Fr. Adrian Budica interviews Beryl Knudsen, a chaplain at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut and a graduate from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew discusses the question, "Why do we talk about money in church?"

Valentine's Day is almost here, and many people are thinking about the important relationships in their lives. Fr. Nicholas and Presvytera Roxanne chatted and took calls on Healthy Minds, Healthy Souls! "Healthy Connections" was the theme of this week's show. The second one is "Conflict Resolution", coming up on February 28.

What role do our thoughts play in being the people God wants us to be? Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne give some practical advise on controlling our thoughts and submitting them to Christ.

Continuing the theme during Great Lent, Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne talk about our deeds and unhealthy patterns of living. Several calls and a busy chatroom make this a great episode to listen to!

While Dr. Roxanne was out of town, Fr. Nicholas Louh continued from the last show talking about making our relationships more healthy.

Fr. John examines the last of the ten great commandments.

Fr. Anthony ones again shares the idea of the pattern of the Logos as the mechanism of evangelism. This is the first part of a talk he gave at the 2018 Lenten Retreat in Bethlehem PA hosted by the Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOC-USA) and The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America. Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony uses metaphors to help us understand what healthy parishes should and shouldn't look like. This is the second part of a talk he gave at the 2018 Lenten Retreat in Bethlehem PA hosted by the Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOC-USA) and The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America. Enjoy the show!

Elissa describes the "Psalter group" and its purpose during Great Lent.

Jesus calls all to take up our cross and follow him for our entire life.

Fr. Philip LeMasters speaks about the importance of the Cross.

As we continue to celebrate the Elevation of the Holy Cross, we must remain on guard against the temptation of viewing our Lord’s Cross as merely a religious symbol that requires nothing of us. Through His Self-Offering on the Cross, Christ has conquered death and brought salvation to the world. But in order for us to share personally in His eternal life, we must take up our own crosses, deny ourselves, and follow Him. If we refuse to do that, then we will show that we are ashamed of our Lord and want no part in Him or His Kingdom. We will show that we prefer to continue in the old way of death rather than to enter by His grace into the heavenly reign.

In this episode Father John explores the way in which the loss of sacramental experience among Calvinists led to the rise of a political ideology that would unintentionally lay the foundation for utopia.

This week we consider how God humbly uses objects, especially the live-giving Cross, for our healing and transformation. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Galatians 6:11-18, Colossians 1:19-20; Numbers 21:4-9, Exodus 15:22-26; Proverbs 3:11-18)

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.

We begin a series concerning the major psalms read throughout the week, both liturgically, and in personal prayer. Our first episode reads Psalm 103 (LXX)/104 (Hebrew) of Great Vespers, by which we stand alongside God on the final evening of the creation-week (Genesis 1), rejoicing in creation and in the Creator. We are helped in our interpretation by the hope offered in Hebrews 12:18-24 and 1 Corinthians 15.

In this second episode, we consider that selection of verses from Psalms 1-3 which is ordinarily sung in parishes during Great Vespers, and place these in their full context, while looking to 2 Samuel (2 Kingdoms)15-18 and also to select fathers for help in understanding. We see that our life depends upon being in Christ, the only Blessed One, and that even in our times of trial, God is with us, both to rescue and to bless.

We consider the first of the Lamp-lighting Psalms, Psalm 140 (MT141), with the help of select Church fathers, and in the light of Numbers 16; 2 Corinthians 5:21-6:1; Romans 5:1-2, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-4.

We read the second “lamplight” Psalm, Psalm 141 (LXX) /142 (MT), clarifying its historical context by means of 1 Samuel (Kingdoms) 22 and 1 Samuel (Kingdoms) 24, and understanding its relevance to our lives today through the fathers and Hebrews 12:1-6. God is our true hope as we cry out to Him for deliverance, and as He surrounds us with those who journey on the same path.

We read the third and fourth “lamp-light” Psalms (Psalm 129LXX/130 MT and 116/117), considering their profound truths in the light of Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Romans 10:6-8, Luke 23:34-46, Mark 14:37, and Mark 15:34. Crying out and waiting patiently are shown to be the most perfect human responses to the LORD, who alone is our Helper and the One who loves mankind.

We meditate upon Psalm 92/3, of which three poignant verses are recited in Saturday Great Vespers, with the help of the blessed Augustine, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, Genesis 3, and Isaiah 51:9.

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.

We move on in this episode to consider the second royal psalm of Matins, Psalm 20 LXX/21 Hebrew, and see it in the light of Psalm 36/37, as well as 2 Samuel 3. Amazingly, the glory that the LORD Jesus shares with His Father makes its mark on us, as well!

Psalm 3, sung during Sunday Matins, is full of various “arising” actions. We understand its drama in the light of David’s trouble with his son Absalom (2 Sam/Kgdms 15-18), the Psalm that Jesus prayed from the cross, Isaiah 60, and some wise ancient commentators.

This week we look at the Matin’s Psalm 37 LXX (38 Hebrew), understanding it in the light of several Church fathers, Job, Hebrews 12:6, and Isaiah 53:7-8. We find in this “rough” Psalm much to think about regarding God’s judgment and mercy, sin and hope.

