Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy

What happens whena devoted Greek Orthodox girl realises she never actually knew Jesuspersonally?   In this powerfultestimony, Anastasia shares her journey from fasting, guilt, and trying to “tipthe scales” in her favour… to discovering the freedom of grace, the assuranceof salvation, and a real relationship with Jesus.   Growing up in atraditional Greek Orthodox home, Anastasia believed salvation...

What is theosis? Does Orthodoxyteach “man becomes God”? Is Jesus’ deathmore than a defeat of death? Why doesrepentance matter if Christ forgave all sins? Should Orthodoxchurches ever charge for baptisms or membership?   In Part 2 of ourconversation, Father Thomas Soroka gives one of the clearest explanationsonline of theosis, union with God, Christ’s atoning work, repentance, and finaljudgment—whi...

What does theOrthodox Church actually teach about salvation, judgment, theosis, repentance,and what God wants from humanity?   In this in‑depth interview, Father Thomas Soroka(Ancient Faith podcaster and priest of St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Pittsburgh)gives one of the clearest explanations available online.   We explore:   • Theosis — “Godbecame man so that man might become god” (what it really...

Should churchescharge for baptism, weddings, funerals, or membership? This video tackles oneof the most controversial questions circulating online: why some Orthodoxparishes post prices for sacraments or require financial membership dues—andwhether this practice is compatible with Orthodox theology.   In this candidand pastoral response, Orthodox priest Father Thomas Soroka explains why theChurch...

Why is “grace” sohard to grasp in many Orthodox contexts—and how can Protestants share thegospel clearly without talking past people?   In this episodeof Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy, John Diacos speaks with Graeme Innes(Crosslinks missionary in Moldova) about evangelism to those from Orthodoxbackgrounds—especially where “folk Orthodoxy” (tradition + superstition + fear)shapes everyday belief.  ...

Sebastian grew upin a committed Southern Baptist family, surrounded by ministry, missions, andScripture. But after a family crisis, military service, and deep spiritualsearching, he began asking whether something essential was missing. His journeyled him through grief, Bible college, hermeneutics, andeventually—unexpectedly—to the doors of an Orthodox parish.   In thisinterview, Sebastian shares h...

What happens whensomeone is prosecuted for “proselytism” in Greece—simply for giving a teenagera Bible? In this conversation with Zac, we unpack the story behind CostasMacris, the backlash it triggered, and what it reveals about Orthodoxy,culture, authority, and the Gospel.    Zac also shares his story of growing up GreekOrthodox, discovering the Bible for himself, and learning how to communicatet...

If you’ve everwondered what “salvation” feels like inside Eastern Orthodoxy—and why so manylive with uncertainty—this episode is a raw, practical testimony.   In thisconversation, John Diacos interviews Zac, who was raised Greek Orthodox anddescribes a view of salvation that often looked like: “be a good person… andhope for the best.”   He also explainshow God felt distant and remote, and how cult...

Cyril Lucaris —Patriarch of Constantinople, champion of Scripture, and the most controversialfigure in Eastern Orthodoxy — openly embraced Reformed theology, defended theauthority of the Bible over the Church, and paid for it with his life.   In this in‑depth conversation with Pastor Jason Wallace,we explore:   • Why GeorgesFlorovsky admitted Lucaris really was Calvinist • How theOrthodox Church c...

How can sinfulpeople stand before a holy God?   This videoexplores one of the most important truths in Christianity: Jesus Christ as ourGreat High Priest, the one mediator who gives us bold access to God. Drawingfrom Isaiah’s vision, the Temple system, and the book of Hebrews, we unpack whyno human priest, sacrifice, or ritual can bridge the gap between God’s holinessand our sin — and why Christ a...

Did an OrthodoxPatriarch really embrace Reformed (Calvinist) theology?   In this episodeof Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy, John Diacos interviews Pastor Jason Wallace(Ancient Paths TV) to investigate one of the most explosive questions inOrthodox–Protestant history: Was Cyril Lucaris (Archbishop/Patriarch ofConstantinople) a Calvinist, a reformer, or fully Orthodox—yet later reframedas an “Orthodo...

What does the OldTestament sacrificial system have to do with Jesus’ death — and why does itmatter for your salvation today? In this episode of Certainty for Life, weexplore how the entire temple system, the priests, the sacrifices, and even theday of atonement itself were designed as a shadow pointing to the once‑for‑allsacrifice of Christ.   You’ll see why:   • The blood ofbulls and goats could...

