Fr. Nicholas Belcher, Dean of Students at Hellenic College Holy Cross and assistant priest at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, MA, leads a College Conference East workshop, discussing cultural conceptions of salvation and the beginning of the Orthodox perspective.

The interviewer is Jonathan Bush, OCF Regional Representative for the South along with his friend Bekah. The subject of the interview is "What is a vocation?"

Matthew is forced to reject Western punishment theories because of one simple fact: God, by nature, does not change.

In this segment, Matthew notes the true nature of God's "wrath."

Matthew explains how experiencing God requires two elements - asceticism and the mysteries, or sacraments.

Matthew examines the Western Charismatic movement.

Matthew outlines the problems inherent in a relationship with God based on rational contemplation or imagination.

Matthew points out how the difference between the God of the Old and New Testaments is actually our own spiritual maturing.

Matthew looks at the history of God's actions towards us to see if "legal" theories hold water.

In this segment, Matthew outlines the "ransom theory" of salvation subscribed to by the early Church.

This week, Matthew outlines three ways that the remnants of Augustine's philosophy infect even those who are trying to return to an intimate experience with God.

Matthew continues his discussion of Augustine and his views on predestination.

Matthew shows how a misunderstanding of the story of the Garden of Eden leads to a misunderstanding of our relationship with God.

Looking more closely at the Augustinian view of God, Matthew examines the concept of "original sin".

Matthew answers those sects that subscribe to an "annihilation doctrine".

In this segment, Matthew differentiates between the Eastern view of God as opposed to Augustine and the West.

Matthew Gallatin continues his examination of the differences between the Eastern and Western Churches, specifically their perspective on the nature of God.

Matthew reveals how the second obstacle to overcome in Western philosophy is in finding intimacy with God.

Matthew gives us the third obstacle between western believers and the experience of pre-Augustinian Christianity—misconceptions about the nature of the Church.

Matthew concludes his series by noting how the rationalism and idealism of western culture prevents seekers from recognizing the true Church.

In this segment, Matthew contrasts the mystical experience of the Eastern Church with the rational philosophy of the West.

Matthew examines the wrathful deeds of the loving God.

Matthew explains that the Eastern Christian view of punishment lies not in God's actions towards sinners, but in the sinners' reaction to God's love.

Matthew reveals that God shows redemptive love, not vindictive vengeance, to those he punishes—especially to children.

Matthew examines the Orthodox Church's beliefs concerning the Scriptures and its teachings regarding Holy Tradition.

Matthew continues his examination of sola scriptura and contrasts it with the Apostles decision regarding the circumcision of gentiles.

Matthew notes how Eastern Orthodox Christians possess both the light (scriptures) and the path (ascetic, sacramental experiences).

"These days, Orthodox Christianity is becoming known on the highways and byways, even in the hills and the hollers. But let's not get lazy. Let's not squander this opportunity." Fr. Joseph thinks everyone should have the opportunity to hear about -- even come home to -- the True Faith (and click here to visit the SmallTown Heroes he speaks about at their web site).

Listen as Dn. Nicholas talks about Ivan Ilyin, the benefit of reading fiction (even for priests!), the role of Orthodoxy in developing healthy creativity, and what Russian culture has to offer Orthodox Christians in America. Enjoy the show!

One of the challenges of our present spiritual situation is that our society has settled for something less than truth. This affects the quality of our opinions, policies, and judgments and undermines our ability to live and spread the Gospel. An indicator of the seriousness of this is our growing inability to listen to, learn from, and love people who think differently than we do. In this presentation, I frame the situation as a problem of discernment, compare scientific and Orthodox methods of knowing, and describe how polarization keeps us from using either well. I conclude with a discussion of the critical role diversity plays in discerning truth, and how the Gospel can transform the (Babelic) divisions that deafen us to the truth into a (Pentecostal) harmony that proclaims and celebrates it. Emulating the academic forum the paper was written for (the 2020 Institute for Studies in Eastern Theology), Dn. Timothy Kelleher then offers his thoughts on the presentation and subject. Enjoy the show!

Jesus Christ said; “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28​-30) In this retreat, given for the Ukrainian Orthodox League via Zoom on 2/27/2021, Fr. Anthony describes the way the past year has polarized us and how we and our parishes can heal and become the peacemakers the world needs. A video of the presentation is available at Fr. Anthony Perkins YouTube channel. Enjoy!

In this interview, Fr. Anthony and Dn Nicholas talk about the rhythms of Lent and how a gentle asceticism may cultivate more lasting changes than the most stringent fasting and an over-packed liturgical calendar. Along the way, Dn Nicholas shares wisdom on how this same general approach builds a lasting and self-propagating harmony (even among tenors who often sing flat). We hope you enjoy this calm and gentle conversation. Enjoy the show!

Join Fr. Anthony and Fr. Harry as they talk about how artificially romanticizing the Golden Age of the Councils contributes to the polarization of our communities, how politics are the new idolatry, and why it is so easy to anathematize heretics over vaccines and masks. Enjoy the show!

We do not have to burn incense on the altar of a Roman god in order to show that we are ashamed of the Savior. All that we must do is to refuse to take up our crosses as we serve the false gods of this world. It does not take much spiritual insight to see that worshiping idols is quite common and easily done in our time and place.

If we refuse to deny ourselves even in small ways this Lent, then we will become even more accustomed to serving ourselves instead of God and neighbor.

In the first episode of part two of his four-part podcast "Paradise and Utopia," Fr. John Strickland, a professor of history at Saint Katherine Orthodox College, describes how Pope Nicholas I paved the way for the rapid development of the papal theory of empire.

In this anecdotal introduction to Reflection 21, Father John relates a remarkable but short-lived revolution in fourteenth-century Rome that served as a sign of what the age of utopia would bring. Listeners who enjoy the music of Richard Wagner will recognize the ill-fated revolutionary's name and understand why the turbulent nineteenth-century composer was attracted to him! And speaking of music, if you are wondering about the new closing sequence, it is a chorus from Mozart's utopian opera The Magic Flute and consists of the following (in translation): "When virtue and justice strew with fame the path of the great, then earth is a realm of heaven, and mortals are like the gods."

Let’s look to the deep words of God’s yearning found in the prophet Ezekiel in order to understand the compassion of the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, and the actions of our father St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, an appointed shepherd of God’s people.

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan, illustrated by Judith Brown (Bethlehem books, 1997)

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

"Saint Mary of Egypt," "Saint Scholastica," and "Saint Benedict" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations, written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, written by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrated by Roland J. Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2012)

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrated by Roland J. Ford (St. Stylianos Books)

Saint Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins by Jim Forest, illustrated by Vladislav Andrejev (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (2015)

Nikola and the Monk written by Dessi Jackson, illustrated by Lydia Grace Kadar-Kallen (Quis Ut Deus Press, 2016)

The Saint Nicholas Day Snow, by Charlotte Riggle, illustrated by R.J. Hughes (Phoenix Flair Press, 2017).

34. Book 1: The Life of Saint Nicholas The Wonder-Worker by Nina Seco (St. Nectarios Press, 1994) Book 2: Christ in the Old Testament: Prophecy Illustrated compiled and edited by Thomas Hopko (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2002)

125. The Life of Saint Nicholas by Nina Seco (St. Nectarios Press, 1994).

Nicholas Meets His Guardian Angel by Eleni Christos and Helen Iakovos-Dalalakis (Light & Life Publishing, 2001).

177. And Then Nicholas Sang by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson (Conciliar Press, 2010).