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Nicholas Kotar

Fantasy inspired by Russian fairy tales

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In a Certain Kingdom: The Childhood of Ilya Muromets

Season 2, Episode 1

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Soundcloud | Ancient Faith

A peasant couple, though happily married, have a hidden grief. They haven’t been given any children. So when their first son is finally born, they expect great things from him. But what they get instead is a cripple, a child unable to walk or do anything for himself. So how did this sickly child become the greatest legendary warrior old Russia has ever known?

In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas does a deep examination of the idea that Christ used stories as the primary vehicle for transmitting his teaching. In doing so, he reveals some comforting truths about the nature of fairy tales and storytelling in general.

Original music by Natalie Wilson.

Just for fun, here’s a bonus! Enter your email and I’ll send you a short story of my own. “The Erestuna” is a comic fantasy short about a hapless seminarian, a possibly predatory mermaid, and a bunch of crazy Cossacks.

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Written by:
Nicholas
Published on:
May 6, 2021

Categories: Podcasts

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