Repentance.
St John issued an extremely dire warning: Every tree
that does not bear Good Fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire! (MATTHEW 3:10)
St Gregory Palamas commented: Being hewn down is
God's Sentence on those who justify themselves and
sin without Repenting, and, in accordance with this
decision, once they have been cut off from the
present and future Life, they are sent away to Dark,
Unquenchable Hell-Fire. That is why the Baptist, too,
warns that after such people have been cut down,
Inextinguishable Fire receives them, making known in
this way the Dreadfulness of Gods Wrath and that
Eternal Punishment, in order to bring to their senses
that insensitive race and those like them who came
later.
Consequently: Repentance is absolutely vital ... Good
Fruits are required to enter the Kingdom of
Heaven...!
ST GREGORY PALAMAS
THE HOMILIES, ON BAPTISM AND REPENTANCE
HTTP://ORTHODOXWAYOFLIFE.BLOGSPOT.CO.ZA/2011/01/WHAT-JOHN-BAPTISTTAUGHT-ABOUT.HTML
TO
CHRIST
OUR
LORD - 24 JUNE
2016

Tone (8) Plagal 4

26 June 2016
st
1 Sunday After Pentecost
st
1 Sunday of St Matthew Sunday of All Saints
Also the Feast of St David the Ascetic Tree Dweller of Thessaloniki St Dionysios, Archbishop of
Suzdal St Tikhon of Luchov, Kostroma (Translation of Holy Relics) St John, Bishop of the
Goths, Crimea All Saints of Georgia
T HE A POSTLES F AST BEGINS TOM ORROW - UNTIL 29 J UNE , F EAST OF TH E H OLY A POSTLES , S T P ETER & S T P AUL
RESURRECTION GOSPEL 1 - MATTHEW 28 : 16 - 20
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION
TONE
(8) PLAGAL 4
Ex ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexo triimeron, Thou
descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;

Thou endured the three-days burial, so that Thou
might free us from our passions, O our Life and
Resurrection: Glory to Thee
ina imas elevtherosis ton Pathon. I Zoi ke i Anastasis

imon, Kyrie, Doxa Si!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION -
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY -
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Ton en olon to kosmo Martiron Sou, os porfiran ke visson Thy Church having bedecked herself with the blood of all
ta emata, i Ekklisia Sou stolisameni, di afton voa Si,
Hriste O Theos: To lao Sou tous iktirmous
katapempson, irinin ti politia Sou Dorise, ke tes psihes
imon to Mega Eleos.
Thy Martyrs in the world, as with the finest linen and

purple robe, through them cries out to Thee, O Christ
our God: Send down Thy Compassion upon Thy people,
grant peace to Thy Commonwealth, and to our souls
Thy Great Mercy.
FESTAL KONTAKION - ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
Os
aparhas tis fiseos, to fitourgo tis ktiseos, i ikoumeni

proferi Si Kyrie, tous Theoforou Martiras. Tes afton
ikesies, en Irini vathia tin Ekklisian Sou, dia tis
Theotokou, Sintirison Polielee!
Like
the First Fruits of Nature, to the Author of all

Creation, the earths people offer Thee, O Lord, the
God-bearing Martyrs.
Through their Intercessions,
maintain Thy Church in True and Perfect Peace, and
through the Theotokos, preserve Her, O Most Merciful!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 67/68 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
God is Wondrous in His Saints.

Bless God in His Churches, the Lord from the Fountains of Israel.
THE EPISTLE
THE
FAITH
OF
ST PAUL
OF
ERTAIN
TO THE
HEBREWS : 11 : 33- 12: 2
ISRAELITES &
THE
PERFEC
TION
OF
FAITH
Brethren: all the Saints, through Faith - subdued Kingdoms, worked Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the
mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword. Out of weakness (they) were made
strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead Raised to life
again. Others were tortured - not accepting Deliverance, so that they might obtain a better Resurrection. Others
had trials of mockings and scourgings, of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two,
tempted, slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted,
tormented of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountain, in dens and caves of the
Earth.
And all of these witnesses through Faith having obtained a Good Testimony did not receive the Promise - God having
provided something better for us so that they should not be made Perfect apart from us.
Therefore we also - since we are surrounded by so great a Cloud of Witnesses - let us lay aside every weight, and the
sin that so easily ensnares us - and let us run with Endurance the Race that is set before us, looking unto the Author
and Finisher of our Faith - Jesus Christ.
BY LIVING WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, OBEYING ALL HIS
COMPLETE TRUST IN HIM, Who provides us with all
COMMANDMENTS AND LOVING HIM WITH ALL ONES BEING,
necessary abilities to achieve whatever is
ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE in this world
required.
because HE GRANTS US THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE ALL
That is why GOD IS GLORIFIED THROUGH THE SUFFERINGS OF HIS
LIFES DIFFICULTIES, even the inhumane torture
BELOVED FAITHFUL who depend entirely upon Him to
inflicted by others as experienced by the
deliver them from all evil.
ONLY THROUGH THE POWER AND GRACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD IS
Martyrdom of so many of the Saints throughout the
ages.
ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING POSSIBLE!
THE UNSURPASSED SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND DEPTH OF THE
CHRISTS INCARNATION AND ALL THAT HE ACCOMPLISHED FOR
US IN THE FLESH REDEEMED [SAVED] THE OLD COVENANT
FAITH OF THE SAINTS IS TO BE MARVELLED AT AND IMITATED
BY US.
SAINTS WHO, BY FAITH, PARTICIPATE IN HIS RESURRECTION
NOTHING COULD SHAKE THEM LOOSE FROM THEIR UTTER FAITH
AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM.
IN AND LOVE OF ALMIGHTY GOD; not even promises of
This entire passage [BEGINNING WITH 10:9] is a
leniency in the midst of horrific tortures could
progressive discourse imploring us to SEEK GODS
make them denounce their Faith.
KINGDOM FIRST BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE!
STRENGTH TO ENDURE THE CRUELTIES OF MANKIND AND THE
Under the New Covenant, WE CAN ASCEND TO THIS
CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FALLEN SPIRITUALLY DARKENED HEAVENLY PLACE IN WORSHIP AND PRAYER.
WORLD, IS DUE TO GODS GRACE ONLY - BASED UPON
1ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 1ST
OF
ST MATTHEW SUNDAY
OF
ALL SAINTS 26 JUNE 2016
27
WE EXPERIENCE THIS HEAVENLY DIMENSION FUNDAMENTALLY

