In the Orthodox Church, Sunday, February 1, 2026, marks the beginning of the Triodion, a period of spiritual preparation for Great Lent. The Gospel reading of the Divine Liturgy comes from the Gospel According to Luke (18:10-14) and concerns the famous parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee. This passage, rich in theological depth, emphasizes the importance of humility and repentance, laying the foundations for the journey toward Pascha.
The parable recounts the story of two men who go up to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee, a religious leader known for observing the Mosaic Law, stands proudly and thanks God that he is not like others—thieves, unjust people, adulterers, or even like the Tax Collector nearby. He lists his virtues: he fasts twice a week and gives a tenth of all his income. In contrast, the Tax Collector, a despised tax collector who collaborated with the Roman occupiers, stands at a distance, does not dare to lift his eyes to heaven, beats his breast, and says: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus concludes: “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
In the Orthodox interpretive tradition, this parable is a hymn to humility as a prerequisite for salvation. The Pharisee represents self-justification through works, a stance that, although it appears virtuous, is deeply egocentric. He does not ask for mercy but praises himself, turning prayer into self-admiration. In contrast, the Tax Collector embodies true repentance: he acknowledges his sinfulness and relies exclusively on divine grace. His justification does not come from his own actions but from humble dependence on God.
This distinction reflects the Orthodox doctrine of synergy: salvation is not solely the work of man (as in Pelagianism) nor solely of God (as in certain Protestant views), but a cooperation. Saint John Chrysostom emphasizes that the Pharisee “lost his virtue because of pride,” while the Tax Collector “received justification because of his humility.” Pride, as the root of all passions, seals the heart hermetically, preventing the entry of divine grace, while humility opens its door wide.
The Church Fathers see in the parable a critique of Pharisaic hypocrisy, but also an invitation to all the faithful. Theophylact of Bulgaria, in his interpretive work, observes that the Pharisee does not truly pray to God but “speaks to himself,” comparing himself to others in order to exalt himself. In contrast, the Tax Collector, with his bodily posture (beating his breast, lowered eyes), physically expresses inner repentance, foreshadowing the Orthodox practice of fasting and prayer.
Saint Gregory Palamas connects the parable with the hesychastic tradition, seeing in the Tax Collector the model of unceasing prayer: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” is a short, heartfelt cry, similar to the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me”). This interpretation underscores that true prayer is not words, but a disposition of the heart.
In the context of the Triodion, this pericope introduces the theme of repentance. The Triodion, as explained by Saint Symeon the New Theologian, is a time of self-examination, where the faithful are called to imitate the Tax Collector, avoiding the pride of the Pharisee. This Sunday precedes the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, reinforcing the message of returning to God through humility.
Today, the parable warns against spiritual arrogance—even in religious circles. In an era where self-promotion dominates, the Orthodox Tradition calls us to humble self-knowledge. As Saint Isaac the Syrian says: “Humility is the door to the Kingdom of Heaven.”
In summary, the passage from Luke 18:10-14 reveals that justification comes not from external actions, but from the humble heart. In the Orthodox Tradition, it serves as a cornerstone for spiritual life, reminding us that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled.”
+ Metropolitan Nektarios of Hong Kong and South East Asia
