Everyday Orthodox

Zachary Porcu is a professor of history and theology and a catechist. His is the author of Journey to Reality. He earned his PhD in church history from the Catholic University of America and holds degrees in philosophy, classics, and interdisciplinary humanities.

A mother, writer, and teacher of college students and preschoolers, Laura received her Ph. D. from Harvard, earned tenure, published her first academic book, and then left to homeschool her children. She's working to set up Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in her parish.

Aleksandr Jovic just made his directorial debut with the documentary, Beyond the Peak. He has spent years in Hollywood, working in various roles in both production and post-production. Get to know Aleksandr, and learn about his lenten documentary!

Kristi grew up with a Yiayia who truly lived the faith. In one of the hardest experiences of Kristi’s life, she was diagnosed with MS and Lyme. She relied on prayer, like Yiayia, and this struggle led to her true calling - author and illustrator of Orthodox children’s books!

Evan and his wife discovered Orthodoxy in 2008 and soon established Otherworldly Productions, a video production company specializing in quirky commercials (Adidas, Clif Bar). Now, they're focused on Facing Phantoms, a feature-length documentary on the beauty of Orthodoxy.

With years of experience in prison ministry, Fr. Michael Pejovic serves as a Prison Relationship Manager for OCPM, responding to the spiritual needs of prisoners and supporting the community surrounding them. Serbian-American, he serves as an OCA priest in New Jersey.

Fr. Nick specializes in negotiation, diplomacy, peacemaking, and change leadership. He has used those gifts in service to the GOA, the Patriarch of Constantinople, the Assembly of Bishops, and the UN––and now he's part of the effort to translate the Divine Liturgy into ASL.

Artist Emanuel Burke found Orthodoxy through icons. His art, rooted in Orthodox tradition, portrays saints in fresh ways, exploring the boundaries of light and dark, life and death, and sketching out the path of salvation. He and his wife, Yam, have 3 young children.

You know Jonathan Jackson from General Hospital, Tuck Everlasting and Nashville -- but now get to know him as a fellow Orthodox Christian. We'll talk about his faith, his role in the upcoming film, Unsung Hero, and his new album, The Harrowing of Hell.

Richard Ramsey co-wrote and co-directed the feature film, Unsung Hero. He and his brother, John, make comedic short films which have been featured in numerous film festivals. Richard and his wife live in Nashville and have five children (all named after Beatles songs).

Fr. John Kowalczyk serves as chaplain at S.C.I. Waymart’s Forensic Treatment Center. He is an executive member of the board of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), and advocates for prison inmates in need of Christ and pastoral care.

Michael is a husband and father of three, a parish council president, the son of an Orthodox priest, and the President of The Antiochian Men. We'll hear his story and learn why and how he founded this impressive new group.

Eleanor is a delightful woman whose deep faith has carried her through tragedy, including the loss of her sweet son. A wife and mother, she works in the banking industry and has taught Sunday School, sung in the choir, and baked prosphora.

Pres. Melanie and her husband, Fr. Joseph, have one son, Michael Seraphim, whose special needs greatly impact his health and independence. She works to encourage families who face similar challenges and to dispel cultural stigmas associated with disabilities.

Fr. Eugen is the author of Church Ministries on a Shoestring Budget, a subject he knows well, having established mission churches in Pittsburgh, PA, and Columbus, OH. A husband and father, he has been a priest for 32 years, and speaks on Pastoral Theology and other topics.

Michael Witcoff is one of Elissa's AHOS classmates. He grew up Jewish, and then became a Freemason, before converting to Orthodox Christianity. His book ‘On The Masons And Their Lies’ was written to help communicate the fraternity’s incompatibility with Christianity.

Marie is cradle Orthodox from the coal region of Pennsylvania. She married her best friend and they have three adult children. She is outgoing and fun, and works as a Medical Assistant. Her family was always active in the Church, laying a firm foundation for her.

Katherine is a wonderful author, and has been an editor at Ancient Faith since 1993. She has written several children's books, as well as the Crime with the Classics series of traditional mysteries for adults. She and her husband have recently moved to the Pacific Northwest.

Christopher is a figurative artist working primarily in a type of Biblical Narrative. He has a degree in Drawing and Painting from Biola University and has been a work-from-home artist and homeschooler. He and his wife lead the Burial Society ministry at their parish

Fr. Patrick is Elissa's Liturgical Theology professor at AHOS, and author of Come, Let Us Worship. Though he grew up Protestant in New Jersey, he spent most of his life as an Orthodox priest on the West Coast.

For 22 years, Jimmy (Santiago) Garcia has worked as Operations Coordinator, Director and Child Care Administrator at a long-term residential program for at-risk teens. A convert to Orthodoxy and church school teacher, he and his wife, Veronica, are raising two grandkids.

Kh. Kelleylynn is a gifted photographer and the administrator at St. Athanasius Academy. She is the mother of five and wife to Fr. Raphael in New York state. Funny and soulful, Kelleylynn loves deeply and is an engaging and compassionate woman you'll enjoy getting to know.

Dr. Pano Kanelos is the Founding President of the University of Austin. He previously served as President of St. John’s College, Annapolis. Pano is a Shakespeare scholar, a husband and father, and an active member of his Greek Orthodox parish in Austin, Texas.

Drew Chancey is the author of Goodnight, Child of God, and writes a semi-monthly poetry newsletter. Drew and his wife Brittney, along with their four children, live in Tulsa, and attend Holy Apostles Orthodox Church where Drew sings in the men's choir.

Simon is a soil science graduate student as well as a husband and a new father. In addition to studying and helping his wife with the baby he also works with Ancient Faith on live-streaming shows on YouTube.