In the first episode of a five-part Lenten series on despondency, we learn what despondency is (and what it isn't), and how it relates to our experience of time. Ultimately, despondency is a means of escaping the present moment we find ourselves in.

The present moment is a gift from God. But too often, we flee from this "gift of the now" through our mental ideations of the past and future. Today, we're calling that movement despondency and exploring the physical, emotional and spiritual paths by which we escape from the present.

Today we talk about various antidotes to the passion of despondency, which all have the effect of bringing us back to the present moment of heart.

Today we continue our discussion of how to regain God's gift of the present moment. We'll touch on humor, scripture recitation, and prayer.

In this final segment of our lenten series on Time and Despondency, we explore the substance of the present moment—the Holy Resurrection. Thoughts on how to re-present ourselves and our world this Pascha and beyond.

This is the first part of a talk given at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto. In this portion, we look at common approaches to time management as they've developed in Western culture.

Continuing the talk from last week about the difference between managing time for the sake of productivity and redeeming time for the sake of salvation. Follow along!

This episode revisits the question of time in heaven from two different vantage points: Hellenic Greek philosophy and the Old Testament. Greeks and Jews of late antiquity had pretty different beliefs when it came to time and eternity, and both paradigms have implications for how one views the Incarnation.

In the last episode of this miniseries, we talk about "ages" and the phrase "unto the ages of ages" as it is used to signify eternity in the New Testament. Along the way, we'll tackle interstellar space, two-dimensional cubes, and other perplexing boundaries of human knowledge. Moral of the story: keep wonder alive.​

Heaven is eternal—but does that mean it also without time? This question lies at the crux of our understanding not only of heaven but also of earthly existence. In the first part of this miniseries, Dr. Roccas talks about some personal experiences regarding this question and how Orthodox worship prepares us for heaven.

The slower-paced tempo of summertime raises questions about how we relate to leisure as Orthodox Christians. In this episode, we talk about down time and our culture's sense of entitlement towards rest and relaxation. At the end of the episode, I'll also share some changes coming to "Time Eternal" this fall.

About a year ago on this podcast, I started a five-part Lenten mini-series called Time and Despondency. I'm happy to announce that I've turned this series into a book to be published by Ancient Faith sometime in Fall 2017. As I finish up the manuscript, I reflect on the intersection between time and despondency. Interested in listening to the original series? Check out Part I (of 5) from last year.

Nicole looks back on the biggest thing she took away from the 2017 Ancient Faith Conference, and discusses some changes that will hit the Time Eternal podcast in the fall. Have a blessed summer!

In this new, relaunched version of Time Eternal, I walk the meditation trail at Antiochian Village and consider what it is we are called to do and become in time. Listen to the end for a special giveaway that ends September 15, 2017! (For quotes and a picture from this episode, see the shownotes in the file attachment above, or subscribe to the Time Eternal blog.)

Today I’m with Fr. Robert Holet, host of the podcast “First Fruits of Christian Living.” We’re talking about our volition to make time in a fast-paced world of distractions. Part two of this episode will air on Fr. Robert’s podcast, so check it out! (For quotations and other information from this episode, see the shownotes in the file attachment above or subscribe to the Ancient Faith blog.)

When my friend Elissa’s daughter was still a baby, she had to undergo a risky liver transplant. Elissa and I think back on that time, and the way our experience of time changes during times of illness, whether it’s we who are sick or a loved one. (For quotations and more information shared in this episode, make sure to check out the shownotes in the file attachment above or subscribe to the Time Eternal blog.)

Public transportation is my temporal kryptonite--it brings out my impatience and inability to cope with the time I “lose” commuting. But a few months ago, I had an experience on the subway that really put things in perspective, a painful reminder that no time is every truly wasted. (For quotations and other information from this episode, make sure to check out the shownotes in the file attachment above or subscribe to the Time Eternal blog.)

My friend Kerry was born in a conservative Mennonite community in rural Manitoba. As she grew up, that community gradually assimilated into the wider culture. But looking back, she says that the temporal rhythms and cycles she still held to during her youth provided a "secure sense of reality." In this episode of Time Eternal, we talk about her experience growing up Mennonite, her life today living in the largest city in Canada, and what she misses about the sense of time she experienced as a child. Make sure to check out the shownotes for quotes, links, and information about this episode, not to mention a photo of me and Kerry the night we recorded this episode!

This Lent, I'm walking through my book, Time and Despondency, in tandem with the free Lenten study guide available through Ancient Faith Publishing. In weeks one and two, we're talking about finding God at the grocery store, conquering the protagonist syndrome, and learning to inhabit life without the defense mechanisms of pride and impatience . You can follow along with the book and the free study guide here: http://store.ancientfaith.com/time-and-despondency/ This episode contains the Prayer of St. Ephrem as well as the following music: Kai Engel: "Idea," "Irsen's Tale," and "Remedy for Melancholy" Podington Bear: "Across the River" Chris Zabriskie: "Prelude 10"

Meet some of the guests (and questions) that will feature in Season 4 of Time Eternal. Philip Roth once wrote that "in every calm and reasonable person, there is a hidden second person scared witless about death." This episode is dedicated to all those "calm and reasonable" folks out there who are secretly scared out of their minds when it comes to death. In this episode, I mentioned "Death in Orthodox Tradition," a course I am co-teaching with OCA priest Fr. Geoffrey Ready at the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College (Toronto). Check out our programme (Canadian spelling, people!) here: https://www.trinityorthodox.ca/ Time Eternal is now on Patreon! Find bonus content and resources here: https://www.patreon.com/nicole_roccas This episode featured upcoming TE guests Carla Moberg, Fr. Tay Moss, and Fr. Ted Paraskevopoulos. It also featured the following music by Kai Engel: "Idea" (Intro); "Behind Your Window"; and "Remedy for Melancholy" (Outro). http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/

Nicole reflects on an interview she watched this week between comedian Stephen Colbert and journalist Anderson Cooper, in particular, the divergent ways grief affected their sense of time. (Watch the interview here. The intro and outro of this episode is "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel.

Nicole will be taking a break from the Time Eternal podcast during 2020 but hopes to be back in 2021 for more conversations about time and eternity. In the meantime, feel free to check out her other podcasts and blogs: Time Eternal blog (Ancient Faith Blogs): https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/timeeternal/ Nicole's professional blog: www.nicoleroccas.com/blog Time and Despondency book and Lenten study guide: https://store.ancientfaith.com/time-and-despondency/ The Time and Despondency Lenten Reading Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/timeanddespondencyLent/

Time Eternal is back from the abyss! Nicole talks about three ways the pandemic altered her sense of time and how she is trying to re-engage in the sacredness of time. How did the pandemic shift your experience of time for better or worse? Join the conversation on Instagram or Twitter. The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which Nicole shares some thoughts on overfunctioning in relationships, work, and time. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Episode 183 (“Real Talk about Over Functioning,” 2021) of The Next Right Thing Podcast by Emily P. Freeman Kathleen Smith, “Are you an Overfunctioner?” (2019) (https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/everything-isnt-terrible/201910/are-you-overfunctioner) Verses: Psalm 46(45):10 (NASB version); Joel 2:25 The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which Nicole explores the depths of self-care in response to a listener question, and also shares a recent experience with the pre-communion prayers. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: ● “Is Self-Care Selfish?” from Steve Christoforou/Be the Bee (on Youtube: https://bit.ly/361lQvw) ● The Pre-Communion Prayers, or Prayers in Preparation for Receiving the Eucharist (from St. Maria of Paris Orthodox Mission in Hamilton, Ontario): https://bit.ly/362iusc ● TIME ETERNAL BOOK CLUB - August 12, 2021 - Register on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/2UMvP5r The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which Nicole considers how to check out this summer--in order to truly check in. Apologies to the entire southern hemisphere. Also a unique strategy to reduce addiction to social media. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: ● Romans 12:2 and Hebrews 12:1-2 ● Akathist of Thanksgiving, Ikos and Irmos 6 ● “Quit Social Media Every Other Day,” James Hamblin, The Atlantic (June 15, 2017): https://bit.ly/3k6Ifj5 ● TIME ETERNAL BOOK CLUB - August 12, 2021 - Register on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/2UMvP5r The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Why devote an entire podcast to the topic of time? Enjoy this throwback to the first episode of Time Eternal while Nicole is away. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: ● TIME ETERNAL BOOK CLUB - August 12, 2021 - Register on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/2UMvP5r ● “A ‘Slackness of the Soul’: Finding Hope in the Existential Time Warp of Acedia” by Nicole Roccas, Vita Poetica Summer 2021 (https://bit.ly/3evQa5V). ● The Whole Good News Conference by Missio Alliance (https://bit.ly/3isF6rG).

