~By Fr. Stephen Freeman, March 17, 2025 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 “Stand on the edge of the abyss and when you feel that it is beyond your strength, break off and have a cup of tea.” St. Sophrony of Athos/Essex ________ A group of people take a
Sermon preached by Dn. Jeff Smith on Sunday, June 22, 2025 Matthew 4:18-23 As Jesus walked along the sea of Galilee, far away from the city of Jerusalem, way up in the north, the place where “no prophet could arise,” he spied four fishermen casting and mending their nets. Here comes Jesus, gathering his disciples to himself. He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow him, and they would soon be calling others; they
The Holy Great Martyr Euphēmia (Ευφημία) was the daughter of Christian parents, the senator Philophronos and his wife Theodosia. She suffered for Christ in the year 304 in the city of Chalcedon, on the Bosphorus opposite Constantinople, the Queen of Cities. Priscus, the Proconsul of Chalcedon, issued a decree which required all the inhabitants of Chalcedon and the surrounding area to attend a pagan festival, in order to worship and offer sacrifice to the idol
On September 15th, the Orthodox Church commemorates the memory of the Holy Martyr Nikitas, a courageous champion of the faith whose life and martyrdom continue to inspire the faithful to this day. His unwavering commitment to Christ, even unto death, stands as a powerful testimony of spiritual strength and dedication to Orthodox Christianity. The Life and Witness of Holy Martyr Nikitas Saint Nikitas was born into a Gothic tribe in the 4th century, during a
By Fr. Stephen Freeman, September 13, 2025 The mystery of the Cross begins in eternity, “in the sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, unapproachable for creatures.” And the transcendent mystery of God’s wisdom and love is revealed and fulfilled in history. Hence Christ is spoken of as the Lamb, “who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world” (Peter 1:19), and even “that hath been slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). “The Cross of Jesus,
Commemorated on September 11 Saint Theodora of Alexandria and her husband lived in Alexandria. Love and harmony ruled in their family, and this was hateful to the Enemy of salvation. Goaded on by the devil, a certain rich man was captivated by the youthful beauty of Theodora and began with all his abilities to lead her into adultery, but for a long time he was unsuccessful. Then he bribed a woman of loose morals, who led
Sermon preached by Fr. Antony Hughes on Sunday, August 24, 2025 Again Jesus tells us that the difference between heaven and hell can be detected in the way we treat others. Do you see it in the actions of the bad servant who chose hell? “I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I needed clothes and
Commemorated September 9 So much attention is paid by Christians to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, sanctified in every conceivable way, that there is a tendency to overlook her parents. Commemorated the day after the commemoration of their daughter, who is remembered on other days as well, Joachim and Anna were the parents of a flesh-and-blood human being they called Mary and, therefore, the grandparents of a flesh-and-blood human being, in form at least,
Published by Pemptousia Partnership on September 8, 2020 Metropolitan of Pisidia Sotirios “Your birth, Oh Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.” Apolytikion (the Dismissal hymn) of the Nativity of the Theotokos The birth of the ever virgin and Mother of God, Mary, which is celebrated on the 8th of September, is the
By Father Stephen Freeman, August 29, 2025 I can think of few phrases in modern Christian speech that have been more abused through misuse and overuse than “we are saved by grace.” As a young Protestant, this was explained to me thus: “We are saved by God’s unmerited favor.” This has the unfortunate implication that, whatever salvation may be, it’s something that’s happening in the mind of God – His unmerited favor. It strikes me
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