Greetings from Serbia! As you may know, Serbia is an Orthodox country, which has paid a high price for this many times in history. Anyway, as an Orthodox, I already know some of this, but I'm trying to improve my English, and this channel is so helpful in explaining Orthodoxy, but also for learning English for me :)
Happy to have friends in the Serbian church in different nations. Serbians in Romania had to pay a high price too in 1951 when they have been deported to the Baragan. In the Romanian Banat here is a wonderful Serbian Saint George monastry near Birda south of Temesvar.
When l was very young in Greek Orthodox Sunday school back in the seventies, they taught us the conflict and the suffering with Croatia. The Serbian Orthodox would never yield to Papal infallibility. I remember seeing pictures of many Serbians being tortured. As a child it was horrible to see. I'm not judging or condemning anyone. Just seeing those photographs of young and old people being tortured as a result of their Orthodox beliefs and what they went through as a result was horrifying. In addition what Orthodox Romanians endured in prisons was heartbreaking.
I really appreciate Father Paul. He has a civil tongue, never putting anyone down, never is condescending to anyone; even when he substantiates and easily rebukes counterpoints to what he believes in. Father Paul is extremely welcoming, and never makes anyone feel uncomfortable at any point of his discussion. It reminds me of the Orthodox monk who went to a village to help and show them how to improve their agriculture, their irrigation, their farming and their overall quality of life. Each time being asked who does he worship; never telling them he was Eastern Russian Orthodox. Finally when the altruistic monk took his leave of the village, they found out the humble monk was Orthodox. The end result, the entire village converted to Orthodoxy.
Your response is an unfortunate one. No need to call him a liar. His interpretation is obviously quite different from yours. Nevertheless if you disagree with parts of the Bible, fine that's how you see it. l see him as being a very virtuous, kind hearted individual who's open mind has led him to dedicate his life to Orthodoxy in a manner of spiritual altruism.
@@guspapadopoulos thanks for the compliment. Yeah he definitely should stop lying to people. There's no evidence for God but plenty of evidence the Bible is b*******. I suffered thanks to people like him. You and him should both look how the Bible support slavery and murdering gay people and many others. You can also research how the Bible contradicts itself.
@@beastumfan „God is not real“ lmao so are ethics, logic and math. You presuppose those things yet you have no justification for them. (Transcendental argument). You have no justification to call those acts „bad“ in the first place
I am a 21 year old Spanish woman and I have been brought up Catholic, after finding out about traditional Catholicism a couple years ago (and it being very helpful for my faith journey), I also feel very called to learn more about Orthodox Christianity. I would love to attend the Divine Liturgy and get to experience it by myself, and hopefully get to know and understand my orthodox brothers and sisters better. We have to be united in the reconquering of the West. God bless. Viva Cristo Rey.
Hi everyone! I’m not here to offend or start a debate….just to provide options. One option would be to attend a Byzantine Divine Liturgy at one of the Eastern Catholic Churches. There are several Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome such as the Melkites (Iglesia Católica Griega Melquita) or the Ukrainian Greek Catholics or the Byzantine Catholic Church (Iglesia Católica Bizantina). You can fully receive the Holy Eucharist and also go to Confession at these Churches. These Churches are fully Catholic. The Eastern Catholic Churches contain Orthodox Spirituality and are also in full communion with Rome. May God always be with you!!!
It's a miraculous real story of the oppression received some Delighted Orthodox Monks to accept Pope and Roman Christianity, and the real intervention of Saint Virgin Maria Mother of Christ. Please take 5 minutes to read. God bless you!
I'm glad Father brought up the consistency between ancient saints and modern. As a former roman catholic I could see zero continuity between the desert fathers and modern roman catholic saints it was very troubling. The first time I read the lives of Ss. Seraphim of Sarov and Xenia of St. Petersburg it all clicked.
What are you talking about? How is there no continuity between the Desert Fathers and the Roman Catholic Saints?? Also, it is interesting that you don't mention some of the other early Saints, such as Augustine or Leo the Great, who - as even the Eastern "Orthodox" admit - taught distinctively Roman Catholic doctrines.
@@the4gospelscommentaryno need to defend the saints, their lives speak for themselves, that’s what the Father here in the video invites us to do, read about them, the Holy Spirit will guide you through the wordly affairs.
Hi, Protestant here (almost ex tho, I am discerning). With all due respect, your objection sounds like the Protestant one of saying, “the early church met in home churches, therefore Catholic Churches shouldn’t be so large with grandeur”. The issue with that objection made (and anything along those lines objecting to large churches, etc.) is that it essentially attacks Christianity for having grown. Christianity is a religion that grows and changes over time, as it impacts the world and culture, and transforms societies. I don’t understand why you’re claiming to not be able to see continuity between the desert fathers and modern Catholic saints. First, we live in a very different world today, and the challenges the faithful are called to rise to are different. Secondly, even if their should be all these ‘solitary’, ‘hermit-like’ modern Catholics, then this is granted by all the Catholic monks and ascetics of sorts who live these solitary sort of lives. Just because they’re not well known doesn’t mean they don’t exist and fulfil this criteria, and this makes especially good sense if these ascetics are less likely to be in the public eye and thus less likely to receive canonisation. Third, the desert fathers weren’t all the fathers and saints of the early church - they are certainly not the ‘standard’ that saints have to conform to. I hope that made some sense. I do really appreciate your comment. I think it’s interesting to think about what the appropriate ‘progression’ of Christianity should look like, as it grows and impacts the world. Thanks!!
I’m a 26 year old man from SW FL and I was born and raised in the Catholic Church then as I got into the Protestant Church after the age of 22. And I decided to search and try the Orthodox Church. I’m going this Sunday for the first time
That was a huge part of my “decision”. You speak to an Orthodox monk, and a Catholic priest you will see the difference in spirit. Compare a Divine Liturgy with mass. I asked myself who I would rather reflect, who would I want to BE like. Being a philosopher isn’t my goal. Being like the God-man is my goal. And so far too go.. May God have mercy on us all and save us.
@@jollygoodgordon5580 that’s true. I could have done that, but a catholic monastery was hard to find in my area. Between the priests you find the same difference nonetheless.
@@jollygoodgordon5580 There is a spirit, a fragrance, that has permeated both of them. They are very different. From the monastics to the priests, and laymen. (You decide which has the fragrance of Jesus Christ) It doesn’t take a PHD in theology, philosophy, church history, and biblical studies to notice this difference. (Not that any of those areas of study is bad) I think even wanting to start from any of those presuppositions is the very problem. To no offense to you or any Roman Catholic. I am only stating my experience and observations in considering both the Holy Orthodox Church, and Roman Catholicism.
Fr. Truebenbach helped me greatly through his ministry on TH-cam and I eventually found St. Seraphim of Sarov. It was through St. Seraphim’s prayers that I found my way into the Orthodox Church. I thank Christ for you, Father!
Im gonna try your experiment. Read lives of ancient saints. Then lives of modern Catholic saints and Orthodox saints. And see which ones line up with the ancient saints. As someone going through a bit of a Catholic vs Orthodox crisis, this is a brilliant idea.
@JudeMalachi Correct. I've read books on Maximilian Kolbe and Therese of Liseux and a couple others. I haven't read any lives of saints books in early church (except for desert fathers). Got any books about that you'd recommend?
@@mathieuconklin3146As I am posting on a website that represents the Eastern Church, can I recommend three outstanding books from the east: [1] Life of St Anthony of Egypt by St Athanasius, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; [2] On the Incarnation, St Vladimir’s Seminary Press (St Athanasius the Great); [3] My Life in Christ (Two Volumes) - St John of Kronstadt, Independent Publishers Group.
EOC don't recognize Catholic saints after 1054AD. Including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas More, Faustina Kowalska (Divine Mercy), Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, Catherine of Sienna, and thousands of other saints..
Saint Xenia is also so dear to my family. Both my husband and I had seperate incidents occur that involved her and her presence as we were praying her Akathist. I have no words to describe it. Lord have mercy on me, a sinner ☦️
A great stumbling block for many of my friends is the Orthodox fasting discipline. How can I help them see that self-denial and fasting is not just important, but necessary for spiritual growth? Christ, help me.
A friend of mine advised me to start slowly, with no guilt - just joy in my heart. Still 3 meals a day but smaller meals, however with no meat, dairy, wine, or oil (which is where I'm at). Only after a lot of prayer I hope to be like her - just a simple vegetable soup with a few lentils and a hunk of bread (her only meal of the day on Weds and Fridays, usually eaten at around 3pm).
I was told when you're just starting out you should consult with your priest to develop a fasting rule. The full Byzantine fast isn't required of you right from the beginning.
Each person talks to his/her spiritual father or Priest to come up with a plan for fasting if s/he is weak still. It is gradual oftentimes for those in the Catechumenate and Neophytes. There is nothing to fear, the Holy Orthodox Church works with us on our path of Theosis by the grace of God.
The Bible says prayer and fasting. Both. Did the Bible mention what percentage one is more important than the other? No, it says both. They can be equally as important at times
i'm one, as soon as i saw this Pope accept a gift, a crucifix submerged in a jar of urine i said i'm done with this Church, not to mention him tying to destroy the traditional mass, and the proof that bishops and the Pope himself were protecting child molesting Priest. The Catholic Church is too far gone, it'll never be what it once was again.
Former Catholic and Jesuit seminarian here, now a member of the ancient Church established by Christ and His Apostles, the Orthodox Church. No end to Catholics become Orthodox Christians. Ever since the last pedophile scandal (the one that erupted in Harrisburg PA in August of 2018 and then went global), the numbers have surged to a flood.
I am a Roman Catholic leaving for Eastern Orthodoxy. I couldn't give you figures, but what I can tell you is that this pontificate is attracting people for the wrong reasons, not because of the Gospel or apostolic tradition, but because of ecumenism, religious indifferentism, and liberalism in general. Since you made this comment, Francis has obviously made matters even worse. The sad thing is that most current and faithful Catholics will tell you that they feel this way but are afraid to leave, and some end up becoming Sedevacantists. The ones who hang on, I understand. It was really hard for me. Those becoming Sedevacantists, I don't really understand. You can't really deny specific papacies without denying them all.
Choosing a denomination between saints is an interesting idea. When you look at a Catholic saint of the 20th century, St. Padre Pio, and you study the gifts he had: the stigmata, bilocation, reading of souls in confession, etc., and then you take into account other miracles attributed to him even since his physical death, you realize the gifts the God gave him. Many blessings from this Catholic to my Orthodox brothers and sisters.
As a Roman Catholic I’d say that we are the same. I was once an Orthodox Christian I’d say this. I knew I didn’t have the strength of answering questions inside. So I converted to Catholicism and it’s the one true church. Orthodox churches have no real leader no offense to the Eastern Orthodox Church
@JudeMalachi Uncreated energies? The creed without Rome's addition of the filioque? Or what about the other way around, has Orthodoxy dogmatized any sort of purgatory, or immaculate conception of Mary, or "mortal sins"? Whether we're talking about those doctrines, or we're talking about papal infallibility, Catholicism has developed a thousand years worth of doctrine that is alien to the ancient Church. And Catholics will defend everything the Pope says and does, simply because he's the Pope. "It would seem that the Holy Ghost does not proceed from the Son. For as Dionysius says (Div. Nom. i), 'We must not dare to say anything concerning the substantial Divinity except what has been divinely expressed to us by the sacred oracles.' But in the Sacred Scripture we are not told that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son; but only that He proceeds from the Father, as appears from John 15:26, 'The Spirit of truth, Who proceeds from the Father.' Therefore the Holy Ghost does not proceed from the Son" - Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, First Part, Question 36, Article 2. Not to mention, we still have continuity with St. Peter through the bishop of Antioch. Think I'll stick with Orthodoxy. After all, 4 out of 5 patriarchs agree (the Great Schism).
This was a wonderful video! And I very much so enjoyed that miniature tour of the church and the short biographies of some of the more modern saints ☦️
I grew up with purely secular, emotionally distant parents and often had borderline demonic episodes of emotional turmoil, but throughout my life I've never been able to escape from Christians - no matter where I go, they're the ones who appear drawn to me, and vice-versa. After my parents died at 18, I became a spiritual seeker on-and-off and Christianity was the LAST religion I thought could possibly be truthful. I stepped foot in a Greek Orthodox church only because I had already gone unsatisfactorily through the list of every other religion out there, and because some orthodox guy was nice to me online once. I loved the people there and the service, but I ended up being drawn to Catholicism simply because of its greater presence and the abundance of "extra-curricular opportunities" I could involve myself with. However, a year later I'm really regretting it because I've been introduced to all of the seemingly man-made superstitions like indulgences, the immaculate conception (and the borderline worship of Mary in general), the idea that if I miss Mass once and die without confessing it I will literally go to inescapable Hell, and the hundreds of schizophrenic episodes where people "see Mary" talking heresy yet the church officially believes it to be true and from God. Most Catholics don't even believe half the Catholic-specific dogma of the church - the apparent unity of the Catholic church, which is another reason I chose it, is all show. There are great Catholics, and the parish I converted in was especially abundant in Spirit, but the over-emphasis on these Catholic-originating superstitions has been atrocious in helping me grow in faith and I basically just stopped attending Mass after a few months because of how much I was disgusted and troubled over these things. Instead of an emphasis on growing in the Spirit, becoming more like Christ, and learning to properly love and worship the Father, Catholicism in practice ends up being more about "how many rosaries can I pray each day" (and half the words of the rosary are heresy imo), "what obligatory thing can I do to lessen my time in purgatory instead of actually repenting," and in general is more about mindless action and speech rather than sincerely trying to please God. Having grown up in the environment I did where hard scientific facts are what is worshipped and seen as highest truth, I CONSTANTLY struggle with having lasting belief that Jesus really was in fact more than a well-meaning apocalyptic prophet whose honorable but merely earthly vision of Israel never came to be. The only reason I believed in the church enough to convert at all (and I really shouldn't have with my doubts), and remained despite these doubts, was the spirit of the people who really love God in the church. I had an STE (Spiritually Transformative Experience) in High School where I felt the unconditional love of God, which I've felt at various times throughout my life - and it is only because good Christians I have met give off the same "spiritual" feeling as that Spirit I felt (more powerfully and more reliably than other religious people), that I have been willing to be around Christianity and even consider it at all. If it were just the books and the tradition that was there, I don't think I could believe at all because of how it has been challenged by historical-critical scholars and archaeology. Anyway, I'm ranting now, thank you to anyone who read all of this. :) I've decided to resume my inquiry into the Orthodox church again, hoping it will fix the problems I'm having in Catholicism.
Wow I really relate to your perspective, having converted from humanism to Christianity, and also having emotionally distant parents. Like you I was attracted to the radiating love some Christians have, no matter their denomination. I became a Christian last September attending a bible study on Romans in a non denominational church. But I came to Orthodoxy because it is closest to the early church and because of their intensity of self reflection, and the way they describe the Church as a hospital. As a logical person, sometimes I find it hard to believe some of the stories of the Saints, but I'm praying for a transformation of my heart and mind. Sometimes unbelief creeps in period about everything, and pray to God I believe, help my unbelief, because I've never felt such peace and comfort outside of being a Christian and contemplating God and Jesus Christ. Besides Orthodox Church, I also go to Celebrate Recovery, a 12 step Christ-centered recovery because the people there are also passionate about healing and drawing closer to God, and becoming more Christ-like. As for the historical evidence I've seen many videos and I'm really convinced that there is evidence for Jesus Christ existing. One that comes to mind is the Shroud of Turin and how scientists have not found a way to explain it. Thank you for reading this far 😊 I pray for God's mercy and blessings for you and for your salvation ❤
I 10000% second the shroud of Turin. I don’t venerate things, but I have had nights where I stay up thinking about the shroud because it is just so cool. Literally for hours. It’s incredible, praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. You can see the crucifixion. You can see the sculptures made from the image miraculously photographed onto the fabric.
I grew up in the Roman Catholic church going to a catholic church but I never understood/ was taught any deep meaning or theological perspectives. I went with a friend to the Orthodox church when I was 21 and last year I converted. I feel like the most important thing about your christian journey is keeping your eyes and mind on Christ and learning about him. In my Orthodox church, I attend bible study, youth meeting and mass regularly (I never knew that they existed or thought to attend in my catholic church) and I am taught in a way which is applicable for me. I still go with my family to my catholic church and find that I have a deeper connection with Christ now then I did before orthodoxy and I find so much beauty in my church and the saints now. I wish you all the best on your journey with Christ.
I wouldn't worry. Jesus is the God of all. He formed us and has a plan for all of us. He loves us and wants us to be saved. I had always grown up religious, (seventh day Adventist) but I never really knew Jesus until I had gone through a really rough spiritual battle with a girl I was dating. She had trauma and at the time I was unaware of the spiritual world, (her demons latched on me ) and I became very prideful and ended up losing not only her but hurting everyone around me. I was so oblivious to things like clowns and jesters being demons and I became obsessed with them until finally I lost everything including a good friend and it left me so broken and alone. Later that year I walked alone in my hometown one day and met a homeless guy, i bought him some food and went back later at night and found him again and he began preaching to me and had a Bible. It almost was like he was an angel telling me things I didn't understand about the spiritual realm, but at the time I thought he might have been abducted by aliens or ufos or was insane or something and didn't understand he was simply sharing the gospel. I spent that winter suffering, i was also sad because i had always seen a future and sometimes had dreams where I might see something in the future as a warning but I still did it anyways or a place i would be in a dream later happened in real life. That winter I finally started studying the Bible and suddenly all of it started making sense, all of the chaos and confusion I had before went away and it was like a veil was lifted from my eyes. All the past "knowledge" I had thought was so important suddenly became useless and I spent 3 months locked in a room studying the Bible and missed school from January to February. During that time I learned that all historical scholars and archaeology and all biblical archaeology and true history has almost been completely covered up. We are in a little season Rev:20 Where our true past is being covered up. The craziest part is now the Lord has given me so much wisdom I realize things like aliens and UFOs are simply satan and his fallen angels. And the lies institutions have fed us in schools is all about promoting pride and self worship so people ignore God. And Bible sites HAVE been discovered (Ron Wyatt) but no church talks about it because it. Im going to a catholic college next year, and I know I cant share a lot of my wisdom with them because they wouldn't understand (the resets of society and fallen angels controlling governments and schools ect makes it hard to share with people) But something I admire about Catholics is their humility. I think sometimes too much knowledge in anything can lead to pride, the more knowledge the more grief (Ecclesiastes 1:18). And Catholics are humble in their sincerity even if they dont know many things because the higher ups in the church have kept them ignorant. I will still be attending divine liturguy and going to an orthodox church on Sundays and an Adventist church on Saturdays for Sabbath rest, but even within orthodoxy my biggest issue with the church is the structure. IT is based on a Roman structure where money is funneled to the top, protestants and Catholics have it as well. If I ever found a perfect church it would be a house style church where people can gather in their homes and have liturgy and service in their homes without a centralized authority besides Jesus. This is what the early Christians did, and people would give their money directly to the poor and needy instead of to the church. God does not need a massive church, his first home was a humble tent in the desert called the tabernacle. So if I had a routine in life I would want to base it around the tabernacle of the Old Testament, so daily Bible study (show-bread) menorah (seven sacraments) alter of incense (prayers). Having a decentralized system similar to the Parthian empire structure. Besides that I dont really need much, my biggest issue right now is simply finding the right people to connect with and finding the right woman to share my love with. I have a hard time making and keeping friends and I struggle to ever open up to someone. But its important to love everyone because all humans are made in the image of God. (Also I love your windmill profile picture, windmills are really cool!
What are the man-made superstitions? And I do agree that the Orthodox church is not readily available, I don't even have one in my area and never even heard about them till I saw videos about the disagreeing with Catholics. In my opinion, to be called a "Right" church means you would have to be proving yourself against something. The original church would not be called that. I pray for your journey.
@@gilly0518 yes and no. They were one church that split over disagreements over a few important things. They share a heritage and a lot of their theology over laps but they disagree over papal authority, innovations in the liturgy and the filioque clause in the western creed
So, as a Roman Catholic, it is my understanding that in order for a mortal sin to be absolved and washed away, you must undergo a deep self-evaluation, one that makes you ponder why you committed the sin in the first place. Without the self-evaluation phase, and if you are not truly sorrowful for your transgression(s), then your sin will not be absolved. So, like the Orthodox, the RCC takes sin very seriously, especially one that is mortal in nature. I have found my home in Roman Catholicism. However, I think I would be just as comfortable in the Orthodox Church as well!
I agree my understanding is forgiveness don't dwell on your sin because that is wasting time that you could be spending living a life of love for Christ. But also be truly sorry for the Sin and fight always not to sin again... I don't find being Catholic easy😂
ΚΎΡΙΕ ΙΗΣΟΎ ΧΡΙΣΤΈ Ευχαριστώ για όλα όσα μου δίνεις ΑΜΉΝ Χριστός Ανέστη Αμήν πανάγια αμήν σώσε με άγια ιερουσαλημ ο χριστός η ελπίδα μας άγιος. Χριστός Ανέστη τελικά ευλογεί την αμαρτία...... δεν θα πω κάτι άλλο θα έγραφα πολλά αλλά αυτό τα λέει όλα.....ο Θεός μαζί μας αδέλφια μου Αμήν ο Ιησούς Χριστός θα είναι για πάντα μαζί μας.
I must also share my testimony. I had asked Holy Mother Xenia to Pray for me to find a job, and I recieved a job offer on her name's day. Glory to God ☦️
I went to Catholic church (and school) as a kid, and as early as I can remember I never believed what they said. Why? In vulgar terms, the vibe was off. Something about the church gave me the heebie-jeebies; and even if I couldn't explain why, I recall as a 5 year old in Sister Margaret's class that I did not want to go along with whatever this thing was that I'd been thrust into. When I learned about Orthodoxy as an adult I never got that feeling, not for a second. The witness of the people I met, listened to, and read about was just completely different, and ultimately that's what finally brought me to Christ.
Everyone suffered under the Bolshevik yoke, that's neither an argument for the Papacy nor a defense of the theology & practices of 97%+ of Catholics who are Novus Ordo.
Feelings first, to be sure. I trust my instincts when I'm in a bad neighborhood, why not in a church? But I know too much about church history now to consider anything but Orthodoxy; and I was an atheist until I learned about Orthodoxy, nothing convinced me of any religion for 31 years. Do you think you could change my mind or even offend me with a brusque comment on TH-cam?
@@machinotaur Nobody cares about your feelings. Show me where Jesus said trust your instincts. You make your choices like a mormon. Keep reading, particularly the parts where Eastern Churches kept the tradition of Papel Supremacy until they conveniently stopped keeping that Apostolic Tradition half way through Church history. Why did the 1st century Corinthians seek the authority of the Holy See instead of their own bishops, eastern bishops who were closer like the Bishop of Constantinople or Antioch, or even the then still alive Apostle John who was right next to them on the Island of Patmos? 🙃
Я из Санкт-Петербурга. Блаженная Ксения Петербуржская, наша родная, очень любим её. Да благословит вас Господь братья и сёстры, и дарует Духа Святого ищущим обрести Его
I'm really tired of Western christianism i don't even wanna live in the west any more , you are a hero father for bringing the Eastern Orthodox Faith to the West ☦️
We are not supposed to believe in God or not based on the behaviors of others. We are not supposed to change faiths or justify it over the behaviors of others. Rather than that it is crucial to live your life to the best of your ability. While not worrying of how others portray it. If we are able to simply be sick or tired of it and simply jump to another, then there Is no true foundation of your belief in God to begin with. There are plenty of Christians who are some of the.most rude, judgemental, hateful people I know. I could not think of changing my faith or the way I believe in God based on the way ANYONE else behaves. I refer to The Bible. That's it.
This helped me understand the importance and emphasis on Mary. She was the Ark of the Covenant. People never worshipped the Ark. However, the Ark was revered because God came through it. Just as Mary was the Ark for Jesus. She is not being worshipped but revered because without her, Jesus wouldn’t have been born. I still have reservations. Do you have to ask for intercession from her or any of the other Saints? Like is it a requirement? Part of me cannot get past that.
The working of miracles happens outside of the Orthodox Church. I say this, not to compete with the true Church, but to ask you to be more careful. Your tone matters when speaking to Protestants, as we have trust issues and are sensitive to rejection. Blessings on the fullness, the Christ-bearing Orthodox. My back was healed at an evangelical fellowship this spring. I attribute it to God, but I don’t take it as a sign that evangelicals are orthodox in their core practices.
EOC don't recognize Catholic saints after 1054AD. Including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas More, Faustina Kowalska (Divine Mercy), Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, Catherine of Sienna, and thousands of other saints...
