Reflection on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
We exalt the precious and life-giving Cross, and we honor in song the instruments of our salvation: the nails, the spear, the reed, the sponge, the plaited thorns…
Reflections in Christ
Address to Seminarians at the Conclusion of Divine Liturgy
As the liturgy comes to an end, I would like to take a moment to address and exhort the seminarians in particular. One of the Russian folk names for today’s feast is…
Homily on the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God
Today’s feast is a harvest festival, a festival of holy fruit sprung from barren ground, the withered and parched ground of our common nature. Since Adam sinned…
Reflection on the Nativity of the Theotokos
During this autumn season, when we in the Northern Hemisphere gather in the fruits of the earth, we celebrate the birth of the most holy Theotokos…
Reflection on the Ecclesiastical New Year
Happy New Year! May the Lord who rules over times and seasons crown this coming year with the bounty of his mercy; may he water the furrows of our…
Address to Saint Tikhon’s Seminarians
On behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America and the Board of Trustees of the Orthodox Theological Seminary of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, I welcome all of you…
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…
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…