My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead,
how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the
dead? But IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD,
THEN CHRIST IS NOT RISEN. And if Christ is not risen, then
OUR PREACHING IS ALSO EMPTY. Yes, and we are found false
witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He
RAISED UP CHRIST, WHOM HE DID NOT RAISE UP–IF IN FACT
THE DEAD DO NOT RISE. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ
has not risen. And if Christ is not risen, YOUR FAITH IS FUTILE;
YOU ARE STILL IN YOUR SINS! Then also those who have
fallen alseep in Christ have perished. In in this life only we have
hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ
IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND HAS BECOME THE FIRST-FRUITS
OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP. For since by man came
death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in
Adam all die, EVEN SO IN CHRIST ALL SHALL BE MADE ALIVE."
[1 Corinthians 15:12-22]

What is Christianity without THE RESURRECTION–both Christ’s and ours? His death does us no good without it. What use is forgiveness if we remain dead? His Disciples were TRANSFORMED by His RESURRECTION; and this they preached above all. On All-Holy Pascha morning Orthodox Christians chant, "CHRIST IS RISEN FROM DEAD, TRAMPLING DOWN DEATH BY DEATH, AND UPON THOSE IN THE TOMBS BESTOWING LIFE." As "the firstfruits" in the Old Testament were consecrated to God representative of the promise of later fruits [Exodus 23:16], so the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead IS THE FIRST OFFERING OF THE RESURRECTION OF ALL WHO ARE His. "But each one in his own order Christ: Christ THE FIRSTFRUITS, afterward those who are Christ’s coming" (1 Corinthians 15:23).

The RESURRECTION OF THE LORD is the RENEWAL OF HUMAN NATURE, AND THE RENEWAL, RE-CREATION AND RETURN TO IMMORTALITY OF THE FIRST ADAM WHO WAS SWALLOWED UP BY DEATH BECAUSE OF SIN, AND THROUGH DEATH WENT BACK TO THE EARTH FROM WHICH HE WAS FORMED. In the beginning, nobody saw Adam being made and brought to life, for no one existed yet at that time. However, once he had received THE BREATH OF LIFE BREATHED INTO HIM BY GOD (Genesis 2:7), a woman was the first to see him, for Eve WAS THE FIRST HUMAN BEING AFTER HIM. In that same way no one saw the Second Adam, THAT IS THE LORD, RISING FROM THE DEAD, SINCE NONE OF HIS DISCIPLES WERE PRESENT AND THE SOLDIERS KEEPING THE TOMB HAD BEEN SHAKEN WITH FEAR AND BECAME LIKE DEAD MEN. But after the RESURRECTION it was a woman who saw Him first of all, as we hear in Saint Mark’s Gospel, "Now when Jesus", it says, "was risen early THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, He APPEARED FIRST TO Mary Magdalene" (Mark 16:9).

The very preaching of the holy Apostles, is, in its essence, THE PREACHING OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. It is clear that in the mystery of REDEMPTION, "the Cross and Resurrection of the Lord ARE INSEPARABLE." in the consciousness of the Church this Truth is expressed in full measure in the Paschal hymns, which confess THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST not only for the personal salvation of the Christian but also in the FINAL, COMPLETE JUSTIFICATION OF THE WORLD: "Passover of incorruption, salvation of the world" [Exapostelarion hymn of Pascha]. "By the Cross" has been accomplished the cleansing of the sins of the world, THE RECONCILIATION WITH GOD; "BY THE RESURRECTION NEW LIFE " HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO THE WORLD.

The TOTALITY of the consequence of the Cross and Resurrection are usually expressed by the holy Apostles, and therefore in theological terminology also, by the single concept of "REDEMPTION," which literally signifies a "RANSOM," an offering of payment. Saint John Damascene explains how Christ offered Himself AS A RANSOM FOR US WHEN He died on the Cross: "Since our Lord Jesus Christ was WITHOUT SIN (for He committed no sin, He Who took away the sin of the world, nor was any deceit found in his mouth" (cf. Isaah 53:9; John 1:29), He WAS NOT SUBJECT TO DEATH, SINCE DEATH CAME INTO THE WORLD THROUGH SIN" (Romans 5:12). He dies, therefore, because He took on HImself death ON OUR BEHALF, AND HE MAKES HIMSELF AN OFFERING TO THE FATHER FOR OUR SAKES."

The RESURRACTION OF CHRIST IS "THE FOUNDATION AND TEH CROWN OF OUR Orthodox Christian faith." The Resurrection of Christ is the first, most important, great Truth, with the proclamation of which the holy Apostles began their preaching of the Gospel after the DESCENT of the Holy Spirit. Just as by the death of Christ on the Cross our Redemption was accomplished, so by His Resurrection "ETERNAL LIFE WAS GIVEN TO US." Therefore, the Resurrection of Christ is the object of the Church constant TRIUMPH, ITS UNCEASING REJOICING, WHICH IS THE SUMMIT IN THE Feast of the Holy Christian Pascha–"Today all creation is glad and rejoices, for Christ has risen!" (Canon of Pascha, Canticle 9).

The Saving Fruits of the Resurrection of Christ are:

(a) the VICTORY OVER HELL AND DEATH; (b) the Blessedness of the Saints in heaven and the beginning of the existence of the Heavenly Church ("Church Triumphant"); and (c) the SENDING DOWN of the Holy Spirit and the creation of the Church of Christ on earth. The Resurrection of Christ IS THE PLEDGE OF OUR RESURRECTION: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive; but every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits: afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming" (I Corinthians 15:22-23). After this, DEATH WILL BE UTTERLY ANNIHILATED. "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:26).

Speaking of Christ’s Resurrection, Saint John Damascene writes that "Through His (RISEN) BODY, the Lord has granted the resurrection and concequent incorruptibility to our body, also. Himself becoming the firstfruits of the resurrection and incorruptibility and impassibility." According to Saint Nicholas Cabasilas, death was the last barrier separating man from God, and that Christ broke down this barrier through His Resurrection. Saint Gregory Palamas writes: "By means of the one death and Resurrection of His flesh, He HEALED OUR TWOFOLD DEATH (i.e., SPIRITUAL AND BODILY) and freed us from our double captivity of SOUL and BODY" (Homilies, vol. 1, p.196). [Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

(To be continued)

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

With sincere agape in His Glorious Resurrection,
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.

2nd Plagal Tone

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

"The Great Moses mystically foreshadowed this day, saying: And God
blessed the Seventh Day. This is the Blessed Sabbath; it is the day of
rest, and on it the Only-Begotten Son of God rested from all His works.
And through the dispensation of Death in the flesh He rested. On this
day He returned again through the Resurrection, and as a Righteous
and Merciful Lord bestowed on us, Eternal Life." (Holy Saturday
Morning)

In His wisdom, power, and love for mankind, God knew how to transform incomparably for the better the falls resulting from our self-willed waywardness. If the Son HAD NOT COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN we should have no hope of going up to Heaven. If He had not become incarnate, suffered in the flesh, risen, and ascended for our sake, we should not have known God’s SURPASSING LOVE FOR US. If He had not taken flesh and endured the Passion while we were still ungodly, we should not have desisted from the pride which so often lifts us up and drags us down. Now that we have been exalted without contributing anything, we stay humble, and as we regard with understanding the Greatness of God’s promise and Benevolence we grow in humility; FROM WHICH COMES SALVATION.

The Son of God became man TO SHOW TO WHAT HEIGHTS HE WOULD LEAD US, that we might not be conceited as if we had reversed that defeat by our own efforts. Being twofold in name, He could truly be a Mediator, joining each of the two to the other. He LOOSED THE BOND OF SIN AND CLEANSED THE STAIN THAT COMES OF BEING JOINED WITH FLESH. He showed God’s agape (love) for us and demonstrated that we had sunk so deeply into evil as to make it necessary for God to become flesh. In His flesh and His sufferings, He BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO US OF HUMILITY AND A HEALING REMEDY FOR PRIDE. He made it clear that God CREATED OUR NATURE GOOD. He became THE AUTHOR AND GUARANTOR OF HTE RESURRECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE, DELIVERING US FROM DESPAIR. By becoming the Son of man and sharing OUR MORTALITY, He made men SONS OF GOD AND PARTAKERS OF DIVINE IMMORTALITY. Human nature was shown to have been created IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, UNLIKE THE REST OF CREATION, AND THIS KINSHIP WITH GOD WAS SUCH THAT HUMAN NATURE COULD BE JOINED TO HIM IN ONE PERSON. He honored this moral flesh so that the proud spirits should not consider themselves, or be considered, favored above mankind or as deified because of being without bodies and apparently immortal. He UNITED MEN AND GOD, who were by nature separate, becoming a Mediator through His twofold nature. What more can be said? If the Logos/Word of God had not been made flesh, the Father WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE TRULY FATHER, NOR THE SON TO BE TRULY SON, NOR WOULD THE HOLY SPIRIT HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO SHINE FORTH FROM THE FATHER. God would NOT have been shown to be ESSENCE and HYPOSTASES but would have seemed to be merely some sort of energy observed in creatures, as was by the foolish sages of old, and now by those who think like Barlaam and Akindynus.

A SACRIFICE WAS NEEDED TO RECONCILE THE Father on High WITH US and sanctify us, since we had been soiled by fellowship with the evil one. There had to be A SACRIFICE WHICH BOTH CLEANSED AND WAS CLEAN, AND A PURIFIED, SINLESS PRIEST. We needed A RESURRECTION NOT JUST OF OUR SOULS BUT OF OUR BODIES, AND A RESURRECTION FOR THOSE TO COME AFTER US. This LIBERATION and RESURRECTION, and also THE ASCENSION and the Everlasting Heavenly Order, not only had to be bestowed upon us but ALSO CONFIRMED. And all this was necessary not just for those alive at the time and those to come, but also FOR THE PEOPLE BORN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. In Hades, there were far more of such people than there were people to be born later, and far more were to believe and be saved at once. I think that is why Christ CAME AT THE END OF THE AGES. He had to preach THE GOSPEL TO THOSE IN HADES (cf. 1 Peter 3:19), TO REVEAL HIS GREAT PLAN FOR SALVATION TO THEM AND TO GIVE THEM COMPLETE FREEDOM FROM THE DEMONS WHO HELD THEM CAPTIVE, AS WELL AS SANCTIFICATION AND PROMISES FOR THE FUTURE. It was clearly NECESSARY for Christ TO DESCEND INTO Hades, but all these things were done WITH JUSTICE, WITHOUT WHICH GOD DOES NOT ACT.

CHRIST overturned the devil THROUGH SUFFERING and His flesh which He OFFERED AS A SACRIFICE TO GOD THE FATHER, AS A PURE AND ALTOGETHER HOLY VICTIM — HOW GREAT IS HIS GIFT? — AND RECONCILED GOD TO OUR HUMAN RACE. He underwent the passion according to the Father’s will and BECAME FOR US, WHO WERE DESTROYED THROUGH DISOBEDIENCE AND SAVED THROUGH OBEDIENCE, AN EXAMPLE OF HOW OBEDIENT WE SHOULD BE. He showed that death WAS FAR MORE PRECIOUS THAN THE DEVIL’S IMMORTALITY BECAUSE IT PROCURED LIFE THAT WAS TRULY IMMORTAL, LIFE THAT WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE SECOND AND ETERNAL DEATH, TO THE COMING DAMNATION, WHICH IS WORSE THAN TEN THOUSAND DEATHS BUT STAYS WITH CHRIST IN THE HEAVENLY DWELLINGS. When Christ had risen from the dead ON THE THIRD DAY and had shown Himself alive to His Disciples, He Ascended into heaven. He remained immortal and bestowed on us, with complete assurance, RESURRECTION, IMMORTALITY, AND TRULY BLESSED, ETERNAL, INCORRUPTIBLE LIFE IN HEAVEN. By means of the one death and resurrection of His flesh, He HEALED OUR TWOFOLD AND FREED US FROM OUR DOUBLE CAPTIVITY OF SOUL AND BODY.

GOD OUR CREATOR had mercy upon our wretchedness and graciously willed TO DESCEND TO THE PLACE WHERE WE HAD BEEN THROWN, TO CALL US BACK. HE ALONE appeared free among the dead (Psalm 88:5), DESCENDING WITH HIS LIVING SPIRIT. Not only that, but He RADIATED DIVINE LIGHT AND POSSESSED LIFE-GIVING POWER SO THAT HE COULD ENLIGHTEN THOSE WHO SAT IN DARKNESS, AND SPIRITUALLY QUICKEN THOSE IN THAT PLACE WHO BELIEVED IN HIM. However, on that day when He stands up to raise the whole human race to life and judge it, He will quicken the bodies of all as well. As the leader of the Apostles teaches us in his letter, "FOR THIS CAUSE WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED ALSO TO THEM THAT ARE DEAD, THAT THEY MIGHT BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO MEN IN THE FLESH, BUT LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD IN THE SPIRIT" (1 Peter 4:6). A little earlier in the Epistle he shows us who it was that preached his gospel to the dead in Hades and why saying, "Christ has once suffered for sinners, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but alive in the spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison" (cf. 1 Peter 3:18-19), that is, TO THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.

Before THE TRANSGRESSION, ADAM SHARED IN THIS DIVINE ILLUMINATION AND BRILLIANCE. He was clothed in the Ture Robe of Glory and was NOT naked, nor was he ugly in his nakedness, but WAS TRULY UNSPEAKABLY BETTER ADORNED THANT THOSE WHO WEAR DIADEMS EMBELLISHED WITH MUCH GOLD AND PRECIOUS STONES. When our human nature was stripped of this divine illumination and radiance as a result of the ugly transgression, the Logos/Word of God had mercy on this nature and in His compassion took it upon Himself On Mount Tabor he showed it clothed once more to His chosen Disciples (Matthew 17:1-9); Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-37; cf. 2 Peter 1:16-18), proving to all what we had once been, and what those of us who believed in Him and attained to perfection in Him would be through Him int eh age to come.

May we too attain this through the grace and love for mankind of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, Who for our sake was made man, suffered, was buried, Rose from the dead, took our fallen human nature up to heaven and honored it by sitting on the Father’s Right hand. To Our Lord Jesus Christ belongs Glory, Honor, and Worship, together with His Father without beginning and the All-Holy and Life-Giving Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. [Source: Saint Gregory Palamas. HOMILIES]

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

With sincere agape in the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of Christ,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"Behold the Bridegroom cometh in the midst of the night, and blessed
is the servant whom He shall find watching; and again unworthy is he
whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, lest thou
be borne down with sleep, lest thou be given up to death, and lest thou
be shut out from the Kingdom. Wherefore rouse thyself and cry:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, Our God, through the Theotokos have mercy
on us."

The Orthodox Christian accompanies Jesus Christ faithfully as He enters the Holy City of Jerusalem and as He approaches His Passion. The daily offices are marked by a sense of forward movement and dramatic realism. For the Orthodox faithful, each day of Holy and Great Week is a personal encounter and experience in Christ’s occurrences and events. Through the liturgical celebration, the Orthodox believer does not only commemorate occurrences in the distant past but RELIEVES THESE EVENTS, PARTICIPATING IN THEM AS CONTEMPORARIES. This transposition of past into the present, of remembrances into reality, is expressed in the liturgical texts above all through the word "TODAY." So we sing on Saturday of Lazarus, "TODAY, Bethany proclaims beforehand the Resurrection of Christ." "TODAY Christ enters the Holy City", we affirm on Palm Sunday. "TODAY Christ comes to the house of the Pharisee", we state on Holy Wednesday "and the sinful woman draws near and falls down at His feet… TODAY Judas makes a covenant with the chief priests." "TODAY the Master of Creation stands before Pilate", we say on Great Friday: "…TODAY He Who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross." So also at Pascha Midnight, we affirm: "Yesterday I was buried with Thee, O Christ, and TODAY I rise with Thine arising. Yesterday I was crucified with Thee…" We shall not understand the meaning of these last two weeks in the Triodion unless we listen to this word TODAY that resounds at each divine service. All that was witnessed by the crowds in Holy and Great Week, all the words addressed to the Disciples, all the sufferings undergone by Christ — THESE ARE ALL TO BE EXPERIENCED HERE AND NOW BY ME.

Following the Forty Days of PENITENCE between Holy Lent and Holy and Great Week which HAVE JUST ENDED, and immediately before the days of DARKNESS and MOURNING which are to follow in the Week of PASSION, there come two days of JOY and TRIUMPH on which the Church keeps festival. The Saturday before Palm Sunday celebrates the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-46). This miracle is performed by Christ AS A REASSURANCE TO HIS DISCIPLES BEFORE THE COMING PASSION: they are to understand that, though He suffers and dies, yet He is Lord and Victor over death. The resurrection of Lazarus is a prophecy in the form of an action. It FORESHADOWS CHRIST’S OWN RESURRECTION EIGHT DAYS LATER, AND AT THE SAME TIME IT ANTICIPATES THE RESURRECTION OF ALL THE RIGHTEOUS ON THE Last Day: Lazarus is "THE SAVING FIRST-FRUITS OF THE REGENERATION OF THE WORLD."

