SAINT GREEK ORTHODOX september 21, 2014

the after the exaltation of the precious Cross

Saint Quadratus, Apostle of the Seventy preached the Word of God at Athens and at Magnesia (eastern peninsula of Thessaly), and was of Athens. His biographer called him “a morn- ing star” among the clouds of paganism. He converted many pagans to the true faith in Christ the Savior, and his preaching aroused the hatred of the pagans. Once, an angry mob fell upon the saint to pelt him with stones. Preserved by God, St Quadratus remained alive, and they threw him into prison, where he died of starvation. His holy body was buried in Magnesia. In the year 126, St Quadratus wrote an Apologia in defence of . Presented to the emperor Hadrian (117-138), the Apologia affected the persecution of Christians, since the em- peror issued a decree saying that no one should be convicted without just cause. This Apologia was known to the historian in the fourth century. At the present time, only part of this Apologia survives, quoted by Eusebius: “The deeds of our Savior were always witnessed, because they were true. His healings and raising people from the dead were visible not only when they were healed and raised, but always. They lived not only during the existence of the Savior upon the earth, but they also remained alive long after His departure. Some, indeed, have survived to our own time.” In July of 1274, the Byzantine Emperor VIII accepted a union with the Roman Church at Lyons, France. Faced with dangers from Charles of Anjou, the Ottoman Turks, and other en- emies, the emperor found such an alliance with Rome expedient. The Union of Lyons required the Orthodox to recognize the authority of the Pope, the use of the Filioque in the Creed, and the use of (unleavened bread) in the Liturgy. was deposed because he would not agree to these conditions. The monastic and many of the laity, both at home and in other Orthodox countries, vigorously opposed the Union, denouncing the emperor for his politi- cal schemes and for his betrayal of . On January 9, 1275 a Liturgy was celebrated in Constantinople in which the Pope was com- memorated as “Gregory, the chief pontiff of the Apostolic Church, and Ecumenical Pope.” The

1510 audubon drive • columbia, missouri, 65201 • tel. 573.817.0050 / fax 573.449.8452 email: [email protected] • web: www.saintlukecolumbia.org at the small we sing

first antiphon. third antiphon. Verse: O God, my God, hear me; why have You for- Verse: The Lord reigns; let the peoples be angry. saken me? of the feast. Mode 1. By the intercessions of the , Savior, save ave O Lord Your people, and bless Your inheritance, us. Sgranting victory το the rulers over the enemies, and Verse: The words of my transgressions are far from by Your Cross preserving Your commonwealth. my salvation. Verse: The Lord sits upon the cherubim; let the earth Ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, Σῶτερ, σῶσον ἡμᾶς. be shaken. Verse: There is no speech or language: where their Σῶσον, Κύριε, τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν voices are not heard. κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοῖς βασιλεῦσι κατὰ βαρβάρων By the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save δωρούμενος, καὶ τὸ σὸν φυλάττων διὰ τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου us. πολίτευμα.. Verse: O my God, I will cry out by day, but You will Verse: The Lord is great in Zion, and He is exalted not hear me; and by night, but not for a lack of under- above all the peoples. And call upon the name of the Lord. standing in me. Save O Lord Your people, and bless… Ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, Σῶτερ, σῶσον ἡμᾶς. Verse: Let them give thanks to Your great name, for Verse: Glory...Both now... it is fearful and holy. And call upon the name of the Lord.. By the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save Σῶσον, Κύριε, τὸν λαὸν σου… us. Entrance…then…Apolyt. Mode 6. second antiphon. hen the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, Verse: O God, why have You rejected us to the end? Wthe soldiers guarding it feared and became as Why has Your anger raged against the sheep of Your pas- dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who ture? was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Save us, O Son of God, who were crucified in the Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, flesh. We sing to You, . and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. Verse: Remember Your congregation You acquired O Lord, glory to You.… from the beginning. then Save us, O Son of God, who were crucified in the Save O Lord Your people, and bless… flesh. We sing to You, Alleluia. . Mode 4. Verse: That You redeemed the rod of Your inheri- tance, this Mount Zion, where You encamped. ou who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Save us, O Son of God, who were crucified in the YChrist our God, bestow Your tender compassions flesh. We sing to You, Alleluia. * upon Your new community to which You gave Your Verse: But God is our King before the ages; He name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your worked salvation in the midst of the earth. power, * granting them the victories against their ad- Save us, O Son of God, who were crucified in the versaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * flesh. We sing to You, Alleluia. peace as their armor, the trophy invincible. Verse: Glory…Both now… communion hymn Ὁ Μονογενής Υἱός. O Lord, the light of Your face was stamped upon us. Alleluia.… THE READINGS OF THE DAY

