One can ask why I chose this particular Gospel. I chose it for a very personal reason. I became a believer by encountering this Gospel; And this is no coincidence. If I had read the Gospel of Matthew, which was addressed to the Jews, the believing Jews of that time, or the Gospel of John, which is very deeply immersed in both philosophical and theological thought, I probably would not have understood them when I was fourteen years old. The Gospel of Mark was written by a disciple of the Apostle Peter precisely for such young people, young savages as I was at that time, written in order to give an idea of the teaching of Christ and His person to those young people who needed it most. And that's why I've chosen this Gospel now. It is written short, strong, and I hope it will reach the souls of other people, just as it turned my soul upside down and transformed my life.

Metropolitan Anthony.

orthodoxy, Gospel, Bible, Mark, sermon, interpretations, Christ, Jesus, morality, prayer 2008 ru FB Tools, FB Editor v2.0 2008-11-12 http://www.metropolit-anthony.orc.ru/mark/mk_0.htm 7AA1061E-8006-4853-A40C-AD251CC73EF6 1.0

Metropolitan

Anthony of Sourozh

Conversations on the Gospel of Mark

THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD

Prayer at the Liturgy before the reading of the Gospel

Shine forth in our hearts, O Lover of mankind, the incorruptible light of Thy understanding of God, and open our mental eyes in Thy Gospel preaching understanding: put into us also the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that we may overcome all the lusts of the flesh, and pass through the spiritual life of all that is pleasing to Thee, both wisely and actively. For Thou art the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and to Thee we send up glory, with Thy Father, without beginning, and with Thy All-Holy, Good, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer is holy. John Chrysostom before reading or hearing the word of God

O Lord Jesus Christ, open my heart's ears to hear Thy word, and understand and do Thy will, as I am a stranger on earth: hide not Thy commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may understand the wonders of Thy law; tell me the unknown and secret of Thy wisdom. In Thee I trust, O my God, that Thou mayest enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of Thy mind, not only that which I have written, but also that I may do it, that I may not read the lives and words of the saints for my sin, but for renewal, and enlightenment, and holiness, and for the salvation of the soul, and for the inheritance of eternal life. For Thou dost enlighten those who lie in darkness, and from Thee there is every good gift, and every gift is perfect. Amen!