The ESCHATOLOGICAL challenge of the first three days of Holy and Great Week is summed up in the TROPARION (hymn) and exapostilarion at Mattins, both of which ARE REPEATED THREE TIMES to a slow and solemn melody. The Troparion (hymn), "BEHOLD, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night…, is based on the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13); the exapostilarion hymn, "I see Thy Bridal Chamber…", on the Parable of the man out from the feast because he had no wedding garment (Matthew 22:11-13). Here, presented in especially URGENT TERMS, IS THAT CALL THAT WE HAVE HEARD ON MANY OCCASIONS DURING HOLY LENT: THE END IS NEAR AT HAND; BE WATCHFUL; REPENT WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME.

On Holy and Great Thursday four events are celebrated: THE WASHING OF THE DISCIPLES’ FEET, THE INSTITUTION OF THE MYSTERY (SACRAMENT) OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST AT THE MYSTICAL SUPPER, THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. The meaning of Holy and Great Thursday is summed up in a text of singular beauty, repeated many times at the Divine Liturgy, which combines the themes of eucharistic Communion, Judas’ treachery, and the confession of the Good Thief:

At Thy mystical Supper, Son of God,
Today receive me as a communicant:
For I will not speak of the mystery to Thine enemies;
I will not give Thee a kiss like Judas;
But as the thief I confess Thee:
REMEMBER ME, LORD, WHEN THOU COMEST IN THY KINGDOM.

Great Friday. On this day we celebrate THE SUFFERING OF CHRIST: THE MOCKERY, THE CROWN OF THORNS, THE SCOURGING, THE NAILS, THE THIRST, THE VINEGAR AND GALL, THE CRY OF DESOLATION, AND ALL THAT THE SAVIOR ENDURED ON THE Cross; also the confession of the Good Thief. At the same time, the Passion is not separated from the Resurrection; even on this day of our Lord’s SELF-ABASEMENT, WE LOOK FORWARD ALSO TO THE REVELATION OF HIS ETERNAL GLORY:

WE VENERATE THY PASSION, O CHRIST:
SHOW US ALSO THY GLORIOUS RESURRECTION.

The Cross and the Resurrection, as we have seen, are aspects OF A SINGLE, UNDIVIDED ACT OF SALVATION:

THY CROSS, O LORD, IS LIFE AND RESURRECTION…

At the end of Vespers on Great Friday, the events of Great Friday are represented not only through words but THROUGH DRAMATIC ACTION. In the modern Greek use there is another place of dramatic representation earlier in Vespers. At the conclusion of the Gospel reading, as Christ’s deposition is being described, the priest comes out from the northern door of the sanctuary and approaches the Cross that stands in the middle of the church, then taking down from the Crucifix the figure (body) of Christ, he wraps it in a white cloth, carries it into the sanctuary, and lays it reverently on the Holy Table. Because of this ceremony the service is called in Greek the ‘Un-nailing’ (Apokathelosis). At the solemn service of the Apokathelosis the tapestry with the icon of the dead Christ is placed in the tomb (Kouvouklion) adorned with live spring flowers.

The predominant note at this service is not so much one of mourning as of WATCHFUL EXPECTATION. For the time being God observes a Sabbath REST IN THE TOMB, BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOMENT WHEN HE WILL RISE AGAIN, BRINGING NEW LIFE AND RECREATING THE WORLD.

TODAY Thou dost keep holy the Seventh Day,
Whch Thou has blessed of old by resting from Thy works,
Thou bringest all things into being and Thou makest all
things new,
Observing the Sabbath rest, my Savior, and restoring Thy
strength.

At the end of the service, all go with the Epitaphion around the outside of the church, singing ‘Holy God….’ exactly as they would at a funeral. And yet this is NOT in fact a funeral procession at all, God had died on the Cross, and yet He IS NOT DEAD. He who died, the Logos/Word of God, is the Life Himself, Holy and IMMORTAL; AND OUR PROCESSION THROUGH THE NIGHT SIGNIFIES TAHT HE IS NOW PROCEEDING THOUGH THE DARKNESS OF HELL, ANNOUNCING TO Adam and to all the dead His coming RESURRECTION, IN WHICH THEY ARE ALSO CALLED TO SHARE.

The procession of the Epitaphion takes place during the singing of the Aposticha. (Source: The Lenten Triodion)

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


With sincere agape in Our Lord, Jesus Christ and Savior of the world,
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 5th of April, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the holy New-Martyr GEORGE at New-Ephesus

Saint George, the glorious New Marty of Christ, was born and bred in the city of the New Ephesus of Asia Minor. The year of his birth was 1756. His father’s name was Nicholas. He contested for Christ in the year 1801, after he extricated himself from the calamity of sin. Blessed be God! Forasmuch as the adversaries rage against Christianity, so much more is the Sun of Righteousness, Orient is His name (Ανατολή όνομα αυτώ). proclaimed splendidly and magnified with martyric contests on behalf of the True God, the Savior of the world and Creator of all things, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Listen now to the account of the New Martyr George lest we should be deprived of such a beneficial and inspiring narrative of a heroic struggle from the morass of sin to repentance and triumph.

It was July in the year 1798, George was forty-two years of age. He was lawfully wedded and had children. His conduct of life was disorderly, spent in a daily whirl of drunken revelry. On account of this passion for the drink, fearful temptations and trials followed. If it had not been for the mercy of the All-Good God, Who foreknows all, George would have tumbled into everlasting death. On one such occasion, though no one compelled him, but only out of the darkness of a drunken stupor, he appeared before the Muslim judge. In the presence of many witnesses, he–alas!–denied the Faith of Christ. Before, however, he received circumcision, he recovered from his intoxicated state. He renounced his folly. When he found an opportune moment he fled to Samos, an island directly opposite his homeland.

In those days it happened that the faithful of New Ephesus were building a church, with imperial permission from the Ottoman authorities. The license to build a church was not a simple permit to obtain, Islamic laws did not generally allow the construction or repair of Orthodox churches. The enemies of the Christian Faith, filled with envy and malice, sought a way to overturn the project. They, therefore, circulated a tale that the Christians murdered George because he renounced their Orthodox Faith; and then they concealed his relics in the foundation of the church they were building. This fiction caught the imagination of many. A multitude of heterodox gathered and made a great fuss. The enemies of Christianity made preparations to assault them. The Orthodox Christians perceived the treachery of the Hagarenes and that, sooner than later, their Church leaders and others would be assailed by them. They also understood that not only murder would be perpetrated but also the demolition of the church. The Christians decided to send their elders to the judge. Also present in the delegation were the owners of the land. They all affirmed that the man in question, namely George, was on Samos. The Orthodox pleaded their case to the judge. "If they, our accusers, should have any doubt, send men to see and confirm what we say." The judge dispatched men not only to find George but also to arrest him. He was soon discovered and clapped in irons. After three days of incarceration, the Muslims circumcised George. Afterward, they supposedly thought to honor him by installing him as a custodian in the Mosque. He only stayed there for ten months when he suddenly disappeared from that place. Seeking to make peace with himself and God, at one point he went around the island of Samos and, at another time, he stayed at the neighboring island of Patmos. He did not waste his time. He spent it in repentance and confession, mourning over his lawlessness.

In the year 1801, on the 1st day of March, George returned to his homeland. He went to New Ephesus with a humble demeanor and sad countenance. Tears welled up and flowed abundantly, as he was filled with profound compunction. He sought forgiveness from all those who knew him and his friends also. He appeared to be preparing himself for his great contest, a matter to which he gave considerable thought. Now, before his renunciation of Christ, he had a Christian friend, who dwelt in the same city, whose name was also George. This former acquaintance, however, not knowing of George’s reform, avoided him as a Christ-denier. The day that our newly reformed George decided to present himself, he encountered his friend George at the marketplace.

The friend George, observing the pitiful condition of a much-tried George, asked him, "What ails thy feet?" George then told his friend the truth saying, "When I was in Samos, I went to confession and was reminded of those words of the Savior, Who said, "But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in the heavens" (Matthew 10:33). I was, as a consequence of that encounter, resolved to become a martyr, So I presented myself to the Turkish governor of that place. I professed Christ as the True God and denounced Islam. I received a beating of one thousand blows to my feet with rods. Then they hurled me into jail. Some of the Christian leaders learned of my predicament and by means of money, they persuaded the administrator to release me from jail. Then the Muslims threw me out. After that brutal beating, he silently returned to his homeland, determined to enter into definite contests for the Faith. He was yearning to receive a blessed end, struggling for the sake of his Savior Christ. The first thing he did upon returning, however, was to remove his family from the city lest the fanatical Muslims should avenge themselves on his wife and children.

