Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos: Recent Episodes
Fr Emmanuel Stamatiou
St Isaac the Syrian - Homily 72: "Human Knowledge is a Hindrance to Spiritual Knowledge"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 71 - P2 - "Purity is a heart that shows mercy to all created nature"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 71 - "How Much Earth Is Overturned to Obtain the Precious Stone"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 70 - Part 2 - "Self Prejudice and The Inability to Read Our Heart"
St Isaac the Syrian Homily 69 - Part 3 - "Every Day and Hour, Proof of Our Love for God is Demanded
St Isaac the Syrian Homily 68 - P2 - "Conviction and the Continuous Conversation with God"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 68 - "The Strength of the Soul and the Need for Refined Knowledge"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 67 - Part 4 - "Medicines of the Soul by the Great Physician"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 67 - P3 - "The Soul's Awakening to a Great Confidence in God"
A special address of Fr Antipas of the Holy Mountain who spoke to the young people of the Evangelismos Church in Perth Western Australia.The talk was conducted in Greek and interpreted in English by Fr Makarios of the Holy Monastery of St John in Forrestfield, Western Australia.
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 67 - "A Theatre of Spectacles - Wandering Thoughts and the Mind’s Loss of Resolve and Discipline"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 66 - Part 3 - "The Love of God is found in the Soul's Self-Renunciation"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 66 - "The Blossoming of Spiritual Knowledge is Divine Love"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 65 - "Stillness and Silence and The Inner Eye of Divine Vision"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 64 - P7 - "He Who Is Conscious of His Sins Is Greater Than He Who Profits the Whole World"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 64 - P6 - "Repentance - Fix your departure into your heart with gladness"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 64 - P5 - "The Merciful Man Is the Physician of His Own Soul"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 64 - P4 - "A Hard and Merciless Heart Will Never Be Purified"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 64 - Part 3 - "Silence Brings you Near to what the Tongue cannot Express"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 62/63 - "The Greatest of All Mortal Men Is He Who Converses With God"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 61/62 - "What they did to become Saints and then to consider themselves as nothing"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 61 - "Without trials in the experience of evil we cannot have a taste for the good"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 60 - Part 2 - "The Righteous Consider Themselves Unworthy Before God"
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 59 - Part 2- "The Door to Heaven Is Opened Before the Soul by the Hand of Trials"
Father Emmanuel further explores the themes of Homily 58 - "To Hear the Word of God and to Keep It"
Father Emmanuel continues with Homily 54 and starts Homily 55, discussing the distinct characteristic of those that love God have, as well as distraction and the spiritual understanding of energy.
Father Emmanuel continues with Homily 54."Have you ever read any of the Psalms as if they are your own words? If you do, you will see what enormous power there is in the Psalms, and how personally they resonate."
Father Emmanuel continues with Homily 54."What is our relationship with what is Holy and Angelic?"
Learn how prayer is the recollection of God based on St Isaac's teachings."Prayer is the flower of gentleness and the freedom from anger"
Fr Emmanuel continues with St Isaac's 51st homily, focusing on themes of catechism and hope.
Fr Emmanuel continues with St Isaac's 51st homily, and uses the term of "Spiritual Reductionism" to describe points that St Isaac teaches.
Fr Emmanuel focuses on St Isaac's 50th homily that opens up about prayer and being confronted by darkness.
Fr Emmanuel discusses how important it is to not overload the mind with the noise of thoughts.
Fr Emmanuel interviews Blake who was recently baptised as Phanourios, who found his faith during his final high school years.
Fr Emmanuel continues to explore St Isaac's wisdom-filled 48th homily, as well as introducing teachings from St Niketas Stethatos about the 3 modes of living.
Fr Emmanuel explores why our reasoning needs to have order, and looks at St Isaac's analogy of the sea, the sailor and the monk.
Fr Emmanuel discusses how our relationship with God is important for our relationship with others.
Fr Emmanuel explores what happens when our mind takes flight and leaves the heart behind.
Fr Emmanuel discusses how we are in confused and conflicted states until we find the love of God.
Fr Emmanuel answers questions including "What is the importance of simplicity?" and "How do we deal with uncomfortable social situations?" while referring to St Isaac's 45th Homily.
What is spiritual discipline? Fr Emmanuel discusses the difference between patience and faintheartedness.
Fr Emmanuel explores St Isaac's teachings on the trials of the soul, answering the question: Does God first gift us the power to address a trial, or do we experience a trial first to then be rewarded with a gift?
Fr Emmanuel explores St Isaac's teachings on material possessions and finding true peace.
Fr Emmanuel discusses how each choice we make has spiritual value, and answers the question: what is the mark of true repentance?
