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Thomas Sunday

Father Thomas educates us on why the Sunday a week after our Lord's Resurrection is also called Antipascha.




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Exploring the Scripture Readings from the Sunday After Ascension

On the Sunday after Ascension and before Pentecost, the appointed Scripture readings for the Divine Liturgy have striking similarities between the Apostle Reading (Acts 20) and the Gospel (John 17:1-13). Read these 2 "farewell addresses" and then listen to Fr. Tom's teaching that he recorded in his study following the Liturgy.




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Personal Prayer

Fr. Tom is frequently asked about personal prayer and how the Orthodox Christian should approach the life of prayer at home.Today's episode gives practical and biblical direction particularly as we begin the Nativity Fast.




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The Eucharistic Prayer of St. Basil's Liturgy

During Great Lent, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is prescribed in Orthodox Churches. Fr. Tom appeals for the audible use of that prayer for the blessing and edification of all.




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Halfway Through Lent

Fr. Tom sees a significant reality at this midpoint of Great Lent after the Sunday of the Cross.




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The First Three Days of Holy Week - Part 1

In a 6 part reflection, Fr. Tom Hopko examines the first three days of Holy Week and the significance of the scripture and verses as we prepare for Great and Holy Pascha. In this first episode, he gives an overview of the 3 days and the services we will be a part of.




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The First Three Days of Holy Week - Part 2

In part 2, Fr. Tom reflects on the Bride, the Bridegroom, and the garments. Why was the man with no wedding garment cast out?




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The First Three Days of Holy Week - Part 3

Next is the parable of the fig tree and the imagery of leaves and fruit.




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The First Three Days of Holy Week - Part 4

Then we have Joseph and his brothers showing us through this intricate biblical story, the imagery of Christ and His Passion.




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The First Three Days of Holy Week - Part 5

In the 5th episode, Fr. Tom reflects on the conflicts between Christ and the leaders of the day.




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The First Three Days of Holy Week - Part 6

Finally, Fr. Tom looks at the Harlot and Judas depicting two diverse models for the treatment of The Christ.




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10 Simple Ways to Make Your WordPress Site Faster

I've become obsessed with site speed over the last six months, systematically working through each of my sites to improve their speed. Supposed SEO benefits aside, the faster your site is, the better the user experience. And the better the user experience, the higher the conversion rate – sales, leads or newsletter subscribers; whatever a…

The post 10 Simple Ways to Make Your WordPress Site Faster appeared first on Sugarrae.




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27 Detailed Ways to Generate New Blog Post Ideas

Coming up with good topics for your blog posts can be a struggle, especially after you have been blogging for a while. When I get inspired, blogging is easy for me. When I have to sit down and write like it's homework because I need to publish two posts one week, I often sit there…

The post 27 Detailed Ways to Generate New Blog Post Ideas appeared first on Sugarrae.




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Priest Says “Pull Out Your Phone”

In a move as shocking as reading the lyrics to popular songs in church, Fr. Joseph asks the folks at St Joseph/Houston to pull our their cell phones!




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Paschal Prayers

Like a flash, Pascha and Bright Week are upon us—and if we are not paying attention, the new way to pray may slip our minds. Fr. Joseph offers a refresher on praying during Bright Week and the Paschal season.




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Every Day is Not Pentecost

On the priest shortage, sunshine, rain, and zucchini: We must be faithful in the valleys (and the peaks).




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The Struggle to Pray ... at Home

Prayer is not simply talking to God, worrying in Jesus' name—or watching a live-stream!




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The Best We Can Do . . . These Days

Our circumstances of late have revealed all sorts of warts and ailments, weaknesses, doubts, and fears. What's the best we can do these days? Fr Joseph answers.




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Paschal Prayers

Like a flash, Pascha and Bright Week are upon us—and if we are not paying attention, the new way to pray may slip our minds. In this encore episode of The 153, Fr. Joseph offers a refresher on praying during Bright Week and the Paschal season.




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It's Okay to be Itty-Bitty, But

Jesus says the disciples could not exorcise a demon because of their little faith. He then went on to say that faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains. Huh?




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The Divine Liturgy and Personal Prayer

Some say they go to church to "pray," but is that why we gather together as a Eucharistic Community? Fr. Tom explains the differences between our worship together and our personal prayer life.




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The Prayers for the Bishop

Before the liturgy begins, there are prayers that are said as the bishop and priest enter. Fr. Tom explains those prayers in this 22nd episode.




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The Two Prayers of the Antiphons

After the hymn, "O Son of God," the next antiphons are sung in the Divine Liturgy. O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 1

Fr. Tom has come to the point in the Liturgy where we sing the first of two Thrice-Holy hymns. This one is in the Liturgy of the Word: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us."




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 2

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the Trisagion Prayers - "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us" - and talks specifically about the recipient of this prayer. Is it Christ or is it the Holy Trinity?




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 3

Fr. Thomas continues to describe the "Little Entrance" in the Divine Liturgy when the Trisagion hymn is sung. In this episode he talks about the hymn and prayer when a priest is presiding.




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 4

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the Little Entrance and how it is done when a priest is presiding as opposed to a bishop.




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 5

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the "Little Entrance" but now how it is done when a bishop is present.




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 6

Fr. Tom concludes his comments on the Little Entrance and the singing of the Trisagion Hymn when a bishop is present.




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The Prayer Before the Gospel Reading

Fr. Thomas reflects on the prayer read by the priest or bishop just before the Gospel reading in the Divine Liturgy.




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Pray For All - St. John Chrysostom

In the last episode, Fr. Tom was talking about the Litany of Fervent Supplication and emphasizing the need to pray for everyone, not just Orthodox Christians. Today, he reads from Homily 6 of St. John Chrysostom's commentary on I Timothy which affirms that requirement.




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The Offertory Prayers

Today Fr. Tom speaks about the importance of the offertory prayers said after the Great Entrance. In particular, he talks about how they are prayed in the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.




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Saints Peter and Febronia of Murom, and the Day of Family, Love, and Fidelity

Fr. John shares his homily from the Sunday of Family, Love, and Fidelity, a new commemoration just established by the Russian Church.




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Zacchaeus Sunday

Fr. John shares his homily on Luke 19:1-10.




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The Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Fr. John shares his homily on Luke 15:11-32.




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“As it was in the Days of Noah”

Fr. John shares his homily on Genesis 6:5-8.




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The Way of God's Statutes

Fr. John returns to the series on Psalm 118, and discusses verses 33-40.




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The Day Christ's Ministry Began in Galilee

Fr. John shares from Mark 1:21-39.




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What Did Jesus Say?

Fr. John discusses an Orthodox Christian response when asked, "What did Jesus say about homosexuality?"




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Prayer: the Mirror of the Soul

Fr. John talks about prayer, using the story of the widow's mite.




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All Saints Sunday

Fr. John talks about All-Saints Sunday, and the importance of giving yourself to God without reservation.




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The Prayer of a Sinner

Fr. John Whiteford uses John 9:31 to answer the question: “Does God hear sinners?”




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You Get What You Pay For (Father's Day)

Fr. John Whiteford discusses the importance of respect for fathers.




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The Chinese Martyrs and the Choices We Face Today

Fr. John Whiteford tells about St. Mitrophan, the first Chinese priest and martyr of the Boxer Rebellion, and encourages us to stand firm in the Faith.




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All My Ways Are Ever Before Thee

Fr. John Whiteford discusses and reads from the Psalms chapter 118 and 119.




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The Two Wings of Prayer

Fr. John Whiteford speaks about the two wings of prayer: fasting and almsgiving.




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That the Nations May Know Thy Salvation

Fr. John Whiteford uses Psalm 66 to instill the importance of sharing our light with the world.




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Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Fr. John Whiteford looks at Matthew 6:11, in the third sermon in his series on the Lord's Prayer.




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Sunday of Zacchaeus

Fr. John Whiteford uses the life (and stature) of Zacchaeus to encourage his listeners in their faith.




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Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Fr. John Whiteford uses the story of the Prodigal Son to remind us that we are never too far from the Love of God.