What are the opening hours?

Monday 10:00 - 14:00 Friday 10:00 - 14:00 Sunday 10:00 - 11:30

Saint Luke Orthodox Cathedral Hong Kong, 704 Universal Trade Centre, 3 Arbuthnot Road, Central & Western District (2026)

15/06/2026

June 16: Saint Tychon the Wonderworker and Bishop of Amathus

Saint Tychon flourished during the reigns of Arcadius (383-408) and Honorius (395-408). Having pious parents who loved Christ, they dedicated him to God and he learned sacred letters. After sufficiently studying Holy Scripture, at first he became a Reader, and in the church he would read the divine words to the people. Then due to the suitableness he had in all things, as well as his pure and blameless life, he was ordained Deacon by the most-holy Bishop Mnemonios of Amathus. After he died, Tychon was elevated to the throne of the diocese, by the great Saint Epiphanios of Cyprus. Thus by the words of his teachings he turned many from the error of idolatry to the faith of Christ. He destroyed many pagan Greek temples, and the idols within he crushed. With such eminent virtuous actions, he departed to the Lord, having worked many miracles while he was alive as well as after death, of which I will narrate one or two of them below, to demonstrate the virtue and holiness of this divine man.

When the Saint was a youth, his father who was a bread-seller would give him some breads to sell to buyers, but he, instead of selling them, would give them away to the poor. When his father learned of this, he became enraged, because from this job he would produce the income for his household. Tychon would say to his father, that he was letting God borrow the breads, and that he had written testimony of what was owed that it was received by God. And Oh the miracle! - immediately the words of the Saint became true and practicable, for the granaries of his father were found to be full of wheat, more than they could fill when the wheat was brought from the plantation. This miracle, although great, has been done by other Saints as well. The All-Good God is not absent from giving wheat to people, and His other good things, so that people would richly distribute alms to the poor.

His biggest miracle, which we only see this Saint glorified by, and has no resemblance with any other, is the following. The Saint planted a vine, which was found to take root, and immediately sprouted leaves, then bloomed, then produced grapes, and these grapes were ripe and sweet. In which other area of Cyprus are ripe grapes produced on the 16th of June, which is the day the commemoration of the Saint is celebrated? None, of course. This strange thing takes place in the following manner. The vine planted by the Saint has unripe grapes when the Divine Liturgy begins on the feast of the Saint, and then the unripe grapes of the vine begin to blacken and ripen. When the Divine Liturgy is completed, then the grapes become ripe, sweet and serviceable to eat.

Apolytikion in the Third Tone
God called thee to the sacred priesthood, as a worthy servant of the Holy Trinity. Thou didst shine with the grace of godliness, and strengthen the Church by many miracles. O Venerable Tychon, pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion in the Third Tone
Thou wast resplendent in asceticism, O beloved of God, and didst receive power from the Holy Spirit, to destroy idolatry, put demons to flight, to save souls and to heal the sick. We honour thee, O blessed Tychon.

15/06/2026

A phrase that has circulated widely as both a religious and secular meme is this: “Love, and do what you will.”

Did you know that this much-suffering phrase, burdened by many interpretations, was spoken by Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, whose feast is celebrated today?

Whenever I come across phrases of this kind, I am always curious to investigate whether the person to whom the phrase is attributed actually said it, whether I can find documentation for it, and whether I can place the phrase within its original context.

I did the same with the phrase “Love, and do what you will.” Indeed, this phrase was spoken by Saint Augustine. In English, you find it as “Love and do what you like,” and in Latin as “Dilige, et quod vis fac.”

This phrase is found in Saint Augustine’s Seventh Homily on the First Epistle of John. It is a blessing that the homily survives in full in Latin and has been translated into English.

(In English, you can read it here: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/170207.htm)

Augustine is not speaking about love in a vague or general sense. He is speaking about the love that springs from God — the love that sees the other person not as a means, but as an image of God; the love that cares, forgives, corrects, and respects. He analyzes the power of this love and gives examples to show how it affects every one of our actions.

One example he mentions is especially striking. He says: one man beats a child. Another man treats him with tenderness and care. If you had to choose between the two at first glance, we would all choose care and tenderness. Augustine, however, notes: what would you choose if you learned that the first man is the father trying to discipline and correct his son, while the second is someone who has abducted a child? Which of these actions comes from sincere love and charity?

He continues: think of a friend who dares to tell a hard truth because he cares. Or a teacher who demands effort from a student because he sees potential in him.

