Many listeners have asked about Fr. Tom's favorite books. In today's episode he identifies them and tells us why. The list includes: The Sayings of the Desert Fathers The Arena - Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov The Art of Prayer - St. Theophan the Recluse St. Silouan the Athonite We Shall See Him As He Is - Elder Sophrony His Life is Mine - Archimandrite Sophrony Christ, Our Way and Our Life - Archimandrite Zachariah The Hidden Man of the Heart Remember Thy First Love - Archimandrite Zachariah The Complete Fenelon Atheist Delusions - David Bentley Hart The Abolition of Man - CS Lewis

In Part 9 of his series on Bishops, Fr. Thomas looks at the canons of the 3rd Ecumenical Council.

In Part 10 of his series on Bishops, Fr. Thomas looks at the canons of the 4th Ecumenical Council.

The Orthodox Church is the Church of the 7 Councils and the 7th one is far more important than some would believe. Learn about the importance of Icons as well as the importance of the Holy Scriptures.

Fr. Tom is exploring the canons of the 7th Ecumenical Council held in Nicea and today talks about bishops who are appointed by secular heads of state as well as the frequency and nature of the meetings of bishops.

Fr. Tom continues his look at the canons of the 7th Ecumenical Council including those that have to do with the books written by the iconoclasts, relics in the altar, and the financial affairs of the Church.

The canons discussed today deal with church property, those who would be set apart to read in the divine services, and the appropriate clothing for bishops and clergy.

Fr. Tom concludes his look at the 7th Ecumenical Council with the canons dealing with building shrines or chapels and monastic discretion.

In Psalm 118 (119 in the Hebrew text), every verse references the commandments or precepts of God. As Christians, how are we to look at God's commandments in the light of Christ and His "New Commandment?"

Recently Fr. Thomas Hopko visited and spoke at the well known and evangelical based Wheaton College. While he appreciated and was honored by the opportunity, it caused him to reflect on the evangelical movement from an Orthodox Christian perspective. His thoughts will be of value to Orthodox and Evangelicals alike.

Following his recent podcast on the virtue as well as the pitfalls of zeal, Fr. Thomas talks about where our zeal should be focused. He uses a 19th century book entitled The Arena by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov to help us understand.

In light of all of the discussion about the Ecumenical Patriarch meeting with the Pope, Fr. Tom offers some of his experiences with the World Council of Churches.

As many know, Kevin Allen recently announced his retirement from his interview program, Ancient Faith Today. After listening to an interview Ancient Faith Radio did with Kevin announcing his departure, Fr. Tom shares his own thoughts on the state of American Orthodoxy.

We have a mid-week supplemental lesson from Jeannie today with helpful information about the "Christian" and "Gnostic" apocryphal books and why they were rejected by the Church.

In this second supplemental lesson, Jeannie continues her teaching on the apocryphal books, in particular, the Gnostic gospels.

Speaking at St Sophia Church/Dripping Springs, Texas, Fr Joseph responds to the question: "How do you talk to your non-Orthodox family about the Faith?"

Fr. Joseph interviews a former Mennonite, along with a former comedian, about an Orthodox venture amid the Mennonites in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Fr. Joseph visits a group of Orthodox Christians in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; listen in to hear what they're up to.

Fr. Joseph chats with newcomer Chris Shin, a tattoo artist and onetime street preacher.

Fr Joseph engages in a bit of name-dropping: Rose, Rose Hill, Peter Heers, Peterson, Frederica, Hatfield, Pageau, Freeman, and more! But, really: What in the world is going on with all these inquirers and catechumens?

The response of the people in the Divine Liturgy is "Amen." What does it mean and how important is it that the people understand what they are responding to before they can say it?

Just before the Apostle reading in the Divine Liturgy, verses are chanted known as the Prokeimenon. Fr. Tom explains what that is, why it is there, and how he feels it should be done.

After his last episode, Fr. Thomas got a thoughtful letter from a listener challenging his remarks on female readers of the Apostolic writings in the Divine Liturgy. In this episode he reads the letter and answers the concerns raised.

