My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,

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

THE APOSTLES’ FAST, JUNE 12-29

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TEACHES HOW WE SHOULD FAST

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a
sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may
appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have
their reward. But you when you fast, ANOINT YOUR HEAD AND
WASH YOUR FACE. SO THAT YOU DO NOT APPEAR TO
MEN TO BE FASTING, BUT TO YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN
SECRET WILL REWARD YOU OPENLY” (Matthew 6:16-18).

The Apostle’s Fast is observed by Orthodox Christians with diligence and piety for their personal edification and as a source of spiritual strength. The Apostles’ Fast is one of two “lesser” fasts Orthodox Christians observe, the other being the “Nativity Fast” which begins on November 15 to December 24th or Christmas Eve.

It is, however, not well known by many of the faithful but is one of the oldest traditions. It is mentioned by Saint Athanasios the Great in the 4th century. There are many other sources that refer to the Apostles’ Fast as well. It commences on the day following the celebration of the Sunday of All Saints’ Day, which falls a week after Pentecost. The fast ends with the feast of Saints Peter and Paul held on June 29th. In more ancient periods the fast was most likely not connected with the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The practice, due to the celebration of the glorious and joyous feast of Pentecost, was rather a time of jubilation for it signified the consecration of the Holy Apostles by the Holy Spirit and the beginning of Christ’s Church on earth. Different traditions prescribed different lengths of the fasting period. For some the duration was for one week, others several weeks, and still others for only one day. For those Churches that adhere to the Old Calendar, the Fast duration can be very long (as long as forty-two days) or as short as eight days, depending upon when the Holy Pascha is celebrated. For Orthodox Churches that follow the New Calendar, there are some years in which there is there is no Apostles’ Fast at all.

Our Holy Orthodox Church encourages all the faithful to practice all fasting seasons for spiritual development and in strengthening their prayer life, their commitment to Christ, and to our Sacred Tradition. The epiphany of the Holy Apostles on that holy day on which God the Holy Spirit descended upon them was a day that transformed them from ordinary fishermen to “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Jesus Christ reveals to His holy Disciples “When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all the Truth…and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13). Orthodox Christians are cleansed of all sin and receive the grace of the Holy Spirit upon their baptism and chrismation and become true members of the body of Christ, the Church. As the Holy Apostles, Orthodox Christians are exhorted to emulate the lives of the Holy Apostles and live from that day on, a life of grace and sanctity.

Observing the fasting periods of the Holy Church, along with prayer, worship, and participation in the Divine Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Church creates a stronger spiritual bond between us and Our Savior Christ. He or she who fasts must not only fast from foods but also from vices such as slander, hate, jealousy, envy, vanity, evil thoughts, evil works, lying, greed, selfishness, pride, lust, lack of repentance for our sins, and the refusal to forgive our enemies, ego, apathy, laziness, murder, cruelty, and hypocrisy. These vices do greater damage to our souls than abstaining from certain foods. On the day of His Final Judgment, God will NOT judge us if we ate meat on Wednesday or Friday or if we kept the forty-day Lent, but on sins committed, our disobedience to His Commandments, our lack of repentance, our unrighteousness, and not showing love, mercy, and compassion to our neighbor and fellow man. God will judge us on how we used the gifts (talents) that He gave to each of us. A talent is a great sum of money and came to designate a special gift or endowment. We are accountable to Him for how we have invested His gift to us. We are stewards of every gift, using each for our own and our neighbor’s salvation. Idleness or indifference is a renunciation of God’s grace, as well as a lack of love for God and humanity. Since people are managers, or stewards of God’s gifts, each of us will give an account of how we used the “abundance” of gifts to us. [see Matthew 25:14-30]

Saint Paul speaking of fasting says, “For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let NOT him who eats despise him who does NOT eat, and let NOT him who does not eat judge him who eats; FOR GOD HAS RECEIVED HIM… He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks, and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks (Romans 14:2-6). A sincere Christian does not ever judge another person. The holy Apostle asks, “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4). Let us not imitate the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

For those who wish to observe the Apostles’ Fast entails abstaining from meat and meat products, but consumption of fish, wine, and olive oil is permitted, however, not on Wednesdays or Fridays.

_____________
“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,

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

WHAT IS TRUTH?

Jesus reveals to us, "When He, the Spirit OF TRUTH, has come, He
will guide you INTO ALL THE TRUTH, for He will not speak of His own
authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you
things to come" (John 16:13).

"Pilate, therefore, said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered,
‘You say rightly that I am a king, for this cause, I was born, and for this
cause, I have come into the world, that I SHOULD BEAR WITNESS TO
THE TRUTH. Everyone WHO IS OF THE TRUTH HEARS MY VOICE.’
Pilate said to him, ‘WHAT IS TRUTH?" (John 18:37038).

"For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His TRUTH ENDURES FOR
ALL GENERATIONS" (Psalm 100:5).

"For the law was given through
Moses, but GRACE AND TRUTH CAME
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST" (John 1:17).

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you
abide in My words, you are My disciples indeed. And you
SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE
YOU FREE. (John 8:31-32).

"Jesus said to them, ‘I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND
THE LIFE" (John 14:6).
+

Just as Christ is the Church so is TRUTH Christ the Person. Pilate asked Him the question "What is Truth?" did not realize that the answer to his question was right in front of him, that is Jesus Christ. He is the Truth, the ultimate, absolute, eternal, and Divine Truth. Our Lord and Savior is THE TRUTH because He is the unique REVELATION OF THE Father, Who is the goal of our journey through life. "The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE" IS INDEED A Person, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is so because of HIS PERFECT UNION WITH His Father (vv, 9, 11). The WAY we reach the Father is forever established through the Son. Jesus Christ is the LIFE, the UNCREATED ETERNAL LIFE manifest in the flesh so that e might have life. While aspects of goodness and truth are found among all people by virtue of their being created IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD, SALVATION COMES THROUGH CHRIST ALONE.

There are NOT many truths. There is ONLY ONE Truth, Jesus Christ. What humanity is looking for, if it is looking for the truth, is right in front of it. The Jews rejected the Messiah Jesus Christ and by doing so they rejected the Truth. We see the same thing taking place in our contemporary world which not only has rejected Christ, the Truth but has deliberately attempted again and again to distort the Truth and deceive humanity. Even Christians are confused among themselves regarding the Truth and who is in possession of it. Because they have abandoned the authentic Church of Christ they have fallen into spiritual corruption distortions, and false interpretations of the Holy Scripture. How else can one explain the formation of 45,000 different denominations or fragments of Christianity in the world? How else can one explain the countless errors and heresies that have resulted due to the lack of guidance? There is only One God, One Church, One Creed, One Baptism, and One Truth in our Christian Faith. There is no unity among Christians because they have lost sight of Jesus Christ Who is the Truth. They lack guidance because they have stopped believing in God the Holy Spirit, Our True Guide, and Comforter. Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ on His REVELATION OF THE DIVINE AND ETERNAL TRUTH.

"The tendency in contemporary cultural society to place ALL confessions on one level is not limited to Christianity; on this same all-equalling level are placed also the non-Christian religions, on the grounds that they all "lead to God," and besides, taken all together, they far surpass the Christian world in the number of members who belong to them.

All of such "uniting" and "equalizing" views indicate a forgetfulness of the principle that there can be many teachings and opinions, but there is only ONE TRUTH. And authentic Christian unity–UNITY IN THE CHURCH–can be based only upon ONENESS OF MIND, and NOT upon differences of mind. The Church is THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH" (1 Timothy 3:15). While the HolyScriptures are the INSPIRED TRUTH of God in human words (2 Timothy 3:15-17), the Church is THE PILLAR AND GROUND of that Truth. Saint Paul, however, exhorts the Christians saying, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times SOME WILL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, GIVING HEED TO DECEIVING SPIRITS AND DOCTRINES OF DEMONS, SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY, HAVING THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE SEARED WITH A HOT IRON" (1 Timothy 4:1-2). We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ created the Church to bring the whole world to Him and for all of mankind to find salvation in Him."

The word ‘Orthodoxy’ is made up of two words, which together mean ‘RIGHT GLORIFICATION’ or ‘RIGHT DOCTRINE.’ ‘Doxa’ has the two meanings of ‘BELIEF’s, the opinion which we have about a subject, and ‘GLORIFICATION.’ Therefore, Orthodoxy means the True, correct faith and the True Glorification of God.

"This combination suggests to us the Truth that a True faith leads to the True Glorification of the Trinitarian God. If the faith about is erroneous, then the glorification of God will be erroneous…The True faith cures man and so guides him to the real worship of God and the True Communion with Him. Therefore, the Trueneess of the faith is seen from the Trueness of the cure of the person. If a faith does not cure man, it is not true…The True faith is God’s Revelation to man and NOT man’s discovery. And indeed God REVEALED THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT HIMSELF AND THE SALVATION OF MAN NOT TO MEN AT RANDOM, BUT TO THE SAINTS, WHO WERE WORTHY OF REEIVING THIS REVELATION, BECAUSE IN REALITY THE REVELATION IS NOT INDEPENDENT OF THE DEIFICATION (THEOSIS) OF MAN AND THE VISION OF GOD." (Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology and the Mind of the Orthodox Church)

__________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in Christ’s Divine Revelation to mankind,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,

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

HERESY IS THE CONSTANT ENEMY OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.

"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as
there will be false teachers among you, WHO SECRETLY BRING IN
DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, EVEN DENYING THE LORD WHO
BROUGHT THEM, AND BRING ON THEMSELVES SWIFT
DESTRUCTION. And as many will follow their destructive ways,
because of whom the way of truth WILL BE BLASPHEMED"
[2 Peter 2:1-2].

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
dissensions, HERESIES, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries,
and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told
you in time past, that those who practice such things will not
inherit the Kingdom of God" [Galatians 5:19-21].

"Beware of FALSE PROPHETS, who come to you in sheep’s
clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15).

DEFINITION OF HERESY

"Following one’s own choice or opinion instead of Divine Truth
PRESERVED BY THE CHURCH, so as to cause division among
Christians. HERESY IS A SYSTEM OF THOUGHT WHICH
CONTRADICTS TRUE DOCTRINE. IT IS FALSE TEACHING,
WHICH ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS (Orthodox Christians) MUST
REJECT" (Orthodox Study Bible, Glossary, page 800)

Our Lord Jesus Christ charges us to "beware" because it is possible to be deceived by those who wear a mask of virtue but are "false prophets" or "wolves," who live corrupt lives". As one can witness today we live in an era of deception, manipulation of the mind, corruption of values, and deliberate lies. The holy Apostle Peter also warns us of "False teachers" who are unholy and communicate HERESY. They are ARROGANT, SENSUAL, AND GREEDY, AND THEY DENY ACCOUNTABILITY IN THEIR LIVES. Isolating themselves from Apostolic doctrine concerning Christ, they hold their own "private interpretations," misconstruing doctrines about the Second Coming and the ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST OVER US. Being deceivers, they teach as though they possess true apostolicity. God’s past judgments indicate what awaits the heretics: He will divide the holy from the unholy in the life to come. We already have the example of the "angels who sinned" (2 Peter 2:4) imprisoned in the lowest part of "hell" (Gk. Tartarus) while awaiting the Final "Judgment" (v. 11) repeats two major sins of heretics: (1) immorality, and (2) disdain for "authority," especially that of Christ.

Our Holy Orthodox Church is the Church of the Holy Spirit, the "Spirit of Truth." It is God the Holy Spirit Who guides, illuminates, inspires, enlivens, nourishes her, protects and retains her purity, and bestows His grace upon the faithful through the Mysteries of the Church and through His presence in all ministries and actions. We pray to the Holy Spirit, "O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Thou are everywhere and fill all things. Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One!" Under His Divine Authority, the Church will never be either destroyed by evil men or in any way corrupted or disfigured by heresy.

Our Holy Orthodox Church’s labor of instructing in the faith has been, in battling against heresies. Historically there were heretics in the ancient Church period who consciously denied or lessened the Divinity of the Son of God. Heresies of this type were numerous and from time to time caused strong disturbances and divisions in the Church. Such, for example, were the following heretics: In the Apostolic Age–the Ebionites, in the 3rd century, Paul of Samosata, but the most dangerous of all the heretics were Arius in the 4th century who taught that the Logos/Word, or Son of God, received the beginning of His existence in time, although before anything else; that He was created by God, although subsequently, God created everything through Him; that He is called the Son of God only because He is the most perfect of all the created spirits, and has a nature which, being different from the Father’s is Divine. This heretical teaching of Arius disturbed the whole Christian world since it drew after it very many people.

"The Ecumenical Councils the Church recognizes as SEVEN IN NUMBER. The Ecumenical Councils FORMULATED PRECISELY AND CONFIRMED A NUMBER OF TEH FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS OF THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH, DEFENDING THE ANCIENT TEACHING OF THE CHURCH AGAINST THE DISTORTIONS OF HERETICS. True Councils are those which express Orthodox Truth–are accepted by the Church’s catholic consciousness; FALSE COUNCILS–those which teach heresy or reject some aspects of the Church’s Holy Tradition–ARE REJECTED by the same catholic consciousness. The Orthodox Church IS THE CHURCH NOT OF "COUNCILS" AS SUCH, BUT ONLY OF THE TRUE COUNCILS, INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH CONFORM TO THE CHURCH’S CATHOLIC CONSCIOUSNESS."

