Acindynus, Pegasius and Anempodistus were courtiers to King Shapur II of Persia. When the king began a fierce persecution of Christians, the three withdrew from court to a private house and, fearless of their own safety, openly exhorted their fellow-Christians to stand firm in their faith. For this they were arrested and brought before their former lord, who subjected them to many cruel tortures, from which they emerged miraculously unscathed. Seeing this, one of the king's soldiers, named Aphthonius, embraced the Faith and was immediately beheaded. The former courtiers were then put to further tortures, but their only effect was to convince Elpidophorus, a distinguished nobleman, and seven thousand other Persians to faith in Christ. All were beheaded, but not before receiving holy Baptism. The trials of the three continued, but once again they were preserved, and even the king's mother was led to the true faith. Finally they were killed (the account does not say how), receiving the crown of martyrdom along with the king's mother and twenty-eight others.

King Shapur II of Persia conducted a fierce persecution of Christians in his realm for thirty-seven years. In the final years of this persecution he gave his magi authority to torture and kill any Christians who would not renounce their faith. Acepsimas, the aged and holy Bishop of Paka, was arrested along with Joseph the priest and Aithalas the deacon. All not only refused to deny Christ, but boldly preached Him before the magi and the king. The enraged king had them viciously tortured, then, as a final indignity, made prisoners of all the local Christians and forced them to stone their own shepherds to death. With their martyrdom the great persecution in Persia came to an end.

Elder Paisios constantly stressed the power of positive thinking. In this episode, the listener will learn the effects of poor stress management on the body and how positive thinking is important for our health and weight management.

Chaplain Sarah Byrne-Martelli interviews Dr. Daniel Henshaw on the topic of physician assisted suicide. (Part 1 of 2)

Chaplain Sarah Byrne-Martello continues her interview with Dr. Daniel Henshaw on the topic of physician assisted suicide. (Part 2 of 2)

On this Sunday remembering the Prophet Habakkuk, Fr. Andrew reminds us that only God is God.

On this Sunday of Theophany, Fr. Andrew reminds us that Theophany is the beginning of a great battle.

On this Sunday after Theophany, Fr. Andrew discusses the gifts we have received from Jesus.

On this Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, Fr. Andrew asks the simple, but complicated question, why are we here, why do we come to church?

On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew tells the story of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus and how they affirmed the glory of the truth of the resurrection.

On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew explains how Jesus can be both the public Prophet who speaks for God, and the gentle, private Healer.

On this Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, Fr. Andrew explores the role of humility in learning to pray to God.

On this feast of the Prophet Elias, Fr. Andrew focuses on a moment when Elias meets with God on Mount Horeb.

On this feast day of the Prophet Jonah, Fr. Andrew relates the prophet's story to the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus and what that means for the salvation of mankind.

On this Sunday before Theophany, Fr. Andrew speaks of how the feast prepares us to evangelize both ourselves and others.

On this first Sunday of the Triodion, Fr. Andrew begins his 10-part sermon series on evangelism and the Lenten Triodion, showing how humility is the key to making a good beginning.

On this dual feast of the Sunday after the Nativity and the Proto-martyr Stephen, Fr. Andrew draws parallels between the two stories.

On this Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, Fr. Andrew asks whether it is possible to be a failure at prayer. The answer is yes.

On the feast of St. Joseph of Damascus, Fr. Andrew tells us his story and asks how it pertains to our own stories.

On this Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers, Fr. Andrew presents St. Theophylact's teaching on how Joseph of Arimathea's care for the body of Jesus is an image of receiving Holy Communion.

On the feast of the Prophet Ezekiel, Fr. Andrew gives an overview of his life and discusses some images from his book of prophecy.

Using the occasion of the feast of the Prophet Samuel, Fr. Andrew tells the story of his birth and connects that with salvation history and with our own lives.

Jesus enters triumphantly into the Holy City of Jerusalem, as celebrated on Palm Sunday. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick relates that to His entry into the Jerusalem that is our hearts and talks about what happens when that occurs.

Springboarding off a blog post by Fr. Stephen De Young ('Theophany and the River Gods'), Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick discusses what Theophany means in terms of God's defeat of false religion.

The details we know from St. Joseph of Arimathea's participation in his community, including its governance, show him to be a man who was fully in his world but not of it. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick discusses his example and how to apply it ourselves.

With the parable of the Publican and Pharisee, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick shows how the Pharisee was actually an idolater. He adds further comments on the nature of idolatry and why it always turns back toward the self.

In this episode, Danielle and Fr. Timothy get deep into understanding humility and its importance for our Lenten journey.

Matthew is forced to reject Western punishment theories because of one simple fact: God, by nature, does not change.

In this segment, Matthew notes the true nature of God's "wrath."

Matthew explains how experiencing God requires two elements - asceticism and the mysteries, or sacraments.

Matthew examines the Western Charismatic movement.

Matthew outlines the problems inherent in a relationship with God based on rational contemplation or imagination.

Matthew points out how the difference between the God of the Old and New Testaments is actually our own spiritual maturing.

Matthew looks at the history of God's actions towards us to see if "legal" theories hold water.

In this segment, Matthew outlines the "ransom theory" of salvation subscribed to by the early Church.

This week, Matthew outlines three ways that the remnants of Augustine's philosophy infect even those who are trying to return to an intimate experience with God.

Matthew continues his discussion of Augustine and his views on predestination.

Matthew shows how a misunderstanding of the story of the Garden of Eden leads to a misunderstanding of our relationship with God.

Looking more closely at the Augustinian view of God, Matthew examines the concept of "original sin".

Matthew answers those sects that subscribe to an "annihilation doctrine".

In this segment, Matthew differentiates between the Eastern view of God as opposed to Augustine and the West.

Matthew Gallatin continues his examination of the differences between the Eastern and Western Churches, specifically their perspective on the nature of God.

Matthew reveals how the second obstacle to overcome in Western philosophy is in finding intimacy with God.

Matthew gives us the third obstacle between western believers and the experience of pre-Augustinian Christianity—misconceptions about the nature of the Church.

Matthew concludes his series by noting how the rationalism and idealism of western culture prevents seekers from recognizing the true Church.

In this segment, Matthew contrasts the mystical experience of the Eastern Church with the rational philosophy of the West.

Matthew examines the wrathful deeds of the loving God.

Matthew explains that the Eastern Christian view of punishment lies not in God's actions towards sinners, but in the sinners' reaction to God's love.

Matthew reveals that God shows redemptive love, not vindictive vengeance, to those he punishes—especially to children.

Matthew examines the Orthodox Church's beliefs concerning the Scriptures and its teachings regarding Holy Tradition.