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Sermon Feb. 3, 2013 (Sunday of Zacchaeus / Synaxis of Ss. Symeon & Anna)

On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew speaks about Expectation, Action, and Fulfillment, which lead to Salvation.




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Why Does the Orthodox Parish Exist? The Rich Man, Tithing & Lazarus (Sermon Nov. 1, 2015)

Framing his discussion with the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Fr. Andrew asks why the Orthodox parish exists and what that has to do with tithing.




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Orthodox Christian Morality in Public:  Reflections on Sexuality and Bioethics

What is a person? Is our culture confused about what a person is? What is morality? What does it mean to be moral? How does sex fit in? What about homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research and assisted suicide? How should we as Orthodox Christians live regarding these matters? How should we talk to our family and friends about them? How should we talk to the wider society about them? Should we engage in political action over them?




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Be Loved: Living Like John the Evangelist & Theologian

How can we see and share love on a college campus? Hear as OCF Student Leadership Board members share their thoughts about love. Danielle brings it all together with a discussion of "the disciple whom Jesus loved", the holy Apostle and Evangelist John.




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Ortho-Man & the Riddle of the Psssssst!

In the third and final episode of Ortho-Man, Fr. Joseph is led down a dark hallway by a mysterious stranger who reveals to him the similarities of Underdog, Batman, Pink Panther, Indiana Jones, Buzz Lightyear and ... Ortho-Man.




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Gotta Go To Camp Now

Fr. John Monto joins Fr. Joseph Huneycutt for a week at Camp St Raphael. This week's podcast offers an audio snapshot -- including the soon-to-be-classic "DOWAMA Don't Let Your Campers Grow Up to be Clergy" and the new smash hit, "Gotta Go To Camp Now." Enjoy!




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The Ike & Rita (“Turners”) Review

This week's episode, not nearly as exciting as visuals of a major hurricane slamming a major city, is a personal reflection on former Houston guests: Gustav, Katrina, Ike and Rita.




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Ewnay Yearay At Bill's Bible, Bait & Tackle

Did you ever try to find something even remotely Orthodox in your local superstore, gift shop, or bible book store? Chances are, you'll find all manner of things purporting to be spiritual, religious, new-fangled and Christian -- though nary even a wall calendar reflecting the Ancient Faith. Besides, what should you do when you do find one?




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Thanksgiving: The 8th Ecumenical Campfire

A Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, along with a Greek layman—unexpectedly—share a Thanksgiving campfire. What do you think happens?




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Thanksgiving - The 8th Ecumenical Campfire - Part 2

In our last episode: a Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, along with a Greek layman—unexpectedly—share a Thanksgiving campfire. In the end, Fr Joseph asked: "What do you think happens?" This week, an answer (provided almost entirely from AFR listeners).




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Bagpipes & Liturgical Dance, Next Sunday

Fr. Joseph, in this Sunday morning sermon, announces the pending changes to the worship services of St. George, Houston. Well, kinda ...




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Camp St. Raphael 2010 - A Musical Snapshot

Fr. Joseph Huneycutt was blessed to attend the second session of Camp St Raphael 2010 -- YaBoy! Enjoy this musical snapshot!




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What Is The Orthodox Christian Fellowship?  (A Clergy-Laity Report)

Fr. Joseph interviews the Development Director, Presbytera Shyla Hadzellis and her husband, Fr. Nicholas, about OCF and their presence at the recent GOA Clergy-Laity Congress held in Atlanta, Georgia.




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Bill's Bible Bait & Tackle Calendar

Did you ever try to find something even remotely Orthodox in your local superstore, gift shop, or bible book store? Chances are, you'll find all manner of things purporting to be spiritual, religious, new-fangled and Christian -- though nary even a wall calendar reflecting the Ancient Faith. Besides, what should you do when you do find one?




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A Survey of Christian Caterpillars, Muslim Hookahs & Holy Bread

The number of Orthodox Christians in America is greatly inflated in a recent survey; an anonymous Orthodox comments on a Christian caterpillar; and a Muslim converts to Christianity thanks to antidoron -- all this and more as Fr. Joseph reads letters from AFR listeners.




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Reconvening the Ecumenical Campfire

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!




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House Blessing, Shaun Cassidy & The Exorcist

Fr Joseph ventures into the chaos of mass house blessings with the Sign of the Cross, two Shaun Cassidy fans, and one former Exorcist!




