The old stuff was better

Fr Se Young & Fr Damick expound on what has been in the Scriptures all along. Some of my spiritual mentors would allide to these things but never to this depth. Nearly completing a minor in mythologies of the world I appreciate they are not afraid to discuss the overlap with Chrisitanity. Yet they also explain the differences. Its been a long while since I’ve felt this moved to dive back into scripture. Understanding has lead me to grow. Truly a blessing from “the” God! Do yourself a favor and listen. You won’t regret it.

I can not express in words how grateful I am to have found Orthodoxy, and this podcast helped me better understand the deeper things of biblical teachings. I find great beauty in the Orthodox Church in so many ways, and truly believe it is the best kept secret in American Christianity.

These 2 Farders know wut waz goin on in Brooklyn, NY all along! An excellent podcast; but not for the non-logically minded person. At first their levity may annoy you. But once you begin to understand the humor in the remarks they make, you may even catch yourself laughing out loud at times! If you’re hardcore “5 Solas” aka/or Calvinists…well all I can say is Blessings On Your Heads, if you dare to even listen. But as I see it as one who has been a Christian from way back during “The Jesus Movement” I must say listening to these Orthodox Priests has filled in many of the blanks that Evangelical voices seem to simply ignore. Actually, I have been heading towards the Orthodox Faith for some years now, but I am not able to do so as yet due to urgent home responsibilities.

First, if those half demon half giant fellows ever return, I vote for a wrestling match with Frs Steven and Andrew. Second, every time they talk about the pre-incarnate Christ, my skin tingles.

I work in law enforcement and often sense that there is a lot more going on than just what is physically before me. These two Fathers have helped me understand what I do not see, and how to pray for the area I protect. I am honored to fight evil with these two brothers, and bring God’s peace with his blessing. Thank you, Fathers, for your work!

I’m a Protestant truck driver. I love how long the podcast are and how it goes on with random topics. I find it a great way to spend time driving and it’s far more edifying than country music.

In the truest sense of the word, this podcast always gives me a lot to chew on but most importantly, functions like a bi-weekly check-up. As a recovering IFB who gave up all his hobbies to make his faith his only hobby (regrettably), this podcast is teaching me what it means to be human again and how I can become not only human again but more truly human than I ever was before. My former faith - being incredibly platonic and largely intellectual - has certainly followed me into Orthodoxy but this show - by being very intellectually stimulating- is doing a great job of reaching the intellectually overstimulated and motivating us to get our hands dirty in the real world of the Church. Thank POD Fathers for all your love and wisdom you pour into this show. Christ is in our midst!

This podcast has served as a spiritual revival for me and lead to numerous changes in how I live my life on a day to day basis. It has brought me closer to my church family and my immediate family.

I wanna learn more, but it’s hard to listen to these guys kinda dump on everyone who doesn’t think like they do. I keep tryin to listen to different episodes but it’s hard to hear the content when the snark and condescension is so loud.

Father Andrews short recap of how a person can learn to try to turn all bad things into blessings was inspirational. Thank you. I will try. Blaine

I am so blessed to have come upon this magnificent work of Fr. Damick and Fr. De Young. It is truly life changing. Thankful that this podcast has led me to the one Holy Church! Anyone Protestant or of no faith should give any episode a listen and let what they are speaking dwell in you. It will truly change you!

… over and over and over. I’ve been a Christian for a long time. I like to say that prior to joining the Orthodox Church, I considered myself to be Episcabapregationalyrian. I covered some ground in my faith walk. But these two priests have blown everything up — in a good way, a challenging way — again and again through these podcasts. Highly recommended, though maybe not for beginners.

Your show had me in the first 5 minutes of the episode. The show titles are evidence that your style is exactly what I am looking for. I can’t wait to binge listen!

1. Jonathan Pagueu brought me here. 2. I love the content … I think 🤔 3. I don’t understand a word you’re saying But I dig it. 4. I need a edited version because I have the attention span of a 7yr old. 5. I could never convert to the Orthodox Church because I don’t want to move to Eastern Europe, because I know you will want me to get a Visa to Lithuanian or Antioch or somewhere scary. 6. Did I mention I would like a half hour version of the show. 7. I was literally (I know you don’t like that word) baptized in the Jordan River … yes THE Jordan River so my baptism counts even though I’m a Evangelical. 8. You guys like Tolkien? Then we are friends. 9. I secretly watch Orthodox chants and singing in Youtube 10. I can’t visit and Orthodox Church because you have no pews. As an evangelical I’m used to being entertained as I sit and check my emails at church. Finally… keep up the good fight… I’m right with you.

This podcast has been such a gift on my journey to and within Orthodoxy. Fathers Andrew and Stephen have helped open my spiritual aperture, through which our Lord has helped me see more of Him. I pray God continues to bless these priests and their work.

What a mind boggling resource to contextualize the ancient world and our faith!

I have been following Fr.Stephen De Young ever since I have converted to orthodoxy from Protestantism. He is a wealth of knowledge! Fr.Andrew is awesome as well. Wether your protestant, Mormon, reformed, or whatever. This podcast is a must. It will rock your worldview and lead you to the true teachings of the true and ONLY Church of Christ! ☦️☦️📿

Really good content. Hard to listen to with so many “ums,” “rights,” and “huhs.”

This podcast feeds my mind and spirit, answering questions I have had for years and answering questions I didn't even realize I had. The PodFathers are witty, kind, knowledgeable and interesting. Top notch!

No podcast I have ever heard has spoken about or touched on this subject matter. If you are looking for a orthodox perspective on angels, demons, nephilium, the divine council, and much more by two priests-this is it. Things I heard as conspiracy theories that they discuss are actually orthodox theology. Judaic theology, ancient Hebrew and Greek, linguistic studies, early church practices…it’s all there.

••Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be a bat? • Well, don’t. ••Did you ever think about the possibility that time and space do not exist? • Now you have. •• Have you wanted to hear “right” in the context of every phrase? Do you want to hear of two men, giggling profusely all the time, making references to various musical genres, movie quote, in-jokes, historical humor, all while bashing 19th century German philosophers? • …What? Kidding aside, I now recommend this podcast to everyone I know. Though episodes are usually long—typically 1-2+ hours—the Christ glorifying content is rich, clarifying, and edifying. I will never be the same thanks to these two men and their faithful dedication to preaching and teaching the scriptures and revealing the Word so faithfully. The reifying of ancient thinking and pagan mythology in the context of Orthodoxy give the scriptures a more wholesome and concretized message as opposed to that presented by Protestantism—my home faith. Thank God for Ancient Faith, the Orthodox Church, and the carefully preserved traditions of the Church Fathers. …AND, thank you, Frs. Andrew and Stephen—you always brighten and enlighten my being.

Originally found this podcast by recommendation from a friend who knows I am deeply interested in folklore, supernatural mysteries, and of course giant legends. I also had been very curious about Orthodox views since I had never been exposed to the Orthodox faith in my life. I grew up Protestant but now I’m just a Christian. I have benefited immensely from Father Andrew and Father Stephen’s work, which they’ve graciously made available to us for free. They’re funny, wise, relatable, and never talk above the head of the layman. Five stars.

Thank you both for this content. This podcast has brought me some much-needed clarity.

This Podcast is worth the mental effort to track what these two Orthodox priests are saying. Each episode is a deep dive into some aspect of Ancient Jewish or Pagan beliefs and how these cast understanding onto New Testament teachings. I highly recommend this podcast!

I am learning new things and while I do not understand it all the time, I like it. Being. DCWV subscriber, this adds to it.

Life changing. A true blessing. Thank you Fathers.

Fathers Andrew and Stephen are fair to many points of view, bring in a depth of research, and do an excellent job applying the principles to real life, to parish life, to family life, to work, to politics, and to internal spirituality. I would recommend. The banter is also on point.

Has replaced my excessive news Watching and way more edifying! Very good, and every time I recommend this podcast- I apologize in advance for the fact I am usually introducing a very new and addictive and mind bending world to the new listener. One that I prays brings them closer to the true Christ and His Church.

I love the wisdom of the orthodox Christian church. I grew up protestant and didn’t realize how far off the rails Pentecostals had gone. As I grew up I realized things weren’t making sense. To find the wisdom in the Orthodox Church and know that a group of Christian’s kept the faith and all the information was like finding treasure. Every episode is full of faith growing tidbits. Highly, highly recommend.

So many podcasters these days, seems as though everyone wants to grow up to be one. Lord of Spirits is where I spend most of my listening time as it goes with my studies. Much of what I’ve learned of the Orthodox Faith in practice all of the topics discussed has brought a lot of clarity. Thank God for Fr Andrew and Fr Stephen!

I can’t wax poetic. It’s just GOOD. And well thought out. Worth every long episode. We’ve so desperately needed this podcast in the Church! The best bit? It’s accessible to those who aren’t Orthodox Christians. And no one is made to feel less then or ridiculous if they aren’t. This is coming from an Orthodox convert!

This is an enlightening and engaging podcast that challenges your understanding of the Bible. The last few minutes of every podcast are especially compelling.

Even though I’m a Protestant “friend” I’ve enjoyed so much how knowledgeable on the Bible these two pod fathers are. Their vast knowledge of obscure cultural references is also welcome.

The hosts of this show (the podfathers) have really outdone themselves! It’s as if they have been living their whole lives for this very time! A time when the trappings of religiosity, nationalism, materialism and fear-mongering have us by a death grip! Then, through the grace of God, the podfathers answer the call to pour their hearts and minds into sharing what we’ve all really been looking for — the One True Church that has preserved the Jewish roots of the first Christians! The Church of the East has preserved all the mysteries and they are wondrously explained in this enchanting podcast! I listened straight through all of the episodes and then started over!

