Cross Archives - Saint Sophia

Ancestral Versus Original Sin: An Overview with Implications for Psychotherapy (Part IV)

09/25/2026

By V. Rev. Antony Hughes, M.Div., St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts The juridical approach that has predominated in the West can make pastoral practice seem cold and automatic. Neither a focus on good works nor faith alone are sufficient to transform the human heart. Do positive, external criteria signify inner transformation in all cases? Some branches of Christian counseling too often rely on the application of seemingly relevant verses of Scripture to effect changes in behavior

Ancestral Versus Original Sin: An Overview with Implications for Psychotherapy (Part II)

09/23/2026

By V. Rev. Antony Hughes, M.Div., St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts It is important to note that salvation as deification is not pantheism because the Orthodox Fathers insist on the doctrine of creation ex nihilo (Athanasius, 1981). Human beings, along with all created things, have come into being from nothing. Created beings will always remain created and God will always remain Uncreated. The Son of God in the Incarnation crossed the unbridgeable chasm between them. Orthodox

From the Cross – To the Cross – By the Cross (Elevation of the Holy Cross)

09/14/2026

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,

Saved by the Stuff of Grace

09/07/2026

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

Life as a Fractal

08/21/2026

~By Fr. Stephen Freeman, September 3, 2024 I have found the term “fractal” to be increasingly useful. Rather than thinking of one thing as a “copy” of another, I see the similarities that are, nevertheless, unique. I have three adult daughters, all of whom resemble their mother (and each other) with each them still being quite unique. Interestingly, I did not recognize this until a decade or so ago in which their resemblance was a

The Sword that Pierces the Soul

08/10/2026

~By Fr. Stephen Freeman, August 14, 2024 Mary, the Theotokos, was described by St. Irenaeus in the 2nd century, as the “New Eve.” Like Eve, she is the “mother of us all,” if we have the eyes to see her properly. She is a quiet figure in the New Testament – not a preacher or worker of miracles. We see the story of her humility and openness to God as she embraces His condescension: “Be

Behold Your Mother

08/04/2026

~By Father Stephen Freeman, August 11, 2025 Christ’s words from the Cross to St. John, “Behold your mother,” are both an intimate whisper of a son’s care for his most beloved as well as a cosmic directive to the whole of humanity and creation. This woman is Woman – and her significance abides and will not fade. She points us towards the deepest realities of what it means to be human and, in doing so,

Love and Being

07/31/2026

~By Fr. Stephen Freeman, July 21, 2025 Perhaps the most intriguing statement in the New Testament is St. John’s simple, “God is love.” As mysterious and awesome as the revelation of the Divine Name (“I am that I am”) to Moses might be, St. John’s statement gives a content that echoes and enfolds the death and resurrection of Christ itself. Indeed, any other statement about God runs the risk of obscuring this essential revelation. More

Let’s Try and Remember Who We Are

07/29/2026

Sermon preached by Fr. Antony Hughes on Sunday, February 23, 2025 I intend this to be a short and heartfelt homily. Short because if I start waxing eloquently at length I might get lost in a passion or two. There are times and places for that, but not here and now. At trying times like these it is necessary to commit ourselves more deliberately to the Gospel. I have learned the hard way that the

Myrrhbearer and Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene

07/22/2026

The Holy Myrrh-Bearer Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene, Commemorated on July 22 A woman whose name has entered forever into the Gospel account was born and grew up in Magdala. The Gospel tells us nothing of Mary’s younger years, but Tradition informs us that Mary of Magdala was young and pretty…. It says in the Gospels that the Lord expelled seven devils from Mary (Luke. 8:2). From the moment of her healing Mary led

Archive

Ancestral Versus Original Sin: An Overview with Implications for Psychotherapy (Part IV)

Ancestral Versus Original Sin: An Overview with Implications for Psychotherapy (Part II)

From the Cross – To the Cross – By the Cross (Elevation of the Holy Cross)

Saved by the Stuff of Grace

Life as a Fractal

The Sword that Pierces the Soul

Behold Your Mother

Love and Being

Let’s Try and Remember Who We Are

Myrrhbearer and Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene

Categories

Archives

View Our Live Stream Services

Keep In Touch

Stewardship Application

Daily Meditations

Worship Schedule

Light a Virtual Candle

Text-to-Give in 2 easy steps!

1) Text 202-899-7801 to include your donation amount

2) Follow the link to complete the one-time registration