If it wasn't for Father Thomas, I would've never become Orthodox as soon as I have. My wife and I cried deeply after learning of his passing. I miss him.
Something that really helped me understand what changes and what doesn't in Orthodoxy is this: The faith doesn't change but the expressions of faith do. Developments of the liturgy, language, etc.
I really appreciate this channel. I'm Catholic and your videos are leading me home. There is a measure of anticipation and excitement as each Friday comes around... Thank you!
These talks of Father Thomas expressed a love for Christ through such a joy that many will never experience. It is truly a blessing to have recordings of him.
As someone considering Orthodoxy, I find it very comforting that respected Orthodox intellectuals question traditions, rather than defending anything and everything as part of Holy Tradition. Let us pray for Fr. Hopko and give thanks for the wisdom imparted through him. Let us pray also for leaders of all churches, that they might act on the kind of understanding promoted in this interview.
@@theclassic6198 Not every tradition in the church is part of Holy Tradition. Holy Tradition, that of the Faith will never change. But traditions (small t) can and should be open to change. Like Fr. Tom said, we should follow the fathers, not mimic them.
This is such good advice. I wish I could have met Fr. Hopko, because his teachings and podcasts have been a real blessing for me. Thanks, Dr. Middleton for putting on this interview. God bless!
Father Seraphim is always comforting and a great spiritual guide. However, this time I felt left in the air as I did not think about the spirits around us. I hope a video dedicated to that topic, may be a recording of the talk Fr. Seraphim gave in Atlanta.
This is great, thank you for sharing. I'm wondering if someone knows what Fr. Tom meant my changing the old system of the Patriarchates? Maybe he clarified in another video or audio. Thank you.
The ethnocentric prerogative of the Orthodox church has always been a turn off to me, being a Westerner, I've had a difficult time reconciling this because of my own ethnocentricity. Which is ironic. I think the Catholic church is more universal and culturally and ethnically diverse, but, it's in spiritual famine and in a state of decay, which is unfortunate, really. Honestly, it was Fr. Serephim Rose who really paved the way for Orthodoxy in the West, during an age of decadence. I greatly enjoy reading his material.
Not a fan of this approach towards faith. First of all, it can easily be quoted other thinkers and theologians that believed the opposite of what Father Hopko said. These arguments based on manmade ideas are ephemral and relativistic - faith is eternal and objective. The past is bad or good can be argued both ways. The point that should have been stressed more (as it was only touched upon) is that people should not get lost in these currents of ideas because God is eternal and eternity transcends time. In other words, until we get the grips of the reality that we are limited and shall forever dwell in the unknown of God's will that reveals itself only to a few chosen for reasons we can't understand, we shall discuss things that pass and, in the end, do not matter.
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Wow. I am blown away. God bless Father Thomas. Lord have mercy. And Father Thomas please pray for us and help us to live up to such wisdom.
There's a saint. Memory eternal! Father Thomas, pray for us!
If it wasn't for Father Thomas, I would've never become Orthodox as soon as I have. My wife and I cried deeply after learning of his passing. I miss him.
Something that really helped me understand what changes and what doesn't in Orthodoxy is this: The faith doesn't change but the expressions of faith do. Developments of the liturgy, language, etc.
Would that be the small "t" tradition?
I really appreciate this channel. I'm Catholic and your videos are leading me home. There is a measure of anticipation and excitement as each Friday comes around...
Thank you!
Thanks to God...welcome Home!
These talks of Father Thomas expressed a love for Christ through such a joy that many will never experience. It is truly a blessing to have recordings of him.
What a fantastic interview and what a loss that he is no longer with us. He was spot on with truth! Thank you very much for posting this.
Thanks be to God...he was indeed...I've listened to this many times over the past month and each time it gets better(!)
It is so good to look at his face (after listening to all those podcasts) ...... and such a good message too.
Speaking the truth in love,thank you Fr Thomas Hopko.
As someone considering Orthodoxy, I find it very comforting that respected Orthodox intellectuals question traditions, rather than defending anything and everything as part of Holy Tradition. Let us pray for Fr. Hopko and give thanks for the wisdom imparted through him. Let us pray also for leaders of all churches, that they might act on the kind of understanding promoted in this interview.
You are already being lead away from True Orthodoxy my friend. Holy Tradition does not need any change. And will not change.
@@theclassic6198 Not every tradition in the church is part of Holy Tradition. Holy Tradition, that of the Faith will never change. But traditions (small t) can and should be open to change. Like Fr. Tom said, we should follow the fathers, not mimic them.
Great wisdom from Fr. Tom and quite timely. It's something I've been thinking a lot about lately.
Indeed...a number of his interviews feeling eerily prophetic(!)
What a gift and blessing!
Indeed...thanks be to God...
Thank you so much for sharing this interview! God bless! უფალო დიდება შენდა!
Thanks to God!
This is such good advice. I wish I could have met Fr. Hopko, because his teachings and podcasts have been a real blessing for me. Thanks, Dr. Middleton for putting on this interview. God bless!
Thanks to God...thank you, brother!
So glad to finally see this posted, Herman. Glory to God!
Thanks be to God, indeed!
Thank you for posting this!
Thanks be to God...it was a long time coming(!)
Wise words from a wise man. Thank you for this.
Thanks to God!
Phenomenal messages. Thank you so much. God bless you. Kali Anastasi
Thanks to God...Amen...Kali Anastasi, episis!
Father Seraphim is always comforting and a great spiritual guide. However, this time I felt left in the air as I did not think about the spirits around us. I hope a video dedicated to that topic, may be a recording of the talk Fr. Seraphim gave in Atlanta.
Amen!!! I love this.
What a gift. Thank you for sharing this!
Beautiful. Thank you
Thanks to God!
@@ProtectingVeil I see Christ in you. Yes, indeed thanks to God!
Thank you so much for this Herman. What a wonderful man, I would have loved to have talked with him.
Thanks to God...yes, indeed...
god bless..hi from hellas..!!
Χαίρε, αδελφέ! Χαίρομαι που έχουμε φίλους στην αγαπημένη Ελλάδα! Καλό αγώνα, σ'εύχομαι...
Wonderful!
"He that hath knowledge spareth his words..."
This is great, thank you for sharing. I'm wondering if someone knows what Fr. Tom meant my changing the old system of the Patriarchates? Maybe he clarified in another video or audio. Thank you.
The ethnocentric prerogative of the Orthodox church has always been a turn off to me, being a Westerner, I've had a difficult time reconciling this because of my own ethnocentricity. Which is ironic. I think the Catholic church is more universal and culturally and ethnically diverse, but, it's in spiritual famine and in a state of decay, which is unfortunate, really. Honestly, it was Fr. Serephim Rose who really paved the way for Orthodoxy in the West, during an age of decadence. I greatly enjoy reading his material.
mindless following must cease for honest communication to occur.
Not a fan of this approach towards faith. First of all, it can easily be quoted other thinkers and theologians that believed the opposite of what Father Hopko said. These arguments based on manmade ideas are ephemral and relativistic - faith is eternal and objective. The past is bad or good can be argued both ways. The point that should have been stressed more (as it was only touched upon) is that people should not get lost in these currents of ideas because God is eternal and eternity transcends time. In other words, until we get the grips of the reality that we are limited and shall forever dwell in the unknown of God's will that reveals itself only to a few chosen for reasons we can't understand, we shall discuss things that pass and, in the end, do not matter.
He sounds more protestant than Orthodox. Orthodoxy is timeless and changeless just as God is timeless and changeless.
You are not hearing what he's saying.