There’s something unique about Orthodox confession. I can tell my friends and family about my sin, and feel nothing. But, there is a spiritual redemption that I genuinely feel after confession. Almost like I’ve dropped a pound of bricks. Every confession strengthens my faith, as is shows the true forgiveness of our lord ☦️
I am a former Baptist minister who is now Orthodox. My only regret is that I didn’t know about Orthodoxy sooner. My wife and I have found our spiritual home. My brother-in-law is from Los Alamos and I’m sharing these videos with him and my sister-in-law. They went to church with us last week and are interested in Orthodoxy as well…these videos are helping them! Thank you!!
Im currently a catechumen, been to two vespers and two divine liturgies since i started looking at Orthodox in October (we inly get services 1 weekend a month cuz our priest serves two other parishes in our area that are over an hr away each) BUT one thing ive seen/read a number of times from other fathers is trying to cultivate gratitude for our past faiths that introduced us to God. They were our foundation and necessary for us to being us to where we are in this moment. Its still very much a work in progress for me (as with everything else) but it actually brings relief to me because i can easily easily easily get bogged down with regret ❤️❤️❤️ anyway just felt like sharing with you, maybe it will help somehow!!
If you don't mind me asking, what do Baptists believe about other forms of Christianity? I talked to a Baptist preacher, and he made it sound like as long as you believe in Jesus, you are guaranteed to be saved and you can do whatever you want. Is this true? And if so, do they get angry if people leave thier church for Orthadoxy?..
I am Orthodox from Poland. I came across these videos because I am a beginner in learning English. Learning about Orthodoxy is a journey. Greetings to everyone,
@@cri838 I live in the region with the largest number of Orthodox Christians. About 3-5%. We have 5 monasteries in the voivodeship. In Poland, only two languages are used during services. Polish and Old Church Slavic. Perhaps somewhere, sometimes in Ukrainian, due to the number of refugees from Ukraine. Due to the fact that I am learning English and I really like topics related to the Orthodox Church, I came across this channel. TH-cam shows subtitles and I translate with the appropriate plugin.
Im a dude from Canada. Protestant my whole life (40 years) but recently found Orthodoxy. Became a catechumen 2 months ago. Never been more at peace in my life. I could already write a book about how it has impacted my life (for the better). Glory to God.
I'm an inquirer..... Also in Canada. I have attended a Romanian Pan-Slavic OCA Orthodox Christian Church 4 times in 2 years. Also, I read and studied for 2 years before contacting the Church. Wish I wasn't so shy. My Church Father said I must participate in the liturgical calendar and attend Divine Liturgy for a year. Then we'll talk about baptism. I could get baptized instantly by the preacher at the Pentecostal Church my brother and in laws attend. My family is always nagging me to stay away from the Orthodox Christian Church. They think it's Catholicism. Plus they speak in tongues (babble incoherently) and trance out listening to the same few songs calling for the Holy Spirit to "fill you", "come down", etc. It gives a weird negative feeling. My heart is pulling me towards the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.... ☦️🙏🕯️🕊️
@@mik569just saw your post as i was going thru saved videos. It is wonderful that you continue to be drawn to the Orthodox Church. There are many excellent comments here that can encourage you. It is so easy to give into shyness or hesitation, but i hope you do what the priest told you to do. The services during Great Lent are lovely. AND if you go to the Presanctified Liturgies, on Wednesdays and Fridays, they are quiet and reflective and beautiful. And not very lit so you don't feel so noticed. A friend told me that they were Dostoevsky's favorites. I love them also. But, about the shyness: the sooner you go, the more you go, the more at home you will feel. You will soon be known and loved and you can feel happy to be with your new friends. God, bless..☦💝📿💝☦
Was raised Lutheran, attended Methodist, Baptist, Non-demoninational, and Catholic services throughout my life because none of what I heard ever resonated with me. Stumbled upon Orthodox Christianity through Jordan Peterson and Jonathan Paguea, found a local Greek Orthodox Church, started attnedening Divine Liturgy, I was lost but some elderly ladies got up and sat next to me and helped me follow allong. I am now in Catechumen classes working towards my Chrismation to be a member of the Church. I found my home ❤
@@t.d6379 what would you define as the Truth? What religion do you believe holds the Truth? I have been exposed to many versions of "Truth" nothing about Orthodoxy is there to be "comforting" it is all about working towards salvation and seeking how to sacrifice the body's desires in pursuit of a better form of being. Please get back to me on what you think is a better option 🙏🏻
@JediSteele but you're talking about how good to Orthodox lung of the church makes you feel, its not about what you feel it's about the truth. And the truth is Jesus our Lord gave primacy to Peter, and his Seat resides in Rome where he was martyred as Bishop of Rome, so the successors of the Bishop of Rome have primacy amongst all Bishop by Holy Decree, by our Lord Himself. You have come to deny one of jesus' most important institutions- his very Church.
@@t.d6379 so your answer is Catholicism? I do Feel the Church throughout Divine Liturgy. It's very ritualistic and it is an active form of Worship to our Lord. I feel His presence in Church and feel like I am more capable of going back into the world with Him with me after Divine Liturgy. I'm sorry that you are caught up on Pope Supremacy. Is there another argument past Papal Supremacy that you have to offer for the "Truth"?
@JediSteele Jesus is certainly present in the Orthodox Church. They have valid sacraments and true Worship. They are Catholics in Schism. My question to you and any Orthodox is why remain in Schism?
I’ve been in a decade search for god and truth as a catholic, learning about Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Sufism. Was seeking a mystical practice and finally my search has ended returning back to Christ. Orthodoxy speaks to my heart.
The Lord called me to Orthodoxy less than a month ago - maybe 2 weeks ago to be precise. He was very loud about it 😂. I went to my first Divine Liturgy yesterday. Im not ready to convert yet because I have SO much more to learn but Im present, and trying to figure out how to go to Vespers this Saturday.
@thekatarnalchemist thank you for asking. I've been to liturgy every Sunday (except yesterday and next week - am out of town). Haven't worked up the courage to introduce myself to the priests yet, but thats because I knew I would be traveling; it didn't make much sense yet so I will do so on my return. There's a lot of flavors in Orthodoxy and I'm still sort of feeling them out, but the thing that really captures me is how different worship feels. I am also trying to learn about one or two Orthodox saints each day and find their stories relatable examples of the Christian life and walk. I have this sense of awe, respect, healthy fear and serious humility as I have no idea what I am doing but that is also exciting. It feels something akin to the excitement I felt before I got married. It's wonderful and scary at the same time. I hope any of this makes sense 😅
I really love this talk. I am a newer convert from Protestantism. I love confession. Yes I speak to the Lord daily but confession is such a blessing. It is hard for me to explain to someone who doesn’t have this. I feel so wealthy in Orthodoxy. Even that doesn’t sum it up, but it is the best I can do.
I am baptized in orthodox church, practicing my faith in a catholic church. I encourage you to stay in the catholic church. If you are confused, come in North Macedonia, you won't be confused anymore...
I left the Catholic church. It just became too filthy & members not leading me to a holier life. Too much ambiguity, pedophilia, laxity. I found more help & holiness in the Orthodox church, especially Rocor.
@@philipgligorov5848they’re probably confused because the Papal church is clearly in apostasy. Orthodox hasn’t been innovating for a thousand years. RC has.
Wonderful. I’ve been in the Church for 35 years nearly and feel my journey has just begun. Embrace Theosis and never stop your conversion desire to grow in the life of the Church and your relationship with God. Christ is Born, Glorify Him.
As @SaltShack said, understand that cathechism is like boot camp, and you will have the weapons you need to fight the good fight. May your journey and life be blessed
Greetings to everyone from Greece. 😊😊😊😊 My heart leaps of joy seeing this video! May God watch over all of you and great appreciation for all these priests like this one who become the welcoming arms for all of you.😊
I went (by choice and without parents who were religious) to a Catholic sunday worship over 10 years ago as a lost and sad teenager. Growing up in Canada- seeing the overt lack of faith and promotion of sin and wickedness in the governmental structures and cultrure in my country- as a slightly older 28 year old I have decided to serve my country and to serve god. It took a long time for me to turn back to god and in that time I became involved in local & international Satanic groups and even travelled for that "work'. Seeing the utter dispair and sadness of hundreds of adults who "worship themselves" (commonly misrepresented as worshiping Satan as a diety) was the largest sign to lead me to realize that I had turned away from God- and ran. I recently went to a Presbyterian Sunday worship at my local church and was surprised by the lack of god's presence I felt there. Not only was the pastor a woman who did not wish to speak with me- but I felt no light inside of myself come alive as I once did before. I am not certain that Orthodox worship and faith is for me- but I am now certain that it is something I greatly admire and feel that I need. All to say thank you for a great video.
@@lindaphillips4646yes! Greek orthodox and also coptic liturgy when I can do both in a weekend. God has been working hard on me as he does for us all. ♡☦️
@@ItsGoblinHourgood to hear from you. So glad. There are differences between the Orthodox and Coptic churches, but you will get to that i due time. BLESSED GREAT LENT. PASCHA IS only a month away. The most wonderful service of the year. ☦💝📿💝☦
I'll be sure to make time to stop by next time I make a trip out to Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastary from here in Central Texas. After I had left protestantism and fairly early into inquiring into Holy Orthodoxy I reached out to a dear friend who I knew was Orthodox and he quickly recomended to simply show up, even at the start of exploring Orthodoxy. I'm blessed to live not far from an Orthodox parish which I reguarly started attended and was baptized into The Church a little more than a year and a half ago (Glory to God). If anyone reads this who's interested in Orthodoxy, I highly recomend finding an Orthodox Parish and simply showing up. It'll likely seem entirely foriegn and confussing but it's worth it. The Liturgies are the primary catechists in Holy Orthodoxy and are full of rich theology and Sacred Scripture. Besides by merely attending even though the Holy Mysteries, He who lovest mankind grants mercies we may not even realize.
