2012 - June - Sacred Lessons

7/31/2019 2012 - June - Sacred Lessons

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G r e e k O r t h o d o x P a t r i a r c h a t e o f A l e x a n d r i a & A l l A f r i c a

A r c h d i o c e s e o f G o o d H o p e All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, andunto the Ages of ages. Amen.

Re me mb er in g al so ou r Mo st Ho ly , Mo st Pu re , Mo st Bl es se d an d Gl or io us La dy , Ma ri a, Th eo to ko s, ye tEver Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Lifeto Christ our God. Amen.

S a t u r d a y B e f o r e P e n t e c o s t 2 June 2 0 1 2

S a t u r d a y o f t h e S o u l sAlso the Feast of The Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council & all Orthodox Christians who have

fallen asleep in our Lord All Georgian Holy Martyrs St Nicephoros the Confessor St John the New

of Sochi St Juliana of Vyazemsk St Dodo of St David-Gareji Monastery, Georgia St Erasmos of

Ochrid

A p o ly t ik ion o f S a tu rd a y o f t h e S ou ls

O vathi sofias filanthropos panta ikonomon, ke tosimferon pasin aponemon, mone Dimiourge,

anapafson Kyrie, tas psihas ton doulon Sou; en sigar tin elpida anethento, to Piiti ke Plasti ke Theo

imon.

O Thou Who with profound Wisdom and Love formankind, order all things, and grant to all what is totheir profit, Only Creator: grant rest, O Lord, to thesouls of Thy servants; for they set their every hope inThee, the Maker and Creator and God of us all.

K on t a ki on o f S atu r d a y of t h e S ou l s

T h e F i r s t E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e T h e s s a l o n i a n s 4 : 1 3 1 7Pa r t i c ip a t ion in Ch r is t s Re tu rn

Brethren: I do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who haveno Hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the Coming of the Lord will by nomeans precede those who are asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the Voice of an Archangel, and with the Trumpet ofGod. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with themin the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

And thus we shall always be with our Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE CLEAREST NEW TESTAMENT

PASSAGES ON THE SECOND COMING OR PHYSICAL

REAPPEARANCE OF CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR OURFINAL AND ONLY DIVINE JUDGE!

THE DIDACHE the writings of the Holy Apostles LISTSTHREE SIGNS THAT WILL HERALD THE RETURN OF OURLORD JESUS CHRIST:

1. ...the Sign spread out in the heavens... Christ and all His Heavenly Hosts

2. ... the Sign of the Trumpet...3.

... the Resurrection of the dead...THE REAPPEARANCE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR

GREATEST JOY AND DIVINE COMFORT I.E. THE JOYOUSHOPE AND EXPECTATION OF ALL THE RIGHTEOUS AND

FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST while it is regarded asa dreadful and much feared threat to the ungodly andunrepentant sinners, including Satan and his demons.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 2 1 : 1 4 - 2 5 The Third Appearance of our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ - His Divine Commission

At that time, it was then the third time our Lord Jesus showed Himself to His Disciples after He was Raised from the dead.And when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon, son of Jonah: do you Love Me more than

these? He said to Him: Yes, Lord; Thou know that I love Thee.He said to him: Feed My Lambs.Jesus said to him again a second time Simon, son of Jonah: do you Love Me? And he said to Him: Yes, Lord,

Thou know that I love Thee. He said to him: Tend My Sheep.He said to him the third time: Simon, son of Jonah: do you love Me? And Peter was grieved because He asked

him for the third time: Do you love Me. And he said to Him: Lord, Thou know all things Thou know that I

love Thee. And Jesus said to him: Feed My Sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you: when you were younger, yougirded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands

and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.This he spoke, signifying by what death he would Glorify God. And when He had said this, He said to him: Follow Me.And, turning around, Peter saw the Disciple whom Jesus Loved following, who also had leant upon His Breast at the

Supper, and had asked: Lord, who is the one who betrays Thee? And Peter seeing him said to Jesus: And

Lord, what about that man? And Jesus said to him: If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that toyou? You follow Me!

Then this saying went out among the Brethren that this Disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that hewould not die, but: If I Will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?

This is the Disciple who testifies of these Things, and wrote these Things; and we know that his Testimony is True.And there are also many other Things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one I suppose that even the

world itself could not contain the Books that would be written.Amen.

The fact that our Lord Jesus Christ singled out St Peter has

a twofold significance:1. ST PETER WAS THE LEADER OR SPOKESMAN AMONG

THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST and being such apassionate and impulsive character HAD TO BETHE FIRST TO CONFESS HIS LOVE FOR OUR

RESURRECTED LORD AND SAVIOUR.

2. ST PETER HAD DENIED CHRIST THREE TIMES afterHis arrest despite having been adamant that hewould never betray or deny him. KNOWING THEHEARTS AND SOULS OF EVERYONE HE CREATES,

CHRIST KNEW WHAT MOTIVATED ST PETER.Consequently, DUE TO HIS INFINITE DIVINE LOVEAND GREAT MERCY, OUR LORD RESTORED HIS

eta ton Agion anapafson, Hriste, tas psihas ton

doulon Sou, entha ouk esti ponos, ou lipi, oustenagmos, alla zoi atelevtitos.

Grant rest, O Christ, among the Saints to the souls of Thyservants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no

grieving, but Life Everlasting.


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DIVINE GRACE UPON ST PETER WITH HIS THREEFOLDCONFESSION OF LOVE.

V It is important to note that the first two times our LordJesus inquired of St Peter: Do you Love Me?HE USED A FORM OF THE WORD AGAPE, WHICH

DENOTES THE HIGHEST FORM OF SACRIFICIAL ANDSELF-EMPTYING LOVE THE KIND OF LOVE THATALMIGHTY GOD HAS FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS ANDWHICH WE CAN DEVELOP ONLY THROUGH MATURING INGODS DIVINE GRACE.

However, each time ST PETER WAS UNABLE TO CLAIM SUCH ALOFTY LOVE and when he answered: Lord, Thou know

that Ilove Thee, he used the term PHILO, which is ALESSER FORM OF LOVE MERELY AKIN TO BROTHERLY

AFFECTION.

Then, WHEN OUR LORD ASKED ST PETER FOR THE THIRD TIMEWHETHER HE loved HIM, HE USED THE TERM PHILO

THEREBY CONDESCENDING TO ST PETERS HUMANWEAKNESS AND ACCEPTING WHATEVER LOVE ST PETER WASABLE TO OFFER HIM AT THAT STAGE OF HIS LIFE.

Nevertheless, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CERTAINLY KNEW THATST PETER AND ALL THE OTHER HOLY APOSTLES ANDDISCIPLES WOULD DEVELOP A DIVINELY GRACIOUS AGAPE

FOR HIM INDEED FOR GOD BECAUSE ST PETER AND

MOST OF THEM ACCEPTED HOLY MARTYRDOM FOR HIS SAKE for the sake of their absolute Faith and Trust in GodsDivine Truth and Eternal Life.

Of course ST PETER in his lack of profoundUnderstanding at that time WAS GRIEVED both bythe fact that our Lord Jesus had to condescend to hisbasic level of love and that this was a clear althoughgentle reference to his previous three denials ofChrist.

When our Lord said: ... when you are old, you will

stretch out your hands and another will gird youand carry you where you do not wish to go,Heprophesied for the second time St Peters eventualmartyrdom under Emperor Nero, circa 67, in Rome when St Peter would be crucified upside down.

The ...Disciple whom Jesus Loved... is AN OBLIQUEREFERENCE TO ST JOHN THE DIVINE THEOLOGIAN,EVANGELIST AND APOSTLE OF CHRIST WHO RECORDED

THIS PARTICULAR EVENT and who was the only HolyApostle to survive the cruel persecutions against allChristians until his Repose in Christ at the age ofapproximately 101 circa 98 108 AD.

His longevity was marvelled at byTHE EARLY CHRISTIANSwhoTHOUGHT HE WOULD LIVE UNTIL THE SECOND COMING the Reappearance of our Lord.

V However, ST JOHN THE DIVINE HIMSELF CORRECTED THISFALSE ASSUMPTION BY CLARIFYING THE TRUTH THAT

OUR LORD JESUS ... DID NOT SAY TO HIM THAT HE

WOULD NOT DIE...THE USE OF THE WORD WE INDICATED THAT ST JOHN THE

EVANGELIST, HAD AN ASSISTANT and according to HolyTradition, that faithful Scribe was named Prochoros,who is often depicted in many of the Icons of St John

writing down his words and Teachings.V ALTHOUGH ACKNOWLEDGING AND CONFIRMING THAT HISHOLY GOSPEL CONTAINS ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OFOUR LORD JESUS CHRISTS EARTHLY LIFE, ST JOHN THE

DIVINE THEOLOGIAN AND EVANGELIST WROTE HIS HOLYBOOK TO BRING ALL WHO READ IT CAREFULLY TO TRUEFAITH IN GOD.

V WHILE THE HOLY GOSPELS OF ST MATTHEW, ST MARK ANDST LUKE CONTAIN MANY MORE DIVINE MIRACLES AND

PARABLES, THOSE TOO ARE FAR FROM EXHAUSTIVE i.e. they are only a few of the rich Spiritual andDivine Treasure that Christ bestowed upon all HisFaithful Disciples throughout all ages.

Therefore, TO RESTRICT ONESELF MERELY TO THE WRITTENWORDS AND TEACHINGS OF CHRIST, RESTRICTS ONESELFTO A VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE WHOLE DIVINE TRUTH

OF ALMIGHTY GOD, which consists of so much more:the VERBAL TEACHINGS OF CHRIST OUR GOD HOLYTRADITION - THAT WAS GRANTED BY GOD TO CHRISTS

APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES and which have beenCAREFULLY PRESERVED AND PASSED ON to us THROUGHTHE GOD-INSPIRED WRITINGS, HYMNS AND TEACHINGS OFALL OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS AND MOTHERSthroughout the ages.

V Consequently, by reminding us ...there are alsomany other Things that Jesus did...ST JOHNNOT ONLY EMPHASISES THE DIVINE HOLINESS OF WHATWAS WRITTEN, BUT ALSO POINTS TO THE ONGOING

GOD-INSPIRED HOLY TRADITION WITHIN CHRISTS VERYMUCH ALIVE NURTURING AND GROWING - BODY HISHOLY CHURCH.

THAT IS THE GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODS ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND DIVINEGODS ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND DIVINEGODS ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND DIVINEGODS ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND DIVINE

TRUTHTRUTHTRUTHTRUTH THAT UNITES US WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER IN TRUE AGAPE,THAT UNITES US WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER IN TRUE AGAPE,THAT UNITES US WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER IN TRUE AGAPE,THAT UNITES US WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER IN TRUE AGAPE,

WHICH RESULTS IN JOYOUS ETERNAL LIFEWHICH RESULTS IN JOYOUS ETERNAL LIFEWHICH RESULTS IN JOYOUS ETERNAL LIFEWHICH RESULTS IN JOYOUS ETERNAL LIFE - AND THE WEAK, FLAWED AND

MISGUIDED IDEAS OR INTERPRETATIONS OF HUMAN EGO AND ARROGANCE THAT

CAUSE SO MUCH CONFUSION, CONFLICT, DISUNITY AND ALIENATION FROM GOD AND

ONE ANOTHER SPIRITUAL DEATH!

S t A n t h o n y o f O p t i n a o n t h e A n c e s t o r s S a t u r d a y o f P e n t e c o s tAncestors Saturday (Soul Saturday) for the

Commemoration of the departed on the eve of thecelebration of the Holy Trinity at Pentecost is known asTrinity Saturday.

On the day on which the Church was founded, Holy TrinityDay, [Holy Pentecost] the Grace of the Holy Spiritpenetrated the whole Church on earth and the wholeChurch in Heaven, where ancestors and Patriarchs,Hieromartyrs, Ascetics and Saints dwell.

The Commemoration of all departed pious Christians wasestablished on the Saturday before Pentecost becausethe Descent of the Holy Spirit concluded theProvidential Salvation of humanity and those who have

fallen asleep take part in this Salvation.For this reason the Church, which sends up Her Prayers for

the quickening of all the Living through the Holy Spiritat Pentecost, asks on the day of the Feast itself thatthe Grace of the All Holy and All Hallowing ComforterSpirit, which the departed were already vouchsafed intheir earthly life, might also be for them the Source ofBlessedness, since every soul is Enlivened by the HolySpirit.

This is why the Church dedicates the eve of the Feast,Saturday, to the Prayerful Commemoration of thedeparted.

St Basil the Great, who composed the moving Prayers thatare read at Vespers of Pentecost, states in them thaton this Day the Lord especially deigns to acceptPrayers for the departed and even for those ... who are

captive in Hades...We pray that the Lord will forgive the departed, and we

believe that the Spirit of God touches not only theliving and those who pray, but also the departed. Ournear and dear have passed on to the other world withpassions, vices and sins, and we pray and ask the

Spirit of God, Whom God sent, we pray Christ ourSaviour, that He will forgive them.

We plead for Divine Forgiveness for the departed becausethey no longer can do anything for themselves,although they can pray for us but not for themselves.We also beseech our Lord to have Mercy on those whohave reposed in Faith and Hope of Resurrection.

Ancestors Saturday grants us the Joy of PrayerfulCommunion in God with those who have departed andin addition to attending the Liturgy and praying duringMemorial Services, we also offer alms in memory ofthe departed and remember them in our Daily Rule ofPrayer.

At cemeteries we offer Trisagion Prayers at each grave andpray for their Peaceful Rest in God.

http://www.pravmir.com/st-antony-of-optina-on-the-

ancestor%e2%80%99s-saturday-of-pentecost/

S t . B a r s a n u p h i u s o f O p t i n a + 1 9 1 3Life is Blessedness, and not simply because we believe

in Blessed Eternity; but here on earth life can beBlessed, if we Live with Christ fulfilling His HolyCommandments. IF WE ARE NOT TIED TO EARTHLYGOODS, BUT WILL IN ALL THINGS RELY ONLY ON GOD,

WILL LIVE FOR CHRIST AND IN CHRIST, THEN LIFEHERE ON EARTH WILL BECOME BLESSED.


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A r c h d i o c e s e o f G o o d H o p e All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, nowand forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen.

Re me mb er in g al so ou r Mo st Ho ly , Mo st Pu re , Mo st Bl es se d an d Gl or io us La dy , Ma ri a,Th eo to ko s, ye t Ev er Vi rg in , to ge th er wi th al l th e Sa in ts . An d le t us co mmit ou rs el ve s an done another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

3 June 2 0 1 2

P e n t e c o s t S u n d a y D e s c e n t o f t h e H o l y S p i r i tT h e B e g i n n i n g o f C h r i s t s H o l y , U n i v e r s a l C h u r c h

Also the Feast of St Lucillianos , St Claudios, St Paul, St Hypatios, St Dionysios & St

Paula the Virgin Martyr of Byzantium St Claudios, St Nicephoros the Confessor of

Constantinople St Demetrios of Moscow, Translation of Holy Relics St Lucianos &

his companion, St Maximianos the Priest, St Julianos the Deacon, St Marcellinos & St

Saturninos of Beauvais, Gaul - St David of Gareji Monastery

2 n d A n t i p h o n O f P e n t e c o s t P s a l m 1 9 - TO N E 2

Ekouse Sou Kyrios en imera thlipseos, iperaspise Souto Onoma tou Theou Iakov.

Soson imas, Paraklite Agathe, psalontas Si:Allilouia!

Exapostile Si voithian ex Agiou, ke ek Sion antilavitoSou.


Mnisthii pasis thisias Sou, ke to olokavtoma Soupianato


The Lord hear you in the day of trouble: the Name of theGod of Jacob shield you.

Good Paraclete, Save us who sing to Thee:Alleluia!

May He send you Help from the Sanctuary: and supportyou out of Zion.


May He remember your every sacrifice: and accept yourBurnt Offering.


I s o d i k o n O f P e n t e c o s t

Ipsothiti, Kyrie, en ti Dinami Sou. Asomen kepsaloumen tas Dinastias Sou. Soson imas,

Paraklite Agathe, psallontas Si Allilouia!

Be exalted, O Lord, in Thy Power: we shallsing andchant Thy Mighty Deeds. Good Paraclete, Save

us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

A p o l y t i k i o n o f P e n t e c o s t

Evlogitos i Hriste O Theos imon, O Pansofous tousaliis anadixas, katapempsas aftis to Pnevma to

Agion, ke di Afton tin ikoumenin saginefsas,Filanthrope: Doxa Si!

Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who has filled theFishermen with Wisdom by sending down the HolySpirit upon them, and Who, through them, has unitedthe world: Glory to Thee, O Lover of Mankind!

K o n t a k i o n TO N E ( 8 ) PL A G A L 4F r o m P e n t e c o s t U n t i l T h e A p o d o s i s B e f o r e A l l S a i n t s S u n d a y

Ote katavas tas glossas sinehee, diemerizen ethni OIpsisto. Ote tou Piros tas Glossas dienimen is enotitapanta ekalese. Ke simfonos Doxazomen to Panagion

Pnevma!

When the Most High came down and confused thetongues, He parted the Nations; when He divided outthe Tongues of Fire, He Called all to Unity. And withone voice we Glorify the All-Holy Spirit!

B a p t i s m H y m n I n s t e a d O f T h e A g i o s O T h e o s . . . . . . . . . . . .

Osi is Hriston Evaptisthite, Hriston enedisasthe.Allelouia! As many of you as were Baptised into Christ, haveput on Christ: Alleluia!

M a t i n s G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 2 0 : 1 9 2 3Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord, Appears to Ten of His Disciples and Bestows His Divine Authority on Them

At that time, the same day, at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the Discipleswere assembled, for fear of the Hebrews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them: Peace be withyou!When He had said this, He showed them His Hands and His Side. Then the Disciples were glad when they sawthe Lord.

So Jesus said to them again: Peace to you! As the Father has Sent Me, I also Send you. And when He had saidthis, He breathed upon them, and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they

are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.

P r o k e i m e n o n :

Their sound has gone out into all the earth: and their words to the ends of the world.The Heavens declare the Glory of God!

T h e A c t s o f t h e A p o s t l e s A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 2 : 1 - 1 1Th e D i s c i p l e s R e c e i v e T h e H o l y S p i r i t F r o m T h e R i s e n C h r i s tWhen the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a

Sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and It filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Then there appeared before them divided Tongues, as of Fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they werefilled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.


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And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Hebrews, devout men, from every nation under Heaven. And when this Soundoccurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his ownlanguage. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another: "Look! Are not all these who speakGalileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medesand Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,

Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Hebrews and proselytes, Cretans and

Arabs we hear them speaking in our own tongues the Wonderful Works of God!"

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t J o h n 7 : 3 7 5 2 ; 8 : 1 2Our Lord Jesus Christ Promises The Holy Spirit To His Disciples

On the last day, that Great Day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to

Me and drink. He who believes in Me - as the Scripture has said - out of his heart will flow rivers ofLiving Water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, Whom those believing in Him would receive; for theHoly Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet Glorified.

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said: Truly this is the Prophet." Others said, "This isthe Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ

comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands upon Him. Then the officers came to the Chief

Priests and Pharisees, who said to them: "Why have you not brought Him?" The officers answered: "No manever spoke like this Man!" Then the Pharisees answered them: "Are you also deceived? Have any of theRulers of the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed." Nikodemos(he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them), said to them: "Does our Law judge a man before ithears him and knows what he is doing?" They answered and said to him: "Are you also from Galilee?Search and look, for no Prophet has arisen out of Galilee."

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I Am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in

Darkness, but have the Light of Life."

S u n d a y o f P e n t e c o s t - T h e V e s p e r s P r a y e r sA F T E R T HE PROE M IA L PS A LM , T HE GRE A T L I T A N Y A N D T HE S IN G IN G OF "LO RD , I HA VE CR I E D " T HE F OLLOW IN G PRA Y E RS A RE RE A D . THE PR IE S T A N D T HE W HOLE C ON GRE G A T I ON KN E E L .

Prayer 1O Pure and Blameless Lord, Who is without beginning,

invisible and incomprehensible, unchangeable,immeasurable, and unbounded, Who is without eviland Who alone is Immortal; Who dwells in theUnapproachable Light; Maker of Heaven and earth andthe seas and all that was created therein; Who grantsto all their Petitions even before asking: to Thee wepray and of Thee we ask, O Philanthropic Master, theFather of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ,Who for us men and for our Salvation came down fromHeaven and was Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of theEver-Virgin Mary, the Noble Theotokos; Who first

taught by Word, and then testified by Deed whilebearing the Saving Passion, teaching us - Thineunworthy, sinful, and miserable servants - to offerThee our Supplications with bent head and knee, forour sins and human ignorance.

Wherefore, O Most Merciful and Philanthropic Lord, hearus on whatever day we call upon Thee - and especiallyon this Day of Pentecost, whereon - after our LordJesus Christ had Ascended into Heaven and sat at Thyright Hand, O God and Father - He sent down the HolySpirit to His Disciples, the Holy Apostles, Who alightedon each of them and filled them all with HisInexhaustible and Divine Grace; and they spoke instrange tongues - prophesying Thy Great Deeds.

Hear us who beseech Thee, and remember us -wretchedand condemned.

Deliver us from the (sinful) captivity of our souls by ThyLoving Intercession.

Accept us, who kneel down before Thee and cry out: wehave sinned.

From birth - from the womb of our mother - we are Thine,O Lord - Thou art our God.

But as our life passes in vanity, we have therefore beenstripped of Thine Aid, and have become silent.

Yet do we trust in Thy Compassion and cry unto Thee:Remember not the sins of our youth and ignorance;

cleanse us of our secret sins.Reject us not in our old age, nor forsake us when our

strength fails.Before we return to the earth, prepare us to return to

Thee.Measure our lawlessness with a Measure of Thy

Generosity, and erect against our many transgressionsa bottomless Abyss of these Generosities.

Look down from the height of Thy Holiness upon Thypeople who stand and await Abundant Mercy fromThee.

Visit us with Thy Goodness and Deliver us from the forceof Satan and preserve our Life with Thy Holy andSolemn Laws.

Commit Thy People unto a Faithful Guardian Angel.Gather us all unto Thy Kingdom.Forgive those who put their trust in Thee, relinquish us

and them from sin.Purify us by the Operation of Thy Holy Spirit and remove

from us the wiles of the adversary.

