Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church A Parish of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese Ecumenical Patriarchate

10201 Democracy Blvd Potomac, Maryland 20854

301-299-5120 (Office) 301-367-9051 (cell) 301-983-0874 (Parish Hall/Fax) www.holyresurrection.com

Father Peter Zarynow, Pastor Subdeacon Anastasios Davis

Sunday 17 January 2016 Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost Sunday before Theophany Synaxis of the 70 Apostles Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:5-8

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Tone Eight

The Schedule of Divine Services for the week is as Follows: 17 Jan (SUN) 33rd Sun after Pentecost Sunday before Theophany Sunday School 9:00am Confessions 9:15am Chanting of the 3rd Hour 9:40am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10:00am Panachida: +Christine Deutsch, by Timko Family Coffee Social to follow 18 Jan (Mon) Eve of Theophany (Strict Fast Day) Great Compline & Great Blessing of Water 7:00pm 19 Jan (Tue) Feast of the Baptism of Christ (Theophany Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10am Blessing of Homes begins in the afternoon

24 Jan (SUN) 34th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday after Theophany Sunday School 9:00am Confessions 9:15am Chanting of the 3rd Hour 9:40am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10:00am Coffee Social/Parish Council Meeting to follow

Announcements: Confessions will be heard on Sunday mornings from 9:15-9:45am and by appointment. All faithful are encouraged to come to the Sacrament every 8-10 weeks, on average, to help maintain spiritual health. Monday 5 January, the Eve of Theophany is a Strict Fast Day, meaning no meat or dairy products are to be eaten. Many families will once again partake of the Holy Night Supper. Since it is a day off of work and school for many, have an earlier supper and come to Compline at 7pm and witness the Great Blessing of Water. Bake Days for the Spring Session have been set: 23 January, 27 February and 12 March. Please plan to come out and lend a hand. Bake order forms are available in the parish hall. Orders are due by Sunday 24 January. When purchasing gifts, or a little something for you, remember the Diocese through “Amazon Smiles!” There is a button at the Diocesan Website (acrod.org) As we begin the new year, please take a close look at the parish prayer list (below). If there are any changes to be made (names to be added or removed) please contact Fr. Peter. On Sunday 7 February we will observe Scout Sunday. All Girl Scout and Boy Scouts (youth and leaders) are asked to contact Father by 1 February with your information (unit number, location and your rank and any leadership positions or special recognitions you have received in the past year). Mark your calendars: His Grace, Bishop GREGORY will be with us for Divine Liturgy on Sunday 20 March, the Feast of the Sunday of Orthodoxy. His Grace will also preside at and be the guest homilist for the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers that evening. More details will be printed as the date draws nearer.

Please pray for the following: Bishop Gregory, Bishop Matthias, Fr. Frank Miloro; Fr. Ronald Hazuda, Fr. John & Paňi BettyJean Baranik, Fr. Lev Holovaty, Fr. George Rados, Fr. Paul Herbert, Fr. George Hutnyan, Fr. Paul Stoll, Fr. Gregory Allard, Fr. Lawrence & Paňi Linda Barriger, Fr. James Gleason, Fr. Luke Mihaly, Fr. Robert Teklinski, Fr. Ted Mozes, Fr. Thomas Blaschak, Monk Nicholas, Dn. Peter Skoog, Paňi Donna Smoley, Paňi Yvonne Lysack, Paňi Kathy Dutko, Paňi Karen Miklos, Paňi AnnaMarie Slovesko, Paňi Mary Kundla, Paňi Katherine Jula, Fr. John & Paňi Patricia Duranko, Dn. Michael Kozar, Elisa Castilla, Ann Thear, Owen Moriak, Chris Hallberg; Beth & Ed ‘Skeets’ Williams, Les & Carol Miller, Steve & Grace Sheftic, MaryAnn Muchesko, Ivan Pop, Cindy Russell, Michael & Elaine Buchko, Ann Dahulich, Dorothy Mastronicola, Nicholas Yacko, Mildred Bartko, Savannah and Caroline Boyd, Taina Ferguson, Angie Wali, Megan Antonishek, Nancy Lynn Arthur, Mary Urbas, Irma Opacic, Robert Polomchak, Yoel Ramos, Tony Zankey, Sally Hubiak, Justin Popek, Nadia Sumner, Karen Ogden, Julie Miner, Chris Murdock, Cherie Bare, Joshua, Faye & Tess, Emilie Dixon, Paul Tobias, Shirley Miree, Michael Rake, Barbara Arney, Brian Petyo, Mary Ferrante, Olga Vasconez, Mary O’Rourke, Diane Dupere-Lindell, Gerry Sadler, Ann Eckert, Anna & Len Bocinski, Stan Damren, Marie Shostko, Lois Hall, Marshal Smith, Dave Stanton, Andrew Sussman, Florence Gregoric, Marian Fallon, Dennis Davis, James & Melody Peyton, Louann Giger, Daniel Ward, Jennifer Brady, Allen Rushnok, Carol Blum, Katie Bleeker, Alexi Williams, Missy Johns, Andrew Hutnyan, Nina Hutnyan, Nancy Delasko, Autumn Elizabeth Chapman, Liliana Shirvanian, Harry & Barbara Coe, Daria Virvan, Anastasios Labi, Susan Buckley, Constance Amey, Daniel Pfaff, Robin Nebenhaus; James Lazor, Thomas Koval III, Debbie Dell, Rose & Douglas Eade, Robert Horsch, Heather Conlin, Edward & Grace Yoon, Michael Dinneen, Reader James Dunham, Michael Tabacco, Kellie Barett, Zaun Kligge, Andrea Katz

