As Iron Sharpens Iron

In this episode, Paul retells the story of St Justin the Martyr and Philosopher as well as drawing out central points from his First Apology to the Roman Emperor.

You can find the original text of the letter here: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm

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In this episode, Fr Michael Butler relates the trial of St Basil the Great before the Praetorian Prefect Modestus and the meeting of St Basil with the Arian Emperor Valens on the Feast of Theophany, which resulted in a decrease in the persecution of the Orthodox by the Arians. Basil’s trial before Modestus includes the famous exchange, "No one," said Modestus, "up to this day has ever spoken like that and with such boldness to me." "Maybe you never met a bishop," replied Basil.

Please join us and followers of this podcast on Telegram for continuing discussion and Christian fellowship among like-minded Orthodox men: https://t.me/isipodcast. Thanks for your continued support.

In this episode, Fr Michael Butler gives a reading of The Martyrdom of St Polycarp, the last living disciple of St John the Theologian and bishop of Smyrna. St Polycarp’s martyrdom illustrates great patience and courage in the face of adversity. It includes the famous lines of his confession, “86 years have I have served him and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

Please join us and followers of the podcast on Telegram for continuing discussion and Christian fellowship among like-minded Orthodox men: https://t.me/isipodcast

In this the fifth and last talk, Fr Michael talks about the "Voice of the Father," which, in contrast to the "Voice of the Accuser," is full of grace and mercy. As adoptive sons of God, we, too, can hear the Father affirm that we are His beloved sons, in whom He is well pleased.

This talk was the introduction to an exercise in which the men were able to speak words of affirmation and blessing to each other in a powerful way.

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In this, the fourth talk, Fr Hans Jacobse reviews some of the social and cultural lies about masculinity and contrasts it with the Orthodox understand of man's role as the mediator of creation. Full presentation and Q&A following.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

In this, the 3rd talk of the Beloved Sons Retreat, Paul Robson details the elements that make up a good brotherhood of men. Paul is the initiator and organiser of the European Men's Gathering and has been professionally running men's groups for some 8 years. In this talk he covers "What is a men's group?", "Why should you join one?" and "What can you expect to get out of it?"r

Full talk and Q&A afterwards.

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In this, the second video from the Beloved Sons Retreat, Fr Hans Jacobse talk about the father wound every man bears and why brotherhood--a community of men--is necessary for its healing and for the wellbeing of every man.

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In this first talk at the Beloved Sons Retreat, Fr Michael describes some of the wounds men bear, especially the verbal wounding we receive from our dads, from siblings, bullies, and other men in our lives, as well as the harsh self-talk in which we engage every day. There is some coarse language here. "Satan," or "Shaitan" in the original Hebrew, means "accuser," and it is ultimately he who accuses us. This talk was the introduction to a set of exercises which were designed to evoke the voice of the Accuser, extinguish its power, release it, repent of it, and then turn our backs on it. Having opened these wounds, we then turned to Christ and closed them using the traditional means that the Church provides us.In this first talk, Fr Michael describes some of the wounds men bear, especially the verbal wounding we receive from our dads, from siblings, bullies, and other men in our lives, as well as the harsh self-talk in which we engage every day. There is some coarse language here. "Satan," or "Shaitan" in the original Hebrew, means "accuser," and it is ultimately he who accuses us.

This talk was the introduction to a set of exercises which were designed to evoke the voice of the Accuser, extinguish its power, release it, repent of it, and then turn our backs on it. Having opened these wounds, we then turned to Christ and closed them using the traditional means that the Church provides us.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

Fr Michael Butler gives a report back and overview of the entire Beloved Sons Retreat held in Livonia, Michigan on the 6th - 8th October 2023. To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

A three way discussion between Fr Michael, Fr Hans and Paul Lloyd Robson about the Beloved Sons retreat, their collaboration with each other and the way forward. Particularly they underline the need for building in-person brotherhood through meetups, events, pilgrimages and regional networks.

You can find more information about the AMEN Retreat "The Audacity of Manhood": https://antiochianmen.org/the-antiochian-men-conference-retreat/. The men's group started by Paul and Fr Michael will be on Maniphesto Core, where you can sign up here: https://maniphesto.com/core-member/- use the coupon code "AVG2ALPHA" to get a 50% discount for the first three months.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast