Nathan Hoppe, Orthodox Christian Mission Center missionary to Albania, shares practical ways about getting involved in missions.

Fr. John shares about some of the Orthodox missionaries from North America and reflects on the beauty of the Holy Saturday services (including baptisms) and Pascha services.

Fr. John Parker shares insight on some of his visits to Death Row.

As we approach the Feast of Feasts, Dr. Humphrey takes us again to the Old Testament to illumine the Paschal New Testament readings including the story of the Prophet Jonah as well as the Three Youths in the fire.

This week’s readings for divine liturgy correct any notion we might have that the physical, material world does not matter. While the physical is ordered under the spiritual realm by God, it is also meant to be taken up into it, transformed. We see this careful balance and valuing of the spiritual and material worlds in the lives of the Theotokos and St. Edith of Wilton, as well as in the Old Testament narratives of the “fiery serpent” and the promised “new heavens and new earth.”

Let’s look to the deep words of God’s yearning found in the prophet Ezekiel in order to understand the compassion of the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, and the actions of our father St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, an appointed shepherd of God’s people.

Today, we consider the Old Testament readings appointed for March 17 (Isaiah 13:2-13; Genesis 8:4-21; Proverbs 10:31-11:12) in the light of the life of Holy Bishop Patrick, and especially the prayer of the “Lorica” (the Breastplate) ascribed to him.

This week we understand the depths of Christ’s demolition of death, and the great reversal, in the light of Ezekiel 7, Jeremiah 7, and Psalm 125 (MT 126).

This joyful and profound hymn is understood more fully by contrasting Mary’s “yes” to Eve’s rebellion, by seeing the Incarnation as the beginning of the new creation, and by seeing the parallel between David’s joyful procession with the Ark to Bethlehem, and the Holy Virgin carrying our Lord into that same city for our salvation. (Genesis 1-3, 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, Genesis 22:18)

This week we study a passage of the Apocalypse that focusses upon judgment, and uses startling imagery. We are helped by ancient commentators, as well as by contextualizing Revelation 14:14-20 within the teaching of Jesus himself, as well as in Old Testament passages such as Psalm 1, Joel 3:11-18, and Isaiah 63:1-6. Judgment, though difficult, is a necessary complement to redemption.

This week we read Psalm 50 (MT 51) in the light of 2 Kingdoms/2 Samuel 11-12 and Romans 5:12-17. This famous confession leads us to explore what some consider poetical theological hyperbole, and the question of ancestral sin.

"Saint Columba" and "Saint Gregory the Great" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

"The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares" from The Parables of Christ by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Basil the Great," by Vasilia Tussing, age 11, winner of the 10-year anniversary children's story competition.

"Saint Basil the Great," from The Lives of Our Saints, Illustrated Biographies Book 8 (Spiritual Fragrance Publishing, 2012) Available at Spiritual Fragrance Publishing.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Preface, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 1, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 2, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 3, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 4, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 5, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 6, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 7, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 8, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 9, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 10 and Conclusion, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Dawn’s Gentle Light, "Great Pascha, Easter 1914," by Renee Riva (Pink Heart Press, 2017)

Be Yourself: Amim’s Great Discovery, written by Stephen Muse, illustrated by Dimitra Psychogiou (Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Press, 2016).

Anthony, the Great by John Sarantakis, illustrated by Misha Pjawka (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2019).

The Gift: A Story of Saint Onuphrius the Great, by Stefania Carmen Bray, illustrated by Masha Lobastov (Panagia Press, 2015).

54. Book 1: The Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2005) (duration 3.37) Book 2: Great and Holy Friday from The Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006) (begins at 4:20, duration 5.25) Book 3: Drita: An Albanian Girl Discovers her Ancestor's Faith by Renee Ritsi (Conciliar Press, 2008) (begins at 9:58, duration 13.10)

55. Book 1: Great and Holy Saturday from the Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006) (duration 3.33 mins) Book 2: Pascha, The Feast of Feasts from the Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006) (begins at 4:18, duration 3.32 mins) Book 3: Christ has Risen, Children! by Svetlana Visotskaya (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001) (begins at 8:00, duration 4.02 mins)

58. Book 1:"The Creation of the World" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (8.30 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 4 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 9:50, duration 16.45 mins)

59. Book 1: "The Creation of Eve" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (6.45 mins) Book 2: Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint by Maria Tobias, Chapter 5 (Conciliar Press, 2004) (begins at 7:25, duration 18.51 mins)

"The Death of John" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005)

St. Seraphim's Beatitudes: Blessings for Our Path to Heaven by Daniel Marshall (St. Innocent Press, 2008)

130. The Woman and the Wheat by Jane G. Meyer (St. Vladimir Seminary Press, 2009)

142. Great and Holy Friday from The Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006)

143. Great and Holy Saturday from the Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006).

176. The Woman and the Wheat by Jane G. Meyer (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2009).

Fr. Ted explains that it is the human tendency toward unbelief that causes us to change the teachings of the Church.

Fr. Ted reminds us that the Divine Liturgy is a meal—an entering into the eternal reality of the Mystical Supper of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Ted reminds us that we need to accept God and others and they truly are, not who we expect them to be.

Fr. Ted explains why St. Peter and St. Paul are commemorated together.

Fr. Ted addresses the staff at the headquarters of World Vision Canada on the Orthodox view of charity as it relates to Great Lent.

Fr. Ted examines all of the actions that we do as a Church when someone leaves this world.

Fr. Ted concludes his series on Orthodox life.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos calls us to keep focused on the eternal kingdom even in the midst of the distractions of this life.

Fr. Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir's Orthodox seminary, addresses the controversial subject of "toll houses" in this highly animated half-hour discussion with our co-hosts.

The Death To The World crew reports back on their week at Cornerstone 2009 - the largest Christian rock festival in the world. This is the third year DTTW has set up shop in the exhibitors area as an Orthodox outreach at this largely Evangelical youth gathering. John Valadez, Gary Allen and Julia Gatalskaya report to host Kevin Allen that the 'times they are a' changing' in the world of contemporary Christian youth, reflecting a broader trend towards ancient faith!