Fr Thomas teaches us why the most important healing we can receive from Jesus is the forgiveness of our sins. (Matthew 9:1-8, Romans 12: 6-14) Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 16, 2023

The Most Important Healing

In the third of his Holiness Month series, Fr Thomas encourages us to not only spread the good news of Jesus Christ but to live out the law of Christ. (Matthew 4:18-23) All Saints of North America Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Orthodoxy is Evangelical

In the second of his Holiness Month series, Fr Thomas dispels three myths about Christianity. (Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30) All Saints Sunday, June 11, 2023

Three Myths About Christianity

Fr Thomas expounds on the innate connection between belief in Christ and the reception of the Holy Spirit, in whom we are called to be truly holy humans. (John 7:37-52, 8:12) Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2023.

June is Holiness Month!

Fr Thomas teaches us that we need to cultivate in ourselves an openness to the truth based on all the goodness of the teachings of Christ. (John 9:1-38) Sunday of the Blind Man, May 21, 2023

Seeing the Truth

Fr Thomas reminds us that the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan Woman was not about her condemnation, but her salvation. We can also embrace a change of life through encountering Christ. (John 4:5-42) Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, May 14, 2023

Being Saved, not Condemned, through Encounter

Fr Thomas shows us the amazing examples of caring in the Myrrhbearers, explains the purpose of questioning with trust in God, and challenges us to go out and call others to the Truth. (Mark 15:43-16:8) Myrrhbearers Sunday, April 30, 2023.

Caring, Questioning, and Calling

Fr Thomas explains the mysterious nature of the resurrection of Christ which transcends the limited nature of our current three-dimensional human experience. (John 20:19-31) St Thomas Sunday, April 23, 2023.

The Transcendent Resurrection Body

Join Deacon John Skowron in today's discussion.  What are we withholding from God's will?  Are we making time for Christ in our lives?

An Invitation to Transformation (Dn John Skowron)

Fr. Tom discusses the uncleanliness of humanity, the image God made us in, and maintaining our true selves.

How to be Fully Human

Each week, we hear the current Sunday sermon from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Mckees Rocks, PA by Fr. Tom Soroka. Fr. Tom is also heard on The Path, available Monday through Friday.

Father Tom, I am so thankful to God for your podcasts. God has used your words many times to help me on the path to salvation. Also I am thankful that I was am to meet you at the recent meeting at Saints Peter &amp; Paul in Endicott NY. Praying for God’s Grace to help you as you serve Him. Nancy

Thankful

I always look forward to listening to Fr. Tom&#39;s inspiring words!

Inspiring!

Sermons at St. Nicholas

On the great feast of Pentecost, guest homilist Fr Basil Biberdorf teaches us the importance of knowing Who the Holy Spirit is, and of His role in our Christian life.

A Personal Pentecost (Jn 7:37-52;8:12)

In light of the national unrest after numerous shootings of black men during police stops, followed by the ambush shooting of over a dozen police in Dallas where five died, Fr Thomas uses the providential lectionary readings of the following Sunday to illustrate how to seek peace with other people, and the importance of casting off anxiety to put our trust in God.

Race Relations and the Gospel (Rom 5:1-10)

The Church is the community where Christ has established peace among all people. Fr Tom reminds us that we should live in that mercy and peace with everyone we encounter. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

Peace from God (Luke 13:10-17)

In the parable of the Rich Fool, Christ warns us of the dangers of acquiring too many material possessions. Fr Tom reminds us that our life should always maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on love of God and of neighbor. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

The Abundance of Things (Luke 12:16-21)

Strong Faith to Fight Secret Sins (Matthew 17:14-23)

The healing of the blind man in John 9 is a dramatic story of the healing power of God. Fr Thomas teaches us that we also have been healed by virtue of our baptism and we should tell others the story of our recreation.

Seeing with Recreated Eyes

Technology has become so pervasive that many people are now enslaved to their smartphones, constantly looking down into them! Fr. Thomas reminds us that, like the woman bent over with a spirit of infirmity, the Lord heals us so that we can look up to see the gift of life in Christ. (22nd Sunday after Pentecost)

Get your Face out of your Phone! (Luke 13:10-17)

The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man is a dramatic illustration of the importance of being merciful to those in need. Fr Thomas reminds us that the torment experienced by the Rich Man is a result of his choice to ignore Lazarus laying at his gate. (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)

The God Who Doesn’t Punish (Lk 16:19-31)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is universally known as an encouragement to good works, to serve those who are in need. Fr Thomas reminds us that behind the parable is a deeper meaning which helps us experience the Church as a spiritual hospital.

The Church is Our Hospital (Luke 10:25-37)

On the Feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple, Fr Thomas preached a sermon on the significance of the feast for the hundreds gathered to venerate the Myrrh-Gushing Icon of St Anna at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, PA.

The Feast of Holiness

The saying goes, "actions speak louder than words." Christ Himself condemned the Jewish religious leaders for saying one thing but doing another. Fr Thomas teaches us that, as Orthodox Christians, our actions are important because they have to align with what we claim about God and ourselves. In fact, our eternal judgment is at stake.

Revealing What’s Most Important To You

One of the greatest challenges that we face in our modern era is to resist the ever-changing values of the world. Fr Thomas teaches us that we receive truth, not from politics or social movements, but from the word of God which is planted in our heart by God Himself.

Resisting the Values of the World

The question, "What must I do to be saved?" is usually interpreted of as, "How can I get to heaven?" Fr Thomas teaches us that eternal life is defined by Jesus as something we can have here and now and He teaches us what we need to do to experience it.

The Key to Experiencing Eternal Life Now

In a powerful message on the value of faith, Fr Thomas reminds us that forgiveness is the most important healing we'll ever receive.

Is it Easier to be Healed or to be Forgiven? (Mark 2:1-12)

Our Lord taught his disciples to put away anxiety about life and instead trust in God. Fr Thomas reminds us that by seeing life through the teachings of Christ, even the difficulties and tribulations of life will build us up to be stronger followers of Him. (Third Sunday after Pentecost)

Seeing Things with God’s Perspective (Mt 6:22-33)

On the seventh Sunday of Holy Pascha we recall the words of our Lord to His apostles before His passion, reminding them that what He taught them was given by God Himself. Fr Thomas reminds Orthodox Christians that we must also receive this apostolic teaching and pass it on to new believers without any change or error.

Our Unbroken Chain of Apostolic Teaching

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