V. Rev. Archimandrite Gabriel Hanley
(Icon of the Taxiarche Mantamados ~~Monastery of the Taxiarche --Mantamados, Lesbos, Greece)
Fr. Gabriel is available via email if you would like to contact him: frphanley@transfiguration.va.goarch.org
Father Gabriel's message on the Occassion of the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Sunday of the Holy Cross) and the Annunciation:
Great Lent/Sunday of the Holy Cross --3rd Sunday of Lent
My Beloved Faithful in Christ, visitors and friends of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, it is my sincerest prayer that this message finds all of you Strong in the Lord. We are now approaching the 3rd Sunday of Great and Holy Lent (March 23rd, 2025). Not quite halfway through the Great Fast. In addition, this coming week we will also celebrate the Annunciation to the Theotokos (the Evangelismos –the Good News).
“And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” [1]
“Today marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.” [2]
In our lives as Orthodox Christians we are called by Christ to deny ourselves and to take up our cross and follow Him. On the surface this sounds relatively simple. A straightforward direction given to all. Everyone receives the same instruction. However, when we try to put into practice this Spiritual principle, denying our will and carrying out God’s will, we as human beings often find difficulty, disappointment, and failure. The question is why?
We know that this world is fallen and broken. Consequences of the original sin (the inherited sin) of our forefathers, Adam and Eve. One of these consequences has been our estrangement from the divine (by our choice mind you). In other words, our Communion to God becomes broken, and as a result we have begun to rely more upon our will then the will of the Lord. This is expressed very clearly in how we conduct our daily lives. Prayer, the Church, and the Sacraments are often put aside to secondary or even tertiary (or further down our list of priorities) activities in the lives of Christians. I believe this was also the same in the time of Christ.
In a previous sermon I offered, I remarked that before we begin to undertake any activity in our lives the Church calls us to pray first! This is so that our heart, mind, and soul will be focused on the proper way to do things in our lives –the Spiritual is more important than the physical. You wouldn’t take your family on a vacation to Florida and get in the car without checking to see if there was gas in the car, was the engine okay, etc.… . Yet, in our lives we will often do things without even making the sign of the Cross. We engage in personal relationships, business deals, and a myriad of other activities in our lives without ever praying or even giving consideration to our own personal Spiritual lives. Yet our Lord is very clear. We must deny ourselves. This is not simply a do as I say, not as I do, situation. Christ as fully man (and fully God), follows His own directions[3]. In the garden before the Crucifixion, He prays: “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”[4]. Christ very clearly shows us by example on how to proceed in life. The difficulties will come, certainly, if they did for Christ, what makes us think we are somehow immune or exempt from life’s trials and traumas? Christ denied Himself and took up His Cross to do the will of His Father. He didn’t just decide to do what He wanted, when He wanted, and the way He wanted.
We still haven’t answered the question we posed however, why is this so difficult for us and why the difficulty, disappointment, and failure. In truth, it is because when our will comes first, we shut God out and close the door to Him. We cut off Communion from Him, the author of Life. Then we wonder why our lives fade?! The Church knows that for us to be open to denying ourselves we must always begin with prayer. Yet with prayer taking a back seat for many today (as it was in Christ’s time) we are left lost. Extrapolate this on to the larger world stage, then looking at the condition the world is in today, that condition begins to make sense. We as a people put more faith in politics then we do in Christ. We as a people put more faith in ourselves/individuals then we do in Christ. By the time we then go to pick up our Cross the weight of it is insurmountable and impossible for us to lift[5]. Following Christ at that point becomes a frustration of epic proportions and in despair we throw up our hands and entrench ourselves even more in the world, abandoning Christ.
Oftentimes people will say to me as the Priest, but it was easy for Christ because He is God. Well, He certainly is God! Yet, He is also certainly, man –100% man. The Gospel accounts clearly indicate the difficulties Christ had throughout His ministry. What we fail to recognize is what saw Him through those difficulties was carrying out the will of His Father, not His will. The Father and the Holy Spirit made all the obstacles Christ faced possible to overcome. Nothing was impossible. The hurt, pain, suffering, and trauma of this world that Christ endured were healed. He was not left with these after the Resurrection. Obedience in the life of an Orthodox Christian is paramount. Obedience is often a misunderstood concept in our Christian communities. It is also one that has been abused a great deal in the history of our Church. Our clearest example for being properly obedient in the Church comes from Holy Scripture. The example for us, is the example given by the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos.
On the occasion of the Annunciation (the Good News --Gr. Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου) to the Theotokos, we see Mary, a young girl, who is confronted with profound news (overwhelming news). Not simply for her, but for the entirety of Creation. Let’s take a step back for a moment and examine who this young girl is in our Church. First of all, unlike the Roman Catholic belief, the Immaculate Conception[6], is not accepted in the Orthodox Theology. Mary was an ordinary young girl. The word ordinary here, is not meant to be derogatory in any way. Simply put Mary was exactly like you and me. It is precisely for this reason that she was chosen. God truly wants us (as we are) to participate in our Salvation. He directs it and orders it (as He does all things) but we must be active participants. Mary was born to much older parents, Joachim and Anna. Anna was well past the years of bearing children mind you, not only this, but during her life she was barren and had no children. In ancient times, there was a great stigma attached to a woman who was barren. Even down to the modern day (although less so today for a variety of reasons) there is still a stigma attached to a woman who is barren. However, looked down upon Anna and her husband were, there were those devout faithful in their lives, who with love in their hearts offered prayers to God Almighty, that God would do for Anna, what he had done for Sarah and Abraham, granting her a child. Indeed, that is exactly what the Lord did! Mary upon birth was dedicated to God and raised in the faith. Her parents instructed Mary to be faithful to God above everything. It is God’s will that Mary followed. As her parents before her, Mary denied her own will and sought the Lord’s will. She was instructed in the Temple and when the time came her parents saw fit that she was betrothed to Joseph. In all these things Mary remained obedient to God and her Parents. As her Son will do.
During the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel is sent to declare to Mary that she is the one whom God has chosen to bear a Child, conceived by the Holy Spirit[7]. The Messiah, the Son of God. Everyone who had been raised as Mary, in the Temple and in the Jewish faith, would have known of this prophecy[8]. While even in Mary’s day there were those in the Jewish faith who denied the Messiah (the Sadducees –who will also oppose her Son, Christ); few however would have believed they would be the central figure in that prophecy –certainly Mary was taken by surprise (upon hearing what her role in the prophecy would be) the Gospel is clear on this. Yet in her surprise, and awe, Mary doesn’t sin. She doesn’t go to her own will first, she follows God’s will. Again, denying her will, and carrying out the Lord’s will. After the Archangel Gabriel’s most profound announcement she does not question the Archangel but rather, out of sheer amazement and confusion asks, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?”[9] The Archangel’s answer is equally profound, and truly one has to consider that Mary could not have understood it fully at that time, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”[10] Yet whether or not she understood the message fully (the Goodnews) in its entirety she knew enough, that God had said it, and that was enough! Her final reply to the messenger: “And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”[11] The profound nature of this message at this point in Great Lent is precisely what the Father of the Church wish us to understand, and it is why these Feasts (seemingly different –yet in reality linked) are celebrated.
Mary needed no time to contemplate the message to gain a full or better understanding of it. Christ needed no time to consider the ramifications of taking up His Cross. Both understood that the will of God is paramount and must come first. Joachim and Anna understood that despite their trials and hardships in life that God and His will must come first. Difficulties were experienced by all of these figures, Christ most of all –during the Crucifixion but those difficulties are ultimately inconsequential. Too often we forget that by choosing our will over God’s we are separating ourselves from Communion with God. We do this because somehow, we become deluded into thinking that our difficulties are going to prevent us from following Christ. If Christ had thought that way, then our salvation and the sanctification of the Cross and Resurrection would never have come about! Problems and difficulties WILL OCCUR IN YOUR LIVES. Through Christ however, those difficulties will be overcome. You will be healed (even if you cannot see how) from that pain and suffering. But Christ must come first. The fruit of this world will only lead us to the grave. The fruit of the Spirit will always lead us to Salvation!
Today my Brothers and Sisters we hear the call (on the Sunday of the Cross) to take up our Cross and deny ourselves and follow Him. Don’t think about it, don’t contemplate it, simply do just that. Be obedient to God. Pray first and ask God to lead you. Then trust in Him, the way Mary did (even though she probably knew not fully what this wonderful message could possibly mean for her life) and use her words if you can’t find your own, “…let it be to me according to your word.”[12]
May each of you and your families and loved ones have a blessed Lenten Journey and glorious Resurrection. Praying for each of you, I remain,
In Christ,
Father †Gabriel Hanley
[1] Luke 9: 23-24 All Bible quotes are from the Revised Standard Version (RSV)
[2]Apolytikion of Annunciation of the Theotokos
[3] The mystery here is Christ’s relationship to us as His Creation. It is not a play on words or metaphorical when I say He followed His own directions. He followed the will of the Father. In other words, the Spirit should lead the flesh –not the flesh leading the Spirit.
