Be the Bee (Video): Recent Episodes
Steven Christoforou and Ancient Faith Radio
Finding God in Everything, Everyday - A production of the GOARCH Department of Youth and Young Adult ministries and a presentation of Ancient Faith Radio, this brief weekly video podcast will focus on the various ways in which God has infused all of creation with goodness and beauty.
We've spent the last two episodes exploring how the internet shifts our attention from Christ and makes it harder than ever to be holy. In this episode, we're going to say goodbye by pointing to three things that need to shape the future of our homes and communities. We need to encounter Christ, embody the Church, and engage the world in His name.
We've spent the last two episodes exploring how the internet shifts our attention from Christ and makes it harder than ever to be holy. In this episode, we're going to say goodbye by pointing to three things that need to shape the future of our homes and communities.
We need to encounter Christ, embody the Church, and engage the world in His name.
We're called to be holy as God is holy. And we do this by participating in God’s efforts to redeem the world and bring it into the eternal life of the Holy Trinity. St Maximos the Confessor identifies 5 Divisions we need to overcome along the way. But what if the internet has created a 6th Division we need to overcome? What if the internet is alienating us from ourselves and reality?
“Let us return, brethren, to ourselves...For we cannot be reconciled with God and assimilated to Him unless we first return, or rather, enter into ourselves... For the miracle consists in tearing ourselves away from the distraction and vain concerns of the world and in this way relentlessly seizing hold of the kingdom of heaven within us.” St Nikiphoros the Monk, On Watchfulness and the Guarding of the Heart, Philokalia vol. 4)
What this Episode is About: A main goal of the Christian life is to keep our attention focused on Christ. We’re called to drink deeply of the Church’s wisdom so we can master our attention and see Christ at work in all things. But the internet is designed to capture that attention and focus it on things that are superficial at best or toxic at worst.
Three Questions as You Watch:
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What are the limits you’re placing on your social media use?
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Is your life centered in real communities or artificial internet communities?
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How does the stuff you’re watching or reading or listening to on the internet help you keep your attention on Christ?
"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
Pascha is the start of a new liturgical year in the Church, with new readings from the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel according to John.
It also shows us what it means to be made new in Christ: to find new (and true) life in connection with our Lord.
The Gospel and Epistle readings present St John the Forerunner and the first Christians as beautiful examples of what this new life looks like.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee175
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12: 13)
The Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday are a sort of bridge between Great Lent and Holy Week.
These days also live in the tension between joy and betrayal. People are welcoming Jesus as the Messiah while others are preparing to put Him to death.
Do who actually welcomed Jesus when He entered Jerusalem?
It was those who were joyous and gentle: whose hearts were ready to be filled with the Holy Spirit so they could welcome the true Messiah.
It was the children.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee174
“If you cross the Jordan, you will find glorious rest.” (Life of Saint Mary of Egypt)
Jesus tells us that He came to shed His blood and "give His life as a ransom for many.” But what exactly does that mean?
What does the Orthodox Church teach about atonement?
We're going to learn about the redemption and atonement that Jesus offers us. And this redemption isn't simply from something, but also for something.
And Saint Mary of Egypt (who we celebrate on the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent) is a perfect example of what that looks like.
Christ saves us from sin and death so we can be free to live as Christians, loving and serving both God and neighbor.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee173
“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 24)
We often think of faith as meaning either "certainty" (confidence that some idea is true) or "religiosity" (participation in a group's activities).
But the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent is dedicated to Saint John Climacus, and the top rung of his "Ladder of Divine Ascent" describes faith.
The Church presents faith in much deeper terms than we often admit. We'll learn by looking at how Abraham was faithful to God, while the disciples weren't.
Because real faith is about placing ourselves in God's hands.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook (https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee172) to help you act on what you'll learn. You'll find a coupon code for "Effective Christian Ministry" in this week's workbook.
“The glory of God is a living human; and the life of humanity consists in beholding God.” (Saint Irenaus of Lyons)
Jesus tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him. But what does that mean?
On the Third Sunday of Great Lent, we may think that "bearing your cross" means patiently enduring burdens. Especially now, as we make our way through the struggle of Great Lent.
