Ancient Faith Ministries

Jul 10, 2024 • 23 min

Notes from the community that offer a peek at how the community members are seeing God at work in and through each other.

Jul 9, 2024 • 3h 5m

The Lord said "It is necessary that scandals come, but woe to the one who causes them." Does "necessary" mean scandals are predestined? Why does God allow them? What are the consequences to the Church and to people whose actions scandalize the faithful?

Jul 5, 2024 • 2h 22m

Our two hale and hardy podcasters got happily bogged down in the answering of two listeners' questions, inquiries that also serve as an excellent introduction to this two part episode: What is man, why does he exist, where's he going, and why?

Jul 3, 2024 • 42 min

As many celebrate the USA's Independence Day, Presvytera Melanie reflects on the societal ideal of independence, examined through the lens of Trinitarian relationship and interdependence. How do families raising children with disabilities strike a balance in encouraging their children's independence, while being at peace with, and understanding where, extra supports are needed? How independent is any human being, truly? Saints Seraphim of Sarov and Theodore of Tobolsk help answer these questions.

Jul 3, 2024 • 28 min

Through Matthew's arrival at the community this week, we learn that communion makes us look for the one that is lost: Through the wounds of the poor, Christ pours out His grace.

Jul 2, 2024 • 2h 35m

Matthew 18 begins with this question. Although it seems proud, Chrysostom explains that there is something commendable about the argument. Chapter 18 is noteworthy because it contains the teachings of the Lord regarding relationships and conflicts within the Church.

Jun 28, 2024 • 1h 25m

Bobby Maddex conducts an in-studio interview with Fr. Kwame Labi, a Grand Protopresbyter of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. Currently he is the Vicar General of the Holy Orthodox Archdiocese of Accra and Rector of the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Cathedral in Accra.

Jun 26, 2024 • 23 min

Fr. Nicolaie tells how the faith of people who saw (and see) evil in the face of war is a faith that can guide those of us who live in a society tempted by the illusion of death.

Jun 25, 2024 • 2h 57m

A distraught father brought his sick boy to Jesus' disciples while Jesus was on Mount Tabor. But they were unable to cure the boy. Two reasons given are lack of faith and the need for prayer and fasting. Envy also makes our gifts and talents ineffective, says St. Paisios.

Jun 19, 2024 • 1h 43m

Today Molly and Cynthia discuss four ways to live “in tension.” Tension is what we experience when life gets tough. Rather than trying to escape it, we accept it… and maybe even embrace it!

Jun 18, 2024 • 2h 49m

Have you ever wondered about this strange statement spoken by a desperate father to the Lord? How can we believe and yet still not believe? What does the Lord say to his disciples, and what lessons does this gospel passage hold about faith?

Jun 14, 2024 • 2h 20m

Antwian (Anthony) Davis has been experiencing and witnessing God's miraculous grace from a time beyond his own memories as a small child, and seemingly at every turn since: through the profound faith of his parents; in his journey from serious illness and near death in childhood to health and adulthood; from ordained Baptist minister to seminarian at St Vladimir's Seminary; and during his encounters with the sick, suffering, and incarcerated. In this episode of Voices from St Vladimir's Seminary, Antwian shares powerful stories from his life and conversion to Orthodox Christianity—including why he's thankful to his Baptist parents, who he says "actually raised me to be Orthodox." Antwian, who currently serves as SVS Press Bookstore manager, also reveals his favorite Press books and announces the next stop in his grace-filled journey, this time away from St Vladimir's Seminary.

Jun 13, 2024 • 34 min

Bobby Maddex interviews Vladyka Alexei, the Bishop of the Orthodox Church in America serving the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska, about his trip to the Alaskan village of Kwethluk to speak to the faithful there about Saintly Matushka Olga and the Church and cultural center that will be erected in her honor. To learn more about the project (as well as the film about His Grace's pilgrimage to Kwethluk) and help fund it, please visit https://odosa.org.

Jun 12, 2024 • 26 min

Father Nicolae writes about how both the blind man in the Gospel reading, and Angela (a member of the community) have been changed by Christ to such an extent that they are nearly unrecognizable. This gives all of us hope of restoration through Christ.

Jun 12, 2024 • 1h 11m

Elissa Bjeletich Davis of AFR's Everyday Orthodox joins the Fully Human conversation, sharing her family's experience of serious, early childhood health challenges (and beyond) and the tragic passing of her infant son to SIDS. Presvytera Melanie and Elissa particularly focus on how the enemy of our souls can attempt to twist our fears and grief into destructive thoughts and actions, and what to do with misappropriated maternal guilt.

Jun 11, 2024 • 3h 9m

The Transfiguration of the Lord is a very significant event, not only for Him but also for us.The light that enveloped Christ was nothing like ordinary light. According to the Fathers, that light teaches us about our salvation and the possibility of theosis in the future.

Jun 5, 2024 • 53 min

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Edith Humphrey on the holy opportunities for parents and children while reading Scripture as a family.

Jun 5, 2024 • 1h 43m

The tomb was blocked. Roman guards stood watch, armed and vigilant. Yet, in spite of the very real risk of danger and personal suffering that could await them, a group of women disciples went ahead anyway, determined to anoint the body of their Lord and Master. Why? On this Third Sunday of Pascha, The Very Rev. Prot. Vincent Temirov speaks to the motivations of the Holy Myrrhbearing Women—those women who would become the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection and the first to proclaim to the world "Christ is risen!"

Jun 4, 2024 • 2h 49m

The Transfiguration of the Lord is one of the Church's most important feast days but is surprisingly ignored in the West. Through St. Matthew's account, we will discover what the Fathers can teach us about its deep theological importance and significance.

May 31, 2024 • 2h 28m

Dr. Joshua Moritz joins Dr. Jenkins once again as they begin a series on the liberal arts, those skills necessary to liberate us from the errors in thinking and thought, and that direct us as we seek to pursue God.