Podcasts about Orthodox

This illustrious light of Orthodoxy in the Western Church was born in Gaul in 349, but his widowed mother took the family to Rome while he was still a small child. Brilliant and well-educated, he was made a provincial Governor in 375 and took up residence in Milan. In those days, the Arian heresy was still dividing the Church, despite its repudiation at the Council of Nicaea in 325. When the time came to elect a new Bishop in Milan, the Orthodox and Arian parties were so divided that they could come to no agreement on a new Bishop. When Ambrose came as Governor to try to restore peace and order, a young child, divinely inspired, called out "Ambrose, Bishop!" To Ambrose's amazement, the people took up the cry, and Ambrose himself was elected, though he tried to refuse, protesting that he was only a catechumen (it was still common in those days to delay Holy Baptism for fear of polluting it by sin). He even attempted to flee, but his horse brought him back to the city. Resigning himself to God's will, he was baptized and, only a week later, elevated to Bishop. Immediately, he renounced all possessions, distributed all of his money to the poor and gave his estates to the Church. Straightaway, he entered into a spirited defense of Orthodoxy in his preaching and writings to the dismay of the Arians who had supported his election. Soon he persuaded Gratian, Emperor of the West, to call the Council of Aquilea, which brought an end to Arianism in the Western Church. (Arianism, however, continued to prosper among the barbarian nations for many years; see the Martyrs of Africa, also commemorated today).   Several times the holy Bishop was called upon to defend the Church against domination by the secular powers. Once, putting down an uprising in Thessalonika, the Emperor Theodosius punished the city by ordering the massacre of thousands of its residents. When the Emperor later visited Milan and came to the Cathedral to attend the Liturgy, Saint Ambrose stopped him at the door, condemned his crime before all the people, forbade him entrance to the church and excommunicated him for eight months. The Emperor went away weeping, and submitted in humility to the Church's discipline. When he returned after long penance to be restored to Communion, he went into the sanctuary along with the clergy, as had been the custom of the Emperors since Constantine the Great. But again the holy Ambrose humbled him in the sight of all the people, saying "Get out and take your place among the laity; the purple does not make priests, but only emperors." Theodosius left without protest, took his place among the penitents, and never again attempted to enter the sanctuary of a church. (When the Emperor died, it was Bishop Ambrose who preached his funeral eulogy).   Saint Ambrose, by teaching, preaching and writing, brought countless pagans to the Faith. His most famous convert was St Augustine (June 15), who became his disciple and eventually a bishop. Ambrose's many theological and catechetical works helped greatly to spread the teaching of the Greek fathers in the Latin world. He wrote many glorious antiphonal hymns which were once some of the gems of the Latin services.   Saint Ambrose reposed in peace in 397; his relics still rest in the basilica in Milan.

Hour 3 12/5/25 Guest-host John Harper welcomes Terry Mattingly to discuss recent conversions to Orthodoxy (1:00), the Orthodox Church (2:31), caller: why my child left the Church (14:05), and the stability of faith (19:59). Then, Mary FioRito covers an abortion lawsuit affecting both California and Texas (26:55). Then, John shares one of his Advent traditions (42:06). Links: https://tmattingly.substack.com/about https://eppc.org/author/mary_fiorito/ http://x.com/maryfiorito

"Determined to impose the union of the Churches accepted under pressure at the Council of Lyon (1274) to secure Papal support for the Byzantine Empire, Michael VIII Palaeologos sent troops to Mount Athos, the stronghold of Orthodoxy and centre of opposition to his policy, with orders to take sanguinary measures against monks who would not recognize the false union.   "When the Emperor's soldiers reached Karyes, the capital of Athos, which was organized as a lavra in those days, they seized the Protos of Athos, who had been an example to all of what a steadfast monk should be. They put him to the sword together with many other fathers there, and in their fury ransacked and fired the Church and monastic buildings, leaving rack and ruin behind them. Emerging from the wild places and thick forests where they had taken refuge, the Orthodox monks buried the holy Martyrs at the entrance to the Church of the Protaton. Through the centuries, generations of monks piously lit the lamp each day above the 'tomb of the Protos'; but it was not until 5 December 1981 that his relics were solemnly taken from the earth, and that a service was held in his honour in the presence of a great crowd." (Synaxarion)

In this conversation, Stewart Alsop sits down with Ken Lowry to explore a wide sweep of themes running through Christianity, Protestant vs. Catholic vs. Orthodox traditions, the nature of spirits and telos, theosis and enlightenment, information technology, identity, privacy, sexuality, the New Age “Rainbow Bridge,” paganism, Buddhism, Vedanta, and the unfolding meaning crisis; listeners who want to follow more of Ken's work can find him on his YouTube channel Climbing Mount Sophia and on Twitter under KenLowry8.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversationTimestamps00:00 Christianity's tangled history surfaces as Stewart Alsop and Ken Lowry unpack Luther, indulgences, mediation, and the printing-press information shift.05:00 Luther's encounters with the devil lead into talk of perception, hallucination, and spiritual influence on “main-character” lives.10:00 Protestant vs. Catholic vs. Orthodox worship styles highlight telos, Eucharist, liturgy, embodiment, and teaching as information.15:00 The Church as a living spirit emerges, tied to hierarchy, purpose, and Michael Levin's bioelectric patterns shaping form.20:00 Spirits, goals, Dodgers-as-spirit, and Christ as the highest ordering spirit frame meaning and participation.25:00 Identity, self, soul, privacy, intimacy, and the internet's collapse of boundaries reshape inner life.30:00 New Age, Rainbow Bridge, Hawkins' calibration, truth-testing, and spiritual discernment enter the story.35:00 Stewart's path back to Christianity opens discussion of enlightenment, Protestant legalism, Orthodox theosis, and healing.40:00 Emptiness, relationality, Trinity, and personhood bridge Buddhism and mystical Christianity.45:00 Suffering, desire, higher spirits, and orientation toward the real sharpen the contrast between simulation and reality.50:00 Technology, bodies, AI, and simulated worlds raise questions of telos, meaning, and modern escape.55:00 Neo-paganism, Hindu hierarchy of gods, Vedanta, and the need for a personal God lead toward Jesus as historical revelation.01:00:00 Buddha, enlightenment, theosis, the post-1945 world, Hitler as negative pole, and goodness as purpose close the inquiry.Key InsightsMediation and information shape the Church. Ken Lowry highlights how the printing press didn't just spread ideas—it restructured Christian life by shifting mediation. Once information became accessible, individuals became the “interface” with Christ, fundamentally changing Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox trajectories and the modern crisis of religious choice.The Protestant–Catholic–Orthodox split hinges on telos. Protestantism orients the service around teaching and information, while Catholic and Orthodox traditions culminate in the Eucharist, embodiment, and liturgy. This difference expresses two visions of what humans are doing in church: receiving ideas or participating in a transformative ritual that shapes the whole person.Spirits, telos, and hierarchy offer a map of reality. Ken frames spirits as real intelligible goals that pull people into coordinated action—seen as clearly in a baseball team as in a nation. Christ is the highest spirit because aiming toward Him properly orders all lower goals, giving a coherent vertical structure to meaning.Identity, privacy, and intimacy have transformed under the internet. The shift from soul → self → identity tracks changes in information technology. The internet collapses boundaries, creating unprecedented exposure while weakening the inherent privacy of intimate realities such as genuine lovemaking, which Ken argues can't be made public without destroying its nature.New Age influences and Hawkins' calibration reflect a search for truth. Stewart's encounters with the Rainbow Bridge world, David Hawkins' muscle-testing epistemology, and the escape from scientistic secularism reveal a cultural hunger for spiritual discernment in the absence of shared metaphysical grounding.Enlightenment and theosis may be the same mountain. Ken suggests that Buddhist enlightenment and Orthodox theosis aim at the same transformative reality: full communion with what is most real. The difference lies in Jesus as the concrete, personal revelation of God, offering a relational path rather than pure negation or emptiness.Secularism is shaped by powerfully negative telos. Ken argues that the modern world orients itself not toward the Good revealed in Christ but away from the Evil revealed in Hitler. Moving away from evil as a primary aim produces confusion, because only a positive vision of the Good can order desires, technology, suffering, and the overwhelming power of modern simulations.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RnHcr0Q6PUQBenjamin Netanyahu edges closer to Donald Trump's extraordinary call for a presidential pardon, filing an official request with President Herzog and setting off another political storm.All this as Israel tears itself apart once again over the draft bill. Will the ultra-Orthodox secure a formal exemption from service, and what does that mean for the rest of the country?Yonit and Jonathan unpack the battle lines with Yair Ettinger of Kan News, one of the clearest voices on the Haredi world and its political power.Plus: a farewell to a giant of the stage, and a Chutzpah Award that breaks new records. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(December 04, 2025) Insurers promise to ease authorization burden after UnitedHealthcare CEO’s murder… Here’s what happened. How to claim ‘Trump Accounts’ for kids after $6BIL contribution. Ultra-Orthodox Conscription bill threatens crisis for Israel’s government. Even affluent American’s don’t feel wealthy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blessed Advent to you! Pope Leo XIV just wrapped up a visit to Turkey & Lebanon. Bishop Caggiano reflects on the trip and the Holy Father's meetings with Orthodox patriarchs.   Is there hope for reconciliation and reunion with the Orthodox Churches? What is the history of the split, and what are the main points of disagreement? All of that is on this week's Let Me Be Frank.   Also... this is pledge drive week for Veritas. We are a listener-funded apostolate, and we depend on you to keep us going and growing... so we take two weeks every year to raise money for the other 50 weeks of the year. Please go online to make your gift and partner with us, or you can call in and talk to us! The number is (440) VERITAS or (440) 837-4827   NOTES Email List: www.veritascatholic.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veritascatholic IG: https://www.instagram.com/veritascatholic/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy9oYx0t7imNDH5nLwSiM8Q