Fr Emmanuel explores St Isaac's writings on how the ascetical struggle is bittersweet, full of joys and sorrows.
Fr Emmanuel discusses containing thoughts, dealing with desire and how goodness has no beginning.
Fr Emmanuel concludes St Isaac's 40th Homily discussing the importance of focusing on the small things in our spiritual life.
Listen to find out which 2 virtues are the foundation of all good things which St Isaac the Syrian learnt through his own self-examination.
Homily 39 of St Isaac the Syrian explores the methods the Devil uses to undermines us, but how "God's assistance never leaves those who love Him"
Fr Emmanuel discusses Homily 38 and the importance of constraining the body to allow the Lord to dwell within, as well as answering questions asked by listeners.
Fr Emmanuel discusses the importance of stillness and how television impacts our spiritual state.
Fr Emmanuel explores how belonging to the world results in half-heartedness for God and things divine, reminding us that the Church is the dwelling place for divine desires.
Fr Emmanuel explores St Isaac's 37th Homily which is a chapter of questions and answers, a discourse on various subjects relating to a trustworthy way of life and every kind of virtue.
Fr Emmanuel continues discussing the 36th Homily of St Isaac the Syrian while exploring the modes of virtue.
Fr Emmanuel continues with St Isaac's 35th Homily in which he lays out what the signs are of someone who has engaged with God's love and are in the spiritual state of ecstasy.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel discusses the way that God presents himself to our hearts in an undetectable manner and how the heart is a mediator between the soul and the body. Additionally, Fr introduces the concept and feeling of ecstasy.
Fr Emmanuel returns to exploring St Isaac's writings with Homily 34. Fr discusses how being alone to be with God and going into a quiet place to open our heart is different from loneliness.
Fr Emmanuel interviews Matthias about his journey from Atheism to Orthodoxy and how that journey has impacted his life, inwardly and outwardly.Check out Matthias' blog post about his journey linked below!https://majahaweseno.wordpress.com/
Fr Emmanuel continues to focus on the topic of prayer and covers the following: The importance of prayerInitiating prayerThe 3 powers of the soul, andPrayer vs. Yoga.
Fr Emmanuel focuses on prayer in this episode and answers the questions:What is the Jesus Prayer?How is prayer important in our lives?What is the power of Prayer?
Fr Emmanuel continues exploring Repentance with the teachings of Saints of the church, by delving into what repentance is, the importance of baptism for repentance, what is a holy person and the dangers of politicising spiritual life.
Fr Emmanuel continues the Lenten Series by looking at Repentance. He covers the topics of change, self examination, insight and holy pain based on the teachings of St Theophan the Recluse and Elder Sophrony. Further, he discusses the toll house list from St Theodora mentioned in the Synaxis of St Basil the Younger, that helps us examine our lives.
Fr Emmanuel continues the Lenten series by exploring what the Church Fathers say about fasting and how it goes deeper than just fasting from food.
Fr Emmanuel starts the Lenten series talking about when we fast, the importance of fasting under guidance of a spiritual father and how fasting is about spiritual advancement and our love for God.
In this episode, as Fr Emmanuel continues to look at St Isaac's 32nd Homily, he discusses "he who hates his sins will cease to sin and he who confesses them will receive forgiveness."
In this Episode, Fr Emmanuel continues to explore the daily prayers to our Guardian Angels, as well as, discussing St Isaac's 31st Homily about the importance of trusting God rather than trusting in our own heart's.
Fr Emmanuel is back exploring the Homilies of St Isaac the Syrian. This week he covers the 29th Homily which outlines the importance of the Eighth Day and how it transcends earthly time. Fr Emmanuel also discusses and breaks down the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Fr Emmanuel talks about St Isaac's teachings on how God's revelations travel through to angels then to the Saints, linking it to the prayers to our Guardian Angel. Additionally, Fr discusses the importance of inspiration and the ways of God's love.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel starts to discuss St Isaac's 28th Homily, exploring the importance of watchfulness and how self confidence and pride can impact our repentance. Fr also continues with prayers to our Guardian Angel.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel continues to unpack the 27th Homily and Prayers to Our Guardian Angel. With Saint Isaac’s words in mind, Fr explains the value of uniformity and its role on the path to truth, peace, and importantly salvation.
Fr Emmanuel continues with the prayers to our Guardian Angel and St Isaac's 27th Homily, focusing on the differences of free will and compulsion. He also explores the importance and beauty of having the state of our hearts in the right place - the Center Point.
In this Episode, Fr Emmanuel continues with the prayers to our Guardian Angel and their relation to St Isaac's teachings. Drawing on Orthodox Psychotherapy, Fr Emmanuel explores how we can use our spiritual faculties to have better discernment.
In this episode Father Emmanuel continues to unpack the prayers to our Guardian Angel. Referencing the Parable of the Sower, Father also explores some of the conditions which can restrict our spiritual growth.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel begins to discuss our free will based on Homily 26 and 27 of St Isaac the Syrian, then moves into exploring the 31 prayers to our Guardian Angel.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel explores the 9 Orders of The Angels and the importance of our Guardian Angel.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel carefully breaks down St Isaac's 26th Homily that describes the Angelic Orders, the Souls of People and the demons. Additionally, Fr Emmanuel explores writings on the spiritual light, discernment and prayers read during the sacrament of baptism.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel continues with St Isaac's 25th Homily by exploring the themes of change, spiritual awakening and progress towards beauty.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel opens with a speech he presented at the 12th Clergy-Laity Congress of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and briefly references St Isaac's teachings on the importance of focusing on the small things in life that may trip us up.
Fr Emmanuel continues to look at the various themes of St Isaac's 25th Homily, as well as, exploring the passage from Luke 7:47 "He Who is Forgiven Little, the Same Loves Little".
Fr Emmanuel explores St Isaac's writings on different forms of prayer, the dangers involved with each one and a prayer "with a question mark over it".
Fr Emmanuel explores St Isaac's writings on different forms of prayer, the dangers involved with each one and a prayer "with a question mark over it".
Andrew discusses his story of finding the Orthodox Faith and how the journey started from a young age.
Fr Emmanuel concludes St Isaac's 19th homily by touching on the topics of our unique and dynamic relationship with God, what it means to be praying unceasingly and how we should not focus on the negative.
In this interview, Amelia discusses the ups and down of her journey to the Orthodox faith after being a Jehovah's Witness, and how the journey has resulted in many blessings for her and her family's life.
This week Fr Emmanuel interviews Elizabeth, who found her spiritual home in the Orthodox Church after a Protestant upbringing.
Join Fr Emmanuel for the first interview of the Anagenesis series.This week Fr meets with Pavlos, a professor of taxation law, to learn more about his journey to the Orthodox Church and the impact it has had on himself, his family and his studies.
The heart has senses, just as the body has senses. Fr Emmanuel explores St Isaac's writings on the senses, and how they lose spiritual focus when immersed in the cares of the world.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel explores the many themes that are covered in St Isaac's Homily 18 and 19. These include turning pride into humility, the spiritual state of peace, three stages of the soul and much more.
In this episode, Fr Emmanuel discusses what it means to forget ourselves and to 'go out of' ourselves, relating it to St Isaac's teachings on the spiritual state of ecstasy - a deep, inner joy of the Lord.
In this Homily, Fr Emmanuel continues to explore the practical and spiritual advice given by St Isaac the Syrian. The practical advice covered in this episode includes instruction on how we should walk, sit and laugh, as well as, how we should compose ourselves when entering another person's space. This then is linked to the state of our spiritual lives.
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 17 - "The rule for Beginners; Discretion is greater than all the other virtues". In this Homily, Fr Emmanuel explores the practical advice given by St Isaac the Syrian, and how to apply it to our everyday lives.
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 16 - Part 2 - "Prayer for the Soul"Fr. Emmanuel reflects on the sublime wisdom contained in the 'Ascetical Homilies' of St. Isaac the Syrian. In this ongoing series, specific themes, instructions and insights on the life of prayer and stillness are examined in detail.
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 16 - "You are the Temple of God"Fr. Emmanuel reflects on the sublime wisdom contained in the 'Ascetical Homilies' of St. Isaac the Syrian. In this ongoing series, specific themes, instructions and insights on the life of prayer and stillness are examined in detail.
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 15 - Part 2 - "The Beauty in You"Fr. Emmanuel reflects on the sublime wisdom contained in the 'Ascetical Homilies' of St. Isaac the Syrian. In this ongoing series, specific themes, instructions and insights on the life of prayer and stillness are examined in detail.
St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 15 - "He who wishes to see the Lord within himself devises means to cleanse his heart"Fr. Emmanuel reflects on the sublime wisdom contained in the 'Ascetical Homilies' of St. Isaac the Syrian. In this ongoing series, specific themes, instructions and insights on the life of prayer and stillness are examined in detail.
In this weeks ‘Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos’ podcast, Fr. Emmanuel answers pre-submitted questions including:What is the balance between living modestly and enjoying good things?Which parts of the Ecumenical Council are infallible?Should we be wary of imagination?What can we do to always be mindful of God's love for us?And more!
