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Love is Not a Box of Chocolates

Fr. Ted reflects upon the real meaning of love as demonstrated in the life of Jesus.




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Examples and Priorities

Fr. Ted reflects upon the call to "seek first the Kingdom of God," particularly as we raise our children.




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Living Examples

Fr. Ted speaks about the importance of our children receiving a positive "living" example of how to live their faith.




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Orthodox Life 1: Birth

In this first episode of his new series, Fr. Ted looks at all of the prayers associated with the very beginning of life.




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Orthodox Life 2: Baptism

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




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Orthodox Life 3: Holy Communion

Fr. Ted discusses what it means to partake of the body of Christ.




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Orthodox Life 4: Confession

Fr. Ted addresses the sacrament of confession and its healing and communal properties.




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Orthodox Life 5: Marriage

Fr. Ted explains that the purpose of marriage is union with God.




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Orthodox Life 6: Death

Fr. Ted examines all of the actions that we do as a Church when someone leaves this world.




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Orthodox Life 7: Life After Death

Fr. Ted concludes his series on Orthodox life.




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How are Decisions Made in the Orthodox Church?

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos explains the Synodal System within the Orthodox Church.




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Orthodox Christmas

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos addresses two differences within celebration of an Orthodox Christmas (ancient vs. modern) in regards to the Nativity Fast and the celebration of St. Nicholas and St. Basil.




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An Exercise in Forgiveness

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos reflects on the meaning of being a servant of God in the parable of the Prodigal Son.




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Frederica Mathewes-Green On Orthodox Spirituality (Part 1)

Mother Frederica Mathewes-Green, well-known author and public speaker, discusses the Christian life. Kevin and Steve ask her about prayer, forgiveness, and to mark our inaugural show--the Illumined Heart!




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Frederica Mathewes-Green On Orthodox Spirituality (Part 2)

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!




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Fr. Wayne Wilson—Mid-Lent Questions Orthodox Don't Always Ask

Kevin and Steve interview Fr. Wayne about some hard to ask questions about Lent.




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Alice Linsley: From Episcopalian Priest to Her First Orthodox Pascha

Kevin and Steve ask about former Episcopalian priest, Alice Linsley's journey to Orthodoxy.




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Fr. James Bernstein: From co-founder of “Jews for Jesus” to Orthodox Priest

This interview recounts the fascinating story of the dramatic conversion to Christ (from Orthodox Judaism) and the spiritual journey of a co-founder of the messianic Christian group, "Jews for Jesus" as he finds his way "home" to the Eastern Orthodox Church.




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The True, Visible Church: Is it Eastern Orthodox?

Part One of Kevin and Steve's in-depth interview with esteemed Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary, Fr. Thomas Hopko, on the important subject, "The True, Visible Church: Is it Eastern Orthodox"? Download this one friends--and wrestle with it at the gym!




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The True, Visible Church: Is it Eastern Orthodox? Part II

Here’s Part II of Kevin and Steve's fascinating interview with Fr. Tom on the True Church. Lots here to digest, friends! Download it and put it on your favorite player to listen to over and over. Have fun!




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Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Relations: Where Does It Go From Here?

Fr. Ted Pulcini, ex-Roman Catholic and now Eastern Orthodox priest and long-time Orthodox participant in Orthodox-Catholic ecumenical dialog, discusses the Vatican's recent document on the doctrine on the Church. He and Kevin Allen discuss the timing of its publication, what it really means, what it says about the current and future state of relations between the two oldest branches of Christianity, and what the divisive issues are.




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Serving Christ in the poor and needy as Orthodox Christians

Kevin Allen interviews Peter Jordan, the son of the founder of Fred Jordan Mission, a major Los Angeles skid row ministry, and a recent convert to the Eastern Orthodox Church.




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The New Orthodox Faithful: Why Evangelical Christian University Graduates Are Becoming Orthodox

The Orthodox Church is seeing an influx of graduates from Evangelical Christian colleges and universities, exploring traditional forms of historic Christianity. In this program Kevin Allen discusses this trend with two graduates of BIOLA University (Jesse Cone and Michael Unruh) who were recently chrismated.




