My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

THE VENERATION OF THE HONORABLE AND
LIFE-CREATING CROSS

Couplet

“Let all the universe venerate the Cross, through
which it has learned to pay homage to Thee, O Logos/Word.

Since during the 40 days of the Great Fast, we are also IN A CRUCIFIED, MORTIFIED TO THE PASSIONS, some may have sentiments of bitterness, or of despondency, or of lapsing. Therefore, the Precious and Life-Giving Cross IS OFFERED TO US AS REFRESHMENT AND SUPPORT. The Cross calls to mind the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who suffered and was crucified for our sake. Our own pangs pale and deafen before His since our afflictions have been assuaged through the Master’s afflictions. We are also reminded by this commemoration of the hope ushered in for us through the Cross of glory. For as our Savior mounted the Cross, being glorified through dishonor and grief, so should we also endure our sorrows in order to be glorified with Him.

As those who have undertaken a long and hard journey, so now in this time of the Fast have the Holy Fathers planted the Life-Giving Cross FOR OUR RELIEF AND REFRESHMENT TO ENCOURAGE AND MAKE EASIER THE LABORS THAT LIE AHEAD. It is the same as when there is a royal procession, the king’s scepter and banners precede his entry. He, then, makes a triumphant appearance himself, radiant and joyous to his victory. This also rebounds to rejoicing in his subjects. Our Lord Jesus Christ, desiring to show His sure trophy over death and His glory on the day of the Resurrection, sends o ahead His Scepter, the Sign of His Kingship, the Life-Giving Cross. It is not only to gladdens and refreshes us but ALSO FORTIFIES AND ENABLES US TO BE PREPARED TO RECEIVE THE KING WITH ALL POSSIBLE STRENGTH, AND TO PRAISE HIM IN HIS RADIANT VICTORY. This week lies at the middle of the holy Forty-day Fast.

We bring to mind how Moses plunged the branch in the bitter waters of Marah, thereby sweetening them. In like manner, God, Who has led us through the spiritual Red Sea away from Pharaoh, THROUGH THE LIFE-GIVING WOOD OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS SWEETENS THE BITTERNESS OF THE FORTY-DAY FAST. He consoles us during our course through the desert of the Fast, carrying the noetic Jerusalem. Since the Cross is called and indeed is, The Tree of Life, it is fitting that the Holy Fathers have planted the Tree of the Cross in the Middle of the Forty-Day Fast. Today, the Third Sunday of the Fast, IS A REMINDER NOT ONLY OF HOW PARTAKING OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE LED TO DEATH BUT ALSO OF HOW VENERATION OF THE Tree of the Cross LEADS TO LIFE.

Through the power of Thy Cross, O Christ God,
preserve us also from the temptations of the evil one.
Vouchsafe us to venerate Thy Divine Passion and Life-bearing
Resurrection, having traversed to the end of the course of the
Forty-days with ease and dexterity, and have mercy on us, as
Thou alone art good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.

Saint Athanasios wrote: “We read that ‘thy life shall be suspended before thine eyes’ [Deuteronomy 28:66]; and elsewhere in the psalms: They dug into My hands and My feet; they reckoned up all My bones, and they observed well and watched over Me’ [Psalm 21:15]. They parted among themselves My garments for themselves, and upon My clothing, they cast a lot’ [Psalm 21:16]. Now a death raised aloft and that takes place on a tree could be none other than the Cross: and again, in no other death are the hands and feet pierced, save on the Cross only. But which of the holy Prophets died on a cross for the salvation of all? Or who was wounded and destroyed for the healing of all? Or which of the righteous men, or kings, went down to Egypt, so that at his coming the idols of Egypt fell?”

1. What is “the breadth and length and depth and height?” [Ephesians 3:18].
“The length and breadth of the Cross is the equal of heaven’s span. By
means of Divine grace, it hallows the universe. And, the Cross is lifted up and the
entire cosmos is sanctified. For while throned with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
by stretching out Thy hands upon it hast Thou drawn the whole world to Thyself.”
[September 14th, Orthros Exapostelarion, Mode Two]

Saint Gregory of Nyssa interprets as well for us: “The Apostle is describing by the figure of the Cross the power that controls and holds together the universe when he expresses a desire that they may be exalted to know the exceeding glory of his power, calling it height, and depth, and breadth, and length” [Ephesians 3:18]… It manifests a great mystery: that both things in heaven. and things under the earth, and all the furthest bounds of the things that are, are ruled and sustained by Him Who gave an example of this unspeakable and mighty power in the figure of the Cross.”

“Rejoice, O Cross, thrice-blessed and Divine Wood, a light to those in darkness. Shining
on the four corners of the earth, thou dost prepare us for the dawn of Christ’s resurrection. O
grant to all the faithful that they may come to the Feast of Pascha.” [Third Sunday in the Great Fast,

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE,

ON THE ANNUNCIATION: "BEHOLD, THOU SHALT CONCEIVE."

"How shall this be unto me", she said, "seeing I know not a man?" The Ever-Virgin did not say this because she disbelieved, but because she wanted to find out as much as possible about the matter. Therefore, the Archangel told her, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). "You are holy", he says, "AND FULL OF GRACE, O VIRGIN. However, the Holy Spirit shall again come upon you, preparing and completing the work of God within you by the bestowal of a higher sanctification. The power of the Most High shall overshadow you, to strengthen you, and by overshadowing you and uniting you with itself, shall from the humanity of the one to be born of you, that He may be holy, the Son of God and the power of the Most High in the shape of a man. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth, who has been barren all her life, is now mysteriously with child in her old age, by the will of God, for with God NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE."

How did the Most High favored Virgin, with her unrivaled and holy understanding, respond to these words? She ran to God and reached out to Him in prayer, saying to the Archangel, "If, as you tell me, the Holy Spirit shall come upon me, purifying my nature still further and strengthening me to receive the unborn Savior; if the power of the Most High shall overshadow me, forming Him Who is in the form of God is man within me and bringing about a birth without seed; if the Holy Child which shall be born is to be the Son of God and God and the Everlasting King since with God nothing is impossible", "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38). And the Angel departed from her, leaving the Maker of all united with a body within her womb. By means of this union, which was the object of his ministry, he had PROCURED SALVATION FOR THE WORLD. Prophet Isaiah clearly revealed all this beforehand by what he was so blessed as to be counted worthy to experience. He did not see the Seraphim take the live coal directly off the heavenly Spiritual Altar. The Seraph took it with tongs, and it was by means of these that he touched the Prophet’s lips to purify him (Isaiah 6:5-7). The TONGS WERE THE SAME AS THE BURNING BUSH WHICH WAS NOT CONSUMED BY THE FIRE, IN THAT GREAT VISION SEEN BY MOSES (Exodos 3:2-6).

Surely it is obvious to anyone that the Virgin Mother is both the burning bush and the tongs. She conceived the Divine Fire within her and was not burnt, and an Archangel ministered at the conception, and through her, the Bearer of the sins of the world was united with the human race, PURIFYING US THOROUGHLY BY MEANS OF THIS INDESCRIBABLE BOND. The Virgin Mother, and SHE ALONE, IS THE FRONTIER BETWEEN CREATED AND UNCREATED NATURE. All who know God will recognize her AS THE ONE WHO CONTAINED HIM WHO CANNOT BE CONTAINED. All who sing hymns to God will praise her next after Him. She is the cause of the benefits which preceded her, the Protectress of those which came after, and through her those good things which are eternal shall be received. She is the theme of the Prophets, THE FIRST OF THE APOSTLES, THE SUPPORT OF THE MARTYRS, THE DAIS OF THE TEACHERS. SHE IS THE GLORY OF THOSE ON EARTH, THE DELIGHT OF THOSE IN HEAVEN, THE ADORNMENT OF THE WHOLE CREATION. SHE IS THE BEGINNING FOUNT AND ROOT OF THE HOPE STORED UP FOR US IN HEAVEN.

To which may we all attain by her prayer for us, to the glory of Him Who was Begotten of the Father before all ages, and, in these last times, became incarnate of her, even Jesus Christ our Lord. To Whom belong ALL GLORY, HONOR, AND WORSHIP, NOW AND FOREVER AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN. [Source: Saint Gregory Palamas.  The HOMILIES]

_________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

ON THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOKS (Part II)

"And the virgin’s name", it says, "was Mary" (Luke 1:27), which means "Lady". This shows the Virgin’s dignity how certain was her virginity and set apart was her life, exact in every respect and completely blameless. She properly bore the name of Virgin and possessed to the full all the attributes of purity. She WAS A VIRGIN IN BOTH BODY AND SOUL AND KEPT ALL THE POWERS OF HER SOUL AND HER BODILY SENSES FAR ABOVE ANY DEFILEMENT. This she did authoritatively, steadfastly, decisively and altogether inviolably at all times, as a close gate preserves the treasures within, and a sealed book keeps hidden from sight what is written inside. The Scripture says of her, "This is the sealed book" (cf Revelation 5:1-6:1; Dan. 12:4) and "THIS GATE SHALL BE SHUT, AND NO MAN SHALL ENTER IN BY IT" (Ezekiel 44:2).

The Virgin is also duly called "Lady" in another sense, as she has the mastery of all things, having DIVINELY CONCEIVED AND BORN IN VIRGINITY THE Master of All by His nature. Yet she is the Lady not just because she is free from servitude and a partaker of divine power, but because she is the Fount and Root of the freedom of the human race, especially after the ineffable and joyful birth. A married woman is ruled over rather than being a lady, especially after sorrowful and painful childbirth, in accordance with that curse on Eve: "In sorrow, thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" (Genesis 3:16). Freeing the human race, the Virgin Mother received through the Angel joy and blessing INSTEAD OF THIS CURSE. "And the Angel came in to her", it says, "and said, Rejoice, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women" (Luke 1:28). The Archangel was not foretelling the future by saying, "The Lord is with thee", but was DECLARING WHAT HE SAW HAPPENING INVISIBLY AT THAT TIME. Perceiving that Divine and human gifts of grace were to be found in her, and that she was adorned with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he truly PROCLAIMED HER FULL OF GRACE. He SAW IN ADVANCE THE PAINLESS PREGNANCY AND THE BIRTH WITHOUT LABOUR, AND ANNOUNCED TO HER THAT SHE SHOULD REJOICE, AND AFFIRMED THAT SHE ALONE WAS RIGHTLY BLESSED AND GLORIFIED AMONG WOMEN. Even if other women may be extolled, no other can be magnified with the surpassing glory of the Virgin Mother of God.

When the Virgin saw the Archangel she was afraid lest he be a deceitful messenger beguiling unwary women like Eve, and she did not accept his greeting unquestioningly. As she did not yet clearly perceive the bond with God which the Archangel was announcing to her, "SHE WAS TROUBLED", it says, "at his saying". She was utterly determined to hold fast to her virginity. "and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be" (Luke 1:29). So the Archangel dispelled the godly fear of the Virgin full of grace by telling her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God" (Luke 1:30). What favour? ‘THAT GRACE WHICH IS ONLY POSSIBLE FOR HIM WHO CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE, AND WHICH HAS BEEN KEPT FOR YOU ALONE FROM BEFORE THE AGES." "BEHOLD, THOU SHALT CONCEIVE IN THY WOMB" (Luke 1:31). "When you hear about conception" he told her, "DO NOT SUPPOSE THAT THERE WILL BE ANY DEVIATION FROM VIRGINITY. You must not be anxious or troubled on that account." For these words "Behold thou shalt conceive", spoken to her who is a virgin, show THAT THE CONCEPTION IS TO ACCOMPANY VIRGINITY.

"Behold, thou shalt conceive", he said, "and bring forth a son" (Luke 1:31). Continuing as you are now with your virginity inviolate, you shall conceive a child and bear the Son of the Most High. Isaiah foresaw this many years before and prophesied, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son" (Isaiah 7:14), and, "I went unto the prophetess" (Isaiah 8:3). In what way did the Prophet go to the Prophetess? In the same way as the Archangel now came to her. What the Archangel now saw, the Prophet FORESAW and FORETOLD. That the Virgin was a Prophetess with the gift of prophecy, is proved to all by her hymn to God in the Gospel (Luke 1:46-55). [Source: Saint Gregory Palamas]

(To be continued)

__________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

On the Annunciation of Our Exceedingly Pure Lady, Mother of God
and Ever-Virgin Mary (March 25th).

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

TODAY is the fountainhead of our salvation and the manifestation of
the mystery which was from eternity. The Son of God becometh the
Virgin’s Son, and Gabriel announceth the good tidings of grace; for this
cause, let us cry to the Mother of God with him: Rejoice, thou who art
full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

WHEN the bodies one learned the secret command, in haste he
came and stood before Joseph’s dwelling, and spake unto the
Maiden who knew not wedlock: The One Who hath bowed the
Heavens by His descent is held and contained unchanging wholly
in thee. Seeing Him receiving the form of a servant in thy womb,
I stand in awe and cry to thee: Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded.

Another Kontakion Hymn

TO thee, the Champion Leader, we thy flock dedicate a feast of victory
and of thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos;
but as thou art one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that
can be, do thou deliver us, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, thou Bride
unwedded.

When the Prophet and Psalmist was enumerating the different aspects of creation and observing God’s wisdom in them all, he was filled with amazement and cried out while writing, "O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all" (Psalm 104:24)…

"The event which we celebrate on this Holy Day clearly proves that this mystery is beyond the understanding not only of men but of Angels and even Archangels. The Archangel brought the Good Tidings (News) to the Virgin that she would conceive (Luke 1:26-38). But when she sought to find out the way it would happen and asked him, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" (Luke 1:34). the Archangel was completely unable to explain how. He took refuge in God, saying, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee" (Luke 1:35). It was as if someone had asked Moses, "How was man formed out of the ground? How were bones, nerves, and flesh made out of dust, or the senses out of what is insensate? Or how was another human being created from Adam’s rib? How was the bone stretched out, divided up, joined, and fastened together? How were the internal organs, the various juices, and everything else formed from a bone? If someone had asked these questions of Moses all he would have said was that it was God Who took dust from the ground and formed Adam, and took of Adam’s ribs and made Eve. He would have said who the Creator was, but not the way in which these things were done. In the same way, Gabriel said that the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High would bring about the birth without seed, but he did not say how. He went on to mention that Elizabeth, who was barren, had conceived in her old age, and all he could say was that with God nothing was impossible (Luke 1:35-37). So how could he explain how she was to conceive and bear a child in virginity?

