For those of you who are new to the Orthodox Church—or were‚—what say ye about that daunting second visit? Good experience, not-so-good experience? Fr Joseph shares some comments from parishioners and invites yours.

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!

As we approach the Cave wherein God becomes a Babe, may we, like His mother, be granted the gift of pondering. Fr Joseph in Chicago, 2010.

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.

Would you like to see more movies about Orthodox saints? Well, stay tuned! Yelena Popovic, the writer, director, and producer of the movie "Man of God" and her husband, Alexandros Potter sat down with Fr Joseph to talk about the forthcoming "Moses the Black" movie and their new venture, SimeonFaith, which will produce and distribute other Orthodox Christian films. Listen till the end for your role in this apostolic work! A teaser for the forthcoming "Moses the Black" can be found at SimeonFaith.com.

In the second installation of his new series, Fr. Tom Hopko talks about the biblical and evangelical nature of the Divine Liturgy. True worship in Christ and the Holy Spirit.

In this important episode, Fr. Thomas shows how the Passover Exodus pre-figures the work of Christ and how that relates to our worship today.

Fr. Thomas shows us the patterns of obedience and disobedience in the Old Testament rulers and how that relates to worshipping God in spirit and in truth.

The Prophets in the Old Testament had a lot to say about sacrifices that are unacceptable to God. Fr. Thomas explores how they relate to our worship of God today.

Fr. Tom continues to look at worship in the Old Testament as a prelude to his in-depth teaching on the Divine Liturgy. Today is part one of a two-part episode concentrating on Daniel and the Three Youths. He begins with an overview of Daniel.

Fr. Tom now looks at the story of the three youths in the flaming furnace and the beautiful correlation to our worship as Orthodox Christians.

How do people worship when they believe in Jesus? Fr. Tom looks at the four gospels to think through what they say about Jesus relative to the worship of God.

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

Some say they go to church to "pray," but is that why we gather together as a Eucharistic Community? Fr. Tom explains the differences between our worship together and our personal prayer life.

How does time relate to our worship and prayer both corporately and privately? Fr. Thomas tells us how the Church looks at time.

Where is the Divine Liturgy to be celebrated and by whom? Fr. Tom traces the early practice of the Church and relates it to what we are doing today.

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.

The West identifies seven sacraments, but how does the Orthodox Church view such things? Fr. Tom teaches on the place of the Eucharist in the sacramental life of the Church.

In the first 20 episodes of Worship in Spirit and in Truth, Fr. Thomas gave us the background and basis for our eucharistic worship. He now begins his walk through the Divine Liturgy itself beginning with the entrance of the bishop and clergy leading up to the start of the Liturgy.

Before the liturgy begins, there are prayers that are said as the bishop and priest enter. Fr. Tom explains those prayers in this 22nd episode.

After 29 episodes leading up the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas begins his line by line commentary.

In this 32nd episode of the series, Fr.Tom gets to the very opening statement in the Divine Liturgy: "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

Fr. Tom talks about the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Faithful which comprise the worship of the Church from the very beginning.

Fr. Thomas reflects on what it means to say "In peace let us pray to the Lord." What is the significance of this peace?

Fr. Thomas continues to talk about the Great Litany at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy. In particular the "union of all men" and "the fear of God."

As he continues his commentary on the Great Litany, Fr. Thomas reflects on the prayers for the bishops, presbyters, and deacons.

As he continues to look at the Great Litany which begins the Divine Liturgy, Fr.Tom examines the petitions for the president, the country, those in civil authority, and our armed forces.

Fr. Thomas reviews the important elements of the last episode and then begins talking about the prayers in the Great Litany for "seasonable weather." Don't miss his little side trip when he talks about God's role in storms, tragedies, and disasters in light of our prayers.

Continuing his look at the first Great Litany of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Tom explores what it means to pray concerning wrath, danger, and need. Also included is a helpful reflection on the most frequent phrase in the Liturgy: "Lord, have mercy."

Calling to remembrance - let us commend ourselves. Fr. Tom speaks about the liturgical use of the word "remember" and how it relates to God and our salvation.

In this final reflection on the Great Litany, Fr. Thomas talks about the exclamation made at the end. He also talks about silent prayers and audible prayers in the Divine Liturgy.

Moving on from the Great Litany, Fr. Tom talks about the antiphonal verses and how they are treated in the Divine Liturgy by the various jurisdictions. He also talks about the Psalms and how the Church reads them.

After the hymn, "O Son of God," the next antiphons are sung in the Divine Liturgy. O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.

The first procession in the Divine Liturgy is referred to as the "Little Entrance" where the Gospel Book is brought into the altar and the call to worship is proclaimed.

Fr. Tom has come to the point in the Liturgy where we sing the first of two Thrice-Holy hymns. This one is in the Liturgy of the Word: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us."

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the Trisagion Prayers - "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us" - and talks specifically about the recipient of this prayer. Is it Christ or is it the Holy Trinity?

Fr. Thomas continues to describe the "Little Entrance" in the Divine Liturgy when the Trisagion hymn is sung. In this episode he talks about the hymn and prayer when a priest is presiding.

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the Little Entrance and how it is done when a priest is presiding as opposed to a bishop.

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the "Little Entrance" but now how it is done when a bishop is present.

Fr. Tom concludes his comments on the Little Entrance and the singing of the Trisagion Hymn when a bishop is present.

As the Little Entrance is concluded a transition is taking place to the proclamation of the Word of God. Today Fr. Tom comments on that transition as well as the choice of readings for the Divine Liturgy.

Just before the Apostle reading in the Divine Liturgy, verses are chanted known as the Prokeimenon. Fr. Tom explains what that is, why it is there, and how he feels it should be done.

In his continuing series on the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas is now at the point of the Apostle reading. He comments on how, where, and by whom it is to be read.

After his last episode, Fr. Thomas got a thoughtful letter from a listener challenging his remarks on female readers of the Apostolic writings in the Divine Liturgy. In this episode he reads the letter and answers the concerns raised.

Fr. Thomas reflects on the prayer read by the priest or bishop just before the Gospel reading in the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Tom pauses in his series on the Divine Liturgy to address some questions he has received about the 8 tones used in Orthodox worship.

Fr. Thomas begins his reflections on the point in the Divine Liturgy when the Gospel is read. In particular he talks about the important connection between the Bible and the bishop.

Giving the sermon is more than just standing and talking in front of the congregation. It requires a knowledge of the people, the events of the day, the Holy Scripture readings, and much more.

Today Fr. Thomas talks about the actual delivery of the sermon and how best to fulfill the purpose of it.

Following the Scripture readings and the sermon, there are prayers that are skipped in some churches. These prayers are part of the Litany of Fervent Supplication, and Fr. Thomas feels they are very important.