In this anecdotal introduction to the final reflection of Part 2 of the podcast, Father John relates the extraordinary story of a Reformation-era town that declared itself the kingdom of Christ on earth, a "New Jerusalem." Expressing a profound absence of God in the world, however, the story of Reformation Muenster was in fact a sign of the fall of a Christendom centered upon the experience of paradise.

Fr. John discusses the spiritual transformation of time by Christianity.

Fr. John begins to discuss his pilgrimage to Jerusalem and how it is important to visit the locations talked about in the New Testament.

Fr. John continues to share from Jerusalem, and he talks about the Church of St. James.

Fr. John talks about the history of the church in Jerusalem, and the holiness of the tomb of Christ.

Fr. John comments about the amount of faith in Jerusalem and urges us to pray fervently.

Fr John reflects on Liturgy at the Tomb of the Lord in Jerusalem

Fr John discusses a visit to the remarkable church built on the site of the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch--a church recently discovered and under excavation in near Bethlehem. The church contains one of the largest baptismal fonts found in Israel.

Dr. Edith Humphrey considers the Judges’ parable of the bramble and the trees, and the most famous of the Servant Songs of Isaiah, to illuminate the godly vs. self-seeking ambition, and the New Testament readings for this week.

What do the martyrdom of John the Forerunner and the weakness of Herod have to say to twenty-first century North American Christians? Explore the implications of John’s beheading and St. Paul’s description of the Forerunner, with the help of Psalm 2 and Malachi 4.

This Friday, July 22nd, Eastern and Western Christians honor St. Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles. We consider, by reference to Old and New Testament texts, what her particular role in the Church can teach us about communion with each other, and with the LORD.

The prophet Isaiah and St. John Chrysostom help us to understand why God hides and reveals, as we read Galatians 1 and Luke 8:41-56. We are led to pay special attention to the epistle, since we have heard it twice in the space of two weeks!

Today, on what has unfortunately become a merely “secular” festival, we recover a deeper Valentine’s message by considering what our faith has to say about romance and true love. We look at the life of the third century St. Valentine, and consider Hebrews 13:4, Genesis 1 and 2, Ephesians 5; and the book of Tobit (especially 8:4-8).

This weekend we consider the radiance of Bright week, the glory of the Theotokos, and the promise of our incorporation into the New Jerusalem, even as we reap many of its benefits now. We look to the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, as well as to the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, to fill in the wonder of the Paschal hymn and its call for us to rejoice and shine with the glory of God.

This week we consider Jesus’ strengthening words to Philadelphia in Rev 3:7-13, seeking to understand the meaning of the crown, the pillars, and the name of New Jerusalem by reference to various passages in the New Testament and the fathers, and by looking back to Ex 19:6, 1 Kings 7:21, Zec 4, Hos. 2:24 and Is 44:5.

"The Parable of the Talents" from The Parables of Christ by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

The Tale of Three Trees, retold by Angela Elwell Hunt, illustrations by Tim Jonke (A Lion Picture Story, 1989)

"Saint George" and "Saint Alexandra" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations, written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

"Saint Catherine of Alexandria," from Royal Saints: A coloring book with stories of saintly royalty throughout the history of Christianity (Draw Near Designs). Saints drawn by Marian Adams. Stories & Borders by Abigail Holt. Layout by Caroline Gann.

"Saint Alexander Nevsky," from Royal Saints: A coloring book with stories of saintly royalty throughout the history of Christianity (Draw Near Designs). Saints drawn by Marian Adams. Stories & Borders by Abigail Holt. Layout by Caroline Gann.

54. Book 1: The Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2005) (duration 3.37) Book 2: Great and Holy Friday from The Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006) (begins at 4:20, duration 5.25) Book 3: Drita: An Albanian Girl Discovers her Ancestor's Faith by Renee Ritsi (Conciliar Press, 2008) (begins at 9:58, duration 13.10)

141. The Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2005)

150. The Ravens of Farne: A Tale of Saint Cuthbert by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2009).

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos describes the difference between the Samaritans and the Jews which inform Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman, St. Photini.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos explains the significance of the spiritual calendar and the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year.

How talking about anything — including violence and sexuality — can lead to consequences in others’ lives, intentionally and unintentionally. Read the transcript HERE.

The St. Vladimir’s Seminary Octet, under the direction of Hierodeacon Herman (Majkrzak), presented a concert of liturgical music at this year’s Education Day at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. The program included hymns in celebration of saints venerated in both the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches.

