Ancient Faith Today Live

The Resurrection of Christ is the central doctrine of the Christian faith. What happens if you get it wrong?

Fr. Tom offers a reflection on the Pope's recent passing, and on the office of the papacy from an Orthodox perspective.

What happened on the cross, and after Jesus died on the cross? What do we know about the period of time between the crucifixion and the resurrection? Fr. Tom will discuss these questions in preparation for Holy Week.

Some Protestants say that the offering of sacrifices ceased at the cross. Others say that Jesus is sacrificed again and again. What's the truth about the Eucharist and sacrifice?

A recent essay suggested that the evolution to English as the prevailing Liturgical language in Orthodox parishes in America, "intentionally or accidentally, contributed to xenophobia" in the United States. What's the Orthodox tradition when it comes to liturgical language?

March 18 marks the 10th anniversary of the falling asleep of Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of St Vladimir's Seminary, author of numerous books, and popular speaker and podcaster. Join us as we look at the legacy of one of America's most impactful Orthodox teachers.

What's the truth about Penal Substitutionary Atonement according to the Scriptures and expounded by the Fathers?

The "He Gets Us" campaign is a billion dollar ad blitz, presenting Jesus as a palatable everyman who is nice, very nice. Is that a problem?

Our pets are beloved household companions. What does Orthodox Christianity teach about animals and the Kingdom of God?

How did the idea of gender transitioning become so commonplace in our time, and what is the Orthodox Church's teaching on gender? Fr. Tom takes on this topic of much discussion this week.

Is the Orthodox Church too permissive when it comes to divorce and remarriage?

In the advent of Kat Von D's move towards Orthodoxy, alternative rock vocalist, Lacey Sturm, discusses the surprising movement to Traditional Christianity for a growing number of non-traditional performing artists and personalities.

We remember the life of one of the most influential Orthodox leaders of the 20th century, +Archbishop Anastasios. Through his unwavering zeal for Orthodox missions, he was a profound example of faithfulness and love for the entire world. Missionary Nathan Hoppe joins Fr. Tom as a guest. Memory Eternal!

Americans are noticing growing interest in Orthodoxy, but not everyone is happy about it. Protestant online apologists are saying that Orthodoxy doesn't fit Western culture and people are just attracted to the Church's aesthetics.

The idea that liturgical worship is foreign to the early church isn't a new claim. However, a new series of videos claim that early Christians gathered to meet, but not to worship.

Orthodox Christians pray to the Saints to ask their intercession before God. Some dismiss the practice as communicating with the dead. What's the truth from the Scriptures and Tradition?

This Orthodox Moment: Timely Trend or Fleeting Fad? • Parishes around the United States are seeing an unprecedented number of inquirers and converts. The secular press is noting the movement and the online apologists of various religions are fighting back. What's really going on here and where is all this headed?

Maintaining Christian unity has been a problem since the time of the Apostles. Moreso, in the modem age, traditional Christianity is decried as intolerant. What's the truth about Orthodoxy?

The American holiday of Thanksgiving is upon us. What things are you thankful to God for? Share your thoughts with us!

Some are concerned about an American movement called Christian Nationalism. How should we react to it as Orthodox Christians?

What are the ethical and religious issues around technologies that medically enhance fertility and pregnancy?

Election Day Special! • Should Orthodox Christians be concerned with politics? Where is the dividing line between politics and religion?

Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in America. Are there ever situations where an abortion is acceptable from an Orthodox Christian standpoint? Share your perspective in the live chat on YouTube.

NEW AIRING TIME • Oklahoma is the latest American state which has mandated teaching the Bible as part of the public school curriculum. Before 1962, most American public schools regularly taught and supported religious education. Is this a good idea?

NEW AIRING TIME • Last week's show examined the current trend of Gen Z women abandoning religious adherence at a greater rate than previous generations. We'll continue to look at the role of conflicting worldviews and the widening gap between young women and young men.

Statistical studies show that Gen Z (born between 1997-2012) has a growing gender divide, especially in religious adherence. While young men are becoming more religious, young women are less so. What's causing this and what can be done about it, if anything?

NEW AIRING TIME • In our pluralistic society, the idea of an exclusive religious truth is difficult for people to accept. Even some Orthodox and Roman Catholic leaders have, at times, asserted that the diversity of religions is willed by God. Do all religions lead to the one God?

Ancient Faith Today Live - Important Conversations About Topics That Matter To Orthodox Christians Calling all Questions for AFTL Open Talk tonight! Text 412-206-5012 send an email to [email protected], or comment in the live chat to talk with Fr. Tom on the hot topics of the day

Fr Thomas is joined by Fr Stavros Akrotirianakis, author of the new book, "Blessed is the Kingdom: Reflections on the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom," helping us to understand appreciate the eucharistic mystery.

Fr. Thomas is joined by Dr. Daniel Hinshaw, author of Journey to Simplicity: The Life and Wisdom of Archimandrite Roman Braga, who suffered persecution for Christ in communist Romania.

Fr Thomas is joined by author and advocate, Katie Breckenridge, to talk about the tragic downstream impact on familes and children of easy access to abortion, surrogacy, IVF, and other reproductive technogies eroding the traditional family structure.

Fr. Tom Soroka and John Maddex will dive into the topic of Universalism and speak with Orthodox panelists who fall into one of three categories: Confident Universalists, Hopeful Universalists, and those who say Universalism was condemned as a heresy. We read in Scripture that God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). But we also read that It is appointed unto man once to die, and after that comes the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). There are those who claim that, since Christ died for all, we can be assured that all will indeed be saved and not face eternal condemnation. This is called “universalism” or “apocatastasis.” Was this teaching condemned by the Church? Who among the Church Fathers embraced universal salvation?

