and Posture and the Jesus Prayer By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2018-05-12T21:00:14+00:00 Full Article
and Which Commandments Should We Obey? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2018-05-20T22:40:34+00:00 Full Article
and Is there a connection between eating animal products and the passions? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2018-07-01T21:52:58+00:00 Full Article
and What are the causes of self-love and how can we protect our children? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2018-07-02T22:48:50+00:00 Full Article
and The Inner Person in the Orthodox Tradition: Healing the Soul through God's Grace and Aceticism By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-02-18T23:59:37+00:00 Full Article
and Understanding Evil in the Orthodox Tradition By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-01-16T23:42:27+00:00 Full Article
and Metanoia, Mission, and Martyrdom By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-13T02:58:19+00:00 Sermon on the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul (2 Corinthians 11:21-12:9; Matthew 16:13-19) Full Article
and Ten Thousand Lifetimes By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-14T00:32:13+00:00 Sermon on the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (I Corinthians 9:2-12; Matthew 18:23-35) Full Article
and Outward Appearances and Inward Realities By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-14T00:36:28+00:00 Sermon on the Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross (Galatians 6:11-18; John 3:13-17) Full Article
and Enduring Tests and Facing Temptations (Mt 14:22-34) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-15T20:09:58+00:00 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Full Article
and Standing Firm as a Community of Faith (1 Cor 16:13-24) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-15T20:37:23+00:00 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Full Article
and The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-15T20:49:22+00:00 Sermon on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Full Article
and The Healing of Jairus' Daughter and the Woman with the Flow of Blood (Luke 8:41-56) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-15T21:14:32+00:00 Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost Full Article
and Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18:10-14) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-15T22:32:44+00:00 Beginning of the Lenten Triodion Full Article
and Devotion, Persistence, Endurance and Courage (Mark 15:43-16:8) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-16T02:16:45+00:00 Holy Myrrhbearers - Third Sunday of Pascha Full Article
and The Supremacy of Christ and the Cross (John 3:13-17) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-27T19:47:56+00:00 Even though we live in a pluraistic society, Orthodox Christians must uphold the uniqueness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fr Tom teaches us that Christ and the Cross are not simply one way to the Father, but the only way. (Sunday before the Elevation of the Precious Cross) Full Article
and Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-28T19:10:17+00:00 We are partakers of the rich mercies and blessings that God has liberally poured out upon our lives. Fr Tom reminds us that all of our blessings, both spiritual and material, are meant to be freely given to others, just as they have been given to us. (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost) Full Article
and Forgiveness and the Great Fast (Matthew 6:14-21) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-28T21:02:49+00:00 On the day before the beginning of Great Lent, the Church teaches us that our journey of repentance begins with offering forgiveness. Fr Tom reminds us that forgiveness is the essential action to grow in the likeness of God, because it is what He freely offers to us. (Forty-first Sunday after Pentecost - Forgiveness Sunday) Full Article
and The Kingdom of God Here and Now (John 20:19-31) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-28T22:55:22+00:00 Eight days after the Lord's Resurrection, Jesus appeard to Thomas in His glorified body, manifesting the power of God's Kingdom. Fr Tom reminds us that the Lord grants us His Kingdom, here and now, and we recieve it when we are faithful. (Second Sunday of Pascha) Full Article
and The Union of Heaven and Earth (John 17:1-13) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-29T05:39:05+00:00 The eternal Word ascends to Heaven in His resurrected body, receiving the glory He had with His Father before the world began. Fr Tom reminds us that Christ does all this so that He can share this heavenly life with us. (Sunday after the Ascension) Full Article
and God Sees the Heart (Luke 18:10-14) Publican and Pharisee By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-30T05:21:03+00:00 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. Full Article
and Judgment and Reward (Mt 25:31-46) Last Judgment By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-05-30T05:22:46+00:00 On the third preparatory Sunday before Great Lent, the gospel of the Last Judgment is read. Fr Tom reminds us that though today we can choose to acknowledge or to ignore Christ as Lord, on that great and final day everyone will acknowledge Him and give an account of their life. Full Article
and Saintly Missions, Methods, and Matters (Mt 4:18-23) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-06-01T07:09:21+00:00 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) Full Article
and The Easy Yoke and Light Burden (Mark 8:34-9:1) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-06-01T07:12:20+00:00 The cross of Christ is the ultimate sign of God's love for his creatures. Fr Thomas reminds us that the cross is also a sign of the path that awaits us: our own cross. (Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross) Full Article
and The Dread and Joyous Return of Christ (Mt 25:31-46) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-06-01T07:18:56+00:00 In order to further prepare our thoughts for the coming of Great Lent, the Church presents us with our Lord's description of His return in glory. Fr Thomas reminds us that the Last and Final Day is both terrifying and awesome, dread and joyful, as we prepare now in this life for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Sunday of the Last Judgment) Full Article
and Wealth is Not a Sin and Poverty is Not a Virtue (Luke 16:19-31) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-06-01T07:29:32+00:00 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. Full Article
and Saints and the Rise of the “Dones” (Mt 10:32-33,37-38,19:27-30) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-07-02T06:23:31+00:00 On the Sunday of All Saints, the gospel reading reminds us of the narrow way of being a disciple of Christ. Fr Thomas powerfully contrasts the imperatives in Christ's teaching on discipleship with the contemporary rise of the "Dones," those who illogically proclaim themselves faithful to Christ but "done with church." Full Article
and The Authority of Caesar and the Authority of God By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-07-02T06:25:09+00:00 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?" Full Article
