Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church

The Mystery of the Annunciation Two soul nourishing talks about the Theotokos, our Panagia by Papa Demetrios Carellas Hosted by St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney TX May 27 2017 The Saturday ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2017/05/01/papa-demetrios-carellas-to-speak-on-may-27th/

“O my soul, fear the passions of the Sanhedrin! No matter how terribly criminal they are, they are not far from the weak human heheart. If you are not attentive to yourself, if you do not begin...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2017/04/14/the-passions-of-the-sanhedrin/

As we gathered this evening in worship at the Bridegroom Matins service of Great and Holy Monday, I was struck by the first sticheron on the praises: AS THE LORD WAS GOING TO HIS VOLUNTARY PASSIO...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2017/04/09/entering-holy-week/

(thank you to Natalia Hawthorne for finding and translating this story) St. Nicholas and the Church Keys This story is told by nun Maustrigia. During the Soviet persecution of churches, her monas...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2016/12/23/a-recent-miracle-of-st-nicholas/

SYNOPSIS:On Holy Thursday we simultaneously contemplate the sin of Judas and the institution of the Eucharist. There are two hymns from the matins canon that perfectly explain the greatest sin of...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2014/04/17/the-greatest-sin-of-judas-was-that-he-had-no-anger-against-sin-the-action-of-communion-within-us-with-the-exchange-of-attributes/

Overview of the Gospel on for Presanctified Liturgy on Great Monday, in which the Lord teaches about the state of the world, and His second coming, especially emphasizing the coldness of the hear...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2014/04/14/because-iniquity-shall-abound-the-love-of-many-shall-wax-cold-only-those-whose-heart-is-hot-will-escape-deception/

Homilies on Palm Sunday and Great Monday Matins

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2014/04/14/we-hold-up-branches-because-the-lord-is-at-hand-but-will-we-live-in-such-a-way-that-we-will-rejoice-always-and-overcome-the-things-in-our-life-that-are-four-days-dead/

Text and commentary of Do not say, after spending a long time at prayer... The Ladder, John Climacus, Step, 28, Prayer

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2014/04/10/do-not-say-after-spending-a-long-time-at-prayer-the-ladder-john-climacus-step-28-prayer/

http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/great-lent-sunday-04_2014-03-30+if-thou-canst-believe-all-things-are-possible-to-him-that-believeth_mark9-17-31.mp3 In the healing of the demoniac boy, context is ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2014/03/31/if-thou-canst-believe-all-things-are-possible-to-him-that-believeth-how-do-we-cultivate-this-mysterious-belief/

he Biblical Odes are used especially during Great Lent. and during weekday matins, this verse, from ode 6, is always said: "They that observe vain and false things have abandoned mercy for themse...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2014/03/27/they-that-observe-vain-and-false-things-have-abandoned-mercy-for-themselves-sobering-and-comforting-at-the-same-time/

"For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. (24) Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do f...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2014/03/26/for-god-created-man-to-be-immortal-and-made-him-to-be-an-image-of-his-own-eternity/

What is "life"? You cannot understand the cross unless you understand life. We cannot understand the cross, and the way of the cross unless we understand life. What is life? Most people do not kn...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2014/03/24/3-homilies-on-the-forty-martys-the-third-sunday-of-lent-and-before-thy-cross/

A letter sent to men I regularity visit in prison, containing an explanation of: WHY do we fast? Always do the things you CAN do The Holy Fathers on Fasting.

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/08/12/why-do-we-fast-always-do-the-things-you-can-do-the-holy-fathers-on-fasting/

I am full of joy for Mykael and Anastasia (Gloria), who were crowned (married) yesterday (Sunday afternoon, after having received communion). I am profoundly disappointed that I could not be the ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/07/22/all-things-work-to-the-good-crown-them-with-glory-and-honor-humble-pie/

A letter to prisoners that describes Monophytism in detail, and touches on sharia law, injustice and the purpose of our life.

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/07/09/monophysitism-an-orthodox-explanation-why-is-this-stuff-important-enduring-wrongs-why-how-sharia-law-and-injustice-a-letter-to-prisoners-june-26-july-9-apostles-fast-2013/

"Holy Father, keep in Thy name those whom Thou hast given me, in order that they may be one, even as We." John 17:11   The reality of the Trinity, in which the persons of God live in perfect one...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/06/05/john-1711-no-unity-with-god-without-unity-with-our-neighbor/

In the 16th chapter of John, Christ is preparing His disciples for is upcoming passion, on the very night of His arrest. Judas the betrayer of Christ did not hear these words. There is a great an...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/06/04/and-in-that-day-ye-shall-ask-me-nothing-eternal-life-perfect-freedom-and-joy-explained-john1622-24/

The conversation and conversion of the Samaritan woman by the well, recorded only in John, is the conversation of Christ with the soul. This is good news for us, as the future Equal to the Apostl...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/06/03/a-feastday-for-all-us-samaritans-do-you-hear-the-conversation-sunday-of-the-samaritan-woman-john-45-42/

A commentary on the prayer "Lord, Thou hast accounted me worthy today, but cast me not away from Thy sight in that great and notable day when Thou wilt come again.". We must find ways to keep hol...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/06/01/keep-holy-things-from-becoming-common/

