St. Matthew Orthodox Christian Church
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
Torrance, CA

Log in | Create Account

For those who wish to donate online, please use the Paypal button below to link to our account.

Simply follow the on-screen instructions. The contact information you provide is for record keeping purposes only, and will not be shared.

About Our Gifts to God

Through the centuries, the Orthodox Church has generally recognized seven primary sacraments: baptism, chrismation (the seal of the grace of the Holy Spirit, Eucharist, repentance-confession, ordination, marriage, and healing. These seven do not define the extent of sacrament, for we recognize that all of life is sacramental. That is, every aspect of our lives is to be hidden with Christ in God.

One area which dearly comes under this sacramental perspective is our substance, our wealth and possessions. God not only provides us with the financial means necessary for our existence (Matthew 6:24-34). He also expects us to use these means wisely and compassionately in the advancement of His Kingdom (l John 3:17). Thus, giving and receiving have a direct and immediate impact upon our relationship with our Creator.

Excerpt from “Tithing” by J. Richard Ballew, Conciliar Press

Today's Commemorations
Holy Friday, Holy Father John the Righteous, disciple of St. Gregory of Decapolis, Euthemios the Enlightener of Karelia, Cosmas, Bishop of Calcydon, John the New Martyr of Epiros, Athanasia the Wonderworker of Aegina
Today's Scripture Readings
ST. PAUL'S FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS 5:6-8
BRETHREN, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (Galatians 3.13-14) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree" - that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
MATTHEW 27:62-66
On the next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' Therefore order the sepulcher to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead, ' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the sepulcher secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
Today's Thought

If we are incapable of doing anything, let us at least realize who we are and where we stand, and at the final hour turn to Christ with the cry, the appeal of the thief, "Remember me, Lord, in Thy Kingdom." - Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

" data-"1500"]; ?>" data-offset="150"><"fas fa-chevron-up"n']; ?>" style="line-height: 48px;">