The Divine Ascent Podcast

Indian Church History: St. Thomas and Indo-Persian Era | 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)

Priesthood | Ep.12 (Rev. Fr. Jake Kurian)

Rev. Fr. Jake Kurian is the Vicar of St. Stephen Orthodox Church Houston, Texas and Assistant Vicar of Christ the Good Shepherd Orthodox Church Houston, 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 0:39 What is the Priesthood 2:35 Role of a Priest 4:16 Doesn't Christ fulfill the Priesthood? 6:41 Priests are Pastors 8:56 Why can only priests administer the sacraments? 9:44 3 Levels of Love for Priest 14:35 Kissing Priest's Hand 15:39 Role of Priest in Holy Confession 19:24 Priest as a Preacher 21:25 Can non-priests preach? 22:20 Roles are Intertwined 24:17 What can the faithful do to establish relationship with priest? 26:07 How does the priest balance his administrative side 28:53 Navigating through Disunity 31:34 Priest's Day in the Life 33:52 How do you keep your prayer life afloat amid these duties? 36:33 Qualities that make a Good Priest & Challenges Priests Face 40:13 Can the Church faithful do more to help our priests? 41:33 Outro & Prayer

Evangelism | Ep. 11 (Rev. Fr. George Hatcher)

Rev. Fr. George (Rajiv) Hatcher is the Assistant Vicar of St. Gregorios Orthodox Church Spokane, Washington--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 0:00:00 Intro & Prayer 0:00:45 Uniqueness of St. Gregorios Spokane 0:02:32 Father's Background and Calling to Priesthood 0:09:30 Mission in Ecuador 0:13:45 Orthodox Understanding of Evangelism 0:15:28 Success in Evangelism 0:19:53 Converting or Showing Love? 0:22:54 Mathew 28 0:26:44 Spiritual Orphanhood 29:54 Works Alone Not Enough 0:37:48 Role of Divine Liturgy in Evangelism 0:55:19 Evangelism in School and Workplace 01:11:59 How To Not Be Pushy 01:15:03 Obstacles that Hinder Evangelism 01:34:40 How Parishioners Can Be Welcoming 01:47:49 Role of Social Media in Evangelism 01:53:00 Advice to Your Younger Self for Evangelism 01:57:19 Outro & Prayer

Addiction | Ep. 10 (Rev. Fr. Argey George)

Rev. Fr. Argey George is the Vicar of St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Hollywood, Florida--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 0:00:00 Intro & Prayer 0:00:38 Father's Background and Calling to Priesthood 0:11:06 Church's View of Addiction 0:16:08 How an Addiction is Formed 0:22:26 Is an Addiction a Sin? 0:24:42 How to Heal an Addiction? 0:33:46 Experiencing Love of Christ as an Addict 0:35:27 Role of Sacramental Life in Healing 0:37:22 Addict Unworthy to Receive the Eucharist? 0:40:03 Confession as Healing, Not Judgment 0:42:38 Approach to Therapy 0:48:30 Easing Into Prayer and Fasting 0:51:33 Family Members that are Addicts 0:59:05 Message to Someone Feeling Ashamed and Trapped 1:05:22 Outro & Prayer

St. Mary | Ep. 9 (Rev. Fr. Mathew Alexander)

Rev. Fr. Mathew Alexander is the Youth Minister of the Dallas Area (Diocese of South-West America) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 00:00:00 - Intro & Prayer 00:00:29 - Father's Background and Calling to Priesthood 00:05:16 - Life of St. Mary 00:15:47 - Falling Asleep of St. Mary 00:20:15 - She is the Theotokos 00:22:04 - Virginity of St. Mary 00:27:37 - Typologies of St. Mary 00:30:36 - St. Mary's Role in Salvation 00:36:12 - Too Much Emphasis on St. Mary? 00:40:08 - St. Mary is the Chief Among Saints 00:41:19 - Didn't St. Mary Have An Easier Time Than the Apostles? 00:47:46 - Sinlessness of St. Mary 00:52:29 - What From St. Mary Can We Apply To Our Lives? 00:58:51 - Outro & Prayer