Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Also the Feast of St Bucolos, Bishop of Smyrna – St Barsanuphios the Great & St John the
Holy Prophet of Gaza, Palestine – St Dorothy, St Christina, St Callista & St Theophilos of
Caesarea, Cappadocia – St Julian of Emesa – St Fausta, St Evilasios & St Maximos of
Cyzikos – St Martha & St Mary, Virgin Martyr Sisters of Egypt & Asia Minor – St Lycarion of
Egypt – St Arsenios the translator, researcher, compiler of manuscripts, Hymnographer,
Philosopher and Great Defender of the Faith, of Iqalto, Georgia – St Armand, Abbot of
Maastricht
The Lord grants Strength to His People; the Lord Blesses His People with Peace.
Bring to the Lord, O you sons of God, bring to the Lord Glory and Honour!
T H E S E C OND E PISTLE OF S T P AUL TO S T T IM OTHY 3: 10 – 15
Timothy my Son: you have carefully followed my Doctrine, manner of Life, Purpose, Faith, Longsuffering, Love,
Perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra – what persecutions
I endured! And out of them all the Lord Delivered me. And all who desire to Live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution.
Evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the
Things that you have learnt and been assured of – knowing from whom you have learnt them, and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you Wise for Salvation through Faith, which
is in Christ Jesus.
✶ “...Timothy my Son...” implies THE SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD OF BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE ARE ABLE TO FULFIL ALL OUR
ST PAUL in relationship to St Timothy. SACRED TASKS OF LOVE despite all opposition and
St Timothy (whose name means “Honouring God,”) ‘stumbling blocks.’
accompanied St Paul on many of his Missionary Journeys BY LIVING IN CHRIST, EVEN THE MOST IMPOSSIBLE AND
throughout the vast Roman Empire. INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS BECOME POSSIBLE FOR US
His mother, St Eunice of Lystra, and his Grandmother, St TO FULFIL, ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE WILL OF OUR
Lois, were renowned for their unwavering Faith and Piety. HEAVENLY FATHER.
He remained with St Paul during his first imprisonment in ✶ “...all who desire to Live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
Rome and was eventually Ordained Bishop of Ephesos in persecution. ..”
65, serving faithfully for 15 years until his martyrdom in PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS WILL CONTINUE until the end of
80. time.
✶ “...you have carefully followed my Doctrine, manner of We have all witnessed the continuous barbaric persecution
Life, Purpose, Faith, Longsuffering, Love, and indescribably horrific murder of millions of our
Perseverance, persecutions, afflictions...” refers to Christian Brethren throughout the world by the
the unwavering Faith and loyalty of St Timothy. overwhelming Satanic forces that have invaded every
THE LIFE OF ST PAUL CLEARLY EXHIBITED EVERYTHING THAT country in the world!
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TOLD HIS DISCIPLES. ✶ “...Evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
In this fallen world, GODLINESS ELICITS ALL TYPES AND deceiving and being deceived...”
DEGREES OF PERSECUTION. If we LIVE IN CHRIST BY FULFILLING OUR SACRED
ST TIMOTHY, being profoundly Faithful to the Will of our COMMITMENTS TO GOD AND TO EACH OTHER, by
Heavenly Father, SHARED OR WITNESSED SO MANY OF ST Repenting our sins and Striving to acquire
PAUL’S STRUGGLES. Spiritual Perfect and unconditional, Divine
Despite all the adversity they suffered, ST PAUL AND ST Love/Agape, we will be UNDER THE DIVINE
TIMOTHY CONTINUED UNABATED TO FULFIL THEIR SACRED PROTECTION OF OUR ALMIGHTY LORD GOD.
TASK of bringing mankind to our Lord Jesus Christ No matter what anyone might do to our body, OUR
and His Divine Truth. IMMORTAL SOUL BELONGS TO GOD AND CANNOT BE
Likewise WE SHOULD NEVER BECOME DISHEARTENED NOR HARMED WHEN WE BELONG BODY AND SOUL TO GOD.
DISCOURAGED BY ANY FORM OF OPPOSITION OR CONTINUOUS REPENTANCE, PRAYERS AND COMMUNAL
PERSECUTION, which is usually motivated by fear, WORSHIP AND PARTAKING OF THE ESSENTIAL HOLY
superstition, personal insecurity and jealousy. MYSTERIES SPIRITUALLY SUSTAINS US AND KEEP US IN A
J O H N 1 5 : 2 0 : “... ‘A servant is not greater than his BLESSED STATE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE.
Master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also Thus we ought to CEASELESSLY STRUGGLE AGAINST ALL
persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will TEMPTATION, EVIL AND GRIEVOUS PASSIONS THAT DRAG US
keep yours also...” INTO SPIRITUAL DEATH - alienation from God and
✶ “...what persecutions I endured! And out of them all the therefore susceptible to all types and degrees of
Lord Delivered me...” evil.
THE RIGHTEOUS PATH TO SPIRITUAL PERFECTION IS NARROW ✶ “...you must continue in the Things that you have learnt
AND VERY DIFFICULT, but BY THE GRACE OF GOD, and been assured of – knowing from whom you
EVERYTHING BECOME POSSIBLE. have learnt them...”
When we WALK WITH OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR, HE GUIDES US St Paul exhorted and encouraged St Timothy – and us
AND CARRIES US in His Warm Embrace when our – to DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REMAIN IN CHRIST.
circumstances become too difficult for us. St Paul reminded St Timothy of THE SPIRITUAL DEPTH OF
his Sacred Training, which combined BOTH
34TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 1ST TRIODION – 16TH LUKE-THE PUBLICAN & THE PHARISEE- 9 FEBRUARY 2020 9
ORAL/VERBAL AND WRITTEN TRADITION according to We must PRESERVE OUR LORD’S DIVINE TRUTH EXACTLY AS HE
the Old Covenant. TAUGHT US.
The Old Testament prophesied and attested to the 2 T H E S S A L O N I A N S 2 : 1 5 : “... Brethren, stand fast and hold
Divine Truth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Traditions that you were taught – whether by
but WITHOUT PROPER INSTRUCTION AND word or Epistle...”
UNDERSTANDING, WE CANNOT FULLY APPRECIATE NOR There are two types of “Tradition”
COMPREHEND THE DIVINE TRUTH THAT CHRIST HIMSELF 1. THE TRADITION OF MANKIND, which is SOUNDLY CONDEMNED
TAUGHT US. BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRISt who described it as being
Furthermore, it is important to STUDY THE WRITINGS AND “... the teaching (of) the commandments of
LIFE OF ALL OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS (AND MOTHERS) men...” (MATTHEW 15:9)
who are Inspired Spiritual Teachers and Guides 2. THE SACRED TRADITIONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES OF CHRIST,
whom we can trust and strive to imitate. which are VERY CAREFULLY PRESERVED BY THE HOLY
AS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS, WE ARE TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE CHURCH OF CHRIST AS ITS SOURCE IS OUR LORD GOD
SO MUCH BENEFICIAL MATERIAL at our disposal, HIMSELF.
which our Christian forebears did not have, YET HOLY TRADITION IS THAT WHICH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
THEIR FAITH WAS UNWAVERING AND THEY WERE UTTERLY TAUGHT TO HIS APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES, which they in
COMMITTED TO GOD. turn taught His Disciples in His Holy Church under
As Orthodox Disciples of Christ, WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED the Divine Inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, by
EVERY MEANS POSSIBLE TO SUSTAIN SPIRITUAL LIFE means of their verbal instructions and by their
ACCORDING TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE writings.
TRUTH. UNDER THE DIVINE GUIDANCE OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE
We are Blessed with both A SACRED VERBAL TRADITION ADHERE STRICTLY TO THAT SAME HOLY TRADITION as it is
AND A SACRED WRITTEN TRADITION. present in the Writings of the Holy Apostles and
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPREHEND WRITTEN TRADITION –Holy resident in the Holy Church of Christ to which the
Scripture – UNLESS WE RECEIVE THE VERBAL TRADITION – Divine Truth is Promised.
the True Teachings of Christ, which are explained J O H N 1 6 : 1 3 – Christ said: “... I still have many Things
to us by our Holy Fathers and Divinely Inspired to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
Teachers. When He – the Spirit of Truth – has come, He will
OUR ORTHODOX TEACHINGS ARE NOT MERELY MANKIND’S Guide you into all Truth, for He will not speak on
FLAWED AND LIMITED OPINION OF GOD’S TRUTH but His own Authority, but whatever He hears, He will
actually GOD’S TRUTH Itself, EXPLAINED TO US BY OUR speak, and He will tell you Things to come...”
DIVINELY INSPIRED AND ENLIGHTENED HOLY FATHERS AND Because GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT – the Third Person of the
TEACHERS. Holy Trinity and One Godhead – is THE SPIRIT OF
THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUTH – DIVINE TRUTH. TRUTH Who ABIDES IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST, the
DIVINELY INSPIRED TEACHING IS THUS ALSO EXACTLY Orthodox Church of Christ is THE HOLY GUARDIAN OF
ACCORDING TO THAT SAME ONE DIVINE TRUTH. ALL TRUTH.
WHEN VERBAL TRADITION IS CONVEYED BY DIVINE INSPIRATION 2 T H E S S A L O N I A N S 3 : 6 – “... withdraw from every
AND GRACE, IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME ONE DIVINE TRUTH – Brother who walks disorderly and not according to
no matter when taught by various people the Tradition, which he received from us...”
anywhere in the world! We ought to TAKE CARE NOT TO BECOME WRONGLY
On the contrary, mankind’s interpretation of Divine Truth is INFLUENCED BY THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THEIR OWN
as varied and vastly different as those trying to explain It WAY, MOTIVATED BY SELF-SERVING DESIRES that disobey ,
without the Divine Grace of God the Holy Spirit. reject or rebel against the Will of our Heavenly
Father.
M A T T H E W 2 8 : 1 8 – “... all Authority has been granted By rejecting any aspect of our Orthodox Faith, WE PUT
to Me in Heaven and on Earth...” which has OURSELVES IN DANGER OF APOSTASY AND MUST SEEK
always belonged to Christ AS THE ETERNAL SON OF IMMEDIATE SPIRITUAL RECONCILIATION.
GOD, and which was ALSO POSSESSED BY HIS GLORIFIED We ought to LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT OUR ONE
HUMAN NATURE, WHEREBY the final enemy – DEATH – TRUTH FAITH rather than to reject or rebel against
HAS BEEN TRAMPLED AND DEFEATED. Sacred Aspects that we do not understand
1 C O R I N T H I A N S 1 1 : 2 “... keep the Traditions just as I correctly.
delivered them to you...’ means that we must We are surrounded by so many Spiritual Snares, so we
continue to LIVE IN CHRIST, CAREFULLY PRESERVE OUR must FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE
VERBAL AND WRITTEN TRADITIONS SO THAT WE CAN PASS TRUTH IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
THEM ONTO THE FUTURE GENERATIONS INTACT – without If we do not understand anything pertaining to our
any alteration nor error. Faith, we must SEEK CLARIFICATION AND
COMPREHENSION.
T H E H OLY G OSPEL ACCO R D ING TO S T LU KE 18 : 10 – 14
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ narrated this Parable:
“Two men went up to the Temple to pray – one was a Pharisee and the other a Tax Collector. The Pharisee stood
and prayed thus with himself: ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men – extortionists, unjust, adulterers,
or even like this Tax Collector. I Fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess...’
“And the Tax Collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast,
saying: ‘O God, be Merciful to me, a sinner!’
“I tell you, this man went down to his house Justified rather than the other: For everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
✶ “...Two men went up to the Temple to pray – one was a ✶ “... the Pharisee stood and prayed... with himself...”
Pharisee and the other a Tax Collector...” reveals that HE WAS SELF-CENTRED - self-involved,
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST OFTEN USED TWO OPPOSING – proud arrogant and regarded himself to be
SOMETIMES EXTREME - EXAMPLES to emphasise various superior to all other sinners.
aspects of His Teachings. ✶ “ ... ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men’...
His audience immediately regarded these two men as REVEALS HIS VAINGLORY AND DELUSIONS OF SPIRITUAL
being ‘SAINT AND SINNER.’ PERFECTION.
However, this Sacred Lesson teaches us many things, GOD KNOWS THE EXACT SPIRITUAL STATE OF EVERY HEART AND
but most of all to AVOID JUDGING OTHERS FOR ONLY
SOUL, of which we have no idea at all!
GOD KNOWS THE TRUTH.
INSTEAD OF OFFERING THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR HIS
THE PHARISEE WAS HIGHLY RESPECTED as a zealous
observer of the Old Covenant Law. ABUNDANT BLESSINGS, THE PHARISEE POINTED OUT HIS
PERCEIVED VIRTUES, which than became Spiritually
THE TAX COLLECTOR (PUBLICAN) WAS DESPISED as a
treacherous sinner who collaborated with the Unbeneficial to him, due to HIS EGOCENTRIC
occupying Roman forces, betrayed and cheated MOTIVATION.
his fellow Hebrew people. THE PRACTISES OF THE PHARISEE WERE WORTHY EXAMPLES TO
OTHERS.
10 34TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 1ST TRIODION – 16TH LUKE-THE PUBLICAN & THE PHARISEE- 9 FEBRUARY 2020
SUCH GOOD DEEDS – Fasting, Almsgiving and Tithing - RELATIONSHIP with our Lord God and his fellow
ARE INDEED THE PRIMARY WEAPONS AGAINST THE GRIEVOUS mankind.
PASSIONS of lust and greed - adultery, fornication HE BESOUGHT, BEGGED AND ENTREATED GOD’S GREAT MERCY -
and extortion. to receive Forgiveness and Spiritual Life.
However, WITHOUT A HUMBLE AND REPENTANT HEART , HE PRAYED FOR DIVINE MERCY WITH ALL HIS HEART AND SOUL.
THESE OUTWARD PRACTISES ARE WORTHLESS AND LEAD Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us how to PRAY FOR DIVINE
ONLY TO PRIDE AND JUDGEMENT OF OTHERS . MERCY BY USING THIS SAME PRAYER of the humble,
G OD IS ABSENT WHERE THERE IS PRIDE , BOASTING AND contrite and Repentant Publican/Tax Collector.
ARROGANCE .
EGOISM IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF OUR SINS AND SPIRITUAL DEATH. This Prayer is know as “The Jesus Prayer” or “the Prayer of
The Pharisee remained a sinner and Spiritually Dead the heart.” We address our Prayer for Divine Mercy to
because our Lord Jesus Christ: “O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of
1. he judged others as being sinners God, have Mercy on me, a sinner!”
2. he did not acknowledge and Repent his own The shortened refrain “ Lord, have Mercy” – “Kyrie Eleison”
grievous passions. is repeatedly and continuously prayed throughout all
3. He lacked Love for God and for other people. Orthodox Christian Worship and Prayer.
4. He lacked Humility and Obedience, even while When we Entreat our Lord God for His Divine Mercy,
praying to our Lord in His Holy Temple. we, too, should BE AS REPENTANT, HUMBLE AND
5. He remained unjustified, unforgiven and CONTRITE AS THIS WRETCHED PUBLICAN.
unmerciful, unrepentant and thus in a state of ✶ "... this man went down to his house Justified...” is A
Spiritual Death. DIVINE REVELATION, for only God knows the Spiritual
✶ “...the Tax Collector, standing afar off, would not so State of every immortal soul.
much as raise his eyes to Heaven...” TO BE “JUSTIFIED” MEANS TO BE FORGIVEN AND SET RIGHT BY
The Publican STOOD APART FROM THE OTHER WORSHIPPERS. GOD.
HE NEITHER JUDGED NOR CRITICISED ANYONE ELSE, BUT ONLY ✶ “...rather than the other...” – refers to THE ARROGANT, SELF-
SAW THE DEPTH OF HIS OWN SINS. RIGHTEOUS PHARISEE whose outward appearance
He ACKNOWLEDGED AND UNDERSTOOD THE DEPTH OF HIS belied his inward Spiritual Death.
SINFUL STATE and its devastating consequences for OUR DIVINE JUDGE HIMSELF REVEALED THE SPIRITUAL
others as well as himself. CONSEQUENCES AND CONDEMNATION OF THE PHARISEE.
He KNEW HIMSELF TO BE UNWORTHY TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF ✶ “...everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he
HIS FELLOW HEBREWs – all of whom he considered to who humbles himself will be exalted...” is A VERY
be far better and Spiritually Superior to himself. DIRE WARNING FROM OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR.
He was UTTERLY HUMBLE, CONTRITE AND REPENTANT in the INWARD HUMILITY IS TRULY BLESSED while ARROGANCE AND
Presence of God and in the midst of his fellow PRIDE IN OUTWARD DEEDS IS CONDEMNED.
worshippers. HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE ARE THE TWO INSEPARABLE HOLY
He REGARDED HIMSELF TO BE THE WORST OF ALL SINNERS. VIRTUES we must all strive to acquire.
He kept his eyes downcast because HE WAS SO VERY The Acquisition of Humility and Obedience MAKES THE
ASHAMED OF ALL HIS SINS. ACQUISITION OF ALL THE OTHER HOLY VIRTUES POSSIBLE.
✶ “...beat his breast, saying: ‘O God, be Merciful to me, a WITHOUT HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, WE SPIRITUALLY
sinner!’ STAGNATE AND EXPIRE!
HIS ENTIRE POSTURE REVEALED HIS INTENSELY PAINFUL AND ACQUISITION OF HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE IS THE BEGINNING
SINCERE AWARENESS OF HIS WICKEDNESS. OF SPIRITUAL PERFECTION – the regaining of our
HIS ONLY PURPOSE AND DESIRE WAS TO REPENT HIS SINS, Divine Likeness with which God created us.
RECEIVE DIVINE FORGIVENESS AND RETURN TO A GOOD
34TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 1ST TRIODION – 16TH ST LUKE – THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE
✞ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the over and over again from the very depths of his
Holy Spirit... being: ‘O God, be Merciful to me, a sinner!”
Dearly Beloved, we are presented with two typical kinds He did not judge anyone, He condemned only himself for
of people - a Pharisee and a Publican - who were he knew all too sorrowfully that he was completely
praying in the Temple. lost without God’s Great Mercy.
They were two opposite poles of society at that time - one Finally, as our Lord Jesus Christ revealed to us, that
who was respected as being ‘Pious and Righteous’ wretched, much despised Publican was Justified by
because he was an ‘expert’ on the Law – an erudite God and received His Divine Grace and Love, due to
Pharisee - while other was a sinful Publican who was his Humility, Honesty and Repentance.
utterly despised because he was associated with The Publican returned to his home Restored to Spiritual
those who mercilessly extorted their people and Life and Reconciled with our Lord God.
collaborated with the Roman oppressors - the worst of On the contrary, the conceited, self-centred Pharisee
sinners. neither received Divine Grace nor went home
The Pharisee’s Prayer was in praise of himself and his Reconciled, for he had condemned himself by not
virtues, for he listed all his Good Deeds that made him only judging others but for boasting to God about his
consider himself incomparably superior to the other self-perceived ‘virtues.’
people, all of whom he regarded as being sinners. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s severe warning that “...everyone
He thanked God, or rather, congratulated himself, who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
because he was “... not like other men ...” humbles himself will be exalted...” must have
He actually considered himself as being ‘sinless’ by astonished His Disciples and “... some who trusted in
comparison! He believed that he was self-sufficient themselves that they were Righteous and despised
and had no need to depend on God in the slightest. others...” - those who believed in the religious pre-
since he had so many of ‘good deeds’ to support him eminence of the Pharisees over the despised
about which he liked to boast! Publicans.
He regarded himself as the centre of his little world - not Our Divine Saviour overturned the opinion of those who
God but himself, with his self-proclaimed ‘virtuous’ saw only the external aspect of human activities by
lifestyle! revealing the inner depth and Spiritual Condition of
All he wanted from God was recognition and people’s hearts, which God alone sees.
confirmation of his self-righteousness! He thereby taught us that we seldom reflect our True
He regarded himself to be as close to God as if he had Inner State – the True Spiritual State of our immortal
entered an agreement with Him to judge and soul – revealing who and what we really are!
condemn sinners together! Our Lord Jesus Christ did not blame the Pharisee for
The inward Prayer and outward attitude of the Publican Faithfully fulfilling all his Sacred Duties.
revealed his heartfelt Repentance and genuine The Pharisee condemned himself due to the fact that he
Humility before God and his fellow mankind. based his whole life on his own efforts, rather than on
He was sincerely contrite and devastated by his the Mercy and Providence of our Lord God, which
innumerable sins and - acknowledging the extent caused him to become self-sufficient, self-righteous
and dire consequences of his iniquities - he begged and vainglorious.
God’s Mercy, while beating his breast and praying
34TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 1ST TRIODION – 16TH LUKE-THE PUBLICAN & THE PHARISEE- 9 FEBRUARY 2020 11
Furthermore, he condemned himself by criticising and Our Lord Jesus despised all hypocrites who are in fact
judging others as being sinners while he lacked Love, liars, thieves, deceivers and most wicked of sinners.
Compassion and Humility upon which all Holy Virtues Therefore, we must take great care to avoid such hideous
are rooted. iniquities by constantly and honestly examining
Our Lord Jesus did not condone the sins of the Publican ourselves in order to quickly root out any such sins
but used him as our good example because he was that lurk deep within us.
so sincerely contrite and sorrowfully aware of his By placing this important Sacred Lesson at the beginning
sinful state and its dire consequences. of the Triodion Period, the Holy Church of Christ wants
With great Humility and heartfelt Repentance he had to shield Her Faithful Flock against the conceit and
begged God for His Great Mercy, knowing that only deception of the self-righteous, arrogant Pharisee,
He can Forgive such a wretched sinner. whose wicked traits often lurk deep within our heart.
The Publican hoped for Divine Salvation, because he Our Holy Fathers preferred to highlight the good
depended entirely upon our Gracious Lord God. example of the wretched, contrite and Repentant
Our Lord Jesus Christ addressed this particular Parable to Publican whose heartfelt Prayers of Confession and
those who are self-assured of their ‘piety’ while Entreaty were heard by God, Who Justified and
disdaining and judging everyone else – those without Restored him to Spiritual Life.
any perception of the extent of their own sinful state. The following Kontakion of Matins for Sunday of the
We meet – and are - such Spiritually Blind, self-righteous Publican is a wonderful summary of today’s Sacred
people – every day and of every age. Lesson:
“Pharisaics” consider themselves as being self-sufficient, ‘Let us avoid the proud speech of the Pharisee
self-righteous and virtuous. And learn the Humility of the Publican.
They judge, criticise and condemn others as being With sighing let us cry to our Saviour:
incorrigibly steeped in sin, and they delight in “Have mercy, O Thou Who alone art quick to pardon,”
describing God’s ‘Punishments’ that await such
‘miscreants.’ IOANNIS K ARAVIDOP OULOS , P ROFESS OR E ME RITUS OF N EW T EST AMENT
They forget that we are all sinners who are subject to H ERMENEUTICS , A. U. T H .
God’s Impartial Judgement. https://pemptousia.com/2019/02/the-sunday-of-the-
Since such behaviour involves hypocrisy, the term publican-and-the-pharisee-2/
‘Pharisaical’ refers to those who are ‘hypocritical’.
S T P E TE R OF D AM ASCU S – O N R EJEC TION OF DES P AIR
We should not despair when we are not as we ought to Saint Maximos warned us that, should we dare to do so, it
be. will be as though we achieved the Riches of Freedom
Of course, it is bad when we sin. But we must never slight from the passions through our own efforts.
