15. Book 1: The Book of Jonah illustrated for children by Niko Chocheli (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000). Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 13 (chapters 25-27) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007)

42. Book 1: Extracts from Rejoice jr. Orthodox Christian Publication. For subscription information please contact Taisia Mills at (704) 894-0363. Book 2: Katie Visits a Monastery, by Elizabeth Saxild, part two (St. Nectarios Press, 1998)

54. Book 1: The Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2005) (duration 3.37) Book 2: Great and Holy Friday from The Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006) (begins at 4:20, duration 5.25) Book 3: Drita: An Albanian Girl Discovers her Ancestor's Faith by Renee Ritsi (Conciliar Press, 2008) (begins at 9:58, duration 13.10)

67. Book 1: "Jacob and Rachel" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (8.24 mins) Book 2: Saint Innocent of Alaska, Apostle and Missionary by Sarah Elizabeth Cowie Chapters 5 and 6 (Conciliar Press, 2005) (begins at 9:05, duration 11.42 mins)

68. Book 1: "Jacob and His Sons" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas translated by Rev. Spencer T. Kezios (Narthex Press, 2005) (10.24 mins) Book 2: Saint Innocent of Alaska, Apostle and Missionary by Sarah Elizabeth Cowie Chapter 7 (Conciliar Press, 2005) (begins at 11:07, duration 8.55 mins)

73. Book 1: "The Passing of Elijah" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (11.32 mins) Book 2: : Saint Innocent of Alaska, Apostle and Missionary by Sarah Elizabeth Cowie (Conciliar Press, 2005) chapter 13 (10.52 mins)

77. Book 1: "The Birth of Jesus" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (9.43 mins) Book 2: Extract from Witness in the Holy Land by Maria Khoury (CDK Publications, 2003) (12.09 mins)

78. Book 1: "Jesus at the Age of Twelve" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (5.06 mins) Book 2: The Life of Saint Martin of Tours by Verena Smith (St. Nectarios Press, 2008; first published by Burns & Oates Ltd, 1966) (19.38 mins)

79. Book 1: "Meeting John" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (7.33 mins) Book 2: A Miracle in the Desert (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001) (4.23 mins )

80. Book 1: "The Temptations of Jesus and His Return to Galilee" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (6.01 mins) Book 2: "Saint Theodora," "Saint Demetrios," and "Saint Catherine" from Studying Byzantine Icons by Marisa Decastro (Akritas Young Readers, 1995) (13.42 mins)

"The Death of John" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005)

"The Transfiguration of Jesus" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005)

141. The Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Sister Elayne, now Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2005)

This week, Fr. Ted addresses the question of how a loving God could also judge us.

Fr. Ted discusses Joseph, exploring his patience, kindness and faithfulness.

Fr. Ted explains that the most important thing for liturgies is that they teach the true faith.

Fr. Ted discusses the two natures of Christ.

Fr. Ted inquires into who is really being judged in the story of the Last Judgment.

Fr. Ted reminds us that our journey toward God has already begun.

Fr. Ted explains what the story of Jonah has to do with the Resurrection of Christ.

Fr. Ted warns us that If we cannot distinguish between happiness and true spiritual joy, then there's a problem in our lives.

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church has a new deacon. Listen here to the ordination speech by the newly ordained Dn. John Karvelas.

Fr. Ted encourages us to fully experience the lenten struggle and all that it entails.

Fr. Ted speaks at an adult lenten retreat at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto, Ontario.

Fr. Ted shares his Paschal homily.

Sometimes even our families can become idols—especially when we place worldly cares ahead of Christ.

Fr. Ted calls us to carry the meaning of Pascha into our everyday lives.

Fr. Ted challenges us to take seriously the coming Judgment by Christ which will reveal what we have chosen in this life.

Fr. Ted leads a Lenten Retreat at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean, NJ. In this first session Fr. Ted delivers a talk on how Orthodox Christians are called to use the contemplation of their own death, using the Lenten season, to prepare for their birth into eternity.

In this second session Fr. Ted discusses how the Holy Sacraments of the Church prepare us for our own deaths and allow us to truly see life through the passion.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos calls us to lay aside our own judgment of others and turn our focus towards repentance in light of the Final Judgment.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Torrey Honors professor at Biola University, talks about Christianity and Culture.

