seraphimholland – Page 70 – Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church

Dormition hymns: The Furnace and the Theotokos. The Three Holy Children. The Angel of the Lord.

I am amazed at how often the hymns at the end of vigil seem so much more profound and beautiful than those at the beginning. I do not think they are of substantially higher quality, although it could be argued that the “Canon” is the masterpiece of all Orthodox hymnology, but I do believe that WE are of higher quality! Standing (sitting, pacing, having an itch, having your mind wander, thinking about how your feet hurt, getting hungry, etc, etc) during the vigil prepares us for holy moments when something being chanted seems to permeate to the very depths of our soul. …

What follows is a little more discussion about vigil and a particuarly powerful metaphor for the Theotokos, which is mentioned in hymns to her: a furnace.

The unmerciful debtor. It is all about imitation. Audio homily. 11th Sun 2009.

LISTEN NOW Matthew 18:23-35 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him… Continue reading The unmerciful debtor. It is all about imitation. Audio homily. 11th Sun 2009.

Why were Moses and Elias with Christ on the mountain?

When Christ was transfigured on the mountain, Moses and Elias appeared conversing with Him. Why were these two present, out of all the righteous of the Old Testament? The service texts explain this. There are two equally valid answers. One has to do with the respective ministries of the two saints, and… Continue reading Why were Moses and Elias with Christ on the mountain?

Holy Transfiguration

Questions and answers about the Transfiguration. http://www.orthodox.net/questions/transfiguration_1.html Transfiguration (mp3 format) Human nature in the midst of the Divine. Luke 9:28-36 (The Gospel For Matins) 2008 You can watch this sermon on the following video platforms: YouTube, Yahoo, MySpace, Metacafe, Google, Revver, DailyMotion, Blip.TV, VeohSYNOPSIS:There is a startling contrast between Moses and Elias and the… Continue reading Holy Transfiguration

10th Sunday. The Exorcism Of The Lunatic Son Why fast? Audio Homily 2009.

LISTEN NOW Matthew 17:14-23 14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I… Continue reading 10th Sunday. The Exorcism Of The Lunatic Son Why fast? Audio Homily 2009.

Fund-raising news New Construction photos. Hard work man.

Aug 1/ 14 10th Friday after Pentecost. Beginning of Dormition Fast. Good news this week on the fund raising front. We are in the midst of trying to raise $40,000 to complete our building project. A letter to this end is here, and also available in PDF or WORD format. We would be in… Continue reading Fund-raising news New Construction photos. Hard work man.

What happened on the Cross? Dispassion.

July 30/ Aug 12 2009 10th Wednesday after Pentecost Thou didst endure suffering, O Master, that Thou mightest bestow dispassion upon all who worship Thy sufferings and voluntary sacrifice – the spear, nails and reed, which Thou didst endure with long-suffering of Thine own will – that for the sake of Thy sufferings, O… Continue reading What happened on the Cross? Dispassion.

July 29 / Aug 11 2009 10th Tuesday after Pentecost

Daily Readings. Guidelines for reading, with freedom for departures. Who are we hanging out with? What we do IS who we are with. EVERYTHING we do affects our intelligence. 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV) We are almost at the end of First Corinthians in our… Continue reading July 29 / Aug 11 2009 10th Tuesday after Pentecost

9th Sunday. 2009. Walking on the water: a parable describing our lives.

The miracle of Jesus walking on the water in the midst of a storm is not only a recounting of a historical event, but also, mystically, a description of many events in our lives. LISTEN NOW Matthew 14:22-34 22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him… Continue reading 9th Sunday. 2009. Walking on the water: a parable describing our lives.

Moleben on the Land – Pictures The littlest choir member. Let them sing! It should be illegal to be this cute.

July 24/ Aug 6 2009 9th Thursday after Pentecost. During our weekly Moleben on the Land, Thursday evening. We are standing on the built up platform of earth, just in front of where the iconostasis will eventually be. Notice the assistant choir director holding the service to St Nicholas. It does not… Continue reading Moleben on the Land – Pictures The littlest choir member. Let them sing! It should be illegal to be this cute.