This week we're joined by special guest Sister Onuphria, then Olivia. She talks about one of her favorite topics, naked saints! More specifically she talks about how their nakedness can remind us of the interior stripping we should do with God, to give him everything and allow him to guide us and care for us.

References
Servant of God Michelle Duppong
My Elder Joseph the Hesychast by Elder Ephraim

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This week Mother Natalia talks about surrender and surrendering to God's will. She talks about the need for direct surrender instead of passive surrender, and the reality of how hard it is to surrender to His will.

References
Arise O God: The Gospel of Christ's Defeat of Demons, Sin, and Death by Fr. Andrew Damick
He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek
Sweet Surrender by John Denver
Man of God (IMDB Link)


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This week Father Michael reflects on the call from Isaiah to expand the tent, which is reflected in the Church's Synod on Synodality. We talk about how it is important to be in relationship with people, even those who are not in communion with the church. Father Michael talks about the practice of use of the narthex and how we could incorporate that back into our regular practice.

References:
Isaiah 54:2
Cause for Joy Podcast
The Case for Excommunication Today by Dr. Jeff Mirus

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We're so excited to have been invited by FOCUS to record an episode ahead of SEEK23! On today's episode, Mother Natalia walks through St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter, Orientale Lumen, The Light of the East. This apostolic letter is responsible for the foundation of Christ the Bridegroom monastery, Mother Natalia’s community, so it’s near and dear to her heart. We talk about the beauty and diversity of the Eastern churches, the ultimate end-goal of unity in the churches, and the differences in worship and understanding of theology between the Eastern and Western churches. We also talk about monasticism, and St. John Paul II’s call for Eastern monasticism to flourish in the diaspora, including the United States, and how that call ultimately led to the founding of Christ the Bridegroom monastery.

References:
Orientale Lumen

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We're back with part 2 of the eight evil thoughts. This week Mother Natalia covers anger, dejection/sloth, listlessness/acedia, vainglory, and pride.

References:
Part One: Three of Eight Evil Thoughts
The Philokalia
Antirrhetikos (or Talking Back) by Evagrius
Time and Despondency by Nicole Roccas

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This week we talk about three of the eight evil thoughts: gluttony, lust, and avarice. Mother Natalia gives some background on how the eight evil thoughts came into the common understanding and how they relate to the seven deadly sins. From there we move into a detailed description of these thoughts and how we can see them "in action" in our lives. Mother Natalia and Father Michael talk about the difference between an evil thought and sin which may be a reaction to the thought itself.

References:
Catholic Stuff You Should Know episode on 8 Evil Thoughts
The Philokalia
Antirrhetikos (or Talking Back) by Evagrius
Catholic Stuff You Should Know episode on Gluttony
Involuntary Sin with Fr. Maximos
A Simple House of Sts. Francis and Alphonsus
Watch the Tonsure of Dokimos Olivia

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Today we're joined by special guest, Fr. Boniface Hicks! Fr. Boniface is a Benedictine monk from St. Vincent Archabbey in Pennsylvania. In today's episode we talk about humility, both what it is and what it isn't. We talk about some practical examples of humility in action and there's some Greek and Latin review here too.

References:
Word from a Poustinik: Humility
Companions of Christ Denver
Fr. Boniface's Website

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This week Father Michael talks about the wrestling and grappling with God that we must undertake daily as part of our Christian life.

References:
For the Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann
Gen 32: 22 - 32

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This week Fr. Michael reflects on four saints that inspire him to holiness and persistence despite the perceived dangers or negative perceptions from the world. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia reflect on the inspiration these saints bring and how we can imitate them in our daily lives.

References:
Orthodox Wisdom Podcast
Blood Sweat and Joy
Dispassion, Vulcans, and Gethsemane

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This week we're  joined by special guest Matt Fradd of Pints with Aquinas. Mother Natalia talks about our online interactions and the way we perceive and interact with  people online vs in-person. This topic is an extension of some of her reflection on the Bridegroom's Banquet video, so check that out if you haven't already!

References
Bridegroom's Banquet Videos
Patris Corde by Pope Francis
A Father's Heart Part One
A Father's Heart Part Two
Theology of Home by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering, Megan Schrieber, and Kim Baile
Awake, Not Woke by Noelle Mering

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