This week we read Acts 6:1-7, the story of the selection of the first deacons, in light of Ephesians 4:10-13, Exodus 18:19-21, Numbers 17 and Deuteronomy 34:9. We rejoice in the wonder of how authority works in the Church, with every member given the Holy Spirit, while we offer our leaders special honor as they help us on the road to full maturity in Christ.

This week we consider how God humbly uses objects, especially the live-giving Cross, for our healing and transformation. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Galatians 6:11-18, Colossians 1:19-20; Numbers 21:4-9, Exodus 15:22-26; Proverbs 3:11-18)

This week we read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, probing its beauty, and taking the cue from St. Paul that we should understand the mystery of generosity through Psalm 111/112.

This week we read the fifth of the six “censing” psalms of Orthros, Psalm 102 (LXX)/ 103 (MT), and marvel at God’s invitation that we should bless Him. We are helped in understanding the Psalm by Hebrews 7:7, Colossians 1:12-13, James 2:13, and the blessed Augustine.

"Saint Paula," "Saint Jerome," and "Saint Moses" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations, written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

Josiah and Julia Go to Church by Kelly Ramke Lardin, illustrated by Sheena Hisiro (Conciliar Press, 2011)

"Apostle Paul," from The Co-Workers for the Gospel, Illustrated Biographies, Book 5, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Ursula," from Women of Faith, written by Calee M. Lee, illustrated by Lisa Graves (Xist Publishing, 2015)

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Preface, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 1, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 2, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 3, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 4, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 5, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 6, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 7, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 8, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 9, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Great Lent Unplugged: The Funny, Terrible, Wonderful Journey to Pascha, Chapter 10 and Conclusion, by Jean Hoefling (Regina Orthodox Press, 2007) Available on Amazon.

Dawn’s Gentle Light, "July 1914," by Renee Riva (Pink Heart Press, 2017)

"Saint Fulvianus," from Royal Saints: A coloring book with stories of saintly royalty throughout the history of Christianity (Draw Near Designs). Saints drawn by Marian Adams. Stories & Borders by Abigail Holt. Layout by Caroline Gann.

37. Book 1: The Holy Nativity of Our Lord: The Birth of the Messiah by Euphemia Briere (St. Nectarios Press, 1993) Book 2: The Miraculous Child: A Christmas Folktale from old Russia retold by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 2000)

129. A Pocketful of Seeds by Sylvia Leontaritis (Panagia Press, 2009).

Fr. Ted reminds us to be grateful to God our Creator, the giver of all good things.

Fr. Ted talks shares his thoughts on the Feast of the Three Hierarchs.

Fr. Ted urges those who have been born into the Orthodox faith to ask themselves hard questions about what they would sacrifice for Orthodoxy had they not been born into it. He reminds them to demonstrate Christian love and acceptance to catechumens.

This week's sermon was delivered by guest homilist Metropolitan Sotirios of Canada.

Fr. Ted warns us against forgetting that humility is an essential aspect of being a Christian.

Fr. Ted shares his Paschal homily. Christ is risen!

Fr. Ted reminds us that confession is a reconciliation.

Fr. Ted explains that secularism is when we live according to how we want to live.

Fr. Ted delivers a lecture in Calgary at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Church Lenten Retreat.

Fr. Ted explains why St. Peter and St. Paul are commemorated together.

If the window of our soul is clean, then light comes in and illumines all things.

We will be judged on what we know and how we live our lives according to that knowledge.

Fr. Ted calls us to a childlike gratefulness for the many gifts that we have been given by God.

Fr. Ted challenges two lies that we are taught growing up about being a Christian, and offers us a different way of living our faith in Jesus.

Fr. Ted addresses the uncomfortable topic of how we remove ourselves from the House of God.

Fr. Ted concludes his series on the House of God by reminding us of our need to be thankful to God for all of the undeserved gifts that He has given to us.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos helps us understand St. John of Ladder's call to ascend in the spiritual life.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos reflects on the Gospel reading from the Sunday of the Canaanite woman, and her perseverance to overcome the barriers she faced to reaching Jesus.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos explains the meaning of Jesus' parable on the forgiveness. This episode brings the podcast iSermon to an end after 425 episodes.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Torrey Honors professor at Biola University, talks about Christianity and Culture.

Here's a hint: It's wrong! Great stuff as Kevin Allen interviews this popular Orthodox priest, a senior editor at Touchstone Magazine.

The Orthodox Church is seeing an influx of graduates from Evangelical Christian colleges and universities, exploring traditional forms of historic Christianity. In this program Kevin Allen discusses this trend with two graduates of BIOLA University (Jesse Cone and Michael Unruh) who were recently chrismated.

Orthodox churches in America are separated into multiple ‘jurisdictions’ based on ethnic-national lines. Antiochian priest Fr Josiah Trenham (PhD.) speaks frankly and passionately about the subject and its implications, both spiritual and pastoral. Everyone may not agree with his perspective, but it raises important questions for the future of Orthodoxy in America!

In this episode, Kevin and Father Steven C. Kostoff discuss two views of the afterlife that separate the New Age/Eastern/Gnostic from the central historic Christian belief.

In this two-part series, Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen speaks with Eastern Orthodox priest and occult-specialist Father George Aquaro about the attractions and dangers of the metaphysics and practices of what is called the occult. From seemingly benign astrology to ghost-chasing, and Father George speaks extensively about these practices and what is behind them from the Orthodox Christian perspective. Do ghosts and apparitions exist, or are they necessarily demonic? This and other questions will be addressed in this fascinating two-part series you will not want to miss.

Listen to Part 2 of this fascinating concluding conversation between host Kevin Allen and Orthodox priest and occult-specialist, Father George Aquaro.