Podcasts about orthodox christians

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

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

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

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

A Bible Study for Orthodox Christians on the Bible as Story in History. This session was originally LIVESTREAM in Tarpon Springs, FL on November 18, 2025. Study guide available at https://liveanewlifeinchrist.org/bible-studies/back-to-bible-basics/bbb09

Pope Leo flies east next week on his first overseas visit as pontiff. He goes first to Türkiye, a country where the Christian population has dwindled to less than one per-cent. He'll meet the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholemew, who leads most of the world's Orthodox Christians, and with the controversial president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan's been styling himself as a new sultan of the broader Islamic world. But it will be the second leg of Leo's trip to Lebanon that's potentially more challenging. Christians are around a third of the population but there are real fears that external actors, including Iran and Israel, could destabilise the fragile religious settlement that has survived for more than 30 years. GUEST:Dr Roula Talhouk, director of the Institute for Muslim-Christian Studies at St Joseph's University in Beirut.Related story - Taybeh is the last predominantly Christian village left in the West Bank 

Pope Leo flies east next week on his first overseas visit as pontiff. He goes first to Türkiye, a country where the Christian population has dwindled to less than one per-cent. He'll meet the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholemew, who leads most of the world's Orthodox Christians, and with the controversial president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan's been styling himself as a new sultan of the broader Islamic world. But it will be the second leg of Leo's trip, to Lebanon, that's potentially more challenging. Christians are around a third of the population but there are real fears that external actors, including Iran and Israel, could destabilise the fragile religious settlement that has survived for more than 30 years. Dr ROULA TALHOUK is the director of the Institute for Muslim-Christian Studies at St Joseph's University in Beirut.For Donald Trump's administration, there are a few more inviting targets than America's universities. Ivy League institutions, including Harvard, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania, have lost federal funds and been subject to more direct government control. The administration claims it is trying to combat campus domination by the ideological left. Philosophy professor YUVAL AVNUR of Scripps College, and two colleagues, Stephanie Muravchik and Jon Shields, were especially worried about these attacks and began to investigate the allegations of bias in university and college courses. They published part of their results in the online journal, Persuasion. GUESTS:Dr Roula Talhouk, director of the Institute for Muslim-Christian Studies at St Joseph's University in Beirut.Professor Yuval Avnur of Scripps College, California.This show was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

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

Dimitra Fimi is Professor of Fantasy and Children's Literature at the University of Glasgow and Co-Director of the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic. Her Tolkien, Race and Cultural History won the Mythopoeic Scholarship Award for Inklings Studies and she co-edited the critical edition of A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages which won the Tolkien Society Award for Best Book. Her Celtic Myth in Contemporary Children's Fantasy won the Mythopoeic Scholarship Award in Myth and Fantasy Studies. Other work includes co-editing Sub-creating Arda: World-building in J.R.R. Tolkien's Work, its Precursors and its Legacies and Imagining the Celtic Past in Modern Fantasy. She has contributed articles for the TLS and The Conversation, and has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs.When the rightly famous and beloved ‘The Great Courses' series decided to offer a Lord of the Rings entry for their catalog of the very best in scholarship for adult-learners, they asked Dimitra Fimi to create ‘The World of J. R. R. Tolkien,' one of their most popular courses and one you can enjoy in an Audible edition.Links Promised in Conversation:A Kind of Elvish Craft: The Dimitra Fimi Substack Site* Miniature Books in Children's Fantasy* Parabasis: A Tribute to Dionysis Stavvopoulos* On Tolkien's Letter 131 (4): “Romance” vs. ScienceDimitra Fimi articles at ‘The Conversation'* After 150 years, we still haven't solved the puzzle of Alice in Wonderland (2015)Kanreki Conversations about Rowling-Galbraith ‘Golden Threads'* Pregnancy Traps in the Works of Rowling-Galbraith* Golden Threads in Rowling-Galbraith (1)* Golden Threads in Rowling-Galbraith (2)* ‘The Lost Child' Golden Thread* Alternative Explanations of ‘The Lost Child' Golden Thread* The Induced Abortion Hypothesis* The July 2025 Kanreki IndexOur Ten Questions for Dr Fimi:1. How does a woman born and raised on the Greek island of Salamis wind up in Cardiff studying Celtic Mythology?2. You're a Tolkien scholar and expert in fantasy and Children's literature. Tolkienistas are legend for looking down their Ent noses at Harry Potter, though there are important exceptions to that rule (the late Stratford Caldecott, his wife Leonie, Amy H. Sturgis, others). How did you meet the Boy Who Lived and what were your first impressions of Rowling as author?3. You have a lot in common with Rowling, no? Tolkien devotee, serious student of mythology, and a wonderful appreciation of the magic of story, especially magical stories for children. The Tolkien influence on Rowling is well documented though she has tried to belittle it, but her use of myths as templates for her stories is less well known but at least as important. What do you make of her admittedly “shameless” borrowing from folk tales and myths?4. I guess this is a segue to the Cormoran Strike books which are awash in myths -- Leda and the Swan, Castor and Pollux, Cupid and Psyche, Artemis and Tisiphone... Am I missing any?5. You've seen Rowling's recent confirmation of the Cupid and Psyche myth in her tweeted painting of ‘Psyche Ascendant.' That suggests we'll see the happy ending of the myth in Strikes 9 and 10. Or does it? What did you see of that myth specifically in Hallmarked Man?6. Running Grave has another embedded text, not a myth per se, one that makes sense in light of Rowling's love of everything the Bronte sisters wrote. Tell us what made you think of Jane Eyre as you were reading Strike 7.7. Rowling did something unusual in 2019, well, among the unusual things she did that year, in inviting readers to interpret her work in light of their ‘Lake' inspiration as well as her intentional ‘Shed' artistry. Writers like Lewis and Tolkien would be aghast at that, though Inkling Studies today necessarily include heavy biographical leanings in almost everything written about those authors. What is your take in general on what Lewis called ‘The Personal Heresy' and about Rowling as a living author inviting that critical perspective while she is still among us?8. It's fascinating, frankly, that you are not so compartmentalized in your reading that Rowling is still a writer you read outside of her fantasy and children's literature. Do you read the Strike-Ellacott stories because you also love a good detective novel or is it your interest in Rowling and whatever she is writing?9. Have you read Christmas Pig? John believes that in fifty years, the Lord tarrying, high school and college students will read Pig as Rowling's representative work the way we had to read Tale of Two Cities or Christmas Carol to be exposed to Dickens.10. John tries to read imaginative fiction through what he calls an “iconological lens,” a method born of his Perennialist beliefs and life as an Orthodox Christian. In what ways do you think your childhood and secondary education gave you a sympathy unusual for multi-valent texts than those born and raised in relatively secular cultures? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

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

Jeremy Jeremiah, Orthodox Christian, and host of today's Cloud of Witnesses episode, reacts and responds to Dillon Baker of The Protestant Gentleman podcast (https://www.youtube.com/@theprotestantgentleman) testimony that he, Dillon, is leaving the Non-Denominational church, and why.What if the Sunday you know has drifted far from the church you need? We follow a thoughtful journey out of a non-denominational megachurch toward a rooted, reverent, and sacramental vision of Christian life. The conversation starts with authority and structure: why do so many churches teach different things, and who decides? From sola scriptura to elder boards with conflicting interpretations, we unpack how fragmentation becomes normal when there's no visible, historic body to anchor doctrine and practice.We trace the journey out of a non-denominational megachurch toward a historic, sacramental, and accountable expression of the church. Along the way we examine authority, discipleship, pastoral care, reverence, and why communion belongs at the center.• identifying fragmentation born of solo interpretation and weak structures• contrasting seeker models with worship for the baptized• reclaiming the pastor as present shepherd, not executive• rejecting a popular gospel that mutes sin and judgment• restoring reverence through sacred space, symbols, and creeds• embracing participatory liturgy over passive consumption• naming the limits of unformed community group leadership• elevating communion and baptism as the church's heartbeat• counting the relational cost of leaving and discerning next steps• inviting conversation about apostolic continuity and unityFrom there, we move into discipleship and the true purpose of Sunday. If church is designed as a seeker venue, believers become spectators and the gospel gets softer. We make the case that the gathered church should be for the baptized—shaping souls through confession, accountability, and the ordinary disciplines that form resilient Christians. That priority reframes the pastor's role from CEO to shepherd and challenges the assumption that charismatic leadership and scalable programs equal spiritual health.Reverence takes center stage as we explore the power of sacred space, ancient hymns, creeds, and participatory liturgy. This isn't about aesthetics; it's about recognizing the holiness of God and recovering practices that have carried the church for centuries. The climax lands on the sacraments, especially communion. We consider the real presence, why the Lord's Table once stood at the heart of worship, and what is lost when a sermon becomes the main event. Along the way, we count the cost of leaving a beloved community and open a path toward unity with a church that offers accountability, depth, and apostolic continuity.If you're wrestling with megachurch hype, soft preaching, or surface fellowship, this conversation offers a map back to depth and stability. Listen, share with a friend, and then tell us: what anchors your worship—stage or altar? Subscribe for more thoughtful, tradition-aware conversations and leave a review to help others find the show.Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses Radio on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTokPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!

