Podcasts about orthodox church

The Divine Liturgy is where Heaven meets Earth. The Orthodox Church is the hospital where we come to heal, but does healing really come the way we thought it would? What if “blessings” are not what you think?What if your grief, your temptations, and your unanswered prayers are all trying to teach you the same thing - how to stop clinging to your own will and start trusting God completely?Welcome back to the Let's be friends podcast. With us today is Father Photios Dumont. Join us as we discuss how the Christian life is not about comfort, control, or getting your way. It is about humility, obedience, thanksgiving, and learning to see suffering through the lens of eternity. If you are carrying loss, wrestling with doubt, or trying to understand what the Orthodox faith really asks of you, this conversation meets you right where you are.In this episode Father Photios shares the story of Saint Paisios telling him that if people will travel anywhere in the world for a surgeon to heal the body, they should be even more willing to travel for someone who can heal the soul. Kara also shares an early update on the acute grief she is going through, only a month after the passing of her spouse of 16 years. The episode also has powerful stories of Mount Athos, Elder Ephraim, Saint Demetrios, Saint Porphyrios, and the saints who shape real lives today - not as history, but as living companions on the journey to salvation.Find Father Photios:https://www.saintdemetrios.com/about-us/clergySupport Kara...Go Fund Me:https://www.givesendgo.com/support-fo...Sign up for the Friendship membership:https://www.letsbefriendspodcast.com/...Buy my book Here Comes Trouble:https://www.karamosher.com/storeor on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0gvIM6ST

In this special mailbag edition of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is joined by show producer Mike once again to answer your questions on married people entering the monastic life, how people in the west could have received salvation without access to the Orthodox Church, the Orthodox view on a career in emergency medical services, preparing a prayer space, and how someone with social anxiety can form Orthodox social networks.

The episode starts out with a candid conversation with Kara Mosher and Fr. Turbo Qualls The conversation discusses grief, addiction, conversion, and what it really means to enter the Orthodox Church as a catechumen. The conversation centers on Kara's experience with her fiancé Jody's addiction and emergency baptism, then expands into a practical and pastoral discussion of purification, trauma, generational patterns, and healing through sacramental life.Fr. Turbo brings his perspective as an Orthodox priest, addiction studies and trauma counselor, and spiritual father to many converts. Together they explore why people coming from the occult, new age, addiction, and psychological distress need patience, community, and real formation rather than quick fixes.Father Turbo is an Orthodox priest and the rector at St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church in Kansas City, Missouri: https://stmaryofegypt.net/fr-turbo-quallsDonate to Kara's Go Fund me https://www.givesendgo.com/support-fo...Want more? Let's be friends. Join the Friendship Membership. https://www.letsbefriendspodcast.com/...Want to read my memoir, Here Comes Trouble? It's available now. Order your copy.https://www.karamosher.com/store

We have talked about masculinity and manhood on this show before. Today is the mature version of that conversation, going back to the oldest teachings we have. In this episode, attachment specialist Adam Lane Smith sits down with His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah, retired primate of the Orthodox Church in America, rector of St. Herman's Church and Abbot of St. Demetrios Monastery, for a conversation about what forms a man. 

The vacuum left by the collapse of the Horde also affects the role of the Orthodox Church in Moscow.

Galatians 2:16-20; Mark 8:34-9:1 St. Paul teaches that the Law could protect, teach, and prepare God's people, but it could not give the new life that comes through Christ. The Orthodox Church gives us an extraordinary Way of prayer, fasting, worship, and tradition that forms us for holiness—but especially when we come to that Way later in life, we can be tempted to master its practices, turn the means into ends, and measure ourselves and others by them. On the Sunday after the Exaltation, we are reminded to be patient with the work of grace: the goal is not to become exceptionally good at being Orthodox, but to take up the Cross, follow Christ, and allow Him to reshape us into saints. You can find the entire text at OrthoAnalytika.org.  Enjoy the show!

Welcome to Day 2951 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain and today is Day 2951 – Theology Thursday – A Foretaste of Eternity: Worship and Relics in Orthodox Christianity Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2951 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2951 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found his lessons short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who want to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons are available on his website, theologyinfive.com. Today's episode is:  A Foretaste of Eternity: Worship and Relics in Orthodox Christianity. At the heart of Orthodox Christianity lies a profoundly sacramental vision of reality, one in which worship does not merely recall past events or anticipate future fulfillment but draws the faithful into the living presence of God. Orthodox spirituality understands the Church's rites as encounters with eternity, moments where heaven and earth overlap and the constraints of ordinary time are set aside. This conviction shapes the entire liturgical life of the Church, from the Divine Liturgy to the veneration of relics, both of which testify to the belief that the Kingdom of God is not only awaited but actively entered through worship. Orthodoxy does not treat sacred rites as symbolic gestures meant to stimulate memory or emotion. Instead, the Church understands worship as participation in divine realities that exist beyond chronological time. When believers gather, they are not reenacting sacred history but stepping into it. This perspective is grounded in the biblical distinction between chronos, measured and sequential time, and kairos, the appointed moment of God's decisive action. In Orthodox worship, kairos breaks into chronos, allowing the faithful to encounter the eternal now of God's kingdom. The first segment is: Liturgical Time and the Reality of Kairos. The Orthodox Church views liturgical time as fundamentally different from ordinary time. While daily life moves forward in linear progression, the liturgy unfolds as an entry into God's eternal present. This is why Orthodox services are saturated with language that collapses past, present, and future into a single act of worship. The Church does not merely remember Christ's saving work but proclaims it as a present and active reality. This understanding is deeply rooted in Scripture, particularly in passages that describe heavenly worship as ongoing and unceasing. The book of Revelation does not portray heaven as waiting for history to conclude before worship begins. Instead, it reveals a realm where praise is already underway and where redeemed humanity already stands before God, even while the full restoration of all things is not yet complete. Orthodox worship understands itself as a participation in that same heavenly liturgy, not a symbolic imitation of it. The second segment is: The Divine Liturgy as Heavenly Worship. Nowhere is this eternal perspective more fully expressed than in the Divine Liturgy, the central act of Orthodox worship. The Liturgy is not approached as a service observed from a distance but as an act in which the faithful actively participate. The Church gathers with the conviction that it stands before God alongside the angels and the saints, offering praise that transcends earthly limitations. This is why Orthodox churches are intentionally designed to reflect heaven rather than accommodate modern efficiency. Icons, incense, chant, and ritual movement are not aesthetic additions but theological statements. They proclaim that worship is not confined to the material world and that the senses themselves are drawn into the experience of eternity. When the Liturgy begins, the Church does not imagine heaven but enters into its worship. The third segment is: The Eucharist and the Eternal Sacrifice of Christ. At the heart of the Divine Liturgy stands the Eucharist, which most clearly embodies the Orthodox understanding of time and eternity. The Eucharist is not treated as a symbolic reminder of Christ's sacrifice, nor as a repetition of it. Orthodox theology holds that Christ's sacrifice is once for all, complete and unrepeatable, yet eternally present before the Father. In the Eucharist, the Church is brought into that eternal offering. The faithful do not travel back in time to the Last Supper, nor do they merely recall the crucifixion and resurrection. Instead, they participate in the timeless reality of Christ's self-offering, which stands outside historical sequence. This is why the Eucharist is spoken of as a mystery, not because it is vague or irrational, but because it transcends the categories of ordinary experience. The fourth segment is: The Communion of Saints Beyond Time. The Orthodox understanding of worship also reshapes the Church's view of the communion of saints. The Church is not divided between the living and the departed, nor fractured by centuries of history. All who are in Christ are alive in Him, and all worship together as one body. This unity is not poetic language but a lived reality expressed every time the Church gathers for prayer. In Orthodox services, the saints are not treated as distant figures from the past but as present members of the worshiping community. Their hymns are sung, their intercessions are invoked, and their lives are held up as evidence that the victory of Christ over death is already at work. This reinforces the conviction that the Church's worship transcends time and that believers participate in a fellowship that stretches across centuries without losing its unity. The fifth segment is: Relics as Witnesses to the Eternal Kingdom. The veneration of relics flows naturally from this understanding of time and eternity. Relics are not honored as historical curiosities or sentimental connections to the past. They are revered as tangible witnesses to the reality of resurrection and the transformation of the human person through union with Christ. Orthodox Christianity affirms that salvation involves the whole person, body and soul. The saints are not disembodied spirits awaiting redemption but glorified members of Christ's body whose lives testify to the sanctification of creation itself. Relics bear witness to this truth by proclaiming that holiness is not abstract or purely spiritual but leaves its mark on the physical world. The sixth segment is: Relics and Sacred Space. The placement of relics within Orthodox churches further reinforces their theological significance. Altars are traditionally consecrated with relics, reflecting the early Christian practice of celebrating the Eucharist over the graves of martyrs. This practice proclaims that the Church's worship is inseparable from the witness of those who have already finished the race. Relics also sanctify sacred space by declaring that heaven and earth meet within the Church. They remind the faithful that death has been defeated and that the resurrection is not merely a future hope but an already unfolding reality. Through the presence of relics, the Church visibly confesses its belief in the ultimate restoration of creation and the bodily resurrection of the faithful. In Conclusion. The transcendent nature of Orthodox worship and the veneration of relics together offer a vision of faith rooted in participation rather than observation. The sacred rites of the Church are not educational tools designed to convey information about God. They are encounters with God Himself, drawing believers into communion with Christ, the saints, and the heavenly host. In Orthodox Christianity, worship is not confined to the flow of ordinary time. It is an entry into eternity, a foretaste of the age to come. Through the Divine Liturgy, the Eucharist, and the veneration of relics, the faithful are invited to step beyond the limits of the temporal world and into the living reality of God's kingdom, where death is overcome and worship never ends. For further study, consider these Discussion Questions. How does the Orthodox understanding of worship as participation in eternity challenge modern assumptions that worship is primarily symbolic or commemorative? In what ways does the distinction between chronos and kairos help explain how the Divine Liturgy brings past, present, and future together in a single act

I've known Kara Mosher for a few years now and she has one hell of a story. Her road to Orthodoxy was already pretty wild. She spent years involved in the occult, New Age spirituality, psychedelics, and all kinds of things she thought might give her answers or healing. Eventually, that search led her somewhere she never expected: the Orthodox Church. This conversation is about love, loss, and what it means to surrender someone you love to God.  Kara shares the story of Jody, her partner of sixteen years, his long struggle with addiction, and the tragic fire that left him fighting for his life. In those final hours, Kara was given an unexpected opportunity to do something that Jody had wanted but never completed: baptize him into the Orthodox Church. We talk about that day, the firefighters who brought Jody back, the baptism, grief, providence, and what Kara means when she says this experience "crucified her will." This is a heavy conversation, but it's not a hopeless one. It's about discovering that loving someone doesn't mean you can save them—and learning to trust God when His answer looks nothing like the one you prayed for.  Guest Website: https://www.karamosher.com/ Sponsors: 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!  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!

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the role and virtues of the Virgin St. Mary in the Orthodox Church as presented by HH Pope Shenouda III. He discusses her unique faith that endured suffering without complaint, highlighting her acceptance of God's plan despite hardships, including witnessing Christ's persecution and crucifixion. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the humility and obscurity that defined her life, contrasting her virtues with human desires for recognition. He explains the theological significance behind Marian hymns and icons, illustrating her position as the Theotokos, the Mother of God, always depicted with Christ to honor her role in salvation history. The talk also contrasts anthropocentric and theocentric theology, inviting viewers to focus on God's glory rather than personal struggles. Fr. Matthias concludes by reflecting on the church's veneration of St. Mary and her intercessory role. #VirginMary #Theotokos #OrthodoxChristianity #FaithAndEndurance #HHPOpeShenoudaIII #MarianVirtues #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought (Cambridge UP, 2026), Gabrielle Thomas questions the popular assumption that the devil served as the primary explanation for evil, sin, and suffering as early Christians grappled with all that is wrong in the world. Interrogating the status of the devil in the teachings of the Cappadocians – Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Macrina the Younger – she identifies their points of agreement, that the devil is a fallen angel, and disagreement, notably how Christ defeated him, his continued existence, and his ultimate end. In her investigation, Thomas engages fourth-century Christian thought in conversation with ancient philosophy, ancient history, classics, and biblical studies. She demonstrates how the Cappadocians negotiated myriad philosophical, theological, and spiritual problems with the devil. Thomas argues that the devil is not simply a strategy for explaining the problem of evil. Rather, the devil himself is the problem. New Books in Late Antiquity is Presented by Ancient Jew Review Gabrielle Thomas, an Anglican priest, is Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Professor of Early Christian, Anglican, and Theological Studies at Yale Divinity School. She is the author of The Image of God in the Theology of Gregory of Nazianzus and For the Good of the Church: Unity, Theology, and Women and co-editor of Women and Ordination in the Orthodox Church. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at Umass Boston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“What do Protestants misunderstand about the Bible?” This question opens a discussion on key theological differences, while also addressing how to engage with friends who hold sedevacantist views, the significance of papal condemnations, and the role of the Rosary in Catholic practice. The conversation spans various topics, providing insights into Catholic beliefs and practices. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:00 – What do Protestants misunderstand about the bible? 12:47 – My friend is a Sedevacantist. How can I talk to him and tell him that sedevacantism is not Catholic? 21:20 – Reviewing what clips from movies and series I can use for my Bible classes, there’s a huge gap from Daniel (538 BC) to the birth of Christ. Does anyone know of a movie set in Judea in the Persian/Greek/early Roman period 538 BC-4 BC? 28:57 – Outside of the CCC what suggested readings do you have for learning about what it means to be Catholic? 35:01 – what should I do because I'm really trying to leave 1st Calvary Baptist Church and he tells me the Rosary is not in the Bible!! What should I do? 38:27 – How authoritative are papal condemnations (calling X doctrine “heresy”) by early popes (and/or doctors of the church) in their letters/theological treatises? (For example the Agnoete controversy) 44:03 – Can you explain the different eastern rites specifically the Syro-malabar rite? How can you explain to our Protestants and Orthodox friends that they are also Catholic? 50:31 – How is it that the Orthodox Church is valid if they don’t follow the Pope?

