Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All AfricaArchdiocese of Good Hope

ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND WORSHIP TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.

REMEMBERING ALSO OUR MOST HOLY, MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED AND GLORIOUS LADY, MARIA, BIRTH GIVER OF GOD, YET EVER VIRGIN, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS. AND LET US COMMIT OURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER AND OUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST OUR GOD. AMEN.

2nd Sunday of Great Lent Tone (5) Plagal 1 28 February 2010

Sunday of St Gregory Palamas – Sunday of the Paralytic (& his four friends)

Feast of St Basil the Confessor; St John Cassian the Confessor; St Kyranna the New Martyr of Thessalonika

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION – TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenou tehthenta is sotirian imon, animnisomen, pisti, ke proskinisomen. Oti ivdokise sarki anelthin en to Stavro ke thanaton ipomine ke egire tous tethneotas en ti evdoxo Anastasi Aftou.

The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit has no beginning, and Who, for our Salvation, was born of a Virgin, let us Faithful Believers hymn and adore. For it was His Good Pleasure to ascend the Cross in the Flesh, and to Suffer Death, and through His own Glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.

APOLYTIKION OF ST GREGORY PALAMAS

Othodoxias O Fostir, Ekklisias to stirigma ke didaskale, ton Monaston i Kalloni, ton Theologon ipermahos aprosmahitos, Grigorie Thavmatourge, Thessalonikis to kafhima, krix tis haritos, iketeve dia pantos, sothine tas psihas imon.

Orthodoxy’s Great Star, Support and Teacher of the Church, the beauty of the Monks, and invincible Protector of the Theologians, O Gregory, Worker of Miracles, the Pride of Thessaloniki, Preacher of Grace, forever dost thou intercede, that our souls may be saved.

KONTAKION OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Ti Ipermaho Stratigo ta nikitiria, Os litrothisa ton dinon evharistiria, Anagrafo Si i Polis Sou Theotoke, All’ os ehousa to kratos aprosmahiton, Ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson Ina krazo Si, Here Nimfi Animfevte!

Unto Thee, O Theotokos Invincible Champion, Thy City in thanksgiving Ascribes the Victory for the deliverance from sufferings. But having Thy Might unassailable, Free me from all dangers So that I may cry out to Thee: “Hail! O Bride Ever Virgin!”

Matins Gospel 5 : Luke 24 : 12 – 35 - OUR RISEN LORD JESUS APPEARS ALONG THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

The Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews 1 : 10 – 2: 3OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD – IS WITHOUT BEGINNING AND THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING

Brethren: to the Son God says: “Thou, O Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the Heavens are the Work of Thy Hands. They will perish but Thou remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak Thou will fold them up, and they will be changed but Thou art the same and

Thy years will not fail.” But to which of the Angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy Footstool.”?

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit Salvation?Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away, for if the word spoken

through Angels proved reliable and every transgression and disobedience received a Just Reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation, which at the first began to be spoken of by our Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.

St Paul used a quotation from Psalm 101:26 – 28 in which God the Father addressed Another Person as “Lord,” which meant He, too, is God – i.e. God the Father spoke to God the Son Who is Co-equal in all Divine Attributes.

The role of certain of God’s Heavenly Hosts – the Angels or Messengers of God – minister – take care of, guide, protect and communicate God’s Will – to “those who will inherit Salvation” – i.e. those who are faithful servants and adopted heirs of God.

In the early years of Christ’s Holy Church, many Hebrews believed that the Angels of God mediated the Old Covenant and although they certain served “The Angel of God” – i.e. the Son of God - in His New Covenant with us, God’s Holy Angels served our Lord and Saviour in His Humanity.

Furthermore, instead of ruling over mankind, the Heavenly Angels are partners in Divine Service with us.

They are our Guardian Angels who ensure that the Will of God is fulfilled at all times.

Like us they, too, are intellectual beings who have been created with free will and they most joyfully and faithfully serve God in absolute Obedience.

St Paul admonished (cautioned) against wilful negligence and carelessness through a gradual drifting away from God’s True Path.

He emphasised the fact that if the Hebrews were expected to obey the words of created beings like the Heavenly Angels

of God or suffer the consequences, how much more must we heed what God Incarnate has taught us through His Holy Apostles – especially when His Divine Truth has been confirmed by many Divine Miracles of the Holy Spirit – factual proof that the Kingdom of God has come!

