August 28, 2011 • 11th Sunday after PentecostSt. Moses the Black, of Scetis (ca. 375). Uncovering of the relics (1659) of St. Job, abbot and wonderworker of Pochaev (1651).

Righteous Hezekiah, king of Judah (691 B.C.). Righteous Anna the Prophetess (1st c.). Repose of Blessed Augustine of Hippo (430). Martyr Queen Shushanik (Susanna) of Georgia (475). St. Amphilochius of the Kiev Caves, bishop of Vladimir, Volhynia (1122).

St. Theodote (in monasticism Theodosius) of the Kiev Caves, prince of Ostrog in Volhynia 1483). St. Sabbas, abbot of Krypetsk Monastery (Pskov) (1495). New Hieromartyr Archimandrite Sergius and Monk-martyrs Laurence, Seraphim. Theodosius, Leontius, Stephen, George,

Hilarion, John, and Sergius. of Zilantov Monastery in Kazan (1918). New Hieromarryr Chrysostom, metropolitan of Smyrna (1922). Synaxis of the Saints of the Kiev Caves whose relics repose in the Far Caves of St. Theodosius.

Announcements We welcome our Visitors and hope you can join us for coffee hour following Divine Liturgy. Please note the changes in the service schedule. Matins for the Beheading of St. John

the Baptist will be Monday morning at eight. This is a strict fast day. Bible Study on Wednesday is permanently changed to 5 p.m.

The image on the front is of St. Moses the Ethiopian

St. Luke Orthodox Christian ChurchDiocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America

The Rev. Father Basil Henry, Priest1415 Woodstock Ave. • Anniston, Alabama • www.stlukeanniston.org/

This Week’s Fasting, Service and Scripture ScheduleMon, 8/29 Tues, 8/30 Wed, 8/31 Thurs, 9/1 Fri, 9/2 saT, 9/3 sun, 9/4

Strict FaSt

Matins8 a.m.

Matins8 a.m.

Bible Study5 p.m.

Matins8 a.m.

Matins8 a.m.

Great Vespers4 p.m.

Divine Liturgy10 a.m.

2 Corinthians 5:10-15

2 Corinthians 5:15-21

2 Corinthians 6:11-16

2 Corinthians 7:1-10

2 Corinthians 7:10-16

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Mark 1:9-15 Mark 1:16-22 Mark 1:23-28 Mark 1:29-35 Mark 2:18-22 Matthew 20:29-34

Matthew 19:16-26

Acts 13:25-32(St. John)

1 Timothy 2:1-7(New Year)

Mark 6:14-30(St. John)

Luke 4:16-22(New Year)

Beheading of St. John the

BaptistSt. Alexander

NevskySt Aidan of

LindesfarneSt. Symeon the

StyliteHoly Great

Martyr MamasSt. Edward the

MartyrProphet & God-

seer Moses

Service times are subject to change. Please check with Fr. Basil if in any doubt.

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Great Vespers“Lord, I Call”

Sunday (Tone 2)Lead forth my soul from prison, that I may confess Thy name!Come, let us worship the Word of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, and incarnate of the Virgin Mary! Having endured the Cross, He was buried as He Himself desired and having risen from the dead, He saved me, an erring man.

The righteous await me, till Thou shalt reward me.Christ our Savior nailed to the Cross the bond against us, He voided it and destroyed the dominion of death. We fall down before His Resurrection on the third day.

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice!

With the Archangels, let us praise the Resurrection of Christ! He is our Savior, our Redeemer! He is coming with awesome glory and mighty power to judge the world which He made.

Let Thine ears give heed to the voice of my prayer!The Angel proclaimed Thee the crucified and buried Master. He told the women: “Come, see the place where He lay! He is risen as He said, for He is al-mighty.” We worship Thee, O Only Immortal One. Have mercy on us, O Christ, the Giver of Life!

Ven. Job of Pochaev (Tone 8)If Thou observest transgression, Lord, O Lord, who shall

stand? For with Thee is propitiation.O Venerable Father Job! Thou didst love Christ from infancy, and thy desire was unreservedly for Him. At the age of ten, thou didst turn away from the loving eyes of thy parents, and went to dwell in the Ugórnits Monastery of the radiant Transfiguration of our Lord, seeking the life that is equal to the Angels, the honor of the call from the Most High, and the future heav-enly city. Therefore, as thou dost gaze now upon those who reverence thy memory, pray to Christ God that He bestow on us good thoughts concerning salvation, and great mercy.For Thy name’s sake have I waited upon Thee, O Lord; my soul

