2012 - november sacred lessons
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7/31/2019 2012 - NOVEMBER Sacred Lessons
1/30(SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR ALL DONATIONS) ST KOSMAS &ST DAMIANOS -UNMERCENARY PHYSICIANS &WONDERWORKERS -ASIA MINOR 1NOVEMBER 2012 1
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, and untothe 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 erVi 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 e an ot he r an d ou r wh ol e Li fe to Chri st
our God. Amen.
1 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2
S t D a m i a n o s & S t K o s m a s , t h e H o l y U n m e r c e n a r y P h y s i c i a n so f A s i a M i n o r .
Also the Feast of St Theodotos, their Righteous Mother - St David the Righteous of Evia St John & St
James of Persia St Cyrenia & St Juliana of Cilicia St Hermeningilda the Goth St Caesarios, St Adrian,
St Sacios, St Savvas, St Sabian, St Agrippa & St Thomas of DamascusFe s ta l Ap o ly t ik ion S t D a mia n os & S t Kosma s o f As ia Min or TON E (8 ) PL A G A L 4
Agii Anargiri ke Thavmatourgi, episkepsasthe tasastheneias imon: dorean elavete, dorean dote imin!
Sainted Unmercenaries and Wonder Workers, regard ourinfirmities; freely you have received, freely share withus.
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, kespefson 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 the
Aid 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!
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 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 2 : 2 7 1 3 : 8L ove , A D iv in e A n d E ver l a s t i n g G i f t T h a t Is S u pe r i or T o A l l O th e r G i f ts
Brethren: you are the Body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the Church: firstApostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healing, Helps, Administrations, varietiesof Tongues (languages).
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all workers of Miracles? Do all have Gifts of Healing? Do allspeak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best Gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent
way. Although I speakwith the tongues of men and of Angels, but have not Love, I have become soundingbrass or a clanging cymbal. And although I have the Gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries and allKnowledge, and although I have all Faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing!
And although I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and although I give my body to be burnt, but have not Love, it
profits me nothing!
Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely,does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things andendures all things. Love never fails! But whether there are Prophecies, they will fail. Whether there are tongues,
they will cease. Whether there is Knowledge, it will vanish away.
THERE IS A HIERARCHY OF HONOUR IN THE HOLY CHURCH OF
THE NEW COVENANT TO THIS DAY.
The Apostolic Work that of the Bishop sets the
pace for all the rest. When the oversight of theBishop is in order i.e. the supervision of the Bishop the rest of the Holy Church is free to function at itsoptimal level.
However, even with all the Divine Gifts in place andoperative, there is SOMETHING EVEN MORE EXCELLENTand that IS THE LOVE OF GOD AGAPE which is THETRUE SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LIFE-GIVING, ALL
HOLY SPIRIT.
V St Basil the Great taught us that there are THREEREASONS ALL BIBLICAL AND ALL GOD-GIVEN THAT
WE FOLLOW THE LORD:
F E A R P r o v e r b s 1 : 7 The Fear of God is the
beginning of Wisdom.O B E D I E N C E a recognition thatBECAUSE HE IS GOD
WE MUST FOLLOW HIM.A c t s 5 : 2 9 ... Peter and the other Apostles
answered: We ought to obey God rather thanmen...
L O V E
1 J o h n 4 : 1 9 We Love Him (God) because Hefirst Loved us.
Furthermore, WHILE WE MUST AIM TO DO ALL THINGS OUT OFLOVE, WE MUST ALSO NOT CEASE FEARING I.E.
RESPECTING GOD AND (WILLINGLY) OBEYING HIM.To any church that is preoccupied with the speaking of
tongues different languages ST PAUL TAUGHT THEULTIMATE DIVINE GIFT THAT OF DIVINE LOVE AGAPE..
V DIVINE OR GODLY LOVE OUTSHINES PROPHECY AND ALLFAITH because it is of far greater value andSpiritual Benefit than the miraculous ability toremove mountains!
OUR LORD JESUS URGED US TO GIVE TO THE POOR AND TOLAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OTHERS.
HOWEVER: EVEN SUCH A SELFLESS ACT OF HOLY MARTYRDOM
AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE THAT IS DONE WITHOUT LOVE
WILL PROFIT US ABSOLUTELY NOTHING it will be awasted effort because IT IS NOT COMPELLED, FULFILLEDOR MOTIVATED BY LOVE FOR OTHERS AND ESPECIALLY FOR
GOD.
V This particular passage explains THE SPECIFICCHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE LOVE DIVINE GODLY LOVE
- AGAPE:
LOVE IS PATIENT, KIND AND GENTLE, especially withthose who are hurt. 1 T h e s s a l o n i a n s 5 : 1 4 We exhort you,Brethren: warn those who are unruly, comfortthe faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patientwith all.
E p h e s i a n s 4 : 3 2 ... Be kind to one another,tender-hearted, forgiving each other, even as
God in Christ forgives you.) LOVE DOES NOT ENVY AND IS NOT JEALOUS of what others
have. P r o v e r b s 2 3 : 1 7 Do not let your heart
envy sinners, but be in Fear of the Lord the
whole day long. LOVE DOES NOT PARADE ITSELFor put itself on display.J o h n 3 : 3 0 He (Christ) must increase, but I
(St John the Baptist) must decrease.
LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UPor arrogant or proud. G a l a t i a n s 6 : 3 ... If anyone thinks himself
to be something, when he is nothing, hedeceives himself.
LOVE DOES NOT ACT RUDELYor brashly, mean-spiritedlynor does it insult anyone.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 The voice of a senseless manis with a multitude of words.
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LOVE DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN WAYor act forcefully 1 Corinthians 10:24: Let no one seek his own,
but each one the others well-being. LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS it copes with burdensome
things or all difficulties of daily life.
G a l a t i a n s 6 : 2 Bear each others burdens,and so fulfil the Law of Christ.
LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS AND TRUSTS IN GOD no matterwhat the circumstances or what happens.
P r o v e r b s 3 : 5 Trust in God with all yourheart.)
LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS: it keeps looking upwards,does not despair and is always optimistic
P h i l i p p i a n s 3 : 1 3 ...Forgetting those thingsthat are behind, and reaching forward to
those things that are ahead.
LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS: it puts up with everythingand does not wear out.
G a l a t i a n s 6 : 9 ... Grow not weary whiledoing good, for in due season we shall reap,
if we do not lose heart. The only thing that Love cannot do is fail! 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 6 : 1 4 : Let all that you do
be done with Love.THE DIVINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, as wonderful as they
are,ARE MERELY TEMPORARY AND INCOMPLETE. They areFOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE ONLY, while we are stillSpiritual Children Spiritually Immature.
V However, DIVINE LOVE IS ETERNAL, COMPLETE ANDFULFILLING, AND IT CONTINUES INTO THE AGE TOCOME ETERNAL LIFE.
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 L u k e 1 1 : 4 7 1 2 : 1Avoid The Fatal Sins Of Pride And Hypocrisy
At that time, our Lord Jesus said to a Pharisee: Woe to you! For you built the tombs of the Prophets, and your
fathers killed them. In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeedkilled them, and you built their tombs. Therefore the Wisdom of God also said: I will send themProphets and Apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute, that the blood of all the Prophets
that was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood ofAbel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the Altar and the Temple.
Yes! I say to you: it shall be required of this generation! Woe to you Lawyers! For you have taken awaythe Key of Knowledge. You yourselves did not enter, and those who were entering you hindered.
And as Jesus said these things to them, the Scribes and Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examineHim about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, so that theymight accuse Him.
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another,He began to say to His Disciples first of all: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy! For
there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known!
Our Lord Jesus Christ used the term: Woe! whichindicates COMPLETE, DEVASTATING DESTRUCTION.
Isaiah 5 : 18 24: Woe to those who draw sins tothemselves as with a long rope andlawlessness as with the strap of a cows
yoke, who say: Let God speedily hastenwhat He will do so that we may see it, andlet the counsel (advice) of the Holy One of
Israel come, so that we may know it!Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for
darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweetfor bitter! Woe to those who are intelligent intheir own eyes and expert in their own sight!Woe to your strong ones who drink wine andthe mighty ones who mix intoxicating drink,
who justify the ungodly for a bribe and takeaway Justice from the Righteous!
Therefore in the manner that stubble shall beburnt by coals of fire and consumed by aviolent flame, their root shall be like chaff and
their flower shall go up like dust, for they didnot will to do the Law of the Lord of Hosts,
but despised the Word of the Holy One ofIsrael.
Amos 5 : 18 :Woe to you who desire the Day ofthe Lord! What is the Day of the Lord to
you? It will be Darkness, not Light! Revelation: 12:12 Rejoice, O Heavens! And those
who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants
of the earth and the sea! For the devil hascome down to you, having great wrath,
because he knows that he has a shorttime!
SATAN AND ALL HIS EVIL INVENTIONS THE DEADLY
PASSIONS OR SINS ARE OVERCOME DEFEATED BY
CHRISTS SELF-SACRIFICE and that of the Holy Saintsand Martyrs those who did not love their lives todeath.
Our own SELF-DENIAL, REPENTANCE-CONFESSION ANDREGULAR PARTAKING OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES, whichall bring us closer to God in humble and eagerwillingness to obey and worship God, CONQUER ANDDESTROY ANY DECEPTIONS OR ENSLAVING BONDS ofwickedness of the evil one AS WELL AS UNSELFISH,LOVING ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH THE PRAYERS AND
ASSISTANCE OF OUR FELLOW STRUGGLERS.
The short time of Satan is the period of tribulation justprior to the end of the ages just before the EighthDay the General Resurrection and the FinalJudgement of Christ.
Because the example of a leader can be so influential,ANY LEADER WHO DOES NOT LOVE GOD WILL HINDER
OTHERS FROM SEEKING, FINDING AND DEVELOPING A
CLOSE RELATIONSHIP OF HUMBLE OBEDIENCE AND
WORSHIP WITH GOD.
Therefore, DUE TO THE INCALCULABLE RESPONSIBILITY OFANY LEADER FOR THE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL
WELFARE OF OTHERS, THEY ARE HELD TO A HIGHER
STANDARD THAN THOSE WHO FOLLOW OR OBEY THEM.James 3:1 My Brethren: let NOT many of you
become Teachers, knowing that we shallreceive a stricter Judgement, for we allstumble in many things.
V WHAT WE SAY, DO OR TEACH OTHERS REVEALS THE TRUESTATE OF WHAT WE REALLY ARE.
If we control our words, WE CAN CONTROL WHAT WE DO,which is a prime example of the relationshipbetween Faith and Works.
