Everyday Orthodox

Kenny is the Executive Director of FOCUS North America, an Orthodox non-profit that brings Orthodox faithful together to serve the needs of their most vulnerable neighbors across the United States, including food, clothing, occupation, and shelter needs. A native of Charleston, West Virginia, and a social worker by education, Kenny’s career has afforded opportunities to serve on the front lines of homeless outreach/advocacy/services, as well as international Orthodox missions before coming to FOCUS in 2017. He was Chrismated into the Orthodox Church on Holy Saturday, 1997, at Holy Spirit Antiochian Orthodox Church in Huntington, West Virginia.

Elissa is live with the delightful Greek-Canadian priest, Fr. Ted Paraskevopoulos of FrTED Talks and iSermon. Father's specialty is the re-catechism of those of us who are born Orthodox, but who haven't really understood the faith. He's an excellent priest, and a lot of fun too.

Elissa is live with the delightful Greek-Canadian priest, Fr. Ted Paraskevopoulos of FrTED Talks and iSermon. Father's specialty is the re-catechism of those of us who are born Orthodox, but who haven't really understood the faith. He's an excellent priest, and a lot of fun too.

Ginny grew up in the Philippines with her missionary parents, making her a TCK (Third Culture Kid). She has been an editor, writer, project manager, and occasional podcaster for more years than she cares to admit. Twenty-six years ago, her family was chrismated into the Orthodox Christian faith, and shortly afterwards she edited the book Our Heart's True Home: Fourteen Warm Inspiring Stories of Women Discovering the Ancient Christian Faith. From 9-5, she is the editor of Antiochian.org and works for St. Vladimir's Seminary's Advancement team. She also serves on the advisory boards of Classical Learning Resource Center (CLRC) and Orthodox Christians for Life (OCLife).

Roberta Sardell grew up Presbyterian in Boise, Idaho, but when she married a Californian she found herself on the West Coast. Roberta has been very active in her parishes, teaching Sunday School and helping to establish a few missions -- and even going on eight OCMC mission trips!

Roberta Sardell grew up Presbyterian in Boise, Idaho, but when she married a Californian she found herself on the West Coast. Roberta has been very active in her parishes, teaching Sunday School and helping to establish a few missions -- and even going on eight OCMC mission trips!

Maria Silva is the daughter of Fr. Gregory and Pres. Lisa Koo, the priest and presvytera at the Life-Giving Spring Monastery in Dunlap, CA. After college, she spent three months working at the Orthodox orphanage mission in Kolkata, India, run by Sr. Nektaria Paradisi. Inspired by Sister's incredible work, she and a handful of volunteers created a nonprofit organization called Fili, Inc. to support the Indian mission as well as other worthy humanitarian causes. Maria and her husband were chanters and youth leaders at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, but three years ago, they made the decision to leave the bustling San Francisco Bay Area to raise their four girls close to the monastery in the countryside. At their home, Silver Goose Family Farms, they have a collection of pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, guineas, dogs and cats, and a milk cow named Cookie. Maria homeschools her children with the help and encouragement from the neighboring Orthodox community who also does the same. She also writes children's books: Katherine and the Monastery and Katherine and the Desert Monastery chronicle the experience of visiting the Life-Giving Spring Monastery and St. Anthony Monastery in Arizona through the eyes of children. She is working on several more books whenever there is a moment between animals, children, and the rest of the farm!

Maria Silva is the daughter of Fr. Gregory and Pres. Lisa Koo, the priest and presvytera at the Life-Giving Spring Monastery in Dunlap, CA. After college, she spent three months working at the Orthodox orphanage mission in Kolkata, India, run by Sr. Nektaria Paradisi. Inspired by Sister's incredible work, she and a handful of volunteers created a nonprofit organization called Fili, Inc. to support the Indian mission as well as other worthy humanitarian causes. Maria and her husband were chanters and youth leaders at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, but three years ago, they made the decision to leave the bustling San Francisco Bay Area to raise their four girls close to the monastery in the countryside. At their home, Silver Goose Family Farms, they have a collection of pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, guineas, dogs and cats, and a milk cow named Cookie. Maria homeschools her children with the help and encouragement from the neighboring Orthodox community who also does the same. She also writes children's books: Katherine and the Monastery and Katherine and the Desert Monastery chronicle the experience of visiting the Life-Giving Spring Monastery and St. Anthony Monastery in Arizona through the eyes of children. She is working on several more books whenever there is a moment between animals, children, and the rest of the farm!

Ginny grew up in the Philippines with her missionary parents, making her a TCK (Third Culture Kid). She has been an editor, writer, project manager, and occasional podcaster for more years than she cares to admit. Twenty-six years ago, her family was chrismated into the Orthodox Christian faith, and shortly afterwards she edited the book Our Heart's True Home: Fourteen Warm Inspiring Stories of Women Discovering the Ancient Christian Faith. From 9-5, she is the editor of Antiochian.org and works for St. Vladimir's Seminary's Advancement team. She also serves on the advisory boards of Classical Learning Resource Center (CLRC) and Orthodox Christians for Life (OCLife).

Justin Bosl planned to become a Catholic priest, but God had something else in store for him. Find out all about his wife, Annemarie, and their journey to Orthodoxy! Now they have four kids, and Justin is a partner at an Oakland, California, law firm who chants and teaches adult religious education. He just finished the Diaconate program at Holy Cross Seminary, and may be ordained a deacon one day soon! Very active both in his parish and the larger Orthodox Church, Justin serves on the Board of FOCUS North America, and St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center.

Justin Bosl planned to become a Catholic priest, but God had something else in store for him. Find out all about his wife, Annemarie, and their journey to Orthodoxy! Now they have four kids, and Justin is a partner at an Oakland, California, law firm who chants and teaches adult religious education. He just finished the Diaconate program at Holy Cross Seminary, and may be ordained a deacon one day soon! Very active both in his parish and the larger Orthodox Church, Justin serves on the Board of FOCUS North America, and St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center.

Elissa Bjeletich talks with Lisa Rigisich! Lisa found her calling as a high school English teacher and was blessed with two wonderful sons. Life took a turn when her husband underwent a series of unsuccessful brain surgeries, leaving him with memory and stimuli-filtering challenges. Learnt how these unexpected struggles have borne fruit in her spiritual life, and how she's finding God's peace in the midst of the storms

Elissa Bjeletich talks with Lisa Rigisich! Lisa found her calling as a high school English teacher and was blessed with two wonderful sons. Life took a turn when her husband underwent a series of unsuccessful brain surgeries, leaving him with memory and stimuli-filtering challenges. Learnt how these unexpected struggles have borne fruit in her spiritual life, and how she's finding God's peace in the midst of the storms

Eddie is a brilliant and fascinating Orthodox convert who develops and oversees programs to address trauma and violence in Chicago.

Eddie is a brilliant and fascinating Orthodox convert who develops and oversees programs to address trauma and violence in Chicago.