Ancient Faith Today Live

This week on Ancient Faith Today Live, Fr. Thomas welcomes iconographer and teacher, Raymond Vincent, as they discuss the biblical arguments for icons and their veneration. Text your comments and questions anytime to 412-206-5012 or give us a call during the live show at 1-855-AF-RADIO

Fr Thomas welcomes Fr Evan Armatas, author of "Reclaiming the Great Commission: A Roadmap to Parish Health," as they discuss how Orthodox parishes can fulfill their true purpose to thrive and grow.

Fr. Thomas welcomes Fr. Stephen De Young, author of the book and podcast, "The Whole Counsel of God," as they discuss biblical knowledge among Orthodox Christians. How can we encourage and increase knowledge of the deep well of Orthodox scriptural content and tradition?

Fr. Thomas welcomes special guest, His Grace Bishop Alexei of Alaska, to discuss the history and contemporary life of Orthodoxy in Alaska. What are the gifts that the Alaskan Church has given to the world and what are the challenges of being an Orthodox Christian in the vast Alaskan landscape?

Fr. Thomas speaks with Dr. Ioana Popa, MD, about the problem of caregiver burnout. How does one deal with fulfilling the extensive demands of those in need without falling into physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion?

Fr. Thomas is joined by Fr. John Dresko, President of the Orthodox Church Capital Improvement Fund (OCCIF), to speak about the Orthodox understanding of our financial resources and how we can become good stewards of the gifts God has given us

Fr. Thomas welcomes licensed clinical social worker Susan Zacharia-Sanders to discuss helping those who struggle with suicidal thoughts and supporting families affected by it.

Fr Thomas welcomes special guest, His Grace Bishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest, as they discuss the history and role of the bishop in the Church. Why are bishops necessary and what do they do?

Fr Thomas welcomes political philosopher, Dr Kevin Vallier, to discuss the erosion of trust in institutions and among people in today's society. Is the decline inevitable or avoidable?

Fr. Thomas speaks with Deacon Theodore Saclarides, who is an accomplished surgeon with decades of experience. What are the spiritual dimensions of making life and death decisions as a surgeon? How does faith inform the work of medical healing and treatment?

Fr. Thomas welcomes Fr. Michael Butler to discuss the recent surge of young men inquiring into the Orthodox Christian faith. What's behind this recent interest, and how can we respond appropriately?

Fr. Thomas welcomes Amy Scheuring, Executive Director of Women's Choice Network, to discuss the implications of the US Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. What work remains to be done? How do we respond to those who claim that women's rights are being eroded?

Fr. Thomas speaks with former Evangelicals who "deconstructed" their faith in God, taking long and circuitous paths to Orthodox Christianity.

Fr. Thomas welcomes Fr. Paul Jannakos to talk about the sacrament of Confession. What is the purpose of Confession? Do we have to confess to a priest? How can we prepare properly to make our confession meaningful?

Fr. Thomas welcomes Fr. Jeremy Davis, author of the new book Welcoming Gifts, to discuss the meaning of sacrifice in the Bible, the purpose of Christ's sacrifice, and what the sacrifice means for us today.

Fr. Thomas speaks with Presbytera Maria Koulianos, Principal of the St. Raphael School, an online classical academy that provides supportive services to Orthodox homeschooling families. What has caused the rapid rise of homeschooling, and how can students receive an effective classical education at home?

Fr. Thomas is joined by Fr. Alexander Cadman and Joe Kormos, co-chairs of the online Parish Development Forum on June 17, to discuss strengthening Orthodox Christian parishes and how to connect personal talents and gifts with effective ministry opportunities.

Fr. Tom welcomes Dr. Bradley Nassif, author of The Evangelical Theology of the Orthodox Church, to discuss how we can nourish the proclamation of the Gospel in our parishes and how to share the Gospel according to the Tradition of the Church

What are the common questions from inquirers and objections from detractors about the Orthodox understanding of the Virgin Mary? Fr. Thomas is joined by Fr. Michael Carney and Brendan Murphy to discuss and clarify these important doctrines.

Is there biblical and patristic precedent for "traditional family values," or is the phrase just a political talking point? What does family mean according to Orthodox Christianity? Fr. Tom is joined by author and commentator Fr. Lawrence Farley as they discuss this important topic

Fr. Thomas is joined by Phillip Stoffregen, who left his position as a Reformed pastor to embrace Orthodox Christianity, as they discuss Calvinism and Reformed Theology. How can Orthodox Christians effectively answer the five points of Calvinism? Is Orthodox Christianity biblical?

Fr. Thomas welcomes New Testament scholar Dr. Edith M Humphrey to discuss the Apocalypse in the Orthodox tradition. How do we interpret the book of Revelation and other scriptural apocalyptic writings? How do we understand the end of all things as Orthodox Christians? Due to technical issues this is a 20 min partial recording.

Fr. Thomas welcomes Fr. Justin and Matushka Tamara Patterson to talk about the challenges of catechizing new Orthodox Christians. How do we move beyond teaching mere doctrine to create an Orthodox worldview and a lasting faith?

Fr Thomas welcomes licensed therapist, Fr Paul Jannakos, to talk about Orthodox Christianity and the treatment of mental health. Is there anything good about modern psychotherapeutic methods?

Fr Thomas speaks with catechumens who are in the process of converting to the Orthodox Faith. What brought them to Orthodoxy? How is the process going? What has been most difficult about the journey? What can we learn from their stories?

On a special Thursday daytime edition of Ancient Faith Today, Fr. Thomas speaks with Yelena Popovic, director of Man of God, the movie about St. Nektarios of Aegina which will be playing in theaters across the United States on Monday, March 21, 2022

Fr. Thomas welcomes Fr. Seraphim Solof to discuss the relationship between the Church and the Old Testament. How do we understand the Ten Commandments and the Law? How can we answer those who are attracted to the burgeoning Hebrew Roots Movement?

Historian Fr. John Strickland, author of the Paradise and Utopia series of books, returns to continue his conversation with Fr. Thomas about the cultural aspects of the Great Schism and how Orthodox Christianity understands the West and its churches

Historian Fr John Strickland, author of the "Paradise and Utopia" series of books and podcast, joins Fr Thomas to speak about the cultural aspects of the Great Schism and how Orthodox Christianity understands the West and its churches.

Fr. Thomas welcomes Fr. Alexander Rentel, Assistant Professor of Canon Law at St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, to discuss the way converts are received into the Orthodox Church. What does ancient Church history teach us and how does it inform our current practices? Why are there varying practices within the Orthodox Church?

Fr. Thomas interviews Zachary Wingerd and Brad Hoff, authors of the new book Syria Crucified: Stories of Modern Martyrdom in an Ancient Christian Land as they discuss the plight of Syrian Christians in their war-torn homeland.

Priest and Licensed Counselor Fr. Paul Jannakos returns to Ancient Faith Today Live to speak with Fr. Tom about marriages in crisis and how, from an Orthodox Christian standpoint, couples can find healing and salvation in their relationship.

Fr Thomas speaks with Youth Directors Fr David Subu and Danielle Geeza about how to engage youth in the Church through meaningful relationships and experiences in order to grow their faithfulness in Christ

Fr. Thomas speaks with several former members of the Jehovah's Witnesses about their journey to the Orthodox Christian faith.

Fr. Thomas is joined by Kyra Limberakis and Michael Sider-Rose of the Orthodox Volunteer Corps which immerses young adults in a one-year program of service, formation, community, and church. The burgeoning OVC will provide a transformative experience to form Orthodox Christian young adult leaders.

Fr. Thomas broadcasts live from the joint meeting of the Holy Synod of Bishops and Metropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in America in Cleveland, OH, to discuss with the participants how the Church, bishops, clergy, and laity work together to make decisions and chart a path forward together in council.

Fr. Tom Soroka speaks with Fr. Justin Havens, priest at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, about his amazing ministry to members of the LDS community.

Fr. Thomas is joined by Dr. John Mark Reynolds of the St. Constantine School in Houston, TX, and Bishop Thomas (Joseph) Ed.D. as they discuss the growing interest in Classical Education for Orthodox Christian students and the vision for the St. Constantine School to expand to other cities across the United States.

Biblical scholar and author Dr. Edith Humphrey joins Fr. Tom as they discuss the role of imagination in the formation of faith. In the great tradition of myth, writers like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien have planted seeds of faith in millions of readers through fiction based in revelation. Dr. Humphrey introduces her new book Beyond the White Fence written for tweens and teens to encounter great heroes of the Faith

Fr. Thomas welcomes the authors and illustrator of the new 101 Orthodox Saints published by Ancient Faith.

Fr. Thomas is joined by Fr. Demetrios Harper, PhD, to discuss maintaining unity and truth in the Body of Christ during the divisive era of COVID. What are the theological, moral, and practical considerations for Orthodox clergy and laity as we continue to navigate a path forward?

Fr. Thomas is joined by Dr. Vladimir Morosan as they discuss the impact of the recently departed Fr. Sergei Glagolev, a prominent church musician and composer of Orthodox music. They will examine his pastoral and musical ministry, and play excerpts of his hymns which are outstanding examples of the living tradition of Orthodox music in our time.

Fr. Thomas speaks with scholar, author, and historian Dr. Russell Martin about the relationship between the Orthodox Church and monarchy. How did the church relate to the state under the sovereign rule of a monarch? What were the political and religious ramifications? How can Orthodox Christians in modern democracies understand this important part of our history?

Fr. Thomas interviews Dr. Cassandra Oehler, MD, an infectious disease specialist and an Orthodox Christian, about the coronavirus and the new vaccines aimed at eliminating it.

Fr Michael Carney joins Fr Thomas to discuss his recent pilgrimage to Ireland. Fr Michael walked in the places of the earliest Irish saints who were important Christian witnesses in the undivided Church. During the show Fr. Michael graciously offered a tri-fold printout of St. Patrick's Breastplate. If you would like it you may email him at villagepriest at gmail.com.

Fr. Thomas speaks with Sarah Brangwynne and Sasha Rose Oxford to discuss their new book, A Sacred Beginning: Nurturing Your Body, Mind, and Soul During Baby's First Forty Days, and how these crucial days after giving birth can become a time of refreshment, holiness, and growth.

Author and blogger Melissa Elizabeth Naasko joins Fr Thomas to talk about the Orthodox Christian practice of fasting and feasting. Why do we fast so much and how can we embrace the Orthodox way of eating with our busy lives?

Mission priest and media expert Fr. John Peck joins Fr. Thomas as they talk about the unprecedented number of seekers and conversions to the Orthodox Christian faith during the recent pandemic and how parishes can prepare themselves for the next wave of converts.

Fr. Thomas broadcasts live from the OCA's Diaconal Vocations Program Practicum in Santa Rosa, CA, to speak with program leaders and participants about serving God in the Church. Are you discerning a vocation to serve?

Fr. Thomas is joined by Fr. Gregory Hogg and Fr. Basil Biberdorf as they discuss their journey to Orthodox Christianity and answer objections to Orthodoxy by Lutheran apologists.