Michaela Nikolaenko

10/09/2025

Who else’s family genuinely looks forward to fast days? 😁✋

I’ve been Orthodox for almost 2 years now but we were so afraid to commit to the Wednesday Friday fasts.

Finally, a couple weeks ago my husband said, “Let’s do it.”

We both consider ourselves foodies and cope with the daily stresses of life with snacks and sweet treats, so this has been such a great opportunity for us to practice obedience, discipline, and turning to God instead of our desires.

What’re you cooking today!? I think I’ll be making shrimp and corn polenta.

03/09/2025

Join me in this week in the life vlog as my family and I begin to follow the Wednesday Friday Orthodox fast for the very first time. Throughout the week, I share why Orthodox Christians fast, how to start fasting as a beginner, daily behind-the-scenes family life, and simple fast-friendly meals.

If you’re an Orthodox Christian convert (or a catechumen learning the faith), fasting can feel intimidating at first. In this video, I walk through the Orthodox fasting rules for beginners, reflect on the spiritual meaning of fasting in Orthodoxy, and show what it looks like to live out the Wednesday Friday Orthodox fast as a family with a baby.

You’ll find:
🍴 Easy Orthodox fasting meals (family-friendly + beginner-friendly)
🙏 Practical tips on how to fast in the Orthodox Church
👨‍👩‍👧 Daily life while keeping the Orthodox Wednesday Friday fast
📖 Encouragement for Orthodox converts learning to fast for the first time

✨ Whether you’re just beginning your Orthodox Christian journey or looking for encouragement in your fasting practice, I hope this video shows you that you’re not alone. May we all grow in prayer, humility, and reliance on God through the Orthodox fasts of Wednesday and Friday.

Join me in this week in the life vlog as my family and I begin to follow the Wednesday Friday Orthodox fast for the very first time. Throughout the week, I s...

20/08/2025

What happens when we die? In this episode, Orthodox priest Fr. Paul Truebenbach joins me to share the ancient Christian understanding of the afterlife, the 40 days after death, and the reality of spiritual warfare.

We discuss how the Orthodox Church explains the journey of the soul after death, the difference between temptation and demonic oppression, and how to prepare for the Final Judgment. We also address common questions: Can demons know your thoughts? Are paranormal experiences and “ghosts” always demonic?

If you’ve ever wondered about life after death, angels and demons, or the invisible spiritual realm, this conversation will give you a clear and biblical foundation rooted in the Orthodox tradition.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAMCC9QiiTs&t=1383s

Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/raisedandredeemed

What happens when we die? In this episode, Orthodox priest Fr. Paul Truebenbach joins me to share the ancient Christian understanding of the afterlife, the 4...

18/08/2025

Influence us to have more babies 😂🤔

29/05/2024

What leads a person into witchcraft? How did Jenny realize she was communing with demons? Did Jesus really show up in her transcendental meditation?

Check out the latest episode to hear Jenny Joy's testimony of seeing the eyes of God, being told to "FEAR THE LORD," and being called out of witchcraft.

🎥 YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpRg0HOpt0w&t=3031s

🎙️ Podcast 👉 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed/episodes/81--Ex-Witch-Finds-Jesus--Was-Delivered-From-Over-1-000-Demons--Jenny-Joy-e2ic8a3

What leads a person into witchcraft? How did Jenny realize she was communing with demons? Did Jesus really show up in her transcendental meditation? Find out...

15/05/2024

The cat is out of the bag! In today's video I'll be explaining why I converted to Orthodox Christianity.

I'll also be sharing a brief overview of my testimony from New Age to Christianity, and from the wide road of all the different denominations into the original Orthodox Church.

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4vfFlnie2s

🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed/episodes/80--Why-I-Converted-to-ORTHODOX-Christianity-e2im69m

The cat is out of the bag! In today's video I'll be explaining why I converted to Orthodox Christianity.I'll also be sharing a brief overview of my testimony...

01/05/2024

Is praying to saints, the Virgin Mary, and icons idolatry? Is "Solo Scriptura" biblical? How is Orthodoxy different from Catholicism? We'll be discussing all that and more in today's episode of the podcast.

Check out Episode 79 👉 The Basics of Orthodox Christianity with Catechist Jamey Bennett

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buO6EXynRtY

🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed/episodes/79--The-Basics-of-Orthodox-Christianity--Catechist-Jamey-Bennett-e2huq7h

Jamey Bennett, teacher/catechist at a Greek Orthodox Church, is here today to share the basics of Orthodox Christianity and his testimony to the faith.Jamey ...

29/04/2024

My perfect little linguini 🥹💖

Things I’m learning week 1 of motherhood:

- A deeper capacity to love than I ever knew possible.

- That that love doesn’t take away from my husband but is more of an extension and addition to it.

- A protective instinct and desire to keep her, her body, her mind, and her heart safe at all costs.

- Jealousy over her 😂 GIMME MY BABY

- A new level of mental and emotional strength and to push past my limits of what I thought I was capable of (I.e. the sleepless nights and pains of breastfeeding).

- A dying to myself and my wants.

- The way God designed parenthood and how it refines a person’s character and soul when we choose to participate in it.

… Much more to come I’m sure. 😂🙏