Revitalizing Our Priestly Ministry in a Post Christian Culture - Part 2
Today we bring you part two of Fr. Chad Hatfield's talk at the Serbian Clergy Brotherhood in June on the challenges facing our priests in today's culture.
Today we bring you part two of Fr. Chad Hatfield's talk at the Serbian Clergy Brotherhood in June on the challenges facing our priests in today's culture.
Here is the third and final part of Fr. Chad's address to the Serbian Clergy about how we should look at the ministry of the priesthood in today's society.
Archpriest Michael Oleksa speaks on Orthodox cultures at Orthodox Education Day at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
Sponsored by the St. Ambrose Society, a student interest group at St. Vladimir's Seminary, this is a lecture by Dr. Ryan Sampson Nash, the Director of the Ohio State University Center for Bioethics.
Dn. Michael takes a break from his "in But Not Of" series to discuss different aspects of Christian living. This week he addresses reconciliation.
research and short essays about cultural loss and the critical importance of preservation and access #
In a recent blog post entitled Altar Girls, Fr. Lawrence raised concerns over considering this practice. In this podcast, he now looks at Altar Boys as well as Sub-Deacons and Acolytes.
I cannot be the only one who has had the experience of visiting a non-Orthodox church service and finding it stunningly empty and plain. After long familiarity with Orthodox worship with its icons, incense, candles, vestments, Gospel books, and crosses, attending such services produces a kind of sensory deprivation, rather like sensory overload in reverse. Entering those churches and experiencing their services left me looking around almost madly for something focus and feed upon—some cross or image. But there was nothing: the walls were barren and empty, with not even a plaque with an inscribed Bible verse to relieve the sensory monotony. It is like bringing to your lips what you expected to be a cup of wine and finding it to contain tepid water: it’s okay, I suppose, but disappointing to the point of surprise and irritation.
There are stupider things to do than arguing with a culty fundamentalist. As the late great Jim Croce reminded us, you don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind, and you don’t pull the mask off the ol’ Lone Ranger. Arguing with a culty fundamentalist is, I admit, not as stupid as any of these things, but it is pretty stupid nonetheless, for it is a waste of precious time and utterly futile.
With reflections on the life and ministry of St. Panteleimon, Fr. Apostolos encourages us to commit ourselves to give at least as much attention to our spiritual health as we do to our physical well-being.
Fr. Apostolos Hill speaks on the theme of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise and how we acquire a thirst for the Kingdom.
Fr. Apostolos Hill discusses the phases of crisis and the importance of wisdom to cling to the One who gives us hope.
Christ walking on the water is often portrayed as a demonstration of His power over creation. But Fr Thomas reminds us that even though the storms of this life are always present, Jesus uses this difficult circumstance to remind his disciples that He is always with those who love Him and that they should never fear. (Ninth 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.
In the dramatic parable of the Lazarus and the Rich Man, the Lord teaches us the importance of sharing our wealth with those in need. Fr Thomas turns to the topic of generosity, and how it can transform our lives and even our parishes.
On the Sunday of the Healing of the Paralytic, Fr Thomas took the opportunity to speak honestly and encouragingly to his congregation about what it is to be a healthy church. Using the gospel and epistle readings, he gently reminded them that we're called to be a house of mercy, intentionally Christian, and a place of good works and of love for one another.
St Paul bemoaned that his fellow Jews "have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." Fr Thomas discusses the relationship between faith and the prevailing culture and how we can make a greater impact on society. The second half of the podcast features a conversation with Dr John Burgess of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary about the lessons we can learn from the Russian Orthodox Church regarding faith and culture.
On the fourth Sunday of Lent, the Church presents the Gospel reading of the healing of the demon possessed boy, and we also commemorate St John of "The Ladder." Fr Thomas teaches us that, if we want to spiritually grow, we have to be able to accept God's difficult answers to our ultimate questions.
Everyone has difficulties and problems that they face on a daily basis. Fr Thomas teaches us that in the midst of the storms of life we can experience the "peace from above" which is found only in Christ.
On the Sunday after Theophany, the scripture readings teach us that the light of Christ shines in the darkest corners of the world. Fr Thomas reminds us that the Gospel is not simply for one culture, but for all people everywhere.
The dark reality of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is one that is the direct result of sin. Listen as Fr. Tom encourages us that while this life may not require such a fate, our persecutions are nothing compared to the glory which awaits us.
Fr. Emmanuel Kahn talks about two people who came into the Temple. Only one of them is to be admired.
Bobby interviews Jenny Oehlman, the author of the new Conciliar Press children's book The Littlest Altar Boy.
Will healthcare providers who hold to the sanctity of human life be allowed work in the emerging secular society?
How did our society become so accepting of a culture of death - from Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Terri Schiavo, and Planned Parenthood?
Dr. Rossi talks with Fr. Joseph Purpura, Chairman of the Department of Youth and Parish Ministry for the Antiochian Archdiocese. Learn about how to best communicate with and serve our teens and young people.
Dr. Albert Rossi interviews Fr. David Mezynski on the dangerous and helpful understandings of guilt and shame. The Very Rev. Dr David Mezynski is the Assistant Professor of Orthodox Spirituality at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY.
Dr. Albert Rossi contemplates the depth of forgiveness and our difficulty in accepting it in repentance.