Simply Orthodox

(Due to his heavy work load, Dr. Nassif is suspending his podcast, with our gratitude for all his effort and insights.) In this closing rebroadcast, St. Symeon the New Theologian speaks of the need for justice, mercy and faithfulness to God.

This encore presentation is a strong call to keep the Gospel clear and central to all that we do in Orthodox life and liturgy.

In this rebroadcast, Dr. Nassif discusses three important lessons we learn from the Russian novel, "The Way Of The Pilgrim".

In this rebroadcast from our files, Dr. Nassif introduces us to the life and ministry of the late theologian Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983), who tirelessly worked for theological renewal in the Orthodox Church in America and around the world.

Dr. Vrame is the Director of Christian Education at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in New York. In this last interview from the OTS conference, Dr. Nassif asks Dr. Vrame about his vision for Christian education in the Orthodox Church. He also explores the nature of the parish as a context for Christian education. Special attention is given to the question of how "converts and their children" learn the faith. Dr. Vrame also discusses exciting new programs coming out in the Greek Archdiocese this fall. If you are a pastor, a parent, a Christian educator or Church School teacher, this podcast will widen your perspective on all the help that is available for you from the Greek Archdiocese today.

Dr. Nassif introduces you to Sister Nonna Harrison, an Orthodox nun and professor at St. Paul's School of Theology in Kansas City, MO where she teaches Orthodox studies to Methodist seminarians. Listen to how she teaches the Methodists, and what the Methodists have taught her! She also discusses her work as a scholar and author, and the books she has published with St. Vladimir's Press. If you'd like Sr. Nonna to speak at your Church, contact Dr. Nassif through email and he will forward your inquiry to her.

For the next few podcasts Dr. Nassif will be interviewing three people who participated in the annual meeting of the Orthodox Theological Society that recently met in Chicago. On today's broadcast, he interviews Matthew Namee, a young historian. This is one young man whom Dr. Nassif believes holds great promise as a future lay leader in our Church. You'll enjoy getting to know Matthew as you learn about the vision the Lord has given him for his work in the American Church. (11:49)

Are you tired of trying to live the Christian life? Do you feel like giving up because you just can't find the strength to do what Jesus has asked you to do? Then this week's liturgical lesson is for you. An important part of the answer can be found in this brief podcast today.

On first impression, it seems strange that the Church would celebrate the first Ecumenical Council during the post-resurrection season. What does the condemnation of Arianism have to do with the proclamation of the Resurrection? The answer lies in the Church's missionary message: "Go therefore and preach the gospel to all nations!" Evangelism lies at the heart of the Nicene Creed. This is a good reminder for converts who may be tempted to minimize the gospel in the wake of their new-found Orthodoxy."

This week marks the end of the post-paschal liturgies. As with the previous five Sundays, this one focuses on the power of the risen Lord to heal our bodies and souls. Dr. Nassif shares a personal experience of his work as a paraprofessional for severely handicapped children. One little girl named Becky made an unforgettable impression on him that goes right to the heart of the story of the blind man. Is God allowing you to suffer for some reason? There's good news on this podcast: Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world! He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

The evangelistic message of the Samaritan woman has an important message for Christians and it is this: It is possible to go to Church all your life and still not know God. We can be surrounded by a sea of Christian truth and still die because we really did not drink from the well of eternal life which is found in Jesus Christ. This podcast speaks to those who are like the Samaritan woman who was "religious, but lost.

This week the Church focuses our attention on the healing of three people by Jesus Christ. The point of these mighty deeds is to spotlight the power of Christ to forgive sins, heal the sick and raise the dead. Why? So that we might entrust our lives to the living Lord! This podcast will show you why Jesus wants us to keep our eyes fastened on the gospel, and the good things that come to those who do.

Once again, the Church puts the spotlight on the gospel of Jesus Christ, this time through the story of the women who first witnessed the empty tomb. Dr. Nassif shows how the greatest proof of the resurrection of Christ is not to be found in apologetic arguments, but in the transformed lives of these women. That fact has induced more conversions to Christ than all the evidences for the resurrection combined. This message is for you, and especially your children.

In this follow-up podcast, Dr. Nassif offers insights into the meaning of the resurrection for our everyday lives. Following St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, he reminds us that the gospel must always be of "first importance" in all we do as Christians. "Christ is Risen!" must always be the very core of everything we do in life and liturgy. That is one reason why the Sunday of St. Thomas offers us this lesson: We must not only confess the Orthodox faith; we must also personally entrust our lives to Jesus Christ as our Lord and our God!

From Pascha to Pentecost, Orthodox Christians greet each other with the words "Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!" What do those words mean? Dr. Nassif identifies three timeless truths about the Resurrection of Christ: 1. Christ is forever alive 2. Christ conquered death 3. Christ will be the Judge of the living and the dead. Listen to what these three truths mean in the teaching of the New Testament. Next week, he will apply them to our everyday lives.

Holy Week and the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- Dr. Nassif takes us on a brief stroll through Holy Week as he keeps our eyes focused on the single, most important message of the Eastern Orthodox Church: The saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

At its core, anger is a dark and cruel wish for harm to come upon the person who hurt you. The Desert Fathers had at least three strategies for conquering anger: 1) don't be surprised when anger enters your soul, 2) deal with it quickly, and 3) die to your ego. A humorous story taken from the life of St. Makarios of Egypt illumines the way to an anger-free life.

The 'noonday demon' was the monk's greatest of all temptations! And it may be yours as well, especially if you're a clergyman. All Christians, ordained and lay, will want to know what that 'noonday demon' is, and how the gospel conquors it. (8:22)

What keeps us from obeying Jesus? As Orthodox, we're inclined to think that since our theological bank account is full, that is all we need. But the monks had a different perspective. For them love, not knowledge, was the key to the spiritual life. Our lives are small because our wills are big! Listen to wisdom from the sayings of the desert Fathers to encourage you on during this Lenten season. (13:10)

How Not to Fast During Great Lent. How are we to interpret some of the Church's liturgical guidelines during Great Lent? What's so special about not eating fish, meat, cheese, oil, wine and so on? Are these foods "unclean"? Is there something special about these foods but not others? In this podcast, Dr. Nassif interprets the meaning of these foods in light of the " big picture" of what Lent is supposed to be all about: Love for God, and love for neighbor. Listen to this penetrating evaluation of some of the ways we go about our lenten fast.