reading reading The letter of paul mark 8:34-38; 9:1 to the galatians 2:16-20

RETHREN, you know that a man is not justi- he Lord said: “If anyone wishes to come after fied by works of the law but through faith in me, let him deny himself and take up his cross BJesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Tand follow me. For whoever would save his life Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake not by works of the law, because by works of the and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to For what can a man give in return for his life? For be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this not! But if I build up again those things which I adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in I through the law died to the law, that I might live the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and standing here who will not taste death before they the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the see the kingdom of God come with power.” Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

When then Enemy sees that Christ, the true Light, is with us, he will not dare to look at us at all, for the light that is in us blinds his eyes. So, as I said before, brethren, lovers of Christ, let us be determined to purify our hearts, so as to draw “upon us the grace of the Spirit for our assistance; and no longer does the evil one have power against us. —st. ” announcements Saturday, January 25, Great , 5pm

upcoming church services: Friday, September 26, Translation of the St. John the Theologian, Orthros / Div. Lit. 8:30am. Saturday, September 27, Great Vespers, 5pm.

heritage festival Once fixed to the Cross with nails Donations are still needed to offset the costs of through feet and hands, pierced in the baking and the booth. Thank you for your generos- side, your thirst quenched with vinegar ity. A limited number of pastries will be available and gall, you healed my wounds, O King for sale after . “of all, supremely good, the joy, the sweet- philoptochos - gift cards ness, glory and eternal redemption of all. Fair beyond sapphire and gold, bright The next deadline to order gift cards will be as the sun you are, divine Cross, lying October 14. Check out the list in the narthex of circumscribed by place and ever mani- available giftcards. These cards make great gifts festly surrounded by spiritual Powers, yet and also are great for everyday spending. Proceeds enlightening every part of the inhabited benefit the ministries of Philoptochos. world with rays of the divine power. philoptochos - warm up columbia The Cross is the harbour of the storm- Philoptochos will be collecting new or gen- tossed, guide and support of the wander- tly used coats, blankets, winter hats, scarves, and ing, glory of Christ, strength of Apostles gloves during the month of September. Voluntary and Prophets, boast of Champions, Action Center will be distributing them to low in- refuge of all mortals. As we all see it set fourth in the midst, we greet it with loving come families, the elderly and disabled individuals devotion. in Columbia. All items should be laundered prior to donation. When you are about to come on earth to judge the world which you fashioned, community pot-luck Lord, with the Angelic hosts marching There will be a community pot luck on Sunday, ahead and the Cross shining out more September 28 after Divine Services. Please plan to brightly than the beams of the sun, take bring a covered dish to share. Afterwards, those in- pity on me by its power and save me who terested will go to the MU Corn Maze. See flyer in fallen more than all mortals. Narthex to sign up. There is no cost for the outing, —ode 9, for the holy all are welcome! cross by joseph the hymnog- rapher ” emperor’s sister remarked, “It is better that my his superiors that he had attained a level of ex- brother’s empire should perish, rather than the perience and perfection in monasticism which purity of the Orthodox Faith.” Recalling the would permit him to live in solitude without infamous Crusade of 1204 when Latin crusad- danger. St John of the Ladder (Step 8:18) de- ers sacked Constantinople, many of the people scribes the type of person who should not be also preferred to submit to the infidels than to permitted to live alone following his own will, abandon the Orthodox Faith. and the pitfalls of such a life for those who have Twenty-six martyrs of Zographou Monas- not cleansed themselves of the passions. With tery on Mt. Athos were among those who were the blessing of his spiritual Father, St Cosmas persecuted by Emperor Michael VIII Paleolo- left the in order to begin even more gos (1261-1282) and Patriarch John Bekkos intense spiritual struggles. (1275-1282) because they would not obey the Through humility, the God-pleasing ascetic imperial command to recognize the Union of attained the heights of virtue, regarding all of Lyons. They steadfastly kept the teachings of his own efforts as nothing, and ascribing what- the Fathers of the Church, and fearlessly cen- ever good he had accomplished to God’s mercy sured those who accepted Catholic doctrines. and grace. Therefore, he acquired spiritual gifts When the authorities came to Mt. Athos from the Lord, including the gift of prophecy. to enforce the imperial policy, the of St Cosmas of Zographou fell asleep in the Zographou shut themselves up in their mon- Lord on Mount Athos in 1323. astery. From the tower they reproached those In 1702, Saint Demetrius, Metropolitan of in favor of the Union, calling them lawless men Rostov, arrived at the Rostov cathedral and and heretics. The attackers set the monastery also visited the monastery of St James, Bishop on fire and burned the twenty-six martyrs of Rostov (November 27 and May 23). alive. He served Liturgy at the cathedral church The names of the martyrs are: Igumen of the Conception of the Most Holy Theoto- Thomas, the monks Barsanuphius, Cyril, Mi- kos, after which he indicated to those present cah, Simon, , James, , Cyprian, the site of his future burial on the right side of Sava, James, Martinian, Cosmas, Sergius, Me- the temple. “Behold my resting place,” he said, nas, Joasaph, Joannicius, Paul, Anthony, Eu- “here I will settle for eternity.” St Demetrius re- thymius, Dometian, Parthenius, and four lay- posed on October 28, 1709. men who died with them. Contrary to the saint’s wishes, which he Saint Cosmas was born in Bulgaria toward expressed in his will, the clergy and people of the end of the thirteenth century, and entered Rostov asked the locum tenens of the patriar- the Zographou Monastery when he was young. chal throne, Metropolitan Stephen Yavorsky of Distinguishing himself by his ascetical life, Ryazan, who had come for the funeral, to con- he also acquired the virtues of humility and duct the burial at the cathedral church of the obedience. After a time, St Cosmas satisfied city. Metropolitan Stephen insisted on bury- Legitimate Exercise ing the body of his deceased friend beside St by Elder Joseph (2009) Joasaph, who was St Demetrius’s predecessor. of the Vatopaidi Monastery However, a grave was not prepared until the arrival of Metropolitan Stephen, even lthough hatever movement you make, starting with about a month had elapsed since the saint’s Wits conception and following through to the death. implementation, you have to examine all the time Due to the urgent departure of Metropoli- what God will take from it. Because that’s all that’ll tan Stephen from Rostov, a hastily constructed remain; all the rest will be done away with. wooden frame was placed into the grave, in This is why we’re always telling you to be which the body of the saint was buried on No- careful, because within the all-embracing evil vember 25. This circumstance, foreseen by the of the devil, there’s also this dreadful mystery. Providence of God, led to a quick uncovering Satan doesn’t only fight to throw his opponent of the . and get him out of the ring and the stadium. In 1752 repairs were being done at the ca- Naturally, he’s delighted beyond belief when thedral church of the monastery, and on Sep- people listen to him and leave the stadium, the tember 21, the incorrupt body of St Demetrius contest. was discovered. The place of burial had been But those who aren’t convinced and get in- affected by dampness, the oaken coffin and the volved in the action, he doesn’t stand in their writing on it were decayed, but the body of the way. Not only that but he gives them support, saint, and even the , sacchos, mi- the difference being that he disorientates them. tre and silken were preserved un- They do their intellectual or practical work, damaged. but not in the right frame of mind. Jesus tells After the uncovering of the holy relics many us: “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will healings were worked, which were reported to be comforted”. If we look at the word literally, the Synod, by whose order Metropolitan Syl- we’ll see that the vast majority of people alive vester of Suzdal and Archimandrite of today mourn. But of those who mourn, who Simonov arrived at Rostov to examine the rel- will be blessed? ics of St Demetrius, and to investigate the inci- Only those few who mourn for God. In dents of miraculous healings. other words, only those who have a sense of A decree was issued by the Synod on April their sinfulness and whose hearts are wounded 29, 1757 numbering St Demetrius, Metropoli- by Godly sadness at saddening God, the cen- tan of Rostov among the , and establish- tre of their love, and they cry because of it. ing his feastdays for October 28 (the day of his They will achieve the life of the blessed. This repose) and September 21 (the uncovering of is why we need to be careful. The thing is not his relics). merely to act, but to act in accordance with God’s will. You see the detail with which that great luminary whom we read this morning presented that wonderful example. A certain you or flattering you. You do it because you’ve decides to dedicate himself to the care realized it’s God’s will. Unless people act first of somebody who’s ill. The springboard for his on the basis of love for God and then of love decision and its implementation was that, if he for their