The Orthodox Vine

Christ is a mirror that reveals the truth of who we are. Are we one of his disciples or one of his betrayers?

Most of the time we behave like God doesn't see us.  But today's reading from St. John's Epistle tells us that "God knows everything,"  and he wants us to know this as well.  But that's not all.  If we want to truly know him, we have to know ourselves first. 

What are the rules of the spiritual life? Today's daily meditation is on St. Paul's words to Timothy, "An athlete is not crowned unless he competes by the rules. 

Sermon on the Parable of the prodigal son.

How should we stand before God in prayer?

Understanding the sacrament of confession in the Orthodox Church

A sermon on how the desire, humility and hope of Zacchaeus led to his transformation and salvation.

A sermon on the healing of the 10 lepers.

Repentance is a way of life. A life of always growing in holiness through our own ascetics efforts combined with God’s Grace.

A new year brings another chance to grow in holiness through increased spiritual struggle and the grace of God.

The old tale of the king who disguised himself as a beggar reflects in many ways how God emptied himself to become one of us.

A sermon on the parable of the banquet from Luke 14:16-24

A sermon on the epistle to the Ephesians 4:1-7

A teaching sermon about the Orthodox practice of fasting.

Sermon on the gospel reading of the Rich Man who desired eternal life.

A sermon on the Parable of the Rich Man and what King Solomon’s hard-earned wisdom can teach us.

Sermon on the Parable of the Good Samaritan

EPISTLE READING: The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 1:1-3; 7-11 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ at Colossai: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ from the day you heard and understood the grace of God in t...

“Man seeks joy and happiness in heaven. He seeks what is eternal far from everyone and everything. He seeks to find joy in God. God is a mystery. He is silence. He is infinite. He is everything. Everyone possesses this inclination of the soul for heaven. All people seek something heavenly. All beings turn towards Him, albeit unconsciously. Turn your mind towards Him continually. Learn to love pray...

Sermon on the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

On the Gospel reading: "Woe to you Pharisees" A man went into the forest to choose a tree from which to make roof-beams. And he saw two trees, one beside the other. One was smooth and tall, but had rotted away inside, and the other was rough on the outside and ugly, but its core was healthy. The man sighed, and said to himself: “What use is this tree to me if it is rotten inside and useless for be...

Sermon on the raising of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the issue of blood and how in confession we need to tell "Our Father" everything with humility and love as the woman in the gospel reading.  

What else does he mean by “the eye” than simply the mind, which will never become simple unless it contemplates the simple light? The simple light is Christ. He who has his light shining in his mind is said to have the mind of Christ. When your light is this simple, then the whole immaterial body of your soul will be full of light. If the mind is evil, that is, darkened and extinguished, then this...

On the Gospel reading: "Because of their unbelief" “When you read a worldly magazine or newspaper, it is light and agreeable reading, you easily believe in everything in it. But if you take up a religious publication or book to read, especially one relating to church matters, or sometimes when you begin reading prayers? You feel a weight upon your heart, you are tormented by doubt and unbelief, an...

On the Gospel reading: "Forgive us our sins" “When you pray that your sins may be forgiven, strengthen yourself always by faith, and trust in God’s mercy, Who is ever ready to forgive our sins after sincere prayer, and fear lest despair should fall on your heart — that despair which declares itself by deep despondency and forced tears. What are your sins in comparison to God’s mercy, whatever they...