Fr. John preaches on the significance of the Feast of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. John Whiteford's homily from Sunday, March 24, 2024.

When Jesus shares the parable of the man who invited his friends to a banquet and they all made excuses as to why they couldn't come, the Lord put's these words in the man's mouth: "None of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet." When God invites you to be at His Banquet, will you make an excuse?

Join Michael as he uses science and examples in everyday life to discuss order and disorder, why it is important to understand what they mean spiritually, and how we must be deliberate and committed in our choices to be holy and grow in Christ.

Join Michael as he discusses questions about why good people suffer, bad people thrive, and reconciling this with the goodness of God.

After the Forerunner was beheaded at the order of Herod and his illicit wife Herodias, his head was discarded in what the Synaxarion calls "an unseemly location," presumably a privy. According to some, it was secretly recovered by Joanna, one of the Myrrhbearing women, and given honorable burial near Jerusalem. There it was found, through a revelation of the Forerunner, by two monks who had come to Jerusalem to worship at the tomb of our Savior (the first finding). Putting the head in a bag, the monks returned home. On the way, they met an indigent potter from Emesa. That night the Forerunner appeared to the poor man and instructed him to make off with the relic. He returned with it to Emesa and immediately began to prosper in his business. Just before he died, he put the holy relic in a chest, which he left to his sister with these instructions: never to open it without instructions from the one hidden inside it; and to pass it on to a pious man beloved of God. Thus the Head of the Baptist passed through many generations, eventually being concealed in a cave near a monastery founded during the reign of Marcian (450-457), whose abbot was the godly Marcellus.   The blessed Forerunner appeared several times to Marcellus, embracing him and once even giving him a pot of honey. The Baptist ordered Marcellus to follow a star which led him to the cave and came to rest in front of a niche in the wall. Marcellus dug there and came upon a marble slab, under which was a large jar containing the precious Head. The holy relic was taken with rejoicing to the cathedral in Emesa,where it worked many wonders. In the reign of Michael III (842-867), it was taken to Constantinople. It was at this translation that the present Feast was instituted.   The version given here is that of St Symeon Metaphrastes. Other sources give substantially different accounts.   The Prologue observes: "It is important and interesting to note that, while he was alive, John did not work a single miracle (Jn 10:41), but to his relics was given the blessed power of working miracles."

After the Forerunner was beheaded at the order of Herod and his illicit wife Herodias, his head was discarded in what the Synaxarion calls "an unseemly location," presumably a privy. According to some, it was secretly recovered by Joanna, one of the Myrrhbearing women, and given honorable burial near Jerusalem. There it was found, through a revelation of the Forerunner, by two monks who had come to Jerusalem to worship at the tomb of our Savior (the first finding). Putting the head in a bag, the monks returned home. On the way, they met an indigent potter from Emesa. That night the Forerunner appeared to the poor man and instructed him to make off with the relic. He returned with it to Emesa and immediately began to prosper in his business. Just before he died, he put the holy relic in a chest, which he left to his sister with these instructions: never to open it without instructions from the one hidden inside it; and to pass it on to a pious man beloved of God. Thus the Head of the Baptist passed through many generations, eventually being concealed in a cave near a monastery founded during the reign of Marcian (450-457), whose abbot was the godly Marcellus.   The blessed Forerunner appeared several times to Marcellus, embracing him and once even giving him a pot of honey. The Baptist ordered Marcellus to follow a star which led him to the cave and came to rest in front of a niche in the wall. Marcellus dug there and came upon a marble slab, under which was a large jar containing the precious Head. The holy relic was taken with rejoicing to the cathedral in Emesa,where it worked many wonders. In the reign of Michael III (842-867), it was taken to Constantinople. It was at this translation that the present Feast was instituted.   The version given here is that of St Symeon Metaphrastes. Other sources give substantially different accounts.   The Prologue observes: "It is important and interesting to note that, while he was alive, John did not work a single miracle (Jn 10:41), but to his relics was given the blessed power of working miracles."

After the Forerunner was beheaded at the order of Herod and his illicit wife Herodias, his head was discarded in what the Synaxarion calls "an unseemly location," presumably a privy. According to some, it was secretly recovered by Joanna, one of the Myrrhbearing women, and given honorable burial near Jerusalem. There it was found, through a revelation of the Forerunner, by two monks who had come to Jerusalem to worship at the tomb of our Savior (the first finding). Putting the head in a bag, the monks returned home. On the way, they met an indigent potter from Emesa. That night the Forerunner appeared to the poor man and instructed him to make off with the relic. He returned with it to Emesa and immediately began to prosper in his business. Just before he died, he put the holy relic in a chest, which he left to his sister with these instructions: never to open it without instructions from the one hidden inside it; and to pass it on to a pious man beloved of God. Thus the Head of the Baptist passed through many generations, eventually being concealed in a cave near a monastery founded during the reign of Marcian (450-457), whose abbot was the godly Marcellus.   The blessed Forerunner appeared several times to Marcellus, embracing him and once even giving him a pot of honey. The Baptist ordered Marcellus to follow a star which led him to the cave and came to rest in front of a niche in the wall. Marcellus dug there and came upon a marble slab, under which was a large jar containing the precious Head. The holy relic was taken with rejoicing to the cathedral in Emesa,where it worked many wonders. In the reign of Michael III (842-867), it was taken to Constantinople. It was at this translation that the present Feast was instituted.   The version given here is that of St Symeon Metaphrastes. Other sources give substantially different accounts.   The Prologue observes: "It is important and interesting to note that, while he was alive, John did not work a single miracle (Jn 10:41), but to his relics was given the blessed power of working miracles."