In this episode of More to the Story, I sit down with Dr. Kenneth J. Collins, Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, to discuss his latest book, Generous Divine Love: The Grace and Power of Methodist Theology (Abingdon Press). Dr. Collins offers a fresh vision of Wesleyan theology centered on the abundant generosity of God's holy love.We explore:Why Wesleyan theology emphasizes grace as a gift rather than something earnedThe beauty of “holy love” and its transformative power for Christian livingPractical implications for pastors, scholars, and laityThis conversation will inspire you to rediscover the heart of Methodist theology—a theology that celebrates God's lavish grace and calls us to overcome division and tribalism with generous love.Youtube - https://youtu.be/SxwRMWa4zxwAudio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcastApple -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4Dr. Kenneth J. Collins is an internationally recognized scholar in Wesley Studies and Historical Theology. He has authored more than nineteen books, including The Theology of John Wesley and The Scripture Way of Salvation. His newest work, Generous Divine Love, invites readers into a doxological celebration of God's holy love and grace.Dr. Collins' Book - Generous Divine Love from Abingdon PressIf you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses, Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude andHeaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit courses.andymilleriii.comAnd don't forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon! Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching. Today's episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.eduThanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with actor Moshe Lobel, star of the groundbreaking new film SHTTL—a Yiddish-language, single-shot masterpiece set in a Ukrainian shtetl on the eve of its destruction in 1941. Filmed in 2021 but only recently released, SHTTL feels uncannily prophetic, speaking directly to the anxieties, divisions, and questions facing the Jewish world today.Moshe brings a deeply personal lens to the film. Raised in an ultra-Orthodox home in Brooklyn, with Yiddish as his first language, he eventually left the community of his childhood to pursue a different path—an experience that echoes through his portrayal of Mendele, a young man who also steps outside his community and becomes a filmmaker in the Soviet Army's propaganda division. In the conversation, Moshe reflects on how his own journey of identity, faith, and separation helped him understand Mendele's longing, his conflicts, and his complicated return home.Rabbi Yoshi and Moshe explore the Talmudic nature of Jewish identity—our arguments, our diversity, our longing for unity—and how SHTTL reveals both the beauty and the fragility of a people wrestling with faith, modernity, and danger. They also discuss the film's most powerful scenes: moments of denial in the face of rising antisemitism, fierce debates about unity and belief, and the urgent relevance of a story rooted in 1941 yet alive with meaning in our own moment.A moving, timely, and deeply reflective conversation that reminds us how fragile—and how enduring—the Jewish story truly is.Learn more about the film at: https://www.menemshafilms.com/shttl

Beneath the surface, Israel is fighting for the soul of its religion — and most of us don't even see the battle lines. In this episode of Madlik Disruptive Torah, Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz are joined by Professor Adam S. Ferziger to explore the quiet revolution reshaping Israeli Judaism. Drawing on his new book, Agents of Change, Ferziger reveals how American Modern Orthodoxy—its values, institutions, and worldview—has profoundly influenced Religious Zionism and the broader Israeli religious landscape. From the tension between nationalism and modernity to the emergence of a new Israel-born generation, we uncover the cultural, political, and spiritual crossroads Israel now faces. Beneath the surface, Israel is fighting for the soul of its religion—and American Jews are playing a bigger role than anyone expected. Key Takeaways American Modern Orthodoxy Has Become a Quiet Force in Israeli Judaism Israeli Religious Zionism Is Splitting Into Two Distinct Paths Israel's Next Generation of Leaders Will Be Religious — But Neither Haredi or National Religious Timestamps [00:00:00] Jacob returns from exile with wealth, family, and a new identity; exile reframed as productive, not just punishment. [00:01:00] Intro to Professor Adam Ferziger and his book Agents of Change about American Jews reshaping Israeli Judaism. [00:02:00] Host sets the frame: modern Orthodoxy's influence on Israeli religious life, education, feminism, and LGBTQ inclusion. [00:03:00] Ferziger's personal story: gap year yeshiva, Aliyah in 1987, building family and rabbinic life in Kfar Saba. [00:04:54] Early political snapshot: the failed "Meimad" experiment and how Anglo moderates felt marginal and deviant. [00:06:36] Shift in the 2000s: religious-Zionist camp diversifies; modern Orthodox voices gain legitimacy and visibility. [00:09:05] Explaining American Modern Orthodoxy: Torah plus general culture, YU, day schools, Rav Soloveitchik's synthetic model. [00:14:10] Rise of "Hardal": nationalist-Haredi style religiosity, stricter halakha, and a more redemptive, messianic Zionism. [00:21:45] The "agents of change": eight American rabbis/educators whose Israeli students indigenize and radicalize their ideas. [00:34:15] Why this matters beyond religion: "Israeli Judaism" and how moderate Orthodox trends may shape Israel's future leadership. Links & Learnings Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/ Sefaria Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/692993 Transcript here: https://madlik.substack.com/ Adam Ferziger's Book https://nyupress.org/9781479817559/agents-of-change/  

Contribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkouthttps://www.keipirestaurant.org/first-things-foundationDr. Jacobs delivers a talk on hospitality in the ancient world, exploring three stories: Abraham entertaining angels, John Cassian learning from Egyptian monks, and Abba Agathon's encounter with a divine visitor. The presentation examines the theological significance of hospitality in Hebrew and Christian traditions, particularly focusing on Eastern Orthodox patristic interpretations. Delivered at a Georgian Supra event hosted by the First Things Foundation in Greenville, South Carolina. Visit Keipi in Greenville for traditional Georgian cuisine. All the links: Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastWebsite: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobsAcademia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobsOther words for the algorithm…Abraham and the angels, Hebrew Bible hospitality, ancient Near East customs, stranger ethics, John Cassian, Desert Fathers, Abba Agathon, Egyptian monasticism, asceticism, monastic hospitality, fasting and feasting, Georgian Supra, Eastern Orthodox theology, patristic theology, John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, church fathers, Orthodox ethics, Christian hospitality, biblical hospitality, sheep and goats parable, love of neighbor, theological virtue, practical theology, ancient world customs, virtue ethics, Christian ethics, moral theology, spiritual formation, monasticism, anachoresis, cenobitic monasticism, apophthegmata patrum, sayings of the Desert Fathers, patristic ethics, biblical interpretation, Old Testament theology, New Testament ethics, Hebrews commentary, Lot and the angels, Road to Emmaus, Tobit, Archangel Raphael, theophany, Christophany, angel visitation, divine testing, covenant theology, Abraham covenant, Sodom and Gomorrah, Job righteousness, ancient virtue, classical virtue, agape love, caritas, philoxenia, Christian hospitality tradition, early Christianity, Byzantine theology, Greek patristics, Eastern Christianity, Western Christianity, East-West theology, theological anthropology, imago Dei, image of God, Matthew 25, eschatology, heavenly feast, messianic banquet, bridegroom theology, joy and fasting, liturgical theology, sacramental life, communion, Eucharist theology, stranger as Christ, Matthew Mathewes, practical philosophy, applied ethics, charitable works, almsgiving, poverty theology, wealth distribution, social justice, Christian socialism, monasticism economics, voluntary poverty, detachment, ascetical theology, spiritual disciplines, prayer and fasting, desert spirituality, Egyptian desert, Palestinian monasticism, Scetes, monastic rules, obedience, humility cultivation, temptation, demonic warfare, spiritual combat, guardian angels, angelology, hierarchy of angels, divine messengers, supernatural encounters, mystical theology, contemplation, theosis, deification, divine energies, Gregory Palamas, hesychasm, Philokalia, nepsis, watchfulness, prayer rope, Jesus prayer, heart prayer, stillness, silentium

