This Sunday,
the second Sunday of Great Lent commemorates the life of St. Gregory
Palamas (14th century). The Church dedicates this Sunday to St. Gregory
for his orthodox faith, theological knowledge, virtuous life, miracles
and his efforts to clarify the orthodox teaching on the subject of
Hesychasm (from the Greek, meaning quiet.)
Hesychasm
was a system of mysticism propagated on Mount Athos by 14th century
monks who believed that man was able, through an elaborate system of
ascetic practices based upon perfect quiet of body and mind, to arrive
at the vision of the divine light, with the real distinction between the
essence and the operations of God.
Saint Gregory became noted for his efforts to
explain the difference between the correct teaching and this theory.
Gregory was dedicated to an ascetic life of prayer and fasting, which
are practices of Lent.
This Sunday, the second Sunday of Great
Lent, commemorates the venerable Cross and the Crucifixion of Jesus
Christ. The Cross as such takes on meaning and adoration because of the
Crucifixion of Christ upon it. Therefore, whether it be in hymns
or prayers, it is understood that the Cross without Christ has no
meaning or place in Christianity.
The adoration of the Cross in the middle of
Great Lent is to remind the faithful in advance of the Crucifixion of
Christ. Therefore, the passages from the Bible and the hymnology refer
to the Passions, the sufferings, of Jesus Christ: The passages read this
day repeat the calling of the Christian by Christ to dedicate his life,
for
"If any man would come after
me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me
(Christ)" (v. 34-35).
This verse clearly indicates the kind of
dedication which is needed by the Christian in three steps:
