This week, we consider the strange figure of Melchizedek in Hebrews 4:14-5:10, and read it in the light of Mark 8:27-9:1, Genesis 14, Isaiah 53 and Psalm 44/45. Why is this figure compared with our Lord, and how must we go beyond this comparison to embrace the cross?

After completing our analysis on the troparia, kontakia, and theotokia, we turn to reading the epistles for Divine Liturgy, beginning with this week’s section from 2 Timothy. The Apostle Paul’s words to this young leader are applicable to everyone, not simply to those who lead the Church, since the Scriptures, Old and New Testament, are for all. We seek to understand the Apostle’s instructions by reference to Psalm 118 (MT 119), and by remembering those who have suffered for their faithfulness—most especially our Lord Jesus himself.

We hear Jesus’ words to Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6) in the light of the prophets Amos (2:4-12, 5:16-20, 6:1) and Isaiah (42:3), considering that divine warnings are meant to lead to repentance, and that we are invited to participate in the strengthening help that Christ gives His Church.

We read the rest of Azariah’s prayer, followed by a short narrative, found in Daniel 3:37-50, with the help of Psalm 50/51 and Ezra (in the OSB, 2 Ezra) 8:71-87. Azariah’s utter honesty and trust in the philanthropic LORD leads to God’s answer—His presence with them in the furnace, as Azariah and his friends offer the fruit of their lips.

What Do You Hear, Angel? by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson, illustrated by Masha Lobastov (Conciliar Press, 2011)

Fr. Ted explains that what we really need for our lives is to have our sins forgiven.

Fr. Ted expresses his frustration with Orthodox Christians who only show up to church on Pascha.

Fr. Ted explains that "the gospel" is the message that God came into the world, died for us on the cross, and then rose from the dead.

Fr. Theodore examines the first part of Sunday's Gospel. He explains that truth does not change according to culture or time period. Christian values, he explains, are absolute.

Fr. Ted assures us that the more time we commit to our spiritual life, the more we will get out of it.

Dr. John Karvelas speaks at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis Youth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada.

Fr. Ted calls us to receive from God all things that He knows we need for our salvation, not only what we ask for ourselves.

Fr. Ted reflects upon the offering that we make as we come into the House of God.

Fr. Ted discusses the importance of what we wear when we go to the House of God.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos speaks about the most important call for us in this life.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos reflects on the lives of Ss. Constantine and Helen and calls all Orthodox Christians to strive to become saints.

Steve and Kevin interview syndicated columnist Rod Dreher about today's Islamic faith. Buckle up!

In our first interview with an Eastern Orthodox Bishop, Steve McMeans talks with His Grace, Bishop Joseph+, on what a bishop is; his calling, his ministry, and the role the monastic life can play for us all! Burn this on a disc, friends!

In this special 1 hour edition of The Illumined Heart, Kevin talks with Charles Ajalat. Mr. Ajalat is a powerful voice for Orthodox unity with a great deal of pan-Orthodox leadership experience. Currently chancellor and board member of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, he was also the architect of the historic Ligonier Meeting of Orthodox bishops in 1994—the first meeting of all twenty-nine bishops in North America. He is the founder of a Los Angeles law firm specializing in tax and litigation matters, and a graduate of Harvard University and the Law School at the University of California at Berkeley. He is a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. More resources on this topic: Again Magazine (Winter 2003) Kevin's interview with Fr. Josiah Trenham Metropolitan PHILIP's keynote address at Antiochian Convention in Montreal (2007)

What can Evangelicals and Orthodox learn from each other is the subject of the 2nd section of our interview with His Eminence.

We ask God to forgive our sins and God tells us that His forgiveness is conditional on our forgiveness of others. But what does forgiveness really mean? Does it mean forgetting the offense entirely, or is it the intention to forgive that matters? What if we forgive, but the bitterness or the memory of the sin or offense comes back - have we not truly forgiven? Are we to repent of our sin once, or is it a continual process? These and other questions are the topic of the next Illumined Heart with guest Rev. Fr Tom Soroka.

You may be surprised by the answer from musicologist, composer, arranger, author and Sacred Music Department Committee member (Antiochian) Fr. John Finley!

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

In the first of a series on prayers to the saints, we begin to discuss how the Orthodox Church connects the dots of many aspects of what it means to be "in Christ" and a member of "the body of Christ." Are we worshipping the saints in prayer? Does Scripture forbid prayer to the dead? Can the living communicate with the dead? What is true prayer? These and many more issues will be discussed in light of Scripture over the next four programs.

Fr. Chad discusses The Manhattan Declaration, "a call of Christian conscience" that he helped produce, and defends Orthodox participation in such cultural manifestos.

Dr. Stephen Muse speaks at the St. Vladimir’s Seminary 2011 Orthodox Education Day.

Priest Anthony Roeber, Ph.D., professor of Church History at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four Lenten talks to the entire seminary community on February 19–20, 2018, as they gathered in Three Hierarchs Chapel for worship and reflection to mark the beginning of the season of Great Lent. Father Anthony based his talks on the “Great Farewell Discourse” of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of St. John (John 14–17). Focusing on the words, “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21), he challenged Orthodox Christians to love, trust, and seek unity with others—whether they are inside or outside the borders of the faith.

Priest Anthony Roeber, Ph.D., professor of Church History at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four Lenten talks to the entire seminary community on February 19–20, 2018, as they gathered in Three Hierarchs Chapel for worship and reflection to mark the beginning of the season of Great Lent. Father Anthony based his talks on the “Great Farewell Discourse” of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of St. John (John 14–17). Focusing on the words, “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21), he challenged Orthodox Christians to love, trust, and seek unity with others—whether they are inside or outside the borders of the faith.

Priest Anthony Roeber, Ph.D., professor of Church History at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four Lenten talks to the entire seminary community on February 19–20, 2018, as they gathered in Three Hierarchs Chapel for worship and reflection to mark the beginning of the season of Great Lent. Father Anthony based his talks on the “Great Farewell Discourse” of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of St. John (John 14–17). Focusing on the words, “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21), he challenged Orthodox Christians to love, trust, and seek unity with others—whether they are inside or outside the borders of the faith.

Priest Anthony Roeber, Ph.D., professor of Church History at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four Lenten talks to the entire seminary community on February 19–20, 2018, as they gathered in Three Hierarchs Chapel for worship and reflection to mark the beginning of the season of Great Lent. Father Anthony based his talks on the “Great Farewell Discourse” of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of St. John (John 14–17). Focusing on the words, “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21), he challenged Orthodox Christians to love, trust, and seek unity with others—whether they are inside or outside the borders of the faith.

It can seem sometimes that if we are not fasting, we are preparing to fast in the Orthodox Church. In part 1, Dn. Michael helps understand why we fast.

Dn. Michael continues his study on fasting in an age of self-gratification and excess.

Dn. Michael Hyatt continues his class series entitled "This Present Moment: Practicing Orthodox Spirituality in an Age of Distraction." Based on the book by Dr. Nicole Roccas—Time and Despondency—he defines despondency and differentiates it from depression.

This is lesson three in Dn. Michael Hyatt's class series "This Present Moment: Practicing Orthodox Spirituality in an Age of Distraction." He is teaching through the popular book by Dr. Nicole Roccas entitled Time and Despondency. Today he looks at the two ways of defining time: chronos and kairos.

Dn. Michael Hyatt interviews Fr. Chad Hatfield, the President of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York. Learn about his coming to Orthodoxy, his experience in Alaska, and the seminary he leads.

In this week’s class, Dn. Michael considers Orthodox Thinking from four different perspectives: Ancient Greek literature, the Biblical text, the writings of the fathers, and the practice of ordinary Orthodox Christians.

El Padre Nicolás predicó sobre el llamado de Dios en nuestras vidas. Father Nicholas preached on the call of God in our lives.

Fr. David Thatcher joins Fr. Evan Armatas as guest co-host to take questions about church structure, the Gospel message, disillusionment, and more.

Fr. David Thatcher is the co-host with Fr. Evan Armatas tonight. They take on some knotty questions that take some time to answer including the dilemma of an Orthodox mom and her out of wedlock pregnant daughter. They also address the question of Yoga and the first of the 55 maxims of Fr. Thomas Hopko - Be always with Christ.

Fr. Nicolaie shares a short story about forgiveness.

Fr. Roberto shares reflections on how we can only truly know what we have experienced.

Listen to a short reflection about R., whose life has been difficult as he lives for the Truth.

"The love he experienced, and still does, is deeper in his heart than the harm brought about by drugs."

Fr. Nicolaie tells how the faith of people who saw (and see) evil in the face of war is a faith that can guide those of us who live in a society tempted by the illusion of death.

In this Sunday's gospel, Jesus provides an abundance of life out of the abyss. The plentiful fish are a testimony of the authority that He has over the living and the dead, revealing that His mercy is deeper than the heart of the sea.

With many of the autocephalous Churches meeting in Crete this week, some have wondered if this was another "Ecumenical Council" of the Orthodox Church. Fr. Lawrence Farley helps us understand that term.

Fr. Lawrence says that any sensible discussion of the moral legitimacy of capital punishment must center on the Scriptures and the Tradition of the Church, not on one’s subjective feelings

Despite his often being stigmatized by later generations as “Doubting Thomas” there is nothing in his past record to indicate such a defect of character.