He concludes: even thorns have flowers. Some actions may seem harsh, but their cause is not malice; it is charity. So, “Love and do what you will” means doing whatever you do with love as your base and foundation — and specifically with the love that comes from God, not from passion or ill will.

Read the famous phrase in the context in which Saint Augustine places it:

“Once for all, then, a short precept is given you: Love, and do what you will: whether you hold your peace, through love hold your peace; whether you cry out, through love cry out; whether you correct, through love correct; whether you spare, through love do you spare: let the root of love be within, of this root can nothing spring but what is good.”

14/06/2026

June 15: Our Righteous Father Hieronymus

Saint Jerome of Stridon was born into a Christian family in the city of Stridon located on the border between Dalmatia and Pannonia. His full name is Eusebius Hieronymos Sophronius. His parents sent him to Rome, where he studied the secular sciences. At the beginning of his life in the capital, the youth was captivated by worldly vanities and fell into temptation. At the end of his time in Rome, Jerome resolved to change his life and to live in goodness and purity. When the youth was about 20 years old, he accepted holy Baptism. After this he visited in Gaul (France). Then Saint Jerome decided to dedicate himself totally to God, and to become a monk.

In about the year 372 Saint Jerome returned to his native city, but his parents had already departed this life. On him fell the responsibility of raising his younger sisters and his brother Paulinian. These cares forced him to put aside his plans to enter a monastery, at least for a time.

Having made arrangements for the care of his siblings, he journeyed to the East with several of his friends. In 374, he decided to dwell in the desert of Chalcis southeast of Antioch. There he remained for about 5 years, combining work on the Holy Scriptures with austere ascetic deeds. Besides this, Saint Jerome mastered the Hebrew and Chaldean languages. During this period he began his correspondence with numerous persons upon a variety of questions. About 120 letters, considered as authentically written by Saint Jerome, have been preserved.

At the beginning of the 360s there arose a controversy between the proponents of bishops Meletius, Paulinos and Vitalis. The controversy also reached the monastery where Saint Jerome toiled. In consequence, the disputes caused him to leave the monastery and go to Antioch. Here Bishop Paulinos ordained him to the priesthood. Afterwards, Saint Jerome visited Constantinople and conversed with the holy hierarchs Gregory the Theologian and Gregory of Nyssa. In the year 381 he set off for Rome. At Rome he continued his studies. The holy Pope Damasus I (366-384), who also devoted much of his time to the study of Holy Scripture, made Jerome his secretary.

But because the saint denounced the morals of the contemporary Christian society, a whole party of those bearing malice towards the saint came forward to spread slanders about him. After a three year stay at Rome, Saint Jerome felt compelled to abandon this city for good. Together with his brother Paulinian and friends, Saint Jerome visited the Holy Land, and also the monks of the Nitria wilderness monastery. In the year 386 he settled into a cave at Bethlehem near the cave where Christ was born, and there he began a life of austere asceticism.

This was the period of blossoming of his creative activity. Attending to the studies of his time, Saint Jerome left to the Church a rich written legacy: collections of dogmatic-polemic works, moral-ascetic works, commentaries on Scripture, and historical works. But the most important of his works was a new translation the books of the Old and New Testaments into the Latin language. This Latin translation is called the “Vulgate,” and it passed into general use throughout the Western Church.

Saint Jerome lived through the fall of his beloved city Rome, which was sacked by the Goths in the year 410. In the year 411 a new ordeal beset the saint, Bethlehem was invaded by wild Bedouin Arabs. Only through the mercy of God was the community of the aged ascetic saved from complete destruction. He finished his life at the cave in Bethlehem. Saint Jerome is believed to have reposed in 420. His relics were transferred from Bethlehem to Rome in 642, but their present location is unknown. His hand is enshrined in a church near Rome’s Piazza Farnese.

Apolytikion — Tone 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! O our holy father Jerome, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

***

June 15: Synaxarion of Saint Augustine of Hippo

The divine and sacred Augustine, who was also called Aurelius, was born in Thagaste of Carthage (present Tunisia) in Numidia, and flourished during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great (379-395), as well as during the reigns of Arcadius (383-408) and Honorius (395-408) his sons, until he was an elder of eighty years. Having studied the Greek language, he was more eager to learn Latin. Wherefore he became experienced in philosophy, as well as rhetoric and dialectics, so that people at that time would commonly bring to their lips the following prayer: "Deliver us O God from the dialectics of Augustine," as Gennadios Scholarios testifies in his discourse "On the Procession of the Holy Spirit".

When he became a thirty year old young man, not only was he set aflame with the fiery passions of the flesh, but he also had a son through a concubine named Adeodatus, and he was a Manichean for nine years. He then went to Rome and Milan in order to teach rhetoric there, and having met Saint Ambrose, he was liberated of his errors by his teachings, and baptised by him, together with his son. Having repented of his practices, he richly received from God the gift of contrition, so that it would have been easier to stop the stream of a fountain rather than stop his ever-flowing tears, by which the thrice-blessed one was made worthy to receive divine radiance and illumination, and be adorned with the gift of theology bounteously and plentifully.

He was also ordained Bishop of Hippo in Carthage, and was present at the Synod of Carthage. And let us simply say, that he is a great Teacher and Theologian that has been manifested in the Church of Christ, having left behind many writings, but they are only written in Latin, which truthfully is worthy of much sadness for us, namely the Greeks, to be deprived of such spiritual wealth. Only a few of his writings have been translated into Greek. These are the fifteen Books (namely discourses) on the Trinity divided, which were translated by Maximus Planudes encompassed in one volume, and has been preserved in the Athonite Sacred and Imperial Monastery of Vatopaidi (O that a lover of Christ were found to publish it); and the now published "Kekragarion", which encompasses the Meditations, Soliloquies, the handbook on the vision of Christ, and on the contrition of the heart, which were translated by lord Eugenios. Actually the Soliloquies were first translated by Demetrios Kydones, and were published in the newly-copied compilation of prayers, together with the handbook on the vision of Christ, which was also translated and published. Because, according to Dositheos, the writings of this sacred Augustine were corrupted by heretics, for this reason the Eastern Orthodox do not accept them as they are or happen to be, but only whatever is agreeable with the common opinion of the Catholic Church. Having therefore grown ill, and saddened over the fall of Africa to the A***n Vandals, who set Hippo on fire, and altogether found in prayer, he delivered his spirit in peace to God.

Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Thou didst prove to be a radiant vessel of the Divine Spirit and an expounder of the City of God, O Blessed Augustine; and thou didst minister piously unto the Savior, as a wise and God-inspired Hierarch. O Holy Father, entreat Christ God that He grant us great mercy.

Kontakion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Having acquired the radiance of wisdom, thou didst prove to be a Divine instrument of piety, O Hierarch Augustine, thou favourite of Christ. As an initiate of godly love, raise up on the wings of Divine longing us who cry unto thee: Rejoice, O God-inspired Father.

14/06/2026

Second Sunday of Matthew
Synaxis of the Chinese Martyrs
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Saint Luke Orthodox Cathedral in Hong Kong

13/06/2026

June 14, 2026: Sunday of the Chinese Martyrs

Second Sunday after Pentecost/Second Sunday of Matthew

Synaxarion

On this day, second Sunday of Matthew, we celebrate the Synaxis (gathering) of the Chinese Orthodox Christians who were martyred in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion in the year 1900.

Short History
In the year of our Lord 1900, when the Empress Dowager reigned over the vast country of China and supported the Boxer Rebellion against all foreigners, two-hundred twenty Orthodox Christians in Peking died as martyrs, although a few others lost courage and renounced the truth of the Gospel. Leader of the martyrs was the Priest Metrophanes Tsi-Chung. Many others followed his example and became martyrs with him, by various means, among whom were his wife Tatiana and sons Isaiah and John, Isaiah’s fiancée Maria, also Paul Wang, the teacher Ia Wang, the eight year old boy John, Clement Kui Lin, Matthew Chai Tsuang, his brother Witt, Anna Chui, and many others, whose names are known by the Lord of life who awards the crowns.

Verses
China, too, possesses Christ-bearing Martyrs,
who continually lift their hands in prayer for her.
The good earth of China bore fruit, the God-loving Martyrs.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Apolytikion Mode 3. Seeing how beautiful.
When you renounced your false ancestral errors all, * you came to know that Christ is God and Lord of all. * When you courageously proclaimed that He is the only Savior, * you endured the suffering and the tortures as if you were * bodiless, and you received from His hand the unfading crown. * And now you intercede for all of China * to see the light of knowledge, O Martyr Saints.

Kontakion Mode 4. You who were lifted.
In recent times you imitated the martyrs of former times in your victorious contests, O blessed Saints, for you competed valiantly for Christ. Watering the holy Church of the great land of China with your blood, you have received a crown from Lord’s hand. As you are standing near Him in the heights, commemorate us who honor your martyrdom.

