In this final episode of his reflection on Muscovite Russia, Fr. John describes the Old Believer Schism as a crisis in the formerly optimistic cosmology of eastern Christendom, leading to its decline on the eve of modern times.

In this episode, Fr. John begins an account of Friedrich Nietzsche by discussing Richard Wagner, a direct influence on the philosopher whose infidelity with women and famous operatic work, The Ring of the Nibelung, helped inspire the coming age of nihilism.

In this summary of the second chapter of his book, The Age of Nihilism, Fr. John discusses the early life and faith and incarceration of Russia's great novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. Unlike his contemporaries--particularly Nietzsche--the novelist found in traditional Christianity the only hope for a Christendom living under the terrible specter of nihilism.

What is sure and what is shallow? Our Great Vesper readings (Genesis 14:14-20, Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17 and Deuteronomy 10:14-21) guide us in understanding what the fathers of the ecumenical councils have done, and in reading Titus 3:8-15 and Luke 8:5-15.

The prophet Isaiah and St. John Chrysostom help us to understand why God hides and reveals, as we read Galatians 1 and Luke 8:41-56. We are led to pay special attention to the epistle, since we have heard it twice in the space of two weeks!

This week we consider Romans 15:1-7 and Matthew 9:27-35, in the light of Psalm 69 (LXX 68), the witness of the Old Testament, and the steadfast, encouraging character of our Triune God.

Daring to be Different: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Second of Luke, and feast day of the Apostle Ananias. Our readings for this week (2 Cor 6:16-18, 7:1; Luke 6:31-36) bring us face-to-face with an uncomfortable part of our faith: we are to be “holy” or different. We look to the challenge God gives to Israel in Exodus, and the promises to fulfill this holiness in the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel to help us to understand our calling.

This week our two readings (Luke 8:29-56, Galatians 2:16-20) lead us to consider the deep relationship between faith and Christ’s power, a debated issue since the Reformation times. We look to these passages, and back to the example of Abraham (Genesis 15; Genesis 18) in order to understand what St. Paul and Holy Tradition tell us about faith, and how we should answer those who insist that salvation is “by faith alone.” Dr. Edith's new book is titled, "Further Up and Further In: Orthodox Conversations with C.S. Lewis on Scripture and Theology

This week we understand the depths of Christ’s demolition of death, and the great reversal, in the light of Ezekiel 7, Jeremiah 7, and Psalm 125 (MT 126).

The resurrectional-dismissal Theotokion in tone four is replete with theological mystery, and itself calls attention to the Mystery of mysteries—the God-Man who died for our sake. We look to the entire sweep of the Old Testament, as well as the epistles, to clarify its words.

This week we look to Rev 11:15-19, clarifying the scene that we find there by means of Psalm 2, 2 Sam 6, Luke 1:42-45. Does the Theotokos make a mysterious appearance here?

This week we look at the short but challenging chapter fifteen of Revelation, in the light of Exodus 40:35; 2 Ch/Kingdoms 7:2-3; Isaiah 6:4; and Ezekiel 1:22;10:4; 44:4. We consider how judgment is an essential characteristic of the holy God, not at odds with divine love, and meditate upon the difficult phrase “the wrath of God.”

This week we consider Revelation 16 as an intensification of Exodus 7-12, looking to Haggai 2:6-7, and various other NT passages, as well as some Church fathers, in our reading of this sobering passage.

In our final episode of this series, we take a “bird’s eye” view of the entire book, considering its structure, and how that fills out the central theme of the Apocalypse—the loving Victory of Christ, who includes us in God’s ongoing plan to recover His creation. Our hearts are grasped by this unusual book, if read in this light. Hearers are invited to join Edith for a new series after Thanksgiving, focused on the “canticles” of the Church.

Bearing the Saint, Chapter eleven, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter seventeen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters seven and eight.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters eleven and twelve.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters seventeen and eighteen.

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters seven and eight (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter Eleven (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter seventeen (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Children’s Bible Reader, part seven. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Joseph is sold by his brothers" "Joseph arrives in Egypt" "Joseph interprets dreams"

Children’s Bible Reader, part eleven. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "The people of Israel suffer in Egypt" "A mother saves her son" "Moses must leave"

Children’s Bible Reader, part seventeen. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Moses is near Canaan" "Forty years in the desert" "The healing snake" "Moses dies"

Children’s Bible Reader, part twenty-seven, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "The wise men" "Simeon and Anna" "The escape to Egypt" "Jesus comes to the temple" "John the Baptist" "The Baptism of Jesus"

Children’s Bible Reader, part thirty-seven, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Pentecost" "Stephen and Saul" "Saul goes to Damascus" "Ananias helps Saul"

"Saint Genevieve" and "Saint Brigid" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations, written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until October 4, 2013.

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter seven by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter eleven by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapters seventeen and eighteen, by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Edge of Mysterion, Chapter Seven, by Richard Rene (Conciliar Press, 2011)

The Edge of Mysterion, Chapter Eleven, by Richard Rene (Conciliar Press, 2011)

The Edge of Mysterion, Chapter Seventeen, by Richard Rene (Conciliar Press, 2011)

" 'I Believe, Lord,' and He Worshipped Him," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Genevieve," from Women of Faith, written by Calee M. Lee, illustrated by Lisa Graves (Xist Publishing, 2015)

Dawn’s Gentle Light, "Christmas Eve," by Renee Riva (Pink Heart Press, 2017)

Everything Tells Us About God, by Katherine Bolger Hyde, illustrations by Livia Coloji (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2018).

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "The Prophet Jonah Runs from God and the Prophet Jonah in Nineveh," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Seven, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon

Vanessa The Wonderworker, Chapter Seven, written and illustrated by Grace Brooks. Available on Amazon

Vanessa The Wonderworker, Chapter Eleven, written and illustrated by Grace Brooks. Available on Amazon

Vanessa The Wonderworker, Chapter Seventeen, written and illustrated by Grace Brooks. Available on Amazon

Vanessa The Wonderworker, Chapter Twenty Seven, written and illustrated by Grace Brooks. Available on Amazon

59. Book 1: "The Creation of Eve" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (6.45 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 5 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 7:25, duration 18.51 mins)

61. Book 1: "Adam and Eve as Outcasts from Paradise" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (7.15 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 7 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 8:00, duration 15.22 mins)

Fr. Ted urges those who have been born into the Orthodox faith to ask themselves hard questions about what they would sacrifice for Orthodoxy had they not been born into it. He reminds them to demonstrate Christian love and acceptance to catechumens.

Fr. Ted assures us that God's blessings at Church can affect all of the other different facets of our lives.

Fr. Ted speaks at the Biennial Clergy-Laity Conference for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada in Vancouver.