"This Saint was a prominent actress of the city of Antioch, and a pagan, who lived a life of unrestrained prodigality and led many to perdition. Instructed and baptized by a certain bishop named Nonnus (November 10), she departed to the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where she lived as a recluse, feigning to be a eunuch called Pelagius. She lived in such holiness and repentance that within three or four years she was deemed worthy to repose in an odour of sanctity, in the middle of the fifth century. Her tomb on the Mount of Olives has been a place of pilgrimage ever since." (Great Horologion). The Prologue adds that Pelagia had accumulated a large fortune as a courtesan, all of which she gave away to the poor upon her conversion.

This holy and beloved Western Saint, the patron of France, was born in Pannonia (modern-day Hungary) in 316, to a pagan military family stationed there. Soon the family returned home to Italy, where Martin grew up. He began to go to church at the age of ten, and became a catechumen. Though he desired to become a monk, he first entered the army in obedience to his parents.   One day, when he was stationed in Amiens in Gaul, he met a poor man shivering for lack of clothing. He had already given all his money as alms, so he drew his sword, cut his soldier's cloak in half, and gave half of it to the poor man. That night Christ appeared to him, clothed in the half-cloak he had given away, and said to His angels, "Martin, though still a catechumen, has clothed me in this garment." Martin was baptised soon afterward. Though he still desired to become a monk, he did not obtain his discharge from the army until many years later, in 356.   He soon became a disciple of St Hilary of Poitiers (commemorated January 13), the "Athanasius of the West." After traveling in Pannonia and Italy (where he converted his mother to faith in Christ), he returned to Gaul, where the Arian heretics were gaining much ground. Not long afterward became Bishop of Tours, where he shone as a shepherd of the Church: bringing pagans to the faith, healing the sick, establishing monastic life throughout Gaul, and battling the Arian heresy so widespread throughout the West. Finding the episcopal residence too grand, he lived in a rude, isolated wooden hut, even while fulfilling all the duties of a Bishop of the Church.   His severity against heresy was always accompanied by love and kindness toward all: he once traveled to plead with the Emperor Maximus to preserve the lives of some Priscillianist heretics whom the Emperor meant to execute.   As the holy Bishop lay dying in 397, the devil appeared to tempt him one last time. The Saint said, "You will find nothing in me that belongs to you. Abraham's bosom is about to receive me." With these words he gave up his soul to God.   He is the first confessor who was not a martyr to be named a Saint in the West. His biographer, Sulpitius Severus, wrote of him: "Martin never let an hour or a moment go by without giving himself to prayer or to reading and, even as he read or was otherwise occupied, he never ceased from prayer to God. He was never seen out of temper or disturbed, distressed or laughing. Always one and the same, his face invariably shining with heavenly joy, he seemed to have surpassed human nature. In his mouth was nothing but the Name of Christ and in his soul nothing but love, peace and mercy."   Note: St Martin is commemorated on this day in the Greek and Slavic Synaxaria; his commemoration in the West, where he is especially honored, is on November 11.

This greatest of Christian orators is commemorated not only today, but as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs (with St Basil the Great and St Gregory the Theologian) on January 30.   He was born in Antioch to pious parents around 345. His mother was widowed at the age of twenty, and devoted herself to rearing her son in piety. He received his literary and oratorical training from the greatest pagan teachers of the day. Though an illustrious and profitable career as a secular orator was open to him, he chose instead to dedicate himself to God. He lived as a monk from 374 to 381, eventually dwelling as a hermit in a cave near Antioch. Here his extreme ascetic practices ruined his health, so that he was forced to return to Antioch, where he was ordained to the priesthood. In Antioch his astonishing gifts of preaching first showed themselves, earning him the epithet Chrysostomos, "Golden-mouth", by which he became universally known. His gifts became so far-famed that he was chosen to succeed St Nectarius as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken to Constantinople secretly (some say he was actually kidnapped) to avoid the opposition of the Antiochian people to losing their beloved preacher. He was made Patriarch of Constantinople in 398.   Archbishop John shone in his sermons as always, often censuring the corrupt morals and luxurious living of the nobility. For this he incurred the anger of the Empress Eudoxia, who had him exiled to Pontus in 403. The people protested by rioting, and the following night an earthquake shook the city, so frightening the Empress that she had Chrysostom called back. The reconciliation was short-lived. Saint John did not at all moderate the intensity of his sermons, and when the Empress had a silver statue of herself erected outside the Great Church in 403, accompanied by much revelry, the Patriarch spoke out against her, earning her unforgiving anger. In 404 he was exiled to Cucusus, near Armenia. When Pope Innocent of Rome interceded on his behalf, the imperial family only exiled him further, to a town called Pityus near the Caucasus. The journey was so difficult and his guards so cruel that the frail Archbishop gave up his soul to God before reaching his final place of exile, in 407. His last words were "Glory be to God for all things."   Saint John Chrysostom is the author of more written works than any other Church Father: his works include 1,447 recorded sermons, 240 epistles, and complete commentaries on Genesis, the Gospels of Matthew and John, the Acts of the Apostles, and all the Epistles of St Paul.   His repose was on September 14, but since that is the date of the Exaltation of the Cross, his commemoration has been transferred to this day.

Rita offers tips and encouragement to assist listeners in their fasting journey.

