My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.

OCTOBER 18th--OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES AND HONORS THE HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Apostle. Third Tone

O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede with the Merciful God that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offences.

Kontakion Hymn of the Apostle. Fourth Tone

Thou with Paul didst shine thy light upon the whole world, since thou wast a genuine disciple of the Logos of God. And thou didst drive out the gloom far hence when thou didst write the divine Gospel of Christ God.

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Born in Antioch, he applied himself in his youth to the study of Greek philosophy, medicine and art. At the time that the Lord Jesus was at work upon earth, Luke came to Jerusalem, where he saw the Savior face to face, heard His saving teaching and was a witness of His wonderful works. Coming to belief in the Lord, Saint Luke was included among the Seventy (70) disciples and sent forth preach the Gospel. Together with Cleopas, he saw the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus (St. Luke 24). After the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, St. Luke returned to Antioch and there became a fellow-worker with the holy Apostle Paul, with whom he travelled to Rome, bringing Jews and pagans to the Christian faith. "Luke the beloved physician salutes you", writes Saint Paul to the Colossians (4:14). At the request of the Christians, he wrote his Gospel in about the year 60 A.D. After the death by martyrdom of the great Apostle, St. Luke preached the Gospel all over Italy, Dalmatia, Macedonia and elsewhere. He painted three icons of the Most Holy Mother of God and also icons of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and is regarded as the founder of Christian Iconography. In old age, he visited Libya and Upper Egypt, and thence returned to Greece, where he set himself with great zeal to preach the Gospel and bring men to Christ, disregarding his great age. Saint Luke wrote both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, and dedicated them both to Theophilos, governor of Achai. He was eighty-four (84) the wicked idol-worshippers put him to torture of the sake of Christ and hanged him from an olive tree in the town of Thebes in Beothia. The wonderworking (miracle working) holy relics of this wonderful Saint were taken to Constantinople in the time of the Emperor Constantius, son of Saint Constantine the Great. (Source: The Prologue from Ochrid)

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT LUKE

Major Theme: The Universality of the Gospel Message. Saint Luke has been called a "historian" because he dates biblical events by reference to secular history (2:1, 2; 3:1). Since this is a Gospel written for Christians of Gentile background, it emphasizes more than the other Gospels the challenge of mission and evangelization. Salvation is described as "a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles" (2:32). At the end of the Gospel, the Risen Lord instructs His Disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins "to all nations" (24:47).

Background Information: Three aspects of the Christian life are emphasized throughout Luke, perhaps revealing the author's own spiritual gifts and strengths.

(1) Prayer. The early chapters lift up the example of righteous men and women offering gifts, hymns and prayers to God (1:10, 13, 46-55, 64; 2:20, 28-32). Jesus is portrayed frequently at prayer, especially before every important step in His Ministry (3:21; 5:16; 9:18, 28; 11:1; 22:32, 41; 23:46). The Gospel ends with the Disciples "continually in the Temple praising and blessing God" (24:53).

(2) The activity of the Holy Spirit. The inspirational work of the Holy Spirit is everywhere evident in the Gospel. Mary is "overshadowed" by the Spirit (1:35). The Spirit leads Zacharias to prophesy (1:67) and prompts Simeon's actions (2:25-27). Jesus conducts His earthly Ministry in the fullness of the Spirit (3:22, 4:1, 18; 10:21). The Disciples were to embark upon their world mission after receiving "power from on high" (24:49), the gift of the Spirit.

(3) A deep concern for sinners. Saint Luke reports Jesus' concern and love for sinners, with a confident hope of their repentance and forgiveness (5:1-11; 7:36-50; 9:51-56; 10:29-37; 19:1-10; 23:39-43). [Source: The Orthodox Study Bible)

To Ponder

--on sins of the tongue.

"I said: I will take heed unto my ways, that I offend not with my tongue" (Psalm 38:1).

Since of the tongue are the most frequent and the readiest sins. "If any man offend not in word, he is a perfect man", says the Holy Apostle James (Iakovos) [3:2]. When a repentant man sets out on God's path, when he begins to live according to God's Commandments, let him strive first not to sin with his tongue...

O Lord Jesus Christ Our God, Thou Who hast given us an example of how and when to speak and when to be silent, help us by Thy Holy Spirit not to sin with our tongues. To Thee be Glory and praise for ever. Amen."

DIVINE SERVICES ON WEDNESDAY MORNING:

Orthros (Matins) at 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Place of Worship: The Chapel of Saint Nektarios

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"--Saint John Chrysostom

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

+Father George