Holy and Great Monday

On Holy Monday, the Orthodox Church remembers the cursing of the fig tree. This event is a display of Christ's divine power and of God's judgment upon those who do not follow Him. Also on this day, the Church remembers the patriarch Joseph. The Old Testament story of Joseph is reflective of Christ because Joseph fell into poor state but rose to power, just as Christ is soon to do.

The hymns and readings of Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday, are to remind the Church of Christ's final teachings to His disciples.

Ascetic Struggle

If we embrace Christianity with dedication of heart and mind, we will receive the power to live in this world, filled as it is, with temptations and disappointments, yet remaining true to our vocation as a holy people. Committing ourselves to being full time Christians, empowers us to live our lives in such a way that we give glory and witness to the very Christ Whom we worship.

If, however, we avoid ascetic struggle, and choose to keep our Christian faith sidelined, and rejecting real commitment, we will ultimately have  become Christian in name only. For those who, out of laziness or personal selfishness, choose to relegate fasting, private prayer, and even church attendance, as something done only when we feel "in the mood", we will stand before the Throne of God, in the end, with a darkened heart that can not withstand the power of God, and eternity will be for us, a lake of fire.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon