My parish priest has asked me about becoming a Deacon. I serve as a Subdeacon currently and I already feel very unworthy of my current position let alone to be ordained. I hope God gives me the decrement to see the path He has for me.
Greetings Subdeacon. CHRIST IS RISEN! Concerning worthiness I would suggest you read through the prayers of ordination for a deacon. None of us are worthy, but through the grace of ordination and the power of the Holy Spirit we are made worthy and that which is lacking is completed through the laying on of hands. By God's grace I was ordained to the holy diaconate this past September and it has truly been an indescribable experience. One of the hardest things I have done but also awe inspiring. Continue to pray and talk more with your Priest. God's peace brother. Dn. John
@@DeaconJohn798 Came here to say just like you, "none of us are worthy." We all sin, even priests, deacons, bishops (for Catholics, Even the Pontifex Maximus is a sinner). Sin is the Human Condition. There is no human being alive today who is without sin. If you've seen that series "The Chosen" there is a scene (S2:E6) where Jesus redeems Mary Magdalene again and Jesus says to her "Did you really think you wouldn't struggle or sin again?" she says "I shouldn't" Jesus Replies: "Someday, but not here." We must accept our nature as sinners in order to receive HIS grace again and again.
This brought me peace. I’m going to seminary after years of putting it off and trying to content myself with secular jobs. I’ve had serious concerns when I hear other priests- especially on the Roots of Orthodoxy channel share that you shouldn’t “want” to be a priest, or at least that sentiment. I’ve tried my way of doing things, I now just want to stop making excuses and running from at least going and learning. I’m still fearful of telling people I want to be a priest or that I feel “called” due to the pervasive attitude of anyone who says this is vainglorious, but I just want to give my life to the Church. I want to make it the entirety of my professional and spiritual responsibility to serve. I’ve taught, I’ve done retail, I’ve worked IT, I’ve worked Sales but my heart has always belonged to the Church. I’m just finally ready to submit. So, thank you for sharing this reflection it didn’t diminish or belittle my concerns, but contextualized them.
May it be blessed! I think theres a nuance of wanting to be ordained as one’s own will vs being called to be ordained by those around us and our spiritual father. We should *want* the will of God as it is reflected in those around us, especially our church community. We live in a world of self-will. Traditionally, priests, as all other healers, midwives etc, were chosen *by* their community and their elders rather than self-selecting themselves.
@@william_02while being selected by the community is ideal in that it *would seem* to preclude ambition (some people are quite skilled in winning popularity contests), in the modern world it is not always possible that way. It is worth mentioning that depending on the parish and jurisdiction, many Orthodox priests are paid very little and some are paid nothing. Most have families to support. If men (and their wives) willing to make the sacrifice did not put themselves forward to serve the church we would have almost no clergy today. And seminary is 3-4 years and we hope is enough to weed out those totally unsuitable.
Congratulations! I've had the same feelings as you for years but an not ready to make the commitment yet. At any rate, seminary is the place to make one's final discernment. There is also nothing wrong with getting a seminary degree and not getting ordained -- I know several men who did not for various reasons but not one said they regretted going.
Please pray for me as i pray for discernment on going to seminary, i love God and i feel a strong desire to bring an orthodox mission to my town and work to see his true church grow here!
There needs to be more online Orthodox Mdiv options. Some are available like The Holy Trinity and Greek Orthodox seminary are very expensive. The others are not regionally accredited.
Everytime I get this idea, I always say: If God is willing I shall comply. As a believer I'm studying slowly enough to when the time comes I can as ready as possible. But I don't think it is close as I'm still young and battling silly sins.
Yes, This writer was told to take No Title, after He Revealed, that the Wolves Entered the Churches using the Prowess of their Own Intellects, where they spend their lives in full intellectual agreement with all that Scripture says, but are able to be Served as they are as people, and can seem to be Holy from their Attire and Outward Appearance, and their Cleverness at remembering the words and numbers of all things written, and can readily quote them to back any arguement, but at No Time has the Holy Spirit been Allowed to take the inner Seat, and Truly Guide their Lips and Lives, at No Time do they Question how Well their Idea of Our Father is Serving Them, but at all times their Selves are Living the Lie, for Each Thought theyhave, comes in perfect agreement to the thought they had before it.
@@alexm6715The Orthodox Church has 2 absolute obstacles for priesthood. 1) Being responsible for the loss of a life, directly or indirectly, willingly or unwillingly - after baptism. 2) Having fallen to a sin of the flesh (fornication / adultery) - after baltism. There are more but if these two obstacles are present, the person should not even consider moving on to priesthood. I believe it is also an absolute obstacle if someone has participated in occult, satanic, paganistic, witchcraft rituals etc - after baptism. There are some relevant obstacles. For example if had been a drunkard, to what extent. If the Bishop sees that it is not to the extend that will cause a church scandal, maybe concealled drinking at home with no violence ourbusts - repented and forgotten. They might let it go. If the Facebook is full of someone rolling down drunk, the Bishop might call it an obstacle. So some relative, some absolute obstacles.
@@alexm6715 Lying to people and preaching hate, ignorance and fear mongering for the sake of collecting tax exempt donations is not what is considered an honest living.
My parish priest has asked me about becoming a Deacon. I serve as a Subdeacon currently and I already feel very unworthy of my current position let alone to be ordained. I hope God gives me the decrement to see the path He has for me.
Greetings Subdeacon. CHRIST IS RISEN! Concerning worthiness I would suggest you read through the prayers of ordination for a deacon. None of us are worthy, but through the grace of ordination and the power of the Holy Spirit we are made worthy and that which is lacking is completed through the laying on of hands. By God's grace I was ordained to the holy diaconate this past September and it has truly been an indescribable experience. One of the hardest things I have done but also awe inspiring. Continue to pray and talk more with your Priest. God's peace brother. Dn. John
@@DeaconJohn798 Came here to say just like you, "none of us are worthy." We all sin, even priests, deacons, bishops (for Catholics, Even the Pontifex Maximus is a sinner). Sin is the Human Condition. There is no human being alive today who is without sin. If you've seen that series "The Chosen" there is a scene (S2:E6) where Jesus redeems Mary Magdalene again and Jesus says to her "Did you really think you wouldn't struggle or sin again?" she says "I shouldn't" Jesus Replies: "Someday, but not here." We must accept our nature as sinners in order to receive HIS grace again and again.
This brought me peace. I’m going to seminary after years of putting it off and trying to content myself with secular jobs. I’ve had serious concerns when I hear other priests- especially on the Roots of Orthodoxy channel share that you shouldn’t “want” to be a priest, or at least that sentiment.
I’ve tried my way of doing things, I now just want to stop making excuses and running from at least going and learning. I’m still fearful of telling people I want to be a priest or that I feel “called” due to the pervasive attitude of anyone who says this is vainglorious, but I just want to give my life to the Church. I want to make it the entirety of my professional and spiritual responsibility to serve. I’ve taught, I’ve done retail, I’ve worked IT, I’ve worked Sales but my heart has always belonged to the Church. I’m just finally ready to submit.
So, thank you for sharing this reflection it didn’t diminish or belittle my concerns, but contextualized them.
May it be blessed! I think theres a nuance of wanting to be ordained as one’s own will vs being called to be ordained by those around us and our spiritual father. We should *want* the will of God as it is reflected in those around us, especially our church community. We live in a world of self-will. Traditionally, priests, as all other healers, midwives etc, were chosen *by* their community and their elders rather than self-selecting themselves.
@@william_02while being selected by the community is ideal in that it *would seem* to preclude ambition (some people are quite skilled in winning popularity contests), in the modern world it is not always possible that way. It is worth mentioning that depending on the parish and jurisdiction, many Orthodox priests are paid very little and some are paid nothing. Most have families to support. If men (and their wives) willing to make the sacrifice did not put themselves forward to serve the church we would have almost no clergy today. And seminary is 3-4 years and we hope is enough to weed out those totally unsuitable.
