Sola Scriptura, Icons, Prayer to Saints and the Mother of God: Questions from our Protestant Friends
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
- We received over one thousand comments and questions since last week. These do not include at least as many comments which were intentionally offensive to us or to the other people who left respectful, serious comments (and which we did not approve for publication, of course).
Since we cannot reply to all these comments, we have prayed for the names included in them and we are trying to address some of the questions in this video, with a focus on some of the comments left by our Protestant friends.
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The video was recorded by Fr seraphim Aldea, at Kilninian, Mull Monastery (The Orthodox Monastery of All Celtic Saints)
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I'm a Protestant, I love the Orthodox fathers and their theology but my convictions keep me Protestant. I will likely be permanently inquiring on the Orthodox Church. It is a wonderful Church regardless and I love the Orthodox. Greetings from the United States, and God bless you my eastern brothers.
Thank you for sharing these videos Father. My husband and I have been looking into Orthodoxy since June. Truly feel that we were led to find the TRUTH. We were attending a non-denominational church for years and after pandemic we realized that we wanted to grow more in our faith. Somehow we were led to reading on the history of the church and found Orthodoxy. It has been such an eye opener but more than anything it has taught us a lot of HUMILITY. I came to the realization at one point, that we DID NOT know anything. I myself asked the same you mentioned, “how could we think we know more than the early church fathers?”. We are so joyful of starting this path. Please pray for us as we continue in this journey. -Jonathan & Daysi from Texas
I just found your channel. I am Catholic. I attend the Latin Tridentine Mass, which many call "trad-cats" which is short for Traditional Catholic. Even though we obviously have disagreements between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy I do enjoy your online lectures. Very refreshing focus on Jesus and Christian living. God Bless.
I am Roman Rite also and have attended Latin Mass but I do appreciate the Byzantine Catholic Church maybe something you can look into..✌🏻
This has helped me greatly to move a little closer towards the Orthodox Church from the worlds of non-denominationalism that I have sought God through for the last fifty years of my life. Thank you, Father.
"May we all reach the fullness, the perfection of being one with Christ-God Himself!"
God bless your witness (your Catholic brother).
Hello, Orthodox Teaching of the Elders! I've watched many of your videos. God bless you!
We love you too Father Seraphim!
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us, and all our separated protestant friends.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FATHER FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT ❤️🙏
LORD JESUS SON OF THE LIVING GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER 🙏
I’m a 15 yr. Protestant-To-2020 Roman Catholic Convert. Godwilling, I will come into the Church at 33 yrs. old, the same age our Lord began his ministry. I have an Orthodox Jesus Prayer rope. What a beautiful prayer. You confess Christ as Lord, acknowledge The Father, ask for His Mercy, & confess that you are a sinner-It’s a favorite devotional. I plan to order the Jesus Pantocrator Icon. Your videos are a blessing to me even as a Catholic & I am praying for you, sir. Godbless us all! Ave Dei Christi, Ave Maria
You are a wealth of insight as always Father. As a Catholic, I run into many of the same accusations. Regarding icons, tradition & the church fathers ect. It's upsetting to see the traditions & knowledge of the Church Father's be discarded by so many. The significance of the early saints/martyrs & theologians cannot be understated or done away with. Bless you Father.
Most people don’t understand what the Early Church is nor it’s significance and how tradition plays a crucial role in that.
Catholic convert from Protestantism here 😅 thank you so much for helping our separated Protestant siblings.
Thank you Father, now I understand a lot more about my own beliefs regardless I haven't been in an orthodox church for the first time, pray for me to meet an orthodox spiritual father, I'm now in a protestant baptist church and thank God this pandemic feed my faith and made me more needed of God than ever.
Javier, if you are interested I’d recommend that you simply attend a local Orthodox liturgy (if available in your own language) a few times for a taste of the Church.
In my experience, a true spiritual father is a special relationship that God will gift to you when you need it. When you meet that person one day, you will know it, but it takes a journey.
All the best.
Believe in the early church fathers. What my parents told me about god. About mary, about Jesus. My sister is a nun and i am proud that she is in the service of mama mary. I told her to pray for me and my family. And i also pray to mama mary to pray for me. We also pray the rosary everyday...
But most especially to jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. My lord and my God. Lord Jesus keep us in your Glory, be Our guide and be Our Savior. We love you Jesus Christ.. We Glorify You Lord.
Thank you Fr Aldea. I am an Orthodox convert from South Africa. I just wanted to let you know that I find your videos helpful. In particular, your sincerity inspires me to self reflect and turn to prayer (even though I find prayer to be a struggle and make excuses not to pray). Please pray for me.