Addit ional Prayer:Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Almighty Master, Who Illumines

the day with the light of the sun and the night with theglow of the moon; Who has made us worthy to passthe course of the day and draw near to the onset of thenight; hear our Petitions and those of all Thy people.

Forgive us all our sins - both voluntary and involuntary -and accept our Evening Supplications and send downthe multitude of Thy Mercies and Compassions uponThy People.

Protect us with Thy Holy Angels.

Arm us with the Weapons of Thy Truth.Envelop us with Thy Righteousness.Preserve us by Thy Power, and Deliver us from every

oppression and from every conspiracy of the cunningone.

Grant us that this evening and the approaching night andall the days of our life may be Perfect, Holy, Peaceful,Sinless, without doubt and vain imaginings, by theIntercessions of the Holy Theotokos and all the Saintswho have done Thy Will from the beginning of time.

P r a y e r 2O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who resides with us in this

life, and Who grants mankind the world, and in Thineinalienable Rule bestows the True Gift of the HolySpirit - this Blessing Thou hast sent down more fully toThy Disciples and Apostles and hast dispensed intotheir mouths the Fire of Tongues, so that throughthem all mankind may receive Knowledge of God and

be Enlightened by the Light of the Spirit - being

emancipated from seduction as from darkness - andby their Supernatural Action, learning to believe in theSon of God and to > Praise Him with the Father andthe Holy Spirit as one Godhead, Power and Authority.


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Wherefore, O Splendour of the Father, the Likeness of hisEssence, His immutable and unchangeable Nature:Thou art the Fountain of Salvation and Grace.

Open my lips - sinner that I am - and teach me how andfor what I should pray; for Thou knows the multitudeof my sins - yet the enormity thereof is overcome byThine unbounded Compassion.

Behold, I come and stand before Thee in fear and dismay,casting my soul's despair into the depth of Thy Mercy.

Ordain my life, O Thou Who rules the whole Creation withineffable Wisdom.

O Tranquil Haven to those who are caught in the rages ofwinter, make known to me the Way in which I shouldwalk.

Grant to my thoughts the Spirit of Thy Wisdom, andbestow upon my ignorance the Spirit of ThyUnderstanding.

Overshadow my acts with the Spirit of Thy Fear; a JustSpirit Renew Thou within me, and by Thy SovereignSpirit Strengthen my unstable mind, that I may beworthy each day to do Thy Commandments - beingGuided by Thy Righteous Spirit into that which isProfitable - ever mindful of Thy Glorified (Second)Coming, when we shall all be obliged to give anaccount for our deeds.

Let me not be led astray by the corrupting pleasures ofthis world, but Strengthen me to delight in the

Treasures to come. For Thou, O Master, said:"Whatever you ask in My Name you shall

receive..." from God the Father Co-Eternal with Thee.Therefore, I a sinner, implore Thy Goodness on the Day of

the Descent of Thy Holy Spirit.Grant my Request for Salvation: yea, O Good Lord, Who

grants all riches and Benevolence; for Thou art He -the Merciful and Pitying One Who grants us more thanwe ask - Who has become a Partaker with us in theFlesh, yet Without Sin.

Thou art He Who, for His Love for mankind, has

Compassion for those who bend their knee beforeThee, having become an Offering for our sins.

Grant, O Lord, Thy Compassion to Thy people, and inclineThine Ear to us from Thy Holy Heaven.

Sanctify us by the Saving Might of Thy right Hand.Cover us with the Shelter of Thy Wings and turn not away

from the Work of Thy Hands.Against Thee only do we sin, yet Thee only do we serve.We know not how to bow to a strange god, nor how to

reach out to a different god.Pardon our iniquities, O Master, and - accepting our

requests on bended knee - extend to us all a helpingHand, and accept the Prayers of all as fragrant Incenseacceptable to Thy Most Righteous Kingdom.

A d d i t i o n a l P r a y e r :O Lord, Lord, Thou Who hast delivered us from every

arrow (obstacle) that comes by day: Save us fromeverything that walks in darkness, and accept thelifting up of our hands as an Evening Offering.

Consider us worthy to pass the night blamelessly and toexperience no evil.

Deliver us from Satan.Free us from all confusion and fear.

Grant our souls Great Joy, and our thoughts concern forour accountability at Thy Just and Terrible Judgment.

Transfix our flesh with Thy Fear, and mitigate ourmembers while on earth, that in the tranquillity ofsleep we may be Enlightened by the Meditation of ThyPrecepts. (Teachings)

Drive from us every evil fancy and lasciviousness.Elevate us during our Prayers, strengthened in Faith and

enriched by Thy Commandments.

P r a y e r 3O Christ our God, the Ever-flowing Spring, Life-Giving,

Illuminating, Creative Power, Co-Eternal with theFather, Who Divinely Achieved the Deed of Savingmankind, and Who tore apart the indestructible bonds

of Death, Who broke asunder the bolts of Hades, andtrod down the multitude of evil spirits, offering Thyselfas a Blameless Sacrifice and offering us Thy Pure,Spotless and Sinless Body: Who, by this Fearsome,Inscrutable Divine Service grants us Life Everlasting.

O Thou Who descended into Hades, and demolished theEternal Bars, revealing an Ascent to those who were inthe Lower Abode; Who with the Lure of Divine Wisdomenticed the dragon - the head of subtle evil - and withThy boundless Power bound him in Abysmal Hell, inInextinguishable Fire, and Extreme Darkness.

O Great Wisdom of the despairing! Overcomer ofmisfortunes - eminent Helper, Who came and lit theWay for those who sit in darkness and in the shadow ofDeath; Thou art the Lord of Everlasting Glory, theBeloved Son of the Most High Father, Eternal Light of

Eternal Light, Thou Sun of Truth!Hear us who beseech Thee, and lay to rest the souls of Thy

Servants - of those who have died heretofore, andthose of our Fathers and Brothers and other kinsmenin flesh and all others through Faith - for whom wenow celebrate this Memorial; for Thou hast Power overall, and in Thy Hands all the boundaries of the earthare held.

O Almighty Master, God of our Fathers, Lord of Mercy andCreator of all the nations of mankind - the living andthe dead - and of all nature - animate and inanimate -Who appeared and resided here on earth and againdeparted into the other world - Who sets the years forthe living and appoints the time for the dead, Whobrings down to Hades and raises to Bliss; Who binds

with weakness and looses with Power; Who arrangesthe present as is meet and Who directs the futuretowards usefulness, Who consoles with the Hope ofResurrection those who feel the sting of Death - for

Thou art the Master of all - our God and our Saviour -O Hope of all the boundaries of the earth and of thosewho are away on the seas; O Thou Who on this Lastand Great Day of Salvation - the Day of the Feastof Pentecost - hast revealed to us the Mystery ofthe Holy Trinity, Consubstantial and Co-Eternal,Indivisible and Immiscible, Who sent down theHoly and Life-Giving Spirit in the form ofTongues of Fire on His Holy Apostles, revealingthem as Proclaimers of our God-fearing Faith, makingof them True Confessors and Preachers of the Word ofGod, Who makes us worthy, so that our propitiatoryPrayers of this All-Perfect Day of Salvation beacceptable for those who are imprisoned in Hades,and Who grants those imprisoned therein a GreatHope in receiving from Thee Consolation and Relief oftheir confining grief.

Hear us - disconsolate and wretched - who beseech Thee,and grant Rest to the souls who have formerlydeparted, and let them repose in a Resplendent Place -a Place of Verdure and Coolness - where there are noills nor sorrow nor sighs.

And array their souls in the Tabernacles of the Righteous,and make them worthy of Peace and Repose; for it isnot the dead who praise Thee, O Lord, nor do thosewho are in Hades venture to offer Thee Confession,but we - the living - Bless Thee and Supplicate Thee,O Lord, and offer unto Thee Prayers of Purification andSacrifices for their souls' sake.

Addit ional Prayer:O Great Eternal God, Holy and Loving toward mankind,Who makes us worthy to stand at this Hour beforeThine Unapproachable Glory, praising and GlorifyingThy Wonders: forgive us, unworthy sinners, and grantus Grace that from a humble and contrite heart we

may offer Thee the Thrice-Holy Glorification andGratitude for Thy Great Gifts which Thou granted - andstill steadfastly grants to us.

Remember, O Lord, our weakness and destroy us not inour iniquities; but in accordance with our Humility


6/226. (SPONSORED BYDIMITRIPAIZIS) H o l y P e n t e c o s t - Th e D e s ce n t o f t h e H o ly Sp i r it 3 J u n e 2 0 1 2

show us Thy Great Mercy, that being delivered fromthe darkness of sin, we may walk in the Day of Truth,equipped with the Armour of Light, and freed from allthe evil attacks of the wicked one -Glorifying Thee inall things, O Only True God and Lover of mankind.

For in Truth, O Master and Creator of all, Thine is theGreat and Original Mystery - the temporary death ofThy Creatures, and their Restoration thereafter untoEternal Repose.

In all things we acknowledge Thy Favour, at our Entranceinto this world and at our departure, O Thou Who by

Thy unfailing Promises offers us the Hope ofEverlasting Life, Resurrection, and Incorruptible Life,which shall be ours to enjoy at Thy Second Coming;for Thou, O Lord Christ, art the Fountain of ourResurrection, the Mankind-Loving and IncorruptibleJudge of the deceased and those worthy of Reward.

Thou hast assumed, with Utmost Condescension, our fleshand blood, and through Thine undying Love for us, didnot dismiss Thy Suffering - willingly submitting totorture - so that, having been tempted, Thou, asPromised, became the Helper to those who aretempted, Elevating us to Thy Dispassion.

Wherefore, O Master, accept our Prayers andSupplications, and grant Repose to our Fathers,Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Children, Blood Relatives,and Kinsfolk, and all those who have gone to their finalrest with the Hope of Resurrection and Life Everlasting.

Inscribe their names in the Book of Life; in the Bosoms ofAbraham, Isaac and Jacob; in the Land of the Living,

the Kingdom of Heaven, in the Paradise of Delight -leading all into Thy Holy Dwelling Places by ThyRadiant Angels - and raise their bodies on the Day thatThou hast Appointed - according to Thine unfailingHoly Promises; for there is no death, O Lord, to Thydeparting servants who cast off their bodies and cometo Thee, O God, but a transition from sorrowful thingsto pleasant and benign, to Repose and Joy.

And if they have sinned (in any respect) against Thee,forgive them, and be Thou Compassionate to themand us; for there is none without stain before Thee,

even though our life be but a day - save Thou alone,Jesus Christ our God, Who appeared on earth withoutsin, and because of Thee we all trust in attaining ThyMercy and the Remission of sins.

Therefore, O God, through Thy Grace and Love ofmankind, weaken, remit and forgive our sins andtheirs; overlook both our voluntary and involuntaryoffences, which we have committed either wilfully orthrough ignorance, openly or in secret whether byword, deed, or thought and all our wrathful dealingswhich we have committed during our lifetime.

As for those who have preceded us, grant themEmancipation and Repose.

To those of us who are here, Bless us, and grant us and allThy People a Blessed and Peaceful End to this life.

At Thy Fearsome and Dreadful Coming open to us Thyfathomless Love of mankind, making us worthy of ThyKingdom.

