"We are called to be saints. We are called to fellowship with God. We are called to sanctification and true freedom in Christ. We are called to lay hold of eternal life. May we ever strive to walk in that manner, worthy of the high calling as we press on in our Lenten journey."

Fr. Apostolos shares what he says to visiting annual Festival tour groups about the Cathedral space.

Fr. Apostolos shares the story of the Nativity of Christ, interspersed with Christmas carols.

Fr. Apostolos speaks about repentance as healing from the cancer of sin. Sin is that foreign substance in us which, if left untreated, will produce in us spiritual death, and God provides the treatment.

Fr. Apostolos Hill shares a homily about love based on the Epistle reading from 1 Corinthians 13.

Fr. Apostolos Hill preaches on the Gospel reading about the difference between casual, ineffective prayer and the fervent prayer required of us in our present difficulties.

Fr. Apostolos Hill provides a straightforward expository of the peace that Jesus provides.

Fr. Apostolos Hill shares a homily on the Sunday of the Blind Man about the Causes and Cures of Spiritual Blindness.

Sermon on the Sunday of All Saints (Heb 11:33-12:2; Mt 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30)

Beginning of the Lenten Triodion

All Saints of North America - Second Sunday after Pentecost

The readings presented by the Church on this day remind us of the most fundamental teachings about what we believe and who we are called to be as Christians. As we celebrate the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God, Fr Tom tells us that the Virgin Mary is the one who embodies hearing and keeping those most basic teachings. (Dormition of the Mother of God, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)

As we begin preparing our hearts for the annual Lenten journey, the Church presents us with the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. Fr Tom reminds us that fulfilling God's commandments should not be a cause for pride, because humility teaches us that we are only doing our duty to Him as unprofitable servants.

On the second Sunday after Pentecost, every local Orthodox Church celebrates the saints who have been glorified by God in their own lands. Fr. Tom reminds us that the gospel reading reveals the calling for every disciple of Christ to fulfill the mission of the Gospel where they live.

At the mid-point of Great Lent, the church brings out the precious cross in our midst for veneration. Fr Thomas reminds us that the cross is more than just a lifeless symbol, it's the very path of our salvation. (Third Sunday of Lent)

In light of recent events regarding the racist slaying of African-American Christians and the Supreme Court ruling on so-called "same-sex marriage," Fr Thomas delivers a stirring and challenging message from the scriptures asking, "Who is your authority?"

On the first Sunday after Pentecost, the feast of All Saints, Fr Thomas teaches us that, because we are created in the image of God, we have the calling to become Saints who have grown in the likeness of God.

The scriptural readings for the eighth Sunday after Pentecost reveal a clear picture of who we are to be in Christ. St Paul teaches us that we are to be of the same mind, while St Matthew records the miracle of feeding the 5,000. Fr Thomas teaches us that we must consciously reject the choices the world presents to us, but rather fully immerse ourselves into the Church's life, which is transforming us into the likeness of God.

The parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is the first of several pre-Lenten Sunday gospel readings to prepare our hearts for Great Lent. Fr Thomas reminds us that humility is the chief virtue because God Himself, the creator of all things, is humble. (Luke 18:10-14)

St Paul bemoaned that his fellow Jews "have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." Fr Thomas discusses the relationship between faith and the prevailing culture and how we can make a greater impact on society. The second half of the podcast features a conversation with Dr John Burgess of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary about the lessons we can learn from the Russian Orthodox Church regarding faith and culture.

One of the most challenging commands of the teachings of Christ is to love our enemies. Fr Thomas explains what it looks like and why it's so important.

When an Orthodox Christian is baptized, the priest proclaims, "you are justified!" But what does it mean to be righteous before God? Fr Thomas cites the readings of the Sunday, Ephesians 2 ("For by grace you have been saved through faith...") and the parable of the Good Samaritan, to outline the Orthodox understanding of our salvation in Christ.

"God is Love" has become one of the most abused verses of Scripture. It's used today to justify every sin and excuse every condition. Fr Thomas urges us to look at the entirety of the Gospel message to truly understand the implications of being a creature of God Who is Love.

How can we find the power of God and strength amidst feelings of weakness and persecution? Fr. Thomas urges us to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles, and saints as we find ourselves in a world opposed to the Christian life.

Fr. Alexander Rentel, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America brings us a preparatory message in anticipation of Great Lent: observe the religious practice of the Church like the pharisee, but beg our Lord for the humble heart of the publican.

What must we remember when we bow before the Holy Cross? Fr. Tom reminds us that the central call of the cross is to die to ourselves.

The story of the Myrrh-Bearing Women should serve as a reminder to us that the resurrection demands action on our part, including a bold proclamation of the truth.

On the Sunday of All Saints, Fr. Tom reminds us that our sainthood can only be achieved through dying to the world and pursuing a life of true discipleship in the bosom of the Church.

We've all heard the saying "paradoxy is Orthodoxy". Fr. Tom discusses the path to salvation found by embracing the paradoxy of life and choosing to bear our cross.

Fr Thomas shows us the amazing examples of caring in the Myrrhbearers, explains the purpose of questioning with trust in God, and challenges us to go out and call others to the Truth. (Mark 15:43-16:8) Myrrhbearers Sunday, April 30, 2023.

In the third of his Holiness Month series, Fr Thomas encourages us to not only spread the good news of Jesus Christ but to live out the law of Christ. (Matthew 4:18-23) All Saints of North America Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Great need calls out great faith.

What happens after we have worked hard, done our best and achieved nothing?

Today Christ is baptised in the Jordan, the Spirit alights on Him in the form of a dove and the Voice of the Father from heaven is heard …. “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”

Fr. Gregory gives a sermon on the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee.

Man can achieve true delight and true immortality through the grace of God. The reason for our existence is communion with God.

The entry to Jerusalem was a liturgical act; it was the entry into the great holy city of Israel by her rightful King and welcomed by the people as the fulfilling of national hope. Yet it is also proved to be a great disappointment.

In this Gospel according to St Matthew, Christ sets out His plan for four people—the brothers Simon and Andrew, and the brothers, James and John, the fishermen from two families, living in the town of Capernaum. Christ’s plan for these fishermen consists of a request and a promise.

Fr. Gregory reads a sermon by St. Gregory the Theologian on the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Fr. Christopher takes a lesson from the life of St. Mary of Egypt on what it means to repent.

The preacher today is Fr.Christopher who tells us that to experience the power of God in our lives we need faith.

For each of us, when we approach the things of God we need to be open to what God wants of us and we need to be taught by God, through His Church, through Holy Tradition and through the Scriptures, as we listen to what He wants us to know.

When we repent, when we seek to change our lives and our relationship to Christ, what is “at hand”? What is near? What is about to happen? The kingdom of heaven!

Fr. Gregory Hallam examines the hymn we sing throughout the Liturgy in commemoration of our Lord's institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The appointment of Deacons in the church is the subject of today's sermon by Deacon Emmanuel Kahn.