Fr. Apostolos shares about the flash mob that gathered on Palm Sunday and at the trial of Jesus.

Fr. Apostolos encourages us to embrace Christ's sacrificial offering for us as graceful recipients of the salvation that He alone can bring.

Fr. Apostolos shares about the Ladder of Divine Ascent.

Fr. Apostolos speaks about the power of the Cross. "If only avoiding the reality of the Cross were as easy as skipping services during Great Lent and Holy Week. If only avoiding the reality of being crucified with Christ were as easy as roasting a lamb.... As Orthodox Christians in the West avoid the spectre of the Cross, others rush to embrace it."

"We are called to be saints. We are called to fellowship with God. We are called to sanctification and true freedom in Christ. We are called to lay hold of eternal life. May we ever strive to walk in that manner, worthy of the high calling as we press on in our Lenten journey."

Fr. Apostolos begins with the story of Brittany, a young girl he briefly knew who suffered from an incurable skin condition who demonstrated for him how to carry a cross. The gist of the homily is simple: there can be no resurrection without a death and no Paschal celebration without the Cross.

Fr. Apostolos talks about the privilege and responsibility we have of knowing Christ personally.

Fr. Apostolos reminds us of the effort needed and the benefits of participating fully in the spiritual fitness regimen of Great Lent.

Fr. Apostolos helps to prepare us for Great Lent with reflections on the humility of the Publican.

As we approach Great Lent, Fr. Apostolos reflects on the stories of Jason Gibson and Zaccheus. "As we apply the energy of our will and labor to tame our desires so that they serve us and as we avoid the trap of being enslaved by our desires, we can overcome our wounds and learn how to soar in the spiritual life."