Every Great Lent, iEcclesia features weekly podcasts, covering a variety of topics related to this very important period of the Church year. These programs are designed to help the listener understand why we celebrate Great Lent, the weekly themes, and concluding with the importance of Holy Week and Pascha.

Today’s podcast is the fifth in our Great Lent 2009 Series.

This Sunday, we are commemorating one of the great Saints of the Orthodox Church, St. Mary of Egypt, who is a great model of repentance for all Orthodox Christians. She is also a great example of how people can be caught up in “the temptations of the world” and escape with the power of Christ.

Today’s podcast deals with the important topic of Demonic Iconography.

Two words that we thought would never go together; yet, it’s a problem that is present throughout the world – alive and well on television, in cinema and even at the local store. Although the Church teaches us that human beings are created “in the image of God”, 21^st century society doesn’t stop from making it a million-dollar business. Yet, what can the Church do? How can the Church assist its people engaging in “demonic iconography” and putting their feet on the path to the Kingdom again?

The program begins with a definition of demonic iconography and what this phrase means for the Church of the 21^st century. Next, although it is seen as wrong and sinful for the Orthodox Christian (and for many other confessions), it remains a multi-million dollar industry. Our guests delves into into why it is so popular and lucrative. Also, our guest tackles If there any true fundamental differences between ? soft-core and hard-core sexuality that is displayed throughout various media outlets. Fr. Chad gives his thoughts on the classic phrase, “I’m just watching…it’s not that big of a deal”, that many who are engaged in internet pornography would state. The program continues with the Church's response to those people who would say that people who accept demonic iconography are unworthy to receive or even approach Holy Communion and go to Sacraments in general. Next, from children’s video games to blockbuster movies, violence is a great problem that is – unfortunately – downplayed as simply part of the script and needed. Fr. Chad speaks to this issue and offers his thoughts on people playing these games (both children and adults alike), and to the children’s parents. The program then looks at Avatars and what does the Church think about;  is the whole Avatar craze that serious or just a game. As the program concludes, Fr. Chad tells us how the Church can help these people who are involved in demonic iconography. The program concludes with thoughts about the difficult question: Where to from here?

Guest Information

- Former National Youth Director, Metropolis Youth Board (Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada))

- B.Th. (Valedictorian), Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy