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…
Reflections in Christ
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…
Sermon at the Divine Liturgy at the 60th Anniversary Saint Gregory the Theologian Church
Today the Lord exclaims, in response to a centurion’s message, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” What exactly did the centurion…
Sermon at the Divine Liturgy Diocese of the West Assembly
In today’s Gospel, we hear that a village of Samaritans refused to receive the Lord, “because his face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.” ...
Sermon on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
In the Old English poem, “The Dream of the Rood,” the precious and life-giving Cross appears to the lyric persona in a dream. It appears to him not as an ordinary piece of wood, much less as bloodied fragments, but instead as…
Address to the Seminarians
Greetings to one and all, and especially to you seminarians who have just begun your school year. Each new school year starts full of excitement and promise, and it is…