Today Fr. Anthony offers a class on ecclesiology, focusing on the various clerical ranks and their purpose.  Enjoy the show!

Homily from the Great Lenten Sunday of the Cross (Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Mark 8:34-9:1).  Fr. Anthony offers a meditation on ways that we can take up our cross and follow Christ.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony continues taking us through Tito Coliander's Way of Ascetics (SVS Press), covering chapter twenty, "On Fasting" and twenty-one, "One the Avoidance of Extravagance."  It's also an opportunity to hear what happens when a teacher runs out of both energy and intellect.  Enjoy the show!

Hebrews (1:10-2:3) and Mark. (2:1-12).  The Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas.  Fr. Anthony offers a reflection on the need for quiet (and for holy friends).  Enjoy the show!

Today, Fr. Anthony continues introducing the class to the basics of Orthodoxy, talking about the cycles of worship and how they redeem the time.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony continues taking us through Tito Coliander's Way of Ascetics (SVS Press), covering chapter nineteen; "On the Bodily and Mental Accompaniments of Prayer."  Enjoy the show!

In today's class, Fr. Anthony talks about faith and about the essential theology that Orthodox Christians need to commit themselves to.  Enjoy the show!

John 1: 43-51.  Today Fr. Anthony demonstrates the challenge of pollen and sudafed-affected thinking, offering a meditation on the ease of doing theology wrong (as the iconoclasts did), the importance of finding a source we can trust (e.g. the Church and its Divine Liturgy), and of letting the Church's way of discerning become our way.  Enjoy the show.

This evening, Fr. Anthony continues taking us through Tito Coriander's Way of Ascetics (SVS Press), focusing on chapter eighteen "On Prayer."  Enjoy the show!

In today's class, Father Anthony introduces us to the basics of Orthodox Architecture, using Christ the Savior (Anderson SC) as an example.  Enjoy the show!

St. Matthew 6: 14-21.  The Sunday of the Expulsion from Paradise, Forgiveness, and Cheesefare.  Today Fr. Anthony talks about the need for forgiveness in our fallen world, how we often get it wrong, and what happens when we get it right.  Not a bad day, glory to God.  Enjoy the show!

Christ the Savior parish in Anderson SC is blessed with an increasing number of inquirers and catechumens.  This class on sacramental theology and the sacraments is the introductory class to the series, Introduction to Orthodoxy.  Enjoy the show! 

1 Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2 (On Fasting) ; Matthew 25:31-46 (On the Judgment).  After describing the pastoral implications of the epistle lesson on fasting, Fr. Anthony describes what the parable of the last judgment tells us about Christ.  Enjoy the show!

 

 

In this homily on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Anthony warns about the danger of moving to a foreign spiritual land and encourages us to me like the Father in our instinct for love.  Enjoy the show!

St. Matthew 15:21-28.  In this homily on the healing of the Canaanite's daughter, Fr. Anthony talks about BBQ, the faith of the Canaanite woman, and the necessary repentance of the Israelites.  Along the way, he warns against saying that Jesus was prejudiced against the Canaanites due to his cultural context.  Enjoy the show!

In this homily given on the (kind of) Sunday of Zacchaeus, Fr. Anthony points out inconsistencies across Orthodox lectionaries, using it as an opportunity to make a plea for humility and the kind of repentance Zacchaeus had. Enjoy the show!

In this unevenly executed but well-intentioned meditation on Luke 17:12-19 (the ten lepers), Fr. Anthony talks about moving from transactional gratitude, beyond optimism, into an awful thanksgiving.  Enjoy the show!  

Colossians 2:8-12; Luke 2:20-21; 40-52.  Fr. Anthony gives a straightforward homily on the Circumcision, using the name of Jesus/Joshua to frame a discussion of the incarnation, law vs. grace, and the need to be transformed by grace.  Enjoy the show!

The second-best homily you will hear all year (the first being his Paschal homily)!

In this meditation on Colossians 3:4-11 and Luke 14:16-24, Fr. Anthony speaks on the need to submit to the duty and propriety of love rather than chasing ephemeral joys (distractions).  Without this, we miss out on the meaning and significance of the many invitations to banquets that we are given and sadly choose to take care of other things that feel more important and enjoyable.  Enjoy the show! 

Ephesians 2:14-22 (wall of separation), Luke 10:25-37 (eye of the camel).  In this homily (hostage situation?), Fr. Anthony notes how far our experience is from that promised by the Gospel.  He suggests that it is our unwillingness to take our commitment to perfection (I have united myself to Christ!) seriously.  He provides ways to gauge our spiritual maturity (how we respond to praise and criticism; how tightly we hold onto ideas and things that are not necessary) and offers the Orthodox Way as the most efficient way to increase the ability of God's grace to lift us into His Kingdom.  Enjoy the show!

Luke 12:16-21; Ephesians 2:4-10.  Alas, I still feel the effects of Covid (mind fog, a cough).  In this homily on overcoming our limitations through discipline and grace, I overshared (twice!), squashed three points, and overshot my landing.  Despite this, I hope you find something useful in there somewhere.  Enjoy the show!

Hebrews 7:26-8:2; Luke 10:25-37.  In this recap of today's homily (the recorder didn't work for the actual homily, so Fr. Anthony recorded this in the car on his way home), Fr. Anthony takes humanity to task for not loving God or our neighbor.  He also describes God's plan for rectifying this situation.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony misplaced his recorder, so this homily is about a month old.  He talks about the need to imitate Christ on the Cross - and that means suffering for others NOT for ourselves.  And we should never do that alone.  Enjoy the show.

In this homily on the Parable on the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Fr. Anthony makes three points: that we are called to notice and care for the hungry and sick at our doorstep, that we are to called to notice and minister to all the suffering people in our midst (which is everyone) and that one of the best things to do is invite people to join us at the Eucharistic Feast.  Enjoy the show! 

2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 ; Luke 7:11-16.  After introducing perspective into the conversation about miracles, Fr. Anthony talks about the need for the mature Christian to move beyond using (just) the rules when seeking holiness and instead constantly looking and listening for opportunities for subtle repentance.  Enjoy the show!

In this homily, Fr. Anthony continues to meditate on the meaning of the Cross.  This time, he combines three concepts: the purpose of Christ's passion (to heal and save others, not himself), the fact that we are called to be Christ (with him in us and us in him) and the unity of Christians in and as Christ's body to challenge us to live sacrificially in service to others.  Enjoy the show! 

2 Corinthians: 4:6-15 and Luke 5:1-11.  Fr. Anthony offers a meditation on how our culture sets us up for failure with fallen and incomplete anthropologies and ecclesiologies.  The answer is to live Orthodoxy in face-to-face relations (around the table).  Enjoy the show!

On the Sunday after the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Galatians 2:16-20; Mark 8:34-38; 9:1) Fr. Anthony explains why the image of the Cross (vs. for example, the sun) is so important for framing the Christian/True approach to salvation and holiness.  After stretching the metaphor of gardening (and yes, he really did swing from poison vines when young), he borrows from Mp. Anthony of Sourozh and Fr. Thomas Hopko to share the three types of suffering and the image of the thief's cross.  Enjoy the show!

In this homily on St. John 3:13-17, Fr. Anthony describes how we are like the Israelites in the wilderness being bitten by serpents for our sins; and how Christ lifted up is still the way to healing, harmony, and salvation.  Enjoy the show!

In this homily on Matthew 19:16-26, Fr. Anthony encourages us to move away from a transactional approach to salvation (what must I DO?!) to one that is transformative (who must I become).  He also point out that we need to learn to listen in humility to the very end.  Enjoy the show!

In this bit of homilizing (it really doesn't rate the full moniker "homily") offered on the Feast of the Dormition (Old Calendar), Fr. Anthony puts together some ideas inspired by the Feast.  It wasn't particularly well-organized or well-presented, but it was offered with love, both for God's mother and for the people gathered to celebrate this feast.  I reckon that counts for something.  Enjoy the show!  

In this reflection offered on the Sunday after the Dormition (New Calendar), Fr. Anthony explains that the theological points that are affirmed in the life of the Theotokos - to include her falling asleep - are important while noting that our relationship to her is familial rather than intellectual.  Enjoy the show!

1 Corinthians 3:9-17 (we are a temple); Matthew 14:22-34 (walking on water).  Sunday of the Cross and Maccabean martyrs.  Fr. Anthony compares our situation to that of Peter on the water, then encourages us to reach out to Christ and turn our lives into living temples through virtue.  Such a temple can protect us from the chaos and allow us to live in it without losing our peace.  Enjoy the show! 

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 and the Transfiguration.  In this well-intentioned mess of a homily, Fr. Anthony diagnoses our divisiveness as a maladaptation to chaos and describes how the peace of Tabor can become a mechanism for moving us from the tribalism of Babel to the graceful unity of Pentecost.  Ignore the bit on multiple reactions to holiness (he didn't really tie that piece in very well, bless his heart!). Enjoy the show!

Matthew 9:27-35 and Romans 15:1-7.  Faith is hard.  Trust is hard.  But they are key to our healing and perfection.  Today Fr. Anthony offers encouragement to all those who have been hurt and who want to be made well, but have a hard time being vulnerable because of the many times the world has used their vulnerability (and kindness) to hurt them.  Enjoy the show!

Today Fr. Anthony continues leading us through Tito Coliander's "Way of Ascetics" (St. Vladimir Seminary Press), covering chapters fifteen and sixteen, both "On Prayer."  Enjoy the show!

Homily on Matthew 9:1-8 and Romans 12:6-14.  The main point Fr. Anthony tries to make is that all of our actions need to be graceful and kind, that our "consciences" are unreliable guides to what is good, and that our feelings often need to be sacrificed for the sake of doing what is right.  Money quote; "You have heard that integrity is doing what is right even when no one is looking; this advice is good and true, but to it I would add that virtue requires doing what is right even when your feelings advise against it." 

Fr. Anthony continues his series on Tito Corianser's "Way of Ascetics", covering Chapter Thirteen "On Progress in Depth" and Chapter Fourteen "On Humility and Watchfulness".  Enjoy the show!

Meditation on Romans 10:1-10 (and the Robel's Fiftieth Anniversary!!!).  Fr. Anthony describes how the commitment to show up every day transforms us into saints.  First, it keeps us together and in the game; and second, it allows our relationships with others to work with our attitude of continual repentance to teach us how to do better every day.  Enjoy the show! 

Homily on 2 Timothy 2:1-10 & Matthew 8:5-13.  The Centurian was a man under authority and that gave him a way to understand and frame his relationship to God and God's relationship to the world.  The army is intentional about developing this instinct; how are we to submit and train our wills as Orthodox Christians so that we can have "such faith"?  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony continues his series on Tito Coriander's "Way of Ascetics", covering Chapter Eleven "On the Inner Warfare as a Means to an End" and Chapter Twelve "On Obedience."  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony continues his series on Tito Coriander's "Way of Ascetics", covering Chapter Seven "On the Transfer of Love from the Self to Christ" and Chapter Eight "On Guarding against the Re-entry of Vanquished Evil."  Enjoy the show!

In this meditation on St. Matthew 6:22-33 ("lillies of the field"), Fr. Anthony starts as Christ does, ie by describing the problem of having visioned darkened by the world and sin.  He then describes how the Church - through the parish - offers a way to grow in the simplicity of the light.  Enjoy the show!

Today, Fr. Anthony talks about our calling to transform our culture through repentance so that it naturally avoids what is evil and does what is good.  This includes discerning what needs to be removed, modified, and blessed.  Recorded on the second Sunday after Pentecost at Christ the Savior in Anderson, SC.  Enjoy the show!

We cover chapters five and six of Tito Caliander's "Way of Ascetics" (St. Vladimir Press), "On the Denial of Self and the Cleansing of the Heart" and "On Eradicating the Desire for Enjoyment."  Enjoy the show!

In this homily offered on All Saints (and Father's Day; Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30), Fr. Anthony begins by talking about the need to approach God apophatically in silence, and then to allow that perspective (and not the world) to determine our priorities, definitions, framings, etc.   He ends by encouraging everyone to foster communal relations through which we are continually pastoring and being pastored to.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony offers a meditation on the power the New Covenant gives humanity to live a life of beautiful harmony.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony talks to Fr. Harry about his recent trip to Egypt, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the challenge of Orthodoxy after Communism, and the desperate need for a pan-Orthodox Council.  

In this meditation, Fr. Anthony presents the Gospel of the Samaritan Woman as a model for acquiring the Holy Spirit, focusing on the need for continual repentance from sin and worldly explanations/definitions.  Enjoy the show!

We cover chapters three and four of Tito Caliander's "Way of Ascetics" (St. Vladimir Press), "On the Garden of the Heart" and "On the Silent and Invisible Warfare."  Enjoy the show!

We cover chapters one and two of Tito Caliander's "Way of Ascetics" (St. Vladimir Press), "On a Resolute and Sustained Purpose" and "On the Insufficiency of Human Strength."  Enjoy the show!

In this homily offered on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers (and Mother's Day!), Fr. Anthony offers an almost coherent meditation on how we need both rituals and grace to live a life of integrity and holiness.  Enjoy the show!  

St. Thomas Sunday.  Fr. Anthony offers a meditation (hostage situation?!) on the circle of trust and how Christ works with our fallen psychology to draw us out of darkness into the light.

Fr. Anthony offers a meditation on what we can learn from Christ's entrance into Jerusalem and how entering into it with Him can perfect us and heal the world around us.  He focuses primarily on the relationship between understanding and communion, how our dysfunctions have distorted it, and how Orthodoxy restores it.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD, about guruism, why it is dangerous, and how to avoid it.  Enjoy the show!

In this homily, Fr. Anthony uses what voice he had left after subbing for kindergarten classes this past week to describe St. Mary's theosis and the role community can play in our own.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony talks with evangelical author, blogger, and podcaster, John Michalak about grace, liturgy, and the need to "surrender subjectivity."  John started attending services at Holy Resurrection in Waynesville NC a few months ago and shares some observations.  Enjoy the show!

In this homily given at St. Nicholas in Charlottesville, VA on the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder, Fr. Anthony reminds us that God offers us more than the power to endure or see things more clearly - He offers us union with Him.  And THAT is what we really need. Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD, about how NOT to elicit repentance during confession, some of the differences between confession, interrogation, and therapy, and why love and trust are foundational to the process of reconciliation.  Enjoy the show!

Fr. Anthony rambles a bit about the most wonderful days of services of the entire year: Royal Hours of Pascha, Vespers of Holy Friday, Matins of Holy Saturday, and the First Resurrection Service of PASCHA (Vesperal Liturgy).

In this meditation on the Sunday of the Holy Cross, Fr. Anthony riffs on St. Paul's warning that the Cross could be of no effect (1 Corinthians 1:17 and Philippians 3:18-21), warning us not to use the cross as a talisman or even as a balm to ease the pain, but rather to allow Christ to plant it in the garden of temple of our heart.  Enjoy the show!

We talk about the services of Holy and Great Wednesday and Thursday (kind of).  Enjoy the show!

In this meditation on the witness of St. Gregory Palamas, Fr. Anthony encourages us to allow the peace of the Liturgy - rather than the chaos of the world - to define us and our relationships with others.  Enjoy the show!

