For the lives of these two great Apostles, we can only recommend a reading of the entire New Testament, which contains accounts of their lives and many of their inspired writings. St Peter, after preaching in Judea, Antioch and parts of Asia, came to Rome, where he was crucified by order of the Emperor Nero, about the year 66. Being led to the cross, he begged the executioner to crucify him upside-down, because he felt unworthy to partake of the same death as the Savior.   St Paul's apostolic labors extended from Arabia to Spain. He also ended his earthly course in Rome, beheaded by order of Nero, some say at the same time that St Peter was crucified.

"He was an officer, a tribune, in the Roman army in the time of the Emperor Maximian. A Syrian by birth, he served in his native land. When the Persians attacked the imperial Roman army, this Andrew was entrusted with the command in the battle against the enemy — whence his title: commander, strateletes. A secret Christian, although as yet unbaptised, Andrew commended himself to the living God, and, taking only the cream of the army, went to war. Before the battle, he told his soldiers that, if they all called upon the aid of the one, true God, Christ the Lord, their enemies would become as dust scattered before them. All the soldiers, fired with enthusiasm by Andrew and his faith, invoked Christ's aid and attacked. The Persian army was utterly routed. When the victorious Andrew returned to Antioch, some jealous men denounced him as a Christian and the imperial governor summoned him for trial. Andrew openly proclaimed his steadfast faith in Christ. After harsh torture, the governor threw Andrew into prison and wrote to the Emperor in Rome. Knowing Andrew's popularity among the people and in the army, the Emperor ordered the governor to set Andrew free, but to seek another occasion and another excuse (not his faith) to kill him. By God's revelation, Andrew came to know of this imperial command, and, taking his faithful soldiers (2,593 in all) with him, went off to Tarsus in Cilicia, where they were all baptised by the bishop, Peter. Persecuted here also by imperial might, Andrew and his companions withdrew deep into the Armenian mountain of Tavros. There in a ravine, while they were at prayer, the Roman army came upon them and beheaded them all. Not one of them would recant, all being determined on death by martyrdom for Christ. On the spot where a stream of the martyrs' blood flowed down, a spring of healing water sprang forth, healing from every disease. The bishop, Peter, came secretly with his people and buried the martyrs' bodies in that same place. They all suffered with honour at the end of the third century and were crowned with wreaths of eternal glory, entering into the Kingdom of Christ our God." (Prologue)

In part two of his introduction to the new series, Fr. Andrew goes into the history of the Church and the various heresies it condemned.

Fr. Adrian continues his interview with Fr. James Parnell - Hospital Chaplain, Parish Priest and Military Chaplain - about the unique opportunities and challenges of offering spiritual care to military veterans. This is Part 2 of a 2-part series.

Fr. Adrian interviews Fr. James Parnell - Hospital Chaplain, Parish Priest and Military Chaplain - about the unique opportunities and challenges of offering spiritual care to military veterans. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series.

Introducción a la Iglesia Ortodoxa y los Siete Concilios Ecuménicos es una introducción histórica de la iglesia ortodoxa con resumen de los siete concilios ecuménicos presentada en un curso de historia de la Iglesia en el Instituto Bíblico del Valle de Rio Grande en Edinburgo, Texas donde la mayoría de los estudiantes son pastores de América Latina. Introduction to the Orthodox Church and the Seven Ecumenical Councils is a historical introduction to the Orthodox Church with an overview of the Seven Ecumenical Councils given at a Church History class at the Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas, where the majority of the students were pastors from Latin America.

Fr. Andrew unpacks three metaphors used by St. Paul in 2 Timothy 2:1-10.

Fr. Andrew speaks on the question of the rich young ruler, 'What good deed must I do to have eternal life?'

A silly visit from the "Easter Bunny" leads to a serious exposé of "Spring Celebration Customs," the bunny basket, and the Pascha basket—even red eggs—in this timely encore episode.

Fresh from a week at Camp St. Raphael, Fr. Joseph "heard the news of the day—O Boy!"

Sometimes we're too familiar with a Gospel passage. Fr Joseph's retelling of the story of Zacchaeus is, to say the least, a li'l diff.

So tell us, Father Joseph—just how did the Resurrection of our Lord get mixed up with bunnies, chocolate, and eggs?

Fr. Stephen De Young introduces the Epistles of St. Peter and Jude.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of St. Peter's First Universal Letter.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of 1 Peter.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of St. Peter's First Universal Letter.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses 1 Peter, Chapter 2.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of St. Peter's First Universal Letter.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes the discussion of 1 Peter.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of Peter's Second Epistle.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of St. Peter's Second Epistle.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of St. Paul's Second Epistle.

Fr. Stephen De Young wraps up the discussion of St. Peter's Second Epistle.

