In this episode, Fr. John Strickland recounts the efforts of three Italian humanists of the quattrocento ("fourteen hundreds") to rescue the dignity of man from the pessimism of Western culture. Departing from traditional Christianity's dignification of man through communion with God, they looked instead to Neoplatonism and there found a model of the fully autonomous human being, Prometheus.

In this long-delayed episode (due to work on The Age of Nihilism, available at store.ancientfaith.com/the-age-of-nihilism-christendom-from-the-great-war-to-the-culture-wars), Father John presents the historical origins of liberalism as a modern secular ideology. Atheistic philosophers like Auguste Comte and John Stuart Mill provided the philosophical basis for hope in a secular "kingdom of posterity."

Fr. John Strickland continues his account of the rise of secular ideology with a presentation on the Russian intelligentsia and the case of Karl Marx.

Fr. John Strickland concludes his account of the origins of modern political ideology with the rise of nationalism, a force that not only proved to be a counterfeit to traditional Christianity, but the cause of one of utopian Christendom's greatest tragedies.

In this final episode of part three of the podcast, Fr. John Strickland traces the outcome of secular humanism in the case of the Russian Revolution. Though numerous Orthodox Christians warned of the impending disaster facing a post-Christian Christendom, Vladimir Lenin and his Bolsheviks took advantage of discontent caused by the First World War to plunge violently into a project of counterfeit transcendence they called "building socialism."

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.

Friedrich Nietzsche is in many ways the father of modern nihilism. In this episode, Fr. John describes the philosopher's relationship to the atheism of contemporary utopian Christendom, and how the music of Richard Wagner played a role in leading him toward nihilism. As with previous episodes, this one introduces the listener to some music that is both beautiful and historically important.

In his continued account of Friedrich Nietzsche, Fr. John discusses the megalomaniac philosopher's effort to replace the Gospel with an atheistic "transvaluation of all values."

In this final presentation on the nihilistic philosophy of Nietzsche, Fr. John considers the philosopher's final work, an autobiography entitled Ecce Homo. The book's strange title is discussed in light of Nietzsche's claim to be the West's alternative to Christ. The episode ends with a spiritual and psychological reflection on why, having completed the work, Nietzsche went totally insane.

Fr John explores a Barna Group study on the state of Christianity in North America and asks how the observations impact us as Orthodox Christians. The study can be found HERE.

Fr. Chad Hatfield, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary, gave a Lenten retreat at Fr. John Parker's Holy Ascension Orthodox Church. He spoke on Basic Christian Discipleship - Three Proven Methods for Holy Living. This is part 1.

Fr. Chad Hatfield, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary, gave a Lenten retreat at Fr. John Parker's Holy Ascension Orthodox Church. He spoke on Basic Christian Discipleship - Three Proven Methods for Holy Living. This is part 2.

Fr. Chad Hatfield, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary, gave a Lenten retreat at Fr. John Parker's Holy Ascension Orthodox Church. He spoke on Basic Christian Discipleship - Three Proven Methods for Holy Living. This is part 3.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about marriage at a parish retreat earlier this month at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about catechism at a clergy retreat for the Carolina Deanery of the Orthodox Church in America.

Fr. John reflects on a few experiences at Costco, and then about Clemson and Christianity.

Why is the Ascension of our Lord so important? Is it an event that concerns Jesus only, as Lord over all, OR is it an event that also concerns us? YES! Come explore the mystery as we look to the Old Testament for light on this!

The “unnecessary” stories of the three youths (in Daniel 3 and The Song of Azariah) and of St. Joseph, husband of the Theotokos (Matthew 1) are illumined by God’s care for the humble in Deuteronomy 10:14-21.

We understand Jesus’ circumcision and devoted youth, described in Luke 2:2-21 and 40-52, in terms of the epistle reading for January first, Colossians 2:8-12, and with the help of various verses in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Numbers. In his new life, we are made new!

This week we meditate upon the resurrectional hymns in tone three, rejoicing in our solidarity with the righteous of the Old Testament. God’s ancient people saw His mighty arm outstretched for them, understood themselves to be the first-born of the LORD, and were vouchsafed glimpses of the great release from Hades. We look especially to Deuteronomy, Isaiah and Wisdom for these insights.

This week we take a break from the dismissal hymns to the Theotokos, and consider the rich imagery of the hymn (in tone 5) to Mary after the Aposticha. Its symbols are illumined for us by the Psalter, Ezekiel 33-35, and Isaiah 6.

On this Sunday of the Cross, we unpack Hebrews 4:14-5:9, plus a few extra verses, with the help of St. John Chrysostom, Leviticus 16, Genesis 14 and Psalm 109/110. Special encouragement is found here for this difficult time of isolation and waiting.

This week we consider Revelation 18:1-8, considering the inevitable judgment of Babylon in the light of the prophet Isaiah (13:21-22; 47:7-9) and Malachi.

This week we behold the dramatic laments and final symbolic action concerning Babylon. The colorful vision of Rev 18:9-24, amplified by Amos 3:15-4:2, reveals the network of evil and oppression surrounding “Babylon,” and leads us forward towards joy in the victory of the God’s light and truth.

Bearing the Saint, Chapter twenty-three, 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 Two and Three.

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

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters twenty-three and twenty-four (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters two and three (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Children’s Bible Reader, part three. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "People continue to sadden God" "A shepherd trusts in God" "Abraham and Sarah have a son"

Children’s Bible Reader, part twenty-three. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "King Solomon" "The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon" "Wise Words of Solomon" "The prophet Elijah"

Children’s Bible Reader, part thirty-three, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Mary anoints Jesus" "The entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem" "Jesus drives the merchants out of the temple" "Jesus speaks about the end of the age" "The betrayal by Judas" "Jesus celebrates Passover with His Disciples" "Jesus washes the disciples' feet"

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

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

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

St. Moses the Ethiopian, part three, written and illustrated by Fr. Jerome Sanderson (Christ the Saviour Brotherhood Publishing, 2002).

The Nativity of Christ, written by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrations by Roland J Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2010)

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Operation 1: Daily Prayer.

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Operation 2: Prayers in Time of Trouble.

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Operation 3: Prayers of Thanks.

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Operation 4: Prayers for Family, Friends, and Enemies.

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Operation 5: Prayers for the Dead

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Operation 6: Preparation for Confession.

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Operation 7: Praying with the Saints and Angels .

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Operation 8: Pray like a King.

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Drill One: The Five Training Targets, the Five Senses.

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Drill 3: Sore feet for the Kingdom – The Liturgy.

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd (Conciliar Press, 2012). Drill 4: Live like an Agent.

The Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press Ministries, 2006).

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until August 9, 2013.