Fr. Ted reminds us that in order to experience the fruits of our labors, we must go through many trials and tribulations.

Fr. Ted explains what baptism is, its purpose, and what it means for us as Orthodox Christians.

Fr. Ted continues his new series of sermons on the Church, the House of God, by reflecting on the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Ted concludes his series on the House of God by reminding us of our need to be thankful to God for all of the undeserved gifts that He has given to us.

In this second session Fr. Ted discusses how the Holy Sacraments of the Church prepare us for our own deaths and allow us to truly see life through the passion.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos explains two traditions of Orthodox Christians during Pascha: Marking our homes with the Sign of the Cross, and the greeting Christos Anesti!

Continuing discussion with Mother Frederica Mathewes-Green, Kevin and Steve delve deeper into what it means to live life as an Orthodox Christian. Just in time for Lent!

Continuing the discussion with Fr. Michael Reagan, about questions evangelicals have for the Orthodox.

The 1600Th anniversary of the repose of Saint John Chrysostom - one of Orthodoxy's most venerated church fathers, theologians, moralists, and liturgists - was September 14Th. To commemorate the special occasion, Illumined Heart co-host Kevin Allen spoke with Chrysostom scholar and pastor of Saint Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, California, Father Josiah Trenham, about the venerated Saint's enduring legacy.

And here is part 2 of the interview. Each one is about 30 minutes.

Kevin continues his discussion with former Wicca priestess, Sara Hillis. At the end of the interview, he references her music which can be found at http://www.artistopia.com/sarahillis.

Today we bring you part 2 of Kevin's interview with Patrick Landsdowne.

Host Kevin Allen and Father Michael Reagan continue their conversation about this most important of topics: Knowing God. Next Illumined Heart: Friday, September 24, 2010

What began as a conversation with Fuller Theological Seminary professor Dr. Paraskeve (Eve) Tibbs over coffee, becomes an interview on the essential differences between the ways the Christian East and West understand the fundamentals of the faith, worship, and sacraments. A great introduction to East-West Christian distinctives on this encore presentation of The Illumined Heart with Kevin Allen!

Dr. H. Tristram Engelehardt, Jr. concludes his fascinating interview about life in a “neo-pagan” culture with “competing moral alternatives”.

Listen to part 2 of Kevin's interview with Fr. James Early

Here is part 2 of this historic interview with Metropolitan Jonah who was just enthroned as Archbishop of Washington and New York and Metropolitan of All America for the Orthodox Church in America. In this half of the interview, His Beatitude Jonah addresses matters such as Administrative Unity among Orthodox jurisdictions, evangelism, and the events that led up to his election at the All American Council in November.

Are converts to Orthodox Christianity dominating the media with their "journey stories" and "fast-paced, high-energy" perspectives, while the more quiet, perhaps lumbering, but deeply-rooted faith of cradle-born Orthodox is obscured in the process? Are traditions and customs being introduced by some convert clergy and laity that feel new and even strange to those with deep Orthodox roots? Is there a growing "cradle - convert gap" in the Orthodox Church in North America? Cradle Orthodox blogger, and writer Janice Bidwell expresses her concerns in this conversation with host Kevin Allen.

Listen to Part 2 of this fascinating concluding conversation between host Kevin Allen and Orthodox priest and occult-specialist, Father George Aquaro.

Kevin and his guest, Orthodox journalist Glen Chancy, discuss the "Prosperity Gospel" and the implications of a "Gospel message" tied to material prosperity, especially in light of a failing economy.

The Death To The World crew reports back on their week at Cornerstone 2009 - the largest Christian rock festival in the world. This is the third year DTTW has set up shop in the exhibitors area as an Orthodox outreach at this largely Evangelical youth gathering. John Valadez, Gary Allen and Julia Gatalskaya report to host Kevin Allen that the 'times they are a' changing' in the world of contemporary Christian youth, reflecting a broader trend towards ancient faith!

