During the fierce persecution of Christians by the Persian King Shapur II, Saint Sadoth succeeded the Martyr Symeon (April 17) as Bishop of Seleucia. His name in Persian, Shah-dost, means 'Friend of the King'; but the earthly Shah saw him as no friend, and the holy bishop knew that his days on earth were numbered. One night in a dream, Sadoth saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. At the top stood Bishop Symeon, who called joyfully to him: 'Climb up, Sadoth, and do not be afraid! I climbed up yesterday; you will climb up today.' Waking, Sadoth knew that he would soon be called to martyrdom. He immediately set out to encourage his flock and to exhort them to stand firm for Christ in the coming day of persecution.   A few days later the persecutors came in the King's name to arrest the holy Bishop; with him they seized 128 priests, deacons, monks and simple believers. All were held in prison for five months, being brought forth repeatedly and tortured in ways too cruel to describe; but not a single one could be brought to worship the sun. Finally, all were condemned to die by the sword. The 128 martyrs, chained together, sang joyous hymns as they went to the place of execution. They did not cease to sing until the death of the last Martyr. Sadoth himself, however, was taken in chains to the city of Beit Lapat, where he was beheaded a few days later.

He was born early in the thirteenth century to a peasant family in the village of Basarov, then part of Bulgaria. Even in childhood, he gave himself to fasting and prayer. Once, walking across a field, he accidentally stepped on a bird's nest in the grass, killing the young birds. He was so filled with remorse that he went barefoot for three years, winter and summer, in penance. When he was grown he joined a monastery and, after a few years of community life, received a blessing to dwell in a cave near the River Lom. After many years of solitary struggle, he reposed in his cave. Three hundred years passed, during which all memory of the simple ascetic was lost. Then, one Spring the river flooded the cave and carried off Demetrius' body, which had lain incorrupt in the cave for centuries. The body was carried downstream and buried in gravel. Another hundred years went by, and the Saint appeared in a dream to a paralyzed girl, telling her to ask her parents to take her to the river bank, where she would be healed. The family, along with many clergy and villagers, went to a spot where some local people had earlier seen an unexplained light. They dug and soon unearthed the still-incorrupt and radiant body of St Demetrius, by which the girl was instantly healed. A church was built in the village of Basarabov to honor the precious relics, and through the years the Saint worked many miracles there.

She lived in Rome during the reigns of the Emperors Decius and Valerian. At an early age she left all to embrace a life of unceasing prayer, entering a small monastery in Rome, directed by a nun named Sophia. For her Christian faith, she was seized and brought before the governor Probus and, when she boldly confessed Christ and refused to honor the idols, was subjected to a series of vicious tortures, under which she died. An angel led Sophia to retrieve her holy relics, which are now venerated at the monastery of Grigoriou on Mt Athos.   We are sometimes told that monasticism developed in the Church after Christianity became accepted and grew more worldly. The story of St Anastasia is one of many evidences in the lives of the Saints that what we now call monasticism was present from the earliest days of the Church.

Fr. Andrew begins his section on the Roman Catholic Church with a close look at the history of the schism with the East as well as the doctrine of Papal supremacy.

In the second half of his first talk on Rome, Fr. Andrew looks at the filioque, papal infallibility, and created vs. uncreated grace.

In this episode, Fr. Andrew begins his look at the differences in the way the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches view salvation. Original sin, ancestral sin, the immaculate conception, and purgatory are among the topics explored.

How does the view of the sacraments differ between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches? And what are the prospects of unity between West and East?

In this podcast we discover wonderful wisdom from A Monastery's Kitchen to bring Christ into everything we do.

Aquí le ofrecemos algo mas para compartir en Glorificando a Dios. Comenzaremos con esta primera de lo que esperamos sean más entrevistas ocasionales en el futuro para compartir algo más sobre los acontecimientos de la Iglesia Ortodoxa en América Latina. Esta entrevista es con el Hieromonje Serafín (Mendoza Segundo) en México sobre la Iglesia Ortodoxa y su trabajo misionero en esa región. As an additional offering to Glorifying God, we will begin with this first of many occasional interviews so that we can share something more about the accomplishments of the Orthodox Church in Latin America. The following interview is with Hieromonk Serafim (Mendoza Segundo) in Mexico about the Orthodox Church and his missionary work in that region.

In a new series beginning today, Fr. Andrew presents a study of major themes of the Orthodox Christian faith as found in the letters of the 2nd century martyr and third bishop of Antioch, Ignatius the God-bearer.

In the second half of part one, Fr. Andrew talks more extensively about martyrdom and the statement by St. Ignatius: "I am God's wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals."

Fr. Andrew continues his series on St. Ignatius with a study of his view what it means to be a Christian.

This is the second half of part 2 in Fr. Andrew's series on St. Ignatius.

Fr. Andrew talks about the instruction of St. Ignatius on Church unity and Bishops.

What did St. Ignatius have to say about the role of the Bishop in the Church. Listen to the first half of Fr. Andrew's fourth talk in this series.

St. Ignatius emphasized the importance of obedience to the Bishop.