God in our ignorance, by considering Him to be Saint John of Damascus taught us that those of us who
powerless, for He Who created this wonderful universe are still subject to the grievous passions and have no
– visible and invisible – is certainly able to Save and to Experience of the Light of Knowledge are in even far
Restore our body and soul. great danger if we set ourselves up as Spiritual Guides
And if we think that “... that just makes it all the worse, as for others.
does His Forbearance...” we must immediately Repent Those who have received Release from the passions from
for He always accepts our sincere Repentance as He God, as well as Spiritual Knowledge, court the same
did that of the Prodigal Son and of the Repentant Spiritual Danger unless they use these for the Benefit
Harlot. (LUKE 15: 20 & 7:47-48) of other souls.
If we cannot even do that and, from habit, continue to sin Nothing is better for those who are sick than a Retreat into
by doing what we do not really want to, then we must Peace and Quiet. And there is nothing better than
have the abject Humility of the Publican, which will Obedience for those who are subject to the grievous
be enough for our Salvation. (LUKE 18:13) passions and who lack Knowledge and Experience.
When we sin, but do not Repent, we place ourselves at There is nothing better for all of us than acceptance of
the very bottom of Creation – so we must not dare to our weakness and ignorance - and thereis nothing
criticize nor blame anyone else! worse than being unaware of them.
We might wonder at God’s Loving-kindness and feel There is no grievous passion more hateful than pride, nor
gratitude towards our Divine Benefactor, and we may more absurd than avarice, which is the root of all
have many other good qualities. evils! (1 Timothy 6:10)
Even though we sinners are subject to the devil due to Avarice (extreme greed) is absurd because those who
our iniquities, yet, out of Fear of God, when we reject have laboured hard to acquire money made from
our ancient enemy, who urges us to despair, we are metal extracted from the earth should then,
somehow still connected to our Lord God - provided unproductively, hide it back in the earth, which is why
we are Grateful, Thankful, Patient, Fearful of God and our Lord Jesus Christ exhorted us: “... Do not lay up
avoid judging others, so that we, ourselves, will not treasures on Earth...” while cautioning us that: “...
be judged. (MATTHEW 7:1) where your treasure is, there, too, is your heart!”’
Saint John Chrysostom believed that the threat of (MATTHEW 6:19 & 21)
Gehenna (Hades or Hell) is almost more Spiritually Whatever our mind is habitually focussed upon, reveals
Beneficial to us than the Promise of the Divine what attracts us and what we desire - earthly things,
Kingdom of Heaven. grievous passions or Eternal, Heavenly Things.
The first, because we are repelled and fear it, and the Saint Basil the Great taught us that habit, when indulged,
second, because we have been embraced by it. So becomes a force of nature.
we can be Saved by either, by the Grace of Christ. When we become ill, we ought to pay greater attention to
Our unmitigated fear of Eternal Death, the Outer the witness of our conscience, in order to free our
Darkness, the bottomless Abyss and Eternal Exile from immortal soul from any Condemnation. This is in case
God, motivates many more souls to Struggle against we reach the end of our life, Repent to no effect and
temptations that cause Eternal Condemnation. will thus lament Eternally.
On the contrary, far fewer immortal souls Strive for Those who are unable to suffer death in the body for
Spiritual Perfection and Eternal Life in His Kingdom of Christ, as He did for us, should at least willingly
Love, which is Divinely Promised to us. undergo death in the mind.
Just as those of us who are attacked by so many physical We must become Martyrs of Conscience by rejecting
and spiritual grievous passions, yet might be everything that attacks us, by our ceaseless Spiritual
Crowned provided we remain Patient and do not Struggles – just like the Holy Martyrs and our Blessed
surrender our free-will to indifference nor to despair, Holy Fathers - the former died in the body, while the
so those who have achieved Release and Relief from latter died in the mind.
the grievous passions, might soon Fall into sin and By exerting ourselves even a little, we can defeat our
despair (hopelessness) unless they continuously enemies, but if we are even a little negligent, and
Confess their Blessings by not judging others. become Spiritually Dead, we are defeated and lost!
12 34TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – 1ST TRIODION – 16TH LUKE-THE PUBLICAN & THE PHARISEE- 9 FEBRUARY 2020
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.
10 FEBRUARY 2020
The Righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
Hear my voice, O God, in my Supplication!
T HE S EC OND E P ISTL E OF S T P AUL TO S T T IM OTHY 2: 1 – 10
Timothy, my Son: be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what Thou hast heard from me before many
witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Share in suffering as a Good Soldier of Christ Jesus. No Enlisted Soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since
his aim is to satisfy the One Who Enlisted him. An Athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the
Rules. It is the hardworking Farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
Contemplate what I say, for the Lord will grant Thee Understanding in everything.
Remember Jesus Christ – Risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my Gospel – the Gospel
for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the Word of God is not fettered.
Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the Elect, that they also may obtain Salvation in Christ Jesus with
Eternal Glory.
✶ “... be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus...” OUR HOLY CHURCH AND HER SACRED TRADITIONS ARE
THOUGH OUR LIFE IN CHRIST, WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE “CATHOLIC” – Universal – and belongs to the entire
DIVINE GRACE BESTOWED UPON US BY GOD THE HOLY Church of Christ.
SPIRIT Who Empowers and Enables us to fulfil the THIS SACRED TRADITION MUST BE PASSED TO SUCCEEDING
Divine Will of our Heavenly Father. GENERATIONS OF FAITHFUL DISCIPLES UNCHANGED AND
The Divine Grace of the Holy Spirit, (“Charisma”) was UNHINDERED, which is very different to the elitism of
BESTOWED UPON ST TIMOTHY AT HIS HOLY ORDINATION by major religions of the first century Roman Empire,
the Laying on of Hands of St Paul. including Gnosticism and all other “mystery”
DIVINE GRACE FILLS UP OR COMPLETES WHATEVER IS LACKING religions.
AND GRANTS AUTHENTICITY to the Holy Priesthood of ✶ “...Share in suffering as a Good Soldier of Christ
Christ. Jesus...” is a reference to THE CHURCH MILITANT.
However, DIVINE GRACE IS NOT AUTOMATIC. THE CHURCH MILITANT CONSISTS OF THOSE WHO STILL
We have to CEASELESSLY STIR IT UP AND REKINDLE IT BY STRUGGLE against all temptations and grievous
STRIVING FOR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION AND THE FULFILMENT sins that alienate us from God and cause
OF THE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. Spiritual Death.
✶ “...what Thou hast heard from me ... entrust to As WE ARE ALL SINNERS STRIVING FOR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION,
Faithful men who will be able to teach others we are all SUFFERING DUE TO THE SPIRITUAL WAR that is
also...” waged against us by the evil one.
St Paul established A CLEAR CHAIN OF RELIABLE During the Holy Mystery of Baptism, WE BECOME “...THE
WITNESSES TO OUR SACRED ORAL TRADITION. ENLISTED SOLDIERS OF CHRIST...” WHO ALL FIGHT “THE
This is THE ESSENTIAL SACRED VERBAL OR ORAL TRADITION, GOOD FIGHT” AGAINST OUR ANCIENT ENEMY until we
which is STRICTLY PRESERVED INTACT AND VERBALLY draw our last breath.
TAUGHT to succeeding generations of Faithful Due to our fallen human condition, WE ALL SUFFER FROM
Disciples of Christ. VARYING DEGREES OF TEMPTATION, SIN AND SPIRITUAL
WITHOUT THIS SACRED ORAL TRADITION – the Divine AFFLICTION.
Teachings and Instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ We must therefore LOVE, SUPPORT, ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST
and His Holy Apostles – WE CANNOT BEGIN TO EACH OTHER throughout this lifespan as we Struggle
UNDERSTAND OUR SACRED WRITTEN TRADITION – Holy towards Eternity.
Scripture and the Divinely Inspired Writings of our THOSE WHO SUFFER PERSECUTION FOR CHRIST WALK THE PATH
Holy Fathers. OF THE HOLY PROPHETS OF GOD, SAINTS AND HOLY
IT IS VITAL FOR THE PRESERVATION OF OUR HOLY, ORTHODOX MARTYRS.
(True Teaching and Dogma) CHURCH OF CHRIST TO While any Christian may be persecuted, we REJECT
PASS ON ALL SACRED KNOWLEDGE – all Divine Truth – to FEELINGS OF FEAR OR TIMIDITY AND TRUST GOD IMPLICITLY!
the next generations. J O H N 1 5 : 2 0 “Remember ... ‘A servant is not greater
OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH IS INDEED BASED SOLELY ON THE DIVINE than his Master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will
TRUTH OF GOD. also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they
Anything based on mankind’s interpretation of Divine will keep yours also.”
Truth is flawed, weak and imperfect. M A T T H E W 5 : 1 1 – 1 2 “Blessed are you when they revile
DIVINE TRUTH IS GRANTED BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil
WHOM GOD CALLS to Teach, Preach and Enlighten against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and
His Faithful Disciples throughout the ages. be exceedingly glad, for great is your Reward in
AS GOD IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT AND THUS UNCHANGEABLE, Heaven, for so they persecuted the Prophets who
SO, TOO IS HIS DIVINE TRUTH. were before you.”
OUR NEW COVENANT HOLY TRADITION IS MEANT FOR ALL WHO
BELIEVE AND HAVE VOWED ALLEGIANCE TO OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST.
35TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-2ND OF TRIODION-17TH ST LUKE-PRODIGAL SON – 16 FEBRUARY 2020 15.
APOSTLES OF CHRIST who were Called by Him to THOSE WHO FAIL TO UNDERSTAND OR WHO REJECT CHRIST WILL
follow Him and to continue His Divine Mission of FAIL TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY PERFECTED.
Salvation. ✶ “...They will put you out ... whoever kills you, will
WE, TOO, ARE WITNESSES TO CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE TRUTH. think that he is offering Service to God...”
WE HAVE ALL BEEN CALLED TO SERVE THE WILL OF GOD by Our Lord Jesus Christ warned His Apostles of THEIR
spreading His Divine Truth and continuing His FUTURE PERSECUTION AND MARTYRDOM.
Salvific Mission. IT TAKES GREAT COURAGE AND SPIRITUAL FORTITUDE TO
ONLY THROUGH UNWAVERING ACCEPTANCE – FAITH – AND PERSEVERE when confronted by hatred, ignorance,
HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN ALL THINGS, ARE WE jealousy and the denial or rejection of God’s
WORTHY AND TRUE WITNESSES TO THE DIVINE TRUTH OF Divine Truth.
ALMIGHTY GOD. No matter how we are persecuted for our Faith, we
✶ “...I have said all this to you, to keep you from must STAND STEADFASTLY AND FIRMLY ROOTED IN DIVINE
falling away...” TRUTH – confident and courageous in Christ’s
Christ our Lord revealed His Divine Truth to His Holy Teachings and Commandments.
Apostles so that they would UNDERSTAND AND BE When we Struggle against all adversity and Strive for
ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE IN HIS DIVINE FOOTSTEPS. Spiritual Perfection, BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE WILL
Although INITIALLY THEY DID NOT FULLY COMPREHEND RECEIVE WHATEVER WE REQUIRE TO FULFIL OUR SACRED
EVERYTHING HE TAUGHT THEM and revealed to them, MISSION AND THE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
AFTER THE DESCENT OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT THEY WERE Many religious fanatics commit the worst atrocities against
ABLE TO CORRECTLY UNDERSTAND AND TEACH HIS DIVINE mankind and all Creation, in the terribly sinful belief that
TRUTH. they are serving the Will of God.
WE ALSO RECEIVE HIS DIVINE TRUTH, which grants us However, whatever is not thought, spoken or done with Divine
SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT AND ENCOURAGEMENT to Love, Mercy and Compassion is by the instigation of our
continue our own Journey of Spiritual Salvation ancient enemy, the evil one, whose only desire is our
and Perfection. destruction and alienation from God and all His Love.
S T S YM EON THE NE W T HE OL OGIAN – O N S P IRITUAL K NOWLE DGE
Spiritual Knowledge and the Treasure of the Holy Spirit is These Divine Treasures are Perfect Love for God and for
concealed within the letter of Holy Scripture, which is each other, disdain for all things visible, mortification
not apparent to all, but to those who have acquired of the flesh and the members of the flesh, and the
within their soul the Grace of the Holy Spirit. rejection of every wicked and shameful desire.
Spiritual Knowledge is like a House built between Greek And since the dead neither think nor feel at all, so let us
and secular knowledge, in which there is a locked also not conceive any wicked desire at all, nor allow
Treasure Chest - Knowledge of the Divine Scriptures - ourselves to become overwhelmed by any evil desire.
and the indescribable Riches, which are stored within Instead, let us strive to fulfil the Teachings and
Holy Scripture - Divine Grace. Commandments of our Divine Saviour, as well as
Those who enter the House are unable to see this Wealth keeping in mind our Immortality, Incorruption,
unless they open the Treasure Chest. Everlasting Glory, the Kingdom of Heaven and the
However, the Treasure Chest of Spiritual Knowledge can Divine Adoption we have been granted by our
never be opened with human wisdom, so all those Renewal in God the Holy Spirit.
who think in a secular manner will never know the Through our Holy Baptism we have become Children of
Spiritual Treasure that is contained within. God✶ who, by Divine Grace, are regaining our Divine
Even if they lifted the Chest onto their shoulders, they still Likeness, and thereby are Co-Heirs with Christ.
would not have access to the Marvellous Treasure In addition, we are acquiring the Mind of Christ, that is
within it. the Holy Spirit, and through Him we see and know
Likewise, even if they read and memorized every word of God and Christ Himself Who walks among us in a
Holy Scripture, as though a single Psalm, they would manner we can perceive. (A close Spiritual Relationship)
still be unable to Experience and Acquire the Divine So those who heed and obey God’s Commandments
Grace of the Holy Spirit concealed within, for just as enjoy all His Blessings and Love in abundance,
the Treasure cannot be revealed by merely looking at together with the Inexpressible Benefits that are
the Chest, neither can they perceive and fully acquired by opening the Spiritual Eyes of our soul
comprehend what is contained within the Divinely and the Contemplation of Divine Truth that is
Inspired Words of Holy Scripture. concealed in Holy Scripture.
If we found a little securely locked Casket, and from its Those who do not know about the Divine Mysteries of Holy
weight and external beauty we think, or learn from Scripture nor Experienced or Encountered them, have
others, that it contained Priceless Treasure, what not tasted the intense Sweetness and Immortality of
Benefit would it be to us if it remained securely locked these Divine Words.
and could never be opened. Instead, they boast and place the hope of their Salvation
We would never experience the great Beauty and purely on learning Holy Scripture by heart but, sadly,
immense Value of the precious Jewels within, which they will be judged more severely than those who
might save us from dying of starvation, thirst, or never heard of Holy Scripture at all.
destitution, so, obviously, it would be of no Benefit to Because most of them are deluded through ignorance of
us or others at all. Divine Truth, they distort Holy Scripture to suit their
The same is true of Spiritual Matters, for our Treasure own self-serving purposes and rules.
Chest is the Holy Gospel of Christ and all the other Their beliefs - such as being ‘Saved’ without meticulously
Divinely Inspired Books of Holy Scripture, which have observing God’s Commandments, nor applying all His
Eternal Life locked away inside them as well as the Teachings to our thoughts, words and deeds - utterly
other inexpressible, Everlasting Good Things, as Christ deny the Power and Source of Holy Scripture.
Himself encouraged us: “...Search the Scriptures, for It is impossible to learn, to recognize, and even to
in them is Eternal Life...” conceive Divine Truth at all unless we have actually
He also pointed out that “... those who Love Me will keep Experienced the Presence of God the Holy Spirit - His
My Commandments and the Father will Love them Radiance, His Illumination, His Residence within us.
and I will Manifest Myself to them...” It is impossible to understand God’s Mysteries if we have
When God dwells in us and Reveals Himself to us, then we never Experienced our Rebirth, Regeneration and
consciously witness - recognize in practise - the Transformation, which is caused by God the Holy
innumerable Divine Mysteries that are concealed Spirit, Who Empowers and Enables us.
within Holy Scripture. ✶ Men, women and children – young and old – become the Adopted
We must not be deceived into thinking that there is any Children and Heirs of our Heavenly Father.
other way that the Treasure Chest of Spiritual https://pemptousia.com/2018/11/on-spiritual-knowledge/
Knowledge can be opened - that the Divine Treasures
therein can be otherwise enjoyed or that we can gaze
upon and participate in them.
35TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-2ND OF TRIODION-17TH ST LUKE-PRODIGAL SON – 16 FEBRUARY 2020 17.
EVERY SALVIFIC SACRIFICE OUGHT TO SPUR US ON TO EVEN WE, TOO, by Living Christ – IMITATING HIS PERFECT LOVE,
GREATER EFFORTS so that all their marvellous efforts HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE, MUST DO SO AS WELL.
and endeavours are not wasted. Just as OUR HEAVENLY FATHER RESURRECTED CHRIST (in His
IF OUR FAITH WAS NOT BASED ON ETERNAL, DIVINE TRUTH – the human Nature) from the dead, SO, TOO, WILL HE
Perfect, Absolute Truth of God – MILLIONS OF PEOPLE RESURRECT US – ALL MANKIND - AS WELL.
throughout all the ages WOULD NEVER HAVE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL PRESENT ALL HIS FAITHFUL
SACRIFICED THEMSELVES or their life. DISCIPLES TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
Furthermore THE DIVINE TRUTH OF CHRIST WOULD NEVER ALL GOD’S FAITHFUL – those who lived according to the
HAVE SURVIVED INTACT if It had been untrue or based Old and New Covenants - WILL BE PRESENTED TO OUR
solely on human concepts. HEAVENLY FATHER.
✶ “...we have the same spirit of Faith...” refers to our ONE, THOSE WHO REJECT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE
UNIVERSAL, ORTHODOX FAITH, WHICH IS AS UNCHANGING TRUTH AND WHO REFUSED TO REPENT THEIR SINS, WILL BE
AND ETERNAL AS THE LORD OUR GOD Who is the Eternal, CONDEMNED TO “OUTER DARKNESS” – ETERNAL EXILE FROM
Perfect and Divine Source of our Faith. GOD.
Our Orthodox Christian Faith is BASED EXCLUSIVELY ON ✶ “...that Grace, having spread through the many, may
THE DIVINE TRUTH GRANTED TO US BY GOD HIMSELF. cause Thanksgiving to abound to the Glory of
Our Faith is the same throughout the world and God...”
throughout all the ages since the beginning. DIVINE GRACE IS SPREAD AND SHARED WITH ALL GOD’S
Our ORTHODOX PRACTISE OF WORSHIP, PRAYER AND FAITH ARE FAITHFUL Disciples and Servants.
ETERNAL and STRICTLY ACCORDING TO THE REVELATIONS DIVINE GRACE NOT ONLY ENABLES US TO FULFIL OUR SACRED
AND TEACHINGS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS NEW DUTIES AND LABOURS OF LOVE BUT ALSO FILLS OUR HEART
COVENANT OF LOVE – AGAPE. AND SOUL WITH CEASELESS THANKSGIVING – sincere
Our Orthodox Faith teaches us that our Salvation in gratitude for all God’s Love, Beauty and infinite
Christ Jesus includes: Blessings.
1. A PASSAGE from Death to Life, from Spiritual Darkness DIVINE GRACE MAKES US BECOME HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT.
of sin and ignorance to Divine Light of Truth and BY DIVINE GRACE, THE ACQUISITION OF HUMILITY AND
Wisdom through Repentance, Faith and Holy OBEDIENCE THEN LEADS US TO THE ACQUISITION OF OTHER
Baptism – “having been Saved.” (JOHN 3: 1 – 6 & ESSENTIAL HOLY VIRTUES.
COLOSSIANS 1: 13 – 14) ONLY BY DIVINE GRACE IS REPENTANCE AND SPIRITUAL
2. A PROCESS of Spiritual Growth and Maturation PERFECTION POSSIBLE.
through continuous Repentance, Faith and AS WE SPIRITUALLY MATURE, WE BECOME FAR MORE AWARE OF
Communion – Deification – “... being Saved. (2 PETER OUR APPALLING SINFULNESS AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND
1: 2 – 8) TRUTH, which ought to compel us to even greater
3. A PROMISE of Eternal Life, Calling us to Spiritual Spiritual Efforts.
Perseverance and Righteousness – “... shall be EVERYTHING WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH OR OVERCOME IS FOR
Saved.” (2 PETER 5: 9 – 11 & JOHN 14: 1 – 6) THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF OUR HEAVENLY
✶ “...He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up FATHER, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE LIFE-GIVING
with Jesus, and will present us with you...” HOLY SPIRIT.
THIS REFERS TO GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WHOSE WILL OUR THIS IMPACTS UPON OUR OWN SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND
LORD JESUS – the Eternal Son and Word of God - (HOPEFULLY) OUR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION – Theosis or
ALWAYS FULFILS WITH COMPLETE LOVE, HUMILITY AND Deification, which is the Divine Likeness of Christ
OBEDIENCE. our Lord.
H OLY G OSPE L A CC ORD ING TO S T L UKE 15 : 11 – 32
At that time, our Lord Jesus narrated this Parable: “A certain Man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his
Father: ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So He divided between them His Livelihood.
And not many days later, the younger son gathered all his possessions together and journeyed to a far country
where he wasted his possessions with prodigal living. “And when he had spent everything, there arose a severe
famine in that land, and he began to be in need. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country
who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the
swine ate, yet no one gave him anything.
“And when he came to himself, he said: ‘How many of my Father’s hired servants have enough bread to eat and to
spare, yet I perish from hunger! I will arise and go to my Father, and I will say to Him: “Father, I have sinned
against Heaven and before Thee, and I am no longer worthy to be called Thy son. Make me like one of Thy
hired servants.”’
“And he arose and went to his Father. And when he was still a great way off, his Father saw him and had
Compassion, and ran, and fell upon his neck and kissed him. And the son said to Him: ‘Father, I have sinned
against Heaven and before Thee, and I am no longer worthy to be called Thy son.’ But the Father said to his
servants: ‘Bring out the best Robe and put it on him, and put a Ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. And
fetch the Fatted Calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this, My son was Dead and is Alive again; he
was Lost and is Found!’ And they began to be merry.
“Now His older son was in the field. And as he went and drew near to the House he heard music and dancing. So he
called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him: ‘Your Brother has returned,
and because He received him safe and sound, your Father has killed the Fatted Calf.’
“And he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his Father went out and pleaded with him. So he answered and
said to his Father: ‘Behold, these many years I have been serving Thee; I never transgressed Thy Commandment
at any time; and yet Thou never gave me a young goat, so that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon
as this son of Thine returned – having devoured Thy Livelihood with harlots – Thou killed the Fatted Calf for
him.’ And He said to him: ‘Son, thou art always with Me, and all that I have is thine. It was right that we should
make merry and be glad, for your Brother was Dead and is Alive again; and was Lost and is Found. ’ ”✶ This
passage is read on THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE GREAT LENT - SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON.
✶ "...“A certain Man had two sons...” refers to OUR LORD GOD THE OTHER SON CONSISTENTLY OBEYS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
AND MANKIND. AND STRIVES TO FULFIL HIS DIVINE WILL, by
The “certain Man” is OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WHOSE DIVINE SURRENDERING HIS OWN FREE WILL TO THAT OF GOD, Who
WILL IS MOTIVATED BY INFINITE LOVE. He is All Wise, takes care of our every need while we Struggle
Merciful and Providential – providing everything against temptation and sin, and Strive for Spiritual
necessary for our daily needs, as well as for our Perfection – for Theosis.
Salvation and Eternal Life. ✶ “...the younger ... said ...: ‘Father, give me the portion of
ONE SON REBELS AGAINST THE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, goods that falls to me.’ ...”
desiring his ‘independence” – away from God’s This indicates mankind – every one of us - RECEIVING
Sight and living ACCORDING TO HIS OWN SELFISH, OUR FREE WILL AND RATIONAL MIND from our Divine
IMMATURE, DESTRUCTIVE AND SINFUL IDEAS. Creator.
✶ “...He divided between them His Livelihood...”
18. 3 5 T H
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-2ND OF TRIODION-17TH ST LUKE-PRODIGAL SON – 16 FEBRUARY 2020
GOD GRANTS EVERY HUMAN BEING FREE WILL AND A RATIONAL When we experience intense physical and Spiritual
MIND with which to make our own, personal Poverty WE BEGIN TO APPRECIATE THE DIVINE
choices – good or bad, loving or hateful, Beneficial PROVIDENCE, LOVE AND COMPASSION OF OUR LORD GOD.
or Condemning. PERSONAL SUFFERING AND DIVINE DELIVERANCE MAKES US
WE RECEIVE OUR (ORIGINAL) HUMAN NATURE AND BEING – our MORE AWARE OF THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF OTHERS,
human essence (ousia) - FROM OUR DIVINE CREATOR. which ought to compel us to DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO
THUS IT IS NATURAL TO LOVE since we were created in the FULFIL THEIR NEEDS, IN GRATITUDE TO GOD.
Likeness and Image of God. ✶ “...when he came to himself...” implies HIS RECOVERY FROM
However, like our first Ancestors, Adam and Eve, WE
AN UNNATURAL, UNHEALTHY SPIRITUAL STATE. – SPIRITUAL
USE THESE PERFECT SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO REBEL AGAINST
APATHY AND NEGLECT.
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BY INDULGING THE SELFISH DESIRES
OF OUR FLESH.
1. he was PAINFULLY AWARE OF HIS SPIRITUAL CONDITION.
2. He was NO LONGER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE EVIL
We allow the demands of our immature, egocentric mortal flesh
to dominate our wise and good immortal soul. Constant ONE.
Repentance restores the correct balance so that our 3. HIS IMMORTAL SOUL CLAMOURED FOR TRUE FREEDOM
immortal soul can guide and encourage our mortal flesh to AND LOVE, MERCY AND COMPASSION.
become closer to God. 4. he REALISED HIS TRUE NEEDS AND NATURAL DESIRES.
EVERY CHOICE WE MAKE – EVERY THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED – By the Grace of God, WE WILL EVENTUALLY AWAKEN FROM
HAS A CONSEQUENCE – a result or aftermath. OUR SINFUL STUPOR AND REALISE OUR PREDICAMENT, and
SOME CONSEQUENCES ARE OBVIOUS BUT MOST REMAIN HIDDEN yearn for God’s Blessings and Goodness.
until we are finally Judged by God. THIS MOTIVATED HIM TO RETURN TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
OUR ERRORS AND SINS CAN BE CORRECTED BY SINCERE When we are immersed in wickedness, we exist in AN
REPENTANCE while we still Struggle and Strive until UNNATURAL STATE OF SPIRITUAL EXILE FROM GOD AND
we draw our final breath. FROM OURSELVES.
✶ “...journeyed to a far country where he wasted his Only when we BECOME AWARE OF OUR HOPELESS CONDITION
possessions with prodigal living....” are we motivated to REPENT OUR SINS, RESTORE OUR
The “far country’ refers to OUR SINFUL LIFESTYLE, which RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER, AND ENJOY THE
causes OUR SPIRITUAL EXILE FROM GOD AND ALL HIS BLESSINGS OF SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST.
GOODNESS AND LOVE. ROMANS 7 : 17-20 “... it is no longer I ... but sin that
It is A SELF-IMPOSED SPIRITUAL EXILE – SPIRITUAL DEATH - dwells in me... I know that in me ... in my flesh...
that is quickly resolved by sincerely Repenting our nothing good dwells... to will is present... but how
sins. to perform what is good I do not find...”
REPENTANCE RESTORES US TO SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST. WE ARE NOT SINFUL BY NATURE and must reject any
A PRODIGAL LIFESTYLE IS UTTERLY WASTEFUL, SELF-INDULGENT teaching that we have a sinful nature or are
AND EXTRAVAGANT, which causes us both physical depraved to the core of our being.
and Spiritual Afflictions of various devastating SIN IS A SPIRITUAL STATE – SPIRITUAL DEATH – THAT IS
degrees. UNNATURAL TO OUR DIVINELY CREATED HUMAN NATURE.
ALL SELF-INDULGENCE AND GREED ALIENATES US FROM GOD Having been created in the Divine Image and
AND EACH OTHER. Likeness of God, THE INDELIBLE GOODNESS IN OUR
✶ “...he began to be in need... went and joined himself to NATURE CAN NEVER BE UNDONE.
a citizen of that country ...” - the Prodigal Son WE BECOME IMMERSED IN SIN but must know that IT IS NOT
became a servant of THE EVIL ONE WHO IS OBSESSED A NATURAL ATTRIBUTE OF OUR DIVINELY CREATED NATURE.
WITH OUR DESTRUCTION AND ALIENATION from God and SIN AND DEATH ARE FOREIGN, UNNATURAL INVENTIONS OF THE
each other. EVIL ONE that overwhelm and dwell in us.
SATAN FIRST TEMPTS US INTO A SPIRITUAL DEATH and then Consequently, WHAT WE THINK, SAY AND DO CAN BE SINFUL
TRIES TO KEEP US there - away from God’s Blessings - but we are not naturally sinful.
IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL SLAVERY AND IMPRISONMENT. There is A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE WILL OF OUR IMMORTAL
However, neither THE EVIL ONE NOR HIS DEMONS CAN SOUL AND THE WILL OF OUR MORTAL FLESH.
DESTROY US. THEY NEED OUR CO-OPERATION in order to OUR IMMORTAL SOUL IS REBORN, RESTORED AND REGENERATED
USE OUR WEAKNESSES AGAINST OURSELVES AND EACH DURING THE HOLY MYSTERY OF BAPTISM.
OTHER. OUR IMMORTAL SOUL STRIVES CEASELESSLY TO FULFIL THE WILL
LIVING WITHOUT GOD IS AN EXTREMELY WRETCHED AND VERY OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER by following and obeying
BLEAK EXISTENCE. UNLESS OUR SPIRITUAL NEEDS ARE His Divine Commandments and Teachings.
FULFILLED, WE CONTINUE FEELING MISERABLE AND NEEDY. OUR MORTAL FLESH IS INCLINED TO SIN and thus fights
We experience A DEEP SENSE OF LOSS – OF SOMETHING VITAL against the will and desires of OUR IMMORTAL SOUL,
MISSING FROM OUR LIFE AND BEING. Nothing works which YEARNS TO BE WITH GOD whence it originated.
properly nor do our efforts succeed or satisfy us. ✶ ‘...my Father’s hired servants have enough bread to eat
Being immersed in the Darkness of sin, is EXISTING and to spare, yet I perish from hunger...”
UNNATURALLY OUTSIDE OUR CREATED STATE. The Prodigal Son realised HIS HOPELESS CIRCUMSTANCES
✶ “...who sent him into his fields to feed swine...” implies AND FALLEN SPIRITUAL CONDITION compared to those
THE EXTREME DEPTH OF HIS FALL who remained Faithful to our Heavenly Father.
This was regarded as SPIRITUAL ‘SKID ROW,’ since being OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIFE-GIVING HEAVENLY BREAD
in SUCH A STATE OF DEBAUCHERY AND SELF-INDULGENCE, THAT SPIRITUALLY SUSTAINS US - as so often referred to
RESULTS IN COMPLETE DESTITUTION –utter physical and in Holy Scripture and the Holy Mystery of Eucharist.
spiritual poverty. ✶ “...’Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before
THE PRODIGAL SON COULD NOT POSSIBLY SINK MUCH LOWER Thee, and I am no longer worthy to be called Thy
into the quagmire of sin and wickedness, for he son. Make me like one of Thy hired servants.’...”
had hit “rock bottom.” This is THE HEARTFELT, SINCERE AND CONTRITE CONFESSION
THE FORBIDDEN HERDS OF SWINE WERE MORE IMPORTANT than AND REPENTANCE OF THE PRODIGAL SON.
the Prodigal Son – than his immortal soul. THIS CONFESSION APPLIES TO EVERY ONE OF US, for none of
ONLY WHEN WE REALISE THE DEVASTATION OF OUR SPIRITUAL us is worthy of our Divine Adoption as Children of
DEATH CAUSED BY OUR SINS, ARE WE WILLING AND EAGER God and Co-Heirs with Christ.
