MICHAEL HALDAS
Michael Haldas is an author, a religious educator, and a speaker. He wrote the book Sacramental Living: Understanding Christianity as a Way of Life, which he presented special leather bound editions of as gifts to both Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in private audiences at the Vatican and the Patriarchate. He is the author of Echoes of Truth: Christianity in the Lord of the Rings, which is available in both an illustrated version and a text only version; and a contributor to the anthology Amid Weeping There is Joy: Orthodox Perspectives on Tolkien's Fantastic Realm. Michael also has a long running podcast series with Ancient Faith Radio, a division of Ancient Faith Publishing, that is based on his book, Sacramental Living: Understanding Christianity as a Way of Life. Through the Orthodox Christian Network, Michael does weekly Live Adult Education classes and reflections. He was published monthly in Theosis Magazine and his work has been featured in The National Herald, Pravmir, and other publications. He is also a member of the Orientale Lumen Foundation and the Orthodox Speakers Bureau. He teaches adult religious education at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Bethesda, Maryland, and has done Zoom classes for the St. Nicholas OCA Cathedral in Washington DC. He has also worked with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Religious Education Department to create educational lessons and materials. Michael also writes poetry and his poems have been included in Tales of Chivalry: A Medieval Anthology; Maryland Bards 2022, 2023, and 2024; Poets of Promise, Silk Road, and Bard Against Hunger Anthologies; Sweet Melancholy of Autumn and From Darkness to Light chapbooks, and the Fellowship & Fairydust website. (Michael Haldas curriculum vitae)