IN THE DIVINE LITURGY.
We ascend to that Heavenly Place where WE ARE
SURROUNDED BY A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES. [THE
HEAVENLY HOSTS AND THE SAINTS]
It is not a physical place but A SPIRITUAL CONDITION THAT IS
INHABITED BY ALMIGHTY GOD, THE ANGELS AND THE SPIRITS
OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT. [THE SAINTS]
IT IS IN THIS SPIRITUAL MYSTERY THAT THE COMMUNION OF THE
SAINTS IS ESTABLISHED IN THE NEW COVENANT [NEW
AGREEMENT/PROMISE OF AND WITH GOD]
The Cloud of Witnesses includes not only the Old
Covenant Saints mentioned previously, but also the
Saints and Martyrs of the Lord throughout all the
ages.
ALL THE HOLY SAINTS AND MARTYRS SUCCEEDED REACHED
SPIRITUAL PERFECTION OR THEOSIS - AND SO CAN WE!
TO
WE PERSEVERE BY:
1. GETTING RID OF SIN the weight of which keeps us
from heeding the Truth
2. SETTING THE HEAVENLY CITY AS OUR DESTINATION running
the Race of Faith
3. KEEPING OUR ATTENTION FOCUSED UPON JESUS CHRIST OUR
LORD AND KING.
This Race is not a sprint but A MARATHON OF ENDURANCE WHICH DOES NOT END UNTIL WE FULLY ENTER ETERNITY the
Age to come. [1 CORINTHIANS 9:24 27]
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS BOTH THE AUTHOR THE INITIATOR AND FINISHER PERFECTER OF FAITH.
HIS JOY WAS TO DO GOD THE FATHERS WILL.
He endured the Cross meaning that HE VOLUNTARILY
ACCEPTED HUMILIATION AND DEATH and THEREFORE WE
ARE TO FOLLOW HIS DETERMINATION AND PERSEVERANCE.
S T M A T T H E W 10 32 33; 37 38 & 19 : 27 30
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to His Disciples: ... Whoever Confesses Me before men, him will I also Confess before
My Father Who is in Heaven...Whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in
Heaven... He who loves Father or Mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter
more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his Cross and follow after Me, is not worthy of Me...
Peter said to Him: Behold: we have left all and followed Thee. Therefore what shall we have?
Jesus said to them: Truly, I say to you, that in the Regeneration - when the Son of Man sits on the Throne of His Glory
- you who have followed Me will also sit on Twelve Thrones, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel. And everyone
who has left houses or Brothers or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or lands for My Names sake,
shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit Eternal Life.
Many who are first will be last, and the last first.
The reference to taking up our Crosses in order to
CHRIST JUDGES BY DISCERNING OUR HEARTS AND SOULS and
follow Christ our Lord and Saviour, means that
not by examining our deeds. So also THE APOSTLES
NOTHING MUST PREVENT US FROM BEING ABSOLUTELY
WERE SHAPED TO EXERCISE SPIRITUAL JUDGEMENT
FAITHFUL TO OUR LORD GOD.
CONCERNING FAITH, AND IN REBUKING ERROR WITH
A TRUE AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST MUST ALWAYS BE
VIRTUE.
In other words, GOOD DEEDS ALONE, CANNOT GAIN DIVINE
READY TO OBEY GOD AND EVEN, IF NECESSARY, TO
SACRIFICE FAMILY OR FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE
BLESSINGS FOR US UNLESS OUR HEARTS AND SOULS ARE AS PURE,
AS GOOD AND AS FAITHFUL AS OUR DEEDS - AND VICE VERSA.
SPIRITUALLY DESTRUCTIVE.
HOLY MARTYRDOM FOR THE SAKE OF OUR FAITH IN JESUS
THE APOSTLES WILL NOT JUDGE WITH EARTHLY JUDGEMENT BUT BY
THE WITNESS OF THEIR OWN LIVES.
CHRIST AND ALMIGHTY GOD, IS A FULFILMENT OF THE
PROPHECY of
SINCE GODS DIVINE AND HOLY KINGDOM BEGINS WITH THE
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, THE AUTHORITY OF JUDGEMENT
MICHAH 7: 5 - 7: ...do not trust in friends, nor put your
HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO THE HOLY APOSTLES AND
hope in those who govern. Beware of your wife
and do not tell her anything. For a son dishonours
THEIR SUCCESSORS IN THE JOURNEY OF THE CHURCH ON
his father, a daughter will rise up against her
EARTH. (MATTHEW 16:19 JOHN 20:23)
This brings us back to THE HOLY MYSTERY OR SACRAMENT
mother, a daughter-in-lay against her mother-inlaw; a mans enemies are all the people of his own
OF CONFESSION WHEREBY REPENTANT SINNERS, HAVING
REPENTED AND CONFESSED THEIR SINS BEFORE GOD AND
house but I will LOOK TO THE LORD...
OUR LORD JESUS AS THE ALL DIVINE AND ALL KNOWING SON OF
HIS HOLY PRIESTS (OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS) ARE FORGIVEN
GOD KNEW EVERYTHING THAT HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLES AND
THEIR SINS BY MEANS OF DIVINE AUTHORITY BESTOWED
APOSTLES WOULD HAVE TO ENDURE IN THE TIME TO COME AND
UPON THEM BY GOD.
THROUGHOUT ALL THE AGES.
THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF CONFESSION ALL OUR
OUR LORD ENCOURAGES US THROUGH ALL OUR DIFFICULTIES IN
REPENTED AND CONFESSED SINS ARE COMPLETELY
LIFE
REMOVED from the pages of our Books of Life
even if we are not confronted by terrible Martyrdom
wherein every word, thought and deed is
WE ARE CONSTANTLY THREATENED BY DESTRUCTIVE, FATAL
recorded by our Holy Guardian Angels who
UNGODLINESS AND SPIRITUAL ADVERSITY.
defend us after death and who help us TO ENTER
WE MUST DO EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO OUR LOVE OF GOD
ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD.
AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM.
On the contrary: ALL OUR UNREPENTED SINS ARE ALSO
We must not follow the destructive norms of social life
RECORDED BY THE DEMONS WHO WILL LOUDLY ACCUSE US
OF THEM AND TRY TO CLAIM OUR SOULS FOR ETERNAL
but instead TAKE UP OUR CROSSES AND FOLLOW
FAITHFULLY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST WHO IS OUR
CONDEMNATION AND EVER LASTING SPIRITUAL DEATH IN
ONLY JUDGE AND MASTER.
OUTER DARKNESS EXTREME AND PERMANENT ETERNAL
We must not worry about what our fellow sinners may
EXILE FROM GOD AND EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD,
think or do. And, in fact, we will SHOW THEM THE WAY
PEACEFUL AND LOVING!
BY OUR OWN HEALTHY, HAPPY AND PEACEFUL LIFE IN
WHATEVER GOOD WE DO IN THIS LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR
CHRIST.
LOVE OF GOD AND HIS CREATURES, BRINGS US ABUNDANT
THE DULL AND STUBBORNLY IGNORANT WILL REMAIN IN
BLESSINGS AND HELPS US TO PROGRESS TOWARDS ETERNAL
SPIRITUAL DARKNESS BY THEIR OWN CHOICE, but there
LIFE.
are SOME WHO WILL FOLLOW US INTO THE DIVINE LIGHT
God, being not only Just but also Merciful and Loving,
AND LIFE IN CHRIST.
grants to even the very last repentant sinner His
SPIRITUALLY STUBBORN AND DEAD SINNERS WILL ALWAYS FIND
Great Blessings THE VERY LAST REPENTANT SINNER
EXCUSES AND TRY TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM OBEYING
RECEIVES AS MANY BLESSINGS AND LOVE AS THE FIRST TO
GODS DIVINE WILL EITHER BY THEIR WORDS, THEIR DEEDS
ENTER ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD.
OR THEIR ATTITUDES.
WE ARE ALL EQUAL BEFORE THE LORD OUR GOD BUT IT IS ENTIRELY
These are the people whom our Lord tells us to ignore
UP TO OUR OWN EFFORTS AND DECISIONS OUR OWN FREE WILL although WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL
WHETHER WE WISH TO LIVE ETERNALLY IN THE SIGHT AND LOVE
ENLIGHTENMENT AND DELIVERANCE, FOR, IF WE LOVE GOD AND
OF GOD OR WHETHER WE REJECT HIM AND ALL HIS ABUNDANT,
HIS CREATURES, WE DO NOT WISH ANYONE TO BE LEFT OUT OF
INFINITE LOVE AND BLESSINGS.
HIS DIVINE AND EVERLASTING KINGDOM.
28.
1ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 1ST
OF
ST MATTHEW SUNDAY
OF
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST FIRST SUNDAY
With the cautionary words of todays Sacred Lesson, our