Join 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

What if the church you've been searching for all along is the one you didn't know existed? Kyle David shares how a lifetime of sincere belief still left him split between Sunday performance and weekday drift—until a medical collapse forced brutal honesty about faith, pride, and the limits of self-reliance. The story begins with restless church-hopping across megachurch stages and traditional pews, and moves through a pandemic-era return to the sanctuary that felt more like rebellion than routine.We trace Kyle's path from church fatigue and a divided life to a near-death crisis that reawakened faith, reverence, and daily discipline. The journey lands in Orthodoxy, where mystery is honored, repentance is central, and community finally feels like home.• Protestant upbringing across multiple denominations• dissatisfaction with casual worship and lack of reverence• gap years from church without renouncing belief• pandemic as a catalyst to reexplore tradition• medical collapse, surgery, and dependence on grace• honoring science while affirming providence• music as a metaphor for spiritual discipline• Eastern sense of mystery aligning with Orthodoxy• finding belonging at St. Anthony the Great• repentance and Christ as the physician of soulsThat restlessness turns into a reckoning when COVID pneumonia, a hurricane evacuation, and months in hospitals strip away pretense. Kyle talks candidly about respecting modern medicine and still seeing providence at work: surgeons and science as channels, not the source, of healing. From that edge of life, he stops “presenting” as Christian and starts practicing one—daily prayer, Scripture, repentance, and a slower, steadier walk. We explore how Orthodoxy's humility before mystery resonates with his Korean heritage and why the Church as a “hospital for the soul” shifted his understanding of mercy, sin, and healing.Music threads through the conversation as a living metaphor. As a drummer, Kyle learned to keep time within and adjust to the room without losing the beat. That's how he approaches faith now—discipline that makes space for grace. The turning point came at St. Anthony the Great in San Diego, where belonging finally felt honest: fewer smoke machines, more reverence; less hype, more healing. If you've felt the gap between head knowledge and a changed life, this story will meet you where you are and invite you deeper into a faith that doesn't explain away mystery but teaches you to stand before it.If this conversation moved you, tap follow, share it with a friend who's searching, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses Radio on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTokPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!

00:00 Intro/Back from China03:56 Journalism in China & The West09:51 Harmony, rancor, journalism, editorial & social media19:49 Saint Paul to The Church in Rome on quiet living23:07 Vacation vs daily life in a place27:29 Nominalism cannot be the path to social harmony35:57 To love neighbor & enemy we must participate in God's holiness40:12 Humble repentance is the path to a just society43:11 Christianity isn't convenient, look at Syria50:10 Models of church & state53:20 No such thing as Orthodox government54:54 The Church is perfect, stop trying to defend it from itself58:55 The is no invisible church, there is only The Church63:45 Two ways to try to be above the bishops65:27 No, we can't all just get along/ClosingA 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 in China 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 in China, 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're afraid of inconvenience.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 rebellions#china #syria  #journalism #editorial #quietlifeThe 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

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

This week I am joined by Neil from Dirt Poor Robins, Madeby Jimbob and John Heers to discuss cultural Orthodox Christianity, Social Cohesion and Consumerism, Conjuring AI Super-reflections as Idols/Gods in the Age of Moral Therapeutics, the dangers of Nominalism and regarding all of Reality as mere material process, Evolution as a source of Depression, Full-Spectrum Orthodoxy, Authority, Beauty as An Act of War --- We Covered many bases.Meet the Blessed is a panel talk show featuring Orthodox Christians to discuss the intersection of Orthodoxy, politics, and culture. It's like Meet the Press...but BLESSED!Please remember to Like, Subscribe, and SUPPORT this show and channel anyway you can - God Bless! Help Cooper Brooks pay his medical bills: https://www.givesendgo.com/GKB8F?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=GKB8FSTOP PAYING YT! Send Tips via Stream Labs: https://streamlabs.com/mironchucknow/tipOR Send me PayPal Bucks! https://paypal.me/2BITPODCAST?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AUFOLLOW AND WATCH ON KICK:https://kick.com/mironchucknowTales of the Shadow Empire: https://mironchucknow.gumroad.com/l/ShadowempireSupport the Show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2BitPodcastGO BUY SOME COFFEE AT FOX AND SONS! www.foxnsons.comUse Coupon Code NOW to get 15% off all orders over $30 Follow Me:X: https://x.com/MironchuckNOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46drg48IIT4W4lDyRfkHFH?si=sAE_dgo5T_G10UpPnqHb_ASubstack: https://mironchucknow.substack.comContact: Mironchucknow@gmail.com

A Bible Study for Orthodox Christians on the Bible as Story in Parables. This session was originally LIVESTREAM on November 11, 2025, in Tarpon Springs, FL. Study guide available at https://liveanewlifeinchrist.org/bible-studies/back-to-bible-basics/bbb08

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

I think it's time to REDEEM the Ortho-Bro label! Join Ben Luigi, Cleave to Antiquity & Matt 'Kingpilled' Erickson as we discuss converting young men to Orthodoxy through debate and content creation, the dangers of trying to smuggle in previous beliefs and ideologies and share stories of balancing the demands of the Church and living a modern life. Meet the Blessed is a panel talk show featuring Orthodox Christians to discuss the intersection of Orthodoxy, politics, and culture. It's like Meet the Press...but BLESSED!Please remember to Like, Subscribe, and SUPPORT this show and channel anyway you can - God Bless! Help Cooper Brooks pay his medical bills: https://www.givesendgo.com/GKB8F?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=GKB8FSTOP PAYING YT! Send Tips via Stream Labs: https://streamlabs.com/mironchucknow/tipOR Send me PayPal Bucks! https://paypal.me/2BITPODCAST?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AUFOLLOW AND WATCH ON KICK:https://kick.com/mironchucknowTales of the Shadow Empire: https://mironchucknow.gumroad.com/l/ShadowempireSupport the Show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2BitPodcastGO BUY SOME COFFEE AT FOX AND SONS! www.foxnsons.comUse Coupon Code NOW to get 15% off all orders over $30 Follow Me:X: https://x.com/MironchuckNOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46drg48IIT4W4lDyRfkHFH?si=sAE_dgo5T_G10UpPnqHb_ASubstack: https://mironchucknow.substack.comContact: Mironchucknow@gmail.com