Morrison Reid  ⁨@SufferWellYT⁩   shares his remarkable journey from charismatic Christianity to the Orthodox Church. After years of speaking in tongues, being “slain in the Spirit,” and pursuing increasingly intense spiritual experiences, Morrison began asking whether emotional experiences were really the same thing as communion with God. His search eventually led him to the Church Fathers, ancient Christianity, and Orthodoxy.*****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!

In today's episode of the Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer, Jim Barrows, and Jamie The Blind Limey confront the uncomfortable truth about Jesus and Old Testament atrocities!Albert in MA argues the Bible should be read allegorically, not literally. The hosts challenge him on Old Testament violence and slavery laws, pointing to Matthew 5:18 where Jesus explicitly affirms all Old Testament law remains valid. If it's all allegory, why did Jesus say not one letter of the law would pass away? What moral lesson justifies selling your daughter?Emanuel in Sweden questions whether Jesus actually taught Mosaic law. The hosts walk through Matthew 5:17-18, Leviticus slavery laws, and dietary contradictions, demonstrating Jesus affirmed Old Testament law including morally problematic commands. If Jesus fulfilled the law, why does he say it all still applies? How do you reconcile loving Jesus with endorsing genocide?Jock from Earth claims the Bible has esoteric or inner spiritual value beyond the literal text. The hosts press him to provide biblical support for his mystical interpretations. He cannot cite chapter and verse, only vague spiritual concepts. If the Bible requires secret knowledge to understand, how is anyone supposed to know what it actually means?Quincy in TX accuses the hosts of sending themselves to hell. When confronted with God's command to beat children in 2 Samuel 7:14, he admits it's wrong but says he'd obey God anyway, then references The Chosen TV show as his Bible source. If you'd beat a child because God commanded it, what does that say about your morality?Milton from Earth argues the Orthodox Church, not the Bible itself, is the ultimate authority. The hosts point out this doesn't address biblical commands like selling daughters. Milton becomes circular and confrontational, unable to explain his position clearly. If the church is the authority, why appeal to the Bible at all?Parker in VA, an atheist, seeks advice on handling presuppositional apologists on campus who claim logic requires God. The hosts and Jamie suggest slowing the conversation, demanding definitions, and asking how God actually grounds logic rather than accepting assertions. What would a world without logic even look like?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

In The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought (Cambridge UP, 2026), Gabrielle Thomas questions the popular assumption that the devil served as the primary explanation for evil, sin, and suffering as early Christians grappled with all that is wrong in the world. Interrogating the status of the devil in the teachings of the Cappadocians – Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Macrina the Younger – she identifies their points of agreement, that the devil is a fallen angel, and disagreement, notably how Christ defeated him, his continued existence, and his ultimate end. In her investigation, Thomas engages fourth-century Christian thought in conversation with ancient philosophy, ancient history, classics, and biblical studies. She demonstrates how the Cappadocians negotiated myriad philosophical, theological, and spiritual problems with the devil. Thomas argues that the devil is not simply a strategy for explaining the problem of evil. Rather, the devil himself is the problem. New Books in Late Antiquity is Presented by Ancient Jew Review Gabrielle Thomas, an Anglican priest, is Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Professor of Early Christian, Anglican, and Theological Studies at Yale Divinity School. She is the author of The Image of God in the Theology of Gregory of Nazianzus and For the Good of the Church: Unity, Theology, and Women and co-editor of Women and Ordination in the Orthodox Church. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at Umass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought (Cambridge UP, 2026), Gabrielle Thomas questions the popular assumption that the devil served as the primary explanation for evil, sin, and suffering as early Christians grappled with all that is wrong in the world. Interrogating the status of the devil in the teachings of the Cappadocians – Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Macrina the Younger – she identifies their points of agreement, that the devil is a fallen angel, and disagreement, notably how Christ defeated him, his continued existence, and his ultimate end. In her investigation, Thomas engages fourth-century Christian thought in conversation with ancient philosophy, ancient history, classics, and biblical studies. She demonstrates how the Cappadocians negotiated myriad philosophical, theological, and spiritual problems with the devil. Thomas argues that the devil is not simply a strategy for explaining the problem of evil. Rather, the devil himself is the problem. New Books in Late Antiquity is Presented by Ancient Jew Review Gabrielle Thomas, an Anglican priest, is Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Professor of Early Christian, Anglican, and Theological Studies at Yale Divinity School. She is the author of The Image of God in the Theology of Gregory of Nazianzus and For the Good of the Church: Unity, Theology, and Women and co-editor of Women and Ordination in the Orthodox Church. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at Umass BostonSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought (Cambridge UP, 2026), Gabrielle Thomas questions the popular assumption that the devil served as the primary explanation for evil, sin, and suffering as early Christians grappled with all that is wrong in the world. Interrogating the status of the devil in the teachings of the Cappadocians – Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Macrina the Younger – she identifies their points of agreement, that the devil is a fallen angel, and disagreement, notably how Christ defeated him, his continued existence, and his ultimate end. In her investigation, Thomas engages fourth-century Christian thought in conversation with ancient philosophy, ancient history, classics, and biblical studies. She demonstrates how the Cappadocians negotiated myriad philosophical, theological, and spiritual problems with the devil. Thomas argues that the devil is not simply a strategy for explaining the problem of evil. Rather, the devil himself is the problem. New Books in Late Antiquity is Presented by Ancient Jew Review Gabrielle Thomas, an Anglican priest, is Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Professor of Early Christian, Anglican, and Theological Studies at Yale Divinity School. She is the author of The Image of God in the Theology of Gregory of Nazianzus and For the Good of the Church: Unity, Theology, and Women and co-editor of Women and Ordination in the Orthodox Church. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at Umass BostonSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/christian-studies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

St Maxim was born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1888. At this time all Orthodox Churches had been captured and subjected to the "Unia," by which, though keeping the Orthodox liturgical rites, they were united to the Roman Catholic Church. Many of the Carpatho-Russian people were ignorant of the change and what it meant; others were unhappy with it but, in their subject condition, saw no alternative. Maxim's farmer parents, at great personal sacrifice, obtained an education for him that enabled him to study for the priesthood at the Basilian seminary in Krakow. Here he discerned the un-Orthodox nature of the "Greek Catholic" training there and traveled to Russia, where he became a novice at the Great Lavra of Pochaev and met Archbishop Anthony (Khrapovitsky), who encouraged him in his quest for Orthodoxy. (Archbishop Anthony, after the Russian Revolution, became the first Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad). He entered seminary in Russia in 1905 and was ordained to the Priesthood in 1911.Metropolitan Anthony, knowing the hardships and persecutions that awaited any Orthodox priest in Austro-Hungary, offered to find Maxim a parish in Russia. But Maxim was already aware of the hunger for Orthodoxy among many of the Carpatho-Russian people; several people from his village had travelled to America and while there had attended Orthodox Churches and confessed to Orthodox priests. They begged him to return to his country and establish an Orthodox parish there.   When he returned to his native village of Zhdynia, the polish authorities, seeing him in the riassa, beard and uncut hair of an Orthodox priest, mocked him, saying "Look, Saint Nicholas has come to the Carpathians!" But the people of nearby Hrab sent a delegation asking him to set up an Orthodox parish in their village. This he did, setting up a house-church in the residence that the people gave him. Almost immediately, he and his people began to be harassed and persecuted, first at the instigation of "Greek Catholic" priests, then of the government. His rectory/church was closed, and he and several of his parishioners were repeatedly jailed, sometimes on trumped-up charges of sedition. (The Carpatho-Russian people were always suspected of pro-Russian political sympathies by the Austrian and Polish authorities).   Despite these persecutions, through Fr Maxim's labors a wave of desire for Orthodoxy spread through the region, with many Carpatho-Russians openly identifying themselves as Orthodox. The government issued orders to regional mayors to forbid those who had identified themselves as Orthodox to gather and, in 1913, appointed a special commissioner whose task was to force the people to return to Catholicism.   In 1914, war broke out between Russia and Austro-Hungary. Despite lack of any evidence that Fr Maxim had engaged in pro-Russian political activity — he once said "My only politics is the Gospel" — he was arrested and executed on September 6 by the Papal calendar, August 24 by the Church Calendar. He was denied any form of Church burial, and his father buried him with his own hands.   Following the First World War, Orthodoxy became legal in the new Polish Republic, and a monument was placed over Fr Maxim's grave in his home town of Zhdynia. In 1994, the Orthodox Church of Poland officially glorified St Maxim.

Christianity is broken into various denominations, and countless interpretations of them. Recently there's been an increase in claims about the supremacy of Orthodox Christianity. Attempts to acquire interviews with orthodox Christians have resulted in requests for money or insults. On this episode, we go to the source and explore the tenants of orthodox theology: the Trinity, Jesus as God, the resurrection, salvation, the scripture, the ancient church, the seven sacraments, the Eucharist, Mary as the bearer of God, the Saints being honored, the icons, and life after death. Objectively, what we find when examining these ideas is that they are evolutions -- for better or worse -- of far older and universal spiritual and religious concepts. The prehistory of such ideas is usually dismissed with aggression or attempted pseudo intellectual "got yas," with a mix of fallacy and circular logic. But what if we were to argue that the prehistory confirms the importance of such tenants; even if it also proves that they are not unique, nor are they the only answer to the issue of theosis.*The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, subscribe below. 

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) William discusses all about Original Sin.  Is it different from “Ancestral Sin” of the Orthodox Church?  William addresses the truth about Original Sin as shown in Sacred Scripture and delivered by the Catholic Church

Kenneth B., writer of Becoming Orthodox, joins me for a great conversation about his journey to the Orthodox Church and what he's learned along the way. We get into Scripture and Tradition, the saints, the Theotokos, the ancient Jewish world Christianity emerged from, and why more young people seem to be searching for something deeper than what modern Christianity and culture are offering. We also talk about the danger of being right—especially for Orthodox converts. Finding the ancient Church doesn't mean our job is to beat everyone we love over the head with it. Sometimes we speak the truth, live the faith, love people where they are, and trust the Holy Spirit to do what we can't. It's a very beautiful conversation about discovering Orthodoxy, living the faith, and what it actually means to become Orthodox. Sponsors: Ludwell Orthodox Fellowship Conference, Sept 12th 2026 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!

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.

His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef explains how to discern the true Church, respond to theological disagreements, and how the Orthodox Church approaches the salvation of those in other churches. #salvation #christian #coptic #orthodox #church #metropolitan_youssef Subscribe to our channel https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias explains how the Orthodox Church views the resurrection of the body at the Second Coming, the final judgment, the end of the age, and how Christians should prepare. #secondcoming #afterlife #coptic #orthodox #faith #salvation Subscribe to our channel https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

This version of this episode has been available to Cloud of Witnesses Patreons since July 11th, 2026.  We dig into what “authority” really means, starting with current events and ending with the uncomfortable question behind so many hot takes: who gave you the right to define Christianity. We push back on DIY faith, argue that real authority looks like service and sacrifice, and trace why the Orthodox Church treats tradition as an inheritance that keeps the fire alive. • St Catherine's Monastery land dispute and why it matters to Christians • SSPX excommunication and what it reveals about church authority • Parish Life Conference highlights and the role of worship in unity • Responding to “keep faith simple” claims and asking by what authority • Sola scriptura and the problem of the individual as final interpreter • “Leave your Protestantism at the door” and why Orthodoxy is lived, not just studied • A Tale of Two Cities as a story of cruel authority versus self-sacrifice • Authority as burden and responsibility rather than privilege • Individualism as a cultural and spiritual threat, humility as the antidote • Listener comments on Hebrew Roots journeys, prayer, and spiritual deception Please remember every episode of Witness Weekly at the end, we're gonna be reading your comments, so please let us know what you think down in the comments. You can also email us at cloud of witnesses radio at gmail.com. 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 TikTok.Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

This homily reflects on the growing number of people entering the Orthodox Church and argues that, beneath attractions such as ancient worship, community, or cultural concerns, many converts are searching for something profoundly theological: a real encounter with God and the possibility of being transformed by Him. The Feast of the Transfiguration reveals the heart of that longing, as Christ manifests His divine glory on Mount Tabor and shows His disciples both who He truly is and what humanity is called to become through participation in His divine life. Yet the path to that glory cannot bypass Golgotha. Just as the disciples must descend from Tabor and follow Christ toward the Cross, Christians are transfigured through the crucifixion of their passions, perseverance, and faithfulness even when the initial beauty and excitement of the spiritual life fade. The homily ultimately encourages believers not to mistake spiritual dryness for failure, but to continue ascending toward God in hope, trusting that through the Cross He is transforming them into His likeness.

Something unusual is happening across American Christianity: more people are walking into Orthodox parishes, signing up as catechumens, and staying long enough to be reshaped by the Divine Liturgy. We zoom in on what that “Orthodox surge” looks like on the ground, from standing-room-only Sundays to communities talking seriously about planting multiple missions because their current buildings cannot hold the crowd.*****Music:  ⁨@neffexmusic⁩ "Manifest It" (Instrumental)*****Witness Weekly Team:Jeremy JeremiahMario Andrew "Andrew St Mercy"  ⁨@Orthobigbro⁩ James St Simon  ⁨@jamessaintsimon⁩ Michael "Redlines" Lindsey  ⁨@redlineshq⁩  *****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!

“Are some saints better than others?” This question opens a discussion on the unique virtues of saints, while also addressing the journey of conversion for those considering joining the Catholic faith. Additional topics include the importance of knowledge in conversion and the complexities of reunifying with the Orthodox Church regarding apostolic succession. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:11 – Are some saints better than others at certain things? 30:47 – My husband and I are looking into converting. Should I wait till I know everything about Catholicism before entering? 43:47 – How would it work if we were to reunify with the Orthodox especially regarding apostolic succession since they do not have it through St. Peter?

Nephilim Death Squad goes live from The Standard Coffee Shop in Lady Lake, Florida, for a chaotic Brohemian Grove 4 preview and audience Q&A featuring David L. Corbo, TopLobsta, and Straight Bible host Matthew Hepner. The crew breaks down the Brohemian Grove VIP experience, livestream access, the general admission schedule, live music, creator roundtables, the Nephilim Death Squad game demo, after-hours meetups, drinks, and the long list of Christian, comedy, and conspiracy personalities expected throughout the weekend.The conversation moves from event planning into serious Christian questions about grief, loss, prayer, and trusting God when life does not make sense. The hosts discuss the need to experience grief rather than suppress it, along with biblical ideas connected to 2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5–6, John 1:1, and 2 Timothy 3:16. They also preview a live roundtable Bible study with Ed Mabrie and Laura Baker focused on intimacy with God, hearing God's voice, prayer, deliverance, and audience Q&A.Other topics include the Action Bible, The Message Bible, Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Spurgeon, apostolic succession, Orthodox Christianity, Jay Dyer, Andrew Wilson, and the claim that salvation is available only through the Orthodox Church. Dr. Heather Lynn and Owen Benjamin are discussed in connection with an upcoming Brohemian Grove conversation examining occult cannibalism, ancient religious practices, blood rituals, and speculation surrounding Charlie Kirk.The Q&A gets stranger as the crew debates whether clouds could be frozen and dropped, Brandon Biggs' vision of water powering an AI-based beast system, mysterious underground Florida water, inner-earth theories, and the meaning of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Along the way, the audience fuels the show with Super Chats, jokes, event questions, and BroGrove predictions.What part of the Brohemian Grove lineup or biblical discussion stood out most to you? Share your thoughts 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 Intro and Brohemian Grove 4 Setup02:26 Fasting, Prayer, Patreon, and Livestream Access04:15 Demonic Pigs, Legion, and the Viral Pig Video05:24 BroGrove Questions, Tickets, Posters, and Library Access10:01 Coping With Grief and Loss Through Christian Faith14:20 Audience Super Chats and BroGrove Comedy24:20 How Brohemian Grove 4 Differs From Last Year29:18 BroGrove 4 Schedule, Performers, and Creator Lineup31:44 Occult Cannibalism and Charlie Kirk Speculation41:25 The Action Bible and The Message Bible45:14 Deliverance Prayer With Laura Baker49:52 Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Spurgeon, and TPUSA57:05 Raven and Matt Discuss Friendship and Criticism01:00:08 Spanish Springs and BroGrove Afterparty Plans01:05:03 Fan Gifts, Event Access, and Livestream Tickets01:10:41 Andrew Wilson, Jay Dyer, and Orthodox Salvation01:15:21 Fasting, Prayer, Community, and Supporting the Show01:18:52 Matt Hepner Leads the BroGrove Bible Study01:26:49 Hearing God's Voice and Intimacy With the Lord01:31:38 Frozen Clouds and Weather Weapon Theories01:37:06 Brandon Biggs, the AI Beast System, and Florida Water01:38:09 BroGrove Drinks and the Twin Towers Sangria Story01:43:55 Tattoos, Event Logistics, and Final Super Chats01:45:44 Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and Rejecting God's Word01:46:23 ClosingBecome 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.

Father Tom continues to expose groups who claim to be Orthodox but are fake groups with no connection to the ancient canonical Orthodox Church. Music attribution: New Vision (Classical) - PineAppleMusic Distributed by Pixabay Link: https://pixabay.com/music/modern-clas...

He “blew up overnight” but the real story is years of research, catechesis, and court-tested thinking. Why does a trial lawyer's mindset work so well for Orthodox apologetics?Cloud of Witnesses Mario Andrew, Jeremy Jeremiah, Michael, and James St Simon talk with online Orthodox Christian apologist Alex Sorin (https://www.youtube.com/@Alex_Ortodoxie/videos) and we wrestle with a challenging line from Father Josiah Trenham: the Church doesn't need you to defend her. So what is apologetics for? We land on a grounded answer: not saving the Church, but curing ignorance and clearing away myths, including “Constantine set the canon at Nicaea” and blanket accusations about icons, saints, and idolatry. If you care about evidence-based faith, patristics, and a historically rooted Christianity, you'll leave with better questions and sharper tools.*****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.com*****Panel:Michael w/ Red Lines  @redlineshq James St Simon  @jamessaintsimon Mario St Andrew  @AndrewStMercy  Jeremy JeremiahPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!

In this episode of Counterflow, I'm joined by Neil DeGraide, musician, songwriter, and founding member of Dirt Poor Robins. Neil spent years in the Evangelical world leading worship and creating Christian music before beginning a journey that ultimately led him to the Orthodox Church. We talk about what changed, the assumptions he had to unlearn, and why he came to believe the search for the true Church is about much more than denominations. We also dive into Christianities, the upcoming documentary Neil is helping produce alongside Fr. Peter Heers and John Heers. The film explores the biggest questions in Christianity by interviewing voices from across the Christian world while inviting viewers to seriously consider the claims of the ancient Church. Along the way we discuss worship, storytelling, imagination, culture, filmmaking, and why the stories we live inside shape us far more than we often realize. We Discuss: * Neil's journey from Evangelicalism to Orthodoxy * Leading worship—and why his understanding of worship completely changed * Dirt Poor Robins and storytelling through music * The upcoming documentary Christianities * Why there are so many expressions of Christianity today * The search for the historic Church * Story, imagination, and the Christian life * Recovering a richer vision of worship * The role of artists in rebuilding Christian culture * Why beauty, truth, and story belong together * Hope for the future of Christianity Learn More: Dirt Poor Robins Dirt Poor Robins on YouTube Christianities Documentary Sponsors: Ludwell Orthodox Fellowship Conference, Sept 12th 2026 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!

This edition was available to Cloud of Witnesses Patreons since July 6, 2026.Her dad died by suicide when she was 9 and it rewired everything. Years later, a hunger for truth pulled her from non-denominational church to Hebrew Roots, then to Orthodox liturgy.A faith crisis rarely starts with an abstract argument. Sometimes it starts with a funeral, a silent house, and a kid trying to understand why a father is suddenly gone. Our guest Taylor Biss (Voice of Taylor on Instagram) joins Jeremy Jeremiah of Cloud of Witnesses from Australia to share the story that shaped her: losing her Catholic father to suicide at nine years old, growing up detached, and carrying questions about grief, isolation, and what God does with the brokenhearted.• childhood trauma after a parent's suicide and the loneliness that follows• wrestling with fears about eternity and learning to trust God's compassion• a decisive encounter with prayer and a message about God's heart for daughters• being discipled by older women and learning the basics of Christian faith• tensions in non-denominational church life when serious Bible questions arise• why Hebrew Roots feels solid at first through Torah, Sabbath, and festivals• the movement's internal chaos, sacred name confusion, and anti-divinity claims about Jesus• a 2020 Israel trip exposing racism and excuses framed as “bloodline” privilege• leaving Hebrew Roots, resisting New Age drift, and seeking reverent worship• stepping into Orthodox Christianity and returning to weekly liturgy with her childrenTaylor walks us through the moment everything changed at seventeen when she finally said yes to church and encountered Christ through prayer and a message about God's heart toward daughters. We talk about discipleship, older women stepping in with real spiritual care, and how discovering the Father's love can heal places you didn't even know were starving. From there, the conversation turns to something many listeners will recognize: reading the Bible deeply, asking sincere questions, and realizing the non-denominational model often cannot answer with consistency or depth.That hunger for truth leads Taylor into the Hebrew Roots movement, Torah-keeping, Sabbath practices, and biblical festivals that feel “original” at first, until the cracks show up: endless private interpretations, sacred name confusion that wrecks prayer, and even teaching that denies the divinity of Jesus. A trip to Israel in 2020 becomes a major turning point as she sees racism and spiritual double standards up close. When she finally steps away, she admits how close she comes to drifting into New Age spirituality, before a longing for reverent worship pulls her toward historic Christianity and her first Divine Liturgy during Holy Week and Pascha.If you've wrestled with deconstruction, Hebrew Roots, church hurt, or a search for Orthodox Christianity that actually feels grounded, this one will meet you where you are. Subscribe, share this with a friend who's searching, and leave a review then tell us: what question or moment most shaped your faith journey?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 TikTok.Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Born in Russia in 1836, he became one of the great Orthodox missionaries of modern times. As a boy, he resolved to become a missionary in the far East. With the counsel and blessing of Bishop Innocent of Siberia and Alaska, he went to Japan in 1861 and joined a small Russian mission there. Though the mission's official purpose was to minister to the Russian consular community, the consul-general who invited Hieromonk Nikolai hoped to bring the light of the Orthodox Faith to the Japanese people as well. Realizing that he could only hope to convert the Japanese people if they understood one another well, Fr Nikolai immersed himself in the study of Japanese thought, culture and language. Over the course of his life he translated most of the Bible and most of the Orthodox services into Japanese, and became a fluent speaker of the language. He encountered much resistance: Preaching of Christian doctrine was officially banned in Japan, and a Samurai once approached him with the words "Foreigners must die!" It was this same Samurai who later became his first Japanese priest. In 1880 he was elevated to Bishop of Japan. During the Russo-Japanese war he remained in Japan and labored successfully to overcome nationalist strife that might have harmed or destroyed the Church in Japan. He encouraged all his Japanese faithful to pray for the Japanese armed forces, though he explained that as a Russian he could not do so, and excluded himself from all public services for the duration of the war. He sent Russian-speaking Japanese priests to the prison camps to minister to Russian prisoners of war. At the time of his repose in 1912, after forty-eight years in Japan, St Nikolai left a Cathedral, eight churches, more than 400 chapels and meeting houses, 34 priests, 8 deacons, 115 lay catechists, and 34,110 Orthodox faithful. The Church of Japan is now an autonomous Orthodox Church under the mantle of the Moscow Patriarchate.