Lord Jesus Christ addressed every one of His
Disciples not just those who stood before Him, but
each and every one of us without exception - who
profess to being His Faithful Disciple through our
Holy Baptism and Chrismation!
Like lightening flashing from one edge of the sky to the
other without losing any of its brilliance, so have our
Lords Teachings and Revelations reached us in all
their power and clarity!
His Faithful Disciples are not those who merely regard
themselves as being Christians in name only, nor
those who have taken Sacred Vows of Service and
commitment to Himbut those who truly Confess Him
as our Lord God, our Eternal Saviour, our fully
Empowered Master and our Glorious, Eternal King, by
steadfastly following living - all His Commandments
and Teachings as Divine Truth, and ceaselessly
striving to fulfil everything according to His Divine
Will.
Our Confession of Faith and Love must be made with
mind, heart, word, deed, and our entire life! Shame,
timidity, doubt, and wavering trust have no part in
our sincere and heartfelt Confession, which requires
our decisive, determined and committed self-denial.
Our Confession of Faith is Victorious, Triumphant and
Courageous, ready, willing and able to be loudly
proclaimed before all mankind or Angelic Hosts,
before Saints or sinners, before the Righteous or the
wicked......for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, to Angels and to mankind... as St Paul said of
himself and the other Holy Apostles who were never
ashamed nor afraid to Confess our Lord Jesus Christ
Who was punished with a shameful execution,
sentenced by ecclesiastical and civil judges.
They were readily Confessed their Faith before the
powerful or the weak of this world, before tyrants and
torturers even when threatened and confronted by
indescribably hideous torments and violent murder!
Innumerable Holy Martyrs so miraculously and
courageously Confessed their Faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ proclaiming unwaveringly the Divine Truth
concerning the Living, Loving and Almighty Lord God
to all who heard them, until they finally Reposed in
Peace.
Monastic Saints Confessed our Lord with unseen
Martyrdom and constant self-denial throughout the
course of their Life, serving as a point of Union
between Earth and Heaven, between Angels and
mankind, belonging to Heaven even while still
residing upon Earth.
They were in Communion with the Heavenly Hosts
although simultaneous in their earthly habitations.
Those Holy Pleasers of God who Laboured in the world,
Confessed our Lord by their disdain and complete
disregard for worldly principles, and to these souls,
Words of our Saviour are worthily applied for
although ... these are in the world, yet they are not
of the world... (JOHN 17:11 - 16)
Confession of our Beloved Lord, together with a resolute,
total renunciation of the fallen world and the denial
of themselves, is the signature of all Holy Saints.
As our Saviour taught us, whoever confesses Him during
our earthly sojourn, whoever proves through our own
lifestyle that we truly Confess Christ as our Lord,
Master, Saviour and Godour Lord Jesus Christ will
also Confess us as His Disciple - He will Confess His
True Disciples not only before the whole Universe, but
before God the Father!
Truly, God the Sons Confession of us before God the
Father leads us into close Unity with God! (CF. JOHN
14:20).
When we Confess the Lord our God in a way that is

pleasing to Him and as prescribed by Him, signifies
that God has chosen us and the Fruit of our Good Will
is inclusion amongst the Ranks of His Chosen.
Weak, ambiguous sort of confession is unacceptable for
if we are not fully committed to God, our so-called
confession will be unworthy of our Holy Relationship.
1ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 1ST
OF
OF
ST MATTHEW SUNDAY
OF
ALL SAINTS
It is not enough to confess secretly within our soul for it is

necessary to Confess our Faith in God with our words,
our thoughts and our deeds.
Confession with words alone, is also not enough for we
must Confess our Faith with deeds and by means of
our daily Life in Christ as well.
As Faithful Disciples, we must Confess our Lord,
acknowledge His Divinity and Sovereignty, and live
every moment according to the Divine Truth and
Wisdom
of
His
Teaching,
Revelations
and
Commandments fulfilling them all to the best of our
ability and understanding.
By striving to fulfil all our Saviours Teachings and
Commandments, we may often find ourselves being
contrary to the generally accepted behaviour of our
society.
However, following the Will of God rather than popular
practises is our public Confession of our Faith.
Contemporary society is wilful, selfish, arrogant, sinful
and adulterous because it is enslaved by the passions
of the flesh, having exchanged Love of God for the
alluring deceptions of sin.
The fallen, Dark world rejects Divine Goodness, which is
hated and mocked by those who are Spiritually Blind
and Dead, and who entice others into Spiritual Death.
Our Lord confirms His Faithful Disciples who ceaselessly
Struggle against overwhelming temptations in order
to follow in His Divine Footsteps, towards Eternity.
Whosoever therefore shall Confess Me before men, him
will I Confess also before My Father Who is in
Heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men,
him will I also deny before My Father Who is in
Heaven... (MATTHEW 10:32-33).
Dependency upon human society is not as strong as
dependency upon family. It is easier to refuse to
submit to the demands of society than to refuse to
submit to the demands of family. Family demands are
aided by the laws of nature, and when these
demands are in concord with the Law of God, then
that very Law of God aids them.
Disciples of Christ are often perplexed by conflicting
demands, not knowing which are pleasing to God.
Our Lord in His Great Wisdom resolves this perplexity to
complete satisfaction: He who loves father or mother
more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he who loves
son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of
Me... (MATTHEW 10:37)
In other words: those who prefer the will of any human
being over the Divine Will of God, or who choose the
flawed, weak and wicked beliefs and practises of our
fellow sinners rather that the Divine Truth and
Commandments that Benefit us forever, and those
who choose to please others instead of striving to fulfil
the Will of God, are obviously not worthy of Eternal
Life in His Heavenly Kingdom - all His Goodness and
Blessings that He has Promised us!
Difficulties and hindrances to our Confession of Christ that
work against us from the outside, are insignificant
when compared with the difficulties and hindrances
that are within us.
Sin that lurks in our mind, heart, and body directly
opposes our Confession of Christ, as it prevents us
from fulfilling His Teachings and Commandments, for
we become disobedient, arrogant and stubborn.
Our natural goodness, when damaged by sin, misdirects
and deceives us into ungodly behaviour that rejects
and denies the vital significance of Divine Truth and
Love.
Spiritual Blindness and Spiritual Death increases our
corruption unless we become aware of our miserable
Spiritual Condition, and by Repenting our sins, we
return as quickly as possible, to God and all His
Blessings and Truth.
Although it is possible to withdraw from corrupt society,
relatives or acquaintances, can where we hide or
escape from our own corrupted nature?
In order to free ourselves from the imprisonment and
slavery to our fallen nature, our Saviour commands us
to crucify our wickedness that is, we must
perpetually deny its reason and will by nailing our
minds impure activity and our habitual inclination
ST MATTHEW SUNDAY
OF
29
towards wickedness - to the Divine Truth of Christs