Êk is bly Jan, dat jy die pad terug na die apostoliese kêrk gevind het. Calvinisme en protestantisme is vreeslik leeg. Dis alles net woorde. Soos Tolstoy gesê het: " êk will dat dit meer as net woorde is."
Thank you Fr for sharing and explaining the modes of prayer, meditation and contemplation which is missing in the lives of most of us who are too busy with stuff. Sadly to say those few who object to what you reach, don't know what they do not know!.
Jan, dis vir my bemoedigend om jou kommentaar te lees, asook die een hieronder. My pad het by NG begin, deur lang jare van kerkloosheid, en ek vind ook hiedie boodskappe behulpsaam.
A fellow, South African! Hi there 👋🏻 I've just recently been called to Christianity and am navigating where I fit into all of this 😅 I've been going to a Baptist church with the friend who helped get me onto this path, but I've been absorbing a lot of Orthodox content online and feel I should visit an Orthodox church sometime. What city are you in?
Thank you Father! While I’m not Orthodox, I always receive great spiritual blessings from your teaching. My prayer is that these negative comments do not discourage you or get you off course from Christ and His mission for you.
Hi, Romanian Orthodox here as well. I will write in English so that most people understand. I essentially agree with everything you say.
However it is useful when talking to a Protestant to use the Bible as an argument, when feasible. So, I generally point out that there is not just Exodus chapter 20 verse 4 that talks about images, but also Deuteronomy chapter 4 starting at verse 15 and up to and including verse 19 it explains why Jews were not allowed to make images. Essentially it makes it clear that God forbade Jews to make those images and use them in worship because they did not see God. The day that God spoke to them on Mount Horeb out of the fire THEY DID NOT SEE ANY FORM, did not see a man or a woman, did not see an animal on earth or bird that flies in the air or a reptile that crawls on the ground or a fish from the waters. Also, not to bow to and worship the celestial bodies. Basically you did not see God that day on Mount Horeb therefore don’t make an image of God for yourself because you do not know how God looks like.
Then you can look at the New Testament, the Gospel of John, chapter 1 verse 14: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And WE HAVE SEEN his Glory, the Glory of the One begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth.
This refers, most likely, to the instance of the transfiguration on Mount Tabor, when John, James and Peter saw Jesus in a state of Glory like described by Luke in his Gospel in chapter 9 verse 32. So, they didn’t just see him as a human being, but saw his glory as the glory of the One begotten from the Father, that is, they SAW God.
Therefore the Old Testament interdiction to make images is no longer relevant in the New Testament for the disciples of the apostles who have seen God.
But I understand what you’re saying, that it is a fools errand to try to convince somebody with arguments when their heart is not open. We cannot convince someone, only God can. But if somebody is ready, and is held back by their education, to look only at the Bible, this might help.
I sent a request yesterday asking for an explanation of why it is ok to call someone father. I watched this video and my question was answered, two years before I asked it!! Thank you, Father Seraphim. Your videos are right on, and I am learning much. Tom in Vermont
I can see why Fr Seraphim’s monastic order gave him permission to further his education in the UK and then allows him to offer prayers in Scotland and speak to us in the wilds of the modern world. Fr Seraphim is very good in speaking to us and very good at spiritual direction and support that is too often missing in our regular parish attendance. (I hold Fr Seraphim in my prayers often in hopes he no longer suffers migraines)
It was the admission that I bring to bear my own prejudices onto the Bible and onto my view of its meanings that made me start to ask, "So how can I know what's right?" Because if I simply end up stopping where I'm comfortable or with what I think sounds most logical then I have become my own Pope. I am the final authority and so therefore I have put myself above the Scriptures.
Somewhere in this I realized that the Bible itself doesn't claim to be the authority. In fact it says The Church is the authority - the pillar and foundation of Truth. It also promises that the Faith delivered once and for all will remain unchanged and united. Not in a "we all believe in Jesus so are part of the invisible church somehow" sort of way but in an actual, definable, historical way.
So I started looking to what has been believed about scripture always, everywhere, by everyone. This took me back way before the Restoration movement... way before the Reformation... into the Faith of the Ancient Church. And there I found undisturbed continuity with interpretation of scripture.
Admittedly MUCH of what was said was contrary to what I thought or what I liked or what I was comfortable with. But that was exactly why I was there in that place of humility. Was I willing to accept what has always been believed and taught by The Church? Or was I going to continue to say, "No... I understand this but of scripture differently so therefore I must be more wise than all of this historical, and still present, continuity of understanding."
