Holy Trinity + Holy Cross - Sermons

Today’s Epistle reading from Romans 12 describe a way of life that Fr. Gregory sums up with the Greek word philotimo. This word is translated as “love of honor,” but it has no true equivalent in the English language.This Sunday is the feast day of St. Paisios, who spoke of philotimo and embodied it radiantly, and Fr. Gregory draws from his teachings in today’s sermon. Using the rich meaning of philotimo, Fr. Gregory encourages us to notice a need before it’s announced and meet it quietly, to give more than expected and never mention it again, to offer hospitality that comforts rather than impresses, and to refuse to shame another. This is the free overflow of the grateful heart — philotimo.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, our Lord tells us to, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Fr. Micah poses the question, “What are these good works?” He asserts that the key to this question is found in the passage that follows, when Christ says, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets. I have come not to destroy but to complete.” And later, Christ says that the Law and Prophets can be found in two commandments: love of God and love of neighbor.This work that shines before men is nothing but love. Fr. Micah explores love’s meaning, distilling it to the giving and sacrificing for our family, our friends, and even our enemies — something that Christ makes very clear. Fr. Micah encourages us to learn to thank those who give us difficulty and to glorify God for them, patiently, lovingly, and humbly bearing the difficulties that the other gives us, because this is the way of blessedness.

In this Sunday’s epistle reading, St. Paul gives us one of the most beautiful descriptions of the Christian life: “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”Fr. Gregory emphasizes the verse that follows, though, which says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” He explains that the fruits of the spirit are given that we may be capable of bearing another’s burdens. One by one, he goes through each fruit of the spirit and connects it to how it helps us bear another’s burdens.

In today’s sermon, Fr. Gregory focuses on a specific part of the Epistle reading in Romans 6 in which St. Paul says, “Just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification.” He expounds on the phrase “yield your members,” explaining that “yield” here means “to offer,” and “members” refers to our body. Fr. Gregory continues, explaining that “sanctification” is far deeper than moral self-improvement. It is participation in God’s life and light, his own holiness poured out upon us.Taking these key phrases together, Fr. Gregory explains that St. Paul is encouraging us not to abandon our bodies but to turn every one of our members — our eyes, ears, tongue, hands, and feet — from the service of death to the service of God. He gives examples of how to do this, such as our eyes looking upon the holy icons, our ears hearing the Gospel and the cry of our neighbor, and the tongue blessing God and comforting others. Our members are always being yielded, offered, to something, and Fr. Gregory challenges us to ask ourselves if we are yielding our members to sanctification throughout our days.

In today’s Gospel reading, Christ commands us to not be anxious, and Fr. Micah presents the question, “How are we to not be anxious?” In the beginning of today’s Gospel reading, Fr. Micah asserts, we find the answer. Christ says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness.”This passage reminds us that we have been given the freedom to choose what we focus on, where our attention sits. Fr. Micah encourages us to focus on the good, the beautiful, and the true, because, as St. Nicholas Cabasilas said, “What we reflect on, we will desire; and that desire will lead us to action.”Fr. Micah encourages us to practice giving our attention to the good, beautiful, and true, and he gives us examples of how to do so each day. These habits of attention can help us follow Christ’s command to not be anxious.

In this Sunday’s sermon, Fr. Gregory presents the question, “Is nothing sacred?” Beneath that, he says, lies another question: “Do we have eyes to see what is holy?”To answer these questions, Fr. Gregory focuses on the topics of reverence and the fear of God. Reverence, he explains, is approaching and handling holy things in a holy way. The fear of God is avoiding evil out of love for God and the dread of grieving him. Fr. Gregory points out our prayers for reverence and the fear of God in every Divine Liturgy.In our utilitarian culture, Fr. Gregory explains, most things are seen for how they can serve us. Everything is an object for our use. However, this desanctified view of reality blinds us to seeing what is holy and acting with reverence.Fr. Gregory encourages us to ask for the gift of seeing what is holy and sacred, to approach the holy things with reverence, preparation, repentance, the fear of God, faith, and love.

Today, on the Feast of All Saints, Fr. Micah teaches the children about what it means to be a saint. He points out that “saint” means “holy” — that which is set apart for God. While Christ is the one who is holy, he overflows with holiness and shares it with all creation.Fr. Micah explains that the saints receive the same grace and holiness we’ve all been given, but they have preserved it, not turning away from Christ or putting anything before him. He presents the question “How do we preserve the holiness that’s been given to us?” To answer that question, he points to Panagia and St. John the Baptist, who show us that preserving holiness requires obedience and humility.Finally, Fr. Micah uses a story of a young saint to encourage the children to get to know a saint as a companion.