@@PizzaDisguiseI agree with you. I heard it explained to me by an Orthodox reader (Reader Paul on TH-cam) that the Holy Spirit for SURE works inside of the Orthodox Church and does work outside too but we can’t make a claim to what extent because they don’t believe that’s for us to define. The Holy Spirit does work outside of the Orthodox Church, absolutely. He has to- that’s how He brings the lost to God in the first place. Jesus healed those who were outside of the Jewish faith. It’s the healing that ultimately drew people to a genuine relationship with Christ. However, experiencing healing doesn’t guarantee that you’re in relationship with Christ. We could look at it like… healing is the “wooing” God does to the human heart. But that human heart has to then submit to Jesus’ lordship and be connected to Him intimately. Even disciples of Jesus who experienced miracles walked away. For example- he rebuked the crowd because when He gave the 5,000 food, He said “you only came because of your fill of the fish and the loaves.” They just wanted to get more food. They didn’t really want to pick up their cross and follow Jesus. The feeding of the 5,000 was meant to point beyond the physical to the spiritual and some just didn’t want to go further.
ORTHODOXY = TRUTH....CHRIST'S TRUTH ❤☦️...I feel sad that so many people are following false teachers and denominations that have nothing to do with Our Lords truth..praying for all to come to the truth....Kyrie Isouy Xriste Eleison emas tous Amartolous ☦️
I've come to accept. That we shouldn't nessecarily pity the following and damn the teacher. It is a co-parasitic relationship. Wherein; The Seeker Desires a Lie, so the Teacher Provides. As the group think grows, the desire for lies becomes more and so the teacher becomes empowered to be bold in greater and greater nonesense. It's not fair to damn the teacher, in truth. He or she is one, singular. Where instead, notice there are many who prop them up with worship. If you're going to revile one, it's only fair to revile all. If you will bless one, it is only fair to bless all. I would argue. The attendees my usually leave whenever. However the leader is trapped under the grander delusion, powered by the deluded.
Even if the Pope were Satan incarnate, we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom. He who rebels against our Father is condemned to death, for that which we do to him we do to Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Pope; we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the Pope. I know very well that many defend themselves by boasting: 'They are so corrupt, and work all manner of evil!' But God has commanded that, even if the priests, the pastors, and Christ-on-earth were incarnate devils, we be obedient and subject to them, not for their sakes, but for the sake of God, and out of obedience to Him.” St. Catherine of Siena, SCS, p. 201-202, p. 222, (quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 5: “The Book of Obedience”, Chapter 1: “There is No Salvation Without Personal Submission to the Pope”).
No faith is easy as we all come from the same God..... our gentle but consequential father understands our soul's needs therefore will send us what our soul requires at divine time. Faith journey is a lifetime discovery of self and Lord's plan...... there is multitude of layers to Faith development as we become willingly with acknowledgment INSTRUMENTS OF GOD. Thank you for sharing as every person/pastor crosses our path is a gift from Lord carrying a message form God...... God bless you for being an inspiration to me and the world. ❤Jezusa
I was on the fence for a long time I love Catholicism and orthodox it's so hard to choose but I also like the challenge of the ascetic lifestyle from orthodox which has me leaning towards the east. I would join eastern Catholic but none are close to me
My choice to convert to Roman Catholicism is due to the fact that it is the church that Christ founded with Peter. That’s all I need to know. Corrupt church establishment has no bearing on my feelings toward whether Catholicism is the “right” denomination or not. Christ did not promise a perfect church. But He did say that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
I am from India and from a Muslim family and in 2019 I started reading the Bible and also completed it and took all the information about Christianity but now I am 22 years old, I have not been baptized but I went to the Catholic Church and went to RCIA. I told you what I don't want to do and whether it is the same as RCIA in the orthodox church. I have to complete the sacrament but now I don't want to go to the Catholic church. Nobody told me what it means to become an orthodox Christian without taking classes. skta ho
I grew up with a foot in both the Roman Catholic Church and my eastern Catholic Church, and the rigor of fasting alone has changed my life for the better. With men, if you expect more, then you get more.
I love that in three years time I hear the New Testament in its entirety. I love that the three readings make up the homily for the priest to draw from. I love knowing that my focus on Sundays is on the same subject matter across the world. I enjoy feeding on the preaching of orthodoxy and happily remain a loving Roman Catholic.
I am Catholic and love and respect the Orthodox. We are so ancient and similar. Remember we were both there when they crucified our Lord. Yes, 2000 years ago.
I have noticed a lot of Christian faith including the Catholics posting video for e.g. about the solar eclipse this month and other events as signs. I don’t find Orthodox Church does but focus on being a good Christian, and their role as an Orthodox Christian and the Orthodox Church purpose. I just wondering your opinion on the Orthodox opinion about such events and other faiths comments connecting the solar eclipse with Jonah’s warning.
Go visit a church and talk to a priest read some books listen to some chants and pray fast every Wednesday and Friday do it 3 months u should have ur answer by then
In all honesty, St John Chrysostom's first question would be what sin was committed that resulted in Antioch being raised and Constantinople cleansed of Christians. He did view catastrophic events as divine punishment and the fall of the Byzantine Empire and rise of Communism in Russia were major events.
I am a Roman Catholic. And the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, his body and his blood, is everything. And also I want to hear the gospel in my language. I don’t mind reading it or singing Latin, which is beautiful, but I want to be able to be in communion with everyone, listening to his word and celebrating the mass.
@@johnsambo9379 Mormonism is part of the Protestant Mileu of the 19th Century. While most Protestants won't claim them but it is a reactionary movement to the Protestants' theological inconsistencies.
It's noteworthy that while Mormons come to various Orthodox countries to convert people to their own faith (I had some encounters with Mormons in Russia), there's the reverse process in SLC itself.
Isn't it funny when you find the truth that fasting happens on it's own? Praise the Lord. A few weeks ago before start of Lent I all of a sudden lost my appetite. Ahh the mysteries. Shivers. I'm bursting inside!
You will never get an easy answer here. The one flaw orthodoxy has if only one, is that they simply cannot say anything plain. But, no. There will nearly always be a nuance between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. It's a spiritual thing, I am sure. Given the fullness of the schism I shouldn't think they _truly_ agree on much, wholly.
John of Shanghai's father had Serbian nationality, and moved to Russia where John was born, so when he grew in faith he returned to Serbia and thaught there along with two Serbian sainta, Nikolai and Justin.
EOC don't recognize Catholic saints after 1054AD. Including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas More, Faustina Kowalska (Divine Mercy), Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, Catherine of Sienna, and thousands of other saints..
I’m Catholic, but I recommend The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware. It goes through the early history of the church, the growing east/west divide in the early 10th century, the influence of the Church in the eastern Roman empire, and fall of Orthodox by the Ottomans, Orthodoxy in 20th century communism. It goes through basic beliefs, describes the liturgy. It really encapsulates everything you need to know. Only note I’d mention is that the author has since softened his stance on the Filioque since writing his book, to something more similar to Catholics.
We are already reunified. Every Orthodox church has split and had a part of it come back into communion with the Roman church. So it's not like the Church is divided between East and West because the Catholic Church contains both. The real difference is between schismatic churches and faithful churches.
@@JudeMalachi no, the real difference is actually theology and practice. If you've ever been to an Eastern Catholic church, or have endeavored in some other way to know what they believe in and confess and how they practice, you're not really united with them, because the Latin churches do not practice and believe quite a few things that the Eastern "Catholic" ones do. In reality, you can only claim "administrative" or "bureaucratic" union, but they are "divided/schismated" from you in both practice and theory. As an Orthodox Christian, that's another point why I don't want any union with Rome - it's become the Church of relativism and trying to claim universality by superficial union on the basis of administration, rather on the basis of faith. Rome has become ecumenist/syncretist and I hope our clergy never entertain seriously the idea of "reuniting" with Rome. Especially when I see someone saying the arrogant thing that you contain our tradition of theology and practice and we somehow "schismated" from it, as if it has never been our own, but because some centuries later after the schism you managed to politically pressure Eastern Churches to join and plead allegiance to the Pope. That's kind of arrogant, mate. No, the Roman Catholic Church does not contain both East and West. No, we didn't schismate/divide from a tradition, that is Rome's, which we eventually picked up. We've always believed the things we believed and practiced the way we practiced. We are not schismatics to our own tradition. What we have we didn't get from Rome, or the Latin/Western church. I don't know where the audacity to claim that we are schismatics to our own religion - with all the traditions and practice, - come from and that it is contained by the Roman/Latin church. This is bonkers.
I just needed to come to understanding of St George and the lads sacrifice of not giving into draconian laws. Nobody taught me in the Christian faith but I persisted and learnt before Christ stuff. Don't give up and the truth shall be revealed. Icons aren't to be worshipped but treated as history lesson
My name is Wangmo and I was brought up as a Buddhist in a strict monastry in Bhutan and did not have access to the internet my whole life. I am very excited as I made the personal decision to leave the monastry and also the country because I inherited quite large sum of money from a relative. I was always kind of a free thinker and sceptic which was not easy living in a monastry and lets be honest, probably is also not easy in christian monastries ... But well, I am just keen on learning everything new, also about other religion and as I now start with Christianity before I get too much into it I have a question: If I know almost nothing about Christianity, Jesus and so on and then die, do I get into Heaven or Hell? I mean there were a lot of people alive before Christianity existed and they probably not all went to hell right? And also, I dont know, people for example living thousand years ago, or even 700, 800 years ago in what is today Alaska, mexico or whatever. I mean they never heard of the christian religion, so what happened to them? I am asking because I think that I might not want to get to deep into is as knowing nothing might be protective against having to go to hell
Comparing modern saints is absolutely essential for those struggling between Catholicism and Holy Orthodoxy. For example, this juxtaposition was startling (in a good way) when it came to the subject of darwinian evolution. Not a single one of our post-darwin saints affirmed it, but rather categorically condemned it as demonic deception/delusion of purpose to destroy the Christian faith. ...whereas the post-darwin canonized saints in the Roman Catholic Church either outright affirmed it or basically said you could believe it or not but it didn't really matter as long as you believed God was the cause. This was one of the most powerful witnesses for me to the truth of Holy Orthodoxy. It was clear that our modern saints were illumined by the Holy Spirit with discernment to see through and reject what is essentially at this point a worldwide deception. Glory to God in His saints!
@@MasterKeyMagic miracles cannot be the litmus test for the truth. Plus, if they were, the Orthodox Church would win out anyway. We literally have perpetual, public, observable and verifiable miracles in the myrrh streaming icons around the world. The Iveron icon was just in town a few hours from me last year and it was gushing throughout the entire service at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. I also have a personal friend who was blessed to travel with it and got to watch the myrrh beading up trickling down it right before his very eyes while riding in the car. You can legotimately go see this, and other such icons yourself, you don't even have to rely on an eyewitness. So...if you're RC, you don't really want miracles to be the litmus test, I assure you.
@@MasterKeyMagicmiracles cannot be the litmus test for truth. Plus, Roman Catholics wouldn't really want to take that angle anyway because the Orthodox Church would still come out on top. We--by God's grace--have multiple myrrh streaming icons like the Iveron icon that have been continuously producing myrrh for years. The Iveron icon was just in Jordanville, NY at Holy Trinity Monastery last year and it was literally gushing the entire duration of the service at the grave site of Brother Jose, the martyr who traveled with the icon prior to his death. Such wonderworking icons are continuous public, verifiable miracles. You don't need to even rely on a first hand eyewitness, you can go see them for yourself. So...a RC would be wise not to make miracles the litmus test for truth
EOC don't recognize Catholic saints after 1054AD. Including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas More, Faustina Kowalska (Divine Mercy), Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, Catherine of Sienna, and thousands of other saints..
Considering which faith you choose by “feeling” and “impression” is dangerous, it is why some people choose islam. Choosing your faith based on early Church doctrine and critical thinking, including testing to see which as a whole is coherent and consistent, that is what it means to seek the truth. You do not understand the Catholic Church and clearly never did you look in to her many Rites, which several celebrate the same liturgy, the same fasts, and the same traditions as the Orthodox. I pray for you and all who are mistaken. The Catholic Church doesn’t always have great representation which hurts people like me deeply, but when you look at Chalcedon, Ephesus, heck both Nicene councils, you can see what the structure of the Church looked like before the schism. They answered to a human authority, the successor of Peter. Singular. Glory to Jesus Christ.
Deceitful or ignorant is what this comment is. At most they looked to the pope to help decide an issue that was not agreed upon sometimes. Some councils the pope didn't even attend. All bishops decided together what the church teaches. The modern day papacy is the mother of all heresies, one man made to be a God. Jesus Christ is the only true God. St Justin Popovich please pray for this man.
