THE MEANING OF THE MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN FOR US
oday, the 2nd Sunday after Pascha, our Church commemorates the Myrrh-Bearing Women who came to the Tomb of Christ early in the morning, three days after Christ’s Crucifixion. As they approached the tomb to anoint Christ’s body with precious oils according to Jewish funeral customs. But the body of Christ was not there! He had risen from the dead! Yet, the myrrh that they brought was still important. It has a message for each and every Christian. Myrrh was used to preserve things from corruption and dry them out. It also had a sweet odor. Understanding the myrrh symbolically, we can learn something about the Christian way of the life. The myrrh represents good works, and a life that is pleasing to God and free of corruption. We must not come to Christ empty-handed! Archbishop Andrew, in his book One Thing Needful, says "The Myrrh-bearers, fulfilling the Old Testament Law, the law of Moses, bought perfumes and went to anoint His Body, the Body of Christ. And we, fulfilling the Law of the New Testament, the Law of Christ, must also bring spiritual perfumes - His commandments: humility, meekness, peace-loving. We should anoint His Body with spiritual oil (that is, love and mercy). His body is His Church." St Gregory the Dialogist, in his work Forty Gospel Homilies, reflects, "You have heard, dearly beloved, that holy women who had followed the Lord came to the sepulcher with spices. They had loved Him when He was alive, and they showed Him their eager tenderheartedness even when He was dead. Their deed points to something that must be done in our holy Church. Thus as we hear of what they did, we must also think of our responsibility to imitate them. We, too, who believe in Him Who died, approach His sepulcher with spices if we are strengthened with the sweet smell of the virtues, and if we seek the Lord with a reputation for good works. And the women who came with spices saw angels, since those who advance toward God through their holy desires, accompanied by the sweet smell of the virtues, behold the citizens from on high."
You and I are also
Myrrh-Bearers, you see. But our myrrh is the offering of
virtues and good works. On this Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing
Women, let us also bring our gifts to Christ! Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. Evening Services as Announced Saints: The Myrrh-Bearing Women; Mark, Apostle and Evangelist; Neomartyr Nike; Makedonios, Patriarch of Constantinople; Neomartyr Geroge; Righteous Aninanos of Alexandria; Sylvester, Abbot of Obnora.
3rd SUNDAY OF PASCHA – THE
MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn for Pascha Return to page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readingstoday’s scripture readings EPISTLE – 1 Peter 5:6-14 (For St. Mark)
rethren, humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, first in your faith, knowing that the same experi-ence of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish and strengthen you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. By Silvanos, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ. GOSPEL - Mark 15:43-16:8 +At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Changes Later In the Divine Liturgy
In the place of “Truly it
is proper. . .” (p. 54)
MEMORIAL SERVICES TODAY:
A forty day Memorial Service
will be offered today by Betty, James and Eleni Roussos, in
memory of husband and father George Roussos. May his memory be
eternal! A six year Memorial Service will also be offered
today for the rest of the soul of Katherine Mary Harakas
DeFilippo, by her parents, Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily
Harakas. May her memory be eternal!
PROSFORON BAKERS:
Venice Cosmadelis (Myrrh
Bearers Sunday) 4/25; Emily Thomas 5/2 (Sunday of Paralytic);
George and Maria Angeliades 5/9 (Samaritan Woman); Argyris
Gymnaos (New Prosforon Baker!) 5/16 (Blind Man Sunday);
Presbytera Emily 5/20 (Ascension Day); Fran Mather 5/23;
Gloria Vardakis 5/29 (Saturday of Souls) ; Bette Ferriero 5/30
(Pentecost); Fran Triantafilon 6/6 (All Saints); ; George
Nikas 6/13; Patricia Lilore 6/20; Eleni Nicolelis 6/27 (Holy
Saturday); Connie Mourgides 7/4. Betty Roussos 7/11. George
Nikas is our Prosforon Coordinator (597)-1375). Bulletin Sponsor: christopher cardo In Loving memory of his “yiayia” – alice L. Marty – may her memory be eternal !
CHRIST THE
SAVIOR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
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