Sunday of the Blind Man
The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."
Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.
Finally, the day has arrived for the Church to dedicate a Sunday and celebrate all our Presvyteres throughout the Holy Archdiocese of America. This National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Sunday — on the closest Sunday to June 4th, the Feastday of the Holy Sisters Mary and Martha — is being set aside, not because our Presvyteres deserve only one Sunday, but because we must have a national day of recognition for every Sunday, and indeed every day, that they so diligently and willingly serve the Body of Christ.
This week’s “How-to” Green Your Parish episode features Hieromonk Michael on “Starting a Parish Garden.”
The Orthodox Theological Society in America (OTSA) is hosting a webinar on “The Two Become One? Mixed Marriages in the Orthodox Church” on May 29, 2021 at 1:00 PM EDT. The webinar will focus on the book “Mixed Marriage: An Orthodox History” by Fr. Anthony Roeber, PhD.
Today we pause to remember those whose lives and cultures were cut short – the Greeks of Pontos and Asia Minor, the Armenians, Syrians, and all those whose presence vanished as Empires dissolved. Recognizing the sins of the past is the way forward to a better future for all.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Patriarchal Vicar, visited the Metropolis of New Jersey headquarters today. His Eminence was warmly welcomed by His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia and V. Rev. Archimandrite Christoforos Oikonomidis, Chancellor of the Metropolis.
This morning, the Holy and Sacred Synod elected The V. Rev. Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod and Chaplain of the Holy Cross Theological School, as the Bishop of Nazianzos, assistant Bishop of His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, who placed him at the disposal of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in order that he may continue his current service in the Holy Archdiocese.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America received Archimandrite Alexander Belya, Rev. Fr. Oleksander Belya of the Slavic Vicariate in his office. Joining the meeting was Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. Protopresbyter Andreas Vithoulkas.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America received in his office today the Rev. Hieromonk Gedeon Varytimos of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Jackson Heights, NY, along with parish council president Fotis Gerasopoulos. Following a tradition from Constantinople, His Eminence received arto on behalf of the Sts. Constantine and Helen community along with an official invitation for him to serve at the Divine Liturgy for their patronal feast on May 21.
With camping ministries starting up again soon, it’s time to remember something important. Are you ready to be a Youth Worker this summer?
Mari & Despina interview Fr. Kosmas & Anna Kallis, a clergy couple who have been married for almost 8 years with 2 children (their youngest was born just weeks after this podcast was recorded). Fr. Kosmas & Anna discuss the joys of being seen by their children, the struggle with the loss of freedom in parenting, and how structuring/scheduling each week is important for marital connection.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros met with the Ministry Directors today at Archdiocesan Headquarters.
In commemoration of the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution, the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations is hosting a one-hour webinar on “The Place and Role of the Greek Revolution in Today’s Greek Identity.”
IV Next is excited to announce Dean and Victoria Tiggas as this year’s Trip Leaders and travel ambassadors. IV Next is the only travel-based program for young adults that combines professional development, international travel, and the Orthodox Faith into one all-inclusive program.
"Families can be hard, but they're so worth fighting for. They might be one of the only things that are." Steve and Christian watched the new Netflix film, "The Mitchells vs. The Machines." The guys discuss family, belonging, and being corrects vs being connected.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America received with much joy and gratitude the news from the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, that at the recommendation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Holy and Sacred Synod elected on May 19th, 2021 the Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos, as His Auxiliary Bishop, with the title “Bishop of Nazianzos.”
Have you noticed how judging has become a national pastime lately? Christ is very clear about judging others. What can we do when we are feeling judged or worse yet, judging others? Fr. Timothy Pavlatos, will be on hand to discuss what the church has to say about this important topic and will share practical suggestions as we grapple with this very present judging epidemic. Join us!
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was presented with the Key to the City of Wilmington, Delaware by Mayor Michael Purzycki on Sunday, May 23, 2021 during a pastoral visit to Holy Trinity Church. In addition to this honor, His Eminence was met by the Governor of Delaware John Carney and presented a gift of his Enthronement Medallion containing an icon of the Hospitality of Abraham to him.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saints Constantine and Helen in Jackson Heights, NY. Following the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence elevated the Proistamenos, Fr. Gedeon Varitimos, to the rank of Archimandrite. AXIOS!!
In order to provide ongoing training for parish leadership, the Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism has released the first session of the Parish Leadership Series at Hellenic College-Holy Cross. This program invites qualified individuals to speak at Hellenic College/Holy Cross on various topics relating to parish leadership and ministry.
New York, NY – The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (Y2AM) is excited to announce the hiring of a new “Effective Christian Ministry” Cohort Director.