The reason I chose Orthodoxy is because there are clear theological answers to all my questions. In Catholicism the answers I always got were “Our pope has direct lineage to St.Peter, So we can do what can do what we want” and that answer simply wasn’t good enough for me
Because it has the Grace of the Holy Spirit. Catholics made changes and they don’t have it anymore or tiny bits. There where the priests do it as it was passed down to them without changes. As soon as someone starts changing it due to their will Grace draws away. It’s crystal clear.
I really love Father Paul's videos and explanations and I have fallen in love with the beauty in the traditions/ spirituality of the East. I do want to say that the fasting requirements in the Latin Church are given as a minimum, and faithful are encouraged to do more. I don't think the way Orthodox fast is insane, it is inspiring and admirable. But the Catholics in many of the eastern Catholic Churches (and some Latin, by choice) still do fast this way. And Roman Catholics are definitely not taught that there is no need to worry if we don't have mortal sins. Catholics are encouraged to frequently go to confession, even with no mortal sins, grow in virtue, and avoid all sins, not just mortal.
If someone were to ask me, I might say that I do not fully understand why I was drawn to Orthodoxy. While this is partly true, there is a deeper sense within me that something beyond my understanding is leading me. Orthodoxy feels like the fullness of the Christian faith, more so than other traditions such as Catholicism or Protestantism. Whether it be the Holy Spirit or something else, I am continually led to the same conclusion-that it is indeed the Holy Spirit who is guiding me towards the truth of Orthodoxy.
@@jamesrey3221 The Pope hasn't been a true "First Among Equals" for 1,000 years, perhaps longer. It's a relationship of superiority/inferiority, and the current possessor of the role brings "brains & leadership" into question IMO.
Our Lord Jesus told us that is the narrow gate that leads to salvation. We have to fight during this lifetime,it is going to be hard.If it is easy and always happy with no sadness then we are away from the Lord. So the father here is correct. :)
1:01 - "It [Roman Catholicism] did seem easier to me. Essentially, if I commit a mortal sin, I go to confession, I get a penance, and then I can receive communion. If it's not a mortal sin, I don't need to worry about it so much. In Orthodoxy, you really need to look in your own heart...it called me to a much, much higher standard than simply not committing a mortal sin." Anyone with an ounce of intellectual charity is going to quickly see right through the above as total strawman to the Catholic spiritual life. Any Catholic who known an ounce of their own spiritual tradition knowns the above is a crude, stripped down way to define the Catholic spiritual life. At best, it shows a deep ignorance of Catholicism, and, at worst, it's slanderous.
Thank you. You are spot on. He's also making straw man arguments about the saints in Catholicism vs Orthodoxy (I stopped watching after that point). The Orthodox tend towards a very crude and ungenerous form of apologetics, for some reason.
Yep! It was a veiled straw man about the Catholic Church. Eastern Orthodox and Protestants are constantly criticizing the Church for emphasizing things like confession and penance like it’s a flaw. It’s called high standards and theological precision. I’ll admit the Eastern Orthodox are doing a great job of maintaining some traditions like fasting for example.
@@forehead949 Absolutely. The confession but was very silly, lol! I admire much in Orthodoxy and actually like their conjunction of confession and spiritual direction. It’s something we could borrow from in the RCC. The sad thing about the fasting is that when St Paul VI abolished the old fasting rules he said he did so to take the burden off those in the developing world who had little to eat in any event, but stated that Catholics in the developed world should fast even harder because of our privileged position. I must say he was incredibly naïf and his decision has had the opposite result. Then again, the OT reminds us that God doesn’t want sacrifice and fasting but a broken and contrite heart, so the outward display of fasting isn’t in itself meaningful. I had a friend who lived in Qatar. She said that during Ramadan the Muslims are usually angry and aggressive because of the fast. If so, it rather suggests fasting, is bad for their spiritual growth! Perhaps giving up chocolate or beer, if it leads you to God and purifies the soul, is a better fast than eating only boiled vegetables for five weeks on the trot if it makes you grumpy and miserable (not setting up a straw man of my own here!)
No matter how pure , how enthralling the history of a religion and its central figure I believe it is very imoortant individuals are able and willing to live their lives in a way which will not make them vulnerable. I am obviously influenced by roman catholicism chiefly because of the environment surrounding churches which was a very positive aspect vis-a-vis our families ancestral religion of hinduism, however later on growing up I realised there is still a strong element of belief and faith which can defy reasoning involved in that denomination. For example I strongly believe the canonisation of Mother Teresa need not have depended on finding two miracles associated with her life and yet hat was what emphasised upon and virtually searched for before her canonisation, this is to me not good to put very soberly. Then I find many roman catholic adherents , mostly from Africa and Latin America live their life the same way we had seen had brought down our traditional society namely very strong emphasise on beliefs, faiths, almost intertwined with lack of examples in practice, making it appear as a cult more than a religion which is what had forced me to shun our traditional religion and look for inspiration elsewhere and I had always thought Christianity gives emphasise on not on only faiths and beliefs but also tye need to live ones own life in a way which is not sinful if not inspirational. I used to observe very calm and quiet, neat and tidy christian people solving intricate social problems , stepping in when needed most, setting up examples of their own as opposed to endlessly repeating the glory of life of jesus back in the 70s and 80s, those things were very important to me ,much more important than asking someone to follow christianity because Jesus had done great things , so on and so forth. This is also a major problem with Islam as far as I had noticed and experienced. If me as a human being will be living my life recklessly and yet expect otgers to respect me because I am a follower of a famous fugure from history and his teachings then to me at least nothing can be more sinful than that and coupled with the idea that we are all to remain resigned to our fate, that we are all sinners waiting to be lifted, generates a strong case for a happy go lucky lot waiting to suffer and causing suffering to others, the last thing I would ever like to follow in life. Some groups like the Evangelists go even further, absolute bonkers with big money, loud music, hypnotism and what not, its a shame, disaster waiting to happen. I will need to learn more about orthodox christianity, protestant denominations and anglican belief systems. I am very attracted to the mennonite/amish way of quiet, secluded , pious life, but probably that is a very close community with lot of restrictions and while I feel I must live a life of responsibility and example I must still retain the capability to chart my own way and restrictions usually do not sit well with me. On the orthodox christianity part I saw some videos on life of hermits living in remote, secluded churches, performing daily duties in a calm, quiet and meaningful manner and that immediately becomes a very attractive proposition to me. But I need to know more for sure.
It would be super cool if you guys could go to a Western Rite parish, and see how the traditions of the West are still celebrated in the fullness of Orthodoxy.
I love how literally everything in Orthodoxy has a clear reason and purpose.
lol no not even.
That’s a natural result when something is True 👌🏻
@@traviswilson36can you elaborate?
@@traviswilson36Go ahead and explain your position.
Clear reason?
Greetings from Serbia! As you may know, Serbia is an Orthodox country, which has paid a high price for this many times in history. Anyway, as an Orthodox, I already know some of this, but I'm trying to improve my English, and this channel is so helpful in explaining Orthodoxy, but also for learning English for me :)
Happy to have friends in the Serbian church in different nations. Serbians in Romania had to pay a high price too in 1951 when they have been deported to the Baragan. In the Romanian Banat here is a wonderful Serbian Saint George monastry near Birda south of Temesvar.
When l was very young in Greek Orthodox Sunday school back in the seventies, they taught us the conflict and the suffering with Croatia. The Serbian Orthodox would never yield to Papal infallibility. I remember seeing pictures of many Serbians being tortured. As a child it was horrible to see. I'm not judging or condemning anyone. Just seeing those photographs of young and old people being tortured as a result of their Orthodox beliefs and what they went through as a result was horrifying. In addition what Orthodox Romanians endured in prisons was heartbreaking.
We have a beautiful Serbian Orthodox Church where I live, and I love going there when I can make it.
My families from Serbia, it seems like a cool place, I might visit it one day.
I can't tell English is not
your first language.
I really appreciate Father Paul. He has a civil tongue, never putting anyone down, never is condescending to anyone; even when he substantiates and easily rebukes counterpoints to what he believes in. Father Paul is extremely welcoming, and never makes anyone feel uncomfortable at any point of his discussion. It reminds me of the Orthodox monk who went to a village to help and show them how to improve their agriculture, their irrigation, their farming and their overall quality of life. Each time being asked who does he worship; never telling them he was Eastern Russian Orthodox. Finally when the altruistic monk took his leave of the village, they found out the humble monk was Orthodox. The end result, the entire village converted to Orthodoxy.
Yeah I'm sure he's a good liar but that doesn't make God real and it doesn't make slavery or murdering gay people right like the Bible supports.
Your response is an unfortunate one. No need to call him a liar. His interpretation is obviously quite different from yours. Nevertheless if you disagree with parts of the Bible, fine that's how you see it. l see him as being a very virtuous, kind hearted individual who's open mind has led him to dedicate his life to Orthodoxy in a manner of spiritual altruism.
@@guspapadopoulos thanks for the compliment. Yeah he definitely should stop lying to people. There's no evidence for God but plenty of evidence the Bible is b*******. I suffered thanks to people like him. You and him should both look how the Bible support slavery and murdering gay people and many others. You can also research how the Bible contradicts itself.
@@beastumfan „God is not real“ lmao so are ethics, logic and math. You presuppose those things yet you have no justification for them. (Transcendental argument). You have no justification to call those acts „bad“ in the first place
@@damndaniel333 I don't believe in slavery or murdering gay people. I hope you aren't really an evil person like your Bible.
I am a 21 year old Spanish woman and I have been brought up Catholic, after finding out about traditional Catholicism a couple years ago (and it being very helpful for my faith journey), I also feel very called to learn more about Orthodox Christianity. I would love to attend the Divine Liturgy and get to experience it by myself, and hopefully get to know and understand my orthodox brothers and sisters better. We have to be united in the reconquering of the West. God bless. Viva Cristo Rey.
Que Viva!
I am at 20-year-old Christian man brought up protestant and after finding out about Eastern Orthodoxy I feel attracted by it.
@@mihaivesa7719 please read the orthodox way by timothy ware it made me convert to orthodoxy
Hi everyone! I’m not here to offend or start a debate….just to provide options.
One option would be to attend a Byzantine Divine Liturgy at one of the Eastern Catholic Churches. There are several Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome such as the Melkites (Iglesia Católica Griega Melquita) or the Ukrainian Greek Catholics or the Byzantine Catholic Church (Iglesia Católica Bizantina). You can fully receive the Holy Eucharist and also go to Confession at these Churches. These Churches are fully Catholic.
The Eastern Catholic Churches contain Orthodox Spirituality and are also in full communion with Rome.
May God always be with you!!!
@@MC98765 well obviously they are break off from the original orthodox church please visit a orthodox church which is the original church of christ
I am a Roman Catholic, but respect our brothers. Thank you for your videos and meditations.
It's a miraculous real story of the oppression received some Delighted Orthodox Monks to accept Pope and Roman Christianity, and the real intervention of Saint Virgin Maria Mother of Christ. Please take 5 minutes to read. God bless you!
Pretty much the same bunch who reject the authority of the Law of God and His prophets who demanded obedience to said Law.
Saint Xenia helped me found the work that i always dreamed off. Glory be to God ❤
Baptism on May 12th!
All Glory and thanks be to our King and God, Jesus Christ!
☦️
Many years
Oh how wonderful. How that will be a special day for you!
Fantastic!
God bless you brother! Congratulations!
Glory to God! ☦
Christine Ortodox from Italy ❤🙏🙏🙏
Italiaaaaas
This is wonderful, from a dual US/Italian citizen, born in USA and from an immigrant family. Now baptized and living in Russia.
Peace be onto all.
This channel has been so helpful in explaining Orthodoxy 🙏🏻
I'm glad Father brought up the consistency between ancient saints and modern. As a former roman catholic I could see zero continuity between the desert fathers and modern roman catholic saints it was very troubling.
The first time I read the lives of Ss. Seraphim of Sarov and Xenia of St. Petersburg it all clicked.
Read St. Dmitriy of Rostov or St. Peter Mohila.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov is my baptismal saint.
What are you talking about? How is there no continuity between the Desert Fathers and the Roman Catholic Saints?? Also, it is interesting that you don't mention some of the other early Saints, such as Augustine or Leo the Great, who - as even the Eastern "Orthodox" admit - taught distinctively Roman Catholic doctrines.