In this weeks ‘Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos’ podcast, Fr. Emmanuel answers pre-submitted questions including:How do we maintain constant remembrance of God's blessings?How do we honour parents who are abusive?Is downloading pirated movies considered stealing?What are the differences between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism?And more!
In this weeks ‘Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos’ podcast, Fr. Emmanuel answers pre-submitted questions including: Why is it called "writing" an icon when someone paints an icon?What is the Church's process for determining Saints?How does one acquire stillness in the midst of chaos?And more!
In this weeks ‘Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos’ podcast, Fr. Emmanuel answers pre-submitted questions including: What is the value of fellowship with non-Orthodox Christians and how should one approach it? How can we keep our peace while driving?How do we discern which topics we should and shouldn't read, as a newly-baptised person?What can we do to not become too attached or invested in worldly things?And more!
This talk is titled: Questions and Answers - Session 8th December 2022Fr. Emmanuel Stamatiou is the parish priest of the Holy Church of the Annunciation of Our lady the Theotokos, “Evangelismos”, in Perth Western Australia. This is taken from his ongoing podcast ‘Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos’.
This talk is titled: St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 14 - Part 3 - "There remains a rest for the people of God"Fr. Emmanuel reflects on the sublime wisdom contained in the 'Ascetical Homilies' of St. Isaac the Syrian. In this ongoing series, specific themes, instructions and insights on the life of prayer and stillness are examined in detail. Fr. Emmanuel Stamatiou is the parish priest of the Holy Church of the Annunciation of Our lady the Theotokos, “Evangelismos”, in Perth Western Australia. This is taken from his ongoing podcast ‘Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos’.
This talk is titled: St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 14 - "Though you may endeavour to suspend yourself by your eyelids before God- you have attained nothing until you have attained tears"
Fr. Emmanuel reflects on the sublime wisdom contained in the 'Ascetical Homilies' of St. Isaac the Syrian. In this ongoing series, specific themes, instructions and insights on the life of prayer and stillness are examined in detail.
Fr. Emmanuel Stamatiou is the parish priest of the Holy Church of the Annunciation of Our lady the Theotokos, “Evangelismos”, in Perth Western Australia. This is taken from his ongoing podcast ‘Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos’.
This talk is titled: St Isaac the Syrian: Homily 13 - "Stillness is not to worry about day to day matters".
Fr. Emmanuel reflects on the sublime wisdom contained in the 'Ascetical Homilies' of St. Isaac the Syrian. In this ongoing series, specific themes, instructions and insights on the life of prayer and stillness are examined in detail.
Fr. Emmanuel Stamatiou is the parish priest of the Holy Church of the Annunciation of Our lady the Theotokos, “Evangelismos”, in Perth Western Australia. This is taken from his ongoing podcast ‘Orthodox Thursdays at Evangelismos’.
Father Emmanuel delves into the meaning of St Ephrem’s Lenten prayer (O Lord and Master of my life…). Father speaks about the spirit of inquisitiveness or idle curiosity, the relentless “WHY” which has a spirit of tyranny about it, as people have the need to know and control others, instead of allowing people the freedom and respect they need. Father also discusses Baptism further, outlining how our mortality is removed through our Baptism, and through Christ’s death, our mortality, which is a direct result of our transgressions and disobedience to God, is put to death by Christ; death is no more and God’s forgiveness is forever.
Father Emmanuel continues his series on Baptism, referring to the writings of St Isaac the Syrian to begin the lesson. St Isaac poses the question, “What is knowledge?” to which he answers, “The perception of eternal life.” Following this he asks, “What is eternal life?” and again he answers his own question, “To perceive all things in God.” Father discussed knowledge and truth as stemming from a holy life, and mentioned how pride darkens this knowledge. St Isaac also said, “Terrible temptations fall upon those who seek to live a spiritual life” but Father explained how this is necessary for us to come to the knowledge of the truth. These experiences are never our bad luck in life because God does not look after us like that, but rather this is how God provides for us, as we are created for eternity. Father also discussed the 5 ascetic virtues as outlined by St Justin Popovich.
Baptism is the gateway to the heavenly realm. Christ teaches and guides us to love in fullness and to live a calm and peaceful life. In this lesson, Fr Emmanuel discusses the three powerful prayers that are read during the initial part of the Baptism Service. These prayers protect, forgive, heal and strengthen us as they bless the water, which is then used to sanctify the one being baptised.
Baptism is one of the seven sacraments of the Orthodox Church that transforms us. It incorporates all of the main themes of Christ (crucifixion, resurrection and ascension). In this podcast Fr Emmanuel dispels some of the common misunderstandings around Baptism, whilst exploring the first prayers read by the priest in preparation for Baptism.