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Anglicans and Orthodox in Russia

Kevin speaks with Fr. Chad Hatfield and Bishop Keith Ackerman shortly after their return from Moscow where bishops from the Anglican Church in North America were invited by Patriarch Kirill and Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) for a summit.




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Orthodox Fundamentalism: What is it and does it exist?

Earlier in the year one of Kevin's guests, Dr. George E. Demacopoulos, wrote on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese blog that through the increasing expansion of 'Orthodox fundamentalism' in ordinary parishes, "the entire Orthodox Church is at risk of being hijacked by extremists." Father John Whiteford, ROCOR priest and blogger wrote a robust rebuttal to this article. On this episode of Ancient Faith Today, Kevin discusses with his guests their views of 'Orthodox fundamentalism': what it is, whether it truly exists, and what impact it is having on the Orthodox Church today.




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Islam: Through the heart and mind of a convert to Orthodox Christianity - Part 1

In this two-part interview Kevin's guest is "George," who became a Sunni Muslim at age 14 and studied to become an Imam at a madrasa, studying Quran, Arabic language, Islamic theology, hadith, and jurisprudence. He left Islam and became an Orthodox Christian 20 years later. Among other things, Kevin and his guest discuss Islamic theology, common misunderstandings of Christianity by Muslims, differences between "orthodox" Islam and the Nation of Islam, the true understanding and practice in Islam of slavery and jihad, and the extraordinary journey that led "George" to Orthodox Christianity.




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Considering the “Benedict Option” with Rod Dreher

Many Orthodox Christians are wondering how to live and raise their families in an increasingly secularized and anti-Christian culture in the U.S. and Western Europe where many believe Christianity has lost the "culture wars." In this episode of Ancient Faith Today, host Kevin Allen speaks with author and journalist Rod Dreher, of The American Conservative, about what he calls "The Benedict Option."




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We Wish You an Ascetic Christmas! Understanding the Ascetic Struggle in Orthodoxy

For most people in our society the Christmas season is a time of celebration, with holiday parties, and unleashed consumerism. For Orthodox Christians however the Advent Season is a time of fasting, prayer and ascetic struggle. Why? In this edition of Ancient Faith Today, host Kevin Allen discusses with Father Gregory Jensen, author of the book The Cure for Consumerism, the reason for the ascetic struggle for Orthodox Christians.




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Islam: Through the heart and mind of a convert to Orthodox Christianity - Part 2

In this two-part interview Kevin's guest is "George," who became a Sunni Muslim at age 14 and studied to become an Imam at a madrasa, studying Quran, Arabic language, Islamic theology, hadith, and jurisprudence. He left Islam and became an Orthodox Christian 20 years later. Among other things, Kevin and his guest discuss Islamic theology, common misunderstandings of Christianity by Muslims, differences between "orthodox" Islam and the Nation of Islam, the true understanding and practice in Islam of slavery and jihad, and the extraordinary journey that led "George" to Orthodox Christianity.




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An Orthodox Christian Leads the Fight Against Human Trafficking

One of the great evils of all times is slavery and in this time human trafficking. Unknown to many an Antiochian Orthodox Christian has dedicated his life to educating the public and ending this evil practice. In this episode host Kevin Allen speaks about human trafficking with Tony Nassif Jr, the President of the Cedars Cultural and Educational Foundation. He also produces national Preventing Abuse Conferences which focuses on preventing human trafficking and child abduction.




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Steps to Transformation

In this first episode of 2016, host Kevin Allen speaks with Archimandrite and Abbot Sergius of the Monastery of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, the oldest Orthodox monastery in the U.S., about practical ways Christians can cooperate with the grace of God to "...be transformed ..." (Rom. 12:2) into the Likeness of Christ. Abbot Sergius is the author of the book "Acquiring the Mind of Christ: Embracing the Vision of the Orthodox Church" (St Tikhon Seminary Press). Father Sergius is the 16th Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery and Lecturer of Orthodox Spirituality at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.




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Surviving College as an Orthodox Christian

In America Christianity is losing its youth, especially when they enter college and university. This is the case across all Christian faith traditions. Two recent studies conducted by both the Barna Group and USA Today found that nearly 75 percent of Christian young people fall away from the faith between the ages of 18 and 22. In this program, host Kevin Allen discusses with his guest Emma Solak, an Orthodox Christian university student and active member of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship—a pan-Orthodox Christian campus ministry—he challenges today’s Christian students face in college and our increasingly secular culture, and ways to stay strong in the faith.




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Orthodox Christianity and Politics

As we enter the election cycle in 2016 what biblical principles or Church canons should be priorities in selecting candidates and supporting party platforms? Should Christian teachings, moral and bio-ethical teaching and Orthodox canons be disregarded in a contemporary secular society? Kevin’s guest is George E. Demacopolous, a Professor of Theology and the Fr. John Meyendorff and Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies, as well as the Co-Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University in New York.




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The Feminist Movement: Its Consequences for Women, Men, and Our Culture

Guest: Frederica Mathewes-Green, ex-feminist turned pro-life Christian, author of Gender and Real Choices, and a cultural commentator for NPR, National Review, Beliefnet.com, and Ancient Faith Radio.