and The True Christ and the True Faith (Jn 17:1-13) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-08-26T00:44:39+00:00 Cutting through the din of religious pluralism, Fr Thomas reminds us that the Orthodox Faith uniquely gives us everything for life, faith, and spiritual understanding. Full Article
and Race Relations and the Gospel (Rom 5:1-10) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-08-26T00:48:07+00:00 In light of the national unrest after numerous shootings of black men during police stops, followed by the ambush shooting of over a dozen police in Dallas where five died, Fr Thomas uses the providential lectionary readings of the following Sunday to illustrate how to seek peace with other people, and the importance of casting off anxiety to put our trust in God. Full Article
and Thanksgiving Thursday and Black Friday By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-12-21T02:39:11+00:00 The most endearing secular holiday in the American calendar is Thanksgiving Day. It was set aside by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father." Later, the modern culture invented Black Friday, driving consumers to the stores in a buying frenzy. Fr Thomas reminds us that "covetousness is idolatry" (Col 3:5), that everything we have belongs to God, and should be used for His glory. Full Article
and Encountering Christ in the Scriptures and the Eucharist By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-23T02:53:57+00:00 On the Sunday of St Thomas, we hear of the encounter of the Apostle with the risen Christ. Fr Thomas teaches us that we too must make every effort to encounter the resurrected Christ both in the Holy Scriptures and in the Eucharist. Full Article
and Renewing Creation and Renewing Your Parish By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-23T03:14:40+00:00 On the Sunday after Theophany, the reading from the Apostle teaches us that there is a close relationship between Christ's filling all of creation with Himself and the gifts that He bestows on us. Fr Thomas reminds us that those gifts need to be discerned and exercised to continue the work of renewal in the world and in our parishes. Full Article
and Your Purpose and God's Power By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-23T18:12:58+00:00 When we hear about the miracles that Christ performed for people, it can seem distant. Fr Thomas reminds us that the grace they received is the same life-giving power that we are granted in the Eucharist: the fullness of Christ. Full Article
and Christmas and the Fullness of Time By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-23T18:16:18+00:00 In the incarnation, God demonstrates His love for man, not only by sending His Son, but by uniting His Divinity to humanity. Full Article
and The Gospel and Culture By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-23T18:18:54+00:00 On the Sunday after Theophany, the scripture readings teach us that the light of Christ shines in the darkest corners of the world. Fr Thomas reminds us that the Gospel is not simply for one culture, but for all people everywhere. Full Article
and Wonderers, Wishers, and Worshippers By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-23T21:22:20+00:00 At Christ's entry into Jerusalem, there were those who were wondering how they could be rid of Him, those who were wishing He would be a social activist, and those who worshipped Him as the Son of the Living God. Today is no exception. Full Article
and Orthodoxy, Truth, and World Religions (Jn 1:43-51) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-02-13T00:15:37+00:00 On the first Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the triumph of Orthodoxy over the icon smashers. Fr Thomas gives us some straight talk about the Orthodox Christian faith, the nature of truth, and our relationship with world religions. (Sunday of Orthodoxy) Full Article
and Universalism and Other Pernicious Heresies By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-02-24T03:56:01+00:00 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. Full Article
and Great Lent and the Meaning of Perfection By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-03-18T15:36:37+00:00 Fr Thomas encourages the faithful by outlining the goals of Great Lent in the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Full Article
and Growing in Faith (during the Pandemic) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-07-03T16:12:15+00:00 How can we remain peaceful during the Pandemic? Fr Thomas presents the practical teachings of St Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ to give us perspective about how to actually grow in faithfulness during times of trouble. Full Article
and The Greatest Commandment & The Cross By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-10-26T19:23:22+00:00 How do we love God with all of our heart, with all of our mind, and with all of our soul? Fr. Tom shows us that Cross serves as the paragon example of fulfilling the greatest commandment of our Lord. Full Article
and The Messenger, The Messiah, and The Manifestation. By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-01-05T19:40:20+00:00 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. Full Article
and What Membership Demands By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-02T18:41:30+00:00 Exhorting us from the Parable of the Talents, Fr. Tom reminds us that - as true members - we must use our gifts to build up the Body of Christ. Full Article
and The Reality of Worshiping in Spirit and in Truth By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-06-01T17:16:17+00:00 Lest we forget the cosmic realities of our Orthodox worship, Fr. Tom unpacks the reading of the Samaritan Woman in order to remind us that worship in spirit and in truth is not bound to space or time, and includes - not least of all - personal sacrifice. Full Article
and Encounters That Demand Answers By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-08-11T14:51:21+00:00 Fr. Tom meditates on how encounters with Christ and His miracles - both today and in the Scriptures - elicit opposite responses. We see some who accept them and some who deny them in the most vicious ways. What will your response be? Full Article
and We Are Spiritual AND Religious By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-12-30T12:48:58+00:00 Listen as Fr. Tom reminds us that, to fully worship God, we need both our souls and our bodies. Full Article
and Come and See By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-03-15T22:25:59+00:00 In this back-to-basics message, Fr. Tom reminds us that the real triumph of Orthodoxy begins with being a true follower of Christ. Full Article
and Victory, Value, and Volition By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-04-20T03:25:57+00:00 Listen as Fr. Tom shows the many facets of what Palm Sunday means for us who seek to put Christ first. Full Article
and Pandemonium By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-07-12T18:06:32+00:00 In this time of chaos and pandemonium, to what - and to whom - will we turn for truth and guidance? The news? Politicians? YouTube? Listen as Fr. Tom calls us back to the Word of God. Full Article