Nevertheless, the Archangel’s words to the Virgin did contain something more, a reference to a great mystery. "The Holy Spirit", he said, "shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee"27) (Luke 1:35). Why was this? Because the Child to be born was not to be called a Prophet or simply a man, like Adam, but the Son of the Most High, Savior, Deliverer of the human race and Eternal King. When stones fall away from the peak of a mountain and go right down to the foot, many overhanging crags are left in their place. In the same way, when in Paradise we fell away from the Divine Commandment and the blessed and godly way of life and were brought down as far as Hades, many resulted. Not only did the ground yield visible thorns and thistles in accordance with the curse upon our forefathers, but we, to an even greater extent, were sown with the thorns of all sorts of evil passions and with sin’s dreadful thistles. Our race did not receive just that sorrow allotted to our First Mother by the curse which condemned her to bear children in sorrow (Genesis 3:16), but almost all our life became pain and sorrow.

However, God WHO MADE US LOOKED LOVINGLY DOWN ON US IN HIS MERCY. HE BOWED THE HEAVENS AND CAME DOWN. HAVING TAKEN OUR NATURE UPON HIM FROM THE HOLY VIRGIN, HE RENEWED AND RESTORED IT. Or rather, He LED IT UP TO DIVINE AND HEAVENLY HEIGHTS. Wishing to achieve this, to bring to FULFILLMENT ON THIS DAY HIS PRE-ETERNAL COUNSEL, HE SENT THIE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL, AS LUKE THE EVANGELIST TELLS US, "TO NAZARETH, TO A VIRGIN ESPOUSED TO A MAN WHOSE NAME WAS JOSEPH, OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID; AND THE VIRGIN’S NAME WAS MARY" (Luke 1:26-27).

God sent the Archangel TO A VIRGIN and made her, who continued a virgin, His mother by means of A SALUTATION ALONE. If He had been conceived from seed, He WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A NEW MAN, NOR SINLESS, NOR THE SAVIOR OF SINNERS, WHICH GOD HAS APPOINTED TO GOVERN US, AND IS NOT ENTIRELY WITHOUT SIN. That is why David said, "I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5). So IF THE CONCEPTION OF GOD HAD BEEN FROM SEED, HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A NEW MAN, NOR THE AUTHOR OF NEW LIFE WHICH WILL NEVER GROW OLD. IF HE WERE FROM THE OLD STOCK AND INHERITED ITS SIN, HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BEAR WITHIN HIMSELF THE FULLNESS OF THE INCORRUPTIBLE GODHEAD OR TO MAKE HIS FLESH AN INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF SANCTIFICATION, ABLE TO WASH AWAY EVEN THE DEFILEMENT OF OUR FIRST PARENTS BY ITS ABUNDANT POWER, AND SUFFICIENT TO SANCTIFY ALL WHO CAME TO SAVE US, BUT THE LORD HIMSELF, WHO AS CONCEIVED AND TOOK FLESH IN THE WOMB OF A VIRGIN, WHILE REMAINING UNCHANGED AS GOD.

It was NECESSARY FOR THE VIRGIN TO HAVE A WITNESS TO THE CONCEPTION WITHOUT SEED, AND A HELPER IN THOSE EVENTS WHICH WERE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIVINE DISPENSATION. What were these? The journey to Bethlehem, where the birth took place (Luke 2:1-7), proclaimed and glorified the heavenly Angels (Luke 2:8-14). The Entry into the Temple, where Simeon and Anna bore witness that the Infant was the Lord of Life and death (Luke 2:22-38). The flight into Egypt to escape Herod, and the return from Egypt in accordance with the holy prophesies (Matthew 2:13-22; Hos. 11:1; of Exodus 4:29), and all the other events which we cannot now relate. Joseph was taken as her betrothed. and the Angel was sent "TO A VIRGIN ESPOUSED TO A MAN WHOSE NAME WAS JOSEPH" (Luke 1:26-27). You should understand the reference to being "OF THE HOUSE AND LINEAGE OF DAVID" as applying to them both (Luke 2:4; cf 1:27). For both the Virgin and Joseph traced their families back to David. (Source: Saint Gregory Palamas, The Homilies)

(To be continued)

_____________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

ON THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS (Part II)
By Saint Gregory Palamas

It is not of course for the passions to leave us completely and not be at work in our thoughts (logismoi), unless we attain to contemplation of God. When, through action, we approach contemplation and cultivate and cleanse our inner man, searching for divine treasure which we ourselves have hidden, and considering the Kingdom of God WITHIN US, THEN IT IS THAT WE CRUCIFY OURSELVES TO THE WORLD AND THE PASSIONS. Through meditation of this, a certain warmth is born in our heart, which chases away evil thoughts like flies, instills spiritual peace and consolation in our soul, and bestows sanctification on our body. As the psalmist says, "My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned" (Psalm 39:3), One of our God-bearing Fathers taught us about this saying, "STRIVE AS HARD AS YOU CAN TO ENSURE THAT YOUR INNER LABOR IS ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL, AND YOU WILL CONQUER THE OUTWARD PASSIONS." The great Paul, urging us on in the same direction, says, "WALK IN THE SPIRIT, AND YE SHALL NOT FULFIL THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH" (Galatians 5:16). Elsewhere he exhorts, "STAND THEREFORE, HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH" (Ephesians 6:14). For the contemplative part of the soul strengthens and supports the part concerned with desires, and chases away fleshly lusts. The great Peter tells us with absolute clarity what the references to the loins and the truth mean. "WHEREFORE," he says, "GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND, BE SOBER, AND HOPE TO THE END FOR THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT UNTO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST" (1 Peter 1:13).

Since it is not possible for the evil passions and the world to leave us completely and not be at work in our thoughts unless we attain to contemplation of God, inasmuch as such contemplation is also the Mystery of the Cross, which CRUCIFIES THOSE WHO ARE WORTHY OF IT TO THE WORLD. That vision which Moses had of the burning bush NOT CONSUMED BY THE FIRE, was also a mystery of the Cross, greater and more perfect than the mystery in the time of Abraham. Is it then the case that Moses was initiated into the more perfect mystery of the Cross, whereas Abraham was not? That would be unreasonable. In fact, Abraham was not initiated at the time when he was called, but afterward, he was, once, twice, and in fact many times, though we do not have enough time to relate everything now.

I shall remind you of Abraham’s most wonderful vision of God when he clearly saw THE ONE GOD IN THREE PERSONS before He had been proclaimed to be such (Genesis 18:1-16). "The Lord appeared unto him by the oak of Mamre; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him: and he ran to meet them." He actually saw the one God Who appeared to him as three. "God appeared unto him", it says, "and, lo, three men." Having run to meet the three men, however, he addressed them AS ONE, SAYING, "MY LORD, IF NOW I HAVE FOUND FAVOUR IN THY SIGHT, PASS NOT AWAY FROM THY SERVANT" (‘THE PHILANTHROPIA OF ABRAHAM’). The three then discourse with him as though they were one. "And He said to Abraham, Where is Sarah thy wife? I will certainly return unto thee about this same time of year: and Sarah thy wife shall have a son." As the aged Sarah laughed on hearing this, "the Lord said, Wherefore did Sarah laugh? Notice that the One God IS THREE HYPOSTASES, AND THE THREE HYPOSTASES ARE ONE LORD, FOR IT SAYS, "THE LORD SAID".

This is how the mystery of the Cross worked in Abraham. As for Isaac, he himself prefigured Him Who was nailed to the Cross for, like Christ, he was obedient to his father unto death. The ram offered instead of him (Genesis 22:13) CLEARLY FORESHADOWED THE Lamb of God Who was led to the slaughter for our sake. Even the thicket in which THE RAM WAS CAUGHT CONTAINED THE MYSTERY OF THE SIGN OF THE Cross, for it was called the thicket of "Sabek", MEANING THE THICKET OF FORGIVENESS (Genesis 22:13), just as the Cross was called THE WOOD OF SALVATION. In Isaac’s son, Jacob, the mystery and sign of the Cross were also at work, for he increased his flocks BY MEANS OF WOOD AND WATER (Genesis 30:37-43). THE WOOD PREFIGURED THE WOOD OF THE CROSS, AND THE WATER, HOLY BAPTISM, WHICH HOLDS WITHIN IT THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS, "WE WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST’S DEATH", says the Apostle (Romans 6:3). Christ, too, increased into His HUMAN FLOCKS BY MEANS OF WOOD AND WATER, THE Cross, and Baptism…

"Thy mystery of the Cross was working in Abraham, whereas his son Isaac himself PREFIGURED THE ONE WHO WAS AFTERWARD CRUCIFIED. In the same way, the mystery of the Cross was at work throughout Jacob’s life, while Jacob’s son Joseph was himself a type and mystery of the divine and human Logos/Word Who was later crucified. Joseph was led to the slaughter through jealousy by his kinsmen according to the flesh, for whose sake his father sent him, just as was later the case with Christ. We should not be surprised, however, that Joseph was not murdered but SOLD. Isaac was not killed either. These men PREFIGURED THE TRUTH THAT WAS TO COME BUT WERE NOT THEMSELVES THIS TRUTH. We can, however, discern in them THE TWOFOLD MYSTERY OF CHRIST’S TWOFOLD NATURE. Their being led to the slaughter foreshadowed THE PASSION ACCORDING TO THE FLESH OF Him Who was the God-man, whereas the fact that they did not suffer foretold THE IMPASSIBLE NATURE OF HIS DIVINITY. It was the same with regard to Jacob and Abraham. Although they were tempted, they were victorious, which is what the Scriptures clearly tell us about Christ. Of these four men who were renowned for their virtue and devoutness in the time before the law, two, Abraham and Jacob, had the mystery of the Cross at work in their lives, whereas the other two, Isaac and Joseph, themselves proclaimed the mystery of the Cross beforehand in a marvelous way…

"Surely WE SHOULD HONOR AND USE THIS DIVINE TROPHY (THE CROSS) OF THE FREEDOM OF THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE. Its appearance alone puts the serpent, THE ORIGINATOR OF EVIL, to flight, TRIUMPHS OVER HIM AND DISGRACES HIM, PROCLAIMING HIM DEFEATED AND CRUSHED. It GLORIFIES AND MAGNIFIES CHRIST, AND DISPLAYS HIS VICTORY TO THE WORLD. If it were really necessary to disregard the Cross because Christ suffered death on it, then His death too would be neither honorable nor salutary. So how can we have been baptized into His death, as the Apostle tells us (Romans 6:3)? And how can we share in His Resurrection, if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death (Romans 6:5)? On the other hand, if someone were to reverence the Sign of the Cross without the Lord’s name written upon it, he could justly be accused of doing something incorrectly. Since "AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THINGS IN HEAVEN, AND THINGS IN THE EARTH, AND THINGS UNDER THE EARTH" (Philippians 2:10), and the Cross bears this Venerable Name. How very foolish not to bow the knee at Christ’s Cross!

Inclining our hearts as well as bending our knees, come, "LET US WORSHIP", with David the psalmist and Prophet, "AT THE PLACE WHERE HIS FEET STOOD" (Psalm 132:7), where His All-embracing hands were outspread and His Life-Giving body was stretched out for our sake. As we reverence and greet the Cross WITH FAITH, let us draw and keep the abundant SANCTIFICATION FLOWING FROM IT. Then, at the sublimely glorious future advent of oru Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, as we see Him come in glory, we shall rejoice and skip for joy unceasingly having attained to a place on His right hand and heard the promised joyful words and blessing, to the glory of the Son of God CRUCIFIED IN THE FLESH FOR US.

For to Him belongs ALL GLORY, TOGETHER WITH HIS FATHER WITHOUT BEGINNING AND THE ALL-HOLY, GOOD, AND LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT, NOW AND FOREVER AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.

___________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

ON THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS
By Saint Gregory Palamas

THE CROSS OF CHRIST was mysteriously proclaimed in advance and foreshadowed from the generation of old and no one was ever reconciled with God EXCEPT BY THE POWER OF THE CROSS. After our First Parents transgressed against God through the tree in Paradise, SIN CAME TO LIFE, but we died, submitting even before physical death, TO THE DEATH OF THE SOUL, ITS SEPARATION FROM GOD. After the transgression we lived in sin and according to the flesh. Sin "IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE. SO THEY THAT ARE IN THE FLESH CANNOT PLEASE GOD" (Romans 8:7-8).

As the Apostle Paul says, "The flesh hasteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh" (Galatians 5:17). God, however, is Spirit, ABSOLUTE GOODNESS AND VIRTUE, and our own spirit is after His IMAGE and LIKENESS, although sin has made it good for nothing. So how could anyone at all be spiritually renewed and reconciled with God, UNLESS SIN AND LIFE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH HAD BEEN ABOLISHED? The Cross of Christ IS THIS ABOLITION OF SIN. One of our God-bearing Fathers was asked by an unbeliever if he really believed in Christ CRUCIFIED. "Yes", he replied, "I BELIEVE IN HIM WHO CRUCIFIED SIN." God, Himself has borne witness that there were many who were His friends before and after the law when the Cross had not yet been revealed. David, the king, and Prophet says, as if there were definitely friends of God in his day, "How precious also are thy friends unto me, O God" (Psalm139:17). I shall now show you, if you listen attentively for the love of God, how it was that people were called FRIENDS OF GOD before the Cross.

Although THE MAN OF SIN, the son of lawlessness (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3), by which I mean Antichrist, has not yet come, the theologian whom Christ loved says, "Even now, Beloved, there is antichrist" (cf. 1 John 2:18). In the same way, the Cross existed in the time of our ancestors, even before it was accomplished. The great Paul teaches us absolutely clearly that Antichrist IS AMONG US, EVEN THOUGH HE HAS NOT YET COME, SAYING, "His mystery doth already work in you" (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:7). In exactly the same way Christ’s Cross was among our forefathers before it came into being because its mystery was working in them.

Leaving aside Abel, Seth, Enos, Enoch, Noah, and all those up until Noah who were pleasing to God, and their contemporaries, I shall begin with Abraham, who was called the father of many nations, the Jews’ father after the flesh and OURS BY FAITH. As I am to start with this spiritual father of ours, his good beginning, and God’s initial call to him, what were the first words God spoke to him? "Get thee out of thy country, and from they kindred, unto a lang that I will show thee" (Genesis 12:1). This utterance certainly bears within it the mystery of the Cross, for it is exactly what Saint Paul says when he glories in the Cross: "THE WOLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME" (Galatians 6:14). When someone has fled his home country or the world without turning back, for him his country according to the flesh and the world have been put to death and ceased to exist, AND THIS IS THE CROSS.

