I Don’t Want to Deny Myself and Pick up My Cross - Sermon by Metropolitan Demetrius

Sermon delivered by His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrius of America on the Sunday after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross at Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery, Cobleskill, NY. For more videos visit: / orthodoxtradition
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[@OrthodoxTradition]

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[@EsmeeElisabeta]

"When you say, 'I don't trust anyone,' that's a really bad sign because it means you trust yourself too much." Great insight!

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Glory to God.

[@TheLorraineclelland]

Lord please remember me in your Kingdom. amen.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Amen.

[@drjohnashfield3915]

Living words...much appreciated; inviting much reflection and welcome. Thank you.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Glory to God!

[@stellaaad]

Whatever you speak, it speaks to my soul. The first time I heard you I felt that. And you are right Father. 😔

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@desertcaves]

I never had a loving mother like our holy mother of God, most blessed theotokos. her love unmatched her comfort divine. O holy panagia please help us. We as children must cry out on our knees mother of our salvation help us from our enemies seen and unseen. O momma we cry as children without a mother we seek your protection, please intercede for us all orthodox christians and help us in time of pain and suffering. O blessed all blamelsss virgin save us from torments save us and draw us closers to Jesus Christ our king and God! ☦️❤️

[@OrthodoxTradition]

May the Mother of God save us!

[@themorrow3547]

@@OrthodoxTradition Only Christ can save us.

[@haydeen6535]

@@themorrow3547We are not saying that Mary is literally the judge of our salvation. We are using the term "save" in the same way as when Paul says that he "saves" men by leading them to The Word of God. The prayers of The Theotokos certainly play a role in our salvation! Mary, Holy Mother of God, save us!

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Very good haydeen!

[@JERUSALEM1ORTHODOX]

@@themorrow3547 you foolish one, when you come to anyone's house and see his mother opening the door to welcome you. Than you say I did not come to see you I came too see your son? How than will the son respond to you who have denied his mother? You foolish one get on your knees and repent now. on your knees for hours and your head towards floor than beg with tears of repentance for mercy.

[@OrthodoxChristianTreasures]

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Amen.

[@prettyplugs]

I did not think i had an ego. I also have a hard time understanding how God could love us in all our sin but this sermon is so helpful. I understand so much now and can work to become better. Thank you! Truly God speaks through you!

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you!

[@YoungHermit88]

Thank you Metropolitan Demetrius for your love which you gave me. always you be in my prayers and heart ❤️❤️❤️

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you. What is your name?

[@lindamorgan2678]

@YoungHermit88 I see you are not getting your notifications from youtube.

[@FUN144]

Thank you father truly an inspirational sermon as always.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@kevrla]

Thank you your Grace. This was a sermon I needed to hear. Please pray for me to better live the Orthodox faith.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@saint5203]

I wish I could be there with you Metropolitan. I think if something happens to my wife. Lord forbid this to happen. I’ll be knocking on your door. The monastic life seems very fullfilling to me. This world is too much for me. It robs me if my peace as soon as I leave the altar. I know that Gods grace is suffiecient but…. It’s so challenging to dodge these constant arrows of our culture and society. Lord have mercy.

[@crazykyy]

Peace in this life does not seem to be the point. "Pick up your cross and follow me" does not seem a "peaceful" way, at least by my reckoning. It is one inherently full of suffering and hardship. And yet, it will be even worse for us if we abandon our respective crosses. By properly bearing our cross, we are to find the "surprise" that the yoke is easy and the burden is light, and a glorious resurrection awaits us. This is clear in the gospel. Let us help one other to carry on. ☦️

[@HolyBalkans]

You can't escape yourself wherever you go you'll end up again with yourself. My dear brothers you must conquer the inner man this take practices. years and years. some find it while others never find it. this take great mindfulness of words, thoughts,deeds. it isn't as simple as just typing these words. I haven't watched TV in nearly 10 years, just sometimes youtube on phone. takes practice to reject. I sealed my mouth so I wouldn't speak. I beat myself so I wouldn't commit sins. I nearly fasted for over 1 year no meat and some weeks 6 days no food. Losing much weight I did much to blot out from passions within and outward and now I can say I still have not begun to repent 😢 Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on us sinners ☦️

[@Itsnotworthit-cd2kb]

It sounds like you are exactly on the path that you are supposed to be God Bless you

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you. Accept whatever the Lord sends you, and pray for His holy will in all things.

[@gabrigabri8221]

Thank you!

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@garlandthomson7501]

Thank you,i needed to hear this!!!

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@TheMikeSkvor]

Sts. Shamuna, Guria, and Habib are protectors of marriage and holiness in the household. It’s no coincidence Geronda mentions them here. May we have their prayers so all married couples struggle for holiness.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Amen.

[@ianholder77]

Thank you very much for sharing this; I desperately needed to hear it. May God help me to act on it. Thank you from Australia.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@saint5203]

Profound words of wisdom.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@sisselrudshaug1106]

it is you who gives the comfort one needs, and in that Jesus for real. Because you don't expect one to become rich, popular, Christian"pop star" or Christian "celebrity" Or vain and happy absolutely all the time Christian😥 But to have peace in the heart to strive to live without sin🕊️🥰 Thank you for that🙏🏼✝️

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Glory to God.