During the Divine Liturgy, we beseech God for the “... pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions...” and “... a good defence before the dread Judgement Seat of Christ...” whereby we affirm the Truth of a Just Reward or Divine Retribution – a very real Divine Judgement!

[PARTLY SPONSORED BY DONATIONS) 2ND SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT – SUNDAY OF ST GREGORY PALAMAS & OF THE PARALYTIC (& FRIENDS) 28

FEBRUARY 2010 1.

The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 2 : 1 – 12CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR HEALS A PARALYTIC (PRESENTED BEFORE HIM BY FOUR FRIENDS ) BY THE FORGIVENESS OF HIS SINS

At that time, our Lord Jesus entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house and immediately many gathered together so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door.

And while He preached the Word to them, they came to Him, bringing a Paralytic who was carried by four men. But when they could not come close to Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof above where He was so that, when they had broken through, they could let down the bed upon which the paralysed man lay.

When Jesus saw their Faith, He said to the Paralytic: “Son, your sins are forgiven you!” But some of the Scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts: “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Immediately, as Jesus perceived in His Spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them: “Why do you reason about these things in your heart? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic: ‘Your sins are forgiven you...’ or ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk!’? So that you may know that the Son of Man has the Power to forgive sins...” and turning to the Paralytic He said: “I say to you: Arise! Take up your bed and go to your house.”

Straight away he arose, took up his bed, and went out in the presence of them all so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying: “We never saw anything like this!”

FAITH IS AN INDISPENSABLE CONDITION FOR SALVATION. FAITH IS ALSO COLLECTIVE AS WELL AS PERSONAL because,

as in this particular case, the friends of the paralysed man helped in his healing.

Three signs of our Lord Jesus’ Divinity are evident:

HE KNOWS THE SECRETS OF ALL SOULS

HE FORGIVES SINS – A DIVINE POWER THAT BELONGS TO GOD ALONE

HE HEALS BY THE POWER OF HIS WORDONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PURPOSES OF THE

INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD IS TO FORGIVE SINS AND THUS SET US FREE FROM ITS DEADLY ENSLAVEMENT.

THE FORGIVING OF SINS IS A GREATER DIVINE POWER THAN PHYSICAL HEALING for as the Scribes so correctly understood, GOD ALONE CAN FORGIVE SINS.

Therefore, the “easier task” was for Christ to grant the paralysed man physical healing and although Christ is fully Divine and has the Authority by His own right to forgive sins, He condescended to those who were gathered there at the time by healing the Paralytic.

Having done so before a multitude of witnesses, HE DREW THEM TO GOD WHOM THEY GLORIFIED FOR HIS GREAT MERCY.

The significance of the four friends of the Paralytic is noteworthy for THEY NOT ONLY TOOK THE TROUBLE TO CARRY HIM TO WHERE OUR LORD WAS BUT THEY DID NOT ALLOW ANYTHING TO PREVENT THEM FROM PRESENTING THEIR FRIEND TO CHRIST FOR HEALING – FULLY CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD OCCUR.

The determination of the Paralytic and his friends was so impressive that they have been commemorated ever since that day as A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CONFIDENCE AND FAITH IN GOD.

IT IS ALSO A GOOD EXAMPLE OF TRUE LOVE (AGAPE) FOR ONE ANOTHER: DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO ASSIST AND TO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER AS WE JOURNEY TOWARDS GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM.

The conniving Scribes and Pharisees was thwarted once again by our Lord Who is All knowing, when He used an alternative method of healing and forgiving the Paralytic.

This passage is read on the Second Sunday of Great Lent, called “Sunday of the Paralytic” and the Commemoration of St Gregory Palamas.

Sunday of the Paralytic (and his friends)In one of the Psalms we read: “Those who have

sown with tears will reap with Joy...” During our preparation for Great Lent in the last few

weeks, we have observed all that is ugly and unworthy in us, which is mirrored in the Parables we have heard.

If we have humbly stood before the Judgement of God and of our conscience, then we have truly “sown with tears” our own Salvation.

And yet, there is still time, because even when we enter into the Spiritual Harvest, God grants us a respite.

As we progress towards the Kingdom of God, towards the Day of the Resurrection, we still can - at every moment, against the background of Salvation, in the face His Divine Victory - turn to God with gratitude and yet, broken-heartedness, and say: “O Lord! I am perhaps the worker of the Eleventh Hour, but receive me as Thou promised to do!”

Last week we commemorated the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the day when the Holy Church of Christ proclaimed the legitimacy and justification of writing1 Holy Icons of Christ – the Incarnate Son of God.

It was not a declaration about art; it was a deeply Theological Proclamation of the Incarnation.

The Old Covenant forbade any Icons of God because, being an infinite, unfathomable Mystery, we could not depict Him in any shape or form.

He was not mentioned by Name except the Mysterious Name that only the High Priest knew or could utter with much fear and reverence.

However, according to the New Covenant, and having experienced physical contact withour Incarnate God – Jesus Christ – Who has dwelt amongst us and Who continues to dwell amongst us, although invisible at present, His human Face can be represented in Holy Icons.

In the New Covenant, God has a human Name: Jesus Christ, and He has a human Face that can be depicted on Holy Icons, which are thus proclamations of our certainty that God became Man to achieve ultimate, tragic and glorious Solidarity with us, to be one of us so that, through Him, we may become of the Children of God.

He became Man so that we may become gods, as Holy Scripture states.

And so we have begun to rejoice by preparing for this wonderful Miracle, this great Wonder of the Incarnation - softly, in an almost inaudible way, as the Church chanted the Canon of the Resurrection: Christ is risen from the dead! -— because it is not a promise for the future!

It is a certainty of the present - opened like a door for us to enter through Christ the Door, as He called Himself, into Eternity.

And today we commemorate St Gregory Palamas, one of the great Saints of Orthodoxy.

Against heresy and doubt, with the experience of the Ascetics and of all believers, he proclaimed that the Grace of God is not a created Gift.

The Grace of God is God Himself, communicating directly with us so that we are imbued with His Divine Presence when we willingly receive Him and open our hearts and souls to Him.

Consequently we become transparent or at least translucent with His Divine Light so that we become embryonic but ever-increasingly partakers of His Divine Nature.

This is not simply a Promise; this is a certainty that has transpired with thousands and thousands of Saints who have become partakers of the Divine Nature –a clear revelation and certainty of what we are called to be and to become.

And today is one more step that brings us into the Joy, the Glory of Easter.

In a week’s time we venerate the Holy Cross of Christ.

1 I.E. PAINTING HOLY ICONS

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The Cross, which was a terrifying instrument of excruciating punishment for criminals and dissidents of the Roman Empire, has now become a Sign of Victory and Salvation, because it signifies God’s Infinite, all-embracing Love.

The Holy Cross is as tragically Victorious as God is. The Holy Cross of Christ is awe-inspiring - the quiet,

Joyful Light of which we sing in Vespers.Let us prepare ourselves for the Vision of the Holy

Cross so that we might look at it and see it asthe Sign of Divine Love with the renewed certainty of our possible Salvation.

As the Choir chants the Canon of the Resurrection more loudly, let us contemplate how step by step God leads us towards the Victory He has won, and which He wants to share with us.

Let us pay close attention to the teachings of St Gregory Palamas who revealed how to receive the Divine Grace that God offers us and how to become worthy of Him.

Afterwards we will behold the Divine Victory in St Mary of Egypt as we approach the threshold of Holy Week.

Nevertheless, we must remember that we are now in the time of Newness - a time when God's Victory is being revealed to us.

We are being Called to be enfolded by Divine Victory - to respond to it with earnest gratitude that will make Renew our humanity, filled with Joy and responding to the Love of God with joyful tears and a conscientious commitment to God.

ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC” BY METROPOLITAN ANTHONY OF SOUROZH www.metropolit-anthony.orc

St Gregory Palamas – On Created Grace and Uncreated GraceSt Gregory Palamas wrote: “There is nothing

strange in using the word ‘Grace,’ both for the created and the Uncreated, and in speaking of a created Grace distinct from the created.” (HOMILY 45)

In what sense can we use the same word “Grace” about fundamentally different realities?

St Gregory Palamas was aware of the many meanings of the word and he defined the matter thus:

“All that flows from the Holy Spirit towards those who have been Baptised in the Holy Spirit according to the Gospel of Grace, and who have been rendered completely Spiritual, comes from the Source.

“It all comes from It, and also remains in It.” (Ex aftis te est ke en afti.)

So the word is the same because the Origin is the same.

People “... received by the Grace of God, and not through themselves, what they have received, for God alone does not possess their realities through Grace.

“In this context the word ‘Grace’ indicates that it was granted to them (BY GOD.)

“However, all is not alike in what God grants us...God has said by the mouth of Ezekiel: ‘A new heart

will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh... I will put My Spirit into you.’ (EZEKIEL 36:26; 37:5)

“Do you see the difference between the Gifts?“The new spirit and the new heart are created

things – that is what St Paul referred to as ‘... a new creature...’ because it is Recreated and Renewed by the Coming in Flesh (THE INCARNATION)

of Him Who first created it - (OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST) – whereas the Spirit of God given to the new heart is the Holy Spirit.” (LETTER TO ST ATHANASIOS)

“There is a created Grace and another Grace Uncreated... but since the Gift that the Saints receive and by which they are Deified, is none other than God Himself, how can you say that that too is a created Grace?” (AGAINST AKINDYNOS)

Likewise, THE RISEN/RESURRECTED BODY OF CHRIST WAS CREATED, but it is plain that THE DIVINITY, WHICH GAVE HIM IMMORTALITY, WAS UNCREATED.

On the Diversity of Divine Charisma/GiftsAmong Western Theologians, all more or less

depended on Augustinian writings against Pelagios concerning infant Baptism, the Doctrine of Grace generally has a Soteriological and Juridical character. (SALVATION & JUDGEMENT)

WE HAVE NEED OF DIVINE GRACE FOR WE CANNOT SAVE OURSELVES...

The Tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Holy Fathers, with its insistence on THE ULTIMATE GOAL SET BEFORE FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS – DEIFICATION OR THEOSIS – could not avoid going deeply into the meaning of the passages of St Paul’s Epistles concerning the diversity of the Charisma (DIVINE GIFTS), while plainly maintaining their Soteriological Unity.

St Gregory Palamas too, in dealing with DIVINE GRACE IN RELATION TO OUR FREE EFFORT TOWARDS GOD, recognised that this effort NEVER CAN BE ENOUGH, FOR THE WHOLE AMOUNT OF THE GIFTS REQUIRED FOR DIVINE LIFE BECOME ACCESSIBLE IN CHRIST.

“What we receive is never more and a part of what is given; he who receives the Divine Energy cannot contain the whole of it.” (HOMILIES)

THE DIVINE EPHIPHANY/THEOPHANY IN JESUS CHRIST IS THEREFORE LIMITED BY HUMAN CAPACITY TO RECEIVE IT, AND ALSO BY THE INFINITE VARIETY OF OUR PERSONAL PATHS TO GOD.

Its personalist quality is one of the essential characteristics of St Gregory Palamas’ thought:

“The Lord dwells in mankind in many and various ways according to the worth and conduct of those who seek Him.

“He appears in a certain way to the practical person, in another to the contemplative, and in yet another to the one who is endowed with Vision; the zealous receive it in one way, and those who have already become God’s, in another.”

Commenting on the passages concerning the Holy Spirit in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, St Gregory Palamas wrote:

“Those who prophesy, those who heal, those who see, and all those in general who have simply received the Grace of the Divine Spirit, all have Charisms (DIVINE GIFTS), greater or less great, in their own field.

“Thus St Paul thanks God because he (ST PAUL) speaks languages better than others, but he who has less, also has a Gift of God: ‘Seek for the greatest Charisms...’ wrote St Paul, therefore there must be lesser Charisms. (1 CORINTHIANS 12:31)

“And indeed, one star differs in glory from another... yet no star is totally devoid of light.” (1 CORINTHIANS 15:41)

Does that diversity of the Gifts of Grace break the Unity of Salvation, to that extent?

By no means, for SALVATION ESSENTIALLY CONSISTS OF CONTACT RE-ESTABLISHED WITH THE LIVING GOD PRESENT IN COMPLETENESS IN EACH DIVINE GIFT.

REDEEMING GRACE IS not a divisible object, but CHRIST HIMSELF WHO GIVES HIMSELF COMPLETELY TO US.

Here is a characteristic passage dealing with St Gregory Palamas’ teaching concerning the Divine Energies:

“Everyone worthy of it participates differently in the Great Gift of the Holy Spirit.

“This corresponds to the degree of personal purity, mingling with the harmony of that Beauty.

“But even he who has but little and that little obscure compared to the endowments of others... also unites himself to the whole of the very Divine Light , for it divides without dividing Itself after the manner of bodies...

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FEBRUARY 2010 3.

