Podcasts about holy orthodoxy

"The striking phrase, 'God is dead,' is the poetical expression of modern unbelief", writes Eugene (Fr. Seraphim) Rose in his short but piercing analysis of the modern world and its apostasy. Christianity in the West fell long ago and its departure from the True Church, Holy Orthodoxy, is more and more evident. See the links below for more from Fr. Seraphim on this issue.

When Orthodox Christian TikToker Nikko from Idaho stepped into the world of Orthodoxy, little did he know his journey would be a beacon to many, lighting the path to faith and community. Our latest conversation on Cloud of Witnesses Radio delves into the intricacies of Nikko's six-year odyssey, unveiling how a nuclear research professional found his spiritual nucleus within the historical folds of his local parish. His story, interwoven with his Japanese-American heritage and the local LDS community's response to Orthodoxy, offers a tapestry of transformation and fellowship that is truly inspiring.Imagine navigating the choppy waters of faith and doubt, only to find a haven of truth in the unlikeliest of places. Our episode traverses such personal quests, exploring the critical role of questioning and the subsequent epiphanies within the Orthodox tradition. From the dynamic interplay of faith within a marriage to the philosophical musings of a former atheist Marine, we share narratives that highlight the profound impact of personal agency and the communal embrace of Jesus Christ within Holy Orthodoxy.As we conclude our intimate discussion, we consider the conundrum of 'online orthodoxy' and the paradox of digital engagement in a faith deeply rooted in tangible experience. The stories of service and choosing patrons like St. Nicholas draw a vivid line from past wisdom to present action, urging us to live our faith with intention. Join Jeremy & Nick as hosts on this soul-stirring voyage where history, humanity, and holiness converge, here on Cloud of Witnesses Radio.Please visit our friend Nikko at his TikTok channel:https://www.tiktok.com/@saintnicholas1103THANK YOU FOR JOINING US NIKKO - GOD BLESS YOU!Thank you for journeying w/ the Saints with us!

St. Seraphim of Sofia discusses an important aspect of the Ecumenical Movement in the 20th century: Freemasonry. Presenting to the Moscow Pan-Orthodox Congress of 1948, which included representatives from nearly all autocephalous Orthodox churches, St. Seraphim highlights the well-known Freemason, John Raleigh Mott, the main promoter of "unity" among separate Christian groups. Mott spearheaded the 1910 World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh and the first meeting of the World Council of Churches in 1948. Mott helped send Protestant student missionaries with the YMCA to evangelize Orthodox countries and for his ecumenical efforts won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946. St. Seraphim understands that ecumenical efforts only serve to blur the boundaries between the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church (the Orthodox Church) and other sects claiming to be part of the Church. Such blurring draws people away from the only place, as St. Seraphim teaches, men can become saints: the Orthodox Church. Unfortunately, despite St. Seraphim's warning of the sinister nature and dreadful consequences of the Ecumenical Movement for Holy Orthodoxy, the Patriarchate of Moscow joined the World Council of Churches at its Third Assembly in New Delhi in 1961 and has been one of its most active members ever since. -READ St. Seraphim's full address to the 1948 Moscow Pan-Orthodox Congress: http://www.dep.church/downloads/StSeraphimEcumenism.pdf -READ the book of his life and works: https://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/saint-seraphim-of-sofia-his-life-teachings-miracles-and-glorification/ -READ a brief account of St. Seraphim's life here: https://blog.obitel-minsk.com/2021/02/adapt-your-life-to-your-faith-not-the-other-way-around-st-seraphim-sobolev.html -RESOURCE to help laity write respectful letters to their hierarchs: https://www.voiceoforthodoxlaity.com/ -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ This recording is an excerpt from "Does the Russian Orthodox Church Need to Participate in the Ecumenical Movement? (Part II/II)": https://youtu.be/P2w0hvEgE6Q TEXTS on Freemasonry and Orthodoxy: -Freemasonry: Official Statement of the Church of Greece (1933): http://orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/masonry.aspx -Freemasonry and the Orthodox Church. This article details, among other things, that Ecumenical Patriarchs Meletios (+1935) and Athenagoras (+1972) were Freemasons: https://orthodoxhistory.org/2023/09/27/freemasonry-and-the-orthodox-church/ VIDEOS on Freemasonry from an Orthodox viewpoint: -Elder Athanasios Mitilinaios on Revelation https://youtu.be/u6y0a4kx58s?si=LN1tb5iYaKSAa4hH -Freemasonry: Today's Satanic Gnosticism by Fr. Peter Heers (analyzing the teachings of Elder Athanasios Mitilinaios) https://youtu.be/kUv6jfzRcts?si=uhoR9694xoQSflpU BOOKS/ARTICLES on Ecclesiology and Ecumenism: --Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future by Fr. Seraphim Rose https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/orf.htm --The Orthodox Church and Ecumenism by St. Justin Popovic https://lazarica.co.uk/bookshop/ --The Missionary Origins of Modern Ecumenism by Fr. Peter Heers https://uncutmountainpress.com/shop/product/the-missionary-origins-of-modern-ecumenism/ --A Confession of Faith Against Ecumenism (signed by saints, elders, hierarchs, priests, and laity around the world): https://www.impantokratoros.gr/FA9AF77F.en.aspx --On Common Prayer with the Heterodox According to the Canons of the Church by Fr. Anastasios Gotsopoulos https://uncutmountainpress.com/shop/product/on-common-prayer-with-the-heterodox/ _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message

As the world grappled with isolation during the pandemic, Priscilla Destiny Vargas (Priscillaxdestiny) found herself on a spiritual expedition through the corridors of faith, leading her from the familiarity of Protestantism to the hallowed traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy. Her tale, woven from poignant conversations and theological reflection during a time of global retreat, is a beacon for those seeking a deeper understanding of Christianity's diverse tapestry. With TikTok as her unlikely vessel, Priscilla navigated the currents of religious discourse, her voyage marked by the guiding stars of history, scripture, and sacred practice, ultimately anchoring in the rich waters of Orthodoxy.Our latest episode is a mosaic of Priscilla's transformative journey—her early Roman Catholic roots giving way to the allure and eventual disenchantment with Protestantism, and her candid exploration of Mormonism's unique draw, all before the solemn beauty of Eastern Orthodoxy beckoned her with its timeless allure. Her narrative is a masterclass in theological evolution, challenging listeners to contemplate their own beliefs about salvation, the interplay of faith and works, and the communal versus individualistic expressions of worship. Priscilla's story, one of profound personal and doctrinal discovery, invites us to consider the weight of tradition and the whispers of ancient practices in our own spiritual quests.Finally, Priscilla's closing message resonates with a heartfelt call for gracious dialogue and an open-hearted search for spiritual authenticity. Her transition to Eastern Orthodoxy, marked by newfound passions and the embrace of liturgical depth, is a poignant reminder of faith's intricate journey—one that often unfolds in the most unexpected of places. Through her reflections on religious symbols, the role of sacraments, and the acceptance of mystery, this episode stands as a testament to the beautiful complexity of faith and the transformative power of honest seeking. Join us, and let the resilience and introspection of Priscilla's odyssey inspire your own voyage into the soul's expansive seas.For the full 3 hour episode, visit the Cloud of Witnesses Radio Patreon today!https://www.patreon.com/CloudofWitnessesRadioThank you for journeying w/ the Saints with us!

