Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements June 6, 2021
Sunday of the Blind Man



Bessarion the Wonderworker of Egypt 6/6/2021
5 Virgins of Caesarea: Martha, Mary, Cyris, Valeria & Marcia 6/6/2021
Nicholas Georgiou will Chant Matins & the Divine Liturgy Broadcast Prep Time 9:55 to 10:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy & Broadcast start time 10:00 a.m
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You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 16:16-34
IN THOSE DAYS, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met
by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners
much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, "These
men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way
of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed,
and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus
Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when
her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and
Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had
brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are
disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to
accept or practice." The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the
garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had
inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to
keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and
fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly
there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and
immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened.
When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword
and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul
cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And he called
for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,
and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" And they said,
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And
they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he
took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was
baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and
set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in
God.
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Πρξεις ποστλων τ νγνωσμα 16:16-34
ν τας μερας κεναις, γνετο δ πορευομνων μν ες προσευχν παιδσκην
τιν χουσαν πνεμα πθωνος παντσαι μν, τις ργασαν πολλν παρεχε τος
κυροις ατς μαντευομνη.ατη κατακολουθσασα τ Παλ κα τ Σλ κραζε
λγουσα· οτοι ο νθρωποι δολοι το Θεο το ψστου εσν, οτινες
καταγγλλουσιν μν δν σωτηρας. τοτο δ ποει π πολλς μρας.
διαπονηθες δ Παλος κα πιστρψας τ πνεματι επε· παραγγλλω σοι ν τ
νματι Ιησο Χριστο ξελθεν π ατς. κα ξλθεν ατ τ ρ. Ιδντες δ
ο κριοι ατς τι ξλθεν λπς τς ργασας ατν, πιλαβμενοι τν Παλον
κα τν Σλαν ελκυσαν ες τν γορν π τος ρχοντας, κα προσαγαγντες
ατος τος στρατηγος επον· οτοι ο νθρωποι κταρσσουσιν μν τν πλιν
Ιουδαοι πρχοντες, κα καταγγλλουσιν θη οκ ξεστιν μν παραδχεσθαι
οδ ποιεν Ρωμαοις οσι. κα συνεπστη χλος κατ ατν. κα ο στρατηγο
περιρρξαντες ατν τ μτια κλευον αβδζειν, πολλς τε πιθντες ατος
πληγς βαλον ες φυλακν, παραγγελαντες τ δεσμοφλακι σφαλς τηρεν
ατος· ς παραγγελαν τοιατην εληφς βαλεν ατος ες τν σωτραν
φυλακν κα τος πδας ατν σφαλσατο ες τ ξλον. Κατ δ τ μεσονκτιον
Παλος κα Σλας προσευχμενοι μνουν τν Θεν· πηκροντο δ ατν ο
δσμιοι. φνω δ σεισμς γνετο μγας, στε σαλευθναι τ θεμλια το
δεσμωτηρου, νεχθησν τε παραχρμα α θραι πσαι κα πντων τ δεσμ
νθη. ξυπνος δ γενμενος δεσμοφλαξ κα δν νεγμνας τς θρας τς
φυλακς, σπασμενος μχαιραν μελλεν αυτν ναιρεν, νομζων κπεφευγναι
τος δεσμους. φνησε δ φων μεγλ Παλος λγων· μηδν πρξς σεαυτ
κακν· παντες γρ σμεν νθδε. ατσας δ φτα εσεπδησε, κα ντρομος
γενμενος προσπεσε τ Παλ κα τ Σλ,κα προαγαγν ατος ξω φη·
κριοι, τ με δε ποιεν να σωθ; ο δ επον· πστευσον π τν Κριον Ιησον
Χριστν, κα σωθσ σ κα οκς σου. κα λλησαν ατ τν λγον το
Κυρου κα πσι τος ν τ οκ ατο. κα παραλαβν ατος ν κεν τ ρ
τς νυκτς λουσεν π τν πληγν, κα βαπτσθη ατς κα ο ατο πντες
παραχρμα, ναγαγν τε ατος ες τν οκον ατο παρθηκε τρπεζαν, κα
γαλλισατο πανοικ πεπιστευκς τ Θε.