Fr. Thomas begins a difficult discussion about the beginning of the Liturgy of the Faithful. Who should stay and who should go? This is sure to generate a lot of conversation!

Fr. Tom goes through the various translations of the Litany of the Catechumens and also continues his thoughts on the departure of the catechumens.

As he continues his series on the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas Hopko talks about the Antimension or Altar Cloth that is on every altar in the Orthodox Church. Learn about its importance in verifying the authority of the parish to offer the Holy Gifts.

Fr. John shares his homily from the Sunday of the Holy Fathers.

Fr. John shares his homily from the Sunday of the Last Judgment.

Fr. John continues his series on the Sixth Commandment.

Fr. John shares from Matthew 25:31-46 on the Sunday of the Last Judgment.

Fr. John uses 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 to discuss the importance of unity.

Fr. John Whiteford reflects on the role of the Myrrhbearing women, and the true meaning of the words Christ is Risen.

Fr. John Whiteford shares from Wisdom 11:16.

Fr. John Whiteford encourages his congregation on the Sunday of St. John Climacus to continue to pursue what is fruitful during this Lenten period.

Fr. John reflects on lessons to be learned from the tragedy of the school shooting in Ulvade, Texas.

Fr. John Whiteford reflects on the great love and faith the Myrrh-Bearing Women had for their Lord.

Fr. John Whiteford's sermon from March 10, 2024.

Since God will judge the secrets of men according to St. Paul's letter to the Romans, it just makes sense to order our lives so that our secrets don't undo our words and our faith.

On the Sunday of the Holy Fathers we hear St. Paul teaching his spiritual son, St. Titus, how to live the faith instead of being distracted by troublemakers!

The Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare) is an annual invitation to honestly face our own need for God's mercy and a clear revelation that we can't put off dealing with these truths forever. But we live in a world where saying "Don't judge me" is an easy tool to shut down the uncomfortable mirror of our own choices. Today, are you awake enough to learn "the right answer before the awesome judgment seat of Christ?"

Michael Haldas introduces himself and his new podcast giving us a glimpse of what to expect twice each month beginning today.

In his third episode, Michael reflects on a topic in the news a lot lately. How do we as Orthodox Christians view marriage and what is significant about our ceremony?

Michael describes an Orthodox understanding of why we should care for the environment, and what the story of Cain and Abel teaches us about this important issue.

One of the big challenges we face in today’s post-Christian era is the near complete erosion of seeing and understanding reality sacramentally. So how do we teach this reality to our young people who live in a society that rejects it? Focusing on the sacramental reality of sin, sickness and spiritual growth, Michael uses simple examples from everyday life and popular culture to offers strategies, thoughts and lessons that can help guide us to meaningful conversations with our youth.

Have you ever felt so bad about something you said or did, or something you continue to say and do, something you know is wrong but can’t seem to help yourself and you feel wracked with guilt? Do you judge yourself as a result? Join Michael as he uses examples from the Gospels and everyday life and discusses the difference between healthy guilt and lingering guilt, and the dangers of self-judgment that lead us to cutting ourselves off from God.

Join Michael has he discusses in-depth how J.R.R Tolkien and his work were formational in preparing him to accept the truth of sacramental reality as experienced and taught in Orthodox Christianity.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, join Michael as he explores the language of the Genesis creation stories and what they teach us about the value of women and the feminine and motherly nature of God. He then reflects on the Theotokos and how her life and Christ’s demonstrate the value of women established in Genesis, and how they restore women to the place God intended for them. This podcast is based on a Zoom class Michael gave to a Church community and also includes responses from the question and answer period of the class.

Join Michael as he explains why we need to become, and always stay, “enchanted” by God through sacramental understanding and participation, and how this is our witness and demonstration of the truth of the Gospel.

Join Michael as he discusses what a darnel is and what it means to us, how easy it is to be deceived by the spirit of the age, and what we need to do to ensure we gain and apply Christ-like discernment in all matters.