“That unique Light belongs indeed to the unique Christ.” (AGAINST AKINDYNOS)

IT EQUALLY BELONGS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO ALSO APPEARS IN COMPLETENESS IN ITS MANIFESTATIONS. (HOMILY 24)

The Unity of Salvation and the diversity of Charisms are thus preserved in a personalist conception of Redemption.

ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “A STUDY OF GREGORY PALAMAS – CHRIST & DEIFIED

HUMANITY” BY JOHN MEYENDORFF – ST VALDIMIR’S SEMINARY PRESS

Wisdom from Mount Athos: The Soul’s Yearning for GodMY SOUL YEARNS FOR THE LORD.How could I not seek Thee? For Thou first sought me;

Thou granted me delight in Thy Holy Spirit, and my soul rejoices for Thou art my God and my Lord.

In the first year of my life in the Monastery MY SOUL BEHELD GOD IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE LORD LOVES US GREATLY: THIS I KNOW BY THE HOLY SPIRIT Whom the Lord granted me in His singular Mercy.

I am an old man, preparing for death, and I WRITE OF TRUTH FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE.

The Spirit of Christ Whom I have from the Lord desires the Salvation of all, that ALL SHOULD KNOW GOD.

The Lord granted the (REPENTANT) Thief Paradise; THUS WILL HE GRANT PARADISE TO EVERY (REPENTANT)

SINNER.With my sins I am odious and unclean, but I TURNED

TO GOD FOR FORGIVENESS, AND HE GRANTED ME NOT FORGIVENESS ALONE BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND IN THE HOLY SPIRIT I KNEW GOD.

Do you see God’s Love for us? And who shall describe His Mercy?

O my Brethren! On my knees I beg you to BELIEVE IN GOD – BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A HOLY SPIRIT WHO BEARS WITNESS TO HIM IN EVERY CHURCH AND IN MY SOUL!

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LOVE; AND THE SOULS OF ALL THE HOLY WHO DWELL IN HEAVEN OVERFLOW WITH THIS LOVE.

AND ON EARTH THIS SAME HOLY SPIRIT IS IN THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO LOVE GOD!

ALL HEAVEN BEHOLDS THE EARTH IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND HEARS OUR PRAYERS AND CARRIES THEM TO GOD.

My soul knows that the Lord is Merciful, but His Mercy surpasses portrayal.

OUR LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY MEEK AND LOWLY, AND WHEN THE SOUL PERCEIVES HIM SHE2 IS ALL TRANSFORMED INTO LOVE TOWARDS GOD AND HER NEIGHBOUR, AND BECOMES MEEK AND LOWLY HERSELF.

But IF WE LOSE DIVINE GRACE WE WILL WEEP LIKE ADAM DRIVEN FROM PARADISE!

Adam wept and the whole desert heard his sobbing; his tears were bitter with affliction and he wept (bitter tears) for many years.

In similar manner THE SOUL WHO HAS KNOWN AND LOST THE GRACE OF GOD YEARNS FOR GOD and cries: “O how my soul yearns after God, and I seek Him in tears!”

THE GRACE OF GOD GIVES US STRENGTH TO LOVE THE BELOVED; AND THE SOUL IS DRAWN TO PRAY UNCEASINGLY AND CANNOT EVEN, FOR A MOMENT, FORGET THE LORD.

My soul languishes on earth and longs for the things of Heaven.

THE LORD CAME DOWN TO EARTH TO RAISE US TO WHERE HE HIMSELF DWELLS WITH HIS MOST HOLY MOTHER, WHO SERVED HIM ON EARTH FOR THE SAKE OF OUR SALVATION, AND WITH ALL THE DISCIPLES AND THE FOLLOWERS OF OUR LORD.

THE LORD CALLS US THITHER, IN SPITE OF OUR SINS!There shall we behold the Holy Apostles in Glory for

their preaching of the Holy Gospel; there shall we see Saintly Monks who wrestled in Fasting to humble their souls; there shall we see those who assumed folly for Christ’s sake are GLORIFIED BECAUSE THEY OVERCAME THE WORLD.

There ALL THOSE WHO HAVE CONQUERED THEMSELVES WILL BE GLORIFIED, AND ALL THOSE WHO PRAYED FOR THE WORLD AND BORE THE BURDEN OF THE WHOLE WORLD’S SORROWS BECAUSE THEIRS WAS THE LOVE OF CHRIST, AND LOVE CANNOT SUFFER A SINGLE SOUL TO PERISH.

