The Feast of Ascension is the fortieth day after Resurrection Sunday, commemorating the Ascension of Christ into heaven, according to Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2. The word Ascension in Greek (analeptics) means, “lifting up.” It is the event that signifies Christ ascending to heaven to be seated at the right hand of God the Father in power and glory, completing the plan of salvation. Generally speaking, in Orthodoxy, the greater emphasize is on "the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ," leaving the Ascension with lesser importance within the minds of the faithful. This is only natural, since the hard work of fasting and extensive praying ends with the Feast of the Resurrection. Nevertheless, as stated earlier, it is the Ascension that completes the plan of salvation; and therefore, for the Church, it is of equal importance.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/2017/5/29/jesus-christ-the-king-sermon-on-the-ascension

Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/the-son-of-man-rests-his-head

he Gospels records that when our Savior Jesus Christ was born there was no room for Him at the inn. (Luke 2:7) When Christ was of age He entered the synagogue in Nazareth and proclaimed through the scriptures that He was the messiah, upon hearing this the Jews threw Him out of their town. (Luke 4:16-29) Throughout Christ’s ministry on earth, He was traveling—preaching, teaching and performing miracles—but He never had a place to call His own.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/the-son-of-man-rests-his-head

Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/the-road-to-emmaus

Life is a journey filled with “life-changing” moments that define who we are. In the Gospel of Luke Chapter 24, two men, Cleopas and another disciple, are walking from a small town called Emmaus to the city of Jerusalem. On their journey they begin to chitchat about their master, Jesus, and all that had happened to him—His trial, passion, death and burial.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/the-road-to-emmaus

Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/2017/5/5/restoration

In Mark 8:31, Jesus harshly rebukes Peter and calls him “satan,” for attempting to change His mind about His passion and crucifixion. In the night of the Last Supper, Jesus told His Apostles that He would be betrayed and that none of them would stand by Him in His last hour. Peter told Jesus he would stand by Him and defend Him. Jesus, knowing Peter well, said that before the rooster crows today you will have denied me three times. (Matthew 26:34) And indeed, Peter, in the night of Jesus’ trial, denied Him three times

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/2017/5/5/restoration

Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/2017/5/4/seeing-jesus

On the first Sunday after New Sunday, that is, the second Sunday after the Resurrection, the Holy Church ascribes the Gospel of John 21:1-14. This passage records one of the several post-resurrection appearances of Christ to his disciples and followers. Jesus Christ appears to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias showing Himself to Peter, Thomas, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/2017/5/4/seeing-jesus