Priesthood Archives — Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Are There Wrong Reasons to Become Orthodox? Yes.

June 7, 2021 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Someone who comes to the door of the Church is indeed asked to give everything up in order to become one with Christ. It is not expected of him that he will instantly be able to shed all of his baggage of sin and worldly attachments. But it is expected that he will commit to repentance.

The First-Born

February 11, 2020 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

As co-heirs with Christ, today we are offered in His holy temple along with Him. Today we share in His place as the first-born, both receiving and distributing the inheritance of God to all our siblings. And today we do so as a royal priesthood, both priests and kings, bringing God’s presence even to the nations.

Those Who Harm the Church

October 14, 2019 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

People's faith can get shaken when they learn that Church leaders are weak and sinful, possibly especially because the weakness and sin that so often manifest among Church leaders seem to be so spectacularly bad.... But perhaps even more faith-shaking is when one discovers that some Church leaders are actually Machiavellian manipulators.

Which God Are You Sacrificing To?

July 21, 2019 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

If we want to be like Jesus Christ, then we have to worship Him by sacrificing to Him. Sacrifice always means giving over something valuable that then becomes a means of sharing and communion with God. A Christianity that is convenient, that is without sacrifice, is not the true Christianity that worships Christ.

What We Own Is Sacred Because We Are Sacred

October 15, 2018 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Sunday of the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, October 14, 2018 Titus 3:8-15; Luke 8:5-15 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. One of the accusations that certain non-Orthodox Christians level against the Orthodox is that we worship idols. They say that when we bow before an icon or kiss it or…

Why Do We Do Ministry Without God?

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost / Tenth Sunday of Luke, December 10, 2017 Ephesians 6:10-17; Luke 13:10-17 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of…

Did Jesus Abandon Us at the Ascension?

May 30, 2017 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Sunday after Ascension, May 28, 2017 Acts 20:16-18, 28-36; John 17:1-13 Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. We have now left behind the time of continuous celebration of Christ’s resurrection and are now celebrating His ascension into heaven, a feast that falls on the fortieth day…

The Priesthood After the Resurrection

April 26, 2017April 26, 2017 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Thomas Sunday and the Feast of St. George, April 23, 2017 Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31 Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Christ is risen! It’s not easy being a parish priest. It often comes with a lot of disappointment and frustration. There have even been a…