Podcasts about Nativity Fast

"Two Angels" is an original Christmas story as Advent and the Nativity Fast conclude with the gift of Christ arriving on earth! My story Two Angels is about old friends on opposite sides a city, a broken car, and help from some surprising friends. There are links, photos and more about this on my website. Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: NikosSteves.com   I have written a contemporary novel with Christian themes entitled "The Very Fine Light" Preview it for FREE and/or purchase "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com

This podcast during weeks 3 and 4 of Advent and the Nativity Fast offers some tips on how to slow down before Christmas! Plus a reading from the Christmas section of my book, "The Very Fine Light."   There are links, photos and more about this on my website. Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: NikosSteves.com   And Also, Pray for those killed in terrorist attacks during this Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah    I have written a contemporary novel with Christian themes entitled "The Very Fine Light" Preview it for FREE and/or purchase "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com

This podcast begins the third week of Advent, the candles now are burning brightly! And people are progressing along the Nativity Fast in the Eastern Church. This week celebrates the event almost 500 years ago with an excerpt from my first book, "The Constant Procession," about the story of St. Juan Diego's apparition of the Virgin Mary in Guadalupe in 1531  And also there is the reading about a snowstorm from my 2nd book "The Very Fine Light."   There are links, photos and more about this on my website. Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: NikosSteves.com   I have written a contemporary novel with Christian themes entitled "The Very Fine Light" Preview it for FREE and/or purchase "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com

