Short-of-stature Zacchaeus overcomes his obstacles to seeing Jesus. Fr Tom reminds us that our actions and behaviors reveal to the world and to God what things are most important to us, but we can rise above the crowd of the world in order to be united with God. (Thirty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

As we approach the Great Fast, the parable of the Prodigal Son prepares our hearts to return to God. Fr Tom teaches us that in this important parable we learn the truth about who we can be and who God is. (Sunday of the Prodigal Son)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is among the most beloved of all stories in scripture. Fr Tom reminds us that showing mercy to those who have fallen into the ravages of sin is essential to their healing. (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost)

Faith is initiated in us by the gift of God in Christ being given to us in baptism. Fr Tom reminds us that it is our responsibility to live a life in light of that gift. (Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost)

The Church is the community where Christ has established peace among all people. Fr Tom reminds us that we should live in that mercy and peace with everyone we encounter. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

Jesus is given various titles in the New Testament: Teacher, Master, Lord and others. Fr Tom reminds us that, as Orthodox Christians, we must strive to approach God for not only who He really is, but who we really are too. (Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost)

As we begin preparing our hearts for the annual Lenten journey, the Church presents us with the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. Fr Tom reminds us that fulfilling God's commandments should not be a cause for pride, because humility teaches us that we are only doing our duty to Him as unprofitable servants.

The parable of the Prodigal Son is a powerful image of our returning to God and the Father's rich mercy in restoring us. Fr Tom reminds us that we must be able both to admit that we have separated ourselves from God's life and have the deep desire to return to the riches of His Kingdom.

On the feast of the Annunciation to the Mother of God, we celebrate the good news that Jesus takes on human flesh from the womb of the Virgin Mary. In Mary's faithfulness, she becomes the icon of all believers who strive to live life in total obedience to God.

A temptation for some Orthodox Christians is to take in the beauty of the church services while remaining somewhat mentally disengaged. Fr Tom reminds us that Christ's command to "launch out into the deep" is given to everyone to plumb the depths of the wisdom and word of God. (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich man is a dramatic story about the end result of a selfish life. Fr Tom reminds us that our most fundamental call as Christians is, not only to love God, but also to love our neighbor. (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost)

In the parable of the Rich Fool, Christ warns us of the dangers of acquiring too many material possessions. Fr Tom reminds us that our life should always maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on love of God and of neighbor. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

The Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is presented to us by the church to set the tone in our preparation for Great Lent. Fr Tom reminds us that both our actions and our attitude counts when it comes to loving God and neighbor. (Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee)

Time is both an inescapable reality and a gift of God full of promise. On the Church New Year, Fr Thomas reminds us that God takes the finite time of each day and redeems it to become an experience of the Kingdom of God for us.

The Orthodox Faith is rich with tradition and discipline, but sometimes we can seem disinterested in being faithful to it all in our lives. Fr Thomas reminds us that obedience done out of love for God and each other is the "linchpin" which holds it all together. (13th Sunday after Pentecost)

The parable of the soils sets the tone for other parables taught by our Lord. Fr. Thomas reminds us that this parable brilliantly expresses the importance of both hearing and actively receiving the Word of God in us. (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Technology has become so pervasive that many people are now enslaved to their smartphones, constantly looking down into them! Fr. Thomas reminds us that, like the woman bent over with a spirit of infirmity, the Lord heals us so that we can look up to see the gift of life in Christ. (22nd Sunday after Pentecost)

We all know of someone who's given up on The Faith for one reason or another. Fr Thomas reminds us that our love for God and for one another must be the bond that brings us together and keeps us together. (Thirtieth Sunday after Pentecost)

When we hear about Old Testament Temple worship, we can sometimes think we're far removed from it. Fr Thomas reminds us that Orthodox Christian worship is, in fact, directly related to Old Testament Temple worship, because it's the fulfillment of those old forms and rituals. (Great Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple)

The Parable of the Publican and Pharisee is the Church's herald to prepare for Great Lent. To begin, Fr Thomas presents three important principles to bear in mind when approaching God in prayer. (Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee)

As cultural changes rapidly sweep across the Western world, the question of who we are as individuals becomes a persistent theme. Fr Thomas reminds us that one of the central doctrines of our faith, growing in the likeness of God, reveals who we truly are in Christ. (19th Sunday after Pentecost)

The parable of the Lazarus and the Rich Man is a story rich with lessons about life and about death. Fr Thomas focuses on the implications of living with unprecedented wealth in our modern society.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is universally known as an encouragement to good works, to serve those who are in need. Fr Thomas reminds us that behind the parable is a deeper meaning which helps us experience the Church as a spiritual hospital.

The image of Christianity is being sullied by TV preachers who justify their desire for riches under the guise of a distorted piety. Hence, prayer, which allows us to ask God for good things, is instead cheapened to demand things which are self-serving. Fr Thomas teaches us the riches of prayer mined from the story of the healing of blind Bartimeaus.

The first parable that Jesus taught is the beloved Parable of the Sower. Fr Thomas explains its place in the scripture and its crucial importance in our lives.

Bobby interviews Fr. Lawrence Farley, author of The Gospel of Luke: Good News for the Poor.

Dr. Rossi interviews the parish priest at St. Justin Martyr Orthodox Church in Jacksonville about parish life, outreach, and evangelism.

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick shares his thoughts on the controversial situation of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Are we looking at the situation through worldly eyes or through spiritual eyes?

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Lawrence Farley, pastor of Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in British Columbia, the host of the AFR podcast Coffee Cup Commentaries, and the author of The Gospel of Luke: Good News for the Poor, published by Conciliar Press.

His Grace Bishop Louka is auxiliary to His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch. He visited the US and gave us this brief interview about Syria, the kidnapped bishops, and the so-called Arab Spring.

AFR's Kevin Allen interviews His Eminence Metropolitan ANTONY, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the US. Learn about the issues surrounding the violent protests in the country and what is at stake as well as the role of the Orthodox Church in creating peace and moving forward.

As we continue to follow the news in Ukraine, Ancient Faith Radio is committed to bring you a balanced perspective on the events and implications for the Orthodox Church. Today, Kevin Allen is speaking with Ukrainian expert and Orthodox Christian Mr James Jatras. Mr Jatras is a former US diplomat, US Senate staffer, and a member of the American Institute of Ukraine.

Bobby Maddex interviews Luke Mayernik, composer of The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom performed by the Festino Chamber Choir. Together they discuss Luke's background in both music and Orthodoxy, his valiant struggles with doubt, and the long creative process that led to this composition. If you want to learn more about Luke Mayernik and stay up to date with his projects you can visit his website. Listeners can stream or purchase The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom on Spotify or iTunes/Apple Music

Bobby Maddex interviews Metropolitan Tikhon and Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak about His Beatitude's special appeal for donations from the individual parishioners of the Orthodox Church in America to provide relief for Ukrainian refugees. To donate, please visit oca.org/relief.

Using stories found only in Luke, Fr. Pat looks at features quite prominent to this Gospel. (From October 18, 2015, the Feast of St. Luke)

Take a forensic look at yourself as we come towards Great Lent. Luke 18: 9-14

An untimely net-cord winner sets Tomas Martin Etcheverry on his way to victory against Dan Evans in Great Britain's opening match against Argentina at the Davis Cup in Manchester.

The first minister wants the Treasury to compensate voluntary bodies, GPs, universities and care providers.

People are urged not to handle sick or dead birds after a second outbreak of avian flu in the UK.

Alliance pays tribute to its "ground-breaking" and "trailblazing" former assembly member, Anna Lo.

The deal to save the chain will see more than 30 of its restaurants close.

Reports have suggested the plan was at risk after Transport Secretary Louise Haigh's comments.

Official data shows borrowing - the difference between spending and tax take - reached £16.6bn last month.

Rail ticket machines across the UK fell out of service during the morning commute.

Barry Crisp will be one of the experts at the BBC Radio Northampton Headfest event on 25 October.

The Welsh Hollywood star has written a memoir called Boy from the Valleys.

Jet2 says it will initially bring more than 125 jobs to the council-owned airport.