an St. Timon and Assisting the World By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T20:49:14+00:00 On the occasion of the Sunday of St. Timon and his congregation's ongoing support of its sister parish in Bosra-Hauran, Syria, Fr. Philip LeMasters encourages us to avoid despair and work to alleviate the suffering of our neighbors wherever they are in the world. Full Article
an The Jesus Seminar and Gospel Accuracy By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T20:58:07+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley critically examines the hermeneutic of suspicion that marks modern liberal biblical scholarship. Full Article
an Choices of Joni and Brittany By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T21:01:00+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that Brittany Maynard took only this life—and not the life to come—into consideration when deciding to commit suicide. Full Article
an Evil and the Christian By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T21:04:48+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley reminds us that while looking at the nature of evil under a philosophic microscope is okay, far more important is the knowledge of how to avoid being involved in it. Full Article
an Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T21:19:55+00:00 According to Fr. Lawrence Farley, if the Muslim has no real exposure to or understanding of the Christian message, he might still be spared on the last day if his heart was in ignorance seeking the true God. Full Article
an Marriage and Sexuality By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T21:30:49+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters argues that it has always been a component of Orthodox teaching that the uniquely life-giving union of man and woman is unspeakably holy and a sign of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Full Article
an Physician-Assisted Suicide By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T21:33:56+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters presents an Orthodox Christian argument against physician-assisted suicide. Full Article
an Apologize and Keep Quiet Forever By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T21:35:57+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the traditional Christian Church should not heed impassioned demands that it shut up and say nothing when its central teachings are trampled, denied, and distorted. Full Article
an Christian Universalism By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-02-24T21:45:39+00:00 Will everyone be saved in the end? Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the Scriptures, the Fathers, and even Christ Himself all say no. Full Article
an Teaching Protestants About Saints and Icons By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-04-04T20:29:32+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters shares what he has learned over the last 25 years of teaching Protestants about saints and icons. Full Article
an The Elephant in the Room By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-04-10T03:13:58+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley addresses how the reigning theological liberalism of many Protestant traditions is the elephant in the room when it comes to ecumenical discussions regarding re-Baptism into the Orthodox Church. Full Article
an Elmer the Safety Elephant By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-05-17T04:16:07+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley identifies three rules that children should follow to avoid being harmed by the pornography pandemic. Full Article
an Who Was That Woman? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-05-17T04:18:07+00:00 Fr. Lawrence Farley investigates the identity of the woman who anointed Christ's feet before his trial and crucifixion. Full Article
an Embodied Persons: Male and Female By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-06-02T05:50:31+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters contends that the biological complementarity of males and females provides an important clue to the personal identity of human beings. Full Article
an Orthodox Witness in a Post-Christian Culture By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-08-27T00:27:47+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters argues that it is time for Orthodox Christians to be realistic and not panic about life in an increasingly post-Christian culture. Full Article
an Orthodoxy and Politics By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-10-01T17:20:01+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters, a professor of religion at McMurry University and the host of the AFR podcast Eastern Christian Insights, discusses how Orthodox Christians should approach politics. Full Article
an The Anaphora of St. Basil By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-01-09T20:44:31+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Religion at McMurry University, explains that St. Basil's Anaphora calls us to live out practically what we enact liturgically in response to the needs of the human beings whom we encounter every day. Full Article
an Contemporary Challenges in Marriage, Family, and Sexuality. By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-09-01T02:21:59+00:00 Fr. Philip reflects on the Eucharistic context of the pastoral response to contemporary challenges in marriage, family, and sexuality. Full Article
an Staying Christian in a Culture of Growing Hate By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2018-08-14T04:05:50+00:00 Dn. Michael Hyatt is the chair of the Ancient Faith Ministries board and a Deacon at St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church in Franklin, TN. Most people know him as one of the top leadership mentors in the country and the Founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, an online leadership development company dedicated to helping high achievers win at work and succeed at life. In this commentary (which is actually a sermon given at St. Ignatius), Dn. Michael assesses the impact of social media on people in general and Christians in particular. Be looking for the return of his Ancient Faith Radio podcast At the Intersection of East and West in September! Full Article
an Coptic Christian Massacre By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-03-29T20:42:04+00:00 Dan Bein, the most recent Media Student Leader of Orthodox Christian Fellowship and a Coptic Christian, comments on the recent bus shooting of the Coptic Christians in Egypt who refused to renounce their faith at gunpoint. Full Article
an Should It Matter to Christians When Churches Burn? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-05-22T03:25:18+00:00 The world watched in disbelief as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. But why should it matter? Fr. Andrew Damick has an answer. Full Article
an On the Ukrainian Church Controversy By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-02-01T01:22:17+00:00 Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick shares his thoughts on the controversial situation of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Are we looking at the situation through worldly eyes or through spiritual eyes? Full Article
an Spoons - One or Many? By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-06-10T16:08:45+00:00 On line discussions about using the common spoon or multiple spoons for the Eucharist during the pandemic has prompted this commentary by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou. Dr. Constantinou has been teaching Biblical Studies and Early Christianity at the University of San Diego since 2002. Previously she taught New Testament at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology from 1998-1999. She has led bible studies, taught and lectured on the Bible and Orthodoxy at parishes, conferences, retreats and seminars for over thirty years. Her Search the Scriptures Live podcast is a popular feature on Ancient Faith Radio. Full Article
an Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 1 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-28T21:14:42+00:00 Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 1 of Full Article
an Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-28T21:21:32+00:00 Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 2 of 4. Full Article
an Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-28T21:22:40+00:00 Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 3 of 4. Full Article
an Lent and the Pandemic Fallout - Part 4 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-02-28T21:22:56+00:00 Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 4 of a 4 part series Full Article
an On Political Power and the Kingdom of God By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-07-29T17:26:53+00:00 Fr. Philip LeMasters reads an essay he wrote for Jacob's Well, the official magazine of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (OCA). "What is the border between Christ’s Kingdom and the kingdoms of the world? The Savior said clearly that His Kingdom “is not of this world,” but the world is where we have to live out our lives as His followers. Throughout the Divine Liturgy, we pray for the salvation of all, peace for the world, and the wellbeing of our civil authorities and armed forces. To do this with integrity, we must discern how to deal with political and social matters in ways that not only convey the transcendence of the Kingdom, but also show how God’s will can be done, albeit imperfectly and partially, here on earth. The border between these realms is real, but not impermeable." Read the essay at https://issuu.com/jacobswell/docs/jacob_s_well_spring_2021_final/s/12860328. Full Article
an St Jacob of Serug: The Theotokos and the Archangel By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:18:26+00:00 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. Full Article
an The Theological Poetry of St. Gregory the Theologian By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:27:05+00:00 Reflections on the poems of St Gregory of Nazianzus, including his poems for morning and evening, of sin and of redemption; with a comparison to the hopeful proclamation of the funeral songs of the Church. Full Article
an A Forest Climb for St Athanasius and the Three Monks By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:28:22+00:00 Recorded during a forest walk, this week's broadcast considers a traditional saying regarding St. Athanasius' encounter with three monks on an island, and the relationship between doctrine and transfiguration. Full Article
an St. Symeon the New Theologian on the “Impossible Beauty” of the Life in Christ By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:51:59+00:00 In this fourth week of the Great Fast, when the Church commemorates the universal adoration of the precious Cross, our broadcast looks at an important passage by St Symeon the New Theologian, on being joined to the suffering Christ and so attaining the "impossible beauty" of His glory. We ask with the saint: how shall we approach such glory? Full Article
an St. Mary of Egypt and the Grace of the Holy Mysteries By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T15:58:18+00:00 During this week of Great Lent, wherein the Church reads the Life of St. Mary of Egypt, we explore a section of that text which reveals the relationship between "mystical theology" in ascetical life, to the grace of the Holy Mysteries in the Church. We are prompted to ask ourselves: Do I lose sight of the chalice in my desire to find Christ? Full Article