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‘Mindfulness' Meditation from an Orthodox Christian Perspective

We are seeing eastern meditation and mind-body practices like hatha yoga, tai chi, qi gong; and mindfulness-based therapy gaining wide credibility and attracting more and more adherents. Whether we as Orthodox should adopt eastern spiritual mind-body practices is a matter of great debate in the Orthodox Church. In this edition of Ancient Faith Today, Kevin discusses with his guest Christopher Kies what “Mindfulness” meditation is in its secular and Buddhist spiritual contexts; the Orthodox Christian correlative approach of Nipsis or Watchfulness; how they differ in goals and approaches; and whether formal Mindfulness meditation practices are appropriate for Orthodox Christians.




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Remembering Fr. Thomas Hopko

In this touching two-hour remembrance, Kevin Allen welcomes three friends who knew Fr. Thomas Hopko as a friend, a colleague, and a priest. You'll also hear tributes from his listeners from all around the world. Our thanks to Dr. Al Rossi, Dr. Peter Bouteneff, and Mother Christophora for sharing on the program.




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Tech Life: The fall of a global chip maker

Intel was once unrivalled as the world's chip maker. Now it's fallen behind its rivals.




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Tech Life: Is this show fake?

Tech Life creates a fake podcast using an AI tool from Google. Plus, political deepfakes.




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Tech Life: The dangerous job of online moderating

We hear from a former moderator in Kenya who was left traumatised by his previous job.




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The Gospel - Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 So what is at the heart of the Gospel? Did the Resurrection happen?




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Come! Come to the Wedding!

You have been invited to a wedding. Make sure you get there! Matthew 22: 2-14




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Spreading the Gospel

The Lord speaks of a farmer who spreads his seeds all over his farm - on good and bad soil! We too need to spread His Word over the entire human population - regardless of where we might think the harvest is to be reaped.




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St. Nicholas

So what is it to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God?




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The Invitation. Sunday of the Forefathers

So how did you spend the day?




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Sunday After the Exaltation

The Apostle Paul tells us about justification by faith of Christ who is always loving and giving himself for us.




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The Grace of God

The Grace of God! The very presence of God Himself! Together we work with the Lord - Him filling us with Grace and us doing his work and being filled with Grace as a result.




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Love Your Enemies

Loving you enemy is something you do - you cannot love an enemy in theory.




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Vocation

The Lord calls us all to work alongside Him in the Gospel. Even the most unlikely people are called. So what about you?




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Justification

The Faith of Jesus Christ. You might not have anything else but if you dont have that you have nothing.




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Mocked and an Object of Disgust

As a Christian you should expect to be mocked or to be the object of disgust but the Lord will heal you. You'll not be the first to be ridiculed!




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Doing Mercy

St. Paul teaches us that Christians are God the Father's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.




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A Bent Down Body and a Bent Down Soul

The Lord invites us to come to and be healed, forgiven and made perfect as on the first Sabbath.




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So you have a more important engagement?

What happens if we refuse the most important invitation ever?




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Forty Two Generations!

What the heros and forefathers of the Old Testament could only dream about is yours for the having. So Come and See!




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Sunday Before Theophany

The Apostle Paul tells Timothy to fulfil his ministry (his "diaconia"). That ministry was as an evangelist - someone who carries the Good News. All the Royal Priesthood of Christ are called to fulfil their diaconia too: by living the Christian life you also become an evangelist and will receive your due award.




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Prodigal Son

Keeping the Temple Pure.




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Cheesefare - for a blessed Lent!

Pray, Forgive, Fast, Give Alms, Don't Judge!




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Fast and Pray - 4th Sunday of Great Lent

The Lord said we should fast and pray.




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Servant-Slave: 5th Sunday of Great Lent

The Apostles James and John came with an outrageous question! It's as if they'd learned nothing at all from their time with the Lord. So He sets abouut teaching them again...cas




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Holy Cross

The Royal Priesthood.




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Thomas Sunday

Apostle Peter preached the words of this Life and Apostle John wrote that you may have Life...




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Myrrh Bearing Women and Deacons Service

100lbs of spices - a glorious waste of spices! Your prayer and service - a glorious "waste" also but you'll find yourself experiencing the Resurrection!




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The Samaritan Woman

St. Photini was going about her daily business - probably things had been going wrong (otherwise why would she be there at such a hot time of day?). What happened next was that her life was completely changed. You too: allow for the Lord to come to you in your everyday life - the result will be surprising!




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The Man Born Blind

The Man Born Blind is able to sum up his bit of the Gospel in twelve words. What about you? What is the Gospel to you?




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Slavery to Sin, Freedom in Christ

We can be enslaved by a multitude of things, expectations and the evil one himself. Alternatively we can be slaves of Christ and receive the freedom that comes with that. "I call you my friends" He said.




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Go Away

The Two Demonaics were healed by the Lord but the local people asked the Lord to depart from their region. You also maight be very tempted to ask the Lord to leave you as His presence will cause real disruption in your life too.




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The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

For whom are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?




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God Calling You

The Laity of God is called to be the Royal Priesthood. So how might that be lived out? You need to become a world transformer!




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Forgive!

God forgives and so must I!




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Love

Love is something you do.




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Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

So whilst the Magi saw a star and the shepherds saw angels what did most people see? Nothing! Just like now! So be an angel, become a star.




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Persecution

So the Church is persecuted? Nothing new there - Herod and St. Paul both did their best to rid the world of the faith. Today the same happens but the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church though it grows smaller in some places and greater in others. Maintain Faith, never retaliate, love the enemies, pray for them.




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A Life Poured Out

Both St. Paul and John the Forerunner and Baptist look forward to a time when their own ministries and lives will be over. They laboured to produce a foundation on which the next in line would continue to build. Just like us.