On this Sunday of the Fourth Ecumenical Council (held in Chalcedon in AD 451), Fr. Andrew describes the definition of faith of this council and what it means for our salvation.

In discussing the "earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" Paul talks about in 2 Cor. 1:22, Fr. Andrew asks what we do when we feel like we're the only ones around who actually have it.

Discussing the idea that the Ascension was Jesus abandoning His flock, Fr. Andrew unpacks what's really going on in the feast, what it says about Who Jesus is, about what His mission is, and about our salvation and our mission.

On the Eve of Theophany, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick charges straight ahead into dragon territory, discussing what it means to confront the dragons in the water and also asking: Why don't we seem to see dragons any more?

Fr. John Oliver reminds us that we work out our salvation in the individual particulars of our own lives.

Here's a very serious interview of a known-to-be-funny man; Fr. Joseph quizzes his "boss," Fr. John Salem, on the high calling of the priesthood.

Fr. Joseph says, "I'll have you all know that I took time out from reading Scripture, visiting the sick, and saying my prayers to record this podcast—now with more banjo!"

This ecumenical Thanksgiving tale has developed over the years—in large part thanks to AFR listeners. Enjoy!

Today, Fr. Joseph is reading his fan mail and coming across some interesting questions!

A priest friend of mine likes to say, "We may not have many, but we have them all!" In this episode, I describe some the of the things that make it hard for priests and laity to see eye-to-eye and try to make the case that it really is okay not to like everything about your priests or parishes in order to love, serve, and support them. (Please note that I am NOT defending pathological or abusive parishioners and priests; we deal with those rare situations in other episodes). Enjoy the show!

Elissa takes a look at a question from a friend: How do we handle it when an older child doesn't want to go to church? Can't we just worship from home? Why does it matter and how do you teach that?

Many holy fathers and mothers of the Church have pointed out that spiritual words are like powerful medicine. If taken inappropriately, what was designed to heal ends up causing harm.

In homily 69, St. Isaac reminds us that temptations to sin come upon all people, even the “perfect.” Quoting freely from St. Macarius of Alexandria, St. Isaac reminds us that our inner state is rather like the weather. “There is cold, and soon after, burning heat, and then perhaps even hail, and after a little, fair weather.”

In preparing for Great Lent this year, we must remain on guard against the temptation of self-exaltation in any form.

As “the poor and maimed and blind and lame,” we must prepare to accept the extraordinary invitation that is ours in Jesus Christ by gaining the strength to make our daily responsibilities points of entrance to the heavenly kingdom. They are not reasons to shut ourselves out of the heavenly banquet, but opportunities to unite ourselves ever more fully to Him in freedom.

We consider the donkey who bore Jesus into Jerusalem and, with St. Mary of Bethany (John 12:1-18), contemplate the beautiful but surprising acts of God (Philippian 4:4-9) in the light of Numbers 22; Zechariah 9:9, and select poems from G. K. Chesterton, William Blake, and Samuel Crossman.

"Saint Ephraim" and "Saint Spyridon" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations, written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

22. Book 1: The Exaltation of the Cross from the series The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2005) Book 2: The Wonderful Life of Russia's Saint Sergius of Radonezh told by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 2001)

Fr. Ted cautions us against letting evil take hold in our hearts.

Are you tending the garden of your life so that it produces the fruit of the Spirit?

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos calls us to lay aside our own judgment of others and turn our focus towards repentance in light of the Final Judgment.

Kevin and Steve interview Fr. Wayne about some hard to ask questions about Lent.

Here's a hint: It's wrong! Great stuff as Kevin Allen interviews this popular Orthodox priest, a senior editor at Touchstone Magazine.

In today's program Kevin and his guest, St Vladimir's Theological Seminary professor, historian, and author Fr John Erickson, discuss the near 1500-year rift between the Oriental Orthodox (Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Indian) and Eastern Orthodox churches. They will discuss the theology, history, politics, attempts at reunion and the current state of affairs between these two ancient eastern Christian churches.

What was settled at Chalcedon served as a watershed for future doctrinal controversies even up until today. Dn. Michael reminds us that truth matters.

Padre Nicolás predico sobre la consolación que recibimos en el Espíritu de Dios. Evita los engaños que da el mundo. (Hechos 2:1-11) Fr. Nicholas preached about the consolation we receive in the Spirit of God. Avoid the deception of the world that gives only temporal rewards. (Acts 2:1-11)

Carta: Gál 3: 23-4:5, Evangelio Lc 18: 18- 27 El Diácono Alejandro predico sobre la conversión. Letter: Gal 3: 23-4:5, Gospel: Lk 18: 18-27 Deacon Alejandro preached about conversion.

El Padre Nicolás predicó sobre cómo Dios busca nuestra salvación y cómo debemos esforzarnos para alcanzarla. Father Nicholas preached on how God seeks our salvation and how we should strive to achieve it.

Today's episode is taken from Molly's piece as a guest blog on The Orthodox Mama. With her eyes on the saints and years of raising her four children, Molly offers three big lessons she's learned about motherhood.

Dn. Theodore, the Director of Community of St. John the Compassionate Mission, tells a suffering man to pray, but is that enough?

Listen to reflections from time at the Refuge and back in the city: gypsy moths, hydrangeas, and "keeping the water fresh."

The Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel's clearheaded "endorsement of democracy, solving problems, and Kamala Harris" #

Sermon on the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Romans 6:18-23; Matthew 8:5-13)

God uses even the difficult circumstances of our life for our salvation. Fr Tom reminds us that in these tests of life, God wants us to persevere and draw closer to Him. (Thirty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost)

Christ walking on the water is often portrayed as a demonstration of His power over creation. But Fr Thomas reminds us that even though the storms of this life are always present, Jesus uses this difficult circumstance to remind his disciples that He is always with those who love Him and that they should never fear. (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

On the Sunday of All Saints, the gospel reading reminds us of the narrow way of being a disciple of Christ. Fr Thomas powerfully contrasts the imperatives in Christ's teaching on discipleship with the contemporary rise of the "Dones," those who illogically proclaim themselves faithful to Christ but "done with church."

At every post-Resurrection appearance, the Lord Jesus Christ greets His Disciples with the words "Peace be with you! Do not be afraid!" Fr Thomas teaches us that because of Christ's destruction of the sting of death by His own death, and our participation in His death and resurrection through our baptism, we have nothing to fear, not even death itself!

On the fourth Sunday of Lent, the Church presents the Gospel reading of the healing of the demon possessed boy, and we also commemorate St John of "The Ladder." Fr Thomas teaches us that, if we want to spiritually grow, we have to be able to accept God's difficult answers to our ultimate questions.

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.

Listen as Fr. Tom encourages all seekers to follow in the path of the Canaanite woman.

As we work our way through the Nativity Fast, Fr. Tom cautions us not to get bogged down in earthly matters, but to embrace our healing in the incarnate Christ.

Fr. Gregory suggests that perhaps it is time to take stock of our own service, to consider what talents God has given us, and to take care that we use them fully.

Fr. Emmanuel Kahn preaches from the 19th chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew about a rich young man who did not wish to give away his wealth to the poor and to then follow Jesus.