There is a story of a high school senior who upon graduating his father takes him to a car dealership to select a gift. They found a car and the father said that he would take care of the rest. Graduation came and the young man’s father said, ‘Congratulations for finishing with honors, I want you to have this.’ And he handed him a Bible. His son was furious! ‘How dare you go back on your word and not give me the car.’ The boy said, as he threw the Bible down and left. The boy went away to college and never had anything to do with his father for the rest of his life. Continue reading
Category Archives: Readings
WEEKLY PROGRAM | 28 MAY – 3 JUNE 2017
SUNDAY 28 MAY
† Fathers of the 1st Council | John 17:1-13
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am Sunday School Classes
This week’s readings:
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Persons in Communion with God and One Another: Homily for the Feast of Pentecost in the Orthodox Church
Acts 2: 1-11, John 7:37-52; 8:12
On today’s great feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming upon the followers of the Risen Jesus, which is the birthday of His Body, the Church. After the Savior’s resurrection, He ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples so that they would not be cut off from the new life that He has brought to the world. The Holy Spirit is, of course, the third Person of the Holy Trinity, fully divine and eternal as are the Father and the Son. By being filled with the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s followers participate personally and communally in the unity, power, and blessing of the very life of God by grace. Continue reading
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On Not Escaping the World, But Being Holy in It: Homily for the Sunday After the Ascension in the Orthodox Church
Acts 20:16-18, 28-36, John 17:1-13
It is so easy to diminish ourselves by serving the false gods of pleasure, power, and pride. It is so tempting to allow our pursuit of these passions to obscure the holy calling that we have as those created in the image and likeness of God. Our Lord’s Ascension into heaven, forty days after His resurrection, makes clear that we find true fulfillment as human beings by participating in His blessed, eternal life. Anything else falls well short. Continue reading
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Elder Porphyrios on Overcoming Depression
∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼
Nowadays people often feel sadness, despair, lethargy, laziness, apathy, and all things satanic. They are downcast, discontent and melancholy. They disregard their families, spend vast sums on psychoanalysts and take anti-depressants. People explain this as ‘insecurity.’ Our religion believes that these states derive from satanic temptation. Continue reading
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Homily for the Feast of the Ascension in the Orthodox Church
Sometimes we are all set our sights too low, expecting too little of ourselves and others. When we do so, we sell ourselves short and do a disservice not only to ourselves but to everyone around us. When we aim low, we can’t expect to achieve high goals. The season of the Ascension is a powerful antidote to such low expectations, for it reveals the great glory and dignity that Jesus Christ has given us. Through His Ascension, we are raised with Him literally to the heights of the heavenly Kingdom. Continue reading
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WEEKLY PROGRAM | 14 – 20 MAY 2017
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤH! CHRIST IS ARISEN!
SUNDAY 14 MAY
† Sunday of the Samaritan Woman | John 4:5-42
† Martyr Isidore
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am Sunday School Classes
This week’s readings:
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Sermon on the Samaritan woman
Metropolitan Anthony Sourozh
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
The Holy Gospel has not given us the name of the Samaritan woman. But the Tradition of the Church remembers, and calls her in Greek – Photini, in Russian – Svetlana, in the Celtic languages – Fiona, in Western languages – Claire. And all these names speak to us of one thing – of light. Continue reading
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On Temptation
∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼
Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says, “You are a saint,” the other, “You won’t be saved.” Both of these thoughts are from the enemy, and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but the Lord is merciful. He loves people very much, and He will forgive my sins.
– St. Silouan the Athonite, Writings, XVII.1
………..
Without temptations, it is not possible to learn the wisdom of the Spirit. It is not possible that Divine love be strengthened in your soul. Before temptations, a man prays to God as a stranger. When temptations are allowed to come by the love of God, and he does not give in to them, then he stands before God as a sincere friend. For in fulfilling the will of God, he has made war on the enemy of God and conquered him.
– St. Isaac the Syrian, Homilies, 5
………..
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WEEKLY PROGRAM | 7 – 13 MAY 2017
SUNDAY 7 MAY
† Sunday of the Paralytic | John 5:1-15
† Appearance of the Sign of the Cross
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am Sunday School Classes
This week’s reading:
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St Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church 