In the end I had to submit to the authority the Bible gives as authority... and in doing so I realized I was submitting, maybe finally, to Christ.
I can relate, I went through a very similar thought process and am now an Orthodox Catechumen
Father, thank you so much for your honest testimony of our Faith. Please, please, Father, lift up the people of Armenia and Artsakh. Please bring peace and healing to their lands, where innocent civilians and churches are being attacked. May the Lord have mercy on their people and her enemies. May the Truth of the injustices being committed finally be known, and may the hearts of political leaders and media be changed to report upon and act to finally bring a peaceful and righteous conclusion to the ongoing conflict.
🙏
🙏🏻☦️🇦🇲
God help your Orthodox Christians in Armenia and Artsakh, in Christ's name.
Personal experience is most convincing. We can draw from Scriptures and find ourselves deeply connected to His Word in our time.
But, how deep can we be without the help of the 2000 year-old church?
@@TomHamilton54 I feel the same experience. I lack good fellowship in these last days : (
Im catholic. May we all be one. Very beautiful teachings.
"Pope Damasus I was the bishop of Rome from October 366 to his death. He presided over the Council of Rome of 382 that determined the canon or official list of sacred scripture. He spoke out against major heresies in the church and encouraged production of the Vulgate Bible with his support for Jerome"
It's hurtful when people disrespect the Blessed Virgin. It really hurts because she is the Mother of God, and Jesus loves her very much.
@Michael Ojeda We Catholics say she is Queen of Heaven because of the vision in Revelation. God gave her a crown of 12 stars, He is the one who made her queen. Besides, in the old testament, the queen is not the wife of the king, but the mother. You can dissgree with our doctrine, but it sure makes sense.
@Michael Ojeda Luke 8:19-21 Matthew 12:46-50 Mark 3:31-35 He's very specific about who his mother is.
Ko-haku: the Orthodox love Panagia the Theotokos "too much" to call Her an Immaculate Conception. That attribute belongs to Her Son alone - as She makes clear accordingly in the same Word of God: the Gospels.
@Michael Ojeda
Jesus is the Perfect Man. He is the King of Kings. He is the Fulfillment of the Father’s Promises to Abraham and David.
Ergo, Jesus is THE Perfect Jewish King, so He fulfills the Law Perfectly.
What role did the Davidic law set for Bathsheba as a FIXED precedent?
That the KING’s mother, from Solomon onward, would be the Dowager Queen! The DENSITY of LowChurch Protestantism to forget this fact in your ignorant attempt to interpret scripture disconnected from the Desert Fathers is a bizarre tragedy. The Dowager Queen of Israel has PRIVILEGES, and these didn’t go away in the New Jerusalem that is the Kingdom of Heaven. Solomon didn’t keep his mother in a gilded prison cell to be silenced and irrelevant to the going’s on of his court and business. She was granted Privileges, and Mary has had them as well, only on an Angelically exalted level than a mere human political level.
Furthermore, Her Womb is the Ark of the New Covenant, fulfilling the same role as the Old, except one is an object and the other a person.
@Michael Ojeda
Orthodoxy has an ancient rule that one should not try to interpret Revelations without the Desert Fathers as an extensive guide. There are actually two women described in Revelations, that’s where you fail. You think they are both Christ’s Bride. One is, but the other is Mary, because the Queen of Jerusalem is ALWAYS a Dowager Queen, never the King’s wife.
Ive been into Jesus a lot lately amen i always was but this covid thing woke me really up amen i feel it im more aware and stronger amen
Praying for you and your journey.
Perfectly explained, God bless you! The most refreshing words. I'm a Roman Catholic friend
"A man that looks on glasse
On it may stay his eye
Or if he pleaseth, through it passe
And then the Heaven espie"
George Herbert.
Dear father I have the same icon as your favourite one, in triplicate! One given to me by a Catholic priest, one by a Catholic friend and one by a protestant friend 😊. And I'm protestant, and love the way it 'speaks' to me of Christ. Us protestants aren't all the same but I think it helps to understand the more anxious ones by taking a look at protestant church history and see the terrible corruption of religion they were reacting against, the sincerity of heart of those early protestants and eagerness to throw away what had become tarnished by all kinds of misuse and corruption in favour of purity and truth in the heart. You know in those days a priest would only pray for you if he was given money. And people had become accustomed to misusing holy things as if it was just superstition as they had no guide. I can see it from both ways and I think it will help understanding to see the history. Sincere and obedient people have been taught by their own spiritual leaders down the generations that these things can be corrupted. That's where the anxious beliefs come from. It is good to hear how you understand icons as an opportunity for grace.
