Podcasts about orthodox christians

Listen to Fr. Abraham's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

Orthodox Christians are often criticized by others for making their churches and worship services too ornate. Fr. Tom discusses the biblical reasons why getting worship right is so crucial. Music attribution: New Vision (Classical) - PineAppleMusic Distributed by Pixabay Link: https://pixabay.com/music/modern-clas...

Listen to part 1 of the "Sacred Spaces: Building an Inner Sanctuary" series at The Well.www.stsa.church/the-well

Paul Axton Preaches: The Trump administration is filled with devout Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians, and yet the religion on display in this administration and its supporters aligns with an evil cruelty, worse than atheistic nihilism, which can only be countered by a recovery of the metaphysical seriousness of God revealed in Christ. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Become a Patron!   

A rare gathering of Orthodox Christians and Evangelical Protestants met in North Macedonia to discuss a new evangelical outreach, renewing the work of Saints Cyril and Methodius over 1,000 years ago. Fr Brad Nassif joins Fr Tom, along with two Evangelical participants, to discuss.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Is a question everyone hears when they are younger.  Many may answer with different vocations such as, doctor, nurse, lawyer, police officer, politician, etc.Yet as Orthodox Christians when we hear this question it should be answered with simply one word.What is that word? …Listen

This week I'm joined by Jeff Messina, a longtime Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and Orthodox Christian. We get into what happens when the mat exposes your ego, why knowing how to fight doesn't mean looking for a fight, and what jiu-jitsu can teach us about humility, discipline, and self-control. We also talk about Jeff's journey into Orthodoxy, the importance of having a teacher, and why real strength has a lot more to do with mastering yourself than dominating somebody else. Check out Jeff's gym, Revolution Dojo: https://www.revolutiondojo.com/   Sponsors: Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!

Listen to Fr. Timothy's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

Father Evan is once again joined by show producer Mike to answer your questions on the significance of the timing of one's birth, using ChatGPT as a resource for information on Orthodox theology, whether health anxiety is a common issue for Orthodox Christians, the difference between God's mercy and His justice, and advice for men with reservations about ordination to the diaconate on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Can you teach kids the truth AND prepare them for a secular world?On this episode of Heavy Things Lightly, host John Heers talks with James and Juliana Joyce, founders of St. George's Classical Academy in Boxford, Massachusetts — an Orthodox Christian classical school started from nothing in 2024.James went from astrophysicist at NASA to teaching kindergarten math at a little plastic table. Juliana went from public-school principal of 10 years to head of school, janitor, finance, and furniture-mover. In the middle of writing their business plan during Holy Week 2023, they fell in love, got engaged in October, married in January, and opened with 21 students that September.We dig into: the Constantine vs. Benedict choice, why they DON'T have Divine Liturgy during the school day, classical vs. Orthodox education and the Western canon, Plato, the Enlightenment, why math matters, fuzzy math, and how to live an integrated, purposeful life.St. George's now draws from 12 Orthodox churches north of Boston — plus Catholic and Protestant families — and has seen families return to faith and convert.Learn more about St. George's Classical Academy in Boxford, MA - https://www.stgca.org/Chapters:00:00 Living a purposeful life01:15 Welcome to Heavy Things Lightly + Conrad's Jerky03:10 Meet James & Juliana Joyce — St. George's Classical Academy05:20 From NASA and principal's office to plungers and trash duty07:45 Can you teach truth and prepare kids for an atheist world?10:30 Constantine vs. Benedict — not retreating from the world13:20 Do you have to compromise classical to pay the bills?17:40 Why there's no Divine Liturgy in the school day21:15 School vs. Church — prayer, feasts, and hospitality25:00 Classical vs. Orthodox? Plato, the West, and the Fathers30:45 Sanctifying culture — West Africa, Enlightenment, and math36:20 Math trauma, loving what you teach, and elementary years42:10 Love story — business plan, Holy Week, engagement and marriage50:30 From cassock to date night — deacon, priest, and new life55:00 Final toast — hope, uncertainty, and purposeful direction58:30 John's riff — kids are hard, schools are hard, add more beauty__

In a culture that constantly rationalizes compromise, God calls His people to a radically different standard—one where sin isn't just managed, but is eliminated right down to the root.In this series - NOT EVEN A HINT - we'll unpack God's true standard for holiness, how to wield the power of grace instead of relying on willpower, and how to build an actionable strategy for purity.

Listen to Fr. Timothy's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

October is National Guide Dog Awareness Month, and Presvytera Melanie speaks with Vivian Fridas, a blind Orthodox Christian and disability advocate who was a guide dog owner for over 10 years. Vivian shares the extreme care in selection of service dogs and the specialized training required before they become certified to perform specific tasks related to their owners' disabilities. In September of 2025, the Greek Orthodox Holy Synod of Bishops approved a policy to help churches accommodate certified service dog owners in an orderly way: https://www.goarch.org/-/policy-for-service-animals-in-greek-orthodox-churches Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dog owners and their dogs have protections under the law and businesses cannot deny them entry if they are certified and the owner can express what types of tasks the dog performs related to their disabilities. Places of worship and religious institutions are exempt from compliance with ADA regulations, so service dog owners in the US enjoy great independence and access to work, businesses, and social activities -- fuller participation in almost every area of life — but are not always afforded such access when they wish to join their church communities in worship. Many ordained and lay members of the church have raised concerns about allowing animals to be in places of worship. Vivian explains the specialized and highly skilled service that guide dogs provide and hopes to put such concerns and fears to rest by educating people on service dogs' role, training, and their noble purpose in assisting their owners.

Listen to Fr. Abraham's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

In a culture that constantly rationalizes compromise, God calls His people to a radically different standard—one where sin isn't just managed, but is eliminated right down to the root.In this series - NOT EVEN A HINT - we'll unpack God's true standard for holiness, how to wield the power of grace instead of relying on willpower, and how to build an actionable strategy for purity.

Why should someone choose Anglican Christianity instead of Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy? In this interview, Austin shares his journey from growing up as a low-church evangelical Christian, seriously considering Eastern Orthodoxy, and ultimately becoming Anglican.We discuss the differences between Anglicanism, Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, and why Austin became convinced that Anglican Christianity was the best expression of historic Christianity. We explore church history, apostolic tradition, Scripture and tradition, the authority of the Church, sacraments, liturgy, the Eucharist, and what it means to be faithful to the early Christian Church while remaining committed to biblical Christianity.If you are a Protestant considering Anglicanism, a Catholic or Orthodox Christian curious about Protestant Christianity, a new Christian trying to understand Christian denominations, or simply someone who is Jesus-curious and searching for truth, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.This is an honest conversation about Anglicanism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism, church history, and the question: Which Christian tradition best represents biblical and historic Christianity?

Listen to Fr. Abraham's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

Patrick welcomes heartfelt calls from listeners grappling with faith, family boundaries, and spiritual renewal, highlighting moments of encouragement, struggle, and reconciliation. The episode features personal testimonies on loving family members while holding to Catholic convictions, overcoming anxiety through surrender to God, and the transformative power of persistent prayer. Questions about confession, intercessory prayer, church teachings, and authentic friendship in Christ surface throughout, offering listeners both comfort and clarity rooted in biblical wisdom. Bethany - I just want to say that not being able to attend these weddings is the right decision. You will find friends in people that will respect your decisions. (00:30) Bella - I am an Orthodox Christian. What is the difference if the son is getting married and they both believe in Jesus Christ? Where is the sin here? (10:09) Kristin - I don't think that there is always a risk of not attending a wedding of a family member. I think that kids will appreciate the true witness eventually. (15:08) Christine - My 20-year-old son asked me why I need to go to a priest for Confession? How can I answer my son's question in a relevant way? (20:42) Why Confess Your Sins to a Fellow Sinner? - https://patrickmadrid.substack.com/p/why-confess-your-sins-to-a-fellow Rick - In CCC 2675, it talks about Mary and her cooperation with the Holy Spirit as an intercessor. How do I explain this to my non-Catholic family members? (27:51) Mary Ellen - What is the difference between diocesan and religious order priests? (32:56) Joseph – The Sacrament of marriage cannot be replicated, so we should honor it (39:03) George - What happens if I don't know if I have any sins when I go to confession? (45:39) Vito - Are there any stigmatics in modern day times? (48:41)

Listen to Fr. Timothy's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

Father Tom responds to Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy's video analysis of an interview he did with John Diacos discussing the Orthodox Christian worldview and his own personal background. We will discuss how to answer Evangelical claims about Jesus and the Gospel. Music attribution: New Vision (Classical) - PineAppleMusic Distributed by Pixabay Link: https://pixabay.com/music/modern-clas...

In a culture that constantly rationalizes compromise, God calls His people to a radically different standard—one where sin isn't just managed, but is eliminated right down to the root.In this series - NOT EVEN A HINT - we'll unpack God's true standard for holiness, how to wield the power of grace instead of relying on willpower, and how to build an actionable strategy for purity.