an St. Anthony of Egypt on Sobriety of the Heart By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:07:14+00:00 Turning once again to the testimony of St Anthony the Great, this week’s broadcast examines an incident in the great Father’s life in which the true heights of sobriety of heart are witnessed. Might this feed us in our own moments of struggle in the spiritual life? Full Article
an The “Wonderful and Confessedly Striking” Christian Manner of Life By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:08:38+00:00 Examining a passage from the anonymous second-century Epistle to Diognetus, Archimandrite Irenei explores the witness borne by the early Christian community and asks: does it reflect our Christian testimony today? Full Article
an St. Cyprian on the Community of the Lord's Prayer By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:33:22+00:00 What is implied in the "our" of the "Our Father"? In this week's episode, Fr. Matthew examines two passages from St Cyprian's treatise on the Lord's Prayer, which focus on questions of unity and community in the Son of God. Do we live this communion in our own life of prayer? Full Article
an St. John Chrysostom: Practical Guidance on Dealing with Others By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:49:58+00:00 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. Full Article
an St. John Chrysostom: Practical Guidance on Dealing with Others By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:50:22+00:00 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. Full Article
an “God Is There, Where the Understanding Does Not Reach” By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T16:52:00+00:00 In this episode, Fr. Matthew returns to the Life of Moses by St Gregory of Nyssa, and examines a key passage in which the Saint compares the ascent of spiritual life to Moses's ascent of Mt. Sinai. What does it mean to ascend into "darkness," to converse with God "where the understanding does not reach"? And how does Moses's example reveal the way in which all the Fathers and Saints draw the whole Christian family into deeper communion with God? Full Article
an The Contours of Christian Love By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:00:39+00:00 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? Full Article
an The Contours of Christian Love By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:01:23+00:00 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? Full Article
an St. Cyprian on Cain, Abel, and True Self-Sacrifice By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:04:54+00:00 What are we to make of the Genesis account of Cain and Abel? In this broadcast, Fr. Matthew examines a portion of St Cyprian of Carthage's Treatise on the Lord's Prayer that shows forth Abel as the first martyr, the example of true self-sacrifice. And it is a lesson with a practical aim: the quenching of anger and hatred, and the discovery of a life offered more wholly to God. Full Article
an St. Nicholas Cabasilas on the Assurance of the True Body and Blood By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:14:38+00:00 In every age, there is the temptation to doubt the Mysteries of the Church—to question how it is that the faithful should remain secure in believing that Christ makes Himself truly present in Body and Blood at the Holy Table. In this week' episode, Fr. Matthew examines an extended text by Nicholas Cabasilas on the substance of our faith in the Mystical Supper. Full Article
an St. Nicholas Cabasilas on the Assurance of the True Body and Blood By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:15:04+00:00 In every age, there is the temptation to doubt the Mysteries of the Church—to question how it is that the faithful should remain secure in believing that Christ makes Himself truly present in Body and Blood at the Holy Table. In this week’s episode, Archimandrite Irenei examines an extended text by Nicholas Cabasilas on the substance of our faith in the Mystical Supper. Full Article
an Remembering the Mother of God: St. Cyril on the Theotokos and the Incarnation By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:18:12+00:00 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. Full Article
an Remembering the Mother of God: St. Cyril on the Theotokos and the Incarnation By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:18:42+00:00 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. Full Article
an Glory to God Who Has Shown Himself to Us: St. Ephrem and St. John on the Nativity By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:20:52+00:00 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. Full Article
an Glory to God Who Has Shown Himself to Us: St. Ephrem and St. John on the Nativity By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:21:29+00:00 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. Full Article
an The Wonder of the Incarnation - St. Gregory the Theologian By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:22:44+00:00 We conclude the first series of A Word From the Holy Fathers with this fiftieth episode, in which Fr. Matthew examines a poignant reflection on "the wonder of the Incarnation" by St. Gregory of Nazianzus. The broadcast concludes with a small announcement about the conclusion of this series, and advance notice of its return with a new series in a month's time. Full Article
an A Friend of God, a Brother and Son of Christ By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2014-05-13T17:53:00+00:00 Beginning the second series of "A Word From the Holy Fathers," Archimandrite Irenei calls upon the spiritual homilies of St. Makarios the Great, reflecting on the saint’s profound question, "Do you wish to be a friend of God, and a brother and son of Christ?" What does it mean to be God’s "friend," and how should this affect how we see ourselves—and what God requires of us—as Orthodox Christians? Full Article