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

Frederica shares the prayer titled St. Patrick's Breastplate.

Frederica reads "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Part 3 of 5

I believe that it's good to set yourself a prayer rule that you won't be able to fully complete.

Don't miss this rich and inspiring reading by Frederica Mathewes-Green of the entire Nativity Kontakion written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book On the Life of Christ: Kontakia, published in 1994.

Frederica Mathewes-Green shares the prayer titled St. Patrick's Breastplate.

What might God be planning for America given the rampant infiltration of sin, abortion, and depravity? Frederica has adjusted her thinking on this after a rather strange "awakening."

We are walking with Frederica in a shopping mall today only to be bombarded by inappropriate images from a certain famous store.

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores the ways the 22nd/23rd Psalm reflects a year of shepherding a sheep.

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 shares a few words about the meaning of love.

Join Christian this week as he explores the reality that we cannot share a real love for Christ if we don't possess it ourselves.

Father Tom discusses Psalm 137, which is included in a special way during the Matins Service for the three Sundays leading up to Great Lent.

This time, Fr. Thomas speaks of the Activities and Actions of God.

Fr. Tom examines the fifth through fifteenth centuries.

Fr. Thomas takes a second look at the story of The Prodigal Son, this time focusing on the meaning of The Father's House.

Part 3 of the teachings from Genesis as a section in the larger series on Darwin and Christianity.

Fr. Tom continues his series on Darwin and Christianity with some musings on God and Creation.

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.

To what lengths will a true saint go to defend pure doctrine? Fr. Tom tells the incredible story of St. Maximus and St. Martin.

In this final episode on the so called Council in Trullo or the 5th and 6th Ecumenical Councils, Fr. Tom completes his commentary on the 102 canons. This includes the issue of not kneeling in church on Sunday, how to bring in Christians from other denominations, the creation and consumption of pornography, and more.

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.

Today, Fr. Tom brings us part 1 of 2 talks about the difficult 9th century in Church history. This is the backstory that often gets simplified but is important in understanding why we don't have unity today.

In part 2 of Fr. Tom's reflections on the tumultuous 9th century, he talks about the missionary work of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and the controversies over language and control of the slavic nations.

Fr. Tom continues to comment on the events of the 9th century concentrating today on St. Photius the Great and his relationship to Rome and the Filioque.

Fr. Tom reflects on the very important 10th Century (the 900's) and the conversion of Prince Vladimir.

St. Symeon the New Theologian holds great importance for Church hierarchy and structure as it relates to his teaching about the relationship between the Clergy and the holy monastics.

If you have ever wanted a deeper understanding of the Great Schism of 1054, this podcast will be of great interest to you. Fr. Thomas explores the religious and political environment of the 11th century and the people involved.

Fr. Thomas digs deeper into the Great Schism and the issues that inhibit a unification with the Church of Rome.

Fr. Tom continues through the 11th and now into the 12th Century where the Crusades were launched and the spread of Islam increased.

Some call the 13th century the most important century in Church history when the schism between east and west was solidified to this present day.

Fr. Tom now turns his attention to the late 12th to early 14th centuries to talk about the Church in Serbia and Bulgaria and their relationship with Constantinople.

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.

Next is the parable of the fig tree and the imagery of leaves and fruit.

One of the most significant events in Church history was the fall of Constantinople. Fr. Thomas helps us understand the the years immediately following the fall.

During this week as we venerate the cross of Christ, Fr. Tom Hopko shares a sermon by Met. Anthony Bloom on the cross and our sin.

As many know, Kevin Allen recently announced his retirement from his interview program, Ancient Faith Today. After listening to an interview Ancient Faith Radio did with Kevin announcing his departure, Fr. Tom shares his own thoughts on the state of American Orthodoxy.

Last time, Fr. Tom talked about the Ottoman Empire and its demise. Today he reflects on the impact of Turkish rule on Orthodox clergy and laity.

How does the Orthodox view of the Fathers of the Church differ from the Roman Catholic view? What about St. Augustine? What is his role in the Orthodox Church as it relates to the study of the Bible? These questions and many more are addressed in this week's episode.

Part 3 of Jeannie's series on the resurrection of Christ.

Jeannie continues her discussion about the inspiration and veracity of the Bible.

As Scribes copied the biblical texts, what affect did this process have on words, phrases, or theology?

Now that we have learned about the Old Testament canon, Jeannie turns her attention to the New Testament.

In her concluding lesson on the canon of Scripture, Jeannie discusses the books of the Bible that were included by the Church and why.

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

Earth, Sun, the firmaments, and all of creation. God saw that it was good.