A very important point Fr James! Before I became a Catechumen, or even reached out to any Priests - I went to Liturgy and immersed myself in the prayer life (easy enough, coming from Eastern Catholicism). After going to a few Liturgies, and reading a bit of the basics - I knew its where I was meant to be, in the fullness. Then I reached out, and here I am now!
Father James I have always loved listening to your liturgy and readings. Many times I have heard your message and made me feel stronger about God and the church. No wonder your flock is getting bigger! ☦️
Confession with a Priest is the best you can get to understanding the Grace of God. It's a great experience and it's good to hold yourself accountable with a witness before God. Its good to know that we are not alone, for God is with us.
All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. We are admonished to "bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ" we're commanded "Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual RESTORE such an one in the spirit of meekness considering thyself lest ye also be tempered." Let us bear your burdens and restore you. That's what confession is. Confession leads to healing and restoration 🙏 Hebrews 13 tells us to remember those who are in bonds. Please Google those verses, get your nose in the Bible and read Hebrews 13! God is talking to you, listen.
Great interview, Fr. James! St. Ignatius is a wonderful orthodox parish with a lovely church community. That seems to be getting a little bigger each month. I know I'm still an inquirer but I've really come to enjoy and look forward to attending church. Hopefully I'll be a catechumen someday.
Father James, I have been an Orthodox Convert for 17 years. (Praise the Lord for bringing us to the One True Faith from Lutheranism) I have never been to confession. My priest at St. George of Troy, Michigan does not offer confession; only once during Lent, did he offer confession in front of the Icons and the Royal Door during Matins of Prodigal Son Sunday; yet we never said a word, we were given absolution. My soul longs for confession. My family is seriously considering attending and becoming members of Holy Trinity in Detroit Michigan. Father Lev offers confession, sometimes before Divine Liturgy but always on a specific Saturday after Vespers. St. George does not have Saturday Vespers; so many times we have attended Holy Trinity's Vespers, Father Lev remembers us. Christ is in our midst.
I had to do a life confession when I was received into the Church from a Protestant background. I don’t know how one can be or become Orthodox without Confession with one’s Priest/spiritual father. In the OCA parishes I’ve attended, opportunity for Confession is available all the time and especially encouraged during the Fasts of the Church. My understanding is once a year is bare minimum to remain a member in good standing an Orthodox parish.
Greetings from România. You will find in most Orthodox countries, confession is necessary for Communion and that is the main reason why it is done. You can’t receive Communion without confession and fasting prior to this. Ok occasionally there will be a general confession for the entire congregation but it is rare. The thing about Orthodoxy is it is messy, different places and even different priests do different things. However your priest does seem really out on a limb. Be brave and phone him up and say you NEED confession and demand it. I can’t see him refusing, but if he does, respectfully say to him that you will speak to his Bishop. I think you need to be a bit more active here.
That's really sad. If my priest didn't offer confession, I would complain to the bishop. If that didn't solve the problem, I would find a new parish, switching archdiocese if needed. I would become spiritually sick without the grace and medicine of confession. You need to take action. Nothing changes if nothing changes.
The path we're on, is the path of repentance. Great words, thank you. Like many others, I am in a location without an Orthodox Church. When possible, I will visit one.
People are hungry for God. They want real food and not sugary treats. Most churches nowadays are sugar-coating Christianity, glossing over sins, ‘welcoming’ anyone without requiring repentance. It isn’t real. Jesus is real. The Eucharist is real. Confession is joy. That’s why so many people are coming to Orthodoxy. There’s nowhere else to go.
Trampling down death by death for our sins and Salvation. Amen. The fullness of the Gospel is experienced in Orthodoxy free from heresy in a manner familiar to those who learned it from the Apostles, Apostolic Fathers, Church Fathers, Saints and Martyrs. Christ is Born, Glorify Him.
There definitely seems to be grace on confession to another human where it’s costing you your pride. His point about being honest whether your private confession is actually leading to change is excellent.
I tried to become a Catholic, was asked to attend a class called Sycamore which was an excellent format but the students changed the focus from Jesus to talking on their personal problems. The instructor never prayed and “scolded” me when I tried to turn the focus back to the format. The class became a draining, group therapy session so I stopped going. To me, forgetting about self and focusing on Jesus, the Word and carrying the Word is the solution to my problems.
Forgive me...but Baptists and Church of Christ Prots....are in many respects enemies. Both believe they are the true Church but differ in many respects. What man don't understand is that the Orthodox Church truly possesses the Faith of the Apostles. No other sect; historical or modern can say the same as all others are derivatives. I was on staff at a Baptist Church for sevens years doing H.S. ministry. When I was on boarded...I was told I could teach about anything "except The Holy Spirit and sex," to the high schoolers....and sometimes middle schoolers.
@@SaltShack I have already experienced the benefits. My heart gets it, my head has a hard time expressing it. I hope my head can be reconciled to my heart.
Next, you should attend the Liturgy. Having experienced the form of Vespers, you will have a feel of it - but it is the central service of the Church, and is something you need to do on your journey. God bless you.
@@EricDunn1234 I think that’s exactly how it seems to work. After 35 years I’m still trying to train my brain so to speak when my heart brings me to tears on a regular basis. Regardless I think everyone will describe Orthodoxy as a process growing in the love of our Lord daily, hourly and if done right every minute. Christ is Born, Glorify Him
I live in the Amazonian region of Colombia next to brasil here most of people don´t even know the Orthodox Church exist but we are growing more and more since the people see what is happening in the big cities of the north were the Atheism has destroyed the society and the Roman Catholics haven´t do nothing to stop it in current times also the protestants are just part of that atheist issue, i´m proud to be Orthodox 💒☦
I MARVEL at where comments come from on channels such as this. I am hearing the prokemenon we sing at times, especially at Pentecost: " THEIR PROCLAMATION HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE END OF THE UNIVERSE!"!! Blessed Pascha. ☦💝📿💝☦ (I just brought tears to my own eyes...💝)
Thanks for the video Fr James. On the confession note though, the priests still do encourage restitution. So if you have stolen something for example then you need to return it. Similarly, there are priests who would encourage as part of your penance to meditate on God's love for you, be thankful for your family etc. This is in addition to you know praying 3 Hail Mary's and an Our Father (just as an example).
I invite everybody to check Ethiopian Orthodox Church in US( local area) for the Epiphany celebration on January 20, 2024. It is the greatest time to remember revelation of God.
God bless, Eastern Orthodox Churches on the old calendar also celebrate Epiphany (the Baptism of the Lord) on the 19th of January. That would be any Russian, Serbian, Ukranian, Romanian, Bulgarian, or Georgian. Those Eastern Orthodox on the new calendar celebrate Theophany on the 6th of January, and that would be any Antiochian, Greek, or OCA (Orthodox Church of America). The priest in this video is a priest in the Holy Orthodox Church of Antioch. God bless!
@@johnnyd2383 Mathew 16-18 Bible cannot be wrong.. Jesus Built a Church..not Peter you dumb..He built it through Peter the first Pope..till now266 pope succession no cut..,, the reason, there is orthodox church year 1054 there is separation,(schism)bec. A catholic bishop, want to be a Pope, which he called Patriarchy,and the rest is history..( History is History not Story)
I'm a traditional Roman Catholic and, frankly, I don't understand people writing such comments here, as I don't understand protestants writing st√pid phrases under videos of catholic vloggers... I watched the video, listened to this priest's witness and experience. I'm not solving centuries of division in a yt comment...
I am a Catholic and like to go to Church once a week not because I HAVE TO BUT BECAUSE I LIKE TO AS IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD SO STARTED TO GO TO GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH THE FIRST TIME WAS EASTER VIGIL MIDNIGHT MASS WHY? I GOT SICK OF HAVING A QUICK MASS IN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND WHY THERE IS A HURRY? I WANT IT PROPERLY DONE I LOVED IT SO WITH THE PERMISSION AND KNOWLEDGE OF CATHOLIC AND ORTHODOX PRISTS ONE WEEK GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SATURDAY IN ENGLISH. NEXT WEEK CATHOLIC ON SUNDAY WHERE I AM AN EUCHARISTIC MINISTER - CUP - AND A WELCOMA ON ROASTER BASIS AND THIS SOLVES MY PROBLEM PARTICIPATE IN CATHOLIC AND AND ENJOY SERENITY IN ORTHODOX CHURCH
I would like to become an Orthodox Christian, I am now a Catholic, but I think that the Orthodox should focus better on Jesus, but I don't know how to do that, I have been killed, I am from Belgium, thank you in advance in Jesus' name.
I enjoy Bishop HG Mari Emanuel's position on the matter. I agree with him that in the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ. The apostolic Churches are one and the divide is earthly and human made. Children of God. Mari further says "Jesus Christ is not catholic, orthodox, Coptic, and definitely not protestant." I think this is sound not too say our Lord can't save or redeem protestants but it's not the mystical body of the Christ like the apostolic Churches are.
I find it fascinating how you speak of what “the lord is up to.” I often wonder: how can an unchanging being be up to anything at all? Is it kind of another way of remarking on the many reflections or twinkles of God that we see in our lives? Maybe he’s not up to anything, but as we experience life, we also experience God? I hope I’m being clear.
Lovely video, informative & educative. I love it Padre. However, the penance in the Catholic Church that you mentioned should be put in full perspective/context. The Sins/failings affects the penance most times.
When you’re REALLY with the Lord and try to do His will, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Catholic or an Orthodox. I’m an Orthodox and I love the Orthodox liturgy and the devotions but I also love the Catholic devotions and I attend Catholic Mass. I see God in both churches (maybe not in the Protestant church) bc it is not a liturgical church. I know I shouldn’t say this but I’m just being honest. I mean, every church has it’s own beautiful traditions and riches that can be shared. I pray for the unity of churches and I know it will happen in the near future. The Orthodox are the ones hard to bend but God will make their heads bend down (including the Protestants) by fire.
We aren't allowed to attend services of those outside of the Church or commune with them (auto excommunication). You may receive praise of man for this but that's never good and sadly that's all it is. There is only one Church. God will not contradict the Faith he gave us, like you say He will. Not bending is why the Orthodox Faith has survived this long, with God's grace.
Just like baptism. Who is the one who baptizes? If confession is so far fetched for Protestants, then who is the one who baptizes? The same one who absolves my sins in confession! The Lord!
There many roads to Jesus Christ or Lord and his Holy Mother all Christian Roads will lead us There (Message to all Christians Never leave Christ ) if you ever get a Chance in your life visit the church in Valdamosa Mallorca Spain the Holy Spirit is truly there you will feel it immediately god bless all.
EWTN Bible 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." John 21:15 RSV-CE
Do Orthodox believe that if you fail to confess a mortal sin to a priest, you will go to Hell? Or can a person confess to God and God will forgive that person, even if they cannot get to a priest?
I’m only an inquirer but from what I gather, they don’t have strict, set rules around salvation like most other groups. So, the answer to your first question is technically, no but it might be the wrong question to ask. On the second question, you certainly should whether you can get to a priest or not as discussed in this video. That being said, I don’t think you can be orthodox without being a member of a church. And if you’re a member of a church, you should confess to a priest when possible. God always forgives, but it’s more a question of you accepting his grace and love. Don’t get hung up on a “state of grace” and a legal understanding of it which doesn’t exist in orthodoxy. I hope I’m answering your question adequately.
following Catholic here, there's i'm a catholic, and theres following. confession is the greatest sacrement! its free therapy on the secular note, what i tell our non believing brothers. Never thought about Orhodoxy untill recently, I feel compelled to go to a mass. I lived in Crete, Greece when i was younger and easter is awesome there. just an fyi! currently looking into this. And during communion the lord of spirits said both rights are special to him! I needed to hear this do to i'm blessed with a scrupulous soul and use blessed as a joke, I dont wish it on anyone! well i get exited about it. real questions and i dont want to disrupt anyones peace. I'm a fellow sinner and am newly born again. so what are the differences? I read it as one has the pope and the other is run like confederacy states? all are equal? with different synods that meet regularly? is how i'm reading this. the research i did makes it sound like the orhtodoxy church was already dis obiedient to the pope before the split anyway? is this true? what i came across anyway. I have many questions. with my own mind, i agree with the orthodox stance on a few things I came across so far. trinity and original sin. any thing I can read to help out with this, all the differences. like how to serve the church too? the differences there as well. I do want to go to a orthodox mass for sure. only two churches that have liturgical and levitical rights! May the peace of the lord be with all!
@@SidneyVenanciodelaTorre-yo4oz so for what Jesus chooses 12 apostles ? The keys is the true faith St.Peter just recognize Jesus as Son of God ,that is the keys and after a1000 years pope decided nu give up and change almost everything . Sorry
@@billb21 no keys there! Besides the power to bind and loose was given to an individual - Peter - first, signifying his 'chief steward' position.. The apostles - as a group - could bind and loose but only as a group. Peter can theoretically bind and loose by his own self. :)
We have the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos from the 9th century, rediscovered by St. Seraphim of Sarov. But no we do not pray the Latin Rosary, esp. since it has Fatima prayers, which we do not believe in.
Yeah. They choose before becoming priests if they want to marry. If they don’t, they can become bishops (of course if they are elected by holy session, so not everyone). Bishops are unmarried. So there are married and unmarried priests. Also we have monks and nuns who are obviously unmarried.
I have heard the silent tugging at my heart to go to Orthodoxy. However, as a Roman Catholic I struggle with the Orthodox's lack of belief in the Immaculate Conception. I think the next step for me is Eastern Catholic churches. Who knows where that'll lead, or if that is the home Christ has planned for me.
@@orthodoxrocks9644 It's controversial in Christendom, not just Orthodoxy admitedly. The only explaination I have ever been told contrary to it is that it is not in scripture. However, Catholic explanations to the dogma make the most sense to me for tge Theotokos and God's plan for Christ's purity in His humanity.
You have to be a convert before an Orthodox priest will hear your confession. A priest refused to offer me absolution. No offering of baptism either. I do like the orthodox mass but all that put me off.
I am so grateful to the Holy Spirit for keeping me in the Church that Jesus Christ established on Peter the rock! Peace always in Jesus Christ our Great and Kind God and Savior, He whose Flesh is true food and Blood true drink
@johnnyd2383 Do you know that Jesus Christ built His Church on Peter the rock and sole key holder and visible Shepherd, way before the later development of the orthodox Church? Peace always in Jesus Christ our Great and Kind God and Savior, He whose Flesh is true food and Blood true drink
@@matthewbroderick6287 You appear to be unable to understand that fact that St. Peter built the Church of Antioch - Eastern Orthodox seat, prior to building Church of Rome trashes RCC claims. So be it.
@@johnnyd2383 Yuu fail to grasp that Jesus Christ built His Church on Peter the rock and sole key holder, way before the later development of the orthodox Church!, Peace always in Jesus Christ our Great and Kind God and Savior, He whose Flesh is true food and Blood true drink
@@matthewbroderick6287 Sole key holder? why does the Son of God give all of the apostles the powers to bind and loose sins while on the cross if Saint Peter is the only key holder?
Today, I learned something quite startling about the Orthodox Church. They regard Emperor Constantine as a saint, despite the historical accounts of him executing his own son and wife, seemingly for political gain. It's quite surprising to think of someone with such a violent past being viewed as a saintly figure, especially someone who is turned to for intercession. This revelation has been quite eye-opening for me. I had been considering Orthodoxy, but this information has led me to view it in a completely different light, almost as if it's diverging significantly from what I expected.
I never heard that , but I do know that Constantine was the first Christian emperor - so without him there wouldn’t have been the ability for Christians to worship openly. Also , he wasn’t baptized to Christianity until the end of his life as he felt the responsibility of running an empire was to full of sinful responsibilities. So your viewpoint might be without context to what was happening then - namely death and persecution of Christian’s. Constantine ended that and made Christianity the official religion of the Empire
@@pablokoz7497 No way, Christianity didn't need Constantine's violence and terrible actions to spread. It’s a religion that grows from faith and spirit, not through force and violence. He just used Christianity to get what he wanted politically, and it just so happened that this ended the persecution of Christians. But for the church to call him a saint? That's just them being scared to admit the truth and it's really betraying what they believe in. I even doubt he was actually a Christian. And now the church wants us to pray to him? That's just ridiculous and wrong.
Saint Moses the black was a robber and (likely) murderer. Moses the prophet killed a man. Solomon had many wives. King David murdered one of his best men to sleep with his wife. Vladimir of Kiev in his youth erected many pagan statues. Mary of Egypt was a prostitute. This is all to say the Lord works through sinners to create a better world. Yes they sinned and its horrible, they still worked for the Lord later on in life.
St. Constantine repented of these acts. Glory to God that He has mercy on the sinner! We have saints who were rapists and murderers who repented of their wicked sins. That is the power of God's mercy, forgiveness, and love. You should read about Ss. Moses the Black and James the Faster.
Never heard this before. Regardless, Constantine was baptized on his deathbed, so ... even if what you say is true, it was in his past. Every saint has a past, some worse than others. Some are very bad. It's not about how you start, it's about how you finish. Constantine did a lot for Christianity.
No matter how bland and liturgical abusive the modern Divine Liturgy might be compared to another, no matter how grave the scandal, no matter how corrupt the hierarchy, no matter how vague and confusing the current Bishop of Rome might be in his statements and publishing of documents, no matter any problem you can find in an institution where men are involved, it does not change the fact that Our Lord Jesus Christ established His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church upon the Rock which is St. Peter, and the very gates of HADES shall not prevail against it. The very pride of the Greeks and their never ending schisms amongst themselves shall not prevail against it. Viva Cristo Rey ✝️🇻🇦🕊
I'm sorry but your entire conclusion begs to differ. It wasn't the Orthodox who initially brought Schism within the Church. And that fact that you actually are on here saying "not matter what our church..." etc...goes through and no matter what the Pope says,...etc...comparing it to our Church that has maintained The Tradition of the Apostles without addition, subtraction or alterations says much. The juxtaposition is devastating ecclesiology speaking! This is denial to the ninth degree. I have fam who are R.C. that drove an hour away to experience what was once fullness in the Latin Mass...the closest thing to the Divine Liturgy. Now the current Vicar of Christ (as an R.C. you must obey) has banned it. What I'm trying to say is that you are trying to somehow gloss over the claims of your church which you disagree with at some length which are supposed to be of God and dismissing it with an attack of The gates of hades? Gates and boundaries in principle keep people out not the other way around....Hosea 13:14 brings the saying of Jesus to Light! Orthodoxy is The True Faith of the Apostles...passed down from generation to generation unaltered, changed and or removed. Period.
@orthodoxrocks9644 I don't think Eastern Orthodoxy is the true faith of the Apostles, no, sorry. And regarding His Holiness, Pope Francis, I do admit, His vagueness can be confusing, but that does not deny him his office. I love the TLM, I even came into the Church as a convert almost four years ago through one of the Traditional Apostolates; but the TLM is not the end all be all of The Faith. God is orchestrating his plan in which we can only trust; the Mass, in whatever form, will always be the Mass. People will always be nitpicky and listen to the voice of the accuser to look for reasons (even superficial reasons) for leaving the Bride of Christ, His One True Church. But I solemnly believe and declare that Eastern Orthodoxy is not the answer, and that she does not possess the fullness of Truth like the Catholic Church does. Pax ✝️🕊
@@johnnyd2383and no thanks or help of the EO, the big bad Catholics had to civilize the west all on their own. EO, bring back the Sophia Haggia to its rightful people; just don't rely on the Russian Orthodox.
The priest is not just a witness and christ is not the most important man IN the confession. First of all God is literally everywhere so this argument makes no sense. Second of all you go to the priest for him to give you absolution for your sins as Christ gave this right to do so to his apostles. Let's not confuse repentance with the mystery of confession. Confession isn't a confession if you confess your sins to an icon of christ, God knows already what you've done he doesn't need to hear it again BUT you have to humble yourself infront of the priest and show your sinful self and THEN be given the absolution and forgiveness from the priest. At that moment priest is christ himself and he is not just some typical procedure. Let's be careful because confusions like these have led to heresies many times before in the past.
I struggle to see how Orthodox Christianity can claim to be ‘One’ when there is no administrative or organisational unity among its churches. Catholicism on the other hand has the Pope as the visible head of the Church (being the successor of St Peter who Christ built the church on) who maintains unity among the faithful. Also I don’t see how it can claim to be the ‘Catholic’ (which means universal) church when it’s churches are very much localised to certain cultures and peoples. It was Catholicism on the other hand which spread Christianity to most of the known world and has a strong universal identity (hence why there are 1.3 billion Catholics and 250 or so million Orthodox).
@@Rocky-nj8lk We run on a conciliar model as we have since the first century. Christ is the only Head we need. Katholikos means "wholeness" which the Holy Orthodox Faith is. Holy Orthodoxy has been spreading everywhere despite constant persecution even from the RCC (which converted millions through the sword). Numbers don't mean anything if the true Faith is not taught, which it isn't in Papalism.
@@LadyMariaThe main difference between the Catholic and Orthodox Christians is their view/belief on the Bishop of Rome and his authority. You should look into the early Church Fathers and see what they said about the Bishop of Rome and his primacy in the Church. Here are some examples or quotes from the early Church which support the Papacy (primacy of the Bishop of Rome): 1. When St (Pope) Victor threatened to excommunicate the entire church of Asia (east) over which day they should celebrate the Lords day. No one in the east said he didn’t have the authority to do this and this was in circa 180 AD. 2. St Cyprian of Carthage (who the Orthodox recognise) said circa 258AD: “The Lord says to Peter, ‘that you are Peter (cephas/rock) and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it…On him He builds the Church, and to him he gives the command to feed the sheep; and although he assigns a like power to all the Apostles, yet he founded a single chair, and He established by his own authority a source and an intrinsic reason for that unity. Indeed, the others were also which Peter was, but a primacy is given to Peter whereby Is is made clear that there is but one Church and one chair. If someone does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he desert the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident that he is in the Church?” 3. St Cyprian again AD 251AD: “There is one God and one Christ, and one Church, and one Chair founded on Peter by the word of the Lord. It is not possible to set up another alter l or for there to be another priesthood besides that one altar and that one priesthood. Whoever has gathered elsewhere is scattering.” St. Optatus of Milevis 325AD: “In the chair in which he himself sat, Peter, In mighty Rome, commanded Linus, the first elected, to sit down. After him, Cletus too accepted the flock of the food. As his successor, Anacletus was elected by lot…”
Why didn't you just become an Eastern Catholic? It seems to be Eastern Orthodox but with communion with the Pope. (Yes, I know that is a crass definition, but it isn't wrong per say either.)
Uniatism completely disproves Roman Catholicsm and shows it's not a church but a geopolitical entity for worldly power. Within the Eastern rite of Rome you have people venerating people who according to Rome are heretics. Such as Nestorius (Chaldean Catholics) And St. Gregory Palamas (Uniates on the second Sunday of Lent). Profess the creed without the filioque. Uniatism is just Stockholm syndrome on people who's ancestors were forced to kneel to Rome by the sword. Look up Josaphat Kuntsevych and the horrific things done in the 1500-1600s towards the Orthodox in the territory of present day Ukraine.
@@NavelOrangeGazer no they are not. It is more like a language barrier. Nowadays after understanding each other from both sides, Rome has allowed eastern catholic not using filioque, the filioque opposition happened because language barrier, when one said a certain word inn one language, when it was translated it could be misunderstood due to different culture etc
Incomplete in what sense.? As to about the frictions within the Orthodoxy, we are used to that as the True Church is constantly under the attack by the unspoken one... It has been like that since the inception and will probably last until the 2nd coming of our Lord. Honest inquirer will seek substance of the Orthodoxy which is Faith and not the politics.
The R.C. church has more. The schools "Dominicans, Jesuits," etc...have been and are/have disdain for one another. Jesuits are the butt end of many R.C. jokes I've heard... sad!
And there is no formal, "competing," as a Church in Orthodoxy. The faction has been political most notably between Ukraine and Russia on the grand scale. But that's it!
@@orthodoxrocks9644 That is a lie you tell outsiders who dont know better. The competition between the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Moscow Patriarch is structural and fundamental and goes all the way back to when Moscow claimed itself Third Rome in the 1400's. That is the Protestant principle: who leaves Rome cannot maintain unity.
The catholic church was build by Jesus christ himself and he gave the authorities to the apostle Peter. Jesus did not build thousand of churches only one. Jesus say to the apostles to spread the kingdom of heaven. But the people they are all against his church. So as catholics we must humble ourself to God by watching and praying for those who are against him. Jesus came to this world to spread love not hatred. Jesus we trust in you have mercy on us and on the whole world.
The one Church has always had churches in it. The autocephalos church of Rome was one of many churches in the one Church. The original Seat of St. Peter was Antioch, Alexandria and Rome together. Rome only had primacy of honor as the Seat of the Emperor at the time. No one church is above being cut off if it falls into heresy, not even Rome as it was cut from the whole Church off for heresy.
There’s something unique about Orthodox confession. I can tell my friends and family about my sin, and feel nothing. But, there is a spiritual redemption that I genuinely feel after confession. Almost like I’ve dropped a pound of bricks. Every confession strengthens my faith, as is shows the true forgiveness of our lord ☦️
I am a former Baptist minister who is now Orthodox. My only regret is that I didn’t know about Orthodoxy sooner. My wife and I have found our spiritual home. My brother-in-law is from Los Alamos and I’m sharing these videos with him and my sister-in-law. They went to church with us last week and are interested in Orthodoxy as well…these videos are helping them! Thank you!!
Im currently a catechumen, been to two vespers and two divine liturgies since i started looking at Orthodox in October (we inly get services 1 weekend a month cuz our priest serves two other parishes in our area that are over an hr away each) BUT one thing ive seen/read a number of times from other fathers is trying to cultivate gratitude for our past faiths that introduced us to God. They were our foundation and necessary for us to being us to where we are in this moment. Its still very much a work in progress for me (as with everything else) but it actually brings relief to me because i can easily easily easily get bogged down with regret ❤️❤️❤️ anyway just felt like sharing with you, maybe it will help somehow!!
Just be thankful the path you took.
Yes! The Orthodox is the true Christianity. Everything else is a lie! Congratulations you a free man now!
Wow amazing Glory to God! Are you on the way to possibly becoming a seminarian and later a priest?
If you don't mind me asking, what do Baptists believe about other forms of Christianity? I talked to a Baptist preacher, and he made it sound like as long as you believe in Jesus, you are guaranteed to be saved and you can do whatever you want. Is this true? And if so, do they get angry if people leave thier church for Orthadoxy?..
I am Orthodox from Poland. I came across these videos because I am a beginner in learning English. Learning about Orthodoxy is a journey. Greetings to everyone,
Hello Adam.How is ortodoxy in poland?Anyone there preach in english?
@@cri838 I live in the region with the largest number of Orthodox Christians. About 3-5%. We have 5 monasteries in the voivodeship. In Poland, only two languages are used during services. Polish and Old Church Slavic. Perhaps somewhere, sometimes in Ukrainian, due to the number of refugees from Ukraine. Due to the fact that I am learning English and I really like topics related to the Orthodox Church, I came across this channel. TH-cam shows subtitles and I translate with the appropriate plugin.
@@Adam42416 Thanks.i work in uk with lots of polish guys butt all catolics.Happy to hear about ortodoxy in your country.God bless
Bless you on your journey of learning!
@@masterworks71 thanks
Im a dude from Canada. Protestant my whole life (40 years) but recently found Orthodoxy. Became a catechumen 2 months ago. Never been more at peace in my life. I could already write a book about how it has impacted my life (for the better). Glory to God.
I'm on that same journey in VT. Best thing that's happened to me in a long long time!
Glory to god!
How's the process of joining?
I'm an inquirer..... Also in Canada.
I have attended a Romanian Pan-Slavic OCA Orthodox Christian Church 4 times in 2 years. Also, I read and studied for 2 years before contacting the Church. Wish I wasn't so shy.
My Church Father said I must participate in the liturgical calendar and attend Divine Liturgy for a year. Then we'll talk about baptism.
I could get baptized instantly by the preacher at the Pentecostal Church my brother and in laws attend. My family is always nagging me to stay away from the Orthodox Christian Church. They think it's Catholicism. Plus they speak in tongues (babble incoherently) and trance out listening to the same few songs calling for the Holy Spirit to "fill you", "come down", etc.
It gives a weird negative feeling.
My heart is pulling me towards the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.... ☦️🙏🕯️🕊️
@@mik569just saw your post as i was going thru saved videos. It is wonderful that you continue to be drawn to the Orthodox Church. There are many excellent comments here that can encourage you.
It is so easy to give into shyness or hesitation, but i hope you do what the priest told you to do. The services during Great Lent are lovely. AND if you go to the Presanctified Liturgies, on Wednesdays and Fridays, they are quiet and reflective and beautiful. And not very lit so you don't feel so noticed. A friend told me that they were Dostoevsky's favorites. I love them also.
But, about the shyness: the sooner you go, the more you go, the more at home you will feel. You will soon be known and loved and you can feel happy to be with your new friends.
God, bless..☦💝📿💝☦
I am from Ethiopian Orthodox currently leaving in US. I feel home when I listen to your words.
All my love to Ethiopia, ancient Christian country always defending the faith against islamic invaders 💒
Ethiopian church is very honourable and holy - you are lucky
If only the Ethiopian Orthodox Church wasn’t non chalcedonian
@@DoomerDoxy but are they really? It could also just be a case of semantics - nobody really knows and their religiosity is admirable
@@creampuffwar4457 well it looks like they’re saying they’re Ethiopian orthodox so hopefully they aren’t a heretic but ya know…never know
Was raised Lutheran, attended Methodist, Baptist, Non-demoninational, and Catholic services throughout my life because none of what I heard ever resonated with me.
Stumbled upon Orthodox Christianity through Jordan Peterson and Jonathan Paguea, found a local Greek Orthodox Church, started attnedening Divine Liturgy, I was lost but some elderly ladies got up and sat next to me and helped me follow allong. I am now in Catechumen classes working towards my Chrismation to be a member of the Church. I found my home ❤
You found something that is nice and comfortable for you, not the truth isn't nice and comfortable.
@@t.d6379 what would you define as the Truth?
What religion do you believe holds the Truth?
I have been exposed to many versions of "Truth" nothing about Orthodoxy is there to be "comforting" it is all about working towards salvation and seeking how to sacrifice the body's desires in pursuit of a better form of being.
Please get back to me on what you think is a better option 🙏🏻
@JediSteele but you're talking about how good to Orthodox lung of the church makes you feel, its not about what you feel it's about the truth. And the truth is Jesus our Lord gave primacy to Peter, and his Seat resides in Rome where he was martyred as Bishop of Rome, so the successors of the Bishop of Rome have primacy amongst all Bishop by Holy Decree, by our Lord Himself. You have come to deny one of jesus' most important institutions- his very Church.
@@t.d6379 so your answer is Catholicism?
I do Feel the Church throughout Divine Liturgy. It's very ritualistic and it is an active form of Worship to our Lord.
I feel His presence in Church and feel like I am more capable of going back into the world with Him with me after Divine Liturgy.
I'm sorry that you are caught up on Pope Supremacy.
Is there another argument past Papal Supremacy that you have to offer for the "Truth"?
@JediSteele Jesus is certainly present in the Orthodox Church. They have valid sacraments and true Worship. They are Catholics in Schism. My question to you and any Orthodox is why remain in Schism?
I’ve been in a decade search for god and truth as a catholic, learning about Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Sufism. Was seeking a mystical practice and finally my search has ended returning back to Christ. Orthodoxy speaks to my heart.
May God bless you on your journey! ☦️❤️
The Lord called me to Orthodoxy less than a month ago - maybe 2 weeks ago to be precise. He was very loud about it 😂. I went to my first Divine Liturgy yesterday. Im not ready to convert yet because I have SO much more to learn but Im present, and trying to figure out how to go to Vespers this Saturday.
Amen! The Lord called me to Orthodoxy in a very loud way too. Took a while, but once it happened, it was loud :D God bless you!
Good for you! happened to me last year.
Glory to God for all things, sister!
It's been a month, how has your journey been going?
@thekatarnalchemist thank you for asking. I've been to liturgy every Sunday (except yesterday and next week - am out of town). Haven't worked up the courage to introduce myself to the priests yet, but thats because I knew I would be traveling; it didn't make much sense yet so I will do so on my return. There's a lot of flavors in Orthodoxy and I'm still sort of feeling them out, but the thing that really captures me is how different worship feels. I am also trying to learn about one or two Orthodox saints each day and find their stories relatable examples of the Christian life and walk. I have this sense of awe, respect, healthy fear and serious humility as I have no idea what I am doing but that is also exciting. It feels something akin to the excitement I felt before I got married. It's wonderful and scary at the same time. I hope any of this makes sense 😅
I am also a former Roman Catholic. I became Greek Orthodox at 22.
I am a Roman Catholic and your story story resonates with me, I hope that once I turn of age, I can go to a Divine Liturgy and see if it truly for me.
I really love this talk. I am a newer convert from Protestantism. I love confession. Yes I speak to the Lord daily but confession is such a blessing. It is hard for me to explain to someone who doesn’t have this. I feel so wealthy in Orthodoxy. Even that doesn’t sum it up, but it is the best I can do.
Yes, what you said is so true. There is healing in Holy Confession in the Church. Amen..☦💝📿💝☦
I’m really in a confused state right now. I’m Roman Catholic yet wanting to be Orthodox. Praying the Lord leads me to where he wants me
Just take your time. Don't rush anywhere :) do the research, go to liturgies.. God will show you the way.
I am baptized in orthodox church, practicing my faith in a catholic church. I encourage you to stay in the catholic church. If you are confused, come in North Macedonia, you won't be confused anymore...
I left the Catholic church. It just became too filthy & members not leading me to a holier life. Too much ambiguity, pedophilia, laxity. I found more help & holiness in the Orthodox church, especially Rocor.
@@philipgligorov5848 whats is up with north macedonia?
@@philipgligorov5848they’re probably confused because the Papal church is clearly in apostasy. Orthodox hasn’t been innovating for a thousand years. RC has.
This is great! I’m in the process of converting to Orthodox and should be done in June.
It was 19 years ago when I converted, so it warms my heart to hear this. Congratulations, dear sister and welcome home.
Wonderful. I’ve been in the Church for 35 years nearly and feel my journey has just begun. Embrace Theosis and never stop your conversion desire to grow in the life of the Church and your relationship with God. Christ is Born, Glorify Him.
God bless your journey!
As @SaltShack said, understand that cathechism is like boot camp, and you will have the weapons you need to fight the good fight. May your journey and life be blessed
what are doing in order to convert?
Das ist echte Gottes Haus.
Orthodoxe Kirche kann man riechen glaube fühlen
🙏.schöne Grüße aus Deutschland.
Greetings to everyone from Greece. 😊😊😊😊 My heart leaps of joy seeing this video! May God watch over all of you and great appreciation for all these priests like this one who become the welcoming arms for all of you.😊
" Confession is the secret heart of Orthodoxy. " YES!
Confession to human????
@@williamjeremiah6637 in the past confession was done in front of the laity.
I went (by choice and without parents who were religious) to a Catholic sunday worship over 10 years ago as a lost and sad teenager. Growing up in Canada- seeing the overt lack of faith and promotion of sin and wickedness in the governmental structures and cultrure in my country- as a slightly older 28 year old I have decided to serve my country and to serve god. It took a long time for me to turn back to god and in that time I became involved in local & international Satanic groups and even travelled for that "work'. Seeing the utter dispair and sadness of hundreds of adults who "worship themselves" (commonly misrepresented as worshiping Satan as a diety) was the largest sign to lead me to realize that I had turned away from God- and ran. I recently went to a Presbyterian Sunday worship at my local church and was surprised by the lack of god's presence I felt there. Not only was the pastor a woman who did not wish to speak with me- but I felt no light inside of myself come alive as I once did before. I am not certain that Orthodox worship and faith is for me- but I am now certain that it is something I greatly admire and feel that I need.
All to say thank you for a great video.
I just saw this. How are you doing? Have you been able to go to any Orthodox services yet? ☦💝📿💝☦
@@lindaphillips4646yes! Greek orthodox and also coptic liturgy when I can do both in a weekend. God has been working hard on me as he does for us all. ♡☦️
@@ItsGoblinHourgood to hear from you. So glad. There are differences between the Orthodox and Coptic churches, but you will get to that i due time.
BLESSED GREAT LENT.
PASCHA IS only a month away. The most wonderful service of the year. ☦💝📿💝☦
I'll be sure to make time to stop by next time I make a trip out to Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastary from here in Central Texas.
After I had left protestantism and fairly early into inquiring into Holy Orthodoxy I reached out to a dear friend who I knew was Orthodox and he quickly recomended to simply show up, even at the start of exploring Orthodoxy. I'm blessed to live not far from an Orthodox parish which I reguarly started attended and was baptized into The Church a little more than a year and a half ago (Glory to God).
If anyone reads this who's interested in Orthodoxy, I highly recomend finding an Orthodox Parish and simply showing up. It'll likely seem entirely foriegn and confussing but it's worth it. The Liturgies are the primary catechists in Holy Orthodoxy and are full of rich theology and Sacred Scripture. Besides by merely attending even though the Holy Mysteries, He who lovest mankind grants mercies we may not even realize.
A very important point Fr James! Before I became a Catechumen, or even reached out to any Priests - I went to Liturgy and immersed myself in the prayer life (easy enough, coming from Eastern Catholicism). After going to a few Liturgies, and reading a bit of the basics - I knew its where I was meant to be, in the fullness. Then I reached out, and here I am now!
Father James I have always loved listening to your liturgy and readings. Many times I have heard your message and made me feel stronger about God and the church. No wonder your flock is getting bigger! ☦️
Knowledge is great but receive the fullness of the faith we must go to church.
Amazing. People feel that the Orthodox Church is the Church of God. The original apostolic church.
Confession with a Priest is the best you can get to understanding the Grace of God. It's a great experience and it's good to hold yourself accountable with a witness before God. Its good to know that we are not alone, for God is with us.
The first vesper i attended in the orthodox is at St George Church in Istanbul presided by Patriatch Bartolomew. I talked to him after the vespers
This Is my priest
You're so blessed! 🙏
I have had the privilege of attending DL at your parish 2x on trips to AZ. You are blessed to have a priest like Fr. James.
I am a pathetic sinner afraid to confess. Lord have Mercy on me a sinner☦️
You're not pathetic. ❤
All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. We are admonished to "bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ" we're commanded "Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual RESTORE such an one in the spirit of meekness considering thyself lest ye also be tempered." Let us bear your burdens and restore you. That's what confession is. Confession leads to healing and restoration 🙏 Hebrews 13 tells us to remember those who are in bonds. Please Google those verses, get your nose in the Bible and read Hebrews 13! God is talking to you, listen.
Take it easy, man
We are all sinners, you are not pathetic, for I am the first amongst sinners. You’re not alone. Lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon us ☦️
I'm also a sinner, afraid to confess. Thank you for your courage. Lord have mercy on us. Amen.
Great interview, Fr. James! St. Ignatius is a wonderful orthodox parish with a lovely church community. That seems to be getting a little bigger each month. I know I'm still an inquirer but I've really come to enjoy and look forward to attending church. Hopefully I'll be a catechumen someday.
Father James, I have been an Orthodox Convert for 17 years. (Praise the Lord for bringing us to the One True Faith from Lutheranism) I have never been to confession.
