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The Cherub and the Thief

On this encore presentation of "Frederica Here and Now," Frederica introduces us to a beautiful "precedent dispute"—an argument in song—between the cherub who guards paradise and the good thief.




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The St. Photios Shrine

Fredrica interviews Polly Hillier, the Director of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, about the story behind the shrine.




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On the Ascension

Frederica reads "On the Ascension" by St. Romanos the Melodist.




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The Work of Theology

Frederica argues that the concept of "theology always in flux" is a dubious one.




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The Dangers of Sympathy

Frederica explains that "worried prayer" can actually be hurtful to the suffering person




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Flaws of the Fifties

Frederica examines a few of the differences between her parents' generation and her own.




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The Cost of Independence

Frederica tries to account for why couples are increasingly living together without getting married.




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Faith, Experience, and Theory

Frederica discusses an email message she wrote that eventually become a post on Rod Dreher's blog at The American Conservative. In it she explains her view that trying to experience Christ exclusively with your brain and outside the Church is a futile endeavor—a stance that was not well-received by the blog's many readers.




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The Meaning of Sex

Frederica delivers a speech at UC-Santa Barbara (sponsored by The Veritas Forum) titled "The Meaning of Sex."




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The Role of the Monastic

Today Frederica is at the Hermitage of the Holy Cross in Wayne, WV, with her guest Fr. Seraphim. Who should be a monk and how does the monastic life contribute to the salvation of us all?




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Prayers for the Departed

Frederica responds to a question about purgatory and explains why the Orthodox pray for the dead.




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The Angel Cried

In addition to treating us to a recording of the Holy Cross choir singing a beautiful rendition of this favorite hymn of Pascha, Frederica digs into the words of the hymn and its significance.




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The Fast

Frederica reflects on fasting and the rigor involved in all ascetic practices.




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In the Diner with Archbishop Lazar

The Double T Diner is the scene of Frederica's conversation with Archbishop Lazar, Abbot of the All Saints of North America Monastery in British Columbia. While waiting for their food to arrive, they have an insightful discussion about parish life.




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Welcome to the Orthodox Church

Frederica discusses her new book in which she uses a visit to a fictional parish, St. Felicity, to provide a basic introduction to the Orthodox Church.




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Nails in the Post

Frederica reads the story "Nails in the Post" by M. F. Cowdery, which can be found in the book The Moral Compass, edited by William J. Bennett.




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C.S. Lewis on the Passion

Throughout the Passion, Christ experiences every one of the worst fears that the human race has.




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The Snow Queen

Frederica reads parts one and two of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, a tale told in seven stories.




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The Snow Queen (Continued)

Frederica reads part three of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, a tale told in seven stories.




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The Snow Queen (Continued)

Frederica reads part four of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, a tale told in seven stories.




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The Snow Queen (Conclusion)

Frederica reads parts five, six, and seven of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, a tale told in seven stories.




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Welcome to the Orthodox Church: Introduction

Frederica reads the introduction to her new book Welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity, published by Paraclete Press.




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The Theotokos and Prayers to the Saints

Frederica reads another selection from her new book Welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity, published by Paraclete Press.




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Doing Our Best in the Fast

Frederica calls us to enter into the fast of Great Lent as fully as we can so that we can reap the fruit of repentance and humility.




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“Welcome to the Orthodox Church” Discussion Questions

Audio recording of Frederica reading the Discussion Questions for her new book titled "Welcome to the Orthodox Church."




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The Finest Hours

Frederica reviews the movie titled "The Finest Hours."




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The Gift of Pain - 1

Part one of a three-part series based upon the book titled, The Gift of Pain, by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.




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The Gift of Pain - 2

Part two of a three-part series based upon the book titled, The Gift of Pain, by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.




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The Gift of Pain - 3

Part three of a three-part series based upon the book titled, The Gift of Pain, by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.




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St Matrona the Blind Akathist

Frederica introduces us to St. Matrona the Blind and reads her akathist hymn.




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Tender Love and the Dormition

Imagine the blessed Theotokos in old age being cared for by St. John the Evangelist. That is the image Frederica beautifully portrays for us in today's podcast for the Feast of the Dormition.




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The High and Holy Calling of Being a Wife

Frederica shares an essay she wrote for a book titled Glory and Honor: Orthodox Christian Resources on Marriage, edited by Drs. David and Mary Ford and Dr. Alfred K. Siewers.




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Why the Rest Hates the West

Frederica reflects upon the book titled Why the Rest Hates the West by Meic Pearse.




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The Good Thief

Frederica reflects upon the story of the good thief, St. Dimas, who was crucified next to Christ and who had a repentant faith at the end.




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The Same God

Do all religions worship the same God? Frederica doesn't like the way the question is posed. Find out why in this episode.




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Interview on Becoming a Writer and Spokesman for the Pro-Life Cause

Frederica was interviewed in a busy fellowship hall by a teen from her parish about how she became a writer and spokesman for the Pro-Life cause.




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The Messianic Secret

Why does Jesus often tell people not to talk about their healings? I have a theory.




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St. Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia

Frederica shares the story of St. Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia on his feast day.




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Catechumens on the Way to Dinner

In her debut podcast, Frederica invites us into the back seat of her car to listen in on a conversation she is having with her husband, Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green about catechumens. Feel free to listen, but don't make them miss their turn.




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The Dating Game

In between bites at the burger joint (recorded BEFORE the fast!), Frederica talks about courtship and dating.




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Flowers for the Fellas

In honor of St. Valentine's Day, Frederica offers a fragrant bouquet to the men in the audience.




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The Historical Jesus

Frederica talks about the modern day quest for the "real" Jesus and examines The Quest of the Historical Jesus by Albert Schweitzer. It is the question for the ages: What think ye of the Christ?




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Abortion: Ignoring the Facts

January 22 marks the 35th anniversary of legalized abortion in the United States despite all of the facts demonstrating the presence of life at conception. You don't want to miss this powerful commentary! To read more from Frederica on this topic, you will want to pick up Real Choices published by Conciliar Press.




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Magi from the East

Their number and identity is not clear but their intention was unmistakable: to worship the newborn King.




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Men and the Church

This week we catch Frederica in her car driving to Washington, D.C., and reflecting on the differences between the Orthodox Church and other Christian churches when it comes to the involvement of men.




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The World and the Grail

Recycled molecules and atoms from the foundation of the world present a wonderful perspective on the shed blood of Christ.




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Heather Kochamma - Iconographer

Frederica is in Spokane again for today's episode and chats with icnonographer Heather Kochamma Durka.




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The Western Liturgical Rite in Orthodoxy

An informal chat with the wives of two priests from Western Rite parishes in the Antiochian Archdiocese.




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The Comfort of Death

Today Frederica is in her car on the way to a speaking engagement. While we are thinking about the Dormition of the Theotokos, Frederica reflects on an aspect of our mortality that is very comforting.




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Prayer and the Playground

Frederica Mathewes-Green offers an analogy for the way prayer sometimes “clicks” and becomes a genuine connection with God.