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Transcript of contracerycii12
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ARETHEHOLYCANONSONLYVALIDFORTHE
APOSTOLICPERIODANDNOTFOROURTIMES?
InhisfirstlettertoFr.Pedro,Bp.Kirykoswrites:Afterthis,Irequestof
you the avoidance of disorder and scandal regarding this issue, and to
recommendtothosewhoconfesstoyou,thatinordertoapproachHolyCommunion,
theymustpreparebyfasting,andtopreferapproachingonSaturdayandnotSunday.
Regarding the Canon, which some people refer to in order to commune
withoutfastingbeforehand,itiscorrect,butitmustbeinterpretedcorrectly
andappliedtoeverybody.Namely,wemust returntothoseearlyapostolic
times, duringwhich all of theChristianswere ascetics and temperate and
fasters, and only they remained until the end of the Divine Liturgy and
communed.Theyfasted in thefineandbroadersense, that is, theywereworthy to
commune.The
rest
did
not
remain
until
the
end
and
withdrew
together
with
thecatechumens.Asforthosewhowereinrepentance,theyremainedoutside
thegatesofthechurch.IfweimplementedthisCanontoday,everyonewould
have togo out of the church and only two or threeworthypeoplewould
remaininsideuntiltheendtocommune.AndiftheChristiansoftodayonlyknew
howunworthytheyare,whowouldremaininsidethechurch?
From the above explanation by Bp. Kirykos, one is given the
impressionthathebelievesandcommands:
a) that Fr. Pedro is to forbid laymen to commune on Sundays during
Great Lent in order to ensure the avoidance of disorder and scandal
regarding this issue,despite the fact that the canonsdeclare that it is
thosewhodonotcommuneonSundaysthatarecausersofdisorder,as
the9thCanonoftheHolyApostlesdeclares:Allthefaithfulwhocometo
ChurchandheartheScriptures,butdonotstayfortheprayersandtheHoly
Communion,aretobeexcommunicatedascausingdisorderintheChurch;
b) thatFr.Pedro is toadvisehis flockto prefer approaching on Saturday
and not Sunday,thereby
commanding
his
flock
to
become
Sabbatians;
c) that the Canon which advises people to receive Holy Communion
every day even outside of fasting periods is correctbut mustbe
interpretedcorrectlyandappliedtoeverybody,which,inthesolutionthat
Bp.Kirykosoffers,amountstoacompleteannulmentoftheCanon in
regardstolaymen,whileenforcingtheCanonliberallyupontheclergy;
d) that wemust return to those early apostolic times, as if theOrthodox
Church today isnot still theunchangedandunadulteratedApostolic
ChurchasconfessedintheSymboloftheFaith,InOne,Holy,Catholic
andApostolic
Church,
with
the
same
Head,
the
same
Body,
and
the
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samerequirementtoabidebytheCanons,butthatwearesupposedly
somekindoffallenChurchinneedofreturntoaformerstatus;
e)
thatsupposedlyinapostolictimesalloftheChristianswereasceticsand
temperate andfasters, and only they remained until the end of theDivine
Liturgyand
communed,
meaning
that
Communion
is
annulled
for
later
generationssupposedlyduetoalackofcelibacyandvegetarianism;
f) that supposedly only the celibate and vegetarians communed in the
earlyChurch,andthattherestdidnotremainuntiltheendandwithdrew
togetherwiththecatechumens,asifmarriageandeatingmeatamounted
to a renunciation of onesbaptism and a reversion to the status of
catechumen, which is actually the teaching and practice of the
Manicheans,PauliciansandBogomilsandnotoftheApostolicChurch,
and the9thApostolicCanondeclares that ifany laymandepartswith
the
catechumens
and
does
not
remain
until
the
end
of
Liturgy
and
does
notcommune,suchalaymanistobeexcommunicated,yetBp.Kirykos
promotesthispracticeassomethingpious,patristicandacceptable;
g) thatChristianswhohaveconfessedtheirsinsandpreparedthemselves
and their spiritual father has deemed them able to receive Holy
Communion, are supposedly still in the rank of the penitents either
duetobeingmarriedorduetobeingmeateaters,ascanbeseenfrom
Bp.Kirykoswords:IfweimplementedthisCanontoday,everyonewould
have togo out of the church and only two or threeworthypeoplewould
remaininsideuntiltheendtocommune.AndiftheChristiansoftodayonly
knewhowunworthytheyare,whowouldremaininsidethechurch?
h) thatwearenot to interpretand implement theHolyCanons theway
theyarewrittenand theway theHolyOrthodoxChurchhasalways
historically interpretedand implementedthem,butthattheseCanons
supposedlyneedtobereinterpretedinBp.Kirykossownway,orashe
says, interpreted correctly and applied to everybody, and that if we
implementedthisCanontoday,everyonewouldhavetogooutofthechurch.
AlloftheabovenotionsheldbyBp.Kirykoscanbesummedupbythe
statementthat
he
believes
the
Canons
only
apply
for
the
apostolic
era
or
the
timeoftheearlyChristians,butthattheseCanonsarenowtobereinterpreted
ornullifiedbecausetodaysChristiansarenotworthytobetreatedaccording
to theHolyCanons.Healsobelieves that to follow the adviceof theHoly
Canons is a cause of disorder and scandal, despite the fact that the very
purposeoftheHolyCanonsistopreventdisorderandscandal.Thesenotions
heldbyBp.Kirykosareentirelyerroneous,andtheyareanothervariantofthe
sameblasphemiespreachedbytheModernistsandEcumenistswhodesireto
settheHolyCanonsasidebyclaimingthattheyarenotsuitableforourtimes.
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Bp.Kirykos incorrectnotions regarding the supposed inapplicability
oftheHolyCanonsinourtimesarenotionsthattheRudderitselfcondemns.
For in theHoly Rudder (published in the 17th century), St.Nicodemus of
Athos included an excellent introductory note regarding the importance of
theHoly
Canons,
and
that
they
are
applicable
for
all
times,
and
must
be
adheredtofaithfullybyallOrthodoxChristians.ThisintroductorynotebySt.
Nicodemus,ascontainedintheHolyRudder,isprovidedbelow.
PROLEGOMENAINGENERALTOTHESACREDCANONS
What
Is
a
Canon?
Acanon,accordingtoZonaras(inhisinterpretationofthe39thletterof
Athansiusthe
Great),
properly
speaking
and
in
the
main
sense
of
the
word,
is
apieceofwood,commonlycalledarule,whichartisansusetogetthewood
and stone they areworking on straight. For,when theyplace this rule (or
straightedge)againsttheirwork,ifthisbecrooked,inwardsoroutwards,they
make it straightand right.From this,bymetaphorical extension,votesand
decisions are also called canons,whether theybe of theApostles or of the
ecumenicaland regionalCouncilsor thoseof the individualFathers,which
arecontainedinthepresentHandbook:fortheytoo,likesomanystraightand
rightrules,ridmeninholyorders,clergymenandlaymen,ofeverydisorder
and
obliquity
of
manners,
and
cause
them
to
have
every
normality
and
equalityofecclesiasticalandChristianconditionandvirtue.
That
the
divine
Canons
must
be
kept
rigidly
by
all;
forthosewhofailtokeepthemaremadeliabletohorriblepenances
TheseinstructionsregardingCanonshavebeenenjoineduponyoubyus,O
Bishops.Ifyouadheretothem,youshallbesaved,andshallhavepeace;butif
youdisobey them,you shallbe sorelypunished, and shallhaveperpetualwar
withoneanother,thuspayingthepenaltydeservedforheedlessness.(TheApostles
intheirepiloguetotheCanons)
Wehavedecidedthatitisrightandjustthatthecanonspromulgatedby
theholyFathersateachcouncilhithertoshouldremaininforce.(1stCanon
oftheFourthEcumenicalCouncil)
It has seemed best to this holyCouncil that the 85Canons accepted and
validatedbytheholyandblissfulFathersbeforeus,andhandeddowntous,moreover,
inthenameoftheholyandgloriousApostles,shouldremainhenceforthcertified
and
secured
for
the
correction
of
souls
and
cure
of
diseases[of
the
four
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ecumenicalcouncilsaccordingtoname,oftheregionalcouncilsbyname,andofthe
individualFathersbyname]Andthatnooneshouldbeallowedtocounterfeit
ortamperwiththeaforementionedCanonsortosetthemaside.(2ndCanon
oftheSixthEcumenicalCouncil)
Ifanyonebecaughtinnovatingorundertakingtosubvertanyofthe
saidCanons,heshallberesponsiblewithrespecttosuchCanonandundergo
thepenancethereinspecified inorder tobecorrectedtherebyofthatvery thing in
whichheisatfault.(2ndCanonoftheSecondEcumenicalCouncil)
Rejoicing in them like one who has found a lot of spoils, we gladly
embosomthedivineCanons,andweupholdtheirentiretenorandstrengthen
them all themore, sofar as concerns thosepromulgated by the trumpets of the
Spirit
of
the
renowned
Apostles,
of
the
holy
ecumenical
councils,
and
of
those
convened regionally And of our holy Fathers And as for those whom they
consigntoanathema,weanathematizethem,too;asforthosewhomtheyconsignto
deposition or degradation,we too depose or degrade them; asfor thosewhom they
consign to excommunication,we too excommunicate them; and asfor thosewhom
theycondemntoapenance,wetoosubjectthemtheretolikewise.(1stCanonofthe
SeventhEcumenicalCouncil)
We therefore decree that the ecclesiastical Canons which have been
promulgatedorconfirmedbythefourholycouncils,namely,thatheldinNicaea,and
that held in Constantinople, and thefirst one held in Ephesus, and that held in
Chalcedon,shalltaketherankoflaws.(Novel131ofEmperorJustinian)
We therefore decree that the ecclesiastical Canons which have been
promulgatedorconfirmedbythesevenholycouncilsshalltaketherankoflaws.
(Ed. noteThe word confirmed alludes to the canons of the regional
councils and of the individual Fathers which hadbeen confirmedby the
ecumenicalcouncils,accordingtoBalsamon.)
Forwe
accept
the
dogmas
of
the
aforesaid
holy
councils
precisely
as
we
do
the
divineScriptures,andwekeeptheirCanonsaslaws.(Basilica,Book5,Title3,
Chapter2)
The thirdprovisionofTitle2of theNovelscommandstheCanonsofthe
sevencouncilsandtheirdogmastoremain inforce, inthesamewayasthe
divineScriptures.(InPhotius,Title1,Chapter2)
Iacceptthesevencouncilsandtheirdogmastoremaininforce,inthe
same
way
as
the
divine
Scriptures.(Emperor
Leo
the
Wise
in
Basilica,
Book
5,Title3,Chapter1)
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IthasbeenprescribedbytheholyFathersthatevenafterdeaththosemen
must be anathematized who have sinned against thefaith or against the
Canons. (FifthEcumenicalCouncil in the epistle ofJustinian,page 392 of
Volume2oftheConciliars)
AnathemaonthosewhoholdinscornthesacredanddivineCanonsof
oursacredFathers,whopropuptheholyChurchandadornalltheChristianpolity,
and guide men to divine reverence. (Council held in Constantinople after
ConstantinePorphyrogenitus,page977ofVolume2oftheConciliars)
ThatthedivineCanonsoverridetheimperiallaws
It pleased the most divine Despot of the inhabited earth (i.e. Emperor
Marcian)
not
to
proceed
in
accordance
with
the
divine
letters
or
pragmatic
formsof themostdevoutbishops,but inaccordancewith theCanons laid
downaslawsbytheholyFathers.Thecouncilsaid:AsagainsttheCanons,no
pragmaticsanctioniseffective. LettheCanonsoftheFathersremaininforce.
And again:Wepray that thepragmatic sanctions enactedfor some in every
province to the detriment of the Canons may be held in abeyance
incontrovertibly;andthattheCanonsmaycomeintoforcethroughallallofus
say the same things.All thepragmatic sanctions shallbeheld inabeyance.Let the
Canons come intoforce In accordancewith thevote of theholy council, let the
injunctionsofCanonscomeintoforcealsoinalltheotherprovinces.(InAct
5oftheFourthEcumenicalCouncil)
Ithasseemedbest toall theholyecumenicalcouncil that ifanyoneoffers
anyformconflictingwith thosenowprescribed, let thatformbevoid. (8th
CanonoftheThirdEcumenicalCouncil)
Pragmaticformsopposed to theCanonsarevoid. (Book1,Title2,
Ordinances12,Photius,Title1,Chapter2)
Forthose
Canons
which
have
been
promulgated,
and
supported,
that
is to say, by emperors and holy Fathers, are accepted like the divine
Scriptures.Butthelawshavebeenacceptedorcomposedonlybytheemperors;and
for this reason they do notprevail over and against the divine Scriptures nor the
Canons.(Balsamon,commentontheabovechapter2ofPhotius)
Donot talk tomeof external laws.For even thepublicanfulfills theouter
law,yet nevertheless he is sorelypunished. (Chrysostom, Sermon 57 on the
GospelofMatthew)
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Foremperorsoftenfail toadaptall the laws toadvantage. (Sermon6on
theStatues)
Laws that tend tofavorpiety lendagreat impulse (i.e.,aidorhelp) to the
divineCanons,
on
the
one
hand,
by
concurring
with
them
and
affording
them
support,andontheotherhand,bysupplyingthingsthattheymaybelackinginsome
placeorother.(Blastaris,Chapter5ofCanto20)
ThatthedivineCanonsoverrideeventheRituals,whenthelatterhappen
tobeatvariancewiththem,especiallyifindividualorregional
From theNovel 131 ofJustinianyou can tell that ritualsmade by the
FoundersintheMonasteriesaretobetoleratedorwelcomedunlesstheyare
opposed
to
the
Canons
somewhere.
