Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Explanatory Notes
Sunday Matins & Divine Liturgy Hymns
26 February 2023
36th After Pentecost – 4th Sunday of Triodion
Sunday of Cheesefare/Forgiveness

By the Grace of God

Compiled, Adapted, Edited & Printed
By Marguerite Paizis
Archondissa & Teacher by Divine Grace
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
marguerite.paizis@gmail.com
or download directly from
Marguerite Paizis on Scribd – www.scribd.com/writers4574

Re-edited & Published - 18 February 2023

Resurrection Gospel 4 – Luke 24 : 1 - 12

Romans 13 : 11 – 14 : 4
Matthew 6 :14 – 21

20. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES

 Resurrection Gospel 4 – Luke 24 : 1 - 12
On the first morning after Sabbath, at dawn, the Women went to the
Sepulchre taking with them the aromatic spices they had
prepared.
They found the stone rolled away from the Sepulchre. and entering,
they did not see the Body of Lord Jesus.
And, while they were perplexed about this, behold! two Men stood by
them in dazzling Garments.
As they were frightened, and bowed their faces to the ground, they
said to them: “Why do you seek the Living among the dead? He is
not here, but is Risen!
“Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying:
‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,
and be crucified, and the Third Day Rise again.’”
And they remembered His Words, and returning from the Sepulchre
they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest.
It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, the Mother of James, and the
other women with them, who told these things to the Apostles.
And to them their words seemed like idle tales, and they did not
believe them.
Peter rose up and ran to the Sepulchre, and stooping down, he saw
the Linen Cloths lying by themselves, and he departed, marvelling
to himself at what had happened.

 “On the first morning after Sabbath, at dawn…”

• Sunday is the first day of the week - “the Lord’s Day” according
to the New Covenant. Hence we celebrate the Glorious
Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ by dedicating Sunday
to communal Worship of our Triune Lord God.
• Saturdays – Sabbath Day - are Memorial Days on which we
remember those who have Reposed in Christ, while
contemplating our own Departure from this temporary
lifespan.
• We prepare ourselves for Sunday by Fasting, Prayers, self-
examination and Repentance. (When possible, the Holy
Mystery of Confession ought to be done with the Spiritual
Father or Priest before Sunday Divine Liturgy.)
• Sunday begins at sunset on Saturday evening, so the first Holy
Service of Vespers for Sunday/Resurrection of Christ is
conducted, and we prepare ourselves by Fasting, Self-
Examination and Repentance-Confession in order to Partake
of the Holy Mystery of Eucharist/Communion the next day.

2. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 19
 • We are only truly Liberated in Christ when we disentangle
ourselves from all worldly things and firmly establish a
good, healthy Relationship with God and each other.
• The Acquisition of Divine Love and Truth is the Magnificent,
Glorious and True Heavenly Treasure that is Eternal!
• “...where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...” means
that whatever we consider to be of value, worth-while or
acceptable to us reflects the true state of our immortal soul.
 If these are opposed to Divine Will and Truth, then so are
we.
 If these are according to the Divine Will, Revelations and
Truth of our Lord God, then we can and shall make Good
Spiritual Progress, - eventually acquiring Theosis or
being Spiritually Perfected as God created us to become.
• Spiritual Perfection is the entire Sacred Purpose of this very
short, temporary and preparatory lifespan.
• Each Lenten Period throughout the year ought to be one little
step closer to that Ultimate Goal.
• When we Strive and Struggle really hard during each Lenten
period, our Spiritual Journey becomes far more endurable
and fulfilling.
• Every Spiritual Endeavour brings us closer to God’s Eternal
Kingdom of Love.
• Let us not waste one precious moment on trivialities, nonsense
and alluring distractions, but focus attentively on our Lord
Jesus Christ Who leads us with confidence towards Eternal
Life and our Heavenly Homeland.
• May our Benevolent and Loving God grant us all a most
fulfilled Great and Holy Lent, as we Strive for Spiritual
Perfection, while Struggling against all temptation, grievous
passions and personal weaknesses.
Tomorrow is Clean Monday - the first day of Great and Holy Lent. For
one day we return to Paradise by eating only unprepared, unprocessed
fruit and vegetables and drinking water, exactly as God provided for
the sustenance of Adam and Eve, while offering our ceaseless
Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving for His infinite Blessings and
Providence. Thereafter we continue the Lenten Fast as required.
