Sermons

Sermon: Sunday of the First Ecumenical Council

Sermons | June 5, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday of the First Ecumenical Council Acts 20:16–18,28–36 John 17:1–13 Today the Church commemorates the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicea, and the 318 godbearing Fathers who were gathered there.

Sermon: Sunday of the Blind Man

Sermons | May 29, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday of the Blind Man Acts 16:16-34 John 9:1-38 The healing of the blind man in today’s Gospel reading speaks to us, among other things, of spiritual sight, the blindness

Sermon: 4th Sunday of Lent

Sermons | April 3, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Fourth Sunday of Lent St John of the Ladder Hebrews 6:13-20 Mark 9:17-31 As we have said before, every event in the Gospels has a symbolic and spiritual interpretation in

Sermon of H.G. Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis

Sermons | April 1, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

On the Monday of first week in Lent we chant a hymn written by St. Theodore of Studion, which says: “…fasting has come, mother of chastity, accuser of sins, advocate

Ομιλία Θεοφιλ. Επισκόπου Κλαυδιοπόλεως κ. Ιακώβου

Sermons | April 1, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

«Λιμήν ημίν γενού θαλαττεύουσι» Κάνοντας πολλές φορές στην ζωή μας μία θεώρηση του τί μας έχει συμβεί, αναπολώντας το παρελθόν και φανταζόμενοι το μέλλον, βλέπουμε την ύπαρξή μας σαν πλοίο

Sermon: Third Sunday of Lent

Sermons | March 27, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Sermon on the Third Sunday of Lent the Veneration of the Precious Cross Hebrews 4:14–16;5:1–6 Mark 8:34–38; 9:1 As we now come to the middle of the blessed period of

Sermon: 2nd Sunday of Lent

Sermons | March 20, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Second Sunday of Lent Hebrews 1:10-14;2:1-3 Mark 2:1-12 Before healing the paralytic in today’s Gospel reading, the Lord poses a question to the scribes that concerns all of us: “Which

Sermon: Sunday of Orthodoxy

Sermons | March 13, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday of Orthodoxy First Sunday of Lent Hebrews 11:24–26,32–40 John 1:43–51 On the first Sunday of the Fast, the Church celebrates the restoration of the holy icons. As you know,

Εσπερινός της Συγχωρήσεως – Ομιλία

Sermons | March 6, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Ἑσπερινός τῆς Συγχωρήσεως Ὁμιλία τοῦ Ἀρχιμανδρίτου Ζαχαρίου Ζαχάρου τῆς ἱερᾶς Μονῆς Τιμίου Προδρόμου, Ἔσσεξ Ἡ περίοδος τῆς Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστῆς στὴν ὁποία εἰσερχόμαστε εἶναι ὁ κατεξοχὴν χρόνος, κατὰ τὸν ὁποῖο ὁ

Vespers of Forgiveness: Talk

Sermons | March 6, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Forgiveness Sunday A talk by Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou of the Sacred Monastery of St John the Baptist, Essex Today we are entering Great Lent, which is, first and foremost, a

Sermon: Sunday of Forgiveness

Sermons | March 6, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

Cheesefare Sunday Romans 13:11–14;14:1–4 Matthew 6:14–21 As we today come to the threshold of the blessed and solemn period of Great Lent, the Sacred Gospel presents us with the following

Archbishop’s Encyclical for the Beginning of the Holy & Great Lent 2022

Sermons | March 6, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

In just a few days, we will begin the Lenten journey to Pascha. The Church once again, invites us to walk the sacred path of liturgical and personal preparation, as

Catechetical Homily at the Opening of Holy and Great Lent

Sermons | March 6, 2022 | Kristian Akselberg

+ BARTHOLOMEW BY GOD’S MERCY ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE-NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH, MAY THE GRACE AND PEACE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,

Sermon: Sunday before the Nativity

Sermons | December 19, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday before the Nativity Matthew 1:1–25 Today’s Gospel reading provides us with the Lord’s human genealogy. The reading is from the Gospel according to Matthew — which provides us with

Sermon: 11th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | December 12, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

11th Sunday of Luke Luke 14:16–24 In today’s Gospel parable, the salvation of mankind is likened to a man inviting others to a supper. It is obvious that, among the

Sermon: 10th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | December 5, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

10th Sunday of Luke Galatians 5:22–26; 6:1–2 Luke 13:10–17 In today’s Scripture readings, we see just how different the sterile academic approach to religion of the supposedly pious is to

Sermon: 13th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | November 28, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

13th Sunday of Luke Luke 18:18-27 In today’s Gospel, we are told that “a certain ruler questioned [the Lord], saying, ‘Good Teacher, by doing what shall I inherit eternal life?’.”

Sermon: Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple

Sermons | November 21, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple We have the blessing this year of having the great feast of the Entry of the Mother of God into the

Sermon: 8th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | November 14, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

8th Sunday of Luke 2 Corinthians 5:1–10 Luke 9:57–62 At the Last Supper, Christ had washed the feet of his disciples, saying to them: “For I gave you an example,

Sermon: 7th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | November 7, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

7th Sunday of Luke Luke 8:41–56 With the raising of Jairos’ daughter in today’s Gospel, Christ shows himself to be “the one who has authority over the living and the

Sermon: 5th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | October 31, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

5th Sunday of Luke 2 Corinthians 11:31–33, 12:1–9 Luke 16:19–31 In today’s Gospel we see Lazarus, a poor, lonely, wounded and tormented man. And we see how this man, who

Κήρυγμα Κυριακής ΣΤ Λουκά

Sermons | October 24, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Κυριακή ΣΤ Λουκά Ο Μεγάλος Πατέρας και Διδάσκαλος του Χριστιανισμού Ιωάννης Χρυσόστομος, μας διδάσκει πάντα με έναν ιδιαίτερα θεόπνευστο και εξαιρετικά παραστατικό τρόπο. Αναφορικά με τη μελέτη της Αγίας Γραφής,

Sermon: Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

Sermons | October 17, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

4th Sunday of Luke Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council Titus 3:8-15, Luke 8:5-15 Today’s parable about the Sower calls us to consider what we have

Sermon: 3rd Sunday of Luke

Sermons | October 10, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

3rd Sunday of Luke Luke 7:11–16 Corinthians 6:1–10 In today’s Gospel we encounter a woman; a woman who had lost everything. She had already lost her husband, and now also

Sermon: 2nd Sunday of Luke

Sermons | October 3, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Second Sunday of Luke 2 Corinthians 4:6–15 Luke 6:31–36 The Lord says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). And as we know, all of God’s commandments are

Sermon: Translation of St John the Evangelist

Sermons | September 26, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Translation of St John the Evangelist John 19:25–27; 21:24–25 Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, We celebrate today the Translation of St John the Divine. He was one of

Sermon: Saturday of the 1st Week / St Silouan the Athonite

Sermons | September 25, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Saturday of the 1st Week St Silouan the Athonite I Corinthians 4:1-5 In today’s Epistle reading, St Paul reminds us that God alone knows the things that are hidden in

Sermon: Sunday After the Cross

Sermons | September 19, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday After the Cross Mark 8:34–38; 9:1 Dear brothers and sisters, We heard today the Gospel narrative the Lord’s teaching on the salvation of the soul and how our salvation

Sermon: Exaltation of the Precious Cross

Sermons | September 14, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Exaltation of the Precious Cross 14 September 2021 Today’s feast of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross has its origins in a great event in Church history: the finding of

Sermon: Sunday before the Cross

Sermons | September 12, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday before the Cross John 3:13–17 Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, In anticipation of the forthcoming celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross, we are

Sermon: 11th Sunday of Matthew

Sermons | September 5, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

11th Sunday of Matthew Matthew 18:23-35 Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, What does it mean to forgive? To be forgiven? Are we merely following a moral code of

Sermon: 11th Saturday of Matthew / Prophet Moses

Sermons | September 4, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Matthew 19:3-12 Today’s Gospel reading is a perfect example of what we often call progressive revelation, and of how to read and how to approach the texts of the Old

Sermon: Beheading of St John the Baptist

Sermons | August 29, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Beheading of St John the Baptist Mark 6:14-30 I would like to say a few words as we commemorate one of the greatest saints of our Church, St John the

Sermon: 9th Sunday of Matthew

Sermons | August 22, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

9th Sunday of Matthew Matthew 14:22-34 Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, The Gospel narrative today describes the danger the disciples encountered when they were journeying through the sea

Sermon: Dormition of the Mother of God

Sermons | August 15, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Dormition of the Mother of God Luke 10:38–42, 11:27–28 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today, with great joy, we celebrate the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God. And

Sermon: 7th Sunday of Matthew

Sermons | August 8, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

7th Sunday of Matthew Matthew 9:27-35 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today we heard from Matthew the Gospel that describes two miracles the Lord performed “when he entered into

Sermon – Sunday of the Paralytic

Sermons | May 22, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday of the Paralytic John 5:1–15 Today’s Gospel reading speaks to us about the spiritual paralysis that our Lord came to save us from, something which is expressed through the

Sermon: Sunday of the Myrr-bearing Women

Sermons | May 16, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women Mark 15:43–47; 16:1–8 The story in today’s Gospel reading is one most of us are familiar with, not only because we are used to hearing

Sermon: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sermons | April 19, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Fifth Sunday of Lent St Mary of Egypt We come today to the fifth and final Sunday of Great Lent, before we embark on the journey to Golgotha, which begins

Sermon: 4th Sunday of Lent

Sermons | April 11, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Fourth Sunday of Lent Mark 9:17–31 The story of the child possessed by a demon in today’s Gospel is an image of the spiritual state both of humanity in general

Sermon – 3rd Sunday of Lent

Sermons | April 4, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Third Sunday of Lent (Veneration of the Holy Cross) Mark 8:34–38; 9:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth […] and the LORD God planted a garden

Sermon – Judgement (Meatfare) Sunday

Sermons | March 7, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Judgement (Meatfare) Sunday Matthew 25:31–46 When a person dies, when the soul is separated from the body, we know that the body, because it is composite — composed of various

