Ukrainian Seafarers

23rd Sunday after Pentacost, The Gadarene Demoniac

2006-11-18T22:40:00.000+11:00

Today, we see the power of God. We see how by His word he casts out demons. We see these demons are really quite powerless. We see how they fear Jesus. We something that should make us concerned as well. We so should not become like these people, with a sort of unbelieving brutishness.
There is a message in this story. The story is essentially about sin. It is easy to hide our sins, even from ourselves. The real issue is to have the strength of character to be able to have the acknowledge our own sinfulness. At least, then we will be able to tell ouselves and God the truth. What we as sinful people need to be saved is for God will show us what is truly wrong with us. Let us be under no illusion. God will show us the way. We only have to ask.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

22nd Sunday after Pentecost

2006-11-11T10:49:00.000+11:00

This is the Sunday of Zacheus.
The lesson here is a very clear one. The people who were successful were simply celebrating their material success. This in itself is perfectly alright. However, they should have been aware of the needs of their neighbour as well. They forgot this.
When the rich man died he wanted to help his brothers, but could not.
The lesson is, never ever forget the virtue of generosity.
Even if you are not rich, but simply middle class, remember to be generous.
Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

Fifth Sunday after Pentacost

2006-07-16T17:48:00.000+10:00

Today's Gospel is a simple one. The theme is about having the courage to be a person willing to make a commitment. Our Christianity is not something that we simply wear as a fashion item whenever we please, it must be a part of us.

fourth Sunday after Pentacost

2006-07-08T21:29:00.000+10:00

Today's Gospel is an answer to a fundamental question of Christianity. Essentially, the question that the centurion answers us is the issue of faith. Often we try to explain to God what is and is not correct. The real issue is that we have to ask ourselves the question, what would we do in the place of the centurion. Would we have his humility, faith and trust? Perhaps or perhaps not, but non the less it is a question that we must ask ourselves if we want to be Christian.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

The Sunday of the man born blind

2006-05-10T11:36:00.000+10:00

The first point to be noted in this weeks Gospel is the fact that Jesus is very emphatic that the blindness is not because of sin, not the blind man's, nor anybody else's. People thought that situations like this were due to sin. Jesus says no they are not, the explanation is very simple, and purely physiological.
Secondly, towards the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells the man, whoi He is. The blind man says to Christ, "And who is the Son of God?" and Christ answers, "You have seen Him and He is speaking to you". This is an important quote, as it defines the person of Jesus Christ.

The way Jesus acts is a model for us as well. Here we see a man to whom no one showed mercy. The Son God, stoped and met his need. Because this man had not found another man to show mercy, to show compassion, to show concern, he was simply very grateful.

There are other people in this incident as well. They pharisees, they were just interested in judging and preserving power. The parents wanted to avoid the issue totally, by looking away. Where would we stand here?

Let us think on this. When we choose love and do as Jesus did, we become closer to becoming an icon of Christ. We were made in the image of God, sin takes us away from this, when make a choice to be peace bringers, we become closer to becoming saints, and after all this is the reason for our life.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

The Sunday of the Samaritan woman

2006-05-09T16:59:00.000+10:00

Jesus discusses His identity here. He tells us how he is both God and Man. His humanity simply wanted a drink of water, while His hdivinity told the apostles that He had to do the will of the Father, and that He Himself was the font of life.

This is the first Sunday after Mid-Pentecost, the feast that stands half-way between Easter and Pentecost. When Paska came, truth was revealed - that Christ is both God and man. He was crucified and rose from the dead. However, these truths, remain abstract until at Pentecost when we see their inner meaning, their implications for our daily life. The descent of the Holy Spirit, brings these truths to life. Thus the Church reads to us the words that, "the hour is coming when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit."

So long as we recognise Jesus coming into our life as did the Samaritan woman, we will be saved. Salvation is for everybody, no matter what their history is.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

The Sunday of the Paralytic

2006-05-09T15:36:00.000+10:00

This Sunday has an important message. The whole concept of illness and sin.
Is there a relationship between sin and illness. There can be. We see many people suffering because of alcoholism or drug abuse. This isa illness as a result of personal sin. We see people who suffer because they have had to work in environments that are unsafe and perhaps filled with poison. The sin is the employer's. He has a duty of care.

War is not a heroic or exciting thing. The reality is that it is simply dangerous and people die in wars. Inevitably war brings immense suffering. The sin here is the responsibility of old men who sent young men to do the fighting, and incident's the dying. There was a joke in the German army during the WW2, that the people who got their medals behind the lines, should wear them on their backs. The poor soldier on the front lines is doomed to suffer because those older than him cannot find peace.

However, most suffering is involuntary and not as a result of sin. Usually it is the result of the general sin that is in the world, the consequence of the Fall of Adam. This is part of our general human condition and this can happen to anyone.

Christ tells us in today's gospel, that if we have faith we can be healed from physical and spiritual infirmaty.

It is our responsibility as Christians to constantly pray for violence to cease being a part of the reality of our lives. War and violence are not a consequence of the Grace of God. They are a consequence of sin. Let us pray today that the Grace of God rules the daily life of the world and not violence, which is a consequence of sin.
Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

The Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women

2006-05-09T15:11:00.000+10:00

On Easter Sunday, we greeted the resurrection of Christ, with the paschal hymn, "Christ is Risen". On Thomas Sunday, we went to the cemeteries and brought this greeting to the dead.

Today we do something radical. Today we recognize, not only the sick and suffering, but we recognise the carers of the sick and the suffering. Today's epistle talks about the institution of the deaconate. The gospel talks about the myrrh bearing women. Both of these groups were people who looked after the poor and the suffering. What does this tell us? The early church recognised the importance of this ministery, both those who suffer and those who care for the suffering. This is the first group of people after the deceased that the church went to to bring the good news of the resurrection to. Social consciousness is fundamental to being Christian. When one person suffers, we all suffer. If we are truly a community of believers, we must take this seriously. We must recognise that to help the poor and needy is bring God to those that suffer.

Today's message is then, let us encourage the suffering by visiting them. However, let us also serve, those who serve the sick. Indeed, let us serve the sick and the suffering ourselves, as today's Epistle and Gospel tell us this is truly the will of God.
Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

Thomas Sunday

2006-04-26T14:19:00.000+10:00

"Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believed!" has a very important message for all of us.

Jesus uses the doubt that Thomas had in order to teach us that we did not need to actually have been in the room with the Apostles to have faith. When we hear the merssage of Christ, we can be spiritually moved to follow Him, and trust in His promise that all men will be raised on the day of judgment, to either the eternal joy of being reunited with God or the torment of being without Him.

St. Peter heard and understood, as he writes to his people (I Peter 1:8): "You did not see Him, yet you loved Him; and still without seeing Him you are filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls." This point relatesto us.

It is the custom in our parishes to go to the cemetery on this day to pray, light candles, and to sing "Christ is Risen!" to deceased family members. This is a very important and holy practice.
May God Bless you
Right Rev Olexander Kenez

The Paschal Sermon of John Chrysostom

2006-04-12T22:30:00.000+10:00

Pastor of Constantinople (~400 AD)
Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages!If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward;If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast!And he that arrived after the sixth hour,let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.And if any delayed until the ninth hour,let him not hesitate; but let him come too.And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,as well as to him that toiled from the first.To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together!Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.Isaiah foretold this when he said,"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.It was in an uproar because it is mocked.It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven.It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.O death, where is thy sting?O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;for Christ having risen from the dead,is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

Pascha Easter Sunday

2006-03-07T10:15:00.000+11:00

Pascha Easter Sunday

This is the classic Easter sermon of the Byzantine Church. It was written by St John Chrysostom. It is worth noting that it is the one and only sermon ever to be enshrined in the liturgy of the church. The fathers of the church regarded it as being so important that they made it a part of the Resurrection Matins.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

Easter Sermon of St John Chrysostom

Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary from fasting?
Let them now receive their due!

If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their reward.