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The Gospel According to John 9:1-38
At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him,
"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not
that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We
must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As
long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and
made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam"
(which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him
before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he
is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The
man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed
and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the
clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He
put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not
keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among
them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said,
"He is a prophet."
The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man
who had received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now
see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do
not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." His parents said
this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ he
was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him."
So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that
this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was
blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I
have told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his
disciples?" And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God
has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a
marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to
sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it
been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" He
answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who
speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.
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κ το Κατ ωννην Εαγγελου τ νγνωσμα 9:1-38
Τ καιρ κεν, παργων εδεν νθρωπον τυφλν κ γενετς. Κα ρτησαν ατν ο μαθητα ατο λγοντες
αββ, τς μαρτεν, οτος ο γονες ατο, να τυφλς γεννηθ; πεκρθη Ιησος οτε οτος μαρτεν οτε ο
γονες ατο, λλ να φανερωθ τ ργα το Θεο ν ατ. μ δε ργζεσθαι τ ργα το πμψαντς με ως
μρα στν ρχεται νξ τε οδες δναται ργζεσθαι. ταν ν τ κσμ , φς εμι το κσμου. τατα επν
πτυσε χαμα κα ποησε πηλν κ το πτσματος, κα πχρισε τν πηλν π τος φθαλμος το τυφλο κα
επεν ατ παγε νψαι ες τν κολυμβθραν το Σιλωμ, ρμηνεεται πεσταλμνος. πλθεν ον κα νψατο,
κα λθε βλπων. Ο ον γετονες κα ο θεωροντες ατν τ πρτερον τι τυφλς ν, λεγον οχ οτς στιν
καθμενος κα προσαιτν; λλοι λεγον τι οτς στιν λλοι δ τι μοιος ατ στιν. κενος λεγεν τι γ
εμι. λεγον ον ατ πς νεχθησν σου ο φθαλμο; πεκρθη κενος κα επεν νθρωπος λεγμενος Ιησος
πηλν ποησε κα πχρισ μου τος φθαλμος κα επ μοι παγε ες τν κολυμβθραν το Σιλωμ κα νψαι
πελθν δ κα νιψμενος νβλεψα. επον ον ατ πο στιν κενος; λγει οκ οδα. Αγουσιν ατν πρς τος
Φαρισαους, τν ποτε τυφλν. ν δ σββατον τε τν πηλν ποησεν Ιησος κα νξεν ατο τος
φθαλμος. πλιν ον ρτων ατν κα ο Φαρισαοι πς νβλεψεν. δ επεν ατος πηλν πθηκ μου π
τος φθαλμος, κα νιψμην, κα βλπω. λεγον ον κ τν Φαρισαων τινς οτος νθρωπος οκ στι παρ
το Θεο, τι τ σββατον ο τηρε. λλοι λεγον πς δναται νθρωπος μαρτωλς τοιατα σημεα ποιεν; κα
