Saint Nicholas of Myra - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #19

 

Watch on YouTube

Episode #19

This Week on Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints we are happy to welcome everyone to the first week of Advent!  There is no denying it now, Christmas is coming and this week we enter one of the most beautiful and thoughtful seasons of the Liturgical year – Advent, the season of waiting.  

After discussing the meaning of Advent and how it is meant to prepare us for the coming of the Lord, we will discuss, as we always do, the Saint of the Week.  And this week, we have a doozy.  Probably one of the most famous Saints of all – Saint Nicholas (December 6th).  

Saint Nicholas is far more than the red-clad, fat little elf bringing toys to children as he is depicted in popular culture.  He was a vigorous and staunch defender of Orthodoxy against a sea of Heretics.  Far more interesting and robust than he is commonly portrayed after this week’s episode you will have a new appreciation for this truly great and holy man.  

Venerated throughout the world Saint Nicholas lived an incredible life and the legendary examples of his generosity left a big footprint on Christianity and Christian Culture in general.  His legacy looms large everywhere, from the reverence he is held in by the Churches of the East to his role as gift giver to Children in our popular culture.  The REAL Saint Nicholas, however, is far more fascinating than the mythical image that has been built up around him.  This week promises to be quite an fascinating tale about a fascinating Saint.  I hope to see you there.  

The Mystery of the Nephilim - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Bonus Episode #19

Watch on YouTube

Episode #19 Bonus

This Week on Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints we have a special bonus episode where we continue our journey through the Unseen Realm.  This week we tackle one of the most controversial, fascinating and mysterious subjects of all – The Mystery of Nephilim. 

Who are these mysterious half man, half angel creatures?  They show up all over the Bible causing trouble from Genesis 6 through the battles of conquest led by Moses and Joshua to David battling with the most famous Nephilim of all – Goliath.  They even show up in the story of Esther!  And yet, who are these shadowy characters?  What do we know about them?  It can all be very vague and confusing sometimes.  

The word Nephilim means Giant, so how do we as modern people understand this?  Are they fifty feet tall?  Are they just fierce tyrannical kings from the surrounding enemy nations?  Is it all just Bronze age myth or ancient hyperbole?  Or… is there something more going on here?  Something far darker and more sinister than you can possibly imagine!

The war against the Giants (the Nephilim) is a major theme in the Old Testament, and they show up continuously.  They even make an oblique appearance in the New Testament and yet, most modern people and the majority of Churches today rarely discuss them.  This is an error.

The silence of most Christians on the topic has left the field wide open to much wild, reckless speculation.  And this has caused this subject to become rich fodder for tin foil behatted conspiracy theorists, cranks and crazies to be the only ones discussing the subject.  And of course, shows like Ancient Aliens are always up for producing a show about the Nephilim.  It is one of their favorite topics.   

And yet, if we really want to take the Bible Seriously, which all Christians should, then we need to tackle this difficult subject head on with our eyes wide open.  On this week’s fascinating episode, we will do just that!

Be sure to tune in to an amazing conversation about the one of the darkest topics in the Bible – The Nephilim.  I hope to see you there.  It will be an incredible journey!

 

Saint Andrew the Apostle - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #18

 

Watch on YouTube

Episode #18

This week, Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints is going to remember a very great Saint, in fact, one of the greatest - Saint Andrew the very FIRST Apostle.  His life story is a fascinating and adventurous tale.

Andrew was the ultimate connector and bridge builder and is definitely a Saint who we could use around today.  We have many bridges that need building, right now.  And he brought many people to Christ, starting out first with his own brother - Saint Peter.  

Revered around the World, Saint Andrew is especially well regarded in the East.  As the Apostle who first evangelized the Slavic World, Andrew left an enormous legacy in Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Romania, Greece and throughout the world.  And it wasn’t just in the East, Andrew, as any golfer knows, is also the Patron Saint of Scotland!

His life and ministry is a fascinating tale, but almost as fascinating is the drama that took place AFTER his martyrdom regarding his relics.  It is a crazy ride, so you won’t want to miss this week’s episode.  I hope to see you there.  

The Sons of God & the Daughters of Men - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Bonus Episode #17

 

Watch on YouTube

Episode #17 Bonus

In this special Bonus Episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints we are continuing our study of the Unseen Realm.  And this week is going to be wild one!  After weeks of waiting and alluding to it, we finally will discuss the infamous story from Genesis 6 and the “sons of God and the daughters of men”.  

There has probably been NO story from the Bible that has been more wildly speculated about than this one.   What are we to make of this whole tale of Angelic Beings coupling with human women and producing the Nephilim?  Is it all just Bronze Age mythology that has somehow crept its way into our Bible?  Or… is there far more to this story than you realize?  

For most Christians this story is so odd, strange and unsettling they completely ignore it.  This is a grave mistake!  It is an incredibly important story, and it was the precipitating event that led to the Great Flood and the destruction of the earth, so, it seems pretty important.  Too important to ignore.   

You will definitely not want to miss this week’s episode as we delve into the absolutely strangest story in the Bible – Genesis 6 and the Sons of God and the Daughters of Men.  It is going to be a crazy ride, so buckle up!

The Feast of Christ the King - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #17

 

Watch on YouTube

Episode #17

This week Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints is going to discuss the feast of “Christ the King”.  This is a relatively new feast, it has only been around since 1925, and it is a highly appropriate way to end our liturgical year by remembering who the REAL King is that we owe our allegiance to – Jesus Christ. 

Created as a response by Pope Pius XI to the horrifying and bloodthirsty totalitarian dictatorships of the early 20th century, the history of this holiday is a fascinating story.  

By instituting Christ the King Sunday, Pope Pius XI declared that man owes only CHRIST his ultimate allegiance and not any nation, ruler, prince or political party.   Being a follower of Christ is the most bold and dramatic political act one can do.  

And with partisan political conflict at an all-time high, and with so many people making earthly “politics” the center of their identity, this feast is a good reminder to us all to get our priorities straight!   It will be a fascinating episode this week.  Viva Cristo Rey! 

Saint Leo the Great - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #16

 

Watch on YouTube

Episode #16

This week we are going to study one of the true giants not only of the Church but of Western Civilization – Saint Pope Leo the Great.  Very few individuals in History have the word “great” attached to them: Alexander the Great, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, Charlemagne (which means Charles the Great), Cyrus the Great.  It is a very exclusive club!  Sometimes, however, the title of “Great” is used on individuals that were only great in terms of the great Evil they committed – such as Genghis Khan, which means “The Great Ruler”. 

Even today the term is often used to refer to Sports Stars such as Muhammad Ali (“the Greatest”) and Wayne (the “Great One”) Gretzky.  A few weeks ago, we studied Gregory the Great, the only other Pope with this title.  But this week, I am going to make the case that the term “The Great” is especially appropriate to use for Pope Leo.  Saving Rome from Atilla the Hun was just ONE of the many amazing acts of this great man.   By the end of the day, I am certain you will be a big fan of Pope Leo the Great.

Satan and the Fallen Angels - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Bonus Episode #16

 

Watch on YouTube

Episode #16 Bonus

In this special Bonus Episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints, we are continuing our study of the Unseen Realm.  And this week it is going to take a dark turn as we focus our attention on the character and nature of Satan and the other fallen angels.  This is always an intriguing and disturbing subject, and frankly, is one not talked about ENOUGH in our Churches.  

Well…, today we are going to help rectify that deficit.   Prepare for a disturbing, intriguing and very important episode this week as we take a deep dive into the murky, shadowy realms of the unseen world.  I promise it will be an experience you won’t soon forget.