Fr. Gregory points out several characteristics of the Holy Spirit and the way in which it descended on the church. First, he points out that the Holy Spirit descended on a community, creating a visible, ordered, worshipping, and sacramental body called his church. The Holy Spirit does not scatter us into private spirit lives, but gathers us into the church. The Holy Spirit creates unity without destroying difference. As St. Paul writes, we are one body and individually members. The Holy Spirit places us into communion, but our individual gifts can be used to build up the church.Finally, Fr. Gregory speaks of a current Pentecost happening in our parishes, and he encourages us to receive inquirers, catachumens, and converts with gratitude and responsibility.

On this Sunday, we celebrate the fathers of the church who gathered at the First Ecumenical Council and defended the faith that the Son of God was indeed the Son of Man, not a creature as Arius taught. Fr. Micah explains that the liturgy and worship of the church not only confess this truth but also glorify Christ’s humility. He expounds on this humility, this divine humiliation, that is a fruit of Christ’s humble and unassuming love.Fr. Micah focuses on Christ’s love in the second half of today’s sermon, emphasizing that we sinners must remember and accept it as his children. He draws from the teachings of St. Nicholas Cabasilas, who gave us a simple prayer rule of simply remembering that God lives and that he loves us. Fr. Micah encourages us to, in the midst of our daily lives, remember, “He lives, and he loves me.” While we are not worthy of this love, we can let it transform our lives.

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of the Samaritan woman, St. Photini, who encounters Christ at Jacob’s Well. Fr. Gregory recounts the story and emphasizes a phrase near the end, in which Christ says, “The hour is coming and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.”Fr. Gregory draws from the teachings of St. Symeon to explain what it means to worship in spirit and truth. It is not merely sincerity or correct doctrine, but knowing the Holy Spirit, consciously encountering the Living God. This, Fr. Gregory explains, is illumination, which is offered to all. St. Photini was illumined by her encounter with Christ, and even her name means “the luminous one.”Because this Sunday falls on Mother’s Day, Fr. Gregory also tells us how worshipping in spirit and truth is exemplified by a mother’s love. Motherhood, when lived faithfully, is a form of asceticism, spiritual training, and discipline to grow closer to God. He returns to St. Symeon’s teachings to show that worship in spirit and truth is not just found in the monks of the desert, but wherever the Spirit dwells, wherever a soul has been illumined, wherever Christ has come to dwell.

Today, on the Sunday of the Paralytic, Fr. Micah invites the children to the solea for the homily. He tells them the story of the paralytic, the man who had been paralyzed for 38 years, unable to get up from his bed. He lay by a pool, where an angel would come stir up the water, and the first person into the water would be healed. Christ asks him if he wants to be healed, and he replies that he has no one to put him in the water.This, Fr. Micah says, is the most tragic part of the story: that the man was alone. He had no one. But now, Christ visits him, and he’s no longer alone. Christ tells him to rise up and walk, and he does.We read this during the Paschal season because it shows the true meaning of “Christ is Risen.” Fr. Micah explains that “Christ is Risen” not only references a historic event from 2,000 years ago, but it also means that he lives. And because he lives, we’re never alone. He is always with us, Fr. Micah explains to the children. And when he visits us, he brings his mother, his servants the angels, and his friends the saints.Fr. Micah encourages us to talk with them, look upon icons, and realize we’re never alone. We, in our loneliness, can take up our beds like the paralytic, and not just walk, but dance with joy.

This Sunday, Metropolitan Sevastianos joined us for the ordination of Deacon Haralambos. During his homily, he drew our attention to the Gospel reading, where we hear of the myrrh-bearing women. These women went to the tomb to anoint the dead body of Christ, and instead found an angel who told them he was resurrected.Metropolitan Sevastianos encouraged us to be like these women, doing acts of love and mercy to open the gates of paradise. He emphasized the importance of even simple acts that we can do out of love for God and love for each other.Finally, Metropolitan Sevastianos reminded us of the temporary nature of our struggles, urging us to keep our eyes on the resurrected Christ.

This Sunday, as we celebrate Antipascha, the church gives us the story of Thomas. This story, Fr. Gregory explains, shows us something profound about what it means to touch the risen Lord.In the story, on the evening of the first Pascha, Christ appeared to the apostles in a room, but Thomas was not there. When he heard what had occurred, he said that he would not believe unless he saw and touched Christ himself. On the following Sunday, Christ appeared again, and Thomas was there. The Lord invited him to touch his body, permitting contact with what is most holy. This, Fr. Gregory suggests, is the theological foundation of the diaconate, as the deacon’s ministry is to handle the body of Christ.Fr. Gregory then delves deeper into the qualifications and role of a deacon. He also gives an overview of the ordination service for a deacon, which will be held at Holy Trinity + Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral on April 26 for the ordination of Keith Deason.

