The One Who trampled down death by death purely out of love for His suffering children will never abandon us. If He can make someone like St. Mary of Egypt radiant with the divine glory through the desert, then there is hope for us all.

Whenever we give our time, resources, or attention to help anyone who is in need in any way, we embrace an opportunity to serve our Savior and participate more fully in His life.

Even as Jesus showed mercy by tangible actions such as healing a Samaritan from a dreaded and isolating disease, we must take the actions available to us, no matter how seemingly small or imperfect, to manifest His love to our neighbors, regardless of who they are. Find the book Syria Crucified at store.ancientfaith.com/syria-crucified.

We do not adore the Holy Cross today because it is useful for serving any personal, cultural, or political agenda. We do so because the Savior has brought eternal life to the world through His victory over the corrupting power of sin and death.

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.

The Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press Ministries, 2006).

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

"Healing of the Centurion's Servant," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

The Drought, from The Adventures of a Little Ringtail Complete Series (2015). Anna Larsen Books. Available from the St. Anthony Monastery store.

An Amazing Pilgrimage, from The Adventures of a Little Ringtail Complete Series (2015). Anna Larsen Books. Available from St. Anthony's Monastery Bookstore.

Life in the Shed, from The Adventures of a Little Ringtail Complete Series (2015). Anna Larsen Books. Available from St. Anthony's Monastery Bookstore

22. Book 1: The Exaltation of the Cross from the series The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2005) Book 2: The Wonderful Life of Russia's Saint Sergius of Radonezh told by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 2001)

41. Book 1: "Friend of the Holy Spirit: St. Seraphim of Sarov." A short story for children by Katherine Bolger Hyde. The Handmaiden, Vol 11, No.4, Fall. (Conciliar Press, 2007) Book 2: Katie Visits a Monastery, by Elizabeth Saxild (St. Nectarios Press, 1998)

79. Book 1: "Meeting John" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (7.33 mins) Book 2: A Miracle in the Desert (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001) (4.23 mins )

St. Seraphim's Beatitudes: Blessings for Our Path to Heaven by Daniel Marshall (St. Innocent Press, 2008)

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 reminds us that just as the Israelites of the Old Testament looked to the bronze serpent for healing, we must look to Christ on the Cross for the ultimate healing.

This is the 300th episode of iSermon, recorded at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, Canada, and featuring guest Fr. Theologos Drakos of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Mississauga, Canada. Fr. Theo is the national camp director of Canada and a long time friend and colleague of Fr. Ted. In this special-edition episode, we both reflect on the last 300 episodes and how they have shaped our experience of ministry, preaching, social media, and technology.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos addressed the first inaugural Youth Night at St. Savas Serbian Orthodox Church in Toronto, Canada, on the topic of “Connecting To Our Roots.”

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos speaks about the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross and the lifting up of the Bronze Serpent in the book of Exodus.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos gave the homily on the Gospel reading from John 3:13-17.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos gives a sermon on Holy Thursday evening after the Service of Twelve Gospels.

Kevin Allen interviews Peter Jordan, the son of the founder of Fred Jordan Mission, a major Los Angeles skid row ministry, and a recent convert to the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Listen in on this sublime conversation between renowned spiritual elder Father Zacharias (Zakarou), spiritual child of Elder Sophrony, and Kevin's guest host Father Josiah Trenham, senior pastor of St Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, California. This is one you won't want to miss!

Join Illumined Heart co-host Kevin Allen on his pilgrimage to Saint Herman of Alaska Monastery, Platina, California to talk with its Abbot Fr. Gerasim and Fr. Seraphim Rose legacy-keeper and biographer Monk Damascene. September 2nd marks the 25th anniversary of the repose of Fr. Seraphim Rose. In part 1 of this 3 part series, Kevin is in the cell constructed by Fr. Seraphim and now occupied by Monk Damascene where he talks with the monk about his spiritual father. For more information about the books published and distributed by the monastery, visit their website.

Enter once again into the rustic cell of Fr. Seraphim Rose with Kevin Allen as he talks with Fr. Damascene, the biographer and spiritual child of Fr. Seraphim. This is part 2 of a 3 part series and provides a unique glimpse into the life of a man who many say will someday be venerated as a Saint.

In the conclusion of our 3 part series commemorating the 25TH anniversary of the repose of Fr Seraphim (Rose), Kevin Allen is seated on a wooden bench overlooking a panoranmic view of Mt. Yolla Bolly with the Abbot of St. Herman of Alaska Monastery, Fr. Gerasim. Listen for valuable lessons (as well as birds chirping!) on the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting from a spiritual child of this venerated American monk and writer.

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

This is two of three lectures that Fr. Chad Hatfield delivered at the Parish Life Conference of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, held in Phoenix, Arizona, June 28-July 3, 2016.

This is the final of three lectures that Fr. Chad Hatfield delivered at the Parish Life Conference of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, held in Phoenix, Arizona, June 28-July 3, 2016.

Addressing members of the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (OISM), St. Vladimir's Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield offer some thoughts for future ordained and lay leaders who will be serving in an "aggresively anti-Christian" world. His insights and suggestions for further reading will be of interest to the seminarian and non-seminarian alike.

Padre Nicholas predico sobre los requisitos de ser un líder de Cristo. Como San Ignacio dio su vida y predicó que nuestra líder en la iglesia es el Obispo, como nuestro obispo Metropolitan Antonio. (1 Cor. 12:27-13:8) Fr. Nicholas preached about the qualities of a leader in Christ. Giving the example of how St. Ignatius gave his life and preached about our leader in the Church who is our bishop Metropolitan Antonio. (1 Cor. 12:27-13:8)

Padre Nicholas predica que todos somos pecadores, pero Tenemos a una Dios, que nos perdona. Y por eso, somos dichosos. Mateo 18:23-35 Fr. Nicholas preaches that we all are sinners, but we have a God, that forgives us. And we are lucky because of this. Matthew 18:23-35

Fr. Seraphim joins Fr. Evan to tackle questions and also talks about the founding of the first Orthodox monastery in the Celtic Isles of Scotland in a thousand years. Hear Fr. Seraphim on his own podcast, too: Through a Monk's Eyes.

St. Gregory Palamas believed in beholding through prayer the uncreated energies of God. A young volunteer reveals to the community that this is not one quick event that pierces the soul. It is rather an encounter for the whole day.

Martha addresses the preparation and anticipation for the Nativity in our kitchens, and elsewhere. Here is the link to the recipe for preserved lemons.

all of this year's XOXO talks were stellar, but this is the only one that comes with a newly-launched archive of nearly-lost artwork #

On Graduation Sunday, Fr. Apostolos speaks to the spiritual desert into which our graduates enter when they leave home for college or the workplace.

Fr. Apostolos introduces a miniseries of sermons about the spiritual depths of Divine Worship and starts by explaining the word leitourgia.

Fr. Apostolos Hill discusses how we should anoint the Body of Jesus through repentance and confession and how we mustn't put "hair in the censer" by substituting our own views for the Gospel.

Fr. Apostolos Hill delivers a homily about the 1st Ecumenical Council and how only the God-man Jesus Christ is the Bridge that unites Heaven and Earth.

"I'm no longer content for our faith to be stuck in a mason jar. Our faith is food, and hungry, starving people need to eat what we uniquely can give them."

Today's cultural values can sometimes keep us from fully embracing important scriptural concepts like being the subject of a 'kingdom' or becoming a 'slave' to righteousness. Fr Tom reminds us that, in order to conform to the image of Christ, we must recognize ourselves as being slaves of God and servants of men. (Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

As the Precious Cross is brought out into the midst of the faithful marking the midpoint of the Lenten journey, Fr Thomas offers two sermons for our edification. The first was preached on Sunday morning at St Nicholas about "Three Aspects of the Cross." The second (beginning at 14:00) was recorded at the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh Diocesan Sunday Evening Vespers in Ambridge, PA on "Christ the Way, the Truth, and the Life Through the Lens of the Cross."