Œkos
Sweet is the death of Martyrs and full of gladness; for the abuse and tortures endured for Christ bring an abundance of honor. Therefore the great multitude of Chinese martyrs has brought spiritual joy to the entire Church today, as she marvels at their courage and steadfastness of mind, and also their indomitable confession of faith, by which they glorified Jesus the giver of the crowns, after being killed in various ways. We who love martyrs dutifully celebrate them and in faith cry out to them: “Athletes of the Lord, worthy of God, as you are standing near Him in the heights, commemorate us who honor your martyrdom.

13/06/2026

Second Sunday of Matthew: Matthew 4:18–23

The passage of Matthew 4:18–23 reveals the mystery of calling, discipleship, and the presence of the Kingdom of God within the world. Christ does not appear merely as a teacher expressing philosophical ideas, but as the Lord who enters into the daily life of human beings and calls them to a new mode of existence. The Sea of Galilee, the place of toil and daily struggle, becomes the setting where the new community of the disciples begins to take shape. This has deep theological meaning: God does not call the human person outside history and the reality of life, but through them and within them.

The first disciples are fishermen. Their occupation is not an incidental detail. Christ takes what they already are and transforms it: “I will make you fishers of men.” He does not abolish their personhood, nor does He despise their former life, but gives it a new purpose. In this way it is revealed that the call of God does not erase the human person; rather, it renews and directs the person toward salvation and the service of others. The disciples are called to become co-workers in the work of Christ, to draw people into the communion of salvation, and to reveal to them the life of the Kingdom of God.

Particular importance is given to the word “immediately.” Both pairs of brothers respond at once. Their obedience is not the result of long negotiation, but the fruit of an inner recognition of the authority and truth of the person of Jesus. Their immediate response shows that when God calls, His word possesses creative power. Just as in the creation of the world God spoke and all things came to be, so here the word of Christ brings forth a new life. Discipleship begins with trust, with a departure from the security of ordinary attachments, and with surrender to the will of God.

Even more striking is the reference that James and John leave behind “the boat and their father.” This phrase does not express contempt for the family, but rather the fact that the call of Christ has an absolute character. Christ becomes the absolute center of life. Discipleship is not an external addition to life, but a radical reorientation of one’s whole existence. The nets, the boat, and even the most natural human bonds are not rejected as evil, but they give way before the supreme call of the Kingdom.

The end of the passage broadens the picture: Jesus is “teaching,” “proclaiming,” and “healing.” Here we see the full form of His messianic work. His teaching enlightens the mind, His proclamation reveals that the Kingdom has drawn near, and His healing restores the whole person, body and soul. Christ does not save in an abstract way, nor only in a moral sense. Salvation is complete; it touches the human being in every dimension of existence. For this reason, the healings are not simply miracles of compassion, but signs that the power of the Kingdom is already at work within history.

Ultimately, this passage is also a call addressed to every believer. Christ continues to pass by the “sea” of our own life and to call us to follow Him. The true response is existential: to leave behind whatever keeps us bound, to trust His word, and to become ourselves witnesses to His love and salvation in the world. Discipleship does not belong only to the first Apostles; it is the very identity of the Church.

12/06/2026

June 13: Saint Triphyllios, Bishop of Leukosia and Disciple of Saint Spyridon

Saint Triphyllios, Bishop of Leukosia (modern Nicosia), was likely born in Cyprus, and he received his education at Berit (Beirut, in Lebanon). He was very intelligent and eloquent. Being a time of persecution against Christians, it was also during this time he became a Christian. In spite of his excellent education, Triphyllios returned to Cyprus and chose as his guide a man neither bookish nor learned, but one of conspicuous holiness and simplicity: Saint Spyridon of Tremithos (Dec. 12).

Eventually Triphyllios was ordained deacon and followed Spyridon, who was Bishop of Tremithos. When Spyridon traveled to Nicaea for the First Ecumenical Synod in 325, Triphyllios accompanied him as his deacon. Triphyllios was charmed by the beautiful palace, the majestic figure of the emperor, and the pomp of palace life. Spyridon said, "Why are you astonished? Does all this make the emperor any more righteous? All of them, emperors and dignitaries alike, will die and stand together with the very poorest before the judgment seat of God. One should seek eternal blessings and heavenly glory."

Upon their return to Cyprus, the people of Leukosia requested that Triphyllios become their bishop, thus becoming the first bishop of Leukosia. There were still many idolaters in his diocese, so his preaching was very simple but filled with powerful conviction. His home was open to all day and night. He received the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the sick and gave them comfort. He served as a shepherd to his flock with much zeal and love, which was something he learned from his teacher and spiritual father, Saint Spyridon.

