feasts Archives — Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

The Divine Council of Nicea

June 16, 2024June 17, 2024 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Sunday after Ascension / Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, June 16, 2024 Acts 20:16-18, 28-36; John 17:1-13 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. In this period between the feasts of the Ascension of Christ and Pentecost, we celebrate on this Sunday the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, who met in…

The Transfiguration on Eden

August 6, 2023August 7, 2023 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Holy Transfiguration of Christ, August 6, 2023 II Peter 1:10-19; Matthew 17:1-9 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Today we behold the restoration of Eden. Today we see the door of Paradise standing open, and we gaze within, seeing there the Kingdom of God. Today we behold the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ.…

No, the Paschal date difference is not about Passover (and other Orthodox urban legends)

April 17, 2022May 10, 2022 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Orthodox Christians should find their identity in Christ and in the saving dogmas proclaimed about Him universally in Orthodox tradition. How we calculate Pascha (which was not set by the Apostles) is not one of those things.

The Martyrs’ Blood Against the Demon Hordes: A Reflection on the Akolouthia of the Three Martyrs of Vilnius

April 14, 2022April 13, 2022 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

The Scriptures and all the liturgical services of the Orthodox Church include the theme of spiritual warfare, but it is particularly prominent in the liturgical services for the martyred saints.

The Defeat of Amalek

September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

The cosmic war between God and His enemies the fallen angels is going on all around us and even within us. And we have been given the Cross, the very Staff of God, as a weapon against the demons.

Pentecost and the Ziggurat

June 7, 2020November 12, 2024 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Mankind is suffocated by his idolatry. If we want to breathe, to breathe again the Holy Spirit, it begins with repentance. It begins with sacrifice. It begins with worship.

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.

The Annunciation and the Buffered Self

March 27, 2019 · Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick

Forefeast of the Annunciation / Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas, March 24, 2019 Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Mark 2:1-12 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. For if the word spoken through angels was confirmed, and every transgression and disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation,…