This is part 2 to last week's special video episode, on the revolution of art during the Italian Renaissance.

In this anecdotal introduction to Reflection 21, Father John relates a remarkable but short-lived revolution in fourteenth-century Rome that served as a sign of what the age of utopia would bring. Listeners who enjoy the music of Richard Wagner will recognize the ill-fated revolutionary's name and understand why the turbulent nineteenth-century composer was attracted to him! And speaking of music, if you are wondering about the new closing sequence, it is a chorus from Mozart's utopian opera The Magic Flute and consists of the following (in translation): "When virtue and justice strew with fame the path of the great, then earth is a realm of heaven, and mortals are like the gods."

In this episode the "father of humanism," Francesco Petrarch, broods over his sense of guilt and despair, seeking a new path for Western Christendom known as the saeculum, or "secular."

Modern historians often bring attention to the effects of secularization on the West. Once traditional Christianity ceased to influence Western culture, the experience of the kingdom of heaven naturally diminished, something the famous German sociologist Max Weber called the "disenchantment of the world." In this episode, Fr. John describes how the concept of the saeculum, a kind of neutral cultural space cut off from the life of the Church, first appeared, and how, with Petrarch, it became a haven for humanists fleeing the pessimism of the fourteenth century.

In this episode, Father John relates a case in which the early humanist Petrarch confronted one of the new Christendom's chief architects, Pope Innocent III. Applying his newly developed secular thinking, he rejected the pope's notorious treatise entitled On the Misery of the Human Condition.

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 reflection on an emerging post-Christian Christendom, Fr. John Strickland discusses two ways in which eighteenth-century philosophes—from Voltaire to Thomas Jefferson—worked to subvert the paradisiacal culture of the old Christendom. He explores their use of photic imagery such as "enlightenment" and their introduction of the tripartite utopian model of history consisting of ancient, medieval, and modern periods. He concludes with a brief description of Edward Gibbon's famous and influential work The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Fr John recently travelled to the OCA’s Exarchate of Mexico at the invitation of His Grace, the Rt Rev. Bp Alejo. In today’s podcast, he recounts his journey.

In this episode, Fr. John interviews Fr. Jason Foster, pastor of Holy Nativity Orthodox Mission in Shreveport, LA. Fr. Jason is doing amazing and catalytic missionary work in Louisiana.

What does the Orthodox Church have to say about Charlottesville? In the vocabulary of the day, nothing. In the language of the redemption of mankind: the Good News of Redemption found alone in Jesus Christ, and a life committed to imitation of his Royal way. The greatest mistake any human person can make, in this situation or any other, is to think that human means and ways will solve the tragedies and disasters of the fallen world. The solution must come from outside us, above us. Salvation is not found in killing our neighbor or our enemy. Salvation is found is seeing the Lord Jesus Christ in neighbor and in blessing our enemy, both. So if you wish to be saved, and if you want to make “a positive change in the world,” look neither to the Left, nor to the Right. Look up to Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the World.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. Learn more about the conference at http://pemptousia.com/2018/01/2nd-international-conference-on-digital-media-and-orthodox-pastoral-care-the-living-water-2/.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He tells about St. Nikephorus the Leper. Learn more about St. Nikephorus at https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nicephorus_the_Leper. Learn more about the conference at http://pemptousia.com/2018/01/2nd-international-conference-on-digital-media-and-orthodox-pastoral-care-the-living-water-2/.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He tells about Olga, a woman he met at the conference who is editor of the Russian magazine, Foma. Learn more about Foma. Learn more about the conference.

Fr. John Parker shares reflections from Crete at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. He introduces Orthphoto.net. Learn more about the conference.

As we approach the Sunday of the Adoration of the Cross during Great Lent, Dr. Humphrey reviews the scriptural passages which will be read and reflects on the obedience of Christ and our own obedience.

Dr. Humphrey explores the meaning of “Memory eternal”, beginning with the idea of God remembering, and then going on to discuss what it means to remember “the least” who will be first—those whose names we may not know, but who have turned in costly faith towards the Lord.

After completing our analysis on the troparia, kontakia, and theotokia, we turn to reading the epistles for Divine Liturgy, beginning with this week’s section from 2 Timothy. The Apostle Paul’s words to this young leader are applicable to everyone, not simply to those who lead the Church, since the Scriptures, Old and New Testament, are for all. We seek to understand the Apostle’s instructions by reference to Psalm 118 (MT 119), and by remembering those who have suffered for their faithfulness—most especially our Lord Jesus himself.

