What God is Not

This week Sister Natalia talks about her reflection on humility while she was on poustinia. Father Michael and Sister Natalia Out and About Hope in the Desert: Sr. Natalia spoke at St Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church Link to Sister Natalia's poem Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpodcast@...

Father Michael picks up where Sister Natalia left off with the Prayer of St Ephraim. References: First Episode 1 covering the Prayer of St Ephraim Prayer of St Ephraim - there are various versions of this prayer throughout, so you may find different translations online. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! w...

This week we're talking about the Prayer of St Ephraim, and walk through the specifics of the prayer with suggestions of what to look for in your life to put the prayer in action. References: Prayer of St Ephraim - there are various versions of this prayer throughout, so you may find different translations online. Proto-Cathedral of St Mary FB Page for Livestreaming of Matins Follow and Conta...

This week we're going back in time a few weeks and talking about the saints of the day of recording, February 11th: St Charalampus and Venerable Prochorus the Orach Eater. References: Link to Father Michael's guidance on the Great Fast to his parishioners Proto-Cathedral of St Mary FB Page for Livestreaming of Matins The Prologue of Ohrid Erin Planned Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch Litt...

This week Sister Natalia shares a reflection from her recent time in poustinia, and talks about a word that she heard during her time in poustinia. References: Poustinia by Catherine Doherty Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Christ the Bridegroom's Writeup on Poustinias Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Micha...

This week Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about experiences of hearing God in prayer, how they knew the voice they were hearing was of the Lord, and how that can be different for each individual. References: Sober Intoxication of the Spirit by Raniero Cantalamessa Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us!...

It's Question and Answer time! We cover a variety of topics in this week's episode. If you've got more questions send them our way: Email, Facebook, Instagram! References: Books: The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection Translated by Benedicta Ward The Art of Prayer Edited by Kallistos Ware The Paintings: Father Michael suggests that you zoom in on the faces in...

This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia reflect on living without. We're often mistaken on what we "need", what we can do without, and what we can't do without. References: Forgiveness Vespers - Page 21 of the Order of Vespers for the Great Fast Summary of 8 Evil Thoughts defined by Evagrius Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitt...

Father Travis joined us for a second episode. This week we're talking about spiritual friendship, how our friendship with each other can build each other up and draw us closer to Christ. References: From Christendom to Apostolic Mission by University of Mary Outcast Catholic with Fr. Travis and Fr. Shane Deman Companions of Christ, Denver Quote from Evagrios : "When suffering from the fe...

It's finally here! The most shouted-out person on the podcast joins Sister Natalia and Father Michael for two episodes. This week we're wrapping up the series on the Byzantine Divine Liturgy. The people receive Communion and are sent forth on mission. References: Outcast Catholic with Fr. Travis and Fr. Shane Deman Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to P...

"We all experience time, and we all get to the future, but when we're only focused on the future as something that needs to be attained, then we're failing to live in this present moment." That's an episode quote from Sister Natalia. This week we're talking about time, the poverty of time in the monastic life, and watching the way we spend our time. We're joined...

It's part 7 of our review of the Divine Liturgy, and we're still preparing for Communion, albeit we're a little closer this week! Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Part 4: Creed and Anaphora Part 5: Epiclesis Part 6: Preparation for Communion Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr...

This week we're talking about a few saints and feast days the nuns at Christ the Bridegroom felt more people should know about. References: St. Mary of Egypt Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show

It's part 6 of our review of the Divine Liturgy. This week we're preparing for Communion. Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Part 4: Creed and Anaphora Part 5: Epiclesis Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnot...

This week we're talking about examining your day-to-day life and interactions to identify what brings you closer to Christ, and training ourselves to want more and more of Him in our daily life. Also, we have a guest appearance from the producer and editor of the Created and Called podcast. References: Created and Called Podcast The Daily Examen Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael...

Continuing on with part 5 of our walk-through of the Divine Liturgy. This week we're looking at the Epiclesis Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Part 4: Creed and Anaphora Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpod...

Time for part 4! Father Michael continues his walk-through of the Divine Liturgy with the Creed and Anaphora Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.com Send us Fan Mail S...

Philip's Fast started a week ago! This week we're talking about practical ways to prepare for Christmas. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show

This week we're looking at the types of the Theotokos found in the Old Testament. And intern Olivia is featured this week too! References The Theotokos in Scripture and Hymnography Summary of Akathist Hymn: Laudation of the Theotokos The Akathist Hymn and Small Compline Thank you for your generosity at the Bridegroom's Banquet. The monastery raised a record amount  and donations are stil...

Time for part 3! Father Michael continues his walk-through of the Divine Liturgy with the Great Entrance. If you've missed part 1 you can find it here: Preparing to Prepare And part 2 is here: Liturgy of the Catechumens Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show

This week we break down the meaning of "Christ the Bridegroom" and talk about the icon of Christ the Bridegroom. Bonus - you get to hear Sister Natalia sing! References: Jesus the Bridegroom: the Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Brant Pitre Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Typikon Register for the virtual Bridegroom's Banquet , the annual fundraiser for Christ the Bridegroom monaster...

Time for part 2! Father Michael continues his walk-through of the Divine Liturgy with the Liturgy of the Catechumens. If you've missed part 1 you can find it here: Preparing to Prepare Register for the virtual Bridegroom's Banquet , the annual fundraiser for Christ the Bridegroom monastery. Your donations will be matched! Thanks in advance for your generosity. Follow us on Instagram and...

This week we're talking about obedience and all that it entails in the Christian life. References: Christ the Bridegroom Typikon (the rule of life at Christ the Bridegroom Monastery) Blood Brothers by Archbishop Elias Chacour Father Elijah by Michael D. O'Brien Register for the virtual Bridegroom's Banquet , the annual fundraiser for Christ the Bridegroom monastery. Your donations w...

This week we walk through the first 1/3 of the Divine Liturgy. It's "...the hidden part, or the secret part of the Divine Liturgy that most people don't see." Or as Sister Natalia says "...everything leading up to before Divine Liturgy starts." Register for the virtual Bridegroom's Banquet , the annual fundraiser for Christ the Bridegroom monastery. Your donation...

You've got questions, we've got answers! This week we answer questions you've sent our way. Register for the virtual Bridegroom's Banquet , the annual fundraiser for Christ the Bridegroom monastery. Your donations will be matched! Thanks in advance for your generosity. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatg...