Category: Homilies
In a world filled with turmoil, our Lord’s words resound with eternal truth: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) This is no passing comfort, no fleeting relief offered by the world, but a divine rest—a peace that flows from Christ Himself, the only true source of stillness for the soul. The peace that the world gives is shallow and quickly passing, built upon external circumstances, but the peace of Christ is unshakable, rooted in the depths of the heart, beyond the reach of worldly troubles….
“O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8) Not only is the thirty-fourth Psalm a poetic expression of thanksgiving, it is also a song of deliverance, a testimony to the Lord’s unwavering providence, and a summons to place all trust in Him. It is a psalm that arises from personal tribulation, penned by David at a moment of grave peril. The historical setting is found in 1 Samuel 21, where David, fleeing from Saul’s relentless pursuit, sought refuge among the Philistines in the court of Abimelech, also known as…
The world is filled with confusion, despair, and spiritual weakness. Christians must stand firm and strengthen one another in faith. Encouragement is not optional; it is a command. The Apostle Paul instructs: “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) This is an obligation, not a suggestion. A Christian who purposely isolates himself from his brethren can become vulnerable to deception. The Church is a fortress, and its members must support each other in the battle for salvation. The home is the first battleground because it is where the soul is…
Forgiveness is not only an ethical obligation or a personal virtue; it is a deeply significant reality at the heart of the Orthodox Christian life. It is through forgiveness that we participate in the very life of Christ, who “came to seek out and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) In the prayer our Lord taught us, we beseech, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matt. 6:12) This is not a meagre request but a spiritual law: the measure of our own forgiveness by God is tied to our willingness to forgive others. If…
“Come to me, all you who labour and have been burdened, and I will refresh you.” – Matthew 11:28 Christ’s invitation is not a vague offer of comfort but a profound reality for those who truly seek Him. In our struggles, we often turn to our own strength, relying on our willpower, routines, or external solutions to manage life’s burdens. Yet Christ does not say, “Endure alone,” or “Find your own way.” He commands us to come to Him. This is an act of faith, a conscious movement toward the One who alone can provide true refreshment. The Orthodox Christian…
“And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” —Romans 8:17 The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, reveals the great mystery of our adoption as children of God. To be an heir of God is to receive an inheritance not of fleeting earthly riches but of eternal communion with Him. This inheritance is given to us through Christ, in whom we are made partakers of the divine life. It is not an abstract promise; it is the very…
The Nativity Fast, or Advent, is not merely a season of waiting but a time of spiritual renewal, calling the faithful to prepare their souls for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a world that rushes to celebrate Christmas with excess and distraction, the Holy Church bids her children to step away from the noise and turn inward, seeking the true light that is Christ. This season is not one of idle anticipation but of active preparation, where fasting disciplines the body, prayer lifts the soul, and repentance purifies the heart. The joy of Advent is not superficial…
The words of Christ in the tenth chapter of the Gospel According to St. Mark is a strong affirmation of the sacredness and permanence of marriage. In a world where human weakness seeks to redefine or diminish the divine order, Jesus Christ speaks with absolute clarity, reaffirming that marriage is not a trivial human contract subject to revision, but a holy and indissoluble covenant established by Almighty God Himself. His response to the Pharisees, who sought to test Him regarding divorce, is not only a rejection of their legalistic mindset but a call to return to the original divine plan…
As we come to the close of the month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we continue to meditate on the boundless love of Christ. While the devotion to the Sacred Heart has been especially cultivated in the West, its essence is deeply Orthodox—rooted in the love of God made manifest in the Incarnation, the Cross, and the Resurrection. The heart of Christ is the wellspring of divine mercy, overflowing with grace for all who seek Him. Let us reflect on five key aspects of this devotion in light of the Bible and Orthodox spirituality. 1. Prayer…
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) The infinite love of Jesus Christ for each of us is perfectly expressed in His Sacred Heart. In Orthodox theology, the heart is not merely a symbol of emotion but the very centre of our spiritual being—the place where God meets man. The Sacred…
