Listen to the weekly sermons and other recorded lectures of Fr. Gregory and stay connected to the Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.
Glorified in Him
6/19/2021 • 0
Glorified in Him
6/19/2021 • 11 minutes, 50 seconds
A Conversation Beyond Expectation – A Life Beyond Conceiving
6/18/2021 • 0
A Conversation Beyond Expectation – A Life Beyond Conceiving
6/17/2021 • 13 minutes, 10 seconds
The Truth Will Set us Free!
5/27/2021 • 0
The Truth Will Set us Free!
5/27/2021 • 8 minutes, 6 seconds
Prayerful Waiting Beyond the Resurrection
5/4/2021 • 0
Hell's Harrowing
5/4/2021 • 0
Prayerful Waiting Beyond the Resurrection
5/4/2021 • 5 minutes, 33 seconds
Hell’s Harrowing
5/4/2021 • 12 minutes, 57 seconds
Heaven and Earth Meet in a Sacred Mystery
5/4/2021 • 0
Heaven and Earth Meet in a Sacred Mystery
5/4/2021 • 0
Bloom on Palm Sunday
4/30/2021 • 0
Bloom on Palm Sunday
4/30/2021 • 9 minutes, 6 seconds
From Death to Life
4/30/2021 • 0
From Death to Life
4/30/2021 • 6 minutes, 5 seconds
Humbled, Purified and Raised to Serve
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn sermon delivered by Fr. Gregory Hallam.
4/20/2021 • 0
Humbled, Purified and Raised to Serve
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn sermon delivered by Fr. Gregory Hallam.
4/20/2021 • 9 minutes, 36 seconds
Lighten our Darkness
4/20/2021 • 0
Help My Unbelief
4/18/2021 • 0
Help My Unbelief
4/18/2021 • 12 minutes, 55 seconds
Lighten our Darkness
4/10/2021 • 19 minutes, 11 seconds
Carrying my Cross
4/7/2021 • 11 minutes, 7 seconds
Carrying my Cross
4/6/2021 • 0
Angelic Heralds
4/1/2021 • 12 minutes, 21 seconds
Building Christian Families
3/31/2021 • 9 minutes, 23 seconds
Angelic Heralds
3/30/2021 • 0
Building Christian Families
3/30/2021 • 0
Get out for your own good
3/16/2021 • 15 minutes, 56 seconds
Get out for your own good
3/15/2021 • 0
The Sceptre of Equity
3/10/2021 • 0
The Sceptre of Equity
3/10/2021 • 13 minutes, 9 seconds
The Prodigious Father
3/8/2021 • 23 minutes, 42 seconds
The Prodigious Father
3/8/2021 • 0
Old and New Dispensations
2/25/2021 • 9 minutes, 17 seconds
Old and New Dispensations
2/24/2021 • 0
Tenacious Faith
2/23/2021 • 0
Tenacious Faith
2/23/2021 • 19 minutes, 50 seconds
Now is the time for Salvation and Fruitfulness
2/21/2021 • 10 minutes, 2 seconds
Now is the time for Salvation and Fruitfulness
2/21/2021 • 0
Fulfillment of the Promise
2/20/2021 • 0
Fulfillment of the Promise
2/20/2021 • 7 minutes, 8 seconds
Climb that Sycamore!
2/2/2021 • 15 minutes, 13 seconds
Climb that Sycamore!
2/1/2021 • 0
The Tenth Leper
1/23/2021 • 11 minutes, 33 seconds
The Tenth Leper
1/22/2021 • 0
Changed Hearts, Transformed Lives, Godly Families
1/18/2021 • 9 minutes, 26 seconds
Changed Hearts, Transformed Lives, Godly Families
1/17/2021 • 0
All Things Made New
1/10/2021 • 8 minutes, 17 seconds
Great Men of the Holy City
1/9/2021 • 0
The Great Union
1/9/2021 • 0
Great Men of the Holy City
1/9/2021 • 9 minutes, 45 seconds
The Great Union
1/9/2021 • 19 minutes, 23 seconds
Waiting upon God
1/9/2021 • 8 minutes, 20 seconds
All Things Made New
1/8/2021 • 0
Waiting upon God
1/8/2021 • 0
St Ignatios speaks to us today
12/29/2020 • 23 minutes, 22 seconds
St Ignatios speaks to us today
12/29/2020 • 0
New Life in Christ
12/17/2020 • 8 minutes, 10 seconds
New Life in Christ
12/16/2020 • 0
Accept and serve Christ and each other
12/16/2020 • 10 minutes, 46 seconds
Killing Nicholas
12/15/2020 • 18 minutes, 18 seconds
Accept and serve Christ and each other
12/14/2020 • 0
Killing Nicholas
12/14/2020 • 0
The Virginal Womb as the Temple
12/11/2020 • 15 minutes, 20 seconds
The Virginal Womb as the Temple
12/10/2020 • 0
The Fair Flower of Israel in the Temple of the Lord
12/3/2020 • 9 minutes, 15 seconds
The Fair Flower of Israel in the Temple of the Lord
12/3/2020 • 0
True Fasting and Discerning to Help
11/25/2020 • 9 minutes, 36 seconds
True Fasting and Discerning to Help
11/24/2020 • 0
Be like the angels
11/13/2020 • 11 minutes, 24 seconds
Be like the angels
11/12/2020 • 0
Showing the Devil the Door
11/11/2020 • 10 minutes, 12 seconds
Showing the Devil the Door
11/10/2020 • 0
Legion
10/29/2020 • 17 minutes, 1 second
Power in Weakness and Death Destroying Life
10/28/2020 • 9 minutes, 31 seconds
Legion
10/27/2020 • 0
Power in Weakness and Death Destroying Life
10/27/2020 • 0
The Icon of the Invisible God
10/13/2020 • 25 minutes, 22 seconds
The Icon of the Invisible God
10/12/2020 • 0
Praise Where Praise is Due
10/8/2020 • 9 minutes, 10 seconds
Praise Where Praise is Due
10/7/2020 • 0
The Deep End not the Shallow End
10/2/2020 • 14 minutes, 59 seconds
The Deep End not the Shallow End
10/1/2020 • 0
Crucified to be Glorified
9/25/2020 • 6 minutes, 40 seconds
Crucified to be Glorified
9/24/2020 • 0
The Dream of the Rood
https://lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html
9/16/2020 • 17 minutes, 44 seconds
The Dream of the Rood
https://lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html
9/15/2020 • 0
The Mother of Us All
9/15/2020 • 0
The Mother of Us All
9/15/2020 • 6 minutes, 48 seconds
Rebel, Mercenary, Conscript or Volunteer?
9/8/2020 • 11 minutes, 38 seconds
Rebel, Mercenary, Conscript or Volunteer?
9/7/2020 • 0
Forsaking All for Christ
9/4/2020 • 8 minutes, 9 seconds
Forsaking All for Christ
9/3/2020 • 0
Thanks-giving
8/30/2020 • 17 minutes, 51 seconds
Tested and Emergent Faith
8/29/2020 • 6 minutes, 40 seconds
Thanks-giving
8/28/2020 • 0
Tested and Emergent Faith
8/28/2020 • 0
Dormition
8/28/2020 • 11 minutes, 16 seconds
Dormition
8/27/2020 • 0
As He Is So Shall We Be
8/11/2020 • 11 minutes, 17 seconds
As He Is So Shall We Be
8/10/2020 • 0
The Heights and the Depths
8/8/2020 • 6 minutes, 39 seconds
The Heights and the Depths
8/7/2020 • 0
Bread of Heaven
8/6/2020 • 10 minutes, 35 seconds
Bread of Heaven
8/5/2020 • 0
God helps us in our Infirmities
7/31/2020 • 10 minutes, 4 seconds
God helps us in our Infirmities
7/30/2020 • 0
The God-Man Who Saves
7/30/2020 • 17 minutes, 34 seconds
The God-Man Who Saves
7/30/2020 • 0
The Greater Righteousness by Faith
7/15/2020 • 7 minutes, 32 seconds
The Greater Righteousness by Faith
7/14/2020 • 0
Exceptional Faith
7/9/2020 • 18 minutes, 3 seconds
Exceptional Faith
7/8/2020 • 0
Two Pillars on One Foundation
7/5/2020 • 7 minutes, 30 seconds
Two Pillars on One Foundation
7/4/2020 • 0
The Fire This Time
6/24/2020 • 7 minutes, 7 seconds
The Fire This Time
6/23/2020 • 0
Come Holy Spirit
6/17/2020 • 9 minutes, 28 seconds
Come Holy Spirit
6/16/2020 • 0
To Be Ascended
What does it mean to be “ascended”? We need to know because as surely as Christ ascended, so shall we in Him also ascend.
6/2/2020 • 0
To Be Ascended
What does it mean to be “ascended”? We need to know because as surely as Christ ascended, so shall we in Him also ascend.
6/2/2020 • 9 minutes, 23 seconds
The Road to Perfection
Fr. Gregory reads the sermon by Fr. Emmanuel Kahn on the Ascension.
6/1/2020 • 8 minutes
The Road to Perfection
Fr. Gregory reads the sermon by Fr. Emmanuel Kahn on the Ascension.
5/31/2020 • 0
Near and Far to Proclaim
Two remarkable evangelists who brought Christ to many people.
5/19/2020 • 0
Near and Far to Proclaim
Two remarkable evangelists who brought Christ to many people.
5/19/2020 • 8 minutes, 28 seconds
The Peace from Above
5/14/2020 • 0
Tombs Opened
5/14/2020 • 0
Old and New Martyrdoms
5/14/2020 • 0
Holy Women and Holy Men
Holy Women and Holy Men
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God is one.Amen.
We celebrate today the lives of seven holy women and two holy men. Each of these followers of Christ expressed their faith in Him through their prayers and actions. It is good for us to pause and consider their lives and how those lives might guide us in the challenges we face today.
Many women named Mary were among the followers of Jesus Christ. There is some dispute among Biblical scholars as to who was “Mary, the mother of James;” but this is generally agreed to be the Virgin Mary, The Theotokos, who was the step-mother of Joseph’s son, James. Certainly, along with many other women, she was present with Jesus Christ throughout His ministry on earth and at His Crucifixion (Matthew 27.55; Mark 15.40-41; Luke 23.49; John 19.25-27). A note in The Orthodox Study Bible points out that “the women disciples remain faithful while the men flee and hide. [Then] it is the women who bring the message of the Resurrection to the men” [p. 1356, citing Mark 16.9-11 and Luke 24.9-11]. Yet the men do not believe them (Mark 16.11; Luke 24.11). Perhaps that tendency of men not to believe women who are seeking to guide them to Christ is still present at times today.
The sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, were deeply devoted to Jesus Christ. It was Mary, who had taken expensive perfume and anointed the feet of the Saviour when He arrived in Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover celebration (John 12.1). Martha was always working hard to serve all of those who came to be with Jesus; and she also had great faith in the Saviour. She said to Him, after Lazarus had died, before her brother was raised from the dead, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11.21). Together, Mary and Martha, have come to stand together for serving Christ through both prayer and action. We too can learn to live with the same aspiration—the same determination—to serve Christ through both prayer and action.
All four of the gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John mention Mary Magdalene as an important follower of Jesus Christ. We know little about her life except that Mary Magdalene “had been healed of evil spirits and of infirmities” and that she often travelled with Jesus Christ and the apostles throughout Palestine (Luke 8.2). There is no Biblical evidence that this Mary from the town of Magdala was a great sinner. She was clearly a person of great integrity, with the courage to be a witness of the Crucifixion. Furthermore, when Jesus Christ was no longer dead, but not yet raised to heaven, Mary Magdalene was the first person to whom Christ revealed Himself (Mark 16.9; John 20.11-31).
Several other women including Susanna, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, had also been “healed of evil spirits.” However, we know little about them or about Mary, the wife of Cleophas to whom Jesus Christ appeared on the Emmaus Road, except that they “provided for [Jesus Christ and His followers] out of their own possessions” (Luke 8.3). Another significant follower of Christ was Salome, the wife of Zebedee and the mother of the apostles James and John. Although we know far more about the apostles than the women who followed Christ, it is clear that Christ chose many of His 12 disciples (Matthew 10.1-4; Mark 3.13-19; Luke 6.12-16) from deeply religious Jewish families. Other members of these families supported their sons who had been chosen to follow Christ. This pattern of deeply committed Christians often emerging from holy families has not changed over the centuries.
The two holy men that we remember today are Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who took the body of Jesus Christ down from the cross and buried Him (John 19.38-41). By this action they publicly declared their belief in Christ, when many of His disciples fled in fear. Nicodemus also brought a valuable mixture of myrrh and aloes with which to anoint the body of Jesus Christ, just as one of the wise men had brought myrrh to the new-born Jesus Christ in the stable in Bethlehem (Matthew 2.11). The action of Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, is especially impressive, because he had kept his faith in Christ a secret until this time, but now faith overcame fear. All four evangelists mention the importance of how Jesus Christ was buried (Matthew 27.57, Mark 15.43, Luke 23.51, John 19.38). As a note in The Orthodox Study Bible explains, “If the apostles had buried Christ, doubters would claim His body was simply hidden away. Joseph being both a council member and a good and just man refutes any possibility that the Lord’s body was deceptively hidden by the apostles” (p. 1414) [End quote].
Each of these holy women and holy men proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, through their faith, their prayers and their actions. We too can follow them in their steps.
And so, we ascribe as is justly due all might, majesty, dominion, power and praise to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Father Emmanuel Kahn
5/12/2020 • 5 minutes, 47 seconds
Holy Women and Holy Men
Holy Women and Holy Men
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God is one.Amen.
We celebrate today the lives of seven holy women and two holy men. Each of these followers of Christ expressed their faith in Him through their prayers and actions. It is good for us to pause and consider their lives and how those lives might guide us in the challenges we face today.
Many women named Mary were among the followers of Jesus Christ. There is some dispute among Biblical scholars as to who was “Mary, the mother of James;” but this is generally agreed to be the Virgin Mary, The Theotokos, who was the step-mother of Joseph’s son, James. Certainly, along with many other women, she was present with Jesus Christ throughout His ministry on earth and at His Crucifixion (Matthew 27.55; Mark 15.40-41; Luke 23.49; John 19.25-27). A note in The Orthodox Study Bible points out that “the women disciples remain faithful while the men flee and hide. [Then] it is the women who bring the message of the Resurrection to the men” [p. 1356, citing Mark 16.9-11 and Luke 24.9-11]. Yet the men do not believe them (Mark 16.11; Luke 24.11). Perhaps that tendency of men not to believe women who are seeking to guide them to Christ is still present at times today.
The sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, were deeply devoted to Jesus Christ. It was Mary, who had taken expensive perfume and anointed the feet of the Saviour when He arrived in Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover celebration (John 12.1). Martha was always working hard to serve all of those who came to be with Jesus; and she also had great faith in the Saviour. She said to Him, after Lazarus had died, before her brother was raised from the dead, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11.21). Together, Mary and Martha, have come to stand together for serving Christ through both prayer and action. We too can learn to live with the same aspiration—the same determination—to serve Christ through both prayer and action.
All four of the gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John mention Mary Magdalene as an important follower of Jesus Christ. We know little about her life except that Mary Magdalene “had been healed of evil spirits and of infirmities” and that she often travelled with Jesus Christ and the apostles throughout Palestine (Luke 8.2). There is no Biblical evidence that this Mary from the town of Magdala was a great sinner. She was clearly a person of great integrity, with the courage to be a witness of the Crucifixion. Furthermore, when Jesus Christ was no longer dead, but not yet raised to heaven, Mary Magdalene was the first person to whom Christ revealed Himself (Mark 16.9; John 20.11-31).
Several other women including Susanna, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, had also been “healed of evil spirits.” However, we know little about them or about Mary, the wife of Cleophas to whom Jesus Christ appeared on the Emmaus Road, except that they “provided for [Jesus Christ and His followers] out of their own possessions” (Luke 8.3). Another significant follower of Christ was Salome, the wife of Zebedee and the mother of the apostles James and John. Although we know far more about the apostles than the women who followed Christ, it is clear that Christ chose many of His 12 disciples (Matthew 10.1-4; Mark 3.13-19; Luke 6.12-16) from deeply religious Jewish families. Other members of these families supported their sons who had been chosen to follow Christ. This pattern of deeply committed Christians often emerging from holy families has not changed over the centuries.
The two holy men that we remember today are Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who took the body of Jesus Christ down from the cross and buried Him (John 19.38-41). By this action they publicly declared their belief in Christ, when many of His disciples fled in fear. Nicodemus also brought a valuable mixture of myrrh and aloes with which to anoint the body of Jesus Christ, just as one of the wise men had brought myrrh to the new-born Jesus Christ in the stable in Bethlehem (Matthew 2.11). The action of Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, is especially impressive, because he had kept his faith in Christ a secret until this time, but now faith overcame fear. All four evangelists mention the importance of how Jesus Christ was buried (Matthew 27.57, Mark 15.43, Luke 23.51, John 19.38). As a note in The Orthodox Study Bible explains, “If the apostles had buried Christ, doubters would claim His body was simply hidden away. Joseph being both a council member and a good and just man refutes any possibility that the Lord’s body was deceptively hidden by the apostles” (p. 1414) [End quote].
Each of these holy women and holy men proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, through their faith, their prayers and their actions. We too can follow them in their steps.
And so, we ascribe as is justly due all might, majesty, dominion, power and praise to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Father Emmanuel Kahn
5/11/2020 • 0
The Peace from Above
5/11/2020 • 7 minutes, 37 seconds
Tombs Opened
5/10/2020 • 9 minutes, 53 seconds
Old and New Martyrdoms
4/14/2020 • 6 minutes, 20 seconds
A Time For Everything Under the Sun
4/9/2020 • 12 minutes, 15 seconds
A Time For Everything Under the Sun
4/8/2020 • 0
A Global and a Personal Cross
4/2/2020 • 7 minutes, 58 seconds
Humble Followers
3/31/2020 • 13 minutes, 27 seconds
A Global and a Personal Cross
3/30/2020 • 0
Humble Followers
3/30/2020 • 0
Get out for your own good
3/10/2020 • 21 minutes, 19 seconds
Get out for your own good
3/9/2020 • 0
Kingdom Struggles
Kingdom Struggles
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God is one. Amen.
On this Meatfare Sunday we are urged by the Church not to eat meat for the next week, as we prepare ourselves for Lent that begins on Monday, the 2nd of March. The challenge is to practise self-discipline, to experience that we “eat to live,” not “live to eat.” Yet in the Gospel today from the 25th chapter of St Matthew, Jesus Christ praises those righteous people who gave Him food when he was hungry and drink when He was thirsty. The righteous are puzzled, because they have not seen Jesus Christ. However, He explains to them that when you gave food and drink to those in need, you gave that nourishment “to Me.”
It appears that possibly the Gospel and the theme for Meatfare Sunday might be in conflict about what attitude to take to food. However, in fact, the Gospel and Meatfare Sunday strongly support each other, because what is being considered is not our attitude to food, but our relationship to Jesus Christ. Meatfare Sunday urges us to become more self-disciplined so that we can draw closer to Christ. The Gospel today urges us to help those in need, to seek social justice, so that we can draw closer to Christ. In brief, both Meatfare Sunday and this Gospel are urging us to draw closer to Christ.
In this Gospel “the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Later, in the Gospel of St John, Jesus Christ states: “I am the good shepherd; [and] the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” So, why are the sheep praised so much and the goats so rejected? The correct translation of this Gospel verse is “As the shepherd separates the sheep from the young kids.” St John Chrysostom points out that “indeed from sheep great is the profit—as from the milk, as from the wool, and from the young, of all which things the young kid [does not have]” [cited by The Orthodox New Testament: The Holy Gospels, Volume 1, Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista, Colorado, p. 123]. To put it bluntly, the sheep have grown up and reached spiritual maturity, but the young kids have only begun their lives and are not yet spiritually mature.
The division between sheep and young kids in this Gospel passage from St Matthew is linked to judgment on our lives, both God’s judgment of us and our own judgment of ourselves. Metropolitan Antony Bloom has written, and I quote, of how: “the day will come when we shall stand before God and [we will] be judged, but as long as our pilgrimage [on earth] continues, as long as we live in the process of becoming [that is, of growing closer to Christ], as long as there is ahead of us this road that leads to the full measure of the stature of Christ [that is, the importance of following Christ in our lives] which is our vocation [our calling], judgment must be [given on ourselves] by ourselves…. On [this] road [that leads to Christ] judgment is something which is happening all the time with[in] us; there is a dialogue, a … tension between [on the one hand,] our thoughts, emotions, feelings, actions and [on the other hand,] our conscience, which stands in judgment upon us…. There is a continuing dialogue with[in] us through our life,” concluded Metropolitan Antony [Meditations: A Spiritual Journey, Dimension Books, pp. 3-4].
In the reflection that Metropolitan Antony has set out, the sheep could be viewed as our consciences—our awareness of what is right—in conflict with many of “our thoughts, emotions, feelings [and] actions,” that represent the young kids. If Metropolitan Antony is right that “judgment is something which is happening all the time with[in] us”—and that is certainly an Orthodox Christian approach—then this separation between sheep and young kids is happening within us throughout our lives, as well as on the Final Day of Judgment. Essentially, we are trying now to rid ourselves of sin, through sinning less and less, as well as confessing whenever appropriate. However, we can’t rid ourselves of sin through willpower, but rather through prayer and listening to our consciences and listening to the Lord.
In our lifelong battle with the tendency to sin, Metropolitan Antony points out; and I quote: “We very often walk in darkness, and this darkness is the result of our darkened mind, of our darkened heart, of our darkened eye; and it is only if the Lord Himself sheds His light into our soul, upon our life, that we can begin to see what is wrong and what is right in [our souls].” Metropolitan Antony then draws upon the writings of the Russian Orthodox priest, St John of Kronstadt, who boldly and rightly claimed that “God does not reveal to us the ugliness of our souls unless He can [observe] in us sufficient faith and sufficient hope for us not to be broken by the vision of our sins. In other words,” continues Metropolitan Antony, “whenever we see ourselves with our dark side, this knowledge increases, as we can understand ourselves [better and better,] more [and more,] in the light of God, that is, in the light of the Divine Judgement…. This means two things: it means, indeed that we sadly discover our own ugliness, but also that we can rejoice at the same time, because God has granted us His trust. He has entrusted to us a new knowledge of ourselves as we are, as He always saw us … [but in His mercy] He did not allow us to see ourselves [earlier] because we could not [yet] bear the sight of truth….[Thus] judgement becomes joy, because although we discover what is wrong [with our thoughts and our actions], this discovery is [given to us with] the knowledge that God has seen enough faith, enough hope and enough [courage in the face of pain and suffering] in us to allow us to see, because He knows that now we can act,” concludes Metropolitan Antony [Meditations, pp. 4-5].
I find those insights from Metropolitan Antony and St John of Kronstadt quite inspiring. When we seek to draw closer to Christ’s unique will for each of us, we still face problems and challenges in our lives However, we can be confident that as we see our sins more clearly this is itself a beautiful sign that God trusts us and is telling us that we are now ready to face and remove those sins from our lives. We are all in the midst of the pilgrimage on earth to draw closer to Christ, with the support of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, and the angels and the saints. This is not a mystic journey reserved for a few holy and sinless souls. On the contrary, precisely as Metropolitan Antony says: on this journey of drawing closer and closer to Christ, “the first step is to get to know ourselves”—our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and our fears—both within ourselves and with regard to others. “The first step … in our evaluation of ourselves will be to measure this state of disruption [caused by the sin that presently exists within us].” To encourage us to evaluate ourselves, Metropolitan Antony sets out a number of tough questions that each of us, whatever our age, must answer for ourselves: “How much are my heart and my mind at variance [that is, not consistent] with one another? Is my will directed to one unique goal [of drawing closer and closer to Christ] or is [my will continually] wavering? How far are my [thoughts and my] actions directed by my [conscience and by my] convictions [or] how far are [my thoughts and my actions] under the [influence] of unruly impulses [that is, the sudden desire to do something without thinking of the consequences]? Is there any wholeness within me? … How separated am I from God and my neighbour?” [Meditations, p. 5].
These are tough questions that Metropolitan Antony poses to each of us. However, the very fact that we are asking ourselves these questions now is a sign that God is with us and that He will guide us to face our sins and draw closer to Him. Meatfare Sunday and this Gospel about the sheep and the young kids offer us encouraging guidelines for how to prepare for the season of Lent that will soon be upon us. Let us each face our sins, bring them to Confession, and get to know ourselves, so that we will then come to know Christ in His full, resurrected Glory.
And so, we ascribe as is justly due all might, majesty, dominion, power and praise to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Father Emmanuel Kahn
3/8/2020 • 16 minutes, 3 seconds
Kingdom Struggles
Kingdom Struggles
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God is one. Amen.
On this Meatfare Sunday we are urged by the Church not to eat meat for the next week, as we prepare ourselves for Lent that begins on Monday, the 2nd of March. The challenge is to practise self-discipline, to experience that we “eat to live,” not “live to eat.” Yet in the Gospel today from the 25th chapter of St Matthew, Jesus Christ praises those righteous people who gave Him food when he was hungry and drink when He was thirsty. The righteous are puzzled, because they have not seen Jesus Christ. However, He explains to them that when you gave food and drink to those in need, you gave that nourishment “to Me.”
It appears that possibly the Gospel and the theme for Meatfare Sunday might be in conflict about what attitude to take to food. However, in fact, the Gospel and Meatfare Sunday strongly support each other, because what is being considered is not our attitude to food, but our relationship to Jesus Christ. Meatfare Sunday urges us to become more self-disciplined so that we can draw closer to Christ. The Gospel today urges us to help those in need, to seek social justice, so that we can draw closer to Christ. In brief, both Meatfare Sunday and this Gospel are urging us to draw closer to Christ.
In this Gospel “the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Later, in the Gospel of St John, Jesus Christ states: “I am the good shepherd; [and] the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” So, why are the sheep praised so much and the goats so rejected? The correct translation of this Gospel verse is “As the shepherd separates the sheep from the young kids.” St John Chrysostom points out that “indeed from sheep great is the profit—as from the milk, as from the wool, and from the young, of all which things the young kid [does not have]” [cited by The Orthodox New Testament: The Holy Gospels, Volume 1, Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista, Colorado, p. 123]. To put it bluntly, the sheep have grown up and reached spiritual maturity, but the young kids have only begun their lives and are not yet spiritually mature.
The division between sheep and young kids in this Gospel passage from St Matthew is linked to judgment on our lives, both God’s judgment of us and our own judgment of ourselves. Metropolitan Antony Bloom has written, and I quote, of how: “the day will come when we shall stand before God and [we will] be judged, but as long as our pilgrimage [on earth] continues, as long as we live in the process of becoming [that is, of growing closer to Christ], as long as there is ahead of us this road that leads to the full measure of the stature of Christ [that is, the importance of following Christ in our lives] which is our vocation [our calling], judgment must be [given on ourselves] by ourselves…. On [this] road [that leads to Christ] judgment is something which is happening all the time with[in] us; there is a dialogue, a … tension between [on the one hand,] our thoughts, emotions, feelings, actions and [on the other hand,] our conscience, which stands in judgment upon us…. There is a continuing dialogue with[in] us through our life,” concluded Metropolitan Antony [Meditations: A Spiritual Journey, Dimension Books, pp. 3-4].
In the reflection that Metropolitan Antony has set out, the sheep could be viewed as our consciences—our awareness of what is right—in conflict with many of “our thoughts, emotions, feelings [and] actions,” that represent the young kids. If Metropolitan Antony is right that “judgment is something which is happening all the time with[in] us”—and that is certainly an Orthodox Christian approach—then this separation between sheep and young kids is happening within us throughout our lives, as well as on the Final Day of Judgment. Essentially, we are trying now to rid ourselves of sin, through sinning less and less, as well as confessing whenever appropriate. However, we can’t rid ourselves of sin through willpower, but rather through prayer and listening to our consciences and listening to the Lord.
In our lifelong battle with the tendency to sin, Metropolitan Antony points out; and I quote: “We very often walk in darkness, and this darkness is the result of our darkened mind, of our darkened heart, of our darkened eye; and it is only if the Lord Himself sheds His light into our soul, upon our life, that we can begin to see what is wrong and what is right in [our souls].” Metropolitan Antony then draws upon the writings of the Russian Orthodox priest, St John of Kronstadt, who boldly and rightly claimed that “God does not reveal to us the ugliness of our souls unless He can [observe] in us sufficient faith and sufficient hope for us not to be broken by the vision of our sins. In other words,” continues Metropolitan Antony, “whenever we see ourselves with our dark side, this knowledge increases, as we can understand ourselves [better and better,] more [and more,] in the light of God, that is, in the light of the Divine Judgement…. This means two things: it means, indeed that we sadly discover our own ugliness, but also that we can rejoice at the same time, because God has granted us His trust. He has entrusted to us a new knowledge of ourselves as we are, as He always saw us … [but in His mercy] He did not allow us to see ourselves [earlier] because we could not [yet] bear the sight of truth….[Thus] judgement becomes joy, because although we discover what is wrong [with our thoughts and our actions], this discovery is [given to us with] the knowledge that God has seen enough faith, enough hope and enough [courage in the face of pain and suffering] in us to allow us to see, because He knows that now we can act,” concludes Metropolitan Antony [Meditations, pp. 4-5].
I find those insights from Metropolitan Antony and St John of Kronstadt quite inspiring. When we seek to draw closer to Christ’s unique will for each of us, we still face problems and challenges in our lives However, we can be confident that as we see our sins more clearly this is itself a beautiful sign that God trusts us and is telling us that we are now ready to face and remove those sins from our lives. We are all in the midst of the pilgrimage on earth to draw closer to Christ, with the support of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, and the angels and the saints. This is not a mystic journey reserved for a few holy and sinless souls. On the contrary, precisely as Metropolitan Antony says: on this journey of drawing closer and closer to Christ, “the first step is to get to know ourselves”—our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and our fears—both within ourselves and with regard to others. “The first step … in our evaluation of ourselves will be to measure this state of disruption [caused by the sin that presently exists within us].” To encourage us to evaluate ourselves, Metropolitan Antony sets out a number of tough questions that each of us, whatever our age, must answer for ourselves: “How much are my heart and my mind at variance [that is, not consistent] with one another? Is my will directed to one unique goal [of drawing closer and closer to Christ] or is [my will continually] wavering? How far are my [thoughts and my] actions directed by my [conscience and by my] convictions [or] how far are [my thoughts and my actions] under the [influence] of unruly impulses [that is, the sudden desire to do something without thinking of the consequences]? Is there any wholeness within me? … How separated am I from God and my neighbour?” [Meditations, p. 5].
These are tough questions that Metropolitan Antony poses to each of us. However, the very fact that we are asking ourselves these questions now is a sign that God is with us and that He will guide us to face our sins and draw closer to Him. Meatfare Sunday and this Gospel about the sheep and the young kids offer us encouraging guidelines for how to prepare for the season of Lent that will soon be upon us. Let us each face our sins, bring them to Confession, and get to know ourselves, so that we will then come to know Christ in His full, resurrected Glory.
And so, we ascribe as is justly due all might, majesty, dominion, power and praise to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Father Emmanuel Kahn
3/8/2020 • 0
True Repentance
2/21/2020 • 0
Simeon's Line
2/21/2020 • 0
True Repentance
2/13/2020 • 12 minutes, 20 seconds
Simeon’s Line
2/10/2020 • 17 minutes, 57 seconds
Being All and in All
1/30/2020 • 19 minutes, 49 seconds
The New Life Revolution
1/29/2020 • 0
The New Life Revolution
1/29/2020 • 15 minutes, 17 seconds
Being All and in All
1/28/2020 • 0
Water of Life
1/28/2020 • 0
Fugitives in a Sorrowful Land
1/28/2020 • 0
Rebirth from a Birth
1/28/2020 • 0
The King of Kings and the Prince of Peace
1/28/2020 • 0
Righteousness Fulfilled
1/28/2020 • 0
Called to the Banquet of Transformation
1/28/2020 • 0
Do Not Hang on to Stuff
1/28/2020 • 0
The New Ark
1/28/2020 • 0
Rotting in the Barn
1/28/2020 • 0
Interpreting the Scriptures
1/28/2020 • 0
Calling on the Lord in Faith
Fr. Emmanuel discusses the eighth chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke. How does the Lord heal?
1/28/2020 • 0
Clothed and in his Right Mind
1/28/2020 • 0
Art for Christ
1/28/2020 • 0
Vessels of Treasure
1/28/2020 • 0
The Great Haul of Grace and Work
1/28/2020 • 0
Caesarius of Arles on the Cross
1/28/2020 • 0
Saved by the Cross
1/28/2020 • 0
Mary's Secret
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on the Feast of the Birth of the Theotokos.
1/28/2020 • 0
Trees of Death and Life
1/28/2020 • 0
Aidan's Wisdom
This morning we celebrate the feast of our patron, St Aidan of Lindisfarne.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Holy Mother of the North
Father Emmanuel Kahn speaks about the translation of the relics of St Hilda of Whitby.
1/28/2020 • 0
Christ with Mary, Never Without
In the Afterfeast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, we reflect as Orthodox Christians on the role of Our Lady in our salvation
1/28/2020 • 0
The Compassionate Mother
When we seek the intervention of the Mother of God in our lives, our request to Her for help and intervention needs to be joined to how we are living our lives
1/28/2020 • 0
Interaction and Solitude
1/28/2020 • 0
Consider the Lilies
Fr. Gregory Hallam reminds us that placing our ultimate hope in net gains through life is an exercise in futility, because, in the end, all that we have accomplished, all the disasters we have avoided, will not endure death, and within a century or so will most probably not even be remembered by our descendants.
1/28/2020 • 0
Into the Likeness
Two sermons today - first Fr. Gregory Hallam followed by Fr. Emmanuel Kahn helping us prepare for the Dormition of the Mother of God.
1/28/2020 • 0
Twin Trumpets
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says if we wish to be saved to live forever with the Holy Trinity in heaven, we first need to learn how to grow our own personal integrity and morality here on earth.
1/28/2020 • 0
Choosing to Follow
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn reminds us that it is good that we should understand the choice before each of us. Will we continue to sin or will we seek to be holy?
1/28/2020 • 0
Voice from the Isles
Fr. Gregory Hallam remembers the saints of the British Isles and Ireland.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Didache
Fr. Gregory Hallam on Sunday June 30, 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
Not Dimly but Face to Face
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for the Sunday of All Saints, 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
Earth, Wind, and Fire
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, June 16 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
Beams, Bells and Healing Balms
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn speaks about St Dunstan, a 10th century Archbishop of Canterbury.
1/28/2020 • 0
Cherishing the Body, Honouring the Soul
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, May 12, 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Peace of God Unconstrained
How could Jesus enter a room through a locked door and then show the disciples the wounds of the Crucifixion in His hands and His sides? Fr. Emmanuel Kahn explains how the Church Fathers interpret this Biblical passage.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Great Exchange
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on Pascha Sunday 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
About To Pass Over
During these three days between the crucifixion and the resurrection, when living human beings could not touch Christ, He descended into hell. There, St Peter tells us in First Peter, chapter 4, verse 6, Christ “preached the Good News to the dead.” Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on Holy Saturday
1/28/2020 • 0
Beginnings, Middles and Ends
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon at Vesperal Divine Liturgy on Great and Holy Thursday 2019
1/28/2020 • 0
Choose the Lord who Calls You
How did Jesus respond to these many people in first century Palestine who were saying that He is the Messiah, the Christ, who had come to save them? Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the Palm Sunday sermon.
1/28/2020 • 0
Waiting upon the Lord of Life
The Gospel today from the 11th chapter of the Gospel of St John is about a close friend of Jesus Christ, Lazarus. Fr. Emmanuel Kahn is the preacher.
1/28/2020 • 0
No Sharp Shoulders
Sermon by Fr. Gregory Hallam for Sunday, April 14, 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Ascent
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, April 7, 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
The God-Man Who Died
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaching on the Sunday of the Cross.
1/28/2020 • 0
St Proclus of Constantinople on the Annunciation
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on the Feast of the Annunciation.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Thanksgiving Principle
Fr. Emmanuel gives the sermon entitled The Thanksgiving Principle with an introduction by Fr Gregory on St Gregory Palamas.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Legacy of St. Patrick
Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks about the Enlightener - St. Patrick of Ireland.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Five Pillars of Christianity
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, 10 March 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Righteous Judge of All
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Sunday of the Last Judgment, 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
Running to Embrace
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on the Sunday of the Prodigal 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Great Filter
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn talks about two people who came into the Temple. Only one of them is to be admired.
1/28/2020 • 0
Pester Power
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, February 10, 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Golden Mouthed
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon in celebration of the Translation of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom in 434.
1/28/2020 • 0
Please and Thank You
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, January 20, 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
Grace For All
The Epistle today from the fourth chapter of St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians begins with the firm statement that “grace has been given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
1/28/2020 • 0
Great Humility
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Theophany 2019.
1/28/2020 • 0
New Life, New City
We celebrate today the lives of two great fourth-century Church leaders, St Basil the Great and his close friend, St Gregory of Nazianzus. Let’s try to understand what they were teaching.
1/28/2020 • 0
Into the Now
2019 is nearly upon us and inevitably we become more conscious of the passage of time and with this, questions about time, being human and living a full life in our relationships with God and each other become more prominent. Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon.
1/28/2020 • 0
To Be God Born
So, let’s seek to understand what the birth of Christ means for our lives now and in the years to come. Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for Christmas Day.
1/28/2020 • 0
God's Family Tree
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn helps us understand the genealogies in the Gospel of Matthew.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Banquet is Ready
Fr. Gregory Hallam - Sunday, December 16, 2018.
1/28/2020 • 0
Clouds That Give Way To Light
Fr. Gregory Hallam and Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preach on the Conception of the Most HolyTheotokos by the Righteous Anna, as well as the life of the Prophetess Anna, mother of the Prophet Samuel.
1/28/2020 • 0
One Truth
In this very important sermon, Fr. Gregory Hallam tells us that we do not believe in God to satisfy our ignorance about the world; in short to give us a nice and comforting alternative to science with its allegedly godless explanations and “theories.” If we are thinking like that then we do not truly believe in the God who is the source of ALL truth both religious and scientific, nor do we understand the world as it truly is.
1/28/2020 • 0
A Triumph for the Good
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon after Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children. If we wish to understand the will of God for each of our lives and be filled with the Holy Spirit, we need to ask the Lord for that understanding and empty ourselves of whatever is blocking us from experiencing “the good days” that the Lord has prepared for us.
1/28/2020 • 0
Uniting Ourselves to Christ
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, November 18, 2018.
1/28/2020 • 0
Fasting for a Safe Journey
When we fast we are confronted with an important decision: Am I living primarily for self or for service to God and service to others?
1/28/2020 • 0
Under His Nose
Fr. Gregory Hallam is the preacher on Sunday, 28 October 2018.
1/28/2020 • 0
Touching the Hem of HIs Garment
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn reflects on two healings by one Lord Jesus Christ.
1/28/2020 • 0
Justification
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, 21 October 2018.
1/28/2020 • 0
The Divine Connection
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council.
1/28/2020 • 0
Signs
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, October 7, 2018
1/28/2020 • 0
Sufficiency
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn tells us if we learn to trust God and His will for each of our lives, God will take care of us.
1/28/2020 • 0
Fishing with Grace
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, 23 September 2018.
1/28/2020 • 0
Straight-Forwardly Growing
Two Orthodox saints from the fifth and sixth centuries, St Caesarius of Arles and St John Chrysostom, are showing us how we can live with Christ today and tomorrow and for the rest of our lives on earth.
1/28/2020 • 0
No Entry for Narcissus
In Greek mythology the young man Narcissus who pined away in love with his own image in a pool of water was turned into the flower that bears his name. Anyone can be a narcissist—young or old, male or female. However, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says there are in fact two types of narcissists, extrovert and introvert.
1/28/2020 • 0
Aidan's Way
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on Thursday, 30 August, at the Vesperal Liturgy for St Aidan, Patron Saint of the parish.
1/28/2020 • 0
Losing Ground
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, 26 August 2018.
1/28/2020 • 0
Don't Stay in the Blocks
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches from the 19th chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew about a rich young man who did not wish to give away his wealth to the poor and to then follow Jesus.
1/28/2020 • 0
She Who Has Gone Before
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon at the Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Dormition of the Theotokos.
1/28/2020 • 0
Have Mercy
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, August 12, 2018.
1/28/2020 • 0
Beholding Christ Glorified
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches about the Transfiguration of our Lord.
1/27/2020 • 0
Building to Last
From the Gospel record of St Peter walking across the water on Galilee to Christ. Fr Gregory Hallam shows how important it is to keep our eyes firmly fixed on Christ amid all the challenges of life. From the Apostle reading he explains St Paul's teaching of Christians fulfilling their role as God's co-workers and fellow builders. We build on that sure foundation which is Christ, a gold that will never tarnish or be destroyed.
1/27/2020 • 0
The Lord Provides
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn speaks on the Gospel from the 14th chapter of St Matthew about how Jesus Christ fed more than 5,000 people at the end of the day “in a lonely place.”
1/27/2020 • 0
Warm Courageous Love
Fr. Gregory Hallam sermon on July 8, 2018.
1/27/2020 • 0
The Word Is Very Near
We are each challenged to confess with words that “Christ is Lord” of our lives and believe in our hearts “that God has raised [Jesus Christ] from the dead.” How can we do that?
1/27/2020 • 0
Voices Unleashed
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday June 24, 2018.
1/27/2020 • 0
Into the Light
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn reminds us of the words of St. Matthew: “The eye is the lamp of the body,”
1/27/2020 • 0
The Great Race
Today we celebrate all the saints, both those who have been declared saints by the Church and those whose holy lives are known to God alone. Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon.
1/27/2020 • 0
Wind, Fire, and Light
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on Sunday 27th May, Holy Pentecost.
1/27/2020 • 0
Glorified and Glorifying
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches to the adults and says our faith in the Truth that is Jesus Christ makes us one with Him, completes our life on earth and brings us eternal life.
