HeyJaredSermons from St. Herman's
Homilies given either at Saint Herman Antiochian Orthodox Church in Wasilla, Alaska or by its priest, Fr. Matthew Howell during his travels outside the parish. Feel free to play "Homily Bingo" while listening!
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 18
- Latest publication
- Sep 20, 2026
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- Jul 4, 2026
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The Cross as the Tree of Life — The Sunday after the Holy Cross by Fr. Timothy Kolb (opens the original)
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On the Sunday after the Holy Cross , Fr. Timothy Kolb reflects on Christ's call to "take up your cross and follow me" through a meditation on the two main trees in the Garden of Eden. Drawing on St. Maximus the Confessor, he explains the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil as representing the knowledge of pleasure and pain. To live a life that is governed by seeking pleasure and the avoidance of pain is to eat from this tree, like Eve. He contrasts this with the Tree of Life, which represents
Through the Cross, Joy Comes to the World — The Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross by Fr. Timothy Kolb (opens the original)
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On the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross , Fr. Timothy Kolb reflects on the paradox that the cross, though full of suffering, brings joy into the world. He opens with a story of an abbess who tells visitors that what feels like heaven to them is closer to hell for the monastics who live out its daily struggles, using it to illustrate how joy and hardship are bound together through the cross. He identifies this same theme through Christ's own crucifixion: mockery, humiliation, patient endu
The Cross is the Intersection of Our Lives — The Sunday Before the Elevation of the Holy Cross (opens the original)
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On the Forefeast of the Elevation of the Cross , Fr. Matthew Howell traces the history of this feast from St. Constantine entrusting his mother, St. Helen, to search for the true cross of Christ, through its discovery and eventual return to Jerusalem. He explains that there is power in the cross through the grace of Jesus Christ, and this is why we display it so prominently in our lives: it symbolizes our life in Christ and in His Church — it is the intersection of our lives. We bring our pain f
Microwaves, Olive Orchards, and Joy — The Nativity of the Theotokos (opens the original)
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On the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos , Fr. Matthew Howell reminds us that this day honors not only the Theotokos, but her parents, Joachim and Anna. They endured years of public shame and ridicule due to their lack of children, remaining faithful through prayer. Along the way, he references an old commercial from Burger King , advocates for mothers to receive presents on their children's birthdays, and challenges listeners to follow the example of Joachim and Anna by turning away from t
Funnel Cakes and Villains — The 14th Sunday of Matthew (opens the original)
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On the 14th Sunday of Matthew, Fr. Matthew Howell preaches on the parable of the Great Supper. He walks us through the spiritual implications of the King's invitation, the excuses of those who refuse, and the wedding garment worn by those who are gathered in. And he urges us to view ourselves as the villains in these parables so that their words can penetrate our hearts. Along the way, he checks off multiple boxes from the Homily Bingo Card by citing multiple scripture passages, referencing mult
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