Teachings and Commandments that lead us to
Eternal Life, Heavenly Joy and Peace.
...They who are Christs, have crucified the flesh with
the affections and lusts... (GALATIANS 5:24)
By focusing our attention on the Divine Truth of our
Saviour, we are able to prevent, resist and reject our
carnal thoughts and the persistent demands of our
sinful habits and inclinations.
Likewise was the ungodly world crucified to nailed to the True Teachings of the Holy Apostles. (CF. GALATIANS
6:14)
St David, the Royal Psalmist and Holy Prophet, prayed

continually to God for Strength and the ability to
crucify his wicked impulses. He besought Divine
Strength to immobilise his persistent carnal thoughts
and desires that threatened to overwhelm him: Nail
down my flesh with the Fear of Thee... (PSALM 118:120)
We too should pray: Establish for Thy servant Thine
oracle [word] unto Fear of Thee... so that we might
be steadily Guided in our visible and invisible
activities by our Lords Divine Truth. (PSALM 118:38)
We must mortify (destroy) our fallen nature with the Sword
of Christs Teaching: ...whosoever shall lose his life
for My sake and the Gospels shall Save it. (MARK 8:35
& MATTHEW 10:39)
On the contrary, those who act according to the

reasoning and attractions of our fallen nature, are
severely cautioned by our Lord, who most clearly told
us that those who try to save their life, shall lose it. And
those who do not take up their Cross nor accept the
Yoke of Christs Commandments and Teachings, and
follow Him in self-denial and with Humility and
Obedience choosing to follow their own misguided
path, is certainly not worthy of God and all His
Goodness and Blessings.
Explaining the fate of Gods Chosen Ones in both time
and Eternity, after hearing the terrible, impartial, and
resolute sentence from the Mouth of God Himself, we
also hear our Lord Jesus Christs answer to His Apostle,
St Peter who had dared to say: Behold: we have left
all and followed Thee. Therefore what shall we
have?
Our Lord promised great honour to the twelve Apostles.
Because our Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who is God-Man, and
the only Eternal King of Israel the New Israel, the
Spiritual Israel, which consists of all Faithful Christians
Disciples of Christ - of all Nations of Earth, who will
inherit the Promised Land, His Eternal Heavenly
Kingdom, it is obvious that His Holy Apostles, through
whom all Nations accepted Him as our Lord and
Saviour, should be made the Leaders and Judges of
the New Israel - the Eternal, Heavenly Nation.
Having informed His Holy Apostles of their significance in
the state of human Eternity, our Lord continued:
... And everyone who has forsaken houses, or
brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or
children, or lands, for My sake, and the Gospels
shall receive an hundredfold now in this time,
houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and
children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the
world to come Eternal Life... (MARK. 10:2930; CF. MATTHEW
19:29).
Persecution is what this temporary earthly life is called.

It is persecution (or in exile or as outcasts because
mankind was cast down and subjected to a sojourn of
suffering upon Earth due to the transgression of Gods
Commandments.
This is a place and time of persecution for the Faithful
Disciples of Christ, because the evil prince of this
fallen world reigns in sin and is the worst enemy of
Christs Holy Flock perpetually, obsessively and most
cruelly persecuting and oppressing them.
During this short, preparatory period before Eternity, all
mankind is subjected to the many different torments
of sin from within us and outside us.
The fallen spirits demons - are obsessed with our
destruction and failure, working non-stop against
us with frenzied hatred and incredible craftiness!
Also working against us also are those who have
chosen to serve the evil, destructive schemes of the
30.
OF
demons, because they are their Spiritually Blind and

wretched slaves.
Furthermore, unless we become Spiritually Watchful and
alert, constantly rooting out our sins through
Repentance-Confession, our personal passions and
weaknesses will be used against us.
As Struggling Disciples of Christ, we receive - even in
this temporary exile - a hundredfold more than
whatever we have forsaken or given for the sake of
Christ and His Divine Truth, for we are granted the
Divine Grace of God the Holy Spirit Whose Power and
Energy enable us to achieve the impossible!
He thereby grants us His Consolation, while all the
temporary, unbeneficial temptations of the fallen
world disappear like smoke in the wind!
Before Spiritual Riches, before Spiritual Glory, all the
perishable, fleeting wealth and grandeur of the
Spiritually Dark world are destroyed.
In the sight of the Holy Saints and Christs Faithful
Disciples, all the sinful, fleshy pleasures and
enticements are disgustingly filthy and revolting, for
these are like sun-bleached sepulchres that appear
attractive on the outside, but inside are filled with the
stench of rotting decay!
Souls that are corrupted by stubborn, unrepented sin,
resulting in Spiritual Death and Eternal Alienation
from God and all His Light and Goodness, are the
same as a lifeless, decomposing, stinking corpse!
All material inventions and possessions, all social status,
power and influence soon disappear or remain
behind us when - due to the inescapable and
inexorable laws of death - we depart from this
temporary existence and enter Eternity.
Divine Grace, however, accompanies the Faithful
Disciples of Christ beyond the grave and, as soon as
we casts off our body, the Grace of God that was
hitherto bound by the limitations of our flesh, extends
broadly and magnificently in Eternity, serving as a
Sacred Pledge and Testimony for the Chosen of God.
When we appear before the Judgment that awaits every
human being after death, and our Sacred Testimony
and Pledge is presented by our Guardian Angels,
Divine Grace fittingly brings us Spiritual, Eternal,
Indescribable, and boundless Riches, Splendour, and
Delight in Heaven as the logical outcome.
In the world to come the Faithful Disciples of our Lord
Jesus Christ shall inherit Everlasting Life - a wonderful
existence that is superabundant and refined far
beyond our limited, fleshly mind could ever imagine!
May we strive ever harder to fulfil the Teachings and
Commandments of our Saviour, so that we may
indeed be worthy of Him and thus able to inherit
Eternal Life that is prepared for us by the
Unfathomable, Boundless Mercy and Love of God,
Who has Redeemed us according to His Divine Will,
through Himself, and by His Divine Power and Energy.
It all depends on the free choices and the ceaseless
efforts we, ourselves make!
Amen.
ST IGNATIUS (BRIANCHANINOV)
TRANSLATED BY NUN CORNELIA (REES)
18 / 06 / 2011
HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/35501.HTM
ST PAISIOS THE ELDER OF MOUNT ATHOS
...Naturally, the Saints Struggled, each in his own Spiritual