1/27/2020 • 0
On the Glorious Ascension
Fr. Gregory Hallam teaches that Christ the Head ascended unto Heaven; His holy members, the true Christians, will ascend as well.
1/27/2020 • 0
Seeing Truth
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, May 13, 2018.
1/27/2020 • 0
Lights To and From Antioch
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for Sunday, May 6, 2018.
1/27/2020 • 0
New Pools For Old
Fr. Gregory Hallam and the Sunday of the Paralytic.
1/27/2020 • 0
Doing a Beautiful Thing for Christ
Fr. Gregory Hallam begins with the children and then Fr. Emmanuel Kahn speaks to the adults about Joseph of Arimathea.
1/27/2020 • 0
Body Matters
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for the Sunday of St. Thomas.
1/27/2020 • 0
The Triumph of God's Love
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for Pascha as we rejoice in the resurrection of Christ.
1/27/2020 • 0
Living in the Court of Conscience
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for Great and Holy Thursday.
1/27/2020 • 0
No Innocent Bystanders
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Palm Sunday.
1/27/2020 • 0
Sleepers Wake!
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on Lazarus Saturday.
1/27/2020 • 0
Let It Be
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on the Feast of the Annunciation.
1/27/2020 • 0
Emerging Faith: A Partnership with the Lord
Belief that is joined with unbelief. Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives today's sermon.
1/25/2020 • 0
The Dream of the Rood
Fr. Gregory Hallam reads The Dream of the Rood, an old English poem for the Sunday of the Cross in Great Lent.
1/25/2020 • 0
Dancing in the Rain with the Lord
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon about the second chapter of the Gospel of St Mark and the healing of a man who was paralysed.
1/25/2020 • 0
Following For Real
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on the first Sunday of Great Lent
1/25/2020 • 0
True Fasting
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Cheesefare Sunday, 2018.
1/25/2020 • 0
A Judgement of Love
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn talks about the Last Judgement.
1/25/2020 • 0
The Crazy Father
Fr. Gregory Hallam encourages us to look at the parable of the Prodigal Son with fresh eyes and ears.
1/25/2020 • 0
Radiant
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives a sermon about the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple.
1/25/2020 • 0
Humility, the Doorway to Compassion
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Publican and the Pharisee.
1/25/2020 • 0
Lift Off!
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the life of St. Maximus the Confessor and concludes that once we have learned how to respect and love ourselves as we are, with our very own strengths and weaknesses, we are on the launching pad for a life with purpose.
1/25/2020 • 0
At Home and Away for God
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says that it is good to travel, to visit holy places but our primary relationship to the Lord God and to others is in our own homes within our own families.
1/25/2020 • 0
Fulfill All Righteousness
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on The Theophany, when God was revealed in the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River in ancient Palestine.
1/25/2020 • 0
Always Growing
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says as we take leave of the Feast of the Nativity, perhaps we can also leave behind our awareness of Jesus Christ as a baby and begin to grow older with Christ Himself.
1/25/2020 • 0
Chrysostom on Christmas
Fr. Gregory asks St. John Chrysostom to help with the Christmas Day sermon.
1/25/2020 • 0
Nor the Will of the Flesh
Fr. Gregory first speaks to the children then reads a Nativity sermon from St. John of Kronstadt.
1/25/2020 • 0
Striving for Holiness
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Emmanuel team up to preach on St. Paul's admonishment to "put off the old nature and put on the new nature."
1/25/2020 • 0
Water of Life
1/12/2020 • 11 minutes, 20 seconds
Fugitives in a Sorrowful Land
1/9/2020 • 19 minutes, 41 seconds
Rebirth from a Birth
12/28/2019 • 14 minutes, 32 seconds
The King of Kings and the Prince of Peace
12/27/2019 • 10 minutes, 10 seconds
Righteousness Fulfilled
12/27/2019 • 20 minutes, 19 seconds
Called to the Banquet of Transformation
12/25/2019 • 13 minutes, 39 seconds
Do Not Hang on to Stuff
12/4/2019 • 16 minutes, 52 seconds
The New Ark
11/24/2019 • 13 minutes, 8 seconds
Rotting in the Barn
11/21/2019 • 15 minutes, 29 seconds
Interpreting the Scriptures
11/18/2019 • 16 minutes, 13 seconds
Calling on the Lord in Faith
Fr. Emmanuel discusses the eighth chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke. How does the Lord heal?
11/1/2019 • 16 minutes, 33 seconds
Clothed and in his Right Mind
10/31/2019 • 27 minutes, 18 seconds
Art for Christ
10/25/2019 • 28 minutes, 56 seconds
Vessels of Treasure
10/3/2019 • 18 minutes, 52 seconds
The Great Haul of Grace and Work
9/27/2019 • 15 minutes, 27 seconds
Caesarius of Arles on the Cross
9/22/2019 • 17 minutes, 41 seconds
Saved by the Cross
9/21/2019 • 16 minutes, 10 seconds
Mary’s Secret
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on the Feast of the Birth of the Theotokos.
9/16/2019 • 10 minutes, 16 seconds
Trees of Death and Life
9/9/2019 • 23 minutes, 11 seconds
Aidan’s Wisdom
This morning we celebrate the feast of our patron, St Aidan of Lindisfarne.
9/8/2019 • 7 minutes, 43 seconds
The Holy Mother of the North
Father Emmanuel Kahn speaks about the translation of the relics of St Hilda of Whitby.
8/31/2019 • 13 minutes, 59 seconds
Christ with Mary, Never Without
In the Afterfeast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, we reflect as Orthodox Christians on the role of Our Lady in our salvation
8/27/2019 • 26 minutes, 45 seconds
The Compassionate Mother
When we seek the intervention of the Mother of God in our lives, our request to Her for help and intervention needs to be joined to how we are living our lives
8/26/2019 • 7 minutes, 55 seconds
Interaction and Solitude
8/21/2019 • 7 minutes
Consider the Lilies
Fr. Gregory Hallam reminds us that placing our ultimate hope in net gains through life is an exercise in futility, because, in the end, all that we have accomplished, all the disasters we have avoided, will not endure death, and within a century or so will most probably not even be remembered by our descendants.
8/12/2019 • 18 minutes
Into the Likeness
Two sermons today - first Fr. Gregory Hallam followed by Fr. Emmanuel Kahn helping us prepare for the Dormition of the Mother of God.
7/28/2019 • 22 minutes, 18 seconds
Twin Trumpets
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says if we wish to be saved to live forever with the Holy Trinity in heaven, we first need to learn how to grow our own personal integrity and morality here on earth.
7/21/2019 • 7 minutes, 26 seconds
Choosing to Follow
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn reminds us that it is good that we should understand the choice before each of us. Will we continue to sin or will we seek to be holy?
7/15/2019 • 8 minutes, 18 seconds
Voice from the Isles
Fr. Gregory Hallam remembers the saints of the British Isles and Ireland.
7/14/2019 • 15 minutes, 47 seconds
The Didache
Fr. Gregory Hallam on Sunday June 30, 2019.
7/5/2019 • 21 minutes, 13 seconds
Not Dimly but Face to Face
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for the Sunday of All Saints, 2019.
6/27/2019 • 9 minutes, 13 seconds
Earth, Wind, and Fire
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, June 16 2019.
6/27/2019 • 21 minutes, 31 seconds
Beams, Bells and Healing Balms
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn speaks about St Dunstan, a 10th century Archbishop of Canterbury.
5/23/2019 • 10 minutes, 10 seconds
Cherishing the Body, Honouring the Soul
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, May 12, 2019.
5/18/2019 • 18 minutes, 41 seconds
The Peace of God Unconstrained
How could Jesus enter a room through a locked door and then show the disciples the wounds of the Crucifixion in His hands and His sides? Fr. Emmanuel Kahn explains how the Church Fathers interpret this Biblical passage.
5/17/2019 • 10 minutes, 20 seconds
The Great Exchange
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on Pascha Sunday 2019.
5/1/2019 • 18 minutes, 5 seconds
About To Pass Over
During these three days between the crucifixion and the resurrection, when living human beings could not touch Christ, He descended into hell. There, St Peter tells us in First Peter, chapter 4, verse 6, Christ “preached the Good News to the dead.” Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on Holy Saturday
4/29/2019 • 9 minutes, 30 seconds
Beginnings, Middles and Ends
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon at Vesperal Divine Liturgy on Great and Holy Thursday 2019
4/28/2019 • 9 minutes, 20 seconds
Choose the Lord who Calls You
How did Jesus respond to these many people in first century Palestine who were saying that He is the Messiah, the Christ, who had come to save them? Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the Palm Sunday sermon.
4/27/2019 • 9 minutes, 32 seconds
Waiting upon the Lord of Life
The Gospel today from the 11th chapter of the Gospel of St John is about a close friend of Jesus Christ, Lazarus. Fr. Emmanuel Kahn is the preacher.
4/26/2019 • 7 minutes, 24 seconds
No Sharp Shoulders
Sermon by Fr. Gregory Hallam for Sunday, April 14, 2019.
4/24/2019 • 11 minutes, 57 seconds
The Ascent
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, April 7, 2019.
4/10/2019 • 20 minutes, 44 seconds
The God-Man Who Died
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaching on the Sunday of the Cross.
4/5/2019 • 11 minutes, 42 seconds
A Life of Ages in Christ
St Jerome, a fourth century monk who translated the entire Bible into Latin has written: “Those who love Christ follow Him. They are bonded with Him [that is, united with Him] in the ties of love.”
3/31/2019 • 0
The New and Living Way
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaching on the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple.
3/31/2019 • 0
Growing Seeds of Faith
Fr. Emmanuel talks about the Seed and the Sower after Fr. Gregory speaks with the children.
3/31/2019 • 0
Loosening the Bonds of Pride
We love and respect God first. Then we love and respect ourselves because we are each made in the image of God.
3/31/2019 • 0
Servants of the Crucified
Fr. Emmanuel gives the sermon and asks, "What is the relationship between loving God, loving your neighbour and loving yourself"?
3/31/2019 • 0
The Empowering Cross
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn is the preacher today. The Church Fathers taught clearly that to believe fully that Christ has been crucified is also to believe in the Incarnation, the life of Christ on earth, the Resurrection and the Ascension of Christ into heaven.
3/31/2019 • 0
St Proclus of Constantinople on the Annunciation
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on the Feast of the Annunciation.
3/30/2019 • 16 minutes, 29 seconds
No Strange Country
On the feast day of St. Aidan, the patron saint of the parish, Fr. Emmanuel explores how does a person become a saint and how did St Aidan become a saint?
3/30/2019 • 0
Practice Mercy
Fr. Gregory Hallam says we are often not aware of how much we owe the Lord, how he looks after us, how he guides and protects us.
