Christian Saints Podcast

00:00 Introduction
00:57 Being sick in the hospital is not hypocrisy
07:16 Apostolic Christianity is not religious philosophy or psychology
19:06 Creation is an invitation to spiritual experience, not the experience itself
23:44 Why this spiritual life requires The Church in the formal sense
32:01 Making worship an obligation is like making romance an obligation
37:32 God taught us what the best way for us to worship Him is
39:40 Orthodox worship is the fulfillment of all things which are Good
43:46 Theology & practicality are united in our understanding of persons
50:27 The divine persons do not change, so becoming like them does not change
53:28 This season will be a lot of defining terms to avoid ambiguity
58:51 The ecumenical councils preserve the effective therapy for spiritual healing
61:20 Closing 
~~~
The Orthodox View of Spiritual Therapy & Healing
Orthodox Ecclesiology
S8E2
~~~
In this episode of the Christian Saints Podcast, Fr. Simeon Keyes & James John Marks discuss the Orthodox view of salvation, spiritual healing, the sacramental life of the Church, & more.
~~ 
Scripture citations for this episode:

Luke 15:11-32 - The prodigal son
John 9:1-38 - The healing of the man born blind
~~~
Subscribe for more conversations on Orthodoxy, theology, Church history, the lives of the Saints, and practical Christian living.
~~~
#orthodoxchristianity  #OrthodoxChurch #Orthodoxy #Christianity #Church #Salvation #Repentance #SpiritualHealing #ChristianPodcast #Theology

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Introduction
02:10 Post-modernism in literature
03:40 What to expect from season eight
08:48 Be The Body of Christ, be The Church
12:48 Bad Ecclesiology causes parish problems & soul problems
16:17 Spirituality is deeply practical, the purpose is to be changed
20:04 Obedience is central to humility & repentance
22:20 Loving compassion is helping people cease to sin
28:28 It makes no sense to be in The Church & make our sin our Identity
31:04 We live in a culture which doesn’t believe in forgiveness (or repentance)
33:43 What we believe is real, physically, mentally & spiritually
37:58 The Church is where we encounter reality most fully
42:00 We need to accept our diagnosis & the effective therapy to heal it
44:11 A welcoming, loving church is one who expects daily repentance
49:23 Closing

~~~

Who, What & Where Is The Church & Why Is It Necessary?
Orthodox Ecclesiology
S8E1

~~~

In this episode of the Christian Saints Podcast, we explore one of the biggest questions in Christian life: What actually is the Church? Is it an organization, a community, a building—or something deeper?

We discuss why the Church is practical without being banal and spiritual without being abstract. Through a conversation on repentance, identity, spiritual healing, and modern culture, we examine how the Church understands itself as the Body of Christ—not merely as a place people attend, but as a life people enter.

If Christianity is more than ideas—if it’s meant to heal, transform, and bring us into reality—then understanding the Church changes everything.

~~~

Subscribe for more conversations on Orthodoxy, theology, and practical Christian living.

~~~

#OrthodoxChristianity #OrthodoxChurch #Repentance #Ecclesiology #ChristianPodcast #Theology

~~~

Scripture citations for this episode:

Luke 15:11-32 - The prodigal son
John 9:1-38 - The healing of the man born blind

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Introduction
02:20 The structure of the vesperal portion
09:21 Why The Bible should have more than 66 books
11:22 The structure of the Divine Liturgy of St Basil for Holy Saturday
17:31 This service describes salvation in detailed images
31:55 Closing

~~~

Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great - What is Salvation? 

~~~

Reference materials for this episode: 

Reference materials for this episode: 

The rubrics of the services, in English translation, of The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great


Scripture citations for this episode:

The fifteen Old Testament readings
 - Genesis 1:1-13
 - Isaiah 60:1-16
 - Exodus 12:1-12
 - The Book of Jonah
 - Jesus of Navi (Joshua) 5:10 - 15
 - Exodus 13:20 - 15:19
 - Sophronios (Zephaniah) 3:8 - 15
 - 3rd Kingdoms (1st Kings) 17:8 - 24
 - Isaiah 61:10 - 62:5
 - Genesis 22:1 - 18
 - Isaiah 61:1 - 10
 - 4th Kingdoms  (2nd Kings) 4:8 - 37
 - Isaiah 63:11 - 64:5
 - Jeremiah 38:31 - 34 (31:31 - 34)
 - Daniel 3 (including the song of the 3 youths from the Greek manuscript tradition)

Epistle reading
 - Romans 6:3 - 11

Gospel reading
 - Matthew 28:1 - 20

~~~

In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached the service of Holy Unction, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

The morning of Holy Saturday finds us at the very brink of the celebration of Pascha, Passover, The Resurrection of Jesus The Messiah. All vespers services mark the beginning of the new day (there was evening, there was morning, the first day) & so in this service we transition from Sabbath to The Lord's Day. However, we're still in this accelerated timeline of Holy Week & so we cannot yet fully proclaim Christ is Risen. Yet, in the middle of this service we do transition from the darkness of Holy Week into the white of purity & resurrection & we proclaim who The Messiah is & what it is He saves us from & what it is He saves us for.

