As an agnostic I must say this is probably one of the best Christian talks I've Ever heard. I've been seeking lately all religions in hopes of finding a god. This stands out for some reason.
Chosen via the Holy spirit absolutely. But must be Interpreted correctly not just by anyone....this is the reason for all the denominations. False interpretation.
My friend, I understand what you are trying to convey but God inspired the Bible, men wrote it and as time went by, each Gospel or letter was accepted by the people (or rejected) in different parts of the known world where the Good News had gone. Years later the New Testament went into the 'Collection' (or Bible) and was chosen by their authenticity etc. Don't forget, there are two parts of The Christian Bible and the Old Covenant was already collected as 'One work" and already in circulation at the time of Jesus. When New Testament authors speak of 'The Word' they are referring to the Old Covenant because the New Covenant was not yet complete. So technically no-one created The Bible except God alone. All the Church Leaders at that time did was collect and state what was 'inspired' and reject what was not - although, obviously it was more complex than that.
Fr. Seraphim, I'm sorry. After reading what I wrote I can say I didn't understand what I meant either. I was in so much fear and resentment at a certain deacon who I was getting a one year history class for chrismation from. I've recently let go of all of the fears and resentments toward him and was chrismated on Lazarus Saturday. This entire holy week was a hands on lesson in what it really means to be an Greek Orthodox woman. I was embraced by an older greek woman and I watched her. I followed her lead and found myself prostrating everyday, bowing, constant crossing, etc. I had gone through Holy Week last year watching in the back but not as an Orthodox Christian. This year was really the first year of my life. My life has changed. I wear skirts to church. That's a big deal as I was an unkept woman of downtown Portland. I've learned more than history I've learned a real lesson on humility and obedience from that deacon. St. Mary of Egypt is my chosen name, to be short just Mary. I really identified with her. The Theotokos turned my life around and brought me to Jesus years ago when I converted to the Roman Catholic Church. Even though I converted I was still somewhat of a wanton woman. That went a way about 6 yrs. ago. But now everything worldly is slowly stripping away. My heart is softer, I feel the holy spirit. I have a short Theotokos prayer. Oh Holy Theotokos comfort me. It helps, she does. Christ is Risen!
God bless all orthodox Christians. They survived their biggest challenge, the purges of communism. I'm a Protestant, but I believe Eastern Orthodoxy is an amazing faith of wonder and discovery. Thank you for posting this.
This is a great interview and he is exactly correct- the other 'Christians' persecute the Orthodox using the Bible which was canonized by the Orthodox. It is a complete lack of history and education.
@Count Rufus so the millions of Orthodox that died in the 1900s by being murdered by Communism were not persecuted? What about the Martyrs from AD100-300?
We suffer because of lack of Christ Jesus's grace in our souls. I thirst for truth and God's redeeming love and power continually! Lord hear Our Prayer. I like the statement, "Right glory of loving even in suffering."
Thanks for your kind response. I have visited (4) Eastern Orthodox churches: Coptic; Antiochian; Greek & OCA. I have learned much from this tradition, however, I have not been led to enter eastern orthodoxy. One of my very close friends is an eastern orthodox scholar, and we share much about God's Word and the importance of proclaiming Christ. Currently I am studying the Philokalia Vol. 3. I pray that God's people will finally learn how to become one in the Spirit.
i was born a muslim and i became an agnostic, one day i asked god for the truth and i have seen christ. he was with 12 behind him he was wearing in blue and his folowers were wearing in brown.. he had a stick in his hand, he has a a lil bit dark skin dark hair, sharp and dark eyebrows, black eyes, he has a very short beard he wasnt so tall . and before seeing this i was following a dog and the dog entered a black hole surrounded with white thing ( dunno in english, the crown that the romans put on jesus had, that plat surrounding tha hole...) i was going to enter to that black hole and i heared a voice, he told me to do not enter, turn around, and i turned and i have seen a small wooden old door, and then i entered and i have seen him,i have seen super beautiful big trees, they were while on the top... i went to jesus and i asked him are you the prophet, i thought that he is mohamed, and btw he ignored me at first with a sharp look he looked angry... and i asked him again, are you the prophet, he spoke in arabic, he said, i am the merciful and the most merciful and is there anyone else ? and thats it, well as an agnostic before, i did not believe in dreams and once i have seen a post on Facebook, of a church near my city, in tunisia ( north of africa, ) revelation 3.19 20 and i was so shocked and happy and now i belong to Christ . people believe in christ. believe in god... its sad nowadays they believe that not having sex before marriage is something stupid and that if she is virgin they will laugh at her, wow, christ will never like that and trust me whoever waits till he or she gets married will be in the kingdom of god, I hope so, only god knows... and for those who belive that believers are stupid and silly, trust me we follow the strongest and the smartes, so we are smart and strong.. sorry about my english.. god is love he is the most mercifu... so we should repent. do not steal do not kill do not commit adultory do not look at a woman which is not yours love god with your full heart and soul and love your neighboor and your family just like you love yourself. love god more than you love your mother and father. do not be affriad... even if you die your soul is immortal but your body is, I swear if you can share the feeling i have had when i looked at his face just wow, the kingdom of god is real. love you people
It is really amazind how an orthodox priest can be friend with a protestant pastor. Sadly, most of us know only to fight who is right and who is wrong. I think that lots of people have a valuable lesson to learn from these 2 people.
May the Lord Jesus open our hearts to how we grieve Him with our divisiveness. May we believers learn to seek Him with all our heart, mind, soul & strength. John 17 reveals something very important: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be one, as You Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." Is that close enough??
Been by there 3/4 times on I-5 on my bicycle.I met an ex-marine priest and his(son???), from Rouge River in Platina visiting the monks.A brigrat, I had encounter the attitude this priest possesed, semper fi. Love, and serve God alone, live by God's Word and bread, do not tempt God. This is the Vision the Christ gave to keep in balance the 3 spiritual life giving relationships.The Christ's Words are absolute authority, nobody else has it, no man.Semper fi has a problem with this.
Wow, that's REALLY nice that he quoted @16:30 that "it boils down to this, simple love and good will towards all". Great to hear from any Orthodox priest but especialy a ROCOR convert priest. I was baptized by one and was taught that it boiled down to being completley totally mindless spinelessly obedient no matter what, and not to ever, ever judge, even to discern, even to stay safe and have common sense and not be a fool.
It is not about "theological terorism",It is about preserving the truth.We all have free will. I find my home in estern orthodox christianity.Learn about ecumenical councils and their importance in preserving the truth. I do not want to ofend or to argue. God bless you.
Hi, all. For those who are interested, you can find a prayer rope or komboskini (ask your local orthodox church), and start praying to Jesus saying "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner (or a name that you want to pray for ex. Mother, Father, friend, enemy etc)" on every knot. You can start every morning saying this after you waking up or during the day. Try to not think anything else during this pray and empty your mind from any problem-thought and concentrate to this what you ask from God. As well as ask help from your spiritual father on how many times to do this during the day.
Yeah, just go to the store and buy a prayer of the heart. That's not just a new mantra and you have to first get your spiritual father's blessing to pray it.
Proverbs 27:2 says, "Let another praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger, not your own lips." That is right glory. Amen! This man is leaning me toward orthodoxy. \o/
I think I'm watching this about the ... seventh or eighth time?! ... Incredibly honest dialogue between these two beautiful people; God Bless Them Both
The 'Right Glory' is God's encouragement to prevail through suffering but suffering is not the goal or an end inself, getting the word to the lost world is the main end.
You made a valid point as a reply to my comment, I got it in my box, but then removed it. Please, publish it again and let's discuss it for the benefit of all the other viewers.
Many of the leaders for Campus Crusade for Christ are now Orthodox. I know of few of them and respect them mightely. AW Tozer said people are addicted to worship, vs the one were worshiping. The feel good watered down, non offensive gospel is not the Gospel. I respect Father Seraphim Cardoza very much. Orhodoxy is the original church back to Peter and Paul. Period. God bless him and the listeners .
K Erickson: I know it's not a 'hot-topic' but I wanted to respond. The Campus Leaders point is so interesting. I think the modern Church is becoming so superficial and shallow (and I attend one) that believers are concluding, "It this real? Is there more?" I cannot adhere to all of Orthodox teachings, but as I watch and read about the Orthodox Church I am learning so much. What drew me? I cannot (and never have been fully) happy with the issue of Original Sin and it came as a surprise to discover there is an alternative … hah … and I think I am coming round to accepting the view as closer Biblically to 'The Fall." Going back to my point, I think people are worshipping using meaningless words, they lack substance. I have brought the issue up at my Church to be told that 'we're not just singing all hymns." But my point was the vacuous nature of what we are singing … it's a lack of depth, doctrine and meaning. E.g. I love Christmas Carols, not because they make me all nostalgic - but because so many of them sing of Biblical truths, each line is condensed doctrine. And this worship issue is just one issue of many. I am a charismatic, but sometimes I rail against what is happening in the charismatic movement more than an atheist would hah! It has moved from faith to feeling. We don't sing from the depths of our being in worship of God, so much as we sing songs without real meaning so we get a 'warm and fuzzy.' The history of the Orthodox Church has so much to teach us and I do rattle on a bit at Church about our lack of depth to the point where they had a whip-round last week and bought me a monks habit … just kidding! You know what I mean. And I have a feeling the person who pulled over Fr, Seraphim and asked him if he was 'saved' and if he had the same Bible was probably an over-excited overly self-righteous charismatic … and I find those folks as embarrassing as Orthodox believers find them annoying. Al I can do is nibble away in my little corner of England and lead our brothers and sisters into a deeper, wider, higher and more expansive search of God in all expressions of the Christian faith so our spiritual lives are enriched and for us to stop being so 'exclusive.'
@@gazgandalf4854 Glory to God! Enmeshed in Church history and surrounded by the early Fathers, I think you might change your mind, but regardless of your current stance on Eastern Orthodoxy as of this comment, you are eager to serve the Lord in spirit and truth, and it shows. God bless.
@@gazgandalf4854 I just read this comment which you wrote two years ago. I'm interested to hear what developments there may have been in your understanding /insight /beliefs /approach to worship since then?
To left the world doesn't mean that you escape in this way Satan or temptations.Monks are fighters!The most serious spiritual fight Jesus didn't have in the world but when he was alone,in the desert. Some of the prophets lived in loneliness,John the Baptist and Apostle John too. A real monk prays for the whole world with mayn tears and a deep pain of heart.And in James 5.16 we read that "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Many people find great support in a monastery!
Amen to the deification! This is the Orthodox Faith! We are called to be children of God born of Him by accepting the God-Man as savior (John 1:11-13), believing, first, and being baptized after that (Mark 16:16). Then we receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). God's eye is too pure to see evil, that's why a sinner MUST be born again of Him.
I have the utmost respect for the Eastern lung of the Church, whether in communion or not. We are brothers, and I love them and pray for our unity as Christ prayed did in John 17. Armenia is a beautiful church it was founded by the St Jude & St Bartholomew, St Jude my grandma's favorite saint by the way.We give credit to St Gregory the Iluminator as the apostle of Armenia when he baptized the King. Constantinople considered us both heretics at one time, ironically. Why do you ask brother?
For some odd reason I have been looking into Orthodox Christianity lately. I remember reading through the new testament when I got saved and wondered why the church didn't follow much of the practices mentioned. I asked a pastor and he told me that it was for that time only. I kept attending church after church and noticed that it was no longer God centered but people centered. Pews weren't enough, they needed comfortable chairs. The music needed to match the feel of what was playing on pop radio stations. Simple beverages were replaced with gourmet coffee. I also witnessed blatant christian paraphernalia sold without shame at big gatherings. All these things resulted in a watered down gospel and worship. It resulted in people not knowing each others names after years of attending church together. Church missions were basically vacation trips at resort destinations. It created a church full of people who have little knowledge of scriptures. It was like pulling teeth to get them to read past a chapter. Something is definitely wrong in American churches. There is too much compromise with the world for the sake of being 'relevant'. The focus on people in church did not get the results that we expected. Church attendance is dwindling. Divorce couples within the church is at the same rate as unbelievers. I heard many stories of church band members having sex with one another. Even had a friend whose father was a pastor and owned the largest porn collection I seen in my life lol....maybe it's time we get back to our roots...
I started going to an Orthodox church since February, I've never looked back. My spirituality has deepened tremendously, and I've gone from not going to church for over a year, to the Sunday service being the highlight of my week. I'm sure I could talk your ear off about it, but I would just try going. I have found you need to give it a couple of weeks, because at first you are just overwhelmed by how alien it feels, but given a few weeks you get your bearings and then your only overwhelmed by having to drink from the fire-hose that is 2000 years of tradition you were never exposed to.
I agree with you !!! I don't think HE died the way He died to pay for our sins but to show us that whatever happens to the body, the soul always belongs to GOD and it can not be burned or cut. Να σε καλα!
The 4th and 5th Ecumenical Councils forbid any addition to the Nicean Creed which was ignored by Spain and later Rome. This began in the Council of Toledo, Spain and was ignored in a local not ecumenical council by both Spain and eventually Rome. So in order to keep us on topic answer these two simple questions: Why the addition to the Creed? And why the Donation of Constantine if Papal Supremacy was always practiced by the Early Church Fathers? These are the heart of the issue and more to come!
38:23 ... and THAT is why I love Orthodoxy. As a baptist, I have never felt anything but love and a welcoming spirit whenever I have attended my local parish. I came in as ignorant as anyone and still exploring because I am extremely cautious regarding theology, and I still have unanswered questions about the Theotokos and the doctrines surrounding Christ. Nevertheless, I feel this strange and mysterious draw to the Orthodox church, and feel a little sad whenever I go to the baptist church with my family instead of the Orthodox one. I find myself missing it, in spite of my unanswered questions.
“The holy Tradition is the Gospel of the Lord Christ, and the Lord Christ Himself, Whom the Holy Spirit instills in each and every believing soul, in the entire Church. Whatever is Christ's, by the power of the Holy Spirit becomes ours, human…” (St. Justin Popovich in The Apostolicity of the Church).