A major thank you to Robert for sponsoring today's stream, in it I die deep into the history and persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church during the communist era of the Soviet Union. Make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think. God Bless Join Logos Cinema Here: https://www.logoscinema.com/cotel

“What divided us from the Orthodox Church?” This question opens a discussion on the historical and theological rifts between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. The episode also addresses which non-Roman rite churches maintain apostolic succession, the validity of Orthodox sacraments despite schism, and how to respond to Eastern Orthodox interpretations of early Church Fathers regarding papal authority. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:26 – What originally divided us and the Orthodox Church? 11:00 – Which Churches outside of the Roman rite have apostolic succession and how are they traced? How are orthodox sacraments valid even though they are in schism? 18:23 – How do we respond to EO who use early church fathers on Matthew 16 and Isaiah 22 and claim it’s not about the papacy? 22:54 – What’s the difference between Orthodox Church and orthodox teaching? 28:51 – My brother married a Greek Orthodox woman. Does one have to be baptized in order to remarry there? I'm worried that he might have committed apostasy. 31:47 – Eph. 4 says to walk in unity. This episode is causing disunity by dissing the orthodox. 41:29 – The gates of hell will not prevail. If the Church were to proclaim error, what should the faithful do, go underground, go orthodox or what options would there be? 47:50 – I’m a southern Baptist. John 15 seems to support that the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father. Can you clarify? 51:35 – I recommend William and all his listeners to read the Alexandria document and the Chieti Document.

Father Stephen discusses our alienation from our humanity, and how the Orthodox Church is positioned. Live Q&A with Fr. Stephen and Fr. Andrew follows. Recorded at the 2026 Parish Life Conference of the Antiochian Diocese of Miami and the Southeast, June 10-13, 2026 in Springdale, AR.

Patrick explores the joys and challenges of reading, sharing stories of speed readers, struggles with concentration, and the search for books that uplift rather than distract. He weaves in listener questions on Catholic teaching, the presence of faith on college campuses, cultural superstitions, and lifelong identity in the Church, all while pausing to reflect on how technology shapes our habits. Wholesome recommendations and gentle but pointed insights come together in an hour that pairs lively exchanges with practical encouragement. Laura (email) – I used to read all the time but now it’s harder to concentrate Astrid (email) - My dad's advice backfired (05:32) Marcin (email) - Which would you say was easier to raise your sons or daughters? (06:25) Chris (email) - The evil eye at Costco Stuart – Is it true that no soul is good enough to go to heaven or bad enough to go to hell. (10:29) Paulette - Do Audio books do as much good as real books do? (15:02) Catholic Legacy (19:25) Susan - I am an avid reader but can't find new books to read because of the questionable content including sexual activity bad plot, etc. What is a good source that rates books? (24:46) Todd - I think the Church could do a better job when it comes to addressing superstitions like the evil eye, Italian horn, etc. (35:57) Kevin - How can someone be an ex-Catholic? (41:32) Jackie - I have a friend who is Ukrainian Orthodox who received communion at Catholic Mass. I understand that we can't receive at an Orthodox Church. Is that right? (48:45)

Patrick brings listeners into unpredictable conversations surrounding faith, reverence, and Catholic identity, weaving stories of Eucharistic practices, Church scandals, and the tension between belief and public life. He fields raw questions about Eucharistic miracles, college faith crises, and Catholic politicians who support abortion, compelling callers to confront uncomfortable truths. With candid storytelling, Patrick propels the discussion forward, sometimes pausing for reflection, sometimes challenging the status quo, always inviting listeners to grapple with the real-world consequences of faith. Jackie - I have a friend who is Ukrainian Orthodox who received communion at Catholic Mass. I understand that we can't receive at an Orthodox Church. Is that right? (00:36) Tye - Can you advise me on how to make it through my first year of college? (04:49) Audio: 32/35 students failed this professor's midterm using AI because he secretly hid some white font in his text. - https://x.com/stoppfeenin/status/2080089314495742209?s=43%22%3Ehttps://x.com/stoppfeenin/status/2080089314495742209?s=43%3C/a (10:47) Todd - A few Sundays ago, a Eucharistic minister gave someone the Eucharist. He put it in his pocket and took one to ingest himself. Will the host he put in his pocket have the same 'effect' for the person receiving it? (13:36) Ray - I want to know about the silence and tolerance of all the money all the dioceses of the country are giving out to silence abused children. Why doesn't the Pope excommunicate them? (21:39) Jim - I watched Masses on TV and in Pittsburgh, and nobody bows their head at the name of Jesus in churches anymore. Old people were taught to bow their heads, but everyone has stopped. (28:57) Jamie - When I was in high school at a Catholic high school, the priest in charge did some harmful things. He was convicted and put in jail. It happens. Also, why doesn't the church come down hard on politicians that are ultimately for abortion? (36:50) Carla - Here we are attacking politicians. Politicians don't tell you to get abortions. The people make the decision themselves. Why are we attacking politicians? People get them because they want them. They're committing the sin. I'm a Catholic and a Democrat. (45:03)

There are numerous groups that claim to be a part of the legitimate Orthodox Church but in reality are not. They use spurious claims of apostolic succession. They prey on the unsuspecting. A few groups are promoting themselves online today. Fr. Tom discusses the problem. Music attribution: New Vision (Classical) - PineAppleMusic Distributed by Pixabay Link: https://pixabay.com/music/modern-clas...

