Everyday Orthodox

Meet Esteban Picornell! He's an Orthodox Christian, born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After first encountering Orthodox Christianity during the years when he lived in the greater Boston area, he returned to San Juan, where he spends his days between church (he likes to chant) at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Juan and work, workouts, neighbors, and family

Born and raised in the former Yugoslavia, Fr. Serafim moved to America in 1995 because of the war. At the monasteries in Ocala, FL, he met Elder Ephraim and realized his won monastic calling. After attending Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, he became a hieromonk in 2008 at the New Gracanica Monastery in Illinois, where he still lives. Join Elissa as she visit with Fr. Serafim about his journey.

Fr. George was a reconstructive dentist, but reinvented himself after 28 years, retiring and earning a PhD in Orthodox Theology and History. Ordained as a deacon in 2003, he became an advocate for people living with developmental disabilities, and then, after his retirement, was finally ordained a priest. Fr. George and Presbytera Ria have been married for over fifty years, have two grown, married children and five grand children. They enjoy traveling, cooking, entertaining and the arts

Natalie is a wife and new mother who has worked as a dog bather, a mad scientist, and even put in some time in the morgue. Now she works as a fiber artist specializing in faith-based design as she strives to center her life on Chris

Daniel Girgis is a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church, born and raised in New York City. He is a tonsured reader and chanter who received his Master of Arts in theology from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in 2021. Prior to his time in seminary, Daniel also received his Bachelor of Science in biology from Long Island University, and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from SUNY University at Buffalo. In addition to his career, Daniel focuses on the integration of the oral transmission of Coptic chant and the analysis of liturgical manuscripts in order to not only preserve Coptic heritage, but to encourage Coptic faithful to reconnect and embody their tradition

Matt is a husband and father of two, and the principal of a Christian school in Austin, TX. He has an MA in Biblical Studies from Trinity School for Ministry (in Ambridge, PA) and is currently completing EdD in Educational Leadership at Concordia University in Texas. Matt was recently elected to the parish council at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Austin and recently sold his home in the suburbs north of Austin to buy a log cabin on a 4.5 acre property next to one of Elder Ephraim's monasteries--Holy Archangels--in Kendalia.

On January 16, we'll be live with Dr. Patricia Bouteneff! She discovered Orthodoxy as a Fulbright Scholar in Greece, and is both a folklore scholar and a strategic communications professional. She is the President of the Executive Board of Axia Women, a 501(c)3 organization by, for and about Orthodox Women

Michael Sider-Rose has been working for years in faith-based, off-campus experiential learning programs for youth, combining classes, internships and urban immersion. Now he's taking on a new project called the Orthodox Volunteer Corps. Listen in as Elissa talks with him about this innovative and important effort

Meet Susan Habegger! After living and working throughout Africa and Asia, she developed a humanitarian nonprofit, Thrive Life Skills, which speaks to the vision of discovering a courageous and peaceful way forward as related to our spiritual, emotional, and work life. One particular course, Moving Forward From Trauma, became an uninvited assignment of focus through events in her own life, but has opened the door to mission around the world.

Catch up with Jamey Bennett! We last spoke with Jamey in 2019, and since then he's married and had his first child! Jamey is the associate editor of the Orthodoxy & Heterodoxy blog, and a purveyor of arts with Royal Ruckus, whose albums you'll find on band camp.