    "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). In a well-known first century text called the "Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus", the Ch...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/30/by-this-all-will-know-that-you-are-my-disciples/

As Orthodox Christians, we must strive to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind (c.f. Luke 10:27) — in other words, with our entire being.  The cultivation of the l...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/30/distance-education-in-orthodox-theology/

Today, we as a church family are reading the first half of the Gospel according to John the Theologian. (If you are not there yet, don't worry — the main thing is to keep reading!) This selecti...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/29/thoughts-on-john-131-20/

In the second half of John 10, Jesus says: "I and the Father are one." "I am the Son of God." "…the Father is in Me, and I in Him." What do we mean when we say the Jesus is God, that He is the ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/25/the-father-is-in-me-and-i-in-him/

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/24/4332/

Sometimes the order in which we pray also teaches us important things. Our services and prayer books are comprehensive and teach us every way we should approach God in prayer. They are full of do...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/21/order-of-prayers-resurrection-compunction-martyrs-rhythm-of-prayer-monday-of-the-myrhhbearers/

SYNOPSIS:The Scriptures tell us that Joseph "became bold" and asked for the body of Jesus from Pilate. He did a dangerous thing, which would likely cost him his life, as did the Holy Myrhhbearers...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/20/having-become-bold-what-made-joseph-nicodemus-and-the-myrrhbearers-bold-myrrhbearing-women-mark-1543168-2012/

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and t...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/15/faith-and-works-john-528-29-2nd-wednesday-of-pascha-2013/

oday in Philadelphia, the jury, after 10 days of deliberation, delivered several guilt verdicts in the trial of the abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell. He will face the death penalty in some of these...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/13/kermit-gosnell-and-the-culture-of-sexualism-and-death-on-the-date-of-the-guilty-verdicts-in-his-trial/

The Apostle Thomas is a perfect example of how we are, deep inside. We have doubts, problems, unresolved issues. We must follow his example to resolve all these problems. We also talk about the c...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/13/thomas-is-just-like-us-in-at-least-one-way-it-must-be-in-two-ways-if-we-are-to-be-saved/

Learning holy things is hard. The mind must be changed; we do not naturally think about heavenly things or reason in spiritual ways. ... Nicodemus was a good man, and very pious and learned. ...E...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/11/heavenly-things-are-hard-to-learn-john-37-12-bright-friday-2013/

"... What sign showest Thou to us, seeing that Thou doest these things?" This question the Jewish leaders asked Jesus after he routed the money changers out of the temple. It is a stupid question...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/09/what-sign-showest-thou-unto-us-seeing-that-thou-doest-these-things-john-218-the-greatest-signs-are-in-the-heart-bright-thursday-2013/

"... Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" This is is advice that we need to follow closely. ... Our will is unreliable since it is tainted by the passions. We often get things wrong. God's will ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/08/whatsoever-he-saith-unto-you-do-it-john-25-bright-wednesday-2013/

"And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see." The following is a prayerful meditation on some part of the "assigned" reading...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/07/come-and-see-it-applies-to-everything-john-146-bright-tuesday-2013/

Meditation on "But as many as received Him, to them he gave power to become Children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were begotten not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor the will of ma...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/05/06/how-to-become-a-child-of-god-john-112-13/

We are a poor diocese, but we are very rich. I have been around a little, especially because of the Internet, and I do not know of a more peaceful diocese anywhere. I truly enjoy being around my ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/04/04/comments-on-the-2013-lenten-pastoral-retreat-diocese-of-chicago-and-middle-america-rocor-mar-20april-2-mar-22-april-3-2013/

SYNOPSIS: Are you a glass half full or half empty person? How do you look at the Last Judgment story in Matthew 25:31-46? Many people concentrate on the condemnation of those who go to Hell, but ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2013/03/10/come-ye-blessed-of-my-father-inherit-the-kingdom-prepared-for-you-from-the-foundation-of-the-world-quot-the-last-judgment-story-teaches-us-we-are-eternal-beings-everything-we-do-must-be-eternal/

Synopsis: The healing of the woman with a spirit of infirmity of 18 years warns us to not be formal in our religion. Love is the highest law; we can only obey this law if we understand something ...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2012/12/10/the-healing-of-the-woman-with-a-spirit-of-infirmity-18-years-teaches-us-that-love-is-the-highest-law-and-how-to-love-7-homilies-on-psalm-118/

An excellent way to pray for someone is to pray a short prayer for them, then say the Jesus prayer for the person, for a set number of times. One may say "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on N", or,...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2012/12/04/a-way-to-pray-forr-someone-with-the-jesus-prayer/

Synopsis: What must I do to be saved? Follow the Greatest commandment and understand how to do this by understanding the Parable of the Good Samaritan. also links to meditations on Psalm 118, ver...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2012/11/25/what-must-i-do-to-be-saved-follow-the-greatest-commandment-and-understand-how-to-do-this-by-understanding-the-parable-of-the-good-samaritan/

The number 12 appears twice in the story of the raising of the daughter of Jairus and the healing of the woman with an issue of blood; this is not accidental. We see two kinds of faith - weak and...

https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2012/11/19/two-kinds-of-faith-whatever-faith-we-have-the-lord-will-respond-jairus-and-the-woman-with-the-issue-of-blood/