In a Certain Kingdom
Sister Alionushka and Brother Ivanushka
Two orphans wander the wide world. At every turn, danger lurks. But little Ivanushka just can't get over his thirst! In spite of his sister's warning, he drinks the water... and turns into a goat. But that seeming tragedy sets into motion a series of events that will lead to the ultimate happily ever after. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar discusses why this seemingly depressing and dark story is actually the most Christian of them all. Goats, magic water, and evil witches... are you serious? What's Christian about any of that? For the first time this season, Kotar does a deep dive analysis of the story's symbolic structure, revealing a beautiful secret at the heart of this beautiful fairy tale.
Thursday, October 22, 2020 26 mins
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About
There has been a lot of discussion recently on the Orthodox internet about the value (or lack thereof) of storytelling, especially considering the opinion among certain Christians that any kind of fiction is spiritually dangerous. This podcast provides a spiritually and culturally enriching answer to this valid concern. Each episode has a two-part structure. Part one is a retelling of a Slavic fairy tale or myth and part two is an analysis of the symbolic structure of that story and how it helps people relate more correctly to the real world and to the reality of the material and spiritual life.
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Orthodoxy Live September 14, 2025