This substantiates (proves) THE RELENTLESS SPIRITUALWARFARE THAT CONFRONTS AND THREATENS US, andagainst which we must ceaselessly struggle.
We must CONSISTENTLY GUARD AGAINST HYPOCRITICALAND CONTRADICTORY THOUGHTS, SPEECH AND DEEDS.
V TRUE WISDOM COMES ONLY FROM GOD AND IS PROVEDBY THE FRUIT IT BEARS the result orconsequence of such Wisdom.
These DIRE WARNINGS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AREESPECIALLY VITAL TO ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS because HIS HOLY CHURCH HAS CAREFULLY ANDFAITHFULLY MAINTAINED THE HOLY TRADITION OF
CHRIST AND OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS AND MOTHERS- the verbal Instructions and Teachings of JesusChrist, (God Himself!) to His Holy Apostles, whichhave been PRESERVED UNCHANGED AND PASSED ONTHROUGHOUT THE AGES TO US.
V GODS TRUTH ABSOLUTE, PERFECT AND PURE ANDALL HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE OUR EXPRESSIONS OF
DEEP FAITH, WHICH LEAD US TO A MORE INTIMATE
AND SINCERE COMMITMENT TO GOD, which
safeguard ourLIFEINCHRIST.
However, if we merely pay lip service to them,
without ever really taking them to heart andpractising - i.e. LIVING - WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHTBY CHRIST, we will face Eternal Condemnation
as hypocrites!
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A P 5T H
O F S T L U K E T H E R I C H M A N & P O O R L A Z A R O S 4 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 3.
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, 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
Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
22 n d Su nday Aft er P e n t e c o s t T o n e ( 5 ) P l a g a l 1 4 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2
5 t h S u n d a y o f S t L u k e T h e R i c h M a n & P o o r
L a z a r o s E t e r n a l C o n s e q u e n c e s o f t h i s L i f e
Also the Feast of St Ioannikios the Great of Bithynia St Nicander the Bishop & St
Hermas the Presbyter, Hieromartyrs of Myra - St Mercurios the Faster of Kiev Caves
St Nicander of Gorodensk, Novgorod St John, St Stephen & St Isaiah of Georgia St
Simon of Yurievets St Gabriel of Atonelni, Georgia
R e s u r r e c t i o n A p o l y t i k i o n TO N E ( 5 ) PL A G A L 1
Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ekParthenou tehthenta is Sotirian imon, animnisomen,Pisti, ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise Sarki anelthin
en to Stavro ke Thanaton ipomine ke egire tous
tethneotas en ti Evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.
The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has nobeginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of aVirgin, let us Faithful Believers hymn and adore. Forit was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in theFlesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His ownGlorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
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 deiseonfonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon,
ton pistos kravgazonton Si: Tahinon is presvian, kespefson 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 1 1 J o h n 2 1 : 1 4 - 2 5O u r R e s u r r e c t e d L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t R e s t o r e s & C o m m i s s i o n s S t P e t e r
P r o k e i m e n o n
Thou, O Lord, shalt Protect us and Preserve us.
Save me, O Lord, for the Godly man has failed.S t P a u l s E p i s t l e t o t h e G a l a t i a n s 6 : 1 1 - 1 8T h e R u l e o f F a i t h
Brethren: See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!Many of those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh would compel you to be circumcised, for the Cross of
Christ. Yet not even those who are circumcised keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised so that theymay boast in your flesh.
God forbid that I should boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by Whom the world has been crucified inme, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything but a NewCreation. And all who walk according to this Rule may Peace and Mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the Marks of the Lord Jesus.Brethren: the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.Amen.
St Pauls remarked about the large handwriting of thisEpistle (Letter) to the Galatians, which confirmed thefact that he himself had written these words.
V HE WARNED US AGAINST THOSE WHO ONLY PAY LIP SERVICETO ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS
INSTEAD OF FULFILLING THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW.
V TRUE CHRISTIANS LIVE THEIR SINCERE AND GENUINESERVICE TO GOD WITH ALL HUMILITY AND WILLING
OBEDIENCE TO HIM.
In this day and age, all too often we only pay lip service toChrist WE ONLY PRETEND TO SERVE GOD BY GOING
THROUGH THE REQUIRED MOTIONS WITHOUT ANY INNER
COMMITMENT ORLOVE FORGOD AND HIS CREATION.
V BEING BAPTISED AND CHRISMATED IS ONLY THEBEGINNING OF OURLIFE IN CHRIST.
From that moment onwards, WE MUST LIVE EVERY DAY INIMITATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
St Paul had to contend with the Hebrews who thought that
being circumcised proved your Faith in God.V However: as he emphasised, TRUE FAITH IS FROM
WITHIN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS, WHICH IS EVIDENT FROM
HOW WE LIVE EACH DAY, WALKING STEADFASTLY IN THE
FOOTSTEPS OFCHRIST.
V TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE ASACRED COMMITMENT TO FULLYPARTICIPATE IN ALL OUR HOLY CHURCHS MYSTERIES
HOLY SACRAMENTS AND COMMUNAL WORSHIP ON A
REGULAR BASIS.
Therefore, UNLESS WE FULLY COMMIT OUR LIVES TO CHRIST IN
ALL ASPECTS REQUIRED OF US AS FAITHFUL ORTHODOX
CHRISTIANS, WE MAKE A MOCKERY OFGOD AND HIS HOLY
CHURCH, which bears dire Eternal Consequences forunrepentant sinners and apostatisers!
We freely choose our own state of Eternity by whatever wedo during our present lifetime.
We prove nothing by being Christian in name alone!V WE ARE COMPELLED BY OURSPIRITUAL COMMITMENT TO
CHRIST TO FULFIL ALL HIS DIVINE REQUIREMENTS DURING
OUR TEMPORARY EARTHLY LIFE only then may we trulyhope to enjoy the Fruits of our Spiritual Labours.
V WE ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED OF THIS DIVINETRUTH ASCHRIST HIMSELF REVEALED TO US FOR GOD NEVER
DESIRES THE DESTRUCTION OF SINNERS BUT EXPECTANTLYAWAITS OURRETURN TO HIS LOVING EMBRACE BY MEANS
OF US VOLUNTARILY FREELY- CHANGING OUR CHOICE OF
PERSONAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR.V Finally, St Paul ends this particular Epistle with the
Blessing: ... the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
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with your spirit,which means that he prays thatBY
CORRECTING OUR ERRORS, WE MAY ONCE AGAIN RECEIVE
THE DIVINE INDWELLING OF GOD HIS DIVINE GRACE AND
LOVE.V IT IS ENTIRELY OUR OWN PERSONAL CHOICE.
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 L u k e 1 6 : 1 9 3 1The Rich Man & Poor Lazaros
At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said: There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen
and who fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazaros, who was full ofsores and who lay at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich mans table.And dogs went and licked his sores.
So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the Angels to Abrahams Bosom.
The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and sawAbraham afar off, and Lazaros in his Bosom.
Then he cried: O Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazaros so that he may dip the tip of hisfinger in water and to cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this Flame!
And Abraham replied: Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewiseLazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this,between us and you there is a great Gulf fixed so that those who want to pass from her to you cannot,nor can those from there pass to us.
Then the formerly rich man said: I beg you therefore, Father, that you send him to my fathers house - for
I have five brothers - so that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.And Abraham answered: They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them! and he said: No, Father
Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will Repent.But Abraham said to him: If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded by one
risen from the dead!
When our Lord Jesus described the Rich Man being ...
clothed in purple and fine linen... and eatingextravagantly every day, HIS AUDIENCE IMMEDIATELY
UNDERSTOOD THE EXTREME WEALTH that he possessedand with which he indulged himself.
Only Kings, influential Rulers and the very affluent worerobes that were dyed PURPLE.PURPLE DYE WAS PRODUCED FROM THE MUCUS OF THE HYPOBRANCHIAL GLAND OF
VARIOUS SPECIES OF MARINE MOLLUSKS - NOTABLY MUREX - AND IT TOOK
APPROXIMATELY 12,000 SHELLFISH TO EXTRACT 1.5 GRAMS OF THE PURE DYE
(PURPURA).
Furthermore, it was also extremely costly to produceFINELY WOVEN LINEN.
In addition, the consumption of such lavish meals everyday was also evidence of much prosperity anddecadence since others ate very simple meals of basicfoods whatever they could either grow themselves orwere able to purchase at the marketplace.
Meat and any other extravagant dishes would be servedonly on very special occasions and then only by thosewho were able to afford them.
OURLORDJESUS ALWAYS CONTRASTED HIS SACRED LESSONS
WITH EXTREME AND OPPOSITE SCENARIOS, and in THIS
TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE TWO MENS CIRCUMSTANCES, Hebrings our attention to the complete opposite of therich mans self-indulgent lifestyle - to that of thedestitute and suffering beggar lying so patiently at hisgate.
ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE NATURE, CHRIST KNEW THE
SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF POOR LAZAROS AND THAT HE
HAD BEEN CARRIED BYANGELS TO THE COMFORTING
BOSOM OFABRAHAM, WHICH REVEALED THATLAZAROS HADACCEPTED HIS LIFE WITH PATIENT GRATITUDETO GOD AND
NEVER COMPLAINEDABOUT HIS SAD SITUATION.
The ancient Patriarch, STABRAHAM, WAS MENTIONED BYCHRIST AMONG ALL THE RIGHTEOUS BECAUSE IN STARK
CONTRAST TO THE RICH MAN,STABRAHAM HAD ALWAYS
SHOWN WELCOMING AND GENEROUS HOSPITALITY TO ALL
STRANGERS EVEN THE HOLYTRINITY. ( R E F E R G E N E S I S 1 8 :1 8 )
On the contrary, THE RICH MAN WHO LIVED SUCH A LAVISH,
THOUGHTLESS EXISTENCE, SUFFERED INDESCRIBABLE ...
TORMENTS INHADES... WHILE BEING ABLE TO SEE THE
RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE WHO RESTED PEACEFULLY IN THE
COMFORT OFABRAHAMS BOSOMABRAHAMS BOSOM WAS A FORETASTE OF HEAVEN AND THE PLACE OF PEACEFUL
REPOSE FOR GODS FAITHFUL PEOPLE UNTIL CHRIST DESCENDED INTO HADES,
SMASHED OPEN THE IMPRISONING GATES AND SET THE RIGHTEOUS FREE TO REST IN
THE RE-OPENED PARADISE UNTIL THE GENERAL RESURRECTION AND THE FINAL
JUDGEMENT AT HIS SECOND COMING.
Christ mentioned thatTHE RICH MAN HAD BEEN BURIED,
which our Holy Fathers regard as ILLUSTRATING THESTATE OF HIS THOUGHTLESS, UNCARINGAND MERCILESS
SOUL WHICH WAS BURIED BY THE PLEASURES OF HIS SELF-
INDULGENT FLESH.
In other words, THE RICH MAN WAS ALREADY BURIED DURING
HIS LIFETIME by his ... couches, rugs, furnishings,
sweet oils, perfumes, large quantities of wine,
varieties of food, and his many flatterers... (St JohnChrysostom)
In addition, THE FACT THAT CHRIST DID NOT IDENTIFY THERICH MAN BY NAME, INDICATES THAT HE WAS ULTIMATELY
FORGOTTEN BY EVERYONE.
(PSALM 9:6: Thou rebukes the nations, and theungodly man destroys himself; Thou blot out
their names in their lifetime and unto ages ofages...)
Although the names of the ungodly are forgotten, theirwicked and unrepented deeds will be exposed andjudged by God because EVERYTHING WILL BE EXPOSEDBY HIS DIVINE LIGHT AND TRUTH AT THE FINAL
JUDGEMENT ON THE EIGHTH DAY THE BEGINNING OF
ETERNITY.
THE RICH MANS DESPERATE APPEAL TO STABRAHAM AS A
SPIRITUAL FATHER WAS NOT REJECTED, for he addressed
the tormented man as Son,AND SPOKE TO HIM WITH
COMPASSION BY EXPLAINING THE TRUTH AND REALITY OF
THE SPIRITUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THOSE ALREADY IN
HADES (I.E. BEFORE THE HARROWING OF HADES BY OUR CRUCIFIED CHRIST)
THE TORMENTED AND THE REPOSED - AND THOSE WHO
WERE STILL ALIVE ON EARTH.
The great Gulfis not a physical or geographical dividebutTHE COMPLETE SEPARATION BETWEEN VIRTUE AND
VICE goodness and wickedness AN IRREVOCABLE
SEPARATION THAT CANNOT BE OVERCOME OR CORRECTED
AFTER DEATH.
It is of great significance that NOT EVEN THE TORMENTS HE
SUFFERED IN HADES HAD CHANGED THE RICH MANS
HEART because he still regarded poor Lazaros as a
mere servant who existed to fulfil the Rich Mans ownselfish bidding and desires!
In other words, NOT EVEN THE TORMENTS OF HADES CAN
CHANGE A STUBBORN, SELF-SEEKING SINNER!
THIS SACRED LESSON OF OURLORDJESUS CHRIST REVEALS
TO US THE COMMUNION OFSAINTS: a man who was not
even a faithful servant of God called out for mercyfrom Hades and conversed with St Abraham!
Some scholars see this After-death account as being setafter the Final Judgement of Christ, citing thePunishment and Reward that will be received by thetwo men respectively.
However, OUR HOLY CHURCH FATHERS REGARD THIS
ACCOUNT AS BEING DURING A TIME AFTER DEATH BUT
BEFORE THE SECOND COMING OFCHRIST, AS EVIDENCED
BY THE MAN INTERCEDING ON BEHALF OF HIS FIVE
BROTHERS WHO WERE STILL ALIVE.The multiple Torments the Rich Man experienced would be
merelyA HIDEOUS FORETASTE OFHIS FINALJUDGEMENT
AND SPIRITUAL STATE IN ETERNITY.
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From this perspective, we are taught that SOULS OF THE
DEPARTED HAVE AN AWARENESS OF AND CONCERN FOR THE
SPIRITUAL STATE OF THOSE WHO STILL LIVE ON EARTH,
BUT ALSO THAT- ALTHOUGH THE INTERCESSORYPRAYERS
OF THE WICKED MAN FORDIVINE MERCY FOR THE REST OF
HIS LIVING FAMILY ARE HEARD, SADLY THEY WILL BENEFIT
NEITHER HIM NOR HIS FAMILY.
L U K E 9 : 3 0 - 3 1 : CHRISTS PASSION ON THE CROSS WASafulfilment of the Old Covenant Passover and wasTHETRUE EXODUS FROM SPIRITUAL ENSLAVEMENT OF
SIN INTO GLORIOUS SALVATION AND SPIRITUAL
FREEDOM OFETERNAL LIFE.Only in His human Nature could Christ experience Death
and descend into Hades where, IN HISDIVINENATURE,HE SMASHED OPEN THE GATES OF HADES AND SET THE
RIGHTEOUS SOULS FREE, while the stubbornlyunrepentant souls remained there, tormented by theForetaste of Eternal Death suffering the unspeakablehorrors of the total absence of God and everythinggood!
2 M A C C A B E E S 1 5 : 1 2 - 1 6 : The Hebrews believed thatTHE DEPARTED SAINTS LIKE STJEREMIAH ARE ALIVE
EVEN BEFORE THE GENERAL RESURRECTION.
This was clearly confirmed by the New Covenant when STMOSES AND ST ELIJAH APPEARED WITH CHRIST AT HIS
GLORIOUS TRANSFIGURATION ON MOUNTTABOR, WHICH
WAS WITNESSED BY ST PETER, ST JAMES, AND HISBROTHER, ST JOHN the Divine Apostle and Theologian.
M A T T H E W 2 : 1 8 : The Book of Jeremiah mentions thatwhen the people of Jerusalem were led into exile,they passed Ramah, near Bethlehem, where thetomb of St Jacobs wife, St Rachel, was situated.
In his Prophecy, STJEREMIAH SAWSTRACHEL LAMENTING,
WEEPING AND MOURNING FROM HER GRAVE, BEING DEEPLY
SORROWFUL FOR THE FATE THAT HAD BEFALLEN HER
DESCENDENTS, AND THIS WAS REPEATED AT THE TIME OF
THE MERCILESS SLAUGHTER OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS,
which occurred approximately two years after the Birthof Christ when all male infants were murdered byorder of the insane and cruel King Herod.
Thus the weeping of St Rachel for her suffering childrendemonstrates that SAINTS IN HEAVEN ARE VERY AWARE
OF AND COMPASSIONATE TOWARDS ALL WHO STRUGGLE IN
LIFE ON EARTH.
CONSEQUENTLY, WE TURN TO THEM FOR THEIR PRAYERS OF
INTERCESSION AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE.THE HUMAN SOUL IS IMMORTAL IT NEVER DIES SO IT REMAINS ALIVE AND
AWARE OF BOTH THE VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE WORLDS.
SOULS THAT HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A CLOSE AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD CONTINUE AFTER THIS LIFE TO BE IN THE DIVINE PRESENCE.
OBVIOUSLY THEN, THOSE THAT HAVE REJECTED GOD AND REFUSED TO MAKE ANY
EFFORT TO GET CLOSE TO GOD HAVE CHOSEN THEIR ALIENATION AND
SPIRITUAL EXILE FOR ALL ETERNITY AND WILL THUS SUFFER THE
UNCEASING TORMENTS OF HELL FOREVER WITH NO RESPITE OR RELIEF
AND BEING COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM EVERYTHING OF GOD AND HIS
GOODNESS.
J A M E S 5 : 1 6 Confess your trespasses to oneanother, and pray for one another, so that youmay be healed. The effective, Fervent Prayer of a
Righteous person avails much.Some people allege that confessing our sins to God in the
presence of a Priest is not Biblical!THE ANCIENT CHRISTIAN PRACTICE WAS TO CONFESS OUR
TRESPASSES TO ONE ANOTHERand when a Christian wasguilty of sinning, the matter was confessed before theentire ChurchAS A MOST HUMBLEACT OFREPENTANCE.EARLY CHURCHES CONSISTED OF GATHERINGS OF FAITHFUL IN SMALL GROUPS IN
THE HOMES OF OTHER CHRISTIANS.
EVERYONE KNEW EACH OTHER VERY WELL AND THERE WAS AN ELEMENT OF
COMPLETE TRUST BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL UNITED IN THE SAME FAITH
AND MANNER OF WORSHIP.
EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD AND PRESERVED THE SANCTITY OF SUCH GATHERINGS
AND SHARING OF ONE ANOTHERS PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL BURDENS.
NO ONE GOSSIPPED OR SCANDALISED ABOUT WHATEVER THEY WITNESSED
DURING THEIR SANCTIFIED GATHERINGS.
THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT WE ARE ALL SINNERS SEEKING REDEMPTION IN CHRIST
JESUS SO NO ONE COULD OR WANTED TO POINT ACCUSING FINGERS AT
EACH OTHER.
However, as the Church grew, and more often than not,other people who were not part of the ChristianCommunity would attend, many of whom hoped tobecome Catechumens and then be Baptised
Christians.Some attended out of mere curiosity or even possibly with
other more sinister motives.Consequently communal, public Confessions became less
desirable and even dangerous during the persecutionsof Christians .
Instead of Confessions before the entire Christian
Community, REPENTANT SINNERS CONFESSED IN PRIVATE
BEFORE APRIEST (WHO REPRESENTS OUR FELLOW SINNERS,)AND IN
THE DIVINE PRESENCE OFALMIGHTYGOD (WHO, THROUGH HISORDAINED SERVANTS, THE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS, GRANTS US FORGIVENESS OF
SINS.)
What is definitelyNOT TAUGHT IN HOLYSCRIPTUREIS PRIVATE
CONFESSION ONLY TO GOD, WHEREBY WE REFUSE TO
ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINS TO OURCHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
OUR FELLOW STRUGGLING SINNERS - AGAINST WHOM WE
COMMIT OUR SINS!1 J O H N 1 : 8 1 0 : If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. Ifwe Confess our sins, (Christ) is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from allunrighteousness. If we say that we have not
sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is notin us!
V FAITH IS PROVED BYGOOD WORKS I.E.OURFAITH MUSTPRODUCE PURITY IT MUST PRACTICE THE TRUTH -
WHERE TRUTH IS A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
THAT IS MANIFESTED IN AHOLY AND RIGHTEOUS LIFE
IN CHRIST.
V And TRUE FAITH MUST ALWAYS SEEK FORGIVENESS forand cleansing from sin THE BLOOD OFJESUS
CHRIST...CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN.
V SIN MOST CERTAINLY DOES EXIST AND CONSEQUENTLY,THE PRACTICE OF REGULAR CONFESSION IS THE
ESTABLISHED BASIS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Furthermore, ALTHOUGH WE CONTINUOUSLY COMMIT SIN, WE
MUST JUST AS CEASELESSLY STRIVE TO AVOID ALL
TEMPTATION THAT LEADS US INTO WICKEDNESS.
