Fr Thomas Hopko

Podcasts are increasingly becoming an important way to access Christian teachings. This series will review a presenter’s style and content.

Fr Thomas Hopko (1939-2015) was Dean at St Vladimir’s seminary in the United States of America between 1992-2002. He was a prolific podcaster. Many of his talks can be found on Ancient Faith Radio (AFR) or on CD (via St Vladimir’s Seminary Press).

Fr Thomas Hopko was a respected theologian and a gifted public speaker. In his podcasts, he weaves together historical facts, theological truths and dogmas to point the listener along the path of salvation. His Biblical knowledge is extensive, quoting widely from the Old and New Testaments. His great gift is his ability to explain Christianity to those of us who are not theologians. His message is powerful because it is Christ centred and rooted in the Bible.

His podcasts are passionate, fast paced and dynamic. You may find yourself overwhelmed, sighing inadvertently at the clarity and the deep truths that Fr Hopko lays before you. Many of his podcasts are worth listening to repeatedly.

Each of his podcasts are between 45-60 minutes long, covering a broad range of subject matter. His series on the Theotokos covers her role in God’s plan for our salvation, how she relates to God and how we relate to her. He has 55 talks, one on each of the Biblical names and titles of Jesus, such as the Good Shepherd, the Christ, the Lamb of God and the True and Faithful Witness. There are a series of talks on the structure and style of the four gospels and the rest of the New Testament books. There are a series of audio CDs on: the book of Revelation (Apocalypse, a verse by verse analysis); the Word of the Cross; and, the Lord’s Prayer.

Fr Hopko’s podcasts are for those who are keen to find out more about the Orthodox Faith, who thirst for the knowledge that will lead to a new creation, to the Kingdom. Be warned, what you hear may change your life.

Download the Ancient Faith Radio app onto your device and search podcasts for “Fr Thomas Hopko.”

Source: Lychnos June-July 2020 edition