Fr. Alexander Rentel, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America brings us a preparatory message in anticipation of Great Lent: observe the religious practice of the Church like the pharisee, but beg our Lord for the humble heart of the publican.

The Observance of the Pharisee. The Heart of the Publican.

As we inch closer and closer to the Great Fast, Fr. Tom harkens us back to the basics - that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, even those of us like Zacchaeus.

The Savior of the World . . . Even Zacchaeus

Listen as Fr. Tom encourages all seekers to follow in the path of the Canaanite woman.

Don’t Quit Seeking!

Exhorting us from the Parable of the Talents, Fr. Tom reminds us that - as true members - we must use our gifts to build up the Body of Christ.

What Membership Demands

As we read the story of blind Bartimaeus, Fr. Tom reminds us that when we know who Jesus truly is, and ask His mercy, He will heal us.

Blind Mercy

Fr. Tom unpacks the Epistle reading to show the importance of doctrine for our understanding of Christ, ourselves, the world, and everything.

Doctrine

Leading into the feast of Theophany, Fr. Tom calls to remembrance the Forerunner and how he points us to repentance in order to see clearly our Savior in the Holy Trinity.

The Messenger, The Messiah, and The Manifestation.

Fr. Tom calls to remembrance all of the ways that Christ fulfills the prophecy of the Old Testament - especially how He fulfills the role of King David.

The Shepherd. The Warrior. The King.

On the Sunday before the Nativity, Fr. Tom reminds us of God's promise all throughout the Scriptures - that He is faithful and that we enter into His salvific plan as the Savior enters into our humanity at Christmas.

The Promise

Fr. Tom calls us to consider the invitation of the Gospel: union with one another and union with God Himself. Invariably, we all make excuses to God's invitation - what's yours?

What’s Your Excuse?

Each week, we hear the current Sunday sermon from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Mckees Rocks, PA by Fr. Tom Soroka. Fr. Tom is also heard on The Path, available Monday through Friday.

Fr. Tom draws from both of the Scripture readings to tell us about the inner life of God and how it plays out in our interactions with one another.

The Inner Life of God

If true unity is only found in the Church, then we must ask ourselves, "what can I give up to submit myself to Christ and His Body?" Listen as Fr. Tom calls us to remember our unique individuality, but not to the exclusion of our connectedness to one another.

True Unity

Fr. Tom implores us to understand the parable of the Good Samaritan from a different perspective and ask ourselves, who is the Samaritan? Who is the one left for dead on the road?

Who Is The Good Samaritan?

On the Sunday of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, Fr. Tom reminds us of the constant, unseen warfare that surrounds us. How are to understand the role of the Angels in our lives? Do we remember that they are our constant helpers? While this is true, we're not to forget that nothing will override our personal free-will and that we must choose always to be a disciple of Christ first and foremost if we are to benefit from the Angels' help.

Our Choice & The Angels’ Help

Special guest Fr. John Mikita from Holy Ascension Church in Mount Pleasant, SC encourages us to recall the light of Christ when we face spiritual darkness. Fr. John also warns us that to encounter Christ is to have to choose between the darkness we're comfortable with and the change to which He calls us.

The Monsters We Know . . .

Who or what receives our worship? Is it material things, the creation, or is it the Creator? Fr. Tom exhorts us from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus that we must order our lives around the Divine and live it out by loving those who are Lazarus to us.

Loving Lazarus

Will we live as believers or unbelievers? The line of demarcation can be thin! Fr. Tom argues from the Scriptures and the lives of the saints that we must constantly choose to live out our baptism as the holy and set apart people of God.

Are You A Believer?

The multitudes pressed to hear the Word of God; will we do the same? Fr. Tom teaches us that the Word of God, both the Incarnate Eternal Word and the Holy Scriptures, lead us to life, joy, and ultimate meaning in every action we take as Orthodox Christians.

...To Hear the Word of God

How do we love God with all of our heart, with all of our mind, and with all of our soul? Fr. Tom shows us that Cross serves as the paragon example of fulfilling the greatest commandment of our Lord.

The Greatest Commandment & The Cross

We all receive an invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb, but how will we respond? Will we be found ready in our wedding garments? Fr. Tom calls us to look to the precious and life-giving cross to prepare ourselves as a bride waiting for the consummation of all things in Christ.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Father Tom, I am so thankful to God for your podcasts. God has used your words many times to help me on the path to salvation. Also I am thankful that I was am to meet you at the recent meeting at Saints Peter &amp; Paul in Endicott NY. Praying for God’s Grace to help you as you serve Him. Nancy

Thankful

I always look forward to listening to Fr. Tom&#39;s inspiring words!

Inspiring!

