Gospel: Matthew, Reading 18, Chapter 6:22–33 Dear brothers and sisters! In today’s Gospel, the Lord gives us very beneficial teachings—that we must first and foremost care for our soul, and also assures us that the Heavenly Creator, through His Providence, constantly cares for us. At the beginning of the Gospel, speaking of our soul, created…
Gospel Reading: John, reading 27 — chapter 7:37–52; chapter 8:12 Dear brothers and sisters, I congratulate you on the great Christian feast of the Most Holy Trinity! Today we render honor and glory to the Holy Divine Trinity — the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. “Glory to the Most Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving,…
On Monday of the Second Week of the Fast: A Sermon of Saint Cyril the Monk on the Fear of God Beloved brethren and sisters, have ever before your eyes the fear of God, and remember the hour of death and those dreadful torments prepared for sinners. Let us fear the kinship of fire, for…
Reading: Matthew, Reading 38 (10:32–33, 37–38; 19:27–30) Dear brothers and sisters! Today the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of all the saints. After the feast of the Descent of the Holy Ghost, the Church now reveals to us the operation and fruits of the glory and grace of the Holy Ghost, which sanctified, enlightened, strengthened,…
Gospel Reading 9: Matthew 4:18–23 Dear brothers and sisters! Our Divine Teacher Jesus Christ, who came down from Heaven to teach mankind the wisdom of Heaven, began His preaching in Galilee. His first sermon began with a call to repentance, which can draw us near to the Kingdom of God: “Jesus went into Galilee and…
In antiquity, it was customary to commemorate all the martyrs for the faith of Christ—both those known and those whose names were forgotten. This commemoration was observed on various days throughout the year in different local Churches. The custom of celebrating it on the Sunday following the Feast of Pentecost was originally a practice unique…
Friends and brethren, I had hoped that with each passing Sunday more people would gather in church to listen to the divine words. But now I see that fewer of you are coming. If I were speaking on my own behalf, you would do well not to come. But now I proclaim to you the…
Now that we have celebrated Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Ghost, not even seven days have passed, and behold—the honorable commemoration of all the saints is already upon us. For the Lord Himself said: “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am” (John 17:24)….
Great, beloved, are the gifts given us by God on this day’s feast. Let us joyfully glorify Christ our God—for behold, we have arrived at the coming of the Holy Ghost. Today the apostles received power and began to speak in different tongues, as the Holy Ghost gave them utterance. But why did the Holy…
For those who love God, there is no weariness in keeping feast. Behold, as we now keep festival, the angels rejoice with us, the archangels are glad, and all the heavenly powers celebrate together with us. Let us then keep festival, not like the unbelievers, nor like the children of the Jews, but being filled…