Frederica likes the new Disney movie, Enchanted, and provides an enchanting review for our AFR listeners.

Fr. Thomas relates the story of the icon not made by hand which is celebrated each August after the Dormition of the Theotokos. Could it actually be the shroud of Turin?

The next interview from Albania is with veteran OCMC missionary Nathan Hoppe. Fr. Tom references a recording of Nathan's late wife Lynette made only a week or two before she died. That recording was featured on AFR in an interview with Fr. Luke Veronis and can be heard HERE. You can purchase Fr. Luke's book by clicking HERE. For Lynette's pictorial album about the re-birth of the Church in Albania, click HERE.

Fr. Tom encourages us to remember the place of gratitude and thanksgiving in the Christian life and tells us how we can go deeper and higher into the meaning of gratitude.

Fr. Thomas Hopko presents a meditation on how the liturgical services of Christmas and Epiphany pattern those of the Christ's Holy Pascha of Easter.

From the Speaking the Truth in Love archives, Fr. Tom Hopko offers this very helpful meditation on the feast of Theophany.

Dr. Constantinou discusses Samuel and Hannah in this, lesson 84, in her series, "Introduction to the Bible."

Dr. Costantinou brings us lesson 85 in her series, "Introduction to the Bible." In this podcast, she continues discussing Samuel and Hannah.

Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of Samuel and Hannah, which is lesson 86 of her series, "Introduction to the Bible."

Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of Samuel and Hannah, which is lesson 87 of her series, "Introduction to the Bible."

Fr Joseph interviews Fr James Guirguis of St. Raphael of Brooklyn/Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. This church is full of children! Fr. James offers a word on the joy of the priesthood, which is truly fruit for thought.

Are we living in the Last Days? Sure! What are we to do about it? Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston.

Fr. John shares his homily on 1 Samuel 1-2.

Fr. John talks about the impossibility of repentance without a changed life, from Luke 19:1-10.

Fr. John shares from Daniel 2:1-49.

Fr, John Whiteford uses Psalm 91 to discuss the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

Fr. John Whiteford speaks about the Pharisee and Publican from Luke 18:9-14.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches from Colossians 2:6-15.

Fr. John Whiteford uses the epistle from Theophany, Titus 2:11-15, to discuss the feast.

Fr. John Whiteford uses the life of St. Athanasius, to discuss the importance of standing firm in our faith.

What is stirring when we meet our rebel self? And when that rebel self shows up, what wisdom will we find there? On this episode of The Wilderness Journal, Angela explores the familiar landscape of rebellion, its role in conversion and in deepening our journey of faith.

Matthew was a hated tax collector for the occupying Roman Empire. His encounter with Jesus Christ changed him forever. It is this life changing encounter that invites us today to further renew the spirit of our minds about just what is this Christian life anyway!

Struck by the phrase “disenchanted with morality” in the pages of a book one morning, Michael shares his thoughts that came to mind. Why does it seem society often appears disenchanted with morality? Why is Christianity so often wrongly perceived and taught as a judgmental set of moral rules and rigid codes of behavior? Why is legalism doing so much harm to our faith? What truly is morality from an Orthodox Christian perspective? Join Michael as he addresses these questions and more, and explains the “enchantment” we should all experience because of our faith.

How do we understand God’s grace and providence in the direction of our lives? Is there such a thing as chance and coincidence, or is it simply our lack of spiritual perception that makes it seem so? Join Michael as he thoroughly explores this topic and shares personal examples, thoughts and the insights that apply to all of us.

Join Michael as he takes a deep dive into what mercy is, why we often misunderstand it, why we sometimes misperceive God as harsh or even vengeful, and what we need to understand to open our hearts to God’s ever-present mercy.

Join Michael as he discusses the Book of Job as a case study in suffering and the importance of how we receive our suffering; how it is often what defines our salvation and belief in and relationship to God; what God gives and does not give to us in our suffering; and how our suffering can be a mystery and those closest to us can often create obstacles for us to receive it well.

Join Michael as he explains why we need to become, and always stay, “enchanted” by God through sacramental understanding and participation, and how this is our witness and demonstration of the truth of the Gospel.

Join Michael for a discussion on how to avoid being paralyzed with guilt and shame over our worst failures, and experience God at work within them.

Prayer is a new creation - St Sophrony says somewhere. By that, he means that prayer will change the one who prays into a new person, a true person, the saints whom God created us to be. If we are afraid of change, we should be terrified of prayer, because prayer is deeply transformative or nothing at all. Prayer kills the evil seeds in us and it feeds the good seeds in us. Like a series of small deaths and resurrections, prayer slowly reshapes our being, until it re-creates us according to the Image of God in us.

As we begin our Lenten journey, Fr. Seraphim Aldea reminds us of the importance of repentance for our salvation.

No good can come from constantly re-assessing our decision to enter a marriage or monastic life. The time for assessing is before we enter the Sacrament; after that, we should allow Christ to freely use the 'tool' of the Sacrament to shape us into the Saints He created us to be.