Tough Topics

Kids—and especially teens—are inundated with messages about identity and personal choices, all couched in the language of “love” and “acceptance.” Our aim in sharing these documents is to help parents lovingly and compassionately navigate their children back to God’s messages about who they are as icons of Christ. If you are seeking pastoral care, please contact us at office@saintemmelia.com.

Chastity & Technology

Resources from the St. Macrina Lecture - Compiled by Fr. David Hyatt, Fr. John Phelps, and Fr. Peter Kavanaugh

The Porn Talk: Nine Ways Parents Can Lead Children - Garrett Kell (Protestant)

Resources on Gender, Sexuality, & Orientation

Womanhood Resources (Saint Macrina Lecture - March 2024)

Answers to Gender & Identity & Sexuality - by Fr. Nikolai Meyers

By Any Other Name - please note that this essay is not by an Orthodox Christian—it is the experience of a young woman who transitioned as a teenager and detransitioned a few years later. We recommend reading this to better understand how teens come into contact with and think about gender ideology.

Mentoring Young Men - Interview with Mikhail Moibenko - **A note to parents who might be listening to this podcast with younger children -- this episode includes frank but not graphic discussion of sexual temptations and sins.**

Christianity & Same-Sex Attraction - from “Ancient Faith Today,” with Dr. Philip Mamalakis

Male & Female - Reflections on Transgenderism - by Fr. Josiah Trenham - Please note that there is a cost of $15 for 4 lectures. St. Emmelia’s receives no money for any purchases made.

Keeping Youth Engaged in Their Faith

Factors for Keeping Youth in Church - A 2019 (protestant) survey on why youth left or stayed.

The State of Our Youth - a talk by Fr. Nicholas Belcher at the 2022 Clergy Symposium