Fr. John introduces the principle of heavenly orientation and then explores actual forms of art, beginning with iconography.

Fr. John looks at the development that took place within the Frankish lands themselves, especially those concerning the liturgy.

Fr. John examines the tendency toward eucharistic piety in Frankish Christendom.

Fr. John discusses the rise of the Franks in Western Christianity.

Fr. John concludes his account of the influence of the Franks by returning to the question of the filioque and how the papacy's resistance to its insertion in the Creed finally came to an end on the eve of the Great Schism.

Fr. John Strickland talks about the newly released book The Age of Paradise. The book is available at store.ancientfaith.com.

Fr. John Strickland announces the release of the third volume of his book series. The Age of Utopia: Christendom from the Renaissance to the Russian Revolution (store.ancientfaith.com/the-age-of-utopia) is a companion to the podcast, but, as he notes, contains quite a bit of material that is unique. Here he summarizes some of its content.

Fr. John Strickland gives an overview of his latest book, The Age of Nihilism, available at Ancient Faith Store: https://store.ancientfaith.com/the-age-of-nihilism-christendom-from-the-great-war-to-the-culture-wars

In a world which feasts and frenzies on the bad news and misfortunes of others, Fr. John Parker encourages us to keep ever before us the truly and eternal Good News: that Jesus Christ became man and took on flesh for the salvation of the world.

Today Fr. John Parker reads a letter from a lady he met who was effectively using cyber technology to evangelize.

In this episode, Fr John Parker address same-sex marriage and homosexuality, in response to the frenzy of discussion on these topics today in the public sphere.

Fr John Parker interviews Fr. John Strickland, newly-appointed Professor of History at the newly-founded Orthodox Christian college, St. Katherine. Listen and learn about this vital missionary “college” plant in Encinitas, CA.

Fr. John leads a discussion at a Diocese of the South (OCA) luncheon where attendees share their experiences.

In this episode, Fr. John Parker interviews Fr. Robert Miclean, pastor of Holy Archangels Mission in Annapolis, MD. Fr Robert is the founding pastor of this new mission, and the founder of Annapolis College Ministry, which is an intentional, discipleship-driven, missionary outreach to three Maryland colleges: the US Naval Academy, St John’s College, and Anne Arundel Community College.

In this episode, Fr John Parker discusses the difference between ‘worship evangelism’ and ‘worship as evangelism’, and encourages us to offer to God the most beautiful worship of which we are capable, and to ‘get out of the way’ for visitors—so that they can encounter God.

In this episode, Fr. John interviews Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Fr. Sergius discusses the vital link between solid preaching and evangelization.

Fr. John Parker recently traveled to Kodiak, Alaska, and Spruce Island, Alaska, for the Feast of St. Herman of Alaska. While there, he had the chance to speak with all sorts of Orthodox Christians who minister in this beautiful, holy land of America. Today he introduces this series and then we will post updates every couple of days.

Fr. John Parker interviews Archimandrite David Mahaffey, Chancellor and Administrator of the Diocese of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America.

Fr. John interviews Fr. John Dunlop, Dean of St. Herman’s Seminary, Kodiak, Alaska, about the seminary, the incredible Archives (which include the handwritten documents of St. Innocent as well as the journals of St. Iakov Netsvyetov), and his own missionary work in the villages.

On this holy day when we celebrate the Annunciation of the Mother of God, Fr. John Parker reflects on the evangelistic meaning of the feast.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about marriage at a parish retreat earlier this month at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Fr. John shares an update from the Department of Evangelization with the 18th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America, July 2015.

Fr. John Parker interviews Jonathan Pageau about his story in how he became an Orthodox Christian from being Baptist, and his internal struggle with a vocation as an artist. For further information: http://www.hexaemeron.org http://www.orthodoxartsjournal.org/ http://www.pageaucarvings.com/index.html

As we approach Meatfare Sunday, Dr. Humphrey reflects on the Epistle and Gospel readings in light of passages in Joel and Isaiah.

What is a seemly response to our knowledge of the mysteries that archangels and angels lead celestial worship, and are sent to minister to us? This podcast considers this week’s readings (Hebrews 2:2-10; Luke 8:41-9:1) in the light of Daniel 8:16; 9:21-11:1; Joshua 5:13-15, Rev. 12:7-11.

Luke 15:11-32; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Hosea 14:1-9; Isaiah 55:1-7

Today, on what has unfortunately become a merely “secular” festival, we recover a deeper Valentine’s message by considering what our faith has to say about romance and true love. We look at the life of the third century St. Valentine, and consider Hebrews 13:4, Genesis 1 and 2, Ephesians 5; and the book of Tobit (especially 8:4-8).

We read the stories of the Holy Martyr George (celebrated this Sunday April 23, along with St. Thomas Sunday) in the light of Job, Isaiah and Revelation 12, seeing him as a mirror to our victorious Lord, who cleansed the chaotic waters of all that lurked there, and trampled down death by death.

Our readings for the eleventh Sunday of Matthew (1 Corinthians 9:1-12, Matthew 18:23-25) happily correspond this year with our remembrance of the Holy Prophet and last of the Judges of Israel, Samuel. Parts of his story in 1 Samuel/Kingdoms 12 and 28, plus words about him in Psalm 98 (LXX)/99 and Sirach 46, help us understand more deeply God’s character of justice and forgiveness, exemplified in the prophet. We, too, are called to this pattern as we respond to the problems of our day, including the social unrest and violence of this week.

This week, in the middle of the season of Luke’s gospel, and looking forward to Luke’s feast-day, we consider the many uses that Luke makes of the Old Testament Scriptures, and his careful attention to what “is written” there so that we may better know the LORD. His intimate knowledge of the Old Testament is an indication of its importance, and how we should aspire to know and understand it better.

The resurrectional-dismissal Theotokion in tone four is replete with theological mystery, and itself calls attention to the Mystery of mysteries—the God-Man who died for our sake. We look to the entire sweep of the Old Testament, as well as the epistles, to clarify its words.

This week we read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, probing its beauty, and taking the cue from St. Paul that we should understand the mystery of generosity through Psalm 111/112.

During this difficult time, we consider wisdom concerning the role of angels, the humble strength of our Lord Jesus, the peace that cannot come through “sons of men,” and the marks of the Lord that are to be seen on us, as they were on the apostle Paul. (Hebrews 2:2-10; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:2-24; Galatians 6:11-18)

The apostle’s appeal for unity is beautifully exemplified in the life of Joseph, and poignantly pictured in the Psalm about oil on Aaron’s beard. May God’s appeal, pattern, and picture help us to unity in this time of disagreement. (Ephesians 4:1-6, Genesis 37-50, Psalm 132/3)

We read the difficult chapter of Revelation 9, looking to Job, Ezekiel 9:3-8, the words of Jesus (Luke 21:18), and the wisdom of some early commentators in order to help us consider the problem of evil, placed alongside our omnipotent and loving God.

This week we look at the short but challenging chapter fifteen of Revelation, in the light of Exodus 40:35; 2 Ch/Kingdoms 7:2-3; Isaiah 6:4; and Ezekiel 1:22;10:4; 44:4. We consider how judgment is an essential characteristic of the holy God, not at odds with divine love, and meditate upon the difficult phrase “the wrath of God.”

We read Revelation 20:1-15 in the light of the gospels, Psalm 85:10-11 and Isaiah 66:24. This chapter leads us not only into the vivid climax of the Apocalypse, but into two heated debates among those who name Christ; millennialism, and universalism. It reminds us that God’s justice and love are in harmony, and that even now, He reigns.

We consider the third grouping of Ascent Songs for Orthros, comparing them with their foundational Psalms LXX 125-128 (MT 126-129), and illumining them with reference to Col 1:9-14; Eph 4:4-8 and1 Cor 15:43. Everywhere, as we walk towards the light of the eighth day, the generosity of God is apparent.

This week we do an overview of the delightful story of Tobit, concentrating on its supporting characters, and stressing God’s unexpected provisions for us on the natural level.

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter twenty (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter twenty-one (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter twenty-two (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters twenty-three and twenty-four (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Conclusion (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter one (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters two and three (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter four (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters five and six (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters seven and eight (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters nine and ten (Moth Wing Press, 2012)