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Introduction
02:55 The structures of the services
07:05 How do we face the apparent loss of trust & hope?
10:14 The three stasis of The Lamentations hymn 
21:06 Closing

~~~

Winding Sheet & Lamentations - How Can We Go On?

~~~

Reference materials for this episode: 

The rubrics of the services, in English translation, of
 - Vespers of Holy Friday evening (known as the service of The Winding Sheet)
 - Orthros of Holy Saturday morning (known as The Lamentations)

~~~

In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached the service of Holy Unction, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

On Holy Friday there are typically two services which are conducted in community parishes: the vesperal service of Friday evening which is usually celebrated at 3p, the time Jesus hung on the cross, as well as the orthros service of the morning of Holy Saturday which is celebrated Friday night. These two services are known as The Winding Sheet & The Lamentations, respectively.

In this episode Jim talks about this pivotal moment for the faithful. God Himself, the source of all Life, is in The Underworld. What do we do when our trust & hope seem to be destroyed? How we respond shapes who we are becoming. The bulk of the episode is Jim reading the more than 70 verses of the Lamentation hymns for your reflection.

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Introduction
01:42 Summary of the 12 readings
05:35 Jesus is condemned for claiming to be God
10:53 Why Saint Paul was a crucial member of The 12
13:32 The 2 odd Psalms which highlight Jesus’ teaching from The Cross
23:37 Closing

~~~

Orthros of The 12 Passion Gospels - How Did It Happen?

~~~

Reference materials for this episode: 

The rubrics of the service of the 12 Passion Gospels in English translation


Scripture citations for this episode:

Two additional Psalms read in this service prior to the usual six of Orthros
 - Psalm 19/20 & 20/21

The 12 Gospel readings from the service
 - John 13:31-18:1
 - John 18:1-29
 - Matthew 26:57-75
 - John 18:28–19:16
 - Matthew 27:3-32
 - Mark 15:16-32
 - Matthew 27:33-54
 - Luke 23:32-49
 - John 19:19-37
 - Mark 15:43-47
 - John 19:38-42
 - Matthew 27:62-66

Psalm 22/23
 - Jesus quotes this from the cross

~~~

In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached the service of Holy Unction, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

The Orthros of The 12 Passion Gospels is the service for the morning of Holy Friday which is typically celebrated on Thursday evening because of the shifted schedule which began on the evening of Palm Sunday (to facilitate holding the Paschal divine liturgy immediately after midnight Saturday night into Sunday morning). In this service we transition from more abstract lessons to the literal, chronological events of Jesus' arrest, trial, mockery, torture, death & burial.

In this reflection, Jim turns our attention to why Jesus is condemned to death by The Sanhedrin & why this is so important to the identity of The Christian faith.

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Introduction
04:01 A service of healing
06:12 Prayer is always answered
14:20 From what does Jesus heal us?
18:55 We were created for the good life
21:55 Closing

~~~

Holy Unction - Do You Want to Be Healed?

~~~

Reference materials for this episode: 

The rubrics of the service of Holy Unction in English translation


Scripture citations for this episode:

Readings from the service
 - Psalm 50/51 & 142/143
 - James 5:10-16
 - Luke 10:25-37
 - Romans 5:1-7
 - Luke 19:1-10
 - 1 Corinthians 12:27 - 13:8
 - Matthew 10:1-8
 - 2 Corinthians 6:16 - 7:1
 - Matthew 8:14-23
 - 2 Corinthians 1:8 - 11
 - Matthew 25: 1-13 (which we also heard during the bridegroom services)
 - Galatians 5:22 - 6:2
 - Matthew 15:21-28
 - 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - 23
 - Matthew 9:9-13

Isaiah 11: 6-11
 - Peace on the new earth

John 5:1-18
 - Jesus heals the lame man on Sabbath

2 Corinthians 12:1-10
 - Saint Paul boasts in his weakness & speaks of the thorn not taken from him

~~~

In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached the service of Holy Unction, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

Holy Unction is a penitential service of healing at the end of which parishioners are anointed with Chrism, holy oil.

In this reflection Jim reads excerpts from the prayers of this service & expands on what it is we seek to be healed from as well as what it means for prayer to be answered both of which apply directly to why we pray & what the life of a Christian is all about.

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Introduction
01:43 The parable of the ten bridemaids
04:50 Distinct hymns & gospel readings 
13:09 Jesus’ conflict with Jewish leadership
17:25 The twelve steps to humility by Saint Benedict
19:23 One - Reverence for God
20:03 Two - Doing God’s Will
22:05 Three - Obedience to Others
24:24 Four - Enduring Affliction
26:09 Five - Confession
28:27 Six - Be Content without Prestige
29:17 Seven - Interior Conviction
30:23 Eight - Fulfill Your Role
31:09 Nine - Keep Silence & Solitude
31:37 Ten - Avoid Frivolity
32:29 Eleven - Speak Modestly & Rarely
33:57 Twelve - Keep a modest posture
35:17 Icons of humility in paint & in Saint Paul’s words
38:19 Closing

