From Oral Roberts to Black Oak Arkansas, strange things happen. Whoa! There goes Uncle Ernie runnin' 'round the church! Then, there's bread and wine. Oh, you'll just have to listen (no interpretation necessary).

With the recent falling asleep of Archbishop DMITRI of the Orthodox Church in America, Fr Joseph was reminded of the many occasions in his presence—especially the one concerning his feet and His Eminence, which is included in this repeat episode. (Fr Joseph writes: "Forgive me; it’s silly really—obviously an attempt at humor by a fool. But even a fool can recognize the truth of . . . clay feet.")

With the election of a new Metropolitan for the Antiochians and fresh-from-seminary newly ordained men throughout the Church, one thing’s for sure: Their feet are the same as, well, yours! Here’s a three-peat on clay feet.

Fr. Joseph interviews the Development Director, Presbytera Shyla Hadzellis and her husband, Fr. Nicholas, about OCF and their presence at the recent GOA Clergy-Laity Congress held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Whether in tuxedo or collar, whether playing the role of smart aleck or slow learner, one thing is certain: Stuff happens. Be prepared. Say your prayers . . . and wear clean underwear.

From handling serpents rightly to singing services wrongly—not to mention girl crushes, bike crashes, and the lack of clairvoyance—the clergy of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America have tales to tell.

Join Fr. Anthony in Hartwell, GA as he talks with Pastoral Psychologist and George Stavros (Boston University) about the risks that make clergy an “endangered species” and how that risk can be mitigated by fellowship, support, and the life in Christ. Professor Stavros' article on the subject is available here: https://publicorthodoxy.org/2020/11/19/clergy-at-risk/ .

Fr. Anthony talks again with Fr. Harry Linsinbigler, the Canonist for the UOC-USA about what the Canons say (and don't say!) about clergy attire, hair, and beards. They make the case that, unless their bishops say otherwise, priests can adjust to what they discern is best going to meet the needs of the Gospel where they are. A bonus: you can hear just how bad Fr. Anthony is at liturgical math! Enjoy the show!

Today Fr. Anthony waves the "Good Idea Wand" (a cursed artifact to be sure) to come up with solutions to the problem of maladjusted clergy. He then invites Fr. Gregory to evaluate them. The ideas they discuss are; psychological evaluations, mandatory reporting of credit scores and financial debt, annual performance evaluations, and peer reviews. In the end, they both agree that even though solutions like these may offer short-term benefits, the best solution is to facilitate the growth of genuinely Orthodox cultures and institutions. Enjoy the show!

Elissa encourages us to teach our children to view their souls as habitations for our Lord.

Elissa recounts her week at Camp St. Sava, the official Orthodox summer camp of the Serbian Orthodox Church's Western American Diocese.

Last night I attended a prayer service in the street in front of the Coptic Orthodox Church that was burned down early Monday morning. Although some evidence points toward arson, arson has not been proven and no motive has yet been identified. However, there has been a recent spike in violence against churches (vandalism, arson and threats), some sources report over 200 significant incidents in Canada since June. Many of us may be wondering what we should do. Well, I think we should do what our Coptic Orthodox brothers and sisters are doing. We should pray and love.

While normally associated with the Holy Spirit, the name Paraclete also refers to Jesus as our Advocate, Comforter, and Counselor.

"I'm Santa Claus, Teddy, not Yoda." Steve and Christian watched the delightful holiday movies, "The Christmas Chronicles" and "The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two" The guys discuss Santa Claus, pastoral care, the struggle to determine our identity, and a sacramental view of the world. ​ Philanthropy Spotlight: We're also shining a light on the FOCUS North America, a national movement of Orthodox Christians, united in faith and joined by a desire to provide action-oriented and sustainable solutions to poverty in communities across America. FOCUS has operations and youth volunteer experiences in more than 20 cities in the United States. Learn more on the parish website: https://focusnorthamerica.org/ ​

Fr. Philip LeMasters shares from Luke 4:16-22, reminding us that earthly distinctions between different groups of people have no significance in the Kingdom of God.

Now is the time to prepare for a spiritually beneficial Lent that will help us grow in the humility necessary to see ourselves and our neighbors clearly as we reorient our lives toward the great joy of Pascha.

Think for a moment about how we mark the passage of time in our lives. We all know how old we are. Students know what grade they are in. Workers know how long they have been employed. Married people count their anniversaries. Some of us remember America’s bicentennial. Perhaps we pay attention to such markers to try to make sense of the meaning of our lives as those caught up in the inevitable cycle of birth and death, of one generation passing away as another arises. As we read in Ecclesiastes, “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccles. 1:9)

Fr. John draws attention to a feature of Byzantine statecraft in which the Emperor persecuted and manipulated the leadership of the Church.

Fr. John reflects on a few experiences at Costco, and then about Clemson and Christianity.

We examine St. Paul’s poignant picture of the apostles (1 Cor 4:9-16) as the “refuse of the world,” noticing that even the OT is ambivalent towards outward success, considering the problem of calling something “father,” and focusing upon the utter humility of Jesus, who St. Paul sought to follow.

At the head of the new year, we heed Deuteronomy 32:1–18 (Second Song of Moses, Part 1), in the light of other Biblical passages, and remember the days of old. Especially we contemplate the pictures of God offered here—Rock, Father, Ruler, like a mother giving birth—and learn from Moses to “ascribe greatness to the LORD our God.”

We read the second half of the second canticle of Moses, Deut 32:19-43, in the light of Jeremiah 1:10, Hosea 6:1-3, and the fathers. Its vigorous poetry must be read with care, but shows us strong truths concerning our holy God, and His desire for our purity and salvation.

We read Hannah’s sober and joyful canticle (canticle 3), taken from 1 Samuel/1 Kingdoms 2:1–10, and consider what it means for God to “bring low” and to “exalt” us. In this we are helped by St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil and Great, and other sections of the Old Testament.

The prophet Habakkuk, who waits with us during the Paschal vigil, gives us much to consider in the fourth Old Testament canticle, taken from Habakkuk 3. Modelling humility, giving us grounds for hope by remembering God’s mighty acts in Exodus and Joshua, and lifting our eyes to the places on high, he continues to speak with force and poignancy even to those of us who know the fuller story of the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension.

This week we consider the deep canticle of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 26:9-20), interpreting its more difficult phrases in the light of some of the Church fathers, and with reference to the story of the flood in Genesis 6-9, Psalm 119, Romans 8:22-39, and 2 Peter 1:19.

The song of Jonah (Jonah 2:2-9), Old Testament Canticle 6, is notable for its poignancy and substance. We read it with reference to Jesus’ words in Matthew12:39-41 and with help from these Old Testament passages: Job 41, Psalm 104/LXX 103:26, Psalm 139/LXX 138: 8-12, and Psalm 148:7.

This week we consider Canticle 7 (Dan 3:25-56), which details Azariah’s confession, and the beginning of his song with the three friends. Here we see the themes of human praises based on understanding, the importance of God’s glory, and God’s merciful justice as he keeps covenant with us, looking also to 2 King 19:15-20:6 and Genesis 22:15-18.

This week we revel in the colors, sounds, and wonder of Old Testament Canticle 8 (Dan 3:57-88 LXX). In this exuberant song of praise, we bring the whole cosmos before God, and enter into the praise that flows in different ways from everything that He has created.

This week we read the first part of Canticle 9 (Luke 1:46-55); interpreting it in the light of Hannah’s song, David’s joy in the Ark of the Lord (2 Sam/2 Kingdoms 6:9-15) 2 Cor 10:15, and Gen 22:17-18. Her humility and joy are models for us as we learn to “magnify” the Savior.