σχσμα ν ν ατος. λγουσι τ τυφλ πλιν σ τ λγεις περ ατο, τι νοιξ σου τος φθαλμος; δ επεν
τι προφτης στν. οκ πστευσαν ον ο Ιουδαοι περ ατο τι τυφλς ν κα νβλεψεν, ως του φνησαν
τος γονες ατο το ναβλψαντος κα ρτησαν ατος λγοντες οτς στιν υς μν, ν μες λγετε τι
τυφλς γεννθη; πς ον ρτι βλπει; πεκρθησαν δ ατος ο γονες ατο κα επον οδαμεν τι οτς στιν
υς μν κα τι τυφλς γεννθη πς δ νν βλπει οκ οδαμεν, τς νοιξεν ατο τος φθαλμος μες οκ
οδαμεν ατς λικαν χει, ατν ρωτσατε, ατς περ αυτο λαλσει. τατα επον ο γονες ατο, τι
φοβοντο τος Ιουδαους δη γρ συνετθειντο ο Ιουδαοι να, ν τις ατν μολογσ Χριστν,
ποσυνγωγος γνηται. δι τοτο ο γονες ατο επον τι λικαν χει, ατν ρωτσατε. φνησαν ον κ
δευτρου τν νθρωπον ς ν τυφλς, κα επον ατ δς δξαν τ Θε μες οδαμεν τι νθρωπος οτος
μαρτωλς στιν. πεκρθη ον κενος κα επεν ε μαρτωλς στιν οκ οδα ν οδα, τι τυφλς ν ρτι
βλπω. επον δ ατ πλιν τ ποησ σοι; πς νοιξ σου τος φθαλμος; πεκρθη ατος επον μν δη, κα
οκ κοσατε τ πλιν θλετε κοειν; μ κα μες θλετε ατο μαθητα γενσθαι; λοιδρησαν ατν κα επον
σ ε μαθητς κενου μες δ το Μωσως σμν μαθητα. μες οδαμεν τι Μωσε λελληκεν Θες τοτον
δ οκ οδαμεν πθεν στν. πεκρθη νθρωπος κα επεν ατος ν γρ τοτ θαυμαστν στιν, τι μες οκ
οδατε πθεν στ, κα νξ μου τος φθαλμος. οδαμεν δ τι μαρτωλν Θες οκ κοει, λλ ν τις
θεοσεβς κα τ θλημα ατο ποι, τοτου κοει. κ το ανος οκ κοσθη τι νοιξ τις φθαλμος τυφλο
γεγεννημνου. ε μ ν οτος παρ Θεο, οκ δνατο ποιεν οδν.πεκρθησαν κα επον ατ ν μαρταις σ
γεννθης λος, κα σ διδσκεις μς; κα ξβαλον ατν ξω.
Ηκουσεν Ιησος τι ξβαλον ατν ξω, κα ερν ατν επεν ατ σ πιστεεις ες τν υν το
Θεο; πεκρθη κενος κα επε κα τς στι, Κριε, να πιστεσω ες ατν; επε δ ατ Ιησος κα ρακας
ατν κα λαλν μετ σο κενς στιν. δ φη πιστεω, Κριε κα προσεκνησεν ατ.
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Today’s Memorials 40 Days – Socratis Gerondelis
Socratis Gerondelis died on Sunday, May the 2nd of 2021 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. He was 80. Born in Ampeliko, Greece, he trained as a musician and tailor. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 16 and lived in Plainfield, New Jersey where he supported his mother, sister and younger brother. Socratis married Aliki Stylianou in 1968 and lived in Highland Park, NJ where they raised their two sons Peter and Eustathios. As members of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Piscataway, NJ, Socratis was a member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and volunteered as chaperone for various Greek Orthodox Youth Association events. He was a freemason with Union Lodge #19 in North Brunswick, NJ where he served as Worshipful Master. After raising their sons, they moved to Jamesburg, NJ before eventually retiring to Durham, North Carolina to enjoy their grandchildren. At Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church of Durham, NC, Socratis continued with the AHEPA where he served as Director and provided musical entertainment at various church events by sharing his extensive music collection as a disc jockey as well as by live performances with his bouzouki. Socratis is survived by his wife Aliki; sons, Peter and Eustathios; three grandchildren, Alexander, Katherine and James and by one brother, Peter Gerondelis. Socratis was predeceased by his parents Eustathios and Athanasia (Meligonitis) Gerondelis; his brothers Nicholas Gerondelis and Stilianos Gerondelis and his sisters Efstratia Calantjis and Mary Bernard.
Today’s Memorials 1 year – Elly Letsiou – Aunt of Elias Lambiris
5 years – John Lambiris – Father of Elias Lambiris
Today’s Coffee Hour Sponsored by Aliki Gerondelis in Memory of her Husband Socratis
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The Sunday of the Blind Man Explained
The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man
mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born
without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15;
and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did
sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the
paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they
wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the
Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the
spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which
means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the
eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."
Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the
clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made
manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus,
the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer
blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of
his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was
born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even
doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to
the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that
even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's
meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his
commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.
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Stewards as of June 3, 2021
Thank you for your continuing support of St. Barbara. As of June 3, 2021 we had 121 Stewards or 76% of our 2021 goal
of 160. Please join us to meet our annual goal by pledging your support. Your time, talents and treasury are critical to
the success of our ministries and meeting our operating expenses.
We continue to need your help during these trying times. Please give prayerful consideration to your 2021
contribution as soon as possible. The Church’s mission and expenses continue in the face of the Covid pandemic.
Please help your Church. Thank you. We depend heavily on Stewardship support to meet our needs.
Ackerley, John & Ellie Delagrammatikas, Dr. George & Lambiris, Elias & Madelene Pappas, Dr. Ted & Theky
Alexander, Dr. Susan Chrystal Livanos, Geoge Paraschos, Sofia
Alexiades, Alec and Frances Demetriades, Gus & Vanessa Livas, Katherine Pashales, George
Alger, Amy Dennos, Anne Lockett, Paul & Melanie Przybyl, Daniel & Lori
Amos, Matt & Vicky Dennos, George & Patricia Loden, Martha Qaqish, Dr. Olgha
Arvanitis, Marina Dorton, Betty Lagodinos, Nikolaos & & Arboleda, Mario
Assimos, Dean Easton, Brian & Maria Patras, Konstantina Quint, Angelia
Bakis, Basile & Mary Edwards, Tia Mangum, Daniel & Dr. Hrisavgi Rheinhardt, Keith & Alexa
Bakis, James Fedorovska, Natalya Mamaies, Fr. Stavroforos Rudnick, Ben & Irene
Balafas, Nicholas & Eugenia Ferris, Laurice Mariakakis, Johnny & Catherine Safarikas, Al & Christine
Barbee, Effie Fotinos, Nickolas & Myriam Marinos, Pete and Joan Saloupis, Peter
Becak, Thalia Frangakis, Dr. Crist & Maria Martin, Azeb Shepard, Bernadette
Biggs, John & Diana Dobrica Gkoulioumis, Konstantinos Mavrogiorgos, Dr. Nicholaos & Stavrakakis, Mattheos & Marika
Bonfiglio, Barbara & Mantzouka, Eleftheria Dr. Marjory Charlot Stutts, Linda
Bourbous, Nick Glekas, Dr. George & Dr. Amy Megaro, Mathew & Tina Sullivan, Bill and Jennifer
Callahan, Katherine Marie Glekas, Jim & Evy Messis, Panos Sunas, Marian
Capsalis, Manuel Goodwin, Len & Elaine McGovern, Victoria Tesfatsion, Senait
Carr, Sophie Hondos, Effie & Dina Morris, Kostantinos Theophanos, Rebecca
Chamis, Christos & Alice Jurau, Christian Nolas, Billy & Julie Trohanis, Donna
Christakos, Andrew & Cheryl Kacoyanis, Anna Odzak, Larry & Hope Tylecote, Alexander & Emily
Christakos, Eleni Kacoyanis, Paul Oladipo, Richard Tryphonos, Tryphon & Suzanne
Christakos, Lia Kalaidzidis, Gregorios & Lindsay Paliouras, Cindy Valakas, Antonia
Christi, George & Deborah Kambeseles, Jack Paliouras, Jim & Helen Vurnakes, Jimmy & Frances
Claypoole, Chris & Michelle Kamilaris, Nicholas Paliours, John & Dena Vlachos, Demetra
Cocolas, Erie Karamalegos, Antonios & Claire Paliouras, Nicholas Watters, Jacques & Christine
Connell, Rose Marie Kash, Dr. Thomas & Dr. Zoe Panos, Peter & Evelyn Wilson, Preston & Catherine
Constantinou, Catherine & Kekis, Theoharis Panov, Yuri & Eliseeva, Yelena Wippich, Robert & Roberta
Wes Platt Kepraios, William & Elaine Pantelidis, James & Stella Xenakis, Betsy
Constatinou, Costas Klikas, Paul & Mann, Dana Pantermakis, George & Janet Zaferatos, Deno & Kerri
Constantinou, Lou Korach, Dr. Kenneth & Karen Papazoglou, Matina Zehia, Christina
Costas, Dean Koutouzakis, Helen Pappas, Joanna Zehia, Tony & Evelyn
Dababnah, Sharon Kuyper, Dr. Lee & Pauline Pappas, Katherine
Please remember your Church. If you have not, as yet, become a 2021 Steward of St. Barbara, please join your fellow
Parishioners in supporting our beloved Church. Thank you.

