Family Matters

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Stavros Akrotirianakis on the personal and communal aspects of inter-racial & inter-ethnic relationships and their impact on parish life

The Church lifts up the Cross of Christ as Her victory, vehicle of salvation, and even Her beauty, but we often forget that our own crosses can share the power of Christ's. Listen as she draws encouragement for caregivers from the hymns which exalt the Lord's Sacrifice on the Cross.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Elias Dorham, whose doctoral work focused on the theological and liturgical perspectives on Orthodox marriage. Fr Elias offers practical advice for couples who desire to grow together in Christ.

What do the experiences of African American slaves have in common with those of people with disabilities and their families? Listen to find out as Presvytera Melanie DiStefano interviews Father Paul Abernathy regarding his book The Prayer of a Broken Heart: An Orthodox Christian Reflection on African American Spirituality.

Presvytera Melanie DiStefano interviews LMFT and OCAMPR Psychology Coordinator, Joel Klepac. Joel emphasizes a strengths-based approach when solving challenges associated with ADHD, the importance of not shaming people for behaviors that appear inappropriate, and how these behaviors are often a person's way of seeking the connection and communion with God and others which they were created for.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Sofie Azmy, clinical psychologist and clergy wife, on suggestions for reframing our parenting role and relationship with our growing children.

Priests and lay leaders do not necessarily have pastoral training or personal experience to help them minister to people with disabilities, and so are often unsure of how to connect with and enfold our families effectively into parish life. Presvytera Melanie DiStefano interviews the Director of the GOA Center for Family Care, Fr. Alex Goussetis, discussing his lessons learned as a priest for nearly 30 years, suggestions for making sacramental accommodations, encouragement of families with disabilities to lead parish ministries, and more!

Presvytera Melanie DiStefano interviews Fully Human Steering Committee member, Annie Konidaris. Annie shares her top lessons learned as a caregiver to her 53-year-old Autistic son Nikos, the way God's hand provided for her through a personal encounter with a contemporary Saint decades ago, and how parents and church communities can better embrace people with disabilities.

Presvytera Melanie DiStefano shares a reflection on the light-bearing wounds of Christ's resurrected body and how because of them, our personal wounds are imbued with purpose - namely, for God's glory to shine through.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Nikolas Delaveris on the impact of addictions on families, as well as resources to educate and support the faithful.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Hospice Chaplain Nikki Stournaras on the services and benefits offered by hospice care for our loved ones, including questions/issues that families need to consider.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Rev. Dr. George Parsenios, professor of New Testament at Holy Cross seminary, on the scriptural and historical background of philia, and its application for Christians today.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Mari McMullen regarding the new lenten video series for family and parish use. No prep needed; videos and small group guide provided.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Kathy Pehanich about what defines a crisis and how best to respond to family members in need.

Presvytera Melanie reflects on Gospel accounts of inclusion (and exclusion) of people with disabilities, and whether or not there is "anything new under the sun" in our churches today.

Fr Alex Goussetis interviews Presvytera Kerry Pappas on the nuances from the perspectives of both the parental in-laws and the young married couple.

Lucy and Chase talk about how they are coping with the last year struggling with a miscarriage, fertility tests and challenges, dealing with insensitive comments about family life, how they deal with the unknown in regards to their family future, and how one specific line from the Cherubic Hymn gives them hope for whatever their future may hold, all between juggling Lucy's band, her day job, and Chase's naval position.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Kosta Petrogeorge, a marriage & family therapist, on the definition/description of intimacy and how couples can cultivate intimacy in contrast to keeping secrets.

Reaching out to parents of children with unique needs as they navigate the challenges that sometimes come with holiday celebrations, Presvytera Melanie reflects on the difficult experiences Jesus' earthly parents had to navigate as they began caring for Him in less than ideal circumstances on that Holy Night so many ages ago.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Orthodox marriage & family therapist Justine Hoff on the "red flags" that threaten healthy relationships and resources to address and heal wounded marriages.

Luv, Michael and USAutism Homes Ministry Model Spotlight: Meeting Challenges with Innovation When Dr. Lisa Liberatore was faced with an uncertain future for her teenaged son with Autism a few years ago, she, her husband, and their church family met their challenges with patience, love, and innovation resulting in the foundation of two non-profit organizations. Luv, Michael provides meaningful employment for adults with Autism, and USAutism Homes operates in partnership with the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton, NY to provide alternative housing opportunities for adults on the Autism Spectrum. Presvytera Melanie speaks with Dr. Liberatore and Fr. Constantine Lazarakis who share how these ministries developed in partnership with the parish, how individuals and parish families can currently tap into their resources, and their hopes and visions of replicating these ministries throughout our country and beyond.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with dietitian and faithful Orthodox Christian Krista Fedorchak. She offers excellent suggestions on fasting practices and ideas for families to consider for the various lenten periods of the Church calendar.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Eleni Anast and Abby Vlahos, co-founders of their parish Disability Family Ministry and Fully Human Steering Committee members, about the whys, hows, blessings, challenges, and tips for supporting Orthodox Christian families with members who have disabilities.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with pastor & therapist Fr Paul Jannakos on how to address and overcome the challenges that couples experience in the course of their marriage.

Anna and Andy talk about how having a “covid baby” was a really special experience, how they love bringing their daughter along with them everywhere and don’t necessarily feel the need for extra “one-on-one” time, how they had to learn to speak to each other in a way that the other could hear in order to overcome challenges, and how having true unconditional family love is what makes everything ok at the end of the day.

Fr Alex Goussetis highlights the creative wonder of God and how families can enjoy this Fall season together.

Presvytera Melanie shares an anonymous letter, a heartfelt plea from an Orthodox Christian mother to other moms, on behalf of her teenaged son on the Autism Spectrum; and, adds her own plea to the spiritual fathers, the clergy, of our church families.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Sarah Byrne-Martelli regarding her new book, which offers insights for individuals and/or groups in addressing the issues of grief and bereavement.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Timothy Patitsas on how our everyday decisions are impacted by our belief system. In this turbulent period in American society, where ethics are fluid and based on one's ideological perspective, how do Orthodox families apply the ethos of the church in their daily lives?

Presvytera Melanie shares some lessons learned and encouragement for fellow caregivers of children with disabilities and special needs, at the onset of a new school and church year. No matter what your child's learning curve, and your own, "it's all OK."

Description: Fr Alex Goussetis and Presvytera Melanie DiStefano discuss the highlights of their new book, which offers couples the opportunity to take a shared spiritual journey into the heart of marriage through a series of creative exercises. Release Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Fr. Michael and Pres. Maria discuss their meeting, how Pres. Maria did not want to end up with a priest and her gradual change of heart. They talk about being long distance in their relationship and how it helped them improve their communication skills, how their children give them a chance to work on their weaknesses, and how asking often for forgiveness helps their family.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with seminary student Justin Heard, advocate for the blind on local and national levels. He shares how he found the Orthodox Faith, met his wife, and his hopes to help the Church get up to date by changing infrastructure roadblocks and attitudes that affect persons with disabilities. Justin hopes to serve Christ as a priest - at least the chance to test what accommodations might be needed to do so.

Alex & Emily talk about their whirlwind romance, getting engaged 2 months after they met and married 10 months later. They discuss how Emily “accidentally” discovered Orthodoxy with a mistaken course placement, how she struggled with making it her own, and how motherhood solidified her faith. They also discuss how believing in the good intentions of the other helps them get through challenges in life and how realizing that God is present in their children, despite what they may do or not do as parents, makes parenting a little easier.

Can Asperger's Syndrome be a superpower? Meet living proof! Presvytera Melanie speaks with recent high school graduate and class valedictorian, Trevor Wallace, about the his experiences as a young person with Aspberger's, and how he sees each person as uniquely endowed with superpowers.

Despina and Mari discuss all of the couples they have interviewed so far and share their favorite lessons they have learned from each one.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Stephen Muse regarding his newly published book, which features narratives, wisdom, and encouragement for all parents.

Fr Alex Goussetis offers insights into the distinction between a childlike and a childish faith.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with her parents Pete and Alexis Tsikouris about learning from their past mistakes, what they want most for their grandson with disabilities, and what they cherish most about their relationship with him.

Fr Alex Goussetis offers a Memorial Day message on ways to share our family history with our children.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Natalie Kapeluck Nixon, the Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and founder of the St. Nicholas Program, a church camp experience for persons with special needs of all ages, and their families. The 2022 St. Nicholas Camp session runs from August 5-8. See this website register: https://www.uocyouth.org/stnicholasprogram

Presvytera Melanie speaks with her husband Father Joseph DiStefano about their lives together as a family navigating their son's intensive special needs over the years, how they address losses of their dreams for family life, and are finding new discoveries of meaning, deeper understandings of love, and simple joys of shared life together. It all comes together when the focus is on what is most important in life - God's Heavenly Kingdom.

Presvytera Melanie speaks about her son Michael Seraphim, describing the lessons he has been teaching her family including through the details of his timely birth, and the unique way God enlightens people through Michael, when they "have eyes to see" him as a child of God.

Fr Alex Goussetis describes the wide variety of people who will attend Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday.

Suetta and Nate discuss their Amish and Mennonite backgrounds, how they both entered marriage with the mindset that they were “extraordinary” and how that affected their marriage. They discuss the steps they took to save their relationship and how Orthodoxy provided a solution for the spiritual structure they were seeking and how their journey in life has showed them the beauty in being “ordinary."

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Eleni Anast about finding faith, hope, and direction through prayer, spiritual counsel, and community as she and her husband grew their family through open adoption and faced their daughter's Autism diagnosis. She and her husband focus on and cultivate their children's strengths, cherish daily routines together, and balance their active lives according to every family member's needs and interests.

Fr Alex Goussetis offers practical suggestions for families as we approach the season of lent.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Social Worker Rebecca Samra on the challenges and stressors that impact families - and healthy coping practices to consider.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Chaplain Sarah Byrne-Martelli on the various types of loss we face in life, helpful coping skills, and how the Orthodox faith provides avenues to healing and renewal.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Hieromonk Michael Ziebarth about his relationship with Mother Gavrilia of blessed memory, the plans for republishing the book on her life, The Ascetic of Love, and experiencing God's light, joy, and peace through her example and prayers, even amid life's most difficult blessings.