Orthodoxy is Christianity Beyond the Surface
Many people embrace Orthodox Christianity with great enthusiasm, after having suffered the poverty of a materialistic world view. The beauty of the divine services brings a certain elegance into their weekly schedule, and the adornment of our homes with icons introduces an exotic element into a previously drab existence. Yet if we do not make our Orthodox Christian faith a way of life, it will never penetrate beneath the surface.
We must dig deep, delving into the darkness of our innermost being, making Orthodoxy beyond a surface only religion. We must allow God to begin a transformation that will enlighten our darkness. Orthodoxy is not Christianity light. Orthodoxy, if it is to be truly beneficial, requires full commitment on our part.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
In lieu of flowers people are encouraged to send memorial donations on Father
Seraphim’s behalf to:
St Nektarios Russian Orthodox Church
11525 SR-321 N
Lenoir City, TN 37771
Wednesday November 1, 2023 / October 19, 2023
22nd Week after Pentecost. Tone four.
Fast. Food with Oil
Prophet Joel (800 B.C.).
Martyr Warus and seven monk-martyrs in Egypt (307).
Translation of the relics (1195) of Venerable John, abbot of Rila in Bulgaria (946).
Venerable Gabriel, abbot of St. Elias Skete, Mt. Athos (1901).
Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt (1908).
New Martyr Priest Alexis (Stavrovsky) of Petrograd (1918).
New Hieromartyr Sergius priest (1937).
Blessed Cleopatra (327) and her son John, in Egypt.
Hieromartyr Sadoc (Sadoth), bishop of Persia, and 128 Martyrs with him (342).
Synaxis of All Saints of Archangelsk Metropolia.
Crown Prince Demetrius of Moscow (1582).
Venerable Leontius the Philosopher of St. Sabbas monastery (624).
St. Prochorus, miracle-worker of Pchinja (Serbia) (10th c.).
Venerable Frideswide of Oxford, abbess (ca. 735) (Celtic & British).
St. Mnason, bishop of Cyprus (1st c.) (Cypriote).
New Monk-martyr Nicholas Dvali of Jerusalem (1314).
Hieromartyr Felix and Deacon Eusebius (Greek).
The Scripture Readings
Colossians 3:17-4:1
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The Christian Home
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
Christian Graces; Final Greetings
4 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Luke 9:44-50
44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
Who Is the Greatest?
46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Mereceives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
Jesus Forbids Sectarianism
49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”