As we enter into Holy Week on this Palm Sunday, Fr. Gregory reminds us that the Orthodox faith isn’t something we simply study, but it’s something we enter. Holy Week is not a reenactment of the past, but an entrance into liturgical time. The church gives us not only something to hear, but to live and experience service by service. Fr. Gregory explains the order of Holy Week, which we follow as they unfolded two thousand years ago, because we are entering into a reality that has its own existence in God.Continuing on, Fr. Gregory explains that, as we transition from the 40 days of Lent into Holy Week, we are transitioning from ascetical preparation to participation. He then turns to today’s Gospel reading, which presents us with two scenes that both prepare us to understand Holy Week and enter it rightly.Finally, Fr. Gregory encourages us to come as often as we can to the Holy Week services, not remaining at a distance, but entering in.

In today’s Gospel reading, John and James go to our Lord and ask him to, when he is seated on his throne, place each of them at his right and left. He tells them that he cannot do this, that those places are preserved for others. The other ten apostles are indignant at James and John that they would ask this of Christ. Then, Christ tells the twelve, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”In his sermon, Fr. Micah focuses on Christ’s example of service and sacrificial love. Though we delivered the Lord to the scribes and Pharisees, he delivered us from the dominions and principalities that enslaved all creation. Though we condemned him to death, he condemned us to immortality. Though we mocked and spit upon him, he has honored us with an everlasting honor. Though we scourged and killed him, he has given us life everlasting.Fr. Micah encourages us to remember that just as Christ came to serve, so we too are called to serve. If we wish to ascend, we must descend; if we wish to be great, we must first become small.

This Sunday, the Church places before us St. John Climacus, the author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent, which presents the Christian life as a long ascent from the distorted, fallen world to participation in the very mind of Christ.After recounting the story of St. John Climacus, Fr. Gregory turns his attention to The Ladder of Divine Ascent, containing 30 rungs beginning with repentance and ending in love. Fr. Gregory explains that each step is not merely something we do, but something we become; it is a transformation of the human person. However, sometimes we fall. As St. John Climacus wrote: “Do not be surprised if you fall every day. Do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. Stand up again. Continue the climb after the demons have knocked you off the ladder.”The first steps of the ladder are the steps of struggle: repentance, prayer, and fasting by which the heart is purified. Fr. Gregory connects this struggle to today’s Gospel reading, in which a father brings his son, who is possessed by a demon, to Christ. The father asks Christ, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Christ responds, “If you can? All things are possible for the one who believes.”The question here is not Christ’s ability, but whether the human heart is ready to trust him. The problem is not only faith, but our perception of him. The Father does not yet see clearly who Christ is. Here, Fr. Gregory says, at the very beginning of the ladder, we see what the entire ascent is about: the gradual healing of how we see and understand Christ and therefore how we see and understand everything. The goal of the spiritual life is not simply to behave differently, but to acquire the mind of Christ — to learn to see the world the way Christ sees it. This transformation, Fr. Gregory reminds us, happens in the ordinary struggles of daily life, and especially in relationships.Fr. Gregory encourages us that we are not alone as we climb the ladder. Christ stands at the top, strengthening our every step. Though we stumble and fall, by repentance we may rise again and continue climbing. Every temptation, difficult relationship, act of humility, and moment of forgiveness becomes another rung on the ladder leading us to God. Fr. Gregory encourages us to make the prayer of the father in today’s Gospel reading our own, holding fast to Christ that our hearts may be purified, our minds illumined, and our vision healed. Then, we will discover that the struggles of life are not obstacles to our salvation, but the very ladder by which God raises us to himself.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we hear Christ say, “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” In his sermon, Fr. Micah encourages us to ask ourselves, “Are we ashamed of him?” Many of us would say “no.” However, Fr. Micah also encourages us to also ask ourselves, “Are we ashamed of his words?”We are often selective of what we know and say of his words, avoiding those that we disagree with or find uncomfortable. Fr. Micah challenges us to familiarize ourselves with Christ’s words, not skipping over those that don’t sit well with us, and perhaps more importantly, to live his words.

On this second Sunday of Great Lent, the church places before us the witness of St. Gregory Palamas, who defended the truth that God is not distant or abstract, but present and active. He is not knowable in his essence, which remains beyond comprehension, but in his living and uncreated grace. Through prayer, repentance, and the life of the church, humans may participate in the living presence of God. God became Man so that man might truly participate in God — not in his essence, but in his life.Fr. Gregory connects the teachings of St. Gregory Palamas to today’s Gospel reading, in which Christ heals a paralyzed man. In this account, we see a revelation of divine energy at work, what it looks like when the uncreated energy of God touches a human life. When the paralytic is brought before Christ, He first heals the deeper paralysis, saying, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Before healing the body, Christ heals the soul. To reveal his authority to the scribes, he says, “Arise, take up your bed and go to your house.” The same divine light that shone from Christ at the transfiguration now restores this paralyzed, broken man.Fr. Gregory reminds us that Pascha is not merely a date on the calendar, but illumination and participation in the uncreated light of the resurrection that makes all things new. He encourages us to continue the fast not as though we’re earning something, but as those being carried to Christ, those laying our paralysis before him, those receiving forgiveness of our sins, those receiving healing, and those rising when Christ says, “Arise, take up your bed and walk.”