But Christ isn't simply calling us to endure: to rely on our own strength or wisdom or will.
He's calling us to die to our broken selves so that we can be made new in Christ.
He's calling us to draw near to the Throne of Grace.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee171
"O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved." (Apolytikion for the Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas)
Is it possible to know God? How could a perfect God have anything to do with His imperfection creation?
These are some of the questions Saint Gregory Palamas faced in the 14th century. And they're questions the Church faces today. We dedicate the Second Sunday of Great Lent to this important saint because he taught an important theological truth that's at the core of the Christian life:
That God is both knowable in His Energies and unknowable in His Essence.
And this mystery is shown to us when Jesus heals the paralytic in Mark 2.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee170
"On this day, the first Sunday of Lent, we commemorate the restoration of the holy and venerable icons…” (Synaxarion for the Sunday of Orthodoxy)
After weeks of learning about forgiveness and pride and judgment, we begin Great Lent with a Sunday dedicated to icons. Why?
On one level, this is the anniversary of the triumph over Iconoclasm in 843 AD. But there's more to this triumph than meets the eye.
So we'll take a deep dive into the theology of icons to learn that God made a promise to His saints. That He would unite heaven and earth. That we could look upon the face of the Lord and live.
And this promise is fulfilled in us. We hold up icons as proof of this promise, the treasures we display in the Triumph of Orthodoxy.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee169
“Nothing makes us so like God, as our readiness to forgive the wicked and wrongdoer.” (Saint John Chrysostom)
The Greek word for forgiveness means "sharing the same space." At the doorstep to Great Lent, we're given the opportunity to both seek and offer forgiveness.
Forgiveness Sunday (especially Forgiveness Vespers) is our chance to overcome resentments and share the same space with both God and neighbor. So that, together, we can journey to salvation and an experience of God's Kingdom.
Because right and wrong is about more than what’s right or wrong for you.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee168 .
“O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public.” (Kontakion of Judgment Sunday)
In this Episode: 00:00 What is Judgment Sunday? 01:14 How Will We Be Judged? 03:50 Causing Others to Stumble 05:40 Love and Judgment 06:54 My Brother is My Life 09:29 When Right is Wrong
What this Episode is About: In Matthew 25, Jesus offers a prophetic word on the Day of Judgment, when He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Yet this isn't a private judgment, focused on our own private religiosity. It's based on the way we treat other people.
In fact, Jesus tells us that, when we love others, we are actually loving Him. And, when we despise others, we're actually despising Him.
Because right and wrong is about more than what’s right or wrong for you.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee167
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.” (1 Corinthians 6:9)
The Prodigal Son left the warmth and safety of his Father's house and joined himself to people that left him empty. And, when he returned, his Older Brother refused to welcome him.
We often focus on the incredible mercy that the Father shows (which is important). But it may be more helpful to focus on how both the Prodigal Son and Older Brother forgot who they are.
Because we, too, can easily forget that we are children of the Father.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee166
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
What this Episode is About: The Pharisee fasted, prayed, and gave to the poor. He did all the right things we're supposed to do. So what exactly did he do wrong?
The Triodion Period begins with the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee to ground us in the righteousness of God rather than our own pride and delusion. Because, like the Pharisee, we don't always see ourselves clearly.
We can easily lead ourselves astray.
Self-deception happens when we turn inward, trusting in ourselves and our own abilities to evaluate our own righteousness, especially against the perceived lack of righteousness (or even just rightness) in others.
And the antidote to this self-deception is to turn to someone outside of us who can redirect our hearts and minds toward the One who Is. Not a false teacher, but a true teacher.
Just like Saint Paul guided Saint Timothy.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee165
“Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been committed to them by Him who is Himself the great listener and whose work they should share. We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Life Together"
Jesus describes the Kingdom as a feast: a place where we're all seen and known. But life is full of disconnection and loneliness. Those moments aren't a taste of the Kingdom.
While we'll never be able to solve every problem, we can all be better listeners. And we can learn to do that with the simple techniques of active listening.