(Blastaris,
Chapter
16
of
Canto
30)
IndividualholyFathersregardingtheholyCanons
Asmany as conform to thisCanon,peacebeupon them, andmercy. (St.
PaulintheEpistletotheGalations,Chapter6,Verse16)
Howabsurdis itnotthatone isnotpermittedtobe ignorantofanylawof
theRomans,notevenifhebeexceedinglyboorishandunlearned,northatthereisany
law tohelp onewhodoes anythingbecause ofhis ignorance:whereas, on the other
hand, mystagogues may be ignorant of salvation, of the principles of salvation,
notwithstandingthatinotherrespectstheyareamongthemoresimpleandpossessno
deep intellect? (St. Gregory the Theologian, Discourse addressed to
AthanasiustheGreat)
Iheardandfailed toobserveYoufailedtoobserve?Why,then,youhave
condemnedyourself!Thoughyouobservenot,yetifyoubutsay,Ifailedtoobserve,
youhavekeptahalfpart.Foranyonewhohascondemnedhimselffornotobserving,is
earnestly trying to observe. (St.JohnChrysostom, Sermon 4 onRepentance,
page785
of
Volume
6of
the
Etonian
Editions)
Therefore let all ofus listenwhoneglect to read theScriptures, and learn
whatgreat injuryweare suffering,whatgreatpoverty;forwe canneverhaveany
actual experience in matters of statecraft unless we know at least the laws in
accordancewithwhichweought toconductourselvesbothpubliclyandprivately.
(St.CyrilofAlexandria,Commentaryon theGospelaccording toMatthew,
Chapter13,Verse52,interpretingthewordsThereforeeveryscribe)
There
are
many
of
us
who
say,
but
few
who
do.
Yet
no
one
ought
to
garble thewordofGod becauseofhisownnegligence;on the contrary,he
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oughttoconfesshisownweakness,andnottrytohidethetruthfromGod
lestwe be brought to trial on charges ofmisinterpreting theword ofGod
besides transgressing His commandments. (St. Maximus the Confessor,
Chapter85ofVolume4,ofthingsconcerningLove,page329ofthePhilocalia)
TheabovecompilationbySt.NicodemusofAthosisquitesuccessfulin
itsendeavortopointouttheimportanceoftheHolyCanons,andthefactthat
theyarenottobesetasideatanytime,butmustbeadheredtoprecisely.In
additiontotheabove,however,thefollowingexcerptsfromtheSynodiconof
theHolySpiritareworthyofnote.
FROM
THE
SYNODICON
OF
THE
HOLY
SPIRIT
To
those
who
scorn
the
venerable
and
holy
ecumenical
Synods,and
who
despiseevenmore theirdogmaticandcanonical traditions;and to thosewhosay
thatallthingswerenotperfectlydefinedanddeliveredbytheSynods,butthatthey
leftthegreaterpartmysterious,unclear,anduntaught,Anathema!
To thosewho hold in contempt the sacred and divine canons of our
blessedfathers,which,bysustainingtheholyChurchofGodandadorningthewhole
ChristianChurch,guidetodivinereverence,Anathema!
To
all
things
innovated
and
enacted
contrary
to
the
Church
tradition,
teaching,and institution of theholy and evermemorablefathers, or to anything
henceforthsoenacted,Anathema!
