Holy Week & Feast Days

Father Micah shares with us today the beauty of how understanding the Old Testament can shed light on our understanding of the New Testament. The River Jordan the place of Jesus' Baptism is mentioned throughout the Bible. We are reminded today that as the waters reversed their course when Jesus entered the river, we too must change our minds about sin and heed the message of Saint John the Baptist...

Today in we commemorate Saint Basil the Great, who is one of the most revered Saints in Orthodoxy. He is known for starting hospitals, hospices, monastic communities and wherever he saw a need he made sure it was met. Father Micah reminds us today we also commemorate the Circumcision of Our Lord and His naming. It is in the name of Jesus, Saint Basil and we too can gain power and strength to serve...

Today, as is with most days in Orthodoxy, there is more than one Saint remembered. Father Ernesto shares with us the Saint Wencelas,t who is remembered more for a Christmas carol than for being a saint. The Protomartyr Saint Stephen shares a similar story with Wencelast as Father Ernesto points out in this sermon.

The readings leading up to the Nativity are important in Orthodoxy. Father Ernesto reflects on these readings and their significance. He helps to understand that in Jesus' lineage there were less than perfect people. God accepts us as we are and can take our imperfections shaping us into the people He wants us to be, caring the world and those around us.

On this Christmas Eve Father Paul shares with us a reminder of the true message of Christmas. The Archangel Gabriel reassures Joseph as he is confused about Mary's pregnancy. We too need reassurance because of the enormous worldly commercialism of Christmas.

The Old Testament reading of Jonah in the belly of the fish is referenced by Christ and foreshadows His death and Resurrection. The service of the Royal Hours has many prophetic readings related to the birth of Jesus. Today Father Micah shares with us a key to unlock Holy Scripture, as he expounds on Psalm 131.

The two most significant events in human history happened in caves hidden from the world. Father Micah reminds us that material goods are secondary to that which is hidden in our hearts. The birth of Christ and the light of the Resurrection should find a place in our hearts and grow as a mustard seed in magnificence. Saint Anastasia devoted her life to Christ travelling the world serving others an...

Orthodox missions in North America are not well known. Father Ernesto speaks to us about two North American Saints, Peter the Aleut and Herman of Alaska.

Jesus said He came into the world to serve not to be served. Today in Orthodoxy we commemorate one of the most beloved saints in the church, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, also known as Nicholas of Myra. He lived a life of love and service for our Lord. Saint Nicholas recognized that service is not an option but a prerogative.

Saint John of Damascus was a defender of Holy Icons in Orthodoxy. Father Micah shares with us a moving story about a parishioner from Constantinople who spoke to him about icons. He also gives us this idea to ponder that all of creation can be sanctified of offered back to God.

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Father Ernesto expounds on the Epistle lesson taken from the book of Philemon. He shares with us that Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks as well as forgive those who have wronged us.

Father Micah shares with us the significance of this Feast Day as we prepare ourselves to receive Our Lord in The Nativity.

Today is the feast day of Saint Nektarios. Father Paul shares with us how the saint glorified God during and after his life on earth.

Saint Demetrios, like so many of us, learned what it meant to be a Christian from his parents. Fr. Paul reminds us that to follow Christ comes with a cost. The cost is we must give our lives to Christ totally like Saint Demetrios who did and died a martyrs death. Death did not end his story nor does it end our story.

Today in Orthodoxy the world over we commemorates the Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian, one of three Saints with this title. Saint John wrote five books in the New testament. During the course of his life he is transformed from one of the " Son's of Thunder" to "John the Beloved". In his life we can see how each of us can be transformed into light if we grow in the knowledge of God.

Today the Orthodox faithful worldwide celebrate the Elevation of the Holy Cross. Father Paul shares with us that this feast day commemorates two events. One event is Biblical and the other is historical. The Biblical event narrates for us the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ our Lord. The historical event is the finding of the Cross by Saint Helen and it's elevation by Saint Macarius for all to see.

Today the Orthodox Church world wide is celebrating The Dormition of the Theotokos. The Ecclesiastic year begins and ends with a Feast in honor of the Mother of our Lord. Father Paul shares with us a threefold significance of this Feast. First death is merely a falling asleep. Secondly how important the Theotokos is to Jesus. Thirdly while the Theotokos is the mother of our Redeemer and Savior she...

Today we commemorate the Major Feast of The Transfiguration. Clearly the Apostle's witnessed the Energies of God flowing from Jesus Christ and God reveals He is the God of both the living and the dead with the presence of Moses and Elijah. Father Ernesto shares with us that the presence of Moses and Elijah means that even with a less than perfect past we are forgiven.

Today is the Major Feast Day of Pentecost. We commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in the upper room and in our lives. Father Micah shares with us that Saint Seraphim of Sarov said that the purpose of the Christian life is to acquire the Holy Spirit. Father Micah gives practical advise on how we are to acquire the Holy Spirit and His fruit.

Today is Ascension Thursday. Father Paul shares insights into Jesus' departure into heaven following His Resurrection and appearing to His followers for forty days. Three reasons Jesus ascended include the following. He went to prepare a place for us. He opened the way into the holy of holies as our high priest, sitting down at the right hand of God mediaitng before the Father. Lastly He brings ab...