My priest at St. George of Troy, Michigan does not offer confession; only once during Lent, did he offer confession in front of the Icons and the Royal Door during Matins of Prodigal Son Sunday; yet we never said a word, we were given absolution.
My soul longs for confession.
My family is seriously considering attending and becoming members of Holy Trinity in Detroit Michigan. Father Lev offers confession, sometimes before Divine Liturgy but always on a specific Saturday after Vespers.
St. George does not have Saturday Vespers; so many times we have attended Holy Trinity's Vespers, Father Lev remembers us.
Christ is in our midst.
I had to do a life confession when I was received into the Church from a Protestant background. I don’t know how one can be or become Orthodox without Confession with one’s Priest/spiritual father. In the OCA parishes I’ve attended, opportunity for Confession is available all the time and especially encouraged during the Fasts of the Church. My understanding is once a year is bare minimum to remain a member in good standing an Orthodox parish.
Greetings from România. You will find in most Orthodox countries, confession is necessary for Communion and that is the main reason why it is done. You can’t receive Communion without confession and fasting prior to this. Ok occasionally there will be a general confession for the entire congregation but it is rare. The thing about Orthodoxy is it is messy, different places and even different priests do different things. However your priest does seem really out on a limb. Be brave and phone him up and say you NEED confession and demand it. I can’t see him refusing, but if he does, respectfully say to him that you will speak to his Bishop. I think you need to be a bit more active here.
That's really sad. If my priest didn't offer confession, I would complain to the bishop. If that didn't solve the problem, I would find a new parish, switching archdiocese if needed. I would become spiritually sick without the grace and medicine of confession.
You need to take action. Nothing changes if nothing changes.
The path we're on, is the path of repentance. Great words, thank you. Like many others, I am in a location without an Orthodox Church. When possible, I will visit one.
Thank you Fr. James
Glory to God. Beautiful video, thank you father and those who helped to bring this to TH-cam.
Such a beautiful video. Thank you Father James!!❤️
People are hungry for God. They want real food and not sugary treats. Most churches nowadays are sugar-coating Christianity, glossing over sins, ‘welcoming’ anyone without requiring repentance. It isn’t real. Jesus is real. The Eucharist is real. Confession is joy. That’s why so many people are coming to Orthodoxy. There’s nowhere else to go.
Thank you Father for this wonderful conversation 🙏☦️
Trampling down death by death for our sins and Salvation. Amen. The fullness of the Gospel is experienced in Orthodoxy free from heresy in a manner familiar to those who learned it from the Apostles, Apostolic Fathers, Church Fathers, Saints and Martyrs. Christ is Born, Glorify Him.
There definitely seems to be grace on confession to another human where it’s costing you your pride. His point about being honest whether your private confession is actually leading to change is excellent.
Is sin our answer to a personal pain, and to seeking the answer in our false selves rather than our true selves...God/Christ IN us.
I tried to become a Catholic, was asked to attend a class called Sycamore which was an excellent format but the students changed the focus from Jesus to talking on their personal problems. The instructor never prayed and “scolded” me when I tried to turn the focus back to the format. The class became a draining, group therapy session so I stopped going.
To me, forgetting about self and focusing on Jesus, the Word and carrying the Word is the solution to my problems.
I'm so excited to be able to do confession. I was bummed when I learned you had to be orthodox to do the full deal.
Thank you Father
We are not alone, God is with us ☦🙏💪❤
❤🔥🔥❄😍🎉🥂🎆💥✌👩❤👨💪🕊🙏✝HAPPY NEW YEAR ☦🙏💒🌟👨👩👧👦☃🫶🎄🥇⛸🎊🚨🙌💯❤
I was a catholic now I go to baptist church I love all chirstains the gospel is for all who believe
Why not check out Orthodoxy?
Forgive me...but Baptists and Church of Christ Prots....are in many respects enemies. Both believe they are the true Church but differ in many respects. What man don't understand is that the Orthodox Church truly possesses the Faith of the Apostles. No other sect; historical or modern can say the same as all others are derivatives.
I was on staff at a Baptist Church for sevens years doing H.S. ministry. When I was on boarded...I was told I could teach about anything "except The Holy Spirit and sex," to the high schoolers....and sometimes middle schoolers.
Thank you for a beautiful talk. God Bless🌺☦️🕊️🙏🏽
☦️✝️🙏♥️💯 PROCENT THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND EVERTS GRITINGS FROM ARMENIA GOD BLESS YOU
I’ve been to Vespers multiple times. It makes a difference. Someday maybe God with let me be Orthodox.
All that is required is to ask and to approach with faith, love and fear of God.
@@SaltShack I have already experienced the benefits. My heart gets it, my head has a hard time expressing it. I hope my head can be reconciled to my heart.
Next, you should attend the Liturgy. Having experienced the form of Vespers, you will have a feel of it - but it is the central service of the Church, and is something you need to do on your journey. God bless you.
@@EricDunn1234 I think that’s exactly how it seems to work. After 35 years I’m still trying to train my brain so to speak when my heart brings me to tears on a regular basis. Regardless I think everyone will describe Orthodoxy as a process growing in the love of our Lord daily, hourly and if done right every minute. Christ is Born, Glorify Him
Beautiful work Father !
Thank you, father. This is so helpful.
I live in the Amazonian region of Colombia next to brasil here most of people don´t even know the Orthodox Church exist but we are growing more and more since the people see what is happening in the big cities of the north were the Atheism has destroyed the society and the Roman Catholics haven´t do nothing to stop it in current times also the protestants are just part of that atheist issue, i´m proud to be Orthodox 💒☦
There not
Amen!
I MARVEL at where comments come from on channels such as this.
I am hearing the prokemenon we sing at times, especially at Pentecost: " THEIR PROCLAMATION HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE END OF THE UNIVERSE!"!! Blessed Pascha. ☦💝📿💝☦
(I just brought tears to my own eyes...💝)
I went from Assembly of God & Disciples of Christ to Young Life and now have been Lutheran for 30+ years.
Thanks for the video Fr James. On the confession note though, the priests still do encourage restitution. So if you have stolen something for example then you need to return it. Similarly, there are priests who would encourage as part of your penance to meditate on God's love for you, be thankful for your family etc. This is in addition to you know praying 3 Hail Mary's and an Our Father (just as an example).
I love the Church
I invite everybody to check Ethiopian Orthodox Church in US( local area) for the Epiphany celebration on January 20, 2024. It is the greatest time to remember revelation of God.
Non-Chalcydonians are heretics
God bless, Eastern Orthodox Churches on the old calendar also celebrate Epiphany (the Baptism of the Lord) on the 19th of January. That would be any Russian, Serbian, Ukranian, Romanian, Bulgarian, or Georgian. Those Eastern Orthodox on the new calendar celebrate Theophany on the 6th of January, and that would be any Antiochian, Greek, or OCA (Orthodox Church of America). The priest in this video is a priest in the Holy Orthodox Church of Antioch.
God bless!
Ethiopian orthodoxy isn't in communion with Eastern Orthodoxy. I'm sorry if it sounds bad, but it's the truth. You fall with the oriental churches..
We can't as our Canons forbid us to.
Orthodoxy is the true confession ☦
I currently work for YoungLife! That's wild
Happy name day to all Basil Bill and Blessings to all and sundry
The last minutes about sinners made me tear up
I am muslim become orthodox
I am proud Catholic and Thank You Jesus for the Church you built through Peter the rock…
Peter also built Church of Antioch and he did it prior to building one in the Rome. Based on your (false) claims... Church of Antioch also qualifies.
@@johnnyd2383 Mathew 16-18 Bible cannot be wrong.. Jesus Built a Church..not Peter you dumb..He built it through Peter the first Pope..till now266 pope succession no cut..,, the reason, there is orthodox church year 1054 there is separation,(schism)bec. A catholic bishop, want to be a Pope, which he called Patriarchy,and the rest is history..( History is History not Story)
Your ego is huger than your faith 😋😋
I'm a traditional Roman Catholic and, frankly, I don't understand people writing such comments here, as I don't understand protestants writing st√pid phrases under videos of catholic vloggers...
I watched the video, listened to this priest's witness and experience. I'm not solving centuries of division in a yt comment...
“What do I have to wear?!” 😂 literally me right now. Full of worry and wonder. Going next weekend, God willing to my first Liturgy
Awesome ☦️
If there are accountability partners for working out and dieting, even more should I have an accountability partner for repentance
አሜን ቃለ ህይወት ያሰማልን።
I am a Catholic and like to go to Church once a week not because I HAVE TO BUT BECAUSE I LIKE TO AS IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD SO STARTED TO GO TO GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH THE FIRST TIME WAS EASTER VIGIL MIDNIGHT MASS WHY? I GOT SICK OF HAVING A QUICK MASS IN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND WHY THERE IS A HURRY? I WANT IT PROPERLY DONE I LOVED IT SO WITH THE PERMISSION AND KNOWLEDGE OF CATHOLIC AND ORTHODOX PRISTS ONE WEEK GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SATURDAY IN ENGLISH. NEXT WEEK CATHOLIC ON SUNDAY WHERE I AM AN EUCHARISTIC MINISTER - CUP - AND A WELCOMA ON ROASTER BASIS AND THIS SOLVES MY PROBLEM PARTICIPATE IN CATHOLIC AND AND ENJOY SERENITY IN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Awesome. Can you do St. Sava Serbian in Phoenix in the future? That would be great 🙏
I would like to become an Orthodox Christian, I am now a Catholic, but I think that the Orthodox should focus better on Jesus, but I don't know how to do that, I have been killed, I am from Belgium, thank you in advance in Jesus' name.
You have been killed ??
I enjoy Bishop HG Mari Emanuel's position on the matter. I agree with him that in the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ. The apostolic Churches are one and the divide is earthly and human made. Children of God. Mari further says "Jesus Christ is not catholic, orthodox, Coptic, and definitely not protestant." I think this is sound not too say our Lord can't save or redeem protestants but it's not the mystical body of the Christ like the apostolic Churches are.
👏👏
I find it fascinating how you speak of what “the lord is up to.” I often wonder: how can an unchanging being be up to anything at all? Is it kind of another way of remarking on the many reflections or twinkles of God that we see in our lives? Maybe he’s not up to anything, but as we experience life, we also experience God? I hope I’m being clear.
🕊🙏
Lovely video, informative & educative. I love it Padre.
However, the penance in the Catholic Church that you mentioned should be put in full perspective/context. The Sins/failings affects the penance most times.
I have never heard an Orthodox priest or any Orthodox person, for that matter, refer to their Church as a 'campus'!!!!
If there's a field on the property it is technically a Campus by the rote definition of the word.
When you’re REALLY with the Lord and try to do His will, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Catholic or an Orthodox. I’m an Orthodox and I love the Orthodox liturgy and the devotions but I also love the Catholic devotions and I attend Catholic Mass. I see God in both churches (maybe not in the Protestant church) bc it is not a liturgical church. I know I shouldn’t say this but I’m just being honest. I mean, every church has it’s own beautiful traditions and riches that can be shared. I pray for the unity of churches and I know it will happen in the near future. The Orthodox are the ones hard to bend but God will make their heads bend down (including the Protestants) by fire.
We aren't allowed to attend services of those outside of the Church or commune with them (auto excommunication). You may receive praise of man for this but that's never good and sadly that's all it is. There is only one Church. God will not contradict the Faith he gave us, like you say He will. Not bending is why the Orthodox Faith has survived this long, with God's grace.
Any churches in CT anyone can direct me to?
On honeypot road, a beautiful Russian Orthodox church, call Father Dimitri Jachimowics.
maps.app.goo.gl/LzmENCsYhWGQu1K48
I pray the Orthodox church is not headed by a deceiver like in Rome 🙏
It would need to first be headed 🙏🏻
Our head is Christ.
@@acekoala457 epic oneliner
Christ is the head. There's not a single head other than Christ.
@@mattf.johnston2939 of course. such a powerful statement doesnt need to be elaborated
To be fair, didnt the priest and Levite pass by on the other side of the street of the man in the parable?
What does it have to do with the Christian priests.?
Just like baptism. Who is the one who baptizes? If confession is so far fetched for Protestants, then who is the one who baptizes? The same one who absolves my sins in confession! The Lord!
There many roads to Jesus Christ or Lord and his Holy Mother all Christian Roads will lead us There (Message to all Christians Never leave Christ ) if you ever get a Chance in your life visit the church in Valdamosa Mallorca Spain the Holy Spirit is truly there you will feel it immediately god bless all.
EWTN Bible
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."
John 21:15 RSV-CE
What does that have to do with Catholicism lol?
Rome doesn't own Peter.
I was a protestant for 28 years and now I'm a Catholic. Wouldn't have it any other way.
Do Orthodox believe that if you fail to confess a mortal sin to a priest, you will go to Hell? Or can a person confess to God and God will forgive that person, even if they cannot get to a priest?
I’m only an inquirer but from what I gather, they don’t have strict, set rules around salvation like most other groups. So, the answer to your first question is technically, no but it might be the wrong question to ask. On the second question, you certainly should whether you can get to a priest or not as discussed in this video. That being said, I don’t think you can be orthodox without being a member of a church. And if you’re a member of a church, you should confess to a priest when possible. God always forgives, but it’s more a question of you accepting his grace and love. Don’t get hung up on a “state of grace” and a legal understanding of it which doesn’t exist in orthodoxy. I hope I’m answering your question adequately.
following Catholic here, there's i'm a catholic, and theres following. confession is the greatest sacrement! its free therapy on the secular note, what i tell our non believing brothers. Never thought about Orhodoxy untill recently, I feel compelled to go to a mass. I lived in Crete, Greece when i was younger and easter is awesome there. just an fyi! currently looking into this. And during communion the lord of spirits said both rights are special to him! I needed to hear this do to i'm blessed with a scrupulous soul and use blessed as a joke, I dont wish it on anyone! well i get exited about it. real questions and i dont want to disrupt anyones peace. I'm a fellow sinner and am newly born again. so what are the differences? I read it as one has the pope and the other is run like confederacy states? all are equal? with different synods that meet regularly? is how i'm reading this. the research i did makes it sound like the orhtodoxy church was already dis obiedient to the pope before the split anyway? is this true? what i came across anyway. I have many questions. with my own mind, i agree with the orthodox stance on a few things I came across so far. trinity and original sin. any thing I can read to help out with this, all the differences. like how to serve the church too? the differences there as well. I do want to go to a orthodox mass for sure. only two churches that have liturgical and levitical rights! May the peace of the lord be with all!
I love orthodox liturgy but my belief is very strong in the idea that Rome is the seat of St. Peter where the Pope is the head of that church.
The pope has nothing to do with St.Piter’s teaching . Popes changed all Christian apostolic teaching with their on teaching .
@professor.herbert.rosana Yup, Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven to Peter....so the Catholic church is where its at. :)
@@SidneyVenanciodelaTorre-yo4oz so for what Jesus chooses 12 apostles ? The keys is the true faith St.Peter just recognize Jesus as Son of God ,that is the keys and after a1000 years pope decided nu give up and change almost everything . Sorry
Jesus gave the keys to all of the Apostles, not just St. Peter. Matthew 18:18.
@@billb21 no keys there! Besides the power to bind and loose was given to an individual - Peter - first, signifying his 'chief steward' position.. The apostles - as a group - could bind and loose but only as a group. Peter can theoretically bind and loose by his own self. :)
Does the Orthodox Church encourage the rosary ??
No the rosary is a later Roman Catholic innovation post schism. We pray the Jesus prayer with a prayer rope as the ancient saints of the desert did.
We have the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos from the 9th century, rediscovered by St. Seraphim of Sarov. But no we do not pray the Latin Rosary, esp. since it has Fatima prayers, which we do not believe in.
@@LadyMariaFatima was Muhammad's daughter...
@@NavelOrangeGazer Not true, Western Rite Orthodoxy generally prays the Rosary and has no issue with it.
Encourage, no because it hasn’t been passed down in the eastern tradition. I know Seraphim Hamilton prays it though. He’s on TH-cam.
So an Orthodox priest can be married?
Yeah. They choose before becoming priests if they want to marry. If they don’t, they can become bishops (of course if they are elected by holy session, so not everyone). Bishops are unmarried. So there are married and unmarried priests. Also we have monks and nuns who are obviously unmarried.
I have heard the silent tugging at my heart to go to Orthodoxy. However, as a Roman Catholic I struggle with the Orthodox's lack of belief in the Immaculate Conception. I think the next step for me is Eastern Catholic churches. Who knows where that'll lead, or if that is the home Christ has planned for me.
that would be heresy - kind greetings!
You can be orthodox and believe the immaculate conception. I’d recommend reading The Orthodox Way by kallistos ware.
have you ever studied why the Dogma is controversial in Orthodoxy? The roots that is?
@@orthodoxrocks9644 It's controversial in Christendom, not just Orthodoxy admitedly. The only explaination I have ever been told contrary to it is that it is not in scripture. However, Catholic explanations to the dogma make the most sense to me for tge Theotokos and God's plan for Christ's purity in His humanity.
You have to be a convert before an Orthodox priest will hear your confession. A priest refused to offer me absolution. No offering of baptism either. I do like the orthodox mass but all that put me off.
I am so grateful to the Holy Spirit for keeping me in the Church that Jesus Christ established on Peter the rock! Peace always in Jesus Christ our Great and Kind God and Savior, He whose Flesh is true food and Blood true drink
Do you know that St. Peter also built Church of Antioch and he did it prior to building the one in the Rome.
@johnnyd2383 Do you know that Jesus Christ built His Church on Peter the rock and sole key holder and visible Shepherd, way before the later development of the orthodox Church? Peace always in Jesus Christ our Great and Kind God and Savior, He whose Flesh is true food and Blood true drink
@@matthewbroderick6287 You appear to be unable to understand that fact that St. Peter built the Church of Antioch - Eastern Orthodox seat, prior to building Church of Rome trashes RCC claims. So be it.
@@johnnyd2383 Yuu fail to grasp that Jesus Christ built His Church on Peter the rock and sole key holder, way before the later development of the orthodox Church!, Peace always in Jesus Christ our Great and Kind God and Savior, He whose Flesh is true food and Blood true drink
@@matthewbroderick6287 Sole key holder? why does the Son of God give all of the apostles the powers to bind and loose sins while on the cross if Saint Peter is the only key holder?
Today, I learned something quite startling about the Orthodox Church. They regard Emperor Constantine as a saint, despite the historical accounts of him executing his own son and wife, seemingly for political gain. It's quite surprising to think of someone with such a violent past being viewed as a saintly figure, especially someone who is turned to for intercession. This revelation has been quite eye-opening for me. I had been considering Orthodoxy, but this information has led me to view it in a completely different light, almost as if it's diverging significantly from what I expected.
I never heard that , but I do know that Constantine was the first Christian emperor - so without him there wouldn’t have been the ability for Christians to worship openly. Also , he wasn’t baptized to Christianity until the end of his life as he felt the responsibility of running an empire was to full of sinful responsibilities. So your viewpoint might be without context to what was happening then - namely death and persecution of Christian’s. Constantine ended that and made Christianity the official religion of the Empire
@@pablokoz7497 No way, Christianity didn't need Constantine's violence and terrible actions to spread. It’s a religion that grows from faith and spirit, not through force and violence. He just used Christianity to get what he wanted politically, and it just so happened that this ended the persecution of Christians. But for the church to call him a saint? That's just them being scared to admit the truth and it's really betraying what they believe in. I even doubt he was actually a Christian. And now the church wants us to pray to him? That's just ridiculous and wrong.
Saint Moses the black was a robber and (likely) murderer. Moses the prophet killed a man. Solomon had many wives. King David murdered one of his best men to sleep with his wife. Vladimir of Kiev in his youth erected many pagan statues. Mary of Egypt was a prostitute.
