Sermons at St. Nicholas

Christ walking on the water is often portrayed as a demonstration of His power over creation. But Fr Thomas reminds us that even though the storms of this life are always present, Jesus uses this difficult circumstance to remind his disciples that He is always with those who love Him and that they should never fear. (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

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)

On the second Sunday after Pentecost, the Orthodox Church celebrates local Saints of a particular land. Fr Thomas reminds us that Saints teach us in their way of life that they are devoted to accomplish a divine mission, that they have become holy through their practice of the Orthodox way of prayer, and most importantly, that they love God above all else. (Second Sunday after Pentecost - All Saints of North America)

The Samaritan Woman encountered the giver of Living Water at the well of her forefathers. Fr Thomas teaches us that we must seek the Living Water Who is pure Truth, and ourselves be clean containers to receive the grace that God grants to us.

The story of the appearance of Christ to his disciples on the evening of the Resurrection, as well as eight days later, richly demonstrates the importance of gathering together on the Lord's Day - Sunday. Fr. Thomas Soroka reminds us that our gathering together allows us to experience the coming eternal kingdom here and now. (Antipascha - St Thomas Sunday)

The healing of the paralytic is a wonderful gospel scene rich with meaning for us. Fr Tom reminds us that God demonstrates His power when formerly "paralyzed" lives are healed and transformed to become living testimonies to the truth of Christ.

The awesome day of the Lord's return in glory to judge the earth is presented powerfully by the words of the Lord Himself. Fr Tom reminds us that we will experience the mercy and truth of God's presence as the ultimate judgment of how we've lived His command to love God and neighbor.

The Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is presented to us by the church to set the tone in our preparation for Great Lent. Fr Tom reminds us that both our actions and our attitude counts when it comes to loving God and neighbor. (Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee)

God uses even the difficult circumstances of our life for our salvation. Fr Tom reminds us that in these tests of life, God wants us to persevere and draw closer to Him. (Thirty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost)

The parable of the talents can be perplexing to understand if we see the Master's demands as unreasonable and unfair. Fr Tom reminds us that God has given every believer certain abilities to build up the church. But more importantly, He gives everyone the ability to love. (Thirty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost)

On the great feast of Theophany, God shines the light of the Truth, in the person of Christ, to the whole world. Fr Tom reminds us that we also are individually given the gift of this light through our renewal, by virtue of our baptism.

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 Parable of Lazarus and the Rich man is a dramatic story about the end result of a selfish life. Fr Tom reminds us that our most fundamental call as Christians is, not only to love God, but also to love our neighbor. (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost)

A temptation for some Orthodox Christians is to take in the beauty of the church services while remaining somewhat mentally disengaged. Fr Tom reminds us that Christ's command to "launch out into the deep" is given to everyone to plumb the depths of the wisdom and word of God. (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

As the Church prepares us to celebrate the Elevation of the Precious Cross, Fr Tom reminds us that the Cross is the sign and reminder of the firm, unchanging truths found in the the person of Christ. (Sunday Before the Elevation of the Precious Cross)