The Savior came to heal, bless and sanctify all who bear his image and likeness. Are we living into that healing and blessing?

As we continue to celebrate Theophany in a world that remains in “the region and shadow of death,” let us focus mindfully on living each day as those who have died to sin and risen with our Lord to a life of holiness. That is how we may wear a garment of light and become living epiphanies of the salvation of the world.

Fr. John addresses the uncertainty in Byzantium following the death of Constantine and then the consolidation of Christianity shortly after that.

Fr. John delineates the various ways in which Constantine contributed to the Christianization of the Roman state.

In this special video episode (the first of two parts), Father John discusses the background to the revolution in art during the Italian Renaissance. Though it produced some of the most stunning and innovative works ever, secular humanism represented a radical departure from the heavenly orientation of traditional Christian art.

This is part 2 to last week's special video episode, on the revolution of art during the Italian Renaissance.

In this episode Fr. John Strickland discusses various ways in which Christendom's leadership rejected the reformational Christianity that had provoked the wars of Western religion and replaced it with science, philosophy, pietistic Christianity, and a new religion known as deism.

In the nineteenth century, some Christians in America developed radically new visions of God's relationship to man and the cosmos. This "utopian Christianity" produced Unitarianism, Mormonism, and a string of millenarian sects. Father John Strickland concludes the episode with one of the most daring and disturbing examples of American utopianism, the community of Oneida in upstate New York.

Friedrich Nietzsche is in many ways the father of modern nihilism. In this episode, Fr. John describes the philosopher's relationship to the atheism of contemporary utopian Christendom, and how the music of Richard Wagner played a role in leading him toward nihilism. As with previous episodes, this one introduces the listener to some music that is both beautiful and historically important.

Fr John explores a Barna Group study on the state of Christianity in North America and asks how the observations impact us as Orthodox Christians. The study can be found HERE.

Fr. John Parker traveled to Romania and sat down with OCMC missionary Floyd Frantz who works with the Church to help people with addictions.

Fr. John Parker visited Albania in May of 2014 and while there interviewed OCMC missionaries Nathan and Gabriela Hoppe.

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

Fr. John reflects on a few experiences at Costco, and then about Clemson and Christianity.

Fr. John reflects on the Resurrection and the importance of Christ's death.

This Sunday, the fourteenth of Luke, we also commemorate the prophet Zephaniah, whose tiny book in the OT speaks eloquently both of the dark state of God’s people, and his aim to bring them into the light (Zephaniah 1:14-17; 3:9-20). Those themes help us to think more concretely, and as a community, concerning the gospel and epistle for today (Ephesians 5:8-19; Luke 18:35-43), where spiritual blindness and sight is also addressed.

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "The Prophet Ezekiel and The Prophet Daniel in Babylon," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "The Three Youths in the Fiery Furnace and The Prophet Daniel in the Lion’s Den," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

20. Book 1: Daniel and the Lion by Claire Brandenburg (Conciliar Press, 2002) Book 2: To Plant a Cross: The Story of Saint Kosmas Aitolos Who Fought a War with Words by Angeline Eliakopoulos, part three, chapters 5-7 (Destro Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 2004 773-561-2332).

The Last Battle from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, Chapter 8 The Chronicles of Narnia are published by Harper Trophy, A Division of Harper Collins, New York, New York. They are available for purchase here. We want to thank CS Lewis Pte. Ltd. for granting us permission to bring these wonderful stories to you. (Legal info).

In this his 400th episode of iSermon, Fr. Ted is invited to give the sermon at the Great Vespers of the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary at Holy Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto, Canada.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos helps us to discover the true meaning of Christmas through the life of the Orthodox Church.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Torrey Honors professor at Biola University, talks about Christianity and Culture.

This week Kevin re-conneects after 35 years with his old college dorm neighbor, Conservative Jewish Rabbi Alan J.Iser, about Judaism, the Jewish roots of Orthodox Christianity, and how religious Jews understand the Torah verses what Christians interpret christologically in this frank interview. Rabbi Iser is the spiritual leader of Congregation OR SHALOM in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. 44:05

Meet Father Paisius Altschul, the priest of Saint Mary of Egypt Serbian Orthodox Church and the Executive Director of Reconciliation Services/FOCUS Kansas City. Kevin speaks with Father Paisius about his community’s unique ministry of racial reconciliation and ministry to the poor and homeless in the inner city of Kansas City. (USA).

Human exceptionalism advocate and author Wesley J. Smith speaks with host Kevin Allen about the animal rights-animal liberation movement and its insistence on the "moral equivalence" between animals and humans! How does this compare with Orthodox teachings about the "brotherhood" of humans, animals and inanimate nature (St Gregory Palamas)? Listen and find out !

Dr. Christine Mangala was raised in India and brought up a devout Hindu. Her family was close to one of India's leading Hindu gurus and teachers. Now an Orthodox Christian writer and teacher, she and Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen speak about whether various aspects of Hindu Yoga are compatible with Christian faith and practice, or whether Yoga should be shunned entirely.

Rookie police officer, Orthodox deacon's son and priest's grandson, Joseph (Jobie) Braun speaks with Kevin about his job as a policeman in the infamous Los Angeles "South Central" area (e.g. the movie "Training Day") and how his Orthodox Christianity keeps him grounded.

Fr. Hans Jacobse, editor of Orthodoxy Today and President of The American Orthodox Institute speaks with host Kevin Allen about whether Eastern Orthodox Christians need to engage in the moral and social war that is being waged in our culture. They will also talk about whether "Religious Right" leaning ex-Evangelical converts are taking over the Orthodox churches in America! Buckle your seat belts!

Fr. Chad talks with visiting Romanian theologian Mihail Neamțu about the future of Orthodoxy in America, the treasures of Romanian Orthodoxy and the effects of communism in Eastern Europe. At the end, Fr. Chad recommended the following book: Bearers of the Spirit: Spiritual Fatherhood in Romanian Orthodoxy.

Princeton University's Philip and Beulah Rollins Professor of History Emeritus Dr. Peter Brown presented the 30th Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture to a standing room only crowd in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Dn. Michael Hyatt begins looking at chapter 2 of Thinking Orthodox by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou. It's called The Distinctiveness of Orthodox Christianity.

What REALLY happens when the wife is gone for ten days and the husband realizes he has 24 hours to prepare for her homecoming? Listen to Steve give away the "man secrets" and why cleaning house is a part of our salvation.

Fr. Evan Armatas welcomes guest co-hosts Dr. Timothy Patitsas from Holy Cross Hellenic College and Thomaida Hudanish from the Metropolis of San Fransisco Mission and Evangelism Ministry. to take listener questions but also to talk about the Beauty First Films project. If listeners would like to subscribe to the Beauty First Films email news list, here is the link: https://mailchi.mp/37d8ba4d0802/beautyfirstfilms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautyfirstfilms/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyfirstfilms/

Meet Daniel, one of the treasures at the Mission. Taken from Walking Humbly: The Holiness of the Poor, by St. John the Compassionate Mission.

It is the cry of the poor who are in solidarity with those who suffer the most, today. The poor are not indifferent to the suffering, but lift it in prayer, with faith that God hears them.

research and short essays about cultural loss and the critical importance of preservation and access #

in some cases, Meta is automatically creating the pages #

a dozen surprise new games released to everyone at the same time on a regular schedule #

Fr. Lawrence Farley is convinced that his culture knows absolutely nothing about the true meaning of Christmas.

Fr. Apostolos talks about the dangers of confusing externalism with spiritual fruit.

Fr. Apostolos speaks about the importance of attending and participating in the divine services. "No matter how many theological books we read or classes we attend, the treasure of Holy Orthodoxy can only be revealed in and through the medium of divine worship."

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Fr. Apostolos reminds us that unless we see the face of Christ in everyone we meet, to venerate our icons can be a form of idolatry.

Fr. Apostolos Hill exhorts us to embrace a new paradigm for parish youth ministry that focuses on spiritual development and less on entertainment.

Fr. Apostolos Hill dives into what we mean when we say, "Christ is born, Glorify Him" as well as other Orthodox Christmas meanings.

Fr. Apostolos speaks about the meaning and application of the Greek word for "Grace" and its connection with "joy" and "gratitude."