hath waited upon Thy word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

O Venerable Father Job! From thy youth thou didst love Christ our God, and while adorning thy soul with chaste thoughts and ardent desire, thou didst count all of this world’s beauty as refuse for the sake of that desire. After two years of meek and diligent mo-nastic obedience, thou didst receive the angelic rank, being given the name of Job, after him of the Old Covenant. Pray to Christ God that He bestow on us also incessant longing for eternal life, and great mercy.From the morning watch even to the night, let Israel hope in

the Lord!O Venerable Father Job! While running the much-suffering course of thy life, with thy spiritual eyes ea-gerly turned to the never-setting Light, thou didst choose to take upon thee the great and angelic image, and just as before, at thy baptism, so now as well, thou wast again named for John, the Baptist and Forerun-ner of Christ. With him, pray to Christ God that He grant us the grace of salvation, and great mercy.

St. MoSeS the ethiopian (Tone 8)For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is plenteous

redemption, and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.Having wisely abandoned the adornments of the world, Moses of great renown subdued the carnal pas-sions by the mighty pangs of abstinence, and having cast down the greatly crafty one, he received a crown of victory. Through his prayers, O Lord, grant great mercy unto all.

O praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise Him, all ye people!Thou didst possess exemplary abstinence, all-night standing, a vigilant eye and a mind which perceived the beauty of God, O blessed Moses, wherefore, thou hast received the grace of healing, that thou mayest cure cruel sufferings. For this cause we beg thee, O father: Ask thou great mercy for all.For His mercy hath been confirmed upon us and the truth of

the Lord remaineth forever.Covered by the hand of God, O father Moses, thou didst pass unscathed through the wiles, assaults and pursuit of the demons, and, adorned with dispassion, thou hast been numbered among all the venerable. Pray thou that great mercy be granted to those who honor thee with faith.

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Ven. Job of Pochaev (Tone 5)Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…

Like David, we sing today in thy memory, O our fa-ther, all-blessed Job: Thou wast indeed planted in the Lord‘s house, on the mountain of Pochaev, and like the ancient tree sprouting forth its leaves, thou didst flourish in the courts of the ever-virgin Mother of God, at the spring bearing the mark of her footprint. Therefore, receiving the fruits of thy diverse benefac-tions, we glorify the Lord who glorified thee. Entreat that He grant us peace and great mercy!

dogMatIkon (Tone 2)Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The shadow of the Law passed when Grace came. As the Bush burned, yet was not consumed, so the Virgin gave birth, yet remained a Virgin. The Righteous Sun has risen instead of a pillar of flame! Instead of Moses, Christ, the Salvation of our souls.

old testament ReadingsSt. Job of Pochaev

The Wisdom of Solomon (3:1-9)The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the fool-ish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the fur-nace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.

The Wisdom of Solomon (5:15-6:3)The righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them. Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them.

The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies; he will put on righ-teousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet; he will take holiness as an invincible shield, and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen. Shafts of light-ning will fly with true aim, and will leap to the target as from a well-drawn bow of clouds, and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly overwhelm them; a mighty wind will rise against them, and like a tempest it will winnow them away. Lawless-ness will lay waste the whole earth, and evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers.

Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations. For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sov-ereignty from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into your plans.

The Wisdom of Solomon (4:7-15)For even if they put forth boughs for a while, standing insecurely they will be shaken by the wind, and by the violence of the winds they will be uprooted.  The branches will be broken off before they come to matu-rity, and their fruit will be useless, not ripe enough to eat, and good for nothing.  For children born of unlaw-ful unions are witnesses of evil against their parents when God examines them.  But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.  For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by number of years;  but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age.  There was one who pleased God and was loved by him, and while living among sinners he was taken up.  He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile deceive his soul.  For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.  Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;  for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness.  Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.

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apostichaSunday (Tone 2)

Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Savior, has enlight-ened the whole universe, recalling Thy creation. Glory to Thee, O Almighty Lord!

The Lord hath become King; with beauty hath He clothed Himself.

By the Tree Thou didst destroy the curse of the Tree, O Savior. By Thy burial Thou didst mortify the majesty of death. Thou hast enlightened our race by Thy Resur-rection. O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!

For He hath established the world, which shall not be moved.When Thou wast seen nailed to the Cross, O Christ, Thou didst restore the beauty of Thy creatures. The sol-diers showed their inhumanity when they pierced Thy side with a spear. The Hebrews not knowing Thy power asked that Thy tomb might be sealed. But through the mercy of Thy compassions, Thou didst accept the tomb and didst rise on the third day! O Lord, glory to Thee!

