Frederica Here and Now

Frederica reads "On the Ascension" by St. Romanos the Melodist.

Fredrica interviews Polly Hillier, the Director of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, about the story behind the shrine.

Frederica defends the character of St. Thomas, whom we commemorate on the Sunday after Pascha.

On this encore presentation of "Frederica Here and Now," Frederica introduces us to a beautiful "precedent dispute"—an argument in song—between the cherub who guards paradise and the good thief.

Frederica continues her reading from St. Romanos the Melodist as we approach Holy Week. Today the gripping and sobering narrative on the one who betrayed Jesus. See her earlier episode for information about the source.

As we approach Holy Week, you won't want to miss this powerful reading by Frederica of the Lamentation of the Theotokos written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book On the Life of Christ: Kontakia, published in 1994.

On Fridays during Great Lent, it is the tradition of the Church to sing a hymn to the Theotokos known as the Akathist. These beautiful words were penned by St. Romanos the Melodist, and today Frederica reads her own translation of this inspiring hymn taken from her book, Lost Gospel of Mary.

Having received much feedback on her November 9, 2011, episode, Frederica reflects again on the subject of gay rights.

Frederica recounts her recent dream about waiting to learn the basis on which God will judge human beings.

Frederica addresses miracles, sharing a few that she herself has experienced, and then concludes with a song on the topic by her son David.

Frederica interviews Dn. Mark and Mat. Elizabeth Barna, authors of A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition, published by Divine Ascent Press.

Frederica discusses the fiction book Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives, written by the neuroscientist David Eagleman, as well as the non-fiction book A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.

Frederica interviews her musician son David Mathewes about music composition, as well as his new CD titled Magnolia.

Frederica examines a statement by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales about reinstating the Friday fast.

Frederica recommends the book Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo.

Frederica discusses the subject of same-sex attraction, explaining that whether or not it's genetic is beside the point.

Frederica questions the wisdom of giving to the poor without asking any questions.

Frederica examines the relatively recent phenomenon of men and women expecting their best friends to be their spouses.

Frederica reviews the film Higher Ground, directed by and starring Vera Farmiga.

Frederica reads an essay she wrote for Beliefnet.com in 2006.

Will September 11, 2001, become just another date that children have to memorize? If so, does it really matter?

Frederica uses the recorded comments of a Buddhist monk to examine the similarities and differences between Orthodox and Buddhist beliefs, particularly as they relate to anger and forgiveness.

Frederica interviews her son, the newly ordained Fr. Steve Mathewes, about the process of writing homilies.

Frederica reviews the final Harry Potter movie—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two.

Frederica reviews the film Larry Crowne, written by, directed by, produced by, and starring Tom Hanks.