Bill Marianes provides a valuable and informative service for our listeners with this episode recorded in the midst of the Corona Virus. In the event of a pandemic or other disruptive crisis, there are at least 10 strategic areas where we as individuals, and our churches, can focus to address needs, live better lives and fulfill our mission and calling. This is a program every priest and parish council member should listen to and share.

Frederica examines the concept of non-violent resistance. Should we refuse to exercise any earthly power?

Frederica gives a lecture at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Barbara, CA, on Orthodox Tradition concerning the Theotokos.

A reading of the "Lost Gospel of Mary" (Frederica's name for it), from her book of that title. The scholarly name is "the Protevangelion of James" (or "protevangelium" in Latin). It is a timely story for Nativity Fast because it covers the Virgin's life from her conception through the birth of Christ and the slaughter of the innocents.

Frederica discusses the Protevangelion.

Frederica shares with us the special prayer entitled "Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children."

Frederica urges us to focus on the truly important aspects of our Orthodox Faith, rather than getting distracted by politics, scandals, or gossip.

Frederica reviews the final Harry Potter movie—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two.

On Fridays during Great Lent, it is the tradition of the Church to sing a hymn to the Theotokos known as the Akathist. These beautiful words were penned by St. Romanos the Melodist, and today Frederica reads her own translation of this inspiring hymn taken from her book, Lost Gospel of Mary.

As we approach Holy Week, you won't want to miss this powerful reading by Frederica of the Lamentation of the Theotokos written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book On the Life of Christ: Kontakia, published in 1994.

Fredrica interviews Polly Hillier, the Director of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, about the story behind the shrine.

Frederica argues that both men and women have a responsibility when it comes to impure thoughts in the male mind.

Frederica reads another selection from her new book Welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity, published by Paraclete Press.

Frederica shares the story of how God provided her a new car after an accident.

Doxacon is a gathering of Orthodox Christians with an interest in fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming. This year they asked me to deliver the lay keynote (conference theme: "Making Virtuous Decisions in Fiction"), and I confessed that I don't know much about those popular forms of media. So we compromised. First, I speak about Charles Dickens, and how some non-virtuous personal decisions affected his life and his writing; then my son, Fr. Stephen Mathewes, relates the "virtuous decisions" question to some popular books, movies, and videogames. At the end I came back with a few thoughts about bees. Enjoy!

Recently, I uploaded an old video to YouTube, of one of the strangest and funniest experiences I ever had with an interview. It was 1996. A producer for a viewer-call-in political talk show, "Capital Watch," phoned me about the work I was doing with a group called Common Ground for Life and Choice. We brought pro-life and pro-choice people together in dialogue, to get better understanding of each other's beliefs. (To get past misunderstanding so we could arrive at genuine disagreement, I used to say.) I put it on my calendar, and drove to the studio on Capital Hill. But while I was standing just off the set, waiting to be introduced, I heard the host say I was going to talk about common ground between Republicans and Democrats. I knew nothing about that. I didn't follow politics at all. But in a matter of seconds I had to walk on the set, sit down, and basically fake it for 20 minutes. I guess the producer had written "Common Ground" on the schedule without any further explanation, and that's what the hosts thought I was there to talk about. It's pretty funny. You can see me making guesses about what answer the hosts expected me to give, trying to sound like I actually knew something about the topic. Afterward I wrote a column about it, and how you can see someone on a talk show who appears to not know what they're talking about, "the idiot beside the potted plant." Well, that would be me. Watch the interview at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneiaHIiogA. Read the column at: frederica.com/writings/whos-that-idiot-next-to-the-potted-plant.html.

The Mother of our Lord is often a stumbling block for Protestants who are exploring Orthodoxy. Frederica Mathewes-Green discusses how to disregard medieval excesses, and see how the early Christians saw her.

Last week, we explored how Christ shows us the path of the Cross is the path of willing vulnerability. This week, Christian discusses the role of vulnerability in our lives as we seek close and intimate relationships.

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries!

After the disciples encounter Christ, they run through the dark night back to Jerusalem to share the good news with the other disciples. Join Christian this week as he explores what sharing Christ with others looks like for Orthodox Christians.