Bp.Kirykoshascorrupted,redefined,reinterpretedandevennullified
the Holy Canons, for the sake of preserving his own unorthodox local
custom,whichhehypocriticallyclaimstobethatofhisforefathers,whereas
inreality itwashehimselfandhiscoworker,Mr.Gkoutzidis,whoenforced
thisuncanonicalpracticeuponalltheMatthewitesduringaclergyseminarat
KouvaraMonastery in1979,atwhich,whilestill laymenandselfappointed
theologians,decidedtoenlighteningtheirhierarchsandclergy.
Is it not clear that Bp.Kirykosby his recent dogmatization of these
errors,eventothepointofreprimandingclergyandlaityoverthisissue,isa
completedefianceof theHolyCanons, and constitutes agrave and serious
error,worthyevenofanathema?YetBp.Kirykoshypocriticallyclaims tobe
anardentkeeperoftheHolyCanons.Inreality,hehasdespisedeveryHoly
Canon in regards toHolyCommunion, andhe evendefies countless other
canonsinhisecclesiasticalandpersonallife,ashasbeenwitnessedbyvarious
priestsand
several
laymen,
who
were
once
under
his
spiritual
guidance,
but
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quickly departed from him upon detecting that he is a wolf in sheeps
clothing.TheseclergyandlaymenaffirmthatBp.Kirykosnotonlydisregards
theHolyCanonsoccasionally,butratherthecompletedefianceoftheHoly
Canonsisthedailytypiconbothinhisecclesiasticalandpersonallife.
Despitethis,Bp.Kirykosclaimstobetheonlycanonicalbishop left
inGreece,andthatonlyhisfollowersbelongtotheonlyrealChurchlefton
earth.Inreality,neither isheacanonicalbishop,norarehisfollowersbeing
guided towardssalvation.On thecontrary, theirsoulsshallbedevouredby
the abyss of spiritual poverty originating from their bishops lack of
sacramental, dogmatic, canonical and ethical piety. If his followers have
chosenhimtobetheirshepherdforreasonoffaith,forreasonsofcanonicity,
andforreasonsofsacramentalvalidity,forreasonsofethicalpiety,orforall
of
the
above,
then
they
have
certainly
made
a
mistake
and
should
rethink
theirchoice.Unfortunately, suchadecision iseasier said thandone.Forall
thesepoorclergyandlaymenunderhissorrowfulleadershipwillneedtocast
offfromthemselvestheseverecultlikebrainwashingandfalseindoctrination
that Bp. Kirykos and his coworkers have instilled in them through their
thirtyyearlongsystematizationoftheecclesiology,whichtheyachievedby
deliberately hiding documents and rewriting ecclesiastical history, for the
sakeofwinningproselytes,inordertouseChristasameansofestablishinga
personalcareerforthemselves,tothedetrimentofcountlessinnocentsouls.
MaytheLordforgiveBp.Kirykosandguidehimtowardsrepentance.
However,repentancerequireshumility,andhumilityisnoteasilyattainedby
someonewhohasworkedhiswayup to thehighest rank, anddenounced
even the very Archbishop who consecrated him, and who even declared
himselfPresidentofthePanOrthodoxCouncil,andevenstyleshimselfasa
ConfessorandStruggler for the truth,whenhis struggle isonlyoneof
emptywords,hypocrisyandsouldestroyingpride.Hisownclergyandsome
ofhisownadvisers triedseveral times topreventhim from falling into this
trap thathe laid forhimself.Buthisprideandselfrighteousnessprevented
himfrom
taking
heed
to
that
advice.
Now
the
only
method
by
which
his
eyes
maybeopened is ifhefinallyunderstandsthatwhathehaspreached inhis
twoletterstoFr.Pedroareactuallysevereheresiesandcanonicalinfractions
ofuniversalproportion,inneedofapublicanduniversalrepentance.Thisis
theresultofamanofsimplemindandverylittletheologicaleducation,who
hasnotevenmanagedtofoundasinglerealmonastery,hasnotmanagedto
produceasinglespiritualoffspringfromchildhoodtothepriesthood,andyet
whotookuponhimselfthetaskofsavingtheChurch,declaringhimselfthe
lasttruebishop,andsomekindofreligioussuperhero,completewithhis
ownset
of
hero
worshippers,
mainly
athrong
of
laywomen
in
Greece,
and
allwalksoflifeinRomania,Cyprus,Kenya,Ukraine,CanadaandAustralia.
