Two Sundays before Christmas, Fr. Matthew Howell preaches about the parable of the heavenly banquet. Relying heavily on St. Nikolai of Zica, he preaches about the "soul's espousal to Christ," referring to other loves that take preeminence over God idolatry. He quotes St. Nikolai who says that "purity of soul is our wedding garment." He explains how the soul was created to be wedded to God, and this was seen most clearly in the purity of the Theotokos. Fr. Matthew then reflects on the 9th ode of the Canon of the Nativity of Christ.