On the Feast of the Three Hierarchs Tuesday, January 30, 2017, St. Vladimir's Seminary hosted a marvelous evening program featuring the 35th Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Lecture. Seminary alumnus Dr. Scott Kenworthy presented the Schmemann Lecture, entitled, “St. Tikhon of Moscow (1865–1925) and the Orthodox Church in North America and Revolutionary Russia.” Dr. Kenworthy described St. Tikhon’s pastoral responsibilities both in North America and Russia, and noted how 21st-century Orthodox Christians could benefit from the well-documented spiritual struggles and challenges that the saint experienced. Dr. Kenworthy is Associate Professor of Comparative Religion and Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies at Miami University (Oxford, OH). He is currently writing a new, comprehensive biography of St. Tikhon.

St. Vladimir’s Seminary celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)’s autocephaly Thursday, January 30, 2020. A full-day of events culminated with a passionate, heartfelt 37th Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture delivered by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael (Dahulich). Hear his lecture, "The Gift of Autocephaly," the Mid-Year Commencement Ceremony, and a final reflection from His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon.

Caleb Rexford is a first year Masters of Divinity student from the OCA Diocese of the South. He attends St Vladimir's Seminary with his wife and four children. In this episode you will hear about Caleb's journey to Orthodoxy, his experience raising children in the Church, his discernment process leading up to Seminary, and much more about his experience at St Vladimir's Seminary so far.

Padre Nicolás predico sobre la alegría de Dios que nos da la fuerza para aguantar el sufrimiento. (Juan 17:1-13) Fr. Nicholas preached about the joy of God and how it strengthens us to persevere through the suffering we experience. (Juan 17:1-13)

Padre Nicolás predicó sobre la importancia para tener gozo en nuestros corazones y no dejar las cosas del mundo a quitar nuestra alegría. (Lucas 9:18-22) Fr. Nicholas preached about the importance of having joy in our hearts and not to let the temptations of the world take away our happiness. (Luke 9:18-22)

Padre Nicolás predicó sobre la importancia a tener en tu corazón la meta a ser como Dios. Solamente las virtudes de Dios llevarán al Cielo. (Mateo 6:14-21) Fr. Nicholas preached about the importance to have in your heart the goal of being like God. The virtues of God is the only thing you will bring to heaven. (Matt. 6:14-21)

Padre Nicholas predicó sobre como nuestras alas espirituales nos lleva a Dios. Vamos a madura en el Señor dejando todas las preocupaciones del mundo y fortalecido por la Palabra de Dios. Juan 4:5-42 Fr. Nicholas preached on how our spiritual wings bring us to God. Let us mature in the Lord, leaving all the worries of the world behind and being fueled by God´s Word. John 4:5-42

Carta: Gal 2: 16-20, Evangelio Mc 8:34- 9:1 El Padre Nicholas predicó sobre buscar la alegría de Dios y vivir y servir en fe. Letter: Gal 2: 16-20, Gospel: Mk 8:34- 9:1 Father Nicholas preached about seeking the joy of God and living and serving in faith.

El Padre Nicolás predicó sobre lo dificil del camino, pero que vale la pena el esfuerzo por la vida eterna. Father Nicholas preached about how difficult the road is, but that it is worth the effort for eternal life.

Listen in on Steve's reflections on learning to love, his marriage and his Valentine's day wish for his wife.

Fr. Evan Armatas welcomes Fr. Alexander Rentel from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary as a guest co-host. Fr. Alexander is an expert on canon law and together they tackled a variety of listener questions from calls, email, the chat room, and pre-recorded.

Dn. Pawel, the prefect of the Lived Theology School Program, describes a typical/atypical lunch discussion at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Ada Ada Ada is documenting her transition on Instagram, uploading shirtless photos weekly to test their nudity guidelines #

Fr. Apostolos Hill gave a recap of the vitality of our young ones' faith alongside the pitfalls awaiting those whose spiritual development is neglected in the home or parish. Stay Alert, Stay Alive was the theme of All Saints Camp (Arizona) this past week.

On Stewardship Sunday, Fr. Apostolos Hill shares a homily that includes three testimonies from the newest Holy Trinity members and converts to Holy Orthodoxy.

Sermon on the Sunday of the Blind Man (John 9:1-38)

Sunday of the Paralytic - Fourth Sunday of Pascha

The healing of the paralytic is a wonderful gospel scene rich with meaning for us. Fr Tom reminds us that God demonstrates His power when formerly "paralyzed" lives are healed and transformed to become living testimonies to the truth of Christ.

The New Testament is full of amazing stories about the healings performed by Jesus and the Apostles. Fr Thomas reminds us that in order to be made completely whole by the Lord, we must continue in our effort to glory in the cross by dying to the world. (22nd Sunday after Pentecost)

In a powerful message on the value of faith, Fr Thomas reminds us that forgiveness is the most important healing we'll ever receive.