Reflection on the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
On this second Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate the feast of St. Gregory Palamas and renew the triumph of Orthodoxy. How unbearable the pressure must have been…
Reflections in Christ
Reflection on the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy
Today we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy—the veneration of the holy icons. And truly, the image is the triumph of the Prototype. Christ died not so that he could remain alone…
Reflection on Forgiveness Sunday
Liturgically, today is known as the Expulsion of Adam; popularly, it is known as Forgiveness Sunday. This reminds us that, as soon as we sin, the Lord forgives us—provided that…
Reflection on the Sunday of the Last Judgment
With this Sunday of the Last Judgment, we arrive at the end of the world. As we stand before the Lord at his dread tribunal, we realize that we have no righteousness, no…
Reflection on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Today, we read the Gospel of the Prodigal Son, and hear how, when the lad “was still a great way off,” his father rushed to embrace him. At the beginning…
Reflection on the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee / Leavetaking of the Meeting of our Lord
Today, as we take leave of the Meeting of the Lord, we mark the beginning of the Lenten Triodion with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. Thus, today is both the last day of the Nativity…
Reflection on the Meeting of the Lord / Zacchaeus Sunday
Today, St. Simeon receives the long-awaited Messiah in his arms, and he sings, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace!” As Orthodox Christians, we end each…
Remarks at the Conclusion of Liturgy Feast of the Three Hierarchs
I welcome all of you with the joy of the feast and especially welcome His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Eastern America Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Your Grace is no stranger to Saint Vladimir’s Seminary and we are grateful…
Called to Discern: What ‘Seems Good to the Holy Spirit and to us
The Church, ever since its reception of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost, has at various times sought the unambiguous voice and specific guidance of that Spirit in a more concentrated way, in order to more fully live into…
Sermon at Divine Liturgy - Assembly of the Diocese of the South
It goes without saying that the Gospel of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is a serious matter, the most serious matter there is. However, even so, the Gospel…