Lent is a period of concerted Spiritual Struggles, Repentance and
Spiritual Strivings for our Perfection and worthiness as Children, Co-
Heirs and Citizens of God’s Eternal Kingdom of Love.
Let us strive to deny our mortal desires so as to strengthen our
Immortal soul according to the Divine Likeness of our Glorious,
Gracious and Loving Creator, Jesus Christ our Lord, Saviour and
Almighty God.
On Friday evening for 5 weeks, we chant the Akathistos Hymn,
addressed to the Ever Blessed, All Holy Theotokos Who Intercedes
on our behalf.
May God grant us Strength to Endure.
18. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• We have to arrange a mutually suitable appointment with our
Spiritual Father for the Holy Mystery of Repentance-
Confession, which can also be on any weekday.
• The Russian/Slavic Orthodox Church strictly requires those
who wish to Partake of Holy Communion, to Repent-Confess
to the Spiritual Father or Priest either before Sunday’s
Divine Liturgy or during the Service of Matins before the
Divine Liturgy.
• More thorough Repentance-Confession must also be mutually
arranged with the Spiritual Father Confessor.
• The Holy Myrrhbearers hastened to the Tomb of Christ as soon
as the first light of dawn appeared on Sunday, which shows
their urgency to Anoint the Body of our Lord, despite the
persecution of all His Disciples.
 “…the Women went to the Sepulchre taking with them the
aromatic spices they had prepared...”
• These were “the Eight Holy Myrrhbearers,” including our Ever
Blessed Lady, Theotokos.
• “the aromatic spices they had prepared” is sometimes referred
to as “Myrrh.”
• It was similar to - or perhaps even the same - oil and aromatic
spices with which the Faithful are Anointed according to the
Holy Mystery of Unction, for the Healing and Cleansing of
our body and soul.
• Once every ten years the Sacred Myrrh used in Holy Mysteries
and Blessings, is carefully prepared by the Ecumenical
Patriarchate in Constantinople.
• The Myrrhbearers would have prepared the Myrrh as soon as
the sun set on the Sabbath Day so that at sun rise on
Sunday, the first day of the week, they could go to the Tomb
to Anoint the Body of our crucified Lord.
 “…They found the stone rolled away from the Sepulchre. and
entering, they did not see the Body of Lord Jesus.…”
• The huge, heavy stone that had sealed the entrance to the
Tomb of Christ had been rolled away so that everyone could
see that our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ no longer lay
buried there.
• The Tomb of Christ was mysteriously opened by an unusual
“earthquake” which terrified the two soldiers guarding the
Tomb, who were even more horrified to see that the Body of
Christ had disappeared!
36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 3
 • Despite the dire consequences to themselves, the two soldiers
reported to the Judean leaders, who then tried to bribe
them into saying that the Faithful Disciples had taken away
the Body of Christ.
• Although one of the soldiers accepted the bribe, the other
refused to and instead spread the Good News and even
became a Faithful Disciple of Christ, for which he was
eventually Martyred.
• When the Holy Myrrhbearers entered the Tomb “… they did not
see the Body of Lord Jesus …” but only the abandoned
Shroud and (bitter aloe hardened) burial wrappings.
• Usually the Old Covenant Faithful carefully avoided contact
with everything concerning those who had died, for it was
strictly forbidden for health reasons.
• Those who prepared corpses and tombs were not allowed to
participate in communal Prayers and Worship for specific
periods afterwards.
 “… they were perplexed…”
• The Myrrhbearers were understandably completely shocked
and confused to find only the discarded shroud and burial
clothes inside, as would anyone who expected to see the
Precious Body of Christ, which had been so securely sealed
inside the stone-carved Tomb.
 “…Two Men … in dazzling Garments…” were two Holy Angels of
God who were there to announce the Resurrection of Christ as
well as to comfort and reassure the Holy Myrrhbearers by
reminding them of our Lord’s Words and Instructions before
His Crucifixion.
• Holy Angels are the Holy Messengers of God who interact with
us according to the Will of God our Heavenly Father.
• Although they are incorporeal/bodiless spirits, they can
present themselves to us as ‘human beings’, with whom we
are then able to communicate.
• There are Nine Ranks of Heavenly Hosts, each of which serves a
specific Purpose according to Divine Will.
• The fact that these two Men wore “…dazzling Garments…”
showed that they were Divine Messengers.
• St Gabriel the Archangel is the Bringer of Good News but other
Holy Angels are also able to convey Good Tidings, to assist,
to guide and to encourage us.
• The Holy Angels assist us as we Struggle against temptations
and sins, and Strive to acquire Spiritual Life and Perfection.
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 “...when you Fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that
you do not appear to others to be Fasting, except to your
Father Who is in the Secret Place. And your Father Who sees
in secret shalt Reward you openly....’
• Our Hymns remind us to maintain a good, healthy and clean
personal state throughout the Fast and the rest of the year,
without any discernible difference that others might notice.
• In order to avoid any displays of self-righteousness or Fasting
there should be no outward appearance of our Fasts.
• Fasting – self-denial and Spiritual Discipline - is essential to
our Spiritual Growth and Development.
• All requirements of Orthodox Fasts are fulfilled to express our
personal Glory, Honour and Worship of God – and not to be
exhibited nor praised.
• If we cannot fulfil the dietary Fast due to personal afflictions or
weakness, we can and must fulfil the Spiritual Fast to the
best of our ability.
• On the Eve of Great Lent we sing: “... Let us abstain from
passions as we abstain from food...:
• St John Chrysostom warned us “... What Good is it if we
abstain from eating fish and fowl, yet bite and devour our
Brethren?”
• In other words, Fasting requires a total abstinence from our
habitual grievous passions of gossiping, calumny, etc – our
wicked thoughts, words and deeds - that harm, destroy, kill
and consume the spirit and reputation of others.
• “... Your Father Who sees in secret, shalt Reward you openly...’
refers to our Final Judgement on the Eight Day – the end of
time and the beginning of Eternity – when everything is
revealed and Judged by Christ our Lord.
• Sincere self-Denial, Discipline and Sacrifice is witnessed by our
Lord God Himself, who knows everything concerning every
immortal soul He creates.
 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
Rather lay up for yourselves Treasure in Heaven, where
neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not
break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your
heart shalt be also!”
• By attaching ourselves to material possessions – becoming
obsessed by them – we actually cut ourselves off from the
infinite, abundant Heavenly Treasures of God’s Eternal
Kingdom of Love.
• Our attachment to temporary, corruptible and fleeting
material, social status and worldly concerns enslaves,
imprisons and exiles us.
36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 17
 • Unforgiveness, hatred, revenge and resentment are all due to
the wilful rejection of Divine Forgiveness, Mercy and Love!
 "... when you Fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with sad
countenance, for they disfigure their faces so that they may
appear to others to be Fasting. Truly, I say to you: they have
their reward!”
• Fasting is not merely the abstinence from food but self-denial
and self-sacrifice in all circumstance in order to conquer
our habitual sins and grievous passions.
• Fasting
1. Must be undertaken with a meek, humble and obedient
spirit.
2. Is neither a ‘penance’ nor ‘punishment’ for our sins.
3. Requires concerted self-denial, self-control and self-
discipline
4. Requires a combination of both physical determination and
Spiritual Endeavour.
5. Is the denial of the selfish demands and desires of our
mortal flesh by allowing our immortal soul to guide and
control us correctly according to Divine Will.
6. Requires Spiritual Contemplation, Prayer and Repentance.
7. Is the Cleansing and Restoration of our body and soul.
8. Reveals the Divine Compassion of our Lord God, which
outshines any physical discomfort or personal
weaknesses.
9. Requires the desire to fulfil the Will of our Heavenly Father
in all circumstances.
10. Expresses the extent and depth of our personal sacrifice
and Love for God and each other
• By letting others know that we are Fasting, or by feeling self-
righteous and proud, makes all our efforts Spiritually
Unbeneficial – mere empty gestures!
• Our Lord Jesus rejected and despised nothing else except
hypocrites!
• When we Fast properly in both a Spiritual and physical manner
– with all the right Motivation and Purpose - we are Greatly
Blessed with the Loving Presence of Almighty God.
• “... They have their reward...” is a terrifying Statement by our
Divine Saviour!
This means that ‘...we reap what we sow...’ or we get what we
seek, which is usually not at all what we want or need!
All worldly rewards are dissatisfying, fleeting and not worth
the effort for they are Spiritually Unbeneficial or
‘Unprofitable.’
Instead of instant gratification, we should indeed rather seek
Eternal Blessings that take more time and effort, but which
are of priceless Spiritual Value and Everlasting Benefit.
16. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• Each of us has at least two Guardian Angels who are our
constant Companions, Guiding, Assisting, Advising and
leading us [when we pay attention to them.]
 The Holy Myrrhbearers “…were frightened, and bowed their
faces to the ground…” because, again, we would all react
similarly at the sight of or Encounter with Holy Angels of God.
 “…Why do you seek the Living among the dead? He is not here,
but is Risen!”
• All the Heavenly Hosts know the Divine Nature of the Only
Begotten Son and Word of God, Who is Divine, Immortal and
Eternal.
• However, the Eternal Son and Word of God became Incarnate –
“the Son of Man[kind]” - by taking on the human nature –
Flesh and Blood - of the Ever Blessed, All Holy Virgin Mary,
by the Power and Energy of God the Holy Spirit.
• His two Natures, Divine and human, remained
unmingled/separated - in order to live in our midst,
suffering the same conditions as us – heat, cold, hunger,
thirst, tiredness, pain, sorrow, etc – with one exception: He
remained absolutely sinless.
• Christ our Lord God is Unconditional Love and Goodness so
our concupiscence – our inclination to sin – is
beyond/contrary to His Perfect human and Divine Natures.
• He is Perfect Man, Whom we ought to strive to emulate with
our thoughts, words and deeds, because that was His
intention for us when He created us – became Spiritually
Perfected in His Divine Likeness.
• The Resurrection of Christ proves that
1. everything He taught His Apostles and Disciples is the
absolute Truth,
2. like Him, we shall also be Resurrected on the Eighth
Day, the General Resurrection,
3. those who have Departed this lifespan have “Fallen
Asleep,” or “Reposed,” and are not ‘dead and gone
forever’ as non-believers claim.
• The Proclamation of Great Joy - “He is Risen!” – heralded the
New Dispensation that has resounded throughout the
world, transforming Creation and the Faithful Life of
generations of mankind.
 “…Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in
Galilee…”
36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 5
 • The Angel reminded them of what our Lord Jesus had taught
them and everything they had themselves had witnessed,
especially during the past three years of His Public Ministry.
 “…The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful
men, and be crucified, and the Third Day Rise again.’”
• The Angel also reminded them of what He had told them by
repeating His exact Words concerning His Passion and
Resurrection.
• This confirmed the Reality and Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ’s
Resurrection, and proved that it was not a cruel deception
carried out by His enemies.
• The words spoken by the Angel or Angels at the Empty Tomb
might differ slightly according to the Gospels of St Matthew,
St Luke and St Mark, but they served the same Purpose - to
dispel any doubts by confirming the Resurrection of Christ
thereby comforting, encouraging and reminding the Faithful
Disciples of our Lord’s Words and Instructions.
• “The Son of Man” refers to our Lord Jesus Christ in His
Incarnate, physical, visible and human Nature, while “The
Son of God” refers His Eternal Identity as the Eternal, Only
Begotten Son and Word of God our Heavenly Father, which
• Our Lord referred to Himself as “the Son of Man” so as to
emphasise His Incarnation for the Purpose of His Divine
Mission amongst mankind on Earth, which was the
Salvation of all mankind, beginning with God’s “Lost Sheep
of Israel.”
• His final Mission was to Offer Himself (voluntarily) as the
ultimate, Greatest and Purest, Blood Offering/Sacrifice for
the Salvation of all mankind, which completed/fulfilled the
Old Covenant, and granted us His New Covenant of Love
and Eternal Salvation.
Therefore He had to be “…delivered into the hands of sinful
men and be crucified…”
• The ‘sinful men’ were the egoistic, selfish and greedy Judean
leaders who regarded our Lord Jesus Christ as a threat to
their ‘social status,’ material wealth and privileges.
• They ignored or denied everything prophesied by the Sacred
Scriptures of the Holy Prophets and the Psalms for so many
centuries concerning the Divine Messiah Who would Appear
from amongst their own Chosen People, Israel.
• Since then, many Old Covenant Scriptures were excluded from
the Holy Books, which prophesied and proved that our Lord
Jesus Christ is indeed the Divine Messiah or Anointed One
of God.
6. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES
rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. “For
where your treasure is, there your heart shalt be also!”
 Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “... if you forgive others their
trespasses, your Heavenly Father shalt also forgive you….”
• This Divine Teaching concerning Forgiveness is very clear and
precise.
• This Divine Revelation is the Most Sacred and Liberating Basis
upon which unconditional Love is established.
• Our Lord Jesus Christ insists on Mutual Forgiveness between us
human beings who are all sinners and thus imperfect.
