Fr. Evan and Fr. John answer questions regarding the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Russian Orthodox Church, Greeks and the English language, and the Orthodox teaching on praying for the dead.

Fr. Evan Armatas welcomes Bishop John Abdallah of the Antiochian Archdiocese to talk about pastoral counseling, the OCAMPR Conference, and several questions from the audience. Included were questions about the Western Rite and Halloween.

Fr. Jordan Brown joins Fr. Evan Armatas as guest co-host tonight and their very first call is from Australia!

Meet John, one of the treasures at the Mission. Taken from Walking Humbly: The Holiness of the Poor, by St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Listen to reflections of Christmas morning at the mission, from volunteer Mary.

Stories shared by Brother Luke of St. John the Compassionate Mission.

A story written by Fr. Nicolaie.

Members of the community reflect on the margins of our existence; where seemingly-forgotten people dwell; and yet, in the margins is where they find their faith strengthening...

a useful case study given the current debacle stemming from WordPress's "benevolent dictator for life" model #

inflation was a painful global phenomenon, and every ruling party was punished for it regardless of political leanings #

It is a wonderful thing to know the Scriptures well, but there is a drawback: since we know how all the stories end, we can miss the drama inherent in the narrative. For example, In Luke 7:11f we can read about the grief of the widow of Nain, but since we know that her son’s death will end in his resurrection before he can be buried, we can skip too quickly from her sorrow to the happy ending and miss how terrible that grief must have been for her.

Fr. Apostolos reminds us that unless we see our salvation in the face of Christ, there is no particular reason for joy at Christmas.

Fr. Apostolos Hill gives a straightforward line-by-line examination of the Gospel message in John 3:16.

Fr. Apostolos Hill speaks on the theme of the Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross with a challenge to consider that we have been viewing the Cross incorrectly; e.g. as an impediment to our happiness and not as the cause of joy in the life of the redeemed.

Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem

The Resurrection of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

St Thomas Sunday - Second Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Paralytic - Fourth Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman - Fifth Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Blind Man - Sixth Sunday of Pascha

Great Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Even though we live in a pluraistic society, Orthodox Christians must uphold the uniqueness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fr Tom teaches us that Christ and the Cross are not simply one way to the Father, but the only way. (Sunday before the Elevation of the Precious Cross)

On this first Sunday of Lent we celebrate the historical Triumph of Orthodoxy over the Iconoclasts. Fr Tom reminds us that we also need an ever-present Triumph of Orthodoxy in our lives to fulfill the evangelical call of Christ. (Sunday of Orthodoxy)

On the feast of feasts we celebrate the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fr Tom reminds us that our joy on this uniquely singular day also comes from the hope that God Who began this marvellous work in His Son will also complete it in us. (The Holy Pascha)

Eight days after the Lord's Resurrection, Jesus appeard to Thomas in His glorified body, manifesting the power of God's Kingdom. Fr Tom reminds us that the Lord grants us His Kingdom, here and now, and we recieve it when we are faithful. (Second Sunday of Pascha)

As Christians, we have been raised to a new life with Christ in baptism. Fr Tom reminds us that as we grow, we must constantly cooperate with God's grace by asking ourselves if we truly want to be healed. (Fourth Sunday of Pascha - Healing of the Paralytic)

The eternal Word ascends to Heaven in His resurrected body, receiving the glory He had with His Father before the world began. Fr Tom reminds us that Christ does all this so that He can share this heavenly life with us. (Sunday after the Ascension)

Before we enter into the Passion Week, the Holy Church gives us the festal celebration of our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem. Fr Tom reminds us that, like Christ, we are to remain faithful and joyful on the way to, or in the midst of, the various crosses that we might face in our life.

On the eighth day after Pascha, we remember the appearance of the resurrected Christ to St Thomas and the apostles. Fr Tom reminds us that, as Orthodox Christians, we live in expectant hope of our own resurrection to eternal life, Christ Himself being the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep, the first-born of the dead.

At the foundation of our life as Christians, we are given the gift of new life in baptism. Fr Tom reminds us that this baptism is given to us not to escape the crosses and illnesses of this life, but rather so that we can endure them.

We fully experience the joy of the Resurrection when we worship God during the divine services. Fr Tom reminds us that, by the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom of God is manifested to us when we know in truth who God is and who we are. (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)

Though we have the revelation of the one God in Christ, people the world over are free to believe in the god of their choosing, or no god at all. Fr Tom reminds us that as Orthodox Christians, though we firmly believe in the right to religious freedom, we must always assert to everyone the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ, because what we believe about God matters. (Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council)

The story of the appearance of Christ to his disciples on the evening of the Resurrection, as well as eight days later, richly demonstrates the importance of gathering together on the Lord's Day - Sunday. Fr. Thomas Soroka reminds us that our gathering together allows us to experience the coming eternal kingdom here and now. (Antipascha - St Thomas Sunday)

The Samaritan Woman encountered the giver of Living Water at the well of her forefathers. Fr Thomas teaches us that we must seek the Living Water Who is pure Truth, and ourselves be clean containers to receive the grace that God grants to us.

In order to further prepare our thoughts for the coming of Great Lent, the Church presents us with our Lord's description of His return in glory. Fr Thomas reminds us that the Last and Final Day is both terrifying and awesome, dread and joyful, as we prepare now in this life for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Sunday of the Last Judgment)

Orthodox Christians around the world will embark upon the most important time of the year, Holy Week, leading to the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. Fr Thomas reminds us that Holy Week is our opportunity to experience the value of Christ above all things in our life. (Palm Sunday)

In the story of the Samaritan Woman at Jacob's Well, Jesus has a life-changing conversation with her. Fr Thomas reminds us that each one of us needs to have this conversation with God, which can ultimately lead us to put Him first above all things. (Fifth Sunday of Pascha)

In the healing of the man born blind, Jesus heals not only his blindness, but also his spiritual understanding. Fr Thomas reminds us that just as the man born blind came to a fuller revelation of who Jesus was, we too must also allow the mercy and grace of God to heal us in order to experience Him in a deeper way. (Sunday of the Blind Man)

The accusation is sometimes leveled against Orthodox Christians that they are "concerned with symbols over substance." Fr Thomas reminds us that both symbols and the meaning behind them are important for deep faith in God. (Sunday before the Elevation of the Cross)

The celebration of Palm Sunday is juxtaposed against the dark events that we experience in the life of Christ during Holy Week. Fr Thomas reminds us that our Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem is an example of having the "peace from above" even if you're marching to the Cross.

On the Sunday after Pascha, we commemorate the Lord's appearance to His disciples and St Thomas's proclamation, "My Lord and My God!" In this practical and helpful message, Fr Thomas teaches us three important points from this story to help us turn unbelief into belief.

In Christ's encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, we find the Master Teacher deftly bringing her to faith in Him. Fr Thomas relates this gospel message to the imperative of sharing our own story of faith in Christ with those who are thirsting for God.