Holiness belongeth to Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days!O Christ, the Giver of Life, for the sake of the dead Thou didst voluntarily endure death, descending into hell as the Mighty One, to save those who awaited Thy coming, granting them the life of paradise instead of hell. Grant also to us who glorify Thy Resurrection on the third day, cleansing of our sins and great mercy!

St. Job of Pochaev (Tone 8)Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…

We honor thee, O Job our Father, the instructor of a mul-titude of monks. We have indeed learned to walk rightly in thy footsteps. Thou art blessed, for having labored for Christ, thou didst denounce the power of the Enemy. Thou wast a converser with the Angels and a companion of the venerable and righteous ones. Together with them, entreat the Lord that He may grant mercy to our souls!

theotokIon (Tone 8)Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Unwedded Virgin, who ineffably conceived God in the flesh! O Mother of God most high! Accept the cries of thy servants, O blameless one! Grant cleansing of transgressions to all! Receive our prayers and pray to save our souls!

tropariaSunday (Tone 2)

When Thou didst descend to death, O Life Immortal, Thou didst slay Hell with the splendor of Thy God-head! And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead, all the powers of heaven cried out: O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!

St. Job of Pochaev (Tone 4)Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…

Having acquired the patience of your Forefather, and having resembled the Baptist in abstinence, you shared the divine zeal of both and were granted wor-thy to received their names. You were a fearless preach-er of the True Faith; in this way you brought a multi-tude of monastics to Christ. You strengthened all people in Orthodoxy, Job, our venerable father; pray that our souls may be saved.

Resurrectional dismissal theotokion (Tone 4)Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The mystery of all eternity, unknown even by Angels, through thee, Theotokos, is revealed to those on earth: God incarnate by union without confusion. He volun-tarily accepted the Cross for us, by which He resur-rected the first-created man, saving our souls from death.

“One must love God first, and only then can one love one’s closest of kin and neighbors. We must not be idols to one another, for such is not the will of God.”

~Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica (1914-2003)

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Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostombeatitude Verses

SundayBlessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

We offer Thee the voice of the thief and cry aloud to Thee; ‘Remember us, O Savior in Thy kingdom.’

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.We bring Thee the cross for the forgiveness of offences. For us hast Thou accepted it, O lover of mankind.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

We venerate, O Master, Thy tomb and Thy rising, through which Thou hast delivered the world from corruption, O lover of mankind.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.By Thy death, O Lord, death has been swallowed up, and by Thy resurrection, Savior, has the world been saved.

St. MoSeS the ethiopian

Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.With the spiritual radiance which is within thee, en-lighten me who am surrounded by the night of sin and the darkness of pleasures, O father, and guide me whol-ly to the haven of salvation.Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.Storing up the sweetness of the flowers of the virtues in the honeycomb of thy mind, like an industrious bee, O father, thou didst pour forth the sweetness of im-mortality which dispelleth the bitterness of the de-mons.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…Exercising thyself in endurance in the desert, thou didst inherit the city on high; and enslaving thy flesh through fasting, O wondrous one, thou didst depart to the food which is never exhausted and the mansions of paradise.

Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.O Virgin, we, the faithful, call thee the noetic sanctu-ary and untouchable mercy-seat, the golden lamp-stand, and the animate table which beareth the Bread of life.

tropariaSunday (Tone 2)

When Thou didst descend to death, O Life Immortal, Thou didst slay Hell with the splendor of Thy God-head! And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead, all the powers of heaven cried out: ‘O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!’

St. MoSeS the ethiopian (Tone 1)A dweller in the wilderness and angel in the body, thou wast a wonderworker, O our God-bearing Father Mo-ses! Thou didst receive souls of those drawn to thee by faith! Glory to Him Who gave thee strength! Glory to Him Who granted thee a crown! Glory to Him Who through thee grants healing to all!

kontakiaSunday (Tone 2)

Hell became afraid, O Almighty Savior, seeing the mira-cle of Thy Resurrection from the tomb! The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with Thee, and the world, O my Savior, praises Thee forever.

St. MoSeS the ethiopian (Tone 3)Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,…

O Holy Father Moses! Thy mind was filled with holy inspiration from God! Turning thee from the lust and pleasures of the flesh, bringing thee to the height of the city of God! Intercede with Christ God that He may grant us great mercy!

SteadfaSt PRoteCtReSS (Tone 6)Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Steadfast Protectress of Christians, constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the entreating cries of us sinners, but in thy goodness come speedily to help us who call on thee in faith. Hasten to hear our peti-tion and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for thou dost always protect those who honor thee!

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ProkeimenonSunday (Tone 2)

The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.

Vs: The Lord has chastened me sorely, but He has not given me over to death.

St. MoSeS the ethiopian (Tone 4)Vs: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

epistle ReadingSunday

The 1st Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (9:2-12)Brethren, the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who plan-teth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If oth-ers be partakers of this power over you, are not we rath-er? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

St. MoSeS the ethiopian

The 1st Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians (5:22-6:2)Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, tem-perance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

alleluia VersesSunday (Tone 2)

Vs: May the Lord hear Thee in the day of trouble! May the Name of the God of Jacob protect Thee!

Vs: Save the King, O Lord, and hear us on the day we call!

St. MoSeS the ethiopian (Tone 2)Vs: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.

gospel ReadingSunday

The Gospel according to St. Matthew (18:23-35)The Lord said this parable: “The kingdom of heav-en may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.  When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and chil-dren and all that he had, and payment to be made.  So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him,

‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you ev-erything.’  And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.  But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred dena-rii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and be-sought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’  He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt.  When his fellow ser-vants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.  Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow ser-vant, as I had mercy on you?’  And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt.  So also my heavenly Father will do to ev-eryone of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

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St. MoSeS the ethiopian

The Gospel according to St. Luke (6:17-23)At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea-coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their dis-eases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.”

Venerable Job, abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaevaint Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev (in the world named Ivan Zhe-lezo), was born around 1551 in Pokutia in Galicia. At age ten he came to the Transfiguration Ugornits monastery, and at age twelve he received monastic

tonsure with the name Job. The venerable Job from his youth was known for his great piety and strict ascetic life, and he was accounted worthy of the priestly office.Around the year 1580, at the request of the renowned champion of Orthodoxy Prince Constantine Ostro-zhsky, St Job was appointed the head of the Exaltation of the Cross monastery near the city of Dubno, and for more than twenty years he governed the monastery amidst the growing persecution of Orthodoxy on the part of the Catholics and Uniates.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, St Job withdrew to Pochaev hill and settled in a cave not far from the ancient Dormition monastery, famed for its wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God (July 23). The holy hermit, beloved by the brethren of the monastery, was chosen as their Igumen. St Job zeal-ously fulfilled his duty as head of the monastery, kind and gentle with the brethren, he did much of the work himself, planting trees in the garden, and strengthen-ing the waterworks at the monastery.

St Job was an ardent defender of the Orthodox Faith against the persecution of the Catholics. Following the Union of Brest (1596), many Orthodox living in Po-land were deprived of their rights, and attempts were

made to force them to convert to Catholicism. Many Orthodox hierarchs became apostates to Uniatism, but St Job and others defended Orthodoxy by copying and disseminating Orthodox books. Prince Ostrozhsky was also responsible for the first printed edition of the Orthodox Bible (1581).

In taking an active part in the defense of Orthodoxy and the Russian people, St Job was present at the 1628 Kiev Council, convened against the Unia. After 1642, he accepted the great schema with the name John.

Sometimes he completely secluded himself within the cave for three days or even a whole week. The Jesus Prayer was an unceasing prayer in gentle heart. According to the testimony of his disciple Dositheus, and author of the Life of St Job, once while praying in his cave, the saint was il-lumined by a heavenly light. St Job reposed in the year 1651. He was more than 100 years old, and had directed the Pochaev monastery for more than fifty years.

The uncovering of St Job’s relics took place on August 28, 1659. There was a second uncovering of the relics on August 27-28, 1833.

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St. Moses the Black of Sceteaint Moses the Black, known as the Ethiopian or the strong, was an ascetic monk and priest in Egypt in the fourth century. Moses was a slave of a govern-ment official in Egypt who dismissed him for theft and suspected murder. He

became the leader of a gang of bandits who roamed the Nile Valley spreading terror and violence. He was a large, imposing figure.On one occasion, a barking dog prevented Moses from carrying out a robbery, so he swore vengeance on the owner. Weapons in his mouth, Moses swam the river toward the owner’s hut. The owner, again alerted, hid, and the frustrated Moses took some of his sheep to slaughter. Attempting to hide from local authorities, he took shelter with some monks in a colony in the desert of Scetes, near Alexandria. The dedication of their lives, as well as their peace and contentment, influenced Mo-ses deeply. He soon gave up his old way of life, became a Christian, was baptized and joined the monastic community at Scetes.

Moses had a rather difficult time adjusting to regular monastic discipline. His flair for adventure remained with him. Attacked by a group of robbers in his desert cell, Moses fought back, overpowered the intruders, and dragged them to the chapel where the other monks were at prayer. He told the brothers that he didn’t think it Christian to hurt the robbers and asked what he should do with them. The overwhelmed robbers re-

pented, were converted, and themselves joined the community.

