Sermons & Homilies – Tagged "Martyrs & Confessors"– Page 4 – Holy Cross Monastery

Sep 17, 2017

Sermon for the Beheading of the Forerunner (2017)

We have come to the end of the Church year. Today, we commemorate the last notable feast of the whole Church year, the Beheading of the honorable and glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. The holy Baptist came preaching: Behold the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sin of the world; prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and all the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places into plains. Whoever we are, wherever we are, at all times, places and circumstances, we always need to seek repentance...

Feb 04, 2017

Sermon on the New Martyrs of Russia & the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee 2017

What kind of men and women become martyrs? What is it within each of our hearts that determines our destiny and eternal fate? For what kind of open or hidden virtue does the Lord grant the supreme gift of a martyr’s crown? And which of our many sins and passions do we need to fear the most, which can so corrupt and sicken our souls that we become capable even of mocking, torturing and slaughtering God’s faithful servants?

Sep 11, 2016

Sermon for the Beheading of the Forerunner (2016)

Today we commemorate the death of one of the greatest Saints in the Church. We in the Church do not shy away from death as the world does but see it as the entrance from life into true and everlasting life. For us still here in the world the death of the righteous reveals to us many spiritual truths to aid us on the path of salvation.

Jul 17, 2016

Sermon for the Feast of the Royal Martyrs (2016)

So what can we learn from the Royal Martyrs to inspire us on our path to preserve the Faith in these difficult days? Let’s look at one aspect or virtue of each member or group of the family and see how it protected them from the hatred of the world, the world that hates Christ and therefore hates those who are His.

Feb 07, 2016

Sermon on the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia (2016)

Today we celebrate the memory of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian land. These are all the multitude of bishops, priests, monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, and children who were killed or suffered gravely because of their faith and their refusal to compromise their faith, to cooperate with the new revolutionary government, or to renounce their faith in Christ.