OrthodoxFathers.org » By occasion http://orthodoxfathers.org Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:44:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Contemplation on the 11th hour of the Eve of Thursday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-thursday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-thursday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:36 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=60 Glorify Him; flee from vainglory! (John 12:44-50)

Why do you adorn your body, while your soul is neglected, possessed by uncleanness? Why don't you care as much about your soul as you do for your body?..

What madness is this! Shift this adorning within, put these necklaces about your soul. The things that you put around your body help neither to its health nor to its beauty, for it will not make black white, nor what is ugly either beautiful or good looking. But if you put them about your soul, you will soon make it white instead of black; beautiful and well favored instead of ugly and unsightly. The words are not mine, but those of the Lord Himself, who said, "Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white as snow." (Isa. 1:18) 

Originally posted 2006-04-19 22:02:30.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-thursday-1.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 9th hour of the Eve of Great Friday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:34 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=84 The Kiss

And the traitor says to Jesus, “Master.” Indeed, all heretics, like Judas, address Jesus in the same way, “Master.” They kiss Him even as Judas did. Jesus speaks peacefully to them all, since they are all Judases who betray Him: “Judas, is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?” As for Judas, he is approached by Christ for his false friendship. “Friend, why are you here?” We hear of no one who is good called by that name in the Scriptures. Moreover, to the wicked and the one not weaing a garment he says, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment.” (Matt 22:12) Wicked too is that man in the parable of the denarius who hears the words, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I chose to give to this last as I give to you.” (Matt 20:13-14)

Originally posted 2006-04-20 18:15:51.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday-1.htm/feed 0 Being risen with Christ http://orthodoxfathers.org/being-risen-with-christ.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/being-risen-with-christ.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:33 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=97 We shall be raised therefore, all with our bodies eternal, but not all with bodies alike: for if a man is righteous, he will receive a heavenly body, that he may be able worthily to hold converse with angels; but if a man is a sinner, he shall receive an eternal body, fitted to endure the penalties of sins, that he may burn eternally in fire, nor ever be consumed. And righteously will God assign this portion to either company; for we do nothing without the body. We blaspheme with the mouth, and with the mouth we pray. With the body we commit fornication, and with the body we keep chastity. With the hands we rob, and by the hand we bestow alms; and the rest in like manner. Since then the body has been our minister in all things, it shall also share with us in the future the fruits of the past.

Originally posted 2006-04-23 10:32:59.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/being-risen-with-christ.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 3rd hour of the Eve of Tuesday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-the-eve-of-tuesday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-the-eve-of-tuesday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:32 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=42 What is the hen and how does it relate?

I came as a hen to protect them, but they received Me in hatred and betrayel, I came as a mother, and they assumed I came to kill them, so they killed Me.

Originally posted 2006-04-17 22:28:30.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-the-eve-of-tuesday-1.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 6th hour of Holy Wednesday (2) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-holy-wednesday-2.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-holy-wednesday-2.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:32 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=54 What does the aroma symbolize? (John 12:1-8)

The sweet odor symbolizes the good report which is earned by a life of good works; and the man who wins this, while following in the footsteps of Christ, anoints His feet (so to speak) with the most precious ointment. *Please note that this icon is of the sinful woman at the house of simon, not Mary in Bethany, which the fathers think annointed Christ in this gospel. But is inserted here to remind us of her love, repentance and humility.

Originally posted 2006-04-18 20:26:20.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-holy-wednesday-2.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 1st hour of Holy Monday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-holy-monday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-holy-monday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:30 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=37 Created in His image and likeness

You have printed Your traits on us! You created us in Your image and according Your likeness! You made us Your currency; yet Your coins should not remain in darkness. Send the ray of Your wisdom to scatter our darkness, for Your image to shine in us…Do not think how to return the reward to Him …Reflect back on His image; He does not ask for more…He wants His coin back…Do offer Him something of yours, because when you do this, you would only offer Him sin.

Originally posted 2006-04-17 20:03:31.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-holy-monday-1.htm/feed 0 Commentary on John 20:17 – Why couldn’t Mary touch our Lord? http://orthodoxfathers.org/commentary-on-john-2017-why-couldnt-mary-touch-our-lord.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/commentary-on-john-2017-why-couldnt-mary-touch-our-lord.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:30 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=118 John 20:17 – Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto My Father.

The meaning of this saying is not easily understood by the vulgar, for a mystery underlies it; but we must probe it for our advantage. For the Lord will vouchsafe unto us the knowledge of His own Words. For He repulses the woman as she was running up to Him, and though she longed to embrace His Feet, He suffered her not; and, in explanation of His reason for so doing, said: For I am not yet ascended unto My Father. We must inquire into the meaning of this saying. For what if He were not yet ascended to His Father? How could this reason suffice to render it improper for those that loved Him to touch His holy Body? Would it not be blameworthy for any one to imagine that the Lord shrank from the pollution of the touch, and thus spake that He might be pure when He ascended to the Father in heaven? Would not such a man stand convicted of great folly and madness?  For the Nature of God can never be polluted. For just as the light of the sun’s ray, when it strikes upon a dunghill or any other  earthly impurities, suffers no stain—-for it remains as it is, that is, undefiled, and partakes in no degree of the ill odour of the objects that it encounters—-even so the all-holy Nature of God can never admit of the blemish of defilement. What, then, is the reason why Mary was prevented from touching Him, when she drew near and yearned so to do? What can the Lord mean when He says: For I am not yet ascended unto My Father? We must investigate this according to the best of our ability. We say, therefore, that the reasons for our Saviour’s sojourn amongst us were manifold and diverse, but this one the principal of all, which is indicated in His own words: For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Therefore, before the saving Cross and the Resurrection from the dead, while as yet His providential scheme had not received its appropriate fulfilment, He mingled both with the just and the unjust, and ate with publicans and sinners, and allowed any that so willed to come to Him and touch His holy Body, that He might sanctify all men and call them to a knowledge of the truth, and might bring back to health those who were diseased and enfeebled by the constant practice of sin. Therefore also, in another place, He said unto them: They that are whole have no need of a physician; but they that are sick. Therefore, before His Resurrection from the dead, He had intercourse indiscriminately with the righteous and with sinners, and never frightened away any that came unto Him. Moreover, when He was once reclining at the house of a Pharisee, a woman came in unto Him weeping, who was a sinner in the city, as is written, and let down her wanton locks, scarcely released from the service of her past sins, and wiped His Feet therewith; and we see that He did not stop her. Again, when He was on His way to bring back to life the daughter of the leader of the Synagogue, once more a woman came near unto Him, who had an issue of blood, and touched the border of His garment; and we find that He was in nowise offended, but rather vouchsafed unto her the comforting assurance: Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. But at that time, by His Providence, men who were still unclean, and who were polluted both in mind and body, were suffered without let or hindrance to touch the holy Flesh Itself of our Saviour Christ, and to gain every blessing thereby; but when, after having completed the scheme of our redemption, He had both suffered the Cross itself, and death thereon, and had risen again to life, and shown that His Nature was superior to death, henceforward, instead of granting them a ready permission, He hinders those who come to Him from touching the very Flesh of His holy Body; thereby giving us a type of the holy Churches, and the mystery concerning Himself, just as also the Law given by the all-wise Moses itself did, when it represented the slaughter of the lamb as a figure of Christ; for no uncircumcised person, said the Law, shall eat thereof, meaning by uncircumcised impure—-and humanity may justly be deemed impure in its own nature. For what is the nature of man, as compared with God’s inherent purity? We may not, therefore, while we remain uncircumcised, that is, impure, touch the holy Body, but only when we have been made pure by the true circumcision of the Spirit. For circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, as Paul saith. And we cannot be spiritually circumcised if the Holy Spirit hath not taken up His abode in us by faith and Holy Baptism. Surely, therefore, it was meet that Mary should for a while be restrained from touching His sacred Body, as she had not yet received the Spirit. For even though Christ was risen from the dead, still the Spirit had not yet been given to humanity by the Father through Him. For when He ascended to God the Father, He sent the Spirit down to us; wherefore also He said: It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter cannot come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. As, therefore, the Holy Spirit had not yet been sent down unto us, for He had not yet ascended to the Father, He repulses Mary as not yet having received the Spirit, saying: Touch Me not, for I am not yet ascended unto the Father; that is to say, I have not yet sent down unto you the Holy Spirit. Hence the type is applicable to the Churches. Therefore, also, we drive away from the Holy Table those who are indeed convinced of the Godhead of Christ, and have already made profession of faith, that is, those who are already catechumens, when they have not as yet been enriched with the Holy Spirit. For He does not dwell in those who have not received Baptism. But when they have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, then indeed there is nothing to hinder them from touching Our Saviour Christ. Therefore, also, to those who wish to partake of the blessed Eucharist, the ministers of Divine mysteries say, “Holy things to the holy,” teaching that participation in holy things is the due reward of those who are sanctified in the Spirit.

Originally posted 2006-04-27 10:47:22.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/commentary-on-john-2017-why-couldnt-mary-touch-our-lord.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 3rd hour of Holy Wednesday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-holy-wednesday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-holy-wednesday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:29 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=52 Why did the Lord chose Judas if He knew that he was a traitor?

Judas chosen among the twelve apostles, and had charge of the money bag, to lay it out upon the poor, that it might not seem as though he had betrayed the Lord because he was not honored or in need. Therefore the Lord granted him this office, that He might also be justified in him; he would be guilty of a greater fault, not as one driven to it by wrong done to him, but as one misusing grace.