On this Sunday of Orthodoxy, visiting priest Fr. Christopher Rowe, Development Director at the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, delivers a homily on the church’s mission of restoration. He explains that today’s Gospel reading reveals something simple and profound about the Christian life. When Christ calls Philip, Philip goes to find Nathaniel and says, “Come and see.” In this story, we see that Philip is not called only for himself, but also that through him, someone else may encounter Christ. To be apostolic does not only mean preserving the faith, but also living as those who are sent.Fr. Chris connects this to today’s commemoration of the restoration of the holy icons. He explains that we are living icons — created in the image and likeness of God — but that image has been darkened by sin. Salvation restores and renews that image, making it radiant again. This is mission — the work of restoration. When missionaries are sent, icons are restored. As we celebrate the restoration of the holy icons, Fr. Chris encourages us to understand that we ourselves can become radiant icons through whom others encounter the Lord.

On this Sunday, as we stand at the threshold of Lent, Christ tells us, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Fr. Gregory emphasizes this passage in today’s sermon.Fr. Gregory explains that forgiveness isn’t optional; if we desire mercy, we must be merciful. However, we resist forgiving because it requires humility. This humility is remembering that everything we have is mercy, and we stand before God as debtors. As long as one is certain of his own righteousness and sits in judgment over another, he cannot forgive. However, the one who truly sees his own sins loses the desire to condemn anyone else; and here, we find humility and freedom, with a heart that can forgive. Fr. Gregory also highlights Luke 6, in which Christ says, “Give, and it will be given to you, for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”Fr. Gregory continues, explaining that the church surrounds this entire Lenten season with mercy, and we begin by forgiving one another. Throughout Lent, fasting and forgiveness work together — the fast trains the body while forgiveness trains the heart. This prepares us for communion with Christ and with one another. Fr. Gregory encourages us to remember the mercy that sustains our lives, to bow our hearts low, and forgive abundantly, entering this Great Lent in mercy and repentance that we may arrive at Pascha in true communion with Christ and one another.

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear a call to almsgiving and acts of charity. But we also hear, Fr. Micah says, a call to encounter Christ. He explains that we encounter Christ in our hunger and thirst, in our being a stranger and imprisoned, in our sickness and suffering. Christ experienced suffering, and he is there with us in ours.

 On this Sunday, we read the parable of the prodigal son, a story which prepares us for Lent by showing us the nature of repentance. Fr. Gregory explains that Lent is not a season of self-condemnation, a project of moral improvement, or a spiritual competition; rather, it is a journey home to our father’s house, where we are embraced with feasting and joy like the prodigal son.

Today is the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, and Fr. Micah opens his homily with a quote from St. Peter of Damascus: “But if repentance is too much for you, and you sin out of habit, even when you do not want to, show humility like the publican. This is enough to ensure your salvation. For he who sins without repenting, yet does not despair, must of necessity regard himself as the lowest of creatures and will not dare to judge or correct anyone.”Fr. Micah expounds on this quote in his homily, emphasizing that we are not to judge one another. We are to recognize God’s grace and respond with humility and gratitude. However, like the publican, we are not to despair, because Christ, the Panagia, and the saints love us with such a great love.

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of Zacchaeus, whose desire for God led to transformation. Fr. Gregory explains that every movement of the soul begins with desire. Desire then becomes vision, vision becomes communion, and communion becomes transformation. We see this in Zacchaeus’ story, and also in the story of St. Gregory the Theologian, whom we celebrate today.Fr. Gregory draws parallels between these two men, who followed the same path of holy desire. Like Zacchaeus, St. Gregory sought to see Christ, to receive him in humility, and to offer his whole life in return.This is also the story of every soul that seeks Christ, Fr. Gregory explains. First, we see him from afar, stirred by longing. Then, we receive him with joy, opening the door of our hearts. Finally, we give ourselves in love, allowing his grace to shape every part of our lives. This is the pilgrimage of the human heart: from curiosity to communion and from desire to transformation.

In this Sunday’s Epistle reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, we hear the words, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that acknowledges his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”Fr. Micah, in his sermon, carefully goes through each sentence of the passage. He explains that, in this reading, St. Paul distills down to a few lines what each of us is called to do, how we’re to live our lives, and what we are to become.

