Originally broadcast on March 11, 2008 Length: 13:24 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! [audio:http://audio.ancientfaith.com/hopko/stt_lent4_pc.mp3] Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio. … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko — Sunday of the Cross: Take Up Your Cross
March 2, 2018
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. Listen here: [audio:http://audio.ancientfaith.com/hopko/stt_3rdlentcross_pc.mp3] Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio. … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko: The Publican and the Pharisee
January 22, 2018
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:10-14) The Lord spoke this parable: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house … [Read more...]
How to Read the Bible
September 1, 2017
Ten Principles of Orthodox Scriptural Exegesis Adapted from Bishop MICHAEL (Dahulich) Christ - God is real and is incarnate in Jesus Christ; He is the Key to the Scriptures. Life - One’s ability to interpret depends upon one’s spiritual state; one must live it in order to fully understand it. A Love Letter - We read scripture to fall deeper in love with God and put on the Scriptural Mind. Theosis - We read Scripture to become by grace what God is by nature. Tradition - Only within the Church and her Tradition (the consensus of the Fathers) is there full and correct … [Read more...]
Saints for Various Needs
July 4, 2017
"We should seek the intercessions and the fervent prayers of the saints, because they have special 'boldness' (parresia), before God." Saint John Chrysostom THROUGH THEIR INTERCESSIONS . . . The Orthodox Church is a living and vibrant community of faithful Christians made up of the members of the Church militant and the church triumphant. The Church militant are those of us who are still part of this world, diligently striving to live our lives according to God's teachings and commandments. The Church triumphant are those individuals who have been called by God to be with Him in … [Read more...]
St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea in Cappadocia
December 26, 2016
Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, “belongs not to the Church of Caesarea alone, nor merely to his own time, nor was he of benefit only to his own kinsmen, but rather to all lands and cities worldwide, and to all people he brought and still brings benefit, and for Christians he always was and will be a most salvific teacher.” Thus spoke Saint Basil’s contemporary, Saint Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium. Saint Basil was born in the year 330 at Caesarea, the administrative center of Cappadocia. He was of illustrious lineage, famed for its eminence … [Read more...]
The Making of Christ Pulling Peter from the Water
September 15, 2016
Source: Orthodox Arts Journal By Jonathan Pageau Since I began icon carving full time 4 years ago now, I had a secret list of the things I wanted to make, certain objects and images that were dear to me. To my own joy and surprise, I have been progressively checking off items from that list with ongoing commissions, making even those objects and icons I did not think could find patrons such as complex reliquaries, wedding crowns, opus sectile icons or the image of the Holy prophet Jonah. One of the images I had secret hope of making is Christ pulling St-Peter out of … [Read more...]
Recipe for Phanouropita
September 12, 2016
Everyone loved Fr. Stephanos' phanouropita so we published the recipe below! St. Phanourios is a saint who helps us in difficult situations including finding lost things, employment troubles, a saint to go to when we need something we do not have. When he answers the custom is to bake a cake in gratitude and thanksgiving and share it with others. St. Phanourios' name "Phanourios" comes from the Greek word, φανερώνω "phanerono", meaning "I reveal". Learn more about St. Phanourios on the Antiochian Archdiocese website. … [Read more...]
What is Salvation For?
June 10, 2016
From the Palamas Institute for Orthodox Christian Pastoral Studies. By Fr. Gregory Jensen If I ask myself this question at all, “What is salvation for?” I’m likely to answer that my salvation is for me; so that I can be saved from sin and enter the Kingdom of God. But this is only a partial answer. In his defense of the Christian faith, St Justin Martyr (Apology, 66 & 67) makes a couple of points that are worth reflecting on as we try to answer the question. Let’s begin, with Justin’s outline of the basic structure of how the Church … [Read more...]
The Miracle of the Holy Fire [VIDEO]
April 4, 2016
The video below chronicles the struggle of a film crew to gain entrance to the Holy Sepulcher, and records the miracle and scenes from the Paschal (Passover) Resurrection Service at the Holy Sepulcher. What is the Miracle of the Holy Fire? When and where does it occur? Source: St. Barnabas Orthodox Church The ceremony, which awes the souls of Christians, takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. The Holy Fire is the most renowned miracle in the world of Orthodox Christianity. It has taken place at the same time, in the same manner, in the same place every … [Read more...]