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Taking It To The Streets - An Interview With IOCC Executive Director Constantine M. Triantifilou

He served in war-torn Bosnia and Kenya before he turned 40! Now he heads Orthodoxy’s largest charitable and humanitarian aid organization – International Orthodox Christian Charities. Meet Constantine M. Triantifilou, IOCC’s Executive Director, as he speaks about a career and vocation of service. (Don’t hold it against him – he’s also a Boston Red Sox fan!)




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Church Growth Orthodox Style

Orthodox priest Fr. Wayne Wilson shares the encouraging story of the growth of one of the fastest-growing parishes in the Antiochian archdiocese and the lessons he has learned along the way.




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Multiple Orthodox ‘jurisdictions' in America: Status quo or scandal

Orthodox churches in America are separated into multiple ‘jurisdictions’ based on ethnic-national lines. Antiochian priest Fr Josiah Trenham (PhD.) speaks frankly and passionately about the subject and its implications, both spiritual and pastoral. Everyone may not agree with his perspective, but it raises important questions for the future of Orthodoxy in America!




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Is There A “Revolving Door” In The Orthodox Church

Are converts coming into the Orthodox churches only to leave through a “revolving door” due to a lack of spiritual nourishment? Theologian Dr. Bradley Nassif’s controversial article on the subject (“Reclaiming the Gospel”) is the subject of this frank and hard-hitting interview.




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Orthodox Administrative Unity - What Is Holding Us Back?

In this special 1 hour edition of The Illumined Heart, Kevin talks with Charles Ajalat. Mr. Ajalat is a powerful voice for Orthodox unity with a great deal of pan-Orthodox leadership experience. Currently chancellor and board member of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, he was also the architect of the historic Ligonier Meeting of Orthodox bishops in 1994—the first meeting of all twenty-nine bishops in North America. He is the founder of a Los Angeles law firm specializing in tax and litigation matters, and a graduate of Harvard University and the Law School at the University of California at Berkeley. He is a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. More resources on this topic: Again Magazine (Winter 2003) Kevin's interview with Fr. Josiah Trenham Metropolitan PHILIP's keynote address at Antiochian Convention in Montreal (2007)




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Orthodox Administrative Unity - Part 1

This is the same interview with Charles Ajalat only broken up into 2 parts for easier download.




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Orthodox Administrative Unity - Part 2

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




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From Rastafari to Orthodoxy!

Join Kevin in this fascinating conversation with Michael Wilson, former Rastafarian and radio reggae music D.J., about his journey from the Rastafari religion to the holy Orthodox Church! (31:27)




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My Journey From Witchcraft To Orthodoxy - Part 2

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.




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One Marriage - Two Churches: Loving Your Spouse Into The Orthodox Church

A common dillemma for inquirers into the Orthodox Church is either disinterest or outright hostility to the idea of Orthodoxy by their spouse. In this edition Kevin speaks with a couple who lived this scenario. Meet Bruce and Lynn Marie Heying and learn about their family dynamic and what made Lynn Marie decide to follow Bruce into Orthodoxy seven years later.




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Orthodox Christians Encountering Muslims

In this edition Kevin and Fr Ted Pulcini talk frankly about Orthodox Christian - Muslim dialogue and how Orthodoxy can best communicate its ineffable Truth to Muslims in a way that will resonate. Fr Ted's recently published booklet is titled Face to Face: A Guide for Orthodox Christians Encountering Muslims.




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Calvin Forum Moderator Becomes Orthodox

Kevin interviews Robert Meyering, the former moderator of the Calvin Forum, now Orthodox Christian.




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Toward An American Orthodox Church - Encore Presentation

If you missed it the first time, here is another opportunity to hear this very frank and open conversation with Charles Ajalat, the Chancellor of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese in North America. It is about an hour long but worth the investment of your time!




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Is There A “Revolving Door” In The Orthodox Church

In this encore presentation, Kevin's guest is Dr. Brad Nassif. Are converts coming into the Orthodox churches only to leave through a “revolving door” due to a lack of spiritual nourishment? Theologian Dr. Bradley Nassif’s controversial article on the subject (“Reclaiming the Gospel”) is the subject of this frank and hard-hitting interview.




