Zacchaeus, The Signs of Demonic Influence, and Self-Pity

Details: By Metropolitan Demetrius of America; Created on Thursday, 15 February 2024 00:03

In this video, His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrius discusses the Gospel reading for the Sunday of Zacchaeus. He emphasizes the importance of finding Christ amidst the noise and distractions of life. Just as Zacchaeus made the effort to climb a tree to see Jesus, we must also make the effort to find Christ through fasting, prayer, repentance, and humility. Metropolitan Demetrius warns against pride and self-pity, encouraging viewers to embrace repentance and the gift of humility. He also emphasizes the significance of the Cross in our salvation and the need to trust in God's plan, even during difficult times. His Eminence concludes with a prayer for God's guidance and asks for the intercession of the saints.

Orthodox Awareness

Bartholomew Prays at Iftar

Iftar, refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after sunset.

We report the following unchanged as it was published:

"The leaders of the Armenian, Roman, Jewish and Syrian communities of Turkey sat around the fasting Iftar dinner in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul." Read more...

Missions

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Mission, Tucson, Arizona

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is a beautiful mission parish near downtown Tucson, a city in southern Arizona. It was started in 1997 by Father John Bockman, who was a missionary Priest formerly serving missions in Tennessee and Massachusetts since 1990. Father John served the faithful in Tucson and the surrounding area in his home Chapel until his repose in November of 2000. His wife, Presbytera Valerie, continued to make her home Chapel available for the mission, with clergy from Saint Nectarios Orthodox Church in Seattle and His Eminence, Metropolitan Moses of Toronto (then of Portland), visiting to provide the Divine Services.

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