Sermon on the Synaxis of All Saints of America

Details
By Metropolitan Demetrius of America
Created on Sunday, 11 October 2026 20:15

On the feast of the Synaxis of All Saints of America, His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrius of America reflects on the saints, missionaries, ascetics, and faithful Christians who sanctified this land through prayer, sacrifice, and the carrying of their Cross.

In this sermon, Metropolitan Demetrius of America recalls the missionaries who entered these lands through Russia, Siberia, and Alaska, along with many others whose holiness may still be unknown to us. Some were missionaries, some were men and women of prayer, and some gave themselves completely in their service to the Church.

Metropolitan Demetrius warns that love for one’s land must not be confused with nationalism. Christians are called to be respectful and good citizens while remembering that their true homeland is in the age to come.

Following the Example of the Saints

Metropolitan Demetrius also recalls holy men and women whose lives were marked by missionary labor, prayer, asceticism, suffering, and remarkable events. Their example brings the message back to the Christian struggle before each of us.

We are called to pray that the Lord will help us “to pick up our cross and to follow the example of these saints,” remaining courageous in the face of temptation and firm in our purpose as we seek eternal salvation.

May the Lord grant this to us by the prayers of all the saints whose memory we celebrate.

Orthodox Awareness

A Miracle of Saint Spyridon

This miracle of Saint Spyridon took place in Mandra, Greece in 1926.

It was 12/25 December, 1926. The state Church of Greece adopted the Papal calendar and with the help of the Greek government persecuted all those who did not accept the Papal calendar. The faithful Orthodox Christians of Mandra woke up and headed to their Church to celebrate the Feast of Saint Spyridon. When they reached the Church they saw that the door to the Church had been secured with chains and the faithful could not enter. Before leaving the Church to return to their homes they stuck their candles on the door. As soon as the last person placed his candles on the door

the chains broke and fell. The faithful, confirmed in their Faith, entered the Church and celebrated the Feast of Saint Spyridon.

The miracle was reported the next day by the newspaper Skrip.

Missions

Saint John of Kronstadt - Bunnell, Florida

St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Church began as a mission parish in the year 2000, in a home chapel in Palm Coast, FL – a small town on Florida’s northeast coast located between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. After two years, it became necessary to have services in area community centers, rented for Sundays and other Holy Days. Read more...

Youth

2026 Youth Conference

Please join us for the 2026 youth conference in Upper Marlboro, MD! To learn more, visit the this page.

Ask A Priest

Fasting

Q. There seems to be a lot of variation in how people observe fasting, but my confessor told me to fast from oil on Wednesday and Friday. Oil is a pretty vague category, though, and I was wondering if I could get a more explicit description of what kinds of food and drink are excluded on strict fast days. Read more...