Three Triumphs of Orthodoxy: A Sermon for Orthodox Sunday

In this sermon for Orthodox Sunday (the Triumph of Orthodoxy), Fr. Geoff reflects on three triumphs: the historical restoration of icons after the iconoclastic controversy, the ongoing hope for Orthodox worship in the English language, and — the greatest triumph of all — the transformation of Christ's image within the human heart. Preached at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, 1st March 2026.

Transcript

In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We nearly got two sermons today, because Father Nicholas prepared a sermon, and so did I. We tossed a coin and I came up. I've got three things. Today is Orthodox Sunday — the Triumph of Orthodoxy — and I have three points, as I often do: a triumph that happened, a triumph I'm hoping for, and a triumph that I'm happy about.

First of all, a triumph that happened. What we are commemorating today is the triumph of the Orthodox Church in the struggle over icons — the iconoclastic controversy. An iconoclast is somebody who destroys icons. How does this relate to our readings today? Hebrews talks about all the heroes of faith, including Moses and many others. How does that relate to what we're celebrating? Well, the Church in its wisdom has given us this passage to remind us that there have been heroes in the faith all the way through history. We look up to them and follow their example, because there are always going to be difficult times in the Church's history. You only have to look at the last century — the trouble they had in China, in Russia, the trouble they're now having in the Middle East. Christians in Africa are always under pressure, under persecution, in difficulties.

This passage relates to the iconoclastic controversy because that was a terrible struggle. Emperor Leo III decided that icons were wrong and brought in a law banning them. From there, icons started to be destroyed, and families and clergy were persecuted for believing that icons were not merely pictures, but windows into the heavens — windows that help us communicate with God. The example these heroes give us is that they persevered through the troubles and difficulties, and they triumphed in the end. It took 111 years, and it was not until 843 that icons were returned to their rightful place in the Church. That's the first triumph.

The second triumph is one I'm hoping for. I get this from the Gospel today, where we have Nathaniel and Philip going to Jesus. I was thinking: if God was planning to come down to earth and looked at the world and said, "The largest population on earth is Chinese — so when I get there, I'll speak Chinese" — but then had to go to Israel because those are the chosen people. So Jesus comes to earth, incarnate as a human being in Israel, and starts speaking Chinese. How far would the gospel have got?

God, even though he became a human being — and could speak every language under the sun — chose to speak the language of the people. When he spoke with Nathaniel, who was struggling with his faith, he spoke in Nathaniel's own language. That is the only way the gospel, the good news, will get into people's lives and hearts.

Now, 220 years ago was the first Orthodox service in Australia. The iconoclastic controversy lasted 111 years — about four generations. Two hundred and twenty years is about eight or nine generations. Here we are in Australia today. How many Orthodox churches are conducting their services in full English on a Sunday morning? Hardly any. The Russians have about a third of their churches using English, but the rest of us are still using different languages — and this is Australia; we speak English.

If you read the Rudder — the Pedalion — the book of the canons of the Church, St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite writes in the introduction: "Tell me, what benefit can a simple person get from reading a book only in Greek? Will not the one who wrote the book appear to him a barbarian?" Right there in the introduction, it's saying: if we're going to communicate the gospel, we must use the language of the people. And we still haven't got there.

But don't give up. It took four generations to resolve the iconoclastic controversy. So far it's taken nine generations and we haven't resolved the language question — but don't give up. It could happen in this generation. To the young ones especially: don't give up. I've heard of many Orthodox Christians who have gone to other churches because they want to hear the gospel in English, and in some ways I don't blame them. But this is the true Church. This is the Church that holds the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the original Church. So we need to stick it out and keep going. That is the triumph I'm hoping for.

Then there is the triumph I'm happy about — and this is the greatest triumph of all. As we look at the Gospels and the Epistle today, we are reading about men and women whose lives were transformed, who had a faith that kept them going through the most difficult times. And this is what we're talking about: the icon of Christ in our hearts. This is the true Triumph of Orthodoxy — painting, developing, the icon of Christ within us, transforming us. This is what Great Lent is all about.

We can do our prostrations, our crossings, all of that — but it's not about the external. It's about the internal. What Christ does in our hearts — transforming us, changing us, making us more Christlike. The aim is to become Christlike: responding to people in love, selfless love rather than self-centred love. This is what drove our Lord Jesus Christ to come to this earth, to live among us, and to die for us.

The Triumph of Orthodoxy is not primarily a historical event. It is an ongoing triumph in the lives of people. And the reason I'm happy about this is because — take Gabby, whom we sadly buried this week. He was working on this. He was being transformed, he was struggling, perhaps he didn't have a perfect icon yet — but he was working on it, and it was recognisable in him. What also makes me happy is seeing so many young people here, and older people too, who are really working on this inner transformation.

As we go into Great Lent this year, let us remember what the purpose is. It's not just about the outward things. It is about working on the inward transformation. May God help us to do that, may it help us to change, and may it help us to love others and bring them also into the Kingdom.

Now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit be ascribed all might, majesty, dominion, and praise, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.