St Shenouda Podcast

About St Shenouda Podcast

The St Shenouda Podcast is your gateway to everything Orthodox. From the deep spirituality of Church seasons to the inspiring lives of saints, we dive into the heart of the Orthodox faith. Explore the beauty of liturgical life, uncover fascinating moments in Church history, and discover treasures of Orthodox spirituality that can transform your daily walk with Christ. Brought to you by St Shenouda Press, this podcast also features honest reviews of Orthodox books—helping you find your next great read to enrich your faith. Whether you’re a lifelong Orthodox Christian or simply curious about the ancient traditions of the Church, each episode offers something meaningful, thought-provoking, and uplifting. Tune in and journey with us through the timeless wisdom and living faith of Orthodoxy!

Publisher

St Shenouda Press

Category

arts · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Apr 2025

Latest episode

7 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

57 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Aug 2026

   Finding Your Place in the Body of Christ

   Have you ever walked into a church service and felt like you didn't quite belong? Whether you feel left out, lack a "comfort zone" of friends, or feel like a stranger in your own spiritual home, you are not alone. In this episode, Abouna Thomas joins us to address the common struggle of feeling disconnected from the church community and how to refocus our perspective on what the church truly is. In this episode, we explore: The True Meaning of Church: Moving beyond the idea of church as a social gathering to understanding it as the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, where the ultimate goal is satisfaction in Him. The "Spiritual Medicine" of Confession: Why Abouna calls the sacrament of confession a "second baptism" and a "hidden spiritual medicine" that allows us to truly taste the joy of forgiveness. Practical Steps for Prayer: Advice for those who have never prayed before or struggle to start, including the power of dedicating just five to ten minutes a day to the "Our Father". A Call to Service: Understanding that every Christian is called to be a servant, not just a select few. Abouna discusses how service is about sacrificing our comfort zone to bring joy to others, whether at church, at home, or in the workplace. Friends in Heaven: How to find and choose a patron saint to journey with you, reminding us that we always belong to heaven. Whether you are currently in the joyful period of the Holy 50 Days or navigating a "darkness era" in your life, this conversation serves as a reminder that the church exists to link you to a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Tune in to rediscover your place in the Body of Christ and learn how to make your spiritual life a priority again.

2. 

   20 Jul 2026

   Your Anxiety Doesn’t Mean You Have Weak Faith

   Does struggling with anxiety or depression mean your relationship with God is lacking? In this episode, we sit down with Abouna Abanoub, a priest with over 35 years of experience and a extensive background in psychology and mental health. Drawing from his Masters in Counseling and his doctorate research on the well-being of clergy, Abouna explores the "fine line" and significant overlap between spirituality and mental health. We dive deep into the reality of mental health, discussing why it is often biological or rooted in our thought patterns rather than a sign of "weak faith". Abouna shares fascinating insights into how the Early Church Fathers practiced techniques similar to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 2,000 years ago, teaching us how to discipline and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. In this episode, we discuss: The Overlap: How to identify when a struggle is spiritual versus when it is a mental health breakdown. The Role of Medication: Why medicine isn't a "quick fix" for everyone and how it balances with faith and action. Practical Tools for Healing: From physical habits like exercise and nature to spiritual disciplines like silence, prayer, and reading the Psalms. The Power of Community: Why isolation is a tool of the enemy and how the church community provides a vital safety net. Finding Hope: Moving past the symptoms to find the root cause of our struggles and trusting that there is always "light at the end of the tunnel". Whether you are seeking personal healing or looking to better support those around you, this conversation offers a compassionate, integrated approach to mental wellness through the lens of the Orthodox faith. Guest Bio: Abouna Abanoub was ordained in the first group of priests sent to Australia by the late Pope Shenouda III. He has spent over three decades serving the Coptic community while specializing in counseling and mental health research. His favorite saint is Pope Kyrollos VI, whom he remembers as a real-life example of the power of prayer and simplicity.

3. 

   21 Apr 2026

   Discernment: The crown of virtues

   elcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast, where we explore the timeless wisdom of the Desert Fathers and the foundational virtues of the spiritual life. In this series, we delve into what the ancient elders called the “crown of wisdom” and the “guardian of the soul”: the virtue of discernment. Why Discernment? Among all the virtues—prayer, fasting, silence, and humility—the Desert Fathers placed discernment above all. As St. John Cassian taught, it is the “mother, guardian, and guide of all virtues”. Without it, even good practices can become harmful: fasting can turn into pride, silence into isolation, and zeal into fanaticism. As St. Anthony the Great warned, many have worn out their bodies through asceticism yet remained far from God because they lacked this essential gift. What You Will Explore: Each episode seeks to help listeners distinguish between truth and deception, and between what is truly from God and what is not. Drawing on Biblical foundations from Hebrews, 1 John, and Philippians, we discuss how to exercise our spiritual senses to approve the things that are excellent. Key Themes & Stories: The Royal Path: Learn to walk the "royal road," avoiding the extremes of both excess and neglect to find true spiritual balance. Lessons from the Elders: We share powerful stories from the Paradise of the Fathers, including Abba Anthony’s teaching on the "overstretched bow" and Abba Poemen’s wisdom on finding the right measure in all things. Protection from Deception: Understand how the enemy can disguise himself as an "angel of light" and why even spiritual experiences must be tested through humility and peace. Practical Guidance: Discover how to cultivate discernment through humility, obedience to a spiritual father, prayer, and patience. The Goal: The spiritual life is not about how much we do, but whether we are walking in the right way. This podcast is dedicated to the seeker who desires to move beyond mere "cleverness" to receive the spiritual gift of discernment, born from a pure heart and experience with God. Join us as we learn to trust not in our own judgment, but in the light that guides the soul safely toward Christ. “Lord, grant me discernment, that I may walk in Your truth.”

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

4.6 / 5

9 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.