On the Sunday of the Paralytic, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, with the canonical blessing of Archbishop Eugenios of Crete, presided over a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at his monastery of repentance, the Holy Monastery of Saint George Epanosifis in Crete. The service was concelebrated by the Abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Dionysios, along with Archimandrite Bartholomew Vogiatzoglou, General Archieratical Commissioner of the Archdiocese of Crete, Archimandrite Bartholomew Ungureanu, Archdeacon Porphyrios Zervakis, and the fathers of the monastery. A group of pilgrims was also present in prayerful participation.
In his homily, Metropolitan Arsenios reflected on the Gospel reading of the day, emphasizing that it is not merely a narrative of a miraculous healing, but a profound revelation of the fallen state of human nature and, at the same time, the mystery of humanity’s renewal in Christ. He explained that the Paralytic represents Adam after the Fall—humanity estranged from God, subject to decay and death.
The Metropolitan noted that without divine grace, the human person remains unable to move toward the good. Though desiring to overcome death and attain fullness of life, humanity struggles with its own weakness. This existential drama is encapsulated in the words of the Paralytic, “I have no one,” which express both isolation and the absence of true communion. Separation from God, he said, inevitably leads to broken relationships with others.
Highlighting the theological depth of the Gospel passage, Metropolitan Arsenios stressed that Christ approaches the Paralytic even before he seeks Him, demonstrating that divine initiative always precedes human effort. This, he explained, is at the heart of the divine economy: God descends first to meet humanity.
He further pointed out that the healing of the Paralytic prefigures the universal restoration of human nature through Christ and is closely connected to the sacrament of Baptism, as a type of the healing waters of the Church. Christ, he said, does not heal only one man, but stands before every soul burdened by corruption, calling each person to rise, to walk in the light, and to partake in deification.
Following the Divine Liturgy, refreshments were offered in the monastery’s reception hall, where Metropolitan Arsenios delivered a spiritual talk to the pilgrims. A festive meal was then hosted by the Abbot, Archimandrite Dionysios, in honor of all present. Archbishop Eugenios of Crete also attended, greeting the pilgrims warmly and imparting his blessing, thus concluding a day marked by prayer, reflection, and spiritual joy.