If any have come after the third hour,
let them with gratitude join in the feast!

Those who arrived after the sixth hour,
let them not doubt; for they shall not be short-changed.

Those who have tarried until the ninth hour,
let them not hesitate; but let them come too.

And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let them not be afraid by reason of their delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
The Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour,
even as to those who toiled from the beginning.

To one and all the Lord gives generously.
The Lord accepts the offering of every work.
The Lord honours every deed and commends their intention.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike, receive your reward.
Rich and poor, rejoice together!

Conscientious and lazy, celebrate the day!
You who have kept the fast, and you who have not,
rejoice, this day, for the table is bountifully spread!

Feast royally, for the calf is fatted.
Let no one go away hungry.
Partake, all, of the banquet of faith.
Enjoy the bounty of the Lord's goodness!

Let no one grieve being poor,
for the universal reign has been revealed.

Let no one lament persistent failings,
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death,
for the death of our Saviour has set us free.

The Lord has destroyed death by enduring it.
The Lord vanquished hell when he descended into it.
The Lord put hell in turmoil even as it tasted of his flesh.

Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, were placed in turmoil when he encountering you below."

Hell was in turmoil having been eclipsed.
Hell was in turmoil having been mocked.
Hell was in turmoil having been destroyed.
Hell was in turmoil having been abolished.
Hell was in turmoil having been made captive.

Hell grasped a corpse, and met God.
Hell seized earth, and encountered heaven.
Hell took what it saw, and was overcome by what it could not see.

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you are cast down!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life is set free!
Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead.

For Christ, having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Christ be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!

Palm Sunday

2006-03-07T10:14:00.000+11:00

Palm Sunday

Fifth Sunday of Great lent - The Sunday of Mary of Egypt

2006-03-01T22:06:00.000+11:00

The Fifth Sunday of Great Lent

Last Sunday, we looked at the "ladder of St John Climacus". That was a challenge to take up the virtuous life. Today, we see another challenge. If we have any doubt that we can be forgiven then, today's reading is for us. We divert from our normal format and go to the translation of the original text of St Sophronius. This is the narration of the story of St Mary of Egypt. I hope that this will be as inspirational to you as it has been to me and many generations of readers on their journey to holiness.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

The Life of our Holy Mother Mary of Egypt
(From The Great Canon, the Work of Saint Andrew of Crete, Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY, USA)

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"It is good to hide the secret of a king, but it is glorious to reveal and preach the works of God" (Tobit 12:7) So said the Archangel Raphael to Tobit when he performed the wonderful healing of his blindness. Actually, not to keep the secret of a king is perilous and a terrible risk, but to be silent about the works of God is a great loss for the soul. And I (says St. Saphronius), in writing the life of St. Mary of Egypt, am afraid to hide the works of God by silence. Remembering the misfortune threatened to the servant who hid his God-given talent in the earth (Mat. 25:18-25), I am bound to pass on the holy account that has reached me. And let no one think (continues St. Saphronius) that I have had the audacity to write untruth or doubt this great marvel --may I never lie about holy things! If there do happen to be people who, after reading this record, do not believe it, may the Lord have mercy on them because, reflecting on the weakness of human nature, they consider impossible these wonderful things accomplished by holy people. But now we must begin to tell this most amazing story, which has taken place in our generation.

There was a certain elder in one of the monasteries of Palestine, a priest of the 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 regard spiritual labours. he had also added a good deal himself whilst labouring 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. 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 53. After that, he began to be tormented with 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 not 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 already 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."

Zosimas did as he was told. he left the monastery in which he had lived from childhood, and went to the River Jordan. At last he reached the community to which God had sent him. Having knocked at the door of the monastery, he told the monk who was the porter who he was; and the porter told the abbot. On being admitted to the abbot's presence, Zosimas made the usual monastic prostration and prayer. Seeing that he was a monk the abbot asked:

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

Zosimas replied:

"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 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 us 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 all with the grace of the Holy Spirit."

After this, Zosimas bowed to the abbot, 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 know nothing about acquiring temporal goods or the cares of life. But they had one desire -- to become in body like corpses. Their constant food was the Word of God, and they sustained their bodies on bread and water, as much as their love for God allowed them Seeing this, Zosimas was greatly edified and prepared for the struggle that lay before him.

Many days passed and the time drew near when all Christians fast and prepare themselves to worship the Divine Passion and Ressurection 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 Zosimas there. At the beginning of the Great Fast [on Forgiveness Sunday] the priest celebrated the holy Liturgy and all partook of the holy body and blood of Christ. After the 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 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 shall 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 way 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.

After crossing the Jordan, 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 country, 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 Resurrection of Christ, on Palm Sunday. Each one returned having his own conscience as the witness of his labour, and no one asked another how he had spent his time in the desert. Such were rules of the monastery. Everyone of them whilst in the desert struggled with himself before the Judge of the struggle -- God -- not seeking to please men and fast before the eyes of all. For what is done for the sake of men, to win praise and honour, is not only useless to the one who does it but sometimes the cause of great punishment.

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. And he wandered on tireless, as if hurrying on to some definite place. He had already waled for 20 days and when the 6th hour came he stopped and, turning to the East, he began to sing the sixth Hour and recite the customary prayers. He used to break his journey thus at fixed hours of the day to rest a little, to chant psalms standing and to pray on bent knees.

And as he sang thus without turning his eyes from the heavens, he suddenly saw to the right of the hillock on which he stood the semblance of a human body. At first he was confused thinking he beheld a vision of the devil, and even started with fear. But, having guarded himself with he sign of the Cross and banished all fear, he turned his gaze in that direction and in truth 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, falling just below its neck. Zosimas was so overjoyed at beholding a human form that he ran after it in pursuit, but re form fled from him. He followed. At length, when he was near enough to be heard, he shouted:

"Why do you run from an old man and a sinner? Slave of the True God, 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 the desert."

"Forgive me for God's sake, but I cannot turn towards you and show you my face, Abba Zosimas. For I am a woman and naked as you see with the uncovered shame of my body. But if you would like to fulfil 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 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. The she turned to Zosimas and said:

"Why did you wish, Abba 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?"

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 Zosimas:

"Abba Zosimas, it is you who must give blessing and pray. You are dignified by the order of priesthood and for may years you have been standing before the holy altar and offering the sacrifice of the Divine Mysteries."

This flung Zosimas into even greater terror. At length with tears he said to her:

"O mother, filled with he 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."

Zosimas answered:

"Amen."

And both rose to their feet. Then the woman asked the elder:

"Why have you come, man of God, to me who am so sinful? Why do you wish to see a woman naked an 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 peoples living? And the kings? How is the Church guided?"

Zosimas said:

"By your 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. One could not hear separate words, so that Zosimas could not understand anything that she said in her prayers. Meanwhile he stood, according to his own word, all in a flutter, looking at the ground without saying a word. And he swore, calling God to witness, that when at length he thought that her prayer was very long, he took his eyes off the ground and saw that she was raised bout 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 may times, "Lord have mercy."

And whilst lying prostrate on the ground he was tempted by a thought: Is it not a spirit, and perhaps her prayer is hypocrisy. But at the very same moment the woman turned round, raised the elder from the ground and said:

"Why do thought confuse you, Abba, and tempt you about me, as if I were a spirit and a dissember in prayer? Know, holy father, that I am only a sinful woman, though I am guarded by Holy baptism. And I am no spirit but earth and ashes, and flesh alone."

And with these words she guarded herself with the sign of the Cross on her forehead, eyes, mouth and breast, saying:

"May God defend us from the evil one and from his designs, for fierce is his struggle against us."

