ST. THOMAS SUNDAY.
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“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”
(Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) who consecrated our temple.)
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:15-16)
SUNDAY 12th MAY. St. Thomas Sunday. St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Constantia in Cyprus (403). St. Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople (740). St. Ethelhard, Archbishop of Canterbury (805). St. Dionysius, Archimandrite of St. Sergius' Monastery (1633). Glorification of Hieromartyr Germogen, patriarch of Moscow (1913).
“Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles, toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.”
(St. John Chrysostom.)
“Can we today, touch the wounded flesh of the Saviour? Can we, who are not granted ecstasies or visions, be sure that it is a living being and not a phantom that we worship? We can, and this possibility is given to everyone. Jesus is invisibly, but really, alive in the flesh and blood creatures who exist around us. We can estimate the wounds of the crucifixion today, and worship them in the sick, the poor, in all men and women who suffer, in all those who continue Jesus's agony – members of the mystical Body who share in the passion of their Head.” (From ‘THE YEAR OF GRACE OF THE LORD' by A Monk of the Eastern Church.)
TODAY'S GOSPEL. John 20:19-31 “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again “Peace be to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them, Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas,“Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it in My side Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
In the reading for today we have the disciples behind closed, presumably locked doors, hiding away for fear of themselves being arrested. In the midst of this fear and confusion, having been told by the Myrrh Bearing Women that the tomb was empty, their beloved Lord appears among them. We are told that they were glad, they were happy to see their Risen Lord. Sometimes we, like the disciples, hide our faith, perhaps because of fear of ridicule, fear of persecution, or a fear, like that of Thomas, who could not believe that Jesus had risen because he needed visible proof. When we find ourselves doubting, like Thomas, the Lord will indeed come to us however poor our faith. Christ Himself tells us that we are blessed especially, because we believe and have not seen the Incarnate Lord who now reigns in heaven.
He comes to us as He came to the fearful disciples, however strong we b
Much Love,
Fr. George.
It is our joy and privilege to welcome the newly baptised into our congregation, Kentigern, Cepha
Please pray for the sick and those in need:
Margaret Lilley, Trudy (Elizabeth), Elena, Vasilica, Anne Marie and her baby daughter, Stephanie; Margaret; (Fr.) Bill; Magdalena; Mother Esodia; Doris; Mary, Maria; Emma; Megan; Olga; James; Jessie; Nick, Maddy and family; Catrina and Michael; Cornelia; Theo Valentino, George; Ondar; Christine, Christos and family. Also Archbishops Paul and John and all held in captivity.
and for the departed whose memory occurs this month:
Winifred Swaby (22nd)
Name days this month:
Eliza (Constantina) Varney (St Constantina - 21st); Sophia Aghajani (Holy Wisdom - 24th)
(Please note: any additions, alterations or requests for names to be included in the this prayer list should be addressed to me, James, either by SMS: 07412884765 or email: