The Orthodox Apologetics Podcast

Epizode

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  Did the Orthodox Church Reject an Ecumenical Council?! (i.e. Florence) 16.09.2026

  Many Roman Catholic apologists have turned to an argument that the Orthodox Church falsified itself in the 15th century by embracing the council of Florence as an ecumenical council and then later rejecting it. Dr. Cyril Jenkins joins us to address these concerns head on.
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  How 'The First Christian Hymnal' Is Causing Scholars To Rethink Church History 09.09.2026

  Many Protestant scholars consider petitions and praises to saints in the liturgy to be a slow development that doesn't flower until the middle ages. However, the First Christian Hymnal (Jerusalem Chantbook) dated to the 300s AD is causing scholars to rethink this history.
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  Why Venerating the Relics of Saints Is a Deeply Christian Practice 02.09.2026

  Recently, the relics of St. Agatha were on display, venerated, and processed, and many Protestants responded with the claim that these actions were clear idolatry and paganism. In response, we dig deep into the biblical and patristic evidence for honoring saints' relics.
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  All of the Evidence for Baptismal Regeneration in the Bible & Church Fathers 26.08.2026

  Many evangelical churches today teach that baptism is simply a sign and outward expression of someone's personal faith in Christ. However, historic Christianity always taught that the Holy Spirit regenerated the soul through the sacrament of Baptism.
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  Revisiting the Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic Debate on the Married Priesthood 19.08.2026

  A popular Roman Catholic book claims that Orthodoxy innovated a married priesthood at the council of Trullo and went against Nicea I. This episode corrects that misunderstanding and unpacks the Orthodox approach to a married Priesthood.
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  Why the Apostles Transmitted Both Written & Unwritten Teachings to the Early Church 12.08.2026

  Do the early Church Fathers teach that the Bible alone is the sole source of apostolic authority and teaching? Or were there unwritten teachings handed down concerning how to worship and celebrate the Sacraments? And what does the Bible have to say about all of this?
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  The Earliest Evidence for Honoring Christ and the Saints Through Images 05.08.2026

  The Seventh Ecumenical Council taught that honoring images of our Lord and the saints is ancient and apostolic. However, many skeptics have objected to this claim. This episode explores the earliest evidence for how icons were used in the early church beyond mere decor.
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  Why the West Tossed Its Traditional Practice of Infant Communion 31.07.2026

  The West practiced infant communion up until the 12th & 13th centuries, and some places to the 16th century. How did Roman Catholics and Protestants justify this change? This episode explores the history of infant communion, and its significance in the life of the church.
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  Examining the Earliest Evidence of the Dormition of the Theotokos 22.07.2026

  The Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15th, when Mary died and her soul and then body were translated into heaven. However, skeptical scholars have stated there is no evidence for this event.
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  Why Worship in the Early Church Was Liturgical 15.07.2026

  Many people today believe the myth that the first Christians worshipped informally in houses with spontaneous prayers and songs. The earliest liturgical evidence in the Scriptures, the Church Fathers, and ancient worship manuals suggest otherwise.
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  Does the Gospel of Mark Give Us a Radically Different Jesus than the Gospel of John? w/ Fr. Stephen DeYoung 08.07.2026

  Some popular scholarship claims that the Gospel of Mark only presents Jesus as a divinely indwelled man while the Gospel of John presents him as God. Fr. Stephen De Young responds to this hyper critical scholarship and presents the Christ of the Gospels.
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  How the Bible Reveals that the Apostles and First Pastors Were Also Priests 01.07.2026

  This episode explores how the New Testament and the early Church Fathers reveal that Christ gave us an ordained priesthood. We also discuss how the 3-fold structure of bishop, presbyter, and deacon fulfill the 3 offices of the Old Testament.
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  Five Differences Between Orthodox and Protestants on the Communion of Saints 24.06.2026

  On the Nativity of St. John the Forerunner, Cassian is joined by special guest, Fr. Thomas Soroka, to discuss how Orthodoxy honors the saints and some of the key differences with Protestantism.
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  This Protestant Change Is Destroying Christianity 18.06.2026

  For the early Christians, the place where they gathered for worshiped was not a mere building but was actually sanctified space. The altar was the heart of the space where the bishop or presbyter/priest presided over the Divine Liturgy.
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  How Eden Points to Orthodox Worship (and Why Protestantism Falls Short) 10.06.2026

  In this episode, we explore how creation is structured as a temple fashioned by God and how this theme runs through the Scriptures and the whole Orthodox tradition. We also discuss the problem of 'modern' worship in much of the evangelical Protestant landscape today.
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  How Atheism Falls Short In Explaining the Universe 03.06.2026

  Is the universe mostly empty space or filled with the glory of God? In this episode, we explore the story of 'atheist' C.S. Lewis discovering the heavenly music and sacred hierarchy of Creation rooted in St. Dionysius the Areopagite. 0:00 - Introduction 3:36 - Examining atheist views on Creation 7:08 - St. Paul's teaching on Creation 12:51 - Creation itself as an icon of God 21:58 - A comprehensible creation as evidence of God 33:23 - The aesthetic argument for God 40:18 - Other arguments for God 44:33 - Developing love for the beautiful 47:11 - Checking in with the chat 1:04:42 - Outro Music used: Epic Adventure Looped Version - M_B_Music_Studio Licensed through Envato
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  St. Lazarus as First 'Living' Christian Apologist (& Orthodox Bishop) 27.05.2026

  One the first Christian apologists, Quadratus, made the case that Christianity was real because people resurrected by Christ were still alive during his day. While liberal scholars have tried to debunk the Lazarus story, he was 'resurrection' evidence in ancient times. 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Why do a podcast about apologetics? 6:25 - Rhett and Link's deconversion 20:35 - St. Quadratus's apologetic 26:09 - Responding to skeptical scholars 33:48 - The testimony of the tomb of Christ 41:30 - The Pilgrimage of Egeria 45:20 - Relics as part of the memory of the Church 52:00 - St. Lazarus as proof of the coming Resurrection 1:00:30 - Checking in with the chat 1:17:21 - Outro Music used: Epic Adventure Looped Version - M_B_Music_Studio Licensed through Envato