The ministry of listening is something we often overlook. But it's a simple way to make the Kingdom present for people and give them a taste of God's love.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee164
“He who loves humanity fulfills the Law that was writ of old and is brought to the Temple now.” - Stichera of Orthros
The People of Israel were commanded to offer everything from the firstfruits of their harvest to their firstborn sons to God. This is just a part of a great cycle of offering: where we give ourselves to God and God gives Himself to us.
Let's take a closer look at how Jesus fulfills the Law in the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And what we can learn from the example of Saints Symeon and Anna. This week, Steve is joined by his cohosts on "3 Men and a Bible," Father Panagioti Boznos and Nick Lionas. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee163
“Christ is the one who came in order to do what Adam did not do: to be the priest of creation...not just for the human being, although it was achieved through the human being. Christ came so that the whole world may live, and the human being may become that which he was meant to be when he was created by God, namely the priest of creation.” -Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon
Some Christians think the world is bad: that we need to escape our bodies and physical things.
But the spiritual life isn't just about the spirit. Matter matters. Our job isn't to abandon the physical world, but to save it.
And this is exactly what we see in the great feast of Theophany.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee162
“What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of Days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men....” (St John Chrysostom)
In the Church, we call Christmas "the Nativity According to the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ." Because it's the day we celebrate the very Son of God taking on flesh and becoming human for our sake: the Lord's Incarnation.
This is when we celebrate the coming of the Philanthropos, the "Lover of Mankind." A season when we are called to be philanthropists ourselves and be a loving, healing presence in a troubled and mixed-up world.
Christmas spirit is more than a theme we see in movies like "The Christmas Chronicles." It's something we can share in our everyday lives: in concrete ways for the life of the world.
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee161
“For Christians, [the Twofold Annointing] means that when a person is genuinely anointed by God’s Holy Spirit, he or she becomes both a king and a sacrificial offering: the two states are inseparable.” (Fr Timothy Patitsas, "The Ethics of Beauty")
2020 has been a rough year. Why does God allow bad things to happen? Why do bad things happen even to good people? People have struggled with theodicy (the problem of evil and suffering) for centuries.
To answer that, we'll build on last week's episode and explore what it means to live sacrificially. As Christians, we're anointed by God for eternal life with Him. But that anointing comes with a call to sacrifice for the life of the world. Just like Christ voluntarily laid down His life for us, we can take up this call with joy and thanksgiving.
To help you apply what you learn, we'll share a simple formula which we learned from Andy Root that can help you live sacrificially in your everyday life.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee160
“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
What does it really mean to be a man or a woman? Society usually gives us two extremes: to accept every gender stereotype (no matter how superficial), or to completely reject the differences between male and female (no matter how obvious).
But what if the Church could offer a better way? What if the differences between men and women taught us something about how we can all grow in holiness?
Building on the work of Dr. Timothy Patitsas (Hellenic College Holy Cross), we'll look at how Adam and Eve failed to be the man and woman God called them to be. And how Jesus Christ and His saints (especially the Theotokos and Saint John the Forerunner) show us a better way.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee159
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Thanksgiving is a time to feel grateful. But that attitude of gratitude can go away as soon as we're done with the turkey. How do we keep it going?
Saint Paul tells us to "give thanks in all circumstances." Because real gratitude is more than a feeling. As we see in the Parable of the Rich Fool, it starts with remembering one crucial thing.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee158
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
Why do we fast from good things like tasty food? A the start of the Nativity Fast, we'll share three basic reasons why fasting helps transform our spiritual lives.
But then we'll go a little deeper and explore why these same reasons suggest you should fast, not just from food, but from social media as well.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee157
“Thoughts are like airplanes flying in the air. If you ignore them, there is no problem. If you pay attention to them, you create an airport inside your head and permit them to land!” (Saint Paisios the Athonite)
Does having bad thoughts make you a bad person? What should Christians do with the temptations we experience?
The Church refers to these thoughts as logismoi: the thoughts that tempt us and can lead us into sin. And Christians have been dealing with these temptations from the beginning.
In fact, Jesus Himself had these same thoughts. Yet He overcame them. And so can you.
Steve shares three simple keys to handling temptations and staying focused on Jesus Christ.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee156
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Orthodox Christianity is perhaps the best-kept secret in America. Why? And how can we help share the Good News?
