Fr. John discusses the importance of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, celebrated each year on December 26.

With this podcast, Fr. John begins a new series based upon "A Handbook of Spiritual Council" by Saint Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, a work which examines the five human senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, and the role that each one plays in acquiring or losing salvation.

Fr. John continues his series on Society and The Soul, presenting us with St. Nicodemus' vision of man as "a kind of royal palace, built by the superb architectural skill of an omniscient Creator."

In Part Three of the ongoing series based upon "A Handbook of Spiritual Council" by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, Fr. John discusses the five senses and their relationship to the will.

Fr. John discusses why we are enslaved to pleasure, as explained originally by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain.

Using the writings of St. Nicodemus, Fr. John discusses how the eye can lead to sin or spiritual peace.

Fr. John notes how Orthodox Christians see things in an iconographic way-- the images are connected to the larger reality they represent.

Fr. John discusses the teachings of St. Nicodemus on listening to music.

Fr. John Oliver considers the mystery of the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, that is known most fully in the heart.

Fr. John Oliver explains how we can repel the Holy Spirit, and how we can become alive in the Holy Spirit instead.

Fr. John Oliver shares a remarkable story of service to inspire us to joyfully use our gifts in service of others.

Fr. John Oliver explains why we need the "Four S's" to energize our lives.

Fr. John Oliver explores the desire to change one's life.

Fr. John Oliver talks about the crisis of exclusion...and its greatest remedy.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on spiritual blindness.

Fr. John Oliver shares the story of the reclamation of a church after the end of the Soviet era, reminding us that "we walk by faith, and not by sight."

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the role evil and suffering plays in drawing us closer to God.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the true meaning of freedom.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on pride and humility.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the connection between Creation and the Cross.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on suffering.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on how helping others helps us fight our own battles.

Take a trip in the time machine with Fr. Joseph and travel back to the 4th Century (with a brief musical stop in the 1970s).

You know how strange dreams can be when you're not sleeping in your own bed? Well, this one ranks up there with the strangest. But, Fr. Joseph has a very practical application in this "Best Of" Orthodixie podcast.

So, what would it look like if suddenly the country was swept up in the popularity of Orthodoxy. Brace yourself for Fr. Joseph's vision!

It's called the new commandment and the greatest commandment. It is LOVE. And, sometimes, love must trump the rules as Fr. Joseph explains in this week's podcast.

Fr. Joseph manages to connect grandma with KISS, mama with a dirty slugger, catgut with a knee bone, wrestling with a loser, and God Himself with bending the rules -- all in under 12 minutes! (This episode is taken from the new audio version of "We Came, We Saw, We Converted: The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America", available from Conciliar Press.)

In this encore presentation, Fr. Joseph sets out on a search for the Baby Jesus.

In this week's Ortho-Man sequel, Fr. Joseph can't understand the movie, gets knocked out, smells garlic, dreams of Popeye, quotes St Nicholai of Zica and ponders the mysterious identity of Psssst Man.

In the third and final episode of Ortho-Man, Fr. Joseph is led down a dark hallway by a mysterious stranger who reveals to him the similarities of Underdog, Batman, Pink Panther, Indiana Jones, Buzz Lightyear and ... Ortho-Man.

We've all heard "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." Fr. Joseph finds that hard to believe. Then again, some things which are hard to explain serve as cures for our unbelief. Is that by coincidence?

While "rugged individualism" may be a cultural trait, it sure won't save you; and although blindness is a serious handicap, Converts may insist on being in the driver's seat. Whether we want it or not, American Orthodox Converts need help.

This week's episode, not nearly as exciting as visuals of a major hurricane slamming a major city, is a personal reflection on former Houston guests: Gustav, Katrina, Ike and Rita.

Has the latest news about the election, international struggles and the economy got you down? Well, take heart and fear not -- for the frost, my friends, is on the pumpkin!

Fr. Joseph delivers a brief newscast (sponsored by e-Hierarchy.com®) featuring Orthodox stories from around the country including this week's Person of the Week.

This week, Fr Joseph answers questions from AFR listeners. Topics include: annoying Orthodox phrases, wicked political emails, Palestine, women's ordination, and Waffle House.

This episode is taken from the forthcoming audio book version of "We Came, We Saw, We Converted." Fr. Joseph answers letters from AFR listeners which include: annoying Orthodox phrases, wicked political emails, Palestine, women's ordination and Waffle House.

What do Charles Dickens, Buzz Lightyear, Vladimir Lossky, the Carolina Panthers, the Baltimore Colts, Angels, Shepherds, George Frideric Handel and Kawasaki all have in common? Surely to goodness nothing but this podcast! Fr Joseph is visited by another "ghost."

Thanks to a superb pair of handlers/chauffeurs, Fr. Joseph goes a house blessin' in Houston.

In this encore presentation, Fr. Joseph takes a trip in the time machine and travels back to the 4th Century (with a brief musical stop in the 1970s).

With the help of a prophecy of the fourth or fifth or fourteenth -- or fifteenth -- century, one thing's for certain: We are one day closer to the End of Time today than we were yesterday. But, in this 19th, oops, 20th, er, 21st century ... who's counting? In this episode Fr Joseph has a "come to Jesus meeting" with a modern day self-proclaimed "relevant prophet" in the hills of East Tennessee.

At a 1,500 year "disadvantage" -- Aarr! -- St. Anthony the Great missed out on International Talk Like a Pirate Day. But, Fr. Joseph imagines what the desert dwelling Father might have said to disciples of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

The recent announcement by Pope Benedict of the formation of "a special provision for Anglicans, including married clergy" to come home to Rome got Fr Joseph wondering about his own journey and what he, and they, believe. He agrees with the pope!

It's not often that one gets scalped by a Christian, rarer still is when a priest willingly airs his failures (of "Biblical proportion"). Protestants may cheer this episode as much as the Orthodox, but with both sides on differing sides. This episode of the Orthodixie podcast eavesdrops on some arguments concerning Scripture and Tradition at St Michael's in Beaumont, Texas.

A Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, along with a Greek layman—unexpectedly—share a Thanksgiving campfire. What do you think happens?

In our last episode: a Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, along with a Greek layman—unexpectedly—share a Thanksgiving campfire. In the end, Fr Joseph asked: "What do you think happens?" This week, an answer (provided almost entirely from AFR listeners).

Just a few more weeks until the Nativity feast. With the fast, the shopping, the preparations ... how are you doing? Let us prepare? Yes. But regardless of how prepared we are, let us be thankful.

A vision of Brett Favre, along with the surprise of a Pittsburgh Steeler, join Fr. Joseph (a husky seventh grade boy) on the playing field of ... priestly ministry.

First it was "live podding," then the dread, the guilt and the heavens were separated from the earth (which, naturally, led to a parody of the theme song from "Green Acres"). Clean Monday blows through quickly; pigs don't fly, but kites do (and don't miss Fr. Joseph's fun outtakes at the very end).

Suffering from a case of Lenten white boy funk, Fr Joseph revisits the Orthodox Urgent Care Hospital. (He also promises next week's podcast will be on The Tonight Show!)