In a Certain Kingdom

After Ilya Muromets was healed by the three wanderers, they warned him against ever picking a fight with several famous fellow-warriors. One of those was Volga Vseslav'evich, renowned for his strength, but even more for his cunning. This is his story, a tale filled with deep magic, deeds of renown, and the triumph of virtue over power.

In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas reads a short essay by Ivan Ilyin about the failures of modern culture, and how a renewed attention to a life of the heart that warms the soul and spirit may be the only way out of our current difficulties. Luckily, it also may be the best way to begin anew the joyful process of cultivating our own selves.

Ilya Muromets comes home after his harrowing encounter with Svyatogor in the mountains. After receiving a blessing from his parents, he goes out into the world for the first time. Immediately, he saves a city from an army, to the acclaim of everyone. But a sinister force lies between him and Kiev, the capital city of Rus.

In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas discusses the need for a new heroic paradigm in stories for our time. Perhaps neither Tolkien nor George R R Martin can provide us with the heroes we need now. It's time to look to a different, and maybe unexpected, source for heroism.

Ilya Muromets, fresh from his healing at the hands of the mysterious wanderers, goes to Krasnoiar the great smith to receive his first set of arms and armor. But no matter how much Krasnoiar tries, he's unable to make Ilya a sword.

So Ilya travels into the holy mountains to encounter Svyatogor, the giant warrior. But is this giant warrior any different from the monster Kalivan? During a fateful encounter with a strange magical object, Ilya comes face to face with a terrifying truth about what it means to be a warrior in the first place.

A peasant couple, though happily married, have a hidden grief. They haven't been given any children. So when their first son is finally born, they expect great things from him. But what they get instead is a cripple, a child unable to walk or do anything for himself. So how did this sickly child become the greatest legendary warrior old Russia has ever known?

In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas does a deep examination of the idea that Christ used stories as the primary vehicle for transmitting his teaching. In doing so, he reveals some comforting truths about the nature of fairy tales and storytelling in general.

Nicholas Kotar presents a teaser for the new season In a Certain Kingdom, which will begin on Thursday, May 6.

This classic, which was written down in verse by Alexander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet, is a cautionary tale about the danger of desiring too much. No villains or heroes in this one, just some unexpected magic from a talking fish... and the surprising lengths to which some people will go when given a bit of power. Perhaps, in a way, this is a perfect story for election season. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar reads a short essay from Ivan Ilyin on the necessity for everyone, in times of crisis, not to search for answers outside, but to begin the hard work of inner transformation. It is a consoling, but challenging, message that transcends partisan lines, and reminds us of what's really important, and how we can begin to effect real change in our world, even today.

This classic, which was written down in verse by Alexander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet, is a cautionary tale about the danger of desiring too much. No villains or heroes in this one, just some unexpected magic from a talking fish... and the surprising lengths to which some people will go when given a bit of power. Perhaps, in a way, this is a perfect story for election season.

In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar reads a short essay from Ivan Ilyin on the necessity for everyone, in times of crisis, not to search for answers outside, but to begin the hard work of inner transformation. It is a consoling, but challenging, message that transcends partisan lines, and reminds us of what's really important, and how we can begin to effect real change in our world, even today.

A prince marries a princess. Yes, that's actually the beginning of this story! But he has to go away on a long journey. As though he could tell that terrible things would happen, he warned his new wife never to leave her room. But there couldn't be anything wrong about walking in the garden, could there? Especially with this wonderful new friend of hers who appeared out of nowhere? Of course not! Except, it turns out her best friend is actually a witch, and she wants to marry the prince herself!

Instead of an analysis section, today Nicholas Kotar answers listener questions about the podcast. Among them, he talks about the very Slavic elements of living and dead water and the role of repetitive imagery and word choice. Also, he finally divulges the greatest secret of all... Who is Baba Yaga?

Two orphans wander the wide world. At every turn, danger lurks. But little Ivanushka just can't get over his thirst! In spite of his sister's warning, he drinks the water... and turns into a goat. But that seeming tragedy sets into motion a series of events that will lead to the ultimate happily ever after.

In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar discusses why this seemingly depressing and dark story is actually the most Christian of them all. Goats, magic water, and evil witches... are you serious? What's Christian about any of that? For the first time this season, Kotar does a deep dive analysis of the story's symbolic structure, revealing a beautiful secret at the heart of this beautiful fairy tale.

A merchant has three daughters, whom he loves dearly. Before leaving on a long journey, he offers them to choose any gift they desire, and he promises to give it to them. But the third daughter asks the impossible: the most beautiful red flower in the world.

The merchant searches and searches, but can't find it—until, by accident, he happens upon a magical castle with the most beautiful gardens he has ever seen. And what should he see in the garden, but the most beautiful red flower in the world! But then, he picks it, and all hell breaks loose. You may think you know the story of the beauty and the beast, but you probably haven't heard the Russian version yet.

In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar examines our ideas of beauty and ugliness. Are these concepts intrinsic and objective, or do they depend on personal expression? And what happens when a real life beast-lookalike insists that he should be allowed to teach kindergarten?