3/30/2019 • 0
Rise and Have No Fear
Let’s consider why these three disciples—Saints Peter, James and John—were chosen by Jesus Christ to come up with Him to this “high mountain apart” from all His followers. Let’s consider also the response of St Peter as the spokesperson for the three disciples.
3/30/2019 • 0
Patient Until the Harvest
How can I be more of a part of the work of Christ and His Church here on earth?
3/30/2019 • 0
Promises Kept By Grace
We can be confident that Jesus Christ will forgive us and guide us and heal us - always.
3/30/2019 • 0
Tell Him and He'll Do It
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on St John Maximovitch.
3/30/2019 • 0
The Twin Pillars
Fr. Gregory preaches on Peter and Paul - Co-founders of the Church at Antioch.
3/29/2019 • 0
Seeing Clearly
What is the Kingdom of God and how can we seek it?
3/29/2019 • 0
Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?
Today in our cycle of veneration of Orthodox Christian Saints we remember and celebrate those of the Orthodox Church of the British Isles and Ireland in the first millennium.
3/29/2019 • 0
Becoming Holy
Today we celebrate the lives and deaths of all the saints. Here are people so committed to Christ and His Church that we want to remember them and seek their prayers and fellowship.
3/29/2019 • 0
To Be Ascended
What does it mean to be “ascended”? We need to know because as surely as Christ ascended, so shall we in Him also ascend.
3/29/2019 • 0
From Earth to Heaven
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for the Feast of the Ascension.
3/29/2019 • 0
The Triumph of the Cross
Fr. Gregory considers St Constantine and his role in ending 300 years of persecution of the Christian Church by the Roman Empire. Today is about Church history, so sit back and enjoy the ride!
3/29/2019 • 0
Standing in the Truth, Proclaiming the Truth
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on the Woman at the Well.
3/29/2019 • 0
The Fragrance of Christ
The Holy Myrrh-bearing women came to the tomb of Jesus Christ to anoint His body with myrrh. Fr. Emmanuel reflects on that in today's sermon.
3/29/2019 • 0
The Thanksgiving Principle
Fr. Emmanuel gives the sermon entitled The Thanksgiving Principle with an introduction by Fr Gregory on St Gregory Palamas.
3/29/2019 • 10 minutes, 30 seconds
St. George the Victorious
Fr. Gregory reflects on the unexpected dimension of the veneration of St George among the English. How did a soldier saint from central Asia of Greek origin come to be so revered in England in the late Middle Ages?
3/26/2019 • 0
Untouched by Fire
Fr. Emmanuel preaches on the Sunday of the Canaanite Woman but first a practical lesson for the children with Fr. Gregory.
3/26/2019 • 0
The Camel Loses His Hump
A lesson from the story of Zacchaeus.
3/26/2019 • 0
Repent!
Christianity without repentance is hypocritical, a mockery, even dangerous.
3/24/2019 • 0
Settling Into Life With Christ
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Feast of Theophany.
3/24/2019 • 0
Basil the Truly Great
On January 1 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate our Father among the Saints Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
3/24/2019 • 0
God Keeps His Holy Mysteries
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
3/24/2019 • 0
God's Family Tree
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Emmanuel team up to preach on the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
3/24/2019 • 0
Off with the Old, On with the New
Putting on Jesus Christ is, for St Paul, an entirely different kind of clothing, because it involves God warming us up from inside our hearts.
3/24/2019 • 0
We Are Not Called to Set Ourselves Free
We are not called to set ourselves free, but we do need to want to be healed. We do need to praise God for coming into our lives—for joining us to Him and to each other in the Church.
3/24/2019 • 0
Just Do It!
Fr. Gregory tells us that one ordinary person hearing but one verse of Scripture in the Church and, more importantly, acting on it can change the whole world.
3/24/2019 • 0
A Further Union, a Deeper Communion
On the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn reflects on the hymns and poetry of the feast.
3/22/2019 • 0
Becoming Familiar With God
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Forefeast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.
3/22/2019 • 0
Blessings from Samaria Today
Lesson from the Good Samaritan by Fr. Emmanuel Kahn.
3/22/2019 • 0
Good Sleep
Fr. Gregory gives us a lesson from the Gospel account of the raising of Jairus’ daughter.
3/22/2019 • 0
A Great Gulf Fixed
Salvation for a Christian is God making good that deficit from perfection that we discover when we attempt to serve God, a falling short.
3/22/2019 • 0
Building the Church
Fr. Emmanuel and Fr. Gregory team together to celebrate the life of St. James but also to reflect on the growth of St. Aidan's.
3/22/2019 • 0
The High Pastures of the Heart
Fr. Gregory Hallam begins with the children and then Fr. Emmanuel Kahn speaks to the adults about the widow in Luke 7.
3/22/2019 • 0
Through Death To Life
Christianity is really quite simple. There is a gift, Jesus Christ and we are called to receive Him.
3/22/2019 • 0
Gone Fishin'
Fr. Gregory begins with a lesson for the children followed by Fr. Emmanuel's sermon on the Gospel of St. Mark.
3/22/2019 • 0
The Royal Highway
Fr. Gregory begins with the children and the Fr. Emmanuel gives the sermon from the eighth chapter of the Gospel of St Mark about how to become a disciple of Christ—how to become a person who learns from Christ.
3/22/2019 • 0
Lift High the Cross
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
3/22/2019 • 0
The Dawn of Grace
Fr. Gregory gives the sermon on the Nativity of the Theotokos.
3/22/2019 • 0
Of Kings, Prophets, and Saints
Why does the Orthodox Church call Moses a prophet and set aside a day in the Church calendar to remember him? Fr. Emmanuel addresses that question in today's sermon.
3/22/2019 • 0
Choosing the Way of the Cross
Orthodox Christians will bear three things in mind if they want to live honestly and in a God-pleasing way.
3/22/2019 • 0
The Legacy of St. Patrick
Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks about the Enlightener - St. Patrick of Ireland.
3/21/2019 • 14 minutes, 6 seconds
The Five Pillars of Christianity
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, 10 March 2019.
3/19/2019 • 25 minutes, 53 seconds
Building Right
After Fr. Gregory speaks with the children, Fr. Emmanuel speaks from I Corinthians saying that the cultures of the first and twenty-first centuries are certainly different, but the foundations for living are the same. What are these foundations for living that St Paul wishes to communicate to his fellow workers in the first century and to us today?
3/15/2019 • 0
Crowded in Heaven
Fr. Gregory speaks about the Dormition of the Theotokos and calls it the most important feast of the Mother of God in our calendar.
3/15/2019 • 0
The Blessedness in Mary
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
3/15/2019 • 0
How Can We Live Good Lives?
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn suggest that by praying and by seeking to live a good life, we can be transformed.
3/15/2019 • 0
The Cross that Saves
It is fitting that we are reminded of the centrality of the Cross in our Christian lives at all times but especially before the feast of our Lord’s Transfiguration on 6 August.
3/15/2019 • 0
Battling Anxiety
An anxious person needs a particular kind of repentance in order to get better, and since getting better is a progressive and slow process, so also must repentance be continual and measured.
3/15/2019 • 0
Peace on the Rock
We can know when Christ is present in our lives because He brings us a deep sense of inner peace.
3/15/2019 • 0
The Authority of the Saints
Fr. Gregory says it cannot be stressed too highly how important the saints are for us in the Church.
3/15/2019 • 0
Willful Blindness
On the Sunday of the Blind Man, Fr. Gregory points out that Jesus is referring not to the blind man who now sees but rather addresses the hostile questioning of the Pharisees who see physically but not spiritually.
3/14/2019 • 0
Ascension Day
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on the Feast of Ascension.
3/14/2019 • 0
The Mission of Antioch
Fr. Emmanuel gives the sermon and reminds his listeners that the way that we as Antiochian Orthodox Christians live and study and reach out to bring Christ to others can become the standard for Orthodox Christianity. There is no need for power politics or wealth or prestige within any part of the Orthodox Church.
3/14/2019 • 0
Do You Want To Be Healed?
There are people who want to be healed, sometimes desperately, but there are others who, while they claim that they want to be healed, deep down do not.
3/14/2019 • 0
Called to Serve
Fr. Emmanuel talks to the adults and Fr. Gregory to the children about how we can each give more of ourselves—of our abilities, our insights, our time, our energy, our prayer life—to Christ and to this parish church.
3/14/2019 • 0
New Life Calling
Fr. Gregory says we should take care every day to do a spiritual health check; to make sure that we are consciously living in the new life that Christ gives us out of his generosity and love.
3/13/2019 • 0
Knowing the One Who Overcomes
Fr. Gregory begins with the children and then Fr. Emmanuel concludes with the sermon for Pascha.
3/13/2019 • 0
From Darkness to Life
Fr. Emmanuel gives the sermon on the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Great and Holy Saturday.
3/13/2019 • 0
Let Us Draw God Toward Us
Fr. Emmanuel gives the Palm Sunday sermon reminding us that the Lord is at hand.
3/13/2019 • 0
Topsy Turvy
Fr. Gregory reminds us that the kingdom of God is not something to be built by human design and human powers.
3/13/2019 • 0
Every Road a Cross
Fr. Gregory takes his theme from the Sunday of the Cross to show that every road can become a Cross-Road on the way to the Resurrection
3/13/2019 • 0
Discerning the Creed Slowly
At the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives a reflection on what the Nicene Creed means in each of our lives.
3/13/2019 • 0
Be Healed Inside and Out
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn looks at the healing of the man who was paralyzed. What does it mean for this paralytic and for us to be healed? From what do we need to be healed?
3/13/2019 • 0
Encountering an Angel
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on the Feast of the Annunciation
3/13/2019 • 0
Forgiven, Now Forgiving
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn and Fr. Gregory Hallam speak to both the adults and children about the importance of forgiveness.
3/13/2019 • 0
Down to Earth
Fr. Gregory talks about humility as a lesson in the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee.
3/13/2019 • 0
Becoming Godly
How do we "train ourselves in godliness" as St. Timothy admonishes?
3/13/2019 • 0
All Around Change
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.
3/13/2019 • 0
A Hope That Does Not Fail
Fr. Emmanuel preaches on this the first Sunday in Lent known as The Triumph of Orthodoxy. Today we celebrate the endurance of the Orthodox Faith for nearly 2,000 years in the face of persecution and heresy—in the face of hostility and suffering, in the face of many wrong understandings of what Jesus Christ taught. Fr. Gregory begins with a lesson for the children.
3/13/2019 • 0
Reflecting the Image, Growing by Grace
The Annunciation is one of the most important announcements in human history. And the announcement—the message—is not only to Holy Mary that she is the Theotokos, but a message to each of us that our lives, like the life of Holy Mary, can be suddenly and unexpectedly changed because of the intervention of Christ guiding us to His purposes.
