Speaking The Truth In Love

Fr. Thomas discusses "the rock" upon whom Christ built his Church and St. Peter's role in that early Church.

What is this current fasting period all about? We reach back into the archives and re-introduce this helpful teaching from Fr. Tom originally given last year.

Fr. Thomas looks at the roots of Pentecost—the coming of the Spirit—in Old Testament worship.

Psalm 77 (76 in the Septuagint) is the basis of a favorite hymn in the Orthodox Church: "Who is so great a God as our God? Our God is the God who works wonders!"

Fr. Thomas rejoices in the enthronement of the crucified One, raised and glorified.

Fr. Tom is on the road and chats with Fr. Steve Tsichlis of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA. Learn about and be encouraged with this outreach minded parish and priest.

Fr. Thomas looks at the Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Pascha—a miraculous sign that at first glance doesn't seem to involve a miracle.

Fr. Tom traces the history of America's secular religion, paying particular attention to that religion's cherished patriarchs and dogmas, in a special podcast dedicated to this week's President's Day.

In the first of two meditations on the story known as the Prodigal Son, Fr. Tom takes a look at the three characters in the drama.

Fr. Tom teaches on the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee as we prepare for the Lenten season.

What do Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom mean to the Orthodox Church? Try "light, wisdom, and pastoral care." Fr. Hopko explains why we celebrate these unique and holy men.

As we bring the month of January to a close, Fr. Tom thinks back on the spiritual fathers we have celebrated during this month in particular, St. Anthony. The following resources were recommended: Saying of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection Translated by Sister Benedicta Ward The Arena: An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism by Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov The Philokalia Ladder of Divine Ascent Symeon the New Theologian: The Discourses St. Maximus the Confessor: The Ascetic Life, The Four Centuries on Charity St Athanasius: The Life of St. Antony Love's Immensity: Mystics on the Endless Life by Scott Cairns Orthodoxy Alive 2008 Sessions 1-3 presented by Fr. Thomas Hopko available on St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral website.

Fr. Tom recorded this on Jan 21: the day after the inauguration of President Barak Obama and the day before the March for Life in Washington, DC. He draws on Scripture, Tradition, and St. Maximus to help us know how to react to rampant abortions in our world.

There are radical differences in John's baptism, the baptism that Jesus' disciples were doing before Jesus was crucified, and the baptism that came afterward. Fr. Tom helps us understand how our baptism is a baptism with fire.

Father Thomas Hopko remembers the last days of Fr. Alexander Schmemann on the 25th anniversary of his falling asleep in our Lord Jesus Christ. May his memory be eternal.

Fr. Tom expounds on one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament.

Fr. Tom spoke at the 40th Anniversary of the consecration of the chapel at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA, on September 27, 2008. In this lecture he reflects on 40 years of Orthodoxy in North America.

Fr. Thomas concludes his series by reflecting on what it means to be a Christian in America today.

Fr. Hopko outlines how the Church fared in the 20th century in lands that were not traditionally Orthodox.

Fr. Tom looks at the Church in the 20th century, especially in Communist countries.