~~~

The 3 Bridegroom Orthros Services - Is Our Lamp Full?

~~~

Reference materials for this episode: 

Rubrics of the three bridegroom services in English translation

St John Chrysostom Homily 78 on Matthew
 - https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200178.htm

The Rule of St Benedict, 12 steps to humility
 - https://www.regent.edu/journal/inner-resources-for-leaders/rule-of-st-benedict-12-steps-of-humility-in-leadership/


Scripture citations for this episode:

Matthew 21:18-43
 - Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
 - The Authority of Jesus Questioned
 - The Parable of the Two Sons
 - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Matthew 22:15-23:39
 - The Question about Paying Taxes
 - The Question about the Resurrection
 - The Greatest Commandment
 - The Question about David’s Son
 - Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees
 - The Lament over Jerusalem

Matthew 25:1-13
 - parable of the ten bridesmaids

John 12:17-50
 - The crowd comes because Lazarus was raised from the dead
 - Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus
 - Jesus Speaks about His Death
 - The Unbelief of the People
 - Summary of Jesus’ Teaching (keep my commandments)

Romans 13:1-7
 - Submit to the civil authorities

Phillipians 2:1-11
 - Jesus’ humility

~~~

In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached the 3 Orthros Services known as The Bridegroom Services, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

These 3 services are held Sunday, Monday & Tuesday evening rather than Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday morning for reasons Jim explains in the video. In fact, all the services of Holy Week, after Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy, are shifted forward.

In this episode Jim reflects on what the gospel reading & hymns of these three services set us up to become aware of & then he goes through the 12 steps of pursuing humlity as laid out in The Rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia.

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Introduction
01:50 The focus of the four gospel accounts
02:40 The hymnody, apolytikion & odes for Palm Sunday
07:55 But what about us Gentiles?
11:59 We are from the ten tribes & we are grafted in to restore them
13:42 Closing

~~~

Palm Sunday - Is This For Everyone?

~~~

Reference materials for this episode: 

Orthros for the Sunday of The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem 

Scripture citations for this episode:

Isaiah 1:2-3
 - Prophecy we see reflected in The Nativity icon, those Of The Nations are the donkey

Ezekiel 37: 1-14
 - The valley of the dead bones

Zachariah 9:9-17
 - The prophecy picked up by Saint Matthew

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
 - Matthew 21:1-17
 - Mark 11:1-11
 - Luke 19:28-40
 - John 12:12-19

Matthew 27:51-53
 - Those who rose from the dead when Jesus died

~~~

In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached Palm Sunday, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

When talking about Lazarus Saturday, Jim focused on what Jesus' ministry meant for The Jews. This week he's focusing on what it means for those of us who are Of The Nations, known as Gentiles. Salvation is for everyone.

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Introduction
01:19 The Gospel Account of Saint John's telling of the raising of Lazarus
08:53 The apolytikion emphasizes the general resurrection
11:29 Parallel to The Feast of Transfiguration
12:32 The verses of the odes for Lazarus Saturday
15:36 Our obligation to the evangelion of The Christ
19:45 Closing

~~~

Lazarus Saturday - From What Are We Saved?

~~~

Reference materials for this episode: 

Little Compline for the evening prior to Lazarus Saturday
 - As translated into English by the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America

Scripture citations for this episode:

John 11:1 - John 12:11
 - The raising of Lazarus

~~~

Jim returns to the series of Lenten Triodion reflections he began last year. Having completed the Sundays of preparation & the Sundays of Lent, he picks up this week with Lazarus Saturday.

The Church emphasizes the confirmation of the general resurrection as well as this event being the "final straw" which drives the Sadducees to seek Jesus' death which is why this day is one week prior to His crucifixion on the Liturgical calendar.

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026

00:00 Opening
02:50 Fr Symeon's Sermon
21:30 Salvation isn't  heaven, or morality, it's illumination
28:11 The paranoia born of living in exile
37:18 Orthodoxy doesn't do philosophical apologetics, we seek illumination
54:10 You can't put an onion dome on The Academy
73:29 Closing & housekeeping

~~~

This, too, Shall Pass (Season Finale) - S7E20

~~~

This is the end of season 7, in which we have focused almost entirely on the journey on the way of the life of faithfulness being one which requires us to put all ideologies to the side & focus on the inner, spiritual life.

~~~

Scripture citations for this episode:

 - Gospel Reading from Sunday January 11
    - Matthew 4:12-17

 - Wisdom & illumination are spiritual not discursive
    - Colossians 1:3-14

The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://x.com/podcast_saints
https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
Copyright 2021 - 2026