• Forgiveness of each other and of ourselves
1. Is essential to God’s Divine Forgiveness and Great Mercy.
2. Liberates us from the sharp and bitter claws of anger and
hatred that harms, embitters and destroys all those
concerned.
3. Is the most wonderful Divine Gift with which God the Holy
Spirit Empowers us.
4. Is only possible through consistent, sincere Prayers.
5. Grants us True Freedom, because when the oppressively,
suffocating heavy boulders of unhappiness are removed
we receive Blessed Love, Peace and Joy, and are able to
make good Spiritual Progress.
 “…But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither shalt
your Father forgive you your trespasses!”
• This most dire Revelation is indisputable and concise!
• Our thoughts, words and deeds should always reflect
whatever we hope to receive from God!
• We either Bless or condemn ourselves!
• Our Final and Only Judge before Whom all Creation shall stand
has made it very clear! So we shall not be able to plead
ignorance!
• This Divine Teaching of Forgiveness is vital to the state of our
Eternal Life or Death - and repeatedly exhorts us to a more
intensive Spiritual Striving.
• We all hope for Divine Forgiveness and Mercy from God, so we
must make every effort to forgive and be merciful to our
fellow sinners!
• Whatever we desire to be granted by God for ourselves, we
must grant to one another.
• When unhappy and troubled, we must search deep within
ourselves as well as carefully examine our own thoughts,
words and deeds to discover what is preventing us from
making proper Spiritual Progress!
• Most sorrow and suffering is caused by selfishness,
stubbornness and arrogance – when we are unforgiving and
merciless towards others.
36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 15
 “...Who are you to judge Another’s servant? To his own Master he
stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is
able to make him stand...”
• We must not dare to judge each other for that is exclusively the
Right of God alone!
• We must rather turn such thoughts inwards and quickly
examine ourselves closely for what we think we perceive in
others is in Reality a reflection of our own sinful condition.
• We all depend on the Love and Great Mercy of God.
• Whatever we Hope to receive from God we must grant to each
other freely, generously and always with unconditional
Love.
• “... he [and we] shall be able to stand, for God is able to make
him [and us] stand...” because our Loving, Benevolent and
Gracious Lord provides everything that is necessary for our
individual, unique Spiritual Welfare and Progress.
• St Paul reminds us that although we are useless and weak on
our own, our Lord God Empowers and Enables us to reach
great Spiritual Heights.
• God makes everything possible for us, often despite our own
futile efforts or lack of knowledge.
• Continuous Repentance reveals our desire for Spiritual
Perfection, which God shall make possible - especially when
we try to apply his Divine Truth to every aspect of our
existence.
• As Christ our Lord told St Simon Peter not to worry about the
circumstances of others, but that he had to “follow Me!” so,
too, must we concern ourselves with our own circumstances
and Spiritual State by Faithfully Following Christ’s Perfect
Life, Way and Truth with our thoughts, words and deeds.
Matthew 6 :14 – 21
At that time our Lord Jesus Christ said: “... if you forgive others their
trespasses, your Heavenly Father shalt also forgive you. But if
you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither shalt your
Father forgive you your trespasses!
“Furthermore, when you Fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a
sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces so that they may
appear to others to be Fasting. Truly, I say to you: they have
their reward!
“But you: when you Fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so
that you do not appear to others to be Fasting, except to your
Father Who is in the Secret Place. And your Father Who sees in
secret shalt Reward you openly.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth where moth and
rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Rather lay
up for yourselves Treasure in Heaven, where neither moth nor
14. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• ” …on the Third Day Rise again …”
 The first day was Friday when Christ was crucified and died
before sundown.
 The second day was Saturday, the Sabbath, “the Day of
Rest,” on which our Lord Reposed in the Tomb.
 The Third Day, which began at sundown on Saturday, is
Sunday, “the Lord’s Day,” the Day of Resurrection and
the first day of the week.
 “…And they remembered His Words, and returning from the
Sepulchre they told all these things to the Eleven and to all
the rest...”
• The Angels helped the Holy Myrrhbearers to recall everything
our Lord had said, which dispelled their mind-numbing
shock at seeing the Empty Tomb, and thereby, intensified
their Great Joy.
• The Holy Myrrhbearers “… told all these things to the Eleven
and to all the rest...” implies that the Faithful Disciples of
our Lord Jesus Christ were far more numerous than the
Eleven Apostles.
