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St. Innocent of Kherson

Holy Week

The Jews ask for a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, for the Jew is a stumbling-block, and the Greeks are foolishness, and Christ, who is called a Jew and a Greek, the power of God and the wisdom of God

(1 Corinthians 1:22-24)

Homily for Great Monday, at Matins

"The Lord is coming to free passion, the Apostle said on the way: Behold, we ascend to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be given up, as it is written about Him. Come, for we also come to Him purified in our senses, and let us be crucified and mortified for His sake with the sweetness of life, that we may also live with Him."

(on Praise, Stanza 1)

With this morning, brethren, began the holy week of Christ's sufferings — the most important time in the whole year: for this reason each of these days has long been called "Great and Pure." And these days are truly great because of the extraordinary events that took place in them; are truly pure in that special purity with which true Christians spend them, and which they can bring to anyone who sees them off properly. For this reason, the Holy Church now, at the very beginning of the great and holy days, announces to our ears with a special appeal, inviting us to a worthy celebration of them; and in order that this appeal may be all the more effective, he addresses it to us on behalf of the Lord Himself: "The Lord is coming to free passion, the Apostle has spoken on the way," and so on.

The Lord spoke of His way to the Apostles; but is it possible not to attribute what He said to everyone who only hears it? He aroused attention to His sufferings in His first disciples; But what last disciple would not feel obliged to do the same? We celebrated all the important events in the earthly life of our Lord: His miraculous conception, His most glorious birth, His wondrous Bringing into the temple, His even more wondrous baptism, and yesterday's entry into Jerusalem; can we not share with Him even His last moments? Now, now, especially must be shown love and zeal, when all forsake Him!