2016 November Sacred Lessons

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

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most
Blessed and Glorious Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us
commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
1 November 2016
St Kosmas & St Damianos
Holy Unmercenary Physicians of Asia Minor

Also the Feast of St Theodota, their Venerable Mother of Asia Minor St John, Bishop & St
James the Presbyter of Persia St Cyrenia & St Juliana of Cilicia St Hermeningilda the Goth
of Spain St Caesarios, St Adrian, St Dacios, St Savvas, St Sabinian, St Agrippa, & St Thomas of Damascus St James of
Kastoria, St James the Deacon, & St Dionysios, Monk Martyrs of Mount Athos
FESTAL APOLYTIKIONST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS-
Agii
Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe

asthenias imon. Dorean elavete, dorean dote imin.
SEASONAL KONTAKION -
THE
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Holy
tas
Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers, visit

infirmities. Freely You received; freely give to us.
our
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE 2
Prostasia
O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to
ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se.
the 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!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 15/16 TONE 4
Tis Agiis tis en ti Gi Aftou ethavmastosen O Kyrios.

Prooromin ton Kyrion enopion mou diapantos
1ST EPISTLE
TH
IVINE
OF
ST PAUL
GIFT
OF
The Saints that are in His Land, the Lord has magnified.
I have set the Lord always before me.
TO THE
LOVE
IS
CORINTHIANS 12 : 27 13 : 8
THE
MOST SUPERIOR
OF ALL
GIFTS
Brethren: You are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first
Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healings, Helps, Administrations, varieties
of Tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healings? Do all
speak with Tongues? Do all interpret? Earnestly desire the best Gifts.
And yet I show you a more excellent Way:
Although I speak with the Tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge, and
although I have all Faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing! And although I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt, but have not Love, it profits me
nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
THERE IS A HIERARCHY OF HONOUR IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE
1 JOHN 4:19 We Love Him (God) because HE
NEW COVENANT TO THIS DAY.
FIRST LOVED US.
THE APOSTOLIC WORK THAT OF THE BISHOP SETS THE PACE FOR
Furthermore, WHILE WE MUST AIM TO DO ALL THINGS OUT OF
ALL THE REST. When the oversight of the Bishop is in
LOVE, WE MUST ALSO NOT CEASE FEARING I.E. RESPECTING
order i.e. the supervision of the Bishop the rest
GOD AND (WILLINGLY) OBEYING HIM.
of the Holy Church is free to function at its optimal
To any church that is preoccupied with the speaking
of tongues different languages ST PAUL TAUGHT
level.
However, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and
THE ULTIMATE DIVINE GIFT THAT OF DIVINE LOVE
AGAPE..
operative, there is SOMETHING EVEN MORE EXCELLENT
and that IS THE LOVE OF GOD AGAPE WHICH IS THE
DIVINE OR GODLY LOVE OUTSHINES PROPHECY AND ALL FAITH
TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LIFE-GIVING, ALL
because it is of far greater value and Spiritual
HOLY SPIRIT.
Benefit than the miraculous ability to remove
St Basil the Great taught us that THERE ARE THREE REASONS
ALL BIBLICAL AND ALL GOD-GIVEN THAT WE FOLLOW

THE LORD:
1. FEAR
PROVERBS 1:7 The Fear of God is THE BEGINNING
OF WISDOM.
2. OBEDIENCE a recognition that BECAUSE HE IS GOD WE
MUST FOLLOW HIM.
ACTS 5:29 ... Peter and the other Apostles
answered: WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER
THAN MEN...
3. LOVE
mountains!
OUR LORD JESUS URGED US TO GIVE TO THE POOR AND TO
LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OTHERS.
HOWEVER: EVEN SUCH A SELFLESS ACT OF HOLY MARTYRDOM
AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE THAT IS DONE WITHOUT LOVE
WILL PROFIT US ABSOLUTELY NOTHING it will be a
wasted effort because IT IS NOT COMPELLED, FULFILLED
OR MOTIVATED BY LOVE FOR OTHERS AND ESPECIALLY FOR
GOD.
This
particular
passage explains THE SPECIFIC

TRUE LOVE DIVINE GODLY LOVE -
CHARACTERISTICS OF
AGAPE:
ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS HOLY UNMERCENARY PHYSICIANS
OF
ASIA MINOR
1 NOVEMBER 2016
1.
LOVE IS PATIENT, KIND AND GENTLE, especially with those

who are hurt.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:14 We exhort you, Brethren:
WARN those who are unruly, COMFORT the fainthearted, UPHOLD the weak, BE PATIENT WITH ALL.
EPHESIANS 4:32 ... BE KIND to one another, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING each other, even AS GOD IN
CHRIST FORGIVES YOU.)
LOVE DOES NOT ENVY AND IS NOT JEALOUS of what others have.
PROVERBS 23:17 DO NOT let your heart ENVY
SINNERS, but BE IN FEAR OF THE LORD the whole
day long.
LOVE DOES NOT PARADE ITSELF or put itself on display.
JOHN 3:30 He (Christ) must increase, but I (St John
the Baptist) MUST DECREASE.
LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP or arrogant or proud.
GALATIANS 6:3 ... If anyone thinks himself to be
something, when he is nothing, HE DECEIVES
HIMSELF.
LOVE DOES NOT ACT RUDELY or brashly, mean-spiritedly nor
does it insult anyone.
ECCLESIASTES 5:2 The voice of a senseless man is
with a multitude of words.
LOVE DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN WAY or act forcefully
1 CORINTHIANS 10:24: Let no one SEEK his own, but
each one the OTHERS WELL-BEING.
LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS it copes with burdensome things or
all difficulties of daily life.
GALATIANS 6:2 BEAR EACH OTHERS BURDENS, AND SO

FULFIL THE LAW OF CHRIST.
LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS AND TRUSTS IN GOD no matter what
the circumstances or what happens.
PROVERBS 3:5 TRUST IN GOD with all your heart.)
LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS: it keeps looking upwards, does not
despair and is always optimistic
PHILIPPIANS 3:13 ... Forgetting those things that are
behind, and REACHING FORWARD to those things
that are ahead.
LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS: it puts up with everything and
does not wear out.
GALATIANS 6:9 ... Grow not weary while doing
good, for IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, if we do
not lose heart.
THE ONLY THING THAT LOVE CANNOT DO IS FAIL!
1 CORINTHIANS 16:14: Let all that you do be DONE
WITH LOVE.
THE DIVINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, as wonderful as they
are, ARE MERELY TEMPORARY AND INCOMPLETE. They
are FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE ONLY, while we are
still Spiritual Children Spiritually Immature.
However,
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
DIVINE LOVE IS ETERNAL, COMPLETE AND

FULFILLING, AND IT CONTINUES INTO THE AGE TO COME
ETERNAL LIFE.
TO
ST LUKE 11 : 34 41
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: The Lamp of the body is the eye. When your eye is good, your whole body is
also full of Light. When your eye is bad, your body is also full of Darkness. Take care that the Light that is in
you is not Darkness. If your whole body is filled with Light having no part Dark the whole body will be filled
with Light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives us light.
As He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. Entering, He sat down. The Pharisee, beholding,
marvelled, for He had not first washed before dining.
Our Lord said to him: Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is filled
with greed and wickedness! O Unwise ! Did not He Who made the outside make the inside also? With the
things that you have, do Good Deeds, and behold: all things are Clean to you!
THE MIND (NOUS) IS THE SPIRITUAL EYE OF OUR SOUL, WHICH
The Holy Church of Christ has always maintained OUR
ILLUMINATES OUR INNER BEING AND GOVERNS OUR FREE WILL.
SACRED COMMITMENT TO GOOD DEEDS, ALMSGIVING, TITHING
(OF TIME AND WORLDLY GOODS), ORTHODOX WORSHIP AND
FUNDAMENTAL TO LIFE IN CHRIST IS THE SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE TO
DAILY LIFE IN CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE TEACHINGS AND
KEEP OUR MIND WHOLESOME AND PURE WORTHY OF BEING A
DISCIPLE OF CHRIST WHO HOPES TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE TO
COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST OUR LORD THE WRITTEN AND
REGAIN OUR LOST DIVINE LIKENESS.
VERBAL HOLY TRADITION.
Like slaves serving two masters WE TRY TO MAINTAIN AN
OUR SACRED COMMITMENT TO ALL ORTHODOX PRACTISES AND
ATTACHMENT TO BOTH EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY THINGS.
WORSHIP EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND FAITH that leads us to a
However, this is impossible since BOTH DEMAND OUR FULL
deeper Commitment to and Love of God, and
safeguards our ceaseless Life in Christ.
ALLEGIANCE.
IT IS VITALLY ESSENTIAL TO CHOOSE WHICH WE REALLY WANT
Otherwise, IF WE REJECT ANY OR ALL OF THEM, OR PERFORM OUR
SACRED DUTIES WITHOUT TAKING THEM TO HEART OR
TEMPORARY EARTHLY THINGS OR ETERNAL LIFE IN THE
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF GOD.
BOTHERING TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR IMPORTANCE AND
MEANING merely doing so as empty, meaningless
OUR LORD REFERRED TO MAMMON (attachment to material,
temporary and Spiritually Unprofitable things) AS A
gestures WE WILL ULTIMATELY CONDEMN OURSELVES to
MASTER not because wealth and possessions in
Eternal Death and Outer Darkness in permanent
themselves are evil by nature, but BECAUSE OF THE
Spiritual Exile from God and all His Goodness and
CONTROL THEY HAVE OVER UNENLIGHTENED, WEAK SOULS.
Love.
Leaders have a strong influence on those whom they
THE CHOICE IS OURS ALONE!
lead, guide or teach.
The Pharisees were fanatical about every letter of the
LEADERS WHO DO NOT LOVE AND OBEY ALMIGHTY GOD DUE TO
Law - even attaching strainers to decanters in order
THEIR ARROGANT PRIDE AND DISOBEDIENCE WHO IGNORANTLY
to avoid consuming anything that might be ritually
REJECT HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND REALITY - PREVENT OTHER SOULS
unclean or forbidden.
FROM RECEIVING OR FINDING HIS DIVINE TRUTH.
As Orthodox Christians who have put on Christ at our
Such influential, conniving people mislead and
Holy Baptism (and thus we live in Christ) WE MAINTAIN
discourage others from OUR ESSENTIAL AND CEASELESS
AND FULFIL OUR LORD GODS DIVINE TRUTH WITH AGAPE
Divine Love that is unconditional and absolutely Pure
SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT AND HIS DIVINE VIRTUES THAT ENABLE US TO FULFIL OUR
FULFILLING HIS DIVINE WILL ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT OF
SACRED COMMITMENTS TO GOD WITH TRUE HUMILITY,
THE LAW (of Love/Agape).
OBEDIENCE AND LOVE.
Consequently, ALL THOSE WHO ARE LEADERS OR WHO INFLUENCE
AND GUIDE OTHER SOULS, ARE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD BY
GOD WHO WILL ULTIMATELY JUDGE THEM, AND BY MANKIND
WHO LOOK TO THEM AS OUR GOOD EXAMPLES TO IMITATE OR

FOLLOW.
ALL THE DIRE WARNINGS THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS
ISSUED TO THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS PHARISEES, SCRIBES AND
OTHERS ARE ESPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT TO US AS ORTHODOX
CHRISTIANS who must strive Faithfully to preserve,
observe and commit ourselves to all Gods Divine

Truth to all His Teachings and Commandments!
2. S T K O S M A S & S T D A M I A N O S H O L Y U N M E R C E N A R Y P H Y S I C I A N S
OF
ASIA MINOR
1 NOVEMBER 2016

1 November 2016
St Kosmas & St Damianos
Holy Unmercenary Physicians of Asia Minor

Also the Feast of St Theodota, their Venerable Mother of Asia Minor St John, Bishop & St
James the Presbyter of Persia St Cyrenia & St Juliana of Cilicia St Hermeningilda the Goth
of Spain St Caesarios, St Adrian, St Dacios, St Savvas, St Sabinian, St Agrippa, & St Thomas of Damascus St James of
Kastoria, St James the Deacon, & St Dionysios, Monk Martyrs of Mount Athos
FESTAL APOLYTIKIONST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS-
Agii
Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe

asthenias imon. Dorean elavete, dorean dote imin.
THE
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Holy
tas
Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers, visit

infirmities. Freely You received; freely give to us.
our
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE 2
Prostasia
O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to

Piitin ametathete, mi Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas,
alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton
pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson
is ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke, ton timonton Se.
the 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!
Tis Agiis tis en ti Gi Aftou ethavmastosen O Kyrios.

Prooromin ton Kyrion enopion mou diapantos
1ST EPISTLE
TH
IVINE
OF
ST PAUL
GIFT
OF
The Saints that are in His Land, the Lord has magnified.
I have set the Lord always before me.
TO THE
LOVE
IS
CORINTHIANS 12 : 27 13 : 8
THE
MOST SUPERIOR
OF ALL
GIFTS
Brethren: You are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: first
Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healings, Helps, Administrations, varieties
of Tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healings? Do all
speak with Tongues? Do all interpret? Earnestly desire the best Gifts.
And yet I show you a more excellent Way:
Although I speak with the Tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge, and
although I have all Faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing! And although I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt, but have not Love, it profits me
nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
THERE IS A HIERARCHY OF HONOUR IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE
1 JOHN 4:19 We Love Him (God) because HE
NEW COVENANT TO THIS DAY.
FIRST LOVED US.
THE APOSTOLIC WORK THAT OF THE BISHOP SETS THE PACE FOR
Furthermore, WHILE WE MUST AIM TO DO ALL THINGS OUT OF
ALL THE REST. When the oversight of the Bishop is in
LOVE, WE MUST ALSO NOT CEASE FEARING I.E. RESPECTING
order i.e. the supervision of the Bishop the rest
GOD AND (WILLINGLY) OBEYING HIM.
of the Holy Church is free to function at its optimal
To any church that is preoccupied with the speaking
of tongues different languages ST PAUL TAUGHT
level.
However, even with all the Divine Gifts in place and
THE ULTIMATE DIVINE GIFT THAT OF DIVINE LOVE
AGAPE..
operative, there is SOMETHING EVEN MORE EXCELLENT
and that IS THE LOVE OF GOD AGAPE WHICH IS THE
DIVINE OR GODLY LOVE OUTSHINES PROPHECY AND ALL FAITH
TRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LIFE-GIVING, ALL
because it is of far greater value and Spiritual
HOLY SPIRIT.
Benefit than the miraculous ability to remove
St Basil the Great taught us that THERE ARE THREE REASONS
ALL BIBLICAL AND ALL GOD-GIVEN THAT WE FOLLOW

THE LORD:
4. FEAR
PROVERBS 1:7 The Fear of God is THE BEGINNING
OF WISDOM.
5. OBEDIENCE a recognition that BECAUSE HE IS GOD WE
MUST FOLLOW HIM.
ACTS 5:29 ... Peter and the other Apostles
answered: WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER
THAN MEN...
6. LOVE
mountains!
OUR LORD JESUS URGED US TO GIVE TO THE POOR AND TO
LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OTHERS.
HOWEVER: EVEN SUCH A SELFLESS ACT OF HOLY MARTYRDOM
AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE THAT IS DONE WITHOUT LOVE
WILL PROFIT US ABSOLUTELY NOTHING it will be a
wasted effort because IT IS NOT COMPELLED, FULFILLED
OR MOTIVATED BY LOVE FOR OTHERS AND ESPECIALLY FOR
GOD.
This
particular
passage explains THE SPECIFIC

TRUE LOVE DIVINE GODLY LOVE -
CHARACTERISTICS OF
AGAPE:
ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS HOLY UNMERCENARY PHYSICIANS
OF
ASIA MINOR
1 NOVEMBER 2016
3.
LOVE IS PATIENT, KIND AND GENTLE, especially with those

who are hurt.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:14 We exhort you, Brethren:
WARN those who are unruly, COMFORT the fainthearted, UPHOLD the weak, BE PATIENT WITH ALL.
EPHESIANS 4:32 ... BE KIND to one another, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING each other, even AS GOD IN
CHRIST FORGIVES YOU.)
LOVE DOES NOT ENVY AND IS NOT JEALOUS of what others have.
PROVERBS 23:17 DO NOT let your heart ENVY
SINNERS, but BE IN FEAR OF THE LORD the whole
day long.
LOVE DOES NOT PARADE ITSELF or put itself on display.
JOHN 3:30 He (Christ) must increase, but I (St John
the Baptist) MUST DECREASE.
LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP or arrogant or proud.
GALATIANS 6:3 ... If anyone thinks himself to be
something, when he is nothing, HE DECEIVES
HIMSELF.
LOVE DOES NOT ACT RUDELY or brashly, mean-spiritedly nor
does it insult anyone.
ECCLESIASTES 5:2 The voice of a senseless man is
with a multitude of words.
LOVE DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN WAY or act forcefully
1 CORINTHIANS 10:24: Let no one SEEK his own, but
each one the OTHERS WELL-BEING.
LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS it copes with burdensome things or
all difficulties of daily life.
C
HRIST
OUR
SA
VIOUR
CH
OSE
GALATIANS 6:2 BEAR EACH OTHERS BURDENS, AND SO

FULFIL THE LAW OF CHRIST.
LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS AND TRUSTS IN GOD no matter what
the circumstances or what happens.
PROVERBS 3:5 TRUST IN GOD with all your heart.)
LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS: it keeps looking upwards, does not
despair and is always optimistic
PHILIPPIANS 3:13 ... Forgetting those things that are
behind, and REACHING FORWARD to those things
that are ahead.
LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS: it puts up with everything and
does not wear out.
GALATIANS 6:9 ... Grow not weary while doing
good, for IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, if we do
not lose heart.
THE ONLY THING THAT LOVE CANNOT DO IS FAIL!
1 CORINTHIANS 16:14: Let all that you do be DONE
WITH LOVE.
THE DIVINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, as wonderful as they
are, ARE MERELY TEMPORARY AND INCOMPLETE. They
are FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE ONLY, while we are
still Spiritual Children Spiritually Immature.
However,
DIVINE LOVE IS ETERNAL, COMPLETE AND

FULFILLING, AND IT CONTINUES INTO THE AGE TO COME
ETERNAL LIFE.
TO
ST MATTHEW 10 : 1, 5 8
& INSTRUC
TED
HIS TWELVE APOSTLES
At that time, when our Lord Jesus had Called His Twelve Disciples to Him, He gave them Power over unclean spirits to
cast them out and to Heal all kinds of disease.
These Jesus sent out, having commanded them: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the
Samaritans. Go to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. Go, preach, saying: The Kingdom of Heaven is at
hand! Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.
Freely you have received freely give.
ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS
St Kosmas and St Damianos were Holy Unmercenary

Physicians and Miracle-working brothers, having
been born in Asia Minor to a pagan father and a
Christian mother St Theodota.
After their father's death, their mother devoted all her
time and effort to educating her sons and raising
them as True Disciples of Christ.
By the Grace of God St Kosmas and St Damianos
matured as great Luminaries who were
well
educated in medicine, freely ministering to the sick
refusing to accept any form of payment.
They healed those who suffered physical and mental or
Spiritual ailments - not so much with medicine as by
the Divine Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
St Kosmas and St Damianos were referred to as the
Unmercenary Physicians because they freely and
unconditionally healed everyone thereby fulfilling
the Divine Commandment of Christ s: ... freely you
have received, freely give! (MATTHEW 10:8).
They were adamant and meticulous in Healing free of
charge until St Damianos was forced to accept three
eggs from an equally persistent woman named
Palladia which angered St Kosmas to such an extent
that he refused to be buried alongside his brother
after his Repose.
In fact, St Damianos had not accepted the three eggs as
a reward for Healing the ailing Palladia, but rather
because she adjured him to accept them in the
Divine Name of the Most-Holy Trinity, which he then
could not refuse. Nevertheless, after their Repose
despite having been irreconcilable in life, they were
buried together according to a Divine Revelation.
They were Great Miracle-Workers both during their life
and after their Repose.
Thus, the Lord glorified forever the Miracle-Working of
those who had Glorified Him on Earth by means of
their unwavering Faith, Purity and Mercy.
Many Miracles have continued to occur even after the
Repose of these Holy Unmercenary Physicians of
Christ.
St Kosmas and St Damianos, are the Holy Protectors or
Patrons of the Sanctity and inviolability of Christian
Marriage, and Holy Granters of Peace and Harmony
to conjugal life.
OF
ASIA MINOR
St Kosmas and St Damianos, and all the other Holy

Unmercenaries are invoked in the Holy Mystery of
Holy Unction in the Orthodox Church, and Hymns to
them are chanted after the Service while the Faithful
receive Anointing.
They are also the Patron Saints of the "Philoptochos" (i.e.
"Love for or Friends of the Poor") of the Greek
Orthodox Church and being great Saints we
honour them while emulating their Faith, voluntary
Poverty, Charity, and zealous Love for Christ and
service to others.
HTTP://FULL-OF-GRACE-AND-TRUTH.BLOGSPOT.COM/
ST EVAGRIOS THE SOLITARY.

In your Prayers, seek only Righteousness and the
Kingdom of God i.e. Holy Virtue and Spiritual
Knowledge and everything else will be granted
to you.
The Holy Spirit, out of Compassion for our
weaknesses, comes to us eve when we are
impure. And only if He finds our intellect truly
praying to Him, He enters us and puts to flight the
whole array of thoughts and ideas circling within
it, and He arouses us to a longing for Spiritual
Prayer.
ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN
Do not hate the sinner we are all worthy of
Condemnation! If we have Love, we must weep
for sinners, instead of persecuting them.
In Love God brought Creation into existence. In Love
God will bring it to that wondrous Transformed
State. And in Love will the world be swallowed
up in the Great Mystery of the One Who has
performed all these things. In Love will the whole
course of the governance of Creation be finally
comprised.
ELDER THADDEOS OF VITOVNICA
If our thoughts are kind, peaceful and quiet, turned
only towards Good, then we also influence
ourselves and radiate Peace all around us in
our family, in the whole country, everywhere.
4. S T K O S M A S & S T D A M I A N O S H O L Y U N M E R C E N A R Y P H Y S I C I A N S
OF
ASIA MINOR
1 NOVEMBER 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 3
6 November 2016
th
20 Sunday After Pentecost

7 Sunday of St Luke Jairus Daughter & St Veronica
th
Feast of St Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople St Barlaam, Abbot of

Khutyn, Novgorod St Luke, Venerable Steward of Kiev Near Caves Monastery St
Herman, Archbishop of Kazan St Barlaam of Keret Lake St Tecusa, St Claudia, St
Matrona, St Polactia, St Euphrosyne & St Athanasia of Ancyra St Luke of Sicily
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 3
Evfrenestho ta Ourania, agaliastho ta epigia, oti epiise Kratos Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth
be glad, for
the Lord has shown Strength with His Arm; He has
trampled down Death by Death; He has become the
First-born of the dead; from the womb of Hades He
has delivered us, and to the world He has granted
Great Mercy.
en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanato ton

Thanaton.Prototokos ton nekron egeneto. Ek kilias Adou
errisato imas ke pareshe to kosmo to Mega Eleos.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PAUL
THE
CONFESSOR - TONE 3
Thias pisteos Omologia, allon Pavlon Se ti Eklisia, ilotin en Thy Confession of the True Divine Faith manifested Thee
ierefsin anedixe, Sinevoa Si ke Avel pros Kyrison, ke
Zahariou to ema to Dikeon, Pater Osie, Hriston ton
Theon iketeve, dorisasthe imin to Mega Eleos.
unto the whole Church as another Paul and zealot

among the Priests. With Thee together shouts the
Righteous blood of Zacharia and Abel unto the Lord. O
Holy Father Paul, beseech Christ our God fervently,
Entreating Him to grant us His Great Mercy.
SEASONAL KONTAKION (UNTIL 8 NOVEMBER)
Prostasia
O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the

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.
Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of

those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to the aid of all
who in Faith cry out to Thee: hasten Thine
Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who always protects those who honour
Thee!
Psalate
Sing
Panta
All you Nations, clap your hands!
to Theo imon! Psalate, Psalate to Vasili imon,

psalate!
Praises to God! Sing Praises!

King! Sing Praises!
ta Ethni krotisate hiras Alalaxate to Theo en Foni

agalliaseos.
EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
OF
Shout to God with the
voice of Rejoicing!
TO THE
THE CALLING & CONVERSION
Sing Praises to our
GALATIANS 1 : 11 19
ST PAUL
BY OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST
Brethren: I certify that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not according to mankind. For I neither received it
from man, nor was I taught it, but It came to me through the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
You have heard of my former conduct in Judaism how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure, and tried to
destroy Her. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own Nation, being more
exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my Fathers.
When it pleased God, Who separated me from my mothers womb, and Called me through His Grace, to reveal His Son
in me, so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I
go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
After three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him for fifteen days. The other Apostles I did
not see, except James, the Brother of our Lord.
THE TRUE HOLY GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS TAUGHT TO US ONLY BY
with personal achievements or social status, for we
HIS TRUE APOSTLES even though many people falsely
are all equal in the Sight of God.
declare themselves to be Apostles.
TRUE APOSTLES LEARNT DIVINE TRUTH EITHER BY DIVINE
TRUE APOSTLES WERE CALLED BY GOD HIMSELF AND WERE
GRACE DIRECTLY FROM GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT - OR FROM
JOYOUSLY COMPELLED TO FOLLOW HIM to accompany
CHRIST HIMSELF, which they
most carefully
Him so that they could LEARN, WITNESS AND
preserved and protected, and which is PASSED
EXPERIENCE FIRST-HAND EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO
DOWN UNCHANGED TO ALL GENERATIONS THROUGHOUT
CONTINUE THE DIVINE MISSION ON EARTH, which our
THE AGES OUR APOSTOLIC TRADITION.
Absolute Perfection Divine Truth - cannot be altered except by
Lord began and which will continue until the
God Himself Who is Eternal and Unchangeable!
Eighth Day the Final Day Judgement Day and
TRUE APOSTLES ALWAYS BRING GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP
the beginning of Eternity.
TO GOD ALONE and never seek any earthly rewards
Christ calls every human being to follow Him yet very few joyously
for themselves at all.
receive His Calling, which completely changes us, being
compelled to faithfully serve Him according to His Divine Will by
TRUE APOSTLES FORM ONE CHURCH GOVERNMENT
an overwhelming Love of God and for our fellow mankind.
maintaining exactly the same Holy Doctrine
TRUE APOSTLES ARE CALLED TO DIVINE SERVICE BY DIVINE
without exception and working for the Glory,
GRACE BY THE WILL OF GOD and has nothing to do
20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH OF ST LUKE JAIROS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA-6 NOVEMBER 2016
5.
Honour and Worship of Almighty God by Divinely

Inspired Agreement reached in Council.
TRUE APOSTLES STAND FIRM AND UNITED IN MATTERS OF
CONSCIENCE AND ARE CORRECTABLE WHEN MISTAKEN just
as St Paul rebuked St Peter for his hypocritical
ethnic elitism.
As Faithful, Struggling Disciples of Christ, we must always accept
constructive criticism, which is offered in a spirit of Agape, being
grateful for correction when in danger of being misled or
deceived by the evil one who uses all our weaknesses against us.
If we are angered by Spiritual Correction, we must question our
personal motives, which are usually driven by the vice of pride
and arrogance.
TRUE APOSTOLIC TRADITION IS FIRMLY GROUNDED IN DIVINE
REVELATION AND TRUTH, WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM
OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
Just as the Twelve Apostles of Christ were CALLED BY
OUR LORD HIMSELF, so was St Paul.
Just as the Twelve Apostles RECEIVED THE HOLY GOSPEL
DIRECTLY FROM CHRIST, so did St Paul.
Just as the Twelve Apostles of Christ stood as one
FIRMLY AND SOLIDLY UNITED so, too, did St Paul enter
their Unity in consensus and mutual submission.
HAVING RECEIVED HIS HOLY GOSPEL FROM CHRIST HIMSELF AND IN
TOTAL OBEDIENCE TO HIS DIVINE WILL, ST PAUL HAD BEEN
BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED BY ST ANANIAS in Damascus
and thus had received the Gift of the Seal of the Holy
Spirit, which enabled St Paul to become the great
Apostle to the Gentiles.
ONLY THREE YEARS LATER ST PAUL MET WITH ST PETER AND ST
JAMES. the Brother of our Lord, who was in fact our
Lords cousin (and Step-brother according to Judaic
Law.)
St James Love and Devotion to Christ made him worthily entitled
Adelphotheos Brother of God. He was in fact cousin to
Theotokos and, according to Judaic Law, the (step) brother of
our Lord Jesus.
He had accompanied the very young Virgin and Christ Child and his
elderly, widowed father, St Joseph the Betrothed into exile in
Egypt and had immediately agreed to share his earthly
inheritance with Him.
St James was the most Pious, Humble and Obedient first Bishop of
Jerusalem and was eventually Martyred for his absolute Faith in
and Service to Christ our Lord and Saviour.
The point that St Paul made was that he had not received
any Spiritual Instruction or Revelation from anyone
not even the other Holy Apostles of Christ.
ALL ST PAULS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING WAS
BESTOWED UPON HIM BY DIVINE GRACE by the Will of
God the Father, through God the Son and by the
enable Action of God the Holy Spirit.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 8 : 41 56