God said to Abraham, before he had fled from his life with ungodly men, "Get thee out of thy country unto a land", not, that I will give thee, but "THAT I WILL SHOW THEE" (Genesis 12:1), so that through this land another, spiritual land might be shown. What were God’s first words to Moses once he had fled from Egypt and ascended the mountain? "PUT OFF THY SHOES FROM OFF THY FEET" (Exodos 3:5). This is another mystery of the Cross which follows appropriately upon the first. "You have come out of Egypt", says God, "you have left the service of Pharaoh, and have despised the fact that you were called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. That world of evil servitude has been dissolved and ceased to exist, as far as you are concerned. Nevertheless, you still need something more." What can that be? "To take your shoes from off your feet, to lay aside the coats of skins (cf. Genesis 3:21) with which sin clothed you and in which it is at work, SEPARATING YOU FROM THE HOLY GROUND. Take these shoes from your feet", which is to say, "DO NOT LIVE ANY LONGER ACCORDING TO THE FLESH AND IN SIN, BUT LET THAT LIFE WHICH IS OPPOSED TO GOD BE ABOLISHED AND PUT TO DEATH. And let the way of thinking based on the flesh (cf. Romans 8:6-7), and the law in your members warring against the law of your mind and bringing you into captivity to the law of sin (Romans 7:23-8:2), no longer hold sway, nor be active, for it has been put to death by the power of this vision of God. Surely this is the Cross. In the divine Paul’s words, the Cross IS TO HAVE CRUCIFIED "THE FLESH WITH THE AFFECTIONS AND LUSTS" (Galatians 5:24).

"Put off", He says, "thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground" (Exodos 3:5). These words to Moses revealed that the earth was TO BE HALLOWED THROUGH THE CROSS AFTER THE MANIFESTATION OF OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. At that time, as he looked at the great spectacle OF THE BURNING BUSH WHICH SEEMED COOL AS THE DEW, MOSES FORESAW THE COMING OF CHRIST, WHICH WAS THEN IN THE FUTURE. THE VISION IN GOD OF THE CROSS IS A MYSTERY GREATER THAN THAT EARLIER MYSTERY. The great Paul and our holy Fathers hint that THERE ARE TWO MYSTERIES. For Saint Paul not only says, "The world is crucified unto me," but adds, "and IT TO THE WORLD" (Galatians 6:14). The holy Fathers, for their part, command us not to hasten to ascend the cross before the Cross, as though there were definitely two words of the Cross and two mysteries.

The first mystery of the Cross IS FLIGHT FROM THE WORLD, and PARTING ROM OUR RELATIVES ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, if they were a hindrance to piety and a devout life, and training our body, which Saint Paul tells us is of some value (1 Timothy 4:8). In these ways, the world and sin are crucified to us, once we have fled from them. According to the second mystery of the Cross, however, WE ARE CRUCIFIED TO THE WORLD AND THE PASSIONS, ONCE THEY HAVE FLED FROM US. IT IS NOT OF COURSE POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO LEAVE US COMPLETELY AND NOT BE AT WORK IN OUR THOUGHTS UNLESS WE ATTAIN TO CONTEMPLATION OF GOD. When, through action, we approach contemplation and cultivate and cleanse our inner man, searching for the Divine treasure which we ourselves have hidden, and considering the Kingdom of God within us, then it is that we CRUCIFY OURSELVES TO THE WORLD AND THE PASSIONS. (Source: Saint Gregory Palamas, The HOMILIES)

(To be continued)

________________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

To Encourage Fasting
By Saint Gregory Palamas

THE INVISIBLE SERPENT, the originator of evil, is inventive, versatile, and extremely skillful in contriving wickedness. He has the means to hinder our good purposes and actions as soon as they begin. But if he fails to prevent them initially, he sets up other devices by which he can render them useless once they are underway. If he is unable to make them worthless when they are halfway to completion, he knows other tricks and ways to invalidate them even once they are finished and makes them a source, not of reward but of harm to all but the most careful. First, of all, he points out how laborious and difficult to accomplish virtue is. In this way, he fills us with LAZINESS and DESPAIR, as though we were attempting difficult and impossible things and were therefore incapable of putting our intentions into action. Then he engenders disbelief in the rewards which God has promised to those who struggle.

But we, brethren, should rise above this trap by our soul’s courage, eagerness, and faith. We should bear in mind the fact that just as the earth cannot yield worthwhile fruit without labor, so the soul cannot acquire anything which pleases God or leads to salvation WITHOUT SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE. But while it is possible to find earth that is unsuitable for cultivation, every human soul is naturally suited to virtue. As we are all unavoidably condemned, however, by the judgment given against our forefather, to live by labor and toil, let us turn necessity into an honor and willingly offer to God what is ours not by own will. Let us give up transitory things in exchange for things that endure, and receive what is beneficial in exchange for what is harmful, transforming short-lived toil into a means to gain eternal ease. If we labor here for the sake of virtues we shall certainly attain to the rest promised in the age to come. He who promised is trustworthy and is at hand to help all who readily TAKE ON THE STRUGGLE FOR VIRTUE. If He Who can do all things gives us His help, is anything impossible to achieve?

When we remember this and eagerly apply ourselves to virtuous actions, THE EVIL ONE, knowing that nothing can be good unless it is done in a good way, strives to persuade us not to accomplish any good work with the object of pleasing God of winning His approval, but to look for other people’s approval. By this means, he can deprive us of our reward from God and of all spiritual and heavenly honors. Let us frustrate these efforts of his by considering the great recompense stored up FOR THOSE WHO LIVE AS GOD PLEASES, AND HOW INSIGNIFICANT OTHER PEOPLE’S APPROVAL IS. Not only is it not worth mentioning in comparison with the great and holy glory to come, but it is also an insufficient reason to neglect and waste our flesh…

I am speaking to your charity on this subject in this present season of fasting, so that we may observe it together for our own sake unalloyed with anything evil. FASTING was of no benefit to that Pharisee in the Gospel, even though he always fasted two days a week because HE HAD ADULTERATED IT WITH PRIDE AND CONDEMNATION OF HIS NEIGHBOR (Luke 18:11-12). Not that this means fasting is unprofitable. Moses, Elijah, and the Lord Himself showed HOW BENEFICIAL IT IS FOR THOSE WHO FAST PROPERLY IN A WAY PLEASING TO GOD.
34:10)
Moses fasted for many days. Awaken your minds, I entreat you and lift them up at this opportune time, in company with Moses when he went up the mountain towards God. In this way may you start off afresh on your ascent, and be lifted up together with Christ, Who did not merely go up a mountain but UP TO HEAVEN, TAKING US WITH Him. Moses FASTED FOR FORTY DAYS ON THE MOUNTAIN and according to the Scriptures he saw God, not darkly but FACE TO FACE (Exodus 24:1). He TALKED TO HIM AS SOMEONE WOULD SPEAK TO HIS FRIEND (Exodos 33:11, Deut. 34:10). HE LEARNT FROM GOD AND TAUGHT EVERYONE ABOUT HIM: THAT HE IS HE WHO ETERNALLY IS (Exodos 3:14) and will never cease to be, that He summoned what did not exist into existence, brought all things out of non-being and will not let them fall back into non-existence. In the beginning, He brought the whole visible creation out of nothing all at once, just by a nod and His will. "IN THE BEGINNING," it says, "GOD CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH" (Genesis 1:1), not empty of course, nor without all that lies between them. The earth was interpreted with water, and both were full of air, animals, and plants of various kinds, whereas the heavens were full of the various lights and fires, from which the universe is formed.

Sensual pleasure causes ungodliness as well as sin, but FASTING AND SELF-CONTROL IN THE FEAR OF GOD AS WELL AS VIRTUE. FASTING MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY SELF-CONTROL. Why? Because eating our fill, even of humble foods, IS A HINDRANCE TO THE PURIFYING MOURNING, GODLY SORROW AND CONTRITION IN OUR SOULS, WHICH BRING ABOUT UNSWERVING REPENTANCE LEADING TO SALVATION. For without a contrite heart we cannot really lay hold of repentance. It is the restriction of self-indulgence, sleep, and the senses according to God’s will that crushes our hearts and makes us mourn for our sins.

When the rich man in the Gospel said to himself, "EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY" (Luke 12:19), the wretch made himself fit for the eternal flames and unfit for this present life. Let us, on the contrary, be RESTRAINED, TO BE HUMBLE AND TO SUFFER HARDSHIP FO ROUIR SALVATION. Then we shall finish this present life IN A GOOD WAY PLEASING TO GOD AND INHERIT THE BLESSED LIFE WITHOUT END.

May we all attain to this by the grace and love towards mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom belong glory, mighty, honor, and worship, together with His Father without beginning and the Life-Giving Spirit, now and forever and unto ages of ages. Amen. (Source: Saint Gregory Palamas. The Homilies)

___________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

The Second Sunday of the Great Fast: Saint Gregory Palamas,
Archbishop of Thessaloniki. (Part II)

Saint Gregory Palamas was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 A.D. against Varlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 A.D. against Acindynos, who was of like mind with Varlaam; Varlaam and Acindynos claimed that the GRACE OF GOD IS CREATED. At both these Synods, Saint Gregory contended courageously for the True dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that Divine Grace IS NOT CREATED, BUT IS THE UNCREATED ENERGIES OF GOD WHICH ARE POURED FORTH THROUGHOUT CREATION: OTHERWISE, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE, IF GRACE WERE CREATED, FOR MAN TO HAVE GENUINE COMMUNION WITH THE UNCREATED GOD. In 1347 A.D. he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessaloniki. He tended his flock in an Apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Orthodox Christian Faith, and having lived for a total of 63 years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359 A.D. His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessaloniki.

Hesychasm

In general, the HESYCHASTS, with a particular method of prayer and asceticism, AIM TO ATTAIN SPIRITUAL PERFECTION OR THE ACQUISITION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The method to attain this purity is rooted in the practice OF THE JESUS PRAYER: “LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME.” The method of practicing the Jesus Prayer is described completely in The Philokalia. Briefly, it consists of the Hesychast sitting with HEAD BOWED AND EYES DIRECTED TOWARD THE CHEST OR HEART. At the same time, BREATHING IS COORDINATED WITH THE SAYING AND THINKING OF THE Jesus Prayer. It the Prayer is practiced with patience, under an experienced spiritual director (guide), eventually, in time, it will become”THE PRAYER OF THE HEART.” SELF-PROPELLED WITHOUT WORDS OR THOUGHTS. Therefore, because there are many “road marks, places of caution and pitfalls, along this spiritual path,” ONE MUST HAVE AN EXPERIENCED DIRECTOR WHO HAS WALKED ALONG THIS ROAD. Thus, WITH OBEDIENCE AND ASCETICISM, THIS METHOD LEADS THE ORTHODOX MONASTIC TO “BLISSFUL HUMILITY” AND, IF GOD WILLS, EVEN TEH VISION OF THE DIVINE LIGHT, THE “LIGHT OF THE TRANSFIGURATION.”

Varlaam unable to comprehend what the monks were saying about seeing Divine Light, he thought they pretended to see the Divine essence with bodily eyes. His attack was effective. A major controversy had begun in Thessaloniki and was spreading to Constantinople because Varlaam DISTORTED AND RIDICULED THE HESYCHASTIC DOCTRINE ON THE BASIS OF SOME SIMPLE MONKS THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED. In 1338 A.D., Varlaam went to Constantinople with the intention of lodging a complaint against the monks with the Patriarch and the Synod. Nevertheless, Patriarch John XIV Kalekas (1332-1347 A.D.) FORMALLY AND DECISIVELY REJECTED VARLAAM’S ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE MONKS OF ATHOS. The Patriarch sent him away in disgrace, threatening him with punishment if he did not stop his reproachful behavior in disturbing the peace of the Holy Mountain.1359

Final Days

At the age of 62, the Saint had another attack of the internal disease he had been suffering with since he was thirty-nine. Nevertheless, he continued to celebrate services and to preach. As his illness grew worse, his sermons focused more on the subject of death. He foretold the day of his departure to everlasting life to those who surrounded him. Then, on the 13th of November in 1359 A.D., he uttered: “My friends, I am going away from you now to the Lord. I know this because Saint John Chrysosomos (whom they commemorated that very day) appeared to me, and, as a friend, with love, he called me to himself.”

On the 14the of November in 1359, at the age of 63, after serving twelve and one-half years in the episcopacy, Saint Gregory Palamas departed to his Lord. IN his last moments, those surrounding him saw that his lips were whispering something, but as much as they tried to understand, they could only distinguish, “The heavens, to the heavens.” With these words, his holy soul quietly and peacefully separated from the body.The Saints body was buried in his Cathedral of Hagia Sofia at Thessaloniki. In departing his body, gloriously enlightened with Angelic purity. Archbishop Gregory left his flock with his precious relics that brought healing to the sick and infirm who came to him with faith. After the Patron of Thessaloniki, Saint Demetrios the Great-Martyr and Myrrh-Streamer, Saint Gregory Palamas has remained, in this day, the most loved Saint of that city.

Many miracles occurred upon the repose of the Saint. Local veneration, as usual, preceded HIS OFFICIAL GLORIFICATION. Nine years after his repose in 1368 A.D. A DECREE OF THE SYNOD AUTHORIZED THE INCORPORATION OF ARCHBISHOP GREGORY’S NAME INTO THE CHURCH CALENDAR OF THE GREAT CHURCH AT CONSTANTINOPLE. This example would be followed by other churches. In addition to the 14th of November, a unique place to the Church Calendar WAS ASSIGNED TO THE SAINT: THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST. The service was a kind of extension from the First Sunday of the Great Fast. At the Feast of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Hymns composed by Patriarch Philotheos were incorporated into the service, while the Orthros Canon was composed by a certain George. The Synodikon of Orthodoxy was expanded with the declaration: “TO GREGORY, THE MOST HOLY METROPOLITAN OF THESSALONIKI, ETERNAL MEMORY.” (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

___________________

“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”

– Saint John Chrysostomoas

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE

ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST, THE HOLY CHURCH
COMMEMORATES OUR HOLY FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS,
THE ARCHBISHOP OF THESSALONIKE,
GREGORY PALAMAS THE WONDER-WORKER.

On this day, the Second Sunday of the Great Fast, we commemorate our Father among the Saints, Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki and Wonder-worker.

Couplet

"Now is the truly great preacher of the Radiant Light led
by the Source of Light to the never-setting Light. Through
his prayers, O God, have mercy on us. Amen."

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

"Light of Orthodoxy, pillar, and teacher of the Church, adornment of
monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory thou
Wonder-worker, boast of Thessaloniki, herald of grace: ever pray that
our souls be saved."