Do You Want to Be Healed? Letting God Rewrite the Story Ephesians 8:5-19 Today, Fr. Anthony reflects on how the deepest obstacles to healing are often the stories we tell ourselves to justify, protect, and control our lives. Drawing on the Prophet Isaiah, the Gospel parables of the banquet, and the power of silence before God, he explores how true healing begins when we let go of our fallen narratives and allow Christ to reconstruct our story through humility, prayer, and repentance. The path of peace is not found in domination or self-justification, but in stillness at the feet of the Lord where grace remakes the soul. As St. Seraphim teaches, when we acquire peace, myriads around us are healed as well. One of the great problems we encounter in life is this: we desire healing, but we do not always know how to arrive at it. One helpful way to understand this struggle is through the language of story. Very often, the problem is that we do not have our story right. Scripture tells us to redeem the time, because the days are evil. One of the ways that evil operates is by corrupting our story—our personal story, the way we understand ourselves, the way we frame our relationships, and even the way we understand the great arc of history, what Christians call the economy of salvation. When we live in evil times, that evil does not remain outside us. It enters in, and our story becomes crooked. If all we do as Christians is add religious language to that crooked story—new words, even new scriptures—we have not truly been healed. We have only changed the decoration. The path itself remains bent. One day that story will be brought into the light. This is what the Apostle means when he says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you." As St. Jerome once observed, St. Paul seems to be paraphrasing Isaiah here—especially that great prophecy where the crooked ways are made straight. This theme runs deeply through Advent and the Nativity Fast. One small personal ritual during this season is listening to Handel's Messiah. Through that music, the words of Isaiah become alive: the great darkness that covers the earth, and the light that rises to overcome it. But darkness is not overcome by changing words alone. If all we do is rename our brokenness with religious language, the world's darkness will only pollute us more deeply. So the first discipline of the Christian life is this: we must let go of our story. Our fallen story becomes a way to protect the ego, to justify ourselves, to excuse the very things Saint Paul warns us against. Salvation begins with humility, with letting go of our justifications, with abandoning the need to construct a story that protects us from the world or grants us domination over it. We are called to let go and stand before the Lord in silence. Not to explain ourselves, not to defend ourselves—but simply to be our story before Him in quiet awe. If we do that work faithfully—and for many of us this must be done daily—then the reconstruction of the story can begin anew. This is where the disciplines of the Church come in: the prayer rule, the psalms, the prayers given to us by the Holy Spirit through the Church. These do not shame us; they heal us. They allow us to see our shortcomings not as excuses to hide, but as wounds that need restoration. This is how our crookedness is straightened so that we can be healed. The Lord also gives us Scripture to interpret our story. In Isaiah 60 we hear of darkness and of a light that rises. Israel is called a light to the nations—but whenever Christians hear that language, our minds are drawn immediately to the Prologue of the Gospel of St. John. And there, light is not mere illumination. It is transformation. It is grace. It is the energy of God entering the world. And when Scripture moves back and forth between Christ and Israel, it is not a mistake—it reveals our participation in this great movement of salvation. Just as we are healed by grace, so the world is transfigured by that same grace flowing from the Body of Christ into all creation. The Lord also teaches us through parables. Many parables may not resonate with many of us because of their agricultural contexts, but we can understand a banquet. We understand meals. We understand invitation. And in this parable, we are the ones who were called—and we came. We may not have been the first invited. We came blind, wounded, ashamed, hiding behind excuses. But the invitation came, and we showed up. Yet getting through the door is not the end of the story. The Lord teaches us what it means to live inside the banquet. When you enter the house, do tell the master how he should run it? Do you take the highest seat as if it belongs to you? No—He says take the lowest place, and let the master raise you up if he wills. This is the posture of true humility. If we were the authors of our story, it would end in darkness. But instead, we are invited into a feast that never ends. And none of our fallen tools—control, manipulation, ego-protection—belong in the Father's house. This is why the psalmist says he would rather be a servant in the house of the Lord than sit among kings. That is our true inheritance. There is no such thing as a low seat at that table. Every place at that feast is glory beyond imagination. The only way it becomes distorted is if we try to overlay God's story with our fallen one. So yes—do we want to be healed? Of course, we do. That is why we are here. Do we want to grow into our inheritance? That is why we came. But it is not enough merely to arrive. We must live your part in the story. There is a false humility that sometimes creeps into us—especially if we have been wounded or manipulated. We become afraid to acknowledge anything good about ourselves or even our relationship with God, as if gratitude were pride. But that is not humility. We need to be ashamed of what truly needs repentance and bring it into the light. But we should never be ashamed of our relationship with the Lord. Do not pretend the banquet is a shack just because we know we do not deserve it. Hold both truths together: the infinite distance between God's glory and our brokenness, and the infinite mercy by which He draws us into His glory.  Following St. Silouon the Athonite, we should keep our mind in hell – and despair not. The lowest seat at that table is greater than any throne the world can offer. It is the seat prepared for us in the council of God. There is no low place there—only mistaken stories that make us think otherwise. So during this season, let's spend time with the Lord in silence. Let's let go of the instinct to create stories that justify, control, and fix everything. These wandering thoughts only deepen confusion. We need to seek peace and pursue it quietly at the feet of God. Then we can come out from that silence and allow His Word to reconstruct us. Our Lord is not manipulative. He does not heal through domination. If there is one relationship in which we can finally release our need for control, it is our relationship with Him. If we skip silence, we will guard ourselves even against God, and the crooked ways will remain crooked—only renamed with religious language. Go in silence before the Lord. Come out and allow His Word to heal you. Then, in that peace, allow your relationships with others to be healed as well. This is how the world is remade: not by power, not by manipulation, but by peace. St. Seraphim of Sarov put it simply: "Acquire the Spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved." When peace grows in the heart, the handles of manipulation fall away. The saint no longer needs to prove anything. There is no hunger for worldly approval. The only desires left are to love, to serve, and to receive love. These are not tools of control—they are mechanisms of grace. We still have time to prepare for the Lord's coming. Let this be the beginning. And as part of this renewal of our story, we still have time to come to confession. The Church teaches us to come during every Lenten season, and yes, that can be frightening. Authority in this world has often been abusive or manipulative. But confession is not that. It is not tyranny—it is liberation. The Lord does not want us carrying this weight. He wants us free. This is the Church's gift to us. We must not leave it unused. Let the Lord heal you. Let Him tell you your true story. And then, at last, relax into its glory.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK! Thanksgiving yields to the first week of Advent and in the Eastern Church, the "Nativity Fast" continues... Are you seeking a more meaningful Christmastime? Where the challenges for readying the tree, pulling out decorations, and gift shopping can take a back seat for a more fulfilling holiday season experience? There are tips for you on this podcasts' website page! Podcast 485 webpage Begin by getting an advent wreath and adding the first candle. Then begin to prepare your heart for bringing Christ into the world by making some time for personal daily Advent (or Nativity Fast) praying.   There are links, photos and more about this on my website. Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website:  Podcast 485 webpage   I have written a contemporary novel with Christian themes entitled "The Very Fine Light" Preview it for FREE and/or purchase "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com

Send us a textWe should adopt a humble and obedient attitude when observing the Nativity Fast. If we fast or do not fast for the wrong reasons, we waste our time.  Our goal should always be to grow in Christ.Website @ https://www.st-innocent.orgInstagram @ https://www.instagram.com/st.innocentchurch/Facebook @ https://fb.me/SaintInnocentMaconGeorgia Help Support St. Innocent Orthodox Church @ https://onrealm.org/siocmacon/-/form/give/now

AD Mark Soliman- A discussion on the Nativity Fast. Click the icon below to listen.

St. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome (+461) offers another homily during the Holy Fast of Nativity calling us again to active love for God and neighbor. "[Satan] is aroused with keener stings of hatred, that under a false profession of the Christian name he may corrupt those whom he is not allowed to attack with open and bloody persecutions, and for this work he has heretics in his service whom he has led astray from the catholic Faith..."

During week 3 of Advent and the Nativity Fast are some tips on how to slow down before Christmas! Plus a reading from the Christmas section of my book, “The Very Fine Light."   There are links, photos and more about this on my website. Pray for this war in the Middle East to end. Also, Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: NikosSteves.com   I have written a contemporary novel with Christian themes entitled "The Very Fine Light." It takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmastime. A perfect holiday gift! Preview it for FREE and/or purchase "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com

St. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome (+461) calls us to embark on the Holy Fast of Nativity with gratitude and active love for God and neighbor. “For by prayer we seek to propitiate God, by fasting we extinguish the lusts of the flesh, by alms we redeem our sins: and at the same time God's image is throughout renewed in us, if we are always ready to praise Him, unfailingly intent on our purification and unceasingly active in cherishing our neighbor.”

Christmas is still being celebrated as the 12 Days are counted down.  What's continuing from Jesus Christ's big day is the spreading of this joy on earth.  There's still more to come through the evening of January 5! Share the Good Cheer! Full participation for Christmas 2023 included 6 weeks before, via the Nativity Fast or in the Western Church it was the 4 weeks before Christmas with the 4 Sundays of Advent. These activities culminated with Christmas Eve.  Christmas Day was Day 1, the first day of the celebrating of this great gift from above! And it now continues with the amazing 12 days of Christmas as the Wisemen traveled to Bethlehem to offer their gifts to Christ on Earth…   There are links for more about this on my website.   Pray for this new war in the Middle East to end. Also, Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: NikosSteves.com   And you can use this link to preview for FREE and/or purchase my 2nd book, "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. An e-book copy of the book can be found on my website: NikosSteves.com Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com

“Two Angels” is an original Christmas story as the Advent candles and the Nativity Fast continue ever closer to Christ coming to earth! My story Two Angels is about old friends on opposite sides a city, a broken car, and help from some surprising friends. There are links, photos and more about this on my website.   Pray for this new war in the Middle East to end. Also, Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: NikosSteves.com And you can use this link to preview for FREE and/or purchase my 2nd book, "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. An e-book copy of the book can be found on my website: NikosSteves.com Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com  

My book The Very Fine Light is being given as presents to friends of readers for Christmas with the new print and audiobook versions just released!  Also in this podcast- during the remaining weeks of Advent and the Nativity Fast is a tip on how to slow down before Christmas!   There are links, photos and more about this on my website. Pray for this war in the Middle East to end. Also, Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: NikosSteves.com     And you can use this link to preview for FREE and/or purchase my 2nd book, "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. An e-book copy of the book can be found on my website: NikosSteves.com Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com

