The Orthodox Brew

Episode 6 - No, Christmas Isn’t Pagan (And the Early Church Wasn’t Confused)

Every year this comes back around:“Isn’t Christmas just a pagan holiday?”Short answer: no.Long answer: the early Church knew exactly what she was doing.December 25 (and January 7) weren’t borrowed from paganism — they were chosen as a bold theological statement connecting the Nativity to the Cross and Resurrection.#Advent #Christmas #Nativity #Orthodox #Coptic #copticorthodox Christmas: December 25 or January 7? https://youtu.be/q-9mt6K1NRY?si=f-WXLXSGwkO_WG1_

Episode 5 - The Secularization of Christmas

Christmas hasn’t been stolen — but it can lose its center.In this episode, I reflect on how the Nativity slowly shifted from worship to atmosphere, from preparation to consumption, and why the Orthodox Church isn’t panicking..#OrthodoxPodcast #ChristianReflection #christmas #FaithAndCulture #Incarnation#OrthodoxChristian #AncientFaith #Jesus #coptic

Episode 4 - Returning from the Mountaintop (7-12)

Coming down from the mountaintop can be harder than climbing up.In this episode, Fr. Michael Sorial reflects on the spiritual high of mission trips—and the often-overlooked challenge of coming home.He unpacks 6 more practical principles to help mission participants reintegrate wisely, grow spiritually, and continue living missionally in everyday life.📌 Topics include:– How to Redirect Guilt to Gratitude– Why We Need to Build a New Normal– The Importance to Keep Serving LocallyThis is a conversation for anyone returning from a mission trip, spiritual retreat, or any life-changing experience.

Episode 3 - Returning from the Mountaintop (1–6)

Coming down from the mountaintop can be harder than climbing up.In this episode, Fr. Michael Sorial reflects on the spiritual high of mission trips—and the often-overlooked challenge of coming home.He unpacks 6 practical principles to help mission participants reintegrate wisely, grow spiritually, and continue living missionally in everyday life.📌 Topics include:– How to keep the spiritual fire alive– Why drift happens and how to resist it– The importance of reintegrating slowly and wiselyThis is a conversation for anyone returning from a mission trip, spiritual retreat, or any life-changing experience.Your mission didn’t end—it just shifted context. 🌍🙏➡️ Part 2 (Points 7–12) drops next Thursday, June 26

Episode 2 - Finding Peace in a Noisy World

In this episode of Orthodox Brew, Father Michael Sorial discusses the importance of slowing down and finding stillness in a chaotic world. He emphasizes the necessity of retreating to reconnect with God and discover true peace, which is not merely the absence of noise but the presence of Christ. The conversation explores practical ways to incorporate moments of solitude and reflection into daily life, highlighting the need for margin to foster spiritual growth and intimacy with God.