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.

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

In this last week of Great Lent, Father Thomas connects the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with Christ's raising from the dead of the actual Lazarus.

The week before Pascha begins with the Bridegroom Matins. Christ is the Bridegroom and we are the Bride, joined in perfect unity through His crucifixion.

Fr. Thomas examines the Mystery of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and how it led to the re-creation of the world.

With the Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John approaching (August 29), Fr. Thomas examines the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John.

In commemoration of the Feast of his beheading, Fr. Tom continues his discussion of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John.

Fr. Thomas continues his examination of Passion Week with Jesus' teachings on the final judgment.

In this episode on the Darwinian Revolution and the relationship between natural science and Christian theology, Fr. Thomas Hopko reflects on the issue of death.

Fr. Tom continues his series on Darwin and Christianity with some musings on God and Creation.

In the 6th Century, three individuals played a huge role in forming and influencing the ecclesiastical structure of the Church. They were the Emperor Justinian, Pope Gregory the Great of Rome, and Dionysius the Areopagite. Fr. Tom deals with the first 2 here and the third in the next episode.

What can we say and not say about God? Fr. Thomas Hopko confirms one thing we can say and that is God is faithful.

Fr. Tom continues to comment on the events of the 9th century concentrating today on St. Photius the Great and his relationship to Rome and the Filioque.

Fr. Thomas gets down to basics with this episode by saying everything the ancient Christian Church believes about the world, society, nature, sex, humanity, and everything else comes down to its view of God and death.

Fr. Thomas talks about the writings of Archbishop François Fénelon, a Roman Catholic writer from the 17th century. Fr. Tom was particularly taken with Fénelon's spiritual writings surrounding Lent.

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In our efforts to spread the Faith, sometimes we fail; if we die, we bear more fruit! Fr. Joseph speaks at St Nicholas Church, Shreveport, Louisiana.

When it comes to church work: some do, some don't. The same can be said of every stage of our life in Christ. Here's Fr John mission planting in the Pacific Northwest.

In his opening remarks at St Sophia/Dripping Springs, Texas, Fr. Joseph plugs a couple books from Ancient Faith Publishing before touching on one of the benefits of attending a retreat: Vision.

Fr. Tom talks about how human beings are created by God for worship in spirit and in truth.

Fr. Thomas reflects on what it means to say "In peace let us pray to the Lord." What is the significance of this peace?

Fr. Thomas continues to talk about the Great Litany at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy. In particular the "union of all men" and "the fear of God."

As he continues his commentary on the Great Litany, Fr. Thomas reflects on the prayers for the bishops, presbyters, and deacons.

As he continues to look at the Great Litany which begins the Divine Liturgy, Fr.Tom examines the petitions for the president, the country, those in civil authority, and our armed forces.

Fr. Thomas reviews the important elements of the last episode and then begins talking about the prayers in the Great Litany for "seasonable weather." Don't miss his little side trip when he talks about God's role in storms, tragedies, and disasters in light of our prayers.

Continuing his look at the first Great Litany of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Tom explores what it means to pray concerning wrath, danger, and need. Also included is a helpful reflection on the most frequent phrase in the Liturgy: "Lord, have mercy."

Calling to remembrance - let us commend ourselves. Fr. Tom speaks about the liturgical use of the word "remember" and how it relates to God and our salvation.

In this final reflection on the Great Litany, Fr. Thomas talks about the exclamation made at the end. He also talks about silent prayers and audible prayers in the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Tom now gets to the offertory procession with the Bread and the Wine which will be offered and then consecrated into the Body and Blood of Christ at the Eucharistic Anaphora of the Divine Liturgy.

In this podcast Fr. Tom begins his reflections on the words and actions of the Great Entrance with the Bread and Wine to the Altar Table.

Fr. Tom offers a very helpful explanation of what we are actually offering in the procession of the Great Entrance in the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Tom completes his reflections on the Great Offertory Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. John shares about the life of St. Catherine the Great.

Fr. John shares about the Canaanite Woman from Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30.

Fr. John shares from Matthew 13:44-52.

Fr. John Whiteford shares about the life of St. Basil the Great and his godly family.

Fr. John talks about the life of the greatmartyr Euphemia and the impact she had on the church community after her repose.

Fr. John Whiteford talks about the Great Commission that Christ gave to his disciples, from Matthew 28:16-20 and Luke 24:44-49.

Fr. John Whiteford reminds us to keep our trust in the Kingdom, and not to invest our efforts and hope in earthly leaders and possessions.

On Meatfare Sunday, Fr. John Whiteford delivers a homily about embracing the love of God.

Fr. John Whiteford speaks about St. Mary of Egypt and how she opened her heart up to God's great mercy in order to become the great saint she is today. He reminds us that we must emulate St. Mary of Egypt by opening up our own hearts to put God first in our lives.

Fr. John Whiteford recounts the significance of the family life in making saints.

On this Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas, we are confronted by the Scriptures with the dangers of distraction. By avoiding being distracted by life and focus on our Christian living we will avoid the pitfalls of distraction.

Today’s blog post will reveal my biggest goal for 2016, nine niche ideas with huge potential and the most effective productivity technique I’ve used over the last few years. Let’s begin by talking about the productivity technique which is often referred to as the Pomodoro Method. If you’ve followed any kind of productivity guide online […]

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Michael offers in-depth thoughts on death from an Orthodox perspective.

Michael explores the source of our inspiration when we create for the glory of God.

In the Book of Genesis God says not to eat from the Tree of Life, yet in Revelation He invites us to eat from the Tree of Life. Michael explores the reasons why from an Orthodox Christian perspective. He discusses the sinfulness and sacredness of eating and hunger as taught to us through the Scriptures, specifically Genesis and Revelation, and our Holy Tradition; and what we are really doing when we fast and prepare for and receive the Eucharist.

Comfort, and feeling comfortable, is a desire all of us have and we strive to fulfill this desire. But it can come at a cost because the root of our desire and the means by which we achieve it are not always in our best interests. Join Michael as he explains why comfort can lead to spiritually harmful complacency and blind us to the real purpose of our faith.