We read Jesus’ words to the church at Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-28), probing the description of the fiery-eyed Jesus, the temptations of their celebrated prophetess “Jezebel,” and Jesus’ promise to reward their “works” by His luminous coming as the Morning Star. We are helped by remembering the nemesis of Elijah in 2 Kings (4 Kingdoms) 9:30-37, the visions of Daniel 7 and 10, and the commentary of select Church fathers.

We read the astounding and exhilarating climactic vision of Rev 21:9-27 in the light of Exodus 28:15-21, Daniel 2:34-35, Ezekiel 40-43, Isaiah 2:2-3, Isaiah 54:11-14 and Psalm 47/8:13-15. Rather than simply being spectators of this vision, we find ourselves inscribed in it, sharing the very glory of God.

This week we consider the deep canticle of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 26:9-20), interpreting its more difficult phrases in the light of some of the Church fathers, and with reference to the story of the flood in Genesis 6-9, Psalm 119, Romans 8:22-39, and 2 Peter 1:19.

We read the righteous Zachariah’s canticle of praise and hope from Luke 1:68-79, looking to the Old Testament to shed light on it: Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 22:16-17; Psalm 18/17:3; 2 Sam/2 Kingdoms 7:1-17; 2 Sam/2 Kingdoms 22:3; Isaiah 9:2 and Malachi 3:1; 4:2-5.

We read this stunning sixth censing prayer of Matins, looking to help from wise Church fathers, and the clarification of multiple passages in the Bible: Psalm 142 (143 MT); Romans 4:8; Philippian 3:12; 2 Samuel/2 Kingdoms 15-18, Rev 20:11, and Luke 21:17-18. God’s mercy towards us is always surprising, and is impressed upon us as we begin the Lord’s Day.

The Last Battle from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, Chapter 12 The Chronicles of Narnia are published by Harper Trophy, A Division of Harper Collins, New York, New York. They are available for purchase here. We want to thank CS Lewis Pte. Ltd. for granting us permission to bring these wonderful stories to you. (Legal info).

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

From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart, part one, by John Kosmas Skinas (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2014)

From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart, part two, by John Kosmas Skinas (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2014)

From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart, part three, by John Kosmas Skinas (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2014)

From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart, conclusion, by John Kosmas Skinas (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2014)

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Preface, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 1, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 2, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 3, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 4, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 5, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 6, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 7, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 8, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 9, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 10 and Conclusion, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "Leaving Egypt and In the Wilderness," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "The Three Youths in the Fiery Furnace and The Prophet Daniel in the Lion’s Den," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "Conclusion – Righteous Joseph and A Child is Born in Bethlehem," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

17. Book 1: Christina Learns the Sacraments by Maria Khoury (CDK Publications) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 15 and final installment (chapters 30-31) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

28. Book 1: Before You Were Born by Nancy White Carlstrom (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2002) Copyright© Used with permission from the author and Curtis Brown Ltd. Book 2: From I-ville to You-ville by Mersine Vigopoulou, part six (Uncut Mountain Press, 2006)

72. Book 1: "A Prophet is Born" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (12.41 mins) Book 2: Saint Innocent of Alaska, Apostle and Missionary by Sarah Elizabeth Cowie (Conciliar Press, 2005) chapter 12 (10.55 mins)

Christ is Born! by Vesna Belcevic (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001)

N18. Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, Chapter 10 The Chronicles of Narnia are published by Harper Trophy, A Division of Harper Collins, New York, New York. They are available for purchase here. We want to thank CS Lewis Pte. Ltd. for granting us permission to bring these wonderful stories to you. (Legal info).

N19. Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, Chapter 11 The Chronicles of Narnia are published by Harper Trophy, A Division of Harper Collins, New York, New York. They are available for purchase here. We want to thank CS Lewis Pte. Ltd. for granting us permission to bring these wonderful stories to you. (Legal info).

N20. Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, Chapter 12 The Chronicles of Narnia are published by Harper Trophy, A Division of Harper Collins, New York, New York. They are available for purchase here. We want to thank CS Lewis Pte. Ltd. for granting us permission to bring these wonderful stories to you. (Legal info).

N21. Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, Chapter 13 The Chronicles of Narnia are published by Harper Trophy, A Division of Harper Collins, New York, New York. They are available for purchase here. We want to thank CS Lewis Pte. Ltd. for granting us permission to bring these wonderful stories to you. (Legal info).