god and spiritual Who Was That Woman? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-05-17T04:18:07+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley investigates the identity of the woman who anointed Christ's feet before his trial and crucifixion. Full Article
god and spiritual Paschal Trumpet By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-05-17T04:19:55+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley explains that Christ is the jubilee of the whole world and his Resurrection is the trumpet which announces it. Full Article
god and spiritual Embodied Persons: Male and Female By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-06-02T05:50:31+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters contends that the biological complementarity of males and females provides an important clue to the personal identity of human beings. Full Article
god and spiritual Why Sola Scriptura Doesn't Work By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-08-16T20:57:24+00:00 A blogger on Orthodox Christianity and subdeacon at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Bellingham, Washington, explains why the Scriptures must be read in the context of tradition. Full Article
god and spiritual Orthodox Witness in a Post-Christian Culture By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-08-27T00:27:47+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters argues that it is time for Orthodox Christians to be realistic and not panic about life in an increasingly post-Christian culture. Full Article
god and spiritual St. John the Wonderworker By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-08-27T00:32:19+00:00 Wesley J. Smith, the host of Human Exceptionalism, details the life and miracles of St. John Maximovitch, his patron saint. Full Article
god and spiritual Orthodoxy and Politics By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-10-01T17:20:01+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters, a professor of religion at McMurry University and the host of the AFR podcast Eastern Christian Insights, discusses how Orthodox Christians should approach politics. Full Article
god and spiritual Election 2016 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-11-30T03:18:50+00:00 Fr. Steven Ritter, the host of the AFR podcast, The Life of the Church Today, offers his perspective on the upcoming United States election. Full Article
god and spiritual The Anaphora of St. Basil By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-01-09T20:44:31+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Religion at McMurry University, explains that St. Basil's Anaphora calls us to live out practically what we enact liturgically in response to the needs of the human beings whom we encounter every day. Full Article
god and spiritual Contemporary Challenges in Marriage, Family, and Sexuality. By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-09-01T02:21:59+00:00 Fr. Philip reflects on the Eucharistic context of the pastoral response to contemporary challenges in marriage, family, and sexuality. Full Article
god and spiritual Often Disappointed but Seldom Surprised By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-12-21T18:53:04+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters discusses the sexualized culture of Hollywood. Full Article
god and spiritual Staying Christian in a Culture of Growing Hate By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2018-08-14T04:05:50+00:00 Dn. Michael Hyatt is the chair of the Ancient Faith Ministries board and a Deacon at St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church in Franklin, TN. Most people know him as one of the top leadership mentors in the country and the Founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, an online leadership development company dedicated to helping high achievers win at work and succeed at life. In this commentary (which is actually a sermon given at St. Ignatius), Dn. Michael assesses the impact of social media on people in general and Christians in particular. Be looking for the return of his Ancient Faith Radio podcast At the Intersection of East and West in September! Full Article
god and spiritual Rolling Back the Darkness By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-03-29T20:41:49+00:00 In light of the tragic and senseless attack at a concert in Manchester, Fr. Gregory Hallam offers this commentary. Fr. Gregory is priest at St. Aidan's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Manchester, UK. Full Article
god and spiritual Coptic Christian Massacre By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-03-29T20:42:04+00:00 Dan Bein, the most recent Media Student Leader of Orthodox Christian Fellowship and a Coptic Christian, comments on the recent bus shooting of the Coptic Christians in Egypt who refused to renounce their faith at gunpoint. Full Article
god and spiritual Should It Matter to Christians When Churches Burn? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-05-22T03:25:18+00:00 The world watched in disbelief as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. But why should it matter? Fr. Andrew Damick has an answer. Full Article
god and spiritual Altar Girls By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-08-03T03:31:15+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley examines the question of whether or not the youthful function of liturgical assistance in the altar should be extended to girls as well as boys. Full Article
god and spiritual On the Ukrainian Church Controversy By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-02-01T01:22:17+00:00 Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick shares his thoughts on the controversial situation of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Are we looking at the situation through worldly eyes or through spiritual eyes? Full Article
god and spiritual Lay Life Is a Calling By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-02-01T01:24:45+00:00 Nic Hartmann, a parishioner at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, reminds us that God sometimes wills that we lead a life seeking our salvation through the world. Full Article
god and spiritual Why Veneration is Obviously Not Worship By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-02-01T01:26:34+00:00 Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick posts a picture of the incorrupt hand of St. Katherine of Alexandria every year on Facebook. And every year, people freak out. But why? Full Article