Year A – Creation in Christ – September 6, 2026 Pastor Megan Floyd               Genesis 1:1-2:4a               Psalm 148               Acts 17:22a, 24-28               John 1:1-5   Grace and peace to you from God, our Creator, from the Holy Spirit, who gives life to all creation, and from Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made. Amen. *** Today is a little unusual… because today, we are celebrating something that is both very old… and very new. We are celebrating the Feast of Creation in Christ… officially, it lands on September 1, but we observe it in worship on the first Sunday following that day. It is very old… because Christians have been praying about creation on this day for centuries. And very new… because this is the first year we are celebrating it as a new festival in the Revised Common Lectionary… which is the three-year cycle of scripture readings and celebrations that guide our church calendar. So… what exactly are we doing? Where did this come from? …And why are we suddenly celebrating the Feast of Creation in Christ? Well… I'm so glad you asked! …The story begins in the Eastern Orthodox Church. For centuries, September 1 has carried a particular significance in the Byzantine Christian tradition. Since at least the seventh century, it has symbolized the beginning of creation… and it became the opening of the Byzantine liturgical year. So… the beginning of the church year was connected with the beginning of God's creative work. "In the beginning…" Genesis begins that way… and John begins his Gospel the same way. … "In the beginning was the Word…" And so, in 1989, Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios of Constantinople made an extraordinary invitation. He invited the entire Christian world to come together every September 1 in prayer… to give thanks to God for the gift of creation… and to pray for its protection and salvation. And something began to happen. Churches around the world began taking up that invitation. Christians from different traditions began praying for creation together. And eventually, September 1 became associated not only with an ancient Orthodox observance, but with a growing ecumenical movement of Christians caring for creation and giving thanks to the Creator. Then, in recent years, Christians from different traditions began asking a question: Could this ancient Eastern Christian observance become something the whole church could share? So… Christians began meeting together. Orthodox Christians… Lutherans… Catholics… Anglicans… Methodists… Reformed Christians… and Christians from many other traditions. Thirteen Christian world communions and ecumenical bodies participated in the conversations. And some of those conversations happened in Assisi… the hometown of St. Francis… a place already deeply associated with Christian love for creation. …This became known as the Assisi Process. They prayed… listened… and studied. And they asked a theological question that is really at the heart of what we're doing today: What does creation have to do with Jesus Christ? And the answer is… everything. …But this is not simply a Christian version of Earth Day. …This feast is bigger than all of that. …This is a feast of Christ. That's why the official name is not simply "Creation." It is… "Creation in Christ." When we say "Creation in Christ," We are saying that the one we meet in Jesus Christ is not a stranger to creation. …Christ does not arrive late in the story. Jesus doesn't suddenly appear in Bethlehem and begin God's work of salvation. John tells us: "In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. …And all things came into being through him." All things. …Before Bethlehem… before the manger… before the cross and the empty tomb… Christ was there. …The eternal Word of God… through whom all things came into being. Creation is not a prelude to the Christian story… but is, in fact, where the Christian story begins. Genesis tells us that in the beginning, the earth was formless and empty… and darkness covered the face of the deep. And then God speaks. "Let there be light." And there is light. God speaks… and creation responds. And then God separates, gathers, names, and blesses. …And again and again… God looks at what has been made… and calls it good. And then the Spirit of God moves over the waters… the Hebrew word is ruach… it means wind… breath… Spirit. God speaks… the Spirit moves… and creation comes into being. And so even here, at the very beginning, we have learned to see the mystery of the Trinity. God creates... the Word speaks creation into being… and the Spirit gives life. And yet… Genesis is not giving us a complete doctrine of the Trinity… that comes later, as the church reflects on the whole story of Scripture and on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But once we know that story… we begin to see something that was there all along. Because Creation reveals something about the God who creates. The God we meet in Scripture is not solitary. …God is relationship… and love… God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. …And creation itself is the work of that Triune God. And our Psalm today doesn't simply tell humans to praise God… It calls everything to praise. The sun, moon, and stars… the waters… the mountains… the trees… the wild animals... even the turkey buzzards that live around this church…and finally… us. Praise the Lord! The whole of creation is caught up in worship… And that is one of the things this feast… this festival… is inviting us to remember. We are not standing outside of creation looking in… we are creatures within creation. …We are part of the song. And Paul says something similar in Athens… when he tells the people there that the God he proclaims is the God who made heaven and earth, and that this God does not live in a temple made by human hands. And yet… God is not far from us… because… in God… we live and move and have our being. The God who created everything is not distant from what God has made. …God is both beyond creation… and intimately present within it. And that means creation itself can become a kind of revelation. …Not because creation is God… we do not worship the trees… but we worship the God who made them. And when we look at creation… we can begin to see something about the One who made it. We see beauty… and relationship… and abundance… and interdependence. …We see life giving way to more life. And in all of this, we begin to glimpse the God whose very life… is love. I think this is part of what makes it so beautiful that Christians from the East and the West are celebrating this festival… together. Somewhere in the world right now, Orthodox Christians are praying these prayers… and somewhere else, Methodists are hearing these same Scriptures… and somewhere else, an Anglican congregation is singing a hymn to praise Creation. All different faith traditions… all giving thanks for creation… in different languages… and using different liturgies… but all praising the same Creator… all confessing the same Christ… all receiving the same Spirit. That is… beautiful! And while it's true that being ecumenical won't solve all of our disagreements… it does help us discover what we already share. There is one creation… one human family… one Creator… one Spirit… and one Christ… through whom all things were made. And Creation is not merely something God made a long time ago… Creation is ongoing… and God continues to meet us through created things. Because creation is not just the beginning of our story with God, but it is also the beginning of God's saving work for us. God creates a world… and God loves what God has made… and so when that creation becomes broken… God does not abandon it. …When we become broken… God does not abandon us. Instead… the Word becomes flesh… and Christ enters our world… enters our suffering… our sin… and our death. …and he carries all of it to the cross. And then… on the third day… he rises… because the God who said in the beginning, "Let there be light"… speaks again into the darkness of death… and there is life. So today, as we raise our voices in praise with Christian siblings all around the world… we also celebrate together… that the one through whom all things were made… is the same one who is still making all things new. The Creator has become our Redeemer. The Word has become flesh. The Spirit continues to give us the breath of life. And in Christ… all of creation, including us, is being gathered back into the love of God… this day and always. Amen.

