St Shenouda Podcast

elcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast , where we explore the timeless wisdom of the Desert Fathers and the foundational virtues of the spiritual life. In this series, we delve into what the ancient elders called the “crown of wisdom” and the “guardian of the soul” : the virtue of discernment . Why Discernment? Among all the virtues—prayer, fasting, silence, and humility—the Desert Fathers placed disc...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast , where we delve into the profound spiritual heritage of the monastic tradition and the wisdom of the Desert Fathers. In this episode, we explore a concept often misunderstood in the modern world: The Gift of Tears . While society often views weeping as a sign of weakness to be hidden or suppressed, the Orthodox tradition reveals that tears are a sacred gift, a...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast , a journey into the heart of Orthodox monastic wisdom and the transformative power of sacred stillness .,, We live in a world that is often afraid of silence , a world drowning in constant noise, digital distractions, and endless stimulation., This podcast explores the ancient Christian tradition of hesychia —not merely the absence of external sound, but a deep...

St. Shenouda Podcast: The Desert Way – The Jesus Prayer in the Egyptian Desert Join us for the latest episode in our series, The Desert Way , as we journey back to the 5th-century Egyptian desert to explore the roots of one of Christianity's most profound spiritual practices: The Jesus Prayer . In this episode, we dive into the cells of Scetis, Nitria, and Kellia , where the Desert Fathers and Mot...

Logismoi: Winning the Invisible War for Your Heart Episode Description: In this episode of the St. Shenouda Podcast, we dive deep into the "Invisible War" —the ancient spiritual tradition of the Desert Fathers regarding logismoi . Often translated simply as "thoughts," logismoi are more accurately described as suggestions, provocations, or inner reasonings that arise in the heart and the nous (the...

Welcome to the St Shenouda Podcast as we continue our series, "The Inner Way" . In this episode, we dive deep into the essential, yet often overlooked, spiritual discipline of Nepsis —the art of watchfulness . What is Nepsis? Derived from the Greek word nepho (to guard or keep under surveillance), Nepsis is the Orthodox concept of wakefulness or spiritual sobriety. It is an unceasing vigilance of...

The Inner Altar: Exploring Patristic Spirituality Description: Welcome to st shenouda podcast on our 4th season discussing The Inner Altar , dedicated to exploring the depths of Orthodox spirituality and the foundational teachings of the Church Fathers . This series delves into Patristics , the study of early Christian theologians from the first to the eighth centuries who defended the faith and e...

Welcome back to the St. Shenouda Podcast as we continue our Early Christian Text Series . In this episode, we dive into one of the most intriguing documents of the sub-apostolic age: the Second Epistle of Clement , or 2 Clement . While traditionally attributed to Pope Clement I of Rome and believed to be a letter to the Corinthians from the late 1st century, modern scholarship and historical recor...

St. Clement of Rome's Clarion Call: Humility, Order, and the End of Sedition in the Early Church Join us for a deep dive into the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians , a crucial document from the collection of the Apostolic Fathers. Written by St. Clement of Rome , acting on behalf of the church sojourning at Rome, this letter was penned to address a "shameful and detestable sedition" whic...

The St Shenouda Podcast explores the ultimate act of faith recorded in the earliest chronicle of Christian martyrdom outside of the New Testament: The Martyrdom of Polycarp . Join us as we dive into the letter written by the Church in Smyrna, detailing the final hours of the blessed Polycarp , the Bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp was an apostolic and prophetic teacher who, at 86 years of age, had been d...

The Protoevangelium of James : Unveiling the Earliest Story of Mary Ever-Virgin Join the St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into one of the most significant apocryphal texts of the early Church: the Gospel of James , commonly known as the Protoevangelium of James . Dating back to the second century (estimated 140–170 A.D.), this pseudepigraphic work claims to be written by James, the brother of Jesus...

Join St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians . Written by Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna and a crucial figure among the Apostolic Fathers, this letter offers profound early Christian instruction to the Church of God dwelling at Philippi. The epistle is widely believed to be a composite of material written at two different times during the first half of the s...

St. Ignatius of Antioch: The Wheat of God Tune into the St Shenouda Podcast Series on Early Christian Texts for an exploration of the crucial writings of St. Ignatius of Antioch , the highly influential Syrian Bishop. Born around AD 30 or 35, Ignatius was a direct disciple of the Apostles Peter and John. He served as the third bishop of Antioch, a city which was a major centre for early Christiani...

The Shepherd of Hermas – Visions, Virtue, and Forgiveness Discover The Shepherd of Hermas (Greek: Poimēn tou Herma ), a Christian literary work of immense popularity in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th centuries, which almost earned a permanent place in the New Testament canon. Compiled in the mid-fourth century, the Codex Sinaiticus includes it alongside the familiar 27 books. This long and complex text, co...

The Epistle of Barnabas: Allegory, Conflict, and the Spiritual Roots of Alexandria Join us for a deep dive into one of the most compelling and controversial works of the early Church: The Epistle of Barnabas . Written between AD 70 and AD 135, this powerful Greek text offers a unique window into the theological world of sub-apostolic Christianity. While traditionally ascribed to St. Paul's compani...

Join us on the St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into the Didascalia Apostolorum (The Teaching of the Apostles), a crucial early Christian legal treatise and Church Order. Although this text is pseudepigraphical—meaning it was written later, likely in the 3rd century in Syria , possibly near Antioch—it provides a vital "window" into how our forebears organized their communities and defined leadershi...

Join us on the St Shenouda Podcast as we uncover the Didache , an indispensable ancient Christian treatise known fully as "The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations" . Dating potentially as early as the first century CE, this brief, anonymous text offers a powerful glimpse into the practical life and rituals of the earliest Christian communities. Scholars consider the Didache...

St Shenouda Podcast: The Hidden Ascetic—St. Euphrosyne of Alexandria Welcome to the St Shenouda Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of St. Euphrosyne of Alexandria , a 5th-century saint whose story belongs to a group of legends about Christian virgins who used male attire to pursue a life of celibacy and asceticism. Born around 410 to Paphnutius, a rich and pious man of...

From Roman Nobility to the Egyptian Desert: The Lives of Saints Maximus and Domatius Join us on the St Shenouda Podcast as we explore the extraordinary journey of Saints Maximus and Domatius, two Roman noblemen born around the 4th century. These angelic sons of Walendianus (or Valentinus), a devout Roman Emperor, were raised in purity and holiness. Realizing that this world and its glory were only...

Join the St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into the extraordinary life and heroic martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp is one of the most vital figures of the early Church, serving as a "living link between the apostles and subsequent generations" of Christians. He is regarded as one of the chief Apostolic Fathers, having been a direct disciple of St. John the Evangelist and convers...

Join the St Shenouda Podcast as we explore the extraordinary life and unwavering commitment of St. Epimachus (also known as Abimachus or Ephimachus), the Egyptian martyr. Born a weaver in Pelusium (Farma) in northeastern Egypt, Epimachus was known for his calm, gentle nature and his longing for a contemplative life. Yet, instead of receiving the crown of monasticism, he was granted the crown of ma...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast! Join us for a compelling episode as we delve into the inspiring and courageous lives of St. Rebekah and her five children: Agathon, Peter, John, Ammon, and Ammona . Hailing from Kemola, a village near Kus in Upper Egypt, they lived during the severe persecutions of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. Discover how, while they were devoutly praying, an angel of...

St. Shenouda Podcast: - The Unwavering Faith of St. James the Mangled Join us for a powerful episode as we delve into the inspiring life and steadfast martyrdom of St. James the Persian, also known as St. James 'the Mangled' (Sawn) . Commemorated on December 7th (Hator 27 in the Coptic calendar), St. James's story is a testament to unshakeable faith amidst unimaginable tribulation. Once a prominen...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast! In this episode, we uncover the inspiring life of St. Barsoum El-Erian , a remarkable Coptic saint of the 13th century, renowned for his profound faith, courage, and asceticism. Born in Cairo in 1257 A.D. to devout parents, his father, El-Wageeh Moufdel, served as the faithful scribe and secret counsellor to Queen Shagaret El-dor. Despite inheriting great wealt...

Welcome to St Shenouda Podcast, where today we explore the extraordinary life of St. Verena , the pure bride of Christ and a renowned teacher of cleanliness and hygiene. Born in the village of Garagous in the Theban region to Christian parents, she was baptized and educated by Bishop Chaeremon, growing steadily in grace and faith. As a young woman, she courageously visited and ministered to impris...