Come Receive the Light

May scripture

Memorize, Meditate and Apply

This week on CRTL, we’ll hear about the first Family Life/All-Auxiliaries Conference of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, taking place July 4-7 in Grass Lake, Michigan. For more details on the conference, please visit www.roea.org. Then we’ll join Dr. Bradley Nassif, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University, as he and Fr. Chris discuss the importance of not just reading scripture, but memorizing it. Visit www.navpress.org to learn more about memorizing scripture.

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of February. 

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J.D. Salinger and the Jesus Prayer

What does J.D. Salinger have to do with the Jesus Prayer? Tune in to hear Fr. John McGuckin’s answer! He’ll also talk about the famous collection of spiritual writings called the Philokalia, paying particular attention to how we can apply its intensely spiritual teachings in our daily, modern lives. Finally, we’ll hear why it’s so important to have a spiritual father and how to find one! To find your copy of the books Fr. John has recommended visit the OCN Amazon store or click on these Amazon links: Sayings of the Desert Fathers; The Way of the Pilgrim; Hymns of Divine Love by St. Symeon the New Theologian; The Ladder of Divine Ascent; The Book of Mystical Chapters; and The Philokalia.

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of February. 

Click below to listen to this week's Come Receive the Light program.

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Prayer - February 2013

O Lord God of my salvation, I cry day and night before You;  Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my supplication, O Lord. Psalm 88:1-3.

From the desk of Father Chris Metropulos, Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Network

Dear Faithful,

I cannot tell you how many times I have read this Psalm! For more than 35 years, I have been attending services where this psalm is read, and I have always felt its power and presence in my life. As a human being, I have thirsted to be in God’s presence from the time I was six years old. It was a presence I felt as a strengthening and calming force in my life. My prayers have always brought me peace, knowing that we are all in His Hands and that no matter what happens in life, everything will be alright. This is really a calming sensation that is difficult for me to put into words.

This month, the entire staff of OCN will be putting its collective faith and effort into offering you special programs on communicating with God through prayer. You will hear radio programs and podcasts. Our bloggers will also be weighing in and welcome your comments.

Read more: Prayer - February 2013

Personal Rule of Prayer

Kh. Frederica Matthewes-Green is back on the show today to talk with us about keeping a personal prayer rule. She’ll offer helpful tips on starting and maintaining a personal prayer rule, as well as some advice on how to build up the whole family’s prayer life. But first Fr. Harry Pappas, Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, walks us through the Book of Psalms. What are some of the central spiritual teachings? How can we make sense of the violence contained in many Psalms? And how can something written centuries before Jesus’ birth reflect our Christian theology?

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of February. 

Click below to listen to this week's Come Receive the Light program.

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Closer to Christ

CRTL teen-depressionTune in this week for Part 2 of Fr. Chris' discussion with Fr. Joseph Purpura, head of the Department of Youth and Parish Ministry for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. We'll hear how we can help young people not only conquer the challenges they face, but also use their struggles as a way of bringing them closer to Christ. We'll also hear from child psychologist Dr. Chrissi Hart about a new, online parenting magazine called ChildGood. Visit http://www.childgood.tv/welcome-ocn-sign-in-page for a free gift.

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of January. 

Click below to listen to this week's Come Receive the Light program.

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Moving Towards Salvation

This week, Fr. Joseph Purpura of the Department of Youth and Parish Ministry for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America joins Fr. Chris for a discussion of the top challenges facing Orthodox teens today. Plus, we'll hear from Fr. Nicholas Hadzellis of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Worth, TX, about how to work as a family towards salvation.

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of January. 

Click below to listen to this week's Come Receive the Light program.

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 Click below to listen to Fr. Hadzellis' full interview.

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Making Choices Concerning Your Children

Continuing our monthly look at Family and the Church, we hear from Fr. Mark Leondis, former Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Fr. Mark currently serves as the Pastor of St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, Florida. He’s here to talk with us about a topic that’s been getting an increasing amount of attention from the media - bullying. Fr. Chris also speaks with His Grace Bishop Thomas of Charleston, from the Antiochian Archdiocese. Bishop Thomas is a former teacher and offers his advice to parents on choosing schools for their children.

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of January. 

Click below to listen to this week's Come Receive the Light program.

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The Family and the Church - January 2013

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. Psalm 18:2

From the desk of Father Chris Metropulos, Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Network

Dear Faithful,

A blessed and a glorious New Year to you and your family. Everyone at the OCN sends you their prayers for health and abundant faith in the days ahead. The above verse from Psalm 18 is one of my favorites. We as priests recite it each time we venerate the Holy Gifts prior to the Consecration and the receiving of Holy Communion. No matter what is happening in my life, the life of my precious family, or in the lives of my blessed parishioners, I know every time I read this verse from the Book of Psalms that our Lord holds us in His hands and gives us life, hope, and healing.

Do you think of this each day? You and your family, the people you love most, are in God’s hands. Have you ever imagined those Hands, infinitely powerful but also infinitely tender? What can you do to be sure you remember Who is holding you? What can you do to help your family feel close to Him?

Read more: The Family and the Church - January 2013

Healthier 2013

As our nation continues to mourn the lives lost in Newtown, CT, Dr. Albert Rossi shares his thoughts on how we, as Christians, talk and think about the terrible things than sometimes happen to innocent people. We’ll also hear from pediatrician Stephanie Poplos on how to make 2013 a healthier year for the whole family.

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of January. 

Click below to listen to this week's Come Receive the Light program.

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Click below to listen to Dr. Rossi's full interview.

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The Nativity and Christ

If you watch the news, you may think that Christmas has always been the most important celebration of Christians. But is that true? Fr. Athanasius Iskander of St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, joins Fr. Chris for a talk about the Nativity's historic role in Christian life and worship. But first, we'll hear Fr. Chris' Nativity message, "Away from the Manger." You can see Fr. Chris's message notes below.

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of December. 

Click below to listen to this week's Come Receive the Light program.

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Read more: The Nativity and Christ

Why does God allow violence against children?

As we continue to pray for all those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, Fr. Chris welcomes child psychologist Dr. Chrissi Hart, who offers insight into how we can help our children understand and process violence in their lives. But first, we'll hear from Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou about a new petition regarding violence against Christians in the Middle East. Dr. Prodromou is the former Vice Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, on which she served from 2004-2012.  She is currently an Affiliate Scholar at Harvard University's Center for European Studies, where she serves as the Co-Chair of the Study Group on Southeastern Europe. Visit http://hellenicleaders.com/blog/a-call-to-action-this-christmas-season/ to see the petition and for instructions about how to sign online.

Are you a fan of the Orthodox Christian Network? Then please share our Come Receive the Light page with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, +Google, and Linked In. A world in crisis needs to find its way to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Click here to learn more about our theme for the month of December. 

Click below to listen to this week's Come Receive the Light program.

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