Frederica Here and Now

Frederica reads an email she wrote to an Orthodox priest who has had a couple of encounters with a man who enjoys challenging Christianity.

Frederica shares a reply on the subject of doubt to a visitor to her website.

A parishioner at Frederica's parish who has Aspergers writes a letter to a listener who likewise has the syndrome.

Throughout the Passion, Christ experiences every one of the worst fears that the human race has.

Frederica encourages us to look for opportunities to grow spiritually by just allowing something to happen.

Frederica recounts two different occasions when she found a substantial amount of money on the ground.

Frederica shares some insights from her grandson Isaac, who was born blind but regained his sight after being baptized.

Frederica presents the Nativity Paraklesis, recorded at her parish, Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in Linthicum, Maryland.

Frederica reads the story "Nails in the Post" by M. F. Cowdery, which can be found in the book The Moral Compass, edited by William J. Bennett.

Frederica discusses her new book in which she uses a visit to a fictional parish, St. Felicity, to provide a basic introduction to the Orthodox Church.

The Double T Diner is the scene of Frederica's conversation with Archbishop Lazar, Abbot of the All Saints of North America Monastery in British Columbia. While waiting for their food to arrive, they have an insightful discussion about parish life.

Frederica reads the narrative of Peter's denial of Christ from St. Romanos the Melodist.

Frederica reflects on fasting and the rigor involved in all ascetic practices.

In addition to treating us to a recording of the Holy Cross choir singing a beautiful rendition of this favorite hymn of Pascha, Frederica digs into the words of the hymn and its significance.

Frederica responds to a question about purgatory and explains why the Orthodox pray for the dead.

Frederica interviews Dn. Barnabas Powell, the former pastor of a Pentecostal church, about his conversion to Orthodoxy.

Today Frederica is at the Hermitage of the Holy Cross in Wayne, WV, with her guest Fr. Seraphim. Who should be a monk and how does the monastic life contribute to the salvation of us all?

College student Emily Moore interviews Frederica about her views on the pro-life movement, current social trends, thoughts on writing as a profession, as well as any recommendations for young single women of faith.

This week as we think about the Transfiguration of our Lord, Frederica has some interesting reflections on a particular icon of the Transfiguration from the apse of St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai. To view the icon, click HERE for a large image, and HERE for a smaller one.

Frederica delivers a speech at UC-Santa Barbara (sponsored by The Veritas Forum) titled "The Meaning of Sex."

Frederica discusses the book Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (and How to Reverse It) by Robert D. Lupton, published by HarperOne.

Frederica discusses the term "gender."

Frederica compares seeing a baby via sonogram to angels seeing us from heaven.

Frederica argues that both men and women have a responsibility when it comes to impure thoughts in the male mind.

Frederica discusses a way she found of managing chores when her children were adolescents.

Frederica reflects on Fr. Marc Dunaway's article "Taking Orthodoxy to America," which appeared in the In Community newsletter from St. John Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River, Alaska.

Frederica shares an idea she had for improving parish life.

Frederica examines the salient Nativity scripture.

Frederica shares a piece that she wrote for National Review magazine in its special issue on women.

Frederica explains that worship is for believers to offer to God.

Frederica contends that, traditionally and historically, worship was aimed not toward other worshippers, as it is in the modern seeker-friendly church, but toward God.

Frederica examines the concept of unity, arguing that the Eastern understanding of unity is different from that of the West. In particular, the unity of all Orthodox churches under a single hierarch is not desired by the East, which believes instead that it is enough for us to be unified under a common theology.

Frederica reflects on giving to the needy, countering the cultural beliefs that the poor have nothing to offer, that it is okay to be consumers and not producers, that we must despise the wealthy, and that charity must go through an established organization.

Frederica reminds us that, despite repeated claims to the controversy, Jesus was simply not a revolutionary who wanted a military victory over the Roman state.

Frederica reminds us that a passion begins to die when you don't think about it.

Frederica discusses an email message she wrote that eventually become a post on Rod Dreher's blog at The American Conservative. In it she explains her view that trying to experience Christ exclusively with your brain and outside the Church is a futile endeavor—a stance that was not well-received by the blog's many readers.

Frederica argues that women's ordination is not the main reason converts come to Orthodoxy.

Frederica tries to account for why couples are increasingly living together without getting married.

Frederica wonders why some saints are more popular than others.

Frederica interviews Basil Athas, a godly man and key character in her first book Facing East.

Frederica examines a few of the differences between her parents' generation and her own.

Frederica examines the spiritual life of Albert Einstein as expressed in a 1929 article in the Saturday Evening Post—published just three days before the Wall Street collapse that began the Great Depression.

Frederica interviews Hieromonk Makary, the beekeeper at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Bombala, New South Wales, Australia.

Frederica explains that "worried prayer" can actually be hurtful to the suffering person

Frederica explains to non-liturgical Christians why the actions of the recently convicted Russian protest group were sacrilege and especially insensitive to the Orthodox individuals who remained faithful throughout the Soviet era.

Frederica argues that the concept of "theology always in flux" is a dubious one.

Frederica explores the many complex issues surrounding Orthodoxy clergy and their pastoral stance toward same-sex attraction.

Frederica recounts the fascinating story of an Armenian woman who threw a loaf of bread into a garbage pit every day for thirteen years.

Frederica interviews Fr. Martin Ritsi, executive director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.

Frederica reads "On Pentecost" by St. Romanos the Melodist.