Bible Study & Discussion
Grateful to God for Our Fellowship and Learning Together for 2023-2024
~ We thank God for His grace and guidance and we are very grateful to all the people who have participated in our classes through the years. People’s response to our sessions have been very positive. This is in keeping with our aim to provide helpful content to benefit people’s lives. May God continue to bless our Bible Study, and pray that He blesses everyone who participates in the lessons in the current term.
We thank God for His blessing through our book studies and discussion of the relevant social issues and events of our days, as well as our learning of our Orthodox Saints and Feast Days.
With the supervision and blessing of Fr. Haridimos, the start date of our Bible Study sessions (for 2024-2025) was Tuesday, October 8, 2024, running every Tuesday until the Christmas break, God willing. We then plan to start again in the New Year until Holy Week, and resume afterward, by God’s grace.
What We Are Studying This Fall!!!
As of October 8, 2024, we are reading the Gospel according to St. Luke.
St. Luke wrote his Gospel in the first century around 62-63 AD in Rome. He wrote under the guidance of the Apostle Paul. Also, Holy Tradition credits St. Luke with painting the first icons of the Virgin Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos – Mother of God. He carefully investigated the facts about the life of Christ, and made generous use of the oral tradition of the Church, and of what the Virgin Mary Herself directly told him while he was with her.
Biblical scholars have described the Gospel of St. Luke as “the loveliest book in the world.” St. Luke was a Greek who wrote his Gospel for all the nations with the purpose of touching their hearts with the Good News of Christ. He speaks especially to the poor and the marginalized of society—including women—with an emphasis on joy, healing, and prayer. In his Gospel, the message of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, and the preaching of the Gospel, are of primary importance!
St. Luke, was a native of Syrian Antioch (an ancient Greek city), a companion of St. Paul, and a physician trained in the Greek medical arts, and the art of painting (iconographer of the Most Holy Theotokos). Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as, “the most literary of the New Testament writers.”
Book Study
As of Tuesday, November 19, we are studying the new book Living in Wonder by Orthodox Christian writer Rod Dreher. Rod Dreher is a bestselling author who brings faithfully insightful observations of our world. He has also written The Benedict Option and Live Not by Lies which we have also studied in our group. Living in Wonder is an exploration of the mystery and meaning of the supernatural world. We will read through the book and see that the universe is not what many of us think it is: it is far more strange, exciting, connected, and adventurous. Please order your copy now -- click here.
Again, we wish to thank all the participants of the 2023-2024 Bible Study & Discussion group lessons. It has been a very encouraging and spiritually enlightening time for all of us, Glory to God. We thank God we are together again for the 2024-2025 year.
Leo Lazaris leads our group and Fr. Haridimos oversees and offers spiritual guidance. We read and discuss the scriptures in an easy-going way, host topical and multimedia presentations, and welcome lessons on the history and tradition of our faith. We also have “movie nights” hosted by our All Saints Classic Cinema Club.
Overall, we enjoy time together and plan social gatherings and potluck parties throughout the year.
YEAREND POTLUCK SUCCESS, WITH OVER 40 ATTENDING
Our yearend potluck dinner on Tuesday, June 18, 7 pm was a blessed success with over 40 people attending. Everyone brought generous portions of delicious food, with plenty of leftovers to share. We thank all of you for your support and encouragement, your incisive questions and insightful comments, your readings, and all your help with our cinema nights - especially the movie popcorn and cotton candy treats.
Here are some pictures below of our potluck dinner, courtesy of Dora Alampi and Lucy Tropiano:
To be included on Webex, please click here or on the Sign up icon:
Our Movie Night, Social Fellowship Event, was a tremendous success on April 23 - Fifty people attended, young and old
The movie featured was THE ROBE, as recommended by Paula back in March (thank you Paula), and everyone enjoyed it and were touched by its drama, message, and music. We thank everyone who came, particularly Dora (assisted by Angie) with her popcorn and cotton candy machines, the youth who participated in the movie by carrying palm branches and waving them during the scene of Palm Sunday in the movie, and all the people who brought drinks and Lenten snacks. The All Saints Classic Cinema Club is grateful to God and all the wonderful people who made this night a blessed event, in preparation for Holy Week!!!
Previous Event News (with similar events coming):
All Saints Classic Cinema Club Movie Night, Christmas Potluck Party
Our Christmas-themed movie night took place on December 12, 2023, featuring the classic movie A Christmas Carol (1951), was a successful time of fellowship — with close to 40 people in attendance. We thank all who came and participated, and those who brought food and drink. We especially thank Dora who brought in and set up her popcorn machine — giving us the tastiest, fresh and hot popcorn!
The audience enjoyed the movie experience together. Even one of our younger participants said: “This was the best movie I ever saw.” The movie focused on the true meaning of Christmas (Christ coming to live in our hearts) and how a person can become more Christlike and leave old bad habits behind.
