If You Want to Discover Your Spiritual Eyes, Watch This!

Discover Your Spiritual Eyes – Orthodox Teaching on the Senses, Holy Communion, and Theosis. Sermon delivered by His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America, on Thomas Sunday, at Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery, Cobleskill, NY. In this powerful and moving sermon, His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrius invites us to awaken our spiritual eyes and understand how the Orthodox Christian faith teaches us to see Christ—not just with our physical eyes, but through the sanctified senses of the soul. Drawing from Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the rich liturgical life of the Church, His Eminence explains the profound role our senses play in encountering Christ. We see icons, hear the divine services, smell the incense, touch holy relics, and ultimately, taste the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. Quoting the Psalms—"Taste and see that the Lord is good"—we are reminded that communion is not symbolic, but a real, transformative encounter with God. These are not symbolic gestures, but real, grace-filled experiences that lead to sanctification, illumination, and union with God (theosis). We also reflect on the journey of the Apostle Thomas. His boldness, combined with humility, was rewarded with the grace to touch the risen Lord. This becomes a model for us: to seek Christ not pridefully, like the Pharisees, but humbly and honestly. The video emphasizes the proper preparation for Holy Communion. Without repentance and spiritual readiness, even the Eucharist can become a danger to the soul. Communion is not magic—it is a divine gift given to those who approach with faith and reverence. Key themes include: The sanctification of the senses through the Church The role of Holy Communion in uniting us with God (theosis) The importance of repentance and purification before receiving the Eucharist The deeper meaning behind St. Thomas’s encounter with the risen Christ How the liturgical life of the Church prepares us for eternal life (the “eighth day”) This talk is a profound reminder that the Orthodox Church is not just a belief system—it is a way of life, a mystical bridge from earth to heaven. Through the Church’s sacraments, teachings, and holy traditions, we are not just learning about God—we are experiencing Him. For more videos, visit:    / orthodoxtradition   If you would like us to light a candle for you during our services, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdckxd83 #OrthodoxTraditionShorts