Hearing and seeing this, the elder fell to the ground and, embracing her feet, he said with tears:

"I beg you, by the Name of Christ our God, Who was born of a Virgin, for Whose sake you have stripped yourself, for Whose sake you have exhausted your flesh, do not hide from your slave, who you are and whence and how you came into this desert. Tell me everything so that the marvellous works of God may become known. A hidden wisdom and a secret treasure -- what profit is there in them? Tell me all, I implore you. for not out of vanity or for self-display will you speak but to reveal the truth to me, an unworthy sinner. I believe in God, for whom you live and whom you serve. I believe that He led me into this desert so as to show me His ways in regard to you. It is not in our power to resist the plans of God. If it were not the will of God that you and you r life would be known, He would not have allowed be to see you and would not have strengthened me to undertake this journey, one like me who never before dared to leave his cell."

Much more said Abba Zosimas. But the woman raised him and said:

"I am ashamed, Abba, to speak to you of my disgraceful life, forgive me for God's sake! But as you have already seen my naked body I shall likewise lay bare before you my work, so that you may know with what shame and obscenity my soul is filled. I was not running away out of vanity, as you thought, for what have I to be proud of -- I who was the chosen vessel of the devil? But when I start my story you will run from me, as from a snake, for your ears will not be able to bear the vileness of my actions. But I shall tell you all without hiding anything, only 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 what gave me pleasure. do not think that I was rich and that was the reason why I did not take money. 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 Lifegiving 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 have money to pay for the journey and for food.' And I said to him, `To tell you 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 suddenly filled with a desire to go, Abba, 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."

Zosimas, weeping, replied to her:

"Speak on for God's sake, mother, speak and do not break the thread of such an edifying tale."

And, resuming her story, she went on:

"That youth, on hearing my shameless words, laughed and went off. While I, throwing away my spinning wheel, ran off towards the sea in the direction which everyone seemed to be taking. and, seeing some young men standing on the shore, about ten or more of them, full of vigour and alert in their movements, I decided that they would do for my purpose (it seemed that some of them were waiting for more travellers whilst others had gone ashore). 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.' I also added a few more words calling forth general laughter. 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! And to all this I frequently forced those miserable youths even against their own will. There is no mentionable or unmentionable depravity of which I was not their teacher. I am amazed, Abba, how the sea stood our licentiousness, how the earth did not open its jaws, 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 save kind of life, perhaps even worse. I was not content with the youths I had seduced at sea and who had helped be to get to Jerusalem; many others -- citizens of the town and foreigners -- I also seduced.

The holy day of the Exaltation of the Cross dawned while I was still flying about -- hunting for youths. 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 ad at last squeezed through with great difficulty almost to the entrance of the temple, from which the lifegiving 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 which prevented by entering. Meanwhile I was brushed aside by the crowd and found myself standing alone in 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. But in vain I struggled. Again my feet trod on the doorstep over which others were entering the church without encountering any obstacle. I alone seemed to remain 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 in 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 puched, 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 which 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 ikon 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 Word, I know, O how well I know, that it is no honour or praise to thee when one so impure and depraved as I look up to thy ikon, O ever-virgin, who didst keep thy body and soul in purity. rightly do I inspire hatred and disgust before thy 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 an 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 wilt 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 temple. And 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 lifegiving 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. The 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 knees before the Virgin Mother of God, I addressed to her such words as these:

`O loving Lady, thou hast shown me thy great love for all men. 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 fulfil 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 forsake 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 gave 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 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 day (I think it was nine o'clock when I saw the Cross) I at length reached at sunset the Church of St. 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 hands in its holy waters. I partook of the holy and life-giving Mysteries in the Church of the Forerunner and ate half of one of my loaves. Then, after drinking some water from Jordan, I lay down and passed the night on the ground. In the morning I found a small boat and crossed to the opposite bank. I again prayed to Our Lady to lead me whither 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 from everyone. And I live here clinging to my God Who saves all who turn to Him from faintheartedness and storms."

Zosimas asked her:

"How many years have gone by since you began to live in this desert?"

She replied:

"Forty-seven years have already gone by, I think, since I left the holy city."

Zosimas asked:

"But what food do you find?"

The woman said:

"I had two and a half loaves when I crossed the Jordan. Soon they dried up and became hard as rock. Eating a little I gradually finished them after a few years."

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, 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."

Zosimas said:

"Do not hide from me anything; speak to me without concealing anything."

And she said to him:

"Believe me, Abba, seventeen years I passed in this desert fighting wild beasts -- mad desires and passions. When I was about to partake of food, I used to begin to regret the meat and fish which of which I had so much in Egypt. I regretted also not having wine which I loved so much. for I drank a lot of wine when I lived in the world, while here I had not even water. I used to burn and succumb with thirst. The mad desire for profligate songs also entered me and confused me greatly, edging me on to sing satanic songs which I had learned once. But when such desires 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 ikon of the Mother of God which had received me and to her I cried in prayer. I implored her to chase away the thoughts to which my miserable soul was succumbing. And after weeping for long and beating my breast I used to see light 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? A fire was kindled in my miserable heart which seemed to burn me up completely and to awake in me a thirst for embraces. As soon as this craving came to me, I flung myself on the earth and watered it with my tears, as if I saw before me my witness, who had appeared to me in my disobedience, and who seemed to threaten punishment for the crime. And I did not 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 to the eyes of my mind to my Protectress, asking her to extend help to one who was sinking fast in the waves of the desert. And I always had her 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."

Zosimas asked:

"Can it be that you did not need food and clothing?"

She answered:

"After finishing the loaves I had, of which I spoke, for seventeen years I have fed on herbs and all that can be found in the desert. The clothes I had when I crossed the Jordan became torn and worn out. I suffered greatly from the cold and greatly from the extreme heat. At times the sun burned me up and at other times I shivered from the frost, and frequently falling to the ground I lay without breath and without motion. I struggled with many afflictions and with terrible temptations. But from that time till now the power of God in numerous ways had 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 o of salvation. I am fed and clothed by the all-powerful 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 themselves in the clefts of the rocks (Job 24; Heb. 11:38)."

Hearing that she cited words Scripture, from Moses and Job, Zosimas asked her:

"And so you have read the psalms and other books?"

She smiled at this and said to the elder:

"Believe be, 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 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, so even now I implore you for the sake of the Incarnate word of God, to pray to the Lord for me who am such a sinner."

Thus concluding here tale she bowed down before him. And with tears the elder exclaimed:

"Blessed is God Who creates the great and wondrous, the glorious and marvellous 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!"

And 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 how 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."

Zosimas was amazed to hear that she know the rules of the monastery and could only say:

"Glory to God Who bestows great gifts on those who love Him."

She continued:

"Remain, Abba, in the monastery. And even if you wish to depart, you will not be to do so. And at sunset of the holy day of the Last super, put some of the lifegiving Body and Blood of Christ into a holy vessel worthy to hold such Mysteries for me, and bring it. And wait for me on the banks of the Jordan adjoining the inhabited parts of the land, so that I can come and partake of the lifegiving Gifts. For, since the time I communicated in the temple of the Forerunner before crossing the Jordan even to this day I have not approached the Holy Mysteries. And I thirst for them with irrepressible love and longing. and therefore I ask and implore you to grant me my wish, bring me the lifegiving Mysteries at the very hour when Our Lord made His disciples partake of His Divine Supper. Tell John the Abbot of the monastery where you live. Look to yourself and to your brothers, for there is much that needs correction. Only do not say this now, but when God guides you. Pray for me!"

With these words she vanished in the depths of the desert. And Zosimas, falling down on his knees and bowing down to the ground on which she had stood, sent up glory and thanks to God. And, after wandering thorough the desert, he returned to the monastery on the day all the brothers returned.

For the whole year he kept silent, not daring to tell anyone of what he had seen. But in his should he pray to God to give him another chance of seeing the ascetic's dear face. and when at length the first Sunday of the Great Fast came, all went out into the desert with the customary prayers and the singing of psalms. Only Zosimas was held back by illness -- he lay in a fever. And then he remembered what the saint had said to him: "and even if you wish to depart, you will not be able to do so."

