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Homily for the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, Pious Joseph of Arimathaea & Righteous Nicodemus in the Orthodox Church
Today we commemorate people who refused to live as individuals dominated by the passions of fear, hatred, or revenge in the midst of terrible sorrow, but who instead became persons united to Christ in a communion of love and selfless service. Read more
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Homily for the Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin,” in the Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christian faith is not grounded in sentimental memories or warm feelings about an inspiring personality who lived a long time ago, but in the joyful proclamation that “Christ is Risen!” in victory over death as a whole Person. His bodily resurrection is our hope for “the resurrection of the dead and the life of… Read more
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Homily for Palm Sunday in the Orthodox Church
Today we commemorate the triumphal entry into Jerusalem of the Savior Who emptied Himself in sacrificial love for our salvation beyond all human comprehension. Even as we entrust ourselves to Him, we must have the humility to say “I do not know” in recognition that the deep mystery of His Passion is infinitely beyond our… Read more
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Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent with Commemoration of our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt in the Orthodox Church
St. Mary of Egypt did not allow the hurt pride called shame to keep her from facing the truth about her spiritual state or from taking up her cross in the way that was necessary for her salvation. She did not accept the lie that she simply needed to accept and act on her inclinations,… Read more
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Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent with Commemoration of John Climacus, Author of “The Ladder,” in the Orthodox Church
The father in today’s gospel lesson obviously had a family and lived a conventional life in the world. It was precisely through those circumstances that he was able to gain the spiritual clarity necessary to cry out “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” such that his son was healed. Remember that the path to the… Read more
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Homily for the Third Sunday of Great Lent with Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross in the Orthodox Church
There is perhaps nothing worse than distorting our calling as Christians to the point that the Cross becomes merely an empty symbol that we use to satisfy our lust for any earthly or self-centered goal, no matter how popular or appealing. If we do not actually take up our crosses and deny ourselves out of… Read more
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