Podcasts about Orthodox

Ezekiel 20; Psalm 118:81·96; Proverbs 26:10·13; 1 Peter 4

He was born in Constantinople in 715 to pious parents named John and Anna. His mother had prayed often to the most holy Theotokos to be granted a son, and received a revelation from our Lady that she would conceive the son she desired. When the child was born, she named him Stephen, following a prophecy of the Patriarch St Germanos (commemorated May 12). Stephen entered monastic life as a youth, and so distinguished himself in asceticism and virtue that the hermits of Mt Auxentius appointed him their leader at a young age.   'During the reign of Constantine V (741-775), Stephen showed his love of Orthodoxy in contending for the Faith... Besides being a fierce Iconoclast, Constantine raised up a ruthless persecution of monasticism. He held a council in 754 that anathematized the holy icons. Because Saint Stephen rejected this council, the Emperor framed false accusations against him and exiled him. But while in exile Saint Stephen performed healings with holy icons and turned many away from Iconoclasm. When he was brought before the Emperor again, he showed him a coin and asked whose image the coin bore. "Mine," said the tyrant. "If any man trample upon thine image, is he liable to punishment?" asked the Saint. When they that stood by answered yes, the Saint groaned because of their blindness, and said if they thought dishonouring the image of a corruptible king worthy of punishment, what torment would they receive who trampled upon the image of the Master Christ and of the Mother of God? Then he threw the coin to the ground and trampled on it. He was condemned to eleven months in bonds and imprisonment. Later, he was dragged over the earth and was stoned, like Stephen the First Martyr; wherefore he is called Stephen the New. Finally, he was struck with a wooden club on the temple and his head was shattered, and thus he gave up his spirit in the year 767.' (Great Horologion)

Ezekiel 19; Psalm 118:65·80; Proverbs 26:6·9; 1 Peter 3

"This Saint was from the city of Bythlaba and was of noble birth; he was the closest and most honoured friend of Isdiger (or Yazdegerd) I, King of Persia (reigned 399-420). Though a Christian from his youth, James renounced Christ because he was allured by the King's friendship and flatteries. When his mother and his wife learned of this, they declared to him by letter that they would have nothing more to do with him, since he had preferred a glory that is temporal to the love of Christ. Wounded in soul by these words and coming to himself, the Saint wept over his error, and repudiated the worship of the idols. Therefore, becoming exceedingly wroth, the King — this was Bahram (or Varahran) V (reigned 421-438), Isdiger's son and successor — condemned him to a most bitter death, the likes of which not even a brute beast was ever condemned to: that is, his body was dismembered at every joint of his arms and legs. And so, when he had been cut asunder limb by limb to his very hips and shoulders, the courageous Martyr was finally beheaded, in the year 421." (Great Horologion)

Ezekiel 18; Psalm 118:49·64; Proverbs 26:1·5; 1 Peter 2

1 Thessalonians 2:14-19 Luke 19:12-28

He was born about 930 to a pious and wealthy family near Trebizond. Once, making an inspection of the family's estates, he was so affected by the wretched conditions of the poor fieldworkers that he despaired of happiness in this world and determined to live a monastic life.   After years spent in a monastery, where he shone in obedience, prayer and self-denial, the Saint was given leave to travel in the ministry of the Gospel of Christ. For three years he wandered the East, without home or possessions, crying to everyone he met, "Repent!" and proclaiming with tears the message of salvation in Christ. He then spent seven years in Crete, then went to Greece, walking barefoot from place to place, preaching repentance and becoming so well known that he acquired the nickname "Metanoite," meaning "Repent!"   After driving a great plague from Sparta through his prayers, he settled near that city, building a great church dedicated to Christ the Savior, and living in the church for the remainder of his life. In time, a monastery was attached to the church for his disciples. His last counsel to his disciples was: "Flee pride, cleave to humility; do not despise the poor; keep clear of all evil, of all envy and of the remembrance of wrongs; forgive your brethren. Go regularly to church and confess your sins often to the priests and spiritual fathers. If you keep to these counsels, I will never abandon you." He then gave his soul back to God.   Saint Nikon was immediately venerated as a saint by the people of Sparta, and is regarded as the protector of the city, where his relics are venerated to this day.

Fr. Andrew and Fr. Stephen continue their 4-part series on the Christology of the Old Testament. This time they discuss the Word of the Lord or the Word of God. Like "Angel of the Lord," this is another phrase that gets people confused sometimes. What does "Word of God" mean exactly? Is it the Bible? Is it Christ? Can we use the phrase for both? Is it preaching? Listen and find out.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. —No Prize— Israel's Education Minister decides not to give the country's biggest prize to a genius computer theorist because he petitioned the EU to boycott an Israeli university in the territories. —If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem, Let My Office Chair Creak— If Jerusalem is Israel's capital, does that mean that all the government needs to be there? —Israel's Next Top Model— New models say in 2050, one in four Israelis will be ultra-Orthodox, but does that maybe tell us more about the models than it does about the ultra-Orthodox? —The Rise of “Holocaust Distortion”— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, we talk about a disturbing new essay by Allison about COVID and the rise of “Holocaust distortion.” All that and the enchanting harp of Renana Ne'eman!

