The Life Giving Springs

https://feed.podbean.com/lifegivingspringspodcast/feed.xml

Podcast of Fr. Miron Kerul’-Kmec Jr., a priest of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Fr. Miron is currently an administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Warren, Ohio.

If you would like to contact Fr. Miron directly, you can use this email address: lifegivingspringspodcast@gmail.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562310433780

Episodes

7 days ago

Rule for Life 6 - Repentance

7 days ago

The last week’s discussion on fasting answers two practical questions: how to fast when caring for someone who cannot, and how to fast before receiving Holy Communion. In both cases, the main guidance is to speak with a spiritual father/confessor, since fasting should be adapted to a person’s responsibilities, work, and health. Fasting is presented not as rigid rule‑keeping but as a tool to simplify life, reduce distractions, strengthen prayer, and fight sinful passions over the long term.

It then turns to repentance, described as a “forgotten medicine” essential to a strong spiritual life and closely connected to prayer and fasting. Repentance (metanoia) is defined as a change of mind and an ongoing, lifelong turning toward God—not merely guilt, but active transformation and healing of habitual sins. The text warns that neglecting repentance hardens the heart and harms spiritual life, critiques self‑justification and “once saved always saved” thinking, and stresses frequent examination of conscience and regular confession (to a priest) as key aids, alongside Scripture, the Church Fathers, and wise guidance from a consistent confessor/spiritual father.

Podcast: https://lifegivingspringspodcast.podbean.com/category/confession

Books mentioned:

The Forgotten Medicine by Archimandrite Seraphim Aleksiev: https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/The-Forgotten-Medicine-p/fm.htm

The Life of Repentance and Purity by Pope Shenouda III: https://a.co/d/0bliYhnO

The Salvation of Sinners by Monk Agapios: https://a.co/d/0bYxEZIC

Friday Apr 24, 2026

Homily - St. George

Friday Apr 24, 2026

Jn 15-17-16 - St. George

Monday Apr 20, 2026

Rule for Life 5 - Fasting

Monday Apr 20, 2026

“Rule for Life – Fasting” teaches that fasting and prayer are inseparable disciplines in Christian life, rooted in Christ’s teaching that certain spiritual struggles are overcome only through “prayer and fasting,” and it frames fasting not as punishment but as a therapeutic “medicine” for soul and body that exposes our weaknesses, strengthens reason, and heals the passions—especially gluttony, described by the Fathers as a “gateway” that opens the door to other sins.

It critiques a minimalist approach to church fasting rules, urging believers to grow gradually out of love for God beyond bare minimums, and explains that fasting includes restraint not only from certain foods but also from excess in drink, entertainment, social media, and speech. Practically, it outlines the four annual fasting seasons (Great Fast, Apostles’ Fast, Dormition Fast, Nativity Fast), several strict fast days, the traditional “ideal” fast, and three progressive levels of practice that add meal restriction, services, prayer, and charity.

The conclusion emphasizes that true fasting must be joined to repentance, purity, obedience, and rejection of evil, and it counsels seeking guidance from a spiritual father because “the fast is for the person, not the person for the fast.”