Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

As we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of Christ, the eternal Word of God become man, we remember that the Lord Jesus Christ has both a familial and spiritual lineage. Through His birth, He heals the brokenness of His, and our, human family. (Sunday before the Nativity of Christ)

We can sometimes take the blessings we receive and miracles we read about in the New Testament for granted. The reading about the healing of the blind man is one such event, because the Lord didn't simply heal his sight, He actually created eyes for the man! Fr Thomas teaches us that the health of our sight is measured by what we're willing to see regarding the love and works of God.

After a tumultuous week in the nation, Fr Thomas teaches us that the parable of the Good Samaritan commands that we must not only physically serve our neighbor who is beat up and in need, but spiritually heal them as well.

On the great feast of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, Fr Thomas reminds us that the message given by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary is the very essence of the gospel message. This same message about the person of Jesus Christ also requires a response from us.

The saying goes, "actions speak louder than words." Christ Himself condemned the Jewish religious leaders for saying one thing but doing another. Fr Thomas teaches us that, as Orthodox Christians, our actions are important because they have to align with what we claim about God and ourselves. In fact, our eternal judgment is at stake.

On the Pre-Lenten Sunday of the Final Judgment, Fr Thomas speaks out against the false teachings of universalism, millenarianism, and the doubted return of Christ.

Lest we forget the cosmic realities of our Orthodox worship, Fr. Tom unpacks the reading of the Samaritan Woman in order to remind us that worship in spirit and in truth is not bound to space or time, and includes - not least of all - personal sacrifice.

Subdeacon Emmanuel is the homilist and speaks about the celebration of the saints of Britain and Ireland as well as all saints abroad.

Dn. Christopher gives the homily and says that Christ has destroyed death and the power of evil; he dealt with it in His passion. We have to repent to allow this salvation to work within us.

Forgiveness is waiting for us NOW when we turn to Christ. Use the help that is available and let us carry each other in love and prayer as we all strive to a greater perfection.

Deacon Emmanuel Kahn's homily on the biblical story of Blind Bartimaeus reminds that we should all become focused on Christ, instead of our problems—even if those problems rightly remain important to us.

A Bishop is called not to be a successful manager, a smooth operator, a charming person, an efficient administrator, nor even an amazing preacher. Some of these things are good and necessary but without humility they can never be enlisted in the service of love and the God who is love.

Fr. Gregory speaks on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Fr. Gregory gives a tour through two of the lesser well known Archangels revealing some gems of insight concerning the brilliance of God in both healing power and enlightenment of mind.

Fr. Emmanuel Kahn speaks about St Dunstan, a 10th century Archbishop of Canterbury.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. Albert Rossi, the residential clinical psychologist at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and the author of the new AFP book Becoming a Healing Presence.

Dr. Reynolds talks about experts, how one should deal with real experts, and how to spot fake ones.

Supporting another's self-destruction is not a compassionate or morally neutral act.

Is human life exceptional when compared to the animal kingdom? Some scientists do not think so!

Is the desire for meaning and purpose exclusive to those who are religious, or do all human beings long for something more?

Is euthanasia really the best way to alleviate the suffering of those dealing with serious mental illness?

Dr. Rossi interviews Dr. Paul Meyendorff about the topic of healing and the Sacrament of Unction.

Dr. Rossi shares his travels to the Holy Land by describing the Lake (Sea) of Galilee and the surrounding area where Jesus did much of his ministry.

Dr. Rossi interviews Wes Pulley, a recent graduate from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY, on the topic of hospitality in the local parish.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on how we can be a healing presence during these dark times in our world.

Dr. Albert Rossi interviews Dr. Michael Legaspi about the experience of his daughter becoming a monastic.

Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the real story behind the Pope and his Twitter followers is the death of maximalism in the Roman Catholic Church and the modern rush to lower the bar for pretty much everything.

On a new "Ancient Faith Commentaries," Fr. Lawrence Farley explains that the LGBT reality is not really new; it is the same old darkness that St. Paul encountered in his time. And Paul's word to the Church then still stands for us today.

Fr. Philip LeMasters argues that it has always been a component of Orthodox teaching that the uniquely life-giving union of man and woman is unspeakably holy and a sign of the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Will everyone be saved in the end? Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the Scriptures, the Fathers, and even Christ Himself all say no.

Fr. Philip reflects on the Eucharistic context of the pastoral response to contemporary challenges in marriage, family, and sexuality.

In this first half of a lecture recorded live in commemoration of the "Pauline Year," celebrating 2,000 years since the birth of the Apostle, Archimandrite Irenei explores the heritage of the great missionary saint in Orthodoxy. Drawing connections to Elder Joseph the Hesychast of Mount Athos, St Symeon the New Theologian, and other great figures of the Orthodox tradition, this first portion of the lecture addresses questions of conversion and relationship, and how St Paul’s example is at the heart of living Orthodox Tradition.

This week we broadcast the second half of our lecture on the heritage of St Paul in Orthodoxy, given recently in Manchester, UK, to a largely non-Orthodox audience. In this portion, Archimandrite Irenei focuses on St. Paul’s injunction to "pray without ceasing," and explores the manner in which this is lived out in the Prayer of the Heart and experiential life of Orthodox Christianity throughout history.

St. John Chrysostom's preaching is filled with practical advice on living a Christian life in the world, and in this broadcast we look at four sayings in which he addresses commonplace issues in the Christian's dealings with others: combating envy, overcoming offence, learning to conquer anger with love, and living in unity to the glory of God.

St. John Chrysostom’s preaching is filled with practical advice on living a Christian life in the world, and in this broadcast we look at four sayings in which he addresses commonplace issues in the Christian’s dealings with others: combating envy, overcoming offence, learning to conquer anger with love, and living in unity to the glory of God.

Bobby Maddex interviews Mat. Jenny Hainsworth, the co-founder and proprietor of the Egeria Home and Hospitality Exchange. Learn how to travel the world by swapping homes with other Orthodox Christians.

Fr. Caleb Abetti is the Chair of the Contemporary Issues Implementation Team for the OCA and he talks to us about an coming event in White River, VT, called Holy Conversation - Marriage and Sexuality.