The 153

We hear it repeatedly in our services and hymns: "the Life-Giving Cross." How can a bloody instrument of death be praised as life-giving? Fr John explains.

"Without evangelism, the Church is just a secret club for those who like that sort of thing." Fr Joseph quotes Fr. Michael Keiser, who fell asleep in the Lord on the Feast of the Dormition. May his memory be eternal—and may we all be teachable!

Moments after the explosion on August 4, Fr. Joseph receives audio messages from his daughter in Beirut.

The same God that knows if a hair falls from your head, the same God that knows if a sparrow falls from the sky, is not surprised about COVID. We cannot, as Christians, say we believe one thing only to become addicted to the news that tells us to believe another thing. Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph / Houston.

Fr Joseph preaches at St Katherine/Burleson, Texas on the transference of the Feast of Saints Peter & Paul, and the Sunday before the 40th Day of Fr John Winfrey's passing. May his memory be eternal -- and may you and yours be granted long life!

June 21, 2020, marks the two-year anniversary of the death of Dr H. Tristram Engelhardt, known in the Church as Reader Herman. May his memory be eternal! His last published work, "After God - Morality and Bioethics in a Secular Age" needs your attention. All free copies have been claimed! After God is available at svspress.com.

Prayer is not simply talking to God, worrying in Jesus' name—or watching a live-stream!

The blind man stumbled toward the water bearing spit and the clay -- only to return whole! But at first Celedonius could only see darkness, shadows. Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston on the final Sunday of Pascha.

Fr Joseph, at home with the peeps of St Joseph/Houston (masks and all), says: Christ is Risen!

When the churches are open again, some folks will be shouldering even more doubts than before due to being kind of “shell shocked”—hurt by having been locked out of church services—especially during the holiest season! Suffice it to say, whether we’ll admit it or not, we’re all hurting a bit. So, you see, we’re all missions now!

Although our temples may be empty, Holy Week 2020, here come Jesus! Fr. Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston. And all the people say ...

Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston to nine men in black on the Third Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Cross -- and the Quarantine. (On this particular Sunday, the temple chairs have all been removed to facilitate scaffolding/icon installation.)

The disciples planted their Missions Department in Jerusalem; Stephen is slain. These two events had a tremendous impact on Evangelism. Here's a portion of Fr Joseph's talk at Holy Cross/Palmdale, California.

Fr. Joseph, speaking at Holy Cross/Palmdale, California, relates a story from "We Came, We Saw, We Converted" of Galina and St. Xenia (including the Publican, and the Pharisee).

We don't know the future, but past sermons provide a clue of what we are to do. Fr Joseph speaks at St John the Divine/Lake Charles, Louisiana.

For some folks, Orthodoxy isn't authentic unless it's presented with a thick, heavy accent. Fr Joseph visits St John the Divine/Lake Charles, Louisiana -- where they don't have a resident priest, but they sure got accent! Listen in for a quick taste of Cajun Orthodoxy. "Laissez les bon temps rouler!"

Can you say Yakima? Ever been? Fr. Joseph affirms the latter; still not sure about the former. (What about Wapato?) Here's a little history of Holy Cross Church/Yakima, Washington. No matter how you say it, it's well worth a visit!

Fr. Joseph visits a group of Orthodox Christians in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; listen in to hear what they're up to.

Fr. Joseph interviews a former Mennonite, along with a former comedian, about an Orthodox venture amid the Mennonites in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Fr Joseph interviews Alex Hordge. Alex was baptized last Pascha, sings in the church choir, and attends college classes at The Saint Constantine School. Alex is also blind.

Fr. Matthew Snowden, pastor of St Nicholas/Jackson, Tennessee, preaches on Our Cross, and the Lord's Cross—and what have they in common?

Fr. Joseph interviews Fr. Matthew Snowden of St Nicholas Mission/Jackson, Tennessee—on the struggles and joys of shepherding a fledgling Orthodox community

Did you know that the word "gossip" originally meant "godparent" and is connected with the word "sibling"? Did you know that gossip and Good News aren't the same? (Go ahead, you can tell me, I won't tell.)

In this dark and mad world, Christ has ordered the Meal. Fr John Guy Winfrey delivers the homily at St Katherine/Burleson, Texas.

Don't fret this episode's title, Big D folks can handle it. Fr Joseph interviews Fr John Guy Winfrey on the one year anniversary of St Katherine/Burleson, Texas. Y'all ever had possum for Pascha?