We'll change the way we think about evangelism and learn two principles that should shape the way we introduce other people to Jesus Christ.
Because there’s a close connection between being the Lord’s witnesses and being close to the Lord.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee155
“Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
Adults fear that young people will grow up and stop being Christians. But no one ever fears that a kid will stop rooting for their favorite sports team. Why?
We'll look at how the life of a sports fan can challenge the way we share the Faith with others. Because our goal isn't simply to make people loyal to our religion: it's to give them a taste of holiness and inspire them to be saints.
If we're going to raise people to be faithful Orthodox Christians, we need to start here.
As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee154
But He would withdraw to deserted places and pray.” (Luke 5:16)
WorldMentalHealthDay can help raise awareness about the importance of self-care. But does this mean self-indulgence? Is taking care of your health a selfish thing that Christians should avoid? Aren't we called to sacrifice everything for God and neighbor?
We'll look at the example of Jesus Himself and the powerful words of St Isaac the Syrian to see why Christian self-care is actually selfless. Because, when we care for ourselves, it puts us in a position to love more deeply.
This is especially important during the coronavirus pandemic and Covid. We can still Be the Bee and Live Orthodoxy even in the toughest times.
As a special bonus, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee153
“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Politics are toxic and the world seems full of darkness. Is our job, as Christians, to fight that darkness?
We'll review the advice of two greats saints (St Isaac the Syrian and St Poprhyrios of Kavsokalyvia) to see how we can bring the Light of Christ into a world darkened by toxic politics.
As a special bonus, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee152
“My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8)
Whether it's a mean comment or act of violence, why is it so easy to hurt people? And why should we care?
We're all afraid of being weak, and will often hurt others to feel strong. Yet Jesus showed us that true strength often involves being weak: this is the way of love and the cross.
As a special bonus, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn.
https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee151
"For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21)
Sticking to our daily prayer rule can be tough! But why?
We'll explore the simple reason prayer can feel crammed into our day rather than a natural part of it. And we'll offer a simple way to help you transform wasted moments into opportunities for connection with God.
As a special bonus, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you focus on how you can act on what you'll learn.
https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee150
"One who every hour prepares himself to give answers for his own sins will not quickly lift up his head to examine the mistakes of others.” (St. Gennadius of Constantinople)
It's easy to point our finger at someone else's mistakes, rather than focus on our own. Why?
We'll explore the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant and the two big things that make it easy to judge others.
As a special bonus, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you focus on your sins, not others.
https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee149
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
If your parish suddenly disappeared, would anyone notice? Are we living out the Gospel in our neighborhoods and communities?
Because we believe the same things that the first Christians taught. But do we act like them?
Last week, we talked about the importance of prayer. But we can't forget almsgiving in our spiritual practice.
We've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you work through how you can better love your neighbor. https://mailchi.mp/goarch/be_be_bee_148
Questions you might be struggling with, that we'll touch on in the video:
How do we act like Christians? How do I love my neighbor? How to act like a Christian? What is unchristian like behavior? What are Bible rules to live by? What is social justice in Christianity? What does the Bible say about social justice? What is social justice really mean? Social justice and the Gospel? Why do young adults leave the Church? Why do people quit going to Church?
“It is better to pray little but often.” -Saint Theophylact of Bulgaria
Struggling to say your prayers? We want to help you connect with God!
Let's start the new Church year with the Y2AM Prayer Challenge. Let's build a good daily habit and stick to a daily prayer rule for the next 3 months.
In this episode, we share 4 keys to help you start (and stick to) your daily prayer rule. And we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you make progress.
https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee147
Have you ever felt pressure about getting into the right school? Getting the right job?
"Vocation" is about a lot more than a job. It's about how we respond to God's call.
To learn how, Steve is joined by Anna Karos: a graduate of the CrossRoad Summer Institute.
crossroadinstitute.org
Graduation ceremonies across the country have been cancelled. The Church is here to honor you!
But we're not simply honoring your grades or extracurriculars. Steve is joined by Christina Andresen (Director of Ministries for Orthodox Christian Fellowship) to explore how Pentecost can shape our graduation celebration.
Because you are called to be the hands of God in a world that needs healing. And you've received the gift of the Holy Spirit to prepare you to be a prophetic voice in the world.
Have you been struggling with changes to your life the last few months? We've prepared a "Healthy Human" Journal with guided questions to help you stay healthy: mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Get your free "Healthy Human" PDF here: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/be_the_bee_144
Feeling scared to go back to school or work? What about Church?
This has been a crazy time for us all. So Steve and Christian and back to share 4 keys to staying healthy during the coronavirus pandemic (and as public place begin to reopen).
They even made a companion journal to the episode. The journal offers guided questions to help you stay healthy: mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Get your free "Healthy Human" PDF here: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/be_the_bee_144
Are you anxious for churches to reopen? Are you feeling scared? Leave a comment and share how you're doing.
Struggling to start a good routine, like saying prayers every morning? Finding it impossible to break a bad habit, like watching too much TV?
Don't worry, we're here for you.
Steve and Christian share 5 tips to help you build healthy habits!
With these 5 tips in hand, what healthy habit would you like to build? Leave a comment and let us know!
The guys learned a lot from Charles Duhigg's book "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business."
As an Orthodox Christian, you're often the only one in the room. How do you share your faith in Christ with others? Why are you an Orthodox Christian (rather than part of some other tradition)?
Father Andrew Stephen Damick joins Steve again as they share 4 basics reasons they're Orthodox Christians.
Christians seem more divided than ever. Is there really such a thing as "one" Church? Does Christian unity even matter?
Father Andrew Stephen Damick joins Steve to tackle these important questions!
If we are faithful, does God reward us? Does He promise wealth and blessings? Or is true happiness so much more...
Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, joins Steve at the start of Holy Week.
We're stuck at home We haven't been to Church services in weeks.
What does it all mean? Steve shares a prayer and a parable that can help us see this with the eyes of a bee.
Can you be spiritual without organized religion? What does it even mean to be spiritual?
Maybe we need to rethink what we mean by spirituality and religion...
Maybe we need to live like Christians: full of the Holy Spirit.
Who decides what is "bad" vs what is "good?" Is being "good" simply about following the right rules? Dr Timothy Patitsas, author of "The Ethics of Beauty" and Professor at Hellenic College Holy Cross, joins Steve this week!
Our lives can feel empty and alone. But the Church offers us a different kind of emptiness: one that will lead us to be full of the Holy Spirit.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America joins Steve to explore why service is at the heart of our lives as Christians. But he also reminds us that, if we truly want to emphasize service, then we must also emphasize the services of the Church.
"Be the Bee" is back and getting ready for the enthronement of Archbishop Elpidophoros. Why do bishops get enthroned? Put on your hard hats, we're about to drop some knowledge.
Even though "Be the Bee" is coming to an end, this is just the beginning of Y2AM's life-changing work. Together, we can find Christ at work in our lives and move towards His Kingdom.
What do young people need from the Church? Let's ask them! Andja and Maria, high school seniors and the hosts of the Orthodox Life Hacks podcast, join Steve to reflect on ministry for, with, and by young people.
Feeding a hungry person doesn't "fix" hunger: that person will feel hungry again. So what's the point of helping those in need?
You may be the only Orthodox Christian at school or work. Fr. Andrew joins Steve to offer 4 tips to help you live as an Orthodox Christian in the world.
Is faith alone enough to save us? Father Barnabas Powell, an Orthodox priest and former Protestant, joins Steve to consider this important question.
There are a lot of different, even contradictory, interpretations of Scripture. So how do we understand what the Bible actually means?
The Orthodox author Dostoevsky once said that "beauty will save the world." What does beauty have to do with our salvation and relationship with God?
Last week, Steve and Christian talked about how receiving Holy Communion forms us into Christ's Body. This week, they reflect on the ways our good habits can build a "second nature" and form us into the people God made us to be.
You've heard it before: you are what you eat. That's most true when we eat Holy Communion. Christian joins Steve to consider the amazing insights that Fr Alexander Schmemann offers in "For the Life of the World."
We all struggle with something. We're all broken. Every Holy Thursday, we see Christ on the Cross. We come face-to-face with our own brokenness, and the way Christ joins us in our pain. He brings light out of darkness, and life out of death.
We've already explored why Orthodox Churches have a distinctive look. They also have a distinctive sound. Why do we sing in our Church services?
We can learn things about almost any subject. Yet God doesn't want us to simply know things about Him, in an abstract way. He wants us to truly know Him and commune with Him.
Lent is hard work, especially when so much of the modern world is designed to make things easy for us! Yet life isn't easy. Can we become the sort of people who learn how to do what's best, even when it's not easy?
Lots of prayers say we should "fear God." Does that mean we should be terrified of Him? How can we fear God and love Him?
Are there seven sacraments? Are sacraments just symbols, or ways to receive grace? Get ready to unlearn everything you think you know about sacraments in this episode!
Vestments are more than decorations: they reveal something important about our relationship with God and the role of our clergy.
Hierarchy isn't about status or being important. In the Church, hierarchy is our sacred order, the way we fit together as One Body.
The ways we spend our time and money say a lot about what we actually love. And our actions may reveal we don't love God as much as we'd like to think. Let's take an honest look at our lives so we can make some much-needed changes in the year ahead.
Human trafficking is a big problem all over the world. In this year's Project for Awesome, we're supporting the HOPE Project, a new program that connects survivors of human trafficking housing, occupations, potential, and empowerment.
Walking into an Orthodox Church can be pretty overwhelming. Join Steve as he offers a quick tour of what you'll typically see, and what that can teach us about our path to salvation.
We use the word "mystery" a lot in the Church. Because the Church herself is a mystery: not an idea to be grasped but a reality to be lived.
Faith is often treated as a secret, private thing. But if we really believe that we know the way to eternal life in Christ, would we really keep that hidden from others?
"Thoughts" are the imaginings and fantasies that can distract us from God. And they can turn into action after they enter our hearts. So how do we deal with the thoughts that bother us? Instead of fighting them, we can turn away from them.
God is more than an abstract idea. And if He's real, that has important consequences for our lives.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Fr. John Chryssavgis join Steve to explore why caring for the environment is part of our role as Christians and priests of creation.
We all know forgiveness is a holy and important thing, yet it's easier said than done. When you're having trouble, here are four things to help soften your heart and open the door to forgiveness.
Philanthropy isn't just about cutting checks, and charity isn't just for non-profits. We can all find ways to do more doing in our lives: to connect with people in personal ways and help give them a taste of God's Kingdom.
Our lives are chapters in a greater story. What part are you playing: the all-star athlete, the Greek American, the top of your class? What about the disciple of Christ? This week, let's refocus our lives in God's story, the greater story of salvation.
Saint Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing." But is constant prayer even possible? And how should we even start? We'll look at simple ways to build our prayer so that our whole life can become an uninterrupted prayer, a joyful offering of praise to God.
You probably know what you need to do to grow closer to Christ, but you're having trouble getting started. Here are five ways to jumpstart your spiritual life and start connecting with the Lord today!
As we look ahead to the new Church year, we're not preparing simply to learn more about God: we're preparing to grow closer to God. And here are 6 things we can start doing right now to make the most of the year ahead as we take our first steps towards Christ and His Kingdom!
Dn John Chryssavgis, theological advisor to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, joins Steve to explain the Council. They discuss the mission of the Church in the world, and our mission as Christians.
After 100 episodes, it's time to ask: what comes next? As great as it is to talk about God, and learn about Him, the next step is to put it all into practice. Repentance is a change in our lives, a movement back to God. Join the movement and live Orthodoxy!
Life is full of ups and downs. Even though things are going well, it can suddenly feel like your spiritual life is crashing to the ground. Whatever the reason, here are three tips to help you hold onto hope. God bless you!
Christ is Risen! Yet, if Christ really has conquered death, why do we still die? With a little help from St. Paul the Apostle and Fr. John Behr, we'll take a closer look at our relationship with God and explore how we perfect our union with Christ.
Many of us seek wealth, or stuff, or other temporary pleasures. Yet God wants us to seek something more. Christ chose the Cross. What do you choose?
It's one thing to talk about why Church services and prayer are important, and another to do them. How do we start? The key is something simple, and something very easy to overlook: silence.
If we attend Church services, do we need to pray on our own? If we pray on our own, do we need to attend the services? Prayer matters, and goes hand in hand with the services. Without the Liturgy, prayer is just talking to ourselves. And without prayer, Liturgy is just empty ritual.
Great Lent is the time we prepare for Pascha, and the first weeks of the Triodion Period prepare us for Lent. These weeks help us understand how we should prepare for Pascha: that our main goal is not to individually "become better," but to to re-establish our relationships with God and neighbor.
"On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)
You'll never look at this Bible quote, or the Church, in the same way again. Hell isn't invading the Church; instead, the Church is invading Hell. Christ has broken down the gates of Hell, and our job as Christians is to join Him in bringing light to even the darkest corners of existence.
Christ asked His disciples something personal: "Who do you say that I am?" It's an invitation to do more than answer a question: He's asking us to share our relationship with Him. So who do you say that Christ is? And how is He active in your life? Share your answer and this video!
Technology helps bring us together, sort of. The world is full of divisions that our sins reinforce. True unity only comes in Christ, who overcomes everything that divides us and brings all creation to God.
St. Dionysios of Zakynthos is a powerful example of forgiveness. He shows us how forgiveness can free us to be who God made us to be, rather than trapping us and defining us by our sins and shortcomings.
Love isn't simply something to talk about, it's something to live. Help us support IOCC in this year's Project for Awesome, and live the Gospel. Together, we can make the world a more awesome place.
Giving thanks isn't just for Thanksgiving. As Christians, it's an important part of our daily lives. It's the way to see God even in the midst of difficult times, to receive the blessed happiness that only comes when we open ourselves to God's grace.
It's not easy to love your enemies, especially when they do something terrible. But it's the Christian way, and it's possible because Christ has defeated hatred and fear with forgiveness and love. It's possible because He defeated death with His own death.
You've probably heard the Parable of the Sower, and that we're called to make our hearts good soil, ready to receive God's Word. But what about our call to be sowers, to be people who plant the seeds of the Gospel? Y2AM has a special challenge for you this Advent: are you ready to #BeTheSower?
Have you ever wanted to do something good, and stopped because of doubt? God doesn't knock us over the head: He speaks to us in whispers, the good thoughts that remind us to love God and neighbor. Instead of letting those whispers get drowned out, remember: when you have a good thought, do it immediately.
Even though God made us in His image, sin and death can make that hard to see. The challenge of the spiritual life is to break free of the passions that pull us into sin, and instead choose God and good things. The challenge is to heal our hearts, and reveal the image of God in us, so we can become the saints God made us to be.
Do Church services sometimes feel like performances, like you're just passively watching? We can't forget that the Liturgy is the work of the people. And one little word invites us to actively participate in that work: amen.
Do you want to pray more, but aren't sure where to start? Draw some inspiration from the life of Symeon, a pious man profiled in the book "Ascetics in the World." His life shows how even a simple prayer rule can open our lives to God's grace.
Why are relics so important in the Church? Saints are sanctified in both body and soul, and in Scripture we see how their bodies continue to be temples of the Holy Spirit even after death. The relics of the martyrs are especially important, from early liturgies in the catacombs to their place in altars today.
What can trees teach us about cutting our bad habits, and cultivating good ones? We're discussing an important lesson from Abba Dorotheos in this week's "Be the Bee!"
The Church isn't run by a single person. Instead, we come together in councils to keep the Faith and guide the Church through challenges. From the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem (in the Book of Acts) through the upcoming Great and Holy Council, this spirit of togetherness opens us to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As we learn more about the Faith, we learn about right and wrong. And sin. If we're not careful, that knowledge can lead us to judge others rather than repent of our own faults. How do we stay focused on our sins? And what's the best way to approach people about their faults? Watch to find out!
This week we're responding to another viewer question. Does a love of theology and academic study somehow contradict the mysticism of the Faith? We approach God as complete human persons, and that includes our minds. Reading and studying theology can be a great thing, but it should also be a part of our larger life in Christ. God is more than an idea we think about: He's a person we encounter.
When people pass away, we pray that their memory will be eternal. We're not simply asking God to think about them: we're asking Him to save them (and us) and bring us all into His Kingdom. It's the Church's answer to the loneliness and emptiness of death.