Join us as we discuss the service that serves as the door into Holy Week: Bridegroom Matins.  Enjoy the show!

In this all but incoherent reflection on the theme of the Triumph of Orthodoxy (icons!), Fr. Anthony draws again from the wisdom of St. Maximos the Confessor to present a vision of a creation infused with grace and perfectability and what that means for the day of judgment.  Alas that he made his main point - that the Incarnation was the best use of flesh - apophatically.  Enjoy the show!  

In this reflection offered on the Saturday of St. Theodore the Soldier, Fr. Anthony encourages us to take St. Theodore's warning seriously and avoid consuming content (metaphorically) polluted by blood offered to pagan gods in favor of simpler and purer fare.  Enjoy the show!

Tonight's livestream class covers the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.  It's such a beautiful service and epitomizes the Lenten worship experience for many. Enjoy the show!

In this meditation for Forgiveness Sunday, Fr. Anthony encourages us to see and resonate with the good in everyone so that God's grace can heal our divisions.  Offered at St. Michael parish (Woonsocket RI) on the day after Fr. Michael Abrahamson's ordination - AXIOS and MANY BLESSED YEARS!

In tonight's livestream we cover the service that is central to who we are a defines our pattern of being: the Divine Liturgy.  Enjoy the show!

Homily on the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).  Fr. Anthony draws on his experience as a retired Army officer (USAR) and the teaching of St. Maximus the Confessor to provide perspective, consolation, and encouragement during this time of war.  Major points include the way the world and its labels darken our spiritual sight and the power Christ has given to His Royal Priesthood to heal the world's pain.  Enjoy the show! 

In tonight's livestream class, Fr. Anthony covers the outline and some of the themes of Resurrection Matins/Orthros.  It's not pretty - he was suffering pretty mightily from a sinus infection - but there you go.  Enjoy the show!

Homily on 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son).  Fr. Anthony explains how God's imprint enables community and the multiplication of grace.  Enjoy the show!

Today's class is the beginning of a series on specific services. We start with Great Vespers, the first service of the new day. It's a great way to spend Saturday evening!

Publican and Pharisee.  After sharing a parable on rock-climbing, Fr. Anthony encourages us to hold our opinions gently and to take some baby steps towards humility by admitting that "we might not be as right as we could have been" and that "they probably aren't as wrong as we thought they were."  Enjoy the show!

Today Fr. Anthony reviews some of the tricks our minds play with us to believe things that aren't true and then describes the critical role humility and passionlessness play in guarding us against their worst effects and keeping us from doubling down on stupid.

In this meditation on Matthew 15:21-28 and Corinthians 6:16-7:1, Fr. Anthony talks about the new way of holiness and the transition from smiting enemies to drawing them into the Kingdom through love.  Enjoy the show! 

Today I present the main ideas from the research on the psychology of influence (Cialdini) and briefly describe its relevance for theological discernment.  Livestreamed on 2/1/2022.

1 Timothy 1:15-17.  Take two (because ... Old Calendar and New Calendar).  Another call to bring back the saying; "glory to God."

1 Timothy 1:15-17.  After providing his testimony, St. Paul immediately breaks into a prayer of exultation.  We would do well to imitate that habit and bring back the saying; "glory to God."

Ephesians 4:7-13; Matthew 4:12-17.  Sunday after Theophany.  Our minds stand between us and living as God's royal priesthood and holy kingdom.  We have to repent and rebuild our minds in Christ.  Enjoy the Show!

This "New Year" stream of consciousness celebrates Georgia's victory over Michigan and then talks about how our prior conceptions interfere with objectivity, the relative value of mercy and forgiveness over judgment, and the need to stay away from righteous anger.  My thanks to Max, Dn. Adrian, and Rdr. Seraphim for their questions and comments during the livestream.  Enjoy the show!