Deplatforming is real. So two Orthodox filmmakers built their own infrastructure: “an Orthodox Netflix” designed to outlast trends and serve truth, goodness, and beauty. You can feel it the moment you walk into an Orthodox church: beauty isn't decoration, it's a doorway. That's the thread we pull with Logos Cinema (https://www.logoscinema.com/) founders Zachary Delaney and Andrew Stokich as they explain why they're building what many are calling “an Orthodox Netflix” and why it has to be more than a content library.• Beauty as a window into the divine through moving images• Why simple stories can carry the deepest Orthodox meaning• The hero's journey as a pattern that resonates with the Gospel and the lives of the saints• How COVID-era cultural pressure and distribution dead-ends sparked Logos Cinema• Orthodox phronema on screen, from saint stories to everyday sacrificial love• A convert filmmaker's struggle with “in the world, not of it” and the parable of the talents• Building independent infrastructure in response to censorship and demonetization• The bigger vision: networking creators, an Orthodox economy, and expanding beyond videoJeremy Jeremiah talks with Logos Cinema about icons as stories that are written, and how filmmaking can become “moving iconography,” a window into the divine without turning into preachy, low-quality Christian media. From Dostoyevsky's line “beauty will save the world” to the hero's journey that shows up across cultures, we explore why the most powerful films often plant a seed and let God do the slow work in the heart. Along the way, we get concrete: how distribution questions kill promising projects, why great films can still go unseen, and what it means to build a platform that can actually support Orthodox Christian filmmakers.Then we go deeper into the realities of the modern internet: demonetization, deplatforming, and the risk of building your creative life on platforms you don't control. Logos Cinema is aiming for independent infrastructure, global reach, and a growing Orthodox economy that supports creators and Orthodox-run businesses, while still refusing to become an echo chamber. We also dig into their curation criteria, including a priest advisory board and the careful, nuanced line between mature storytelling and spiritually harmful content.Can a streaming subscription become a counterculture act? Logos Cinema says yes: support creators, grow an Orthodox economy, and connect artists worldwide.If you care about Orthodox storytelling, faith and culture, and a serious future for Orthodox films, podcasts, and media, hit subscribe, share this conversation with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease 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!

Fr. Paul Born currently serves as the Parochial Vicar at Mary, Queen of Martyrs Parish in Plymouth, Massachusetts. In Today's Show: Can I attend a wedding of a Catholic that is not being held in a Catholic church? Is there a shortage of priests as is being told? What kind of TV shows or other media outlets could be used to help influence the youth in a positive way? How do we know whether the Catholic or Orthodox Church is the True Church? How do we handle situations where priests give communion to pro-abortion politicians? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Part 2 of Nathan Jacobs' journey into Eastern Orthodoxy.After years of studying philosophy and theology, Nathan began reading the Eastern Church Fathers for the first time. What hediscovered completely transformed his understanding of Christianity, leading him to explore the Orthodox Church and ultimatelyembrace the faith.In this episode, Nathan continues his personal story, explaining how the writings of St. Athanasius, the Cappadocian Fathers, andthe broader Orthodox tradition reshaped his understanding of God, salvation, deification, and the Christian life.======================================Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:18 Encountering the Eastern Church Fathers04:20 A Different Vision of God08:20 A Christianity Unlike Anything I'd Known09:21 Discovering the Theology of the Fathers14:42 Deification and the Divine Energies18:09 Eastern and Western Christianity Compared23:28 Tracing the Orthodox Tradition25:21 My First Visit to an Orthodox Church26:18 The Beauty of Divine Liturgy30:08 Wrestling with My Final Questions31:04 Entering the Orthodox Church32:12 The East and West Series======================================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:Part 1: https://youtu.be/cWcVOvEu7dM?si=U4Y8eOXsEB9q5DAhEssence-Energies Episode: https://youtu.be/lO1rAzvK3lQ?si=8OOfJZxFUu3-CRDbAll 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

The Authority Crisis Inside Christianity: If the Bible Is the Answer... Who Interprets It?Who decides?“Jesus is Lord + baptized in the Spirit = you're set.” Sounds simple… but who gets to define those words? We dig into authority, sola scriptura, and why interpretation without a Church fractures faith. Listen and tell us: who's your authority?Authority shapes everything, from how we read the Bible to how we treat the people sitting next to us in church. We start with a blunt comment that tries to shrink Christianity into a simple checklist and then ask the question most people skip: by what authority can anyone define the faith that way, and who gets to decide what those words mean?• Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery land dispute and why it matters to Christians• SSPX excommunication story and what it reveals about papal authority• Parish Life Conference takeaways and how shared worship strengthens unity• Responding to a comment that reduces salvation to a simple formula• Sola scriptura in practice and how interpretation often becomes self-authority• What “baptized in the Holy Spirit” means across denominations and why definitions diverge• Why the New Testament calls for lived obedience, not just verbal profession• Protestants bringing Protestant assumptions into Orthodoxy and why we must leave them at the door• Orthodoxy as lived faith versus Christianity as an academic subject• Book of the week: A Tale Of Two Cities and how cruel authority breeds violence• Authority as service, responsibility, and burden rather than privilege• The cloud of witnesses, inherited wisdom, and the problem of American individualism• Listener stories from Hebrew Roots, synagogue searching, tongues, and finding rooted worshipFrom there we get practical about the authority problem inside modern Christianity. If “the Bible alone” is the final authority, who is the final interpreter? We talk about how sola scriptura often slides into self-authority, why Protestantism can't easily speak with one voice about baptism, salvation, or essentials, and how rhetoric can masquerade as certainty. Against that backdrop, we explain the Eastern Orthodox view of authority as inherited life: Scripture read in the Church, sacred tradition, the teaching of the apostles and fathers, the ecumenical councils, and the sacramental reality that trains us to forgive, repent, pray, and endure.Authority isn't privilege, it's burden. From Mount Sinai's ancient monastery to Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities, we trace what happens when leaders serve vs dominate.We also zoom out to real examples. We cover updates on St. Catherine's Monastery at Mount Sinai and why protecting ancient Christian institutions matters. We touch on Roman Catholic controversy around the SSPX as another case study in competing claims of authority. Then we bring it home with a powerful reflection on A Tale Of Two Cities, where cruel authority produces violence, while true authority looks like sacrifice, service, and responsibility. Along the way, listener comments add hope-filled stories of people moving from Hebrew Roots and Pentecostal backgrounds toward Orthodoxy because they're hungry for historical rootedness and worship that feels alive.What if “tradition” isn't worshiping ashes, but preserving fire? We talk Orthodox authority, humility, the cloud of witnesses, and why individualism isolates believers from 2,000 years of wisdom.If this conversation helped you rethink authority, share it with a friend who's asking similar questions, subscribe for more, and leave a review so more people 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: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Before becoming Orthodox, Erika MacDougall spent years immersed in the occult. She practiced theistic Satanism, participated in blood rituals, worked with ritual magic, and was even paid to place curses on others. What promised power, hidden knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment ultimately led to bondage, fear, and despair. In this episode, Erika shares her remarkable journey to Christ and the Orthodox Church while exploring the deeper spiritual realities behind the modern resurgence of occult practices. Together we discuss astrology, tarot, manifestation, yoga, spiritual warfare, beauty, motherhood, repentance, and why so many people today are searching for transcendence everywhere except the Church. We also explore why evil cannot create—only imitate and invert—and why Orthodoxy offers the fullness of truth, beauty, healing, and freedom found in Jesus Christ. In This Episode: * Erika's journey from the occult to Orthodoxy * Blood rituals, ritual magic, and placing curses * Astrology, tarot, manifestation, yoga, and modern spirituality * Spiritual warfare and discernment * Beauty, icons, and the Orthodox vision of creation * The body, motherhood, and authentic healing * Repentance, forgiveness, and finding freedom in Christ Learn More About Erika: Shire Skincare creates handcrafted products inspired by a Christian vision of beauty, creation, and caring for the body. Explore Erika's skincare line, articles, and resources at shireskincare.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone searching for truth, beauty, and the Orthodox faith.  Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow Sponsors: Thea's Orthodox Young Adult Formation Conference: https://thetemplesteps.com 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  Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!