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

Introducing the first of a series of panel talks with fellow Orthodox Christians to discuss the intersection of Orthodox Christianity, politics, and culture. It's like Meet the Press...but BLESSED!Join Jay Dyer, Buck Johnson and Jim Jatras as we discuss Cultural Shifts and Superficial Faith, Orthodox Conversions and Growth, Ecumenism, Church Divisions, and Schisms, Geopolitics and Religion's Intersections, Technocracy, Perennialism, and Future “Religion”, Spiritual Priorities Over Politics, and Impending Crises and Optimism. Please remember to Like, Subscribe, and SUPPORT this show and channel anyway you can - God Bless! Help Cooper Brooks pay his medical bills: https://www.givesendgo.com/GKB8F?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=GKB8FSTOP PAYING YT! Send Tips via Stream Labs: https://streamlabs.com/mironchucknow/tipOR Send me PayPal Bucks! https://paypal.me/2BITPODCAST?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AUFOLLOW AND WATCH ON KICK:https://kick.com/mironchucknowTales of the Shadow Empire: https://mironchucknow.gumroad.com/l/ShadowempireSupport the Show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2BitPodcastGO BUY SOME COFFEE AT FOX AND SONS! www.foxnsons.comUse Coupon Code NOW to get 15% off all orders over $30 Follow Me:X: https://x.com/MironchuckNOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46drg48IIT4W4lDyRfkHFH?si=sAE_dgo5T_G10UpPnqHb_ASubstack: https://mironchucknow.substack.comContact: Mironchucknow@gmail.com

Join Fr. Anthony Messeh for "[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

As we continue our discussion of the difficulty in integrating the journey on the way of the life of faithfulness to the evengalion of Jesus, The Christ, the Orthodox Christian way of life, into contemporary western culture, Jim & Fr Symeon take the opportunity to discuss "the other side". Last conversation we defined & critique "woke" as the civil religion of the so-called Left. This time we will define & critique "Make America Great Again" as the civil religion of the so-called Right. The reason we wish to critique it is because it uses Christian language but is not Christian. And yet we can end the episode with the hymns to The Theotokos which call her a military leader, proclaiming our victory & the establishment of our way of life. Find out why this isn't about theocracy & isn't about violence, by tuning in!Scripture citations for this episode: - Genesis 1 & 2   - Creation as a battle against chaos & death - Genesis 11   - Tower of Babel - Galatians 5:16-26   - Fruits of The SpiritThe 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

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

Introducing the first of a series of panel talks with fellow Orthodox Christians to discuss the intersection of Orthodox Christianity, politics, and culture. It's like Meet the Press...but BLESSED!Join Jay Dyer, Buck Johnson and Jim Jatras as we discuss Cultural Shifts and Superficial Faith, Orthodox Conversions and Growth, Ecumenism, Church Divisions, and Schisms, Geopolitics and Religion's Intersections, Technocracy, Perennialism, and Future “Religion”, Spiritual Priorities Over Politics, and Impending Crises and Optimism. Please remember to Like, Subscribe, and SUPPORT this show and channel anyway you can - God Bless! Help Cooper Brooks pay his medical bills: https://www.givesendgo.com/GKB8F?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=GKB8FSTOP PAYING YT! Send Tips via Stream Labs: https://streamlabs.com/mironchucknow/tipOR Send me PayPal Bucks! https://paypal.me/2BITPODCAST?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AUFOLLOW AND WATCH ON KICK:https://kick.com/mironchucknowTales of the Shadow Empire: https://mironchucknow.gumroad.com/l/ShadowempireSupport the Show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2BitPodcastGO BUY SOME COFFEE AT FOX AND SONS! www.foxnsons.comUse Coupon Code NOW to get 15% off all orders over $30 Follow Me:X: https://x.com/MironchuckNOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46drg48IIT4W4lDyRfkHFH?si=sAE_dgo5T_G10UpPnqHb_ASubstack: https://mironchucknow.substack.comContact: Mironchucknow@gmail.com

A Bible Study for Orthodox Christians on the Bible as Story in Miracles. This session was originally LIVESTREAM in Tarpon Springs, Florida, on October 28, 2025. Study guide available at https://liveanewlifeinchrist.org/bible-studies/back-to-bible-basics/bbb07