God redeems, restores, and transforms us. All the good gifts that are in us to begin with, He brings out in us. Then we are ready, as Scrooge was, to become more than we ever were – the people we were meant to be. Scrooge’s redemption feels very real, a rebirth, overflowing with goodwill. This is one of the happiest endings ever portrayed in film!
The deepest and most wonderful of all miracles is the story of transformation. We are enchanted by stories of transformation. Consider the following examples: •The Prodigal Son •St. Mary Magdalene •St. Paul •St. Mary of Egypt •St. Constantine •The Prophet Moses. And in fiction, we have Cinderella rising from the cinders to become a queen; an ugly beast changes into a handsome and charming prince; Pinocchio becomes a real boy; Darth Vader repents and restores balance to the Force.
Why is positive personal transformation the essential part of any great story? Because it is about growth and change for the better. Because transformation is the key to Christianity, and Christianity is the key to the Universe.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
A Prayer of Wholeness and Redemption
“Make me whole, O Lord, and I will become whole! O only wise and merciful Physician, I beseech Thy benevolence: heal the wounds of my soul and enlighten the eyes of my mind that I may understand my place in Thine eternal design! And in as much as my heart and mind have been disfigured, may Thy grace repair them, for it is as true salt.” – St Ephrem The Syrian
Our All Saints Bible Study and Discussion Group typically meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 pm.
Leo Lazaris leads our group and Fr. Haridimos oversees and offers spiritual guidance. We read and discuss the scriptures in an easy-going way, host topical and multimedia presentations, and welcome lessons on the history and tradition of our faith. We also have “movie nights” hosted by our All Saints Classic Cinema Club.
Overall, we enjoy time together and plan social gatherings and potluck parties throughout the year.
Saint Matthew’s Gospel
Before Christ called him to become one of the 12 apostles and an evangelist, Matthew was known by the name Levi, and he was a much-reviled tax collector. Yet Matthew displayed one of the most radically changed lives in the Bible in response Christ’s invitation. He left his old life of wealth and security behind.
Furthermore, Matthew was unique and gifted. He was an accurate record keeper and a keen observer of people. He captured the smallest details. Those qualities served him well when he wrote his Gospel some 30 or so years later.
He was an eyewitness to Christ’s preaching and deeds; suffering, death, and Resurrection; and of His glorious Ascension into Heaven.
While still in Antioch, Syria, Saint Matthew wrote his Gospel with the aim of showing the Jewish Christians that Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ, Who fulfills the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament (chapter 5 verse 17).
The prophecy in Genesis 12:1-3 about God’s blessing being spread to all the nations was fulfilled in Christ—He being the One Who connects all men and women, every tribe, and every nation, into the family of God—for Christ is the bearer of God’s Kingdom to all peoples.
In keeping with Saint Matthew’s aim, his Gospel abounds with references to the Old Testament. It starts with the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham and the story of Christ’s birth from the Virgin in Bethlehem. Next it depicts the baptism of Jesus and the temptations in the wilderness, continuing with the calling of the disciples, and His preaching and marvelous works.
The Gospel of Saint Matthew contains the longest and most detailed record of the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7). Generally, the text of the Gospel of Matthew is the one most consistently used in the Orthodox Church for liturgical worship. For example, though Saints Mark and Luke have versions of the Lord’s prayer, it is Matthew’s version that is the fullest and which we use liturgically. Also, only his Gospel contains the “Great Commission” of our resurrected Lord to His apostles: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (chapter 28 verse 19).
Come join us for an inspiring study!
The All Saints Bible Study & Discussion Group uses THE ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLE by Conciliar Press.
Here are some of the questions and issues we will be covering, examining current affairs and cultural developments and our personal spiritual growth:
What is our cultural identity? Is it our role to promote good values politically or to sidestep the system?
What government is best suited for humankind?—Do religion and politics mix?
When are we tempted to compromise our faith?
How does science relate to faith?
How do we respond to the many challenges we regularly face?
What do we need to do to grow spiritually?
What are the benefits of worship and the sacramental life?
How do we become good stewards of our money? How much should we give?
When and how often should we pray?
Where can we be of service? How can we know our purpose?
How do we gain confidence in our relationships with God and everyone around us?
How should Orthodox Christians respond when culture clashes with Church and Bible teaching?
What should we think of modern films and the entertainment industry, and the thousands of networks and websites begging and competing for our attention and subscription?
Additional (Optional) Resources: ●Orthodox Catechism: Basic Teachings of the Orthodox Faith, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, click here; ●Time and Despondency: Regaining the Present in Faith and Life by Dr. Nicole M. Roccas (Christian Living); ●Improbable Planet by Hugh Ross (Science); ●Live Not By Lies by Rod Dreher (Society).
For more information email us at: biblestudy@allsaintstoronto.ca
Spiritual Talks
On March 21st, 2017 Metamorphosis Orthodox Study Group (English Session) hosted a spiritually enlightening evening discussion.
"A Conversation with Fr. Christodoulos" with guest speaker V. Rev. Fr. Christodoulos Papadeas
Below is a recording of the event:
