As we continue to celebrate the Elevation of the Holy Cross, we must remain on guard against the temptation of viewing our Lord’s Cross as merely a religious symbol that requires nothing of us. Through His Self-Offering on the Cross, Christ has conquered death and brought salvation to the world. But in order for us to share personally in His eternal life, we must take up our own crosses, deny ourselves, and follow Him. If we refuse to do that, then we will show that we are ashamed of our Lord and want no part in Him or His Kingdom. We will show that we prefer to continue in the old way of death rather than to enter by His grace into the heavenly reign.

Many are strongly tempted today to allow the problems facing our culture and world to distract us from growing to maturity in the Christian life and bearing good fruit for the Kingdom of God. That is perfectly understandable in light of our constant access to global media and the gravity of current events.

In the anecdotal introduction to a new reflection, Fr. John tells the story of the fall of Constantinople to the western crusaders in 1204, showing how this event, inspired in part by new claims of papal supremacy, resulted in the permanent separation of eastern and western Christendom.

In this episode, Fr. John discusses the immediate aftermath of the mutual excommunications of 1054 and the ways in which papal supremacy emerged as the main point of continued division between the east and the west.

In this episode, Fr. John discusses the coming of the crusades and the decisive role played by Pope Gregory VII.

In this final episode of Reflection 15, Fr. John discusses the thirteenth-century popes Innocent III and Gregory IX, showing the close connection between their efforts to advance papal supremacy on the one hand and direct crusades against the Orthodox on the other. He concludes the reflection by noting the recent meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew and placing it within the context of centuries of cultural division between east and west.

In this episode, Fr. John discusses Pope Urban II's calling of the First Crusade and the impact it and the crusades of the twelfth century had upon relations between the Orthodox and Roman Catholics.

In this introduction to the final part of Paradise and Utopia, Fr. John reads the prologue to his recently released book, The Age of Nihilism: Christendom from the Great War to the Culture Wars. The episode introduces the nihilistic philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the role compositions by Richard Wagner played in his formation. Included are musical excerpts of the latter's famous "Wedding March" and "Ride of the Valkyries."

Fr. John recorded these comments in his car on the way to the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers service in his region. He asks, "What is the difference between Triumph and Triumphalism?"

In these episodes, Fr. John Parker reads Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven by Saint Innocent of Alaska, a beautiful, simple, and short book on the basics of Christianity, authored by one of our North American saints. Introduction, pp.5-7. For permission to read, Fr. John thanks Holy Trinity Publications, Jordanville, NY. Indication, ISBN 0-88465-075-8, can be purchased at http://www.holytrinitypublications.com or at good bookstores and websellers everywhere.

In these episodes, Fr. John Parker reads Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heavenby Saint Innocent of Alaska, a beautiful, simple, and short book on the basics of Christianity, authored by one of our North American saints. "Part One: The Blessings that Jesus Christ has granted Us by His Death," pp 8-11. For permission to read, Fr. John thanks Holy Trinity Publications, Jordanville, NY. Indication, ISBN 0-88465-075-8, can be purchased at http://www.holytrinitypublications.com or at good bookstores and websellers everywhere.

In these episodes, Fr. John Parker reads Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven by Saint Innocent of Alaska, a beautiful, simple, and short book on the basics of Christianity, authored by one of our North American saints. "Part Two: How Jesus Christ lived on Earth, and What He Suffered for Us." pp 11-16. For permission to read, Fr. John thanks Holy Trinity Publications, Jordanville, NY. Indication, ISBN 0-88465-075-8, can be purchased at http://www.holytrinitypublications.com or at good bookstores and websellers everywhere.

Fr. John shares the Homily of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) for the Sunday of the Last Judgment.

Fr. John reflects on the the parallel reading of St. John’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles in light of the reception of converts on Holy Saturday.

Acts 10:21-33; John 7:1-13.

Acts 14:6-18; John 7:14-30.

Acts 10:34-43; John 8:12-20.

Acts 10:44-11:10; John 8:21-30.

Acts 12:12-17; John 8:42-51.

Acts 12:25-13:12; John 8:51-59.

Acts 13:13-24; John 6:5-14.

Acts 14:20-27; John 9:39-10:9.

Acts 15:5-34; John 10:17-28.

Acts 17:1-15; John 11:47-57.

Acts 17:19-28; John 12:19-36.

Acts 18:22-28; John 12:36-47.

Acts 19:1-8; John 14:1-11.

Acts 21:8-14; John 14:27-15:7.

Acts 21:26-32; John 16:2-13.

Acts 23:1-11; John 16:15-23.

Acts 25:13-19; John 16:23-33.

Acts 27:1-44; John 17:18-26.

Romans 1:1-7, 13-17; Matthew 4:25-5:13.

Romans 1:18-27; Matthew 5:20-26.

Romans 1:28-2:9; Matthew 5:27-32.

Ephesians 5:9-19; Matthew 18:10-20.

Acts 2:38-43; John 3:1-15.

Acts 3:1-8; John 2:12-22.

Acts 3:19-26; John 2:1-11.

Acts 4:1-10; John 3:16-21.

Acts 4:13-22; John 5:17-24.

Acts 4:23-31; John 5:24-30.

Acts 5:1-11; John 5:30-6:2.

Acts 6:8-7:5, 47-60; John 4:46-54.

Acts 8:5-17; John 6:27-33.

Acts 8:18-25; John 6:35-39.

Acts 8:26-39; John 6:40-44.

Acts 8:40-9:19; John 6:48-54.

Acts 10:1-16; John 6:56-69.

Acts 10:21-33; John 7:1-13.