Sermon delivered by His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrius on November 25/December 8, 2021, at Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery, Cobleskill, NY.
Glory be to God for St. Clement of Ohred, what a loving cause he stood for! St. Markella serves all in Greek, except on Sundays, but only when Fr. Theodore is presiding; during those Sundays we have the benefit of hearing the homily in English. If he's not in for whatever reason, well... no such luck! God have mercy on us. Thank you your eminence! 🙏☦️
I just listened to this homily again. In the Boston convent, when we were chanting, Abbess Stephenia, for whom English was her 2nd language, very often had us slow down the chants so she could "catch" the words. She had to have time to understand the words in her head, and offer them as prayer in her heart to our Lord Jesus Christ. That slight speed in the chanting prayers in services allowed me to hear, understand and pray every word, too. It was an absolutely wonderful way to learn the prayers and services of the Church! Now, when I hear prayers read too fast for the words to be "captured," it grieves me so much. I wonder if cantors understand how difficult it makes it for people to "catch" and pray the prayers of the Church when the words are slowed down just a bit. It makes all the difference to be able to understand the prayers. I've never heard that slightly slowed tempo of chanted prayers any where else. I crave it so much.
Thank you for this soul-enhancing homily. I was moved to become Orthodox because of 1 phrase in the Liturgy: "a mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise." As sinners, all of us need God's Mercy to cover our sins. When we ask for it, Orthodox Christians are saying we get the Peace of God. There is nothing greater for us on earth than the Peace of God. And for that extraordinary gift, all God asks of us is that we praise Him...give Him "credit" for all He's given us, which is everything in heaven and on earth. I knew I could, and wanted to be Orthodox because of that. Also, as a 10 year old child with a life-threatening illness, my grandmother prayed that I'd "live and know the Spirit of Prayer." It had a SIGNIFICANT effect on my life. Plus, the first time I heard the Liturgy in English, it felt like it was the first time I'd ever been to Church in my life! It's very edifying to recognize the truth of Vladyka Demetrius' words. Thank you for sharing them with us. In the love of Christ, Mother Anastasia of St. Paisius Hermitage.
What an amazing, important and indeed unknown part of our our orthodox history! It's so good to get to know our Saints! Thank you your Eminence! You blessing please.
YOUR EMINENCE.! I FIND IT AMAZING, H THESE WONDERFUL SAINTS LOVED GOD, SO DEEPLY. MAY WE HAVE THE WONDERFUL GRACE OF GOD TO PRACTICE OUR LOVE FOR GOD AND FOLLOW THEIR HEARTFELT LOVE AND PRACTICE THEIR EXAMINER LE.
Correction YOUR EMINENCE! I FIND IT AMAZING, HOW THESE WONDERFUL SAINTS LOVED GOD, SO DEEPLY. THEY GAVE THEIR ALL FOR HIM! LET US FOLLOW THEIR HEARTFELT EXAMPLE OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US THIS GRACE!