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

"With one accord, we praise thee as the sacred and divine vessel of
wisdom and clear trumpet of theology. O our righteous Father Gregory
of divine speech. As a mind that standeth now before the Primal Mind,
do thou ever guide aright and lead our mind to Him, that we all may cry:
Rejoice, O herald of grace divine."

Saint Gregory Palamas, our father among the Saints, was born in Constantinople in the autumn of 1296 A.D., of godly and distinguished parents, Constantine and Kalee. He was the eldest among his two brothers, Makarios, and Theodosios, and his two sisters, Epicharis and Theodote. His family was originally Anatolian, but they made their home in Constantinople because of the Turkish invasion. Constantine Palamas was a Senator who was brought into the immediate encourage as a counselor to Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos who reigned from 1282 to 1328. Constantine was greatly esteemed by the Emperor, who entrusted him with the education of his little grandson, the future Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos (1328-1341). Constantine taught his own son Gregory and the little heir together since they were both the same age. The young Gregory, however, was not quite seven years old when his father reposed.

The Saint’s mother, Kalee, took great care to give Gregory, as well as to all his brothers and sisters, a good education in the spirit of divine law and Holy Scripture. Although Gregory was distinguished for his natural intelligence and diligence, he still sensed that he had difficulty memorizing things. Not trusting his own ability, he made it a rule that before he would take up a book, he would make three prostrations with a prayer before an icon of our Lady, the Mother of God. With great compunction and a contrite heart, he recited the MENTAL PRAYER of Saint Mary of Egyp, before she departed Jerusalem to live as an anchoritess, which was "O Lady, Lady, do not forsake me!" Indeed, the Holy Virgin helped the pious child, whose rapid progress attracted everyone’s attention. Hence, in a short time, he succeeded in learning philosophy and the other known sciences. The lad then became a ward of Emperor Andronikos II, who was known as the Patron of writers and scholars. He supervised the education of the five Palamas children. In fact, the Emperor had a secret affection for the orphaned Gregory, taking a fatherly interest in him and an active part in his education. Gregory’s gifts and excellent conduct won the praise of all, and he was the joy of the Emperor’s heart. Under his patronage, Gregory, from the ages of eleven to fourteen, attained great success in both grammar and rhetoric. He was even admired by those who were then the instructors and masters of oratory. He studied at the Imperial University such topics as physics, logic, and all the sciences of Aristotle. His principal instructor in these subjects was the famous Theodore Metochites. However, Gregory himself believed that the study of profane (secular) learning was only useful as a preparation for the true philosophy of Christianity. Gregory believed that it would be wrong to spend too much time upon profane learning.

While Emperor Andronikos had in view earthly ends and worldly attainments, Gregory already detested everything worldly as an elusive dream. From his earliest childhood, he desired the higher life and the path of perfection. Filled with an ardent love for God, he rose above his promising political future and all temporal advantages. He desired to leave the world and its vainglory and to strive with all his soul to cling to the Only God, the Source of all wisdom, the Bestower of every gift. Gregory had frequent meetings with monks of Constantinople and Mount Athos and asked their advice. They, in return cultivated in him a desire for THE ASCETIC AND MONASTIC LIFE. The most renowned spiritual instructor of that time, Theoleptos, a former monk of the Holy Mountain but then Metropolitan of Philadelphia, had introduced Gregory to the activity of "PURE PRAYER" and "HOLY VIGILANCE." Later in life, the holy Gregory would refer to the saintly Theoleptos as one of the chief inspirations of the renewal of hesychasm.

Saint Gregory, taking the advice of spiritual men, decided to leave the court and his classical studies. He then gradually changed his habits and manner of outward life. After he had led a strict life, neither the Emperor’s offers, nor the kindness of his friends, nor the ties of kinship could make him relinquish the ay of the Cross to heaven. In the year 1316 A.D., Gregory, then 20 years old, as the firstborn of his family, had inherited his father’s responsibilities and property. When Gregory finally decided to become a monk, he told his devout mother Kalee about it. At first, she was rather distressed at the idea. Afterward, however, she not only agreed with his intention but also rejoiced in the Lord, and, so, she decided to become a nun. Further, with God’s help, she even persuaded her other children to receive monasticism with her. Hence, she could say with Prophet Isaiah, "Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me" (Isaiah 8:18). Eventually, Gregory’s mother, his two sisters, Epicharis and Theodote, and some handmaidens, entered women’s monasteries in Constantinople. Following the Commandments of the Gospel, Saint Gregory distributed all of his property among the poor. Then, taking along his two brothers, Makarios and Theodosios, he repaired to Mount Athos. The brothers Palamas left Constantinople on foot in the autumn of 1317 A.D.

After they had passed some months on Mount Papikion, Gregory, Makarios, and Theodosios reached the Holy Mountain of Athos at the beginning of spring. All three brothers put themselves under the spiritual direction of the Monk Nikodemos, a gifted spiritual father, who lived not far from Vatopedi. He would later come to be known as the "master of Gregory Palamas." Nikodemos was an experienced HESYCHAST who was formerly a mon of Mount Afxentios, a monastery on the Eastern Shore of the Bosporus, not far from Chalcedon. The Elder (Geronda) Nikodemos laid a good foundation by training the three brothers in spiritual vigilance, uninterrupted prayer, fasting, and sobriety. The goodly Gregory surrendered his will and practised true obedience and unceasing prayer. He set before himself the Mother of God as his protectress and mediatress, calling out to her, "Illuminate my darkness" [cf. Psalm 17:28]. Every hour, he would look to her icon and ask for her alliance and succor, so that he might finish the course of obedience with her leading him by the hand. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

_________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

"REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, IN
EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; FOR THS IS THE WILL
OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

The Holy Fathers of the Church teach that increasing prayer is a proper goal, for spiritual growth comes through such discipline. For centuries, Orthodox Christians have used the "Jesus Prayer" or "Prayer of the heart" as a way to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING FROM THE HEART: "O LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER."

PRAYER is a universal, spiritual phenomenon, the fundamental and inseparable element of every religion and every personal piety. As such, prayer has appeared n the history of mankind with an astonishing multiplicity of forms and expressions that range from the most crude and primitive to the most spiritually sublime. Prayer presupposes FAITH in the reality and the presence of God, and means primarily THAT LIVING AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND THE ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, WHICH IS NOTHING LESS THAN A DIRECT AND REAL SPIRITUAL CONTACT AND PERSONAL CONVERSATION BETWEEN PERSONS, BETWEEN AN "I" AND A "YOU." THE PERSON WHO PRAYS IS THE "I" AND THE GOD Who is addressed in prayer is the "You."

How to Pray

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself teaches us the correct way of praying: "And when you pray, you shall NOT be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But YOU, WHEN YOU PRAY GO INTO YOUR ROOM, AND WHEN YOU HAVE SHUT YOUR DOOR, PRAY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN THE SECRET PLACE AND YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU OPENLY. AND WHEN YOU PRAY, DO NOT USE VAIN REPETITIONS AS THE HEATHEN DO. FOR THEY THINK THAT THEY WILL BE HEARD FOR THEIR MANY WORDS. THEREFORE DO NOT BE LIKE THEM. FOR YOUR FATHER KNOWS THE THINGS YOU HAVE NEED OF BEFORE YOU ASK HIM. IN THIS MANNER, THEREFORE, PRAY:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily
bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into
temptations,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the Kingdom and
the power and the glory
forever. Amen. [Matthew 6:5-13]

Saint John Chrysostomos in his homily On Prayer writes: "Prayer is the beginning of every good thing and the mediator of salvation and eternal life…

"The greatest thing we have to say about prayer is that every praying person converses with God Himself, and this to the extent that, being human, one can speak with God… One cannot adequately express in words this honor. For this honor exceeds even the magnificence of the Angels themselves…A the time of prayer we are forgetful of our human nature, considering ourselves to be in the midst of Angels and carrying out the same worship as they. For all the other things are very different and separated — I mean between us and the Angels — but the work of prayer is common to both Angels and humans.

For what more saintly things can happen to those who converse with God? What more righteous? What more modest and becoming? What more wise? Prayer and supplications fills them with so much wisdom, so much virtue, and understanding, and goodness, and prudence and gracious manners!

It is impossible for man to be able to carry on a divine conversation without the activity of the Holy Spirit, and that is why this activity must be present and associated with the sacred struggle (of prayer). Thus, we are enabled to bend the knees, to petition, and to pray… Therefore, when you are aware that not only are you speaking with God but are also receiving the energy of the Holy Spirit to sanctify the soul, you will not allow the devil any entry whatsoever into your soul, when you begin to pray.

He who IS SUBSERVIENT TO THE PASSIONS IS TRULY CONVERSING WITH THE DEMONS and is desirous of their attractions, while he who is prudent and struggles to be righteous IN IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS AND STRIVES TO ACQUIRE THEIR MAGNIFICENCE.

It seems to me that if one were to say that prayers are like nerves to the soul, he would speak truly. For, I think, that as the nerves hold together the body and enable it to run, to stand, to live and to be firm… in a similar manner THE HOLY PRAYERS MAKE THE SOULS COMPETENT, ABLE TO STAND TOGETHER, AND TO RUN THE RACE OF PIETY WITH GREAT FACILITY.

Should you deprive yourself from prayer, it would be the same as if you removed a fish from the water; for as thes water is life to the fish, so is prayer to you. Through prayer, as if through water, ONE MAY ASCEND AND GO BEYOND THE HEAVENS TO BE IN THE NEARNESS OF GOD.

For who is it that does not know that the light of the sun, the stars and the moon, the temperate seasons, the great variety of foods, wealth, life and a myriad of good things are granted by God similarly to all people, because of His love for mankind, which He has for us? If God then is so Merciful and gives rest each day to those who do not even petition or ask, how many more good things are they likely to enjoy who occupy their whole life in prayers and supplications to God?

In remembering prayer, Saint Paul is the first worthy of mention. Saint Paul was the insatiable worshipper of God, the common father and the ancestor of the seravants of Christ. He, then, the guardian of the ecumene, who saved all the nations through prayer and supplications, is always saying to us: "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:14-17). Do you see THE POWER OF PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION? It makes people to be TEMPLES OF CHRIST… Thus prayer makes temples of God, for he says "that Christ may dwell in your hearts." What greater praise can be said for prayer than to affirm that it creates TEMPLES OF GOD? The One Whom the heavens cannot ontain, MAY ENTER A LIVING SOUL THROUGH PRAYER.

PRAYER IS CAUSE FOR SALVATION, MEDIATION FOR THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AN UNBREAKABLE RAMPART OF THE CHURCH, AN UNSHAKEABLE GAURDIAN, FEARFUL TO THE DEMONS BUT SALUTARY TO THE PIOUS.

When prayer enters into the souls, every other virtue will enter also. For what the foundaion is for the house, THIS IS WHAT PRAYER IS FOR THE SOUL. And it is necessary to have prayer, as a basis and a sort of root implanted first in everyone so that all may be able to also cultivate PRUDENCE, HUMILITY, RIGHTEOUSNESS, CARE FOR THE POOR AND ALL THE COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM AND WITH WHOM GLORY AND DOMINION BE TO THE FATHER TOGETHER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.

Saint Neilos the Ascetic writes on Prayer:

"Do NOT pray for your wills to be done; for they do NOT always agree
with the Will of God. Rather, pray as you have been taught: "Thy Will be
done" in me. And everything ask God that this same will be done. For
He wants what is good and beneficial for your soul, while you do not
always seek this."

Saint John of the Ladder On Sacred and Blessed Prayer,
the Mother of Virtues

"The quality and the grace of prayer which is done, as it should,
with fervent love and desire for God, has so much great power,
that it unites human beings with their Creator and raises their
mind to be inseparably bonded with Him. The energy of such
prayer, moreover, can hold the world together and keep it from
being annihilated by the many sins done each day."

Saint Isaac the Syrian On Prayer

"When man BECOMES HUMBLE, he is at once encircled by the
mercy of God, and it is then that the heart becomes aware of
Divine interventions, and discovers a certain power of faith and
reassurance moving within itself. Again, when man becomes aware
of this Divine help and knows that it is within him and empowers
him, the heart is then directrly filled with joy and faith. It is from this
that man understands prayer to be a refuge of assistance, a source
of salvation and a treasury of reassurance and conviction, a haven
where man finds rescue from the tempatations, a light to those in
darkness, a staff of support for the infirm, a shelter at the time of
temptation, a madicinal help at the height of illness, a shield of
protection during UNSEEN WARFARE, an arrow aimed at demons,,,"

Saint Symeon the New Theologian On the Three Methods of Attention
and Prayer.

"There are three methods of attention and prayer, by which the soul may rise up
and make progress in prayer, or may fall and be lost…

First of all attention must be attached to and inseparable from prayer as the body is
inseparable from the soul, and one cannot stand without the other. Attention must
go ahead to scout out the enemies, and as an avant guard to do battle with sin
and to oppose the evil thoughts that attempt to enter into the soul…

The second method of attention and prayer is thte following: One gathers the mind
within the self, removing it from all sensory things wandering over the vain things of
this world. And at other times, again,, one may with much effort and difficulty become
aware in himself of some passion that may have come to rule over him…

The third method of attention and prayer is truly a marvellous thing but rather difficult
to explain. For those who are not familiar with this method, it is not only difficult to
explain it to them, they also find it virtually incredible to believe, and imagine that there
is no such thing, probably because in these times of ours this method is not found to
be used by many, but rather is rarely used by a few…it is OBEDIENCE TO ONE’S
SPIRITUAL FATHER WHICH MAKES A PERSON FREE FROM MANY CARES BECAUSE
HE HAS PLACED THEM ON THE SHOULDERS OF HIS SPIRITUAL FATHER, AND IS THUS
RELEASED FROM THE ATTACHMENTS OF THIS WORLD…"

Saint Gregory of Sinai on Various Texts On Prayer

"If a man is praying with his lips while his mind is wandering what benefit is this to him?
When one builds up and another pulls down, there is nothing left but useless labors. On
the contrary, as the body works in prayer, the mind is also obligated to do the same,
otherwise one will be found justified in the body, but his heart will be full of anxiety and
impurity…"

Saint Gregory Palamas On Prayer

"The power of prayer lies in nits holy work to bring to perfection the ascent of man to unite
him to God, and thus to be the bond between rational beings with their Creator, especially
when prayer, through fervent contrition, succeeds in transcending those passiones and
thoughts which tend to accompany prayer. For it is impossible for a passionate mind to be
united with God…" [Source: A Prayer Book. An Anthology of Orthodox Prayers]

__________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George