B.C. Byzantine

The Devil made me do it - Not! 11Nov04

2007-11-07T19:37:00.003-08:00

Post-Hallowe'en reflections on the choices we face in life, and the divine gift that we so often take for granted ... or conveniently forget.
SS-2007-1104.mp3

The Significance of Three 28Oct07

2007-10-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

What is behind the Ukrainians tradition of doing things three times in so many areas of life? Fr. Bruce explains...
(Encore presentation.)
SS-2007-1028.mp3

Icons in Byzantine Christianity 21Oct07

2007-10-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

Icons are more than just religious art from a bygone era; they have a spiritual significance that transends time. Fr. Bruce explains... (Encore presentation.)
SS-2007-1021.mp3

Ukrainian harvest rite celebrations 14Oct07

2007-10-14T22:26:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce reflects on traditional Ukrainian harvest rites ceremonies and their significance in today's world. Encore presentation.

SS-2007-1014.mp3

Thanksgiving is two words 07Oct07

2007-10-08T10:20:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce reflects on how to make Thanksgiving meaningful on a personal level.

SS-2007-1007.mp3

The tradition of icons in Eastern Chrisitianity 23Sept07

2007-09-25T12:13:00.001-07:00

Icons are more than just religious art from a bygone era; they have a spiritual significance that transends time. Fr. Bruce explains...

SS-2007-0923.mp3

Perspectives on the Cross 16Sept07

2007-09-18T13:22:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce discusses the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross from the perspectives of both eastern and western Christianity. Encore presentation.

SS-2007-0916.MP3

Eastern vs western Christianity 09Sept07

2007-09-10T09:50:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce outlines some of the similarities as well as differences between Eastern and Western Christian tradition. Encore presentation.

SS-2007-0909.mp3

A Christian Perspective on Labour Day 02Sept07

2007-09-04T10:23:00.001-07:00

The work we do - whatever it is - is important, because it is in the service of Christ. Fr. Bruce explains why.

SS-2007-0902.mp3

Easter in August - 26Aug07

2007-09-04T10:19:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce describes the parallels between Easter and the Dormition of the Mother of God ... and how, like Easter, the Dormition symbolizes the joy and hope of Resurrection for us all.

SS-2007-0826.mp3

True Religion - True Faith 19Aug07

2007-09-04T10:18:00.001-07:00

Many people believe that "religion" is responsible for wars and other violent conflicts in the world. But is religion really to blame? Fr. Bruce discusses the roots of this misconception and why it is commonly held.

SS-2007-0819.mp3

Charity begins at home 12Aug07

2007-08-27T20:57:00.001-07:00

Bullying and violence are in the news a lot lately. Fr. Bruce explains what individual Christains can do to stop this worrying trend in today's society

SS-2007-0812.mp3

Feast of the Transfiguration 05Aug07

2007-08-27T20:53:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce explains what the Transfiguration of Christ means for humanity and the world.

SS-2007-0805.mp3

Farewell, Bishop Severian 29Jul07

2007-07-30T22:51:00.001-07:00

A tribute to the outgoing Ukrainian Catholic bishop for the Eparchy of New Westminster.

SS-2007-0729.mp3

Welcome, Bishop Ken! 22Jul07

2007-07-22T18:53:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce delivers a message of welcome to (and sheds a little light on) the Eparchy of New Westminster's new Bishop for Ukrainian Catholics in BC and the Yukon.

SS-2007-0722.mp3

UPDATE: Read about Bishop Ken's ordination here. Great pics!

Summer's spiritual gifts 15Jul07

2007-07-17T14:55:00.001-07:00

Summer brings an abundance of spiritual gifts to enjoy! Fr. Bruce reflects on the blessings of summer and shares some of his own summertime joys.

SS-2007-0715.mp3

Christmas in July! 08Jul07

2007-07-09T21:40:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce has some suggestions for celebrating Christmas in July!

SS-2007-0708.mp3

Canada Day 01Jul07

2007-07-09T21:39:00.001-07:00

A message for Canada Day about our nation's deep spiritual roots ... which no amount of denial can change.

SS-2007-0701.mp3

Family ties 24Jun07

2007-06-24T18:07:00.001-07:00

Re-examining the importance as well as the true nature of family, and how to strengthen family bonds in today's world.

SS-2007-0624.mp3

Happy Father's Day 17Jun07

2007-06-17T20:52:00.001-07:00

Fatherhood is not as dispensible as modern society would have us believe. Fr. Bruce explains why, and shares a personal memoir illustrating what makes a father so important and so special.

SS-2007-0617.mp3

New Bishop for BC's Ukrainian Catholics!

2007-06-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

On June 1, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI named Father Kenneth Nowakowski the Ukrainian Eparchial Bishop of New Westminster in British Columbia. The bishop-elect will be consecrated on July 24.

Details at the Eparchy website here.

Also a nice article in the BC Catholic here.

BC Catholic will be giving extensive coverage of the consecration and the Eparchy ... it's a great paper, check it out!

Cherish your churches! 10Jun07

2007-06-11T11:46:00.001-07:00

In this "encore presentation" Fr. Bruce reminds us how important it is to genuinely appreciate the great gift of our faith, and to demonstrate appreciation ... to God and to the world around us. 6:24

SS-2007-0610.mp3

The Power of Pentecost 27May07

2007-06-11T11:42:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce explains the significance of Pentecost - then and now. 4:54

SS-052707.mp3

(Apologies for posting the wrong audio file last week ... haste certainly makes waste!)

Feast of the Ascension 20Apr07

2007-05-22T11:02:00.001-07:00

F.r Bruce explains what the Ascension of Jesus Christ really means. 4:16

SS-052007.mp3

Happy Mother's Day 13May07

2007-05-14T15:41:00.001-07:00

A special message for and about some very special people! 3:46

SS-051307.mp3

Ukrainian Easter traditions 06May07

2007-05-07T19:41:00.001-07:00

Ukrainian Easter traditions pre-dating Christianity symbolize an enduring belief in eternal life with striking parallels to Christianity. Fr. Bruce explains... 5:27
SS-050607.mp3

Christians 1, athiests 0 ... 29May07

2007-04-30T09:24:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce shares a true story of how the glory of the Resurrection defeated aggressive athiesm in a Ukrainian village during the Soviet era. 7:34

SS-042907.mp3

The myrrh-bearing women 22Apr07

2007-04-23T18:16:00.001-07:00

Reflections on piety, humility, and gender equality as illustrated in the story of the myrrh-bearing women. 4:55

SS-042207.mp3

Doubting Thomas 15Apr07

2007-04-16T13:45:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce explores the reality and wonder of faith, as revealed in the story of St. Thomas, the disciple who doubted the Risen Lord. 4:46

SS041507.mp3

Resurrection Homily of St. John Chrysostom 08Apr07

2007-04-09T10:21:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce gives a thundering delivery of this ancient but timeless homily with its message of hope and joy. 4:32

SS-040807.mp3

Квітна Неділя - Flowering Sunday 01Apr07

2007-04-04T23:04:00.001-07:00

Also known as Palm Sunday in the western tradition. 4:32

Верба б'є, не заб'є ... за тижень, Велекдеь!

SS-040107.mp3

St. Mary of Egypt 25Mar07

2007-04-04T23:01:00.001-07:00

God's grace as shown in the heartwarming and inspiring story of a 4th century harlot who finds redemption and becomes a saint. 6:15

SS-032507.mp3

St. John's ladder 18Mar07

2007-04-04T22:58:00.001-07:00

Not to be confused with Jacob's ladder! Fr. Bruce has some advice to help you you stay on this ladder which reaches to Heaven. 6:21
SS-031807.mp3

God's Great Rescue Mission 11Mar07

2007-04-04T22:53:00.001-07:00

A classic Christian metaphor of the Lenten season. 5:00

SS-031107.mp3

Healing spiritual paralysis 04Mar07

2007-04-04T22:52:00.001-07:00

How Lenten observance can revive the spirit and open you to Christ. 4:44

SS-030407.mp3

Sunday of Orthodoxy 25Feb07

2007-04-04T22:48:00.001-07:00

The meaning and significance behind the word "orthodox" in both the eastern and western rites. 4:49

SS-022507.mp3

Cheese Fare Sunday 18Mar07

2007-04-04T22:46:00.001-07:00

The physical and spiritual benefits of fasting in the Lenten tradition. 5:58

SS-021807.mp3

Meat Fare Sunday 11Feb07

2007-04-04T22:43:00.001-07:00

A Ukrainian/Byzantine spin on Carnivale, and tips to help you plan for Great Lent. 6:25

SS-021107.mp3

Feast of the Presentation 04Feb07

2007-04-04T22:40:00.001-07:00

This feast, the last of the "big 3" of Ukrainian Christmas tradition, signals the end of the season. 5:08

SS-020407.mp3

New Year's Resolutions 28Jan07

2007-04-04T22:39:00.001-07:00

Why they're good, and some tips to help you keep yours! 5:29

SS-012807.mp3

Pre-Christian symbolism 21Jan07

2007-04-04T22:37:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce explains how the meaning and significance of pre-Christian ritual symbolism were enhanced and enriched by Christianity's adoption of them. 5:22

SS-012107.mp3

Theophany - The Feast of Jordan 14Jan07

2007-04-04T22:30:00.001-07:00

Water plays a significant symbolic role for Ukrainians inthe celebratation of the Theophany (not be confused with the Epiphany). This is the ritual of the blessing of the water, which in earlier times was done outdoors at the river. 6:05

SS-011407.mp3

The first day of Christmas 07Jan07

2007-04-04T22:24:00.001-07:00

For Byzantine Christians, the Christmas season begins (rather than ends, as in the western secular tradition) on Christmas Day, and lasts for weeks! Find out about the various feast days and their traditions. 5:25

SS-010707.mp3

The Nativity Icon 24Dec06

2007-04-04T09:01:00.001-07:00

How the Christmas story is revealed in its entirety on the ancient and beautiful Nativity icon. 5:26

SS-122406.mp3

St. Nicholas 10Dec06

2007-04-04T08:58:00.001-07:00

Get the story on St. Nicholoas ... and the generosity, kindness, and wisdom of the real person too often buried under the modern-day commercial construct known as "Santa Claus." 4:54

SS-121006.mp3

The "calendar" controversy 03Dec06

2007-04-03T17:22:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce clears up the "calendar controversy" that emerges every Christmas (and Easter), so the next time you're asked why Ukrainian Christmas comes 13 days "late" you'll have all the facts! 4:16

SS-120306.mp3

Holodomor 26Nov06

2007-04-03T17:21:00.001-07:00

Remembering those who perished in the Holodomor, the Great Famine in Ukraine in 1932-33, engineered by the godless Soviets. 6:27
SS-112606.mp3

Season of St. Philip (Advent) 19Nov06

2007-04-03T17:19:00.003-07:00

Advent in the Ukrainian Byzantine tradition, and how it can help you control and reduce the stress that often accompanies the Christmas season. 3:10

SS-111906.mp3

Lest we forget 12Nov06

2007-04-03T17:19:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce reflects on the realities of war and peace, recalling a conversation with a Ukrainian veteran on Remembrance Day. 3:51
SS-111206.mp3

Icons 05Nov06

2007-04-03T17:18:00.001-07:00

All about icons in Ukrainian Byzantine churches ... their significance and history, and attitudes towards religious art in the Eastern Church. 4:59
SS-110506.mp3

Cherish Your Churches! 29Oct06

2007-04-03T16:48:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce extends an invitation to (re)discover and (re)claim the treasures within our churches! 6:24

SS-102906.mp3

East vs West 22Oct06

2007-04-03T16:46:00.001-07:00

The differences between Eastern and Western Christianity and, more importantly, their similarities. 5:11

SS-102206.mp3

Obzhynky! Harvest rites 15Oct06

2007-04-03T16:45:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce explains all about traditional Ukrainian harvest rites, known as "obzhynky." 3:42

SS-101506.mp3

Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8Oct06

2007-04-03T16:43:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce on the contentious issue of how deep reverence for the Holy Mother by Catholic and Orthodox Christians is sometimes misconstrued as idolatry by Protestants and non-Christians. 5:22

SS-100806.mp3

Ukrainian times three 01Oct06

2007-04-03T16:40:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce explains why Ukrainians always cross themselves (and do many other things!) three times. 4:49

SS-100106.mp3

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 24Sep06

2007-04-03T16:08:00.001-07:00

Every September Byzantine Christians observe the glorious celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Fr. Bruce explains what, exactly, makes this observance so glorious. 4:32

SS-092406.mp3

Unity of Eastern Catholics and Orthodox 17Sep06

2007-04-03T16:02:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce explains how, despite denominational divisions, we are all one family in Christ. 5:17

SS-091706.mp3

"And With Your Spirit" - debut 10Sep06

2007-04-03T15:53:00.001-07:00

Fr. Bruce's podcast premiere on Nash Holos radio on Sept. 10, 2006. 4:10

SS-091006-Intro.mp3