Will September 11, 2001, become just another date that children have to memorize? If so, does it really matter?

Frederica recommends the book Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo.

Frederica examines a statement by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales about reinstating the Friday fast.

Frederica recounts the fascinating story of an Armenian woman who threw a loaf of bread into a garbage pit every day for thirteen years.

Frederica shares a piece that she wrote for National Review magazine in its special issue on women.

Frederica delivers a speech at UC-Santa Barbara (sponsored by The Veritas Forum) titled "The Meaning of Sex."

Frederica reads a passage on the role of beauty in the Church from her new book Welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity, published by Paraclete Press.

Frederica shares some email advice that she gave to a person suffering from depression.

Frederica calls us to the practice of "remembrance of death" as a way to help us realign our priorities and resist sin.

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

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

What is the relationship between our feelings and our faith? Is there a place for emotion in our theology?

Their number and identity is not clear but their intention was unmistakable: to worship the newborn King.

Frederica is in Spokane again for today's episode and chats with icnonographer Heather Kochamma Durka.

Today Frederica is in her car on the way to a speaking engagement. While we are thinking about the Dormition of the Theotokos, Frederica reflects on an aspect of our mortality that is very comforting.

Frederica reads from and reflects on St. Basil the Great's writings on praying without ceasing.

Frederica Mathewes-Green recounts an unusual and somber dream.

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 speaks with the Orthodox Christian Book Club about the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the topic of prayer.

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

Most people experience some fear of death. In this episode, I look first at "fear of the unknown" (exploring scriptures that might apply) and then at "fear of the known." I hope this helps alleviate some fears.

As Christians seek to form a community, the fitness phenomenon, CrossFit, has a great deal to teach us! Join Christian this week in exploring how CrossFit can show the Church what it means to be a community.

It can be easy enough to say "I'm sorry," or even to forgive someone who slights us. But do we really understand the depth of the act of forgiving? Join Christian this week as he explores the role of forgiveness in our transformation into the likeness of Christ.

It's the beginning of another fasting season as we prepare for the Nativity of Christ. This week, Christian explores how our practice of fasting is also a practice at stepping outside of ourselves so that we can live for others.

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."

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

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

Fr. Thomas gives an overview of the services for the 5th week of Great Lent and their final emphasis on penitence and repentance.

In this last week of Great Lent, Father Thomas connects the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with Christ's raising from the dead of the actual Lazarus.

The week before Pascha begins with the Bridegroom Matins. Christ is the Bridegroom and we are the Bride, joined in perfect unity through His crucifixion.

Fr. Thomas examines the Mystery of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and how it led to the re-creation of the world.

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.

Fr. Thomas begins a four-part series on naming God and the language and words we use in the process.

Fr. Tom continues his discussion, this time focusing on the Divine Attributes of God.

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

In the final part of his series, Fr. Tom reflects on the metaphors and similes for God.

Ancient Faith Radio is proud to present a three-part lecture on teaching doctrine by Fr. Thomas given in June 2008 at the Met. Andrey Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa.

We continue with part two of Fr. Thomas' three-part lecture on teaching doctrine given in June 2008 at the Met. Andrey Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa.

Fr. Thomas concludes his three-part lecture on teaching doctrine given in June 2008 at the Met. Andrey Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa.

Fr. Tom couldn't let the Church Year end without looking back on the inspiring feasts during its last month, August.

With the meaning of life no longer explored on our college campuses, Fr. Thomas reflects on a piece he wrote on that subject 18 years ago. (Click here to purchase Education's End, which Fr. Tom recommends in the podcast and Click here to purchase a used copy of the Life book which includes Fr. Tom's essay.)

Fr. Tom spoke at the 40th Anniversary of the consecration of the chapel at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA, on September 27, 2008. In this lecture he reflects on 40 years of Orthodoxy in North America.

With the Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John approaching (August 29), Fr. Thomas examines the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John.

In commemoration of the Feast of his beheading, Fr. Tom continues his discussion of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John.

September 1 marks the beginning of the Church year and Fr. Tom Hopko is meditating on the meaning of times and seasons in Church life.

Fr. Thomas teaches about the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

Sitting in his study, Fr. Tom reflects on the past 50 years of the Orthodox Church. August marked the 46th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

What is the significance of all of those "begats" in the Gospel lesson just before Nativity? Fr. Tom breaks it down for us in the current episode.

Fr. Tom was unable to attend the March for Life rally in Washington DC earlier this week but he did think about what he would have said had he been given the opportunity to speak.