One bishop per city or region is what the canons call for. Yet, here in North America we have multiple bishops in one location. The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops are working to correct that, and today we speak with Proto-Deacon Peter Danilchick who is the liaison for the Canonical Regional Planning Committee. Learn about the importance of this task and how long it will take to get it done. For more information on this issue, we refer to you our documentary section - Unravelling Chambesy.

John talks with Fr. Andrew Jarmus from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church about an upcoming symposium in Ft. Wayne, IN, entitled Searching for the Sacred.

Bobby Maddex is at the Antiochian Archdiocesan Convention in Houston, Texas, and while there he talks with Kh. Gigi Shadid, an Orthodox musician who specializes in music for children. You can purchase Kh. Gigi's CDs by clicking here.

His Grace Bishop Louka is auxiliary to His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch. He visited the US and gave us this brief interview about Syria, the kidnapped bishops, and the so-called Arab Spring.

IOCC US Country Representative Dan Christopulos and volunteer Michael Claypool tell us about the training program happening this week in Denver for IOCC volunteers to prepare them for emergency response here in the United States.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. John Behr, the Dean of the school, about what it means when we talk about an Orthodox theological education and why it is important.

Bobby Maddex interviews Michelle Lemon, a Senior Program Officer at International Relief and Development (IRD). The Cultural Heritage program of IRD is currently working to restore a number of Serbian Orthodox Churches in Kosovo, and they need your assistance!

Bobby Maddex interviews Maria Sheehan, the manager of the new Patriarch Tikhon Choir, an American professional choir dedicated to the performance of Orthodox Christian sacred music that is conducted by Maestro Vladimir Gorbik.

His Grace Bishop Basil joins us to talk about the next meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops September 17-19 in Greater Chicago.

We talk with Fr. Peter Jackson, newly appointed OCMC missionary to Guatemala following the mass conversion of 150,000 people into the Orthodox Church. Learn about his work in training clergy and translating liturgical documents for the 300+ churches and eight priests.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Chad Hatfield, the Chancellor and CEO of St. Vlad's, about the school's Strategic Plan 2020, which includes a Center for Liturgical Arts, a Continuing Education program, and an International House of Studies.

We talk with Nicholas Chakos, the Executive Director of FOCUS North America, and Theodora Polamalu, wife of Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu, about "Operation Lace Up," a new initiative to provide shoes to children who cannot afford them, as well as FOCUS's Pittsburgh Health Center and "Tackle Poverty" campaign.

Fr. Tom Soroka of The Path and Sermons at St. Nicholas conducts an interview with Fr Igor Soroka as he discusses the 50th anniversary of the Cathedral Choir of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania (OCA) as well as his significant contribution to the development of Orthodox music in the English speaking world. A liturgical choral concert celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Cathedral Choir of Pittsburgh will be held at St John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 601 Boone Avenue, Canonsburg, PA on Sunday, September 29, at 6:00 pm. The concert is open to the public and a social hour will follow the concert in the church hall. For further information, contact Rebecca Danchenko at 412-478-7252.

We talk with Richard Barrett, Artistic Director for the St. John of Damascus Society about an ambitious project to create a musical setting for the Vesperal Psalm (103/104) blending the various Orthodox music styles. This will eventually be a video presentation including beautiful images from creation. This was launched through a Kickstarter fund raising campaign.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of St. Vlad's, about the history and early days of the school.

Bobby Maddex interviews Kevin Bryce, the Orthodox director of a feature-length documentary film titled We Are Superman that chronicles the revitalization of a troubled street corner in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

IOCC Director of Programs Mark Ohanian updates us on the work of IOCC in Syria where the refugee population is rapidly growing as the result of the civil war.

Bobby Maddex interviews Paula Kappos, the President of Zoe for Life. This organization is an Orthodox Christian initiative, endorsed by the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, that addresses crisis pregnancy, facilitates adoption, and engages in abstinence education.

The Director of St. Herman's House in Cleveland is Paul Finley. Paul tells about the work of providing shelter for homeless men in the inner city of Cleveland and also about an opportunity to hear Fr. Thomas Hopko on Novevmber 4. More information is available HERE.

Bobby Maddex interviews Andrew Boyd, the Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry with the Orthodox Church in America, about the OCA YouTube Challenge for Orthodox high school and college students.

Bobby Maddex interviews Vladimir Morosan, the director of the professional Orthodox choir Archangel Voices, about the choir's new CD Panagia: Orthodox Hymns to the Mother of God.

Bobby Maddex interviews Seraphim Hanisch, the Director of Little Spot Productions, a mobile, on-site, studio-level recording company.

Did you know that there is a robust carving tradition in the Orthodox Church? Bobby Maddex talks with Jonathan Pageau, a wood carver in the Orthodox tradition and the editor of the Orthodox Arts Journal.

Bobby Maddex interviews Mark Ohanian, the Director of Programs at International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), about IOCC's relief efforts in the Philippines following Super Typhoon Haiyan. Click here to find out how you can help.

Combined, Fr. John and Fr. Stephen have been involved with prison ministry for well over 50 years. From their experiences in this work, they speak on the important concept of "Ministry of Presence" that is truly vital for all Orthodox Christians to understand. This concept is brought to life by the stories they share from their ministries. This presentation was given in Houston as part of an Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry gathering. Fr. John Kowalczyk is the priest of St. Michael's Church in Jermyn, PA, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, a Chaplain at S.C.I. Waymart's Forensic Treatment Center for over 27 years, teaches at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary, and is the Director of their Field Education Program. Fr. John is a member of the Board of Directors of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry. Fr. Stephen Powley is the priest of St. John the Baptist Church in Pueblo, CO, and is the Assistant Director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry. He served as a Prison Chaplain for almost 26 years until his retirement in August of 2010. During that time he served as a chaplain in every security level of prison from minimum to maximum.

