Podcasts about orthodox christians

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

Join Fr. Anthony Messeh for part 1 of "REALationship Goals" a 4-part series at The Well.https://www.youtube.com/stsachurchhttps://www.stsa.church/the-well

​BUY ME A COFFEE​http://buymeacoffee.com/octeaching​Dear Brethren and Friends of this Ministry,​Since the year 2020 the evangelistic and apostolic mission of the Orthodox Christian Teaching Podcast Ministry brings multi-lingual catechism, teaching, Bible-study and prayer resources to listeners around the world. To support this Orthodox Christian witness to the world of today and the digitisation of hundreds of cassette tapes we want to convert into podcasts for all to hear, please see the link above for the Buy Me a Coffee platform.​Thank you. May the Lord reward you.

As Catholic and Orthodox Christian leaders in Jerusalem publicly denounce Christian Zionism, deep questions are emerging about theology, authority, and Israel's place in God's plan. In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed respond to the controversy and are joined by Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel365, to discuss his new book Universal Zionism. Together, they explore the difference between viewing Israel as merely a political state or as the fulfillment of divine promise, revisit Pope John Paul II's striking distinction between the Holy Land and the Promised Land, and ask what Israel's mission means not only for Jews, but for Christians and the world. A timely conversation about covenant, responsibility, and Israel's emerging role on the global stage.

Luke 17:12-19; The Grateful Leper I've included my notes, but I didn't follow them, choosing instead to offer a meditation on the "go show yourself to the priest" part of the Levitical command and noting how we do the same - and will all do the same one day at the Great Judgment. Homily: Healing, Vision, and the Mercy of God Onee of the things that sometimes gives people pause—especially when they encounter it for the first time—comes from the Book of Needs, in the prayers the priest offers for those who are sick. If you have ever been present for these prayers, you may have been surprised by what you heard. We expect prayers like: "O Lord, raise up this servant from the bed of illness and restore them to health." And those prayers are certainly there. But woven throughout are repeated petitions for the forgiveness of sins. And that can feel jarring. "Why talk about sin?" we think. "This person is sick—not sinful." But the Church is very intentional here. Imagine this: a person is lifted up from their bed of illness, restored to perfect physical health—yet still carries unrepented sin within them. Outwardly, they look alive. Inwardly, they are not. They are, in a real sense, a living corpse. On the other hand—and this is harder for us to accept—someone may remain physically ill, yet live in Christ: healed in their soul, united to Him, walking in holiness and freedom despite bodily weakness. That person is truly alive. Our Lord Himself tells us not to fear those things that can harm the body, but to attend to what shapes the soul. We often joke that it might be easier if spiritual states were visible—if holiness and sin showed up like physical symptoms. Imagine walking through the world able to see, immediately, who was struggling, who was wounded, who needed gentleness or prayer. But most sins are hidden. We become very good at concealing them. Some sins, however, are easier to spot. A habitual drunkard, for example, eventually reveals himself. And there is one sin in particular—one we often excuse—that Scripture treats with great seriousness: the sin of speaking badly about others. In the Old Testament, what we translate as leprosy was often not simply a medical condition but a visible sign—a manifestation of sin made public. Not every skin disease fell into this category, but some did. It was a way God taught His people: what you carry within eventually shows itself without. Consider Miriam, the sister of Moses. She was a holy woman, faithful, devoted—yet when Moses acted in a way she did not expect, marrying a foreign woman, she spoke against him. She gave herself over to resentment and gossip. And the consequence was immediate and unmistakable: she was struck with leprosy and sent outside the camp until she was healed. The warning is clear. How different would our lives be if sins like gossip and disparagement were marked visibly upon us? If a sign hovered over our heads that said: "This person cannot speak about their neighbor with charity." "Do not trust their words; they tear others down." We would recoil at such exposure. Yet spiritually, those signs already exist. And in our time, this sin has become not only habitual, but normalized—especially through social media. Even among Orthodox Christians, we see people eager to label one another heretics rather than first seeking understanding. The slow, patient work of charity has been replaced by accusation. To those with noetic vision—spiritual sight—these sins are as visible as white blotches on the skin. So how do we examine ourselves? One test is how we respond to criticism. Another is how we respond to praise—or its absence. But another, deeply revealing test is this: How do I speak and think about others—especially those who have wronged me? Do I love my enemies? Do my thoughts and words reflect what St. Paul describes as the natural fruit of love? Or do I secretly rejoice when others fall? Scripture gives us another powerful image in the story of Naaman the Syrian—a pagan general afflicted with leprosy. He obeys the prophet Elisha, washes in the Jordan, and is healed. More than that, he turns to the God of Israel with gratitude and humility. He even takes soil from the Holy Land so that he may always remember whom he serves. But then we see the tragic contrast: Gehazi, Elisha's servant. Greed overtakes him. He lies. He exploits grace for gain. And the leprosy that left Naaman clings to him instead. Grace rejected becomes judgment. And finally, we see the greatest transformation of all: St. Paul. Raised among God's people, zealous for the law, Paul persecutes Christ Himself. He bears the unmistakable mark of sin—not on his skin, but in his actions. Yet the Lord blinds him, then restores his sight. And what does Paul do? He does not presume upon grace. He repents. He gives thanks. He becomes like the Samaritan leper in today's Gospel—the one who returns to glorify God. This is the heart of the Gospel. We live in a world filled with sin—not only in its dramatic forms, but in the everyday ways we break trust, speak carelessly, and nurture resentment. These are our leprosies. And yet, the Lord sees us in our affliction. He does not recoil. He heals. He restores us to His image. He cleanses us. He sets us free. But healing is not the end. Gratitude must awaken into a new way of life. God is not interested in transactional thanksgiving—"thank You so You'll give me more." That is manipulation, not love. True thanksgiving becomes wonder. To see a cup of water and marvel not only that it quenches thirst, but that water exists at all—that matter itself has been sanctified by Christ. To see every person we meet—not first as a problem to be solved or a sinner to be exposed—but as an icon bearing divine potential. Yes, we notice sin. But we see through it—to the good that can be nurtured. That is how God treats us. If we think we are proclaiming the Gospel by beating people down with their sins, we are mistaken. Repentance requires a vision of the good. People must know what they are called toward, not only what they must turn away from. This is how we pastor one another. We see the best. We bring it out. We pray. We speak truth when the time is right and love is strong. And when we do this, we stand with that Samaritan leper—foreigners ourselves to the Kingdom—yet welcomed, healed, and restored. May the Lord open our eyes—our noetic vision—so that we may see the grace that permeates all things, the divine logoi present in creation, and the glory of God shining wherever we are able to bear it. And may He grant us the strength to see more, day by day. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  

BUY ME A COFFEEhttp://buymeacoffee.com/octeachingDear Brethren and Friends of this Ministry,Since the year 2020 the evangelistic and apostolic mission of the Orthodox Christian Teaching Podcast Ministry brings multi-lingual catechism, teaching, Bible-study and prayer resources to listeners around the world. To support this Orthodox Christian witness to the world of today and the digitisation of hundreds of cassette tapes we want to convert into podcasts for all to hear, please see the link above for the Buy Me a Coffee platform.Thank you. May the Lord reward you.

​BUY ME A COFFEEhttp://buymeacoffee.com/octeachingDear Brethren and Friends of this Ministry,Since the year 2020 the evangelistic and apostolic mission of the Orthodox Christian Teaching Podcast Ministry brings multi-lingual catechism, teaching, Bible-study and prayer resources to listeners around the world. To support this Orthodox Christian witness to the world of today and the digitisation of hundreds of cassette tapes we want to convert into podcasts for all to hear, please see the link above for the Buy Me a Coffee platform.Thank you. May the Lord reward you.

​BUY ME A COFFEEhttp://buymeacoffee.com/octeachingDear Brethren and Friends of this Ministry,Since the year 2020 the evangelistic and apostolic mission of the Orthodox Christian Teaching Podcast Ministry brings multi-lingual catechism, teaching, Bible-study and prayer resources to listeners around the world. To support this Orthodox Christian witness to the world of today and the digitisation of hundreds of cassette tapes we want to convert into podcasts for all to hear, please see the link above for the Buy Me a Coffee platform.Thank you. May the Lord reward you.