In Part 2 of this Straight Bible series, the hosts continue their study of Charles Spurgeon and finish the second half of his sermon “Walking in the Light of the Lord,” built around Isaiah 2:5: “Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Although the wider series began with Spurgeon's comments about Israel and the Jews, this episode concentrates on practical Christian living, biblical authority, church tradition, and what it means to live daily in the light God has already given.Spurgeon calls believers to recover spiritual zeal, encourage bold and simple faith, and practice mutual exhortation rather than allowing the church to become cold, sluggish, or lethargic. The discussion examines Christian fellowship, public prayer, charismatic and Pentecostal church culture, Sunday-only Christianity, and the difference between merely possessing religion and actually wearing faith as an everyday garment.A major portion of the episode focuses on the inspiration and infallibility of Scripture. The hosts discuss skepticism toward the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, Spurgeon's contrast between an infallible Bible and an infallible pope or philosopher, and the ongoing debate over Sola Scriptura, Orthodox Christianity, Catholic tradition, church fathers, denominations, Calvinism, and who has authority to interpret the Word of God.Bible passages and concepts include Isaiah 2:5, 1 John 1:5, Matthew 7 and the wise man who builds on the rock, Psalm 1, 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21, Romans 7:24, the Christian struggle against sin, and communion in remembrance of Christ's death. Spurgeon also urges new believers to study the Bible deeply, meditate on it day and night, resist being tossed around by skeptics, and pursue holiness, joy, and practical obedience.The episode closes with Spurgeon's “first-class cabin” analogy for believers who are saved but continue living in spiritual darkness, a discussion of Christian joy as evidence of God's light, claims concerning Spurgeon and Freemasonry, criticism from Orthodox Christians, and the contrast between cultural Christianity in the South and openly secular regions.What does it truly mean to walk in the light of the Lord? Share your thoughts in the comments.Patreon (Watch Live episodes, early & ad free): https://www.patreon.com/NephilimDeathSquadWebsite & Merch: https://nephilimdeathsquad.comListen/Watch:Audio Podcast: nephilimdeathsquad.carrd.co/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NephilimDeathSquadX: https://twitter.com/NephilimDSquadInstagram: https://instagram.com/nephilimdeathsquadFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/1AscxBNoH4/ Contact: chroniclesnds@gmail.com TopLobsta:X: https://twitter.com/TopLobstaInstagram: https://instagram.com/TopLobstaMerch: https://TopLobsta.comRaven:X: https://twitter.com/DavidLCorboInstagram: https://instagram.com/ravenofndsCredits:Intro Animation: @jslashr on XMusic: @Dallas_spitfire on X | https://gmbpod.com/ Listen to full intro music here!https://m.soundcloud.com/gmbsounds/nephilim-death-squad?utm_source=mobi&utm_campaign=social_sharing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nephilim-death-squad--6389018/support.☠️ Nephilim Death Squad — New episodes 5x/week.Join our Patreon for early access, bonus shows & the private Telegram hive.Subscribe on YouTube & Rumble, follow @NephilimDSquad on X/Instagram, grab merch at toplobsta.com. Questions/bookings: chroniclesnds@gmail.com — Stay dangerous.

Listen to Fr. Timothy's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

Listen to Fr. Abraham's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

In a culture that constantly rationalizes compromise, God calls His people to a radically different standard—one where sin isn't just managed, but is eliminated right down to the root.In this series - NOT EVEN A HINT - we'll unpack God's true standard for holiness, how to wield the power of grace instead of relying on willpower, and how to build an actionable strategy for purity.

What does the Bible actually say about the Orthodox Church, apostolic authority, praying to saints, icons, baptism, salvation, and the claim that Orthodoxy is the historic Church founded by Christ?In this episode, Alex Sorin joins Nephilim Death Squad for an extended discussion and defense of Orthodox Christianity. Alex is an Orthodox Christian and lawyer who explains how studying Scripture, church history, and the early Church Fathers ultimately led him from a Romanian Pentecostal background, through Baptist theology, and into Eastern Orthodoxy.The conversation examines some of the biggest disagreements between Orthodox Christians and other Christians, including whether salvation is found exclusively within the Orthodox Church, apostolic succession, baptism, confession, church authority, and the relationship between faith and works.They dig into John 20 and Christ giving the apostles authority to forgive and retain sins, Matthew 18 and the language of binding and loosing, Matthew 23 and the Seat of Moses, Revelation 3:9 and the distinction between worship and veneration, John 11:25 and the resurrection, Romans 2 and Revelation 20 on judgment according to deeds, Galatians 5 on factions and division, Ephesians 1 on the Church as the body of Christ, and Hebrews 8 on earthly symbols reflecting heavenly realities.Alex also explains the Orthodox understanding of saints, intercessory prayer, praying for the dead, the Eucharist, Mary, her sinlessness, why Orthodoxy rejects the Roman Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, Orthodox bishops and priests, Divine Liturgy, Sacred Tradition, ecumenical councils, and why Orthodox iconography looks so different from Western Christian art.The discussion eventually turns toward modern Orthodox internet culture, Jay Dyer, Andrew Wilson, Owen Benjamin, debate culture, the Trinity, political converts to Orthodoxy, accusations of heresy, and whether aggressive apologetics can sometimes push people away from Christianity rather than toward Christ.Where do you land? Is Eastern Orthodoxy the historic continuation of the apostolic Church, or have later traditions added unnecessary barriers between Christians and Christ? Let us know in the comments.► Subscribe for more Biblical analysis, Christian worldview discussions, and conspiracy research through a Biblical lens.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere podcasts are available.00:00 Intro01:03 Business Upfront & Brohemian Grove02:10 Meet Alex Sorin04:10 The Twitter Feud Over Orthodox Christianity05:02 Salvation in Orthodox Theology06:05 Apostolic Authority: John 20 & Matthew 1808:39 What Is a Saint?10:07 Why Pray to Mary and the Saints?12:21 Orthodox Baptism Controversy17:48 Alex Sorin's Pentecostal & Baptist Background20:00 Church Fathers & Conversion to Orthodoxy25:17 Veneration of Saints & Revelation 3:928:05 Worship vs Veneration Explained31:23 Can You Be Saved Outside the Orthodox Church?34:55 Apostolic Succession & the Seat of Moses40:15 Jesus Christ, the Cross & the One True Church43:21 Is the Church a Visible Institution?44:56 Galatians 5, Factions & Church Division46:49 The Eucharist, Praying for the Dead & Salvation48:04 Final Judgment: Revelation 20 & Romans 250:58 John 11:25 & the First Resurrection52:08 Baptism, Faith & Obedience54:30 Faith and Works in Orthodox Christianity55:19 Raising Children to Follow Christ59:47 Is “Online Orthodoxy” Real?61:46 Mary & the Immaculate Conception65:01 Bishops, Celibacy & Church Leadership68:57 Bible Study, Catechism & Orthodox Evangelism70:17 Divine Liturgy, Tradition & Ecumenical Councils72:46 Why Orthodox Icons Look So Different77:02 The Meaning Behind Orthodox Hand Symbols80:09 Why Disaffected Men Are Drawn to Orthodoxy84:37 What Actually Makes Someone a Heretic?86:20 Jay Dyer & Orthodox Debate Culture94:27 Owen Benjamin, the Trinity & Debate99:47 Can Christian Debate Push People Away From Christ?105:29 Sacred Icons, Symbols & Hebrews 8107:42 Final Thoughts & Alex Sorin Links108:50 OutroBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nephilim-death-squad--6389018/support.☠️ Nephilim Death Squad — New episodes 5x/week.Join our Patreon for early access, bonus shows & the private Telegram hive.Subscribe on YouTube & Rumble, follow @NephilimDSquad on X/Instagram, grab merch at toplobsta.com. Questions/bookings: chroniclesnds@gmail.com — Stay dangerous.