Ever noticed how your thoughts seem to impact your day in a big way? This week, Christian explores this phenomenon, pointing toward how our thoughts also impact other people.

Young people keep leaving the Church, and most of us are very concerned about this. This week, Christian explores this phenomenon through Attachment Theory and suggests that perhaps the Church is losing her young people because she has failed to be there for youth in the way that they need

This week, Christian explores how our lives are meant to be lived for others rather than used to serve ourselves.

Fr. Thomas relates the story of the icon not made by hand which is celebrated each August after the Dormition of the Theotokos. Could it actually be the shroud of Turin?

Fr. Thomas examines the life of the prominent Russian Orthodox dissident, writer and Nobel Peace Prize winner, who passed away just last month (Click here to order the "Solzhenitsyn Reader" recommended by Fr. Tom).

Whether you celebrate it on October 1 or on October 28 (traditions differ), you will enjoy Fr. Thomas' account of how the Mother of God protected a Constantinople church from an invading army, and how that inspires our own worship.

Fr. Tom teaches on this significant feast at the beginning of the Nativity season.

On August 15, the Church celebrates the Dormition of the Mother of God. Fr.Tom explores the theology associated with this Feast and the implications on our own resurrection.

Fr. Tom talks about the other canons of the fourth century in addition to the Council of Nicaea.

If we believe that the Orthodox Church is the True Church, how are we to relate to those in other faith traditions or even non Christians? Fr. Tom takes us to the Church Fathers for answers.

Fr. Tom continues to comment on the events of the 9th century concentrating today on St. Photius the Great and his relationship to Rome and the Filioque.

If you have ever wanted a deeper understanding of the Great Schism of 1054, this podcast will be of great interest to you. Fr. Thomas explores the religious and political environment of the 11th century and the people involved.

Fr. Thomas digs deeper into the Great Schism and the issues that inhibit a unification with the Church of Rome.

Fr. Tom takes up his series on the bishops and structure of the Church and moves to the 19th Century fall of the Ottoman Empire.

In August I published a post examining a common question in email marketing – do email subscription pop-ups work? The post detailed how I went about implementing pop-ups via OptinMonster (affiliate), as well as the results I attained in using them on two separate sites. Despite “most people” claiming they hate them, the results were…

The post Comparing Email Subscribers Acquired from Pop-Ups vs. Other Methods appeared first on Sugarrae.

Fr John Finley on the ills of being "community-less"—spiritual but not religious—in Yuma, Arizona.

Fr. John speaks at St Simeon Mission, Santa Clarita, California, on how the soul is not fed by bodily comforts.

Fr. Finley, with reference to potential “mass conversions,” explains what we must do to prepare.

Fr. John says, "Let us not be too quick to shun the newborn—whatever the means of conception—for thereon is found the image of God."

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

The last thing the world needs is more darkness. We don't need more "dark Christians." Fr Joseph serves up Convention "leftovers" at St. Joseph/Houston.

Fr. Joseph interviews Fr. Matthew Snowden of St Nicholas Mission/Jackson, Tennessee—on the struggles and joys of shepherding a fledgling Orthodox community

Fr. Matthew Snowden, pastor of St Nicholas/Jackson, Tennessee, preaches on Our Cross, and the Lord's Cross—and what have they in common?

Fr. Joseph visits a group of Orthodox Christians in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; listen in to hear what they're up to.

Fr Joseph chats with a teenaged catechumen who found Orthodoxy on her own—on the internet.

Fr. Joseph sits down with Deacon Damian Oweis and members of the new mission of St. Basil the Great in Bismarck, North Dakota.

As we approach the Cave wherein God becomes a Babe, may we, like His mother, be granted the gift of pondering. Fr Joseph in Chicago, 2010.

Fr Joseph engages in a bit of name-dropping: Rose, Rose Hill, Peter Heers, Peterson, Frederica, Hatfield, Pageau, Freeman, and more! But, really: What in the world is going on with all these inquirers and catechumens?

Fr Joseph interviews rockers Lacey and Josh Sturm. They talk about the struggles and joys of Orthodoxy, song writing, iconography, and the new album "Kenotic Metanoia" (available now).

In his continuing series on the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas reflects on the hymn sung at every Liturgy with its origins attributed to Sts. Justinian and Theodora in the sixth century.