The Orthodox Brew

Every year this comes back around:“Isn’t Christmas just a pagan holiday?”Short answer: no. Long answer: the early Church knew exactly what she was doing. December 25 (and January 7) weren’t borrowed from paganism — they were chosen as a bold theological statement connecting the Nativity to the Cross and Resurrection.#Advent #Christmas #Nativity #Orthodox #Coptic #copticorthodox Christmas: December...

Christmas hasn’t been stolen — but it can lose its center. In this episode, I reflect on how the Nativity slowly shifted from worship to atmosphere, from preparation to consumption, and why the Orthodox Church isn’t panicking..#OrthodoxPodcast #ChristianReflection #christmas #FaithAndCulture #Incarnation#OrthodoxChristian #AncientFaith #Jesus #coptic

Coming down from the mountaintop can be harder than climbing up. In this episode, Fr. Michael Sorial reflects on the spiritual high of mission trips—and the often-overlooked challenge of coming home. He unpacks 6 more practical principles to help mission participants reintegrate wisely, grow spiritually, and continue living missionally in everyday life.📌 Topics include:– How to Redirect Guilt to...

Coming down from the mountaintop can be harder than climbing up. In this episode, Fr. Michael Sorial reflects on the spiritual high of mission trips—and the often-overlooked challenge of coming home. He unpacks 6 practical principles to help mission participants reintegrate wisely, grow spiritually, and continue living missionally in everyday life.📌 Topics include:– How to keep the spiritual fire...

In this episode of Orthodox Brew, Father Michael Sorial discusses the importance of slowing down and finding stillness in a chaotic world. He emphasizes the necessity of retreating to reconnect with God and discover true peace, which is not merely the absence of noise but the presence of Christ. The conversation explores practical ways to incorporate moments of solitude and reflection into daily l...

In this episode of The Orthodox Brew, Father Michael Sorial reflects on his experience attending an event at Princeton University featuring campus apologists Cliff and Stuart Knechtle. He discusses the strengths and weaknesses of their approach to engaging students in conversations about faith, critiques their methods, and emphasizes the importance of respectful dialogue and the need for Orthodox...

I didn’t go to debate. I went to listen. What happened next? Here’s a portion of the exchange that took place between Cliff and myself during Cliff & Stewart Knechtle’s visit to Princeton—and why it matters. Full video drops Tuesday. I’ll share my take on what really went down.

In this introductory episode of the Orthodox Brew, Father Michael Sorial shares the vision behind the podcast, emphasizing the importance of deep conversations rooted in Orthodox Christianity. He discusses the themes of faith, purpose, mental health, and the challenges of navigating a post-Christian world. The podcast aims to create a space for reflection and connection, inviting listeners from al...