A research of Pre-Constantine early Church writers will give you an idea of the doctrines , beliefs and culture of the early Christians who knew the Apostles and their followers personally. And if we believe the early Bishops, saints and monks at Nicaea and Chalcedon were holy and credible enough to determine which writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit and were worthy to be in the Bible why can we not believe them on church doctrine, such as the Eucharist?
I am Orthodox, here is a picture of a third century (pre-Constantine) church, does it look like your's or mine? archhistdaily.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dura2beuropos2bsynagogue.jpg As to Constantine, his letters are all available online, could you point out in them where he changed doctrine? www.seanmultimedia.com/Pie_homepage.html
For those Chaldeans that want to come back into Christ's Catholic Church, the door is open. Similarly for the Coptic Catholic Church. Currently 5 sees in Antioch 3 are Catholic, 1 Oriental, & 1 Eastern. St Peter started multiple churches agreed. Some even say he started the Church in Corinth. St Peter & St Paul died in Rome, the Councils & church fathers always about Rome 1st among equals. The first bishops of Rome were not exclusively Roman, but from other parts of the Mediterranean.Merry Xmas
By reading the history and watching videos about orthodoxy, i converted and taken the name of Saint Simon the Zealot.So i think the people should really start with the question of Father Seraphim. Ask whether the church did exist from 2000 years ago and does she have a continuous history.
You can see how there is so much to say that he jumps from one thing to the other and from on thought to the other... I have that a lot. You can't put 2000+ years of experience in a few words. Well, you can but you have to be a saint like Elder Paisios (1924-1994), Elder Porfirios (1906-1991) and so many others. They had the "right glory" as Father Seraphim says.
The Apostle Paul refers to the meaning of the Divine Liturgy (1 Cor. 11: 23-30) quoting the words of the Lord, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." And the Apostle admonishes, saying, "For as often as ye eat this Bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come" (v. 25, 26). He also stresses the point that he who draws near the cup "unworthily" will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord
Or compared to what our brothers and sisters in China, Egypt, Syria, India, Afghanistan, Turkey, or other parts of the world. You've made an excellent point!
If I may follow up, as Orthodox Christians we believe and pray that we go out in the presence of Christ. Christ said if we are in him then he is in us and he is in the Father. So we go forth ushering in the Kingdom. We go wherever there is need, hurt, or any calling. Christ said, "where two or more gather in my name there I Am in the midst of them". Is it possible then that who we are serving is in the presence of Christ unbeknownst to them? We can then use words or not depending.
Fr Constantine, I think you might be misunderstanding what Fr Seraphim was saying. He was addressing the Protestant caricature that we pray to the saints as if they are some sort of co-deity with God, instead of the actual Orthodox notion that we ask for their intercessions and their prayers just as we ask for the prayers of our brethren alive on Earth.
The Maronite liturgy is a heavily latinized form of the Syriac Orthodox liturgy. Rome was famous or rather notorious for latinizing all the uniates. I would say Rome is moving in the right direction after Vatican II. Now if there can be a Vatican III and if Rome can get rid of the remaining issues; filoque, infallability, universal jurisdiction and some of the other marian doctrines, then we can expect full communion soon.
Christ teaches us to be righteous, and to be a godly, compassionate and loving example while we walk out our Christian confession of faith in the world. Actually we are called to be "salt" and "light". May others see the love of God ,shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit, in you. Judgment, however, belongs to God alone. Let's agree together with the Word of God over even our own particular personal opinions. In that Christ Jesus will be glorified and the evil one defeated.
Thank you Brother for your advice. I'll try to read Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit whose very job is to take of Christ's and reveal it to us (John 16:15). However, as far as the Son's Marriage concerns the only mention of the celebrating His Marriage I found it is in Revelation 19:7. Yes, we can imply many things and call Son's Marriage that instance too, if you so like it. But would you be so kind to help me to understand that based on some Scriptures? Thank you and God bless you.
I asked these questions and never got the answers. Now I have search for myself and found the Orthodox Church. I wish to join it but I am not. I am just heterodox.
What Orthodox Christians Believe www.antiochian.org/whatorthodoxbelieve www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7062 Alexei Osipov "The Search for Truth on the Path of Reason" The book in PDF www.alexey-osipov.ru/web-files/books/Bog/God_(by_Osipov_A).pdf The book in MS Word www.alexey-osipov.ru/web-files/books/Put_razuma_v_poiskakh_istiny/Pyt_razuma_english_(A_I_Osipov).doc
@@Дон-ш5л Trinity.... Father, Son, Holy Ghost all in one. They try to keep their faith original to what it has been. Reading online can help if you look up Eastern Orthodox Faith and practice. See an Eastern Orthodox Father to ask about the faith more too.
@@Дон-ш5лEverywhere, he is the ''creator'' and no one could ever create things or people so precisely and have all been brought out more and more what a miracle it is if it were not created by someone very wise and very intelligent to know all that it did today. This is proven every day in how we live and die and WHY would we be here and WHY would we bother to live if we did not here on a mission? We have a purpose, and it is to learn and teach about Jesus the Son of God in the flesh, but He was God in the Flesh according to the BIBLE. That is why they killed HIM as he Was God, and they really knew it and was afraid that people would follow Him and He would be a King of a Kingdom. But He did not come to set up any Kingdom. he will come back and do that and judge everyone according to their faith and what they have done with it.
Orthodoxy is orthodox. Culture in Eastern Orthodoxy provides a means of expression. Doctrine and practice are consistent and expressed through a variety of cultures. I have visited numerous ethnic parishes and cultural variety does not dilute or change doctrine. My parish is multiciltural...we all believe the same. Rome has moved from being orthodox due to the unilateral acceptance of doctinal innovations.
Because the expression "royal priesthood" is already used in the Old testament, is the proof that not all christians are automatically priests. And the example of the ancient christian history shows us, that not all christians had been working as priests. "in Christ Jesus I became your father through the Gospel”!When he told us that he is our father why don't call him 'father'.When somebody says to you that he is your friend, you can call him 'friend'.And look at the ancient christian history..
For our brothers and sisters in America to come closer to Orthodoxy: Visit St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Arizona founded by Elder Efraim from Άγιον Όρος (Mount Athos), or any of the 19 Monasteries he founded in US and Canada: @ God Bless.
...but for an Orthodox, the material form is not all that is required for assured Sacraments. It also requires integration into the Body of Faith, the Orthodox Church, which, as all our Saints have taught, Rome has separated from. You are not required to agree with me. Your faith requires that you disagree! But it's what we believe. I'm sorry if some so-called Orthodox ecumenists, in their effort to be nice, have misrepresented the teaching of the Saints concerning Roman Catholicism.
Great interview but I - as an Orthodox Christian - was a little embarrassed that Fr Seraphim kept misquoting St Basil. The quote "preach the Gospel at all times..." is usually attributed to Francis of Assisi although many doubt that even he actually said it. There's nothing wrong with "using words" to preach the Gospel as the Scriptures say "Faith comes by hearing...".
“One God and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ” (1 Tim. 2:5). As far as getting help in prayer from our brothers, that must be done by "praying for one another" (James 5:16), which can't be done with a dead brother. As far as the mediating in Heaven it is NOT for the saints gone up there but "the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27).
