The Orthodox Vine

Sermon on the Sunday of Orthodoxy where we declare and rejoice in the triumph of Truth and how we are accountable to attain and remain in it as well.  

In this meeting, we discuss the role of humility in our restoration to our original identity and purpose as created by God.  Based on Isaiah 2:11-21, Genesis 2:4-19 and Proverbs,  3:1-18 

How should I prepare for confession? What should I confess? This episode offers answers on the importance of coming to confession and how to prepare for it. 

The apostle Jude warns the believers to remain in the correct, apostolic faith and not be misled by heresies and false teachers who will only lead a person to spiritual death.  How can we remain there as well but also live out our faith instead of existing in a duality, i.e. I act one way in church and different at home or in public. How can Christ remain within me and live in me always? 

As we prepare to begin our journey to Pascha (Easter) during Great Lent, we hear the words of the Prophet Joel telling us how and why God commands us to practice fasting.

In this session, we discussed the ending petitions of the first part of the Divine Liturgy called the Liturgy of the Catechumens, specifically the petitions asking for help, safety, salvation and the role of Grace. The commemoration of the Holy Virgin and the meaning of her many titles that are mentioned in the petition. The significance of committing ourselves and our whole life to Christ.  We also discuss the proper posture for prayer and how to participate in the worship more intently. 

In this episode, we cover a few of the petitions at the beginning of the liturgy, during the great litany, such as the meaning of "for this holy house" and the "fear of God" as well as praying for good weather and the connection between sin and environmental calamities. 

We are devoting ourselves to learning about The Divine Liturgy. What is the meaning, the divine phenomenon and mystery of the Divine Liturgy? What happens to us when we are in church for the Divine Liturgy? If you've ever wondered about the words of the liturgy, the hidden spiritual reality reflected in the words and actions performed by the people and the priest and the purpose of it all, don't miss this opportunity to know your faith better and be able to participate in the Divine Liturgy with a fresh and new understanding, deeper prayer and spiritual joy. We meet in Vallejo, Fairfield, Suisiun and Napa.  Contact Fr. Ninos at [email protected] if you'd like to attend.

In this session, we discuss how making contact with God is the ultimate purpose of our life and how this happens in the Divine Liturgy.