Saint Vladimir's Seminary entered into its annual, two-day Lenten Retreat on Clean Monday and Tuesday, March 15 and 16, 2021. Four talks delivered over the two days followed the theme of "Ora et Labora: The Foundations of Spirituality According to the Rule of St Benedict of Nursia." In this final meditation, Fr Nicholas Roth, the Seminary’s Spiritual Formation Director and Ecclesiarch, speaks of “Working Together.”

Dn. Michael begins a new series based on Fr. Alexander Schmemann's book Great Lent: Journey to Pascha.

Dn. Michael discusses the five Sundays that precede the start of Great Lent.

Dn. Michael continues his discussion of the five Sundays that precede the start of Great Lent.

Dn. Michael considers four aspects of Lenten worship: atmosphere, prayer, Scripture, and hymns.

Dn. Michael begins discussing the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

Dn. Michael reminds us that it is only by knowing the way that we make it to Pascha.

Dn. Michael asks the question, "How can we apply Fr. Alexander's teachings on Great Lent to our lives?"

In the final episode in the study of Fr. Alexander Schmemann's book Great Lent: Journey to Pascha, Dn. Michael discusses the Appendix where Fr. Alexander talks about the importance of frequent communion.

Padre Nicolás predicó sobre que debemos llenar nuestras vidas con personas quien nos va a santificar. Debemos evitar las personas que nos trae negatividad a nuestras vidas. (Romanos 2:10-16) Fr. Nicholas preached about how we should fill our lives with people who will sanctify us. We should avoid the people why bring negativity to our lives. (Romans 2:10-16)

El Padre Nicolás predicó sobre guardar silencio en la oración para escuchar la voz de Dios. Father Nicholas preached on keeping silent in prayer to hear the voice of God.

Listen in on Steve's reflections on learning to love, his marriage and his Valentine's day wish for his wife.

In this special episode of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan welcomes John Maddex into the studio and they give an overview of the Lenten Triodion and Great Lent itself. This is a perfect primer for the newly Orthodox or the inquirer. Learn about the history and current significance of Great Lent and how to best prepare for it.

Meet Helen, one of the treasures who is part of the Mission. Taken from Walking Humbly: The Holiness of the Poor, by St. John the Compassionate Mission.

The silence of God at Nativity invites the caring community to action and change.

The church is called today to care for life, to offer an open space where the soul of man can pray and sing, and have an encounter with Christ, who listens to us from the cross.

Louie Zong, Worthikids, and Brian David Gilbert formed a supergroup making Steely Dan-inspired music and are playing L.A. next month!? #

Now that Great Lent is upon us, the question sometimes arises about where we should put our spiritual focus. There are two places we should certainly not put our focus—and only one place where we should.

Fr. Apostolos reminds us of the effort needed and the benefits of participating fully in the spiritual fitness regimen of Great Lent.

Sermon on the Leavetaking of the Elevation of the Precious Cross (Galatians 2:16-20; Mark 8:34-9:1)

In the gospel reading for the second Sunday of Great Lent, Christ heals a man of debilitating paralysis. But Fr Tom reminds us that Jesus reveals something even more important, that He forgives sins as the eternal Son of God. (Second Sunday of Great Lent - Healing of the Paralytic)

On the Third Sunday of the Great Fast, the Church places the precious cross of our Lord in the midst of the temple for our veneration and contemplation. Fr Tom reminds us that the scriptures present the cross as a sign both of comfort and of judgment, encouraging us to fulfill the Lenten effort to take up our cross and follow Christ. (Veneration of the Precious Cross)

Jesus is given various titles in the New Testament: Teacher, Master, Lord and others. Fr Tom reminds us that, as Orthodox Christians, we must strive to approach God for not only who He really is, but who we really are too. (Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost)

Lent is a time of great anticipation as we move toward the celebration of Christ's holy Pascha. But Fr Thomas reminds us that it is also a preparation for our entire Christian life, where we face the challenges of increased prayer, fasting and almsgiving and in turn, learn much about our true selves. (Forgiveness Sunday)

As we approach the Great Lenten period, Fr Thomas teaches us about the purpose of Lent and how to enter into it, restoring those things which have fallen away in our spiritual life.

Fr Thomas gives a compelling case for the intense spiritual and physical efforts involved in observing Great Lent, beginning with the end in mind: the true significance of the Resurrection of Christ.

Fr Thomas encourages the faithful by outlining the goals of Great Lent in the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Everyone has encountered long periods of suffering and grief. How do we engage these times in a manner that is beneficial to our spiritual life? How do we develop patient endurance? Listen as Fr. Tom brings this encouraging message of hope in Christ.

Fr. Tom reminds us that the Cross - both the Cross of Christ and the personal crosses we're called to carry - are the source of our salvation.

Man can achieve true delight and true immortality through the grace of God. The reason for our existence is communion with God.

Fr. Deacon Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon at the first Pre-Sanctified Liturgy of Great Lent.

Fr. Gregory says that each one of us has a gift and talent from God no matter how modest we might think it may be.