In a new reflection, Fr. Thomas Hopko teaches about the virgin birth and the significance of this Orthodox dogma on the identity of Christ.

Fr. Tom addresses a question that came in by email from a listener who is perplexed by the seemingly inequitable treatment of people by God. Why are some blessed and others experience so much turmoil? It's a common question that is often felt but not always expressed.

A meditation on God as a consuming fire and the imagery of fire in the spiritual life. Particularly appropriate as we think about Pentecost.

Fr. Tom continues his series on Darwin and Christianity with some musings on God and Creation.

The phrase "With God all things are possible" is found three times in Holy Scripture. How are we to interpret the meaning of that phrase, and how does it relate to the way we live our lives today?

As Christians, how do we explain tragedy, earthquakes, floods, and evil? Fr. Tom takes an in depth look at the nature of God's dealing with the world through His Son, Jesus Christ.

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?"

Fr. Thomas gets down to basics with this episode by saying everything the ancient Christian Church believes about the world, society, nature, sex, humanity, and everything else comes down to its view of God and death.

We hear the phrase "God is in control" and may even use it from time to time when trying to make sense of a difficult situation. Fr. Thomas Hopko evaluates that phrase and challenges us to rethink it.

Fr. Tom returns to the subject of his recent episode "God Is In Control. Yes or No?" He responds to the listener feedback and clarifies his thoughts on the subject.

Fr. Thomas Hopko takes one last look at the phrase "Relax, God is in Control" and provides information on additional material he has written and spoke about regarding this general topic. Here is the list: Abba: The Tradition of Orthodoxy in the West by Met. Kallistos Ware And from his Speaking the Truth in Love series: Pain and Suffering The Wrath of God The Wrath of God - Part 2 Anger and Wrath in Human Life On Sadness and Grief in Christian Life Theological Reflections on Calamity Does God Play Favorites? Predestination, Providence, and Prayer Understanding Evil - 9/11 Remembered God and the World Sandy Hook God and Death

Fr. Joseph—and the children of St John, Rapid City, South Dakota—give sound effects to the story of the healing of the demon possessed man.

Fr Joseph interviews Fr James Guirguis of St. Raphael of Brooklyn/Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. This church is full of children! Fr. James offers a word on the joy of the priesthood, which is truly fruit for thought.

Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston to nine men in black on the Third Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Cross -- and the Quarantine. (On this particular Sunday, the temple chairs have all been removed to facilitate scaffolding/icon installation.)

June 21, 2020, marks the two-year anniversary of the death of Dr H. Tristram Engelhardt, known in the Church as Reader Herman. May his memory be eternal! His last published work, "After God - Morality and Bioethics in a Secular Age" needs your attention. All free copies have been claimed! After God is available at svspress.com.

How do people worship when they believe in Jesus? Fr. Tom looks at the four gospels to think through what they say about Jesus relative to the worship of God.

In his continuing series on the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas reflects on the hymn sung at every Liturgy with its origins attributed to Sts. Justinian and Theodora in the sixth century.

Fr. John concludes his series on Psalm 67.

Fr. John shares his homily on Luke 17:20-21.

Fr. John shares the example of Joseph, the son of Jacob, as an example of God's sovereignty.

Fr. John returns to the series on Psalm 118, and discusses verses 33-40.

Fr. John shares from Amos 7:7-9.

Fr. John shares from the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

Fr. John shares from the life of St. Mary of Egypt.

Fr. John shares from Psalm 118:65-72. "God puts people in our lives because He's trying to teach us things. When we encounter a difficult person, rather than necessarily trying to seek how we can get as far away from that person as we can, maybe we should ask ourselves, 'What is God trying to teach me?' and try to learn that lesson as quickly as we can."

Fr. John shares from the story of Christ and His apostles in the calming of the Galilee Sea (Mark 4:35-41).

Fr. John shares from Ephesians 4:25-5:2.

Fr. John uses the passage of John 3:14-21 to illustrate Christ's love and the importance of going to His light.

Fr. John talks about Luke 7, the raising of the widow's son, and how important it is to remember the timing of God.

Fr. John Whiteford reflects on 1st Corinthians 3, and the importance of keeping the temple of the body pure.

Fr. John Whiteford shares from Psalm 118:137-144.

Fr. John shares from Psalm 118:145-152, and making time to connect with Christ.

Fr. John Whiteford talks about the Last Judgment. How can a loving God send someone to eternal punishment?

Fr. John Whiteford uses Acts 16 to describe for us the way we should glorify God in the midst of persecution.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches from Genesis 15.

Fr. John Whiteford addresses what we know and do not know in our understanding of who God is.

Fr. John presents the first of a brief series of homilies on Psalm 67.

Fr. John Whiteford shares from Psalm 18:1-6.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches from Isaiah 6:1-4.

Fr. John Whiteford shares about the Samaritan Woman, from John 4:5-42.

Fr. John Whiteford helps us understand how to discern God's will for our life.

Fr. John Whiteford helps us to understand how to receive suffering in a way that is redemptive in our lives. (Acts 14:19-22)

Fr. John Whiteford explains the importance of our cooperation with God in our salvation. (1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; John 15:1-8)

Fr. John Whiteford shares the story of the Kursk-Root Icon as a reminder that God always prevails over evil.

Fr. John Whiteford tells the story of St. John Maximovitch.

Fr. John Whiteford's sermon from May 26, 2024.

Trust is a foundational building block of any relartionship. Without it there simply is no way to have anything more than some superficial connection. But trust requires risk. And we humans avoid risk most of the time. Jesus challenges us to risk trusting Him.

St. Paul tells the Colossians the greatest danger to their spiritual lives is Idolatry. But what is Idolatry? Turns out it is much deeper than an idol!

On this Father's Day we hear how important it is to provide our children with a good example of fatherhood so that they can call God, Father!

Michael discusses why understanding the personal nature of God and experiencing God’s presence is so important and what it means to us.