Advent 2023 now begins and the ‘Nativity Fast' continues during this preparation for the “12 Days of Christmas.” Also- Exciting News! I've just released the audiobook version of my novel The Very Fine Light! This sound recording of the novel really enhances the telling of the story! You can find it at Amazon, Audible and AppleBooks. And you can use this link to preview for FREE and/or purchase my 2nd book, "The Very Fine Light" at Amazon.com There are links, photos and more about this on my website.   Pray for this new war in the Middle East to end. Also, Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: NikosSteves.com   I value feedback through the comments section on my website, NikosSteves.com Or via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my first book, The Constant Procession. An e-book copy of the book can be found on my website: NikosSteves.com Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at NikosSteves.com

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tradepaperbacks/message --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rangerryan/message

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast.

This is Nikos Steves, here's an original Christmas story as the fourth Advent candle now completes Advent and the Nativity Fast… and oh yes, Merry Christmas! There are links, photos and more about this on my website. Also, Pray for the People of Ukraine. There are links for ways to support them on my website: ConstantProcession.com I value feedback through the comments section on my website OR- Better via email at NikosSteves@gmail.com Constant Procession tells of key apparitions of the Virgin Mary since she passed on from the world and how she serves humanity through Christianity. The origin of these podcasts began with my book, The Constant Procession. An e-book copy of the book can be found on my website: ConstantProcession.com Constant Procession (the podcast) is published every Tuesday morning and has links, photos, video and more information for each episode at ConstantProcession.com

It can be difficult in today's world to find time to focus on God. It has become too easy for us to skip our prayers or to be late for Church. During our Nativity Fast, the Church has offered to us the blessing to pay attention to God. When we allow the life of the Church, we have opportunities to focus on God, not just following the rules.

With Thanksgiving Day right around the corner, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this upcoming Nativity Fast?

With Thanksgiving Day right around the corner, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this upcoming Nativity Fast?

With Thanksgiving Day right around the corner, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this upcoming Nativity Fast?

With Thanksgiving Day right around the corner, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this upcoming Nativity Fast?

As we work our way through the Nativity Fast, Fr. Tom cautions us not to get bogged down in earthly matters, but to embrace our healing in the incarnate Christ.

St. Paisius writes, “…having eaten, one should be a little hungry so that the body will be submissive to the spirit and capable of labors and sensitive to mental movements, and so the bodily passions will be conquered.”“A moderate and sensible fast is the foundation and chief of all virtues. One should fight evil as one fights a lion and a fierce serpent—in the infirmity of the body and spiritual poverty. He who wishes his mind to be firm against defiled thoughts should make his body refined through fasting.”Blessed Nativity Fast to all! On Nov 15/28 we begin the Nativity Fast and commemorate St. Paisius (+1794). May we struggle well, by the prayers of St. Paisius and the great mercy of God.Text of this reading: https://orthochristian.com/88203.htmlIf you are not familiar with St. Paisius, you should be. He is one of the most significant Saints in the last few hundred years and much of the rebirth of monasticism and spiritual heights in recent years can trace itself back to his labors. Learn more about this great Saint here: https://stpaisiusmonastery.org/about-...Here is a book of his writings that, to my knowledge, is out of print: http://austroca.org/wp-content/upload...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

This week, the Nativity Fast began for Orthodox Christians around the world. This 40-day period, is a time in which we prepare for the Nativity of our Lord according to the flesh. But, as we watch our diets and take meat out of our lives, an important question comes up: is the impossible burger permissible? It's not technically meat, but it looks, smells, and tastes like meat … So, does it fit the fast? The Bottom Line: when we fast, we have to be sure we don't miss the forest for the trees.

He was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and a diligent student of the Law and the Prophets. When he first met Jesus, he followed Him right away and told Nathanael, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote" (John 1) After Christ's Ascension, Philip was chosen to proclaim the Gospel in Asia (the western province of Asia Minor). He traveled with Bartholomew (commemorated June 11) and his sister Mariamne, all of them joyfully enduring great sufferings and persecutions in the Lord's service. In Hierapolis in Phrygia, they healed the Governor's wife of an eye affliction, and she believed in the Lord. The Governor was so infuriated by this that he had Philip crucified upside-down. At the moment he gave up his soul to God, the ground opened, swallowing up a great many pagan priests and the Governor. Many of the surviving pagans, terrified, believed in Christ and were baptized by Bartholomew. Saint Bartholomew went on to preach the Gospel in many places; Mariamne traveled to the Jordan River, where she reposed in peace.   Among the Slavic peoples, the Nativity Fast is often called Filipovka since it commences immediately after this feast.

He was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and a diligent student of the Law and the Prophets. When he first met Jesus, he followed Him right away and told Nathanael, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote" (John 1) After Christ's Ascension, Philip was chosen to proclaim the Gospel in Asia (the western province of Asia Minor). He traveled with Bartholomew (commemorated June 11) and his sister Mariamne, all of them joyfully enduring great sufferings and persecutions in the Lord's service. In Hierapolis in Phrygia, they healed the Governor's wife of an eye affliction, and she believed in the Lord. The Governor was so infuriated by this that he had Philip crucified upside-down. At the moment he gave up his soul to God, the ground opened, swallowing up a great many pagan priests and the Governor. Many of the surviving pagans, terrified, believed in Christ and were baptized by Bartholomew. Saint Bartholomew went on to preach the Gospel in many places; Mariamne traveled to the Jordan River, where she reposed in peace.   Among the Slavic peoples, the Nativity Fast is often called Filipovka since it commences immediately after this feast.

Awaiting His Advent Actively, Colossians 3:1-11, when read alongside the invitation and warning of Psalm 94/5, speaks of our hope, our mandate, our warning, our exchange, and our identity. These themes show us how us to engage in active waiting for Christ during this time of Advent/the Nativity Fast.

Awaiting His Advent Actively, Colossians 3:1-11, when read alongside the invitation and warning of Psalm 94/5, speaks of our hope, our mandate, our warning, our exchange, and our identity. These themes show us how us to engage in active waiting for Christ during this time of Advent/the Nativity Fast.

Awaiting His Advent Actively, Colossians 3:1-11, when read alongside the invitation and warning of Psalm 94/5, speaks of our hope, our mandate, our warning, our exchange, and our identity. These themes show us how us to engage in active waiting for Christ during this time of Advent/the Nativity Fast.

As Thanksgiving comes near, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this Nativity Fast?

As Thanksgiving comes near, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this Nativity Fast?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) Why do we fast from good things like tasty food? A the start of the Nativity Fast, we'll share three basic reasons why fasting helps transform our spiritual lives. But then we'll go a little deeper and explore why these same reasons suggest you should fast, not just from food, but from social media as well. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee157

He was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and a diligent student of the Law and the Prophets. When he first met Jesus, he followed Him right away and told Nathanael, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote" (John 1) After Christ's Ascension, Philip was chosen to proclaim the Gospel in Asia (the western province of Asia Minor). He traveled with Bartholomew (commemorated June 11) and his sister Mariamne, all of them joyfully enduring great sufferings and persecutions in the Lord's service. In Hierapolis in Phrygia, they healed the Governor's wife of an eye affliction, and she believed in the Lord. The Governor was so infuriated by this that he had Philip crucified upside-down. At the moment he gave up his soul to God, the ground opened, swallowing up a great many pagan priests and the Governor. Many of the surviving pagans, terrified, believed in Christ and were baptized by Bartholomew. Saint Bartholomew went on to preach the Gospel in many places; Mariamne traveled to the Jordan River, where she reposed in peace.   Among the Slavic peoples, the Nativity Fast is often called Filipovka since it commences immediately after this feast.

He was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and a diligent student of the Law and the Prophets. When he first met Jesus, he followed Him right away and told Nathanael, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote" (John 1) After Christ's Ascension, Philip was chosen to proclaim the Gospel in Asia (the western province of Asia Minor). He traveled with Bartholomew (commemorated June 11) and his sister Mariamne, all of them joyfully enduring great sufferings and persecutions in the Lord's service. In Hierapolis in Phrygia, they healed the Governor's wife of an eye affliction, and she believed in the Lord. The Governor was so infuriated by this that he had Philip crucified upside-down. At the moment he gave up his soul to God, the ground opened, swallowing up a great many pagan priests and the Governor. Many of the surviving pagans, terrified, believed in Christ and were baptized by Bartholomew. Saint Bartholomew went on to preach the Gospel in many places; Mariamne traveled to the Jordan River, where she reposed in peace.   Among the Slavic peoples, the Nativity Fast is often called Filipovka since it commences immediately after this feast.

Concluding Prayers @ St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Nashville, TN ~ December 22, 2013

He was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and a diligent student of the Law and the Prophets. When he first met Jesus, he followed Him right away and told Nathanael, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote" (John 1) After Christ's Ascension, Philip was chosen to proclaim the Gospel in Asia (the western province of Asia Minor). He traveled with Bartholomew (commemorated June 11) and his sister Mariamne, all of them joyfully enduring great sufferings and persecutions in the Lord's service. In Hierapolis in Phrygia, they healed the Governor's wife of an eye affliction, and she believed in the Lord. The Governor was so infuriated by this that he had Philip crucified upside-down. At the moment he gave up his soul to God, the ground opened, swallowing up a great many pagan priests and the Governor. Many of the surviving pagans, terrified, believed in Christ and were baptized by Bartholomew. Saint Bartholomew went on to preach the Gospel in many places; Mariamne traveled to the Jordan River, where she reposed in peace.   Among the Slavic peoples, the Nativity Fast is often called Filipovka since it commences immediately after this feast.

Dogmatic Theology ~ QA @ St. John the Beloved Coptic Orthodox Church, Tucson, AZ ~ December 22, 2019

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos addresses two differences within celebration of an Orthodox Christmas (ancient vs. modern) in regards to the Nativity Fast and the celebration of St. Nicholas and St. Basil.

St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church, Dallas, TX ~ December 15, 2019

Christ came to restore sight to the blind beggars of the world. Let us embrace the disciplines and spirit of the Nativity Fast in ways that will help us see that that is precisely who we are. Let us acquire the humility necessary to receive and share the peace that He was born to bring to the world. That is how we must all prepare to welcome Him into our hearts and lives at Christmas.

Christ came to restore sight to the blind beggars of the world. Let us embrace the disciplines and spirit of the Nativity Fast in ways that will help us see that that is precisely who we are. Let us acquire the humility necessary to receive and share the peace that He was born to bring to the world. That is how we must all prepare to welcome Him into our hearts and lives at Christmas.

Christ came to restore sight to the blind beggars of the world. Let us embrace the disciplines and spirit of the Nativity Fast in ways that will help us see that that is precisely who we are. Let us acquire the humility necessary to receive and share the peace that He was born to bring to the world. That is how we must all prepare to welcome Him into our hearts and lives at Christmas.

Our friend and special guest Andrea Bailey joins us with reflections of encountering Christ at a women's shelter at the beginning of the Nativity Fast.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos explains the importance of almsgiving during the Nativity Fast.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos encourages all of us to participate as fully as we can in the Nativity Fast as we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, saving our feasting for after our fasting.

Fr. Philip LeMasters helps us apply the meaning of the parable of The Rich Fool as we enter the Nativity Fast.

As Thanksgiving comes near, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this upcoming Nativity Fast?

As Thanksgiving comes near, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich consider the role of gratitude in our spiritual lives. How can we cultivate gratitude during this upcoming Nativity Fast?

Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne are joined by Ancient Faith author and podcaster Rita Madden. Rita is the author of the book Food, Faith, and Fasting and offers some practical wisdom as we begin the Nativity fast.