Priests don't just serve their parishes, they serve their communities. In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks about a couple of the things that came up recently for him in Allentown, PA. He also talks about how the advice "not to forget where you came from" means different things to different people (and how that is something to celebrate). Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks with theologian and professor Carrie Frederick Frost about her book, Maternal Body: A Theology of Incarnation from the Christian East (Paulist Press, 2019). She shares what it was like to study with Vigen Guroian, her thoughts on why the book elicits such varying (and emotional) reactions, as well as some of the theological lessons we can learn from each of the stages of motherhood from conception through weaning. Along the way, they talk about the process of discernment and what to do (and not do!) when the Church teaches us or does things that trouble us. Like her mentor, Professor Frost makes full use of Orthodox hymnography, iconography, service texts, and personal experience in her work. Enjoy the show!

Fr. Michael shares from St. Isaac the Syrian. "St. Isaac advises us that when we find ourselves confronting either tedium or despondency, we need to call to mind why we are doing what we are doing. Why do I pray? Why do I read my bible? Why do I do any spiritual discipline that I do? I do it because I desire the hidden, spiritual realities. I desire to know God. St. Isaac tells us that we must allow this desire to generate expectation in us: expectation that God will come to my aid, expectation that soon something hidden will indeed be revealed to me; expectation that this simple act of being diligent and hanging in there will indeed bear fruit."

Someone, apparently a young adult, wrote me recently and asked about prayer. This person was having a hard time discerning the difference between worry and prayer. He or she was wondering if prayer, although salutary to ourselves, really does have an effect on those we pray for. Particularly, this person was worried about and/or praying for his or her parents who seemed to be getting further and further apart. Did God hear his/her prayers for them? Do a child’s prayers really make any difference for the parents?

Fr. Michael Gillis reflects on the life and writings of 20th century Catholic author, Flannery O’Connor. "Good in this broken world is always something under construction. The grotesque—physical, moral and spiritual—that presents itself to us as the terribly deformed face of a cancer ridden child very often hides from us the Grace of God at work constructing good in that person’s life. How many people have I dismissed because I have connected the visible cancer of a terribly confused and broken moral or spiritual life with the “grotesquerie of sin”? How often have I failed to see, failed to even look for the good under construction, the glimmer of Grace at work in a life disfigured by the brokenness of sin? Truly the thought of this question overpowers me sometimes."

What does it mean to say that we are "bought with a price"? Fr. Tom talks about redemption and how Christ has "purchased us" with his own blood or Life.

The guys take on the 90's classic The Shawshank Redemption. They discuss the theme of Life vs. Death, the saving grace of friendship, and the need for ministry to prepare young people for a truly Christian life. They close with their Top 5 Fictional Friendships.

The guys watched The Incredibles 2 and loved it! They discuss the role of family, the effects of trauma, and how media affects our lives. They close with their Top 5 Quirky Families.

Erin joins Steve and Christian to explore the new Disney+ movie, "Turning Red." Spoilers ahead! They explore growing up, emotions, and love.

Do you understand the Gospel as being good news for all, even for those whom you hate?

Are you stumbling around in spiritual darkness? Prayer is how we open the darkness of our soul to the brilliant light of Christ, presenting ourselves in faith for His healing.

Self-centeredness is an act of idolatry, addressed by giving of ourselves and our desires to meet the needs of others.

Let us become transfigured in holiness as we pray, fast, repent, and give generously to our neighbors as we become living icons of the Savior’s fulfillment of the human person in the likeness of God.

The disciples offered to Christ what they had that day: five loaves of bread and two fish. He transfigured that tiny offering into a massive feast with far more leftover than what the hungry crowd could eat. This miracle shows that the key question is not what or how much we offer according to any conventional standard, but whether we offer all that we have for the Lord’s blessing. He will do the rest.

Let us look to the Savior’s raising of the son of the widow of Nain as a sign that we must entrust ourselves only to the One Who has conquered the grave, for slavery to the fear of death is the reason that it is so appealing to entrust ourselves to false gods as a distraction from facing the truth about ourselves and our world.

The devotion of the Myrrh-Bearers, Joseph, and Nicodemus shows us what true faith looks like, and it has nothing to do with figuring out how to use God to help us get what we want on our own terms in a pathetic attempt to distract ourselves from the fear of death.

We have all had the experience of suddenly perceiving a truth that we had previously not grasped. There are times when the fog lifts, the lights come on, and what was opaque or out of focus becomes clear. That is precisely what the apostles Peter, James, and John experienced on Mount Tabor when they were enabled to behold the divine glory of Jesus Christ, Who shone brightly with light as the voice of the Father identified Him as His beloved Son.

