In this homily, we reflect on the heavy worries and anxieties that often fill our lives—especially in the busy days leading up to Christmas. From bills to traffic to holiday pressures, stress seems unavoidable. Yet God has a way of using even the most frustrating parts of life to fulfill His purpose. Through the story of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem because of a census and taxes, we see that God can use ordinary burdens to bring about extraordinary grace. Just as taxes played a role in fulfilling prophecy and revealing Christ, our own worries can become places where God is at work. We are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25: “Do not worry about your life.” God, who can work through taxes, can surely work through anything we face. Let us enter the Christmas season with peace, trusting in the God who brings salvation through unexpected means.

In this homily, we turn our attention to St. Joseph—an ordinary man with an extraordinary calling. As we prepare for the Feast of the Nativity through fasting and reflection, we revisit the familiar Gospel narratives. Yet year after year, these stories remain living lessons, inviting us to look deeper. Joseph appears briefly in Scripture, but in that short time he plays a pivotal role in salvation history. When faced with Mary’s mysterious pregnancy, knowing the severe consequences she could face, he chooses compassion. And when God speaks to him in a dream, he responds with courage, obedience, and humility.

Joseph’s story challenges us to see beyond miracles and supernatural signs. It invites us to notice how God works through simple, ordinary people—people who may not be scholars, priests, or leaders, but whose hearts are open. Joseph, a carpenter and likely a man of simple means, becomes the protector of Christ and the guardian of the Holy Family. His quiet faithfulness carried the Savior safely through danger, exile, and uncertainty.

As we hear these narratives each year, they remind us that the call Joseph received is also a call to us. The world still needs Christ to be revealed—through our words, our compassion, and our courage to stand for Him when His name is mocked or misunderstood. Like Joseph, we are invited to take responsibility, to carry Christ into the world, and to make the Incarnation real in our time.

May the example of this humble and holy man inspire us to answer God’s call with the same faith and willingness. May God bless us all.

As we walk through the Advent fast and prepare our hearts for the Feast of the Nativity, this homily invites us to slow down and truly reflect on what—and Who—we are preparing for. Drawing from the Gospel reading on the birth of St. John the Baptist, the Forerunner, we explore the beautiful mystery of how God uses John as the voice announcing the coming of the Word.

Through the prophecy of Zechariah, we hear again that the world sits in darkness—and yet a great light is coming. This message, proclaimed more than two thousand years ago, is not only a historical moment; it is a living reality that should be renewed within us every year, and every day.

This homily meditates on the birth of John the Baptist, the greatest among those born of women, and invites us into the deep, mystical wonder of Advent: the anticipation of God entering our world, our history, and our lives. Rather than being swept away by festivities and outward celebration, we are called to let the Holy Spirit lead us into contemplation, repentance, and joyful expectation.

A brief but profound reflection on light, prophecy, and preparation, this message encourages us to ready our hearts for the coming of Christ, just as John prepared the way two millennia ago.

In this homily, Father Vijay reflects on the birth and mission of St. John the Baptist and his call to repent. But repentance, he reminds us, is more than saying “sorry”—it is the work of repairing relationships: with God, with one another, and with the most vulnerable around us.

Drawing from a local story of homelessness in our own community, this homily challenges us to examine the walls of comfort we build around ourselves. Are our hearts truly prepared for Christ’s coming? Are we ready to serve others wisely, compassionately, and responsibly—not like the monkey who meant well but acted without preparation?

Through the lens of the Nativity Fast, Father Vijay calls us to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving so that our hearts may be shaped into vessels God can use—just as He used Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist.

In this powerful and thought-provoking sermon, we explore an unexpected question: What does it truly mean to be a rebel? Drawing from the story of Elizabeth and Zachariah, who courageously broke social expectations by naming their son John, we discover that holy rebellion has always been part of God’s story.

Framing Christianity itself as a “rebel movement,” this sermon reminds us that every baptized believer is called to rebel—not against God, but against the devil, sin, and everything that draws us away from holiness. Through vivid examples from Scripture, Church history, and the teachings of St. Paul, we learn practical and accessible ways to resist temptation, cultivate virtue, and train ourselves—and our children—to stand firm in Christ.

Whether you are young or old, this message challenges you to ask: Whose side am I on? Am I rebelling against God or against the evil one?

A stirring call to live boldly, faithfully, and counter-culturally, this sermon invites us to be rebels for righteousness, following the examples of St. John the Baptist, the Mother of God, and all the saints who fought the good fight before us.

Speaker: Rev. Fr. Abey George

Parish: St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Long Island, NY

His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos offers a beautiful meditation on the Gospel narrative of John the Baptist’s birth. Reflecting on Zechariah’s prophecy, His Grace explains that salvation in Christ is not merely a future hope but a present reality that frees us from fear and reshapes our lives. As we approach the Feast of the Nativity, we are reminded that every Christian shares John’s mission: to prepare the way of the Lord and to guide others into the light of Christ.

In this Advent reflection, we journey with St. Mary to discover the deep mysteries hidden in her visit to Elizabeth. Why does the Church place Mary before us so often before Christmas? Because, as the Fathers teach: Follow the Mother, and you will find the Son.

Drawing rich parallels between Luke’s Gospel and the story of the Ark of the Covenant, this sermon shows how St. Mary is revealed as the true Ark—carrying within her the living Word, the Bread of Life, and the presence of God Himself. We explore how her greeting causes John the Baptist to leap, how Elizabeth echoes David’s awe, and how Revelation reveals Mary’s place at the Second Coming.

This message also lifts up the powerful witness of the saints—from the defense of Constantinople to the teachings of St. Joseph the Hesychast—on the intercession, purity, and motherly protection of the Theotokos.

As we begin the season of Advent (and the Nativity Fast), this sermon invites us to draw near to the Mother of God, to learn from her purity, to seek her prayers, and to allow her to lead us more deeply to Christ.

Speaker: Rev. Fr. Abey George

Parish: St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Long Island, NY

In this Advent message, we reflect on Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth and discover a model of faith that both seeks and obeys. Mary doesn’t accept even an angel’s message blindly—she travels to see for herself, showing us that true obedience includes discernment and courage. Her Magnificat becomes a song of liberation from the perspective of the poor, the oppressed, and the humble. As our patron saint, Mary teaches us how to engage God’s call with sincerity, honesty, and boldness. May her example guide us into a deeper, living faith this season.

In this episode, Fr. Vijay Thomas preaches on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and connects it to this week’s historic gathering in Nicaea marking 1700 years since the First Council of Nicaea. He reflects on why the Creed matters, why truth matters, and why the Church’s confession about Christ still shapes our lives today.

Through Mary’s Magnificat and Elizabeth’s recognition of the Lord, we learn to see Christ clearly — the eternal Son who entered time for our salvation.

This episode, "Distracted Living," explores the sermon that argues attention is the most important commodity, and how a life constantly seeking distraction leads to spiritual blindness [01:05].

The speaker emphasizes that genuine spiritual sight requires focus, silence, meditation, and prayer [02:55], contrasting this with the busy, distracted lives many of us lead.

The focus shifts to St. Mary as the ultimate example of a life dedicated to God [04:02]. By focusing on service and prayer, she became the key through which a profound mystery was revealed.

The episode unpacks how Mary is seen as the firm and permanent connection point between God and man [10:15], similar to the Burning Bush, Jacob's Ladder, and the Ark of the Covenant. This great mystery culminates in the lifting of the "curse of old" [10:32], fulfilling the prophecy that God would send a "seed" to crush the head of the serpent [11:41].

It is a powerful Advent message about choosing focus over distraction, reminding us that "Emmanuel—the Lord is with you" [13:15].