 In today’s Gospel reading, Christ begins his public ministry, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Fr. Gregory explains that repentance is a complete reorientation of the heart, mind, and will toward God. In Greek, the word “repentance” means to change one’s mind or to turn one’s whole being around. True repentance is not an emotion or passing sense of guilt, but rather it is a turning away from sin and toward Christ.Fr. Gregory continues, explaining that repentance is the transformation of all things into thanksgiving, of life into worship. The church, in her wisdom, gives us practical disciplines by which we may live out our repentance, such as getting a spiritual father, going to confession, keeping a prayer rule, reading the Scriptures daily, and helping the poor. Fr. Gregory encourages us to follow these disciplines that we may live in repentance and that our lives may reflect the beauty and order of the Divine Liturgy.

This Sunday is the Sunday before Epiphany. Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Christ, when the revelation of God was made manifest and the triune God revealed. In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 1, we hear of John the Baptist, who tells us how we must prepare to be saved.Fr. Paul, in his sermon, echoes the teachings of John the Baptist, emphasizing our need for baptism, repentance, and faith in Jesus, who releases us from our sin. Through these things, we may find true happiness and peace, both in this life and in the life to come.

In today’s sermon, Fr. Micah speaks of the first Christmas carol to ever be written, the final line of which references King Herod’s order to slaughter the male infants. Why, during this joyous time, was so much emphasis placed on death? Fr. Micah explains that this is because the purpose of our Lord’s coming was to destroy death by his death.Fr. Micah emphasizes that Christ is the Light of the Father, who shines upon both the good and the evil. The first step to seeing and rejoicing in this light, Fr. Micah says, is to admit that we’re in darkness, and we are sinners. Second, we must receive the mysteries, the windows by which the light of the age to come shines into the world.

On this Sunday before Nativity, Fr. Gregory explains that the Church asks us to look back and remember the long journey that brought us to the threshold of Christmas. Today’s readings from Hebrews and Matthew trace the story of God’s promise — the promise of salvation, the promise of a redeemer, the promise that God himself would come to dwell among his people and make all things new. In today’s readings, the church sets this promise before us in three movements: the promise awaited, God’s pledge to redeem humanity embraced in faith by the patriarchs; the promise fulfilled, the birth of the redeemer and Word made flesh; and the promise received, the faith and obedience that welcomes Christ into our lives. Fr. Gregory encourages us to consider these three movements as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.This, Fr. Gregory says, is the Gospel. God has not forgotten his people. What he promised, he has done. Abraham looked for a city with foundations, and now, that city is among us. Its cornerstone is laid in a manger, and its builder and maker is God. Yet, the journey of faith continues. Like Abraham, we walk in hope toward the fullness of that city. Like Joseph, we are still called to trust in the midst of mystery. Like the magi, we still travel toward the light that shines in the darkness. The promise that once drew shepherds to Bethlehem now draws us to the altar of Christ, where the Word made flesh becomes our food and life. Let us, Fr. Gregory says, come with faith, gratitude, and joy, for the Lord has kept his word. The redeemer has come. The promise has been fulfilled, and it abides among us still.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, our Lord tells a parable of a man who has a banquet, and it’s implied that the man is the Lord himself. We hear of those who are invited to the banquet, but they choose not to go and make excuses.Fr. Micah challenges us to reflect on how we, too, make excuses to avoid our Lord. He encourages us to stop making these excuses, but rather to be humble and honest.Continuing in the Gospel reading, we hear of how the poor, maimed, blind, and lame are invited to the banquet. If we are poor of virtue, maimed by sin, blind and unable to see what to do with our lives, we are still invited to the banquet.Finally, Fr. Micah reminds us that this Sunday is the Sunday of the Forefathers, when we remember the righteous of the Old Testament. He encourages us to read the stories of Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel, Elijah, and so many more, that we may reflect on the abounding love of God.

In this Sunday’s Epistle reading from Ephesians 5, St. Paul says, “Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” In the Gospel reading from Luke 13, Christ heals a woman who was unable to stand upright for 18 years. In his sermon, Fr. Gregory shows how these two passages illumine one another and offers reflections on the fruits of light: goodness, righteousness, and truth.

This Sunday, visiting priest Fr. Alex Limberatos posed the question, “What does it take to lead others to Christ?” To answer this question, he points to St. Andrew, whom we celebrate this Sunday. He explains that St. Andrew, as well as his first teacher, St. John, exhibit great strength in hardship. Through many trials, St. Andrew depended on God and led many to Christ through his example. Even while he was being crucified, he preached the Gospel.Fr. Alex encourages us that, in the hardships of life, we can follow St. Andrew’s example. We can depend on God to strengthen us, to give us guidance. In this, he is given the glory and others are led to follow him.