[@sisselrudshaug1106]

Glory to God! God bless you all!

[@halleluyah-v5h]

God bless you ☦️

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@afandi6910]

🙏

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless you.

[@almedhamorton4369]

Acts 5:29. I Thessalonians 4:11-12. Keep us, O Lord.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Amen

[@OrthodoxChristianTreasures]

Most Holy Theotokos save us!

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Amen.

[@IsawCHRIST]

Father demetrius, I have known a woman who told me. she saw how she was born and how her spirit descended from heaven into her mothers womb it was like a light she explained. she said while she was decending into the womb of her mother she was accompany two angels, who appeared as wearing in long clothes. i do not know how to interpret such things. she is my beloved sister in christ who prays for me. she shared it with me. as long as i know her she never speaks very silent in all her years.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

She needs to speak to one of our clergy. This is dangerous.

[@IsawCHRIST]

@OrthodoxTradition Father, she lives in silence and did not marry remained a virgin. she is 30 years of age. she will not marry anyone. her parents seem shocked of her at her speeches at the young age. She is so very pure hearted. and I always felt unworthy of such woman. in all my years I have never met such innocent and pure woman.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Where does she live?

[@hokulani8]

🕊☦️🙏🏼❤️🕯

[@OrthodoxTradition]

+

[@OneOfTheAncients]

Greetings father demetrius. are there a shortage of clergy in california? some of your monasteries only hold service once a month. I want to come everyday Father demetrius what should i do? I'm willing to help with large donations to build a monastery in desert part south of california, there's many orthodox here without a church 😢 I called a romanian monastery in desert but no service held there, the doors are closed not sure why. their phone doesnt work when i called. Father, there's many orthodox without a church in riverside county california deserts. etna is is 8 hours drive and the other churches like "saint seraphim sarov" holds service once a month and same goes for the holy trinity church in ventura county. Saint john of kronstadt is too onces a month. Father metropolitan, we need to come up with a plan please 😢

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Thank you for your message. The bishop of California is Bishop Auxentios. You will have to contact him. I hope that it all works out for you. God bless you.

[@OneOfTheAncients]

@@Ephesians_6_12 thank you dear, even if we get enough donations to build a monastery. we also need clergy and this may be challenging since we have priest who fly from other states to hold services. I'll contact bishop and hold a discussion, let us not fall into despair even this is very hard on me and being very tearful 😢

[@nataliajulliana]

Come visit Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Fresno Ca.

[@samr.i.9485]

St Andrews Orthodox Church is in Riverside near UCR

[@elende8857]

🙏☦️

[@OrthodoxTradition]

+

[@JERUSALEM1ORTHODOX]

Dear archbishop Demetrius, there are no churches near me what shall I do?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Try to follow our online services. God bless you.

[@JERUSALEM1ORTHODOX]

Thank you. will archbishop Demetrius possibly give me a blessing to hold typika? ​@@OrthodoxTradition

[@OrthodoxTradition]

You need to write to him directly.

[@JERUSALEM1ORTHODOX]

@@OrthodoxTradition Thank You. Bless father ☦️

[@TheMikeSkvor]

Lord save our Geronda by Panagia’s prayers. May we all be found in repentance by our Geronda’s prayers.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God bless.

[@ms.rainh20teachesart]

Does anyone know the name of the neuroscience study about your brain growing when you sent your will? I want to read more about this!

[@nyssalynnie]

I believe the concept is called neuroplasticity, often referred to as rewiring your brain. You can find a lot of information online. The Bible verse that says to “take every thought captive” 2 Cor 10:5, is used by an Dr. Caroline Leaf, who is a believer and a neuroscientist as a scriptural reference for getting out of negative thinking habits. It takes self discipline to apply yourself to learn a new skill, to choose to focus, and the more you do it the better you get and the easier it gets. To choose your thoughts is self discipline, the first step towards self sacrifice, in taking up our cross.

[@OrthoLou]

And what does denying yourself mean? What does it mean to put away things of this world?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Listen a few times to the sermon. The previous sermons may help you understand. God bless you.

[@HolyBalkans]

Metropolitan Demetrios. If someone has injuries and can't make it for divine liturgy. How than will he receive the holy mysteries?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

You will need to discuss that with your priest.

[@sisselrudshaug1106]

❤

[@OrthodoxTradition]

+

[@wedi-set577]

Do we lose all our grace we accumulated when we fall to sin? Are we back to zero? Maybe this is not a good question, forgive me.

[@esoterico7750]

The evergetinos says if your house blows down but you built a good foundation before it is easier to rebuild

[@wedi-set577]

@@esoterico7750 Interesting, thanks

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Repentance is what it's all about.

[@IsawCHRIST]

Those who do not teach you about christ will only teach you about the things of the devil. he who can't save himself from devil doesn't wish too save others either.

[@OrthodoxTradition]

God save us.

[@OrthodoxIslands]

Beloved metropolitan demetrius, did you receive my e mail? Has anything like this ever been seen before in modern times?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Where did you send it?

[@JERUSALEM1ORTHODOX]

Dear archbishop Demetrius. There's videos of icon in (ROCOR) often have myrrh coming from it? does this happen with the icons at your monastery too?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

The first ROCOR myrhhstreaming icon was painting by a zealot father of Mount Athos, ordered by Jose Muños, the second was the St. Nicholas icon, which is in a parish in our Metropolis, in Las Vegas.

[@JERUSALEM1ORTHODOX]

@OrthodoxTradition Thank you. does any of the icons you have today still stream myrrh as before? how often does it happen?

[@halleluyah-v5h]

Metropolitan demetrius, are monks allowed to receive gifts like baklava, redwine?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

Yes.

[@HoneyBEE-l1f]

Father demetrius, is it sin to not respond when someone talks to you?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

It depends if the person brings you down spiritually.

[@HoneyBEE-l1f]

@OrthodoxTradition what if a woman talks to you suddenly in restaurant or marketplact. Like words Hi, how are you?

[@SeraphimWebster]

Why is the GOC in Schism from ROCOR and other old calendar mainline orthodox churches?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

GOC is part of the Church, which means She is separated from heresy.

[@SeraphimWebster]

@@OrthodoxTradition I see, which heresies is She separated from that ROCOR is in?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

We are simply still waiting for the 4 measures to be met, which Saint John Maximovitch of San Francisco indicated for a reunion with Moscow. When ROCOR went into communion with the Moscow Patriarchate, the agreement was quite different from the original ROCOR guidelines. We were in Communion with ROCOR up until the union. We did not agree with the union because ROCOR changed its stance. We haven't changed the stance of St. Philaret, St. John, and many other righteous bishops of ROCOR.

[@Unseen_warfare.]

⁠@@OrthodoxTradition “Archbishop Mark and Archbishop Laurus, the hierarchical front men for the KGB operation to destroy the ROCOR, found in the ecclesiological theory of Met. Cyprian an ideal Trojan Horse to carry the acknowledgement of the MP as the CHURCH even into the bastion of right wing ROCOR opinion. Over the objections of Met. Vitaly and Abp. Antony of Los Angeles, as well as those of the retired Bishop Gregory (Grabbe), the ROCOR Council of Bishops (Sobor) proclaimed in July of 1994 that the ecclesiological teaching of Met. Cyprian was precisely that also of the Russian Church Abroad. Explicitly on the basis of this shared ecclesiology, the ROCOR and the “Synod in Resistance” established canonical communion. The pro-MP forces lost no time in fanning the miasma of this “moderate ecclesiology” through the ranks of the ROCOR right wing, to fuddle their minds and weaken their moral will to fight back. Suddenly one was hearing all the time, from all quarters, that the MP was the “Mother Church” and that it “undoubtedly had grace,” that to deny the grace of this holy “Mother Church” was “blasphemous,” and so forth. Many of those who became closest personally to the Cyprianites were from among the conservatives in the ROCOR, because historically it was the conservatives who had always been sympathetic to the Greek Old Calendarists by temperament and outlook. This was, perhaps, one of the developments which the agent-architects of the 1994 union had foreseen. Now even erstwhile right wingers were heard to be saying that the MP was a Church and that its Mysteries were therefore “grace-filled.”- Fr. Steven Allen: ((Rocor Demise))

[@Unseen_warfare.]

@@OrthodoxTradition “Archbishop Mark and Archbishop Laurus, the hierarchical front men for the KGB operation to destroy the ROCOR, found in the ecclesiølogical theory of Met. Cyprian an ideal Trøjan Horse to carry the acknowledgement of the MP as the CHURCH even into the bastion of right wing RØCOR opinion. Over the objections of Met. Vitaly and Abp. Antony of Los Angeles, as well as those of the retired Bishop Gregory (Grabbe), the ROCOR Council of Bishops (Sobor) proclaimed in July of 1994 that the ecclesiological teaching of Met. Cyprian was precisely that also of the Russian Church Abroad. Explicitly on the basis of this shared ecclesiology, the RøCOR and the “Synod in Resistance” established canonical communion. The pro-MP forces lost no time in fanning the miasma of this “moderate ecclesiology” through the ranks of the ROCOR right wing, to fuddle their minds and weaken their moral will to fight back. Suddenly one was hearing all the time, from all quarters, that the MP was the “Mother Church” and that it “undoubtedly had grace,” that to deny the grace of this holy “Mother Church” was “blasphemøus,” and so forth. Many of those who became closest personally to the Cyprianites were from among the conservatives in the ROCOR, because historically it was the conservatives who had always been sympathetic to the Greek Old Calendarists by temperament and outlook. This was, perhaps, one of the developments which the agent-architects of the 1994 union had foreseen. Now even erstwhile right wingers were heard to be saying that the MP was a Church and that its Mysteries were therefore “grace-filled.”- Fr. Steven Allen: (Røcor Demise)

[@HoneyBEE-l1f]

Greetings metropolitan. can orthodox christians kiss on cheeks during fast on Wednesday? I ask because lord was betrayed on this day by judas. perhaps we should not do this?

[@OrthodoxTradition]

No, there is nothing wrong with that.