What is Orthodox Christian meditation, and how does it differ from New Age meditation? This guide explains the dangers of emptying the mind, the Orthodox teaching on watchfulness (nepsis), the Jesus Prayer, and how true Christian meditation leads to union with God, not dissolution of self.

Yoga is often seen as harmless stretching, but beneath the surface, it carries a spiritual framework rooted in Hindu philosophy. As a former yoga instructor now Orthodox Christian, I share how this practice led me from seeking healing into deeper spiritual deception, and why the Orthodox Church approaches yoga with caution. This episode explores the true origins of yoga, the spiritual risks many overlook, and the Christ-centered path to genuine connection with God.

Are chakra healing, Reiki, and kundalini yoga spiritually dangerous? In part 7 of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series, I break down the chakra system, the practices built around it, and what the Orthodox Church teaches about the human body, energy healing, and true healing from trauma—from someone who spent years in the New Age searching for healing before coming home to Christ.

Many people believe repeating numbers like 111, 222, 444, and 11:11 are messages from angels or the universe. But is this actually how God communicates? In this episode, we explore numerology and angel numbers from an Orthodox Christian perspective, examining what Scripture, the Church Fathers, and Christian tradition teach about signs, divination, and spiritual guidance.

What does Orthodox Christianity teach about tarot cards, oracle cards, and angel cards? In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, Michaela Nikolaenko explains the spiritual dangers of divination using Scripture, Orthodox Tradition, and her personal testimony of leaving the New Age and finding freedom in Christ.

Crystals, evil eyes, dream catchers, and sage are often seen as tools for spiritual protection, but what does Orthodox Christianity actually teach about them? In part 4 of the Occult to Orthodoxy series, we examine the spiritual worldview behind these objects and why true protection isn’t found in talismans or rituals, but in submission to Christ.