The Lord Jesus passed forty days on earth after His
Resurrection from the dead, appearing continually
in various places to His disciples, with whom He
also spoke, ate, and drank, thereby further
demonstrating His Resurrection. On this Thursday,
the fortieth day after Pascha, He appeared again in
Jerusalem. After He had first spoken to the disciples
about many things, He gave them His last
commandment, that is, that they go forth and
proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning from
Jerusalem. But He also commanded them that for
the present, they were not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait there together until they receive power
from on high, when the Holy Spirit would come
upon them.
Saying these things, He led them to the Mount of
Olives, and raising His hands, He blessed them; and
saying again the words of the Father's blessing, He was parted from them and taken up.
Immediately a cloud of light, a proof of His majesty, received Him. Sitting thereon as though on
a royal chariot, He was taken up into Heaven, and after a short time was concealed from the
sight of the disciples, who remained where they were with their eyes fixed on Him. At this
point, two Angels in the form of men in white raiment appeared to them and said, "Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who is taken up from you into
Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11). These
words, in a complete and concise manner, declare what is taught in the Symbol of Faith
concerning the Son and Word of God. Therefore, having so fulfilled all His dispensation for us,
our Lord Jesus Christ ascended in glory into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God the
Father. As for His sacred disciples, they returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem,
rejoicing because Christ had promised to send them the Holy Spirit.
It should be noted that the Mount of Olives is a Sabbath's day journey from Jerusalem, that is,
the distance a Jew was permitted to walk on the day of the Sabbath. Ecumenius writes, "A
Sabbath day's journey is one mile in length, as Clement says in his fifth Stromatis; it is two
thousand cubits, as the Interpretation of the Acts states." They draw this conclusion from the
fact that, while they were in the wilderness, the Israelites of old kept within this distance from
the Holy Tabernacle, whither they walked on the Sabbath day to worship God.
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ΠΕΡΙ ΤΗΣ ΑΝΑΛΗΨΕΩΣ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΡΗΓΟΡΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΛΑΜΑ
«Βλπετε αυτ τη κοιν για μας εορτ και ευφροσνη, την οποα ο Κρις μας Ιησος
Χριστς εχρισε με την ανσταση και ανληψ του στους πιστος; Επγασε απ θλψη.
Βλπετε αυτ τη ζω, μλλον δε την αθανασα; Επιφνηκε σε μας απ θνατο.
Βλπετε το ουρνιο ψος, στο οποο ανβηκε κατ την ανψωσ του ο Κριος και την υπερδεδοξασμνη δξα που δοξσθηκε κατ σρκα; Το πτυχε με τη ταπενωση και την
αδοξα. πως λγει ο απστολος γι’ αυτν, «εταπενωσε τον εαυτ του γενμενος υπκοος μχρι θαντου, και μλιστα σταυρικο θαντου, γι’ αυτ κι’ ο Θες τον
υπερψωσε και του χρισε νομα αντερο απ κθε νομα, στε στο νομα του Ιησο να καμφθε κθε γνατο επουρανων και επιγεων και καταχθονων και να διακηρξει
κθε γλσσα τι ο Ιησος Χριστς εναι ο Κριος σε δξα Θεο Πατρς».(Φιλιπ. 2: 8-11).