Sadly, when Luther and co. run away from the "corruption of religion", they have failed to reconcile with the original Church - Eastern Orthodox even though they have tried. They translated Confession of Augsburg and sent to Constantinople for evaluation but they did not like corrections they received in response...
So Well Said Father! My journey to Orthodoxy came from understanding my own arrogance in thinking my interpretation was better then the Apostolic Fathers. Once I realized this I repented, and to Mary also who I had refused to venerate. Immediately Mary interceded on my behalf and delivered me from an overwhelming sin which had controlled my life for over 30 years (and I didn't even know till later)! Since then I cannot look upon an icon of her without welling up in tears, thankful for what she has done for me in spite of myself.
Since learning the teachings of the Councils, it is obvious that the Devil's constant attacks are just repeats of earlier attacks. If those that walk in heresy today would simply look at doctrine (and the Councils in which it was put forth by the Fathers of the Church) with sincerity of heart, I believe they would turn immediately from their heresies. I truly believe if protestants and Catholics continue searching for the Truth of God in their lives they will be inevitably led back to the beginning....the Ancient Faith of Orthodoxy.
When I was a Lutheran, I visited several Protestant churches with large, beautiful, stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Christ. I'm guessing these windows were so carefully made and installed because of the tremendous love and respect we have for Jesus, His Blessed Mother, and the Apostles. I would venture to say the windows also serve as a stunning visual reminder of Christ's Passion and when we look at them, we feel a little closer to Him. Wait....that sounds a lot like veneration......
Father disengage from any of the criticisms. We must focus on what unites us not divides us. The enemy is doing his work from within Christianity. Divide and Conquer! Thankyou I love your insights God bless you
But unite in TRUTH, not in false teachings!
@@jackcarver509 correct.
Thank you for your guidance Father. I’m so confused as to what direction I should turn on this new journey. But I’m sure I’ll be shown.
God is faithful if you totally rely on Him to guide you.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Father, I grew up as a Protestant. I came into the Church in 2016. I was drawn to Orthodoxy by intellect, yes-history reveals how the early Church was Orthodox in its behavior and organization-but I was also drawn to Orthodoxy more deeply, in a way that was inexplicable. One time, I heard a saying: “If you can be argued into it, you can be argued out of it.” There's something flimsy about arriving at faith by argument alone. The draw and power of Orthodoxy, of Christ and of the saints, is beyond argument; it affects the heart of a man, the totality of a man. Syllogisms and facts have there place, but Christ is not merely reducible to-or God forbid, only understood by-intellectual exercises. Christ is alive, He is the God-man, and He is “all in all.” He is the creator not just of the intellect of man but of all of man. So, a man must experience Christ totally (in the heart, by bodily means, by ascesis) and not partially (by mere arguments, by humanistic approaches).
absolutely right brother...in fact in Orthodoxy we the sinners eat our Lord and God's Body and drink His Blood..we are incorporated in Him literally,not metaphoricaly...this is salvation...that goes along with ascetism and our efforts to obey His commadmets...Glory to God.Amen
Indeed. What Orthodox are ought to work on is the bringing down the intellect (mind) to the heart - to unify the two.
@@johnnyd2383 Yes, there should be no walls of separation within the self. The mind should not be a hypocrite to the heart. Christ's influence creates great harmony in a person. God bless you, Johnny.
Father, how you humble me with your gentle truths and instruction. Peace and blessings to you and everyone there. Thank you so very much with much needed guidance.
May God bless you Father and may the Holy Orthodox Celtic Saints of the first millennium keep watch over the holy Monastery. Your blessings on an unworthy servant.
Father, thank you for your spiritual guidance. God bless you abundantly.
It is after midnight, and I have just watched this podcast for the first time. The light of hope and wisdom is shining through such a humble message. Such a powerful message. I thank God for bringing this particular video to my attention tonight.
Father Seraphim Thank you for sharing such clarity. I was so glad to see you use the same idea of a window to describe our veneration of icons. I was accused of idolatry during a discussion with a Protestant. She understood better when I explained that I imagine that I am looking through a window of Heaven as a Saint is looking back at me. I told her that this image simply represents.
God bless you Father and I am so glad that I found your channel.
I want to send this to every practicing protestant I know
Very good job--not only the content, but the spiritual assessment of what is needed in discussing these sorts of topics.
BEST. MESSAGE. YET. The TRUTH of all those elements of our Orthodox faith which you discuss here are the very ones I came to realize as I made my way from Protestantism to Orthodoxy. Who knows better: me, Martin Luther, Rick Warren or St. Justin Martyr, St. John Chrysostom and St. Ignatius of Antioch? How can I uphold the TRUTH of Scripture while rejecting the Church which gave it to us? If there is only ONE Truth--Jesus Christ--how can 20,000 denominations all have a different version of Him? Thank you for your concise & clear presentation of these elements of our Faith, Father, they are the stepping stones which lead us to Salvation.
You're doing a great job, father! Greetings from Serbia! Blessed feast of St Parascheva!
Father Seraphim Rose has a great book that explains very good, the book name is: Orthodoxy and the religion of the future!
Binecuvantati, parinte!
I wanted to add something I have read a while ago, that God will find us where we are.
For Father Seraphim, it was in front of an icon. I think God found me through my love for reading, literature especially.
I loved reading, and a friend who is not a believer, but a professor of litterature recommended the Happiness Diary (Jurnalul fericirii) by Nicolae Steinhardt. Besides the Bible itself, which I read afterwards, this is the most amazing writing, and it reopened the gate to God for me at that time. .
I highly recommend it. I promised myself I will name my first child after father Steinhardt, which I did, several years afterwards.
It is basically the story of a Jewish Romanian writer who is put in jail by the communists. He ends up converting to Orthodox Christianity and became a monastic after he got out of prison, many years after.
God bless you all!
1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”
Bless you for your faith in God.❤
It's wonderful that Orthodoxy has returned to Scotland, Father Seraphim! Thank you for your videos and God bless you and the Mull Monastery!
I converted to Catholicism from Baptist several years ago and am now studying Orthodoxy. I know the Orthodox Church is the first and original Church. However, I believe the Catholic Church is also in the Apostolic Succession and has the correct Eucharist and a good Liturgy (Mass). I just don't agree with some of their teaching (filioque, etc.). However, I know Catholic people (the parishioners) love God and strive to have love for others. I'm sure some of the priests do, too.
follow the truth where it leads, no matter the cost!
Thanks for this video, you explained very well what are the icons and saints. I am catholic and we receive a lot of attacks because we have saints and pray for them asking for intercession or even for the eucharist itself. There are many people as you mentioned for pride and disobedience have decided to create their own way to understand and worship God. God bless us and helps us to discern between good and evil.
Thank You Fr Seraphim.
Dear friend i was once not lazy or dispondant but ignorant of Christ's Gospel.
Ty for your ministry may God's Word touch the heart's of many.
These “conversations “ are exquisite and settle into me like a peaceful pool where sits the truth. Deep gratitude 🙏🏼 and blessings for your gift to the world.
Thank you father for all these wonderful videos! As an Ethiopian orthodox Christian, I am always learning more and more about my religion from you.
The Celtic lands have sometimes been called a “Cold and Wet Version of Ethiopia and Egypt”, when comparing the Desert Fathers to such Saints as Mungo and Columba.
Thk you Father! Protestant for 50 years always searching for Christ true church which I am am Orthodox now. The only thing that bothers me sometimes is the arrogance of my fellow Orthodox when they encounter especially Protestants. Answering with a kindness is much more representative of Christ imo. I cringe sometimes when I see this especially in writing on Facebook.
Very beautiful reflection. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and Christ is so special to me and in my own prayer corner. Icons are one affirmation of the Incarnation and the fact that paint, wood, gold leaf, and prayer can be a window upon God, as can the Bible, the Liturgy, and one another as we are all icons as well.
Thank you Dearest Father Seraphim , your Eastern Orthodox have been a revelation to my soul. Please pray for me & my family in this Age of Evil. Amen, Amen, Amen , your Brother in Christs Truth and His Mothers Love Anthony
I really love the example of the window, portal!!! Thank you Father!! Please pray for all people and Michael!! Amen!!
Спасибо, брат☺. Помощи вам Божией ☺. С любовью из Москвы☺
I belong to Indian Orthodox Church. Thank you Father for your informative message.
