What do euthanasia enthusiasts really want? To eliminate suffering of any kind by eliminating the sufferer.

Should a human life be ended just so we can harvest their organs for another person's use? It might be closer than you think!

Does it matter how "death" is defined, and who defines it?

Wesley J. Smith shares the story of his friend, Robert Salamanca, who died peacefully with dignity of ALS.

Is euthanasia really the best way to alleviate the suffering of those dealing with serious mental illness?

To what extent should efforts be made to work for the healing of those with significant illnesses, like polio, rather than letting them die with assistance?

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA's research center responsible for robotic space missions, will lay off more workers before the year ends due to budget constraints. JPL Director Laurie Leshin has announced in a memo addressed to employees that the reduction will affect 325 people, or about five percent of its whole workforce. Leshin explained that the lab took various measures to meet its budget allocation for the 2025 fiscal year and to minimize the adverse effects of a limited budget on its workers. In the end, though, JPL "reached the difficult decision" to make "one further workforce reduction."

The lab already cut 530 employees and cut over 100 contractors from its roster earlier this year because of uncertainty over the final budget that the Congress will give NASA for 2024. It also froze hiring in response to the dilemma. The main reason why the lab had to implement those measures was because the Mars Sample Return Program was allocated a much smaller budget than it needed. NASA had requested $950 million for the mission, but only $300 million was allocated for it. 

NASA's original plan was to bring home the samples collected by the mission in 2040. But its budget ballooned from $7 billion to $11 billion, and as The Washington Post notes, the government found the return date "unacceptable." For the 2025 fiscal year, NASA only requested $200 million for the project that could go through significant changes. The agency is now looking for ways to alter the mission and is even considering proposals from private companies. 

Leshin said that the layoffs will affect all areas of the lab, including its technical, business and support divisions. "[W]e had to tighten our belts across the board, and you will see that reflected in the layoff impacts," she said. JPL's director also said that the US presidential election results have nothing to do with the reduction that the "action would be happening regardless" of its outcome. 

It’s 2024, and chances are you know at least one person who works remotely in some fashion. While the WFH life has its perks — nobody likes a long commute — it certainly comes with its own set of challenges, from lacking pro-level equipment to dealing with household disturbances. If you’re looking to give a gift to someone who spends much of their time in their home office, we’ve rounded up a few techy gift ideas that should make their days a little more delightful, or at least easier to manage.

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

Professor David Frost continues his exploration in the field of ethics and tries to find an answer to the question, "How do we discover and apply a Christian standard?"

Professor David Frost, the Principal of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, speaks about "Christian and other ways of deciding what is right" in this first of two lectures on ethics.

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware addresses the theme of Passion within the 2010 IOCS Summer School, which approached the wider theme of "Passion: Human and Divine." In this lecture, Metropolitan Kallistos explores the question, "Does God suffer?"

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware continues to address the theme of Passion during the 2010 IOCS Summer School.

Dr. Rossi interviews a young seminarian at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary about the Indian Orthodox Church. We also hear some examples of Indian Orthodox chant.

Dr. Rossi begins a short series on the "Pendulum of Asceticism" with today's episode titled "Sane Asceticism."

Continuing his series on the "Pendulum of Asceticism", Dr. Rossi talks about "Dark Asceticism" and its dangers.

In the third installment on the general topic of asceticism, Dr. Rossi addresses the subtle temptation to slip into secularism.

What is the difference between a career and a vocation? Dr. Rossi tells a personal story from his days as a Monk.

In an often harsh world, a gentle spirit is a reflection of the life of Christ within us.

Dr. Rossi's guest is Rev. Dr. Sarah Fogg, Director of Pastoral Care at St. John's Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, New York. Dr. Fogg has long been an instructor in pastoral care for the seminary students at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. She also gave the commencement address at St. Vladimir's.

Dr. Rossi interviews Fr. Michael Nasser, past Director of Antiochian Village Camp and Project Mexico. Fr. Michael is now priest of Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission in Bowling Green, KY.

Dr. Rossi talks about a recent book by Dr. Eugen Pentiuc entitled The Old Testament in Eastern Orthodox Tradition.

Dr. Rossi interviews Fr. Nicholas Solak, parish priest of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Stroudsburg, PA, on the topic of Clergy Peer Learning Groups in the life of a priest.

Dr. Rossi reflects on the life and ministry of Fr. Thomas Hopko. This podcast is Part 1 of 2.

Dr. Rossi shares remembrances of Fr. Thomas Hopko from his friends and family along with some of Fr. Tom's maxims. This podcast is part 2 of 2.

Dr. Rossi interviews Matushka Robin Freeman, Director of Music at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Dr. Albert Rossi interviews Dr. Carla Thomas, M.D., Trustee of St. Vladimir's Seminary, on the topic of using music as a healing therapy. Dr. Thomas is a Family Practice physician, Board Member of Orthodox Prison Ministry, member of the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black and parishioner at St. Luke Orthodox Church in Anniston, Alabama (OCA).

Dr. Rossi address issues of the purity of the heart and mind in relation to sexual chastity.

Dr. Albert Rossi shares his reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

Dr. Albert Rossi challenges us to consider how we are relating to one another over the issue of wearing facial masks.

Dr. Albert Rossi shares his reflections on faith as seen through the story of St. Thomas' encounter with the risen Jesus.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on the statement, "We are what we eat," in a discussion about truth.

Dr. Albert Rossi contemplates the depth of forgiveness and our difficulty in accepting it in repentance.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on the call to accept reality without complaint, praying for the needs of each new day.

Dr. Albert Rossi continues his reflection on contentment in each new day.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on the many ordinary tasks that we do each day.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on St. Paul's words in Philippians, chapter 4.

Dr. Albert Rossi shares about his experience of having eye surgery and how it compares to our spiritual sight.

Dr. Albert Rossi interviews Dr. Michael Legaspi about the experience of his daughter becoming a monastic.

Dr. Rossi contemplates the question, "Why does God love us so much?"

Fr. Philip LeMasters explains that our diet and eating habits have a profound spiritual and moral significance as they shape who we become as people and how we relate to others and to the Lord.

Fr. Philip LeMasters points out that our society more readily accepts discipline and sacrifice for sports than it does for religion.

Christmas in Newtown, Connecticut, will not be the same this year. Fr. Lawrence Farley comments on the tragic events of December 14 and reminds us of the senseless nature of sin.

On the occasion of the Sunday of St. Timon and his congregation's ongoing support of its sister parish in Bosra-Hauran, Syria, Fr. Philip LeMasters encourages us to avoid despair and work to alleviate the suffering of our neighbors wherever they are in the world.

Fr. Philip LeMasters: "One would hope that nations influenced by even mildly historic forms of Christianity would see the folly of secular salvation by warfare, but the crusading spirit apparently does not die easily."

Fr. Philip LeMasters argues that when it comes to the Ascension, we should recognize that what we have to offer the world is our witness that the crucified, risen, and ascended Lord has brought us into the eternal life that he shares with his Father and the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Philip LeMasters presents an Orthodox Christian argument against physician-assisted suicide.

Our culture continues along its escalating trajectory of militant anti-Christian sentiment. Life in such an unwelcoming environment will be good for us, says Fr. Lawrence Farley, for persection has always had a purifying effect upon the Church.

Fr. Lawrence Farley contends that a comparison between Santa Claus and St. Nicholas illustrates well the difference between worldly and Christian cultures, and we are called to live in the latter for all twelve months of the year.

Fr. Lawrence Farley uses the Scriptures to describe what awaits us in the world to come.

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