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.
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ON JANUARY 18TH OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF SAINT CYRIL, ARCHBISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA.
Saint Cyril was also from Alexandria, born about the year 376 A.D., the nephew of Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who also instructed the Saint in his youth. Having first spent much time with the monks in Nitria, he later became the successor to his uncle's throne in 412 A.D. In 429 A.D., when Cyril heard tidings of the teachings of the new Patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius, he began attempting through private letters to bring Nestorius to renounce his heretical teachings about the Incarnation; and when the heresiarch did not repent, Saint Cyril, together with Pope Celestine of Rome, led the Orthodox opposition to his error (heresy). Saint Cyril presided over the Third Ecumenical Council of the 200 Holy Fathers in the year 431 A.D., who gathered in Ephesus under Saint Theodosius the Younger. At this Council, by his most wise words he put to shame and convicted the impious doctrine of Nestorius, who, although he was in town, refused to appear before Cyril. Saint Cyril, besides overthrowing the heresy of Nestorius, has left to the Church full commentaries on the Gospel of Saint Luke and Saint John. Having shepherded the Church of Christ for 32 years, he reposed in 444 A.D. (Source: The Great Horologion)
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NESTORIANISM (HERESY)
This heresy takes its name from Nestorius, who had been Archbishop (Patriarch) of Constantinople. Predecessors of Nestorius in this false teaching were Diodore, teacher of the theological school of Antioch, and Theodore, Bishop of Mopsuestia (died in 429 A.D.), whose disciple was Nestorius. Thus, this heresy came from the school of Antioch. Theodore of Mopsuestia taught the "contiguity" of the two natures of Christ, but not their union from the time of the conception of the Logos/Word. These heretics called the Most Holy Virgin Mary "Christotokos," but not "Theotokos" (as having given birth to Christ but not to God). The heresy was condemned at the Third Ecumenical Council. (Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Protopresbyter Michael Pamazansky)
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APOLYTIKION (DISMISSAL) HYMN. THIRD TONE
Having shone with deeds of Orthodoxy and extinguished all impious doctrines, you have rightly won the trophies and victory. Since you enriched all the world with correct belief, greatly adorning the Church with your words and deeds, you therefore have worthily found Christ God, Who be your prayers grants to all the great mercy.
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KONTAKION HYMN. FOURTH TONE
Great high priests of piety and noble champions of the holy Church of Christ, keep and preserve all those who chant: O most compassionate Lord, do Thou graciously save those who faithfully honor Thee.
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HYMNS FROM THE HOLY SERVICE OF GREAT VESPERS
(APOSTICHA)
Rejoice, O duo of hierarchs, the great towers of the Church, the pillars of Orthodoxy, the foundation of believers, and the downfall of heretics. You shepherded the people of Christ by your divine dogmas, and you fed them with your various virtues. You are fiery preachers of grace. You established laws for the complement of Christ. You guide us to things on high, and you are the entryways to Paradise. Pray to Christ that He send down great mercy to our souls.
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Rejoice, O duo of hierarchs, earthly Angels who walk in heaven, salvation of the world, joy of humanity, teachers of the whole world; champions of the Logos/Word, physicians specializing in diseases of both soul and body; ever-flowing rivers of the Spirit, watering the entire face of the earth with your words; theologians, foundations, God-inspired orators. Pray to Christ that He send down great mercy to our souls.
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George