This weekend, as we take our leave of this dramatic time of year, we consider readings from several Orthodox jurisdictions, amplified by passages in the Psalter and the Torah. Ephesians 4:7-13, Psalm 67/68:18, Matthew 4:12-17 and John 21:1-14 show us both the global and the intimate, or personal nature, of the Light that has made its mark upon the entire cosmos, and on each one of us.

During this difficult time, we consider wisdom concerning the role of angels, the humble strength of our Lord Jesus, the peace that cannot come through “sons of men,” and the marks of the Lord that are to be seen on us, as they were on the apostle Paul. (Hebrews 2:2-10; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:2-24; Galatians 6:11-18)

"Saint Martin of Tours" and "Saint Dorothy" 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.

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, prologue by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter one by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter two by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter three by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter four by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter five by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter six by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter seven by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter eight by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter nine by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter ten by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter eleven by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter twelve by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter thirteen by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter fourteen by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter fifteen by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter sixteen by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapters seventeen and eighteen, by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter nineteen by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter twenty, by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter twenty-one, by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter twenty-two, by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter twenty-three and conclusion, by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

"The Parable of the Good Samaritan" from The Parables of Christ by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Mark the Evangelist," from The Four Evangelists by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Mary Magdelene," from The Co-Workers for the Gospel, Illustrated Biographies, Book 5, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Photini the Samaritan," from The Co-Workers for the Gospel, Illustrated Biographies, Book 5, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Margaret of Antioch," from Women of Faith, written by Calee M. Lee, illustrated by Lisa Graves (Xist Publishing, 2015)

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "The Annunciation and Mary Visits Elizabeth," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

"Saint Elizabeth the New Martyr," from Royal Saints: A coloring book with stories of saintly royalty throughout the history of Christianity (Draw Near Designs). Saints drawn by Marian Adams. Stories & Borders by Abigail Holt. Layout by Caroline Gann.

"Saint Tamara, Queen of Georgia," from Royal Saints: A coloring book with stories of saintly royalty throughout the history of Christianity (Draw Near Designs). Saints drawn by Marian Adams. Stories & Borders by Abigail Holt. Layout by Caroline Gann.

40. Book 1: The Story of Mary the Mother of God by Dorrie Papademetriou (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000) Book 2: Vassilopita: St. Basil and the Story of the New Year's Cake, by Anna Marini (Akritas Publications, 2000)

Book 1: "The Birth and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (7.04 mins) Book 2: Victor Constantinus, Maximus Augustus: The Life of Saint Constantine and his Mother, Saint Helena by Euphemia Briere part one (St. Nectarios Press, 2003) (22.08 mins)

78. Book 1: "Jesus at the Age of Twelve" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (5.06 mins) Book 2: The Life of Saint Martin of Tours by Verena Smith (St. Nectarios Press, 2008; first published by Burns & Oates Ltd, 1966) (19.38 mins)

111. The Story of Mary the Mother of God by Dorrie Papademetriou (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000)

The whole point of the Christian life is to stay on course. Sin is deviating from that course.

The calling of the Christian is to look to others before himself.

Fr. Ted explains that the purpose of marriage is union with God.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Torrey Honors professor at Biola University, talks about Christianity and Culture.

A common dillemma for inquirers into the Orthodox Church is either disinterest or outright hostility to the idea of Orthodoxy by their spouse. In this edition Kevin speaks with a couple who lived this scenario. Meet Bruce and Lynn Marie Heying and learn about their family dynamic and what made Lynn Marie decide to follow Bruce into Orthodoxy seven years later.

Steve McMeans talks to Fr. Josiah about St. John Chrysostom and his views on the relationship between marriage and monasticism. This show will suprise you...!

Today we're going to be talking about the veneration of Mary and the Saints in the Holy Tradition. This topic is often misunderstood and can be a stumbling block for inquirers. Our guest is Father Patrick Henry Reardon, Pastor of All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois, Sr. Editor of Touchstone Magazine and author of Christ in the Saints.

Orthodox marriage and family therapist and professor at Holy Cross Theological Seminary, Dr. Philip Mamalakis, speaks about the mystery of marriage and how it is meant to be—and can be—a path to holiness.

Andrew continues from the last episode about unfaithfulness being the characteristic act of immorality by exploring how pornography is a rejection of the ultimate significance of marriage. Read a transcript HERE.

In Part Two of our series on dealing with "Mary issues," the tardiloquent and equipotent Steve and Bill talk more about "the culture of the Kingdom," the language of the Church, and the development of the Marian doctrines in Church history.

In response to several panicked emails from listeners who attended their first Orthodox services and came face to face with the Church's piety regarding Mary, we begin a series on "Encountering Mary." In the first program we read a typical email and discuss several misconceptions, misperceptions and offer some perspectives that will help someone see the Orthodox devotion to Mary in a Biblical and balanced way.