Addit ional Prayer:O Thou Most Exalted God, Who alone possesses

Immortality, Who dwells in the Unapproachable Light,Who in Wisdom brings into being all Creation, whoseparated the light and the darkness, setting the sun

to rule the day, and the moon and stars to rule thenight, Who on this Day vouchsafed us sinners asworthy through Confession to present ourselves beforeThy Sight and to offer to Thee our Evening Prayers.

Addit ional Prayer:O Philanthropic God, set our Prayers like Incense before

Thee, and receive them as a sweet Fragrance.Grant that this evening and the approaching night may be

Peaceful and Serene for us.Clothe us with the Armour of Light, and deliver us from

nightly fears and from everything that walks in

darkness.Vouchsafe that the slumber, which Thou grants us for rest

from our weakness, be also free from every satanicvision.

Yea, O Master, Who provides Good Things for all, grantthat in our lodgings, amid the night, we may withfervour recall Thy Most Holy Name.

Grant that being Enlightened by the Teachings of ThyCommandments, we will rise up in Spiritual Joy toGlorify Thy Goodness - offering for Thy CompassionPetitions and Supplications for our sins and those ofall people, for which Thou, through the Intercessionsof the Holy Theotokos, visits upon us with Mercy!

Amen

ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP : FROM MISSIONARY LEAFLET # E5 - 2001 HOLY

TRINITY ORTHODOX MISSION - 466 FOOTHILL BLVD, BOX 397, LA CANADA,

CA 91011 - EDITOR: BISHOP ALEXANDER (MILEANT)

T h e P r o f o u n d E t e r n a l W i s d o m o f o u r L o r d & S a v i o u r , J e s u s C h r i s tIn todays Sacred Gospel Lesson the three Statements of

OURLORDJESUS CLEARLY SHOWS US HIS INFINITE LOVE,CONCERN AND CARE FOR US and each refers to HISSENDING OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GUIDE, INSPIRE,ENABLE ANDTEACH US UNTIL THE FINAL DAY.

In the first two Statements our Lord refers to the HolySpirit as Water.

St Cyril of Jerusalem explained: All things aredependent on water... which comes down fromHeaven as rain, and although it is always the same in

itself, it produces many different effects... whileremaining essentially the same, water adapts

itself to the needs of every creature...In the same manner THEHOLYSPIRITWHOSENATURE IS

ALWAYS THE SAME, SIMPLE AND INDIVISIBLE, APPORTIONSDIVINE GRACE TO EACH OF US ASHE ALONE WILLS.

GOD HAS GRANTED EACH OF DIFFERENTGIFTS YET THEY AREALL THE SAME BECAUSE THEY COME FROM THE SAME

DIVINE SOURCE, as St Paul stated in his First Epistle tothe Corinthian Christians: ... there are diversitiesof Gifts, but the same (Holy) Spirit. (1 CORINTHIANS12:4)

THE PURPOSE OF THESE DIVINE GIFTS IS TO MAKE GOD

KNOWN IN THIS SPIRITUALLY DARKENED WORLD,which is illustrated by the Words of Christ, Whotaught us: IAM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. HE

WHO FOLLOWSME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS.St Symeon the New Theologian explained how these

Divine Words relate to the Holy Spirit: As a lamp

although full of oil and with a wick remains dark

unless it s lit with fire, so the soul is quenchedand dark until it is touched by the Light andGrace of the Holy Spirit.

Christ told us: ... when the Comforter comes - WHOMI

WILL SEND YOU FROM THE FATHER, EVEN THE SPIRIT OFTRUTH, WHO PROCEEDS FROM THEFATHER He shall

testify of Me. (JOHN 15 : 26)So it is that CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR ENLIGHTENS

THE ENTIRE WORLD BY SENDING THE UNCREATED FIRE OFTHE HOLYSPIRIT INTO OUR WORLD.

We need to USE THE GIFTS THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO USBY THE HOLYSPIRIT TO ENLIGHTEN THE WORLD AROUNDUS because this is the meaning of our Lords Words

when He referred to us as being ...the Light of the

world... and when He said: ... neither do menlight a lamp and put it under a basket, but on acandlestand; and it gives forth light to all whoare in the house. (MATTHEW 5:15)

So my dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ, my

Prayer for you is that you mayTAKE THE DIVINEGIFTS THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO YOU BY THELIVING WATER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND that youUSE THEM TO ENLIGHTEN THE ENTIRE WORLD WITHTHE UNCREATED FIRE OF THE HOLYSPIRIT.ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: PENTECOST SERMON ST GREGORY PALAMAS

OUTREACH

http://www.saintgregoryoutreach.org/2010/02/pentecost.

html


7/22(SPONSORED BYDIMITRIPAIZIS) 1st Sunday After Pentecost 1 st Of St Matthew All Saints Sunday - 10 Ju ne 20 12 7


A r c h d i o c e s e o f G o o d H o p e All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now andforever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen.

Re me mb er in g al so ou r Mo st Ho ly , Mo st Pure , Mo st Bl es se d an d Gl or io us La dy , Ma ri a,Th eo to ko s, ye t Ev er Vi rg in , to ge th er wi th al l th e Sa in ts . An d le t us co mm it ou rs el ve s an d on eanother and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

1 s t Sunday Af ter Pentecos t T o ne ( 8 ) P la g al 4 1 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2

F i r s t S u n d a y o f S t M a t t h e w - S y n a x i s o f A l l S a i n t sAlso the Feast of St Alexander & St Antonina, Virgin Martyr, of Constantinople St Timothy

the Wonder-worker of Prousa St Silvanos, Ascetic Schemmonk of Kiev Far Caves

Monastery St Basil of Ryazan, uncovering and Translation of Holy Relics St John

Maximovitch of Tobolsk & All Siberia - St Theophnes of Antioch St Bassian of Lodi,

Lombardy Synaxis of Saints of Ryzan : St Basil & St Roman (Boris) Synaxis of all Siberian

Saints St Pansemnas of Antioch

R e s u r r e c t i o n A p o l y t i k i o n TON E (8) PLA G A L 4

Ex ipsous katilthes O Efsplaghnos, tafin katedexoTriimeron, ina imas elevtherosis ton pathon. I Zoi ke

i Anastasis imon, Kyrie, Doxa Si!

Thou descended from on High, O Tender-hearted One;Thou endured the Three-Days Burial, so that Thoumight free us from our passions, O our Life and

Resurrection: Glory to Thee!A p o l y t i k i o n O f A l l S a i n t s ---- TON E (8 ) PLA G A L 4

Ton en olon to kosmo Martiron Sou, os porfiran kevisson ta emata, i Ekklisia Sou stolisameni, di afton

voa Si, Hriste O Theos: To lao Sou tous iktirmouskatapempson, Irinin ti politia Sou Dorise, ke tes

psihes imon to Mega Eleos.

Thy Church - having bedecked Herself with the blood ofall Thy Martyrs in the world, as with the finest linen andpurple robe - through them cries out to Thee, OChrist our God: Send down Thy Compassion upon Thypeople, grant Peace to Thy Commonwealth, and to oursouls Thy Great Mercy.

A l l S a i n t s S u n d a y U n t i l 2 7 J u l y

Os aparhas tis fiseos, to fitourgo tis ktiseos, i ikoumeniproferi Si Kyrie, tous Theoforou Martiras. Tes afton

ikesies, en Irini vathia tin Ekklisian Sou, dia tisTheotokou, Sintirison Polielee!

Like the First Fruits of Nature, to the Author of allCreation, the earths people offer Thee, O Lord, theGod-bearing Martyrs. Through their Intercessions,maintain Thy Church in True and Perfect Peace, andthrough the Theotokos, preserve Her, O Most

Merciful!M a t i n s R e s u r r e c t i o n G o s p e l 1 M a t t h e w 2 8 : 1 6 2 0

T h e G r e a t C o m m i s s i o n o f o u r L o r d & S a v i o u r , J e s u s C h r i s t

P r o k e i m e n o n

God is Marvellous in His Saints!Bless the Lord in the Congregation!

T h e E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e H e b r e w s 1 1 : 3 3 1 2 : 2T h e F a i t h O f C e r t a i n I s r a e l i t e s & T h e P e r f e c t i o n O f F a i t h

Brethren: time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and theProphets, who - through Faith - subdued Kingdoms, worked Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the mouthsof lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword; out of weakness were made strong, becamevaliant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured - not accepting deliverance, so that they mightobtain a better Resurrection. Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains andimprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, tempted, slain with the world. They wandered about in

sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy. Theywandered in deserts and mountain, in dens and caves of the earth.

And all of these having obtained a Good Testimony through Faith did not receive the Promise - God having providedsomething better for us so that they should not be made Perfect apart from us.

Therefore we also, sincewe are surrounded by so great a Cloud of Witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and thesin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with Endurance the Race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,the Author and Finisher of our Faith, Who - for the Joy that was set before Him - endured the Cross, despising theshame, and has sat down at the right Hand of the Throne of God.

V BY LIVING WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, OBEYING ALL HISCOMMANDMENTS AND LOVING HIM WITH ALL ONES

BEING, ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE in thisworld because HE GRANTS US THE STRENGTH TOENDURE ALL LIFES DIFFICULTIES, even theinhumane torture inflicted by others asexperienced by the Martyrdom of so many of the

Saints throughout the ages.V THE UNSURPASSED SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND DEPTH OF

THE FAITH OF THE SAINTS IS TO BE MARVELLED AT AND

IMITATED BY US.

NOTHING COULD SHAKE THEM LOOSE FROM THEIRUTTER FAITH IN AND LOVE OF ALMIGHTY GOD; noteven promises of leniency in the midst of

horrific tortures could make them denouncetheir Faith.

V STRENGTH TO ENDURE THE CRUELTIES OF MANKIND ANDTHE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FALLEN SPIRITUALLY

DARKENED - WORLD, IS DUE TO GODS GRACE ONLY -based upon COMPLETE TRUSTIN HIM, Who providesus with all necessary abilities to achieve whatever

is required.That is whyGOD IS GLORIFIED THROUGH THE SUFFERINGS OF

HIS BELOVED FAITHFUL who depend entirely upon Himto deliver them from all evil.

TTTTHEHEHEHE AAAAPOSTLESPOSTLESPOSTLESPOSTLESFFFFAST BEGINS TOMORROWAST BEGINS TOMORROWAST BEGINS TOMORROWAST BEGINS TOMORROW



V ONLY THROUGH THE POWER AND GRACE OFALMIGHTY GOD IS ANYTHING ANDEVERYTHING POSSIBLE!

CHRISTS INCARNATION AND ALL THAT HEACCOMPLISHED FOR US IN THE FLESH REDEEMED

[SAVED]THE OLD COVENANT SAINTS WHO, BY FAITH,PARTICIPATE IN HIS RESURRECTION AND HISETERNAL KINGDOM.

This entire passage [BEGINNING WITH 10:9] is aprogressive discourse imploring us to SEEKGODS KINGDOM FIRST BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE!

Under the New Covenant, we CAN ASCEND TO THISHEAVENLY PLACE IN WORSHIP AND PRAYER.

WE EXPERIENCE THIS HEAVENLY DIMENSIONFUNDAMENTALLY IN THE DIVINE LITURGY.