George made up his mind to take himself directly to the local judge. Then the judge asked the Saint, "What do you want?" The martyr answered, "I was a Christian and denied my Faith. But now I am come to confess before you, with the grace of God, that I was and I am a Christian." The judge infuriated with him immediately turned him over to the guard and ordered him to lead George, bound, to the prison. Once there a large chain was wrapped around George’s neck. His feet were secured in wooden stocks. Some of the Muslims promised him money, a considerable amount if only he would confess to the Islamic creed, while others kept threatening him. George would tell them only one declaration: "I am a Christian and a Christian shall I die."

The judge then finally perceived George’s unalterable opinion and handed down a sentence of death by the sword. The executioners then rushed upon George and took hold of him. Their treatment of him was very rough and rigorous. They escorted him to the execution site and they charged him to kneel down. Finally, the executioner asked him, "Do you repent?" The martyr replied, "I am a Christian!" The executioner then said, "Bend your head." The martyr then lowered his head. His countenance appeared joyous. The executioner, then, with one fell swoop, came down and severed the martyr’s head on the 5th of April. It was a Friday, at the third hour of the day. Saint George’s soul then ascended to his much-desired Christ, from Whom he received the amaranthine crown of martyrdom. As for his holy relics, there abode a divine light on the relics. The following Saturday, when people arose, not only Christians but Muslims as well witnessed a mysterious occurrence. They beheld that the martyric relics, in a wonderous manner, were flashing, like lightning, rays of light, even as one would see sunlight reflecting from a mirror. The light appeared in that place for as long as the relics and the martyr’s blood remained.

This then, brethren, is the account of the martyrdom of the holy New-martyr George. His witness induces shame in the enemies of Orthodoxy, but to the pious faithful it evokes spiritual joy and boundless delight, to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

_________
"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.

HOLY AND GREAT WEEK: The Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday.

The Saturday of Lazarus, along with Palm Sunday, occupies a special position between Lent and Holy and Great Week. Following the forty days of penitence which have just ended and immediately before the days of darkness and mourning which are to follow in the weeks of the Passion, there come two days of joy and Triumph on which the Church keeps festival. The Saturday before Palm Sunday celebrates the raising of Lazarus at Bethany (John 11:1-46). This miracle is performed by Christ AS A REASSURANCE TO HIS DISCIPLES BEFORE THE COMING PASSION: they are to understand that, though He suffers and dies, yet He is Lord and Victor over death. The resurrection of Lazarus is a prophecy in the form of an action. It foreshadows Christ’s own Resurrection eight days later, and at the same time it anticipates THE RESURRECTION OF ALL THE RIGHTEOUS ON THE Last Day: Lazarus is ‘THE SAVING FIRST FRUITS OF THE REGENERATION OF THE WORLD.’

As the liturgical texts emphasize, the miracle at Bethany reveals the TWO NATURES of Christ the God-man. Christ asks where Lazarus is laid and weeps for him, and so He shows THE FULLNESS OF HIS MANHOOD, involving as it does human ignorance and genuine grief for a beloved friend. Then, disclosing the fullness of His Divine Power, Christ RAISES LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD, even though his corpse has already begun to decompose and stink. This double fullness of the Lord’s DIVINITY and His HUMANITY is to be kept in view throughout Holy and Great Week, and above all on Holy and Great Friday. On the Cross, we see a genuinely human agony, both physical and mental, but we see more than this: WE SEE NOT ONLY SUFFERING MAN BUT SUFFERING GOD.

Palm Sunday. "Blessed is He that comes…" This is the feast of Christ the King — welcomed by the children at His Entry into Jerusalem and to be welcomed likewise by each one of us into our own heart. "Blessed is He that comes…" –that comes not so much out of the past as "OUT OF THE FUTURE: for on Palm Sunday we welcome not only the Lord, Who Entered Jerusalem long ago, riding on a donkey BUT THE LORD WHO COMES AGAIN IN POWER AND GREAT GLORY, AS King of the Future Age.

Jesus sat upon it and entered Jerusalem, as had been foretold in Prophet Zachariah’s prophecy: "Do not fear, O daughter of Zion: behold thy king cometh unto thee: he is just and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass" (Zech. 9:9; Matthew 21:5). The Prophet shows by these words that this king in the prophecy IS THE ONLY TRUE KING OF Zion. "Your king," he says, "DOES NOT AROUSE FEAR IN THOSE WHO SEE HIM. NOR IS HE AN OPPRESSOR OR AN EVILDOER ACCOMPANIED BY SHIELD-BEARERS AND SPEARMEN, TRAILING BEHIND HIM A HOST OF FOOT SOLDIERS AND CAVALRY, PASSING HIS LIFE IN GREED FOR GAIN, DEMANDING TAXES AND TRIBUTES, AND UNPLEASANT AND HARMFUL ABLORS AND SERVICES. By contrast, His banner is HUMILITY, POVERTY, AND LOWLINESS, AND He ENTERS MOUNTED UPON AN ASS, WITHOUT ANY HUMAN PRETENSIONS AT ALL. He IS THE ONLY RIGHTEOUS King Who RIGHTEOUSLY SAVES. He IS MEEK, AND MEEKNESS IS HIS DISTINCTIVE WORK: "The Lord said of Himself, "LEARN OF ME; FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART" (Matthew 11:29).

So the King Who had raised Lazarus from the dead entered Jerusalem sitting upon an ass. Everyone, children, men, and old people, immediately spread their garments in the way. They took palm branches, which are SYMBOLS OF VICTORY, and went to meet Him as the Life-Giver and Victor over death. They fell at His feet and escorted Him in procession, singing together, not just outside but also inside the precincts of the Temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David, Hosanna in the highest" (Matthew 21:9). "Hosanna" is a song of praise directed to God, which means, "SAVE US." The additional words "IN THE HIGHEST" show that He is not only praised on earth, nor only by men, BUT ALSO BY THE HEAVENLY ANGELS ON HIGH.

The people not only sang His praises and called Him God, but they subsequently opposed the Scribes and Pharisees’ evil purpose against God and their murderous allegations. For the latter were mad enough to say to Him, "This man is not of God, and since he doeth many miracles, if we let him thus alone and do not put him to death, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation" (cf. John 9:16; 11:47-48). But what did the people say? "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that cometh" (Mark 11:9-10). By saying, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord", they showed that He was from God the Father and that He CAME IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER. As the Lord said of Himself, "I CAME IN THE NAME OF MY FATHER" (cf. John 5:43) and I proceedeth forth and came from God" (John 8:42). On the other hand, by saying, "Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that cometh", they showed that this was the kingdom in which, according to prophecy, the Gentiles too, and indeed the Romans, were to believe. For this king was not just Israel’s hope, but also the expectation of the Gentiles, according to Jacob’s prophecy: "Binding his foal unto the vine", where "foal" refers to the Jewish people who were subject to Him, "and his ass’s colt unto the branch of the vine" (Genesis 49:11). The branch of the vine is the Lord’s Disciples, for the Lord said to them, "I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES" (John 15:5). By the branch, the Lord binds to Himself His "ass’s cold", namely the NEW ISRAEL OF THE GENTILES, who become SONS OF ABRAHAM BY GRACE.

Let us all, young and old, rulers and subjects, be childlike in innocence, that God may empower us to make a public show of the trophies, and carry aloft the symbols of victory, not just of victory over the evil passions, but OVER VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE ENEMIES, AND MAY WE FIND THE GRACE OF THE WORD TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED (cf. Hebrews 4:16). The young colt which the Lord deigned to ride for our sake PREFIGURED, ALTHOUGH IT WAS ONLY ONE the Gentiles’ obedience to Him and we, governors and governed alike, are all Gentiles come from them.

In Christ Jesus, there is neither male nor female, nor Greek, nor Jew, but all, according to the holy Apostle, ARE ONE (Galatians 3:28). In the same way, in Him there is neither ruler nor subject, but by His grace, WE ARE ALL ONE IN FAITH IN Him, and belong TO ONE BODY, His Church, WHOSE HEAD HE IS. By the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, we have all drunk OF THE ONE SPIRIT AND HAVE ALL RECEIVED ONE BAPTISM. We all have one hope and one God, Who IS ABOVE ALL, and THROUGH ALL, AND IN US ALL (Ephesians 4:6). So let us LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Let us bear with one another, seeing THAT WE ARE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER. As the Lord Himself said, the sign that we are His disciples IS AGAPE (LOVE). When He departed from this world, the fatherly inheritance He left us WAS LOVE, and the last prayer He gave us when He Ascended to His Father was about LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER (John 13:33-35).

May we all attain by the grace and love towards mankind of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, to Whom belong all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Father without beginning and the Life-Creating Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. [Source: Saint Gregory Palamas. The Homilies, The Lenten Triodion)

___________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostmos

+ + +

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.

Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast: The Parable of the Rich man
and Lazarus.

There are certain parts of the sea which reem with huge beasts like sea monsters. Those who sail there hang bells from their ships so that the creatures panic and flee at the sound. Many wild things far more horrible breed in the sea of our life: THE EVIL PASSIONS and the even more EVIL DEMONS who supervise them. God’s Church sails upon this sea like a ship, and instead of bells, IT HAS SPIRITUAL TEACHERS to ward off the invisible beasts by the holy sound of their teaching. Prefiguring this, Aaron’s robe had sweet-sounding bells fastened to its edge, and it was decreed that when Aaron ministered their sound should be heard [Exodus 27:21-35].

Turning the literal into the spiritual good effect,, let our words ring out to you now spiritually, especially in this time of fasting when VISIBLE and INVISIBLE BEASTS MAKE TERRIBLE ATTACKS. The visible ones ARE GLUTTONY, DRUNKENNESS, and the like. The ones that lie INVISIBLY IN WAIT ARE VAINGLORY, PRIDE, SELF-CONCEIT, AND HYPOCRISY. The same sound puts such beasts to flight and safeguards those who practice fasting.

If we practice true fasting we shall trample here and now on the fire in our flesh and quench it, and in the time to come, we shall pass unharmed through the furnace when each one’s work will be tried by fire (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). As for the Lord of the Prophets, what can we say about Him? When He took flesh and became man for our sake, He taught us THE WAY TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL by the fact that, while fasting, He was completely victorious over him when he stirred up every kind of temptation against Him. He also told His Disciples, with reference to the deaf and dumb spirit, that "This demon comes forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (Mark 9:29; Matthew 17:21).

Let us show you, brethren, what sort of fasting is true and pleasing to God. You should be aware that we do not commend physical fasting FOR ITS OWN SAKE, but because IT BRINGS ABOUT OTHER, GREATER BENEFITS FOR THE SOUL. Fasting is beneficial when it is undertaken for quelling desire, humbling the soul, transforming hatred, extinguishing anger, erasing remembrance of wrongs, and for the purity of the understanding and the practice of prayer. If you are well off, let your surplus food be a consolation for the needy. When you fast like this you not only suffer with Christ and are dead with Him but you are risen with Him and reign with Him forever and ever. If through such a fast you have been planted together in the LIKENESS of His Death, you shall also share in His RESURRECTION and inherit life in Him (cf. Romans 6:5). Should the faster be tempted, he overcomes his tempter. Should he not be, he preserves the peace of his soul and body by bruising his body, according to Saint Paul, and bringing it into subjection, for fear of being rejected (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:27).

The holy Gospel reading on this Sunday is Luke 16:19-31. "And there was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen., and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain poor man named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the poor man died, and was carried by the Angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried…"

Saint Theoopylact in his commentary writes: "These words follow closely upon what was said before. Because the Lord taught how we are to be good stewards of wealth, and He appropriately adds this Parable which teaches that through the example of the rich man. The Lord fashioned this story to teach those who show no mercy and give no alms (charity) what punishments await them, and to teach those who are suffering what good things they will enjoy on account of the sufferings they patiently endure in this life. The Lord gave no name to the rich man in this Parable because such a man is not worthy to be remembered by God by name. But the Lord mentions the poor man by name, for the names of the righteous, are inscribed in the Book of Life…The rich man was awash in wealth, so much so that he clothed himself in purple and costly linen. Not only this, but he also luxuriated in every other kind of luxury…But Lazarus was destitute and grievously diseased, for it says that he was "full of sores." Lazarus also had the added torment of seeing others feasting to excess while he himself starved. He desired to be fed, not with their costly foods, but with the crumbs of these foods, the same crumbs which the dogs ate. Did he revile the luxury of the rich man? Did he condemn his callousness? Did he accuse the Divine Providence? He did none of these things, even in thought; rather, he bravely and wisely endured all. How do we know this? From the fact that the Angels took him when he died. For if he had been a grumbler and a blasphemer, he would not have been deemed worthy of such an honor, to be escorted by the Angels. "The rich man also died, and was buried." In truth, while he still lived HIS SOUL HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE, ENTOMBED WITHIN HIS FLESH. Therefore, when he died, his soul was NOT led away by the Angels but instead was borne downwards into hades. He who has never had a single lofty or heavenly thought deserves the lowest place. Thus by saying that he was "buried" the Lord implies that the rich man’s soul received its portion in the lowest and darkest place.

vs. 23-26. "And in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."

"When the Lord cast Adam out of Paradise He settled him in a place just opposite, so THAT THE CONTINUOUS SIGHT OF PARADISE BEFORE HIS EYES WOULD KEEP FRESH IN HIS MIND THE CALAMITY THAT HAD BEFALLEN HIM AND WOULD AROUSE IN HIM A SHARPER SENSE OF HIS FALL FROM GOOD THINGS. In like manner, the Lord condemned the rich man to a place just opposite Lazarus, so that the sight of him in such a blessed state might awaken in the rich man the realization of the good things he lost because OF HIS CRUELTY. Why was it that he saw Lazarus in the bosom "of Abraham," and not of any other of the righteous? Because Abraham showed HOSPITALITY TO STRANGERS. The rich man sees Lazarus with Abraham AS A REPROOF OF HIS OWN INHOSPITALITY.

"The chasm indicates the separation and the difference that exists between the RIGHTEOUS and the SINNERS. Just as their choices were far different in this life, so too their dwelling places in the next life are separated by a great distance, each one receiving as his due the reward appropriate to his choices in this life…Therefore it is impossible for anyone to go from the place apportioned to the righteous to the place of the sinners, and likewise. Abraham teaches us, it is impossible to go from the place of punishment to the place of the righteous. What is hades? Some say that it is a place of darkness beneath the earth; others have said that hades is the departure of the soul from that which is seen to that which is unseen and invisible. While the soul is in the body, it is manifested through ITS OWN ENERGIES [WHICH ANIMATE THE BODY], BUT WHEN THE SOUL HAS DEPARTED FROM THE BODY IT BECOMES INVISIBLE. This is hades, they say. "The bosom of Abraham" is the ENCLOSURE WITHIN WHICH ARE STORED UP THE GOOD THINGS THAT AWAIT THE RIGHTEOUS, who after the storm have found the heavenly haven.

vs. 27-31. "Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: for I have five brothers; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment…"

"The miserable rich man, having failed in his request for himself, now makes supplication on behalf of others. How then does Abraham reply? "They have Moses." …Let them hear Abraham who says that if we do not give heed to the Scriptures, we will not believe even those who come from hades. For the devil by trickery has appeared to raise the dead and by this means has deceived the foolish, and concerning those in hades he spreads doctrines worthy of his own wickedness. But no such trickery can prevail against those who make wise study of the Scriptures. For the Scriptures are a lamp and a light, and when light shines, the thief appears and is discovered. Therefore, let us believe the Holy Scripture let it lie idle, and let us not seek out resurrections from the dead.

"Do not be rich in wickedness and overlook your mind which is starved and cast down, although it was created to be borne aloft. Do not let it wander outside, nor let it lie idly on the ground, but lead it within and let it act. Then there will be in you the working of the mind and the spirit, and not merely the feasting of the flesh. Likewise, there are other elements of this Parable that may easily be understood for your moral benefit." [Source: Saint Gregory Palamas.  The HOMILIES; The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke]

_________
"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.

Fifth Sunday of Holy and Great Lent: Saint Mary of Egypt,
Model of Penitents. (Part IV)

For seventeen years I have fed on herbs and all that can be found in the desert. I shivered from the frost and frequently fell to the ground I lay without breath and without motion. But from that time till now the power of God in numerous ways has guarded my sinful soul and my humble body. When I only reflect on the evils from which Our Lord has delivered me I have imperishable food for hope of salvation. I am fed and clothed by the All-Powerful Logos/Word of God, the Lord OF ALL. For it is not by bread alone that man lives. And those who have stripped off the rags of sin have no refuge, hiding in the clefts of the rocks" (Job 24) "They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented–of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth" Hebrews 11:37-38).

Hearing that she cited words of Scripture, from Moses and Job, Father Zosimas asked her: "And so you have read the psalms and other books?" She smiled at this and said to the elder: "Believe me, I have not seen a human face ever since I crossed the Jordan, except yours today. I have not seen a beast or a living being ever since I came into the desert. I never learned from books. I have never even heard anyone who sang and read from them. But the Logos/Word of God which is alive and active, by itself teaches a man knowledge. And so this is the end of my tale. But, as I asked you in the beginning, to pray to the Lord for me who am such a sinner." Thus concluding her story she bowed down before him. And with tears, the elder exclaimed: "Blessed is God Who creates the great and wondrous, the glorious and marvelous without end. Blessed is God Who has shown me how He rewards those who fear Him. Truly, O Lord, Thou dost not forsake those who seek Thee!"

The woman, not allowing the elder to bow down before her, said: "I beg you, holy father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our God and Savior, tell no one what you have heard until God delivers me of this earth. And now depart in peace and again next year you shall see me, and I you, if God will preserve us in His Great Mercy. But for God’s sake do as I ask you: Next year during Lent do not cross the Jordan, as is your custom in the monastery. Remain, Abba, in the monastery. And even if you wish to depart, you will not be able to do so. And at sunset of the holy day of the Mystical Supper, put some of the Life-Giving Body and Blood of Christ into a holy vessel and bring it. And wait for me on the banks of the Jordan so that I can come and partake of the Life-Giving Gifts. Pray for me!"

With these words, she vanished into the depths of the desert. For the whole year, Father Zosimas kept silent, not daring to tell anyone what he had seen. And when at length the first Sunday of the Great Fast came, all went out into the desert with the customary prayers. Only Father Zosimas was held back by illness — he lay in a fever. And he remembered what she said to him: "And even if you wish to depart, you will not be able to do so."

When again the monks returned and the day of the Mystical Supper dawned, he did as he had been ordered. And placing some of the Most Pure Body and Blood into a small chalice and putting some figs and dates and lentils soaked in water into a small basket, he departed for the desert and reached the banks of the Jordan where he awaited for the Saint. As he was pondering he saw the holy woman appear and stand on the other side of the river. The thought came to him that she could not cross the river Jordan. Then he saw that she made the sign of the Cross over the waters and then she at once stepped onto the waters and began walking across the surface towards him. And when he wanted to prostrate himself, she cried to him while still walking on the water: "What are you doing, Abba, you are a priest and carrying the Divine Gifts!"

Father Zosimas prayed: "Truly God did not lie when He promised that when we purify ourselves we shall be like Him. Glory to Thee, O Christ Our God, Who has shown me through this Thy servant how far away I stand from perfection."

Here the woman asked him to say the Creed and Our Father. He began, she finished the prayer and according to the custom of that time gave him the kiss of peace on the lips. Having partaken of the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments), she raised her hands to heaven and sighed with tears in her eyes, exclaiming: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation." Then she said to the elder: "Forgive me, Abba, for asking you, but fulfill another wish of mine. Go now to the monastery and let God’s grace guard you. And next year come again to the same place where I first met you. Come for God’s sake, for you shall again see me, for such is the will of God."

Touching the Saint’s feet and asking for her prayers for the Church, the Kingdom, and himself, he let her depart with tears. Again the Saint made the sign of the Cross over the waters of the Jordan and stepped on and walked across as before.

When another year passed, he again went into the desert. He reached the same spot but could not see any sign of anyone. So raising his eyes to heaven as before, he prayed: "Show me, O Lord, Thy pure treasure, which Thou hast concealed in the desert. Show me, I pray Thee, Thy Angel in the flesh, of which the world is not worthy." Then on the opposite bank of the river, her face turned towards the rising sun, and he saw the Saint lying dead. Her hands were crossed according to custom and her face was turned to the East. Running up he shed tears over the Saint’s feet and kissed them, not daring to touch anything else. He wept for a long time.

Then he saw words traced on the ground by her head: "Abba Zosimas, bury on this spot the body of humble Mary. Return to dust that which is dust and pray to the Lord for me, who departed in the month of Fermouth of Egypt, called Apri by the Romans, on the first day, on the very night of our Lord’s Passion, after having partaken of the Divine Mysteries.

Reading this the elder was glad to know the Saint’s name. Then Father Zosimas thought: "It is time to do as she wished. But how am I to dig a grave with nothing in my hands?" And then he saw nearby a small piece of wood. Picking it up he began to dig the ground. But the earth was hard and dry and did not yield to the efforts of the elder. He grew tired and covered with sweat. He sighed from the depths of his soul and lifting up his eyes he saw a big lion standing close to the Saint’s body and licking her feet. Guarding himself with the sign of the Cross, the thought came to him that the power of the one lying there would protect him and keep him unharmed. Father Zosimas said to the lion: "The Great One ordered that her body was to be buried, but I am old and do not have the strength to dig the grave so can you carry out the work with your claws? Then we can commit to the earth the mortal temple of the Saint."

While he was still speaking the lion with his front paws began to dig a hole deep enough to bury the body. The elder covered the body with earth in the presence of the lion, then both departed. Father Zosimas returned to the monastery glorifying and blessing Christ Our Lord. Upon reaching the monastery the elder told all the brothers about everything and all marveled on hearing of God’s miracles. And with fear and love, they kept the memory of the Saint. Saint Zosimas died in the same monastery, almost attaining the age of a hundred, and passed to eternal life. The monks kept this account without writing it down and passed it on by word of mouth to one another.

May God Who works amazing miracles and generously bestows gifts on those who turn to Him with faith, reward those who seek light for themselves in this account, who hear, read, and are zealous to write it, and may He grant them the lot of blessed Mary together with all who at different times have pleased God by their pious thoughts and labors.

And let us also give glory to God, the Eternal King, that He may grant us His mercy in the Day of Judgment for the sake of Jesus Christ Our Lord, to Whom belongs all glory, honor, dominion, and adoration with the Eternal Father and the Most Holy and Life-Creating Spirit, now and always, and throughout all ages. Amen.

____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint Johnn Chrysostmos
+ + +

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.

5th Sunday of Holy and Great Lent: Saint Mary of Egypt,
Model of Penitents (Part III).

And, resuming her story, she went on to say:

“That youth, on hearing my shameless words, laughed and went off. While I, throwing away my spinning wheel, ran off towards the seas in the direction which everyone seemed to be tasking. Shamelessly, as usual, I mixed with the crowd, saying, ‘Take me with you to the place you are going to; you will not find me superfluous.’ Seeing my readiness to be shameless, they readily took me aboard the boat. Those who were expected came also, and we set sail at once.

“How shall I relate to you what happened after this? Whose tongue can tell, whose ears can take in all that took place on the boat during that voyage! There is no mentionable or unmentionable depravity of which I was not their teacher. I am amazed, Abba (father), how the sea stood our licentiousness and how it was that hell did not swallow me alive when I had entangled in my net so many souls. But I think God was seeking my repentance. For He does not desire the death of a sinner but magnanimously awaits his return to Him. At last, we arrived in Jerusalem. I spent the days before the festival in the town, living the same kind of life, perhaps even worse. I was not content with the youth I have seduced at sea and who had helped me to get to Jerusalem; many others — citizens of the town and foreigners — I also seduced.

“The holy day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross dawned while I was still flying about — hunting for youth. At daybreak, I saw that everyone was hurrying to the church, so I ran with the rest. When the hour for the holy Elevation approached, I was trying to make my way in with the crowd which was struggling to get through the church doors. I had at last squeezed through with great difficulty almost to the entrance of the temple, from which the Life-Giving Tree of the Cross was being shown to the people. But when I trod on the doorstep which everyone passed, I was stopped by some force that prevented my entering. Meanwhile, I was brushed aside by the crowd and found myself standing alone on the porch. Thinking that this had happened because of my woman’s weakness, I again began to work my way into the crowd, trying to elbow myself forward. Again my fee trod on the doorstep over which others were entering the church, without encountering any obstacle. I alone seemed unaccepted by the church. It was as if there was a detachment of soldiers standing there to oppose my entrance. Once again, I was excluded by the same mighty force and again I stood on the porch.

“Having repeated my attempt three or four times, at last I felt exhausted and had no more strength to push and to be pushed, so I went aside and stood in a corner of the porch. And only then with great difficulty, it began to dawn on me, and I began to understand the reason why I was prevented from being admitted to see the Life-Giving Cross. The word of salvation gently touched the eyes of my heart and revealed to me that it was my unclean life that barred the entrance to me. I began to weep and lament and beat my breast, and to sigh from the depths of my heart. And so I stood weeping when I saw above me the icon of the Most Holy Mother of God. And turning to her my bodily and spiritual eyes I said: “O Lady, Mother of God, who gave birth in the flesh to God the Logos/Word, I know, O how well I know, that it is no honor or praise to thee when one so impure and depraved as I look up to thy icon. O Ever-Virgin, who did keep thy body and soul in purity. Rightly, do I inspire hatred and disgust before they virginal purity. But I have heard that God Who was born of thee became man on purpose to call sinners to repentance. Then help me, for I have no other help. Order the entrance of the church to be opened to me. Allow me to see the Venerable Tree on which He Who was born of thee suffered in the flesh and on which He shed His Holy Blood for the redemption of sinners and for me, unworthy as I am. Be my faithful witness before thy Son that I will never again defile my body by the impurity of fornication, but as soon as I have seen the Tree of the Cross I will renounce the world and its temptations and will go wherever thou will lead me.”

“Thus I spoke and as If acquiring some hope in firm faith, and feeling some confidence in the mercy of the Mother of God, I left the place where I stood praying. And I went again and mingled with the crowd that was pushing its way into the church. And now no one seemed to thwart me, no one hindered my entering the church. I was possessed with trembling and was almost in delirium. Having got as far as the doors which I could not reach before — as if the same force which had hindered me cleared the way for me — I now entered without difficulty and found myself within the holy place. And so it was I saw the Life-Giving Cross. I saw too the Mysteries of God and how the Lord accepts repentance. Throwing myself on the ground, I worshipped that holy earth and kissed it with trembling. Then I came out of the church and went to her who had promised to be my security, to the place where I had sealed my vow. And bending my knee before the Virgin Mother of God, I addressed to her such words as these:

“O loving Lady, thou has show me thy great love for all people. Glory to God Who receives the repentance of sinners through thee. What more can I recollect or say, I who am so sinful? It is time for me, O Lady, to fulfill my vow, according to thy witness. Now lead me by the hand along the path of repentance!’ And at these words I heard a voice from on high: “IF YOU CROSS THE JORDAN YOU WILL FIND GLORIOUS REST.’ Hearing this voice and having faith that it was for me, I cried to the Mother of God: ” O Lady, Lady, do not forskae me!” With these words I left the porch of the church and set off on my journey. As I was leaving the church a stranger glanced at me and gve me three coins, saying: ‘Sister, take these.’ And, taking the money, I bought three loaves and took them with me on my journey, as a blessed gift. I asked the person who sold me the bread: ‘Which is the way to the Jordan?’ I was directed to the city gate which led that way. Running on I passed the gates and still weeping went on my journey. Those I met I asked the way, and after walking for the rest of that dasy (I think it was nine o’cloack when I saw the Cross) I at length reached at sunset the church of Saint John the Baptist which stood on the banks of the Jordan. After praying in the temple, I went down to the Jordan and rinsed my face and hand in its holy waters. I parrtook of the Holy and Life-Giving Mysteries (Sacraments) in the church of the Forerunner and ate half of one of my loaves. Then, after drinking some water from the river Jordan, I lay down and passed hte night on the ground. In the morning I found a small boat and crosssed to the opposite bank. I again prayed to Our Lady to lead me where she wished. Then I found myself in this desert and since then up to this very day I am estranged from all, keeping away from people and running away form everyone. And I live here clinging to my God Who saves all who turn to Him from fainthheartedness and storms.”

Father Zosimas asked her: ‘How many years have gone by since you began to live in this deset?’ She replied: ‘Forty-seven (47) years have already gone by, I think, since I left the holy city.’ Father Zosimas asked: ‘But what food do you find?’ The woman said: ‘I had two and a half loaves when I crossed the River Jordan. Soon they dried up and become hard as rock. Eating a little I gradually finished them after a few years.’ Father Zosimas asked. ‘Can it be that without getting ill you have lived so many years thus, without suffering in any way from such a complete change?’ The woman answered: ‘You remind me Father Zosimas, of what I dare not speak of. For when I recall all the dangers which I overcame, and all the violent thoughts which confused me, I am again afraid that they will take possession of me.’

Father Zosimas said: ‘Do not hide from me anything; speak to me without concealing anything.’

And she said to him: “Believe me, Abba (father), seventeen years I passed in this desert fighting wild beasts — mad desires and passions. But when such deisres entered me I struck myself on the breast and reminded myself of the vow which I had made, when going into the desert. In my thoughts I returned to the icon of the Mother of God which had received me ant to he I cried in prayer. I implored her to chase away the thoughts and after weeping for long time I used to see lgiht at last which seemed to shine on me from everywhere. And after the violent storm, lasting calm descended.

“And how can I tell you about the thoughts which urged me on to fornication, how can I express them to you, Abba? As soon as this craving came to me, I flung myself on the earth and watered it with my tears. And I didnot rise from the ground (sometimes I lay thus prostrate for a day and a night) until a calm and sweet light descended and enlightened me and chased away the thoughts that possessed me. But always I turned the eyes of my mind Protectress, asking her to extend help to one who ws sinking fast in the waves of the desert. And I always had here as my Helper and the Accepter of my repentance. And thus I lived for seventeen years amid constant dangers. And since then even till now the Mother of God helps me in everything and leads me as it were by the hand.”

______________

“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,

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

THE LIFE OF SAINT MARY OF EGYPT (Part II0

After crossing the Jordan River, they all scattered far and wide in different directions. And this was the rule of life they had, and which they all observed — neither to talk to one another nor to know how each one lived and fasted. If they did happen to catch sight of one another, they went to another part of the desert, living alone and always singing to God, and at a definite time eating a very small quantity of food. In this way, they spent the whole of the fast and used to return to the monastery a week before the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, on Palm Sunday. Each one returned having his own conscience as the witness of his labor, and no one asked another how he had spent his time in the desert.

Father Zosimas did the same as all. And he went far, far into the desert with a secret hope of finding some father who might be living there and who might be able to satisfy his thirst and longing. He has already walked for 20 days and when the 6th hour came he stopped and, turning to the East, began to sing the Sixth Hour and recite the customary prayers. As he sang thus without turning his eyes from the heavens, he suddenly saw to the right the semblance of a human body. At first, he was confused thinking he beheld a vision of the devil. But, having guarded himself with the sign of the Cross and banished all fear, he turned his gaze in that direction and saw some form gliding southwards. It was naked, the skin dark as if burned up by the heat of the sun; the hair on its head was white as a fleece, and not long, failing just below its neck. Father Zosimas was so overjoyed at beholding a human form that he ran after it in pursuit, but the form fled from him. He followed. At length, when he was near enough to be heard, he shouted: "Why do you run away from an old man and a sinner? wait for me, whoever you are, in God’s name I tell you, for the love of God for Whose sake you are living in this desert."

"Forgive me for God’s sake, but I cannot turn towards you and show you my face, Abba (father) Zosimas. For I am a woman and naked as you see with the uncovered shame of my body. But if you would like to fulfill one wish of a sinful woman, throw me your cloak so that I can cover my body and can turn to you and ask for your blessing." Here terror seized Father Zosimas, for he heard that she called him by name. But he realized that she could not have done so without knowing anything of him if she had not had the power of spiritual insight. He at once did as he was asked. He took off his old, tattered cloak and threw it to her, turning away as he did so. She picked it up and was able to cover at least a part of her body. Then she turned to Father Zosimas and said:

"Why did you wish, Abba (father) Zosimas, to see a sinful woman? What do you wish to hear or learn from me, you who have not shrunk from such great struggles?" Father Zosimas threw himself on the ground and asked for her blessing. She likewise bowed down before him. And thus they lay on the ground prostrate asking for each other’s blessing. And one word alone could be heard from both: "BLESS ME!" After a long while the woman said to Father Zosimas: "Abba Zosimas, it is you who must give blessings and pray. You are dignified by the order of Priesthood and for many years you have been standing before the holy altar and offering the sacrifice of the Divine Mysteries."

This flung Father Zosimas into even greater terror. At length, with tears, he said to her: "O mother, filled with the Spirit, by your mode of life it is evident that you live with God and have died to the world. The Grace granted to you is apparent — for you have called me by name and recognized that I am a priest, though you have never seen me before. Grace is recognized not by one’s orders, but by gifts of the Spirit, so give me your blessing for God’s sake, for I need your prayers." Then giving way before the wish of the elder the woman said: "Blessed is God Who cares for the salvation of men and their souls."

