2010 – Page 7 – Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church

Nativity of the Theotokos, Sep 8/21. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Audio Homily.

Synopsis: Before the homily, a little bit about those special “memoents of clarity” and what we should expect each time in the holy services. The homily addresses the Epistle reading, where the Apostle tells us: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” This is the totality of the Gospel, just as the two great commandements are the totality of the law. If we fulfilled this command, we would never sin! Let us explore how to attain this “mind”. Everything we do or think of doing should be evaluated in the light of this command.

The Canaanite Woman. Exactly how to pray. Audio Homily 2010

Synopsis:The Caananite woman teaches us *exactly* how we should pray: with knowledge, simplicity, persistence and humility. A close examination of her encounter with Christ shows these virtues plainly, and should also show us which ones we are lacking in (definitely at least 3 of the 4!).

Audio talk with outline. Prosphora. Liturgy of Preparation, Proskimidia, Service of Prothesis Offering Prosphora and names at the Liturgy.

SYNOPSIS:A short talk on prosphora, which follows the pretty closely. What is prosphora? Styles of Prosphora. How and when is prosphora used? Important pastoral notes, explaining the meaning of commemoration at proskimidie and how to offer prosphora the best way, and local notes about offering prosphora at St Nicholas.

Prosphora Liturgy of Preparation, Proskimidia, Service of Prothesis. Offering Prosphora and names at the Liturgy.

This is the outline for the “after liturgy” talk that is customarily given in our church, before it is too chaotic to teach. The plan is to give this talk tommorow, with the material below as a handout. I “try” to keep things short, so by no means is the talk comprehensive.

Topics:
Prosphora
Liturgy of Preparation, Proskimidia, Service of Prothesis
Offering Prosphora and names at the Liturgy.

Baptism And Emergency Baptism. Short catechetical talk.

Synopsis:A Short talk about the minimum requirements for baptism, and emergency baptism, which is a baptism performed withot a priest when a person is in danger of immanent death. Who can perform this baptism, how should it be done, and what must be done after the baptism is performed. The text is an outline of the talk. These talks are designed to get a little information into the faithful right after the liturgy before it becomes too chaotic to teach.

Parable Of The Talents. Receive Not The Grace Of God In Vain. 16th Sunday. Audio/Video Homily.

Both the epistle and the Gospel story of the parable of the talents express the same basic idea: we must, as the Epistle puts it “receive not the grace of God in vain.” The epistle discusses in great detail how we can “trade” with this grace (called talents in the parable).

Beheading of the Glorious Prophet Forerunner and Baptist John. Possibilities and clarity. Text/Audio Homily.

Thoughts concering the Kontakion of the feast of the beheading of the Forerunner, and the precious gift of clarity of thought sometimes given especially during the early morning liturgy. The beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist John teaches us about the transitoriness of life, and about courage and cowardice. We look at the Kontakion especially, and the actions of Herod, Herodias and Solome. ?The glorious beheading of the Forerunner was part of God?s dispensation that he might proclaim to those in Hades the coming of the Savior, that Herodias who demanded the iniquitous murder, therefore lament. For she loved not the law of God nor the age of life but rather this one, false and fleeting.”

Year: 2010