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.

In today’s sermon on Matthew 14:14–22, Fr. Stephen spoke about the loneliness that drives people to attach themselves to online trends—whether it’s joining in on viral dogpiles like the recent attacks on Sydney Sweeney, or parroting whatever the algorithm rewards this week. Social media promises connection, but it delivers comparison, outrage, and spiritual exhaustion. Christ, on the other hand, sees the crowd and has compassion. He doesn’t exploit their hunger—He feeds it. The Church isn’t just an alternative to the noise. It’s the only place where your hunger is met with something real. Something eternal. Something human.

Sunday, July 27, 2025 — Dn. Vassily Kocher offered a heartfelt sermon reflecting on the legacy of our parish, St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church. He reminded us of who St. Mary Magdalene is—a faithful witness to the Resurrection—and how her devotion continues to inspire us. Dn. Vassily shared our parish’s journey from humble gatherings in homes to the building of our Temple in Rincon, GA, a story marked by perseverance, prayer, and God’s providence. He concluded with a call to action: that we continue to grow in faith and love, and proclaim the Gospel boldly throughout all of Savannah. May our parish always be a light shining with the witness of Christ, just as St. Mary Magdalene was at the empty tomb.

In this wedding homily, Fr. Stephen Osburn reflects on the reality that marriage is not only about carrying the cross, but about remaining on it—through joy and sorrow, peace and struggle. Sometimes, spouses become the very nails that keep each other on the cross, reminding us that love is not always soft, but it is always salvific. True Christian marriage is a path of dying to self, so that both may rise together in Christ.