Homily 1: On Testing Yourself

 "Examine yourselves, whether you are in faith; examine yourselves."

(2 Corinthians 13:5)

 Thank God!

Thank God for this and for everything! Truly glorious and magnificent are the Mysteries of Christianity, listeners! It is great and glorious to be a Christian! But let us look around and examine ourselves whether we are true Christians, according to the apostolic admonition: "Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5). For without faith there can be no Christian. We show the signs of Christianity, as mentioned above, but do we have true Christianity within us? After all, everything external without the internal is nothing, and external signs without the truth itself are lies and hypocrisy. We all boast in faith, but do we do works in accordance with faith, as the Apostle says to everyone: "Show me your faith by your works" (James 2:18)? We are called Christians from Christ, but have we crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts, as befits Christians who believe in the crucified Christ, which the Apostle also teaches: "Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts" (Galatians 5:24). Do we feel within ourselves that spiritual joyful anointing of which the Holy Apostle John wrote (1 John 2:27)

And having considered all this, let us correct ourselves, so that we may be Christians not only in name, but also in truth. We have become Christians by the grace of God, and let us try to have true Christianity within us. We were baptized into the one Triune God and received the gift of holiness and justification, and let us try to preserve this heavenly treasure to the end. We believe in the crucified Jesus Christ, let us try to follow Him by faith and, taking up each of us our own cross, follow Him. Let us confess and call upon the heavenly God, and let us also try to please Him with heavenly morals. Let us listen to God's Word, and let us try to live as it teaches us. Looking forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come, let us try to live in this world worthy of the resurrection of the dead and eternal life, and, turning away from the vanity of this world, strive only for eternal blessings. Let us approach the holy and heavenly table of the Mysteries of Christ, let us strive that this Bread, heavenly and life-giving, may bring to us life, sanctification, enlightenment, renewal, joy and spiritual consolation. Thus let us show our faith from our works. So not only in name, but in reality, let us be Christians. "God, be merciful to us and bless us, show us Thy bright face and have mercy on us. That we may know on earth Thy way, Thy salvation, which is manifested before the face of all nations" (Psalm 66:2-3). Amen.

Homily 2: On Holy Baptism

 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved"

(Mark 16:16)

 This word was spoken by our Saviour the Lord for our strengthening and consolation: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved." What can be more comforting to a faithful and baptized soul than these words, which promise eternal salvation? Beloved Christians! Glory to God, and we also believe in the Gospel and are enlightened by holy Baptism. But let us look at the power of holy Baptism and see what we were before Baptism and what we became after Baptism, so that we may receive living consolation from this as well. Through holy Baptism we were delivered from the great calamity and received all true blessedness by the grace of God. Before Baptism we were removed from God, but through Baptism we drew closer to God. Before Baptism we were enemies of God, but by Baptism we were reconciled to God, and God was reconciled with us. Before Baptism we were children of God's wrath, but after Baptism we became vessels of God's mercy. Before Baptism, we were children of darkness and children of the devil, but having been baptized, we became children of light and children of God. Before Baptism we were defiled by sins, but by Baptism we were "washed, sanctified, and justified" (1 Corinthians 6:11). Before Baptism, we were lost, but when we were baptized, we became saved. Before Baptism, the doors to eternal life and the heavenly kingdom were closed to us, but by Baptism they were opened, and those who freely preserve the grace of holy Baptism enter there. These and other blessings of God are received through holy Baptism, and we receive them freely, without any of our merits, according to God's love for mankind alone. For what can the lost deserve? Glory to the goodness of God, glory to His love for mankind, glory to His mercy, glory to His mercies! Blessed be the name of the Lord from now on and forevermore! All this supreme mercy of God was deserved for us by the Only-begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, by his precious Blood and death. Beloved Christians! Let us remember holy Baptism and examine whether we live worthy of holy Baptism, so that this very Baptism would not be a greater condemnation for us on the day of the Dread Judgment of Christ, where every lawless word, deed, and thought is judged. Amen.

Homily 3: On Our Adoption as Sons to God