Sermons at St. Nicholas

On the great feast of Pentecost, guest homilist Fr Basil Biberdorf teaches us the importance of knowing Who the Holy Spirit is, and of His role in our Christian life.

A Personal Pentecost (Jn 7:37-52;8:12)

In light of the national unrest after numerous shootings of black men during police stops, followed by the ambush shooting of over a dozen police in Dallas where five died, Fr Thomas uses the providential lectionary readings of the following Sunday to illustrate how to seek peace with other people, and the importance of casting off anxiety to put our trust in God.

Race Relations and the Gospel (Rom 5:1-10)

Sermon on the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul (2 Corinthians 11:21-12:9; Matthew 16:13-19)

Metanoia, Mission, and Martyrdom

The Church is the community where Christ has established peace among all people. Fr Tom reminds us that we should live in that mercy and peace with everyone we encounter. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

Peace from God (Luke 13:10-17)

In the parable of the Rich Fool, Christ warns us of the dangers of acquiring too many material possessions. Fr Tom reminds us that our life should always maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on love of God and of neighbor. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

The Abundance of Things (Luke 12:16-21)

Strong Faith to Fight Secret Sins (Matthew 17:14-23)

The healing of the blind man in John 9 is a dramatic story of the healing power of God. Fr Thomas teaches us that we also have been healed by virtue of our baptism and we should tell others the story of our recreation.

Seeing with Recreated Eyes

Standing Firm as a Community of Faith (1 Cor 16:13-24)

Technology has become so pervasive that many people are now enslaved to their smartphones, constantly looking down into them! Fr. Thomas reminds us that, like the woman bent over with a spirit of infirmity, the Lord heals us so that we can look up to see the gift of life in Christ. (22nd Sunday after Pentecost)

Get your Face out of your Phone! (Luke 13:10-17)

The Healing of Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman with the Flow of Blood (Luke 8:41-56)

The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man is a dramatic illustration of the importance of being merciful to those in need. Fr Thomas reminds us that the torment experienced by the Rich Man is a result of his choice to ignore Lazarus laying at his gate. (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)

The God Who Doesn’t Punish (Lk 16:19-31)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is universally known as an encouragement to good works, to serve those who are in need. Fr Thomas reminds us that behind the parable is a deeper meaning which helps us experience the Church as a spiritual hospital.

The Church is Our Hospital (Luke 10:25-37)

On the Feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple, Fr Thomas preached a sermon on the significance of the feast for the hundreds gathered to venerate the Myrrh-Gushing Icon of St Anna at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, PA.

The Feast of Holiness

The saying goes, "actions speak louder than words." Christ Himself condemned the Jewish religious leaders for saying one thing but doing another. Fr Thomas teaches us that, as Orthodox Christians, our actions are important because they have to align with what we claim about God and ourselves. In fact, our eternal judgment is at stake.

Revealing What’s Most Important To You

One of the greatest challenges that we face in our modern era is to resist the ever-changing values of the world. Fr Thomas teaches us that we receive truth, not from politics or social movements, but from the word of God which is planted in our heart by God Himself.

Resisting the Values of the World

The question, "What must I do to be saved?" is usually interpreted of as, "How can I get to heaven?" Fr Thomas teaches us that eternal life is defined by Jesus as something we can have here and now and He teaches us what we need to do to experience it.

The Key to Experiencing Eternal Life Now

In a powerful message on the value of faith, Fr Thomas reminds us that forgiveness is the most important healing we'll ever receive.

Is it Easier to be Healed or to be Forgiven? (Mark 2:1-12)

Our Lord taught his disciples to put away anxiety about life and instead trust in God. Fr Thomas reminds us that by seeing life through the teachings of Christ, even the difficulties and tribulations of life will build us up to be stronger followers of Him. (Third Sunday after Pentecost)

Seeing Things with God’s Perspective (Mt 6:22-33)

On the seventh Sunday of Holy Pascha we recall the words of our Lord to His apostles before His passion, reminding them that what He taught them was given by God Himself. Fr Thomas reminds Orthodox Christians that we must also receive this apostolic teaching and pass it on to new believers without any change or error.

Our Unbroken Chain of Apostolic Teaching

Sermon on the Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost (I Timothy 1:15-17; Matthew 15:21-28)

Persistence in Faith

The best podcast episodes on romantic relationships. Episodes talk about the 5 love languages, intimacy, and the taboo topics of sexual desires and infidelity. This topic is a deep dive into the science and complexities that face us in our relationships with others. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

OwlTail

[Contains mature themes] He reached out because a year after the discovery of his affair, they aren’t fighting anymore, but they certainly haven’t moved on. Esther guides them towards a more honest conversation, and a revelation about their communication.

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

[Contains mature themes] He reached out because a year after the discovery of his affair, they aren’t fighting anymore, but they certainly haven’t moved on. Esther guides them towards a more honest conversation, and a revelation about their communication.

I've Had Better

 Welcome!  My guest today is Dr. John Gottman, one of the world's leading experts on how to have an amazing relationship.  He and his wife Julie currently operate The Gottman Institute in Seattle, offering numerous resources and training.  Join us for a deep dive into their work!  Dr. Gottman’s findings are largely based on the conclusions he has made over many years of research and observations of couples. He and his team have how to be a master (and avoid being a disaster) at relationship.  Dr. Gottman discusses the following topics:   “The Sound Relationship House” - what is the foundation for a relationship that lasts?  Learn the importance of having high expectations in relationship, and also uncover ways in which what you'd *think* would be good for your relationship is actually counterproductive.  Dr. Gottman identifies Styles of Confronting Conflict:  Volatile, Validating, and Conflict-Avoiding. All of these conflict styles can lead to successful relationships. Learn what to do if you and your partner are mismatched in your conflict style.  Dr. Gottman discusses “bids” we make with our partner as an attempt to connect. Are you a "yes" to your partner's bids? Are they a yes to yours?  “Bids” that fail are often the beginnings of conflict. How do things change if you start paying attention and responding to your partner's bids in a positive way?  Mindfulness is the key to noticing these bids and avoiding conflict.  “Small Things Often” - a reminder to turn toward these bids in the small moments of life.  Dr. Gottman's concept of startup is a way of thinking about what you bring to your interactions with your partner. Do you start in a place that's already positive, and thinking highly of your partner? Or do you start in a place where you are suspecting the worst of your partner?  Build up your emotional bank account with small compliments (deposits).  According to John, there are three phases of any relationship:  Falling in Love (initial), Building Trust (middle), and Cherishing Your Partner (long-term intimacy). What phase are you in? The key to success is using strategies that are appropriate for where you are in your relationship.  The key to more sex is having the freedom to say "no" without being punished for it. If refusing sex can actually have a positive payoff, then it will actually lead to a couple having a more satisfying (and frequent) sex life.  Do you ever wonder how to make a good relationship GREAT? Focus on cherishing your partner.  What if YOU are the only partner who wants to make changes?  Can you make a difference?  Absolutely. Learn how shifts in your approach can have a profound affect on your relationship.  The key to success in a relationship isn't that nothing bad ever happens. It's how well you as a couple learn how to repair after those things occur. John discusses how you can learn to repair, and the positive effects that has on long-term relationships.  Do you know how to decide if you’re in a bad relationship?  When you're with your partner, are you at your best? Or are you veering off towards your worst? Gottman offers this simple guideline for how to know whether to stay or go. Also what to think about BEFORE you decide that you're on the wrong path.   Join us for these topics and more.  Dr. Gottman has practical information that can improve your relationship TODAY!   Links and Resources:  What Makes Love Last: How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal by Dr. John Gottman  The Gottman Institute, Seattle   www.gottman.com    www.neilsattin.com/gottman    (visit to download a .pdf of this episode guide along with John Gottman's "Dreams in Conflict" exercise to help couples who seem to have irreconcilable differences. You can also text “PASSION” to 33444 for instructions on how to download the guide. If you download the guide within the first week of this show's airing, you will also qualify for a chance to win a free signed copy of Dr. Gottman’s book "What Makes Love Last".) The Relationship Alive Community on Facebook Amazing intro/outro music provided courtesy of: The Railsplitters - Check them Out! 

Relationship Alive!

