On a beautiful fall afternoon at the family home in Canada, Fr. Tom is reflecting on the disparity between the beauty of God's creation and the tremendous suffering happening in the world.

On the first two Sundays before Christmas, we commerate and sing about all of the faithful throughout the ages who prepared for the birth of Christ. Fr. Tom references the book Surprised by Christ by Fr. A. James Bernstein which is available from Conciliar Press.

Fr. Thomas Hopko presents a meditation on how the liturgical services of Christmas and Epiphany pattern those of the Christ's Holy Pascha of Easter.

From the Speaking the Truth in Love archives, Fr. Tom Hopko offers this very helpful meditation on the feast of Theophany.

St. Seraphim of Sarov taught that the aim of the Christian life is to live by the Spirit of God. Today Fr. Tom explores the acquisition of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Tom continues his series on Darwin and Christianity. This is part 2.

In part 3 of the Darwin series, Fr. Tom explores the Darwin era and what was happening at that time in Christianity.

Fr. Hopko explains that this feast marks the end of the Winter Pascha and the beginning of the season of repentance.

Fr. Tom was unable to attend the March for Life rally in Washington DC earlier this week but he did think about what he would have said had he been given the opportunity to speak.

Fr. Thomas takes a second look at the story of The Prodigal Son, this time focusing on the meaning of The Father's House.

How should we reflect on calamity and disasters like what was experienced in Haiti from a Christian perspective? Is God exacting judgment or is there another explanation? Fr. Tom Hopko helps us think this through.

Today Fr. Tom talks about the study and communication of the Fathers of the Church according to Archimandrite Vasileios, retired Abbot of the Iviron Monastery on Mt. Athos.

As the Lenten season begins, Fr. Tom Hopko reads a brief sermon penned by Fr. John Parker of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC. This sermon was written in the style and tradition of St. John Chrysostom's well known and loved Paschal Homily.

As we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the victory over iconoclasm, Fr. Tom gives a personal reflection on icons and their use and misuse.

Fr. Tom addresses a question that came in by email from a listener who is perplexed by the seemingly inequitable treatment of people by God. Why are some blessed and others experience so much turmoil? It's a common question that is often felt but not always expressed.

Fr. Thomas addresses a listener question on the often misunderstood admonition in the Gospel of Matthew to call no man father.

Fr. Tom reflects further on the letter he received asking if God played favorites particularly as it relates to the canonization of saints.

A meditation on God as a consuming fire and the imagery of fire in the spiritual life. Particularly appropriate as we think about Pentecost.

On August 6, we will celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord, and Fr. Thomas Hopko helps us understand the pivotal nature of this event in Christian history.

This is the next-to-last episode in the Darwin series.

On August 15, the Church celebrates the Dormition of the Mother of God. Fr.Tom explores the theology associated with this Feast and the implications on our own resurrection.

In this final installment in his Darwin and Christianity series, Fr. Tom Hopko compares the task and method of natural science with the task and method of Christian theology.

Fr. Thomas Hopko gives one Orthodox Christian's understanding of unity.

Everyone at one time or another has been fearful. But how do we deal with unhealthy anxiety and fear? Fr. Tom looks at this problem in light of Holy Scripture.

Fr. Thomas Hopko reflects on one of the twelve great feasts of the Church.

Today, Fr. Thomas Hopko reflects on the nature of our thoughts and emotions in this fallen world.

In the third part of his series on reading the Bible, Fr. Tom discusses the various English language translations that are available and offers his recommendations.

As we enter the New Year, Fr. Tom is thinking about the end of the world or "age." Don't miss this powerful and prophetic talk!

In his ongoing series on bishops, Fr. Thomas explores the fourth century under the Emperor Constantine.

As Great Lent approaches, Fr. Tom Hopko provides helpful reading recommendations both from Scripture and from other books. A very helpful book to read during this season is Fr. Tom's own The Lenten Spring.

Many listeners have asked about Fr. Tom's favorite books. In today's episode he identifies them and tells us why. The list includes: The Sayings of the Desert Fathers The Arena - Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov The Art of Prayer - St. Theophan the Recluse St. Silouan the Athonite We Shall See Him As He Is - Elder Sophrony His Life is Mine - Archimandrite Sophrony Christ, Our Way and Our Life - Archimandrite Zachariah The Hidden Man of the Heart Remember Thy First Love - Archimandrite Zachariah The Complete Fenelon Atheist Delusions - David Bentley Hart The Abolition of Man - CS Lewis

In Part 9 of his series on Bishops, Fr. Thomas looks at the canons of the 3rd Ecumenical Council.

In Part 10 of his series on Bishops, Fr. Thomas looks at the canons of the 4th Ecumenical Council.

In the 6th Century, three individuals played a huge role in forming and influencing the ecclesiastical structure of the Church. They were the Emperor Justinian, Pope Gregory the Great of Rome, and Dionysius the Areopagite. Fr. Tom deals with the first 2 here and the third in the next episode.

On the Sunday after Ascension and before Pentecost, the appointed Scripture readings for the Divine Liturgy have striking similarities between the Apostle Reading (Acts 20) and the Gospel (John 17:1-13). Read these 2 "farewell addresses" and then listen to Fr. Tom's teaching that he recorded in his study following the Liturgy.

During this season of Pentecost, it is important to understand the controversy surrounding the procession of the Holy Spirit. Is it just semantics or is there doctrinal substance to the rejection of the filioque clause in the Creed by the Orthodox Church?

How does Orthodoxy view the gifts of the Holy Spirit and in particilar the phenomenon of speaking in tongues? Fr. Thomas Hopko explores the New Testament teaching on the charismatic gifts.

Fr. Thomas talks about one of the most important books in his library and strongly encourages everyone to read it for an eye opening revelation on today's society as we know it. The Abolition of Man by CS Lewis.

Fr.Tom asks us to heed the scriptures and use our words carefully. Specifically he identifies several terms that are often incorrectly used in Orthodoxy today.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Entry into the Temple of our Lord, Fr. Tom reflects on the childhood of Jesus. What we know, what we don't know, and what we can surmise.

As we begin the Lenten fast, Fr.Tom reflects on the 40 days Christ spent in the desert being tempted by Satan. Learn how some churches actually promise things that Christ rejected in the desert.

What can we say and not say about God? Fr. Thomas Hopko confirms one thing we can say and that is God is faithful.

Fr. Tom has received several e-mails asking about the development of the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. In this 2 part talk, he gives us the history and elements of this well-loved service of the Church.

In part 2 of Fr. Tom's reflection on the Pre-Santified Liturgy, he talks about a mis-guided practice from the previous centuries of denying the gifts to children or the mentally impaired.

In Psalm 118 (119 in the Hebrew text), every verse references the commandments or precepts of God. As Christians, how are we to look at God's commandments in the light of Christ and His "New Commandment?"

Recently Fr. Thomas Hopko visited and spoke at the well known and evangelical based Wheaton College. While he appreciated and was honored by the opportunity, it caused him to reflect on the evangelical movement from an Orthodox Christian perspective. His thoughts will be of value to Orthodox and Evangelicals alike.

St. Symeon the New Theologian holds great importance for Church hierarchy and structure as it relates to his teaching about the relationship between the Clergy and the holy monastics.

After listening to an AFR Commentary by Fr. Lawrence Farley and a sermon by Fr. Andrew Damick, Fr. Thomas offers some additional and personal thoughts on the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. We also encourage you to listen to the comments by Fr. Tom Soroka.

Following his recent podcast on the virtue as well as the pitfalls of zeal, Fr. Thomas talks about where our zeal should be focused. He uses a 19th century book entitled The Arena by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov to help us understand.

During Great Lent, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is prescribed in Orthodox Churches. Fr. Tom appeals for the audible use of that prayer for the blessing and edification of all.