Listen to Fr. Abraham's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

This recent Equal to the Apostles was born in Mega Dendron (Great Tree) in Aetolia. He became a monk on Mt Athos, where he lived and prayed for many years. But he was troubled by the ignorance of the Gospel that had fallen on many of the Orthodox people, living under the oppression of the Ottoman Turks. He went to Constantinople, where he studied the rhetorical arts and received the blessing of Patriarch Seraphim II to preach the Gospel. He travelled throughout Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Albania, preaching at every town he visited. Often not only Greeks but many Muslims would come to hear him, so great was his reputation for holiness. Though he always sought the blessing of the local bishop and the local Turkish governor before he preached in an area, his strong condemnations of dishonest business practices aroused the enmity of Orthodox Christian and Jewish merchants, who falsely accused him to the authorities. He was strangled by the Turks and thrown into a river in Albania, but his wonderworking relics were preserved. He reposed at the age of sixty-five.

A three-and-a-half-hour epic can be gorgeous and still leave you arguing in the parking lot. That's exactly what happened after we watched Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, so we sat down for a full roundtable review with Jeremy, Michael, Mario Andrew, and James St. Simon to sort out what we loved, what we questioned, and what the film might be saying underneath the spectacle.[CONTAINS SPOILERS]• quick ratings and first reactions from readers and non-readers of Homer• whether an adaptation can be judged apart from its source material• why characterization matters more than plot changes• casting choices that distract from ancient Greece and break suspension of disbelief• the medium problem of turning an oral epic into a nonlinear film narrative• pacing, structure, and why a trilogy might help or hurt• the removal of the gods and the shift toward a secular psychological journey• an Orthodox Christian way to “take the nectar” from Greek myth• virtue themes, fidelity, and why the love story feels cleaner on screen• standout scenes like the sirens motif, the dog recognition, the Trojan horse claustrophobia, and “people from the sea”• Athena's beheading image, war guilt, justice, and the Dark Knight question of who carries the costWe start with honest first impressions from both Odyssey readers and people seeing the story fresh. Then we dig into the hardest question any film adaptation faces: can you evaluate it as a stand-alone movie when the source material is one of the pillars of Western literature? Along the way, we compare what works in beloved adaptations like The Lord of the Rings with what fails when writing and characterization drift too far. We also talk about pacing, Nolan's nonlinear storytelling, and why some viewers feel the film is rushed while others feel locked in the whole time.The biggest friction point is authenticity and immersion. We debate casting choices, modern cultural incentives, and why even a strong performance can break the spell when you keep noticing the actor instead of the character. From there we move into the deeper critique: the film's largely secular approach. Homer's Odyssey is infused with the gods, cosmic order, and reverence, but Nolan's version leans toward psychological guilt, war scars, and the modern theme that “the enemy is us.” As a Christian podcast, we ask what that shift costs, and how an Orthodox Christian approach can still “take the nectar” from Greek literature, pulling out virtue while leaving the rest.If you care about Christopher Nolan films, Homer's Odyssey, Greek mythology, or the moral questions around war, justice, and homecoming, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves epics, and leave a review with your take: faithful retelling or powerful remix?Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/jRXxRaqK9Please prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Audio: https://cloudofwitnessesradio.buzzsprout.comPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!

