The 153

Fr Joseph interviews rockers Lacey and Josh Sturm. They talk about the struggles and joys of Orthodoxy, song writing, iconography, and the new album "Kenotic Metanoia" (available now).

Would you like to see more movies about Orthodox saints? Well, stay tuned! Yelena Popovic, the writer, director, and producer of the movie "Man of God" and her husband, Alexandros Potter sat down with Fr Joseph to talk about the forthcoming "Moses the Black" movie and their new venture, SimeonFaith, which will produce and distribute other Orthodox Christian films. Listen till the end for your role in this apostolic work! A teaser for the forthcoming "Moses the Black" can be found at SimeonFaith.com.

Jesus says the disciples could not exorcise a demon because of their little faith. He then went on to say that faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains. Huh?

Fr. Joseph is starting the celebration of the New Year a bit early, no? Nah. It's tradition!

Trigger warning: "The news of the day, social media, and cancel culture are all the rage these days. You can cancel others, but you can't deny yourself. Amirite?" Fr. Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston.

Not everyone will agree, but you'll have to listen to figure out why. BTW, is there any good news? Fr Joseph speaks of his recent "work-cation" in the PNW.

Like a flash, Pascha and Bright Week are upon us—and if we are not paying attention, the new way to pray may slip our minds. In this encore episode of The 153, Fr. Joseph offers a refresher on praying during Bright Week and the Paschal season.

Fr Joseph engages in a bit of name-dropping: Rose, Rose Hill, Peter Heers, Peterson, Frederica, Hatfield, Pageau, Freeman, and more! But, really: What in the world is going on with all these inquirers and catechumens?

Fr. John announces some new missions, highlights the potential for growth within home school networks, and plugs a growing online homeschooling program. Great news during these challenging days!

As we approach the Cave wherein God becomes a Babe, may we, like His mother, be granted the gift of pondering. Fr Joseph in Chicago, 2010.

Fr. Joseph sits down with Deacon Damian Oweis and members of the new mission of St. Basil the Great in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Can you imagine for a moment that all this revealed religion stuff is really, really real? Fr Joseph speaking at Christ the Savior/Chicago, 2010.

How many times have we looked back on the good ol’ days, the time before the Bug? To many, the days ahead look dark; temptations abound. We are sorely tempted by doom. What shall we do?

Are we living in the Last Days? Sure! What are we to do about it? Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston.

This "Mission Recipe" mixes loss of vision, retirement, 20-20, homeschooling, and a local bookstore. Fr. Joseph chats with Fr. Paul Solberg of Christ the Good Shepherd Mission in Concord, North Carolina.

Fr Joseph chats with a teenaged catechumen who found Orthodoxy on her own—on the internet.

In 2020, pretty much EVERYONE missed the Lamentations service! (No, watching it online is no more the same as watching American Bandstand, or Dancing with the Stars, is the same as attending the prom.) Fr Joseph wept.

With restrictions being what they were, and fears continuing as they are, the faithful of St Joseph/Houston discovered something over the past year.

We have a whole generation that has either grown up home schooled, Harry Potter fed, classically read – or been indoctrinated by politically correct, often anti-Christian, public schools. They eat, sleep, and live differently than their elders; in equal measure being both more conservative and liberal than their forebears, depending on the issue. When they come to the Church, what do they seek?

On the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, Fr Joseph remembers Pete and Repeat sitting on a log -- Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!

For those of you who are new to the Orthodox Church—or were‚—what say ye about that daunting second visit? Good experience, not-so-good experience? Fr Joseph shares some comments from parishioners and invites yours.

Fr. John speaks a Good Word for an Unfair World. Glory to God for all things!

Fr. Joseph chats with newcomer Chris Shin, a tattoo artist and onetime street preacher.

First of all, this is not a film about abortion -- what is it about?" Fr Joseph interviews Dn Adam Roberts about the new documentary, "In the Name of Choice." [Available @ inthenameofchoice.com]

Our circumstances of late have revealed all sorts of warts and ailments, weaknesses, doubts, and fears. What's the best we can do these days? Fr Joseph answers.

We hear it repeatedly in our services and hymns: "the Life-Giving Cross." How can a bloody instrument of death be praised as life-giving? Fr John explains.

