In this week’s broadcast, Archimandrite Irenei examines several sections from St John’s Ladder to Paradise, read throughout Great Lent and particularly remembered in this Fifth Week, dealing especially with the paradoxes of spiritual life and the mystery of a "joy-creating sorrow."

Listen to an interview with Bev Cooke about her new book from Conciliar Press: Royal Monastic: Princess Ileana of Romania. This is the true story of a princess who later became Mother Alexandra, the founder of the Holy Transfiguration monastery in Ellwood City, PA.

A talk by Bishop Peter (Loukianoff) of Cleveland (ROCOR), given at the St. Herman's Conference in Houston, Texas, December 26, 2011. Our thanks to Fr. John Whiteford for making this talk available to AFR.

Bobby Maddex interviews Steven Christoforou, the Youth Protection and Parish Ministries Coordinator for the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America and the host of the Ancient Faith Radio video podcast Be the Bee, about the many resources for youth and young adult ministry that are available from the GOA.

Bobby Maddex interviews Nicholas Anton and Theodore Pritsis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese about the United Nations programs that are a ministry of the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations of the GOA.

Bobby Maddex interviews Nathan Jekel, the President of the Penn State Harrisburg chapter of OCF, about how to create a successful and invested chapter of Orthodox Christian Fellowship.

Fr. Noah Bushelli and Christi Ghiz join us to talk about 3 homeschooling conferences scheduled as well as the Department of Homeschooling at the Antiochian Archdiocese. They also invite you to order T-Shirts and Totes!

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Noah Bushelli, the Director of the Department of Homeschooling for the Antiochian Archdiocese, about the St. Emmelia Orthodox Homeschool Conferences.

John Maddex talks with the team behind the Icons of Sound project that resulted in Cappella Romana's chart-topping surround-sound recording, Lost Voices of Hagia Sophia. He talked with the four people integral to the project: Alexander Lingas (Music Director of Cappella Romana), Bissera Pentcheva (Professor of Art and Art History, Stanford University), Jonathan Abel (Professor at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, Stanford University), and Mark Powell (Executive Director of Cappella Romana). Order the CD and related resources Also check out Icons of Sound at Stanford University

Fr. Pat shares his homily from the Sunday of the Paralytic.

Fr. Pat discusses three periods of biblical history related to the Nativity.

Fr. Pat provides brief reflections on three parables from Matthew 24:36-26:2; the Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, and the Parable of the Talents.

Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon preaches from Luke 18:35-43, the story of the blind beggar who receives his sight.

Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon warns us about three things which impede our ability to walk worthy of the vocation with which we have been called.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Thanksgiving is a time to feel grateful. But that attitude of gratitude can go away as soon as we're done with the turkey. How do we keep it going? Saint Paul tells us to "give thanks in all circumstances." Because real gratitude is more than a feeling. As we see in the Parable of the Rich Fool, it starts with remembering one crucial thing. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee158

Guest: On this day before US "Tax day," Fr. Michael Tassos and Kevin discuss the role of money and finance (and financial planning) in the Orthodox Christian life. Fr. Michael is a Senior Priest and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

In light of the more negative news recently about the decline of Christianity and in particular Orthodox Christianity, we present a balanced perspective which showcases three successful parishes in the Greek Archdiocese. Joining Kevin are Fr. Lou Christopulos, Fr. Theodore Dorrance, and Fr. Evan Armatas.

Guest: Frederica Mathewes-Green, ex-feminist turned pro-life Christian, author of Gender and Real Choices, and a cultural commentator for NPR, National Review, Beliefnet.com, and Ancient Faith Radio.

You want a spiritual experience? You want to show off about it? Listen to what St. Paul says...

When you compare the account of the healing of the two men with demons, with the accounts on either side of this story, you will notice two very different attitudes of those who came before the Lord in their attitude to prayer for others. Where do you fall? Matthew 8:28 - 9:1

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller looks at the team and the sacrifices behind "absolute tennis keeno" Jack Draper's run to the US Open semi-finals.

Coco Gauff confirms her semi-final spot at the WTA Finals with a rare win over defending champion Iga Swiatek.

This one is simple. The metric that matters when defining a "successful" landing page is profitability. You need to make more than you spend to bring the traffic. If you're spending X to get traffic, and you're profiting X-plus-anything after...

Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas' call-up to the Wales squad is a "real success story" for the club, says boss George Skivington.

Warren Gatland has a week to lift his players enough to prevent a record 11th Test loss in a row.

Former Commonwealth Games squash silver medallist Tania Bailey announces her retirement from the sport.

Lloyd Martin could not be torn away from music he passed on the route, says his mum Ceri.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd tells MPs David Anderson QC will oversee a review of the way recent attacks were handled. in a statement on the terror attacks in Manchester and London.

The health secretary says he will come forward before Christmas with measures to aid the hospice sector.

Michael McMonagle has been sentenced to nine months in custody and a further nine months on licence.

James Bedding says small steps can be a "nightmare" for wheelchair users in Jersey.

A number of major firms have warned over the impact of higher National Insurance costs.

Snowdonia National Park Authority will continue to refer to Wales' tallest mountain as Yr Wyddfa.

New recorded messages activated by a buzzer may shame smokers into putting out their cigarette.

Ronald Whelan faces extradition over an alleged plot to import 100kg of high-purity Colombian cocaine.

The owners of a coffee shop in Stockton say they have seen footfall drop significantly.

Memorial services across the South West take place for Armistice Day on Monday.

Transport for Wales says the service will not operate on Tuesday due to trains needing repairs.

Campaigners say it should be easier for plus-size walkers to enjoy the countryside.

Gloucester-Hartpury's game against Sale will be a "test of their true character" after two defeats, said flanker Bethan Lewis.

Spin bowling all-rounder Zafar Gohar signs a two-year deal with Middlesex following his departure from Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire spin-bowler Tom Smith signs a one-year T20-only contract extension with the club through the 2025 season.

Reporter Duncan Cook has been finding out more.

Residents can stay, but some fear for their future, Duncan Cook reports.

Nagar Kirtan will make its way through Leicester on Sunday, with rolling road closures planned.

Cash-strapped Slough Borough Council says it is facing an "unprecedented magnitude" of cuts.