JAIROS DAUGHTER & THE HAEMORRHAGING WOMAN
At that time, there was a man named Jairos, and he was a Ruler of the Synagogue. And he fell down at the Feet of
Jesus and begged Him to go to his house, for he had only one daughter, who was about twelve years of age, and
she was dying.
As He went, the multitudes thronged Him. And a woman, who had a flow of blood for twelve years and who had spent
all she had on Physicians - none of whom could heal her went from behind and touched the border of His
garment. And immediately the flow of her blood ceased. And Jesus said: Who touched Me? When all denied
having done so, Peter and those with him said: Master, the multitudes throng and press against Thee, and Thou
ask: Who touched Me? Jesus said: Someone touched Me. I perceived Power going out from Me.
When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she went trembling and fell down before Him. She explained to Him,
before all the people, and how she had instantly been Healed. He said to her: Be of good cheer, Daughter. Thy
Faith has made thee well. Go in Peace.
While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the Ruler of the Synagogue, saying to him: Your
daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. Jesus heard and answered him, saying: Do not be afraid. Only
believe, and she will be made well.
Entering the house, He permitted no one to enter except Peter, James and John, and the Father and Mother. All wept
and mourned for her. He said: Do not weep. She is not dead, but sleeping. And they ridiculed Him, knowing
that she was dead. He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called: Little girl: arise! And her spirit
returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents
were astonished.
He requested them not to tell anyone what had happened.
This Statement is made in contrast to all the false (man ALL AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS EXCLUSIVELY IN THE
made) gods of the pagans. (ST ATHANASIOS THE GREAT, ST
CONTROL OF AND ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
BASIL THE GREAT & ST HILARY OF POITIERS)
DEUTERONOMY 32:39: Now behold: I even I Am
He, and there is no god besides Me; I take
1 KINGS 2:6: The Lord takes away life and grants
away life and I grant life; I wound and I
life; He takes down to Hades and raises up.
heal; nor is there any who can deliver from
THIS VERSE FORESHADOWS THE RESURRECTION and is likely a
My Hands.
description of our Lords own (voluntary) descent into
This Divine Statement could be expressed not only by
Hades and His glorious Resurrection.
God the Father, but also God the Son and God the
St Aphrahat the Holy Prophet of God used this passage
Holy Spirit because
among many to demonstrate THAT
BEING CO-EQUAL IN ONE GODHEAD - EACH DIVINE
THE BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION EXISTED EVEN IN THE
PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY CAN TRULY SAY: There
OLD COVENANT ERA.
is no god besides Me.
TH
TH
20 SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7 OF ST LUKE BEING RAISED FROM DEATH & BEING HEALED
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the When the servant reported the death of Jairos daughter,
our Lord immediately urged the heart-broken father:
Holy Spirit...
Do not be afraid. Only believe, and she will be
Today we are reminded how our Lord Jesus Christ
made well... and then He assured both parents: Do
granted both Jairos and St Veronica what they had so
not weep. She is not dead, but sleeping.
desperately sought from Him.
Although our Lord knew the little girl would Repose, He
Jairos was the Ruler of the Synagogue and was thus an
took time to speak to St Veronica, knowing that Jairos
influential man, while St Veronica was merely a very
and his wife needed time to absorb what had
poor and insignificant ...woman, who had a flow of
happened and how only God controls all Creation
blood for twelve years (and was thus unclean) and who
with His Loving Compassion and Great Mercy.
had spent all she had on Physicians.
Terrible antinomy (resistance) - we need to overcome what
Our All Merciful and Compassionate Lord granted them
cannot be overcome!
these two Divine Miracles because they both
We need to overcome our own, limited knowledge of
approached Him with utter Faith.
things, our own certainty, our own power of faculty.
However, Faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Only then can our Lord God grant us the Gift of Faith,
should be to such a degree that we should always
which is His Divine Miracle: the Healing of our soul accept whatever He tells us - even if it may be
Sanctification.
against our better judgement!
When we approach our Lord in Faith, a Mystical
We should - and we can - always trust God implicitly
Power comes from God and is granted to us, which
without any doubt or hesitation, for He never fails His
Faithful Disciples.
6. 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH OF ST LUKE JAIROS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA-6 NOVEMBER 2016
gladdens us, fulfils us and Heals us just as It did with St

Veronica.
It is not merely by chance that our Lord raised various
people from Death, for He wanted to teach us that He
is Master of Life and Death and indeed - Master of
Spiritual Life and Spiritual Death.
Christ our God has Divine Power and Authority to raise
anyone from Spiritual Death which is why, even
though we are habitual sinners who have to Repent
until we take our final breath, there is still Hope for us
all!
Furthermore, His Great Mercy is able to forgive the worst
of sinners if they Repent - for His Love is infinite and
His Will is the Salvation of all mankind.
Tragically, our fallen world consists for the most part of
people who are Spiritually Dead and unrepentant,
but through the Love and Mercy of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, every human being has the
opportunity to Repent and receive Eternal Salvation
while we still draw breath in this temporary existence
before Eternity.
others may reject and condemn you, and push you

into a deep Spiritual Grave.
Beware and fear not!
We must never despair, for our Lord Jesus Christ patiently
awaits our heartfelt Repentance so that He may grant
us His Forgiveness and Everlasting Life no matter
how many times we fall, nor how shockingly bad our
sins may be.
We must Believe in Him with our entire body and soul!
We must beseech His Divine Help and Great Mercy.
We must hasten to one of His Holy Representatives and
humbly, without reservation, Confess with sincere,
contrite Repentance all the things that have caused
corruption and decay in our heart and soul.
We can rest assured without any doubt nor hesitation that instead of the Spiritual Death caused by the
deceptions and temptations of our fallen world, by
means of our True Repentance, we are restored to
Spiritual Life and able to return - like the Prodigal Son
- to our True Home and our Heavenly Father Who
Joyfully Welcomes us, together with all the Heavenly
Hosts.
Amen.
Dearly Beloved: you may be in such a fallen Spiritual

State that no one can be of any help to you, and
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY ILLUMINATION SPIRITUAL
ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS HOLY HESYCHASTERION: THE NATIVITY

OF THEOTOKOS PUBLICATIONS - HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOXPATH.ORG/
UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE - FATHER DIMITRU STANILOAE
Mankind has the absolute need for these two things, if he wants to keep the Right Way to God without error: the
Spiritual Understanding of Scripture and the Spiritual Contemplation of God in nature." S T M A X I M O S T H E
CONFESSOR
Saint Maximos also tells us that for a Spiritual
Understanding of Scripture it is essential to go beyond
the literal understanding: ...He who does not enter
into the Divine Beauty and Glory found in the letter
of the Law falls under the power of the passions and
becomes the slave of the world...
This means we must first be worthy of the Holy Spirit and
able to enter into a Spiritual Relationship with the
words in order to gain a
deeper Spiritual
Understanding of Scripture.
Father Dimitru Staniloae explains:
... Spiritual
Understanding.... requires Preparation as well as
Knowledge of the Logoi or Living Words and present
Workings of God by things.
Those who are full of passions, to the extent that they
are glued to the visible surface of things, are also
glued to the letter of the Scripture and its history...
the wall, which blocks the Road to God, rather than
being Transparent for them or a Guide to Him...
This implies that the most useful study of Scripture comes
after we have conquered our passions.
Before this we are apt to make self-serving and highly
subjective interpretations of Scripture.
This is why it is not advised for Orthodox Christians to
engage in their own study or interpretation of
Scripture, but instead to rely on the interpretations
given to us by the Church Fathers and study in the
context of the Church with the assistance of Her
Clergy.
Holy Scripture is the Divine Word and the proper
Understanding of it involves a limitless Depth and a
Universal Validity for every age and every person.
To gain this Universal Understanding requires the ability
to hear the words as if they are spoken by God, to us
personally and at the present time.
Father Dimitru commented: ...It means that when we
read the letter, we hear God Himself speaking to us,
personally, today, or about all mankind and about
our Sacred Duties...
It means we experience the constant Relationship
between God and ourselves, and therefore we live It
according to how it affects us personally, at the
present moment....
This is not a subjective interpretation but one that is
Universal - and the same applies to all mankind.
The Holy Spirit must penetrate the words of Holy Scripture,
allowing them to be understood by our inner being.
This Inner Understanding is from the Holy Spirit and not
from our intellect that becomes available to us once
we are Purified of the passions that blind us to the
selfless Truth of all things.
Holy Scripture gains meaning from a Virtuous Life and

Life in Christ - Life in His Holy Church.
The Inspired Writings of our Holy Church Fathers help us
with clear meanings to the Written Tradition.
Father Dimitru explains: ... Holy Scripture... has depths,
which lead to the Divine Infinite, and makes (the
Presence of) the Person of the Divine Word felt.
This Wisdom makes way for an Infinite Progress in the
deeper study of Holy Scripture and the increased
accentuated feeling of Christ...
Progress in the deeper study of Scripture is in
proportion to our Spiritual Progress in our Life in
Christ, according to the Holy Spirit, in proportion to
our Purification from the egotism of the passions...
This is why - when we read Scripture time and time again
- it takes on new and deeper meanings.
As we Progress Spiritually, by progressively revealing
exposing - the influence the passions have on us,
Repenting and correcting our ways, and gaining in
Self-control, we are able to see new Depths of Holy
Scripture.
Holy Scripture does not change, but our perception
changes and deepens.
Once we have reached the State of Dispassion where the
passions no longer have any control over us, we enter
into the Spiritual Nature of Holy Scripture, which
becomes in a real way, the Voice of God.
Father Dimitru points out: ...In this way all things in
Scripture not only become contemporary, but in
some way a Biography of our Relationship with God.
In this sense, the Events of Salvation of the Life of our
Lord Jesus become present Events, which happen in
the depths of our own life...
He is Resurrected in each of us when we reach the
State of Dispassion.
He is Transfigured for us when we become worthy of
seeing the Divine Light.
He penetrates each of us in a Mystical Manner at our
Holy Baptism.
He is the Effective Force Who Guides and Empowers
our whole Ascent along which He becomes
increasingly more Transparent in us by our gradual
Deification, making us like Him by our dialogical
Communication with Him...
For the Spiritual Person, in the Depths of Scripture... the
Holy Spirit sustains our efforts of Purification and
Illuminates for us everything around us, so that they
might become Transparent Symbols of Divinity.
All things grant us the consciousness that Truly - "...in
God we Live and Move, and have our being..." as St
Paul told us when he was in Athens. (ACTS 17:28)
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za
20
TH
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7
TH
OF
ST LUKE JAIROS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA-6 NOVEMBER 2016
7.
INSPIRED, ETERNAL WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS

THE CONFESSOR
Therefore, Abba Serapion said to him: Up to now you
Those who tell us things that make us feel sadness or
have been saying I am a sinner, censuring yourself,
cause us to despise others, even if such things seem to
and judging yourself unworthy even to live; and yet,
be truthful, do not Love us!
when I counselled you lovingly you became as
We must avoid malicious rumourmongers and gossipers
angry as a wild beast.
as we would deadly snakes, thereby preventing their
If you want to be humble then, learn to accept
accusations and freeing our immortal soul from such
courageously whatever others say to you, and do
wickedness!
not just speak fine words that have no content.
On hearing this, the Brother made a prostration to the
ELDER PANAIS OF LYSE
Elder and went away, greatly edified.
Whatever we endure is like a gold medal. To endure
**If, in order to be humble, we hypocritically debase
trials and tribulations grants us so much more than
ourselves, God will expose us!
doing Good Deeds, and we gain Paradise.
If, however, we truly lower ourselves, God will appoint all
of His Creation to praise us.
ST MAXIMOS
ELDER EPHRAIM
OF
ARIZONA
If we could only see a little bit of Paradise, if we could

only hear for a few seconds the Chanting of the sweet
Angels who shine with Heavenly Light and emit
Paradisiacal Fragrance!
Oh, what beauty!
Unfortunately, we are in the Dark concerning all these
Things.
There everything shines with limitless Bliss.
And what does the Throne of Christ tell us?
Christ our Master sits upon a Throne, and due to His
Uncreated Light no one can discern His Sacred and
Most Sweet Face.
Oh, what sweetness and beauty!
What is more beautiful than this? This is truly Paradise: to
behold the Face of our Lord Jesus!
Glory to Thy Cross, O Lord, and to Thy Resurrection!
O Depth of the Wisdom of God! O Mysteries of the Triple
Sun Deity!
Blessed is he who humbles himself like a child, obeying
all Commands with a guileless soul for the Love of
God!
And woe to him who will hold on to his egotism, like me;
of how many Divine Gifts does he deprive himself!
My Children, run with Humility to reach our Lord Who
Humbled Himself for our sakeour Sweetest, Most
Beloved Christ, the Light of our poor soul!
See what Beauty awaits us!
If we could only see how Beautiful it is, we would
disregard everything; we would even become like
trash to be stepped on, just as long as we would not
be deprived of everything that the Sweet Love of our
Saviour Jesus, has prepared!
These are the kinds of Things my Elder used to tell me,
and I am conveying them to you so that you may be
sweetened.
I am doneforgive me!
ON AUTHENTIC HUMILITY (AUTHOR UNKNOWN)
A humble man is not he who is self-deprecating and who

uses humble words, but he who joyfully accepts
advice.
If you wish to be Saved, you should love sincere speech
and never recklessly despise reproof.
He who does not gratefully accept reproofs shows that he
wilfully lingers in his passions: he who loves reproofs is
acting rationally.
A Brother once visited Abba Serapion.
The Elder invited him to offer a Prayer, according to
custom; but he did not obey, calling himself ...a
sinner and unworthy of the Monastic Schema!
The Elder also wanted to wash his feet, but the Brother
did not consent to it, using the same words (that is, I
am a sinner and unworthy of the Monastic Schema!)
The Elder then set the table and proposed that they sit
down to eat.
He sat down with the Elder and began to eat with him.
During the meal, the Elder admonished him and said:
My Son, if you want to be edified, stay patiently in
your cell and pay attention to yourself and to your
handiwork; for going out and visiting others does not
profit you as much as staying in your cell.
When the Brother heard the Elder saying these things, he
was displeased, and the expression on his face
altered so much that the Elder could not fail to notice
it.
ST DOROTHEOS
OF
GAZA
Abbot Poemen very accurately said that the signs of a

True Christian make their appearance in time of
temptation, for those truly setting out to serve our Lord,
must be wise enough to prepare his soul for
temptations lest he at any time become estranged
(from the Lord) or be overwhelmed by what comes
upon him, and he must believe that nothing happens
apart from Gods Providence.
In Gods Providence everything is absolutely right.
Whatever happens is for the Benefit of our soul, for
whatever God does with us or permits to be done to
us, is due to His Love and Consideration for us and our
needs.
So we ought to give Thanks for His Goodness to us in all
things, and never to get upset nor discouraged, no
matter what happens - calmly accepting with
Humility and unwavering Faith in God, knowing that
whatever He permits is due to His Love for us, and is
always right and necessary, according to His Great
Mercy.
If we have a friend whom we know Loves us, but who
does something that causes us suffering or trouble, we
would believe that our friend has acted out of Love
and has not willingly or maliciously harmed or hurt
us.
How much more ought we to be convinced that our Lord
God does everything out of Love for us - our Merciful
God Who created us due to His infinite Love for
mankind, Who drew us out of nothingness to existence
and Life, and Who became Incarnate for our sake,
Who suffered and died for us?
If we dive into the sea, knowing how to swim, when a
great wave comes along, we duck under the water
until it passes and then continue swimming,
unharmed.
But if we try to swim against the strong waves, they will
push us along and hurl us back a great distance, and
as we begin to swim again, more waves will confronts
us. We will exhaust ourselves and make no progress
at all unless we lower ourselves to allow the waves to
pass over us, and we can continue our forward
progress without much effort and no threat of
drowning.
Likewise, we can continue our Spiritual Struggles by
avoiding the temptations with Patience and Humility,
passing under the turbulent waves, unharmed.
If we are overwhelmed and defeated by temptations and
sins, we become distressed and downcast, seeking
explanations and reasons for everything, needlessly
tormenting ourselves, being annoyed, angry and
controlled by wicked thoughts and passions that will
ultimately harm us more than the cause of our
unhappy circumstances.
St Paul encouraged us to Patiently Endure our trials and
tribulations, for ...God is Faithful and will not allow
us to be tempted beyond what we are able (to
endure). (1 CORINTHIANS 10:13)
Yet we have no Patience nor desire to Struggle and to
accept anything with Humility, so we are crushed (by
our difficulties), and the more we try to avoid
temptations, the more they weigh us down and the
less are we able to resist them.
8. 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 7TH OF ST LUKE JAIROS DAUGHTER & ST VERONICA-6 NOVEMBER 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.
8 November 2016
Synaxis of the Holy Archangels,
St Michael St Gabriel, & all the Heavenly Hosts
Also the Feast of St Alexander of Guria
FESTAL APOLYTIKION SYNAXIS ARCHANGELS & HEAVENLY HOSTS TONE 4
Ton
Ouranion Stration Arhistratigi, disopoumen imas imis i

anaxii, ina tes imon deisesi, tehisite imas, skepi ton
pterigon, tis aflou imon doxis, frourountes imas
prospiptontas, ektenos ke Voontas.
Ek ton kindinon
litrosasthe imas, os Taxiarhe ton ano Dinamenon.
SEASONAL KONTAKION - ENTRY
OF
Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas ke

Parthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou,
simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harin sinisagousa,
tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin Angeli Theou: Afti
iparhi Skini Epouranios.
ye Foremost of the Heavenly Hosts, we who are

unworthy, beseech you that by your Petitions you
encompass us with the shadow of your immaterial
glory, preserving us who kneel and cry ceaselessly:
deliver us from oppressions, since you are the
Princes of the Ranks of Dominions on High
THEOTOKOS
INTO
TEMPLE TONE 4
The Most Pure Temple of the Saviour, the Precious Bridal
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING

THE DIVINE PROTECTION
Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of God,

today enters the House of the Lord, bringing the Grace
of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She
is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
TO ST MATTHEW
OF THE INNOCENT
18 : 10 - 20
At that time, our Lord Jesus said: Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones! For I say to you that in
Heaven their Angels always see the Face of My Father Who is in Heaven. For the Son of Man has come to Save
that which was lost.
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine
and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, Truly, I say to you: he rejoices
more over that sheep than the ninety-nine sheep that did not go astray. Even so, it is not the Will of your Father
Who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Furthermore, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault - between you and him alone. If he hears
you, you have gained your brother. However, if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ...by the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the
Church. If he refuses even to hear the Church, let him be to you like a heathen and a Tax Collector!
Truly, I say to you: whatever you bind on Earth, will be bound in Heaven. And whatever you loosen on Earth will be
loosened in Heaven. Again, I say to you: if two of you agree on Earth concerning anything that they ask, it will
be done for them by My Father in Heaven. For when two or three are gathered together in My Name, I Am there
in the midst of them.
Little Ones include all who have childlike innocence,
According to certain Holy Church Fathers, this also
Humility and simplicity all those who are poor in
symbolises the Incarnation, as the ninety-nine
spirit little children and those like them in their
represent the Heavenly Hosts of God, when the Son of
innocence and Spiritual Purity.
God descended from Heaven in order to seek the Lost
Concerning Angels, St John Chrysostom teaches us that
Sheep i.e. mankind who had fallen into corruption
not only the Saints, but all human beings have
and Spiritual Death alienation from God and all His
specially appointed Guardian Angels appointed to
Goodness and Blessings.
each immortal soul by our Loving, Benevolent God
Church Discipline is based on mutual correction in three
from the time of our birth.
expanding stages.
However, the Guardian Angels of those who are innocent
Sin and correction are to remain private unless the
and humble have greater boldness and greater
offender refuses to Repent.
honour in the Sight of God because of the genuine
All correction must be done with great care, Humility and
Humility of those whom they guide and protect.
Love the most important concern being the
It is not due to the Divine Nature of God, but to the
Repentance and Salvation of the offender. (1
CORINTHIANS 5 : 5 & GALATIANS 6 :1)
weakness of mankind that He has appointed
Nevertheless, correction must take place so that the sin
Guardian Angels for each of us.
does not spread to others as well.
At our Holy Baptism and Matrimony, other special
The Divine Authority to bind or loosen sins was granted
Guardian Angels are appointed to watch over us and
by Christ to His Apostles, transmitted to the Bishops,
to guide us along the Path of Righteousness and to
and eventually to the Ordained Presbyters.
protect us against demonic attacks.
This Divine Authority was granted to the Apostles and
When we choose to commit sin, they look away from us
now those of the Apostolic Succession for the sake of
until we Repent and are once again Restored to the
the Eternal Salvation of Repentant sinners.
Sight and Grace of God. (St David the Royal Psalmist often
St John Chrysostom explained: The sinner ... seeing that
besought the Lord our God not to turn His Sight away from him
he is not only cast out of the Church, but that the bond
because he had committed many sins, which he Repented. mp)
of his sin will remain in Heaven, may turn and
Unlike earthly Shepherds, Christ our Saviour values even
become gentle.
one of His Sheep so precious that He will leave the
(The sinner must realise the extent and Eternal Consequence of his
others at risk in order to save that one Lost Sheep.
sins, soften his hardened heart and soul with tears of contrition,
The ninety-nine Sheep represent the Righteous who
remain Faithful to God. (LUKE 15:7)
SYNAXIS
OF THE
HOLY ARCHANGELS & HEAVENLY HOSTS - 8 NOVEMBER 2016
and thus seek and receive Divine Forgiveness - thereby, Eternal

Salvation - which is the Will of God for all mankind. mp)
God is Omnipresent everywhere but He is especially
present with them when two or three are gathered
together in His Divine Name for a specific Holy
Purpose.
Thus at the beginning of any Holy Endeavour, we must

first pray and invoke the Divine Blessings and
Assistance of the Holy Trinity with Prayers of
Thanksgiving and Glorification, because without God
nothing worthwhile can ever be achieved!!
PROKEIMENON PSALM 103 TONE 4
Who makes His Angels Spirit; His Ministers a Flaming Fire!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

THE EPISTLE
OF
O Lord my God, Thou art Magnified!
ST PAUL
BEWARE
OF
TO THE
HEBREWS 2 : 2 10
WILFUL NEGLIGENCE
Brethren, if the Word spoken through Angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a
Just Reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation, which was first spoken of by the Lord, and was
confirmed to us by those who heard Him.
God also bore witness - both with Signs and Wonders, with various Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to
His own Will. He has not put the world to come - of which we speak - in subjection to Angels. One testified in a
certain place, saying: What is man that Thou art mindful of him? Or the Son of Man that Thou Visits Him? Thou hast
made Him a little lower than the Angels. Thou Crowned Him with Glory and Honour. Thou hast put all things in
subjection under His Feet. He put all in subjection under Him, leaving nothing that is not put under Him.
Now we do not yet see ...all things put under Him. Yet we see Jesus Who was ...made a little lower than the Angels, for
the suffering of Death, Crowned with Glory and Honour, that He, by the Grace of God, for everyone, might taste
Death. It was fitting for Him - for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things - in bringing many sons to Glory,
to make the Captain of their Salvation Perfect through sufferings.
St Paul begins this passage with AN ADMONITION AGAINST
confirmed by many Divine Miracles of God the
WILFUL NEGLIGENCE AND CARELESSNESS BY A SLOW PROCESS A
Holy Spirit, which is clear Proof that His Divine,
DRIFT OF ATTRITION OF SLOW SPIRITUAL DESTRUCTION.
Eternal Kingdom has come upon us?
If the Word spoken... and ... how shall we escape...
When we beseech Almighty God in the Divine Liturgy for
suggest a conditional statement or question.
... Pardon and Remission of our sins and
ISRAEL WAS EXPECTED TO OBEY THE WORDS OF CREATED ANGELS
transgressions... and ... a Good Defence before the
the Holy Messengers of God OR SUFFER PUNISHMENT.
Dread Judgement Seat of Christ... WE AFFIRM THAT
THERE IS TRULY A JUST REWARD, OR RETRIBUTION
NOW IT IS MUCH MORE VITAL FOR US TO HEED WHAT GOD
(RECKONING OR JUSTICE) A VERY REAL DIVINE JUDGEMENT
INCARNATE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS SAID TO US
THAT IS IRREVOCABLE AND UTTERLY UNBIASED!!
THROUGH HIS HOLY APOSTLES especially when His
Divine Word His Divine Truth has been
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
TO
ST LUKE 10: 16 21
OUR LORDS SENDING FORTH OF HIS 70 APOSTLES AND HIS CAUTIONARY WARNINGS TO THEM
At that time our Lord Jesus said to them: He who hears you, hears Me, he who rejects you, rejects Him Who sent Me.
Then the Seventy returned with Joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name!
So He told them: I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I grant you the Authority to trample upon
serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this - that the spirits are subject to you - but rather rejoice because your names
are written in Heaven!
In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said: I thank Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast
hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed
good in Thy Sight.
THE SYNAXIS
OF THE
HOLY ARCHANGELS &
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Dear Brethren in Christ: today we celebrate the Synaxis of
the Holy Archangels and the Heavenly Hosts, led by St
Michael, the Holy Archangel of God.
From Gods Word we know that before our Lord created
the visible and material world, with mankind, He
created the Invisible, Spiritual World of the
Bodiless/Incorporeal Ranks of Angels, whose numbers
are several times greater than that of mankind.
St Moses, the Holy Prophet of God has taught us about
Gods Creation of everything visible and invisible from
nothingness, and that in the beginning God created
Heaven and Earth.
Our Holy Church Fathers taught us that Heaven is not
only outer space with all the material, visible planets,
galaxies, stars, etc but also the Invisible, Spiritual and
Incorporeal Angelic World - the invisible, infinite
habitation of all Spiritual, Bodiless Powers.
The Heavenly Hosts were created by God but they are
more powerful, stronger and wiser than mankind,
and they unceasingly Glorify God by Faithfully,
Steadfastly and exclusively serving His Divine Will.
As Pure and Holy Spirits, they are able to be in the Divine
Presence of the Uncreated Light of our Heavenly
Father,
Whose
Unfathomable
Majesty
they
perpetually Glorify without words.
There are Nine Ranks of Angelic Hosts, each Rank serving
a specific Purpose according the Will and Purpose of
Almighty God.
Angels are the Holy Messengers of our Triune God who
are sent from His Throne of Grace to Assist, Guide,
Enlighten, Protect and Comfort suffering, Struggling
mankind, according to the Will and Purpose of God
the Father, through God the Word and Son, by the
10.
SYNAXIS
OF THE
THE
HEAVENLY HOSTS
Power and Energy of God the Holy Spirit, Who always

act together in Perfect Love and Harmony.
During a Divine Vision, the Beloved Holy Apostle and
Theologian, St John was able to hear the sound of
many Angels who surround the Heavenly Throne
and unceasingly Glorify and Praise our Lord God,
which is explained to us by the Old Testament
Prophet, St Isaiah, who was also granted the ability to
behold the Seraphim surrounding the Throne of God,
joyfully singing: Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord of Sabbaoth!
Heaven and Earth are full of His Glory! (ISAIAH 6:3).
St Paul expressed his deep gratitude to God for His
supreme Love for mankind, using the words of St
David, the Royal Psalmist: ...What is mankind, that
Thou art mindful of him? Or the Son of Man that
Thou Visit Him? Thou made Him a little lower than
the Angels; Thou Crowned Him with Glory and
Honour, and set Him over the Works of Thy Hands.
(HEBREWS 2:6-7)
Our Lord Loves mankind so much that He set His Holy

Angels to guard us in all our ways. ... He shall give
His Angels charge over Thee, to keep Thee in all Thy
ways. On their hands shall they bear Thee up, lest at
any time Thou dash Thy Foot against a stone. (PSALM
90:11-12)
This is a great Consolation to us as we are continually

confronted and threatened by the incessant attacks of
cunning and obsessed enemies!
Faith and Hope in our Divine Redeemer assures us of our
Holy Inheritance and Salvation, as St Paul said:
..., Are they not all Ministering Spirits, sent forth to
minister to those who shall be Heirs of
Salvation? (HEBREWS 1:14).
This means that we have specific Guardians Angels who

Guide, Protect and Help us.
According to the Teachings of Divine Scripture, Angels
are Bodiless, Spiritual Beings, who have a Spiritual
Relationship with our soul, thereby also influencing
our physical organism our body and our activities.
Angelic Service to mankind begins at our Holy Baptism
our Rebirth from Sanctified Water and the Holy Spirit
when God allocates a specific Guardian Angel to the
Newly Illuminated soul who will be under his Holy
Guidance, Assistance and Protection.
Guardian Angels joyfully receive the soul of newly
Baptized infants, lovingly guarding and protecting
them from all threats, temptations and dangers.
They will guide, encourage, enlighten and raise the
children in True Faith until they are strengthened in
their Understanding and worship, being able to
clearly Discern good and evil.
Infants enter the world weak and defenceless, requiring
not only maternal care, but also Help from Above,
and that is why God in His Providence assigns him a
life-long Guardian Angel who overshadows and
comforts the child with his immaterial wings, being a
precious creature of God, who is entrusted to his
dedicated care.
Infants have a rational soul that by its natural Purity and
Innocence is close to the Bodiless Spirits, so their
Guardian Angels remain ever present with their
immortal soul.
That is why amazingly wise words often proceed from the
lips of very young children - just like prophecies,
warnings, or peace-making - or they will talk about
God, Paradise and Heaven with such uncanny
Wisdom, which is an echo of what their Guardian
Angels have mystically whispered to them.
Gradually growing from strength to strength, infants
become children, and they begin to amuse
themselves, by playing games that need the
supervision of parents, which, sadly, they all too often
fail to get.
Their Guardian Angels work hard to ward off threats,
catastrophe and harm and who can protect
orphaned or neglected children if not their Guardian
Angels?
Even when we reach the age of the Knowledge of Good
and Evil, although we are ruled by our own reason
we still need the Guidance and Protection of our
Guardian Angels, for daily existence becomes ever
more complex and difficult, and we are confronted
by all kinds of responsibilities, circumstances and
possibilities that require careful decisions and
solutions, so there is an even greater need for the Holy
Assistance of our Guardian Angels.
Our entire life should be a constant Vigil, because the
slightest moral lapse, inattentiveness to ourselves,
absent-mindedness, or attraction to pleasure gives the
ruthless, persistent enemy an opportunity to instil
sinful thoughts and feelings in us, despite our best
inclinations and intentions.
St Peter urged us: ... Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks
about, seeking whom he may devour! (1 PETER. 5:8)
Nevertheless, it is not always easy for us - surrounded by
the distractions of this world - of needs, demands,
vanity, and so many other things - to remain
continually in state of Spiritual Vigilance.
We fall into a state of moral slumber and laziness, while
our Guardian Angels continue their Vigilant Watch,
and, if we have learnt to listen to them, they caution
us and compel us to act promptly that avoids or
prevents a catastrophe.
They can sometimes snatch away unworthy thoughts
before we voice them or act on them, thereby,
purifying our thoughts and actions, and providing
opportunities for us to perfect our best qualities,
talents and gifts.
When amidst a distracted and sinful life we suddenly feel
a revulsion for sin, and under the influence of bright
thoughts we yearn to change lifestyle, our Guardian
Angel has found a serendipitous moment to place
before our inner eyes sin as it really is, in all its
foulness.
SYNAXIS
OF THE
Even our sleep is guarded by our Guardian Angel, who

aids us in perfecting our Prayers to God, awakening
within us feelings of compunction (regret or sorrow)
that compel us to Repent and seek the Joy and Peace
of Divine Forgiveness.
St John Klimakos taught us: ...When while saying your
Prayers you feel an Inner Sweetness or compunction,
then stop, and remain in it, for then your Guardian
Angel is praying together with you.
The Guardian Angels Service is not limited to this present
life, either. They will travel with us as we enter the
world beyond the grave.
At our departure from this short Pilgrims Life, when
neither friends, nor relatives can help us, our
Guardian Angel will be very necessary to us.
He will never abandon us even when we are abandoned
by others.
We cannot begin to imagine what it will be like for us
when our body and soul separate and the terrifying
horror that will overcome us when we are clearly
confronted by our innumerable unrepented sins that
we so carelessly committed against God, against
others and against ourselves - and at the full
realisation that we must stand before the Awesome
Throne of God Himself, our Righteous, Impartial Judge
on that Final Day of Judgement and the beginning of
Eternity!
However, we are encouraged and comforted by the
presence our Guardian Angels who will always
accompany us in order to Watch and Protect us as
long as we do not drive them away by our wilful
disobedience and wickedness.
If we fall into such a deep state of unrepented sin, they
will be parted from us and they will grieve for us, and
their Loving Presence will be replaced by our worst,
most destructive enemy, Satan and his demons!
St Basil the Great commented: As smoke chases away
the bee, and stench drives way the dove, so does
much-grievous and foul-smelling sin drive away our
Guardian Angels!
One day a Holy Hierarch of Christ saw a youth standing
weeping at the gates of a house, and he questioned
the young man, he answered, I am an Angel sent by
the Lord to protect a man who for several days now
has been in a house of ill repute. I am standing here
because I cannot get near the sinner, and I am
weeping because I am losing hope of bringing him
to the Path of Repentance.
An Angel once told St Pachomios the Great: Whoever has
become dead to God and Virtue through his wicked
life stinks a thousand times more than the worst
dead body, so that we can in no way stand next to
him, or walk near him.
Why do we so often fall, endure catastrophes and do not
receive help from the Angels, and what do we need in
order for the Guardian Angels to preserve us on the
Path of Life?
The Angels influence on us is spiritual it influences our
Spiritual Nature, so the more we live in the spiritual
world, the less we act according to fleshly desires.
Being Enlightened by the Gospel Teachings and our
conscience, we will be Blessed with a close
Relationship with the Heavenly Powers, who will help,
guide and protect us.
Sadly, we usually live not according to the spirit, but
rather according to the flesh.
We cleave to sensual things, desiring deceptive,
temporary pleasures and due to our vain cares and
worldly distractions, we very rarely rise up to the
Spiritual World, which is the reason why we neither
heed nor receive help from the Angelic Hosts.
Pious people vividly experience the closeness of their
Guardian Angels, who assist them throughout this life.
There are numerous testimonies of Angelic Service to
mankind recorded in
both the Old and New
Testaments.
Belief in and acknowledgement of the Archangels and
Heavenly Hosts has always existed in all Faiths and
religions.
As Orthodox Christians Faithful Disciples of Christ - not
only do we accept the Reality of the Angelic Hosts, but
we also ask them to intercede with God on our behalf
11.
and call out to them for their Guidance or Protection

whenever we feel helpless or threatened.
Furthermore, similar to St John the Baptist and Forerunner
to Christ our Lord and Saviour, and many other Holy
Saints of God, we must also strive to emulate them by
living the Angelic Life even while still Struggling
towards Eternity in this temporary existence, in the
hope of eventually becoming worthy of a place with
THE SYNAXIS
OF THE
(SYNAXARION)
Due to the Fall of Lucifer and his demons, we celebrate

the ...Sobriety and Unity... of the Faithful Angelic
Hosts who remained Humble, Obedient and Steadfast.
Furthermore, ... we celebrate the contribution of the
Angels and Archangels who help and support
(mankind) in the War against the Dark Powers of the
Evil One.
This Holy Unity begins in this temporary world, for the
Angels of God direct and guard the adopted Children
of God while we Struggle daily against the
machinations of the devil and his demons.
Thus, whenever a sinner Repents, they Rejoice and
Glorify God for His Great Mercy and Love, and they
continually offer their Intercessory Prayers to our Lord
for the Deliverance of our immortal souls and our
Eternal Salvation.
Consequently, there is a mutual Liturgical Service
between the Heavenly Hosts and the Faithful Disciples
of Christ, while the Angelic Powers offer a continuous
Doxology and Worship together with us to Almighty
God.
The Trisagion (Thrice Holy Hymn) is one of the many
Angelic Hymns that we chant together in our (mutual)
Holy Services throughout the year and throughout
Eternity.
In addition, they surround the earthly Holy Altars of the
True Churches of Christ, serving the Divine Liturgy
and the other essential Holy Services together with our
Ordained Priests and Bishops.
Many Hymns and Prayers mention the attendance of the
Heavenly Hosts: ... Angels with mankind celebrate
together... earthly with Heavenly speak.... Through
Thy Cross, O Christ our God, Angels and mankind
become One Church Heaven and Earth are United,
O Lord: Glory to Thee!
All the Holy Angels of God are members of the Body of
Christ the One, Universal, True Church of Christ just
as we are.
The Book of Tobiah describes the Work of Angels, which is
mainly to elevate and present the Prayers of the Saints
and the Faithful who are still Struggling in this life (i.e.
the Church Triumphant and the Church Militant
respectively), to serve the Divine Will of God by
assisting, guiding, guarding and protecting His
Faithful:
... I will not hide from Thee the Mystery... when Thou
were praying... I was lifting up Thy Prayers to the
Holy One... God sent me to heal Thy wounds... I
am Raphael, one of the Seven Archangels who
lift the Prayer of the Saints and serve the Throne
of the Holy One... (TOBIAH 12: 12-15)
Angelos means ...who is sent... or ...Messenger...
a special title given to them by God because of
their Sacred Service to mankind for the sake of our
Eternal Salvation: ...are they not all Ministering
Spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be
Heirs of Salvation? (HEBREWS 1:14)
The Heavenly Hosts of God were created from
nothingness before the creation of the sensible, visible
or material world, and before mankind.
They were created by Almighty God to Glorify and to
Contemplate Him: ... when the stars were
created, all My Angels were Glorifying Me and
Praising Me... (JOB 38:7)
SYNAXIS
OF THE
ARCHIMANDRITE KIRILL (PAVLOV)

HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/65954.HTM
HOLY ARCHANGELS &
Synaxis means the gathering of the Faithful to celebrate

an important Feast of our Holy Church.
Todays Great Feast is the gathering together of mankind,
the Holy Archangels and the Heavenly Hosts, as well
as all the Saints, the Holy Martyrs and the Righteous of
God who altogether ceaselessly serve, praise, worship
and Glorify our Triune Lord God: ... their Union, their
Gathering and standing in Fear before our Creator.
12.
them, perpetually and Joyfully singing the praises of

and Glorifying our Triune God Whom we worship as
God the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever.
Amen.
THE
HEAVENLY HOSTS
The Logos the Eternal Word and Son of God created

them ... for by Him were all things created, that
in the Heavens and that are on Earth visible
and invisible whether they be Thrones, or
Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers, all things
were created by Him and for Him. (COLOSSIANS 1:16)
According to St Dionysios the Areopagite, the Angels are
divided into three Ranks each being divided into
three groups.
The first Rank consists of Seraphim, Cherubim and
Thrones, the second consists of Dominions, Hosts and
Powers, and the third Rank consists of Principalities,
Archangels and Angels.
According to St John of Damascus, each Rand and group
differs from the other in Hierarchy and Splendour,
depending on their proximity to Almighty God.
Seraphim (Fire) are the highest Rank and the closest to
God. They have six wings and their Love of God burns
most strongly.
... I beheld the Lord sitting upon a Throne High and
lifted up, and His Train filled the Temple. Above
It stood the Seraphim, each had six wings with
two covering the face, two covering the feet, and
with two they flew, and cried unto each other:
Holy! Holy! Holy! Is the Lord of Hosts! The whole
Earth is filled with His Glory! (ISAIAH 6 : 1-3)
The Cherubim (Abundance of Wisdom) are extremely
wise and are many eyed due to their unceasing
Contemplation (Theoria) of God,
They symbolise the Perfection of Knowledge of God for as St John of Damascus expressed it: ... the Food of
Angels is the Contemplation of God.
The Thrones are those upon whom God rests, as their
name implies.
All these Heavenly Hosts stand around God in Fear and
with profound Love and Respect, ceaselessly
Contemplating our Lord and experiencing His Divine
Energy but not His Divine Essence (Ousia) since they
are merely His creatures like us.
They are in a continuous Holy State of Attraction (Eros)
and Ecstasy to the extent that they totally forget
themselves.
All Heavenly Hosts partake of the Divine Gifts of God the
Holy Spirit Who is the Spirit of Wisdom and
Discernment, and the Spirit of Power and Fear of God.
Furthermore, their Communion with the Holy Spirit is
continuous, for they all have one loving will, which is
to serve God exclusively.
The lower Ranks of Angels lovingly obey those of the
higher Ranks as if directly obeying Almighty God in
all Humility.
The Heavenly Hosts the Heavenly Army are led by St
Michael, the Holy Archangel: ... O Holy Archangel
Michael Glorified: God has placed Thee as Head of
their Hosts, Powers, Angels, and Archangels,
Dominions, and Principalities. (FESTAL EXAPOSTEILARION)
The Angels were created like us in the Image and
Likeness of God, but have retained their Divine
Likeness, unlike us who strive lifelong to regain It.
As Intellectual Beings, their mind generates thoughts
(ideas) that draw them to God.
Mankind and Angels are created and intellectual beings
who are restricted to time and space and have our
own external appearance, but compared to us,
Angels are bodiless, while to God they have a body
a shape and form: ... Angels are bodiless and
immaterial compared to us, yet, in fact, everything
created is heavy and material compared to God to
Whom nothing created can be compared,,, only the
Divine is truly non-material and bodiless.
HTTP://WWW.JOHNSANIDOPOULOS.COM/2009/11/ANGELS-ACCORDING-TOORTHODOX-TRADITION.HTM

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 November 2016
St Nektarios of Pentapolis & Aegina
Also the Feast of St Onesiphoros and St Porphyrios of Ephesos - , St Matrona, Abbess of
Constantinople - St Theoktiste of Lesbos St Onesiphoros the Confessor of the Kiev Near
Caves Monastery St Alexander of Thessalonika St Anthony of Apamea, Syria St John
the Short, Holy Ascetic of St Pimen the Great Monastery, Egypt St Eustolia & St Sopatra of
Constantinople St Euthymios & St Neophytos, Co-Founders of Dochiariou Monastery,
Mount Athos The Holy Wonderworking Icon of Theotokos Quick to Hear at Dochiariou
Monastery, Mount Athos
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST NEKTARIOS
OF
PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA
TONE 1
Silivrias ton Gonon ke Eginis ton eforon, ton eskhatis hronis Silivrias
Offspring and Protector of Aegina, the True

Friend of all Virtue, who appeared to us lately,
Nektarios the Godly Servant of Christ, let us honour,
we the Faithful; for he pours forth Healings of every
kind, on those who Piously cry out: Glory to Christ
Who Glorified Thee! Glory to Him Who Magnified
Thee! Glory to the One Who Works through Thee,
Healings for everyone!
fanenta, aretis Filon Gnision, Nektarion Timisomen Pisti,

os entheon theraponta Hristou;
anavlizi gar iasis
pantodapas, tis evlavos kravgazousi:
Doxa to Se,
Doxanti Hristo, Doxa to Se Thavmastosanti! Doxa to
Energounti dia Sou, pasin iamata!
FESTAL KONTAKION ST NEKTARIOS
OF
PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Orthodoxias
ton Astera ton Neofoton, ke Ekklisias to

Neodmiton protihisma, animnisomen kardias en
evfrosini. Doxasthis gar energia ti tou Pnevmatos,
iamaton anavlizi Harin afthonon, tis kravgazousi.
Heris Pater Nektarie!
The
latest shining Star of Orthodoxy and the newly

erected Rampart of the Church let our hearts joyfully
praise. For, Glorified by the Work of the Spirit, he
abundantly pours forth the Grace of Healing to those
who cry out: "Hail, O Father Nektarios!"
SEASONAL FESTAL KONTAKION - ENTRY INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS


PROKEIMENON PSALM 149 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Kahisonte Osii en Doxi

Asate to Kyrio asma kenon.
The Saints shall rejoice in Glory.

Sing unto the Lord a New Song.
THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
ST TIMOTHYS VISIT
TO THE
THESSALONIANS 2 : 20 3 : 8
THESSALONIANS
Brethren: You are our Glory and Joy. Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it would be good to be
left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our Brother and Minister of God, and our fellow Labourer in the Gospel of
Christ, to establish you and to encourage you concerning your Faith, that no one should be shaken by these
afflictions.
You, yourselves know that we are appointed for this. And, thus, as we told you before when we were with you, we
would suffer tribulations - just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I
sent to know your Faith, lest by some means the Tempter had tempted you and our Labour might be in vain.
However, Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your Faith and Love, and that you always
have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also desire to see you. Therefore, in all our
affliction and distress, Brethren, we were comforted by your Faith. For now we Live, if you stand fast in our Lord.
All trials, tribulations and disappointments of our Spiritual
of our Saviour exactly as He taught them to us,
Struggle and Warfare while we Live in Christ are truly
without any change or modernisation at all!
worthwhile.
His Divine Truth and Teachings are absolutely Perfect,
As Spiritually Healthy as the Thessalonian Christian
and if one jot or tittle is altered, deleted or added to,
Community was, St Paul took nothing for granted.
It is no longer Divinely Perfect!!
(There were many problems to contend with in the
The expression always and remembrance refer to our
Corinthian Christian Community.)
Life of Prayer.
Even those who are well-grounded, fully Enlightened and
As Faithful Disciples of Christ we constantly pray for each
deeply committed need constant encouragement,
other, including those of us who have already
Sacred Instruction and Prayers.
Reposed in Christ.
The term Minister is from the Greek word Diakonon,
These are unselfish Prayers that have much Spiritual
from which Deacon is derived.
Benefit to both those for whom we pray and for
ourselves. So if we are asked to pray for others, we
Fellow Labourer is Synergon, from which the word
must definitely ensure that we do so!!
Synergy is derived.
As Ministers of God, all Holy Disciples of Christ not only
Being fully committed to the Lord our God, we strive
represent our Lord God, but we also ceaselessly work
ceaselessly to truly Live in Christ always trying to
together with Him and with our fellow Christians.
fulfil His Teachings and Commandments.
Consequently, each one of us must make every effort to
To Live in Christ is to truly, and fully Live!! Alive and
follow precisely the Teachings and Commandments
utterly free!!
ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA
9 NOVEMBER
2016
13.
TO
ST LUKE 12 : 13 15 & 22 31
CHRISTS TEACHING AGAINST GREED & ANXIETY
At that time, as our Lord Jesus was teaching, one of the crowd said to Him: Teacher, tell my Brother to divide the
inheritance with me. He said to him: Man: who made Me a Judge or an Arbitrator over you?
He said to them: Take heed and beware of covetousness. For ones life does not consist of the abundance of the
things he possesses...
...Therefore, I say to you: do not worry about your life what you will eat; nor about your body what you will put
on. No! Life is more than food and the body is more than clothing. Consider the Ravens, for they neither sow nor
reap - neither have they storehouse nor barn and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the
birds? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why
are you anxious for the rest?
Consider how the Lilies grow they neither toil nor spin. I say to you: even Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. If the grass is so clothed, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the
oven, how much more will God clothe you, O you of little Faith?
And do not seek what you should eat, or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. All these things the
Nations of the world seek after. Your Father knows that you need these things.
But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Christ encourages us to focus on His Heavenly Kingdom of
It was customary for respected Rabbis to arbitrate
Love so that we become utterly secure in our Faith
personal disputes.
our confident Trust that our Loving Creator provides
However, a dispute over an inheritance is detrimental to
our Salvation, for such greed is pure idolatry and
us all with every Blessing on Earth everything that
unfitting for anyone who knows God who has a
we could possible need or require for our physical
close, intimate Relationship with God and who strives
and Spiritual Welfare and Progress.
Our Lord draws our contemplation to the fauna and flora
to faithfully fufil all Christs Teachings and
the beautiful Creation of God, for which He provides
Commandments.
everything necessary for it to flourish, blossom and
This account is totally incompatible with our Saviours
produce the next generation of fruit, vegetation or
Teachings and Revelations concerning our Most
Merciful, Benevolent and Providential God.
animal.
Once we realise the magnificence of Gods Divine
Our Lord Jesus always warns us against being anxious
Creation that is absolutely dependent on His Great
and greedy. He does not warn us against careful
Mercy, we must then realise that as the Crown of His
planning though.
Creation i.e. mankind whom God infinitely Loves,
Our physical and Spiritual Welfare is directly dependent
He will take even better care of us as His Beloved
on Almighty God and only indirectly on food, drink
Children.
and clothing, etc.
Our Lord urges us to surrender ourselves to His Great
Anxiety or obsession over earthly matters reveals a lack of
Mercy and inifinite Divine Love because when we
Faith in Divine Providence, Divine Love and Gods
have learnt to do so, we will rest assured, and never
Great Mercy.
be anxious about any earthly matters again.
The Gentiles served their pagan idols so they remained
We can then concentrate all our energy and strength
consumed by their dependence on earthly things,
upon our constant Spiritual Struggles while we ...seek
while those who are Faithful to Almighty God are
the Kingdom of Heaven.
utterly free of such worries and fixations.
The Eternal Kingdom of God is the main focus of our
Lords Divine Teachings and Commandments.
OUR BELOVED SPIRITUAL FATHER, ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA
St Nektarios is one of our most significant and Holy
Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina, where he lived out
Church Fathers of recent times.
the rest of his life as a simple Monk, writing,
Since his early childhood, he was dedicated to God and
publishing, preaching, and hearing Confessions from
throughout his Life in Christ, by the Grace and Great
all who sought his Spiritual Guidance.
Mercy of God and through the Intercessory Prayers
He tended the gardens, carried heavy rocks
and
of our Beloved Lady, Theotokos - he was able to
participated with the construction of the Monastery
overcome so many obstacles caused by misguided,
buildings, most of which he paid for.
Spiritually Blind and jealous men who were instigated
St. Nektarios Reposed in Christ on the evening of 9
by the evil one.
November 1920 (O.S. 8 November) at the age of 74,
With his unwavering Faith, and his natural Humility,
following hospitalization for prostate cancer.
Obedience and total Love (Agape), he always led his
He was buried at the Holy Trinity Monastery and his best
Blessed and Holy Flock towards Eternal Salvation and
friend, St Savvas of Kalymnos, who later wrote the first
the Heavenly Kingdom of Divine Love, and was
Icon of St Nektarios, conducted the Funeral which was
deeply respected and Loved by them all.
attended by the Faithful from all parts of Greece and
Even after St Nektarios Repose in Christ, his Labours of
Egypt.
Love in the Divine Service of Almighty God have
His unjust Anathema was not lifted by the Alexandrian
continued to Inspire, Guide and Teach many more
Patriarchate until 1998.
Faithful Disciples, who are Eternally grateful for such
Many people regarded St. Nektarios as a Saint during his
a most worthy and loving Spiritual Father.
lifetime because of his Prayerful Life, his Humility, his
St Nektarios had eventually been appointed Director of
Purity and other Virtues, including the Divine Gift of
the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School for the education of
Prescience (Foreknowledge), as well as his Inspired
Priests in Athens, where his fifteen years of service was
writings and various Miracles that occurred.
exemplary, having developed many courses of study,
When his incorrupt Holy Relics were removed from the
and written numerous books, all while preaching
grave on 2 September 1953 as when he had
widely throughout Athens.
Reposed the sweet fragrance of Holy Sanctity
In 1904 at the request of several Nuns, he established the
pervaded the whole area.
Holy Trinity Monastery for them on Aegina.
Official recognition of our Beloved Father Nektarios as a
St Nektarios ordained two women as Deaconesses in
Saint
by
the
Ecumenical
Patriarchate
of
1911, and up to the 1950s, a few Greek Orthodox Nuns
Constantinople took place on 20 April 1961.
also became Monastic Deaconesses. In 1986,
The Feast Day of St. Nektarios is celebrated every year on
Christodoulos, then the Metropolitan of Demetrias,
9 November, and thousands of Miracles have been
later to become Archbishop of Athens and All Greece,
attributed to his Intercessory Prayers.
ordained a woman Deacon in accordance with the
Finally, on 15 September 1998, the Greek Orthodox
"Ritual of St. Nektarios" ( i.e. the ancient Byzantine text
Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa, led by
that St Nektarios had used.)
Petros VII, Pope & Patriarch, restored the worthy
In December 1908, at the age of 62, St Nektarios resigned
Ecclesiastical Order of St Nektarios.
from his post as School Director and withdrew to the
May St Nektarios memory be Eternal!
14.
ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS & AEGINA
9 NOVEMBER
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 4
13 November 2016
1st
21 Sunday After Pentecost
th
8 Sunday of St Luke The Good Samaritan
Feast of St John Chrysostom of Constantinople St Antoninos, St Nicephoros, St
Germanos, & St Manetha of Caesarea, Palestine St Damascene & St Damianos
of Lavra on Mount Athos
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION TONE 4
To fedron tis Anastaseos Kirigma ek tou Angelou Mathouse When
the Women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from

the Angels the Glad Tidings of the Resurrection that
had cast away the Condemnation of their Forefather,
they spoke exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no
more! Christ-God is Risen, granting to the world Great
Mercy.
e tou Kyriou Mathitrie ke tin Progonikin apofasin

aporipsase, tis Apostolis kafhomene elegon. Eskilefte O
Thanatos, igerthi Hristos O Theos, doroumenos to
kosmo to Mega Eleos.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM -
tou stomatos Sou kathaper pirsos eklampsasa haris, tin

ikoumenin efotisen.
Afilargirias to kosmo thisavrous
enapetheto. To ipsos imin tis tapinofrosinis ipedixen. Alla
Sis logis pedevon, Pater Ioanni Hrisostome, Presveve to
Logo Hristo to Theo, Sothine tas psihas imon.
SEASONAL KONTAKION ENTRY
Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros, i politimitos pastas ke

simeron isagete, en to Iko Kyriou, tin Harin sinisagousa,
tin en Pnevmati Thio. In animnousin Angeli Theou.
Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
The
Grace that from Thy mouth Shone forth like a

Torch, Illumined the Universe. It deposited in the
world the Treasures of the absence of avarice. It
showed the Height that is attained by Humility.
Now, Thou instruct us by Thy words, O Father John
Chrysostom. Intercede with Christ our God, the
Word Himself: Entreating Him to Save our soul.
INTO THE
TEMPLE TONE 4
The Saviours Most Pure and Immaculate Temple, the very

Precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, Who is the Sacred
Treasure of the Glory of God, on this day is introduced
into the House of the Lord, and with Herself She brings
the Grace in the Divine Spirit. She is extolled by the
Angels of God. She is a Heavenly Tabernacle.
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM 48/49 TONE 1
To
stoma mou lalisi Sofian ke i meleti tis kardias mou

