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V0063

- GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY & PARISH

OF PROPHET ELIAS NORWOOD & EASTERN

SUBURBS INC.

87 BEULAH RD. NORWOOD SA 5067 P.O. BOX 277, KENT TOWN SA 5071

ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO THE HON. SECRETARY

O

24

: 8362 4139 . 8431 7789 . 0412 710 037

09-10-11

27. 1368

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

THE WORD OF GODPHONES: 8362 4139 H. 8431 7789 M. 0412 710 037

DATE 09-10-11

YEAR 27TH NUMBER 1368

WEB PAGE:WWW.PROPHETELIAS.ORG.AU

ONLINE MAGAZINE & RADIO PROGRAM:WWW.PROPHETELIAS.BLOGSPOT.COM

EMAIL:PROPHETELIAS@ESC.NET.AU

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THE TERRIBLE PAIN OF THE HUMAN HEART-THE WIDOW OF NAIN-

Life without Christ is a mournful processionLuke 7:11-16 9 October, 2011.Todays Gospel reading shows us the personification of pain. We

speak about the Widow of Nain. This woman, who not long ago had

accompanied the coffin of her beloved husband on his last journey on

earth. This woman, who had nothing else in this world except for herprecious son. The son, a young and vibrant man, suddenly taken by

death, grabbed from within hismothers arms, and now travelling thesame road as his father. The widow of Nain also travels the same road,

to the same cemetery but this time accompanying the coffin of her

much beloved son. In deep sorrow, silent, and with despair as her

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escort, she follows the boys coffin, head lowered in the funeral

procession. No matter how much the villagers tried to support her, to

show her some light that will dispel the blackness of her loss and

hopelessness, it was lost amongst the hopeless darkness that covered

her pained heart.

Indeed, if we think about the drama that the widow of Nain was living,

we would perfectly excuse her desperate situation. If you think about it

though, before the Lords Resurrection, the message and sermon of

Easter, Christs raising of the dead, and ultimately Christs own

Resurrection after three days, there was no hope. People saw the

tomb as the end of their existence. So the villagers of Nain, had no

words of comfort to say to the widow since they themselves lived in an

appalling climate of death. How could they talk about hope in life and

console each other when death also accompanied them and followed

them like a nightmare. Who was in a position to comfort this woman -

to give wings of hope to this embittered mother - this mother whose

world had been destroyed with her sons death. Who would help her

rise from the ruins of despair and the unbearable weight of

hopelessness? It had to be someone above and beyond human.

Someone who could genuinely overturn human logical thinking, and

that could only be the Lord of Life and Resurrection, Jesus Christ.

Beloved Brethren, our Lord Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and Life.He is the only Truth and sole Comforter. It is He who allowed thisdrama to happen in Nain, to show once again the glory of God. This is

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evident at the meeting of Christ with the widow - the procession of

death with the procession of life. The meeting of the funeral and death

with life and resurrection. Two opposing processions yet two meetings

so near to each other. We agree that death is one thing and life is

another - two opposites - but you must also agree that this life is the

successor to death and death to Life. Life has the last word. The life

that we live in this world (whose successor is death) is not real. But Life

which is succeeded by death is eternal.

In todays Gospel reading, we see the Leader of Life approach death

and order it to free the young man and leave. Without the slightest

delay, death frees the child and disappears from the funeral

procession. Simultaneously, grief, pain, sorrow, regret and uncertainty

also disappear. Through the ruins of despair, the Light of Resurrection

illumined the face of the mother and hope grew wings in her heart.

Sighs of relief were heard and exclamations of admiration and joy

came from the mournful procession.

Without Christ, life is a mournful procession that accompanies the dead

to their grave. Without Christ there is pain and sadness, frustration and

despair, falsehood and darkness, death and hell. Truly brothers and

sisters in Christ, can you imagine your life without Christ? Without the

slightest hope of salvation? Without a Heavenly Father waiting for you

as the prodigal son? Just the thought that you have no Heavenly

destination or Heavenly Father, causes a painful sense of isolation.

This of course is felt by those who are sensitive to these matters, and

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accept and understand. Unfortunately though there are also those who

are insensitive to matters of the soul who say they do not believe in

Christ. Others say it with actions and others say it with words. But the

fact is, they do not want to have a relationship with God. Why is that?

What will hurt them by having God in their lives? But as this is anothersubject, we will not address this today. The issue today is about the

terrible pain of the human heart without Christ.

The Evangelist Luke presents us with a series of factual events andwhat happened, allowing us to draw our own conclusions. By painting

a beautiful picture of words, he shows us the picture of drama and the

picture of joy. The picture with Christ and the picture without Christ.