Dear SenoZacltp, Please learn some history. The Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria are in communion. These two churches along with the Armenian Church, Ethiopian Church , Eritrean Church and the Malankara (Indian) Church form the Oriental Orthodox Communion; with true diversity of liturgy. and with no universal jurisdiction for anyone.
The starting point of Christ's teaching is repent and believe in the Gospel - Mark 1:15, second believe and be baptized (watch careful the order: first believe, then baptism). Then as a result of having the Holy Spirit (Ephes. 1:13) and becoming thus spiritual (1 Corint. 2:15) yes, can be righteous, godly...
I am Latino & Catholic there was no ethnic cleansing. Most Catholics are people of color only 25% of the billion are European. The Church stood up for the indigenous, a catholic priest started the revolution in Mexico against Spain. You just stated earlier you don't follow Constantinople. Which apostle started the Serbian Church? Everyone hates the Vatican? The Catholic Church is the #1 charity in the America & the World. The Catholic Church founded the scientific method, and the college system.
please brother - the Orthodox churches today have a clear point on that: the whole mono/miaphysism controversy was generated by linguistic and political differences! this is set aside and the churches are in communion once again - a fruit of the Holy Spirit!
Have you listened all the videos of father Seraphim Cardoza? Did you know that there're about 30'000 denominations in protestantism...so how to choose the right denomination?
I dont know about what happened in Bulgaria. I am from India. I know what the Latin's under the Portughese did to the ancient Orthodox Church established by St. Thomas in India. Rome encouraged defections and ended up creating not just one; but two uniates in India. You keep in bringing up St. Peter. But you have not yet answered my question. How is ROME the exclusive successor of St.Peter ? St.Peter establish the see of Antioch and ordain his successor there?
Amen to that! But it is not enough. "If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matt. 16:24-25). One must perform these actions: - to have desire to follow Jesus (not people); - to deny himself - to take up the cross - to follow Jesus (not men) - desire to lose his life for Jesus' sake. Without these steps God's compassion is not of any help.
Lets first start with the RC doctrine instroduced in 1869 at the First Vatican Council; "Papal Infallability" . Where is that in the Bible? In Acts of the Apostles when the question of circumcission came up; it was the council of jersusalem that decided not St.Peter ex-cathedra. And remember we already agreed that Roman Pope is not the ONLY see of St.Peter. Antioch and others are also see of St.Peter.
"The Orthodox Church had always maintained, however; that the Early Church saw no theological basis in Mat 16:18-19 to support the claims of Rome; stating rather, that most of the Early Church saw in this passage that Christ was building His Church, not on the person of Peter, but on Peter;s confession of faith and therefore, was not declaring him to be the sole foundation of His Church. A much qutoted survey compiled by Roman Catholic scholar Jean de Launoy, finds that..."
+Gabriel Paraschiv yes, we do pray to the saints but we don't worship them. in Orthodoxy there is a distinction between *prayer* (asking) and *worship*. we worship only the Triune God: *Father, Son, Holy Spirit*. strictly speaking, we are asking the Saints for their prayers (intercession) before the Lord. even semantically, prayer and worship are not the same. here is an example of how prayer differs from worship. we may ask someone: *pray* for me but we don't say: *worship* for me regards, theOrthodoxFaith (*dot*) org
@@silouanmathew6599 Asking for prayer from Saints as we have a heaven and earth and it is ONE CHUrch SO AS WE WOULD ASK A FRIEND TO PRAY FOR US WE AS THE sAINTS TO PRAY FOR US TO. Our Lord hears our prayers also. But we do as friends to pray for us and heaven and earth is the SAME ONE CHURCH. We should not have several denominations as it happened when people wanted to change the way the one church was set up. So they left as King Henry the 8th wanted to get a divorce thus it was Anglican and in U.S the Episcopal. The Luther broke from Roman Catholic And wrote the 95 theses as he found things he did not like. So he started the Lutheran church. Then he reformed and on and on. In 1054 the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox broke as ALL BISHOPS were equal. But the Roman Bishop was known as grater among equals" BUT not that all the one was correct any more than they said one apostle was more able than another. They all were equal and even Peter was reprimanded at times. We know how many more Protestant broke and took some of the same rules and prayers etc with them but left what they did not want. But this is not to say anything against Protestants at all, but just explaining how it was done. some people cannot handle the rules of the Eastern Orthodox church as we live in a modern world and we are used to be more spoiled and we do not like to suffer in any way now. So as we do have ONE CHURCH which in the beginning that is exactly what it was, although they had names of the apostles added to each one ( IN Revelation this is mentioned as wrong, as they are 'one church' and did not need to do that) , they believed the same. But after a while, the Pagans showed up and came to pretend to want to worship the Living God but they brought some of their pagan thought into the church. So that had to be watched. To this day it does.
Fr. Seraphim you are an inspirational figure, may God give you more years to continue to show people the Love of Christ how it is done and lived.
As an agnostic I must say this is probably one of the best Christian talks I've Ever heard. I've been seeking lately all religions in hopes of finding a god. This stands out for some reason.
We need Fr. Seraphim more & more on your show please! He's the best
Beautiful presentation. Father Seraphim bless.
You can be athiest and deny god. But you cannot deny history. History can be tracked back to the original church. The orthodox church.
The Bible, whose pages were chosen/canonized by the early orthodox church father's?
Chosen via the Holy spirit absolutely. But must be Interpreted correctly not just by anyone....this is the reason for all the denominations. False interpretation.
Ughhhhhhhhhhh.....
Forget it..... yes follow the old testament. Don't eat pork, circumcise, and sacrifice lamb on alters.
My friend, I understand what you are trying to convey but God inspired the Bible, men wrote it and as time went by, each Gospel or letter was accepted by the people (or rejected) in different parts of the known world where the Good News had gone.
Years later the New Testament went into the 'Collection' (or Bible) and was chosen by their authenticity etc.
Don't forget, there are two parts of The Christian Bible and the Old Covenant was already collected as 'One work" and already in circulation at the time of Jesus.
When New Testament authors speak of 'The Word' they are referring to the Old Covenant because the New Covenant was not yet complete.
So technically no-one created The Bible except God alone.
All the Church Leaders at that time did was collect and state what was 'inspired' and reject what was not - although, obviously it was more complex than that.
Fr. Seraphim,
I'm sorry. After reading what I wrote I can say I didn't understand what I meant either. I was in so much fear and resentment at a certain deacon who I was getting a one year history class for chrismation from. I've recently let go of all of the fears and resentments toward him and was chrismated on Lazarus Saturday. This entire holy week was a hands on lesson in what it really means to be an Greek Orthodox woman. I was embraced by an older greek woman and I watched her. I followed her lead and found myself prostrating everyday, bowing, constant crossing, etc. I had gone through Holy Week last year watching in the back but not as an Orthodox Christian. This year was really the first year of my life. My life has changed. I wear skirts to church. That's a big deal as I was an unkept woman of downtown Portland. I've learned more than history I've learned a real lesson on humility and obedience from that deacon. St. Mary of Egypt is my chosen name, to be short just Mary. I really identified with her. The Theotokos turned my life around and brought me to Jesus years ago when I converted to the Roman Catholic Church. Even though I converted I was still somewhat of a wanton woman. That went a way about 6 yrs. ago. But now everything worldly is slowly stripping away. My heart is softer, I feel the holy spirit. I have a short Theotokos prayer. Oh Holy Theotokos comfort me. It helps, she does. Christ is Risen!
