Frederica Mathewes-Green explores, in three parts, her experience as a beekeeper. She mispronounces “propolis” every time!

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores, in three parts, her experience as a beekeeper. She mispronounces “propolis” every time!

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores, in three parts, her experience as a beekeeper. She mispronounces “propolis” every time!

Recently, I uploaded an old video to YouTube, of one of the strangest and funniest experiences I ever had with an interview. It was 1996. A producer for a viewer-call-in political talk show, "Capital Watch," phoned me about the work I was doing with a group called Common Ground for Life and Choice. We brought pro-life and pro-choice people together in dialogue, to get better understanding of each other's beliefs. (To get past misunderstanding so we could arrive at genuine disagreement, I used to say.) I put it on my calendar, and drove to the studio on Capital Hill. But while I was standing just off the set, waiting to be introduced, I heard the host say I was going to talk about common ground between Republicans and Democrats. I knew nothing about that. I didn't follow politics at all. But in a matter of seconds I had to walk on the set, sit down, and basically fake it for 20 minutes. I guess the producer had written "Common Ground" on the schedule without any further explanation, and that's what the hosts thought I was there to talk about. It's pretty funny. You can see me making guesses about what answer the hosts expected me to give, trying to sound like I actually knew something about the topic. Afterward I wrote a column about it, and how you can see someone on a talk show who appears to not know what they're talking about, "the idiot beside the potted plant." Well, that would be me. Watch the interview at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneiaHIiogA. Read the column at: frederica.com/writings/whos-that-idiot-next-to-the-potted-plant.html.

Frederica Mathewes-Green ponders the tremendous amount of work it took to weave fabric by hand, and how it felt to be clothed in someone’s labor; what we miss, by living entirely amid machine-made things.

Frederica Mathewes-Green reads the first essay she ever published, a secular, feminist presentation of the pro-life cause.

Orthodoxy in America is in revival, and that makes it a lively place to be. In other times and places revival has been a temporary state, so it can’t be expected to last forever. At the moment, though, it’s a great time to become Orthodox.

Frederica Mathewes-Green shares reflections about the Annunciation on the weekend of the Feast of the Holy Cross.

The second-biggest problem Protestants have with Orthodox Christianity (after our love for Jesus' mother Mary) is our icons--not so much the fact of them, but the way we venerate them, bowing, kissing, and lighting candles. But they misinterpret those actions, which are simply continuations from an earlier time. I hope this video will help Protestants understand how we really relate to icons--with affection and honor, and not as objects of worship.

Here's the third of five interviews Frederica has with monks from Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, West Virginia.

Here's the fourth of five interviews Frederica has with monks from Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, West Virginia.

So what is "The Trench”? In episode one, Christian discusses why "The Trench" and the centrality of relationships in the Christian life.

Last week, we explored how Christ shows us the path of the Cross is the path of willing vulnerability. This week, Christian discusses the role of vulnerability in our lives as we seek close and intimate relationships.

Sometimes we undercut relationships by jumping to offer advice over identifying with people's problems. Join Christian this week as he explores an alternative route to sharing in the suffering of others.

After the disciples encounter Christ, they run through the dark night back to Jerusalem to share the good news with the other disciples. Join Christian this week as he explores what sharing Christ with others looks like for Orthodox Christians.

A relationship with a spiritual father is one of the most important relationships in an Orthodox Christian's life. Join Christian and his pastor, Fr. James Coles, this week as they explore the role and the reason for the spiritual father, particularly in the mystery of confession.

Ever noticed how your thoughts seem to impact your day in a big way? This week, Christian explores this phenomenon, pointing toward how our thoughts also impact other people.

Young people keep leaving the Church, and most of us are very concerned about this. This week, Christian explores this phenomenon through Attachment Theory and suggests that perhaps the Church is losing her young people because she has failed to be there for youth in the way that they need

Mentors play vital roles in our lives, helping us discern the movement of God. Join Christian this week as he has some help in exploring how Christ reveals Himself through these unique relationships.

Friendship is a wonderful mystery wherein people share a heart. This week, Christian explores what our friendships can teach us about a relationship with Christ, the One who invites us into eternal and everlasting friendship with Himself.

Over the last couple weeks, Christian has explored how God reveals Himself through different relationships in our lives. This week, Christian explores what children can teach us about the Mystery of God.

This week, Christian explores how our lives are meant to be lived for others rather than used to serve ourselves.

For many, the holidays can be a stressful time when it comes to reconnecting with family members. Join Christian this week as he explores some things to keep in mind as we interact with family over the holidays.

This week, Christian explores how our friends help us see ourselves clearly. Sometimes, this may mean we see some encouraging things, and other times we may see the yucky parts of ourselves. Both of these realities are what make friendship such an essential part of our walk with Christ.

Fr. Tom reflects upon Matthew 25:31-46, the Parable of the Last Judgment.

Fr. Tom reflects upon the expulsion of Adam from Paradise, one of the two themes of Forgiveness Sunday.

Great Lent is considered the tithe of the year, during which believers try to be what they ought always to be. Fr. Tom, in response to a request once made of him, shares with us a list of "things that a believer would do if he were really a believer."

You won't find a more concise and helpful explanation of why Orthodox Christians keep and venerate icons.

Fr. Tom gives a meditation on the rich meaning of the pre-sanctified liturgy of Great Lent. 16:37

Fr. Tom offers thoughts on the healing of the paralytic.

On March 25, exactly 9 months before Nativity, the Church celebrates the Annunciation to the Theotokos that she will be the Mother of God. God's declaration through the angel Gabriel, however, had a contingency attached. Listen to find out what it was.

Looking for an inspiring book to read during Lent? Try the Bible! Fr. Tom specifically recommends certain books of the Bible during this season.

As we continue to remember the significance of the Annunciation, Fr. Tom gives a helpful reflection on the Magnificat.

Fr. Thomas examines the Prayer of St. Ephraim and why it is so appropriate for us during Great Lent.

Fr. Thomas explains the significance of St. Paul's letter to the Hebrews in our Lenten journey.

On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross.

It is at this point in our Lenten journey that the Church contemplates the instruction of St. John Climacus and his Ladder of Divine Ascent. Fr. Tom takes us step by step through this treasure and makes it practical for us non-monastics!

Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the Fifth Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is dependent on suffering with him.

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the "Celebration of the Kingship of Christ."

Fr. Thomas uses the Paschal icon as an opportunity to clear up some misconceptions about Sheol/Hades and Gehenna/Hell.

Fr. Thomas examines who the myrrh-bearing women were and clears up some misconceptions about Mary Magdalene in the process.

Fr. Thomas enumerates the seven great messianic signs of Jesus in St. John's Gospel, focusing on the healing of the paralytic at Bethesda.

Comparing the two sources for readings during the Paschal season-- the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of John.

What does this miracle of Christ tell us about the blind man, about God, about Jesus and ultimately, about us?

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the seventh Sunday of Pascha - the Sunday between Ascension and Pentecost.

The day after Pentecost is the Feast of the Holy Spirit in the Orthodox Church and Fr. Thomas uses it to examine more closely the "Spirit who proceeds from the Father."

Fr. Thomas shows how we are all called to be Saints and examines the many different kinds of Saints.

Fr. Thomas examines the Holy Trinity, which leads to the answer to Christ's question, "Who do you say I am?"

Fr. Thomas explains the two ways the Holy Trinity are depicted in icons.

Fr. Tom takes a close look at the psalmody of the Church and its use in Orthodox worship.