God bless you..and thank you for your perfect explanation on these topics that we often get criticised for..Amen
Your messages have been a blessing to me. Please help me understand the obsession with theotokos. Lord help me in my unbelief
Im not against praying to God in front of images of Jesus, and i definitely highly respect Mary, i most definitely believe in and have encountered the great cloud of witnesses/saints that surround us, but i dont see how they, not being God can be prayed too. I know we can be visited by the saints and learn from them being i have experienced this in prayer and in dreams, but they cannot answer prayers because they arent God, so i dont see the use in praying to them. Jesus prayed to God the father only and clearly gave us a model of how to pray in the gospels so i dont see any need to pray to anyone but the living God himself. In my own experience ive never needed icons, nor prayed to Mary or the saints and i experience the manifest presence of God in prayer every day, sometimes for many hours. Also many miracles have manifested in my life as a result of my union with the presence of God that bear witness of the truth of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we are told to preach. I love and respect the desert fathers and all the other saints who have gone before me, and have learned many things from them concerning prayer, like prayer of quiet(stillness in the presence of God) , but they are still just men thus are still capable of error. I also dont see many religious traditions that are taught today being practiced in the gospels, acts of the apostles, or in the teachings of the apostles themselves. Now that doesnt mean i think they are all wrong, but these traditions cannot be held as high as scripture itself, especially if they contradict scripture. We were given the Holy Spirit and scripture, so first and foremost scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit ultimately determine what is important in our journey towards being conformed to the image of Christ, not religious tradition. Now ofcourse i take the advice of those who have gone before me, but that does not mean that i trust them over the spirit of God that lives inside of me and guides me through this journey. Maybe im missing something as to why certain religious traditions are important for being conformed to the image of Christ!? So ofcourse im open to being taught by others and would love to hear the significance of certain traditions. I also have a very serious question. If someone is walking very closely with God, to the extent that they see Jesus, saints visit, they are taken into heavenly visions sometimes before the throne of God, their intercessions and prayers are answered speedily, the lord shows them future events that always happen as they see them, they are given revelation directly from the presence of God, they lay hands on the sick and they recover, they raise the dead, they cast out demons, theyve experienced pentecost as the apostles did, the power of God is manifested in their life in various ways like gifts of the spirit, they continue to grow in the fruit of the spirit becoming love as God is love, they preach the good news of the gospel, and Jesus is being glorified through the life they live, and all without religious traditions or organized religion at all; do you believe that they need to become orthodox to truly be in the perfect will of God? Should they then change what has worked for them and go back to traditions and trust every teaching of those who arent able to manifest the power of God? Take their words as complete truth even if it hasnt proven as effective for spreading the good news and healing all that are oppressed by the devil? Or should we take the many good things that they do teach, that resonate with the spirit of God that lives inside of us and use them and leave out those that have not proven beneficial? Is the power of God being manifested in the Orthodox Church? Through the many teachings, traditions and doctrines pasted down, are they helping people to walk in power as the apostles did? The apostles preached the gospel and then demonstrated the power of God to bear witness that the gospel is true. Are the traditions of the Orthodox Church bringing the same results? God bless you mighty brother in Christ! I see and feel the presence of our Lord upon you, thus i consider you my brother and look forward to watching more of your videos!
"I....I....I....I....I...I have experienced it so it is true....I....I....I....I....I don't see how so and so, so it is not true.....I....I...I...I....I....I...I...I....I...I....in my own experience....I....I....I...".
This is how the god of Your Mind speaks!
1). We were not given "the Holy Spirit and Scripture" we were given The Holy Spirit and The Church. The Scripture was given to us by The Church!
2). Prayer is simply talking to somebody within the Mystical Body of Christ be it a believer on this side of Heaven, a Saint on the other side, or an Angel.
For e.g, what I am doing right now is "praying to" you.
When I ask Mary to have Mercy on me, it is the same way I could ask you to please from the kindness of your heart, have Mercy on me and pray for me.
When I ask Mary to please give me this or that (no matter what it is), it is tantamount to me asking you to please bless me with something God has given you or anointed you with.
There is no difference, really.
The only difference between you and Mary is that she is infact the Most Anointed Created Being and you are not.
3). In the last paragraph (last few sets of questions) of your comment you exhibit that Protestant hubris that I came to utterly despise as I left the Protestant/Evangelical Paradigm.
"is the power of God being manifested in the Orthodox Church"?? and the other asinine questions you asked. Keeping in mind that I am infact a Catholic, are you at all aware of the Mystics and Saints of the Orthodox and/or Catholic Church???
Your questions show a gross ignorance and/or misunderstanding of the Orthodox (and I daresay Catholics as well too) Paradigm.
Also inherent in those questions, there is also that prideful obsession among Evangelical Christians with "power" and spiritual showiness over aggressively focusing on True Spiritual Advancement, humility/sanctity, etc.
But of course you call Father Seraphim "brother", so allswell ;-)
A conduit to Heavenly realms!
BLESS YOU for your clear & articulate teaching. BE encouraged!
Thank you for the clarification on the calling of father. God saved me 2 years ago and I Love anything that has to do with my savior through Christ Jesus. The Orthodox is new to me. Seems like it’s been hid from me till now. I just wanna tell you Thank You for the help with how my prayer time has been attacked. The ignoring has really help and doing all I can to be a reflection of Jesus. Sorry my question seemed like a ignorant one to you. May the Sovereign God bless you.
