Orthodixie

Fr Joseph ventures into the chaos of mass house blessings with the Sign of the Cross, two Shaun Cassidy fans, and one former Exorcist!

A chubby tween grows into the full stature of a backyard basketball hot dog, while his skinny friend perfects flawless boredom at the free throw line; and an upcoming Orthodox Education Webinar to boot!

With the New Year 2011, Fr Joseph looks back at some stranger moments of 2010 on the Orthodixie Podcast. (It all began when he went bar hopping with Jesus.)

The entries are in, the votes have been tallied—thanks to all who participated! We have three "winners"—Erin, Alex, and Adam—a kid's story, and some kids telling stories.

The audio version of the book, "We Came, We Saw, We Converted: The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America" is the perfect gift for that special someone (you know, the one who's hard to buy for, and you might as well get them something for free!). Fr. Joseph is giving away free copies to those who send him their funniest Christmas Story—listen closely to this encore (re-gifted?) episode, "The Ghost of Past Christmas Presents" for details on how to win your free audio book download!

Fr. Joseph picks up "Santa"—only to discover that this Jolly Ol' Elf is packing heat and on a mission (from God).

Fr. Joseph solicited podcast ideas with the premise: "A priest, married with children, quits -- just walks away from the ministry. Why?" Some answers may surprise you. (By the way, how do we Orthodox define crazy?)

Last year's "listener supported" Thanksgiving podcast featured a Roman Catholic priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, and a Greek layman, who—unexpectedly—shared a Thanksgiving campfire. Here are the combined episodes, slightly edited; stay tuned for details regarding this year's contest at episode's end!

Fr. Joseph manages to connect grandma with KISS, mama with a dirty slugger, catgut with a knee bone, wrestling with a loser, and God Himself with bending the rules -- all in under 12 minutes! (This episode is taken from the new audio version of "We Came, We Saw, We Converted: The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America", available from Conciliar Press.)

Since it is well known that he is a priest from the "Old Country," Fr. Joseph may want to be careful about offending the Farmer in the Dell or Mr. MacDonald. (This is Part 2, from Christ the Savior Church, Chicago.)

Can you imagine for a moment that all this revealed religion stuff is really, really real? Imagine, if you will, the Theotokos pondering things, like: Where is Christ the Savior? Fr. Joseph imagines and ponders his way toward answers in Part One of this special episode, "live" and edited, from Christ the Savior church in the Windy City.

The number of Orthodox Christians in America is greatly inflated in a recent survey; an anonymous Orthodox comments on a Christian caterpillar; and a Muslim converts to Christianity thanks to antidoron -- all this and more as Fr. Joseph reads letters from AFR listeners.

From childhood to adulthood to parenting -- even death -- Goodbyes aren't easy. Fr. Joseph tries to understand Goodbye with the help of his parents, his brother, three Evangelists and ... Brad Paisley?

As Fr. Joseph leaves St. George Church and heads west to St. Joseph's, he muses on past "Sons of St. George" and wonders if there really ever was a "Redneck in Ramallah."

Fr. Joseph's displeasure with Stephen Hawking's recent statement about God not being necessary for Creation is akin to his dislike of sweet red BBQ sauce. Though this episode "tilts," only the obnoxious virtual gobbler succumbs to gravity (if there is such a force, that is).

Did you ever try to find something even remotely Orthodox in your local superstore, gift shop, or bible book store? Chances are, you'll find all manner of things purporting to be spiritual, religious, new-fangled and Christian -- though nary even a wall calendar reflecting the Ancient Faith. Besides, what should you do when you do find one?

Here's a very serious interview of a known-to-be-funny man; Fr. Joseph quizzes his "boss," Fr. John Salem, on the high calling of the priesthood.

Fr. Joseph interviews two Deacons of the Church – both hailing from, ahem, the “Old Country” – that is, one was reared in middle Tennessee and the other was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia [rimshot]. Enjoy!

This episode is taken from the forthcoming audio book version of "We Came, We Saw, We Converted." Fr. Joseph answers letters from AFR listeners which include: annoying Orthodox phrases, wicked political emails, Palestine, women's ordination and Waffle House.

(Fr. Joseph dedicates this program to the memory of Fr. Matthew MacKay, who would have appreciated the humor—he hopes.) This week the Orthodixie podcast catches up with the author of An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church, Fr. Danislav Gregorio, about his new book, Speedy Sacraments for Liturgical Losers.