Many days passed and at last recovering from his illness he remained in the monastery. And when attain the monks returned and the day of the Last 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 gis and dates and lentils soaked in water into a small basket, he departed for the desert and reached the banks of the Jordan and sat down to wait for the saint. He waited for a long while and then began to doubt. then raising his eyes to heaven, he began to pray:

"Grant me O Lord, to behold that which Thou hast allowed be to behold once. do not let me depart in vain, being the burden of my sins."

And then another thought struck him:

"And what is she does come? There is no boat; how will she cross the Jordan to come to me who am so unworthy?"

And as he was pondering thus he saw the holy woman appear and stand on the other side of the river. Zosimas got up rejoicing and glorifying and thanking God. And again the thought came to him that she could not cross the Jordan. Then he saw that she made the sign of the Cross over the waters of the Jordan (and the night was a moonlight one, as he related afterwards) and then she at once stepped on to 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!"

He obeyed her and on reaching the shore she said to the elder:

"Bless, father, bless me!"

He answered her trembling, for a state of confusion had overcome him at the sight of the miracle:

"Truly God did not lie when He promised that when we purify ourselves we shall be like Him. Glory to The, Christ our God, Who has shown me through this thy slave 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, 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 fulfil 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."

He said to her:

"From this day on I would like to follow you and always see your holy face. but now fulfil the one and only wish of an old man and take a little of the food I have brought for you."

And he showed her the basket, while she just touched the lentils with the tips of her fingers, and taking three grains said that the Holy spirit guards the substance of the soul unpolluted. Then she said:

"Pray, for God's sake pray for me and remember a miserable wretch."

Touching the saint's feet and asking for her prayers for the Church, the kingdom and himself, he let her depart with tears, while he went off sighing and sorrowful, for he could not hope to vanquish the invincible. Meanwhile she again made the sign of the Cross over the Jordan, and stepped on to the waters and crossed over as before. And the elder returned filled with joy and terror, accusing himself of not having asked the saint her name. But he decided to do so next year.

And when another year had passed, he again went into the desert. he reached the same spot but could see no 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, the 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, 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.

For a long time he wept. Then reciting the appointed psalms, he said the burial prayers and thought to himself: "Must I bury the body of a saint? Or will this be contrary to her wishes?" And 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 Fermoutin of Egypt, called April by the Romans, on the first day, on the very night of our Lord's Passion, after having partaken of the Divine Mysteries." [St. Mary died in 522 A. D.]

Reading this the elder was glad to know the saint's name. He understood too that as soon as she had partaken of the Divine Mysteries on the shore of the Jordan she was at once transported to the place where she died. The distance which Zosimas had taken twenty days to cover, Mary had evidently traversed in an hour and had at once surrendered her soul to God.

Then 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 left by some traveller in the desert. 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. At the sight of the lion he trembled with fear, especially when he called to mind Mary's words that she had never seen wild beasts in the desert. But 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. Meanwhile the lion drew nearer to him, expressing affection by every movement.

Zosimas said to the lion:

"The Great One ordered that her body was to be buried. But I am old and have not the strength to dig the grave (for I have no spade and it would take too long to go and get one), 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.

Again the elder washed the feet of the saint with his tears and calling on her to pray for all, covered the body with earth in the presence of the lion. It was as it had been, naked and uncovered by anything but the tattered cloak which had been given to her by Zosimas and with which Mary, turning away, had managed to cover part of her body. Then both departed. The lion went off into the depth of the desert like a lamb, while Zosimas returned to the monastery glorifying and blessing Christ our Lord. And on reaching the monastery he told all the brothers about everything, and all marvelled on hearing of God's miracles. And with fear and love they kept the memory of the saint.

Abbot John, as St. Mary had previously told Abba Zosimas, found a number of things wrong in the monastery and got rid of them with God's help. And Saint Zosimas died in the same monastery, almost attaining the age of a hundred, and passed to eternal life. The monks kept this story without writing it down and passed it on by word of mouth to one another.

But I (adds Sophronius) as soon as I heard it, wrote it down. Perhaps someone else, better informed, has already written the life of the Saint, but as far as I could, I have recorded everything, putting truth above all else. 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 story, 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 labours.

And let us also give glory to God, the eternal King, that He may grant us too His mercy in the day of judgment for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom belongs all glory, honour, dominion and adoration with the Eternal Father and the Most Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and always, and thought all ages. Amen.

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Troparion, tone 8

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In thee, O Mother, was exactly preserved what was according to the divine image. for thou didst take the cross and follow Christ, and by thy life, didst teach us to ignore the flesh, since it is transitory, but to care for the soul as an immortal thing. Therefore, thy spirit, St. Mary, rejoices with the Angels.

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Kontakion, tone 4

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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.

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The End and Glory Be to God

Fourth Sunday of Great Lent

2006-03-01T10:03:00.000+11:00

Fourth Sunday of Great Lent

Mark 9:17- 31

Chapter 9

1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

8
And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

13
But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise on the third day.

Sermon
Today, the Church celebrates Saint John of the Ladder, one of the greatest ascetics. They are referred to as being, "earthly angels and Heavenly men."
He is called, "of the Ladder" (Climacus) because he wrote a spiritual classic, the "Ladder of Divine Ascent." In this work, we see how, by means of thirty steps, the Christian gradually ascends from below to the heights of spiritual perfection. We see how one virtue leads to another, as a man rises higher and higher and finally attains the greatest of virtues, which is called "Christian love."
This spiritual classic was written for monks. However, this is a wonderful source of inspiration at this time during Great Lent. We see how we, any one of us, passes from one virtue to another, using the first as a foundation for the second. The reverse is true as well. When we begin to sin, we build one fault on another. The lesson is, to begin the climb on the ladder of Divine Ascent, for virtue is it's own reward.

It is not really too difficult to make this a reality in our life. If we have been following the sundays before Great Lent and the Lenten Sundays, we have been learning a great deal about ourselves. By now, we should have become ready to face the reality of our life, leave sin behind us a look to live a life of virtue and holiness. We should also be aware of the missionary dimension toall of this. Our awareness of our nsin and convirsion to holinerss, should make us wish to become people who in many different ways lead by example the people we come in contact with, closer to Christ.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

Third Sunday of Great Lent, Sunday of the Holy Cross

2006-03-01T09:54:00.000+11:00

Third Sunday of Great Lent
Gospel
Mark 8:34-38; 9:134
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Through the power of Your Cross, O Christ our God,
preserve us also from the temptations of the Evil One.
And make us worthy to venerate
Your Divine Passion and life-bearing Resurrection,
having radiantly traversed the great length of the Fast,
and have mercy on us, as You are good
and loves mankind.
Amen.

Sermon

This week lies at the middle of Great Lent. Today we celebrate the cross. We are reminded of the point of everything, the ultimate power of the cross. Christ died, so that we may be saved. This Sunday reminds us, of the Passion of Christ and is put here to comfort us and encourage us.

If Jesus was crucified for our sake, how great should be our effort for His sake. As Jesus in ascending the Cross was glorified through the suffering of the cross, so should we also endure our sorrows, in order to be glorified with Him.

Our lesson here is to be reminded of what exactly is happening during Great Lent. The whole preparation to Great Lent, the pre-Lenten Sunday’s and the first two Sundays of great Lent are brought to a pinnacle here. We have discussed, sin, reform, forgiveness, love and community. Now we look at the central event of salvation the suffering death and resurrection of Christ. We look at this, so that being prepared for the paschal mystery; we can complete our Lenten discipline with hope and become one with Christ at his resurrection.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

2006-02-27T21:33:00.000+11:00

2nd Sunday of Great Lent

Gospel
Mk2:1-12
2:1 When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. 2:2 Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. 2:3 Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. 2:4 When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. 2:5 Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
2:6 But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 2:7 “Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
2:8 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? 2:9 Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ 2:10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—2:11 “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.”
2:12 He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Sermon
There are several characters here. The central character is of course Jesus Christ Himself. Then there is the paralytic and his friends. Then there are the critics, who sit around and find fault. The group of mutually supportive people who come to Jesus for help make a discovery. They find that Jesus can and does forgive us our sins. However, we have to ask for His forgiveness, and we must have faith. Jesus invites us to salvation. All we have to do is to ask Him to help us lead a sinless life, and have faith in Him. We see the constant critics seem to stay in the same unhappy spot, whereas the positive people who look for a solution to their issues seem to grow.
Nobody is stopping us from growing in holiness, except ourselves.

Rt. Rev. Olexander Kenez

first Sunday of Great lent

2006-02-20T15:13:00.000+11:00

Sunday of Great Lent

Having suffered the Passion for us, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us!

Претерпівий за нас страсти, Ісусе Христе, Сину Божий, помилий нас!

The Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodox, with the celebration of the Holy Ikons.

John 1:13-51

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
Isa 40:3

24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

28
These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

43
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Sermon

First Sunday of Great Lent

Today is the first Sunday of Great lent. Today we celebrate the true faith. This is essentially what leads us to salvation. A few days ago, I was travelling in a car with a GPS satellite direction finder. This is a road map and a person sitting next to you telling you where to go. This is what the sundays before lent and lenten Sundays are about. They are a road map leading us to the resurrection of Christ. Today the resurrection is still a long way off. There is a long and maybe challenging journey still ahead of us. This though is what life is all about, picking up our cross and following Jesus.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

Prayers for Great Lent

2006-02-18T16:34:00.000+11:00

Prayers appropriate for Great Lent

The prayer of St Ephrem
The Akathist to the Passion of Christ
The Canon of Repentence to our Lord Jesus Christ

Please read these prayers during Great Lent. They will provide a useful guide for the soul. The Psalms are an appropriate series of prayers and meditations to be said during Great Lent as well.

Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

St Ephrem

During Lent this prayer is recommended upon arising and before retiring for the night.

Prayer of St Ephrem

O Lord, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and acquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking.
(Great Prostration (Metania), which is kneeling and touching the forehead to the floor, then standing and making the Sign of the Cross.)

Grant instead to me your servant the spirit of purity and humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love.
(Great Prostration (Metania), which is kneeling and touching the forehead to the floor, then standing and making the Sign of the Cross.)
O Lord and King, bestow upon me the grace of being aware of my own sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brothers and sisters.
(Great Prostration (Metania), which is kneeling and touching the forehead to the floor, then standing and making the Sign of the Cross.)
For You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
O God, be gracious to me a sinner, and have mercy on me.
(12 times, with each time making a Small Prostration (Metania), bowing very low, touching the floor with the fingertips of the right hand, then standing and making the Sign of the Cross.)
Yes, O Lord and King, bestow upon me the grace of being aware of my own sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brothers and sisters.
(Great Prostration (Metania), which is kneeling and touching the forehead to the floor, then standing and making the Sign of the Cross.)
For You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
To emphasize the theme of this prayer--changing our lives--we accompany it with
Great Prostration (Metany), kneeling and touching the forehead to the floor, then standing and making the Sign of the Cross.
When we pray "O God, be gracious to me a sinner, and have mercy on me" 12 times, we make Small Prostration (Metania), bowing very low, touching the floor with the fingertips of the right hand, then standing and making the Sign of the Cross.