​BUY ME A COFFEEhttp://buymeacoffee.com/octeachingDear Brethren and Friends of this Ministry,Since the year 2020 the evangelistic and apostolic mission of the Orthodox Christian Teaching Podcast Ministry brings multi-lingual catechism, teaching, Bible-study and prayer resources to listeners around the world. To support this Orthodox Christian witness to the world of today and the digitisation of hundreds of cassette tapes we want to convert into podcasts for all to hear, please see the link above for the Buy Me a Coffee platform.Thank you. May the Lord reward you.

​BUY ME A COFFEEhttp://buymeacoffee.com/octeachingDear Brethren and Friends of this Ministry,Since the year 2020 the evangelistic and apostolic mission of the Orthodox Christian Teaching Podcast Ministry brings multi-lingual catechism, teaching, Bible-study and prayer resources to listeners around the world. To support this Orthodox Christian witness to the world of today and the digitisation of hundreds of cassette tapes we want to convert into podcasts for all to hear, please see the link above for the Buy Me a Coffee platform.Thank you. May the Lord reward you.

836 Worshiping with Fasting and Prayer Night and Day, A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 2:36-38 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation RSV 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan′u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. NAB 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. Reflection on Scripture: The prophetess, Anna, dedicated her life to God. This scripture outlines her frequency in the temple as well as prayer and fasting. She was where God's presence was represented to be. As a result she was able to see the redemption of God and was able to share it. Catholics and Orthodox Christians hold Anna in reverence as a Saint. It is such an interesting micro story that is shared here. The woman is called a prophetess and it references her father as though we are supposed to know who he is. Or perhaps symbolically because his name means "Face of God" One fact that is hard to deny is that if we spend our time where godly things happen, we are more likely to encounter godly things. If we want to encounter God more in our life we should ponder on going to the places where His presence is represented for example church and making our home a sanctuary to the Lord. I sometimes reflect on the nature of this dedication. Obviously us as fallen and sinful humans don't get to decide where God goes based on what we dedicate to Him. God can choose to go anywhere God wants to go. With that said, when we dedicate places to God and set it apart, such as the Temple, we put ourselves in the kind of mind where we look for and see God more. Perhaps it is because he chooses to bless us with His presence to encourage us to do more of the things that He wants.  So the invitation stands for us to dedicate our homes as sanctuaries to God and treat them as such, not making habits of sins that would challenge that dedication. Also spending time with Godly music, and also spending time in community with others in church attendance and worship. Also making prayer and fasting a part of our process of building a relationship with the Lord.  Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod  

​BUY ME A COFFEEhttp://buymeacoffee.com/octeaching​Dear Brethren in Christ and Friends of this Ministry,Since the year 2020 the evangelistic and apostolic mission of the Orthodox Christian Teaching Podcast Ministry brings multi-lingual catechism, teaching, Bible-study and prayer resources to listeners around the world. To support this Orthodox Christian witness to the world of today and the digitisation of hundreds of cassette tapes we want to convert into podcasts for all to hear, please see the link above for the Buy Me a Coffee platform.Thank you. ​​ May the Lord reward you.​

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

A Venezuelan family celebrates survival as a miracle after U.S. strikes in Caracas. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV closed out the Vatican's 2025 Holy Year. And, Istanbul's Orthodox Christian community celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany by diving into the chilly waters of the city's historic Golden Horn.

Fr. Evan answers your questions on the role of vigil in the prayer life of Orthodox Christians, how catechumens can handle persecution from loved ones during their conversion, how to react when we notice loved ones falling into spiritual apathy, developing a rule of prayer as an inquirer, and more on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Join Fr. Timothy for this inspiring talk for the New Year.https://www.youtube.com/stsachurchhttps://www.stsa.church/the-well

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

In this stream I am joined by Dr. Christopher Lockwood, author of "Types and Symbols in the Bible, to discuss hidden symbolism from an Orthodox Christian perspective. Make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think. God Bless Buy the Book Here! https://sebastianpress.org/types-and-symbols-in-the-bible/ Follow Dr. Lockwood's Work: https://auth.academia.edu/ChristopherLockwood

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

God is writing a beautiful new chapter for STSA, and we're stepping into it together. Be part of this joyful, hope-filled season; a journey of faith, vision, and kingdom-building by going to https://www.STSA.church/kingdom

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

The spirit of Amalek is still alive very much today. The rise of America’s far-right is a testament to this fact. A war of ideas has been raging in the Republican Party - the party of conservatives in America. The traditionally pro-Israel consensus is being challenging by a much more sinister far-right, Orthodox Christian movement that certainly leans into the Amalekite spirit of Antisemitism. 

God is writing a beautiful new chapter for STSA, and we're stepping into it together. Be part of this joyful, hope-filled season; a journey of faith, vision, and kingdom-building by going to https://www.STSA.church/kingdom

Modern Conservatism is collapsing, and it isn't because of the Left. It's because the Right has abandoned biblical order, biblical loyalty, and biblical leadership.In this episode of Uncommon Sense, I'm examining how our so-called conservative leaders have traded Christianity for political convenience, elevating foreign loyalties, unbiblical theology, and female authority over God's clearly established design. When prominent figures openly choose Judaism over Christianity and Israel over America, we must ask: What exactly are we conserving anymore?Scripture is clear: Christianity is a patriarchy with God as its Head, Christ as King, and men called to lead in righteousness. A movement that rejects this order will inevitably rot from the inside out.This episode is a call to return to:Christ over cultureFaith over foreign allegianceGod's elect over globalist prioritiesBiblical men over platformed female personalitiesIf Conservatism wants to survive, it must first repent.--https://www.bible.com/

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

Kindly shared by the YouTube channel: Euan Michael

Kindly shared by the Yiutube channel: Euan Michael

My guest this week is Ben, host of Cleave to Antiquity. Formerly an associate pastor in a Protestant Evangelical church and active in online Protestant apologetics, Ben began to realize that many of the arguments he made against Orthodox theology and dogma didn't hold up. That realization forced him to confront some difficult truths and make major changes in his life. Today, Ben is a catechumen in the Orthodox Church. We talk about his journey, what led him to re-examine his assumptions, and the lessons he has learned along the way. Sponsor: 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 Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow  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!

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

For a very breif time in 1991, Elder Ephraim (+2019) was a member of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). Compelled to address his reasons for joining the Synod, Elder Ephraim composed this statement explaining the position of ROCOR and its canonicity. His statement is valuable to all Orthodox Christians in today's struggle against the heresy of Ecumenism and for the unity of the Orthodox Church.0:00 Introduction1:52 Elder Ephraim's StatementThe inclusion of the introduction by the editors of Orthodox Tradition (Old Calendarists from Etna, CA) is neither to promote nor demote them. At minimum, their words provide valuable context and are appropriate in setting up the audience for their english translation of Elder Ephraim's original greek. It's up to the listener to draw their own conclusions about the Old Calenderists and more importantly, the words of Elder Ephraim.

God is writing a beautiful new chapter for STSA, and we're stepping into it together. Be part of this joyful, hope-filled season; a journey of faith, vision, and kingdom-building by going to https://www.STSA.church/kingdom

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

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

This week we're talking Christian unity, sparked by the Pope's recent trip to Turkey and Lebanon. We get into the real stuff: why Catholics and Orthodox Christians still aren't on the same page, what keeps them apart, and why Fr. Simon politely said “nope” to an interview with an Orthodox priest. We also get honest about the big roadblocks—history, theology, culture—and why love and truth actually matter if unity is ever going to be a thing. Plus, we chat about Catholic–Orthodox marriages, the traditions that shape both communities, and, of course, the absolute blessing that is "Sacos Tacos." Featuring: Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Augustine Joseph, Fr. Tristan Farida

TENE revisits the Orthodox Christian "punk zine" Death to the World, by reviewing the 2025 book Punk to Monks: The Story of Death to the World 'Zine. Boris compares the official narrative to the far more grim reality of abuse, cover-ups, fake churches and a surprising connection to a 1960s New Age cult. Subscribe to https://patreon.org/tenepod https://bsky.app/profile/tenepod.bsky.social https://x.com/tenepod

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!

