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.

A pagan couple, Cleitophon and Leucippe, who lived in Emesa in the reign of the Emperor Decius, were grieved that they were unable to have children. One day a monk named Onuphrius came to their door seeking alms to give to the poor, and seeing Leucippe's downcast face, asked her what was wrong. When she replied that she was barren, Onuphrius told her that this was by God's providence, to prevent their child from being given over to idolatry, and that if they accepted Christ she would bear a child. Leucippe was baptized into the Faith and bore a son not long after, which in turn brought her husband to faith in Christ. The son was named Galaction in baptism.   Years later, Galaction's father, now widowed, decided that Galaction should marry a pagan maiden named Episteme. Galaction married out of obedience, but would not approach Episteme's bed since she was a pagan. In time, he convinced her of the truth of the Faith and baptised her himself. Not long after she was told in a dream of the glory that awaits those who consecrate themselves wholly to God. When she told her husband of the dream, they both resolved to remain in virginity, settling in separate monastic communities near to one another.   In one of the Emperor's persecutions of Christians, Galaction was seized by imperial soldiers and taken away to be killed. Episteme, told in a vision of his arrest, asked the blessing of her abbess to join him in martyrdom. Receiving it, she hurried to Galaction's place of imprisonment, boldly announced her faith in Christ, and after many tortures and humiliations husband and wife were beheaded together.

This holy Martyr was an Egyptian and a soldier during the reigns of Diocletian and Maximian. Though he was known for his valor in combat, he renounced his soldier's rank when his legion was ordered to seize Christians in north Africa. Fleeing to the mountains, he dwelt there for some time in silence and solitude, devoting his days to prayer. In time, he presented himself at a pagan festival, denounced the idols and declared himself a Christian. For this he was handed over to the governor of the city, who subjected him to horrible tortures and finally had him beheaded. Some faithful retrieved part of his relics and gave them honorable burial near Lake Mareotis, about thirty miles from Alexandria. The church built over his tomb became a place of pilgrimage not only for countless Egyptians but for Christians all over the world: evidence has been found of journeys to his shrine from as far away as Ireland.   The Synaxarion gives an account of the Saint's intervention in the Second World War: "In June 1942, during the North-Africa campaign that was decisive for the outcome of the Second World War, the German forces under the command of General Rommel were on their way to Alexandria, and happened to make a halt near a place which the Arabs call El-Alamein after Saint Menas. An ancient ruined church there was dedicated to the Saint; and there some people say he is buried. Here the weaker Allied forces including some Greeks confronted the numerically and militarily superior German army, and the result of the coming battle seemed certain. During the first night of engagement, Saint Menas appeared in the midst of the German camp at the head of a caravan of camels, exactly as he was shown on the walls of the ruined church in one of the frescoes depicting his miracles. This astounding and terrifying apparition so undermined German morale that it contributed to the brilliant victory of the Allies. The Church of Saint Menas was restored in thanksgiving and a small monastery was established there."

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.

Fr. Andrew begins his section on the Roman Catholic Church with a close look at the history of the schism with the East as well as the doctrine of Papal supremacy.

In the second half of his first talk on Rome, Fr. Andrew looks at the filioque, papal infallibility, and created vs. uncreated grace.

In this episode, Fr. Andrew begins his look at the differences in the way the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches view salvation. Original sin, ancestral sin, the immaculate conception, and purgatory are among the topics explored.

How does the view of the sacraments differ between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches? And what are the prospects of unity between West and East?

Fr. Andrew begins his look at the Magisterial Reformation which includes the 5 "Solas." In this episode he examines "Sola Scriptura" or Scripture Alone.

Fr. Andrew continues his examination of the 5 "solas" in reformational theology looking today at Sola Fide (by faith alone), Solus Christus (through Christ alone), Sola Gratia (by grace alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). For his talk on Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) see the previous episode.

Fr. Andrew examines the distinctives of the denominations that arose from the Magisterial Reformation: Lutheranism Calvinism

Fr. Andrew continues his examination of the denominations that arose from the Magisterial Reformation: Calvinism Zwinglianism Presbyterianism Anglicanism Methodism

Fr. Andrew begins a survey of the Radical Reformation which introduced the effects of pietism into the Protestant church.

Fr. Andrew continues his survey of the Radical Reformation by discussing the impact of Antinomianism and the theory of the Great Apostasy.

