Recently, Fr Joseph had the good fortune to enjoy some warm spring days in the Northeast at St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he spent the weekend teaching, preaching, and hanging out with some wonderful young people at what's known as The Kids' Cafe.

From clerical-collar-wearing altar boys, to postpartum Paschal choir directors, to (apparently) Alice Cooper and KISS attending the Paschal Matins ... Fr. Joseph's seen it all. And you've never heard the Good News till you've heard it read in German, with a Japanese twist, and a Southern accent.

From clerical collar-wearing altar boys to (apparently) Alice Cooper and KISS attending the Paschal Matins -- Oh, and you've never heard the Good News till you've heard it read in German, with a Japanese twist and a Southern accent. (In this "blast from the past," Fr. Joseph even describes how to get one's choir-directing wife to "do her job" only 48 hours after giving birth!)

Fr. Joseph revisits the Lenten Superlative Awards, Bright Week and the remainder of the Feast (someone needs to tell him that—although meat, dairy, and cheese are now allowed—singing is not required).

On this special edition of the Orthodixie Podcast, Fr. Joseph interviews the author of the new Conciliar Press book Aidan's Song: A Year in the Life of a Parish Priest. The book has been compared to the "Far Side" cartoon and the TV show Married With Children—but nothing quite compares to Fr. Aidan Wilcoxson's singing a rather surprising number on this very podcast. Aidan's Song is an insightful, moving, and often hilarious personal snapshot of a year in the life of a parish priest. Enjoy!

On a summer's day thirty years ago, three college kids set out on rafts for an 8-hour tour. But it was the punctured egos (more so than a raft's hole) that owe thanks to the Wolf River.

Fr. Joseph interviews the Development Director, Presbytera Shyla Hadzellis and her husband, Fr. Nicholas, about OCF and their presence at the recent GOA Clergy-Laity Congress held in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Fr. Joseph dedicates this program to the memory of Fr. Matthew MacKay, who would have appreciated the humor—he hopes.) This week the Orthodixie podcast catches up with the author of An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church, Fr. Danislav Gregorio, about his new book, Speedy Sacraments for Liturgical Losers.

Fr. Joseph interviews two Deacons of the Church – both hailing from, ahem, the “Old Country” – that is, one was reared in middle Tennessee and the other was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia [rimshot]. Enjoy!

The number of Orthodox Christians in America is greatly inflated in a recent survey; an anonymous Orthodox comments on a Christian caterpillar; and a Muslim converts to Christianity thanks to antidoron -- all this and more as Fr. Joseph reads letters from AFR listeners.

Since it is well known that he is a priest from the "Old Country," Fr. Joseph may want to be careful about offending the Farmer in the Dell or Mr. MacDonald. (This is Part 2, from Christ the Savior Church, Chicago.)

Last year's "listener supported" Thanksgiving podcast featured a Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, and a Greek layman, who—unexpectedly—shared a Thanksgiving campfire. Here are the combined episodes, slightly edited; stay tuned for details regarding this year's contest at episode's end!

The audio version of the book, "We Came, We Saw, We Converted: The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America" is the perfect gift for that special someone (you know, the one who's hard to buy for, and you might as well get them something for free!). Fr. Joseph is giving away free copies to those who send him their funniest Christmas Story—listen closely to this encore (re-gifted?) episode, "The Ghost of Past Christmas Presents" for details on how to win your free audio book download!

Due to a knock on the noggin, Fr. Joseph finds himself fast-forwarding toward Pascha and holding hands with a green elf at midnight in a church where everybody is clothed in their pajamas and the iconostasis has been replaced with ... dirty laundry?

In the last episode, Fr. Joseph encountered a little green church elf, Elton John, Lady GaGa, Archie Bunker, and Buzz Lightyear in pajamas. In this concluding episode, he tries to make sense of it all (with the help of Ol' Scratch).

Fr Joseph offers an "audio snapshot" of life at Camp St Raphael - 2011, Session One. (Oh, and for him to hear it, that fat lady will need to sing a little louder.)

Fr. Danislav Gregorio visits the Orthodixie studio to plug his latest publishing efforts, a series of Great Books that cover bachelor fasting, Orthodox evangelism, patience, and mindless middle-aged mishaps (among other things—perhaps even the most important thing).

Fr Joseph—in his previous life—rolled yards, bent forks, painted water towers, and was, on more than one occasion, killed by his father. (Some of which is actually true.) In the end, hats off to fear!

What's the difference between Orthodox Christians' participation on the internet and, say, secular scoundrels? Sometimes, it seems, not much. In this encore episode, Fr. Joseph admits that his foot has been been in his mouth but his tongue is still in his cheek. in other words: "Let's be careful out there!"