Many thanks from a catholic sister in Christ!
I thank you for this message. I am in a Protestant church and have been having some very serious and deep questions about it. Your analogy of seeing the ocean through the glass and the glass not being the actual ocean, but more of the Grace to see the ocean, completely makes sense.
I still have so many questions. I do know that I am not meant to be Protestant. It seems unruly in a sense. As you said, there is no tradition, there are no rules and different denominations interpret the Bible as they want. There is no authority in the Protestant church and this bothers me. If I have a question, the only person I can go to is the Pastor or Minister of my church and depending on the question they can only answer based on their own knowledge. This adds to the confusion. I have done my research on Martin Luther and have found a few holes in his story. I did research on John Knox, the founder of the the Presbyterian Church and also found holes in his story. I pray for clarity. I do believe that God directed me to this channel. Bless you and
Find some videos from fr. Josiah Trenham, for example "rock and sand". Or video "Journey to Antioch". It's about a journey of a small group of protestants through the Church history, which led them to join the EOC. There is also a fantactic book from their leader, Peter E. Gillquist: "Becoming Orthodox". It will answer many of your questions. I can send a PDF to you if you want.
@@jackcarver509 Oh, thank you so much! That is really kind and thoughtful of you. I would very much appreciate it!
I'm still having a real hard time to stomach icons. Mind you, I was born in Russia but left before starting school. Even then, the icons always creeped me out. But now, I kind of see them as being against the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"
Really trying to understand icons here, but it still seems to me like a very tall order.
Thank you so much. This just answered so many of my questions. I have been pondering the different faiths for years. Last week.I decided to look up celtic christianity since my ancestors are from the Western Isles of Scotland and I wanted to know more about the faith of St. Columba. Your video popped up and was amazed you have a monastery on Mull. it has taken a little convincing but now I am sure God has led me here. I also discovered there is a Romanian Orthodox Church about five blocks from my apartment. What are the chances of that? I will tell them you sent me.God bless..
Thank you for your encouraging words and the Icon description was well put, mentioning the Holy Fathers from early days is always enlightening and have assited me as I am a convert from Church of England. Without winter there would be no spring, without spring there would be no summer. So it is in spiritual life: a little consolation, and then a little grieve, and the way of salvation is compiled so little by little ... St Anatoly (Holy Father of Optina) in prayer
Dear father, be strong in the One who is our Salvation. Peace to you. With love, R.
I found you 5 days ago and I have been crying for joy! Paula from Finland
Beautiful explanation. Thank you.
I am a Lutheran and I love icons always have and always will. Those holy eyes ❤️ In summer 2020, I started to pray the Rosary. I now experience a love and closeness while praying that makes me long to pray again, soon. I feel changed. Thank you God for giving me the grace to want to try praying the Rosary and to pick one up go on line and find out how to do and start, please forgive me God if I mess up. Thank you Fr Seraphim for the talk you gave on the disturbance that may occur while praying. It helped 🌼
Thankyou sincerely for sharing everything you do, it has been very hellfull, and i really love how the Orthodox believe and practice it is real and pure.😇🙏🌹
Father I appreciate every word you shared, I am a Protestant. Originally I am from Hindu background but now I am a Christian. In my country there was no Orthodox Church in my childhood time. I was suffering from depression when I was only 12 years old due to the harsh childhood I had. I was seeking for true God as I needed help, I was very sad and alone. In my desperation I started seeking for God and Jesus came to my aid, since then I have followed Christ to the best of my abilities. I would like to know if Catholics and Orthodox Christians do evangelism and if not then why not. I am learning about Orthodox and Catholic traditions and beliefs on TH-cam now but there was no social media available when I was young and only information about Christianity I learnt was from Protestants who were preaching the gospel. Since I only knew what protestants taught me, so I would like to know your opinion about my salvation. Father am I saved or no?
Thank for the message 🙏
My Protestant family feels uncomfortable with the idea of venerating icons. I think at least in America, we don’t really have a concept of venerate vs worship. Most Protestants think it’s either worship or nothing.
I was searching for my faith, and after reading protestant arguments I felt very uncomfortable as well until an iranian friend of mine who was then much closer to be muslim than christian kissed the photo of my grand mother after she passed away because she liked her very much (I wouldn't have thought of doing that). It is clear for me she wasn't worshipping my grand mother... When pagans did worship idols they thought the statue itself was the god...
