Christ the Savior Orthodox Christian Church

10/17/2026

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Though this Sunday’s Gospel reading is brief, we learn much about the importance of keeping our thoughts in the correct focus, even if God’s will is mysterious to human understanding.

The Lord said to his disciples, “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will” (Luke 10:16-21).

The 70 Disciples were specifically commissioned by Christ to help prepare the nearby towns and villages, announcing that Christ was soon to arrive with the 12. As can be seen from this passage, the 70 were full of zeal for the Lord’s ministry, though this enthusiasm allowed them to become carried away at the power they were given in His name. Through gentle admonishment Christ reminds them, and us, not to become overly prideful at our status as Christian disciples—instead we should do our best to remain humble and keep our eyes close on what truly matters, our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom. When our Lord lifts His eyes to heaven and praises God the Father, Jesus compares the Disciples to innocent babes, the kind who are full of love and wonder. (To be continued in the comments.)

10/11/2026

10/10/2026

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory Forever!

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is so easy to fall into bad habits, harmful relationships, unhealthy living, and the list goes on and on. This is why in our Holy Orthodox Church there is such an emphasis placed on constant prayer, participation in the liturgy, reading the Scriptures, fasting and many other spiritual efforts. Christ himself cautions the Apostles that certain maladies can only be controlled and driven away by prayer and fasting. These spiritual disciplines, whatever they may be, help us concentrate more completely on the Christian manner of life and the peace and serenity that follow. Our daily prayer life calls attention to our relationship to God and the need for Him within our lives.

In today’s Gospel reading Christ tells the story of the Sower who went out to sow his seeds. As he did so, some of the seeds were left to the ravages of the environment and some found the fertile soil that allowed the seed to take root and become useful. It is the same with our lives. Left to the influences of the world, of the evil one, we will never be able to fulfill our completeness as people of God. We need the constant “fertile soil” of spiritual efforts to magnify our spiritual lives. Even the most inconspicuous moment can be a time to whisper the Jesus Prayer or just, “Lord, have mercy on me as You know and as You will.” These holy moments draw us away from the mundane, the common, the thorns and thistles of life, and renews a spirit within that needs the refreshing nourishment of prayer and meditation. These moments are precious and can be accomplished at any time. (To be continued in the comments.)

10/03/2026

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory Forever!

Each of the evangelists had their own unique approach when writing about Christ, His miracles, His compassion and His teaching. We find that although there are some events and sayings that are recorded differently in each of the Gospels, we also realize that despite the differences, they still contain the Spirit filled narrative that God intended and speaks to the soul of each one of us. The personal witness of each evangelist is crucial and instead of the differences diluting the message, it makes the message even more compelling, intimate and personal.

The reading given to us today from the Gospel of Saint Luke is uniquely characteristic of his writing. One of the aspects of Christ’s teaching that Saint Luke emphasizes is the need for a “greater righteousness.” When Christ teaches the people who will listen, He tells them that they have the Law, they know the commandments and should follow them. But this is not enough. No, Christ tells us today that we must go beyond the Law, beyond what is right and moral, and display a love that becomes Godly. To become “Sons of the Most High” we are obligated to go beyond ourselves and face the more difficult paths of our life with love and courage.

What Christ is telling us is that moderation of the law is acceptable, but not enough. People who are evil spirited can, now and again, do good things. “Even sinners lend to sinners” (Luke 6:34) We are to go beyond what is expected and show the same love, mercy and grace that God has shown us. This is the greater righteousness that challenges us each day, each hour and with each interaction we have in our lives. And more importantly, this is what Christ expects from us.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. John

09/26/2026

This week I offer to you a timely message from Metropolitan Sevastianos.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Just as we have begun a new season, this week we will also commemorate the First Sunday of Luke. Therefore, it is appropriate that this Sunday’s Gospel is also about beginnings; specifically, Christ calling His first Disciples to follow His Ministry. In the small village of Gennesaret, the size of the crowd who came to hear Him made it necessary for Christ to speak to them from a fishing boat. It would be understandable if the fishermen, hard at their days’ work, were only half-listening to His sermon, but as the Gospel lesson shows, it is to those who are preoccupied by the cares of this life that Christ wishes to speak most of all.

When He finished teaching the crowd, our Lord turned to Simon, who was the owner of the boat, and suggested that Simon put down his nets. Having worked all night, and without catching anything, Simon was tired. Still, though the Evangelist does not tell us what Simon heard and felt, we know that something Simon heard from or saw in Jesus made him obey the Lord’s command. Simon let down the nets, and the catch was miraculous. Though Simon was a man of little education, when the nets began to break and one of the boats started to sink, he immediately understood who it was who spoke to him, because his first words to the long-awaited Messiah were, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). Jesus did not leave Simon, or Simon’s partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Instead, He simply told them, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:11) Christ’s command to them was so inspiring, that James and John left their father, Zebedee’s boats right where they lay.

(To be continued in the comments.)

09/20/2026

Sunday After the Cross - Orthros/Liturgy (09/20)

09/19/2026

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory Forever!

Today’s Epistle reading to the Galatians is very direct in indicating what is important in our relationship with God. Saint Paul was frustrated with the “Judiaziers” , those who would have the new converts follow the Jewish law first, and then the teaching of Christ. It was felt that to be a Christian one must also be a follower of all the dictates of the prescriptions as outlined in the laws of Israel. So, a gentile must first become a follower of the Jewish law before becoming a follower of Christ. Saint Paul was at his wits end, for he realized that the coming of Christ gave us a completely new perspective and a summary of the law: Love God and Love neighbor. What was important was being crucified with Christ so that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:19)

This transformation of our humanity into the life of Christ could only be accomplished by God’s grace working in our lives. The prescriptions of the law were important, but they only hinted at our relationship with God. The laws written on stone tables and on parchment, were now written in the hearts of mankind. By dying with Christ we are raised anew. We are crucified with Christ and are raised to new life through our Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist. Our entire life is then transformed and “created anew” as Saint Paul writes, by our participation in the life saving Mysteries of the Church: especially frequent Holy Eucharist. This is why our participation in the Divine Liturgy and our partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ is so crucial. Think of how intimate our relationship to God has become: God is not something outside of us, rather, something which becomes part of us.

As we celebrate the Divine Liturgy each Sunday morning, we are writing new chapters into the life of the Church here on earth and we participate in the life of Christ. It is now not the law that inspires us, but the grace given through our Baptism.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. John

09/14/2026

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross - Orthros&Liturgy 09/14