Fr. Joseph travels to Pennsylvania to deliver a series of talks based on the Didache. In this episode, excerpts from two OCA parishes: Holy Cross, Williamsport, and Christ the Saviour, Harrisburg.

Fr. Joseph offers a brief meditation on the beauty of fallen creatures—at least in His eyes!

A 3-year-old Thanksgiving "tradition": The Eighth Ecumenical Campfire—and contest. This year's contest winners will receive the new book by Fr. Michael Keiser titled Spread the Word: Reclaiming the Apostolic Tradition of Evangelism. Tune in to this encore episode for details.

From a retreat given in an historic Southern City featuring song snips from Johnny Rivers, William Warfield, and Paul Simon (just to name a few).

Fr. Joseph bumps into Mariah, the Grinch, and the Boston Pops, as he beats up a camera man, a mother, and a child—all in the name of "winter."

Fr Joseph looks back on the past year and is thankful that the basketball does not determine the wife; that space aliens did not kill him; that Fr Danislav is not a weekly guest; that Elton John and Lady Gaga were not singing in church at Pascha; that kids go to Camp; and, especially, that God forgives sinners (and fools). Thank for your support!

Recorded live at All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church in St Paul, Alberta, Canada. Fr. Joseph confesses that, for him, fasting from food ain't the problem.

Emerging from a long hiatus, Fr Joseph comes out of the closet (!) and runs into a bus full of bullies.

Fr. Danislav Gregorio returns to the Orthodixie podcast to hawk his new country music CD. (WARNING: You have been warned.)

Fr Joseph slips into something a little less comfortable, but it's what everyone wears in the Kingdom!

Fr. Joseph speaks in Belleville, Ontario, at a seminar hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Lovely folks, lovely place. But like many of us, they have their work cut out for them—keeping Orthodox Christianity ALIVE in that little place. Here follows a few snippets from our time together.

Just a few women, at first, raised their hands; later, all of them acknowledged their "sonship." If God's their Father, who's their Mother? Fr. Joseph speaks to gals and guys at St Nicholas Church, Shreveport, Louisiana.

Sometimes you can judge a podcast by its title!

Fr Joseph reminisces about Metropolitan Philip prior to the Trisagion for the Departed at St Joseph Church, Houston, on the Sunday of the Cross, March 23, 2014.

In this episode, which features a guest appearance by Fr. Danislav Gregorio, Fr. Joseph intends to show a vagabond who's boss! Hard to explain, but it doesn't quite turn out as planned.

You might not be a Jedi in the Fast, but you may be speaking Wookiee and not even know it! The struggling faster Fr. Joseph calls in the big lightsabers for help: The Mamas & the Papas, The Boss, John Williams, Mississippi John Hurt, Scarlett O'Hara, and Chewbacca.

From handling serpents rightly to singing services wrongly—not to mention girl crushes, bike crashes, and the lack of clairvoyance—the clergy of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America have tales to tell.

Why on earth are Aaron Copland, the Dubliners, Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, the New York Philharmonic, and a Muslim found in the same podcast? Simple! Maybe within the Light of the Resurrection we'll all turn 'round right.

All the hoopla about a former Olympic star so-called transitioning into the opposite sex (Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts, bathrooms, and blah blah) has just about sent Fr Joseph over the edge. He dreams of setting Fr. Danislav straight, or vice versa.

Fresh from a week at Camp St. Raphael, Fr. Joseph "heard the news of the day—O Boy!"

Using Hebrews 5:1 as his text—"For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins"—Fr. Joseph speaks of the manly beauty of St Raphael.

Fr. Joseph entertains questions from young people at Camp St. Raphael—proving, Darwin's Theory notwithstanding, that the more things change, the more they remain the same.

A sermon on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women reveals shocking news!

With the Fast upon us, Fr Joseph remembers longing for chocolate in Paradise. But that was then, this is Yuma.

As the following game show reveals, some of your favorite Bible verses might not be in the Bible!

Fr Joseph confesses his gluttony and lack of wisdom—also known as his trip to Lebanon.

Jesus cast the demons into the swine. What did that sound like? Fr Joseph, with help from the children of St Joseph Church, and a potent dish of Hopko, explains.

This ecumenical Thanksgiving tale has developed over the years—in large part thanks to AFR listeners. Enjoy!

It ain't easy being a Dry Fry Step Count Ascetic Athlete!

FYI, this episode is a gentle rant. It's not PC, but GTGFAT.

Sometimes we're too familiar with a Gospel passage. Fr Joseph's retelling of the story of Zacchaeus is, to say the least, a li'l diff.