In part 2 of the Louh's episodes on healthy relationships, Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne give us some practical tips on how to get along with our spouses especially when disagreements arise.

Fr. John Oliver reflects upon the difference between being nice and being holy.

With help from his daughter, Fr. Joseph tries to stay on pitch while singing Dan Idzikowski's "Superchristological and Homoousiosis".

On St. Michael's Day of 2012, the parish of St. Michael the Archangel (UOC-USA) in Woonsocket, RI suffered tremendous damage from a fire. In this podcast, Fr. Anthony, the priest of St. Michael's at that time, shares hard-earned advice on preparing for, dealing with, and recovering from parish disasters. The most important advice? Keep the One Thing Needful top on the list of priorities at every step of the process.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony shares some advice on how to build a good relationship with choir directors and chanters, talks about the need to have and work towards a vision of parish worship, and encourages priests to be intentional about evaluating and improving their own liturgical chanting and movements.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony interviews iconographer Lynette Hull of the Prosopon School (prosoponschool.org). She shares her thoughts on what happens when parishes compromise on icon composition and style, how missions should prioritize their collection of icons, and why it is important that priests immerse themselves in the production (and not just the study and veneration) of icons. She also shows considerable restraint as she works around Fr. Anthony's (attempts at) humor. Enjoy the show!

Fr. Theophan (St. Job of Pochaiv parish in Los Alamos, NM) makes a case for treating others the way we would have them treat us, giving evidence that being patient and kind is a good and healthy way to live and spread the the Gospel. Enjoy the show!

Join Fr. Harry Linsinbigler and Fr. Anthony Perkins as they (mainly) talk about the actual formula decided on at Nicea, why it was important, and where we are now (hint: we are completely in compliance!). There's also a tangental gem on the Masoretic vs. Septuagint Old Testament. Fr. Harry has (mostly) recovered from his bout with COVID and he and Fr. Anthony are still basking in the Paschal Glow. Enjoy the show!

Fr. Michael shares an article by Abbess Victoria of St. Barbara's Monastery (Santa Paula, California) on ways to handle worries and distractions while praying.

In Homily 42, St. Isaac the Syrian makes an interesting statement about spiritual guidance. He says, “Do not seek advice from a man who does not lead a life similar to your own, even if he be very wise.” St. Isaac goes on, “Confide your thoughts to a man who, though he lack learning, has experience in things, rather than to a learned philosopher who speaks on the basis of speculations, having no actual experience.” For St. Isaac, and many Orthodox spiritual writers, both ancient and modern, it is very important to seek advice from those who have actually lived and experienced the things that you are seeking advice about.

In the middle of Homily 54 of his Ascetical Homilies, St. Isaac gives specific advice on how to do this, how to take delight in psalmody. He begins by saying that one should disregard both the quantity of verses and the beauty or skill with which one recites them. According to St. Isaac, delight in psalmody has nothing to do with how beautiful the reading sounds nor with the amount of verses one recites.

Fr. Michael presents the first of a series of blog posts that have not yet been shared as podcasts. Here he deconstructs the notion that choice translates into freedom.

I have found that it is usually better for me to say nothing at the beginning, at the moment I feel like saying something. At that moment, it is usually best not to say anything because if I say something the very moment I feel like saying it, the juice is not sweet. It’s sour. And no matter how true or right what I have to say is, all the hearer notices is the sour, bitter, angry or judgemental note hidden in my words.

Fr. Michael Gillis reads a blog post from 2010, entitled "Choices and God's Will". "For the overwhelming majority of the people in the world throughout history, what they would eat, where they would live, what work they would do and even whom they would marry was not a matter of their choice. As far as such matters were concerned, God’s will for their life was determined for them. The choice was not whether or not to harvest the grain on the master’s estate; the choice was whether or not to entrust yourself to God, not grumble against your master, work with your whole heart, and love your fellow laborers. The only real choice for a Christian has always only been: “Will I be a Christian right now, today?”"

You asked for it, so the guys did it. They finally took on The Office. They discuss the beauty of the ordinary, the centrality of relationship, and the dynamics of human personality. They close with their Top 5 Bosses.

Jesus Christ calls his followers to something much more profound than being friendly, decent, or thoughtful.

Only we can unite ourselves to Christ in His Great Self-Offering for the salvation of the world.

The devotion of the Myrrh-Bearers, Joseph, and Nicodemus shows us what true faith looks like, and it has nothing to do with figuring out how to use God to help us get what we want on our own terms in a pathetic attempt to distract ourselves from the fear of death.

I am sure that many people today reject or have no interest in the Christian faith because they have not seen in others the healing of the human person brought by Jesus Christ. Perhaps they have heard Christians speaking primarily about morality, politics, emotion, or a view of salvation that has nothing to do with the realities of life in the world as we know it. Or they may have seen many examples of hypocrisy on the part of those who identify themselves with the Lord, but who live their lives in opposition to His teachings even as they look for opportunities to condemn their neighbors. Regardless, many today have concluded that there is nothing in the Christian life worthy of their devotion.