1 Thessalonians 2:9-14 Luke 18:31-34

Ezekiel 17; Psalm 118:33·48; Proverbs 25:27·31; 1 Peter 1

Dcn. Nicholas Kotar and Jonathan Pageau team up with Fr. Andrew to discuss Elvish and Dwarvish making in Middle-earth and what that means for us Men, whose deeds hold both promise and disappointment.

He was instructed in the Faith of Christ by St Peter himself, and may be the Clement mentioned by the Apostle Paul as a fellow-worker in Philippians 4:3. He was consecrated Bishop of Rome about the year 91; some traditions call him the first Bishop of Rome, others the third after Sts Linus and Anacletus. (This is not necessarily inconsistent: in the Apostolic age, the offices of Elder and Bishop were not strictly distinguished, and the three bishops may have served at the same time or by turns.) He is the author of the Epistle of Clement, which was so highly esteemed in the early Church that it is often found in early versions of the New Testament. The holy Bishop effected countless conversions in Rome, even bringing the Prefect Sisinius and his wife Theodora to the Faith after miraculously healing them of blindness. The bishop's success so angered the Emperor Trajan that he had Clement exiled to the Crimea, on the far eastern frontier of the Empire. There the holy bishop continued to work wonders of evangelism, founding seventy-five churches in one year and bringing countless pagans to faith in Christ. Finally, to put a stop to the Saint's work, the Governor of the region had him cruelly tortured, then thrown into the Black Sea with an anchor around his neck.   More than 700 years later, in 860, St Cyril (commemorated May 11) arrived in the Crimea, sent by St Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople. He found the relics of St Clement faithfully preserved there and brought part of them back to Constantinople.

Bobby Maddex interviews Benedict Sheehan and Lydia Given about Benedict's new composition out on Capella Records, simply titled, "Vespers". Together they discuss the creative process, inspiration, and development of this beautiful project as well as a unique perspective on American Orthodox music. Listeners can learn more and find links to purchase or stream the album at the Capella Romana website.

This talk was given at Hillsdale College on October 15, 2021 as part of the Thomistic Institute conference "Christ the Savior: Perspectives from the Early Church Fathers." For information on upcoming events, please visit our website at www.thomisticinstitute.org. About the speaker: Marcus Plested (D.Phil., Oxford University, 1999) has been a member of the Center of Theological Inquiry and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, and has taught, lectured, and published widely in patristic, Byzantine, and modern Orthodox theology. He is the author of two books to date: The Macarian Legacy: The Place of Macarius-Symeon in the Eastern Christian Tradition (Oxford: OUP 2004) and Orthodox Readings of Aquinas (Oxford: OUP 2012).

The girls discuss the Ancient Faith Publishing book, The Lightkeeper. They discuss the relationship between suffering and salvation and how love is both a choice and painful, but it is ultimately essential for a meaningful life.

In which we explore the story of Adam and Eve through the lens of trauma. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Webinar on Holding Space for Trauma in Liturgy and Life: store.ancientfaith.com/remembering-all-these-things Genesis 1-3 (NRSV) “Moral Injury” via Psychology Today Canada (https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/moral-injury) Treasure in Earthen Vessels: Prayer & The Embodied Life, by Dcn Stephen Muse: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38364459-treasure-in-earthen-vessels “From the Prayer of Jesus to Prayer of the Heart,” by Fr. John Breck: https://www.oca.org/reflections/fr.-john-breck/from-the-prayer-of-jesus-to-prayer-of-the-heart The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Luke 18:15-17, 26-30

Ezekiel 16; Psalm 118:17·32; Proverbs 25:22·26; James 5

Fr. John Oliver shares a story about a group of demons discussing how best to lead humans astray, the opportunity for repentance through the mercy of God.

He was born in the province of Asia, to a Scythian who had secretly converted to Christianity. Like his parents, he was a secret follower of Christ, serving as a legionary in the Roman army during the reign of the Emperor Decius. During a campaign, an Angel appeared to him, gave him a sword and told him to go into battle trusting in Christ's help. Mercurius plunged into battle, fought his way alone through the enemy lines, and reached the barbarian commander Rigas, whom he killed. Upon the death of their chief the barbarians scattered and the victory was won.   The Emperor, hearing of the young soldier's exploits, promoted him to a position at court. There, lulled by the pleasures and honors of the court, Mercurius forgot his duties to Christ his King. One night the same Angel who had given him the sword appeared to him once again and reminded him of the sword that Christ had given him, an emblem of the battle of martyrdom that he was about to enter. The next day Mercurius, now returned to his senses, refused to offer sacrifice to the gods. When called before the Emperor, he boldly proclaimed Christ and threw off his badges of office. He was thrown in prison and subjected to cruel tortures, all of which he bore with peace and joy, encouraged by the Angel who appeared to him again to offer comfort and encouragement. After long torment he was beheaded in Caesarea in Cappadocia, at the age of twenty-five.