Εν λοιπν ο Θες υπερψωσε το Χριστ του για το λγο τι ταπεινθηκε, τι
ατιμσθηκε, τι πειρσθηκε, τι υπμεινε επονεδιστο σταυρ και θνατο για χρη μας, πως θα σσει και θα δοξσει και θα ανυψσει εμς, αν δεν επιλξωμε τη ταπενωση, αν
δεν δεξουμε τη προς τους ομοφλους αγπη, αν δεν ανακτσωμε τις ψυχς μας δια της υπομονς των πειρασμν, αν δεν ακολουθομε δια της στενς πλης και οδο, που
οδηγε στην αινια ζω, τον σωτηρως καθοδηγσαντα σ’ αυτν; «διτι, και ο Χριστς
παθε για μας, αφνοντς μας υπογραμμ (παρδειγμα), για να παρακολουθσουμε τα χνη του». (Α’ Πτρ. 2:21).
Η ενυπστατος Σοφα του υψστου Πατρς, ο προαινιος Λγος, που απ φιλανθρωπα ενθηκε μ’ εμς και μας συναναστρφηκε, ανδειξε τρα εμπρκτως μια εορτ πολ
αντερη και απ αυτ την υπεροχ. Γιατ τρα γιορτζουμε τη διβαση, της σ’ αυτν ευρισκομνης φσες μας, χι απ τα υπγεια προς την επιφνεια της γης, αλλ απ τη
γη προς τον ουραν του ουρανο και προς τον πρα απ αυτν θρνο του δεσπτη των πντων.
Σμερα ο Κριος χι μνο στθηκε, πως μετ την ανσταση, στο μσο των μαθητν του, αλλ και αποχωρσθηκε απ αυτος και, εν τον βλεπαν, αναλφθηκε στον ουραν
και εισλθε στ’ αληθιν για των αγων «και εκθησε στα δεξι του Πατρς πνω απ κθε αρχ και εξουσα και απ κθε νομα και αξωμα, που γνωρζεται και ονομζεται ετε
στον παρντα ετε στον μλλοντα αινα».(Εφ. 1:20)
Γιατ λοιπν στθηκε στο μσο τους κι’ πειτα τους συνδευσε; «Τους εξγαγε, λγει, ξω
ως τη Βηθανα», αλλ «και αφο σκωσε τα χρια του, τους ευλγησε». (Λουκ 24:50).
Το καμε για να επιδεξει τον εαυτ του ολκληρο σο και αβλαβ, για να παρουσισει τα πδια υγι και βαδζοντα σταθερ, αυτ που υπστησαν τα τρυπματα των καρφιν, τα
ομοως επ του σταυρο καρφωμνα χρια, την δια τη λογχισμνη πλευρ, αν φεραν πνω τους, τους τπους των πληγν, προς διαπστωση του σωτηριδους πθους.
Εγ δε νομζω τι δια του «στθηκε στο μσο των μαθητν» δεικνεται και το τι αυτο στηρχθηκαν στη πστη προς αυτν, με αυτ τη φανρωση και ευλογα του. Γιατ δεν
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στθηκε μνο στο μσο λων αυτν, αλλ και στο μσο της καρδις του καθενς, γιατ απ εκενη την ρα οι απστολοι του Κυρου γιναν σταθερο και αμετακνητοι.
