A weeping icon exuding myrrh is not something one sees everyday. Frederica talks to the priest of a parish where it did.

Why do some people feel that "converts" to Orthodoxy are so obnoxious? Today Frederica reflects on the practices of some Orthodox Christians compared with the path to spiritual healing that Orthodoxy represents.

We catch up with Frederica at a quaint Virginia Barbeque where she is chatting with a reporter who chooses to stay in the Episcopal Church. Douglas LeBlanc of the blog site Get Religion began covering religion in June 1984 as religion editor of the Morning Advocate in Baton Rouge, LA. Since then he has worked as an editor for Compassion International, Episcopalians United (now Anglicans United), and Christianity Today. His work has appeared in Christian Research Journal, The Weekly Standard, and The Wall Street Journal.

Frederica is in Spokane again for today's episode and chats with icnonographer Heather Kochamma Durka.

Doxacon is a gathering of Orthodox Christians with an interest in fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming. This year they asked me to deliver the lay keynote (conference theme: "Making Virtuous Decisions in Fiction"), and I confessed that I don't know much about those popular forms of media. So we compromised. First, I speak about Charles Dickens, and how some non-virtuous personal decisions affected his life and his writing; then my son, Fr. Stephen Mathewes, relates the "virtuous decisions" question to some popular books, movies, and videogames. At the end I came back with a few thoughts about bees. Enjoy!

The second-biggest problem Protestants have with Orthodox Christianity (after our love for Jesus' mother Mary) is our icons--not so much the fact of them, but the way we venerate them, bowing, kissing, and lighting candles. But they misinterpret those actions, which are simply continuations from an earlier time. I hope this video will help Protestants understand how we really relate to icons--with affection and honor, and not as objects of worship.

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

Father Thomas reveals how icons are painted and the proper procedure for placing them in the church building.

Fr. Tom Hopko talks about St. Seraphim's conversation with Nicholas Motovilov on "acquisition of the Holy Spirit."

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

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

The 5th century brought much controversy, schism, and anathemas but the Church survived. Some of these divisions exist even today.

Fr. Tom reflects on the icons associated with Pentecost and the Trinity.

Fr. Tom continues looking at the 102 Canons of the "Quinisext" or 5th and 6th Ecumenical Councils sometimes referred to as the Council in Trullo. Today he talks about the laws concerning relationships with the Jews and the marital relationships of clergy.

As Fr. Tom continues talking about the canons found in the Council of Trullo, he looks today at those canons that speak about issues like the selling of sacraments, clergy behavior, and the settlement of controversies.

What are the canons about clergy marriage? What should the clergy wear out on the street? Why is water mixed with wine in the Eucharist? These and other issues are addressed in this episode with Fr. Thomas Hopko.

The canons under discussion today by Fr. Tom deal with the rank and place of hierarchical sees and how that is affecting the structure of the Church today.

As Fr. Tom continues his reflections on this historic council, he today speaks about monasticism, baptism, and marriage.

Some interesting canons are discussed in today's program including a canon against feigning insanity!

As Fr. Tom continues his look at the so called Quintisext councils, the issues of church attendance and mixed marriages are among the topics addressed.

What is the Orthodox teaching about remarriage after adultery? What about re-baptism of one brought into the Church? Fr. Tom talks about this and more in today's episode.

In this final episode on the so called Council in Trullo or the 5th and 6th Ecumenical Councils, Fr. Tom completes his commentary on the 102 canons. This includes the issue of not kneeling in church on Sunday, how to bring in Christians from other denominations, the creation and consumption of pornography, and more.

An intense and violent period in Church history surrounded the veneration of icons. Learn about those who gave their lives for the preservation of this important physical demonstration of the Incarnation as well as those Bishops who sided with with the iconoclasts and were later identified as heretics.

Fr. Tom says the 14th Century situation in Constantinople is critical to understanding the Church today.

