Reflection on the commemoration of the Beheading of Saint John the Forerunner
As the liturgical year draws to a close, the life of the Forerunner comes to its earthly end. As he goes before Christ—before us—in all things, so it is with…
Reflections in Christ
Reflection on the commemoration of the Image “Not-Made-By-Hands” of our Lord Jesus Christ
In a narrow sense, today’s celebration focuses on the holy Mandylion, the cloth that miraculously bore the image of Christ, which the Lord sent to Abgar of Edessa and…
Reflection on the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
“In falling asleep, thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos.” Today the most pure Mother goes to join her Son in the heavens, but she does not abandon her…
Reflection on the Glorification of Saint Herman of Alaska
Joyous feast of Saint Herman to one and all! Nearly two hundred years after his repose and over fifty years since his glorification, Saint Herman, the patron saint…
Address to the Pilgrims at the Conclusion of Liturgy
I greet all of you who have gathered as pilgrims to celebrate the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord here in this sacred place. I am grateful to…
Reflection on the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord
Christ is transfigured, in his light we see light: the divine light that radiates forth from him and transfigures his saints. Some saints, such as Abba Joseph and the Venerable Seraphim…
Homily on the Feast of the Transfiguration
Today, Christ is transfigured. The one who kindled the sun at the beginning of time, who allotted radiance to the moon, who made the stars to blaze forth in the darkness of the void, who fashioned…
Reflection on the Procession of the Life-Giving Wood
Today is the first of the three feasts of the Savior celebrated in August, and this feast has traditionally been a day for the blessing of freshly collected honey. There is a practical reason…
Reflection on the commemoration of Holy Great Martyr and Unmercenary Healer Panteleimon
St. Panteleimon is a saint for all seasons: a martyr, a healer, a patron of Orthodox soldiers and sailors, an ally in spiritual warfare. And this befits his name, which means…
Reflection on the commemoration of Righteous Yakov (James), Enlightener of the Peoples of Alaska
St. Yakov, the son of a Russian father and an Aleut mother, devoted himself to what was best in both his cultures: holy Orthodoxy and the time-hallowed native traditions that…