In the long history of the Orthodox Church, Orthodoxy in the West is relatively young. Yet, there are important truths that can be learned from the struggle to plant, maintain, and grow Orthodoxy in Western lands. Fr. Tom unpacks these important reminders. Music attribution: New Vision (Classical) - PineAppleMusic Distributed by Pixabay Link: https://pixabay.com/music/modern-clas...

More people than ever are discovering there's true evil in the world and they're turning to God for answers. Jay Dyer explains the growing popularity of the Orthodox Church.(00:00) The Attempts to Suppress Christianity in Schools (08:14) The Problems With Christian Zionism (42:55) The Difference Between Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism (1:00:42) The Death of Atheism (1:17:44) The CIA's Role in American Politics Paid partnerships with:Brooklyn Bedding: Get 30% off sitewide with promo code TUCKER at https://brooklynbedding.com Vulnerable People Project: Stand with Christians in the land where Christianity began, go to SaveWestBankChristians.com American Financing: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 800-685-5696 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Tucker.Hallow prayer app: Get 3 months free at https://Hallow.com/Tucker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special pre-recorded episode of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is once again joined by show producer Mike to answer your questions on the Orthodox understand of the priesthood of all believers, why priests always serve the Eucharist from the right hand, the correct way to approach the chalice during communion, and how to join the Orthodox Church as an unmarried adult in later life.

Proclus was the uncle of Hilarius; both were from Kallippi in Asia during the reign of Trajan. When Proclus was brought to be tried as a Christian, the judge asked him 'Of what race are you?' Proclus answered 'I am of the race of Christ, and my hope is in my God.' When the judge threatened to torture him, he said 'When you are afraid to transgress the Emperor's commands and risk falling into temporal punishment, how much more do we Christians fear to transgress against God's commands and fall into eternal torment!' When Proclus was given over to torture, his nephew Hilarius came forward and proclaimed 'I too am a Christian.' After torture, both were condemned to death; Proclus was crucified and Hilarius beheaded.   Imagine how the Orthodox Church would benefit if, when we were asked 'Of what race are you?' the first answer that came to mind was not 'I am Greek, Russian, Serbian...' but 'I am of the race of Christ!'

Liubov Velychko is a Ukrainian investigative journalist based in Kyiv. Her reported areas include corruption, Russian disinformation, Russian intelligence-service influence operations, sanctions circumvention, energy politics, environmental crime and money laundering. She published in major Ukrainian outlets including LIGA.net, Mind.ua, Slovo i Dilo, and as a member of OCCRP and N-vestigate. Since Russia's full-scale invasion, she has focused heavily on Russia's information and influence infrastructure: FSB “temnyki” or talking-point systems, sanctions evasion, Russian lobbying in international institutions, and toxicity of Russian energy-sector influence. She also examines the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) not simply as a religious body, but as an influence network: financially dependent, hierarchically disciplined, culturally embedded and vulnerable to Moscow's coercive leverage.----------Linkshttps://texty.org.ua/articles/117235/sprobuj-rabstvo-tobi-spodobayetsya-chomu-svyashchennyky-ne-jdut-z-upc-mp/ ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/----------DESCRIPTION:How Moscow Uses the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as an Influence Network | Liubov Velychko in Kyiv Pechersk LavraUkrainian investigative journalist Liubov Velychko joins Jonathan in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra to discuss how the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate functions not only as a religious body but as an influence network shaped by Russian political control. She explains the split between Ukraine's independent Orthodox Church and the Moscow-linked structure, why many priests and congregations remain (social ties, fear of Russian retaliation, finances, and legal/property constraints), and how narratives are produced hierarchically and delivered flexibly to different audiences under SBU monitoring. The conversation covers criminal cases against some priests for treason and collaboration, differences between occupied and free territories, and how Moscow weaponizes “religious persecution” claims abroad. ----------CHAPTERS:01:32 Why We're at Lavra03:01 Two Orthodox Churches05:38 Why Priests Stay09:08 Control and Coercion12:49 Why Congregations Attend14:25 How Narratives Spread17:53 SBU Monitoring and Cases22:40 Dangerous War Narratives24:37 Occupied Territory Playbook26:47 Democracy vs Obedience29:25 Church as Occupation Network33:08 Surviving Inside the System37:06 Weaponizing Religion Abroad----------

In this episode, Buck sits down with Dr. Anastasia Stewart, an Orthodox Christian psychologist and trauma specialist, to explore the relationship between modern psychology and the healing tradition of the Orthodox Church. Together they discuss where psychology contains genuine insights—and where it falls short without Christ. Drawing on decades of experience treating trauma, PTSD, women's mental health, and veterans, Dr. Stewart explains why empathy without truth can become enabling, why validation isn't always loving, and why genuine healing requires both compassion and repentance. The conversation explores the limits of therapeutic culture, the role of clergy and clinicians in caring for the whole person, spiritual warfare, trauma, externalizing responsibility, and the Orthodox understanding of becoming whole through Christ. Whether you're a clinician, a priest, or simply someone seeking healing, this conversation offers a thoughtful and deeply Orthodox vision of the human person and the path toward true restoration. Topics include: * Orthodoxy and modern psychology * Why validation isn't always love * Trauma, PTSD, and the healing of the soul * The limits of secular therapy * Spiritual warfare and psychological suffering * The role of clergy and clinicians About Dr. Anastasia Stewart Dr. Anastasia Stewart is an Orthodox Christian psychologist specializing in trauma, PTSD, women's mental health, and evidence-based clinical treatment. She earned dual bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Communication Studies from UCLA before completing her Ph.D. in Psychology at Washington State University. Her clinical training includes Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the National Center for PTSD. During her career with the VA, she helped develop one of the nation's early Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) programs, became the first psychologist embedded in a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program, and developed an interprofessional postdoctoral fellowship program. She later founded Triangle Services Consulting, where she continues her clinical work, consultation, and professional mentoring while pioneering an approach that thoughtfully integrates Orthodox Christian anthropology with contemporary psychological practice.   If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend.   Your support helps us continue exploring faith, culture, and the pursuit of truth through conversations with Orthodox clergy, scholars, clinicians, and cultural commentators. www.patreon.com/counterflow 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 Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com  Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!