Fr. Evan tackles email questions and discussion with Mat. Trudi Richter.

Matthew calls in enquiring on the justification of iconography in the Orthodox Church. Fr. Evan is asked to give guidance on how a gay person can enter into the life of the Church. Debra asks Fr. Evan about Celtic Orthodoxy, are they legit. A listener from Melbourne Australia greets Fr. Evan and asks why we Christians wear crosses.

Anonymous caller question comes in asking Fr. Evan advice regarding how we best approach our loved ones who are gender sensitive or gay within the context of the Church. Anonymous writer askes how do we respond to a priest who is both verbally and spiritually abusive in the life of the parish. How can such a priest continue to serve the Eucharist and it remain holy.

Fr. Evan answers an email question regarding the view of the Orthodox church regarding tattoos on our bodies. Fr. Evan is asked to share what his best book he would recommend as an introduction to Orthodoxy. Fr. Evan’s friend, Fr. Eugene Rosu calls in to chat about a book he wrote ; Church Ministries on a Shoestring Budget. You can find the book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and www.eugenrosu.com Question about local Orthodox Church liturgical traditions and how they differ from one jurisdiction to another

A question comes in from a four year old Sunday school student asking, where do souls go when a person departs from this earthy life? When having been baptized prior to entering the Orthodox Church, why is a re-baptism required. How do we understand God’s will for us when we struggle with depression and trying to just make it through the day. I have a friend who is very jealous, and a bitter personality, how can I best help my friend. I have a friend who addresses my priest as Yahweh and has a Arian disposition and does not believe in the divinity of Christ.

Fr. Evan is asked to give his thoughts on nihilism. An Anglican Dominican lay sister asks what is the Orthodox theology of Salvation? Does God chastise us through tribulations for not attending church?After confession, what is the responsibility of the priest, especially if the person revealed an egregious sin? Is it wrong for us to euthanize our sick pets? Is marriage a sacrament that extends into eternity ?

Fr. Evan is asked to comment about saints and them praying for us. How to we help our children who identify as gay and transgender within the context of the church. Is it acceptable to pray in non-orthodox places of worship? Fr. Evan explains the concept of theosis and how it differs from sanctification and, why do Orthodox churches struggle in missionary work, having Orthodox schools, hospitals, orphanages etc.

Fr. Evan responds to Canadian listener email regarding a woman who suffered the loss of her husband asking advice on where to seek therapy ( ocampr.org ) Fr. Evan is asked his response to resurgence of covid restrictions and the impact this may have on the functioning of church services. How does the teaching of the church respond to those in the military who have perhaps had to take a life or women who have experienced abortion.

Fr. Evan answers a variety of questions tonight including giving an explanation on the account of Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would bear the Son of God and her response. Is organ donation after death approved by the church and, so much more !

Tonight Fr. Evan answers a question regrading divorce within the church. Is it true the Orthodox Church is is banned in Ukraine? How do we cultivate humility. Fr. Evan is asked to answer a questions regarding the prayers of consecration of the eucharist

Is God male in His essence? Why does the Orthodox Church pray for the departed ? What is the Orthodox's Church stand on the state of Israel.

Fr. Evan answers listener live call-in questions and YouTube channel questions

Once we have repented, where do we turn toward after? Fr. Evan offers his advice on how best to involve our children in our church services. What are toll-houses ? Who is the Prophet Jonah? Why is someone who is not baptized not allowed to practice communion.

What is the Orthodox Church view on the Free Mason Lodge vs Christianity? Hans from Germany has a question regarding a particular prayer. A listener from Australia asks Fr. Evan to recommend reading material on the lives of the saints.

OCMC missionary Nathan Hoppe calls with an update on the work he and his wife are involved in. Melinda Johnson, CEO of Ancient Faith Ministries calls in to congratulate Fr. Evan on his elevation to Protopresbyter. Previous listener calls in to give an update on his experience within the Church. Fr. Evan takes a few minutes to answer email questions.

