St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church Bible Study

On September 21st, 2025, Fr. Stephen preaches on Christ’s answer to the lawyer: the two great commandments—love of God and love of neighbor. True love is not mere sentiment but communion with God, most fully in the Divine Liturgy, and it overflows into daily life through compassion, forgiveness, humility, and service. Fr. Stephen challenges us to choose one virtue to practice more deeply, so that...

What do you do when the world’s evil crashes into your life? When grief, anger, and confusion threaten to overwhelm you? The world offers empty platitudes or calls for vengeance. But the ancient, unchanging faith of the Orthodox Church offers something radically different: a path to authentic victory. The Leavetaking of the Feast of the Cross unveils the power hidden within the Church's prayers—th...

In this Wednesday study, we reflected on Christ’s Parable of the Sower, where the seed is the Word of God and the soils represent the condition of our hearts. Together we explored how each type of soil—the path, the rocky ground, the thorns, and the good soil—reveals different ways people respond to the Gospel. The discussion challenged us to see not only how this parable applies to the world arou...

In this adult study, Anthony Ally guides us into the mystery of the Cross in the shadow of tragedy. With the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross fresh in our hearts, we wrestle with the deepest questions of the human condition: Why does evil seem to triumph? Where is God in our pain? How do we bring hope to a broken world? Anthony reflects on the recent martyrdom of Charlie Kirk , offering a...

At the close of Liturgy on September 14th, 2025 , Fr. Michael Matsko offered a heartfelt reflection following the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross . He first gave thanks to Fr. Stephen for being a true spiritual father this past week, comforting us in our grief and anxiety after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk . Fr. Michael shared that while some may disagree with Char...

On September 14th, 2025 , we celebrated the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross . The Cross is not a decoration or mere symbol, but the sign of Christ’s victory over death and the banner of all who confess His Name. It calls us to courage, to faith, and to endurance. When the world kills martyrs — even in our own time, as we saw with the murder of Charlie Kirk — we are rem...

In this Bible study we begin our 12-week Orthodox Christian journey through the Parables of Christ with an introduction from Matthew 13:10–17. The disciples asked Jesus why He taught in parables, and His answer reveals that these teachings are not simple moral stories but profound revelations of the Kingdom of God. The parables are hidden from the proud, yet opened to the humble who approach with...

In this class, Anthony Ally shares how he discovered the Orthodox faith and overcame the man-made twists of Scripture that are so common in modern Christianity. He explains how Orthodoxy reveals the true Biblical meaning behind the birth of the greatest of all women, the Holy Theotokos, who represents all of mankind and points us toward transformation in Christ. Anthony contrasts this with the fal...

Preaching on Matthew 21:33–42, Fr. Stephen calls us to hear Christ’s parable of the vineyard as a direct warning to our own community. The Lord entrusted us with His vineyard, not so that we could remain comfortable, but so that we would grow, labor, and bear fruit for the Kingdom. If we neglect this mission, if we do not take seriously the work of evangelism and the salvation of souls, then other...

On August 31st, 2025, Dn. Vassily reflected on Matthew 19:16–26, where Christ challenges the rich young man to let go of earthly possessions and follow Him. We live in a world drowning in materialism, where everything promises fulfillment but leaves only emptiness. Christ warns us that life does not consist in what we possess, but in being “rich toward God.” Dn. Vassily reminded us through the sto...

In this Bible study, Anthony Ally explores John 3:16 in a way that goes beyond the usual courtroom imagery of guilt and pardon. Instead, we discover the Orthodox vision: God’s love is not a legal transaction but a living invitation into union with Him. Christ comes not merely to balance accounts, but to share His life with us and to make all things new.

On August 24th, 2025, Fr. Stephen preached on the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23–35), reminding us that we forgive not out of our own strength, but because we are made in the image of the God who forgives. To withhold forgiveness is to distort that image, but to extend mercy is to become more like Him who is Mercy itself.

In this week’s Bible study, Anthony Ally guided the group through both teaching and open questions. From practical matters such as when and how to make the sign of the Cross, to deeper theological reflections, the conversation wove together clarity and encouragement. Anthony highlighted the connection between the Feast of the Nativity and the Feast of the Dormition—the “bookends” of the Church yea...

