Dr. Rossi thinks about overthinking.

There are no words to express the depth of our sorrow when we think of the tragedy in Newtown Connecticut. Fr. Tom Soroka provides a Christian perspective on sorrow as he reminds us of our utter dependance on God.

Following yesterday's pontifical election, Fr. Andrew Damick comments on this most recent event as well as the recent election of Patriarch John X of the Holy Synod of Antioch.

Fr. Lawrence Farley reminds us that the man who trusts God and does what is pleasing to him, such as giving alms to the poor, will experience His favor when his own time of need comes.

Fr. Lawrence Farley points out that the Church associates the destruction of the Temple with the Cross to demonstrate how prophecy becomes history.

Dr. Brad Nassif, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University in Chicago, reminds us that no matter how monotonous, unseen, or ordinary, our jobs can powerfully transform us into Christlikeness. This is an audio version of an article that first appeared at christianitytoday.com.

Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the traditional Christian Church should not heed impassioned demands that it shut up and say nothing when its central teachings are trampled, denied, and distorted.

What should Orthodox Christians think about a fixed date for Pascha? Fr. Lawrence Farley shares his opinion.

Recorded during a forest walk, this week's broadcast considers a traditional saying regarding St. Athanasius' encounter with three monks on an island, and the relationship between doctrine and transfiguration.

In the first sections of the second book of his Life of Moses, St. Gregory of Nyssa instructs that Christians are to "emulate the fortuitous birth of Moses"—but how can this be done? Is not birth outside the realm of a person's control? In examining the manner in which St. Gregory exposes "birth" as the constant making of choices by the free human creature, we discover the rich manner in which the saint finds spiritual significance in the historical moments of Scripture.

In the first sections of the second book of his Life of Moses, St. Gregory of Nyssa instructs that Christians are to "emulate the fortuitous birth of Moses"—but how can this be done? Is not birth outside the realm of a person’s control? In examining the manner in which St. Gregory exposes "birth" as the constant making of choices by the free human creature, we discover the rich manner in which the saint finds spiritual significance in the historical moments of Scripture.

This week, in anticipation of Forgiveness Sunday, Archimandrite Irenei explores a series of patristic texts that deal with the imperative of forgiveness, and the need to forgive as the gateway into the life offered by Christ in the Church.

We look again at the theme of forgiveness in the writings of the Fathers—with an eye particularly toward practical injunctions on forgiveness and the relationship of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption in quotations from a variety of patristic sources. Archimandrite Irenei also introduces the Patristic Quotations Topical Index.

As A Word From the Holy Fathers resumes after a summer hiatus, we look again at the theme of forgiveness in the writings of the Fathers—with an eye particularly toward practical injunctions on forgiveness and the relationship of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption in quotations from a variety of patristic sources. Fr Matthew also introduces the Patristic Quotations Topical Index.

Men and women arrested for sharing the Gospel. That is certainly not a new phenomenon in the history of the Church. But today in America? You won't want to miss this interview with two Orthodox campus preachers, one of whom was arrested for preaching the Gospel on a university campus in Chicago.

Nelson and Carolyn Freve were SIM missionaries in Africa. Nelson was also a Conservative Baptist pastor. What would cause them to embrace the Orthodox faith and desire to return to the mission field as Orthodox missionaries? Their story is now available to hear at your convenience.

When the Evangelical Orthodox Church came into canonical Orthodoxy 20 years ago, not all parishes were ready. This is the story of one such parish coming along much later in their history. Find out why and what they are up to now.

Amal Morcos of International Orthodox Christian Charities reports on the work of IOCC in the troubled areas of Lebanon.

At a 9/11 memorial program on Thursday evening, September 11, 2008, OCF Executive Director Fr. Kevin Scherer shared these thoughts. The program was held at St. Luke the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, IL.

In part two, Archbishop Job shares an archpastoral reflection on 9/11.

Listen to our interview with Dirk Lackovich-Van Gorp in Jerusalem with International Orthodox Christian Charities and learn about IOCC's work to bring much needed aid to the embattled region of Gaza. Call 1-877-803-4622 if you would like to help.

On Friday, December 18, 2009, His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest unexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord. The funeral vigil was held on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at 7:00 PM at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago. His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah presided and the homily was given by OCA Chancellor, Fr. Alexander Garklavs.

John interviews Fr. Luke Veronis, author of the brand new Conciliar Press book Go Forth!: Stories of Mission and Resurrection in Albania. Having been almost exterminated by the atheist government, the Church of Albania has arisen, under the leadership of Archbishop Anastasios, to become a vibrant and growing member of the world Orthodox community.

Bobby Maddex interviews Mark Ohanian, International Programs Coordinator for International Orthodox Christian Christies (IOCC), about IOCC's ongoing relief effort in Haiti.

Bobby Maddex interviews Mark Gruin, the Haiti Field Program Specialist at International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), about the ongoing needs of the Haitian people.

Bobby Maddex interviews Kenneth Kidd, the Annual Gifts Officer for the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (or OCMC), about the ways in which we can all help support missions work in the upcoming new church year.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Lawrence Farley, pastor of Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in British Columbia, the host of the AFR podcast Coffee Cup Commentaries, and the author of The Gospel of Luke: Good News for the Poor, published by Conciliar Press.

Bobby Maddex interviews David and Mangala Frost of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (IOCS) about a new IOCS Orthodox evangelism tool called The Way, now available in the United States exclusively through Conciliar Press.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Lawrence Russell, priest at Church of the Annunciation in Santa Maria, California, about a truly remarkable Orthodox ministry, located in Adwa, Ethiopia, and the even more remarkable woman who started it.

Bobby Maddex interviews Matthew Namee, Associate Director of the Society for Orthodox Christian History in the Americas and host of the AFR podcast American Orthodox History, about the organization's new academic journal and upcoming symposium.

Bobby Maddex interviews Costas (Constantinos Athanasopoulos), the Director of Distance Learning at the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies in the UK, and Michael Basham, a recent graduate of this distance-learning program.

On this special episode of “Ancient Faith Presents,” Bishop John Abdalah, an auxiliary bishop for the Antiochian Diocese of Worcester and New England, offers the first keynote address at a conference at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology titled “Pastoral Challenges in Marriage: O God, Replenish Their Life with All Good Things.”

Bobby Maddex interviews John Maddex again to get an update on the streaming music station. Special thanks to our anonymous donor who sent us $3,000 to cover the remaining expenses on our new generator and surge protection system. The donation was made on behalf of St. Cyprian of Carthage Orthodox Church in Richmond, Virginia. Thanks be to God!

John talks with Fr. Andrew Jarmus from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church about an upcoming symposium in Ft. Wayne, IN, entitled Searching for the Sacred.

IOCC US Country Representative Dan Christopulos and volunteer Michael Claypool tell us about the training program happening this week in Denver for IOCC volunteers to prepare them for emergency response here in the United States.

Bobby Maddex interviews Paula Kappos, the President of Zoe for Life. This organization is an Orthodox Christian initiative, endorsed by the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, that addresses crisis pregnancy, facilitates adoption, and engages in abstinence education.

Bobby Maddex interviews Mark Ohanian, the Director of Programs at International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), about IOCC's relief efforts in the Philippines following Super Typhoon Haiyan. Click here to find out how you can help.

John Maddex interviews Fr. Evan Armatas about a great resource for families as they prepare for their journey through Great Lent. With the coupon code AFR2014, receive a 10% discount. Find out more HERE.

Fr. John Finley interviews Fr. Jon-Stephen Hedges, a director with the St. Brigid Fellowship and a chaplain with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, about his role on the scene at the sites of the recent string of murders in Isla Vista, California.

A conversation with film producer David DeJonge and the head of the Department of Outreach and Evangelism for the GOA, Fr. Jim Kordaris. Learn about a new and exciting project to produce a high quality video series as a tool for evangelism called Baseline.

Bobby Maddex interviews Steven Christoforou, the Youth Protection and Parish Ministries Coordinator for the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America and the host of the Ancient Faith Radio video podcast Be the Bee, about the many resources for youth and young adult ministry that are available from the GOA.

Ancient Faith Radio is at the GOA Clergy/Laity Congress in Philadelphia and while there we ran into Steven Christoforou, host of the very popular youth video cast - Be the Bee!

Fr. Andrew Damick interviews Dr. Gary Jenkins about the proposed Institute for Orthodox Thought and Culture at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. Please complete the survey to help them launch this program in the fall of 2015.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Philip LeMasters, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Religion at McMurry University and an occasional AFR podcaster, about his new book The Forgotten Faith: Ancient Insights for Contemporary Believers from Eastern Christianity, published by Cascade Books.

Archdeacon Peter Boulukos is the Registrar for the St. Stephen's Course of Studies. Learn how you can get your degree in Orthodox studies by working at home. Registration closes on September 30. Call 201-569-0095 for more information.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. David Frost, the principal and administrator of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, about a number of exciting developments at IOCS, including a new scholarship, a new PhD program, and an important addition to the institute's Distance Learning Program.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. David C. Ford, Professor of Church History at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and the author of the new St. Tikhon’s Monastery Press book Wisdom for Today from the Early Church.

Fr. Thomas Zain, Vicar General of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, joins us to talk about the upcoming enthronement of Metropolitan Joseph on December 6, 2014, in Brooklyn. More information is available at the Antiochian web site.

Fr. Josiah Trenham joins us to talk about the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade as well as the upcoming Sanctity of Life Sunday on January 22. In addition, he talks about a West Coast Walk for Life on January 24.

This past Sunday, a video titled “A Message Signed With Blood to the Nation of the Cross,” released by the media arm of Islamic State, showed the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians on a beach in Libya. We talk with Egyptian native and Antiochian Orthodox priest Fr. Nabil Hanna who just returned from Egypt. The interview closes with a prayer for the martyrs, their families, and the end to violence.