St Mark Sermons

Fr. Matthias Shehad unfolds the message in Deuteronomy chapters 27 to 30, where Moses recounts God's laws and forewarns the Israelites of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience before entering the Promised Land. He explains the significance of setting up stones inscribed with the law, symbolizing the people’s call to remember their origin and God’s provision. Fr. Matthias details the...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of Deuteronomy chapters 23-26, exploring God's laws given to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land. He explains the spiritual significance behind physical commandments, such as exclusion from God’s assembly for certain individuals and purity laws related to sin and separation from God. Fr. Matthias discusses social justice teachings, including the...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Deuteronomy chapters 19 to 22, discussing the importance of cities of refuge as places where those who commit unintentional manslaughter can seek protection. He explains how God’s law emphasizes justice based on intention, the role of witnesses in legal matters, and the principle of proportionate punishment. Fr. Matthias also covers the preparation for battle, includin...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of Deuteronomy chapters 16 to 18, focusing on the observance of key Jewish feasts and the promise of a coming prophet. He explains the significance of the Passover, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing their roles in commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel and fostering communal worship in the temple. Fr. Matthias highlights th...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Deuteronomy chapters 12 to 15, focusing on the designated place of worship, proper sacrificial offerings, and the importance of obedience to God's laws. He discusses God's instructions to completely destroy pagan worship sites, emphasizing the distinct way God desires to be worshiped, contrasting with surrounding nations' customs. Fr. Matthias explains the role of the...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Deuteronomy chapters 8 to 11, focusing on God's commandments, Israel's rebellion, and the lessons learned during their 40 years of wilderness wandering. He highlights how God used trials to humble Israel, teaching reliance on Him rather than self. Fr. Matthias explains the significance of obedience, God’s promises of the promised land, and the dangers of pride—both sel...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Deuteronomy chapters 5 to 7, focusing on the Ten Commandments and the blessings tied to obedience. He explains Moses’ role in reminding the Israelites of God’s covenant before entering the Promised Land, emphasizing the importance of knowing and observing God’s laws to maintain faith amid surrounding pagan nations. Fr. Matthias discusses the significance of the Ten Com...

In this Bible study on Deuteronomy chapters 2-4, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the journey of the Israelites during their 40 years in the desert. He explains Moses' recounting of God’s guidance and protection, the allocation of lands to surrounding nations, and the battles fought before entering Canaan. Fr. Matthias highlights the significance of God's commandments, the purpose of the law as protec...

Fr. Matthias Shehad introduces the Book of Deuteronomy, explaining its background, meaning, and connection to the Pentateuch. He outlines the history of the Israelites, from their time in Egypt through the Exodus and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, highlighting key events such as the sending of the 12 spies and God's promise of the Promised Land. Fr. Matthias discusses Moses’ leadership,...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the differences between fasting practices in Protestantism and the Orthodox Church, highlighting fasting’s role as a spiritual discipline and communal act in Orthodoxy. He explains how Protestant churches generally view fasting as a private matter without fixed communal fasts, contrasting this with the Orthodox emphasis on both private and communal fasting tied to chur...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his series on comparative theology by exploring the origins and teachings of the Episcopal Church, also known as the Anglican Church outside the U.S. He outlines its historical connection to the English Reformation, led by King Henry VIII, and how it developed distinctively in America post-Revolutionary War. Fr. Matthias discusses the Episcopal Church’s position as a...

In this talk on comparative theology, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his examination of Protestant beliefs by focusing on Baptist and Methodist doctrines. He explains Baptist views on baptism, emphasizing believer’s baptism by full immersion as a symbolic act rather than a sacrament, and discusses their rejection of predestination along with the doctrine of eternal security, which asserts that true...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores key theological differences between the Orthodox and Protestant faiths, focusing on Communion and the doctrines of monergism and predestination. He explains how many Protestant denominations view Communion as a symbolic act, contrasting with Lutheran beliefs that affirm the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist. Fr. Matthias discusses the biblical f...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the differences between the Orthodox and Protestant churches by examining the five solas central to Protestant theology: Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and glory to God alone. He discusses how Protestantism rejects church tradition, hierarchy, and the veneration of saints, emphasizing a biblical-only approach. Fr. Matthias also explains the Or...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his series on comparative theology by examining key Protestant doctrines in relation to Orthodoxy. He explores the Protestant principle of “faith alone” for salvation, referencing Ephesians and James, and explains how Orthodox Christianity understands faith as always expressed through works. He discusses the differences between Protestant concepts like eternal securit...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his examination of the differences between Orthodox and Protestant theology by focusing on the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation. He explains the meaning of each sola—scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and glory to God alone—and how they arose as reactions to perceived corruption in the Catholic Church. Fr. Matthias discusses the Protestan...

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the origins and key distinctions between Orthodoxy and Protestantism as part of a comparative theology series. He traces the beginning of Protestantism to Martin Luther’s 1517 Reformation, highlighting issues such as the sale of indulgences and simony within the Catholic Church at that time. Fr. Matthias explains Luther’s initial views on priesthood, sacr...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores key theological differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, focusing on major topics such as the papal authority of St. Peter, the doctrine of papal infallibility, and the filioque clause concerning the Holy Spirit’s procession. He discusses Catholic teachings on purgatory, the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, and the concept of development of doctrine, emp...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his series on comparative theology, focusing on key doctrinal differences between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. He explores the Catholic teaching on purgatory, explaining its origins, theological basis, and critiques from an Orthodox perspective. Fr. Matthias discusses the concept of indulgences and their role in Church history, including their connection to the...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his comparative theology series by examining key theological differences between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. He explains the Catholic dogma of papal infallibility, tracing its historical development and contrasting it with the Orthodox view of conciliar authority and the equal standing of all bishops. Fr. Matthias explores the doctrine of the Filioque, detaili...

Fr. Matthias Shehad begins a new series on comparative theology, focusing on key differences and similarities between Orthodox and Catholic Christianity. He explores the shared apostolic foundation and unbroken priestly succession in both traditions, emphasizing common beliefs such as the Trinity and the seven sacraments. Fr. Matthias addresses the Catholic Church’s claim of papal primacy, arguing...

This Great Friday sermon, titled "By His Stripes We Are Healed," draws on Isaiah 53:5 and the account of Christ's scourging under Pilate, describing the historical background of Roman flogging and Paul's references to bearing "the marks of the Lord Jesus" as signs not of shame but of victory. The sermon argues that Christ does not ask us to conceal our brokenness, but transforms our wounds, scars,...

The sermon reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son as a meditation on "home" — physical, emotional, and spiritual. Fr Thomas traces the younger son's journey away from his father, his descent into destitution, and his return in repentance, met by the father's unconditional, joyful embrace before he can even finish his rehearsed apology, contrasted with the elder son, who, though physically pre...

The sermon reflects on Luke 5:1–11, the account of Jesus calling Simon Peter after a night of failed fishing. The central focus is Simon's response to Jesus's instruction to cast his nets again: "Nevertheless at Your word, I will let down the net." Fr Thomas builds the message around that single word, "nevertheless," as a posture of trust that persists despite exhaustion, disappointment, or a sens...

This Coptic New Year, Fr David challenges us to consider that we are known not only by others but by God, explaining that worldly appearances do not define our true spiritual identity.