OrthodoxFathers.org » Holy Pascha Week 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 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 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 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 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 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 Contemplation on the 9th hour of Holy Wednesday (2) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-holy-wednesday-2.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-holy-wednesday-2.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:49:55 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=55 The Cross (John 12:27-36)

A marvelous and mighty paradox has just occured; for the death, which they thought to inflict on Him as dishonor and disgrace has become the glorious monument of victory against death itself. Therefore, it is also, that He neither endured the death of John, who was beheaded, nor was He sawn asunder, like Isaiah: even in death He preserved His body whole and undivided, so that there should be no excuse hereafter for those who would divide the Church.

Originally posted 2006-04-18 20:35:38.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-holy-wednesday-2.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 1st hour of Great Friday (2) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-great-friday-2.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-great-friday-2.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:49:54 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=90 Why was our Lord wearing white?

It is significant that Jesus is clothed in a white garment by Herod. It denotes His sinless passion; because the Lamb of God without stain and with glory accepted the sins of the world. (John 1:29) Herod and Pilate, who became friends instead of enemies through Jesus Christ, symbolize the peoples of Israel and the Gentiles, since the future harmony of both follows from the Lord's passion (Eph 2:13) First, the people of the nations capture the Word of God and bring it to the people of the Jew, through the devotion of their faith. They clothe with glory the body of Christ, who they had previously despised.

Note: Now our Lord is wearing the white garments, but in the next hour, they shall be crimson, reddened by our sins and stained by our iniquities. 

Originally posted 2006-04-20 18:42:51.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-great-friday-2.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 11th hour of Holy Tuesday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-holy-tuesday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-holy-tuesday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:49:51 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=47 The punishment of the wicked (Matt 25:30)

In this parable, the nobleman going into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return, is none other than Christ going into another country to receive the kingdoms of this world and the things in it; those who receive the ten talents are those who have been entrusted with the dispensation of the Word which has been committed unto them; His citizens who did not wish Him to reign over them when He was a citizen in the world in respect of His incarnation, are perhaps Israel who disbelieved Him, and perhaps also the Gentiles who disbelieved Him.

Originally posted 2006-04-17 22:55:37.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-11th-hour-of-holy-tuesday-1.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 9th hour of the Eve of Wednesday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-the-eve-of-wednesday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-the-eve-of-wednesday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:49:47 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=51 Who is Zachariah son of Berachiah?

St. Jerome thinks that in his time there were three options as to who this Zechariah was:

  1. The prophet Zachariah was one of the minor prophets, even though his father's name is in the accordance with the Lord's words. But the Book did not mention anything about the shedding of his blood between the temple and the altar, particulary because the temple at his time was merely in ruins.
  2. Some others think he is Zachariah, John the Baptist's father, who has been killed because of his prophecy about the Savior's coming. But St. Jerome does not accept this suggestion.
  3. He is Zachariah killed by Joach, King of Judea, as mentioned in 2 Chr. 24:21. But his father's name is mentioned in the Holy Book as Jehoioda. St. Jerome believes that this man had two names: Berachia, meaning "blessing" or "blessed from the Lord," and Jehoiada meaning "holiness."

Originally posted 2006-04-18 19:56:36.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-9th-hour-of-the-eve-of-wednesday-1.htm/feed 0 Table of Contents http://orthodoxfathers.org/table-of-contents-6.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/table-of-contents-6.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:49:45 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=148 [postsincategory#3]

Originally posted 2006-04-13 17:39:41.

]]> http://orthodoxfathers.org/table-of-contents-6.htm/feed 0 Contemplation on the 1st hour of Great Friday (1) http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-great-friday-1.htm http://orthodoxfathers.org/contemplation-on-the-1st-hour-of-great-friday-1.htm#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:49:41 +0000 Administrator http://theholyfathers.org/?p=89 Why didn't He defend Himself? Why was He silent?

The Lord became the defender of truth, and came in silence before Pilate, on behalf of truth which had been oppressed (John 18:37-38). Others gain victory through making defenses, but our Lord gained victory through His silence, because the recompense of His death through divine silence was the victory of true teaching. He spoke inorder to teach, but kept silent in the tribunal. He was not silent over that which was exalting us, but He did not stuggle against those who were provoking Him. The worlds of His accusers, like a crown on His head, were a source of redemption. He kept silent so that His silence would make them shout even louder, and so that His crown would be made more beautiful through all his clamor.

Originally posted 2006-04-20 18:38:40.

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