He was born sometime in the mid-fourth century on an island in the Aegean. For a time he lived successfully in the world, receiving a good education in Constantinople, then serving for a time for the Prefect of the Praetorium. But, becoming aware of the vanity of worldly things, he answered Christ's call, gave away all his goods to the poor and entered a monastery in Syria. After four years in obedience, he came to feel that the security of monastic life was inconsistent with the Gospel command to take no thought for the morrow; so he withdrew to the desert, taking with him only his garment and the Book of the Gospel. There he lived alone for seven years.   At the end of this period he set out on an apostolic mission to Mesopotamia, where he brought many to Christ: the city prefect Rabbula was converted after Alexander brought down fire from heaven, and a band of brigands who accosted the Saint on the road were transformed into a monastic community. He finally fled the city when the Christians there rose up demanding that he be made bishop. He once again took up a solitary life in the desert beyond the Euphrates, spending the day in prayer and part of the night sheltered in a barrel. There he remained for forty years. His holiness gradually attracted more than four hundred disciples, whom Alexander organized into a monastic community. Each disciple owned only one tunic, and was required to give away anything that they did not need for that day. Despite this threadbare life, the monastery was able to set up and run a hospice for the poor!   Alexander was perplexed as to how the admonition Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17) could be fulfilled by frail human flesh, but after three years of fasting and prayer, God showed him a method. He organized his monks into four groups according to whether their native language was Greek, Latin, Syriac or Coptic, and the groups prayed in shifts throughout the day and night. Twenty-four divine services were appointed each day, and the monks would chant from the Psalter between services. The community henceforth came to be known as the Akoimetoi, the Unsleeping Ones. (Similar communities later sprang up in the West, practicing what was there called Laus Perennis; St Columban founded many of these.)   Always desiring to spread the holy Gospel, Saint Alexander sent companies of missionaries to the pagans of southern Egypt. He and a company of 150 disciples set out as a kind of traveling monastery, living entirely on the charity of the villages they visited. Eventually they settled in some abandoned baths in Antioch, setting up a there a monastery dedicated to the unceasing praise of God; but a jealous bishop drove them from the city. Making his way to Constantinople, he settled there with four monks. In a few days, more than four hundred monks had left their monasteries to join his community. The Saint organized them into three companies — Greeks, Latins and Syrians — and restored the program of unsleeping prayer that his community had practiced in Mesopotamia. Not surprisingly, his success aroused the envy and anger of the abbots whose monasteries had been nearly emptied; they managed to have him condemned as a Messalian at a council held in 426. (The Messalians were an over-spiritualizing sect who believed that the Christian life consisted exclusively of prayer.) Alexander was sent back to Syria, and most of his monks were imprisoned; but as soon as they were released, most fled the city to join him again. The Saint spent his last years traveling from place to place, founding monasteries, often persecuted, until he reposed in 430, 'to join the Angelic choirs which he had so well imitated on earth.' (Synaxarion)   The practice of unceasing praise, established by St Alexander, spread throughout the Empire. The Monastery of the Akoimetoi, founded by a St Marcellus, a successor of Alexander, was established in Constantinople and became a beacon to the Christian world. 'Even though it has not been retained in today's practice, the unceasing praise established by Saint Alexander was influential in the formation of the daily cycle of liturgical offices in the East and even more so in the West.' (Synaxarion)

She lived in virginity in Rome during the reign of Valerian (253-260) — as the Prologue says, 'expelling the stench of the passions from her heart with the sweet-smelling perfume of purity and chastity.' She voluntarily presented herself to the pagans and announced herself to be a Christian, for which she was tortured to death. Her friends Vassa, Paula and Agathonica took her relics to Sicily for burial. A church was built there in her name, and many miracles were worked there.

"Born in Asia and educated in Constantinople, he went into the army after completing his studies and became an officer. Reading the Holy Scriptures, he came upon the Saviour's words: 'If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me' (Matt. 19:21). These words made such an impression on him that he sold and gave away all that he had, and went off to the desert. After long asceticism and striving for purification, he founded the community of the 'Wakeful Ones' (Acoemetae) with a special rule. According to this rule, the services in the church continued day and night in unbroken sequence. The brethren were divided into six groups, each having its appointed hours of day or night to go to church and take over the reading and singing from the previous group. He travelled a great deal over the East, bringing people to faith in Christ, disputing with heretics, working miracles by God's grace and growing old in the service of the Lord Jesus. He finished his earthly course in Constantinople in the year 430, where his relics revealed the miraculous power and glory with which God had glorified His holy servant." (Prologue)

Rita Madden shares some wisdom from Abba Pambo to aid us in keeping the correct spirit for the Great Fast.

Fr. Adrian interviews Chaplain Tania Bouteneff on the topic of the healing presence of Christ.

On this Palm Sunday, Fr. Andrew shows how what sociologists have observed about how both kids and adults stay in church long-term is built into the Orthodox tradition.

Lines were open for this episode allowing listeners to ask the questions on their minds. The Louh's fielded questions about pornography addiction, gossip, healthy meditation, and more.

Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roanne Louh tackle one of the most pervasive maladies facing our society - Anxiety. There were so many questions in the chatroom they couldn't get to them all so they will do a part 2 on February 13, 2018.

Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh have found that relationship issues are common to all of us and tonight they tackle the problem again. Great interaction on the phone with callers and in the chat room. You don't want to miss this episode.

The chat room was full and the calls were many on this episode as Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh tackle another one of the most wide spread struggles in our society today - depression.