Moses was zealous in all he did, but became discouraged when he concluded he was not perfect enough. Early one morning, Saint Isidore, abbot of the monastery, took Moses to the roof and together they watched the first rays of dawn come over the horizon. Isidore told Moses,

“Only slowly do the rays of the sun drive away the night and usher in a new day, and thus, only slowly does one become a perfect contemplative.” Moses proved to be ef-fective as a prophetic spiritual leader. The abbot ordered the brothers to fast during a particular week. Some brothers came to Moses, and he prepared a meal for them. Neighboring monks reported to the abbot that Moses was breaking the fast. When they came to con-front Moses, they changed their minds, saying “You did not keep a human commandment, but it was so that you might keep the divine commandment of hospitality.” Some see in this account one of the earliest allusions to the Paschal fast, which developed at this time.

When a brother committed a fault and Moses was invited to a meeting to discuss an appropriate penance, Moses refused to attend. When he was again called to the meeting, Moses took a leaking jug filled with water and carried it on his shoulder.

Another version of the story has him carrying a basket filled with sand. When he arrived at the meeting place, the others asked why he was carrying the jug. He replied, “My sins run out behind me and I do not see them, but today I am com-

ing to judge the errors of another.” On hearing this, the assembled brothers for-gave the erring monk.

Moses became the spiritual leader of a colony of hermits in the west. Later, he was o r - dained a priest.

At about age 75, about the year 405 AD, word came that a group of Berber  planned to attack the monastery. The brothers wanted to defend themselves, but Moses for-

bade it. He told them to retreat, rather than take up weapons. He and seven others remained behind and greeted the invaders with open arms, but all eight were martyred by the bandits on 24.

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On healingby Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh,23rd July, 1990

Again and again we hear in the Gospel the story of men or women who were healed of their illnesses, and it seems so simple in the Gospel: there is a need, and God meets it. Why is it then — we ask ourselves — that it does not happen to each of us? Each of us is in need of physical healing and of the healing of our soul. And yet, only a few are healed — why? What we miss in the reading of the Gospel is that Christ did not heal people indis-criminately. One person in a crowd was healed; many who were also sick in body or soul, were not. That comes from the fact that, in order to receive the grace of God, so that it acts in us unto the healing of soul or body, or both, we must be open to God — not to the healing, but to God.Illness is something which we so often wish to banish from our experience, not only because it hampers our life, not only because it is accompanied by pain, but also — I suspect even more — because it reminds us of our frailty, it speaks to us of our mortality. Our body at this moment says to us: You have no power to restore me to health, you can do nothing, I may die on you, I may decay and it will be the end of your earthly life. Isn’t that the main reason why we fight for health, we pray for health? And yet, if that is the way in which we ask God to heal us, to restore us to wholeness, we are only asking to be allowed to forget that we are mortal. Instead of being reminded, indeed quickened by this thought, realising that days pass, that time grows short, and that we must — if we want to attain the full stature to which we are called on earth — we must make haste to shake off all that within us is the power of death. Illness and death are not only conditioned by exterior reasons; there are within us resentments, bit-terness, hatred, greed — so many other things which kill the quickness of the spirit and prevent us from living now, already now, in eternal life — that eternal life which is just ‘Life’ in the true sense of the word, life in its fullness.

What can we do then? We must ask ourselves attentive questions, and when we come to God asking Him to heal us, we must first prepare ourselves to be healed. To be healed means not just to be made whole with a view

to going back to the kind of life which we had before, it means being made whole in order to start a new life, as though we had become aware that we had died in the healing act of God, aware that all that was the old man in us, this body of corruption of which St. Paul speaks, must go in order for the new man to live. We must be prepared to become that new man through the death of the past in order to start anew like Laza-rus who was called out of the grave, not to go back simply to what had been his life before, but having experienced something which is beyond utterance, to re-enter life on new terms. And for us, these terms are Christ, as Paul puts it, ‘For me to live — is Christ’.

Are we capable of receiving healing? Are we willing to take upon ourselves the responsibility of being made new in order to enter, again and again, into the world in which we live, with a message of newness — to be light, to be salt, to be joy, to be hope and faith and love, to be surrendered to God.

Let us reflect on it, because we all are sick in one way or another; we all are frail, all are weak, all are inca-pable of living to the full, even the life which is offered us on earth. Let us reflect on it, and become capable of opening ourselves to God in such a way that He may work His miracle of healing, make us new — but in order for us to bring our newness, indeed God’s new-ness, into the world in which we live. Amen.

~11~

St. Luke orthodox Christian Church1415 Woodstock ave.anniston, aL 36207

Monastery of St. Barlaam, photographed by Ovidiu Mihail (sfintiiparinti.blogspot.com)