Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church

06/21/2026

Why Christ died for us.

Homily 692– 3APEints of North AmericaHoly Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, IowaJune 21, 2026Epistle: (88) Romans 5: 1-10Gospel: (18) Matthew 6:22-33 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul makes a statement that has echoed throughout the centuries and certainly throughout my life....

Homily 692– 3APEints of North AmericaHoly Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, IowaJune 21, 2026Epistle:  (88) Romans 5: 1-10Gospel:  (18) Matthew 6:22-33 In the name of the Father and …

06/21/2026

Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church
Ames, Iowa

Service books and hymns for the day can be found at amesorthodox.org

06/20/2026

Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church
Ames, Iowa

Service books and hymns for the day can be found at amesorthodox.org

06/15/2026

Baptism is not just water. It is not just a moment, a ceremony, or an emotional experience. It is an act of obedience to Christ and a public declaration that a life now belongs to Him.

But the water itself does not transform a person. Only God does. Salvation is by grace, not by ritual. And the power of baptism is never in the water, it is in the One to whom we surrender.

For some, baptism comes with deep understanding and a clear awareness of what it means to die to the old self and rise into new life. For others, it begins with simple faith, even if still growing, still learning, still unfolding. God is not limited by the fullness of our understanding in a single moment. He meets people where they are, and He continues the work He started long after they step out of the water.

Baptism should never be reduced to “just getting soaked,” but it should also never be elevated into something that depends on human perfection in the moment. It is a sacred act of obedience, not a performance of spiritual maturity.

What truly matters is not only the moment we go under the water, but the life that follows after it. A surrendered heart is not proven by one emotional experience, but by a daily walk of repentance, faith, and transformation through Christ.

Because baptism is not the completion of surrender—it is the beginning of a lifelong death to self and a lifelong life in Jesus. 🤍🙏🏻

06/14/2026

Our Country is not our Kingdom.

Homily 691– 2APE All Saints of North AmericaHoly Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, IowaJune 14, 2026Epistle: (81-ctr) – Romans 2:10-16 and (330) – Hebrews 11:33-12:2Gospel: (9) Matthew 4:18-23 and (10) Matthew 4:25-5:12 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. This Sunday we celebrate the Saints of North America....

Homily 691– 2APE All Saints of North AmericaHoly Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, IowaJune 14, 2026Epistle:  (81-ctr) – Romans 2:10-16 and (330) – Hebrews 11:33-12:2Gospel:  (9) Mat…

06/14/2026

Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church
Ames, Iowa

Service books and hymns for the day can be found at amesorthodox.org

06/09/2026

Great news!

​TOLEDO, OH [BDOCA] – 8 JUNE 2026 - His Eminence Archbishop Alexander has sent a communique to V. Rev. Stephen Duesenberry, rector of St. Nikolai parish in Alliance, Ohio. The letter reads,...

06/07/2026

Becoming a saint.

Homily 690– 1APE All SaintsHoly Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, IowaJune 7, 2026Epistle: (330) – Hebrews 11:33-12:2Gospel: (38, mid-79) – Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Today, the feast of All Saints, is a good time to consider the saints, and what they are....

Homily 690– 1APE All SaintsHoly Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, IowaJune 7, 2026Epistle:  (330) – Hebrews 11:33-12:2Gospel:  (38, mid-79) – Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30 In the…

06/07/2026

Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church
Ames, Iowa

Service books and hymns for the day can be found at amesorthodox.org