Fr Michael Plekon, author of newly-released "Hidden Holiness" speaks with Kevin about the "crisis of holiness in our time" and the shape and form holiness can take in our day and age, both within and outside of our Orthodox Christian Tradition. Can St. Seraphim of Sarov and the Dalai Lama equally be called "holy"? Tune in to find out!

This could be the most practical and balanced financial information you will ever hear. In part 2, Kevin and his guests, Dn. Tom Braun and Scot Larsen dig into investments and priorities for the non-financially astute.

Andrew tells us that will power and relying on ourselves is an ineffective strategy for dealing with addiction to pornography. Read the transcript HERE.

Frederica Mathewes-Green

The Proskomide, or the leavened bread that is offered to God, and the accompanying Proskomide prayers, form the essential first part of the Divine Liturgy, taking place well before the arrival of the parishoners to the scheduled service. In this program we attempt to convey some of the significance of the Proskomide and the preparation required for its use. In the Proskomide, the whole of the Kingdom of God - those on earth and in heaven - is commemorated; the Incarnate Lord, the One Sacrifice, the One Bread, the One Body of Christ.

In the second part of a possible 144,000 part series on the End Times and the Revelation of St. John, Steve and Bill give some definitions of some of the views of the Tribulation and Rapture and where the second coming of Christ and judgment fits in the various scenarios. Then they take a romp through Church history and go through a list of prognostications about the second coming throughout the centuries.

In part two of the discussion of the Jesus Prayer, Fr. Jonah talks about the context of the practice of the prayer and some of the spiritual pitfalls and dangers of entering a discipline of prayer without spiritual direction.

In part two of the conversation with Father Jonah we discuss the relationship of monasticism to the "normal" Christian life. The life lived in the Gospel is universally applied to all Christians, has the same goal and foundation, but is lived out in various ways.

In this episode, Steve and Bill discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing salvation to the human race through the person of Mary on whom the Holy Spirit descends to incarnate the second person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ. This is understood as the "economy" or the role of the Spirit as the one who does not manifest Himself, but reveals Christ. But then something happens during the second break and... well, don't reveal the suprise ending of this program to anyone.

In part two of "Icons" we continue to discuss the Scriptures and the post-Reformation emphasis on the "intellectual" apprehension of the rational message of the Gospel as written in the Bible. But we will see that icons are a fulfillment of the Gospel and more specifically are a logical ramification of the Incarnation of God.

In this program we deal with the concept of prayer and intercession. What is prayer in the scriptures? Is "prayer" worship to be given only to God? What is intercession? Why are we commanded to intercede for each other? More importantly, who can intercede for us?

Part two of a four-part series on an Orthodox response to the doctrine of sola Scriptura.

In part two of the series, we discuss different world views and philosophies that the Incarnational and Trinitarian Christian dogmas confront. We continue to discuss the importance of clear and precise dogma and what has happened to the concept of "sound doctrine" in the modern Christian world.

In this program we continue the discussion of the Church's teachings regarding the perpetual virginity of Mary. This program was from originally broadcast live in December 2004 on KPXQ in Phoenix, AZ

Today we bring you part two of Fr. Chad Hatfield's talk at the Serbian Clergy Brotherhood in June on the challenges facing our priests in today's culture.

At a recent retreat in Denver, Fr. Chad gave two timely lectures coinciding with recent feasts of the Nativity of the Theotokos and the Exultation of the Precious and Life Giving Cross. We have broken it up into four podcasts, and here is part 2.

In this podcast, the Chancellor of the Seminary, Fr. Chad Hatfield talks about the year just completed, the financial picture and some myths that need to be dispelled.

Professor David Drillock delivers the 2011 commencement address. Professor Drillock was the first to receive an honorary Doctor of Music degree from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge.

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Fogg, Director of Pastoral Care at St. John's Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, New York, delivers the commencement address to the SVOTS Class of 2013.