In part 2 of Fr. Tom's comments on the vesting for liturgy, he talks about the importance of dress not only for the clergy but for all of us as we come to church.

Fr. Tom continues his look at the vestments worn by the clergy for the Divine Liturgy. What vestments are appropriate in non-sacramental settings?

As Fr. Tom continues to look at the vestments worn by the clergy for the Divine Liturgy, he today talks about the "girding of strength" as signified by the belt and the cuffs.

Today Fr. Thomas focuses his attention on a part of the vestments that many wonder about. What is the significance of that square or diamond shaped attachment that sometimes hangs above the knee of the bishop or presbyter?

Fr. Tom continues his comments on the vestments worn in the Divine Liturgy. Today he talks about the sacramental significance of the omophorion and epitrachelion.

In the final section on vestments for the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Tom talks about crosses, hats, and crowns.

After 29 episodes leading up the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas begins his line by line commentary.

Before the Divine Liturgy begins, we must be prepared from a practical standpoint. Fr. Tom gives some personal reflections on doing things decently and in order.

Fr. Thomas reflects on the prayer read by the priest or bishop just before the Gospel reading in the Divine Liturgy.

In the last episode, Fr. Tom was talking about the Litany of Fervent Supplication and emphasizing the need to pray for everyone, not just Orthodox Christians. Today, he reads from Homily 6 of St. John Chrysostom's commentary on I Timothy which affirms that requirement.

Fr. John shares his homily on Luke 8:18.

On the Feast of Pentecost, Fr. John teachers about the Holy Spirit as the Comforter.

Fr. John shares about humbly using our spiritual gifts, from Romans 12:1-13. Please note: "At one point in the sermon I mentioned Arsenius the Athonite, but actually meant to refer to the Elder Paisios, and the book I referred to is http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Paisios-Mount-Athos-Isaac/dp/960897643X"

Fr. John talks about the importance of repentance from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 3:1-11.

Fr. John shares about forgiveness from Luke 23:34.

Fr. John shares about the life of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. "It's through our struggle that we are saved. There's a crown that's waiting for each and every one of us, but we have to take up the struggle and endure to the end."

Fr. John shares from Jude 3.

Fr. John shares from Hebrews 4:14-16.

Fr. John reflects on Psalm 118:89-96.

Fr. John Whiteford discusses the importance of respect for fathers.

Fr. John Whiteford discusses the epistle reading from 1st Corinthians.

Fr. John Whiteford discusses 1 Timothy 5:3-16, and notes that "We can’t call ourselves Christians if we don’t care for our own."

Fr. John Whiteford discusses and reads from the Psalms chapter 118 and 119.

Fr. John Whiteford discusses the Theophany and the role of Christ's baptism in our lives. Fr. John discusses this through Matthew 3:13-17.

Fr. John Whiteford discusses faith, which is defined as the substance of things hoped for, and how we put it in the hands of things less trustworthy than God every day.

Fr. John Whiteford continues the discussion of the Lord's Prayer by looking at Matthew 6:12.

Fr. John preaches on St. Paul's reflection on his life and the coming judgment, from Acts 20:18-35.

Fr. John Whiteford reminds us of the importance of forgiveness for our life in Christ. (Colossians 3:1-17)

Fr. John Whiteford's sermon from December 24, 2023.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches on forgiveness.

Fr. John Whiteford's sermon from July 28, 2024.

How is it possible to find silence in the middle of the city? Why does it matter? On the lessons learned from St. Isidora and the daily task of floor washing.

The start of Great Lent begins with preparation. We prepare our refrigerators, freezers and pantry for the fast, emptying it of meat and dairy. But we prepare our hearts as well, emptying it of resentments or grudges, wrongs we have done or wrongs done to us in our community. On navigating Forgiveness Vespers as an introvert.

The prayer of St. Ephraim is a familiar one for Orthodox Christians, especially during Lent. This season offers us the chance to practice the prayer and to come face to face with our own inner “construction” as we come closer to Pascha. What roads are we paving? What bridges are we building?

What is stirring when we meet our rebel self? And when that rebel self shows up, what wisdom will we find there? On this episode of The Wilderness Journal, Angela explores the familiar landscape of rebellion, its role in conversion and in deepening our journey of faith.

Circumstances can be intoxicating and Fr. Barnabas says that true contentment begins in the heart not with our circumstances.

On the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, we are confronted with the commun hunger of all humans, the common thirst of all of us: to be loved and to love. But how do we avoid the traps of trying to fulfill this hunger and thirst in the wrong way? How do we avoid wrecking our lives by bad choices?

Jesus tells the parable about a man who is doing so well, he has to tear down his old barns to build bigger barns. And God confronts him with his mortality! This is the only way to avoid the Passions for Distractions!

St. Paul tells the Colossians the greatest danger to their spiritual lives is Idolatry. But what is Idolatry? Turns out it is much deeper than an idol!

Michael examines the Star Wars phenomenon from an Orthodox Christian and sacramental point of view, and with a special focus on comparisons between the Force and the Holy Spirit.

Comfort, and feeling comfortable, is a desire all of us have and we strive to fulfill this desire. But it can come at a cost because the root of our desire and the means by which we achieve it are not always in our best interests. Join Michael as he explains why comfort can lead to spiritually harmful complacency and blind us to the real purpose of our faith.

Have you ever felt like you were wrestling or struggling with God, like your life was out of control, the future was unknown or something to be feared, and you were at a loss about what to do? Your prayers seem unanswered and God seems silent. Join Michael as he recounts the story of Jacob and shows how Jacob’s story and his struggle with God is our story.

Join Michael as he discusses the Book of Job as a case study in suffering and the importance of how we receive our suffering; how it is often what defines our salvation and belief in and relationship to God; what God gives and does not give to us in our suffering; and how our suffering can be a mystery and those closest to us can often create obstacles for us to receive it well.

Join Michael as he discusses why we need separation that is holy before we can have true unity with each other; and how many are choosing an unholy type of separation based on fear, ideologies, and other things are the entry to the wide gate leading to destruction.

Join Michael for a discussion on why forgiving ourselves is often so hard and what we need to understand and do to open our hearts to self-forgiveness.

Father Seraphim reflects on some of the content from his past podcasts, and asks for forgiveness because of the brief hiatus he took in posting new material.

Fr. Seraphim was in Paris shortly after the November 13 attacks. He reflects on what our response as Christians should be. How do we hold on to our Christianity? What is our role as peacemakers? He reminds us that we fight for is not of this world.

Fr. Seraphim Aldea delivers a talk in Atlanta, Georgia, about the importance of humility in extending our view of the world.

Fr. Seraphim Aldea delivers a talk in Atlanta, GA, about the power of our demons in those we meet, including the unborn.