Coming Before Christmas!

In another week or so, Fr. Brendan and Pam will be doing a special episode of A Mind-Changing Way Podcast on the icon of the Holy Nativity. Please be on the look out for it.

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Well, this did not happen. Pam messed up the video. There is an *audio* of the teaching if anyone is interested.

The Nativity Part II: The Liturgy of St Basil

Fr. Brendan has often said that the congregation notices little difference between the two major Orthodox liturgies: St John Chrysostom and St. Basil -- except that the latter is longer. In this Podcast, Pam pushed him to go deeper -- and what a treat lies in store for the listener! Here you will find a deeply spiritual discussion of the Liturgy of St. Basil with many beautiful examples. Included is a wonderful discussion of the "counterpoint" between the chanter/choir and the priest, pointing to the incessant worship of God and intercession for humankind that is going on in Heaven -- which we "taste" in the Divine Liturgy. The Liturgy of St Basil so profoundly prays and describes our entire salvation history that Fr. Brendan says it "makes your hair stand on end" (with awe). Again, listen several times, in prayer.

The Nativity Part II: Liturgy of St. Basil -- Audio mp3 file

Text of the Liturgy of St. Basil

The Nativity Part I Mystery of Salvation

In this Episode, Fr. Brendan answers in depth, Pam's question about the differences in emphasis and theology between the Christmas of the Western Church and the Nativity as celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church. In this Mind-Changing Podcast, Fr. Brendan shows how the Incarnation of God-Man into human life is at the heart of our Salvation. Salvation? Yes! Because it "changes all the rules" Satan has devised -- throws them out! Listen more than once. These are profound Christian truths.

The Nativity Part I Mystery of Salvation -- Audio mp3 File

Please exercise the Orthodox virtue of Patience -- it will take a while for the file to begin the first time you click on it, but it *will* come up.