So what are you afraid of? Listen to this practical show with Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh helping us to cope with our fears.

Another practical hour with Fr. Nick and Presbytera (Dr.) Roxanne Louh addressing the issue of addiction.

Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh offer help in coping with grief by suggesting these 10 steps: 1. Allow your feelings – through acknowledgement and acceptance without judgement. 2. Challenging Negative Thinking that leads to Guilt and the “what if’s” 3. Manage your expectations of others, rather than letting your expectations of others manage you. 4. Have a support team and use them. 5. Stay active, set small daily goals. 6. Be intentional with caring for your basic needs. 7. Be thinking about your future even if you can’t formulate what it looks like now. Though a part of you died, a part of you still lives. 8. Avoid Absolutes 9. Allow Time to Be Inspired 10. Remain in faith

News got you down? How do we cope in an increasingly dark world? Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh have 6 specific suggestions for you.

Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh tackle the topic of depression, a potentially life-threatening mood disorder that affects 1 in 6 persons in the United States, or approximately 17.6 million Americans each year.

Join Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh for a special episode of the Healthy Minds Healthy Souls radio show titled "Choosing Joy Over Happiness." The Louhs share some practical ways to create lasting inner joy in your lives.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on how helping others helps us fight our own battles.

What does it mean to have a discipline of prayer? Fr. Joseph helps us understand and introduces a new and helpful resource. If you are interested after listening, contact him at: St. George Orthodox Church 5311 Mercer Houston, TX 77005 Or, write him at the email adress above.

What does it mean to have a discipline of prayer? In this encore presentation, Fr. Joseph helps us understand and introduces a helpful resource: Visit the St Philip's Prayer Discipline website at: www.stphilipsprayerdiscipline.org.

The recent announcement by Pope Benedict of the formation of "a special provision for Anglicans, including married clergy" to come home to Rome got Fr Joseph wondering about his own journey and what he, and they, believe. He agrees with the pope!

Fr. Joseph reads a creative letter from the Orthodixie Mailbag. It's not what it seems. Or, is it?

Honey, Mead, Old Age and John the Baptist. You'll just have to listen to get the connection.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony reads the fifth chapter of St. John Chrysostom's On the Priesthood. The translation is by Rev. W. R. W. Stephens, M.A., (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church Volume IX, edited by Philip Schaffer, D.D., LL.D.), lightly edited to take out some of the archaicisms (and maybe add a modern word or two). Enjoy the show!

Rather than picture a perfect, established, normal Sunday school and try to fit yourself into that plan, maybe it's better to start by looking at what you do have and find a flexible, innovative way to make it work.

The girls take on the long-awaited sequel to the classic film, Mary Poppins Returns. They discuss how true life stands in contrast to despair, how our perspectives shape our realities, and the role of wonder in the spiritual life. They close with their Top 5 Imaginary Places.

This week we consider the reading from Acts 16 for the sixth Sunday of Easter, reading it in the light of Psalm 1. These readings discloses different mindsets, some to caution us, some to be our models, as we follow Christ on the Way.

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter One, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018) Available on Amazon

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Two, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Three, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018) Available on Amazon

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Four, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Five, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Six, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Seven, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Eight, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Nine and Conclusion, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon

Fr. Ted warns us that If we cannot distinguish between happiness and true spiritual joy, then there's a problem in our lives.

A homily by guest speaker Fr. Tim Prattas from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in East Vancouver.

Tradition is the foundation of Orthodox Christianity. It permeates everything we believe and do. But when Orthodox Christians talk about Tradition, they mean something different that Protestants or Roman Catholics. In this episode, we consider five questions about Tradition, including what it is and what it’s not

We’ve seen the important role Tradition plays in the shaping of our phronema. But what role does the Bible play in its development? To answer that question, we consider Holy Scriptures from three perspectives: Inspiration, Interpretation, and Instruction. We also look at how Tradition and Scripture relate to each other.

An Orthodox Phronema sits on a three-legged stool: Tradition, Scripture, and the Fathers. In this episode, we consider the role of the Fathers. Specifically, we answer several questions about them: Who are they, why are they important, and how do they relate to Scripture and Tradition.

Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

Guy Dupont made a "Keep Honking! I'm Listening to…" bumper sticker-sized LCD display that updates in real-time #

Fr. Apostolos Hill delivers a homily based on St. Paul's exhortation to Timothy about hoping in God.

We can all relate to the father who cries out to Jesus, "help my unbelief!" But Fr Tom teaches us that focusing on the unchanging promises of God will keep us faithful.

Jesus is given various titles in the New Testament: Teacher, Master, Lord and others. Fr Tom reminds us that, as Orthodox Christians, we must strive to approach God for not only who He really is, but who we really are too. (Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost)

Fr Thomas uses the stories of two different healings by Jesus (Mt 9:27-35) to demonstrate the importance of developing an interior life. After the sermon (at 20:00) Fr Thomas talks with three nuns from the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA, about cultivating the interior life and the challenges and blessings of monasticism.

At the approach of the new year, the Church presents the example of Joseph and Mary taking the young child, Jesus, to Egypt, to protect Him and keep the promise they made to God. Fr Thomas encourages us also, to imitate their tenacious faith in keeping the promises of our baptism, no matter what challenge we face.

Lest we forget the cosmic realities of our Orthodox worship, Fr. Tom unpacks the reading of the Samaritan Woman in order to remind us that worship in spirit and in truth is not bound to space or time, and includes - not least of all - personal sacrifice.

Subdeacon Emmanuel is the homilist for the Great and Holy Thursday service.