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Certainly,wecannotcoerceBp.Kirykos,hisclergyandhis laymento
repentoftheirdelusion.Thisissomethingtheywillneedtoachievebytheir
ownchoice.ThustheBlessedChrysostomwrites:ForChristiansaboveallmen
areforbiddentocorrectthestumblingsofsinnersbyforceitisnecessarytomakea
manbetter
not
by
force
but
by
persuasion.
We
neither
have
authority
granted
us
by
lawtorestrainsinners,nor,ifitwere,shouldweknowhowtouseit,sinceGodgives
thecrowntothosewhoarekeptfromevil,notbyforce,butbychoice.(SixBookson
thePriesthood)
Unfortunately, Bp. Kirykos and his socalled Genuine Orthodox
Christian followers,among thema socalledhieromonk,a socalledpriest,
andvarioussocalledlaymen,havechosentheroadofslanderandridiculous
liesspreadagainstFr.Pedroandvariousamongthegoodwilledlaymenwho
chose
to
defend
the
Holy
Fathers
and
Holy
Canons
from
being
disregarded
anddefiledbyBp.Kirykosandhisfollowers.Inchoosingthispathofslander
and lies, these men have ceased to be icons of Christ, but have become
imitatorsofsatan,alsoknownasthedevil,slanderer,andfatheroflies.
Thus insteadofaddressingtheveryquestionsathand; thevery issue
ofworthiness forHolyCommunion; themethodwithwhichBp.Kirykos
handled the events in regards to Fr. Pedros uncanonical suspension; the
contentofthetwohereticalletterssentbyBp.KirykostoFr.Pedro;theissue
of thecountlesscrucialdocuments thatBp.Kirykoshaskept in thedark for
over three decades for the sake ofdeluding his flock; and the issue of his
ecclesiastical and personal scandalswhich are numerous and documented;
insteadofaddressingallof these issues,Bp.Kirykosandhis followershave
resorted to hurling vicious slanders against those who oppose them for
mattersofFaith,accusationsofimmoralityquiteabsurdandeasilydisproven.
Yettheseslanderersshallrejoiceintheseunchristianactsofslanderandthink
thatby thesediabolicalactsthey tooaresaving theChurch,just like their
hero,Bp.Kirykosclaims todo.Theywillalso rejoice in theirhypocritical
precommunion fast,and think that theywillbe communingworthilyon
accountof
it,
whereas
they
have
sinned
mortally
against
the
souls
of
real
ChristianssoulswhicharefashionedintheimageoftheHolyTrinity.
Maythefoulmouthsofthesesocalledclergyandlaitybeconfounded
bythewordsthatspringforthfromthegoldenmouthofBlessedChrysostom:
Asitisnottobeimaginedthatthefornicatorandtheblasphemercanpartake
of the sacredTable, so it is impossible thathewhohasan enemy,andbears
malice,canenjoytheHolyCommunion Iforewarn,and testify,andproclaim
thiswith
avoice
that
all
may
hear!
Let
no
one
who
has
an
enemy
draw
near
the
sacred
TableorreceivetheLordsBody!Letnoonewhodrawsnearhaveanenemy!Doyou
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haveanenemy?Donotdrawnear!Doyouwish todrawnear?Bereconciled,and
thendrawnear,andtouchtheHolyGifts!(St.JohnChrysostom,Homily20)
We are commanded tohave only one enemy, thedevil.Withhimneverbe
reconciled!But
with
a
brother,
never
be
at
enmity
in
thy
heart.(Homily
20)
Doyoufast?Givemeproofofitbyyourworks.Ifyouseeapoorman,
takepityonhim.Ifyouseeafriendbeinghonored,donotenvyhim.Donotletonly
yourmouthfast, butalso the eye,and thefeet, and thehandsandall the
membersofourbodies.Letthehandsfast,bybeingfreeofavarice.Letthefeet
fast,byceasingtorunaftersin.Lettheeyesfast,bydiscipliningthemnottoglareat
thatwhich issinful.Lettheearsfast,bynotlisteningtoeviltalkandgossip.
Letthemouthfastfromfoulwordsandunjustcriticism.Forwhatgoodisit
if
we
abstain
from
birds
and
fishes,
but
bite
and
devour
our
brothers?
(Homily3:8,OntheStatutes)
Through theprayersofourHolyFathers,LordJesusChristourGod,
havemercyonusandsaveus.Amen.