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A Tonight Show Rerun (with Dave, Conan, Leno & Red)

Fr. Joseph revisits "The Tonight Show" and dreams of hosting, guesting and side-kicking (featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Conan O'Brien, Carnac the Magnorfodox, David of Wales, Red Skelton, "the world's greatest grape catcher" and more)!




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The Bellybutton, the Beast, and the Beatbox (from Camp St Raphael)

Fr Joseph offers an "audio snapshot" of life at Camp St Raphael - 2011, Session One. (Oh, and for him to hear it, that fat lady will need to sing a little louder.)




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Annual Ecumenical Campfire and Contest

A 3-year-old Thanksgiving "tradition": The Eighth Ecumenical Campfire—and contest. This year's contest winners will receive the new book by Fr. Michael Keiser titled Spread the Word: Reclaiming the Apostolic Tradition of Evangelism. Tune in to this encore episode for details.




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Camp St. Raphael 2012 - Session One, Part One

Fr. Joseph took his recorder to Camp only to find that it . . . aged him? Er, the campers' songs aged him? Maybe he took his recorder—and his age—to camp? Anyway, the podcast is new and he is old. (But, he's not the oldest.) Here's an audio snapshot of Camp St. Raphael, Session One, Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America.




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YaBoy! Camp St Raphael 2013

From Waiters to Ask Abouna, from Cups to Taylor the Latte Boy, from Living Water to Green Eggs & Ham . . . it must be Camp St Raphael "live" from Wagoner, Oklahoma! YaBoy!




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Camp St. Raphael - 2015

An audio snapshot of CSR Session One, 2015—with a montage of Serenade Night. Ya Boy!




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Zombies Evolving, Flying Priest Revolving: Camp St Raphael and Ask Abouna

Fr. Joseph entertains questions from young people at Camp St. Raphael—proving, Darwin's Theory notwithstanding, that the more things change, the more they remain the same.




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Camp St. Raphael 2016 - Audio Snapshot

An audio snapshot of CSR Session One, 2016—with a montage of Serenade Night. Ya Boy!




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Camp St Raphael 2017 - Audio Snapshot

An audio snapshot of CSR Session One, 2017—with a montage of Serenade Night. Ya Boy!




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Camp St. Raphael 2018

An audio snapshot of CSR Session One, 2018—with the complete Serenade Night (beginning at 29:07). Ya Boy!




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Donne with the Ecumenical Campfire

This ecumenical Thanksgiving tale has developed over the years—in large part thanks to AFR listeners. Enjoy!




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Blindman, Bleakidy Blank & Blagoslovi!

If Christ can make eyeballs out of spit and clay, He can take care of you!




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Fasting Q&A

Today Fr. Joseph answers the questions sent in by listeners on the subject of fasting.




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Summer Camp for Priests, Rituals, and Choosing a Seminary

In this rambling episode, Fr. Anthony makes a plea for family pilgrimages (his uses Mommy and Me, Daddy and Me at All Saints Camp), talks about how he likes to teach dogmatics, and gives some advice on choosing a seminary. Enjoy the show!




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Gaslighting or Conspiracy?  How to Pastor in Crazy Times

Join Fr. Anthony as he talks with Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD, to get some advice on the role of the priest/pastor in crazy times. It's a difficult conversation, but it's important for us to have trusted friends in our lives who will tell us things we don't want to hear. Fr. Gregory is wise, experienced, and courageous enough to say things that will satisfy precisely no one. Enjoy the show!




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Camp St. Sava: Talking about Miracles and the Butterfly Circus

Elissa recounts her week at Camp St. Sava, the official Orthodox summer camp of the Serbian Orthodox Church's Western American Diocese.




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Camp, Berries, and Thorns

Fr. Michael shares about his experience with the first ever Antiochian Orthodox youth camp in western Canada.




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Episode 33: Folk & Rap & the Josh In Between

This week, the guys decided to talk about their first overtly Christian piece of art: Josh Garrels’ album, Love & War & the Sea In Between. They discuss the unique power of poetry and music to speak our hearts, the struggle and necessity of facing our own brokenness, and the tension between what we see and what we hope for. They close with their Top 5 Western Christian Church Hymns.