Way, and they now help - each in his own Holy Way.
They speak to our soul in our own language, so that we can
understand, in order for us to profit from their Wisdom.
All Saints Struggled for the Love of Christ - the Holy
Martyrs shed their blood, the Righteous Fathers shed
their sweat and tears, performed Spiritual Experiments
on themselves, like good Botanists*, and fought for their
Love of the Image of God, bequeathing us their Spiritual
Recipes, so as to forestall evil or cure a pre-existing
Spiritual Illness, to acquire Health, and, if we have
enough Philotimo (Love of Honour) to imitate them in
their Struggles, even we can become Saints!
All their Struggles of Fasting, Vigils, etc. and the
torments that all Holy Martyrs endured cannot, of
course, be compared with the Passion of our Lord, for
Christ Divinely Helped all of them, sweetening their
pains by His Great Love...
ST MATTHEW SUNDAY
OF

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 June 2016
St Peter & St Paul

Holy Apostles of our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PETER & ST PAUL TONE3
I ton Apostolon Protothroni, ke tis Ikoumenis Didaskali, to Among

Despoti ton olon Presvefsate, Irinin ti
dorisasthe, ke tes psihes imon to Mega Eleos..
the Apostles the loftiest, and Teachers of the

Universe, intercede, O Peter and Paul, with the Master
of us all, Peace to all the world to grant, and to our
souls, the Great Mercy
ikoumeni
FESTAL KONTAKION ST PETER & ST PAUL -
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni O Ipsisto. When
the Most High came down and confused the

tongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided out
the Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And with
one voice we Glorify the All-Holy Spirit!
Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotita panta

ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion Pnevma!
SEASONAL KONTAKION -
THE
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE 2
Prostasia

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson
is ikesian, i Prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton
Se.
O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
PROKEIMENON PSALM 18
the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading

Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever Protects all those who Honour
Thee!
TONE
(8) PLAGAL 4
Their Proclamation went forth into all the Earth, and their words to the ends of the world!
The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
THE SECOND EPISTLE
OF ST
PAUL
TO THE
CORINTHIANS 11: 21 12 : 9
ST PAUL DEFENDS HIS APOSTLESHIP, RECOUNTING HIS SUFFERINGS, VISIONS AND WEAKNESSES
Brethren, ...to our shame I say that we were too weak for that! In whatever anyone is bold I speak foolishly I am
bold also. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are
they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool I am more - in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in
prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Judeans five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three
times I was beaten with rods. Three times I was shipwrecked. A night and a day I have been in the deep.
In Journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in
perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.
In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in Fastings often, in cold and nakedness besides the
other things that come upon me daily - my deep concern for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will
boast in the things that concern my infirmity.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is Blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
In Damascus the Governor, under Aretas the King, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring
to arrest me; and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to Visions and Revelations of the Lord.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not
know, God knows such a one was caught up to the Third Heaven. And I know such a man whether in the body
or out of the body I do not know, God knows how he was caught up into Paradise and heard Inexpressible Words,
which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast - yet of myself I will not boast, except in my
infirmities. Although I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool. I will speak the Truth. I refrain, lest anyone should
think of me above what he sees me to be, or hears from me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the Revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me a messenger of Satan - to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Three times I pleaded with the Lord that it
might depart from me. And He said to me: "My Grace is sufficient for you. for My Strength is made perfect in
weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.
St Paul listed his Hebrew and Christian credentials
AND PARADISE, WHICH IS WHERE GOD IS SURROUNDED BY THE
according to his opponents level of argument.
ASSEMBLY OF THE JUST IN THE CITY OF GOD.
GENEALOGY WAS IMPORTANT TO THE JUDEANS and ST PAUL HAD
Unlike his opponents who publicly boasted of their own
HIS OWN IMPRESSIVE GENEALOGY AND HIS CHRISTIAN
greatness in their Mystical Experiences, ST PAUL
EXPERIENCE WAS INCOMPARABLE WITH ANYONE ELSE his
REGARDED HIS OWN THORN IN THE FLESH AS HAVING BEEN
suffering, his compassionate, involved concern for
BESTOWED UPON HIM IN ORDER TO KEEP HIM HUMBLE.
others and even his rather extraordinary Missionary
His thorn was a chronic physical problem (some have
Journeys throughout the known world of the time and
suggested stomach or gastric ulcers or even cancer,
everything he endured since his Miraculous
which caused intense discomfort and constant pain)
Conversion.
as well as the deluded Christians or stubborn
St Pauls opponents had probably boasted of their Visions
Israelites with whom he had to daily contend.
and Revelations so St Paul mentioned one of his own,
Nevertheless, for St Paul, HIS HUMBLING PHYSICAL WEAKNESSES
fourteen years previously, which dated the Event
- NOT HIS MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES - WERE THE MEANS WHEREBY
before he began his Missionary Journeys HIS DIVINE
THE POWER OF CHRIST REMAINED WITH HIM.
CALLING BY CHRIST ALONG THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.
DIVINE GRACE ACCOMPANIES TRUE VIRTUE ESPECIALLY THAT OF
St Paul used two Hebrew terms to describe the Heavenly
OBEDIENCE AND HUMILITY.
Realms: THE THIRD HEAVEN, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST HEAVEN
OF
ST MATTHEW SUNDAY
OF
31
TO
ST MATTHEW 16 : 13 19
ST PETER CONFESSES OUR LORD JESUS AS THE CHRIST & IS PROMISED THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM
At that time, when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His Disciples, saying: "What do men say
Who is the Son of Man?" They said: "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah. Others, Jeremiah or one of the
Prophets."
He asked them: "And Whom do you say that I Am?" Simon Peter answered, saying: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
Living God." And Jesus replied, saying to him: "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not
revealed it to you, but My Father Who is in Heaven. I say you that you are Peter; and upon this Rock I shall
build My Church, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against Her. And I will give you the Keys of the
Kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever you shall bind upon Earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven. And
whatsoever you shall Loosen on Earth, it shall be Loosened also in Heaven.
WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? Is the greatest question Hence, BY SHATTERING THE GATES, CHRIST OPENED THE
STRONGHOLD OF DEATH AND SET THE SOULS OF THE
we can ever answer!!
RIGHTEOUS FREE.
St Peters ringing Confession: THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE
In all the Holy Gospels, the word Church [Ekklessia =
SON OF THE LIVING GOD! IS A DIVINELY INSPIRED INSIGHT
Gathering] is mentioned twice by our Lord (here and in
GIVEN TO HIM BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
MATTHEW 18:17) describing THE TRUE ISRAEL WHOSE
Our Lord Jesus Messianic Identity and Divinity, the Mystery
CITIZENSHIP IS HEAVENLY.
hidden from Eternity, cannot be truly known through
She is THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE DIVINE-HUMAN ORGANISM, and
human intelligence or reasoning, but only by Gods
to Her comes the Call of our Lord Jesus for the whole of
Revelation. [1 CORINTHIANS 12:3]
mankind TO ABIDE WITH HIM AND IN HIM. [EPHESIANS 1:23]
The title Christ means the Anointed One and AS CHRIST
The expression Keys of the Kingdom, clearly implies A
IS TRULY THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, THE FATHER HAS
SPECIAL AUTHORITY THAT CHRIST GAVE TO ST PETER
ANOINTED HIM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. [acts 10:38]
HIMSELF, BUT WHICH WAS NEVER SEPARATED FROM HIS
King David wrote: THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD, HATH
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS MORE THAN
Furthermore, while St Peter was a Leader of the
THY COMPANIONS. [PSALM 45:7]
Disciples and of the early Church, ALL THE HOLY
St Isaiah, speaking in the Name of the Lord, said: the Spirit
APOSTLES WERE EMPOWERED EQUALLY WITH CHRISTS
of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord hath
DIVINE AUTHORITY.
Anointed Me. [ISAIAH 61:1]
Therefore, ST PETER WAS NOT A LEADER OVER THE OTHERS BUT
The name Peter is a play on the word for Rock or
A LEADER AMONGST THEM, as seen at the Council of
Stone in Aramaic and Greek. (Petros/Petra).
Jerusalem, where Elders or Presbyters [Priests] met with
THE TERM ROCK DID NOT REFER TO ST PETER HIMSELF BUT TO
the Apostles altogether AS EQUALS.
HIS SINCERE CONFESSION OF FAITH.
Roman Papal claims in later centuries must not be confused
THE TRUE ROCK AND FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH IS, OF
with the New Testament Witness regarding St Peter, nor
COURSE, CHRIST HIMSELF.
should the Role of St Peter in the New Testament be
THE CHURCH RESTS UPON THIS ROCK BY HER UNCHANGING
minimised in opposition to those claims!
FAITH AND HER CONFESSION.
BINDING AND LOOSENING IS A REFERENCE TO THE
WITH THIS UNCHANGING, FIRMLY ROOTED, SOLID FAITH AS
TEACHING, SACRAMENTAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS
THE FOUNDATION, THE GATES OF HADES, THE POWER OF
OF THE HOLY APOSTLES THAT WERE SUBSEQUENTLY
DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, ARE POWERLESS AGAINST
TRANSMITTED TO THE BISHOPS OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF
HER.
CHRIST.
In the Old Testament, the term Gates suggested a
fortified city. [GENESIS 22:17; 24:60; ISAIAH 14:31]
THE FEAST
OF THE
HOLY APOSTLES ST PETER & ST PAUL
Gazing at St Peter and St Paul with our Spiritual Eyes, we

