Meet the artists turning croissants, sadyas, burgers, and more into wearable miniatures

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present Budget 2024 today, and the real estate industry anticipates that the government will prioritize affordable and middle-class housing in the plan. To increase affordability, it has advocated for an enlargement of the … Continue reading →

Back in the day, when personal computers were first making their way into homes, buying a desktop was often a massive investment. The price tags on those early machines were no joke, especially in the ’80s and ’90s. Dropping a couple of thousand dollars on a beige box humming with potential was considered normal. Fast forward to today, and times have certainly changed -- computers, including the powerful M-series Mac minis, have become more affordable, while flagship smartphones have skyrocketed in price. I recently bought Apple’s new base-model M4 Mac mini, which set me back $500 with the education discount… [Continue Reading]

Offering an array of choices might seem like an excellent way to cater to diverse user preferences, but more often than not, it can cause decision fatigue, negatively impacting the user experience and conversion rates. So, how do we strategically …

I've always liked the iPad Mini form factor more than other tablets, but that preference goes beyond hand-feel and comfort.

Leadership is a critical difference between the most effective and healthy Orthodox Christian parishes and ministries, and those not fulfilling their potential. If you’re a parish council member or ministry leader, join Bill to learn about the 6 Elements of the Stewardship Calling Orthodox Servant Leadership Model and how to apply them so your parish can fulfill its responsibilities and calling.

Today, we are experiencing unprecedented challenges in the human resources needs in our parishes and ministries, including shortages of clergy, volunteers, ministry leaders, and staff. Join Bill and Dr. Scott Mondore to explore best practices to improve the engagement and results.

Orthodoxy has declined from 20% of global Christians in 1910 to 12% in 2010. We are not yet making Orthodox "disciples of all nations" to the degree our Lord instructed us. Why? Some answers can be found in the latest leadership, innovation, and change management best practices and research.

Orthodoxy has declined from 20% of global Christians in 1910 to 12% in 2010. We are not yet making Orthodox "disciples of all nations" to the degree our Lord instructed us. Why? Some answers can be found in the latest leadership, innovation, and change management best practices and research.

Orthodoxy has declined from 20% of global Christians in 1910 to 12% in 2010. We are not yet making Orthodox "disciples of all nations" to the degree our Lord instructed us. PART 3: Listen to the latest leadership, innovation, and change management best practices and research

A sweaty subdeacon comes in from the hot sun and working in the garden for a glass of iced tea and a conversation with Frederica about Orthodox campus ministry at the Naval Academy and St. John's College.

Frederica shares a piece that she wrote for National Review magazine in its special issue on women.

Fr. John shares from Mark 1:21-39.

Fr. Adrian Budica interviews Fr. Richard Rene on the topic of prison chaplaincy. Fr. Richard Rene is a prison chaplain in British Columbia, Canada.

With the reading of the Feeding of the 5000, Fr. Andrew discusses moving from the 'membership' model to the ministry model by bringing whatever we have to Jesus, no matter how small.

Fr. Andrew discusses the House of Stephanas which Paul baptized and how we should emulate them.

Celebrating the great feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, Fr. Andrew discusses how what we learn from it about Who Jesus is also teaches us about how to do ministry. And he gives one suggestion for applying what we learn.

Using St. Paul's image of putting on the whole armor of God in wrestling against spiritual powers of darkness, Fr. Andrew applies this to how we do ministry in church and in our own lives.

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick speaks on the kind of secular age we are actually in (it may be not what you think!), how we evangelize and minister in this context, and how we live a true Christian life here. (This talk was given on Mar. 17, 2018, for the OCA Diocese of New York & New Jersey annual teen retreat.)

While our show on Community is delayed for technical reasons, we have an important message to share about the fate of this year's southern College Conference. Please listen and help OCF out if you can.

Fr. Maximos McIntyre, a ROCOR mission priest in MA, talks to us about the challenges of bi-vocational ministry and shares warnings about ghost hunting. And he knows what he is speaking about; he spent several years as a paranormal investigator working with some of the big names in the field.

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Ernesto Obregon (orthocuban.com) about the special challenges that come with bi-vocational ministry and the ways we can help our bi-vocational ministers thrive. Enjoy the show!

Homily on the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). Fr. Anthony draws on his experience as a retired Army officer (USAR) and the teaching of St. Maximus the Confessor to provide perspective, consolation, and encouragement during this time of war. Major points include the way the world and its labels darken our spiritual sight and the power Christ has given to His Royal Priesthood to heal the world's pain.

Elissa addresses the issue of testing Sunday School students.