Homily – Prejudice, Objectivity, and Grit St. Matthew 15.21-28 Gospel: Then Jesus left and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried; “have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; for my daughter is severely possessed by a devil.” But Jesus did not answer her at all. So his disciples came and pleaded; “send her away, for she is crying after us.” Jesus replied; “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and knelt before him saying; “Lord, help me.” And Jesus answered; “it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” Then she said; “yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that moment. Are we ashamed of the Christ? Should we be? If you were not jarred by the language of this Gospel lesson, then I am not sure that you were paying attention. Did you hear what Jesus said to this poor woman? She came to him with a terrible problem, and how did he respond? First, he ignored her! Then, as if that was not bad enough, he told her that he did not come to help “her kind.” And then, to top it off, he pretty much called her a “dog” and told her that she was not worthy of his help! How can we deal with this? How are we to understand the rudeness that Christ exhibited to this brokenhearted and suffering mother? It is a point of fact that when the Scriptures surprise or offend us (and it often does… or should!), that we should react with joy rather than sadness, anger, or disbelief – for we are about to have our understanding enlarged! That is certainly the case with today's lesson. The fact that Christ's words are so offensive is part of the point, part of the lesson. So what are we to learn from it? Some theologians would explain that we have to look at the cultural context of the reading: Jesus was a Jew, and that this was how Jews thought about and treated the Gentiles. This is what some theologians say, but they are wrong. In charity, I should give them more credit: they are only mostly wrong. They are right in teaching that we should look at the cultural context of scripture, but they are completely wrong in believing that Jesus was shaped by it: Christ is utterly BEYOND culture. Remember: he was the Logos before time began. As a human, he was affected by his time and place, but as the source of wisdom he transcended the bigotries and prejudices of the world. Ironically, it was this very transcendence that led to his offensive treatment of the Canaanite woman. Let me explain. Jesus recognized that there were aspects of worldly cultures that were literally demonic (e.g. Psalm 81; Psalm 95:5 1 Corinthians 10:20) and, as such, they were a serious obstacle to satisfying his desire that all men be saved. Through his language, he was awakening his audience to the absurdity of treating people based on their group rather than as unique persons in need of our love and attention. The disciples could not help but notice the huge gulf between what morality required and the way their prejudices would have them act. There is no room for prejudice or division in God's love. Those who serve him must rise above their worldviews and see the world in the light of pure love and objectivity. Again, Christ was using this encounter to teach his audience that love requires that we serve everyone who comes into our midst, regardless of the color of their skin, where they or their babas were born, or how much money they make. So what about the poor woman? What if she had given up? Remember, we are not dealing with a common man here, but with the eternal God incarnate. He knew the woman's heart in its entirety; not just the love she had for her daughter or the trust she had in the power of God to heal her, but also her grit. He knew that she would do anything within her power to save her daughter. She would persevere. She would overcome. This is the second lesson I would have you learn today: the virtue of perseverance and grit. On perseverance. [Persistence – examples from regular life (including studies on the relative importance of “grit”)] If perseverance matters for all these other parts of our lives, why shouldn't we expect it to affect our spiritual life? If we are persistent, if we persevere, then the changes we make in our lives – eating well, exercising, being more patient with our families, dealing properly with our addictions, praying and worshipping more, being more serious in our Orthodoxy – will become less about the goals we want to achieve and more an expression of who we are. We would no longer eat well because we wanted to become healthy, we would eat well because we WERE healthy. We would no longer exercise regularly because we wanted to become more fit, we would exercise regularly because we WERE fit. We would no longer be more patient and loving with our families because we wanted our family life to be more enjoyable, we would be patient and loving with our families because our family life WAS more enjoyable. We would no longer be more diligent in our prayer and worship life because we wanted to reduce stress and help others, but because we WERE LIVING stress-free and helpful lives. We would no longer be more serious in our Orthodoxy in order to get into heaven or to become more holy, but because, through Holy Orthodoxy, we WERE ALREADY BECOMING holy and more worthy of a place in heaven. Then we will have been transformed: From dieters to health eaters. From out of shape to fit. From casualties of broken families to beneficiaries of healthy ones. From stressed out and powerless, to peaceful and powerful. From part-time Christians into saints. While each of these begins with a single decision, a decision on its own is not enough. In order to change our habits we have to exhibit enough grit and determination to make our decisions real in our lives. People who are serious about making changes rededicate themselves to their decisions every morning, then take stock of their efforts every evening. Moreover, they constantly ask God for his strength and support and that he remove the stains their weakness has caused. This is true whether we are talking about food and exercise or the even more important decision to give our lives over to The Way Christ established for the healing and salvation of all his people; it takes grit to make it real. It takes determination. A Warning We have to be careful: the world is full of snake-oil salesmen who will try to sell us shortcuts to health and perfection, and our egos are the most convincing charlatans of the lot. But there are no shortcuts. A pill cannot make up for laziness. We cannot eat junk and lay around all the time and expect to be healthy. We cannot ignore your family and be a blessing to them. We cannot skip prayer and find lasting peace. We cannot forsake The Way of Orthodoxy and live a holy life. And we cannot do anything worth doing without grounding ourselves completely in Jesus Christ, the very source of all power and perfection. Anyone who tells us differently – to include our own egos or “consciences” – is setting us up for failure. We have to ignore them, roll up our sleeves, and get serious. Conclusion It takes a lot of effort to gain anything worthwhile. In his interaction with the Gentile woman in today's Gospel, Christ was showing us that salvation and the qualities needed to obtain it are not limited to any race, class, or nationality. It is ours to take no matter the color of our skin or where we were born. Christ came to save us all. In him and his love – that is to say, in his Holy Orthodox Church – there are no Gentiles or Jews, no Americans or Syrians, no rich or poor. Only those who are alive in Christ. Remember, God is not a respecter of persons. He desires that all be saved. He is knocking at the door of every heart. We must all let him in. We must accept him as our Lord, God, and Savior. And this is more than a one time promise. We cannot just say a “sinners prayer” and expect to be saved. The kingdom of heaven is taken by force and we must constantly strive – dare I say “work!” for our salvation. But do not despair: through Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we all have access to the strength we need to persevere. And the road that we must walk, the very “Way” that the persistent must follow is found in its fullness here at this parish and in this community of Christ the Savior in Anderson, SC.  

Thrilled to have Synaxis Podcast, Jordan and Joshua, as our CWJS guests!Ever wished you could navigate the labyrinth of pop culture with an Orthodox Christian compass? Buckle up because we're journeying into an intriguing and unexpected world where we apply the wisdom of Orthodoxy to pop culture, literature, philosophy, and even occultism and conspiracy theories. Jordan and Joshua (of Synaxis Podcast), the dynamic duo who have bonded over shared interests in these fascinating areas, will be our trusted guides. They will share reflections on their friendship, their individual journeys to Orthodoxy, and how these have influenced their perspectives on Christianity.Synaxis Podcast an edge over your average Orthodox podcasts. Our backgrounds are steeped in the subcultures of punk, conspiracy theories, and occultism. This influences how we view and analyze popular culture through an Orthodox lens. With a world increasingly drawn to dark themes, we offer a fresh perspective, often inspired by the teachings of Father Seraphim Rose. He's our California torchbearer, our blessed beacon guiding lost Westerners.Our podcast journey has been far from ordinary. We've traversed topics as diverse as the suffering of Christians in Eastern Europe and Russia, to the uncanny world of UFOs, to the enigma of the Romanian prison camps. In this journey, we've highlighted the often overlooked Eastern Christian narrative in the face of Western myopia. This episode also delves into the controversial concept of perennialism, exploring its relationship with Christianity. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of this idea and the impact on our spiritual paths. We're excited to continue exploring uncharted territories, with you, our fellow travelers.Every episode is recorded, and produced by our team of Orthodox Christians here in sunny San Diego, California! So brew yourself a hot cup of tea, grab yourself some popcorn, and enjoy this edifying continuation of the conversation on today's episode of: Cloud of Witnesses: Thinking like the Saints!We are now on PATREON! Please consider supporting our labor of love: https://www.patreon.com/CloudofWitnessesRadioFind us on Instagram and YouTube at @cloudofwitnessesradioThank you for journeying w/ the Saints with us!

