Mary, the First Hesyachist – Part II – “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart”

Mary, the First Hesyachist Part II “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” While in the womb of the Advent Fast, awaiting the birth of Christ, let us enter into the prayer life of the Theotokos, whom St. Gregory Palamas called the first hesyachist and reflect on the value of …

The Dance Between Temptations and Grace, Part II, Airing on OCN beginning of November

“For it is absolutely necessary for the grace of God to leave, once a tried struggler has acquired a good taste of it in the beginning, so that he may be tested and become a practiced soldier in Christ.” Elder Joseph My last few podcasts have focused on fighting our spiritual battles as members of …

The Dance Between Temptations and Grace, Part 1

  The Dance Between Temptations and Grace Part 1     "As the Vespers service finished, I reflected on the newly tonsured nuns. They had waited years for this moment. They had struggled and fought temptations, passions, bad thoughts, and here they were at the true beginning of their monastic life. Things would become harder, …

Faith vs. Knowledge Part 1, Podcast Airing on OCN, July 2nd

   Faith vs. Knowledge Part I Why is it so challenging sometimes to have faith? What does worldly knowledge have to do with our lack of faith? Let’s find out!         I am so inspired about our podcast today! When my husband read Homily 52 by St. Isaac the Syrian to me …

First of two podcast on Obedience and Humility, airing May 7th on OCN

Part I - Obedience Christ is Risen! In Truth He is Risen!           When researching for this podcast I realized that I could not talk about humility without first speaking about obedience, for according to many of the Holy Fathers, from obedience comes humility. “Obedience and humility go hand-in-hand. They feed …