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Episode 147: The Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2

"I'm Santa Claus, Teddy, not Yoda." Steve and Christian watched the delightful holiday movies, "The Christmas Chronicles" and "The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two" The guys discuss Santa Claus, pastoral care, the struggle to determine our identity, and a sacramental view of the world. ​ Philanthropy Spotlight: We're also shining a light on the FOCUS North America, a national movement of Orthodox Christians, united in faith and joined by a desire to provide action-oriented and sustainable solutions to poverty in communities across America. FOCUS has operations and youth volunteer experiences in more than 20 cities in the United States. Learn more on the parish website: https://focusnorthamerica.org/ ​




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Episode 172: Fall of the House of Usher & Rats in the Walls

The girls and their special guest discuss the two classic short stories, touching on themes such as how our thoughts determine our lives, generational sin, and the Harrowing of Hades.




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Our Hope for Eternal Life:  Homily for the Dormition

The dormition of the Theotokos is an icon of our hope for eternal life.




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The Rich Fool & the Nativity Fast

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.




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The Rich Young Ruler & The Joy of Christmas

Approaching God's requirements as a simple checklist for eternal life will leave us, like the Rich Young Ruler, outside of the great joy of Christmas.




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Homily for the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, Pious Joseph of Arimathaea, & Righteous Nicodemus

As we continue to celebrate our Lord’s glorious resurrection on the third day and victory over Hades and the tomb, we have to admit that all too often we live as though death still reigned. We do so especially when we obsess about how weak, broken, and vulnerable we are, especially in light of the grave.




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Orientation, Disorientation, Reorientation:  evangelization report at the All American Council

Fr. John shares an update from the Department of Evangelization with the 18th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America, July 2015.




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The Premise of Lamp for Today

In her inaugural episode, Dr. Humphrey lays the groundwork for her new series.




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Fifth Sunday after Pentecost:  “Beloved for the sake of their forefathers”

Professor Humphrey here tackles the difficult passage of Romans 10:1-10, showing that it echoes Deuteronomy 30. Here we see the mistake of interpreting the religion of Israel as a cold and legalistic religion of laws, and are called to generosity of spirit in praying for all who do not know Christ, including the Jewish people, whom St. Paul declares to be “beloved for the sake of their forefathers.”




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Save us, O Son of God: Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost & Sixth Sunday of Luke

Consider how the gospel readings from various jurisdictions for this Sunday clarify St. Paul’s difficult retort to St. Peter in Galatians concerning the Law, faith, and the faithfulness of Christ, and how the OT clarifies the meaning of the phrase “Son of God” used in all these passages!




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Going to the Dogs!  The Fifteenth Sunday of Matthew

Consider this difficult story (Matthew 15: 21-28) of Jesus ‘refusing’ to help, and consider the mercy, rather than the fairness of our mysterious and compassionate Lord. The Fathers and the Old Testament help us through this awkward gospel reading.




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Forgiveness and Fasting:  Cheesefare Sunday and Forgiveness Vespers

Consider how the prophet Isaiah and the sage ben Sirach help us to understand more about the gospel’s teaching on forgiveness, and St. Paul’s words on living the attentive life of ascesis. Why should we ask forgiveness of those whom we think we haven’t even hurt—because our sins hurt everyone in the body of Christ!




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At Odds With the Power-That-Be!  The Sunday of the Blind Man

Our readings for this Sunday before Ascension are dramatic stories of Jesus’s healing of the blind man, and the conversion of the jailer after Paul and Silas had been wrongfully imprisoned (John 9:1-38; Acts 16:16-35). Psalm 2 and Daniel 7 help us to understand the authority (and compassion) of the Son of Man, and lead us to reflect upon our place in an increasingly hostile world, where both religious and political powers may not appreciate the glory of the Lord, or our solidarity with Him.




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Holy Pentecost:  Water, Light and Living Words

John 7:37-52; 8:12 and Acts 2:1-11 are paired in this Holy day’s readings, showing us Jesus’ promise and the fulfillment of his words. Let us consider also how Pentecost, a multi-sensory event, was the undoing of the confusion of Babel, and the fulfillment of the words of Amos and Ezekiel, not only for Israel, but for the whole human race. With this confidence, let us pray for our patriarchs in Crete and across the world as they consider and work towards our common life together.




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Eighth Sunday of Matthew:  Loaves, Fish and Family

Our readings for this Sunday give us deep insight into God’s practical care for the new human family that is reconstituted around the God-Man Jesus. He feeds them and suffers for them as the Good Shepherd, and teaches his disciples how to humbly care for others, as well. The Holy Theotokos is the example par excellence of one who has learned these lessons of nurture and humility. Matthew 14:14-22; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Ezekiel 34:11-23, 2 Kings 40-44, Psalm 23.