Good Guys Wear Black

Fr. Anthony ones again shares the idea of the pattern of the Logos as the mechanism of evangelism. This is the first part of a talk he gave at the 2018 Lenten Retreat in Bethlehem PA hosted by the Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOC-USA) and The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America. Enjoy the show!

A priest friend of mine likes to say, "We may not have many, but we have them all!" In this episode, I describe some the of the things that make it hard for priests and laity to see eye-to-eye and try to make the case that it really is okay not to like everything about your priests or parishes in order to love, serve, and support them. (Please note that I am NOT defending pathological or abusive parishioners and priests; we deal with those rare situations in other episodes). Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Alexander Webster, the Dean of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary and a retired Army Chaplain, shares his thoughts on the challenges of the priesthood and describes how Holy Trinity prepares men for it. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony shares some metaphors (enemy, man half-dead, and publican) for understanding parents and then offers some advice on how to serve (and evangelize) them. It presents the main ideas from the talk he gave at the 2018 Youth and Camp Workers Conference in Atlanta, GA. You can find out more information about the conference at their website, orthodoxycc.org.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Harry Linsinbigler about some lessons learned from the Nativity and Theophany season and why Royal Hours are not celebrated on weekends. In addition to being a parish priest, Fr. Harry is the Canonist for the UOC-USA and prepares its Ustav (liturgical calendar and order of services). Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony uses the image of the pattern (as found in Genesis, Isaiah, the Gospel of St. Matthew, and the Amber series of Roger Zelazny) to help explain our calling to bring the Logic of the Center to the chaos of the edges. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, recorded at the 2017 meeting of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion, Fr. Michael Kon, a priest of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and a Substance Abuse Counselor, discusses his conversion to Orthodox Christianity (from Judaism) and the lessons he has learned as a bi-vocational priest. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Theophan Mackey of St. Job of Pochaiv parish in Los Alamos, NM (stjobla.org). He's only been a priest for three years, but he really hit the ground running (glory to God!). In this "live" episode, he shares his experience serving God as a priest (and jack of all trades) in New Mexico. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony Perkins interviews Rdr. David Kessler. Rdr. David is the choir director at Holy Annunciation parish in Berwick, PA and a graduate of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary. They talk about how important good communication is between parish priests and music leaders. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony answers a listener's question about whether becoming a priest has been worth it; it has, but the answer is a bit more nuanced. He also offers a solution for choir directors and chanters who serve with tone-challenged priests that works much better than a tuning fork or an organ. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Ernesto Obregon (orthocuban.com) about the special challenges that come with bi-vocational ministry and the ways we can help our bi-vocational ministers thrive. Enjoy the show!

In this talk, Fr. Anthony shares his thoughts on heroism, dragon slaying, and how we can use the power of Christ to tame chaos and bring order to our lives and relationships with others. Enjoy the show!

Fr. Maximos McIntyre, a ROCOR mission priest in MA, talks to us about the challenges of bi-vocational ministry and shares warnings about ghost hunting. And he knows what he is speaking about; he spent several years as a paranormal investigator working with some of the big names in the field.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony and Fr. Hans Jacobse (American Orthodox Institute) lament a culture that denigrates manliness and talk about how priests (and other manly men) can help boys of all ages tame their passions and become the Christian warriors they were called to be. Note: this conversation includes a frank (but not explicit) discussion about pornography.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony thinks back over the his first ten years as a priest, focusing on the roles perseverance, good role models/mentors, and a healthy marriage have had in redeeming his time as a "baby priest."

Fr. Anthony and Fr. Harry Linsinbigler (UOC-USA priest and Canonist) discuss the difference between run-of-the-mill pride and full-blown narcissism, how both respond (or don't respond) to Orthopraxis, and the way narcissism poisons the soul and the community. They also call for the Church to be more intentional in keeping narcissists out of seminary and the priesthood, and discuss how we can and should protect ourselves and one another from giving in to the temptation of both pride and narcissism.

Many priests have a problem with committing themselves at a pace that is unsustainable. In this podcast Fr. Anthony and Fr. Gregory Jensen talk about why priests have a hard time saying no and why it is important that it make its way into our vocabulary.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks about Great Lent in the Lehigh Valley (PA) and about how the Lenten disciplines - and especially the Prayer of St. Ephraim - can protect and heal us from the damage of war.

In this episode Fr. Anthony offers ancient advice for understanding and loving others, even those with whom we are (or seem to be) at war. He concludes that until we have done the hard work of training our minds, the words that come out of our mouths are full of vanity and not to be trusted.

