St Paul Naples Podcast

April 9,  2023

Palm Sunday

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John 12: 1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

St Paul Naples Podcast

April 2, 2023

5th Sunday of Lent: St. Mary of Egypt

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples FI

Fr Paul Gigis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.orq

MARK 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

St Paul Naples Podcast
March 26, 2023

The Ladder of Divine Ascent or The Sunday of St. John Climacus
Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples FI
Fr Paul Gigis, Parish Priest
https://stpaulnaples.orq

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark 9:17-31
At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to
you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he
foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out,
and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I
to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought
the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he
fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father,
"How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him
into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on
us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who
believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my
unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the
unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of
him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it
came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But
Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered
the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he
said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They
went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know
it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered
into the hands of men, and they will kill him

St Paul Naples Podcast

March 19, 2023

Sunday of the Holy Cross

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

St Paul Naples Podcast

March 12, 2023

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

The Gospel According to Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 6:14-11

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

St Paul Naples Podcast

January 15 2023

Title

Show Notes 

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 17:12-19

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 4: 12-17

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 2:20-21, 40-52

At that time, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (11:1-25)

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

December 11, 2022

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (11:1-25) Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

In commemorating the 3-year anniversary since the repose of our holy father and Geronda Ephraim of Philotheou in Arizona, Fr. Paul reads Homily 18 "Until the End of the Age, Saints Will Continue to Exist". This is found in the book "The Art of Salvation" published by Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery (January 1, 2014). This book is a compilation of different homilies given by the holy elder.

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (13:10-17)

It is so easy for us to have our vision clouded by our ego, our pride, and by a lack of spiritual clarity and not be able to see the good unfolding in front of us. Always seeing what we think is bad, what we think is evil, what we think is negative just because it is uncomfortable to us, just because it does not fit our will. Who cares about our will. It’s the will of God that the Lord has come to show us will give us true life.

November 20, 2022 | Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (12:16-21)

The church is where you partake in sweet conversation with the heavenly Father and the Most Holy Queen and Mother of God with the angels of the Lord and saints. The church is where we learn to pray and for what to pray. The church is where you will find examples of all the Christian virtues and saints who are glorified each day.

November 13, 2022 -

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples, Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (10:25-37)

Struggle for God for His truth with all your soul and mind. We must look upon the love we show our neighbor as love given to Christ himself.  Love is from Christ. Love is through Christ and love is for Christ. 

November 6, 2022 - Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples Fl

Fr Paul Girgis, Parish Priest

https://stpaulnaples.org

Today's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (8:41-56

Shed blood and receive the Spirit. Christ will make us whole because the Lord desires to help us, his children. Today go out and touch Christ that he may heal you and give you courage. Today, go fall at his feet so that you may  receive strength until the end and so you will be saved.