The Divine Liturgy: The Descent of God the Holy Spirit (Paracletos)

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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THE DIVINE LITURGY: THE DESCENT OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (PARACLETOS)

In the Divine Liturgy of Saint James (Iakovos), the following dialogue takes place between the celebrant (priest) and the faithful (people) before the Anaphora begins. The celebrant (priest) says: 'Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.' And the faithful reply: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). The response of the faithful recalls the dialogue between the Theotokos 'full of grace' and the Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation.

Every Divine Liturgy is a new Annunciation. The Church's petition, "send down Your Holy Spirit upon us," in a way repeats the words of the Ever-Virgin Mary: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to Your word" (Luke 1:38). And the Annunciation of the Theotokos Church is accomplished.

Through the Divine Eucharist, the Holy Church becomes a Mother Theotokos. The Paraclete (Comforter) descends upon the Church and upon the Precious Gifts (bread and wine), and in a sacramental manner, the Logos/Word of God is conceived, and the Timeless One is born and is offered "for the life of the world" (John 6:51). The Church (Ecclesia) receives the fulfillment of those things that were told her from the lord" (Luke 1:45): This is My Body... This is My Blood" (Matthew 26:26-28).

In order for the Mystery (Sacrament) of the Divine Eucharist to be celebrated, the Lord gave the Holy Apostles and their successors 'the power that would enable them to accomplish it', that is to say, the Holy Spirit. 'This Mystery is a work of the Descent of the Holy Spirit because He did not descend once only and then abandon us, but He is and will be with us forever...It is He (Holy Spirit) that performs the mysteries (sacraments) through the hand and the tongue of the priests.'

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here set forth is God's response to the petitions of His children. It is the assurance that god regards us as His children and that our gifts have been received by His Love. 'When you see the Holy Spirit descending bounteously, do not have any doubt about our reconciliation with God,' writes Saint John Chrysostom.

Through the Divine Liturgy, 'we are able to celebrate Pentecost all the time'. The Descent of the Paracletos is the Eucharistic Pentecost: 'this moment in the Mystery (Sacrament) manifests the moment of Pentecost.

The presence of the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) brings the faithful (people) of God together around the Holy Table. 'He welds together the whole institution of the Church': 'If the Holy Spirit were not present, the Church would not have been founded, but since the Church does exist, it is evident that the Holy Spirit is present.'

Saint Symeon the New Theologian, concealing his own identity, says that he heard the following from someone else: 'I never celebrate without seeing the Holy Spirit, just as I saw Him coming to me when the bishop ordained me, priest...I saw Him simple, without form, but surely as Light. And as I wondered....the Holy Spirit said to me secretly: "This is how I come to all the Prophets, the Apostles, the saints and the elect of God living even today. For I am the Holy Spirit of God."

Priest (in a low voice): That those who partake of them may obtain vigilance of soul, forgiveness of sins, communion of the Holy Spirit, fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven, boldness to approach you, not judgment or condemnation.

Also, we offer You this spiritual worship for those who have gone to their rest in faith, Forefathers, Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, and every righteous spirit made perfect in faith. 

(aloud) Above all for our Most Holy, Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever- Virgin, Mary.

Cantor: It is truly meet (Axion Esti...) to call you Blessed Theotokos, the Ever-Blessed and All-immaculate, and Mother of our God. More Honorable than the Cherubim and infinitely more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Logos/Word, you, truly the Theotokos, we magnify.

It is truly meet to call you blessed, Theotokos

We offer the Divine Liturgy on behalf of all the Saints, and above all on behalf of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of God, so as to Honor them and also to thank God for granting them to us as intercessors for our salvation. The very existence of the saints is a eucharist--A thanksgiving--from man to God for His benefactions but is particularly so with regard to the Most Holy Mother of God which is why we honor and bless her in a special way.