reverently bow down before the greatness of their
Apostolic Labour, for they fulfilled the Will of God, and
were ardent Teachers of the Word of God; unshakable
and valiant Soldiers of Divine Truth, fearing neither
beatings, nor even their martyric death St Peter was
crucified, and St Paul was beheaded (being a Roman
citizen.)
It might seem to us sinners, who are small and feeble, that
we have nothing to learn from the Holy Apostles - that
we can do nothing but Glorify their exceptional Labours
in Christs Name, since most of us live in peaceful
surroundings - each of us trying to fulfil whatever little
Obedience our Lord has sent us.
Nonetheless, my dear ones, we can and should learn a great
deal from these great Apostles: not only from their
Epistles, but also directly from their Virtuous Deeds.
We can learn how to guard our immortal soul against sinful
temptations, thereby adorning them with Spiritual
Beauty so that we might stand in the Presence of God as
Faithful Children of our Heavenly Father.
Initially, St Peter was just like any of us, and on the Eve of
our Lords Passion, when Christ was with His Disciples
at His Mystical Supper, He revealed to them the
offences, sorrows, and temptations that awaited them,
whereupon the impulsive Apostle Peter cried
out: Although all men shall be offended because of
Thee, yet will I never be offended! and our Lord
replied: Truly, I say unto Thee - this night, before the
cock crows, Thou shalt deny Me thrice. (MATTHEW 26, 3334)
On that Friday morning, when our beaten, scourged,

bleeding and intensely suffering Saviour in His
Humanity, required the Comfort and Consolation of our
devotion and loving fidelity, His Apostle denied his
association with Christ not once but indeed thrice!
Such was the depth of the Fall of St Peter, who had not yet
been Renewed by the Grace of the Holy Spirit! He was
still an ordinary weak and feeble person and he
fell into utter Spiritual Death by his denial of our
Lord Jesus Christ!
St Peter felt the enormity of his dreadful sin and he
wept bitterly, immediately Repenting and
beseeching Gods Forgiveness, which a few days
32.
later was bestowed upon him by our Resurrected Lord

Jesus Christ, Who understands us better than we know
ourselves.
Once he had been Forgiven and Restored to Spiritual Life, St
Peter, never forgot his terrible Fall, especially whenever
he heard the crowing of roosters at dawn!
My dear ones, we also deny our Lord by our the failure to
follow and fulfil His Teachings and Commandments!
All of us many through the mouths of our Godparents - at
our Holy Baptism committed ourselves to Christ to
Life in Him, and our Sacred Vows of Holy Allegiance to
His are Renewed by our Repentance-Confession and by
approaching His
Holy Chalice that grants us
Forgiveness of sins and thus, Eternal Life.
If we continue being spiteful, criticising, condemning,
speaking ill of others, being angry, cynical and bitter,
using foul language, fornicating or committing adultery
- anything that rejects or fails to fulfil the Divine Will of
Almighty God - we thereby betray and deny our Lord
and Saviour and should weep bitter Tears of Contrition!
May St Peters immediate deeply sorrowful Repentance
compel us to Repent our many transgressions with
Cleansing Tears before Him Whom we continually
sadden through our selfishness and arrogance!
Another good example is St Paul who had - before his
conversion - been a zealous persecutor of Christians
until our Lord confronted him and Enlightened him,
whereupon he became His most dedicated Apostle,
converting innumerable thousands of souls, thereby
surpassing all the other Apostles in his Sacred Labours
of Love.
Although St Paul endured every degree of adversity and
suffering, nothing stopped his ardent teaching of Gods
Divine Truth, and Glorifying our Loving, Provident God!
Let us learn from St Paul True Humility and Obedience, as
well as unwavering Dedication and Allegiance to our
Lord Jesus Christ!
Due to their Love for God and for all people they shared the
Divine Truth with us to Save our immortal soul and to
prepare us for Gods Eternal Blessedness which is the
entire Purpose of this short lifespan!
May we all faithfully fulfil our Sacred Commitments and
Allegiance to Christ as worthy Disciples of Christ.
METROPOLITAN NIKOLAI (YARUSHEVICH) OF KRUTITSA & KOLOMENSK
THE APOSTLES FEAST ST PETER & ST PAUL
29 JUNE 2016