When Emperor Constantius II (337-361) fell grievously ill in Antioch, and receiving no help from the doctors, he turned to God. In a dream he saw an angel, directing him to a group of hierarchs. Pointing out two of them, the angel said that only through them could he receive healing.

Constantius issued an imperial edict, commanding the local bishops to assemble. Bishop Spyridon also received this order, and went to the emperor with his disciple Bishop Triphyllios. The sick one immediately recognised them as the healers indicated by the angel. He bowed to them and asked them to pray for his health. Saint Spyridon with a prayer touched the head of the emperor, and he became well.

Triphyllios would often visit with Spyridon while they both served as bishops. Once, they passed through an area of vineyards and gardens of special beauty and abundance, named Parimnos. Saint Triphyllios, attracted by the beauty of nature, considered how they might explore this land. Spyridon discerned the thoughts of Triphyllios and said, "Why do you always think about earthly and transitory blessings? Our habitation and riches are in Heaven, for which we ought to strive." Thus did Saint Spyridon lead his disciple toward spiritual perfection, which Saint Triphyllios attained through the prayers of his instructor. Triphyllios had a charitable soul, a heart without malice, right faith and love towards all, and many other virtues.

Once, a Synod of bishops assembled in Sardica (modern Sofia, Bulgaria). The Fathers of the Synod requested that Bishop Triphyllios, known for his erudition and eloquence, address the people. Speaking about the healing of the paralytic by the Lord (Mark 2:11), in place of the word "bed" he used the word "folding-stool" [σκίμποδα]. Impatient with the imprecise rendering of the Gospel text, Saint Spyridon said to Saint Triphyllios, "Are you better than He who said 'bed', that you should be ashamed of His wording?" and abruptly he left the church.

In this way Saint Spyridon gave Saint Triphyllios a lesson in humility, so that he would not become proud of his own eloquence. Saint Triphyllios wisely shepherded his flock. From the inheritance left him by his mother, he built a monastery at Leukosia named Odigitria (or Chrysodigitria) together with a cemetery. Together with this male monastery he also built a convent for women where it is said his mother served as a nun. It was at this convent that nuns traveling to the Holy Land would stop and receive hospitality both upon their going and their leaving. It is believed however that both of these monasteries were destroyed by Arabs centuries later, though some believe the present church named "Phaneromeni" is built over the Odigitria Monastery. The Saint died in old age in about the year 370 and was buried at Odigitria Monastery.

The Russian pilgrim Abbot Daniel saw the relics of Saint Triphyllios in Cyprus at the beginning of the twelfth century. There was a church dedicated to the Saint in Leukosia, but it was destroyed at some point in time.

In the Chronicon of Leontios Machairas, written in the 15th century, it is recorded that when Saracen Arabs were searching for treasure, they opened the tomb of Saint Triphyllios. Instead of treasure they found his body to be intact and fragrant. Filled with rage an Arab pulled out his knife and beheaded the Saint, then suddenly and miraculously blood began to flow. In fear, they took the body of the Saint outside and sought to burn it in a fire. However, because the body still remained intact in the fire, an Arab called out: "In the name of Jesus your Christ, accept to be burned in the fire." The flame then lightly touched the body and hair of the Saint. The chronicler testifies that he was a witness of this miracle which took place on May 3rd when he saw the half-burned relic of the Saint.

When Saint Diomedes, who lived in asceticism near Leukosia in a cave, heard of what happened to the relic of the Saint, he went and took the head of the Saint and brought it back to his cell for safe-keeping. Someone saw him do this, however, and betrayed him to the Arabs. 500 Arabs therefore went to capture him. Realising there was no hope for his escape, he stopped near the gallows, which was located next to today's gates of Famagusta. After saying a few words of prayer, he turned towards the Arabs and spit in their direction. This caused them all to fall down, and their stomachs became bloated, which prevented them from running. The Saint therefore was given enough time to return to his cell. The soldiers followed him, slowly, and when they arrived they begged that he would heal them and take pity. Out of compassion the Saint healed them, and all of them became Christians and were baptised.

To commemorate this event with the relic of Saint Triphyllios, every year it was celebrated in the church of the Saint on May 3rd. At this time the half-burned relic of the Saint was displayed for veneration. On that day the people would also gather and burn various herbs and grasses to remember how the swamp had dried up. Unfortunately, the relic of the Saint nor his church have survived, however the head of the Saint is located today in Kykkos Monastery.