We ascend to that Heavenly Place where WE ARESURROUNDED BY A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES.[THE HEAVENLY HOSTS AND THE SAINTS]

It is not a physical place butA SPIRITUAL CONDITION THAT ISINHABITED BY ALMIGHTY GOD, THE ANGELS AND THE

SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.[THE SAINTS]IT IS IN THIS SPIRITUAL MYSTERY THAT THE COMMUNION OF THE

SAINTS IS ESTABLISHED IN THE NEW COVENANT [NEWAGREEMENT/PROMISE OF AND WITH GOD]

The Cloud of Witnesses includes not only the OldCovenant Saints mentioned previously, but also theSaints and Martyrs of the Lord throughout all the ages.

V ALL THE HOLY SAINTS AND MARTYRS SUCCEEDED REACHED SPIRITUAL PERFECTION OR THEOSIS - AND SO

CAN WE!

We persevere by:

b Getting rid of sin the weight of which keeps usfrom heeding the Truth

b Setting the Heavenly City as our Destination running the Race of Faith

b Keeping our attention focused upon Jesus Christour Lord and King.This Race is not a sprint butA MARATHON OF ENDURANCE -

WHICH DOES NOT END UNTIL WE FULLY ENTER ETERNITY

THE AGE TO COME. [1 CORINTHIANS 9:24 27]V OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS BOTH THE AUTHOR THE

INITIATOR - AND FINISHER PERFECTER OF FAITH.

HIS JOY WAS TO DO GOD THE FATHERS WILL. He endured the Cross meaning that HE

VOLUNTARILY ACCEPTED HUMILIATION AND DEATHand THEREFORE WE ARE TO FOLLOW HISDETERMINATION AND PERSEVERANCE.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t M a t t h e w 1 0 : 3 2 - 3 3 ; 3 7 - 3 8 ; 1 9 : 2 7 - 3 0B e i n g F e a r l e s s W i t n e s s e s T o O u r L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t s P e r f e c t D i v i n e T r u t h

At that time, our Lord Jesus said: ... whoever confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father

Who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in

Heaven......He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughtermore than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his Cross and follow after Me, is notworthy of Me...

Then Peter said to Him: See, we have left all and followed Thee. Therefore what shall we have? So Jesus said tothem: Truly, I say to you, that in the Regeneration - when the Son of Man sits on the Throne of His Glory

- you who have followed Me will also sit on Twelve Thrones, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Andeveryone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands forMy Names sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit Eternal Life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

V The reference to taking up our Crosses in order tofollow Christ our Lord and Saviour, means thatNO T H ING M US T PREV ENT US F RO M BEINGABS OLUTE LY F A IT HFU L TO OUR LOR D GOD .

A TRUE AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST MUSTALWAYS BE READY TO OBEY GOD AND EVEN, IF

NECESSARY, TO SACRIFICE FAMILY OR FRIENDLYRELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE SPIRITUALLYDESTRUCTIVE.

HOLY MARTYRDOM FOR THE SAKE OF OUR FAITH INJESUS CHRIST AND ALMIGHTY GOD, IS A

FULFILMENT OF THE PROPHECYof

M i chah 7 : 5 - 7 : ...do not trust in friends, nor putyour hope in those who govern. Beware of yourwife and do not tell her anything. For a sondishonours his father, a daughter will rise up against

her mother, a daughter-in-lay against her mother-in-law; a mans enemies are all the people of his own

house but I will look to the Lord...OUR LORD JESUS AS THE ALL DIVINE AND ALL KNOWING SON

OF GOD KNEW EVERYTHING THAT HIS FAITHFUL DISCIPLESAND APOSTLES WOULD HAVE TO ENDURE IN THE TIME TOCOME AND THROUGHOUT ALL THE AGES.

V O UR LO RD ENC O URA GES US T H RO UGH A LL O UR DIF F IC ULT IES IN L IF E even if we are not confronted by terrible Martyrdom

WE ARE CONSTANTLY THREATENED BYDESTRUCTIVE, FATAL UNGODLINESS AND SPIRITUAL

ADVERSITY.

WE MUST DO EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO OURLOVE OF GOD AND HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM.

We must not follow the destructive norms of sociallife but instead TAKE UP OUR CROSSES ANDFOLLOW FAITHFULLY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OFCHRIST WHO IS OUR ONLY JUDGE AND MASTER.

We must not worry about what our fellow sinnersmay think or do. And, in fact, we will SHOWTHEM THE WAY BY OUR OWN HEALTHY, HAPPY AND

PEACEFUL LIFE IN CHRIST.V T HE DU LL AN D ST UBB OR N LY IGN ORA NT W ILL

REM A IN IN S P IR IT UA L DA RK NES S BY T H EIR

OWN CHOICE , but there are SOME WHO WILLFOLLOW US INTO THE DIVINE LIGHT AND LIFE IN

CHRIST.

SPIRITUALLY STUBBORN AND DEAD SINNERS WILLALWAYS FIND EXCUSES AND TRY TO PREVENTOTHERS FROM OBEYING GODS DIVINE WILL

EITHER BY THEIR WORDS, THEIR DEEDS ORTHEIR ATTITUDES.

These are the people whom our Lord tells us to ignorealthough WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEIR SPIRITUALENLIGHTENMENT AND DELIVERANCE, FOR, IF WE LOVEGOD AND HIS CREATURES, WE DO NOT WISH ANYONE TO

BE LEFT OUT OF HIS DIVINE AND EVERLASTINGKINGDOM.V Christ Judges by discerning our hearts and

souls and not by examining our deeds. Soalso the Apostles were shaped to exercise

Spiritual Judgement concerning Faith, and inrebuking error with Virtue.

In other words, GOOD DEEDS ALONE, CANNOT GAIN DIVINEBLESSINGS FOR US UNLESS OUR HEARTS AND SOULSARE AS PURE, AS GOOD AND AS FAITHFUL AS OURDEEDS - AND VICE VERSA.

THE APOSTLES WILL NOT JUDGE WITH EARTHLY

JUDGEMENT BUT BY THE WITNESS OF THEIR OWN LIVES.

V SINCE GOD S DVI NE A ND HO LY KI NGDO MBEGINS WITH THE RESURRECTION OFCHR IST, THE AUTHORITY OF JUDGEMENT HASALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO THE HOLY APOSTLES AND

THEIR SUCCESSORS IN THE JOURNEY OF THECHURCH ON EARTH. (MATTHEW 16:19 JOHN 20:23)

V This brings us back to THE HOLY MY S TE RY ORS A C RA M ENT O F C O NF ES S IO N wherebyREPENTANT SINNERS, HAVING REPENTED ANDCONFESSED THEIR SINS BEFORE GOD AND HISHOLY PRIESTS (OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS) ARE FORGIVEN

THEIR SINS BY MEANS OF DIVINE AUTHORITYBESTOWED UPON THEM BY GOD.

THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERY OF CONFESSION A LLOUR REPENTED AND CONFESSED S INS

ARE COMPLETELY REMO VED from the pagesof our Books of Life wherein every word,thought and deed is recorded by our HolyGuardian Angels who defend us after deathand who help us TO ENTER ETERNAL LIFE WITHGOD.

V On the contrary: ALL OU R UNREPENTED S INS A REALS O R E COR DE D BY T HE DEMONS WHO WILLLOUDLY ACCUSE US OF THEM AND TRY TO CLAIM OURSOULS FOR ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND EVER

LASTING SPIRITUAL DEATH IN OUTER DARKNESS EXTREME AND PERMANENT ETERNAL EXILE FROM


9/22



The most natural Goodness, when damaged bySIN, MAKESCONFESSION DIFFICULT BY ENDEAVOURING TO INTRODUCEAND MIX THE CONFESSION OF FALLEN NATURE INTO IT.

The Confession of Christ is ruined by this mixture; ITASCRIBES AN INCOMPLETE FALLENNESS TO FALLEN

NATURE, AND DETRACTS FROM THE SIGNIFICANCE OFCHRISTa Significance which is All-Perfect, andtherefore cannot tolerate such impurity.

Sin demands firm recognition of the corruption offallen nature.

It is possible to draw back from human society, or fromrelatives; but where do you go to get away from

yourself? Where can you hide from your own nature?How do you escape it?

In order to be freed from slavery to fallen nature, THELORD COMMANDS US TO CRUCIFY OUR FALLEN NATURE -that is, to deny its reason and will, to NAIL THEMINDS ACTIVITY AND THE HEARTS ATTRACTIONS TO THECOMMANDMENTS OF THE GOSPELS.

Thus, ... those who are Christs have crucified theflesh with the affections and lusts... - THEY HAVECRUCIFIED THEIR CARNAL MIND AND THEIR FALLEN

NATURES WILL, upon which the souls and bodys sinfulattractions, and sinful life, are founded and built.(GALATIANS 5:24)

Thus was the world crucified to St Paul and him to theworld. (CF. GALATIANS 6:14).

The Holy Prophet, Psalmist and King, STDAVID, PRAYED TOGOD TO BE GRANTED THE STRENGTH AND ABILITY TO SO

CRUCIFY HIMSELF: ...Nail down my flesh with thefear of Thee... that is, NAIL MY CARNAL MIND AND MYWILL, SO THAT THEY REMAIN IMMOBILIZED!(PSALM 118:120)

Establish for Thy servant Thine Oracle [Word] untoFear of Thee, so that I might be steadily guidedin my seen and unseen activity by Thy Word.(PSALM 118:38)

Those who mortify [crush - eradicate] their fallen naturewith the Sword of Christs Teaching...whosoevershall lose his life for My sake and the Gospels,says our Lord, ... shall Save it. (MARK 8:35 & MATTHEW10:39).

On the contrary, WHOEVER ACTS ACCORDING TO THEREASONING AND ATTRACTIONS OF HIS FALLEN NATURE -mistakenly accepting them as good - ... he whofinds his life shall lose it. And he who does nottake up his cross - who does not take the Yoke ofMy Commandments upon himself, and does not

follow after Me, in Self-denial, but follows hisown will, is not worthy of Me.(MATTHEW 10:3839)

The Holy Church, intending to explain most satisfactorilythe fate of Gods chosen ones in both time andEternity, has determined that after hearing theTerrible, Impartial, and Resolute Sentence from themouth of God, WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET OUR LORDSANSWER TO STPETERS QUESTION: ... Behold, we haveforsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we havetherefore? (MATTHEW 19:27)

OUR LORD PROMISED GREAT HONOUR TO HIS FAITHFULAPOSTLES.

As our Lord Jesus Christ is the only Eternal King of Israel -that is, of all Christians who are the New, Spiritual andEternal Israel that consists of all Nations of the earthwho will finally inhabit the Eternal Promised Land Gods Eternal, Heavenly Kingdom - it is natural that the

His Holy Apostles, through whom all the Nations cameto worship Him, should be made the Leaders andJudges of this New Israel - the Eternal, HeavenlyNation.

Having informed His Holy Apostles of their significance inthe state of human Eternity (cf. Mt. 19:28), our LordJesus Christ said: ... And every one who hasforsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, orfather, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands,for My sake, and the Gospels shall receive anhundredfold now in this time, houses, andbrethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children,and lands, with persecutions; and in the Worldto come Eternal Life.(MATTHEW 19:29 & MARK 10:2930)

EARTHLY LIFE IS CALLED PERSECUTION because humanswere cast down to the earth and subjected to a sojournof suffering upon it for transgressing GodsCommandment.

EARTH IS A PLACE AND TIME OF PERSECUTION FOR FAITHFULDISCIPLES OFCHRIST, BECAUSE THE EVIL PRINCE OF THISWORLD REIGNS HERE - his reign of sin is mostwidespread here - THE ENEMY OFCHRISTS FOLLOWERS,CRUELLY PERSECUTES AND OPPRESSES US WITHOUT

INTERRUPTION.WE ARE SUBJECTED TO THE MANY DIFFERENT TORMENTS OF

SIN BOTH INTERNAL WITHIN US - AND EXTERNAL OUTSIDE WICKED INFLUENCES AND TEMPTATIONS.

The fallen spirits who obsessively thirst for our destruction,work ceaselessly against us with frenzied hatred andincredible craftiness.

Working against us, also, are the majority of people, whohave willingly enslaved themselves to the fallen spirits,and who serve them as blind, unhappy instruments.

Furthermore, WE HAVE WORKING AGAINST US OUR OWNPASSIONS AND WEAKNESSES.

FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST RECEIVE - even in thistemporary exile - A HUNDRED-FOLD MORE THAN WHAT WEHAVE FORSAKEN FORCHRISTS SAKE AND FOR THE SAKE OFHIS COMMANDMENTS.

WE TANGIBLY RECEIVE THE GRACE OF THEALL-HOLYSPIRIT.Before Divine Grace brings Consolation, all the short-lived,

unsatisfying delights and consolations of the world aredestroyed.

Before Spiritual Riches, before Spiritual Glory, all theperishable riches and vain-glory of the world aredestroyed.

In the eyes of the Saints, sinful and fleshly pleasures aredisgusting filth, filled with deathly bitterness - the stateof the rich and glorious of the fallen world is like awhitened sepulchre that appears shiny on the outside,but which is filled with the stink of decay inside thequalities of every decomposing corpse.

PEOPLE WHO ARE CORRUPTED BYSPIRITUAL DEATH CAUSED BYUNREPENTED SIN, WHICH IS A TERRIBLE STATE OFALIENATION FROM CHRISTCAN BE JUSTLY REGARDED ASDEAD BODIES.

ALL EARTHLY WEALTH AND POSSESSIONS REMAIN BEHIND NOLONGER OF ANY BENEFIT TO US - WHEN - according to theinescapable and inexorable Law of Death - WE DEPARTTHIS EARTH AND ENTER IRREVOCABLY INTO ETERNITY.

DIVINE

GRACE

, however, follows a different Rule: itACCOMPANIES TO REGIONS BEYOND THE GRAVE WHOEVERHAS ACQUIRED IT WHILE ALIVE!

As soon as we cast off our mortal body, DIVINE GRACE thatwas hitherto bound by our flesh EXTENDS ITSELFBROADLY AND MAGNIFICENTLY, SERVING AS APLEDGE ANDTESTIMONYfor the Chosen of God.

When we appear before the Judgment that awaits everyhuman being after death, and present our HolyTestimony and Sacred Pledge, DIVINE GRACE FITTINGLYBRINGS US SPIRITUAL, ETERNAL, INDESCRIBABLE, ANDBOUNDLESS RICHES, SPLENDOUR, AND DELIGHT INHEAVEN as the logical outcome.

In the world to come WE SHALL INHERITEVERLASTING LIFE,AS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS PROMISED ETERNALLIFE THAT IS SO EXTRAORDINARILY SUPERABUNDANT ANDREFINED, THAT NONE OF US - because our thoughtsconcerning the unknown can only be based upon ourknowledge of the known - COULD POSSIBLY HAVE THESLIGHTEST CONCEPTION OR UNDERSTANDING OF IT. (MARK10:30&MATTHEW19:29)

May we all - for our faithful and constant Confession ofour Lord Jesus Christ by means of our daily words,thoughts and deeds - be granted the inheritance ofthis wonderful Eternal Life that has been prepared forall humanity by the unfathomable and infinite Loveand Mercy of our Lord Who has Redeemed us throughHimself.

Amen.ADAPTED &EDITED BY MP: SERMON FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ST MATTHEW BYST IGNATIUS

(BRIANCHANINOV)-TRANSLATED BYNUN CORNELIA (REES)-HTTP://WWW.PRAVOSLAVIE.RU/ENGLISH/35501.HTM

A l l S a i n t s S u n d a ySunday following Pentecost is dedicated to ALL SAINTS,

BOTH THOSE WHO ARE KNOWN TO US, AND THOSE WHO ARE

KNOWN ONLY TO GOD.They were Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs,Monastics, and Righteous, yet ALL WEREPERFECTED BY THE SAME HOLYSPIRIT.

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLYSPIRIT MAKES IT POSSIBLEFOR US TO RISE ABOVE OUR FALLEN STATE AND TO

ATTAIN SAINTHOOD, thereby fulfilling God's

directive to "...be Holy, for I Am Holy."(LEVITICUS 11:44, 1PETER 1:16, ETC.).

Therefore, it is fitting to commemorate All Saints on the

first Sunday after Pentecost.This Feast may have originated at an early date,perhaps as a Commemoration of all Holy Martyrs,then broadened to include all men and women whohad borne Witness to Christ by their Virtuous Lives.

TTTTHEHEHEHE AAAAPOSTLESPOSTLESPOSTLESPOSTLESFFFFAST BEGINS TOMORROWAST BEGINS TOMORROWAST BEGINS TOMORROWAST BEGINS TOMORROWUNTILUNTIL 2929JJUNEUNE


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A r c h d i o c e s e o f G o o d H o p e All Glory, Honour and Worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, nowand forever, and unto the Ages of ages. Amen.

Re me mb er in g al so ou r Mo st Ho ly , Mo st Pu re , Mo st Bl es se d an d Gl or iou s La dy , Ma ri a,Th eo to ko s, ye t Ev er Vi rg in , to ge th er wi th al l th e Sa in ts . An d le t us co mm it ou rs el ve s an done another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.

2 n d Sunday After Pentecost Tone 1 17 June 2 0 1 2

2n d

S u n d a y o f S t M a t t h e w F i s h e r s o f M e nAlso the Feast of North American Saints St Isaurion the Deacon, St Vasilion & St

Innocent St Manuel, St Sabel & St Ismail of Persia St Nektan of Hartland St

Shalva of Akhaltsikhe. Georgia

R e s u r r e c t i o n A p o l y t i k i o n TON E 1Tou lithou sfragisthentos ipo ton Ioudeon ke stratioton

filassonton to ahranton Sou Soma, Anestis trimeros,Sotir, Doroumenos to kosmo tin Zoin. Dia touto e

Dinamis ton Ouranon evoon si Zoodota. Doxa tiAnastasi Sou, Hriste! Doxa ti Vasilia Sou! Doxa ti

Ikonomia Sou, mone Filanthrope!

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and soldiersstood on guard over Thy Body undefiled, Thou roseon the Third Day, O Saviour, Who grants Life to theworld. For which cause the Heavenly Powers criedaloud to Thee: O Giver of Life: Glory to ThyResurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Gloryto Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone Loves

mankind!K on t a ki on o f t h e E ve r B le ss e d T h e o to k os

Prostasiaton Hristianon akateskhinte, mesitia pros tonPiitin 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, tonTimonton Se.

OProtector of the Christians Unashamable, Mediator tothe Creator Immovable, despise not, the pleadingvoices of those in sin, but hasten O Good One, to theAid of all of us, who in Faith cry out to Thee: speed upThine Intercession, and present Thy Supplication, OTheotokos who always protects all those who honourThee!

R e s u r r e c t i o n G o s p e l 2 : M a r k 1 6 : 1 - 8 T h e H o ly M yrr hb e ar er s W i t n e s s T he E m p ty T omb O f O ur R is e n Lo rd & S a vi our , Je s u s C h r is t

P r o k e i m e n o n

Have mercy on us, O Lord, as we have set our Hope on Thee!Rejoice in the Lord, all Righteous men!

T h e E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e R o m a n s 2 : 1 0 - 1 6Ou r Con s c ie n ce Wi l l Ju d g e U s F i rs t B e fo re T h e F in a l Ju d g e me n t Of Ch r is t Ou r Lord A n d S a v iou r

Brethren: Glory, Honour and Peace to everyone who works what is good - to the Hebrew first and also to the Greek. Forthere is no partiality with God. For as many as have sinned without Law will also perish without Law, and as many ashave sinned in the Law will be judged by the Law (for not the hearers of the Law are Just in the Sight of God, but thedoers of the Law will be Justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the Law, by nature do the things in the Law,these, although not having the Law, as a law to themselves, who show the Work of the Law written in their hearts,their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in theDay when God will Judge the secrets of mankind by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.

V Even as believing Christians, WE MUST NOT TAKE THEOUTCOME OF GODS FINAL JUDGEMENT FOR GRANTED!

In every Divine Liturgy Orthodox Christians pray: For a

good Defence before the dread Judgement Seatof Christ, let us pray to the Lord... Lord havemercy!

St Pauls Epistle to the Romans (2:2-16) describes Gods

Judgement, showing howWE CAN PREPARE OURSELVESfor It.

V GODS RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENTwill be:V ACCORDING TO GODS TRUTH:NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM GOD Who sees everything and

Who knows the Truth about every human being.Our greatest deception is the belief that

anything can be secret or hidden andthinking that there is no Divine Judgement!

V ACCORDING TO IMPENITENT HEARTS:THOSE WHO ARE UNREPENTANT - STUBBORN AND IN A

STATE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH - DESPISE GODS INFINITEGOODNESS AND WILL RECEIVE THE ETERNALCONDEMNATION OF GOD AT THE FINAL JUDGEMENT.

REPENTANT SOULS WHO ARE IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFEARE ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR GODS INFINITE PATIENCEAND BLESSINGS, ABIDING IN CHRIST AND PRACTISING

DAILY REPENTANCE, WHICH PRODUCES SPIRITUALCONFIDENCE before our Lord at the FinalJudgement WILL BE REWARDED WITH ETERNALLIFE.

V ACCORDING TO OUR DEEDS:Doing good is not an attempt at gaining special

merits with our Lord. Rather it means ENJOYING

THE UNITY OF INTENTIONS WITH ACTIONS i.e. FAITHWITH WORKS TRUE FAITH MOTIVATES AND COMPELSUS TO DO GOOD DEEDS AT ALL TIMES, WITHOUTEXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN.

Even unbelievers are rewarded for their good deeds,apart from Spiritual Understanding.

DOING GOOD MEANS WHATEVER WE DO IS EXCLUSIVELY

FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD andnever for our own glorification or to receive theFLATTERY AND COMPLIMENTS OF OTHERS, which canCAUSE OUR SPIRITUAL DEATH THROUGH VANITY,GREED, ETC.

By humblyseeking only the Glory of God through ourgood deeds, we receive the Eternal Reward ofImmortality Eternal Life in Gods Heavenly Kingdomof Everlasting Love/Agape.

V GOOD DEEDS MAY BENEFIT OTHERS BUT THEY WILL NOTBENEFIT US AT ALL UNLESS WE SEEK FIRST THE

KINGDOM OF GOD.

Therefore, if we only commit ourselves to doing anygood deeds so that others will praise us andadmire us, that TEMPORARY GLORY BECOMES ANACCUSATION AGAINST US, THE CONSEQUENCES OFWHICH WILL WEIGH HEAVILY AGAINST US IN ETERNITY!

GOOD INTENTIONS ALONE, OR FAITH WITHOUT WORKS, WILLNOT SAVE OUR SOULS FROM CONDEMNATION!

Simply to hear but not to do is false faith faithwithout any foundation or reality.

V THOSE WHO HAVE TRUE FAITH are the doers of GodsTruth and theyCEASELESSLY PRACTISE VIRTUE FROMPURE AND REPENTANT HEARTS.


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By nature i.e. BY OUR HUMAN NATURE THAT IS CREATEDAND ENLIVENED BY GOD, WEARE INSPIRED BY AND CO-

OPERATE WITH GODS DIVINE GRACE. Therefore GOODDEEDS ARE NATURAL TO US while wicked deeds arecontrary to our human, intellectual nature!

V Because we all fail sooner or later, WE ALWAYS NEEDGODS DIVINE MERCY.

V THE PRESENCE OF DIVINE LAW THE LAW OF GOD WITHINOUR CONSCIENCE CONDEMNS ANYTHING WE DO THAT IS

CONTRARY OR AGAINST OUR TRUE, PERFECTLYCREATED HUMAN NATURE.

Therefore, even Gentiles those who are not under the

Old or New Covenant with God have a natural,internal Divine Law within them their conscience according to which they, too, will be judged.

Melchizedek, Job and the Ninevites are Old Testamentexamples of non-Hebrews who were judged to beRighteous.

Hebrews had TWO LAWS OF GOD THE LAW OF MOSES (THEOLD COVENANT LAW) AND THE NATURAL DIVINE LAW OFTHEIR CONSCIENCE AND THEY JUST LIKE US OF THE NEWCOVENANT LAW WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR BOTH

BEFORE GOD.

V THOSE WHO ARE CONDEMNED HAVE FREELY CHOSEN TOREJECT GOD.

There is no automatic, fated EternalCondemnation: GODS JUST JUDGEMENT ISBASED ON OUR PERSONAL EXERCISE OF OUR FREEWILL.

ALTHOUGH SIN IMPAIRS OUR POWERS, IT DOES NOTDESTROY GODS DIVINE IMAGE IN US OR OUR FREE

WILL TO CHOOSE WHETHER TO ACCEPT OR REJECTGODS WILL.

V Due to our sinful state, WE HAVE LOST OUR LIKENESS TOGOD, WHICH IS WHY OUR ENTIRE LIFE ON EARTH

SHOULD BE SPENT TRYING TO REGAIN THAT GOD-LIKESTATE.ON THE EIGHTH DAY THE DAY OF FINAL JUDGEMENT WE WILL

NOT BE JUDGED DIRECTLY BY GOD THE FATHER WHOM WE

CANNOT SEE, BUT BY HIS INCARNATE SON WHOM WE CAN

AND DO SEE: our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Whowill Judge us ON THE BASIS OF THE LIGHT THAT HEHIMSELF GRANTED EACH OF US AND OUR RESPONSEto HisDivine Light.

The secrets of men are all the thoughts and intents ofthe heart.

T h e H o l y G o s p e l o f S t M a t t h e w 4 : 1 8 2 3O u r L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t C a l l s H i s F i r s t A p o s t l e s

At that time, our Lord Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, hisbrother, casing a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them: Follow Me, and I will makeyou Fishers of Men.

They immediately left their nets and followed Him.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.He called to them, and 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.

THESE FIRST DISCIPLES OR APOSTLES OF CHRIST OUR

SAVIOURhad already heard the preaching of St Johnthe Baptist and WERE PREPARED TO ACCEPT OUR LORDIMMEDIATELY.

ALTHOUGH THEY WERE ILLITERATE AND UNEDUCATED IN THE

HEBREW FAITH, THESE HUMBLE FISHERMEN WHOM OUR

LORD JESUS CALLED TO FOLLOW HIM WOULD SOON BEREVEALED AS THE WISEST OF ALL, THROUGH THEDESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THAT GLORIOUS DAY OFPENTECOST.

The crowds of people did not swarm to our Lord Jesus

when He commanded Repentance but only when He

began to heal the people and perform His DivineMiracles, which shows thatTHEY MISUNDERSTOOD THETRUE NATURE OF HIS DIVINE, ETERNAL KINGDOM OFHEAVEN.

THE ARROGANCE AND SELFISHNESS THAT MOTIVATES MOST PEOPLE IS CLEARLY

EVIDENT: ONCE THEY REALISED THAT THEY COULD BENEFIT FROM CHRIST

WHATS IN IT FOR ME? THEIR IMMEDIATE DESIRE FOR INSTANT BUT

TEMPORARY GRATIFICATION -THEN THEY BEGAN TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HE

TRIED TO TEACH THEM AND BESTOW UPON THEM PRICELESS, EVERLASTING

SPIRITUAL TREASURES OF ETERNAL LIFE!

It also clearly demonstrated OUR LORDS CONCESSION TOGRANT CREDIBILITY TO WHAT HE TAUGHT AND REVEALEDto the fickle multitudes of that time.

F o l l o w M e , a n d I w i l l m a k e Y o u F i s h e r s o f M e n . AFTER MEETING OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST COULD ANYONE

REMAIN AN ORDINARY FISHERMAN AN ORDINARY HUMANBEING?

After we as struggling Christians have seen the Faceof our Saviour the One Who suffers for us CAN WE

STILL REMAIN IN OUR CURRENT STATE AND CONTINUE

AN UNPRODUCTIVE, UNSATISFYING LIFESTYLE?Can anyone who has truly seen Christ remain blind to

the Most Nobel and Truthful Mission of the Gospel?

DO YOU CHOOSE RATHER TO REMAIN IN THE SPIRITUALDARKNESS OF DISOBEDIENCE, SUPERSTITION,UNREPENTED SIN AND SELFISHNESS?

TodayWE ARE CONFRONTED WITH THE CALL THAT CHRISTORIGINALLY DIRECTED TO HIS FIRST FOUR HOLYAPOSTLES those who had already met Him and gotto know Him Who named Simon Peter [A PLAY ON THEWORD FOR ROCK MEANING SOMETHING THAT IS FIRM AND STEADY OR

DEPENDABLE.]

Shortly before this Call to Holy Apostleship, OUR LORDJESUS ENTERED INTO THE DAILY LIFE AND DEEDS OFHISDISCIPLES, by causing a miraculous draught of fishfor the nets of St Peter and St Andrew who wereexhausted from an unsuccessful night of fishing.

Having caught so many fish that their nets almost broke,St Peter and St Andrew were then informed thatIN

FUTURE THEY WOULD BECOME FISHERS OF MEN.THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF DIVINE REVELATION AND

SALVATION, GOD SPEAKS AND HAS SPOKEN ONLY TOTHOSE WHO ACCEPTHIS CALL TO BECOME FISHERS OF

MEN (I.E. ALL MANKIND).One of the most beautiful descriptions in Holy Scripture

is that ofTHE GREAT WEDDING FEAST OR BANQUETCELEBRATING THE HOLYUNION OFGOD THE SON, OURLORDJESUS CHRIST THE DIVINE BRIDEGROOM ANDHIS CHOSEN BRIDE - HIS ETERNAL HOLY CHURCH,

WHICH CONSISTS OF THOSE WHO DEVOUTLY AND

OBEDIENTLY FOLLOWHIM.How spectacular this Wedding Feast is WHEN GOD IN

THE BURNING BUSH CALLED MOSES, WHEN HE CALLEDISAIAH IN THETEMPLE, AND FINALLY, WHEN HE CALLEDHIS HOLYAPOSTLES simple fishermen - WHO ALLBECAME FILLED WITH WISDOM AND LOVE THROUGH THEDIVINE POWER ANDTRUTH OF THE HOLYSPIRIT.

Later Christ also Called St Paul along the road toDamascus [AND CAUSED HIM TO BECOME ONE OF THE GREATEST OF ALLHOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES.]

How beautiful these souls are who, after meeting ourLord and hearing His Call, left their nets and their

boats, (THEIR LIFE-SUPPORTING OCCUPATIONS) as well as theirfamilies and their friends, to immediately followChrist.

OUR LORDS CALL IS CERTAINLY NEVER OBLIGATORY NORFORCEFUL, FORGOD WANTS THOSE WHO WORSHIPHIMTO DO SO IN FREEDOM AND IN THE HOLYSPIRIT.

Therefore THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO HOLYSERVICE AREALWAYS ABLE TO RESIST OR TO JOYFULLY ACCEPT THEIR

DIVINE CALLING.THE INSTANT RESPONSE OF STABRAHAM OF THE OLD

COVENANT AND ST PAUL OF THE NEW COVENANTENCOURAGE US TO TAKE UP OUR CROSS AND FOLLOW OUR

LORD WHEREVERHE LEADS US.On the contrary,THOSE WHO REFUSE GODS INVITATION TO

HIS GREAT BANQUET - THOSE WHO CHOOSE NOT TORESPOND POSITIVELY TO HIS DIVINE CALL - BY MAKINGEVERY EXCUSE THEY CAN INVENT - SHOULD BE A DIREWARNING TO US ALL.

We long to be l ike those who worship God in the Spirit

because WHOEVER CONTEMPLATES GOD DRAWS FROMHIS DIVINE LIGHT THE LIGHT OFLIFE.


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(SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 2 n d S u n d a y A f t e r P e n t e c o s t 2 n d S u n d a y O f S t M a t t h e w F i s h e r s o f M e n - 1 7 J u n e 2 0 1 2 13 .

BEYOND MEASURE ARE THOSE WHO READ THE DIVINEWORDS, UNDERSTAND THE NOBLE HUMAN MISSION, ANDHEAR THE CALL OF OUR LORD TO MISSIONS ANDEVANGELISM.

It is inevitable thatEVERY PERSON WHO DRAWS FROM THE

DIVINE WORDS OUGHT TO GIVE THEM OUT. (SHARE THEMWITH OTHERS AND LIVE ACCORDINGLY AS A GOOD EXAMPLE TO

OTHERS.)

FREELY WE RECEIVED FREELY WE GIVE TO OTHERS.The Secret ofOURLORDS SWEETNESS IS ITS ABUNDANCE

and the Secret ofTHE DIVINE WORDS FRAGRANCE IS

ITS INTENSITY.Those who taste the Lord and bury Him in themselves,

are deceived, for OUR LORD SPEAKS TO US IN ORDERFOR US TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND TO SEND HISDIVINE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

LOVE SHARES WITH OTHERS. Whoever reads and DivineWords and loves them, truly cannot but love topreach them as well.

V OURLORDJESUS CHRIST ASKED STPETER THE GREATESTOF ALL QUESTIONS: ... do you Love Me?

OUR LORD FIRST USED THE WORDS ...AGAPAS ME... MEANING THAT

DIVINE AND PERFECT LOVE THAT IS ABOVE ALL HUMAN LOVE AND

UNDERSTANDING, BUT WHEN ST PETER DID NOT COMPREHEND

WHAT HE ASKED, CHRIST USED THE TERM ... FILIS ME...? WHICH IS

THE LIMITED HUMAN LOVE WE ALL KNOW.

Consequently, IT IS INEVITABLE THAT OURTRUE LOVE OF

CHRIST(AGAPE)

WILL INCITE(COMPEL)

US TO TEND HISSHEEPHIS HOLYFLOCK OUR FELLOWBRETHREN INCHRIST BY PROPERLY GUIDING, ENCOURAGING ANDTEACHING AND ALSO BY HUMBLY AND JOYFULLYACCEPTING THE SAME GUIDANCE, ENCOURAGEMENT ANDTEACHING FROM OTHERS WHO ARE MORE SPIRITUALLYEXPERIENCED THAN WE ARE.

AGAPE STRONGLY URGES US TO FULFIL OUR SACREDMISSIONS because His Divine Love is infinitelyabundant!

V The other aspect of Christs Calling is THE DEEP,PROFOUND, INNER CHANGE THAT COMPLETELY ALTERSOUR ENTIRE BEING INTO A GOOD SPIRITUAL STATE.

AGAPE CHANGES US COMPLETELY AND COMPELS US TO GREATER

ENDEAVOURS FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD.

His Divine Call does not just make us leave our family,

friends and/or livelihood if we have to, Rather, ITENTIRELY CHANGES THE LOVE AND PURPOSE OF OURHEARTand our Lords verbal expression Fishers

of menand not of fish confirms that.

When our Lord Jesus says: Follow Me, and I will

make you Fishers of Men... HE GIVES NEWMEANING TO THE PURPOSE OF WORK AND FAMILY HECONFIRMS THAT THE IDEAL AND FINAL GOAL OF ALL OURWORK OURLABOURS OFLOVE IS PEOPLE.

GOD CALLS US TO HELP, GUIDE AND ENCOURAGE SPECIFICPEOPLE and this might even mean that sometimeswe may have to remain far from them, or we may

have to leave them, but IN THE END HE WILL REUNITEUS WITH THEM.

GOD DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE US AWAY BUT TO PROTECT USFROM THE FALLEN WORLD OF TEMPTATION AND

CORRUPTION.Just as salt is used to preserve things that are potentially

corruptible, HIS DIVINE LIGHT ENLIGHTENS THOSE INSPIRITUAL DARKNESS OF UNREPENTED SIN so theFAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST ARE SENT TO PREACHHIS DIVINE TRUTH TO ALL OTHERS BOTH VERBALLYAND BY EXAMPLE.

Forsaking our means of gainful employment is possibleonly if we FOLLOWCHRIST WITH TOTAL DEDICATION,

WE CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS AT THE SAME TIME!WE CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS AT THE SAME TIME!WE CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS AT THE SAME TIME!WE CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS AT THE SAME TIME! SO IF ANYTHING

CAUSES US TO NEGLECT OR DRIFT AWAY FROM OUR SACRED DUTIES

TO GOD AND OUR FELLOW MANKIND, WE MUST DECIDE WHAT IS

MOST IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT TO US - OUR ETERNAL LIFE

AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE OR TEMPORARY, UNBENEFICIAL AND

UNPRODUCTIVE ATTRACTIONS OF PEOPLE OR WORLDLY THINGS.

WHATEVER WE CHOOSE, WE MUST ALSO BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THEBE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THEBE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THEBE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE

ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES!ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES!ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES!ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES!

THE PURPOSE OF OURLORDS HOLYCALLING IS FOR US TOBE SENT OUT AMONGST OUR FELLOW SINNERS AND

CONTINUING OR FORSAKING OUR CURRENT LIFESTYLE IS

DEPENDENT ON OURHOLYMISSION.NOT EVERYONE IS EXPECTED OR REQUIRED TO RENOUNCE ALL WORLDLY

POSSESSIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS IN ORDER TO FOLLOW CHRIST.

ONLY IF WE ARE OBSESSED, MISLED OR DISTRACTED BY THESE IS IT

NECESSARY TO RENOUNCE THEM IN ORDER TO HUMBLY AND

EAGERLY OBEY GODS DIVINE WILL.

Christ Calls us all, but HIS CALLING DEMANDS A NOBLESOUL TO ANSWER SUCH A CALL OF LOVE (AGAPE)BECAUSE IT WILL PROFOUNDLY CHANGE US and that

change may demand the abandoning of our currentdeeds, work and lifestyle in order to PROPERLY SERVETHE LORD OURGOD AND FULFIL THE REAL PURPOSE OFTHIS SHORT LIFESPAN.

There is no other choice for the Faithful Disciple ofChrist than to HEAR AND OBEY THE CALL OF THE HOLYGOSPEL:Come! Follow Me!

This Divine Invitation is for every human being butEVERY

BAPTISED, CHRISMATED CHRISTIAN HAS TO MAKE ACONSCIOUS CHOICE OF COMMITMENT AND FAITH.

We are confronted daily by many different choices but itis up to every Christian to CHOOSE THE HOLYNETS OFCHRIST AS FISHERS OF MANKIND [FOR NOT ONLY DO WECHOOSE TO FOLLOW OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BUT WE MUST ALSO

ENCOURAGE AND GUIDE OTHERS TO HIS DIVINE TRUTH AND LIGHT.]

ADAPTED &EDITED BYMP: SERMON ON FISHERS OF MENBYHIS EMINENCE,

METROPOLITAN PAUL (YAZIGI)OF ALEPPO

http://www.alepporthodox.org/files/writings-en/matthew02-7-1.pdf

M a y G o d G i v e y o u W i s d o m ! (PART 1)

The Righteous Elder , Arch imandri te John Krest iankin o f Pskov Caves Monastery

(EXCERPT FROM A LETTER TO A SPIRITUAL BEGINNER)EVERYTHING WILL BE VERY SIMPLE AND EASY IF YOU DECIDE TO

DO IT FORGOD FORGODS SAKE AND FOR THE GLORYOFGOD.

EVERYTHING IN LIFE AND IN THE SOUL WILL IMMEDIATELYCOME TOGETHER.

Do not leave your employment, live on your salary, andWORK AT HOME FOR YOUR SOUL.

Do not accept gifts, and do not count on getting your onlyprofit from payment for Icons.

Work at the museum for now, and the time will comewhen you will only work in the Church even better, ina Monastery.

But now you should gain EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE,and raise your level of qualification - STUDY WHEREVER

YOU CAN. If they find out about your domestic practiceat work, then you can explain it easily by saying: I amdoing it to get practice in restoration work and

increase my experience, but I do not accept payment

for it.After all, Y OUR WO RK IS K NO W INGLY A NDC O NS C IO US LY T O S ERV E GO D A ND NO T MAMM ON . Do you understand?

You must also learn that NO MATTER WHERE YOU WORK,ESPECIALLY IF IT IS IN THE CHURCH, THERE WILL ALWAYS

BE MANY DISAPPOINTMENTS AND DISENCHANTMENTS,

because people are people everywhere with eachones plusses and minuses.

You need to learn to BE CONDESCENDING TO PEOPLESINFIRMITIES, AND TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT GODSPROVIDENCE TEACHESA LESSON IN SPIRITUAL LIFE INEVERY SITUATION.

So WE LEARN FROM THE MOMENT WE BECOME AWARE OFOURSELVES TO THE MOMENT OF OUR DEATH.

Before taking on anyones new commission, be verycareful, and do not agree to accept it right away.

Only once you have made sense of what has been askedof you and established that there is indeed a true needfor it, fulfil the commission but do not deliver ityourself. Ask someone whom you can trust to deliverit.

Then all will be well and your despondency will depart.DESPONDENCY ITSELF IS BORN OF SELF-LOVE AND

PRIDE,

AND THERE WILL BE NO END TO THESE

CAUSES.What end can there be when we ourselves are only at the

very beginning?LIFE IS WONDERFUL, AND GOD ARRANGES ALL FOR THE

BETTER FOR OURSALVA TION .


14/2214. (SPONSORED BY DIMITRI PAIZIS) 2n d S u n d a y A f t e r P e n t e c o s t 2 n d S u n d a y O f S t M a t t h e w F i s h e r s o f M e n - 1 7 J u n e 2 0 1 2

My Child, learn one very important lesson, and learn it forthe rest of your life: DO NOT RUSH FORWARD INTOTOMORR OW, BUT LIVE IN THE PRESENT, LEARNTODA Y TO SEE GOD S WILL FOR YOURSELF IN THISPRESENT MOMENT AND NOT ONLY TO SEE IT, BU TTO HAVE THE UN WA VERI NG RE SO LV E TO FULF IL IT.

Thus will you LIVE EACH MOMENT BEING GUIDED BYALMIGHTYGOD.

You need to forget your own likes and dislikes, and

ACCEPTGODS DIVINE WILL.With time and Experience you will understand that OUR

COMPLETE GOOD LIES ONLY IN WHAT IS DONE ACCORDINGTO GODS WILL.

READ SPIRITUAL BOOKS AND THE LIVES OFSAINTS, and untilyou have developed a taste for such reading, beginwith Feodor Dostoevsky. Read it and try to understandwhat it is saying.

BUT THINKING ABOUTTHE END IS A GREAT SIN!You mustREPENT IMMEDIATELY and not think about this

DRIVE AWAY WITH PRAYER THESE THOUGHTS THAT COMEFROM THE ENEMY.

PROTECT YOURSELF WITH THE SIGH OF THE CROSS AND THEPRAYER In the Name of the Father, and of theSon, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

READ THE CREED MORE OFTEN, AS WELL AS PRAYING OURLORDS PRAYER Our Father Who art in Heaven...

CALL FOR HELP FROM OUR HEAVENLYQUEEN our FerventIntercessor and Protectress or Patron Saint since thetime of your infancy.

LEARN THE 50TH PSALM by heart: Have Mercy on me, OGod... as well as THE TWENTY FOUR SHORT EVENINGPRAYERS OF STJOHN CHRYSOSTOM, and at the verymoment of the Enemys attack, CALL UPON GOD THEHOLY SPIRIT: O Heavenly King, Comforter andSpirit of Truth...

All thoughts of the end will fly away.

DO NOT CONVERSE WITH THE ENEMYS DECEPTIVE THOUGHTS.Never develop or encourage such thoughts to take root

but IMMEDIATELY CUT THEM OFF WITH THE POWER OFPRAYER and even if your Prayer is initially mechanical,the Divine Name of our Lord Jesus Christ will protectyou against the venom of the evil one.

You need only to CRY OUT AND BESEECH GODS HELP toKNOCK AT THE DOOR OFGODS GREATMERCY and tocontinue doing so throughout your life, until even with

your final breath to pray: Lord, help me! Lord,Save me! Lord, have Mercy on me!

Furthermore, YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL WATCHES OVER YOUAND IS ALWAYS READY TO HELP YOU AND GUIDE YOU.

Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Ever Blessed, All HolyMother, our Lady Theotokos, will always Strengthenyou in Faith, Hope and Love of God, of neighbour andfor yourself.

NEVER NOT EVEN TO YOURSELF COUNT WHERE, WHAT ANDHOW YOU HAVE DONE GOOD.

My dear Child: IT IS ALL FROM GOD AND FORGOD!Always remember this!God only needs your heart to BE LOVING AND FAITHFUL TO

HIM our Lord, Creator and Redeemer.LABOUR IN PEACE TO THE GLORY OFHIS HOLYNAME.Also, in order to paint well

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2012 - June - Sacred Lessons