Nobody likes to pay taxes. The people of first-century Palestine were no different; however, the Jews of that time had additional reasons to dislike paying taxes, for their money went to support the Romans, pagan foreigners who occupied their land. It was collected by their fellow Jews who had gone over to the other side, who were viewed as traitors because they worked for the enemy. Continue reading
Category Archives: Readings
The Generosity of Grace: Homily on Zacchaeus for the 15th Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church
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THE CHILDREN’S WORD…Seeing Jesus
Do you like learning how to do things for yourself? Maybe you know how to make a little snack when you come home from school, or maybe you can clean your own laundry. You might have heard your parents tell you, “You have to do some things on your own!”
But as a kid, you still have some things you depend on others for – like if you want to learn about our Lord. Right now, you probably hear about Jesus and about His Church from your parents. Or you might be blessed to have church school each Sunday, when you learn even more. When you are older, you will still want to grow closer to God, but how will you do that?
In today’s Gospel reading, we hear about a man named Zacchaeus. He was the one who climbed up into a tree so he could see Jesus. Zacchaeus wanted to know more about Jesus, so he went out of his way to see Him!
In a way, we are like Zacchaeus too. Sometimes people will tell us about God, but sometimes we have to go out of our way to “see” Him, or to learn more about Him! One great way is by reading your Bible. Do you have your own Bible you can read sometimes? Another great way is by coming to church as much as we can. We can go out of our way too, just like Zacchaeus!
Presvytera Alexandra Houck, myocn.net
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On becoming holy – St Philaret of Moscow
∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼
Every Christian should find for himself the imperative and incentive to become holy. If you live without struggle and without hope of becoming holy, then you are Christians only in name and not in essence.
But without holiness, no one shall see the Lord, that is to say they will not attain eternal blessedness. It is a trustworthy saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (I Tim. 1:15). But we deceive ourselves if we think that we are saved while remaining sinners. Christ saves those sinners by giving them the means to become saints.
– St Philaret of Moscow, Sermon of September 23, 1847
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WEEKLY PROGRAM | 15 – 21 JANUARY 2017
SUNDAY 15 JANUARY
† 12th Sunday of Luke | Luke 17: 12-19
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
This week’s readings:
- St Paisios of Mt Athos
- THE CHILDREN’S WORD…Saying ‘Thank you’
- Gratitude, Humility, and Obedience: Homily for the 12th Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church
TUESDAY 17 JANUARY
† St Anthony the Great
• 7.00 Orthros and Divine Liturgy
WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY
† Saints Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria
• 7.00 Orthros and Divine Liturgy
FRIDAY 20 JANUARY
† St Euthimios the Great
• 7.00 Orthros and Divine Liturgy
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Gratitude, Humility, and Obedience: Homily for the 12th Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church
It is so easy for human beings to find a way to keep score, to focus on where we stand in relation to other individuals and groups. We probably do that in order to feel better about ourselves along the lines of “Well, at least I am not as bad as they are.” Continue reading
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THE CHILDREN’S WORD…Saying ‘Thank you’
Thank you…for everything!
When do you say “thank you” to God?
Whenever He helps you with something?
But that’s impossible! He is helping you all the time!
Today, in the Gospel reading, we hear the story of the ten men who had the awful skin disease of leprosy. When Jesus healed these ten men, only one came back to say “thank you”! Only one out of ten! Continue reading
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St Paisios of Mt Athos
∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼
Grumbling is caused by misery and it can be put aside by doxology (giving praise). Grumbling begets grumbling and doxology begets doxology. When someone doesn’t grumble over a problem troubling him, but rather praises God, then the devil gets frustrated and goes off to someone else who grumbles, in order to cause everything to go even worse for him. You see, the more one grumbles, the more one falls into ruin.
St Paisios of Mt Athos
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The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
HOLY EPIPHANY
After Pascha and Pentecost, the Feast of the Theophany (or Epiphany) of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest feast of the Orthodox Church. Here Our Lord Jesus Christ is baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan, this being the first public display of God the Word Incarnate to the world. Continue reading
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Homily on the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour of Christ
On this holy day we call into the present those glorious, awesome and life-saving events that surround the miraculous birth of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is the day on which God has fashioned all things anew. This is the day on which the whole universe is filled with light and all creation with joy. “The expectation of the nations has come” (Matins of the Feast). Continue reading
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WEEKLY PROGRAM | 11 – 17 DECEMBER
(Advent Fast)
SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER
11th Sunday of Luke | Luke 14:16-24
• 7.30 – 11.00am Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am Sunday School for ages ranging 5 to 17 yrs.
Lessons take place in the building behind the church and begin at the time of Holy Communion until Church dismissal. Lessons are taught in a relaxed, friendly environment. Please bring your children along to learn of their rich Orthodox faith and come close to God and His Love.
This week’s readings:
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St Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church 