Listen to Fr. Timothy's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

Listen to Fr. Abraham's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

A major thank you to Heidi for sponsoring today's stream, In this sponsored historical livestream, I dive into the life and amazing story of St. Olga of Kiev. From a pagan princess how killed the mureders of her husband, to an Orthodox Christian saint. Make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think. God Bless

The Bible isn't just filled with great men of faith—it also tells the stories of remarkable women whose lives shaped history and advanced God's kingdom. In this four-week series, we'll explore the lives of four extraordinary women and discover how God honors, empowers, and works through women just as He does men to accomplish His purposes. Their stories invite all of us—men and women alike—to embrace the unique role God has prepared for us and remember that we all have an indispensable place in His kingdom.www.stsa.church/TheWellhttps://www.youtube.com/@stsachurch

Addiction is more than a bad habit, and recovery takes more than willpower. Dr. Daniel Ageze and Fr. Timothy Curren explore with Jeremy Jeremiah of Cloud of Witnesses addiction through medical, psychological, and Orthodox Christian lenses, discussing marijuana, psychedelics, spiritual deception, recovery, repentance, community, and the hope of genuine healing in Christ.*****Fr. Timothy Curren: @fr.timothycurren5592Dr. Daniel Ageze:I AM Recovery https://iamrecoveryinc.com/For their non-profit arm, it is https://iamrestorationinc.com/. Here they are building out their rehab, sober living home, and Orthodox academy. *****Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/jRXxRaqK9Please prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Audio: https://cloudofwitnessesradio.buzzsprout.comPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!

Doctor Rossi is joined by Laura Ionescu, a former Administrative Assistant at St. Vladimir's Seminary, to discuss how Orthodox Christians can face fear of failure during major life transitions.

00:00 Introduction01:24 Altar to an unknown god08:07 Sacrifice in temples is human16:26 Israel chosen to build true temples24:20 We so easily forget who God Most High is30:58 Where are the temples of today35:30 Orthodox Christian temples45:45 It is a temple because God is present in it several ways51:33 Right worship of God Most High transforms us into something divine61:31 Closing~~~Here Is The Church, a Dome Not a SteepleOrthodox LiturgicsS8E7~~~In this episode, Fr. Symeon Kees & James John Marks discuss why a dedicated, physical church building, with a consecrated alter, which is to say a temple, is necessary.~~~Scripture citations for this episode:Exodus 25-30 - The covenant regarding The Tabernacle, Priesthood & ritual life of IsraelExodus 32 - The Golden Calf is distorted worshipMatthew 5:17 - Fulfill not do away withMatthew 17:1-13 - TransfigurationActs 17:16-34 - St Paul preaches in AthensRevelation 21 - True worship in the fullness of revelation~~~#orthodoxChristianity  #OrthodoxChurch #ChurchHistory #Temple #Altar #Sacrifice #Worship #paganism #tabernacle The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcasthttps://x.com/podcast_saintshttps://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcasthttps://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.socialIconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these imagesPrints of all of Nick's work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.comAll music in these episodes is a production of Generative Soundshttps://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.comDistribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative SoundsCopyright 2021 - 2026

Listen to Fr. Timothy's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

The Bible isn't just filled with great men of faith—it also tells the stories of remarkable women whose lives shaped history and advanced God's kingdom. In this four-week series, we'll explore the lives of four extraordinary women and discover how God honors, empowers, and works through women just as He does men to accomplish His purposes. Their stories invite all of us—men and women alike—to embrace the unique role God has prepared for us and remember that we all have an indispensable place in His kingdom.www.stsa.church/TheWellhttps://www.youtube.com/@stsachurch

