Posts

Posted on

Holiness Is Attainable

On this Feast of All the Saints of North America, we have one more saint to celebrate!

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (Philippians 3:17)

The glorification of Righteous Mother Olga of Kwethluk, Alaska, reveals to us (as do the lives of all the saints) that holiness is attainable through the simple acts of love which God gives us the opportunity to do in whatever walk of life to which He has called us—and through the repentance and the joyful response to suffering which Christ sets before us. And that those who are being made saints are already among us, to honour and to follow, as they follow Christ.

Scripture readings referenced:

  • Matthew 4:18-23
  • Matthew 4:25-5:12

Children’s book on St. Olga referenced: https://stjohnofshanghai.org/resources/StOlgaOfAlaskaBook.pdf

Life of the Righteous Mother Olga of Kwethluk—Tanqilria Arrsamquq—Wonderworker, Matushka of All Alaska: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/10/27/100561-righteous-mother-olga-of-kwethluktanqilria-arrsamquqwonderworker

Erratum: Holy Matushka Olga died in 1979, not 1978.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

All Saints: Prioritizing Holiness

How do we use our God-given agency to become saints?

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

If we start with the understanding that God is good (Hebrews 11:6) and follow the example of Christ, focusing on our heavenly reward, the joy of being with our Creator, we will be able to take up our cross daily, as Christ calls us to (Luke 9:23). This is how we acquire the Holy Spirit, as St. Seraphim of Sarov put it, that we—together with thousands around us—may be saved.

Scripture readings referenced:

  • Hebrews 11:33-12:2
  • Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

The First Ecumenical Council as Fulfillment of Tradition

A look at how the Mosaic tradition of appointing elders to judge the people found its fulfillment in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea

Note: I mention the Donatists, but, while I may have implied that the Church ultimately ruled that they were in the wrong, I’m not sure I made it explicit enough that their schism was condemned by the council that Constantine convened as a lack of love and in contravention of Christ’s teachings about repentance and forgiveness.

Scripture readings referenced:

  • Genesis 14:14-20
  • Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17
  • Acts 20:16-18, 28-36
  • John 17:1-13

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS