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“Congratulations, You've Given Birth to a Baby Girl—Maybe”

Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that we must show love for all people—male or female, straight or gay or transgendered—but as we articulate and transmit our Christian culture to our young and to our catechumens, we must also take care to include a traditional understanding of gender.




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Charleston

Fr. Philip LeMasters reminds us that just as God enables martyrs to remain steadfast and even rejoice in their sufferings, he strengthened those grieving family members in Charleston to respond with grace, peace, and reconciliation that are simply not of this world.




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Demonizing Dichotomies or a Rainbow Flag

Fr. Lawrence Farley warns us that we can neither demonize the world nor accept all that it offers.




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Should It Matter to Christians When Churches Burn?

The world watched in disbelief as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. But why should it matter? Fr. Andrew Damick has an answer.




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St Jacob of Serug: The Theotokos and the Archangel

This week, we consider the testimony of St Jacob on the dialogue between the Mother of God and the Archangel Gabriel, as he draws a parallel and contrast to the dialogue between Eve and the serpent in Eden.




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St Isaac of Syria on the Approach to Spiritual Wisdom

How does one attain spiritual wisdom? This week offers reflections grounded in the sayings of St Isaac of Syria, on wisdom approached through humility, prayer in the scriptures, and love of neighbor.




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Singing Hymns at the Open Tomb

In this broadcast, Fr Matthew looks at the "Evlogitaria" and Psalm 118, and considers the Church's moving reflection on the Myrrh-bearing women discovering the empty tomb. If you enjoy the music that is part of this episode, please consider supporting the choir by purchasing a copy of their newest CD, Chrysostom, by clicking here.




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St. Gregory of Nyssa on Emulating the Fortuitous Birth of Moses

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.




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St. Gregory of Nyssa on Emulating the Fortuitous Birth of Moses

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.




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St. John Chrysostom: Practical Guidance on Dealing with Others

St. John Chrysostom's preaching is filled with practical advice on living a Christian life in the world, and in this broadcast we look at four sayings in which he addresses commonplace issues in the Christian's dealings with others: combating envy, overcoming offence, learning to conquer anger with love, and living in unity to the glory of God.




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St. John Chrysostom: Practical Guidance on Dealing with Others

St. John Chrysostom’s preaching is filled with practical advice on living a Christian life in the world, and in this broadcast we look at four sayings in which he addresses commonplace issues in the Christian’s dealings with others: combating envy, overcoming offence, learning to conquer anger with love, and living in unity to the glory of God.




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The Contours of Christian Love

Can one call oneself a Christian without love? And what is the nature of the love we are called to show our neighbors? In this week's episode, Fr Matthew examines four patristic passages on love, and asks the question: What is it about Christian love that makes it unique in the world?




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The Contours of Christian Love

Can one call oneself a Christian without love? And what is the nature of the love we are called to show our neighbors? In this week’s episode, Archimandrite Irenei examines four patristic passages on love, and asks the question: What is it about Christian love that makes it unique in the world?




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St. John Chrysostom on the Charity of Fasting

In this week’s broadcast, Archimandrite Irenei offers a reflection on a selection of sayings of St John Chrysostom on the pastoral nature of fasting as an act of charity. In what sense does our fast minister to our neighbor?




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Remembering the Mother of God: St. Cyril on the Theotokos and the Incarnation

In this season of Christ's incarnate coming in the flesh, we take a moment to reflect, through the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria, on the role of the Virgin Theotokos in the nativity of the true God, Jesus Christ.




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Remembering the Mother of God: St. Cyril on the Theotokos and the Incarnation

In this season of Christ’s incarnate coming in the flesh, we take a moment to reflect, through the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria, on the role of the Virgin Theotokos in the nativity of the true God, Jesus Christ.




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Glory to God Who Has Shown Himself to Us: St. Ephrem and St. John on the Nativity

In a broadcast for the Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ, we reflect on two hymns of St. Ephrem the Syrian and a portion of a homily by St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco on the glory of the night of Christ's full revelation.




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Glory to God Who Has Shown Himself to Us: St. Ephrem and St. John on the Nativity

In a broadcast for the Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ, we reflect on two hymns of St. Ephrem the Syrian and a portion of a homily by St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco on the glory of the night of Christ’s full revelation.




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Did You Not Know That You Stood, Speaking to Him?

Drawn from one of the sayings of the Desert Fathers relating to the life of Abba Ammon, this week’s episode focuses on the question of our attentiveness to God, in the Divine Services as well as in our whole life. Where is our mind—where our heart? Do we not know that we stand in His presence, speaking to Him?




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St John Chrysostom on the Many Blessings of Calling God Father

In this week’s broadcast, Archimandrite Irenei considers Homily 19 on St. Matthew’s Gospel by St. John Chrysostom, exploring the richness of what calling God "our Father" means for our relationship both to Him and to one another as brethren.




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From the Angel to St. Anthony: “Do This, and You Will Be Saved”

This week’s broadcast focuses on an episode from the Life of St. Anthony the Great, in which the saint, seeking solace in his spiritual struggles, receives an angelic testimony to the way of salvation. Has this message something to teach the Christian struggling in the world today?




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St John of Sinai: “Let Us Charge Into the Fight With Joy and Love”

Drawn from a remarkable passage from St. John of the Ladder, Archimandrite Irenei examines the crippling effect of spiritual fear on the life of the Christian, and draws from the saint’s guidance the help towards overcoming it with a trustful love in the power of God.




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St. John Chrysostom on the Wonder of the Nativity, Part 1

Beginning a two-part reflection on the famous Nativity Homily of St. John Chrysostom, this week Archimandrite Irenei examines sections of this most-exalted sermon that deal with the unexpected wonder of our salvation, wrought of the spotless offering of the Virgin.




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St. John Chrysostom on the Wonder of the Nativity, Part 2

In the second part of his reflection on St. John Chrysostom’s famed Nativity Homily, Fr. Irenei examines the concluding segments of the sermon, in which the Saint draws our hearts into the experience of the One who brought joy into the midst of the earth.




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St. Irenaeus: The Church Which Has Been Handed Down to Us

Father Irenei examines two passages from St. Irenaeus of Lyons, which speak of receiving the truth of "the Church that has been handed down to us" from the Holy Apostles, and in which right belief is found without adulteration or error.




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All to No Purpose Have I Left My True Home

The second of the pre-Lenten Sundays draws our attention to the Prodigal Son and his departure—and return—to his father’s house. In this week’s episode, Archimandrite Irenei examines the Fathers’ testimony to this event, found in the Church’s hymns, and examines the nature of sin as exile in every Christian’s life.




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St Athanasius: “What was God to do?”

Why did God become man? This week's reflection explores St Athanasius's consideration of the Son's incarnation as a response to his probing refrain, in the face of man's sin: "What was God to do?"




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St. John Chrysostom on the Charity of Fasting

In this week's broadcast, Fr. Dcn. Matthew offers a reflection on a selection of sayings of St John Chrysostom on the pastoral nature of fasting as an act of charity. In what sense does our fast minister to our neighbor?




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Shall We Forgive? The Fathers on Forgiveness as the Gateway to Salvation

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.




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Back to Forgiveness

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.




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Back to Forgiveness

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.




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Trinity and Christology

Dr. Demetrios Katos discusses why the study of the Bible and theology are so important, why we bother with arcane and abstruse doctrines of the Trinity, and why we should care about our belief that Jesus is fully God and fully man.




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Putting It All Together: The Church and the Sacraments

In his fourth and final lecture, Dr. Demetrios Katos discusses questions such as: In what way might the Eucharist or baptism be a mystery and what does it reveal about God? What are some ways in which we become aware of the Church being more than simply our local community? Finally, what does it mean to be a truly sacramental Church?




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Early Church History Through the Liturgy

Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas discusses church life in the first century, the celebration of the Lord’s Day, the development of the parish, and church history through the lens of martyrdom and architectural setting.




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The Restoration of Humanity in Christ

Fr. Eugen Pentiuc connects the creation narrative with the reality of the incarnation.




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From Young Life to the Priesthood

The story of Fr. Anthony Karbo, a former Young Life leader who became an Orthodox priest.




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Never Too Late

Charlene Walker became Orthodox at age 69 and then discovered a hidden talent.




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Anglican to Orthodox

An interview with Fr. Stephen Freeman about his journey to Orthodoxy




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The Story of St. John the Forerunner in Indianapolis

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.




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IOCC Responds To Midwest Flooding

Learn about the first response team from IOCC to the flood ravaged areas of the midwest as we talk with Fr. Haralambos (Bob) Fox who is on assignment in Cedar Rapids, IA. To support the IOCC flood relief effort, go to their WEBSITE.




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Creation and the Patriarchal Histories

Fr. Pat Reardon's newest book on Genesis is the topic of our conversation as we explore the beginnings of Salvation history. The book is entitled Creation and the Patriarchal Histories and is published by our sister ministry, Conciliar Press.




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From Orthodoxy to Orthodoxy

Hear the story of Fr. Samuel Haddad who grew up with Orthodox roots but turned a different direction only to come back to Orthodoxy later in life. It's a fascinating story!




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IOCC Brings Hope to Jerusalem

International Orthodox Christian Charities has a long history of providing needed assistance in Jerusalem and the West Bank. IOCC correspondent Chrysanthe Loizos files this report produced by Ancient Faith Radio.




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Homily on the Presentation of the Theotokos

Fr. Wilbur Ellsworth from Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church in Warrenville, IL.




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Get to Know IOCC

John Maddex catches up with IOCC representatives Nicholas Chakos (Development Officer) and Vasi Jankovich (Outreach Coordinator) at the Antiochian Archdiocese convention in Palm Desert to get a glimpse of the work of IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) worldwide.




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Dormition of the Theotokos

Fr. Wilbur Ellsworth from Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church in Warrenville, IL, speaks about the Dormition of the Theotokos.




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From Baptist to Bosnia to Byzantium

Ancient Faith Radio presents Fr. James Early speaking at the Festival of Icons in Houston, Texas. Fr. James Early serves as the assistant pastor of St. Joseph Antiochian Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas, and the title of his talk is “From Baptist to Bosnia to Byzantium.”




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The Orthodox Pastoral School

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Martin Swanson, Dean of The Orthodox Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.




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Orthodox Mission to Haiti

John Maddex interviews Fr. Matthew Williams about the cholera outbreak in Haiti and the work of the Orthodox Mission there.




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Met. Kallistos Coming to Chicago!

Dr. Brad Nassif is our guest to talk about an opportunity to hear Met. Kallistos Ware at North Park University in Chicago February 22-23.