Ancient Faith Presents

In breaking news, Kevin Allen speaks with Samuel Noble who edits the Arab Orthodoxy blog site and who is an expert on Arab Orthodox matters, regarding reports that the kidnapped nuns of Maaloula and St. Thekla Monastery have been freed. The situation is very fluid but confirmation has been received of their release.

As we continue to follow the news in Ukraine, Ancient Faith Radio is committed to bring you a balanced perspective on the events and implications for the Orthodox Church. Today, Kevin Allen is speaking with Ukrainian expert and Orthodox Christian Mr James Jatras. Mr Jatras is a former US diplomat, US Senate staffer, and a member of the American Institute of Ukraine.

AFR's Kevin Allen interviews His Eminence Metropolitan ANTONY, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the US. Learn about the issues surrounding the violent protests in the country and what is at stake as well as the role of the Orthodox Church in creating peace and moving forward.

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 Ortho...

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 Cat...