Fr. John speaks a Good Word for an Unfair World. Glory to God for all things!

In 2020, pretty much EVERYONE missed the Lamentations service! (No, watching it online is no more the same as watching American Bandstand, or Dancing with the Stars, is the same as attending the prom.) Fr Joseph wept.

Fr. John announces some new missions, highlights the potential for growth within home school networks, and plugs a growing online homeschooling program. Great news during these challenging days!

Fr Joseph engages in a bit of name-dropping: Rose, Rose Hill, Peter Heers, Peterson, Frederica, Hatfield, Pageau, Freeman, and more! But, really: What in the world is going on with all these inquirers and catechumens?

Not everyone will agree, but you'll have to listen to figure out why. BTW, is there any good news? Fr Joseph speaks of his recent "work-cation" in the PNW.

Would you like to see more movies about Orthodox saints? Well, stay tuned! Yelena Popovic, the writer, director, and producer of the movie "Man of God" and her husband, Alexandros Potter sat down with Fr Joseph to talk about the forthcoming "Moses the Black" movie and their new venture, SimeonFaith, which will produce and distribute other Orthodox Christian films. Listen till the end for your role in this apostolic work! A teaser for the forthcoming "Moses the Black" can be found at SimeonFaith.com.

Fr. Thomas shows us the patterns of obedience and disobedience in the Old Testament rulers and how that relates to worshipping God in spirit and in truth.

How do people worship when they believe in Jesus? Fr. Tom looks at the four gospels to think through what they say about Jesus relative to the worship of God.

Fr. Tom takes some additional time to teach on the meaning and roles of the clergy and laity when it comes to Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth.

The West identifies seven sacraments, but how does the Orthodox Church view such things? Fr. Tom teaches on the place of the Eucharist in the sacramental life of the Church.

In the first 20 episodes of Worship in Spirit and in Truth, Fr. Thomas gave us the background and basis for our eucharistic worship. He now begins his walk through the Divine Liturgy itself beginning with the entrance of the bishop and clergy leading up to the start of the Liturgy.

Before the liturgy begins, there are prayers that are said as the bishop and priest enter. Fr. Tom explains those prayers in this 22nd episode.

In this episode, Fr. Thomas explains the basic vestments worn by the priests and bishops for the Divine Liturgy. This is part 1.

In part 2 of Fr. Tom's comments on the vesting for liturgy, he talks about the importance of dress not only for the clergy but for all of us as we come to church.

Fr. Tom continues his look at the vestments worn by the clergy for the Divine Liturgy. What vestments are appropriate in non-sacramental settings?

As Fr. Tom continues to look at the vestments worn by the clergy for the Divine Liturgy, he today talks about the "girding of strength" as signified by the belt and the cuffs.

Today Fr. Thomas focuses his attention on a part of the vestments that many wonder about. What is the significance of that square or diamond shaped attachment that sometimes hangs above the knee of the bishop or presbyter?

Fr. Tom continues his comments on the vestments worn in the Divine Liturgy. Today he talks about the sacramental significance of the omophorion and epitrachelion.

In the final section on vestments for the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Tom talks about crosses, hats, and crowns.

After 29 episodes leading up the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas begins his line by line commentary.

Before the Divine Liturgy begins, we must be prepared from a practical standpoint. Fr. Tom gives some personal reflections on doing things decently and in order.

Fr. Tom talks about the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Faithful which comprise the worship of the Church from the very beginning.

In his continuing series on the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas reflects on the hymn sung at every Liturgy with its origins attributed to Sts. Justinian and Theodora in the sixth century.

After the hymn, "O Son of God," the next antiphons are sung in the Divine Liturgy. O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.

As the Little Entrance is concluded a transition is taking place to the proclamation of the Word of God. Today Fr. Tom comments on that transition as well as the choice of readings for the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Thomas reflects on the prayer read by the priest or bishop just before the Gospel reading in the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Thomas begins his reflections on the point in the Divine Liturgy when the Gospel is read. In particular he talks about the important connection between the Bible and the bishop.

Giving the sermon is more than just standing and talking in front of the congregation. It requires a knowledge of the people, the events of the day, the Holy Scripture readings, and much more.

Today Fr. Thomas talks about the actual delivery of the sermon and how best to fulfill the purpose of it.

Following the Scripture readings and the sermon, there are prayers that are skipped in some churches. These prayers are part of the Litany of Fervent Supplication, and Fr. Thomas feels they are very important.

In the last episode, Fr. Tom was talking about the Litany of Fervent Supplication and emphasizing the need to pray for everyone, not just Orthodox Christians. Today, he reads from Homily 6 of St. John Chrysostom's commentary on I Timothy which affirms that requirement.

Fr. Tom goes through the various translations of the Litany of the Catechumens and also continues his thoughts on the departure of the catechumens.

Fr. Tom transitions now to the second half of the Divine Liturgy with the Litany of the Faithful.

When the time has come for a priest to be ordained by the Bishop, this is done during the Divine Liturgy. Since Fr. Tom is at the place of the Great Entrance in his reflections on the Divine Liturgy, he takes us through the ordination process.

Fr. Tom completes his reflections on the Great Offertory Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

Today Fr. Tom speaks about the importance of the offertory prayers said after the Great Entrance. In particular, he talks about how they are prayed in the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.

Fr. John shares his homily from Palm Sunday.

Fr. John shares his homily from the Sunday of the Holy Fathers.

Fr. John shares his homily from Pentecost.

Fr. John shares his homily on Romans 9.

Fr. John shares his homily on the 1,025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia.

Fr. John shares his homily on Ecclesiastes 1-2.

Fr. John shares his homily from the Sunday of Family, Love, and Fidelity, a new commemoration just established by the Russian Church.

Fr. John shares his homily on Psalm 98.

Bishop Peter (Loukianoff) of Cleveland is the guest homilist at St. Jonah Orthodox Church.

Fr. John shares his homily on Luke 8:5-15.

Fr. John discusses St. Job of Pochaev on his homily from November 10.

Fr. John shares his homily on the Ninth Commandment.

Fr. John shares his homily on Luke 17:20-21.

Fr. John shares his homily on Luke 8:18.