SALVATION IN CHRIST IS A LONG, PERPETUAL PROCESS A
CEASELESS AND WATCHFUL STRUGGLE the most
essential part of which is a CONSTANT AWARENESS AND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EVERY SIN GREAT OR SMALL
AND REGULAR REPENTANCE-CONFESSION COMBINED WITH
HOLYEUCHARIST.
V In order for fulfil these requirements and to makegood Spiritual Progress, A CONSTANT ATTENDANCE
AND PARTICIPATION IN ALL HOLY SERVICES, HOLYMYSTERIES AND PERSONAL PRAYERS IS VITAL.
V THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST EFFECTS HEALING PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL THROUGH WORKS OFFAITH
SUCH AS CONFESSION OF OUR SINS AND THE POWER
OFINTERCESSORYPRAYER.
T h e R i c h M a n & P o o r L a z a r o sOver the years, I have heard many Christian Teachers
claim that one should not attempt to derive Doctrinefrom the Parables of Christ, asserting that they utilizeconfusing symbolism and hidden meaning, makingit difficult to clearly understand what Christ wastrying to say, thus leading to the possibility ofdoctrinal error.
However, it seems to me that there are plenty of peoplewho misunderstand and misinterpret even the plainand straight-forward Teachings of Christ, such aswhen He said: ...unless a man is born again of
water and the Spirit, he shall not see theKingdom of God...or when He said: ...unless
you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drinkHis Blood, you have no Life in you.
THESE ARE BOTH VERY CLEAR AND DIRECTSTATEMENTS OF
CHRIST, UNDERSTOOD - BY HIS HOLYAPOSTLES AND
THE CHURCH FROM DAY ONE - TO APPLY TO HOLY
BAPTISM AND THE EUCHARIST, RESPECTIVELY.
Yet today many Christians no longer care to know what
the Holy Apostles or the early Holy Church Fathersactually taught, or what the early Church believed.
They no longer measure their own beliefs by thisyardstick, but are content to accept contemporarydoctrinal models - even if that means CREATIVELY
REINTERPRETING OR OUTRIGHT DISMISSING CERTAIN
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PORTIONS OF THE HOLYSCRIPTURES that just ...dontquite fit!
Case in point: Todays Sacred Lesson, which consists ofcertain aspects that align precisely with historicChristian Teaching quite well, but which tend tomake many modern believers cringe.
For example, when the Eternal Destinies of these twomen were prefigured by Poor Lazaros being carriedaway by Gods Angels to Abrahams Bosom [I.E. RESTINGIN PEACE], while the formerly Rich Man was taken down
into the torments of Hades, absolutely NO MENTION
WAS MADE OF THE PERSONAL FAITH OF EITHER OF THEM.For many of our Brethren today thats a positively ghastly
omission!Whats even worse is that Father Abraham told the Rich
Man that Poor Lazaros was being comforted aftersuffering a lifetime of abject misery, whereas theRICH MAN WAS BEING TORMENTED BECAUSE HE HAD
LIVED A LIFE OF GREAT COMFORT COUPLED WITH A
CALLOUS NEGLECT OF THE NEEDS OF THOSE AROUND
HIM.This would seem to move us even farther away from the
modern notion that Salvation is entirely a matter ofright Faith alone and has nothing to do with onesearthly Works or way of life.
We begin to understand whyTHE PARABLES OF OURLORD
JESUS ARE NOT SO POPULAR TODAY.And not just the Parables, but MUCH OF OUR LORDS
TEACHING AS WELL.
V For, WHILE HE SPOKE OFTEN OF THE NEED TO BELIEVEIN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE, HE ALSO SPOKE
THROUGHOUT HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY ON THE NEED
FORCHARITABLE WORKS AND RIGHTEOUS LIVING AS
WELL.
In factHE SUMMED UP HISTEACHING ON THIS MATTER BY
WARNING US: Not all who say to Me, Lord,
Lord, shall see the Kingdom of Heaven, exceptthose who do the Will of My Father Who is in
Heaven...Clearly, NOT ALL WHO MERELY BELIEVE AND CALL JESUS
CHRISTLORD WILL BE SAVED - ONLY THOSE WHO DO
THE WILL OF HIS ETERNAL, HEAVENLY FATHER the
most important Truth for us all to remember!And what is the Will of God our Heavenly Father?
WE ARE TAUGHT ABOUT THE WILL OF GOD OURHEAVENLY
FATHER BY CHRIST OURLORD AND SAVIOUR- His OnlyBegotten Son - WHO CONTINUOUSLY INSTRUCTS AND
COMPELS US TO FEED THE HUNGRY, GIVE DRINK TO THE
THIRSTY, CARE FOR THE STRANGER, CLOTHE THE NAKED,
VISIT THE SICK, MINISTER TO THOSE IN PRISON, AND
PREACH HIS HOLY GOSPEL HIS DIVINE TRUTH -
WITHOUT ERROR OR OMISSION!
In other words, WE ARE TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET AND
THE HEART OF OUR MOSTCOMPASSIONATE LORDJESUS,
and DO EXACTLY WHATHE WOULD DO IN THE MIDST OF
SUCH HUMAN SUFFERING.
WE ARE, AFTER ALL, HIS BODY ON EARTH, CALLED OUT
FROM AMONG THE NATIONS TO CARRY ON HIS DIVINEMINISTRY TO THE FALLEN, HURT AND SUFFERING PEOPLE
OF THIS WORLD.
EVERYTHING THAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DID DURING
HIS LIFETIME ON EARTH, WE ARE TO CONTINUE DOING so that His Love (DIVINE LOVE AGAPE) might be manifested
(REVEALED) in us and through us - SO THAT THE WORLD
MIGHT KNOW THAT WE ARE HIS BLESSED CHILDREN AND
FAITHFUL SERVANTS.
THIS IS THETRUE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL THAT FAR TOO OFTEN
HAS BEEN DISTORTED OR NEGLECTED BY SO MANY
PEOPLE today. And here I include Orthodox,
Catholics, and Protestants alike, for WE ALL SHARE AMEASURE OF GUILT IN THIS.
Yes, it is true that some people subscribe to distorted,even heretical teachings that claim that God only
cares about what a person believes and is entirelyunconcerned with how they actually live.
However, all too sadly, THERE ARE MANY, MANY MOREBELIEVERS WHO ATTEND CHURCHES IN WHICH BOTH
RIGHT BELIEVING AND RIGHT LIVING ARE PREACHED, YET
THEY SIMPLY FAIL TO LIVE UP TO IT!
As we contemplate todays Sacred Lesson, we certainlyfind much to which we all need to pay closerattention.
Although most of us are probably not at all like PoorLazaros, who bore his Cross without complaint -and unless we eventually become like the All WiseFather Abraham - that only leaves one othercharacter to whom we might be similar!
And although it is uncomfortable to consider ourselvessimilar to the Rich Man aside from ... beingclothed in purple and fine linen - and dining
sumptuously every day... in every other way thecomparison is uncanny.
Most of us areALMOST ALWAYS FAR MORE CONCERNED WITHOUR OWN LIFE AND PLEASURE THAN WITH THE REAL
NEEDS OF OTHERS.
IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO LOOK PAST THOSE IN NEED AND TO
SIMPLY IGNORE THEM.I dont mean to paint an entirely negative picture of how
most of us flawed human beings behave, becausethere are many times when we are quite capable ofbeing good models of True Spirituality andCompassion for others.
Whenever we hear of someones great need we may fallpiously to our knees and pray: Oh Lord, raise
someone up to help that person! Someone else,
Lord, because Thou knowest how busy I am!YES, IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO BE TOO BUSY - TOO
PROTECTIVE AND SELFISH OF OUR OWN TIME AND
EFFORTS - AND TOO BLIND AND UNFEELING - just asthe Rich Man was with Poor Lazaros.
Yet when we really get down to it, GODNEVERASKS TOO
MUCH OF US!
He simply wants us to STOP LIVING AS IF WE, ALONE, ARE
THE CENTRE OF OUR OWN LITTLE UNIVERSE.
He wants us all to realise to acknowledge - thatA
SELF-INDULGENT LIFE IS NOTTRUE LIFE AT ALL IT IS
NOT THE REAL PURPOSE OF OUR CREATION AND
EXISTENCE.
God is a Good Father, and like all good Fathers HE
WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO OUTGROW THE NARCISSISM OF
CHILDHOOD AND LEARN TO LOVE AND TO CARE FOR
OTHERS.That is such a hard lesson for many of us to learn, isnt
it?We all tend to live for ourselves or our own families, for
work and for play, and make so little time foranything or anyone else.
GOD WANTS US TO GIVE OF OURSELVES FOR OTHERS, LEST
WE WIND UP LIKE THE RICH MAN IN A PLACE OF
TORMENT CAUSED ENTIRELY BY OUR OWN SELFISHNESS.
Todays Sacred Lesson is vitally important to our Life
and Instruction.V GOOD WORKS OFCHARITY [I.E. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OR AGAPE]
ARE ESSENTIAL TO OURETERNAL SALVATION.
IT IS SO TRAGIC THAT SO MANYBELIEVERS OF OUR DAY AND
AGE DENY THIS - thinking all the while that they are
protecting the True Gospel of Christ [ OUR GOD OF TRUE,INFINITE AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!]WHAT IS EVEN SADDER, HOWEVER, IS WHEN CHRISTIANS
KNOW THAT WORKS OF LOVE AND MERCY ARE
IMPORTANT, BUT STILL DO NOT MAKE ANY EFFORT TO
FULFIL THEM.
NO ONE IS SAVED APART FROM CHRIST - NEITHER CAN ANYCHRISTIAN EXPECT TO IGNORE THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
AND BE AWARDED ETERNAL LIFE DUE MERELY TO FAITH
ALONE.
WE NEED FAITH IN JESUS CHRISTANDTO ALLOW THAT
FAITH TO MATURE WITHIN US, LEADING US TO WORKS(DEEDS) OFMERCY THAT REVEAL CHRIST IN US - thatultimately validate our Faith and give it True Life inChrist!FATHER MICHAEL REAGAN ST BARNABAS ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, USA -
HTTP://THEABANDONEDMIND.BLOGSPOT.COM/2006/11/RICH-MAN-AND-LAZARUS.HTM
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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, 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
Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
8 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2
S y n a x i s o f t h e H o l y A r c h a n g e l s : S t M i c h a e l ,
S t G a b r i e l , S t R a p h a e l , S t U r i e l , S t S a l a p h i e l ,S t J e g u d i e l & S t B a r a c h i e l & a l l t h e H e a v e n l y H o s t s
Also the Feast of St Alexander of Guria
F e s t a l A p o l y t i k i o n S y n a x i s A r c h a n g e l s & H e a v e n l y H o s t s
F e s t a l K o n t a k i o n : E n t r y o f T h e o t o k o s i n t o T e m p l e
O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas keParthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou,
simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harinsinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin
Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
TheMost Pure Temple of the Saviour, the PreciousBridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure ofGod, today enters the House of the Lord, bringingthe Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God
praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
M a t i n s - 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 8 : 1 0 2 0At that time, our Lord Jesus said: Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you
that in Heaven their Angels always see the Face of My Father Who is in Heaven. For the Son of Man hascome to Save that which was lost.
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the
ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it,assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than the ninety-nine sheep that did not goastray.
Even so, it is not the Will of your Father Who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.Furthermore, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault - between you and him alone. If he
hears you, you have gained your brother. However, if he will not hear, take with you one or two more,that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hearthem, tell it to the Church. But if he refuses even to hear the Church, let him be to you like a heathenand a tax collector.
Assuredly, I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on
earth will be loosed in Heaven.Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for
them by My Father in Heaven. For when two or three are gathered together in My Name, I Am there inthe midst of them.
F e s t a l P r o k e i m e n o n Who makes spirits His Angels and a Flame of Fire His Ministers.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord, my God, You have been greatly Magnified!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 2 : 2 1 0
B e w a r e O f W i l f u l N e g l i g e n c e
Brethren, if the word spoken through Angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a JustReward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation? Which, at the first, began to be spoken by the Lord,and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness, both with Signs and Wonders, withvarious Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own Will.
For He has not put the world to come of which we speak, in subjection to Angels. But one testified in a certain place,saying: What is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the Son of Man that Thou takes care of Him? Thou hast madeHim with Glory and Honour, and set Him over the works of Thy Hands. Thou hast put all things in subjection under
His Feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him,He left nothing that is not put under Him.
But now we do not yet see all things put under Him. Yet wesee Jesus Who was made a little lower than the Angels,for the suffering of death, Crowned with Glory andHonour, that He, by the Grace of God, might taste Deathfor everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are allthings and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sonsto Glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation Perfectthrough sufferings.
Ton Ouranion Stration Arhistratigi,disopoumen imas imis i anaxii,
ina tes imon deisesi, tehisiteimas, Skepi ton pterigon, tis aflou
imon Doxis, frourountes imas
prospiptontas, ektenos keVoontas. Ek ton kindinon
litrosasthe imas, os Taxiarhe tonano Dinamenon.
O ye Foremost of the HeavenlyHosts, we who are unworthy,
beseech You that by YourPetitions You encompass us with
the Protection of Your Immaterial
Glory, preserving us who kneeland cry ceaselessly: Deliver us
from oppressions, since You arethe Princes of the Ranks of
Dominions on High
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H o l y G o s p e l A c c o r d i n g t o S t L u k e 1 0 : 1 6 2 1Ou r L ord s S e n d in g For th Of H is 7 0 Ap os t l e s An d H is C a u t ion a ry Wa rn in g s T o T h e m
At that time our Lord Jesus said to them: He who hears you, hears Me, he who rejects you, rejects Him Who sentMe.
Then the Seventy returned with Joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Thy Name!So He told them: I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven.Behold, I grant you the Authority to trample
upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurtyou. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this - that the spirits are subject to you - but rather rejoice becauseyour names are written in Heaven!
In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said: I thank Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hasthidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it
seemed good in Thy Sight.
T h e S y n a x i s o f t h e H o l y A r c h a n g e l s & H e a v e n l y H o s t s o f G o dOn 8 November, the Holy Orthodox Church of Christ
celebrates the Feast of the Synaxis of the HolyArchangels and the Heavenly Hosts of Almighty God.
The term Synaxis means THE GATHERING OF FAITHFULBELIEVERS TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL FEAST or tocommemorate a Great and Holy Saint.
TODAYS HOLY FEAST IS THE GATHERING OF ALLINTELLECTUAL CREATURES OF GOD: MANKIND AND THEHEAVENLYHOSTS : ... their Union, their Gatheringand standing in Fear before our Creator. [FESTALSYNAXARION]
After the rebellion and consequent banishment of Satanand his wicked angels (DEMONS) from Heaven, this HolyFeast is THE CELEBRATION OFSOBRIETY AND UNITYOFALL THE OTHER HEAVENLY RANKS OF GODS FAITHFULAND TRUE ANGELIC HOSTS the innumerable AngelicPowers who are so steadfastly Loyal and Obedient toGod and His Divine Will.
We celebrate also the contribution of the Angelsand Archangels, and their help and support inour ceaseless Warfare against Satan and his dark
powers.[FESTAL SYNAXARION]WE JOYOUSLYCOMMEMORATE THIS FEAST OFUNITY BETWEEN
THE HEAVENLYHOSTS AND MANKIND, which is not in the... Life to come... [ETERNITY] at the end of times, butWHICH BEGINS IN THIS PRESENT EXISTENCE IN OUREARTHLY WORLD,NOW!
THE HOLY ANGELS DIRECT AND GUARD THE FAITHFULCHILDREN OF GOD [ADOPTED THROUGH OUR HOLY BAPTISM ANDCHRISMATION] while WE CONSTANTLY STRUGGLE AGAINST THETEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE WHO SEEKS OUR
DESTRUCTION THROUGH OUR ALIENATION FROM GOD.
THE HEAVENLYHOSTS REJOICE WITH ALL REPENTANT SINNERS EVERY PRODIGAL SON WHO by acknowledgingtheir sins - MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CORRECT THEIRSPIRITUAL CONDITION THROUGH REPENTANCE-CONFESSION AND RETURN TO A CLOSE, PERSONALRELATIONSHIP WITHALMIGHTYGOD.
THEY INTERCEDE ON OUR BEHALF to our Lord and place ourPrayers before His Heavenly Throne.
Consequently, there is A COMMON LITURGICAL WORKBETWEEN THE HOLYANGELS AND US human beings.
The Angels offer A CEASELESS DOXOLOGY AND NOETICWORSHIP TOGETHER WITH US TO GOD.
They offer to the Holy Trinity the Trisagion the ThriceHoly Prayers and Hymns to the Holy Trinity and WESINNERS ARE ABLE TO RECITE THE WORDS IN UNISON WITH
THEM: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of Sabaoth: theHeavens and earth are filled with Thy Glory!
Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He Whocomes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in theHighest!
V DURING THE DIVINE LITURGY THE HEAVENLY HOSTSGATHER AROUND THE HOLYALTAR TOGETHER WITHOUR CELEBRANT PRIESTS AND SERVE THE LITURGYTOGETHER WITH THEM. (REFER ICON ABOVE)
VERY YOUNG BABIES AND CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BEHOLD THE HEAVENLY HOSTSWHO ARE GATHERED AROUND THE HOLY ALTAR - AND THEY REACT JOYFULLYTO THEM DURING THE LITURGY. FOR THAT REASON IT IS OF GREAT BENEFIT TOTHEIR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT TO BE BROUGHT TO CHURCH FROM THE FIRSTMONTHS OF THEIR LIFE. IT IS PERFECTLY NATURAL FOR BABIES TO BE IN THEDIVINE PRESENCE OF GOD AND HIS HEAVENLY HOSTS.
So THERE IS ONLY ONE, UNIFIED CELEBRATION ONE FEASTTHAT IS COMMON TO MANKIND AND THE HEAVENLYHOSTSOF GOD: ... Angels with human, celebratetogether... THE EARTHLY WITH THE HEAVENLY SPEAK... through Thy Cross, our Christ, our God; the
Angels and mankind become one: Church,Heaven and earth are United, O Lord: Glory toThee! [LITURGY OF THEFEAST OF ARCHANGELS & TROPARION OF WEDNESDAYORTHROS]
THE HOLYANGELS OF GOD AREESSENTIAL MEMBERS OFCHRISTS HOLY CHURCH I.E. THE BODY OFCHRIST.
8 November is specifically a Feast of St Michael theArchangel, which goes back in history to theCommemoration of the church in Arcadia,Constantinople, which is dedicated to him.
THE TITLE ANGELOS MEANS MESSENGER ORONE WHO ISSENT, WAS GIVEN TO THE INCORPOREAL HOSTS BYGODBECAUSE OF THEIR FUNCTION OF SERVING MANKIND FOR
OUR ETERNAL SALVATION: ... are they not allMinistering Spirits sent forth to Minister forthose who shall be Heirs of Salvation?(HEBREWS 1:14)
Holy Scripture does not mention exactly when the Angelswere created, but the Church in its Divine InspiredHoly Tradition - through the writings of our HolyFathers, chiefly St John of Damascus, St John Cassian,St Basil the Great, St Gregory the Theologian, StAmbrose of Milan, St Dimitri of Rostov, St Dionysiosthe Areopagite - believe that
V THE HEAVENLY, INCORPOREAL HOSTS WERE CREATEDFROM "NOTHING" PRIOR TO THE SENSIBLE MATERIALWORLD AND PRIOR TO MANKIND.
ANGELS WERE CREATED BY GOD TO GLORIFY HIM, TOFAITHFULLY SERVE HIM AND TO CONTEMPLATE HIM:"...when the stars were created, all My Angelswere Glorifying Me and Praising Me."(JOB 38:7).
THE LOGOS OFGOD the Word and Only Begotten Son ofGod, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ - createdthem "... for by Him were all things created, thatare in Heaven, and that are on earth, visible andinvisible - whether they be Thrones, or
Dominions, or Principalities or Powers - allthings were created by Him and for Him."(COLOSSIANS1:16).
V ANGELS HAVE A MAJOR ROLE IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OFEACH AND EVERY HUMAN BEING.THEY CONVEY ALL THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO US - according to
their Rank and depending on our Spiritual State:Purification, Illumination or Deification.
"The more we Purify ourselves, the more we knowGod, and the more we Love Him." (ST. GREGORY THETHEOLOGIAN).
TRULYSPIRITUAL PEOPLE RESEMBLEANGELS, as St. Gregoryof Nyssa commented: Spiritual Life allows our
spirit to enter the world of Angels."During our Spiritual Purification "...we need an Angel to
help us overcome our passions, since we are notPerfect," according to Origen.
V SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION ENABLES OUR SOUL TO ENTERTHEANGELIC WORLD AND TO FINALLY ATTAIN A MOST
WONDERFUL LIFE OFUNION WITH GOD.ANGELS CONTEMPLATE HOW OUR SOUL MOVES out of the
darkness of sin to a Blessed State of SpiritualIllumination and Grace - AND PASSES US OVER TO THEGLORY THAT THE DIVINE LOGOS GRANTED TO MANKIND -in His Union with human nature.
V ANGELS WAIT FOR A DEIFIED PERSON TO BE UNITED TOPRAYER AND UPLIFTED TO GOD: "... Angels wait forthe death of Martyrs so as to lead their soulto its place..." and "...they surround theMartyrs on their Way to God and accompanythem to the Holy of Holies where the HolyTrinity is located - in the midst of Cherubimand Seraphim..."[ST GREGORY OF NYSSA & ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM]
NOTHING PROHIBITS US FROM LIVING LIKE ANGELS, FORANGELIC LIFE IS GRANTED TO EVERY TRULY FAITHFULCHRISTIAN.
Many cannot see Angels, nor do they accept Help fromthem because they are prevented by their passions
that darken both soul and heart. WHEN FREEDTHROUGH REPENTANCE,GOD GRANTS US HIS LIGHT ANDANANGEL OFPEACE, WHO WILL DIRECT AND PROTECT US.
ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: WRITTEN BY NABIL SEMAAN, PIERREFONDS, QUEST STEPHEN'S PROGRAM OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES -
htp://aggreen.net/beliefs/the_angels.html
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9/30(SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR DONATIONS) S T N E K T A R I O S T H E W O N D E R W O R K E R O F P E N T A P O L I S & A E G I N A - 9 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 9.
ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS WRITTEN BYJULIA BRIDGET HAYES
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 Holy , Mo st Pu re , Mo st Bl es se d an d Gl or io us La dy , Ma ri a, Theo to ko s, ye tEver Virgin, together with all the Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole
Li fe to Chri st ou r Go d. Am en .
9 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2
S t N e k t a r i o s o f P e n t a p o l i s & A e g i n aAlso the Feast of St Onesiphoros of Ephesos St Porphyrios of Ephesos St Matrona, Abbess of
Constantinople - St Onesiphoros the Confessor of Kiev Near Caves Monastery St Alexander of
Thessalonika - St Anthony of Apamea St John the Short /the Dwarf of Egypt - St Eustolia of
Constantinople St Sopatra of Constantinople - St Theoktiste of Lesbos St Euthymios & St
Neophytos the Co-Founders of Dochiarious Monastery, Mount Athos - the Holy Icon of our Ever
Blessed Lady Theotokos Quick to Hear
F e s t a l A p o l y t i k i o n o f S t N e k t a r i o s TO N E 1
Silivrias ton Gonon ke Eginis ton eforon, ton eskhatishronis fanenta, aretis Filon Gnision, Nektarion
Timisomen Pisti, os entheon theraponta Hristou;anavlizi gar iasis pantodapas, tis evlavos kravgazousi:Doxa to Se, Doxanti Hristo, Doxa to Se
Thavmastosanti! Doxa to Energounti dia Sou, pasiniamata!
Silivrias Offspring and Protector of Aegina, the TrueFriend of all Virtue, who appeared to us lately,Nektarios the Godly Servant of Christ, let ushonour, we the Faithful; for he pours forthHealings of every kind, on those who Piously cry
out: Glory to Christ Who Glorified Thee! Glory toHim Who Magnified Thee! Glory to the One WhoWorks through Thee, Healings for everyone!
F e s t a l K o n t a k i o n O f S t N e k t a r i o s TO N E PL A G A L 4
Orthodoxias ton Astera ton Neofoton, ke Ekklisias toNeodmiton protihisma, animnisomen kardias enevfrosini. Doxasthis gar energia ti tou Pnevmatos,
iamaton anavlizi Harin afthonon, tis kravgazousi.Heris Pater Nektarie!
The latest shining Star of Orthodoxy and the newlyerected Rampart of the Church let our hearts joyfullypraise. For, Glorified by the Work of the Spirit, heabundantly pours forth the Grace of Healing to thosewho cry out: "Hail, O Father Nektarios!"
F e s t a l K o n t a k i o n O f T h e E n t r y I n t o T h e T e m p l e O f T h e E v e r B l e s s e d T h e o t o k o s
O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas keParthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou,
simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harinsinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin
Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
The Most Pure Temple of the Saviour, the PreciousBridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure ofGod, today enters the House of the Lord, bringingthe Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God
praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.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 M a t t h e w 2 4 : 4 2 - 4 7
At that time, our Lord said: Watch, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But
know this: that if the Master of the house had known what hour the thief should come, he would havewatched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is
coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Master maderuler over His Household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Master,when He comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that He will make him Ruler over all HisGoods..
F e s t a l P r o k e i m e n o n My mouth shall speak Wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, Understanding.
Thy Priests shall clothe themselves in Righteousness; Thy Saints shall greatly rejoice!
S t P a u l s F i r s t E p i s t l e t o t h e T h e s s a l o n i a n s 2 : 1 4 2 0
S t P a u l d e f e n d s H i s H o l y M i s s i o nBrethren: you became imitators of the churches of God, which are in Judea and in Christ Jesus. Foryou also suffered
the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord
Jesus and their own Prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all
mankind, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles so that they may be Saved, so as always to fill up the measure oftheir sins; but Wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
But we, Brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence - not in heart - endeavoured moreeagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you even I, Paul, time and again butSatan hindered us.
For what is our Hope, or Joy, or Crown of Rejoicing? Is it not even you in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at HisComing? For you are our Glory and Joy.
Although the PERSECUTION THAT WAS SUFFERED BY THECHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OFTHESSALONIKA WAS MAINLY
DUE TO THE PAGAN GREEKS, St Paul was very honest
concerning HIS MISGUIDED FELLOWHEBREWS who :
REJECTED OURSAVIOUR the long awaited Messiah ...KILLED BOTH OURLORDJESUS ... ...AND THEIR OWNPROPHETS... PERSECUTED THEAPOSTLES AND DISCIPLES OFCHRIST DID NOT PLEASE GOD and WERE HOSTILE TOWARDS ALL MANKIND
This was an extremely strong indictment against theJewish leaders and their ill-advised Flock.
However, St Pauls Love for his fellow Hebrews neverwavered and he would rather have been cursedhimself if it would have caused them to turn to ourLord Jesus Christ for their Eternal Salvation.
ROMANS 9:3:... I could wish that I myself were accursedfrom Christ for my Brethren my countrymenaccording to the flesh...
ROMANS 10:1:Brethren: my hearts desire and Prayer toGod for Israel is that they may be Saved.
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10/3010. (SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR DONATIONS) S T N E K T A R I O S T H E W O N D E R W O R K E R O F P E N T A P O L I S & A E G I N A - 9 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2
Although unable to prevail against the Holy Church ofChrist, or to overcome the unwavering, steadfastFaithful Disciples of Christ, OUR GREATEST ENEMIES
(SATAN AND HIS DEMONS)ARE AT TIMES ALLOWED TO HINDER
US BUT ONLY IFGOD PERMITS IT FOR OURSPIRITUAL
BENEFIT - especially those who are making slow
but sure Spiritual Progress because WHILESUFFERING ADVERSITY AND SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE WE
ENACT GODS DIVINE PROMISE: Resist the devil
and he will flee from you!(MATTHEW 16 : 18 & JAMES 4:7)
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 L u k e 1 3 : 3 1 - 3 5Ou r L ord J e su s C h r is t & H is Fa i th fu l D isc ip le s con t in u e towa rd s J e ru sa le m
At that time, some Pharisees went to our Lord Jesus Christ and told Him: Get out and depart from here, for Herodwants to kill Thee!
And He said to them: Go. Tell that fox: Behold! I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow,and the Third Day I shall be Perfected.
Nevertheless, I must journey today, tomorrow and the following day; for it cannot be that a Prophet shouldperish outside Jerusalem.
O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! The one who kills the Prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often Iwanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were
unwilling! Behold! Your house is left to you desolate! And truly, I say to you: you shall not see Meuntil the time comes when you say: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
This passage of the Holy Gospel according to St Lukereveals the following facts:
1. OURLORDJESUS CHRIST WENT VOLUNTARILYTO HISSALVIFIC PASSION due to His infinite,unconditional Love for all mankind
2. HIS GREATLOVE FOR THE CITY OFJERUSALEM(THE CITY OFPEACE) NEVER WAVERED despite its continuousstate of rebellion and unnecessary bloodshed
3. HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE of exactly how He would bereceived on that first Palm Sunday, followed bythe horrific, unjust Events that would occur soquickly afterwards.
S t N e k t a r i o s W o n d e r w o r k e r o f P e n t a p o l i s & A e g i n aSt Nektarios was born on 1 October 1846 in Selybria in
Thrace to a poor family. His given name wasAnastasios Cephalas.
At the age of 14 he moved to Constantinople (Istanbul)in order to go to work and further his education.
In 1866 he went to the island of Chios where he taughtschool for seven years.
St Nektarios became a Monk at the age of thirty, whichis highly unusual in itself. Three years later he wasordained a Deacon, taking the name Nektarios.
He graduated from the University of Athens in 1885.During his years as a student of the University of Athens
he wrote many books, pamphlets, and Biblecommentaries.
Following his graduation he went to Alexandria, Egypt,
where he was Ordained a Priest and served theChurch in Cairo with great distinction.
In recognition of his Piety and brilliance as a Preacher,as well as his administrative ability, he wasconsecrated Bishop/Metropolitan of Pentapolis byPatriarch Sophronios, which was an Egyptian See, in1889.
He served as a Bishop in Cairo for one year, and wasunjustly removed from his post by jealous Clericswho envied his popularity with the people. Lies weremade up about him by the jealous clergy. PatriarchSophronios refused to listen to St Nektarios. He wassent away from Egypt without a trial or explanation,and was never given an opportunity to defendhimself.
After his unjust dismissal, he returned to Greece in
1891, where he sought employment as a Preacher.Eventually, after a long period of destitution, St
Nektarios was appointed Preacher in the jurisdictionof Euboia, a large Greek island, north of Athens,where he served for two and a half years.
In 1893 he was transferred to part of the Greekmainland, west of Athens. He served as Preacherthere with the same great effectiveness as he had inEuboia. In 1894 he was appointed Director ofRizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens where hisservice was exemplary for fifteen years. Hedeveloped many courses of study, and wrotenumerous books, all while preaching widelythroughout Athens.
In 1904 at the request of several Nuns, he established aMonastery for them on the island of Aegina. TheMonastery was named Holy Trinity Monastery.
In December of 1908, at the age of 62, St. Nektariosresigned as Director of the Theological School andwithdrew to the Holy Trinity Convent on Aegina,where he lived out the rest of his life as a Monk. Hewrote, published, preached, and heard Confessions
from those who came from near and far to seek outhis Spiritual Insights.
While at the Monastery, St Nektarios tended thegardens, carried stones, and helped with theconstruction of the Monastery buildings that werebuilt with his own funds.
St Nektarios died on the evening of 9 November 1920,(THE DAY AFTER THE COMMEMORATION OF ST. MICHAEL, ST. GABRIEL THE
ARCHANGELS AND ALL THE HEAVENLY HOSTS), followinghospitalization for Prostate Cancer.
His body was taken to the Holy Trinity Convent, wherehe was buried by a Priest-Monk named Savvas, wholater painted the first icon of St Nektarios.
The funeral of St Nektarios was attended by multitudesof people from all parts of Greece and Egypt.
Many people regarded St Nektarios as a Saint duringhis lifetime because of his Purity of life, Virtues, thenature of his publications, as well as the Miracles heperformed. St Nektarios also had a unique Gift ofForeknowledge.
When the Incorruptible Relics of St Nektarios wereremoved from the grave on 2 September 1953 abeautiful fragrance of Sanctity wafted through thearea, as it had done after his repose at the hospitalin Athens.
Official recognition of Father Nektarios as a Saint, bythe Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, tookplace on 20 April 1961.
The Feast Day of St Nektarios is celebrated every yearon 9 November and he has become the PatronSaint for all cancer sufferers.
More than two thousand Miracles have been attributedto the Intercessory Prayers of St Nektarios.
The first great Miracle attributed to St Nektariosoccurred at the hospital where, during the last daysof his life, he had lain in the ward for the terminallyill - among many other destitute patients. In thebed beside his, lay a patient who had beenparalyzed for a very long time.
As soon as St Nektarios gave up his spirit, a nurse andthe Nun who had accompanied Father Nektariosand kept watch over him, began to prepare hisbody for transportation to Aegina for burial.
They gently removed an old, thread-bare sweater fromhis body, and placed it on the bed of the paralyticwhile continuing their preparations.
Suddenly, the patient felt strength returning to his
paralysed limbs and, incredulously, he rose fromhis bed, praising the Lord with extreme gratitudeand Joy.
May the Memory of St Nektarios be Eternal!
http://orthodoxword.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/the-monastery-st-nektarios-from-aegina/
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O F S T L U K E T H E G O O D S A M A R I T A N 1 1 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 11
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, 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
Saints. And let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole Life to Christ our God. Amen.
2 3 r d S u n d a y A f t e r P e n t e c o s t T o n e ( 6 ) P l a g a l 2 1 1 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2
8 t h S u n d a y o f S t L u k e T h e G o o d S a m a r i t a n
Also the Feast of St Menas of Egypt St Victor of Damascus St Vincent & St
Stephanida of Spain St Theodore the Confessor of Studion St Maximos the
Blessed Fool for Christ of Moscow St Martyrios the Abbot of Zelenets
Monastery, Pskov St Stephen of Decani, Serbia St Martin the Merciful
Bishop of Tours
R e su r r e ct i on A p o l yt ik ion TON E (6) PL A G A L 2
Angelike Dinamis epi to Mnima Sou ke i filassontesapenekrothisan. Ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitousato ahranton Sou Soma. Eskilefsas ton Adin, mipirasthis ip aftou. Ipintisas ti Partheno, Doroumenostin Zoin. O Anastas ek to nekron, Kyrie, Doxa Si.
The Angelic Powers were in Thy Sepulchre, and theguards became as dead men, and Mary stood by theTomb seeking Thy Most Pure Body. Thou led Hadescaptive, yet were not tempted thereby: Thou Who artthe Bestower of Life came to meet the Woman. Gloryto Thee, O Lord, Who Rose again from the dead!
K on t a ki on O f H o l y M al e M ar t yr s T o n e ( 8) P la g a l 4
I Martires Sou, Kyrie, en ti athlisis afton, to stefosekomisanto tis aftharsias, ek Sou tou Theou imon;ehontes tin iskhin Sou, tous tirannous kathilon.Ethrafsan ke demonon ta aniskhira thrasi; afton tesikesies Hriste, O Theos, soson tas psihas imon.
Thy loyal Martyrs, O Lord, while contending for Thee,the Crown of Incorruption they earned forthemselves, from Thee the God of all of us; forarmed with Thy Might, they defeated the tyrants,and crushed all the demons and their powerlesspresumption. Through their Intercessions, OChrist our God, we pray to Thee to Save our souls!
K on t a ki on - E n t r y I n to T h e T e mp le O f T h e E ve r B le s se d T h e o t ok os
O Katharotatos Naos tou Sotiros i Politimitos Pastas keParthenos, to Ieron Thisavrisma tis Doxis tou Theou,simeron isagete en to iko Kyriou, tin Harinsinisagousa, tin en Pnevmati Thio, in animnousin
Angeli Theou: Afti iparhi Skini Epouranios.
TheMost Pure Temple of our Saviour, the PreciousBridal Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure ofGod, today enters the House of the Lord, bringingthe Grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God
praise her. She is the Heavenly Tabernacle.
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 C h r i s t
P r o k e i m e n o n
PPPPrayto the Lord our God, and give thanks to Him!GGGGod is known in Judea; His Name is great in Israel!
T h e S e c o n d E p i s t l e o f S t P a u l t o t h e C o r i n t h i a n s 4 : 6 1 5Th e P ow er of a n A p o s t l e o f C hr is t
Brethren: we are persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body theDying of our Lord Jesus, so that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then Death isworking in us, but Life in you.
And since we have the same spirit of Faith, according to what is written: I believe and therefore I spoke,knowing that
He Who raised up our Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.For all Things are for your sakes, so that Grace, having spread through the many, may cause Thanksgiving to abound to
the Glory of God.
TRUE CHRISTIANITY, BEING LIVED IN CHRIST WITH ALL
HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD, IS VICTORIOUS
BUT NOT TROUBLE-FREE.
EVERY OBSTACLE ALONG THE PATH OF LIFE IN CHRIST
BECOMES A HIDDEN BLESSING, and, by the Graceof God we are always able to endure and overcome.
Therefore, we have been taught by our Holy ChurchFathers to THANK GOD EVEN FOR SUCHDIFFICULTIES OF LIFE, WHICH BRING US CLOSER TO
HIM.GOD ALLOWS US TO STRUGGLE through this earthly life
because BY DOING SO, WE EXPERIENCE THEINFINITE LOVE OF GOD AND HIS GREAT MERCY,
WHICH ENABLES US TO ACHIEVE WHAT FOR USALONE WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.
WITH GOD EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE THROUGH HIS
DIVINE LOVE, WISDOM AND STRENGTH.As the Creator of everything visible and invisible, GOD
IS IN CONTROL AND THUS, WE MUST LEARN TO
TRUST AND TO DEPEND ON HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE.
However, that does not mean that we are able to sitback and wait for His Divine Providence; WE MUSTMAKE EVERY EFFORT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ASSIST
OURSELVES AND OTHERS THEN GODS BLESSINGS
ARE RETURNED TO US A HUNDRED TIMES MORE!!
St Paul reminds us that OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTTAUGHT US AND REVEALED DIVINE MYSTERIES TO US
BY HIS OWN PERFECT EXAMPLE.
Consequently, ALWAYS KEEPING OUR LORD JESUS ASOUR SHINING BEACON OF LIGHT TO GUIDE US ALONG
THE ROCKY PATHS OF LIFE, we may rest assuredthat we, too, will be Resurrected and becomeworthy Citizens of Gods Eternal Kingdom of Love.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GODS GREAT MERCY AND LOVECOMPELS US ALL TO RESPOND TO HIM WITH
CONSTANT THANKSGIVING AND PRAISES,encouraged always with our Hope of Eternal Life and to assist, encourage and guide one anotheralong the way.
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O F S T L U K E T H E G O O D S A M A R I T A N 1 1 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 12
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 L u k e 1 0 : 2 5 3 7T h e G o o d S a m a r i t a n
At that time a certain Lawyer stood up to test our Lord Jesus by asking Him: Teacher, what shall I do to inherit EternalLife?And Jesus answered him: What is written in the Law? What is your reading of it? And he said: You
shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with allyour mind...and: ... your neighbour as yourself.And Jesus said to him: You have answered correctly; do
that and you will live.And he - wanting to justify himself - said to Him: And who is my neighbour?
And Jesus answered and said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves,who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Then by chance, a certain Priest went down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the otherside. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, went and looked, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as He journeyed, went to where he lay. And when He saw him, He hadCompassion. And He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and He set himon his own animal and took him to an Inn, and took care of him. The next day, before He departed He
took out two denarii, gave them to the Innkeeper and said to him: Take care of him; and whatever moreyou spend, when I come again, I will repay you.
So, which of these three men do you think was neighbour to him who had fallen amongst thieves? And
the Lawyer replied: He Who showed Mercy on him. And Jesus said to him: Go and do likewise!
The term Lawyer, applied to THOSE WHO STUDIED
MOSAIC LAW AND HOLY SCRIPTURE ESPECIALLY THESELF-RIGHTEOUS, ARROGANT, CONCEITED SCRIBES AND
PHARISEES, who regarded themselves as beingsuperior to the average person.
THESE SANCTIMONIOUS MEN LOOKED DOWN ON EVERYONE
ELSE, priding themselves on what they thought theyknew.
As a result,THEY REGARDED OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS AMERE NOBODY Whom they saw only as the Son ofSt Joseph the Carpenteror as Jesus of Nazareth,(i.e. from a small insignificant town).
However, WITH CHRISTS PROFOUND DIVINE KNOWLEDGEAND WISDOM, COMBINED WITH ALL HIS WONDERFUL,
COMPELLING QUALITIES AND ABILITIES, THEY HAD ALSO
BEGUN TO PERCEIVE HIM AS BEING A THREAT TO THEIR
SOCIAL STATUS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING
EXPOSED FOR THEIR TRUE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
CONCERNING DIVINE MATTERS.
Knowing the hearts and souls of all people, OUR LORDJESUS HUMBLY USED THE LAWYERS OWN PERCEPTION
AND UNDERSTANDING TO ANSWER HIS QUESTIONconcerning the inheritance of Eternal Life: What iswritten in the Law? What isYOURreading of it?
