Holy Trinity + Holy Cross - Sermons

Today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 8:5-13, tells the story of Jesus’ miraculous healing of the centurion’s servant. Saint Matthew tells us that Jesus “marveled” at the faith of the centurion. Father Gregory explains that Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s faith for two reasons: the centurion’s humility; and his firm conviction that all things are possible for God. Unlike the Jewish people, to whom t...

In a modern world full of abundance, where we have more luxuries now than ever before, we are riddled with anxiety. Despite our abundance, we struggle with a desire to acquire more. Why? In today’s sermon, Father Micah explains the root of anxiety and how our acquisition of worldly things is merely a method of distraction. In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 6:22-33, Christ reveals the antidote to...

Today, on the 2nd Sunday of Matthew, the Gospel is read from Matthew 4:18-23. Therein four fishermen are called by Jesus to follow Him and become fishers of men. Father Paul speaks to us today about the importance of following Christ. Orthodox Christians are born again of water and Spirit at Baptism. However, this does not make us Christians. Following Christ is not a prerogative but rather a choi...

Today, on the Sunday of All Saints, we commemorate not only our well-known and reverenced saints but the saints not known who are innumerable. This feast follows Pentecost because the purpose and fruit of the Holy Spirit's coming is to make Saints. Saints participate in the Holiness of God, using His gifts to build up the Church. Saints are not individuals whose virtue makes them Holy but are awar...

Today is Holy Pentecost. Father Micah shares in his sermon how often the scriptures refer to the most important day of our lives that should shape us in the here and now, the "last day" in which all sickness will pass away. The connection between the last day and Holy Pentecost is the Holy Spirit who brings this "last day" into the here and now. We can participate in the life of Christ through the...

Today on the Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, the Epistle reading comes from Acts chapter 20, known as Paul's farewell discourse. Father Gregory shares that Paul embodies a true father in the faith. Paul imitates Christ, and we are to imitate both he and Christ. Paul's last instruction is to care for the Church with humble-mindedness, love, and generosity, knowing the Blood o...

Today on the Sunday of the Blind Man and feast day of Sts. Constantine and Helen, Equal to the Apostles, the Epistle comes to us from the Book of Acts. Father Gregory shares why the Church chooses this reading on this feast day. The Epistle recounts the conversion of Saint Paul, a persecutor of the Church before he repented, on the road to Damascus. Saint Constantine, an important figure in both C...

Today on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, the Gospel is read from John 4:4-5-42. Jesus, wearied from His journey, sits at a well when a woman of Samaria, Saint Photini, approaches to draw water. Jesus engages her in conversation, including how and where one ought to worship. Father Micah centers his sermon on worship and how we might do as Jesus says, in spirit and truth. To worship is to fulfil...

Today, on the Sunday of the Paralytic, the Gospel is read from John 5:1-15. Therein, we hear of the healing of a man paralyzed for thirty-eight years. Father Paul shares in his message that the Gospel teaches about Jesus' ability to heal physical and spiritual paralysis. He also speaks about loneliness, one of life's greatest tragedies. The paralytic in the Gospel suffered from three types of lone...

Today, on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, the Gospel comes to us from Mark 15:43-47:16:1-8. It narrates women whose love for Jesus brings them early in the morning to His tomb to anoint His body. They say, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" Father Gregory shares a message about the sacredness and intent of the body that God gives us. Some believe the body is un...

Today is the Sunday after Pascha, also known as Thomas Sunday. The Gospel read comes from John 20:19-31 where Jesus appears to the Apostles eight days after His Resurrection. Father Micah shares thoughts on Saint Thomas after reflecting on a statement made by Pontius Pilate during his interrogation of Jesus, "What is truth?" Truth is a Person who existed with God from the beginning. Truth is Chris...

Today is Palm Sunday in the Orthodox Church. The Gospel comes to us from John 12:1-18. Father Gregory shares a message of hope that love finds expression in action and conquers death. The Gospel takes place in Bethany and Jerusalem. In Bethany, Jesus shares a meal with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, resurrected from death. This meal foreshadows the general resurrection from death, where we will enjoy...

Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent. The Gospel reading comes to us from Mark 10:32-45. Jesus speaks clearly to His apostles, telling them He will be condemned to death, mocked, spit upon, scourged, killed, and after three days, rise. The apostles' reaction to His news is selfishness, thinking only of themselves. Father Micah shares how Our Lord can take our failures and misunderstandings and transf...

