On August 31st, 2025, Dn. Vassily reflected on Matthew 19:16–26, where Christ challenges the rich young man to let go of earthly possessions and follow Him. We live in a world drowning in materialism, where everything promises fulfillment but leaves only emptiness. Christ warns us that life does not consist in what we possess, but in being “rich toward God.”

Dn. Vassily reminded us through the story of St. Thomas in India that the true treasures are not earthly palaces but eternal ones built in heaven. We store up these treasures through obedience to God’s commandments, participation in the life of the Church, acts of mercy, and daily repentance.

The question is set before us: Will we chase the fleeting wealth of this world, or will we follow Christ and build eternal palaces in heaven?

“Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.”

In this Bible study, Anthony Ally explores John 3:16 in a way that goes beyond the usual courtroom imagery of guilt and pardon. Instead, we discover the Orthodox vision: God’s love is not a legal transaction but a living invitation into union with Him. Christ comes not merely to balance accounts, but to share His life with us and to make all things new.

On August 24th, 2025, Fr. Stephen preached on the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23–35), reminding us that we forgive not out of our own strength, but because we are made in the image of the God who forgives. To withhold forgiveness is to distort that image, but to extend mercy is to become more like Him who is Mercy itself.

In this week’s Bible study, Anthony Ally guided the group through both teaching and open questions. From practical matters such as when and how to make the sign of the Cross, to deeper theological reflections, the conversation wove together clarity and encouragement. Anthony highlighted the connection between the Feast of the Nativity and the Feast of the Dormition—the “bookends” of the Church year—and how the cycle of the 12 Great Feasts (plus Pascha and Pentecost) continually draws us into the life of Christ and His Mother. He urged us to see Mary’s humility and Christ’s obedience as the pattern for our own lives, calling us to faithfulness in worship and consistency in daily living. Many participants shared how this study broke through personal struggles and gave them strength in their walk with Christ.

On August 17th, 2025, Fr. Michael preached on the reality of spiritual warfare. He reminded the faithful that the Christian life is not neutral ground, but a battleground where our souls are contended for by Christ and opposed by the devil. Fr. Michael emphasized that prayer, fasting, confession, and the Holy Mysteries are not optional extras but the very weapons by which we are equipped to resist temptation and grow in holiness. He urged us to be vigilant, to recognize the enemy’s subtle attacks, and to cling to Christ who has already won the victory.

On August 16th, 2025, at Great Vespers, Fr. Michael offered an introduction to the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

Speaking to the many non-Orthodox visitors and returning guests present in our parish, he explained the meaning of Dormition: how the Church honors the falling asleep of the Mother of God, her bodily assumption into heaven, and the hope this gives to all Christians of life in Christ beyond the grave. Fr. Michael highlighted how the feast is not about death as an end, but about death being transformed by Christ into a passage to eternal life, with the Virgin Mary as the first among the faithful to follow Him.

In this Bible study led by Mr. Anthony Ally, we dive into a Scripture-based conversation on how the Church responds to false teaching. Using examples from the Bible and the wisdom of the Fathers, we examine how the apostles confronted error and how those same principles apply today. Through engaging discussion and practical insights, we learn how to recognize when God’s truth is being distorted and how to stand firm in the faith with clarity, conviction, and love for Christ.

For additional context, this is a 2 parter and we heavily recommend you listen to both to get a fuller understanding of the subject material.

In this Bible study led by Mr. Anthony Ally, we discuss the Dormition of the Theotokos—Mary’s falling asleep in the Lord—and why the Church has always honored this feast. Using Scripture, early Church history, and the witness of the Fathers, we address common misunderstandings, especially from Protestant circles, about Mary’s role in salvation history, her death, and her place in the life of the Church. Through engaging discussion, we explore how the Dormition points us to Christ, deepens our hope in the resurrection, and affirms the faith once delivered to the saints.

For additional context, this is a 2 parter and we heavily recommend you listen to both to get a fuller understanding of the subject material.

On August 10th, 2025, Fr. Stephen preached on reflecting on Peter’s cry, “Lord, save me!” as he began to sink in the stormy sea. This moment is more than a rescue—it’s a picture of the Christian life. When our eyes are fixed on Christ, we stand firm; when we look to the wind and waves, fear takes over. Trusting God means turning our attention away from distractions and dangers and back toward the One who holds us fast. In every trial, the prayer “Lord, save me!” becomes both our confession of weakness and our declaration of faith.

In this Bible study, Mr. Anthony Ally reflects on the Dormition of the Theotokos and how her humility and obedience reveal the path to theosis. Drawing from both Scripture and Holy Tradition, he shows how the Ever-Virgin Mary leads us to Christ, not through exaltation of herself, but through her total surrender to God’s will. The session also confronts modern Islamic objections to the divinity of Christ and the Theotokos, with Mr. Ally speaking from personal experience as a former Muslim. This powerful introduction to the Dormition fast weaves together apologetics, personal repentance, and deep Orthodox devotion—calling us to prepare our hearts for Christ through the example of His Mother.