Sinesin.
Akousate
tafta, panta ta Ethni, enotisasthe antes i

katikountes tin ikoumenin.
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
My mouth shalt speak Wisdom, and the Meditation of my

heart, Understanding.
Hear this, all your Nations;
TO THE
Hearken, all you inhabitants
of the world.
HEBREWS 7 : 26 8 : 2
Brethren: ... such a High Priest was fitting for us, Who is Holy, Harmless, Undefiled, separate from sinners, and has
become Higher than the Heavens Who does not need daily as those High Priests to offer up sacrifices, first for
His own sins and then for those of the people. This He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
The Law appoints as High Priests men who have weaknesses, but the Word of the Oath, which came after the Law,
appoints the Son Who has been Perfected forever. This is the main point of the things we are saying:
We have such a High Priest, Who is seated at the right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens a Minister of
the Sanctuary and of the True Tabernacle, which the Lord erected, and not mankind.
Not only is the Divine Founder of the New Covenant
The Power that is bestowed upon candidates at their
Ordination is immensely Strong and Effective.
Priesthood superior to that of the Old Covenant, the
The Power of Christs Holy Priesthood is Perfect because it
Rules of the New Covenants Priestly Order are also
superior.
draws us closer to Almighty God and guides us
towards our Spiritual Perfection regaining our lost
The Holy Priesthood is so intertwined with a Covenant that
is the Priesthood is changed in any way at all, so is the
Likeness to Christ.
Holy Covenant.
Our Lord Jesus Ultimate Blood Sacrifice was offered once
only but is effective forever - for all humanity
Furthermore, Absolute Perfection cannot be altered by
any means for then it would no longer be Perfect!!
throughout the ages.
Thus it is utterly significant that not one iota or tittle of
God the Father Himself Ordains God the Son as our only
Divine Truth can be altered or misinterpreted for then
True High Priest.
it is no longer the Perfect, Absolute Divine Truth of
Since Christ is Immortal, the Holy Priesthood of
Almighty God but a mere shadow or poor imitation
Melchizedek requires only one, Eternal High Priest.
that is misguiding and Spiritually Dangerous.
The requirement of Perfect Holiness is met in our Lord
Jesus Christ for His is truly the Only Sinless One.
The Mysterious Holy Priesthood of Melchizedek is fulfilled
Furthermore, our Lord Jesus Christ is so much more than
in Christ Jesus.
a mere human being He is God-Man The Eternal,
As Melchizedek was without earthly genealogy, so is
Christ by virtue of His Virgin Conception and Birth.
Only Begotten Son of God the Father Who became
He is God Incarnate, Immortal and sinless. Therefore His
Man by assuming our human Nature
Holy Priesthood is able to Transform humanity.
21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 8TH
OF
ST LUKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN 13 NOVEMBER 2016
15.
TO
ST LUKE 10 : 25 37
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
At that time, a Lawyer stood up to test our Lord Jesus and said: Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life?He
said to him: What is written in the Law? What is Thy reading of it? Answering he said: Thou shalt Love the Lord
Thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind... and ... thy neighbour as
thyself.He said to him: You have answered correctly. Do this and you will Live.
Wanting to Justify himself, he said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour?
Replying, Jesus said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped
him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
By chance, a certain Priest went down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise,
a Levite when he arrived at the place, went and looked, and passed by on the other side.
A Samaritan, as He journeyed, got to where he was, and when He saw him, He had Compassion. And He went to
him, and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. And He set him on His own animal, took him to an
Inn, and took care of him.
The next day, before He departed, He took out two denarii, gave them to the Innkeeper, and said to him: Take
care of him. And when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which of these three dost thou think was neighbour to him who fell among the Thieves? He said: He Who had
Mercy on him.
Jesus said to him: Go and do likewise!
The Pharisees, Lawyers and Scribes were egotistic and
If we continuously behave in such a mean, selfish
self-righteous, believing themselves to be superior to
manner, we will face bitter, irrefutable and
others who were either illiterate or less well educated
irreversible Eternal Condemnation after our Final
than them.
Judgement!
The Lawyer was probably one of those who had heard
Although the Samaritan was a despised foreigner or
all about our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the
stranger, being harshly judged by the Judeans as
humble Carpenter, Joseph of Nazareth - and had
one of the wicked apostatisers and heretics who were
gone to hear what He was preaching about - no
to be avoided at all costs, he symbolised our Lord
doubt expecting to trip Him up or to prove Him wrong
Jesus Christ Himself, for He ...came down from
or ignorant, or perhaps even blasphemous.
Heaven... to Save even those who rebelled and
In response to the Lawyers enquiry concerning Eternal
rejected Him.
Life, our Lord knowing what was lurking deep within
The bandages, oil and wine, symbolise the Holy Mystery
his heart and what his intentions were - turned the
of Baptism and Chrismation:
tables on him, so to speak, by asking him to explain
1. The Garment of Holy Baptism we put on Christ
what the Mosaic Law stated and how the Lawyer
Who Delivers us from the wounds of sin
himself interpreted the meaning thereof.
2. The Oil of Holy Chrismation, which grants us
And when Christ confirmed that he had given the correct
New Life in the Holy Spirit, Who enables us to
answer and that if he fulfilled these Divine
achieve everything that is impossible for us
Commandment he would Live he would attain
alone.
Eternal Life.
3. The Holy Mystery of Eucharist/Communion,
The arrogance of the Lawyer is exposed when he asked
which grants us Forgiveness of sins and leads us
Christ who was his neighbour, and our Lord
towards Eternal Life.
responded with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
The Good Samaritan put the wounded man on His own
Jerusalem, being the city of Peace, symbolised our Holy
animal meaning that our Lord and Saviour bears
Communion with God, while the city of Jericho was
our sins in His own Body.
infamous for being a city filled with all kinds of sinful
The Inn that sheltered the Good Samaritan and the
behaviour and lifestyles.
recuperating man symbolises the Holy Church of
So the man a reference to each of us - was going from
Christ wherein we receive Spiritual Healing and Care,
good and Blessed circumstances towards wickedness
as well as all the Divine Blessings and Providence that
and Spiritual Death.
our Loving Triune God grants us so freely and
He ...fell among Thieves... is a reference to the natural
Lovingly.
consequences of moving away from God and all His
The Good Samaritan paid for the Care and Protection of
Goodness, and wilfully choosing
a sinful, selfthe recovering man, and promised to settle His
indulgent existence, that leaves us naked, exposed to
Account when He came again.
all the temptations, unprotected against our enemies,
Our Lord Jesus paid the priceless Ransom for the freedom
having been stripped of our self-respect and dignity.
of mankind by means of His ultimate Blood Sacrifice
Having been robbed of anything of value, the wretched
His Passion - and in addition, He will settle His
man is abandoned, beaten, hurt, tormented and half
Account when He Reappears again on the Eighth Day
dead in a terrible state of Spiritual Death due to the
the Final Day of this Age when the General
enslaving, demoralizing sins that have overwhelmed
Resurrection and Judgement will occur.
and even defeated him.
Christs eleven Appearances in His Resurrected state
Titles and social status is meaningless in the Sight of God
before His Ascension - proved that everything He has
especially when good deeds are rejected, ignored
told us is indeed, without a doubt and most definitely
or refused.
TRUE!!
St Cyril of Alexandria said: The Dignity of the Holy
As Christ is Resurrected in His Body, so, too, shall we be
Priesthood means nothing at all unless (a Bishop or
Resurrected physically and spiritually.
Priest) also excels in Deeds.
Once again, our Lord commands us to be Merciful to
Both the Judaic Priest and Levite did not bother to help
each other in every way possible, for this will certainly
the distressed, dying man, which clearly indicates the
affect our Final Judgement before His Awesome
failure of the Old Covenant Law to Heal the
Throne!
consequences of sin.
Divine Truth cannot be compromised!!
Whenever we reject, ignore or refuse to fulfil an Act
If we hope to receive Divine Mercy, we, too, must be
Mercy, Love or Compassion, which God might have
Merciful, for it is the significant Act of Love/Agape,
which grants us Eternal Life in Gods Heavenly
put before us to test us and to reveal our Inner State to
ourselves (He already knows everything!) we must
Kingdom
immediately Repent and ensure that we fulfil our
Sacred Duties next time.
Todays Sacred Lesson of our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ, the Son of God, relates the account of a
wretched man, who was attacked by evil robbers who
stripped him of everything good or valuable that he
possessed.
16.
OF
OF
ST LUKE
THE
GOOD SAMARITAN
He had departed from the Sacred Law of God and was

abandoning the Holy City of Jerusalem, having been
lured to the city of sin, Jericho, thereby having
brought upon himself the terrible sufferings he had to
endure.
A Priest and a Levite passed by yet they choose to ignore

the bleeding, dying man lying at the side of the road,
even to the point of crossing over to the other side!
They had no desire to assist him nor get involved with his
problems!
They fled from the scene and from their Sacred Duty to a
fellow sinner, which, so sadly, is typical of many socalled religious people these days.
Such self-righteous people always have a ready excuse
for not fulfilling the Divine Commandment of Love
(Agape).
By means of their empty, Pharisaic religious gestures,
they seek worldly praises and admiration from others
instead of Glorifying the Lord our God through
humble, and obedient worship,
and a lifestyle
befitting a true and worthy Disciple of Christ.
They do not Live in Christ - according to His Divine
Teachings and Holy Virtues - but according to
unbeneficial, egocentric vain glory, and selfindulgence.
How often do we witness the sufferings of all mankind?
How often do we witness despair and hopelessness?
How often do we even notice the tears of those in pain, in
sorrow and adversity?
Yet how often do we ignore them, overlook them, reject
them, and abandon them, always with an
unjustifiable excuse: I have no time ... I have my own
problems... I dont want to get involved... I cannot
do anything... the list is endless!
Like the Priest and the Levite, we, too, quickly escape
from the scene of the crime, which now becomes the
scene of our own dreadful, unmerciful crime for
which we shall be Eternally Condemned due to
rejecting a God-given opportunity to fulfil our Sacred
Duty of Love to a fellow sinner!!
Yet we hope or even expect to receive Divine Mercy when
we fall into similar circumstances!!
By walking away from an Act of Love, Mercy, Compassion
and Kindness, we renounce the Good Deeds
presented to us.
We abandon our Spiritual Struggles and Sacrifices and
thereby we deprive ourselves of Heavenly Treasures!
By renouncing, ignoring, rejecting or abandoning the
needs of others, we renounce Eternal Divine Love, for
by renouncing unconditional Love for our fellow
human beings, we renounce our Love of Almighty
God as well!!
Our Lord God is absolute Love and Truth so we who
truly embrace His Divine Love within our heart and
soul, must, naturally, embrace God and each other as
well, for this is the Great Commandment of our Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Compared to other religious beliefs or practices, our
Christian Faith is in reality a Life of Love and Sacrifice,
for we are forever Inspired by our Lord Jesus Christ
Who offered Himself on the Cross as our ultimate, most
Perfect Sin Offering, and we too, must make many
differing degrees of self-sacrifice, and fulfil all our
Sacred Labours of Love for the sake and Love of God
and our fellow mankind.
Our Good Samaritan is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who
emptied Himself of His Infinite Divine Majesty in order
to become Man and to live amongst His creatures,
knowing full well all the dangers, the temptations, the
threats, the pain, the sorrow and the poverty of the
human condition, which He voluntarily accepted.
He knew only too well, that our world is constantly
threatened and hurt by the wicked thieves Satan
and his demons who seek any opportunity or
weakness so as to rob us of everything we hold dear
or which is of Spiritual Benefit or value.
Voluntarily, our Saviour served mankind even to the point

of the indescribable agony and suffering of His
crucifixion in order to Save us whenever we fall victim
to the malicious evil robbers, having been lured away
from God and all His Goodness that benefits us and
which keeps us in good Spiritual Health.
His is the ultimate Example or Act of Love and Mercy for
our fallen, beaten and bleeding human nature.
Our Triune God Loves us to such an extent that He chose
to participate in our weakness and sufferings, and He
has Cleansed our Spiritual Wounds with Sanctified Oil
and Wine, (Holy Unction and Holy Eucharist), set us
upon His own beast and carried us to the warmth and
safety of the Inn His Holy Church where the
Innkeeper the Holy Priesthood will take care of us,
nursing us back to Spiritual Health, Healing our
ailments and protecting us until He Reappears to
settle His Accounts His Final Judgement.
Our Beloved Lord Jesus Christ, Who is sinless, came to
Save His sinful creatures.
The Incarnate, Eternal Word and Son of God took up on
the Cross the sins of the whole world, and His Great
Mercy and Philanthropy (Love of mankind), through His
Blood, Cleansed and Healed our wounds, which were
caused by our many sins and passions.
We are all Called to imitate this Divine and God-imitating
Love.
The Divine Commandment of Christ -Go and do
likewise! - must be clearly heard deeply within our
soul so that we are compelled to fulfil His Divine Will
whenever required, without question or hesitation!
As Faithful Disciples of Christ, we must always do good to
everyone, compelled by our Love of God and
neighbour, for God is in deed Love and the Source of
Love.
Just as Christ served and sacrificed Himself for us, so too,
must we serve and sacrifice ourselves for others,
thereby becoming participators in the sufferings and
passions of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The unfortunate circumstances of poverty, starvation and
homelessness that so many are forced to endure does
not mean that our All Merciful Lord has deprived
mankind of His Abundant Blessings and Mercy.
These tragic conditions are caused by
greed,
corruption, cruelty, carelessness, and all the other
consequences of the lack of True Love towards each
other!
The absence of Love (Agape) is the root cause of all
social problems!
When Righteousness is absent, Spiritual Values and
morality is renounced, materialism distorts our
humanity and transforms mundane life into a war
zone, where all manifestations of evil destroy
whatever remains of value or goodness!
Our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us repeatedly how to
become imitators of His Divine Love and Philanthropy.
He has assured us of becoming His True Disciples who
are slowly regaining our lost Divine Likeness only if
we strive to Love one another as much as He Loves us.
His Divine Commandment - Go and do likewise! must
urge us, compel us and encourage us to fulfil His
Divine Will each moment of every day of this
temporary life as we hasten towards Eternity.
By the Great Mercy and Love of God let us all strive to the
best of our ability to Faithfully follow and imitate our
Saviour and become Good Samaritans, fulfilling all
our Sacred Duties always with unconditional, Divine
Love.
Amen
HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON (LAMPADARIOS) OF ANTINOES
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOXPATH.ORG
IMPORTANT NOTE:
On Tuesday, 15 November,
November 2016, the Forty Day Fast of the Nativity of Christ begins, during which meat
is prohibited, while Fish is permitted until 17 December, when the Strict Fast begins until 24 December.
Let us sacrifice something for God; let us deprive ourselves from all worldly pleasures, for Christ sacrificed His
Life for us. Let us, through True Repentance and Confession, receive the New Born Infant Christ within our
heart with Joy, Love and Thanksgiving. With Love in Christ,
HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON
OF
OF
ANTINOES
17.
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM
OF OUR
ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS:

Modern society is so self-obsessed, so dominated by their
completely sinful state a state in which they are
imprisoned to such a degree that only Humility and
Obedience can Save them.
In the end, this complete confusion of the soul, being
mixed with sin and Spiritual Sickness, happens as a
result of a more deeply rooted consent to these things.
In Humility and Obedience, though, that is unable to
remain. It will go. Just as those who have this thing
deep inside them, if they endure in Humility and
Obedience, it will leave them.
The question, though, is whether they will decide to
become humble and obedient, and bear with these
Holy Virtues until the end.
Spiritual Work happens secretly in the heart.

Externally, let everything else threaten us.
Like the sea: the wind blows, waves rise. But deep down it
is all quiet, peaceful, and serene.
This is how those who trust in God live.
There might be a wild rage out there, but deep down
nothing hinders the soul from having a Mystical
Communion with God, a Mystical Love for God.
Quietly and mystically, in a special way that the heart
perceives, our Lord is whispering: Do not be afraid. I
Am here. Keep walking this Path. Keep Loving Me,
keep believing in Me, keep following Me.
It is not enough to suffer myriad things in life.
Although when we believe in God and accept all these
gladly whatever it is that happens to us - for the Love
of God, God will make us His Saints.
We will find everything, but after we have lost everything,
after we have deprived ourselves of everything.
It matters greatly for us to deprive ourselves of the most
beautiful, the best, the most innocent, the purest
things, which the Lord Himself has deprived Himself
of.
It matters greatly for us to deprive ourselves of things
because we Love God.
We are Christians of Comfort. That is why our Lord allows
us to Struggle a lot.
We must not expect Salvation with certainty, unless all
comforts are abolished in us.
Our whole Christian mentality functions wrongly.
On the one hand, we want to avoid suffering, while on
the other, we take great care not to lose or deprive
ourselves of anything.
And we walk wrong.
In the long run, whether we like it or not, we will have
suffering.
And indeed, when we have a fake impression that we are
enjoying the goods of this world, our life is often like
Hell.
ST NIKODEMOS
THE
HAGIORITE
The humble knowledge of our own self should be

honoured as more important that all sciences
combined!
ST BASIL
THE
GREAT
Maintain your soul as the most important piece of your

life!
ST ISAAK
THE
SYRIAN
Do you want to acquire Eternal Life? Well, then maintain

these two Virtues: Faith and Humility.
ST NIKODEMOS
OF
MOUNT ATHOS
There are many arguments concerning how much

damage is caused by the so-called light or small
sins.
Unfortunately, many people with a light conscience
dismiss many deviation from the Will of God, saying:
It is nothing that I told a little lie it is nothing that I
made a joke... that I smoke... that I became angry...
that I gossiped... that I at too much...
Holy Scripture assures us that we will be held
accountable even for idle speech, as well as for
18.
OF
HOLY CHURCH FATHERS
AND
MOTHERS
overeating and for making fun or mocking. (Matthew

12:36 & Luke 6:25)
We refer to our small sins so that we can discern them
from the grievous, deadly sins.
A lake is called small when compared to an ocean, but
in itself it may not be at all small, containing many
thousands or millions of cubic meters of water.
Likewise, all sins have their comparative weight or size
whether small or great but even small sins are
damaging and condemning!
ST MAXIMOS
THE
CONFESSOR
If we hate anyone we cannot have Peace in God, for He

clearly taught us: ... if you forgive others their
trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive
you... and if others do not make peace and reconcile
with you, you must always avoid hatred, praying
honestly and sincerely for them, and never saying
anything bad to others concerning them.
ST SYNKLETIKA
Do not accept any evil words, but keep your soul clean
and uncorrupted, for if you accept the dirty words of
others who speak against their neighbours, your
Prayer will be affected by thought, and will
unjustifiably hate or despise those with whom you
socialise.
Therefore, we need to be very careful about what we say,
and what we allow others to say to us.
Not only must we avoid saying anything bad against
others, but neither must we tolerate hearing anything
negative or destructive.
ST ISAAC
THE
SYRIAN
Take care, Brethren, for the Evil One wars against

Spiritual Strugglers in various ways.
He works against us with unimaginable hypocritical
cleverness. Thus, before a sin is committed, the Enemy
diminishes its significance in the eye of Strugglers.
More than any other sin, he puts before us the desire for
fleshly pleasure as such a small thing that, prior to
succumbing to it, it appears as insignificant to our
conscience as throwing a glass of cold water on the
ground.
When, however, the fleshly desire is fulfilled, then the Evil
One greatly puffs up the sin in the conscience of the
sinner, kindling in our soul numberless thoughts of
despair, like black waves from Hell, so that our good
thoughts of Repentance are submerged and we are
hurled into the depths of hopelessness.
Due to the persistent scheming of the Enemy, take care
not to be duped into some wicked misdeed,
continuing in it and despairing of Salvation!
We must always immediately Repent our sins, thus
returning to Spiritual Life, having risen from our fall,
and with deep gratitude, return to the Love and
Comfort of our Lord God.
We know that He has Compassion on us sinners, for our
Lord is Tender-hearted, Loving, Kind, rich in Mercy
and Long-suffering.
Furthermore, our Saviour immediately embraces and
welcomes those who sincerely Repent and return to
Him without any Condemnation but with great Joy
and Love.
Therefore, when the Enemy of our soul whispers, You
have lost everything! You cannot be Saved!, we can
reply: I do not despair of my Salvation, for I have a
Compassionate and Long-suffering God. And this
conviction upholds me in my Belief that He Who
commanded that we forgive our fellow men for their
transgressions against us even seventy times seven
that He, by the same token, will forgive the sins of all
who with their whole souls return to Him.
With such reflections and with the Grace of God, most
assuredly all Spiritual Warfare against Satan and his
evil machinations will fail, and perhaps even weaken
against us, for he will never stop trying to destroy us
and alienate us from our Lord God and all His Love,
Light and Goodness.

All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and
unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
16 November 2016
St Matthew Levi of the 12 Holy Apostles of Christ our Lord
Also the Feast of St Matthew Fulvian, Hieromartyr of Ethiopia St Sergios of Malopinega,
Novgorod St Hypatios, Bishop & Hieromartyr of Gangra
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST MATTHEW LEVI, HOLY APOSTLE -
Apostole Agie ke Evangelista Mathee, Presveve to eleimoni O

Theo, ina ptesmaton afesin, parashi tes psihes imon.
TONE 3
Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Intercede with

our Merciful God that He grant our soul Forgiveness of
offences.
SEASONAL FESTAL KONTAKION - ENTRY INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

FESTAL PROKEIMENON SONG

OF THE
Megalini
i psihi mou ton Kyrion, ke igalliase to Pnevma

moue pi to Theo to Sotiri mou.
Oti epevlepsenepi tin tapinosin tis doulis aftou.
Idou gar,
God my Saviour.
For He has regarded the lowly estate of His Handmaiden,

for behold, henceforth, all generation will call me
Blessed.
apo tou nin Makariousi me pase e genee.

FIRST EPISTLE
OF
THEOTOKOS TONE 3
My soul magnifies our Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in
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 dwelling-place. And we labour, working with our own hands.
Being reviled, we Bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we Entreat. We are made as the filth of the
world - the offscourings of all things unto this day.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my Beloved Children, I warn you. Although you have ten thousand
instructors in Christ, yet have you not many Fathers. In Christ Jesus through the Gospel I have begotten you.
I beseech you, therefore - be imitators of me.
They endured all their humiliation and suffering for the
Irony and sarcasm are bitter medicine, which St Paul
Pure Joy of serving our Lord and Saviour thereby
used on this occasion with full force.
The three parallel statements: ... we are fools... weak...
reconciling the fallen world to God.
dishonoured... were heaped upon each other in a
St Paul soothed the pain of his rebuke by reminding the
Faithful of his Spiritual Fatherhood to them.
stinging series.
The relative comfort of the Corinthians Christian
The Holy Church of Christ is similar to any other family
with maturing children who need parental guidance.
Community was contrasted with the persecuted,
poverty-stricken and uncertain lifestyle of the Holy
As Struggling Disciples of Christ, we who are the maturing
Apostles of Christ.
children, need our Spiritual Fathers to teach and
They endured all kinds and degrees of humiliation
guide us.
being treated as filth and even like the off-scourings
St Paul urged us as Faithful Disciples of Christ to imitate
yet, instead of retaliating in a similar fashion
him just as he ceaselessly strove to imitate our Lord
striking back in a similar manner at their persecutors
Jesus Christ.
the Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples of Christ
responded with unconditional, Divine Love Agape!

THE CALLING
OF
TO
ST MATTHEW 9 : 9 13
ST MATTHEW LEVI, TAX COLLECTOR
At that time, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs house, and he sait to him:
Follow me.
And he arose, and followed Him.
And it came to pass, Jesus sat eating in the house, and behold: many Publicans and sinners went and sat down with
Him and His Disciples.
And when the Pharisees beheld them, they said to His Disciples: Why does your Master eat with Publicans and sinners?
When Jesus heard, He said to them: Those who are whole do not need a Physician, but those who are sick do.
Go, learn what it means: ...I desire Mercy, and not Sacrifice... I have not come to Call the Righteous, but sinners to
Repentance!
Many people even to this day have more than one
which most of them did to the detriment of the
name and St Matthew was also named Levi.
impoverished citizens.
The Roman Empire authorities who dominated the Holy
The Tax Collectors collaboration with the occupying
Land and most of the known world at that time,
Roman forces, their fraudulent schemes and their
assigned specific areas to Judean Tax Collectors who
utter corruption caused their fellow countrymen to
were free to collect extra revenues for their own profit,
really hate and despise them, considering them as
being unclean and thus to be avoided at all costs.
ST MATTHEW LEVI
OF THE
12 APOSTLES
OF
CHRIST
OUR
LORD
16 NOVEMBER 2016
19.
The self-righteous Pharisees were intensely offended

when they saw our Lord Jesus Christ and His Disciples
dining with these despicable pariahs (social outcasts)
one of whom our Saviour had Called as His Apostle.
However, our Compassionate Lords response was simple:
Like a good, caring Physician, He seeks out those who
are Spiritually Sick, afflicted or ailing physically - in
order to Heal them from whatever troubles them.
Those who consider themselves to be in good spiritual or
physical health have no need for His Healing and
our Lord never forces Himself or His Blessings onto
anyone.
Furthermore, as He urged the Pharisees to contemplate
and to put into practise the Divine Will of God Who
most clearly stated: ... I desire Mercy and not
ST MATTHEW LEVI
OF THE
12 APOSTLES
St Matthew Levi, like St John the Beloved Apostle, was one

of the Twelve Apostles who accompanied Christ.
St Matthew was initially named Levi and was a Tax
Collector or Publican who worked at the Custom
House, in Capernaum, collecting taxes from his fellow
citizens for the despised Roman Empire.
In his Holy Gospel, St Matthew described his occupation
and how his countrymen regarded Tax Collectors or
Publicans titles that became derogatory and
synonymous with some of the worst type of sinner
and heathen:
He cautioned us that if we love others only according
to how they love us, we do not deserve any
Reward because that is what Publicans do!
(MATTHEW 5:46-47)
Our Lord Jesus Christ was viewed negatively for
dining with and speaking to ...Publicans and
sinners! (MATTHEW 9:10-11 & 11:19)
If any Christian is corrected by an Elder of the Church
but does not obey, ...he is to be treated as a
heathen and a Publican! (Matthew 18:17)
Publicans were grouped with harlots, for our Lord told
the self-righteous, hypocritical Pharisees: Truly...
the Publicans and the harlots will enter the
Kingdom of God before you! (MATTHEW 21:31)
When our Lord Jesus Christ, Who knows everything about
His creatures Called St Matthew to Follow me, he
immediately ... left everything, rose up, and followed
Him... then he ... made Him a great feast in his own
house: and there was a great company of Publicans
and of others who sat down with them.
And when the arrogant, Spiritually Blind Scribes and
Pharisees scandalised about our Lord associating
with such dregs of society, He explained clearly and
concisely: ... Those who are whole do not need a
Physician; but those who are sick (do need Healing.) I
came - not to Call the Righteous, but sinners to
Repentance. (LUKE 5:29-32)
The Eternal Salvation of mankind begins with the Calling
to Repentance by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ Called Levi the Publican who Repented and
became an Apostle and Evangelist of God.
The account of the Conversion and celebratory feast of St
Matthew in honour of our Saviour, illustrates the
ignorance and misguided criticism of those who may
read the Holy Gospel or the entire Holy Scripture but
without actually understanding its Divine Truth and
Reality!
St John Chrysostom explained: ... [St Matthew] has
properly called his work by a name, (which signifies)
Good Tidings.
Yea, for it was the removal of punishment, and the
remission of sins, and ...Righteousness, and
Sanctification and Redemption... and Adoption, and
an Inheritance of Heaven, and a Relationship with the
Son of God, that He came declaring to all - to
enemies, to the perverse, to those who were in
Darkness. (CF. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30)
What then could ever be equal to these Good Tidings?
God on Earth, mankind in Heaven; and all became
mingled together
And Reconciliation between God and our nature, the
devil brought to shame, demons in flight, Death
destroyed, Paradise re-opened, the Curse blotted out,
sin put out of the way, error driven off, Truth returning,
the Word of Godliness sown everywhere, and
flourishing in its growth...
Little is written about St Matthew throughout the rest of
the Holy Gospel except that he was one of the Twelve
20.
ST MATTHEW LEVI
OF THE
12 APOSTLES
OF
sacrifice... which was not a rejection of sacrifice as

such, but rather emphasises without any question or
doubt that MERCY is far more important and
significant a higher priority - than sacrifices. (HOSEA
6:6)
Our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us in so many different

ways that our Final Judgement will concern every act
of Charity and Mercy towards others that we either
fulfilled with a loving, cheerful and willing attitude or
rejected, ignored or refused.
We are categorically instructed by our Lord that
whatever we do to or for others, will be returned to us
a hundredfold, whether good or evil!!
We truly cannot expect to receive Divine Mercy unless we
ourselves are merciful to our fellow sinners.
OF
CHRIST
OUR
LORD
AND
SAVIOUR
Apostles and after Christs Ascension and the descent

of the Holy Spirit, he was selected to replace Judas
Iscariot.
He remained for a while in Jerusalem while preaching
and writing his Gospel, until they all dispersed
throughout the world so as to increase the Disciples of
Christ by preaching, Baptising in the Name of the Holy
Trinity and ... teaching them everything I have taught
you!
St Matthews Missionary Journey included many countries
such as Macedonia, Syria, Persia, Parthia, Media and
Ethiopia - establishing churches wherever they went.
In Ethiopia, St Matthew arrived at a city of cannibals,
called Mirmena, where St Matthew appointed St
Platon, one of his companions, as Bishop.
St Matthew sought solitude in a cave where he prayed for
the Salvation of these people.
Our Lord appeared to him as a Youth and presented him
with a staff that He instructed His Apostle to plant at
the doors of the church that he had constructed:
...This staff shall through My Power grow into a lofty
Tree, which shall bring forth Abundant Fruit,
surpassing all the other fruits of the orchard in
Magnificence and Sweetness.
And from Its Root a Spring of Pure Water shall flow
forth.
Washing in the Water of that Spring, the cannibals
shall receive Comeliness of visage, and all those
who taste that Fruit shall forget their bestial habits
and shall become Good and Meek.
On his way to the church, St Matthew met the Rulers
daughter and her son who were possessed by
demons. He exorcised the demons, and the grateful
woman and her son followed him to the church.
St Platon the Bishop went to meet them and St Matthew
did as he had been commanded, and planted the
staff in the ground, while many curious citizens
gathered and watched.
The Mystical Staff soon grew into a great Tree with
beautiful foliage and abundant fruit, and from its
roots, a stream began to flow.
A great multitude went to witness the Divine Miracle, and
St Matthew preached the Holy Gospel to them. Many
believed and were eventually Baptized in that
Miraculous Stream.
The Ruler, Fulvian, was elated to have his wife and son
restored to health but was enraged when the people
turned away from their man-made idols.
When his soldiers failed several times to arrest the Apostle
Fulvian went himself but as he tried to seize him,
Fulvian was blinded, and in his terror he begged St
Matthew to heal him.
Making the Sign of the Cross over Fulvians eyes, St
Matthew prayed to our Lord Jesus Christ Who restored
the Rulers sight.
However, on the pretence of honouring St Matthew at his
palace, Fulvian had him seized, bound and burnt
alive, falsely accusing him as a witchdoctor!
Later, having Repented most contritely and accepting
our Triune God, and being Baptised into our Faith,
Fulvian
was eventually ordained into the Holy
Priesthood and, three years later, he was elected
Bishop, having become a worthy successor to the
Holy Apostles of Christ, and whose memory we also
Commemorate today.
CHRIST
HERMITAGE OF THE HOLY CROSS

01 / 12 / 2015
OUR
LORD
16 NOVEMBER 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 (5) Plagal 1

20 November 2016
nd
22 Sunday After Pentecost Forefeast of Entry into Temple
9th Sunday of St Luke The Rich Fool and His Barns
The Feast of St Gregory Dekopolite St Proklos, Archbishop of Constantinople St
Diodoros, Abbot of Yuregorsk Monastery St Dasios of Dorostorum St Eustathios,
St Thespesios, & St Anatolios of Nicaea St Nerses, St Joseph, his Disciple, St John, St Saverios, St Isaak & St Hypatios,
Bishops, St Azades the Eunuch, St Savonios, St Thekla, St Anna and many other men and women of Persia St
Theoktistos the Confessor
RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Partheno

Parthenou
u Tehthenta 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.
is Sotirian imon, animnisomen, Pisti, ke Proskinisomen. Oti

ivdokise sarki anelthin en to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire
tous tethneotas en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION FOREFEAST ENTRY
Haran
promnistevete, simeron Anna imin, tis lipis

antitheton, karpon Vlastisasa, tin monin Aiparthenon.
In per di ke prosagi, tas evhas ekplirousa, simeron
githomeni, to Nao tou Kyriou, os ontos Naon tou Theou
Logou, ke Mitera Agnin.
INTO
TEMPLE - TONE 4
Today Righteous Anna solicits Joy for us all, the opposite

of pain and sorrow, having brought forth Her Fruit, the
Only Ever Virgin Maiden, and today in fulfilment of Her
Prayer and Her Promise, to the Temple of the Lord, She
joyfully leads Her Who is truly the Temple and Pure
Mother of God the Word.
SEASONAL KONTAKION ENTRY
INTO
TEMPLE TONE 4
Evfrosinis simeron, i ikoumeni, eplirothi apasa, en ti efsimo On

Eorti, tis Theotkous kravgazousa.
Epouranios.
this day the whole wide world is filled completely

with Great Joy and Merriment on the occasion of the
Feast of the Theotokos and cries aloud: She is the
Heavenly Tabernacle indeed.
Afti iparhi, skini
PROKEIMENON PSALM 11/12 TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Si,
Kyrie, filaxes imas ke diatirises imas apo tis geneas

taftis ke is ton eona.
Thou
shalt guard us, O Lord; Thou shalt preserve us

from this generation forever.
Soson me, Kyrie, oti eklelipen Osios, oti oligothisan e Alithie Save
me, O Lord, for the Holy Man has ceased. The

Truthful are diminished from among the sons of men.
apo ton iion ton anthropon.

THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
BOAST
TO THE
ONLY IN THE
GALATIANS 6: 11-18
CROSS
Brethren: see with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not
suffer persecution for the Cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the Law, but they desire to have
you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything but a New Creation. And as many as walk
according to this Rule, Peace and Mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one trouble me. I bear the Marks of the Lord Jesus in my body.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Brethren.
Amen
The Hebrew legalizers chose to offend God so that they could please human beings.
Unfortunately, this is the way of the world to this very day for few will stand firmly in Divine Truth.
The majority of people are influenced and led into Spiritual Disobedience and Rebellion because they are more afraid
of displeasing their fellow sinners than because they Love and Respect Almighty God and would do everything
possible not to fail Him or disappoint Him.
Consequently, by choosing to follow the fallen world and being enslaved by the demands of the flesh and duped by
the machinations of the evil one, they also voluntarily choose Eternal Spiritual Death over Eternal Spiritual Life.
By slavishly being persuaded and convinced to follow the godless, ignorant popular concepts of modern day fashions
and fads, we are drifting further and further away from our Lord Jesus Christ and His Divine Truth His Divine
Teachings and Commandments, which are the only means that make it possible for us to achieve our Ultimate
Spiritual Goal Theosis.
Throughout the history of the Holy Church of Christ, we have preached the Holy Cross of Christ concerning everything
that it symbolises.
We have always displayed the empty Cross symbolising Eternal Resurrection and Life Everlasting in our homes,
chapels, churches, schools, etc. to remind us to pray and to fulfill all Gods Divine Commandments and Teachings.
We venerate our Lords Life-giving Holy Cross in the Divine Liturgy and in all our Holy Services and Holy Mysteries.
We also Bless and Protect ourselves by making the Sign of the Cross, which is a Declaration of Faith: I worship Thee, O
God, with all my mind, with all my heart, with all my strength and with all my soul!
We always wear a Cross (not the Crucifix) to remind us of our eventual Resurrection and Final Judgement before the
Heavenly Throne of God.
22ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9TH
OF
ST LUKE RICH FOOL & BARNS 20 NOVEMBER 2016
21.
The Cross is a constant reminder of Whose Disciple we are and Whom we are trying to Follow and Imitate and others
look at us, expecting us to behave at all times in a Christian manner.
The Holy Cross is all we need to protect us against the evil one and his demons spirit and human.
The New Creation is our Life in Christ for we have put on Christ when we were Baptised and we are Sealed with the
Gift of the Holy Spirit Who empowers and enables us to fulfil our Sacred Tasks and Mission.
St Paul referred to the Church of Christ the Church of the New Covenant the New Israel
During the time of St Paul and the other Apostles, the Hebrews tried to force the converts to be circumcised according to
the Old Covenant.
St Paul realised that they were unconcerned with the Eternal Life of the newly Baptised Christians, only wanting to brag
about how many had been circumcised.
These days it has become popular to encourage conversion to Orthodox Christianity sadly, also for bragging
purposes of Priests and others and mostly for all the wrong, ill-informed reasons!
People must only convert to Orthodoxy if they are totally committed to Christ and are determined to follow His
Teachings and Commandments and be totally committed to God by living their Life in Christ Orthodox
Christianity until they draw their last breath.
In order for Converts to avoid apostasysing due to unhappy personal relationships and problems, it is imperative that
they are taught thoroughly and well before they are Baptised and Chrismated so that they have a complete, well
informed foundation to begin with.
Furthermore, all Orthodox Christians should continue to learn the many, varied facets of this marvellous Faith, so that
we continue to worship God and partake correctly in all the required Holy Mysteries and live a good, fulfilled Life in
Christ as He wishes us to do.
St Paul was neither a hypocrite nor a coward. He persevered through much of what he taught and he bore the marks
and scars
TO
ST LUKE 12 : 16 21
THE RICH FOOL & HIS BARNS
At that time, our Lord Jesus narrated this Parable: The ground of a certain Rich Man yielded plentifully. And he
thought to himself: What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops? He said: I will do this: I will pull
down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul:
Soul: you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease. Eat, drink and be merry.
God said to him: Fool! This night your soul will be required of you. Whose then will those things be, which you
have provided?
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God!
And He exclaimed: Those who have ears to hear, let them hear!
ST AMBROSE cautioned us: ... the things that we cannot
This Parable of our Lord Jesus Christ is a most serious
take with us are not ours. Only Virtue will be our
Lesson to every one of us especially in these days
Companion when we Repose...
of selfish, egocentric materialism.
When in ancient times, JOSEPH STORED UP GRAIN IN EGYPT, it
1. First of all THE LORD ADDRESSES THE RICH MAN AS FOOL!
a derogatory term that is discouraged, if not
was strictly FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE NATION
forbidden, in Christs Holy Church of Agape.
DURING LEAN TIMES OR FAMINE.
We cannot refer to any of our fellow sinners as fool,
WHATEVER WE THINK WE POSSESS, IN TRUTH, IS LENT TO US BY
which is a form of our unworthy criticism and unjust
ALMIGHTY GOD WHO PROVIDES US WITH EVERYTHING WE
judgement that we are urged and cautioned
REALLY NEED AND OFTEN, ALSO GRANTS US AN ABUNDANCE,
against.
WHICH IS A DIVINE TEST TO SEE WHAT WE DO WITH IT!
2. Secondly the big question of all ...whose will those
In the Holy Mystery of Matrimony, ONE OF THE PRAYERS FOR
thing be which you have provided? is THE KEY
THE NEWLY BETROTHED COUPLE BESEECHES GOD TO GRANT
TO UNDERSTANDING THE SAVING UP OR HOARDING OF
MATERIAL GOODS.
THEM AN ABUNDANCE SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO SHARE AND

DISTRIBUTE IT amongst those less Blessed than them.
MATERIAL GOODS ARE ONLY USEFUL IN THIS LIFE BUT HAVE

NO SPIRITUAL BENEFIT FOR OUR SALVATION AND ETERNAL
LIFE, UNLESS WE USE THEM CORRECTLY SHARING OUR
BLESSED ABUNDANCE with those who are less
fortunate than us doing so FOR THE LOVE AND GLORY
OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM believed that THE ONLY BARNS WE
NEED, we already have, which ARE ... THE STOMACHS OF
THE POOR.
ST BASIL THE GREAT taught us that THE BREAD THAT IS STORED
IN OUR PANTRIES BELONGS TO THE HUNGRY; THE UNUSED COAT
(AND CLOTHING) BELONGS TO THOSE WHO ARE NAKED AND
COLD; THE SHOES LYING MOULDY AND UNWORN BELONG TO
THOSE WHO ARE BAREFOOTED; AND THE MONEY THAT WE SO
GREEDILY COLLECT AND HOARD, BELONGS TO THE POOR AND
DESTITUTE.
Christ our Saviour has made it absolutely clear that

WHATEVER WE DO FOR OTHERS AS ACTS OF (UNCONDITIONAL)
LOVE/CHARITY GOD WILL BLESS US A HUNDRED TIMES MORE,
which is proved over and over again.
OUR
FINAL JUDGEMENT IS BASED ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH

GOD AND WITH OUR FELLOW SINNERS OUR NEIGHBOURS.
Whatever we do to or for others will be returned to us a
hundredfold whether it is good or evil!!
Consequently,
OUR PERSONAL WORDS, THOUGHTS AND DEEDS

DETERMINE OUR FUTURE ETERNITY Eternal Life with all
Divine Bliss and Blessings or Eternal Death with

permanent, irrevocable Alienation from God and all
His Goodness an Eternal Spiritual Death in Outer
Darkness or the Abyss, which terrifies even the
demons!!
THE CHOICE IS FREELY OURS TO MAKE! Hence the cautionary
Words of Divine Wisdom from our Lord Jesus Christ:
Those who have ears to hear, let them hear!!
22ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9TH OF ST LUKE RICH FOOL & HIS BARNS FOREFEAST OF ENTRY INTO TEMPLE
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
hungrier than him - THE FOOLISH MAN WAS TOTALLY SELFSpirit...
OBSESSED with resolving the problem of having so
Dearly Beloved: OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, SON OF

GOD EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF LAYING UP TREASURE
FOR GOD DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN IN THIS TEMPORARY,
PREPARATORY STATE TO FULFIL THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER,
THROUGH GOD THE SON, BY THE POWER AND ENERGY OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
His Sacred Lesson for today uses the example of a very
rich but foolish man, whose ...ground yielded
plentifully... due to DIVINE PROVIDENCE.
However, INSTEAD OF GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS GREAT
MERCY AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS, AND SHARING THEM with
those who had worked so hard to produce such
plentiful crops - who were far more poorer and
22.
OF
much (perishable) food and nowhere to store it!!

HIS GREED WAS INSATIABLE AND COMPLETELY SELF-SERVING AND
EGOCENTRIC, thinking only of himself, and even
speaking to himself.
His utter selfishness was indeed foolish because BEING
UNABLE TO SHARE ANYTHING WITH ANYONE ELSE, HE OBVIOUSLY
HAD NO LOVING FAMILY NOR FRIENDS WITH WHOM TO ENJOY HIS
WORLDLY GOODS.
He was so preoccupied with keeping every little grain for

himself that HE NEVER GAVE A THOUGHT TO GOD WHO MAKES
EVERYTHING POSSIBLE FOR US, AND HE CERTAINLY NEVER GAVE A
THOUGHT TO OTHERS who were starving, and having to
watch that great harvest slowly rotting away while
their families suffered the painful pangs of hunger

and deprivation!
His excessive miserliness compelled him to pull down his
existing barns in order to build even larger barns to
store his ever increasing hoard MOST OF WHICH HE
WOULD NEITHER USE NOR CONSUME, for it would rot, rust,
break, be destroyed by mould, insects and microbes,
or simply decompose!
Furthermore, when he died all alone, whatever was left
of his great hoard was either thrown away as
garbage or taken away by others.
And then, because HE HAD NO ONE ELSE TO SPEAK TO, he said
to himself: Soul, you have many goods laid up for
many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be
merry! (LUKE 12:19)
THE REALITY OF HIS SELF-IMPOSED ISOLATION FROM GOD AND FROM
HIS NEIGHBOURS, HAD NOT YET STRUCK HIM, FOR THERE IS NO
JOY IN LONELY GREED AND GLUTTONY!
The Rich Fool may have eaten and drunk himself into a
stupor, but HE WOULD CERTAINLY NOT HAVE BEEN MERRY!
He was so obsessed with all his possessions that it would
have driven him crazy when he watched them rotting
away before his eyes!!
WHEN WE BECOME OBSESSED WITH MATERIAL THINGS, WE BECOME
TOTAL BLIND TO ANYTHING ELSE BESIDES OUR OWN DESIRES.
To be financially wealthy is not necessarily sinful
depending on how we achieved it and as long as we
acknowledge the Truth that EVERYTHING IS BESTOWED
UPON US BY GOD.
THEREFORE, WE MUST CONSTANTLY EXPRESS OUR THANKSGIVING
TO OUR BENEVOLENT LORD BY MEANS OF OUR PRAYERS AND
WORSHIP, AS WELL AS SHARING OUR ABUNDANT BLESSINGS WITH
THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE, FOR THAT WILL INDEED
AFFECT OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT AS OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR HAS
CLEARLY AND EMPHATICALLY TAUGHT US!
OUR LORD GOD ENTRUSTS US WITH WORLDLY GOODS, IN ORDER TO
SEE HOW WE WILL USE THEM BY BECOMING FAR MORE RICHER
TOWARDS GOD THROUGH CHARITABLE DEEDS.
Whatever
Good Deeds and personal success we
achieve, we must NEVER FORGET THAT GOD ALONE HAS
BLESSED US, ENLIGHTENED US, ASSISTED US AND ENABLED US TO
DO SO!
We should CLEARLY UNDERSTAND WHY GOD HAS BLESSED US SO
ABUNDANTLY every day - and consider how we can
GLORIFY AND THANK HIM BY HELPING OTHERS BY FEEDING,
CLOTHING, VISITING AND PRAYING FOR THEM.
Children need to be nurtured and taught about the Love
of God, and they must be encouraged in every way
possible, to become worthy, faithful, compassionate
citizens.
There are many ways we can guide and take care of
these young souls, thereby Spiritually Enriching all
who are involved.
We must never forget that GOD BLESSES US WITH MORE
THAN WE NEED, SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ASSIST THE NEEDY, THE
POOR AND THE DESTITUTE.
We must NEVER TRY TO IGNORE, REJECT OR EXCUSE OURSELVES by
protesting about the ever-increasing numbers of
beggars.
We can either help one beggar by feeding or clothing
him or her, or by DONATING OUR TIME, EFFORT AND
FINANCES TO ORGANISED FEEDING SCHEMES OR SHELTERS THAT
TAKE CARE OF MANY MORE of our wretched fellow human
beings.
BUT WHATEVER WE DO OR WHATEVER WE GIVE TO OTHERS, MUST BE
WITH A CHEERFUL HEART - WITH GENEROSITY AND LOVE,
NEVER ALLOWING WICKED OR UNWORTHY THOUGHTS TO RULE
OUR CHARITABLE ACTS and NEVER for the meaningless
praises of others that will negate anything good we

do for the Glory, Honour and Worship of our Lord.
If those who beg are truly needy, we will not lose our
Reward.
However, IF WE HARDEN OUR HEART AND REFUSE TO ASSIST
OTHERS, WE DISTANCE OURSELVES FROM OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST, Who told His Holy Saints and Righteous: I was
hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you
gave Me drink; I was a Stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you
visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me...
(MATTHEW 25:35-36).
HIS DIVINE WORDS ARE THE CRITERIA FOR OUR FINAL JUDGEMENT,
as our Holy Church Fathers repeatedly and severely
caution us.
OF
Our Lord Jesus Christ put it very simply: ...whoever gives

one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in
the name of a Disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he
shall by no means lose his Reward. (MATTHEW. L0:42)
On the contrary, when we have no Mercy for our fellow
mankind, our unworthy attitude and actions reflect on
Christ Himself, as this is proved with the
condemnation of all those who neglected their duty to
do good to others: ...Then He will also say to those
on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into
the Everlasting Fire prepared for the devil and his
angels ! Assuredly, I say to you: inasmuch as you
did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not
do it to Me! (MATTHEW 25:4L, 45).
Our Lord told us with total clarity the ultimate Eternal
Consequences of each unrepentant sinners deeds:
...And these will go away into Everlasting
Punishment, but the Righteous into Eternal Life.
(MATTHEW 25:46)
The Foolish Rich Man made one serious, but vital mistake
in his life.
Although he was not a thief, but a very hard working
man, he never considered the needs of those in need,
the poor, the sick, the orphans, the widows, etc.
He only thought about how he would build more barns in
which to hoard his abundant crops, and how to
increase his finances so that he would eventually
have everything possible to indulge all the fleshly
pleasures and passions he desired.
OUR LORD GOD HAD GRANTED HIM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE A
GOOD LIFE, FILLED WITH THE JOYS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AS
WELL AS THE GREAT HONOUR AND PLEASURE OF HELPING SO
MANY OTHERS, AND THEREBY ACKNOWLEDGING AND THANKING
GOD FOR HIS CONSTANT PROVIDENCE.
We have all been granted so much more than we

actually need, so NONE OF US HAS ANY JUSTIFIABLE EXCUSE
FOR NOT SHARING OUR BLESSINGS WITH OTHERS!
St Paul, the great Apostle of the Nations, reminded us
that, at our Awesome Final Judgement, ...every
mouth shall be stopped, and all the world shall
become guilty before God... for EVERY ONE OF US
WHETHER RICH OR POOR IS GRANTED EVERY OPPORTUNITY
EVERY DAY - TO FULFIL OUR SACRED DUTIES TO GOD AND
MANKIND, YET, ALL TOO OFTEN, WE AVOID OR NEGLECT DOING
SO. (ROMANS 3:L9)
My Beloved Brethren, the Foolish Rich Man of todays
Sacred Lesson acted very irrationally in the belief that
through material pleasures he would be able to avoid
or overcome all difficulties of life.
HE NEVER NOT EVEN FOR A BRIEF MOMENT - CONSIDERED THE
WILL OF GOD AND ETERNITY AND HE DIED IN STATE OF
UNREPENTANCE
AND
THUS
SPIRITUAL DEATH, BEING
CONDEMNED TO ETERNAL EXILE AND OUTER DARKNESS,
COMPLETELY ALIENATED FROM GODS LOVE, LIGHT AND
GOODNESS!
Everything for which he had worked for so long, was lost
to him. He took nothing with him, and WORST OF ALL
BY NOT SHARING ANY OF THE ABUNDANT BLESSINGS GOD HAD
SO GENEROUSLY GRANTED HIM, MORE TRAGICALLY THAN
ANYTHING ELSE, HE LOST THE ETERNAL LIFE OFFERED BY GOD
TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND OUR NEIGHBOURS!
That very night, THE DEMONS VIOLENTLY REMOVED HIS SOUL AND
DRAGGED IT INTO EVERLASTING DAMNATION!
OUR LOVING AND MERCIFUL LORD GOD GRANTS US EVERY
OPPORTUNITY, AND HAS PROVIDED US WITH EVERY MEANS
POSSIBLE,
TO
FULFIL
HIS DIVINE TRUTH His
Commandments and Teachings that are firmly rooted
in unconditional Love. (Agape.)
Let us, therefore wake up from our Spiritual Stupor, which
is caused by all the material things that surround and
tempt us constantly.
Let us strive to free ourselves from the obsession of the
vanities of this fallen, temporary world.
Let us BECOME TRUE AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WHO ARE
DEVOTED AND OBEDIENT TO GODS WILL ALONE, desiring
Everlasting Life, by being dedicated Labourers in His
Holy Vineyard, for the Glory, Honour and Worship of
our Triune God.
Amen.
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON OF ANTINOES
http://www.orthodoxpath.org
23.
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY ILLUMINATION BEYOND KNOWLEDGE APOPHATIC KNOWLEDGE - FATHER DIMITRU STANILOAE
AS WE BEGIN TO APPROACH AN UNDERSTANDING OF GOD, WE FIND

THAT WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND HIM.
HE IS BEYOND OUR MENTAL GRASP.
This leads us to a critical step in our Spiritual Journey, for
WE NEED TO GO BEYOND ALL MENTAL CONCEPTS TO KNOW
GOD.
This step is referred to as one requiring APOPHATIC
KNOWLEDGE. It is A MYSTICAL WAY OF KNOWING THAT
TRANSCENDS OUR LOGICAL MIND.
We began our Journey with a positive approach to
knowing God only to find that this does not lead us to
knowing Him.
Father Dimitru explained: ...So at the beginning, the
affirmative way is less dependent on the
consciousness of the Ineffable Character of God; later
it is more so.
After a long ascent, it becomes almost totally dependent
on THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE INABILITY TO COMPREHEND
AND EXPRESS GOD IN CONCEPTS.
Instead of identifying positive Attributes of God, we use
negative attributes, which is a way of expressing our
incomprehensibility of God that develops as we
Ascend in our Spiritual Growth, referring to an
Experience that cannot be described in positive terms,
an Experience that is referred to by the Church
Fathers as a Vision of God or the Divine Light.
It is not a rejection of the idea of knowing God, but one
that is part of A TRANSITION TO THE REALIZATION THAT THERE
IS A HIGHER KIND OF KNOWLEDGE THAT PERMEATES OUR BEING
WHEN WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH GOD.
V. Lossky captured this idea in his well known book
Mystical Theology
where he explained the
Teaching of St Dionysios the Areopagite, which Father
Dimitru summarised: (cf: ACTS 17:34):
...St Dionysios distinguished two possible Theological
Ways.
Onethat of CATAPHATIC OR POSITIVE THEOLOGYPROCEEDS
BY AFFIRMATIONS; the other APOPHATIC OR NEGATIVE
THEOLOGYBY NEGATIONS.
The first leads us to some Knowledge of God, but in an
imperfect way.
The perfect way - the only way that is fitting in regard to
God, Who is of His very Nature Unknowable - is the
second way that leads us, finally, to total ignorance.
All KNOWLEDGE has as its object THAT WHICH IS.
Now GOD IS BEYOND ALL THAT EXISTS.
In order to approach Him, it is necessary to DENY ALL THAT
IS INFERIOR TO HIM, that is to say, ALL THAT WHICH IS. ...
IT IS BY UNKNOWING THAT ONE MAY KNOW HIM WHO IS ABOVE
EVERY POSSIBLE OBJECT OF KNOWLEDGE.
PROCEEDING BY NEGATIONS, ONE ASCENDS from the inferior
degrees of being to the highest, by progressively
setting aside all that can be known, in order to draw
near to the Unknown in the Darkness of absolute
ignorance...
This is a major Transition because WE HAVE TO GIVE UP ALL
WE HAVE CONCEIVED, all that was useful in our earlier
Spiritual Development, so we can continue on our

Path to Union with God.
Saint Dionysios taught us: ...One must abandon all that is
impure and all that is Pure.
One must then scale the most sublime Heights of Sanctity,
leaving behind all the Divine Luminaries, all the
Heavenly Sounds and Words.
It is only thus that one may penetrate to the Darkness
wherein He Who is beyond all created things makes
His Dwelling...
This approach is called APOPHATIC that is an attitude of
mind, which DOES NOT ALLOW THE FORMATION OF CONCEPTS
ABOUT GOD.
IT IS BASED ON A MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE and NOT GAINED
THROUGH A METHOD OF ABSTRACT THOUGHT.
IT REQUIRES PROPER PREPARATION AND PURIFICATION.
Professor Vladimir Lossky summarized: ...UNKNOWABILITY
DOES NOT MEAN AGNOSTICISM OR REFUSAL TO KNOW GOD.
Nevertheless, THIS KNOWLEDGE WILL ONLY BE ATTAINED IN
THE WAY THAT LEADS not to Knowledge but TO UNIONTO
DEIFICATION.
Thus THEOLOGY WILL NEVER BE ABSTRACT, working
through concepts, BUT CONTEMPLATIVE: RAISING OUR MIND
TO THOSE REALITIES THAT PASS ALL UNDERSTANDING...
KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIVINE NATURE IS ABOVE OUR LIMITED
CAPACITY OF KNOWLEDGE.
St Gregory Palamas concluded:
... (Our limited
Knowledge of God) should not be called
Knowledge, for IT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN ALL (HUMAN)
KNOWLEDGE and the viewpoint from knowledge!
Our limited Understand and Knowledge of Almighty God
can only be the lived embodiment of the
Unknowabilty of God.
Only after many years of Living in Christ and slowly developing an
intimate Relationship with our Lord, can we achieve that Holy
Union that surpasses all human explanation, understanding or
knowledge.
God alone grants each soul to know Him as much as we can deal
with.
As we grow and increase in our Orthodox Spirituality, so we become
closer to our Saviour Who will grant us His Divine Knowledge
according to His Divine Will not according to our personal
desire!
No amount of reading or studying Scripture and the God-Inspired
Writings while trying to do everything on our own will grant us
True Knowledge and Wisdom, for we will inevitably fall victim to
error and deception!!
We must follow a life-long Holy Process, Step by Step, in all Humility
and Obedience, being Enlightened, Guided, corrected and
nourished by Gods Holy Church - His Holy Priesthood, our
Spiritual Fathers and Orthodox Teachers and by fulfilling
everything required of us as Faithful Disciples of Christ.
Orthodox Christianity is not a solo Journey but a Loving, Communal
Journey! (MP)
http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.co.za
BECOMING ILLUMINED
BEFORE
ILLUMINATING OTHERS - ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS
If we understand that BECOMING HUMBLE IS EVERYTHING, we

will desire to empty ourselves of all the tumours that
exist within us, since, IF HUMILITY IS NOT IN OUR SOUL, WHAT
WILL BE? MALIGNANT TUMOURS OF PRIDE, OF VANITY, OF
EGOTISM, AND OF SELF-WORSHIP: ALL OF WHICH TORMENT US.
If we do not acquire Humility, we will not find rest and
will instead be tormented.
In order, therefore, for our soul to be delivered from these
tumours, we must begin if we have the disposition
and if we want it to SLOWLY DESCEND DEEPER AND DEEPER
INTO OUR SOUL, which takes much time, pain and effort.
WE MUST FIRST DESCEND INTO THE DEPTHS OF OUR SOUL,
BEGINNING
WITH
OUR
CONSCIENCE,
AND
SURRENDER
OURSELVES TO GOD. THEN WE MOVE INTO THE SUBCONSCIOUS,
AND FINALLY ARRIVE AT THE UNCONSCIOUS.
In this way, OUR WHOLE SOUL BECOMES CONSCIOUS, and WE ARE
ABLE TO STRENGTHEN AND CONTROL THE OBJECTIVES OF OUR
SOUL - OUR ENTIRE SELF.
Otherwise, IT WILL NOT MATTER HOW EXTERNALLY HUMBLE WE
APPEAR, OR HOW CONSCIOUSLY SELFLESS WE ARE, IF INSIDE OUR
SUBCONSCIOUS THERE IS EGOTISM EITHER AS FEELINGS OF
SUPERIORITY OR OF INFERIORITY.
What else can we do? THE MOMENT WE THINK WE HAVE
ACHIEVED HUMILITY, OUT OF THE DARK RECESSES OF OUR
UNCONSCIOUS, PRIDE AND VAINGLORY ATTACK US!
We occupy ourselves with Theologies, yet WE CANNOT FIND

