art The Trinity, Incarnation and Nature of the Church- Part 6 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-07T03:19:17+00:00 We continue the discussion of the nature of the Church and the self understanding of the Orthodox Church as being the "one true Church". How does this concept fit within the modern concepts of the "mystical" or "invisible Church"? We also discuss the early Christological heresies and how they relate to the modern concepts of the Church. Full Article
art Trinitarian Anthropology: Being as Communion - Part 7 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-07T03:20:44+00:00 In Part 7 of the series we discuss the "practical application" of the dogma of the Trinity. While all "orthodox" Christian churches affirm the dogma of the Trinity virtually none of them can really tell a believer why it is important to our salvation. If we are created in the image of God, then the Trinity is at the core of our being and defines not only God, but the human being and the nature of our salvation in Christ. Full Article
art Incarnation, Sacrament and Salvation - Part 8 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-07T03:21:18+00:00 In Part 8 of the series we discuss the foundations of a "sacramental world view" based on the dogmas of the Incarnation and Trinity. How does God relate to creation and thus to the human being through the Incarnation and how does this manifest itself in the sacramental life of the Church? Full Article
art Incarnation, Sacrament and Salvation - Part 9 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-07T03:22:18+00:00 In the ninth part of the series on forming an Orthodox world view, Steve and Bill continue the discussion of the sacramental world view in light of the Incarnation and Trinity. Full Article
art Understanding The Virgin Mary - Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-07T03:29:26+00:00 In the next three programs we deal with the Perpetual Virginity of Mary. This series is taken from our live broadcasts at KPXQ 1360 in Phoenix, AZ. Full Article
art Understanding The Virgin Mary - Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-07T03:30:54+00:00 In this program we continue the discussion of the Church's teachings regarding the perpetual virginity of Mary. This program was from originally broadcast live in December 2004 on KPXQ in Phoenix, AZ Full Article
art Understanding The Virgin Mary - Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-07T03:31:50+00:00 This is the final program of the three-part series on Mary from our audio archives of our live program on KPXQ Phoenix. In this program we discuss several misconceptions about Mary and her place within the Christian Church through the ages. Full Article
art Divine Liturgy Part 5: Lay Aside All Earthly Cares By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-03-03T14:52:31+00:00 The bread and wine, the gifts of the people, have been moved from the table of preparation (prothesis table) to the altar in the Great Entrance. In this program we further discuss the Cherubic Hymn in which we are admonished to "lay aside all earthly cares" as we confront the reality of the heavenly Kingdom and the unity of all believers both in heaven and on earth who confess "Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Trinity one in essence and undivided." We enter a liturgical dialogue with the priest as we contemplate the greatness of the grace of God who accepts from us sinners our gifts in order to return them to us as the Body and Blood of His Son. In this liturgical dialogue we acknowledge our life in the Trinity, the love and unity of the Church, the glory of God, our gratitude to God for His mercy and the awesome and fearful prospect of taking the "fire of divinity" into our human flesh in the Eucharist. Full Article
art Relics Part 3: Essence and Energies By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-02-20T17:54:54+00:00 After a two-month disappearance, Steve and Bill resurface and finally record part three of the series on "Relics." In this program they discuss the Orthodox view of God and how the creation can literally "participate in God," or, as St. Peter says, be a "partaker of the divine nature." How can the infinite God who says, "You cannot see my face and live," also promise that "the pure in heart shall see God"? The distinction between the essence and energies of God is one of the fundamental dogmas of the Orthodox faith and gives us a vision of our union with God which is ultimately our salvation. Full Article
art Relics Part 4: Persons, Essence and Energies By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-02-23T22:54:08+00:00 In part four of our discussion of relics, we tackle the nature of God and the nature of the human being and how we can "know" a person. What is the relationship of "nature" to a "person"? What is an "energy"? How are a nature's energies expressed? The proper definition of nature, energy and personhood form the cornerstone for a proper definition of salvation and the goal of our existence in God. Full Article
art Trinity, Incarnation and Sacrament: Dogma - Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-10-25T02:13:22+00:00 This is the first part of a nine-part series on forming an Orthodox world view that is founded on the dogmas of the Trinity, Incarnation, and sacrament. In part one we discuss the concept of "dogma" or doctrine. Is dogma important? How can we talk to modern people who believe they don't believe in "dogma"? Full Article
