Are our physical bodies evil? Are they good? Fr. John explores these questions in light of Christ's Transfiguration.

From clerical collar-wearing altar boys to (apparently) Alice Cooper and KISS attending the Paschal Matins -- Oh, and you've never heard the Good News till you've heard it read in German, with a Japanese twist and a Southern accent. (In this "blast from the past," Fr. Joseph even describes how to get one's choir-directing wife to "do her job" only 48 hours after giving birth!)

Can you imagine for a moment that all this revealed religion stuff is really, really real? Imagine, if you will, the Theotokos pondering things, like: Where is Christ the Savior? Fr. Joseph imagines and ponders his way toward answers in Part One of this special episode, "live" and edited, from Christ the Savior church in the Windy City.

With the New Year 2011, Fr Joseph looks back at some stranger moments of 2010 on the Orthodixie Podcast. (It all began when he went bar hopping with Jesus.)

Fr Joseph looks back on the past year and is thankful that the basketball does not determine the wife; that space aliens did not kill him; that Fr Danislav is not a weekly guest; that Elton John and Lady Gaga were not singing in church at Pascha; that kids go to Camp; and, especially, that God forgives sinners (and fools). Thank for your support!

What caused the Steelers' dynasty in the seventies? (Of course it was Fr. Joseph.) What caused 35,000 folks to pray the "Our Father" in a football stadium? (Of course it was the Supreme Court.) Tim Tebow caused quite a stir in the NFL. (Only the Perfect makes perfect.) And Fr. Joseph takes a bow (but how do you say "hiatus"?).

Fr. Danislav Gregorio returns to the Orthodixie podcast to hawk his new country music CD. (WARNING: You have been warned.)

Fr. Joseph speaks in Belleville, Ontario, at a seminar hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Lovely folks, lovely place. But like many of us, they have their work cut out for them—keeping Orthodox Christianity ALIVE in that little place. Here follows a few snippets from our time together.

What do y'all think of the name St Elvis Orthodox Church? Okay, how about Father Elvis? Er ... can we at least have a church and priest in Tupelo?

In these challenging times, we are tempted to look back and think, "Where have all the good times gone?" Fr Joseph says, "Take off your mask!"

I recently received word that my high school football coach was celebrating his 100th birthday. I thought he was old when I played for him over 40 years ago! Now I know he was my age NOW . . . way back then. Coach Cullivan features prominently in this old podcast. Even if you’ve heard it, in honor of him beginning his 101st year, give it a listen.

Fr. Joseph Huneycutt is interviewed about his new podcast on Ancient Faith Radio

Even as we strive to please God by disciplining ourselves and obeying His commands, we know that God loves us. We know that God will accept our striving for righteousness, even if we don’t do it very well, even if we fail. God is able to fix our mistakes. Therefore, like children striving to please a parent whom we know loves us completely, we offer what we have, what we can do, in a carefree way, knowing that 100% will never be enough to succeed completely all of the time, but it is enough to please God.

The guys watched Pixar’s newest installment, Finding Dory, and they both loved it, but only one of them cried! Listen to discover which one cried, to hear discussions of how Pixar teaches us about personhood, and how the story of a fish is a story about God’s love bringing us home. They also discuss the Top 5 Sequels of all time. Spoiler Alert: Independence Day 2 was not one of them.

Fr. Philip encourages us to find ourselves in the story of the Prodigal Son, and to come home to the Father who is ready to forgive.

On Thomas Sunday, we are reminded that Christ rose victoriously with his wounds and that we too may bring our bodily limitations and challenges into the redeeming light of the risen Christ.

Fr. Philip LeMasters invites us to embrace the courageous humility of the Prodigal Son as we prepare to enter Great Lent.

The season of Pascha has only just begun. Because of His bodily resurrection, we must become holy in our bodies and treat our suffering neighbors accordingly. Let us continue to celebrate by participating as fully as possible in the joy of the empty tomb. Now nothing other than our own refusal can hold us back from becoming truly human, for “Christ is Risen!”

As we celebrate the restoration of icons today, let us become more beautiful living icons of our Lord’s salvation and gain the strength to treat every neighbor accordingly as we live and breathe in this world. Remember: They are His living icons also.

The themes of exile and return are prominent throughout the entire narrative of the Bible. Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise. The Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt until Moses led them back to the Promised Land. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah went into exile in Assyria and Babylon, respectively, with only Judah returning home. The Jews endured a kind of exile when the Romans occupied their land and longed for restoration through a new King David. Our Lord provided the true restoration of a kingdom not of this world, leading all with faith in Him back to Paradise through His Cross and glorious resurrection. The canon of the New Testament concludes with the Revelation or Apocalypse, which portrays the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, the joyful fulfillment of all things in Him.

Luke 15:11-32; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Hosea 14:1-9; Isaiah 55:1-7

Sweet Song: A Story of Saint Romanos the Melodist by Jane G Meyer, illustrated by Dorrie Papdemetriou (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2013)

"The Parable of the Prodigal Son" from The Parables of Christ by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

Fr. Ted discusses the period in the Church's calendar year called the Triodion. In her wisdom, Fr. Ted explains, the Church strategically places these lessons for us immediately preceding Lent.

A homily given by His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios of Canada.

Fr. Ted argues that we too often neglect the role of the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

Fr. Ted calls us to become like the Father who was ready and willing to welcome those who return to the life of the Church, rather than the big brother who was judgmental towards his returning brother.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos introduces us to the beginning of the triodion, the three-week season of preparation for the fasting of Great Lent.

Reflections from St. John the Compassionate Mission about the Prodigal Son and Canada's Bill C-7.

In the heart of every prodigal son, at the time of prayer, God prepares a real place ready to offer hospitality to the one that is wounded.

Fr. Apostolos shares from 1 Corinthians 3, reminding us that our bodies belong to the Lord, "The temple of God is holy, and that is what you are."

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

As we approach the Great Fast, the parable of the Prodigal Son prepares our hearts to return to God. Fr Tom teaches us that in this important parable we learn the truth about who we can be and who God is. (Sunday of the Prodigal Son)

The parable of the Prodigal Son is a powerful image of our returning to God and the Father's rich mercy in restoring us. Fr Tom reminds us that we must be able both to admit that we have separated ourselves from God's life and have the deep desire to return to the riches of His Kingdom.

On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Tom shows us how the love of the Father embraces us in all of our filth. The only washing required is that of our own tears.

The guest preacher was Fr. Yves Dubois with a sermon on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.

Dr. Christine Mangala Frost has lectured widely on comparative religion and is a published novelist with two books to her name exploring the consequences of religious belief for human action. She is currently working on a study comparing and contrasting Hindu and the Christian Orthodox beliefs. Here she presents a reflection on the theme of theodicy in relation to the Book of Job.

Fr. Lawrence Farley reminds us that repentance is not simply feeling bad for having broken God's rules; rather, it is a return to yourself and a return to your home.

Fr. Lawrence Farley addresses the unpopularity of the concept of Church dogma.

Fr. Philip LeMasters contends that the biological complementarity of males and females provides an important clue to the personal identity of human beings.

Learn about the first response team from IOCC to the flood ravaged areas of the midwest as we talk with Fr. Haralambos (Bob) Fox who is on assignment in Cedar Rapids, IA. To support the IOCC flood relief effort, go to their WEBSITE.

Fr. Pat takes on the characters in this parable one by one—the father, the younger son, and then the older son.

Fr. Pat discusses three ambiguities in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

Rather than discussing the main themes from the story of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Pat examines features of the story not related to its central core, but nonetheless significant.

Fr. Pat offers reflections on baptism and the Creed. This homily was given on Great and Holy Saturday,

Fr. Pat reflects upon the Apostolic Office by means of three adjectives, which, when considered, can greatly enrich our understanding of the apostles, and can deepen our own relationship with Christ.

We talk a lot about our souls. But what about our bodies? Are they important? Are they saved?

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.” (1 Corinthians 6:9) The Prodigal Son left the warmth and safety of his Father's house and joined himself to people that left him empty. And, when he returned, his Older Brother refused to welcome him. We often focus on the incredible mercy that the Father shows (which is important). But it may be more helpful to focus on how both the Prodigal Son and Older Brother forgot who they are. Because we, too, can easily forget that we are children of the Father. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee166

Keeping the Temple Pure.