Frederica Here And Now

Frederica reads a brief story that someone from her parish passed along to her.

Frederica shares some insights from her grandson Isaac, who was born blind but regained his sight after being baptized.

Frederica presents the Nativity Paraklesis, recorded at her parish, Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in Linthicum, Maryland.

Frederica reads the story "Nails in the Post" by M. F. Cowdery, which can be found in the book The Moral Compass, edited by William J. Bennett.

Frederica discusses her new book in which she uses a visit to a fictional parish, St. Felicity, to provide a basic introduction to the Orthodox Church.

Frederica discusses the book Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (and How to Reverse It) by Robert D. Lupton, published by HarperOne.

Frederica discusses the term "gender."

Frederica compares seeing a baby via sonogram to angels seeing us from heaven.

Frederica argues that both men and women have a responsibility when it comes to impure thoughts in the male mind.

Frederica discusses a way she found of managing chores when her children were adolescents.

Frederica reflects on Fr. Marc Dunaway's article "Taking Orthodoxy to America," which appeared in the In Community newsletter from St. John Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River, Alaska.

Frederica shares an idea she had for improving parish life.

Frederica examines the salient Nativity scripture.

Frederica shares a piece that she wrote for National Review magazine in its special issue on women.

Frederica explains that worship is for believers to offer to God.

Frederica contends that, traditionally and historically, worship was aimed not toward other worshippers, as it is in the modern seeker-friendly church, but toward God.

Frederica examines the concept of unity, arguing that the Eastern understanding of unity is different from that of the West. In particular, the unity of all Orthodox churches under a single hierarch is not desired by the East, which believes instead that it is enough for us to be unified under a common theology.

Frederica reflects on giving to the needy, countering the cultural beliefs that the poor have nothing to offer, that it is okay to be consumers and not producers, that we must despise the wealthy, and that charity must go through an established organization.

Frederica explains that whereas other Christian traditions have mystics, people devoted to the contemplative life alone, the Orthodox Church has wonderworkers, saints who are contemplative, yes, but also very active in the lives of their neighbors.

Frederica reminds us that, despite repeated claims to the controversy, Jesus was simply not a revolutionary who wanted a military victory over the Roman state.