Orthodoxy Live

Father Evan answers your questions on the Church's use of the Greek term for "joyful sorrow," how to start a Bible study group in a parish lacking a full-time priest, how to pray using a prayer rope, best practices when moving parishes in the middle of one's catechesis, pausing Orthodox inquiry to inquire into Eastern Catholicism, the Orthodox understanding of non-violence, and the skillset needed to become a cantor in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Father Evan answers your questions on the appropriateness of "play vestments" for children who like to "play church," the place of the Confession of Dositheus in the Orthodox tradition, how to share the Orthodox faith with someone who identifies as a pantheist, catechesis resources for those who travel for work, how to navigate disengagement with church services after one's first Liturgy, and more on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

In this special pre-recorded episode of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is once again joined by show producer Mike to answer your questions on the Orthodox understand of the priesthood of all believers, why priests always serve the Eucharist from the right hand, the correct way to approach the chalice during communion, and how to join the Orthodox Church as an unmarried adult in later life.

Father Evan answers your questions on bearing arms in the context of protecting one's fellow parishioners, advice for catechumens on creating a Scripture reading plan, the status of the ordinations of priests who have been removed from ministry, why communism is on the rise in America, the Apostolicity of eastern rite Catholic churches, and how to balance individual versus community responsibilities to those in need in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

In this special mailbag edition of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is joined by show producer Simon Nelson to answer you questions on how to pray as a non-believer, why Jesus groaned and later wept in John 11:33, finding balance in one's struggle against sin, how to safely participate in the Eucharist with a severe gluten intolerance, and appropriate ways to pray the Jesus Prayer.

In this special pre-recorded episode of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is once again joined by show producer Mike to answer your questions on finding Orthodox resources for healing broken marriages, what makes a good marriage, what good parental discipline looks like, how to navigate work schedule conflicts with church services, if catechesis should be postponed to address an addiction to nicotine, where to find Patristic writings on marriage, and why Orthodox evangelism seems different from Protestant evangelism.

Father Evan answers your questions on the best resources for learning the Orthodox mindset, how to set up a prayer corner in a radically larger living space, how to discern which Christian teachings are Apostolic, explaining the Eucharist to non-denominational Christians, how to best fulfill a financial vow to God, what to do when one is given the cremated remains of a non-Orthodox Christian, burial options for families feeling the financial pressure to choose cremation of a loved one, how to find a listing of the Orthodox biblical canon, and what the Moscow-Constantinople schism means for the average Orthodox Christian on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Orthodoxy Live with Fr. Evan Armatas offers listeners an opportunity to ask pointed questions about the Orthodox Church. Perfect for seekers, converts, and cradle Orthodox Christians alike, this program is your chance to ask the tough questions about the Orthodox faith. 0:00 - Intro 3:41 - Resentment towards Father? 16:44 - Challenges attending church due to neurodivergence 28:50 - Ad break 29:53 - On Confession 31:32 - Terminal genetic disorders? 48:06 - Why is the Orthodox Bible different than others? 1:03:33 - Outro

In this mailbag edition of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan answers your questions on navigating Communion as a recovering alcoholic, how to pray for departed loved ones, what useful insights an inquirer can take away from the "old calendar versus new calendar" debate, the differences between monasteries as opposed to parishes and missions, the theological significance of an inquirer receiving a blessing, and why the Orthodox Bible canon is different from that of other Christian groups.

Father Evan answers your questions on the Orthodox position on Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA), the appropriateness of anointing non-Orthodox with myrrh, how to best prepare for a life confession, private veneration of Catholic saints, entering the Church while dating a Protestant, if God sends people to hell versus hell as a personal choice, the Church's position on those physically unable to attend services, and advice for deepening one's understanding of their sins in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Father Evan answers your questions on how the commandment to honor one's father and mother applies to adult children who are married, the morality of pursuing monetary damages in court, the Church's guidance for spiritually healing from a miscarriage, the Orthodox perspective on irresistible grace, the physical reality of heaven, and more on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Father Evan answers your questions on the appropriateness of video game use, coping with a sudden and extreme fear of death, alternative versions of hymns, the reality of angels, changing Orthodox jurisdictions when moving to a new town, interpreting difficult Psalmic language, and navigating conversion when one's spouse is militantly against Orthodoxy in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live.

Fr. Evan answers your questions on the necessity of believing in the Resurrection, advice for combating repeated sins, how to receive Holy Communion in a different jurisdiction, the liturgical differences between Orthodox traditions, and how to view pre-Baptismal sins in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

In this special mailbag edition of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is once again joined by show producer Mike to answer your questions about what to do after the end of the Lenten season, how to better understand repentance, if distracted or "disingenuous" prayer is better than no prayer at all, how to prepare for confession, and Fr. Evan 's thoughts on True Orthodoxy.