Congratulations! I've had the same feelings as you for years but an not ready to make the commitment yet. At any rate, seminary is the place to make one's final discernment. There is also nothing wrong with getting a seminary degree and not getting ordained -- I know several men who did not for various reasons but not one said they regretted going.
I am also praying about this, as unworthy as I am. Thank you for the timely upload.
Please pray for me as i pray for discernment on going to seminary, i love God and i feel a strong desire to bring an orthodox mission to my town and work to see his true church grow here!
Great timing
I’ve been asking myself this question for a long time now. Thank you!
I actually have been thinking about becoming a priest. Thank you for this video, Father; it gave me some clarity to think.
God bless you!
Even moreso, I have been wondering if I should become a monk.
CONSIDER THE CARTHUSIANS (WHO ARE FAITHFUL).
Wonderful. Be sure to visit a monastery and see. The non-orthodox shouldn’t be sounding off any ideas of joining their groups.
There needs to be more online Orthodox Mdiv options. Some are available like The Holy Trinity and Greek Orthodox seminary are very expensive. The others are not regionally accredited.
I've been told that demons go after priests' wives pretty hard, so a guy should consider that when making decisions about marriage & seminary.
Where did you hear this?
@@Coconut-g7v I think from my first priest.
There is nothing I want more than to become a priest
Everytime I get this idea, I always say: If God is willing I shall comply. As a believer I'm studying slowly enough to when the time comes I can as ready as possible. But I don't think it is close as I'm still young and battling silly sins.
this is quite timely in my case.
I’ve been struggling with this very question. How providential for me that this video was just posted. Thank you.
Yes, This writer was told to take No Title, after He Revealed, that the Wolves Entered the Churches using the Prowess of their Own Intellects, where they spend their lives in full intellectual agreement with all that Scripture says, but are able to be Served as they are as people, and can seem to be Holy from their Attire and Outward Appearance, and their Cleverness at remembering the words and numbers of all things written, and can readily quote them to back any arguement, but at No Time has the Holy Spirit been Allowed to take the inner Seat, and Truly Guide their Lips and Lives, at No Time do they Question how Well their Idea of Our Father is Serving Them, but at all times their Selves are Living the Lie, for Each Thought theyhave, comes in perfect agreement to the thought they had before it.
This is why comments should be disabled. Are we supposed to take these words seriously?
If AXIOS then please do. If not then don't, as simple as that.
That is a bad way to look at it. God qualifies the called, he does not call the qualified.
@@alexm6715The Orthodox Church has 2 absolute obstacles for priesthood.
1) Being responsible for the loss of a life, directly or indirectly, willingly or unwillingly - after baptism.
2) Having fallen to a sin of the flesh (fornication / adultery) - after baltism.
There are more but if these two obstacles are present, the person should not even consider moving on to priesthood.
I believe it is also an absolute obstacle if someone has participated in occult, satanic, paganistic, witchcraft rituals etc - after baptism.
There are some relevant obstacles. For example if had been a drunkard, to what extent. If the Bishop sees that it is not to the extend that will cause a church scandal, maybe concealled drinking at home with no violence ourbusts - repented and forgotten. They might let it go. If the Facebook is full of someone rolling down drunk, the Bishop might call it an obstacle.
So some relative, some absolute obstacles.
I will ALWAYS become a priest. Every single day of my life.
Pog
I’d rather make an honest living, thanks.
How is this not an honest living?
@@alexm6715 Lying to people and preaching hate, ignorance and fear mongering for the sake of collecting tax exempt donations is not what is considered an honest living.
@@2l84me8 lol okay, I can see you’ve never step foot in an Orthodox Church.
@@2l84me8 oh my, careful you don't cut yourself on all that edge there buddy!
@@FreshPelmeni Stay salty.