This joyful and profound hymn is understood more fully by contrasting Mary’s “yes” to Eve’s rebellion, by seeing the Incarnation as the beginning of the new creation, and by seeing the parallel between David’s joyful procession with the Ark to Bethlehem, and the Holy Virgin carrying our Lord into that same city for our salvation. (Genesis 1-3, 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, Genesis 22:18)

We think about the profundity of this well-known hymn that focusses upon the Incarnation, looking to passages in Isaiah and Daniel, as well as the New Testament.

This week we consider a deceptively simple hymn to holy Mary, reading it in the light of Daniel, the Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah. We see her place in salvation history, and how she shows in her person our own living hope.

On Jan 18, we sing the dismissal Theotokion in tone 5. Its deep theology may be unpacked by reference especially to the prophet Ezekiel and Psalm 130/131, as well as by the book of Revelation and some of the fathers of the Church.

With this podcast, we complete our study of the eight resurrectional-dismissal hymns for the Theotokos, reading the Theotokion that we will sing for the feast of St. Gregory the Theologian on January 25th. We are helped in understanding this lyrical hymn by several passages in the NT, but also by returning to Genesis, Deuteronomy, Hosea, and Psalm 138/139. Here we see the wonder of the God who seeks and finds, and calls all of the cosmos to rejoice as He shows His glory.

As we approach the depth of Holy Week, we hear Jesus’ call to repentance, and promise for those who follow Him into victory, in Revelation 2:12-17. We are helped in understanding this word to Pergamum and to us by reading Numbers chapters 24-25 and 31, and Hebrews 4:12.

Dawn’s Gentle Light, "Bickleton, Washington 1979," by Renee Riva (Pink Heart Press, 2017)

19. Book 1: Silent as a Stone: Mother Maria of Paris and the Trash Can Rescue by Jim Forest (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2007) Book 2: To Plant a Cross: The Story of Saint Kosmas Aitolos Who Fought a War with Words by Angeline Eliakopoulos, part two, chapter 4 (Destro Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 2004, (773) 561 2332)

38. Book 1: Song of the Talanton by Claire Brandenburg (Conciliar Press, 2007) Book 2: Extracts and prayers from Hear me: A Prayerbook for Orthodox Teens, compiled by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2007)

131. The Tumbled Stone written and illustrated by Claire Brandenburg (New Varatec Publishing, 2009).

Fr. Ted points out that the Spirit of God always brings people together, brings understanding, brings Truth, and brings love.

Kevin Allen interviews Michael Whelton on the characteristics of the New Age movement.

The Death To The World crew reports back on their week at Cornerstone 2009 - the largest Christian rock festival in the world. This is the third year DTTW has set up shop in the exhibitors area as an Orthodox outreach at this largely Evangelical youth gathering. John Valadez, Gary Allen and Julia Gatalskaya report to host Kevin Allen that the 'times they are a' changing' in the world of contemporary Christian youth, reflecting a broader trend towards ancient faith!

Central to the prayer life of the Church is the cycle of eight musical tones or structures (The Octoechos, or eight echos) that accompany the hymns and prayers in all the services. In this program, Steve provides a basic, lighthearted but informative overview of the Eight Tones of the Church as expressed in Byzantine, Russian, Bulgarian and other styles, and how the Tones reflect the Orthodox Traditional concern with the beauty of sound and its place in sacramental worship.

On its return to Orthodox Education Day at St. Vladimir's Seminary October 6, 2018, the Boston Byzantine Choir, directed by Charles R. Marge, delivered a beautiful performance at Three Hierarchs Chapel in celebration of the choir's own 25th anniversary.

Dr. Michael Colburn, the OCMC Mission Specialist in Linguistics and Translations, speaks at the second annual missions lecture at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Fr. Nicolaie writes about language and communication--reflections on the Friday before Pentecost at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Bobby interviews Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon, the author of Reclaiming the Atonement: An Orthodox Theology of Redemption - Volume One: The Incarnation.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds talks about poet Mary Weston Fordham and reads one of her poems.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reminds us that just as God enables martyrs to remain steadfast and even rejoice in their sufferings, he strengthened those grieving family members in Charleston to respond with grace, peace, and reconciliation that are simply not of this world.

Over 19 trillion gallons of water has fallen on greater Houston since Hurricane Harvey touched land. 52 inches of rain which is unprecedented in the state of Texas. Local officials in Texas have reported at least 30 confirmed and suspected flood-related deaths. Fr. Joseph Huneycutt joins us from Houston to talk about the disaster and the impact on Orthodox churches in the region. Antiochian Fund IOCC Fund

Wheaton College, the epicenter of Evangelical Protestantism, has just opened a Center for Early Christian Studies that will immerse students in the fields of Patristics, the Ecumenical Councils, and early Christian literature. This audio documentary, exclusive to AFR, explores the reasons for the sudden Evangelical interest in the Church Fathers, as well as the potential ramifications of this interest.

An Evangelical Protestant rock festival that serves as a hotbed for Eastern Orthodoxy? That’s exactly what Bobby Maddex found last July at the Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, Illinois. In this audio documentary, exclusive to Ancient Faith Radio, Bobby explores the uniqueness of Cornerstone—what it is about those who attend and play at the festival that makes them so receptive to Orthodox Christianity.

Fr. Pat gave this sermon in Waynesburg, PA, at the funeral of beloved friend Nancy (Katherine) Thompson who fell asleep in the Lord on August 2, 2011.

Great Lent. Romans 13: 11 - 14: 4, Matthew 6: 14- 21 Cheesefare Sunday - Forgiveness Sunday

Matthew tells the story of Metropolitan Antony Bashir on the 44th anniversary of his death. Learn more HERE.

Tyrrell Hatton's victory at last week's Dunhill Links Championship provides pause for thought about how Europe’s leading tour might approach an uncertain future, writes Iain Carter.

Watch highlights as Warrington Wolves head into the Super League play-offs with a big win over London Broncos.

The 10 sports, across four venues, for the scaled-down 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are revealed.

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton tells of his chance to join French Top 14 side Toulon in 2013.

Sam Warburton reveals his all-time top five team-mates.

A memorial to explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton goes on display in Dundee after a 7,000-mile journey.

Watch again as the Doonhamers lose three players to injury and still secure a point at home.

Steffans Jewellers has opened a new store in Market Harborough.

Terry Whenham is researching the fallen soldiers of the Northamptonshire Regiment

Chairman Kelvin Thomas says the project is running to schedule and should finish early next year.

Daniel Niedzkowski, head of the German football federation's coach training programme, will join Brighton in January.