"Without evangelism, the Church is just a secret club for those who like that sort of thing." Fr Joseph quotes Fr. Michael Keiser, who fell asleep in the Lord on the Feast of the Dormition. May his memory be eternal—and may we all be teachable!

Moments after the explosion on August 4, Fr. Joseph receives audio messages from his daughter in Beirut.

The same God that knows if a hair falls from your head, the same God that knows if a sparrow falls from the sky, is not surprised about COVID. We cannot, as Christians, say we believe one thing only to become addicted to the news that tells us to believe another thing. Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph / Houston.

Fr Joseph preaches at St Katherine/Burleson, Texas on the transference of the Feast of Saints Peter & Paul, and the Sunday before the 40th Day of Fr John Winfrey's passing. May his memory be eternal -- and may you and yours be granted long life!

June 21, 2020, marks the two-year anniversary of the death of Dr H. Tristram Engelhardt, known in the Church as Reader Herman. May his memory be eternal! His last published work, "After God - Morality and Bioethics in a Secular Age" needs your attention. All free copies have been claimed! After God is available at svspress.com.

Prayer is not simply talking to God, worrying in Jesus' name—or watching a live-stream!

The blind man stumbled toward the water bearing spit and the clay -- only to return whole! But at first Celedonius could only see darkness, shadows. Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston on the final Sunday of Pascha.

Fr Joseph, at home with the peeps of St Joseph/Houston (masks and all), says: Christ is Risen!

When the churches are open again, some folks will be shouldering even more doubts than before due to being kind of “shell shocked”—hurt by having been locked out of church services—especially during the holiest season! Suffice it to say, whether we’ll admit it or not, we’re all hurting a bit. So, you see, we’re all missions now!

Although our temples may be empty, Holy Week 2020, here come Jesus! Fr. Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston. And all the people say ...

Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston to nine men in black on the Third Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Cross -- and the Quarantine. (On this particular Sunday, the temple chairs have all been removed to facilitate scaffolding/icon installation.)

The disciples planted their Missions Department in Jerusalem; Stephen is slain. These two events had a tremendous impact on Evangelism. Here's a portion of Fr Joseph's talk at Holy Cross/Palmdale, California.

Fr. Joseph, speaking at Holy Cross/Palmdale, California, relates a story from "We Came, We Saw, We Converted" of Galina and St. Xenia (including the Publican, and the Pharisee).

We don't know the future, but past sermons provide a clue of what we are to do. Fr Joseph speaks at St John the Divine/Lake Charles, Louisiana.

For some folks, Orthodoxy isn't authentic unless it's presented with a thick, heavy accent. Fr Joseph visits St John the Divine/Lake Charles, Louisiana -- where they don't have a resident priest, but they sure got accent! Listen in for a quick taste of Cajun Orthodoxy. "Laissez les bon temps rouler!"

Can you say Yakima? Ever been? Fr. Joseph affirms the latter; still not sure about the former. (What about Wapato?) Here's a little history of Holy Cross Church/Yakima, Washington. No matter how you say it, it's well worth a visit!

Fr. Joseph visits a group of Orthodox Christians in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; listen in to hear what they're up to.

Fr. Joseph interviews a former Mennonite, along with a former comedian, about an Orthodox venture amid the Mennonites in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Fr Joseph interviews Alex Hordge. Alex was baptized last Pascha, sings in the church choir, and attends college classes at The Saint Constantine School. Alex is also blind.

Fr. Matthew Snowden, pastor of St Nicholas/Jackson, Tennessee, preaches on Our Cross, and the Lord's Cross—and what have they in common?

Fr. Joseph interviews Fr. Matthew Snowden of St Nicholas Mission/Jackson, Tennessee—on the struggles and joys of shepherding a fledgling Orthodox community

Did you know that the word "gossip" originally meant "godparent" and is connected with the word "sibling"? Did you know that gossip and Good News aren't the same? (Go ahead, you can tell me, I won't tell.)

In this dark and mad world, Christ has ordered the Meal. Fr John Guy Winfrey delivers the homily at St Katherine/Burleson, Texas.

Don't fret this episode's title, Big D folks can handle it. Fr Joseph interviews Fr John Guy Winfrey on the one year anniversary of St Katherine/Burleson, Texas. Y'all ever had possum for Pascha?