@@the4gospelscommentaryno need to defend the saints, their lives speak for themselves, that’s what the Father here in the video invites us to do, read about them, the Holy Spirit will guide you through the wordly affairs.
Hi, Protestant here (almost ex tho, I am discerning).
With all due respect, your objection sounds like the Protestant one of saying, “the early church met in home churches, therefore Catholic Churches shouldn’t be so large with grandeur”. The issue with that objection made (and anything along those lines objecting to large churches, etc.) is that it essentially attacks Christianity for having grown. Christianity is a religion that grows and changes over time, as it impacts the world and culture, and transforms societies.
I don’t understand why you’re claiming to not be able to see continuity between the desert fathers and modern Catholic saints. First, we live in a very different world today, and the challenges the faithful are called to rise to are different.
Secondly, even if their should be all these ‘solitary’, ‘hermit-like’ modern Catholics, then this is granted by all the Catholic monks and ascetics of sorts who live these solitary sort of lives. Just because they’re not well known doesn’t mean they don’t exist and fulfil this criteria, and this makes especially good sense if these ascetics are less likely to be in the public eye and thus less likely to receive canonisation.
Third, the desert fathers weren’t all the fathers and saints of the early church - they are certainly not the ‘standard’ that saints have to conform to.
I hope that made some sense. I do really appreciate your comment. I think it’s interesting to think about what the appropriate ‘progression’ of Christianity should look like, as it grows and impacts the world. Thanks!!
I’m a 26 year old man from SW FL and I was born and raised in the Catholic Church then as I got into the Protestant Church after the age of 22. And I decided to search and try the Orthodox Church. I’m going this Sunday for the first time
Well, I hope you consider the Byzantine Catholic Church, or even the Greek Melkites :) Blessings to you this Advent.
I hope your first divine liturgy was a good experience and that you'll feel welcome in the parish you attended and find your way to Christ there
Orthodox is teru ❤❤❤❤
That was a huge part of my “decision”.
You speak to an Orthodox monk, and a Catholic priest you will see the difference in spirit. Compare a Divine Liturgy with mass.
I asked myself who I would rather reflect, who would I want to BE like.
Being a philosopher isn’t my goal. Being like the God-man is my goal.
And so far too go..
May God have mercy on us all and save us.
I see. But what if you speak to and orthodox monk and an catholic monk?
@@jollygoodgordon5580 that’s true. I could have done that, but a catholic monastery was hard to find in my area.
Between the priests you find the same difference nonetheless.
@@jollygoodgordon5580 There is a spirit, a fragrance, that has permeated both of them. They are very different. From the monastics to the priests, and laymen. (You decide which has the fragrance of Jesus Christ)
It doesn’t take a PHD in theology, philosophy, church history, and biblical studies to notice this difference. (Not that any of those areas of study is bad)
I think even wanting to start from any of those presuppositions is the very problem.
To no offense to you or any Roman Catholic.
I am only stating my experience and observations in considering both the Holy Orthodox Church, and Roman Catholicism.
Again, another comment that doesn't make sense. There is no Orthodox church that doesn't have a Catholic counterpart.
@@JudeMalachi The counterpart left. 😀
Fr. Truebenbach helped me greatly through his ministry on TH-cam and I eventually found St. Seraphim of Sarov. It was through St. Seraphim’s prayers that I found my way into the Orthodox Church. I thank Christ for you, Father!
Same with me. He led me to read and learn about Saint Paisios.
بصلوات وشفاعة والدة الاله تي ثيؤطوكوس والقديس باييسيوس الاثوسي وجميع القديسين الارثوذكسين يا مخلص خلصنا امين
صوما مقبول ومبارك يارب
Jesus Christ loves you ❤God bless you and your loved ones 🙏
Amen
@@architech007 آمين
Im gonna try your experiment. Read lives of ancient saints. Then lives of modern Catholic saints and Orthodox saints. And see which ones line up with the ancient saints. As someone going through a bit of a Catholic vs Orthodox crisis, this is a brilliant idea.
You obviously don't know much about modern Catholic saints.
@JudeMalachi Correct. I've read books on Maximilian Kolbe and Therese of Liseux and a couple others. I haven't read any lives of saints books in early church (except for desert fathers). Got any books about that you'd recommend?
@@mathieuconklin3146As I am posting on a website that represents the Eastern Church, can I recommend three outstanding books from the east: [1] Life of St Anthony of Egypt by St Athanasius, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; [2] On the Incarnation, St Vladimir’s Seminary Press (St Athanasius the Great); [3] My Life in Christ (Two Volumes) - St John of Kronstadt, Independent Publishers Group.
EOC don't recognize Catholic saints after 1054AD.
Including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas More, Faustina Kowalska (Divine Mercy), Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, Catherine of Sienna, and thousands of other saints..
I just read a book about Saint Ephrem and Saint Makarian from the Greek Orthodox Church. Also Saint Nikodimos from modern day
Saint Xenia is also so dear to my family. Both my husband and I had seperate incidents occur that involved her and her presence as we were praying her Akathist. I have no words to describe it. Lord have mercy on me, a sinner ☦️
A great stumbling block for many of my friends is the Orthodox fasting discipline. How can I help them see that self-denial and fasting is not just important, but necessary for spiritual growth? Christ, help me.
A friend of mine advised me to start slowly, with no guilt - just joy in my heart. Still 3 meals a day but smaller meals, however with no meat, dairy, wine, or oil (which is where I'm at). Only after a lot of prayer I hope to be like her - just a simple vegetable soup with a few lentils and a hunk of bread (her only meal of the day on Weds and Fridays, usually eaten at around 3pm).
I was told when you're just starting out you should consult with your priest to develop a fasting rule. The full Byzantine fast isn't required of you right from the beginning.
Each person talks to his/her spiritual father or Priest to come up with a plan for fasting if s/he is weak still. It is gradual oftentimes for those in the Catechumenate and Neophytes. There is nothing to fear, the Holy Orthodox Church works with us on our path of Theosis by the grace of God.
The Bible says prayer and fasting. Both. Did the Bible mention what percentage one is more important than the other? No, it says both. They can be equally as important at times
I was praying about this today. Thank you Lord.
I’d like to know how many traditional Catholics are leaving the Roman Catholic Church under this pope and going to the Orthodox.
i'm one, as soon as i saw this Pope accept a gift, a crucifix submerged in a jar of urine i said i'm done with this Church, not to mention him tying to destroy the traditional mass, and the proof that bishops and the Pope himself were protecting child molesting Priest. The Catholic Church is too far gone, it'll never be what it once was again.
Former Catholic and Jesuit seminarian here, now a member of the ancient Church established by Christ and His Apostles, the Orthodox Church. No end to Catholics become Orthodox Christians. Ever since the last pedophile scandal (the one that erupted in Harrisburg PA in August of 2018 and then went global), the numbers have surged to a flood.
Actually the catholic church is growing new people are becoming catholic and catholics are returning to the catholic church
Me
I am a Roman Catholic leaving for Eastern Orthodoxy. I couldn't give you figures, but what I can tell you is that this pontificate is attracting people for the wrong reasons, not because of the Gospel or apostolic tradition, but because of ecumenism, religious indifferentism, and liberalism in general. Since you made this comment, Francis has obviously made matters even worse. The sad thing is that most current and faithful Catholics will tell you that they feel this way but are afraid to leave, and some end up becoming Sedevacantists. The ones who hang on, I understand. It was really hard for me. Those becoming Sedevacantists, I don't really understand. You can't really deny specific papacies without denying them all.
Choosing a denomination between saints is an interesting idea.
When you look at a Catholic saint of the 20th century, St. Padre Pio, and you study the gifts he had: the stigmata, bilocation, reading of souls in confession, etc., and then you take into account other miracles attributed to him even since his physical death, you realize the gifts the God gave him.
Many blessings from this Catholic to my Orthodox brothers and sisters.
Holy Orthodoxy isn't a denomination. 🤗 Many of our modern Saints have beautiful gifts. St. Matrona of Moscow is one of my favorites.
Cause it is the only Eastern Church. Not liberal not westernized not soft christianity but real and strong Church ☦️❤️🔥
It is apparent that you know nothing about the Catholic Church. Otherwise you would not have made such an idiotic comment.
As a Roman Catholic I’d say that we are the same. I was once an Orthodox Christian I’d say this. I knew I didn’t have the strength of answering questions inside. So I converted to Catholicism and it’s the one true church. Orthodox churches have no real leader no offense to the Eastern Orthodox Church
Contraception and divorce is about as soft as it gets bro.
Every Orthodox church has a Catholic counterpart. There's no theology in "Orthodoxy" that does not already also belong to the Catholic church.
@JudeMalachi Uncreated energies? The creed without Rome's addition of the filioque?
Or what about the other way around, has Orthodoxy dogmatized any sort of purgatory, or immaculate conception of Mary, or "mortal sins"? Whether we're talking about those doctrines, or we're talking about papal infallibility, Catholicism has developed a thousand years worth of doctrine that is alien to the ancient Church. And Catholics will defend everything the Pope says and does, simply because he's the Pope.
"It would seem that the Holy Ghost does not proceed from the Son. For as Dionysius says (Div. Nom. i), 'We must not dare to say anything concerning the substantial Divinity except what has been divinely expressed to us by the sacred oracles.' But in the Sacred Scripture we are not told that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son; but only that He proceeds from the Father, as appears from John 15:26, 'The Spirit of truth, Who proceeds from the Father.' Therefore the Holy Ghost does not proceed from the Son" - Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, First Part, Question 36, Article 2.
Not to mention, we still have continuity with St. Peter through the bishop of Antioch. Think I'll stick with Orthodoxy. After all, 4 out of 5 patriarchs agree (the Great Schism).
This was a wonderful video! And I very much so enjoyed that miniature tour of the church and the short biographies of some of the more modern saints ☦️
I grew up with purely secular, emotionally distant parents and often had borderline demonic episodes of emotional turmoil, but throughout my life I've never been able to escape from Christians - no matter where I go, they're the ones who appear drawn to me, and vice-versa. After my parents died at 18, I became a spiritual seeker on-and-off and Christianity was the LAST religion I thought could possibly be truthful. I stepped foot in a Greek Orthodox church only because I had already gone unsatisfactorily through the list of every other religion out there, and because some orthodox guy was nice to me online once. I loved the people there and the service, but I ended up being drawn to Catholicism simply because of its greater presence and the abundance of "extra-curricular opportunities" I could involve myself with. However, a year later I'm really regretting it because I've been introduced to all of the seemingly man-made superstitions like indulgences, the immaculate conception (and the borderline worship of Mary in general), the idea that if I miss Mass once and die without confessing it I will literally go to inescapable Hell, and the hundreds of schizophrenic episodes where people "see Mary" talking heresy yet the church officially believes it to be true and from God. Most Catholics don't even believe half the Catholic-specific dogma of the church - the apparent unity of the Catholic church, which is another reason I chose it, is all show. There are great Catholics, and the parish I converted in was especially abundant in Spirit, but the over-emphasis on these Catholic-originating superstitions has been atrocious in helping me grow in faith and I basically just stopped attending Mass after a few months because of how much I was disgusted and troubled over these things. Instead of an emphasis on growing in the Spirit, becoming more like Christ, and learning to properly love and worship the Father, Catholicism in practice ends up being more about "how many rosaries can I pray each day" (and half the words of the rosary are heresy imo), "what obligatory thing can I do to lessen my time in purgatory instead of actually repenting," and in general is more about mindless action and speech rather than sincerely trying to please God. Having grown up in the environment I did where hard scientific facts are what is worshipped and seen as highest truth, I CONSTANTLY struggle with having lasting belief that Jesus really was in fact more than a well-meaning apocalyptic prophet whose honorable but merely earthly vision of Israel never came to be. The only reason I believed in the church enough to convert at all (and I really shouldn't have with my doubts), and remained despite these doubts, was the spirit of the people who really love God in the church. I had an STE (Spiritually Transformative Experience) in High School where I felt the unconditional love of God, which I've felt at various times throughout my life - and it is only because good Christians I have met give off the same "spiritual" feeling as that Spirit I felt (more powerfully and more reliably than other religious people), that I have been willing to be around Christianity and even consider it at all. If it were just the books and the tradition that was there, I don't think I could believe at all because of how it has been challenged by historical-critical scholars and archaeology. Anyway, I'm ranting now, thank you to anyone who read all of this. :) I've decided to resume my inquiry into the Orthodox church again, hoping it will fix the problems I'm having in Catholicism.