What does itreally mean to grow up Macedonian Orthodox—and why can embracing the gospel ofJesus Christ feel like abandoning your family, culture, and identity?   In thiscompelling episode of Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy, Sash shares his deeplypersonal journey from cultural Orthodoxy to a living, saving faith in JesusChrist. Raised in a Macedonian Orthodox household in Australia, Sash opens upabo...

Why did Jesus have to die?    This Easter message walks through the most important question in Christianity — yet one that many of us fail to ask.   Drawing directly from Scripture and the historic teaching of the Church, this video explains why Christ’s death was necessary, why He chose it, and how His sacrifice brings forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life.   We explore themes foundationa...

One of the goalsof this podcast is to increase our understanding Eastern Orthodoxy. What betterthan to hear it from someone who has chosen to convert.   In this episodewe hear Gamy’s story of conversion from a Charismatic background into EasternOrthodoxy—and the questions that shaped the process: church authority, how toread Scripture with history in mind, and embracing the “phronema” (Orthodoxmin...

Once again JohnDiacos and Mark Gilbert discuss some of the differences between EasternOrthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.   What do RomanCatholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestant Christianity really teach aboutsin, salvation, and assurance of heaven? In this in‑depth theological conversation, we explorethe core differences between Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant beliefs—goingfar beyond surfac...

See part 1 athttps://youtu.be/c9ZMTieKbXM   What does EasternOrthodoxy (and Coptic / Oriental Orthodoxy) actually teach about salvation, thecross, and the gospel?   Part 2 of this in‑depth conversation, Pastor Samuel Farag, aformer Coptic Orthodox Christian, joins Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy toexplain why Orthodox theology ultimately misses the heart of the gospel—and howits distinctive phronem...

Should Christians trust the Church Fathers, Holy Tradition,and apostolic succession—or is Scripture the final authority? In this episode we test tradition the way Jesus did (Matthew 15), and we ask a hard question:how do we know we still have the original apostolic gospel?   We’ll look at why the early Church Fathers matter (includingIrenaeus), why historical doctrines often disagree, what apostol...

What does EasternOrthodoxy really teach, and how does it compare with the biblical gospel? In this powerfuland eye‑openinginterview, Pastor Samuel Farag, a former Coptic Orthodox insider turnedReformed Baptist pastor, shares his personal testimony and explains why EasternOrthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy teach a fundamentally different gospel.   Having spent hisfirst 32 years within the Coptic Orth...

What’s thedifference between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy—and does it actuallymatter?   In this episode,Mark Gilbert and John Diacos unpack the real theological divide betweenCatholicism and Orthodoxy—going beyond surface-level similarities to exploredeep differences in authority, salvation, communion, and the nature of theChurch.   If you’ve everwondered: -Are Catholicsand Orthodox bas...

Eastern Orthodox salvation is often described as a journeytoward theosis (deification)—but how does that compare with the Biblicalgospel of justification by faith?   In this conversation, John Diacos sits down with Panagiotis Kantartzis (First Greek Evangelical Church, Athens) to unpack the Orthodox “wayof salvation,” the image vs likeness distinction, ancestral sin vs original sin, and the crucia...

A bonus episode from Certainty for Life with John Diacos. In Jesus’ story of the two sons, the younger son tries a transactional “repentance” to earn his way back—yet discovers forgiveness can’t be bought or worked for. The father runs, embraces, and restores him as a son—without repayment—revealing mercy, costly love, and true reconciliation. The older brother exposes a second “lostness”: rule‑ke...

What happens whenfaith, culture, and tradition collide with the gospel of grace?   In thiscompelling episode of Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy, Spero Katos shares hisremarkable journey from growing up Greek Orthodox in Melbourne to becoming alifelong evangelical Christian and passionate evangelist among Greekcommunities in Australia.   Raised in atraditional Orthodox household, Spiro reflects hone...

In this video, we explore Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son and uncover its deeper meaning: sin as ingratitude toward a generous and loving Father. Drawing from Scripture, theology, and the wisdom of the early Church, this teaching explains how our desire for independence from God lies at the heart of humanity’s broken relationship with Him. In this video, you’ll discover: Why Jesus’ story of the...

In this video, we explore Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son and uncover its deeper meaning: sin as ingratitude toward a generous and loving Father. Drawing from Scripture, theology, and the wisdom of the early Church, this teaching explains how our desire for independence from God lies at the heart of humanity’s broken relationship with Him. In this video, you’ll discover: Why Jesus’ story of the...