Father Zosimas answered: "Amen." And both rose to their feet. Then the woman asked the elder (geronda): "Why have you come man of God to me who am so sinful? Why do you wish to see a woman naked and devoid of every virtue? Though I know one thing — the Grace of the Holy Spirit has brought you to render me a service in time. Tell me, father, how are the Christian people living? And the kings? How is the Church guided? Father Zosimas said: "By your holy prayers, mother, Christ has granted lasting peace to all. But fulfill the unworthy petition of an old man and pray for the whole world and for me who am a sinner, so that my wanderings in the desert may not be fruitless." She answered: "You who are a priest, Abba Zosimas, it is you who must pray for me and for all — for this is your calling. But as we must all be obedient, I will gladly do what you ask." And with these words she turned to the East, and raising her eyes to heaven and stretching out her hands, she began to pray in a whisper. As he took his eyes off the ground and saw that she was raised about a forearm’s distance from the ground and stood praying in the air. When he saw this even greater terror seized him and he fell on the ground weeping and repeating many times, "LORD HAVE MERCY."

Father Zosimas said, "I beg you by the Name of Christ our God tell me who you are and when and how you came into this desert. Tell me everything, tell me all, I implore you.

"I am ashmed, Abba (father), to speak to you of my disgraceful life, forgive me for God’s sake! I shall tell you all without hiding anything, onlly imploring you first of all to pray incessantly for me, so that I may find mercy on the day of Judgment." The elder wept and the woman began her story.

"My native land, holy father, was Egypt. Already during the lifetime of my parents, when I was twelve years old, I renounced their love and went to Alexandria. I am ashamed to recall how there I at first ruined my maidenhood and then unrestrainedly and insatiably gave myself up to sensuality. It is more becoming to speak of this briefly, so that you may just know my passion and my lechery. For about seventeen years, forgive me, I lived like that. I was like a fire of public debauch. And it was not for the sake of gain — here I speak the pure truth. Often when they wished to pay me, I refused the money. I acted in this way so as to make as many men as possible to try to obtain me, doing free of charge wha tgave me pleasure. I lived by begging, often by spinning flax, but I had an insatiable desire and an irrepressible passion for lying in filth. This was life to me. Every kind of abuse of nature I regarded as life. That is how I lived. Then one summer I saw a large crowd of Lybians and Egyptians running towards the sea. I asked one of them, ‘Where are these men hurrying to." He replied, ‘They are all going to Jerusalem for the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, which takes place in a few days.’ I said to him, ‘Will they take me with them if I wish to go?’ ‘No one will hinder you if you money to pay for the journey and for food.’ And I said to him, ‘To tell you the truth, I have no money, neither have I food. But I shall go with them and shall go aboard. And they shall feed me, whether they want to or not. I have a body — they shall take it instead of pay for the journey. I was suddently filled with a desire to go, Abba (father), to have more lovers who could satisfy my passion. I told you, Abba Zosimas, not to force me to tell you of my disgrace. God is my witness, I am afraid of defiling you and the very air with my words." Father Zosimas, weeping replied to her: "Speak on for God’s sake, mother, speak and do not break the thread of such an edifying tale."

(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.

5th SUNDAY OF HOLY AND GREAT LENT:
SAINT MARY OF EGYPT, THE MODEL OF
PENITENTS.

Troparion of the Saint. Tone 8

In you, O Mother, is preserved undistorted
what was made in the image of God; for
taking up the cross, you followed Christ and
by example taught, that we should overlook
the flesh, since it passes away, and instead
look after the soul, since it is immortal. And
therefore, O devout Mary, your spirit rejoices
we the Angels.

Kontakion Hymn. Tone 4

Having escaped the fog of sin, and having illumined thy heart
With the light of penitence, O glorious one, thou didst come to
Christ and didst offer to Him His immaculate and Holy Mother
as a merciful intercessor. Hence thou hast found remission of
transgressions, and with the Angels thou ever rejoicest.

This corresponds closely to the preceding Sunday: just as the Fourth Sunday is dedicated to Saint John Climacus, THE MODEL OF ASCETICS, so the Fifth Sunday celebrates Saint Mary of Egypt, THE MODEL OF PENITENTS. Like that of Saint John Climacus, her feast has been transferred from the fixed calendar, where she is commemorated on April 1st. Her recounted by Saint Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem — it is read, on Thursday in the Fifth Week — sets before us a true verbal icon OF THE ESSENCE OF REPENTANCE. In her youth, Saint Mary lived in a dissolute and sinful way at Alexandria.

There was a certain Elder in one of the monasteries of Palestine, a priest of holy life and speech, who from childhood had been brought up in monastic ways and customs. This Elder’s name was Zosimas. He had been through the whole course of the ascetic life and in everything he adhered to the rule once given to him by his tutors as regards spiritual labors. He had also added a good deal himself while laboring to subject his flesh to the will of the spirit. And he had not failed in his aim. He was so renowned for his spiritual life that many came to him from neighboring monasteries and some even from afar. While doing all this, he never ceased to study the Divine Scriptures. Whether resting, standing, working, or eating food (if the scraps he nibbled could be called food), he incessantly and constantly had a single aim: always to sing of God, and to practice the teaching of the Divine Scriptures. Father Zosimas used to relate how, as soon as he was taken from his mother’s breast, he was handed over to the monastery where he went through his training as an ascetic till he reached the age of fifty-three. After that, he began to be tormented by the thought that he was perfect in everything and needed no instruction from anyone, saying to himself mentally, "Is there a monk on earth who can be of use to me and show me a kind of asceticism that I have no accomplished? Is there a man to be found in the desert who has surpassed me?"

Thus thought the Elder, when suddenly an Angel appeared to him and said:

"Zosimas, valiantly have you struggled, as far as this is within the power of man, valiantly have you gone through the ascetic course. But there is no man who has attained perfection. Before you, lie unknown struggles, greater, than those you have accomplished. That you may know how many other ways lead to salvation, leave your native land like the renowned Patriarch Abraham and go to the monastery by the River Jordan.

Father Zosimas did as he was told by the Angel. He left the monastery in which he had lived from childhood, and went to the River Jordan. At last, he reached the monastic community to which God had sent him. Having knocked at the door of the monastery, he told the Porter who he was; and the Porter told the Egoumenos (Abbot). On being admitted to the Egoumeno’s (Abbot’s) presence, Father Zosimas made the usual monastic metanoia (prostration) and prayer. Seeing that he was a monk the Egoumenos asked:

"Where do you come from, brother, and why have you come to us, poor old men?"

Father Zosimas repied:

"There is no need to speak about where I have come from, but I have come, father, seeking spiritual profit, for I have heard great things about your skill in leading souls to God."

"Brother," the Egoumenos (Abbot) said to him. "Only God can heal the infirmity of the soul. May He teach you and us His Divine ways and guide us. But as it is the love of Christ that has moved you to visit up poor old men, then stay with us, if that is why you have come. May the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for our salvation fill us with the grace of the Holy Spirit."

After this, Father Zosimas bowed to the Egoumenos, asked for his prayers and blessing, and stayed in the monastery. There he saw elders proficient both in action and the contemplation of God, aflame in spirit, working for the Lord. They sang incessantly, they stood in prayer all night, work was ever in their hands and psalms on their lips. Never an idle word was heard among them, they knew nothing about acquiring temporal goods or of the cares of life. But they had one desire–to become in body like corpses. Their constant food ws the Logos/Word of God, and they sustained their bodies on bread and water, as much as their love for God allowed them. Seeing this, Father Zosimas was greatly edified and prepared for the struggle that lay before him.

Many says passed and the time drew near when all Christians fast and prepare themselves to worship the Divine Passion and Resurrection of Christ. The monastery gates were kept always locked and only opened when one of the community was sent out on some errand. It was a desert place, not only unvisited by people of the world but even unknown to them.

There was a rule in that monastery which was the reason why God brought Father Zosimas there. At the beginning of the Great Fast the priest celebrated the Divine Liturgy and all partook of the Holy Body and Precious Blood of Christ. After the Divine Liturgy they went to the refectory and would eat a little lenten food.

Then all gathered in church, and after praying earnestly with prostrations, the elders kissed one another and asked forgiveness. And each made a prostration to the Egoumenos (Abbot) and asked his blessing and prayers for the struggle that lay before them. After this, the gates of the monastery were thrown open, and singing, "The Lord is my Light and my Savior; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom I be afraid? (Psalm 26:1) and the rest of that psalm, all went out into the desert and crossed the River Jordan. Only one or two brothers were left in the monastery, not to guard the property (for there was nothing to rob), but so as not to leave the church without Divine Service. Each took with him as much as he could or wanted in the wya of food, according to the needs of his body: one would take a little bread, another some figs, another dates or wheat soaked in water. And some took nothing but their own body covered with rags and fed when nature forced them to it on the plants that grew in the desert. (Source: The Great Canon. The Work of Saint Andrew of Crete)

__________
"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