• Acts 1:14-15 “… These all continued with one accord in
Prayer and Supplication, with the women and Mary, the
Mother of Jesus, and with His Brothers. And in those days
Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples (altogether the
number of names was about a hundred and twenty)…”
Women and children were seldom mentioned or counted
throughout Old Covenant history.
However, we do know that at the Ascension of Christ on
Mount of Olives/Olivet there were 120 Faithful Disciples
present, (including His Holy Apostles.)
The term “His Brothers” is a reference to the biological
children of St Joseph the Betrothed and his late wife, St
Salome.
According to Old Covenant Law, the offspring of Her aged
uncle and his late wife, were subsequently regarded as
Her ‘children’ when the Temple Priests Betrothed Her to
him as Her legal Guardian and Protector, because She
had made a Sacred Vow of Chastity, which could not be
broken.
 “…It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, the Mother of James,
and the other women with them, who told these things to the
Apostles.”
• There were eight Holy Myrrhbearers, including the All Holy
Ever Blessed Theotokos [Mother of God].
Besides St Mary of Magdala, the eight Holy Myrrhbearers
•
comprised the Ever Blessed Theotokos and Her maternal
relatives [cousins], who were close companions.
36AP - 4 TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 7
TH
 • “Mary” is an oblique reference to our Ever Blessed, All Holy
Lady, Theotokos, who, being naturally, sincerely Humble,
preferred to stay in the background.
• A Hymn of St John of Damascus states: “The Angel cried to the
Lady Full of Grace: ‘Rejoice, O Pure Virgin! Thy Son is Risen
from His Three days in the Tomb!”
• St Mary of Magdala was a mature, independently wealthy and
socially influential woman who became a close companion
of Theotokos.
• The other Holy Myrrhbearers were related to St Joseph the
Betrothed, his sons and grandsons.
 “…to them their words seemed like idle tales, and they did not
believe them…”
• The Holy Myrrhbearers had expected the sceptism and disbelief
of the Apostles and other [male] Disciples, for which our
Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ soon rebuked them due to
having either disregarded or so quickly forgotten His Words
of Divine Truth.
• When the self-serving enemies of Christ heard the reports of
what had happened at the Tomb from the soldiers who had
stood guard there, they tried to bribe them to keep silent.
• They did not want anyone to know about Christ’s Resurrection,
which confirmed His Words to them.
• They tried to stifle the Divine Truth and mislead anyone who
dared to believe by falsely claiming that His Disciples had
stolen and hidden His Body.
• Very often we fail to grasp Reality and Truth, but rather accept
false or erroneous ideas that reject or ignore that Reality
and Truth, simply because it does not ‘suit us’ for various
reasons.
 “…Peter rose up and ran to the Sepulchre, and stooping down,
he saw the Linen Cloths lying by themselves, and he
departed, marvelling to himself at what had happened …” –
• Only St Peter [and St John, the Beloved Disciple,] immediately
believed the Joyful Proclamation of the Resurrection and
“…ran to the Sepulchre…” in their eagerness to see the
Empty Tomb.
• Although habitually impulsive, St Peter did not at first enter
the Tomb but “…stooping down he saw the Linen Cloths…”
which verified our Lord’s Resurrection.
• St John’s Holy Gospel account confirms that they both ran to
the Empty Tomb.
8. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• Fasting is NOT a punishment –nor is it penance for our sins.
• Fasting is self-control, self-discipline and self-denial.
• The dietary restrictions as not as vital as the Spiritual Fast but
are utterly necessary to our Spiritual Progress.
• When we learn to conquer the demands of our stomach and
our body – our flesh, with its carnal appetites and desires -
our immortal soul begins to take control, which is
absolutely essential to our Spiritual Progress.
• Resistance to the demands of our mortal flesh strengthens and
grants control to our immortal soul.
• Being created in the Likeness and Image of God, we ought to
become dominantly Spiritual Beings who can ascend to
great Spiritual Heights, rather than carnal, physical beings,
who are bound, restricted and limited to earthly
circumstances.
 “...Let him who eats, not despise him who does not eat, and let
him who does not eat, not judge him who eats [for] God has
received him...”
• St Paul cautioned the New Covenant Faithful against
judging/criticising their Old Covenant Brethren who still
strictly followed the dietary Laws, although Christ had
sanctioned the consumption of all food as a Divine Blessing
from our Providential Lord God.
• We must concern ourselves only with our own personal
Spiritual State and practises – not those of others.
• We must Fast according to our own Spiritual Strength and
physical health requirements.
• We must also take care to avoid Spiritual Pride caused by
becoming over-zealous and self-satisfied.
• “... let not him who does not eat judge...” refers to the danger or
temptation of self-righteousness and a false sense of
Spiritual Superiority.
• When we judge others, we shall suffer Eternal Consequences,
since we are usually unmerciful in our criticism of others,
and whatever we think, say or do to others, is returned one
hundredfold!
• We must avoid self-righteousness and hypocrisy at all costs!
• “... God has received him...” refers to the fact that only God
knows the true Spiritual State of each soul.
• Only God can Judge us.
• As soon as any degree of criticism of others arises, we must
quickly turn it inwards to examine our own Spiritual State.
• Often what we criticise in others, is a reflection of our own
errors and sins - caused by our own grievous passions.
36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 13
 • We need to Strengthen and sustain our immortal soul in order
for it to dominate and control the persistent and selfish
demands of our mortal flesh.
• We need to become predominantly Spiritual Beings rather than
fleshy souls that are Spiritually Dead.
• The lusts of the flesh are deceptive, alluring, tempting and
ultimately destructive so must be avoided and resisted.
 “...Receive those who are weak in Faith...” refers to those who
assign primary importance to secondary or Spiritually
Unbeneficial matters.
• These often involve food restrictions (Fasting) and the
observance of Liturgical Calendars, whereby some criticise
others, which can divide and confuse our Brethren.
• Those who are weak in Faith also refers to those who are
ignorant and unenlightened – either willingly or unwillingly.
• We welcome all our fellow sinners with Agape, so that together
we can make good Spiritual Progress with Love – always
with Love/Agape!
• Not one of us is superior to any of our fellow sinners.
• We are all Struggling against the temptations and our personal
grievous passions.
• We are all Striving for Spiritual Perfection, which is a slow,
difficult Spiritual Process.
• We cannot make any Spiritual Progress without each other. It
is not a solo effort by any means!
 “...do not dispute over doubtful things...”
• Orthodox Christianity has certain Sacred Aspects that cannot
be compromised at all.
• There are also a few aspects that sometimes permit a certain
measure of flexibility.
• God is infinitely Gracious and occasionally permits diversity
concerning matters that are not related to the essential
Orthodox Doctrines and Moral Teachings of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ.
• In both cases, we are commanded to be as flexible to others –
taking their personal circumstances into account – just as
our Lord God Himself is.
 "... One believes that he may eat all things - he who is weak, eats
only vegetables..."
• Every one of us ought to at least try to “…eat only
vegetables…” when we are required to Fast because we are
still extremely “weak” willed - Spiritually Imperfect and
Immature.
• The material or food Fast is the first step we need to fulfil,
while striving also to fulfil the Spiritual Fast.
12. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• John 20: 4 – 8 “… so they both ran together, and the other
Disciple (St John) outran Peter and arrived at the Tomb first.
And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths
lying there. Yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came,
following him, and went into the Tomb and saw the line
cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other
Disciple who came to the Tomb first, went in also and saw
and believed…”
• The response of St Simon Peter and St John “the other Disciple,”
revealed their dispositions.
 St John reached the Empty Tomb first, indicating that his
Faith is lofty and filled with Understanding, for indeed,
he was the first to have Believed.
 St Simon Peter’s Faith is more direct and bold, which is
shown by his immediate entry into the Empty Tomb.
• The details provided by St John concerning the linen cloths
confirm the Resurrection of Christ for if grave robbers had
taken away Christ’s Body, as some initially suspected, they
would not have taken time to strip off the hardened burial
cloths nor to carefully fold and place each piece carefully
and separately.
• The fine linen Shroud and burial cloths had been discarded and
left in the Tomb because, due to our Lord’s Glorious
Resurrection, they would never be needed again.
• On the contrary, when St Lazaros was brought back to life by
our Lord Jesus Christ, he emerged still wrapped in his burial
shroud and cloths, thereby signifying that many years later,
he would once again Repose until our General Resurrection
on the Eighth Day.
• There is a vast difference between being resuscitated and
Resurrected – one is temporary while the other is Eternal.
• It was forbidden for the Old Covenant Faithful to come into
contact with anything pertaining to death and burial, for
they would subsequently be forbidden to participate in
communal Prayers and Worship.
• Those who through necessity had to attend to the dead, were
considered “unclean” for certain periods of time, after
which they had to undergo specific Sacred Cleansing
Rituals,
• Many Old Covenant Laws concerned the health and welfare of
God’s People, especially while they sojourned for so many
years in the wilderness before settling down in the
Promised Land.