One of the most significant events in Church history was the fall of Constantinople. Fr. Thomas helps us understand the the years immediately following the fall.

We hear the phrase "God is in control" and may even use it from time to time when trying to make sense of a difficult situation. Fr. Thomas Hopko evaluates that phrase and challenges us to rethink it.

Fr. Tom returns to the subject of his recent episode "God Is In Control. Yes or No?" He responds to the listener feedback and clarifies his thoughts on the subject.

Fr. Thomas Hopko takes one last look at the phrase "Relax, God is in Control" and provides information on additional material he has written and spoke about regarding this general topic. Here is the list: Abba: The Tradition of Orthodoxy in the West by Met. Kallistos Ware And from his Speaking the Truth in Love series: Pain and Suffering The Wrath of God The Wrath of God - Part 2 Anger and Wrath in Human Life On Sadness and Grief in Christian Life Theological Reflections on Calamity Does God Play Favorites? Predestination, Providence, and Prayer Understanding Evil - 9/11 Remembered God and the World Sandy Hook God and Death

Jeannie continues her discussion about the inspiration and veracity of the Bible.

Jeannie continues looking at the influence of Alexandria and in particular Origen on the early interpretation of Scripture.

Jeannie continues her look at the interpretive style of Antioch and in particular St. John Chyrsostom. Listen for how his name is to be pronounced!

Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of Saul and David, which is lesson 89 of her series, "Introduction to the Bible."

Dr. Constantinou examines the contest between Elijah, the 450 priests of Baal, and the 400 priests of Asherah.

Dr. Constantinou finishes up her discussion of Elijah, this time focusing on the typology of the prophet.

Dr. Constantinou continues her introduction to the major prophets of the Old Testament, this time with the addition of statements from the Church Fathers.

Dr. Constantinou continues her exploration of the prophecies found in Isaiah 53.

Dr. Constantinou discusses the failure of the Jews to listen to the prophets and the importance of the correlation between the death of Christ and the destruction of the Jewish temple.

Dr. Constantinou explains why the Jews won't believe that Christ is the Messiah.

Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of the most famous prophecy of Isaiah: "The virgin shall conceive and bear a son."

This past weekend Google sent out a round of manual penalty notices citing “unnatural outbound links” – later confirmed to be targeting sites publishing compensated content and reviews where the blogger is linking out to the brand or site that compensated them. If your site received the notice, you'll find some advice for fixing your…

The post How Bloggers Can Fix a Manual Penalty Caused by Compensated Content & Reviews appeared first on Sugarrae.

Google Search Console (GSC) can be a helpful tool – providing you use it. This guide isn't meant for advanced users nor is it a comprehensive dive into every feature GSC has. I'm not looking to overwhelm you. Instead, we're going to go over eight simple GSC features that can provide you with actionable tasks…

The post Google Search Console – a Beginner’s Guide to Finding Actionable SEO Tasks appeared first on Sugarrae.

Fr. Finley, with reference to potential “mass conversions,” explains what we must do to prepare.

The priest is often not recognized unless he is on the cross. And in some communities, there’s always one -- or a handful -- that will try to make sure he stays there! (Yet these folks need salvation too.) Fr Joseph unpeels a bit of the Onion Dome.

While Americans converting to Orthodox Christianity may bring along baggage and struggles, this episode notes a few of their strengths; it even praises the Nones!

Fr. Joseph shares a few stories about the lapsed and confession.

For those of you who are new to the Orthodox Church—or were‚—what say ye about that daunting second visit? Good experience, not-so-good experience? Fr Joseph shares some comments from parishioners and invites yours.

With restrictions being what they were, and fears continuing as they are, the faithful of St Joseph/Houston discovered something over the past year.

This "Mission Recipe" mixes loss of vision, retirement, 20-20, homeschooling, and a local bookstore. Fr. Joseph chats with Fr. Paul Solberg of Christ the Good Shepherd Mission in Concord, North Carolina.

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. John shares his homily from the Sunday of All Saints.