Akathist Hymn to the Divine Passion of Christ

Kontakion 1
Supreme Ruler and Lord of Heaven and earth, seeing Thee, the Immortal King, hanging on the Cross, all creation was changed, Heaven was horrified, and the foundations of the earth were shaken. But we, unworthy as we are, offer Thee thankful adoration for Thy Passion in our behalf, and with the robber we cry to Thee:
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou
comest in Thy Kingdom!
Eikos 1
In completing the choirs of angels, Thou dist not take on the angelic nature, but being the Eternal God, for my sake Thou becamest man, and Thou didst restore to life men who were dead through sin with Thy Life-giving Body and Blood. Therefore, in gratitude for Thine amazing love, we humbly cry to Three:
Jesus, God, Eternal Love, Who was pleased to save us who are born of earth!
Jesus, Infinite Mercy, Who didst come down here to us fallen creatures!
Jesus, Who was clothed in our flesh and didst destroy the dominion of death by Thy death!
Jesus, Who dost deify us with Thy Divine Mysteries!
Jesus, Who hast redeemed the whole world by Thy Cross and Passion!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 2
Seeing Thee in the Garden of Gethsemane struggling in prayer till Thou didst sweat blood, an angel appeared and strengthened Thee when our sins weighed upon Thee like a heavy burden. For, having taken lost Adam on Thy shoulders, Thou didst bring him to the Father by bending Thy knees and praying. For this I sing to Thee with faith and love: Alleluia!
Eikos 2
The Jews did not know the incredible truth of Thy voluntary Passion. Therefore, when Thou didst say to those who were seeking Thee at night with lanterns: I AM HE, even though they fell to the ground, yet afterwards they bound Thee and led Thee to the judgment hall. But we fall down before Thee on the Way of the Cross and cry with love:
Jesus, Light of the world, hated by evil and worldly people!
Jesus, Who dwellest in unapproachable Light, seized by the realms of darkness!
Jesus, Immortal Son of God, condemned to death by a son of perdition!
Jesus, in Whom there is nothing false, falsely kissed by the traitor!
Jesus, Who givest Thyself freely to all, sold for a sum of silver!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 3
By the power of Thy divinity Thou didst foretell to Thy disciple his threefold denial. But even though after this he denied Thee with an oath, yet when he saw Thee, His Lord and Master, in the high priest's court his heart was touched, and he went out and wept bitterly. Look, then, also upon me, O Lord, and strike my hard heart, that with my tears I may wash away my sins and sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Eikos 3
Having true power as High Priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek, Thou didst stand before the criminal high priest Caiaphas. O Lord and Master of all, Who didst accept torture from Thy slaves, accept from us these prayers and praises:
Jesus, Priceless One Who was bought for a price, adopt me into Thine eternal inheritance!
Jesus, desire of all nations, denied from fear by Peter, reject me not a sinner!
Jesus, Innocent Lamb, torn by cruel scourges, rescue me from mine enemies!
Jesus, High Priest, Who hast entered the Holy of Holies with Thy Blood, cleanse me from fleshly impurity!
Jesus bound, Who hast power to bind and to loose, absolve my grievous sins!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 4
Breathing a storm of murderous thoughts, the Jews having listened to the voice of the father of lies and manslayer from time immemorial, the devil, rejected Thee, the right Way, the Truth, and the Life. But we confess Thee to be Christ, the power of God, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and we cry: Alleluia!
Eikos 4
Having heard Thy meek and gentle words, Pilate delivered Thee up to be crucified as deserving death, even though he himself bore witness that he had found not a single fault in Thee. Then he washed his hands, but defiled his heart. And wondering at the mystery of Thy voluntary Passion, with compunction we cry to Thee:
Jesus, Son of God and Son of the Virgin, tortured by the sons of iniquity!
Jesus, mocked and stripped, Who givest the flowers of the field their beauty and deckest the sky with clouds!
Jesus, covered with wounds, Who satisfied the hunger of five thousand men with five loaves of bread!
Jesus, King of all, who instead of a tribute of love and gratitude receivest cruel tortures!
Jesus, Who art wounded all the day long for our sake, heal the wounds of our souls!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 5
Thou wast all arrayed in Thy divine blood, O Thou Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment. I know, indeed I know with the Prophet why Thy garments are purple. I, Lord, it is I who wounded Thee with my sins. So to thee Who was wounded for my sake I thankfully cry: Alleluia!
Eikos 5
Foreseeing Thee in spirit covered with shame and wounds, the divinely inspired Isaiah cried in horror: We have seen Him, and He had no form or beauty. And we, seeing thee on the Cross, with faith and amazement cry:
Jesus, enduring dishonour, Who hast crowned man with glory and honour!
Jesus, on Whom angels cannot gaze, slapped in the face!
Jesus, Who was struck on the head with a reed, bow my head in humility!
Jesus, Whose bright eyes were darkened with blood, turn away my eyes from beholding vanity!
Jesus, Who from head to feet hadst not part whole, make me perfectly whole and healthy!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 6
Pilate proved a preacher of Thine innocence, when he told the people that he found nothing in Thee deserving death. But the Jews, like wild beasts that have seen blood, gnashed their teeth at Thee and cried: Crucify, crucify Him! We, however, kiss Thy most pure wounds and cry: Alleluia!
Eikos 6
Thou wast a spectacle and marvel to men and angels, and to Pilate who said of Thee: Behold the Man! Come, then, let us worship Jesus Who suffered abuse for our sake, as we cry:
Jesus, Creator and Judge of all, judged and tortured by Thy creatures!
Jesus, Giver of Wisdom, Who gavest no answer to foolish questions!
Jesus, Healer of those wounded by sin, grant me the healing of repentance!
Jesus, Shepherd Who was struck, strike the demons that cause me temptation!
Jesus, crushed in body, crush my heart with Thy fear!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 7
Wishing to deliver mankind from slavery to the enemy, Thou didst humble Thyself before Thine enemies, O Jesus, and like a lamb that is dumb Thou wast led to the slaughter, and didst endure wounds all over, that having healed the whole man, he might cry: Alleluia!
Eikos 7
Wonderful patience didst Thou show when, after the sentence of the unjust judge, the soldiers reviled Thee and inflicted cruel wounds on Thy Most-pure Body, so that it was purple with blood from head to foot. Therefore with tears we cry to Thee:
Jesus, Lover of mankind, crowned with thorns by mankind!
Jesus, impassible in Thy Divinity, enduring thy Passion to free us from our passions!
Jesus, my Saviour, save me who deserve all sufferings!
Jesus, forsaken by all, my Strength, strengthen me!
Jesus, my Joy, from all insults gladden me!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 8
Strange and wonderful it was when Moses and Elijah appeared to Thee on Tabor and spoke of Thy death which Thou wast about to accomplish in Jerusalem, that having beheld Thy glory there and seen our salvation here, they might cry: Alleluia!
Eikos 8
Everywhere persecuted by the Jews on account of the great multitude of my sins, Thou didst endure my shame and torment. For some say that Thou art opposed to Caesar, others accuse Thee of being a criminal while some cry: Take Him, take Him, and crucify Him. So to Thee, our Lord, condemned by all and led to crucifixion, from the depth of our souls we say:
Jesus, unjustly condemned, our Judge, condemn us not according to our deeds!
Jesus, Who was exhausted on the way under Thy Cross, my Power, forsake me not in the hour of my sorrow and suffering!
Jesus, Who didst cry for help to the Father, mine Exemplar, strengthen me in my weakness!
Jesus, Who didst accept dishonour, my Glory, deprive me not of Thy glory!
Jesus, radiant image of the Father's Being, transfigure my dark and impure life!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 9
All nature was confounded at the sight of Thee hanging on the Cross: in the heavens the sun hid his rays, the earth quaked, the veil of the Temple was torn, the rocks split, and hell gave up her dead. But we worship on the place where Thy most pure feet stood, crying: Alleluia!
Eikos 9
Eloquent orators, even if they speak much, cannot render sufficient gratitude for Thy Divine Passion, O Lover of mankind. But our souls and bodies, our hearts and all our members with compunction cry to Thee:
Jesus, Who was nailed to the Cross, nail down and annul the handwriting of our sins!
Jesus, Who stretchest out Thy hands from the Cross to all, draw me to Thyself, for I too have gone astray!
Jesus, Door of the sheep, pierced in Thy side, lead me through Thy wounds into Thy bridal chamber!
Jesus, crucified in the flesh, crucify my flesh with its passions and desires!
Jesus, Who didst end Thy life in agony, grant that my heart may know nothing but Thee crucified!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the world, Thou didst heal the blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf and the dumb, and didst drive out evil spirits. But the foolish Jews, breathing envy and malice, nailed Thee to the Cross, not knowing how to sing: Alleluia!
Eikos 10
Jesus Eternal King, Thou sufferest in every limb for my intemperance and incontinence, that Thou mightest make the whole of me pure, giving us a pattern in everything that we might follow in Thy steps and cry:
Jesus, unfathomable Love, Who didst not charge with sin those who crucified Thee!
Jesus, Who didst pray earnestly with crying and tears in the garden, teach us also to pray!
Jesus, Who hast fulfilled all prophecy in Thyself, fulfill our heart's desire for goodness!
Jesus, Who didst surrender Thy spirit into thy Father's hands, in the hour of my death receive my spirit!
Jesus, Who didst not prevent the division of Thy garments, separate my soul from my body gently!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 11
Tenderest songs did Thine immaculate Mother offer to Thee, saying: Even though Thou sufferest on the Cross, yet I know Thee from the womb to be begotten of the Father before the morning star, for I see that all creation is suffering with Thee. Thou surrenderest Thy spirit to the Father. Receive also my spirit and forsake me not as I cry: Alleluia!
Eikos 11
Like a light-receiving lamp the immaculate Virgin stood at Thy Cross burning with love and torn with a mother's sorrow for Thee, the true Sun of Righteousness that was setting in the grave, and with Her accept these prayers of our heart:
Jesus, Who was lifted up on the Tree that with Thyself Thou mightest lift us fallen creatures to Thy Father!
Jesus, Who didst give the Ever-Virgin as a mother to the virgin Apostle that Thou mightest teach us purity and virginity!
Jesus, Who didst entrust Thy Mother to Thy disciple, the Theologian, commit us all to Her maternal protection!
Jesus, Conqueror of the world and hell, conquer the unbelief, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes that lurks within us!
Jesus, Destroyer of the power of death, deliver me from eternal death!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 12
Grant me Thy Grace, O Jesus my God. Receive me as Thou didst receive Joseph and Nicodemus, that I may offer to Thee my soul like a clean shroud, may anoint Thy most pure body with the fragrant spices of virtue, and may have Thee in my heart as in a tomb, as I cry: Alleluia!
Eikos 12
Praising Thy voluntary Crucifixion, we worship Thy Passion, O Christ. We believe with the centurion that Thou art truly the Son of God Who art coming on the clouds with power and great glory. Put us not then to shame, who are redeemed by Thy blood, and thus cry aloud:
Jesus, long-suffering, by the lamentation of Thy Virgin Mother rescue us from eternal weeping!
Jesus, forsaken by all, forsake me not in the hour of my death!
Jesus, with Mary Magdalene who touched Thy feet, receive me!
Jesus, condemn me not with the traitor and those who crucified Thee!
Jesus, bring me with the good thief into Paradise!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 13 (thrice)
O Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, accept this small act of thanksgiving offered to Thee with all our soul, and heal us by Thy saving Passion from all sickness of soul and body. Protect us by Thy Cross from enemies visible and invisible, and forsake us not at the end of our life, that saved by Thy death from eternal death, we may unceasingly cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Eikos 1 Repeated
In completing the choirs of angels, Thou dist not take on the angelic nature, but being the Eternal God, for my sake Thou becamest man, and Thou didst restore to life men who were dead through sin with Thy Life-giving Body and Blood. Therefore, in gratitude for Thine amazing love, we humbly cry to Three:
Jesus, God, Eternal Love, Who was pleased to save us who are born of earth!
Jesus, Infinite Mercy, Who didst come down here to us fallen creatures!
Jesus, Who was clothed in our flesh and didst destroy the dominion of death by Thy death!
Jesus, Who dost deify us with Thy Divine Mysteries!
Jesus, Who hast redeemed the whole world by Thy Cross and Passion!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
Kontakion 1 Repeated
Supreme Ruler and Lord of Heaven and earth, seeing Thee, the Immortal King, hanging on the Cross, all creation was changed, Heaven was horrified, and the foundations of the earth were shaken. But we, unworthy as we are, offer Thee thankful adoration for Thy Passion in our behalf, and with the robber we cry to Thee:
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou
comest in Thy Kingdom!
Prayer to the Lord Jesus Crucified
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,
Creator of Heaven and earth, Saviour of the world,
Behold I who am unworthy and of all men most sinful,
humbly bow the knee of my heart before
the glory of Thy majesty and praise Thy Cross and Passion,
and offer thanksgiving to Thee, the King and God of all,
that Thou wast pleased to bear as man all labours and hardships,
all temptations and tortures,
that Thou mightest be our Fellow-sufferer and Helper,
and a Saviour to all of us in all our sorrows, needs, and sufferings.
I know, O all-powerful Lord, that all these things
were not necessary for Thee,
but for us men and for our salvation Thou dist endure Thy Cross and Passion
that Thou mightest redeem us from all cruel bondage to the enemy.
What, then, shall I give in return to Thee, O Lover of mankind,
for all that Thou hast suffered for me, a sinner?
I cannot say, for soul and body and all blessings come from Thee,
and all that I have is Thine, and I am Thine.
Yet I know that love is repaid only by love.
Teach me, then, to love and praise Thee.
Trusting solely in Thine infinite compassion and mercy, O Lord,
I praise Thine unspeakable patience,
I magnify Thine unutterable exhaustion,
I glorify Thy boundless mercy,
I adore Thy purest Passion,
and most lovingly kissing Thy wounds, I cry:
Have mercy on me a sinner,
and cause that Thy holy Cross may not be fruitless in me,
that I may participate here with faith in Thy sufferings
and be vouchsafed to behold also the glory of Thy Kingdom in Heaven.
Amen.

