What does this mean – God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we have this treasure in earthen vessels?. Exaltation of the Cross.

On this Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross, two of the epistle readings (2 Corinthians 4:6-15 and Galatians 6:11-18) relate directly to the cross. St Paul states emphatically: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What does it mean to “glory” in the cross? People glory in many things – wealth, attractiveness, popularity, political correctness, having a good marriage, job, etc. None of these things is glorying in the cross. We answer this important question, and also why we who are “new creatures” because of the cross “have this treasure in earthen vessels”.

Orthodox Christians Prayer for 40 Days for Life Vigil: October 19th, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Prayer outside Southwestern Late-term Abortion Facility, 8616 Greenville Ave., Dallas. Descriptions of how to participate. I support this endeavor, which is being organized by Fr Seraphim Hipsch, of our sister parish of St Sava. Included is an EXCELLENT discussion of what sin is, a must read. Excerpt: … What is sin? This is a critical fact to bear in mind. What is sin? Sin is a parasite, thriving off the negative / death-ward choices and actions that we as mankind make. This sin, this cancer conceals the eyes of our hearts from the One who truly loves.

Sunday Before the Exaltation of the Cross We are saved from the poison of our passions and sin through the Cross. Exegesis of John 3:13-17. Text and Audio.

An explanation AND APPLICATION of the Gospel on the Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross, John 3:13-17, which has the famous verse: John 3:16. The more important part of the passage describes the standard with the serpent on it which Moses lifted up in the wilderness. The cross and the resurrection must be thought of in the same "breath;", and how we must live because of the cross. Excerpt … Our poison is sin. Our poison is passions. We are saved from our passions and sin through the Cross. Why? Because the Son of Man has the authority to lay down His life and to take it up again. And He would shortly lay down His life and take it up again. He has the authority to change our nature such that we no longer would be held by death. That is what happened after His death on the Cross. He descended into Hades of His Own will and filled Hades with His divinity and broke the gates of Hades. We sing about this in Pascha, and actually we sing about it every Saturday evening . And in breaking those bars, breaking the bonds that hold humanity when they die, He made us capable of ascending. …

Electronic Newsletter September 12/25

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church,  McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter September 12/25 14th Sunday after Pentecost O Lord, Save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance! Grant victory over adversaries, and by Thy cross preserve Thy habitation!   Tuesday, September 27th is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross. Let us come together — on Monday… Continue reading Electronic Newsletter September 12/25

Electronic Newsletter September 5/18

  St. Nicholas Orthodox Church,  McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter September 5/18 13th Sunday after Pentecost Announcements Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Announcements We will be holding our annual membership and pledge drive in September. If you consider St. Nicholas your parish home, please consider filling… Continue reading Electronic Newsletter September 5/18

Beheading Of The Glorious Prophet Forerunner And Baptist John Hidden Addictions And Passions Kill.

The story of the beheading of John the Baptist shows us how an ordinary life ends in death. Herod was an ordinary man, since he was ruled by his passions and sins (lust,adultery,ambition,drunkeness) and because of his indulgence in his passions, most if which he was not aware of, he was also a coward, and when he made an unwise oath, he was unwilling to renege on it to save face. Therefore, he had Saint john beheaded, who then passed into eternal life, and Herod continued his descent into eternal death. We explore especially how hidden passions (present in all of us!) can kill the soul.

Service Commemorating the Ten Year Anniversary of September 11, 2001 Served in churches of the Greek Archdiocese, Metropolis of Atlanta.

The original text of this service was received in email from my father in law in an image file. The language has been changed to reflect liturgical usage, and common Orthodox hymns changed to the versions sung in our church. We did not use this service[4], but is an example of what was done in another local church on this somber day. This small supplicatory service (paraklesis) was served after Divine Liturgy

Beheading of the Glorious Prophet Forerunner and Baptist John Possibilities and clarity.

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.”