A chubby tween grows into the full stature of a backyard basketball hot dog, while his skinny friend perfects flawless boredom at the free throw line; and an upcoming Orthodox Education Webinar to boot!

What do y'all think of the name St Elvis Orthodox Church? Okay, how about Father Elvis? Er ... can we at least have a church and priest in Tupelo?

Just a few more days until the Nativity feast. With the fast, the shopping, the preparations....how are you doin'? Let us prepare? Yes. But regardless of how prepared we are, let us be thankful.

This episode includes three homilies on the theology of kindness, given 7/28/2019, 8/11/2019, and 8/4/2019. The first was given the day after Dn. Richard Jendras, Fr. Anthony's replacement at Pokrova in Allentown, was ordained; the second was given the Sunday after the mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso; the third was given on his last Sunday in Pokrova. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony reads the fourth chapter of St. John Chrysostom's On the Priesthood. The translation is by Rev. W. R. W. Stephens, M.A., (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church Volume IX, edited by Philip Schaff, D.D., LL.D.), lightly edited to take out some of the archaicisms (the mispronunciations are all Fr. Anthony, though!). 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!

Elissa encourages us to participate fully in the Nativity fast in order to prepare our hearts for Christ.

Why does it matter that our God came down to earth and took on flesh? Elissa discusses using the Jesse Tree and other means to teach our children about the Feast of the Nativity.

"We have to read with discernment and humility."

The guys take a hack at the Black Mirror’s groundbreaking choose-your-own-adventure episode, Bandersnatch! Besides being thoroughly creeped out by it, the guys discuss participatory culture, the role of freedom in the human life, and how our desire to control is born out of fear. They close with their Top 5 Breakings Though the Fourth Wall.

Steve and Christian explore the series finale of "Nathan for You," a stand-alone film called "Finding Frances." Spoilers ahead! They explore love, regret, and reality.

When we become distracted by the indulgence of our passions, we will be like the rich fool who was blind to the ultimate purpose of his life before God.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the nativity of St. John the Baptist and it's meaning for us today.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

Fr. Philip LeMasters speaks about our God-given purpose in life on the Feast Day of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

In today’s gospel reading, Christ teaches that the humble faith of the Roman centurion surpassed that of any of the Jews. Since the dominant expectation in Israel was for the Messiah to set them free from Roman rule by military victory, the Lord’s statement was surely perceived by many as terribly unpatriotic.

Let us prepare for the banquet through fasting, prayer, generosity, confession, and repentance, so that we will have the spiritual clarity to accept the great invitation that is ours in Christ Jesus.

As we conclude our preparation for celebrating the Lord’s Nativity, we must resist the temptation to corrupt this blessed season into an excuse for glorifying ourselves in any way. Instead, we must allow our hopes for whatever we want in this life to be called into question by the God-Man, Who was born in such strange circumstances to fulfill a kingdom not of this world that stands in prophetic judgment over all our agendas, preferences, and desires. We must learn at Christmas to hope only in Him.

Fr. John Strickland concludes his account of the origins of modern political ideology with the rise of nationalism, a force that not only proved to be a counterfeit to traditional Christianity, but the cause of one of utopian Christendom's greatest tragedies.

Fr. John shares the Homily of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) for the Sunday of the Last Judgment.

Nathan Hoppe shares reflections on Albania and the call that we have to invite others to meet Christ.

Nathan Hoppe, Orthodox Christian Mission Center missionary to Albania, shares about the Incarnation and missions.

Nathan Hoppe, Orthodox Christian Mission Center missionary to Albania, shares practical ways about getting involved in missions.

Fr. John Parker interviews Jonathan Pageau about his story in how he became an Orthodox Christian from being Baptist, and his internal struggle with a vocation as an artist. For further information: http://www.hexaemeron.org http://www.orthodoxartsjournal.org/ http://www.pageaucarvings.com/index.html

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. Learn more about the conference at http://pemptousia.com/2018/01/2nd-international-conference-on-digital-media-and-orthodox-pastoral-care-the-living-water-2/.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He tells about St. Nikephorus the Leper. Learn more about St. Nikephorus at https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nicephorus_the_Leper. Learn more about the conference at http://pemptousia.com/2018/01/2nd-international-conference-on-digital-media-and-orthodox-pastoral-care-the-living-water-2/.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He tells about Olga, a woman he met at the conference who is editor of the Russian magazine, Foma. Learn more about Foma. Learn more about the conference.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He introduces Orthphoto.net. Learn more about the conference.

Phil. 2:5-11, Luke 10: 38-42, Luke 11: 27-28 appear to be odd readings for the celebration of Holy Mary. Let’s consider, with the help of Isaiah 45 and St. John Chrysostom why they are so very “meet and right” in remembering the humble one who has been made “more honorable than the cherubim and more glorious than the seraphim.”

Today, we consider the Old Testament readings appointed for March 17 (Isaiah 13:2-13; Genesis 8:4-21; Proverbs 10:31-11:12) in the light of the life of Holy Bishop Patrick, and especially the prayer of the “Lorica” (the Breastplate) ascribed to him.

We look to the gospel and epistle readings for this feastday, in order to give us wisdom and courage in meeting the challenges of our own. Luke 1: 1-80, 3:16-20, Malachi 4, Romans 13:11-14:4

We look to this week’s readings, 2 Timothy 4:5-8, and Mark 1:1-8 (with the help of the prophecies of Malachi 3:1-5, 4:2-6), as an encouragement to put off the Old Man, and to put on Christ. The conjunction of Nativity with the beginning of our remembrance of Theophany leads us to dwell upon the themes of old and new— of the new covenant by which we have been embraced, of how it fulfils promises of the old covenant, and of how Christ himself is the Alpha as well as the Omega.

The Nativity of Christ, written by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrations by Roland J Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2010)

The Nativity of Christ by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrated by Roland J Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2010).

The Nativity and Early Life of St. John the Forerunner, by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrated by Roland J Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2012)

"The Nativity of Christ" from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"The Nativity of the Theotokos," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer," from The Lives of Our Saints, Illustrated Biographies Book 7 (Spiritual Fragrance Publishing, 2012)

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "God Creates the World," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

21. Book 1: The Nativity of the Theotokos from the series The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2003) Book 2: My Orthodox Counting Book: A Multi Cultural Way to Stimulate Curiosity About Faith by Maria Khoury (CDK Publications) Book 3: To Plant a Cross: The Story of Saint Kosmas Aitolos who Fought a War with Words by Angeline Eliakopoulos, part four and final installment, chapters 8-9 (Destro Publishers, Chicago, Illinois , 2004 - 773-561-2332)

35. Book 1: The Nativity of our Lord from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press) Book 2: A Perfect Christmas written by Dennis Eugene Engleman and illustrated by Niko Chocheli (Regina Orthodox Press, 2004)

37. Book 1: The Holy Nativity of Our Lord: The Birth of the Messiah by Euphemia Briere (St. Nectarios Press, 1993) Book 2: The Miraculous Child: A Christmas Folktale from old Russia retold by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 2000)

112. The Nativity of the Theotokos from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elaine (Conciliar Press, 2003)

128. Prepare, O Bethlehem: The Feast of the Nativity, illustrated for children by Niko Chocheli (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000)

Prepare, O Bethlehem: The Feast of the Nativity, illustrated for children by Niko Chocheli (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000)

The Story of the Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part One. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Story of the Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part Two. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Story of the Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part Three. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

Fr. Ted explains that the Nativity is not only the fulfillment of the Old Testament, but the beginning of the New.

Fr. Ted reminds us that icons affirm that God really did come in the flesh.