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

Thank you for joining us for our monthly Silk Road Seminar!  Today's guest is  @JonathanPageau  Jonathan Pageau is a Canadian artist, writer, and public thinker exploring the patterns that unite art, symbolism, and meaning. As an icon carver and lecturer on symbolic thinking, Jonathan has become a prominent voice in the growing movement to recover traditional ways of seeing the world. His work brings together theology, myth, and modern culture to help audiences rediscover the sacred patterns underlying reality. He is the host of The Symbolic World, a popular podcast and YouTube channel where he examines culture, art, and current events through the lens of symbolism and story. Jonathan's insights have made him a sought-after speaker at universities, conferences, and major podcasts, including appearances on Jordan Peterson's podcast and The Portal with Eric Weinstein.  Beyond his media work, Jonathan is a skilled icon carver in the Orthodox Christian tradition, producing liturgical and commissioned pieces that embody the very principles he teaches. He is also the editor of The Orthodox Arts Journal and co-founder of Symbolic World Press, which publishes works on theology, philosophy, and art that bridge ancient wisdom and contemporary experience. Silk Road Seminars are a live event where John weaves together threads from his various theoretical conversations along with a distinguished guest. These hour-long conversations are live on Youtube followed by an exclusive Q&A, where you can ask questions directly to John and his guest. To be entered onto the guest list for these Q&As, you can sign up at the Gamma Tier (and above) on The Lectern at https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge Currently enrolled university students at all levels up to doctoral studies get free access to the Q&A. To gain access to Silk Road seminars, please email your proof of student identity to ethan@vervaekefoundation.org to be added to the guest list and watch previous seminars as well! If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John's work, please consider joining our Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke. The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. https://vervaekefoundation.org/ If you would like to learn and engage regularly in practices that are informed, developed and endorsed by John and his work, visit Awaken to Meaning's calendar to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. https://awakentomeaning.com/join-practice/ John Vervaeke: https://johnvervaeke.com/ https://twitter.com/DrJohnVervaeke https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke  

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Dylan Pahman, research fellow at the Acton Institute and founder and president of the St. Nicholas Cabasilas Institute for Orthodoxy & Liberty, about his new book, The Kingdom of God & the Common Good: Orthodox Christian Social Thought. What is the state of contemporary Orthodox Social Thought? What is […]

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

This week on the podcast, I'm excited to feature Nicholas Mamey, an Orthodox Christian and psychotherapist. Nicholas joins me to discuss the positive and negative aspects of therapy and self-healing through an Orthodox Christian lens. In a world filled with pop-psychology "white noise" and self-obsession, Nicholas offers a unique perspective on what true healing entails. Tune in for this important conversation. Learn more about Nicholas here: https://www.ngmtherapy.com/about Support our friend Cooper Brooks in his time of need: https://www.givesendgo.com/GKB8F  Sponsors: Fox n Sons Coffee: https://www.foxnsons.com  Code: BUCK15 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!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on whether or not Orthodox Christians should celebrate Halloween, why the Holy Spirit might call protestants to Orthodoxy when they are already engaged in fruitful ministry elsewhere, how the Orthodox interpret biblical references to Peter as the rock, possible solutions to the clergy shortage, and more on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on whether or not Orthodox Christians should celebrate Halloween, why the Holy Spirit might call protestants to Orthodoxy when they are already engaged in fruitful ministry elsewhere, how the Orthodox interpret biblical references to Peter as the rock, possible solutions to the clergy shortage, and more on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

(2:48) Bible Study: Luke 12:13-21 What are the dangers of a lot of wealth? Romans 4:20-25 Trusting Jesus is an action (21:18) Break 1 (23:37) Letters: How are Orthodox Christians different from Catholics? How does science in archeology fit in with the creation story in Genesis. Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (39:01) Break 2 (40:56) Word of the Day Arbitrator (43:08) Phones: Ann - Did David practice circumcision. Josiah said that it hadn’t been practiced since the time of the judges. Arkaan - Genesis 1 takes about the creation about heaven and earth. What is the water 'above'? Ray - Can you recommend any good readings from the crusades?

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

This week, we are featuring one of the most unique interviews I've ever conducted. My guest, Justine Alter (a pseudonym), is an Orthodox Christian and author of the book *Outside of the World*. In her book, Justine shares her incredible journey from a difficult childhood through the occult, her experiences as a psychic medium, and even her time as a cult leader, ultimately finding her way to the Orthodox Church. During the interview, Justine uses a voice augmenter to disguise her identity due to multiple death threats she has received from individuals within occult circles. You can order her book directly at: https://www.newmartyrpress.com  Sponsors: Fox n Sons Coffee: https://www.foxnsons.com  Code: BUCK15 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!