Ancient Faith Ministries

Mar 22, 2023 • 1h 52m

In his homily for the Sunday of the Cross, the Very Rev. Alexander Rentel summarizes the first half of Great Lent, demonstrating how the the first two Sundays celebrated the beauty and truth of Orthodox theology, as taught by St Gregory Palamas and the defenders of Orthodoxy against the iconoclasts. This theological reflection leads us to the Cross, the most perfect revelation of God. From here on out, the Sundays of Great Lent emphasize action - the saving action of taking up one’s cross, shown in the examples of St John Climacus and St Mary of Egypt.

Mar 22, 2023 • 41 min

The Akathist to the Theotokos is an important part of Great Lent in many parishes. But why do we stand? And why is the Virgin Mary called “Champion General”? In this episode, Lynnette explores the content and history of this beloved hymn.

Mar 21, 2023 • 3h 2m

The final words of the Lord in Matthew 5 are the command to "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." How can we possibly be "perfect"? We have been challenged with many seemingly impossible ideals so far in the Sermon on the Mount. How do the Fathers explain this?

Mar 21, 2023 • 1h 43m

When Orthodox Christians gather to pray for their beloved friends and family who have fallen asleep, we are encouraged to meditate on the words of our Lord, “the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live” (John 5:25). The Very Rev. Alexander Rentel explores this Memorial Saturday gospel reading and reminds us to hear the voice of God and do good while we live, so that we may be raised to the “resurrection of life”.

Mar 15, 2023 • 34 min

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Hospice Chaplain Nikki Stournaras on the services and benefits offered by hospice care for our loved ones, including questions/issues that families need to consider.

Mar 14, 2023 • 2h 52m

On the Sunday of St Gregory Palamas, the gospel reading relates the story of the paralytic who, after being lowered through a roof by his friends to be healed by Jesus, was told, “Your sins are forgiven you.” The Pharisees grumble inwardly, thinking “Only God can forgive sins.” Fr Bogdan Bucur points out the irony of their complaint - in their lack of faith, the Pharisees are not able to see that it is, in truth, the Living God who stands before them, working wonders and forgiving sins as only God can. Fr Bogdan relates this gospel reading to the key teachings of St Gregory Palamas, and exhorts us to interact with God in faith through prayer, that He may work in us.

Mar 13, 2023 • 3h 22m

The 10 Commandments are not the highest moral code for Christians. The Lord fulfilled the Law and inaugurated a new and higher standard. Join us as we continue our analysis of the Sermon on the Mount.

Mar 9, 2023 • 1h 58m

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Fr Vincent Temirov reminds us that the triumph of Orthodoxy is not a triumph over other people, but the triumph of the divine truth in the hearts of those who belong to the Orthodox Church, who proclaim the truth revealed by God in its integrity. There is more to being Orthodox than simply holding the right doctrine; we carry out our Orthodoxy, our right glory and worship by orthopraxis, the right way in which we strive to live out our lives every day.

Mar 8, 2023 • 59 min

Outward silence can be difficult to find, but the Church is more concerned with inner silence, a quietude of the heart. Lynnette explores the saints’ advice for cultivating stillness at times, regardless of our circumstances.

Mar 7, 2023 • 56 min

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Kevin Kalish about his new book She Who Loved Much, the Sinful Woman in St. Ephrem the Syrian and the Orthodox Tradition. Published by Holy Trinity Publications. Information about his book is available @ http://bookstore.jordanville.org/ https://kevinkalish.substack.com https://orthodoxlife.org/jordanville-readings/ephrem-graecus-sinful-woman/

Mar 7, 2023 • 2h 28m

Fr. Evan Armatas joins us for a special show to discuss his book, Reclaiming the Great Commission. The command of Christ to "make disciples of all nations" is often neglected by Orthodox Christians but it is essential to the gospel, the very purpose of the Church.

Mar 4, 2023 • 1h 53m

Preaching on Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday, the Very Rev. Alexander Rentel imparts a message that we would all do well to bear in mind for the entirety of Great Lent - fasting is about growing in love for others. We give up our focus on food and entertainment and strive to grow closer to God and our fellow man.

Mar 2, 2023 • 1h 54m

The gospel reading for the Sunday of the Last Judgment, or Meatfare Sunday, contains the Lord’s clear message for us: the way of salvation is partaking in the love of God through love of one’s neighbor. In telling us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and heal the sick, Christ is calling us to follow His example, as he has fed and clothed and nourished us with His own Body. Dn Vitaly Permiakov encourages us to have faith: by the grace of God, we can be given the strength to love and serve one another as Christ does.

Mar 2, 2023 • 3h 47m

Today, we are experiencing unprecedented challenges in the human resources needs in our parishes and ministries, including shortages of clergy, volunteers, ministry leaders, and staff. Join Bill and Dr. Scott Mondore to explore best practices to improve the engagement and results.

Feb 28, 2023 • 3h 6m

We no longer observe the Jewish laws, so what did Christ mean when he said during the Sermon on the Mount that he did not come to abolish the Law? What about the Ten Commandments? Are those rules the moral standards for Christians? Join us as we continue to study Matthew 5.

Feb 28, 2023 • 2h 7m

Pride, anger, lust, envy, gluttony, avarice, sloth - the classic list of “seven deadly sins”, or passions. These passions, according to the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, are not something “injected from the outside”--they are misused, distorted versions of the virtues we all seek to make our own. As we prepare to enter the season of Great Lent, Fr Chad urges us to contemplate the myriad ways in which Scripture shows how the Lord restores our broken and damaged versions of His creation, so that we too may be restored by Him.

Feb 24, 2023 • 5h 10m

Dr. Jenkins welcomes Phil and Tessa Cialini, both longtime friends (and Phil a former student) who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of God and the love of the beautiful. Together they discuss how this pursuit works out in their respective vocations, and what it looks like to put this in practice in their own homes.

Feb 23, 2023 • 1h 59m

The Sunday of the Publican of the Pharisee marks the beginning of the incorporation of the hymns of the Great Triodion in our church services, leading us through Great Lent to Holy Week and Pascha. Fr Vincent Temirov tells us how the Church prescribes specific Gospel readings to prepare our minds and hearts in the three weeks leading up to the beginning of Great Lent, starting with the story of the lowly tax collector and the exalted religious leader. These two diametrically opposed figures paint a clear picture of pride versus humility. Fasting as the Pharisee did without love and humility brought him no benefit; the suspension of the usual Wednesday and Friday fasts during the week after this Sunday is the Church’s way of illustrating this point. It is only through true humility, i.e. putting God before all else, that our prayers bring us into communion with the Lord.

Feb 22, 2023 • 1h 14m

In Lynnette’s Protestant past, “speaking the truth in love” was emphasized. The Orthodox Church’s emphasis on silence, both outward and inward, was new to her. In this episode, we’ll consider what the saints teach about limiting what we say.

Feb 21, 2023 • 3h 6m

As we continue our study of the Beatitudes, one of the most famous passages in the Bible, we hear "blessed are those who mourn," and "blessed are the meek." These and other Beatitudes seem illogical and impossible. Did Christ intend them literally? The Fathers will explain.