St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

St. John Orthodox Church

Father's Corner

Archpastoral Message for the Third Sunday of Great Lent

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Dear Beloved in Christ, God is with us! Please listen to today's homily. Today we have reached the midpoint of the Great Fast. This day, the 3rd Sunday of Lent, is the Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. Below are an archpastoral message from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, and also a description of this feast. It is VERY important that we all continue to celebrate the Lord's Day by participating in the Divine Liturgy. You may follow the services through live ... [Read more]

Elder Zacharias on the Pandemic

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Dear Beloved in Christ: God is with us! Below is a profound and God-inspired contemplation on the pandemic, by Elder Zacharias of Essex, England (spiritual child of St. Sophrony of Essex). ~ Fr. Matthew + + + Many people are in confusion and others panic because of the threat of the Coronavirus epidemic that spread in the whole world. I think, however, that this should not happen, for whatever God does with us, He does it out of love. The God of Christians is a good God, a God of mercy and ... [Read more]

God Is Never at Rest

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Behold, He shall not slumber nor shall He sleep, He that keeps Israel. The Lord shall keep you; the Lord is your shelter at your right hand. The sun shall not burn you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall keep you from all evil, the Lord shall guard your soul. The Lord shall keep your coming in and your going out, from henceforth and for evermore. ~Psalm 120: 4-8 Dear Beloved in Christ,God is with us! In the Presanctified Liturgy, a series of 15 psalms are read, while the priest ... [Read more]

We Are Still in the Ark

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Dear Beloved in Christ, God is with us! Today, in the reading from Genesis, we hear about Noah and his family entering the ark with the animals two by two. They found safe haven in the ark just before “the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the floodgates of heaven were opened.” These present days feel very much like the beginning of a flood. Questions circulate in our heads: How long will this last? How bad will it get? Will I get sick? In other words: How high will the flood ... [Read more]

Pastoral Guidance on the Coronavirus

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O Virgin, we extol the great grace of your Protection, which you spread out like a bright cloud beyond all understanding; for you invisibly protect your people from the foe's every assault. Since we have you as our shelter and certain help, we cry to you with our whole soul: Glory to your great deeds, O most pure Maid. Glory to your shelter most divine. Glory to your care and providence for us, O spotless one. ~ Hymn for the Feast of the Holy Protection Dearly Beloved in Christ, Now is the ... [Read more]