http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2010/04/04/why-do-we-read-from-the-beginning-of-john-on-the-night-of-pascha-pascha-homily-2010/ McKinney TX Homilies, scripture commentary, spiritual reflections Fri, 24 May 2013 18:49:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2010/04/04/why-do-we-read-from-the-beginning-of-john-on-the-night-of-pascha-pascha-homily-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-3775 Reg Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:57:39 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=2101#comment-3775 I agree with Nicholas that the choice was made deliberately. Also if we think of the disciples of St. Cyril & St. Methodius who did the translating into Church Slavonic, the first piece translated was the Gospel of St. John. I am not sure if Tsar Peter the great really had anything to do with the changes in the Evangelarion.  I think the British & Foreign Bible Society had a greater influence in Russia. I agree with Nicholas that the choice was made deliberately.
Also if we think of the disciples of St. Cyril & St. Methodius who did the translating into Church Slavonic, the first piece translated was the Gospel of St. John.
I am not sure if Tsar Peter the great really had anything to do with the changes in the Evangelarion.  I think the British & Foreign Bible Society had a greater influence in Russia.

]]> http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2010/04/04/why-do-we-read-from-the-beginning-of-john-on-the-night-of-pascha-pascha-homily-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-3372 Nicholas Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:23:47 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=2101#comment-3372 But is it merely fortuitous that the annual cycle begins with St. John, or that St. John is specifically read in the period beginning on Pascha and ending just before Pentecost? It seems more likely that this choice was made deliberately. But is it merely fortuitous that the annual cycle begins with St. John, or that St. John is specifically read in the period beginning on Pascha and ending just before Pentecost? It seems more likely that this choice was made deliberately.

]]> http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2010/04/04/why-do-we-read-from-the-beginning-of-john-on-the-night-of-pascha-pascha-homily-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-3360 Antonio Arganda Sun, 04 Apr 2010 21:35:45 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=2101#comment-3360 The annual cycle of liturgical readings begins with Pascha and in centuries before Peter the Great, the Evangelarion began with the Gospel of St. John, not with St. Matthew,, or so my former parish priest informed me.The content of that reading is fortuitous but fortunate in its content. The same is true of the Epistle readings. The annual cycle of liturgical readings begins with Pascha and in centuries before Peter the Great, the Evangelarion began with the Gospel of St. John, not with St. Matthew,, or so my former parish priest informed me.The content of that reading is fortuitous but fortunate in its content. The same is true of the Epistle readings.

]]> http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2010/04/04/why-do-we-read-from-the-beginning-of-john-on-the-night-of-pascha-pascha-homily-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-3356 Deborah Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:58:46 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=2101#comment-3356 <em>Father, Bless,</em>   Thank you.   <strong><em>"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." </em></strong>  John 1:12-13   Countless times I have read this beautiful and amazing passage with the assumption that I understood it.  Now I am reading it for the first time with a more Orthodox perspective and now there is both more understanding---<em>and even greater mystery</em>:   To those who believe on His name--to those who<em> <strong>receive</strong></em> Him--He has given <strong><em>the power to become</em></strong> <em>Sons of God</em>.  And not by the will of man (including my own) but <strong><em>by the</em> </strong><em><strong>will of God</strong>.</em>   <strong><em>"O fearful Mystery! O the lovingkindness of God! How is that I, being but clay, partake of the divine Body and Blood and am made incorruptible?"</em> </strong>   ---from the Canon for Holy Communion, Ode VIII         <em> </em> Father, Bless,
 
Thank you.
 
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."   John 1:12-13
 
Countless times I have read this beautiful and amazing passage with the assumption that I understood it.  Now I am reading it for the first time with a more Orthodox perspective and now there is both more understanding—and even greater mystery:
 
To those who believe on His name–to those who receive Him–He has given the power to become Sons of God.  And not by the will of man (including my own) but by the will of God.
 
"O fearful Mystery! O the lovingkindness of God! How is that I, being but clay, partake of the divine Body and Blood and am made incorruptible?"

 
—from the Canon for Holy Communion, Ode VIII
 
 
 
 

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