How would fasting heal the world? ER doctor and Orthodox Christian, Dr. Pete Patitsas links fasting as the cure to every problem we see in the world from disease to addiction, to even the out-of-the-norm ER accidents.

Drawing from emergency medicine, Orthodox tradition, and the Athos way of eating, we discuss how fasting impacts hormones, trauma, addiction, and our relationship with God.

This conversation covers:

✔️ What fasting really is (and what it is not)

✔️ Why Orthodox fasting is different from modern diet culture

✔️ The Athos diet and simple plant-based eating

✔️ How fasting helps heal trauma and addiction

✔️ Whether fasting affects hormones and mental health

✔️ How long the body can survive without food

✔️ How beginners should approach fasting with discernment

✔️ Fasting with kids, exhaustion, anxiety, and busy life

✔️ Spiritual encounters, inner demons, and dependence on God

I’ll be honest—I’ve avoided this topic because fasting scares me. But this conversation reframed fasting as an invitation to healing, not a burden.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00–7:40 Intro

7:40–12:23 Why an ER doctor teaches fasting

12:23–20:49 Fasting to overcome inner demons

20:49–23:47 Teaching children to fast

23:47–32:07 What is the Athos diet & Orthodox fasting

32:07–35:49 Fasting & hormones

35:49–38:15 Bridging the physical & spiritual

38:15–41:58 How long you can survive without food

41:58–49:46 How to eat plant-based on Athos

49:46–57:13 How to start fasting

57:13–1:05:12 Spiritual encounters while fasting

1:05:12–1:10:55 Fasting & trauma healing

1:10:55–1:14:36 Closing reflections

🔔 Subscribe for conversations on faith, healing, and redemption.

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Subscribe to Dr. Pete's YouTube Channel 👉 www.youtube.com/@theathosdiet

Check out The Athos Diet Website 👉 www.theathosdiet.com

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🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

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In today’s episode of the Raised & Redeemed Podcast, I’m joined by author and former New Ager Abigail Myatt, who shares her powerful journey from New Age to Christ. Abigail recently finished writing her memoir, I Manifested My Worst Nightmare, where she exposes how New Age spirituality promises healing and empowerment but ultimately leads to bondage, exploitation, and spiritual deception.

This honest conversation explores how Christ fills the deepest love voids we try to satisfy through relationships, spiritual practices, and identity outside of Him. We discuss the spiritual dangers of the New Age, its connection to sexual exploitation, and the freedom that comes through repentance, abstinence, and surrender to Jesus Christ.

In this episode, we cover:

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00–4:15 Intro

4:15–11:30 Adolescence without Christ

11:30–15:14 How Christ fills the love void

15:14–17:04 Falling into the New Age

17:04–22:56 The New Age connection to prostitution

22:56–24:23 Stepping stones toward truth

24:23–26:02 Why the New Age is attractive

26:02–28:07 Psychic encounter gone wrong

28:07–30:40 Christ convicted her to abstinence

30:40–35:07 Getting out of a sugar daddy relationship

35:07–40:19 Healing through the wreckage

40:19–42:11 Outro

🔗 Connect with Abigail MyattInstagram: @abigailemyattWebsite: www.abigailemyatt.comEmail: abigailmyatt849@gmail.com(Book available Feb. 10th 2026, sign up for pre-order now!)

#newagetojesus #newage #jesustestimony

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Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

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What is the process of becoming Saints?

In this powerful and deeply pastoral conversation, Orthodox priest Fr. Photios Dumont shares what he has witnessed over 35 years of ministry: modern miracles, living holy people, and the ongoing healing work of God through His Saints.

This episode is especially for inquirers and new converts to Orthodox Christianity who want to understand:

✨ What a Saint truly is

✨ Why Orthodox Christians pray to Saints

✨ How Saints are recognized and proven

✨ Why Orthodoxy is fundamentally a theology of healing

✨ How spiritual warfare is fought in the Orthodox life

✨ And how ordinary people are called to becoming Saints

Fr. Photios shares extraordinary stories involving St. John of San Francisco, the Saint he turns to most often in prayer, along with reflections on St. Paisios of Mount Athos, Elder Ephraim of Arizona, Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra, and other modern holy figures he personally encountered.

This episode addresses common Protestant objections with clarity and love, explores miracles before and after a Saint’s repose, and offers practical next steps for anyone seeking holiness, healing, and deeper union with Christ.

#orthodoxsaints #becomingsaints #modernsaints

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Check out Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=saint+demetrios+orthodox+church+seattle

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📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED

Akathist to the Virgin Mary (Jordanville Prayer Book)

Everyday Saints (book)

Visiting and praying at the relics of St. John of San Francisco (California)

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

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Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00–2:17 Intro

2:17–8:51 What is a Saint?

8:51–18:29 Orthodoxy is a theology of healing

18:29–18:49 Please like & subscribe

18:48–25:03 How are Saints proven?

25:03–28:38 Why not just pray to God?

28:38–33:03 How do you begin praying to Saints?

33:03–34:25 Will the Saints replace the fallen angels?

34:25–38:50 How Orthodox Christians fight spiritual warfare

38:50–50:13 Saint John of San Francisco

50:13–53:43 The power of anointing oil

53:43–58:02 How the body becomes incorruptible

58:02–1:02:11 Do people even need therapy?

1:02:11–1:17:24 Being in the presence of holy people

1:17:24–1:30:01 Practical next steps

1:30:01–1:32:14 Closing

In this conversation, Archpriest Seraphim Holland (of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and the OrthodoxNet YouTube channel) joins us to answer the big questions about angels—what the Church actually teaches, how angels are organized, what guardian angels do, how angels interact with us in spiritual warfare, and much more.

💫 Topics covered

What is an angel according to Scripture and the Holy Fathers

The nine-rank hierarchy of angels (from Seraphim to “ordinary” Angels)

Who is “The Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament

The fall of angels and the ongoing spiritual war

Guardian angels: when we receive them, how they protect and guide us, and how to discern their voice

How angels differ from the Holy Spirit, and why angels are not “spirit guides” or New Age messages

How to honor and communicate with angels properly

📚 Recommended Resources

The Celestial Hierarchy by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite: https://ccel.org/ccel/d/dionysius/celestial/cache/celestial.pdf

Supplicatory Canon and Akathist to the Archangel Michael by Nun Christina—a beautiful short prayer resource for personal devotion and our prayer time: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/supplicatory-canon-and-akathist-to-the-archangel-michael_nun-christina/40055026/?srsltid=AfmBOopDx8tZxoD7CKS-JpQeRxsrrCF9lUEEwR2SOFSKQ4dIaMkdjEC5&utm_source=chatgpt.com#edition=65827908&idiq=59028954

The Blessed Theophylact of Ochrid (a related commentary volume is listed here for reference): https://www.amazon.com/Collected-Commentaries-Epistles-Blessed-Theophylact/dp/B0F3TJYS5M?utm_

✅ Want More?

Subscribe to OrthodoxNet for more teaching from Fr. Seraphim: https://www.youtube.com/@orthodoxnet

Leave a comment below with your experiences, questions, or spiritual struggles involving angels or spiritual warfare, we may discuss them in a future episode.

Share this video with someone who wonders about Angels but has only encountered pop culture or New Age ideas of them.

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

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⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:29 intro

1:29-4:51 Fr. Seraphim’s response to storm trooper evangelist

4:51-7:52 Fr. Seraphim Holland’s conversion to Orthodoxy

7:52-10:02 What is an angel according to the Church

10:02-12:04 How do angels interact with humanity?

12:04-13:12 How can we discern angels from the Holy Spirit?

13:12-21:08 How can we discern messages from holy versus unholy angles?

21:08-24:18 How fallen angels attack us

24:18-25:49 What form do angels take?

25:49-28:45 Can we know our guardian angel?

28:45-36:46 When do we receive our guardian angel?

36:46-40:36 To chrismate or to baptize converts

40:36-42:57 Do our guardian angels ever leave us?

44:27-1:00:56 The angelic hierarchy

1:00:56-1:05:14 Living from the heart

1:05:14-1:09:32 Angelic deception

1:09:32-1:14:54 Fr Seraphim Holland’s experience with his angel

1:14:54-1:22:22 Protestant vs Orthodox views about God

1:22:22-1:25:43 Should women veil because of the angels?

