Recently Transcribed Episodes

Real Life Minute
What if We Lost the Bible?

Episode date: February 01, 2011
Transcript published:

Have you ever wondered what would happen if we lived in a time or place where we lost access to the Bible? Archimandrite Sophrony tells us:

Suppose that for some reason the Church were to be bereft of all her liturgical books, of the Old and New Testaments, the works of the Holy Fathers—what would happen? Sacred Tradition would restore the Scriptures, not word for word, perhaps—the verbal form might be different but in essence the new Scriptures would be the expression of that same ‘faith which was once delivered unto the saints.’ They would be the expression of the one and only Holy Spirit continuously active…

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Real Life Minute
Know the Holy Trinity

Episode date: February 02, 2011
Transcript published:

It’s impossible to truly comprehend the Holy Trinity, but St. Cyril of Jerusalem tells us what we really need to know:

The Father through the Son, with the Holy Spirit, is the giver of all grace; the gifts of the Father are none other than those of the Son, and those of the Holy Spirit; for there is one salvation, one Power, one Faith; One God, the Father; One Lord, His only-begotten Son; One Holy Spirit, the Comforter. And it is enough for us to know these things; but inquire not curiously into His nature or substance: for had it been written, we would have spoken of it; what is not written, let us not venture on; it is…

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Real Life Minute
How to Get Faith in Prayer

Episode date: February 03, 2011
Transcript published:

We know that our faith is supposed to be built up through prayer, but it’s hard to know how this can happen. St. John of Kronstadt gives us one key—honesty:

If you wish that God should speedily give you hearty faith in prayer, strive with all your heart to speak and to do everything in regard to other people sincerely, and never be deceitful in your dealings with them. If you are straightforward and truthful with others, then God will give you straightforwardness and sincere faith also in reference to Himself.

The only way to grow in our faith in the God of Truth is to be true ourselves.

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Real Life Minute
I’m So Humiliated!

Episode date: February 06, 2011
Transcript published:

Most of us can remember a time when we were absolutely humiliated by a mistake we made or an embarrassing situation in which we found ourselves. In fact, if you’re like me, you’re mentally cringing even now as you think of that time. You may be surprised to know, then, that humiliation can serve a valuable function in your life.

St. John Climacus says, “A little fire softens a large piece of wax. So, too, a small indignity often softens, sweetens and wipes away suddenly all the fierceness, insensibility and hardness of our heart.”

So in the end, as painful as it is at the time, embarrassment can make you a better…

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Real Life Minute
True Humility

Episode date: February 07, 2011
Transcript published:

If you’ve ever heard a person brag about their their supposed humility, you might wonder: what is true humility? St. Gregory of Sinai says:

…true humility does not say humble words, nor does it assume humble looks, it does not force oneself either to think humbly of oneself, or to abuse oneself in self-belittlement. Although all such things are the beginning, the manifestations and the various aspects of humility, humility itself is grace, given from above. There are two kinds of humility, as the holy fathers teach: to deem oneself the lowest of all beings and to ascribe to God all one’s good actions. The first…

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