Great Lent
The main reason Christianity spread so rapidly following the Resurrection of Christ, was the power behind the resurrection. The truth of Christ's resurrection empowered believers to joyfully embrace martyrdom, knowing that they would be joined in eternal bliss with their resurrected Saviour. Although their martyrdom would involve both mental and physical anguish, they were almost joyful in their willingness to go to their deaths, rather than betray their faith. Not the kind of thing one would do just to be part of some "religion". Many contemporaries observed that these Christians were facing their martyr's death as though they were about to be married. They were not grim faced, but shown a certain light in their countenance, embracing, as they did, their crown of martyrdom.
When Saint Polycarp was sentenced by the proconsul, he responded by asking why they were delaying his death by burning. These believers were rejoicing as they faced their immanent death, for their knowledge of the bodily resurrection of Christ, was proof enough to have giving them an invincible courage as they faced certain death. Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara were said to have been singing hymns, after having been thrown into the well, by the Bolsheviks, as the prepared for eternal life with Christ.
Early Christian apologists cited hundreds of eyewitnesses, many of whom willfully and resolutely endured prolonged torture and death rather than repudiate their testimony. Their willingness to suffer death, ruled out deception on their part. According to the historical record most Christians could have ended their suffering simply by renouncing the faith. Instead, most opted to endure the suffering and proclaim Christ’s resurrection unto death.
What makes the earliest Christian martyrs remarkable is that they knew whether or not what they were professing was true. They either saw Jesus Christ alive-and-well after His death or they did not. If it was all just a lie, why would so many Christians perpetuate a myth, given their circumstances? Why would they all knowingly cling to such an unprofitable lie in the face of persecution, imprisonment, torture, and death?
Immediately following Christ's crucifixion, His followers hid in fear for their lives. Yet following Christ's resurrection they boldly proclaimed the resurrection despite intensifying persecution. Only a true resurrection could have accounted for a sudden change that would lead believers to give up everything, including their lives, to preach Christ's resurrection.
One skeptic, Paul, was of his own admission a violent persecutor of the early Church. Yet after an encounter with the resurrected Christ, Paul underwent an immediate and drastic change from a vicious persecutor of the Church to one of its most prolific and selfless defenders. Following his encounter with the Risen Christ, Paul suffered impoverishment, persecution, imprisonment, beatings, and finally execution for his steadfast commitment to Christ’s resurrection.
The sorrow we Christians experience during our lenten journey, is tempered with the knowledge that Christ is conquering death by His death, and that His resurrection is our resurrection. We look to the future with the same faith of the saints and martyrs that have gone on before us, and we've experienced the truth of Jesus Christ's teachings, for our hearts of been transformed by the power of His message. Our sins have been forgiven, and we are guests at the Eucharistic banquet, awaiting our time when the gates of paradise will be opened to us. We fear nothing, just like the martyrs, because we know the truth of the Holy Resurrection of Christ our God.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: I was able to reconnected with my best friend from high school, Professor James Cox, of the University of Edinburgh School of Divinity. Professor Cox is visiting his children and grandchildren in Portland, Oregon, and we met together after more than 47 years. We were partners on our high school's debate team, and graduated from high school together, fifty years ago.
Forgiveness Sunday This afternoon we monks, together with faithful Orthodox Christians throughout the world, will celebrate the "Vespers of Forgiveness" in our temple. In a procession past one another, all, starting with me, will ask one another for forgiveness. I therefore take this opportunity to ask all my readers to forgive me, for any hurt or offense I have caused you in any way.
Abbot Tryphon
Sunday March 2, 2014 / February 17, 2014
The Sunday of Forgiveness. Tone three.
Cheesefare Sunday. Meat is excluded
Great-martyr Theodore the Tyro (306).
St. Hermogenes, patriarch of Moscow and all Russia (1612).
St. Nicholas (Planas), priest in Athens (1932).
New Hieromartyrs Michael, Paul priests (1938).
Venerable Theodore the Silent of the Kiev Caves (13th c.).
St. Mariamne, sister of Apostle Philip (1st c.).
Uncovering of the relics (867-869) of Martyr Menas the Melodius of Alexandria (ca. 313).
St. Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne (661) (Celtic & British).
St. Auxibius, bishop of Soli in Cyprus (102) (Greek).
New Martyr Theodore of Byzantium, at Mitylene (1795) (Greek).
Emperor Marcian (457) and Pulcheria, his wife (453), and the commemoration of the dedication of the Great Church in Constantinople (Greek).
Venerable Theodosius the Bulgarian and his disciple Venerable Romanus, monks, of Turnovo (1362) (Bulgaria).
New Martyr Michael Mavroeidis of Adrianople (1490).
Holy Hieromartyr Theodore of Adjara, who suflfered under the Turks on Mt. Athos (19th c.) (Georgia).
St. Barnabas, elder of the Gethsemane Skete of St. Sergius Lavra (1906).