Fr. Micah begins today’s sermon by explaining the ancient Greek concept of kleos — fame, glory, or reputation — found in texts such as the Iliad and the Odyssey. Kleos was understood to be what humans truly desired, needed, and pursued. In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we find a man who is wealthy and continues to build his wealth, pursuing glory and wealth.In these accounts, we see what also drives so many of us today: fame, popularity, reputation, and possessions. Yet, Fr. Micah emphasizes, none of this can be taken with us. He quotes the hymn of St. John of Damascus, which begins, “Vanity are all the works and quests of man, and they have no being after death has come.”Fr. Micah encourages us, in contrast to the pursuit of wealth and glory, to empty ourselves that our hearts may be filled with gladness. He explains that this self-emptying is love — an active, tangible love that requires us to give. Fr. Micah concludes with the story of Abba Sisoes the Great, who exemplifies this self-emptying love.

In this Sunday’s Epistle reading from Romans, St. Paul addresses the topic of Israel. In his sermon, Fr. Gregory poses the question “Who is Israel?,” emphasizing its importance in shaping our understanding of God's plan for our salvation.Fr. Gregory addresses dispensationalism and Christian Zionism, explaining that these ideas are foreign to the Orthodox Church, which has always confessed that there is one covenant and one plan of salvation fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As St. Paul writes, “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek.” There is one olive tree, the Church, grafted together from both Jews and Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ.Fr. Gregory explains that, through Christ, the promises given to Abraham reach their fulfillment. The Church is not an intruder into Israel’s story, but its flowering. It is the realization of Israel being the people who live in covenant communion with God — not by the flesh but by the spirit and faith. When we receive the Eucharist, we receive not a new covenant that replaces the old, but the one covenant fulfilled. In this, every border and every distinction falls away, and we become what Israel was always called to be — a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a people set apart for God.Fr. Gregory concludes by explaining that we pray for all people, including the Jewish people, the land of Israel, the Arab nations, and all who dwell in the Holy Land, but our allegiance belongs to the Lord, whose kingdom has no borders and no end.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we encounter two people who find themselves in hopeless situations: a man whose daughter is dying and a woman who has been sick for 12 years. Because of their faith and trust in the Lord, they went from hopelessness to joy, as the man’s daughter was raised and the woman’s sickness cured by the Lord.We too sometimes find ourselves in hopeless situations. But Christ gives us hope, the hope of the resurrection. Fr. Micah encourages us to have true faithfulness and active trust — not just belief —that we may experience the hope and joy of the resurrection, which imbues every moment of our lives with meaning.

This Sunday is our parish's Stewardship Sunday, and in his homily, Fr. Gregory addresses almsgiving as one of the three pillars of our spiritual life alongside prayer and fasting. He focuses on two ideas: first, how the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in today’s Gospel reading exposes what happens when we neglect these pillars, especially almsgiving, and second, how we can make a simple, practical plan for our own stewardship.To reinforce the importance of almsgiving, Fr. Gregory presents the analogy of the church as a spiritual gym in which we exercise our three major muscle groups of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The spiritual gym gives us everything we need to become fit for the Kingdom of God, but we must be disciplined in our training.

On October 26 each year, we celebrate St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-Gusher. Fr. Gregory begins today’s sermon by introducing St. Demetrios, who was born to pious Christian parents in 280 AD. At the time, Diocletian was ruler, and many Christians were martyred for their faith. St. Demetrios was martyred at 26 years old in 306, just before St. Constantine legalized Christianity in 313.Fr. Gregory goes on to describe the church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki, the saint’s birthplace, and the importance of his feast day. He is such a great saint, Fr. Gregory explains, that the church assigns a special reading for him. He shows why today’s Epistle, 2 Timothy 2, is fitting. St. Paul emphasizes three things: being strong in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, handing on the faith to faithful men who are also able to teach others, and enduring hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. These words perfectly describe the life of St. Demetrios — his courage, his teaching, his endurance, and his triumph.St. Demetrios is a teacher who enlightened his city with the truth of Christ, a soldier who endured hardship and won the crown of martyrdom, and a myrrh-gusher through whom God shows that his grace fills even mortal flesh with divine life. In him, the words of St. Paul to Timothy are fulfilled. He was strong in the grace of Christ, he taught the faith to others, he endured hardship as a good soldier, and he pleased the one who enlisted him. Even now, his relics stream myrrh, his name brings hope, and his intercession heals the faithful. Fr. Gregory encourages us to imitate St. Demetrios’ faith, handing on the Gospel with courage, enduring hardship with patience, and letting our hearts remain fragrant with prayer and freed from worldly entanglement.