CANON OF REPENTANCE
To our Lord Jesus Christ
Song 1. Tone 6.
Eirmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land, on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, they cried: Let us sing to God a song of victory. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Now I, a burdened sinner, approach Thee, my Lord and God. But I dare not raise my eyes to Heaven. I only pray, saying: Give me, O Lord, the sense to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O woe is me, a sinner! Wretched am I above all men. There is no penitence in me. Give me, O Lord, tears to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Foolish, wretched man, you are wasting your time in idleness! Think of your life and turn to the Lord God, and weep bitterly over your deeds.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Most pure Mother of God, look upon me, a sinner, and deliver me from the snares of the devil, and guide me to the way of repentance, that I may weep bitterly over my deeds.
Song 3.
Eirmos: There is none holy as Thou, O Lord my God, "Who hast exalted the power of Thy faithful, O Good One, and strengthened us on the rock of Thy confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
When the thrones are set at the dread judgment, then the deeds of all men will be exposed. Then alas for the sinners sent to torment! And knowing that, my soul, repent of your evil deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The righteous will rejoice, but the sinners will weep. Then no one will be able to help us, but our deeds will condemn us. Therefore, before the end dawns, repent of your evil deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Woe is me, a great sinner, who have defiled myself by my deeds and thoughts. Not a tear-drop do I have, because of my hard-heartedness. Now raise yourself from the earth, my soul, and repent of your evil deeds.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theolokion: Lo, thy Son calls, O Lady, and teaches us what is good. But, sinful as I am, I always flee from the good. But do thou, O merciful one, have mercy on me, that I may repent of my evil deeds.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Sedalion, tone 6:I think of the awful day and weep over my evil deeds. How shall I answer the Immortal King? How shall I, a prodigal, dare to look at the Judge? O gracious Father, Only-Begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Bound now with many chains of sins, and inhibited by cruel passions, I have recourse to thee, my salvation, and cry: Help me, O Virgin, Mother of God.
Song 4.
Eirmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the holy Church divinely sings, crying with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Broad is the way here and conducive to indulging in pleasures, but how bitter it will be on the last day when the soul is separated from the body! Beware of pleasures, man, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why do you wrong the poor? Why do you withhold the wage of the hired servant? Why do you not love your brother? Why do you run after pride and lust? And so, stop these things, my soul, and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
O thoughtless man! How long will you busy yourself like a bee, accumulating your fortune? For it will perish like dust and ashes soon. But seek rather the Kingdom of God.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theolokion: O Lady, Mother of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Strengthen me in the virtues and keep me safe, lest sudden death take me by surprise. And bring me, O Virgin, to the Kingdom of God.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Illumine with Thy divine light, I pray, O Good One, the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to Thee, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, as the true God, Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Remember, wretched man, how you are enslaved to lies, calumnies, theft, infirmities, wild beasts and fears, on account of your sins. O my sinful soul, is that what you have desired?
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
My members tremble, for with all of them I have sinned: with my eyes in looking, with my ears in hearing, with my tongue in speaking evil, and by surrendering the whole of myself to hell. O my sinful soul, is that what you have desired?
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou didst receive the prodigal and the robber who repented, O Saviour, and I alone have succumbed to sinful sloth and have become enslaved to evil deeds. O my sinful soul, is this what you have desired?
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Wonderful and speedy helper of all men, help me. Mother of God, unworthy as I am, for my sinful soul desires that.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Beholding the sea of life surging the flood of temptations, I run to calm haven, and cry to Thee: Raise up my life from corruption, O Most Merciful One.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I have lived my life wantonly on earth and have delivered my soul to darkness. But now I implore Thee, O merciful Lord, free me from this work of the enemy and give me the knowledge to do Thy will.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy m me.
Who does such things as I do? For just like a swine lying in the mud, so I serve sin. But do Thou, O Lord, pull me out of this vileness and give me the heart to do Thy commandments.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Rise, wretched man, to God and, remembering your sins, fall down before your Creator, weeping and groaning, for He is merciful and will grant you to know His will.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin Mother of God, protect me from evil visible and invisible, O immaculate one, and accept my prayers and convey them to thy Son, that He may grant me the sense to do His will.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: O my soul, why do you become rich in sins? Why do you do the will of the devil? On what do you set your hope? Stop these things and turn to God with tears, and cry: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Oekos: Think, my soul, of the bitter hour of death and the awful judgment of your God and Creator. For terrible Angels will seize you, my soul, and will lead you into the eternal fire. And so, before your death, repent and cry: O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Song 7.
Eirmos: An Angel made the furnace throw de-w on the holy Children. But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Do not hope, my soul, for corruptible wealth, and for what is unjustly collected. For you do riot know to whom you will leave it all. But cry: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Do not trust, my soul, in your physical health, and in your quickly-passing beauty. For you see that the strong and the young die. But say: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Sore, and to the Holy Spirit:
Remember, my soul, eternal life and the Heavenly Kingdom prepared for the saints, and the outer darkness and the wrath of God for the evil, and cry: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Fall down, my soul, before the Mother of God, and pray to her; for she is quick to help those who repent. She prays to Christ, her Son and our God, and has mercy on me who am unworthy.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Thou didst make flame sprinkle the Saints with dew, and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water. For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all as Thou wiliest. Thee we exalt throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
How can I not weep when I think of death? For I have seen my brother lying in his coffin, inglorious and hideous. What, then, do I expect? And what do I hope for? Only grant me, O Lord, repentance before my end. (2)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
I believe that Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and all will stand in order, old and young, lords and princes, priests and virgins. Where shall I find myself? Therefore I cry: grant me, O Lord, repentance before my end.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Most pure Mother of God, accept my unworthy prayer and preserve me from sudden death; and grant me repentance before my end.
Song 9.
Eirmos: It is impossible for men to see God, upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze. But through thee, O all-pure one, did the Word incarnate appear to men, and with the Heavenly Hosts we magnify Him, and thee we call blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I now have recourse to you, holy Angels, Archangels, and all the Heavenly Hosts who stand at the throne of God: pray to your Creator that He may save my soul from eternal torment.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Now I turn to you with tears, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets, apostles and holy prelates, and all Christ's elect: help me at the judgment, that He may save my soul from the power of the enemy.
Glory to the Father, awl to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Now I lift my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous and all the saints, who pray to the Lord for the whole world, that He may have mercy on me at the hour of my death.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, help me who have strong hope in thee; implore thy Son that He may place me on His right hand, unworthy as I am, when He sits to judge the living and the dead. Amen.
Prayer after the Canon
Lord Christ our God, Who hast healed my passions through Thy Passion, and hast cured my wounds through Thy wounds, grant me who have sinned greatly against Thee tears of compunction. Transform my body with the fragrance of Thy life-giving Body, and sweeten my soul with Thy Holy Blood from the bitterness with which the foe has fed me. Lift up my downward looking mind to Thee, and take it out of the pit of perdition, for I have no repentance, I have no compunction, I have no consoling tears, which uplift children to their heritage. My mind has been darkened through earthly passions, I cannot look up to Thee in pain. I cannot warm myself with tears of love for Thee. But, O Lord Jesus Christ, Treasury of good gifts, give me thorough repentance and a diligent heart to seek Thee; grant me Thy grace, and renew in me the lineaments of Thy image. I have forsaken Thee - do not forsake me! Come out to seek me; lead me up to Thy pasturage and number me among the lambs of Thy chosen flock. Nourish me with them on the grass of Thy Holy Mysteries. by the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.