Living Orthodoxy is about love. Here are six ways you can deepen your love for Christ. Are you ready to start?
Parishes across the country will host their annual festivals and offer great food, music, and dancing to their neighbors. We also have something even more amazing to offer: Christ and the Good News of salvation.
A new study from the Pew Research Group has some interesting numbers. Do they show that Christianity is shrinking? While it's true that people are leaving the Church, we can't panic. Instead, we should use these numbers as a challenge. Our challenge is to be the bee and live Orthodoxy: to help people find God and to live the Faith everyday.
We sometimes describe people as cradles or converts; but instead of describing people, that can divide us. And they're a bit misleading: we aren't born into the Church, and there isn't a specific moment in the past when we enter the Church. We're actually pilgrims, making our way to Christ, growing closer to Him everyday.
Christ took on all that is ours so that we can have all that is His. One of those blessings is the ability to call God the Father our Father. That doesn't just affect the way we relate to God; it affects how we relate to all people, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Liturgy is the work of the people: our work. It brings us from a bunch of "me's" to a single "we" in Christ. Every episode is a great reminder of this, since Be the Bee comes from the love and work of so many people, including you!
We can summarize salvation in three words: Christ is Risen! Salvation, our participation in God's true and eternal life, only happens in the divine-human person of Christ. He took on all that is ours so we could have all that is His.
Many people think that heaven and hell are the places God sends us to either reward or punish us. But Orthodox Christians don't believe in this "two story" model of the universe. We believe that God is "present in all places and filling all things," and that what we interpret as salvation or damnation is actually our response to, and experience of, God's unconditional love.
Jesus Christ is our savior, but what does He save us from? To answer that, we need to take a closer look at Creation and the Fall. God made us neither mortal nor immortal, but with freedom: we could choose to either move closer to God, the source of life, or away from Him, and find death. When Adam and Eve sinned they separated themselves from God and each other, creating the wounded, sick humanity that they passed down to us.
Who is Jesus Christ? He's the God-man, the eternal Son of God who, in the fullness of time, took on flesh and became fully human--while remaining fully God. This is so important because of what it means for our salvation. If we understand who Christ really is, we can understand who we really are.
Being a Christian and living the Gospel isn't always easy; in fact, it's usually challenging. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., experienced that as he fought for justice. So did Archbishop Iakovos when, despite opposition, he chose to stand with Reverend King in Selma. Fifty years after the Selma marches, let's look ahead to how we can live with the same spirit of courage and love.
How can God be both 3 and 1? Christians are monotheists—we believe in one God—but many people don't understand how the Holy Trinity fits in with that. The Holy Trinity is One God, three divine Persons who express one divine Nature.
How can we even begin to talk about belief in God? We need to start by making something clear: we're not talking about belief in something; we're talking about belief in someone. That changes the way we see the question. It means God isn't something we think about. It means He's someone we're invited to encounter.
Some say Orthodox Christianity is one of the world's best kept secrets. So let's talk about what Orthodoxy is. At it's core, Orthodoxy is about the Gospel, the Good News of our new life in Christ. And there's a lot more to say, so we're going to spend a few weeks answering some of the basic questions people have about the Faith.
When we look at snow with the eyes of a bee, we can learn an important lesson for our spiritual lives. Snow is a beautiful metaphor for our ideal spiritual state, as we read in Psalm 50(51). If we're not careful, snow can slowly be transformed into disgusting muck. Thank God, the Church offers us a reset button!
Faith needs to be something we put into action. A wonderful example of this is the life and person of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. The Christian Faith teaches the equality of all people—and Dr King acted on that belief.
Sometimes, the Church can seem . . . boring. Is that because of the Church or the way we see and present it?
As Christians, we're called to union with each other and God. Yet we're constantly stuck in divisions, both external and internal. So how are we supposed to achieve true union? The answer is forgiveness: God's invitation to share the same space with Him.
It's a brand new year, a chance to look back on where we've struggled and look ahead to how we can improve. How can we draw closer to God in 2015, and share Him with the world?
We all know incense smells nice, but why do we use it in our services? It's an important reminder about what God gives us, and what we offer to God.