Frederica Here and Now

So what about this star in the east? How important is it that we insist it be a real astronomical star?

Their number and identity is not clear but their intention was unmistakable: to worship the newborn King.

This is part 2 of the fascinating report given in the car by Shamassey Ina about her trip to Rome. Keep your eyes on the road because the ladies do get a little lost in this episode!

Frederica takes us to the door of the Golden Corral where she is about to begin work on her new book. What she observes, however, is an American epidemic.

January 22 marks the 35th anniversary of legalized abortion in the United States despite all of the facts demonstrating the presence of life at conception. You don't want to miss this powerful commentary! To read more from Frederica on this topic, you will want to pick up Real Choices published by Conciliar Press.

He was a Lutheran pastor and was severely persecuted for his faith by Communists in Romania. He is Rev. Richard Wurmbrand and Frederica has a rare recording of his voice singing a hymn to the Theotokos that he wrote himself. Frederica makes reference to an article in Again Magazine about Pastor Wurmbrand and you can download and read it by clicking HERE.

Frederica speaks on many college campuses, both secular and Christian. You may be surprised by her observations related to the Christian colleges!

What might God be planning for America given the rampant infiltration of sin, abortion, and depravity? Frederica has adjusted her thinking on this after a rather strange "awakening."

Drawing on some literary classics, Frederica grieves the loss of the value of character in our modern society.

Frederica talks about the modern day quest for the "real" Jesus and examines The Quest of the Historical Jesus by Albert Schweitzer. It is the question for the ages: What think ye of the Christ?

What is the relationship between our feelings and our faith? Is there a place for emotion in our theology?

Frederica received some helpful corrections from a couple of listeners on her Roe v Wade podcast which posted on January 23.

In honor of St. Valentine's Day, Frederica offers a fragrant bouquet to the men in the audience.

Don't know who Hannah Montana is? Ask any pre-teen girl! From her article in First Things, Frederica reflects on the popularity of this entertainment phenomenon.

Frederica recalls Forgiveness Vespers from a few weeks back which reminds her of a Garrison Keillor story about the effects of sin.

Frederica's guest is Fr. George Johnson from Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Beltsville, MD. They are at a "Shape-note" choral festival hosted at Holy Apostles and Fr. George, who is a participant in this a cappella choral expression, helps us learn more about it.

How does Scripture treat the themes of light, darkness and shadow? Is light always "good" and dark always "evil"? What began as a friendly debate with emerging church leader Leonard Sweet results in an instructive study by Frederica on this topic.

It levels the playing field as much as anything does and all of us either are or will face it: it's old age. Frederica reflects on this inevitable fact of life.

Frederica revisits two of her previous podcasts with some additional reflections as the result of some email she received from listeners.

In between bites at the burger joint (recorded BEFORE the fast!), Frederica talks about courtship and dating.

A weeping icon exuding myrrh is not something one sees everyday. Frederica talks to the priest of a parish where it did.

Frederica, only occasionally distracted by her grandson, chats with daughter Megan about the foods we eat and maybe shouldn't eat.

Frederica is in Portland this week chatting with Kh. Krista West about the history and significance of Orthodox vestments. Krista makes vestments for clergy and has a web site where you can see her products.

Frederica chats with her father confessor about what it is like to hear confessions and to offer the forgiveness of Christ and his Church.

Today Frederica is in her living room chatting with her son Stephen about last week's Bonnaroo music festival. Listen close and you might hear a revelation about someone who was at Woodstock 38 years ago!

Christian screen writer Barbara Nicolosi joins Frederica at a Malibu cafe for an informal conversation about Christian attempts at film producing. Barbara is the editor of "Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film and Culture."

Frederica is outside of the ornate (and a bit tattered) Muvico theatre near Baltimore in today's episode.

In her debut podcast, Frederica invites us into the back seat of her car to listen in on a conversation she is having with her husband, Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green about catechumens. Feel free to listen, but don't make them miss their turn.

Frederica shares the story of St. Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia on his feast day.

Frederica Mathewes-Green reads her essay, "Why They Hate Us."

Frederica Mathewes-Green shares the prayer titled St. Patrick's Breastplate.

Don't miss this rich and inspiring reading by Frederica Mathewes-Green of the entire Nativity Kontakion written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book On the Life of Christ: Kontakia, published in 1994.

So what about this star in the east? How important is it that we insist it be a real astronomical star?

Why does Jesus often tell people not to talk about their healings? I have a theory.

I believe that it's good to set yourself a prayer rule that you won't be able to fully complete.

St. Paisios has come reassuring comments about our struggle against sin. Here is the prayer that Frederica shares in this episode, "O Merciful Lord, you who are all-good and all-loving and patient with me, I know I have sinned; in word, deed, and thought, in knowledge and in ignorance, voluntarily and involuntarily. It is impossible for me to list all my sins, because of their multitude, and my forgetfulness, but especially because of my stony insensibility that prevents me from even noticing them. I truly repent of all these sins, including the ones I don’t remember or prevented myself from recognizing as sin. Please forgive me, you who love mankind, and help me to do better; make me your dwelling place, so that I will love holiness and pursue it more closely every day, until the day when at last I see your face."

How does practicing the Jesus Prayer differ from "mindful" meditation?

Why do we dislike living in peaceful times?

Frederica is at the 40th anniversary conference of Birthright, International in the Chicago area and recorded an interview with Doris Asante of Birthright, Ghana. Doris was also selling handmade jewelry and stoles to raise money for Birthright in Ghana and she invited correspondence if you are interested in purchasing or donating.

Frederica explains that whereas other Christian traditions have mystics, people devoted to the contemplative life alone, the Orthodox Church has wonderworkers, saints who are contemplative, yes, but also very active in the lives of their neighbors.

Frederica reflects on the earliest depiction of the Theotokos with the Christ child dating back to the 2nd century.

Frederica Mathewes-Green interviews author and AFR podcaster Michael Haldas about the life and impact of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Frederica Mathewes-Green interviews Nicholas Kosar about Colonel Philip Ludwell III, the first known American convert to Orthodoxy.

Frederica reads from the fourth chapter of her book First Fruits of Prayer: A Forty-Day Journey Through the Canon of St. Andrew. This chapter covers days 13 to 16 of Lent, and the entire book will soon be available at Audible.

Frederica sat down with Hank Hanegraaff to get an update on the growth in his Orthodox Christian faith and life, and the current condition of his health.

Frederica was interviewed in a busy fellowship hall by a teen from her parish about how she became a writer and spokesman for the Pro-Life cause.

Do all religions worship the same God? Frederica doesn't like the way the question is posed. Find out why in this episode.

Frederica discusses the book Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin.

Frederica shares her experience keeping bees and tells of her first honey harvest.

This past May 6-7, Frederica spoke to a group of Romanian Orthodox Christians in Brussels about Fr. George Calciu.