Fr. Seraphim Aldea from Mull Monastery of All Celtic Saints on the Isle of Mull, calls in to chat. What is the proper way to approach the Eucharistic chalice? How does one go about acquiring a spiritual father/mother.

What does it mean to be created in the image and likeness of God according to the first 2 chapters of Genesis. During the Great Entrance in the Divine Liturgy, why do some people reach to touch the aer or rope of the priest ? How are we to understand 1Timothy 2:13-15? Fr. Evan gives advice on prayer especially when one feels defeated.

How do we acquire stillness and quiet. What is the importance of a home alter or prayer corner. How do we see Christ in our neighbor. What is the best Bible translation for a teenager.

What is the Orthodox view on Zionism. Is adversity ordained or given by God? Why does the Orthodox Church not use instruments in its liturgical service structure.

Fr. Evan takes a question from an anonymous caller asking his advice on a personal family matter. Why do we pray if God already understands what we need. Is there ever a situation where it is okay to leave your marriage in order to become part of the church. What to do when one lives a far distance to any church and unable to attend services regularly.

Is it okay to ask God to help us love Him more? Why did Adam and Eve disobey God and why do people die? Can we get sick from receiving the Eucharist from the common spoon? How should feelings and emotions play in our decisions in our faith? What age is appropriate to introduce fasting to young children

Can we say memorial service prayers for our departed for both Orthodox and non-orthodox, non-christian at home. How do we understand earthly justice compared to heavenly justice. How does the Orthodox Church view exorcisms. Is there a rule for Orthodox Christians to not pray with the Heterodox?

Fr. Evan Interviews Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh and his friend Calliope Couchell-Wilson

As an Orthodox Christian, is it permitted to participate on non-orthodox weddings? There seems to be a disconnect between commitment and marriage. Why? What is the Orthodox Church view on salvation. What is free will both here on this earth and the age to come.

What is the proper greeting between parishioners during the Divine Liturgy when we recite the creed and what does it mean? What should we do when we break the fast ? What is our christian witness to those outside the Orthodox faith. is it true that the Ukrainian Church in Ukraine is being made to pray for the Russian army and its victory? What is the Orthodox view of the sacraments.

Is venerating the icons within the Orthodox Church a requirement? Is there a divine understanding of the concept of human rights? Is self care ever unhealthy from a spiritual perspective. First time listener, first time caller asks Fr. Evan advice on entering as a catechumen of the Orthodox Church

Fr. Evan answers questions regarding life confessions, the number of sacraments, and more.

Are dating apps a good and healthy way to find a spouse? What is a healthy response to pride month. Is it ok to take a pro-Israel stance on the war ? Is salvation only found within the Orthodox Church. Do animals go to heaven ?

Fr. Evan explains John 9 ,Sunday of the Blind Man. Is the Orthodox wiki website a reliable source of reference for Orthodox Christianity? What will happen to those who do not know the fullness of God's love. What do the different colored vestments mean within the Orthodox Church.

How does one navigate ethnic traditions within Orthodoxy. The importance and how to pray through the psalms. What is a mission church? How does the Orthodox Church respond to someone ending their life. What are toll-houses.

Has the Orthodox Church's theology on salvation changed at all from what is was in the beginning ? What is the purpose of the holy kiss in the divine liturgy. A 7yr old listener asks Fr. Evan if God was unkind when he sent the flood upon the earth. How do we understand AHDH with in the life of the church. What should those who feel they are possessed by a demon do exactly ? Fr. Evan's parishioners who are missionaries in Ecuador call in to say hello and give and update on the missionary work.

What key factors promote parish growth. Is the rapture an Orthodox teaching ? The difference between the old vs the new calendar. A story from an AFR listener, how she found the Orthodox Church and her chrismation experience

Discussion on Orthodoxy on the internet. How do we deal with anger. Fr. Evan is asked his response to the tv series, The Chosen. Why did Jacob wrestle with God as we are told in the book of Genesis

Fr. Evan shares listener words of appreciation and the importance of creating a space of love and acceptance within church community. Why are humans created higher than the angels by God. Why does the Orthodox church not practice Eucharistic adoration. How to counteract the passions of the flesh, particularly lust.

How to accept God's will in relation to other people's pre-choices. What is the meaning of the parable of the talents. Fr. Evan explains the meaning of the ecumenical patriarch. Why do priests only privately denounce Met. Epiphodoros. What does it mean when the church prays for unity of faith.The importance of presenting correct imagery to children in storytelling.

A few things to know regarding second marriage within the Orthodox Church. The concept of "new time" and how the sacraments take place within this new time. As a Catholic, why should I convert to Orthodoxy? What happens to the soul of the departed once the soul leaves the body.

Fr. Evan is asked advice on dating and gives advice on what to be mindful of when looking to find the one to marry. The Orthodox understanding of John 3:16 scripture reading. Fr. Evan shares an email regarding lust, pornography, gambling and comments on the very destructive impact these habits have on individuals and families. How to continue the struggle of Christian living in our modern world. Fr. Evan is asked to recommend resources to share with those visiting our churches.

How is Judaism practiced in 2024 different from rabbinic Judaism. Protestant belief in sola scriptura related to the belief in the rapture. What is the process of relics, how they are placed and where. What are the Orthodox views on organ donation and embalming.

Fr. Evan is asked his opinion as an Orthodox priest on consuming mind altering substances to initiate themselves into spirituality. Frustration with not able to partake of the Eucharist as a catechuman. Why did God wait almost 5 thousand years before He sent Christ for the salvation of the world.

A former military member who killed in war and has a question regarding the sixth commandment. why was Cornelius not encouraged to step from his role as centurion. A 12 year old asks why our faith is the true faith. How do we ride ourselves of anger, hate, malice. How does the Orthodox church understand the 1000 year reign on earth as many Protestant churches believe. When one cannot sleep, what are some best practices to get back to sleep

How to best make fasting changes when necessary.How do we as Orthodox Christians respond to country patriotism. Fr. Evan gives advice to a listener who's wife threatens divorce if he becomes a catechumen. Does God place suffering on us and if so, does He say we are to be thankful for it? Is there any harm in Orthodox Christians engaging in the practice of acupuncture or yoga?

Tonight Fr. Evan is joined by his friend Alexis Pappas. The discussion is centered around effective youth ministry. Are there particular saints we should pray to for our children? How do we help our young adults re-engage their faith and the church. To learn more about the work Alexis Pappas is involved in or to reach her please see; www.effectivechristianministry.org Department of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Youth and Young Adult Ministries Alexis Pappas, ECM Cohort Director pappas@goarch.org

Who did Adam and Eve's children end up marrying? How should we observe the sabbath. Why do we read that baptism must be performed in moving water in the Didache. What is the Orthodox faith's relationship to civil law. Why do we venerate the gospel book during matins and what should we say to the priest after we kiss his hand.

The Orthodox view existence as directed toward an encounter with a personal God who gives meaning to all the dimensions of earthly human existence.

Fr. Roberto shares reflections on how we can only truly know what we have experienced.

A Prayer of Welcome on the Occassion of Someone New Coming to Live with Us, written by Brother Luke.

Stories from St. John the Compassionate Mission written by Brother Luke.

Fr. Apostolos shares about the importance of oil in the Old Testament, the New Testament (the myrrh-bearing women), and today. "If our desire is for the Spirit of the Lord to come mightily upon us, we must walk in the anointing power of the Holy Spirit, for we are an anointed people. We are consecrated to God and we are destined for eternity. So, let us follow the bold example of the myrrh-bearing women and take a step of faith in our lives."

Fr. Apostolos Hill delivers a short homily on what we will all write in the New Year on the pages of the books of our lives.

Fr. Apostolos Hill gave a recap of the vitality of our young ones' faith alongside the pitfalls awaiting those whose spiritual development is neglected in the home or parish. Stay Alert, Stay Alive was the theme of All Saints Camp (Arizona) this past week.