The Divine Ascent Podcast

St. Dionysius of Vattasseril | Ep. 17 (Sony Alexander)

Sony Alexander is a member of St. James Orthodox Mission Church Rowlett, Texas --------------------------------------------------------------------------- An official podcast of the Diocese of South-West America.This channel shares conversations, reflections, and teachings from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The purpose of the podcast is not only to help the faithful grow in their knowledge of the Orthodox faith, remain rooted in the apostolic tradition, and stay connected to the life of the Church, but also to be a witness to Christ in the world. We seek to spread the Gospel beyond the Church walls, inviting others to encounter the ancient faith, while encouraging the faithful to live out and share Orthodoxy in their daily lives.Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Find all links here: linktr.ee/divineascent.orthodoxy--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 0:00 Intro & Prayer 0:49 Faith in Christ through the Church 3:25 Legacy of St. Dionysius 08:07 Context of his time period 11:29 Relationship with Syriac Orthodox Church 15:01 Other Defining Moments 17:31 Implications of Catholicos 19:02 Spiritual Uniqueness 21:39 Books about him 23:09 Threat to his life 24:34 Accomplishments 26:54 Mar Ivanios, Syro-Malankara Catholic Church 29:07 Response to Questioning his Sainthood 31:51 Oppression of the Time 33:38 How has he personally impacted you? 36:57 Outro & Prayer

Holy Confession | Ep. 16 (Rev. Fr. Abraham (Philemon) Philip)

Rev. Fr. Abraham (Philemon) Philip is the Vicar of St. Mary's Malankara Orthodox Church West Sayville, New York--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------An official podcast of the Diocese of South-West America.This channel shares conversations, reflections, and teachings from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The purpose of the podcast is not only to help the faithful grow in their knowledge of the Orthodox faith, remain rooted in the apostolic tradition, and stay connected to the life of the Church, but also to be a witness to Christ in the world. We seek to spread the Gospel beyond the Church walls, inviting others to encounter the ancient faith, while encouraging the faithful to live out and share Orthodoxy in their daily lives.Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Find all links here: linktr.ee/divineascent.orthodoxy-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters 0:00 Intro & Prayer 1:10 Father's Calling to Priesthood 6:11 Why confess if God knows our sins and Jesus died for our sins? 12:36 Why go to a priest to confess? 14:07 Confession in the Bible 17:00 Seven Steps of Confession 25:16 Can you say yours sins in your head? 26:43 Importance of Face-to-Face Confession 31:57 Is there a power in personal repentance then? 34:38 When is your sin exactly forgiven? 38:49 Incomplete penance equals unforgiven sin? 42:41 Priest Retaining Sins 50:53 Husoyo Doesn't Replace Confession 55:20 Can a priest break the seal of confession? 56:56 Public and Private Confession 59:19 All sin is serious 01:01:44 Confess sins we don't struggle with anymore? 01:07:40 If I sin knowing I'll be forgiven, is that true repentance 01:13:27 Outro & Prayer

Indian Church History (3/4): Protestant Reformation in India | Ep.15 (Rev. Fr. Christopher Mathew)

This episode is the third part of our Indian Church History Series.Rev. Fr. Christopher Mathew is the Vicar of Christ the Good Shepherd Orthodox Church Houston and Assistant Vicar of St. John the Baptist Malankara Orthodox Church North Houston--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------An official podcast of the Diocese of South-West America.This channel shares conversations, reflections, and teachings from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The purpose of the podcast is not only to help the faithful grow in their knowledge of the Orthodox faith, remain rooted in the apostolic tradition, and stay connected to the life of the Church, but also to be a witness to Christ in the world. We seek to spread the Gospel beyond the Church walls, inviting others to encounter the ancient faith, while encouraging the faithful to live out and share Orthodoxy in their daily lives.Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Find all links here: linktr.ee/divineascent.orthodoxy-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters 0:00 Relationship Between Syriac Orthodox Church and Malankara Church 4:34 How many Indian Orthodox bishops at a time? 5:47 Start of Protestant Reformation in India (CMS) 10:08 Start of CSI Church 11:37 Marthoma Church Formation 49:30 Malabar Independent Syrian Church 1:04:20 Prayer (Malankara Orthodox Church formation to follow)

Indian Church History (2/4): Arrival of Portuguese & Coonan Cross Oath (Ep.14) | Rev. Fr. Christopher Mathew

This episode is the second part of our Indian Church History Series.Rev. Fr. Christopher Mathew is the Vicar of Christ the Good Shepherd Orthodox Church Houston and Assistant Vicar of St. John the Baptist Malankara Orthodox Church North Houston--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------An official podcast of the Diocese of South-West America.This channel shares conversations, reflections, and teachings from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The purpose of the podcast is not only to help the faithful grow in their knowledge of the Orthodox faith, remain rooted in the apostolic tradition, and stay connected to the life of the Church, but also to be a witness to Christ in the world. We seek to spread the Gospel beyond the Church walls, inviting others to encounter the ancient faith, while encouraging the faithful to live out and share Orthodoxy in their daily lives.Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Find all links here: linktr.ee/divineascent.orthodoxy--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 0:00 Why did Portuguese Come to India? 3:23 How did Indians Receive Portuguese? 13:25 Why did the Catholics reject the East Syriac Rite? 22:30 Synod of Diamper 34:35 Archdeacon Thomas 47:15 Connan Cross Oath 54:16 Split in Indian Church 1:00:24 Is there still Apostolic Succession? (Indian Protestant Reformation and Malankara Orthodox Church formation to follow)(Indian Protestant Reformation and Malankara Orthodox Church formation to follow)

Indian Church History: St. Thomas & Indo-Persian Era (1/4) | Ep.13 (Rev. Fr. Christopher Mathew)

This episode is the first part of our Indian Church History Series.Rev. Fr. Christopher Mathew is the Vicar of Christ the Good Shepherd Orthodox Church Houston and Assistant Vicar of St. John the Baptist Malankara Orthodox Church North Houston -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An official podcast of the Diocese of South-West America.This channel shares conversations, reflections, and teachings from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The purpose of the podcast is not only to help the faithful grow in their knowledge of the Orthodox faith, remain rooted in the apostolic tradition, and stay connected to the life of the Church, but also to be a witness to Christ in the world. We seek to spread the Gospel beyond the Church walls, inviting others to encounter the ancient faith, while encouraging the faithful to live out and share Orthodoxy in their daily lives.Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Find all links here: linktr.ee/divineascent.orthodoxy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters 0:00 Intro & Prayer 1:27 Who is St. Thomas? 3:51 Why did he travel to India? 12:50 Proof of St. Thomas in India 19:30 Thomas of Cana/Knanaya Community & Status of Christians 23:34 More about proof 27:32 Folklore of St. Thomas in India 39:30 Jewish Community in India 45:16 Connection with Church in Persia 50:55 Apostolic Succession in India & East Syriac Rite 59:44 How the Church in Persia helped us 01:01:28 Were we practicing Nestorianism? 01:05:05 What elements of Church in Persia do we still see today? (Influx of European powers and Malankara Orthodox Church formation to follow)