Worship, sermons and lectures on Orthodox Christianity with Father Athanasios C Haros, Pastor of Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, South Carolina
We each have a common mother in the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary. On Mothers’ Day we honor our earthly mothers with flowers, luncheons and honors. When we want to honor our Heavenly Mother, we are called to obedience to Jesus Christ Who calls us to a life of love for each other spreading the message of hope in His Gospel.
When Jesus works His wonders, it deserves a bold response. After being healed the Paralytic never faltered in his boldness to confess Jesus as the one who healed him. In the face of the Sanhedrin the Apostles Peter and John never faltered in their boldness to confess Jesus. Are you ready to be bold for Jesus?
In response to the Good News of Christ’s glorious resurrection Joseph of Arimathea and the Myrrh Bearing Women displayed great courage and determination in the face of fear. The early Church, faced with a growing Church with administrative challenges displayed courage and determination to continue the evangelistic ministry of the Church. Now it’s our turn to show courage and determination to grow the Church, in our own hearts and parishes.
During the first days of Pascha, the Apostles were overcome with fear and doubt. But when the Risen Christ appeared to them in the room, He gave them His peace. The peace of God is that inner quietness and stillness that washes away our fear so that faith can rule our hearts. That faith in the Risen Christ leads us to accomplish wonders for the glory of God and His Church. The Apostles “HAD” fear until they allowed Christ’s peace to enter their hearts. Now it’s our turn to welcome and embrace ...
When Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey during the first Palm Sunday, the crowds cheered Him as their King. They were expecting a powerful military King to defeat the Romans, but their blindness led them astray. When they couldn’t have the kingdom they were expecting, they turned their backs on Jesus leaving Him to be crucified by the Roman authorities. Are you willing to welcome Jesus Christ as your King?
Sometimes we hear God responding to our requests with “no” and sometimes we hear Him respond “yes” but He always answers us. Sometimes He just reminds us that we don’t know what’s best. Our Lenten journey is an opportunity for us to embrace our weakness by knowing that we don’t always know what’s best.
When the Archangel Gabriel brought the Good News of the coming of God into the world, the war for our independence from death and the bondage of Hades was initiated. When the Greeks, feeling the pressure of oppression from the Ottoman Empire, found the courage to stand up to their oppressors, there was no more fitting date than March 25th, the Feast of Annunciation, to symbolize their fight for freedom. Today is our chance to declare freedom from the oppression of the devil and all his demons....
Staring square at the Cross of Christ midway through Holy and Great Lent we are beckoned, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34) To enter the Kingdom of Heaven all we have to do is PDF – Pick up our cross, Deny ourselves, and Follow Him. It’s that simple…and it’s our free choice to make.
When Jesus was teaching in Capernaum He was met by four friends who brought to Him a man needing healing. Jesus first said, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” establishing a priority for us to get good with the Lord for the sake of our immortal souls. Paralysis was keeping this young man from Christ. What is keeping you from His presence?
When Phillip saw Jesus Christ he first went to Nathaniel and urged him to, “Come and See!” and Nathaniel responded, “You are the Son of God!” And from there the Church, using Holy Icons, has provided us evidence of the ancient truth of Jesus Christ. The celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy honors not just the victory of Holy Icons but the ancient truth that God became a human being so that we could live with Him forever in Heaven. Now we can call to our friends and neighbors to come and see ...