What is time? St. Augustine seeks to answer this question in his Confessions, which features one of the most famous reflections on the philosophy of time. Enjoy this throwback to the second episode of Time Eternal while Nicole is away. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: ● TIME ETERNAL BOOK CLUB - August 12, 2021 - Register on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/2UMvP5r

Is God eternal? Or is He time? Enjoy this throwback to the first episode of Time Eternal while Nicole is away. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: ● TIME ETERNAL BOOK CLUB - August 12, 2021 - Register on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/2UMvP5r ● The Whole Good News Conference by Missio Alliance (https://bit.ly/3isF6rG).

In which Nicole shares 4 lessons from the recent Time Eternal Book Club read: Eternity in the Midst of Time by Wilfrid Stinissen. Also a strategy you can use for reflective reading, and a recent conversation with Molly Sabourin and Cynthia Damaskos on the Filled With Less podcast about simplifying time. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Eternity in the Midst of Time by Wilfrid Stinissen (Ignatius Press) The Time Eternal Book Club - stay tuned for details on our next meeting! Filled with Less podcast/video cast by Molly Sabourin and Cynthia Damaskos (forthcoming): ancientfaith.com/podcasts/filledwithless The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Introducing “A Time for Sabbath,” an upcoming series that will launch on Time Eternal in the coming weeks. Think of it as a quest in search of… Well, in search of rest--a meaning-filled framework for rest that was woven into the cosmos since the beginning. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). The intro and outro of this podcast is "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which we kick off the new mini-series “A Time for Sabbath.” Stick around to the end for a special giveaway in honor of the church new year that starts TODAY! Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: What Happened to You by Oprah (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250223210) My Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleroccas/ The 2022 Little Church Planner by Parousia Press: https://www.parousiapress.com/collections/all-planners/products/little-church-planner-ns The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which we explore the ways our concept of rest has become flattened in a disenchanted cultural ethos, and how Sabbath might be the cure. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel The 2022 Little Church Planner by Parousia Press The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which Nicole joins her local priests and dear friends, Fr. Geoffrey Ready and Fr. Yuri Hladio, on a discursive quest to integrate the Sabbath into the theology and cosmology of the Eastern Orthodox faith. Fr. Geoffrey is the priest of Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Mission (OCA) in Toronto as well as the Director of the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College. Fr. Yuri Hladio is the priest at St Maria Orthodox Mission (OCA) in Hamilton, Ontario and graduated with his MDiv from the Orthodox School of Theology in May 2020. Together they host the Enacting the Kingdom Podcast. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: 1) The Enacting the Kingdom podcast: https://www.patreon.com/enactingthekingdom 2) LIVESTREAM: Sep 23, 2021 (7PM EDT) of Enacting the Kingdom: youtu.be/gNrMS-hFrvk 3) The Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College: trinityorthodox.ca The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which I catch up with my former professor, Dr. Ethan Katz, a Sabbath-observant Jew and historian. I first met Dr. Katz while finishing my doctorate in the University of Cincinnati History Department, and he now teaches at the University of California Berkeley, where he specializes in modern Jewish history and the history of modern France and its empire. We reflect not only about our experiences as people of faith in academic and other secular contexts, but also what observing the Sabbath looks like in the unique contours of his life. Learn more about Dr. Ethan Katz: history.berkeley.edu/ethan-katz Also mentioned in this episode: The Enacting the Kingdom Livestream: youtube.com/watch?v=gNrMS-hFrvk&t;=1094s Nicole's appearance on the Prying Priest podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-nicole-roccas/id1527008418?i=1000536712952 Don't forget to rate and review this podcast! Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which we discuss 4 practices or strategies for developing your own Orthodox Christian Sabbath. This is the FINAL episode in the Time for Sabbath series. Thank you for joining in on the quest for rest! We’ll be kicking off a new miniseries in November, Lord willing - listen to the end of this episode to find out more details. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Email her at timeeternal@ancientfaith.com Mentioned in this episode: Upcoming Ancient Faith Webinar: “Remembering All These Things: Holding Space for Trauma in Liturgy and Life” (https://store.ancientfaith.com/remembering-all-these-things/) Joshua Mackoul’s book _Healing Your Wounded Soul_ (https://store.ancientfaith.com/healing-your-wounded-soul-growing-from-pain-to-peace/) Psalm 92/91 - A Psalm for Sabbath Lots of books about death! Orthodox titles: Fr. Alexander Schmemann The Liturgy of Death Hierotheos (Vlachos) Nafpaktos, Life after Death Mark and Elizabeth Barna, A Christian Ending Jean-Claude Larchet, Life After Death According to the Orthodox Tradition O Death, Where is Thy Sting? Alexander Schmemann The Letters of St Ignatius of Antioch (Popular Patristics Series), SVS (Brand new) Arise, O God: The Gospel of Christ’s Defeat of Demons, Sin, and Death, Andrew Stephen Damick Non-Orthodox titles: A Grief Observed, CS Lewis When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi Modern Death: How Medicine Changed the End of Life, Helen Warraich The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade, Thomas Lynch Being Mortal, Atul Gawande The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Help us spread the word about this "timely" series by sharing with friends, parishes, and beyond.

Welcome to the Time in Trauma Series! Today we’re talking about what trauma is. Make sure to listen to the trailer for more information about this series. Find an episode schedule here: instagram.com/p/CWJKdXav1GH Learn more about Nicole’s trauma-informed coaching services at www.nicoleroccas.com/coaching Connect on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Shelly Rambo, Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining Working definition of trauma: “Trauma is any event or series of events that are experienced as too much, too little, too soon, or too fast for a person’s nervous system to process.” Recommended further reading: What Happened to You? By Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Bessell van der Kolk Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which we explore the story of Adam and Eve through the lens of trauma. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Webinar on Holding Space for Trauma in Liturgy and Life: store.ancientfaith.com/remembering-all-these-things Genesis 1-3 (NRSV) “Moral Injury” via Psychology Today Canada (https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/moral-injury) Treasure in Earthen Vessels: Prayer & The Embodied Life, by Dcn Stephen Muse: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38364459-treasure-in-earthen-vessels “From the Prayer of Jesus to Prayer of the Heart,” by Fr. John Breck: https://www.oca.org/reflections/fr.-john-breck/from-the-prayer-of-jesus-to-prayer-of-the-heart The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which we explore what trauma and jet lag have in common. Send listener questions to Nicole via email (timeeternal@ancientfaith.com) or as private message on Instagram (@nicoleroccas), Twitter (@nicoleroccas), or Facebook (@Nicole M. Roccas). Mentioned in this episode: Episode schedule for the Time in Trauma series: instagram.com/p/CWYToBtLRTM The Body Keeps the Score (Book) by Bessel van der Kalk: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/313183/the-body-keeps-the-score-by-bessel-van-der-kolk-md Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection (Book) by Deb Dana: wwnorton.com/books/9780393713855 The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Let’s give Scrooge a break this year! (And psychoanalyze him.) Send listener questions to Nicole via email (timeeternal@ancientfaith.com) or as private message on Instagram (@nicoleroccas), Twitter (@nicoleroccas), or Facebook (@Nicole M. Roccas). Mentioned in this episode: Mark McMinn’s article on ChristianityToday.com: “The Generous Soul” (Nov 23 2017) Bessel van der Kalk, The Body Keeps the Score Lawrence Langer, Holocaust Testimonies: The Ruins of Memory The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Some thoughts on how trauma affects us in the present moment of our lives. Send listener questions to Nicole via email (timeeternal@ancientfaith.com) or as private message on Instagram (@nicoleroccas), Twitter (@nicoleroccas), or Facebook (@Nicole M. Roccas). Mentioned in this episode: The quotes I read by Dietrich Bonhoeffer are from the Advent collection of his prison writings entitled God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas. The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Some thoughts on how trauma affects our capacity for hope and our attitude toward the future. Send listener questions to Nicole via email (timeeternal@ancientfaith.com) or as private message on Instagram (@nicoleroccas), Twitter (@nicoleroccas), or Facebook (@Nicole M. Roccas). The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Some thoughts on how liturgy holds space for those of us carrying trauma. This episode is an excerpt from a webinar talk I gave in December 2021 entitled “Remembering All Things: Holding Space for Trauma in Liturgy and Life,” hosted online by Ancient Faith Ministries. LIVESTREAM EPISODE: Next week’s episode will feature listener questions and air first as a livestream on Wed Jan 5, 2022, 2:30-3:30 Eastern on Nicole’s Instagram page: @nicoleroccas (https://www.instagram.com/nicoleroccas/). To join in realtime, follow her on Instagram and open the app at the correct time. SEND QUESTIONS: If you can’t join in realtime, send your questions to Nicole via email (timeeternal@ancientfaith.com) or as private message on Instagram (@nicoleroccas), Twitter (@nicoleroccas), or Facebook (@Nicole M. Roccas). The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Nicole addresses listener questions about time, trauma, and Orthodox faith. This was originally recorded as a livestream program on January 5, 2022. View the video here (instagram.com/p/CYXNDaKoopZ). The final episode of the Time in Trauma series will air next week! Mentioned in this episode: - Time in Trauma theme music: “Wonder” by YVEN (youtube.com/watch?v=xIkIT5wosVc) - Diane Langberg, Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church (Brazos Press, 2020) - The FYI religious/spiritual abuse toolkit: thefyi.org/toolkits/spiritual-abuse-toolkit/ - An Orthodox reflection on spiritual abuse: Fr. Mike Gillis, “Our Father: A Reflection on Spiritual Abuse,” (blogs.ancientfaith.com/prayingintherain/2015/10/our-father-a-reflection-on-abuse-in-the-church) - Spiritual Abuse Resources.com: Lots of videos and learning resources to better identify and heal from diff forms of religious abuse: spiritualabuseresources.com - Trauma-informed coaching with Nicole: nicoleroccas.com/coaching The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

This is the final episode of the Time in Trauma series! Today we review what we've learned together in the past two months and talk about where we go from here. Thank you to everyone who's been along for this important journey - let's stay in touch! Keep in touch with Nicole on Instagram (@nicoleroccas), Twitter (@nicoleroccas), or Facebook (@Nicole M. Roccas). The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Join Bill Marianes for a conversation with the leaders of Orthodox Volunteer Corps, the newest Approved Agency of the Assembly of Bishops. OVC leaders, Michael Sider-Rose and Kyra Limberakis, will share the exciting story of this transformational agency and help you understand how your youth and young adults can prepare for a lifetime through a year of service.Prepare

In part 1 of a 2-part series, Bill presents the empirical data about our current church challenges, how some Christians overcame these issues and built strong church communities, and the 6 primary root cause areas where our parishes are suffering

In Part 2 of this series, Bill provides proven insights, strategies, and solutions from the “Jobs To Be Done” and “Disruptive Innovation” theories developed by Harvard professor Dr. Clayton Christensen. We will also begin to explore an excellent parish assessment that can help diagnose the most critical parish comorbidities and provide solutions

Orthodoxy in America is in revival, and that makes it a lively place to be. In other times and places revival has been a temporary state, so it can’t be expected to last forever. At the moment, though, it’s a great time to become Orthodox.