Elissa interviews Christian Gonzalez, the California deanery youth director of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, about how we need to rethink our approach to ministering to our youth.

Elissa talks with Dan Bein from Orthodox Christian Fellowship about this important ministry for college students.

On the Last Day, it’s not what we have done for Christ that will matter. What will matter is that we have known Him. What will matter is that we have focused on the one thing needful, on the hidden man of the heart.

In this episode, Fr. John Parker interviews Fr. Robert Miclean, pastor of Holy Archangels Mission in Annapolis, MD. Fr Robert is the founding pastor of this new mission, and the founder of Annapolis College Ministry, which is an intentional, discipleship-driven, missionary outreach to three Maryland colleges: the US Naval Academy, St John’s College, and Anne Arundel Community College.

This week we read Acts 6:1-7, the story of the selection of the first deacons, in light of Ephesians 4:10-13, Exodus 18:19-21, Numbers 17 and Deuteronomy 34:9. We rejoice in the wonder of how authority works in the Church, with every member given the Holy Spirit, while we offer our leaders special honor as they help us on the road to full maturity in Christ.

Fr. Ted offers a beautiful perspective on the modern concern of women's role in the Orthodox Church.

In this special 1 hour edition of The Illumined Heart, Kevin talks with Charles Ajalat. Mr. Ajalat is a powerful voice for Orthodox unity with a great deal of pan-Orthodox leadership experience. Currently chancellor and board member of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, he was also the architect of the historic Ligonier Meeting of Orthodox bishops in 1994—the first meeting of all twenty-nine bishops in North America. He is the founder of a Los Angeles law firm specializing in tax and litigation matters, and a graduate of Harvard University and the Law School at the University of California at Berkeley. He is a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. More resources on this topic: Again Magazine (Winter 2003) Kevin's interview with Fr. Josiah Trenham Metropolitan PHILIP's keynote address at Antiochian Convention in Montreal (2007)

This is the same interview with Charles Ajalat only broken up into 2 parts for easier download.

And here is part 2 of the interview. Each one is about 30 minutes.

Fr. Chad spoke to the Serbian Clergy Brotherhood last month on the challenges facing our priests in today's culture. We have broken it up into three parts and bring you part 1 today.

Today we bring you part two of Fr. Chad Hatfield's talk at the Serbian Clergy Brotherhood in June on the challenges facing our priests in today's culture.

Here is the third and final part of Fr. Chad's address to the Serbian Clergy about how we should look at the ministry of the priesthood in today's society.

Dn. Theodore, the Director of Community of St. John the Compassionate Mission, explains that the real work of the mission comes from sitting and talking.

Fr. Apostolos Hill exhorts us to embrace a new paradigm for parish youth ministry that focuses on spiritual development and less on entertainment.

Today Dr. Rossi talks with Fr. Nick Solak, parish priest and faculty member at St. Vladimir's Seminary about prison ministry and training seminarians for work in prisons.

The traveling AFR microphone was in Minneapolis recently with Fr. Tom Soroka of The Path. He was a guest speaker at St Mary's Cathedral in Minneapolis and while there, interviewed three individuals about an active local prison ministry. The director's name is Paul Hatjistilianos, and the other two volunteers are Sandra Anderson and Rick Wagner.

Bobby Maddex interviews Chaplain Patrick Tutella, the executive director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), about OCPM's 2009 Convocation (July 28-30), the purpose of which is to bring together the many Orthodox clergy and laity from throughout North America who are practicing prison ministry or who are interested in practicing prison ministry.

Bobby Maddex interviews Chaplain Patrick Tutella, the Executive Director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), about OCPM's 2011 Convocation in Toronto, Canada.

Chaplain Patrick Tutella. the Executive Director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministries (OCPM), and Kory Warr, OCPM's Chairman of the Board, talk about Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday, which takes place every year on the sixth Sunday of Pascha.

Bobby Maddex interviews Daria Petrykowski of the Orthodox Church in America about the upcoming parish ministries conference, which will be held July 10-13, 2013, at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. Click here for more information about the conference and to register.

The Assembly of Bishops has designated this coming June 9 as Prison MInistry Awareness Sunday for all Orthodox Churches. With this in mind, we interview Dn. Jeff Smith, the leader of the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) team at the state prison in Concord, Massachusetts. Click here to learn how you can support OCPM or call 610-777-1552.

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.

Bobby Maddex interviews Steven Christoforou, the Youth Protection and Parish Ministries Coordinator for the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America and the host of the Ancient Faith Radio video podcast Be the Bee, about the many resources for youth and young adult ministry that are available from the GOA.