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?

OCA Bishop of the Midwest Diocese

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.

Want to travel and serve the Church at the same time? Then consider joining one of the many OCMC Mission Teams this summer and serve in places like Alaska, Albania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda.

Learn about this beautiful new CD recorded in English and available from St. John of San Francisco Monastery

On Friday, December 18, 2009, His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest unexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord. The funeral vigil was held on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at 7:00 PM at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago. His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah presided and the homily was given by OCA Chancellor, Fr. Alexander Garklavs.

In this touching interview, His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah reflects on the life and memory of Archbishop Dmitri, recently reposed Bishop of the Diocese of the South in the OCA.

On Friday, December 18, 2009, His Eminence Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest unexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord. Details about his death are now available in our interview with Fr. John Zdinak, Chancellor of the Midwest Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America. Fr. John spoke to His Eminence only 2 hours before he died.

Bobby Maddex interviews Elizabeth Crispina Johnson, author of the Conciliar Press children's books And Then Nicholas Sang and What Do You Hear, Angel? Both books were illustrated by Masha Lobastov.

Bobby Maddex interviews Cheryl A. Tuggle, the author of the new novel from Anaphora Press titled Unexpected Joy, which is being billed as one of the first modern adult fiction books for Orthodox Christian readers.

A talk by Bishop Peter (Loukianoff) of Cleveland (ROCOR), given at the St. Herman's Conference in Houston, Texas, December 26, 2011. Our thanks to Fr. John Whiteford for making this talk available to AFR.

Metropolitan Jonah presided over the 2012 Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers held at Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in Linthicum, MD, and spoke on Orthodox unity in America.

Combined, Fr. John and Fr. Stephen have been involved with prison ministry for well over 50 years. From their experiences in this work, they speak on the important concept of "Ministry of Presence" that is truly vital for all Orthodox Christians to understand. This concept is brought to life by the stories they share from their ministries. This presentation was given in Houston as part of an Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry gathering. Fr. John Kowalczyk is the priest of St. Michael's Church in Jermyn, PA, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, a Chaplain at S.C.I. Waymart's Forensic Treatment Center for over 27 years, teaches at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary, and is the Director of their Field Education Program. Fr. John is a member of the Board of Directors of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry. Fr. Stephen Powley is the priest of St. John the Baptist Church in Pueblo, CO, and is the Assistant Director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry. He served as a Prison Chaplain for almost 26 years until his retirement in August of 2010. During that time he served as a chaplain in every security level of prison from minimum to maximum.

Archbishop Joseph delivers his inaugural comments at the Parish Life Conference for the Western Diocese of the Antiochian Archdiocese in San Francisco, California, after being named Metropolitan by Patriarch John X and the Holy Synod of Antioch.

Fr. Thomas Zain, Vicar General of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, joins us to talk about the upcoming enthronement of Metropolitan Joseph on December 6, 2014, in Brooklyn. More information is available at the Antiochian web site.

Our thanks to His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph for the generous amount of time he gave us in his office in Englewood, NJ for this open and honest interview. Hear his assessment of his first several months as Metropolitan as well as an understanding of his commitment to the Mother Church of Antioch, and his views on Orthodox unity.

Kevin Allen interviews Fr. Barnabas Powell about a brand new video project to help seekers discover the ancient Christian Faith. Learn about the Journey to Fullness initiative as Kevin and Fr. Barnabas discuss effective ways of doing outreach in the Orthodox Church.

Fr. Barnabas Powell joins us to make a big announcement about the Journey to Fullness video project!

Get to know Fr. John Parker, Chair of the Department of Evangelization of the Orthodox Church in America. Hear about his conversion to Orthodoxy as well as his views on evangelism.

John Maddex talks with St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield about a strategic job opening at the seminary. They are looking for a Managing Director of Marketing and Operations for SVS Press. Do you know someone who should apply?

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Joseph Lucas, a managing editor of a new Orthodox academic e-journal titled Rule of Faith: A Journal of Orthodox Thought.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Thomas Colyandro and Hieromonk Mark about the new Orthodox Monastery of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow in Monteagle, TN. Listeners can learn more and help support this amazing monastery here.

Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America joins Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick to talk tough ministry questions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. How do a bishop and his clergy struggle to minister in these conditions? What about new technology? How do we relate to government? Also joined by Fr. Thomas Zain and Fr. Nicholas Belcher, His Eminence addresses head-on the pain and difficulty we're all facing, covering practical matters as well as bigger theological and spiritual questions, collected directly from concerned listeners. This in-depth interview wraps up with questions on his time with St. Paisios, communing the non-Orthodox, and the future of monasticism in his archdiocese.

Bobby Maddex interviews Irina Paert of St. John's School in Tallinn, Estonia. Find out more about how you can support Orthodox education in Estonia here or by contacting Irina at irina.paert@pjk.ee

Bobby Maddex is joined by award-winning actor, Jonathan Jackson to discuss the new Theoria College of Filmmaking. Listeners can learn more about the college and apply here. Also, listeners can find Jonathan's book, The Mystery of Art, at the Ancient Faith Store.

The traveling mic of AFR goes all the way to Korce, Albania to interview Metropolitan John. He grew up in communist Albania, found Christ in a miraculous way, became part of the underground and illegal Christian Church, and is now a member of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Albanian Orthodox Church under the hierarchical leadership of Archbishop Anastasios. It's a powerful story of God's grace and provision under very difficult circumstances.

Bobby Maddex, the Director of Digital Media of Ancient Faith Ministries, interviews Fr. John Manuel, Greek Orthodox priest and author of the book, Fable Hood Trilogy; What I learned as a Child published by City Bear Press. Available for purchase on Amazon or at citybearpress.com

Bobby Maddex, the Director of Digital Media for Ancient Faith Ministries, interviews Dr. John Burgess, the James Henry Snowden, professor of Systematic Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Fr. Pat reflects on the Epistle to the Romans in light of the recent tragic events in South Carolina.

Fr. Pat discusses Peter walking on the water.

In the prologue to his Gospel, the Apostle John says “And the Word became flesh.” Fr. Pat considers three things, regarding the Word, that John did NOT say.

Fr. Pat looks at three stages and three sources of Josiah's moral instruction.

Fr. Pat looks at the life and character of Joseph the Betrothed: a model of God, and another David.

Joseph, in taking responsibility for burying Jesus, could no longer keep it secret. His assumption of that responsibility represented the resolve to make the commitment public.

With the coming of the Light, there are three responses: that of the Pharisees, that of the parents of the blind man, and that of the blind man himself.

On Palm Sunday, at the beginning of this saddest of weeks, St. Paul exhorts us, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice."

Fr. Pat explains why the Church emphasizes Christ's multiplication of the loaves and fish.

Prayer isn't a numbers game, it's about experiencing Christ's joy!

“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 24) We often think of faith as meaning either "certainty" (confidence that some idea is true) or "religiosity" (participation in a group's activities). But the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent is dedicated to Saint John Climacus, and the top rung of his "Ladder of Divine Ascent" describes faith. The Church presents faith in much deeper terms than we often admit. We'll learn by looking at how Abraham was faithful to God, while the disciples weren't. Because real faith is about placing ourselves in God's hands. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook (https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee172) to help you act on what you'll learn. You'll find a coupon code for "Effective Christian Ministry" in this week's workbook.

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12: 13) The Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday are a sort of bridge between Great Lent and Holy Week. These days also live in the tension between joy and betrayal. People are welcoming Jesus as the Messiah while others are preparing to put Him to death. Do who actually welcomed Jesus when He entered Jerusalem? It was those who were joyous and gentle: whose hearts were ready to be filled with the Holy Spirit so they could welcome the true Messiah. It was the children. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee174

Kyriacos Markides, Professor of Sociology (Univ. of Maine) and best-selling author of The Mountain of Silence, Gifts of the Desert, and his just-released Inner River, speaks about his journey from materialism to the world of shamans and back to the "mystical" Orthodox Christian faith of his youth.

We hear from a former moderator in Kenya who was left traumatised by his previous job.

Rejoice? The Archangel tells Mary that God intends to turn her life upside down and inside out! Then he goes away! Rejoice?