Ancient Faith Presents

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Attention all Orthodox homeschool families: There's a new resource available that could make your homeschooling curriculum more robust and meaningful! Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. James Taylor, the founder and director of St. Raphael Orthodox Online Homeschool.

Bobby Maddex interviews John Maddex again to get an update on the streaming music station. Special thanks to our anonymous donor who sent us $3,000 to cover the remaining expenses on our new generator and surge protection system. The donation was made on behalf of St. Cyprian of Carthage Orthodox Church in Richmond, Virginia. Thanks be to God!

Bobby Maddex, Operations Manager of Ancient Faith Radio, interviews John Maddex, the CEO of Conciliar Media Ministries, about the recent electrical storm here in Chesterton, IN, that incapacitated our streaming music station. Can you help us with the funds needed to make sure that this situation never occurs again? We would really appreciate it!

Bobby Maddex interviews Eleana Silk, the librarian at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. In conjunction with the 75th anniversary of St. Vlad’s, Bobby will be conducting a series of interviews with staff and faculty about the history of this venerable school, and what better way to start than with what should be the heart of any academic institution—the library.

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.

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.

Bobby Maddex interviews Apostolos Combitsis, the Protopsaltis of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Toms River, New Jersey, and the director of the Byzantine Choir of the Metropolis of New Jersey, about the importance of preserving Byzantine music and the various enterprises through which he attempts to do just that.

The day after a devastating tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, Ancient Faith Radio files this report including interviews with Bishop Basil of the Antiochian Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America and Fr. John Salem, priest at St. Elijah Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. David Subu and Daniel Silver about an upcoming event called Doxacon, which may very well be the first Orthodox conference on science fiction and fantasy.

Bobby Maddex interviews Nicholas Reeves, Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, about an upcoming master class on the interpretation of Orthodox sacred music. The class will be led by Maestro Vladimir Gorbik and held at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, California.

Bobby Maddex interviews Vlad Morosan, the director of the professional choral group Archangel Voices, about an upcoming concert at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Danbury Connecticut. The event will take place on June 8, 2013, at 7:30 PM, and the cost is $45 per ticket ($20 for students), which includes a wine and cheese reception.

Charles Ajalat joins us to talk about a letter being circulated in Congress that calls for action to be taken by the State Department to secure the release of the two Archbishops being held in Syria. We urge you to call your congressional representative and urge them to sign the Sherman Letter. Find out how to reach your representative HERE.

Bobby Maddex welcomes back to the program Anne Van Fossen, one of the founders of the Classical Learning Resource Center, to discuss some of the exciting new developments that are taking place at the online school.

Bobby Maddex welcomes back to the program Anne Van Fossen, one of the founders of the Classical Learning Resource Center, to discuss some of the exciting new developments that are taking place at the center.

Bobby Maddex interviews Anne Van Fossen, cofounder of the Classical Learning Resource Center, an online Orthodox classical education program.

Matthew Gallatin interviews Anne Van Fossen about the Classical Learning Resource Center, an online classroom with instruction in Greek, Latin, mythology, philosophy, and critical thinking.