god and spiritual Our Global Great Lent By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-03-15T01:47:58+00:00 In her March 14, 2020 blog post, Elissa Bjeletich reflects on this year's Great Lent in light of the COVID-19 virus. Did this virus make for a bad Lent or "a tangible opportunity to curtail our own will in service to others and to learn to rely on God rather than on the material comforts we take for granted"? Full Article
god and spiritual Just Sit On Your Couch? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-03-18T17:24:31+00:00 Fr. Andrew Damick says stay home but don't stay idle. Full Article
god and spiritual Spoons - One or Many? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-06-10T16:08:45+00:00 On line discussions about using the common spoon or multiple spoons for the Eucharist during the pandemic has prompted this commentary by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou. Dr. Constantinou has been teaching Biblical Studies and Early Christianity at the University of San Diego since 2002. Previously she taught New Testament at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology from 1998-1999. She has led bible studies, taught and lectured on the Bible and Orthodoxy at parishes, conferences, retreats and seminars for over thirty years. Her Search the Scriptures Live podcast is a popular feature on Ancient Faith Radio. Full Article
god and spiritual Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-28T21:14:42+00:00 Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 1 of Full Article
god and spiritual Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-28T21:21:32+00:00 Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 2 of 4. Full Article
god and spiritual Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-28T21:22:40+00:00 Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 3 of 4. Full Article
god and spiritual Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 4 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-28T21:22:56+00:00 Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 4 of a 4 part series Full Article
god and spiritual On Political Power and the Kingdom of God By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-07-29T17:26:53+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters reads an essay he wrote for Jacob's Well, the official magazine of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (OCA). "What is the border between Christ’s Kingdom and the kingdoms of the world? The Savior said clearly that His Kingdom “is not of this world,” but the world is where we have to live out our lives as His followers. Throughout the Divine Liturgy, we pray for the salvation of all, peace for the world, and the wellbeing of our civil authorities and armed forces. To do this with integrity, we must discern how to deal with political and social matters in ways that not only convey the transcendence of the Kingdom, but also show how God’s will can be done, albeit imperfectly and partially, here on earth. The border between these realms is real, but not impermeable." Read the essay at https://issuu.com/jacobswell/docs/jacob_s_well_spring_2021_final/s/12860328. Full Article
god and spiritual St Irenaeus on a Christ “of every age” By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:16:41+00:00 Beginning a new series of broadcasts reflecting on the writings of the Church Fathers, this opening segment explores St Irenaeus of Lyons' famous consideration of Christ "passing through every age" of human life. Full Article
god and spiritual St Jacob of Serug: The Theotokos and the Archangel By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:18:26+00:00 This week, we consider the testimony of St Jacob on the dialogue between the Mother of God and the Archangel Gabriel, as he draws a parallel and contrast to the dialogue between Eve and the serpent in Eden. Full Article
god and spiritual The Theological Poetry of St. Gregory the Theologian By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:27:05+00:00 Reflections on the poems of St Gregory of Nazianzus, including his poems for morning and evening, of sin and of redemption; with a comparison to the hopeful proclamation of the funeral songs of the Church. Full Article
god and spiritual A Forest Climb for St Athanasius and the Three Monks By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:28:22+00:00 Recorded during a forest walk, this week's broadcast considers a traditional saying regarding St. Athanasius' encounter with three monks on an island, and the relationship between doctrine and transfiguration. Full Article
god and spiritual If You Would, You Could Become All Flame By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:33:02+00:00 Three "Sayings from the Desert Fathers," two by Abba Elias and one by Abba Joseph, reveal the way of freedom in the spiritual life, and the truly transfiguring nature of authentic prayer. Full Article
god and spiritual The Feast of the Incarnation: The Fathers on the Nativity of Christ By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:37:13+00:00 In our broadcast for the Feast of the Nativity, we hear the words of the Fathers and the liturgical hymns of the Church on the mystery that brings the Son humanly into the world for the life and redemption of His creature. Full Article
god and spiritual St Isaac of Syria on the Approach to Spiritual Wisdom By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:37:57+00:00 How does one attain spiritual wisdom? This week offers reflections grounded in the sayings of St Isaac of Syria, on wisdom approached through humility, prayer in the scriptures, and love of neighbor. Full Article
god and spiritual St. Symeon the New Theologian on the “Impossible Beauty” of the Life in Christ By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:51:59+00:00 In this fourth week of the Great Fast, when the Church commemorates the universal adoration of the precious Cross, our broadcast looks at an important passage by St Symeon the New Theologian, on being joined to the suffering Christ and so attaining the "impossible beauty" of His glory. We ask with the saint: how shall we approach such glory? Full Article
god and spiritual St. John of Sinai on Sorrow that Produces Joy By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:56:01+00:00 In this week’s broadcast, Archimandrite Irenei examines several sections from St John’s Ladder to Paradise, read throughout Great Lent and particularly remembered in this Fifth Week, dealing especially with the paradoxes of spiritual life and the mystery of a "joy-creating sorrow." Full Article
god and spiritual St. Mary of Egypt and the Grace of the Holy Mysteries By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:58:18+00:00 During this week of Great Lent, wherein the Church reads the Life of St. Mary of Egypt, we explore a section of that text which reveals the relationship between "mystical theology" in ascetical life, to the grace of the Holy Mysteries in the Church. We are prompted to ask ourselves: Do I lose sight of the chalice in my desire to find Christ? Full Article
god and spiritual Abba Dorotheos on the Sunday of Palms By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:59:57+00:00 In this broadcast—recorded "on the road"—we examine a brief word by Abba Dorotheos of Gaza on the spiritual symbolism of Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Full Article
god and spiritual The Fathers on Holy Pascha By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:02:04+00:00 Celebrating the Holy Resurrection of Christ, our broadcast this Bright Monday looks at the writings of various Holy Fathers on the bright feast of Pascha and its meaning to Christian life. Full Article
god and spiritual Singing Hymns at the Open Tomb By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:04:11+00:00 In this broadcast, Fr Matthew looks at the "Evlogitaria" and Psalm 118, and considers the Church's moving reflection on the Myrrh-bearing women discovering the empty tomb. If you enjoy the music that is part of this episode, please consider supporting the choir by purchasing a copy of their newest CD, Chrysostom, by clicking here. Full Article
god and spiritual St. Clement of Rome on Living a God-Pleasing Life By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:05:57+00:00 Are there practical measures at hand to help the Christian turn from the passions and live a God-pleasing life? In this week’s broadcast, Archimandrite Irenei examines a brief passage by St Clement on practical steps toward living in holiness. Full Article
god and spiritual St. Anthony of Egypt on Sobriety of the Heart By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:07:14+00:00 Turning once again to the testimony of St Anthony the Great, this week’s broadcast examines an incident in the great Father’s life in which the true heights of sobriety of heart are witnessed. Might this feed us in our own moments of struggle in the spiritual life? Full Article
god and spiritual The “Wonderful and Confessedly Striking” Christian Manner of Life By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:08:38+00:00 Examining a passage from the anonymous second-century Epistle to Diognetus, Archimandrite Irenei explores the witness borne by the early Christian community and asks: does it reflect our Christian testimony today? Full Article
god and spiritual The Heritage of St. Paul in Orthodox Spirituality - Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:31:26+00:00 In this first half of a lecture recorded live in commemoration of the "Pauline Year," celebrating 2,000 years since the birth of the Apostle, Archimandrite Irenei explores the heritage of the great missionary saint in Orthodoxy. Drawing connections to Elder Joseph the Hesychast of Mount Athos, St Symeon the New Theologian, and other great figures of the Orthodox tradition, this first portion of the lecture addresses questions of conversion and relationship, and how St Paul’s example is at the heart of living Orthodox Tradition. Full Article
god and spiritual The Heritage of St. Paul in Orthodox Spirituality - Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:31:30+00:00 This week we broadcast the second half of our lecture on the heritage of St Paul in Orthodoxy, given recently in Manchester, UK, to a largely non-Orthodox audience. In this portion, Archimandrite Irenei focuses on St. Paul’s injunction to "pray without ceasing," and explores the manner in which this is lived out in the Prayer of the Heart and experiential life of Orthodox Christianity throughout history. Full Article
god and spiritual St. Cyprian on the Community of the Lord's Prayer By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:33:22+00:00 What is implied in the "our" of the "Our Father"? In this week's episode, Fr. Matthew examines two passages from St Cyprian's treatise on the Lord's Prayer, which focus on questions of unity and community in the Son of God. Do we live this communion in our own life of prayer? Full Article
god and spiritual St. Gregory of Nyssa on Emulating the Fortuitous Birth of Moses By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:45:39+00:00 In the first sections of the second book of his Life of Moses, St. Gregory of Nyssa instructs that Christians are to "emulate the fortuitous birth of Moses"—but how can this be done? Is not birth outside the realm of a person's control? In examining the manner in which St. Gregory exposes "birth" as the constant making of choices by the free human creature, we discover the rich manner in which the saint finds spiritual significance in the historical moments of Scripture. Full Article
god and spiritual St. Gregory of Nyssa on Emulating the Fortuitous Birth of Moses By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:46:27+00:00 In the first sections of the second book of his Life of Moses, St. Gregory of Nyssa instructs that Christians are to "emulate the fortuitous birth of Moses"—but how can this be done? Is not birth outside the realm of a person’s control? In examining the manner in which St. Gregory exposes "birth" as the constant making of choices by the free human creature, we discover the rich manner in which the saint finds spiritual significance in the historical moments of Scripture. Full Article
god and spiritual St. Nicholas Cabasilas on the Trisagion Hymn By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:48:03+00:00 In this episode, Fr. Dcn. Matthew explores the commentary on the "Holy God..." by the 14th-century Byzantine lay theologian, St Nicholas Cabasilas. What is the significance of this ancient hymn of glorification of the Trinity? This episode features portions of recordings of the hymn by St Anthony's Monastery, the Monastery of St John the Wonderworker, the Stretennia Men's Chorus, and St Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary. Full Article
god and spiritual St. Nicholas Cabasilas on the Trisagion Hymn By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:48:30+00:00 In this episode, Archimandrite Irenei explores the commentary on the "Holy God..." by the 14th-century Byzantine lay theologian, St Nicholas Cabasilas. What is the significance of this ancient hymn of glorification of the Trinity? This episode features portions of recordings of the hymn by St Anthony’s Monastery, the Monastery of St John the Wonderworker, the Stretennia Men’s Chorus, and St Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary. Full Article