Matthew 2:13-23; Galatians 1:11-19.  Without effort, we will get truth and love wrong and mess up our relationships.  It was true for Saints Luke and Cleopas, for Saint Paul, and (alas) for Herod.  It will be true for us and will affect our marriages and Church membership, too.  But God is offering us a solution.  Enjoy the show!

Ephesians 5:8-19; Luke 17:12-19.  A meditation on three kinds of pilgrimage: to the holy site, to a feast, and to the temple of the heart.  Each offers the blessings of beauty, fellowship, and noetic union.  Enjoy the show!

Ephesians 5:8-19; Luke 14:16-24.  Fr. Anthony offers a meditation on "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon thee."  He encourages us to let go of the stories of ourselves and the arch of history informed by the evil days, spend time in silent awe at God's feet, and then allow Him to give our stories not just new words, but grace.  Enjoy the show!

Ephesians 2:14-22, Luke 12:16-21.  After making a point about the power of Christian unity to transcend war, Fr. Anthony uses the Orthodox conception of the mind to explain the parable of the man who built the barns and then reminds us that we are susceptible to the same self delusion.  Enjoy the show!

YouTube livestream from 20211204.  I talk about the pattern of sound and life as liturgy.  Notes are available at orthoanalytika.org.  Enjoy the show!

Luke 10:25-37; Ephesians 2:4-10.  In this homily on Christ's encounter with the rich young man, Fr. Anthony encourages us to let go of our need to uses riches, lists, and spells and open ourselves to follow the living God.  Enjoy the show!

In the 11/27/21 livestream, Fr. Anthony answers the question of whether or not all aliens and sidhe (fairies) are demons.  He gives the answer pretty early on (along with the usual stream of consciousness), but the real value is in the explanation and its defense of a Logos-grounded social science.  Enjoy the show!

Today Fr. Anthony talks with heterodox political scientist Matthew Woessner (PhD, OSU) about how to recognize bad research.  We are being inundated by all kinds of misinformation (and disinformation!) through the press and social media, to include from otherwise Orthodox sources.  This is increasing our polarization and decreasing our trust in institutions and one another.  Learning to recognize bad research isn't just useful for spotting deceptions about public health; it may even help us see through bogus claims about about ecclesial politics.  Matthew Woessner is a Professor of Institutional Research at the United States Army War College, but the views he presents in this talk are his own.

This homily was given on the day of the celebration of St. Michael and the Hosts of Heaven.  Although it was never explicated, it is a meditation triangling in from on Hebrews 13:2; "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares", Christ's words (Matthew 25:40); "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’" and the expectation that the saints will join the Lord's Divine Council (e.g. 1 Corinthians 6:3).  The main point is that we should be in as much awe of the people in our lives as we are of the angels.  Enjoy the show!

After talking about his experience with a dead battery, Fr. Anthony ties the theology of the Logos and beauty into his ongoing conversation on worldviews, framing, and connecting dots in a way that is eternally true and not just accurate.  Enjoy the show!

The Good Samaritan and the Eve of St. Phillip's Fast.   It isn't just our understanding of "neighbor" that needs adjusting.  We misunderstand love. And because of that, we tend to get fasting wrong.  Part of the problem is that we misunderstand the fall and ancestral sin.  Enjoy the show!

After talking about the heresy of decaf coffee, Fr. Anthony triangulates from three verses of scripture: "I said in my amazement every man is a liar" (Psalm 116:11), "If You O Lord should mark iniquities who shall stand, but there is forgiveness with You" (Psalm 130:3) and "What is truth" (John 18:38) to talk about framing, confirmation bias, and worldviews, pointing out the importance of cultivating a worldview that promotes discernment and harmony; holiness and truth.  Enjoy the show!

Homily on Luke 16:19-31.  After covering the more superficial material "brain-based" message of the Gospel, Fr. Anthony tries to guide the listener to the deeper meanings.  Enjoy the show!