Simply Orthodox

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.

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

What's the difference between true humility and false humility, as the desert Fathers saw it? Today we refer to ourselves as "The Most Unworthy Servant of Christ." But some of the desert Fathers would have identified such language as an example of counterfeit humility. True humility doesn't call attention to our unworthiness, but to God's greatness. It functions as a powerful influence in the lives of others, not ourselves. In one of the Saying of the Desert Fathers, we're told that St. John the Dwarf was so humble that he had his entire community "hanging from his little finger!" Hear why this was so.

What's the difference between true humility and false humility, as the desert Fathers saw it? Today we refer to ourselves as "The Most Unworthy Servant of Christ." But some of the desert Fathers would have identified such language as an example of counterfeit humility. True humility doesn't call attention to our unworthiness, but to God's greatness. It functions as a powerful influence in the lives of others, not ourselves. In one of the Saying of the Desert Fathers, we're told that St. John the Dwarf was so humble that he had his entire community "hanging from his little finger!" Hear why this was so.

Detachment was the first step to the monks’ renunciation of their possessions and flight to the desert.  The Fathers knew that by accumulating lots of things in the cell, one could have a rather pleasant and comfortable life.  So even little things had to go! By application, we city dwellers can own our possessions so long as our possessions do not own us!  More than that, sometimes even our personal reputations have to be put on the line for the gospel.  Listen to how the desert Fathers show us what to do with our possessions and how to regard ourselves before God and others.

Detachment was the first step to the monks’ renunciation of their possessions and flight to the desert.  The Fathers knew that by accumulating lots of things in the cell, one could have a rather pleasant and comfortable life.  So even little things had to go! By application, we city dwellers can own our possessions so long as our possessions do not own us!  More than that, sometimes even our personal reputations have to be put on the line for the gospel.  Listen to how the desert Fathers show us what to do with our possessions and how to regard ourselves before God and others.

The desert Fathers post three Wrong Way signs on the road to Christian living. The signs keep us from believing that (1) the body is evil, (2) fasting, prayer and other spiritual practices are "ends in themselves" and (3) we can "earn" our way to heaven by doing good works! This podcast will keep us on a spiritually safe road if we obey the Wrong Way signs God has posted for our protection.