Orthodox Church Season
Season of Theophany – 1st Sunday after the Feast – St. Matthew 4:12-22
The Church begins her Season of Theophany/Epiphany from the 1st Sunday following the Feast and the Gospel portion read on this Sunday is from the Gospel account of St. Matthew 4:12-22. This Gospel portion recounts how Christ begins His public ministry in the town of Nazareth in Galilee. This portion picks up after Jesus spent forty days and nights in the wilderness after He was baptised by John in the Jordan where we find that for the third time in the Gospel of Matthew itself, Jesus embracing a new hometown.
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The Feast of Exaltation of the True Cross – Sept 14
A short study on the historical and the spiritual importance of the Feast of the Exaltation of the True Cross. This feast is celebrated on Sept 14 each year. For the Indian Orthodox Church, this feast marks the beginning of the last season of the liturgical calendar.
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On the Transfiguration of Christ – A Homily by St. Ephraim the Syrian
The Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord on the Mount on August 6. This feast is one of the great feasts of the Church and the Orthodox Church places lot of importance to this event. This event is described in all of the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Let us meditate on a sermon given by beloved St. Ephraim the Syrian on this event.
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Following Christ by Overcoming Rejections and Counting the Cost (Luke 9:51-62)
We are called to be His disciples with the aim of preaching the kingdom of God. But in the course of our ministry, we will face various rejections. Christ teaches us not to be disheartened when we are rejected, for He was rejected first. We are also called to count the cost of our discipleship, lest we tend to look back on our life and regret following Christ. We are called to be steadfast in our commitment.
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Finding our Purpose in the Resurrected Christ – To be Fishers of Men – John 21
Christ, after His resurrection teaches His disciples to become fishers of men. Let us learn on how we can become fishers of men rather than be fishermen. Let also understand the importance of having a fellowship with like minded individuals and where should we draw in our catch.
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Encounter with the Gardener – Easter reflection (John 20:1-18)
An Easter reflection on the account of the meeting of Mary Magdalene with the Resurrected Christ in the garden and comparing it with the encounter of the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden
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Wedding at Cana – The first sign – St. John 2:1-11
Today, the Indian Orthodox Church and her children begin our spiritual journey towards the cross on Calvary, where our Master was crucified for our sakes and redeemed us and on the third day rose again defeating death. We undertake this journey through the Great Lent. As we begin this journey, on this Sunday we begin with a feast where Jesus had gathered along with His disciples and began His public ministry. He began His ministry by performing a miracle, which is only mentioned in the Gospel of St. John – a miracle of transforming the water into wine.
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Sunday of Departed Priests – St Matthew 24: 42-51
The Sunday after the Three Day Lent is commemorated as the Sunday for remembering our departed priests who have been our spiritual guides at every point of life. The Church remembers its fathers who had baptised her, taught her, nurtured her, and fed her with the Holy Body and Blood of her Master and Saviour Jesus Christ. Today’s parable on the loyal servant teaches us the qualities of a loyal servant waiting for his Master’s return and the punishment that awaits the unfaithful servant.
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Three Day Lent – Day 2 – Imitating Christ
We who call ourselves followers of Christ and baptized with Him are also called to be prophets along with Him. We are called to be prophets to the dark and sinful world. Being followers of Christ and called to be His prophets, we are called to share in the life and death of Christ. Being His followers and being baptized in His name does not give us any extra dignity or privilege in life but it should make us able to wade into the depths of human sinfulness and proclaim the love of God. We are not meant to carry on our responsibility through our own strength but through the grace and mercy we receive from the world.
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Three Day Lent – Day 1 – Call to imitate Jesus
With the background of the Feast of Theophany and as we look towards our great pilgrimage to the Cross of Calvary and from there to the Feast of Resurrection of our Lord, the Three Day Fast calls us to imitate Christ in our lives to attain the glory of ever lasting life.
