An introduction to Fr. Elpidios Vagianakis
Dear to the Lord Jesus, Brothers and Sisters,
Christ is risen!
For the next few weeks, in addition to our regular teachings, it shall my joy to share with you a few sermonettes by Fr. Elpidios Vagianakis (Several months ago, you received his powerful description as to how love removes fear.). All of them have good English subtitles, for those who do not understand Greek; some are less than three minutes in length, and others six to ten minutes. In these very delusional and ungodly times, it is important for all of us to seek to be fed spiritually by clergy that stand up for God’s Truth — like Fr. Elpidios. Here is a translation, provided by one of my spiritual daughters, from a small portion of a sermon that he offered during a Divine Liturgy just a couple of weeks ago:
“I want you to know that I am His priest, in His name I am a priest, in the name of Jesus I am a priest. In the name of Jesus I teach, in the name of Jesus I speak to you; and I want to give to you [His] Body and Blood. I want you to know that I am not apologetic to any of you, nor to any political leader or any ecclesiastic. As many of them who love God, honor God and want to revere Him, I also will be with them. To those who deny Him, betray Him, those who mock Him, those who think that they can change our Faith and dogma, I am very sorry, but I am not with them.”
May it please God to raise up more deacons, priests and Hierarchs with both the Patristic spirit and conviction of Fr. Elpidios! Here is only a 2.5 minute teaching, in which he describes God as “a great Embrace:”
Soul Food from the Hymnology of the Pentecostarion
“Glorifying Thy God-befitting condescension, we praise Thee, O Christ; for Thou wast born of a Virgin, and yet Thou wast inseparable from the Father. Thou didst suffer as man, and didst endure the Cross willingly. And like one coming forth from a bridal chamber, Thou didst rise from the grave, so that Thou mightest save the world. O Lord, glory be to Thee.”
[Orthros hymn in the 1st Tone, 2nd Saturday]