Welcome!  My guest today is Dr. John Gottman, one of the world's leading experts on how to have an amazing relationship.  He and his wife Julie currently operate The Gottman Institute in Seattle, offering numerous resources and training.  Join us for a deep dive into their work! Dr. Gottman’s findings are largely based on the conclusions he has made over many years of research and observations of couples. He and his team have how to be a master (and avoid being a disaster) at relationship. Dr. Gottman discusses the following topics: <ul> <li> “The Sound Relationship House” - what is the foundation for a relationship that lasts?</li> <li> Learn the importance of having high expectations in relationship, and also uncover ways in which what you'd *think* would be good for your relationship is actually counterproductive.</li> <li> Dr. Gottman identifies Styles of Confronting Conflict:  Volatile, Validating, and Conflict-Avoiding. All of these conflict styles can lead to successful relationships. Learn what to do if you and your partner are mismatched in your conflict style.</li> <li> Dr. Gottman discusses “bids” we make with our partner as an attempt to connect. Are you a "yes" to your partner's bids? Are they a yes to yours?</li> <li> “Bids” that fail are often the beginnings of conflict. How do things change if you start paying attention and responding to your partner's bids in a positive way?</li> <li> Mindfulness is the key to noticing these bids and avoiding conflict.</li> <li> “Small Things Often” - a reminder to turn toward these bids in the small moments of life.</li> <li> Dr. Gottman's concept of startup is a way of thinking about what you bring to your interactions with your partner. Do you start in a place that's already positive, and thinking highly of your partner? Or do you start in a place where you are suspecting the worst of your partner?</li> <li> Build up your emotional bank account with small compliments (deposits).</li> <li> According to John, there are three phases of any relationship:  Falling in Love (initial), Building Trust (middle), and Cherishing Your Partner (long-term intimacy). What phase are you in? The key to success is using strategies that are appropriate for where you are in your relationship.</li> <li> The key to more sex is having the freedom to say "no" without being punished for it. If refusing sex can actually have a positive payoff, then it will actually lead to a couple having a more satisfying (and frequent) sex life.</li> <li> Do you ever wonder how to make a good relationship GREAT? Focus on cherishing your partner.</li> <li> What if YOU are the only partner who wants to make changes?  Can you make a difference?  Absolutely. Learn how shifts in your approach can have a profound affect on your relationship.</li> <li> The key to success in a relationship isn't that nothing bad ever happens. It's how well you as a couple learn how to repair after those things occur. John discusses how you can learn to repair, and the positive effects that has on long-term relationships.</li> <li> Do you know how to decide if you’re in a bad relationship?  When you're with your partner, are you at your best? Or are you veering off towards your worst? Gottman offers this simple guideline for how to know whether to stay or go. Also what to think about BEFORE you decide that you're on the wrong path.</li> </ul> Join us for these topics and more.  Dr. Gottman has practical information that can improve your relationship TODAY!  Links and Resources: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Makes-Love-Last-Betrayal/dp/1451608489/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">What Makes Love Last: How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal</a> by Dr. John Gottman The Gottman Institute, Seattle <a href="http://www.gottman.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> www.gottman.com</a> <a href="http://www.neilsattin.com/gottman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.neilsattin.com/gottman</a>    (visit to download a .pdf of this episode guide along with John Gottman's "Dreams in Conflict" exercise to help couples who seem to have irreconcilable differences. You can also text “PASSION” to 33444 for instructions on how to download the guide. If you download the guide within the first week of this show's airing, you will also qualify for a chance to win a free signed copy of Dr. Gottman’s book "What Makes Love Last".) The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/RelationshipAliveCommunity/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Relationship Alive Community</a> on Facebook Amazing intro/outro music provided courtesy of: <a href="http://www.therailsplitters.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Railsplitters - Check them Out! </a>

01: John Gottman - How to Be a Master of Relationship

Best Episodes on Relationships & Love

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Mel Liu

Four years ago, Jesse was hit by a car and nearly died. Now he wants to find the driver. And thank him.CreditsHeavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein.This episode was also produced by Kalila Holt. The senior producer is Kaitlin Roberts.Editing by Jorge Just, Alex Blumberg, and Wendy Dorr.Special thanks to Emily Condon, Saidu Tejan-Thomas, and Jackie Cohen.The show was mixed by Kate Bilinski. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, and Edwin, with additional music by Chris Zabriskie, Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Charles Smith, Visager, Graham Barton, and Katie Mullins. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records, and our ad music is by Haley Shaw.

Heavyweight

Four years ago, Jesse was hit by a car and nearly died. Now he wants to find the driver. And thank him.CreditsHeavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein.This episode was also produced by Kalila Holt. The senior producer is Kaitlin Roberts.Editing by Jorge Just, Alex Blumberg, and Wendy Dorr.Special thanks to Emily Condon, Saidu Tejan-Thomas, and Jackie Cohen.The show was mixed by Kate Bilinski. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, and Edwin, with additional music by Chris Zabriskie, Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Charles Smith, Visager, Graham Barton, and Katie Mullins. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records, and our ad music is by Haley Shaw.

#12 Jesse

Not on any maps, a beautiful outdoor pavilion in the middle of nowhere. Listen to this episode to hear about one of the hosts experience being initiated into the secret club of kids who knew about it, and the story behind why Heyoon existed.

The only way to find out about Heyoon for someone to take you there. Why?

Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Alex Goldman was a misfit. Bored and disaffected and angry, he longed for a place to escape to. And then he found Heyoon. The only way to find out about Heyoon for someone to … Continue reading →

99% Invisible

Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Alex Goldman was a misfit. Bored and disaffected and angry, he longed for a place to escape to. And then he found Heyoon. The only way to find out about Heyoon for someone to … <a href="http://99percentinvisible.prx.org/2013/07/02/83-heyoon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Continue reading →</a>

Sermons at St. Nicholas

Weekly hand curated podcast episodes for learning