In this episode Fr. Anthony Perkins and Fr. Gregory Jensen have a conversation about how a person's personality type (e.g. extravert vs. introvert) affects their priestly service. This conversation is followed by two codas during which they talk about life, the universe, and everything (to include the problem with doing everything on the cheap).

This episode includes an interview with Benedict Sheehan, the Director of Music at St. Tikhon's Seminary and the author of The Music Stand blog with Ancient Faith. He shares his thoughts on the state of our music and makes suggestions on how to improve it.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony expresses how much he looks forward to having his old friend hunger back around, laments the lack of discernment on social media, and gives the short and long answer to the question of whether it is ever okay for a priest to seek a new assignment.

In this episode Fr. Anthony talks about the problem of "young elders" in the post-Soviet Russian Orthodox Church (and in our own) and then, after a commercial break, shares his approach and advice on Confession.

Fr. Anthony interviews Fr. Gregory Jensen about the need for priests to know themselves.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony shares some advice on how to build a good relationship with choir directors and chanters, talks about the need to have and work towards a vision of parish worship, and encourages priests to be intentional about evaluating and improving their own liturgical chanting and movements.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony gives ten suggestions, ranging from practical advice on how to pass the liturgical baton to the need for humility and attentiveness—that will help chanters and singers witness to the peace, harmony, and beauty of God during the Divine Liturgy and other services.

On St. Michael's Day of 2012, the parish of St. Michael the Archangel (UOC-USA) in Woonsocket, RI suffered tremendous damage from a fire. In this podcast, Fr. Anthony, the priest of St. Michael's at that time, shares hard-earned advice on preparing for, dealing with, and recovering from parish disasters. The most important advice? Keep the One Thing Needful top on the list of priorities at every step of the process.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony uses insights from his former career in intelligence to explain the spiritual vulnerability of our priests (and the need for vigilance). After a commercial break for a new type of Paschal vestment, he then offers a first draft of a priestly "Code of Honor.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony begins by talking about the need to build joy into our routines. Then, after a (satirical) commercial break, he calls for Orthodox priests to consider taking on the role of Orthodox shaman as well.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony begins by talking about things you can learn about priests from the way the keep the altar. Then, after a commercial break for a cool new liturgical gadget, he talks about the trade-offs between the pastoral and prophetic ministries and how they are made one in love.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks about the phone apps he uses to slay the morning dragon of the desert and redeem the time. After a brief advertisement for an exciting new (bogus) app, he uses Max Weber to explain part of the frustration (and trust issues) on the part of clergy. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks about the differences between Summer and Fall ministry, pokes some gentle fun at Enochian fundamentalists, and makes a plea for the intentional patterning of habits that will tame chaos and redeem the time.

In this episode Fr. Anthony interviews Bill Marianes, a gifted evangelist and lawyer (don't hold that against him; or at least pray for him because of it). Bill argues that the best way to bring energy and growth to our parishes is to reorganize ourselves around ministries and transform members into disciples, apostles, and ministry leaders. Bill has shared this vision with several dioceses and is currently working with the UOC-USA to implement it through their strategic planning process. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks about why funerals require extra attention, some of the challenges (both expected and unexpected) that they bring, and shares some lessons on bringing grace to the experience. He also shares a (satirical) warning about the danger of preaching politics.

After making a plea for keeping ecclesial politics subordinated to our Unity and Love for one another, Fr. Anthony makes a case for the priesthood being one of many options for those desiring to serve God and His Church. He also spends time introducing a book on vocations that the founder of the GGWB website, Fr. John Peck, recently released.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony responds to questions on how to choose which jurisdiction to serve in, how he ended up as a priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and what his thoughts are on the scheduled Great Council. After a (satirical) word from a sponsor, the show concludes with the results of an interview with UOC-USA priest and Canonist, Fr. Harry Linsinbigler, on Canon Law and the priesthood. Enjoy the show!

After talking a bit more about narcissism in the priesthood (and a brief word from a sponsor), Fr. Anthony uses some insights from comparative politics to help explain some of the divisions that plague some communities and why things often get blown out of proportion.

Father Anthony summarizes some clergy "self-care" advice from Fr. Gregory Jensen (PhD in Spiritual Formation), encourages his brothers to fall back in love with worship and scripture, and peddles a (satirical) book of homilies for your favorite priest.

Fr. Anthony addresses how to identify a true antagonist in your parish and what to do about it.

Fr. Anthony continues discussing the book Ten Commandments for Pastors New to a Congregation by Lawrence W. Farris.

Fr. Anthony advises priests on what to do and how to behave when circumstances demand that you leave your current church parish.

Fr. Anthony gives advice to priests on how to improve their marriages.

Fr. Anthony reminds his fellow priests that they need to give up everything for Christ in order to effectively serve and assist their people.