Thursday, November 4, 2004
Venerable Ioanikios the Great
1st Vesp, Raphael of Brooklyn: Proverbs Selections Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-14
Gospel: St. Luke 11:14-23
Proverbs 10:7, 6; 3:13-16; 8:6, 32, 34, 4, 12, 14, 17, 5-9; 1:23 LXX,
especially vs.3:13: "Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and the mortal who knows
prudence." Why is it that the "blessing of the Lord is upon the head" (vs. 10:6) of holy hierarchs
like St. Raphael of Brooklyn, St. John Chrysostom, St. Sava of Serbia, and other saintly Bishops
of the Church? For calling them "blessed of God" is implied most clearly when the Church
provides this particular extract of verses as the first reading at the Vespers of their feast days.
The quoted verse above, from the selection, provides the answer: these men trafficked for
wisdom and found her (vss. 3:14,13). But what is this wonderful "wisdom" that they found?
Above all, Wisdom is a Person, for notice that we are advised "to traffic for her" (vs. 3:14), and
she speaks (vss. 3:16) and she commands and exhorts us to hearken to her (vs. 8:6, 4). Some will
be surprised to learn that in Orthodox Tradition, the Person of Wisdom is identified with our
Lord Jesus Christ, yet this can be confusing for readers who may think of wisdom as a woman
because of the feminine pronouns - her and she. Nonetheless, the traditional identification with
Christ is a fact. For instance, the Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Holy Wisdom in
Constantinople, was dedicated by the Orthodox Emperor, Justinian, to our Lord Jesus, Holy
Wisdom. The confusion arises because sophia, wisdom, happens to be feminine in Greek as well
as in the original Hebrew of the Book of Proverbs. Still, all the characteristics of Wisdom in
these verses should be applied to the character and Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. "No evil
thing shall resist [Him]" (vs. 3:15). Satan could not overcome Him. Sin never captivated Him.
Death could not hold Him. What greater "evil thing" can we imagine or name that ever came
near defeating Him? Jesus Christ trampled them all down.
"Length of existence and years of life are in [His] right hand" (vs. 3:16). Lazarus, the four days
dead, came forth to extended existence and more years of life (Jn. 11:39-44). As God the Father
"has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself" (Jn.5:26).
"In [His] left hand are wealth and glory" (Prov. 3:16). "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the
wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Rom 11:33). Why else do we say, "Glory to the Father and to
the Son and to the Holy Spirit"? Christ our God is glory and bestows it (see Rom. 8:18). "Out
of [His] mouth proceeds righteousness, and [He] carries law and mercy upon [His] tongue"
(Prov. 3:16). "Christ Jesus...became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and
sanctification and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30).
"Counsel and safety are Mine: prudence is Mine, and strength is Mine" (Prov. 8:14). Other
counselors can provide no greater path to safety, prudence, and strength than Christ gives in
Himself. As God the Father advises, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Mk. 9:7).
"I love those that love Me; and they that seek Me shall find Me" (Prov. 8:17). Notice that the
Lord Jesus not only commands us to hearken to Him and to seek Him diligently, but also He
promises that those who do so shall find Him: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you
will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Mt. 7:7).
Think how the world chases after knowledge in this age of exploding information, and, all the
while, Wisdom is ours if we will heed Him! "Hearken to Me; for I will speak solemn truths;
and will produce right sayings from My lips" (Prov. 8:6). Yes, the Lord Jesus has taught us to
know Him as true Wisdom: "I Am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn. 14:6).
Thou art Baptized. Thou art illumined. Thou hast received anointment with Holy Chrism. Thou
art washed: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.