May Our Lord Jesus Christ Touch Them With His Healing Hand!

Candle Offerings: Altar & Sacramental Table Candles and Eternal Light: in memory of +Richard Matuga on 1st anniversary of repose-Joan & Metro Kondratick and Family (Vicnaja Pamjat!)

Vigil Candle Offerings For the Living (Many Years! Mnohaja L’ita!) 1-health of Les-love Carol 1-special intention Steve Sheftic-love wife Grace 1-health of Mom-your loving family- Chrysa, Taina & Craig 1-health of Marion Fallon-Diane 2-for health-love Alex, Melanie, Jonathan, Lara & Stephanie Parents/Grandparents Michael & Elaine; Father/Grandfather John 2-for health-love Mom & Dad Jonathan & Lara; Stephanie 2-for health-John & Sheila HROC parishioners; Family members 3-special intention-John & Sheila Fr. Peter & family; Diocesan Priests & their families; OCMC Missionaries 1-special intention Ann Dahulich-love son George 2-special intention-brother George Archbishop Michael; Barbara Knighton 2-special intention-George Dahulich Bishop Gregory; Bishop Matthias 1-happy birthday-George Dahulich Donny Boyd; Erika Sofelkanik; Faith Breno 1-health of Savannah, Chloe, Caroline, Christopher, Natalie, Cole-love Grandparents 6-special intentions-the Breno Family Breno Family; Fedornock Families; Peart Family; Nakonecznyj Family; Zankey Family; Fabian Family 1-Peace in the world-The Breno Family

3-happy birthday-the Breno Family Cyndi Dzubak; Paňi Marge Fedornock; Dimi Riselvato 4-for health-Marge Tomasevich

Mary Elko; Les Miller; Marie Skasko; John & Chris Hudack: Elaine Buchko

5-health & healing-Lois Hayley; Savannah; Bob; Daria; Nancy Delasko; Zaun Kligge 4-for health-Lois

Caroline & Natalie; Mary Elko; Karen K.; Uncle Ralph 1-safe travel for family-Charlie, Debi, Jacob & Joey 2-for health-Charlie, Debi, Jacob & Joey Aunt Nunka; Dolly 1-safe travel for families-Mark, Marie, Angela & Stephen 11-for health-Mark, Marie, Angela & Stephen Mother/Baba; Ma/Nana; Ann Thear; Helen Beverage; Verna Czap; Nancy Shields; Skeets; Williams Family; Chris Allan; Eddie Myers; Dan Zelensky 6-health & special intention-Mark, Marie, Angela & Stephen Chris & John H; Ray & Georgene A; Irene D; Marge T; Carol M; Mike & Elaine B 1-happy birthday George Dahulich- Mark, Marie, Angela & Stephen 1-special intention Mark-love Marie 2-special intentions Angela & Stephen-love Mom & Dad 1-health of Eric Peart-the Peart Family

