What God is Not

This week we're joined by special guests Fr. Nathan Symeon and his wife Ali. Fr. Nathan Symeon and Ali talk about married priesthood from their own perspective and experience. They talk about the joys and struggles, and ultimately how this path they're on is the one they believe is for their sanctification and holiness.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week we're joined by several special guests who participated in an escape room with Mother Natalia and Father Michael. Mother Natalia reflects on how they each reacted within the escape room (one of those haunted house type ones), and how the reactions tended to break down by gender lines.References:The Lament of Eve by Johanna ManleyGates of Fire by Steven PressfieldFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia and Father Michael are joined by two special guests, Mother Gabriella from Christ the Bridegroom Monastery and Natalie Bishay, a Coptic Orthodox since birth. Natalie shares some of the beauties of Coptic Orthodoxy, including their mentality of being servants and their process of electing men for the priesthood.Live Episode:We're excited to announce a live episode today, Wednesday, August 24th.Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church5329 Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411Divine Liturgy will begin at 6:30 PM, followed by dinner and a live recording. A main course will be provided but please bring a side to share. Come for all or part of the event! We hope to see you there!Bridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia do a "reaction audio" of the canon for the Dormition of the Theotokos. They talk about the links back to the stories of the Old Testament, the paradox of Christian life that's talked about in the canon, and the overall beauty of the prayers. Live Episode:We're excited to announce a live episode next Wednesday, August 24th.Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church5329 Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411Divine Liturgy will begin at 6:30 PM, followed by dinner and a live recording. A main course will be provided but please bring a side to share. Come for all or part of the event! We hope to see you there! Bridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael uses Aristotle's writings to talk about the three types of friend in preparation for an article he's writing on friendship. He talks about the three types of friends, examples of how those friendships can be seen in action, and how we see friendship growing.ReferencesWylde WorksNichomachean Ethics by AristotleLeaning In - Episode with Libby on FastingMere Christianity by C.S. LewisHomework! John 15: 4-17 Spiritual Friendship Denver Companions of ChristBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Travis! In today's episode, Mother Natalia reflects on Romans 12 where St. Paul describes the marks of a true Christian. Mother Natalia talks about some practicalities in interacting with others, those that are interested in our true Catholic selves and those that aren't.ReferencesFr. Travis' Podcast: Outcast CatholicRomans 12: 9 - 21Wisdom in the World (but not of it)Letter to DiognetusBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael recaps his recent time in the Holy Land where he was the chaplain for a 10 day pilgrimage. He talks about the areas they traveled, where the Lord spoke to him in prayer, and being inspired by the people he encountered on the trip. Bridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Father Michael talks about the difference between men and women, the wholistic beauty of the human person, and how Mary epitomizes everything which is good and beautiful about women. It's an interesting one!ReferencesThe Final HomilyGates of Fire by Steven PressfieldThe Face of God by Archbishop Joseph RayaThe Reed of God by Caryll HouselanderBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia uses a reflection from Bishop John Michael Botean about work as her inspiration for today's episode. Mother Natalia reflects on work, both what it is and what it is not. She uses quotes from the Church Fathers to help our understanding, and gives practical examples of how to live a life more focused on God and less focused on work.References:The Endow PodcastEpisode with Father Deacon Jonathan - Ontology and Image, Likeness and DestinyWhat Leisure is Not with Mother GabriellaBabette's Feast (Trailer)Bridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week we're joined by Fr. Maximos of Holy Resurrection Monastery. Fr. Maximos talks about how "the East" defines involuntary sin, and what that can look like practically in the confessional. There's a great discussion about healing and presenting yourself to the divine healer in confession.References:Fr. Maximos' thesisBrief video, Fr. Maximos on Orientale Lumen TelevisionBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show