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Good News in the Pacific Northwest?

Not everyone will agree, but you'll have to listen to figure out why. BTW, is there any good news? Fr Joseph speaks of his recent "work-cation" in the PNW.




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Daniel and the Three Youths - Part 2

Fr. Tom now looks at the story of the three youths in the flaming furnace and the beautiful correlation to our worship as Orthodox Christians.




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Vesting for Liturgy - Part 1

In this episode, Fr. Thomas explains the basic vestments worn by the priests and bishops for the Divine Liturgy. This is part 1.




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Vesting for Liturgy - Part 2

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.




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Vesting for Liturgy - Part 3

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




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Vesting for Liturgy - Part 4

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.




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Vesting for Liturgy - Part 5

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?




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Vesting for Liturgy - Part 6

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.




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Vesting for Liturgy - Part 7

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




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The Two Parts of the Divine Liturgy

Fr. Tom talks about the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Faithful which comprise the worship of the Church from the very beginning.




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The Great Litany - Part 2

Fr. Thomas continues to talk about the Great Litany at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy. In particular the "union of all men" and "the fear of God."




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The Great Litany - Part 3

As he continues his commentary on the Great Litany, Fr. Thomas reflects on the prayers for the bishops, presbyters, and deacons.




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The Great Litany - Part 4

As he continues to look at the Great Litany which begins the Divine Liturgy, Fr.Tom examines the petitions for the president, the country, those in civil authority, and our armed forces.




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The Great Litany - Part 5

Fr. Thomas reviews the important elements of the last episode and then begins talking about the prayers in the Great Litany for "seasonable weather." Don't miss his little side trip when he talks about God's role in storms, tragedies, and disasters in light of our prayers.




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The Great Litany - Part 6

Continuing his look at the first Great Litany of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Tom explores what it means to pray concerning wrath, danger, and need. Also included is a helpful reflection on the most frequent phrase in the Liturgy: "Lord, have mercy."




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The Great Litany - Part 7

Calling to remembrance - let us commend ourselves. Fr. Tom speaks about the liturgical use of the word "remember" and how it relates to God and our salvation.




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The Great Litany - Part 8

In this final reflection on the Great Litany, Fr. Thomas talks about the exclamation made at the end. He also talks about silent prayers and audible prayers in the Divine Liturgy.




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 1

Fr. Tom has come to the point in the Liturgy where we sing the first of two Thrice-Holy hymns. This one is in the Liturgy of the Word: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us."




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 2

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the Trisagion Prayers - "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us" - and talks specifically about the recipient of this prayer. Is it Christ or is it the Holy Trinity?




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 3

Fr. Thomas continues to describe the "Little Entrance" in the Divine Liturgy when the Trisagion hymn is sung. In this episode he talks about the hymn and prayer when a priest is presiding.




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 4

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the Little Entrance and how it is done when a priest is presiding as opposed to a bishop.




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 5

Fr. Tom continues to talk about the "Little Entrance" but now how it is done when a bishop is present.




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The Trisagion Prayers - Part 6

Fr. Tom concludes his comments on the Little Entrance and the singing of the Trisagion Hymn when a bishop is present.




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The Proclamation of the Gospel - Part 1

Fr. Thomas begins his reflections on the point in the Divine Liturgy when the Gospel is read. In particular he talks about the important connection between the Bible and the bishop.




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The Proclamation of the Gospel - Part 2

Giving the sermon is more than just standing and talking in front of the congregation. It requires a knowledge of the people, the events of the day, the Holy Scripture readings, and much more.




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The Proclamation of the Gospel - Part 3

Today Fr. Thomas talks about the actual delivery of the sermon and how best to fulfill the purpose of it.




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Let All Catechumens Depart

Fr. Thomas begins a difficult discussion about the beginning of the Liturgy of the Faithful. Who should stay and who should go? This is sure to generate a lot of conversation!




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The Proskomede - Preparing the Bread and the Wine part 2

Fr. Thomas explores the significance of the way the bread is cut and laid on the diskos during the preparation for the eucharist.




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The Proskomede - Preparing the Bread and the Wine part 3

Remembering all the Saints. Fr. Tom takes us through his own practice of remembering the "great cloud of witnesses" when preparing the bread and wine for the Eucharist.




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The Proskomede - Preparing the Bread and the Wine part 4

Fr. Tom talks about the "star" that is placed over the bread as well as the psalms and prayers that are said when both the chalice and diskos are covered with the cloth.




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The Proskomede - Preparing the Bread and the Wine part 5

Today Fr. Tom looks at the differences in the Antiochian tradition in the way the Proskomede is done.




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The Great Entrance - Procession part 2

Fr. Tom offers a very helpful explanation of what we are actually offering in the procession of the Great Entrance in the Divine Liturgy.




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The Offertory Prayers

Today Fr. Tom speaks about the importance of the offertory prayers said after the Great Entrance. In particular, he talks about how they are prayed in the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.




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Skeptical Biblical Scholarship: Part 2

Fr. John continues his series on dubious biblical research.




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The Hieromartyr Peter of Krutitsa

Fr. John shares his homily from the Sunday of the New Martyrs of Russia.




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The Lord is our Strength - Psalm 117 (part 1)

Fr. John shares from Psalm 117:1-14. "When we depend on ourselves, we cannot succeed. When we put our hope in God, we cannot fail."




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The Stone Which the Builders Rejected - Psalm 117 (part 2)

Fr. John continues his sermon from Psalm 117.




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Blessed is He that Comes in the Name of the Lord - Psalm 117 (part 3)

Fr. John concludes his homily on Psalm 117.




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The Comforter

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




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Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Teach Me Thy Statutes (Psalm 118:9-16)

Fr. John continues his series from Psalm 118, "Wherewithal shall a young man correct his way? By keeping Thy words."




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The Holy Greatmartyr Catherine

Fr. John shares about the life of St. Catherine the Great.




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What is the Significance of the Feast of the New Martyrs of Russia?

Fr. John shares stories of martyrdom and encourages us to prepare for our own.




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Forgiving Those Who Have Hurt Us

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




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The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

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."




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Circumcision of the Heart

Fr. John shares from Romans 2:17-29.




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Hieromartyr Vladimir of Kiev

Fr. John shares about the life of the New-Hieromartyr Vladimir of Kiev to strengthen us for the trials in our lives.




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Woman, Thou Art Loosed

Fr. John shares the story of the healing of the woman who was bent over for 18 years, from Luke 13:10-17.




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The Second Triumph of Orthodoxy: St. Gregory Palamas

Fr. John shares about the life of St. Gregory Palamas.




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Partaking in the Inheritance of the Saints

Fr. John talks about what it means to be a Christian, using the epistle reading from Colossians.




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Clean Heart

Fr. John speaks from Psalm 118, and the importance of not only understanding God's will, but also doing it.