Vigil Candles In Loving Memory: (Memory Eternal! Vicnaja Pamjat!)1+loving memory of my husband Tom-your loving wife Ann 1+in loving memory of our father-Chrysa, Taina and Craig 1+Mother & Father–Les & Carol Miller 2+loving memory-the Fallons Paňi Jeannette; Anna & John Luchok 1+in loving memory of Helen Rowland-Diane 1+in loving memory Parents & Grandparents-Diane & Brian 1+Memory Eternal Parents/Grandparents-Koval Family

1+Memory Eternal-Koval Family Uncle George & Uncle Tony 1+Memory Eternal Mother/Grandmother Katherine-love Alex, Melanie, Jonathan, Lara & Stephanie 5+in memory-John & Sheila Dad Kraynok; Mom Kraynok; Charles Hrapchak; Anna Hrapchak; Evelyn Hrapchak 1+in loving memory of Gene Eaton-love Starlene

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Kate Lindsay will be participating in the OCF Real Break trip to Romania from March 4-12, 2016! If you would like to help sponsor Kate for this trip, you may make a tax-deductible donation in one of two ways: 1) Online, go to http://www.ocf.net/real-break/sponsor/ and click on the "DONATE NOW" button. Under "Program" select "Sponsor a Real Break Student (add honoree's name below)". Enter "Katherine Lindsay" in the "Honoree's name" box under "Dedicate my donation in the name of:". 2) Write a check to "Orthodox Christian Fellowship" with "Katherine Lindsay, Real Break Romania" written on the memo line. Checks should be mailed to "Orthodox Christian Fellowship, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445". The cost of the trip is $2,200 and includes the international flight, transportation during the trip, any necessary airport or entry/exit fees, travel insurance, lodging, meals, and materials. Half of the cost of the trip ($1,100) must be raised by January 1, 2016 with the final half ($1,100) due on February 1, 2016.

To date Kate has raised just about half of the $2200 needed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ When a person’s intellect is moved to pray, divine Grace comes in a fraction of a second. That person is then filled with Grace and sees everything with other eyes.

Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia

ACRY Convention Information:

• Next monthly Sr. ACRY meeting is 7 February.

• Sr. ACRY “TRUTH” t-shirts are now available. Order forms are available on the table by the silver freezer. Shirts are available in a variety of colors and sizes. Proceeds go to help with the Convention next Labor Day weekend. Please hand forms and payment to Joann Medvigy.

• Our Senior ACRY is looking for interested individuals to help on the various committees for the National ACRY Convention on Labor Day weekend 2016. The list is on the bulletin board. Some can be a committee of one, others need two-three people. One does not need to be an ACRY member to help out. If you have any questions about any of the committees, please see our ACRY Chapter President, Dan Timko.

• The Sr. ACRY will be once again hosting their popular Soup Sales this winter. The final sale is

scheduled for Sunday 14 February. Each member of the ACRY (and anyone who would like to help out) is asked to prepare, at minimum 5 quarts of soup. Containers are available in the ACRY closet for packing the soup.

See Nick or Tim Dzubak after Divine Services for the following: • Basket Of Cheer Raffle - Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Tickets are in front of the basket next to the

TV in the hall. If anyone can sell to friends, please take some tickets.

• Super Bowl Pool- Blocks are $20 each. POOL IS AS FOLLOWS 0-0 gets $100 automatically, and then every score change (that lands on your block) gets one share of $1500. (Usually comes out to $70-100 per share) The parish will receive $400 from this pool.

• Cash Day - Tickets are $10 each and are available now. Singles and packs of 10 to hand out to be sold

if you can sell them. Cash Day is 6 March. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Preparation for the Blessing of Homes Call or email the rectory to make an appointment to have your home blessed.

Before the Priest arrives at your home, here are a few reminders on how to prepare: v In the main room of the home, usually the kitchen or dining room, have placed on the table a

white cloth, a candle and/or an Icon or cross. You may place a small container of Holy Water on the table as well. [Note: Father will bring water with him]

v Turn off TV’s, radios, computers, etc. so as to keep focused on the blessing service v Please make sure that pets are heeled or restrained so as not to get underfoot while Father goes

through the home. v If you have any items to be blessed (Icon, Cross, etc.), put them on the table where the blessing

takes place. v When the Priest arrives, have everyone in the home gather around the table and join in the

blessing. Participation is important! v Invite friends or neighbors to participate and witness the beauty of this Tradition. v If you need to discuss a personal matter with Father, this is the time to do so. Time is made

between appointments for this reason. This year the Blessing of Homes will take place from Tuesday 19 January to Saturday 27 February. Please schedule an appointment with Father as soon as possible. Please allow for changes due to Father’s schedule or inclement weather.

Remember, the invitation to the priest to come and bless your home is an invitation to ask for the mercy of God upon the household. The sprinkling of the Holy Water is a sign of God’s presence in the home as an extension of His Holy House, the Church. It is a time to renew our commitment to

God as we begin another year in His mercy and love for mankind.

If we want to see the glory of God, let us love humility, because where humility drips, that’s where the glory of God wells up. St. Seraphim of Sarov

CAMP NAZARETH SUMMER CAMP 2016

The time for Summer Camp is Rapidly Approaching!!!

The clock is ticking!!

REGISTER ONLINE STARTING FEB. 15, 2016!!! =========================================================

Dates for the Summer Camping Program Week 1 -- July 17 - 23, 2016

Pittsburgh, Mid-Atlantic, Tri-State and Washington D.C. Deaneries Week 2 -- July 24 - July 30, 2016

New England, NY, NJ, Florida and Canada Deaneries Week 3 -- July 31 - August 6, 2016

Johnstown, Pocono, Southern Tier, Youngstown and Chicago Deaneries =========================================================

Register Online Starting Feb. 15, 2016 Register at – campnazareth.org

From the Home Page, From the 2016 Summer Camp Icon, or From the Diocesan Summer Camp Tab found under the Program & Events Tab and look for Camper Registration.

If you are Clergy or a Volunteer go to the 2016 Summer Camp Icon on the Home Page or the Summer Camp Tab found under the Program & Events Tab and look for the paper forms under

Clergy/Volunteers. ==========================================================

$20 Early Bird Discount Per Child!!!! (one-time only, not per week)

Register & pay by May 15, 2016!!!!

Online Registration MUST be complete AND payment must be submitted by May 15 in order to qualify for the Early Bird Discount.

Registrations after June 14 will incur an additional $20 late fee.

q When you register online please note that you will still need to submit a paper copy of the Medical Examination Form (i.e. Camper Physical) which must be filled out and signed by a licensed medical professional (licensed physician or physician’s assistant). This form will be emailed to you after you complete the online registration process.

q Payment by check, money order, or credit card is accepted. Checks and Money Orders are to be made payable to Camp Nazareth and sent to Camp Nazareth at 339 Pew Road, Mercer, PA 16137.

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Parish Van to Camp As always we will have a van going to Camp Nazareth for our Deanery week. There are usually requests from outside the parish for seats. SO, if you are going to camp, Fr. Peter needs to know by no later than 15 May 2016. After that, we will open up seats (if there are any) to campers outside of the parish. There are only nine seats available (unless we have a adult volunteer to drive up and back with luggage) Please let Father know if you will need a one-way ride or a round trip.

A Homily on Theophany by St. John Chrysostom (taken from pemptousia.com)

