On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Dn. Vassily Kocher offered a heartfelt sermon reflecting on the legacy of our parish, St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church. His words were not only a history lesson but also a living reminder of who we are as a community and what God has called us to become. Drawing inspiration from St. Mary Magdalene herself—a faithful witness to the Resurrection—Dn. Vassily reminded us that the same devotion, courage, and faithfulness that defined her life should also define the life of our parish.

Remembering Our Patron Saint
St. Mary Magdalene holds a special place in the life of the Church and in the heart of our parish. She was the first to proclaim the Resurrection, the one who came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, and the one who heard the voice of the risen Lord calling her by name. Her faithfulness, even when others faltered, made her a true apostle to the apostles.

Dn. Vassily reminded us that our patron saint is not simply a figure of the past but a living witness whose devotion continues to inspire us today. Just as she remained near to Christ in His Passion and proclaimed His Resurrection without fear, so we as her spiritual children are called to remain faithful in times of trial and to boldly proclaim Christ’s victory over death.

The Humble Beginnings of Our Parish
The sermon then turned to the history of our parish. St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church did not begin with a grand building or a large congregation. It began with humble gatherings in homes, where the faithful came together to pray, to learn, and to worship the Lord with sincerity of heart. Those small beginnings were seeds of faith, planted by God’s providence, and watered with perseverance and prayer.

These early gatherings were marked by sacrifice. People opened their homes, set up makeshift altars, and adjusted their schedules to make room for the worship of God. They were not motivated by convenience but by devotion. And it was in those small living rooms and kitchens that the foundation of our parish was laid—not in brick and mortar, but in faith and love.

The Building of the Temple
From those early beginnings, the parish grew until the time came to build a Temple dedicated to the glory of God. This was not merely a construction project; it was a work of faith. Every wall raised, every icon hung, and every candle lit was an act of devotion. The Temple in Rincon, GA stands as a testament not only to human effort but to divine providence.

Dn. Vassily reminded us that the building is not the parish itself—it is the vessel that holds the life of the parish. The true beauty of St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church is found not only in its architecture or icons but in the people who gather within it, offering their prayers, their voices, and their lives to God. The Temple is a house of prayer because the faithful fill it with prayer.

God’s Providential Hand
As we look back on the history of our parish, it becomes clear that it is a story marked by God’s providence. There were times of challenge—financial strains, small numbers, uncertainties about the future. Yet in every step, God provided. He opened doors, inspired generosity, and strengthened faith. Just as He guided St. Mary Magdalene to the empty tomb, He has guided our parish to this present moment.

This providence is not only something we recognize in hindsight but something we continue to trust in today. The same God who sustained us in our beginnings and led us to build a Temple will continue to guide us as we face new challenges and opportunities. Our task is not to rely on our own strength but to trust in His unfailing care.

A Call to Grow in Faith and Love
The sermon was not only a reflection on the past but also a call to action for the present. Dn. Vassily urged us to continue to grow in faith and love. The legacy of our parish is not complete; it is still being written by the choices we make, the prayers we offer, and the witness we bear.

To grow in faith means to deepen our commitment to Christ through prayer, fasting, and participation in the sacraments. It means making the Divine Liturgy the center of our lives, not one activity among many. It means teaching our children the faith with joy and conviction, so that they too will carry the legacy forward.

To grow in love means to extend hospitality, to care for those in need, to forgive one another, and to live as a true family in Christ. It means seeing the face of Christ in everyone who walks through our doors, whether visitor or longtime member. Love is not sentimental but sacrificial. It demands that we place the needs of others before our own and that we bear one another’s burdens.

Proclaiming the Gospel Boldly
Just as St. Mary Magdalene proclaimed the Resurrection, so too must we proclaim the Gospel boldly throughout Savannah and beyond. The city around us is filled with people who hunger for truth, beauty, and meaning. Our parish is called to be a light in this community, shining with the witness of Christ.

This proclamation is not only in words but in deeds. It is seen in the way we worship, in the way we care for one another, and in the way we serve our neighbors. Evangelism begins with being who we are meant to be: a community rooted in Christ, radiant with His light, and open to all who seek Him.

The Witness of St. Mary Magdalene
At the end of the sermon, Dn. Vassily returned to the image of our patron saint at the empty tomb. She did not keep the news of the Resurrection to herself; she ran to share it with others. Her faith was personal, but it was never private. She bore witness to the greatest truth the world has ever known, and her proclamation continues to echo through the centuries.

So too must our parish be a witness. We cannot be content with our own blessings; we are called to share them. Just as St. Mary Magdalene was faithful in her time and place, so we must be faithful in ours. We must proclaim Christ’s victory in Savannah, in our families, in our workplaces, and in every place God has planted us.

Conclusion
On July 27, 2025, Dn. Vassily Kocher reminded us of the legacy of our parish, St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church. It is a story of faithfulness, sacrifice, and providence. From humble beginnings in homes to the building of a Temple in Rincon, GA, our parish has been sustained by God’s care and inspired by the witness of our patron saint.

The sermon concluded with a call to action: that we continue to grow in faith and love, and that we proclaim the Gospel boldly throughout Savannah. May our parish always be a light shining with the witness of Christ, just as St. Mary Magdalene was at the empty tomb. This is our legacy, and this is our calling: to be faithful witnesses to the Resurrection in our time and place, until the day we too behold the risen Lord face to face.