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

Join Steve and Christian as they discuss the eternal implications of zombie stories and how Guy Fieri plays into the culinary tastes of zombies. The guys also discuss why zombies are haunting, basing their conversation in reflection on the Death and Resurrection of Christ, the coming of God’s Kingdom, and how culture bids us to be concerned with the horizon of this life alone.

The dormition of the Theotokos is an icon of our hope for eternal life.

Let us take the Theotokos as our great example of how to receive and follow Christ every day, even as we ask for her prayers for the healing of our souls. That is the only way to celebrate the great feast of her Dormition with spiritual integrity.

In this final episode of his reflection on Muscovite Russia, Fr. John describes the Old Believer Schism as a crisis in the formerly optimistic cosmology of eastern Christendom, leading to its decline on the eve of modern times.

Most Americans know Tchaikovsky as the composer of the delightful dances contained within the Nutcracker Ballet. As Fr. John Strickland shows, however, there is much more to be heard in their melodies, and little that was delightful about the emotionally agonized life behind them. Using selections from a variety of works, he explores how the romantic agony came for Tchaikovsky in his boyhood and thereafter never departed. Special attention is given to an analysis of the famous Sixth Symphony, nicknamed Pathetique. First performed just days before the composer's abrupt death, the work brings the generation of the romantics to a heart-rending and emblematic conclusion.

Fr John reflects on Dr. Peter Bouteneff’s podcast concerning “Post-Episcopalian Stress Disorder,” and suggests a course-correction.

Dr. Humphrey explores the meaning of “Memory eternal”, beginning with the idea of God remembering, and then going on to discuss what it means to remember “the least” who will be first—those whose names we may not know, but who have turned in costly faith towards the Lord.

Here the Old Testament readings for Great Vespers and the New Testament readings for Divine Liturgy are used to illuminate the importance of councils and primacy in the holy Church—a Church that is visible and concrete, with a recognizable and divinely-ordained shape, just as our Lord actually took on humanity, and did not simply visit us in an “appearance.”

Here the Old Testament readings for Great Vespers and the New Testament readings for Divine Liturgy are used to illuminate the importance of councils and primacy in the holy Church—a Church that is visible and concrete, with a recognizable and divinely-ordained shape, just as our Lord actually took on humanity, and did not simply visit us in an “appearance.” This program is a re-air from July 17, 2015.

Consider the passages in St. Andrew’s canon concerning Moses, alongside Hebrews 11:24-25, 32-40 and John 1:43-51 and 2 Peter 1. We learn the apostolic way of reading the Old Testament as warnings and examples to help us at the beginning of Great Lent.

Hebrews 13:17-21 encourages the community to respond positively to her leaders, and shows the symbiotic relationship that God has in mind for pastors and people, all under the blessing of the Great Shepherd. Together, we are being transformed by God so that we reach completion. We understand the challenges of this passage by means of the wisdom of St. John Chrysostom’s sermon on this passage, Judges 1-5, and Psalm 1.

We read the astounding and exhilarating climactic vision of Rev 21:9-27 in the light of Exodus 28:15-21, Daniel 2:34-35, Ezekiel 40-43, Isaiah 2:2-3, Isaiah 54:11-14 and Psalm 47/8:13-15. Rather than simply being spectators of this vision, we find ourselves inscribed in it, sharing the very glory of God.

This week we consider the structure of LXX Esther in general, and hone in on its introductory and concluding vision and Interpretation (,Esther 1:1a-1l; 10:3a-3k) which put the agency of God front and center for us to praise! We are helped by considering parallels and differences with Job 40-41; Daniel 1, 7-8, Luke 1:46-55, Rev. 12, and Psalm 15 LXX/16MT: 5-7.

Bearing the Saint, Chapter nineteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters nineteen and twenty.

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter nineteen (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Children’s Bible Reader, part nineteen. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Gideon" "Samson"

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter nineteen by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Edge of Mysterion, Chapter Nineteen, by Richard Rene (Conciliar Press, 2011)

"Saint Peter," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

The Drought, from The Adventures of a Little Ringtail Complete Series (2015). Anna Larsen Books. Available from the St. Anthony Monastery store.

An Amazing Pilgrimage, from The Adventures of a Little Ringtail Complete Series (2015). Anna Larsen Books. Available from St. Anthony's Monastery Bookstore.

Life in the Shed, from The Adventures of a Little Ringtail Complete Series (2015). Anna Larsen Books. Available from St. Anthony's Monastery Bookstore

Vanessa The Wonderworker, Chapter Nineteen, written and illustrated by Grace Brooks. Available on Amazon

Fr. Ted invites us to silence the many thoughts which fill minds, so that we can put our minds in a place where God can speak to us.

Kevin Allen talks with Fr. Peter Gillquist about the status of Orthodox Evangelism and the Church in America.