This week we consider the structure of LXX Esther in general, and hone in on its introductory and concluding vision and Interpretation (,Esther 1:1a-1l; 10:3a-3k) which put the agency of God front and center for us to praise! We are helped by considering parallels and differences with Job 40-41; Daniel 1, 7-8, Luke 1:46-55, Rev. 12, and Psalm 15 LXX/16MT: 5-7.

In this episode we read Esther 3:13a-g, 5:1-13 LXX, and 8:12a-I, considering the royal decrees of the king, the dramatic scene where Esther enters his presence without invitation, and the misinformation about the Jewish people which he finally rejects. We are helped in seeing the significance of these fascinating scenes by recourse to Psalm 85/6, Phil 2:5-11, and 1 Timothy 2:1-2

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until August 9, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until August 9, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until August 9, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until September 13, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until September 20, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until September 27, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until October 4, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until October 11, 2013.

The Nativity and Early Life of St. John the Forerunner, by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrated by Roland J Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2012)

A Gift for Matthew, written by Nick Muzekari, illustrated by Masha Lobastov, Ancient Faith Publishing (2014)

H is for Holy: An Orthodox Christian Alphabet by Nika Boyd, illustrations by Heather Hayward (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2015)

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "God Creates the World," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

3. Chrissi reads The Life of St. Patrick: Enlightener of the Irish by Zachary Lynch, Conciliar Press, 2006 and Basil's Search for Miracles by Heather Zydek, part 1, Conciliar Press, 2007.

4. Chrissi reads The Blackbird's Nest: Saint Kevin of Ireland by Jenny Schroedel (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2004) and Basil's Search for Miracles by Heather Zydek (part 2) (Conciliar Press, 2007)

5. On today's program, Chrissi reads The Abbot and I: As Told by Josie the Cat by Sarah Elizabeth Cowie (Conciliar Press, 2001) and Basil's Search for Miracles part 3 (chapters 6-8) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

6. On today's program, Chrissi reads The Ascension of Our Lord from the series The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2004) and Basil's Search for Miracles part 4 (chapters 9-10) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

8. On today's program, Chrissi reads Christina Goes to Church: A Preschooler's Introduction to Spiritual Growth by Maria C. Khoury (CDK Publications, 1992), and Basil's Search for Miracles, part 6 (chapter 13) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

9. How the Monastery Came to Be on the Top of the Mountain by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 1999). Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 7 (chapters 14-16 ) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

10. The Jesus Prayer and Me by Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis (2006 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Deptartment of Religious Education) and Basil's Search for Miracles part 8 (chapters 17-18) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

11. God's Bubbly, Gurgly, Overwhelming, Overflowing Love by Barbara Pappas (Amnos Publications, 1999), Basil's Search for Miracles part 9 (chapters 19-20) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

12. North Star: St. Herman of Alaska by Dorrie Papademetriou (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2001) and Basil's Search for Miracles part 10 (chapter 21) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

13. Book 1: Mwangi: A Young African Boy's Journey of Faith by Renee Ritsi (Conciliar Press, 2004) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 11 (chapters 22-23) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

14. Book 1: Alyosha's Apple: A Tale of Old Russia by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 1997) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 12 (chapters 23-24) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007

15. Book 1: The Book of Jonah illustrated for children by Niko Chocheli (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000). Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 13 (chapters 25-27) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

16. Book 1: The Transfiguration of Our Lord from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2004) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 14 (chapters 28-29) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

17. Book 1: Christina Learns the Sacraments by Maria Khoury (CDK Publications) Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 15 and final installment (chapters 30-31) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

28. Book 1: Before You Were Born by Nancy White Carlstrom (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2002) Copyright© Used with permission from the author and Curtis Brown Ltd. Book 2: From I-ville to You-ville by Mersine Vigopoulou, part six (Uncut Mountain Press, 2006)

Fr. Ted explains why Holy Week actually begins with Lazarus Saturday.

Fr. Ted speaks on the importance of forgiveness and reminds us of the huge debt we've been forgiven.

Fr. Ted explores Holy Monday's Gospel, explaining how it foreshadows Christ's passion.

Fr. Ted explains why we have such difficulty forgiving others.

Fr. Ted encourages us to emulate St. Simeon.

Fr. Ted explains that the way you can tell whether you are giving out of love is to look at the type of giving that you do.

Fr. Ted gives a crash course on Orthodoxy to 71 students from Canadian Mennonite University.

Too often we seek to bend the Church to our own will instead of bending our will to meet that of God.

We must choose Christ over the secular world.

We have not learned how to do the most fundamental thing that Christ teaches us, which is to forgive.

Fr. Ted calls us to do battle with the Enemy in the arena within during Great Lent.

Fr. Ted calls us to daily live our faith in the resurrected Christ without fear!

Fr. Ted addresses the importance of the tools for life that we receive in the House of God.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos calls us to prepare our lives for the journey of Great Lent.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos describes the power of forgiveness and the consequences of refusing to forgive.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos encourages all of us to participate as fully as we can in the Nativity Fast as we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, saving our feasting for after our fasting.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos reflects on the meaning of being a servant of God in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos preaches on the Gospel reading from the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent, reminding us that as Orthodox Christians we have been training through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving for an unusual occasion like the one we face during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos calls us to endure the struggles of life during Holy Week in order to see Christ's glorious resurrection.

This interview recounts the fascinating story of the dramatic conversion to Christ (from Orthodox Judaism) and the spiritual journey of a co-founder of the messianic Christian group, "Jews for Jesus" as he finds his way "home" to the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Kevin speaks with author Fr. Dn. Stephen Holley about how Orthodox Christians ought to approach finding the right marriage partner. Dn. Stephen is the author of "How Do I Find The Right Partner For Life", published by Light and Life.