In today’s Gospel reading, Christ raises a widow’s son from the dead. Fr. Micah explains that this passage has three powerful insights into the divine reality, which also gives us insights into our own human reality and communion.First, the passage teaches us that Christ is God. He does not call upon his Father to raise the man from death, but simply says, “Young man I say to you, arise.” And if Christ is God, this means that He has revealed himself to us and spoken to us. In response, we are to bless and praise and worship him. Second, it gives us the insight that God is love. It is his love that raises the widow’s son, and his love will raise us up on the last day. The same compassion that he had on the widow he has for us. Third, this Gospel reading teaches us that life is not merely biology, but it is communion. When Christ raised the man, he gave him to his widowed mother. This is a common theme throughout the accounts of raisings — immediately following the raising, communion is restored.Fr. Micah emphasizes that life is communion and love, and he quotes Elder Vasilios of Mt. Athos, who said, “Man’s vocation in life is one. It is an exodus from the narrow prison of self-love into the promised land of my God and my neighbor — to live not for the self but for the other.” He connects this idea to today’s Epistle reading, in which St. Paul writes that he knows a man who was caught up into Paradise. Paradise, Fr. Micah explains, is an image of man’s right relationship with God, with each other, and with creation. This relates to how many church fathers speak of the Fall. Instead of placing the emphasis on the disobedience, they emphasize that our Lord searched for Adam and Even that he might lead them to Paradise. The true fall is when Adam says, “It is the woman that you gave me,” thereby breaking communion both with neighbor and God — a communion that’s restored when we love God with all our heart, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. This communion of love is what we must seek, the communion that gives our lives eternal meaning.

On this Sunday, the Church celebrates the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, who gathered in Nicaea in 787 to defend the veneration of the holy icons. In his sermon, Fr. Gregory discusses three main topics: seeing rightly, loving rightly, and being transfigured by the one whose image we bear.First, he shows how the holy icons teach us about the restoration of right vision. Through Christ, our eyes are healed to see creation as it truly is — a world filled with divine meaning, a veil that reveals God’s glory rather than conceals it. Second, he explains how the holy icons call us to move from objectification to communion, to resist the iconoclasm of our age that sees others as objects. Instead, we can recognize in every human person the living image or icon of God. Third, Fr. Gregory discusses how we are invited to become living icons to allow the grace of Christ to renew the image of God within us so that we ourselves may reflect his light into the world.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, our Lord tells us “As you wish men to do by you, so do to them.” Fr. Micah emphasizes the importance of this command and how transformative it can be when we follow it.Christ goes on to say, “If you love those who love you, what thanks do you have? For even the sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you have? For even the sinners do the same.” It’s natural for us to love those who love us, but the Gospel takes it much further, teaching us to love the person who irritates us, to do good to them. Fr. Micah encourages us to put this into action, to write a list of the people who irritate us the most, and to do something good for them or speak a kind word to them.Fr. Micah concludes by recounting the life of St. John the Russian, who shows us what it means to follow Christ’s words in today’s Gospel.

Fr. Gregory begins today’s sermon by recounting a story from the French Revolution. In 1793, the revolutionaries stormed the Cathedral of Notre Dame and created a mock ritual in which they consecrated and deified human reason on the altar. This was the religious conclusion of the Enlightenment, and human logic was enthroned above faith. Though centuries have passed since then, we still live in the shadow of this moment.However, today’s Gospel reading, Fr. Gregory explains, shows how we can transfigure human reason by submitting to Christ’s word. After speaking to the crowds from Peter’s boat, Christ asks Peter to let down his nets for a catch. Given the context, this seemed nonsensical. Peter voices this, but adds the words that show his faith and heart of discipleship: “Nevertheless, at your word, I will let down the net.” At once, the nets are filled to breaking.Fr. Gregory explains that human reason is a gift from God, but it cannot comprehend God. Faith is not irrational, but suprarational — higher than human reason and transfiguring it. Salvation isn’t found in human reasoning, but in trusting and obeying Christ’s word. Fr. Gregory encourages us to enthrone Christ in our hearts — above our pride, fear, and limited human logic — and obey his words.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Christ says, “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Fr. Micah believes that these words can be distilled into one word, the central theme of today’s homily: patience.He gives examples of how we practice patience in our everyday lives — from fishing and farming to marriage and parenting. However, when we follow Christ, we must not only practice this self-denial for individual gain and for our friends and family, but also for the stranger. We must be patient with those whom we find difficult, listen to those with whom we disagree, and deny ourselves today for a future we may never see. When we endure, wait, and persevere, St. Paul says that what remains is faith, hope, and love. What will remain if we deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him will be faith in him, hope in him, and his love.

On this Sunday, we celebrate one of the twelve great feasts of the Church, the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. Fr. Gregory begins his sermon by recounting the history of this feast, which began in the year 629.He then focuses on the healing power of the Cross, on bringing our wounds and our sufferings to Christ. He encourages us to, instead of denying our pain, to offer it to God, who can transform it and heal us.

