Reflection on the commemoration of the Holy Apostle Philip
The day before the Nativity Fast begins, we celebrate the feast of St. Philip. In fact, in Russian, the coming fast is commonly called Saint Philip’s Fast. In today’s Gospel reading…
Reflections in Christ
Reflection on the commemoration of Saint John Chrysostom
It is difficult to overstate the importance of St. John Chrysostom for the holy Tradition of the Church: in many monasteries and cathedrals, his Anaphora is used to offer…
Sermon on the Good Samaritan
Picture if you will the scene: a man lying by the side of the road, beaten, robbed, stripped, suffering. Passing by on the other side, going out of their way to avoid this man in need, this man…
Reflection on the commemoration of Saint Nectarius of Aegina
When he was still a boy, Saint Nectarius of Aegina, born into a poor family, traveled to Constantinople for work. Though he found a job with a tobacco merchant, he still experienced…
Reflection on the commemoration of the Synaxis of the Holy Bodiless Powers of Heaven
Today we celebrate the angels, “ministering spirits sent forth to serve.” Let us take this as an opportunity to remember our guardian angels, who aid us…
Reflection on the commemoration of Priestmartyr John Kochurov
At this time of year, Western culture gives temporary rein to images of the macabre. For a few rare moments around Halloween, secular people give thought to the existence of…
Sermon at Saturday Liturgy at the Assembly of the Diocese New England
Today, as we gather to celebrate the liturgy as an assembled diocese, we celebrate the memory two of the great saints of Russian and Ukrainian Orthodoxy, Job of Pochaev…
Reflection on the commemoration of Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-gusher of Thessaloniki
One of the most furious temptations that rages in our age is that of lust and unchastity. Cohabitation, sexual deviance, purely transactional physical relationships, and…
Reflection on the commemoration of the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Optina
In the holy elders of Optina, God gave the peoples of the Russian Empire a sign of his ongoing care and direction. Even as the society of the empire became increasingly worldly…
Reflection on the commemoration of the glorification of Saint Tikhon of Moscow
Joyous feast! It is my pleasure to greet all of you on my name day, the feast of Saint Tikhon of Moscow, my heavenly patron and intercessor. Saint Tikhon is my patron, but most Orthodox…