Parables of Community

10.19.25 In Praise of Weeping 22.10.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie discusses weeping (both for sorrow and for joy) and the value it brings to our spirits.

10.5.25 On Communion 15.10.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie reflects on recent events in the community and how they draw us into communion with Christ.

9.28.25 Fishing and Following 08.10.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares insights from the community about the disciples' fishing leading to deeper communion when following Christ.

9.21.25 Not Ashamed 01.10.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares a story from the community about love in the place of shame, and relates it to the Gospel reading for the Sunday of the Holy Cross.

Stories from Community Life 16.09.2025 ↓

Brother Luke shares a handful of recent family-related stories from the community.

Two Stories of Generosity 20.08.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares two stories of generosity by community members.

6.29.25 Opportunities After Encountering Christ 16.07.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie reflects on how differently members of the community have responded after experiencing an encounter with Christ.

6.22.25 The Value of Humility 09.07.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares examples from the community as they learn that walking with Christ can only be accomplished through humility.

6.15.25 Leaving Everything to Follow Christ 25.06.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie compares the journey of those who have left everything to follow Christ to the beauty of a wildflower field.

6.1.25 Shoes and the Path of Life 13.06.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares the stories of two community members, and ponders how "the right shoes" can help us to walk the path of life.

5.18.25 Longings for Encounter with Christ 28.05.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares stories that reflect on loneliness and our need for an encounter with Christ.

5.11.25 Illness, Mercy, and Building Community 14.05.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares insights from the community on how God can use times of illness to touch all of us with His mercy.

5.4.25 Myrrhbearers at the Mission 07.05.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares the stories of myrrhbearers Sergei and Timothy who came to the mission this week bearing countenances reflecting the joy of the resurrection.

4.13.25 New Life on Lazarus Saturday 16.04.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares insights into Michael's baptism on Lazarus Saturday.

Selflessness, Forgiveness, and Working Towards Peace 09.04.2025 ↓

Brother Luke and Father Nicholaie share snippets of life at the mission, encouraging us to pray like a child, forgive as the Theotokos learned to do, and work towards peace.

3.30.25 On Faithful Generations, Fasting, and Healing 02.04.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie looks at the role of faithful fasting and prayer in bringing healing.

3.16.25 Embracing Resurrection 26.03.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares experiences that are helping the community to "water the dying plants" in their midst, embracing resurrection instead of neglecting it.

3.2.25 Forgiveness and the Messiness of Life 12.03.2025 ↓

The community explores the beauty of God's forgiveness as it meets us in our messiness.

2.23.25 I Was Hungry 06.03.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie explores the truth that hunger, if met with kindness, heals deep gulfs between us and creatively brings about unity.

2.16.25 Faithfulness with Joy 26.02.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie encourages the community to be faithful to the work that God has prepared for them, specifically acts of mercy, and to do so with joy, unlike the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

2.9.25 The Triodion Prepares our Hearts 19.02.2025 ↓

Padre Roberto and Fr. Nicolaie encourage us to take this Triodion season to prepare our hearts to say YES! to Christ, just as members of the community are doing.

A Church Without a Cross? 12.02.2025 ↓

Father Nicolaie shares stories of the prayers of community members, and reflects on the value of their prayers for the entire community.

1.26.25 Learning Hospitality from the Outcast 05.02.2025 ↓

The community processes Zacchaeus' outcast status, observing how repentance first opened his home to Christ, then turned his heart to the poor; then considers how this relates to their own situations.

1.19.25 Returning to Give Thanks 29.01.2025 ↓

Fr. Nicolaie shares stories of community members who emulate the one leper who returns to give thanks.