The Lady (Kyria) Theotokos is the supreme creation of God's love. Within the created order, she is the "exceptional and outstanding and absolutely deiform fulfillment worked by God's creative Wisdom". "She alone is the boundary between created and uncreated nature. No one can approach God except through her and the intercessor born of her. And none of God's gifts can be given to Angels or to men except through her!" So it is right that she is the shared boast of Angels and mankind, and that she is praised in heaven and on earth. This is shown by the hymn to the Mother of God, the Axion Estin (It is truly meet), which is sung at this sacred moment. The first part of this hymn was revealed by the Archangel Gabriel to an Athonite monk. The Archangel sang it then for the first time, followed by the well-known strophe 'more honorable than the Cherubim."

Addressing God the Father, the celebrate (priest) and the faithful said, "It is meet and right to hymn you..." Addressing the Mother of God, the faithful (Christians) are now singing, "It is truly meet to call you blessed, Theotokos...for she is 'god after God, the one who is second in rank after the Trinity'. (Saint Nikodemus of the Holy Mountain, Theotokarion, Sunday evening, prosomoion in Tone 5). Angels and humans unite in a common choir to magnify her who is truly the Theotokos.

There are many names by which we sing the praises of the All-Holy Virgin, but her primary appellation is Theotokos, 'Birth-giver of God'; 'for this name expresses the entire mystery of the Divine Economy. If she who gave birth is Theotokos, then He Who was born of her is most certainly God [Theos], but certainly, H is also man. For how could the Pre-Eternal God be born of woman unless He had become a man?' In naming the Virgin Theotokos, we are at the same time proclaiming the mystery of Christ that is celebrated at the Divine Liturgy.

PROVIDER AND NOURISHER OF THE FAITHFUL (CHRISTIANS BELIEVERS)

The All-immaculate Lady became the "life-giving earth" which brought forth Christ, the vilifying wheat on which all things are nourished: 'bearing for the world the wheat of life which nourishes all things'. She became the earth which brought to fruition the Bread of Immortal Life. From her immaculate womb was formed the All-Holy Body of the Master. Thus the Ever-Virgin became "a divine table, which offers...the flesh and blood of Him who came forth from her in an inexpressible manner."

At every Divine Liturgy, the Lady Theotokos is not only the Holy Table but also 'the steward and bounteous provider who serves the divine and divinizing food...in a word, it is she who provides all the wonderful and uncreated gifts of the Holy Spirit, those given in this life as well as those still held in reserve' to be revealed in the age to come.

By her submission to the Pre-Eternal Counsel of God, the Ever-Virgin was found worthy to become the nourisher of her Creator. And her Son, repaying that debt, gave her the grace [of Angels and men]. For as with food, drink, enjoyment, and hidden delight of every kind. He made her worthy to provide them abundantly with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Divine Liturgy is the marriage feast of Christ the Bridegroom (cf. Revelation 19:9; Matthew 22:2-4). To this feast of thanksgiving and praise, Saint John the Forerunner calls in the people and is the leader of the Bride. Christ is the Bridegroom and Master of the ceremony, and the Bride unwedded the provider and nourisher of the guests. (Source: The Divine Liturgy. A Commentary in the light of the Fathers by Hieromonk Gregorios of Saint John the Theologian Koutloumousiou Monastery, Mt. Athos)

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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

June 29 - The Martyrdom of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

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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THE MARTYRDOM OF HOLY APOSTLE PETER AND PAUL
The Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Peter

Saint Symeon Metaphrastes says that Saint Peter was not taken alone, but with a multitude of the faithful, among whom were Clement, Herodion, and Olympos. The tyrant condemned them to decapitation (beheading) but ordered Saint Peter to be crucified. Laying hold of the condemned, the soldiers brought them to the place of execution. Clement, as a kinsman of the emperor, they took pity on and set free. But Herodion and Olympos, who had come to Rome with the Apostle Peter, they beheaded together with a multitude of the faithful. The Holy Apostle Peter requested that he be crucified head-downwards, saying, "I am not worthy to be crucified as my Christ, upright, for thus He was Crucified, so as to look to the earth, where He would descend into Hades to deliver the souls therein. Crucify me head down, that I may look to the heavens, whither I shall go." Thus the Great and Holy Apostle of the Lord, the Holy Peter, reposed, glorifying God in his earthly death by the cross. He endured great torment from the nails in his hands and feet until he surrendered his blameless soul into the hands of God, on the 29th day of June, in the year of our Lord 67. His disciple, the Holy Clement, having begged the authorities for the precious body (holy relic) of the Apostle, took it down from the cross and washed it. After Clement called together the remaining faithful and clergy, he interred the body with honor. They likewise, gave a reverent burial to the bodies of Herodion, Olympos, and other holy Martyrs who suffered with the Apostle Peter, glorifying Christ God Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is glorified forever. Amen.

Again, it is Church Tradition that informs us that the Holy Apostle Peter deemed himself unworthy to be crucified as the master Christ. A church now stands on the place where Saint Peter was put to death. This is the church of Saint Peter on the Janiculum Hill (Chiesa di San Petro in Montorio). The church which now stands on the spot where Saint Peter was crucified is small, round, and has two levels. On the lower level, one can see the place where the overturned cross of the Apostle was erected. Above this place, a lamp burns perpetually. On the floor of the upper level of the church, a round opening has been made marking the height of the cross of Saint Peter. The foothill of the Janiculum Hill on which this church stands is called Golden Hill (Monte d'Oro, or, abbreviated, Montorio), by virtue of the golden color of the sand of which its soil consists.

Since along with the memorial of the Holy Apostle Peter, we are today celebrating the heavenly birthday of his fellow Apostle Paul.

The Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Paul

The account given for his martyric death on the 29th of June, A.D. 67, is that during the last days of his earthly life, the Holy Apostle Paul was detained together with the Holy Apostle Peter in the Mamertine Prison (Carcere Mamertino) in Rome. From here both Holy Apostles were simultaneously led out to be executed, by the order of Emperor Nero. Outside the city gates, now called the Gate of Saint Paul (Porta San Paolo), the Holy Apostle bid farewell to each other. The Holy Apostle Peter, since he did not enjoy the rights of a Roman citizen, was led out to the Janiculum Hill; but the Holy Apostle Paul, who was a Roman citizen, could not be given over to the ignominious death on the cross and inside the city, was led out further from the city to a place called the "Savory Waters" (Aquae Salviae) to be beheaded.

After being brought to the place of execution, the Holy Apostle Paul, in expectation of his martyric death, was detained here for a short time in a special dungeon. When the time for execution came, he himself bowed his head under the sword of the executioner, and the latter cut off his head. From the wound flowed blood and milk. When the detached head fell and bounced thrice on the earth, in those same three places where it touched the ground, there sprang forth three fountains of living water which have not ceased to flow even until today. A church (The Fontane) was built over the site of the three fountains and the column on which Saint Paul was beheaded. In a corner of this church behind a grate is where the small column is kept.

Nikephoros Kallistos (d. 1350), in the second book of his history, also writes that Saint Paul suffered in the same year and on the same day as the Holy Apostle Peter, after the demise of Simon Magus, whom he had helped Peter to vanquish.

Some Christians buried the holy relics of the Holy Apostle Paul at a spot three miles from the site of his martyrdom, on the farm of the Roman woman Lucine, where the church of Saint Paolo Fuori le mura stands today in a simple crypt. His holy relic remained there until the era of Valerian in the 3rd century, when they were moved, along with those of Saint Peter, to the catacombs of Saint Sebastian along the Appian Way, so as to be protected from being destroyed in the maniacal persecution against the Christians. For a time, the two Great Apostles met again in death when they occupied a niche in the marble tomb, the Platonia, beneath the church of Saint Sabastian on the Via Appia.

Apostle Paul's Ministry in His Own Words

"We are fools for Christ's sake."

Saint Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, writes: "For I think that God showed forth us the apostles last, as condemned to death; for we became a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ. We are weak, but ye are strong. Ye are held in honor, but we are dishonored (1 Corinthians 4:9-10). Saint John Chrysostom explains to us that "this is the meaning of fools for Christ's sake. For whosoever suffers wrongs and avenges not himself, nor is vexed, is reckoned a fool by the heathen, and is dishonored and weak."

