Fr. John speaks to the Youth Music Ministry track at the Sacred Music Institute at Antiochian Village in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. After sharing stories of people dedicated to God at a young age, he reminds attendees that chanters are called by God to proclaim the truth of the Faith.

Spirituality Through Song

Fr. John reads chapter five of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he reflects on Great and Holy Pascha.

Sacred Meals: Part 11

Fr. John reads chapter four of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he reflects on Lent and fasting.

Sacred Meals: Part 10

Fr. John reads chapter three of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he reflects on Theophany and New Year's day at Grandpa Finley's.

Sacred Meals: Part 9

Fr. John reads chapter two of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he reflects on Christmases spent at his grandparents' house in Oklahoma.

Sacred Meals: Part 8

Fr. John reads chapter one of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he describes his childhood visits to his grandfather's house—a place filled with the love of faith, family, and God.

Sacred Meals: Part 7

Fr. John reads chapter fourteen of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he further explores the symbolism of fish in both the Scriptures and Church tradition.

Sacred Meals: Part 6

Fr. John reads chapter thirteen of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he draws a number of spiritual lessons from a lifetime spent fishing.

Sacred Meals: Part 5

Fr. John reads chapter twelve of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he discusses issues related to the tray of wheat that we offer in commemoration of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.

Sacred Meals: Part 4

Fr. John reads chapter eleven of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he reminds us that olive trees—their leaves, fruit, and especially oil—are manifestations of God's mercy and reconciliation with mankind.

Sacred Meals: Part 3

Exploring the Orthodox Faith through Music and Liturgy - The belief that God became Man and dwells among us in Jesus Christ is at the very heart of Christian life and worship. Orthodox worship, therefore, involves the whole person – heart, mind, body and soul. In our services of worship, Christians pray and sing in liturgies that are not of this world. This podcast explores the Orthodox faith through music and liturgy.

Singing the Triumphal Hymn

In his continuing series on the Divine Liturgy, Fr. John begins an exploration of liturgical formulas and texts. Today he talks about the office of Deacon.

Let Us Attend!

Just as our faith was passed down from the Apostles, so is our rule of prayer. The Orthodox worship service IS the words of the Bible.

The Orthodox Rule of Prayer

Fr. Finley explores the historical and Biblical underpinnings of the Divine Liturgy, explaining how early Christian worship was liturgical in nature.

The Roots of the Divine Liturgy

What is the purpose behind Orthodox Church architecture? Fr. John offers explanations for everything from the narthex to the altar in a truly fascinating episode of Singing the Triumphal Hymn.

Church Architecture

What do we mean when we say the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ? Fr. John continues his teaching on a sacramental world view.

The Divine Liturgy - Part 2

What is the difference between corporate and individual worship and how are we to participate in the Divine Liturgy? Fr. John Finley explores these questions and more in this episode.

The Divine Liturgy - Part 6

While teaching at St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology back in the '80s and early '90s, Fr. John would give his students an assignment toward the end of the quarter, in which he taught on the Divine Liturgy. The assignment: List as many ways that Fr. Alexander Schmemann describes the Eucharist (or the Liturgy) as you can find in chapter 2 of For the Life of the World. He decided to challenge himself with the assignment, but expanded it to include quotes from Liturgy and Life, as well. The result; a poem entitled "The Eucharist is..." a poetic compilation of quotations from Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann.We have just completed the 25th Anniversary of the departure from this life of Fr. Alexander Schemann (d. Dec 13, 1983) and Fr. John would like to dedicate this podcast to Fr. Alexander with this poem, published in the chapter: "Bread Which Strengthens Man's Heart' in Fr. John's book Sacred Meals.

While teaching at St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology back in the '80s and early '90s, Fr. John would give his students an assignment toward the end of the quarter, in which he taught on the Divine Liturgy. The assignment: List as many ways that Fr. Alexander Schmemann describes the Eucharist (or the Liturgy) as you can find in chapter 2 of For the Life of the World. He decided to challenge himself with the assignment, but expanded it to include quotes from Liturgy and Life, as well. The result; a poem entitled "The Eucharist is..." a poetic compilation of quotations from Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann.<br><br>We have just completed the 25th Anniversary of the departure from this life of Fr. Alexander Schemann (d. Dec 13, 1983) and Fr. John would like to dedicate this podcast to Fr. Alexander with this poem, published in the chapter: "Bread Which Strengthens Man's Heart' in Fr. John's book Sacred Meals.

The Eucharist Is . . .

In his continuing series on education and the Divine Liturgy, Fr. John finds teaching moments for our children in the Sacraments of the Church.

The Divine Liturgy - Part 5

Fr. John talks about the importance of the Bible in our liturgy and worship.

The Divine Liturgy - Part 7

Fr. John continues his lesson on Liturgy and Catechism. We can't teach our children what we do not practice ourselves.

The Divine Liturgy - Part 4

Fr. John explains the difference between head knowledge and enlightenment and the impact of hearing the Scriptures unfolded in their liturgical context in the Church.

The Divine Liturgy - Part 3

The word Liturgy means the work of the people. As Fr. John continues his study of the Divine Liturgy he concentrates on our role as "laity."

The Work of the People

The whole Church lies in the paten that is to be offered to God. Fr. John explains how this is so, as well as what goes into preparing the bread and wine for Holy Communion.

Holy Preparation

All of our senses are engaged in the worship of God but is incense simply symbolic of our prayers rising to God or is it something much deeper?

Incense, Symbol and Reality

Fr. John reads chapter ten of his book Sacred Meals, now available from Conciliar Press. Here he reflects on wine, marriage, and transformation.

Sacred Meals: Part 2

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