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The role of the layperson in the Orthodox Church

In this edition of the Illumined Heart, pioneering radio host of "Our Life In Christ" Steve Robinson talks with Kevin about the role, opportunity and challenges of lay (person) "ministry" within the Orthodox Church. Is the Orthodox Church so clerically oriented that there isn't room for lay ministry? Listen and find out in this frank interview!




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Fr. Seraphim Rose - Prayer and Orthodox Spirituality

In the conclusion of our 3 part series commemorating the 25TH anniversary of the repose of Fr Seraphim (Rose), Kevin Allen is seated on a wooden bench overlooking a panoranmic view of Mt. Yolla Bolly with the Abbot of St. Herman of Alaska Monastery, Fr. Gerasim. Listen for valuable lessons (as well as birds chirping!) on the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting from a spiritual child of this venerated American monk and writer.




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156: Orthodox & Evangelical Relations: Where are we?

Dr Bradley Nassif, a “pioneer of Orthodox-Evangelical Dialogue” talks with host Kevin Allen about “where things are” formally and informally between The Orthodox Church and Evangelical Christians. Kevin asks the question: “What is an Evangelical?”




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148: Orthodox Christianity and Racial Reconciliation

Meet Father Paisius Altschul, the priest of Saint Mary of Egypt Serbian Orthodox Church and the Executive Director of Reconciliation Services/FOCUS Kansas City. Kevin speaks with Father Paisius about his community’s unique ministry of racial reconciliation and ministry to the poor and homeless in the inner city of Kansas City. (USA).




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145: Founding an Orthodox Liberal Arts and Sciences College

Kevin interviews Dr. Frank Papatheofanis, President of the new St. Katherine College, about what it takes to start an Orthodox liberal arts and sciences college.




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144: The Animal Rights Movement from an Orthodox Perspective

Human exceptionalism advocate and author Wesley J. Smith speaks with host Kevin Allen about the animal rights-animal liberation movement and its insistence on the "moral equivalence" between animals and humans! How does this compare with Orthodox teachings about the "brotherhood" of humans, animals and inanimate nature (St Gregory Palamas)? Listen and find out !




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161: Interfaith Dialogue: Co-Exist or Convert?

Fr. Alexander Goussetis, priest, comparative religion professor, and interfaith dialogue participant and advocate, speaks with host Kevin Allen about his views on the purpose of interfaith dialogue with Jews, Muslims, and other non-Christians. Kevin asks: Does the Gospel call us to merely understand the faiths of non-Christians, to enter into dialogue with them with no agenda, or is the goal always to try to win those we dialogue with to Christ? Is it "Orthodox" to proselytize, or simply to be a holy witness? These and other questions will be addressed in this program.




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163:  Yoga and Orthodox Christianity: Are They Compatible?

Dr. Christine Mangala was raised in India and brought up a devout Hindu. Her family was close to one of India's leading Hindu gurus and teachers. Now an Orthodox Christian writer and teacher, she and Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen speak about whether various aspects of Hindu Yoga are compatible with Christian faith and practice, or whether Yoga should be shunned entirely.




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164: Suffering - An Orthodox Perspective

Why do we suffer after becoming Christian? How do we reconcile the suffering of innocent children with a loving God? These and other perplexing and challenging questions are the subject of this episode of The Illumined Heart with guest, poet and writer of The End of Suffering, Scott Cairns.




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Metropolitan Kallistos Ware on the future of Orthodoxy

In part 6 of our interview with the Metropolitan, we ask him to address the future of Orthodoxy and whether he is pessimistic or optimistic.




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Metropolitan Kallistos Ware on Ethnicity and Nationalism in Orthodoxy

We ask His Eminence about the role of nationalism and ethnicity in the Orthodox Church.




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Metropolitan Kallistos Ware on What Evangelicals and Orthodox Can Learn From Each Other

What can Evangelicals and Orthodox learn from each other is the subject of the 2nd section of our interview with His Eminence.




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Metropolitan Kallistos Ware on the State of the Orthodox Church

In the first section of our extensive interview with Metropolitan Kallistos, we talk about the state of the Orthodox Church both here and abroad.