1:25:43-1:30:50 What’s next and where to find Fr Seraphim

In this conversation, Fr. Ivan Shandra joins Michaela Nikolaenko to unpack one of the most important questions in the Christian life: how do we know what’s truly from God, and what isn’t?

Coming from a background in the occult and New Age spirituality, Michaela has witnessed firsthand how easily people mistake emotional or mystical experiences for the Holy Spirit. Even within Christianity, especially in charismatic movements, people often speak of hearing God’s voice, receiving prophetic messages, or having supernatural encounters. But how does Orthodox Christianity understand these experiences—and how can we discern truth from spiritual deception (prelest)?

Fr. Ivan, an Orthodox priest serving in Toronto and host of Orthodox Talks, offers profound Orthodox insight into the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the discernment of prophecy, speaking in tongues, casting out demons, and experiencing the true presence of God within the sacramental life of the Church.

Together, they contrast the Orthodox approach—rooted in humility, obedience, and community—with the emotional, individualistic spirituality often seen in charismatic settings.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your spiritual experiences are from God or from your own mind, this episode will help anchor you in the truth of the Holy Spirit’s work through the Church.

📖 Referenced Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 12 — The Gifts of the Spirit

1 John 4:1 — “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits…”

Matthew 7:15–23 — “Beware of false prophets…”

John 16:13 — “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.”

💡 Key Takeaways:

- The Holy Spirit is a person, not just an energy or force.

- We receive the Holy Spirit through chrismation in the Orthodox Church.

- True discernment comes through humility and obedience, not emotional highs.

- Prophecy in Orthodoxy is about witnessing truth, not revealing new doctrine.

- The charismatic promise of instant transformation differs from the Orthodox path of repentance and theosis.

- The true presence of God is found in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church.

#OrthodoxChristianity #CharismaticChristianity #HolySpirit #SpiritualDiscernment #OrthodoxChurch #FrIvanShandra #RaisedandRedeemed #MichaelaNikolaenko #Prelest #FalseProphets #OrthodoxTalks #GiftsOfTheSpirit #OrthodoxFaith

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Follow Orthodox Talks with Fr. Ivan Shandra 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@OrthodoxTalks

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ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

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🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00–01:45 Intro

01:45–04:44 About Fr. Ivan Shandra

04:44–08:26 Who is the Holy Spirit?

08:26–14:02 Receiving the Holy Spirit

14:02–15:46 How a Person Changes with the Holy Spirit

15:46–23:21 Discerning the Holy Spirit’s Voice

23:21–30:12 Orthodox Understanding of Prophecy

30:12–36:27 Orthodox Understanding of Speaking in Tongues

36:27–42:02 Orthodox Approach to Casting Out Demons

42:02–45:19 Healing After Deliverance

45:19–51:26 Experiencing the Holy Spirit in Church

51:24–52:05 Closing

In this episode, I, an Orthodox Christian, react to Michael Knowles’ debate on Halloween titled “Knowles MANSPLAINS To 3 Women Why Christians Should Celebrate Halloween” featuring Protestant Angela Scafidi, Catholic Mary Morgan, and fitness influencer Natalya Toryanski, and offer what was missing from the table: an Orthodox Christian perspective.

Wrapping up with Fr. Moses McPherson’s video, “The Definitive Orthodox Opinion on Halloween," this episode sheds light on the Orthodox Church's official stance (or lack thereof) on Halloween, how to enjoy this holiday as Orthodox Christians, and where to draw the line.

Together, we explore:

👻 Can Christians really celebrate Halloween?

🎃 What does Orthodoxy teach about Halloween?

🕯 How can families enjoy the season without compromising their faith?

🙏 What the origins of Halloween are, and why it matters

⚖️ Where to draw the line between fun and spiritual danger

#Halloween #OrthodoxChristian #ChristianHalloween

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ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

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----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:36 What our family did for Halloween

1:36-4:11 Christian Takes on Halloween

4:11-6:48 Michael Knowles Video on Halloween

6:48-7:49 Orthodox All Saints Day

7:49-10:59 Why Some Christians think Halloween is demonic

10:59-12:19 Protestant take on traditions

12:19-14:00 Pressure to denounce Halloween

14:00-17:46 Baptizing Halloween

17:46-21:00 Christian traditions for All Saints Day

21:00-24:43 Ex Satanist & Ex Occult testimonies about Halloween

24:43-26:00 What if your kid dresses up as something innocent?

26:00-30:18 Does Halloween have Christian or pagan roots?

30:18-33:55 Don’t be transformed by the ways of the world argument

33:55-40:48 Christian vs non Christian ways to participate

40:48-47:25 Satanic Panic: is it legit?

47:25-50:00 Orthodox priest on Halloween

50:00-51:18 Does it matter if Halloween started out pagan?

51:18-51:54 What the Orthodox Church says (or doesn’t say) about Halloween

51:54-54:47 How to ENJOY Halloween as Orthodox Christians

54:47-58:00 Where to draw the line with Halloween: haunted houses & secular parties

58:00-1:00:45 It’s not dogmatic

1:00:45-1:01:40 Coming up next

Today, Kara Mosher shares her journey from the occult to Orthodox Christianity and exposes psychedelic deception. Before encountering Christ, psychedelics were her god, yet never healed her or brought her peace. While she thought they were leading her to truth in the spirit realm, they were only leading her further into darkness and occult training.

In this episode of the Raised & Redeemed podcast, host Michaela Nikolaenko talks with Kara Mosher, author of Here Comes Trouble and host of the Let’s Be Friends Podcast, about her journey from psychedelic “enlightenment," mental illness, and demonic oppression to finding the true Light in Orthodox Christianity.

#orthodoxchristian #testimony #psychedelics #theoccult

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📚 Guest Info:

Follow Kara Mosher!

📖 Book: Here Comes Trouble https://www.karamosher.com/author/here-comes-trouble

🎙️ Podcast: Let’s Be Friends https://www.letsbefriendspodcast.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herecomestroublexo/

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🌐 Explore More

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00–01:02 Intro

01:02–12:43 Psychedelic Phronema

12:43–22:55 A Pharmaceutical Slumber

22:55–29:54 Demonic Visitations

29:54–40:54 The Portal of Eyegazing

40:54–43:01 Fear No Evil – Halloween

41:44–50:46 Jesus Interrupted Psychic Channeling

50:46–54:59 Akashic Records

54:59–55:53 My Baby Joins!!

55:53–1:05:08 Coming to Orthodoxy

1:05:08–1:06:43 Closing

Looking for a breakdown of Divine Liturgy? An explanation of each step of the process you see happing in an Orthodox Christian Church? Well, here's your beginner's guide to Divine Liturgy!

Today we're walking through Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church with attorney and cradle Orthodox Christian, Frank Bilotto, as he explains step by step of Divine Liturgy. Whether you’re new to Orthodoxy, exploring the faith, or wanting to understand the beauty and symbolism behind every movement, prayer, and procession, this is your guide to the Divine Liturgy from start to finish.

🎧 Watch this before your next Divine Liturgy to experience it with fresh eyes and a deeper appreciation for the ancient, sacred, and mystical worship of the Orthodox Church.

# OrthodoxChristianity #DivineLiturgy #OrthodoxFaith

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Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

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🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

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Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

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⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00–05:04 Frank’s background

05:04–11:26 History of Divine Liturgy

11:26–14:04 What we do in the narthex

14:04–16:43 Why we venerate icons

16:43–17:39 Matins/Orthros

17:39–18:38 Icons continued

18:38–21:05 Why and how we cross ourselves

21:05–22:58 Structure of the Church

22:58–25:24 The Book of Revelation reflects Divine Liturgy

26:24–29:55 Beginning of Divine Liturgy

29:55–31:54 Small Entrance / Presentation of the Gospel

32:03–33:18 The Iconostas

33:18–36:30 Epistle, Gospel Reading & sermon

36:30–41:24 Grand Entrance & The Liturgy of the Faithful

41:24–43:42 The Altar & the Theotokos

43:42–46:57 The Creed

46:57–49:45 Changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood

49:45–54:20 The Lord’s Prayer

54:20–56:19 Receiving Communion

56:19–59:53 Dismissal and Blessed Bread