neuroBIBLISTICS

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Reverend Fathers, dear brothers and sisters, the first Sunday of the Great Lent is called the Sunday of Orthodoxy. This is the Sunday when the re-enactment of the biblical truth is especially celebrated. The holy icons are the means of certainty, the means of teaching and the means of encouragement.

The epistle reading invokes the works of the Old Testament fathers and mothers, calling them witnesses. These mighty men and women endured the race which they run, and the apostle calls us too in words: “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus” (Heb 12:1-2).

Sunday of Orthodoxy celebrates the victory of the icons after the iconoclastic controversy from the 8^th and 9^th centuries. This victory is important for the church because icons are an important part of the Holy Tradition. The Holy Icons represent and celebrate the works and faith of a person who ran and endured the race. Icons are the works written in colors, the remainders to us that we should run, do our work by looking at Christ and his Saints. 

One of the Church songs which we heard today says: “We venerate your icon, good Lord, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God”. Icons encourage to be on track, and the only right track in the Orthodoxy is forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness forges the Saints and writes the icons. We have the potential to be Saints. Triumph of Orthodoxy is the triumph of works for the eternal living and communion with God.

Today’s Gospel reading goes further and says: “You will see greater things than these. Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:51). God created us with Dignity for great things. At the beginning of the Great Lent, we are being encouraged that the greater things are on the way. Even though these things are prepared for us, the Church recommends the discipline of the lent, which will help us celebrate the Feast of Resurrection in the most joyful and proper way. This is the first week of the marathon, let us run a good race and finish it in glory.

Holy Icons of our Saint Sava and Saint Mardarije are alike. Both are holding the book of the Holy Gospel, adorned in the vestments, whit a blessing hand. When we see their icons, we see their lives. Their vestments – their service. Hands full of Gospel – a life full of works. A blessing hand – a peaceful communion with others and hope for the Salvation of all. 

Let us run and endure the race.

Let us venerate the Holy Icons and ask for the forgiveness of sins.

Let us joyfully celebrate the triumph of Icons, triumph of good works, and triumph of working faith by giving thanks to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!