We shall now say something about the present feast. Many people celebrate feast days and know what they’re called, but don’t know why they were established. So everyone knows that the feast today is called Theophany, but don’t know what Theophany is, and whether it is one thing or another. And this is shameful- celebrating an annual feast day and not knowing the reason for its existence. First of all, therefore, it’s necessary to say that there’s not one Theophany, but two: the actual one, which has already occurred; and the second, in the future, which will happen with glory at the end of the world. You’ll hear about both today from Paul, who, in his letter to Titus, speaks thus about today’s feast: “The grace of God has revealed itself, having saved all mankind, decreeing that we reject iniquity and worldly desires, and dwell in the present age in prudence and in righteousness and piety”; and about the future one: “awaiting the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2, 11-13). Meanwhile, a prophet had this to say about this second of the two: “the sun will turn to darkness, and the moon to blood at first, before the great and illuminating Day of the Lord comes” (Joel 2, 31). Why isn’t the day on which the Lord was born considered Theophany, but rather this day, on which He was baptized? It was on this very day that He was baptized and sanctified the nature of water. Because on this day everyone takes some of the water and carries it home and keeps it all year. Because today the waters are sanctified. And an obvious phenomenon occurs: this water which was drawn today, in its essence doesn’t spoil with the passage of time, but, for a whole year and often for two or three, remains as unaltered and fresh as that newly drawn from a spring. So why is this day called Theophany? Because Christ made Himself known not when He was born, but when He was baptized. Until that time people knew little of Him. This is clear from what John the Baptist has to say on the matter: “Among you stands He, Whom you do not know” (Jn.1, 26). And it is hardly surprising that others didn’t know Him, when even the Baptist wasn’t aware of Him until that day: “I myself didn’t know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit’” (Jn. 1, 33). Thus it is evident that there are two Theophanies. But we also need to explain why Christ comes to be baptized and what kind of baptism it is, so I have to speak to you about both the one and the other, for through the one we shall learn about the other. There was the Jewish baptism, which cleansed bodily impurities, but didn’t remove sins. Thus, if somebody committed adultery, or was bent on stealing, or performed some other kind of misdeed, this baptism didn’t free them from guilt. But if they touched the bones of the dead, tasted food forbidden by the law, were contaminated through contact with certain other people, or consorted with lepers, then they washed, were impure until the evening, but then were cleansed. “Let people wash their body in pure water”, it says in the Scriptures, “and they will be unclean until evening, and then they will be clean” (Lev. 15,5; 22, 4). These were not really sins or impurities, but since the Jews lacked perfection, God made them more observant by such means, and, from the first moment prepared them for an understanding of more important things. So, Jewish cleansing did not free from sins, but only from bodily impurities. This is not so with ours: it is far more sublime and it manifests a great grace, by which it sets us free from sin, cleanses the spirit and bestows the gifts of the Spirit. The baptism of John, too, was far more sublime than the ordinary Jewish one, but still less so than ours; it was like a bridge between both baptisms, leading across from the former to the latter. For this reason, John didn’t give guidance for observing bodily purifications, but exhorted and advised that, as well as performing these, people should be converted from vice to good deeds and should trust in the hope of salvation and the accomplishment of good deeds, rather than in different washings and purifications by water. John didn’t say: “Wash your clothes, wash your body, and you’ll be pure”, but “Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Mt, 3, 8). Since it was more than that of the Jews, but less than ours, the baptism of John didn’t impart the Holy Spirit and didn’t grant forgiveness by grace. It gave the commandment to repent, but was powerless to remit sins. Which is why John also said: “I baptize you with water…He, however, will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Mt. 3, 11). Obviously, then, he didn’t baptize with the Spirit. But what does this mean: “with the Holy Spirit and with fire?”. Recall the day on which, for the Apostles, “tongues as of fire appeared to them, distributed among them, and rested on each one of them” (Acts 2, 3). That the baptism of John didn’t impart the Spirit and remission of sins is evident from the following: Paul “found certain disciples, and said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’. And they said, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit’. And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’. They said, ‘Into John’s baptism’. And Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus’. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them” (Acts 19, 1-6). Do you see how incomplete the baptism of John was? Had it not been incomplete, Paul wouldn’t have baptized them again, and placed his hands on them. After he had performed the second baptism he demonstrated the superiority of the apostolic Baptism and that the baptism of John was far inferior to it. From this, then, we recognize the difference between the baptisms. Now it’s necessary to say why Christ was baptized and into which baptism? Neither the former, the Jewish, nor the latter, ours. Why would He have needed remission of sins, how is this possible, when He has no sin? “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” (1 Pet. 2, 22); and further, “who among you convicts me of sin?” (Jn. 8, 46). And His flesh was not deprived of the Holy Spirit; how could it be when it was fashioned by the Holy Spirit in the first place? And so, if His flesh was not deprived of the Holy Spirit, and He was not subject to sin, then why was He baptized? But first of all it’s necessary to recognize by which baptism He was baptized, and then it will become clear. Which baptism was performed, in His case? Not that of the Jews, nor ours, nor John’s. Why? You yourselves, from your own view of baptism, can see that He wasn’t baptized for any sins, nor because He needed the Holy Spirit; therefore, as we’ve shown, this baptism was alien both to the one and to the other. It’s clear, then, that He came to the Jordan, not for forgiveness of sins and nor to receive the gifts of the Spirit. But, just in case some of those present thought that He came for repentance, as others did, John specifically precluded this. When he spoke to the others he said: “Bear fruits worthy of repentance”; but listen to what he said to Him: “I have need to be baptized of You, yet You have come to me?” (Mt. 3, 8:14). (continued on next page)

(St. John Chrysostom, continued)

With these words he demonstrated that Christ had come to him not through the need for which other people came, and also that He was beyond any such need, that He was much more sublime and perfectly pure than Baptism itself. Why was He baptized, then, if this was done not for repentance, nor for the remission of sins, nor for the gifts of the Spirit? For two other reasons, of which one is mentioned by a disciple, and another about which He Himself spoke to John. What did John the Baptist himself see as the reason for this baptism? That Christ should become known to people, as Paul also mentions: “John therefore baptized with the baptism of repentance, so that through him they should believe in Him Who was coming” (Acts 19, 4); this was the achievement of the baptism. Had John gone to the home of each person and, standing at the door, had spoken about Christ and said: “He is the Son of God,” such testimony would have been suspicious, and the action would have made for difficulties. Equally, had he gone into the synagogues to champion Christ and witness to Him, this testimony of his might have sounded suspiciously fabricated. But when so many people thronged from all the cities to the Jordan and were staying on the banks of the river, and when He Himself came to be baptized and received the testimony of the Father through a voice from above and by the descent of the Spirit in the form of a dove, then John’s witness to Him was beyond all dispute. And since he said: “and I didn’t know Him” (Jn. 1, 31), his testimony is trustworthy. They were related after the flesh- “therefore Elizabeth, your kinswoman, has also conceived a son”, said the Angel to Mary about the mother of John (Lk. 1, 36); if the mothers were kin, then, obviously, so were the children, too. Since they were related, and so that it shouldn’t seem that John was testifying to Christ because of kinship, the grace of the Spirit arranged for John to spend all his early years in the wilderness, to avoid the appearance that John had declared his testimony out of friendship or some similar reason. But, as instructed by God, John also announced: “and I didn’t know Him”. So how did he find out? “He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit’. And “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him” (Jn. 1, 32-33). Do you see that the Holy Spirit did not descend as if it were the first time, in order to indicate that He was the One Who had been foretold through the inspiration of the Spirit? As though by a finger, He was pointed out to everyone, and this is why He came to baptism. There’s also a second reason, about which He Himself spoke? When John said: “I have need to be baptized of You, yet You have come to me?”, Christ answered: “Let it be so now, for it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness” (Mt. 3,14-15). Do you see the meekness of the servant? Do you see the humility of the Master? What does He mean when He says: “to fulfill all righteousness?”. “Righteousness” means fulfilling all the commandments, as in: “both were righteous, walking faultlessly in the commandments of the Lord” (Lk. 1, 6). Since fulfilling this righteousness was necessary for everyone, but no-one had done so properly, Christ came and put the fulfillment of the commandments into practice. Now you might ask where the righteousness is in being baptized. For a prophet, obedience was righteous. Just as Christ was circumcised, offered sacrifice, kept the Sabbath and observed the Jewish feasts, so He also added this remaining thing: that He consented to be baptized by a prophet. It was the will of God that all should be baptized, as John says: “He having sent me to baptize with water” (Jn, 1, 33). And Luke later relates: “When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him” (Lk. 7, 29-30). So if obedience to God constitutes righteousness, and God sent John to baptize the nation, then Christ also fulfilled this, along with all the other commandments. Suppose that the commandments of the law are two hundred denarii. This was a debt due to be paid by the human race , but we didn’t do so. We were in the power of death, because we were under accusation. Christ came, and finding us afflicted by death, He paid the debt and freed those who had been unable to meet their obligations. This is why He doesn’t say: “It is necessary for you to do this or that,” but rather “to fulfill every righteousness” “It is proper for Me, being the Master”, He says, “to make payment for the needy”. These were the reasons for His baptism: that people should see that He had fulfilled the Law; and the other one we mentioned before. This is also why the Spirit descended as a dove: because wherever there is reconciliation with God, there is the dove, too. Just as happened with Noah’s ark, the dove brought an olive branch, a sign of God’s love of mankind and of the cessation of the flood. Now, in the form of a dove, and not in a body– this is particularly worthy of note- the Spirit descended, announcing the mercy of God to the whole world and showing thereby that spiritual people should be gentle, simple and innocent, as Christ also says: “Unless you repent and become like children, you will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt.18, 3). But after the cessation of the flood, the ark of Noah remained on the earth; this ark, after the cessation of wrath, is taken to heaven, and now this immaculate and imperishable Body sits at the right hand of the Father.

