Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on the quote, "Fear is the opposite of love."

In our broadcast for the Feast of the Nativity, we hear the words of the Fathers and the liturgical hymns of the Church on the mystery that brings the Son humanly into the world for the life and redemption of His creature.

Among the greatest struggles in the Christian life are the "little things"—the day-to-day "bad habits" by which we continually fall, and which seem to trap us in our sin. Is there a way out? In this week's episode, Fr. Dcn. Matthew examines the Fathers on sin as habits, how these habits enslave us—and most importantly, how we can overcome our shackles and progress toward the Kingdom.

Among the greatest struggles in the Christian life are the "little things"—the day-to-day "bad habits" by which we continually fall, and which seem to trap us in our sin. Is there a way out? In this week’s episode, Archimandrite Irenei examines the Fathers on sin as habits, how these habits enslave us—and most importantly, how we can overcome our shackles and progress toward the Kingdom.

Bobby Maddex interviews Peter Schweitzer, a board member of Most Holy Theotokos: Rescuer of the Perishing, which is an Orthodox assisted living facility. Today he is here to talk about a different but related topic—namely, the proper Orthodox response to the prospect of one’s own death.

Amid shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, Cuba's electrical grid has collapsed four times since Friday, leaving 10 million people without power. / Reuters

The presidential election is down to more than swing states; in fact, the outcome appears to rest on these 21 microcommunities. / The New York Times [+]

Elon Musk's $1 million daily sweepstakes for Pennsylvanians promising to vote Republican is "either an incentive for someone to vote or it's a reward. And either way, it violates federal law." / NPR

See also: The misery of living in a swing state during election season. / The New York Times [+]

"This key is awarded if the candidate can persuade the public that they are conscious." The real 13 keys for winning the White House. / McSweeney's

As if this year's US election wasn't already chaotic enough, the FBI has arrested a man planning an election day attack on behalf of the Islamic State. / The Guardian

Laugh about Trump's ridiculous dance party all you want, but the kitschy nostalgia is exactly in line with the world his supporters long for. / Intelligencer

In a dispatch from a prisoner, the horror of Texas's containment cages. (Content warning.) / Slate

This year's flu shot doesn't protect against a once-common influenza strain that now appears to have been eradicated through Covid distancing and masking. / NPR

In an interesting comparison of median home values and median incomes, these are the most and least exclusive communities for homebuyers in America. / The Hustle

An "unusually narrow" skyscraper—at only one apartment wide, or 22.5 meters—could be going up in downtown Dubai. / Dezeen

See also: "The Neom giga-project in Saudi Arabia is currently using one fifth of all the steel produced in the world." / AGBI

Unrelated: "it is time to commit to building the largest physically possible space telescope." / Palladium

Kurt Vonnegut once designed a board game, General Headquarters, that is finally available, some 70 years after it was originally conceived. / Open Culture

Amazon says it will be getting rid of those plastic inflatable air pillows by the end of the year, but the plastic blue-and-white mailers may be sticking around for a while. / Grist

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Fr. Pat places the Sunday of St. Thomas in the overall context of the Pentecostarion, the fifty days that separate the Lord's Resurrection from the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

On the Sunday of the Holy Cross, Fr. Pat explains that it was the fear of death that Jesus faced while praying in the garden.

Fr. Pat contemplates what the life of the Virgin Mary teaches us concerning 1) dogmatic theology, 2) the life of piety and worship, 3) the moral, ascetical life.

Fr. Pat examines the principle of synergy, the assent of Mary, and holiness and personal history as they relate to the Feast of the Annunciation.

Rather than discussing the main themes from the story of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Pat examines features of the story not related to its central core, but nonetheless significant.

Throughout the book of Ephesians (and elsewhere) the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “in Christ.” Based on Ephesians 5:8-19, Fr. Pat looks at some practical ways to live a life in Christ.

This week we're responding to another viewer question. Does a love of theology and academic study somehow contradict the mysticism of the Faith? We approach God as complete human persons, and that includes our minds. Reading and studying theology can be a great thing, but it should also be a part of our larger life in Christ. God is more than an idea we think about: He's a person we encounter.

The Church isn't run by a single person. Instead, we come together in councils to keep the Faith and guide the Church through challenges. From the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem (in the Book of Acts) through the upcoming Great and Holy Council, this spirit of togetherness opens us to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Christ asked His disciples something personal: "Who do you say that I am?" It's an invitation to do more than answer a question: He's asking us to share our relationship with Him. So who do you say that Christ is? And how is He active in your life? Share your answer and this video!

Our lives are chapters in a greater story. What part are you playing: the all-star athlete, the Greek American, the top of your class? What about the disciple of Christ? This week, let's refocus our lives in God's story, the greater story of salvation.

Faith is often treated as a secret, private thing. But if we really believe that we know the way to eternal life in Christ, would we really keep that hidden from others?

Lots of prayers say we should "fear God." Does that mean we should be terrified of Him? How can we fear God and love Him?

You've heard it before: you are what you eat. That's most true when we eat Holy Communion. Christian joins Steve to consider the amazing insights that Fr Alexander Schmemann offers in "For the Life of the World."

Last week, Steve and Christian talked about how receiving Holy Communion forms us into Christ's Body. This week, they reflect on the ways our good habits can build a "second nature" and form us into the people God made us to be.

Do we overcome the darkness by fighting against it? Or is there an easier way?

Why do we fast? What can that teach us about food?

In both of these Gospels St. Peter gets out of the boat. Would you? Matthew 14:22-34, John 21:7

And His Righteousness and all this will be added to you. Romans 5: 1- 10, Matthew 6: 22- 33.

Matthew looks at a few of the ways in which Theophany has been celebrated throughout American Orthodox History. Learn more HERE and HERE.

Sergey Brin is telling employees to stop making old products and start improving new ones. "For example, said Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, Google plans to combine its spreadsheet, calendar and word-processing programs into one suite of Web-based applications."

England's review of their last-gasp defeat by Australia was "brutal" but exactly what the squad needed, says wing Ollie Sleightholme.

Mark Allen suffers a shock second-round 4-3 defeat by Oliver Lines at the Northern Ireland Open at the Waterfront Hall.

World number one Judd Trump fails to reach a tournament quarter-final for the first time in 2024 after a last-16 defeat by China's Xu Si in the International Championship in Nanjing.

Following Janey Godley on her 2023 tour as she discusses her life in comedy.

Warren Gatland's Wales equal the country's record losing international streak of 10 successive Test defeats after Fiji triumph in Cardiff.

Carl, Iwan and Sam discuss the form of key Wales players before the Nations League games.

Gareth Anscombe insists Wales have the talent to beat Australia and avoid their longest losing streak.

Northern Ireland Football League chief executive Gerard Lawlor says criticism in the wake of Larne's 4-1 defeat by Shamrock Rovers was "over the top".

Defending champion Mark Allen advances to the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions tournament by beating Jak Jones 6-4 in the Group One final.

Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins reacts to his side's disappointing 2-0 defeat by Drogheda in the FAI Cup.

Policy and Resources will review infrastructure projects after deputies rejected income tax plans.

More than 30 public toilets in Ceredigion could close to cut costs.

The new Labour government is expected to announce spending cuts and tax rises in Wednesday's Budget.

The planning inspector said the proposal would "overwhelm" the manor house the hotel is based in.