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.

00:00 Intro02:04 Chapter 109:59 Chapter 220:11 Chapter 330:09 Chapter 440:10 Chapter 550:08 Chapter 661:13 Chapter 765:09 OutroThe second half of our conversation about how a huge part of the problem with "politics" in The United States is both "sides" have the same underlying assumption: we can't live the good life until everyone agrees with us & the laws reflect our agreement.Fr Symeon's recent trip to visit his family provides an opportunity to poke holes in this assumption by discussing the ways in which, simply as a practical example, we can see people living, as St Paul said "...aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands..." in a country most Americans would insist is about as far from what we want our society to be as is possible. Well, if people can do it under the world's most challenging conditions, then Orthodox Christians can do it in the USA, whether the political winds are going their way, or against them.And if we can walk in the way of the life of faithfulness no matter the political climate, then why are we spending so much time getting wound up about it? Maybe what it boils down to, is we don't want to see all of humanity get saved, we want to see our enemies get their comeuppance. Reference materials for this episode: St John Chrysostom's commentary on Romans -12:9-21 - https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210221.htm & https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210222.htm - 13:1-7 - https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210223.htmScripture citations for this episode:Romans - 12:9-21 live in harmony - 13:1-7 be good citizens1 Corinthians - 6:1-11 lawsuitsEphesians - 6:5-9 no slave rebellionsPhilemon - no slave rebellionsThe Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion with oversight from Fr Symeon KeesParadosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcasthttps://twitter.com/podcast_saintshttps://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcastIconographic 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 - 2023

A Bible Study for Orthodox Christians on the Bible as Salvation - The Word of God. Originally LIVESTREAM in Tarpon Springs, Florida on November 25, 2025. Study guide available at https://liveanewlifeinchrist.org/bible-studies/back-to-bible-basics/bbb10

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

Join Fr. Anthony Messeh for part 5 of "[re]Learning to Pray" a 6-part series at The Well.https://www.youtube.com/stsachurchhttps://www.stsa.church/the-well

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

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

Jonathan Pageau returns to explore the symbolic meaning behind Christianity, evil, gender confusion, and why civilizations collapse at the height of abundance. In the conversation, Aaron respectfully challenges aspects of Christian doctrine, asking hard questions about hell, salvation, and religious exclusivity.OUR GUESTJonathan Pageau is a professional artist, writer, and public speaker based in Quebec, Canada. He specializes in carving Orthodox Christian icons and designing traditional sacred images and products. Through his YouTube channel and podcast, The Symbolic World, he explores how symbolic patterns inform our experiences of the world and can re-enchant contemporary life.Jonathan is the founder of Symbolic World Press, a publishing house dedicated to the renewal of culture through storytelling and rediscovering symbolic thinking. The Press publishes works such as the Tales for Now & Ever fairy tale series—which includes The Tale of Snow White and the Widow Queen, Jack and the Fallen Giants, and the most recent publication now available for pre-order, Rapunzel and the Evil Witch—as well as the GodsDog graphic novel series and other books. The Press also hosts online courses led by Jonathan and other influential thinkers such as Dr. Martin Shaw, Fr. Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin, and Prof. John Vervaeke, covering topics from storytelling and literature to cognitive science and philosophy.In addition, the Symbolic World website features a community forum and a contributor-driven blog that deepen engagement with symbolic thinking. Jonathan has written extensively on artistic and religious symbolism, including hundreds of articles for the Orthodox Arts Journal.JONATHAN PAGEAU

Join Fr. Anthony Messeh for part 5 of "[re]Learning to Pray" a 6-part series at The Well.https://www.youtube.com/stsachurchhttps://www.stsa.church/the-well

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

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

Join Fr. Anthony Messeh for part 4 of "[re]Learning to Pray" a 6-part series at The Well.https://www.youtube.com/stsachurchhttps://www.stsa.church/the-well

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