Holy Trinity + Holy Cross - Sermons

Judgment and salvation are the two themes presented in today’s Gospel reading. Father Paul poses the question: What must we do to receive a favorable judgment and attain salvation? As Christians, we believe there is a heaven and a hell, and that God exists. Not only do we believe God exists, but we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. This belief asks that each believer possess a wil...

In Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians he says, “Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” Father Micah speaks of the life of Saint Amphilochios Makris of Patmos, a 20th century saint who embodied the words of Saint Paul in today’s epistle reading. Saint Amphilochios is an example to all as he lived the truth of the Gospel o...

Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that in order to inherit eternal life in the Kingdom of heaven we must keep the commandments out of love for Christ, sacrifice all that we have, and follow Him. As the many saints and martyrs of the Church have demonstrated, this means not only sacrificing our material possessions, but also our will and even our life. The young man in the Gospel reading was not ev...

Steven Christoforou is the Director of Operations and Community Engagement for FOCUS North America, an Orthodox Christian non-profit focused on providing solutions to poverty in communities across America. In today’s sermon, Steven references today’s Gospel and Epistle readings to draw our attention to two questions: What do we owe others?; and what do others owe us?. He notes that in today’s soci...

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 17:14-23, we hear the story of a father seeking healing for his son who suffered from epilepsy. The father first took his son to Jesus' disciples, who were unable to heal the boy. Confused, the disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to heal him. Jesus noted it was due to their lack of faith: “For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard see...

Today we commemorate a Major Feast, the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The Gospel reading from Matthew 17:1-9 narrates when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain and was transfigured before them revealing His Divinity. Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Jesus leading Peter to ask if he should build three booths for them. Father Gregory encourages us to know scripture and re...

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 14:14-22, Jesus feeds a crowd of more than 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Father Micah dives into the element of bread in today’s sermon: bread, being food, reminds us of our dependence on God, the Provider and Creator. Just as the Israelites depended on God to feed them in the desert, we too depend on God for sustenance, for life. Fath...

In today’s Epistle reading, Romans 15:1-7, St. Paul speaks of hope in the Holy Scriptures, at that time being the Old Testament. We also celebrate the Prophet Ezekiel today, July 23rd. Father Gregory connects today’s epistle reading with the prophecy of the “valley of dry bones” from the Prophet Ezekiel, who lived during Old Testament times. The vision presented to Ezekiel is not only one of death...

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 5:14-19, Christ tells his disciples that “You are the light of the world.” Father Micah reminds us in today’s sermon that this light is not of our own, but the light of Christ. How then can we be this light to the world, as we are called? As a mirror reflects the sun, we can reflect the light of Christ by communing with him and doing good works. We then not only...

In today’s Gospel reading, Matt. 8:28-34, 9:1, we hear from St. Matthew the story of Jesus casting out two demons in the country of Gergesenes. This passage is often referred to as the story of “the demons and the swine.” Father Ernesto challenges us to analyze this familiar story in a new way by asking the questions: Why weren’t the two demoniacs thrown out of town by the people?; and why didn’t...

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...