On August 6, we will celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord, and Fr. Thomas Hopko helps us understand the pivotal nature of this event in Christian history.

Fr. Tom begins a series of talks on the role of bishops in the Church and their relationships to each other, to the priests, the deacons, and to us. He begins by identifying what is common to all of us in creation. Please also listen to a special encouragement at the very beginning of today's episode.

Fr. Thomas looks at the writings of three of the earliest Church Fathers to see the structure of the Church in the second and third centuries.

In Part 9 of his series on Bishops, Fr. Thomas looks at the canons of the 3rd Ecumenical Council.

In Part 10 of his series on Bishops, Fr. Thomas looks at the canons of the 4th Ecumenical Council.

Fr. Tom reflects on the icons associated with Pentecost and the Trinity.

An intense and violent period in Church history surrounded the veneration of icons. Learn about those who gave their lives for the preservation of this important physical demonstration of the Incarnation as well as those Bishops who sided with with the iconoclasts and were later identified as heretics.

The Orthodox Church is the Church of the 7 Councils and the 7th one is far more important than some would believe. Learn about the importance of Icons as well as the importance of the Holy Scriptures.

Fr. Tom is exploring the canons of the 7th Ecumenical Council held in Nicea and today talks about bishops who are appointed by secular heads of state as well as the frequency and nature of the meetings of bishops.

Fr. Tom continues his look at the canons of the 7th Ecumenical Council including those that have to do with the books written by the iconoclasts, relics in the altar, and the financial affairs of the Church.

The canons discussed today deal with church property, those who would be set apart to read in the divine services, and the appropriate clothing for bishops and clergy.

Fr. Tom concludes his look at the 7th Ecumenical Council with the canons dealing with building shrines or chapels and monastic discretion.

What do the Scriptures and the Fathers say about fidelity in marriage, sex outside of marriage, or same-sex marriage? Fr. Tom gives extensive teaching on this subject in today's episode.

Recently Fr. Thomas Hopko visited and spoke at the well known and evangelical based Wheaton College. While he appreciated and was honored by the opportunity, it caused him to reflect on the evangelical movement from an Orthodox Christian perspective. His thoughts will be of value to Orthodox and Evangelicals alike.

Fr. Tom responds to an email from an evangelical listener who wrote in response to a podcast where Fr. Tom reflected on his visit to Wheaton College.

During Great Lent, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is prescribed in Orthodox Churches. Fr. Tom appeals for the audible use of that prayer for the blessing and edification of all.

In this episode, Fr. Tom talks about how we should view the practice of medicine and medication from an Orthodox Christian perspective.

Fr. Tom talks about what happened in the 17th Century, when Orthodoxy in both Constantinople and Ukraine were influenced by non Orthodox thinking.

In light of all of the discussion about the Ecumenical Patriarch meeting with the Pope, Fr. Tom offers some of his experiences with the World Council of Churches.

As we get closer and closer to studying the book of Genesis, Jeannie helps us understand the techniques of patristic interpretation.

Jeannie continues her lesson on how the early Church interpreted the Scriptures.

Pres. Jeannie continues her lesson on patristic interpretation beginning with an explanation of exegesis vs. eisegesis.

Dr. Constantinou continues her introduction to the Bible with her first lesson on the book of Leviticus.

Dr. Constantinou continues her brief discussion of the Old Testament book of Leviticus.

Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of Leviticus, touching a bit on the forthcoming Temple.

Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of the Temple at Jerusalem.

Dr. Constantinou discusses the Jewish laws of ritual purification in connection with some of the Orthodox customs associated with women.

Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of ritual impurity and its connection (or lack thereof) to Orthodox women.

Dr. Constantinou takes a moment to answer listener questions about Leviticus.

Dr. Constantinou answers more questions from listeners and then discusses chapter 16 of Leviticus, focusing on the Feast of Yom Kippur.

Dr. Constaninou takes a break from her series, "Introduction to the Bible," and addresses the very important topic of "doubt."

Dr. Constantinou highlights a number of key passages from the book of Isaiah.

Google Alerts is a free service offered by Google that will alert you to new content Google finds on the web that contains keywords you specify. Google Alerts is most commonly recommended as a way to monitor your brand – and your competition's brand – online. But I also use Google Alerts as a way…

The post Using Google Alerts to Find New Affiliate Programs in Your Niche appeared first on Sugarrae.

Sometimes an AdSense unit won't display an ad to a user for whatever reason. When an AdSense unit doesn't show an ad, it leaves an odd amount of space within the content, and reduces my ability to monetize those pages – and I find that unacceptable. This used to be a much more significant problem,…

The post How to Create a Clickable Affiliate Ad as a Backup for an AdSense Unit appeared first on Sugarrae.

In our efforts to spread the Faith, sometimes we fail; if we die, we bear more fruit! Fr. Joseph speaks at St Nicholas Church, Shreveport, Louisiana.

The priest is often not recognized unless he is on the cross. And in some communities, there’s always one -- or a handful -- that will try to make sure he stays there! (Yet these folks need salvation too.) Fr Joseph unpeels a bit of the Onion Dome.

While Americans converting to Orthodox Christianity may bring along baggage and struggles, this episode notes a few of their strengths; it even praises the Nones!

Keeping the Faith alive when "God is dead"—and why do we baptize babies of families we rarely, if ever, see at Church?

Speaking at St John Chrysostom Mission/Lakewood, Colorado -- where Father Seraphim and Matushka Masha Gisetti also operate the St Ephraim Center, which offers addiction and mental health treatment -- Fr Joseph attempts to answer a question about children and gadget addiction.

Fr. Joseph visits a group of Orthodox Christians in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; listen in to hear what they're up to.

Fr. Joseph, speaking at Holy Cross/Palmdale, California, relates a story from "We Came, We Saw, We Converted" of Galina and St. Xenia (including the Publican, and the Pharisee).

The same God that knows if a hair falls from your head, the same God that knows if a sparrow falls from the sky, is not surprised about COVID. We cannot, as Christians, say we believe one thing only to become addicted to the news that tells us to believe another thing. Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph / Houston.

First of all, this is not a film about abortion -- what is it about?" Fr Joseph interviews Dn Adam Roberts about the new documentary, "In the Name of Choice." [Available @ inthenameofchoice.com]

On the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, Fr Joseph remembers Pete and Repeat sitting on a log -- Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!

We have a whole generation that has either grown up home schooled, Harry Potter fed, classically read – or been indoctrinated by politically correct, often anti-Christian, public schools. They eat, sleep, and live differently than their elders; in equal measure being both more conservative and liberal than their forebears, depending on the issue. When they come to the Church, what do they seek?

Not everyone will agree, but you'll have to listen to figure out why. BTW, is there any good news? Fr Joseph speaks of his recent "work-cation" in the PNW.

Fr Joseph interviews rockers Lacey and Josh Sturm. They talk about the struggles and joys of Orthodoxy, song writing, iconography, and the new album "Kenotic Metanoia" (available now).

How did the New Testament Church worship? Fr. Thomas shows a specific structural practice that Orthodox worship today is based on.

Is there a prescribed physical place where the liturgy is to be served or not served? Fr. Tom traces the history from the "house church" to the present day.

Before the Divine Liturgy begins, we must be prepared from a practical standpoint. Fr. Tom gives some personal reflections on doing things decently and in order.