art Revitalizing Our Priestly Ministry in a Post Christian Culture - Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-13T19:25:15+00:00 Fr. Chad spoke to the Serbian Clergy Brotherhood last month on the challenges facing our priests in today's culture. We have broken it up into three parts and bring you part 1 today. Full Article
art Revitalizing Our Priestly Ministry in a Post Christian Culture - Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-13T19:29:22+00:00 Today we bring you part two of Fr. Chad Hatfield's talk at the Serbian Clergy Brotherhood in June on the challenges facing our priests in today's culture. Full Article
art Revitalizing Our Priestly Ministry in a Post Christian Culture - Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-13T19:31:24+00:00 Here is the third and final part of Fr. Chad's address to the Serbian Clergy about how we should look at the ministry of the priesthood in today's society. Full Article
art New Eve, New Passover, New Life - Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-13T20:12:13+00:00 At a recent retreat in Denver, Fr. Chad gave two timely lectures coinciding with recent feasts of the Nativity of the Theotokos and the Exultation of the Precious and Life Giving Cross. We have broken it up into four podcasts, and here is part 2. Full Article
art New Eve, New Passover, New Life - Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-13T20:14:48+00:00 Fr. Chad begins his second lecture, but our third part of his talks, at St. Mark's in Denver. St. Mark's is a Western Rite parish in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Full Article
art New Eve, New Passover, New Life - Part 4 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-13T20:18:16+00:00 Here is the 4th and final part of this series delivered at St. Mark's in Denver. Full Article
art Conversion of the Heart By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-14T02:49:20+00:00 This is the first of four Lenten meditations delivered by Archpriest Chad Hatfield at the seminary's annual Pure Week retreat. Full Article
art Women Disciples of the Lord: Part Two By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-14T04:26:34+00:00 Mat. Juliana Schmemann, the widow of Fr. Alexander Schmemann, former dean of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers a speech via video titled "The Joy to Serve." Full Article
art Women Disciples of the Lord: Part Three By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-14T04:28:39+00:00 Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes Fitzgerald, an Orthodox theologian, pastoral counselor, and licensed psychologist, delivers a speech titled "Eve, Mary, and Us." Full Article
art Women Disciples of the Lord: Part Four By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-14T04:31:27+00:00 Dr. Mary Ford, Assistant Professor of New Testament at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary, delivers a speech titled "Light from the Past on Vocations Today." Full Article
art Great Lent: Gift of God in Christ: Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-15T00:39:43+00:00 Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge. Full Article
art Great Lent: Gift of God in Christ: Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-15T00:42:19+00:00 Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge. Full Article
art Great Lent: Gift of God in Christ: Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-15T00:44:50+00:00 Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge. Full Article
art Great Lent: Gift of God in Christ: Part 4 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-15T01:24:09+00:00 Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge. Full Article
art Mary, Mysteries, and Mission: Part Two By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-15T03:57:03+00:00 At the annual Lenten Retreat for SVOTS Seminarians, Fr. Chad Hatfield, the Chancellor of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, discusses three assured paths to spiritual renewal as we participate in the Great Fast: Mary and the Incarnation, the Mysteries of Baptism and the Eucharist, and our vocation to Mission. This is part two of four presentations. Full Article
art Mary, Mysteries, and Mission: Part Three By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-15T04:02:14+00:00 At the annual Lenten Retreat for SVOTS Seminarians, Fr. Chad Hatfield, the Chancellor of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, discusses three assured paths to spiritual renewal as we participate in the Great Fast: Mary and the Incarnation, the Mysteries of Baptism and the Eucharist, and our vocation to Mission. This is part three of four presentations. Full Article
art Mary, Mysteries, and Mission: Part Four By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-15T04:05:46+00:00 At the annual Lenten Retreat for SVOTS Seminarians, Fr. Chad Hatfield, the Chancellor of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, discusses three assured paths to spiritual renewal as we participate in the Great Fast: Mary and the Incarnation, the Mysteries of Baptism and the Eucharist, and our vocation to Mission. This is part four of four presentations. Full Article