Which picture would you prefer? What procession would you wish to

be part of? Anyone with sense would not want to be in the procession

of grief, pain, despair, death and hell. Impossible! So someone will tell

us that those who do not believe inChrist, have lost their mind. We are

simply presenting you with the two situations of todays Gospel reading

- One with Christ and one without Christ. We mentioned earlier what

happened before Christ came and what happened after. If, for

example, someone was born and raised without Christ, they are

doomed to walk in the procession of death. But if they are given an

opportunity to see inside from their darkened window what Christian

light accompanies Life, then surely they would prefer to go to this light

as soon as they can. But if a man was born and Baptised and

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enlightened in the Light of Christ and then longs for the darkness and

death, what do you think? Havent they lost their mind - yes or no?

What really saddens Christ immeasurably is when Christian parents

distance and remove their children from the accompaniment of truth,hope, resurrection and life and directs them to the accompaniment of

pain, lies, the grieving of darkness, despair and death. Each day the

Lord reminds us by the funeral of someone who leaves this life, that

soon it will be our turn. According to the procession we have chosen to

follow in this world, we will find the same one in the other life. We pray

that we will not be accompanied by loss but by Life. AMEN , . .

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BaptismLast Sunday afternoon, Mr Vasilios & Mrs Grazia Kottaridis baptised

their young boy in our church. The Godfather Mr Damien Conoulty

gave him the name Dimitrios.

May the parents of the newly baptised rejoice in him always joyful and

blessed by God. May the godfather have health and enlightenment

from above, to assist and guide little Dimitrios according to the will of

God.

ANNOUNCEMENTNext Sunday October 16, 2011, the Executive Committee will have

freshly cooked SOUVLAKIA for sale.

We kindly ask you to assist their endeavours and in doing so, assist us

financially.

We take this opportunity to sincerely thank you and awaiting your

positive response in anticipation.

VespersThis Saturday evening, Vespers Service 5.30pm-6.30pm.

Sunday SchoolsWith the help of God and the services of our devoted Sunday School

teachers, Sunday school lessons are offered every Sunday morning in

the rooms of our Community Centre.

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We ask parents to help their children in learning about the True God. Our society

is full of different gods, however, the parents who sense responsibility before God

and their child, will endeavour to bring them to the school of Christ.

Parents, do not be led astray by the ways of many. If you wish to assist your child

with issues of importance, please do not deprive them of the most beneficial

school, called Sunday school.

YOUTH GROUPLast Wednesdays theme was dedicated to the Lords Prayer.

In todays ever growing technological word, the means of communication

between people from all over the word is at our finger tips.

From land line phones to our handheld mobile phones, from our computers,

laptops, fax machines, email, facebook, twiter etc etc, we are able to

communicate instantaneously to all parts of the world.

The question put forward was What means of communication do we have

between our Father in Heaven and us here on earth?

The answer is The means of communication between our Father in Heaven and

us here on earth, is through prayer

And what a better prayer then the Lords Prayer which was recited by the Lord

himself?

Our FatherThat God is our Father, so good and so worthy of veneration that there is no

earthly father like Him and that we ought to pray to Him with a childlike

reverence, love and confidence.

Who art in Heaven

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That although God is everywhere, he especially dwells in Heaven, where we

hope to see Him face to face one day.

That we are but pilgrims upon earth and that our true country is in Heaven.

That when we pray, we must detach our hearts from all earthly things and raisethem up to Heaven.

Hallowed be Thy nameThat the name of God may never be profaned or blasphemed, but that God may

be rightly known, loved and honoured by us all.

Thy Kingdom comeThat the kingdom of God, the Church, may be more and more extended upon

earth.

That the kingdom may now be established in our hearts, in order that after this

life, we may also be admitted into the kingdom of Heaven.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in HeavenWe ask that we do the will of God on earth faithfully and cheerfully as the Angels

and Saints do it in Heaven and we profess that, in all things, we submit ourselves

to the holy will of God.

Give us this day our daily breadWe ask that God may give us all that is daily necessary for our soul and body.

To teach us that we should wish only for necessaries, not for riches and

abundance.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us We ask that God forgives us, as we forgive others who offend us.

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When praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your

Father in heaven may forgive you.

Lead us not into temptation

We ask God to remove from us all temptations and all the dangers of sin, or, atleast, give us grace sufficient to resist them.

To keep us humble.

But deliver us from evilWe ask that God preserves us from all evil of soul and body especially from sin

and eternal damnation.

AmenTo express our ardent desire and also our confidence of being heard.

Dear reader, although most people from as young as 2 and 3 years of age, know

how to recite the Lords Prayer, how many truly understand what they are

reciting?

Every Wednesday evening, you have the opportunity between 7-8pm to get to

know and better understand the true meaning of our Orthodox faith. Come along

and bring a friend.

ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGYPlease note that on Saturday October 22, 2011, Rev Father StavrosPsaromatis will officiate the Divine Liturgy in English between 6pm

7pm.

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