We are certainly in a spiritually rich time of year in the life of the Church. Having begun the fast in preparation for the Dormition of the Theotokos, we are now also anticipating the Transfiguration of the Lord, when Peter, James, and John beheld His divine glory on Mount Tabor. As with all the feasts of the Church, the point is not simply to remember what happened long ago, but instead to participate personally in the eternal truth made manifest in these celebrations. And that means nothing less than being transfigured ourselves by our Lord’s gracious divine energies as we come to share more fully in His restoration and fulfillment of the human person as a living icon of God.

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.

The Miracle of the Red Egg by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson, illustrated by Daria Fisher (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2013).

The Miracle of the Red Egg by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson, illustrated by Daria Fisher, Ancient Faith Publishing (2012)

Fr. Ted reminds us that partaking of the Eucharist is the true climax of Pascha.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos explains the prayers of the Orthodox Church that are prayed in the beginning days of the life of a child.

Mother Frederica Mathewes-Green, well-known author and public speaker, discusses the Christian life. Kevin and Steve ask her about prayer, forgiveness, and to mark our inaugural show--the Illumined Heart!

Continuing discussion with Mother Frederica Mathewes-Green, Kevin and Steve delve deeper into what it means to live life as an Orthodox Christian. Just in time for Lent!

Music featured on Our Life of Christ

An interview with Fr. John Finley (www.sacredmeals.com)

If the daily, monthly, yearly prayer cycle of the Church and personal practice of the Jesus Prayer speak to the consecration of the person in time - sacred time - then it follows that Orthodox Christians are also concerned with space and its relationship to the Kingdom of God. Orthodox Church architecture and the decoration of space reflect the grand reality and destiny of the universe created and redeemed by God incarnate: Jesus Christ. It is through the Incarnation and the sacramental world view that we come to understand that the physical Church building itself allows us to participate in the Holy Infinite, even as the physical Eucharist is mysteriously the Body and Blood of Christ. Simply put: Church buildings are indeed "houses of God." This program begins to explain why.

In a new series, Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt team teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. In this first episode we learn that the purpose in marriage is not happiness but holiness.

Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. In part 2, they talk about the priority of pleasing God in our marriages.

How do we love our spouses even when we don't feel love? Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Contempt has become an epidemic in our society and it can spill over into our marriages. Dn. Michael Hyatt reminds us that as our marriages mature, we have to guard against disrespecting our spouses. Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Would you have thought that the quality of your marriage has a direct correlation to prayer? In this 5th episode of the Sacred Marriage series, Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt discuss the ramifications of your prayer life as it relates to your marriage.Together they are teaching through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt says that recognizing and dealing with our own sin is a necessary component of a good marriage. Together they are teaching through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. In this episode, Dn. Michael mentions 2 books by Drs. David and Mary Ford:Marriage as a Path to HolinessGlory and Honor: Orthodox Christian Resources on Marriage

Perseverance in marriage is not only possible it is expected by God. What choices are we making today that will either build up or tear down our marriages tomorrow? Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

There is a struggle in marriage and that isn't all bad. Discover what can result in this next class as Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Conflict is inevitable in a marriage. But when it happens, we can either advance in our relationships or decline. Today's topic is Falling Forward when conflict arises as Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Before moving on to the remaining chapters, Dn. Michael and Gail address questions from AFR listeners by email as well as from the audience. They are teaching through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

What are we willing to sacrifice for our spouses. Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt share a personal story as they continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

In this class, Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt address sex in the marital relationship as a means to holiness as they continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt discuss the importance of Sacred Presence in the marriage as they continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt wrap up the series teaching through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. This final lesson is about Sacred Mission as a couple. Your marriage must be about more than itself if it's going to be healthy and flourishing.

Healing happens within the community in different ways, and at times it is given to us to witness little miracles. In the end it heals us all, in our heart. And this is the real miracle.

Today Martha describes a little red book from her collection. No, no, not that one… this one has recipes for a Dog’s Nose and a Tuxedo and serves as a metaphor for the good things the Church has to offer.

Green Day collaborated with BRAIN to demake their 1994 album in 15 obscure formats, including Game Boy, Teddy Ruxpin, wax cylinder, and player piano roll #

a useful case study given the current debacle stemming from WordPress's "benevolent dictator for life" model #

We Christians share certain external similarities with the religions, but these external similarities can mask the inner meanings of the things we seem to share. In reality, everything in Christianity is different from the religions.