Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden: “The Church guides us toward acquiring true humility and repentance”
At the Church of Saint George in Roskilde, Denmark, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden officiated the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee.
“Today marks an important milestone in the liturgical year of our Church, as it signifies the beginning of the Triodion period—a time of repentance and prayer that prepares us, with faith, love, and humility, to behold the Immaculate Passion of our Lord, to crucify our own passions, and to venerate His glorious Resurrection. Throughout these seventy days leading up to Easter, the Church helps us attain true humility and repentance, which are the essential pillars of our spiritual life,” emphasised Metropolitan Cleopas.
Find below the sermon of Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden
Your Excellency, Ambassador of Greece to Copenhagen, Mr. Fragkiskos Kostellenios, and your esteemed spouse,
Honorable Musicologists,
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Today’s Sunday marks a significant milestone in the liturgical year of our Church, as it signals the beginning of the Triodion period—a time of repentance and prayer that prepares us, with faith, love, and humility, to behold the Immaculate Passion of our Lord, to crucify our own passions, and to venerate His glorious Resurrection. Throughout these seventy days leading up to Easter, the Church guides us toward acquiring true humility and repentance, which are the essential pillars of our spiritual life.
Professor Paschos of the Theological School of the University of Athens, in his book Eros of Orthodoxy, states: “Perhaps there is no better path for an Orthodox Christian to reach Easter—not as a mere and superficial passerby of time, but as a devout pilgrim of the Passion and Resurrection—than the Triodion. This is why its structure follows the fundamental principle that the Triodion serves as a spiritual ladder for the faithful, whose final step leads us into the radiant atmosphere of the glorious Resurrection of our Redeemer and God.”
In the hymnography of our Church, we observe this theme in the Canon of Matins for this Sunday: “The Pharisee, hoping to cross upon the chariot of virtues, was left stranded, while the Publican, walking humbly on foot, surpassed him, having yoked humility with mercy.” (Ode IV of Matins)
This downfall of the Pharisee is so insidious that it creates in the religious person the conviction that they belong among God’s chosen ones. From the height of their abundant good works, they perceive themselves as separate from the multitude of unworthy sinners. Nothing connects them with such people, and for this, they thank God.
What is most striking is the Pharisee’s absolute certainty regarding the final outcome of his life. He feels a profound sense of fulfillment in his prayer, believing himself already saved!
If the second part of the parable were absent, perhaps we would all have justified the Pharisee’s stance, as it aligns with a strict and literal fulfillment of the Law’s commandments. However, the silent cry of the Publican, who beats his chest and whispers the well-known prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” overturns everything.
“This man went down to his house justified rather than the other.” This is God’s verdict. The Publican, fully aware of the boundless mercy of the All-Compassionate God, seeks His mercy. He believes that only the vast ocean of God’s love has the power to justify him, and to attract that love, he confesses his sinfulness without any excuse, with deep humility.
His attitude aligns with God’s call: “Return to Me,” says the Lord, “with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and He relents from sending calamity.” (Prophet Joel 2:12)
A blessed journey, my Brothers and Sisters, and a good passage into the Holy and Great Lent!
Source: orthodoxtimes.com