Today we read the fourth of the six Psalms recited by the priest at the beginning of Matins, Psalm 86 LXX/87 MT. With help from Joshua 2, John 4:14 and 7: 37-39, and Galatians 4:26-7, we unpack this psalm that celebrates the glory of Zion—a city founded by the LORD in the Old Testament, and that points towards an even more glorious heavenly city, to which we are called as citizens.

We read the fourth of the six Orthros psalms of penitence, Psalm 87 (LXX)/88 (MT), looking to Jesus as the “perfect Die-er” who brings light to the whole world, showing wonders even to the dead! This heavy psalm is understood through the similarly difficult passages of Luke 2:29-35, 2 Cor 5:21, Gal 3:13, John 12:20b-36, and Psalm 21(LXX) /22 (MT).

This week we read the fifth of the six “censing” psalms of Orthros, Psalm 102 (LXX)/ 103 (MT), and marvel at God’s invitation that we should bless Him. We are helped in understanding the Psalm by Hebrews 7:7, Colossians 1:12-13, James 2:13, and the blessed Augustine.

We turn to the Songs of Ascent, reading them in the light of Psalms 119-121 (MT 120-122), upon which they are based, and Hebrews 12:18-29, where we approach of heavenly Zion.

Sober joy is the atmosphere of the second group of ascent songs, based on Psalms LXX 122-124 (MT 123-125). While aware of human need, we also meditate upon the security found among the people of God, and the presence of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and the whole world, helped in our thinking by Ephesians 6:10-17, 2 Peter 3:9 and Romans 8:26-27.

We consider the third grouping of Ascent Songs for Orthros, comparing them with their foundational Psalms LXX 125-128 (MT 126-129), and illumining them with reference to Col 1:9-14; Eph 4:4-8 and1 Cor 15:43. Everywhere, as we walk towards the light of the eighth day, the generosity of God is apparent.

We read the tone four Antiphons, alongside Psalms 128-130 (MT 129-131), as illumined by Isaiah 42:6-7, 1 Peter 4:12-14, and St. John Cassian. Here is wise instruction on humility and God’s willingness to illumine those who keep their eyes on Him.

We finish this study of the Orthros Ascent Songs by reading Psalm 131-133 (LXX)/132-134 (MT) in the light of Holy Week, 2 Samuel (2 Kingdoms) 6-7, and several Church Fathers. Our final scene is that of harmony with Christian brothers and sisters from every tribe and nation, and peace with God, as we bless His name in the heavenly sanctuary.

This week we read the “Polyleos” Psalms 134 and 135 (MT 135 and 136), rejoicing in the mercy of God. WE seek to plumb their depths by reference to Numbers 21:21-35, Isaiah 44:9-21, Jeremiah 10:1-16, Romans 1:18-23, and several helpful commentators, both ancient and contemporary.

This week we read Psalm 50 (MT 51) in the light of 2 Kingdoms/2 Samuel 11-12 and Romans 5:12-17. This famous confession leads us to explore what some consider poetical theological hyperbole, and the question of ancestral sin.

In this final episode on the “Light from the Psalter,” we consider see how Psalm 1’s righteous man is fulfilled in the final three Psalms, where humanity leads the praises of creation, bringing together the God-given faculties of reason, sub-creativity, and worship. We are helped by Genesis 1-2, Isaiah 6, and Revelation 4-5, and by l fathers. In two week’s time, we will begin a new series “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books,” in which we will consider the significance of those Old Testament books that are ignored or even rejected by some.

The Littlest Altar Boy by Jenny Oehlman, illustrated by Grace Brooks (Conciliar Press, 2012).

22. Book 1: The Exaltation of the Cross from the series The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2005) Book 2: The Wonderful Life of Russia's Saint Sergius of Radonezh told by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 2001)

113. The Exaltation of the Cross from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elaine (Conciliar Press, 2003)

Sponsored by the St. Ambrose Society, a student interest group at St. Vladimir's Seminary, this is a lecture by Dr. Ryan Sampson Nash, the Director of the Ohio State University Center for Bioethics.

In a recent blog post entitled Altar Girls, Fr. Lawrence raised concerns over considering this practice. In this podcast, he now looks at Altar Boys as well as Sub-Deacons and Acolytes.

With reflections on the life and ministry of St. Panteleimon, Fr. Apostolos encourages us to commit ourselves to give at least as much attention to our spiritual health as we do to our physical well-being.

Fr. Apostolos Hill discusses the phases of crisis and the importance of wisdom to cling to the One who gives us hope.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The parable of the Lazarus and the Rich Man is a story rich with lessons about life and about death. Fr Thomas focuses on the implications of living with unprecedented wealth in our modern society.

On the Sunday of the Healing of the Paralytic, Fr Thomas took the opportunity to speak honestly and encouragingly to his congregation about what it is to be a healthy church. Using the gospel and epistle readings, he gently reminded them that we're called to be a house of mercy, intentionally Christian, and a place of good works and of love for one another.