When a mysterious old woman visits the house of three brothers, unexpected gifts begin to abound. But the greatest gift is sometimes the smallest, least expected thing...

In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas continues his examination of the poetry of St Gregory the Theologian and finds some unexpected insight in a poem... about poetry.

The Three Brothers: a Serbian Tale

In “The Proud Bride,” we see the classic trope of the shrewish bride who impossible to marry off (think King Thrushbeard and Taming of the Shrew) being tamed by a trickster figure of groom. But this time, it’s the Russian fairy tale version.

In the analysis, Deacon Nicholas reflects on some of the difficulties of the creative life by reading a wonderful essay by Ivan Ilyin on “A Wasted Day.” Sounds depressing, perhaps, but in the beautiful words of Ilyin, it’s a truly comforting reminder of the importance of seeking beauty every day.

IACK S3 - Episode 4 The Proud Bride FINAL MIX DONE

This week we return to the world of mythical Kiev for another tale of bogatyrs and… their wives? The tale of Vasilisa Mikulishna is a wonderfully fun gender-swapping tale that puts masculine and feminine tropes on their head… only to put them all back in glorious order by the end. 

In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas offers a real-life example of someone who was conquered by Christ through a life of storytelling.

In a Certain Kingdom: The Tale of Vasilisa Mikulishna

Today we're happy to share two shorter stories, one called "Just Like Salt" and the other the return of everyone's favorite villain: Baba Yaga.

In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas recommends a wonderful new book that has some fascinating things to say about early Christian poetry and imaginative fictions. Be sure to check out "She Who Loved Much" by Fr Kevin Kalish, from Holy Trinity Publications.

In a Certain Kingdom: Just Like Salt and Baba Yaga

Little Prince Ivan was born dumb, and his parents couldn't wait to have another child. Anything was better than a voiceless future Tsar! But you should be careful what you wish for. They did have another child. A girl. But she had iron teeth. And an unfortunate taste for... well, everything! This strange, wonderful story has some of the most unusual and vivid images in all of Russian folklore.

Instead of an analysis section, Deacon Nicholas is soliciting your feedback, dear listeners! Do you have any ideas for how to make the analysis section of the podcast better? Let me know!

In a Certain Kingdom: Prince Ivan, the Witch Baby, and the Little Sister of the Sun

In a variation on a familiar story, Prince Ivan is the only one of his three brothers with the vigilance to find the thief of his father’s golden apples. But when he tries to catch the thief--a firebird--he catches nothing but a tail feather. His father, overcome by the feather’s beauty, promises riches to the son who brings back the firebird. Ivan repeatedly fails, and only through the help of a speaking wolf can he undertake the most difficult journey of all, through the dark forest of Baba Yaga, ending finally at the battlefield of the most dangerous foe of all: Koschei the Deathless himself!

In a Certain Kingdom: The Tale of the Firebird

A certain Tsar collects artisans like trinkets. And what do you think? Of course they all compete for his attention. But once a goldsmith and a carpenter argue so much they nearly come to blows. The Tsar, never one to avoid an exciting opportunity, orders them to create the greatest work of art ever made. 

The result? Well, a hero's journey, two thwarted executions, a princess in a tower. And a story that is sure to stay with you for a long time. 

In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas wonders about creativity and how it can help inner transformation toward the good, the true, and the beautiful.

IACK S3 - The Wooden Eagle FINAL MIX

Nicholas Kotar is a writer of epic fantasy inspired by Russian fairy tales, a freelance translator from Russian to English, the resident conductor of the men's choir at a Russian monastery in the middle of nowhere, and a semi-professional vocalist. His one great regret in life is that he was not born in the nineteenth century in St. Petersburg, but he is doing everything he can to remedy that error.

Nicholas Kotar

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