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Holy Metropolis of Ierapytni: The Sermon of St. Matthew's Sundaytranslated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Ecumenical Patriarchate HOLY METROPOLIS

HIERAPYTNIS AND SITEIA WRITTEN SERMON FOR SUNDAY 5 OF MATTHEW

(OF THE DEMONIZED OF THE GERGESINES)

(July 5, 2026) My brothers, in today's gospel passage, we heard that Jesus, walking with his disciples in the country of the Gergesenes, met two demon-possessed people, who lived in the tombs, and there was fear and terror for those who passed by. When the demon-possessed faced Jesus, they began to shout: "What business do you have with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before our time?' Of course, at that moment those suffering people were not talking, but the demons they had inside them. The demons recognized the divine quality of Jesus, that's why they begged him: "If you are going to cast us out, let us go to the herd of pigs". Jesus allowed them to go to the herd of pigs that was grazing nearby, and then the whole herd fell into the sea and drowned. The owners of the herd, frightened, went to the city and narrated the events; then the people came out of the city together to meet Jesus, and to beg him to leave his territory. A thing that happened:...

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Gheorghe Popescu

In this text it stuck in my head how the demons immediately recognized Jesus as the Son of God and asked Him not to torment them before the time. The people of the city, on the other hand, after hearing what happened to the pigs, asked Him to leave their place. Strange how we are more afraid of damage than of salvation.

Anna Parker

The demons knew exactly who Jesus was and begged not to be tormented early, but the locals just cared about their pigs and asked Him to leave. Gheorghe, that part always sticks with me too. Kind of makes you wonder what we’d choose if it cost us something we really wanted.

Florian Becker

Yes, the demons immediately recognized Jesus as the Son of God and begged that he not torment them before their time. But the people from the city only thought about their pigs and sent him away. This always surprises me – what would I do if it cost me something important?

Ірина Шевченко

And I was touched by how those poor people from the graves shouted "What do you have to do with us, Son of God?", and then asked the pigs for permission. The people, having learned about the lost pigs, simply asked Jesus to go away. I wonder if many of us are also ready to exchange His presence for a quiet household.

Mária Horváthová

It also always amazes me how the demons knew who Jesus was right away, and the townspeople were only worried about their pigs and begged Him to leave. As if the peace with the pigs was more important to them than the recovery of those two poor people from their graves. One should sometimes ask oneself what I would rather save - my "household" or His presence.

Ján Novák

You are right, Mary, those demons recognized Him immediately, while the people were mainly worried about their pigs. It always seems to me that in that city they preferred the known order, even if it was full of fear and graves, over the Unknown that heals. Why do you think it was easier for them to give up those two poor people than pigs?

Ирина Соловьёва

Yes, the demons immediately recognized Christ and prayed “don’t torment us ahead of time,” and the residents, having heard about the drowned pigs, simply asked Him to leave. This is what always touches me - how easily we exchange a meeting with God for the usual peace and our own household. I wonder what we would do in their place?

Κώστας Θεοδώρου

What everyone says doesn't leave me alone either: the demons immediately recognized Him as the Son of God and begged Him, while the Gergeseans, as soon as they heard about the drowned pigs, asked Him to leave their territory. I always wonder what I would do if it cost me something of mine – my sheep, my fishing, my peace. Too bad they preferred the old terror in the tombs to Christ.

Georg Weber

Theresa Wagner

Yes, the demons recognized him immediately, that's true. The people from the city saw their material loss above all and preferred to send him away. I also often ask myself whether I would react the same way at home if my faith suddenly cost me dearly - perhaps I would hesitate at first. Exactly, Georg, the material damage bothered you more than the liberation of the two men. In my kitchen I sometimes think that if everything were suddenly turned upside down - like with the loss of the pig - I would complain instead of saying thank you. Do you often ask yourself that after church?

Lenka Nováková

Maria, you are right, those demons recognized Him immediately, but the locals would rather lose healed people than pigs. It always strikes me how often we too choose "peace" instead of letting Christ into our order. What would you do if it came to your house?

Христина Панченко

Irina, I was also affected by this: people so easily exchanged Christ Himself for a calm herd of pigs. It probably happens to us often too - it is better to let everything go "as usual" than for Him to change something in our usual life. And what do you think that we have the most "pigs" today, for which we are ready to ask Him to go away?

Andreas Becker

Yes, Georg, the matter of material loss is the point that always puzzles me. At home in Cologne, I notice this when I'm baking for the church bazaar - if it costs more than expected, I start doing the math. Do you ever wonder how the Lord helps us to say “yes” anyway?

Thomas Wagner

Yes, the demons recognized him immediately, that's quite noticeable. What concerns me more is how quickly the townspeople sent him away even though he healed two people. Florian, have you ever experienced a situation where faith really cost you something?

Zuzana Nováková

You're right, Ján, those pigs were probably closer to them than two unknown fools from the graves. People often prefer to endure an old, familiar fear rather than accept someone who turns everything upside down. And you, what do you think, would we rather side with the pigs today in a similar situation?

Ζωή Χατζή

Kostas, you are right, this point worries me every time. The Gergesians preferred their old "peace" with the possessed to losing the pigs and changing their lives. I wonder if I would have the courage to say "come Christ, even if it costs me" or if I would find excuses like these.

Yes, Andreas, the material loss is really the crux of the matter - it was similar for me in Hamburg last year when our daughters' soccer club needed new jerseys and I first organized the garden sale. The Lord often helps with small, very practical steps so that you can still say “yes”. Do you ever wonder if the Gergesens perhaps later regretted sending Jesus away?

You're right, Ján, those people were mainly worried about their livelihood. When their entire flock was lost, they banished Jesus rather than admit that their well-known fear of graves was actually a bigger problem. And you, how would you react if tomorrow someone healed your neighbor but drowned half of your garden?

Михайло Бойко

Yes, Christina, you definitely noticed - people prefer things to be quiet and old-fashioned, even if it costs them a meeting with Christ. We probably have the most "pigs" - the habit of comfort, TV and pension without any extra questions. And what do you yourself consider the main "flock" for which today they are ready to send Him?

Jana Nováková

You're right, Lenka, the money for the pigs probably hurt them more than the illness of those two poor people. If someone healed my neighbor but destroyed half the garden, I would probably get angry first and then think about what is more important. And would you forgive him right away, or would you at least blame him for the damage?

Eva Balážová

You're right, Jana, the money for the pigs was like a blow to the head for them. I would probably blame the damage at first, but then I would think that two people have returned to a normal life. And you, if it was your pig, what would you do first?