We read the righteous Zachariah’s canticle of praise and hope from Luke 1:68-79, looking to the Old Testament to shed light on it: Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 22:16-17; Psalm 18/17:3; 2 Sam/2 Kingdoms 7:1-17; 2 Sam/2 Kingdoms 22:3; Isaiah 9:2 and Malachi 3:1; 4:2-5.

In this final episode of “Light from the Canticles,” we contemplate the Song of Simeon, also known as the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32), with help from select fathers, Genesis 26:26-30, 2 Samuel (Kingdoms) 20:41-42, Isaiah 54:10, and Nehemiah 8:3. The elder Simeon’s song of blessing and gratitude becomes ours as we remember the fulfillment of God’s promises, and rejoice in the Incarnate One, who has brought us release from sin and death. Next episode we will start a series on the Psalms sung at Vespers, in the Divine Liturgy, and in our daily readings: “Light from the Psalms.”

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan, illustrated by Judith Brown (Bethlehem books, 1997)

The Miracle of the Red Egg by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson, illustrated by Daria Fisher (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2013).

The Miracle of the Red Egg by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson, illustrated by Daria Fisher, Ancient Faith Publishing (2012)

1. In her inaugural broadcast, Chrissi reads her own composition for younger children - Under the Grapevine: A Miracle by St. Kendeas of Cyprus (Conciliar Press 2006) and for the older children part 1 of The Boy, a Kitchen, and His Cave by Catherine K. Contopoulos (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press 2002).

3. Chrissi reads The Life of St. Patrick: Enlightener of the Irish by Zachary Lynch, Conciliar Press, 2006 and Basil's Search for Miracles by Heather Zydek, part 1, Conciliar Press, 2007.

4. Chrissi reads The Blackbird's Nest: Saint Kevin of Ireland by Jenny Schroedel (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2004) and Basil's Search for Miracles by Heather Zydek (part 2) (Conciliar Press, 2007)

5. On today's program, Chrissi reads The Abbot and I: As Told by Josie the Cat by Sarah Elizabeth Cowie (Conciliar Press, 2001) and Basil's Search for Miracles part 3 (chapters 6-8) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

6. On today's program, Chrissi reads The Ascension of Our Lord from the series The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2004) and Basil's Search for Miracles part 4 (chapters 9-10) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

8. On today's program, Chrissi reads Christina Goes to Church: A Preschooler's Introduction to Spiritual Growth by Maria C. Khoury (CDK Publications, 1992), and Basil's Search for Miracles, part 6 (chapter 13) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

9. How the Monastery Came to Be on the Top of the Mountain by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 1999). Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 7 (chapters 14-16 ) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

10. The Jesus Prayer and Me by Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis (2006 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Deptartment of Religious Education) and Basil's Search for Miracles part 8 (chapters 17-18) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

11. God's Bubbly, Gurgly, Overwhelming, Overflowing Love by Barbara Pappas (Amnos Publications, 1999), Basil's Search for Miracles part 9 (chapters 19-20) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

12. North Star: St. Herman of Alaska by Dorrie Papademetriou (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2001) and Basil's Search for Miracles part 10 (chapter 21) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

13. Book 1: Mwangi: A Young African Boy's Journey of Faith by Renee Ritsi (Conciliar Press, 2004) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 11 (chapters 22-23) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

14. Book 1: Alyosha's Apple: A Tale of Old Russia by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 1997) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 12 (chapters 23-24) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007

15. Book 1: The Book of Jonah illustrated for children by Niko Chocheli (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000). Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 13 (chapters 25-27) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

16. Book 1: The Transfiguration of Our Lord from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2004) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 14 (chapters 28-29) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

17. Book 1: Christina Learns the Sacraments by Maria Khoury (CDK Publications) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 15 and final installment (chapters 30-31) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

79. Book 1: "Meeting John" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (7.33 mins) Book 2: A Miracle in the Desert (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001) (4.23 mins )