Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of The Ancient Church, host Polina Leiser speaks with Fr. John Strickland, Archpriest of St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church in Poulsbo, Washington, about heaven and hell and how the Orthodox Church understands these often-misunderstood realities.
The conversation examines whether heaven begins only after death or can be experienced in this life, the distinction between Hades and hell, what happens to the soul between death and the Second Coming, and why Christ revealed some things about eternity while leaving other details a mystery. Fr. John also discusses the Orthodox teaching that both heaven and hell involve an encounter with God's presence and how communion with God begins even now through life in Christ.
The episode includes responses to audience questions about UFOs and the biggest differences between Orthodox Christianity and Protestant Christianity.
Learn more about Fr. John Strickland's parish:
StElizabethOrthodox.org
🎵 Opening music: “Let My Prayer Arise” performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, from the album The Powers of Heaven (2005).
With permission of harmonia mundi France © 2026.
👉 Submit your questions at AncientChurchShow.com
👍 Like, subscribe, and share to support the program.
Originally aired on theDove TV & Radio on June 21, 2026.
In this episode of The Ancient Church, host Polina Leiser speaks with Fr. John Strickland, Archpriest of St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church in Poulsbo, Washington, about heaven and hell and how the Orthodox Church understands these often-misunderstood realities.
The conversation examines whether heaven begins only after death or can be experienced in this life, the distinction between Hades and hell, what happens to the soul between death and the Second Coming, and why Christ revealed some things about eternity while leaving other details a mystery. Fr. John also discusses the Orthodox teaching that both heaven and hell involve an encounter with God's presence and how communion with God begins even now through life in Christ.
The episode includes responses to audience questions about UFOs and the biggest differences between Orthodox Christianity and Protestant Christianity.
Learn more about Fr. John Strickland's parish:
StElizabethOrthodox.org
🎵 Opening music: “Let My Prayer Arise” performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, from the album The Powers of Heaven (2005).
With permission of harmonia mundi France © 2026.
👉 Submit your questions at AncientChurchShow.com
👍 Like, subscribe, and share to support the program.
Originally aired on theDove TV & Radio on June 21, 2026.