The Holy Apostle Paul also reveals his paternal care: "And we toil working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we bear up; being evilly spoken of, we beseech. We became as the filth of the world, the off-scouring of all until now. I do not write these things shaming you, but admonishing you as my beloved children" (1 Corinthians 4: 12-14). (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

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THE DIVINE SERVICES ON JUNE 30th - THE FEAST OF THE HOLY TWELVE APOSTLES OF CHRIST:

Orthros at 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Please note: Tomorrow will be the last day for those who wish to receive the holy resurrection light for their homes.

If there still some of you who wish to be anointed with the Mysterion (Sacraments) of Holy Oil (Unction) you are asked to stay after the Divine Liturgy is over.

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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

June 29 - The Life of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

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 JUNE 29th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL.

The Life of Saint Paul the Holy Apostle

Saint Paul, the Holy Apostle, before his apostolate, was called Saul. He was a Jew by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin. He was born in Tarsus of Cilicia. His prominent parents, who lived first in Rome but later moved to Tarsus of Cilicia, held the coveted rank of Roman citizens. This is why Saint Paul was also a Roman citizen himself. Mention is made of a daughter in the family. Saul was likewise a kinsman of the holy First-Martyr Stefanos (Stephen) and (probably with him) was sent to Jerusalem by his parents to study the Law of Moses. Saul became a pupil of the famous Rabbi Gamaliel. His friend and comrade in his studies was Barnabas, who later became an Apostle of Christ. When Barnabus became a Christian he prayed to God, persistently and with tears, that He enlighten Saul's understanding and turn his heart. Now Saul studied primarily the law of his fathers, becoming a great proponent of it. He, moreover, joined the party of the Pharisees (strict zealots of their heritage, ostentatious in their piety).

When the First-Martyr Stephen was being stoned by the Jews, Saul not only failed to show any pity for one of his own stood who was being put to death, though innocent but even approved the murder and stood guard over the garments of the Jews who were casting stones at Saint Stefanos (Stephen). Afterward, having requested authority from the chief priests and elders of the Jews, he attacked the Church (the community of believers) with even greater rage. He entered into private homes, arresting men and women whom he sent to prison. Not satisfied with persecuting the faithful in Jerusalem, and continuing to breathe in threats and murder against the Disciples of Christ, he set out for Damascus, one hundred and twenty miles away. He had letters from the high priest to the synagogues, that even in Damascus he might see out any-one-man or woman--who believed in Christ and have such persons arrested and brought back to Jerusalem. This took place during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (A.D. 14-37).

But then Saul drew near to Damascus, a light, powerful and blinding, suddenly flashed around him from heaven, so that he fell to the ground. He "heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?' And he said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest, but rise up and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what is needful for thee to do" (Acts 9:4-6). In Saint Paul's later summation before King Agrippa, he describes further this saving experience: "At midday, in the way, I saw, O king, a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and those traveling with me. And after all of us fell down to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.' And I said, 'Who are Thou, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest. But rise up and stand on thy feet; for I appeared to thee for this purpose, to appoint thee a servant and a witness both of what thou dist see and of what I shall appear to thee in visions, taking thee out for Myself from the people and the nations, to whom now I send thee forth, to open their eyes, in order to turn them about from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, in order to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith that is in Me" (Acts 26:13-18).

Saul arose from the ground. Though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. His bodily eyes were blind, but he began to see with the eyes of his soul. Saul's companions and aides led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. He remained in this city for three days, unable to see anything with his bodily eyes. In his repentance, he neither ate nor drank anything. But he did give himself over to continual prayer that the Lord might reveal to him His will.

There lived in Damascus the holy Apostle Ananias. The Lord appeared to him in a vision and said, "Ananias," And he said, "Behold, I am here, Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a Tarsian, by the name Saul; for behold, he prayeth" (Acts 9:10-11). The Lord added that Saul also had seen Ananias in a vision. He beheld how Ananias came in and laid his hand on him so that he might recover his sight. Thus Christ directed Ananias to enlighten the eyes of Saul's body by touching them, and those of his soul by Holy Baptism. "But Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man, how many bad things he did to Thy saints in Jerusalem. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all those who call upon Thy Name." But the Lord said to him, 'Go thy way, for this one is a vessel of election to Me, to bear My name before the nations, and kings, and the sons of Israel. For I will show him how much it is necessary for him to suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:13-16).

