Fr. Tom considers the act of asking for forgiveness, as well as who it is we hurt when we sin.

Great Lent is considered the tithe of the year, during which believers try to be what they ought always to be. Fr. Tom, in response to a request once made of him, shares with us a list of "things that a believer would do if he were really a believer."

You won't find a more concise and helpful explanation of why Orthodox Christians keep and venerate icons.

Fr. Tom gives a meditation on the rich meaning of the pre-sanctified liturgy of Great Lent. 16:37

On the second Sunday of Great Lent we remember St. Gregory Palamas and Fr. Tom instructs us on why he is so important in our theology about knowing the unknowable God.

Fr. Tom offers thoughts on the healing of the paralytic.

As we continue to remember the significance of the Annunciation, Fr. Tom gives a helpful reflection on the Magnificat.

Fr. Thomas examines the Prayer of St. Ephraim and why it is so appropriate for us during Great Lent.

On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross.

It is at this point in our Lenten journey that the Church contemplates the instruction of St. John Climacus and his Ladder of Divine Ascent. Fr. Tom takes us step by step through this treasure and makes it practical for us non-monastics!

Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the Fifth Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is dependent on suffering with him.

Fr. Thomas gives an overview of the services for the 5th week of Great Lent and their final emphasis on penitence and repentance.

Fr. Thomas contrasts the story of the fallen, then raised Mary of Alexandria with that of another Mary - the Theotokos.

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the "Celebration of the Kingship of Christ."

Fr. Thomas examines the Mystery of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and how it led to the re-creation of the world.

Fr. Thomas uses the Paschal icon as an opportunity to clear up some misconceptions about Sheol/Hades and Gehenna/Hell.

Fr. Thomas enumerates the seven great messianic signs of Jesus in St. John's Gospel, focusing on the healing of the paralytic at Bethesda.

Comparing the two sources for readings during the Paschal season-- the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of John.

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the seventh Sunday of Pascha - the Sunday between Ascension and Pentecost.

Fr. Thomas shows how we are all called to be Saints and examines the many different kinds of Saints.

With the Apostles' Fast at hand, Fr. Thomas reflects on the practice and rules for fasting.

Fr. Thomas explains the two ways the Holy Trinity are depicted in icons.

Fr. Thomas begins a four-part series on naming God and the language and words we use in the process.

Fr. Tom continues his discussion, this time focusing on the Divine Attributes of God.

This time, Fr. Thomas speaks of the Activities and Actions of God.

In the final part of his series, Fr. Tom reflects on the metaphors and similes for God.

Fr. Tom takes a close look at the psalmody of the Church and its use in Orthodox worship.

Fr. Tom couldn't let the Church Year end without looking back on the inspiring feasts during its last month, August.

Fr. Thomas examines the life of the prominent Russian Orthodox dissident, writer and Nobel Peace Prize winner, who passed away just last month (Click here to order the "Solzhenitsyn Reader" recommended by Fr. Tom).

Fr. Tom reflects on why there is sickness, suffering, and death in our world.

Fr. Thomas recreates the homily from earlier in the month on Christ's parable of forgiveness by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/**/ of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church in Ottawa. (If you e-mail Fr. Maxym, please note the Canadian spelling of "saviour" and the ".ca" domain extension.)

With the meaning of life no longer explored on our college campuses, Fr. Thomas reflects on a piece he wrote on that subject 18 years ago. (Click here to purchase Education's End, which Fr. Tom recommends in the podcast and Click here to purchase a used copy of the Life book which includes Fr. Tom's essay.)

Fr. Tom spoke at the 40th Anniversary of the consecration of the chapel at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA, on September 27, 2008. In this lecture he reflects on 40 years of Orthodoxy in North America.

Father Thomas Hopko remembers the last days of Fr. Alexander Schmemann on the 25th anniversary of his falling asleep in our Lord Jesus Christ. May his memory be eternal.

There are radical differences in John's baptism, the baptism that Jesus' disciples were doing before Jesus was crucified, and the baptism that came afterward. Fr. Tom helps us understand how our baptism is a baptism with fire.

Fr. Tom recorded this on Jan 21: the day after the inauguration of President Barak Obama and the day before the March for Life in Washington, DC. He draws on Scripture, Tradition, and St. Maximus to help us know how to react to rampant abortions in our world.

In his final interview series from Albania, Fr. Tom talks with John and Aleks from the Resurrection School of Theology in Albania.

With the Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John approaching (August 29), Fr. Thomas examines the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John.

In commemoration of the Feast of his beheading, Fr. Tom continues his discussion of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John.

Fr. Thomas teaches about the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

Celebrating one of the twelve great feasts of the Church. (Click here to view the children's choir Fr. Thomas mentions in the podcast.)

Sitting in his study, Fr. Tom reflects on the past 50 years of the Orthodox Church. August marked the 46th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

Whether you celebrate it on October 1 or on October 28 (traditions differ), you will enjoy Fr. Thomas' account of how the Mother of God protected a Constantinople church from an invading army, and how that inspires our own worship.

Fr. Tom Hopko addresses an issue that he gets the most email about - how are we to understand the wrath of God and how does it relate to our salvation?

Fr. Thomas continues to get listener feedback on his teaching on God's wrath. In this follow-up lesson, he explores further how the Scriptures and the Fathers express this difficult concept as compared to the hellenistic and platonic views sometimes expressed through history.

Following his two part series on the Wrath of God, Fr. Tom turns his attention to our own anger and wrath and how that differs from God's.

As we are in the beginning days of the Nativity fast, Fr. Tom takes us on a journey from the Presentation of Mary in the Temple to Theophany. Fr. Tom references a couple of resources: The Winter Pascha by Fr. Thomas Hopko Putting Christmas Back into Christ - CD series by Fr. Thomas Hopko

God grieves, we grieve, and life is often permeated with sadness. What does this mean when we also contemplate the "joy" of the Christian life?

Fr. Tom teaches on this significant feast at the beginning of the Nativity season.

Fr. Tom encourages us to remember the place of gratitude and thanksgiving in the Christian life and tells us how we can go deeper and higher into the meaning of gratitude.