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Sermon on the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul (2 Corinthians 11:21-12:9; Matthew 16:13-19)

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Myrrhbearers - Third Sunday of Pascha

All Saints of North America - Second Sunday after Pentecost

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Christ was obedient to His Father in all things. Fr Tom teaches us that God blesses those who are obedient to His commands and the result of loving obedience to God is the growth of the Church. (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

On Friday, October 29, 2010, St Nicholas Church in McKees Rocks/Pittsburgh was vandalized. The assailants smashed through a stained glass window, ripped down a royal door, and overturned a candle stand. Fr Tom reminded his flock that though these trials may come, no one can take away the gift of our faith in God. (Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost)

The Creed which we profess states that God created things "visible and invisible." Fr Tom reminds us that there is an invisible warfare constantly being waged on us, and we must be prepared by putting on the whole armor of God.

The New Testament epistles as well as the Divine Liturgy constantly encourage us to be of one mind because we are members of the Body of Christ and of one another. Fr Tom used today's epistle reading as an opportunity to encourage his parishioners to develop oneness with each other in order to achieve parish goals. (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is among the most beloved of all stories in scripture. Fr Tom reminds us that showing mercy to those who have fallen into the ravages of sin is essential to their healing. (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost)

The feast of the Circumcision of Christ stands as a bridge between the old and new covenants. As we begin the new year, Fr Tom reminds us that we should resolve to fulfill the "Circumcision of Christ," our baptism. (Sunday before the Theophany)

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.

On the second Sunday after Pentecost, the Orthodox Church celebrates local Saints of a particular land. Fr Thomas reminds us that Saints teach us in their way of life that they are devoted to accomplish a divine mission, that they have become holy through their practice of the Orthodox way of prayer, and most importantly, that they love God above all else. (Second Sunday after Pentecost - All Saints of North America)

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)

The parable of the Lazarus and the Rich Man is a story rich with lessons about life and about death. Fr Thomas focuses on the implications of living with unprecedented wealth in our modern society.

Bishops and priests are most accountable before God for the state of the church. But Fr Thomas reminds us that all of us share responsibility for our church communities and gives practical advice on how to remain faithful and focused.

In some Orthodox traditions, the story of Zacchaeus is the first reminder of the coming of Great Lent. Fr Thomas teaches us that Zacchaeus exhibits the zeal that is an essential prerequisite for true conversion, the conversion that Christ desires of us during the Great and Holy Fast.

On the Sunday of the Healing of the Paralytic, Fr Thomas took the opportunity to speak honestly and encouragingly to his congregation about what it is to be a healthy church. Using the gospel and epistle readings, he gently reminded them that we're called to be a house of mercy, intentionally Christian, and a place of good works and of love for one another.

On the Feast of All Saints of North America, Fr Thomas reminds us of our Apostolic mission and how to meet the unprecedented challenges facing us in the 21st century.

As Christians, the Holy Spirit gives us a new perspective on life and that includes what we do with our time, talent, and treasure. In short, everything belongs to God. He gives it all to us as a gift and we're called to offer a portion back to Him in thanksgiving.

One of the greatest challenges that we face in our modern era is to resist the ever-changing values of the world. Fr Thomas teaches us that we receive truth, not from politics or social movements, but from the word of God which is planted in our heart by God Himself.

On the Pre-Lenten Sunday of the Final Judgment, Fr Thomas speaks out against the false teachings of universalism, millenarianism, and the doubted return of Christ.

On the Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers, Fr Thomas teaches about their great mercy and compassion.

At the celebration of the feast of All Saints of North America, Fr Thomas shows us the relationship between the holiness demonstrated in the lives of the Saints and our mission as Christians in the world.

In a powerful message on the value of faith, Fr Thomas reminds us that forgiveness is the most important healing we'll ever receive.

Leading into the feast of Theophany, Fr. Tom calls to remembrance the Forerunner and how he points us to repentance in order to see clearly our Savior in the Holy Trinity.

On the eighth day of Pascha, Fr. Tom reminds us to heed the signs which point us to the Eternal Day.

As we remember the saints of North America, we remember that what made them special wasn't ethnicity or cultural preservation . . . it was their desire to preach the Gospel!

The dark reality of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is one that is the direct result of sin. Listen as Fr. Tom encourages us that while this life may not require such a fate, our persecutions are nothing compared to the glory which awaits us.

Everyone has encountered long periods of suffering and grief. How do we engage these times in a manner that is beneficial to our spiritual life? How do we develop patient endurance? Listen as Fr. Tom brings this encouraging message of hope in Christ.

Fr. Tom reminds us that the spiritual life is full of ups and downs, but the downs are a provision from God for our salvation.

Listen as Fr. Tom reminds us that the promise of eternal life is tied to the commandment to persist until the very end.

Fr. Gregory welcomes Fr. Yves Dubois as the guest preacher today.

Dn. Christopher is the guest homilist for the Sunday of the Paralytic.

What did Jesus mean when He said to take up our cross and follow Him? Fr. Gregory teaches about the principle of losing ourselves to gain Christ.

Subdeacon Immanuel speaks about the new fresco Icon of the Theotokos of the Sign written by Efrem Carrasco on the wall behind the altar at St Aidan’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Levenshulme, Manchester.

Fr. Gregory Hallam brings the homily on the Feast of the Transfiguration.

The Orthodox Church has always regarded the saints of the Old Testament as saints as much as any born after Christ.

Fr. Deacon Emmanuel gives the sermon on the Conversion of Saul to Paul the great Apostle.

Fr. Christopher speaks about the raising of Lazarus from the dead by Christ.

Fr. Christopher is the homilist and he reminds us that the saints are wonderful examples for us. They gave up everything for God.

Fr. Christopher preaches on the events of the Baptism of Christ.

Fr. Gregory Hallam draws on St. Augustine for his sermon on the Ascension.

How many Christians in the comfortable West would, like St Paul and St Silas, having been thrown into jail for such an uncompromising witness, proceed to sing hymns of praise to God all night in the midst of such a challenging situation?

The feast of the Entry of the Mother of God affirms the vital importance of the Panagia’s time of preparation as a young girl in the Temple at Jerusalem prior to her momentous assent to the message of Archangel Gabriel that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit in her womb who was to be named Jesus

Fr. Gregory and Fr. Emmanuel team up today to discuss the significance of the Ascension.

We are not saved by good works. We are saved by grace for good works. We do good works not only for Christ but also to Christ. Such are the prepositions of salvation: "by", "for" and "to."