On August 17th, 2025, Fr. Michael preached on the reality of spiritual warfare. He reminded the faithful that the Christian life is not neutral ground, but a battleground where our souls are contended for by Christ and opposed by the devil. Fr. Michael emphasized that prayer, fasting, confession, and the Holy Mysteries are not optional extras but the very weapons by which we are equipped to resist...

On August 16th, 2025, at Great Vespers, Fr. Michael offered an introduction to the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Speaking to the many non-Orthodox visitors and returning guests present in our parish, he explained the meaning of Dormition: how the Church honors the falling asleep of the Mother of God, her bodily assumption into heaven, and the hope this gives to all Christians of life in...

In this Bible study led by Mr. Anthony Ally, we dive into a Scripture-based conversation on how the Church responds to false teaching. Using examples from the Bible and the wisdom of the Fathers, we examine how the apostles confronted error and how those same principles apply today. Through engaging discussion and practical insights, we learn how to recognize when God’s truth is being distorted an...

In this Bible study led by Mr. Anthony Ally, we discuss the Dormition of the Theotokos—Mary’s falling asleep in the Lord—and why the Church has always honored this feast. Using Scripture, early Church history, and the witness of the Fathers, we address common misunderstandings, especially from Protestant circles, about Mary’s role in salvation history, her death, and her place in the life of the C...

On August 10th, 2025, Fr. Stephen preached on reflecting on Peter’s cry, “Lord, save me!” as he began to sink in the stormy sea. This moment is more than a rescue—it’s a picture of the Christian life. When our eyes are fixed on Christ, we stand firm; when we look to the wind and waves, fear takes over. Trusting God means turning our attention away from distractions and dangers and back toward the...

In today’s sermon on Matthew 14:14–22, Fr. Stephen spoke about the loneliness that drives people to attach themselves to online trends—whether it’s joining in on viral dogpiles like the recent attacks on Sydney Sweeney, or parroting whatever the algorithm rewards this week. Social media promises connection, but it delivers comparison, outrage, and spiritual exhaustion. Christ, on the other hand, s...

Sunday, July 27, 2025 — Dn. Vassily Kocher offered a heartfelt sermon reflecting on the legacy of our parish, St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church. He reminded us of who St. Mary Magdalene is—a faithful witness to the Resurrection—and how her devotion continues to inspire us. Dn. Vassily shared our parish’s journey from humble gatherings in homes to the building of our Temple in Rincon, GA, a story...

In this wedding homily, Fr. Stephen Osburn reflects on the reality that marriage is not only about carrying the cross, but about remaining on it—through joy and sorrow, peace and struggle. Sometimes, spouses become the very nails that keep each other on the cross, reminding us that love is not always soft, but it is always salvific. True Christian marriage is a path of dying to self, so that both...

Fr. Stephen Osburn preached on July 20, 2025, about the healing of the paralytic in Matthew 9:1–8, focusing on how Christ first forgives the man’s sins before healing his body. The sermon emphasized that going to confession is not about excusing or justifying our sins, but about opening ourselves to Christ’s healing mercy. Like the paralytic, we come before the Lord unable to walk in righteousness...

Many are surprised to learn that Orthodox bishops are always celibate—even though the Bible appears to say a bishop must be “the husband of one wife.” Is this a contradiction? A forgotten tradition? Or something deeper rooted in the ancient Church? Discover the surprising historical and theological reasons behind this enduring practice of the Orthodox Church.

Join Mr. Anthony Ally as we explore Shepherding Like Christ —what it means to lead as Orthodox Christians in both Church and home. Drawing from the lives of the saints, the wisdom of the Fathers, and the Gospel example of the Good Shepherd, we’ll discuss the calling of husbands, parents, and clergy to guide with both strength and tenderness. We’ll also confront one of the most difficult truths: ho...

On July 13th, 2025, Fr. Stephen preached on the Gospel account of the demon-possessed men, whose lives were marked by violence, isolation, and spiritual chaos—until they encountered Christ. Their healing reveals a profound truth: when we gain inner peace through repentance and strive to be true images of Christ, we no longer reflect the madness of the world, but instead radiate His peace. Fr. Step...