St Mark Sermons

Tune in to Part 3 of "Sowing Seeds" with Fr Abraham teaching us that receiving the Holy Spirit is not passive but a call to be witnesses of Christ emphasizing that evangelism is bringing Christ to others through both speech and action.

Tune in to Part 3 of "Sowing Seeds" with Fr Abraham teaching us that receiving the Holy Spirit is not passive but a call to be witnesses of Christ emphasizing that evangelism is bringing Christ to others through both speech and action.

Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1) was the humble request of Christ's disciples as they watched Jesus pray. They saw the power, intimacy, and consistency of His prayers and longed to learn from Him. In response, Jesus taught them the Lord's Prayer, showing that prayer is not merely reciting words but entering into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Tune in!

The Holy Spirit is always speaking, guiding, and working within us. The question is not whether He is present, but whether our hearts are on "loud" ready to listen and respond or on "Do Not Disturb," distracted by the noise of the world. Tune in!

Tune in to Fr Lazarus' sermon on Christ’s words on the blessing of those who see and hear what many desired to experience, emphasizing that God reveals Himself to the humble, patiently calling people to repentance and transformation. God can turn even the darkest moments into opportunities for salvation and new life!

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the challenge of boredom as a major obstacle to consistent prayer, comparing the human desire for constant newness with God's unchanging nature. He explains why repetition in prayer and liturgy can feel monotonous due to our corrupted, change-seeking nature, while God remains constant and timeless. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of discipline and persistence in...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the obstacles that challenge the practice of prayer, beginning with the impact of sin and its separation from God. He discusses how distractions such as relationships, selfish ambition, busyness, frivolous entertainment, and idols can divert attention away from God’s presence. Fr. Matthias also highlights spiritual blindness—being unaware of one’s own sinfulness—and th...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the concept and content of prayer, focusing on the intercession of the Saints. He clarifies the difference between Christ’s unique mediation for salvation and the intercessory prayers of the Saints, who are righteous and alive before God. Using biblical examples from Abraham, Job, Moses, and others, Fr. Matthias explains how God honors the prayers of His chosen servant...

Fr. Matthias explores the content of prayer in this continuation of the Harvest series on prayer, focusing on five distinct types based on 1 Timothy 2:1. He begins with thanksgiving, emphasizing gratitude to God for who He is rather than simply asking for needs, illustrating how this form of prayer shapes a deeper relationship with God. Fr. Matthias then discusses intercession, praying on behalf o...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the nature of prayer as a personal encounter and continual communion with God, emphasizing that prayer is more than words—it involves the mind, heart, and body. He explains prayer as an elevation of the mind and heart to God, necessary for receiving grace to overcome passions and grow in virtue. Fr. Matthias stresses that prayer is a struggle requiring discipline, not...

This Sunday Sermon reflects on the disciples' request "Lord, teach us to pray," emphasizing that prayer is foremost a relationship with God as our loving Father. Fr David explains the importance of forgiveness and developing a consistent life of prayer.

Fr. Matthias Shehad begins a series exploring the nature of prayer, addressing common questions about what prayer truly is. He explains that prayer is the awareness of God’s presence rather than just vocal or mental communication. Fr. Matthias discusses the challenge of conversing with an invisible God, emphasizing that God speaks through Scripture and that prayer includes both active words and si...

The Holy Spirit for the Children of God

In this fellowship meeting, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his exploration of 1st Maccabees chapters 2 and 3, focusing on the historical context of the Seleucid Empire's oppression of the Jewish people and the rise of the Maccabean revolt. He explains the challenges faced by the Jewish community under King Antiochus IV, the forced Hellenization, and the three distinct responses of the Jews: assimil...

In this fellowship meeting, Fr. Matthias Shehad begins a series on the Book of 1st Maccabees, exploring its historical and biblical context as a deuterocanonical text accepted by the Orthodox Church. He provides an overview of the intertestamental period, detailing the rise and division of Alexander the Great’s Greek Empire into four kingdoms, including the Seleucid Empire that controlled Israel d...

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the complex nature of truth and its evolution from pre-modern, through modern, to postmodern perspectives. He explains how Christianity upholds the existence of absolute truth, contrasting it with postmodern ideas that view truth as relative and based on personal feelings or cultural conditioning. Fr. Matthias examines how modernism emphasizes science and...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the theme of unmet expectations in this sermon, focusing on the ways expectations from God and people often lead to disappointment. Drawing on scriptural examples such as the parable of the prodigal son, the workers in the vineyard, and the responses of the apostles, he emphasizes the importance of aligning our expectations with God’s revealed plan rather than our own...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, highlighting the spiritual lessons about God’s kingdom and mercy. He explains how the landowner hires workers throughout the day, symbolizing how God calls people to Himself at different stages of life. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that salvation is not earned by the amount of work or the time spent, but by a repen...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the dialogue between Christ and His disciples before the crucifixion, focusing on knowing God the Father through Jesus Christ. He explains how relationship with God is prioritized over mere knowledge, highlighting the importance of living faith rather than intellectual understanding alone. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that God values actions over words, eternal perspective...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the function and vision of the church, emphasizing its role in serving three key groups: active members, non-active members, and unbelievers. He discusses how the church nourishes and retains active members through spiritual education and fellowship, while reaching out to non-active members by searching for and healing those who have drifted away. Fr. Matthias highligh...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the authority of Jesus Christ and how it is shared with believers. He examines Christ’s authority over nature, sin, sickness, evil, death, and the mission to convert the world. Drawing from scripture, Fr. Matthias highlights how Jesus models obedience to the Father’s will and grants authority to His followers to forgive sins, heal, resist temptation, and participate in...

In this fellowship meeting, Fr. Matthias Shehad concludes the study of the Book of Tobit, focusing on chapters 13 and 14. He explores Tobit's life during the Assyrian captivity, his blindness, and the journey of his son Tobias accompanied by Archangel Raphael in disguise. Fr. Matthias explains the spiritual symbolism of the story, relating it to the Church’s salvation through Christ as the bridegr...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of the Book of Tobit, focusing on chapters 11 and 12, highlighting key moments such as Tobias’s return home, the healing of Tobit’s blindness through the fish’s gall, and the role of Archangel Raphael. He explores the spiritual symbolism in the narrative, emphasizing faith, obedience, and God’s providence amid trials. Fr. Matthias explains the significance o...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his exploration of the Book of Tobit, focusing on chapters 9 and 10. He examines the journey of Tobias, his marriage to Sarah, and the role of the Archangel Raphael, who guides and protects them throughout. Fr. Matthias discusses the importance of discerning God's voice through wise counsel, addressing common obstacles like pride, rebellion, ignorance, and fear that p...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues the exploration of the Book of Tobit, focusing on chapters 7 and 8. He explains the canonical status of Tobit in Orthodox tradition, its historical context during the Assyrian exile, and the righteous life of Tobit who buries the dead despite risk. The discussion covers Tobias’ journey with the Archangel Raphael, the story of Sarah and her struggle with a demon, and h...