Cheesefare Sunday

2006-02-18T16:17:00.000+11:00

Cheesefare Sunday

Matthew: 6:14-21

14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Sermon

Today, we are led to try to look at something a little higher than everyday life. We are asked to look at the reality of heaven and us. God asks us to look at the reality of the state of our soul.
We are asked to lay up our treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal. This makes sense. However, the Gospel writer makes the observation, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
. The most obvious meaning is, do we really want to put our treasure in heaven. Obviously near death maybe, but do we want to do so today, this is a difficult question.
This is not easy to answer and requires much of us. We are asked to change. The change is not just a superficial change, but something rather fundamental. The epistle tells us not to put off what needs to be done today, rather, begin to lead a God filled life today.
Tonight, we traditionally celebrate forgiveness vespers. This is a liturgical service in which every member of the community goes up to every other member of the community and asks for forgiveness for anything we may have done. This is the beginning of Great Lent. It is important we understand that we must be Christian in all of our human reelationships.
May God bless us all as we begin our Lenten journey which will lead us to salvation.

Right Rev Olexander Kenez

Meatfare Sunday

2006-02-18T16:11:00.000+11:00

Meatfare Sunday

Matthew 25:31-46
The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Sermon

This Sunday follows on from the ones that went before. This prepares us to be able to take advantage of Lent. We focused on the virtue of humility in the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, then we heard about the unconditional love of God in the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Today we look at the last judgment, the justice of God. God is good, God is loving, but God is also just.
This means that ultimately we have to take responsibility for our actions. This is important for us to understand. We cannot always blame circumstances or other people. We are who we want to be. God will judge us, for who we are, not who we might have been. We cannot say, “I didn’t really mean it, it wasn’t my fault”. The reality is, one day we will have be responsible. Perhaps none of us really understands that he or she ultimately cannot fool God.
Let us spend a little time praying about this as we come to the beginning of Lent. In one week we will be beginning the road which will take us to the passion of Christ. Let us pray this week that we have sufficient humility and awareness that God truly loves us to be able to put our live into God’s hands, and be really truthful with ourselves and Him when we walk the path to holiness.

Rt. Rev. Olexander Kenez

The Sunday of the Prodigal Son

2006-02-18T10:07:00.000+11:00

34th Sunday after Pentecost - The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

34th Sunday after Pentecost - The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

11-16. And He said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of the property that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there squandered his property with prodigal living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he longed to fill his belly with the pods that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my fathers have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no longer worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no longer worthy to be called thy son.
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the first robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the grain-fed bullock, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25-32. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the grain-fed bullock, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the grain-fed bullock. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Sermon
Today we are presented with the classical sin and repentance story. Most people only notice the bad son repenting and being forgiven. This is important, very important. Many of us at one point time or another have been in the situation of asking for forgiveness. The difficult issue is the older son.He was a good and faithful hard worker. There seems to be no sin to forgive. This though is not correct. He cannot forgive his brother and welcome him back to the family.Â The father tries to explain to the older son how things stand. He though will have non of this at all. He rejects the younger brother and the father's forgiveness of the prodigal son. Here he is doing something which is fundamentally wrong. He is being a judge, he is committing the sin of pride, and he is rejecting the father's right to love. Most of all, her himself has no love for his brother. This is a very sad situation to be in.Where do we fit into the picture? Are we the prodigal son, or are we the older brother. Most probably, we are somewhere in the middle. Let us give some time this week to meditating on this Gospel, and see how do we fit into this picture. Then let us spend some time in prayer toÂ meditate on what I have to do to change in order to continue on my journey to perfection. Right Rev. Olexander Kenez

The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

2006-02-18T10:01:00.000+11:00

33rd Sunday after Pentecost - The Publican and the Pharisee

Luke 18:10-14

9-14. And He spake this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus within himself, God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house counted righteous rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Sermon

Today we deal with the concept of whom am I. Both men went into the church to pray.Â This in itself was a Godly act on the part of both. Here though, is where the similarity ends. One spent his time telling God how good he was. The other said God be merciful to me a sinner. This is so typical of life. Some people carry themselves around with a very impressive opinion of themselves. They are not necessarily bad people, but they do not have a firm grounding in reality. The sin of pride also is quite significant in their lives. The person who stands in the back of the church and humbly says, "God be merciful to me a sinner", is the person who isÂ one with reality. The Pharisee really does not need God. His prayer was really a hymn of self glorification.The prayer of the Pharisee was a prayer of the heart which was pleasing to God. Let us then spend a little time this week meditating on whereÂ we are onÂ the journey of life. Can we say, "God be merciful a sinner" or do we still continue denying any wrong doing and keep on justifying our sins. To acknowledge our sin is the first step to repentance.

Rt. Rev Olexander Kenez

Sunday of Zaccheus

2006-02-18T09:53:00.000+11:00

32nd Sunday after Pentecost - Sunday of Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

1-10. And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, who was a chief publican, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus Who He was, and could not for the crowd, because he was of little stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him: for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down: for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He has gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Sermon

This is the first of the Sundays that prepare us for Great Lent. Today the Church is inviting us to do the same as Zacchaeus. We are being invited to come and see. We are invited to invite Jesus into our lives so that He can ask us to come and see where He lives.This is fundamental to becoming a person who models himself or herselfÂ on Christ. We have to invite Christ to be a part of our life so that He can become close to us. Only in this way can we become like Jesus. Ultimately, this is the whole point of Great Lent. The process of becoming like Jesus is a step by step process that is presented to us by the Sunday Gospels. When we follow these gospels, up to Easter, and take the message from them and make them a part of our life, we will become more Christ like. It is simple as that. The whole process of seeking perfection in our life is a process that we will carry on till we die. Let us then take up Christ's challenge and come and see.

Rt. Rev Olexander Kenez

31st Sunday after Pentecost

2006-02-17T22:56:00.000+11:00

Sun 29th Jan Sermon - 31st Sunday after Pentecost

This is an interesting and probably challenging pair of readings. The epistle tells us a lot about the personality of St Paul. He tells us that God has a sense of humour.Â Paul says that Jesus wanted to spread the Good News of salvation throughout the world. Not a problem so far. So, what does God go and do? He does something that seems incredibly foolish. He goes and chooses the one person who made it his life mission to destroy the church that Christ founded. That is to say St Paul. Why does God go and do this? He did it for the simple shock value. Jesus chose the most unlikely person He could find to be a messenger of spreading the Good News of Salvation to the poor. Let us all pause now and ask ourselves, is God telling me anything here. He probably is, but the real question is, are we listening. The Gospel is a carry on from the epistle. Jesus says to the blind man, "your faith has saved you." Here again, can Jesus say the same to us? This is what is necessary. Paul converts people and tells them that their faith is saving them. He says this because it is Jesus himself that says
so.

Rt. Rev Olexander Kenez