In Homily 42, St. Isaac the Syrian makes an interesting statement about spiritual guidance. He says, “Do not seek advice from a man who does not lead a life similar to your own, even if he be very wise.” St. Isaac goes on, “Confide your thoughts to a man who, though he lack learning, has experience in things, rather than to a learned philosopher who speaks on the basis of speculations, having no actual experience.” For St. Isaac, and many Orthodox spiritual writers, both ancient and modern, it is very important to seek advice from those who have actually lived and experienced the things that you are seeking advice about.

The guys watched “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Christian enjoyed it. Steve? Not so much. They discuss what worked in the movie, as well as what didn’t, and wildly speculate about the theological implications of alien life. Plus, they wrap up with their Top 5 favorite alien characters of all time.

The girls take on not one, not two, but three dystopian stories! They take a look at Battle Royale, The Hunger Games, and Lord of the Flies, in order to discuss the question of whether human beings, at their core, are good. They also cover how fear drives people to commit heinous acts, how perfect love casts out fear, and how sacrifice is the ultimate expression of God’s love. They close with their Top 5 Dystopian Books.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on faith and doubt and our need for spiritual clarity regarding our own unbelief, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

In this final episode of his reflection on Muscovite Russia, Fr. John describes the Old Believer Schism as a crisis in the formerly optimistic cosmology of eastern Christendom, leading to its decline on the eve of modern times.

In this summary of the second chapter of his book, The Age of Nihilism, Fr. John discusses the early life and faith and incarceration of Russia's great novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. Unlike his contemporaries--particularly Nietzsche--the novelist found in traditional Christianity the only hope for a Christendom living under the terrible specter of nihilism.

Fr. John reflects on the final Plenary Speeches of Pastor Rick Warren and Cardinal O'Malley of Boston from the World Meeting on Families in Philadelphia at the end of September.

This Sunday we listen in on Jesus’ appearance to the eleven, and then his special visit with St. Thomas, learning, with the help of the epistle of John, how Jesus is LORD and God over the whole created order. He answers our sensory questions, and not simply the abstract “spiritual” problems of life, bringing us to know Him intimately. John 20:19-31; 1 John 1:1-7 Genesis 2; Exodus 3

" 'I Believe, Lord,' and He Worshipped Him," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

On St. Thomas Sunday, Fr. Ted reminds us that if we choose not to believe, no amount of miracles will convince us otherwise.

Pd. Nicholas predicó sobre la importancia de defender la verdad y mantenga nuestra fe firme. Marcos 15:43-16:8 Fr. Nicholas preached about the importance to defend the truth and remain firm in our faith. Mark 15:43-16:8

G. K. Chesterton wrote that he once left fairy tales lying on the floor of the nursery and hadn’t found any books so sensible since (from his Orthodoxy, “The Ethics of Elfland”). I suggest that Christianity is one such fairy tale, and also that it is a myth. But it is a fairy tale come true, and a myth that became a fact.

Fr. Apostolos reminds us this Halloween season of the absolute and exclusive claims laid upon us by Jesus Christ.

Fr. Apostolos Hill delivers a homily about the belief that leads to salvation as opposed to a nominal "belief" that does not.

On the feast of the Annunciation to the Mother of God, we celebrate the good news that Jesus takes on human flesh from the womb of the Virgin Mary. In Mary's faithfulness, she becomes the icon of all believers who strive to live life in total obedience to God.

Though we have the revelation of the one God in Christ, people the world over are free to believe in the god of their choosing, or no god at all. Fr Tom reminds us that as Orthodox Christians, though we firmly believe in the right to religious freedom, we must always assert to everyone the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ, because what we believe about God matters. (Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council)

On the Sunday after Pascha, we commemorate the Lord's appearance to His disciples and St Thomas's proclamation, "My Lord and My God!" In this practical and helpful message, Fr Thomas teaches us three important points from this story to help us turn unbelief into belief.

Will we live as believers or unbelievers? The line of demarcation can be thin! Fr. Tom argues from the Scriptures and the lives of the saints that we must constantly choose to live out our baptism as the holy and set apart people of God.

Subdeacon Emmanuel gives the homily on the belief of the Centurion.

The nature of Christ’s return will be within me and within you. We are now ready to put on Christ within ourselves in how we live as baptised Orthodox Christians.

Fr. Gregory helps us understand the harmony of faith and works.

Are we slouched downcast in the belly of the fish or are we striding away from the shore with God’s net in our backpack? Fr. Gregory says the choice is always ours. Let us choose well.

Fr. Dn. Emmanuel gives the sermon on St. Thomas Sunday.

Fr. Gregory Hallam reminds us that placing our ultimate hope in net gains through life is an exercise in futility, because, in the end, all that we have accomplished, all the disasters we have avoided, will not endure death, and within a century or so will most probably not even be remembered by our descendants.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds talks with Bishop Thomas about struggles that families are facing.

Who should decide what is best for a child, the parents or medical professionals and the state?

Today Dr. Rossi reflects on a sermon given by a student priest at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. The topic was the action taken to get the paralytic in front of Jesus.