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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY & PARISH

OF PROPHET ELIAS NORWOOD & EASTERN

SUBURBS INC.

87 BEULAH RD. NORWOO

NORWOOD SA 5067 P.O. BOX 277, KENT TOWN SA 5071
71
ALL CORRESPONDENCE T
TO THE HON. SECRETARY

O
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: 8362
62 4139 . 8431 7789 . 0412 710 037

11-12-16
32 . 1637

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

THE WORD OF GOD

PHONES: 8362 4139 H
H. 8431 7789 M. 0412 710 037

DATE 11-12-16
YEAR 32ND NUMBER 1637
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(. 3, 4-11) 11 2016
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11th SUNDAY OF LUKE (Col. 3, 4-11) 11 December 2016
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication,
uncleanliness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

These are the words that we heard, amongst others, in todays apostolic
reading, and surely they make us think. The reference to putting to death
our passions is what problematises us.

And why the killing off of our

passions? It is because these passions present obstacles to mans spiritual

ascent. The Apostle Paul is writing to the Colossians who were previously
an idolatrous society. Fornication and adultery and every evil had prevailed
for many centuries, and had become the basis of many pagan rites and
rituals. It was like a huge tree that had spread its roots into the hearts of
corrupt people that appeared to impossible to uproot. The idolaters had
made the human passions gods and worshiped them as their gods. They
had managed to put their conscience to sleep and lead a heedless life.
From this we can see how difficult the Apostle Pauls missionary work was,
and what efforts he needed to convert their worldly passions into a spiritual
desire for the eternal. And yet, my brethren, the word of God, the power
that the Apostle and his colleagues preached performed the miracle; the
people ceased their belief in idols. Every now and then some deficits and
vices would reappear, proof that some small roots of idolatry had remained
deep in their hearts. Even though they had been baptised in the name of
the Triune God and they had promised in front of everybody that they reject
the devil and left every human passion and vice behind, they fell back into
those sin that they should have completely left. When people are baptised
our Church sings: Those baptised into Christ, have put on Christ. It as
though the Church is telling us: be careful not to dirty the clean garment of
Christ that you have just put on with terrible sin. Keep your body clean from
fornication and adultery.

Keep your tongue clean from profanity and

blasphemy. Keep your heart clean form anger, rage and greed. Chase
away every evil and every sin. What do we have to fight these passions
with? We have prayer and fasting. Brothers and sisters let us seize the
spiritual opportunity that our Church offers us here at Norwood with this 40
day period of daily Divine Liturgy. It is beneficial for us to write a few words
on the matter of fasting, since we are well on the way through this 40 day
Christmas fasting period. Fasting began with the creation of Adam and Eve,
when God gave Adam the commandment not to eat from the tree of
knowledge of good and evil. We see the need for fasting throughout the Old
Testament. And since the incarnation of our Lord we have many witnesses
for fasting. Christ Himself fasted for forty days and forty nights before He
began His teaching mission. Saint Isaac the Syrian says that fasting is the
guard and defender of every virtue. It is the beginning of the Christian
journey, and the mother of prayer and prudence.

It is the teacher of

stillness and quiet, and the path too all good works. Saint Nicodemus of the
Holy Mountain tells us that fasting is a tool, a means, but we do not give
priority to this to the detriment of our main task, which is virtue according to
the words of our Christ. Come to your senses! Our Lord and the Saviour of
our souls, Jesus Christ is telling us; do not judge, do not condemn, do not
criticise, do not steal, do not cheat, do not slander. He preached the love
which has as the peak of virtues mercy, self-sacrifice and giving to the poor.
However we do not stop our lies, condemnation, slander, injustice and
taking advantage of our brothers and sisters, we see these things as being
of no significance and we raise up the abstinence from food as the height of
virtue, and even this we do not keep as we must. Often we have spoken

about the deception that exists amongst the otherwise faithful Christians
who think that the condition for Holy Communion is the avoidance of certain
foods.
However true fasting is the avoidance of the passions, this is what the
Apostle is telling us today.

The apostle Paul does not say to us, for

example, put to death your hunger, but instead he says: put to death
fornication, uncleanliness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry. Saint Athanasius the Great says that fasting is a great power and
great things can be achieved through this. Dear brethren, do not think that
fasting is a simple matter. Since it is not the person who avoids certain
foods who is fasting, but rather it is the person who avoids every evil thing
who is actually fasting. Since if you fast from foods, but you have not shut
your mouth to lies, slander, and cunningness, then you are wasting your
time and energy, and have achieved nothing. Saint Basil the Great says
true fasting is the alienation of evil that is to change our bad habits, our
passions.

You do not consume meat, but you take advantage of and

consume your brother, you close your mouth to wine but you do not close it
to insulting your brother, then you do not fast.

Woe to those who are

intoxicated, not by wine, but by anger which is the intoxication of the soul.
The topic of fasting is a large one, that cannot possibly be covered in on
sermon my brethren. However we must be careful of this error that we have
fallen into, the error highlighted by the question:
father, for how many days do I need to fast to Commune? this is a
question that has been asked by nearly every Christian. Our Church has

10

clearly defined fasting periods. And so that everybody knows when and
from what to fast each year the Archdiocese publishes the dates and level
of fast required in the calendar. That which people do not understand, and
that which they do not want to understand is that fasting from the passions
rather than from food is more important. This is why many people approach
the Holy Mysteries and Commune without first confessing. If people went to
the sacrament of Holy Confession in preparation for Holy Communion as
the Church instructs us, then they would receive the best instructions for
their preparation to receive the Holy Mysteries. We need to understand that
our participation in the Sacraments of the Church, especially the Eucharist
should be frequent and always with the permission and guidance of our
spiritual father.

Therefore Confession occurs before the Eucharist and

fasting as our Church has set in place. There is no place or situation in any
of the apostles letters and holy texts that tells us to approach the Holy
Chalice spiritually unprepared.

And certainly the prayers that every

Orthodox Christian reads before they commune clearly state this. However
the casual way that many people approach the Holy Chalice indicates that
they dont read these prayers anyway. Since if they did, they would be
aware; they would feel the pain of their unworthiness and with tears in their
eyes they would ask the All-merciful God for forgiveness. If we want to
commune and for this to be of any benefit then we must be freed from the
thought of our passions. Whoever truly and sincerely prepares themselves
for Holy Communion, needs to calm their heart. The Holy Fathers say: For
the person who is not obedient to their spiritual father, their fasting and
prayers to God are futile. Obedience is more important than fasting and

11

prayer. When I was young I did not understand the instructions of the Holy
Fathers, it was only later that I realised what they were saying. Naturally, if
you are not calm and you do not free your heart from evil desires then it is
useless for you to fast. A person can eat nothing at all, however this is
completely pointless if there is malice in him. This person must first be
released from this evil, and then accept the Lord into his heart. The Lord is
entirely love, tranquillity and joy, therefore if we wish to commune we need
to enjoy these spiritual goods in our hearts. This is why we need to prepare
our hearts before Holy Communion. If we prepare our heart to be tranquil,
peaceful and filled with love, then the health of our soul and body follows.
And if these do not exist within us before we take Holy Communion, then we
condemn ourselves and we will not be saved.

Therefore let us pray

ceaselessly: Lord, may Holy Communion not be for our condemnation, but
since we have forgiven everyone, let it be for our salvation.

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News from our Community-Parish

Death-Funeral
While in prayer to our Triune God, Amalia Piantedosi (nee Misopapas) of
Katalakkos Limnos passed away in hospital, aged 48 years. Her funeral will
be held tomorrow, Monday, at 10.30am; the burial will be at Payneham
Cemetery, and the coffee of condolence will be offered in our Parish Hall.
The Priest, President, Executive Committee, Philoptohos and Youth extend
their sincere condolences to the husband, children and family of the
departed, and pray they may have strength and comfort from above. A

15

donation to the Church, in memory of the late Amalia, would be a special

blessing. More details of the funeral in next weeks Newsletter.

Visit by the Sydney Christian Society

With the blessings of our Holy Archdiocese, some members of the Christian
Society of Sydney are visiting us again, this weekend Friday 9th, Saturday
10th and Sunday 11th December, for a series of Christian events. There
have been talks, Byzantine chanting, and a Christian theatrical presentation.
Today, Sunday 11th December, a team of young members of the Byzantine
Choir of Sydney are chanting at our Church. After Divine Liturgy, they will
present an outstanding program of Christian songs and theatre in our Parish
Hall. Please come and enjoy with us and watch the presentation after Divine
Liturgy.

Pre-Christmas Celebrations at Prophet Elias

Thus we have named the period of celebrations of St. Porphyrios of
Kavsokalyviti on 2nd December; of St. Nicholas with Great Celebratory
Vespers, artoklasia, anoixantaria, Holy Unction and Divine Liturgy, with
procession of the Holy Icon of the Saint, and luncheon in our Parish Hall on
5th and 6th December; and of St. Patapios the Wonder-Worker, with vespers
and artoklasia, reverence of the Holy Relic, and Divine Liturgy on 7th and 8th
December. By all accounts, those who have attended this three-day
celebration with faith and love have carried away great joy and blessing.
Their joy is evident, and they try to convey it to whomever they meet,
wherever they go.

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Forty Days of Liturgies

The Forty Days of Liturgies continues until 1st January 2017, thus
comprising about fifty days of Divine Liturgy celebrated at Prophet Elias with
relevant homilies, 8am 9.30am, apart from Sundays and big festivals,
when we finish later.
Christmas Day, Sunday 25th December, Matins and Divine Liturgy at
Prophet Elias Norwood, 6am 9am.

Donations
Anonymous (for flowers for the Icon of St. Nicholas)

$50

Constantina Koronis (in memory of her husband Constantinos)

$50

Many thanks to our devout donors, and may the Lord bless and sanctify
them always.

Christmas Carols Concert

Next Sunday evening 18th December, there will be the annual Christmas
Carols Concert in the Parish Hall, organized by the Youth of the Greek
School and Sunday School, along with our chanters, ladies choir, and other
volunteers in our Community-Parish.

New Years Eve Dance

On Saturday 31st December, there will be the New Years Eve Dance at
Prophet Elias. We have already started booking tables and seats. Thank
you for the interest shown in securing places early. The ticket is only $15 for
children between 6 and 18 years, and $40 for adults, excluding drinks. It is
superfluous to mention the abundant menu, which is already famous from
before. Dont risk missing out - book soon! Bookings close next Sunday, 18th

December.