In this episode Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Harry, the Canonist for the UOC-USA, about the scriptural and canonical context and instructions about sex. Framing it within the context of holiness, they address real issues that Christians need to understand and deal with in the materialist and sex-saturated age. Warning: some graphic terms were used (e.g. fornication, masturbation, adultery).

Fr. Anthony continues his discussion with Fr. Robert, author of "The First and Finest: Orthodox Christian Stewardship as Sacred Offering" about some of the necessities, joys, and struggles that come with starting and nurturing a mission. This time, they focus on how to pay for (and NOT to pay) the bills. The key is to make everything - to include financial stewardship - resonate with and in the Eucharist. Enjoy the show!

Elissa reminds us that good stewardship heals our relationship to money and other possessions.

Elissa talks with Dan Bein from Orthodox Christian Fellowship about this important ministry for college students.

In Homily 43, St. Isaac speaks of three areas of ‘discipline,’ or areas in which we must guide or rule our life. Proper discipline in these areas leads to purity. These three areas are bodily discipline, leading to purification of the body; discipline of the mind, leading to purification of the soul; and spiritual discipline, leading to purification of the mind.

Fr. Michael Gillis shares from St. Isaac the Syrian (homily 62), in which St. Isaac offers us the metaphor of a manuscript in rough draft to help us understand why on-going repentance is important for Christians regardless of their real or imagined state of spiritual maturity.

Fr. Stephen De Young introduces the Epistle to the Philippians, before next week's dive into chapter 1.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the first chapter of Philippians.

Father Stephen De Young dives into St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians Chapter 2, verses 1-8.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion on Philippians Chapter 2, verse 9.

Fr. Stephen De Young finishes the discussion of Philippians, Chapter 2.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes his discussion of the Epistle to the Philippians, by going through chapters 3 and 4.

We are called to become living epiphanies of God's salvation by offering every dimension of our lives to Christ.

Fr. Philip LeMasters calls us to offer our lives in service of the Kingdom of God.

At Theophany, we celebrate that no dimension of our life or world is intrinsically profane or cut off from sharing in the holiness of God. All things, physical and spiritual, visible and invisible, are called to participate in the divine glory that our Lord has brought to the world, to become even now signs of the coming fullness of God’s Kingdom.

Our fundamental vocation remains the same: to undergo a change of mind such that we offer ourselves without reservation in obedience to God. As with the Theotokos, Joseph the Betrothed, and James, there is no telling what that will mean for the course of our lives, but saying “yes” in free obedience as we take the steps we have the strength to take today remains the only way to participate personally in the healing of the human person made possible by the birth of Jesus Christ. Let us look to those we commemorate today as brilliant examples of how to do precisely that.

Today is the Sunday before the Feast of Theophany (or Epiphany), when we celebrate Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan and the revelation that He is truly the Son of God. His divinity is made manifest and openly displayed at His baptism when the voice of the Father declares, “You are my beloved Son” and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove. Theophany shows us that Jesus Christ, who was born in the flesh for our salvation at Christmas, is not merely a great religious teacher or moral example. He is truly God—a member of the Holy Trinity– and His salvation permeates His entire creation, including the water of the river Jordan. Through Christ’s and our baptism, we become participants in the holy mystery of our salvation, for He restores to us the robe of light which our first parents lost when they chose pride and self-centeredness over obedience and communion. He enters the Jordan to restore Adam and Eve, and all their children, to the dignity of those who bear the image and likeness of God.

Fr. John discusses eucharistic worship as an experience of paradise.

Having related the fall of Byzantium to the Turks, Fr. John now begins a reflection on the only remaining Orthodox state in eastern Christendom, Muscovite Russia. In this introductory anecdote he tells of an event in the history of this "Third Rome" that signaled the coming decline of ecclesio-political symphony, and with it the experience of paradise.

In this episode Fr. John discusses Reformed attitudes toward worship, and the ways in which western Christendom's liturgical and sacramental foundations were eroded when they were put into practice.

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 episode, Fr John Parker discusses the difference between ‘worship evangelism’ and ‘worship as evangelism’, and encourages us to offer to God the most beautiful worship of which we are capable, and to ‘get out of the way’ for visitors—so that they can encounter God.

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. John Parker gives his second reflection on his participation on the Faith Encouraged Live inaugural call-in program and shares four marks of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Our readings for this week hold together in tension two key teachings: that everything is by God’s initiative, and that we are called to respond. God is sovereign, and yet looks for our cooperation. We see these teachings in Matthew 4:18-23 and Romans 2:10-16, illumined by numerous OT passages, including Isa 53:2-5, the Song of the Suffering Servant.

Remembering the apostles, we consider Jesus’ words from Matt 9:13 concerning God’s mercy, and the Resurrection hymns in the fourth tone, in the light of 1 Cor 1:26-31, Hosea 6:6-7, Genesis 3:1-5, and Wisdom 2:23-24.

This week we read Acts 6:1-7, the story of the selection of the first deacons, in light of Ephesians 4:10-13, Exodus 18:19-21, Numbers 17 and Deuteronomy 34:9. We rejoice in the wonder of how authority works in the Church, with every member given the Holy Spirit, while we offer our leaders special honor as they help us on the road to full maturity in Christ.

We read of the joy, warnings, and blessings of God in Rev 14:1-13, helped in our interpretation by St. Andrew of Caesarea, St. Bede, and St. Augustine, as well as three passages from the OT— 2 Kings 6, 2 Sam 11:6-13, Genesis 2:1-3. Because of its imagery, the worship in heaven may seem exclusive; however, all who follow the Lamb are invited to join in the “new song.”

The final section of the book of Revelation leads us to a sense of deep mystery, yet satisfaction. We read Rev 22:8-21 in the light of Deut 30:19; Genesis 1-3; Deut 30:19; Daniel 8:26, 12:14.

The Crippled Lamb. Copyright 1994. Published by Thomas Nelson. Written by Max Lucado. All Rights reserved. Used with permission.

" '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 Andrew," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint James, Son of Zebediah," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Philip," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Bartholomew," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint James," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Peter," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Simon, The Zealot," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Thomas," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Jude," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Matthias," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Lydia the Philippian," from The Co-Workers for the Gospel, Illustrated Biographies, Book 5, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

We Worship God, written by Nancy Streza, illustrated by Kayleen West (Xist Publishing, 2015)

81. Book 1: "The First Disciples" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (6.49 mins) Book 2: The Hermit, the Icon, and the Emperor: The Holy Virgin Comes to Cyprus by Chrissi Hart (Conciliar Press Ministries, 2008) (18.26 mins)

82. Book 1: "The Other Disciples" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (8.35 mins) Book 2: Extract from Father Arseny 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father, part one, translated by Vera Bouteneff (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1998) (22.10 mins)

Fr. Ted expresses his frustration with Orthodox Christians who only show up to church on Pascha.

Fr. Ted explains that there's a reason behind everything we do in the Orthodox Church.

Fr. Ted argues along with the ancient Greeks that you can't philosophize back into infinity. There comes a point when you have to believe in something.