Frederica contends that, traditionally and historically, worship was aimed not toward other worshippers, as it is in the modern seeker-friendly church, but toward God.

Frederica explains that worship is for believers to offer to God.

Frederica examines the salient Nativity scripture.

This week as we think about the Transfiguration of our Lord, Frederica has some interesting reflections on a particular icon of the Transfiguration from the apse of St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai. To view the icon, click HERE for a large image, and HERE for a smaller one.

Frederica presents the Nativity Paraklesis, recorded at her parish, Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in Linthicum, Maryland.

Frederica encourages us to look for opportunities to grow spiritually by just allowing something to happen.

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

Frederica discusses an article published by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware that distinguished praying that all will be saved from assuming that all will be saved.

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

Frederica offers an introductory guide to the services of Baptism and Chrismation.

Frederica introduces us to St. Matrona the Blind and reads her akathist hymn.

Frederica shares the story of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg and reads her akathist hymn.

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

Frederica reflects upon the book titled Why the Rest Hates the West by Meic Pearse.

Frederica introduces and reads the Akathist of Thanksgiving.

This past May 6-7, Frederica spoke to a group of Romanian Orthodox Christians in Brussels about Fr. George Calciu.

Why do we dislike living in peaceful times?

Don't miss this rich and inspiring reading by Frederica Mathewes-Green of the entire Nativity Kontakion written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book On the Life of Christ: Kontakia, published in 1994.

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

Frederica shares the story of St. Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia on his feast day.

In her debut podcast, Frederica invites us into the back seat of her car to listen in on a conversation she is having with her husband, Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green about catechumens. Feel free to listen, but don't make them miss their turn.

Christian screen writer Barbara Nicolosi joins Frederica at a Malibu cafe for an informal conversation about Christian attempts at film producing. Barbara is the editor of "Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film and Culture."

In between bites at the burger joint (recorded BEFORE the fast!), Frederica talks about courtship and dating.

Don't miss this rich and inspiring reading by Frederica of the entire Nativity Kontakion written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book On the Life of Christ: Kontakia, published in 1994.

We catch up with Frederica at a quaint Virginia Barbeque where she is chatting with a reporter who chooses to stay in the Episcopal Church. Douglas LeBlanc of the blog site Get Religion began covering religion in June 1984 as religion editor of the Morning Advocate in Baton Rouge, LA. Since then he has worked as an editor for Compassion International, Episcopalians United (now Anglicans United), and Christianity Today. His work has appeared in Christian Research Journal, The Weekly Standard, and The Wall Street Journal.

Is there a consistent morality or ethical system planted in human beings? If so, why doesn't this sytem include the protection of baby girls?

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 Mathewes-Green explores the ways the 22nd/23rd Psalm reflects a year of shepherding a sheep.

Recently, I uploaded an old video to YouTube, of one of the strangest and funniest experiences I ever had with an interview. It was 1996. A producer for a viewer-call-in political talk show, "Capital Watch," phoned me about the work I was doing with a group called Common Ground for Life and Choice. We brought pro-life and pro-choice people together in dialogue, to get better understanding of each other's beliefs. (To get past misunderstanding so we could arrive at genuine disagreement, I used to say.) I put it on my calendar, and drove to the studio on Capital Hill. But while I was standing just off the set, waiting to be introduced, I heard the host say I was going to talk about common ground between Republicans and Democrats. I knew nothing about that. I didn't follow politics at all. But in a matter of seconds I had to walk on the set, sit down, and basically fake it for 20 minutes. I guess the producer had written "Common Ground" on the schedule without any further explanation, and that's what the hosts thought I was there to talk about. It's pretty funny. You can see me making guesses about what answer the hosts expected me to give, trying to sound like I actually knew something about the topic. Afterward I wrote a column about it, and how you can see someone on a talk show who appears to not know what they're talking about, "the idiot beside the potted plant." Well, that would be me. Watch the interview at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneiaHIiogA. Read the column at: frederica.com/writings/whos-that-idiot-next-to-the-potted-plant.html.

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 people make their way toward the ancient church, sooner of later they have to make a decision: Orthodox or Catholic? And they wonder, What about St. Peter? Did the Lord intend that he and his successors would govern the church worldwide? The Orthodox have a different take on that, which may be unexpected.

So what is "The Trench”? In episode one, Christian discusses why "The Trench" and the centrality of relationships in the Christian life.

As human beings, we find that we are surrounded by relationships everywhere we go. Could it be that relationality is something about what it means to be human? Join Christian as he discusses what it is to be human through the lens of being relational beings made in the image of a relational God.

Having a relationship with God is just that—a relationship. It is personal, dynamic, and shareable. Join Christian this week as he explores the primary relationship in our lives: our relationship with the Lord.

Last week, we explored how we tend to speak when should be listening, offering advice based on our experience. Join Christian this week as he explores how we can actually use our experience to foster connection through empathy, instead of using it to foster disconnection through sympathy.

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries!

Join Christian and Steve Christoforou, host of "Be The Bee" and Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, as they reflect on what it looks like to share the experience of the Kingdom of God within the workplace

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.

A relationship with a spiritual father is one of the most important relationships in an Orthodox Christian's life. Join Christian and his pastor, Fr. James Coles, this week as they explore the role and the reason for the spiritual father, particularly in the mystery of confession.

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries!

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.

Join Christian this week as he explores the reality that we cannot share a real love for Christ if we don't possess it ourselves.

In the final episode of The Trench, Christian explores how what we love orients our way of being in the world and how what we love is shaped by what we do. Join Christian as he says goodbye to the series by asking, "What do we truly love?"

On March 25, exactly 9 months before Nativity, the Church celebrates the Annunciation to the Theotokos that she will be the Mother of God. God's declaration through the angel Gabriel, however, had a contingency attached. Listen to find out what it was.

As we continue to remember the significance of the Annunciation, Fr. Tom gives a helpful reflection on the Magnificat.

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