Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2 At St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, where I have served for the past twenty years, we have identified five core values—love, worship, community, learning and service. We make our decisions […]
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards to faith. I Timothy 6:20-21 One challenge to faith is reconciling it with science. One of the first challenges […]
“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that […]
No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His own Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the […]
The tragedy of September 11, 2001, holds deep significance still. This event was not just a moment in history; it reshaped the world we live in today. As Orthodox Christians, there are many reasons why we should remember this tragedy and its implications. Compassion and Forgiveness From an Orthodox Christian […]
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to Him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not […]
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy and it shall be well with you. Psalm 128:2 Today’s Scripture verse comes from Psalm 128, the Psalm that is part of the Orthodox wedding service. The Psalm describes what the happy home looks like. At the […]
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; […]
Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32 Jesus said to him, “I AM the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me. John 14:6 If we are choosing to thrive in all circumstances, […]
Fathers Day is an American holiday that is celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year to honor fathers and father figures in society. While this holiday may not have a direct religious significance, it can certainly be celebrated in an Orthodox Christian context as a way to acknowledge […]
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and He revealed Himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I […]
Sermon originally given on the third Sunday after Pascha Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather today to observe the third Sunday after the glorious celebration of Pascha, or Easter, we are reminded once again of the transformative power of […]