A sobering call to our souls. Death awaits, wake up! This word from our holy Father Paisius calls us to chastise ourselves, repent, and endure every suffering for Him Who loves us and gave Himself for us. 0:00 Intro 0:18 A Brief Exposition of Thoughts Which Dispose To Repentance 7:57 The Battle Against Despondency, Slothfulness, and Weakness 10:13 An Instruction Moving To Contrition Which Cuts Off All Self-Exaltation and Human Pride, and Converts the Soul to Fountains of Tears This reading is from "Little Russian Philokalia, Vol. 4: St. Paisius Velichkovsky", pp.63-71 -DOWNLOAD this long out-of-print book here: https://www.thephronemainitiative.org/downloads/little-russian-philokalia4 -READ about the Life of St. Paisius here: https://stpaisiusmonastery.org/about-the-monastery/life-of-st-paisius/the-life-and-mission-of-st-paisius-velichkovsky-1722-1794/ -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ “For Orthodox Christians of the 20th century there is no more important Holy Father of recent times than Blessed Paisius Velichkovsky. This is so not merely because of his holy life; not merely because, like another Saint Gregory Palamas, he defended the hesychast practice of the mental Prayer of Jesus; not only because he, through his many disciples, inspired the great monastic revival of the 19th century which flowered most notably in the holy Elders of Optina Monastery; but most of all because he redirected the attention of Orthodox Christians to the sources of Holy Orthodoxy, which are the only foundation of true Orthodox life and thought whether of the past or of the present, whether of monks or of laymen.” -Fr. Seraphim Rose, Introduction to “Blessed Paisius Velichkovsky” _______ St. Paisius writes: Now, my beloved soul, is the time of patience; now is the time to endure sorrow; now is the time to keep the commandments and fulfill the virtues; now is the time of sweet lamentation and tearful mourning. If you truly wish to be saved, my soul, be in love with sorrow and groaning, as previously you loved repose. Remember the future endless life and the Kingdom of Heaven, the repose and unutterable joy. Stand firm, do not leave off the Prayer of Jesus. If you will recall and reflect on all this, then despondency, slothfulness and weakness will disappear, and your soul will come to life as from the dead, by the grace of Christ. O man! Labor, strive, struggle. Before your death a herald will not come! The reward of the Saints is at hand; crowns are being prepared for the righteous; for those who labor and endure sorrows, the Kingdom of Heaven is opened; endless repose is at hand, and unutterable joy is being prepared. Oh, oh! Woe, woe! Truly, in vain does everyone born of earth trouble himself. We all change, we all will die: kings and princes, judges and powerful ones, rich and poor, and every human being. Today he rejoices with us, takes enjoyment and adorns himself, and in the morning we weep over him and lament and mourn. Oh, man! Come to the tomb. Behold there a dead man lying. He is not glorious, not good of appearance, not beautiful. How he is swollen up and gives off a foul odor! The flesh rots and is corrupted and is devoured by worms: the bones are laid bare and the whole body crumbles to dust. _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message

In this episode, Fr. David discusses how the demons which attack us have been tempting us since Adam; yet, the experience we gain from the Jesus prayer and Holy Orthodoxy help us to win the battle.

Sunday of the Paralytic.  Fr. Anthony continues preaching on mystagogy, describing what the encounter on the road to Emmaus, Christ's healing of the paralytic at the Sheep Pool, and the healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabatha in Acts have to teach us about how to experience grace more deeply in Holy Orthodoxy.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Seraphim Rose writes to a woman who was baptized as a child, left the faith, and returned to the Church as an adult. Fr. Seraphim rejoices in her return, shares how he too was far from Christ, and some basic tenants of living the Orthodox life. Fr. Seraphim writes: “Coming from a Protestant background, I rejected it completely and became an agnostic and atheist, and then started searching for some meaning to life in various philosophies and Eastern religions, until I finally came to the point where I thought there was no meaning to life at all, and I wondered why I should keep on living. And then I went for the first time to a Russian Orthodox Church, and something in my soul responded to this, and I began a gradual but sure recovery from my spiritual disease of despair and lack of faith. Many people today say that God has turned away from us and does not listen to us. But I have found that just the opposite is true: it is we who have turned away from God and followed vain philosophies and our own selfish desires. But God remains always the same and is always ready to receive us with great love.” “True faith comes from a small seed which is planted in our hearts by God Himself, and which is nourished and gradually grows through God's grace and through our own actions which are in accordance with His commandments and the tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church, which has been given by the Holy Spirit and handed down to us through our Holy Fathers.” The three practical suggestions Fr. Seraphim gives: 1) Daily Prayers, morning and evening 2) Read every day at least a chapter or even a few verses from the Four Gospels 3) Read a little each day of the book “Unseen Warfare” “Do not read any books on “spirituality” by Catholics, Protestants, psychologists, or anyone who is not Orthodox, because they will only mix you up. There may be wisdom or insights in some of these, but only in our Orthodox Faith is there to be found the whole path of salvation, the infallible way of coming to God. Many people spend a lifetime trying to find what is only to be found in the Orthodox Church; but God has granted you the good fortune of being born in His Holy Church, and you only need to return to what is yours already. Even I, from a Protestant background, felt that I had “come home” when I found Holy Orthodoxy; how much more you will feel the same way when faith begins truly to grow within you.” -Letter dated Jan. 23/Feb. 5, 1971 https://thoughtsintrusive.wordpress.com/letters-of-fr-seraphim-rose-1961-1982/ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message

In this stream I am joined by Kingpilled to discuss his testimony, journey to Orthodoxy, and what others can expect on their own path into the One True Chruch. Make sure to check it out and let me know what you think. God bless Follow Kingpilled here! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO5dU75bwIN9zLQafpr_Bgw Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8JwgaHCkhdfERVkGbLl2g/join Intro Music Follow Keynan Here! https://linktr.ee/keynanrwils b-dibe's Bandcamp: https://b-dibe.bandcamp.com/ b-dibe's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/b-dibe Superchat Here https://streamlabs.com/churchoftheeternallogos Rokfin: https://rokfin.com/dpharry Website: http://www.davidpatrickharry.com GAB: https://gab.com/dpharry Support COTEL with Crypto! Bitcoin: 3QNWpM2qLGfaZ2nUXNDRnwV21UUiaBKVsy Ethereum: 0x0b87E0494117C0adbC45F9F2c099489079d6F7Da Litecoin: MKATh5kwTdiZnPE5Ehr88Yg4KW99Zf7k8d If you enjoy this production, feel compelled, or appreciate my other videos, please support me through my website memberships (www.davidpatrickharry.com) or donate directly by PayPal or crypto! Any contribution would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Logos Subscription Membership: http://davidpatrickharry.com/register/ Venmo: @cotel - https://account.venmo.com/u/cotel PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/eternallogos Donations: http://www.davidpatrickharry.com/donate/ PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/eternallogos Website: http://www.davidpatrickharry.com Rokfin: https://rokfin.com/dpharry Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/COTEL Odysee: https://odysee.com/@ChurchoftheEternalLogos:d GAB: https://gab.com/dpharry Telegram: https://t.me/eternallogos Minds: https://www.minds.com/Dpharry Bitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/W10R... DLive: https://dlive.tv/The_Eternal_Logos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dpharry/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/eternal_logos

Fr. Tom discusses the unifying faith of Holy Orthodoxy

Fr. Tom discusses the unifying faith of Holy Orthodoxy

In this episode, Fr. David discusses how the demons which attack us have been tempting us since Adam; yet, the experience we gain from the Jesus prayer and Holy Orthodoxy help us to win the battle.

"Saint Job of Pochaev was born about 1551 in southwest Galicia of a pious Orthodox family. In his tenth year the Saint departed for the Ugornitsky Monastery of our Savior in the Carpathian Mountains. Tonsured after two years, he was ordained hieromonk about 1580. Renowned for his meekness and humility, Job was invited by the great zealot for Holy Orthodoxy in Carpatho-Russia, Prince Constantine Ostrozhky, to be Abbot of the Monastery of the Cross in Dubno. In his zeal for the preservation and propagation of the Orthodox Faith, and to counteract the propaganda of the Uniates, he printed and widely disseminated Orthodox spiritual and liturgical books. About 1600 he removed to the Mountain of Pochaev where at the insistence of the brethren, he became Abbot of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which he enlarged and made to flourish. Through his labours, a large printing works was founded at Pochaev and greatly assisted in the nurture of the Orthodox faithful in that region. His monastery became the center of the Orthodox Church in western Ukraine. The Saint reposed, having taken the schema with the name of John, in 1651, at the advanced age of one hundred." (Great Horologion)

"Saint Job of Pochaev was born about 1551 in southwest Galicia of a pious Orthodox family. In his tenth year the Saint departed for the Ugornitsky Monastery of our Savior in the Carpathian Mountains. Tonsured after two years, he was ordained hieromonk about 1580. Renowned for his meekness and humility, Job was invited by the great zealot for Holy Orthodoxy in Carpatho-Russia, Prince Constantine Ostrozhky, to be Abbot of the Monastery of the Cross in Dubno. In his zeal for the preservation and propagation of the Orthodox Faith, and to counteract the propaganda of the Uniates, he printed and widely disseminated Orthodox spiritual and liturgical books. About 1600 he removed to the Mountain of Pochaev where at the insistence of the brethren, he became Abbot of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which he enlarged and made to flourish. Through his labours, a large printing works was founded at Pochaev and greatly assisted in the nurture of the Orthodox faithful in that region. His monastery became the center of the Orthodox Church in western Ukraine. The Saint reposed, having taken the schema with the name of John, in 1651, at the advanced age of one hundred." (Great Horologion)

Homily on Luke 5:1-11. Introduction: How Christ Builds the Church This is a beautiful story from the ministry of Jesus Christ. It comes on the heels of his Baptism, his temptation by the devil in the wilderness, and the beginning of his preaching ministry in the synagogues of Galilee. In this Gospel, Christ has started building something very special; something that would never fall; something that would bring healing to broken humanity; something through which He would change the world. He began building the Church. And He did it with simple fishermen on the side of a lake. Continuation: We are Building, too Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we are about to begin building. We want to build something that will never fail; something that will bring healing to broken people; something that will transform a troubled community. We are building a new parish. Today's Gospel provides a wonderful lesson for us on this very thing. In his homily on today's Gospel, St. Nikolai Velimirovich writes; “Except the Lord build the house, all who labor labor in vain.” (Psalm 126:1) If the builders build in God's name, they will build a palace, even their hands are weak and their material poor. If, though, the builders build in their own name, in opposition to God, the work of their hands will be brought down as was the Tower of Babel. There is no power that can bring God's work to ruin. Pagan palaces and cities fall into ruin, but God's huts remain standing. That which God's finger upholds stands more firmly than that which [the mythical titan] Atlas supports on his back… May the almighty Lord preserve us from the thought that we can achieve any good without His help and His blessing… Today's Gospel should serve as a warning that such vain thoughts must never be formulated our souls. It speaks of how all men's efforts are in vain if God does not help them. While Christ's apostle's were fishing as men, they caught nothing; but when Christ commanded them to cast their nets once more into the sea, they caught such a great haul of fish that their nets tore. Why would anyone think they can build something worthwhile without Christ? I don't know. It is futile. We know better. But we do it all the time. Understanding the Curse of Sin: the example of marriage Let's look at the example of marriage. So hard to get it right, and so many ways to get it wrong. Why is it so hard? It isn't because people aren't trying. In fact, they are trying all kinds of things… but they aren't working very well. At best, some couples might end up with a marriage that lasts, but marriage was not just meant to endure. It's not supposed to be like a boxing match that makes it to the final round; with the two so tired they can hardly lift a glove and they just lean on one another gasping and looking forward to the bell (or, as is as likely to happen in marriages, the two just hang out in their separate corners doing their own thing until the final bell sounds). A good marriage does more than last, it brings joy to its members and its fruit brings happiness that endures from generation to generation. But why is this so rare? It should come as no surprise. Most of our children come from broken families. It isn't their fault, but this really puts them behind the eight ball. They come from broken families and a broken world, so they have bad examples and have internalized all the wrong instincts. Brokenness has been imprinted in their minds and hearts; this cannot help but shape their actions, no matter how good and noble are their intentions. Even if they try to rise above and do things right, what examples are they going to follow? Television? Movies? Their friends? Their hearts? None of these are reliable guides – all of them are fallen. If statistics are correct – and there is no reason to doubt them – our young men are learning more about how to relate to women from pornography than anything else. And the expectations and self-respect of our young women are being influenced by this same blighted culture. Is there really any wonder that we are so bad at marriage? That even young couples who try to get it right often end up building a perverted parody of the kind of blessed union of flesh and spirit that we celebrate in the Mystery of Crowning? That we have far more “towers of Babel” than temples of true love? Reiterating the Problem… and the solution To repeat the Psalm; “Except the Lord build the house, all who labor labor in vain.” (126:1). We cannot overcome our own brokenness by trying harder or following the examples and guidance of people who are broken, too (St. Matthew 15:14; … if the blind lead the blind both will fall into a pit). An alcoholic cannot live a healthy life by trying harder; he has to admit his problem, heal and transform his heart and habits. And he has to let God be the foundation of this process.  This is why twelve step programs are so successful: they transform the hearts and habits of the repentant, with God as the foundation of the process. How many people with addictions do you know that continue ruining their lives because they think they can work everything out on their own? But the alcoholic and philanderer do not just hurt themselves. We know from history and our own observations that the children of alcoholics and broken homes are cursed by both nature and nurture. Again, it isn't fair, but it is true. If we want the next generations to succeed we have to be honest about both the cause and the cure of what ails them and us. The cause is our brokenness and the cure is Christ Jesus. The cure is His Body, the Church. The cure is the Way of Holy Orthodoxy. All else is vanity. Towers of Babel. Sand castles in a low tide. Back to the Today's Gospel: becoming fishers of men The curse of sin is the very thing that Christ came to remove. To put it in very practical terms, Christ came to save our marriages, to heal our addictions, to restore our sanity, and to replace our sorrow, pain, and frustration with joy and eternal blessedness. That is to say, He came to save us from the very real, very specific, and very damning problems in our lives. And not just ours gathered here today, but everyone's. A world that was created good groans in agony, and our Lord loves it too much to allow that to continue. And so He became a man, He taught us, He dies for us, He was Resurrected and Ascended into Glory, and, more to today's point, He established the Church to be the Ark of our salvation. What a beautiful image a boat is for the Church. Think about it: we are drowning in a sea of sin and trying to tread water amidst a storm of temptation. We cannot survive this on our own, and it does not help to band together – eventually even the strongest swimmer must succumb to weakness; moreover, the weak are infamous for dragging the stronger down. It is a terrible situation to be drowning in this stormy sea. Our breaths are numbered, and we are sure to die in agony. It is only a matter of time. But into this bleak scene comes salvation: the apostles cast out their nets and pull us in to the safety of the boat. We can finally breath without struggling. It is calm in the boat. It is here that our real healing begins… and as part of that healing, as part of our cure and The Cure, we ourselves are given nets and told to put them to use. Conclusion: we cannot catch men if we don't try; we cannot catch men if we don't learn how We are in the boat. Here at Holy Resurrection, we have the fullness of the faith (we are like a fractal of the Universal Church) so it is fair to say that we are both in the boat and the boat itself. But remember that bit earlier about how nature and nurture conspire against our marriages? You know me well enough by now to know that I wasn't just talking about marriage. Marriage is an image of the Church: the union of flesh with one another and the union of that one flesh with God (Ephesians 5:32). Why should we think that we are naturally any better at living as the Church than we are with marriage? The same forces work against us: we suffer from both nature and nurture. Just as good intentions are not enough for the children of broken homes, they are not enough for us as we try to build this parish. Without serious help, we will just end up building the equivalent of a miserable and failed marriage, another Tower of Babel, a perverse monument to our own fallenness. We need help. And I don't mean hiring consultants or trying to find the perfect priest – this is even more important than that. Without Christ, we are like the Apostles in today's lesson before our Lord came; “toiling all night and catching nothing” (St. Luke 5:5). It had been a hard night and they had given up on catching anything, but then Christ came and told them to go back out, and they caught more than they could carry. So many that their boats almost broke. Brothers and sisters, the Orthodox community of Asheville has been through hard times. Like Simon in today's lesson, we have good hearts and the best of intentions, but we are tired; and we had pretty much given up on catching fish. But the Lord told us to get back out there and get it done. And so we get back to it.  We try again. We are smart in the ways of the world.  We all have ideas about how this should be done.  We will be tempted to rely on our own strength and our own hearts. But our hearts are broken and our strength will fail us. “Except the Lord build the house, all who labor labor in vain.” (126:1). But for those who put their trust in the Lord and in His way – there is no limit to the good that they can do. This is where we are. We have given our lives and the future of this parish to the Lord Jesus Christ. Like Simon, we don't always see the point of what the Lord commands, but also like Simon, we will follow Him.  We know how that story ends, so we know how ours will, too. The catch will be great; so great that our walls will scarcely be able to hold the number of men, women, and children we have pulled in to the safety of the Church. So great that we, like Simon calling for the second boat, will have to plant another parish to give us enough room. After all, there are a lot of people drowning in the waters around us. We cannot allow them to perish – it is God's will that all be saved and come to the fullness of the Truth. It is a tough calling. But we do not labor in vain: because we are building according to the Lord's command. We are transformed into fishers of men.

Has it been a while since you've said those marriage vows or did the Dance of Isaiah?  Orthodox weddings are quite different from the way many Hallmark movies end.  Today Cynthia talks to Drs. David and Mary Ford about marriage.  They cover what an Orthodox ceremony looks like, and take us through the purpose of marriage and... what is submission?                        Dr. David Ford is Professor of Church History at St. Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.  He went to college at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he majored in History.  Immediately after graduation he went to Liberia, West Africa, as a volunteer in the United States Peace Corps; he served there for three years in the field of education. Upon returning, he entered the M.Div. program at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Here he learned about the Early Church, and through his continuing study of the facts of Church History, he realized that only Holy Orthodoxy has preserved the fullness of the Christian Faith. Having graduated with an M.Div. degree, he then began the Ph.D. program in Church History and Historical Theology at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Dr. Mary Ford is Associate Professor of New Testament at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA, where she has taught for almost 30 years. She has published most recently The Soul's Longing: An Orthodox Christian Perspective on Biblical Interpretation (2015), as well as co-authoring with her husband, David, Marriage as a Path to Holiness: Lives of the Married Saints, and co-editing Glory and Honor: Orthodox Christian Resources on Marriage, as well as numerous articles. She was very blessed to have discovered the Orthodox Church in England in the late 1970s, and thus to have spent time with both the late Fr. Sophrony Sakharov and Met.Anthony of Sourozh, as well as Fr. Lev Gillet, Nicolas Zernov (who was her sponsor at her baptism), and other inspiring Orthodox Christians who shared a common zeal for the Faith and for living the gospel. Is it time to make some changes in your life? Do you want to stop the madness and get on track with your health? Maybe coaching is right for you. I've helped many people gain their health back over the years, and would love to talk with you. Just reach out with the link below to get on my schedule. From time to time I have openings for new clients and accept them on a first come first serve basis. Book a Discovery Call

“It is through more than his literary inheritance that Fr. Seraphim is leading these converts. As the accounts related in this chapter indicate, Fr. Seraphim, being still alive in Christ, is even now personally drawing people into the fullness of the ancient Christian Faith.” –Hieromonk DamasceneI humbly ask all listeners to ask for Fr. Seraphim's intercession and pray to God that one day soon he may be officially glorified as a Saint of the Holy Orthodox Church. Next year is the 40th anniversary of his repose. If you desire to see him glorifed as a Saint, there are things you can do to help make this happen. Pray for God's guidance. One simple and direct way is to write Bishop Maxim of the Serbian Western Diocese, or even other Serbian or ROCOR Bishops. Their addresses should be on the diocesan websites. Pray above all.These accounts of Fr. Seraphim's miraculous intercessions, which are merely a few of the many, affirm that truly we can say, “Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us!”(NOTE: The timestamps in this description link to the video on YouTube.)00:06 Intro02:07 Healing of Matushka's Susan's cancer, which even her doctors admit is a miracle04:23 Help bringing a searching community into the Church, and providing them with a new property08:16 Fr. Seraphim comes in a dream to a despairing young man, who visited Fr. Seraphim in Platina many times, to comfort him and help him find his path in life13:07 A Roman Catholic priest reads Fr. Seraphim's life and works and converts to Holy Orthodoxy. He commissions one of the most well-known icons of Fr. Seraphim, and two copies of this icon in Russia stream myrrh16:01 Healing of a young woman's back pain after praying at Fr. Seraphim's grave21:27 Fr. Seraphim appears in a dream to Protestant man, and through his guidance and the prayers of St. Herman, the man and his family become Orthodox and now he serves as a priest31:21 ConclusionExcerpts from “Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works” by Hieromonk Damascene (St. Herman of Alaska Press). Once the book is available for purchase again, please buy a copy. Until then, here is the PDF: https://www.scribd.com/document/44059...This channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-wisdom/message

Romans 12:6-14.  Fr. Anthony reflects on the necessity of using the Babel Fish of Love (i.e. charity as a translation filter) when evaluating the truth claims of others, especially when they are using the vernacular of their own political tribe.  He also laments how we so easily moralize and dogmatize disputations about facts - an unfortunate misfiring of our laudable commitment to Holy Orthodoxy!