Fr. John discusses the life and activities of St. Pulcheria, as well as how the Trisagion came into Orthodox worship.

Our readings for the eleventh Sunday of Matthew (1 Corinthians 9:1-12, Matthew 18:23-25) happily correspond this year with our remembrance of the Holy Prophet and last of the Judges of Israel, Samuel. Parts of his story in 1 Samuel/Kingdoms 12 and 28, plus words about him in Psalm 98 (LXX)/99 and Sirach 46, help us understand more deeply God’s character of justice and forgiveness, exemplified in the prophet. We, too, are called to this pattern as we respond to the problems of our day, including the social unrest and violence of this week.

Rejoice, Panagia: Offering to Children the Akathist Hymn (2014). Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Theotokos, The Life Giving Spring. Book available from: Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring. P.O. Box 549 Dunlap California, 93621, USA Tel: (559) 338 3110 Fax: (559) 338 3101

Isha’s Voice written by Stephen Muse, illustrated by Dimitra Psychogiou (St. Sebastian Orthodox Press, 2018) Available from St Sebastian Press

42. Book 1: Extracts from Rejoice jr. Orthodox Christian Publication. For subscription information please contact Taisia Mills at (704) 894-0363. Book 2: Katie Visits a Monastery, by Elizabeth Saxild, part two (St. Nectarios Press, 1998)

Fr. Ted explains that, because we are hypocrites, we are in danger of losing God's grace.

Fr. Ted reminds his fellow priests that they can easily fall into hypocrisy along with the Pharisees.

Fr. Ted asks whether you will choose to be a person of the light or a person of the darkness.

Fr. Ted reminds us that more important than our sinfulness is the mercy of God.

Fr. Ted reminds us that in order to experience the fruits of our labors, we must go through many trials and tribulations.

Fr. Ted reminds us that partaking of the Eucharist is the true climax of Pascha.

Fr. Ted encourages us to use this fast not only as a time to tame our passions, but as a time to show compassion to others,

Fr. Ted explores the hierarchy of deacon, priest, and bishop.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos explains the Triodion season and the significance of the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee for us all.

Kevin and Steve ask about former Episcopalian priest, Alice Linsley's journey to Orthodoxy.

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

This is the 6th lesson of "This Present Moment: Practicing Orthodox Spirituality in an Age of Distraction." Dn. Michael Hyatt is teaching through Time and Despondency by Dr. Nicole Roccas. There is a practice taught by the Fathers and modeled by Jesus to help us battle the power of negative thinking. Learn about the use of counter statement and pick up the little book recommended called Talking Back: A Monastic Handbook for Combating Demons.

Dn. Michael Hyatt begins his look at Chapter 7 of Time and Despondency written by Dr. Nicole Roccas. What are the steps available to us to combat despondency?

Dn. Michael Hyatt begins continues his look at Chapter 7 of Time and Despondency written by Dr. Nicole Roccas. What are the steps available to us to combat despondency? He shares two more in this episode: gratitude and confession/community.

Dn. Michael Hyatt begins continues his look at chapter seven of Time and Despondency written by Dr. Nicole Roccas. What are the steps available to us to combat despondency? He shares the last two in this episode: Labor/Leisure and Humor.

Steve discusses working in an office environment, the disease of being awesome, black robes, fake humility, the illusions of self-employment, and the importance of donuts.

Dn. Mark explores the issues surrounding putting a loved one in Hospice.

Nikolai, a counselor at St. John the Compassionate Mission, discusses Great Lent and the Early Morning Breakfast Program at the mission.

Dn. Theodore, the Director of Community of St. John the Compassionate Mission, reminds us that by thinking that the sole purpose of a mission is to convert everyone, you put a price tag on compassion.

The community welcomes a friend who reminds them of the woman "bent over for eighteen years" in St. Luke's Gospel. The ones who are unnoticed are a priority for God.

How can poverty, hunger, and mourning be considered "blessed?" Father Nicolai looks at the Beatitudes through the lens of the community, revealing the "Good Word," "Bene Dicere," or "Blessing" that is poured out in and through someone with a sincere heart.

Nick Heer on the ever-increasing user-hostile demand for your attention from the biggest social platforms #

On the seventh Sunday of Pascha, we commemorate the holy God-bearing Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.

The Parable of the Ten Lepers provided an opportunity to examine Levitical laws pertaining to leprosy and to the offering of sacrifices of thanksgiving in the Temple. Fr. Apostolos Hill underscore thes essentiality of the Holy Eucharist as the means whereby we as Orthodox Christians can offer our own sacrifices of Thanksgiving to God.