Ananias went away and entered into the house, where he laid his hands upon him and said, "Saul, brother, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to thee in the way in which thou are wert coming, hath sent me forth, in order that thou mightest recover sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:18). Straightway, as if scales fell from Saul's eyes, he both recovered sight forthwith and rose up and was baptized. He also received food and was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the Disciples in Damascus. Forthwith, he began proclaiming Christ in the synagogues; that this Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were amazed, and were saying about Saul, "This is the one, is it not, who ravaged those who called upon this name in Jerusalem, and had come here for this, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?" (Acts 9:21).

Saul, filled with holy zeal, grew increasingly stronger in the Faith and brought to consternation the Jews who live in Damascus, proving to them that Jesus is the promised Messiah. The Jews then blazed up in anger against him. They conspired to murder him; so they set a watch on the city's gates, day and night, lest he should elude them. But the Disciples of Christ, who were in Damascus with Ananias, learning of those Jews who had resolved to kill Saul, took him. Then, at night, the Christians let him down in a basket through the window of a house that was built into the city wall. On leaving Damascus, Saul did not immediately go to Jerusalem. He first went to Arabia, as he writes in his Epistle to the Galatians but again returned to Damascus. Then after three years he went to Jerusalem to visit the holy Apostle Peter, and remained with him fifteen days; but of the other Apostles I saw none, except Iakovos (James) the brother of the Lord" (Galatians 1d;15-19). (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

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DIVINE SERVICES TOMORROW JUNE 29th:
Orthros (Matins) ................................................9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy....................................................10:00 a.m.

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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

June 29 - The Life of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

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.

+

JUNE 29th - THE FEAST OF SAINTS PETER PAUL

The Life of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

Holy Apostle Peter, the preeminent Apostle of the Lord and the brother of the First-Called Apostle Andrew, was known as Simon, son of Jonas (Jonah), who was a Jew of the Tribe of Simeon. He was a native of Bethsaida, an insignificant and little-known town of Galilee in Palestine. He lived in poverty during the years when Hyrcanus was a high priest of the Jews. After the repose of Peter's mother, Peter took to wife the daughter of Aristovoulos, the brother of the holy Apostle Barnabus, and begat children of her: a son and a daughter. Simon was a simple and unlettered man. Imbued with the fear of God, he observed all the Commandments of the Lord. He walked blamelessly in His sight in all his works. Simon was a fisherman by trade. As a poor man, he provided for his family by his manual labor. Thus, he fed his wife, children, and mother-in-law. He was fair with a slightly sallow tone in his complexion. His eyes were the color of blood like wine. His hair was white and thick.  He had a long nose and eyebrows that were somewhat inverted. He was of average height with a straight and upright frame. He was intelligent and prudent. Divine zeal impelled him against injustice and wrong. He was quick and fearless in retracting previous decisions, as will be seen in a later episode when the Lord washed the Disciples' feet.

Saint Andrew, Simon's brother, disdaining the vanity of this tumultuous world, chose to remain a celibate. He went to Saint John the Baptist by the Jordan, who was preaching repentance and became his disciple. He had his teacher's testimony concerning Jesus Christ the Messiah. He heard, in particular, the words Saint John uttered when he pointed to the Lord and said: 'Behold, the Lamb of God' (John 1:36). Saint Andrew, thereupon, left Saint John and, with another of the Baptist's disciples, followed after the Lord Jesus. "And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith to them, "What seek ye?" And they said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), "where art Thou staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." Then they went and saw where He was staying. And they stayed with Him that day (John 1:37).

Discipleship for the Apostle Peter

The following day, in the morning, Andrew went to his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is, being interpreted, the Christ), and he led him to Jesus. And having looked at him, Jesus said, "Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas. Thou shalt be called Kephas" (which is interpreted, a stone) [John 1:41-42]. Straightway, Peter was aflame with love for the Lord, believing in Him as the True Christ sent by God for the salvation of the world. Yet he neither quit his home nor forsook his occupation. He continued to provide for his household with all that was necessary for survival; in this responsibility, Simon's brother Andrew sometimes helped him for the sake of their elderly father. And thus did the brothers live until the Lord summoned them to the Apostolic Ministry (Diakonia).

One day, after Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner was imprisoned to Herod's dungeon, the Lord Jesus Christ withdrew into the Galilee. He was walking past the Sea of Galilee (which is also known as the Sea of Tiberias on the Lake of Gennesaret). He espied the two brothers: Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They, as fisherman, were throwing a casting-net into the sea, Jesus said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Straightway, they left the nets and followed Jesus.

The Apostle Peter's Mother-in-law and Others Are Healed

The Lord loved the Apostle Peter for his simplicity of heart. Now after Jesus and the disciples came out of the synagogue (Gk. synagogy), they went into the house of Simon and Andrew, with Iakovos (James) and John (Ioannis). "The mother-in-law of Simon was ill with a fever" (Mark 1:30). Immediately, they spoke to Jesus about her condition. Jesus "came and took hold of her hand, and raised her up. And immediately the fever left her, and she began ministering to them. And evening having come to pass when the sun did set, they kept on bringing to Him all those who were ill, and those possessed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And He cured many who were ill with various diseases and cast out many demons, and He was not allowing the demons to talk, because they knew Him. (Mark 1:31-34).

The Lord Jesus then rose up very early at night. He went out and departed into a desolate place, where He was praying. "And Simon and those with him followed hard after Him [Mark 1:36]. "They found Him and said, "All are seeking Thee". And He said to them, "Let us be going into the neighboring village-towns, in order that I might preach there also, for it was for this I have come forth". And He was preaching in their synagogues in all Galilee and casting out the demons (Mark 1:37-39). 

The Holy Apostle Peter Confesses Jesus to e the Christ, the Son of God

On another occasion when the Lord was preaching in the synagogue at Capernaum, He said, "Verily, verily, I say to you, unless ye should eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, ye are not having life in yourselves. The one who partaketh of My flesh and drinketh My blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him in the last day. For My flesh is true food and My blood is true drink. The one who eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood abideth in Me, and I in him. Even as the Living Father sent Me forth, and I live because of the Father, also the one who eateth Me, even he shall live because of Me. This One is the bread, the One having come down out of the heavens--not as your fathers ate the manna, and died. The one who eateth this bread shall live forever" (John 6:53-58). (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

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Please note: What do you all say after you hear the Lord's Divine words of what it means to receive Holy Communion? Are some of you still afraid to lose your earthly life by receiving it? Do you still believe that illness and viruses are transmitted through the Precious Blood and Sacred Body of Christ the Lord? Or by using the same Communion spoon (Lavida) which carries His Body and Blood to you "for the remission of your sins and life Eternal? What little faith?

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"

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

+Father George

June 29 - The Feast of the Holy, Glorious and Chiefs of the Apostles, Peter and Paul

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 JUNE 29th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF THE HOLY, GLORIOUS AND CHIEFS OF THE APOSTLES, PETER AND PAUL.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the chiefs of the Holy Apostles, are celebrated on June 29th in one of the culminating feasts of the Holy Gospel, according to Saint John Maximovitch. "The Apostles Peter and Paul, without having authority over others, both stood in front of all the others on account of their warm zeal and labors. Their life was the most brilliant and was a personification of the life and labors of all the Apostles. The end of their earthly labors was especially impressive, also thanks to the fact that it occurred as it were before the eyes of the whole world. Peter was crucified upside down, and Paul was beheaded, both in Rome itself toward which at that time the gaze of all peoples was more in that they were both known personally in many places; their names were everywhere the Savior was preached. The Apostle of the Jews and the Apostle of the Gentiles (pagans) departed to Christ on the same day, as if indicating their equal nearness to God and the ONENESS of the Church of Christ, 'where there is no Greek or Jew (Col. 3:11).' Therefore, the day on which the earthly labors ended for the leaders of the Apostles, who labored more than all--though separated in body, yet together in spirit--became one of the most memorable days for the whole Church.

"Though it is an immovable feast, still it is bound up with the movable feasts since the preparation for it--the Apostle's Fast--begins one week after the Feast of the Pentecost. Thus, the length of this fast also depends on the date of the celebration of the All-Holy Pascha. This day reminds us of how they went over the earth preaching the heavenly Kingdom. They emulated Christ by their poverty, endurance while being dishonored, and sufferings. They revealed their inward travails over those who heeded their preaching as well as their grief over those who paid no heed to their words. Then, finally, they offered themselves as a sacrifice. This was the earthly lot of the Apostles. But the culmination of their earthly life is at the same time the beginning of their heavenly glory...their ascent to Christ, Whom they loved, in order to remain eternally with Him. The day of their earthly end is the day of their heavenly birth. It is the receiving of the crowns of righteousness laid up for them and for all who have loved His appearing.

It is noteworthy that the Feast of the Holy Apostles follows after the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit and, being in part bound up with it, the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul culminates the yearly cycle of feasts dedicated to the earthly life of Christ and reveals the essence of His promises. Even as the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is the prologue to the Gospel and the beginning of the events described in it, so also the repose of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is both the culmination and the epilogue of the Gospel. The Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel of the New Testament on Earth; his beheading is the preaching of it in Hades; and the Feast of the Holy Apostles is the realization of it in heaven" (Saint John Maximovitch, The Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul).

We, therefore, celebrate the memory of Saints Peter and Paul with reverential awe and heartfelt love. Saint Gregory Palamas writes for the present feast: "They (Apostles) are the fathers and guides of all Christians: Apostles, Martyrs, Holy Ascetics, Priests, Hierarchs, Pastors, and Teachers. As Chief shepherds and master builders of our common godliness and virtue, they tend and teach us all, like lights in the world, 'holding forth the word of life (Phil. 2:16).' Their brightness excels that of the other radiantly pious and virtuous Saints as the sun outshines the stars, or as the heavens, which declare the sublime glory of God, transcend the skies...The appearance to us this day of both these luminaries together brightens the Church. It is not the case that one has a higher orbit and is placed above, while the other is lower down and passes under his shadow. Not does one rule the day, the other the night, such that one would overshadow the other if they appeared opposite each other. Light is not produced by one and received by the other in such a way that the latter's radiance would vary sometimes depending on the distance between them. Rather, both share equally in Christ, the Everlasting Source of Eternal Light, and have attained to the same height, glory, and radiance. That is why the coming together of these lights signifies their solidarity and support for one another and illuminated the souls of the faithful twice over." (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"

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

+Father George

The Sacrifice of Christ is Accomplished

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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THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST IS ACCOMPLISHED

At the Mystical ("Last") Supper, Christ celebrates sacramentally His Sacrifice on the Cross. He offers His Holy Blood, and by calling it the blood of the New Covenant [or 'Testament']. 'He shows that He is going to die. That is why He talks about a testament, a will. And indeed He recalls the earlier Covenant [the Old Testament] because that too was ratified by blood [cf. Hebrews 9:18-21].' At the Mystical Supper, we were the past [the Old Testament], the present [the New Testament], and the future [His imminent death] coexisting in the Person of Christ.

In the Divine Liturgy of Saint James (Iakovos), before the Consecration of the Holy Gifts, the people sing with compunction: "Your death, O Lord, we proclaim, and Your Resurrection we confess." The Divine Eucharist is the sacramental 'living out' of Christ's Sacrifice. During the celebration 'Christ the Master is present, and His death is accomplished, the awful Sacrifice'. 'Revere this Sacred Table,' says Saint John Chrysostom, 'revere the Sacrifice that lies upon it, which is Christ slaughtered for us.'

The Lord was given over to death for our sake, or, rather, He gave himself up willingly (cf. Matthew 26:21). In Holy Scripture 'it is said that He was betrayed, but it is also written that He gave himself up [cf. Ephesians 5:2]'. Christ 'suffered death on our behalf and for our sake, willingly. We see Him going to His death voluntarily, even though He could easily have avoided the Passion.' On the night of the Mystical (Last) Supper, Christ was handed over to the chief priests by Judas, or, rather, gave Himself up, for the life of the world."