The only church today in Cyprus dedicated to the Saint is the small chapel dedicated to him which is located in the courtyard of the Eleneion Elementary School in Nicosia.

Apolytikion in Tone Four
In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Triphyllios, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Another Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Having zeal of faith, All-Blessed one, you bore ripe fruit, putting to shame the battle line of the enemy, and you slayed Beliar, Triphyllios; Venerable Father, entreat Christ God, to grant us the great mercy.

12/06/2026

The phenomenon of criticism, distrust, and even slander directed against church figures is ancient indeed. Paul, despite his indisputable authority in the history of the Church, was subjected to very severe accusations by Christians of his own time, and was repeatedly compelled to defend himself in his Epistles.

Drawing primarily from his letters, and secondarily from the Acts of the Apostles, we can distinguish certain basic charges that were brought against him.

1. That he was not a genuine Apostle
Perhaps the gravest accusation against Paul was the questioning of his apostolic authority. Since he did not belong to the Twelve and had not followed Christ during His earthly life, some doubted whether he truly possessed apostolic authority. He himself responds in 1 Corinthians 9:1–2: “Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? [...] Even if I am not an apostle to others, yet surely I am to you.” In 2 Corinthians 11–12 he is forced to defend his apostolic ministry at length, comparing himself with the “super-apostles.”

2. That he was bold only from a distance, but weak in person
In 2 Corinthians 10:10 Paul conveys the critical voice of his opponents: “His letters, they say, are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech of no account.” In other words, they regarded him as strict and daring when writing letters, but weak in personal presence and lacking notable rhetorical power.

3. That he was frivolous and inconsistent
In 2 Corinthians 1:17 Paul defends himself for having changed his travel plans: “When I therefore intended this, did I act lightly? Or do I make my plans according to the flesh, so that with me there should be ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’ at the same time?” This passage shows that some accused him of levity, instability, and lack of consistency.

4. That he preached a corrupted or incomplete Gospel
Especially the Judaizing Christians considered that Paul was distorting the Gospel, because he did not require Gentile believers to observe the Mosaic Law. The Epistle to the Galatians is to a great extent an answer to this challenge. In Galatians 1:10 Paul writes: “For am I now persuading men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ,” rejecting the idea that he adapted his preaching in order to gain human approval.

5. That his teaching led to moral laxity
Because he preached salvation through faith and not through works of the Law, some twisted his teaching and presented him as though he were encouraging sin. In Romans 3:8 he writes: “And why not say—as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say—‘Let us do evil that good may come’? Their condemnation is just.” This was a slanderous distortion of his apostolic preaching.

6. That he acted deceitfully or sought financial gain
In 2 Corinthians 12:16–18 Paul responds to insinuations that, although he himself had not been a financial burden to the faithful, he may have exploited them indirectly: “But be that as it may, I did not burden you; yet, being crafty, I caught you by deceit. Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not follow the same steps?” His defense shows that suspicions were circulating that he acted cunningly or used his associates for financial benefit.

7. That he was excessive or out of his mind
In 2 Corinthians 5:13 Paul himself hints that some regarded him as excessive: “For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.” This suggests that his intense zeal and apologetic speech could be misinterpreted as exaggeration or frenzy. A similar picture appears in Acts 26:24, where Festus says to him, “Paul, you are out of your mind.”

8. That he taught apostasy from Moses and the ancestral customs
In Acts 21:21 James reports to Paul what was being said about him in Jerusalem: “They have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.” That is, Paul was accused of leading the Jews of the Diaspora away from the Law and from their ancestral traditions.

9. That he boasted excessively
In 2 Corinthians, especially in chapters 10–12, it becomes clear that some regarded Paul as excessively self-promoting. For this reason, he himself uses expressions such as “I speak as a fool” (2 Cor. 11:21), showing that his “boasting” was not an expression of vanity, but a forced defense against those who were challenging his apostolic mission.

The reactions that the Apostle Paul encountered show that tensions, doubts, and accusations against church figures are not a new phenomenon. Already in the first generation of the Church, a foremost apostle found himself confronted with charges concerning his authority, his character, his teaching, and his motives. This fact does not diminish his apostolic work; on the contrary, it highlights how often the truth of the Gospel advances through trials, misunderstandings, and opposition.

Saint Luke Orthodox Cathedral Hong Kong

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

14/06/2026

14/06/2026

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category