On this special edition of Ancient Faith Presents, Father Nabil Hanna, the priest at St. George Orthodox Church in Fishers, Indiana, speaks at the 20th anniversary celebration of St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Goshen, Indiana.

On this special edition of Ancient Faith Presents, Fr. Andrew Anderson, the priest at St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church in Kingston, Ontario, speaks on Orthodoxy in Africa at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Belleville, Ontario.

Bobby Maddex interviews Chris Vlahonasios, the founder of the Orthodox Filmmakers and Artists blog, as well as the Byzanfest film festival.

We talk with Roy Azar, Project Coordinator for IOCC, who just returned from Damascus. He reports on the continued work of IOCC in providing humanitarian aid for the refugees and displaced families but also calls for prayer for the abducted nuns from Maaloula.

AFR talks with Dr. Maria Khoury about what it is like to live as a Christian within the barricaded walls of the West Bank of Israel. Visit the web site of her parish - St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Taybeh.

John Maddex interviews Fr. Evan Armatas about a great resource for families as they prepare for their journey through Great Lent. With the coupon code AFR2014, receive a 10% discount. Find out more HERE.

Noted author, speaker, and podcaster Frederica Mathewes-Green joins us to talk about a documentary film project on her life and work as a former feminist and now Orthodox Christian. Learn how you can support this project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/basilicaproductions/frederica-the-life-and-work-of-frederica-mathewes

Archimandrite David [Mahaffey] will be consecrated to the episcopacy at Saint Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage on Friday, February 21, 2014. He will fill the vacant Episcopal See of Sitka and Alaska for the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). AFR introduces you to the Bishop-elect and he talks about his vision for the Diocese.

Bobby Maddex interviews Nick Papas, an Orthodox iconographer and artist living in Houston, Texas, who will be exhibiting on February 15 a dozen non-liturgical paintings of the post-schism Western saint known as Drogo the Ugly.

AFR's Kevin Allen interviews His Eminence Metropolitan ANTONY, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the US. Learn about the issues surrounding the violent protests in the country and what is at stake as well as the role of the Orthodox Church in creating peace and moving forward.

As we continue to follow the news in Ukraine, Ancient Faith Radio is committed to bring you a balanced perspective on the events and implications for the Orthodox Church. Today, Kevin Allen is speaking with Ukrainian expert and Orthodox Christian Mr James Jatras. Mr Jatras is a former US diplomat, US Senate staffer, and a member of the American Institute of Ukraine.

In breaking news, Kevin Allen speaks with Samuel Noble who edits the Arab Orthodoxy blog site and who is an expert on Arab Orthodox matters, regarding reports that the kidnapped nuns of Maaloula and St. Thekla Monastery have been freed. The situation is very fluid but confirmation has been received of their release.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. Nicholas Reeves, assistant professor of liturgical music at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, and Dr. Peter Bouteneff, an associate professor of systematic theology at St. Vlad’s, about an upcoming concert at Carnegie Hall featuring the music of Arvo Pärt.

In a new partnership with Fullness of the Faith, Ancient Faith Radio now has a line of coffee mugs and t-shirts available. Learn about these products and other items available as we talk with Fr. Justin Mathews, founder and President of Fullness of the Faith.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Justin Mathews, the executive director of FOCUS North America, and Theodora Polamalu, a FOCUS advisory board member and the wife of Troy Polamalu, strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, about FOCUS's new "Tackle Poverty" campaign.

We talk with Fr. Thomas Zain, Vicar General of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America just 2 hours after the falling asleep of our beloved Metropolitan Philip, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America.

Bobby Maddex interviews Christiana Roulakis, the Director of Development at Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), about Blessings Beyond Bars, OCPM's new Lenten youth project to teach children and young adults about prison ministry.

Ancient Faith Radio has been provided this recording of the comments made by Bishop Basil at the funeral of the beloved priest Fr. Alexander Atty. May his memory be eternal.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. James Taylor, the founder and director of the St. Raphael Orthodox Online Home School. The school has just finished its first year of operation, and registration has begun for the summer session, which will feature four new course offerings.

Bobby Maddex interviews Ben Anderson, the author of a new series of Orthodox Christian fantasy novels called The McGunnegal Chronicles.

Fr. John Finley interviews Fr. Jon-Stephen Hedges, a director with the St. Brigid Fellowship and a chaplain with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, about his role on the scene at the sites of the recent string of murders in Isla Vista, California.

Bobby Maddex interviews Amal Morcos, a particularly good friend of Ancient Faith Radio, about a recent trip she took to Lebanon and what she learned about the Orthodox Christians there.

On June 5, 2014, a special convention of Antiochian clergy and delegates was called in Chicago to elect three candidates for the office of Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. John Maddex talks with Vicar General Fr. Thomas Zain immediately following the vote.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. John Perich, priest at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Gradyville, Pennsylvania, about an upcoming event in which Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia will share his reflections on the fiftieth anniversary of the meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem.

A conversation with film producer David DeJonge and the head of the Department of Outreach and Evangelism for the GOA, Fr. Jim Kordaris. Learn about a new and exciting project to produce a high quality video series as a tool for evangelism called Baseline.