THE ANSWERS, BECAUSE WE DO NOT EXEMPLIFY THE SAINTS!
CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHAT THE SAINTS SAID, WHAT THEY DID, HOW
THEY LIVED. We must contemplate all this instead of
trying to Theologise.
THE SAINTS WERE IN CONTROL OF THEMSELVES. There was no
pride nor self-worship lurking deep within them that
influenced and corrupted them.
St John Chrysostom, for example, did not simply produce
Theology. HE CONSTANTLY DID PROSTRATIONS, VIGILS, AND
FASTS, and as St Paul wrote: ... I discipline my body
and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have
preached to others, I myself should become
disqualified... He only later Theologized truly, as did
every other Saint, for TRUE THEOLOGY CANNOT EXIST IF WE
DO NOT LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS THEOLOGY, IF WE DO
NOT STRUGGLE AND DO NOT FORCE OURSELVES TO LIVE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THEOLOGY.
This is the Spirit, and this the Practice of the Fathers of the
Orthodox Church, for NO SAINT SIMPLY THEOLOGISED.
As our Holy Fathers repeatedly emphasised: We must
FIRST TAKE CARE TO BECOME ILLUMINED and then later
Illumine others, FIRST BECOME PURIFIED from the
passions and then later Purify others.
http://www.orthodoxpath.org/
24.
22
N D
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9
T H
OF

21 November 2016
Entrance into the Temple of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ENTRANCE
Simeron
tis Evdokias Theou to proimion, ke tis ton

anthropon Sotirias i prokirixis. En Nao tou Theou tranos i
Parthenos diknite, ke ton Hriston tis pasi prokatangellete.
Afti ke imis megalofonos voisomen. Here! Tis Ikonomias
tou Ktistou i Ekplirosis!
FESTAL KONTAKION ENTRY
INTO
TEMPLE
OF
is the prelude of Gods Good Pleasure, and the

Proclamation of Humanitys Salvation. In the Temple
of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in Herself
She announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a
Great Voice cry aloud to Her: Rejoice! O Thou who
art the Fulfilment of the Creators Dispensation!
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS, VIRGIN MARY
The Saviours Most Pure and Immaculate Temple, the very

Precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, who is the Sacred
Treasure of the Glory of God, on this day is introduced
into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings
the Grace in the Divine Spirit. She is extolled by the
Angels of God. A Heavenly Tabernacle is she.
FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING

TH
TONE 4
Today
OF THE
Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros, i politimitos pastas ke

simeron isagete, en to Oiko Kyriou, tin Harin
sinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio. In animnousin
Angeli Theou. Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
VIRGIN MARY
TO
ST LUKE 1: 39-49 & 56
VISITATION
At that time, Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias
and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leapt in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she spoke out with a loud voice, saying: Blessed art Thou among
women, and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb! And why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should
come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of Thy Greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leapt with Joy in my
womb. And Blessed is She Who believed, for there will be a Fulfilment of those Things that were told Her from the
Lord!
And Mary said: My soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour! For He has regarded the
lowly state of His Maidservant. For behold! Henceforth all generations will call me Blessed. For He Who is Mighty
has done great things form me, and Holy is His Name...
... And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
The Ever Blessed Virgin Marys faithful response to the
WITH THESE THREE SIGNIFICANT ROLES BEING VACANT,
Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel was that of the
ILLEGITIMATE AND SILENT, ALL WAS READY FOR THE SON OF
highest degree of Humility and Obedience to God.
GOD TO BE REVEALED AS OUR DIVINE AND ETERNAL
THE INCARNATION OF GOD THE SON IS NOT ONLY THE DIVINE
WORK OF ALMIGHTY GOD, BUT IT ALSO INVOLVED THE FREE

AND WILLING RESPONSE OF MANKIND IN THE HOLY AND
DEVOUT PERSON OF ST MARY THE EVER BLESSED, ALL
HOLY THEOTOKOS.
Although Eve had once disobeyed the Lord our God, THE
EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY INSTANTLY AND VOLUNTARILY
OBEYED HIS DIVINE WILL WHICH SHE HAS ALWAYS DONE,
SINCE HER VERY EARLY CHILDHOOD.
And although Eve - through her wilful disobedience by
breaking the one Divine Commandment - had
alienated and distanced herself from God exile and
alienation caused by sin OUR EVER BLESSED LADY
OPENED HER HEART AND SOUL UP TO GOD AND DREW EVER
CLOSER TO HIM BY HER HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO HIS DIVINE
WILL IN ALL MATTERS.
SHE WAS EVER WATCHFUL AND RESISTED TEMPTATION, PREFERRING
TO REMAIN IN HIS DIVINE GRACE.
As St Theophilact of Bulgaria put it, Her response to God
was always as though she said: I am a (writing)
tablet; let the Writer inscribe whatever He desires on
me.
In other words, HER ATTITUDE TO GOD WAS ALWAYS: Let it be
according to Thy Will and not my will, O Lord!
AS
SOON AS CHRIST BECAME INCARNATE, HOLY PROPHECY

RESUMED IN ISRAEL.
GOD HAD SILENCED HIS HOLY PROPHETS FOR MANY YEARS and
even permitted an illegitimate usurper occupy the

position of King of Judea.
And in the last days before the Coming of Christ, GOD ALSO
SILENCED ST ZACHARIAH, THE HIGH PRIEST.
THE ENTRY
INTO THE
TEMPLE
OF THE
PROPHET, KING AND HIGH PRIEST.

COMPELLED BY HER WONDER AND GREAT JOY AT HER DIVINE
CONCEPTION, OUR LADY THEOTOKOS WENT TO HER BELOVED
AUNT, ST ELIZABETH, the sister of her late mother, St
Anna.
AT THE SOUND OF HER GREETING, THE BLESSED ST JOHN - as a
tiny six month baby still developing in the womb of his
mother PROPHESIED THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF GOD
INCARNATE BY LEAPING FOR JOY.
BECAUSE ST JOHN IS GODS HOLY PROPHET, HIS RECOGNITION OF
CHRIST WHILE THEY WERE STILL BOTH IN THE WOMBS OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE MOTHERS, FULFILLED ST JEREMIAHS HOLY
PROPHESY:
Before I formed Thee in the womb, I knew Thee.
(JEREMIAH 1:5)
THE ALL HOLY EVER VIRGIN THEOTOKOS RECEIVES VENERATION

FROM THE HEAVENLY HOSTS AS WELL AS ALL HUMANITY.
And just as St Gabriel, the Holy Archangel of God, had
done, SO NOW TOO, ST ELIZABETH DECLARED HER YOUNG
NIECE TO BE BLESSED AMONG WOMEN.
Our Panagia Mary is confessed as the Mother of my
Lord by St Elizabeth and HER SPONTANEOUS, SINCERE
CONFESSION and others like it in our Holy Church such
as Theotokos or Mother/Bearer of God CONFIRMS
THAT THE ONE IN HER PURE WOMB IS BOTH FULLY HUMAN AND
FULLY DIVINE IN NATURE - our Lord Jesus Christ is THE
TRUE SON OF GOD Himself as well as being the TRUE
SON OF MAN(kind)!
At Holy Vespers of the Annunciation, we declare: It is the
Word of God Who dwells in Her.
It is significant that EVEN THOUGH HIS PHYSICAL BODY HAD NOT
YET FULLY FORMED, OUR LORD JESUS WAS TRULY THE
EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 21 NOVEMBER 2016
25
INCARNATE SON OF GOD, and THE EVER BLESSED, ALL HOLY

VIRGIN MARY WAS ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNISED
AS HIS ALL PURE, HOLY MOTHER.
THIS DIVINE TRUTH DEALS A FATAL BLOW TO THE DELUSION THAT
ABORTION IS JUSTIFIABLE BECAUSE THE FOETUS IS NOT YET A
PERSON!
This lovely Hymn is chanted during the Matins Service

and from it we are taught:
IN THIS DAY AND AGE, INFERTILE COUPLES REGARD THE DIVIDING CELLS - FROM
THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION OR FERTILISATION - AS A VIABLE, LIVING
BABY WHO IS JOYFULLY AWAITED AND ALREADY NAMED!
EVERY CHILD WHO IS CONCEIVED BUT LOST IS MOURNED AND REMEMBERED BY
THE LOVING PARENTS.
FURTHERMORE, THE TINY HEART BEGINS TO BEAT VERY SOON AFTER
CONCEPTION AND BABIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE DELIVERED AND KEPT
ALIVE FROM VERY EARLY IN THE GESTATION PERIOD, MANY OF WHOM
SURVIVE AND GROW INTO ADULTHOOD.
THEREFORE, ABORTION IS THE VIOLENT AND MOST BRUTAL MURDER OF A TINY
CHILD WHO IS MORE SENSITIVE TO AND AWARE OF EVERYTHING THAN A
FULLY DEVELOPED AND BORN BABY!
NOT ONE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONCEIVED OR BORN IS A MISTAKE
BECAUSE EVERY MIRACLE OF CONCEPTION AND BIRTH IS BY THE DIVINE
WILL OF ALMIGHTY GOD WHO HAS A PLAN AND SACRED PURPOSE FOR
EACH, UNIQUE SOUL INTO WHOM HE BREATHES LIFE! (MP)
IT
Verses 46 56 - known as the Magnificat or

Megalinaria - came from the joyful heart of our
Lady Theotokos who was inspired by a song of St
Hannah. (1 KINGS 2 : 1 10)
FESTAL PROKEIMENON ODE
OF
FAITHFUL
CHRISTIANS FOR ALL TIME HONOUR AND VENERATE

ALL HOLY, EVER VIRGIN THEOTOKOS as she
prophesied: ... ALL GENERATION WILL CALL ME
BLESSED.
THE
IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE IN THE INSPIRATION OF

SCRIPTURE YET NOT BLESS OUR LADY THEOTOKOS.
HOLY
OUR PANAGIA ASCRIBED THE MIRACLE OF THE INCARNATION TO

ALMIGHTY GOD not to herself which reveals Her
deep and sincere Humility and Knowledge that
GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL DIVINE GRACE.
THROUGH
THE INCARNATION, GOD REIGNS OVER ALL

NATIONS.
BECAUSE OUR LADY THEOTOKOS HAD NO MOTHER TO CONFIDE IN OR
TO
INSTRUCT
HER
regarding
her
impending
motherhood, IT WAS NATURAL FOR HER TO HAVE REMAINED
WITH HER AUNT, ST ELIZABETH, FOR THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF
HER PREGNANCY before returning home, where HER
COMPANIONS WERE ALL COMMITTED, DEDICATED VIRGINS.
(TODAY THEY WOULD BE KNOWN AS NUNS)
THEOTOKOS (LUKE1) TONE 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!

For He regarded the low estate of His Handmaiden!
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
HEBREWS 9: 1 - 7
Brethren: the First Covenant had Ordinances of Divine Service, and a worldly Sanctuary. A Tabernacle was prepared: the
first part, in which was the Lampstand, the Table, and the Showbread, which is called the Sanctuary. Behind the
Second Veil, was the part of the Tabernacle, which is called Holy of Holie, which had the Golden Censer and the Ark of
the Covenant, overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was the Golden Pot that had the Manna, Aarons Rod that
budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant. Above it were the Cherubim of Glory overshadowing the Mercy Seat. Of
these we can no longer speak these days. When these Things had been thus prepared, the Priests always went into the
first part of the Tabernacle, performing the Services. Into the second part only the High Priest went - once a year, not
without blood, which he offered for himself and for the peoples sins.
THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOSAIC TABERNACLE, WHICH
Their Eternal Unity and Presence with Christ is usually depicted
PREFIGURED THE HEAVENLY ALTAR.
as two differently coloured shapes behind the Figure of our
This passage is read during the Great Feasts of our
Lord such as in the Holy Icon of the Transfiguration.
Lady Theotokos and Advent (before the Feast of the
The depiction of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit as an
Nativity of Christ) in order to describe the Great Holy
Old Man and a White Dove is a modern, western
Mystery of the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God.
influenced heresy, because the Persons of the Holy Trinity
may only be depicted as three identical Angels such as at
THE EVER BLESSED, EVER VIRGIN MARYS WOMB WAS
the Oaks of Mamre the Hospitality of Abraham.
PREPARED AS THE HOLY TABERNACLE OF CHRIST THE
They NEVER manifested visibly at any other time and our Lord
VERY DWELLING PLACE OF THE LORD OUR GOD - THE
Jesus Christ clearly told His Disciples that whoever has
HOLY OF HOLIES.
seen Him, has also seen His Co-Eternal, Co-Essential
A most important detail in St Pauls Epistle to the
Hebrews concerns THE INNER VEIL THE SECOND VEIL
Father (and thus also the Holy Spirit!) mp
WHICH SEPARATES THE HOLY PLACE THE HOLY SANCTUARY
However, GOD THE SON OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
FROM THE MOST HOLY PLACE THE HOLY OF HOLIES OR THE
- CAN BE DEPICTED ACCORDING TO HIS INCARNATION, FOR HE
HOLIEST OF ALL, WHICH CONTAINED THE MYSTERIOUS ARK OF
IS GOD-MAN AND THUS HIS HUMAN NATURE CAN AND IS
THE COVENANT AND INTO WHICH ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST
IMAGED.
COULD ENTER ON ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR.
Furthermore, CHRIST LEFT A PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE UPON HIS
The Inner Veil forms THE LOCUS OF THE LITURGICAL PRACTICE
DISCARDED BURIAL CLOTHES ON THE INNER FACE CLOTH,
OF THE OLD COVENANT and reveals its imperfection
WHICH HE LEFT NEATLY FOLDED - and on the long Shroud,
for the people could not draw close to God and the
which were both left in His Empty Tomb after His
High Priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a
Glorious Resurrection.
year for his own sins as well as those of the people.
When St Peter and St John entered the Empty Tomb, they
At His Death on the Cross, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST RESOLVED
were immediately amazed by the Precious Holy Relics
OUR ALIENATION AND ESTRANGEMENT FROM GOD. (MATTHEW
that had been left behind.
27:51)
In many churches, THE HOLY ICON OF CHRIST NOT MADE BY
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT CONTAINED ALL THE PRECIOUS
HANDS IS DEPICTED BEING HELD ALOFT BY TWO CHERUBIM,
HOLY RELICS OF THE OLD COVENANT OF ISRAEL THE
USUALLY SITUATED OVER THE ROYAL GATES OF THE
GOLDEN POT OF MANNA, AARONS ROD, AND THE STONE
ICONOSTASION LEADING INTO THE HOLY SANCTUARY.
TABLETS OF THE MOSAIC LAW, given to the ancient
While Priests were allowed to enter the Holy Place daily,
Patriarch by God Himself.
only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies on
the one Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur.)
OUR LADY THEOTOKOS IS THE ARK OF THE NEW COVENANT,
The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies carrying the
BEING THE MOTHER OR BEARER OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR.
blood of sacrificed animals for the atonement of his
GOD IS ENTHRONED UPON THE CHERUBIM, hence, Gods
own sins as well as those of the people.
Throne in the midst of Israel the Mercy Seat had
THIS ANNUAL BLOOD SACRIFICE REVEALS THE IMPERFECTION AND
a Cherub depicted on each side.
TEMPORARY STATUS OF THE OLD COVENANT, FOR ONLY ONE
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HOLY ALTAR IS ALSO FLANKED BY
MAN COULD ENTER INTO GODS DIVINE PRESENCE BUT NOT
DEPICTION OF THE CHERUBIM.
CONTINUALLY AND ONLY TO REPEAT THE ANNUAL SACRIFICIAL
THESE REPRESENTATIONS, along with the images of the Holy
OFFERING FOR HIS AND THE PEOPLES SINS.
Cherubim on the Inner Veil and the beauty and
Furthermore, THAT BLOOD SACRIFICE DEALT ENTIRELY WITH
detailed workmanship of everything that was made
MATERIALS FROM THIS AGE, WHICH ARE IMPERFECT AND
for the Holy Tabernacle, SERVED AS THE FIRST HOLY
IMPERMANENT WHICH CANNOT BEGIN A PARTICIPATION IN THE
ICONS OF THE OLD COVENANT. (Exodus 26:31)
AGE TO COME.
This and various other passages PUT TO REST THE FEAR THAT
In addition, THAT IMPERFECT ATONEMENT OFFERING DEALT
THE SECOND DIVINE COMMANDMENT OF GOD PROHIBITS ALL
MAINLY WITH THE OUTER BEING FOR IT WAS SUPERFICIAL AND
IMAGERY. (Exodus 20: 4 6)
COULD NOT PURIFY MANKINDS HEART, MIND OR SOUL LET
God the Father and God the Holy Spirit cannot be
ALONE RESTORE OUR FALLEN HUMAN NATURE.
represented or depicted because their Divine
Nature is unknowable and hence cannot be
depicted.
26.
ENTRANCE
INTO THE
TEMPLE
OF THE

ON
TO
E
ST LUKE 10 : 38
THIN
G IS
EEDED
- 42
&
11 : 27 28
At that time, He entered a certain village. A woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister
called Mary, who sat at Jesus Feet, listening to His Word. Martha was distracted with much serving. She approached
and said: Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me!
Jesus answered and said to her: Martha! Martha! You are worried and troubled about many things. One thing is
needed. Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.
... As He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him: Blessed is the Womb that
bore Thee, and the Breasts that nursed Thee!
He replied: More than that: Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep It!
St Martha and St Mary of Bethany were the sisters of St Lazaros whom our Lord Jesus Christ had raised from the dead.
St Martha was preoccupied and worried about all her household duties while providing hospitality to our Lord Jesus
and his entourage of Disciples and Apostles.
HER TEMPORARY, WORLDLY CARES CONCERNED HER MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE at the time so, resenting HER SISTER who SAT AT THE
FEET OF OUR LORD TO HEAR HIS TEACHINGS, she appealed to Him to make her get up and help her.
However - instead of supporting her immediate needs - our Lord Jesus pointed out that while she was so concerned
about all her current duties, HER SISTER HAD PREFERRED TO SPEND THE PRECIOUS TIME LISTENING TO CHRISTS TEACHINGS.
THE ONE THING ... NEEDED WAS FOR HER TO PAY ATTENTION TO HIS DIVINE TEACHING to really
listen to what He said. It
was a serious priority that certainly did not exclude serving Him.
Later, when a woman called out to our Lord Jesus from the crowd, OUR LORD POINTED OUT TO HER THAT GODS BLESSINGS
FALL UPON ALL THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND OBEY HIM.
Family or social connections have nothing to do with our Obedience to God and the Ever Blessed Theotokos was
especially complimented by Her Son because SHE NOT ONLY PAID CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD BUT SHE
ALSO FAITHFULLY OBEYED ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS AND LIVED HER ENTIRE LIFE ACCORDINGLY.
IT IS THAT PROFOUND VIRTUE OF HUMBLE AND ATTENTIVE OBEDIENCE TO GOD OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS ALONE EVEN MORE
THAN HAVING BORNE THE INCARNATE GOD THAT MAKES HER OUR MOST SHINING EXAMPLE OF TRUE SAINTHOOD AND THEOSIS
SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.
ENTRANCE INTO THE TEMPLE BY THE EVER BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THEOTOKOS
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
She blissfully entered the Holy of Holies, where She
Holy Spirit...
surpassed in Holiness the Holiness of all the Angelic
Beloved Brethren: The Entrance into the Temple of the
Hosts.
Blessed Ever Virgin Mary and Theotokos is one of the
She elatedly entered the Holy of Holies, like a golden
most important Events in the History of Salvation,
Censer, for She would Conceive within Her Holy Womb
which our world-wide Eastern Orthodox Church
the Fire of Deity.
celebrates today, together with all the Heavenly Hosts.
She entered the Holy of Holies, like the golden Jar that
All Creation rejoices while the Faithful Orthodox
contained the Heavenly Manna, the Heavenly Bread,
Christians gather together to honour with heartfelt
the God-Man, Jesus Christ.
piety, respect and Love the All Praised, Holy, Ever
She entered the Holy of Holies and She nurtured the
Virgin Mother of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Creator and Provider of all Creation, visible and
the Eternal Word and Son of God.
invisible.
We venerate the Holy Icon of the Ever Blessed Theotokos,
The Ever Virgin Mary became the All Pure and Holy
and with humble, broken heart, all who suffer,
Mother of the Incarnate, Eternal Son and Word of God.
address their Prayers to Her, expressing their needs
Since centuries before, the Holy Prophets of God had
and beseeching Her Holy Protection and Intercessory
spoken of Her Sacred Personality and most worthy
Prayers for our Deliverance and Salvation.
Attributes:
All True Faithful Disciples of Christ honour, respect and
St Moses, the ancient Patriarch, foresaw Her on
Bless Her as the All Pure Mother of Christ, our Lord and
Mount Sinai as the Burning Bush that remained
Saviour, and as our Most Perfect Example of absolute
Unconsumed.
Love, Humility and Obedience to God, whom we
St Jacob, another ancient Patriarch, foresaw Her
should all strive to imitate.
as the Ladder that connected Heaven and
We sing Hymns that Honour and Praise Her Holy Virtues,
Earth.
and all generations Glorify Her throughout the ages
St Daniel, a Holy Prophet of God, foresaw Her as a
in Heaven and on Earth.
Holy Mountain.
Our Beloved Lady, Theotokos, is the Source of our
Today we celebrate our Lady, Theotokos Entrance into
Sanctification and Salvation, for She willingly, humbly
the most Holy Places of the Temple of God in
and obediently gave Birth to the Incarnate, Eternal
Jerusalem.
Son and Word of God.
Today we celebrate and honour Her as the Most Splendid
Her Entrance into the Holy Temple of Jerusalem was the
Living Temple and Holy of Holies of our Lord and
initial Preparation of our Eternal Salvation.
Saviour, Jesus Christ, Son of God.
The sweet three year old Child of St Joachim and St Anna
Today we celebrate how She departed from the fallen
joyfully entered the Great Holy Temple of God, and,
world and entered into the Heavenly Kingdom of God
leaving Her devoted parents, she ran delightedly up
as a three year old infant whose heart and soul was
the steps, into the Holy of Holies where only the High
filled with utter Love and Devotion for Almighty God.
Priest was allowed to enter, and then, only once a
Today we celebrate together as Angelic Hosts and
year.
mankind accompany Her to the Holy Temple of God
St Zacharias, the Holy Prophet and High Priest of God,
where She is presented as our Heavenly Queen,
who would become the father of St John the
adorned and vested with the Priceless Treasures of all
Forerunner and Baptist, welcomed Her and many
the Holy Virtues.
other young Virgins who had been dedicated to God
Throughout our human history, many important women
by their pious parents.
have passed into the abyss of forgetfulness. Many
The infant, Holy Virgin Mary, who was the future Mother
great and powerful Queens have vanished from the
of God, entered the Holy of Holies, for She herself was memory of mankind.
by the Will and Grace of Almighty God - the Living Ark
However, the All Blessed, Holy and Ever Virgin Mary - our
and Temple of God the Living Holy of Holies!
Most Beloved, All Pure, Honourable and Glorious
At that time the Temple was being refurbished and
Lady, Theotokos will remain Ever Present to all
restored, and She spent many hours in the Sacred
Faithful Disciples of Christ until and beyond the Ages
Place embroidering, weaving and stitching beautiful
of ages.
Liturgical
Vestments
and
adornments,
while
Forever will our Ever Blessed Holy Mother of God guide,
contemplating the Lord our God and being nourished
comfort and Save through Her Love and Intercessory
by Archangel Gabriel with Heavenly Food.
Prayers all those who turn to Her with Faith and
Devotion.
THE ENTRY
INTO THE
TEMPLE
OF THE
27
The Universal Holy Eastern Orthodox Church of God - in

Heaven and on Earth - continuously chants Hymns
that proclaim Her Holy Virtues and the ceaseless
Petitions and Fervent Prayers of the Faithful are heard
everywhere.
The Prophecy, which our Lady had announced to Her
aunt, St Elizabeth, the venerable Mother of St John the
Baptist, soon after the Annunciation, is forever
fulfilled:
Hence all generations will call Me
Blessed!
Even more than Her All Pure, Virginal Motherhood, the
Glory and Majesty of our Lady, Theotokos, is due to
Her absolute Humility and Obedience, which was
pointed out by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
In order to participate in Gods Glory, we must walk the
Narrow Path of Humility and Obedience, imitating the
All Holy Mother of God, who never boasted about
anything nor was ever proud or self-righteous, forever
being the most humble and obedient Daughter, and
longsuffering Mother of God, who for the Love and
sake of Her Only Begotten Son, took upon Herself the
heavy burdens of responsibility for the sake of
mankinds Eternal Salvation.
She was a Great Holy Martyr who had silently suffered
more than we will ever know.
She was a deeply bereaved Mother, who had patiently
endured the unjust suspicions of St Joseph the
Betrothed, who had been chosen by God as Her Holy
Protector and Guardian.
She had, no doubt, rejoiced when by the Grace and
Mercy of God, he was Enlightened with the Divine
Truth of Her Conception, by St Gabriel, the Archangel
of God.
Almost two years after the supernatural Birth of Her Son,
the Holy Family was forced to flee to Egypt, seeking
refuge from King Herods insane and murderous
persecution and slaughter of all the Holy Innocents of
that region all male infants who were two years or
younger!
She had silently watched and ceaselessly prayed, as Her
Beloved Son and Lord grew to adulthood and began
His Public Ministry the innumerable Divine Miracles
He performed, the overwhelming multitudes of sick,
ailing and curious people who flocked to hear His
Teachings of Divine Love, to receive Healings and
Comfort, which were followed by sinister insinuations,
unjust rumours and slander, threats and plots by the
self-righteous, arrogant and misguided Pharisees and
Scribes.
She had to quietly witness and contend with all these
adversities, and then, worst of all, Christs unjust and
illegal trial, torture, and crucifixion.
She and her Faithful Companions had watched and
waited as St Nicodemos and St Joseph of Arimathea
gently and reverently Unnailed our Saviour from His
Bloody Cross, gently laid Him and covered His naked,
bleeding Body with the finest linen money could buy,
and carried Him to the newly carved tomb in a
beautiful garden, befitting our Lord and King - where
He was laid to rest until His Glorious and Joyful
Resurrection.
Her motherly heart had plunged to the lowest depths of
sorrow as She witnessed everything that was so
WITH
ALL OUR
STRENGTH,
WE SERVE OUR
unjustly done to our Lord, fulfilling the Prophecy of St

