If our youth and emerging adults do not understand and practice true Christian stewardship, we have sealed the regrettable fate of many of our churches. And yet, we have a relative dearth of resources or information available to teach true Christian stewardship to this most critical group of parishioners/stakeholders.Bill Marianes talks with Y2AM Director Steve Christoforou.

There are well over 1 million Americans who classify themselves as Orthodox Christians. And while fundamental theological beliefs and practices are very similar, we do not always speak with one strong and unified voice. On top of that, our Orthodox Patriarchs identified a Canonical anomaly in the way Orthodoxy has evolved operationally in the United States. This led some of our distinguished Patriarchs to want to resolve this anomaly and address our lack of unity. The result was the formation of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops. Its stated mission is to preserve and contribute to the unity of the Orthodox Church, and its goals include: 1. promoting Church unity in the United States; 2. strengthening the common pastoral ministry to all the Orthodox faithful and a common witness to all those outside the church; and 3. the organization of the Orthodox Church according to Canonical tradition. Ten years after its formation, what do you know about the Assembly of Bishops and what this distinguished group of over 55 Orthodox Hierarchs are working on? Tonight's program is devoted to a more thorough examination of the Assembly’s accomplishments and plans. Bill's guests include Metropolitan Gregory of the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Diocese and the current Secretary of the Assembly, Mark Arey its first Secretary, and Nicholas Anton its Director of Operations.

Bill introduces you to the amazingly talented and gifted Sarah Kroger. Sarah is a Christian singer/songwriter who has been leading worship services at a wide range of local, national, and international events for the past nine years. Her stewardship calling is to create a safe and prayerful space through her music in which people can encounter the love of God.

Professional communicator, Ken Futch, is a National Speakers Association Hall of Fame member and speaker and homily coach with over 35 years of experience. He offers practical ideas to help both clergy and laity improve all of their communications skills. Ken is one of the most engaging and inspiring presenters who has been in high demand throughout the country for decades. He is the author of the enjoyable and helpful book Take Your Best Shot.

Join Bill Marianes for a conversation with the leaders of Orthodox Volunteer Corps, the newest Approved Agency of the Assembly of Bishops. OVC leaders, Michael Sider-Rose and Kyra Limberakis, will share the exciting story of this transformational agency and help you understand how your youth and young adults can prepare for a lifetime through a year of service.Prepare

Leadership is a critical difference between the most effective and healthy Orthodox Christian parishes and ministries, and those not fulfilling their potential. If you’re a parish council member or ministry leader, join Bill to learn about the 6 Elements of the Stewardship Calling Orthodox Servant Leadership Model and how to apply them so your parish can fulfill its responsibilities and calling.

Frederica discusses the book The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios by Dionysios Farasiotis.

Frederica interviews Fr. Evan Armatas, priest at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Loveland, Colorado, about the St. Nectarios Education Fund.

Frederica interviews Joe Canby, an auto mechanic who doubles as a funeral director, about bringing funerals back into the Church.

Frederica shares an email she received which triggered thoughts on the important relationship between community and economy.

Frederica reviews the film Higher Ground, directed by and starring Vera Farmiga.

Frederica examines the concept of unity, arguing that the Eastern understanding of unity is different from that of the West. In particular, the unity of all Orthodox churches under a single hierarch is not desired by the East, which believes instead that it is enough for us to be unified under a common theology.

Frederica compares seeing a baby via sonogram to angels seeing us from heaven.

Frederica recounts two different occasions when she found a substantial amount of money on the ground.

Frederica discusses an article published by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware that distinguished praying that all will be saved from assuming that all will be saved.

"Our religion is founded on spiritual experience seen and heard as surely as any physical fact in this world, not theory, not philosophy, not human emotions, but experience." St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Drawing on some literary classics, Frederica grieves the loss of the value of character in our modern society.

Frederica Mathewes-Green offers an analogy for the way prayer sometimes “clicks” and becomes a genuine connection with God.

Boundaries are a confusing topic for Christians, often because we feel like we are supposed to be really nice and help everybody with everything. Join Christian this week as he explores the importance of boundaries for establishing Christian relationships as well as the implications of poor boundaries on the health of our relationships.

We can't share Jesus Christ with other people unless we know Him ourselves. Join Christian this week as he explores how Christ comes to meet us through the Scriptures and the Breaking of the Bread in Liturgy.

This week, Christian is joined by Jacob Saylor, youth director at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Together they explore some of the foundational points of building a Christian community.

Fr. Tom reflects upon Matthew 25:31-46, the Parable of the Last Judgment.

Fr. Tom reflects upon the expulsion of Adam from Paradise, one of the two themes of Forgiveness Sunday.

Fr. Tom considers the act of asking for forgiveness, as well as who it is we hurt when we sin.

On the second Sunday of Great Lent we remember St. Gregory Palamas and Fr. Tom instructs us on why he is so important in our theology about knowing the unknowable God.

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.

On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross.

It is at this point in our Lenten journey that the Church contemplates the instruction of St. John Climacus and his Ladder of Divine Ascent. Fr. Tom takes us step by step through this treasure and makes it practical for us non-monastics!

Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the Fifth Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is dependent on suffering with him.

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the seventh Sunday of Pascha - the Sunday between Ascension and Pentecost.

Fr. Thomas shows how we are all called to be Saints and examines the many different kinds of Saints.

Celebrating one of the twelve great feasts of the Church. (Click here to view the children's choir Fr. Thomas mentions in the podcast.)

Today Fr. Tom talks about the study and communication of the Fathers of the Church according to Archimandrite Vasileios, retired Abbot of the Iviron Monastery on Mt. Athos.

As we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the victory over iconoclasm, Fr. Tom gives a personal reflection on icons and their use and misuse.

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

In his continuing series on Charles Darwin and Christianity, Fr. Tom begins a reflection on the creation story as told in Genesis.

Fr. Tom Hopko continues his series on Darwin with his 2nd reflection on the creation story in Genesis.

Part 3 of the teachings from Genesis as a section in the larger series on Darwin and Christianity.

Part 4 of the teachings from Genesis as a section in the larger series on Darwin and Christianity.

Fr. Thomas Hopko gives one Orthodox Christian's understanding of unity.

Fr. Thomas Hopko reflects on one of the twelve great feasts of the Church.

In Part 9 of his series on Bishops, Fr. Thomas looks at the canons of the 3rd Ecumenical Council.

In Part 10 of his series on Bishops, Fr. Thomas looks at the canons of the 4th Ecumenical Council.

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.

Fr. Tom begins looking at the 102 Canons of the "Quinisext" or 5th and 6th Ecumenical Councils sometimes referred to as the Council in Trullo. Maximus the Confessor is affirmed and many Patriarchs and Popes are anathematized.

Fr. Tom continues looking at the 102 Canons of the "Quinisext" or 5th and 6th Ecumenical Councils sometimes referred to as the Council in Trullo. Today he talks about the laws concerning relationships with the Jews and the marital relationships of clergy.

As Fr. Tom continues talking about the canons found in the Council of Trullo, he looks today at those canons that speak about issues like the selling of sacraments, clergy behavior, and the settlement of controversies.

What are the canons about clergy marriage? What should the clergy wear out on the street? Why is water mixed with wine in the Eucharist? These and other issues are addressed in this episode with Fr. Thomas Hopko.

The canons under discussion today by Fr. Tom deal with the rank and place of hierarchical sees and how that is affecting the structure of the Church today.

On this 10th Anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Fr. Tom Hopko looks at the problem of evil and how we are to understand it as Christians.