For the Christian of true worship, the Holy Bible is the greatest source of Truth, virtue, and moral ethics. It is invaluable as a source of teaching doctrine and holiness. We call it the "Book of Life," for in its pages we find the closest expression we have of the Inexpressible. From generation to generation, the books that make up the Canon of Scripture have communicated to us the lessons God has taught and still is teaching His people. It is open to all and should be read by all; men and women, clergy and laity, children and adults, believers and unbelievers.

On this Sunday our Holy Church celebrates the memory of just one small group of His disciples and followers. The Holy Orthodox Church brings before you only 318 of His sweet, fragrant, and undecaying fruits. A small but chosen group. These are the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Synod, which was held in Nicaea in 325 A.D., in the time of the Emperor Constantine the Great, for the defense, clarification, and confirmation of the Orthodox Christian Faith.

It is no small irony that across the globe the edifice and image most widely associated with Turkey, Istanbul, and even perhaps Islam, is a sixth-century Orthodox Christian church--the magisterial Cathedral of Hagia Sophia, or "Holy Wisdom." Built by some 10,000 workers between 532 and 537 its patron, Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, inaugurated the construction of Hagia Sophia in the Imperial Capital of Constantinople with the proclamation that the Church of the Holy Wisdom would be a Cathedral like "one that has never existed since Adam's time, and one that will never exist again."

On Wednesday of the Sixth Week of the All-Holy Pascha, we celebrate the Apodosis (Leavetaking) of the Feast. While most holy Feasts have their Leavetaking (Apodosis) on the 8th day, Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, has its Leavetaking (Apodosis) on the Thirty-Ninth day. The Fortieth Day is the Great Feast of the Divine Ascension of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, which marks the end of the Lord's physical presence on earth. He does not abandon us, however. He has promised to be with us always, even until the end of the age.

"As they thus spoke, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of the disciples, and saith unto them: "Peace be unto you." But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that they had seen a spirit...And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it came to pass while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and were continually in the Temple, praising and blessing God. Amen." (St. Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:3-14)