Originally posted 2006-04-18 20:09:49.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-holy-wednesday-1.htm/feed 0 Remembering the Blessed Resurrection http://orthodoxfathers.org/remembering-the-blessed-resurrection.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/remembering-the-blessed-resurrection.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:25 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=93  Abba Evagrius said, "Sit in your cell, collecting your thoughts. Remembering the day of your death. See then what the death of your body will be; let your spirit be heavy, take pains, condemn the vanity of the world, so as to be able to live always in the peace you have in view without weakening. Remember also what happens in hell and think about the state of the souls down there, their painful silence, their most bitter groanings, their fear, their strife, their waiting. Think of their grief without end and the tears their souls shed eternally.
"But keep the day of resurrection and of presentation to God in remembrance also. Imagine the fearful and terrible judgment. Consider the fate kept for sinners, their shame before the face of God and the angels and archangels and all men, that is to say, the punishments, the eternal fire, worms that rest not, the darkness, gnashing of teeth, fear and supplications. Consider also the good things in store for the righteous: confidence in the face of God the Father and His Son, the angels and archangels and all the people of the saints, the kingdom of heaven, and the gifts of that realm, joy and beatitude.

"Keep in mind the remembrance of these two realities. Weep for the judgment of sinners, afflict yourself for fear lest you too feel those pains. But rejoice and be glad at the lot of the righteous. Strive to obtain those joys but be a stranger to those pains. Whether you be inside or outside your cell, be careful that the remembrance of these things never leaves you, so that, thanks to their remembrance, you may at least flee wrong and harmful thoughts."

from "The Desert Christian," by Sr. Benedicta Ward, (New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., 1975), pp. 63-64
 

Originally posted 2006-04-23 10:19:08.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/remembering-the-blessed-resurrection.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the Liturgy of the blessing of the water (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-of-the-liturgy-of-the-blessing-of-the-water.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-of-the-liturgy-of-the-blessing-of-the-water.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:24 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=64 Why water?

But if any one wishes to know why the grace is given by water and not by a different element, let him take up the Divine Scriptures and he shall learn. For water is a grand thing, and the noblest of the four visible elements of the world. Heaven is the dwelling place of Angels, but the heavens are from the waters: the earth is the place of men, but the earth is from the waters: and before the whole six days' formation of the things that were made, the Spirit of God moves upon the face of the water.  The water was the beginning of the world, and Jordan the beginning of the Gospel tidings: for Israel deliverance from Pharoh was through the sea, and for the world deliverance from sins by the washing of water with the word of God. Where a covenant is made with any, there is water also. After the flood, a covenant was made with Noah: a covenant for Israel from Mount Sinai, but with water, and scarlet wool and hyssop. Elias is taken up, but not apart from water: for first he crosses the Jordan, then in a chariot mounts the heaven. The high-priest is first washed, then offers incense; for Aaron first washed, then was made high-priest: for how could one who had not yet been purified by water pray for the rest? Also as a symbol of Baptism there was a laver set apart within the Tabernacle.

Originally posted 2006-04-19 22:29:33.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-of-the-liturgy-of-the-blessing-of-the-water.htm/feed 0 Tongues of Fire – Pentecost http://orthodoxfathers.org/tongues-of-fire-pentecost.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/tongues-of-fire-pentecost.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:22 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=198 'And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:3-4).

They partook of fire, not of burning but of saving fire; of fire which consumes the thorns of sins, but gives luster to the soul. This is now coming upon you also, and that to strip away and consume your sins which are like thorns, and to brighten yet more that precious possession of your souls, and to give you grace; for He gave it then to the Apostles. And He sat upon them in the form of fiery tongues, that they might crown themselves with new and spiritual diadems by fiery tongues upon their heads. A fiery sword barred of old the gates of Paradise; a fiery tongue which brought salvation restored the gift.

Originally posted 2006-06-11 08:25:29.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/tongues-of-fire-pentecost.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 11th hour of the Eve of Great Friday (3) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday-3.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday-3.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:20 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=88 Why did Peter weep?

To wash away the sin of denial, Peter needed the baptism of tears. From where would he get this, unless the Lord gave him this too? That is why the apostle Paul gave this advice to his people concerning deviant opinions and about how they should deal with them. He said they must be "correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth." (2 Tim 2:25) So even repentance is a gift from God. The heart of the proud is hard ground. It is softened for repentance only if it is rained on by God's grace. 

Originally posted 2006-04-20 18:30:11.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday-3.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 1st hour of Holy Monday (2) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-holy-monday-2.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-holy-monday-2.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:18 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=38 Why did the Lord curse the fig tree?
Our Lord cursed the fig tree so the disciples might have confidence. For because everywhere He conferred benefits, but punished no man. He needed to demonstrate for them proof of His power to take vengeance for two reasons: first, so that the disciples might learn; and second, so that the Jews might learn, that He was able to blast them that crucify Him, but submitted of His own will and did not blast them. For it was not His will to demonstrate this vengeance upon men; but He furnished the proof of His might in taking vengeance on the fig tree. But when anything like this is done to places, to plants, or to animals, do not be curious, nor say that the fig tree was unfairly dried up because it was not the time of figs – for this it is the most trifling thing to say. Rather, behold the miracle, and admire and glorify its Maker.

Originally posted 2006-04-17 20:03:55.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-holy-monday-2.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 6th hour of Great Thursday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-great-thursday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-great-thursday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:17 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=62 Why the upper room for the Passover? (Mark 14:12-16)

 It seems to me that this [Upper] room symbolizes the spiritual law which, emerges from the restrains of the written record, receives the Savior in a lofty place. Pauls says that what he formerly counted as gain, he now despised as loss and refuse, that he might prepare a worthy guest chamber for the Lord.

Originally posted 2006-04-19 22:16:36.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-great-thursday-1.htm/feed 0 The colt & the resemblance http://orthodoxfathers.org/the-colt-the-resemblance.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/the-colt-the-resemblance.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:16 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=34 Realize how obedient the colt was, how being unbroken and having never known the rein, did not resist but went on orderly. This was the prophecy of the future, signifying the submissiveness of the Gentiles, and their sudden conversion to good order. For all things did that word work, which said, “Loose him, and bring him to me” so that the unmanageable became orderly and the unclean, clean.

Originally posted 2006-04-17 20:01:59.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/the-colt-the-resemblance.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 3rd hour of the Eve of Great Friday http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:16 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=79

Peter's Denial (Luke 22:31-39)

Out of twelve deserted; eleven remained loyal. The cross came; they fled; one remained – Peter, one with One. The one himself fled, and would that he had! He denied Christ. We may say, then, that the entire human race was lost. Because it had perished, the complaint of the Lord crucified is: "The wine press I have trodden alone, and of my people there was no one with me." (Isa 63:3) Then the psalm was fulfilled, "Help, O Lord! For no one now is dutiful." (Ps. 12:1-2) "There is none who does good, no not even one." (Ps. 14:1-3; Rom 3:12) He who has promise, "Even if I should have to die with You, or to be imprisoned, I will not deny You" (Matt 26:35; Mark 14:31) denied Him.

Originally posted 2006-04-20 17:52:12.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-3rd-hour-of-the-eve-of-great-friday.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 11th hour of the Eve of Monday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-monday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-monday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:14 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=36 Why does Christ tell the apostles about His passion in advance?
Whenever the Lord speaks of future disaster, He always teaches its close relation with the joy of redemption, so that when disasters suddenly come they do not terrify the apostles, but may be borne by hearts that have meditated on them beforehand. If it saddens them because He is going to be killed, it should make them rejoice that it says, ?On the third day He shall rise again.? For their distress- in fact their great distress-does not come from lack of faith. They knew that Peter had been rebuked for not considering what belonged to God but what belonged to men. But their love of their Master did not let them hear anything threatening or humiliating.

Originally posted 2006-04-17 20:02:53.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-the-eve-of-monday-1.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 9th hour of Great Thursday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-great-thursday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-great-thursday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:10 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=63 Isaac’s obedience (Genesis 22:1-19)

Isaac himself carries the wood for His own holocaust: this is a figure of Christ. For He bore the burden of the Cross; yet to carry the wood for the holocaust is really the duty of the priest. He is then both victim and priest.

Originally posted 2006-04-19 22:21:17.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-great-thursday-1.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 6th hour of the Eve of Thursday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-the-eve-of-thursday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-the-eve-of-thursday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:04 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=57 Why would we blame the Jews for their disbelief, when God has blinded their eyes?

They could not believe, because Isaiah so prophesised, as God told him what their situation would be. But, if you ask: what was the reason of their disbelief, I will instantly answer: They did not want to. As God foresaw their corrupted will, He so foretold His prophet, as the future is not hidden from Him….God blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, as He foresook them, and denied them His care.

Originally posted 2006-04-19 15:21:40.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-6th-hour-of-the-eve-of-thursday-1.htm/feed 0 On Thomas Sunday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/on-thomas-sunday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/on-thomas-sunday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:03 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=127 Christ is Risen! O the marvel! the forbearance! the immeasurable meekness! The Untouched is felt; the Master is held by a servant, And He reveals His wounds to one of His inner circle. Seeing these wounds, the whole Creation was shaken at the time. Thomas, when he was considered worthy of such gifts, Lifted up a prayer to the One Who deemed him worthy, Saying, “Bear my rashness with patience, Have pity on my unworthiness and lighten the burden Of my lack of faith, so that I may sing and cry, `Thou art our Lord and God.’

Originally posted 2006-04-29 17:31:59.

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