art 75th Anniversary Gala - Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-17T17:38:48+00:00 On November 7, 2014, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a banquet at the Glen Island Harbor Club in New Rochelle, NY. Guest speakers included Fr. John McGuckin and Bishop Basil. Several surprise announcements were made and can be read about HERE. We've broken the evening into 3 segments. This is part 1. Full Article
art 75th Anniversary Gala - Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-17T17:42:19+00:00 Part 2 of the 75th Anniversary Gala. Full Article
art 75th Anniversary Gala - Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-17T17:45:35+00:00 Part 3 of the 75th Anniversary Gala. Full Article
art The Call of God: Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-17T20:21:17+00:00 Here is the first of Archpriest John Behr's four meditative talks to St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary's community during the first two days of Great Lent on the topics "Our Response to the Call of God," "Holding Our Tongue," and "Holding Our Mind." Father John, the Dean of St. Vladimir's, was this year's leader of the rigorous annual retreat that marks the beginning of the Great Fast for seminarians, faculty, and staff at St. Vladimir's. Full Article
art The Call of God: Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-17T20:24:26+00:00 Here is the second of Archpriest John Behr's four meditative talks to St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary's community during the first two days of Great Lent on the topics "Our Response to the Call of God," "Holding Our Tongue," and "Holding Our Mind." Father John, the Dean of St. Vladimir's, was this year's leader of the rigorous annual retreat that marks the beginning of the Great Fast for seminarians, faculty, and staff at St. Vladimir's Full Article
art The Call of God: Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-17T20:28:37+00:00 Here is the third of Archpriest John Behr's four meditative talks to St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary's community during the first two days of Great Lent on the topics "Our Response to the Call of God," "Holding Our Tongue," and "Holding Our Mind." Father John, the Dean of St. Vladimir's, was this year's leader of the rigorous annual retreat that marks the beginning of the Great Fast for seminarians, faculty, and staff at St. Vladimir's. Full Article
art The Call of God: Part 4 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-17T20:31:08+00:00 Here is the fourth of Archpriest John Behr's four meditative talks to St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary's community during the first two days of Great Lent on the topics "Our Response to the Call of God," "Holding Our Tongue," and "Holding Our Mind." Father John, the Dean of St. Vladimir's, was this year's leader of the rigorous annual retreat that marks the beginning of the Great Fast for seminarians, faculty, and staff at St. Vladimir's. Full Article
art Force Your Mind to Descend into the Heart By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-09-24T21:53:31+00:00 Bishop Alexander of the Bulgarian Diocese of the OCA gave the Second Annual Meyendorff Lecture at SVOTS on September 14, 2014. The title of his lecture was "Force Your Mind to Descend into the Heart: Some Resemblances between Byzantine Hesychasm and Merkavah Mysticism." Full Article
art Women Disciples of the Lord: Part Five By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-11-06T02:54:32+00:00 Orthodox author, speaker, and AFR podcast host Frederica Mathewes-Green delivers a speech titled "Confessions of a Freelance Writer: Discerning God's Will in an Unpredictable Vocation." Full Article
art Annual Seminary Lenten Retreat: Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-03-29T23:20:32+00:00 Bishop Anba Suriel of the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne, Australia, speaks at the annual Lenten retreat at St. Vladimir's Seminary. Full Article
art Annual Seminary Lenten Retreat: Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-04-04T20:01:21+00:00 Bishop Anba Suriel of the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne, Australia, speaks at the annual Lenten retreat at St. Vladimir's Seminary. Full Article
art Annual Seminary Lenten Retreat: Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-04-10T02:59:22+00:00 Bishop Anba Suriel of the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne, Australia, speaks at the annual Lenten retreat at St. Vladimir's Seminary. Full Article
art Annual Seminary Lenten Retreat: Part 4 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-05-16T22:57:00+00:00 Bishop Anba Suriel of the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne, Australia, speaks at the annual Lenten retreat at St. Vladimir's Seminary. Full Article
art As for Me and My House We Will Serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15): Part One By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-08-24T02:44:09+00:00 This is two of three lectures that Fr. Chad Hatfield delivered at the Parish Life Conference of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, held in Phoenix, Arizona, June 28-July 3, 2016. Full Article
art As for Me and My House We Will Serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15): Part Two By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-08-24T02:45:00+00:00 This is the final of three lectures that Fr. Chad Hatfield delivered at the Parish Life Conference of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, held in Phoenix, Arizona, June 28-July 3, 2016. Full Article
art Women Disciples of the Lord: Part One By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-09-23T21:01:45+00:00 From June 17-19, 2011, St. Vladimir's Seminary hosted a conference titled "Women Disciples of the Lord." The conference lectures will be posted here in biweekly installments. First up is the keynote address delivered by the Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary. The title is "Male and Female He Created Them." Full Article
art Repentance Leads to Gratitude: Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-06-02T17:21:10+00:00 On February 27–28, 2017, Priest David Mezynski, associate dean for Student Affairs at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four lenten reflections during the two days of intensive liturgical services that annually mark the beginning of Great Lent for the seminary community. Using a story-telling format and employing a variety of sayings from the desert monastics, Father David focused on the theme of gratitude as the fruit of repentance, and especially pinpointed two main obstacles to true repentance: 1) feeling no awareness of sin, with a consequent refusal to change; and 2) possessing a despairing attitude, with a consequent inability to receive forgiveness. Full Article
art Repentance Leads to Gratitude: Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-06-02T17:22:52+00:00 On February 27–28, 2017, Priest David Mezynski, associate dean for Student Affairs at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four lenten reflections during the two days of intensive liturgical services that annually mark the beginning of Great Lent for the seminary community. Using a story-telling format and employing a variety of sayings from the desert monastics, Father David focused on the theme of gratitude as the fruit of repentance, and especially pinpointed two main obstacles to true repentance: 1) feeling no awareness of sin, with a consequent refusal to change; and 2) possessing a despairing attitude, with a consequent inability to receive forgiveness. Full Article
art Repentance Leads to Gratitude: Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-06-02T17:23:25+00:00 On February 27–28, 2017, Priest David Mezynski, associate dean for Student Affairs at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four lenten reflections during the two days of intensive liturgical services that annually mark the beginning of Great Lent for the seminary community. Using a story-telling format and employing a variety of sayings from the desert monastics, Father David focused on the theme of gratitude as the fruit of repentance, and especially pinpointed two main obstacles to true repentance: 1) feeling no awareness of sin, with a consequent refusal to change; and 2) possessing a despairing attitude, with a consequent inability to receive forgiveness. Full Article
art Repentance Leads to Gratitude: Part 4 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-06-02T17:23:56+00:00 On February 27–28, 2017, Priest David Mezynski, associate dean for Student Affairs at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four lenten reflections during the two days of intensive liturgical services that annually mark the beginning of Great Lent for the seminary community. Using a story-telling format and employing a variety of sayings from the desert monastics, Father David focused on the theme of gratitude as the fruit of repentance, and especially pinpointed two main obstacles to true repentance: 1) feeling no awareness of sin, with a consequent refusal to change; and 2) possessing a despairing attitude, with a consequent inability to receive forgiveness. Full Article
art 2017 Orthodox Education Day: Part Two By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-12-20T01:47:14+00:00 Dr. Christine Chaillot speaks about the relations between the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. She gave her talk on Orthodox Education Day, held at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Saturday, October 7, 2017. Referring to her latest work, The Dialogue between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, Dr. Chaillot explains the initial dispute that split the two church bodies in the 5th century following the Council of Chalcedon, and she also informs us about contemporary ongoing official dialogue and current increased rapprochement between the two faith communities. Full Article
art “That They May Be One, As We Are One”: Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-07T03:45:07+00:00 Priest Anthony Roeber, Ph.D., professor of Church History at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, presented four Lenten talks to the entire seminary community on February 19–20, 2018, as they gathered in Three Hierarchs Chapel for worship and reflection to mark the beginning of the season of Great Lent. Father Anthony based his talks on the “Great Farewell Discourse” of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of St. John (John 14–17). Focusing on the words, “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21), he challenged Orthodox Christians to love, trust, and seek unity with others—whether they are inside or outside the borders of the faith. Full Article