Why do sincere people so often believe things that simply are not true? This homily examines the Orthodox understanding of prelest, or spiritual delusion, and explains how the ascetical life of the Church gradually heals our perception of reality. In an age of curated news feeds and ideological echo chambers, Christ remains the only Truth in whom faith never collides with reality.  Enjoy the show. Matthew 17:14-23 Faith is a wonderful thing—but only if it is faith in the right thing. When I was a boy, I had an idea...[ the sword.] At the time, it made perfect sense to me. I was convinced it would work. I probably defended the idea if anyone questioned it. But then reality got a vote. Wood doesn't care what I believe about it. Physics doesn't change because I'm sincere. The real world eventually reveals whether my idea was true or false. Later, my friends and I had another great idea... [the boat.] This one was even more interesting because it wasn't just my delusion—it was our delusion. We encouraged one another. We reinforced one another's confidence. The more we talked about it, the more certain we became. And then reality got a vote. The boat either floated or it didn't. Reality always gets a vote. This isn't just true of childhood adventures. It is true of every part of life. Every one of us has what we might call a "good idea fairy" living in our head. Ideas occur to us. They seem plausible. We become attached to them. Then something even stronger happens. We begin to define ourselves by them. God created our minds to recognize truth, but after the Fall our minds became vulnerable to self-deception. Once we become attached to an idea, we naturally notice evidence that supports it and explain away evidence that challenges it. Even worse, once our identity becomes wrapped up in that idea, disagreement begins to feel like a personal attack. Our passions become inflamed. We stop asking, "Is it true?" and begin asking, "Is it ours?" The Fathers of the Church had a name for this long before modern psychology existed. They called it prelest—spiritual delusion. Prelest is not simply believing something false. It is the condition in which our desires, our pride, and our passions distort our perception of reality itself. We begin trusting ourselves more than God. We mistake our own thoughts for wisdom, our own feelings for discernment, and our own will for truth. This isn't merely an individual problem. Communities suffer from it too. Families can reinforce one another's delusions. Churches can reinforce them. Businesses can reinforce them. Nations can reinforce them. History is full of tragic examples. Nazism and Soviet Communism were not sustained merely by fear. Millions of people encouraged one another to believe obvious falsehoods. Loyalty was demanded not only to a government but to an entire false vision of reality. Eventually... Reality got a vote. It always does. When our delusions concern engineering, biology, economics, or politics, reality eventually exposes them. You can only pretend that gravity is optional for so long before bridges collapse. You can only deny economic realities for so long before societies begin to unravel. Religion can be trickier. False religion—or even distorted religion—can survive much longer because the consequences are often less immediate. Spiritual delusion has a way of lingering. It can persist for years, even generations. But eventually... Reality still gets a vote. Many of us are Orthodox today because of that very fact. At some point the worldview we had inherited could no longer explain our experience. Perhaps it could not account for the reality of sin. Perhaps it could not account for the reality of grace. Perhaps it offered morality but not healing, rules but not communion, forgiveness but not transformation. Eventually something no longer fit. And God, in His mercy, used that discomfort to draw us closer to the truth. That is all to the good. Because reality is not impersonal. Reality is God's creation. Truth is not something we invent or negotiate. Ultimately, truth is not merely a thing to be discovered at all. Truth is a Person. As Christ Himself says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." And that changes everything. If Truth is a Person, then faith is not merely believing propositions about reality. Faith is entering into communion with the One who is Reality Himself. Now, if I had preached this sermon twenty years ago, I probably would have ended there, encouraging you simply to trust God, receive the Holy Mysteries faithfully, and allow the life of the Church to heal you from the many delusions that constantly threaten the human heart. But today I think I need to go further and give an additional warning. We have created a world that cooperates with our fallen psychology in ways previous generations could scarcely have imagined. Our news is customized. Our entertainment is personalized. Our conversations are curated. Algorithms learn what we already believe—or what we are tempted to believe—and quietly feed us more of it. The Fathers warned us that the passions naturally incline us toward prelest. Our modern technologies have learned to profit from those same passions. They reward outrage, reinforce tribalism, flatter pride, and encourage us to live inside carefully constructed worlds where our assumptions are rarely challenged. Never before has it been so easy to mistake a carefully curated illusion for reality. But reality still gets a vote. Sooner or later the real world intrudes. More importantly, God does. This is one of the reasons the Church is such a gift. Not because Orthodox Christians are incapable of error—we certainly are not. Not because priests are always right—we certainly are not. But because the life of the Church is designed, over time, to heal us of prelest. Scripture corrects us. The Fathers correct us. Confession corrects us. Fasting corrects us. The Divine Liturgy corrects us. Even our brothers and sisters in Christ correct us. Every one of these is a gift from God, gently loosening our grip on illusion and teaching us to see the world as it truly is. The ascetic life is not punishment. It is therapy. God is patiently healing our perception until we begin to see, desire, and love what is truly good, beautiful, and true. And let me say one more thing. If an algorithm brought you here, welcome. We are glad you're here. But understand this: the internet cannot catechize you into Orthodoxy. It can introduce you to Orthodoxy. It can even inspire you to seek the Church. But every one of us—whether we were born Orthodox or discovered Orthodoxy yesterday—comes with misconceptions, ideological baggage, and our own forms of prelest. The Church does not simply confirm our expectations. She patiently purifies them. If you stay long enough, Orthodoxy will disappoint every false image you have of it—and thanks be to God for that. Every disappointment with our fantasies is an invitation to discover Christ as He truly is. And this brings us back to today's Gospel. The disciples could not cast out the demon. Why? Because faith is not simply believing harder. Faith is not positive thinking. Faith is not convincing ourselves that something is true. Faith is trusting Reality Himself. Christ says that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains—not because faith is magical, but because genuine faith unites us to the One through whom all things were made. Every one of us lives by faith. The question is never whether we have faith. The question is whether our faith is placed in something real. Every falsehood eventually collapses under the weight of reality. Every idol eventually disappoints. Every ideology eventually reaches its limits. Every delusion eventually hears reality cast its vote. But Christ never disappoints. He is not merely someone who teaches us the truth. He is the Truth. He is Reality Himself.  So let us place our faith—not in ourselves, not in our tribe, not in our passions, not in the latest certainty of the age—but in Christ. Let us receive with gratitude the healing life of His Church, which patiently frees us from prelest and teaches us to see the world as God sees it. For in Him our faith never collides with reality, because in Him faith finally meets Reality Himself.  

