ON THE FIRST SUNDAY of the Great Fast our Church celebrates the triumph of Orthodoxy, the victory of true Christian teaching over all perversions and distortions thereof—heresies and false teachings. On the second Sunday of the Great Fast it is as though this triumph of Orthodoxy is repeated and deepened in connection with the celebration of the memory of one of the greatest pillars of Orthodoxy, the hierarch Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, who by his grace-bearing eloquence and the example of his highly ascetic private life put to shame the teachers of falsehood who dared reject the very essence of.Orthodoxy, the podvig of prayer and fasting, which enlightens the human mind with the light of grace and makes it a communicant of the divine glory.

Way of Ascetics – Chapters One and Two

We cover chapters one and two of Tito Caliander’s “Way of Ascetics” (St. Vladimir Press), “On a Resolute and Sustained Purpose” and “On the Insufficiency of Human Strength.”  Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!

Homily – Ritual and Resilience

In this homily offered on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers (and Mother’s Day!), Fr. Anthony offers an almost coherent meditation on how we need both rituals and grace to live a life of integrity and holiness.  Enjoy the show!   Check out this episode!

Homily – Doubt and Discernment

St. Thomas Sunday.  Fr. Anthony offers a meditation (hostage situation?!) on the circle of trust and how Christ works with our fallen psychology to draw us out of darkness into the light. Check out this episode!

Palm Sunday Homily – Understanding NOT Required

Fr. Anthony offers a meditation on what we can learn from Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem and how entering into it with Him can perfect us and heal the world around us.  He focuses primarily on the relationship between understanding and communion, how our dysfunctions have distorted it, and how Orthodoxy restores it.  Enjoy the show! […]

The Guru as a Dysfunctional Archetype

Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD, about guruism, why it is dangerous, and how to avoid it.  Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!

Homily – St. Mary of Egypt, Friendship, and Revelation

In this homily, Fr. Anthony uses what voice he had left after subbing for kindergarten classes this past week to describe St. Mary’s theosis and the role community can play in our own.  Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!

Talking about What Matters Most with John Michalak

Fr. Anthony talks with evangelical author, blogger, and podcaster, John Michalak about grace, liturgy, and the need to “surrender subjectivity.”  John started attending services at Holy Resurrection in Waynesville NC a few months ago and shares some observations.  Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!

Homily – Grace Gives More Than That

In this homily given at St. Nicholas in Charlottesville, VA on the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder, Fr. Anthony reminds us that God offers us more than the power to endure or see things more clearly – He offers us union with Him.  And THAT is what we really need. Enjoy the show! […]

Confession as a Relationship

Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD, about how NOT to elicit repentance during confession, some of the differences between confession, interrogation, and therapy, and why love and trust are foundational to the process of reconciliation.  Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!

Intro to Orthodoxy: Holy Friday and Saturday

Fr. Anthony rambles a bit about the most wonderful days of services of the entire year: Royal Hours of Pascha, Vespers of Holy Friday, Matins of Holy Saturday, and the First Resurrection Service of PASCHA (Vesperal Liturgy). Check out this episode!