Leslie Joy
God bless you sister!
Indeed He is risen!
May the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us all. Amen....
Christianity is the best religion known to earth. May the Lord Jesus Christ son of God have mercy on us all.
Fr. Seraphim Cardoza is a true blessing to a Christian Orthodoxy To GOD be the glory!
God bless all orthodox Christians. They survived their biggest challenge, the purges of communism. I'm a Protestant, but I believe Eastern Orthodoxy is an amazing faith of wonder and discovery. Thank you for posting this.
This is a great interview and he is exactly correct- the other 'Christians' persecute the Orthodox using the Bible which was canonized by the Orthodox. It is a complete lack of history and education.
Count Rufus Orthodox were never persecuted? What a denial of history!
@Count Rufus so the millions of Orthodox that died in the 1900s by being murdered by Communism were not persecuted? What about the Martyrs from AD100-300?
I was listening to sermons of Father Seraphim Rose, and Yоu Tube offered me this channel. I am very happy with what I see and hear here!
Fr Seraphim - what a genuine and personable priest- Orthodoxy needs more like him!
We suffer because of lack of Christ Jesus's grace in our souls. I thirst for truth and God's redeeming love and power continually! Lord hear Our Prayer. I like the statement, "Right glory of loving even in suffering."
Thanks for your kind response. I have visited (4) Eastern Orthodox churches: Coptic; Antiochian; Greek & OCA. I have learned much from this tradition, however, I have not been led to enter eastern orthodoxy. One of my very close friends is an eastern orthodox scholar, and we share much about God's Word and the importance of proclaiming Christ. Currently I am studying the Philokalia Vol. 3. I pray that God's people will finally learn how to become one in the Spirit.
Yeah Orthodoxy , is excellent !! I am new to it but I feel I have found the church founded by Jesus christ!
i was born a muslim and i became an agnostic, one day i asked god for the truth and i have seen christ. he was with 12 behind him he was wearing in blue and his folowers were wearing in brown.. he had a stick in his hand, he has a a lil bit dark skin dark hair, sharp and dark eyebrows, black eyes, he has a very short beard he wasnt so tall . and before seeing this i was following a dog and the dog entered a black hole surrounded with white thing ( dunno in english, the crown that the romans put on jesus had, that plat surrounding tha hole...) i was going to enter to that black hole and i heared a voice, he told me to do not enter, turn around, and i turned and i have seen a small wooden old door, and then i entered and i have seen him,i have seen super beautiful big trees, they were while on the top... i went to jesus and i asked him are you the prophet, i thought that he is mohamed, and btw he ignored me at first with a sharp look he looked angry... and i asked him again, are you the prophet, he spoke in arabic, he said, i am the merciful and the most merciful and is there anyone else ? and thats it, well as an agnostic before, i did not believe in dreams and once i have seen a post on Facebook, of a church near my city, in tunisia ( north of africa, ) revelation 3.19 20 and i was so shocked and happy and now i belong to Christ . people believe in christ. believe in god... its sad nowadays they believe that not having sex before marriage is something stupid and that if she is virgin they will laugh at her, wow, christ will never like that and trust me whoever waits till he or she gets married will be in the kingdom of god, I hope so, only god knows... and for those who belive that believers are stupid and silly, trust me we follow the strongest and the smartes, so we are smart and strong.. sorry about my english.. god is love he is the most mercifu... so we should repent. do not steal do not kill do not commit adultory do not look at a woman which is not yours love god with your full heart and soul and love your neighboor and your family just like you love yourself. love god more than you love your mother and father. do not be affriad... even if you die your soul is immortal but your body is, I swear if you can share the feeling i have had when i looked at his face just wow, the kingdom of god is real. love you people
I have seen about the same with you.Greetings from Greece.
May God richly bless you, friend.
You very brave, I am glad we are now brothers in Christ
Wow!!! What a story. How did your family react? God bless your days
Love to you my brother in Christ❤️
It is really amazind how an orthodox priest can be friend with a protestant pastor. Sadly, most of us know only to fight who is right and who is wrong. I think that lots of people have a valuable lesson to learn from these 2 people.
May the Lord Jesus open our hearts to how we grieve Him with our divisiveness. May we believers learn to seek Him with all our heart, mind, soul & strength. John 17 reveals something very important: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be one, as You Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." Is that close enough??
This Priest is Amazing! Telling it how it is on a protestant program. Glory to God!
A true en-lighted father! I am kinda impressed to see a discussion about orthodoxy in American TV! Great video thx!
Great show! Stay strong and courageous and stay with Christ. I loved this friendly conversation.... great host, great guest!
I left Protestantism and converted to Orthodoxy because I found Protestantism as a means of associating myself to the pleasures of the world.
Father Seraphim , is a man of faith , a pious man . We could not want a better spokesmen for our Holy Church .
Been by there 3/4 times on I-5 on my bicycle.I met an ex-marine priest and his(son???), from Rouge River in Platina visiting the monks.A brigrat, I had encounter the attitude this priest possesed, semper fi.
Love, and serve God alone, live by God's Word and bread, do not tempt God. This is the Vision the Christ gave to keep in balance the 3 spiritual life giving relationships.The Christ's Words are absolute authority, nobody else has it, no man.Semper fi has a problem with this.
Wow, that's REALLY nice that he quoted @16:30 that "it boils down to this, simple love and good will towards all". Great to hear from any Orthodox priest but especialy a ROCOR convert priest. I was baptized by one and was taught that it boiled down to being completley totally mindless spinelessly obedient no matter what, and not to ever, ever judge, even to discern, even to stay safe and have common sense and not be a fool.
It is not about "theological terorism",It is about preserving the truth.We all have free will. I find my home in estern orthodox christianity.Learn about ecumenical councils and their importance in preserving the truth. I do not want to ofend or to argue. God bless you.
50 milion orthodox people died from persecution in 20th centuary!
It is a fact that is hiden from media
Hi, all.
For those who are interested, you can find a prayer rope or komboskini (ask your local orthodox church), and start praying to Jesus saying "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner (or a name that you want to pray for ex. Mother, Father, friend, enemy etc)" on every knot. You can start every morning saying this after you waking up or during the day. Try to not think anything else during this pray and empty your mind from any problem-thought and concentrate to this what you ask from God. As well as ask help from your spiritual father on how many times to do this during the day.
Yeah, just go to the store and buy a prayer of the heart. That's not just a new mantra and you have to first get your spiritual father's blessing to pray it.
Proverbs 27:2 says, "Let another praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger, not your own lips." That is right glory. Amen! This man is leaning me toward orthodoxy. \o/
I think I'm watching this about the ... seventh or eighth time?!
... Incredibly honest dialogue between these two beautiful people;
God Bless Them Both
this father is a hero!!
May God guide you and have mercy on you!
Thank you so much, father Seraphim!
Thank you for letting me know, I will definitely take a look at it ! my prayers are with you also.
Im a Convert to Orthodoxy from Protestantism.I feel like I found a Pearl!!!!
The 'Right Glory' is God's encouragement to prevail through suffering but suffering is not the goal or an end inself, getting the word to the lost world is the main end.
You made a valid point as a reply to my comment, I got it in my box, but then removed it. Please, publish it again and let's discuss it for the benefit of all the other viewers.
I'd be very happy to have the Right Glory that Father has...
Almighty God shine your mind!God bless you!Amen.
Many of the leaders for Campus Crusade for Christ are now Orthodox. I know of few of them and respect them mightely. AW Tozer said people are addicted to worship, vs the one were worshiping. The feel good watered down, non offensive gospel is not the Gospel. I respect Father Seraphim Cardoza very much. Orhodoxy is the original church back to Peter and Paul. Period. God bless him and the listeners .
K Erickson: I know it's not a 'hot-topic' but I wanted to respond. The Campus Leaders point is so interesting. I think the modern Church is becoming so superficial and shallow (and I attend one) that believers are concluding, "It this real? Is there more?"
I cannot adhere to all of Orthodox teachings, but as I watch and read about the Orthodox Church I am learning so much. What drew me? I cannot (and never have been fully) happy with the issue of Original Sin and it came as a surprise to discover there is an alternative … hah … and I think I am coming round to accepting the view as closer Biblically to 'The Fall."
Going back to my point, I think people are worshipping using meaningless words, they lack substance. I have brought the issue up at my Church to be told that 'we're not just singing all hymns." But my point was the vacuous nature of what we are singing … it's a lack of depth, doctrine and meaning.
E.g. I love Christmas Carols, not because they make me all nostalgic - but because so many of them sing of Biblical truths, each line is condensed doctrine.
And this worship issue is just one issue of many. I am a charismatic, but sometimes I rail against what is happening in the charismatic movement more than an atheist would hah! It has moved from faith to feeling. We don't sing from the depths of our being in worship of God, so much as we sing songs without real meaning so we get a 'warm and fuzzy.'
The history of the Orthodox Church has so much to teach us and I do rattle on a bit at Church about our lack of depth to the point where they had a whip-round last week and bought me a monks habit … just kidding! You know what I mean.
And I have a feeling the person who pulled over Fr, Seraphim and asked him if he was 'saved' and if he had the same Bible was probably an over-excited overly self-righteous charismatic … and I find those folks as embarrassing as Orthodox believers find them annoying.
Al I can do is nibble away in my little corner of England and lead our brothers and sisters into a deeper, wider, higher and more expansive search of God in all expressions of the Christian faith so our spiritual lives are enriched and for us to stop being so 'exclusive.'
@@gazgandalf4854
Glory to God! Enmeshed in Church history and surrounded by the early Fathers, I think you might change your mind, but regardless of your current stance on Eastern Orthodoxy as of this comment, you are eager to serve the Lord in spirit and truth, and it shows. God bless.
@@gazgandalf4854 I just read this comment which you wrote two years ago. I'm interested to hear what developments there may have been in your understanding /insight /beliefs /approach to worship since then?
Lord, have mercy!
To left the world doesn't mean that you escape in this way Satan or temptations.Monks are fighters!The most serious spiritual fight Jesus didn't have in the world but when he was alone,in the desert. Some of the prophets lived in loneliness,John the Baptist and Apostle John too.
A real monk prays for the whole world with mayn tears and a deep pain of heart.And in James 5.16 we read that "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Many people find great support in a monastery!
great interview
God Bless u Father !!!
Amen to the deification! This is the Orthodox Faith! We are called to be children of God born of Him by accepting the God-Man as savior (John 1:11-13), believing, first, and being baptized after that (Mark 16:16). Then we receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). God's eye is too pure to see evil, that's why a sinner MUST be born again of Him.
I like how Father combines masculinity, courage and faith. “I’m tired of sweet Christians” haha, gotta love it.
I have the utmost respect for the Eastern lung of the Church, whether in communion or not. We are brothers, and I love them and pray for our unity as Christ prayed did in John 17. Armenia is a beautiful church it was founded by the St Jude & St Bartholomew, St Jude my grandma's favorite saint by the way.We give credit to St Gregory the Iluminator as the apostle of Armenia when he baptized the King. Constantinople considered us both heretics at one time, ironically. Why do you ask brother?
Im a Roman Catholic coming from New Jersey, considering converting to Orthodoxy. :)
For some odd reason I have been looking into Orthodox Christianity lately. I remember reading through the new testament when I got saved and wondered why the church didn't follow much of the practices mentioned. I asked a pastor and he told me that it was for that time only. I kept attending church after church and noticed that it was no longer God centered but people centered. Pews weren't enough, they needed comfortable chairs. The music needed to match the feel of what was playing on pop radio stations. Simple beverages were replaced with gourmet coffee. I also witnessed blatant christian paraphernalia sold without shame at big gatherings. All these things resulted in a watered down gospel and worship. It resulted in people not knowing each others names after years of attending church together. Church missions were basically vacation trips at resort destinations. It created a church full of people who have little knowledge of scriptures. It was like pulling teeth to get them to read past a chapter. Something is definitely wrong in American churches. There is too much compromise with the world for the sake of being 'relevant'. The focus on people in church did not get the results that we expected. Church attendance is dwindling. Divorce couples within the church is at the same rate as unbelievers. I heard many stories of church band members having sex with one another. Even had a friend whose father was a pastor and owned the largest porn collection I seen in my life lol....maybe it's time we get back to our roots...
I started going to an Orthodox church since February, I've never looked back. My spirituality has deepened tremendously, and I've gone from not going to church for over a year, to the Sunday service being the highlight of my week. I'm sure I could talk your ear off about it, but I would just try going. I have found you need to give it a couple of weeks, because at first you are just overwhelmed by how alien it feels, but given a few weeks you get your bearings and then your only overwhelmed by having to drink from the fire-hose that is 2000 years of tradition you were never exposed to.
Amen to the whole content of this comment.
I agree with you !!! I don't think HE died the way He died to pay for our sins but to show us that whatever happens to the body, the soul always belongs to GOD and it can not be burned or cut. Να σε καλα!
Yes ! We can "work together"... open your eyes and your heart... and come back to Orthodoxy... come back at home ! :-)
The 4th and 5th Ecumenical Councils forbid any addition to the Nicean Creed which was ignored by Spain and later Rome. This began in the Council of Toledo, Spain and was ignored in a local not ecumenical council by both Spain and eventually Rome. So in order to keep us on topic answer these two simple questions: Why the addition to the Creed? And why the Donation of Constantine if Papal Supremacy was always practiced by the Early Church Fathers? These are the heart of the issue and more to come!
The beauty of Orthodox Christianity
38:23 ... and THAT is why I love Orthodoxy. As a baptist, I have never felt anything but love and a welcoming spirit whenever I have attended my local parish. I came in as ignorant as anyone and still exploring because I am extremely cautious regarding theology, and I still have unanswered questions about the Theotokos and the doctrines surrounding Christ. Nevertheless, I feel this strange and mysterious draw to the Orthodox church, and feel a little sad whenever I go to the baptist church with my family instead of the Orthodox one. I find myself missing it, in spite of my unanswered questions.
I love the hat. Velvety and elegant. This gentleman is very cool.
God doesn't share His glory with anybody!!! I don't have to apologize for it, it is written!!
“The holy Tradition is the Gospel of the Lord Christ, and the Lord Christ Himself, Whom the Holy Spirit instills in each and every believing soul, in the entire Church. Whatever is Christ's, by the power of the Holy Spirit becomes ours, human…” (St. Justin Popovich in The Apostolicity of the Church).
A research of Pre-Constantine early Church writers will give you an idea of the doctrines , beliefs and culture of the early Christians who knew the Apostles and their followers personally. And if we believe the early Bishops, saints and monks at Nicaea and Chalcedon were holy and credible enough to determine which writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit and were worthy to be in the Bible why can we not believe them on church doctrine, such as the Eucharist?
I am Orthodox, here is a picture of a third century (pre-Constantine) church, does it look like your's or mine? archhistdaily.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dura2beuropos2bsynagogue.jpg
As to Constantine, his letters are all available online, could you point out in them where he changed doctrine?
www.seanmultimedia.com/Pie_homepage.html
Consider looking at a Coptic Orthodox Church. many of them in jersey and southern NY! So Happy for your search :D
God bless father.
For those Chaldeans that want to come back into Christ's Catholic Church, the door is open. Similarly for the Coptic Catholic Church. Currently 5 sees in Antioch 3 are Catholic, 1 Oriental, & 1 Eastern. St Peter started multiple churches agreed. Some even say he started the Church in Corinth. St Peter & St Paul died in Rome, the Councils & church fathers always about Rome 1st among equals. The first bishops of Rome were not exclusively Roman, but from other parts of the Mediterranean.Merry Xmas
By reading the history and watching videos about orthodoxy, i converted and taken the name of Saint Simon the Zealot.So i think the people should really start with the question of Father Seraphim. Ask whether the church did exist from 2000 years ago and does she have a continuous history.
#1 Right Glory. This is all you kneed. Not persuasive words.
You can see how there is so much to say that he jumps from one thing to the other and from on thought to the other... I have that a lot. You can't put 2000+ years of experience in a few words. Well, you can but you have to be a saint like Elder Paisios (1924-1994), Elder Porfirios (1906-1991) and so many others. They had the "right glory" as Father Seraphim says.
The Apostle Paul refers to the meaning of the Divine Liturgy (1 Cor. 11: 23-30) quoting the words of the Lord, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." And the Apostle admonishes, saying, "For as often as ye eat this Bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come" (v. 25, 26). He also stresses the point that he who draws near the cup "unworthily" will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord
Or compared to what our brothers and sisters in China, Egypt, Syria, India, Afghanistan, Turkey, or other parts of the world. You've made an excellent point!
When one truly loves God, one keeps Him ever in one`s mind and one remembers His countless goodness and blessings that one enjoys in one`s daily life.
If I may follow up, as Orthodox Christians we believe and pray that we go out in the presence of Christ. Christ said if we are in him then he is in us and he is in the Father. So we go forth ushering in the Kingdom. We go wherever there is need, hurt, or any calling. Christ said, "where two or more gather in my name there I Am in the midst of them". Is it possible then that who we are serving is in the presence of Christ unbeknownst to them? We can then use words or not depending.
Fr Constantine, I think you might be misunderstanding what Fr Seraphim was saying. He was addressing the Protestant caricature that we pray to the saints as if they are some sort of co-deity with God, instead of the actual Orthodox notion that we ask for their intercessions and their prayers just as we ask for the prayers of our brethren alive on Earth.
There will always be a fight between Catholic and Ortodox, for who is first..
We are not all in the 'same' family. It is very nice to think and say that. I would like to think that is the case also.
exactly. Not being allowed to discriminate makes them uncomfortable. ;)
amen to that.
The Maronite liturgy is a heavily latinized form of the Syriac Orthodox liturgy. Rome was famous or rather notorious for latinizing all the uniates. I would say Rome is moving in the right direction after Vatican II. Now if there can be a Vatican III and if Rome can get rid of the remaining issues; filoque, infallability, universal jurisdiction and some of the other marian doctrines, then we can expect full communion soon.
Christ teaches us to be righteous, and to be a godly, compassionate and loving example while we walk out our Christian confession of faith in the world. Actually we are called to be "salt" and "light". May others see the love of God ,shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit, in you. Judgment, however, belongs to God alone. Let's agree together with the Word of God over even our own particular personal opinions. In that Christ Jesus will be glorified and the evil one defeated.
Thank you Brother for your advice. I'll try to read Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit whose very job is to take of Christ's and reveal it to us (John 16:15).
However, as far as the Son's Marriage concerns the only mention of the celebrating His Marriage I found it is in Revelation 19:7. Yes, we can imply many things and call Son's Marriage that instance too, if you so like it. But would you be so kind to help me to understand that based on some Scriptures?
Thank you and God bless you.
I asked these questions and never got the answers. Now I have search for myself and found the Orthodox Church. I wish to join it but I am not. I am just heterodox.
What Orthodox Christians Believe
www.antiochian.org/whatorthodoxbelieve
www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7062
Alexei Osipov "The Search for Truth on the Path of Reason"
The book in PDF
www.alexey-osipov.ru/web-files/books/Bog/God_(by_Osipov_A).pdf
The book in MS Word
www.alexey-osipov.ru/web-files/books/Put_razuma_v_poiskakh_istiny/Pyt_razuma_english_(A_I_Osipov).doc
Prof. Alexei Osipov “God”
Who Is God? What are the proofs of God’s existence?
www.alexey-osipov.ru/web-files/books/Bog/God_(by_Osipov_A).pdf
Go to a local Orthodox Church in your area, or the one that is closest to you, and ask the priest there about your wish. God bless you!
@@Дон-ш5л Trinity.... Father, Son, Holy Ghost all in one. They try to keep their faith original to what it has been. Reading online can help if you look up Eastern Orthodox Faith and practice. See an Eastern Orthodox Father to ask about the faith more too.
@@Дон-ш5лEverywhere, he is the ''creator'' and no one could ever create things or people so precisely and have all been brought out more and more what a miracle it is if it were not created by someone very wise and very intelligent to know all that it did today.
This is proven every day in how we live and die and WHY would we be here and WHY would we bother to live if we did not here on a mission? We have a purpose, and it is to learn and teach about Jesus the Son of God in the flesh, but He was God in the Flesh according to the BIBLE. That is why they killed HIM as he Was God, and they really knew it and was afraid that people would follow Him and He would be a King of a Kingdom. But He did not come to set up any Kingdom. he will come back and do that and judge everyone according to their faith and what they have done with it.
Orthodoxy is orthodox. Culture in Eastern Orthodoxy provides a means of expression. Doctrine and practice are consistent and expressed through a variety of cultures. I have visited numerous ethnic parishes and cultural variety does not dilute or change doctrine. My parish is multiciltural...we all believe the same. Rome has moved from being orthodox due to the unilateral acceptance of doctinal innovations.
You should consider talking to Bishop David (Coptic Orthodox Bishop) if you are in the Jersey Area!
Because the expression "royal priesthood" is already used in the Old testament, is the proof that not all christians are automatically priests. And the example of the ancient christian history shows us, that not all christians had been working as priests.
"in Christ Jesus I became your father through the Gospel”!When he told us that he is our father why don't call him 'father'.When somebody says to you that he is your friend, you can call him 'friend'.And look at the ancient christian history..
For our brothers and sisters in America to come closer to Orthodoxy:
Visit St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Arizona founded by Elder
Efraim from Άγιον Όρος (Mount Athos), or any of the 19 Monasteries he
founded in US and Canada: @ God Bless.
Ευχαριστώ, πάτερ Σεραφείμ
...but for an Orthodox, the material form is not all that is required for assured Sacraments. It also requires integration into the Body of Faith, the Orthodox Church, which, as all our Saints have taught, Rome has separated from. You are not required to agree with me. Your faith requires that you disagree! But it's what we believe. I'm sorry if some so-called Orthodox ecumenists, in their effort to be nice, have misrepresented the teaching of the Saints concerning Roman Catholicism.
Great interview but I - as an Orthodox Christian - was a little embarrassed that Fr Seraphim kept misquoting St Basil. The quote "preach the Gospel at all times..." is usually attributed to Francis of Assisi although many doubt that even he actually said it. There's nothing wrong with "using words" to preach the Gospel as the Scriptures say "Faith comes by hearing...".
You should do that brother. Come home in authentic Apostolic Christianity.
“One God and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ” (1 Tim. 2:5).
As far as getting help in prayer from our brothers, that must be done by "praying for one another" (James 5:16), which can't be done with a dead brother.
As far as the mediating in Heaven it is NOT for the saints gone up there but "the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27).
Dear SenoZacltp, Please learn some history. The Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria are in communion. These two churches along with the Armenian Church, Ethiopian Church , Eritrean Church and the Malankara (Indian) Church form the Oriental Orthodox Communion; with true diversity of liturgy. and with no universal jurisdiction for anyone.
The starting point of Christ's teaching is repent and believe in the Gospel - Mark 1:15, second believe and be baptized (watch careful the order: first believe, then baptism). Then as a result of having the Holy Spirit (Ephes. 1:13) and becoming thus spiritual (1 Corint. 2:15) yes, can be righteous, godly...
I am Latino & Catholic there was no ethnic cleansing. Most Catholics are people of color only 25% of the billion are European. The Church stood up for the indigenous, a catholic priest started the revolution in Mexico against Spain. You just stated earlier you don't follow Constantinople. Which apostle started the Serbian Church? Everyone hates the Vatican? The Catholic Church is the #1 charity in the America & the World. The Catholic Church founded the scientific method, and the college system.
please brother - the Orthodox churches today have a clear point on that: the whole mono/miaphysism controversy was generated by linguistic and political differences!
this is set aside and the churches are in communion once again - a fruit of the Holy Spirit!
Have you listened all the videos of father Seraphim Cardoza?
Did you know that there're about 30'000 denominations in protestantism...so how to choose the right denomination?
I dont know about what happened in Bulgaria. I am from India. I know what the Latin's under the Portughese did to the ancient Orthodox Church established by St. Thomas in India. Rome encouraged defections and ended up creating not just one; but two uniates in India.
You keep in bringing up St. Peter. But you have not yet answered my question. How is ROME the exclusive successor of St.Peter ? St.Peter establish the see of Antioch and ordain his successor there?
Read the greek brother, God be with you.
Amen to that!
But it is not enough. "If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matt. 16:24-25).
One must perform these actions:
- to have desire to follow Jesus (not people);
- to deny himself
- to take up the cross
- to follow Jesus (not men)
- desire to lose his life for Jesus' sake.
Without these steps God's compassion is not of any help.
Good news!
Lets first start with the RC doctrine instroduced in 1869 at the First Vatican Council; "Papal Infallability" . Where is that in the Bible? In Acts of the Apostles when the question of circumcission came up; it was the council of jersusalem that decided not St.Peter ex-cathedra. And remember we already agreed that Roman Pope is not the ONLY see of St.Peter. Antioch and others are also see of St.Peter.
"The Orthodox Church had always maintained, however; that the Early Church saw no theological basis in Mat 16:18-19 to support the claims of Rome; stating rather, that most of the Early Church saw in this passage that Christ was building His Church, not on the person of Peter, but on Peter;s confession of faith and therefore, was not declaring him to be the sole foundation of His Church. A much qutoted survey compiled by Roman Catholic scholar Jean de Launoy, finds that..."
Great interview!
As far as i know, orthodox people do pray to saints.
+Gabriel Paraschiv
yes, we do pray to the saints but we don't worship them. in Orthodoxy there is a distinction between *prayer* (asking) and *worship*.
we worship only the Triune God: *Father, Son, Holy Spirit*.
strictly speaking, we are asking the Saints for their prayers (intercession) before the Lord.
even semantically, prayer and worship are not the same.
here is an example of how prayer differs from worship.
we may ask someone: *pray* for me
but we don't say: *worship* for me
regards,
theOrthodoxFaith (*dot*) org
dear Godly Mathew our lord jesus christ the son of God blessed you.i so satisfied with you raply.thanks!!!
don't pray to saints....pray true saints (big diference) but in 99 % of The cases it's a direct pray to God!!
mebrat baraki
thank you for your very kind words.
@@silouanmathew6599 Asking for prayer from Saints as we have a heaven and earth and it is ONE CHUrch SO AS WE WOULD ASK A FRIEND TO PRAY FOR US WE AS THE sAINTS TO PRAY FOR US TO. Our Lord hears our prayers also. But we do as friends to pray for us and heaven and earth is the SAME ONE CHURCH. We should not have several denominations as it happened when people wanted to change the way the one church was set up. So they left as King Henry the 8th wanted to get a divorce thus it was Anglican and in U.S the Episcopal. The Luther broke from Roman Catholic And wrote the 95 theses as he found things he did not like. So he started the Lutheran church. Then he reformed and on and on. In 1054 the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox broke as ALL BISHOPS were equal. But the Roman Bishop was known as grater among equals" BUT not that all the one was correct any more than they said one apostle was more able than another. They all were equal and even Peter was reprimanded at times. We know how many more Protestant broke and took some of the same rules and prayers etc with them but left what they did not want. But this is not to say anything against Protestants at all, but just explaining how it was done. some people cannot handle the rules of the Eastern Orthodox church as we live in a modern world and we are used to be more spoiled and we do not like to suffer in any way now.
So as we do have ONE CHURCH which in the beginning that is exactly what it was, although they had names of the apostles added to each one ( IN Revelation this is mentioned as wrong, as they are 'one church' and did not need to do that) , they believed the same. But after a while, the Pagans showed up and came to pretend to want to worship the Living God but they brought some of their pagan thought into the church. So that had to be watched. To this day it does.