When the struggle is hard and we cannot imagine being set free, we must remember the difference between a person disintegrated by the power of evil and one gloriously restored as a living icon of God.

Even as the circumstances surrounding Christ's Nativity were not peaceful by conventional standards, welcoming the Prince of Peace into our lives requires embracing the inevitable tension of mindfully entrusting ourselves to Him as we come to share more fully in His fulfillment of human person in the image and likeness of God.

As we welcome Christ into our lives and world at His Nativity, we must remain focused. There is no shortage of distractions this time of year that appeal to our passions and threaten to convince us that there are matters more important than accepting His gracious invitation to enter fully into the joy of the banquet of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Savior calls us to embrace our true vocation not only during divine services or in the eschatological future, but in every moment of our lives.

In part two of his introduction to his new podcast, Fr. John offers a preview to the history of Christendom and describe the Orthodox perspective he plans to bring to it.

In this reflection on an emerging post-Christian Christendom, Fr. John Strickland discusses two ways in which eighteenth-century philosophes—from Voltaire to Thomas Jefferson—worked to subvert the paradisiacal culture of the old Christendom. He explores their use of photic imagery such as "enlightenment" and their introduction of the tripartite utopian model of history consisting of ancient, medieval, and modern periods. He concludes with a brief description of Edward Gibbon's famous and influential work The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Fr. John begins to discuss his pilgrimage to Jerusalem and how it is important to visit the locations talked about in the New Testament.

Fr. John continues to share from Jerusalem, and he talks about the Church of St. James.

Fr. John talks about the history of the church in Jerusalem, and the holiness of the tomb of Christ.

Fr. John comments about the amount of faith in Jerusalem and urges us to pray fervently.

Fr John reflects on Liturgy at the Tomb of the Lord in Jerusalem

Fr John discusses a visit to the remarkable church built on the site of the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch--a church recently discovered and under excavation in near Bethlehem. The church contains one of the largest baptismal fonts found in Israel.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. Learn more about the conference at http://pemptousia.com/2018/01/2nd-international-conference-on-digital-media-and-orthodox-pastoral-care-the-living-water-2/.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He tells about St. Nikephorus the Leper. Learn more about St. Nikephorus at https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nicephorus_the_Leper. Learn more about the conference at http://pemptousia.com/2018/01/2nd-international-conference-on-digital-media-and-orthodox-pastoral-care-the-living-water-2/.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He tells about Olga, a woman he met at the conference who is editor of the Russian magazine, Foma. Learn more about Foma. Learn more about the conference.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He introduces Orthphoto.net. Learn more about the conference.

We read the stories of the Holy Martyr George (celebrated this Sunday April 23, along with St. Thomas Sunday) in the light of Job, Isaiah and Revelation 12, seeing him as a mirror to our victorious Lord, who cleansed the chaotic waters of all that lurked there, and trampled down death by death.

This week we hear the apostle Paul’s vulnerable plea to his congregation, and are reminded to pray and encourage our pastors (bishops, priests, deacons) as they work together with Christ, taking on his suffering for our sake, that we might be effective ministers in the world. (2 Cor 6:1-11; Psalm 68/69; Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

This week we consider Psalm 19 LXX (20 Hebrew Text), the “royal beginning” to Matins, in which we are taught confidence in King Jesus, who ruled even from the cross. We are helped in our reading by several ancient commentaries, Philippians 2:5-11, Romans 7-8, and Hebrews 7, all of which show gratitude for the LORD’s actions in raising us up and glorifying us with Him.

To help us celebrate five years of "Readings from Under the Grapevine," we asked our child listeners to send us a story about their favorite saint. The three winning stories are "Mary" by Julia Jackson, age 3; "The Lady of Light" by Anna Rahal, age 9; and "Saint Brigid" by Maria Jackson, age 10. Each child wins a copy of their favorite Orthodox Christian book.

Sweet Song: A Story of Saint Romanos the Melodist by Jane G Meyer, illustrated by Dorrie Papdemetriou (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2013)

"The Calming of the Storm," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

The Suitcase: A Story About Giving by Jane G. Meyer, illustrated by Chiara Pasqualotto (Paraclete Press, 2017) Available at Paraclete Press.

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "Ruth’s Story and The Young Prophet Samuel," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

The Gift: A Story of Saint Onuphrius the Great, by Stefania Carmen Bray, illustrated by Masha Lobastov (Panagia Press, 2015).

40. Book 1: The Story of Mary the Mother of God by Dorrie Papademetriou (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000) Book 2: Vassilopita: St. Basil and the Story of the New Year's Cake, by Anna Marini (Akritas Publications, 2000)

56. Book 1: Moses' Flight From Egypt from the Old Testament Stories for Children series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2008) (duration 4:00 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapters 1-2 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 4:40, duration 19.58 mins)

57. Book 1: Coloring with Christina by Maria Khoury (CDK Publications, 2007) (duration 5.16 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 3 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 6:38, duration 16.13 mins)

58. Book 1:"The Creation of the World" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (8.30 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 4 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 9:50, duration 16.45 mins)

59. Book 1: "The Creation of Eve" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (6.45 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 5 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 7:25, duration 18.51 mins)

60. Book 1: "Paradise Lost" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (12.13 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 6 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 13:00, duration 21.47 mins)

61. Book 1: "Adam and Eve as Outcasts from Paradise" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (7.15 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 7 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 8:00, duration 15.22 mins)

62. Book 1: "Cain and Abel" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (8.52 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 8 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 9:38, duration 17.41 mins)

111. The Story of Mary the Mother of God by Dorrie Papademetriou (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000)

135. The Story of St. Sava, Part 1 (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001).

136. The Story of St. Sava, Part 2 (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001)

137. The Story of St. Sava, Part 3 (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001).

138. The Story of St. Sava, Part 4/Conclusion (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001).

"The Story of Three Girls" from The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Story of the Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part One. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Story of the Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part Two. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Story of the Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part Three. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

Fr. Ted explains why we should have our homes blessed every year.

Fr. Ted shares the story of St. Fanourios and reflects upon the Gospel reading about Jesus' interaction with the Rich Young Ruler.

A Study of the Paralytic in Mark Chapter 2 Sometimes the world appears to be so divided and its people so alienated from one another, that it seems like it would take a miracle to fix it and bring us all together again! And yet, this is exactly what Christ came to do. Likewise, the purpose of the Church, which is His body, is to re-unite in itself the world, which has been pulled apart by sin. Drawing on the healing narratives of the Gospels, the sayings of early Church Father, St. John Chrysostom, and contemporary Orthodox thinker Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Steve and Bill examine the causes of division, and discuss how we are healed, and the fragmented cosmos is put back together again in the person of Christ.

In the second part of a possible 144,000 part series on the End Times and the Revelation of St. John, Steve and Bill give some definitions of some of the views of the Tribulation and Rapture and where the second coming of Christ and judgment fits in the various scenarios. Then they take a romp through Church history and go through a list of prognostications about the second coming throughout the centuries.

Fr. Chad interviews Greg Hatrak, the new bookstore manager at St. Vladimir's Seminary, about some exciting new developments in the school's publishing division.

Dn. Michael shares his conversion story in this two-part lecture given at the Missions and Evangelism Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. His series, "In But Not Of," will continue in two weeks.

Dn. Michael shares his conversion story in this two-part lecture given at the Missions and Evangelism Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. His series, "In But Not Of," will continue next week.