The threat of heresies has never ceased to exist even in the Second Millennium which we find ourselves in. In these years the deviation from Christian Truth, the divisions, schisms, and numerous sects and cults are many more than the Fist Millennium. The Holy Orthodox Church is the ONLY AUTHENTIC CHURCH OF CHRIST AND therefore currently hostile powers from within and without are waging war against her to destroy her. These evil elements, wolves in sheep’s clothing, false prophets, and teachers deny the existence of heresy in the name of tolerance, all-inclusiveness, diversity, equity, and "charity." There are those who refer to it and attempt to convince us that their assemblies are gatherings of "dialogues of charity." The faithful need to be instructed to have discernment and be able to discern TRUTH from FALSEHOOD, TRUTH FROM HERESY. Everyone who truly loves our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ and our Holy Church must remain on alert and remain vigilant because we are living in evil days. The persecution of Christ’s Church continues and so are all the faithful Christians.

It is wise that we listen to Our Lord who exhorts us: "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit but a bad tree bears bad fruit…Therefore by their fruits, you will know them" (Matthew 7:16-20). Trust MUST BE EARNED! Do not be gullible and easily believe or be persuaded by them no matter who they are or their standing in the Church. Remember our Holy Orthodox Church does not have the so-called "infallibility" and ex-Cathedra fiat that the heterodox have. Be aware of those who claim that there is no heresy among those outside the Orthodox Church or that "love" justifies all. True AGAPE (love) comes from above, Divine Love, Perfect, and the purest Love. Divine Love is unconditional, unlike human love which is polluted and conditional. [Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in Christ’s Divine Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,

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

ON THE 9th OF JUNE THE CHURCH COMMEMORATES OUR
HOLY FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS, KYRIL, ARCHBISHOP
OF ALEXANDRIA.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of Saint Kyril of Alexandria. Plagal of Fourth Tone

GUIDE of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, luminary of the
world, God-inspired adornment of hierarchs, O wise Kyril, by thy
teachings thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Intercede
with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion Hymn of Saint Kyril of Alexandria. Fourth Tone.

THOU with the power of Christ Savior’s Divine words didst rend
asunder all the webs of the heresies and didst enrich the Church by
cutting down the tares of profane Nestorius, O our blest Father Kyril;
wherefore, in Christ’s presence now with the choirs of the Angels
thou intercedest fervently with Him to grant forgiveness of failings to
all of us.
+



Saint Kyril (Cyril), the great teacher of the Church, was born in 376 A.D. in Alexandria, the nephew of Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who also instructed the Saint in his youth. Having first spent much time with the monks in Nitria, he later became the successor of his uncle’s throne in 412. In 429 A.D. when Saint Kyril heard tidings of the teachings of the new Patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius, he began attempting through private letters to bring Nestorius to renounce his heretical teachings about the Incarnation; and when the hierarch did not repent, Saint Kyril, together with Pope Celestine of Rome, led the Orthodox opposition to his heresy. Saint Kyril presided over the Third Ecumenical S18thynod of the 200 Holy Fathers in the year 431 A.D., who gathered in Ephesus under Saint Theodosius the Younger. At this Synod, by his most wise words, he put to shame and convicted the heretical doctrine of Nestorius, who, although he was in town, refused to appear before Kyril. Saint Kyril, besides overthrowing the heresy of Nestorius, has left to the Church full commentaries on the Gospels of Luke and John. Having shepherded the Church of Christ for thirty-two years, he reposed in 444 A.D. On the 9th of June, we commemorate Saint Kyril’s asleep in the Lord. On January 18th we commemorate the occasion of the Saint’s restoration to his See in Alexandria after he had suffered a brief exile because of the machinations of the Nestorians.

The Nestorianism heresy

This heresy takes its name from Nestorius, who had been Archbishop of Constantinople. Predecessors of Nestorius in this false and heretical teaching were Diodoros, teacher of the theological school of Antioch, and Theodore, Bishop of Mopsuestia, whose disciple was Nestorius. Thus, this heresy came from the school of Antioch. Theodore of Mupseuestia taught the "contiguity" of the two Natures of Christ, but NOT THEIR UNION FROM THE TIME OF THE CONCEPTION OF THE Logos/Word. These heretics called the Most Holy Virgin Mary "Chistotokos", but NOT "Theotokos" (as having given birth to Christ but NOT to God). The heresy was condemned at the Third Ecumenical Synod.

The heresy created division among the people. Some were against the heresy of Nestorius and turned from him, but others agreed with him and received his impiety. This division was not only confined to Constantinople but spread throughout the empire and touched every class and station of Orthodox Christians, because the Man-worshipping Nestorius and his followers wrote down their heresy in books and disseminated them everywhere, even into the Monastic dwellings in the deserts. This accursed man, who begrudged his own salvation, swept away many others, including clergy, monastics, and lay people. Nestorius perpetuated this crime of rending asunder the fullness of the Church, even as the heretic Arius once cast the unity of the Church of Christ into confusion. Nestorius became the founder of many factions.

Saint Kyril took up the challenge and held the shield before the True Faith. The Saint, indeed a True Shepherd readied himself to drive away the noetic wolf from the fold of the reason-endowed sheep. The Virgin Mary, for Saint Kyril, is the Bridge between God and humanity. She is the loom on which the seamless robe of the union was woven by the Holy Spirit. It is through Her that Christ, Who is both God and Man, (Theanthropos), entered the world without the destruction of Her virginity. "Mary," said Saint Kyril, "is the Spiritual Garden of the Second Adam, the workshop OF THE UNITY OF THE NATURES, the celebration of the saving exchange, the Bridal Chamber in which the Logos/Word espoused the flesh, the Living Natural Bush which the fire of Divine Childbirth did not consume [Exodus 3:2], the real swift cloud which supported corporeally Him Who rides on the Cherubim [Isaiah 19:1], the Most Pure fleece filled with heavenly dew [Judges 6:37-38], from which the Shepherd clothed the sheep."

Saint Kyril also wrote: "Emmanuel, as man, opened the gates of nature; but as God, He did not rupture the barrier of virginity. He came forth from the womb in a manner comparable to the way in which He entered by the faculty of hearing [Luke 1:38]. He entered impassibly. He came forth ineffably, according to the Prophet Ezekiel, who said: ‘Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary that looks eastward, and it was shut. And the Lord said to me, "This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no one shall pass through it; for the Lord God of Israel shall enter by it, and it shall be shut" [Ezekiel 44:1-2]. Here is clear proof of Holy Mary the Theotokos. Let all further disputation cease and let us be illuminated by the teaching of the Holy Scripture, that we may obtain the Kingdom of Heaven in Christ Our Lord, to Whom be glory forever and eve. Amen.

Saint Kyril wrote many Orthodox and soul-benefitting books, but most especially the treasure contained in the work named Glaphyra on the Old Testament. After he cleansed the Church of Christ in those days from heresies, the defender and champion of the Theotokos surrendered his holy soul into the hands of God, on the 9th day of the month of June. Our Lady and Mistress Theotokos was present at the repose of her faithful servant, who diligently contested in defense of her honor. The Thrice-blessed champion of piety emerged as a victor and is now found in the heavens where he rejoices together with the Choirs of the Angels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, and all the Saints from all ages. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,

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

"MANNA" A TYPE OF CHRIST AS "THE BREAD OF LIFE."

"Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I WILL RAIN BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN
FOR YOU; AND THE PEOPLE SHALL GO OUT AND GATHER…Now the
children of Israel called its name MANNA, and it was white like coriander
seed and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey" [Exodus 16:4-31].

In the Old Testament account, God fed the Israelites in the desert by "raining bread out of heaven" and was given the name "Manna" by the "children of Israel", was a type of Christ as the Bread of Life, and the "golden pot" (v. 33) a type of the Mother of God. For Christ became the Bread of Life in her Holy womb for the salvation of the world.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ instituted the Divine Eucharist: "Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; "for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes." And He took BREAD, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My BODY which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:17-19).

In the Old Testament account of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt where the people were slaves and suffering for four hundred years find themselves now under the leadership of Moses in the desert. They ran out of bread and water and were hungry and thirsty. Moses prayed and sought God’s help. "Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread out of heaven…" (v. 4). "Thus Moses said to them, "This is the bread the Lord gives you to eat. This is what the Lord has ordered, ‘Let every man gather it for his family, one omer according to the headcount and number of souls among you. Each one should gather it with those who share your tents" (16:15-16). In the Church, He gives Himself to the Chuch in the Divine Eucharist.

In the Gospel of Saint John 6:51-59, we believe that the Eucharistic significance is indisputable. Jesus’ declaration that He is Himself "Living Bread" which brings us life is intended to reveal the Eucharistic feast. His offering is not for His people only but "for the life of the world." He says, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven, If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." "Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, UNLESS YOU EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YOU HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU. WHOEVER EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD HAS ETERNAL LIFE, AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY" (John 6:53-54).

Christ’s words are clear: To receive Everlasting Life, WE MUST PARTAKE OF HIS ECHARISTIC "FLESH’ AND "BLOOD." Saint John Chrysostom (Homily 47:2) writes we must not understand the Mystery (Sacrament) carnally, that is, according to the laws of physical nature, but SPIRITUALLY, perceiving a true but mystical presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Saint Hilary of Poitiers writes, "What we say concerning the reality of Christ’s nature within us would be foolish and impious were we not taught by His words… There is no room left for doubt about the reality of His flesh and blood, because we have both the witness of His words and our own faith. Thus, when we eat and drink these elements we ARE IN CHRIST AND CHRIST IS IN US" (On the Holy Trinity, Book VIII,14). In John 6:63, we are taught, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life", Jesus says. This reality, however, is a profound mystery of faith and grace. Orthodox Christian theology teaches that in the Divine Eucharist, we partake not simply of the physical/material, BUT OF THE DEIFIED AND GLORIFIED BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST WHICH GIVE RESURRECTION LIFE. To reject Jesus’ teaching on the sacramental eating of His Body and drinking of His Blood is to walk "with Him no more."

The Divine Eucharist brings the members of the Church together, and by bringing them together She realizes what She is: an ECCLESIA, THE GATHERING (ASSEMBLY) OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD (1 Corinthians 11:18). As "members of His Body" (Ephesians 5:30), the faithful come together and become one with Christ. The Didache captures the relationship in the beautiful image of the broken bread which was scattered over the hills and was then gathered together to become one. Jesus Christ gathers us together to FEED US His Sacred Body, that is Himself, and to make us all ONE BODY. He makes us His Body and thus He becomes "ALL IN ALL" (Colossians 3:11). When we receive the Divine Eucharist we are IN FULL COMMUNION WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST.

The Divine Eucharist constitutes the central Mystery of our Christian Faith. All the other Mysteries (Sacraments) and divine services of the Church revolve around the Mystery (Sacrament). Saint Symeon of Thessaloniki calls it, "the perfection of every sacrament and the seal of every mystery." The pre-eminence of this Sacrament lies in the fact that, unlike all other Sacraments, in it "WE RECEIVE [NOT] SUCH GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT AS WE MAY, BUT THE VERY Benefactor Himself." The entire life of an Orthodox Christian REVOLVES AROUND THIS CENTRAL MYSTERY, THE MYSTERY PAR EXCELLENCE, THE Divine Eucharist.

In the Old Testament, during the journey of the Israelites through the desert, the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle in the form of a cloud (Exodus 40:34-35). Similarly, in every Divine Liturgy the Holy Spirit DESCENDS AND FILLS THE HOLY TEMPLE AND THE NEW ISRAEL OF GOD (Galatians 6:16). There, when the cloud covered the tent, not even Moses could enter it; here the Holy Spirit descends so that the faithful may unite themselves with Christ through the energy of the Holy Spirit. We request or supplicate for the Holy Spirit to descend not only upon the Gifts offered but also, and ultimately, upon those who present the Gifts, THE HOLY PEOPLE OF GOD. The ultimate purpose of THE CONSECRATION OF THE Holy Gifts is to give life (i.e. the Lord, Who is Life) [John 14:6] TO THOSE WHO PARTAKE OF THEM IN FAITH AND PURITY.

The bread offered (prosforon) is ordinary bread. Since the earliest of times, the faithful brought bread for the needs of the Priests and of the poor, from which the bread for the Offering was taken. Therefore it was NOT unleavened bread, which was introduced by the Latin West (Catholics) in the 11th century.

"Christ, Who offered Himself without blemish to God through the Eternal Spirit" ( Hebrews 9:14) by the good will of the Father offers Himself to us through the same Spirit. The Holy Spirit prepared the way for the Coming of Christ by "speaking through the Prophets. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ was accomplished through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended upon the Disciples "as of tongues of fire" (Acts 2:3). The change of the Eucharistic elements into the very Body and Blood of Christ is accomplished through the Holy Spirit. Instead of calling upon the Holy Spirit to sanctify the Gifts, God the Father is called upon to send His Holy Spirit, Who remains hidden, acting only through His Uncreated grace.

God the Holy Spirit continues the Divine Mission of Christ in the world, being with us at every holy Mystery, but in a unique way in Holy Communion. Our SACNTIFICATION is accomplished through Him. Without His activity in us, OUR SOULS WOULD BE DEAD. In fact, without the Holy Spirit, we would be unable to perform any worthy deeds. It is the grace of the Holy Spirit that "MAKES US PARTAKE OF, AND COMMUNE WITH GOD." (Saint Symeon the New Theologian) The Holy Spirit is Divine, that is why He SANCTIFIES US AND DEIFIES US (THEOSIS). [Source: The Heavenly Banquet by Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis]

_____________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chyrsostomos
+ + +


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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,

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

PENTECOST: THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Feast.

BLESSED are Thou, O Christ Our God.
Thou sent down the Holy Spirit into the
fishermen, and Thou gave them knowledge
and wisdom in everything and through
them, as in a net Thou caught the whole
world. O Lord Who loves humanity,
Glory to Thee!

From the Pentecostarion.

ON THIS DAY, Monday after Pentecost, we
celebrate the All-Holy, Life-creating, and
Almighty Spirit, God, ONE OF THE HOLY
TRINITY, SAME IN HONOR, ESSENCE,
AND GLORY WITH THE FATHER AND THE
SON.

Ode v.

Experience the fire-breathing dew of the Spirit,
Forgiving and purging your sins and offenses,
All you children of the Church who are illumined.
The grace of the Holy Spirit, as tongues of fire,
Has gone forth today as a new law from Zion.
+

Many names have been given to the Holy Spirit. One of them, which also shows the work which He does in the Church as well as in the lives of people is the Name "COMFORTER". Christ Himself used this word for the Holy Spirit when He said to His Disciples shortly before His Passion: "I will as the Father, and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever — the Spirit of Truth" (John 14:16-17). And a little further on, the Holy Spirit is characterized by Christ as the "PARAKLETOS" ("Paraclete"), the Comforter Who will teach the Disciples and will remind them of everything He has said during His life. "But the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:25). Having the assurance that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, we pray to Him: "HEAVENLY KING, COMFORTER, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH."

God the Holy Spirit comforts the person who is struggling against sin, trying to keep Christ’s commandments in his life. This struggle is hard because THE FIGHT IS AGAINST THE EVIL SPIRITS. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is a comforter or One Who consoles men, as Saint John Chrysostom says. It is a mark of God that He consoles men, so God is characterized by the same term as the Holy Spirit.

The phrase "other Paraclete" means that Christ and the Holy Spirit are different Hypostases, but they have a COMMON NATURE, ESSENCE, AND ENERGY. Saint Gregory the Theologian, interpreting the phrase "other Paraclete", says that this constitutes and characterizes the ‘CO-LORDSHIP" and CONSUBSTANTIALITY OF THE TWO HYPOSTASES. The fact that Christ says that He will send ‘another Comforter’ means that He too is a Comforter.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CONSUBSTANTIAL WITH THE SON AND THE FATHER BECAUSE ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY HAVE A COMMON ESSENCE OR NATURE, AND A COMMON ENERGY OR INTENTION GLORY. This is why wherever Christ is, THERE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT, and wherever the Holy Spirit is, THERE IS CHRIST…Saint Maximos the Confessor says that the Holy Spirt IS ACTIVE IN ALL PEOPLE, but in a different way in each one. He works in all people without exception, since they are CREATED BY GOD, Who is able to hold together, provide for, and set in motion the natural seeds. In those people who are in the period of the law, He points to transgressions of the Commandments and shows light on Christ’s promise. In those who are living by Christ the Holy Spirit works to make them sons, since they become sons by the energy of the Holy Spirit. And in the deified (theosis), those who have made themselves worthy of citizenship in God and the indwelling of Divine power, it works as creative wisdom. Thus the Holy Spirit is active in all, but differently in each, according to their spiritual condition.

Saint Basil the Great says that the Holy Spirit came to the NOUS of the Prophets and they prophesied the good things to come. A characteristic example is the case of Saint John the Forerunner, who was filled with the Holy Spirit that the imitation of the age to come is received in his mother’s womb while he was an embryo of six months, and as Saint Gregory Palamas says, it is by the Holy Spirit that initiation of the age to come is received in his mother’s womb and makes theology about Christ. And indeed as we saw in the feast of the Meeting, it was by the Holy Spirit that Symeon the Righteous recognized the Christ.

Therefore the Holy Spirit is active in the Old Testament as well, differently from the way it acts in the New Testament, in the Church. For, as we said before, in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit pointed out to the Prophets the transgression of the Commandments and revealed the Coming of Christ, while in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit makes men sons of God and members of the Body of Christ and guides them to deification (theosis).

The dogma of the Three Persons indicates even more clearly for us the closeness of God to the world: God ABOVE US, God WITH US, God IN US, and in all creation.

ABOVE us is God the Father, the Ever-flowing Source, as it is expressed in the Church’s prayer, the Foundation of all being, the Father of mercies Who loves and cares for us, His creation–FOR WE ARE HIS CHILDREN BY GRACE.

WITH us is God the Son, Begotten by Him, Who for the sake of Divine Love has manifested Himself to men as Man so that we might know and see with our own eyes that God is with us most intimately, partakes of flesh and blood with us (Hebrews 2:14) in the most perfect way.

IN us and in all creation–by His Power and Grace–is the Holy Spirit, Who fills all things, is the Giver of Life, Life-Creator, Comforter, Treasury and Soucrce of good things. Having an eternal and Pre-eternal existence, the Three Divine Persons were MANIFESTED to the world with the Cominng and Incarnation of the Son of God, being "ONE POWER, ONE ESSENCE, ONE GODHEAD" (Stichera for Pentecost, Glory on "Lord, I have cried").

The Divinity Revealed Teaching
of the Holy Trinity in the New Testament

The Trinity of Persons in God was revealed in the New Testament in the Coming of the Son of God and in the sending down of the Holy Spirit. The sending to earth of God the Logos/Word and the Holy Spirit by the Father constitutes the content of all the New Testament writings. Of course, this manifestation to the world of the Triune God is given here not in a dogmatic formula, but in an account of the manifestation and deeds of the Persons of the Holy Trinity.
The manifestation of God in Trinity was accomplished at the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is why this Baptism itself is called the "THEOPHANY" or "MANIFESTATION OF GOD." The Son of God, having become man, accepted baptism by water; the Father testified of Him; and the Holy Spirit confirmed the Truth spoken by the voice of God by His manifestation in the form of a dove, as is expressed in the Troparion of this feast: "When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee the beloved Son; and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed His word as sure and steadfast. O Christ our God Who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee."

The Truth of the Holy Trinity has been confessed by the Church of Christ in all of its fullness and completeness from the very beginning. For example, Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, a disciple of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, who was himself instructed by the Apostle John the Theologian, speaks clearly of the universality of faith in the Holy Trinity…Defending the catholic truth of the Holy Trinity against heretics, the Holy Fathers not only cited as proof the witness of Holy Scripture, as well as rational philosophical grounds for the refutation of heretical opinions, but they also relied upon the testimony of the first Christians…There are likewise many testimonies from the ancient Holy Fathers and Teachers of the Church concerning the fact that the Church from the first days of her exisence has peformed baptism IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AS THREE Divine Persons, and has accused the heretics who tried to perform baptism either in the name of the Father alone, considering the Son and the Holy Spirit to be lower powers, or in the name of the Father and the Son, and even of the Son alone, thus belittling the Holy Spirit . The Church, however, has experienced great disturbances and undergone a great battle in the defense of the dogma of the Holy Trinity and has always triumphed. [Sources: The Feasts of the Lord, The Homilies, and Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

"The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the Love of God and Father, and
the Communion of the Holy Spirit be
with all of you." (Divine Liturgy)
_______________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +
With sincere agape in His Divine Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,

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

HOMILY TWENTY-FOUR ON PENTECOST

By Saint Gregory Palamas

Midnight Office
Idiomela of the
Lity. Idiomelon, Mode 2.
In the Prophets Thou announced to us the way of salvation; and
now the grace of Thy Spirit has shined in Thy Apostles, our Savior.
Thou are God, the first and the last; and to the ages, Thou are
our God.

In Thine courts, O Lord, we the faithful bend the knee of soul
and body, and we extol Thee, the unoriginate Father, and the
Son Who is also without beginning, and the Co-Eternal and
All-Holy Spirit, which illumines and sanctifies our souls.

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 4.

LORD, when Thou sent down Thy Spirit to the Apostles as they
were sitting, the descendants of the Hebrews who witnessed it were
bewildered and amazed; for they heard them speaking in other
tongues and foreign languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Previously simple men, they were made wise; and with captivating
speech, they told the mighty works of God, as they captured the
Gentiles alive for the Faith. And we, for our part, now sing to Thee,
"O Lord, Thou appeared on earth and Thou saved us from
delusion. Glory to Thee!
+

Those miracles accomplished by the Lord in the flesh, which bore witness that He was God’s Only-begotten Son in His Own Person, UNITED WITH US IN THE LAST DAYS, CAME TO AN END. On the other hand, those Wonders (Miracles) began which proclaimed the Holy Spirit as a Divine Person in His Own right, THAT WE MIGHT COME TO KNOW AND CONTEMPLATE THE GREAT AND VENERABLE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY TRINITY. The Holy Spirit had been active BEFORE: IT WAS He Who spoke through the Prophets and proclaimed things to come. Later He worked through the Disciples to drive out demons and heal diseases. But now He was manifested to all in His Own Person THROUGH THE TONGUES OF FIRE, AND BY SITTING ENTHRONED AS LORD UPON EACH OF CHRIST’S DISCIPLES, HE MADE THEM INSTRUMENTS OF HIS POWER.

Why did He appear in the form of tongues? It was to demonstrate that He shared the same nature as the Logos/Word of God, for there is no relationship closer than that between word and tongue. It was also because of teaching since teaching Christ’s gospel needs A TONGUE (LANGUAGE) FULL OF GRACE. But why fiery tongues? Not just because the Spirit IS CONSUBSTANTIAL WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON — AND OUR GOD IS FIRE (cf. Hebrews 12:29), A FIRE CONSUMING WICKEDNESS — BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE TWOFOLD ENERGY OF THE APOSTLE’S PREACHING, WHICH CAN BRING BOTH BENEFIT AND PUNISHMENT. As it is the property of fire to illuminate and burn, SO CHRIST’S TEACHING ENLIGHTENS THOSE WHO OBEY BUT FINALLY HANDS OVER THE DISOBEDIENT TO ETERNAL FIRE AND PUNISHMENT. The text says, "TONGUES LIKE FIRE" not "tongues of fire", that no one might imagine it was ordinary physical fire, but THAT WE MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT USING FIRE AS AN EXAMPLE. Why did the tongues appear to be divided among them? Because the Spirit IS GIVEN BY MEASURE BY THE FATHER TO ALL EXCEPT CHRIST (John 3:34), Who Himself came from above. He, even in the flesh, POSSESSED THE FULLNESS OF DIVINE POWER AND ENERGY WHEREAS THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY PARTIALLY, NOT FULLY CONTAINED WITHIN ANYONE ELSE. Each one obtained different gifts, lest anyone should suppose the grace given to the saints by the Holy Spirit was theirs by nature.

The fact that the Divine Spirit sat upon them IS PROOF NOT JUST OF HIS LORDLY DIGNITY, BUT OF HIS UNITY. He sat, it says, "UPON EACH OF THEM. AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT" (Acts 2:3-4). For although divided in His various powers and energies, IN EACH OF HIS WORKS THE HOLY SPIRIT IS WHOLLY PRESENT AND ACTIVE, UNDIVIDEDLY DIVIDED, PARTAKEN OF WHILE REMAINING COMPLETE, LIKE THE SUN’S RAY. They spoke with other tongues, other languages, TO PEOPLE FROM EVERY NATION, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE. They became INSTRUMENTS OF THE Divine Spirit, INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED ACCORDING TO His WILL and POWER. Anything taken hold of by somebody outside itself sharing in the energy but not the essence of the one acting through it, IS HIS INSTRUMENT. As David declared through the Holy Spirit, "My tongue is the pen of a ready writer" (Psalm 45:1). The pen is the writer’s instrument, sharing energy, though obviously NOT THE ESSENCE, of the writer, and inscribing whatever he wishes and is able to write…

"…The promise WAS NOW FULFILLED and the Holy Spirit, given and sent BY BOTH THE Father and the Son, DESCENDED. He shone round about the holy Disciples and with Divine power KINDLED THEM ALL LIKE LAMPS OR, RATHER, HE REVEALED THEM AS HEAVENLY LIGHTS SET ABOVE THE WHOLE WORLD, WHO HAD THE WORD OF ETERNAL LIFE, AND THROUGH THEM HE ILLUMINED ALL THE EARTH. If from a burning lamp, someone lights another, then another from that one, and on in succession, he has light continuously. In the same way through the Apostles ordaining their successors, and these successors ordaining others, and so on, THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS HANDED DOWN THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS AND ENLIGHTENS ALL WHO OBEY THEIR SPIRITUAL SHEPHERDS AND TEACHERS.