36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 9
 Romans 13 : 11 – 14 : 4
Brethren: ... now our Salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
The night is far spent – the Day is at hand. Let us cast off the
works of Darkness, and let us put on the Armour of Light. As in
the day, let us walk properly – not in revelry and drunkenness, not
in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy, but put on the Lord
Jesus Christ - and for the flesh, make no provision to fulfil its
lusts.
Receive those who are weak in Faith, but do not dispute over doubtful
things. One believes that he may eat all things - he who is weak,
eats only vegetables. Let him who eats, not despise him who does
not eat, and let him who does not eat, not judge him who eats -
God has received him. Who are you to judge Another’s servant?
To his own Master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to
stand, for God is able to make him stand.
 This passage is read on Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday, just
before Great Lent begins the following day.
 This Sacred Lesson is to remind us, as the Faithful Disciples of
Christ, that the main focus of this Lenten Period concerns the
overcoming and Repenting our personal grievous passions that
weaken and harm our immortal soul – the Spiritual Fast -
rather than observing every detail of Fasting concerning dietary
restrictions.
Thus, the Spiritual Fast ought to be continuously observed
throughout the year.
 "... now our Salvation is nearer than when we first believed...”
so we need to immediately Repent and strive all the more
harder to acquire Spiritual Perfection in Christ Jesus.
 “…The night is far spent – the Day is at hand...”
• We are urged, encouraged and exhorted to wake up from our
Spiritual Stupor so that we can make good Spiritual
Progress before our last breath.
• “...The night is far spent ...” refers to the fallen, self-indulgent,
corrupt and wicked worldly lifestyles that have no Spiritual
Benefit for us at all, but which, in fact, alienate and exile us
from God.
• “... the Day is at hand...” refers to this very brief lifespan before
Eternity and our Final Judgement.
• It refers to the actual Presence of our Lord’s Eternal Kingdom
of Love now in Christ’s Holy Church and our Life in Christ,
which is fulfilled Perfectly in the Age to come – in Eternity.
 “...Let us cast off the works of Darkness, and let us put on the
Armour of Light...” refers to our continuous Repentance.
• Being habitually sinful, we need to ceaselessly Repent and
return to Spiritual Life in Christ.
10. 36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES
• When we become painfully aware of our own weaknesses,
errors and grievous passions, we become more Spiritually
Watchful over our Spiritual Welfare.
• Only by immediately and continuously correcting ourselves do
we remain Spiritually Alive in Christ.
• Anything that prevents us from enjoying a close, healthy
Relationship with God and each other are “...works of
Darkness...”
• “... put on the Armour of Light...” refers to Living in Christ –
according to His Divine Truth.
• We need to apply everything our Divine Saviour has taught and
commanded us to our own thoughts, words and deeds.
• By Living in Christ in this manner, we are able to acquire
Spiritual Perfection – the ultimate Goal of our creation
“...As in the Day, let us walk properly...”
• This has two meanings - mundane and Spiritual.
 In the bright clarity of daylight we are able to see our
surroundings clearly.
 In the Divine Light of God and His Truth, we are able to
perceive and comprehend everything clearly as we gain
Spiritual Progress, Experience and Maturity.
• We are Enabled and Empowered by God the Holy Spirit to fulfil
the Will of our Heavenly Father, which is essential to our
Spiritual Perfection.
• In order to fulfil our own Sacred Tasks we need to fully
comprehend the Divine Will of our Heavenly Father.
 “...not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not
in strife and envy...”
• These refer to the grievous passions and self-indulgence that
cause Spiritual Death, which alienates us from God and each
other.
• All these require immediate Repentance, for the longer they are
tolerated, ignored or indulged, the more firmly rooted they
become and the further we distance ourselves from God
and each other.
 "... put on the Lord Jesus Christ..." by applying His Divine Truth to
our thoughts, words and deeds.
• During the Holy Mystery of Baptism, we ‘put on Christ’ like a
Marvellous, Sanctified Garment of Righteousness.
• For the rest of our existence on Earth and in Eternity, we Live in
Christ by following His Perfect Example, unconditional
Love/Agape and Divine Truth in all circumstances.
 “... make no provision for the flesh – to fulfil its lusts...”
36AP - 4TH TRIO - CHEESEFARE/FORGIVENESS – EXPLANATORY NOTES 11