In our first interview with an Eastern Orthodox Bishop, Steve McMeans talks with His Grace, Bishop Joseph+, on what a bishop is; his calling, his ministry, and the role the monastic life can play for us all! Burn this on a disc, friends!

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.

The 1600Th anniversary of the repose of Saint John Chrysostom - one of Orthodoxy's most venerated church fathers, theologians, moralists, and liturgists - was September 14Th. To commemorate the special occasion, Illumined Heart co-host Kevin Allen spoke with Chrysostom scholar and pastor of Saint Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, California, Father Josiah Trenham, about the venerated Saint's enduring legacy.

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!

This week Kevin re-conneects after 35 years with his old college dorm neighbor, Conservative Jewish Rabbi Alan J.Iser, about Judaism, the Jewish roots of Orthodox Christianity, and how religious Jews understand the Torah verses what Christians interpret christologically in this frank interview. Rabbi Iser is the spiritual leader of Congregation OR SHALOM in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. 44:05

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.

Hear the fascinating story of Patrick Lansdowne, a 7-year Hare Krishna Temple devotee, about his journey to Christ and the Orthodox Church. In Part One of the interview, Patrick and host Kevin Allen discuss the Hare Krishna sect's unique metaphysics and practices (within Hindusim) and how and why Patrick adopted them! Do any of them "prefigure" Christ?

Here is part 2 of this historic interview with Metropolitan Jonah who was just enthroned as Archbishop of Washington and New York and Metropolitan of All America for the Orthodox Church in America. In this half of the interview, His Beatitude Jonah addresses matters such as Administrative Unity among Orthodox jurisdictions, evangelism, and the events that led up to his election at the All American Council in November.

On November 12, 2008, a remarkable thing happened in Pittsburgh, PA. Just 11 days after his consecration as Bishop of Fort Worth and Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of the South, Bishop Jonah was elected Archbishop of Washington and New York and Metropolitan of All American and Canada for the Orthodox Church in America. Kevin Allen was able to spend well over an hour on the phone with His Beatitude Jonah in a candid and fascinating interview that we are bringing you in 2 parts. In this first part we learn about his background, personal interests, conversion to Orthodoxy and the monastic life. Next week we will bring you part 2.

Steve McMeans talks to Fr. Josiah about St. John Chrysostom and his views on the relationship between marriage and monasticism. This show will suprise you...!

Jeremy (Basil) Dannnebohm was an ardent young Catholic. What made him journey from his cradle Church to the Eastern Orthodox Church, only to return to Rome and then revert to Orthodoxy? His story is on this episode of the Illumined Heart.

Meet Sara Hillis, musician and English literature scholar who became a witch priestess before encountering Christ and finding the Orthodox Church!

During a recent visit to St. John's Monastery, Steve recorded and interview with Abbot Jonah about the Jesus Prayer. In part one, Fr. Jonah discusses the Orthodox view of prayer that goes beyond "requests and praise." He also discusses the practice of the Jesus Prayer and the transformation of the human being which is a difficult and sometimes painful experience.

In part two of the discussion of the Jesus Prayer, Fr. Jonah talks about the context of the practice of the prayer and some of the spiritual pitfalls and dangers of entering a discipline of prayer without spiritual direction.

We continue the series of interviews with Fr. Jonah Paffhausen. In this program Fr. Jonah discusses monasticism as a response to the Gospel. While monasticism is a specific calling, there is also a foundation of universal principles that all Christians are called to. Steve and Fr. Jonah also discuss the process of becoming a monk, some of the pitfalls of monasticism and some common misconceptions about monks and monasteries.

We continue the series of interviews with Fr. Jonah. In part one of this interview we discuss a variety of topics that relate to the Orthodox view of the healing of the human person. Monasticism is but one of the ways that we are healed, but all of the spiritual disciplines and "methods" boil down to life within a community, whether it is a monastery, a marriage, a family or a parish. We are also trying some new sound file formats to attempt to fix the 49 minute podcast cut off problem. So, if our podcast listeners can let us know if THIS program plays all the way through we'd appreciate it!

In part two of the conversation with Father Jonah we discuss the relationship of monasticism to the "normal" Christian life. The life lived in the Gospel is universally applied to all Christians, has the same goal and foundation, but is lived out in various ways.