We're opening the phone lines and reading your comments live on a variety of recent topics important to you, including deaconesses, Orthodox unity, and other hot topics! Join us live! Topics of discussion : 1) Deaconesses 2) Orthodoxy Unity

OCMC's longest serving missionary, Nathan Hoppe, joins Fr Thomas to talk about his life bringing the Orthodox Christian Faith to Muslims and atheists in Albania.

Matthew Riley joins Fr Thomas to talk about the importance of parents having hard conversations with children and how to do it with compassion, concern, and love.

Dr Cyril Jenkins joins Fr Thomas to discuss the erroneous Evangelical biblical views which lead to theological and eschatological heresies.

Orthodox priest, Fr John Souza, shares his journey as a former Reformed pastor to the fullness of the truth in the Orthodox Church. He'll also answer objections often posed by Protestant apologists.

Matthew Namee, preeminent historian of American Orthodoxy, joins Fr. Tom to discuss his new book, Lost Histories: The Good, the Bad, and the Strange in Early American Orthodoxy. Tune in for some of the quirky American Orthodox History.

A group of Orthodox Christians give their thoughts and impressions after attending Dr. Jordan Peterson's live presentation, "We Who Wrestle with God."

Author of the soon-to-be-released book, You are Mine, Sister Anastasia chronicles her spiritual journey deep into the darkness of witchcraft and satanic worship. Finding transformation in the love of Christ, her redemption story is timely in this age of hopelessness. https://www.stmacariusoca.org/donate/https://www.stmacariusoca.org/

Authors and speakers Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh and Dr. Roxanne Louh join Fr Thomas to talk about the seven statements of our Lord Jesus Christ from the cross. These last words of Christ offer hope to all who seek healing in the darkest moments of life.

Two Natures: Examining Chalcedon and Communion What specifically separates us theologically from the Oriental Orthodox Churches? Are there reasons to hope that we are closer to these believers than we thought? What efforts have been made to better understand each other in recent decades?

How can Orthodox Christians address compulsive sexual behaviors in their lives and the lives of their family members? Fr. Kosta Petrogeorge is a certified Sexual Addiction and Trauma therapist and will answer your questions live. Text questions to 412-206-5012 anytime.

Fr. Thomas welcomes Dr. Zachary Porcu to discuss how one can turn from having a secular worldview to a sacramental worldview, embracing reality as it truly is. Journey to Reality, Dr. Porcu's book on this topic, just released last Tuesday!

Biblical scholar Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the often misunderstood textual traditions of the Old Testament. Why do the Hebrew and Greek versions differ? Do we have one authoritative OT text as Orthodox Christians?

Fr. Thomas welcomes Fr. Lawrence Farley to discuss the place of the Psalms in the life of Orthodox Christians and how we can best understand them.

Fr. Thomas is joined by Jesse Cone, Headmaster of the new Saint Constantine School of Pittsburgh, to talk about the value of philosophy in education, religion, and everyday life

The Orthodox Deaconess – Full Length Interviews On Jan 30, 2024, Ancient Faith Today released an audio documentary entitled The Orthodox Deaconess: Examining the Call for Restoration. In that 1 hour and 45 minute documentary there were 16 diverse voices heard representing Orthodox Christians who were both in favor and opposed to the restoration. In this episode of Ancient Faith Today, you will be able to hear the complete interviews or comments of all 16 individuals. The timestamps below will help you find the ones you are most interested in hearing. As we mentioned in the documentary, our goal was to provide a forum for responsible, respectful discussion that furthers the Ancient Faith Ministries’ mission to educate, edify, and evangelize. While we never intend to present material that is not in line with the teachings of the Orthodox Church, there are topics where the Church does not have a unified stated position. And this is true of this topic. People have conflicting opinions about the history and function of the female diaconate and whether that role should be restored today. In light of that you need to know that we at Ancient Faith do not necessarily endorse the opinions of all the people we interviewed. We do however express our gratitude for their willingness to speak to us. 00:01:42 Metropolitan Saba 00:27:05 Dr. Edith M. Humphrey 01:08:05 Dr. Carrie Frederick Frost 01:38:11 Fr. Stephen De Young 02:41:52 Dr. John Panagiotou 03:16:20 Dr. Valerie Karras 04:42:55 Dr. Jeannie Constantinou 05:30:00 Dr. James Skedros 06:19:00 Fr. Lucas Christensen 07:33:11 Fr. Alexander Lebedeff 07:48:47 Dr. Helen Theodoropoulos 08:37:28 Mother Christophora 08:54:06 Dr. Sarah Byrne-Martelli 09:24:10 Fr. Joseph Lucas 09:49:53 Frederica Mathews-Green 10:06:40 Dr. Mary Ford

⁠The story of the Orthodox Deaconess is largely unknown today. When did they exist, and what was their function? In recent decades, there has been a call for restoring the female diaconate, causing no small debate between Orthodox proponents and opponents.⁠ In the first special edition of Ancient Faith Today Live, Fr. Tom Soroka and John Maddex take a deep dive into the topic with a full-length audio documentary, which will feature scholarly experts from both sides of the issue and reflect upon the views shared and what we can conclude about the Church’s wisdom on this issue today.

Fr. Thomas is joined by former Methodist pastor Matthew Riley, who shares the story of his family's journey to the Orthodox Church, his own healing from addiction to pornography, and his ministry to encourage those who are seeking wholeness from sexual brokenness.