Gen Z is well known for being social media savvy. But not all platforms are created equal, and with new trends emerging it can be hard to keep track of where Gen Z is spending its time. In this blog, we’ll walk through the apps where you’re most likely to find this cohort scrolling, liking, and viewing, covering the following topics: 

• What social media app has the highest reach among Gen Z? 
• What social media app has grown the fastest among Gen Z?
• How does Gen Z’s social media usage compare to the general population? 
• How does Gen Z’s social media usage compare to other age groups? 

Picture this: The leaves are starting to change, the days are getting shorter and school is back in full swing. These telltale signs can only mean one thing. Fall has arrived.  

Wimbledon 2023 wrapped up with a men’s final tennis masterclass, and social media didn't miss out on the action.

Despite a drive to simplify everything - Fr. Stephen contends that Orthodoxy describes not a simplicity but a fullness of life and invites into that fullness and not just a small religious corner.

Fr. Stephen speaks about the crisis of a "Churchless" Christianity

One of the temptations of our secular age is the public drive to make religious faith a "private" matter. Fr. Stephen looks at this tension within our culture and the importance of the Christian public response.

Fr. Stephen reflects on the complexity of the human heart through the work of Dostoevsky.

Fr. Stephen looks at the aspect of seeing the world in wonder—an experience shared by both Christian and non-Christian—and suggests, following St. Gregory of Nyssa, that it is the place where our faith should begin.

In his inaugural podcast, Fr. Stephen describes the Orthodox view of the world in terms we can all understand.

Fr. Stephen continues his look at the world from an Orthodox perspective.

Continuing with his illuminating series, in part four Fr. Stephen Freeman discusses those (both non-Orthodox and Orthodox) for whom knowledge of God is but a relationship with a book (albeit a sacred book) or with ideas about God. These people are what Fr. Freeman calls "practical atheists." "Although a person may espouse a belief in God, it's quite possible for that belief to be so removed from everyday life that God's non-existence would make little difference."

Fr. Stephen looks at the way icons help us to see the world as it truly is rather than as a window to a "second story."

"It's not until we cease to divide the world into ordinary and extraordinary, into usual and unusual, into sacred and secular, that we will have either the possibility of knowing God, much less living the Christian life." — Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some honest thoughts on the sacrament of marriage and its importance in our culture.

Fr. Stephen Freeman shares about the importance of the sacraments in our lives - particularly in light of the Bible verse that says, “There is but one mediator between God and man, the man, Christ Jesus.”

The post Mastering Blog Post Creation: 10 Essential Steps to Enhance Your Writing Process appeared first on ProBlogger.

It hits you like a TON of BRICKS! It’s an idea for that KILLER blog post that is just bound to bring you all the traffic that you’ve ever dreamed of. With the idea fresh in your mind you sit down at your keyboard and BANG it out – desperate ...more

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The post How to Approach Influencers in Your Niche: Twelve Crucial Tips appeared first on ProBlogger.

Do you want to connect with influencers in your niche? Most bloggers do. But many of them go about it the wrong way. Forming relationships with influencers is something you really want to get right. Done well, it’s one of the best ways to grow your audience and brand. And hopefully ...more

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In this episode, recorded live on Facebook, Nicole discusses her experience of Holy Week prior to becoming Orthodox by reading from the Conclusion of Time and Despondency. Readers from Facebook join in with thoughts about how their impressions and experiences of Holy Week have changed over the course of their lives. The intro and outro of Time Eternal are "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy," by Kai Engel.

In which Nicole joins her local priests and dear friends, Fr. Geoffrey Ready and Fr. Yuri Hladio, on a discursive quest to integrate the Sabbath into the theology and cosmology of the Eastern Orthodox faith. Fr. Geoffrey is the priest of Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Mission (OCA) in Toronto as well as the Director of the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College. Fr. Yuri Hladio is the priest at St Maria Orthodox Mission (OCA) in Hamilton, Ontario and graduated with his MDiv from the Orthodox School of Theology in May 2020. Together they host the Enacting the Kingdom Podcast. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: 1) The Enacting the Kingdom podcast: https://www.patreon.com/enactingthekingdom 2) LIVESTREAM: Sep 23, 2021 (7PM EDT) of Enacting the Kingdom: youtu.be/gNrMS-hFrvk 3) The Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College: trinityorthodox.ca The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Bill is joined by special guest Eric Namee. Eric is a successful lawyer who also serves as the Chairman of the Virginia H. Farah Foundation. The Farah Foundation has helped hundreds of Orthodox ministries with grants for programs meeting their criteria. Eric is also working with the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in an advisory capacity.

Joining Bill and Fr. Barnabas is Dr. Ann Bezzerides, the Director of the Office of Vocation and Ministry at Hellenic College/Holy Cross. Together they bring empirical and practical perspectives in assessing the existing challenges and focusing on workable solutions that parishes and parents can implement.

