Post-feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Martyr Euplus (304)
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3; Matthew 23:23-28
Dormition Fast.
Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3
“We should try to live in such a way that if the Gospels were lost, they could be rewritten by looking at us.” – Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
Our liturgical life and praxis give great honour to the Holy Scriptures, specifically the Book of Epistles and the Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel occupies a central place in the Church on the Holy Table, it is often covered in beautiful and expensive materials, and it is processed out of the Sanctuary into the Church at numerous services. The Book of Epistles should also be treated with reverence.
Both the Epistle and Gospel readings are proclaimed from a prominent place in the Church so that all the faithful may hear the Word of God and be attentive to it. And this is precisely the reason that we pay such honour to these books and the Holy Scriptures as a whole. These books are to be attentively read/listened to so that the words on the page may become fully embodied and made alive in us. The Holy Scriptures are not just some nice words to listen to; they are the words of eternal life as they open to us the mystery of God’s indescribable love for us which culminates in the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. When we hear these words, we should always listen attentively as the Lord speaks to us here and now through the Holy Scriptures, calling us to embody and fully live the words of eternal life.