neighbour, they’re going the wrong carried out his plan, he’d be rewarded by God. way, they’re disorientated. Any indirect or And you saw what this great Father said, with oblique means that people use don’t help them his keen discernment: the monk wasn’t behav- get to their real goal. ing properly. He’d missed the mark. Of course This is why we need to examine our con- we can’t say that he’d sinned by his actions, but sciences all the time, in case we’ve been se- he wouldn’t get much by way of reward com- duced by some passion or some desire and pared to the time and effort he put into his we’re acting in a round about way and wasting task. It would have been better if he’d acted in our efforts. That’s the only way you’ll acquire the name of affection, in the name of Christ’s a clear conscience, the only way you’ll acquire commandment, in the name of our Lord’s love: real freedom, that which is in Christ. Then “by the words of His lips, He has guarded hard you’ll understand that the commandments of ways” [Trans. note: this appears to be a free Our Lord “are not heavy” and that the yoke of rendition of Psalm 16, 4]. This is the real aim. Christ and His burden “are light”. We’re obedi- What’s the reason we take on an obedience in ent to every commandment because we love the monastery? It’s not because we’re scared of Christ. We act only for Him. Not for the for- the Elder who gave the order. It’s not because giveness of our sins- He grants that through the we’re afraid the others will misjudge us and Cross. Nor for His kingdom. That’s an insult. think we’re somehow difficult and out of order. He created His kingdom, He planted Paradise Nor is it so that we’ll become dependable in in the East, even before He created humankind. routine jobs and supposedly obedient and un- He doesn’t need to be shown. He needs only willing to cause any upset. That’s not the aim. one proof: for people to come to their senses, The point is that we should do what we have to realize that they’re affronting God if they to conscientiously, and, if we had to be shown don’t obey His will. This is real contemplation, to how do it, it’s because we didn’t know. We this is the real policy of our Fathers, for which had to accept advice humbly to get to the real they were considered demented in this world, aim. Once we’ve understood, once we’ve taken and were persecuted and lived outside in the it on board, then, by ourselves, even if we’re deserts “in mountains and caves and holes in hindered, we obviously won’t react rudely, but the ground”. Their eyes were never dry from we’ll try and find a way of setling things for the their lamentations, their concern that perhaps love of God. We’ll do it as an obligation, be- they’d been seduced by the enemy, who, as I cause it’s imposed by God’s command. But you said, doesn’t attack us only from one side, to never look for a reward. You never fear anyone. disorientate us so that we don’t act properly, You don’t act because somebody’s threatening but actually supports us, so long as our actions whereas, as you know, monks originally lived alone. But these lone monks later returned and created communities, they implemented the saying “bear one another’s burdens”. “But woe to him who bears but does not under- stand” writes Saint Efraim in his works. This is why the older monks, the experienced ones, take up the burdens of the weaker ones, out of duty. And the immature and younger monks are happy to subordinate themselves willingly, not out of servility, but out of gratitude that the older monks have agreed to set aside their con- cerns for themselves and have come back for them, the younger ones, and have become in- volved in their weaknesses. They want to teach them the spiritual law in case, through inexpe- rience, they labour in vain and don’t achieve their goal. In this way, the law of mutual sup- Elder Jospeh of Vatopedi Monastery port is brought into operation. (1946-2009) That’s what I wanted to remind you of to- aren’t in accordance with God’s will. This is night and let none of you feel comfortable be- why, at least for us who are monks, it’s neces- cause, through acting, he’s found something. sary to have this light, for these eyes to be open, Not unless that something’s legitimate. There for this salt always to be there. This detail of are a lots of contestants in the stadium, but the spiritual law that we mentioned is really only one takes the prize. The one who has important and needs to be taken seriously into striven legitimately. For him “there is in store consideration. But I know from my own experi- the crown of righteousness which the Lord will ence that a true subordinate doesn’t need such award on that day”. Amen. fine distinctions. Quite simply, so long as they are exact in their obedience, then they’re freed of the concern of having to discern whether they’re doing well or not, given that they’re still in a state of infancy and childhood. This is why our Church created the coenobitic life so that the predecessors, the older monks, could take on responsibility for the younger ones. This is why our Fathers tolerated group co-existence,