The Journey of Joyful Sorrow
in the Expectation of the Resurrection
in the Expectation of the Resurrection
The main reason Christianity spread so rapidly following the Resurrection of Christ, was the power behind the resurrection. The truth of Christ's resurrection empowered believers to joyfully embrace martyrdom, knowing that they would be joined in eternal bliss with their resurrected Saviour. Although their martyrdom would involve both mental and physical anguish, they were almost joyful in their willingness to go to their deaths, rather than betray their faith. Not the kind of thing one would do just to be part of some "religion". Many contemporaries observed that these Christians were facing their martyr's death as though they were about to be married. They were not grim faced, but shown a certain light in their countenance, embracing, as they did, their crown of martyrdom.
When Saint Polycarp was sentenced by the proconsul, he responded by asking why they were delaying his death by burning. These believers were rejoicing as they faced their immanent death, for their knowledge of the bodily resurrection of Christ, was proof enough to have giving them an invincible courage as they faced certain death. Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara were said to have been singing hymns, after having been thrown into the well, by the Bolsheviks, as the prepared for eternal life with Christ.
Early Christian apologists cited hundreds of eyewitnesses, many of whom willfully and resolutely endured prolonged torture and death rather than repudiate their testimony. Their willingness to suffer death, ruled out deception on their part. According to the historical record most Christians could have ended their suffering simply by renouncing the faith. Instead, most opted to endure the suffering and proclaim Christ’s resurrection unto death.
What makes the earliest Christian martyrs remarkable is that they knew whether or not what they were professing was true. They either saw Jesus Christ alive-and-well after His death or they did not. If it was all just a lie, why would so many Christians perpetuate a myth, given their circumstances? Why would they all knowingly cling to such an unprofitable lie in the face of persecution, imprisonment, torture, and death?
Immediately following Christ's crucifixion, His followers hid in fear for their lives. Yet following Christ's resurrection they boldly proclaimed the resurrection despite intensifying persecution. Only a true resurrection could have accounted for a sudden change that would lead believers to give up everything, including their lives, to preach Christ's resurrection.
One skeptic, Paul, was of his own admission a violent persecutor of the early Church. Yet after an encounter with the resurrected Christ, Paul underwent an immediate and drastic change from a vicious persecutor of the Church to one of its most prolific and selfless defenders. Following his encounter with the Risen Christ, Paul suffered impoverishment, persecution, imprisonment, beatings, and finally execution for his steadfast commitment to Christ’s resurrection.
The sorrow we Christians experience during our lenten journey, is tempered with the knowledge that Christ is conquering death by His death, and that His resurrection is our resurrection. We look to the future with the same faith of the saints and martyrs that have gone on before us, and we've experienced the truth of Jesus Christ's teachings, for our hearts of been transformed by the power of His message. Our sins have been forgiven, and we are guests at the Eucharistic banquet, awaiting our time when the gates of paradise will be opened to us. We fear nothing, just like the martyrs, because we know the truth of the Holy Resurrection of Christ our God.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: I was able to reconnected with my best friend from high school, Professor James Cox, of the University of Edinburgh School of Divinity. Professor Cox is visiting his children and grandchildren in Portland, Oregon, and we met together after more than 47 years. We were partners on our high school's debate team, and graduated from high school together, fifty years ago.
Forgiveness Sunday This afternoon we monks, together with faithful Orthodox Christians throughout the world, will celebrate the "Vespers of Forgiveness" in our temple. In a procession past one another, all, starting with me, will ask one another for forgiveness. I therefore take this opportunity to ask all my readers to forgive me, for any hurt or offense I have caused you in any way.
Abbot Tryphon
Sunday March 2, 2014 / February 17, 2014
The Sunday of Forgiveness. Tone three.
Cheesefare Sunday. Meat is excluded
Great-martyr Theodore the Tyro (306).
St. Hermogenes, patriarch of Moscow and all Russia (1612).
St. Nicholas (Planas), priest in Athens (1932).
New Hieromartyrs Michael, Paul priests (1938).
Venerable Theodore the Silent of the Kiev Caves (13th c.).
St. Mariamne, sister of Apostle Philip (1st c.).
Uncovering of the relics (867-869) of Martyr Menas the Melodius of Alexandria (ca. 313).
St. Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne (661) (Celtic & British).
St. Auxibius, bishop of Soli in Cyprus (102) (Greek).
New Martyr Theodore of Byzantium, at Mitylene (1795) (Greek).
Emperor Marcian (457) and Pulcheria, his wife (453), and the commemoration of the dedication of the Great Church in Constantinople (Greek).
Venerable Theodosius the Bulgarian and his disciple Venerable Romanus, monks, of Turnovo (1362) (Bulgaria).
New Martyr Michael Mavroeidis of Adrianople (1490).
Holy Hieromartyr Theodore of Adjara, who suflfered under the Turks on Mt. Athos (19th c.) (Georgia).
St. Barnabas, elder of the Gethsemane Skete of St. Sergius Lavra (1906).
You can read the life of the saint by clicking on the highlighted name.
THANKS to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate, have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and kindness.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA
The Scripture Readings for the Day
Romans 13:11-14:4
Put on Christ
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.The Law of Liberty
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.Matthew 6:14-21
Fasting to Be Seen Only by God
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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http://ancientfaith.com/
Ancient Faith Radio podcasts:
http://ancientfaith.com/
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