In today's epistle reading (Galatians 1:11-19), Paul gives a spirited defense of his own apostleship, it's origin in Christ and co-equality with the other Apostles. But who, today, is actually questioning the authority of Paul? For us, within this effective defense is a promise of great import and immense value - that even the worst sinners amongst us can be raised in Christ to be co-equal with those who loved him from their first breath!

Only three times is Christ recorded in Scripture to have raised an person from the dead. These resurrection accounts are of great importance to our own assurance of eternal life. Bp. Irineos looks at the account of the raising of the son of the widow of Nain and asks what we might glean from this about Christ's power over death and care for each of us.

When Christ comes to Peter and asks the use of his boat, the future apostle is cleaning his gear after a long, unsucccessful night of fishing. But he complies obediently with the request of the Teacher and is soon called, in spite of his perceived unworthiness, to follow Christ. Bp. Irineos considers the meaning of this passage and what it means for us today.

The Gospel reading for today (Matthew 21:33-42) is the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers. Bp. Irineos discusses the allegorical meanings of this parable, and in conjunction with the Parable of the Two Sons which immediately precedes it in Matthew, he comments on the opposing forces of idleness and action, and how they are treated in these Gospel parables.

In today's homily, Bp. Irineos examines the Gospel reading and discusses how the purity of soul leads to purity of purpose and that the alternative is both spiritually and physically harmful. Finally he cautions the faithful to listen to the fathers regarding the provision of God.

On the eve of the Sunday of the New Martyrs of the Turkish Yoke, Bp. Irineos reflects briefly upon how the martyrs persevered under oppression but we seem to continually squander the opportunities afforded to those of us who live in relative freedom.

For most of the history of Orthodoxy in North America, we've lived in an environment purporting to hold traditional Christian values, even if the basis was not Orthodox. Bp. Irineos discusses the saints who have been revealed here and how the future might give right to more opportunities for the faithful to glorify God.

On the Sunday of All Saints, Bp. Irineos briefly discusses why we remember the saints and how their function and life eternal was foretold in the Old Testament before being fulfilled through Christ.

On Pentecost, the account is about much more than the descent of the Holy Spirit. God calls mankind back to unity, reversing the division he wrought at Babel, when prideful man sought to raise himself to the heavens. Now led by the Comforter, man is called back to union, that he might encounter God not on man's terms but through the God Himself.

The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman finds Christ met by this scandalous woman who would never meet the perception of one prepared to spread the faith around the world. But this is precisely what St. Photini did.