At the Mystical Supper, Christ offers the Disciples His All-Holy Body already broken, and His Holy Blood already shed. In a manner beyond the grasp of the human mind, the Lord anticipated the events of His betrayal and the Cross. By giving the Twelve His Holy Body as food, 'He shows with clarity that the Sacrifice of the Lamb has already been accomplished'. The Last  Supper is also called the Mystical Supper because it has revealed to us the saving Sacrifice; it has initiated us into the Mystery of that Sacrifice.

The Divine Eucharist 'is not an image and prefiguration of sacrifice, but an actual Sacrifice', because Christ sacrificed and offered to the faithful. Saint John Chrysostom says: 'You are approaching an awesome and Holy Sacrifice...Christ lies before you slain,'

The Sacrifice on Golgotha and the Sacrifice of the Divine Eucharist are one, because 'we always offer the same Christ. We do not offer one sheep today and another tomorrow, but always the same one. Thus the sacrifice is one...The Sacrifice that was offered then is the one we offer now, the Sacrifice that is never expended,' 'having brought Himself as an Offering once...He is ever being slain, sanctifying those who partake.'

To participate in Christ's Supper is to see and taste His Love; "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 33:9). Saint John the Evangelist begins his account of the Mystical Supper by saying that this was the expression of Christ's endless love for His Disciples: "Before the feast of the Passover, Jesus...having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them unto the end" (John 13:1). And having set Himself before them as the food of immortality, He gives the new commandment of Love: "a NEW Commandment I give to you, that you love one another even as I have loved you" (John 13:34). Then He goes on to reveal the magnitude and the character of His Love for us, and explains the first even as (John 13:34) with a second: "Even as the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love" (John 15:9).

When we participate in the Supper of the Eucharist, we are participating in the Supper of Divine Love and are called to abide in that love.

Priest (in a low voice): Remembering, therefore, this commandment of salvation and all that has been done for us: the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the Sitting at the right hand, the Second and Glorious Coming again, (aloud) we offer You Your own of Your own, in all things and for all things.

Chantors: We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to you, O Lord, and we pray to You, our God.

Remembrance of Christ

Having offered His Disciples, His Holy Body and Precious Blood, Christ gave them the commandment: "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19). In this way He teaches us that the True remembrance of Him is not merely a thought but an act: the celebration of the Mystery of His Supper. And so that we should not regard this Remembrance of His as a mere symbol, He said clearly: "Take, eat My body...Drink My Blood."

These words of Christ and the recollection of the entire Divine Economy lead us into the Eucharistic Offering: "Remembering, therefore, this commandment of salvation and all that has been done for us...We offer You Your own of Your own." At the Divine Liturgy, 'the memory of Christ's Sacred works is ever renewed'. through words and through actions. Through the Eucharist, we carry out precisely that sacred action that Christ our master carried out. We offer the Holy Anaphora 'in commemoration of His death'. We do not simply think about the Sacrifice of Christ, we live it: 'The Sacrifice that was offered then [by Christ] is the one we offer now, the Sacrifice that is never expended...We are always enacting the same Sacrifice.'

One of the reasons the Lord instituted the Eucharist is for us to actually live the remembrance of Him because this leads us to thanksgiving: 'Christ said, "do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19), revealing to us why He gave us this Mystery (Sacrament)...which is in itself [reason] enough to move us to reverence. For when you consider what your Master suffered for you, you will become greater lover of wisdom', more spiritual, that is to say. It is from the remembrance of the benefaction that the thanksgiving -- the Eucharist -- springs forth, and it is the Eucharist that makes us 'greater lovers of wisdom': it makes us even more lovers of Christ Who is the Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Through the mouth of Saint John Chrysostom, Christ explains the meaning of this remembrance: 'Just as you kept the Jewish Passover in order to remember the wonders that took place in Egypt, so you should keep this [My Passover] in order to remember Me.' 'As Moses says, "This day shall be for you an Eternal Remembrance" (cf. Exodus 12:14], so also Christ says, "in remembrance of Me, until I come"  (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:26).'

Given that we live in expectation of Christ, the Divine Liturgy, the Mystery (Sacrament) of the remembrance of Him, is the foretaste of the Kingdom which is to come. (Source: The Divine Liturgy. A Commentary in the Light of the Fathers by Hieromonk Gregorios of Koutloumousiou Monastery, Holy Mountain.)

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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