Fr. Andrew examines the theological developments of the Radical Reformers, and introduces some of the Anabaptist denominations which developed. Brethren Mennonite Amish Hutterite Moravian

Fr. Andrew completes our survey of the Radical Reformation with a discussion of the denominations that arose, such as: Puritans Quakers Shakers Baptist

Fr. Andrew introduces Evangelicalism as it comes out of the Pietistic and Revivalist movements.

Fr. Andrew explores the understanding of salvation in the Evangelical tradition.

Fr. Andrew concludes the first part of his survey of Evangelicalism by discussing the topics of dualism, incarnation and eschatology.

Fr. Andrew begins part two of his study of Evangelicalism by exploring some of the denominations which arose. Restorationist Adventist Holiness Non-Denominationalism Dispensationalism

Fr. Andrews concludes his description of Evangelicalism with a brief survey of the following: Emerging Church Missional New Calvinists Ancient-Future

Fr. Andrew introduces us to the historical roots of the Pentecostal movement.

Fr. Andrew continues his introduction to Pentecostalism and describes how Charismatic theology developed as an outgrowth of this movement.

Fr. Andrew continues his series on Pentecostalism with a description of the development and theology of: Vineyard Movement Word of Faith

Fr. Andrew explores the Pentecostal emphasis on faith healing and speaking in tongues as it compares to Orthodoxy.

Fr. Andrew concludes his series on Pentecostalism by describing their unique view of prophecy.

Fr. Andrew introduces the denominations of Non-Mainstream Christianity called: Unitarian-Universalists Swedenborgianism

Fr. Andrew surveys Mormonism in his series on Non-Mainstream Christianity.

Fr. Andrew continues his series on Non-Mainstream Christianity with a description of: Christadelphians Christian Scientists Unity Church

Fr. Andrew continues his survey of non-mainstream Christianity with an overview of: Jehovah's Witness Davidian Seventh-day Adventists Branch Davidians Church of God General Conference

Fr. Andrew continues his survey of non-mainstream Christianity with an overview of: Worldwide Church of God - "Armstrongism" The Way International Unification Church - "Moonies"

Fr. Andrew concludes his survey of non-mainstream Christianity with an overview of: The Family International A Course on Miracles

Fr. Andrew introduces the category of non-Christian religions, and provides an overview of: Judaism Islam

Fr. Andrew continues his survey of non-Christian religions by describing the following: Druze Alawites Zoroastrianism Mandaeism Yazdanism Baha'i Hinduism

Fr. Andrew continues his survey of non-Christian religions by describing the following: Buddhism Jaininsm Sikhism Shinto (Animism) Cao Dai

Fr. Andrew concludes his survey of non-Christian religions by describing the following: Santeria Rastafarianism Neo-Gnosticism Neo-Paganism and Wicca Scientology Cargo Cults

Exercise does not have to be a laborious and taxing process. And you don’t have to run marathons to attain its benefits. Writings from the second century by Clement of Alexandria explain that when it comes to physical activity we must keep a balance—neither doing nothing nor killing ourselves with exhaustion. In this podcast, listeners will attain practical ways to make exercise a practical and lasting part of their lives.

Rita shares her reflections on a short conversation by two desert fathers on laying new foundations in our lives.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah discuss the topic of Anger (Part 1 of 2). In particular, they have a conversation about how to sit with and care for a patient who is experiencing anger, and the aspects of anger and the patient's relationship to God.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah continue their discussion of the topic of Anger (Part 2 of 2). In this episode, they reflect upon the Orthodox Church's perspective on anger and how to bring healing to this often destructive emotion in our lives and the lives of those we seek to support through chaplaincy.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah begin a two part conversation about the important role of self-care in preventing burnout in caregiving roles.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah continue their conversation about the important role of self-care in preventing burnout in caregiving roles, focusing on the psychological point of view and addressing how to do good self-care.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah begin a conversation about the challenge of applying the joy of the resurrection of Christ in the context of suffering that we see and experience as caregivers.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah continue their conversation about the challenge of applying the joy of the resurrection of Christ in the context of suffering and loss.

Fr. Adrian continues his interview with Fr. James Parnell - Hospital Chaplain, Parish Priest and Military Chaplain - about the unique opportunities and challenges of offering spiritual care to military veterans. This is Part 2 of a 2-part series.

Fr. Adrian interviews Fr. James Parnell - Hospital Chaplain, Parish Priest and Military Chaplain - about the unique opportunities and challenges of offering spiritual care to military veterans. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah discuss the importance of developing healthy boundaries in life and ministry as Orthodox Christians. This podcast is part 1 of 2.