"Christ had Ascended bodily into heaven, so if He had not sent His Holy Spirit to accompany and strengthen His Disciples and their successors in following generations who taught the gospel of grace, He would not have been preached TO ALL NATIONS, nor WOULD THE PROCLAMATION HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN TO US. That is why the Lord, in His All-surpassing love for mankind, showed at Pentecost that His Disciples WERE PARTAKERS, FATHERS AND MIMNISTERS OF EVERLASTING LIGHT AND LIFE, WHO BRING US TO NEW BIRTH FOR ETERNAL LIFE AND MAKE THOSE WHO ARE WORTHY CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT AND FATHERS OF ENLIGHTENMENT… The Holy Spirit ALWAYS EXISTED AND WAS WITH THE SON in the Father. How could the Father and Divine Mind be without beginning if the Son and Logos/Word were not also without beginning? How could there be a Pre-Eternal Spirit? Thus the Holy Spirit ever was and is and will be, Co-Creator with the Father and the Son, together with them renewing that which has suffered corruption, and sustaining the things that endure. He is everywhere present and fills, directs and oversees everything. "Whither shall I go from thy spirit", says the Psalmist to God, "Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" (Psalm 139:7).

(/To be continued)

__________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +


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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

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

HOLY AND DIVINE PENTECOST: ON HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS MANIFESTED
By Saint Gregory Palamas

+In the Name of the Father and of the Son and

of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory to Thee, Our God, Glory to Thee!

OUR PRAYER TO GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,
Thou are everywhere and fill all things.

Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life: come
and abide in us, and cleanse us from every
impurity, and save our souls, O Good One!

OUR PRAYER TO GOD THE HOLY TRINITY [Trisagion Prayers]

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three Times).

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our
sins. O Mater, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal
our infirmities, for Your Name’s sake.

Kyrie eleison. (Three Times).

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of
ages. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer [Kyriake Prosefchi]
2:28
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy 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 lead us not into temptation,
but delivers us from the evil one.

For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

+



A SHORT WHILE AGO, with the strong eyes of faith, we beheld Christ Ascending, no less clearly than those accounted worthy to be eye-witnesses. Nor are we less favored than they. "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed", says the Lord (John 20:29), referring to those who have found assurance through hearing, and see by faith. Recently we saw Christ lifted up from the ground bodily (Acts 1:9). Now, through the Holy Spirit sent by Him to His Disciples, we see how far Christ Ascended and in what dignity. He carried up the nature He ASSUMED FROM US. Clearly, He went up as high as the place from which the Spirit sent by Him DESCENDED. He Who spoke through the Prophet Joel showed us whence the Spirit comes, saying, "I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH" (Joel 2:28), and to Him, David addressed the words, "THOU SENDEST FORTH THY SPIRIT, THEY ARE CREATED: AND THOU RENEWEST THE FACE OF THE EARTH" (Psalm 104:30). It follows that at His Ascension Christ went up to the Father on High, as far as His Fatherly bosom, from which comes the Spirit. Having been shown, even in His human form, to share the Father’s Glory, Christ now SENT FORTH THE Spirit Who COMES FROM THE FATHER and IS SENT BY HIM FROM HEAVEN. But when we hear that the Spirit was sent by the Father and the Son, this does NOT mean that the Spirit has no part IN THEIR GREATNESS, for He IS NOT JUST SENT, but also Himself SENDS AND CONSENTS TO BE SENT.

This is clearly shown by Christ’s words spoken through the Prophet, "Mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth and stretched out the heavens, and now the Lord God, and His Spirit, hath sent me" (cf. Isaiah 48:13-16). Again, speaking through the same Prophet He says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek" (Isaiah 61:1). The Holy Spirit IS NOT JUST SENT, but HIMSELF SENDS THE SON, WHO IS SENT BY THE FATHER, HE IS THEREFORE SHOWN TO BE THE SAME AS THE FATHER AND THE SON IN NATURE, POWER, OPERATION, AND HONOR. By the good pleasure of the Father and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, the Only-begotten Son of God, on account of the boundless ocean of Divine Love for mankind, bowed the heavens and came down (Psalm 18:9). He APPEARED ON EARTH AFTER OU FASHION, LIVED AMONG US, AND DID AND TAUGHT GREAT, WONDERFUL AND SUBLIME THINGS TRULY WORTHY OF GOD, WHICH LED THOSE WHO OBEYED HIM TOWARD DEIFICATION (THEOSIS) AND SALVATION (SOTERIA).

After WILLINGLY SUFFERING FOR OUR SALVATION, being buried and Rising on the Third Day, He Ascended into Heaven and sat down on the Right Hand of the Father whence He co-operated IN THE DESCENT OF THE DIVINE SPIRIT UPON HIS DISCIPLES BY SENDING DOWN TOGETHER WITH THE FATHER THE POWER FORM ON HIGH, AS Both had promised (cf. Luke 24:49). Having sat down in the heavens, He seems to call to us from there, "IF ANYONE WANTS TO APPROACH THIS GLORY, BECOME A PARTAKER OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BE CALLED A SON OF GOD AND FIND ETERNAL LIFE, INEXPRESSIBLE HONOR, PURE JOY AND NEVER-ENDING RICHES, let him heed My Commandments and IMITATE AS FAR AS HE CAN My OWN WAY OF LIFE. Let him follow My actions and teachings when I came to the world in the flesh TO ESTABLISH SAVING LAWS AND OFFER Myself as A PATTERN. Tryly the Savior confirmed the Gospel teaching by His DEEDS AND MIRACLES, ANF FULFILLED IT THROUGH HIS SUFFERINGS. He proved how BENEFICIAL IT WAS FOR SALVATION BY His RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD, His Ascension into heaven, and now BY THE DESCENT OF THE Divine Spirit upon His Disciples, the event we celebrate today (Pentecost). After RISING FROM THE DEAD and appearing to His Disciples, He said as He was taken up into heaven, "BEHOLD, IS SEND THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER UPON YOU: BUT TARRY YE IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH" (Luke 24:49). "For ye shall RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS COME UPON YOU AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME BOTH IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDAEA, AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH" (cf. Acts 1:8).

When THE FIFTIETH DAY AFTER THE RESURRECTION HAD COME, the day we now commemorate, al the Disciples were gathered with one accord in the Upper Room, each having also gathered together his thoughts (for they were devoting themselves intently to prayer and hymns to God). "And suddenly", says Luke the Evangelist, "there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting" (Acts 2:1-11). This is the sound that the Prophetess Hannah foretold when she received the promise concerning Samuel: "The Lord went up to heaven and thundered, and shall give strength and exalt the horn of his anointed" (cf. 1 Samuel 2:10)… You might also find a reference to it in Christ’s gospel. According to John the Theologian and Evangelist, "In the last day, the great day of the feast", that is to say Pentecost, "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink… This spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive" (John 7:37-39). Again, after His Resurrection, He breathed o His Disciples and said, "RECEIVE YE THE HOLY SPIRIT" (John 20:22).

