Fr. John Oliver considers whether blessings can be found in the midst of the unexpected suffering of mental illness.

Fr. John Oliver helps us to discover where true freedom lies.

Fr. John Oliver helps us to understand why life can be so hard, and how to find joy in the midst of the struggle.

Fr. John Oliver considers the mystery of the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, that is known most fully in the heart.

Fr. John Oliver wonders what might happen if we were to reach out for vital connection and deep healing.

Fr. John Oliver deepens our understanding of what is meant by "freedom."

Fr. John Oliver shares a remarkable story of service to inspire us to joyfully use our gifts in service of others.

Fr. John Oliver explains why we need the "Four S's" to energize our lives.

Fr. John Oliver invites us to think about how we would treat others if we had our own little island.

Fr. John Oliver discusses our responsibility to the lonely.

Fr. John Oliver explores the desire to change one's life.

Fr. John Oliver reminds us that we work out our salvation in the individual particulars of our own lives.

Fr. John Oliver talks about the crisis of exclusion...and its greatest remedy.

Fr. John Oliver reminds us of the true focus of Christian life.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the role evil and suffering plays in drawing us closer to God.

The Ancient Faith Men's Retreat runs August 22-25, 2024.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the true meaning of freedom.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on pride and humility.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on suffering.

What does it mean to have a discipline of prayer? Fr. Joseph helps us understand and introduces a new and helpful resource. If you are interested after listening, contact him at: St. George Orthodox Church 5311 Mercer Houston, TX 77005 Or, write him at the email adress above.

What does it mean to have a discipline of prayer? In this encore presentation, Fr. Joseph helps us understand and introduces a helpful resource: Visit the St Philip's Prayer Discipline website at: www.stphilipsprayerdiscipline.org.

Today we feature an interview with Fr. Joseph about his brand new book - Defeating Sin: Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever

Fr. Joseph manages to connect grandma with KISS, mama with a dirty slugger, catgut with a knee bone, wrestling with a loser, and God Himself with bending the rules -- all in under 12 minutes! (This episode is taken from the new audio version of "We Came, We Saw, We Converted: The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America", available from Conciliar Press.)

Listen to this exclusive "interview" with the author of a new (wink, wink) book on proper church etiquette.

Listen to this exclusive encore "interview" with the author of a book (wink, wink) on proper church etiquette.

Here's a remastered version of Fr Joseph's interview with Fr. Danislav Gregorio, author of the book, An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church, taken from the forthcoming audio book version of We Came, We Saw, We Converted.

As we begin the Nativity fast, Fr. Joseph has some helpful reminders for us. He's also looking for your questions on fasting - serious, humorous or otherwise. Write him at his email address above.

In this week's Ortho-Man sequel, Fr. Joseph can't understand the movie, gets knocked out, smells garlic, dreams of Popeye, quotes St Nicholai of Zica and ponders the mysterious identity of Psssst Man.

In the third and final episode of Ortho-Man, Fr. Joseph is led down a dark hallway by a mysterious stranger who reveals to him the similarities of Underdog, Batman, Pink Panther, Indiana Jones, Buzz Lightyear and ... Ortho-Man.

Has the latest news about the election, international struggles and the economy got you down? Well, take heart and fear not -- for the frost, my friends, is on the pumpkin!

Fr. Joseph delivers a brief newscast (sponsored by e-Hierarchy.com®) featuring Orthodox stories from around the country including this week's Person of the Week.

This week, Fr Joseph answers questions from AFR listeners. Topics include: annoying Orthodox phrases, wicked political emails, Palestine, women's ordination, and Waffle House.

This episode is taken from the forthcoming audio book version of "We Came, We Saw, We Converted." Fr. Joseph answers letters from AFR listeners which include: annoying Orthodox phrases, wicked political emails, Palestine, women's ordination and Waffle House.

What does a root canal, a story from Greek mythology and the OCA have in common?

Fr. Joseph joins Sir Paul McCartney, Alvin Chipmunk, José Feliciano and other Wailers in a journey down memory lane -- eschewing the worldly sounds of the season for some really bad (ghostly) percussion moments. Are you prepared?

What do Charles Dickens, Buzz Lightyear, Vladimir Lossky, the Carolina Panthers, the Baltimore Colts, Angels, Shepherds, George Frideric Handel and Kawasaki all have in common? Surely to goodness nothing but this podcast! Fr Joseph is visited by another "ghost."

With help from his daughter, Fr. Joseph tries to stay on pitch while singing Dan Idzikowski's "Superchristological and Homoousiosis".

With the recent falling asleep of Archbishop DMITRI of the Orthodox Church in America, Fr Joseph was reminded of the many occasions in his presence—especially the one concerning his feet and His Eminence, which is included in this repeat episode. (Fr Joseph writes: "Forgive me; it’s silly really—obviously an attempt at humor by a fool. But even a fool can recognize the truth of . . . clay feet.")

With the election of a new Metropolitan for the Antiochians and fresh-from-seminary newly ordained men throughout the Church, one thing’s for sure: Their feet are the same as, well, yours! Here’s a three-peat on clay feet.

Father Joseph talks about possible titles for his forthcoming book: a humorous look at Orthodoxy in America. NOTE: For those keeping score, during the course of this podcast the following words will be mentioned: sycophant, bishops, titles, convivial, cult and Antiochian.

Whether it was the invite to his 30-year high school reunion, or the fantasy that he was losing his hearing, one thing's for certain: Nothing clears Disco like an oil change. Fr Joseph reminisces about the dance floor—whilst lying on the floor—at Jiffy Lube®.

At a 1,500 year "disadvantage" -- Aarr! -- St. Anthony the Great missed out on International Talk Like a Pirate Day. But, Fr. Joseph imagines what the desert dwelling Father might have said to disciples of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

It's not often that one gets scalped by a Christian, rarer still is when a priest willingly airs his failures (of "Biblical proportion"). Protestants may cheer this episode as much as the Orthodox, but with both sides on differing sides. This episode of the Orthodixie podcast eavesdrops on some arguments concerning Scripture and Tradition at St Michael's in Beaumont, Texas.

A Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, along with a Greek layman—unexpectedly—share a Thanksgiving campfire. What do you think happens?

In our last episode: a Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, along with a Greek layman—unexpectedly—share a Thanksgiving campfire. In the end, Fr Joseph asked: "What do you think happens?" This week, an answer (provided almost entirely from AFR listeners).

Just a few more weeks until the Nativity feast. With the fast, the shopping, the preparations ... how are you doing? Let us prepare? Yes. But regardless of how prepared we are, let us be thankful.

A vision of Brett Favre, along with the surprise of a Pittsburgh Steeler, join Fr. Joseph (a husky seventh grade boy) on the playing field of ... priestly ministry.

Fr. Joseph looks back on 2009 episodes of the Orthodixie podcast (and can't believe he didn't get fired) and looks forward to more jabs at American Orthodoxy in 2010.

Fr. Joseph gets lost in Houston, loses his wallet in the airport and becomes invisible at stop lights -- all from Dallas, Texas.

First it was "live podding," then the dread, the guilt and the heavens were separated from the earth (which, naturally, led to a parody of the theme song from "Green Acres"). Clean Monday blows through quickly; pigs don't fly, but kites do (and don't miss Fr. Joseph's fun outtakes at the very end).