The Word


25
Feb 2024
Fast of Neneveh | Syriac Orthodox Church

Love the giver, not the gift! To mark the Fast of Nineveh, Mor Andrawos Bahhi recounts the story of the Samaritan Women, specifically citing John 4:10. And as he tells our parishioners: “A lot of time, we talk about the gift of God when he answers our prayers. We ask God for something, but it is always what we want, not his gift.” Sayidna Andrawos reminds us to love God, the giver of our gifts, and not fixate on the gifts themselves. Live a life to honor all of God’s gifts and......

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28
Jan 2024
Saint Stephen - By Father Gabriel Alkass

In recognition of the recent feast and to honor our church’s deacons, Father Gabriel tells us the story of Saint Stephen, the early leader of the church’s deacons and our first martyr. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and also performed miracles. Three principles also led him as a lesson for us all. 1. Love for the Lord and surrendering to the Holy Spirit 2. Biblically educated 3. Filled with God’s wisdom and patience.   Learn more from Father Gabriel’s sermon video here. Our church lives thanks to your generous offerings and......

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21
Jan 2024
"The Bread of Life" by Father Gabriel Alkass

Our beloved priests bake the bread before every liturgy, but how much do you know about the symbolism of this weekly tradition? The bread means so much more to the Suryoyo faith, as the body and blood of Christ are prepared for communion each Sunday. You can learn more in this educational sermon from Father Gabriel. Our Abounas bake the bread before every liturgy. But it means so much more to the Suryoyo faith, as it is only a step before preparing the body and blood of Christ for communion each Sunday.......

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14
Jan 2024
“Encountering Christ and The Journey from Call to Confession” - by H.E. John Kawak

In his sermon, His Eminence, Mor Dionysius John Kawak spoke about “Encountering Christ and The Journey from Call to Confession.” His Eminence reminded the faithful that just like Philip and Nathanael, we are called to a dynamic and transformative relationship with Jesus, and this relationship shapes not only our personal faith but also our engagement with the world around us. Highlights below: Text: John 1:43-51 (Call to Confession) Introduction: Additional collection for the poor announced. Reflection on John 1:43-51: Illustration of Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael. Focus on discipleship and the transformative......

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01
Jan 2024
Assyrian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary - Holy Liturgy

Dear Parishioners, Thanks for supporting our blessed church! We have ramped up our digital coverage so you can always be connected. Please subscribe and follow all our channels! Church Website: Visit for church news and events. Church Facebook Page: Hit the “Follow” button to stay connected to church and archdiocese-wide messages. Church YouTube Channel: Subscribe for sermons and live stream weekly Holy Liturgies. Church  Instagram Page : Follow for church news, short videos and photo galleries. “The Word” Sermons: Read or watch over 200 archived weekly sermons from Father Andrew! Donations: We need your......

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24
Dec 2023
Christmas Eve 2023 sermon

In today’s sermon, Father Gabriel welcomes us on Christmas Eve and reminds us of the doctrine of Christ as God. Quoting John 1:1, it is written: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” You’ll also learn more about the creed we recite in church every Sunday. Learn more from Father Gabriel’s sermon video here. Our church lives thanks to your generous offerings and donations. Please make your tax-deductible donation here. Support the Virgin Mary Church × The Church of the Virgin Mary thrives thanks......

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04
Dec 2023
Young but Full of Love - By Father Gabriel Alkass

Father Gabriel, recognizing the visit of Elizabeth by the Virgin Mary, offers this week’s sermon for younger parishioners about the love for God. Five questions to consider, as Father Gabriel calls on us to believe in our Orthodox faith: If I don’t have love, hatred will take place. If there is not Christian faith, there is no hope. If there is no peace, fear will take place. If there is no church, there is no spiritual growth. If there is no Jesus, there is no heavenly paradise. Learn more from Father Gabriel’s sermon......

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28
May 2023
Ascension Day & 40 Necessary Days - By Father Gabriel Alkass

We celebrate the ascension of the Lord. If we count from Resurrection Day to last Thursday, we have 40 days. “Forty Necessary Days” why the Lord had to be in this church, and then ascended to heaven. Let’s pretend that the Lord secretly went to heaven. Don’t you think we would have had many questions with no answer? Therefore, the 40 days with the disciples were very necessary. If we go to Acts 1:3 “to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them......

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21
May 2023
Jesus & the Samaritan Woman - By Gabriel Alkass

As we saw in today’s readings, we see Jesus headed toward Jerusalem. So, to get there, he had to stop in one of the Samaritan villages, and unfortunately, they did not accept Him. So, St. James and his brother John asked the Lord, “ do you want us to command them to be burned? And Jesus rebuked them and said the son of man did not come to destroy but to save them. So this made us understand man’s will and the Lord’s will. We can save others through our patience if......

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14
May 2023
The Virtuous Mother Worth More than Rubies - By Father Gabriel Alkass

Today is the feast of the Virgin Mary and Mother’s Day. So, we celebrate the heavenly mother and the mother in the flesh. What a beautiful day. So, my beloved, today, our sermon is titled “Virtuous Mother Worth More than Rubies” – who can find a virtuous mother that is worth much more than Rubies? God will not create enmity between the Mother, the Lord Jesus, and Satan. That’s why the Lord waited five thousand years to find that kind of mother. Today, I’ll mention three reasons why the Virgin Mary is......

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