Over and over again in the writings of St. Ignatius, he emphasizes the importance of the physical aspect of Christ's first coming to earth. Fr. Andrew reviews these references and their implications.

In this final episode in the Voice from Antioch series, Fr. Andrew concludes his talk on the views of St. Ignatius about the Eucharist and the physical nature of Christianity.

Four-time Emmy award-winner Jonathan Jackson, star of General Hospital and Tuck Everlasting, talks with Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick about his journey into Orthodox Christianity, his family, how he lives his faith as a Hollywood actor, music and writing, on this special episode of Roads From Emmaus.

On this Forgiveness Sunday, continuing his series on Lenten evangelism, Fr. Andrew discusses the Expulsion from Paradise as a key element of the Gospel, as well as forgiveness as the path back to Paradise.

A talk given at the Orthodox Homeschooling Conference (Apr. 23-26) at the Antiochian Village.

On the occasion of the first feast of the newly-canonized St. Paisios the Athonite, Fr. Andrew discusses the saint's advice on praying free of distractions.

With the reading of the Feeding of the 5000, Fr. Andrew discusses moving from the 'membership' model to the ministry model by bringing whatever we have to Jesus, no matter how small.

On this Sunday of Zacchaeus, Fr. Andrew talks about how this ancient tax collector teaches us a lesson in Christian ethics.

On the feast of St. Joseph of Damascus, Fr. Andrew tells us his story and asks how it pertains to our own stories.

With the feast of St. James the Brother of God, Fr. Andrew discusses what the mission of the parish church is based on Paul's emphasis on the source of revelation.

Using Paul's criticism of those who have a "zeal for God, but not according to knowledge," Fr. Andrew discusses various types of that kind of zeal and addresses where the true zeal for God comes from.

Addressing alumni and seminarians at St. Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, during the year-opening retreat, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick challenges them to have conversations with the non-Orthodox and not to settle for falling into either polemic or compromise, showing how engagement is instead the traditional Orthodox patristic posture.

Using the images of the Exodus, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick shows how the Hebrews were freed from slavery not just to the Egyptians but to their gods. And with that freedom, they worship the one true God by using the Ark of the Covenant within the Tabernacle, prefigurations of the Holy Theotokos, whose Nativity is being celebrated.

Using the Gospel of the Ten Lepers, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick discusses how leprosy put the lepers outside society, how their healing has a purpose beyond physical health, and how that relates to the Kingdom of God and the immortality of its citizens.

On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick discusses what sexual immorality does to a person, noting how its devastating corruption is inward and difficult to uproot.

We hope you return for a fresh episode each week!

What role do our thoughts play in being the people God wants us to be? Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne give some practical advise on controlling our thoughts and submitting them to Christ.

Continuing the theme during Great Lent, Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne talk about our deeds and unhealthy patterns of living. Several calls and a busy chatroom make this a great episode to listen to!

Lines were open for this episode allowing listeners to ask the questions on their minds. The Louh's fielded questions about pornography addiction, gossip, healthy meditation, and more.

Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh give us some very practical input on making and fulfilling promises in our relationships.

Fr. Nick and Pres. Roxanne discuss the spiritual side of our fasting during Great Lent.

Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh welcome actor and producer Robert Krantz, most recently known for his film Faith, Hope, & Love. Join this conversation on life, relationships, and renewal.

Fr. John Oliver shares a remarkable story of service to inspire us to joyfully use our gifts in service of others.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on forgiveness, and the energies of the heart.

This week, Fr Joseph answers questions from AFR listeners. Topics include: annoying Orthodox phrases, wicked political emails, Palestine, women's ordination, and Waffle House.

This episode is taken from the forthcoming audio book version of "We Came, We Saw, We Converted." Fr. Joseph answers letters from AFR listeners which include: annoying Orthodox phrases, wicked political emails, Palestine, women's ordination and Waffle House.

It's not often that one gets scalped by a Christian, rarer still is when a priest willingly airs his failures (of "Biblical proportion"). Protestants may cheer this episode as much as the Orthodox, but with both sides on differing sides. This episode of the Orthodixie podcast eavesdrops on some arguments concerning Scripture and Tradition at St Michael's in Beaumont, Texas.

Fr. Joseph gets lost in Houston, loses his wallet in the airport and becomes invisible at stop lights -- all from Dallas, Texas.

Fr. Joseph interviews two Deacons of the Church – both hailing from, ahem, the “Old Country” – that is, one was reared in middle Tennessee and the other was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia [rimshot]. Enjoy!

Fr Joseph offers an "audio snapshot" of life at Camp St Raphael - 2011, Session One. (Oh, and for him to hear it, that fat lady will need to sing a little louder.)

Fr. Joseph speaks in Belleville, Ontario, at a seminar hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Lovely folks, lovely place. But like many of us, they have their work cut out for them—keeping Orthodox Christianity ALIVE in that little place. Here follows a few snippets from our time together.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks about Great Lent in the Lehigh Valley (PA) and about how the Lenten disciplines - and especially the Prayer of St. Ephraim - can protect and heal us from the damage of war.