Στθηκε λοιπν στο μσο τους και τους λγει, «ειρνη σε σας», τοτη τη γλυκι και σημαντικ και συνηθισμνη του προσφνηση. Την διπλ ειρνη, προς το Θε που εναι
γννημα της ευσβειας και αυτ που χουμε οι νθρωποι μεταξ μας. Και καθς τους εδε φοβισμνους και ταραγμνους απ την ανλπιστη και παρδοξη θα, γιατ νμισαν τι
βλπουν πνεμα – φντασμα, αυτς τους ανφερε πλι τους διαλογισμος της καρδις των, και αφο δειξε τι εναι αυτς ο διος, πρτεινε τη διαβεβαωση δια της εξετσεως
και ψηλαφσεως. Ζτησε φαγσιμο, χι γιατ εχε ανγκη τροφς, αλλ για επιβεβαωση της αναστσες του.
φαγε δε μρος ψητο ψαριο και μλι απ κηρθρα, που εναι και αυτ σμβολα του μυστηρου του. Δηλαδ ο Λγος του Θεο νωσε στον εαυτ του καθ’ υπσταση τη φση
μας, που σαν ιχθς κολυμποσε στην υγρτητα του ηδονικο και εμπαθος βου, και την καθρισε με το απρσιτο πυρ της Θετητς του. Με κηρθρα δε μελισσιο μοιζει η φση
μας γιατ κατχει το λογικ θησαυρ τοποθετημνο στο σμα σαν μλι στη κηρθρα. Τργει απ αυτ ευχαρστως γιατ καθιστ φαγητ του τη σωτηρα του καθενς απ τους
μετχοντας της φσεως. Δεν τρει ολκληρο, αλλ μρος «απ κηρθρα μλι» επειδ
δεν πστευσαν λοι και δεν το παρνει μνος του, αλλ προσφρεται απ τους μαθητς, γιατ του φρνουν μνο τους πιστεοντες σ’ αυτν, χωρζοντς τους απ τους απστους.
Κατπιν τους υπενθμισε τους λγους του πριν το πθος, που λοι πραγματοποιθηκαν. Τους υποσχθηκε να τους στελει το γιο Πνεμα, τους επε να καθσουν στην
Ιερουσαλμ μχρι να λβουν δναμη απ ψηλ. Μετ τη συζτηση ο Κριος τους βγαλε απ το σπτι και τους οδγησε ως τη Βηθανα και αφο τους ευλγησε, πως
αναφραμε, αποχωρσθηκε απ αυτος και ανυψθηκε προς τον ουραν, χρησιμοποιντας νεφλη σαν χημα και ανλθε ενδξως στους ουρανος, στα δεξι της
μεγαλοσνης του Πατρς, καθιστντας ομθρονο το φραμ μας.
Καθς οι Απστολοι δεν σταματοσαν να κοιτζουν τον ουραν, με τη φροντδα των
αγγλων πληροφορονται τι τσι θα λθει πλι απ τον ουραν και «θα τον ιδον λες οι φυλς της γης, να ρχεται πνω στις νεφλες του ουρανο». (Ματθ. 24: 30). Ττε οι
μαθητς αφο προσκνησαν απ το ρος των Ελαιν, απ που αναλφθηκε ο Κριος, επστρεψαν στην Ιερουσαλμ χαρομενοι, αινντας και ευλογντας το Θε και
αναμνοντες την επιδημα του θεου Πνεματος.
πως λοιπν εκενος ζησε και απεβωσε, αναστθηκε και αναλφθηκε, τσι κι’ εμες ζομε και πεθανουμε και θα αναστηθομε λοι. Την ανληψη μως δεν θα πετχουμε
λοι, αλλ μνο εκενοι για τους οποους ζω εναι ο Χριστς και ο θνατος εναι κρδος, σοι προ του θαντου σταρωσαν την αμαρτα δια της μετανοας, μνο αυτο θα
αναληφθον μετ την κοιν ανσταση σε νεφλες προς συνντηση του Κυρου στον αρα. (Α’ Θεσ. 4:17).
Ας ρθουμε στο υπερο μας, στο νου μας προσευχμενοι, ας καθαρσουμε τους εαυτος μας για να πετχουμε την επιδημα του Παρακλτου και να προσκυνσουμε Πατρα και