The good news of our Lord’s resurrection extends to everyone and the entire world. The Church directs our attention during the Paschal season to how some very different people came to share in the life of our Lord, such as the disciple Thomas, the Myrrh-Bearing Women, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and the paralyzed man. Today we focus on someone who was different from all of them by worldly standards, for they were Jews and she was a Samaritan. We know her in the Church as the Great Martyr Photini, but in that time and place she would have seemed a very unlikely candidate to become a great evangelist of Christ’s salvation.

Let us take the Theotokos as our great example of how to receive and follow Christ every day, even as we ask for her prayers for the healing of our souls. That is the only way to celebrate the great feast of her Dormition with spiritual integrity.

May every step of the journey lead us further away from exile and closer to our true home, the Paradise that our Lord has opened to us through His glorious resurrection on the third day.

The devotion of the Myrrh-Bearers, Joseph, and Nicodemus shows us what true faith looks like, and it has nothing to do with figuring out how to use God to help us get what we want on our own terms in a pathetic attempt to distract ourselves from the fear of death.

Christ said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” No one else would have looked at Photini and seen a future saint who would shine with the light of holiness.

I am sure that many people today reject or have no interest in the Christian faith because they have not seen in others the healing of the human person brought by Jesus Christ. Perhaps they have heard Christians speaking primarily about morality, politics, emotion, or a view of salvation that has nothing to do with the realities of life in the world as we know it. Or they may have seen many examples of hypocrisy on the part of those who identify themselves with the Lord, but who live their lives in opposition to His teachings even as they look for opportunities to condemn their neighbors. Regardless, many today have concluded that there is nothing in the Christian life worthy of their devotion.

As we continue to prepare to welcome Christ at His Nativity, we must keep our focus on becoming like those who first received Him with joy. That includes the Theotokos, whose Entrance into the Temple, where she prepared to become His Living Temple, we celebrated last week. That includes unlikely characters like the Persian astrologers or wise men, certainly Gentiles, who traveled such a long distance to worship Him. What better news could there have been than that the Prince of Peace was coming “to preach good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord”? (Lk. 4:18-19) As we sing during these weeks of Advent, “Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who before the ages is God.”

As we continue to celebrate our Lord’s glorious resurrection on the third day and victory over Hades and the tomb, we have to admit that all too often we live as though death still reigned. We do so especially when we obsess about how weak, broken, and vulnerable we are, especially in light of the grave.

In this episode Fr. John explores the life of Protestant father John Calvin and the reformer's contribution to the Reformation project.

Fr John recently travelled to the OCA’s Exarchate of Mexico at the invitation of His Grace, the Rt Rev. Bp Alejo. In today’s podcast, he recounts his journey.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about marriage at a parish retreat earlier this month at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about Islam at a parish retreat earlier this month at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. This is Part 2 of his talk.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about catechism at a clergy retreat for the Carolina Deanery of the Orthodox Church in America.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about Islam at a parish retreat earlier this month at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. This is Part 1 of his talk.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about the connection between church building consecration and people consecration at a clergy retreat for the Carolina Deanery of the Orthodox Church in America.

Fr. John interviews Fr. Josiah Trenham about the importance of preaching in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Fr. Josiah Trenham speaks about Islam at a clergy retreat for the Carolina Deanery of the Orthodox Church in America.

Fr. John Parker interviews Jonathan Pageau about his story in how he became an Orthodox Christian from being Baptist, and his internal struggle with a vocation as an artist. For further information: http://www.hexaemeron.org http://www.orthodoxartsjournal.org/ http://www.pageaucarvings.com/index.html

Fr. John speaks with Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church in Uganda. They speak about the Church in Uganda, and how the faith has spread in Africa.

What do the martyrdom of John the Forerunner and the weakness of Herod have to say to twenty-first century North American Christians? Explore the implications of John’s beheading and St. Paul’s description of the Forerunner, with the help of Psalm 2 and Malachi 4.

We look at the Psalms, the purpose of the Torah for the Hebrew people, and the story of David dancing before the ark to illumine the theme of liberty seen in our readings for this coming Divine Liturgy.

The “unnecessary” stories of the three youths (in Daniel 3 and The Song of Azariah) and of St. Joseph, husband of the Theotokos (Matthew 1) are illumined by God’s care for the humble in Deuteronomy 10:14-21.

This Saturday we commemorate the righteous Job, who is seen as an exemplar of intercessory prayer, and steadfastness, in both Old and New Testament. Today we probe his prophetic insight into the complexity of this world and the greatness of our human-loving LORD.

We look to the gospel and epistle readings for this feastday, in order to give us wisdom and courage in meeting the challenges of our own. Luke 1: 1-80, 3:16-20, Malachi 4, Romans 13:11-14:4

This week we read the epistle through the lenses of St. John Chrysostom, St. John Climacus, the book of Genesis and Isaiah’s portrait of the Suffering Servant. Here we are given the hope to continue following our great forerunner Jesus. The gospel reading adds to this the importance of faith, prayer and fasting, as we set our faces towards the cross.

On Jan 18, we sing the dismissal Theotokion in tone 5. Its deep theology may be unpacked by reference especially to the prophet Ezekiel and Psalm 130/131, as well as by the book of Revelation and some of the fathers of the Church.

The song of Jonah (Jonah 2:2-9), Old Testament Canticle 6, is notable for its poignancy and substance. We read it with reference to Jesus’ words in Matthew12:39-41 and with help from these Old Testament passages: Job 41, Psalm 104/LXX 103:26, Psalm 139/LXX 138: 8-12, and Psalm 148:7.

76. Book 1: "The Birth of John" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (5.28 mins) Book 2: The Life of Saint Constantine and his Mother, Saint Helena by Euphemia Briere part two and conclusion (St. Nectarios Press, 2003) (17.06 mins)

"Saint Basil" and "Saint John Chrysostom" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations, written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

The Nativity and Early Life of St. John the Forerunner, by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrated by Roland J Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2012)

Rejoice, Panagia: Offering to Children the Akathist Hymn (2014). Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Theotokos, The Life Giving Spring. Book available from: Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring. P.O. Box 549 Dunlap California, 93621, USA Tel: (559) 338 3110 Fax: (559) 338 3101

"The Annunciation of the Angel to the Righteous Joseph," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012). In honor of this the 500th episode of "Readings from the Under the Grapevine," we are giving away a gift set containing The Miracle of the Red Egg by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson, The Legend of the Cross by Dr. Chrissi Hart, and the CD Pascha: Come Receive the Light by Eikona. For a chance to win, simply write to Dr. Hart at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/**/ and tell her which "Grapevine" reading you have enjoyed the most, as well as what you love about Pascha. The winner will be announced on April 10, 2015.

"Saint John the Theologian and Evangelist," from The Four Evangelists by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

Josiah and Julia Go to Church by Kelly Ramke Lardin, illustrated by Sheena Hisiro (Conciliar Press, 2011)

"Saint John Chrysostom," from The Lives of Our Saints, Illustrated Biographies Book 8 (Spiritual Fragrance Publishing, 2012) Available from Spiritual Fragrance Publishing.

From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart, part one, by John Kosmas Skinas (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2014)

From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart, part two, by John Kosmas Skinas (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2014)

From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart, part three, by John Kosmas Skinas (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2014)

From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart, conclusion, by John Kosmas Skinas (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2014)

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.