Fr. Andrew introduces us to the historical roots of the Pentecostal movement.

Fr. Andrew continues his introduction to Pentecostalism and describes how Charismatic theology developed as an outgrowth of this movement.

Fr. Andrew continues his series on Pentecostalism with a description of the development and theology of: Vineyard Movement Word of Faith

Fr. Andrew explores the Pentecostal emphasis on faith healing and speaking in tongues as it compares to Orthodoxy.

Fr. Andrew concludes his series on Pentecostalism by describing their unique view of prophecy.

For the non-Orthodox person or one just learning about the church, especially in non-Orthodox nations or cultures as in the Americas, it can be difficult to know if one is really visiting a canonical Orthodox Church. How do we recognize that we are in an Orthodox Church? Let us listen and learn. Para la persona que no es ortodoxo o está aprendiendo sobre la iglesia, especialmente en naciones o culturas que no son ortodoxas como en las Américas, puede que sea un poco difícil saber si uno está visitando a una iglesia ortodoxa canoníca. ¿Como entonces podemos reconocer que estamos en una iglesia ortodoxa? Escuchemos y aprendamos.

Fr. Andrew speaks at Bucknell University on February 3, 2010. We have broken the talk into two parts, with part 1 on today's episode and part 2 on March 22.

Fr. Andrew speaks at Bucknell University on February 3, 2010. We have broken the talk into two parts and this is part 2.

Just the word environmentalism tends to put people in a fighting mood. Fr. Andrew helps us sort through the issues of ecology from an Orthodox perspective. This is part 1 of a two-part talk.

In part 2, Fr. Andrew talks about the spiritual answer to both the environment and the economy.

On this Sunday of Pentecost, Fr. Andrew tells us that when we have a crisis of creativity, we should seek out the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

On this Second Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew reminds us that is is not how good you are that matters, but how repentant you are.

On the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew explains what it means when Orthodox Christians say, "We are being saved."

On this 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew reminds us of the deep worth of the human person.

On this the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, Father Andrew tells us that St. Paul calls the Leaders of the Church "Fools for Christ's Sake."

On this the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew asks, how can we ask God for forgiveness and not receive it?

On this the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew tells the stories of two rich young men, stories with two very different outcomes.

On this 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew speaks to us about what it means to be a Temple of the Holy God.

On this Sunday remembering the Prophet Habakkuk, Fr. Andrew reminds us that only God is God.

On this Sunday of Pentecost we are reminded that with the coming of the Holy Spirit, we are assured that Christ has not left us.

On this Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, Fr. Andrew examines how Christ becomes a bridge for her, how she becomes a bridge between Him and her people, and how we may also become bridges.

On this Sunday of Pentecost, Fr. Andrew discusses Jesus' prediction of the coming of the Holy Spirit as a fountain of living water that springs up within the believer.

On this feast of Ss. Athanasius and Cyril, Fr. Andrew discusses the Athanasian doctrine of theosis and what it means for the individual Christian.

On this Great Feast of Pentecost, Fr. Andrew discusses how the sending forth of the Spirit re-creates us, all mankind and the whole cosmos.

On the great feast of Pentecost, Fr. Andrew asks why we do not see the unity and power in the Church that was seen in the time of the first Christians.

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Fr. Andrew preaches on the incarnation, iconography and how the priesthood ties them together.

With the great feast of Pentecost, Fr. Andrew discusses it as a fulfillment of the Old Testament Exodus from Egypt.

Jesus says to His disciples and us: Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. And then He shows us how it's done.

Far from being a substitution at Pentecost, swapping Christ with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit makes Christ present to us for ever. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick meditates on this and related themes.

A handful of Student Advisory Board members simulate a discussion of economia.

Fr. Brendan and Caroline Mellekas discuss Pentecostalism and speaking in tongues.

Orthodox Doula Laura Jansson joins the Louh''s from Oxford in the UK to talk about those very early days of parenthood. Laura is the author of the newly published book from Ancient Faith entitled Fertile Ground: A Pilgrimage Through Pregnancy.

Fr. Martin Johnson joins Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne for a conversation about America's national struggle with race.

Fr. Martin Johnson joins Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne again for the second part of a deeply honest and insightful conversation about America's national struggle with race.

Fr. John Oliver discusses the true meaning of repentance, becoming the person that God desire us to become.

Fr. John Oliver shares the story of the reclamation of a church after the end of the Soviet era, reminding us that "we walk by faith, and not by sight."

Last year's "listener supported" Thanksgiving podcast featured a Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, and a Greek layman, who—unexpectedly—shared a Thanksgiving campfire. Here are the combined episodes, slightly edited; stay tuned for details regarding this year's contest at episode's end!

Say what? Listen to this whimsical story about book sales, fake creatures and the birth of The Church.