[4] Luke 22: 42
[5] Luke 1: 37 –“…For with God nothing will be impossible.”
[6] Oftentimes many people believe mistakenly that the Immaculate Conception refers to Christ. It does not. The Immaculate Conception refers to how Mary –the Theotokos was conceived by Joachim and Anna, Mary’s parents. The Immaculate Conception was a much later addition to Roman Catholic theology. Not being formally defined and recognized until Pope Pius the IX in/around 1854 (the 19th Century). Prior to this, the Western Christian belief surrounding Mary was much the same as in Eastern Christendom. Although as time passed, Christian West did develop differing Theology concerning Mary. This doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was however probably the most (or one of the most), profound theological differences.
[7] c.f.: Isaiah 7: 14; 9: 6-7; 11: 1-2
[8] Ibid.
[9] Luke 1: 34
[10] Ibid.
[11] Luke 1: 38
[12] Ibid.
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Brief Biographical information:
Prior to full-time life in the ministry of the Church, Father Gabriel’s background was primarily in public-service (Law Enforcement) both in the civilian and military. Father Gabriel began his career in Law Enforcement with a University Police Department (NMIMT) in Central New Mexico in 1996. During this same time period, the opportunity would present itself, to enlist in the New Mexico Air National Guard; at that time the 150th Fighter Wing, today the 150th has been re-tasked, as the 150th Special Operations Wing. He enlisted and after completion of Basic Military Training and Security Police Technical School at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, he was assigned to the 150th Security Forces Squadron (NMANG). In January of 1997, he accepted a full-time position with the City of Socorro Police Department in Central New Mexico. To pursue advancement opportunities and further career objectives a year later, Father Gabriel would enter on active duty in the U.S.A.F., leaving civilian Law Enforcement for Military Law Enforcement.
During his time in the Air Force, Father Gabriel was deployed to many different locations throughout the world, in support of different Military Operations. Including, Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism, as well as numerous other deployments for local exercises. Many of these deployments also were in support of NATO in Europe. Father’s primary specialty in the Air Force was Security Police (now renamed Security Forces in the Air Force), and he was also assigned to the 64th Weapons of Mass Destruction –Civil Support Team (this unit’s primary mission was to assist civilian authorities in the event of a terrorist attack.) In the fall of 2002, Father Gabriel was Honorably Discharged, due to medical issues, that arose as a result of his service. At the end of 2002, Father Gabriel would enter Seminary, at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. In 2005, Father completed his Bachelor’s degree and in 2008 the Master of Divinity Degree.
Father Gabriel is originally from Paramus, NJ. His Parents of blessed memory are from Lesbos, Greece (Mother --Despina) and Father (Robert Sr.) is of Irish decent. His mother was Greek Orthodox and his father Roman Catholic. Although Father was always raised in the Greek Orthodox Church. He is the oldest of three siblings. Originally, named after his father, his given name is Robert E. Hanley Jr., and when Baptized, he was given the name Panagioti (August 15th). On March 10th, 2025, he was given the new Ecclesiastical name of GABRIEL (March 26th), by Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, when he was elevated to the Rank of Archimandrite.
After Seminary, Father Gabriel was released from the Holy Metropolis of Denver and began working at the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey Headquarters, as a Deacon, for then, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey (now Sardis).
After being Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2014, he was assigned to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA, as a second Priest. He was in this position for approximately 1 year and 3 months.
In 2015 he was assigned to Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Charlottesville, VA, as the Priest-in-Charge (Proistamenos). He continues in this position today.
Ordinations:
Holy Deaconate: December 16th, 2007, –by the Hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan ISIAIAH of Denver, at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver, CO.
Holy Priesthood: January 19th, 2014, --by the Hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan EVANGLEOS of Sardis (formerly of New Jersey) at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Toms River, New Jersey
Offikion:
Elevated to Archimandrite –March 10th, 2025, by Metropolitan APOSTOLOS of New Jersey –At St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Ocean City, MD.
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