February 21
Tone of the week: Plagal of the First Tone
Fifth Eothinon
Reading:
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among
the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of
the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all
their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid.
23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives
they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others,
which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans,
collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions
for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It
was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His
parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a
Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of
humble-mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility,
and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set
these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the
spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called
Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set
humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing
that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even
before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee,
that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives
away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts
him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite
prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner
forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest
heights.
All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone
Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with
the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a
pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross
in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by
His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through
our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to
the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we
reconciled."
SOURCE:
SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2014(with 2013's link here also and further:, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):
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