Today on the fourth Sunday of Lent, Father Joseph Copeland, who is visiting from Yakima, Washington, offers the homily. Father Joseph is the father-in-law of our own Father Gregory. Father Joseph speaks about The Feast of the Annunciation and its connection to Greek Independence Day instead of today's Gospel reading. The Feast of the Annunciation is the inauguration of an independence day for huma...

Today in the Orthodox Church is the Sunday of The Holy Cross. It marks the mid-point of Lent. The Church places the Cross of Jesus Christ before the faithful for refreshment and encouragement. The Gospel lesson comes from Mark 8:34-38;9:1. Therein, Jesus says, if we wish to come after Him, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow. Father Gregory shares two types of crosses Christians...

Today on the second Sunday of Lent, we commemorate the life of Saint Gregory Palamas. Father Micah shares with our youth and us a sermon on how our bodies participate in our life in Christ. Our bodies participate by bringing offerings for services, kissing icons, praying, and receiving Holy Communion.

Today is the first Sunday in Great Lent, also known as the Sunday of Orthodoxy. We commemorate the restoration of the holy icons and adorn them in the Church. Father Chris Rowe, a guest priest and the assistant development director for the OCMC and gives today's homily. The Gospel read comes from John 1:43-51. Therein we hear Philip tell Nathanael to "Come and see" the one who Moses and the prophe...

Today is Forgiveness Sunday in the Orthodox Church. The Gospel lesson from Matthew 25: 31-46 makes it clear if we forgive others, God forgives us. Conversely, if we do not forgive, He does not forgive us. In most of our lives, this is easier said than done. Father Evan Armatas, who led our Lenten retreat this weekend, shares that we do not know how to love as we should. If we learn to live as God...

Today is known as Judgement Sunday or Meatfare Sunday. The Gospel lesson comes to us from Matthew 25:31-46. Fr. Dcn. Tikhon shares an inspiring but daunting message as we prepare to enter Lent. He chooses four words from the Gospel and expounds on them. The four words are stranger, least, one, and when. This familiar Gospel tells us we can be transformed by love. When we care for the least, we car...

Today on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the Gospel is read from Luke 15:11-32. Therein we hear the well-known, beloved parable of, The Prodigal Son. Father Micah shares insight into the Gospel and its profound effect on the history of the Orthodox Church. A father had two sons. The younger son disregards his father by asking for his inheritance, which he receives and leaves. He joins himself with...

Today in the Orthodox Church is the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee. We are entering into the pre-Lenten period known as the Triodion. Father Gregory shares that this period allows a gradual adjustment into Lent because we struggle to change quickly. Today's message from the Gospel of Luke 15:11-32 is about humility, which is the foundation of all spirituality. The Pharisee's mistake as he pra...

Today in the Orthodox Church is the Sunday of the Canaanite. The Gospel reading from Matthew 15: 21-28 is a story of love and persistence. A Canaanite woman cries out repeatedly for Jesus' mercy on her demon-possessed daughter. Love for her daughter, persistent pleading, and her faith touch our Lord, who heals the child. Father Micah shares with us an inspirational message related to the power of...

Today in the Orthodox Church is the 15th Sunday of St. Luke. The Gospel lesson from Luke 19:1-10 narrates the well-known story of Zacchaios' conversion and salvation. Father Paul shares in his message this Gospel speaks to us about a universal longing for all people, peace, and happiness. Zacchaios' thirst and hunger for righteousness inspired him to seek Christ by running ahead of the crowd and c...

Today is the Sunday after Theophany. Jesus' Baptism reestablishes order by removing the chaos in the world and reorienting life. Fr. Micah shares a message with the youth regarding the importance of Holy Water in our lives. Holy Water Blessed at the feast of Theophany may be used by Orthodox Christians to overcome daily chaos giving us proper direction.

Today in the Orthodox Church, we celebrate the Circumcision of Our Lord and Saint Basil the Great. The Gospel reading comes to us from Luke. It begins with the shepherds praising God, the circumcision, and the naming of Jesus. Next, it skips to a twelve-year-old, seen as an adult Jesus speaking, asking questions, and astonishing those in the temple. Luke tells us that Jesus then increased in wisdo...