30 June 2016
Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles :
St Andrew (First Called) & St Peter, St James (the Less or the Younger) & St John the Beloved
Apostle, (sons of Zebedee), St Philip, St Bartholomew, (formerly Nathaniel), St Thomas
(Didymos/the Twin), St Matthew Levi, (the Publican), St James the Just & St Jude (sons of St Joseph the Betrothed), St Simon
Zealotes (of Canaan), St Matthias (replaced Judas Iscariot the Betrayer of Christ)
Also the Feast of St Michael the New Martyr of Athens - St Peter the Prince of Ordinsk, Rostov St Sophronios of Irkutsk St
Gelasios of Rimit Monastery, Transylvania St Dinar, Holy Queen of Georgia
HYMNS
OF THE
ISODIKON- SMALL ENTRANCE - TONE 2
Defte proskinisomen ke prospesomen Hristo.
Soson imas,
Iie Theou, O en Agiis Thavmastos, psallontas Si:
Allilouia!
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
Save
us, O Son of God, Who art Wondrous in Thy Saints,
who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION SYNAXIS
Apostoli
Agii, Presvesete to eleimoni Theo ina ptesmaton

afesin, parashi tes psihes imon.
OF
APOSTLES TONE 3
O Holy Apostles, Intercede with our Merciful God, that He

grant our souls Forgiveness of offences.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PETER & ST PAUL TONE 4
I ton Apostolon Protothroni, ke tis Ikoumenis Didaskali, to Among

Despoti ton olon Presvefsate, Irinin ti
dorisasthe, ke tes psihes imon to Mega Eleos..
the Apostles the loftiest, and Teachers of the

Universe, intercede, O Peter and Paul, with the Master
of us all, Peace to all the world to grant, and to our
souls, the Great Mercy
ikoumeni
SEASONAL KONTAKION -
THE
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE 2
Prostasia

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os Agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
Pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is Presvian, ke spefson
is ikesian, i Prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton Timonton
Se.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 18/19 SYNAXIS
O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to

the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading
Aid of all who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed up Thine
Intercession, and press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever Protects all those who Honour
Thee!
OF THE
12 HOLY APOSTLES -
TONE
(8) PLAGAL 4
Their Proclamation went forth into all the Earth, and their words to the ends of the world!
The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
CORINTHIANS 4 : 9 16
Brethren, God has set forth us, the Apostles, last, as it were appointed to Death, for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to Angels, and to men. We are fools for Christs 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 certain 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, and are the offscourings of all things unto this day.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my Beloved Children, I warn you. For 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.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW 9 : 36 10 : 8
At that time, our Lord Jesus saw a great multitude, and was moved with Compassion for them, for they were weary and
scattered, like Sheep without a Shepherd. He said to His Twelve Disciples: The Harvest is truly plentiful, but the
Labourers are few. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out Labourers into His Harvest.
And when He had Called unto Him His Twelve Disciples, He granted them Authority against unclean spirits, to cast
them out, and to Heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: the first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother; James, the
son of Zebedee, and John, his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the Publican; James, the
son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who
would betray Him.
These Twelve Jesus sent out, and commanded them, saying: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles and do not enter
a city of the Samaritans. Go rather to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. As you so, preach, saying: The
Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Heal the sick, Cleanse the lepers, Raise the dead, cast out demons.
Freely you have received freely give!
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DOES NOT SEE PEOPLE AS SINNERS TO
He always shares our Spiritual and physical suffering
BE CONDEMNED, BUT RATHER AS LOST SHEEP to be found and
because of His Infinite Love for us.
brought safely home.
The imagery of being ...like Sheep who have no
Shepherd... is drawn from the Old Testament and is
His Compassion means that HE SUFFERS WITH AND FOR ALL
THOSE WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY LOST.
AN ACCUSATION AGAINST JEWISH LEADERS WHO - although
CHARGED BY GOD WITH THE SACRED DUTY OF BEING SPIRITUAL
In His human Nature CHRIST UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT MEANS FOR
US HUMAN BEINGS TO BE LOST AND EXILED FROM THE DIVINE
SHEPHERDS OF HIS HOLY FLOCK His Chosen People ACTED LIKE RAVENOUS WOLVES instead:
PRESENCE AND GRACE OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER.
SYNAXIS
OF THE
TWELVE HOLY APOSTLES
OF
CHRIST
OUR
LORD & SAVIOUR -
30 JUNE 2016
33
THIS IS A
The Disciples Mission - like that of our Lord Jesus
DIRE WARNING TO OUR OWN CHRISTIAN PRIESTS AND

BISHOPS WHO DO LIKEWISE.
N U M B E R S : 2 7 : 1 6 - 1 7 : Let the Lord - the God of the
spirits of all flesh appoint someone over the
Congregation, who shall go out before them and
come in before them, who shall lead them out and
bring them in, so that the Congregation of the Lord
may not be like Sheep without a Shepherd.
1 K I N G S 2 2 : 1 7 : ... Micah said: I saw all Israel
scattered on the mountains, like sheep that have no
shepherd; and the Lord said, These have no Master;
let each one go home in Peace.
E z e k i e l 3 4 : 5 : So they were scattered, because
there was no Shepherd; and scattered, they became
food (prey)for all the Wild Animals.
The
terms
Apostles
and
Disciples
are
interchangeable words for the Twelve closest and
Most Faithful Followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Greek word for Disciple means pupil or Student and Apostle means one officially sent on a
Mission.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PERFORMED MIRACLES BY HIS OWN
DIVINE POWER whereas THE APOSTLES WERE GIVEN POWER TO
DO WONDERFUL DEEDS THROUGH CHRIST BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Who makes all things possible for us.
St Matthew and St Luke added to the Gospel of St Mark
concerning the Power to Heal all types of ailments
and diseases.
The names of the Twelve Apostles - not exactly the same
in all the New Testament lists - are arranged in pairs,
which gives an interesting impression of who may
have travelled with whom on this - the Apostles First Missionary Journey, since St Mark wrote that they
were sent out two by two.
THE SYNAXIS
OF THE
Christ - was to Preach and to Heal.

OUR LORD SENT THEM ONLY TO THE JUDEANS - who were THE
INITIAL FOCUS OF HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY.
THIS WAS SO THAT, AFTER THE RESURRECTION, THEY COULD NOT
BLAME THE DISCIPLES for ...going to uncircumcised
men meaning the Gentiles. [ACTS 11:3]
Our Lord Jesus Christ carefully prepared His Disciples
by instructing them:
TO BE SINGLE-MINDED AND FOCUSSED upon the Sacred

Mission
GODS POWER IS FREELY BESTOWED upon His Faithful

Disciples WHATEVER WE ACCOMPLISH IS A DIVINE GIFT from
Almighty God and has nothing to do with our own
powerless human abilities.
He instructed them not to carry any money or

provisions so that they would learn to DEPEND ON GOD
for all their needs - to depend on DIVINE PROVIDENCE and to PREVENT ANY ACCUSATIONS of greed or selfishness.
GOD FREES US FROM WORRYING ABOUT WORLDLY MATTERS

so that we can CONCENTRATE ON preaching his divine
word and/or FULFILLING OUR OWN PERSONAL SACRED
MISSION.
This did not mean that Christ encouraged His Apostles to

scrounge off others! Not at all!
He expected them to work for what they needed and to depend
on God to provide all necessary means so that they would be
able to earn enough to feed and clothe themselves.
This Divine Teaching applies to us to this day and it certainly
works, for not only do we have enough for ourselves, but
God also gives us enough to share with those who have far
less. Mp
OF
CHRIST
The Synaxis of the Glorious and All Praiseworthy Twelve Apostles of Christ is an ancient Feast. The Holy Church of Christ
honours each of the Twelve Apostles on separate dates during the year, and has a general Commemoration for all of
them on the day after the Commemoration of the Glorious and First-Ranked among the Apostles, St Peter and St Paul.
THE COMMEMORATIONS & MARTYRDOMS
St Peter
St Andrew
St James, (Zebedee)
St John, Theologian & Evangelist
St Philip
St Bartholomew
St Thomas
St Matthew, Evangelist
St James (Alphaeus)
St Thaddeus Jude (Joseph)
St Simon The Zealot
St Matthias
St Paul
THE CALL TO
The Remembrance of the Saints of God reminds us that
as Faithful, Struggling Disciples of Christ - each of us is
Called to be a Saint.
St Justin Popovich explained that the Saints are the most
perfect Christians, who have been Sanctified to the
highest degree.
St John Maximovitch said that the Saints are those who
possess a high degree of Righteousness, and are filled
with the Grace of God to such an extent that it flows
from them and profoundly touches those around
them.
Both St Justin and St John believed the same thing, for
Saints are Deified Sanctified, Spiritually Perfected
human beings, who are filled with Divine Grace -the
Uncreated Energies of God by having live the
Divine-human Life of Christ within His Holy Church.
Every Orthodox Christian partakes to some extent of this
Divine-human Life in Christ.
St Justin Popovich wrote: "Christ's Life is continued through
all the ages. Every Christian is of the same Body with
Christ, and we are Christian because we strive to Live
the Divine-human Life of this Body of Christ as Its
organic cell.
"Life according to the Gospel - Holy Life, Divine Life - is the
natural and normal Life for us, for according to our
Sacred Vocation, we are Holy."
To become completely Holy in soul and body is our
Sacred Vocation, which is miraculous, but rather
the norm - the Rule of Faith.
HOLY TWELVE APOSTLES:

Crucified Upside Down
Crucified On An X-Shaped Cross
Beheaded
Reposed In Peace For Over 100 Years
Crucified
Crucified, Scraped & Beheaded
Speared To Death
Burnt To Death
Crucified
Crucified
Crucified
Stoned & Beheaded
Beheaded
OF THE
29 June & 16 January

30 November
30 April
08 May & 26 September
14 November
11 June & 25 August
06 October
16 November
09 October
19 June
10 May
09 August
29 June
SANCTITY
"Having united themselves spiritually and by Grace to the
Holy One - Christ our Lord - with the Help of Faith,
Christians receive from Him the Holy Energies that
enable them to lead a holy life." (ST JUSTIN)
It is our Task as Disciples of Christ to acquire more and
more of this Divine-human Life, growing deeper and
deeper into it, regaining our Likeness of Christ, and
being filled with more Divine Grace.
Even though we may never acquire as much Divine
Grace as our Greatest Saints, yet we are Called to
ceaselessly strive for the Acquisition of such an
overflowing measure of Divine Grace!
We have so much further to go in our Spiritual Life, yet
even the greatest Saints Struggled constantly right to
the end.
Constantine Cavarnos commented: "Sanctification admits
of degrees, for the Perfection of a human being
attained even in Theosis [Deification] is not complete
during this lifespan, as it is an 'unfinished Perfection,'
as referred to in The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St.
John Klimakos."
Even Spiritual Perfection or Holiness is not complete in
Eternity where it infinitely increases.
St Symeon the New Theologian, himself Deified human
being taught us: "Through a clear Revelation from
Above, Saints know that their Perfection is endless,
that their evolution in Glory is Eternal, that in them
there is a continual increase in Divine Radiance,
and that their Spiritual Progress will never cease."
HTTP://ORTHODOXINFO.COM/GENERAL/PLACE_LIVES.ASPX
34.
SYNAXIS
OF THE
OF
CHRIST
OUR
LORD & SAVIOUR -
30 JUNE 2016

2016 June Sacred Lessons

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2016 June Sacred Lessons

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Tone (5) Plagal 1

RESURRECTION GOSPEL 8 JOHN 20 : 11 - 18

Hristos Anesti, ek nekron, Thanato Thanaton patisas, Christ

is Risen from the dead; By Death trampling

Ke tis en tis mnimasin, Zoin harisamenos (3)

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou The

Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no

Tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke

PASCHAL KONTAKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

ke en Tafo katilthes, Athanate, alla tou Adou kathiles tin

Thou went down into the Tomb, O Immortal

FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 11/12 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Thou, O Lord, Protect us and Preserve us!

ST PAUL & ST SILAS

HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY

BLIND MAN 5 JUNE 2016

Many unenlightened, misguided converts revert to their

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS WE HAVE A FAR GREATER

contritely Repent our rebellion against God and

UPON OURSELVES WE CANNOT AND MUST NOT BLAME

Only through such regular housekeeping can we begin

LUKE 6: 22-23 Christ warned us: ... Rejoice in that day

Any Roman Jailer whose prisoners managed to escape

The miraculous earthquake and St Pauls concern for the

EXORCISMS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST ARE PART OF APOSTOLIC

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING

THE MAN BORN WITHOUT EYES RECEIVES SIGHT

HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY

BLIND MAN 5 JUNE 2016

HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY

BLIND MAN 5 JUNE 2016

only full account of a healing being examined and

HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY

The self-righteous, hypocritical Pharisees could not refute

Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

BLIND MAN (BORN

HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY

the Vineyard - that is, to work on behalf of the Branches

BLIND MAN 5 JUNE 2016

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

FIRST ANTIPHON PSALM 46/47 TONE 2

Panta ta Ethni, krotisate hiras. Alalaxate to Theo

All you Nations, clap your hands! Shout to God

Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas

the Intercessions of the Theotokos, O

Oti Kyrios Ipsistos, Foveros, Vasilefs Megas epi

Ipetaxe laous imin ke Ethni ipo tous podas imon.

For the Lord Most High is Fearsome, a Great King

He subdued the peoples under us and the Nation

Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy

Tes Presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.

DIVINE LITURGY SECOND ANTIPHON - ASCENSION THURSDAY TONE 2

Megas Kyrios, ke enetos sfodra.

tous Ouranous, Psallontas Si: Allilouia!

Heaven, who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

O Theos en tes Varesin Aftis ginoskete.

in Her Palaces; whenever He helps

Oti idou i Vasilis tis Gis sinihthisan

For behold: the Kings of the Earth were assembled.

THIRD ANTIPHON PSALM 48/49 TONE 4