Special guest Brother Augustine joins Radix and Drunk Piñata to discuss his personal journey out of the occult and masonry and into the Holy Orthodox Church. He talks about how he was a Satanist at one point, and how wayward his life had become and how much coming to Christ has personally changed him. We talk about many issues inherent in new age garbage that is fooling good people, and how suffering for Christians can help us grow spiritually. We then get to questions like, is there a political solution? Is Christ the only way? Christian Nationalism and then we discuss some issues with Q, and saying things like "the US Military is the saviors of mankind" when we know that Christ is. This doesn't mean that Q mean it to be heretical. We talk about the lack of clarity in Q that allows people to project their own meanings onto things and how that clarity should be there. We also discuss some things we think Trump should be doing, like standing up for the innocent people who did nothing wrong on Jan 6 but are being horrifically targeted by the FBI and having their lives ruined while he tells people to get the vaccine. Truth does not fear critique or honest inquiry, it should be able to withstand this. People should be able to be respectful of others with whom they have some disagreements otherwise you are not different than the insane, cancel culture leftists you claim to oppose.

Join Cynthia for the 100th episode of the Holistic Christian Life podcast, as she welcomes Dr. David Ford as her first guest for Season Three.  Dr. Ford, an expert on the writings of St. John Chrysostom, shares his knowledge by talking with Cynthia about what he feels St. John’s advice would be for people living through trying times.  Drawing from his letters to St. Olympia, we know he has a lot to say!  You will find this episode encouraging and uplifting in every way! Bio: Dr. David Ford is Professor of Church History at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.  He went to college at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he majored in History.  Immediately after graduation he went to Liberia, West Africa, as a volunteer in the United States Peace Corps; he served there for three years in the field of education. Upon returning, he entered the M.Div. program at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Here he learned about the Early Church, and through his continuing study of the facts of Church History, he realized that only Holy Orthodoxy has preserved the fullness of the Christian Faith. Having graduated with an M.Div. degree, he then began the Ph.D. program in Church History and Historical Theology at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. His wife, Dr. Mary Sanford Ford also works at St. Tikhon’s as Associate Professor of New Testament, and together they have co-written several books together. Books that he has written, translated, or contributed to include: Prayer and the Departed Saints Marriage as a Path to Holiness: Lives of Married Saints Women and Men in the Early Church: The Full Views of St. John Chrysostom.  Wisdom for Today from the Early Church History of the Church, volume 3 The Glory and Honor of Marriage: Orthodox Christian Resources Tikhon of Moscow: Instructions and Teachings for the American Orthodox Faithful (1898 – 1907) The Letters of Saint John Chrysostom to Saint Olympia the Deaconess The Life and Works of Metropolitan Leonty (1876 – 1965), Healing Humanity: Confronting Our Moral Crisis Sing to Your Soul, vol. 1: The Narration of Salvation History in Selected Passages by Saint John Chrysostom In addition, Dr. David is in the midst of selecting and translating a collection of about 20 entire sermons by St. John Chrysostom which have not been translated into English either ever before, or only in antiquated English and/or are located in obscure places.

This is the audio recording of Fr. Anthony Perkins' YouTube livestream on 26 September 2020.  In it Seminarian James Cummings talks about the journey of discernment that took him through the army, the Satanic priesthood, and finally to Christ and Holy Orthodoxy.  Enjoy the show!

Check out our daily livestream on YouTube at "Fr. Anthony Perkins"! A Meditation on St. John’s “The Ladder of Divine Ascent” What is Orthodox Tradition? Why is it important for us to immerse ourselves in the worship and rigors of Orthodoxy? At the visible level, one that can be observed and studied by scientists, tradition is the accumulation of rituals and ideas that are directed towards a purpose. In the case of Orthodox Tradition, that purpose is the formation of good and strong human beings, good and strong families, and good and strong communities. We know that, left to their own devices, children will go selfish and feral (spoiled, if you will); that family structures will morph into tyranny or disintegrate altogether, and communities will do the same. On the other hand, good ideas and useful rituals allow humans, families, and societies a way out of this nasty and brutish life. Through Orthodox ritual and belief, the passions are tamed. The child learns self-control, the family finds grounding, and the community naturally brings safety, healing, and guidance to all its members. Beliefs and rituals that do these things are continually reaffirmed through our participation in them and those that prove counter-productive are adjusted. This is done slowly, and with a recognition that there is a wisdom in tradition that is seldom obvious to the impatient. But there are other forces at play; there is an invisible level. God continually works through His prophets, His Christ, His Holy Spirit, and His Church to grant discernment to individuals, yes, but mostly to the community as a whole. The rituals and ideas of Orthodoxy are not just useful (although they are), they are inspired and strengthen by grace. Even more importantly, Orthodox Tradition is not directed primarily to the perfection of people, families, and communities, but to their salvation. To put it in theological language, we are not just learning to subdue our baser instincts, we are being saved and drawn deeper into infinite perfection through our life in Christ and Holy Orthodoxy. If we look around, we cannot help but notice that all reasonably healthy, traditional societies have religious systems that have accumulated ideas and rituals that civilize their adherents. Because there is only one human race and we all have the same line between good and evil dividing our hearts, there is a lot of overlap in their ideas and rituals. Virtue is encouraged; vice is shamed and disciplined; and the unity of the good is proclaimed and celebrated. To the extent that we have become lax in our own devotion, we are encouraged by their witness. We also cannot help but notice that those societies and cultures that have rejected older ways of wisdom in favor of fads and the fulfillment of every flick good idea fairy’s wand find themselves unable to sustain anything but change, leading to a degeneration of the person, the family, the culture, and the world. This is not to say that all traditions, or even everything that has accumulated around Holy Orthodoxy is good and healthy and should be preserved.  We are all familiar with tradition with a big T – the things that need to be preserved – and tradition with a little t; those things that may be useful for some times and places, but should be replaced with something better as they become counter-productive. This crisis has forced us to realize how hard that adjustment is.  One of the little t tradition that is hurting us now is that our spirituality has become synonymous with our regular participation in the Holy Eucharist. The big T tradition here is the ontology of the Eucharist and our need for it.  But to the extent that we have missed or neglected other parts of our Faith; the building up of and the experience of the kingdom of God in our hearts and the reality of God’s presence in our homes, then we are less prepared than we should be to face the present temptations and struggles.  The same goes for the mysterious ontology of suffering and the Church’s teaching on how to do it well and in a manner that blesses the people around us And so, this social distancing becomes an opportunity to broaden our little t traditions; those rituals, ideas, and conversations that flow naturally from our ancient faith and provide wisdom – tested and perfected over time -  to deal with the realities we face right now.  We need not wait until the “good old days” are restored to thrive.  The wisdom of St. John of the Ladder shares a part of this tradition we need: how to live well alone and how to live well in isolation with others. Watch your thoughts.  They need not define you (unless you want to be crazy). Redirect away from unhealthy thoughts; reinforce and intentionally engage thoughts that are patient, kind, and hopeful. Prayer will help with this. Be the patient pastor of yourself and the people you are living with. NOT the tyrant or passive aggressive rebel.  Build them up and encourage them. Cultivate peace through silence. Through the slow but kind word, and through every well-considered action. These will not just allow us to come through this present crisis stronger than we entered as individuals and families; it will bring an important but atrophied part of our ancient and venerable Orthodox tradition back into our daily lives, allowing us and our children to be more prepared for whatever challenges they face. And when our regular access to the Eucharist is restored to its proper place in the center of our communities, we will allow it to feed rather than atrophy the kingdom of God within us and within our families. Let us immerse ourselves in that fullness of faithful believers and families, gathered around the celebration of the Eucharist now, as we continue our celebration of God’s love for us, His people, and His world.

On Stewardship Sunday, Fr. Apostolos Hill shares a homily that includes three testimonies from the newest Holy Trinity members and converts to Holy Orthodoxy.

On Stewardship Sunday, Fr. Apostolos Hill shares a homily that includes three testimonies from the newest Holy Trinity members and converts to Holy Orthodoxy.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony brings back a crowd favorite, Fr. Michael Kohn (Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese), to speak about addiction, recovery, and the ontology of grace. We discuss how that grace works through fellowship, authentic testimonies of redemption, accountability, and mentorship in both the Twelve Step program and Holy Orthodoxy. Fr. Michael, an active and experienced addiction counselor, also gives advice on how priests can make an ally of AA, AN, Al-Anon, and Nar-Anon programs. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony brings back a crowd favorite, Fr. Michael Kohn (Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese), to speak about addiction, recovery, and the ontology of grace. We discuss how that grace works through fellowship, authentic testimonies of redemption, accountability, and mentorship in both the Twelve Step program and Holy Orthodoxy. Fr. Michael, an active and experienced addiction counselor, also gives advice on how priests can make an ally of AA, AN, Al-Anon, and Nar-Anon programs. Enjoy the show!

Turning the Absurd Theater of our Mind into a Temple of God Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy Triumph of Orthodoxy. Yay Church (back from oppression)! Yay Theology (protected from heresy)! It's good, but to what end? They allow us to experience the love of God – and through it the salvation of our souls – in its purest form. Undiluted by lies and corruption. We don't accept lies when it comes to the food we eat or the medicine we take. If a company put a good label on bad food or medicine, we would be outraged; whether they did it out of greed or ignorance. Why? Because we value our health AND because we value the truth. Everything breaks down once everyone gets to have their own version of truth. The wrong labels get put on things and we lose sight that there is even a reality to be known. When this happens, we cannot tell good from bad, right from wrong, healthy from disease, food from rubbish, medicine from snake oil. We fall prey to the chaos of our divisions. The Irish poet Yeats nailed it when he wrote in his poem “The Second Coming”; “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; / Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,” The Sunday of Orthodoxy is a celebration of the bulwark against that anarchy: there is a Truth; there is a Unity, there is sanity and goodness in the world. We celebrate the victory of the Church because it is there to restore the pattern of love and unity; we celebrate the victory of Orthodox theology because it describes that pattern – it tells us The Way that the source of all goodness and health and power can work within our lives to bring healing and salvation. The Truth is one as God is One; The Truth is One as He desires us to be One. This Truth has a label. That label is the Gospel. That label is Holy Orthodoxy. But what does that all mean for us? We can mouth the words of perfect theology, we can surround ourselves with the images of perfect iconography, but how does that help us to live? How does it help us work out our salvation with fear and trembling? (Philippians 2:12) How does it help us to love God and our neighbor as ourselves? How does it help our bodies and souls become temples of the Living God, with His grace perfecting and enlivening us? It comes down to love – for without that, even the best theology and best iconography is noise and corruption, but in order to love, there is some work to be done. Today I want to continue on the theme of discernment, using today's theme of iconography to help us. The Absurd Theater of our Mind. The relationship between what goes on in our minds and the actual state of the world is a bit dodgy. This is true when it comes to the puppets of our neighbors that populate the theater of our mind. Think about how we create the images of people. Get data. Add data. But we don't do it well. It's always filtered and shaped by the story we are telling ourselves. Over time, the play that goes on in our mind ends up bearing little resemblance to what is really going on. We end up hating and loving images, not the people they are supposed to represent. This is true even of the people that are closest to us. It's like in the art world: we often learn more about the artist than we do about the thing being portrayed. But it isn't even a good way to understand the artist, because the image he has of himself – that is shaping the image he is painting – is also distorted. We cannot love others if we cannot know them. We cannot love ourselves if we do not know ourselves. The practice of iconography: everything in the light of Christ. We have icons of Christ because God became human and we can paint him as the perfect human. We have icons of saints because they have been transformed in Christ. Love became man in Jesus Christ; and now love becomes in incarnate in all the saints. We restore Truth and sanity to the theater of our mind when we paint the icons of our neighbor using the light of love. This requires charity. It requires patience. It requires continually adjusting the lines and the colors through forgiveness and humility. When we retouch the image of ourselves so that they better match reality – and through this participate in our transformation from broken creatures into sons and daughters of God - we call it repentance. We repaint repainting the image of ourselves in our mind and the way we project ourselves in the world so that the reality, light, and love of Christ shines through us. Matthew 6:22-23. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, our whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! When we continually improve the images in our minds according to the light of Christ and away from the chaos of our pride and brokenness, we transform our minds from a theater of the absurd into a temple of God, adorned with icons of His beloved children rather than puppets of our own madness. The celebration of the triumph of Orthodoxy is a celebration of just this thing. And this is something we can all proclaim with gladness.

A Meditation on St. John's “The Ladder of Divine Ascent” The farmer's wealth is gathered on the threshing floor and in the wine press, but the wealth and knowledge of the monk is gathered during the evenings and the night hours while standing at prayer and engaged in spiritual activity. Step 20 (on vigil), 10. When the day is over, the vendor sits down and counts his profits; but the acetic does so when the psalmody is over. Step 20 (on vigil), 18. Stillness of the body is the knowledge and composure of the habits and feelings. And stillness of soul is the knowledge of one's thoughts and an inviolable mind. Step 27 (on stillness), 2. What is Orthodox Tradition? Why is it important for us to immerse ourselves in the worship and rigors of Orthodoxy? At the visible level, one that can be observed and studied by scientists, tradition is the accumulation of rituals and ideas that are directed towards a purpose. In the case of Orthodox Tradition, that purpose is the formation of good and strong human beings, good and strong families, and good and strong communities. We know that, left to their own devices, children will go selfish and feral (spoiled, if you will); that family structures will morph into tyranny or disintegrate altogether, and communities will do the same. On the other hand, good ideas and useful rituals allow humans, families, and societies a way out of this nasty and brutish life. Through Orthodox ritual and belief, the passions are tamed. The child learns self-control, the family finds grounding, and the community naturally brings safety, healing, and guidance to all its members. Beliefs and rituals that do these things are continually reaffirmed through our participation in them and those that prove counter-productive are adjusted. This is done slowly, and with a recognition that there is a wisdom in tradition that is seldom obvious to the impatient. But there are other forces at play; there is an invisible level. God continually works through His prophets, His Christ, His Holy Spirit, and His Church to grant discernment to individuals, yes, but mostly to the community as a whole. The rituals and ideas of Orthodoxy are not just useful (although they are), they are inspired and strengthen by grace. Even more importantly, Orthodox Tradition is not directed primarily to the perfection of people, families, and communities, but to their salvation. To put it in theological language, we are not just learning to subdue our baser instincts, we are being saved and drawn deeper into infinite perfection through our life in Christ and Holy Orthodoxy. If you look around, you cannot help but notice that all reasonably healthy, traditional societies have religious systems that have accumulated ideas and rituals that civilize their adherents. Because there is only one human race and we all have the same line between good and evil dividing our hearts, there is a lot of overlap in their ideas and rituals. Virtue is encouraged; vice is shamed and disciplined; and the unity of the good is proclaimed and celebrated. To the extent that we have become lax in our own devotion, we are encouraged by their witness. But there is no need to go anywhere else to experience the one thing needful for every person, family, and community. It is found in its fullness in Holy Orthodoxy and its benefits can be enjoyed completely here at St. Mary's (and every other parish that was, is, or ever will be). Let us immerse ourselves in that fullness now, as we continue our celebration of God's love for us, His people, and His world.