A few years ago, I thought their was nothing left to learn about Christianity; spirituality, life, death, sin. Thanks to the podfathers, a curtain has been thrown back. My world got so much bigger! My faith so much stronger! Sayings like, “Death has been vanquished! Christ our God is risen from the dead!” used to be nice but not mean much. Now they cause my heart to flip and my soul to fly. I’m learning so much history, so much theology! My mind is alive! And there are just enough giggles and pop/nerd culture references to keep the deep talk fun and relatable. Glory to God for this delightful, inspiring podcast making my long commutes something to look forward to. Never have I felt more alive!

Hope this puts it over 1000, best show there is maybe apart from the symbolic world, but even there Pageau is like the forerunner of podcasts to this one. He may point the symbolic way, but this is after all the Lord of Spirits [podcast].

Thanks

Best podcast there out there

This radio program is not just a podcast but kind of a theological school to me. As an Orthodox Christian, I learn a lot from this educational discussion about my faith and also opens my eyes to the unseen world. I appreciate the hard work of Fr. De Young and Fr. Damick.

Thank you to you for putting this together. Never saw any of the bazillion connections you’re making even though (or maybe because?) I grew up in the Orthodox church - yet now I see so many easter eggs every time I read the Scripture. I enjoy the rabbit trails - if you need a synopsis, this ain’t your show and you should just move on. But like a good meal, some things are best absorbed slowly, and often with a repetition or two. The shows are good company with a great a balance of history, humor, spiciness and solid theology that make my commutes super enjoyable.

This show changed my life forever. I can’t go back.

Way back in the beginning, Fr. De Young was a guest on the Amon Sul podcast. He mentioned in passing that the “unclean spirits” Jesus casts out frequently in the gospels were seen by 2nd temple Judeans as the ghosts of the nephalem, the human-demonic hybrids of Genesis 6. (Hybrids, hence their name “unclean”). These creatures even bore a resemblance to the ring wraiths of LOTR. It was at that moment I realized that even though I was steeped in the Bible from a young age, I didn’t know anything about how ancient people would have read it. I needed so much more! I’ve listened to every episode since that time. Thanks be to God that his presbyters became podcasters!

I enjoy how this podcast will go into great depth on things that don’t have a lot of time spent on them usually. Fr. Stephen has an immense amount of knowledge about the Old Testament and the Second Temple period specifically, which is really where the podcast is most interesting. My only complaints are that since it’s a live show, it’s not super polished. A lot of time is spent joking around with references I don’t get (and most won’t get) unless you are either super educated in the theology that Fr. Stephen disagrees with, or really into obscure 80’s television and movies. As a Protestant, I don’t find the hosts to be uncharitable towards other viewpoints. I think they’re quite fair and respectful. However, as with most Orthodox podcasters, they are converts from Protestantism, and naturally tend to over-generalize and speak somewhat condescendingly of the type of Protestantism that they likely turned off from.

Look, you don’t know what it’s like to be a bat. You don’t know what it’s like to be Batman. You don’t even know what it’s like to be Alfred Pennyworth. So you definitely don’t know what it’s like to be an angel or God or any other heavenly power. Also there’s a connection between giants and Nuremberg. God has a body, Jesus camped out with Israel in the OT, and somehow System of a Down, Joni Mitchell, and Bart Erhman are referenced. I hear there’s a playlist, shirts for sale, and a conference. Right? Ugaritic scholarships. …..No….. It’s just neat. Guaranteed to make you the weirdest person in your Bible study. 5 stars. Just enough giggling.

As a Protestant, love to hear how our Orthodox brothers handle Scripture and some of our common Tradition. Love the chemistry and charity of the two Fathers. Small gripe: repetition of “Right?” and “Um/Uh” by one of the Fathers.

Very interesting information. I look forward to every new episode. Well done!

This in-depth podcast has provided explanations, definitions and details about God, His Word, and our understanding/interpretations that have taken my personal journey to an entirely different level! I listen and have mind-blowing experiences that have allowed me to grow in my faith. This podcast is not just for those of the Orthodox faith. We all have so much to learn and the Podfathers have certainly helped to open my mind.

These guys are intelligent, kind and have a great bro chemistry. It has helped me read the Bible more, especially the Old Testament. I am Protestant but have diving into Ancient Faith Radio podcasts for 5 years. Thea guys and the Symbolic World and Saint of the Day are my favorite.

The chemistry between both of the fathers makes talking about tough subjects, very light hearted, but at the same time so eye opening. I’ve grown so much in my faith through listening to this podcast. And I would recommend this podcast, even to those who are not orthodox!