The Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
Posted: June 30, 2019 Filed under: Etcetera, The Eucharist and Living the Eucharist | Tags: Apostolic succession and the Eucharist, Commemoration of the Twelve Apostles, commissioning of the twelve apostles, Jesus authority and ministry is extended to the Apostles, Jesus gives authority to the Apostles to forgive sins, John 20: 21 - 22 and the Apostles authority to forgive sins, Mt 10: 1- 8 and the commissioning of the 12 Apostles, The Apostles' ministry continues in the 21st century Church, the Feeding of the 5000 as a New Testament type of the Eucharist., The Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles Leave a comment
On June 29 of every year the Church celebrates the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The following day is the Synaxis (gathering together) of the twelve Apostles, when all twelve are commemorated. The day’s gospel reading is taken from St. Matthew 10: 1 – 8, and we are informed that Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits (to cast them out), and to heal every disease and illness. We learn of their names: “Simon (who is called Peter), his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James, son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Ischariot, who betrayed him” (10: 2 – 4). Jesus then sent and commissioned them to go to the perishing sheep of the House of Israel. They were to proclaim that “the Kingdom of Heaven has drawn near.” They were to heal diseases, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. As they received freely, so they were to give (10: 6 – 8).
Father Irenaeus Williams 