Fr. Evan Armatas opens the new Church year by addressing questions from listeners. Topics included were the so called "rapture", repetition in the liturgy, loving our handicapped community, and more.

It's called the Agape meal because that is where we are challenged to live what we have experienced in the liturgy.

Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

The method by which the Orthodox Church receives converts is a very controversial topic, and one which has provoked much online discussion. Should a convert be received by baptism, by chrismation alone, or perhaps simply after a recantation of previously-held errors? All three methods have been used in the past. And which groups should be received in which ways? Should the Oriental Orthodox (such as Copts and Armenians) be received in the same way as Pentecostals? What about Roman Catholics? The issue is far from clear, and has usually generated much more heat than light.

Fr. Apostolos shares about St. Mary of Egypt and other "rascal" saints.

Fr. Apostolos Hill delivers a homily detailing the bridal imagery running through the Divine Liturgy and the Bridegroom Matins services of the week.

During the annual parish festival, Fr. Apostolos Hill addresses the difference between the Church building which patrons toured, and the Church which--or rather, who--were serving them on the festival grounds.

Fr. Apostolos speaks about the evangelical imperative of the Apostolicity of the Church.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

All Saints of North America - Second Sunday after Pentecost

Jesus issued a stern warning in the book of Revelation for the church which was lukewarm and apathetic: "I will spit you out of my mouth." Fr Thomas reminds us that every Divine Service we attend at church, we have an opportunity "practice" the unity and care that we're called to manifest every day of the week. (7th Sunday after Pentecost)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is universally known as an encouragement to good works, to serve those who are in need. Fr Thomas reminds us that behind the parable is a deeper meaning which helps us experience the Church as a spiritual hospital.

Bishops and priests are most accountable before God for the state of the church. But Fr Thomas reminds us that all of us share responsibility for our church communities and gives practical advice on how to remain faithful and focused.

Christ crossed over a border to hear the pleas of the Canaanite woman and heal her daughter. But more than a story about a healing, Fr Thomas delivers an important lesson about the makeup of the Church that every parish and every parishioner needs to hear: The Church isn't just for your kind of people.

Modern western societies are experiencing decreasing interest in attending church. Even some Orthodox Christian families are succumbing to secular activities on Sunday morning instead of gathering together as God's People in the church. Using the story of St Thomas' encounter with Christ eight days after His Resurrection, Fr Thomas teaches why coming to church is so important, and reminds us that, if we miss church, we miss a lot!

On the Sunday of the Healing of the Paralytic, Fr Thomas took the opportunity to speak honestly and encouragingly to his congregation about what it is to be a healthy church. Using the gospel and epistle readings, he gently reminded them that we're called to be a house of mercy, intentionally Christian, and a place of good works and of love for one another.

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers comes at an important point in the life of Christ, only days before his crucifixion. Jesus reveals the Scribes and Pharisees to be those who rejected the message of the prophets, and now they're going to kill God's Son. Fr Thomas reminds us that, in our own day, those who reject the message and the messengers by choosing the world's lies about God and humanity over the truth we receive in the Church commit the same grave error. (Matthew 21:33-44)

Fr Thomas challenges us to recognize that our task as Christians is not simply to come to church to be fed for our own purposes, but to be sent out to build up the body of Christ.

The societal and moral changes sweeping across the world pose profound challenges to Orthodox Christian believers. Fr Thomas reminds us that we must face these challenges squarely and never compromise what we believe by adopting worldly values.

At the celebration of the feast of All Saints of North America, Fr Thomas shows us the relationship between the holiness demonstrated in the lives of the Saints and our mission as Christians in the world.

Is the Kingdom of God some far away concept of heaven? Dn. Luke shares with us the tools the Church has provided to live as citizens in the Kingdom of God here and now as well as how to joyfully prepare for the fullness of the Kingdom at Christ's second coming.

Fr. Tom discusses how God makes the Church for growth . . . and not just numerical growth.

Fr. Gregory Hallam presents a small selection of the Holy Fathers on the discipline of fasting.

The appointment of Deacons in the church is the subject of today's sermon by Deacon Emmanuel Kahn.

Fr. Gregory preaches on the feast of St Aidan, patron saint of the parish.

Fr. Emmanuel and Fr. Gregory team together to celebrate the life of St. James but also to reflect on the growth of St. Aidan's.

Bobby Maddex interviews Kelly Ramke Lardin, author of the new Conciliar Press children’s book Josiah and Julia Go to Church: A Young Child’s Guide to Church Etiquette.

Bobby interviews Fr. David Smith, author of the new Ancient Faith Publishing book Help! I'm Bored in Church: Entering Fully into Worship in the Divine Liturgy.

Bobby Maddex interviews Elissa Bjeletich and Caleb Shoemaker, the authors of the new AFP book Blueprints for the Little Church: Creating an Orthodox Home.

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware addressed the topic of "The Church in the Traditional Orthodox Countries" as the first session (out of two) on the larger theme of "Orthodoxy in the 21st Century." The lecture was delivered in Cambridge in the Institute's seminar room during the Community Lecture Day of 22 February 2014.

Dr. Rossi interviews Dr. Paul Meyendorff, the Father Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology and Director of Continuing Education at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary about the importance of attending and participating in the Divine Liturgy.

On a new episode of Ancient Faith Commentaries, Fr. Lawrence Farley, priest at Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Langley, B.C., describes and recounts the history of the Church of the Nativity in the now embattled and besieged town of Bethlehem.

There is variety in Orthodox theology, but there is no plurality in dogma—and that is where the unity of the Orthodox faith lies. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick explains.

Is Orthodoxy really somehow immune to the liberalism and worldiness that afflicts everyone else in North America? Fr. Lawrence Farley argues, "No!"

The world watched in disbelief as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. But why should it matter? Fr. Andrew Damick has an answer.

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick shares his thoughts on the controversial situation of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Are we looking at the situation through worldly eyes or through spiritual eyes?

Focusing on a text by St. Hilary of Poitiers, Fr. Irenei explores the Saint’s conviction that the multitude of heresies and errors surrounding us in the world are not to be feared or to become a cause for despair, for through their very error the Truth of Christ is revealed all the more in the Church.

Father Irenei examines two passages from St. Irenaeus of Lyons, which speak of receiving the truth of "the Church that has been handed down to us" from the Holy Apostles, and in which right belief is found without adulteration or error.

In his fourth and final lecture, Dr. Demetrios Katos discusses questions such as: In what way might the Eucharist or baptism be a mystery and what does it reveal about God? What are some ways in which we become aware of the Church being more than simply our local community? Finally, what does it mean to be a truly sacramental Church?