On Stewardship and the Orthodox Life Part 32: Jacob's Vow

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall

be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that thou givest me I will give the tenth to thee." (Genesis 28:20-22 RSV)

The Old Testament Patriarch Jacob had just awakened after a dream-filled night. He had been given the promise that his ancestors had been given: his descendants will receive the land promised by God, and from Jacob’s seed would come Him who would give all blessings to the world. He had seen the ladder joining earth and heaven, a very early picture of the role of the Theotokos, Mary the Mother of God, in the salvation of all humanity. Now Jacob would be on a journey to find a wife. Jacob could have reasoned, like many today, that this dream was only a phantom of the night, and the voice that told him of the promise – well, he was just hearing things. And the promises Jacob made? That he will give back to God a tenth of all that God will have given him? That he would build God a dwelling place? Well, these were made under the duress of a bad dream, and he was just hearing voices. Jacob could have thought that way. But he did not. It was not until many years later that Jacob returned to his homeland. It took him at least fourteen years of work for his uncle Laban to earn for himself both Leah and Rachel as wives. But when he returned, having become a wealthy man, he give back to God exactly what he said he would, and more. Many in our day fail where Jacob was successful. Many in our day who have the greatest economic success in their lives are the ones who have the strongest inclinations to keep for themselves what they have. When Jesus told the parable of the servant who must keep close watch while the master is away, His intent was to remind His hearers that everyone has responsibility for what is given. “Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required” (Luke 12:48). Much was given to Patriarch Jacob: he had twelve sons by Leah and Rachel, he had much land, many servants, much livestock – he was blessed greatly. And before God would even require of him anything in return, Jacob had already made his promise. He would return to God a large portion of those things that God had given to him. Part 33: Stewardship Formation

“We have seen the true Light. We have received the heavenly Spirit…” (Divine Liturgy) The forty day period of Great Lent in our Orthodox Church was, in the time of the early Church, the period during which those who were converts to the faith were instructed in the ways of Orthodoxy. Those candidates met (usually with the Bishop himself) and were given proper preparation for their Baptism and Chrismation that would happen on the eve of Holy Pascha. One such Bishop’s instructions we have preserved for us. St. Cyril of Jerusalem was Bishop from about the year 350 until his death in 386. What has been preserved for us is St. Cyril’s Catechetical Lectures. They are addressed to the group of candidates known as the ones to be enlightened. The Catechetical Lectures are transcripts (somebody must have been a kind of secretary) of oral presentations given to candidates for initiation to the Church. The Bishop at that time was and today still is the chief teaching authority in a diocese. The classes, and indeed the lecture transcripts, were presented under the veil of secrecy. The class members were forbidden to speak to anyone about what they learned. They could not fill in people who missed class. They could not share what they heard with others not yet baptized. And they were strictly forbidden from speaking about what they heard with non-Christians. The candidates have no idea what is going to be taught from one class to the next. Likewise, they have no clue as to the true mystery of the Divine Liturgy, because they’ve never been allowed to attend past the Gospel reading (“Catechumens depart…”). Everything is new. In the first lecture, the ground rules for class (including the secrecy ones) are presented, and the candidates are told just how special this opportunity to join the Church really is. The Bishop also warns those who’ve come for frivolous reasons (like looking for a love partner!) that they should either stop coming to class, or get serious. The enlightened ones, that is, those who have “seen the light,” are those who are then later baptized and chrismated. They have given themselves over to a completely new way of life. It is a way of life directed by Christ through His Holy Church. It includes seeing one’s whole life as no longer his or her own, but a life that belongs to God. It is a dangerous life. For living such a life is not the way the rest of the world lives. It is a stewardship way of life, for such a life has been given back to God to use as He sees fit, and not as we want for our own personal enjoyment or gain.