god and spiritual

Who Was That Woman?

Fr. Lawrence Farley investigates the identity of the woman who anointed Christ's feet before his trial and crucifixion.




god and spiritual

Paschal Trumpet

Fr. Lawrence Farley explains that Christ is the jubilee of the whole world and his Resurrection is the trumpet which announces it.




god and spiritual

Embodied Persons: Male and Female

Fr. Philip LeMasters contends that the biological complementarity of males and females provides an important clue to the personal identity of human beings.




god and spiritual

Why Sola Scriptura Doesn't Work

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.




god and spiritual

Orthodox Witness in a Post-Christian Culture

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.




god and spiritual

St. John the Wonderworker

Wesley J. Smith, the host of Human Exceptionalism, details the life and miracles of St. John Maximovitch, his patron saint.




god and spiritual

Orthodoxy and Politics

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.




god and spiritual

Election 2016

Fr. Steven Ritter, the host of the AFR podcast, The Life of the Church Today, offers his perspective on the upcoming United States election.




god and spiritual

The Anaphora of St. Basil

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.




god and spiritual

Contemporary Challenges in Marriage, Family, and Sexuality.

Fr. Philip reflects on the Eucharistic context of the pastoral response to contemporary challenges in marriage, family, and sexuality.




god and spiritual

Often Disappointed but Seldom Surprised

Fr. Philip LeMasters discusses the sexualized culture of Hollywood.




god and spiritual

Staying Christian in a Culture of Growing Hate

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!




god and spiritual

Rolling Back the Darkness

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.




god and spiritual

Coptic Christian Massacre

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.




god and spiritual

Should It Matter to Christians When Churches Burn?

The world watched in disbelief as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. But why should it matter? Fr. Andrew Damick has an answer.




god and spiritual

Altar Girls

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.




god and spiritual

On the Ukrainian Church Controversy

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?




god and spiritual

Lay Life Is a Calling

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.




god and spiritual

Why Veneration is Obviously Not Worship

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?




god and spiritual

Our Global Great Lent

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"?




god and spiritual

Just Sit On Your Couch?

Fr. Andrew Damick says stay home but don't stay idle.




god and spiritual

Spoons - One or Many?

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.




god and spiritual

Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 1

Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 1 of




god and spiritual

Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 2

Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 2 of 4.




god and spiritual

Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 3

Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 3 of 4.




god and spiritual

Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 4

Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 4 of a 4 part series




god and spiritual

On Political Power and the Kingdom of God

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.




god and spiritual

St Irenaeus on a Christ “of every age”

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.




god and spiritual

St Jacob of Serug: The Theotokos and the Archangel

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.




god and spiritual

The Theological Poetry of St. Gregory the Theologian

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.




god and spiritual

A Forest Climb for St Athanasius and the Three Monks

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.




god and spiritual

If You Would, You Could Become All Flame

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.




god and spiritual

The Feast of the Incarnation: The Fathers on the Nativity of Christ

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.




god and spiritual

St Isaac of Syria on the Approach to Spiritual Wisdom

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.




god and spiritual

St. Symeon the New Theologian on the “Impossible Beauty” of the Life in Christ

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?




god and spiritual

St. John of Sinai on Sorrow that Produces Joy

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."




god and spiritual

St. Mary of Egypt and the Grace of the Holy Mysteries

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?




god and spiritual

Abba Dorotheos on the Sunday of Palms

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.




god and spiritual

The Fathers on Holy Pascha

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.




god and spiritual

Singing Hymns at the Open Tomb

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.




god and spiritual

St. Clement of Rome on Living a God-Pleasing Life

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.




god and spiritual

St. Anthony of Egypt on Sobriety of the Heart

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?




god and spiritual

The “Wonderful and Confessedly Striking” Christian Manner of Life

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?




god and spiritual

The Heritage of St. Paul in Orthodox Spirituality - Part 1

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.




god and spiritual

The Heritage of St. Paul in Orthodox Spirituality - Part 2

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.




god and spiritual

St. Cyprian on the Community of the Lord's Prayer

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?




god and spiritual

St. Gregory of Nyssa on Emulating the Fortuitous Birth of Moses

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.




god and spiritual

St. Gregory of Nyssa on Emulating the Fortuitous Birth of Moses

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.




god and spiritual

St. Nicholas Cabasilas on the Trisagion Hymn

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.




god and spiritual

St. Nicholas Cabasilas on the Trisagion Hymn

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.