Fr. Thomas is joined by Fr. John Dresko, President of the Orthodox Church Capital Improvement Fund (OCCIF), to speak about the Orthodox understanding of our financial resources and how we can become good stewards of the gifts God has given us

Questions Covered: 05:29 – What are the origins of the sacrament of baptism? 16:45 – What do the words “As it was in the beginning” in the Glory Be refer to? 20:12 – Is there a way that the Church assesses their priests and holds them accountable to their teaching? 30:50 – Why does the Catholic Church say the Orthodox have valid holy orders but the Anglicans do not? 35:40 – Is the mark of the beast coming soon with new technology? How will we prepare for it? 42:22 – What value is there in forgiveness if it doesn't remove punishment? 49:10 – Why is missing Mass on Sunday a mortal sin as compared to others like murder and adultery? …

Questions Covered: 04:46 – What can I say in confession if I can't remember all my sins? 06:12 – Why do we sometimes not receive communion wine? 10:46 – Jesus says to keep his commandments and his statutes. What are his statutes? 12:42 – Where can I find an explanation of the true nature of the Mass in Scripture? 15:45 – What is the Catholic view of the atonement? 22:38 – Is it correct that the early Church used the complete Old Testament and the complete New Testament, even though the New wasn't compiled and canonized yet? 29:10 – If heaven is outside of time, doesn't that mean everyone who has lived and will ever live is already there? 37:35 – How are Orthodox priests and liturgy considered by the Roman Church today? Is it considered a legitimate Eucharist and communion? What are the issues that need to be resolved for full reconciliation? 46:16 – Is there any dogmatic or doctrinal reason why we can't receive the precious blood in our own personal vessels during the pandemic? 51:26 – My Eastern Orthodox friend believes that the western theological tradition was corrupted. How could the eastern and western traditions contradict each other? Resources Mentioned: Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, by Ludwig Ott …

Dr. Albert Rossi discusses his understanding of the synergy of our cooperation with God in His work.

Ezekiel 14, 15; Psalm 118:1·16; Proverbs 25:17·21; James 4

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 Luke 17:26-37

"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.

When we speak about salvation, exactly what are we being saved from? Why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn't God just forgive us? Will we sin in the next life? If repentance means to change your mind, what does it mean that we continue to sin?

Fr. John Whiteford shares from Psalm 18:1-6.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches from Psalm 18:7-14.

Fr. Apostolos Hill examines the feast of the Presentation and its application to the theme of collaborating synergetically with God as did the Virgin and her parents in the events of the feast.

In this episode we discussion chapter 7 of An Orthodox Catechism.

A famous ultra-Orthodox author of children's books, Chaim Walder, was accused by multiple women of sexual abuse.  Their disturbing accounts, first reported in Haaretz, are creating shock waves in Haredi communities, from Jerusalem to Brooklyn. Senior analyst Anshel Pfeffer joins the podcast to discuss the story, starting at time code 11:00. Earlier on this week's episode, we ask: Why did Turkey arrest two innocent Israeli tourists and accuse them of espionage, and why did 'Sultan' Recep Tayyip Erdogan agree to release them? Turkey expert Dr. Gallia Lindenstrauss says the incident could open the door to broader rapprochement between Israel and Turkey. Listen to her conversation with host Amir Tibon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of St. Paul's First Epistle to St. Timothy.

This time we talked about how Christians have faces other public health crises, and in them, become like Christ, and come to see God. www.shemasd.org Script by Wilson Ryland Original Score by Julius Obregon Jr.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 Luke 17:20-25

Ezekiel 13; Psalm 117:17·29; Proverbs 25:12·16; James 3

Saint Cecilia was born to a prominent pagan family in Rome. In her youth she secretly became a disciple of Christ. When her parents betrothed her to a young man named Valerian, she brought him to faith in Christ and persuaded him that they should live in virginity. Valerian was baptised by Pope Urban, and in his turn went on to bring his brother Tiburtius to the Faith.   At the time, Christians in Rome were being violently persecuted, many to the point of martyrdom; Cecilia, her husband, and his brother made it their work to go out by night and secretly give pious burial to the martyrs and give charitable help to their families. Eventually, this was discovered, and the two brothers were in their own turn arrested and condemned as Christians. At the moment of their beheading, the Roman officer Maximus saw heaven open and angels come to receive their souls; he, along with several other onlookers, confessed Christ, and in his turn died under torture. Finally, Cecilia herself was arrested and, after faithfully enduring various tortures, was beheaded.   Because St Cecilia is described in her first biography as a lover of music, she is honored as patroness of church music in the West, and is often shown playing the organ.