That cry of Christ PREFIGURED THIS SOUND, AND His teaching upon the Disciples FORETOLD THE BREATH, WHICH IS NOW POURED DOWN ABUNDANTLY FROM ABOVE AND RESOUNDS WITH A GREAT VOICE HEARD FAR AND WIDE, SUMMONING EVERYTHING UNDER HEAVEN, POURING GRACE OVER ALL WHO APPROACH WITH FAITH AND FILLING THEM WITH IT. IT IS FORCEFUL IN THAT IT IS ALL-CONQUERING, STORMS THE RAMPARTS OF EVIL, AND DESTROYS ALL THE ENEMY’S CITIES AND STRONGHOLDS. IF BRINGS LOW THE PROUD AND LIFTS UP THE HUMBLE IN HEART, BINDS WHAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LOOSED, BREAKS THE BONDS OF SINS, AND UNDOES WHAT IS HELD FAST. IT FILLED THE HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE SITTING, MAKING IT A SPIRITUAL FONT, AND ACCOMPLISHING THE PROMISE WHICIH THE SAVIOR MADE THEM WHEN HE ASCENDED, SAYING, "For John truly baptized with water; but YE SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT NOT MANY DAYS HENCE" (Acts 1:5). Even the name which He gave them proved to be true, for through this noise from heaven the Apostles actually became sons of Thunder (cf. Mark 3:17). "And there appeared unto them", it says, "CLOVEN TONGUES LIKE AS OF FIRE, AND IT SAT UPON EACH OF THEM. AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERNANCE" (Acts 2:3-4). [Source:  The Homilies]

(To be continued)

_____________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +
With sincere agape in His Divine Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ our True Lord, God, and Savior,

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

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY AND GREAT PENTECOST (Part II)

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Feast. Mode pl. 4.

BLESSED are Thou, O Christ our God. Thou sent down the Holy
Spirit into the fishermen and Thou gave them knowledge and
wisdom in everything; and through them, as in a net, Thou caught
the whole world. O Lord Who loves humanity, glory to Thee!

Kontakion Hymn. Mode pl. 4.

WHEN the Most High God came down and confused the
tongues, He divided the nations. When He distributed the
tongues of fire, He called all to unity. And with one voice
we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.
+

Orthros (Matins) of Feast.

Kathisma 1. Mode 4.

Let us celebrate with joy this final post-festal feast, O believers;
for it is the feast of Pentecost today and the fulfillment of the
promise and the appointed time. For on this day the fire of the
Paraclete descended to the earth immediately, as in the form of
tongues, and illumined the Disciples and made them initiates of
heaven. The Holy Light of the Holy Spirit has appeared and
illumined the world.

Kathisma II. Mode 4.

When the well-being of the grace of the Divine Spirit came down
to those upon the earth and into fire-bearing streams parted
noetically, it refreshed the Apostles and led them to the Light.
The fire became for them a dewy cloud and rainy flame illuminating
them.

And we in turn through them received Divine grace by means of
fire and water. The Holy Light of the Holy Spirit has appeared and
illumined the world.
+

HOMILY ON THE HOLY FEAST OF PENTECOST
By Saint and Venerable Bede

Since we are celebrating the feast of Pentecost, dearly beloved brothers and sisters, the coming of the Holy Spirit, we ought ourselves to live in accord with the solemnity that we are honoring. Indeed we only worthily celebrate the joys of this festival if, with God’s assistance, we render ourselves conformable to those to whom the Holy Spirit deigned to come and in whom he deigned to dwell. We ourselves are only suited to the coming and illumination of the Holy Spirit for this reason, that our hearts are filled with Divine love, and our bodies are dedicated to the Lord’s commands. Hence Truth says to his Disciples at the commencement of this gospel reading, "If you love me, keep My commandments, and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete." Paraclete means ‘CONSOLER.’ The Holy Spirit is correctly called a Paraclete because, by producing a desire for the heavenly life, He raises up and restores the hearts of believers lest they falter amidst the adversities of this age. Hence, as Holy Church increased, it was said in the Acts of the Apostles, "And it was being built up, walking in the fear of the Lord, and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:31).

[The words], "if you love Me, keep My commandments, and I will ask the Father and He will give you another Paraclete," were brought to fulfillment in the Disciples themselves. They were proven truly to have loved him, truly t hae obeyed His commandments, on that day when all at once the Holy Spirit appeared to them in [tongues of] fire as they were praying in the Upper Room, and taught them, [putting] in their mouths a diversity of languages (Acts 2:1-4) and made them strong in heart with the consolation of His love. Earlier, however, they possessed the Paraclete Himself, namely our Lord sojourning with them in the flesh. By the sweetness of His miracles and the wealth of His preaching they were wont to be raised up and strengthened, so that they could not be scandalized at persecution by unbelievers. But since by Ascending into Heaven after His Resurrection He had deserted them bodily, although the presence of His Divine Majesty was never absent from them, He rightly added concerning this Paraclete, that is, the Holy Spirit: "TO ABIDE WITH YOU FOREVER." He abides Eternally with the saints, always illuminating them inwardly and invisibly in this life, and introducing them to the Everlasting Contemplation of the sight of His Majesty in the future.

If we too, dearly beloved brethren, love Christ perfectly in such a way that we prove the genuineness of this love by our observance of His commandments, He will ask the Father on our behalf, and the Father will give us another Paraclete. He will ask the Father through His humanity, and will give [us another Paraclete] with the Father through His Divinity. We must not suppose that it was only before His Passion that He was asking on behalf of the Church, and that now, after His Ascension, He is not also asking, since the Apostle says concerning Him, "Who is at the right hand of God, Who also intercedes for us" (Romans 8:34).

We also have as our Paraclete our Lord Jesus Christ. Although we are unable to see Him bodily, we recollect what He did and taught in the body, as written down in the gospels. If we commit ourselves with all care to hearing, reading, conferring with one another, and PRESERVING THESE [DEEDS AND TEACHINGS] IN HEART AND BODY, IT IS SURE THAT WE WILL EASILY OVERCOME THE HARDSHIPS OF THIS AGE–AS IF THE LORD WERE SOJOURNING WITH US FOREVER AN CONSOLING US. If we love this Paraclete and keep His commandments, He will ask the Father, and He will give us another Paraclete–that is, He will in His clemency pour forth the grace of His Spirit into our hearts, and it will gladden us in the expectation of our heavenly homeland in the midst of the adversities of our present exile. Then we will be able to say with the Prophet, "According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart," your parclesis, that is, "YOUR CONSOLATION, O LORD, HAE GLADDENED MY SOUL" [Psalm 94:19 (93:19}.