It is there that the soul would take up her abode; but NOTHING UNCLEAN SHALL ENTER where those who come in, arrive by way of great tribulations and

2 THE SOUL IS REFERRED TO AS BEING FEMININE – LIKE THE HOLY CHURCH OF CHRIST – THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.

chastening of spirit and many tears; and ONLY CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT LOST THE GRACE OF HOLY BAPTISM, ENTER THEREIN WITHOUT AFFLICTION, and there IN THE HOLY SPIRIT THEY KNOW OUR LORD.

My soul yearns for God and prays day and night, for THE NAME OF OUR LORD IS SWEET AND DEAR TO THE PRAYERFUL SOUL, AND WARMS THE SOUL TO LOVE GOD.

We live a long time on this earth, and we love the Beauty of Creation: the sky and the sun, gardens, sea and river, forest and meadow, music too, and all the beauty of this world.

But WHEN THE SOUL COMES TO KNOW OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SHE HAS NO FURTHER DESIRE FOR THE THINGS OF THE EARTH.

Wondrous are the Works of our Lord: out of the earth He created mankind, and granted this creature of the earth to know Him in the Holy Spirit so that mankind exclaims: “My Lord and my God!” And these words he utters from the fullness of Faith and Love.

What more could the soul seek on earth?Here is a Great Miracle: THE SOUL SUDDENLY KNOWS

HER CREATOR AND HIS LOVE!

WHEN THE SOUL SEES HOW MEEK AND HUMBLE OUR LORD IS, SHE HERSELF IS THOROUGHLY HUMBLED, AND DESIRES NOTHING SO MUCH AS THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST.

And however long the soul might live on earth, she will ALWAYS DESIRE AND SEEK THIS HUMILITY which passes all comprehension, which she cannot forget.

IF THE LORD HAS LEFT US IGNORANT OF THE ORDERING OF MANY THINGS IN THIS WORLD, THEN IT MEANS IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR US TO KNOW: we cannot encompass all Creation without our minds.

However, THE CREATOR HIMSELF OF HEAVEN AND EARTH AND EVERY CREATED THING GRANTS US KNOWLEDGE OF HIM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IN THIS SAME HOLY SPIRIT WE KNOW THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS, THE HOLY ANGELS AND THE SAINTS, AND OUR SPIRIT BURNS WITH LOVE FOR THEM.

Quite the opposite are THOSE WHO WILL NOT LOVE THEIR ENEMIES and consequently they CANNOT COME TO KNOW OUR LORD AND THE SWEETNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES, SO THAT THE SOUL PITIES THEM AS IF THEY WERE HER OWN CHILDREN.

PEOPLE WHO DESIRE THE DESTRUCTION, THE TORMENT IN HELL-FIRE, OF THEIR ENEMIES, OR OF THE ENEMIES OF THE HOLY CHURCH HAVE NOT LEARNT FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT THE LOVE OF GOD, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LEARNT THE LOVE OF GOD WILL SHED TEARS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.

You say that so-and-so is an evil-doer and you hope he burns in Hell-Fire.

But I ask you: SUPPOSING THAT GOD WERE TO GIVE YOU A FAIR PLACE IN PARADISE AND YOU SAW SUCH PEOPLE SUFFERING THE TORTURES OF HELL, WOULD YOU REALLY EVEN THEN NOT FEEL PITY FOR THEM, WHOEVER THEY MIGHT BE, EVEN ENEMIES OF THE CHURCH?

THERE IS NO PLACE FOR HEARTS OF STONE IN PARADISE WHICH REQUIRES HUMILITY AND LOVE OF GOD THAT PITIES ALL HUMAN BEINGS, FOR THE GRACE OF GOD IS NOT IN THOSE WHO DO NOT LOVE THEIR ENEMIES!

ADAPTED & EDITED BY MP: “WISDOM FROM MOUNT ATHOS” – STARETZ SILOUAN (1866 – 1938) – COMPILED BY ARCHIMANDRITE SOPHRONY; TRANSLATED BY ROSEMARY EDMONDS; PUBLISHED BY ST VLADIMIR’S SEMINARY PRESS

During their earthly life, the Saints are filled with the Grace of the Holy Spirit.

After their departure Divine Grace remains in their immortal souls and in their Sanctified bodies.

Consequently, that very same Divine Grace is present and active in their Sacred Images and Icons!

ST JOHN OF DAMASCUS

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