Homily on the Love of Clergy The homily was given on 2/11 at the celebration of the chapel feast. Hebrews 13:7-16 (Hierarchs) Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. […]
OT Bible Study #12 – The Crossing of the Red Sea
Bible Study #13: The Crossing of the Red Sea Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all worldly desires, we […]
OT Bible Study #11: The Plagues as a Cosmic Warfare
Bible Study #11 The Plagues as Cosmic Warfare Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all worldly desires, we may pursue […]
Homily Notes: Sunday before Theophany
Mark 1:1-8 With thanks to Fr. Antony Hughes Christ is Born! Gospel of Mark: not an infancy story. St. John the Baptist (last of the OT prophets: classic) John the Baptist: Two messages First: repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins Second: about the Messiah that was coming Was holier than him (thong of […]
Homily: On Gratitude
Because this Sunday was also the commemoration of St. Savas, one who “made the tears with repentance”, I worked the theme of tears of repentance then gratitude (i.e. the second baptism) being the only thing that allows God to make the desert of our hearts and lives fertile. This is not reflected in the notes. On Gratitude […]
OT Bible Study #9: Introducing Moses
Old Testament Bible Study #9 Exodus: Introducing Moses Prayer: Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all worldly desires, we […]
Homily Notes: On the Transfer of Holiness in the Economy of Salvation
The main thing that has always struck me about this feast is the dynamic of transfer from holy place to holy place that is going on. Given: that God is holy and he seeks to meet us within a dedicated Holy Place. Places are sanctified by the presence of God. They should be set aside […]
OT Bible Study #8: The Patriarch Joseph the Comely
St. Mary (Pokrova) Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Allentown PA (11/30/2016) Old Testament Bible Study #8: The Patriarch Joseph, the Comely Prayer: Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence […]
Homily: Achieving Unity with God
St. Luke 10:25-37 (Good Samaritan) St. John 1:43-51 (Philip and Nathaniel) The goal and necessity of the human life is union with God; the Good News is that this is possible through Christ (e.g. Vladimir Lossky). Should amaze us. Doesn’t? Perhaps because we have already made ourselves gods Or at least conceived of divinity as […]
Healing the Divisions of the Orthodox in Ukraine; the Diaspora as a Model for Reconciliation
This paper was prepared for presentation at conference; “Ecumenical Encounters between East and West. Catholicism and Orthodoxy in Ukraine” on Saturday, November 12th 2016 at La salle University organized by the St. Sophia Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics, Inc. and the Lasalle University M.A. Program in Eastern European Studies and supported by the Shevchenko Scientific […]