The Morning Offering

Sunday

May 15, 2011 / May 2, 2011

Fourth Sunday of Pascha: The Paralyzed Man. Tone three.

Translation of the relics of Martyr Abramius of Bulgaria (1230) (movable holiday on the 4th Sunday of Pascha).
Righteous Tabitha (1st c.) (movable holiday on the 4th Sunday of Pascha).
New Martyr Theodore of Bizantium, who died at Mitilene (1795) (movable holiday on the 4th Sunday of Pascha) (Greek).
All Saints of Euboea (movable holiday on the 4th Sunday of Pascha) (Greek).
St. Athanasius the Great, archbishop of Alexandria (373).
Translation of the relics (1072 and 1115) of the Holy Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb of Russia, in holy baptism Romanus and David (1015).
St. Athanasius III, patriarch of Constantinople and wonderworker of Lubny (1654).
Martyrs Hesperus, Zoe, and their sons Cyriacus and Theodulus, at Attalia (2nd c.).
St. Boris-Michael, prince of Bulgaria (907).
"Putivl'sk" (1635) and "Vutivansk" Icons of the Mother of God.
St. Athanasius of Syandem and Valaam (1550).
Blessed Basil of Kadom (1848).
St. Jordan the Wonderworker (Greek).

 

A Word from the Abbot:

We dare not consider ourselves Christians if we rely only on bare knowledge of the historical Jesus Christ. To know the Christian Faith, academically, is not the same as knowing Christ, personally. Academic knowledge does not "save" us, and has no transformational impact on our life. Only if we know Christ, and build a personal relationship with Him, can we truthfully call ourselves Christians.

In the tradition of the Orthodox Church, a man is not called a "theologian," unless he has mastered prayer. Saint John the Theologian is called by this title, not because he was an academic, but because he was a man of prayer, and his prayer life had transformed him. Our relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, has to be based on an experience with Him. It is all about relationship. He invites us into this relationship, and we respond.

Abbot Tryphon 

 

Photos of the Day:

The eastern side of our temple.

 

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Acts 9:32-42

Aeneas Healed

³² Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. ³³ There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. ³⁵ So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

³⁶ At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. ³⁷ But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. ³⁹ Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

John 5:1-15

A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda

 ¹ After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. ⁵ Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
⁸ Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” ⁹ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. ¹⁰ The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”
¹¹ He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’”
¹² Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” ¹³ But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. ¹⁴ Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
¹⁵ The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Click photo to enlarge.