3 homilies: On The forty Martys, The Third sunday of Lent, and “Before Thy Cross”:

What is “life”? You cannot understand the cross unless you understand life.

We cannot understand the cross, and the way of the cross unless we understand life. What is life? Most people do not know the answer to this simple question or understand why the way of the cross is the only way to have life, or understand what is meant when we are told to “lose our life”, or that everything in our life is an exchange – with life or death.

Sunday of the Cross. Mark 8:34-9:1. 2014-03-23

http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/great-lent-sunday-03_2014-03-23+what-is-life+everything-is-an-exchange_mark8-34-9-1.mp3

What should we feel when we prostate during “Before Thy Cross…”

We must learn how to feel the troparion “Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship” as we are prostrating before the cross. this is a moment in the church year that we cannot miss, when our body and soul pray as one, and the mystery of life is explained to us in words that cannot be uttered.

http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/great-lent-sunday-03_2014-03-22+before-thy-cross-we-bow-down-in-worship.mp3

The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste are a fantastic example of patience. This year, their feast was on the 3rd Saturday of Great Lent, which has an epistle the says in part “For ye have need of patience.” Such simple words, and so true for each of us! Let us see how their martyrdom exemplifies patience. Depending on God with patience will always turn out well. We also explain why the Gospel of the workers of the vineyard is read for their feast.

http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/feasts-of-the-saints-03-09_2014-03-22+forty-martyrs-of-sebaste+for-ye-have-need-of-patience_matthew20-1-16-hebrews10-32-38.mp3

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