Father Evan answers your questions on why John the Baptist baptized people before the earthly ministry of Christ began, the appropriateness of delaying baptism for an adult catechumen, advice on preparing for baptism, the significance of the hand gestures depicted in iconography, and more on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on the Orthodox approach to handling end-of-life concerns for pets, the Church's position on witnessing the Orthodox faith to other Christian groups that claim to have an Apostolic succession, why there is no Orthodox Bishop of Rome, and the suitability of Lent and fasting for non-Orthodox in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on dealing with spiritual imposter syndrome, the Orthodox position on tattoos, why the Filioque only became an issue around the time of the Great Schism, the Church's understanding of God "making man in His own image," how Orthodoxy reconciles the Faith with the idea of military service, how a traditional Catholic should inquire into Orthodoxy without their spouse's participation, his thoughts on the use of different translations of the Divine Liturgy depending on jurisdiction, and the appropriateness of writing down prayers before praying.

Fr. Evan is joined by show producer Mike once again to answer your questions on if the Eucharist is a re-sacrifice, whether or not the Orthodox consider Mary a mediator between God and the faithful, if non-Orthodox are considered Christians by the Church, what makes a council "Ecumenical," clergy attending Liturgy at parishes undercover, Fr. Evan's thoughts on A.I., and postponing Catechesis until kicking a nicotine habit on this Mailbag edition of Orthodoxy Live!

In this mailbag edition of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is joined by show producer Mike to answer your questions on what advice to give newcomers on Lenten practice, the new calendar versus the old calendar debate, forgiveness for people who reject Christ after coming to belief in him, daily prayer practices for solitary people, and Christian practices that target the "use and dispose" mindset of the world.

Fr. Evan answers your questions on what it means to pray for creation, the purpose of formal religious education in parish settings, what to do when a parish does not seem to be accommodating people with special needs, how inquirers can bide their time until the beginning of formal catechism classes at their chosen parish, and how a Muslim can understand the theological differences between the Orthodox and other Christian groups on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on when to pray speaking aloud, the Orthodox position on artificial means of conception, advice for entering the church, and personal bigotry within the church in the episode of Orthodoxy Live.

Fr. Evan answers your questions on the state of souls pre-resurrection, the appropriateness of pursuing catechesis when one's spouse wishes to remain an inquirer, the Orthodox position on self-defense, how to give alms without enabling destructive habits like addiction, being received into the church at a parish on the old calendar vs. the new calendar, the purpose of taking a saint's name at one's chrismation, and the Orthodox position on Bible translations that are not explicitly Orthodox.

Fr. Evan answers your questions on the role of vigil in the prayer life of Orthodox Christians, how catechumens can handle persecution from loved ones during their conversion, how to react when we notice loved ones falling into spiritual apathy, developing a rule of prayer as an inquirer, and more on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

In this special mailbag edition of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is joined by guest co-host Alexis Pappas to answer your questions on the appropriateness of private prayer in communal prayer spaces, if one's job can be salvific, how to prepare oneself when receiving frequent communion, why the icons of the Theotokos depict her as older than her actual age at the time of the Nativity, the differences between ancestral and original sin, how to emotionally navigate a family conversion to Orthodoxy without a spouse participating, and more!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on his sermon for this week, advice for parents with children who are hesitant to convert to Orthodoxy, why the clergy sometimes have conflicting interpretations of the canons concerning the reception of converts, how icon veneration works from a practical perspective, the method of reception used in the case of Fr. Seraphim Rose, how biblical inerrancy works in the Orthodox Church, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

In this special mailbag episode of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is joined by guest co-host Maria, an attendee of Ancient Faith's 2025 Lampstand Institute, to answer your questions about preparing for admission to seminary, the church's position on corrective baptism, how to prepare for frequent communion, understanding the Orthodox Church's self-identification as the One True Church, and the necessity of kissing icons to one's salvation.

Fr. Evan answers your questions about how godparent/sponsor relationships work post-chrismation, developing an authentic belief in God's love, how one can ethically maintain a role as a Christian educator as a protestant discerning Orthodoxy, the Orthodox Church's position on the "8th Ecumenical Council," and more on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about the differences between a non-Orthodox and Orthodox Christian's relationship with God, the Orthodox Christian perspective on owning historical artifacts associated with evil, the appropriateness of head coverings for inquirers, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on the Orthodox position on the priesthood of all believers, how to deepen our relationship with the Theotokos as a mother figure, if an Eastern Orthodox can believe in one nature of Christ, how one can move their faith from their head to their heart, and more on this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about being supportive of a spouse battling addiction, the role of the Orthodox church in the lives of the faithful, how to communicate with both non-Orthodox and Orthodox parish leadership during a conversion, putting aside one's theological prejudices on their journey into the church, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about the appropriateness of laypeople reading the Old Testament, the role of remembrance of death in Orthodox spirituality, the ways in which the sacraments reflect spiritual reality, the purpose of praying for the deceased, how we can obey church teachings absent a consensus amongst the clergy, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

In this special mailbag episode of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is joined by guest co-host Maria, an attendee of Ancient Faith's 2025 Lampstand Institute, to answer your questions about the authority of a metropolitan versus that of a bishop, letting go of anger after a Christian friend has hurt you, the Orthodox perspective on AI, and more!

Does the sign of the cross have a metaphysical effect on the world? Does a crucifix depicting a sculpted Christ violate the commandment against idols? What can we do when we are losing our faith despite being in the church? Do neurological diseases like dementia have a spiritual dimension, and if so, what happens to the sufferer's soul? You asked, and Fr. Evan answers in this episode of Orthodoxy Live.

Fr. Evan answers your questions on whether or not Orthodox Christians should celebrate Halloween, why the Holy Spirit might call protestants to Orthodoxy when they are already engaged in fruitful ministry elsewhere, how the Orthodox interpret biblical references to Peter as the rock, possible solutions to the clergy shortage, and more on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

In this special mailbag episode of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is joined by guest co-host Sarah, an attendee of Ancient Faith's 2025 Lampstand Institute, to answer your questions about prioritizing personal growth vs. spiritual practice when trying to draw closer to Christ, how to prepare oneself when for frequent Communion, the role of guardian angels in our spiritual lives, and more!

In this special mailbag episode of Orthodoxy Live, Fr. Evan is joined by guest cohost Lydia, an attendee of Ancient Faith's 2025 Lampstand Institute, to answer your questions about the significance of blessing objects, the role of Orthodox mysticism in our experience of God, recommended colors for head coverings, and more!

Fr. Evan chats with Fr. David Lowell about his upcoming service retreats, and answers your questions on proper etiquette when visiting a parish, communing combat veterans, how faithful Orthodox Christians can appreciate aspects of other faith traditions, and more on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan Answers your questions on the role of interpersonal relationships in our salvation, the purpose of Patriarch Bartholomew's visit with President Trump, whether or not icons contain spirits, the consequences of receiving the Eucharist without proper preparation, how loving one's neighbor works in daily life, and more in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on discerning God's plan for one's life, the best strategies for starting an Orthodox men's group, what makes a prayer compatible with the Orthodox tradition, and more in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on practicing discernment when beginning a romantic relationship, the Orthodox stance on political party affiliations, advice for healing broken marriages within the church, physical intimacy while engaged, how Orthodox Christians should contextualize AI, and more on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about the role of godparents in the spiritual journeys of their godchildren, how parents can constructively engage with their children while angry, how converts struggling to integrate into disengaged congregations can navigate feelings of loneliness, fighting the despair that follows repeated sin, and more on this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on living harmoniously with elderly parents who are not Orthodox, how to manage anxiety about bringing children into a fallen world, understanding immigration issues from an Orthodox perspective, and more in this week's Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about what to do when it feels like the spiritual life is becoming a chore, how to navigate the fear of bringing children into a fallen world, and advice for young women on finding a husband in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about how to pray to the saints, why Elias was translated, feeling unworthy of love, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live.

Fr. Evan answers your questions about human suffering in the context of the recent tragic events in Texas, why we send relics to churches, praying the rosary as an Orthodox Christian, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live.

Fr. Evan answers your questions about the Orthodox position on human suffering, the distinction between praying to the Theotokos and praying to God, the meaning of "taking up our cross," and more in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about how new parishes are consecrated, the status of the Old Covenant, the origins of the catechumenate, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about the historicity of the lives of the saints, the difference between ancestral and original sin, the distinction between polytheism and monotheism, and more in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions about burnout during catechesis, balancing unconditional Christian love with healthy boundaries, the reference to Pontius Pilate in the Creed, and more in this week's episode of Orthodoxy Live!

Fr. Evan answers your questions on declining world birthrates, his favorite piece of advice for newly illumined Orthodox, leaving icons on the altar for forty days, how to share Orthodox beliefs respectfully with non-Orthodox Christians, and more in this episode of Orthodoxy Live!