Bill focuses on 5 of the critical dimensions of effective Orthodox Christian Servant Leaders and some of the latest research and best practices materials on the subject, as well as the teachings from Holy Scripture and the Church Fathers on how to cultivate better leaders within our churches and ministries.

Join Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Archbishop Elpidophoros, Orthodox Church in America Chancellor Very Reverend Dr. Alexander Rentel, Antiochian Orthodox Church Archdiocese Chancellor Very Reverend Thomas Zain, and Bill Marianes for a very special HAGIA SOPHIA Stewardship Calling Ancient Faith Radio program. The discussion centers on the decision in Turkey to turn the historic cathedral into a mosque. For many more resources on this subject including specific things YOU can do visit the Stewardship Calling website.

Learn how to inspire the youth and emerging adults in your communities and families to find great meaning and purpose in serving others through their churches from inspirational millennials doing just that. Hear from the amazing Alyssa and Niko Kyritsis who are each doing great things to help bring people closer to Christ and each other.

Many people are systematically allowing themselves and their children to become more depressed and addicted to dopamine through social media and smart phone use. These two, highly-addictive and codependent tools have been proven to magnify a sense of loneliness, inadequacy, despair, and helplessness as we are swept into an "attention economy." Church social media guru Fr. Barnabas Powell and Bill Marianes will review the data on social media dopamine addiction and discuss effective strategies you, your churches, and families can use as we explore how to use social media positively and focus on WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) with the power of social media.

Join Bill Marianes for a conversation about the Clergy Family Initiative with project members Dr. George Koulianos, Dr. George Stavros, and Presvytera Nicole Keares. They'll share the latest empirical research on the issues faced by clergy families, and things we can do to make their lives better.

Join Bill and Dr. Barry Doublestein to find out what a Christian worldview is, how to define and clarify yours, and learn what you can do to become a Christ-centered leader who is worthy of being followed.

Frederica speaks at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, about Orthodox spirituality and the Jesus Prayer.

Frederica shares her perspective on the legalization of gay marriage.

Frederica and her husband Fr. Gregory discuss the pilgrimage they will be making to Russia in July of 2011—a trip that you can take with them via Orthodox Tours.

Frederica uses the recorded comments of a Buddhist monk to examine the similarities and differences between Orthodox and Buddhist beliefs, particularly as they relate to anger and forgiveness.

Frederica interviews her musician son David Mathewes about music composition, as well as his new CD titled Magnolia.

Frederica interviews Dn. Mark and Mat. Elizabeth Barna, authors of A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition, published by Divine Ascent Press.

Frederica explains to non-liturgical Christians why the actions of the recently convicted Russian protest group were sacrilege and especially insensitive to the Orthodox individuals who remained faithful throughout the Soviet era.

Frederica reflects on giving to the needy, countering the cultural beliefs that the poor have nothing to offer, that it is okay to be consumers and not producers, that we must despise the wealthy, and that charity must go through an established organization.

Frederica reads the narrative of Peter's denial of Christ from St. Romanos the Melodist.

Frederica discusses a controversy that erupted online over her comment on gay marriage, and concludes that it is time for Christians to stand together on this issue.

Frederica shares the story of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg and reads her akathist hymn.

Frederica shares the results of a new survey conducted by The Institute for Pro-Life Advancement regarding the changing view Millennials have towards abortion, as published in The Washington Post on June 30, 2016.

Why does Jesus often tell people not to talk about their healings? I have a theory.

Frederica shares the story of St. Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia on his feast day.

Frederica speaks on many college campuses, both secular and Christian. You may be surprised by her observations related to the Christian colleges!

We are walking with Frederica in a shopping mall today only to be bombarded by inappropriate images from a certain famous store.

Frederica speaks with the Orthodox Christian Book Club about the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the topic of prayer.

As Christians seek to form a community, the fitness phenomenon, CrossFit, has a great deal to teach us! Join Christian this week in exploring how CrossFit can show the Church what it means to be a community.

On March 25, exactly 9 months before Nativity, the Church celebrates the Annunciation to the Theotokos that she will be the Mother of God. God's declaration through the angel Gabriel, however, had a contingency attached. Listen to find out what it was.

The next interview from Albania is with veteran OCMC missionary Nathan Hoppe. Fr. Tom references a recording of Nathan's late wife Lynette made only a week or two before she died. That recording was featured on AFR in an interview with Fr. Luke Veronis and can be heard HERE. You can purchase Fr. Luke's book by clicking HERE. For Lynette's pictorial album about the re-birth of the Church in Albania, click HERE.

In his continuing interview series from Albania, Fr. Tom interviews four US missionaries including full time OCMC missionary Pamela Anastasia Barksdale.

In his final interview series from Albania, Fr. Tom talks with John and Aleks from the Resurrection School of Theology in Albania.

Fr. Tom follows up on his thoughts on suffering and pain by looking specifically at the events of 9-11-2001.