Fr. Evan answers questions from his listeners during his live call-in show. What is the status between the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches. How does the Orthodox Church view Free Mason belief structure. The book of Acts and speaking in tongues and how to navigate through the vast opinions on Orthodox theology on the internet.

Fr. Stephen Freeman examines in some depth why success and progress are not the right measures of the spiritual life.

Ezekiel 12; Psalm 117:1·16; Proverbs 25:6·11; James 2

When the holy and most pure child Mary (Mariam or Miriam in Hebrew) reached the age of three, her parents, the righteous Joachim and Anna, fulfilled the vow they had made to dedicate her to God. Going in procession with a company of maidens carrying torches, they presented their child at the Temple in Jerusalem, where Zecharias the High Priest took her under his care, blessing her with these words: "The Lord has glorified thy name in every generation; it is in thee that He will reveal the Redemption that he has prepared for his people in the last days." He then brought the child into the Holy of Holies — something completely unheard-of, for under the Law only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Holy Place, and he only once a year on the Day of Atonement.   (In the icon of the feast, the maidens who accompany the Theotokos are shown bare-headed, as was customary for unmarried girls; but the Theotokos herself, though only three years old, wears the head-covering of a married woman to show her consecration to God.)   The holy Virgin lived in the Temple for the next nine years, devoting herself entirely to prayer. In this time she attained the utter purity of heart befitting the destined Bearer of the Most High; she became in her own person the fulfilment and condensation of all of Israel's faithfulness. Saint Gregory Palamas says that, when the Theotokos entered the Holy of Holies, the time of preparation and testing of the Old Covenant came to an end for Israel, which was now ready, in the blessed Virgin, to bring forth the Savior.   When Mary approached marriageable age, she was entrusted to the chaste widower Joseph to guard her. (The Prologue says that a life of intentional virginity was unknown among the Hebrews, so the righteous Joseph undertook the forms of marriage so as not to cause scandal among the people.)   "Wherefore the Church rejoices and exhorts all the friends of God for their part to enter into the temple of their heart, there to make ready for the coming of the Lord by silence and prayer, withdrawing from the pleasures and cares of this world." (Synaxarion)

Ezekiel 11; Psalm 115, 116; Proverbs 25:1·5; James 1

He was a disciple and scribe of St John Chrysostom. About the year 426 he was ordained Bishop of Cyzicus, but was unable to take up his see because another had been unlawfully elected in his place, so he remained in Constantinople. Around 428, Nestorius was made Patriarch of Constantinople, and almost immediately began teaching his blasphemous doctrine that the holy Virgin could not be called Theotokos, "God-bearer," but only Christotokos, "Christ-bearer." Proclus resisted this teaching forcefully, once giving a sermon in the presence of the heretical Patriarch, defending the Orthodox teaching concerning the Theotokos. Proclus was elevated to the throne of Patriarch of Constantinople in 434, after Nestorius had been deposed and the Orthodox teaching clearly proclaimed in an Ecumenical Council. It was Proclus who persuaded the Emperor Theodosius the Younger to have the holy relics of his teacher St John Chrysostom returned to Constantinople, and who received them on their triumphal return to the city. He reposed in peace in 447.

Ezekiel 10; Psalm 114; Proverbs 24:35·39; Hebrews 12:28-13:25

Colossians 4:10-18 Luke 16:15-18, 17:1-4

Questions Covered: 05:10 – It seems like there's an apparent contradiction between the value of women in the book of Sirach and in the rest of the Bible. It talks about daughters being a liability, divorcing your wife, and the wickedness of man being better than the righteousness of women. 14:25 – Since there were bishops from the East who became popes before the East-West schism, isn't that an argument in favor of the papacy? 18:10 – How should I talk to my friend about the hierarchical structures of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches? He seems to be leaning more Orthodox on this point. 29:00 – In my theology class we were talking about whether a traditional family (only father works + stay-at-home mom) or a non-traditional family lifestyle (mother works, or both parents work) is more beneficial. Is there a definite answer? 33:05 – What is the treasury of merit and how does it play into the theology of indulgences? 40:25 – How do you defend the Church against someone who believes it has pagan beginnings and that the Vatican is shaped like a dragon? 49:00 – I believe that since the second person of the trinity became a man, not a martian, that means there are no aliens. What is Jimmy's best response to this? 41:40 – Is acupuncture approved by the Church? …