Listen to Fr. Anthony's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

If God knows the future, why would He create someone who will ultimately reject Him?This is one of the deepest questions in Christian theology, and one that was asked by a 15​-year-old Orthodox Christian. In this episode, Nathan Jacobs​ reads one of his favorite theological letters, exploring how the Eastern Church Fathers—especially St. John of Damascus—approach God's​ foreknowledge, human freedom, divine goodness, and the mystery of damnation.Rather than offering a simplistic answer, this discussion challenges many common assumptions​ about God's knowledge of the future and reveals a​ profoundly hopeful vision of God's unwavering love for every person He creates.======================================Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:48 A Letter to Agatha02:39 The Common Assumption About Damnation04:20 The Eastern Church Fathers' Answer05:10 Why We Exist07:03 God's Knowledge and Creation08:51 Why God Doesn't "Choose the Saved"09:27 Why Not Simply Avoid Creating the Damned?11:04 God Always Chooses the Good12:08 Outcomes vs. Goodness14:44 King Saul and Divine Justice16:26 The "Future Hitler" Thought Experiment18:11 Free Will and God's Omnipotence19:27 Can God Make a Square Circle?21:55 Abraham and Isaac24:20 Damnation Is the Creature's Choice25:20 Christ's Victory Over Hades27:18 A Prison Without Bars29:01 Hope for Universal Salvation?30:30 St. Sophrony's Final Reflection======================================Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to essays, lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and ourbook club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/Support the East West Series: http://theeastwestseries.com/======================================Relevant Links:God's Omnipotence Explained: Can God Really Do Anything? https://youtu.be/qEYzy1Wbjcg ​From Heretic to Orthodox: https://youtu.be/cWcVOvEu7dM​ On Apokatastasis and Universal Salvation: https://open.substack.com/pub/nathanajacobs/p/on-apokatastasis-and-universal-salvation?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=webAll links:The Theological Letters (Substack): https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastX: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobsAcademia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobsListen and please review the podcast elsewhere:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

Listen to Fr. Timothy's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

The Bible isn't just filled with great men of faith—it also tells the stories of remarkable women whose lives shaped history and advanced God's kingdom. In this four-week series, we'll explore the lives of four extraordinary women and discover how God honors, empowers, and works through women just as He does men to accomplish His purposes. Their stories invite all of us—men and women alike—to embrace the unique role God has prepared for us and remember that we all have an indispensable place in His kingdom.www.stsa.church/TheWellhttps://www.youtube.com/@stsachurch

Pick Up Our Prayer Journal At: https://blessgod.co/products/preorder-bless-god-prayer-journal?variant=44769049575637Go Get Tickets For My Tour: https://blessgod.co/pages/liveLogos Bible 60 Day Free Trial →→ http://logos.com/ruslanMy Logos Reading Plan: https://tinyurl.com/ywkxazt6Donate Now To Human Coalition: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://humancoalition.org/ruslan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bondi Pure- Use Code RUSLAN15 For 15% Off At: https://www.bondipure.com/

In this special travelogue episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss records from Tinos, Greece, where he discovered a profound Orthodox Christian pilgrimage tradition. Pilgrims crawl a half-mile uphill to a famous church, seeking healing. Steve reflects on desperation, hope, and faith across traditions, he draws on MLK's words: "If you can't walk, crawl—but keep moving forward." He invites listeners to consider their own pace and bring their whole selves to God. Episode Resources: Learn about Christian Missionary Fellowship International Read about the church of Our Lady of Tinos, Greece History of Our Lady of Tinos (Panagia Evangelistria) More about Fred Craddock Scripture Referenced: Revelation 21:5 (ESV) 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Sign up for Steve's Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to Fr. Timothy's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

Listen to Fr. Abraham's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

The Bible isn't just filled with great men of faith—it also tells the stories of remarkable women whose lives shaped history and advanced God's kingdom. In this four-week series, we'll explore the lives of four extraordinary women and discover how God honors, empowers, and works through women just as He does men to accomplish His purposes. Their stories invite all of us—men and women alike—to embrace the unique role God has prepared for us and remember that we all have an indispensable place in His kingdom.www.stsa.church/TheWellhttps://www.youtube.com/@stsachurch

What happens when Orthodox Christians stop simply criticizing culture and start creating it? In this episode, Buck chats with his good friend Mano Elia—host of the Study of Stuff Podcast, founder of Spoon Records, and one of the driving forces behind the Bored No More movement—to discuss what it means to reclaim culture by creating art, music, film, and authentic community centered on Christ and His Church. Mano shares the vision behind Bored No More, a growing network of Orthodox Christian creators dedicated to producing meaningful media, cultivating community, and encouraging artists to create work rooted in Christ. He also discusses Bored No More's partnership with Logos Cinema, where the network's growing catalog of content will soon be available alongside a broader streaming platform devoted to faith-centered films and entertainment. Rather than merely reacting to a culture in decline, Mano challenges Orthodox Christians to what he calls "inverting the inversion"—reclaiming the very spaces that have been distorted and restoring them to the service of God. Buck and Mano also discuss the spiritual condition of Canada, the growing sense of isolation and nihilism they see throughout the country, the expansion of medically assisted suicide, and what these trends reveal about a society that has lost hope. They also explore the blessings and pitfalls of online Orthodoxy, why internet debates should never replace life in the parish, and why our hardworking priests deserve far more grace and gratitude than criticism. Topics include: * What "inverting the inversion" really means * Why Orthodox Christians should create culture instead of merely critique it * The vision behind the Bored No More movement * Bored No More's partnership with Logos Cinema * Spoon Records and cultivating meaningful music * Canada's growing spiritual crisis * Loneliness, nihilism, and medically assisted suicide * The strengths and weaknesses of online Orthodoxy * Why faithful parish life matters more than internet arguments * Showing grace and appreciation for our priests Learn more about Mano's work: Bored No More Community Support the mission Bored No More Study of Stuff Podcast (YouTube) Study of Stuff on Instagram Logos Cinema Sponsor: Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow  Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com  Audio Production by Podsworth Media: https://www.podsworth.com  Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!