Christ Is Risen!
🌞
Since in the work published at the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/02082025.html
and even earlier in others, published at the links:
https://churchandsociety.org.ua/pdf/projects/zbirnyk.pdf
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/12112025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27112024.html
it is written that the use of prepositions has important significance for the correct understanding of important and topical questions, particularly the question of power, I am writing comments regarding the use of precisely these prepositions. As advice regarding reading what is written — one can read the verse in translation or/and original (whoever has such possibility), and then the corresponding comment regarding prepositions here. Then it is necessary to understand which part of the verse the comment concerns, and also to consider what essential for understanding it affirms — or more rarely — denies. Such thoughtful reading helps to deepen understanding and protects from the mentioned mistakes.
I prepared an improved version of my research, the presentation of which is available at the link:
https://www.facebook.com/Oleksandr.S.Zhabenko/posts/
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/uk/commentaries/vystup-2025-hypo-genitive-Romans-XIII_1.pdf
The research material is currently being prepared for publication. I hope, God willing, to present fuller results later after the publication comes out.
I will update the list of references regarding prepositions at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/02082025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/uk/commentaries/Pryjmennyky.html
the latter — once or twice a month (in Ukrainian), to keep the text version current and up to date.
Translated from Ukrainian by Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Anthropic AI), with subsequent editing by me.
Strong's references (note: according to Strong) in the translation of the original text mean that the word is taken from Strong's dictionary, and the specific meaning was chosen following the translation and commentary by Google Gemini.
Matins:
Concerning the readings from the Gospel see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/04052025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/14042026.html
Liturgy:
Acts VI, 1 — 'Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις' — 'En de tais hemerais tautais' - and in those days; and in those same days
. 'ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ τῇ καθημερινῇ' - 'en te diakonia te kathemerine' - in the daily ministry
. That is, the care was greater on the days of liturgical gatherings, and on other days it was less.
Acts VI, 3 — 'ἄνδρας ἐξ ὑμῶν' — 'andras ex hymon' - men from among you
. The preposition 'ek' in its form before the following 'hy' indicates here that what is spoken of is representatives of the disciples, of the community of the faithful.
Acts VI, 7 — 'ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ' — 'en Hierousalem' - in Jerusalem
. Where.
Acts VI, 1 — neglected
— insufficient attention was paid to them
; ministry
— literally: waiting at tables
, also service
.
Acts VI, 2 — the word used literally translates as to leave behind, to neglect, to cease to pay attention to
.
Acts VI, 5 — according to Orthodox tradition, all the first deacons except the seventh are glorified saints among the seventy apostles.
In general the passage is important because it describes the appearance of one of the orders of clergy in the Church — the deacons. The original functions of these first-deacons differed somewhat from those that later deacons began to perform in due course, but are broadly corresponding. Nothing in the text is said about deaconesses, who also appeared in due course — their ministry literally corresponded to helping at tables. At present they exist in the Alexandrian Patriarchate.
The 12 senior apostles meanwhile were more occupied with integrative
functions — they were more concerned for the unity of the Church and of the faithful in faith and grace.
More concerning the reading see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/04052025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/30042023.html
Concerning the verses Mark XV, 43-47 see at the link and others cited there:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/10042026.html
Mark XVI, 3 — 'τὸν λίθον ἐκ τῆς θύρας τοῦ μνημείου' — 'ton lithon ek tes thyras tou mnemeiou' - the stone from the door of the tomb
. The preposition 'ek' indicates here whence the stone was to be rolled away.
Mark XVI, 5 — 'εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον' — 'eis to mnemeion' - into the tomb
. Whither. 'εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς περιβεβλημένον στολὴν λευκήν' - 'eidon neaniskon kathemenon en tois dexiois peribeblemenon stolen leuken' - they saw a (grown) young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white robe
. This was an angel of God in the form of a young man.
Mark XVI, 7 — 'προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν' — 'proagei hymas eis ten Galilaian' - He goes before you into Galilee
. Whither. That is, He will arrive there more quickly.
Mark XVI, 8 — 'ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου' — 'ephygon apo tou mnemeiou' - they fled from the tomb
. That is, they ran so as to distance themselves entirely from there, far away.
In connection with the commemoration of the holy myrrh-bearing women and the righteous Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus, the reading is from the Gospel of Mark rather than John. It contains the most details concerning the events commemorated today.
Joseph showed boldness in going to Pilate. The word boldness
used here signifies more objective
than subjective
boldness — that is, bold in its essence rather than in Joseph's own feelings and attitude. This word magnifies his deed: he was truly taking a great risk by his appeal — in the worst case he too could have been executed (or at least could have fallen into disfavour). The Gospel emphasises Joseph's genuine heroism with this word. The word likely derives from a word meaning goal, aim
, and therefore signifies the boldness and courage that arise from extraordinary dedication to a goal and aim — self-sacrifice.
Linen garments — long famed for their antibacterial properties; they were worn by clergy as a sign of steadfastness and purity from sin.
Mark XVI, 3 — will roll away the stone
— the stone was too large and rounded for people to move it.
Mark XVI, 5 — a long precious garment
worn by the upper strata of Eastern society — a sign of dignity.
Mark XVI, 8 — trembling came upon them and their mind was extraordinarily seized, they were beside themselves
— a more literally descriptive translation. That is, their feelings and emotions were extraordinarily overwhelming. It must be emphasised that this state came upon them after their departure from the tomb, during the attempt to comprehend what had happened. They had seen the angel in the empty tomb with great amazement, but their feelings were engaged considerably less at that moment — whereas when they began to understand what had happened, from the absolute and complete unexpectedness of it, they were shocked
, hence their state of feeling and why they said nothing.
The other evangelists — in particular John the Theologian — present the subsequent events, including the fact that Mary Magdalene returned once more to the tomb, where Jesus Himself appeared to her. Also the women did come to realise what had happened and announced it to the apostles in the morning of that same day.
Thus these women became apostles to the apostles
, and the words of the holy equal-to-the-apostles Mary Magdalene, my beloved saint woman — Christ is Risen!
— became the universal Paschal greeting.
I shall say a few more words about the myrrh-bearing women themselves, and Joseph and Nicodemus. All of them are among my beloved saints — in particular Mary Magdalene is my beloved saint woman (not counting the Mother of God); also Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, as well as Joseph and Nicodemus are among my beloved saints.
According to Tradition, they all departed peacefully to the Lord — martyrdom did not await them at the end of their lives. I think this is so because they suffered in soul during the time of the Sufferings of Jesus Christ. Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth
(Revelation III, 10). If the Lord promises to keep from temptations at the end of the world those who have kept the word concerning His Sufferings, then it is entirely clear that He has already done so for those who not only kept the word but were witnesses in their very lives and showed love and faithfulness. I wrote about this in more detail in today's work at the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/renewal-of-Peter.html
To all women and all the faithful I wish that they may always serve as an example for the doing of good and of faithfulness.
More concerning the readings from the Gospel see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/renewal-of-Peter.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/04052025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/30042023.html
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!