 In this Sunday’s Epistle reading, St. Paul says, “But far be it for me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” Fr. Micah explores what it means for the world to be crucified to us and for us to be crucified to the world in today’s homily.First, he addresses the phrase, “The world has been crucified to me,” explaining that it means the world is dead — that is, the world is not viewed as a tool for our use, an idol, or a distraction. Rather, it’s a gift, a wonder, that we celebrate with thanksgiving, recognizing the Giver.Next, he addresses what it means to be “crucified to the world,” which means that one is free from corruption, death, and the passions. This is true freedom, not the ability to do whatever we want, but to be free from wanting itself — to transfigure out wanting into what Christ wants.Fr. Micah concludes by encouraging us in how we live in this way, looking to the Cross of Christ, knowing that we are not worthy or deserving of that love that is stronger than death.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of the rich young ruler who comes to Jesus and asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life, to which Jesus replies, “Keep the commandments.” The young man asks Christ which commandments, Christ names familiar ones, and the young man tells him he has kept them all since he was a boy. He asks Jesus, “What do I still lack?” Jesus tells him to give up his possessions, giving to the poor, and to follow him. He goes away sorrowful, choosing to cling to the security of his many possessions.Fr. Gregory encourages us to be like the rich young ruler, asking what we still lack — how we can go beyond the minimum and pursue the perfection of love. When Christ calls us to take the next step — to give without fear, to detach our hearts from our possessions, to trust without compromise — he also strengthens us. At the end of the Gospel reading, Christ says that it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven, and the apostles ask, “Who then can be saved?” Christ replies, “With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”The young rich ruler’s story ends in sorrow, but ours need not. Christ stands before us too, offering the same invitation: “Come, follow me.” May we loosen our grip on the things of this world, trusting God with our possessions, future, and life. May we continually ask ourselves, “What do I still lack?,” taking the next step toward Christ and knowing that with him, all things are possible.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, our Lord uses a parable of servants who are indebted to their master to teach us about forgiveness, which is central to how we should live our lives as Christians.In today’s sermon, Fr. Micah encourages us to always remember the debt that we owe our Lord, and that everything we have is a gift from God that we’ve done nothing to deserve. Every Sunday, we gather together to thank God for these gifts, and in the pre-communion prayer we say, “I am the first among sinners.” Fr. Micah challenges us to ask ourselves if we truly mean this when we say it. If we do mean it and believe it, there’s no offense we could receive that we could not forgive. Fr. Micah continues, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness in our lives and its relationship to communion and resurrection, the heart of our faith.

St. Paul tells the Corinthians in today’s Epistle reading, “We are fools for Christ’s sake.” St. Paul was very respected, a Pharisee of Pharisees. However, when Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus, all human prestige became “rubbish” compared to the surpassing worth of knowing the Lord. In his sermon, Fr. Gregory addresses this statement and the concept of foolishness, which has deep Biblical roots.This concept of foolishness applies to us today, too. In a world obsessed with competence, success, and image, Christ calls us to humility, obedience, and self-sacrificial love — a life that can sometimes be misunderstood, ridiculed, or called foolish. The prophets, the apostles, the martyrs, the saints, and our Lord most of all bore this burden. May we have the courage to follow them, accepting when necessary the world’s laughter, knowing that, in heaven, such fools are crowned with glory. “Let us all be willing to be considered a little foolish for Christ in the eyes of the world,” Fr. Gregory concludes.

In today’s Gospel reading, Christ walks on water to approach the boat where the apostles are being tossed by a storm, afraid. Christ says, “Take heart, it is I.” Peter asks Christ to call him out onto the water. Christ calls him, and he begins to walk toward him on the water. However, when he sees the wind, he becomes afraid and begins to sink. He cries out, “Lord, save me.” Christ pulls him out of the water, asking him why he doubted. He brings him back to the boat, and the apostles gather around to worship him.Fr. Micah explains that, in the sayings of the Desert Fathers, the wind is a metaphor for our thoughts. If you’re walking on water, you shouldn’t be worried about the wind, but the waves. However, just as Peter was afraid of the wind, we become overwhelmed with our thoughts, worrying about things that aren’t real.When we are overwhelmed with these troublesome thoughts, Fr. Micah says, we can pray. Our prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple “Lord, have mercy” or “Lord, save me,” repeated often, can transform our minds. We must also recognize that, though we may not be able to stop thoughts from coming up, we can fill our hearts and minds with good things, giving the dark thought no place to rest. Fr. Micah encourages us to pray often and attend church as much as possible, as this will fill our hearts and minds with beauty, truth, and gratitude.

On this Sunday, we hear the account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand from Matthew 14. A great multitude followed Christ into a remote place, where he healed and taught until late in the day. The disciples urged him to send away the crowds to find food. However, Christ proposes a different solution: “You give them something to eat.” They offer their meager five loaves and two fish, and Christ multiplies it to feed the whole crowd, with much leftover.Fr. Gregory encourages us to cooperate with God in the same way that the disciples did, giving what little we have in love and having faith that the Lord will multiply it. When we offer what we have — our resources, talent, time, and effort — God can create abundance from it.