Symeon so many years before, at his incredibly joyful
Meeting of our Lord at the Temple when Christ was
presented as a 40 day old Infant: ... through your
heart a double-edged Sword will pass..
Nevertheless, despite Her extreme sadness and
heartache, the Ever Virgin Mary never despaired nor
became angry.
She patiently and courageously witnessed and endured
all the persecution and sufferings of Her Beloved Son
and Lord as though they were Her own terrible
experiences, for She trusted implicitly in Gods Divine
Plan for mankind.
Her heart and soul must have soared all the way to
Heaven in Thanksgiving and Rejoicing at His Glorious
Resurrection and their Reunion, until once again, the
distress of yet another separation at His Ascension into
Heaven.
Our Ever Blessed Lady is our Most Perfect Example of how
we should entirely trust in God with all our heart and
soul and with utter Humility and Obedience to His
Divine Will at all times.
Her complete, genuine and sincere Humility and
Obedience to the Divine Will of our Loving Lord God
elevated Her to the highest level of any Heavenly
Glory being the most Honourable and more Glorious
than the Cherubim and Seraphim, the Highest
Ranking Angelic Orders!
The Entrance of the Mother of God is the Introduction of
our Eternal Salvation, which opened the Gates of
Heaven to us.
Our Beloved Lady became the Most Precious Jewel of
Heaven and our Gate or Ladder to Heaven, for - as
the Most Faithful Handmaiden of our Lord - She
suffered pain and sorrow for everything to which our
Divine Saviour submitted Himself for the sake of the
world.
For all humanity who are in distress, She is our Safe Port
and Holy Protector and Intercessor.
From this day, let us apply Her Perfect Example of
Lifestyle, Faith and Love to our own, and let us,
without question nor hesitation, turn to Her for
Intercessory Prayers to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ.
On this Great Feast Day, our Beloved, Ever Blessed and All
Holy Mother invites each and every one of us to
joyously enter the Holy Temple of God, and become
Living Temples of Her Son, our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ, by striving to acquire, with all due
Humility and Obedience, the essential Holy Virtues
the Heavenly Gems that are beyond price!
Through our Holy Life in Christ, we must honour todays
Great Feast of the Entry into the Temple of our
Beloved, All Holy, All Pure and Ever Virgin Mary,
Mother of God.
Let us hope, strive and pray to experience our own
Sacred Entrance into the Temple of Holy Virtues.
Amen.
SELFISHNESS!
HIS EMINENCE - METROPOLITAN PANTELEIMON OF ANTINOES

(DURING HIS MISSIONARY WORK IN WEST AFRICA)
- ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS
We have many powers within ourselves, yet with them we serve our selfishness.
When we indulge our selfishness, it arouses and affects our soul, which weakens and loses its control over our flesh, but
when we ignore, reject or avoid our selfish desires and demands of the flesh, we strengthen our soul and become
able to keep Vigils, pray, do our Prostrations and fulfil Fasts, Repent, Confess, etc.
Selfishness causes us to become weak and Spiritually Empty and undisciplined.
This is clearly evident with those who are sick or suffer from psychological ailments, while those who are active - in
their community, in their lifestyle, at home or at work, with family and friends, fulfilling all their Sacred
Commitments to God and others - enjoy a healthy Spiritual State.
However, when we are self-indulgent we soon neglect our Life in Christ, and are seized by a variety of symptoms of
spiritual or even physical sickness, and will lack Spiritual Strength and Commitment.
We will think that we have suffered a contagious infection or disease, but in Truth we are sapped both physically and
spiritually by self-indulgent passions that draw us away from God, into a state of Spiritual Death.
We lose all our desire to serve God, and become overwhelmed by an increasing sense of hopelessness and laziness.
We need to gather ourselves for a great Spiritual Battle in order to humble ourselves and acknowledge our Spiritual
Ailments, which is only possible with a Spiritual Father or Teacher to guide us, for we cannot accomplish any
Spiritual Warfare on our own!
If we are under the Obedience of our Spiritual Father or Teacher, we will be able to be delivered from our pride and
self indulgence that causes us great harm and Spiritual Infirmity, and Live in Christ as we should.
28.
ENTRANCE
INTO THE
TEMPLE
OF THE

unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady,
Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
25 November 2016
Apodosis of the Entry into the Temple
St Catherine , Great Holy Virgin Martyr of Alexandria
Also the Feast of St Mercury the Great Holy Martyr - St Clement of Rome St Peter of Alexandria
St Peter of Galatia St Clement of Ochrid & Enlightener of the Bulgarians
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ENTRANCE
Simeron
GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR
THE
ALEXANDRIA
All Blessed Bride of Christ, let us extol in song:

Catherine the Holy and Protector of Sinai, our
assistance and unfailing firm Support; for she
brilliantly muzzled the ungodly, clever men, by the
Power of the Spirit, and now, as a Crowned Martyr, she
pleads for the Great Mercy for us all.
OF THE

OF
The
Panevfimon Nimfin Hristou imnisomen, Aikaterinan

tin Thian ke Poliouhon Sina, tin voithian imon ke
antilipsin; oti efimose lambros, tous kompsous ton
asevon, tou Pnevmatos ti dinami; ke nin os Martis
stefthisa, etite pasi to Mega Eleos.
TONE 4
is the prelude of Gods Good Pleasure, and the

Proclamation of Humanitys Salvation. In the Temple of
God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in Herself She
announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a Great Voice
cry aloud to Her: Rejoice! O Thou who art the Fulfilment
of the Creators Dispensation!
Tin
SEASONAL KONTAKION
VIRGIN MARY
Today
tis Evdokias Theou to proimion, ke tis ton

anthropon Sotirias i prokirixis. En Nao tou Theou
tranos i Parthenos diknite, ke ton Hriston tis pasi
prokatangellete. Afti ke imis megalofonos voisomen.
Here! Tis Ikonomias tou Ktistou i Ekplirosis!
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST CATHERINE
OF
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
The Most Pure Temple of our Saviour, the Precious Bridal

Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of God, today
enters the House of the Lord, bringing the Grace of the
Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the
Heavenly Tabernacle.
PROKEIMENON PSALM 67 TONE 4
God is Wonderful in His Saints! In the Congregations Bless God!

THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
THE INCREDIBLE FAITH
TO THE
OF THE
GALATIANS 3 : 23 4 : 5
ANCIENT, OLD COVENANT BELIEVERS
Brethren: before Faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law kept for the Faith, which would afterward be
revealed.
Therefore, the Law was our Tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be Justified by Faith. After Faith has come, we are
no longer under a Tutor. You are all Sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were Baptised
into Christ, have put on Christ.
There is neither Judean nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female. You are all one in
Christ Jesus. If you are Christs then you are Abrahams Seed, and Heirs according to the Promise. I say that the Heir
as long as he is a child does not differ at all from a slave, although he is Master of all, but is under Guardians
and Stewards until the appointed time appointed by the Father.
Even so, we when we were children were in bondage under the elements of the world. When the fullness of time
had come, God sent forth His Son - Born of a Woman, Born under the Law to Redeem those who were under the
Law, that we might receive Adoption as Sons.
The term Faith IN should be translated as Faith OF.
Therefore, VALUING, RATING OR JUDGING OTHERS based on
Two Faith are co-operating:
Ethnicity or personal opinion (neither Judean nor
1. Christs Faith
Greek), pride and social status (neither slave nor free)
2. The Faith of those who believe
or gender (neither male nor female) HAS EMPHATICALLY
Although THE BELIEVERS OF THE OLD COVENANT certainly had
NO PLACE IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST!
Faith, they COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN CHRISTS FAITH the
WE ARE ALL ONE IN OUR HUMAN NATURE AND WE ARE ALL EQUAL
New Covenant for He had not Appeared in their
IN DIGNITY.
midst as He did much later.
The term child does not refer to biological age but to
St Paul directly related SAVING FAITH AND BEING BAPTISED by
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AND HIS HOLY THINGS.
connecting them as THE MOST INTIMATE, INTER-TWINED
Guardians and Stewards i.e. OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS
SACRED ASPECTS.
BISHOPS, PRIESTS, CONFESSORS AND TEACHERS provide us
Verse 27: For as many of you as were Baptised, have
with the special Discipline, Guidance and Protection
put on Christ, is THE ANCIENT HYMN that has always
that is necessary for our Spiritual Growth and Welfare.
been CHANTED DURING THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM at
The Elements of the world refer to THE PHILOSOPHIES,
the Procession of the Newly Regenerated/Illumined
CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS DEVELOPED BY MANKIND WITHOUT
into the Assembly i.e. the one who is Newly Baptised,
REGARD TO ALMIGHTY GOD. (COLOSSIANS2:8)
Chrismated, Illuminated and Regenerated enters the
Son is a reference to OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD WHO IS
Congregation of the Holy Church in a joyful
DIVINE BY NATURE, BEING THE ETERNAL, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
Procession, with the Priest leading the Way.
OF GOD THE FATHER.
WE SHARE ONE HUMAN NATURE WITH AND IN OUR LORD JESUS

CHRIST.
THE APODOSIS
OF THE
ENTRY - ST CATHERINE
THE
However, NOT ONLY IS OUR LORD THE SON OF GOD, (HIS DIVINE
NATURE) BUT HE IS ALSO THE SON OF MAN, FOR HE BECAME
INCARNATE (HIS HUMAN NATURE) through the flesh, bone
GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR
OF
ALEXANDRIA 25 NOVEMBER 2016
29
and blood of our Ever Blessed Lady, Theotokos who

quite rightly is entitled Mother of God.
Her Son and God was Born of a Woman as well as being
Born under the Law so that He could grow up and
live amongst us and Redeem first those who lived
under the Law i.e. the Nation of Israel and then
all mankind who did not live according to the Mosaic
Law of the Old Covenant.
FROM HIS BIRTH, OUR LORD FULFILLED THE OLD COVENANT LAW
by being Circumcised on the Eighth Day after His
Birth.
He was also Presented at the Great Temple in Jerusalem
where all First Born sons were dedicated to God, as
well as other children sons and daughters - who had
been granted to grateful parents by God.
(Many parents must have prayed for a very long time, promising the
dedication of their longed-for children to Almighty God in
Thanksgiving, because infertility was seen as a silent
condemnation or punishment for secret sins and the unhappy
couples were often ostracised by society and even the Priests!)
God Redeemed ... those who were under the Law... to
fulfil HIS DIVINE PROMISE TO THE ANCIENT PATRIARCH,
ABRAHAM.
Nevertheless, GOD OWES MANKIND NOTHING AT ALL and He
certainly does not owe us Eternal Salvation!
Everything that our Benevolent, Providential and Merciful
Lord God grants us is due to His infinite Love for us.
Although our Lord is the Son of God by His Divine Nature,
we human beings become Sons of God by Adoption
which occurs DURING THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM.
NO HUMAN BEING CAN EVER BECOME A MEMBER OF THE DIVINE

GODHEAD THE HOLY TRINITY FOR WE ARE FOREVER
HUMAN BEINGS CREATURES OF GOD WHO ARE CREATED IN
HIS LIKENESS AND IMAGE.
ONLY BY DIVINE GRACE DO WE BECOME MEMBERS OF GODS
HEAVENLY, HOLY FAMILY THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM AND
CHRISMATION whereby it becomes possible for us
regain our lost Likeness to Christ and become fully
Restored to the state in which He originally created us
in Paradise.
THROUGH OUR HOLY ADOPTION, WE BECOME CO-HEIRS WITH
CHRIST OF GOD THE FATHERS HEAVENLY KINGDOM and
because we are thereby granted New Life in Christ, it
is referred to as a Rebirth or Regeneration for we
thereby Restored to our original state of humanity.
FOR THAT VERY REASON AND BECAUSE WE ARE HABITUALLY SINFUL,
WE MUST CEASELESSLY REPENT our sins and Struggle
without fail against all temptations, so that we
actually can make good Spiritual Progress and
Development.
Thus, having been Saved by our Baptism and
Chrismation, WE ARE BEING SAVED THROUGH REGULAR
PARTICIPATION IN THE NECESSARY HOLY MYSTERIES AND A
PROPER LIFE IN CHRIST.
Each time we fall into Spiritual Death through our sins, WE
NEED TO REPENT-CONFESS IN ORDER TO RECOVER OUR
SPIRITUAL LIFE AND TO CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY towards
Eternity until we are finally Saved Forever!
TO
ST MARK 5 : 24 34
ST VERONICAS HEALING ENCOUNTER
WITH
CHRIST
At that time, many people followed our Lord Jesus, and thronged Him. And a certain Woman had a flow of blood for
twelve years, and had suffered many things from many Physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no
better, but rather grew worse.
Hearing about Jesus, she went behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. She said: If only I may touch His
clothes, I shall be made well. And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt it in her body,
for she was Healed of the affliction.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that Power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said:
Who touched My clothes? And His Disciples said to Him: Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and Thou say:
Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
The Woman, fearing and trembling -knowing what had happened to her - went and fell down before Him and told
Him the whole Truth. And He said to her: Daughter, Thy Faith has made Thee well. Go in Peace, and be Healed
of Thine affliction.
AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH IS BY THE WILL OF GOD Although on His way to save the daughter of Jairus a
ruler of the Synagogue OUR LORD JESUS TOOK HIS
ALONE AND BEING OF THE SAME DIVINE ESSENCE AS GOD
TIME
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEALED WOMAN AND TO TEACH
THE FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST POSSESSES THAT
BOTH HER AND ALL THOSE WHO WITNESSED IT HIS DIVINE
SAME DIVINE AUTHORITY.
TRUTH:
THE HEALING OF THAT WOMAN, ST VERONICA, DEMONSTRATED First He granted her Good cheer because of THE PROOF
OUR LORD JESUS POWER TO CLEANSE US FROM OUR SINS
AND CONSEQUENCES OF HER SINCERE FAITH.
AND TO HEAL ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS THE SPIRITUAL AND
Then He corrected her thinking for SHE COULD NEITHER HIDE
THE PHYSICAL.
HER ACTIONS FROM HIM FROM GOD NOR WAS SHE
According to the Old Covenant Laws, any type of
EXCLUDED FROM HIM BECAUSE OF HER AFFLICTION.
haemorrhaging caused ceremonial defilement,
And finally, HE REVEALED HER FAITH PUBLICALLY SO THAT THE
which imposed religious and social restrictions upon
WITNESSES MIGHT FOLLOW HER GOOD EXAMPLE.
the sufferers for ANY CONTACT WITH BLOOD WAS STRICTLY
Our Holy Church Fathers believed that St Veronica
PROHIBITED AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.
symbolises human nature in general because ALL
This wretched suffering woman regarded herself as
HUMANITY CONSTANTLY SUFFERS AND IS SUBJECT TO DEATH,
being unclean and had followed all the
WHICH WAS SYMBOLISED BY HER HAEMORRHAGING.
requirements as a social outcast but SHE HAD REACHED
The Physicians who could not heal her symbolise the
SUCH A DEGREE OF MISERY AND DESPERATION THAT SHE RISKED
various religions of the world, AS WELL AS THE OLD
FURTHER SHAME AND HUMILIATION IN THE CONVICTION THAT
COVENANT LAW, WHICH ARE UNABLE TO GRANT LIFE TO
ONLY CHRIST COULD HEAL HER.
HUMANITY THEY CANNOT SAVE US
It was a risk that she was willing to take after all what

ONLY GOD CAN SAVE OR REDEEM US! ONLY THROUGH OUR
more could she lose? People had already taken
LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, ARE WE GENUINELY
everything she had, but now GOD WOULD GRANT HER
FREED FROM SUFFERING AND BONDAGE TO SIN!
WHAT SHE REALLY NEEDED!
EVERYTHING THAT IS TOUCHED BY GOD BECOMES SANCTIFIED

HOLY AND WILL PASS THAT SANCTIFICATION ONTO THE
FAITHFUL.
So THE INSTANT ST VERONICA SOFTLY TOUCHED THE ROBES OF
CHRIST SHE WAS HEALED AND GOD KNEW HER SINCERE
FAITH IN HIM.
DIVINE
ENERGY OR POWER WENT FROM CHRIST TO ST

VERONICA AND HE WANTED HER TO OPENLY
ACKNOWLEDGE HER FAITH IN HIM SO THAT OTHERS WOULD
LEARN FROM HER AND GLORIFY GOD.
Therefore He loudly enquired Who touched My
garment? which astonished His Disciples since the
large crowd shoved and pushed one another to get
closer to Christ and many would have brushed
against Him or certainly touched His garments.
30.
THE APODOSIS
OF THE
ENTRY - ST CATHERINE
THE
ST SERAPHIM
OF
SAROV:
When we receive something from God within us, our hear

feels great happiness. When, on the contrary, we
receive something from our Enemy, then our heart
feels confused and upset.
ST THADDEUS (STRAVULOVICH)
OF
VITOVNICA:
Those to whom we give our heart, can harm us or

abandon us. Evil spirits send us continuously terrible
thoughts to our loving intentions, and thereby they
torture and disturb us.
Gods Divine Love, though, is infinite and includes
everything. However, we are hooked on people and
material things.
Our heart is imprisoned and
enslaved by those material, worldly things and when
they are taken from us, we become unhappy and we
suffer.
GREAT VIRGIN MARTYR
OF
ALEXANDRIA 25 NOVEMBER 2016

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

27 November 2016
23rd Sunday After Pentecost
th
13 Sunday of St Luke Rich Young Ruler & Eternal Life
Also the Feast of ST JAMES, GREAT HOLY MARTYR OF PERSIA St Palladios of Thessalonica St
Gabriel of Pskov (Holy Relics) 17 Monkmartyrs of India St Diodoros, Abbot of Yuriev Monastery, Solovki St
Theodosios of Trnovo St Romanos of Antioch
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 ST JAMES
OF
PERSIA - TONE 4
O Martys Sou Kyrie, en ti Athlisi aftou, to stefos ekomisato Thy
Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by Thee the

Crown of Incorruption, in that he Contested for thou
our Immortal God. Since he possessed Thy Power, he
defeated the tyrants, dashing the demons powerless
displays of defiance. O Christ God, at his fervent
Entreaties, Save our soul.
tis aftharsias ek Sou tou Theou imon. Ehon gar tin

Ishin Sou, tous tyrannous kathilen.
Ethrafse ke
demonon, ta anishira thrasi, aftou tes ikesies Hriste,
Soson tas psihas imon.
THE
NATIVITY
OF
CHRIST
TONE
I Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo erhete, On this day the Virgin goes to the Grotto to give Birth to
apotekin aporritos. Horeve i ikoumeni akoutisthisa,
Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon, voulithenta
epofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon Theon.
the Pre-eternal Word in an ineffable manner. Dance for

Joy, all the inhabited Earth, on hearing. Glorify along
with Angels and with the Shepherds Him Who willed
that He appear as Newborn Child, the Pre-eternal God.
RESURRECTION PROKEIMENON PSALM 27/28- TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Save, O Lord, Thy People and Bless Thine Inheritance!

To Thee, O Lord, I cry, O My God! May Thou not pass over me in silence!
THE EPISTLE
OF
ST PAUL
TO THE
EPHESIANS 2 : 4 - 10
Brethren: God, Who is rich in Mercy, out of the Great Love with which He Loves us, even when we were dead through
our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by Grace Thou hast been Saved - and Raised us up with Him,
and made us sit with Him in the Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, that in the Coming Ages He might show the
Immeasurable Riches of His Grace in Kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by Grace Thou hast been Saved through Faith; and this is not Thine own doing - the Gift of God - not because of
Works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for Good Works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
TWO UNEQUAL KINGDOMS ARE AT WAR.
He is GOD THE FATHER WHOSE HOLY REALM IS THE HEAVENLY
Each is spiritual in nature and each stamps its image on
PLACES, WHICH HE RULES BY HIS GREAT MERCY AND INFINITE
LOVE.
its subjects and requires strict obedience.
Yet THEY ARE COMPLETE OPPOSITES.
The beginning of Gods Holy Rule is our Redemption to
The ruler of the lesser kingdom is a CREATED being
Eternal Life and the desires of HIS FAITHFUL, PIOUS AND
Satan, whose domain is of the air for he belongs
DEVOUT
PEOPLE
ARE
FREELY,
JOYOUSLY
OFFERING
neither to Heaven not to Earth (having been expelled
THANKSGIVING AND GLORY TO GOD.
and banished from the Heavenly Kingdom of Love,
Their deeds are Righteous, which is proper to those who
Peace and Joy in God).
will reign with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He is the inventor of disobedience and Spiritual Rebellion
The result of His Divine, Loving and Blessed Rule is
against God i.e. sin, which leads to suffering,
Exceeding Riches and Kindness, which grants us
torment and Death.
the PEACE, JOY AND BLISS OF ETERNAL LIFE IN HIS HEAVENLY
The beginning of his domination is Spiritual Death - each
KINGDOM OF LOVE AND ALL GOOD THINGS.
The only manner whereby we can escape from our fallen
sin we commit causes us to fall into a state of Spiritual
Death. The desires of his enslaved subjects are lustful
state and the enslaving imprisonment of the evil one
of the weakness of the flesh and of the mind, which
is by our sincere Repentance and an eagerness to be
are wicked trespasses against God and our
with God Who has given us everything essential to our
neighbours.
Spiritual Redemption: the Unity of Divine Grace, Faith
The ultimate result of the evil ones domination and
and Good Works compelled by Love i.e.
enslavement is Wrath and Eternal Condemnation that
unconditional, Holy Love (Agape).
causes our Eternal Alienation from God and all His
These conditions of our Redemption are not equal, for
Blessed Goodness.
DIVINE GRACE IS UNCREATED AND INFINITE, while OUR FAITH
THE GLORIOUS, LOVING AND BENEVOLENT KING OF THE OTHER,
IS LIMITED BUT WHICH CAN GROW EVER STRONGER THROUGH
ETERNAL, HEAVENLY KINGDOM IS UNCREATED.
THE CORRECT SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE AND NURTURING.
23RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 13TH
OF
ST LUKE GAINING
OF
ETERNAL LIFE - 27 NOVEMBER
2016
31.
Good Works are compelled by and flow forth from

authentic Faith and Love of God.
Good Works alone or done with the wrong attitude or
purpose will not gain us any Eternal Spiritual Benefits
Heavenly Treasure.
Divine Grace, which enables and compels us to do
everything God Calls us to do, is His Free Gift and
cannot be bought, stolen or taken away from us
(except by God when we fall from His Grace through

our unrepented sins.)
Those who are Blessed by Divine Grace will only want to
do Good Deeds and everything that is pleasing to the
Lord our God.
We are not Saved by Good Works rather we are Saved
FOR GOOD WORKS.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 18 : 18 28

THE RICH YOUNG RULER & ETERNAL LIFE
At that time, a certain man asked our Lord Jesus, saying: Good Teacher: what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life?
Jesus said to him: Why dost thou call Me Good? No one is Good except God. Thou knowest the Commandments:
Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; Honour thy Father and thy
Mother... He said: All these I have kept from my youth.
Hearing these things, Jesus said to him: Thou still lack one thing: sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor,
and thou will have Treasure in Heaven, and come, follow Me. When he heard that, he became very sorrowful being very rich.
Seeing how sorrowful he was, Jesus said: How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!
For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.
Those who heard, said: So who can be Saved? He said: Things that are impossible for mankind are possible for
God.
THE UNIDENTIFIED RICH YOUNG RULER DID NOT APPROACH OUR
prevented him from fulfilling his essential Spiritual
LORD JESUS IN ORDER TO TEST HIM as so many other
Potential and might even have caused him to neglect
educated men tried to do in order to show how clever
his Sacred Duties to God and his fellow mankind.
they thought they were or to lure Him into committing
BY RIDDING HIMSELF OF HIS WORLDLY POSSESSIONS HE WOULD HAVE
BEEN SET FREE FROM THEIR ENSLAVING BURDEN AND
something blasphemous with which they could
justifiably accuse Him and thus destroy Him.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND HE WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED THE
HE SINCERELY SOUGHT OUR LORDS ENLIGHTENMENT CONCERNING
TRUE JOY OF GIVING GENEROUSLY AND FREELY TO OTHERS LESS
ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE HE REGARDED HIM AS BEING A VERY
BLESSED.
GOOD TEACHER, WHO POSSESSED PROFOUND WISDOM AND
St John Chrysostom believed that the giving away of the
SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE not because he acknowledged
Young Rulers vast earthly possessions was the least of
our Lords Instructions because THE ABILITY AND THE
Him as the long-awaited Messiah.
OUR LORD JESUS IS OUR MOST SUPREME TEACHER WHO
WILLINGNESS TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN ALL THINGS IS A FAR
GREATER AND MORE DIFFICULT CALLING.
IMMEDIATELY CORRECTS OUR ERRORS AND SETS US ON THE
RIGHT PATH TO SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE.
OUR LORD OFTEN USED EXTREME EXAMPLES IN ORDER TO EMPHASISE
So, knowing how the young man perceived Him as
A SPECIFIC POINT OF HIS SACRED LESSONS.
merely another ordinary human being who was a
Various interpretations have been suggested for THE
wise and erudite Teacher of Divine Things and
IMPOSSIBILITY OF A CAMEL PASSING THROUGH THE EYE OF A
before answering the Young Rulers question, our Lord
NEEDLE.
Jesus pointed out the Truth that NO HUMAN BEING IS
Some believe that instead of a camel passing
through the eye of a fine sewing needle, it was the
PERFECT AND ABSOLUTELY GOOD - ONLY GOD IS.
impossibility of a thick rope being threaded
This initial response to the Young Rulers question did not
deny the fact that Christ is indeed God Himself and
through the eye of a needle.
therefore certainly Good, but was specifically to lead
The Talmud used the word elephant instead of
him to this Knowledge and Truth.
camel. another gross exaggeration to
emphasise a significant point.
FORMAL OBSERVANCE OF THE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS OR
Others regarded it as reference to heavily laden
OTHER SPIRITUALLY EMPTY GESTURES DO NOT MAKE ANY OF
camels or beasts of burden that had to be
US RIGHTEOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
unloaded and then squeezed through the small
Although the Young Man had an earnest and sincere
pedestrian gate that was usually set into the great,
desire for Eternal Life, HE REALISED THAT HE LACKED
protective doors of the ancient cities.
SOMETHING ESSENTIAL BESIDES HAVING FAITHFULLY KEPT ALL
This
explanation
reminds us that UNLESS WE UNBURDEN
THE HOLY COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, so he persisted in his
OURSELVES OF OUR EARTHLY GOODS AND CHATTELS, WE CANNOT
search for Spiritual Enlightenment.
ENTER THE NARROW GATE OF GODS ETERNAL KINGDOM!
In order for anyone TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY PERFECT to
Whatever the case might have been simple or more
achieve Theosis or to regain our lost Divine
obscure IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE WHO IS MORE
Likeness - WE MUST BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE ANYTHING
AND EVERYTHING IN ORDER TO FAITHFULLY AND CORRECTLY
FOLLOW CHRIST TO GO WHEREVER HE LEADS US.
NOTHING TRULY WORTHY IS GAINED UNLESS WE OFFER OUR
SACRIFICES FREELY AND EAGERLY.
ONCE WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUE PURPOSE OF THIS
SHORT LIFESPAN - the preparatory period before
Eternity - and the significance of Eternity, WE WILL
CERTAINLY BE MOTIVATED TO FULFIL EVERYTHING THAT IS
REQUIRED OF US WITHOUT COMPLAINT AND WITH
CONFIDENT COMMITMENT.
OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TOWARDS ETERNITY IS NOT A SOLO TRIP,
for all humanity throughout the ages is heading in the

same direction whether we are Believers or not!
However, WE WILL MAKE VERY LITTLE IF ANY SPIRITUAL PROGRESS
UNLESS WE ARE GUIDED, TAUGHT, ENCOURAGED AND ASSISTED
BY GOD AND OUR HOLY SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND TEACHERS, AS
WELL AS OUR FELLOW PILGRIMS.
EACH HUMAN BEING IS UNIQUE SO CHRIST DOES NOT ASK EVERYONE
TO MAKE THE SAME TYPE OF SACRIFICE BEFORE FOLLOWING
HIM.
HE KNOWS OUR HEARTS AND MINDS FAR BETTER THAN US and He
knew that THE YOUNG RULER WAS FAR TOO ATTACHED TO AND
CONCERNED WITH HIS MATERIAL POSSESSIONS, which
32.
OF
CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR WORLDLY GOODS THAN THEIR

SPIRITUAL WELFARE AND HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN ALL
THINGS, TO RECEIVE SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE IN GODS
HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF LOVE, PEACE AND JOY.
Sadly, most of us so concerned with material things that

are
merely
temporary,
destructible
and
disappointing, that we completely ignore and neglect
our Sacred Duties.
Furthermore, NONE OF THESE EARTHLY MATERIAL POSSESSIONS
CONTRIBUTES TO OUR ETERNAL SALVATION UNLESS THEY ARE
CORRECTLY PUT TO USE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR LOVE OF GOD
AND OUR FELLOW SINNERS.
Nevertheless, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE during this preparatory
period TO TURN TO GOD AND MAKE UP FOR THE PRECIOUS TIME
WE HAVE LOST, BY REPENTING OUR SINS AND STRIVING EACH
MOMENT OF THE DAY FOR A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
THROUGH FAITHFUL
WORSHIP,
PRAYER, FASTING AND
EVERYTHING THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION.
Although we realise what a difficult and almost
impossible Journey we must endure, we may rest
ASSURED IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WITH GOD EVERYTHING IS
INDEED POSSIBLE!
ST LUKE GAINING
OF
2016
OF
ST LUKE THE RICH YOUNG RULER & ETERNAL LIFE
...what shall I do, to inherit Eternal Life?

