What God is Not

Sister Natalia walks through some of her favorite passages from the Philokalia, a collection of writings from some of the Church Fathers on how to live as a good monk or nun. "The view in the East is that everyone is called to live as a monk or nun, to the degree which they are able in their vocation," and Sister Natalia wanted to share her favorite passages with everyone!

References:
The Philokalia - Volume 1
Fr. Michael's episode on Catholic Stuff - Gluttony as a Gateway Sin

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This week we're talking about Byzantine Baptism, everything leading up to the chrismation. Fr. Michael reads through some of the prayers said during the Holy Mystery.

Father Michael and Sister Natalia Out and About
Catholic Stuff You Should Know recently reposted an episode where Fr. Michael talks about Byzantine Marriage. Check it out!

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This week Fr. Michael talks about Gregory the Theologian and how he came to know and understand his vocation. He and Sister Natalia talk about the call to holiness and how the people in the church can help encourage men and women to priesthood and religious life.

References:
Gregory the Theologian's Second Oration

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Sister Natalia and Father Michael continue their discussion from last week about fatherhood. Part One of this topic can be found here. In this episode, Sister Natalia walks through some of her favorite quotes from Pope Francis' apostolic letter, Patris Corde, and then relates them to her life experiences, especially her life experiences with Father Michael.

References:
Part One
Patris Corde by Pope Francis

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This week Sister Natalia gives us insight into her reflection on fatherhood and tenderness. She and Father Michael provide examples of how they see fatherhood practically lived out in their day to day lives.

References:
Patris Corde by Pope Francis
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus
My Elder Joseph the Hesychast by Elder Ephraim
Wounded by Love by St Porphyrios
That Man is You


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This week we're joined by special guest Valeria Salgado. Valeria is a Latin revert who discovered Father Michael's parish and has been participating in Divine Liturgy there. This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia answer some questions on the rites of initiation and the differences between the East and the West. Additionally they talk about the process of changing rites.

References:
Connect with Valeria on Instagram and TikTok

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This week we're talking about the Saint of the Day (less three days), St. Nathaniel! St. Nathaniel is Sister Natalia's patronal saint. There's also a great discussion at the beginning of the podcast about spiritual direction.

References:
Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson
Father Elijah by Michael O'Brien

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This week Fr. Michael talks about some key takeaways he's learned after reading a book that reminds us of what we sing (or say) when we sing "Heavenly Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things.

References:
Everywhere Present:  Christianity in a One-Storey Universe by Fr. Stephen Freeman

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We're joined at the very beginning by Father Nathan Symeon's daughter, Budsy. Such a fun conversation. Father Nathan is the parochial vicar at Father Michael's parish. Then we discuss seeing beauty in the people around us, despite their sins or despite our ability to see the beauty 'at a glance'.

References:
Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Philippe

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Part 2! The monastery has a new member of the community! Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about the service for the entrance of a dokimos, specifically Intern Olivia! We've broken this up into two episodes.

References:
Last week's episode
Ladder of Divine Ascent by St John Climacus

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