Here’s Part II of Kevin and Steve's fascinating interview with Fr. Tom on the True Church. Lots here to digest, friends! Download it and put it on your favorite player to listen to over and over. Have fun!

Fr. Ted Pulcini, ex-Roman Catholic and now Eastern Orthodox priest and long-time Orthodox participant in Orthodox-Catholic ecumenical dialog, discusses the Vatican's recent document on the doctrine on the Church. He and Kevin Allen discuss the timing of its publication, what it really means, what it says about the current and future state of relations between the two oldest branches of Christianity, and what the divisive issues are.

How old is monasticism in the west? Are there historic connections between eastern and western monasticism? What does the western monk strive to achieve? Is the praxis similar for the western (Roman Catholic) and eastern (Orthodox) monk? These are questions Kevin asks Fr. Simon O'Donnell (OSB), a Benedictine monk (and former novice master) of 42 years at Saint Andrew Abbey, Valyermo, California.

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?

Chris Hillman, Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer and original member of the legendary sixties band The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and The Desert Rose Band, reminisces with Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen about his 40 years in the music business and the spiritual journey that led him to the Greek Orthodox Church.

What can Evangelicals and Orthodox learn from each other is the subject of the 2nd section of our interview with His Eminence.

There are over 20 ancient Eastern Christian churches in communion with the Pope of Rome whose liturgies and "ethos" are more "Orthodox" than their Latin-Rite brothers. Some of them claim to be "Orthodox in communion with Rome". Some Orthodox disagree, calling them (pejoratively) "Uniates" or Eastern Rite Catholics, who have made significant compromises to come into such communion. In this episode host Kevin Allen speaks with Melkite (Eastern Catholic) priest Father James Babcock about the similarities and differences between Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholics and the Roman Catholic Church.

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.

In this episode, the microphone is turned as AFR General Manager and founder John Maddex interviews host Kevin Allen on the catechism module he developed (with his priest's blessing) specifically for inquirers coming from New Age and Eastern spiritual backgrounds. Is the entrance of New Age and Eastern seekers perhaps a trend the Church needs to prepare for? Are the issues, concerns, and paradigms of these seekers the same as those inquiring from Evangelical backgrounds? Must the catechist know something about New Age and Eastern religions in order to catechize effectively? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this program. You may download an attachment of the course outline here.

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

Host Kevin Allen speaks with Father Steven Tschlis about the role of the spiritual guide - father or mother - in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, and how such a guide may differ from one's parish priest or sacramental confessor. Should we look for a "spiritual father or mother" in a monastery? What role does the parish priest play? These and other questions will be addressed in this conversation.

In this edition Kevin Allen speaks with priest, missionary, author and an adjunct lecturer at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Hellenic College, Fr Luke Veronis, about the challenges he faced when he came home from the mission field to take over a moribund Orthodox parish that had a revolving door of former priests. This is an inspiring and instructive story that will be an encouragement to all!

The Death To The World crew reports back on their week at Cornerstone 2009 - the largest Christian rock festival in the world. This is the third year DTTW has set up shop in the exhibitors area as an Orthodox outreach at this largely Evangelical youth gathering. John Valadez, Gary Allen and Julia Gatalskaya report to host Kevin Allen that the 'times they are a' changing' in the world of contemporary Christian youth, reflecting a broader trend towards ancient faith!

Pornography has become a social, spiritual, and physical epidemic in the world. Andrew's first podcast is part one of a series of conversations which will identify the real issues we must face in dealing with pornography from an Orthodox Christian perspective. This first episode in that series talks about pornography, iconography, and idolatry. A transcript of this episode is available HERE.

That which calls me to embrace the icon and that which calls me to embrace pornography is at root the same thing. Read the transcript HERE.

Andrew continues from the last episode about unfaithfulness being the characteristic act of immorality by exploring how pornography is a rejection of the ultimate significance of marriage. Read a transcript HERE.

Andrew reminds us that we can use our creativity in cooperation with God’s creative power or we can use it apart from God. Read the transcript HERE.

The scourge of pornography use in our society is also itself an image — an image that manifests certain unpalatable realities of our culture and relationships. Read a transcript HERE.

What’s a good time to have such a conversation? Well, it shouldn’t just be a one-off conversation… it should be an ongoing dialogue and discussion. Listen to the podcast and read the transcript HERE.

In part two of the series, we discuss different world views and philosophies that the Incarnational and Trinitarian Christian dogmas confront. We continue to discuss the importance of clear and precise dogma and what has happened to the concept of "sound doctrine" in the modern Christian world.

In part 5 of the series we continue the discussion of the importance of the Creeds, Christology and the incarnation of God in establishing the nature of the Church as the body of Christ. In this program we talk with Father John McCuen, a former Episcopal priest, about the nature of the "one, holy and apostolic Church" confessed in the Nicene Creed. Is it invisible? Is it "spiritual"? Is there still "one Church"?

We continue the discussion of the nature of the Church and the self understanding of the Orthodox Church as being the "one true Church". How does this concept fit within the modern concepts of the "mystical" or "invisible Church"? We also discuss the early Christological heresies and how they relate to the modern concepts of the Church.

In Part 8 of the series we discuss the foundations of a "sacramental world view" based on the dogmas of the Incarnation and Trinity. How does God relate to creation and thus to the human being through the Incarnation and how does this manifest itself in the sacramental life of the Church?

In the ninth part of the series on forming an Orthodox world view, Steve and Bill continue the discussion of the sacramental world view in light of the Incarnation and Trinity.

This is the first part of a nine-part series on forming an Orthodox world view that is founded on the dogmas of the Trinity, Incarnation, and sacrament. In part one we discuss the concept of "dogma" or doctrine. Is dogma important? How can we talk to modern people who believe they don't believe in "dogma"?

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. Paul Meyendorff, the Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology and the editor of the St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly journal, about a 2012 conference on Orthodox ecclesiology and nationalism that took place at the Volos Academy for Theological Studies, the papers from which have just been published in St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly.

Fr. John McGuckin, professor of church history at Union Seminary, delivers the 2014 Fr. Alexander Schmemann Lecture.

On its return to Orthodox Education Day at St. Vladimir's Seminary October 6, 2018, the Boston Byzantine Choir, directed by Charles R. Marge, delivered a beautiful performance at Three Hierarchs Chapel in celebration of the choir's own 25th anniversary.

Dn. Michael begins a new series on living "in, but not of" the world. He is using four texts from the St. Vladimir's Popular Patristics series. This week he covers C.S. Lewis's introduction to the St. Athanasius work On the Incarnation.

Joel Miller stands in for Dn. Michael and continues the series "In But Not Of." In today's lesson, Joel teaches on the life of St. Athanasius.

Dn. Michael continues his series," In But Not Of," and discusses chapter one of On the Incarnation.

Dn. Michael discusses chapter two in St. Athanasius's book On the Incarnation. This is lesson four in his series "In But Not Of."

Dn. Michael discusses chapter three in St. Athanasius's book On the Incarnation. This is lesson five in his series "In But Not Of."

Dn. Michael discusses chapter four in St. Athanasius's book On the Incarnation. This is lesson six in his series "In But Not Of."

Dn. Michael discusses chapter five in St. Athanasius's book On the Incarnation. This is lesson seven in his series "In But Not Of."

Dn. Michael discusses chapter six in St. Athanasius's book On the Incarnation. This is lesson eight in his series "In But Not Of."

Guest lecturer Joel Miller discusses chapter seven of St. Athanasius's book On the Incarnation. This is lesson nine in Dn. Michael's series "In But Not Of."

Dn. Michael discusses chapter eight in St. Athanasius's book On the Incarnation. This is lesson ten in his series "In But Not Of."

Dn. Michael concludes his discussion of St. Athanasius's book On the Incarnation. This is lesson eleven in his series "In But Not Of."

The concept of “phronema” (a mindset, approach, stance, or way of thinking) is inescapable. Everyone has one. However, the phronema of the West is very different from that of the East. In this episode, Dn. Michael unpacks the two major expressions of the Western phronema: Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. While they seem very different, they are more similar than you might think.

Padre Nicolás predicó sobre el significado de la encarnación y el sentido que está con nosotros para mantener la fe firme como las mártires antiguas. (Hebreos 11:9-10:40) Fr. Nicholas preached about the meaning the incarnation and the value it has for us in order to maintain the faith similar to the martyrs of the past. (Hebrews 11:9-10:40)

Carta: Rom 12: 6-14, Evangelio Mt 9: 1-8 El Padre Nicholas predicó de cómo usar nuestros dones para alcanzar la vida eterna. Sunday July 8, 2018 Letter: Rom 12: 6-14, Gospel: Mat 9: 1-8 Father Nicholas preached on how to use our gifts to reach eternal life.

Dn. Theodore, the Director of Community of St. John the Compassionate Mission, tells the story of an unborn child named Maria who changed his life forever.

Fr. Roberto Ubertino, Founder and Executive Director of St. John the Compassionate Mission, explains how mission work begins by showing how God is already working in people's lives.

Fr. Roberto Ubertino, Founder and Executive Director of St. John the Compassionate Mission, demonstrates how part of the challenge and the beauty of living Orthodox mission is learning to accept the tenderness of God in our lives through the poor.

Listen to reflections of Christmas morning at the mission, from volunteer Mary.

Fr. Nicolaie writes about discussions and prayers from those gathered on a typical Friday afternoon at St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto.

In the heart of every prodigal son, at the time of prayer, God prepares a real place ready to offer hospitality to the one that is wounded.

Do you miss breakfast on Sunday? Today, Martha takes a look at the gift of a relaxing breakfast on Saturday and preparing for the Holy Eucharist.