Take it slow with the veneration. In time, if you are serious, it will come from a pure heart and mind.
Almost everything you are talking about in this video is everything I'm going through right now in my 30s. I come from a protestant background but left that for new age/pagan beliefs, then came back to the church a few years ago, but couldn't help but think something was missing. Being on lockdown because of COVID has given me the chance to dive into church history and realize how much I've been missing because my church history always consisted of the apostles and then the reformation, but nothing from the hundreds of years in between. I thought Catholicism was the way to go, but there were some teachings I really didn't agree with. Then I came across Orthodoxy and it was like God is telling me this is where I need to be. This video just helped solidify that in my mind. Thank you for explaining things in a way that I can actually understand. God Bless.
You are on the right path bro...Praise the Lord for He guided you towards Orthodox Church which is the ancient Church our Lord Jesus Christ founded...without alterations in the doctrines,genuine worship,theology and an Apostolic succession till today...entering the Orthodox Church you will be united with Holy Trinity via Jesus Christ together with Our Most Holy Theotokos Virgin Mary, all the Apostoles,prophets,martyrs,Holy Fathers and elders...keep searching,get in contact with an orthodox priest in your nearby Orthodox Church..check this site is full of testimonies from converts to Orthodoxy journeytoorthodoxy.com/ God's Blessings
La Verità si mostra....non si dimostra....God bless you and thank you for you prayer..
Bless you brother John 14:6 keep praying, Marty strawbridge Ireland
Dear brother thank you for your words jesus is our power and our strength its through Him and Him alone we get our salvation, we pray to the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us 1john 2:20-29 is a wonderful passage it says it all stay in the Word it has all the answers we need
You look very cool father - I'm so glad you're well- I'm planning to write a letter and stuff. God bless U!
I slowly go through your videos as they pop on my page. This one is a supreme gem set in a dazzling array of others to form a picture of Our God and of your heart. Somehow you managed to show the Love of God saturating you whilst you spoke and making a totally sensible defense of all you were teaching. It was incredibly beautiful. My words do not explain what I felt because it is not possible for me to do it. I tried. You have a most beautiful mind and heart. I bless the day I found this channel. There are no accidents Father. I was not ready until Christ Jesus said I was. God Bless you and yours.
God bless your comment was very powerful, and I appreciate it!!
I appreciate your teachings, thank you. God bless you.
Thank you Father, your comments were brilliant and true and loving.
Thank you for not hating fellow Christians while still realizing they do not hold the fullness of the truth. Hatred is not of God.
God Bless You, Brother.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I have watched this video twice and believe all you say is true. Thank you Father.
Thank you for helping understand the use of the word father.
God bless you father.. I have been praying along with you with the repentance cannon prayer and things have been very wild.. I have got Closer to God and our Lord Jesus Christ but hace been attacked by evil like never before.. please help pray for me as i keep you in my prayers for you and the migraines you have... God bless you and the mull monastery
This is amazing FATHER.. Many questions answered.. I'm a Georgian Orthodox. However, I'm a member of Catholic Church. I havent converted, cause I just have this feeling that Orthodoxy has it all.. I know what I'm doing is wrong. Please Pray for me so I shall find the truth. Thank you.
Dearest Fr. Seraphim. May God bestow up you many years filled with His Grace. Thank you for your teachings and your love.
Dearest Fr Seraphim, the love of God shines brightly through your message again. Thank you so much for answering these deep questions and sharing your experiences. For those of us ensnared by false doctrines and modern McDonald’s minds it feels risky to go against all we’ve ever been taught, thank you so much for enlightening us. While you were talking I had the picture of the Protestant before the bible understanding the subtlety of believing in the word of God but not worshipping the paper it is written on - but not the subtlety of praying before an icon but not to it. What a wonderful release your faithful message has given this poor deluded soul - may God richly reward you with His presence dear Fr.
Brethren pray for me. God knows my need. Thank You, Christ peace be with you.
Brethren, thank you for your prayers. I have felt God strengthen me through the Holy Spirit.
Va ascult și. Îmi place mult metodica dvs sunteți un bun pedagog și Dumnezeu sa va binecuvânteze.
I wish there were catholic monks or priests that made videos this down to earth
thank you so much for closer me to Chryst
It's is Church sacred traditions the bible and magisterium. You are the closest Orthodox Brother in Christ. I am a Filipino Catholic Brother in Christ. We share the same Apostolic Faith.
Thankyou Fr for that I was very confused but you have helped me
Thank you very much for this. God bless you.
Good job Fr. on sermon. Prayers for you and monastery.
This has answered many of my questions.