god and spiritual

The Epistle to the Hebrews

Fr. Thomas explains the significance of St. Paul's letter to the Hebrews in our Lenten journey.




god and spiritual

Sunday of the Cross

On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross.




god and spiritual

4th Sunday of Lent - St. John of the Ladder

It is at this point in our Lenten journey that the Church contemplates the instruction of St. John Climacus and his Ladder of Divine Ascent. Fr. Tom takes us step by step through this treasure and makes it practical for us non-monastics!




god and spiritual

St. Tikhon - April 7

On April 7, we remember the repose of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Apostle to America. Fr. Tom has 3 stories to tell about this venerable Saint.




god and spiritual

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the Fifth Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is dependent on suffering with him.




god and spiritual

Great Lent - Week Five (part 2)

Fr. Thomas gives an overview of the services for the 5th week of Great Lent and their final emphasis on penitence and repentance.




god and spiritual

St. Mary of Egypt

Fr. Thomas contrasts the story of the fallen, then raised Mary of Alexandria with that of another Mary - the Theotokos.




god and spiritual

Great Lent - Week 6

In this last week of Great Lent, Father Thomas connects the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with Christ's raising from the dead of the actual Lazarus.




god and spiritual

Lazarus Saturday

Fr. Thomas explores the ultimate Messianic sign from the Gospel of St. John.




god and spiritual

The Entry of Jesus Into Jerusalem

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the "Celebration of the Kingship of Christ."




god and spiritual

Great and Holy Week - Part 1

The week before Pascha begins with the Bridegroom Matins. Christ is the Bridegroom and we are the Bride, joined in perfect unity through His crucifixion.




god and spiritual

Great and Holy Friday

Fr. Thomas examines the Mystery of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and how it led to the re-creation of the world.




god and spiritual

The Descent of Jesus into Hades

Fr. Thomas uses the Paschal icon as an opportunity to clear up some misconceptions about Sheol/Hades and Gehenna/Hell.




god and spiritual

The Myrrh-bearing Women

Fr. Thomas examines who the myrrh-bearing women were and clears up some misconceptions about Mary Magdalene in the process.




god and spiritual

The Healing of the Paralytic

Fr. Thomas enumerates the seven great messianic signs of Jesus in St. John's Gospel, focusing on the healing of the paralytic at Bethesda.




god and spiritual

The Book of Acts

Comparing the two sources for readings during the Paschal season-- the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of John.




god and spiritual

Commencement

Fr. Thomas outlines a hypothetical commencement address he would give to graduates of all faiths and beliefs, then blesses us with his actual address last year to the graduates of St. Vladimir's.




god and spiritual

Granting Sight to the Blind Man

What does this miracle of Christ tell us about the blind man, about God, about Jesus and ultimately, about us?




god and spiritual

The Sunday of the Holy Fathers

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the seventh Sunday of Pascha - the Sunday between Ascension and Pentecost.




god and spiritual

Pentecost

Fr. Thomas looks at the roots of Pentecost-- the coming of the Spirit-- in Old Testament worship.




god and spiritual

The Holy Spirit

The day after Pentecost is the Feast of the Holy Spirit in the Orthodox Church and Fr. Thomas uses it to examine more closely the "Spirit who proceeds from the Father."




god and spiritual

The Sunday of All the Saints

Fr. Thomas shows how we are all called to be Saints and examines the many different kinds of Saints.




god and spiritual

Fasting

With the Apostles' Fast at hand, Fr. Thomas reflects on the practice and rules for fasting.




god and spiritual

The Holy Trinity

Fr. Thomas examines the Holy Trinity, which leads to the answer to Christ's question, "Who do you say I am?"




god and spiritual

The Iconographic Tradition of the Holy Trinity

Fr. Thomas explains the two ways the Holy Trinity are depicted in icons.




god and spiritual

How We Speak of God - Part 1

Fr. Thomas begins a four-part series on naming God and the language and words we use in the process.




god and spiritual

How We Speak of God - Part 2

Fr. Tom continues his discussion, this time focusing on the Divine Attributes of God.




god and spiritual

How We Speak of God - Part 3

This time, Fr. Thomas speaks of the Activities and Actions of God.




god and spiritual

How We Speak of God - Part 4

In the final part of his series, Fr. Tom reflects on the metaphors and similes for God.




god and spiritual

Person, Nature, And Action

As an epilogue to his series on the language of God, Fr. Tom explains these technical, theological terms used by the Church.




god and spiritual

Intercessory Prayer

Fr. Thomas examines how we ask the Mother of God and saints to pray on our behalf, and the misunderstood prayer for them to "save" us.




god and spiritual

The Singing of Psalms

Fr. Tom takes a close look at the psalmody of the Church and its use in Orthodox worship.




god and spiritual

Icons and Their Placement

Father Thomas reveals how icons are painted and the proper procedure for placing them in the church building.




god and spiritual

Teaching Doctrine in the World We Live in Today - Part One

Ancient Faith Radio is proud to present a three-part lecture on teaching doctrine by Fr. Thomas given in June 2008 at the Met. Andrey Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa.




god and spiritual

Teaching Doctrine in the World We Live in Today - Part Two

We continue with part two of Fr. Thomas' three-part lecture on teaching doctrine given in June 2008 at the Met. Andrey Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa.




god and spiritual

Teaching Doctrine in the World We Live in Today - Part Three

Fr. Thomas concludes his three-part lecture on teaching doctrine given in June 2008 at the Met. Andrey Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa.




god and spiritual

The End of the Church Year

Fr. Tom couldn't let the Church Year end without looking back on the inspiring feasts during its last month, August.




god and spiritual

Not Made by Human Hands

Fr. Thomas relates the story of the icon not made by hand which is celebrated each August after the Dormition of the Theotokos. Could it actually be the shroud of Turin?




god and spiritual

Let Us Not Live By Lies - The Life of Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Fr. Thomas examines the life of the prominent Russian Orthodox dissident, writer and Nobel Peace Prize winner, who passed away just last month (Click here to order the "Solzhenitsyn Reader" recommended by Fr. Tom).




god and spiritual

Calluses and Blisters on Our Souls

Fr. Tom reflects on our spiritual labors while sitting in his office on Labor Day.




god and spiritual

Pain and Suffering

Fr. Tom reflects on why there is sickness, suffering, and death in our world.




god and spiritual

Mercy and Forgiveness

Fr. Thomas recreates the homily from earlier in the month on Christ's parable of forgiveness by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/**/ of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church in Ottawa. (If you e-mail Fr. Maxym, please note the Canadian spelling of "saviour" and the ".ca" domain extension.)




god and spiritual

The Meaning of Life

With the meaning of life no longer explored on our college campuses, Fr. Thomas reflects on a piece he wrote on that subject 18 years ago. (Click here to purchase Education's End, which Fr. Tom recommends in the podcast and Click here to purchase a used copy of the Life book which includes Fr. Tom's essay.)




god and spiritual

Church and State - Part 1

What does it mean to be a Christian and to live in this world? To answer that question, Fr. Tom examines the ancient New Testament Church.




god and spiritual

Church and State - Part 2

Fr. Tom looks at the Roman-Byzantine empire of the fourth century.




god and spiritual

Church and State - Part 3

Fr. Tom examines the fifth through fifteenth centuries.




god and spiritual

Church and State - Part 4

Fr. Thomas examines the four centuries of Muslim rule over Eastern Orthodox Christians.




god and spiritual

Church and State - Part 5

Fr. Tom discusses how the Orthodox Church fared in Russia before the revolution.




god and spiritual

Church and State - Part 6

Fr. Tom looks at the Church in the 20th century, especially in Communist countries.




god and spiritual

Church and State - Part 7

Fr. Hopko outlines how the Church fared in the 20th century in lands that were not traditionally Orthodox.