Holy Trinity + Holy Cross - Sermons

On the second Sunday of Lent in Orthodoxy we commemorate the life and teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas. The Gospel lesson comes to us from Mark 2:1-12. Today Fr. Dcn. Tikhon shares an important message from the Church, which both instructs and inspires. Saint Gregory Palamas taught that through prayer, ascetic struggle and the Church, one can directly and intimately experience and know God. He t...

Today is both the first Sunday of Lent and Youth Sunday here at the Cathedral. On the first Sunday of Lent we commemorate the restoration of icons into the Church following the Iconoclastic heresy. Father Micah shares with the youth and us that when icons are written they begin with darker colors then over time move to lighter ones revealing more clearly the image being depicted. Each of us as Ort...

The day before Great Lent begins in Orthodoxy is known as Forgiveness Sunday. The Gospel reading is taken from Matthew 6:14-21 and it indicates a clear teaching of Jesus; that if we do not forgive men their trespasses neither will ours be forgiven. Father Ernesto shares with us that in our own families we learn service and the ability to see through the eyes of a love that will not quit. Forgiving...

Today in Orthodoxy is known as Judgement or Meatfare Sunday. The Gospel lesson is taken from Matthew 25:31-46 and it speaks to us about Jesus' second coming in Glory to judge the nations by separating them as sheep and goats the former on His right and the latter on His left hand. Father Gregory shares with us that this Gospel lesson should create a sobering scene for us as Orthodox Christians, kn...

Today’s Gospel reading comes to us from Luke 15:11-32 and it narrates for us the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son. The Fathers of the Church say that if no other passage of Scripture survived, it would be enough to be saved because it encapsulates the whole of the human condition and its solution, Jesus Christ. The younger son in the parable suffered like many today with an attitude of entit...

Today in Orthodoxy is commonly known as the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee and a day in which The Triodion begins. Father Deacon Tikhon reflects on this well known Gospel lesson, which is taken from Luke 18:10-14. In this parable two men approach God in prayer, but with different attitudes and therefore results. Father Deacon Tikhon shares with us that when we become aware of our own sinfulne...

Today in Orthodoxy in the 15th Sunday of Luke and the Gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 19:1-10. In this pericope we hear about Zacchaeus, who is a chief tax collector of short stature. Father Gregory shares with us that although Zacchaeus had obstacles to overcome, his life was transformed by his desire to see Jesus. The catalyst for Zacchaeus' transformation from sinner to saved was his reorie...

Today in Orthodoxy in the 15th Sunday of Luke and the Gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 19:1-10. In this pericope we hear about Zacchaeus, who is a chief tax collector of short stature. Father Gregory shares with us that although Zacchaeus had obstacles to overcome, his life was transformed by his desire to see Jesus. The catalyst for Zacchaeus' transformation from sinner to saved was his reorie...

Today is the 12th Sunday of Luke or otherwise known as the Sunday of the ten lepers. The Gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 17:12-19 and it teaches us about the importance of gratitude to the spiritual life. Father Paul shares with us that gratitude is not an option but rather a prerogative mandated by Jesus Himself when He asks the leper who gave thanks for his healing, " Were there not ten clea...

New Year's resolutions are common for most as they reflect on their previous year and look ahead to the coming one. Father Gregory shares with us an insightful and practical message about how each of us as Orthodox Christians can use the sprinkling of the Baptismal waters during the Feast of Theophany to renew our own Baptismal commitment. He expounds on the Epistle reading, which is taken from II...

Today Father Gregory shares with us his thoughts about the Magi who bring gifts to Christ and the star they followed. The Magi were a noble and priestly class of people from Persia who studied the movement of stars. The star they followed was not a normal star but a noetic star that could only be seen with spiritual eyes as God revealed Himself to them in a way they could understand. This star was...

Today we have been Blessed with a pastoral visit from Metropolitan Alexios. He shares with us a message about the Nativity of Christ and all its wonder. Metropolitan Alexios expounds on a hymn taken from the Orthros service on Christmas morning and shows how the hymnographer paints a picture of Christmas for the hearers.

The Gospel lesson comes to us today from Luke 14:16-24 and is always read two Sundays before Christmas. Father Paul shares with us that the Church is the manifestation of the Kingdom of God and that we the faithful are reminded that our goal is to eat bread in God's Kingdom. Many in today's society act as the invited guests in today's Gospel lesson by making excuses and not accepting Our Lord's in...

Today's Gospel reading taken from Luke 13:10-17 is always read close The Nativity of Our Lord on either the Sunday of or before the Conception of the Theotokos. In this pericope Jesus heals a woman infirmed for eighteen years, which causes indignation for the ruler of the synagogue who like many were legalistic in trying to keep the Sabbath. Father Deacon Tikhon shares with us the meaning of the S...

Today is the 14th Sunday of Luke and the Gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 18:35-43. In this pericope Jesus heals a blind man who calls out to Him persistently. Father Micah shares with us that we all suffer from a blindness that only Christ can heal. We are blind to our own sinfulness, others, material possessions and to the beauty of God's gifts. If we call out to Christ with persistence and i...

Today in Orthodoxy is the 13th Sunday of Luke. The Gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 18:18-27 and it narrates for us the story of the rich young ruler. Father Gregory shares with us that the young man is sincere as he kneels before Jesus and inquires how he might receive eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the Commandments and recites for him five that deal with his relationship toward others,...

We live in a world full of self-centered people. I, my, mine are words each of use daily in everyday speech. Today's Gospel reading comes to us from Luke 12:15-21 and in it narrates for us the parable of "The Rich Fool". Father Micah shares with us that all we are and all we have belong to God. God gives to us so that we might take care of these gifts and use them for His Glory. Each of us should...

Today on the 8th Sunday of Luke the Gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 10:25-37 and it narrates for us the well known parable of The Good Samaritan. A good samaritan today brings to mind a person who goes beyond generosity to put themselves out there for someone else. Father Gregory shares with us insight into the parable and what it means to be a neighbor. In this parable the Father's of the Chu...

Father Micah shares with our youth that each of us has talents, time and treasure. Truly everything we have,even life itself is a gift from God. The Orthodox church has enumerable saints and examples for us follow. These men and women did as we should do by giving back to God from that which He first have to them.

Today in Orthodoxy is the 7th Sunday of Luke. The Gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 8:41-56. In this Gospel we hear about Jairus and a woman who had a flow of blood each approached Jesus with a need but in completely different ways. Jairus approached Him from the front and bowed down imploring him for his daughter health, while the woman who had been unable to have contact with anyone for twelve...

The first priority of each Orthodox Christian should be to please God. Father Paul shares with us insight into the life of Saint Gerasimos who was never a prince,king or bishop in the Church. He lived the life of a priest monk with simplicity as he aspired to please God and do His will. The pathway to pleasing God and therefore sainthood is one of faith and love in addition to keeping the commandm...

Saint Seraphim of Sarov said that a person's determination is the deciding factor in whether he or she will hear the Word of God and bear fruit. Today's Gospel reading is the well known parable of The Sower taken from Luke 8:5-15. Father Gregory shares with us that the sower in the parable is Jesus, who scatters seed or His Word generously and indiscriminately. The sower and the seed is always the...

The loss of a loved one can leave us feeling alone. In today's Gospel lesson we hear about a widow who had lost her only son. Jesus comforts this women by telling her " Do not weep". Father Micah shares with us a message of hope and joy as Orthodox Christians because we believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is this very Resurrection we celebrate each Sunday as we gather to worship.

Today is the second sunday of Luke. The Gospel reading comes to us from Luke 6:31-36. Christianity has been watered down and the message of the Gospel had been minimalized. In today's world the thought is that Christian"s should simply be good people. Father Gregory reminds us that as Christians we have been called out of the world to a life of Holiness and we are to emulate God through the Cross.