November 14, 2016 · 7:41 pm

The Good Samaritan and Advent

Luke 10:25-37

I have a warning for you: Christmas is now only forty-four days away. And for most of us that means shopping, planning, travel, decorating, parties, and the busiest and most stressful time of the year. Unfortunately, most of our activities over the next six weeks will have little to do with the true meaning of Christmas: that the Son of God became a human being in order to bring us into the eternal life and joy of His kingdom. So it is a blessing that we have the period of Advent, of the Nativity Fast, to prepare to celebrate this unbelievably good and joyful news. For unless we prepare for Him through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, reconciliation, and repentance, we will not be ready to glorify Him at His birth. Continue reading →

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November 14, 2016 · 7:21 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 6 – 12 NOVEMBER

SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER
† 7th Sunday of Luke | Luke 8: 41-56
• 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.
• 11.00am – 12.00pm After Church each Sunday, join us in our Coffee Room.

This week’s readings:

Continue reading →

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November 5, 2016 · 7:48 pm

Jairus and the Bleeding Woman

 Luke 8:41-56

Sometimes we think that everyone has to approach God in exactly the same way. After all, we are Orthodox Christians. The Divine Liturgy and other services are set; they don’t change and are celebrated in by the Orthodox around the world. Our beliefs were defined through ancient councils. Our spiritual practices have been passed down over the centuries by countless generations. The Holy Spirit has preserved our church in a unity that is unique among Christians. But that unity doesn’t mean complete uniformity in the sense that we all must or should do exactly the same thing. We are all distinct, free persons; and it’s as such that we will find God’s blessing and salvation in our lives. Continue reading →

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November 5, 2016 · 7:45 pm

On Prayer – St Nectarios

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

TRUE PRAYER is undistracted, prolonged, performed with a contrite heart and alert intellect. The vehicle of prayer is everywhere – humility, and prayer is a manifestation of humility. For being conscious of our own weakness, we invoke the power of GOD. PRAYER unites one with GOD, being a divine conversation and spiritual communion with the Being that is most beautiful and highest.

PRAYER IS FORGETTING EARTHLY THINGS, AN ASCENT TO HEAVEN. THROUGH PRAYER WE FLEE TO GOD.

PRAYER is truly a heavenly armour, and it alone can keep safe those who have dedicated themselves to God. Prayer is the common medicine for purifying ourselves from the passions, for hindering sin and curing our faults. Prayer is an inexhaustible treasure, an unruffled harbor, the foundation of serenity, the root and mother of myriads of blessings.

+ St Nectarios
from “Modern Orthodox Saints, St. Nectarios of Aegina”, Dr. Constantine Cavarnos

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November 5, 2016 · 7:36 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 30 OCT – 5 NOV

SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER
† 5th Sunday of Luke | Luke 16: 19-31
• 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.
• 11.00am – 12.00pm After Church each Sunday, join us in our Coffee Room.

This week’s readings:

Continue reading →

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October 29, 2016 · 6:23 pm

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As every of Christ’s parables of the judgement today’s parable has got a very simple aspect and at the same time should be reflected on a deeper level.

The simple aspect is this: you have had on earth all that was good, Lazarus has had nothing; he therefore receives in eternity all the goods which he has lacked on earth and you are deprived of it. But this is not the real and deeper meaning of it.

Who is this rich man? It is a man who not only possessed all that the earth could give him: wealth, a good name, a status among his follow citizens; it is a man who craved for nothing else. All he wanted, all he needed was material wealth, a good standing among men, reverence, admiration, a slavish obedience of those who were under him. Continue reading →

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October 29, 2016 · 6:17 pm

St. John of Kronstadt

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

A man becomes spiritual insofar as he lives a spiritual life. He begins to see God in all things, to see His power and might in every manifestation. Always and everywhere he sees himself abiding in God and dependent on God for all things.

But insofar as a man lives a bodily life, so much he does do bodily things; He doesn’t see God in anything, even in the most wondrous manifestations of His Divine power. In all things he sees body, material, everywhere and always – “God is not before his eyes.” (Ps. 35:2)

St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ, I.5

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October 29, 2016 · 6:08 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 23 – 29 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER
† 6th Sunday of Luke | Luke 8: 26-39
† St James, Brother of the Lord
• 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.
• 11.00am – 12.00pm After Church each Sunday, join us in our Coffee Room.

This week’s readings:

Continue reading →

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October 22, 2016 · 8:32 pm

Orthodox Homily on Demons and Halloween

6th Sunday of Luke

Christ’s last commandments to His Disciples, the Holy Apostles, before His Ascension was “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matt. 28:19-20). The Apostles and their descendants have carried out this holy mission since that time, planting the cross of Christ throughout the world, bringing the truth and new life in Christ to all peoples. It’s also been the teaching of the Church since that time that the Orthodox Faith is sent to transform and transfigure a culture, a people, through baptism. As Orthodox, we do not destroy the cultures we evangelize, we redeem them. We bring the light of Christ to them and expel the evil from them while recognizing their distinct identity within the larger Body of Christ. Continue reading →

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October 22, 2016 · 8:28 pm

Paths to Salvation

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

If you want to attain salvation, learn and keep in your heart all that the holy Church teaches and, receiving heavenly power from the mysteries of the Church, walk the path of Christ’s commandments, under the direction of lawful pastors, and you will undoubtedly attain the Heavenly Kingdom and be saved.

All of this is naturally necessary in the matter of salvation, necessary in its entirety and for all. Whoever rejects or neglects any part of it has no salvation.

+ St. Theophan the Recluse, Five Teachings on the Path to Salvation, 3

Sinners that repent are still saved; both publicans and fornicators cleansed by repentance enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The compassionate God still calls to Himself all that have turned away, and He awaits them and promises them mercy.

The loving Father still receives His prodigal sons come back from a far country and He opens the doors of His house and clothes them in the best robe, and gives them each a ring on their hand and shoes on their feet and commands all the saints to rejoice in them.

+ St. Tikhon of Zadonsk: Journey to Heaven, Part II: The Way of Salvation

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