Wow I really relate to your perspective, having converted from humanism to Christianity, and also having emotionally distant parents. Like you I was attracted to the radiating love some Christians have, no matter their denomination. I became a Christian last September attending a bible study on Romans in a non denominational church. But I came to Orthodoxy because it is closest to the early church and because of their intensity of self reflection, and the way they describe the Church as a hospital. As a logical person, sometimes I find it hard to believe some of the stories of the Saints, but I'm praying for a transformation of my heart and mind. Sometimes unbelief creeps in period about everything, and pray to God I believe, help my unbelief, because I've never felt such peace and comfort outside of being a Christian and contemplating God and Jesus Christ.
Besides Orthodox Church, I also go to Celebrate Recovery, a 12 step Christ-centered recovery because the people there are also passionate about healing and drawing closer to God, and becoming more Christ-like.
As for the historical evidence I've seen many videos and I'm really convinced that there is evidence for Jesus Christ existing. One that comes to mind is the Shroud of Turin and how scientists have not found a way to explain it. Thank you for reading this far 😊 I pray for God's mercy and blessings for you and for your salvation ❤
I 10000% second the shroud of Turin.
I don’t venerate things, but I have had nights where I stay up thinking about the shroud because it is just so cool. Literally for hours.
It’s incredible, praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.
You can see the crucifixion. You can see the sculptures made from the image miraculously photographed onto the fabric.
I grew up in the Roman Catholic church going to a catholic church but I never understood/ was taught any deep meaning or theological perspectives. I went with a friend to the Orthodox church when I was 21 and last year I converted. I feel like the most important thing about your christian journey is keeping your eyes and mind on Christ and learning about him. In my Orthodox church, I attend bible study, youth meeting and mass regularly (I never knew that they existed or thought to attend in my catholic church) and I am taught in a way which is applicable for me. I still go with my family to my catholic church and find that I have a deeper connection with Christ now then I did before orthodoxy and I find so much beauty in my church and the saints now. I wish you all the best on your journey with Christ.
I wouldn't worry. Jesus is the God of all. He formed us and has a plan for all of us. He loves us and wants us to be saved.
I had always grown up religious, (seventh day Adventist) but I never really knew Jesus until I had gone through a really rough spiritual battle with a girl I was dating. She had trauma and at the time I was unaware of the spiritual world, (her demons latched on me ) and I became very prideful and ended up losing not only her but hurting everyone around me. I was so oblivious to things like clowns and jesters being demons and I became obsessed with them until finally I lost everything including a good friend and it left me so broken and alone. Later that year I walked alone in my hometown one day and met a homeless guy, i bought him some food and went back later at night and found him again and he began preaching to me and had a Bible. It almost was like he was an angel telling me things I didn't understand about the spiritual realm, but at the time I thought he might have been abducted by aliens or ufos or was insane or something and didn't understand he was simply sharing the gospel. I spent that winter suffering, i was also sad because i had always seen a future and sometimes had dreams where I might see something in the future as a warning but I still did it anyways or a place i would be in a dream later happened in real life. That winter I finally started studying the Bible and suddenly all of it started making sense, all of the chaos and confusion I had before went away and it was like a veil was lifted from my eyes. All the past "knowledge" I had thought was so important suddenly became useless and I spent 3 months locked in a room studying the Bible and missed school from January to February. During that time I learned that all historical scholars and archaeology and all biblical archaeology and true history has almost been completely covered up. We are in a little season Rev:20 Where our true past is being covered up. The craziest part is now the Lord has given me so much wisdom I realize things like aliens and UFOs are simply satan and his fallen angels. And the lies institutions have fed us in schools is all about promoting pride and self worship so people ignore God. And Bible sites HAVE been discovered (Ron Wyatt) but no church talks about it because it.
Im going to a catholic college next year, and I know I cant share a lot of my wisdom with them because they wouldn't understand (the resets of society and fallen angels controlling governments and schools ect makes it hard to share with people) But something I admire about Catholics is their humility. I think sometimes too much knowledge in anything can lead to pride, the more knowledge the more grief (Ecclesiastes 1:18). And Catholics are humble in their sincerity even if they dont know many things because the higher ups in the church have kept them ignorant. I will still be attending divine liturguy and going to an orthodox church on Sundays and an Adventist church on Saturdays for Sabbath rest, but even within orthodoxy my biggest issue with the church is the structure. IT is based on a Roman structure where money is funneled to the top, protestants and Catholics have it as well. If I ever found a perfect church it would be a house style church where people can gather in their homes and have liturgy and service in their homes without a centralized authority besides Jesus. This is what the early Christians did, and people would give their money directly to the poor and needy instead of to the church. God does not need a massive church, his first home was a humble tent in the desert called the tabernacle. So if I had a routine in life I would want to base it around the tabernacle of the Old Testament, so daily Bible study (show-bread) menorah (seven sacraments) alter of incense (prayers). Having a decentralized system similar to the Parthian empire structure. Besides that I dont really need much, my biggest issue right now is simply finding the right people to connect with and finding the right woman to share my love with. I have a hard time making and keeping friends and I struggle to ever open up to someone. But its important to love everyone because all humans are made in the image of God.
(Also I love your windmill profile picture, windmills are really cool!
What are the man-made superstitions? And I do agree that the Orthodox church is not readily available, I don't even have one in my area and never even heard about them till I saw videos about the disagreeing with Catholics.
In my opinion, to be called a "Right" church means you would have to be proving yourself against something. The original church would not be called that. I pray for your journey.
🇺🇸 American ☦️ Orthodoxy 🇺🇸 is such a rich and beautiful thing.
Hello.. may i ask if orthodox is same as catholic? Do they consider themselves as catholics? Just confused. Thank you in advance
@@gilly0518 yes and no. They were one church that split over disagreements over a few important things. They share a heritage and a lot of their theology over laps but they disagree over papal authority, innovations in the liturgy and the filioque clause in the western creed
Greetings from Russia❤️
Send love to all my Orthodox sisters and brothers☦️
Thank you so much for this fantastic video! It directly answered the questions I have about choosing between Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
Such an underrated channel
Love this! God is all about transforming our hearts in order to truly be one with Him.
So, as a Roman Catholic, it is my understanding that in order for a mortal sin to be absolved and washed away, you must undergo a deep self-evaluation, one that makes you ponder why you committed the sin in the first place. Without the self-evaluation phase, and if you are not truly sorrowful for your transgression(s), then your sin will not be absolved. So, like the Orthodox, the RCC takes sin very seriously, especially one that is mortal in nature. I have found my home in Roman Catholicism. However, I think I would be just as comfortable in the Orthodox Church as well!
That is with almost any religion...
I agree my understanding is forgiveness don't dwell on your sin because that is wasting time that you could be spending living a life of love for Christ. But also be truly sorry for the Sin and fight always not to sin again... I don't find being Catholic easy😂
Agree with you.
@@linamarie841 confession is worth 1k exorcisms -also those sins are blotted out-in the only religion THAT MATTERS 🙏✝️
The bishop of Rome is a heretic
ΚΎΡΙΕ ΙΗΣΟΎ ΧΡΙΣΤΈ
Ευχαριστώ για όλα όσα μου δίνεις
ΑΜΉΝ Χριστός Ανέστη Αμήν πανάγια αμήν σώσε με άγια ιερουσαλημ ο χριστός η ελπίδα μας άγιος. Χριστός Ανέστη τελικά ευλογεί την αμαρτία...... δεν θα πω κάτι άλλο θα έγραφα πολλά αλλά αυτό τα λέει όλα.....ο Θεός μαζί μας αδέλφια μου Αμήν ο Ιησούς Χριστός θα είναι για πάντα μαζί μας.
God bless from HT Salt Lake City
The speech I love me is full of knowledge. I am from Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo. God bless you
I am a Roman Catholic.. But I would surely be interested in visiting Orthodox Christian church 😊🙏.. Inquisitive and interested😊
As a RC transitioning to EO, I highly recommend it, brother. Peace be with you.
Thanks for showing the relics. I'm not Orthodox but it's pretty cool to see some modern miracles
I must also share my testimony. I had asked Holy Mother Xenia to Pray for me to find a job, and I recieved a job offer on her name's day. Glory to God ☦️
I went to Catholic church (and school) as a kid, and as early as I can remember I never believed what they said. Why? In vulgar terms, the vibe was off. Something about the church gave me the heebie-jeebies; and even if I couldn't explain why, I recall as a 5 year old in Sister Margaret's class that I did not want to go along with whatever this thing was that I'd been thrust into. When I learned about Orthodoxy as an adult I never got that feeling, not for a second. The witness of the people I met, listened to, and read about was just completely different, and ultimately that's what finally brought me to Christ.
All about feelings. Talk to people in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church who suffered in the underground church and you'll get a different "vibe".
Everyone suffered under the Bolshevik yoke, that's neither an argument for the Papacy nor a defense of the theology & practices of 97%+ of Catholics who are Novus Ordo.
So you placed the fate of your eternal soul on your feelings, like mormons. Got it.
Feelings first, to be sure. I trust my instincts when I'm in a bad neighborhood, why not in a church? But I know too much about church history now to consider anything but Orthodoxy; and I was an atheist until I learned about Orthodoxy, nothing convinced me of any religion for 31 years. Do you think you could change my mind or even offend me with a brusque comment on TH-cam?
@@machinotaur Nobody cares about your feelings. Show me where Jesus said trust your instincts. You make your choices like a mormon.
Keep reading, particularly the parts where Eastern Churches kept the tradition of Papel Supremacy until they conveniently stopped keeping that Apostolic Tradition half way through Church history. Why did the 1st century Corinthians seek the authority of the Holy See instead of their own bishops, eastern bishops who were closer like the Bishop of Constantinople or Antioch, or even the then still alive Apostle John who was right next to them on the Island of Patmos? 🙃
Amazing video ❤
Я из Санкт-Петербурга. Блаженная Ксения Петербуржская, наша родная, очень любим её. Да благословит вас Господь братья и сёстры, и дарует Духа Святого ищущим обрести Его
I'm really tired of Western christianism i don't even wanna live in the west any more , you are a hero father for bringing the Eastern Orthodox Faith to the West ☦️
We are not supposed to believe in God or not based on the behaviors of others.
We are not supposed to change faiths or justify it over the behaviors of others.
Rather than that it is crucial to live your life to the best of your ability. While not worrying of how others portray it.
If we are able to simply be sick or tired of it and simply jump to another, then there Is no true foundation of your belief in God to begin with.
There are plenty of Christians who are some of the.most rude, judgemental, hateful people I know.
I could not think of changing my faith or the way I believe in God based on the way ANYONE else behaves.
I refer to The Bible. That's it.
@@linamarie84 Wanting to find a church to Worship and fellowship with others who share Biblical beliefs is not a sin.
It would be very interesting to hear more elaboration on the differences in Christian religions
This helped me understand the importance and emphasis on Mary. She was the Ark of the Covenant. People never worshipped the Ark. However, the Ark was revered because God came through it. Just as Mary was the Ark for Jesus. She is not being worshipped but revered because without her, Jesus wouldn’t have been born. I still have reservations.
Do you have to ask for intercession from her or any of the other Saints? Like is it a requirement? Part of me cannot get past that.
If one wants to find The Truth, then The Orthodox Church is the only one where God is working miracles through saints from our times.
there's no one true religion, there's only Jesus who is the only way to God.
@@rand5
Christ's Body is the Orthodox Church.
One Christ, One Faith, One Baptism.
The working of miracles happens outside of the Orthodox Church. I say this, not to compete with the true Church, but to ask you to be more careful. Your tone matters when speaking to Protestants, as we have trust issues and are sensitive to rejection. Blessings on the fullness, the Christ-bearing Orthodox.
My back was healed at an evangelical fellowship this spring. I attribute it to God, but I don’t take it as a sign that evangelicals are orthodox in their core practices.
EOC don't recognize Catholic saints after 1054AD.
Including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas More, Faustina Kowalska (Divine Mercy), Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, Catherine of Sienna, and thousands of other saints...
@@PizzaDisguiseI agree with you. I heard it explained to me by an Orthodox reader (Reader Paul on TH-cam) that the Holy Spirit for SURE works inside of the Orthodox Church and does work outside too but we can’t make a claim to what extent because they don’t believe that’s for us to define. The Holy Spirit does work outside of the Orthodox Church, absolutely. He has to- that’s how He brings the lost to God in the first place. Jesus healed those who were outside of the Jewish faith. It’s the healing that ultimately drew people to a genuine relationship with Christ. However, experiencing healing doesn’t guarantee that you’re in relationship with Christ.
We could look at it like… healing is the “wooing” God does to the human heart. But that human heart has to then submit to Jesus’ lordship and be connected to Him intimately. Even disciples of Jesus who experienced miracles walked away. For example- he rebuked the crowd because when He gave the 5,000 food, He said “you only came because of your fill of the fish and the loaves.” They just wanted to get more food. They didn’t really want to pick up their cross and follow Jesus. The feeding of the 5,000 was meant to point beyond the physical to the spiritual and some just didn’t want to go further.
ORTHODOXY = TRUTH....CHRIST'S TRUTH ❤☦️...I feel sad that so many people are following false teachers and denominations that have nothing to do with Our Lords truth..praying for all to come to the truth....Kyrie Isouy Xriste Eleison emas tous Amartolous ☦️
I've come to accept. That we shouldn't nessecarily pity the following and damn the teacher.
It is a co-parasitic relationship. Wherein;
The Seeker Desires a Lie, so the Teacher Provides. As the group think grows, the desire for lies becomes more and so the teacher becomes empowered to be bold in greater and greater nonesense.
It's not fair to damn the teacher, in truth. He or she is one, singular. Where instead, notice there are many who prop them up with worship.
If you're going to revile one, it's only fair to revile all. If you will bless one, it is only fair to bless all.
I would argue. The attendees my usually leave whenever. However the leader is trapped under the grander delusion, powered by the deluded.
@@GnohmPolaeon.B.OniShartz ...ase mas vre ...
I am Roman Catholic but I DEEPLY respect my Orthodox brothers. We are apostolic and posses the fullness of truth!
I went to a Catholic school. I was Orthodox. God is not real.
Even if the Pope were Satan incarnate, we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom. He who rebels against our Father is condemned to death, for that which we do to him we do to Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Pope; we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the Pope. I know very well that many defend themselves by boasting: 'They are so corrupt, and work all manner of evil!' But God has commanded that, even if the priests, the pastors, and Christ-on-earth were incarnate devils, we be obedient and subject to them, not for their sakes, but for the sake of God, and out of obedience to Him.”
St. Catherine of Siena, SCS, p. 201-202, p. 222, (quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 5: “The Book of Obedience”, Chapter 1: “There is No Salvation Without Personal Submission to the Pope”).
@@ComspiracyTodayNewsTomorrow the pope literally keeps you from knowing the truth. Do you like being stupid?
Ah yes, Catherine of Sienna, the one that got the wedding ring of "questionable material" from Christ Himself.
Histos S-a Înălțat!
Mulțumim, Părinte. Avem nevoie de păstori, avem nevoie de îndrumare.
Amen Praise the lord ☦️🛐
No faith is easy as we all come from the same God..... our gentle but consequential father understands our soul's needs therefore will send us what our soul requires at divine time. Faith journey is a lifetime discovery of self and Lord's plan......
there is multitude of layers to Faith development as we become willingly with acknowledgment INSTRUMENTS OF GOD.
Thank you for sharing as every person/pastor crosses our path is a gift from Lord carrying a message form God......
God bless you for being an inspiration to me and the world. ❤Jezusa
I was on the fence for a long time I love Catholicism and orthodox it's so hard to choose but I also like the challenge of the ascetic lifestyle from orthodox which has me leaning towards the east. I would join eastern Catholic but none are close to me
Beautiful explanation without bashing other denominations.
Holy Orthodoxy isn't a denomination. 🤗
Lord Jesus Christ Son Of God Thank You For Your Sacrifice May God Bless You Brothers In Christ❤
My journey to becoming Orthodox was sparked by St. Gabriel of Georgia, a Fool for Christ. 🙏🏻☦️
I am Georgian and am sooo happy hearing that
@@annichqitidze დიდება უფალს!🙏🏻☦️
My choice to convert to Roman Catholicism is due to the fact that it is the church that Christ founded with Peter. That’s all I need to know. Corrupt church establishment has no bearing on my feelings toward whether Catholicism is the “right” denomination or not. Christ did not promise a perfect church. But He did say that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
Beautiful Father Paul. Thank you and may we have your blessings!
I am from India and from a Muslim family and in 2019 I started reading the Bible and also completed it and took all the information about Christianity but now I am 22 years old, I have not been baptized but I went to the Catholic Church and went to RCIA. I told you what I don't want to do and whether it is the same as RCIA in the orthodox church. I have to complete the sacrament but now I don't want to go to the Catholic church. Nobody told me what it means to become an orthodox Christian without taking classes. skta ho
Different spirit is so accurate. Look at St. Maria Faustina….
I grew up with a foot in both the Roman Catholic Church and my eastern Catholic Church, and the rigor of fasting alone has changed my life for the better. With men, if you expect more, then you get more.
I love that in three years time I hear the New Testament in its entirety. I love that the three readings make up the homily for the priest to draw from. I love knowing that my focus on Sundays is on the same subject matter across the world. I enjoy feeding on the preaching of orthodoxy and happily remain a loving Roman Catholic.
Being a member of the heretical group is problematic as Lord's Bride is elsewhere.
Not just religious symbols but an actual supernatural relationship with our almighty omnipresent omnipotent Holy Triune God♥️🙏🏼
I’ve been to Protestant and Catholic Churches since I was baptized in 2017 and been disappointed. I’m going to try Orthodoxy next
What are you looking for, first of all?
I love being Catholic
It's all what you bring to it
Go to a traditional latin mass, you won't be disappointed, especially if it's a solemn high mass.
I am Catholic and love and respect the Orthodox. We are so ancient and similar. Remember we were both there when they crucified our Lord. Yes, 2000 years ago.
I have noticed a lot of Christian faith including the Catholics posting video for e.g. about the solar eclipse this month and other events as signs. I don’t find Orthodox Church does but focus on being a good Christian, and their role as an Orthodox Christian and the Orthodox Church purpose. I just wondering your opinion on the Orthodox opinion about such events and other faiths comments connecting the solar eclipse with Jonah’s warning.
I love St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco!
Am a protestant but I think something has drawn me to orthodoxy is it a sign?🤷
Not something, but Someone.! ☦☦☦
Go visit a church and talk to a priest read some books listen to some chants and pray fast every Wednesday and Friday do it 3 months u should have ur answer by then
There is something in your heart that knows Protestantism doesn't square with the life of the Christian. Inquire further. Christ is risen!
Would St. Thomas Aquinas recognize today's Roman Catholic Church? Likewise, would St. John Chrysostom recognize the Orthodox Church today?
Good question! That really gives a lot to think about!
The answer for the second question, without any doubt is YES!
Since the Orthodox Church still uses St. John Chrysostom's Divine Liturgy on most Sundays, it's pretty clear that he would recognize it.
The Orthodox Church has been using the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for 1600 years. I would say so 😀
In all honesty, St John Chrysostom's first question would be what sin was committed that resulted in Antioch being raised and Constantinople cleansed of Christians. He did view catastrophic events as divine punishment and the fall of the Byzantine Empire and rise of Communism in Russia were major events.
I am a Roman Catholic. And the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, his body and his blood, is everything. And also I want to hear the gospel in my language. I don’t mind reading it or singing Latin, which is beautiful, but I want to be able to be in communion with everyone, listening to his word and celebrating the mass.
Orthodox also believe in the real presence of the Savior in the Eucharist as well.
I just wonder how many Mormons visit or became Orthodox there? 🤔
I think most in America come from being Protestant.
I know some guys from there and the number is more than a few.
Though many of them transferred to the Sister Parish St. Xenia's.
About half of this parish (including me) are former Mormons. And we get new inquirers and new catechumens every week. It's a miracle to behold.
@@johnsambo9379
Mormonism is part of the Protestant Mileu of the 19th Century.
While most Protestants won't claim them but it is a reactionary movement to the Protestants' theological inconsistencies.
It's noteworthy that while Mormons come to various Orthodox countries to convert people to their own faith (I had some encounters with Mormons in Russia), there's the reverse process in SLC itself.
Isn't it funny when you find the truth that fasting happens on it's own? Praise the Lord. A few weeks ago before start of Lent I all of a sudden lost my appetite. Ahh the mysteries. Shivers. I'm bursting inside!
This happens to others??? cool!!
Question from a Protestant: is sainthood in Orthodoxy similar to how it’s thought of and approached in Catholicism? Or pretty different?
There’s an episode of the podcast “The Lord of Spirits” that goes over this in depth. It’s hosted by two Orthodox Priests
You would need to ask an Orthodox priest.
I think the canonization process is different
You will never get an easy answer here. The one flaw orthodoxy has if only one, is that they simply cannot say anything plain.
But, no. There will nearly always be a nuance between Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
It's a spiritual thing, I am sure. Given the fullness of the schism I shouldn't think they _truly_ agree on much, wholly.
@@GnohmPolaeon.B.OniShartz That's a feature, not a flaw. The flaw is trying too hard to define and regulate the mystery that is God.
Really lovely. Thank you.
How can You say that Roman Catholic saints are not good enough?? They do miracles every day.
God bless orthodoxy ❤
آمين🙏🏻☦❤ هللوياخالق السماء والأرض ♥️♥️🌍✨️
John of Shanghai's father had Serbian nationality, and moved to Russia where John was born, so when he grew in faith he returned to Serbia and thaught there along with two Serbian sainta, Nikolai and Justin.
Orthodox faith is the only one to this day that have Saints! The word it self (orthodox) means true or correct. That’s says it all
ahhh... wrong.
EOC don't recognize Catholic saints after 1054AD.
Including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas More, Faustina Kowalska (Divine Mercy), Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, Catherine of Sienna, and thousands of other saints..
Thanks sir. Could you advise a book to read about orthodoxy?
I’m Catholic, but I recommend The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware. It goes through the early history of the church, the growing east/west divide in the early 10th century, the influence of the Church in the eastern Roman empire, and fall of Orthodox by the Ottomans, Orthodoxy in 20th century communism. It goes through basic beliefs, describes the liturgy. It really encapsulates everything you need to know.
Only note I’d mention is that the author has since softened his stance on the Filioque since writing his book, to something more similar to Catholics.
The way of a pilgrim is a good book, on the dogma of the church, patristic theology, anything written by fr Seraphim rose is good.
Oh and apostolic treatises on the procession of the Holy Sprit is also a very good book
Know the Faith is a great book . Plus there’s a lot of audio book of Fr. Seraphim Rose and he is amazing.
Thanks for the recommendations
I don't know one Catholic that thinks the Orthodox liturgy is crazy....not one.
I constantly.pray we are reunified
We are already reunified. Every Orthodox church has split and had a part of it come back into communion with the Roman church. So it's not like the Church is divided between East and West because the Catholic Church contains both. The real difference is between schismatic churches and faithful churches.
@@JudeMalachi no, the real difference is actually theology and practice. If you've ever been to an Eastern Catholic church, or have endeavored in some other way to know what they believe in and confess and how they practice, you're not really united with them, because the Latin churches do not practice and believe quite a few things that the Eastern "Catholic" ones do.
In reality, you can only claim "administrative" or "bureaucratic" union, but they are "divided/schismated" from you in both practice and theory. As an Orthodox Christian, that's another point why I don't want any union with Rome - it's become the Church of relativism and trying to claim universality by superficial union on the basis of administration, rather on the basis of faith. Rome has become ecumenist/syncretist and I hope our clergy never entertain seriously the idea of "reuniting" with Rome.
Especially when I see someone saying the arrogant thing that you contain our tradition of theology and practice and we somehow "schismated" from it, as if it has never been our own, but because some centuries later after the schism you managed to politically pressure Eastern Churches to join and plead allegiance to the Pope. That's kind of arrogant, mate. No, the Roman Catholic Church does not contain both East and West. No, we didn't schismate/divide from a tradition, that is Rome's, which we eventually picked up. We've always believed the things we believed and practiced the way we practiced. We are not schismatics to our own tradition. What we have we didn't get from Rome, or the Latin/Western church.
I don't know where the audacity to claim that we are schismatics to our own religion - with all the traditions and practice, - come from and that it is contained by the Roman/Latin church. This is bonkers.
@yavorangelov1601 that arrogance you speak of is one several reasons why I have struggled so much with being catholic.
Ironic.
What would you recommend a laymen do if one wants to be orthodox but doesn't have a parish anywhere near them?
I just needed to come to understanding of St George and the lads sacrifice of not giving into draconian laws. Nobody taught me in the Christian faith but I persisted and learnt before Christ stuff. Don't give up and the truth shall be revealed. Icons aren't to be worshipped but treated as history lesson
My name is Wangmo and I was brought up as a Buddhist in a strict monastry in Bhutan and did not have access to the internet my whole life. I am very excited as I made the personal decision to leave the monastry and also the country because I inherited quite large sum of money from a relative. I was always kind of a free thinker and sceptic which was not easy living in a monastry and lets be honest, probably is also not easy in christian monastries ... But well, I am just keen on learning everything new, also about other religion and as I now start with Christianity before I get too much into it I have a question: If I know almost nothing about Christianity, Jesus and so on and then die, do I get into Heaven or Hell? I mean there were a lot of people alive before Christianity existed and they probably not all went to hell right? And also, I dont know, people for example living thousand years ago, or even 700, 800 years ago in what is today Alaska, mexico or whatever. I mean they never heard of the christian religion, so what happened to them? I am asking because I think that I might not want to get to deep into is as knowing nothing might be protective against having to go to hell
Comparing modern saints is absolutely essential for those struggling between Catholicism and Holy Orthodoxy. For example, this juxtaposition was startling (in a good way) when it came to the subject of darwinian evolution. Not a single one of our post-darwin saints affirmed it, but rather categorically condemned it as demonic deception/delusion of purpose to destroy the Christian faith. ...whereas the post-darwin canonized saints in the Roman Catholic Church either outright affirmed it or basically said you could believe it or not but it didn't really matter as long as you believed God was the cause.
This was one of the most powerful witnesses for me to the truth of Holy Orthodoxy. It was clear that our modern saints were illumined by the Holy Spirit with discernment to see through and reject what is essentially at this point a worldwide deception. Glory to God in His saints!
Why do Roman Catholic modern Saints still have miracles affirming their sainthood if you claim they're wrong?
@@MasterKeyMagic miracles cannot be the litmus test for the truth.
Plus, if they were, the Orthodox Church would win out anyway. We literally have perpetual, public, observable and verifiable miracles in the myrrh streaming icons around the world. The Iveron icon was just in town a few hours from me last year and it was gushing throughout the entire service at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. I also have a personal friend who was blessed to travel with it and got to watch the myrrh beading up trickling down it right before his very eyes while riding in the car. You can legotimately go see this, and other such icons yourself, you don't even have to rely on an eyewitness.
So...if you're RC, you don't really want miracles to be the litmus test, I assure you.
@@MasterKeyMagicmiracles cannot be the litmus test for truth.
Plus, Roman Catholics wouldn't really want to take that angle anyway because the Orthodox Church would still come out on top. We--by God's grace--have multiple myrrh streaming icons like the Iveron icon that have been continuously producing myrrh for years. The Iveron icon was just in Jordanville, NY at Holy Trinity Monastery last year and it was literally gushing the entire duration of the service at the grave site of Brother Jose, the martyr who traveled with the icon prior to his death.
Such wonderworking icons are continuous public, verifiable miracles. You don't need to even rely on a first hand eyewitness, you can go see them for yourself. So...a RC would be wise not to make miracles the litmus test for truth
The church is not a scientific organization, it follows the science.
EOC don't recognize Catholic saints after 1054AD.
Including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas More, Faustina Kowalska (Divine Mercy), Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, Catherine of Sienna, and thousands of other saints..
Are there any testimonials of people who grew up Catholic and converted to Orthodox ? Have yet to see that perspective.
Considering which faith you choose by “feeling” and “impression” is dangerous, it is why some people choose islam. Choosing your faith based on early Church doctrine and critical thinking, including testing to see which as a whole is coherent and consistent, that is what it means to seek the truth. You do not understand the Catholic Church and clearly never did you look in to her many Rites, which several celebrate the same liturgy, the same fasts, and the same traditions as the Orthodox. I pray for you and all who are mistaken. The Catholic Church doesn’t always have great representation which hurts people like me deeply, but when you look at Chalcedon, Ephesus, heck both Nicene councils, you can see what the structure of the Church looked like before the schism. They answered to a human authority, the successor of Peter. Singular. Glory to Jesus Christ.
Deceitful or ignorant is what this comment is. At most they looked to the pope to help decide an issue that was not agreed upon sometimes. Some councils the pope didn't even attend. All bishops decided together what the church teaches. The modern day papacy is the mother of all heresies, one man made to be a God. Jesus Christ is the only true God. St Justin Popovich please pray for this man.
I've always wondered why one needs a certain "Label" to love and give thanks to the Creator of All, for our existence.
Because it is the only group, defending and preserving the true faith.
I love your videos. Keep up thr good work.
The reason I chose Orthodoxy is because there are clear theological answers to all my questions. In Catholicism the answers I always got were “Our pope has direct lineage to St.Peter, So we can do what can do what we want” and that answer simply wasn’t good enough for me
Literally no one told you that.
Because it has the Grace of the Holy Spirit. Catholics made changes and they don’t have it anymore or tiny bits. There where the priests do it as it was passed down to them without changes. As soon as someone starts changing it due to their will Grace draws away. It’s crystal clear.
I really love Father Paul's videos and explanations and I have fallen in love with the beauty in the traditions/ spirituality of the East. I do want to say that the fasting requirements in the Latin Church are given as a minimum, and faithful are encouraged to do more. I don't think the way Orthodox fast is insane, it is inspiring and admirable. But the Catholics in many of the eastern Catholic Churches (and some Latin, by choice) still do fast this way. And Roman Catholics are definitely not taught that there is no need to worry if we don't have mortal sins. Catholics are encouraged to frequently go to confession, even with no mortal sins, grow in virtue, and avoid all sins, not just mortal.
If someone were to ask me, I might say that I do not fully understand why I was drawn to Orthodoxy. While this is partly true, there is a deeper sense within me that something beyond my understanding is leading me. Orthodoxy feels like the fullness of the Christian faith, more so than other traditions such as Catholicism or Protestantism. Whether it be the Holy Spirit or something else, I am continually led to the same conclusion-that it is indeed the Holy Spirit who is guiding me towards the truth of Orthodoxy.
Roman-catholic Church is Organisation. Orthodox Church is (the) Organism.
Both needs a brain, a leader, or a true 'first amongst equals"...or they fall into schism with each other..
@@jamesrey3221 roman-catholicism is a symbol of schisms - anglicans, old catholics, hundreds of millions of protestants and so...
@@jamesrey3221 the ecumenical synods are the brain of Orthodoxy, those who reject the synods are heretics.
There is a lot of truth in your brief statement.
@@jamesrey3221 The Pope hasn't been a true "First Among Equals" for 1,000 years, perhaps longer. It's a relationship of superiority/inferiority, and the current possessor of the role brings "brains & leadership" into question IMO.
i’m roman catholic but i have respect for the orthodox church
Father Paul please have a debate with our Philippines Catholic Faith Defender on which Chruch is the true Church. God bless.
I'm joining the Orthodox Church. Because I recognize that it calls me to be more holy!
Our Lord Jesus told us that is the narrow gate that leads to salvation. We have to fight during this lifetime,it is going to be hard.If it is easy and always happy with no sadness then we are away from the Lord. So the father here is correct. :)
Last night I had a dream I was Orthodox. Had an awesome beard. It has been on my mind lately but it crazy I dreamed about it
1:01 - "It [Roman Catholicism] did seem easier to me. Essentially, if I commit a mortal sin, I go to confession, I get a penance, and then I can receive communion. If it's not a mortal sin, I don't need to worry about it so much. In Orthodoxy, you really need to look in your own heart...it called me to a much, much higher standard than simply not committing a mortal sin."
Anyone with an ounce of intellectual charity is going to quickly see right through the above as total strawman to the Catholic spiritual life. Any Catholic who known an ounce of their own spiritual tradition knowns the above is a crude, stripped down way to define the Catholic spiritual life. At best, it shows a deep ignorance of Catholicism, and, at worst, it's slanderous.
I agree.
Thank you. You are spot on. He's also making straw man arguments about the saints in Catholicism vs Orthodoxy (I stopped watching after that point). The Orthodox tend towards a very crude and ungenerous form of apologetics, for some reason.
👆🏻
Yep! It was a veiled straw man about the Catholic Church. Eastern Orthodox and Protestants are constantly criticizing the Church for emphasizing things like confession and penance like it’s a flaw. It’s called high standards and theological precision.
I’ll admit the Eastern Orthodox are doing a great job of maintaining some traditions like fasting for example.
@@forehead949 Absolutely. The confession but was very silly, lol!
I admire much in Orthodoxy and actually like their conjunction of confession and spiritual direction. It’s something we could borrow from in the RCC.
The sad thing about the fasting is that when St Paul VI abolished the old fasting rules he said he did so to take the burden off those in the developing world who had little to eat in any event, but stated that Catholics in the developed world should fast even harder because of our privileged position. I must say he was incredibly naïf and his decision has had the opposite result.
Then again, the OT reminds us that God doesn’t want sacrifice and fasting but a broken and contrite heart, so the outward display of fasting isn’t in itself meaningful. I had a friend who lived in Qatar. She said that during Ramadan the Muslims are usually angry and aggressive because of the fast. If so, it rather suggests fasting, is bad for their spiritual growth! Perhaps giving up chocolate or beer, if it leads you to God and purifies the soul, is a better fast than eating only boiled vegetables for five weeks on the trot if it makes you grumpy and miserable (not setting up a straw man of my own here!)
No matter how pure , how enthralling the history of a religion and its central figure I believe it is very imoortant individuals are able and willing to live their lives in a way which will not make them vulnerable.
I am obviously influenced by roman catholicism chiefly because of the environment surrounding churches which was a very positive aspect vis-a-vis our families ancestral religion of hinduism, however later on growing up I realised there is still a strong element of belief and faith which can defy reasoning involved in that denomination.
For example I strongly believe the canonisation of Mother Teresa need not have depended on finding two miracles associated with her life and yet hat was what emphasised upon and virtually searched for before her canonisation, this is to me not good to put very soberly.
Then I find many roman catholic adherents , mostly from Africa and Latin America live their life the same way we had seen had brought down our traditional society namely very strong emphasise on beliefs, faiths, almost intertwined with lack of examples in practice, making it appear as a cult more than a religion which is what had forced me to shun our traditional religion and look for inspiration elsewhere and I had always thought Christianity gives emphasise on not on only faiths and beliefs but also tye need to live ones own life in a way which is not sinful if not inspirational. I used to observe very calm and quiet, neat and tidy christian people solving intricate social problems , stepping in when needed most, setting up examples of their own as opposed to endlessly repeating the glory of life of jesus back in the 70s and 80s, those things were very important to me ,much more important than asking someone to follow christianity because Jesus had done great things , so on and so forth. This is also a major problem with Islam as far as I had noticed and experienced.
If me as a human being will be living my life recklessly and yet expect otgers to respect me because I am a follower of a famous fugure from history and his teachings then to me at least nothing can be more sinful than that and coupled with the idea that we are all to remain resigned to our fate, that we are all sinners waiting to be lifted, generates a strong case for a happy go lucky lot waiting to suffer and causing suffering to others, the last thing I would ever like to follow in life.
Some groups like the Evangelists go even further, absolute bonkers with big money, loud music, hypnotism and what not, its a shame, disaster waiting to happen.
I will need to learn more about orthodox christianity, protestant denominations and anglican belief systems. I am very attracted to the mennonite/amish way of quiet, secluded , pious life, but probably that is a very close community with lot of restrictions and while I feel I must live a life of responsibility and example I must still retain the capability to chart my own way and restrictions usually do not sit well with me.
On the orthodox christianity part I saw some videos on life of hermits living in remote, secluded churches, performing daily duties in a calm, quiet and meaningful manner and that immediately becomes a very attractive proposition to me. But I need to know more for sure.
It would be super cool if you guys could go to a Western Rite parish, and see how the traditions of the West are still celebrated in the fullness of Orthodoxy.
@@Chrisc-sn6uh mull monastery is under the Romanian Orthodox Church. ROC is not western rite. 😀
They have western rite orthodox which is basically identical to the Anglican ordinariate or the TLM in English.
@@LadderOfDescent my mistake I’ll remove my comment to not miss lead others God bless you.
@@Chrisc-sn6uh God bless you friend ☦️
When I was in catholic school they always told us if we couldn't find a catholic mass too attend try to find a orthodox mass
I’m surprised there’s no mention of St Gabriel of Georgia! He was an amazing fool for Christ, he reposed in 1995
What does he mean by harder??? Looking at the surface I feel Catholic would be harder minus fasting?