St. Maximos the Confessor, who served God from 580-662, is one of the great theologians of the Orthodox Catholic Church. This devout monk, was a leading Constantinopolitan intellectual, a prolific author on doctrinal, ascetical, exegetical and liturgical subjects, and a confessor of Holy Orthodoxy who lost his right hand and tongue for his stentorian opposition to heresy. In 8 lectures, Father Maximos (Simonopetritis) – a highly esteemed patrologist and the world's leading authority on the teaching of St. Maximos the Confessor – presents an edifying overview of the life and works of this magnificent man of God and teacher of the Church. Father Maximos is Senior Research Scholar at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The lectures are entitled: • What is a Church Father? • An Overview of the Life of St. Maximos • An Introduction to the Works of St. Maximos: Part 1 • An Introduction to the Works of St. Maximos: Part 2 • The Theology of St. Maximos: Part 1 The Ambigua • The Theology of St. Maximos: Part 2 The Ambigua • The Theology of St. Maximos: Questions of Thalassius: Part 1 • The Theology of St. Maximos: Questions of Thalassius: Part 2 • PDF: The Iconography of St. Maximos the Confessor To download this series, please visit our website at www.patristicnectar.org.

St. Maximos the Confessor, who served God from 580-662, is one of the great theologians of the Orthodox Catholic Church. This devout monk, was a leading Constantinopolitan intellectual, a prolific author on doctrinal, ascetical, exegetical and liturgical subjects, and a confessor of Holy Orthodoxy who lost his right hand and tongue for his stentorian opposition to heresy. In 8 lectures, Father Maximos (Simonopetritis) – a highly esteemed patrologist and the world’s leading authority on the teaching of St. Maximos the Confessor – presents an edifying overview of the life and works of this magnificent man of God and teacher of the Church. Father Maximos is Senior Research Scholar at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The lectures are entitled: • What is a Church Father? • An Overview of the Life of St. Maximos • An Introduction to the Works of St. Maximos: Part 1 • An Introduction to the Works of St. Maximos: Part 2 • The Theology of St. Maximos: Part 1 The Ambigua • The Theology of St. Maximos: Part 2 The Ambigua • The Theology of St. Maximos: Questions of Thalassius: Part 1 • The Theology of St. Maximos: Questions of Thalassius: Part 2 • PDF: The Iconography of St. Maximos the Confessor To download this series, please visit our website at www.patristicnectar.org.

Fr. Apostolos speaks about the importance of attending and participating in the divine services. "No matter how many theological books we read or classes we attend, the treasure of Holy Orthodoxy can only be revealed in and through the medium of divine worship."

Monk Maximos (Constas), Athonite, patrologist, and former Harvard Professor, is interviewed about the life and teachings of his patron saint: St. Maximos the Confessor. St. Maximos Confessor lived and taught in the 7th century, and his contribution to the promotion of Holy Orthodoxy is virtually unmatched. Fr. Maximos, the premier Maximos scholar in the contemporary Orthodox world, has recently completed the first-ever complete English translation of St. Maximos' Ambigua. The Ambigua, an effort by St. Maximos to interpret some 70 difficult passages in the writing of St. Gregory the Theologian, is perhaps the most difficult patristic text to translate and interpret. The Ambigua is published by Harvard University Press, and is available for less than $30 a volume.

Monk Maximos (Constas), Athonite, patrologist, and former Harvard Professor, is interviewed about the life and teachings of his patron saint: St. Maximos the Confessor. St. Maximos Confessor lived and taught in the 7th century, and his contribution to the promotion of Holy Orthodoxy is virtually unmatched. Fr. Maximos, the premier Maximos scholar in the contemporary Orthodox world, has recently completed the first-ever complete English translation of St. Maximos' Ambigua. The Ambigua, an effort by St. Maximos to interpret some 70 difficult passages in the writing of St. Gregory the Theologian, is perhaps the most difficult patristic text to translate and interpret. The Ambigua is published by Harvard University Press, and is available for less than $30 a volume.

Fr. Apostolos speaks about the importance of attending and participating in the divine services. "No matter how many theological books we read or classes we attend, the treasure of Holy Orthodoxy can only be revealed in and through the medium of divine worship."

Fr. Antonio interviews an ex Evangelical Pastor about his concerns in the spiritual life. At some point in his life he yearned to come to a deeper understanding about God and his Church. This search led him to the Orthodox Church. Listen to this very interesting interview about his journey to Holy Orthodoxy. Padre Antonio entrevista un ex pastor Evangélico sobre su inquietudes en la vida espiritual. En algún punto de su vida comenzó ansiar por un entendimiento más profundo sobre Dios y su iglesia. Esta búsqueda lo llevo a la iglesia ortodoxa. Escuchen está muy interesante entrevista sobre su camino hacia la Santa Ortodoxia.

"Healing Our Diseases: The Church as a Spiritual Hospital" is a ten-part lecture series dedicated to a close examination of the therapeutic nature of the Christian faith according to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and the Church Fathers. This series begins with a lecture titled "Jesus Christ the Healer" and continues with lectures dedicated to "Sin as a Disease," "The Church as a Spiritual Hospital," and "The Spiritual Father as a Physician of the Soul." The last six lectures are dedicated to the diagnosis and recommended treatment plan for six common spiritual pathologies: self love, anger, gluttony, despondency, avarice, and pride. In this series, Holy Orthodoxy is revealed for what it is at its heart: a means for acquiring divine power and grace for the healing of our diseases of soul and body, and not a barren ideology. To download the other nine lectures of this series, please visit our website.

"Healing Our Diseases: The Church as a Spiritual Hospital" is a ten-part lecture series dedicated to a close examination of the therapeutic nature of the Christian faith according to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and the Church Fathers. This series begins with a lecture titled "Jesus Christ the Healer" and continues with lectures dedicated to "Sin as a Disease," "The Church as a Spiritual Hospital," and "The Spiritual Father as a Physician of the Soul." The last six lectures are dedicated to the diagnosis and recommended treatment plan for six common spiritual pathologies: self love, anger, gluttony, despondency, avarice, and pride. In this series, Holy Orthodoxy is revealed for what it is at its heart: a means for acquiring divine power and grace for the healing of our diseases of soul and body, and not a barren ideology. To download the other nine lectures of this series, please visit our website.