The Illumined Heart

Jake Lee, podcaster of Generation Orthodox and Journeys to Orthodoxy (OCN), spent Holy Week and Bright Week with his wife and baby daughter (and Mom) in a small village in Cyprus to experience Paschal life in an Orthodox culture, steeped in Orthodox history and tradition. He and Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen talk about the experience and what he learned.

This is one of the most perplexing questions for all Christians. In this episode of The Illumined Heart, host Kevin Allen engages author and theologian Dr. Jerry Sittser, author of the book "When God Doesn't Answer Your Prayer", in an honest conversation about this often ignored question. His answers are not academic or simply formulaic and come from the deep and hard places.

Anthony Alai, ex-Evangelical apologist, minister and convert from Islam discusses his ministry to Muslims and the journey that led him from Evangelicalism to the door of the ancient Eastern Orthodox Church (Antiochian) in this fascinating and inspiring conclusion.

Anthony Alai, an ex-Shia Muslim discusses his profound discovery of and conversion to Christ as a teenager, against everything he was taught to believe, in this edition of The Illumined Heart. This is an amazing and inspiring story!

Kevin talks with ex-CEC priest—and former Evangelical—Fr. Mark Wallace about his journey (along with his wife Susan) to the Eastern Orthodox Church through the Western Rite. Fr Mark's mission is Saint Andrew, the First Called Antiochian Orthodox Church, in Oklahoma City.

Kevin concludes his discussion with George C. Michalopulos.

In June 2009 leaders of all autocephalous Orthodox Churches - excluding the OCA or any representatives from North America - meet in Cyprus or Geneva (undetermined at the date of this posting), at a meeting convened by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholemew I. This meeting is being called to discuss "the so-called Orthodox Diaspora, with a view to overcoming every possible influence that is foreign to Orthodox ecclesiology." The American Orthodox situation and its disunity is at the top of the agenda. In this edition of The Illumined Heart, host Kevin Allen and author George C. Michalopulos discuss this meeting, the history and state of Orthodoxy in North America and possible outcomes of this potentially pivotal convocation.

Join host Kevin Allen as he speaks with Rev. Fr Steven Tsichlis, pastor of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, Irvine, CA, and parishioner Alex Gorbenko about their parish's commitment to build a church (and more) in a small rural village called Kobunshwi in Tanzania, Africa.

Listen to the journey of former Anglican priest and early pioneer of the Charismatic Renewal in the United Kingdom to Orthodox Christianity. Fr Michael Harper is the Dean of the Antiochian Deanery of United Kingdom and Ireland, the pastor of St Botolph Antiochian Orthodox Church in London, and author of 18 books, including "A Faith Fulfilled."

Writer, attorney, and college professor Chris Banescu discusses the economic, moral and spiritual issues surrounding the "capitalist" economic model and whether it serves the best interests of Christians living the life of the Beatitudes.