In this episode Rachel is joined by her friend David! David David tells Rachel some of his stories and they discuss how hard it is dating, especially in the Orthodox community. One of the recurring themes in their discussions is the concept of being picky. David thinks his pickiness is holding him back from finding his wife and Rachel doesn't disagree. Why are people picky and how much is pickiness contributing to the “Shidduch Crisis”? This is definitely an episode you don't want to miss!Shticky Situations is sponsored by CoronaCrush. To find out more information about CoronaCrush visit their website and coronacrush.co. Also join the CoronaCrush Facebook group and sign up for speed dating events!Remember to like the Shticky Situations page on Facebook, follow @shtickysituationspod on Instagram, and follow @shtickysituationspod on Tiktok! And make sure to join the Shticky Situations Loop Group:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://loopmein.app.link/invite?uuid=7bd5252c-c1ff-47fc-938b-1c319c57354e⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to be a guest and hang out with Rachel and discuss your own dating stories? Apply today https://forms.gle/FhwZs74JBTJgGpw8A! Want to try your luck at dating Rachel or any of her guests? Also apply today https://forms.gle/J31HUQ5aYTzjz5Bv6! You can also send an email too shtickysituationspod@gmail.com or DM @shtickysituationspod on Instagram. Serious inquiries only.Shticky Situations is sponsored by Primrose Flower Shoppe! Primrose is located at 2922 Avenue M, Brooklyn, phone number 929-376-9815, and follow them on Instagram @primroseny.

Unity sounds simple until you try to build it without a shared center. We take listeners inside the lived tension of modern Protestant life: a movement born from reform that still reforms itself into new churches, new brands, and new streams whenever conviction collides with leadership and local control. From the Reformers' early disagreements to today's non-denominational megachurches, hosts Jeremy Jeremiah, Mario Andrew, and Michael trace how authority, interpretation, and personality shape the health of congregations—and why splits feel inevitable when a pastor retires or launches a fresh vision down the street.We examine why Protestant unity remains elusive, especially for Dillon Baker, host of The Protestant Gentleman, (https://www.youtube.com/@theprotestantgentleman/videos) how non-denominational structures fuel repeated splits, and why so many seekers turn to older, historic forms of Christianity. We share lived stories, weigh online apologetics trends, and offer practical next steps rooted in church history.• the claim that Protestantism functions as serial reformations• structural fragility in non-denominational leadership models• real case of a founding pastor splitting a congregation• growth versus true flourishing in church life• online apologetics momentum and confidence gaps• questions to test practice against early Christian history• counsel to study church history before choosing a church• invitation to explore Orthodox parishes as a concrete stepAlong the way, we unpack a candid story of a founding pastor pushed to retire who planted a new church and took half the congregation, and we ask what that choice demands of ordinary people. Are they comparing preaching styles, or discerning which community is more biblically faithful? We zoom out to the online apologetics landscape where prominent voices admit Protestants are “losing” the debate on history and continuity. That candor points to a deeper hunger: believers want a faith that is ancient, coherent, and recognizable across centuries, not just persuasive proof texts. The guiding question becomes, Where have Christians practiced this?We offer a practical path forward. Start with church history: the first centuries, the councils, the formation of canon, and the worship life that carried the Gospel through persecution and empire. Test present practices against the witness of the early Church. Many seekers find themselves drawn to Eastern Orthodoxy for its conciliar authority, sacramental life, and stable doctrine—less an escape from Scripture than a home where Scripture, tradition, and worship live together. Whether you remain Protestant or explore Orthodoxy, you'll leave with sharper questions, clearer criteria, and a stronger sense of what flourishing looks like beyond weekly attendance numbers.If this conversation helps you or someone you love, share it with a friend, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review with the biggest question you're wrestling with right now. Your voice shapes where we go next.Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses Radio on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTokPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Yesterday, two soldiers were lightly injured in a stabbing attack near the northern West Bank settlement of Ateret. The attack came hours after a soldier was lightly hurt in a car-ramming near the city of Hebron. Both attackers were killed. Are we seeing an uptick in attacks on soldiers in the West Bank? At recording time, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, the Al Quds Brigades, said it was searching for the body of a hostage in northern Gaza with a team from the Red Cross. It has since been announced that remains will be handed over to Israel this evening. These announcements came a day after Hamas handed over remains to Israel via the Red Cross, which Israel said today did not belong to either of the two remaining hostages. Regardless of the full return of the deceased hostages, this morning Israel stated it will reopen the Rafah Crossing in the coming days for the exit of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Egypt. We learn about the significance of this step. Yesterday evening, the IDF’s new Hasmonean Brigade for ultra-Orthodox troops completed its first-ever squad commanders’ course, which the military says lays the groundwork for “the future generation of Haredi commanders in the army.” We learn more about the bridgade and whether it can overcome the strife surrounding the lack of Haredi enlistment. However, Fabian adds, according to Channel 12 news, the IDF is short of about 1,300 officers at the ranks of lieutenant and captain, and another 300 majors. The military on Tuesday completed a reorganization of its C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate, with a new artificial intelligence unit and an expanded electronic warfare array that will further enhance Israel’s defensive cyber capabilities, including countering drone attacks. We hear about the new units and learn about some practical applications for their work. Israel’s high-powered laser interception system, dubbed “Iron Beam,” will be delivered to the military at the end of the month, the head of the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development said Monday. Fabian explains where it could be used -- almost immediately. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israel says remains handed over by Hamas are not of Ran Gvili or Sudthisak Rinthalak Three soldiers injured in West Bank stabbing, ramming attacks; assailants killed IDF’s Haredi brigade graduates its first squad commanders’ course IDF faces manpower crisis as fewer soldiers keen on military career, new data shows Focusing on AI and electronic warfare, IDF restructures computer service directorate IDF to receive ‘Iron Beam’ laser interceptors at the end of the month Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. Image: Signals officers of the C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate are seen in an undated photo published by the army on December 2, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

December 3rd, 2025 - We welcome back Fr. Jason Charron to discuss the Orthodox conundrum. Then we're joined again by Jordan Pacheco to talk the Muslim question. TheStationOfTheCross.com/ACT  

We'll cover the Roman Papal visit to the Patriarchate of Constantinople and discuss the upcoming Rebooting Ecumenism conference in England by Orthodox scholars.

We'll cover the Roman Papal visit to the Patriarchate of Constantinople and discuss the upcoming Rebooting Ecumenism conference in England by Orthodox scholars.

We'll unpack a CRAZY alien abduction story from Van Halen's Sammy Hagar with local area paranormal activity in San Bernadino, Hell's Angels, Kenneth Anger, Rolling Stones, and Sammy's 2025 prophecy in his song lyrics with a 2027 alien disclosure update! We take an immediate detour into Harry Potter's illuminate confirm and the Orthodox view of occult and spirituality.  You can now sign up for our commercial-free version of the show with a Patreon exclusive bonus show called “Morning Coffee w/ the Weishaupts” at Patreon.com/BreakingSocialNorms  OR subscribe on the Apple Podcasts app to get all the same bonus “Morning Coffee” episodes AD-FREE with early access! (*Patreon is also NOW enabled to connect with Spotify! https://rb.gy/r34zj)Want more?…Index of all previous episodes on free feed: https://breakingsocialnorms.com/2021/03/22/index-of-archived-episodes/Leave a review or rating wherever you listen and we'll see what you've got to say!Follow us on the socials:instagram.com/theweishaupts2/Check out Isaac's conspiracy podcasts, merch, etc:AllMyLinks.com/IsaacWOccult Symbolism and Pop Culture (on all podcast platforms or IlluminatiWatcher.com)Isaac Weishaupt's book are all on Amazon and Audible; *author narrated audiobooks*STATEMENT: This show is full of Isaac's and Josie's useless opinions and presented for entertainment purposes. Audio clips used in Fair Use and taken from YouTube videos.

Rabbi Michael G. Holzman joins Mark Labberton to explore the formation of his Jewish faith, the pastoral realities of congregational life, and the multi-faith initiative he helped launch for the nation's 250th anniversary, Faith 250. He reflects on his early experiences of wonder in the natural world, the mentors who opened Torah to him, and the intellectual humility that shapes Jewish approaches to truth. Their conversation moves through the unexpected depth of congregational ministry, the spiritual and emotional weight of the pandemic, the complexities of speaking about God in contemporary Jewish life, and the role of cross-faith friendships. The episode concludes with Rabbi Holzman's reflections on how the suffering in Israel and Palestine reverberates among Jews and Muslims in America. Episode Highlights "I think we are desperately in need of ways to get Americans to agree that they're in the same community… simply by naming the Declaration of Independence as a piece of shared American scripture… we are inviting people and really challenging ourselves to think about the words in those documents seriously, and prayerfully." "My formation as a child was relatively non-theological… my mother just would sit there and say, 'Do you feel that wind?' And for me, knowing that it was in a national park mattered… being in such a grand and awesome space, under the enormity of the heavens." "The pursuit of truth with epistemic humility really became the cornerstone…if Moses wasn't allowed to see God's face, I'm never gonna see God's face—and yet we are all still pursuing what the meaning of this incredible text is." "I was a little bit unprepared… until you experience it as a pastor, you don't really understand the power of those things. That rootedness in this particular congregation gave me a sense of existential meaning that I didn't anticipate." "The thing that got me through that darkness was Saturday morning Torah study… just being there with the text and with these faces and these people… that to me was my path through the darkness." "When people are sitting over the text, the most palpable experience of God is this moment of understanding another human being… it's so vulnerable and it's so fleeting and it's so beautiful." "There is an experience happening on the ground of absolute suffering and horror on both sides… and there's a parallel experience happening for Jews and Muslims in America. It's powerful, spiritually powerful, emotionally powerful, and to people's core." Helpful Links and Resources Faith 250 https://www.faith250.org/ "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46550/the-new-colossus "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/what-to-the-slave-is-the-fourth-of-july/ "America the Beautiful" by Katherine Lee Bates https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/america-beautiful-1893 I and Thou, Martin Buber https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780684717258/i-and-thou About Rabbi Michael G. Holzman Rabbi Michael G. Holzman is the Senior Rabbi of Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation (NVHC), where he has served since 2010. His work focuses on spiritual formation, civic engagement, multi-faith partnership, and the cultivation of communities grounded in dignity, learning, and ethical responsibility. He founded the Rebuilding Democracy Project, which developed into Faith 250, a national multi-faith initiative preparing communities for the 250th anniversary of the United States through shared reflection on foundational American texts. He teaches and writes on Jewish ethics, civic life, and spiritual resilience. Show Notes Faith 250 American Scripture Faith 250 as a response to political despair and a way for clergy to exercise agency Four core American texts explored as shared scripture across faiths Intent to counter politicization of the 250th anniversary through spiritual depth Multi-faith relationships grounding the initiative in shared civic and moral concern Emphasis on clergy as conveners of spiritually safe, local containers for reading The Declaration, New Colossus, Frederick Douglass, and America the Beautiful as "scriptural" portals to civic meaning "American scripture" as a means of naming shared identity and shared community Jewish Formation and Torah Childhood shaped by nature, wonder, and ethical awareness rather than synagogue life Early encounters with the Everglades as formative experiences of spirit and awe Discovery of Torah study as a young adult across Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform settings Epistemic humility as a defining mark of Jewish study practice Pursuit of truth understood through the "through a glass darkly" frame of Moses Torah received "through the hand of Moses" as mediating truth and mystery Chevruta (paired study) as the engine of discovery, disagreement, and meaning Pastoral Life and Congregational Meaning Surprised by the depth of pastoral work: weddings, funerals, life-cycle passages Intimacy of congregational leadership as a source of meaning rather than tedium Congregational relationships forming an existential and vocational anchor The role of community support during family medical crises How decades-long pastoral presence shapes shared covenantal life Teaching 12- and 13-year-olds to encounter the text as spiritual practice The power of intergenerational relationships in spiritual resilience Pandemic and Spiritual Survival Early months of 2020 as a time of fear, isolation, and emotional strain Counseling families whose loved ones were dying without visitors Previous experience with depression creating early warning signals Telehealth therapy as a critical intervention Saturday morning Torah study on Zoom becoming the path through darkness Growth of the study community throughout the pandemic Predictable humor and shared reading as markers of communal stability Textuality, God-Language, and Jewish Hesitations Jewish discomfort speaking explicitly about God for theological and cultural reasons Layers of humility, anti-mysticism, differentiation from Christianity, and historical experience Sacredness and mystery of the scroll growing in the digital age Physicality of the Torah scroll attracting deeper attention and reverence Hebrew as a source of multivalent meaning, sonic power, and spiritual resonance Reading together as the most common encounter with God: understanding another's soul Pastoral awareness of individuals' life stories shaping group study dynamics Cross-Faith Devotion and Shared Honor Friendships with Muslim, Christian, and Hasidic leaders deepening spiritual insight Devotion in others sparking awe rather than defensiveness Disagreement becoming a site of connection rather than separation Devotion in other traditions prompting self-reflection on one's own commitments Stories of praying with and learning from ultra-Orthodox leaders Shared pursuit of truth across tradition lines as a form of civic and spiritual honor American religious diversity offering unprecedented exposure to sincere piety Israel, Gaza, and American Jewish Experience Suffering, fear, and horror experienced by Israelis and Palestinians Parallel emotional and spiritual pressures faced by Jews and Muslims in America Concern about political manipulation of community trauma Generational trauma and its transmission, including Holocaust-era family stories Emotional resonance of global conflict in local congregational life Distinction and connection between geopolitical realities and American spiritual experience Call to honor emotional realities across neighborhoods and communities Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Dr. Gilad Malach, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute. Malach's research focuses on public policy related to Israel's ultra-Orthodox community, including issues critical to its integration into Israel's economy and society. This week, the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee is debating a new bill aimed at regulating Haredi draft exemptions. Starting with the foundation of the state in 1948, Malach takes us through the evolution of the ultra-Orthodox community's refusal to serve in the IDF. We hear of previous efforts to entice the population to join the army and how badly they failed. Malach takes us through the unique make-up of the ultra-Orthodox household, in which women generally are more educated and go out to work, while men form a "community of learners." As this new legislation is being debated, we learn what is at stake for the community, as well as the frustrations from the majority of Israelis who are shouldering the national burden. And so this week, we ask Dr. Gilad Malach, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Ultra-Orthodox Jews from the two rival factions of the Ponevezh Yeshiva stand outside the yeshiva following a mediation session held at the place, in Bnei Brak, November 19, 2025. (Erik Marmor/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francis Chan sits down with theologian and apologist Gavin Ortlund (truthunites.org) for a vulnerable, wide-ranging conversation about communion, church unity, and what it means to love other Christians in a fractured age. Francis shares his own journey wrestling with the Eucharist, reading the church fathers, engaging Roman Catholic and Orthodox perspectives, and discovering the “real presence” within a Protestant framework. Gavin explains why he remains gratefully Protestant and how he understands the richness of the Lord's Supper and church history. Together, they talk honestly about the harsh tone of much online “discernment” content, the temptation to chase clicks by attacking other believers, and the deep grief they both feel over division in the body of Christ. Francis opens up about this new season of life and ministry, sensing a renewed childlike faith, a burden to guard and walk with younger leaders, and a longing to see gospel-centered unity rooted in truth and shaped by the love of God. If you've ever wrestled with questions about the Lord's Supper, Protestant vs. Catholic/Orthodox claims, or how to contend for truth without losing love, this conversation will both challenge and encourage you to fix your eyes on Jesus and pursue a unity that flows from the gospel itself.

Fr. Evan answers your questions about the differences between a non-Orthodox and Orthodox Christian's relationship with God, the Orthodox Christian perspective on owning historical artifacts associated with evil, the appropriateness of head coverings for inquirers, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about the differences between a non-Orthodox and Orthodox Christian's relationship with God, the Orthodox Christian perspective on owning historical artifacts associated with evil, the appropriateness of head coverings for inquirers, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Catholic–Orthodox Reunion: Is It Finally Happening?

In our Nicene Creed series we're tackling these next lines:We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,    the only Son of God,    eternally begotten of the Father,    God from God, Light from Light,    true God from true God,    begotten, not made,    of one Being with the Father. And we're joined by the wonderful Rev. future-Dr. Jacob Breeze My LinkedIn-y bio sounds like this:My congregational experience spans nearly two decades across diverse settings—from revitalizing a small rural parish in North Carolina to strategic leadership in two large, complex organizations with thousands of members and multi-million dollar budgets.I'm the founder of Holy Family Episcopal, a thriving church for people without a church in Houston's East End, where I lead a 13-person staff and steward a campus housing the LAR Gallery.In the Diocese of Texas, I teach theology at the Iona School for Ministry, serve as an Examining Chaplain, and train and mentor new clergy. My congregational experience spans nearly two decades across diverse settings—from revitalizing a small rural parish in North Carolina to strategic leadership in two large, complex organizations with thousands of members and multi-million dollar budgets.I'm currently a PhD candidate in Systematic Theology at Aberdeen. He is an artist, student, and love hanging out with my family and friends. an artist, student, and love hanging out with my family and friends. +++Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcastThere's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons!+++Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.comOur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/++++MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/++++More about Father Lizzie:BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/RevLizzie.comhttps://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzieJubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org ++++More about Mother Laura:https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peachesSt. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA++++Theme music:"On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue).New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

Top headlines for Monday, December 1, 2025In this episode, we dive into Roblox facing a lawsuit over claims it became a “hunting ground” for predators, with an Oklahoma teen at the center of the case. We also cover the arrest of thirteen Israeli citizens after crossing into Syrian territory in the Golan Heights, and explore how a Christian legal group is rating America's biggest retailers on their holiday spirit.00:11 California drops $67K in fines against Bay Area church01:00 Roblox serves as 'hunting ground' for child predators: lawsuit01:50 13 Israelis arrested after breaching border, crossing into Syria02:35 GOP lawmaker faces backlash over comment about Orthodox churches03:27 Several major US retailers placed on 'Naughty List'04:15 Anglican priest dies in captivity after kidnapping in Nigeria05:08 Texas Christian University to sunset race, gender studiesSubscribe to this PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyOvercastFollow Us on Social Media@ChristianPost on XChristian Post on Facebook@ChristianPostIntl on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeGet the Edifi AppDownload for iPhoneDownload for AndroidSubscribe to Our NewsletterSubscribe to the Freedom Post, delivered every Monday and ThursdayClick here to get the top headlines delivered to your inbox every morning!Links to the NewsCalifornia drops $67K in fines against Bay Area church | U.S.Roblox serves as 'hunting ground' for child predators: lawsuit | Entertainment13 Israelis arrested after breaching border, crossing into Syria | WorldGOP lawmaker faces backlash over comment about Orthodox churches | U.S.Several major US retailers placed on 'Naughty List' | U.S.Anglican priest dies in captivity after kidnapping in Nigeria | WorldTexas Christian University to sunset race, gender studies | U.S.

I Corinthians 4:9-16 St. John 1:35-51 In this homily for the Feast of St. Andrew, Fr. Anthony contrasts the world's definition of success with the apostolic witness of sacrifice, humility, and courageous love. Drawing on St. Paul's admonition to the Corinthians, he calls Christians to recover the reverence due to bishops and spiritual fathers, to reject the corrosive logic of social media, and to return to the ascetical path that forms us for theosis. St. Andrew and St. Paul's lives reveals that true honor is found not in comfort or acclaim but in following Christ wherever He leads — even into suffering and martyrdom.  Enjoy the show! ---- St. Andrew Day, 2025 The Orthodox Church takes apostolic succession very seriously; the preservation of "the faith passed on to the apostles" is maintained by the physicality of the ordination of bishops by bishops, all of who can trace the history of the ordination of the bishops who ordained them back to one or more of the apostles themselves.  You probably already new that.  But there is another part of that respect for the apostles that you may not know of: the ranking of autocephalist (i.e. independent) national Churches.  The Canons (especially those of the Council of Trullo) give prominence to the five ancient patriarchates of Rome (Sts. Peter and Paul), Constantinople (St. Andrew), Alexandria (St. Mark), Antioch (St. Paul), and Jerusalem (St. James).   St. Andrew travelled into dangerous barbarian lands to spread the Gospel, to include the Middle East, and, most notably, then North to the lands around the Black Sea; Ankara and Edessa to the south of the Black Sea in what is now Turkey, to the East of the Black Sea into the Caucuses, and up to the North of the Black Sea to the Scythian lands into what is now Ukraine.  That was his first journey.  After this, he returned to Jerusalem and then went on his second journey to Antioch, back up into the Caucasus, out to the land of the dog-headed people in Central Asia, down through what is now Afghanistan to the Arabian Sea, and then back up through Persia and finally into Greece, where he was martyred. He sacrificed so much for the Gospel and brought so many souls to salvation through the Christ he himself knew, both before and after His glorious Resurrection.  His virtue and sacrificial service allow God's grace to flow into the world and he serves as the patron of several countries, cities, and all Christians who bear variations of His name such as Andrew, Andrei, and Andrea. As Orthodox Christians, we should know his story, ask for his intercession, and imitate his witness.  And everyone, whether Christian or not, should respect his virtue.  But does it?  Does it even respect virtue?  Do we? As Saint Paul points out in today's Epistle, many of us do not.  And don't think the problem was just in Corinth; St. John Chrysostom's homilies on this epistle show that the people there were at least as guilty.  And that was in the center of Eastern Orthodoxy, during the time of alleged symphonia between the Church and State.  Should there be any doubt that we, too, allow the world to define the sorts of worldly things we should prioritize? After all … What is it that the world respects in a man?  What is it that the world respects in a woman?  Think for a second what it is that impresses you the most about the people you admire – perhaps even makes you jealous, wishing that you had managed to obtain the same things. I cannot read your minds, but if you are like most Americans, the list would certainly include: A long, healthy life, without chronic pain or major physical injury A life free of indictment, arrest, or imprisonment The respect, admiration, and popularity of their peers Money, a big house, a vacation house, and the ability to retire comfortably (and early) These are some of the things that many of you are either pleased to enjoy, regret not having obtained, or, if you are young, are currently striving for. The Apostles Andrew and Paul, gave up the possibility for all these things to follow Christ.  Not because they wanted to; not because God made them; they gave up the life of worldly comfort and respect because – in a culture and time as messed up as theirs was – this is the only Way to live a life of grace and to grow in love and perfection. A long, healthy life, without chronic pain or major physical injury? Nope – gave it up. A life free of indictment, arrest, or imprisonment? Nope – gave it up. The respect, admiration, and popularity of their peers? No again. Money, a big house, a vacation house, and the ability to retire comfortably (and early) I don't think so (unless a prison in Rome and martyrdom count!). Because St. Paul is writing as an Apostle, instructing a parish that he was called to lead, it is tempting to put his sacrifices into the category of "things that clergy do".  And clergy certainly should follow their example.  While my example is not so bright, you may know that I gave up a life of wealth, admiration, and the possibility of a comfortable retirement so that I could serve as a priest.  God has blessed that and protected me from harm, but the opportunity costs are real, nonetheless.   And while I am a pale shadow of him (and he of Christ), I, like the Apostle Paul, did these things not because I wanted to (I liked my life then!) and not because God made me, but because in a culture and time as messed up as ours is, such a life of simplicity and complete service to others is the only Way I can live a life of grace and to grow in love and towards perfection in Christ. I have made some sacrifices, but I know other clergymen who – in our time – have given up more.  Their entire lives given over to sacrificial servce to Christ.  Who have become experts in both academic theology and the real theology of constant prayer.  Who have and continue to lead their dioceses and Churches through such difficult times.  And yet, who, like St. Paul, are not only reviled by the world, but even by Orthodox Christians.  Yes, to paraphrase St. Paul, we are so smart and educated that we can criticize and heap piles of coal on their heads because we know so much more than they do – because they, like St. Paul, are fools.  We can trash-talk them on social media and applaud others who lead the charge against them because they are so weak and we are so strong. How long does it take for a Patriarch's priestly ministry to make him respectable in our sight?  For us to respect him, or at least to forebear him? It must be more than 55 years, based on the things I have heard and read us saying about Patriarch Kyrril who has been leading his Church and people through an incredibly difficult time, as he believes the West works to undermine his people's faith and traditional Christianity everywhere. It must also be more than 55 years, based on the things I have heard and read us saying about Patriarch Bartholomew, as he works amidst the persecution of the government in the place he lives to bring Christians and Christians who have long been divided into and towards the unity for which we pray daily and which our God desires us to work towards. It must be more than 42 years, based on the things I have heard and read us saying about our own Patriach John, who has seen his people and Church crucified and persecuted and who seeks to encourage the local authorities to protect the weak and the Church and people he serves (while leading the people he serves in the West to avoid the excesses of liberty).   I hope you feel the shame, if not your own personal shame for having participated in slandering and judging our bishops and patriarchs, then feel shame for seeing the world and those Orthodox Christians who are living by its rules attacking them and questioning their virtue. This is the same shame that St. Paul was trying to elicit in Corinth.  Do you feel the shame?  If not, then the world, probably through social media, has deadened your noetic senses.  It is time for repentance.   And like St. Paul, I have to tell you that – while few of you may be called to priestly or monastic service – all of us are called to reject those things that the world has led us to value, because all of these things are like barrier between us and the eternal joy and perfection we were called to enjoy. Listen to me, my brothers and sisters, as I repeat the words of St. Paul we so desperately need to hear:   "For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  Therefore I urge you, imitate me."   We do not have St. Paul as our father, but we have one of his successors, Patriarch John, and those whom he has assigned to us, such as Metropolitan Saba, Bishop John, and even this, your unworthy servant.  Let's stop giving attention to those who attack Orthodox clerics and thereby sow division within the Church and undermine its witness to others. Let's give up our attachment to this world and its ways.  Let's give up everything worldly we love, follow Christ, and gain the things that are really worth our love, admiration, and sacrifice.

Kevin Goodman is an Orthodox convert in Baltimore. He volunteers with the St. Nicholas Tele-Santa program, a free service in collaboration with the GOA, offering video calls with children to teach about the original Santa Claus, St. Nicholas of Myra.

Barney's new book is out, coauthored with Professor DavidElcott! On the Significance of Religion in Immigration Policy. You can buy the book here or download it free here. The book guides you through the Jewish and Christianarguments made for many different immigration policies throughout history and in the present day. It has sections that discuss:Bible verses used on all sides of the debateThe state of IsraelChristian values and US Immigration policyAmbiguities in the Jewish traditionEuropean Immigration in medieval times and todayDifferences between Catholic, Orthodox, & Protestant approaches to immigrationIn this conversation, Austin asks us questions about theintended audience of the book, its goals and aims, and we also talk a bit about the disagreements we had to overcome in order to have a truly interreligious publication!

Link to video of this interview: https://youtu.be/qMKonpTHj24A candid discussion about Orthodox Judaism and its views on abortion, infertility and loss of unborn life.This discussion is Part 2 of a two-part interview. WATCH PART 1 HERE: https://youtu.be/jjk5K5Rp6e4In this episode, we explore reproductive halacha: Jewish legal thought on abortion, infertility, contraception, gender identity, sexual norms, and the wider landscape of ethical questions around them. The aim is a thoughtful, free-flowing conversation that makes room for nuance, real history, and lived experience. Rabbi Katz grew up in Hasidic Williamsburg and later left Hasidism while remaining within the Orthodox world. He has served as Senior Rabbi of the Prospect Heights Shul and is currently Chair of the Talmud Department at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Throughout his career, he has engaged with what he calls “cutting-edge issues” inside halachic discourse — including gender, sexual abuse, and other areas of communal tension. Many viewers also know his mother, Gita Katz, the sharp, unforgettable Hasidic woman featured in several of my videos. Rabbi Katz is her eldest, once considered a standout student in the Williamsburg community before charting his own path. Today he brings a rare mix of insider knowledge, rigorous training, and a willingness to tackle difficult conversations publicly. He also maintains an active presence on Facebook, where he moderates discussions that often get very heated.Rabbi Katz's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ysoscher.katzIf this conversation resonates, you may also enjoy these related interviews:Related Videos: Part 1 with Rabbi Katz https://youtu.be/jjk5K5Rp6e4 -My earlier interview with Rabbi Katz on the Satmar Rebbe: https://youtu.be/8oVcC5z24c4The book I mentioned is 'I am Forbidden' by Anouk Markovits: https://amzn.to/49lfr09A Hasidic woman's views on women's issues — my interview with Pearl (and yes… Pearl is Gita's close friend!) https://youtu.be/IaqonzHozVMA note of thanks: Many thanks to all of you who are able to support this channel. If you do end-of-year giving, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the cost of producing these videos. Many episodes cost far more to edit than YouTube pays in ad revenue, and the channel only continues because of the generosity of its viewers. Donate here: https://shorturl.at/WqXnLBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-frieda-vizel-podcast--5824414/support.

Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew just took a step no one expected: reciting the Nicene Creed together without the Filioque. This moment shocked Catholics, Orthodox, and observers around the world. In this episode of FACTS with Stephen Boyce and Pat May, we break down why this gesture matters, what it signals about the future of East–West relations, and whether real reunification is finally possible after nearly 1,000 years of division.We explore the historical background, the theological implications, and the global reactions to this unprecedented moment between Rome and Constantinople. Is this a symbolic gesture—or the beginning of something much bigger?If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 Here is a Link to the video we played: https://www.youtube.com/live/29Oa2X4VkE8?si=GorsC2k52m4_LIUb#CatholicChurch #OrthodoxChurch #ChristianUnity #PopeLeo #PatriarchBartholomew #Filioque #EcumenicalDialogue #ChurchHistory #FACTSPodcast #GreatSchism

This episode is packed — saints, miracles, Marian devotion, vocations, fatherhood, fasting, silence, and the rise of a new generation of men hungry for God.Fr. Charbel, a Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate, joins Adam and David in Tulsa along with first-class relics of St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Charbel, sharing powerful stories of faith, mission, intercession, and what young Catholic men are longing for today.IN THIS EPISODE1. Meet Fr. Charbel — his order, his mission, and why Marian consecration is centralFr. Charbel introduces the Franciscans of the Immaculate, an order founded to continue the Marian mission of St. Maximilian Kolbe:Total consecration to Mary as a fourth vowA spirituality built on St. Francis + St. MaximilianMissionary availability (“Send me anywhere in the world”)Heavy emphasis on prayer, poverty, obedience, and Marian devotionHe explains how Our Lady's presence has shaped every major moment in salvation history — from Nazareth to the Cross — and why consecration gives Mary “permission” to form us the way she formed Christ.2. A surge of young men seeking GodAs the newly appointed vocations director, Fr. Charbel reveals something astonishing:40+ serious vocation inquiries in just two months.Why the sudden surge?Men want something realThey crave mission and purposeThey want orthodoxy and reverenceThey want a spirituality that demands something of themMarian devotion draws them in a unique way“It's inspiring,” he says. “Young men want authenticity.”3. Stories of Divine Providence and the adventure of religious lifeThe guys talk about:The Franciscan blend of active + contemplativeThe thrill of trusting God with everythingPoverty that becomes a doorway to providenceWhy Franciscans never seem to fundraise (“God just provides”)Religious life, he says, is more adventurous than most men realize.4. Deep dive: Who is St. Charbel? Why is he exploding in popularity?St. Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese hermit, is becoming one of the most beloved saints of the century.Father explains why:Lived a hidden, humble, ascetic life23 years in community + 23 years as a hermitEntire life centered on the Holy EucharistBody discovered incorrupt with supernatural light rising from his tombOver 29,000 documented miracles since 1950Miracles among Muslims, Druze, Orthodox, and nonbelieversGlobal pilgrims: 2 million+ per yearOne stunning story:A Muslim sheikh publicly visited St. Charbel's shrine to thank him for healing his mother of cancer.“Why would God confirm the life of a hermit who spent his life before the Eucharist,” Father asks, “unless the Eucharist is truly what the Church says it is?”5. Lessons from St. Charbel for modern men + fathersWhat does a hermit from Lebanon have to teach us? A lot.Fr. Charbel lays out practical takeaways:Faithfulness in the small thingsSilence — making space for God's voiceDaily prayer even without consolationsObedience and humilityEucharistic devotionMarian devotion as a way of being formedAsceticism and fasting: dying to self in small waysDoing your duty with...

What is a human—dust and breath, body and spirit—without tearing ourselves in two? Deacon Anthony (St. Anthony the Great Orthodox Church, San Diego) joins Cloud of Witnesses with hosts Mario Andrew, Jeremy Jeremiah, and John for a rich, practical conversation on an Orthodox vision of the whole person and the mind (phronema) of the Church.We trace a path away from the twin traps of indulgence (living by our appetites) and denial (pretending we're already angelic), toward a fearless embrace of reality in Christ. Through Scripture, the Fathers, and stories from parish life, Deacon Anthony shows how God meets us in the tangible—mud on eyes, bread and wine, water and oil—to heal the heart and remake our lives.In this episode you'll hear:Body & Soul together: why the Incarnation means Christianity is never “purely spiritual” or “only physical.”The phronema (mindset) of the Church: how a Christian way of seeing reshapes what we notice, how we judge, and whom we love.Using God-given tools rightly: judge ourselves, not our neighbor; fear sin, not repentance; hate the illness, not the person.Confession as healing: real accountability, a spiritual father, and why naming sin breaks its power.Community over isolation: salvation is ecclesial and relational—you can't be saved on an island.Heaven & hell begin now: entitlement and isolation taste like hell; humility and communion taste like heaven.Saints as role models: why children (and adults) need holy examples more than celebrities.Eucharist & the senses: why worship that engages sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch anchors faith in reality.If “symbolic religion” has felt thin—or if modern “live-your-truth” scripts leave you empty—this conversation offers a hopeful, time-tested alternative: sacrament, repentance, and daily love that form the whole person in Christ.Find an Orthodox Church near you today. Visit https://www.antiochian.org/home Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses Radio on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTokPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!

A recent, landmark study of current and future rabbis was met simultaneously with celebration, skepticism, and concern by groups across the Jewish community. The survey by Atra – Center for Rabbinic Innovation, indicated significant upward trends in rabbis choosing community positions rather than leading congregations from the pulpit, rabbinical students who identify as LGBTQ+ (51 percent), and the number of students receiving rabbinic ordination from  nondenominational schools. The statistics have garnered their share of skepticism and criticism, namely that they under represent Modern Orthodox rabbinical students and that they do not include traditional Orthodox and Haredi populations. But even with those caveats, some community leaders worry that these trends indicate a non-Orthodox rabbinate whose demographics are significantly different than the lay populations they hope to serve, and who may have more difficulty than their predecessors in building relationships with mainstream Jewish community organizations. Our hosts - 3 rabbis and not a pulpit between them - discuss how the study matches up with their own observations and what it means for the future of the Jewish community. They also chat about the recent brouhaha within the Jewish community about an upcoming exhibit at Winnipeg's Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and a spate of Jewish Canadian organisations recently losing their charitable status. And of course, some Textual Healing to ease our listeners into Shabbat Parshat Vayetzei. Credits Hosts: Avi Finegold, Yedida Eisenstat, Matthew Leibl Production team: Zachary Judah Kauffman (editor), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Socalled Support The CJN Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to Not in Heaven (Not sure how? Click here )

Though he has not been glorified by the Church, Fr Lazarus was a pioneer and exemplar of Orthodoxy in the West.   He was born in England in 1902. In his early manhood he moved to western Canada, where he worked as a farm laborer for several years. While working in Alberta, he sensed a call to become a missionary and went to an English missionary college for five years.   Sad to say, our sources are unclear about how he came to the Orthodox faith from this unlikely beginning. But in 1934 he spent seven weeks on Mt Athos, then lived as a monk in Yugoslavia. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Theophan (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad), then sent to Palestine to serve the Russian Mission in Jerusalem.   In 1948, the new State of Israel gave the Mission's property to the Soviet Union and the mission was left dispossessed. Fr Lazarus served as priest to the Russian Convent in Aïn Karim and Transjordan, then was sent to India in 1952, where he helped in Orthodox missionary work for twenty years. Several of his books and translations, such as his biography/study of St Seraphim of Sarov, were written while he lived in India. While there, he met Mother Gavrilia of Greece, whose beautiful biography Ascetic of Love includes good descriptions of him during his life in India. Though very strict in his Orthodoxy, he was flexible in externals: in India he wore a white rather than a black cassock, because black clothing had offensive connotations to the Indian people.   In 1972 Fr Lazarus was called to Greece, then in 1974 to Australia, where he served for nine years. In 1983 he moved to California in answer to call from Fr Peter Gillquist to assist members of the former 'Evangelical Orthodox Church' in their move to Orthodoxy. In 1989 he moved to Alaska, where he continued this work. He reposed in Eagle River, Alaska in 1992. Following is an excerpt from an account of his last days by members of his community in Eagle River:   "Father always signed his name with TWA, "Traveling With Angels". A few days before his death, after battling cancer many years, faithfully using the Jesus Prayer as the medicine for his affliction, the Archangel Michael appeared to help him. His final journey homeward had begun, TWA... 'the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' (2 Timothy 4: 6-8)."

Though he has not been glorified by the Church, Fr Lazarus was a pioneer and exemplar of Orthodoxy in the West.   He was born in England in 1902. In his early manhood he moved to western Canada, where he worked as a farm laborer for several years. While working in Alberta, he sensed a call to become a missionary and went to an English missionary college for five years.   Sad to say, our sources are unclear about how he came to the Orthodox faith from this unlikely beginning. But in 1934 he spent seven weeks on Mt Athos, then lived as a monk in Yugoslavia. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Theophan (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad), then sent to Palestine to serve the Russian Mission in Jerusalem.   In 1948, the new State of Israel gave the Mission's property to the Soviet Union and the mission was left dispossessed. Fr Lazarus served as priest to the Russian Convent in Aïn Karim and Transjordan, then was sent to India in 1952, where he helped in Orthodox missionary work for twenty years. Several of his books and translations, such as his biography/study of St Seraphim of Sarov, were written while he lived in India. While there, he met Mother Gavrilia of Greece, whose beautiful biography Ascetic of Love includes good descriptions of him during his life in India. Though very strict in his Orthodoxy, he was flexible in externals: in India he wore a white rather than a black cassock, because black clothing had offensive connotations to the Indian people.   In 1972 Fr Lazarus was called to Greece, then in 1974 to Australia, where he served for nine years. In 1983 he moved to California in answer to call from Fr Peter Gillquist to assist members of the former 'Evangelical Orthodox Church' in their move to Orthodoxy. In 1989 he moved to Alaska, where he continued this work. He reposed in Eagle River, Alaska in 1992. Following is an excerpt from an account of his last days by members of his community in Eagle River:   "Father always signed his name with TWA, "Traveling With Angels". A few days before his death, after battling cancer many years, faithfully using the Jesus Prayer as the medicine for his affliction, the Archangel Michael appeared to help him. His final journey homeward had begun, TWA... 'the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' (2 Timothy 4: 6-8)."

Israeli society is split over the issue of compulsory military service for the ultra-Orthodox community. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, who represent 15 percent of the population, have historically been exempt from service. But a bill has now been proposed to lift this exemption, in response to growing needs within the army after two years of war in Gaza. Since the summer, around 100 young people who refused their conscription orders have been arrested. Our correspondent Claire Duhamel reports, with Josh Vardey.

Kyle King (Orthodox, former Catholic) and Ben Bollinger (Catholic, former Orthodox) debate whether clerical celibacy as practiced by Latin Catholics has a stronger basis in antiquity than the Eastern Catholic/Orthodox practice. 

What if reverence isn't a feeling you chase, but a reality you enter?This episode follows a grateful former Protestant named Michael from his upbringing all the way to a first Divine Liturgy in a small Orthodox chapel on a military base in Okinawa—and the quiet discoveries that happened along the way. Join Cloud of Witnesses hosts Jeremy Jeremiah and Mario Andrew as we move through warm family memories, the culture shock of military life, and the slow drift that happens when belief outruns practice. Then the trail turns: an old-school YouTube series on church history, the Jordan River baptismal site, a striking painting of confession, and even a meme about the Theotokos—little breadcrumbs pointing toward something older, deeper, and strangely familiar.What we explore (without the debate club tone):Icons, saints, Mary—through the Incarnation: not add-ons, but practices that flow from God made flesh and the Church's unbroken life.A reframing question: instead of “Were the early Fathers really Christians?” try “Would they recognize our faith as theirs?” That single question reshapes how we think about worship, authority, sacraments, and belonging to a parish that actually forms us.Worship reimagined: the first Liturgy lands as awe-filled, ordered, communal—not performance or preference but the Church at prayer.Accountability & spiritual fatherhood: why guidance matters when culture pulls hard—and how confession, obedience, and community keep us real.Vocation with roots: plans for law school and faithful presence in public life, now steadied by a tradition that tells you who you are.Gratitude without amnesia: love for Scripture and prayer received in Protestant homes, alongside honesty about what felt missing—continuity, reverence, and a daily rule of life.If you've felt restless—church-hopping, yearning for weight and continuity—this conversation offers a gentle map: the ancient path is not a museum; it's a living way that teaches hearts to pray, minds to think with the Church, and bodies to worship with all the senses.Listen & share. If this resonates, subscribe and send to a friend who's searching. In your review, tell us the one question you'd ask the early Church—what would you hope they recognize in your faith?Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses Radio on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTokPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!

Join the show with a TEXT here!There's no better time than Thanksgiving to pause and reflect on the gospel's enduring truths. In this episode, we dive into a recent debate on the nature of justification between a Protestant and a Roman Catholic. This conversation opens up rich insights into Scripture, tradition, and the ongoing call to evangelize—not only among Roman Catholics but also the Eastern Orthodox who share similar perspectives in this area of theology. Along the way, I'll also share of what first sparked my passion for creating this content—my journey into apologetics and the conviction that the church must be equipped to stand firm against false teaching while boldly proclaiming the truth.So grab your Bible (and maybe a snack), settle in, and let's explore together!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on the Orthodox position on the priesthood of all believers, how to deepen our relationship with the Theotokos as a mother figure, if an Eastern Orthodox can believe in one nature of Christ, how one can move their faith from their head to their heart, and more on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on the Orthodox position on the priesthood of all believers, how to deepen our relationship with the Theotokos as a mother figure, if an Eastern Orthodox can believe in one nature of Christ, how one can move their faith from their head to their heart, and more on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

In today's episode, we take a close look at the recent document calling Christians to “move beyond outdated theological disputes” and to leave behind controversies that are believed to have lost their purpose. But what does that actually mean? I walk through the text, its key claims, and the implications many Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants […]

Jay Hanson is the conference superintendent for the South Georgia Global Methodist Church and the lead pastor at the Chapel in Brunswick, Georgia. In his new book, God is Still Calling: How to Listen to God's Voice in a World Full of Noise, Jay offers practical wisdom and inspiring stories to help you recognize God's voice in everyday life, transforming busyness into purpose, connection, and clarity.Youtube - https://youtu.be/3uq-Kv2LaroAudio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcastApple -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4Here is a link to Jay's book - https://www.inviteministries.org/store/view/god-is-still-calling/And here is a link to Seeking More Light: Essays in Salvation Army Thought Honoring R. David Rightmire - https://a.co/d/bp7g8GvIf you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses, Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude andHeaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit courses.andymilleriii.comAnd don't forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon! Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching. Today's episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.eduThanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

I'm back with Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions. In its 29th chapter, the book of Jeremiah contains a letter that the prophet wrote to the exiles in Babylonia. There is another letter of Jeremiah to the exiles, a very short work. In the Orthodox tradition, this is a separate book all to itself. In the Catholic canon, it is a chapter in the book of Baruch. Thanks to Martin Luther, the Protestants don't have it in any form. In this episode, Gil and I investigate the letter. Who wrote it, when, and why.

"A fellow-countryman and friend of St Basil the Great and other great saints of the fourth century, Amphilochius early forsook the bustle of the world and withdrew to a cave where, as a solitary, he lived in asceticism for forty years. The episcopal throne in Iconium then fell empty, and Amphilochius was chosen in a wonderful way and consecrated as Bishop of Iconium. He was a marvellous shepherd and a great defender of the purity of the Orthodox faith, and took part in the Second Ecumenical Council in 381. He fought zealously against Macedonius, and against the Arians and the Eunomians. He personally begged Theodosius the Great to drive the Arians out of every city in the Empire, but the Emperor did not comply with his request. After a few days, Amphilochius came before the Emperor again. When the bishop was taken into the presence-chamber, the Emperor was sitting on his throne with his son Arcadius, whom he had taken as co-Emperor, sitting at his right hand. Entering the room, Amphilochius did reverence to Theodosius, but ignored Arcadius as though he were not there. Infuriated by this, the Emperor Theodosius commanded that Amphilochius be instantly driven from court. The saint then said to the Emperor: 'Do you see, 0 Emperor, how you do not tolerate a slight paid to your son? In the same way, God the Father does not tolerate dishonour paid to His Son, turning with loathing from those who blaspheme against Him, and being angered at that accursed Arian heresy.' Hearing this, the Emperor understood the reason for Amphilochius's seeming disrespect towards his son, and marvelled at his wisdom and daring. Among many other works, Amphilochius wrote several books on the Faith. He entered into rest in 395 in great old age, and went to immortal life." (Prologue)   Saint Amphilocus was a kinsman of St Gregory the Theologian: his father's sister Nonna (August 5) was St Gregory's mother. Amphilocus himself was a lifelong friend of all three of the great Cappadocian Fathers: Sts Basil, Gregory the Theologian and Gregory of Nyssa.

"A fellow-countryman and friend of St Basil the Great and other great saints of the fourth century, Amphilochius early forsook the bustle of the world and withdrew to a cave where, as a solitary, he lived in asceticism for forty years. The episcopal throne in Iconium then fell empty, and Amphilochius was chosen in a wonderful way and consecrated as Bishop of Iconium. He was a marvellous shepherd and a great defender of the purity of the Orthodox faith, and took part in the Second Ecumenical Council in 381. He fought zealously against Macedonius, and against the Arians and the Eunomians. He personally begged Theodosius the Great to drive the Arians out of every city in the Empire, but the Emperor did not comply with his request. After a few days, Amphilochius came before the Emperor again. When the bishop was taken into the presence-chamber, the Emperor was sitting on his throne with his son Arcadius, whom he had taken as co-Emperor, sitting at his right hand. Entering the room, Amphilochius did reverence to Theodosius, but ignored Arcadius as though he were not there. Infuriated by this, the Emperor Theodosius commanded that Amphilochius be instantly driven from court. The saint then said to the Emperor: 'Do you see, 0 Emperor, how you do not tolerate a slight paid to your son? In the same way, God the Father does not tolerate dishonour paid to His Son, turning with loathing from those who blaspheme against Him, and being angered at that accursed Arian heresy.' Hearing this, the Emperor understood the reason for Amphilochius's seeming disrespect towards his son, and marvelled at his wisdom and daring. Among many other works, Amphilochius wrote several books on the Faith. He entered into rest in 395 in great old age, and went to immortal life." (Prologue)   Saint Amphilocus was a kinsman of St Gregory the Theologian: his father's sister Nonna (August 5) was St Gregory's mother. Amphilocus himself was a lifelong friend of all three of the great Cappadocian Fathers: Sts Basil, Gregory the Theologian and Gregory of Nyssa.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Joe Heschmeyer—author, debater, and Catholic Answers apologist—to talk about (and question) what we believe to be true, what's real and what's not, conspiracy theories, morality, and much more. 

“Do Some Orthodox Traditions Allow for Multiple Marriages?” This episode explores the nuances of Catholic and Orthodox relations, addressing questions like which Church Fathers and Councils support the Papacy, the historical split between the two churches, and how to respond to those drawn to Orthodoxy. Tune in for a thoughtful examination of these important topics. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:55 – What Fathers and Councils should I read that support the Papacy? 11:26 – Who led the parting of the Orthodox church with the Catholic church? What was the key disagreement? 16:15 – How can I respond to someone who feels that they are being led from Catholicism into Orthodoxy? 30:00 – Do some Orthodox traditions allow for more than one marriage? 40:40 – Are we allowed to take communion if a Catholic attends an Eastern Orthodox Church? 42:41 – Does it affect our Salvation if we don't believe in a Catholic church teaching? 52:22 – What is the difference or similarity between Eastern Orthodox or Catholics disagree with their leaders’ teachings?