Ancient Faith Ministries

Dec 7, 2022 • 1h 41m

The great chasm in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man looms large in our imagination - what is it made of? Why does Abraham tell the rich man that it cannot be bridged? Fr Vincent Temirov explains that this chasm was created by the rich man himself, through his indifference to God and his neighbor throughout his earthly life. Fr Vincent cautions us to examine ourselves and to identify any growing gaps between our own hearts and the Lord.

Dec 6, 2022 • 2h 58m

john the Lord's Forerunner and Baptist is one of the most important saints of Christian history. We can see his prominence in every Orthodox Church by his position next to Christ on the iconostasis. He occupies a leading role at the beginning of all four gospels. Why was his ministry and presence so important? What made John so great that the Lord said that no man ever born was greater than John? Join us as we explore this important saint through the lens of Matthew's gospel.

Dec 5, 2022 • 31 min

Listen to reflections about the rich young man, written by Fr. Nicolaie.

Nov 30, 2022 • 2h 3m

How can we receive and understand the Word of God? Is it enough to just sit down and read the Bible? In this homily given on the Sunday of the Commemoration of the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical council, Fr Alexander Rentel challenges us to cultivate our faith and knowledge of God’s Word in patience and endurance, so that our hearts may be truly ready to receive the seed sown by the Sower.

Nov 29, 2022 • 3h

The Massacre of the Innocents and Flight to Egypt. For Christians, Herod the Great's most notorious act was the murder of innocent babies in his effort to kill the Christ child but Mary, Joseph and Jesus had fled to Egypt. Today some Bible scholars question whether these events even occurred. Can we trust the historicity of the Bible? What facts and traditions support Matthew's account?

Nov 25, 2022 • 6h 4m

Dr. Jenkins welcomes Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Dr. Joshua Moritz back to the show to discuss the fundamental question of who we are to look at the world, how our 'modern' perceptions have been skewed, and what we can do to rectify our spiritual vision.

Nov 23, 2022 • 2h 36m

This month on Filled with Less, Cynthia and Molly discuss gratitude in the midst of struggle. Cynthia speaks about metabolism and glucose and guest speaker, Michelle Leichty talks to us about discovering our natural gifts through The Working Genius Assessment

Nov 23, 2022 • 2h 11m

When Our Lord Jesus Christ beheld the funeral procession for the widow’s son in Nain, we read that He was “moved with compassion.” Fr Bogdan Bucur invites us to consider the Lord’s love for us in answering the age-old question - why does God heal some, yet allow others to suffer and die? How can we learn to see God’s promise to us that reaches beyond this life?

Nov 22, 2022 • 2h 9m

The traveling mic of AFR goes all the way to Korce, Albania to interview Metropolitan John. He grew up in communist Albania, found Christ in a miraculous way, became part of the underground and illegal Christian Church, and is now a member of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Albanian Orthodox Church under the hierarchical leadership of Archbishop Anastasios. It's a powerful story of God's grace and provision under very difficult circumstances.

Nov 22, 2022 • 3h 3m

King of the Jews? Herod the Great was not even Jewish! And yet, Herod had been proclaimed King in Judea by the Romans. Lacking legitimacy, he established his kingdom by brutality and terror. That insecurity never leaves him and he becomes greatly disturbed when a few foreign visitors ask him a simple question, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews?" We will delve into the person and personality of Herod the Great whose shadow continues to loom large in the New Testament.

Nov 21, 2022 • 27 min

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie for the Sixth Sunday of Luke: the story of the farmer who wanted to build more barns.

Nov 16, 2022 • 1h 40m

On the feast day of St Innocent of Alaska, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield reviews the life and personality of St Innocent, including many little-known details which paint a picture of who he was as a person. Fr Chad shares the key tenets of St Innocent’s missionary vision, and relates how St Innocent tirelessly engaged the Alaskan natives he worked with in conversation, inviting them to fall in love with the Orthodox faith and make it their own.

Nov 16, 2022 • 49 min

Luv, Michael and USAutism Homes Ministry Model Spotlight: Meeting Challenges with Innovation When Dr. Lisa Liberatore was faced with an uncertain future for her teenaged son with Autism a few years ago, she, her husband, and their church family met their challenges with patience, love, and innovation resulting in the foundation of two non-profit organizations. Luv, Michael provides meaningful employment for adults with Autism, and USAutism Homes operates in partnership with the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton, NY to provide alternative housing opportunities for adults on the Autism Spectrum. Presvytera Melanie speaks with Dr. Liberatore and Fr. Constantine Lazarakis who share how these ministries developed in partnership with the parish, how individuals and parish families can currently tap into their resources, and their hopes and visions of replicating these ministries throughout our country and beyond.

Nov 16, 2022 • 1h 1m

In this episode Samuel Dutschmann, College Conference Midwest Student Leader, is joined by author, podcaster, and trauma coach, Nicole Roccas. They discuss despondency in the life of college students. Nicole shares insights from her work and how students might work through these restless moments of our lives.

Nov 15, 2022 • 3h 20m

Herod, the Magi, a Star... Are the descriptions of Herod, the Magi, and the Star of Bethlehem historically accurate, symbolic or legendary? Matthew emphasizes the royal and divine nature of Christ, and central to the story is a king who felt threatened by the one who was "born King of the Jews." Why would Herod the Great feel threatened by a little baby? Why was he called "the Great" anyhow? Join us on Search the Scriptures Live this Monday as we continue our study of the birth of the Messiah according to St. Matthew.

Nov 10, 2022 • 25 min

The Mission will receive a relic of its patron, St. John the Merciful (Compassionate), and Fr. Nicolaie invites us to discover who we are by asking the least of these who we are.

Nov 9, 2022 • 1h 38m

The Golden Rule - a classic maxim adhered to by Christians and non-Christians alike. However, the meaning of this commandment is often misunderstood; we are often motivated to do good to others in the hopes that they will respond in kind, whereas Christ calls us to give love freely, even unto those who will respond with hate and enmity. How exactly, Fr Vincent Temirov asks, are we to love our enemies? What does that look like in day-to-day life?

Nov 9, 2022 • 31 min

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with dietitian and faithful Orthodox Christian Krista Fedorchak. She offers excellent suggestions on fasting practices and ideas for families to consider for the various lenten periods of the Church calendar.

Nov 8, 2022 • 3h 28m

Pagan myths and the virgin birth. Is it true that pagans had stories about virgin births? Is it possible that the gospel stories were inspired by these mythologies? What about other elements in the Infancy Narratives, such as the Star and Herod's attempts to kill the newly born Christ? Are those historically based or simply imagery to convey messages and meaning about the birth of Jesus Christ?

Nov 3, 2022 • 5h 35m

Tune in this week to Stewardship Calling as host Bill Marianes talks with Fr. Evan Armatas about his new book, Reclaiming the Great Commission. In his book, Fr. Evan provides a roadmap for parishes to diagnose and remove barriers and get back on track.