TO REPENT and return to our Marvellous We all need to CONTINUOUSLY REPENT OUR SINS, so as to
Relationship with God and each other. continue our Journey in a State of Spiritual Life in
SOMETIMES WE NEED A SEVERE ‘WAKE UP CALL’ before Christ.
beginning to understand our serious need for God, This Prayer expresses a willingness to BE HUMBLE AND
✶ “...he would have gladly filled his stomach with the OBEDIENT TO THE WILL OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
pods that the swine ate, yet no one gave him ✶ “...when ... still a great way off, his Father saw him ...
anything...” reveals had Compassion ...ran ...and kissed him...”
1. THE LACK OF LOVE AND COMPASSION of the evil one and describes THE LOVE AND JOY OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,
the fallen world in general. WHO SO WARMLY WELCOMES THE RETURN OF HIS LOST
2. THE DEPTH OF HIS FALL INTO SIN CHILDREN.
3. THE DESPERATION OF HIS SPIRITUAL STARVATION
The Commemoration of all our Faithful Orthodox Brethren who have Reposed unexpectedly due
to war, plague, starvation or any other cause of death as well as those who have not received a
proper Christian Burial, or those for whom no one has offered Memorial Services.
We also Commemorate the Holy Martyrs at the Gate of Eugenios, Constantinople – St Maurice,
his son, St Photinos, St Theodore, St Philip and 70 other Faithful Soldiers at Apamea, Syria - St
Thalassios, St Limnaeus & St Baradatos, Holy Hermits of Syria – St Athanasios the Confessor, of
Pavlopetrion, Constantinople - St Anthousa & her 12 Faithful Servants – St Synetos – St
Telesphoros, Bishop of Rome - The Nine Righteous Children of Kola, Georgia : St Guram, St
Adarnese, St Boqar, St Vaohe, St Bardzim, St Dachi, St Juansher, St Ramaz and St Parsman.
Sing Praises to God! Sing Praises! Sing Praises to our King! Sing Praises!
Oh, clap your hands, all ye Nations! Shout to God with the voice of Rejoicing!
T HE F IRST E P ISTL E OF S T P AUL TO THE C OR INTH IANS 8 : 8 – 9 : 2
Brethren: ...food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we better nor if we do not eat are we worse. But
beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a Stumbling Block to those who are weak! For if anyone sees
you, who have Knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of those who are weak be
emboldened to eat those things that are offered to the idols? And because of your Knowledge shall the weak
Brethren perish – for whom Christ Died? But when you thus sin against the Brethren, and wound their weak
conscience, you sin against Christ!
Therefore, if food makes my Brethren stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my Brethren stumble!
Am I not an Apostle? Am I not Free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? If I am not an Apostle to others, yet
doubtless I am to you, for you are the Seal of my Apostleship in the Lord.
✶ “...food does not commend us to God; for neither if we 2. AGAINST OUR INEXPERIENCED BRETHREN who trust us to
eat are we better nor if we do not eat are we know more than them and depend on us to show
worse...” them the Righteous Path by sharing Divine Truth
WHETHER WE FAST from certain foods OR NOT, it MAKES NO with them.
DIFFERENCE TO OUR SPIRITUAL WELFARE. 3. AGAINST OURSELVES because we have Condemned
GOD DOES NOT JUDGE US ON THE FOOD WE EAT - but HE DOES ourselves by disobeying God and His Divine Truth
JUDGE US ON OUR and have subsequently also harmed others by
1. SELF-DISCIPLINE AND LOVE deceiving them due to our own lack of
2. ATTITUDE AND TREATMENT OF OUR FELLOW SINNERS Knowledge, Humility and Obedience to God.
3. SELFISHNESS AND SELF-INDULGENCE To LIVE IN CHRIST, we must CONSTANTLY LOOK TO HIM FOR
4. NEGLECT AND WASTE OF OUR LIMITED LIFESPAN DIVINE GUIDANCE, OR THOSE WHOM HE HAS CALLED TO
5. FAILURE TO REPENT OUR SINS GUIDE, TEACH AND ADVISE – especially our Holy
“...beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a Church Fathers WHOSE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE IS
Stumbling Block to those who are weak...” because PRICELESS.
OUR THOUGHTS, WORDS AND DEEDS ALWAYS HAVE AN The inseparable Holy Virtues of HUMILITY AND
EFFECT ON OTHERS. OBEDIENCE ARE VITAL TO OUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
We must ALWAYS BE VERY CAREFUL TO NEITHER OFFEND ONE AND PROGRESS.
ANOTHER NOR LEAD EACH OTHER ASTRAY by our personal CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR DIED FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS – He paid
habits, ideas or preferences. the ultimate Ransom for the Salvation of all
Throughout this short preparatory life, we need to mankind – not for just a select few.
PERPETUALLY STRUGGLE AGAINST ALL TEMPTATIONS, AND IF WE LEAD OTHERS ASTRAY THROUGH OUR OWN MISGUIDED OR
STRIVE TO MAKE GOOD SPIRITUAL PROGRESS. ERRONEOUS KNOWLEDGE, WE CAUSE THEM TO SUFFER
It is the Sacred Duty of every Faithful Disciple of Christ SPIRITUAL DEATH – i.e. fall into sin, which separates
to ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT AND CORRECTLY GUIDE AND us from God’s Divine Grace and Presence – THE
TEACH ONE ANOTHER. CONSEQUENCES OF WHICH ARE DIRE INDEED!
✶ “...if anyone sees you, who have Knowledge... will not Consequently, WHENEVER WE SIN AGAINST EACH OTHER, WE
...those who are weak be emboldened...” refers to SIN AGAINST CHRIST – i.e. Almighty God – the Holy
SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE for others to follow. Trinity Who always operate in Perfect Unity and
✶ “...because of your Knowledge shall the weak Brethren Harmony.
perish – for whom Christ Died...” refers TO OUR OWN ✶ “...if food makes my Brethren stumble, I will never again
LACK OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE OR DIVINE TRUTH, WHICH eat meat, lest I make my Brethren stumble...”!
MISLEADS OR CAUSES NOT ONLY OURSELVES TO COMMIT SIN IF WE DO ANYTHING THAT CAUSES THE SPIRITUAL DEATH OF
BUT ENCOURAGES OTHERS AS WELL. ANYONE ELSE, WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE NEVER DO SO
A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS because all too often AGAIN in case we cause even more people to fall
WE ASSUME WE FULLY UNDERSTAND something when we into wickedness or error that is harmful and
are, in fact, misinformed or far less Eternally Condemning..
knowledgeable that we realise. THE BURDEN OF THAT SIN WILL BE UPON US WHO HAVE CAUSED
✶ “...when you thus sin against the Brethren, and wound THEIR FALL and we will be Eternally Condemned for
their weak conscience, you sin against Christ!...” it, UNLESS WE QUICKLY REPENT AND CORRECT OUR ERROR.
By either incorrectly teaching and misguiding our Faithful Disciples of Christ who live in Christ, are
Brethren, we commit three extremely grievous sins ALWAYS MOTIVATED BY A SELFLESS REGARD FOR THE BENEFIT
1. AGAINST OUR LORD GOD Whose Divine Truth we have OF MANY – never for themselves – and without fail,
failed to learn correctly and apply to our own FOR THE GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP OF GOD!
thoughts, words and deeds. 2
Also the Feast of St Erasmos of Kiev Near Caves Monastery – St Romanos of Uglich – St Cumein,
Abbot of Iona Monastery