Holy Nativity of the Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral

03/23/2026

The proper perspective can help us get through many things: the drudgery of life, spiritual doldrums, traumatic events. We simply have to be open to changing our point of view and seeing what God is trying to do for us.

From the Book “Reflections of a Humble Heart”Before beginning to read this monastic text, I would like to say that though it was originally intended and written for a monk, everything about what this elder writes could be applied to a layperson. Simply replace, if you will, the word “monk” w...

02/28/2026

The second recent post on our blog is an advertisement of sorts for our Monastery's newest offering: "The Divine Prayer Book."

Prayer is a Mighty Weapon

02/28/2026

Two recent posts on the Parish blog:
The first is a lesson to us all on how to deal with interpersonal conflict in a humble, Christ-like way. This is very important as we begin the Great Fast with the Lord's command to forgive one another lest we not be forgiven by God.

Examples of Meekness from the Spiritual Meadow, by John MoschosOnce robbers rushed into the cell of one elder and told him that they would take all his things. The elder answered humbly: "Children, take what you desire." They took everything and left. But they did not notice a small sachet with mone...

02/09/2026

Having a difficult time seeing God? Does He feel distant?

"Father, my son says he doesn't see God in the world, or miracles, and that he's starting to believe that God doesn't actually care about us." Brothers and Sisters, here we are:So many people have been numbed by the World and struggle to see God -and thus struggle to keep a spiritual life drawn to H...

12/01/2025

The life of today's Saint, Platon the Martyr, can confront us about many things. We must confront ourselves, lest we hear "I never knew you; depart from me." (Mt. 7:21-23)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Early in December, we commemorate the righteous martyr St. Plato.What follows is a brief account of his life and martyrdom, drawn from The Prologue of Ohrid by the blessed Bishop Nikolai Velimirović of Serbia:“Plato was from the town of Ancyra in Galatia. He was a C...

11/24/2025

This time of year things just go...sour. It seems that winter brings with it a lot of struggles and personal adversity. St. John Chrysostom tries to shepherd us towards the proper way to approach life when things don't go the way we'd hoped or we are under spiritual attack.

From St. John Chrysostom, third homily on Lazarus and the Rich Man, On Wealth and PovertySome people, if they stumble at all, or are slandered by anyone, or fall ill with a chronic disease, gout or headache or any such ailment, at once begin to blaspheme. They submit to the pain of the disease, but....

10/12/2025

Lots of good spiritual writings to see on our blog. Some have been lost to time and are hard to find, even on the internet.

10/12/2025

A simple reflection on what we should be doing with what we have -or don't have- here on earth.

It is good for us to be reminded of how powerless we are to stop time and everything that God sends along with it. What are we truly in control of, my friends? Our time will end one day, and what will we bring with us? From the Prologue of Ochrid for today October 12/Sept 29, a reflection.In ignoran...

09/16/2025

This was sent out to our parishioners regarding the current state of the world.

Brothers and Sisters,

Christ is in our midst!

Since the madness of 2020, I have fought to try and keep away from talking too much -or too deeply- about secular matters. I have also made a sort of "resolution" to make sure I am communicating face-to-face rather than by email or texts, since the written word can so easily be taken out of context, as has happened many times in our parish history. With that in mind, I would like to say something regarding current issues very simply. Please do not look at this too deeply nor too superficially. Make the sign of the cross and ask the Lord for mercy upon us all.

There are so many things happening around us right now. It is refreshing when I meet someone who has deliberately kept themselves out of the loop when it comes to the news of the day. Their ignorance is, in fact, a blessing and a witness: there is one thing needful. This is what we must focus on.

What is that "one thing"? The Kingdom of Heaven.

We are on a path, my friends. To the left and to the right of this path lie many things, always changing with the seasons. Some are harmless, but others are dangerous. Some seemingly innocent, others absolutely horrific. Their ultimate purpose -which becomes clearer with each passing day- is to distract us, confuse us, frighten us, divide us, make us apathetic, morally relativistic and and eventually to drive us to despair. We are tempted toward extremes, to take positions that may seem solid but shift with every new wind. We are tempted to cling to anger, resentment and judgement as though they were virtues. Yet these, too, soon morph into something else. There is no stability in the World. And so, if we follow the winds, where will be?

The Kingdom of Heaven never changes. The Church never changes. The Church will always guide us along this right path, so long as we keep the Kingdom as our ultimate goal, above all else.

Let us keep our eyes down, minding where each step falls, making sure it is on the right path -the Royal Path- in the footsteps of our Savior. Let us pray for everyone and force ourselves to love, even sacrificially.

Do not waste time. Do not hesitate. If the past few years have shown us anything, it is that there is nothing more important, and no time other than now.

May God be with us all.

Amen.

Fr. Photios

09/04/2025

Lost your zeal? Join the club!
Here's a way to get it back.

For this year’s Parish Feast, I have the blessing of giving a short talk on St. Cyprian of Carthage and one of the major controversies that shook the Church during his lifetime. As part of my preparation, I revisited the life of the saint in the Great Synaxaristes and came across a striking descri...

09/04/2025

What the martyr Platon has to teach us about life and our faith in God.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Early in December, we commemorate the righteous martyr St. Plato.What follows is a brief account of his life and martyrdom, drawn from The Prologue of Ohrid by the blessed Bishop Nikolai Velimirović of Serbia:“Plato was from the town of Ancyra in Galatia. He was a C...

04/16/2024

Victory Requires Combat
Are we fighting in the Arena of spiritual Combat? Or are we simply pretending? We know what Combat is, and we know what a fight really means.

From the Prologue of Ochrid, by Nikolai Velomirovic, for April 1st; Reflection"Why is it that much is said and written about the sufferings of holy men and holy women? Because the saints alone are considered victors. Can anyone be a victor without conflict, pain and suffering? In ordinary earthly co...