Everyday Orthodox

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.

John Maddex was the founder and CEO of Ancient Faith Ministries, and then he stepped down -- but what has he been up to since then? We'll catch up on how retirement is going and what John plans next.

To celebrate our 200th episode, we welcome special guest, Helena Bjeletich, who will interview her mom, Elissa Bjeletich Davis!

After 20 years serving the police department, Lt. Raphael Barberg retired and became an Orthodox priest! He works with IOCC to minister when catastrophes occur (9/11, mass shootings, natural disasters, etc.), and serves at St. George in Niagara Falls, NY.