Sermon – Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Sermons | February 28, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday of the Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32 If for some reason the entire Bible, every copy we had of the sacred Gospels, were to disappear, except for the parable of

Sermon – Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

Sermons | February 21, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee (Beginning of the Triodion) Luke 18:10-14 Today we begin the period of the Triodion: the period of solemnity, and, I would say, the most

Sermon – 17th Sunday of Matthew

Sermons | February 14, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

17th Sunday of Matthew (the Canaanite Woman) Matthew 15:21–28 “But he answered her not a word” The meeting of the Lord with the Canaanite woman offers a description of perhaps

Sermon – 16th Sunday of Matthew

Sermons | February 7, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

16th Sunday of Matthew (Parable of the Talents) Matthew 25:14-30 As we have said on other occasions, man’s role here on earth is to be the priest of creation, the

Sermon – The Meeting of the Lord in the Temple

Sermons | February 2, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

The Meeting of the Lord in the Temple (Candlemas) In the first Old Testament reading we heard yesterday evening at Vespers, God gives Moses the following commandment: “Sanctify unto Me

Sermon – 15th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | January 31, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

15th Sunday of Luke (Zacchaeus) Luke 19:1–10 “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which hath been lost”. Today’s Gospel shows us how the love of

Sermon – 14th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | January 24, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

14th Sunday of Luke (Healing of the blind man) Luke 18:35–43 “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” — John 20:29 Many of the Sunday Gospel

Sermon – 12th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | January 17, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

12th Sunday of Luke (Healing of the Ten Lepers) In the parables of the Lord, we see three different groups of people, who symbolise the three types of believers: the

Sermon – Sunday after Theophany

Sermons | January 10, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday after Theophany In one of the prophecies we heard at the Great Blessing of the Waters at Theophany, a verse from Isaiah, the Lord says the following: “For as

Sermon – Theophany

Sermons | January 6, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Theophany Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 Matthew 3:13-17 Dearly beloved brethren in Christ, In the apostolic reading, there is a key word: ‘heirs’. St Paul says that we became heirs of the

Sermon – Circumcision of Christ

Sermons | January 1, 2021 | Kristian Akselberg

Circumcision of Christ Today, the secular world celebrates the beginning of the new year. For the Church, however, today is not the first day of the year — the Church year

Sermon – Entry of the Mother of God

Sermons | November 29, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

Entry of the Mother of God The Church celebrates today the Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple. The righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna,

Sermon – 13th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | November 29, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

13th Sunday of Luke Luke 18:18-27 In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the well-known story of the rich man who came to Jesus to ask what one must do to

Sermon – Synaxis of the Holy Archangels

Sermons | November 22, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Every morning and evening, as well as at every Divine Liturgy, faithful Christians recite the Symbol of Faith, the confession into which they were baptised

Sermon – 8th Sunday of Luke (Good Samaritan)

Sermons | November 15, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

Yet again we celebrate the Divine Liturgy behind closed doors, beloved brethren. However, just as the Lord entered “the doors being shut” (John 20:19), so he went out (through closed

Sermon – 5th Sunday of Luke

Sermons | November 1, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

5th Sunday of Luke (The rich man and Lazarus) 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:8 Luke 16:19-31 “Brethren, you are all the Body of Christ, and individually members thereof” (1 Cor. 12:27). Thus

Sermon – Feast of St Luke the Evangelist

Sermons | October 18, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

St Luke the Evangelist Colossians 4:5-11, 14-18 Today the Church celebrates the memory of the holy, glorious and all-famed apostle and evangelist Luke. As we learn from today’s Epistle reading,

Sermon – Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

Sermons | October 11, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council Titus 3:8-15 Luke 8:5-15 Today the Church commemorates the holy and godbearing fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council, and of all the ecumenical councils

Sermon – Nativity of the Mother of God

Sermons | September 8, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

The Nativity of the Mother of God ‘Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which God came down’ At yesterday evening’s Great Vespers, we heard — in connection with today’s great feast of

Sermon – 3rd Saturday of Luke

Sermons | September 3, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

3rd Saturday of Luke Luke 7:11-16 In today’s Gospel, we hear about the call of Levi, Matthew, one of the Twelve disciples and author of the first Gospel — the

Sermon – The Dormition of the Mother of God

Sermons | August 15, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

The Dormition of the Mother of God Luke 10:38–42, 11:27–28 Today we celebrate the great feast of the Dormition and bodily Assumption of the Mother of God, often referred to

Sermon – 9th Sunday of Matthew

Sermons | August 9, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

9th Sunday of Matthew 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 Matthew 14:22-34 In today’s Epistle reading, St Paul reminds us of the tremendous gift and privilege that has been given to us as

Sermon – 2nd Sunday of Matthew

Sermons | June 21, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

2nd Sunday of Matthew Matthew 4:18–23 We heard today the Gospel reading which is read on the feast day of our patron saint, St Andrew the Apostle. St Andrew is

Sermon – Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Sermons | May 17, 2020 | Kristian Akselberg

Sermon on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman John 4:5-42 Today’s Gospel reading begins: “Jesus came into a city of Samaria”. Samaria had originally been a Jewish region, but the

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