3/13/2019 • 0
Veneration of the Cross
Today on this third Sunday in Lent, we venerate the cross of Christ—that is, we show profound respect and awe for what Jesus Christ achieved in the Crucifixion, as well as how the Crucifixion led to the Resurrection.
3/13/2019 • 0
Grace and Peace in the Risen Lord
Fr. Emmanuel gives the 2nd sermon on Pascha. The first one of course, was read by Fr. Gregory and it was the Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom.
3/13/2019 • 0
The Light of Christ in the Darkness
Fr. Emmanuel gives the Holy Saturday homily.
3/13/2019 • 0
Grounded in Humility
What happens when two disciples ask Jesus for special treatment? A lesson for both the children and adults from Fr. Gregory and Fr. Emmanuel.
3/13/2019 • 0
Promises Old and New
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn asks: What does it mean to live, in St John Chrysostom’s phrase, “among the promises” for my life?
3/13/2019 • 0
Receiving Christ
At the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn considers why we receive Christ in Holy Communion.
3/13/2019 • 0
Gifted and Talented
Fr. Gregory says that each one of us has a gift and talent from God no matter how modest we might think it may be.
3/13/2019 • 0
The Protecting Veil
Fr. Gregory Hallam starts with the children followed by Fr. Emmanuel Kahn's homily reflecting on the vision of the Protecting Veil in the church in Constantinople which was clearly a miracle.
3/13/2019 • 0
From Crumbs to Bread
Fr. Emmanuel Hahn speaks about a woman in Matthew 15 who is not Jewish and asks Jesus Christ for mercy for herself and for her daughter who is seriously ill. Those few crumbs that the Greek woman begged from Christ became the loaves of commitment to Christianity for millions of people throughout the world.
3/13/2019 • 0
The Righteous Judge of All
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Sunday of the Last Judgment, 2019.
3/11/2019 • 8 minutes, 32 seconds
Running to Embrace
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on the Sunday of the Prodigal 2019.
2/27/2019 • 19 minutes, 12 seconds
The Great Filter
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn talks about two people who came into the Temple. Only one of them is to be admired.
2/20/2019 • 8 minutes, 17 seconds
Pester Power
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, February 10, 2019.
2/12/2019 • 18 minutes, 1 second
The Golden Mouthed
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon in celebration of the Translation of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom in 434.
1/30/2019 • 8 minutes, 33 seconds
Please and Thank You
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, January 20, 2019.
1/24/2019 • 16 minutes, 18 seconds
Grace For All
The Epistle today from the fourth chapter of St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians begins with the firm statement that “grace has been given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
1/14/2019 • 12 minutes, 5 seconds
Great Humility
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Theophany 2019.
1/8/2019 • 15 minutes, 22 seconds
New Life, New City
We celebrate today the lives of two great fourth-century Church leaders, St Basil the Great and his close friend, St Gregory of Nazianzus. Let’s try to understand what they were teaching.
1/6/2019 • 9 minutes, 8 seconds
Into the Now
2019 is nearly upon us and inevitably we become more conscious of the passage of time and with this, questions about time, being human and living a full life in our relationships with God and each other become more prominent. Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon.
12/31/2018 • 25 minutes, 43 seconds
To Be God Born
So, let’s seek to understand what the birth of Christ means for our lives now and in the years to come. Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for Christmas Day.
12/26/2018 • 6 minutes, 29 seconds
God’s Family Tree
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn helps us understand the genealogies in the Gospel of Matthew.
12/23/2018 • 7 minutes, 48 seconds
The Banquet is Ready
Fr. Gregory Hallam - Sunday, December 16, 2018.
12/19/2018 • 13 minutes, 9 seconds
Clouds That Give Way To Light
Fr. Gregory Hallam and Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preach on the Conception of the Most HolyTheotokos by the Righteous Anna, as well as the life of the Prophetess Anna, mother of the Prophet Samuel.
12/11/2018 • 14 minutes, 20 seconds
One Truth
In this very important sermon, Fr. Gregory Hallam tells us that we do not believe in God to satisfy our ignorance about the world; in short to give us a nice and comforting alternative to science with its allegedly godless explanations and “theories.” If we are thinking like that then we do not truly believe in the God who is the source of ALL truth both religious and scientific, nor do we understand the world as it truly is.
12/7/2018 • 23 minutes, 57 seconds
A Triumph for the Good
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon after Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children. If we wish to understand the will of God for each of our lives and be filled with the Holy Spirit, we need to ask the Lord for that understanding and empty ourselves of whatever is blocking us from experiencing “the good days” that the Lord has prepared for us.
11/30/2018 • 15 minutes, 23 seconds
Uniting Ourselves to Christ
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, November 18, 2018.
11/27/2018 • 14 minutes, 59 seconds
Fasting for a Safe Journey
When we fast we are confronted with an important decision: Am I living primarily for self or for service to God and service to others?
11/27/2018 • 11 minutes, 46 seconds
Under His Nose
Fr. Gregory Hallam is the preacher on Sunday, 28 October 2018.
11/15/2018 • 15 minutes, 57 seconds
Touching the Hem of HIs Garment
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn reflects on two healings by one Lord Jesus Christ.
11/1/2018 • 11 minutes, 29 seconds
Justification
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, 21 October 2018.
10/29/2018 • 16 minutes
The Divine Connection
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council.
10/28/2018 • 16 minutes, 7 seconds
Signs
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, October 7, 2018
10/11/2018 • 22 minutes, 41 seconds
Sufficiency
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn tells us if we learn to trust God and His will for each of our lives, God will take care of us.
10/9/2018 • 10 minutes, 23 seconds
Fishing with Grace
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, 23 September 2018.
9/27/2018 • 19 minutes, 34 seconds
Straight-Forwardly Growing
Two Orthodox saints from the fifth and sixth centuries, St Caesarius of Arles and St John Chrysostom, are showing us how we can live with Christ today and tomorrow and for the rest of our lives on earth.
9/23/2018 • 10 minutes, 28 seconds
No Entry for Narcissus
In Greek mythology the young man Narcissus who pined away in love with his own image in a pool of water was turned into the flower that bears his name. Anyone can be a narcissist—young or old, male or female. However, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says there are in fact two types of narcissists, extrovert and introvert.
9/21/2018 • 13 minutes, 52 seconds
Aidan’s Way
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on Thursday, 30 August, at the Vesperal Liturgy for St Aidan, Patron Saint of the parish.
9/1/2018 • 17 minutes, 25 seconds
Losing Ground
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, 26 August 2018.
8/31/2018 • 21 minutes, 36 seconds
Don’t Stay in the Blocks
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches from the 19th chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew about a rich young man who did not wish to give away his wealth to the poor and to then follow Jesus.
8/21/2018 • 9 minutes, 5 seconds
She Who Has Gone Before
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon at the Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Dormition of the Theotokos.
8/21/2018 • 8 minutes, 24 seconds
Have Mercy
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, August 12, 2018.
8/21/2018 • 16 minutes, 43 seconds
Beholding Christ Glorified
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches about the Transfiguration of our Lord.
8/8/2018 • 18 minutes, 49 seconds
Building to Last
From the Gospel record of St Peter walking across the water on Galilee to Christ. Fr Gregory Hallam shows how important it is to keep our eyes firmly fixed on Christ amid all the challenges of life. From the Apostle reading he explains St Paul's teaching of Christians fulfilling their role as God's co-workers and fellow builders. We build on that sure foundation which is Christ, a gold that will never tarnish or be destroyed.
8/7/2018 • 17 minutes, 29 seconds
The Lord Provides
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn speaks on the Gospel from the 14th chapter of St Matthew about how Jesus Christ fed more than 5,000 people at the end of the day “in a lonely place.”
8/6/2018 • 6 minutes, 43 seconds
Warm Courageous Love
Fr. Gregory Hallam sermon on July 8, 2018.
7/26/2018 • 11 minutes, 41 seconds
The Word Is Very Near
We are each challenged to confess with words that “Christ is Lord” of our lives and believe in our hearts “that God has raised [Jesus Christ] from the dead.” How can we do that?
7/4/2018 • 12 minutes, 40 seconds
Voices Unleashed
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday June 24, 2018.
6/30/2018 • 14 minutes, 52 seconds
Into the Light
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn reminds us of the words of St. Matthew: “The eye is the lamp of the body,”
6/28/2018 • 14 minutes, 33 seconds
The Great Race
Today we celebrate all the saints, both those who have been declared saints by the Church and those whose holy lives are known to God alone. Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon.
6/9/2018 • 11 minutes
Wind, Fire, and Light
Fr. Gregory Hallam preaches on Sunday 27th May, Holy Pentecost.
5/30/2018 • 9 minutes, 40 seconds
Glorified and Glorifying
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches to the adults and says our faith in the Truth that is Jesus Christ makes us one with Him, completes our life on earth and brings us eternal life.
5/26/2018 • 13 minutes, 27 seconds
On the Glorious Ascension
Fr. Gregory Hallam teaches that Christ the Head ascended unto Heaven; His holy members, the true Christians, will ascend as well.
5/18/2018 • 11 minutes, 30 seconds
Seeing Truth
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Sunday, May 13, 2018.
5/17/2018 • 15 minutes, 9 seconds
Lights To and From Antioch
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for Sunday, May 6, 2018.
5/17/2018 • 8 minutes, 9 seconds
New Pools For Old
Fr. Gregory Hallam and the Sunday of the Paralytic.
4/30/2018 • 12 minutes, 52 seconds
Doing a Beautiful Thing for Christ
Fr. Gregory Hallam begins with the children and then Fr. Emmanuel Kahn speaks to the adults about Joseph of Arimathea.
4/30/2018 • 13 minutes, 49 seconds
Body Matters
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for the Sunday of St. Thomas.
4/25/2018 • 17 minutes, 30 seconds
The Triumph of God’s Love
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for Pascha as we rejoice in the resurrection of Christ.
4/13/2018 • 9 minutes, 53 seconds
Living in the Court of Conscience
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for Great and Holy Thursday.
4/11/2018 • 9 minutes, 25 seconds
No Innocent Bystanders
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Palm Sunday.
4/11/2018 • 11 minutes, 33 seconds
Sleepers Wake!
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on Lazarus Saturday.
4/5/2018 • 7 minutes, 26 seconds
Let It Be
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on the Feast of the Annunciation.
3/30/2018 • 12 minutes, 35 seconds
Emerging Faith: A Partnership with the Lord
Belief that is joined with unbelief. Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives today's sermon.
3/30/2018 • 9 minutes, 36 seconds
The Dream of the Rood
Fr. Gregory Hallam reads The Dream of the Rood, an old English poem for the Sunday of the Cross in Great Lent.
