Sermon for Great and Holy Friday

CATECHESIS 73: 

On the Saving Passion of our

 Lord and Master Jesus Christ

by St. Theodore the Studite

Given on Great and Holy Friday.

Sermon for Holy Wednesday

by St. Theodore the Studite

CATECHESIS 72: 

On the Saving Passion; and Teaching on Humility and Patient Endurance.

Given on the Wednesday of Holy Week.

Brethren and Fathers, the present day is holy and to be venerated, for from this day the Lord begins to take on himself the sufferings of the Cross for our sake, in accordance with David’s words: "Why did the nations rage and the peoples imagine vain things? The kings of the earth rose up and the rulers assembled together against the Lord and against his Christ" [Psalm 2:1-2]. They assembled together to plot an evil plan against the Master.

Sermon for the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent

CATECHESIS 68: That We Must Be Renewed For What Is Ahead Through Endurance of the Trials That Fall Upon Us, Both Visible and Invisible. 

by St. Theodore the Studite

Sermon for the Fifth Friday of Great Lent

by St. Theodore the Studite

Given on the Friday of the 5th Week of Great Lent.

Brethren and Fathers, the previous instruction[1] no doubt pained you which indicated the trials that are being meditated against us. "But because of what I have said to you," says the Lord, "grief has filled your hearts; but I speak the truth to you" [John 16:6-7]. And again the Apostle: "It is not troublesome for me to speak, while for you it is a safeguard" [Phil. 3:1]. May we be safeguarded, then, with every spiritual safeguard, and if what is being said passes into act, we will meet it, with God's help, nobly; but if not, it will not be without advantage for us as our good God accepts such preparation and without toils and blows crowns those who thus choose.