We all must embrace fasting with a willing heart. In addition, we need to nourish our bodies during the fast. Rita provides information about the nutritional value of various fasting foods, whether for children or adults. 

Rita explores the use of modern day medicine and how it lines up with our Holy Orthodox Tradition.

In this podcast we discover wonderful wisdom from A Monastery's Kitchen to bring Christ into everything we do.

The Church offers us guidance for what to eat and what to abstain from during the fast, but does not give much guidance in the way of exactly how much to eat. Today, I am hoping to suggest that, when keeping the proper spirit of the fast, the wisdom of how much we need is already within us.

Aquí le ofrecemos algo mas para compartir en Glorificando a Dios. Comenzaremos con esta primera de lo que esperamos sean más entrevistas ocasionales en el futuro para compartir algo más sobre los acontecimientos de la Iglesia Ortodoxa en América Latina. Esta entrevista es con el Hieromonje Serafín (Mendoza Segundo) en México sobre la Iglesia Ortodoxa y su trabajo misionero en esa región. As an additional offering to Glorifying God, we will begin with this first of many occasional interviews so that we can share something more about the accomplishments of the Orthodox Church in Latin America. The following interview is with Hieromonk Serafim (Mendoza Segundo) in Mexico about the Orthodox Church and his missionary work in that region.

For the non-Orthodox person or one just learning about the church, especially in non-Orthodox nations or cultures as in the Americas, it can be difficult to know if one is really visiting a canonical Orthodox Church. How do we recognize that we are in an Orthodox Church? Let us listen and learn. Para la persona que no es ortodoxo o está aprendiendo sobre la iglesia, especialmente en naciones o culturas que no son ortodoxas como en las Américas, puede que sea un poco difícil saber si uno está visitando a una iglesia ortodoxa canoníca. ¿Como entonces podemos reconocer que estamos en una iglesia ortodoxa? Escuchemos y aprendamos.

In his homily on "Thomas Sunday," Fr. Andrew speaks about the difference between the story of Christ and our own story in the world.

On Myrrh-bearers Sunday, Fr. Andrew speaks about our motivation for Acts of Piety and whether they are done because of our love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

On this Sunday of the Paralytic, Fr. Andrew speaks about those who have no one to pray for them.

On this Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, Fr. Andrew tells us that it is not often we are privy to a conversion in progress.

In this Sunday of the Blind Man, Fr. Andrew tells us that in Paul's journeys he demonstrates True Spiritual Vision.

On this Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, Fr. Andrew speaks of the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

On this Sunday of Pentecost, Fr. Andrew tells us that when we have a crisis of creativity, we should seek out the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

On the Sunday of All Saints, Fr. Andrew reminds us that, as Christians, we must all strive to become Saints.

On this Second Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew reminds us that is is not how good you are that matters, but how repentant you are.

On the Nativity of the Forerunner, Father Andrew reminds us that we are all called to the vocation of the Royal Priesthood, and that vocation is fulfilled through worship.

On the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew explains what it means when Orthodox Christians say, "We are being saved."

On this Sunday of St. Mary Magdalene, Fr. Andrew tells us that when we do our homework about the Orthodox faith, we find Grace.

On this 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew reminds us of the deep worth of the human person.

On this Sunday of the Forefeast of the Transfiguration, Fr. Andrew asks if we have the will to become "All Flame."

On this the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, Father Andrew tells us that St. Paul calls the Leaders of the Church "Fools for Christ's Sake."

On this the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew asks, how can we ask God for forgiveness and not receive it?

On this the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew tells the stories of two rich young men, stories with two very different outcomes.

On this Sunday Fr. Andrew tells the story of a father, mother, baby, foster mother, and 15-year-old, all saints.

On this Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross, Fr. Andrew reminds us that we must all take up our own Cross.

On this Sunday of the Conception of the Forerunner, Fr. Andrew advises us that before we do anything, we should turn ourselves to God.

On this 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Andrew speaks to us about what it means to be a Temple of the Holy God.

On this Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council, Fr. Andrew examines the parable of the sower and the seed.

On this Sunday when we read about the rich man and Lazarus, Fr. Andrew tells us that the difference between Heaven and Hell may be the "good left undone."

On this Sunday of the Good Samaritan, Fr. Andrew discusses the question the lawyer asks Jesus: 'And who is my neighbor?'

On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew discusses the question, "Why do we talk about money in church?"

On this feast day of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Fr. Andrew tells the true story of a love that is beyond our imagination.

On this Sunday the Conception of the Theotokos by Saint Anna is commemorated by the Orthodox Church. Fr. Andrew discusses the difference between the way Roman Catholics commemorate the conception, and the way Orthodox commemorate the conception of the Theotokos.

In the wake of the Newtown Massacre, Fr. Andrew reminds us that all death is evil.

On this Sunday before the Nativity, Fr. Andrew reminds us that we must put our Christmas into Christ.

On this Sunday after the Nativity, Fr. Andrew tells us that there is always hope, none of us is a lost cause.

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 Ten Lepers, Fr. Andrew asks, what is our response to the Blessings of God.

On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew speaks about the idea of 'veiling' in the church.

On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew speaks about Expectation, Action, and Fulfillment, which lead to Salvation.

On this Sunday of the Canaanite Woman, Fr. Andrew speaks about the virtue of humility.

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 of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Andrew asks the question: What is Forgiveness?