3/21/2018 • 15 minutes, 46 seconds
Dancing in the Rain with the Lord
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon about the second chapter of the Gospel of St Mark and the healing of a man who was paralysed.
3/13/2018 • 8 minutes, 58 seconds
Following For Real
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on the first Sunday of Great Lent
3/3/2018 • 12 minutes, 39 seconds
True Fasting
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon on Cheesefare Sunday, 2018.
2/22/2018 • 12 minutes, 37 seconds
A Judgement of Love
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn talks about the Last Judgement.
2/18/2018 • 13 minutes, 57 seconds
The Crazy Father
Fr. Gregory Hallam encourages us to look at the parable of the Prodigal Son with fresh eyes and ears.
2/16/2018 • 18 minutes, 47 seconds
Radiant
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives a sermon about the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple.
2/3/2018 • 14 minutes, 51 seconds
Humility, the Doorway to Compassion
After Fr. Gregory Hallam speaks to the children, Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the Publican and the Pharisee.
2/3/2018 • 17 minutes, 1 second
Lift Off!
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on the life of St. Maximus the Confessor and concludes that once we have learned how to respect and love ourselves as we are, with our very own strengths and weaknesses, we are on the launching pad for a life with purpose.
1/24/2018 • 8 minutes, 29 seconds
At Home and Away for God
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says that it is good to travel, to visit holy places but our primary relationship to the Lord God and to others is in our own homes within our own families.
1/20/2018 • 9 minutes, 3 seconds
Fulfill All Righteousness
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on The Theophany, when God was revealed in the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River in ancient Palestine.
1/10/2018 • 10 minutes, 42 seconds
Always Growing
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says as we take leave of the Feast of the Nativity, perhaps we can also leave behind our awareness of Jesus Christ as a baby and begin to grow older with Christ Himself.
1/3/2018 • 10 minutes, 39 seconds
Chrysostom on Christmas
Fr. Gregory asks St. John Chrysostom to help with the Christmas Day sermon.
12/28/2017 • 9 minutes
Nor the Will of the Flesh
Fr. Gregory first speaks to the children then reads a Nativity sermon from St. John of Kronstadt.
12/27/2017 • 14 minutes, 3 seconds
Striving for Holiness
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Emmanuel team up to preach on St. Paul's admonishment to "put off the old nature and put on the new nature."
12/27/2017 • 15 minutes, 41 seconds
Fight the Good Fight
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, Dec 10, 2017
12/21/2017 • 0
Energising Grace
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the homily for the Feast of St. Nicholas.
12/21/2017 • 0
Stand Upright
Fr. Gregory says living upright lives is about serving God in an honorable way.
12/21/2017 • 0
The Golden Example
Fr. Gregory Hallam begins with the children then Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon and says St. John Chrysostom reminds us that if we wish to sit with Christ in heaven after we die, we need to prepare ourselves by first walking with Him on earth.
12/21/2017 • 0
The Chasm
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the homily on Sunday, November 5, 2017.
12/21/2017 • 0
Legions in Retreat
Fr. Gregory tackles the difficult subject of depression and other mental health issues.
12/21/2017 • 0
Boomerang Love
Fr. Gregory helps the children and adults understand true love with a very practical illustration.
12/21/2017 • 0
Angels of God's Healing and Light
Fr. Gregory gives a tour through two of the lesser well known Archangels revealing some gems of insight concerning the brilliance of God in both healing power and enlightenment of mind.
12/20/2017 • 0
Fight the Good Fight
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, Dec 10, 2017
12/13/2017 • 20 minutes, 8 seconds
Energising Grace
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the homily for the Feast of St. Nicholas.
12/12/2017 • 13 minutes, 28 seconds
A Life of Ages in Christ
St Jerome, a fourth century monk who translated the entire Bible into Latin has written: “Those who love Christ follow Him. They are bonded with Him [that is, united with Him] in the ties of love.”
11/29/2017 • 19 minutes, 26 seconds
The New and Living Way
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaching on the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple.
11/28/2017 • 10 minutes, 47 seconds
Stand Upright
Fr. Gregory says living upright lives is about serving God in an honorable way.
11/21/2017 • 15 minutes, 16 seconds
The Golden Example
Fr. Gregory Hallam begins with the children then Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon and says St. John Chrysostom reminds us that if we wish to sit with Christ in heaven after we die, we need to prepare ourselves by first walking with Him on earth.
11/18/2017 • 12 minutes, 20 seconds
The Chasm
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the homily on Sunday, November 5, 2017.
11/6/2017 • 18 minutes, 35 seconds
The Protecting Veil
Fr. Gregory Hallam starts with the children followed by Fr. Emmanuel Kahn's homily reflecting on the vision of the Protecting Veil in the church in Constantinople which was clearly a miracle.
11/3/2017 • 15 minutes, 5 seconds
Legions in Retreat
Fr. Gregory tackles the difficult subject of depression and other mental health issues.
10/25/2017 • 18 minutes, 53 seconds
Growing Seeds of Faith
Fr. Emmanuel talks about the Seed and the Sower after Fr. Gregory speaks with the children.
10/24/2017 • 14 minutes, 16 seconds
Boomerang Love
Fr. Gregory helps the children and adults understand true love with a very practical illustration.
10/14/2017 • 11 minutes, 26 seconds
Infinities in God
Fr. Gregory Hallam from his September 24, 2017 sermon.
10/8/2017 • 0
The Healing Cross
Fr. Gregory speaks on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
10/8/2017 • 0
The 500 and Me
Fr. Gregory quotes St. Paul when he said of Christ's resurrection: "Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."
10/8/2017 • 0
Foolish Wisdom
Fr. Gregory gives the sermon.
10/8/2017 • 0
Loosening the Bonds of Pride
We love and respect God first. Then we love and respect ourselves because we are each made in the image of God.
10/5/2017 • 10 minutes, 59 seconds
Infinities in God
Fr. Gregory Hallam from his September 24, 2017 sermon.
9/25/2017 • 18 minutes, 5 seconds
Servants of the Crucified
Fr. Emmanuel gives the sermon and asks, "What is the relationship between loving God, loving your neighbour and loving yourself"?
9/24/2017 • 9 minutes, 28 seconds
The Empowering Cross
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn is the preacher today. The Church Fathers taught clearly that to believe fully that Christ has been crucified is also to believe in the Incarnation, the life of Christ on earth, the Resurrection and the Ascension of Christ into heaven.
9/18/2017 • 9 minutes, 26 seconds
The Healing Cross
Fr. Gregory speaks on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
9/14/2017 • 15 minutes, 25 seconds
No Strange Country
On the feast day of St. Aidan, the patron saint of the parish, Fr. Emmanuel explores how does a person become a saint and how did St Aidan become a saint?
9/4/2017 • 10 minutes, 30 seconds
The 500 and Me
Fr. Gregory quotes St. Paul when he said of Christ's resurrection: "Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."
9/1/2017 • 15 minutes, 7 seconds
Righteousness
We count our own righteousness as rubbish (actually an even stronger word in the Greek).
9/1/2017 • 0
Divine Multiplication
Fr. Gregory gives a math lesson in the abundance of God's grace.
9/1/2017 • 0
Foolish Wisdom
Fr. Gregory gives the sermon.
9/1/2017 • 17 minutes, 9 seconds
Practice Mercy
Fr. Gregory Hallam says we are often not aware of how much we owe the Lord, how he looks after us, how he guides and protects us.
8/23/2017 • 12 minutes, 10 seconds
Rise and Have No Fear
Let’s consider why these three disciples—Saints Peter, James and John—were chosen by Jesus Christ to come up with Him to this “high mountain apart” from all His followers. Let’s consider also the response of St Peter as the spokesperson for the three disciples.
8/9/2017 • 15 minutes, 39 seconds
Righteousness
We count our own righteousness as rubbish (actually an even stronger word in the Greek).
8/5/2017 • 16 minutes, 44 seconds
Patient Until the Harvest
How can I be more of a part of the work of Christ and His Church here on earth?
8/4/2017 • 8 minutes, 46 seconds
Promises Kept By Grace
We can be confident that Jesus Christ will forgive us and guide us and heal us - always.
8/3/2017 • 8 minutes, 3 seconds
Divine Multiplication
Fr. Gregory gives a math lesson in the abundance of God's grace.
8/1/2017 • 21 minutes, 7 seconds
Tell Him and He’ll Do It
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches on St John Maximovitch.
7/10/2017 • 11 minutes, 9 seconds
Life in the Spirit
Fr. Gregory preaches on Pentecost Sunday 2017.
7/7/2017 • 0
The Twin Pillars
Fr. Gregory preaches on Peter and Paul - Co-founders of the Church at Antioch.
7/1/2017 • 13 minutes, 43 seconds
Seeing Clearly
What is the Kingdom of God and how can we seek it?
6/30/2017 • 11 minutes, 8 seconds
Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?
Today in our cycle of veneration of Orthodox Christian Saints we remember and celebrate those of the Orthodox Church of the British Isles and Ireland in the first millennium.
6/20/2017 • 25 minutes, 31 seconds
Becoming Holy
Today we celebrate the lives and deaths of all the saints. Here are people so committed to Christ and His Church that we want to remember them and seek their prayers and fellowship.
6/20/2017 • 19 minutes, 32 seconds
Life in the Spirit
Fr. Gregory preaches on Pentecost Sunday 2017.
6/10/2017 • 16 minutes, 23 seconds
Lessons by the Pool
Fr. Gregory preaches on the story of the Paralytic in the Gospel lesson.
6/4/2017 • 0
Suffering for Me
Fr. Gregory from Palm Sunday.
6/3/2017 • 0
True Resurrection
Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Lazarus Saturday.
6/3/2017 • 0
The Neglect of Mary
Fr. Gregory Hallam shows from antiquity that the early Christians venerated the Holy Virgin.
6/2/2017 • 0
I Will Not Hold This Against You
In this, the time of salvation, God does not hold our sins against us—if we come to him for forgiveness and cooperate with Him in turning our life around.
6/2/2017 • 0
To Be Ascended
What does it mean to be “ascended”? We need to know because as surely as Christ ascended, so shall we in Him also ascend.
5/31/2017 • 16 minutes, 14 seconds
From Earth to Heaven
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon for the Feast of the Ascension.
5/30/2017 • 9 minutes, 35 seconds
The Triumph of the Cross
Fr. Gregory considers St Constantine and his role in ending 300 years of persecution of the Christian Church by the Roman Empire. Today is about Church history, so sit back and enjoy the ride!
5/30/2017 • 24 minutes, 57 seconds
Standing in the Truth, Proclaiming the Truth
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on the Woman at the Well.