-

Today is the annual commemoration of the Holy Fathers who participated in the first Six Ecumenical Councils. The First Ecumenical Council was held at Nicaea in 325, with 381 Holy Fathers participating: this Council refuted the heresy of Arius against the Son of God. The Second Ecumenical Council was held at Constantinople in 381, with 150 Holy Fathers participating: this Council refuted the heresy of Macedonius which denied the Divinity of the God the Holy Spirit. The Third Ecumenical Council was held at Ephesus in 431, with 200 Holy Fathers participating: this Council refuted the heresy of Nestorius against the Mother of God. The Fourth Ecumenical Council was held at Chalcedon in 451, with 630 Holy Fathers participating: this Council refuted the Monophysite heresy which taught that after the Incarnation there was only one nature – the Divine – the Christ. The Fifth Ecumenical Council was held at Constantinople in 553, with 160 Holy Fathers participating: this Council refuted the heresy of Origen and Theodore of Mopsuestia. The Sixth Ecumenical Council was also held in Constantinople in 680, with 170 Holy Fathers participating: this Council refuted the Monothelite heresy which taught that in Christ there is but one will, the Divine.

It is not the personal holiness of these Holy Fathers which is affirmed and honored today, but rather their collective witness to the True Faith. The meaning of this feast is well expressed by these words chanted at Vespers: “You have become, O Holy Fathers, worthy guardians of the apostolic faith.”

The Gospel read at the Liturgy today contains the phrase “Let your light so shine before men,” which is very appropriate for this commemoration. Today’s Epistle reading instructs us to “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God, consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food, which have not benefited those who observe them. We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.

Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.