This is all to say the Lord works through sinners to create a better world. Yes they sinned and its horrible, they still worked for the Lord later on in life.
St. Constantine repented of these acts. Glory to God that He has mercy on the sinner!
We have saints who were rapists and murderers who repented of their wicked sins. That is the power of God's mercy, forgiveness, and love.
You should read about Ss. Moses the Black and James the Faster.
Never heard this before. Regardless, Constantine was baptized on his deathbed, so ... even if what you say is true, it was in his past. Every saint has a past, some worse than others. Some are very bad. It's not about how you start, it's about how you finish. Constantine did a lot for Christianity.
No matter how bland and liturgical abusive the modern Divine Liturgy might be compared to another, no matter how grave the scandal, no matter how corrupt the hierarchy, no matter how vague and confusing the current Bishop of Rome might be in his statements and publishing of documents, no matter any problem you can find in an institution where men are involved, it does not change the fact that Our Lord Jesus Christ established His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church upon the Rock which is St. Peter, and the very gates of HADES shall not prevail against it. The very pride of the Greeks and their never ending schisms amongst themselves shall not prevail against it.
Viva Cristo Rey ✝️🇻🇦🕊
I'm sorry but your entire conclusion begs to differ. It wasn't the Orthodox who initially brought Schism within the Church. And that fact that you actually are on here saying "not matter what our church..." etc...goes through and no matter what the Pope says,...etc...comparing it to our Church that has maintained The Tradition of the Apostles without addition, subtraction or alterations says much. The juxtaposition is devastating ecclesiology speaking!
This is denial to the ninth degree. I have fam who are R.C. that drove an hour away to experience what was once fullness in the Latin Mass...the closest thing to the Divine Liturgy. Now the current Vicar of Christ (as an R.C. you must obey) has banned it.
What I'm trying to say is that you are trying to somehow gloss over the claims of your church which you disagree with at some length which are supposed to be of God and dismissing it with an attack of The gates of hades? Gates and boundaries in principle keep people out not the other way around....Hosea 13:14 brings the saying of Jesus to Light!
Orthodoxy is The True Faith of the Apostles...passed down from generation to generation unaltered, changed and or removed. Period.
@orthodoxrocks9644 I don't think Eastern Orthodoxy is the true faith of the Apostles, no, sorry. And regarding His Holiness, Pope Francis, I do admit, His vagueness can be confusing, but that does not deny him his office.
I love the TLM, I even came into the Church as a convert almost four years ago through one of the Traditional Apostolates; but the TLM is not the end all be all of The Faith. God is orchestrating his plan in which we can only trust; the Mass, in whatever form, will always be the Mass.
People will always be nitpicky and listen to the voice of the accuser to look for reasons (even superficial reasons) for leaving the Bride of Christ, His One True Church. But I solemnly believe and declare that Eastern Orthodoxy is not the answer, and that she does not possess the fullness of Truth like the Catholic Church does.
Pax ✝️🕊
I'm sorry but it's obvious that from the ancient Pentarchy, Rome left, the other four ancient Patriarchates remain in communion to this day
Who does the priest confess with?
Another priest
@@abelreyna8781 Thank you!
My priest goes to a priest-monk at a nearby monastery, for what that's worth.
Sounds as if you converted only so you could become a priest and stay married. Would love to hear more.
@@DryWall-ey5yh im not into popist orthodox but fair point
From the frying pan into the fire
There is one true Catholic Church.
That is true. However, Roman church isn't that one. It is Eastern Orthodox Church. Word "catholicos" is a Greek word just in case you did not know.
@@johnnyd2383and no thanks or help of the EO, the big bad Catholics had to civilize the west all on their own. EO, bring back the Sophia Haggia to its rightful people; just don't rely on the Russian Orthodox.
The priest is not just a witness and christ is not the most important man IN the confession. First of all God is literally everywhere so this argument makes no sense. Second of all you go to the priest for him to give you absolution for your sins as Christ gave this right to do so to his apostles. Let's not confuse repentance with the mystery of confession. Confession isn't a confession if you confess your sins to an icon of christ, God knows already what you've done he doesn't need to hear it again BUT you have to humble yourself infront of the priest and show your sinful self and THEN be given the absolution and forgiveness from the priest. At that moment priest is christ himself and he is not just some typical procedure. Let's be careful because confusions like these have led to heresies many times before in the past.
Confession in front of a priest is nonsense
What a salad!
The Catholic Church is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church stated in the Nicene Creed. Hopefully one day the two Churches will be reunited
No chance after the Vatican's recent statement on homosexual blessings. Metropolitan Hilarion said, "no way"
The Orthodox Catholic Church (Orthodox Church) is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I struggle to see how Orthodox Christianity can claim to be ‘One’ when there is no administrative or organisational unity among its churches. Catholicism on the other hand has the Pope as the visible head of the Church (being the successor of St Peter who Christ built the church on) who maintains unity among the faithful.
Also I don’t see how it can claim to be the ‘Catholic’ (which means universal) church when it’s churches are very much localised to certain cultures and peoples. It was Catholicism on the other hand which spread Christianity to most of the known world and has a strong universal identity (hence why there are 1.3 billion Catholics and 250 or so million Orthodox).
@@Rocky-nj8lk We run on a conciliar model as we have since the first century. Christ is the only Head we need.
Katholikos means "wholeness" which the Holy Orthodox Faith is.
Holy Orthodoxy has been spreading everywhere despite constant persecution even from the RCC (which converted millions through the sword). Numbers don't mean anything if the true Faith is not taught, which it isn't in Papalism.
@@LadyMariaThe main difference between the Catholic and Orthodox Christians is their view/belief on the Bishop of Rome and his authority.
You should look into the early Church Fathers and see what they said about the Bishop of Rome and his primacy in the Church.
Here are some examples or quotes from the early Church which support the Papacy (primacy of the Bishop of Rome):
1. When St (Pope) Victor threatened to excommunicate the entire church of Asia (east) over which day they should celebrate the Lords day. No one in the east said he didn’t have the authority to do this and this was in circa 180 AD.
2. St Cyprian of Carthage (who the Orthodox recognise) said circa 258AD: “The Lord says to Peter, ‘that you are Peter (cephas/rock) and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it…On him He builds the Church, and to him he gives the command to feed the sheep; and although he assigns a like power to all the Apostles, yet he founded a single chair, and He established by his own authority a source and an intrinsic reason for that unity. Indeed, the others were also which Peter was, but a primacy is given to Peter whereby Is is made clear that there is but one Church and one chair. If someone does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he desert the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident that he is in the Church?”
3. St Cyprian again AD 251AD: “There is one God and one Christ, and one Church, and one Chair founded on Peter by the word of the Lord. It is not possible to set up another alter l or for there to be another priesthood besides that one altar and that one priesthood. Whoever has gathered elsewhere is scattering.”
St. Optatus of Milevis 325AD: “In the chair in which he himself sat, Peter, In mighty Rome, commanded Linus, the first elected, to sit down. After him, Cletus too accepted the flock of the food. As his successor, Anacletus was elected by lot…”
Why didn't you just become an Eastern Catholic? It seems to be Eastern Orthodox but with communion with the Pope.
(Yes, I know that is a crass definition, but it isn't wrong per say either.)
One reason could be that the two theologies are inconsistent.
@@ChristianEphraimsonsound more like language barrier than inconsistency
Uniatism completely disproves Roman Catholicsm and shows it's not a church but a geopolitical entity for worldly power. Within the Eastern rite of Rome you have people venerating people who according to Rome are heretics. Such as Nestorius (Chaldean Catholics)
And St. Gregory Palamas (Uniates on the second Sunday of Lent).
Profess the creed without the filioque.
Uniatism is just Stockholm syndrome on people who's ancestors were forced to kneel to Rome by the sword. Look up
Josaphat Kuntsevych and the horrific things done in the 1500-1600s towards the Orthodox in the territory of present day Ukraine.
@@NavelOrangeGazer no they are not. It is more like a language barrier. Nowadays after understanding each other from both sides, Rome has allowed eastern catholic not using filioque, the filioque opposition happened because language barrier, when one said a certain word inn one language, when it was translated it could be misunderstood due to different culture etc
It's not about picking and choosing preferences. You sound like a Protestant. These are two very different ecclesiological bodies.
But Orthodoxy is so incomplete. It is a tangle of competing and contradictory churches who despise one another.
Orthodoxy is an esthetic of smoke and mirrors disguising a world of scandalous politics.
Incomplete in what sense.? As to about the frictions within the Orthodoxy, we are used to that as the True Church is constantly under the attack by the unspoken one... It has been like that since the inception and will probably last until the 2nd coming of our Lord. Honest inquirer will seek substance of the Orthodoxy which is Faith and not the politics.
The R.C. church has more. The schools "Dominicans, Jesuits," etc...have been and are/have disdain for one another. Jesuits are the butt end of many R.C. jokes I've heard... sad!
And there is no formal, "competing," as a Church in Orthodoxy. The faction has been political most notably between Ukraine and Russia on the grand scale. But that's it!
@@orthodoxrocks9644 That is a lie you tell outsiders who dont know better. The competition between the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Moscow Patriarch is structural and fundamental and goes all the way back to when Moscow claimed itself Third Rome in the 1400's. That is the Protestant principle: who leaves Rome cannot maintain unity.
The catholic church was build by Jesus christ himself and he gave the authorities to the apostle Peter. Jesus did not build thousand of churches only one. Jesus say to the apostles to spread the kingdom of heaven. But the people they are all against his church. So as catholics we must humble ourself to God by watching and praying for those who are against him. Jesus came to this world to spread love not hatred. Jesus we trust in you have mercy on us and on the whole world.
The one Church has always had churches in it. The autocephalos church of Rome was one of many churches in the one Church. The original Seat of St. Peter was Antioch, Alexandria and Rome together. Rome only had primacy of honor as the Seat of the Emperor at the time.
No one church is above being cut off if it falls into heresy, not even Rome as it was cut from the whole Church off for heresy.
What's next Islam?
Islam and Catholicism are on the same par .