Nevertheless, after his reply was confirmed to be
correct,THE LAWYER FURTHER FELT THE NEED TO
JUSTIFY HIMSELF by enquiring: Who is myneighbour?
And, very ingeniously, instead of answering himdirectly, OUR LORD JESUS USED THE PARABLE OF THEGOOD SAMARITAN AS A MEANS OF - ONCE AGAIN -
TESTING THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF
THE ARROGANT MAN AND THOSE WHO HAD HEARD HIS
WORDS.
JERUSALEM was known asTHE CITY OF PEACE, A PLACEOF WORSHIP, whileJERICHO WAS NOTORIOUS AS A CITYOF INIQUITY AND WAS COMMONLY IDENTIFIED WITH ALL
KINDS OF SINFUL, DEBAUCHED LIFESTYLES.So THE MAN HAD WALKED AWAY FROM PEACE AND WORSHIP
TOWARDS TEMPTATION AND WICKEDNESS when he ...fell among thieves... who, after robbing him of
all his possessions, left him for dead.
This is a reference to THE NATURAL CONSEQUENCES WITHWHICH WE ARE ALL CONFRONTED WHEN WE TURN AWAY
FROM GOD AFTER BEING LURED BY THE TEMPTATIONS
OF THE EVIL ONE AND WILFULLY ENTER A LIFE OF SIN WE LOSE ALL THE GOOD THINGS GRANTED TO US BY
GOD AND VOLUNTARILY ENTER A STATE OF SPIRITUAL
DEATH.
THE ULTIMATE THIEF IS SATAN who spreads his lies,deceptions and heresies among the people of God,thereby enticing both leaders and people.
ALL TITLES AND SOCIAL STATUS IS MEANINGLESS IN GODS
SIGHT when they have nothing to do with GoodDeeds.
The dignity of the Priesthood means nothingunless the Priest also excels in (Good) Deeds.(ST CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA)
The fact that neither the Priest nor the Levite helped thedying man is another indication ofTHE FAILURE OFTHE OLD COVENANT TO HEAL THE CONSEQUENCES OF
SIN.THE GOOD SAMARITAN IS CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR.
Samaritans were despised by the Hebrews and wereavoided at all costs.
CHRIST OUR LORD WAS ALSO DESPISED BY HIS ENEMIES
EVEN THOUGH HE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO SAVE
ALL HUMANITY including those who rebel againstGod and those who reject Him.
THE DRESSING, CLEANSING AND SOOTHING OF HIS WOUNDS
WITH OIL AND WINE that were applied to the dyingmans wounds ARE SACRAMENTAL (MYSTERIOUS)IMAGES FOR OUR GARMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM, WHICH
DELIVERS US FROM THE FATAL WOUNDS OF SIN, THESANCTIFIED OIL AND MYRRH OF CHRISMATION, WHICH
GRANTS US NEW LIFE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT; AND THE
EUCHARISTIC COMMUNION OF CHRISTS DIVINE BODY
AND BLOOD, WHICH LEADS US TO ETERNAL LIFE
THROUGH THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN.The Good Samaritan gently placed the wounded Man
upon His own animal, indicating how CHRISTOUR MOST COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL LORD BEARS
OUR SINS UPON HIS OWN BODY AND CARRIES OUR
BURDENS UPON HIS SHOULDERS.
THE INN AND THE INNKEEPER REFER TO THE HOLY CHURCH
OF CHRIST AND HIS HOLY PRIESTHOOD WHEREBY WERECEIVE SPIRITUAL HEALING AND DIVINE CARE FOR ALL
OUR WOUNDS SUFFERED THROUGHOUT LIFE ON EARTH especially those sustained during the ceaselessSpiritual Warfare that is waged against us by the evilones and their willing slaves.
OUR SPIRITUAL CARE IS PAID FOR IN FULL BY OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST AND EVERYONE WILL BE PROPERLY
REPAID FOR ALL THEIR DEEDS BOTH GOOD AND BAD when He returns on the Eighth Day the dreadJudgement Day the beginning of Eternity.
1 C O R I N T H I A N S 6 : 2 0 ...you were bought for aPrice; therefore Glorify God in your bodyand in your spirit, which are Gods
1 C O R I N T H I A N S 7 : 2 3 - You were bought at aPrice; do not become slaves of men.
Finally: TOGETHER WITH THE ARROGANT HEBREWLAWYER, WE ARE EACH COMMANDED BY CHRIST TO
TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER AND TO HAVE AS MUCH
LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR EACH OTHER AS GOD
HAS FOR US WRETCHED SINNERS!
8 t h S u n d a y o f S t L u k e - T h e G o o d S a m a r i t a nThe most important of all questions put to our Saviour,
Jesus Christ, was: What must I do to inheritEternal Life? which reminds us thatEVERYONE
WILL BE CONFRONTED SOONER OR LATER BY DEATH
by the end of this earthly, material existence AND,MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, ENTERETERNITY.
That essential question also sets before us ANOTHER
VERY DESIRABLE AND SOUGHT AFTER LIFE, which is
utterly different from this present life - ETERNALLIFE.
Eternal Life is not merely the life of our body or soul - Itis the very Eternal Life OFGOD HIMSELF!
If we rouse ourselves to SQUARELY CONFRONT THE FACT
OF OUR IMPENDING DEATH, we might BECOME SOBER
ENOUGH TO BEGIN MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO REDEEMTHE LIMITED TIME WE HAVE in the flesh - and we will
then be compelled to SEEK EVERY MEANS POSSIBLE
OF GAINING THATETERNAL LIFE OF WHICH OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST REVEALED TO US.
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7/31/2019 2012 - NOVEMBER Sacred Lessons
13/30(SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR DONATIONS) 2 3 R D S U N D A Y A F T E R P E N T E C O S T 8T H
O F S T L U K E T H E G O O D S A M A R I T A N 1 1 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 13
Our Inspired, Holy Church Fathers have taught us whateach aspect of this Divine Parable actuallyrepresents:
JERUSALEM representsTHETREE OFLIFE that is inthe Garden of Eden ALL THE VIRTUES AND
TRUTH OF CHRIST THAT LEADS US TO ETERNAL
LIFE. JERICHO is theTREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OFGOOD
AND EVIL,which is obviouslyTHETREE OFDEATH
since it is opposite to the Tree of Life.Jericho was a walled, pagan city that worshipped its
man-made idols similar to our contemporary,main godless world that has walled itself up in thecitadels of its own scientific, religious andphilosophical wisdom and which sets sinful, flawedand fallen people up as its idols and role models -WORSHIPPING THE SO-CALLED WISDOM OF THEIR OWN
OPINIONS AND SPECULATIVE AND SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS
AS THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS!
It is THE IDOLISATION OF FLAWED, IMPERFECT HUMANITYwho is merely breathing, animated clay of the earth who will all too soon be returned to the earth fromwhence we originate!
OUR IMMORTAL SOULS, HOWEVER, HAVING BEEN BREATHED INTO US BY THE LIFE-GIVING HOLY SPIRIT, NEEDS TO RETURN TO GOD FROM WHENCE IT ORIGINATED.
THEREFORE, WE REALLY NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BECOME WORTHY OFETERNAL LIFE RATHER THAN ETERNAL CONDEMNATION THAT WILL ALIENATE USFROM GOD AND ALL HIS GOODNESS FOREVER! (mp)
THE MODERN WORLD WORSHIPS, ADORES AND PROMOTES
MINDLESS NONSENSE, FILTHY BLASPHEMY AND
REPULSIVE HUBRIS![ARROGANT, OFFENSIVE SPEECH]SATAN AND HIS DEMONS OBSESSIVELY SEEK MANKINDS ETERNAL DEATH AND
DESTRUCTION BY CEASELESSLY TEMPTING US AND DISTRACTING US BY EVERYMEANS THEY CAN INVENT WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE US TO TAKE OURFOCUS OFF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUS PATH TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE.
HATRED AND FEAR IN FACT ALL OUR HUMAN WEAKNESSES AND OBSESSIONS - AREUSED AGAINST US BY THE EVIL ONE IN ORDER TO DISTRACT OR DIVERT US FROMGOD UNTIL WE SINK INTO A MIRE OF DESPAIR AND UTTER HOPELESSNESS SPIRITUAL DEATH.
THEY ARE UNABLE TO KILL US BUT THEY CERTAINLY USE US AND OUR SINFUL STATE TODO THEIR OWN DIRTY DEEDS THEREBY CAUSING US TO COMMIT MURDER,SUICIDE AND ALL OTHER GOD-HATING DEEDS!
THE CERTAIN MAN who goes down fromJerusalem to Jericho is Everyman - i.e. YOU
AND ME.
ALL MANKIND IS SINFUL AND FALLEN, THROUGH OUR
HABITUAL DISOBEDIENCE TO DIVINE WILL i.e. Gods
First CommandmentNOTto eat the Forbidden Fruitof the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil,
which was THE BITTERNESS AND DEATH HARVESTED
FROM INDULGING THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH the lustof the senses and the pride of the flesh.
THE THIEVES are SATAN AND HIS DEMONS whoTEMPT AND CAPTURE US THROUGH THE DEMANDS OF
OUR SELFISH, DEPRAVED FLESH by means of the
self-indulgence of our undisciplined,uncontrolled body and mind.
By FALLING IN WITH THEMwe are ROBBED OFOUR HOLY BIRTHRIGHT AS CREATURES OF GOD
who are made IN HIS DIVINE IMAGE AND
LIKENESS.
The Evil One and his slaves STRIPus ofOURROBESOFSANCTIFIED LIGHTwith which God clothed usin Paradise.
We are left HALF-DEAD having becomeINDIFFERENT TO AND IGNORANT OF THE TRUTH,
WISDOM AND LOVE OFALMIGHTYGOD.If our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and His Holy
Church had not proclaimed to us His Holy Gospel,
WE WOULD NEVER HAVE REMEMBERED HIS FIRST
DIVINE COMMANDMENT AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF
OUR DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD: ... from the Tree of
the Knowledge of Good and Evil you may noteat, for in whatever day you eat from it, youwill die by Death!
V And WHEN WE DULY PASS AWAY from this life intoEternity, IT IS TOO LATE FOR US TO REDEEM
OURSELVES - for we will instantly realise that
THIS WORLD AND ITS TEMPORARY PLEASURES ARE
AS FLEETING AND CORRUPTIBLE AS OUR MORTAL
FLESH!
V We will suddenly know that we have wasted ourshort lifespan on unbeneficial SPIRITUALLYUNPROFITABLE THINGS THAT DISTRACT US FROM