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Scripture there are three different types of
Holy Spirit...
Death:
Beloved Brethren: There is the most important, Spiritually
1. BODILY OR BIOLOGICAL DEATH is THE SEPARATION OF OUR
IMMORTAL SOUL FROM OUR CORRUPTIBLE BODY, which is
Vital question that has, and will and shall arise, which
troubles every human being of every generation,
caused by the cessation or non-functioning of our
throughout time and until the end of days: ...what
biological organs.
shall I do, to inherit Eternal Life?
2. SPIRITUAL DEATH occurs WHENEVER WE FALL INTO SIN, refuse
This question, from the time of mankinds creation, is
to Repent or fulfil Sacred Duties and Good Deeds,
contemplated by every intellectual soul for IT
or reject a Virtuous Life. It occurs when we refuse
to
beseech
Divine
Forgiveness
for
our
CONCERNS OUR ETERNAL SALVATION AND LIFE THAT BEGINS
innumerable sins against God, against our
HERE AND NOW!
GOD CREATED US AS IMMORTAL BEINGS who would not die,
neighbours, and against ourselves. Our soul is
which would have been realised IF WE HAD OBEYED
depressed and becomes cold and paralyzed GODS ONE COMMANDMENT. (GENESIS 2: 16 17)
unable to resist wicked temptations or the
By keeping that One Commandment, WE WOULD HAVE
passionate,
grievous
sins,
thus
alienating
PROVEN THAT WE ARE WORTHY OF GODS LOVE and all the
ourselves from Divine Goodness.
3. ETERNAL DEATH is A PERMANENT, UNCHANGEABLE AND
Divine Gifts that were bestowed so freely and
after this
generously upon us.
IRREVOCABLE ETERNAL CONDEMNATION
However, BECAUSE OF SATANS OBSESSIVE HATRED AND ENVY OF
preparatory, earthly life. It is the Eternal
MANKIND whom God had created through His Divine
Separation, Exile, Alienation from participation in
Love, HE USED OUR INNOCENT WEAKNESSES AGAINST US
the Love, Peace, Grace and Glory of the Holy
CAUSING US TO DISOBEY GOD AND SURRENDER TO OUR DESIRE
Trinity. Eternal Death is, as Christ explained,
TO TASTE THE DELICIOUS, TEMPTING FORBIDDEN FRUIT AND
...Outer Darkness... the absolute absence of
THEREBY FALL FROM GODS GRACE.
Divine Light, Life and Love!
THROUGH OUR VOLUNTARY DISOBEDIENCE, NOT ONLY WERE WE
Amongst the three types of Death, the third is the worst,
AND OUR PRECIOUS, CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LOVING
because, IF WE DIE IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH, without
LORD GOD - DAMAGED, BUT ALL OUR SUBSEQUENT
the antidote of Repentance and Holy Confession,
DESCENDANTS AS WELL! (Having surrendered to temptation, we
without having received Holy Communion, without
lost Paradise and all Gods Abundant Joy, Peace and Beauty.)
having realized nor acknowledged our personal
CONSEQUENTLY, WE WERE BANISHED FROM PARADISE and HAVING
sinfulness and unworthiness, then, WE WILL REMAIN IN
LOST OUR HOLY LIKENESS TO GOD, WE ARE FORCED TO LABOUR,
ETERNAL DEATH, for stubborn UNREPENTANCE PREVENTS
FIGHT AND STRUGGLE EVERY DAY TO SURVIVE having to
GODS LOVE TO FORGIVE US SINNERS!
contend with and endure temptations, exhaustion,
ANY DISOBEDIENCE OF GODS COMMANDMENTS AND
pain, suffering, and sickness as well as physical and
TEACHINGS IS SINFUL. Whether small or great sins,
Spiritual Death, which is our ultimate Reality! (This is
every sin soils and distorts our soul.
our fallen human condition.)
A Bride would not attend her Wedding wearing a filthy
WE MUST NOW STRIVE CEASELESSLY TO RESTORE OR RECEIVE THE
wedding dress, neither would the invited guests
DIVINE GIFTS AND BLESSINGS THAT WE LOST.
attend the festivities without the proper clothes.
Similarly, WE CANNOT ENTER GODS KINGDOM, IF WE HAVE NOT
Furthermore, WE MUST ESPECIALLY SEEK EVERY MEANS AND
OPPORTUNITY GRANTED TO US SO GENEROUSLY BY OUR LOVING
CLEANSED OURSELVES FROM THE FILTHY STAINS OF OUR
AND PROVIDENTIAL GOD - TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE, FOR
WICKEDNESS.
WHICH GOD HAS CREATED US.
Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, repeatedly exhorts us
We have to now LABOUR WITH CONCERTED EFFORT, TO ACQUIRE
to ...Keep the Commandments..! (MATTHEW 19:17)
ENTRY INTO OUR LOST PARADISE, BY OBEYING AND FULFILLING
In addition our Lord assured us: ...If anyone Loves
ALL THE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS.
Me, he will keep My Word. (JOHN 14:23)
As we heard today, this utterly significant question was
Thus, for everyone who truly Loves our Lord God, and
obeys all His Commandments and all His Teachings,
presented to our Lord Jesus Christ by ...a certain
man.... according to the Holy Gospel of St Luke. (St
shall certainly and worthily - inherit Gods Eternal
Matthew mentioned him as being a rich young Ruler... i.e. of
Kingdom of Love.
a Synagogue.)
OUR LOVING AND BENEVOLENT LORD WANTS ALL MANKIND TO BE
Our Lord answered him just as He would answer us
SAVED. He does not want anyone of us wretched
today, by URGING AND ENCOURAGING US TO OBEY HIS DIVINE
sinners to perish to be exiled to the Outer Darkness.
COMMANDMENTS AND TO STRIVE TO FULFIL EVERYTHING HE HAS
Our Almighty, Triune God of Love wants every human
TAUGHT US!
being to RETURN TO PARADISE AND TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN
There is no other way to inherit the Eternal Kingdom of
ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH BEGINS NOW, HERE, ON EARTH!
God!
God wants His Holy Creation to be VESTED WITH ETERNAL
The disobedience of the first-created Adam brought
GLORY AND MAJESTY, WHICH HE HAS PREPARED FOR US EVEN
suffering and Death upon us, while, DUE TO THE GRACE
BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
AND LOVE OF GOD, OUR VOLUNTARY, CONTINUOUS AND
Eternal Life and the Heavenly Kingdom of Divine Love
DETERMINED OBEDIENCE TO THE SECOND ADAM OUR LORD
awaits each and every one of us.
AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, GRANTS US ETERNAL LIFE IN THE
However, OUR DETERMINED, STEADFAST FULFILMENT OF GODS
RE-OPENED PARADISE!
COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS IS THE ONLY WAY TO
St Paul taught us: ... through one man (Adam) sin
INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE no matter whether we are young
entered into the world, and through sin, Death
or aged, rich or poor, educated or illiterate.
ruled, because we all sinned... (ROMANS. 5:12)
This is THE EXCLUSIVE, DIVINELY PRESCRIBED PATH OF OUR
Sin, therefore, became the reason for our death, for
ETERNAL SALVATION.
...the fruit of sin is death. (ROMANS 6:23)
The choice is ours! And THE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES WILL
According to our Holy Church Fathers, SIN IS THE DEATH OF
DEPEND ON THE CHOICES WE MAKE NOW, in this temporary,
THE SOUL, FOR THE LIFE-GIVING GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
short, preparatory period before Eternity!
DEPARTS. (God and all His Goodness and Blessings cannot
Renouncement of Gods Commandments result in Eternal
remain in the presence of our wilful sins. Thus we suffer a state
Death, while BY STRIVING PERSISTENTLY TO FULFIL AND OBEY
of self-imposed Spiritual Death - an absence of God and His
THEM, GRANTS US VICTORIOUS, JOYFUL ETERNAL LIFE, WITH
Goodness, Light and Grace.)
ALL THE DIVINE BLESSINGS, GRACE, PEACE AND LOVE!!
WITHOUT THE GRACE OF GOD, OUR SOUL BECOMES ILL, WEAK AND
Let us encourage and urge one another with Love to
FINALLY DIES, having become enslaved by the tyranny
walk with Faith and Hope by keeping our Lord Gods
of DEATH!
Divine Commandments and Teachings, in order to
The meaning of Death is as equally significant as the
inherit Eternal Life.
meaning of Life.
Science cannot provide us with a full and satisfying
HIS EMINENCE, PANTELEIMON, (LAMPADARIOS) METROPOLITAN OF ANTINOES
explanation, while, according to the Teachings of
HTTP://WWW.ORTHODOXPATH.ORG/
OF
ST LUKE GAINING
OF
2016
33.
ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY ILLUMINATION - FACING
After a long and arduous Struggle to tame the passions,

we receive the Gift of Contemplation to seek the Truth
in all of God's Creation.
Along this Path we continually sense God's Presence, but
we eventually arrive at the realisation that we cannot
Know God.
We recognize our limited mental ability to grasp Truth.
We yearn for Union with Him and to be United with His
Divine Light, but, our attempts to understand Him
elude us.
We begin to think in terms of what God is not, developing
what is called an Apophatic Sense.
We begin to sense that there is an alternative Path to a
fuller Knowledge of God that goes beyond our mental
concepts we have trusted so far.
This alternative is what Theologians have described as
Apophaticism.
Father
Dimitru Staniloae explains:
...After the
Knowledge, by the intermediacy of nature, of the
Divine Logoi and Energies, the Knowledge of the
Divine revealed Energies follows.
Of course, the Knowledge of these Energies is
accompanied especially in the second case, by
Apophaticism.
Furthermore, the Knowledge of the Energies enveloped
in nature is accompanied by the consciousness of
the Unknowability of the Divinely Revealed Energies;
and the Knowledge of them goes together with the
consciousness of the Absolute Incomprehensibility
of the Divine Nature.
This Apophaticism is present at the same time as
Knowledge, or alternatively, on both steps, but is
more accentuated on the second...
Having personally contemplated the Truth of God as
found in His Creation, we sense this gap between
what we can know and what there is to know.
We are left with a Divine "Feeling" that we do not really
understand.
We feel as if we cannot fully know the Truth about that
which we observe.
Occasionally we may momentarily let go of our mental
concepts, and this feeling intensifies, but, almost
instantly, we snap back as though afraid of losing
Reality.
It feels like a temporary loss of consciousness.
THE
ABYSS -FATHER DIMITRU STANISLOA
It appears as a Void, a Silence, a Great Abyss, one we

are not quite ready to master.
It seems as though everything will be negated, so we
react and withdraw to a more comfortable place, and
we realize we are not yet prepared for this next step.
Father Dimitru describes this condition where we begin to
feel the unexplainable Divine Energies as the first step
of Apophaticism: ... The moment we leave behind
every consideration of concepts taken from nature
and every preoccupation even to negate them when
we therefore also raise ourselves beyond negation,
as an intellectual operation, and beyond some
Apophatic feeling of them, we enter a state of
Silence produced by Prayer...
This is a critical Transition in our Spiritual Growth.
We may experience a Void, Silence, Darkness, a state of
intense Prayer or a total Quietness of our mind.
To progress we have to totally surrender to God and enter
into this unknown Area.
We must face the Abyss, which is a total surrender of our
ego-centredness, of the control that our mind uses
based on worldly concepts.
Father Dimitru commented: ...The mind reaches the
Abyss, which separates its knowledge from God, but
it is still here on the human side.
But carried off by God, it goes over there, to the Vision
of the Divine Light...
There is a large Spiritual Chasm we need to cross and our
Faith must be total to cross it.
On the other side is the Divine Light and the Union with
God we seek.
Father Dimitru believes: ...Certainly the Vision of the
Divine Light is also accompanied by an
Apophaticism, which we could call the Third Step.
But it is no longer an Apophaticism in the sense of a
Void, as in previous Steps.
First it consists of the consciousness of the one who
sees it - that it cannot be contained in concepts and
expressed in words.
Secondly, that beyond it is the Divine Being, Who
remains totally inaccessible.
But it has a positive content of Knowledge - higher
than Knowledge of Apophatic Knowledge, a feeling
of Higher Experience and of natural feeling.... the
Vision of the Light means that it has carried the
mind across the Abyss that separates us and God...
THE ETERNAL, INSPIRED WISDOM OF OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS

ST PAISIOS THE NEW OF MOUNT ATHOS
Someone told St Paisios the Hagiorite that he shines as

though he is gold! The Holy Elder replied that he was
nothing more than an old used tin can. He continued:
...however, even a tin can - if you clean it well and
you turn it towards the sun - will shine like gold!
Our All Wise Holy Father meant, of course, that our
Cleansing is our persistent Repentance and Holy
Confession, and turning towards the sun means
praying to God without ceasing thus even an old,
used and rusty tin can is able to shine like gold in the
Light of Sanctification.
If while praying we dont feel comfort, something is
clearly going on: we must Repent and correct it.
Some people say that this happens because of the
devils jealousy but this isnt True. Instead, it is as
though God is saying to us: I do not understand
the way you are speaking to me!
Just like Holy Communion, Prayer is Mystical
Nourishment.
In the same way, preparation is needed i.e., a clean
conscience.
Someone once came to me and told me that he had
read a few books on the Prayer, and that he later
forced himself to apply what he read.
The result, he said, was that he felt pain in his heart.
I said to him: You do not have the material necessary
for Humility (i.e. Repentance of sins) - Humble
yourself; then you will feel how necessary is Gods
Mercy. And then, the Prayer will gush forth all by
itself, without force.
34.
OF
AND
MOTHERS
...When we light a candle for the sake of one who has

Fallen Asleep, that person is Greatly Benefited.
...The time has now come for the Prophecy of St.
Anthony the Great to become Reality: A time will
come when men will go mad. If someone is logical,
they will call him crazy. And this, simply because he
wont be like them...
Fools for Christ have a great deal of Humility, as well
as something Unique that sets them apart from the
other Saints. Because of this, they learn the Secrets
of God. In the past, one would see a lot of them here,
on Athos ()
Avoid the causes - that triggers sin. For example, if you
have diabetes and you are not supposed to eat
sweets, how can you resist them if you are inside or
around stores that sell sweets and pastries all the
time?
Elders asked St Paisios what they should watch out for
most in their lives, and he replied: Pay attention to
the little, everyday things...
You sit there comfortably in your armchair, and you
think that it is neither bad nor a sin. You think it
does not matter if we eat a little more or if we ask for
good food, or if we sleep a little bit more, or if we
disrespect others...
We justify all these little sins, yet by not paying
attention to these small sins, we are led to even
bigger sinsand we will think that they do not
matter either!
We should never let our body be lazy, because the body
affects the spirit.
We have to be vigilant at all times.
ST LUKE GAINING
OF
2016

unto the Ages of ages. Amen. Remembering also our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious
Lady, Maria, Theotokos, yet Ever Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
30 November 2016
St Andrew First Called Apostle of Christ
Also the Feast of St Frumentios, Archbishop of Abyssinia, Ethiopia St Vakhtang Gorgasali,
King of Georgia St Samuel of Georgia St Peter of Georgia
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ST ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED APOSTLE TONE
Os ton Apostolon Protoklitos, ke tou korifeou aftadelphos, As

ton Despotin ton olon Andrea iketeve, irinin ti ikoumeni
dorisasthe, ke tes psihes imon Mega Eleos.
first of the Apostles to receive the Call, and very

brother of the Prince of them, intercede O Andrew,
with the Master of us all: Peace to all the world to
grant, and to our souls His Great Mercy.
SEASONAL - ADVENT KONTAKION - EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS
Parthenos simeron, ton Proeonion Logon, en Spileo

ethete apotekin aporritos.
Horeve, i ikoumeni,
akoutisthisa; Doxason meta Angelon ke ton Pimenon,
voilithenta apofthine, Pedion Neon, ton Pro Eonon
Theon.
Today
the Virgin comes to the Cave to give Birth

Ineffably to the Word Pre-Eternal. Hearing this, be of
good cheer, O Earth and its people: Glorify Him with
the Angels and the Shepherds, Whose Will it was to
be made manifest as a young Child the Pre-Eternal
God.
FESTAL MATINS HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING

THE CALLING
TO
HOLY SERVICE
OF THE
TO
ST MATTHEW 4 : 18 23
TWELVE APOSTLES
OF
CHRIST
OUR
GOD
At that time, our Lord Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when He saw two brothers Simon, called Peter, and
Andrew, his brother casting a net into the sea - they were Fishermen. And He said to them: Follow Me, and I
shall make you Fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
And going on from there, He saw two other brothers James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother in the boat
with Zebedee, their father, mending their nets. And He Called them. Immediately they left the boat and their
Father, and followed Him.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, Teaching in their Synagogues, Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and Healing all
kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
PROKEIMENON PSALM 18 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
His Proclamation went forth into all the earth, and His Words to the ends of the world.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the firmament shows the Creation of His Hands.
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 dwelling-place. And we labour, working with our own hands. Being
reviled, we Bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we Entreat. We are made as the filth of the world the offscourings of all things unto this day.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my Beloved Children, I warn you. Although you have ten thousand
instructors in Christ, yet have you not many Fathers. In Christ Jesus through the Gospel I have begotten you. I
beseech you, therefore - be imitators of me.
Irony and sarcasm are bitter medicine, which St Paul
They endured all their humiliation and suffering for the
used on this occasion with full force.
Pure Joy of serving our Lord and Saviour thereby
The three parallel statements: ... we are fools... weak...
reconciling the fallen world to God.
dishonoured... were heaped upon each other in a
St Paul soothed the pain of his rebuke by reminding the
stinging series.
Faithful of his Spiritual Fatherhood to them.
The relative comfort of the Corinthians Christian
The Holy Church of Christ is similar to any other family
Community was contrasted with the persecuted,
with maturing children who need parental guidance.
poverty-stricken and uncertain lifestyle of the Holy
As Struggling Disciples of Christ, we who are the maturing
Apostles of Christ.
children, need our Spiritual Fathers to teach and
They endured all kinds and degrees of humiliation
guide us.
being treated as filth and even like the off-scourings
St Paul urged us as Faithful Disciples of Christ to imitate
yet, instead of retaliating in a similar fashion
him just as he ceaselessly strove to imitate our Lord
striking back in a similar manner at their persecutors
Jesus Christ.
the Holy Apostles and Faithful Disciples of Christ
responded with unconditional, Divine Love Agape!
HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
THE
FORMER
DISCIPLES
OF
ST JOHN
THE
TO
ST JOHN 1 : 35 - 52
BAPTIST FOLLOWED
OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST
At that time, John stood with two of his Disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said: Behold! The Lamb of
God! And having heard him speak, the two Disciples followed Jesus.
Jesus turned, and seeing them following Him, said to them: What do you seek? They said to Him: Rabbi: (which is to
say, when translated: Teacher,) ... where art Thou staying? He said to them: Come and see.
They went and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day. (It was about the tenth hour.) Andrew, the
brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard John speak, and had followed Him.
ST ANDREW
THE
FIRST CALLED HOLY APOSTLE
OF
JESUS CHRIST
OUR
LORD
30 NOVEMBER 2016
35
Finding first his own brother, Simon, he said to him: We have found the Messiah! (which is translated: the Christ.) And
he took him to Jesus. Looking at him, Jesus said: Thou art Simon the son of Jonah. Thou shalt be called
Cephas, (which is translated: Rock.)
The following day, Jesus wanted to go to Galilee. And He found Philip, and said to him: Follow Me.
Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him: We have found Him
of Whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote: Jesus, the son of Joseph of Nazareth! And Nathanael
said to him: Can anything Good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him: Come and see!
Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards Him, and said of him: Behold! Truly an Israelite - in whom there is no deceit!
Nathanael said to Him: How dost Thou know me? Answering Jesus said to him: Before you were called by Philip while under the fig tree, I beheld thee. Nathanael answered, and said to Him: Rabbi! Thou art the Son of God!
Thou art the King of Israel! Jesus replied, and said to him: Because I said to thee; I beheld thee under the fig
tree, dost thou believe? Thou shalt see greater Things than these!
And He said to him: Truly, truly, I say to thee: hereafter thou shalt see Heaven open, and the Angels of God
ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
OUR LORDS FIRST DISCIPLES HAD BEEN FOLLOWERS OR DISCIPLES
The awesome title Son of Man is that of THE LONGOF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.
AWAITED MESSIAH, WHICH HAD A LEVEL OF MYSTERY in its
They were ST ANDREW, ST (SIMON) PETER who was also
meaning, INDICATING SOMEONE OF HEAVENLY ORIGIN
known as Cephas, (Petros or Rock), ST PHILIP AND ST
WHO WOULD USHER IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD:
NATHANAEL, who was also known as ST
DANIEL 7 : 24 25: ... One like the Son of Man was
BARTHOLOMEW and an unnamed Disciple whom our
coming with the Clouds of Heaven, until He
Holy Fathers believe was ST JOHN, the author of this
came to the Ancient of Days and approached
Him.
Then Dominion, Honour, and the
Holy Gospel who always referred obliquely to
Kingdom were given to Him, and all peoples,
himself, such as The Disciple whom Jesus Loved.
It was a common literary device for writers not to use
Tribes, and languages served Him.
His
their own names.
Authority is an Everlasting Authority, which
When our Lord referred to ST NATHANAEL as having no
shall not pass away, and His Kingdom shall not
deceit He meant that his HEART AND SOUL WERE PURE
be destroyed.
In an Old Testament Prophecy, Jacob, the ancient
and that HE WAS ALWAYS STRAIGHTFORWARD, TRUTHFUL
Patriarch, dreamt of A LADDER CONNECTING HEAVEN AND
AND HONEST - HAVING NO NEED OR DESIRE TO DECEIVE
OTHERS.
EARTH, UPON WHICH THE ANGELS OF GOD WERE ASCENDING
Whatever occurred while St Nathanael was UNDER THE
AND DESCENDING. (GENESIS 28: 12 15)
FIG TREE is not stated.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THIS DIVINE LADDER WHO UNITES
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM BELIEVED that it WAS THE USUAL MEETING
AND CONNECTS US TO HEAVEN WHO MAKES OUR
PLACE OF ST PHILIP AND ST NATHANAEL, and that OUR
ASCENSION TO HEAVEN POSSIBLE AND WHO IS THEREFORE,
LORD WAS PRAISING ST NATHANAEL FOR BEING DILIGENT AND
THE SON OF MAN, AS WELL AS THE INCARNATE ETERNAL,
ONLY BEGOTTEN WORD AND SON OF GOD.
CAREFUL IN THEIR SEARCH FOR THE DIVINE MESSIAH.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS FOREKNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO SEE
INTO EVERYONES HEART AND SOUL OBVIOUSLY STIRRED ST
NATHANAELS SPONTANEOUS CONFESSION OF FAITH.
WHY
ARE WE HURTING SO MUCH
We are all hurting so much - not for any other reason,

but because there is resistance or rebellion within
us.
We should be like a Sanctified Fortress that is being
attacked from the outside.
The Spiritually Stronger we are, and the more
determinedly we resist the enemy, the more intense
our attackers efforts become as they surround us
and lay siege to us, seeking every opportunity,
watching constantly for any weakness in our
defences so that they can break through our gates,
enter and occupy us!
This is also what happens with our Relationship with
God and our immortal soul.
Every one of us is entrenched within His Impregnable
Fortress the unconquerable Spiritual Stronghold of
His Heavenly Kingdom on Earth His Holy Church.
Throughout our life, we are Protected, Comforted and
Embraced by the Divine Grace and Love of God, yet
we rebel against Him by resisting, rejecting and
fighting against His Commandments and Teachings
that are for our Benefit and Salvation - now and
forever!
Our rebellion or resistance against the Goodness, the
Worship and the Abundant Blessings of God cause
us persistent and intense pain and sorrow, yet we
stubbornly refuse to surrender to His Divine Will so
that we may live in Peace, Joy and unconditional,
infinite Love now and forever!
We are controlled and enslaved by our strong, arrogant
and egocentric will, which, in Truth, is manipulated
against us by the evil one!
On the contrary, no matter what happened to Saints
those perfect and faithful Disciples of Christ their
attitude remained steadfast, for they always prayed:
Let it be Blessed... and they continued their
Journey, resting assured in the Love, Grace and
Great Mercy of Almighty God, Whom they most
humbly and willingly obeyed in all circumstances,
without hesitation, question or resistance.
36.
ST ANDREW
THE
ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON KRAGIOPOULOS
They savoured the Blessings of pain, never suffering the

hurt and sorrow of resistance to the Will of God.
They never rebelled against nor rejected how God
Wills everything to occur for our Benefit and
according to His Divine Plan for mankind.
Only sins hurt the Saints of God, but that type of pain
contrite heartache for ourselves or others - nurtures
our soul, invigorates us and endows us with Life.
We must always humble ourselves confidently
knowing that we are under the Divine Protection of
our Lord God sustained by His infinite Divine
Providence and Love.
Almighty God cannot do anything harmful or wrong for
He is absolute Goodness and Love, and our Triune
God is always in control, working in complete
Harmony and Love. (The Will of the Father, through the
Son, by the Power and Energy of the Holy Spirit.)
However, there are times when we need a wake up
call so He will permit the evil one to put stumbling
blocks along our Path to Eternity.
Our Lord permits us to Struggle against all kinds of
adversity so that we may come to understand our
total dependence on Him alone, for we can achieve
nothing worthwhile or good without the Great
Mercy, Love and Power of God.
Only by acquiring the Great Holy Virtues of Humility
and Obedience, will we begin to understand and
appreciate the necessity of our Salvation.
Whether we believe or not, as we all Journey towards
Eternity, we must endure the trials and tribulations
of this preparatory life that test us and strengthen us,
bringing us closer to God.
Our human condition is the warp through which is
woven the weft of Divine Grace, Miraculous
Interventions and Uncreated Divine Energy that
Transform and Restore us to our original, created
state
FIRST CALLED APOSTLE
OF
CHRIST 30 NOVEMBER 2016

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Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

St Kosmas & St Damianos

Holy Unmercenary Physicians of Asia Minor

Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe

TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers, visit

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE 2

O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading

PROKEIMENON PSALM 15/16 TONE 4

Tis Agiis tis en ti Gi Aftou ethavmastosen O Kyrios.

St Basil the Great taught us that THERE ARE THREE REASONS

ALL BIBLICAL AND ALL GOD-GIVEN THAT WE FOLLOW

passage explains THE SPECIFIC

ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS HOLY UNMERCENARY PHYSICIANS

LOVE IS PATIENT, KIND AND GENTLE, especially with those

GALATIANS 6:2 BEAR EACH OTHERS BURDENS, AND SO

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING

DIVINE LOVE IS ETERNAL, COMPLETE AND

WHO LOOK TO THEM AS OUR GOOD EXAMPLES TO IMITATE OR

observe and commit ourselves to all Gods Divine

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

St Kosmas & St Damianos

Holy Unmercenary Physicians of Asia Minor

Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe

TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers, visit

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS TONE 2

O Protection of the Christians unashamable, Mediation to

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

the Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleading

PROKEIMENON PSALM 15/16 TONE 4

Tis Agiis tis en ti Gi Aftou ethavmastosen O Kyrios.

St Basil the Great taught us that THERE ARE THREE REASONS

ALL BIBLICAL AND ALL GOD-GIVEN THAT WE FOLLOW

passage explains THE SPECIFIC

ST KOSMAS & ST DAMIANOS HOLY UNMERCENARY PHYSICIANS

LOVE IS PATIENT, KIND AND GENTLE, especially with those

GALATIANS 6:2 BEAR EACH OTHERS BURDENS, AND SO

DIVINE LOVE IS ETERNAL, COMPLETE AND

HIS TWELVE APOSTLES

St Kosmas and St Damianos were Holy Unmercenary

St Kosmas and St Damianos, and all the other Holy

ST EVAGRIOS THE SOLITARY.

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

20 Sunday After Pentecost

Feast of St Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople St Barlaam, Abbot of

en Vrahioni Aftou O Kyrios. Epatise to Thanato ton

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST PAUL

unto the whole Church as another Paul and zealot

SEASONAL KONTAKION (UNTIL 8 NOVEMBER)

O Protector of the Christians unashamed, Mediator to the

ton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros ton

Creator Immovable: despise not, the pleading voices of

PROKEIMENON PSALM 46/47 TONE 3

All you Nations, clap your hands!

to Theo imon! Psalate, Psalate to Vasili imon,

Praises to God! Sing Praises!

ta Ethni krotisate hiras Alalaxate to Theo en Foni

Shout to God with the

THE CALLING & CONVERSION

Sing Praises to our